Queen Sacrifice (Pergamon Russian Chess Series)

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PERGAMON RUSSIAN CHESS SERIES

Queen Sacrifice

PERGAMON RUSSIAN CHESS SERIES ExecuIIνe

Edftor: Paul Lamford Editor: Tony Dempsey Ser/es Ed/tor: Kenneth Neat

Τechnica/

Russiaπ

Some other books

ίη

this series:

AVERBAΚH, Υ.

Chess Endings: Essential Κnowiedge Chess Endings Volume 1: Bishop Endings, Knight Endings Volume 2: Bishop against Κηίght Endings, Rook against Minor Piece Endings Volume 3: Queen and Pawn Endings, Queen against Rook Endings, Queen against ΜίηΟΓ Piece Endings Volume 4: Pawn Endings Volume 5: Rook Endings

Comprehensiνe

ΒΟΤνIΝΝIΚ, Μ. Μ. Achieνing the Aim ΑπβΙοlΥ κaΓρoν: His

Road Ιο the World Championship Selected Games 1967-70 GELLER, Ε. Ρ. The Application ΟΙ Chess Theory ΚARPOV, Α.

Chess βΙ the Τορ 1979-1984 ΚARPOV, Α. & GΙΚ, Υ. Chess Kaleidoscope ΚARPOV, Α. & ROSHAL, Α. Anatoly κaΓρoν: Chess is ΜΥ Ιί1θ ΚASPAROV, G. London-Leningrad Championship Games New World Chess Champion The Test of Tίme LlVSHITZ, Α. Test Your Chess 1Q, Books 1 & 2 NEISHTADT, Ι. Paul Keres Chess Master Class POLUGAYEVSKY, L. Grandmaster ΡΓθρβΓβΙίοπ Grandmaster Ρeήοrmaπce POLUGAYEVSKY, L. & DAMSKY, Ι. The Αή ΟΙ Defence ίπ Chess SHERESHEVSΚY, Μ. Ι.

Endgame Strategy SMYSLOV, V. 125 Selected Games SUETIN, Α. S. Modern Chess Opening Theory Three Steps Ιο Chess Mastery ΤΑι, Μ., CHEPIZHNY, Υ. & ROSHAL, Α. Montreal 1979: Tournament of Stars VAINSTEIN, Β. S. Daνid Bronstein: Chess Improνiser Α full catalogue of Pergamon Chess books is aνailable from: Pergιιmon Cheu, Rellw., Roed, Sυtton CoIdtIeId 873 βΑΖ, υ.κ.

Queen Sacrifice by

lakov Neishtadt Translated by

Ken Neat

ΡΕΗΟΑΜΟΝ

CHESS

Member of Maxwell Macmillan Pergamon Publishing Corporation OXFORD . ΝΕνν ΥΟΑΚ . BEIJING . FRANKFURT SAO ΡΑυιο . SYDNEY . ΤΟΚΥΟ . ΤΟΑΟΝΤΟ

Ηίll

υ.Κ.

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© 1991

Hall,

Βοχ

Κ. Ρ.

544,

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ΑΙΙ

Rights Reserved. Νο part of this publication may be reproduced, stored ίπ a retrieval system or transmitted ίπ any form οτ by Βπγ means: electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recofding οι othefwise, without pefmission ίπ writing ftom the pub/ishef First English Edition 1991

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data NeTshtadt, ΙΑ. Ι. (IAkov Isaevich) Queen Sacrifice / by Ι. Neishtadt: translated by Κ. Ρ. Neat. ρ. cm. - (Pergamon Russian chess saries) 1. Queen (Chess) Ι. Τίιlθ. 11. Series. GV1451.5.Q43N46 1990 794.1 - -dc20 90-40805

British Library C8taloguing Neishtadt. lakov Queen Sacrifice. 1. Chess Ι. Title 794.1

ίη

Publication Data

(Pergamon Russian chess series).

ISBN 0-08-037137-Χ Hardcover ISBN 0-08-037158-2 Flexicover

Printed ίπ Great Sritain by SPCC Wheatons Ltd, ΕΧΙΙΙθ!

Contents How this Book is

1.

From the Past

2.

The Aim

οΙ

the

Arrαnged

Sacήfice

νίί

6

Mating Finish Decisive Materia1 Advantage Transition into a Won Ending Sta1emate Perpetua1 Check The Erection of a 'Fortress' Chances of a Win, and Chances of a Draw

6 10 16 19 24 28 30

3.

Ιn

4.

Not just a Queen

50

5.

The Path to the Goal

58

the

Openίng,

Middlegame and Endgame

Diversion Decoy Defence-Elimination Re1easing a Ρίη οη a Κnight B10cking Square- or Line-Freeing Composite Methods

ν

33

58 74 92 99 113 117 120

CONΤENΤS

νί

6.

Reference Points

136

7.

Logίcal

145

8.

Calculatίon

9.

Positίonal Sacήfice

Outcome or Chance Happening? and

Evaluatίon

Continuation of the Attack Development of the Initiative Retaining the Initiative Seizing the Initiative Creation of an Attacking Position Launching a Counteroffensive Ιη Search of Counterplay Changίng the Character of Play

ΗeήtBge

10.

Classical

11.

It's your Move Answers Index

Ιο

173 175 177 181 182 184 190 202 204 210 232

the Tests

ο/ Players

154

and Ana!ysts

241 248

How this Book is Arranged From time to time the argument surfaces as to whether a sacrifice should be considered an essential feature ofa combination. We will define a combination as a forcing variation with a sacrifice, pursuing a positive aim and Ieading to a qualitative transformation of the position. And a sacrifice - a voluntary granting to the ορ ponent of a material advantage for the sake of other gains - is an invariable component of a combination. Attempts have been made to systemize sacrifices, by dividing them into temporary (or pseudo-) and real (or true)*, and ίη turn by breaking down each ofthese into sub-groupst. Ιη the mid 1950s an article specifically about the queen sacrifice was published by Konstantinopolsky:j:, ίη which sacrifices were divided into (a) opening, (b) involving a direct attack οη the king, (c) forcing the queening of a pawn, (d) sudden, (e) undertaken ίη defence ΟΓ counterattack, and finally (f) positional

sacrifices, to which the author also attaches equivalent exchanges (queen for three minor pieces ΟΓ two rooks).

t Those assigned by Spielmann Ιο temporary sacrifices are 'positional' (the material is regained, and the aim is Ιο improve the position), 'for gain' (the aim is a material advantage) and 'mating" Το real sacήfices he assigns 'for development' (of one's own forces), 'obstructive' (ofthe opponent's mobilization), 'preventive' (anti-castling), 'clearance' (opening Iines for a rook), 'vacating' (an important square for a piece), 'deflecting or decoy' (one or several of the opponent's pieces from the main part of the battlefield), 'king's field sacrifice', and 'king-hunt" Shamkovich gives a different subdivision. Pseudo-sacrifices are 'mating' or 'result-producing'. True sacrifices are aIso divided ίηΙο two groups: 'dynamic' and 'positional', the first including 'pursuit', 'developing', preventive', and 'retarding', and the second including sacrifices which are mainly based οη positional evaluation. ιι should be remembered that both classifications cover all sacrifιces, whereas the sacrifice of the strongest piece has features peculiar only Ιο itself.

'" Cf. Spielmann's The Art ο/ Sαcrίjίce in Chess (1935) and Shamkovich's The Modern Chess

Sαcrίjίce

+ 1955 214-234.

(1978). νίί

USSR Chess Yearbook,

ρρ.

νίίί

HOW

ΤΗ/5 ΒΟΟΚ

The terms 'temporary' (when the material is given υρ only for a definite time) and 'real' (when ίι is ηοι possible Ιο calculate all the consequences of the sacrifice, and one has ΙΟ part with the material for an indefinite time) are used ίη chess lίterature, but ίη general ηοΙ one of the proposed systemizatίons has become establίshed. When writing οη the theme of 'combinations and sacrifices', authors follow their own conceptions, sometimes ranking together ideas of quite different origin. There are many striking aspects Ιο the queen sacrifice, and we see this as also applying ίη the theoretical sense. We propose Ιο consider from various viewpoints the gallery of combinations presented ίη this book. Using /ormαI indicators, we differentίate queen sacrifices: (1) by the aims which they pursue (winning of the game, avoiding defeat, improving the posίtίon without a clear-cut final result - from obtaining winning chances ίη an equa! ΟΓ slίght1y superior position, ιο seeking ways of resisting ίη a c!ear!y unfavourab!e situation); (2) by the stages οΙ the game; (3) by the additional mateήal which is sacrificed and the order ίη which the sacήfices are made; Βυι ίι is much more important ιο differentiate sacrifices by their content: (1) by the theme* of the combination: (a) diversion of an

/5

ΑλλΑΝΘΕΟ

enemy piece ΟΓ pawn; (b) decoy (attraction) of an enemy piece ΟΓ pawn οηιο a certain square; (c) direct elίmination of an enemy piece ΟΓ pawn fulfil1ing an important function; (d) breaking the ρίη οη a knight by an enemy bishop; (e) blocking the escape path of the enemy king; (f) vacating a square by the queen so that a knight can occupy ίι (2) by typical final positions and typica! combination mechanisms by which these positions are achieved; (3) by motifs, ΟΓ, ιο put ίt another way, pointers - features of the posίtίoη which as though suggest Ιο us the existence οί" a combination (or sacrifice): insufficient defence of the back rank, cramped position of the enemy king ΟΓ, οη the contrary, remoteness of the pieces from its defence, over!oading of enemy pieces carrying ουΙ two ΟΓ more functions, 'geometric' features of the position, and so οη; (4) by the connection of the combination and sacrifice with the preceding play. We differentiate here between (a) !ogical sacrifices and (b) sacrίfices suddenly arising by a chance ΟΡΡΟΓιυηίΙΥ; (5) by the degree οΙ complexity of the combinatίon (difficulty ίη discovering the idea, ίη calculating variations, ΟΓ ίη evaluating the

* The term 'idea' is also used with the same meaning.

QUEEN SACRIFICE

final position). The chapters arranged by forrnal features are 'The aim ofthe sacrifice', Ίη the opening, middlegame and endgame', and 'Not just a queen'. Those reflectίng the content of the

ίΧ

sacήfice are 'The path to the goal', 'Reference points', 'Logical outcome or chance happening?', and 'Calculation and evaluation'. Α special chapter is devoted to the positional sacrifice.

1 From the Past 1 1 ίνe centuries have passed since the rules of chess basically acquired their present-day [orιn. Ιη Shatranj, the Iorerunner of modern chess, the queen was a weak piece, moving οηlΥ one square diagonally, and the bishop was οηlΥ a little more active, so that Ιhe greater part of the game took the Iorm of slow manoeuvring. But with ιhe reform ofShatranj, the queen and Ιhe long-range bishops became active combinational pieces, and this opened ίη chess a truly inexhaustible ~upply of creative ideas and gave the game exceptional dynamism. Ιη hand-written and printed books I·rom the late 15th and early 16th centuries, based οη the new rules, we 1Ilready encounter positions ίη which, ΙΟΓ the sake of the highest aim mating the enemy king - the strongest piece is sacrificed.

1. This is a problem from the treatise by the Spaniard Lucena (a manuscript written ίη the late 15th century). Its solution:

1 W

Mαte ίπ jίνe mονes

1 "'e6+ 2 lL!n+ 3 lL!h6++ 4 Wg8+!

Φh8 Φι8 Φh8

Α sacrifice to block ίη the king, after which mate by the knight follows. Α special section will be devoted Ιο this ancient tactical operatίon.

4 ••• 5 lL!n mate

J:txg8

ουΕΕΝ SACRIFICE

2

From Damiano's book (1512)

From a manusCΉpt by Greco (early 17th century) 3

2 W

Β

1

2. After

2 'itel

1 'if'xa7+ 2 .l:!.a2+

3 <3;dl 4 ltJxel

<3;xa7

White gives a linear mate.

ltJf2+ ltJd3++ 'it'el+! ltJf2 mate

Ιη Stamma's book (1737) the idea of 'smothering' the king is cleverly camouf1aged by introductory play.

Ιη those distant tίmes the aesthetic criteria ίη chess were very primίtίve. The brilliance of a sacrifice was determined by the formal value ofthe material given up (it shou1d be mentioned that a beginner today has the same criteria). Continuing our brief excursion through the chess monuments of the past, we give some extracts from the works of 17th and 18th century masters.

3. Οη this occasion the famous mate is constructed ηοΙ ίη the corner of the board, but with the white king at dl:

4 W

4. Mate is threatened at hl and g2, but by sacrificing his queen and then his rook, White gets there first:

1

~e4+

.l:!.b7

FROM

2 'ifb8+! 3 1:xa7+! 4 tΔc7 mate

ΤΗΕ PASΤ

1:xb8 .i.xa7

3

3

tΔe7+

Making way for the rook to go to c8. 3 '" 4 tΔπ+ 51:c8+ 6 1:I.xf8 mate

Even by present-day aesthetic standards, Stamma's combinations make a great impression.

Φh8

1:xt7 1:1'8

And now another exampIe from the same book, this tίme οη a more originaI theme. 6 W

5. This is perhaps Stamma's most Iamous composition. White, who is threatened with mate at hl, appears ίπ a desperate position, but catastrophe awaits BIack οπ the back rank: 1 1:h4!

Note that the combination does begin with a check. As wiII be seen from the further pIay, the bIack Queen must be diverted from the defence ofthe back rank. Αι the same time the diagonaI is opened for the white queen.

6. Mate by ... ltΊe2 is threatened, and ίη addition the white queen is attacked. The impulsive 1 "ilfc4+ Ioses after 1 ... Wb6. The soIution is

ποι

2 •..

"ilfxh4

2 'ifg8+!

φχg8

2 ... 1:xg8 3

tΔf7

mate.

1 1:I.a5+! ι

...

Φb6

wxa5

2 'ifxc5 mate.

2 'ifxc5+! 3 tΔc4+ 4 1:b6 mate

dxc5 and

And ίη conciusion - some compositions by the 18th century Italian masters.

ΟUΕΕΝ

4

From the book by Del (1750)

Κίο

SACRIFICE

From the book by LolIi (1763)

9

7 W

7.

W

1 'iWa6!

9. Here there is a different assignment: White must try Ιο save the game. As ίη the problems by Stamma, he is threatened with mate. He is rescued by

1:I.b8

1 ... bxa6 2 .i.c6 mate. 2 .i.c6 3 'ii'xa7+! 4 1:I.al mate

it' c8 Φχa7

From the book by Del (1750)

8

Κίο

1 1:1.18+ 2 1:I.a8+! 3 'ii'f8+ 4 'ii'c5+!

Φa7

'it>xa8 r:JΊ;a7

it'xc5 stalemate

Α similar 'miraculous escape' was devised by Ponziani (1769).

W

10. ΒΥ sacrificing one after another all his men, White gains a draw: 1 .i.f2 2 .i.xe3! 3 it' f2! 8.

1 it'd6+ 2 it'c6!

Φa8

'iWc8

e3 it'xe3 it' xf2

3 ... it'c5? 4 a5+. 4 a5+

-

stalemate

3 1:I.d8! with inevitable mate.

The perfectίng of playing standards - greater diversity of attacking

FROM

10 W

methods,

and

improvements

ίη

ΤΗΕ

PAST

5

defence - made for more complί cated combinations, including combinations with queen sacrifices. Α great number of new ideas appeared. Queen sacrifices began occurring not only ίη compositions, but more and more frequent1y ίη actual play. How the masters from the last and the present centuries sacrificed and sacrifice their queens will be described ίη the following thematic chapters of the book.

2 Τhe

Aim of the Sacrifice

First of all, we give combinations leading Ιο a win.

Riemann-Anderssen Breslau, 1876 12 W

MATING FlNISH Eckart-Tarrasch Nuremberg, 1887 11 Β

12. White decided that he cou1d safely take the f7 pawn (and then the rook ... ), and he played

1 J.xf7 11. White was mated moves:

1 ... 2 φχα 3 .ιe3

ίη

Black mate:

three

"iff2+! .:r.dl+ .ιχe3

retalίated

1 2 gxf3 3 ΦgΙ

mate 6

wίth

a forced

"ifxf3+! J.h3+

ΤΗΕ Α/Μ

Οτ ίη

ih4+ 4

the reverse order - 3 1:el+ and mates.

OF ΤΗΕ SACR/F/CE

φf2

φgΙ

3 ... 4 ΦΙ!

14. White concluded his attack with 1 'ii'xh7+!

1:el+ .th4 mate

Φχh7 2 1:h5+ 4 .tf8 mate.

1 ...

Tal-Vooremaa Riga, 1971

7

Φh7

Φg7

3 .th6+

Plaskett-VeIimirovic Banja Luka, 1985

13 W

15 W

13. 1 1ixf8+!

and Black resigned (l ... φχf8 2 .th6+ Φe8 3 1:a8+, and mates). Santasiere-Adams USA,1926

15. Mate at el is threatened, but it is White to move, and he is the first to announce mate: 1 'ifxh4+! 21:h7+ 3 h4 mate

ΦχΜ

φκ5

14 W

16. Black has just played ... 1: f8g8. Ιη reply Spielmann announced mate to the Allies ίη six moves: 1 2 3 4 5

1ixh7+! 1:h4+ 1:h6+ h4+ tiJe3+

Φχh7 φg6

Φκ5 φg4

Φκ3

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

8

Spielmann-Allies Agram, 1913

(2 "tWxf3 J:.xel mate, and otherwise 2 ... "iWg2 mate).

16

Pares-Benko 010Ι, 1971

W

18 Β

6 J:.f3 mate Lederιnan- Pytel

Le Havre, 1977

18. The game lasted just two more moves:

17

1

Β

"tWf4+!

2 lL!xf4 2

Φh3

"ifxf3 mate.

2 ...

exf4 mate

Podtserob-Kuntsevich Correspondence, 1971 17. The ofTer Ιο exchange rooks (ίη the event of 1 ... J:. xe 1+ 2 "iWxe 1 "iff3 White was intending 3 "ii"e4, defending against the mate and remaining a pawn υρ) was declined by Black, who played

1

"iWf3!

after which the game concluded

19 W

ΤΗΕ Α/Μ

OF

19. Black received 'mate by post': 1 'ifg8+!

tΔf7

mate.

tΔe7++

As will be seen from the following move, the double check must be given ίη this way, and ηοΙ by 2 tΔf6++? 2 .•.

2 ... ..t>h8 3

SACR/F/CE

9

1 Wxg7+! 2 h8=W+!

φχg7

..t>xg8

If 1 ... J:txg8 2 2

ΤΗΕ

tΔf7

3 liJSg6+ 4 liJxg6 mate

The pawn, obstructίng the attack, vacates the file. 2 .••

J:txh8

3 J:.gS+ 4 J:txh8+

Φf8

and mate next move. Reiner-Steinitz Vienna, 1860 21

mate.

Β

hxg6

Ekstrom- Ν.Ν. Sweden, 1929 20 W

21. Were the white rook ηοΙ οη the g-file, Black would give mate at gl, and so1 •.. 2 J:t g2

20. ΒΥ sacrificing two minor pieces, White has bumed his boats, and is now oblίged to conclude his ofTensive. This aim is achieved by

'ifh4!

The h2 square has to be defended, but after Black's next move his rook nevertheless penetrates Ιο gl. 2 •••

3 J:.xh2

'iWxh2+! J:tg1 mate

αυΕΕΝ

10

SACRIFICE CΙarke-Johansson

Syversen-Podgomy Correspondence, 1933

Amsterdam, 1954

22

23

Β

W

22. The direct 1 ... a5+ 2 φa3 b4+ does ηοΙ succeed: 3 cxb4 axb4+ 4 ΦΧb4 'it'b6+ 5 'itό>c3, 4 ... 'it'xd4+ (or 4 ... 1:[xd4+) 5 1:[c4. ΒυΙ if the black rook were at a2, there would be a mate ηοΙ only by ... 'it'a5, but also by ... a5. ΒΥ sacrificing his queen, Black achieves the required position without 10ss of

the queen to exchange rooks. Βυι the queen did ηοΙ withdraw. After

1 'it'xd8+! 2 ':xd8+

lLιxd8

the further move 2 •••

1:[g8

tίme:

1 ... 2 'itό>XB!

3

ΦΜ

"a!+!! ':xa2+ a5 mate

DECISIVE MATERIAL ADVANTAGE Combinations under this heading show clearly the temporary nature of the sacrifice - since the final goal is directIy aimed at winning material. 23. Black has just played his rook to d8, intending after the withdrawal of

was made 'through inertia', but then Black resigned without waiting for his opponent's reply: 3 1:[ xg8+ Φχg8 4 lLιe7+ and 5 lLιxc6. Α middlegame wίth Black the exchange ahead was transformed ίηΙο anendgame where he was two knights down! 24. There followed

...

"xg!!

2 "xg! 3 'itό>ιΙ

and by

3 •.•

lLι2h3+

ι

lLιa+

ΤΗΕ Α/Μ

OF

Antonov-Donchev Bulgarian Championship, 1979

ΤΗΕ

11

SACR/F/CE

account of mate, and 4 'itgl tt)e4+ 5 φhΙ tt)xd6 gives Black an extra piece.

24 Β

Amold-Fuchs Correspondence, 1970 26 Β

Black regained the queen, remaining as a result with an extra piece. Βήnck-CΙaussen

- J. Littlewood Varna Olympiad, 1962

25

26. After giving 1 ...

υρ

his queen with .xfi!

Β

Black uses knight forks to eliminate four(!) of the opponent's pieces: 2 3 4 5 6 25. After 1 ... 2 Wxd6 3 'ithl

Wxd6! .td4+ tt)f2+

White was oblίged Ιο resign the game. The knight cannot be taken οη

':xfi 'ith2 'ithl 'ith2 'ithl

l2Jg3+ tt)xfi++ tt)g3+ tt)xe2+ ':Ω

For the queen Black already has two rooks and a bishop, and, using the same mechanism, he also picks υρ the queen. It would have been simpler, however, Ιο give mate by 6 ... l2Jg3+ 7 'ith2 tt)e4+ 8 g3 ':f2+ 9 φhΙ tt)xg3. 7 Wxfi

l2Jg3+

QUEEN SACRIFICE

12

and

8 ...

5 J:g7+ 6 J.xh5 7 J.n

ttJxfi+

Sandler-Serebrennikov USSR,1980

Φh8

'iWc4 We4

Or 7 ... 'iWf4+ 8 cotbl Wxf5 9 J:g8+ coth71O J:hl+.

8 J.g8

27 W

Β.

Toth-Veresz Hungary, 1970 28 W

27. Whίte finds a way Ιο breach the defensive wall, by opening the g-file.

1 'iWn+!

t'ΔxΠ

If 1 ... 1:[xf7, then 2 gxf7+ coth7 3 f8=ttJ+! 'ith8 4 %:tg8 mate. 2 gxΠ+ 3 .I::thg3

coth7 1:[ χπ

28. Black assumed that his strong knight at e5 would safeguard him against any difficulties, but there followed 1 Wf6+ 2 'iWxe5!

Forced, since 4 1:[g7+ and 5 J:g8+ was threatened.

Φκ8

The knight was controlling c4. 4 J.xn

J:xh5 2 ... 3 J.c4+

Ιη

defending against the mate, Black has had to give υρ too much material, and here he could well have resigned. The game concluded after

'iWxe5

and he was obliged to resign (3 ... ttJf7+ and 5 ttJxe5, or 3 ... cotg7 4 J:f7+). Φh84

ΤΗΕ Α/Μ

OF

Peterson-Skuya Riga, 1950

ΤΗΕ

30. The game continued on!y 'half a move'. After

1 ...

29

13

SACR/F/CE

"ifxa2!

Β

Whίte resigned ίη view of the 10ss of a rook (2 n xe2 bxa2 and then ... al='if).

Padevsky-Asmundsson Reykjavik, 1957

31 W

29. 1 ..•

'ifxf3!

was played, and White stopped the c!ocks. After 2 gxf.3 exd5!, simultaneously two threats are created: mate at h3 and the capture of the queen. This means that White 10ses a knight. Ιη the fol1owing examples a queen sacrifice ensures the promotion of a pawn. Juarez-Schweber Mar de! Plata, 1971

30 Β

31. There fol1owed 1 "ifxg8!

lZ\xg8

2 h7 and the game concluded. 32. The black e-pawn appears very threatening, but after 1

'iνe7!

it transpires that the white [6 pawn is much more dangerous.

1 ... 2 fxe7

1:txe7 resigns

αυΕΕΝ

14

Najdod-Seidler Argentina, 1977 32 W

SACRIFlCE

2 ~xΠ+ 3 p:h7+ and before obtaining a new queen, White picks υρ the opponent's with 4 :.n+ 5 i,g5+ 6 i,xd8

Φe7

and

Dubinin-Aronin 15th USSR Championship Leningrad, 1947

34

Richter-Ahues Berlίn, 1928

W

33 W

34. After

1 1Wxf8+ 33. White crowned his attack with 1.Π!

Mate at g8 is threatened, the knight is immune, and so the sacrifice has Ιο be accepted 1 ... Then comes

2:'xIS the advance of the rook's pawn decided the outcome. The black queen is essentίally immobilized.

2... 3 h4 4 h5 5 :.n!

6 h6

Φb8

b5 Φc7

a5 b4

ΤΗΕ Α/Μ

7 a4 8 h7 9 1:ιeΙ+!

OF

Φd7

Φe7

ΤΗΕ

SACR/F/CE

after which Black wil1 be a knight up. White resigned. F. Silva-Carήon Cienfuegos, 1977

If 9 .:I.hl 1i'h8.

9 ... 10 .:I.hl

15

Φd7

36 W

One ofthe pawns reaches the prize square, and so BIack resigned. Κhasanova-L.

Zaitseva Moscow,1982

35 Β

36. The combination began with a pawn breakthrough and the creation of a passed pawn 1 b5!!

axb5

After this White proposed an exchange of three pieces for two ... 35. White's queen is trapped. Ιπ an attempt Ιο free ίΙ, she has just pIayed her bishop Ιο d4, expecting one of three possibIe replies - 1 ... 'iig6, 1 . . . 1Wh6 or 1 . . . ttJe6. There followed, however, the unanticipated 1 ...

2 cxd4

Wxd4!! b4

The queen remains imprisoned, while the b-pawn cannot be prevented from reaching the first rank,

2 'iixt7+!

3

1:ιχΠ

::ΙΧΠ

Ιη

the event of3 ... 1Wxf7 4 .i.xf7+ 5 a6 the pawn cannot be stopped. Any move by the queen leads Ιο its loss after a discovered check (e.g. 3 ... 1i'c6 4 1:ιc7+). Ιη the game ι;i(xf7

3 ...

ttJf2+

was played, and after

16

QUEEN SACRJFJCE

4 'ittgl

(If 3 ... "ifxa6, then 4 5 a8="if) but then

.:Ι. e8+

and

Black resigned.

4 .:I.bl 5 .:I.b8 Smyslov-Rossetto Mar del Plata, 1962

'itth7

concluded the batt1e.

37 W

TRANSUION ΙΝΤΟ Α WON ENDING Monostori-Florian Hungarian Championship, 1950

38 W

37. After

1 cxb6 came the instant reply

1

':I'el+

38. Had Smyslov really blundered away his queen? 2 .:Ι. xe 1 3 bxa7

"ifxb5

It was ηοΙ a blunder, but a sacrifice. Black cannot prevent the promotίon ofthe pawn. Rossetto continued

Whίte

1

played

lί:Ig5

having ίη mind the favourable variation 1 ... "ifxg5 2 "ifxg5 ttJxg5 3 .i.xb7 with two threats: 4 .i.xa6 and 4 h4. Βυι the temporary queen sacrifice

1 ... 2 .i.xd5

3 ...

"ifc6

3

Φg2

lί:Ixg3!

lί:Ixe2+

.i.xd5+

ΤΗΕ ΑΙΜ

40

OF ΤΗΕ SACRIFICE

lZ:!xcl

4

ι;i;>α

17

lZ:!xf4

5 .l:!.xcl 1 ... 1fgl+! would have led to the same finish.

led after

5 ... 6 lZ:!h3 7 .l:!.al

h6 ~xΔ2

Botvinnik-Boleslavsky Moscow/Leningrad,1941

~c4

40 W

Ιο

a technically won ending for Black. Αη.

Bykhovsky-Kuznetsov Moscow, 1958

39 Β

40. How can White realize his extra pawn? There fo11owed

1 lZ:!xeS

39. Black is a piece up, but he is threatened with mate ίη two moves, his queen is attacked, and his knight is ίη danger. His problems are resolved by a temporary sacrifice of queen and rook. What essentially occurs is a general exchange of a11 the heavy pieces, as a result of which Black achieves a won ending.

1 ... 2 1fxf4 3 ~xxl

1fxf4! .l:!.gl+! lZ:!e2+

fxeS

After 1 . . . .l:!.xc6 2 lZ:!f7+ Φg8 3 lZ:!xd8 .Ι:!. xd8 4 c4 [5 5 .Ι:!. [4 the double rook ending is hopeless for Black. After the exchange of knights the advantage is of course sti11 with White, but with the queens οη the board its realίzation is ηοΙ so simple. With a litt1e exchanging combinatίon, Botvinnik takes play ίηΙο a technically won rook ending. 2 -'xe8+! 3 .l:!.xeS 4 .ι:!.ε8 5 .l:!.xg8+

-'xe8 1fg8 .l:!.xc2 ~xx8

18

QUEEN SACRIFICE

Rogers-Kochiev

6 J:tb1!

Tallinn, 1985 The rook belongs behind the passed pawn! The remainder of the game lίes outside our theme. White ties down the opponent's king and rook by advancing his passed pawn, and then activates his own king: 6 7 8 9

'" bS b6 h3

41 Β

~n ~e6

J:tc8

Βυι ηοΙ 9 b7 J:tb8 10 ΦgΙ, since after 10 ... ~d6 11 ~f2 Φc7 12 ~g3 J:txb7 13 J:txb7+ ~xb7 Black saves the pawn ending (14 ~I4 Φ c6 15 ~ e5

Meanwhίle, ίη

the diagram posBlack could have sacrificed his queen Ιο obtain a won ending! ίΙίοη

~d7).

9 '" 10 Φh2 11 ~g3 12 Φg4

1 •••

J:tb8 ~dS

Φc6

Here it would be suicidal for Black go ίηΙο the pawn ending. After a further 25 moves White won the game.

Invίtίng Whiie Ιο capture the queen with check, which means that he will have an extra tempo for defence. ΒυΙ Black's threats are Ιοο sirong, and the tempo does ηοι help.

Ιο

41. The pinned knight is attacked. It cannot move and at the same time defend the queen, and therefore White seems bound Ιο restore material equality. Black played 1 ... Φ h8, and after 2 "ii'xe4 'ii'g5 3 "ii'e2 bxc4 4 .r::r.cl .i.g7 5 J:txc4 .i.f6 6 __ Π the game ended ίη a draw.

tZ:Ixf1!!

2 'ti'xfS+ 3 J:tg1

J:l.8g6

Interposing a queen check does help.

ηοΙ

3

tZ:Ixh3!

4 'ti'xh3

The queen has Ιο be given up, since otherwise there follows . . . liJxgl and ... J:txg2+.

ΤΗΕ ΑΙΜ

4 ••• 5 ΦΧh3

OF

.l:xh3+

5 gxh3 .l:xgl and 6 ... bxc4 is quite hopeless for White. 5 •••

6

ι;t>h2

.l:g3+ h3!

ΤΗΕ

SACRIFlCE

19

Black did not exchange his pawn for a piece. Το the question from his opponent "What piece do you want?", Gurin replied "Α queen". Then, without waiting for the queen to appear οη the board, Κhalomeyev played 2 .dl+!

The ending resulting by force is hopeless for White (7 gxh3 .l:xf3 8 cxb5 .l:b3 9 i.al f3 οτ9 i.cl .l:xb4). Let us now dwell οη positίons ίη which a queen sacrifice is the οηlΥ (and an adequate) way to avoid defeat.

STALEMATE We will begin with an amusing episode from the game Κhalomeyev Guήu (Simferopol, 1958).

After 2 ... 1Ifxdl White is stalemated. Strangely enough, the game did ηοΙ end at this. Αη arbiter observing the play ruled that the verbal announcement of the promotion of the pawn to a queen was insufficient, and invited Black to choose any piece. Guήη immediately exchanged his pawn for a rook -

1 ...

χΙ-.Ι:

Then Khalomeyev placed his queen en Ρήse οη a ditTerent square-

42 Β

211fb5+!

