All,
A rare find indeed. I’m not known for my attacking prowess, but occasionally I
can whip up a fairly devastating king-side attack. This is one of those finer
moments.
Be aware that from move 18, there are some complex variations to consider. It
will be wise to play through them on a second board.
It is, however, instructive how some of the attacking themes appear in each of
the sub-variations repeatedly.
Enjoy!
[Event "Bedfordshire League Matches 2018-2019"]
[Site "Milton Keynes, ENG"]
[Date "2019.01.10"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Ross, Chris"]
[Black "Borrowdale, Graham"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[Annotator "Chris Ross"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2019.01.10"]
[WhiteTeam "Northampton"]
[BlackTeam "Open University"]
{C00: French Defence}
1. e4 e6
2. e5
{My current pet line against the French. This is not a refutation to the French
defence and indeed, I am becoming somewhat disenchanted with the variation, for
I believe it gives white equality at best. However, as a surprise psychological
weapon against an unexpecting opponent, it is invaluable. With due preparation
and an awareness that the variation is probable, black can set himself up
satisfactory to meet this unusual Steinitz variation. In league situations,
with quick time-controls, the complexities of the variation gives an opponent
pause for thought, gaining precious time on the clock.
Fundamentally, the variation chosen switches black from a 1. E4 opening to an
1. D4 structure, thereby taking black out of his comfort zone and altering the
complexion of the game entirely. Adaptability is an essential asset in a
player’s make-up and those who can adapt the quickest and best, will inevitably
thrive.}
2... d6
3. exd6 cxd6
{There are pros and cons for all three captures for black. This and 3... Qxd6
are certainly the top 2. Surprisingly, 3... Bxd6, which appears to be the more
natural recapture, is positionally the most inferior, as the bishop stands on a
poor square and the freeing idea of c7-c5 and future pins with Bg5 are all
problematic for black. The dark-squared bishop on d6 will normally have to
retreat to its more natural Be7 square, thereby losing a full tempo.}
4. d4 Nf6
{White has successfully switched to a 1. D4 opening, where black is usually
less familiar with the pawn formation than his standard setup. This structure
is certainly not inferior for black, but players not expecting such structures,
will often find it challenging to formulate constructive plans.}
5. Nf3 Nc6
{A natural looking development move for black, but actually, this knight has
very little effect on c6. The sole purpose of placing it on c6 is to attempt to
break with e6-e5, but this central thrust is fraught with such complications,
that it has to be calculated very carefully indeed. If the push e6-e5 is not
intended or even played, then the knight’s placement on c6 is just a waste of
time. Again, for the unexpecting opponent, appreciating such minor subtleties
in a short time-control is unfathomable.}
6. Bd3 Be7
7. O-O O-O
8. Re1
{Black’s principal counterplay in such a structure is to play e6-e5. White
hastens to hinder this and to activate his king’s rook. The f1-square is
facilitated for the retreat of the light-squared bishop were Nb4 to be flicked
in by black. Akin to ideas of the Ruy Lopez, the white queen’s knight is also
given a pathway towards the king-side.}
8...Qc7
{With the distinct threat of Nb4, eliminating the white light-squared bishop,
which cannot be permitted. E6-e5 is also boosted.}
9. c3 Re8
{An innocuous move, which achieves little for black’s endeavours. Here is the
first hint that black is floundering in an unfamiliar structure. The bishop on
e7 could potentially be a tactical loose piece, so protection is offered for
this. However, whilst black has enough pieces on the e5-square, he should take
his opportunity to play e6-e5. White, naturally, has specific ways to prepare
and react to this thrust, but unless this central push is attempted, then the
black pieces, such as Nc6 and Qc7 are redundantly placed. See opening reference
example below.}
10. Bg5
{The natural square for the bishop.
10. Bf4 is possible, but this bishop is undefended and vulnerable to Nd5 ideas.
In any case, the idea of Bxf6, and then a queen-bishop battery on the b1-h7
diagonal with Qxh7+ is initiated. Although a long way off, this is a potential
concept.
The other very important idea behind the move is if black were to play e6-e5,
white would have an option of Bxf6 and after black recaptures with Bxf6, the
push with d4-d5 is possible. This would turn the structure into a delayed
King’s Indian Defence setup. Whether this is an advantageous variation for
white or not is uncertain, but the option is there for white if necessary.}
10... h6
{It is lamentable to how many times PR3 moves have to be criticised. Here, it
is seemingly irrelevant to the structure that the PR3 has, but how this move
will come back to haunt black and is, ultimately, his downfall.
