All,
This game is yet another excellent example of a "good knight vs. bad
bishop". A slightly unorthodox approach to the opening gives black the
opportunity to strike out ambitiously, believing that white's slow approach
is possibly not fundamentally sound.
Intriguingly though, white's subtle approach with his pawn-structure is
rather disguising. Black seemingly obtains a tangible advantage and can
proceed aggressively. This is somewhat of an illusion and white takes
complete control of a position that affords him no losing chances. The
smooth path to victory therein is a simple matter of technique.
Nick Walker is a strong English player, where his grade has hovered around
ECF 200 for some considerable time. It is unfortunate that the game itself
does not allow his true strength to be displayed.
Enjoy!
[Event "Central London League 2015-2016"]
[Site "London, ENG"]
[Date "2016.06.06"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Ross, Chris"]
[Black "Walker, Nick"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[Annotator "Chris Ross"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2016.06.06"]
[WhiteTeam "Drunken Knights 1"]
[BlackTeam "Hackney"]
{C77: Ruy Lopez}
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. d3
{The Ruy Lopez has become rather annoying in recent years and especially so,
when Kramnik flourished the Berlin Defence to such an exasperating extent at
the end of the last century. So much theory has been produced to discuss the
Spanish, that a lot of the strong players now use it as a drawing mechanism.
Naturally, if white wishes to push for winning opportunities, he has to take
a more unorthodox approach to the opening, not only to avoid multiple layers
of theory, but to create some new nuances in the positions.
With the text-move, white creates a more slower setup. He wishes to develop
his pieces more gradually and allow the central formation to be created on a
later date. This may give black chances of his own to develop tension
through the centre, but the d3-approach is not unknown, but may cause
black-sided players of the Ruy Lopez some frustration.}
5... Bc5
{Since white has not directly challenged the centre with c2-c3 and d2-d4,
black takes the opportunity to actively post his dark-squared bishop outside
of the pawn chain. For white to challenge this bishop, he will have to waste
a tempo by playing a future d3-d4.
White, however, is actually content to do this at a later time. It may be
argued then that the temporary loss of tempo for white is regained by the
necessity of the dark-squared bishop having to find a new home.}
6. c3
{solidifying the d4 square and preparing d3-d4. The main point of the move
though, is to provide the white light-squared bishop on a4 a more feasible
flight square. In many lines of the Ruy Lopez, this bishop is driven back to
b3 with a black b7-b5 pawn thrust. White will then create a flight square
with c2-c3 and after Nc6-Na5 for black, the bishop will hide away on c2.
With the text-move, white creates that flight square immediately, thus
negating the need to waste a tempo by putting the bishop back on b3 first.
Curiously, the light-squared bishop on c2 offers protection to the e4-pawn,
thereby permitting a future d3-d4 and also, providing support were black to
push with d7-d5. In that sense, white is not obliged to capture on d5 with
e4xd5.}
6... d6
{Black secures up the centre, allowing the knight on c6 to move and opening
up the light-squared bishop. All very commendable, but the major draw-back
is that the knight on f6 can be pinned with Bg5, not allowing it to be
unpinned by a retreat of the dark-squared bishop. This is a committal
approach and this sheer indication displays the black intension not to get
involved with slow, positional manoeuvring. A slight psychological flare,
but an important one.}
7. Nbd2
{As with the approach to the setup, white delays castling as long as
possible, with the idea of positioning his pieces as quickly as possible,
due to his slow central pawn formation.
Black has not castled himself yet, so the immediate pin of the knight on f6
is not of any use. Black can happily drive the bishop away with h7-h6 and
g7-g5, as this would not cause king-safety consequences, although it does
create pawn weaknesses that will have to be resolved at a later basis.}
}
7... O-O
{Black commits his king. Again, an indication that he is not concerned about
entering into tactical complications.
Now comes the issue of the white development and the control that the black
bishop-pair are exerting.