42. After playing

1 ...

χΙ

It has to be taken, after which White is again stalemated. Just as ίη one of Loyd's storyproblems! It will be recalled how Κίηg Charles ΧΙΙ of Sweden, playing chess during the Turkish siege of the fortress at Bender, announced mate ίη three to his opponent. At that moment a Turkish bullet knocked down one ofhis pieces. Then the king announced mate ίη a ditTerent way.

20

ουΕΕΝ

SACRfFfCE Φf3

Again a bullet hit one of his pieces, but he found a third way to give mate ... Ιη contrast to this story, which, it is assumed, was invented by the editor of Chess Monthly D. Fiske, ίη the Khalomeyev-Gurin game there were two stalemates instead of three checkmates. But οη the other hand, it did ίη fact all happen.

If White takes the queen, it will be stalemate, but otherwise the 'desperado' queen will not leave the king ίη peace.

Tikhanovich-Mester Baku, 1958

Panteleyev-Stolyarov Odessa, 1974

2

1It'f1+.

2 .•• 3 φα

43

44 W

Β

43. Black's c-pawn is ready to queen, οηlΥ how is he to avert the threatened mate? Οη 1 ... 1It'f8 White replies 2 1It'c6, picks υρ the dangerous passed pawn, and remains a knight υρ. Black is saved by ... generosity!

Black's king has ηο moves, and his f- and g-pawns are blocked. Two queen sacrifices enable him to save the game.

2

ΦχκΙ

44. White is a piece down, and moreover he is threatened with mate at h2 or f1. Ifhe defends with 1 1It'g2, then after 1 ... 1It'e6 (or 1 ... 1It'xg2+ 2 Φχg2 j,d5+ and 3 ... j,c6) he can resign. But if you note that the white king has ηο moves and the b4 pawn is blocked, you may think: can't White give υρ his queen and his e-pawn? ... And ίη fact, after

3

If 1 ... f6, then 2 4 1It'e8+!

~xf6+ Φf7

e8=~+! Φg8

Φχf6

5 1It'e5+,

ΤΗΕ Α/Μ

OF ΤΗΕ SACR/F/CE

2 ... ""ffl 3 'ii'xf6+ ~xe8 4 'iWe7+, or 2 ... 'ίth6 3 'ilH4+!

'ίtg7

4 .l:l.xh7+!

c;fo>h7

4 'iWxf7+ c;fo>xh8

4 'ifh8+ the game ended

Black had terminated his calculations at this point - the checks seem to be at an end ...

'ίtxh8

2 'ifh8+! 3 e8='if+ 3 ...

21

ίη

stalemate.

Gurgenidze-Suetin Moscow, 1961

Νο,

they are not! 4 ... 5 'iWh8+!

'ίtxh7 ΦΧh8

Stalemate.

Bykov-Timofeyev Odessa, 1962

45

46 W

Β

45. White's position is dismal. Οη his last move he retreated his rook from [6 to f1, leaving his g5 pawn undefended. Black decided to take the pawn. He was not worried about the two checks (at e8 and f7) - his king would hide at h6 ... There followed 1 ... 2 'ife8+ 3 .1:1. f7+

'iWxg5 c;fo>g7 'ίth6

46. After 1 ttJh6 White thought that he was winning. If 1 ... 'ii'xf6, then 2 ttJxf7 + 'ifxf7 3 'iWd4+ and mates, while οη 1 ... .l:l.ffl there is an even more entertaining mate, by 2 .1:1. g8+ .1:1. xg8 3 ttJxf7. But instead of defending against the mate, Black . . . gave υρ all his pieces -

22

QUEEN SACRIFlCE Ι ... 2 _xe4

3

ΦΧh2

.i.xe4+!

_h2+ J:82+

and gained a draw. After both 4 ΦhΙ J:h2+ and 4 _g2 (or 4 J:g2) 4 ... J:xg2+ 5 ΦhΙ J:xgl+ the result is stalemate.

the board, and all that was required was Ιο get rid of the 'superfluous' pieces. Sp8ssky-Keres 19th USSR Championship Moscow, 1962

Romanovsky-Leven6sh Leningrad, 1924 (variation from the game) 47 Β

47. Black is threatened with mate at h6 ΟΓ f7, and ίη addition he is a rook down. Βυι the sacrifιce of his remaining pieces saves the game: Ι

... 2 ttxe3

3 4

φα

5

ΦΧdl

Φel

"ii'e3+! J:d1+ J:d2+ J:d1+

If White does ηοΙ take the rook, ίι will perpetually place itself en prise. Βυι now Black is stalemated. Ιη the last five examples there was already a stalemate constructίon οη

48. Black's rook and his g-pawn are attacked. After weighing υρ a number of possible continuations - Ι . . . J:xaS, 1 ... _xaS, 1 ... _e2, 1 ... J:e2 and Ι ... J:al, Keres chose the last one. When the move Ι

...

J:81

was reproduced, most of the spectators decided that Keres had blundered ...

2 "ii'xg6+ 3 J:x81

ΦΜ _Χ81+

4 Φh2 (49)

Two mates are threatened - 5 g3 and 5 _g3. "It's a11 over", said someone ίη the

ΤΗΕ Α/Μ

stalls. And at that moment two players shook hands. word 'Draw' appeared οη demonstratίon board, together Black's move

OF

the The the with

ΤΗΕ

SACR/F/CE

23

extremely restricted, with οηlΥ one free square, and the [4 pawn is immobi1e. So what if 1

Μ!

blocking ίη the king? Black does have a single check, whereas White threatens Ιο sacrifice his queen at n or g8. Stalemate cannot be prevented. Here the aim was achieved by a 'quiet' move using so-cal1ed selfblocking.

49 Β

ηοΙ

4 .••

'ifh1+!

Henneberger- Ν.Ν. Simultaneous display East Germany, 1957

explaining the result.

51 W

Biglova-Strandstrom Rostov-on-Don, 1953 50 W

51. Black is a rook up, and the white king is ίη a desperate posίtion (mate is threatened ίη three ways ι ... 'ifh7, 1 ... 'ifh6and 1 ... J:th6). Βυι the paradoxical 50. The queen has ηο way of opposing the passed pawn supported by the rooks, and so White turned his attention Ιο the K-side. His king is

1 'iff6!! saves the game. Either capture of

24

QUEEN SACRIFICE

the queen giνes stalemate, whίle after Ι ... φh7 (there is ηο other way of defending the rook) the exchange of queens again leads to stalemate 2 'it'xg7+ :xg7 (or 2 ... ~xg7).

1 •••

'ife2

and after the exchange of queens win without difficulty ... Then, leaνing his queen en prise, Blackburne would haνe replίed

2 .tf8!!

PERPETUAL CHECK Blackbume-Steinitz Match, London, 1863

Note that the less spectacular 2 .tcl is equally as good. After the forced

52

2 .••

'ifxd3

W 2 ... h5 3 :xh5+. 3 :xh6+ 4 : gxg6+

Φι8

:Ι6+

φe7

5

ΦΧf8

6 :e6+

52. The adνantage is with Black, all of whose pieces are ideally placed. Blackburne played 1 :h4

setting the opponent two traps, one simple, and the other more subtle. Οη Ι ... 'it'xc6? White had prepared 2 .tcl h5 3 :xh5+ gxh5 4 'ifxf5+, when the denuded black king is mated. This, of course, is elementary. But an experienced player with Black would also think: why not play actiνely -

White giνes perpetual check. It remains to add that Steinitz did not fall into the trap. He replied 1 ...

h5

(there was also another way to parry White's threat - 1 ... 'if/6>, and after 2 .tb2 :d5 3 'ifc2 'ife2 he depriνed his opponent of any counterchances. Black's heaνy pieces are placed, whίle White's king is exposed and his rook attacked. With the help of a queen sacrifice, Ragozin finds a way to saνe the game. 53.

actiνely

ΤΗΕ Α/Μ

OF

ΤΗΕ

25

SACR/F/CE

Ragozin-Levenfish

Chistyakov-Peyko

Moscow, 1935

Moscow, 1963

53 W

54 W

1 'ifxh6+! 2 1:.xh6+ 3 1:.h7+ 4 1:.h8+

~xh6

Φg7 Φf8 Φe7

(4 ... r;;g7 5 :l.h7+).

If now the queen is taken, Black will remain the exchange ahead. This means that, when he worked ουΙ the sacrifice, White must have seen 5

~g8+!

after which Black can escape the pursuίt οηlΥ at the cost of losing material: after 5 ... 'ifxg8 6 1:.xg8 he is a pawn down ίη the endgame. Ιη the event of 5 ... Φd7 6 ~f6+ the king has Ιο return Ιο e7 (6 . . . 'i;c7? 7 1:.xc8+ and 8 Φχcl). The game went 5 ... 6 ~Ι6+

r;;f8

when a draw was agreed.

54. Ιη an apparently hopeless pos(White is material down, mate is threatened, and the black rooks control the second rank) Chistyakov could have avoided defeat by playing ίΙίοη

1 'ifxe7+!

After 1 ... 2 1:.Π+ 3 ~b7+ 4

Φχe7

Φd8

Φc8

~d6+

the game would have ended with a repetition of moves. The point is that Black cannot avoid the perpetual check by playing his king to b8, since this allows mate ίη four moves: 4 ... Φb8? 5 1:.fE+! r;;c7 6 1:.c8+ Φd7 7 .i.xc6+ r;;e7 8 1:. e8 mate. Instead of the queen sacrifice, White defended his bishop with 1 r;;dl?, after which he himself could

26

αυΕΕΝ

have been mated ίη four moves (1 ... :'xcl+ 2 rl;xcl flxa3+ etc.). Thomas-Davidson Spa, 1926 55

SACRIFICE

5 rl;xg2 6 φg3

'tIrc2+ 'tIrd3+

when a draw was agreed. Black can either give perρetual check himself, ΟΓ, by taking the f5 pawn, a110w his opponent to do this.

W Petrosian-Ivanovic Bar, 1980 56

W

55. Black has taken the initiative, but White found a pretty way to force a draw: Ι !:ta8+ 2 Wxe4!! 3 J.f6

rl;h7 fxe4 g5

Black has opened a way for his king to f5 (4 :. h8+ rl;g6 5 :. g8+ rl;f5). This means that, when he sacrificed his queen, White must have seen the subtle blocking move

56. Black is a piece down, but the white queen is attacked, and ίt is not apparent where ίι can move Ιο (οη 1 Wc7 there follows 1 ... :'xe3 2 rl;hl d4). Ivanovic considered his position to be more than favourable, and was not at a11 expecting Ι

4

'tIrxf6!!

Ι5!

after which the king cannot avoid perρetual check (4 ... exf5 5 .: h8+ rl;g6 6 :. g8+ and 7 :. h8+ etc.). The game went 4 •••

:'xg2+

Black has ιο take the queen, since if he interposes 1 ... :'xe3 ίΙ again places itself en prise - 2 .xg7+! (of course, ηοΙ 2 "ild8+? :'e8+) 2 ... rl;xg7 3lL!xd5+. Ifnow 3 ... rl;f8, then 4lL!xb4 ':xe2+ 5 .td4 .txd4+ 6 ':xd4 axb4 7 :'xb4 with a material advan-

ΤΗΕ ΑΙΜ

OF ΤΗΕ SACRIFICE

tage for White ίη the ending. Ιη the event of 3 ... J:. e5+ (instead of 3 ... Φ!8) White plays 4 Φh1, and then, after the queen moves, picks υρ the rook (4 ... 'if d6 5f4), finishing υρ with a rook and two minor pieces for the queen. Regarding 1 ... .txe3+, cf. the note Ιο Black's next move.

1 2 lLIxd5 (57)

μΙ6

4 5 6 7

27

.td4 J:.xd4 J:.xb4 J:.xb7

.txd4+ axb4 J:. xa2

Compared with the variatίon 1 'ifxf6 J:.xe3 2 'ifxg7+ Φχg7 3 lLIxd5+ Φf8 4 tDxb4 :'xe2+ 5 .td4 Black still has his [6 pawn. Even so this ending favours White, and ίη the end Petrosian succeeded ίη realίzing his advantage.

57

Οsmanagίc-Gιigοήc

Β

Sarajevo, 1963 58 W

2 .•.

:txe3?

Black should have played 2 j,xe3+ 3 Φh1 'ifc5 (the same position could have been reached by transpositίon with 1 ... .txe3+ 2 ΦhΙ gxf6 3lΔxd5 'if c5). After 4lΔxf6+ Φf8 (otherwise 5 lLId7+) 5 lLIh7+ Φg8 6 lLIf6+ White would have forced a draw by perpetual check. Black cannot avoid it, since 5 . . . r;;e7 (ίnstead of 5 ... Φg8) is decisively met by 6 .tf6+ Φe6 7 .tc4+. 3

lΔxb4

J:.xe2+

58. For the sake of an attack White has given υρ two pawns, but Black has gained counterplay by the invasion of his heavy pieces οη the Q-side. White cannot switch his rook to the h-file, since this deprives his knight of its defence, and a move by the knight will leave his bishop undefended. Ιη short, ίη another move or two Black's threats will become decisive ... The Yugoslav master finds a spectacular saving possibίlity:

28

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

1 ~xe6! 2 1Wxg6+! 3 r7+ 4 J:ιh3+

1Wxe2 fxg6 Φh7

.th6

Now, with White's king one move away from being mated, he is rescued by perpetual check: 5 ~K5+

Φκ7

5 ... Φh8 6 J:ιxh6+ Φg7 7 J:ιh7+ 8 ~e6+ <J;;e7 9 f8='iH+, and mate next move. Φf8

6 ~e6+

ΤΗΕ EKEClΊON

defended, the white king cannot cross the 5th rank which is controlled by the rook, and the queen alone cannot create any threats. ΒΥ playing his rook between f5 and h5, Black insures himself against defeat. Positions ίη which the defending side cannot be approached, so Ιο speak, are calIed 'fortresses'. Impregnable chess fortresses can sometimes be erected ίη the endgame, but ίη the middlegame, when there are still a number of pieces οη the board, it is extremely rare that barriers of this type prove etTective. The example above relates Ιο endgame theory. Here is an example of theory being applied ίη a practical game.

OF Α 'FORTRESS' Lilienthal v. Bonch-Osmolovsky

There are positions ίη endgame theory where a queen, despite its superior mobilίty, does ηοΙ win against a rook and a bishop, or even against a rook alone. S9

Moscow Championship, 1946 60 W

r-'1I!III8r--

59. Both Black's pawns are securely

60. Black hadjust played ... a5 and was very happy with his position. He is ηοΙ οηlΥ a pawn up. The mobilίty of the white pieces is restricted: the rook is guarding the bishop and can οηlΥ

ΤΗΕ Α/Μ

OF

move along the rank. The queen is also defending the bishop. And capturing οη c61eads to the 10ss ofthe queen ... But it was precisely

1 .i.xc6!! which proved the defence. After 1 ...

2 3 4 5

J:txaS .i.xg2 J:ta3 J:tf3

οηlΥ

adequate .

J:txa J:txg2+ 'irb6 Ι6

Lilίenthal

set up a solid defensive screen. Its boundary was the third rank, which Black did not ίη fact succeed ίη surmounting:

5 ... 6 φhΙ 7 ΦιΙ 8 φh2 9 φhΙ 10 φgΙ 11

φh2

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

.i.hl .i.g2 .i.hl φgΙ

φh2

.i.g2 .i.hl .i.g2 .i.hl μΜ

",d6 g5 "'d4+

ΤΗΕ

29

SACR/F/CE

The acquisition of this pawn does not help - the third rank is still inaccessible to Black.

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

J:th3

"'f4+

ΦgΙ

Φg5

.i.g2

Φι4

φhΙ φh2

... d4 ... dl

J:tg3+ J:th3

... d6

φΙ4

φhΙ

Φι4

ΦιΙ

h4 ... f4 'ircl+ ... dl ... d2

ΦhΙ

ΦιΙ φh2

J:tc3 Ah3

White's idea has triumphed - from an unfavourable situation he has saved the game. Α.

Petrosian-Hazai Belgium, 1970

Φg6

'ire5 "'el+ ",dl 'ire2+ "'el "'e5 'ircS+ 'irc2+ ... dl 'ire2+ 'irel gxh4 "'xh4+

61 Β

61. If the a5 pawn should fall, things will be bad for Black. The

30

QUEEN SACRIFICE

Hungarian master placed his queen en prise with

1 •••

1Wb6

and after

2 lDxb6+?

cxb6

he created an impregnable fortress. The attempt ιο break ουΙ along the h3-c8 diagonal -

3 h4 Οτ

Black himself will play ... h4.

CHANCES OF Α ΜΝ, AND CHANCES OF Α DRAW

Up ΙίΙΙ now we have given examples ίη which the queen sacrifιce pursued an optimum goal: the winning of the game οτ the avoidance of defeat. Βυι the range ofsacrifιces is much wider, and the goal may be much more modest, for example, the gaining of a minimal material advantage οτ a slight positional superiority, or ίη an unfavourable situation - a chance Ιο avoid defeat. Taπasch-Tartakower

Berlin, 1920

3...

gxh4

did ηοΙ achieve anything, since the next move Black played 4 ••• and

62 W

οη

h3

οη

5 gxh3

h4

Α rare instance of a fortress wall being erected across the entire board. White should have resisted the temptation Ιο take the enemy queen, and, leaving ίι alone, should have begun a methodical siege of the aS pawn, with 2 iVd2 followed by Φb3, ~c3, Φa4 and lDa2-cl-b3.

62. The c4 pawn is attacked, but Tarrasch played ι -*.Ι4!

completing his mobίlization and deploying his bishop οη an important diagonal. After working ουΙ the variations, Tartakower declined the gift and with 1 . . . -*.d6 blocked

ΤΗΕ Α/Μ OF ΤΗΕ SACR/F/CE

the diagonal. What would have happened ίη the event of Black taking the pawn Ι...

2 3 4 5

'ifxc4 .i.f5+ %[xe6 .i.xe6+

31

.i.xc4 .i.e6 fxe6

.i.xc4? 63

Then Tarrasch would have sacrificed his queen 2 .xc4! 3 .i.fS+

W

.xc4

If now 3 ... %[ d7, then 4 %[ e8+ lLId8 5 lLIe5, and Black must surrender. The lesser evίl for Black is

3 ...

.e6

(instead of 3 . %[ d7), ίη tum giving up his queen. White would have answered

63. White has a knight for three pawns, but his knight at c3 and rook at dl are attacked (οη 1 .xe3 there follows 1 ... .i.g5). What is he to do? Ι

4 5 6 7

%[xe6 .i.xe6+ lLIe5 .i.xe5

fxe6 %[d7 lLIxe5

ι

...

White allows the ι

After regaining the exchange, he then picks up the d4 pawn (7 ... φd8 8 .i.xd7 ΦΧd7 9 .i.xd4; 7 ... .i.c5? 8 %[cl), remaining a pawn up ίη the endgame. It should be added that taking the pawn with the queen -

'ifxe3!

...

2 φc2! 3a3

ρίη.

.i.g5 .i.xe3

Black has to give up his queen, so that the sacrifice was οηlΥ temporary. Ιη effect an exchange has occurred, resulting ίη the position simplίfying, and White has obtained chances of realίzing his advantage.

.xc4

transposes into the above variation after

64. This game is from ajunior tournament ίη the Moscow Pioneers' Palace. White is a knight down, and

32

OUEEN SACRIFICE

2 .tκ7+ 3 f7+ 4 18=... + 51tgl+ 61Vf7+

his h2 pawn is attacked. Given the logical development of events, his posίtion will be untenable. Exploiting his opponent's time trouble, Fridman made a clever saving attempt. Fddman-Dasbevsky Moscow, 1954 64 W

Ι Ι6!?

There was Black played ι

ηο

time to think, and

...

There followed

1Vxh3

Φι8 Φχι7

Φι6 ~b5

Black was fortunate that there was mate! He played his king to h6 and the game ended wίth perpetual check. Meanwhίle, by continuing 1 . . . IΣxh2+ 2 "'xh2 .txh2 Black wouId have gained a win . . . ίη a pawn ending! (3 .tg7+ ~g8 4./7+ 'fkx./7 5 ΙΣχ./7 Φ xj7 6 .txd4 cxd4 7 ~xh2 d3). The quiet 1 ... lLJe6 (instead of 1 ... 'it' xh3 or 1 ... ΙΣ xh2+), with the aim of keeping the extra piece 'without any difficulties', would not have been successful: 2 .tg7+ φg8 3 f7+ φχg7 (if 3 ... 'fkxj7?4 IΣxj7 IΣxh2+, then 5 'fkxh2 .txh2 6 IΣxb7, leaving White the exchange υρ) 4 'fkg4+, although after 4 ... Φ h6! White does not have more than perpetual check - 5 'fkh4+ ~g7 6 'fkg4+. And the naive 1 ... 'it'f7? would have been simply bad ίη view of 2 .tg7+ φg8 3 'fkc8+. ηο

3 Ιη

the Opening, Middlegame and Endgame Α combination with a queen sacrifice, leading by force to a win, does not often occur at the start ofthe game. It normally follows as retribution for a blunder, ΟΓ at least a very serious error. This can occur ίη a game between an experienced player and ill-informed amateur, ΟΓ ίη a simultaneous display. Ιη miniature games with a queen sacrifice, widely known typical combinatίons are repeated ίη a variety of ways. * But the nature of chess is such that knowledge and experience do not guarantee one against mistakes. Even ίη the opening, with development as yet incomplete, there are uncharted pitfalls, and this means that the possibilίty of 'original mistakes' and original combinations, including combinations with a queen sacrifice, are ηοΙ ruled out. Ιη short, this can

... We examine them sections of the book.

ίη

occur ηοΙ only ίη games between opponents of different class. Ιη this section and the following sections, the reader will find examples of both one type and the other. 65 Β

65. Οη glancing at the position, one can say for certain that the two players were ηοΙ weighed down with opening knowledge. Ιη reply Ιο the pawn capture (1 fxe5) Black gave mate ίη two moves ι

the thematic

...

Z.*,xn 33

"'χΠ+ tί:IB

mate

34

QUEEN SACRIFICE

essential) 7 ι!LJg5 lDc6 8 .i.t7+ 'it>e7. ΒΥ sacrificing his queen -

66 Β

9 "it'xf6+! White forced the enemy king the centre: 9 •• •

ίηΙο

'it>xf6

If 9 ... gxf6 10 lDd5 mate. 66. The pattern of the position indicates that it almost certainly resulted from a King's Gambit or Vienna Game. For the white king to end υρ ίη a mating net, only one move is required. 1 ... 2'it>xf3

'ifxf3+! lDh4 mate

Blake-Hooke London, 1923

10 lDd5+

'it>e5

Ahead of its own troops, the king meets its end. It is curious that the white knights checkmate it by withdrawing from their active positions! 11 lDf3+ 12 lDc3 mate

Φχe4

Κnuszinskί-Bielczyk

Poland, 1970 67

W

68 W

67. Black's preceding play was 'far from perfect': 1 e4 e5 2 lDf3 d6 3 .i.c4 [5 4 d4lDf6 5lDc3 (5lDg5!) 5 ... exd4 6 "it'xd4 .i.d7?? (6 . . . lί:Ic6 was

68. If the d6 pawn were not defended, White would give mate by lDxd6. And so -

ΙΝ ΤΗΕ OPENING. MIDDLEGAME ΑΝΟ ENDGAME

1 'it'xd6! The queen cannot be taken, and after 1 ... 2 'ifxe5+

~xf5

35 ~ge7

3 J.b5 4c3 5 d4

d6 J.d7

6 O~

~ι6

6 ... g6. 7 ~ι5 8 ~xΠ! 9 J.c4+ 101llb5

Black resigned. Troianescu-Lbagva Ulan-Bator, 1956

b6?
If 10 ... J.e8, then 11 J.g5+ hxg5 12 'it'xg5+
69 W

11 1IIg5+ White could also have made do with the more modest 11 J.g5+. 11 .•• 12 J.xg5 mate

69. There followed 1 'it'b5+ 2 ~xg6

3 ~e5+! 4 J.rT mate

Amusingly, the player with Black this mini-game was ... Anderssen! (Zukertort-Anderssen, Breslau, 1865).

g6

ίη

~Ι6

This move differs from others, that it loses prettily.

ίη

~xb5

And now set υρ the initial position. 1 e4 2 ~o

e5 ~c6

bxg5

70. ΑΙΙ the pieces are still οη the board, and the game has only just begun, but after seven more moves White is mated. 7 .•• 8 bxg4 9 ~xι4 10 J.e3

J.g4 bxg4 ~b5

QUEEN SACRIFICE

36

Schwan:-HartIaub Bremen, 1918 70 Β

White decided that, after exchanging the bishop at c5, he would be safe ... 10 • • • 11 ..txc5 (71)

'ifh4

lLIh6! (instead of 10 ..te3), e.g. (a) 10 ... lLIg3 11 'ifg4 lLIxfl (11 ... lLId412jxg3 or 12lL1c3) 12 'ifxg7 'ifh4 l3 ..txf7+ ~d7 14 ..te6++!, mating. (b) 10 ... 1:Σχh6 11 ..txh6 'ifh4 12 1i'f3 tL\g3 (12 ... tL\d413 ..txJ7+and 14 'ilxh5) l3 "'xf7+ ~d8 14 'ifg8+ Φe7 (14 ... Φd7 15 ..te6+, mating) 15 'ifxg7+ Φe8 16 'ifg8+ Φd7 17 ..te6+ or 16 ... Φe7 17 ..tg5+. (c) 10 ... 'ifh4 11 ..txf7+ and 12 'ilxh5. Bachmann-Kunstmann Augsburg, 1899 1 2 3 4

e4 lLIf3 c3 d4 5 dS

eS lLIc6 tL\f6 lLIxe4 lLIe7

71 Ιη this line of the Ponziani Opening the knight is usually retreated Ιο b8.

Β

6 lLIxeS 7 ..td3?!

11 ... 12 ΦΧhΙ 13 φιΙ

'ifh1+! lLIg3++ 1:ΣhΙ mate

Black's reckless attack, beginning with the bishop sacrifice, can be refuted by the tactical counter 10

tL\g6

Provoking the opponent into winning a pawn, White sets a cunning trap. The simple exchange 7 lLIxg6 hxg6 was objectively stronger, when after 8 "'e2 'ife7 9 ..te3 White has the freer position. 7 . ••

lLIxf2? (72)

Black 'rises Ιο the bait'. 7 ... lLIxe5

ΙΝ ΤΗΕ

OPENING.

ΜΙΟΟΙΕΘΑΜΕ ΑΝΟ ΕΝΟΘΑΜΕ

8 1.xe4 d6 wou1d have given him an equal game.

37

13 1.e3 mate Troynov-Popov USSR,1962

72 W

73 W

8 1.xg6! excel1ent interposίtίon, which Black had not anticipated. Αη

8 ...

lLJxdl

Οη

8 ... "ilff6 White has the very strong 9 "ilfe2! lLJxhl 10 1.xf7+ φe7 (10 . .. Φd8 11 lLJc6+ and 12 "ilfe8 mate) 11 lLJg4+ or 11 1.g5, with a decisive material advantage. 9 10 11 12

1.xf7+ 1.g5+ lLJc4+ lLJba3!

Φe7

1 ltJxd5 2 "ilfxf7+!

exd5

After drawing the king out of its shelter, Whίte drives ίΙ towards his own teπίtοry: ΦΧΠ

2 ...

If 2 ...

Φ h8,

then of course 3 lLJe6.

Φd6 Φc5

Α

'quiet' move with the terrible threat of 13 b4 mate. 12 ...

73. There fol1owed

3 4 5 6 7 8

1.xd5+ fS+ 1.13+ g3+ 1.g2+

Φg6 Φh5

ΦΜ Φh3

Φg4

':Ι4+

ltJxb2

The pawn can ηο longer give mate, but the bishop can -

and Black is mated after 8 ... φg5 9 J:th4, or 8 ... Φh5 9 1.f3+ and 10 ':h4.

38

OUEEN SACRIFICE Ρήwοnίtz-Rattman

Correspondence, 1929 1 e4 2 .!ί) c3 3 g3 4 ~g2

5 .!ί)ge2 6 d3 7 0-0 8 ~Ι4 9 'ifd2

c5

Here we have a striking example where abstract positional consideratίons are at odds with tactίcs. There followed

.!ί) c6

g6 .t.g7 d6 lj)f6 0-0 .t.d7 :te8

13 e5! 14 .t.xc6!

dxe5

Αη

exchange, after which Black resign. Οη 14 ... ~xc6 οτ 14 ... bxc6 comes 15 .!ί)d5! Α pseudo-sacrifice ίη its purest form: if Black takes, he is Directed against the exchange of mated, but to withdraw the queen, the dark-square bishops. such that e7 is defended, is not possible - d8 is occupied by the rook. lη short, a queen sacrifice, winning 10 h3 .a5 the enemy queen! 11 .t.h6 .t.h8 12 Ι4 lη variations of the Sicίlian Defence with the fianchetto of his Where should Black deploy his king's bishop, Black always has to rooks? It is advisable to develop one reckon with this type oftactical blow. to d8. But which one? Thinking that the place for the queen's rook was at DimitrQevic-Paulic b8 οτ c8, Rattman sent his opponent Yugoslavia, 1973 the move 75 :ted8 (74) 12 ••• Β had

Ιο

74 W

75. There appears to be ηο portent of any stormy events Ιο come. But

ΙΝ ΤΗΕ OPENING. MIDDLEGAME ΑΝΟ ENDGAME

Black immediately positive actίon with

switched

Ιο

39

6 jfe4 6 J:txe3 .i.xe3+ 7 'iff2 .i.xf2+leaves White the exchange and a pawn down.

1 ... 2 .i.b2 Νοι suspecting any danger, White defended against the mate with

3 f3 (76)

Had he known what was Ιο come, he would certainly have preferred 3 .i.O. 76 Β

6 .•• 7 jfxd4 81:xe7 9 .i.xal 10 .i.b2 11 1:xe8

~c2+ ~6xd4 ~xal

~c2

1:fe8 1:xe8

Black is the exchange up, an advantage which he must be able Ιο realίze. Οη 12 ~e4 there follows 12 ... ΦfΉ. Perenyί- Eperyesi

Hungary, 1974

The

unantίcipated

3 ...

jfxc2!!

led by force Ιο a material advantage for Black after

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

e4 d4 ~c3

c6 dS dxe4

~xe4

~d7

.i.c4

~ιΙ6

~ι5

e6

jfe2

~b6

Black parries the threat of8 8 .i.d3

~xf7.

h6

.i.d4+ ~xe3

For the bishop at d4 White has Ιο give υρ his queen. And something more ...

If the sacrifice of the central pawn is accepted, White gains a strong attacking posίtion: 8 ... 'ifxd4 9 ~ 10, and if now 9 ... .i.b4+, then 10 c3 .i.xc3+ 11 φπ!

QUEEN SACRIFICE

40

9 lL!Sf3

10 dxcS

cS lί:Ibd7

The simplest here is 10 ... .i.xc5, and if 11lL!e5lL!bd7 12lL!gf3 lL!xe5 13 lbxe5 ο-ο. 11 b4

Played, of course, not with the aim of retaining the pawn. 11 •••

b6

12 lbd4 Α shrewd move, the point ofwhich Black did not guess. Otherwise he would have played 12 ... "fIc7 at once.

12 .•. 13 lL!c6

mistakes leading to an opening catastrophe were not so obvious. It should also be mentioned that both were played ίη serious modem events. The following example is unique. Α queen sacrifice proved a decisive argument ίη an opening debate between two well known grandmasters. Taimanov-Polugayevsky 27th USSR Championship Leningrad, 1960 1 d4 2c4 3 lbf3 4 'Wia4+

dS dxc4 lbf6 lbbd7

bxcS? 'Wic7 (77)

77 W

Nowadays 4 ... c6 considered sounder.

οτ

5 lbc3

e6

6 e4

cS

4 ... lL!c6 is

6 . . . c6 was more circumspect, although it too would have given White the freer game.

7 dS!

14 'Wixe6+!

Black resigned, since οη 14 ... fxe6 there follows 15 .i.g6 mate. Ιη ουτ

last two illustrations, the

After this energetίc move, the Queen's Gambit Accepted - a relatively quiet opening - is transformed into a genuine gambit. After unhurried development - 7 .i.xc4 cxd4 8 lbxd4 .i.c5 9 .i.e3 ο-ο both sides would have had chances.