PR3 moves should only ever be played with a deeper intent in mind, such as
placing a pawn on a desired coloured square, giving a flight square from the
back rank and other such essential intensions. Playing it for the sakes of it
should never be undertaken. Black’s idea here is to enable an exchange of
dark-squared bishops and essentially weaken the f4-square, but this intermezzo
move is not required to achieve it. The PR3 is not just an anchor to be
targeted in the future, but importantly, it weakens some critical squares in
the black king-side.}
11. Bh4 Nd5
{Initiating exchanges in the hope to ease the pressure on the cramped black
position. Once again, black demonstrates his lack of familiarity with the
structure. Black should be concentrating his focus on completing development,
by either a6/b5/BB7 or just b6/BB7. However, the following moves illustrate
black’s mind-set on establishing a defensive posture, where the white advances
can be fended off. Such defensive attempts though often empower an attacker to
find creative ways to find chinks in the defence.}
12. Bxe7 Rxe7
{The rook recapture leaves the piece on a very precarious position. This is a
tactical liability, which will inevitably lead to black’s demise. Another
weakness on d6 is created and this pawn will require defence for the remainder
of the game.
White need not rush with his plan. Certain perfections need to be addressed
before any actual probing needs to be attempted. The closed nature of the
position and the unthreatening nature of the structure affords white time to
position pieces in the most accurate way.}
13. Bc2
{Cleverly re-positioning the pieces to advance the notion of creating the Qxh7+
theme. The d3-square is vacated for the white queen, but critically, the
advance e6-e5 is prevented.
13... e5 14. Dxe5 will discover an attack on the loose knight on d5.
13. c4 Nf6 14. Nc3 is certainly playable, but loosens up the white pawn
structure and care will need to be taken on the queen-side. The d4-pawn will
require defence and there is no direct way in which white can create tension in
the black camp. By the text-move approach, white keeps options open and allows
black to go astray.}
13... Nf6
{Yet another sign that black is defensively minded. The knight is retreated to
safeguard the king-side and to facilitate a possible e6-e5 break without having
it left loose on d5.
13... Nf4 14. g3 Nh3+ 15. Kg2 will only leave the knight loosely placed despite
the light-square weaknesses in the white king-side.}
14. Nbd2
{An important stage of the middle-game has been reached. Both sides need to
complete development to offer any hope of creating tension and opportunities
for improvement. White has to decide to where his queen’s knight is to be
developed. A3 and d2 are the only options. Although attractive on a3, the
knight does not have any “natural” pathways onwards. Although Nb5 may gain a
tempo on the black queen, it does little else from the b5-square and there are
no other options from there.
Na3/Nc4 is also possible, with Ne3 ideas to follow and from c4, the knight
controls the e5 thrust. However, once again, the knight is loosely placed on c4
and can be driven away by a b7-b5 thrust.
Developing the queen’s knight via d2 has the unfortunate disadvantage of
blocking the white queen’s protection of the D-pawn, not allowing it to advance
with d4-d5, driving away the knight on c6 to a much poorer square. The upturn
to the development on d2 though is that the knight can attack the black king’s
knight, which has become unnaturally defended following the dark-squared bishop
exchange.
Black’s next plan is critical to how his game will now enfold. The decision
needs to be made, to do or not to do.}
14... Nb8
{Played after some considerable thought. A clear indication that black’s not
willing to take the position on in an ambitious manner. This meek retreat
categorically demonstrates that black’s set to dig in for the long haul. Such
passive play is only deserving of a sharp retort.
It is at this point where black had to make the clinching decision whether to
play e6-e5 or not. Since there are no immediate tactical refutations to the
move, black had to decide to whether the long-term tension of the e5-pawn would
lead to any future prospects for him.
One critical line goes
14... e5 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Bxe4
when the light-squared bishop is powerfully placed on e4. There may be
quick-snap captures on c6, leaving the e5-pawn vulnerable and even ideas of
Nh4/Nf5. D4-d5 could be supported and captures on d4 by black will only leave
the d6-pawn isolated and vulnerable.
White would have the positional concept of playing dxe5 and after d6xe5,
playing Qe2, securing the queen and then playing for an end-game advantage with
a 3 VS 2 pawn majority on the queen-side.
There is still a lot of play in the game and there are many obstacles to be
overcome to reach such an end-game, but white would have a distinctive
plausible objective to aim for.