The bishop on c5 is strongly positioned, although white has future
aspirations of playing d3-d4. Although this is now possible, this would give
white developmental difficulties due to the loose nature of the e4 pawn. Re8
will come in very quickly and with a future Bg4 for black, the d4-pawn will
become very precarious.
The concept of the opening is not to slowly form the centre and then lash
out and create loose pawns. Slow control is the objective.
So, if the bishop on c5 is not to be immediately targeted with a future
d3-d4, how does white tackle that issue?
Also, for consideration is the black light-squared bishop arrival on g4.
This will give white difficulties and since he wishes to castle there, the
knight is pinned uncomfortably against the white queen, who has no good
square to flee in order to avoid the pin. C2 is required for the
light-squared bishop and e2 or e3 serve no purpose. E1 is a bit of a silly
square and would leave the d3 pawn/square weak were black to play d6-d5.
Further contemplation gives us more guidance. The move 8. H3 would prevent
the black light-squared bishop landing on g4, but would create significant
positional weaknesses. In that sense, the dark-squares around the white
king-side would be very vulnerable. G3 say, is a problem if white castled,
for a possible black knight landing on g3 via h5 is in the offing, as f2 is
pinned against the white king.
Also, if 8. H3 is played, the natural pawn break for white is f2-f4. Both h3
and f4 create weaknesses on the dark-squares, especially so, that g3 square
and by the time white has played castles, Kh1 and f2-f4, black has probably
managed to get a knight via c6-e7-g6 preventing the pawn break.
Yet another consideration. The f2 pawn is a tactical point of focus. Black
may even be contemplating Ng4 to attack it. Defending f2 should be easy
enough, and especially so when white castles. Castling though, involves the
same difficulties as described above.}
8. Nf1
{some experience in such positions needs to be gained before embarking on
such setups. After a number of games with similar ideas, the threads and
themes become familiar to a player.
As with some other systems, such as the QGD Exchange, Minority Attack
variation, a player can reroute minor pieces before castling has been
accomplished.
In certain lines of the Ruy Lopez, it is commonly seen that white plays
castles, Re1, Nbd2-Nf1 and then the knight hops into g3 to target the f5
square.
The text-move here has a similar idea, and utilises the f1 square before the
rook occupies it. Intriguingly though, the white steed is not headed for g3,
but instead, e3, where it effectively blocks the diagonal of the
dark-squared bishop on c5, thus limiting the dark-square weaknesses on the
white king-side. Also, the d5 square is controlled, making d6-d5 a more
challenging prospect. F5 is still targeted and critically, the g4-square is
hit to challenge a black light-squared bishop from landing there.
The secondary objective of the text move is to allow white to develop his
own dark-squared bishop. This has two viable options, via g5 pinning that
knight on f6, which cannot be unpinned by black's own dark-squared bishop,
or if needed, to e3, where an exchange of the dark-squared bishops can be
forced.
Now pawn formation is becoming a very critical element of the game and
again, some experience with the "small" pawn centre is required to fully
appreciate how this centre should be moved and utilised.
It is about now, when the most important square on the board needs to be
considered. Not only the most important, but both useful and critical to the
future conduct. It is this square, added with the positional factors
described above and later, that found the basis of this game.
Knowledge of the King's Indian Defence and the usage of outposts are also
helpful to analyse this position.}
8... Ng4
{Black avoids any pinning options by white. Also, the aforementioned
f2-square is directly attacked. Since castling for white is no longer
possible, this makes sense, as white has to make a structural concession to
solve the tactic. This seemingly involuntary structural weakness though, is,
in fact, a help for white.}
9. Ne3
{Reaching the square as planned. The attack on the f2 square is blocked and
the d5-square is controlled. Again, black has to justify his ambitious play
by tactics, otherwise, his pieces will be driven backward with loss of
tempi.}
9... f5
{actively played. This is a seemingly aggressive approach to the position,
but it adds dynamics to the position that black will find difficult to solve
at a later point.