ΙΝ ΤΗΕ ΟΡΕΝΙΝΘ, ΜΙΟΟΙΕΘΑΜΕ ΑΝΟ ΕΝΟΘΑΜΕ

7 ... 8 eS!

exdS d4 (78)

As was shown a year earlίer by the Hungarian master Negyesi, the sharp variation 8 ... b5 9 'ifxb5 (9 lΔxb5 lΔe4) 9 ... :b8 10 'ifa4 d4 11 exf6 dxc3 12 ~xc4 : b4! (not 12 ... cxb2 ίη view of 13 ~x17+! ΦΧ17 14 lΔg5+! <3;x/6151fc6+ Φe5161fe6+ φd417 'ife4+with inevitable mate, or 14 ... <3;e8 1517+ <J;e7 16 'ife4+ lΔe5 17 'ifxe5+ <3;d7 18 ~xb2 with the threat of 19 :d1+and a winning attack) favours White. ΟηΙΥ, instead of the plausible 13 lfc2, which is given ίη many books, he must play 13 'ifd1! The resulting position is very complicated and demands some analytίcal explanation: 13 ... gxf6 (13 ... lΔx/6 14 ~x17+ <3;e7 15 'ifxd8+ <3;xd8 16 bxc3 gives White an extra pawn; 13 ... 'ifx/614 ~g5 'ifd615 'ife2+ ~e7 16 :d1 cxb2170-0! b1=1f 18 :xd6/619 :xb1 :xb1+ 20 lΔe1lΔe5 21 ~b5+ <J;j8 22 Ad1 :xd1 23 'ifxd1/xg5 24 lΔj3 1-0, S. Marshall-Schardtner, 1948; 13 ... cxb2 14 ~x17+ ΦΧ17 15 'ifd5+ <J;e8 1617+ <J;e7 18 Ο-Ο! with the threat of 18 : e1 + and a winning attack) 14 b3! It was this, apparently simple, move found by Negyesi, which changed the evaluation of the 8 ... b5 variation. White defends his bishop, shuts the rook out of the game, and 'suποunds' the c3 pawn. However Black continues, he cannot avoid difficulties. 14 . . . lΔe5 is probably the least evil, agreeing to an

41

inferior ending after 15 'ifxd8+ <J;xd8 16lΔxe5 fxe5 17 ~g5+ ~e718 0-0-0+ <3;e8 19 ~xe7 Φχe7. 78 W

9 ~xc4! 10 exf6 11

~gS

dxc3 'ifxf6 11'00 (79) 79 W

Ιη Lundin-Ed. Lasker (Venice, 1951) and Dittmann-Hermann (Leipzig, 1960) Black played his queen to f5, but neither game lasted Iong. Lundin-Ed. Lasker: 12 ο-ο f6 13 :fel+ ~e7 14 ~e6, and White won. Dittmann-Hermann: 12 ο-ο ~d6 13 :fel+ <J;ffl14 bxc3 lΔf6 15 :adl

42

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

.id7 16 1Irb3 .ic6 17 J:txd6 .i.xf3 18 J:txf6 resigns (18 ... gxj6 19 .th6+ ~g8 20 .ixj7 mate). 12

ο-ο-ο!

Α

spectacular queen sacήfice, which deserves not one, but two exclamatίon marks. But, alas, it is not original. This had already been played ίη a simultaneous game by the Austrian master Hans ΜϋΙΙer (1934). After 12 ... Wxa4 13 J:thel+ .ie7 14 J:txe7+ 'ίt>f8 15 J:txf7+ 'ίt>g8 (or 15 ... Φe816 .1:te1+ ltJe517 J:txe5+ .ie618 .ixe6, and Black cannot avoid mate) 16 ':fxd7+ 'ii'xc4 17 J:td8+ ~π 18 ltJe5+ ~e6 19ltJxc4 White emerged a piece up. Twenty-five years later Black's position had not improved. Polugayevsky avoided taking the queen and played 12 .••

cxb2+

12 ... .ie7 would not have saved Black ίη view of 13 1Irxc6! bxc6 14 .ixe7 cxb2+ (or 14 . . . ~xe7 15 Ί1he1+~d816ltJe5'ίt>c717ltJxj7 J:t18 18 .1:te7, winning material) 15 'ίt>xb2 ~xe7 16 J:thel+ c7 18 ltJxf7 J:tf8 19 Ί1e7. After 13 13

'ίt>xb2

~bl

is also good, and if 13 ...

1Ire4+ 14 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

'ίt>xb2.

••• J:thel .ib5 ~cl!

.ie7 (6 'ii'b6 fxg5 'ίt>fR

.ixd7+ J:txe7! 'ii'e4+

~xe7

.iΙS+

φc7

'ii'e5+ rtd6+ Wb2+

φc6

φd8

φb5

Black resigned . Since our discussion has gone beyond the bounds of the chosen theme and touched οη questions of opening preparation, we should mention that the clearly unfavourable position for Black after 11 .ig5 would hardly be analyzed at home by a top-level player. There can be ηο doubt that ίη 1951 Ed. Lasker did not know about ΜϋΙΙer's simultaneous game, Herrmann, of course, was not famίliar with the games οfΜϋlΙer and Lasker, and Polugayevsky did not know of all three games . And Taimanov? Later he wrote that "Ι was happy to find (at the board) the possibilίty of such a pretty queen sacrifice". Queen sacrifices can occur ίη any stage of the game, but most often ίη the middlegame. This is logical, since it is then that mobilίzation is complete, and thanks to the active coordination of many pieces and the

ΙΝ ΤΗΕ

OPENING. MIDDLEGAME ΑΝΟ ENDGAME

closer contact between the forces, a wealth of combinational possibilίties is opened υρ.

43

of 4 1IVxh6 .*.xh6 5 J:txh6 and 6 J:th8 mate there is ηο defence. Κarasev-Lyogky

Ekstrδm-Sjiiberg

USSR, 1978

Stockholm, 1977 81 W

80 W

80. White has a superiority offorce directed at the K-side. Ifthe g6 pawn is removed from the board, Black will be mated by the bishop at h7. Therefore White played 1 1IVhS!

Threatening .*.xg6. Both queen and knight are immune. Black had nothing better than to defend his g6 square by 1 ...

.*.e8

Then the game was decided by the rook manoeuvre 2 J:tf3! 3 J:th3

tΩb2

Black resigned: against the threat

81.

ΒΥ

1 1IVh6!

White secured the opening of the and his attack was immediately successful:

g-fιle,

1 ...

gxh6

Forced. 2 gxh6+ 3 .*.g7+ 4 .*.f6+ 5 J:tdg3! Mate is unavoidabIe, and Black resigned. 82. Wishing to position, Black played

simplίfy

the

44

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

Henning-Behrens Kiel,1934

Nadezhdin-Aymukhanov Almalyk, 1959

82

83 W

Β

1 •..

tL!dS

Intending to answer 2 exd5 with 2 ... .i.xg5, and 2 tL!xe7+ tL!xe7 3 e5 with 3 ... d5. But with a temporary queen sacrifice White refuted this plan. There followed

2 'it'xdS!

1 'it'xg6+! 1 1Ifd5 1Wb7.

1 ... 2 1:18+ 3 .i.gS+ 4 1:r6+ 4 ...

and after the forced

2 ••• 3 tL!xe7+

.i.xdS

4 tL!g6+ 5 .i.xd8 6 exdS

fxg6 1:axd8

Φh8

Φe7

hxg6 Φe7 Φe6 ΦχeS

5 1:xa6+.

5 1:el+ 6 1:xe3+ 71:d6+ 81:e4+ 9 tL!c3+ 10 1:a4 mate

.i.e3 Φd4 Φχc4

ΦbS

ΦaS

84. Bisguier played After regaining the queen, White remained a piece υρ. 83. White's position is won, but the way ίη which he realizes his advantage is instructive:

1 1:al expecting 1 ... 'it'xal2 tL!xal 1:xal. White would of course have parried the threat of ... .i.h3, after which for

/Ν ΤΗΕ

45

OPEN/NG, M/DDLEGAME AND ENDGAME

Bisguier-Fuderer Goteborg, 1955

Belkadi-Nielsen Leipzig Olympiad, 1960 85

84 W

W

his queen Black would have rook and minor piece plus the strong square d4 for his knight. Ιη general, all the play would have been to come. Fuderer, however, replied 1 ...

"ifxb3!

Initially White decided that after 2 "ifxb3

:xal

the same situation would arise, only with the queen at b3 instead of c2. But ίη fact this seemingly insignificant difTerence radically changes the evaluation of the position. Apart from the threat of 3 ... .t.h3, there is now another one - 3 . . . ltJd4!, winning the queen. Both threats cannot be parried simultaneously, and Bisguier was obliged Ιο resign.

attack. 1 "ifxf4! 2 J:[ xe8+

Φg7

If 2 ... :f8, then 3 : 1e6 'fig7 4 .t.c5, and wins. 3 :le5 With the idea of securing the long diagonal for the bishop: the rook manoeuvre prepares .t.d4. 3 4 5 6 7 7 ... 8

85. ΒΥ giving υρ queen for rook and bishop, White built υρ a crushing

exf4

•.. .t.d4 :8e6

"ifd8

:xΙS+

Φg8

:g5+

Φf8

Φf7

:d7 Φf7

is met by 8

J:[ h6.

:Ι6+

Ifnow 8 ... :f7 (8 ...

Φe7 9

:g7+

QUEEN SACRIFICE

46

rt;e8 10 ':g8+), then 9 .i.c5+ .: g8+. Black resigns.

φe8

10

3 ... 3 . . . • b6 4, ':hf1.

Fischer-Tal Bled,1961

4 .i.xh7

5 6 7 8

86 Β

.i.xg8 ':hD .i.xr7+ .i.e6

1Fg5 1Fxf6 1Fxg7 rt;d8 1Fh6

9 .: f7 was threatened. 9 .i.xd7 10 :π

86. Black's positίon is desperate. Ιη order to prevent .i.xh7, Tal played 1 ••.

e5

planning οη 2 1Fxe5+ to reply 2 ... 1Fxe5 3 fxe5 ':xg7, or if2 1Fg5 h6. Ιη Fischer's ορίηίοη, ίη both cases Black would have retained some drawing chances, despite being a pawn down. The future W orld Champion found the most clear-cut way, at the same tίme a pretty one, of realίzing his advantage. He played 2 fxe5! 3 exf6

.i.xd7

The remainder was a matter of straightforward technique. The game concluded 10 11 12 13 14 15

.•. ':dxd7+ ':de7+ ':d7+ ':c7+ ':fd7+

1Fxh2 Φe8

rt;d8 rt;c8 rt;d8 Φe8

ΒΥ giving a few checks before the control, White has gained time οη the clock.

16 ':dl 17 ':b7

b5 1FhS

':ΧΙ6

after which it was impossible for Black to prevent .i.xh7, and as a result White gained two rooks and two pawns for his queen.

17 ... 1Fxg3 18 ':xb5. 18 g4

Wh3

Or 18 ... 1Fxg4 19 ':hl 1Fd4 20 .: h8+ "xh8 21 .: b8+ and wins.

ΙΝ ΤΗΕ

19 20 21 22 23 24

g5 1:tel+ 1:txb5 1:tb6 Adl 1:tdd6

OPENING. MIDDLEGAME ΑΝΟ ENDGAME

'tW13

2 'tWa3

Φf8 Φg7

.g3 'tWc7 'tWc8

The threat was 25 1:tg6+ Φh7 26 1:t h6+ Φg7 27 1:t bg6+ ΦΠ! 28 1:t h8+ Φf7 29 1:t h7+. 25 b3 26 1:ta6

47

Φh7

Resigns

Mitov-V. Ρορον Albena, 1977

Black answered this move with a further sacrifice 2 ...

.el!

Here too taking the queen leads to mate. This means that the rook must be defended. With the help of a 'long' queen manoeuvre, White succeeds ίη doing this3.a8+ 4.a5+ 5 'tWh5

Φc7

Φb8

Of course, not 5 1fxd2? ίη view of 5 ... 'tWxd2 6 1:txd2 1:tel+.

87 Β

5 ...

.l:!.e2!

This interference οη the dl-h5 diagonal proves catastrophic. 6 ixg7 7 Φb2 8 Φc3 87. The queen is attacked. Where should it move to?

1 ...

'tWe5!!

The queen is immune, and meanwhile White is threatened with mate. Οη 2 1:t bl there follows 2 ...• xb2+ and 3 . . . 1:t e 1 mate. There οηlΥ remains

'tWxdl+ liJc4+!

Or 8 bxc4 1:txc2+. 8 ... 9 'ίiί>b4

1:txc2+ .xh5

After twice placing his queen en prise, Black emerged a queen ahead! Ιη the previous chapter we have already given some examples of

48

QUEEN SACRIFICE

queen sacrifices ίη the concluding stage of the game. They had the aim ofwinning material by the promotion of a pawn, achieving stalemate, or creating an impregnable fortress. More rare are mating sacrifices, or sacrifices of the strongest piece ίη order to gain a material advantage, without the promotion of a pawn.

Nikitin- Furιnan 26th USSR Championship Tbilisi, 1959 89 Β

88 W

88. Black is threatening to win immediately by ... lί:Ig4+, ... "'f4+, or simply by taking the knight. This means that for 'quiet' moves (such as 1 We6 or 1 ... f8) White does not have time. But by two temporary sacrifices he regains the sacrificed material, picking υρ a pawn 'en route', thereby transforming the position into a technically won ending. 1 "'xfS+!! 2 1:1g7+!

2 ...

φh6

:txfS q;xg7

lί:Ixh4,

1 •..

2 ",d2

"'g1! "'e3!

The courageous queen cannot be taken οη account of mate, which means that White loses a second pawn. After 3 jfdl 4 lί:Ic3 Sa3

"'xf4

"'e3

3 lt)xf5 mate.

3 lt)xfS+ and

89. Black is a pawn up, but how is he to realize it? Create a passed pawn? Furman does oot resort to this standard plan. He sees a combinational possibility, exploiting the cramped posίtίon of the enemy king. The white queen is obliged to guard the c2 square, and so ...

with two extra pawns.

Black exchanged queens by the temporary sacrifice 5 •••

"'e1!

49

ΙΝ ΤΗΕ ΟΡΕΝΙΝΘ, ΜΙΟΟΙΕΘΑΜΕ ΑΝΟ ΕΝΟΘΑΜΕ

thus simplίfying the realίzation of his advantage. White resigned.

Saidman-Gaήfullin

Brest,1961

Faωίbekοva-LΥsenkο

91 W

Nikolayev, 1978 90 W

2 hxgS+ 90. White did ποι bother to work out the consequences of 1 J:(xh7 (1 . . . J:(xg2+ 2 'fIxg2 'fIe5+), but concluded the game with the eIegant Ι

1fgS+!!

Βυι how can White now give mate? - his g3 pawn is pinned. The ρίπ is eliminated by the 'quiet' move

3 J:(h8!

'fIb3+!

91. There followed Ι

ΦhS

~xg5

Black does not have a great choice: he can be mated by either the rook or the pawn.

4 Not Just a Queen Combinations do not always consist of one sacrifice, and this applίes just as much to combinations with a queen sacrifice. We will begin with examples ίη which the queen is first given υρ, and then another piece.

2 .i.xd5+ 3 J:r.xa6+! 4 J:r.a3+

ΦΒ7 ΦΧΒ6

and mate next move. extremely rare finish for Ιορ rank players, and therefore it remained 'off-stage'. Petrosian avoided the sacrifice by a subtle manoeuvre two moves earlίer. Αη

QUEEN PLUS ROOK Κasparov-Tal Moscow, 1983 (variation from the game)

Κasparov- Petrosian Tίlburg, 1981 (variation from the game)

93 Β

92 W

92. 1 'ii'xd5+!

93. The diagram position is the conclusion to an original analysis

exd5 50

ΝΟΤ JUST Α αυΕΕΝ

51 SΡielmann-LΉerιnet

by Kasparov.

Magdeburg, 1927 1 •••

liJt3+,

95 a possible move ίη one of the variations, is met by a sacrifice of queen and rook: 2 1IVxt3! 3 liJa5+

W

'iνxO

4 1:tc8 mate Κamyshov-Sokolsky

Leningrad, 1938 95. White forcibly destroyed the enemy king's pawn screen -

94 W

1

'iνxh6!

gxh6 'iftf8

2 gxh6+

Black is ready to answer 3 h7 with 3 . . . 1Iνh4 (after 4 h8=1Iν+ 1IVxh8 5 iιxh8 cxd3 he will be a piece up). White achieved his goal by

94.

Ιη

3 1:tg8+! 4 h7+

playing

5

h8=1Iν

1 liJg4 White assumed that he was forcing the exchange of queens, since the rook at e5 is attacked. There followed, however,

1 ' ..

tbe2+

2 'ithl 3 hxg4 4 gxh5

1IVxg4! 1:th5+! 1:th4 mate

QUEEN PLUS BISHOP 96. Ιη capturing the pawns ofTered, Black has been prevented from castling and is hopelessly behind ίη development. The outcome is decided by two sacrίfices, first of the queen -

52

QUEEN SACRIFICE

Foulds-Lang New Zealand Championship, 1956

and a knight, White ensured the promotion of his g-pawn: 1 'it'xg8+! 2 lΔΙ6+ 3 ~xe6+ 4 g8='it'+

96 W

1 'it'xdS+!

exd5

and then a bishop 2 ~b6+ 3 :e8 mate

QUEEN PLUS

axb6

Melikov-Shakhnazarov

USSR,1974 97 W

5 ~f5

There is

ηο

Φh7 ΦΧb6

~K7

other defence. Φρ

ΦΙ4

Here, instead of giving a simple mate (8 lΔd5+ Φβ 9 'ilg2), White pursued the king with 8 'it'g4+ which led to a rather amusing finish: 8 ..• 9 'it'e2+

97. With the sacrifice ofhis queen

~xΙ6

White has gained a new queen, but 'en route' he has given υρ a 10t of material, and he is now a rook down. The main thing, however, is that the black king is exposed and lacks the support of its pieces. White drives it into the centre of the board.

6 'it'h7+ 71i'g6+ ΚNIGHT

Φχκ8

Φe3 Φd4

(98)

After 9 ... rotf4 Black would have been forced to retrace his steps: 10 'ilf2+ φg5 11 'ilg3+ Φf6 12 'it'g6+ Φe7 13 'ilνxg7+ Φe8 14 'ilg8+ φe7 15 lΔd5 mate.

ΝΟΤ JUST Α ουΕΕΝ

53

98

99

W

W

10 ltJb5+! 11 'ifd2+ 12 .i.e6+

axb5 Φχc4

and mate next move. Had White ηοΙ sacrificed his knight, the king could have gone Ιο b4, although this would have only briefly delayed the finish: 10 'ifd2+ Φχc4 11 .i.e6+ Φb4 12 "ifb2+ Φa5 13 "ifxa3 mate. Let us now examine some combinations ίη which the sacrίfices are made ίη the reverse order:

ΚΟΟΚ

1 1:rc8+! ΦΧb7

Φb7

BISHOP PLUS QUEEN Winz- VΊdela Argentina, 1956 100 W

PLUS QUEEN

99. Ιη this heavy piece ending White's exposed king is threatened wίth mate, but by sacrificing his rook, and then his queen, he achieves an ending where he is a knight υρ!

1 ...

3 bxc8=l2J+! 4 l2Jxe7

J::txc8

100. The threatening posίtίon of the pawn at e6 provides the basis for White's searchings. It turns ουΙ that Black's back rank is inadequately defended!

2 "ifc6 mate.

1 .i.xc7+! 2 "ifxa7+!

Φχa7

2 1We8+

J:txc7

αυΕΕΝ

54

The reverse order is also possiblefirst 2 .: b8+. 2 ••• 3 .l:b8+

SACR/F/CE

knight is incomparably stronger than the bishop. 7 .l:bl

..txe8

..tf8 ..te7 .l:xb3

8c5

9 10 11 12

and mate next move. Uhlmann-Spirίdonov

.l:bdl cxd6+ -*.0 d7

Φe6

tC!e3 .l:c3

Polanica Zdroj, 1981 12 ...

tιlxdl

13 -*.c4+.

101 13 .l:al

Β

.l:xd7

White resigns. Sliwa-Doda Poland, 1967 102 W 101. Sacrifices ofbishop and queen lead Ιο Black winning a pawn and achieving a favourable endgame: 1 ... 2 fxe4 3 'it'xe3

-*.xe4! Wxe3!

Keeping the queens οη would have made things easier for Black, ίη view of the threat of ... tC!g4+.

3 4 5 6

... ..th3 .l:el .l:edl

Black is

ηοΙ

tC!g4+ tC!xe3 tC!g4 .l:a3 only a pawn

102. Black is three pawns up. True, one ofthem can be regained, but after 1 'it'xd6 Φf6 the ending is 10st for White. The game is saved by two sacrifices 1 -*.e4+! 2 'it'g7+!

υρ;

his

'it'xe4

Whichever way Black takes the queen, White is stalemated.

ΝΟΤ JUST Α

ΚNIGHT

55

QUEEN

consolίdated.

But for the moment his e6 pawn is protected οηlΥ by his king, which proνides the grounds for two

PLUS QUEEN

Hermann-Granau Hamburg, 1956

sacrifιces:

1 lί:Ixe6! 2 'ii'd5+! 3 .Yιg4+ 4 1:tf5+ 5 exd5 mate

103 W

Φχe6

l2Jxd5 Φe5 Φe6

EXCHANGE PLUS QUEEN

Mieses-Gunsberg Monte Carlo, 1902 103. Black was mated

ίη

three 105

moνes:

Β

1 l2Jxh7+! 2 'ii'h6+! 3 .Yιxh6 mate

1:rxh7 1:t xh6

PDughaupt-Galander Μϋηster, 1954 104 W

105. Το intensify the pressure οη the opponent's position, Black doubled rooks οη the second rank 1 . . . 1:[ cc2, but this failed Ιο win. Meanwhile, he could haνe decided the game ίη two moνes 1 ... 2 .l:!.xd2 104. Black οηlΥ needs Ιο play . .. . l2Je5, and his position will be

1:rxd2

and now, exploiting the

oνer-

56

QUEEN SACRIFICE

Ioading ofthe Queen, which is oblίged to defend the rook and at the same time guard the back rank -

ΝΟ

PAWNS PLUS QUEEN

Matulovic-Tsvetkov

Varna,1965 2 .••

'it'xg3! 107 W

Iochelson - L.Benavenets

Correspondence, 1976-78 106 W

106. White defended his d5 pawn with the actίve

1 1IVcl!!

1 .i.e6+ οη

which came 1 .•. 2 dxe6

107. How can White strengthen his position? The YugosIav grandmaster strikes οη a remarkable idea. Leaving his central pawns undefended, he invades οη the Q-side -

J:.8xe6!

Οη 1 ... lΔe7 comes the obvious 2 1IVc5, winning a pawn with good chances of winning the game. But why ηοΙ take the d4 pawn with check, and then also the e5 pawn?

and now the refined move 2 •••

4

1IV1'3!!

concluded the game (3 gxf3 J:. g5+ .i.xf3 mate).

ΦhΙ

1 ... 2 Φd3

lΔxd4+

1IVxeS

The finish was ηοΙ anticipated by Black, but what else could he have done? The knight has ηο retreat, and ίη the event of2 ... f6 one can suggest 3 exf6 1IVxf6 4 1IVc8+ Φg7 5 1IVb7+

ΝΟΤ JUSΤ Α

(manoeuvring 'staircase-wise', White picks υρ the knight) 5 ... <;t>g8 6 'irb8+ Φg7 7 'irxa7+ and 8 'irxd4.

3 1Wc8+ 108 W

Φg7

(108)

57

QUEEN

This was the positίon that White had ίη mind when he sacrificed his pawns. He now parts with his queen, but immediately picks υρ the opponent's by a fork, and ίη addition cuts off both of the black knight's retreat squares! 4 'ifh8+! 5 lLIxf7+ 6 tί:Ixe5

ΦΧh8 Φg7

The c6 and f3 squares are controlled by the knight. This means that Black's knight is lost, and so he resigned.

5 Τhe

Path

Ιο

The aim of a sacrifice, the stage ofthe game ίη which it is carried out, and the amount and order ofthe material sacrificed - these are all formal categories. But from the point ofview of its content, the Alpha and Omega of a combination is ίts theme. Compared wίth other tactica1 operations, combinations with a queen sacrίfice have certain particular features. Thus combinations with lίne-opening and the exploίtation of a ρίη* are of a specific nature. The greatest number of combinations are οη the themes of diversion and decoy. Ιη the diversion of an enemy piece or pawn, it is forced to move, thereby giving access to an important square or lίne.

the Goal Berg-Nordstriim Norway, 1978 109 W

led to mate.

Gorbachov-Ozolinsh Riga, 1986 110 Β

109. The diversion ofthe rook from the 8th rank 1

1Ι"6+!

* Ιη the latter instance this is mainIy the reIeasing of a ρίη οη a knight, opening up the possibίlity of landing a tactical bIow. 58

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

110. The 'quiet' move

GOAL

59

Chaίkovskaya-Dmitήeva

Vίlnius,

1 •..

1972

'tIfΙS!

112 Β

forced White Ιο capitulate (2 'tIfxf5 1:dl mate; 2 'tWe2 'tIfbl+ fol1owed by ... :tdl). Stanchev-FiIipov Sofia, 1948 111 W

Saidy-Padevsky Varna, 1958 113 Β

111. Black is a rook υρ and is threatening ... 'tIff3+, almost as ίη one of Stamma's problems. Βυι it is White to moνe and, by diνerting the rook, he announces mate: 1 'tWxf7+! 21:a8+ 3 1:h8 mate

1:xf7 roPh7

112. White has blocked the check with her rook, after which Dmitrieνa had the chance to win the game by placing her queen en prίse 1 •..

'tWbS!

113. There fol1owed 1 ... 2 'tWxe3 3 φα

'tWxe3+! 1:dl+ 1:0 mate

114. This position resulted from the sharp Marshal1 Attack ίη the Ruy Lopez. Ιη capturing the sacrificed pawns, White has fal1en significantIy behind ίη deνelopment.

αυΕΕΝ

60 Α.

Janowski-Tomemp Copenhagen, 1947

SACRIFICE

1 ... J:[e8, then 2 1Ifxe7! is decisive. Keres- Leventίsh 17th USSR Championship Moscow, 1949

114 Β

115 W

There followed 1 ..• 2 1Ifxc2

i.xc2 J:[ae8

Tsvetkov-Pachman Hi1versum, 1947

White's Q-side pieces are still οη their initial squares, whereas οη the decisive part of the battlefield - the K-side - Black has a decisive superiority ίη force. 3 d4

116 W

'ifxf2+!

Look out, the back rank! After 4 %:[xf2 %:[el+ 5 %:[f1 i.h2+ White is mated. 115. 1 'ifxb4! was played, whereupon Black resigned. If the queen is taken there follows 2 %:[ c8+ ~xc8 3 %:[ e8 mate, or 2 ... lLIg8 3 J:[ xg8+ Φχg8 and 4 J:[ e8 mate. And if Black does not take the queen but defends his knight with

116. After 1

~Ι6+

Cίth8

(if 1 ... i.xf6, then 2 gxf6+ Cίtf8 3 'ifg7+ Cίte8 4 'ifg8+; οη 1 ... Φf8 White would have continued as ίη the game) the diversion of the d6 pawn

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

opened the way for the rook to the 8th rank: 2 'ifxe5!

61

after which BIack had to resign: οη 2 ... 1Wxf5 (or 2 ... 1W16) comes mate at h8.

dxe5

Interposing the exchange of rooks wouId not have changed anything. 3 1:1. d8+ 4 1:!.xf8+ 5 :g8 mate

GOAL

Lilientbal-Aronin 16th USSR Championship Moscow, 1948

.t.f8 <3;g7

118 W

Sjiiberg-Ekstriim StockhoIm, 1977 117 W

118. White's problem - to divert the black queen from the defence of the bishop - is soIved by the persistent otTering of a queen sacrifice: 117. White, a piece down, concIuded his attack with

1 g6 The queen sacrifice 1 . . . 'ifxg6 wouId have saved BIack from the mate, but not from defeat. He thought that, by moving his king, he had parried the threat (2 'ifh8+ 'ifg8). But White played ditTerently 2 'ifxf5+!

1 'ifc3! 2 'ifb2!

'ifb6 'ifd6

2 ... 'ifa5 is met by 3 'ifb5! 3

Ι4!

The strongest continuation. After the plausibIe 3 'ifxe5 'ifd7 BIack could still have resisted, but if 3 . . . :'xf4, then 4 'ifxe5 now wins (4 ... 'if b6+ 5 r;t> h2), whίle after 3 . . . exf4 the e-pawn joins actίvely ίη the play.

QUEEN SACRIFICE

62

3 ... 4 e5 5 "xb7 6 .. b8

Of course, ηοΙ 6 exf6? perpetual check.

6 ...

The fact that the white rook had left the back rank did ηοΙ concern Ivkov, since the rook at f7 is pinned. But the 'quiet' diverting move

exf4 Wd7 'ilfe8

ίη

view of

:d6

Here Ιοο ifthe rook is taken by the pawn, Black is saved by 7 ... "el+ and 8 ... 'ilfg3+.

7 .:xd6

Resigns

Ivkov-Kolarov Wageningen, 1957

2 •••

'tfd7!!

immediately placed White ίη a hopeless position. After 3 "xd7 the rook is ηο longer pinned, and Black gives mate ίη two moves (3 ... n π +). The same mate follows after 3 .: a6 'ilfxe64 :xe6 J:[fl+. White resigns. Wolf-Spielmann 1923

Miίhrisch-Ostrau,

120

W 119

W

119. White played 1 a4

b:xa4

and then without hesitation he replίed

2 :xa4

120. White is the exchange up, but the position appears full oflife. Black is threatening . . . lbf4 (this move follows, for example, οη the capture of the d5 pawn). 1 .c2 is impossible οη account of 1 ... f2+. However, by repeatedly using the method of diversion, White forces a win.

1 h3!!

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

The prelude to a sacrifice of queen and rook. Ι

...

.xh3

Forced, since the black queen has retreat square. Now that the queen iS ηο longer guarding the f3 pawn, White diverts the rook from the defence of the back rank. ηο

2",xt3 Οη 2 ... Axf3 the combination is concluded by a third diverting sacrifice - 3 Ac8+! .t.xc8 4 Ae8+, and mates. But if the queen is not taken, οη his next move White wi11 pick υρ the knight and remain a rook ahead. Black resigns. Schiffers-Chigοήn

63

1 ... Acl+ 2 ΑΠ would not have achieved anything, since after 2 . . . ΑχΠ+ 3 "'ΧΠ the rook at h7 cannot be taken, οη account of mate οη the back rank - as a result Black would merely have made it easier for the opponent to realίze his two extra pawns. After 1 ... "'e6 White cannot of course take the queen οη account of mate.2 Axd7 is also not possible ίη view of2 ... "'xf5. Ifthe queen moves to f3 or g5, the rook at h7 is left en prise. 2 g4 fails Ιο 2 ... "'xf5, while after 2 ... f8 Black calmly takes the rook at h7, since his rook at c8 is defended by the queen ... What then should White do? Schiffers not οηlΥ Ρarήed the opponent's tactical rejoinder, but forced him to resign with

Match, St Petersburg, 1878 121

GOAL

2 Ac2!!* a move of rare beauty. The rook, which was defending the queen, moves away, also placing itself under attack! ΑΙΙ three white pieces are en prise (as well as a11 three black!), but not one of them can be taken. ΒΥ his diverting rook

Β

* Although

121. Black went ίη for this position, pinning his hopes οη the spectacular diverting move Ι

...

.e6

ηοΙ as instantly decisive as White also had another winning possibίlity - 2 :Ιh8!, e.g. 2 ... :Ιc7 (2 ... :ι dd8 3 :Ιχd8 'ilx/5 4 :ΙΧ/5 :Ιχd8 5 :Ιχe5) 3 :Ιχc8+ followed, say, by 4 h3, when White retains his advantage oftwo pawns (Translator's note).

2

:Ιc2!!,

64

αυΕΕΝ

SACRIFICE

manoeuvre White has parried the threatened mate οη the first rank, and ίη turn has created a threat ofmate οη the eighth rank (2 ... ':xc2 3 ':h8+; 2 ... ':xh7 3 ':xc8+; 2 . . . • g8 3 'ifxd7, and Black does not have time to take οη c2 οη account of the mate at b7; 2 ... 'ife8 3 'ifxd7 'ifxd7 4 ':xd7). Black cannot avoid the 10ss of a rook. Ιη all the above examples the diverting sacrifice led to a catastrophe οη the back rank. We will also examine other combinations οη the theme of diversion. Ιη some of these the final position illustrates a typical mating pattern.