The text-move by black intends to re-route the hindered queen’s knight back to
support its counterpart in the defensive duties of the king-side. This
seemingly negative retreat not only loses valuable tempi, but importantly,
permits white to bring yet another piece to bare on the king-side.}
15. Nf1
{Since black has lost tempo by un-developing his queen’s knight, white can
afford to keep pieces on the board. The advance to e4 would only enable black
to exchange and then justify the queen’s knight to re-join the fun with Nd7 and
Nf6. The white queen’s knight has a more important role to now play.}
15... Nbd7
16. Ng3 Nf8
{So, the black queen’s knight has now found its way to the king-side to defend
the h7-square against future white Qd3 batteries. Commendable, but at a large
cost of tempo. This alone would be perfectly acceptable, had not 10.. h6 been
played. That PR3 move way back then has not allowed this knight now to land on
g6, pressuring the f4 square, as captures with Bxg6 would not allow hxg6
exchanges. F7xg6 would be forced irreparably damaging the black pawn structure.
So inconsequential did 10... h6 appear, but it comes to show how such innocuous
moves cannot be taken likely.}
17. Qd2
{Developing the white queen and protecting the f4-square, the only weak point
in the white camp. Black is not able to occupy this weak square easily as Ng6
has been ruled out. The white rooks are connected and the question is put to
black to how he is going to complete development. White has a simple plan of
either Rad1, Rac1, Re2 with Rae1 and other such ideas. Even a Qd3, Nd2/Ne4 and
Nh5 to undermine the two black knights to create weaknesses. The white plan is
obvious, easy and fluid. Black’s strategy and plan is not so.
Black to play and either seal his doom or make a fighting go of it.}
17... Bd7
{Black amazingly implodes. In an endeavour to get developed, black fails to see
the immediate danger that white has cunningly disguised in his simple
development.
The one single essential factor that the text-move prevents, is the black
queen’s defence of the second rank and her inability to protect the h7 square.
This may seem farfetched, but it is actually the hinge point to why black now
loses the game in such a dramatical manner. With the black queen being shut off
from the defence of the black king-side, some very careful calculation now
needs to take place. Having spent 15 minutes on the clock to reach this
position, some deep thought now needs to take place to consider and appreciate
the nuances of the position. I spent 20 minutes here figuring out the various
lines of calculation, points of penetration, and there are some very
challenging aspects to the variations that are very complex. I strongly urge
the reader to take an consider these lines now very carefully and do not rush
in intuitively, as there are some difficult defensive lines that black can put
up to resist and impromptu attack. Instinct tells one that white has a strong
attack now, but the small print needs to be read before venturing onto such a
foray.}
18. Nf5
{The first demonstration of the black queen’s inaccessibility of the second
rank. The black rook on e7 has suddenly become undefended, allowing this idea.
Black can’t capture the knight and leaving the rook on e7 would only drop the
exchange with check.
Interestingly, 18. D5 is also another neat way to exploit the loose rook on e7.
18... Nxd5 19. C4 Nf6
(19... Qxc4 20. Bb3 and captures on d5 doesn’t allow black to recapture with
e6xd5 due to the pin on the e7-rook)
20. Nf5 and then captures on d6 leave black very awkwardly placed.}
18... Ree8
{White can still opt out now if he so wishes.
19. Ne3 would be a perfectly acceptable retreat and the game can go on.
However, after due calculation, white can tear into the black camp.}
19. Nxh6+
{Not played lightly. Begin the calculations for this is make or break for
either side now.}
19... gxh6
{Black has no option. Declining the offered knight would only allow the f7-pawn
to fall with N7g5+ to follow. Yet another example of the black queen’s
inability to defend the second rank.}
20. Qxh6
{Reaching this position is absolutely fine and easy enough to calculate, but
now comes the variety of defensive alternatives that black has. Calculating
them when beginning this process took time and patience and with a certain
degree of intuition.}
20... N6h7
{OK, so here begins the fun with the variations. Black has a lot to handle here
and naturally, this took a lot of time on the clock for him. If he can’t
defend, then, he’s going to go down quickly, as the black forces are not
coordinated.
There’s a constant theme throughout the variations that now follow and continue
to the end of the game. To bring to bare the white forces as quickly as
possible for the final attack, however much it costs.
Some sample lines:
A. 20... Ng4 21. Qg5+ and the loose knight on g4 falls.
B. 20... Nd5 21. Ng5 and with Bh7+ Re4 in the air, black will collapse quickly.
C. 20... N8h7 21. Ng5 Nxg5 22. Qxg5+ Kf8 23. Qxf6 with a two pawn advantage.
D. 20... N8h7 21. Ng5 Nf8 22. Re3 – 22. Qxf6 wins the piece back too - and with
Rg3 coming, black has little hope
E. 20... Qd8 which appears to put up the most resistance.
White annoyingly has the stunning 21. Ne5! As a beautiful way to continue the
attack. Re3/Rg3 is facilitated.
21... dxe5 22. Rxe5 N6h7 23. Bxh7 Nxh7 24. Rh5 Qf6 25. Qxh7+ Kf8
and it is seemingly all over with the white attack having ran out of steam.