The tactical justification is that if white captures on g4, then a recapture
of 10... fxg4 will attack the knight on f3 and open up the rook's line to
the f2-square.
It is important to note though, that this move opens up the a2-g8 diagonal,
a clear line of fire down to the black king. As can be seen in similar lines
of the English opening, white has forking possibilities with Qb3+ and Qxb7,
which may prove embarrassing for the knight on c6.
Since black has intentionally strove forward with 8... Ng4, the forward
momentum is logical enough.
More precautionary is 9... h6 or 9... Be6 or even 9... b5 to rid himself of
the b7-pawn problem.}
10. exf5
{White is apparently willing to open up lines, despite his obvious lack of
development.
This capture is essential though, since white cannot permit f5-f4 completely
clamping down on the king-side, where an inevitable king-side pawn-storm
will occur. White will never be able to drive the black minor pieces back
and indeed the position would resemble a King's Indian Defence where the
black dark-squared bishop is actually better placed on the g1-a7 diagonal
instead of being buried away on g7.
The key point to realise though is that the giving up of the white E-pawn is
not a central pawn loss. For, as the tactics will prove, white will soon
emerge with a new one!}
10... Bxf5
11. O-O
{White has now completed his king-safety. Unravelling now will commence. The
immediate issue for black is the light-squared bishop, for its capture is
threatened. It was not possible to take this on the previous move, since the
f2-square is weak and Bxf2+ could be an annoying zwischenzug. Even 11...
Nxf2 may have been possible.
Other considerations for black are for white to capture on g4, if the
light-squared bishop runs away to d7 or e6, followed by Qb3+ and Qxb7
leaving the knight on c6 loosely placed.
As it becomes apparent, black is now obliged to exchange a couple of miner
pieces, easing white's seemingly cramped position and opening up lines.}
11... Nxe3
12. Bxe3 Bxe3
13. fxe3 Kh8
{A very critical point of the game has now been reached. White has released
his pieces and ensured that the dangerously positioned advanced black minor
pieces are removed from his half of the board. Things are beginning to
become clear.
The text-move by black removes any of the Qb3+/Qxb7 tactics. White has
reacquired an E-pawn and central control.
White has to consider the tactical tricks that black has at his disposal.
Bg4 is a distinct possibility for black, putting a very awkward pin on the
knight on f3. White cannot escape this easily with a handy check on b3 by
the white queen.
Another annoying positional move for black here is e5-e4, disrupting the
white pawn formation, since captures may leave white with an isolated
E-pawn, which may prove very difficult to defend.
The final two elements critical here are:
1. What type of end-game does white desire?
2. What is the most important square on the board?
Answering these two key positional questions and thinking about the tactical
tricks at black's hands, how white now decides to continue with this
strategy is of absolute, quintessential importance.}
14. d4!
{Aesthetically, this may seem a surprising choice to challenge the centre,
but the move in itself ticks all of the boxes considered above.
14. E4 appears to be the more "natural" response, driving the black
light-squared bishop away and ensuring that black cannot play e5-e4 himself,
shattering the white pawn structure.
First, 14. E4 just encourages black to play 14... Bg4, when the pin on the
knight is very awkward. White cannot develop his queen to a suitable square
without the pawn formation of white's being compromised by exchanges. The
white queen can sit on e2, but will take another move to get to e3 to unpin.
Even then, when on e3, it is not entirely clear how white can unravel his
pieces.
The point is that if the white queen wanders away from the knight's
protection on f3, exchanges will incur, even if it involves a rook swap, but
ultimately, white will be left with a backward f3-pawn. That in itself is
not entirely fatal, but more critical, is that the f4-square becomes a huge
outpost for black, since the dark-squared bishops have been exchanged.
The realisation that it is, actually, the f4-square that is the most
important square on the board now helps shape the play. White has to control
that square to prevent tactics happening down the F-file. The F-file is open
and black can very quickly double if not triple down it. Keeping control of
f4, will limit black squares to how he can load up his heavy pieces on the
open file. In that sense then, f4 is taken away from him, leaving only f6
effectively as a possible springboard square. F7 is possible, but may be hit
with Bb3 by white.