Kveinis-Buchis ΚIaipeda,

Toth-Asztalos Ljubljana, 1938 123 Β

123. White's K-side is compromised, to put it mildly. Ιη addition he is a pawn down. The game is concluded by a sacrifice, diverting the knight from the defence of f3 -

1978 1 ••• 2lCιxh3

122 W

'ifxh3+! lCιB mate

The hl and g3 squares were occupied by white pieces, and minimal means were required for the constructίon of a mating net. 124. There followed 1 ..• 2 gxh3

'ifxh3+ .*.e4 mate

122. The diverting blow 1 'ifa4! forced Black to lay down his arms (1 ... 'ifxa42 IΣxe6+; 1 ... .*.b5 2.xb5).

125. 1 ... 'ifg3 does not work οη account of 2 'ifxh7+, but Black wins with

1 ... 2 'ifxa8

.*.fS! 'ifxh3+!

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ ΘΟΑΙ

65

Semenov-Fainboim

Berebon-Somogyi

Moscow, 1969

Hungary, 1985

124

126 W

Β

N.N.-BIackbume

and Black resigned.

London, 1880 127

125

W

Β

2 ... 1Ig3 a1so mates. 3 gxh3

.*.xe4 mate

126. There followed 1 ':g4!

1Ixf5

2 ':xg7+ 3 ':χΠ+ 4 ':g7+ 5 ':g6+

Φh8

Φι8

127. White carries out a swift mating attack: 111g4! The diversion of the knight opens the long diagonal for the bishop. 1 •••

li)xg4

Φh8

1 . . . .: g8

faίls

to 2 li)xf7 mate.

66

QUEEN SACRIFICE

2 3

ι!ί:)χΠ++ ι!ί:)h6

Φι8

mate

Bednarski-Nouissere Seigen Olympiad, 1970 128

129. Black has the exchange for a pawn, but ίη such positions the materia1 balance is of secondary importance. The threat is 1 ... 1Wg2+ 2 ΦΜ ι!ί:)0+ (2 Φ/4 1W/3 mate). It is easy to see that passive defence does ηοΙ help White. But

W 1 1WgS+!! concludes the game victoriously. The diversion of the f6 pawn opens the diagonal for the 'dozing' bishop: 1 •.. 2 ι!ί:)h6+

3 128. Black has just taken a knight Even after the simple 1 gxO his position would be unenviable, but οη ο.

1 1Wh6! was played, immediately terminating the game (1 ... ~xh6 2lΔe7 mate).

fxg5 Φh8

~b2+

and mates. Let us remove the 'supertluous' pieces from the board. The finale of the game may come ίη useful Ιο you! (130). 130

s. urusov-Κalinsld Correspondence, 1880 129

W

131. The Swedish master had played the opening extremely badly. With the aim of completing his development, he played

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ ΘΟΑΙ

Ed. Lasker-Englund Scheveningen, 1913

67

important diagonal and prevents castling, was ηοΙ considered by Black Ιο be dangerous, and he replied

131 1 .•.

Β

tιlc4

He thought that the exchange of the powerful bishop was inevitable, but there followed 2 'it'xe6+! 3 .i.g6 mate 1 ...

fxe6

Kofman-Filatov Kiev, 1962

0-0-0

and was mated by

133 W

2 'it'xc6+! 3 .i.a6

bxc6

Α classic example οη this theme is the game Canal-N.N. (ρ. 228).

132 W

133. Right from the opening Black has ended υρ ίη a hopeless position. There followed 1

tιlxc6!

bxc6

After queen moves the finish would have been the same. 132. 1 .i.a3 by which White occupies an

2 'it'xe6+! 3 .i.g6 mate

fxe6

QUEEN SACRIFICE

68

Here are the main participants this final scene (134):

ίη

11

h5

Black drove away the queen, assuming that it would retreat to g3 or e2. There foHowed, however,

134

121Fh3 and Κrutikhin decided that, by playing 12 •••

And now, some more complicated modifications of the same sacrifice. Ν. Gusev-Κrutikhin

Moscow, 1963 135 Β

g5

he would push back the bishop and win the e5 pawn. Great was his surprise when his opponent replied 13 14 15 16 17

'tWxe6+! i.g6+ i.xgS+ i.xf6+ i.xd8

fxe6 rί;e7

LΩΙ6

after which the realization of White's extra pawns was a matter of technique. Machulsky-Gurevich USSR,1976

135. This position was reached not from a French Defence, as might be assumed from its pawn formation, but from a Sicilian after 1 e4 c5 2 LΩf3 LΩc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 LΩxd4 LΩf6 5 LΩc3 e6 6 i.f4 i.b4 7LΩxc6 bxc6 8 J.d3 d5 9 e5 LΩd7 10 Wg4 i.f8 11 ο-ο. With

1 e4

e6

2 d4

dS

3 LΩc3 4 i.g5 5 e5 6 i.d2

i.b4 h6

LΩΙ6

LΩfd7

Α rarely-played move. The usual continuation is 6 ... i.xc3 7 bxc3LΩe4

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

8 "'g4, and now 8 ... g6 or 8 ... ct>f8.

16 .•• 17 lLιe5 mate

φd7

Griίnfeld-Tarrasch BadenBaden, 1925

The point of this bishop retreat is to avoid the weakening of the dark squares (after 7 ... .t.xc3). But Black's Q-side counterplay is held up, whereas οη the K-side White has a serious initiative.

8 lLιO 9 dxcS

69

GOAL

137 W

cS lLιxcS

10 b4

lLιOO7

11 lLιb5! 12 .t.d3

g6 h5? (136)

12 ... ]% g8 would have averted the combination. 136 W

137. The white queen is attacked, but a threat of mate is more important, and Grίinfeld played Ι

.t.h4!

The queen is immune οη account of mate, and οη 1 . . . .t.g6 there follows 2 .t.f6+ and 3 lLιh6 mate. Since the f6 square could not be covered, that οηlΥ left Ι

13 14 15 16

1Ifxe6+! .t.xg6+ .t.g5+ exf6+!

fxe6 φe7

lLιf6

16 .t.xf6+ φd7 17 .t.xd8 with two extra pawns was good enough to win, but this is both simpler and prettίer.

.. .

h6

giving the king the h7 square. But then White announced mate with 2 "'18+! Diverting the knight from the defence of g7. 2 •••

70

QUEEN SACRIFICE

3 4 5 6

.t.f6+ J:t g7+ J:t xf7+ lhxh6 mate

ιi>h7 ιi>h8

Tsemsh-N.N. Κiev, 1902

ιi>ιι8

139 W

. Bohm-Hernandez Amsterdam, 1979 138 Β

1 'iVxh5!

μΜ

1 ... .t.xe5 2 h7+ ιi>h8 3 .t.xe5+ f6 4 .i.xf6+ J:txf6 5 'iVe5. 138. Whίte is a piece up, but after 1 ..•

2 J:tg5+! 3 h7 mate

.t.xg5

'it'xg5! Spona-Mίglans

he was oblίged Ιο resign. The queen cannot be taken ίη view of2 ... lhe2 mate, and 2 1ΙΗ3 does ηοΙ help οη account of another diverting blow - 2 ... 'iVxg2+! 3 'iVxg2 lhe2 mate. And ifWhite defends his queen with 2 f3, simultaneously vacating the f2 square for his king, then Black wins by 2 ... lhh3+! 3 gxh3 (3 ιi>h2 is quite adequately met by 3 ... 'iVxe3) 3 ... 'iVxe3+, and if 4 Αα .i.c5. 139. Two diversions - of the g6 pawn and the bishop at f6 - enabled White to exploίt the power of his long-range bishops:

Riga, 1964 140 Β

140. White's feeble play has led Ιο a dismal position. The game lasted οηlΥ two more moves:

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ GOAL

1 .•• 2 .r:I.e2

'ii'd3+

71

Pillsbury-Lee London, 1899 (variation from the game)

If 2 t2Je2 'ii'xf3. 2 ...

142 W

'iWxf3!

White resigns, since οη 3 gxf3 there follows 3 ... .i.h3+ 4 ΦeΙ .r:I.gl mate.

Witkowski-Blaszak Poland, 1953 142. The black queen, which at first sight appears threatening, is ίη fact oblίged to guard the g-file Ιο prevent a deadly check. This means that it can be diverted. At any Ρήce. The problem is solved by

141 W

1 'iί' f3! 2 .r:I.gl+ 3 .i.g7+ 4

141. Were it not for the knight at g6, White would have a crushing discovered (and ίη fact double) check. Therefore 1 'ii'xe5+! 2 .i.f6++

lίJxe5

Φh6

2 ... 'Otf8 3 .r:I.d8 mate.

'iί' xf3

Φh8

Φι8

ΑΧΙ6+

Black is mated. 143. The ρίη οη the knight at [6 is highly unpleasant. White is threatening 'ii'f3. Nevertheless, Black went ίη for this position, counting οη freeing himself by

1 ...

'iνd5

There followed 3 R.g7++ 4 .r:I.h6 mate

'Oth5 2 t2Jxf6+

μΙ6

QUEEN SACRIFICE

72

Koshtenko-Lemer USSR,1962

Prainfalk-Kuuskmaa Yugoslavia v USSR Correspondence, 1974-76

143 145

Β

Β

"The g-pawn is attacked, and the has been eliminated", was Black's reasoning. If now 3 .*.xf6, then 3 ... 1Vxg24 .:π .*.a6! There wasjust one move that he had not seen ... ρίη

3 .*.xf6

'it'xg2 (141)

144 W

145. Black concluded his attack with the elegant 1 ...

1Vf4!

The queen cannot be taken οη account of 2 . . . ιΩΧΩ mate, whi1e 2 . . . 1Vxe3 and 3 ... ιΩΩ mate is threatened. If2 1Vxe41Vcl+, or 2 h3 ιΩg3+, whi1e οη 2 fxe4 Black wins by 2 ... 1Vg4! Ε. Polyό-ΚholMoν

Riga, 1954 146

W

4 1Vf3! Α familiar idea. The queen cannot be taken οη account of mate, and οη 4 ... "'g6 there fol1ows 5 0-0-0 (5 ... 1Vh6+ 6 ΦbΙ). Black resigned.

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ ΘΟΑΙ

146. White could have decided the game by a sacrifice, diverting the queen from the defence of e7 1

1Ινd2!

73

second rank - 2 ... lΙνχb2 with the threat of ... ]% xh2 mate, and 2 'ii' d3 or 2 lbg3 is met the same way. Nietsche-Factor Chicago, 1921

Οη

1 ... 'ii'xd2 comes 2 ]%e7 mate, whίle ifBlack defends his bishop with Ι ... lΙνc5, then 2 'ii'xd5+ is decisive. Ιη the game White played 1 lΙνe3, missing this possibilίty, after which Black parried the mating threat by 1 ... f5.

148 W

Martins-Dueball West Germany, 1971 147 148. This positίon resulted from a sharp variation of the King's Gambit (the Bishop's Gambit, 1 e4 e5 2 f4 exf4 3 ~c4 1Ινh4+ 4 Φf1 g5). Ιη reply to ... g4 White made the natural active move

Β

1 lbeS but the unanticipated 147. The diverting sacrifice 1 .•• 1 ...

lΙνχeS!

lΙνb6!

decided the outcome. Οη 2 lΙνχb6 Black wins by 2 ... ~xe4 (3 lbg3 ]%2xg3+ and mates). Meanwhile he threatens 2 ... lΙνχd4 followed by 3 ...

forced him to resign. Ifthe queen is taken Black gives an amusing mate: 2 dxe5 ~c5+ 3 φh2 (3 ~e3 ~xe3+ does not change anything) 3 ... g3+ 4 φh3 ~c8+.

~xe4.

If White defends e4 with 2 ]%ael, then misfortune strikes along the

149. Using the idea of diversion, Levenfish played

74

QUEEN SACRIFICE

Levenfish-Lisitsyn Leningrad, 1946

begin with examples where, after the decoy sacrifice, the king ends up ίη a mating net.

149

W

Bolbocban-Pacbman Moscow Olympiad, 1956 150

W

1 J:ta8! Οη 1 ... J:te7 he had conceived the following finish: 2 ... f3 ι!tJd7 (2 . . . ι!tJxg4 3 'iJJj8 mate) 3 'Wt7+!! J:txt7 4 ι!tJxe6 mate. Lisitsyn replied

1 ..• 2

"'(3

150. After playing . . . J:t c7 Black probably thought that there was ηο danger to his t7 square. But the reply was mate ίη two moves:

'it'c6 ~e7

1 'Wxf7+! 2 ~xe6 mate

ΦΧf7

After Pedreny-Amado Spain, 1981

3 J:ta7! threatening 4 "'xf6+

151

W 3 ... 4 "'f7+

tLIxg4

the game concluded. Ιη a decoy sacrifice the opponent's king is forced to occupy the square οη which the queen is sacrificed. We will

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

151. Α standard sacrifice concludes with a standard mate:

75

GOAL

and if 2

lΩxe4

... h3

1 ",xh7+

1 ... 'ίt>xh7 2 %:.h3+ 'ίt>g7 3 .i.h6+ Φh7 4 .tf8 mate. Let us record the final position (152).

After the essential 3 lΩe3 comes 3 ... "'xh2+! 4 ΦΧh2 %:.h5 mate. Bemstein-Seidman USA Championship, 1959/60

152

154 W

Baginskaite-Voronova Vίlnius, 1985

154. Ignoring the threat of . . . White played

lί:Ixh2,

1 %:.a4

153 Β

and Black decided Ιο accept the gjft-

1 ...

lΩxh2

2 %:. h4 did ηοΙ concern hjm ίη view of 2 ... lί:IxO+ and if 3 .i.xf3 "'f5. ΒυΙ White had something quite different ίη mind. There followed 153. Black played 1 . . . %:. e5, whereas there was a forced win by

1 ...

"'g4!

2

lί:Ife5

"'xe2

'From afar' Black considered this

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

76

position Ιο be safe for him, but ίη fact il1ustrates for the umpteenth time a widely known combination. After ίι

lί:IΙι3+

1

2

ΦιΙ

3

Φχh2

4 .ixh8

3 "xh7+

5

the game was ηοΙ continued (3 ... 4 :h4+ Φg8 5 l'Δe7 mate). Here too, removing the 'superfluous' pieces, we imprint the finish of the catastrophe (155).

ΦιΙ

"xh2+! :h8+ :xh8+ :hl mate

Makna-Stafeckis Riga, 1962

Φχh7

157 W

155

157. Black has just captured a bishop οη d3. "The h3 square is attacked, which means that there is ηο threat of a queen sacrifice at h7." Reasoning ίη this way, he considered the recapture of the knight to be inevitable. But White played

Κamyshοv-Εstήn

Leningrad, 1951 156 Β

1

lί:I(3!!

He threatens lί:Ig5, and this move also fol1ows οη 1 . . . . .f8 (2 lί:Ig5! ..χΜ 3 lί:IxΡ mate!). Black decided ιο parry the threat with 156. Το the offer rooks, Black replied

Ιο

exchange

1 .•.

lί:Iα+

2

lί:Iι4

ΦιΙ

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ ΘΟΑΙ

77

Vanka-Skala Prague, 1960

And even so (despite the fact that the third rank iS blocked) the outcome was decided by the queen sacrifice at h7.

159 W

3 'ifxh7+! 4 llJg5+

wxh7

Here Black saw that (4 ...

Φh8

οη

4 ...

Φh6

5 .1:I.h3+) there follows

5 tL!xf7+ φh7 (5 ... Φh5 6 1:ιh3mate) 6 .1:1. h3+ and mates, and so he resigned. Chekhover-Pavlenko Odessa, 1949 158 W

159. Αη attack οη [6 suggests itself, by 'doublίng' queen and bishop οη the long diagonal. Ιη reply to ... llJg8 the g-pawn can be included ίη the attack. But White found a stronger idea. After 1 b4

"ifd8

(1 ... 'ifb6 would not have changed anything) came

158. White crowned his offensive with 1 "ifxf6+! Οη

2 'ifxf6+! and Black resigned (2 . . . Φχf6 3 ~b2 mate; 2 ... Φh6 3 f5+; 2 ... Φg8 3 ~b2).

1 ... Φχf6 comes 2 ~xg5 mate.

Ιη desperation Black retreated his

160. After

king to e8, after which 2 J:[xe5+ terminated the game.

1 'ifxf6+! 2 ~eS+

φΧΙ6

Φg5

White cut off the king's retreat

78

QUEEN SACRIFICE Petrosiao-Pachιnao

161. There followed

Bled, 1961 Ι

...

2Φxf3

160

3 4

W 4

Φι4

'ifxC3+! .l:xf2+ h5+

~ι5

Φh4

J.f6+.

4 •.•

Φg7!

Α 'quiet' move. 5 ... J.f6+ as well as 5 . . . f6+ is threatened.

with the 'quiet' move 3 J.g7! Against the threat of 4 h4+ Φf5 5 J.h3 mate or 4 ... Φ h5 5 J.fl mate there is ηο defence. If 3 ... li)f5, then all the same 4 h4+ tίΊxh4 5 gxh4+ with the same mate at h3 or fl. Black resigns.

5 ll)d5 6 Φb4

Ι6+ Φb6!

Α further 'quiet' move, after which White resigned. Οη 7 g4 there follows 7 ... g5+ 8 φg3 h4 mate.

Letelier-Fiscber Leipzig 0lympiad, 1960 162 Β

Scboeider-Ρiήsί Budapest, 1986 161 Β

162. Fischer exploited the open position of the white king by 1 •.•

Axe3!

79

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ το ΤΗΕ ΘΟΑΙ

2 J:txe3 3 Φχe3

J:txe3 'ti'xf4+!

Ifthe king takes the queen, it ends a mating net (4 ... .i.h6 mate). After 4 ΦΩ there is ηο mate, it is true, but 4 ... lΔg4+ 5 Φg2 lΔe3+ 6 ΦΩ lΔd4 7 1Whl tLlg4+ is convincing enough. White resigns.

white king fell was made of the minimal 'avaίlable material'. Rossolimo-LeΊZerman

Moscow, 1927

υρ ίη

164 W

Sugar-Vegh Hungary, 1979 163 Β

164. The black king is horribly placed. Nevertheless Rossolimo's combinatίon, which is the quickest way Ιο win, is instructive: ΦΧh5

1 'ti'h5+! 2 .i.n+ 163. White thought that he had tricked his opponent - when the queen moves he will take the knight and then the bishop ... But Black had gone into this position, after working out beforehand the pretty variation

Or 2 ...

ΦΜ

.i.g6 3 .i.el mate.

3 g4+ 4 .i.el mate

Φh4

165. Black threatens ... J:td2+, but after 1 'ti'xg6+!

1 ... 2 ΦχΙ4

1Wxf4+! g5+

3

ΦΙ)

Ι4+

4

Φh3

tLlf2 mate

Here the mating net into which the

he resigned: Ι ... Φχg6 2 :Σ. If6+ 'itg5 (or 2 ... 'ith5) 3 J:tf5+ 'itg6 (or 3 ... Φh6) 4 J:t7f6+ Φh7 (4 ... 'itg7 5 J:tg5+) 5 :Σ.h5+ Φg7 6 J:tg5+ Φh7 7 .i.f5 mate.

80

QUEEN SACRIFICE ΝeΖhmetdίnοv-ΚaSΡaήan

2 i.hS+ 3 i.f7+

Riga, 1955 165 W

Φh7

The discovered check is given this way, so that the king should not escape to g8. 3 ... 4 g6+!

.th6 Resigns.

4 ... Φg7 5 .txh6+ and 6 i.xf8 mate, or 4 . . . Φ h8 5 1:[ xh6+ and 6 1:[h7 mate.

Smolny-Asafov Leningrad, 1956

Ιη the following examples the decoy sacrifice makes possible a double check, with the help ofwhich a mating net is constructed.

166 W

Κrystev-Tήngov

Skopje, 1961 167 Β

166. White has given up a rook, and now he must find some strong measure. He wins by Ι

'iVxg6+!

Φχι6

If 1 . . . Φe6, then 2 i.g4+ and 3 i.c3 mate. 1 ... ~g8 also fails ϊη view of 2 'fi'h7+ Φf7 3 i.h5+ and 4 .f5 mate.

167. After Ι

3

...

White resigned (2 mate).

φgΙ :ι hl

'if'hl+ ΦΧhΙ :Ιχh3++

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

Schulten-Horwitz London, 1846

81

GOAL

169. After 1 '"

'ifxO+

168 White resigned. Ιη contrast to the SchultenHorwitz garne, the queen check decoying the king is here accornpanied by the rook capture, which rnakes it rnore obvious.

Β

Utyuganov-Konovalov Krasnodar, 1950 168. With his previous rnove White sirnple-rnindedly offered the exchange of queens, οη which there followed 1 ...

2 ΦχΟ 3 'it>e1

170 Β

'ifO+! .i.d3++ ':0 mate

This ancient rnechanisrn is still good working order. Kondrakov-Glukhovsky Tashkent, 1965

ίη

170. White hasjust played .i.f7-h5, to which the reply was 1 '"

169 Β

2 3

Φχg2

Φg1

'ifg2+! ttJf4++ ttJh3 mate

We give the characters ίη this frequently repeated final scene (171). 172. There carne 1 'iixh7+! 2 hxg6++

ΦΧh7

QUEEN SACRfFfCE

82

3 ... 4 .ttghl 5 g6 6 exfS

171

tΔxg7 Ι6

lOxfS

The mate threat can be parried by sacrifιcing the queen -

οηlΥ

6 ... 7 ..t>xc2 8 ..t>d3

"xc2+ lOe3+ tΔxfS

Abrosimov-Κrupenko Daugavpίls,

1974

172

The mating threat broken, but after 9 1:!.h8+ 10 .tt8h7+

W

has

been

Φg7

Black had ιο resign, since he was losing a rook.

Wahl-Bjamason MalmQ,1987 173 W

Οη 2 ... Φχg6, of course, there follows 3 .tt h6 mate. ΒυΙ there is also

2 ..•

Φg8

How then does White continue the pursuit?

3 g7! The deciding move of the combination, which White was obliged Ιο foresee. Catastrophe strikes οη the h-fιle.

173. White mated his opponent with the help of two diverting sacrίfices. First he gave υρ a rook -

1 .tt a8+ !

..t>xa8

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

and after

3 1Ixe4 4 1Ia4 (175)

2 1Ial+

83

GOAL

.td5

Φb8

175 his queen: 3 1Ia7+ 4 ltJc6++! 5 :l.al+

Β Φχa7

and mating.

Τaπasch- Alekhine

Pistyan, 1922 174 Β

4 ... 5 'itί'xg2 6 cbh2 7 ΦhΙ 8 ΦgΙ

174. Alekhine offensive with 1 ...

developed

his

.i.e6!

having worked out the following variation: 2 Whίte

J:ιg2++

J:ιh2++

J:[hl mate

The rook descended οη a 'staircase' from f3 to hl! Ιη the game this pretty finish remained 'off-stage'. Instead of2 'ilνc6 Tarrasch defended against the threat of ... .txh3 with 2 'itί'hl. Alekhine nevertheless took the pawn, thus sacrificing his bishop - 2 ... .txh3 3 gxh3 J:ι f3 4 liJg3 h4, and after 5 .tf6 'ilνxf6 6liJxe4 J:ιxh3+ White resigned. 176. There followed

'ilνc6

tries to cover the g2 square.

2 .••

iVxg2+! :l.g3++

1 1Ixg7+! 2 J:[g5++

Φχg7

J:ι13

If 2 ... .txh3, then 3 1Ixe4.

The doubIe check set the 'windmill':

ίη

motion

84

QUEEN SACR/F/CE Κraoιz- Dahlin

But Black defended against the threat of 12 ':h7++ Φg8 13 ':eg7 mate by sacrifιcing his queen -

Sweden, 1974 176

W

11 ..• 12 .i.xf6

'iff6! J:xf6

and after

13 .i.xf5

.: xf5

it was White who had to force a draw: 2 ••• 3 ':g7+ 4 J:txf7+ 5 J:tg7+ 6 ':xc7+ 7 J:g7+

Φh7

14 J:th7+ 15 ':eg7+ 16 J:td7!

Φh8 Φg8 Φg8 ~h8

(177)

W

Here White deviated from the correct path. He played J:tg3+ .i.bl+? ':g7+ ':ee7

Φf8

Φh8

177

8 9 10 11

Φg8

Φh7

.i.f5 ~h8

The threat of mate at h8 forces a of moves. Let us return to the positίon ίη the last diagram. Instead of8 J:t g3+White could have won by 8 .: ee7! (with the same threat of 9': h7++ and 10 .: eg7 mate). Now sacrifιcing the queen ηο longer helps Black: 8 . . . .xe7 9 J:xe7+ Φg8 10 d6+ or 8 . . . • f6 9 ':h7+ Φg8 10 d6+, whίle if8 ... J:tf6, then 9 ':gf7 Φg8 10 ':xf6. And one last ροίηΙ The question mark is attached to White's ninth move, because it is this one (rather than 8 ':g3+) which throws away the win, which could have been achieved by 9 ':g7+ Φh8 10 ':ee7. repetitίon

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

85

GOAL

Τaπasch- Romberg

16 lL\e6+

Nuremberg, 1893 Tarrasch played this game without his queen's rook, and so a commentary οη the opening stage is ofno interest. After 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

e4 ttJ t3 d4 J..c4 ttJg5 'ifh5 0-0 'Othl lL\c3

11

Ι5

lL\h6 0-0 'ife8 d3+ dxc2 d6 ttJe5

12 ttJd5 13 Ι6 14 fxg7+

J..g4 'Otxg7

Ι4

e5 ttJ c6 exd4

The king must return Ιο g7.

ηοΙ

16 ...

be allowed

Ιο

ςPh5

IfI6 ... Φg6, then 17 1:ιf6+ Φh518 mate.

1:Σh6

17 ttJdf4+

Φh6

J..c5

Φh8

the following position was reached (178).

17 ... Φh4 18 g3 mate. 18 ttJe2+!

ιt>g6

(179)

The game also concludes entertainingly after 18 ... ςPh5 19 1Η5+ J..xf5 (if 19 ... ςPg6, then, as ίη the game, the rook sacrifice 20 1:Σ/6+1 leads to mate, whίle ίη the event of 19 ... ΦΜ, mate follows after 20 g3+ or 20 J..g5+) 20 lL\g3+ ςPg6 (or 20 ... ςPg421 J..e2+ and 22 J..g5 mate) 21 exf5+ Φf6 22 J..g5 mate. 179

178

W

W

The pursuit ofthe king began with 15 'ifxh6+!

ςPxh6

19 .l:l.f6+!! 20 J..g5+ 21 ttJ2f4 mate

ΦχΙ6

'Otg6

86

QUEEN SACRIFICE

Α very attractive type of combination is that where the king is drawn ουΙ ofhis shelter by a queen sacrifice, and then delίvered under escort into enemy territory.

Lisitsyn-Panov 10th USSR Championship Tbilisi, 1937 181 W

~ackenzie-~ason

USA,1878 180 W

The result is the same after 2 .. . .te3+ Φh5 4 g4+ φh4 (4 .. . tΔxg45 :h3 mate) 5 .tf2+ <;tg5 6 h4 mate. φg53

180. ΒΥ placing his queen en prise, White lυres the enemy king to h6, and then, after cutting offits retreat, leads it ίηΙο his territory:

3 g4+ 4 :h3+ 5 tΔe4 mate

tΔxg4 Φg5

~atsukevich-Bodisko

Ι

'Wh6+!

φxh6

2 tΔhf5+ 3 tΔxΙ5+ 4 :h3+ 5 tΔe3 mate

.txf5

Moscow, 1958

φh5

182 W

φg4

181. With his last move ... c5 Black attacked the bishop, which retreated to e3. But both players overlooked a typical sacrifice, drawing the king out of its shelter Ι 'Wxg6+! 2 .tf5+

φχg6

φh5

182. There followed

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

1 'ili'xe6+! and the black king, reelίng under the blows ofthe enemy pieces, ended υρ ίη the centre of the board.

1 2 .tc4+ 3 ttΊh4+

87

GOAL

knight wίth ... ~g7 (instead ofwhich he played ... .tg7). The variation wίth a queen sacrifιce, which was prepared by Nezhmetdinov but remained 'otT-stage', is ίη keeping with ουΓ theme. Here is this variation:

<J;;>xe6 1 'i!t'xh6+! 2 lLIe6+

~Ι5 ~e4

If 3 ... <J;;>g4, then 4 .te2+ 5 h3! and then g2-g3 mate.

~xh4

4 'Ot>e2 Α

quiet move, which makes mate inevitable. Nezhmetdinov-G. Βοήsenkο 21st USSR Championship Kiev,1954 (variation from the game) 183 W

'Ot>xh6

The king is not allowed to return to g7. 'Ot>g6

2 •••

2 ... <J;;>h5 3 .tdl+ etc.leads to the same result. ~h5

3 e5+ 4 .td1+ Or 4 ... mate!

~g6

~xM

5 h5+ <J;;>f5 6 lLId4

5 g3+ 6

ttΊΙ4

<J;;>h3 mate

Agdamus-Rubinetti Buenos Aires, 1971 184 Β

183. ΒΥ sacrifιcing a knight, Whίte has ruined the enemy king's pawn screen and launched an otTensive. The diagram position could have occurred, if Black had defended his

αυΕΕΝ

88

SACRIFICE

184. Another illustration οΓ the theme 'the king ahead of his troops': 1 •.• 2 ~xe3 3 ~Ι4

1i'xe3+! .td4+

Remaining close to his own forces - 3 ~d3 - is not permitted ίη view of 3 ... .tf2 mate.

3 ... 4 ι;,t>rs

e5+ ':c6!

Α 'quiet' move, vacating the c8 square for the bishop.

5 tl)e4 Against 5 ... .tc8+ 6 ~g5 h6+ 7 ΦΜ g5 mate there is ηο other defence. White will be happy to give υρ his knight at g5. 5 ••• 6 ~g5 7 ~h4 8 tl)xg5 9 ~xg5

.tc8+ h6+ g5+ hxg5+ tl)h7+

followed 11 ... ':g6!, and ίΓ 12 g4, then 12 ... .tf2! with the threat of ... tl)f6 mate. 11 •••

':dd6!

The threat of 12 . . . 1:[ h6 mate cannot be met. White resigns. There must be few who do not know this famous blίtz game: Ed. Lasker-Thomas London, 1911

1 d4 2 tl)f3 3 tl)c3 4.tg5 5 .txf6 6 e4 7 tl)xe4 8 .td3 9 tl)e5 101i'h5

rs e6 tl)f6 .te7 .txf6 fxe4 b6 .tb7 0-0 1i'e7 (185) 185 W

This is where the rook οη the sixth rank comes ίη useful! 10 10

~h5

Φh4

':h6 mate.

10 • • • 11 e3 Οη

.txh3

11 ':cl there would have

11 1i'xh7+! 12 lbxf6++

~xh7 Φh6

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

12 ...

Φh8

13 lbg6 mate.

89

GOAL

O'Kelly-Penrose Olympiad, 1962

νarna

13 lbeg4+ 14 h4+

Φg5

186 W

Later ίι was discovered that Whίte cou1d have won more quickly by 14 f4+ ΦΧf4 15 g3+ ..t>f3 16 ο-ο mate, or 15 ... Φg5 16 h4 mate. If 14 ... ..t>h4 (instead of 14 ... ΦχΙ4), then 15 g3+ Φh3 16 if1+ ig2 17 lbf2 mate. 14 . . . 15 g3+

ΦΙ4

As shown by Bronstein, 15 .!tJe5 wou1d have created an irresistible mating threat. 15 • . • 16 ie2+

ΦΟ

The game cou1d have been concluded one move earlίer by 16 ο-ο (or 16 ..t>j1), threatening mate by 17 .!tJe5 or 17 lbh2.

186. Glancing at the diagram, one might think that all White has Ιο do is reproduce that seen ίη the Ed. Lasker-Thomas game - sacrifice the queen οη h7, and with the double check lbf6++ begin the escorting of the king. But even the slίghtest difference (compared wίth the standard example) can have a decisive influence οη the course of events. And so, 1 'iVxh7+

16 17 1:rh2+ 18 Φd2 mate

Φg2 ΦgΙ

Pretty, but ... 1 ...