White has, however, netted two pawns and can actually grab a third on b7.
26. Re1 is essential to pin the e6-pawn, for after 26... Ke7 27. Qe4 will pick
up the b7-pawn.
27... Bc6 not possible due to 28. D5 and the e6-pawn is pinned.
This last variation is very difficult to conceive but the experience to realise
that the black king is so exposed affords white all the fun in such an open
position. Finding this optimal defence in such league short time-controls is
highly unlikely, so the probability factor to play into such a variation
favours white.
So, the text-move of 20... N6h7 is black’s second best response to fortify the
black king. To break this resistance somewhat goes against the grain of
continuing the attack and one that is not easy to initially to appreciate.
White must follow the attack up now very carefully, otherwise, black can
consolidate.}
21. Bxh7+
{A counter-intuitive way to continue the attack. However, there are two
elements to appreciate with this. The black knights are defending each other
and by doing so, are creating a barrier that is not breechable. By snapping
that bind, white loosens the sole remaining knight’s defensive power. Also very
importantly, is that black has the possibility of playing f7-f5, thereby
cutting out the power of the white light-squared bishop. If it is to be cut
out, then, why not trade it for a potential defender. The thrust f7-f5 needs to
be played to give the black queen access to the defence of the second rank.}
21... Nxh7
22. Re4
{Naturally, white needs to bring the rook into the attack to finish off
proceedings. The rook lift is slightly complex though, for should it go to e3
or e4, a challenging choice.
22. Re3 is certainly playable, but would inevitably lead to that scenario where
white has to snatch pawns for the sacrificed piece.
22... Qd8 is black’s best when the thematic
23. Ne5! Comes back into play.
23... Qf6 is the only move again for black to hold the position, when play
would go
24. Rg3+ Kh8 25. Qxf6+ Nxf6 26. Nxf7+ Kh7 27. Nxd6
with a lot of pawns for the bishop.
With Rg4+ coming, how does black now defend.}
22... Nf8
{Sadly, black capitulates very meekly, a sad reflection of the true fascination
of the complexity.
Here is the main variation that I had calculated when venturing out with 18.
Nf5.
22...f5
23. Qg6+ - an important check to force the king onto the H-file.
23... Kh8 24. Rh4
pinning the knight and allowing a possible Qf6+ depriving a black rook from
reaching the g8 square
24.. .Bc6 25. Ng5 Re7
and here I reckoned that I could calmly play 26. Re1 and simply snaffle the
e6-pawn.
It is important to realise that 26... Rg8 is not possible due to
27. Qf6+ Reg7 28 Rxh7 mate!
So, yes, I had seen this position after move 26. Re1 and deemed it better for
white.
I also saw ideas of Rh6, Qf6+ with Rg6 and even Nxe6 captures, all of which
didn’t need calculation, but experience and intuition told that all of these
were possible when starting out on this attack.
A final thought on how black could have attempted to defend.
22... e5 23. Ng5 Bf5
[23... Nxg5 24. Qxg5+ Kf8 25. Rh4 f6 26. Qxf6+ Kg8 27. Rh8#)
24. Nxh7 Bxh7 25. Rg4+ Bg6 26. Rh4 and to avoid mate, black must move the
F-pawn, allowing white to regain the piece on g6 with check and have a
devastating attack against an exposed black king.
All of these variations just go to prove how ineffectual the black queen is in
defending along the second rank with the light-squared bishop blocking her on
d7!}
23. Rg4+ Ng6
{Again, if absolutely nothing else at all, white can capture on g6 and gain a
perpetual check.
However, annoyingly for black, there’s another subtle mate that he has not
foreseen, that being on h8!}
24. Nh4
{Simply removing the last defender around the black king. There’s no salvation
now.}
24... Bc6
{Sadly for black, 24... e5 to hit the rook doesn’t work, due to 25. Nxg6 Bxg4
26. Qh8 mate!
A neat twist to end the tale of a decisive and calmly calculated attack.}
25. Nxg6 1-0
Opening references
A.
9... e5 10. Na3 Bg4 11. Nb5 Qd7 12. d5 Nxd5 13. Bxh7+ Kxh7 14. Qxd5 a6 15. Na3
Qf5 16. Re3 Qg6 17.
h3 Be6 18. Qd1 f5 19. Qc2 e4 20. Nd4 Nxd4 21. cxd4 f4 22. Re1 d5 23. f3 Rac8
24. Qf2
San Claudio Gonzalez,F (2245)-De la Villa Garcia,J (2450)/Spain 1990/EXT
1997/0-1})
Chris Ross
January 2019