Another key to the position is the end-game that white is ultimately aiming
for. He has an excellent opportunity to steer the game into a "good knight
vs. bad bishop" structure. Since the white light-squared bishop is already
in a position to exchange itself for the black knight, it is only sensible
to position the white pawn-formation on dark-squares, offering the occasions
for that desired ending.
Tactically, white is threatening to capture on c6 and then e5, completely
shattering the black pawn-formation, leaving weaknesses everywhere, if not,
leaving the e5-pawn loose in the process.}
14... e4?
{Black's first major critical positional inaccuracy.
It hardly looks significant, but this simple pawn push creates tremendous
difficulties for black, who is now going to be on the back-foot for some
time to come. Black soon compounds this inaccuracy and plunges himself into
an irretrievable position.
Black's only real option was to play 14... exd4 when 15. Exd4 would iron out
the white pawn formation and clarify things considerably for him. White
would follow up by playing Qd2, controlling then the f4 square with his only
piece that can control it effectively and then double rooks on f1 and f2, or
play Rae1 and begin operations down the E-file. White can keep the option of
playing Bb3 or Bc2 to exchange the light-squared bishop. However, on a4, it
causes black grave difficulties, for moves like Qd7 or Rae8 allow d4-d5
ideas, winning material and if black hassles the bishop with b7-b5, white
can play Bb3, when Bd5 could be awkward for him.
The white d4-pawn clamps the black knight down very effectively, taking away
the e5 square and not allowing Ne7/Ng6 as a possibility, which certainly
would have been possible were white to have played 14. e4.}
15. Nd2
{The white knight retreat appears meek, but is in fact, very useful. The
knight exerts pressure on the isolated e4-pawn and protects the f1-square,
which may prove a point of penetration were exchanges to occur down it.
White can gather pressure on the e4-pawn with Bc2 and Qb1 at his will.}
15... Qg5
{this apparent aggressive move only prompts white to continue with his game
plan. Black's artificial king-side attacking threats are of no concern to
white, for his positional superiority soon justifies any weaknesses in his
king-side.}
16. Rf4
{thus occupying the most important square on the board and blocking the
attack to the e3 pawn.
As mentioned before, it was essential to control the f4 square, as that
could have been used by black to double or triple along that file. It is now
whites and white can count that as a square to double or triple himself. In
effect then, white has the f4, f2 and f1 squares to build up heavy forces
along the F-file. Black only has the f6 square, since f7 can be targeted
with Bb3.
It is of great usefulness that the text-move gains a vital tempo by
attacking the loose e4-pawn. Black does not have time to reroute his knight
to e7 to d5/g6, since white can simply steal on e4 and a rook on e4 will
adequately defend the e3-pawn from the front.
16... Bh3 for black does nothing at all, since the white queen can swing to
f1 quickly enough. Captures on f4 by black achieve nothing, for white will
recapture with the pawn, gaining time on the black queen, which must retreat
to g6 or head into g4, when white can, once again, steal the loose e4-pawn.
Note how, in all of this, how weak the black back-rank is. With the black
king hiding on h8 away from attacks along the a2-g8 diagonal, he has
actually created himself more difficulties on the back-rank, increasing
pressure down the open F-file.
Black has a massive decision to make now. In fact, a game-saving one. E4 is
directly attacked.
16... Rae8 is not possible due to 17. D5 and if offered the chance, white
will simply play Qe2, Raf1 and Qf2 and the tremendous pressure down the
F-file will soon tell.}
16... d5?
{After which, black is simply lost.
He naturally wished to defend his loose e4-pawn, but this offers no
resistance to white's plans. White's game from now on is very easy and
simple to execute. The avoidance of blundering tactically is his only
concern.
16... Bg6 is black's only way to continue to put up any kind of fight in
this game.