Our commentary οη the pursuit of the king, which ends ίη mate, is of ηο significance (a move earlίer, a move later - the resu1t is the same), and is given only because this game is a classic. And now an almost modern example.

ίι

does

ηοι

win.

..t>xh7

Note that, if Black tries ΙΟ exploit the fact that the rook and knight are attacked, and plays the modest 1 ... Φf8, then White gains the advantage by 2 .!tJg3! ixe3 (3 lΔj5I was threatened) 3 .l:!.xe3 ..t>e7 (3 lΔj5 was again threatened) 4 'ifxg7, when he

90

αυΕΕΝ

has two pawns p!us an attack for the exchange. Φh6

2 lbf6++ 2 ...

But

Φh8

3 ':h3 mate.

3 ':h3+

ΦgS

4 lbh7+

Φι4

ηοι

4 ...

Φf4

SACRIFlCE

The king must ηοι be aIIowed ιο hide at d6 via e5. But οη 6 ':h5 there foIlows 6 ... i.xf2+, and so White is forced ιο repeat moves.

6 ••• (187)

5 .: h4 mate.

187

W

B!ack, ίη turn, is unab!e Ιο avoid the repetition. Thus 6 . . . g5? is punished by mate: 7 g3+ Φg4 8 Φg2!, and οη 8 ... i.xf2 (otherwise f2-f3 mate) there foIlows 9 lbf6 mate. 7 i.e2+ 8 i.d3

ΦΙ4 Φι4

Drawn.

Α slίght, but important detail: the f-pawn, which should be giving the winning check (5 13+ Φ/4 6 :. h4 mate), is pinned. Here we have an instance where a king, pursued by superior forces, does ηοι meet its end ίη enemy territory, but remains unharmed.

We wilI now make the acquaintance of the sacrifιce which decoys an enemy piece ίηΙο a fork. The end result of such combinations is the gaining of a materia! advantage, and hence the sacrifιcing is of a temporary nature. De Lange-Halvorsen Correspondence, 1976

188 Β

5 i.e2+ Νο other attacking resources are apparent. Οη 5 ";'f1 (unpinning the f-pawn) B!ack wins by 5 ... i.xf2!

5... 6 i.d3

ΦΙ4

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

188. Black gained material advantage by 1 ...

2 'ifxel

a

decisive

'ifxel+! .l:!.xcl

Οη 3 'irxcl there follows 3 l2Je2+ and 4 ... l2Jxcl. White played

91

GOAL

2 ... 3 ΦΧh2

(3 φΩ? lΔg4+). Now is the time Ιο 'gather ίη the harvest' - by means of forks Ιο regain both the queen and the exchange, and as a result emerge with an extra pawn:

3 ... 3

lΔdl

3 ...

but after .i:txbl

'ifxh2+

4 5 6

1:[5Ο

l2Jg4+ l2Jxe3 l2Jfi+

lΔxΠ

lΔf6

Φg3

he resigned the game. and ίη the end Black advantage.

Nekrasov-Yurkov USSR,1954

realίzed

his

Κίmmelfeld-Belov

189

35th USSR Championship Kharkov, 1967

Β

190 W

189. This is a combination wίth two decoy sacrifices. First an exchange sacrifice forces the white queen Ιο go Ιο e31 2 'irxe3

.l:!.xe3

Next the king is lured queen sacrifice -

Ιο

190. After playing ... lΔg4-e3 οη his last move, Black assumed that Ιο his pawn advantage he would be adding the exchange ... White was saved by two sacrifices:

h2 by a 1 .i:txt7!

.i:txt7

92

αυΕΕΝ

211fh8+! 3 lί:IxΠ+ 4 lί:Ixd8 5 lί:Ixe6

ΦΧh8

Φι8 lί:Ixdl

The exchange has not been 10st, and the pawn has been regained. The absolutely level knight ending soon ended ίη a draw. Gipslis-Zaborovsky Riga, 1961 191 W

SACRIFICE

acquires a pawn and obtains a won ending. 2 ... Φχf7 3 lί:Ig5+ Φf6 (3 ... Φ/8 4 lί:Ih7 mate) 4 lZΊe4+ Φe7 5 lί:Ixd6+ Φχd66 J:[e6+. Black has to give υρ one of his minor pieces (6 ... Φc7 7 J:[ e7+; 6 ... Φd7 7 J:[xb6), and the ending two pawns down is hopeless. The removal of an enemy piece or pawn, fulfilling an important function, can be achieved both by diversion, and by its direct capture, ίη other words by defence-eliminatίon. Capablanca-Lasker World Championship Match (11) Havana, 1921 192 W

191. How can White realize his pawn advantage? 1

lί:Ixe6!

was played, and Black, after calcu192. Were ίΙ not for the knight at f8, lating the variations, resigned. The knight cannot be taken, of White would give mate at h7, and socourse, οη account of 2 J:[ xe6 followed by a move by the rook. But 1 1Ifxf8+! what about 1 ... J:[ xc3 ? Then comes 193. With his queen at h8, Black 211fxf7+!! Α decoy sacrifice, which is folcannot resist for 10ng. Chigorin eased 10wed by a double check and a fork. his sutTering by announcing mate ίη White regains the sacrificed material, five moves.

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

GOAL

93

Chίgοήn-Schίffers

194

Match, St Petersburg, 1880

W

193 W

8 'ifxd4! 9 ltΊΙ6+ 1Ο .i.h6 mate 1 1Ifxe7+! 2 :xe7+

2 ... 3

Φg8

:xe7

:17

3 .i.c4+.

ltΊe6+

4 : e8+ 5 : xf8 mate

Φg8

: f8

1 c4

1 e4

e5

2 ltΊo 3 ttJc3 4 d4 5 ltΊd5 6 .i.g5!

g6 exd4 .i..g7 ttJge7?

This loses. 6 ... and if 7 ttJxd4 c6. 7

ltΊxd4

ltΊc6

ltΊce7

is correct,

.i.xd4 (194)

White was threatening 8 ttJxc6.

Φf8

This combination is typical of the opening stage (the king is mated without having castled). The same mate can occur ίη the English Opening:

2 ttJc3 3 ltΊo

BIumenfeId-N.N. Moscow, 1903

ttJxd4

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

d4 ttJd5 .i.g5 ltΊxd4

'ifxd4! ttJf6+ .i..h6 mate

e5 ltΊc6

g6 exd4 .i.g7 ltΊge7?

.i.xd4 ttJxd4 Φf8

The following 'mini-game' was played ίη the 1968 Olympiad ίη the Hong Kong-W est Germany match. Gibbs-Schmid Lugano, 1968 1 e4

ttJf6

QUEEN SACRIFICE

94

2 ~c3 3 exd5 4 ~ge2 5 ι3? 6 ,tg2

5 exd5 6,tg2 7 d3? 8 ,txd5

d5 lbxdS ~oo

,tg4

~d4

,tg4 ~xd5

1Wxd5 (195)

~d4

195 W

With colours reversed and some insignificant detaίls, everything is as ίη the preceding game. It stands Ιο reason that the Hong Kong player had ηο conception of the standard combination. After 7 ,txd5

1WxdS

he saw the mate, but it was Ιοο late: the game lasted οηlΥ two more moves. 813

8 ο-ο lbO+ 9

8 ... 9 ':0

ι;t>hl

Exactly as ίη the 'Olympiad encounter', except that the moves d2d3 and ... c7-c5 have been added. Ιη desperation the future grandmaster also played

lbg5+. 913 10 ':0

1Wxf3 .g2

1Wxf3

He resigned later - after Whίte

resigns. And now let us examine a game from a USSR Championship SemiFinal, played fourteen years before the Gibbs-Schmid game. Gurgenidze-Kotov Yerevan, 1954 1 2 3 4

e4 lbc3 lbge2 83

cS lbc6 lbf6 d5

10 11 12 13

••• ,te3 ':xf3 ,txcS

1Wg2 lbf3+ 'ti'xf3

hS

and after making a further twenty so moves. The 'mating sίlhouette' of these catastrophes is worth remembering (196). ΟΓ

197. Black has forked White's

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

196

95

GOAL

Gegeris-Abolinsch Correspondence, 1983-1985

198 W

Vinogradov-Fedin USSR,1973

197 W

2 .l:Σxf8+ 3 .l:Σg8+ 4 J:td7+

..tg7

5.I:Σe8+

Φf5

φπ

Φe6

6 J:td5+ and mates, but it was another move that he sent ...

Miles-Uhlmann Hastings, 1975176 queen and rook, but mated ίο six moves: 1 1Vxh6+!

2 3 4 5 6

J:r.xh6+ J:th7+ J:th8+ J:tg8+ g5 mate

ίη

reply he was

199 Β

gxh6 <3;g7 Φf8 ~g7

..th6

198. White could have forced a win by

199. Black won by 1 1Vxg6!

fxg6

1 '"

'ifxh2+

96

QUEEN SACRIFICE

2Φxh2

%Σ.b6

This was the οηlΥ way to parry the threat of a linear mate, but

3 ••.

How is Black to defend? there follows 4 exf5. There οηlΥ remains

Οη

3 ...

Φh7

31re8

ι!bΙ6

3 ...

ι!bb6

which leads by force to 10ss of material:

forced White to stop the clocks. And now another variation, somewhat more complicated, οη the same theme. Planinc-Marangunic Yugoslavia, 1969

4 5 6

%Σ.χbS

%Σ.gxh6+ %Σ.h7+

Black is also forced to part with his queen. Οη 6 ... φg6 White wins by 7 %Σ.Sh6+ Φι5 8 f4+ ΦΧf4 9 %Σ.χf7. 7 %Σ.h8+ 8 %Σ.Sh7+ 9 exΙS+ 10 %Σ.χd8 11 .i.d3

200 Β

Φι7 Φι6 %Σ.xΙS %Σ.χd8

The simplest. White takes play into an ending with a clear material advantage.

200. Το defend against the threat of %Σ. xhS, Black played

1 ...

ΦΧh7

Φι7

and a few moves later Black resigned.

after which White destroyed the king's pawn screen and created the threat of a linear mate 2 1rxg6! 3 %Σ.Χι6

11 ••• 12 .i.xΙS+ 13 ι!bxbS

hxg6

201. White was not afraid of the knight sacrifice at g4, and he was right (1 ... ι!bxg4+? 2 hxg4 1rxg4 3 .i.h3 .i.d6+ 4 Φhl). But the queen sacrifice -

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

Levin-Tsai Alma-Ata, 1966

97

GOAL

Goglidze-Botvinnik Moscow, 1935

201

202 Β

Β

1 ...

1Irxg4!

he overlooked. Οη 2 hxg4 there follows 2 ... tLιxg4+ 3 Φ h3 (or 3 Φ hl) 3 ... tLιxΏ+ 4 Φh2 id6 mate. He had to reconcile himself to the loss of an important pawn and play 2 tLι c5 3 tLιxd7 4 f3

1Ir f5 tLιxd7 tLιΙ6

after which Black realized his material advantage. 202. The queen's invasion of the second rank 1 ••.

'ilί'c2!

4 ... ixc4 5 1tel ib4. Attempting somehow to weaken the pressure, Goglidze played 2 ia3 Black is invited to exchange a pair of minor pieces. Botvinnik readily accepted: at the end of the variation he found a combination which had been overlooked by his opponent. 2 .•• 3 1t xa3 4 "ifb6 (203)

ixa3 "ifxe2

After driving away the queen by 4 •••

1tab8

5 1Ird6 placed White ίη a critical position. 2 1tel is met by 2 ... ib4, while οη 2 idl Botvinnik would have continued positionally - 2 . . . 'ilί'xbl 3 1txbl tLιc44 tLιxc4 (4 tLιb3 1tab8)

Black eliminated the defender of the back rank5 •••

"ifxf1+!

98

αυΕΕΝ

SACRIFICE Οη 2 . . . .i.xf6 White wins by 3 .i.xf6 gxf6 4 ~f5, whίle if2 ... .i.xd4, then simply 3 exd4, and if 3 ... gxf6 4 lΔf5.

203 Β

2 ... 3 lΔf5

gxf6 φh8

Otherwise 4 'it'g4+ or 4 1It'h6 .

6..t;>xD

:'bl+

The final moves, 7 ..t;>e2 :. c2 mate, were not made - White resigned.

4 1It'xf6+! 5 .i.xf6+ 6 ~h6 mate

.i.xf6 ..t;>g8

Let us invite onto the stage the participants ίη the final scene (205).

Mamayev-Oreshkin Moscow, 1968

205

204 W

204. What is the best way to conduct the attack? 1 lΔf5 suggests itself, as well as 1 lΔg5. Ιη the game 1 lΔh5 was played, and Black repelled the onslaught. Meanwhile, the most effective continuation was 1 lΔxe5 2 :'xf6!

206. White is the exchange υρ with an excellent position. He can of course realize his advantage by technique alone, but ίη the given instance a combinatίonal solutίon is the most effective. The g7 square, which is twice attacked, is three times defended. ΒΥ sacrifices White eliminates two of the defenders:

-*.xe5 ι

:'xe6!

1It'xe6

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

Vasyukov-Durasevic Belgrade, 1961

99

GOAL

1 'ilfxh7+ 2 ':xh7+

':xh7 '1tί>xΙ6

If 2 . . . Φf8, then 3 lLIxe6+ and 4 f7+. But now comes the double check

206 W

3 lLId5++ forcing the king into White's territory:

2 'ilfxf8! 3 1:[xg7+ 4 1:[ xg6+ 5 1:[ΧΙ6

1:[xf8 Φh8

3 4 5 6

..• 1:[h5+ .i.e3+ b3 mate

Φe5 Φd4

Φc4

1:[ Ι6

Α picturesque position. Οη 5 ... 'iWel+ White defends with check - 6 J:tfl+. Wherever it moves, the queen cannot be saved. Black resigns.

Paoov-Grechkio Odessa, 1949 207

W

207. There followed

Α combination which occurs relatively often is where the queen is sacrificed to release the pio 00 a koight. There are two typical types of these combinations - ίη open and closed opening positions. The first type οήgίηalΙΥ occurred ίη a game by the French player Legall, Philidor's teacher:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

e4 .i.c4 lLIf3 lZΊc3 lZΊxe5?

.i.xf7+ lLId5 mate

e5 d6 lLIc6 .i.g4 .i.xdl?? Φe7

5 lZΊxe5 is a trap ίη the bad sense, since it is based οη the opponent's greed. Had Black replied 5 ... iiJxe5, he would simply have been a knight up.

100

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

The combination can be improved by first playing Sh3 after which Black must either exchange οη f.3 or withdraw his bishop. ΟηΙΥ not to h5. Mter 5 •••

.ihS? (208)

Since distant times Legall's mate has become widely known. Ιη 1882 ίη Moscow the operetta 'The Sea Cadet' was staged ίη the 'Ermitazh' garden theatre. Ιη the course ofit a game was played with 'live' chess players, the corps de ballet performing a tenmove miniature οη the Legall theme: 1 e4 2 tLJf3

the 'Legall mechanism' operates smoothly.

208 W

3 d4 4 .ic4 Sc3 6 tLJxc3 7 0-0 8 tLJxeS 9 .ixf7+ 10 tLJdS mate

eS tLJc6 exd4 d6 dxc3 .ig4 tLJeS .ixdl Φe7

Let us now move οη to less distant times. Lutikov-Starukhin Leningrad, 1949 6 6 7 8

tLJxeS .•. .ixf7+ tLJdS mate

and if .ixdl and

1 e4

2 Ι4 3 tLJf3 4 h4?!

This, incidentally, occurred ίη one of Cheron's games (1929). Ιη contrast to the original Legall game, after 5 h3 .ih5 the combination 6 tLJxe5 is correct. If Black takes the knight, he not οηlΥ does ηοΙ win a piece, but comes out a pawn down: 6 . . . tLJxe5 7 "'xh5 tLJxc4 8 ",b5+ and 9 "'xc4.

5 tLJc3

6 d4

eS exf4 h6 tLJf6 d6 tLJhS

6 ... tLJg4. 7 .ic4

.ig4 (209)

This game was played ίη a junior event. The future grandmaster caught

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

his ill-informed opponent Legall mate:

ίη

GOAL

the

101

6 ttJc3 7 .i.g5 8 ttJe4?

.i.c5 0-0

ttJxe4

209 Bravo, Legall!

W

9 .i.xd8

10

8 lLJe5

.i.xdl?

Correct, of course, was 8 . . . dxe5 91Wxg4lLJf6, and iflO 1If5, then 10 ... exd4 11 1Ib5+ lLJbd7. 9 .i.xf7+

Φe2

.i.xf2+ ttJd4 mate

Ιη its 'classical interpretatίon' Legall's mate is given by a knight at d5 (d4). 'Deviations' also occur, and of the most varied kind - both with mate, and with a prosaic finish. We must warn the reader: from one example Ιο the next the 'Legall combinatίon' will become less and less simίlar Ιο the original. ΑΙ the end the οηlΥ thing ίη common wil1 be the introductory move.

q;e7

210

10 lLJd5 mate

W

The same combination can be made by Black: Ι e4 2 exd5 3 c4 4 dxc6

d5 lLIf6 c6

ΒΥ

accepting the pawn sacrifice, falls behind ίη development. 4 d4 cxd5 leads Ιο a position from the Caro-Kann Defenct:. (1 e4 c62 d4 d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 c4 tΔ.f6). Whίte

4 ••• 5d3

lLJxc6 e5

210.

Ι fxe5 2 lLJxe5 3 .i.f7+

lLIxe5 .i.xdl Φe7

Mate is also given by the knight, but οη another square 4 lLJf5 mate

QUEEN SACRIFICE

102

1 2 3 4

e4 ttJc3 -*.c4 ttJf3

e5 ttJf6 ttJxe4

8 -*.x17+

Α pawn sacrifice ίη the interests of development.

4 •••

iLJxc3

Α safe and quiet continuation is the one recommended by Alekhine: 4 ... ttJf6, and if 5 ttJxeS dS 6 -*.b3 c6.

5 dxc3

does not save Black from defeat (8 -*.xe6fxe6 9 .h5+).

d6

Α natural and ... incorrect move. Black should play 5 ... f6, not worrying about the weakening of the diagonal, e.g. 6 ο-ο d6 7 ttJh4 g6 8 f4 'fIe7 9 fS .g71O.f3 -*.e7, and White still has to demonstrate the correctness of his sacrifice.

6 0-0

Here it is not the knight which gives mate, but the bishop 9 -*.g5 mate The same operation is possible ίη a mirror image1 2 3 4 5 6

e4 ttJf3 ttJxe5 ttJxc6 d3 -*.g5? 7 -*.xd8

7 •.• 8 Φe2

7 ttJxeS was threatened (7 ... dxe5 8 i.xf7+). -*.xdl

7 ... -*.e6 prevents the mate, but

-*.xa+ -*.g4 mate

e5

Ι4

-*.ό

3 ttJf3 4 ttJc3 5 -*.c4

d6 ttJf6 ttJc6 -*.g4 exf4 dxc5 ttJhS

2

6d3

7 ttJxe5

-*.ό

ttJxe4

AIekhine-Tenner Cologne, 1911 1 e4

-*.g4?

e5 ttJf6 ttJc6?! dxc6

7 i.e3 -*.xe3 8 dxe4 -*.xf2+; 8 fxe3 .h4+.

White had an excellent choice between 6 ttJgS -*.e6 7 -*.xe6 fxe6 8 .f3, and 6 ttJxeS .e7 (6 ... dxe5? 7 -*.xf7+) 7 -*.xf7+ φd8 8 ο-ο! 6 •••

Φe7

7 ttJa4 8 ttJxcS 9 -*.xf4

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ θΟΑΙ

... φg5 15 .i.e3+ Φh4 16 g3+ φh3 17 .i.e6+, or 16 ... t2Jxg3 17 .l:l.f4+.

10 .i.e3 Here Alekhine's opponent played 10 ... fle7, and the game eventually ended ίη a draw. Ιη the event of t2Je5 (211)

10 .•. Alekhine had finish.

103

ίη

15 .l:l.f5 mate Velting-Sergeyev Correspondence, 1982 212

mind an amusing

Β

211 W

212. Το those who have looked at the previous examples, the move 1 ... 11 lLIxe5! 12 .i.xt7+

Φe7

Νο better is 12 ... Φf8 13 .i.xc5+ fld6 14 .i.xd6+ cxd6 15 .l:l.xdl t2Jf6 16 t2Jc40r 16 t2Jg6+, withagreatmaterial advantage for White.

13 .i.xcS+

ΦΙ6

As ίη a battle, a king ίη front of its troops is ίη mortal danger. However, 13 ... fld6 was equally hopeless. 14 0-0+

lLIxe4

.i.xd1

Φχe5

White mates slightly later after 14

will not seem original. Calculatίng the consequences of accepting the sacrίfice (especially ίη a correspondence game) did ηοΙ present any difficulty: by constant checking the white king is escorted ίηΙο the centre ofthe board, where it is mated. It was necessary, however, Ιο antίcipate other possible replies by Whίte, namely 2 fle2, 2 flh5, 2 t2Jxb6 and 2 lLIxc7+. And so: 2 fle2 flxh4 3 g3 flg4 4 f3 fle6 5 fxe4 ο-ο 6 0-0-0 f5 with advantage Ιο Black. 2 flh5 g5! 3 .i.g3 lLIf6, with an extra pawn.

ουΕΕΝ

104

2lLJxb6 'ilfxh4 3 g3 'ilff64 'ilfe2 axb6 5 'ifxe4+ .t.e6, again with an extra pawn and ideal development. 2 lLJxc7+ "xc7 (of course, after 2 ... .t.xc7?White can safely take the queen) 3 'ilfe2 d5 4 f.3 ο-ο 5 fxe4. White has regained his piece, but at a high ρήce - 5 ... lΣe8 (6lLJd2lLJd4) gives Black a clear advantage. Even so, any of these four moves would have been better than taking the queen. 2 .t.xd8? 3 'it;>e2 4 'it;>d3 (213)

213 Β

SACRIFICE

Sbilov-Razdobarin Κrasnoyarsk, 1959 cS a6 dS 'ilfxdS cxd4

1 e4

2 lLJt3 3 c3 4 exdS 5 d4

lη positions with an isolated pawn, the queen is normally a poor blockader. Ιη dήvίηg it away, White gains a tempo. It should be bome ίη mind that Black has already 10st time οη playing ... a6. lη such situations the opening of the c-file favours White, who also acquires the c3 square for his knight. 5 . . . e6 was preferable.

6 cxd4

.t.g4

This seemingly actίve move allows White to achieve by force a won posίtίon.

7 lLJc3 4 •••

5 'it;>xe4

6

ΦΙ4

lLJeS+! fS+ lLJg6 mate

7 ... .t.xf.3 9 lLJc7+. 8 .t.c4

One can

.. d8 faίls

to 8 lLJxd5 .t.xdl

e6

οηlΥ

wonder how White faίled ιο foresee such a prosaic variation ίη a correspondence game.

9 .t.xf7+ was threatened, as well as 9 lLJe5. 9 dS! lη

full accordance with the rule,

105

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ ΘΟΑΙ

according to which the side ahead ίη development should aim to open υρ the game. 9 ... 10 d6!

Potter-Matthews London, 1868

e5 ih5 (214)

If 10 ... ixd6, then 11 .i.xf7 +ΦΧΠ 12 lLIxe5+.

1 e4 2 d4

e5

3 ic4

c5?

exd4

3 ... lLIc6, 3 ... lLIf6. 4 lLIf3

214

5

ο-ο

W

6

~el

d6 lLIc6 ig4?

6 ... ie7. 7 e5!

lLIxe5? (215) 215 W

11 lLIxe5 The Legall theme (11 ... ixdl 12 .i.xf7 mate), but ίη a different adaptation - the e7 square is attacked by a pawn. 11 .•• 12 1fd5

ig6 lLIf6

Black's naively played opening and his last, totally simple-minded move are severely punished.

This shortens Black's suffering. He is mated ίη the same way as after the capture of the queen at d Ι. 13 1fxf7+ ixf7 14 ixf7 mate

8 lLIxe5 9 ib5+! Α

small

detaί1:

ixdl nothing is given by

9 ixf7+ 1;e7 10 ig5+ lLIf6, when

after 11 lLIc6++ ΦχΠ 12 lLIxd8+ 1Σχd813 1Σχdl Whiteisapawndown.

QUEEN SACRIFICE

106

However, 9 ~c6+ J.e7 10 ~xd8 J:[ xd8 11 .: xd 1 was good enough to win. Ιη this variation White is two pawns down, but οη the other hand he has an extra piece! Even so, the move ίη the game must be considered the strongest. 9 ..•

φe7

Mate could have been averted οηlΥ by 9 ...• d7, after which Black would have sufTered enormous losses.

7 ~xeS 8 J.bS+ 9 dxc6

J.xdl c6

The threat created by this ηοη checking move is so strong here, that Black cannot obtain even a piece for his queen. The best that he can do is Ιο come out a knight down after 9 •••

10

c7+ 11 cxd8=1IH 12 ~xdl

a6 axbS ':xd8

10 J.gS+ 1 e4

10

~g4+

was a good altemative.

10 • . • 11 ~g6++ 12 ~ή8 mate 1 e4

2 exdS 3

~c3

4 d4 5

~o

6dS

216

Ι6 φΠ

d6 lQf6 J.g4 exd4?

~d7

is correct.

7 eS! 8 ~xeS! 9 lQxc6+

~oo

J.g4 ~eS?

~oo

3 J.bS 4 0-0 5 ':el 6 d4 6 ...

dS .xdS .d8

eS

2 ~o

dxeS J.xdl

(216) White regains the queen, after which he will be a piece up.

W 1 2 3 4 5 6

e4 lQf3 J.bS J.a4 d4 J.b3

eS ~oo

a6 d6 bS J.g4?

6 ... lQxd4 is correct.

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

7 dxe5

tϊ:Ixe5

(217)

107

GOAL

224. This would appear to be the instance of the 'Legall theme' being implemented at such a high level. Tarrasch played οηlΥ

The alternatives are also υη satisfactory: 7 ... R.xf3 8 .i.xf7+ ΦΧf7 9 'ifd5+ Φe7 10 R.g5+ lΔf6 11 exf6+ gxf6 12 'irxc6, or 7 ... dxe5 8 'ird5! 'ifxd5 9 R.xd5 .i.d7 10 lΔxe5.

Ι lΔxe5!

If the queen is captured there follows 2 tϊ:Ixf6+ Φf8 (2 ... gxj61eads to mate ίη two moves - 3 R.xj7+ and 4 R.h6 mate) 3 lΔed7+, and White regains the queen, remaining two pawns υρ: 3 ... 'ifxd7 4lΔxd7+ Φe8 5 1%xdl ΦΧd7 6 R.xf7. Chigorin preferred to part withjust one pawn-

217 W

...

dxe5

2 lΔxΙ6+ 3 'if xg4

μΙ6

ι

Here White's achievement is much more modest. The Legall-style combination leads to the win of a pawn: 8lΔxe5! R.xdl9 R.xf7+ Φe710 lΔc6+ ΦΧf7 11 lΔxd8+ 1% xd8 12

tϊ:I g6

The pawn cannot be regained: after 3 ... 'ifxd3 4 1%dl Black would be obliged to resign.

Φχdl.

4 R.d5 5 Ι4

Taπasch-Chigodn

1%b8

Match, St Petersburg, 1893

218

White has a material advantage and the better posίtion.

W Α

classic example of releasing the a knight ίη closed positions is provided by the Cambridge SΡήηgs Defence to the Queen's Gambit ρίη οη

1 d4 2 c4 3 lΔc3

d5 e6 tϊ:IΙ6

108

QUEEN SACRIFICE

4 .tg5

ll'Jbd7 (219)

4 5 6 7

219 W

ll'Jf3 .tg5 li:)xd4 li:)db5

c5 cxd4 e5

The quieter 7 ll'Jf.3 is better, and if 7 ... d4 8 ll'Jd5. 7 ...

Black's last move contains a simple trap. IfWhite is tempted by the win of a pawn-

5 cxdS 6 6 7 8 9

li:)xd5? .•. .txd8 "d2

exdS then after ll'Jxd5! .tb4+ i.xd2+

ΦΧd2

ΦΧd8

he loses a knight. This trap does ηο! involve any risk. It is set ίη the course ofthe game, and is the tactical basis of Black's plan Ιο delay the development ofhis king's bishop, ίη order ιο develop ί! at b4. Let us examine a few variations οη the 'Cambridge Springs' theme.

The American grandmaster thought that this move was bad. It seems that White can safely take the pawn. 8 li:)xd5 (220) 220 Β

''Οη 8 ... axb5", Fine calculated a move earlier, "Ι win by 9 li:)xf6+ gxf6 10 "xd8+, 11 .txf6+ and 12 .txh8 . .." ΒυΙ Yudovich took the knight -

Fine-Yudovich Moscow, 1937

8 ... and

1 d4 2 c4 3 li:)c3

d5 e6 li:)f6

a6

axb5

οη

9 li:)xf6+ 9 •••

replied .xr6!

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

This temporary queen sacrifice iS merely a more complicated version of the simple Cambridge Springs trap. After

which proved to be a decisive mistake. Ιη the now familiar way Black parted with his queen 8 ...

10 11 12

~xI6

tDxe4!

~b4+

"ifι12

~xd2+

<;t>xι12

μΙ6

Black emerged a knight

υρ.

Ιη the game Spencer-Fairhurst (England, 1928) after

1 d4 2 ~g5 3 lίJd2 4 c4 5 lίJgO 6 lίJh4 7 cxd5

109

GOAL

d5 tDf6

and

οη

9 ~xd8 9 ...

played ~b4+

After 10 "ifd2 11 <;t>dl 120

~xd2+

:xd8 ~g5!

~f5

e6 tDbd7 ~e4

exd5 (221)

the foBowing position was reached:

White remained a piece down. Shostakovich-Kofman Moscow, 1934 222 Β

221 W

White decided to exchange offthe bishop with 8 tDxe4

Ιη this opening position (the initial moves were 1 d4 lΔj62 t:Δj3 d6 3 ~g5 lίJ c6 4 c4 ~g4 5 lίJ c3 e5 6 dxe5 dxe5 7 tDd5) anyone who knows the FineYudovich game wiB immediately think of . . . tDxd5 foBowed by . . .

QUEEN SACRIFICE

110

.t.b4+. But the knight at D blocks the check and spoίls the combination. Therefore Black first exchanged the knight 7 •••

12 11c2 13 φe4 14 φG 15 Φι4 16 φι)

.*.c5+ J:l.d4+ g6+ h5+

.t.xf3

8 exf3

Or 16 mate.

φg5

lL!e6+ 17

φf6

.*.e7

8 gxD lL!xd5 9 .t.xd8 .t.b4+ 10 'iνd2

1:1 xd8 11 cxd5 J:I. xd5 favours Black, whίle 8 .t.xf6 (if 8 lL!xf6+ gxf6 9 lIxd8+ Axd8) is strongly met by 8 ... .t.xd5. After capturing with the e-pawn the whίte king has obtained the e2 square. Nevertheless, the queen was sacrificed -

8 ... 9 .t.xd8 10 φe2

11

Φe3

lL!xd5 .t.b4+ lΔΙ4+

J:l.xd8 (223)

223

W

16 ••• 17 Φι4 18 1We4 19 φh3

h4+ lL!e6+ G+ lL!g5 mate

Rubinstein-Duras Vienna, 1908

1 d4 2 lL!f3

3 e3

d5 c5 lL!f6

4 dxc5 Αη original way of playing the opening. Α position from the Queen's Gambit Accepted is reached with colours reversed.

4 •••

1Wa5+

Α more natural continuatίon is 4 ... e6, ίη analogy with variations from the Queen's Gambit Accepted.

For the queen Black has two minor pieces, which means that it is unfavourable for White to give υρ queen for rook. However, moving the queen away is punished even more severely.

5 lL!bd2

6a3 7c4 8 lL!xc4 9 b4

lIxc5 lIc7 dxc4 lL!c6 .*.g4

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

b5? (224)

10 .i.b2

This active move ίη an undeveIoped position meets with a tacticaI refutation, based οη the fact that the b5 pawn is unprotected.

111

GOAL

Or 15 ... 16

Φχd7

16 J:txdl+.

lίJe5

The result ofthe temporary queen sacrifice is that White has won a pawn. Το concIude, here are a few combinations with the reIeasing of a ρίη οη a knight, ηοΙ reIating Ιο either the Cambridge Springs theme or the LegaH theme.