White would have several ways to continue, which include capturing on c6 and
even supporting the rook on f4 with g2-g3. White can build slowly with Qf1,
Qf2, Rf1 etc. Despite it being very easy for white to play, black is not
entirely out of the game. With the text-move, there is no hope for him.}
17. Bxc6
{Played without any hesitation at all. White now enters into the good knight
vs. bad bishop structure with absolute ease. The pawn formation is ideal.
White has two pawn islands and his only weakness, e3, is easily covered and
supports in fact, the outpost on f4. Black has 3 pawn-islands, but doubled
and isolated units on a6, c6 and the c5-outpost screams out for a knight to
occupy it.}
17... bxc6
18. Qe2
{The white queen belongs on a dark-square, since those bishops have been
exchanged, but she is temporarily required to pressurise the loose pawn on
a6, which will inevitably collapse.)
18... Rf6
19. Raf1 Raf8
20. Nb3
{The white knight begins his journey to the outpost. The a6-pawn is running
absolutely nowhere. There is no haste at all to steal it. There is no
salvation for the pawn, so white can take as much time as he likes to
snaffle it.
White must keep a cautionary eye on his king-side, as he must not permit
himself to be hacked up or swindled by a dirty tactic. Complete calm and
control is required at all times.}
20... Bg4
{Black's only hope in the position is to try for tactical swindles. White's
sheer positional dominance will ensure that none of these will bear any
fruit.}
21. Rxf6
{Exploiting the vulnerable back-rank.
21. Qxg4 Qxg4 22. Rxg4 Rxf1~ is not very clever.}
21... gxf6
{Yet another pawn weakness for white to play with. Happily, this pawn shift
to the F-file means that any pawn advances for black are easier to handle.
Had the pawn been kept on the g-file, launches with h7-h5-h4 and g7-g5-g4
may have to be contemplated. As it is, any threat down the G-file can be
easily avoided.}
22. Qf2
{It is all about keeping control. The queen exerts pressure on f6, ensuring
that the black rook cannot switch to the queen-side or even onto g8 for
tactical tricks.}
22... Kg7
23. Nc5 Bc8
24. b4
{Further paralysing black. Again, white is in no hurry to cash in on his
positional superiority. He can advance his queen-side pawns before
converting his advantage.}
24... Rf7
25. a4 f5
26. Qe2
{26. A5 is possible but not necessary. It may prove to be desirable in any
future ending to break with b4-b5, even if the a6-pawn has been snatched.
26. Kh1 is an even calmer way to play the position, although I deemed this
rather unnecessary.}
26... Rf6
{Black desperately seeks tactics along the 6th rank. If white steals on a6
then tactics may become possible for him. Again, white has to remain calm at
all times.}
27. Rf4
{Once again, occupying the most important square of the middle-game. The
e3-pawn is defended and the rook is air-lifted to prevent black from
advancing f5-f4 once the white queen can temporarily wander away to the
queen-side. Also, white can play h2-h4 if he so wishes, play g2-g3 if black
launches his H-pawn and Qf2/Qh4 is a possibility now.}
24... Rh6
{The significance of this move, is that black no longer has the move Rf7 to
cover any checks along the 7th rank. This is important, for white can now
engage in some tactics to convert his positional superiority.}
28. Nxa6 Be6
{the point is that if 28... Bxa6 29. Qxa6 c5 gaining time on the white
queen, 30. Qc8 or 30 Qb7 will attack d5 and threaten c7 or even to penetrate
onto d7, attacking the black king from the side and there is no black rook
to block a check on f7. The white queen will then deliver lethal threats
from behind.}
29. Nc5 Bf7
{29... Kf7 30. a5 and white's outside passed pawn begins its march.}
30. Qf2
{Again, white must remain calm. He has successfully snatched the a6-pawn,
leaving himself with a tremendous passed pawn, which can run home at will.
White must avoid getting mated or losing significant material loss on the
king-side though.
The text-move threatens a queen exchange with 31. Qg3 and avoids black's
ideas of 31... Bh5 followed by possible Bf3 sneaky ideas.