225 W

11 12

lίJce5!

lLIxe5 .i.xdl

lίJxe5!

The sacrifice has Ιο be accepted. 12 ... 'ifxe5 13 .i.xe5 .i.xdl14 .i.xb5+ is totaHy bad for BIack.

13 .i.xb5+

lLId7

The game could have ended after 13 ... Φd8 14 J:ιxd1+ Φc815 .i.a6+ Φb816lίJc6+! 'ifxc617 .i.e5+ 'ifd6, when the 'quiet' move 18 J:ι c1! makes mate inevitabIe.

prettίly

14 .i.xd7+ Οη

15

14 . . .

Φd8

'ifxd7 White wins by

J:ιxd1.

15 lLIxd7

.i.h5

225. White incautiousIy attacked the pinned knight with 1 lLIe4? BIack replied 1 ... 2 ..txd8

lLIxe4! lίJxg3

The f2 pawn is pinned, and so mate at h1 is unavoidabIe. These were exampIes of reIeasing a

QUEEN SACRIFICE

112

knight from a ρίη by an enemy bishop. But the pinning can also be carried out by heavy pieces. Κarpov-Zsoldos

Budapest, 1973 226 W

Φι5

5 lt)g6+

The οηΙΥ move to demand any effort of White was 5 ... Φg3 (with the aim of using the queen to block the check οη the g-file). Then comes 6 lLIxe7+ _g4 7 .1:f3+ Φh4 8 lLIf5+ _xf5 9 1:txf5. The rook at h3 is attacked, and its οηΙΥ move is 9 ... .1:g3 (9 ... 1:txc3 10 ':14 mate). But ίη the double rook ending after 10 :f4+ 1:.g4 11 Φh2! mate is unavoidable! Φh4

6 lt)xe7+ Or 6 ... 226. The rook at c8 is attacked, but unexpectedly [or Black there followed

Φh6

7 lt)f5 mate Κrogius-Sergievsky

νoronezh,

1 lt)xe5!

1959 227 W

He is offered a choice of queen, rook or knight ...

1 ...

7 lt)f5 mate.

'it'xe2

After 1 ... dxe5 2 'it'xe5+ Black is mated, whίle if 1 . . . 'it'xc8, then 2 1:.tϊ+ Φh6 (οη 2 ... Φg8the 'quiet' move 3 'it'e4 is decisive) 3 'it'd2+ ..tg5 4 1:.f6+ Φh7 5 'it'xg5. 2 .1: f7+ 3 .1:h8+ 4 1:.g8+ 4 ...

Φh6

Φh6

Φι5 Φh4

5 .1:g6 mate.

227. Black assumed that the pinned knight was unable Ιο move, and that ίΙ would have Ιο be defended by the pawn. But there followed 1 lt)g6!

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

and he was oblίged Ιο resign. If Ι ... 'ifxf5, then 2 lίJe7+ and 3lt:Jxf5, when White is a rook up. The rook is forked ίη similar fashion after Ι . . . .:Ι. d7 2 1Ifxd5 :txd5 3 lίJe7+, and there is also ηο ροίηΙ ίη playing οη the exchange and a pawn down after Ι ... 1Ife62 lίJxe7+. Nikolayevsky-Vasyukov Kiev, 1957 (variatίon from the game)

GOAL

113

4 •••

':I'al+

5 'ite2 5

'ittΊ lίJxe4+.

~a6+

5 ΟηΙΥ

6

'όf;e3

avoids the fork, but then comes the elegant

228 Β

6 ..•

lίJg4

mate

This pretty variation shows that Black can perfectly well take the a2 pawn, and that 2 ':I'al loses. Therefore NikoIayevsky rejected Ι .l:tal-cl, and chose Ι ~e2, after which the game took a different course.

228. Can the a2 pawn be taken? After 1

lίJxa2

2 ':I'al Black buίlds υρ a decisive attack by sacrificing his queen: 2 ... 3 .:I.xa5 4 bxc3

lίJxc3!!

.l:txa5

If4 'ifxc3, then 4 ... .l:tal+, and the white queen is won by a fork.

Ιη blocking combinations an enemy piece is forced to occupy a square which is vίtally necessary Ιο the king. As a resuIt the king's escape squares are barred by ίts own forces. We have aIready come across a few bIocking combinatίons ίη the introductory, historical section. Remember the combination with the 'walling ίη' of the king from Greco's book (ρ. 2). Two centuries later the young Nezhmetdinov checkmated his ορ ponent ίη exactIy the same way.

229.

1

'ifh4+

QUEEN SACRfFfCE

114

Samsonov-Nezhmetdinov

taneous attacks

οη

h2 and f2.

Kazan, 1929 2 t2:)xd4

'irh4

229 Β

White, however, thought that

3 ttJf3 would refute the combination after 3 ... 4

2

Φdl

3 4

Φel

t2:)fl+ t2:)d3++ 'irel+ t2:)fl mate

Φdl

S 1:txel

'irxfl+

Φhl

everything appears ιο be defended, and Black is a knight down ... Her joy was short-lived: 4 ..•

'ii'gl+!

Κatskova-Κakabadze

USSR Ladies Championship Υ erevan,

1962

terminated the game. Οη either capture of the queen, mate follows at f2.

230 Ιη contrast Ιο the historical examples, here the introductory play involving the knight moving aside and giving double check was ηοΙ required.

Β

230. The knight sacrifice Ι

...

231. Morphy's opponent played the opening ίη such a way as to come ουΙ a pawn down as Black ίη an Evans Gambit! Continuing his ofTensive, Morphy drove the enemy queen οίΤ the vital diagonal -

ttJxd4 Ι

allowed Black

Ιο

make simul-

eS

2 h4

'irgS Wg4

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ ΘΟΑΙ

Morphy-Bryan 1859

Ν ew Υ ork,

231 W

115

This was complete blocking. We will now examine combinations with partial blocking, when one, or more rarely two squares next to the king remain free. N.N.-Pillsbury From a Blίndfold Simultaneous Display 233 Β

after which the position was ripe for a mating finish: 3 .a3+

3 ... 4 5 6 7

Φe8

Φg8

4 .e7 mate.

tDe7+ tDg6++ 'iff8+ tDe7 mate

'1t>f8 Φg8 .1:ΣΧf8

The 'epaulette' arrangement ofthe black rooks is rather amusing (232). 232

233. Black played

1 ...

.0+

forcing the opponent to block the gl square, enablίng him to strike a deadly blow οη the long diagonal: 2 .i.gl 3 .i.xf3

'iff3+! .i.xf3 mate

234. Here a combination with partial blocking leads to an amusing mate by two knights:

1 ... 2 <;t>gl

tDo+ tDxh3++

Black has to give a double check,

QUEEN SACRIFICE

116

N.N.-Richter Berlin, 1929

234 Β

236 Β

otherwise White takes the queen.

3 3

φhΙ

ΦΧf1 "iί'f'l

4 ..t>h3 5 :xg3

mate.

3 ... 4 liJxgl The final position gram (235)

Wgl+! liJf2 mate deserνes

a dia-

'ili'g3+! liJf4 mate

And now a more complίcated illustration of the same theme. Gergel-Ziwitz Correspondence, 1972-1973

235

237 Β

236. There followed

1 ... 2 ..t>h3 3 φg3

'iWd6+ liJf4+ liJh5++

237. Ιη reply to the last move g3-g4, Black, already the exchange down, sacrifices a bishop and a rook -

1 ••.

~xg4!

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

2 hxg4 3 'ii'xb7

l2Jxg4

White declίnes the rook sacrifice, since 3 1fxe8 'Wh2+ 4 Φf1 'Wf4 5 f3 lΔe3+ 6 Φf2 (6 ΦgΙ'ii'g3) 6 ... 1fh4+ 7 ΦgΙ 1fg3 leads to mate.

3 •.. 4 φη 5 fxe3

'iWh2+ e3

117

GOAL

The h2 square is free. Ν evertheless, the king has ηοΙ stepped onto it οη account of the deadly ... .i.e5+. But now this check follows after partίal blocking. 9 ... 10 J:[xgl 11 Φh2

'ii'g1+! l2Jt2+ .i.e5 mate! 239

Black wins prettily ίη the event of 5 f3 lΔf2! (threatening 6 ... lΔh3.f) 6 'ii'd7 J:[e6! (interference) 7 1fxt7 lΔh3!

5 ... 6 ΦκΙ 7 ΦhΙ

'Wg3 'ii'xe3+

Now the mechanism of the standard combination goes into operatίon.

7 •.. 8 ΦκΙ 9 ΦhΙ (218)

238

lΔα+ lΔh3++

Ιη square- or line-freeing combinations a piece preventing a favourable manoeuvre or tactίcal blow from being made is sacrificed. Βυι can any piece be used for this aim? There is ηο point ίη a queen freeing a Iίne - it itself is a long-range piece. But the square occupied by a queen may prove very necessary. For a knight.

Β

240.

ΒΥ

1 J:[e8 White cut otT the enemy king's retreat, and οη 1 ...

'iWc7

αυΕΕΝ

118

van der Enden-Praszak Lublίn, 1974

SACRIFICE

Margolit-Vazersky Razan, 1967

240 W

241 W

prise as a result of the knight move. This exampIe aIso illustrates the theme examined earlier ofreIeasing a knight from a ρίη.

there followed 2 'irxg5+! So that the knight should reach h5, White does not begrudge giving υρ his queen!

3 ... 4 lLIh5 mate

fxg5

Although a line for a rook οτ bishop is freed not by the queen, but by some other piece, a queen sacrifice ίη such combinations is ηοΙ ruled ουΙ We will clarify this with an example. 241. played

Το

open the e-fiIe, White

1 lLIef5! Ν ote that the piece sacrificed is not the knight, which was blocking the fiIe, but the queen, which is left en

1 ...

'ifxd2

If 1 ... 'ird8, then 2 lLIxg7, and BIack cannot take the knight οη account of lLIe6++. 2 ::. xe8+ 3 lLIe7+

-*.1'8 Φh8

3 ... <3;g7 4 lLIdf5 mate! 4 lLIdf5+ and 5 ::'xf8 mate Ιη the following, rather unusual finish, the file for the rook is freed by a king move. And the queen, which is not a direct participant ίη the tactical operation, is left en prise to ensure its success.

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

Sokolsky-Shifman Correspondence, 1949-1950

GOAL

119

these constituent tactical operations not by formal indicators, but by theme. 243

242

Β

W

242. Black has just played ... tLlf6d5, attacking the queen, and intendingtomeet l'it'e4with Ι ... lb7f6,and Ι 1Ii'g4 with Ι ... j,f6, successfully defending against the threats. But White modestIy moved his king -

1

ΦΠ!!

leaving his queen en prise. The opening of the file proves ruinous to Black. Οη Ι ... j,xh4 there follows 2 ':xg7+ Φh8 3 ':h7++ and 4 .: h8 mate. And if the queen is left alone and the g7 square covered, the queen laηds a decisive blow (1 . . . j,g52 ':xg5; 1 ... jf62 1ixh6 οτ 2 'it'e4; 1 ... tLI-f6 2 'it'xh6). Black resigns. Ιη the chapter 'Not Just a Queen" we spoke about combinations ίη which, apart from a queen, the sacrifice of a rook, bishop, knight οτ pawn is ofTered. We wiII a1so difTerentiate

243. Ιη a standard way (cf. the game Wahl-Bjarnason, ρ.82) White ends up ίη a standard mate: 1 ••• 2 ΦΧhΙ 3 ΦκΙ 4 Φxh2 5 φ6 j,h6

J:thl+! 'it'h7+ 1ih2+ tLlf3++ ':h8+ ':xh6 mate

Both sacrifices - rook and queen were based οη the same method of decoy. But much more often a tactical operation with two (οτ several) sacrifices is carried out using various methods. Thus ίη the above example Black could have given mate slightIy earlίer and difTerentIy, by playing

3 .. .

lbf3+

Instead of 3 ... Wh2+ 4 j,xf3

120

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

2 gxb3

Or 4 gxf3. 4 •••

'ifb2 mate

Ιη this case use is made ίη the combination (without a queen sacήfice) of decoy (1 ... .: h 1+) and diagonalfreeing (3 ... ~O+). We wilI analyze various composite combinational methods which are applίcable to our theme. First - with the sacrifice of a queen and some other piece (or pieces).

'ifh2+

Decoying the king, after which comes a double check. 3 'otxb2 4 'othl

J:tf2++ mate

J:ιh2

It should be added that Black also had another, equalIy convincing way to win - 1 . . . J:th4, with the irresistible threat of ... J:txh3+.

Abrosimov-Ambainis Daugavpils, 1975

DIVERSION AND DECOY

245 W

Miller-Diemer West Germany, 1958 244 Β

245. 1 J:t lxd4!

244. White was mated moves by 1 ••.

ίη

four

J:txb3+!

The diverting of the g-pawn gives the queen access Ιο h2.

The prelude to the folIowing sacrifice. ΒΥ diverting the pawn from the fifth rank, White gives his other rook access Ιο h5. 1 ..• 2 'ifxh7+! 3 J:th5 mate

exd4 Φύ7

The mating construction will be

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ ΘΟΑΙ

familiar to the reader (cf. for example the game Bemstein-Seidman, ρ.75). Tarrasch-Fiedler Nuremberg, 1892

121

and then an elegant queen sacrifice, diverting the bishop. 3 1Irg4+! 4 .trT mate

.txg4

Ljubojevic-Miles Malta Olympiad, 1980

246

W

248 Β

246. The rook at al has not been missed off, but is indeed absent Tarrasch played this game at odds. The standard of his opponent, who after twelve moves has ended υρ ίη such a position, is ηοΙ ίη doubt. There followed a knight sacrifice οη the theme of decoy Ι tΔxΠ

2 247 W

tΔxc7+

248. Mate at g7 is threatened, and Black cannot take the queen οη account of mate at h7. But he has available two counterattacking possibilities. The first is 1 ... 1Irxe7 2 1Irxe7 fxg2. The second is a forcing one involving a decoying queen sacήfice. ι

...

2

ΦχdΙ

3
4.tdS

1Irxdl+! fxg2+ .l:r.fd8+ .l:r.xdS+!

The diverting of the queen eliminates the threat against g7, and then the g-pawn promotes to a queen. White resigns. 249. This modern example is a

122

QUEEN SACRIFICE Ι.'

Aleksandrov-Zaitsev USSR,1973

Φa8

7 lL!xa6++

But what now? Perpetual check? 249 W

Φb8

8 lL!c7+

(250)

250 W

match for Stamma's problems. White is threatened with mate, and 1 lL!b5, blocking the a6-f1 diagonal (and ίη turn creating a mate threat) fails to 1 ... 'Wh2+ 2 Φf1 .1xb5+. True, there is an obvious possibility of sacrificing the queen at c7, ίη order then to give a double check. The standard decoy sacrifice does indeed succeed, although things are not so simple. 1 'Wxc7+! 2 lL!b5++

Φχc7

3 .1f4+ there follows 3 ... .: e5, and so the rook must first be diverted:

4 ...

Φa8

9 lL!d5+ 10 lDb6+!

Φa8

The final diversion.

Φb8

Οη

3 ':d8+! 4 .1f4+

After capturing the bishop, White has returned to almost the same position. But there is a difference: now there is the possibility of giving mate.

':xd8 lL!e5

leads to the same finish.

10 . • • 11 1:al mate

axb6

251. After a decoy sacrifice and a double check the black king has to advance towards its opponent: 1 'Wb6+!

2 hxg6+ 5 .1xe5+ 6 lL!c7+

Φa8 Φb8

2 ...

Φg7

3 ':xh7 mate.

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ το ΤΗΕ αΟΑΙ

123

The diversion ofthe rook deprives the f7 square of defence.

Schmid-N.N. Heidelberg, 1946 251

W

7 ••.

:'xe8

8 Axh7+

φΙ6

9

J:ιxΠ

mate

Ιη the final position Black is a queen, rook and two minor pieces ahead!

DIVERSION

3

J:ιh5+!

ΑΝΟ BLOCΚING

Dngunov-Odurkovsky

Donetsk, 1961 Α

second decoy sacrifice. 253

3 ... 4 f4+

..txhS

W

lLIxe2

4 ... ..th4 or 4 ... φh6 - 5 J:ιhl+. Now the knights are sent ίη pursuit-

5 lLIf6+ 6 J:ιhl+

φh6

Φι7

(252)

252 253. We have here a position arising from the Caro-Kann Defence after

W

7 lLIe8+!

1 e4 2 d4 3 lLIc3 4 lLIxe4 5 lLIxf6+ 6c3 7 .i.d3

c6 dS

dxe4 lLIf6 exf6 .i.d6

.aS

124

QUEEN SACRIFICE

9 ~e2

8 'irf3

0-0 l:te8

10 0-0 11 ltJg3 12 ~f5

c5 .i.f8

~d7

The introductory move to White's elegant combination is far from obvious 13 b4!! The idea of ίι is to divert the c-pawn, thus clearing the fifth rank ... 13 ••.

cxb4

Had Black realized what awaited him, he would have moved his queen and parted with his c-pawn. But this, of course, would have been equivalent Ιο capitulation.

_χΓ1

'ird8

he would get away with just the 10ss of a pawn ... There followed, however, 16

~h6!

Mate is threatened at g8, and the knight cannot be taken οη account of mate at h7. 16 •••

.i.d6

We have here a painfully familiar position. White gives a 'smothered' mate 17 1Ifg8+ 18 ltJΓT mate

I:txg8

DEFENCE-ELIMINADON ΑΝΟ DIVERSION

14 'irh5 It was for the sake of this Όρ position' of queens that White gave υρ a pawn. He threatens ηοΙ only 15 ~h6+ (or 15 ~e7+) and 1611fxa5, but a1so 15ltJe7+ .txe716 'ifxh7+ and 17 'irh8 mate. Therefore Black is not saved either by moving his queen, or by defending ίι The only defence against the terrible check is 14 •••

15

Φh8

Possibly Black thought that after

'Horowitz-Denker New York, 1946 254

W

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

254. Black's queen and rook at b7 are taking ηο part ίη the play. Elίminating the defenders, White breaks through with his rooks οηΙο the 8th rank: 1 1Wxc8! 2 1:txc8+

125

GOAL

DEFENCE-ELIMINATION AND DECOY

.RandVΊir-Heinra Tallinn, 1950

1:txc8 tiJf8

255 W

If 2 . . . c;t>h7, then 3 .i.e4+ g6 4 1:txf7 mate. 3 lLIe6! This diversion is the ροίηι of the combination. White's second rook penetrates Ιο the 8th rank. 3 ...

fxe6

3 ... φh7 4 lLIxf8+ φg8 5 lLIg6+ c;t>h7 is hopeless for Black, White having a choice between 6 .t.e4 (6 ... fxg6 7 h5) and 6 1:t h8+ φχg6 7 .t.e4+ [58 1:txf5. 4 1:tfxf8+ 5 .t.e4+ 61:th8+

φh7

g6

255. Black considered lLIxg6 Ιο be impossible οη account of ... 1:tc8 followed by the exchange of rooks and ... fxg6. Ν evertheless White played

1 lLIxg6 1 ...

he gave

υρ

and οη 1:tc8

his queen ,-

φg7

2 1Wxc8+! 3 1:txc8+

7ρ

After 7 . . . hxg5 8 hxg5 White threatens 9 1:t cg8+ φΠ 10 .t.xg6+ φe711 1:th7 mate. Black resigns.

tiJxc8 Φh7

(3 ... ~g7? 4 tiJf5+). what now? White concludes his combination by sacrificing rook and knight, decoying the king ίηΙο a knight fork: ΒυΙ

4 1:th8+

φχg6

126

QUEEN SACRIFICE

Here 5

Ιοο

4 .

Φg7

is met by

2

lί:\b6+!

lί:\f5+.

Vacating the diagonal. 5

:'Β6+

2 ... After 5 ... Φg5 (or 5 ... ΦΧh6 6lΔ/5+) 6 h4+ rJί>xh6 (6 ... Φg4 713+) 7 lί:\f5+ and 8 lί:\xd6 White is two pawns up ίη a knight ending. Black resigns.

SQUARE-VACATION (OR LΙΝΕ VACATION) ΑΝΟ DIVERSION ΚieseήtzkΥ-Dumοncxeau

Paris, 1840s

axb6

3 "irxc6+! Diversion.

3 ... 4 ~Δ6 mate

bxc6

Α familiar mate. True, there is ηο knight at d7, but the king's path is blocked by the pawn at e6.

Garcia Perez-van der Wiel Holland, 1980

256

257

W

256.

W

Ιη

reply

1 ~Ι4

Ιο

257. There followed

-,:..

1 :'xf5!

Black took the knight 1 ... but was mated by

Wxgl

Vacating the square e5.

1 ...

':xf5

Other captures of the rook allow

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

mate by 2 'ii'e5+.

127

GOAL

1 ... 2 'ii'ι13

lOc3

lOxd5

2 'ii'e5+! The rook is diverted from the defence off6 (2 ... 1:!.xe5 3 .tf6 mate). Black resigns. The structure of this mate is depicted οη ρ.66.

The idea of .:t xd5 was Ιο vacate the d3 square for the queen. It now sacrifices itself, landing the opponent a crushing blow. 3 'ii'xg6+! Defence-elίmination.

SQUARE-VACATION AND DEFENCE-ELIMINATION Ά. Makarov-Bannik Ukrainian Championship, 1950

258

3 ... 4 .i.xg6+ 5 lOf5 mate!

hxg6 'i;e7

DECOY AND SQUARE- OR LINE-VACATION

W

, O'Kelly-Devos Belgium, 1936

259 Β

258. After accepting a pawn sacrifice ίη the opening, Black has fallen behind ίη development and ίη addition is unable Ιο castle. ΒυΙ how ίη concrete terms can the ideal placing of the white pieces be exploited? 1 .:txd5! Α sacrifice, since Black replies with a fork.

259. After a decoy queen sacήfice the white king remains face Ιο face with four enemy pieces: 1 ...

'ii'xt2+!

128

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

2 3

<όPxf2

lLIg4+

<όΡΟ

Forced, since οη 3 ",gl there would have followed 3 ... J..e3 mate.

260. Were it not for the knight at e5, White would be able to give mate by sacrificing his queen at h7.' Therefore 1

3 •••

Vacating the e5 square, ίη order to include the queen's knight ίη the attack. 4

<όPxe4

If 4 dxe4 ll:!de5 mate.

4 ••• 5 <όΡΟ

~ec4!

e4+! vacating the long diagonal, and οη

1 2 3 4 5

... 'ifxh7+ Ah3+ ':xh6+ ':h8 mate

dxc4 <όPxh7 ~h6

and

261

lLIdf6+ ll:!eS+

Αη amusing rearrangement of the knights. The white king is driven ίη the reverse direction and perishes ίη its own headquarters.

6 7

<όPf2

~Ιι4+

<όΡιΙ

J..e3 mate

Ettingen-Januszowski USA,1960 260 W

DEFENCE-ELIMINATION, DIVERSION ΑΝΟ DECOY 262. Were it not for the pawn at g2, Black would have a routine mate . . . jVxh3+ and . . . J..xt3 mate. Therefore with a preliminary rook sacrifice the defender ofthe h3 pawn is eHminated -

1 ... 2 ~xι2

':χι2+!

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

Dimitrov-Ivanov Bulgaria, 1983 262 Β

GOAL

129

Orthodox Defence to the Queen's Gambit (the last move was ... .i.h5g6). Black's K-side seems securely defended, but ίη fact White can break it υρ by Ι

1fxg6!

Defence-elimination. Ι ••• 2 .i.xf7+

hxg6

Decoy of the rook. If2
'irxh3+!

2 ••• 31%h8+

1%xf7

Diverting the king from the defence of f7, and decoying it Ιο h8.

3... 4 lLIxf7+

Decoy. 3
.i.g4 mate

, 263 W

263. This position is from the

It is for the sake ofthis fork that the queen and rook were sacrificed. White ηοΙ οηΙΥ regains the material given υρ, but emerges a pawn υρ.

4 ...

Φι8

5 lLIxd6 6 1%e6

1% d8

White has every chance of realizing his advantage. This pretty variation is an analysis by Kopayev and Chistyakov, publίshed ίη the USSR ίη 1938. Ιη 1964 the combination was repeated ίη a game

130

QUEEN SACRIFICE

Marovic-Chagan at the World 2 ••• J:tΙXe7 Student Team Championship ίη Krakow. And finally, ίι only remains ΙΟ It should be added that, instead of divert the king from the queening the incorrect move ... J.h5-g6, BIack square should first attack the rook by . . . "b4!, thus moving the queen out of 3 J.xh7+ ΦΧh7 the fork, and only then pIay his bishop 4 g8=.. + and ΙΟ g6. 5 "g6 mate

RELEASE FROM Α ΡΙΝ, LINEVACATION ΑΝΟ DIVERSION

DIVERSION, LINE-VACATION DEFENCE-ELIMINATION

ΑΝD

Koch-Zollner Nikίtin-Butkevich

Munich, 1938

Moscow, 1955 265 Β

264 W

264. The release of the attacked knight from the ρίη gives impetus Ιο the g7 pawn: 1 ~xfS!! 2 tt)e7+!

1: xe2

Having just obtained its freedom, the knight sacrifices itseIf. The aim is to allow the bishop access to h 7.

265. The a- and b-fiIes are open, and five black pieces are aimed at the castled position. For BIack Ιο successfully conclude his ofTensive, he must include his bishop, and this means clearing the Iong diagonal. This is achieved by diverting the enemy knight 1 ... 2 ~xa2

J:txa2!

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

Ι .!ίΊχρ!

and clearing the diagonal by 2 .••

.!ίΊe2+!

Defence-elίmination . ι

After the forced

3

ΦbΙ

131

GOAL

...

Taking the knight would have lost the queen.

(If the knight is taken, then 3 ... 1!fa3+) comes the forcible destruction of the king's pawn screen -

2 "it"c3+! 2 ... ..te5 3

3 ... 4 cxb3

..txf4

1!fxb3+! ':xb3+

and mate next move.

3

1:t8f6

.!ίΊf3+.

.!ίΊe4+

Vacating the file. 3 .. .

..txg3

DEFENCE-ELIMINATION, LINE-VACATION, DIVERSION ΑΝΟ DECOY

If 3 ... ..tg5, then 4 5 "ilfe5.

Alekhine-Tylor

4 l1xg3+

.!ίΊΧf6

Φh8

':xf6

(267)

Margate, 1937 266 W

4 ... Φf8 5 "it"b4+ would have led to mate. 267 W

266. ΒΥ a complίcated tactical operation White obtains by force a winning endgame.

Ιη

the concluding part of the

αυΕΕΝ SACR/F/CE

132

combination the black pieces are lured into a fork.

3 i.e5++ After

5 ii'xf6+! 3

Diversion. 5 ... 6 .l:!.g8+!

.l:!.xf6

Decoy. Black resigns. After 6 . . . Φχg8 7 lΔxf6+ 'itf8 8 ttJxh5 White is a knight υρ ίη the endgame. Wayne-Mίlls

Sydney, 1898

Φh6

the black king, isolated from its own forces, comes under the murderous fire of three white pieces: 4 iLg7+ 5 .l:[xd5+!

'ith5

The elimination of the knight removes Black's control over f4. 5 ...

Ι5

If 5 ... exd5, then 6 ttJf4+ and 7 .l:[g4 mate.

268 W

6 ttJf4+ 7 .l:!.g4+!

φh4

The fourth and final sacrifice, this time a diverting one. 7 ... 8 .l:[h5 mate 268. The combination begins with a pawn sacrifice, opening the diagonal and aiming the queen at g7 1 d5!

ttJxd5

Ν ow a decoy sacrifice allows White to give a double check -

2 ii'xg7+!

Φχg7

fxg4

Note that 2 J:[xd5 would also have won (οη 2 ... exd5 or 2 ... Wxd5 comes 3 Wxg7+ 'itxg7 4 i.e5++ etc.). lη the above examples there was a combination of methods, applίed by two (or several) sacrifices. But it can also happen that a combination based οη various methods may contain οηlΥ one sacrifice (ίη our case - ofthe queen).

ΤΗΕ ΡΑΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ ΘΟΑΙ

133

• Pagίlla-Carbone

DIVERSION ΑΝΟ LINE-VACADON

Argentina, 1985 270 W

Cuellar-Reshevsky

Sousse, 1967 269 W

1 "'a8!!

269. The attacked queen did not move. 1 1%e4!

was played, and it transpired that Black can take neither the queen (1 ... ':xd2 2 ':xe8 mate), nor the rook (1 ... ':8xe4 2 "'xg5+, 3 "'g7+ and 4 "'g8 mate). He was obliged to resign.

There are two ideas: diversion (1 ... .: xa8 2 fxe 7, when .: d8 and the promotίon ofthe pawn is inevitable), and a ρίη (the black rook cannot move along the d-file). Black resigned.

DEFENCE-ELIMINADON ΑΝΟ EXPLOUADON OF Α ΡΙΝ Toth-Vukovic

Zemun, 1935 271 W

DIVERSION ΑΝΟ EXPLOUADON OF Α

ΡΙΝ

270. With his last move ... .: e8-d8 Black exploited the white king's lack of an escape square (the queen cannot be taken οη account ofmate). But White found an impressive reply -

134

QUEEN SACRIFICE

271. 1 1It'xc8+!

DECOY AND RELEASE OF Α ΡΙΝ ΟΝ Α ΚNIGHT

Α

pseudo-sacrifice, since the ρίη οη the eighth rank forces Black, apart from rook and knight, to also give υρ a bishop. As a result White obtains a rook and two minor pieces for his queen.

Gurvicb-Pampin Correspondence, 1976 272 W

:Ιχc8

1

Or 1 ... ~xc8 2 :Ιχc7 ~e7 3 :Ιχe7 1It'xe7 4 :c8+ .tf8 5 .tb4 with the same result. 2 :Ιχc8+ 3 :xc8+ 4 .tb4

~xc8

.tf8

The game could well have been terminated here. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

••• :xf8+ lL!eS :xt7+ b4 .te7 .tgS

Wd7

272. The knight which is attacking the queen is pinned. How can it be freed? The king must be lured to d8 1 Wxd8+!

ΦΧd8

Φι7 'iνβ4

Φι8

aS Wfb3

Black resigns - after 10 ... Wfxb2 11 .th6! Wxa3 White gives mate: 12 :g7+ Φf8 (12 ... Φh813lΔf7mate) 13 :c7+ Φe8 (13 ... φg814 :c8 mate) 14 :c8+ Φe7 15 .tg5+ Φd6 16 :c6 mate.

after which Whίte can cast1e Qside with check and pick υρ the queen. Αη important detaίl is the posίtίon ofthe pawn at b7. After 2

ο-Ο-Ο+!

Black cannot reply 2 ... Wfd3 (or 2 ... 1It'd7).

ΤΗΕ ΡΑ ΤΗ ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

DEFENCE-ELIMINATION, PARTIAL BLOCΚING AND DIVERSION

135

GOAL

g6 square, secondly, diverts the knight, and thirdly, partially blocks the black king's exit.

273

1 ...

lΔxh7

2 lΔg6+ Φg8 3 J.c4+ 1:re6 4 J.xe6 mate

W

We will now remove the inactive pieces, so that the final position should be more easily remembered (274).

274 273.

Whίte

gives mate by

1 'iVxh7+! Ιn the event of 1 lΔg6+ ςPg8 2 J.c4+ Black has the defence 2 ... ttJd5. ΒΥ giving υρ his queen, White, firstly, eliminates the defender of the

6 Reference Points The desire to carry out a combination remains a desire until the conditions necessary for this are created οη the board. Ιη other words, the possibility of a combination is dictated by the features of the position. These features, οτ reference points*, indicate to us the directίon ίη which to conduct ουτ search. When characterizing the methods of carrying out a combination, ίη a number of instances we pointed out individual indications of the 'combinational ripeness' of a position. Ιη general terms these can be: - The weakness (οτ absence) of the king's pawn screen, and the weakening of the squares ίη its immediate vicinity. - The inadequate οτ imaginary covering of the back rank. - The cramped position of the king (when its own pieces block its path) and - the other extreme - the

* Another term empIoyed

ίη the same sense is the motif of the combination.

remoteness of pieces from its defence. - Αη attack by bishops along diagonals οη which (οτ adjacent to which) the enemy king stands. Αη analogous attack along files by the heavy pieces. - Exposed position of the king. - Congestion of pieces, reducing (οτ altogether removing) their manoeuvring possibilities, and, οη the contrary, scattered pieces, lacking coordination - the ability to defend each other, and to parry threats by the other side. - Other restrictions οη the mobility of pieces, which are fulfilling important functions (for example, as the result of a ρίη). - Undefended pieces. Overloading of pieces carrying out two οτ several functίons. - 'Geometric' features of the position, giving the ορροτιυηίΙΥ for employing certain tactical devices such as discovered and double checks, and knight forks. The arrangement of king and queen οη

136

REFERENCE

the same lίne (rank, file or diagonal), and of heavy pieces οη the same diagonal. The reference ροίηι (or motif) of a combination can also be provided by a tactίcal operation known Ιο the player - from lίterature or from his own experience (for example, a wellknown mating construction, and the way ίη which ίΙ is created). ΒυΙ every position is a specific one, and the slίghtest nuance ίη the placing of the pieces can radically influence the success of a plan. Ιη this lies the great mystery of the game. This is why any general chess rules require each time Ιο be worked ουΙ ίη detail when applied ίη practice, with account taken of all factors and their inter-connection.

POINΤS

137

suggests ίtself, with the clear idea of a lίnear mate. After 1 2 .txg6+ 3 'ifh5+ 4 'ifxh6+ 5 ttxh3+

J:tf6 tt xg6 tt h6 and

the planned mate was given. Βastήkοv-Rοvner

Odessa, 1946 276 W

Yudovich v. Duz-Κhotimirsky Moscow, 1948

275 W

275. The black king is almost totally exposed, and

276. Black's last move was ... 'ife4d4. It is clear that all White's attacking hopes are associated with the h-file, ΟΓ more precisely - with the dark squares, which ίι would be good to weaken by exchanging the darksquare bishops. If οη 1 .txg7 Black were forced Ιο reply 1 ... Φχg7, the attack would quickly succeed: 2 'ifh6+ Φf6 (2 ...
138

αυΕΕΝ

SACR/F/CE

Black can take the queen. But if White contemplates the position after ι

...

'it'xd2

he will observe (although, of course, this depends οη his playing standard) the 'quiet' move

consider how he can divert the bishop. And then he will without difficulty discover Ι ~Ι6!

.txf6

after which he can now play 2 'Wxh7+! 3 :thS mate

Φχh7

2 .tf6! And that is how the game concluded. after which we have a typical mating construction. The queen is irrelevant - against the threat of 3 :t h8 mate there is ηο defence. Strandstrom-Miroshnichenko Saratov, 1949

Bronstein-Keres Candidates' Tournament Budapest, 1950

278 W

277 W

277. Α brief glance at the position is sufficient Ιο discover the motif of the combinational search. It is the typical Iinear mate after Ι 'Wxh7+ Φχh7 2 1:[h5+. However, the immediate queen sacrifice does ηοΙ work, since Black can reply 2 ... .th6. Having established this, White will

278. If White's rook were ηοΙ at f1 but f4, he would be able Ιο give a standard mate ίη three moves: 1 'Wh6 :tg82 'ilνxh7+ and 3 :th4 mate. And this finish is the guide for our search. After mentally playing 1 1:[ f4, let us see if Black has any reply. Nothing apart from 1 ... bxa2 is apparent, and then ίι is ηοΙ difficult Ιο discover 2 'it'h6! axbl='it'+ 3 Φh2 :tg8 (ίΙ goes without saying that a check by the

139

REFERENCE POfNTS

new queen at gl or hl does ηοΙ change anything) 4 Wfxh7+ ciIxh7 5 J:Σ h4 mate. Being short of time (ϊη addition, the game was played in the last round, and its outcome was of decisive importance for deciding the Challenger in a match with Botvinnik), Bronstein insured himselfagainst any risk. He played

1 axb3 2 bxc4 3 J:ΣΙ4

Wfb4 Wfxa4 "it'c2

after which the same mechanism went into operation 4 Wfh6

and the king and rook at g8 have ηο moves. His queen is also immobilized, since it is obliged Ιο guard g7. The reference points for the search are the cramped position of the king and the pin οη the rook. If the black king can be exposed, it will ηοΙ be able Ιο move οΙΤ the h-file. This can be done by Wfxh7+, but which piece will then give mate? The rook. After

1 :g3! 2 Wfxh7+

c4

the goal was achieved. Botvinnik-Alexander Radio Match USSR Υ. Great Britain, 1946

and Black resigned. 280 Chίgοήn- Yakubovich

W

Correspondence, 1879 279

W

279. Black has a material advantage, but his position is desperate. His rook at g7 is pinned,

280. The black king has ηο move, and it only requires the white knight Ιο reach h6 or e7 for the game Ιο be over. Having discovered the motif, let us continue ουτ reasoning. The knight can penetrate to h6 (e7) via f5, but this square is guarded by the black

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

140

knight. Ιη higher interests (eliminating the defender of a key square) even the queen should ηοι be begrudged.

Rusakov- Κalίηkίη RSFSR Championship Semi-Final, 1963 281

1 1rxd4! 2 liJfS

W

1rxd4

Ιη order Ιο avert mate, Black had Ιο leave his queen en prise and play

2 •••

hS

After

3

lΔxd4

4 liJfS

:e8

2 1rxf7+!

d4

3 ':xf7!

lΔxΠ

5 e6! Mate at f8 is threatened. The rook at d8 and bishop at d7 cannot move, and so the rook has ΙΟ be taken.

he resigned.

Blocking (complete οτ partίal) can be both the method of carrying ουΙ the combination (when a position where the king is blocked is created ίη the course of a tactical operation), and also its motif (when the cramped position of the king indicates the direction ofthe combinational search).

3 ••• 4 :Π+

Φxf7 φe8

5 :18 mate Horvath-Sapi Hungary, 1977 282

281. Black's pieces are bunched together οη the c- and d-fιles and are blocking the king's escape path. After a brief introduction Ί lΔg6+

Φe8

the outcome is decided by two sacrifιces:

Β

REFERENCE

PO/NΤS

141

282. The motif of the combination is provided by the exposed positίon of the white king and the fact that the knight at c3 is insufficient1y defended (it is attacked ηοΙ οηlΥ by the queen, but also potentially by the bishop at g7). After the queen sacrifice 1 2 rJitxc3

Westin-Carlsson Sweden, 1973 283 Β

~xc3+!

came a double check 2 .•.

and Black picked 3 cJ;>c2 4 cJ;>bl

tZ:Ixd5++ υρ

the bishop -

tZ:Ixe3+

As a resuIt all his pieces are directed against the king, and a forcible sacrifice, destroying the pawn screen, concluded the attack -

283. The exposed position of the white king οη an open file is highly unpleasant. For example, 1 ... ~d7+ 2 rJith2 (2 rJitg2 !i:Jj4+) 2 . . . rJitf7 suggests itself, with the threat of ... 1:[ h8 or ... .1:1. h7. But Black found an apparent1y paradoxical move, but essentially one which was profoundly thematic: 1 ...

4 ... Ιη

the event of 4 ... .l:l.xb3+ White would have defended with 5 tZ:I b2. 5 a3 Οη 5 l2J b2 or 5 .1:1. b2 there would have followed 5 ... .txa2+ and then 6 ... i.c4+.

5 ... White resigns.

cJ;>f7!!

i.xb3

tZ:Ic4

This king manoeuvre (directly ίηΙο a fork and a discovery with check) looks like the move of a novice. Βυι ίη order to clear the key file, Black does ηοΙ begrudge his queen! 2 tZ:Ixd6+ 3 ~xb5

rJite7

And now White is mated moves: 3

tZ:If4+!

ίη

two

142

QUEEN SACRIFICE

4

μΙ4

J:ιh8 uιate.

Gutop-Roshal Moscow, 1963 284 Β

4 .i.f4 The pointers for the foHowing were the immobility of the f2 pawn, pinned by the bishop, the position of the rook οη the open h-file, and the opposition of the bishops οη the long diagonal. The queen sacrifice combinatίon

4 •••

284.

Το

1 •••

b4

White replied with the typical Sicilian thrust 2

lί:JdS

There foHowed 2 •••

lί:JxdS

Taking the knight with the pawn loses the queen. 3 exdS

'ifd6

4 . . . 'ilfxg3 is threatened, and therefore White should have retreated his bishop to e3. But he decided Ιο play actively and drive away the queen with

'ifxdS!

forced White Ιο resign. After 5 .i.xd5 .i.xd5 there is ηο defence against the mate at hl. Note that if the bishop had been ηοΙ at f4, but at g5, (from where it had οηlΥ just moved) the combination would not have worked: by .i.h4 White would have blocked the h-file. Like the already blocked positίon of the black king ίη the RusakovKalinkin game, here the ρίη (οη the f2 pawn) was ηοΙ the method ofcarrying ουΙ the combinatίon, but its leitmotif. Here it is appropriate Ιο return Ιο typical combinatίons ίη general, and Ιο combinatίons with the release of a knight from a ρίη ίη particular. It wiH be recalled how, ίη 'LegaH positions', by playing ltJf3xe5 (or ... ltJf6xe4) and thereby sacrificing his queen, White (or Black) struck a decisive blow with his freed knight. Release from the ρίη was the way Ιο a goal the method of carrying ουΙ the combination. Βυι now imagine that you are playing a positίon of simίlar type. Your opponent pins your knight, after

REFERENCE PO/NTS

which a famίliar situation is created. Υου will undoubtedly think: is it not possible by moving the knight to 'harass' the opponent? Thus a standard tactical operatίon (this or some other) serves as a guide ίη the search [οτ a combinatίonal solution. We should add that such a guide may be not οηlΥ a typical combination, but any that has been seen οτ has occurred ίη one of your games and has been fixed ίη your memory. Simagin-Abramson USSR, 1960

285 W

143

reflection. But how can the bishop be do this it must be exchanged ... for the queen! elίminated? Το

1 'ifh6!!

The ofTer cannot be refused, since 2 'ifh8+ ~xh8 3 ':xh8+
1ιΣχh6

gS

The black king tries to slίp out via g6. Ιη the event of 2 ... Φf8 White gives mate by 3 .: h8+ lL!g8 4 .: xg8+ Φχg8 5 .: h8 mate. The οηlΥ way to avoid mate (but not defeat) is by 2 ... e5 3 dxe6 'ife5. At great cost Black blocks the diagonal, and after 4 ~xe5 the position reduces to the prosaic realization of a material advantage. 3 ':h8+ 4 ':lh7+ 5 ~d3+

285. IfWhite can somehow get rid ofthe bishop at g7, he will be able to threaten mate οη the h-file. The threat is a very real one. When, after a check at h8, the king moves to g7, the knight at [6 wiIl be pinned and will be unable to control h7. The supremacy of the rooks οη the open file and the possible ρίη οη the knight - these are the motifs of the combinatίon. But a motίf is οηlΥ a guide - it provides grounds [οτ combinational

~xh6

Φg7

Φg6

Black is nevertheless mated. 5 . •• 6 ~xe4+ 7 1ιΣg7 mate

lL!e4 fS

286. Αη obvious feature is the position ofBlack's queen and rook οη the c-file and the fact that c2 is defended οηlΥ by the white king. Ιη the way, it is true, are two 'clearly superfluous' pieces - an enemy one

αυΕΕΝ

144

(the knight at c3), and one ofhis own (the bishop at c6). The problem is to remove the pieces which are stopping the attack οη c2. With this aim Black drove away the knight with

SACRIFICE

Ifnow 4 'iPb3, then 4 ... .i.c2 mate, or 4 'iPd2 : c2 mate. Petrosian-Spassky W orld Championship Match (10) Moscow, 1966

PBrιnB- Bielicki Mίinchenstein,

287

1959

W

286 Β

287. The diagram position is the clίmax

and

ι

...

ίη

reply

2

lί:Ie4

d4 Ιο

announced mate 2 •••

ίη

three moves: .xc2+!

of a complίcated combinational attack, accurately calculated by Petrosian. We have chosen ίΙ Ιο illustrate a motif based οη the 'geοmetήc properties' ofpieces. Ifthe black king were at h8, White would pick υρ rook and queen by a fork. This motif is realίzed by an elementary decoy sacrifice, or more precisely, Ρseudο-sacήfice -

Α famίliar decoy sacrίfice, followed by a double check.

3 'iPxc2

i.xe4++

Ι

'ii'h8+!

After 1 ... 'iPxh8 2 lί:Ixf7+ Φg7 3 White wins a rook, simplίfies the position, and emerges a knight υρ. lί:Ixg5

7 ΟΓ The

Logical Outcome, Chance Happening?

possibίlity

of a queen sacrifice there is ηο threat, and the conditions necessary for a combinatίon arise after an incorrect (active or defensive) move by the opponent. sometίmes arises unexpectedly:

2 φχg2 tLlf4++ 3 φgΙ tLlh3 mate. We have already discussed this thematic mate. Carls-Bemstein Bremen, 1901 289

Κiίmer-Mikkov

Β

Tallinn, 1954 288 W

289. White is a knight up. ΕχρΙοίΙ ing his last active opportunity οη the K-side, Black played

288. Karner thought1essly played 1 tLlfeS? 1 ...

he was forced

1 ...

and after 1Wxg2+! Ιο

resign

ίη

view of

Ι4

Carls took this pawn advance Ιο be a 'move of desperation', and replίed

145

ουΕΕΝ SACRIFICE

146

Chίgοήn-Schlechter

2 .l:!.gS

Ostende, 1905 There followed 290 2 3 Φκ2

'iWdl+

W

3 'itf2 fxg3++.

3 4

0+ Φf2

Whίte was convinced that the game would soon end: the f-pawn has been stopped, οη 4 ... 'iWc2+ there fol1ows 5 i.d2, and after other replies ίι οηlΥ remains for him Ιο realize his material advantage ... But great was his surprise when the queen placed itself en prise -

4 ...

'iWgl+!

ΒΥ this temporary sacrifice Black ensures the promotion of his pawn and forces mate:

5 φχκι 6 ΦΠ 7 Φe2 8 'ite3 9 Φd2 10 Φe3

f2+ i.h3+ fi='iV+ 1:0+ 1:f2+ 'iWe2 mate

Instead of the hasty reply 2 1:g5?, 2 i.xf4 was good enough Ιο win 2 . . . 1:xf4 3 'iWe8+ (οη 3 .l:!.g5 Black can reply 3 .. . 1:j7) 3 ... 1: f8 4 'iVxc6 i.f5 5 'iWxd5+ with a decisive material advantage.

290. This is a well known position. With his last move Schlechter gave check, Ιο which Chigorin replied

1 'iVb6+ forcing, as ίι seemed Ιο him, the exchange of queens, transposing ίηΙο a won pawn ending. But instead ofthe expected capitulation, Black . . . modestly played 1 ...

~a8!

leaving his queen en prise. If ίΙ is taken, ίΙ will be stalemate. And after 2

~a6

(there is

ηο

other possibility) 2 ...

'iWc8+ forces the king Ιο return, when both 3 ... 'ii'c3+ and 3 ... 'ii'c71ead Ιο a draw.

LOGICAL

OυTCOME

147

OR CHANCE HAPPENING?

Perlasca-Grassi Como, 1901

Troianescu-Jovanovic Oberhausen, 1966

291

292

Β

W

291. After picking υρ five (!) sacrificed pawns ίη the opening, Black is dreadfully behind ίη development. ΟηΙΥ his queen is ίη .play, and his remaining pieces are still ίη their initial positions. His very first active move

292. White naively took the knight: ι

.i.xc6

and walked Ι

...

2 .i.xhl Ι

ίηΙο

an 'X-ray' mate: 'irhl+! J:txhl mate

J:te8 Svenn-Κinmark

(the οηlΥ way to try and resist was by 1 ...• e5) was met by sacrifices of queen and rook:

Sweden, 1971 293 Β

2.xe8+! Eliminating the sole defender of the king, White gains a tempo for playing his knight ιο f5. 2 3 4 5 6

••• li)d4+ J:te8+! J:tg8+ li)f5 mate

Φχe8 φf8 Φχe8

Φe7

293. Instead of making the natural move 1 ... li)f6, defending f7, Black

αυΕΕΝ

148

decided played

Ιο

drive away the knight and

Ι6?

1

but after the 'quiet' move 2 'it'f5!

he had Ιο resign. If2 ... ifxf5, then 3 tΔΏ mate. Ιη view ofthe mate threat at h7 Black 10ses his queen.

SACRIFICE

After 3 . . . g6 4 :xd7 White already has two rooks for the queen, and besides, the attacked bishop has ηο move. If 4 ... ~a6, then simply 5 ~xc6, and the bishop cannot be taken οη account of 6 :xfl mate. Black resigned. Instead of 1 . . . : cd8? Black shou1d have played 1 . . . : d6. The next example illustrates the successfu1 provocation of a mistake. From a book by J. Mendheim (1832)

Κasparov-Κarpov

World Championship Match (11) Moscow, 1985

295 294

W

Β

294.

295. Ιη a desperate position White tries his last chance:

ΒΥ

1 ...

1 l2Jxc8

:cd8

Karpov attacked the enemy bishop, but he overlooked a tactical blow2 'it'xd7!

:xd7

3 :e8+ 4 ~e4+

Φh7

ifxf6?

Νοι

sensing the danger, Black falls the trap. After 1 ... 'it'xc8 2 :xe6 White has only two pawns for a knight. ίηΙο

2 'iFxa7+! 3 tΔb6+

tΔxa7 φb8

149

LOGlCAL OUTCOME OR CHANCE HAPPENING?

4 liJxd7+ 5 liJxf6 6 liJxh5

rJ:;c7

and

with three extra pawns ίη the endgame. We should also mention mistakes of another type: a player, who is threatened with a queen sacrifice, simply does ηοΙ see ίΙ and therefore takes ηο defensive measures. We give an instance of a threat being overlooked ίη the calculation of a variation. Sokolov-Ruzhnikov Correspondence, 1966-1967 296 Β

White's queen, rook and knight are all attacked, and ίη addition . bl='ii+ with mate is threatened.

4 'ifg5 Black expected this move, and prepared, as ίΙ seemed Ιο him, a strong reply.

4

h6

Again ... bl='if+ is threatened, the queen and knight are attacked, and οη 5 'ifh4 there fol1ows 5 ... g5 6 'iie4 bl="if+. There is ηο good double check ... But a double check is ηοΙ ίη fact needed! Black overlooked a queen sacrifice and a problem-like mate, rare for an actual game: 5 ':xb7+!

hxg5

5 ... JH6 6 liJc6+, 7 .l:e7+ and 8 'iixg7 mate.

6

lίJc6+

Φe8

7 .l:e7 mate

296. After sending his opponent the move

1 ...

<j;c7

Ruzhnikov worked out a variation with a queen sacrifice 2 .l:xe7+ 3 .l:xe7+

'iixe7 <j;d8

Βυι ηοΙ every combination with a queen sacrifice is the direct result of an oversight.

~stol-~orozova

USSR, 1969 1 e4 2 exd5

d5 'iixd5

150

OUEEN SACRIFICE

3 tLlc3 4 d4 5 ~c4 6 tLle2

1IraS tLlf6 c6

attack, whereas Black, after wasting with her queen, has not managed to develop her forces.

tίme

.iΙS

This apparently actίve move allows White Ιο gain a substantίal lead ίη development.

16 ••• 17 ':xcS 18 J:e5 Νοι

7 0-0 8 tLlg3

e6 .ig6

It was tίme to mobί1ize the K-side by playing 8 ... .ib4.

9 1Ire2 10 Ι4 Castlίng was account of 11 f5.

11 ΙS! 12 tLlxfS 13 ':xΙS

.ie7 'ifd8 ηοΙ

possible

οη

exΙS

18 ...

19 20 21 22 23

J:el J:e7! ΦhΙ

'ifxc4 ll:Ixd5

.ixcS+ "fJJc7 tLla6 lί:Jbd7

19 J:e7. b5 1Irb6+ bxc4 ll:IdS

The piece sacrifice was ηοΙ a real one. The knight cannot be taken, since after 24 1Ifxd5 there is a simultaneous attack οη f7 and the rook. 23 •••

.ixfS 1Irxd4+

1Irb5 (197) 297 W

Of course, the pawn sacrifice should not have been accepted. Castlίng was esseηtίaΙ Ν ow the king is oblίged to remain ίη the centre. 14 .ie3

1Ird7

Οη 14 ... 1Irg4 there would have followed 15 .ixf7+!

15 .icS! 16 J:dl ΑlΙ

Φf8

White's pieces have joined the

White left her queen en prise and concluded the attack with the pretty 'quiet' move 24 ll:If6!

LOGICAL OUTCOME OR CHANCE HAPPENING?

The two threats of 25 1Ixf1 mate and 25 .Ι: e8+ cannot both be parried, and so Black resigned. It is easy to establίsh that the concluding sacrifice was the logical outcome of the way the attack developed. Black's crushing defeat was not due to some specific oversight - it was her planning of the game which was incorrect. Ιη footballing terms, the play was 'all at one end'. White's combination was merely a way of realίzing the positional advantage achieved earlίer.

Ivanov-Makov USSR,1973

151

4 gxh4

After 5 1Ig2 .l:xg2+ 6 ~f1 .th2, mate is unavoidable. White did not go wrong with 3 Μ, nor οη his previous move, but earlίer. The bishop at g4 had ηο opponent, his Q-side counterplay was too late, and the weakness of the lίght squares became the chief cause of his crushing defeat. Black's little combinatίon with a queen sacrifice merely concluded matters. Can such 'one-way' play be considered an unavoidable consequence of the loser being a weak player? The answer is ηο, as can be shown by numerous examples.

298 Chίgοήn Υ.

Β

Levitsky & Nenarokov Moscow, 1899 299

W

298. Οη glancing at this position, one can say for certain that it resulted from the sharp Marshall Attack ίη the Ruy Lopez. Exploiting the weakening of White's K-side, Black created decisive threats: 1 •••

1\
299.

Ιη

reply to

Ιύ

2 110 3 h4

Black left his bishop en prise with

αυΕΕΝ

152

1 ...

ο-σ-ο!

Geller- Κaφoy 44th USSR Championship Moscow, 1976

and after 2 axb4

'ii'e2 .i.e3 'iWxC3 'ii'f2

301 W

.i.d5

he created threats along the 3 4 5 6 7

SACRIFICE

e-fιle.

:de8 .i.xf3! lL\d4 :xe3+

ΦdΙ

Black has regained the sacrifιced piece, and now concludes his attack with a queen sacrifιce. 7 •. . 8 φcΙ (300)

'ifg4+

his passed a-pawn, or else to mount an offensive, exploiting the poor posίtίon of Black's king and his undefended K-side. Geller chose the energetic alternative. First he sacrifιced the exchange:

300 Β

1 :xb8+!

'iWxb8

2 'iWxc6+

'Otf8

3

~Ι4

White brings up his reserves.

8 ...

'ii'f4!

Diverting the defender of the back rank. White resigns. 301. White faces a choice: whether to exchange queens and try to realίze

3 ...

:a7

4 ~h4! 5 "xe6!

'ii'e8 (302)

The knight check at g6 will regain with interest the sacrifιced material.

5 ...

!xe6

Things would have been ηο different after 5 ... 'ifxe6 6 ~xe6+ fxe6

153

LOG/CAL OUTCOME OR CHANCE HAPPENING?

302

10 11 12 13 14

W

J..xe7

<3;xe7

~K6+

ΦΓ1

ll\f4 dxe5 :'cl!

J..xe5 1ΣχΙ4

The rook belongs behind the passed pawn.

7 ~g6+ and 8 ~xh8, while 6 ... 'it;>e8 (instead of 6 .. . /xe6) would have led to the same result - for the exchange White has several pawns, and Black's K-side is still frozen. 6

~ΙK6+

1i'xg6

If 6 ... <3;f7, then 7 ll\xh8+ 8 ll\4g6+. 7 ll\xg6+ 8 ll\xh8

Φf8

<3;e8

and White easily terial advantage:

realίzed

8 ... 9 J:tdl

:'a4 ll\e7

his ma-

14 15 16 17

...

Φe8

c6

Φd8

c7+ g3

Φc8 1ΣΒ4

White has an amusing win after 17 . .. :'f5. He plays 18 [4 g5 19 a4!, giving υρ has Κ-side pawns ίη order Ιο promote his a- οτ c-pawn: 19 ... gxf4 20 a5fxg3 21 a6gxh2+ 22 ΦhΙ :'f2 23 ':al. 18 19 20 21 22

:'c6 ':xe6 :'d6 e6 e7

:'xa2 g5 Ad2 'it;>xc7 resigns

"Ι saw White's combination when Ι played ... 1i'e8", said Karpov after the game, "but Ι was unable Ιο avoid it ..."

8 Calculation and Evaluation The combinations which we have analyzed have differed from one another ηοΙ οηlΥ by their content and certain formal indicators, but also by their degree of complexity. Some have been elementary, repeatίng already familίar patterns, whίle others have contained an original idea ΟΓ solution. Α feature of a third type is that they demanded effort ίη calculation. The chapters 'The Path Ιο the Goal' and 'Reference Points' were devoted Ιο understanding the ideas of combinations and the methods of implementίng them. We will now look at the queen sacrifice from a new startίng point. When considering a tactical operation, we try Ιο guess the opponent's probable replίes - we calculate variations and evaluate them. 303. Ιη this combination the calculation is extremely simple. It is sufficient ιο find the decoy sacrifice 1 2

Novotelnov-Chistyakov Tbilίsi, 1949 303 Β

and the piquant mate by 2 ... Check, mate, and alternative!

.i.e5 ηοΙ

a single

304. How can White penetrate to d8? Το do this he must divert either the knight ΟΓ the [6 pawn. Here Ιοο the calculation of the combination does ηοΙ present any difficulty:

'tWxg3+! Φχg3

1 1:txeS+! 154

fxe5

CALCULAnON ΑΝΟ Chίgοήn-Ν.Ν.

Simultaneous display St Petersburg, 1880

ΕνΑωΑΠΟΝ

155

Α hackneyed decoy sacrifice and a standard discovered check, after which the black king is escorted deep into enemy teπίtοry.

304 2 ••• 3 15+

W

4 Ι4+

5

lίΊf2+

Or 5 ...

lίΊxe5

2 1Wd8 mate.

2 1Wd8+ 3 J:Σ xd8 mate

lίΊxd8

From the book by Ι. Κreichik "13 Children οΙ Caissa" (1924)

305 W

'ίtό>ι5 Φι4 ΦΒ

'ίtό>g3.

6 J:Σh3+ 7 ..txd5+ 8 J:Σhl mate 1 ...

'ίtό>ι6

'ίtό>g2

'ίtό>ιl

Mate and the introductory sacrifice are separated by seven moves. Nevertheless, the calculation of the combination did not require any etTort. White constantly checked, and Black was unable to defend with any of his pieces, but was forced to move only his king. Besides, each time it had only one move (5 ... ΦΟ ΟΓ 5 ... 'ίtό>g3 does not count). Andreyev-Csema Budapest, 1983

306 W

305. Ι "xh7+! 2 ..txe6+

'ίtό>xh7

QUEEN SACRIFICE

156

306. Not wishing to be mated, Black declίned the knight sacrifice 1 ~b6+! 1 ... 2 'ifxg7+!

but after q;b8

he was unable Ιο avoid it. Οη 2 . . . q;xg7 there foIIows 3 ~d4+. Black has three possible replίes, but the finish ίη each case is identical: 3 ... ~f6 (ίΙ is the same after 3 ... tΔj6 or 3 ... /6) 4 gxf6+ ~h8 (4 ... q;xh6 5 ~e3 mate) 5 .1:I.g8+! .1:1. xg8 6 ~xn mate. Ιη this combination Ιοο aII the moves were with check. However, it should be pointed out that, when he gave υρ his queen, White was oblίged ΙΟ foresee the final diverting sacrifice. Of course, with constant checks the most 'severe' means of compulsion - the calculatίon is made easier. Difficulties which can arise depend οη (a) the 'distance of the pursuit', (b) the existence ίη the main variation of alternatives (to each check there may be several defences), (c) the need ΙΟ include new sacrifices ίη the combination, and (d) the standard or unusual nature of the pursuit, and also of the final position itself. Αη example of overcoming certain difficulties ίη calculating a 'king hunt' is provided by the game TarraschRomberg (cf. ρ.85). If the sacrifice is not accompanied by check, one normally has ιο reckon

with a greater number of replίes, and this means calculating ηοι one or two, but several variations, which ίη tum may have branches. Α serious danger is presented by so-called intermediate moves by the opponent. Ifthey are not foreseen ίη the calculation, they are capable of changing the planned course and of destroying the combinatίonal idea. We will first clarify this with an opening example. 1 d4 2c4 3 ~c3 4 ~o 5 ~xd4 6 ~db5 7 ~d5 8.a4

d5 e6 cS

cxd4 e5 d4 ~a6

~d7 (307)

307 W

Should White now play 9 'ifxa6 temporarily giving υρ his queen, so as after 9 ... bxa6 10 ~bc7+ 'ifxc7 11 ~xc7+ and 12 ~xa8 to gain a

CALCULAΤΙON ΑΝD ενΑιυΑΤΙΟΝ

material advantage? Whίte's calcu1ation would be justified, if Black were oblίged to take the queen. But he is ηοΙ ίη check, and before playing ... bxa6 he interposes

white queen is immune οη account of 2 1:xfl!+. But Whίte had not taken into account the counter queen sacrifice 1 '"

9 •..

157

'iWxh4+!

.i.b4+

vacating the fl! square for his king, and οηlΥ then takes the queen. White ηο 10nger obtains sufficient compensatίon for ίΙ And now - an instance from an actual game.

which completely refutes his comAfter

binatίon.

2 .i.xh4

1:Β4+

he had to play 3 'iWh2 4 ΦΧh2

Lazard-Menchik Paris, 1929

1:xh2+ 1:ΧΠ

which left Black a bishop up. 308 W

308. Black has just offered the exchange of queens, which the French master resolutely answered with

1 1: ΧΠ The idea ofthe sacrifice is Ιο divert the rook from the defence ofthe back rank (1 ... 1: xf7 2 'ifh8+). And the

At whichever stage of the combination they occur, moves without check normally make the calcu1ation more complίcated (especially if the positίon is an open one). The opponent has greater freedom - a wider choice of moves. And among them, as we have seen, ίΙ may be possible Ιο discover a latent resource - defensive or counterattacking. Ιη the example below, White was ίη tending Ιο conclude the combination with a 'quiet' move ... 309. Using the idea ofinterference, played

Whίte

1 .i.f6! Οη

1 ... gxf6 there follows 2 .i.xf5+

158

QUEEN SACRIFICE

Djindjihashvili-Kuzmin Odessa, 1968

310 W

309 W

decided ... The reply to the 'quiet' move was Φ h6 3 .: g6+, mating, and so the reply was forced-

8 ...

:txc2+

a 'spite' check, but the prelude a saving sacrifice!

Νοι

1 •••

Ιο

g6

Βυι now the bishop goes ιο f5 with the help of a diverting queen sacrifice:

2 3 4 5 6

'ti'xhS+!

gxhS

~xfS+

Φb6

:tg6+ :txg6+ :tg7++

'ti'xg6 Φb7 Φb8

(310')

6 ... Φh6 7 :th7 mate. How can White exploit the 'windmill' mechanism? The search for a mating finish led him to play 7 :tb7++ 8 ~g6

Φg8

"The check at c2 does ηοι matter, mate is inevitable", Whίte evident1y

:tg2+! This enables Black Ιο elίminate the bishop at g6, after which the mating construction is destroyed. 10 Φχg2 11 Φg3 12 :tg7+

lΔxΙ4+ lΔxg6

White is fortunate that he can even save the game. After 12 .•. 13 :t xg6 14 :tg7

'iitf8 ~xd3

the ending finished ίη a draw. Let us retum ιο the position ίη the last diagram. Any retreat by the rook

CALCULAΤΙON ΑΝD ενΑιυΑΤΙΟΝ

along the g-file would have quickly decided the game: 7 J:.gl+ tΔg7 8 ixc8 .i.xc8 (or ... J:.xc8) 9 J:.xg7 J:.xc2+ 10 :tg2+. These unsuccessful examples clearly show the responsibility imposed by the inclusion ίη a combination of a 'quiet' move or a capture without check. Let us now turn Ιο some successful instances, where these 'difficult moves' were well thought out. Shein-Vaisman Kharkov, 1962

311 Β

4

Φg5

159

(312) 312 Β

J:.h3!

4 •••

Α quiet move, by which Black vacates the h6 square for a deadly check.