Usefully with the text-move, the F5-pawn is attacked, offering yet another
avenue of penetration.}
30... Qh5
31. h3 Qd1+
32. Kh2 Bg6
{The final stage is necessary to finish this off and force a resignation.
Black has attempted to blockade all avenues of penetration. Advancing the
outside pawn is useful but not necessary. It is important not to allow that
to drop off in a tactical battle. It is well defended and can advance at any
time once tactics have been resolved.
There is only one avenue now of penetration and this is duly taken.}
33. Qg3
{the h2-b8 diagonal is the only way for the white queen to penetrate behind
the black forces. Also, e5 is a handy central pivot to spring an attack. In
the doing, the white king is further shielded from snap-attacks.}
33... Rh5
{Defending the f5-pawn since this was directly attacked, the light-squared
bishop on g6 being pinned against the king.}
34. Rf2
{Defending the second rank and opening up the diagonal for the white queen.
It will soon be over.}
34... Qe1
35. Qe5+ Kh6
{some calculation is required here but it is only inevitable that the white
queen and knight will combine to deliver the coup de grace.
35... Kg8 36. Ne6 Rxh3+ 37. Kxh3
Qxe3+ 38. g3 Qh6+ 39. Kg2 Bf7 is simple enough.}
36. Ne6
{Not a spectacular conclusion but easily enough to spot. The black king is
entombed and it is not surprising that such a tactic is evident. Black can
now only go desperate.}
36... Rxh3+
37. Kxh3 Qxf2
{A quick calculation and decision. White can spend time on the clock to find
the tactical finish, which must be there, or go for a simple direct
positional win, which means more moves, but they are very easy to find. I
chose the latter, as I saw no point in prolonging my efforts to calculate. A
long journey home meant the easy win. If a player has time and no reason to
rush, it would be worthy of calculation and effort to find the finish,
especially so in correspondence chess.}
38. Qf4+
{Forcing a queen-exchange and an easy end-game.
38. Qg7+ Kh5 39. Qf6 Qxe3+ 40. g3 Kh6 41. Kh4 is the clever tactical way to
play. Although I saw most of this in a quick review, I did not see an
absolute finesse. Hence the quick choice to take the easy guaranteed route.}
38... Qxf4
39. Nxf4 Be8
{Black must scramble back to stop the advance of the white A-pawn.}
40. a5 c5
41. dxc5 Bb5
{Again, a quick calculation that black did not have dirty f5-f4 tactics
available to him. White can take with exf4 and then run the king via g3 and
f2 to stop the E-pawn queening.}
43. Nxc7 Kg5
{Possibly having f5-f4 tactics renewed. Again, not time for calculation as
the prevention of this desperate effort can easily be implemented.}
44. Kg3
{And with the white passed pawns crashing their way through easily enough,
black finally threw in the towel. A comprehensive demonstration of good
knight vs. bad bishop.}
44. 1-0
Opening references
A.
8. h3 Nh5 9. d4 exd4 10. cxd4 Ba7 11. O-O Nf4 12. Nb1 Qf6 13. Nc3
Nxh3+ 14. gxh3 Bxh3 15. Bxc6 Qg6+ 16. Ng5 bxc6 17. Re1 Bd7 18. Kh2 f5 19. e5
f4 20. Nh3 Bxh3 21. Kxh3 Rf5 22. exd6 f3
Loew,G (2285)-Zude,A (2405)/Binz 1995/CBM 050 ext/0-1}) (
B.
8. O-O Ba7 9. Re1 Ng4 10. Rf1 f5 11. Bb3+ Kh8 12. h3 Nf6 13. Qe2 Nh5 14. Rd1
Nf4 15. Qf1 Qe8 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Ne4 Bxe4 18. dxe4 Nxh3+ {
0-1 Agnelli,F (2102)-Lucaroni,M (2295)/Bratto 2003/EXT 2004})
Chris Ross
June 2016
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