5 J:.f3

h6+

ΒυΙ ηοΙ 5 . :i.xf3? ίη view of 6 'ilί'xO! tΔxO+ 7 Φg4, with a simultaneous attack οη two pieces. Similarly, White answers 5 ... lL\xf3+ with 6 Φg4.

6 311. There followed

1 ... 2 ΦΧh3 3 Φg4

"iνxh3+!

J:.h6+

White has Ιο advance towards his opponent, since οη 3 'ίPg2 there follows 3 ... J:. h2 mate.

3 ...

lL\h2+

'ίPg6

tΔxO

Now mate is unavoidable, and White resigned. This was a successful 'quiet' move ίη the middle ofa combination. Now here is one where ίι occurs at the end. 313. Black happily played

1 ... threatening

d5 mate

at

h2

and

αυΕΕΝ

160

Schwicker-Boudre France, 1981

SACRIFICE

the calculatίon includes several 'quiet' moves and captures without check.

313 Β

Masic-Adorjan Sombor, 1972 314 Β

simu1taneousIy attacking the bishop. Ιη reply White eliminated the defender of the g6 square by 2 'iWxh6+! "What sort of sacrifice is this? White can only giνe one more check"

314. Against the natural plan of doubling heaνy pieces οη the open file 1 .. .

2 •••

ΦΧh6

3 1:!.xg6+

Φh7

tIh8

White replied 21:!.g4+

There are indeed ηο more checks, but there is a 'quiet' move of exceptional strength -

The queen sacrifice made by Black followed by the inνasion of his rooks demanded several 'quiet' moves.

4 :ta3! This unobtrusive concIuding manoeuνre (which had Ιο be seen beforehand) concludes the construction of a typical linear mate position. And now some examples where

2 .•.

'iνxg4!

3 fxg4

tIch7

4

φα

The other defence against the mate-4 1:!.xg3-ismetby4 ... tIhl+ 5 'ίPf2 fxg3+ 6 ΦΟ tI 8h2 7 ttJd2 g2.

CALCULAΤΙON ΑΝΟ ΕνΑιυΑΤΙΟΝ

1 1Ifxe7

.l:l.hl+

4

161

5 .l:l.gl After 5 .:!.8h2!

5

Φe2

Black wins by 5 ...

The knight cannot be taken by the rook οη account of mate at d1. 1 2 .l:l.xd8+

.:!.Sh2

The queen cannot move οηΙο the back rank ίη view of6 ... .l:l.f2+, and 6 'iVxh2 .l:l.xh2 7 .l:l.g2 .l:l.h3 6 lLJd2 i.h4 is also hopeless for White. Whίle ifhe tries Ιο give υρ his queen by 6 1Ifd2, then Black wins most simply by 6 .. . a4! and, after the forced 7 .l:l.xh1, 7 .. . .l:l.xh1+ 8 Φe2 .l:l.h2+ 9 Φd1 axb3! 10 'ii'b4 Ο. White resigns.

Βυι what now? Up Ιο here the calculation has been extremely simple. Βυι after mentally making one more move -

3 e7+

4 i.e6! Α

W

315. The reference ροίηι (the motif) is very obvious: White must try Ιο advance e6-e7+, after which ίι will be οηlΥ one more step Ιο the queening square. The pawn can advance after

Φh8

White must find (again ίη his mind) a way of attacking the rook. The problem is solved by

, Smyslov-Airapetov Leningrad, 1948 315

.l:l.xe7 .:!.e8

more complίcated way consists another manoeuvre - 4 .1:1. g4. The threat is .:!.gd4, .l:l.xe8 and .l:l.d8. How can Black defend? His queen and rook cannot move. His οηlΥ possibilίty is ... g5 and ... h6, with the idea of moving the king off the back rank, after which the e7 pawn will be attacked. And so, 4 ... g5 (if 4 ... h6, then 5 .1:1. e4 with the irresistible threat of 6 .l:l.xe8+ 1Ifxe8 7 W) 5 .l:l.gd4 (οη 5 .:!. e4, with the same threat, Black replίes 5 ... Φg7, although even here White has the strong continuation 6 .id5) 5 ... Φg7 6 .:!.4d7, and Black is ίη a bad way. Ν evertheless, the bishop move is the most economic solution to the ίη

αυΕΕΝ SACRIFICE

162

problem (Whίte manages without bringing his second rook ίηΙο play). Against the threat of ..td7 (or jJΊ, if the queen should move) Black is defenceless. But Ιο confirm this (and, hence, to sacrίfice the queen ίη the first place) White had Ιο be sure that after

4 •.• 5

Alekhine-Simisch Berlίn, 1923 316 W

1fxb5

..tn

the liberated queen would ηοΙ be able Ιο give perpetual check. Mentally Smyslov made the further moves 5 ... 6 Φe2 7 Φf3 8 Φg2

1fbl+ "iνb5+

2 exn+ 3 liJd5! (317)

Φh8

This is stronger than 3 lLJe6 1fb8 4 lLJd5 ..te5.

"f5+ 317 Β

Black has a choice of only one more check - 8 ... 1fe4+ (9/3), or 8 ... "iWg4+ (9 Φ!J). Only here does White have the right Ιο cut short his calculation, which has been of a partίcularly concrete nature. It remains Ιο say that all the moves given ίη bold type were ίη fact made. But instead of the final, 'spite' check, Black resigned. 316. Black has attacked the queen (his last move was . . . ..tf6-e5), to which Alekhine replίed with an unexpected sacrifice: 1 fxe6!!

..txg3

It was for the sake of this position that Alekhine parted with his queen. Α precise calculation of the four possible queen moves - Ιο c5, b7, a7 and b8 - is essential. Ιη his notes Ιο the game, Alekhine gives the variatίons οη which his decision was based. There can be ηο doubt that

163

CALCULAΤΙON ΑΝΟ ενΑιυΑΤΙΟΝ

they were all worked ουΙ at the board. 3 ... 'ilfc5 4lLJe6 i.e5 5 J.xe5 dxe5 6 lLJxc5 bxc5 7 lLJc7 1:t b8 8 lLJe8! 3 ... 'ifb7 4 lLJe6 i.e5 5 lLJxd8. 3 ... '*ia7 4lLJc6 i.e5 5 J.xe5 dxe5 6 lLJxa7 1:txa7 7 lLJxb6 lH8 8 lLJxc8 J:txc89 J:txd7 and f7-f8='*i. 3 ... 'ifb8 4 lLJc6 i.e5 (4 ... '*ib7 5 lLJxd8) 5 J.xe5 dxe5 6 lLJxb8 J:t xb8 7 lLJc7! J:t f8 8 lLJe6. White threatens 91L!xf8 lLJxf8 10 1:t d8, and 8 ... J.b7 is ηοΙ possible, since the knight at d7 is left undefended. Ιη all four instances Black is defenceless. Several other replies by Black could also have been mentioned ίη brackets and their refutation given. For example, ίη the variation 3 .. . 'ilfb8 41L!c6, ίι was suggested that 4 .. . .th4 was more tenacious than 4 .. . i.e5. Βυι even then after 5 lLJxb8 1:txb8 White drives back the bishop - 6 g3 J.g5 7 h4 i.h6 (if 7 ... jJ6, then 8 lL!xf6 gxf6 9 1:txf6) 8 g4, and then wins it, gaining a clear advantage. We had here a position ίη which the calculation of the combination demanded considerable effort: after the preliminary moves Black had several possible replies, and ίη each variation there were 'quiet' moves. It must be assumed that Samisch 'confirmed' Alekhine's calculatίons, since after 3 lLJd5 he resigned. 318. Black, who is a piece down, has attacked the white queen,

'Νikοlοv-Ζakhaήev

Bulgaria, 1982 318 W

intending ifit moves ιο continue Ι .. . 1:txg3+, and if 1 J:td3 Ιο reply 1 .. . i.xd4. There is also the amusing variation 1 J:tc3 i.xd42 J:txd4 J:txe2 3 lLJxf7 i.e6 ... Βυι White made another move, one which took his opponent by surprise 1 'ilfxe3!

lLJxe3

after which he replied 2 lLJxc6! Black has a choice of two possibilities - 2 ... bxc6 and 2 ... lLJxdl. Οη 2 ... bxc6 White continues his offensive with 3 1:td8+ J.f8 4 J:txf8+ Φg75 J:txf7+ Φg8 (if 5 ... Φh6, then 6 iJ8+ Φχg5 7 h4mate!)6 1:tf8+ Φg7 7 J:txc6 (319). The capture of a pawn without check, ίη a position where the queen has been given υρ for a rook and

164

QUEEN SACRIFICE

The forcing variation, which remained 'off-stage" was 4 ... φg8 (4 ... Φe8 5 ~b5+ φd8 6 lbx.f7 mate) 5 t'ίΊe7+ Φffl (5 ... Φh8 6lbx.f7mate) 6lbxh7+ ..tιe8 7 ~b5+ ..tιd8 8 J:xdl+ rl;c7 9 lbd5+ ..tιd8 10 J.e7+ ..tιc8 11 :cl+.

319 Β

Tal-Hecht Olympiad, 1962

νarna

bishop, and the pieces are lίteraHy scattered around the board, is a difficult move Ιο calculate. Οη the active 7 ... 1Ve5 it was essential to foresee 8 J:f7+ 'it>g8 9 t'ίΊf3! (9 ... "ikh5 /0 J:j8+ φg7 II :c7+ φh6 /2 'Α/Ρ and wins). If instead of 7 . . . 1re5 Black returns the queen -7 ... _b7 8 :f7+ 1Vxf7 9 lbxf7 φχf7, then White has, firstly, an extra pawn, and secondly (and this is the main thing) two powerful bishops. ΒΥ continuing 10 i.f3, and οη 10 ... : b8 11 i.c5lbf5 - 12 J:c7+, he achieves a won position. Ιη the game Black played 2 •••

lbxdl

(intending οη 3 t'ίΊxb8 Ιο reply 3 ... then give check with the knight and capture οη b8), but after ~d4+,

320 Β

320. White has given υρ a pawn, but he has a lead ίη development. Οη

1 ...

lbg6

there followed

2 lbc4!

_e6

2 . . . 1rxc3 is strongly met by 3 J.xf6 1Vxf6 4 e5. 3 e5!

3 lbe7+! 4 lbxc8+

φf8

he resigned, after due reflection.

Οη 3 ~xf6 Black would have replied ηοΙ 3 ... 1rxf6 4 e5, and not 3 ... gxf6 4 lbe3, but 3 ... b5!

CALCULAΤΙON ΑΝΟ ΕνΑιυΑΤΙΟΝ

With the move ίη the game Tal begins complίcated tactical play, the final goal of which is ... a favourable endgame!

3 ...

bS (321)

The strongest rep!y. Οη 3 ... lΔxh4 there wou1d have fol1owed 4 lΔd6+ ~f8, and then ηοΙ 5 'ifxh4 or 5 lbxb7 ίη view of the same rep!y 5 ... 'ifxe5 (ίι is important for B!ack Ιο elίminate this pawn), but 5 .Ω. ael!, maintaining the threats Ιο al1 three minor pieces.

165

5 1:tael!, for examp!e: 5 ... 'ifxel (5 ... bxa4 6 1:txe6) 6 1:txel bxa4 7 .i.xg6 fxg6 8 tte7, and B!ack does ηοΙ have 8 ... .rr. f7 ίη view of 9 lbd6. 5 ... 'ifd5 6 'ifc2lΔxh4 7 lΔe5! with a strong attacking position. Ιη all variations the play is ίη Whίte's favour.

5 fxg7

1:tg8 (322)

322 W

6 .i.fS!

4 exf6!! This queen sacrifice - the !ogica! consequence of e4-e5 - demanded very deep and precise calcu1ation. The variations took Ta! a very !ong wayahead.

4

bxa4

Apart from the capture of the queen, Tal a!so had Ιο reckon with 4 ... ο-ο, οη which he was intending

White has οη!Υ a bishop for the queen, and all three of his minor pieces are en prise. Βυι which ofthem shou1d Black take? 6 ... 'ifxf5 7 lbd6+ Φd7 8 lbxf5 lbxh4 (there is nothing e!se) 9 .Ω. ad Ι +
lΔxh41:txg7111:tfel!eadsto

an ending ίη which Black is still a pawn up, but his posίtion is quite hopeless. B!ack is elegant1y mated after 6 ... 'ifxc4 7 ttfel+ 'ife6 8 ttxe6+ fxe6 9 ..txg6+ Φd7 Ι Ο .Ω. d Ι + Φc7 11 .i.g3+
166

QUEEN SACRIFICE

ic7 mate. There οηlΥ remains the third possibilίty, which Hecht ίη fact chose. 6 ..•

7 i.xe6

.!L.Ixh4 ia6

Forced, since οη 7 ... fxe6 White plays 8 .!L.Id6+ and 9 .!L.Ixb7 with a winning position. But the intermediate move by the bishop had also ηοι escaped Tal's attention. 8 ~d6+ 9 ic4!

Φe7 :Ιχι7

9 ... i.xc4 10 ~xc4 favours White. 10

ι3

Here Black made a mistake, which, is true, bears ηο relation Ιο our theme. He should have exchanged the active bishop at c4, which would have given hopes of saving the game. At any rate, White would still have had a fair amount of work ΙΟ do. ίι

10 ... 11 ixa6

ι;iιxd6(?)

.!L.If5

11 ... :ι b8 is more tenacious, ηοΙ allowing White ΙΟ seize the b-file. 12 13 14 IS

:ΙabΙ

:ι fdl

+

Slίghtly better chances were offered by 15 . . . h5, οη which there would probably have followed 16 :Ιe4 .

Ι6

Φe7

:ΙeΙ+

Φd6

φα

c4

16 ι4 17 Ab7

.!L.Ie7

and White won the ending. combination is a forcing variation with a sacrifice, and the forcing variations must be calculated ΙΟ the end or almost ΙΟ the end, especially when the value of the sacrificed material is considerable. 'Almost Ιο the end' signifies that the calcu1ation must be taken Ιο a position (both ίη the main variation, and ίη its branches) where the evaluation is ηοι ίη doubt - with his further actions the opponent is ποΙ able Ιο change its evaluation. Thus the aim ofthe combination is from an undetermined position to obtain a determined position. But what if the calculation of the combination 'move by move' (υπΙίΙ the result is clear) is difficult or simply impossible οη account of the complexity of the posίtίon (number and depth of variations, inclusion of 'quiet' moves, close contact of the forces), or ίη view of the lack of time for thought? And meanwhile, the combination 100ks so tempting ... Here, without a sound variational base, a player might nevertheless decide ΙΟ sacrifice his strongest piece, relying οη an intuitive evaluation ("ίη Α

CALCULATfON

this position there must be a win ... "). Averbakh-Kotov

Candidates Tournament Zurich, 1953 323 Β

ΑΝΟ

167

EVALUATfON

worst Black has a perpetual check. ΒυΙ this is, of course, at the worst. The grandmaster was convinced that with 'such' a king there was bound to be a decisive continuation. And his sense of position did not deceive him. Ahead of all its forces, the white king is of course ίη mortal danger, and ίΙ is not surprising that the blocking move 4 ... ltJg4! (instead of 4 ... ltJd7), worthy of the brilliant sacrifice, was later found by Gideon Stahlberg. The capture of the knight (by rook or pawn) takes away the king's only retreat square, and, ίη contrast to what occurs ίη the game, White is prevented from replying trg5. But

323. ΒΥ

"ifxh3+!

1

Black drew the king ουΙ of its shelter and 'dragged' ίι to f5, where ίι came under the fire of the rooks and minor pieces. 2

ΦΧh3

3

'ίtί>g4

trh6+ liJf6+

4 Φf5

When calculating the consequences of the sacrifice, Kotov noticed here the 'quiet' move 4 .. . ltJd7, after which Black threatens 5 .. . :tf8+ 6 Φg4 trg8+ 7 Φf5 1:I.f6 mate. Kotov also saw White's only defence - 5 tr g5, after which he could not find a forced win. Nevertheless, he decided to sacrifice his queen: at the

4 5 trg5

liJd7

was played, and the game continued ...

5 ...

J:t 18+

ΑΙΙ this occurred just before the control, and both players were short oftime οη the clock. Black gives a few checks with the aim of reaching the control, and then calmly considering the position.

6 7 8 9

Φg4 Φf5 Φg4

ltJf6+ liJg8+ liJf6+

Φf5

The position has been repeated

αυΕΕΝ

168

twice. It iS ηο longer possible to give check with . . . lLJg8 - White will demand a draw. And so Kotov gives a discovered check with another knight move. 9 •••

10

Φg4

lLJxd5+ lLJf6+

Now this and the following check can be given - without the d5 pawn the position is a different one, and therefore the right Ιο demand a draw is lost. 11 ΦΙ5

12 Φg4 13 ΦfS 14 'itg4 (324)

lLJg8+ lLJf6+ lLJg8+

SACRIFICE

If the bishop is ηοΙ taken, it will retreat to e7:after which White will again be threatened with mate. Yet even here, as ίΙ transpires, things are not so simple: 15 .tg3 lLJf6+ 16 Φf5 lLJe8+ 17 Φχg5 :g8+! 18 Φχh6 lLJf6!, and mate by 19 ... I.Σg6 is unavoidable. 15 lLJg3 .te7 16 .Ι: hllLJf6+ 17 'itg5 :g6+ 18 Φh4 lLJxe4+, and Black wins. Ifinstead οf16 : hl White plays 16 lLJh5, then 16 ... lLJf6+! 17 lLJxf6 : fxf6 concludes the game - he is mated. 15: hl! (the most tenacious) 15 ... .l:xhl! 16 Φχg5 (οη 16 'iixd6 Black wins the queen - 16 ... lLJh6+! 17 Φχg5 !ΔjΊ+) 16 ... Ah6! Here Ιοο Wl1ίte cannot parry the threats.

324

15 .••

Β

Α second 'quiet' move. 16 . . . 1:[g7+ and 17 . . . :'f6 mate is threatened. The only defence is

16 .th4 preventίng

The tίme control was reached three moves ago. Straightforward adjournment analysis confirmed the correctness of Black's intuitive evaluation. Οη the resumption there followed: 14 ••• 15 Φχg5

-*.xg5

16 .•• 17 Φh5 Α

the check at f6. .l:g6+ :fg7

third 'quiet ' move. 18 -*.g5

There is nothing else, since 18 ... ]: h6 mate was threatened.

CALCULATlON

18 ... 19 Φh4

ΑΝΟ

169

EVALUATlON

'FilίΡοwίcz-Gabήsz

.l:l.xg5+ lLIf6

Poland, 1960

White again has to defend against a mate.

325 Β

lίnear

20 lLIg3 This saves White from the mate, but not from defeat. 20 ... 21 1Wxd6 221Wb8+

.l:l.xg3 .l:l.3g6 .l:l.g8 1 .•.

White resigns. Let us now turn to positions ίη which there are ηο preconditions for a queen sacrifice. The play is tactical, and both players are considering the same vaήatίοηs. Οο their calculations and evaluations always coincide? Ιη chess it is as ίη lίfe: "if two people do one and the same thing, it is not the same thing". Thus one ofthe players considers a position arising during calculation to be determined and favourable. The other thinks that the tactical possibίlities are not exhausted, and, continuing his search, he discovers a combination which decides the game. We now give some examples of mistakes ίη calculation and evaluation, which are punished by combinatίons with a queen sacrifice. 325. Ιη this sharp position, resulting from a Κίηg's Gambit, Black played

and

.tg4

οη

2 'irxg2 31Wxf3

J..xf3 dxe5

When he calculated the variations, Gabrisz assumed that his K-side was invulnerable. He would have been correct ίη his evaluatίon, had it not been for ... a queen sacrifice. 4 'irxh5!

gxh5

Black could have avoided being crushed, by playing 4 ... exd4+ 5 'ire2 lLId7. For the piece he has three pawns, but White has the advantage ίη view of the active placing of his pieces. But now events develop by force. 5 .tf6 6 .txg7

lLId7

170

QUEEN SACRIFICE

This way, since after6 ':xg7+ Φh8 the bishop at f6 is attacked, and the rook has ηο favourable discovery. But after the move played Black is threatened with mate. 6 ...

h6

There is nothing else.

7 lLJf6+ 8 i.xf6+ 9 .!:.g7+

It οηlΥ remained mill' ίη motion 10 ':xn+ 11 ':e7+

lLJxf6 Φh7 Φh8 Ιο

set the 'wind·

ι;t>g8

and Black resigned, since after 11 ... ~ίΊ 12 .!:.xf7 .!:.xf7 13 .txe5 or 13 ~xίΊ+ 'if;>xf7 14 .txe5 he is a piece down.

with a temporary piece sacήfιce:

1 ... 2 3 4 5

llxe4 .!:.xe8 llbl lLJh6+

lLJxe4 "ifd2 ':xe8 "ifc2 'if;>h8

Black could not take the knight οη account of 5 ... gxh6 6 'iVf6! "ifxb 1+ 7 .tn. After the forced sacrifice ofhis queen - 7 ... 'iVxb2 8 'iVxb2 - he would not have obtained sufficient compensation. Οη 8 ... :ι el (with the threat of ... .td3) White would have replίed 9 'iVd2 and then f2.f3. 'if;>g8 6 lLJxn+ 7 l2Jh6+ (327) 327 Β

Rashkovsky-Anikayev Yalta,1966 326 Β

326. Black carried out a combination

What has changed now that White has picked υρ the f7 pawn? Ιη contrast Ιο the variation analyzed ίη the previous note, after ... gxh6 the move ,.f6 is ηο Ionger so terribIe, since the king has acquired an escape square. After working out this variation beforehand, Anikayev

CALCULAΤΙON ΑΝD ΕνΑιυΑΤΙΟΝ

boldly captured the knight 7 ... The rep!y was the

gxh6 unantίcipated

8 'ii'dS+!

171

White's attacking hopes are associated, is bound ιο fall. With the aim of bringing his knight into p!ay, he worked out a variation with an exchange sacrifice, !eading, as he thought, Ιο favourab!e tactίca! complίcations.

There followed and an elegant mate by the two bishops after 8 ... cxd5 9 i.xd5+. Instead of7 ... gxh6 B!ack should, as before, have moved his king. True, after 7 ... Φh8 8 .:!.Π 'ii'xb29 ltJn+ Φg8 1Ο "ii'xh5 White would have been a pawn up. Οη 10 ... 'ii'e2 he replίes 11 i.0 followed by lL\g5, whίle after 10 ... g6 11 'ii'0 the bishop at h7 is shut ίη (11 . . . 'ii' χα2 is bad ίη view of 12lL\g5 .:!.e7 13 i.h3, and if 13 ... 'ii'e2 14 i.e6+/). Ιη genera!, the combination initiated by B!ack proved ηοΙ Ιο be ίη his favour.

1 ltJe3

ltJc6

2 'ii'b6 3 "ii'xb7

"ifxΙ4

.:!.ae8

B!ack threatens .. d4, and οη 4 .:!.xc6 there follows 4 ... .:!.xe3. 4 g3 5 ltJxdS

'ii'xΙ6

.: el +

6 Φg2 (329)

329 Β

Kugenek-Romanovsky St Petersburg, 1912 328 W

328. The pawn at f6, with which

Black's queen and knight are attacked. White cut short his ca!cu!ation at this ροίηΙ, mentally eva!uating the position ίη his favour. The οη!Υ thing he over!ooked was . . . a queen sacrifice with a forced mate ίη seven moves! The game conc!uded as follows:

172

QUEEN SACRIFICE

6 7 8

1i'xf2+! φχα

1Σ8e2+

ΦΟ

lΔe5+

9 ΦΙ4

10 11 11

Φg5

1ΣΠ+

h6+

ΦΧh6

Φ h4 1Σ xh2

11 ••. 12 Φg5

mate. 1ΣΧh2+ 1Σh5

mate

Pyotr Romanovsky, a future USSR Champion, was then ίη his twentieth year. Many years Iater, when chairing a qualificatίon commission, after examining the games of a young player seeking the grade of candidate master, he asked him: ''How many times have you sacήficed your queen?". And he added: "Α genuine chess player must have sacrificed ίt not less than ten times ..."

9 Positional Sacήfίce This term signifies the exchange of the queen for mateήal ofIesser value: rook and minor piece (usually a bishop), more rarely two minor pieces, occasionally a rook, and, as can even happen, one minor piece (with οτ without pawns). Ifthe queen is given υρ for three minor pieces οτ two rooks, this is ηο longer a sacrifice, but an equivalent exchange - here the boundary is clear-cut. Βυι what if for the queen one obtains rook, bishop and pawn? Then this is a sacήfice. And if rook, bishop and two pawns? This is a small material acquisition ... Thus ίη order ΙΟ make a clear-cut boundary between loss and gain, a pawn has ιο be cut ίη twosince ίη the 'ranking table' a queen is equated ιο a rook, bishop and one and a half pawns ... Some authors combine all ίη stances of a queen exchange under the single heading of 'Positional Sacrifice' (cf. the afore-mentioned article by Konstantinopolsky ίη the 1955 USSR Yearbook). And although the name does ηοΙ altogether corres-

pond ιο the content, there is some sense ίη doing this, since the method of playing with pieces against the queen is a general one. The word 'positional' is also widely used. Under the advantages gained by the side giving υρ the queen are ιο be understood any favourable coordination of the pieces - provided only that the consequences ofthe sacrifice are disclosed ηοΙ by a forcing variation (this is the distinction with a combination), but ίη the subsequent play. The erection of a 'fortress', for example (the aim of the sacrifice is here purely positional), does ηοι relate ιο this chapter. We will define a posίtional queen sacrίfice as a non-equivalent (or ηοι quite equivalent) exchange, opening υρ the possibilίty of exploiting the dynamic properties of one's pieces. We must emphasise that ίι does ηοΙ lead by force ιο its goal, but merely creates favourable conditions for subsequent actions. The soundness of the sacrifice stilI has Ιο be demonstrated. We should also mention that,

173

174

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

as a result of a positional sacrifice, the character of the play itself changes significantly. Α posίtional sacrifice always ίη volves a certain degree of risk. If the 'coordination effect' of the pieces cannot be exploίted, ΟΓ ίη other words, ifthe positional compensation is lost, play has Ιο proceed ίη materially unfavourable conditions. When making a positional sacrifice, a player takes οη additional responsibίlities. And this, of course, demands courage. Ιη contrast Ιο combinations, with positional sacrifices the calculation of forcing continuations is restricted Ιο the initial stage of the operatίon. Α very important role is played by the evaluation of the position arising soon after the sacrifice - the starting ροίηΙ for the subsequent non-forcing play. The aims of positional sacrifices are varied. The elimination of the opponent's active pieces and the activation of one's own pieces are used to seize the initiative and mount an offensive, ίη particular ΙΟ attack points which can be defended only by pieces (for example, the base of a pawn chain, ΟΓ isolated pawns). The success of such attacks may be ensured by the numericα/ superiority in/orce (a greater number of attacking pieces may be directed at the target). It stands to reason that account must also be taken ofthe advantages which the queen possesses - its mobility

and striking power, ίη particular its 'jnclination' towards simultaneous attacks οη two (or even three) targets. When considering the sacrifice, one must therefore consider both the attacking possibilίties of the pieces, and their abilίty to defend each other against attacks by the queen. And one more point. Wίth an open (or insecure) king position, a positional queen sacrifice is especially ήskΥ. With ηο opponent, the queen can seriously harrass the king, and may also simultaneously give check and attack one of the pieces. Ιη roughly equal positions (positions of so-called dynamic balance) a positional queen sacrifice may be made with the aim of complί cating the play. This decision may be dictated either by the player's tournament position, ΟΓ by features ίη the playing style of the opponent, who may, for example, have a preference for quiet positions and will feel less sure when there is a sharp turn of events. Ιη dubious ΟΓ unfavourable situations, a 'non-equivalent exchange' may be employed to parry an attack, relίeve unbearable positional pressure, and even to create 'complications for the sake of complications', since play with mixed material demands particular care, and normally abounds ίη tactical possibilities. ΒΥ acting ίη this way ίη an unfavourable situation, we force the scales to oscillate more strongly, thus

175

POSIT/ONAL SACR/F/CE

increasing the degree of risk for both sides, which gives certain practical chances. Among the psychological and competitίve 'indicators' of the employment of the positional queen sacrifice, we should also mention the opponent's tίme trouble. Thus a sacrifice may be tactically justifιed, although from the objective viewροίηι ίι is incorrect. Without exaggeration, ίΙ can be said that positional sacrifices are among the most difficult. Especially queen sacrifices. The reader will probably have noticed that the authors of many pretty combinations with a queen sacrifice are lίttle known or even altogether unknown players. But complίcated positίonal sacrifices, demanding subtle intuitive evaluation and a deep understanding of the game, require players of high standard. Like an extra-sensor, a great master senses a position with the tips ofhis fingers. Ιη general, the abilίty Ιο play with mixed material can serve, Ιο some extent, as an indicator of playing strength. Βυι let us now tum Ιο some illustrations. We will arrange the positίonal sacrifices by the aims which they pursue.

CONTINUATION OF Duz-Κhotimirsky

ΤΗΕ

ATfACK

v. Romanovsky

Moscow, 1925 330 W

330. ΒΥ

1

~e4

White parried the threatened check at g2. Ιη reply Romanovsky gave υρ his queen for rook and bishop: 1 2

.:ι.χe4

"-xe4! .i.xe4

White's c-pawn is weak, his queen has been drawn away by the prospect of an attack, and his king is badly placed. The concrete continuation which Black had Ιο calculate was equal Ιο two (at the maximum three) moves. 3 Ad7 4 fxg6 Οη

g6! .i.xg6

5 "-0 there follows 5 ... e4, and

αυΕΕΝ

176

the queen cannot defend the c3 (6 'ile3? jJ5+). 51Vg4 6 ':xa7 7 :a8 81Vg5 91Vg4 10 'ii'e2 11 1Vg4

ρawn

AIatortsev-Boleslavsky

18th USSR Championshiρ Moscow, 1950

:xc3 :e6

331

Φg7!

Β

J..e7 f5 (4 φΠ

The bishoρ ίι lost, but trouble the game continues. 12 :g8

SACRIFICE

ίη

time

:(6 1 •••

The bishoρ could have been taken straight away, although Black would have had Ιο weigh υρ the variation 12 ... fxg3 13 ':g7+ φχg7 14 1Vxe6 gxh2+ 15 ΦΧh2 J..f6. The rook move, creating a new threat, is simρler. 13 ':xg6

J..h3

If the rook moves, the sacrifice οη f2 is decisive: 2 :fcl :xf2 3 ΦΧf2 1!Ve3+ 4 φeΙ J..g4 5 :c2 'ilgl+. Alatortsev had seen this variation and, rather than move his rook, was counting οη reρelling the attack by

':xg6

2 (4 White lost οη tίme. During an analysis of the game, Duz-Khotimirsky remarked to his opρonent that he considered the queen sacrifice Ιο be incorrect, and that ίΙ had succeeded οηlΥ οη account of White's ρoor play ίη time trouble. Βυι he was unable to confirm his ορίηίοη with variations. And this ίι ηοΙ surprising. 331. White's K-side is weakened, and the black ρieces are excellently ρlaced. There followed

After 2 ... 'ilc5+ 3 .:f2 White's defences hold ... 2 •••

J..xO!

ΒΥ

giving υρ queen for rook and Black creates very dangerous threats. Ιη all variatίons what tells is the weakening of the light squares and the dominating ρosition of the bishoρ,

bishoρ.

3 fxg5

':xe2

177

POS/nONAL SACR/F/CE

.ι:t xh2 (but not 6 ... .te4+? 7 Φχe2 .txd3+ 8 ΦΧd3) 7 'ird4 c5! Now 8 'irxd6 .tc6+ 9 ΦeΙ .ι:t e8+ 10 φf1 .ι:thl+ 11
solved by 6 . . .

After the game it was suggested that White could have offered a more tenacious resistance by playing 4 'ird4 followed by 'irh4. Even so, Boleslavsky's 'positional sense' had not betrayed him. After the possible continuation 4 ... .th3 5 'irh4 .tg2 6 .ι:tel!? .ι:txa2 (6 ... .ι:txel+ 7 φχg2, and then, according to circumstances, 'ird4, 'ire4or'irg4)7'irg4.tf38'ire6+ .ι:tfϊ 9 'irh3 .tc6 10 b4 .ι:tf5 11 b5 .ι:tg2+ 12 'irxg2 .txg2 13
4 ...

6 ••• 7 φhΙ

.ι:tιZ+

.tc6

The unavoidable discovered check is fatal for White. .ι:t xf8+ 9 'irn+

8

.tgl White resigns.

Threatening 5 . . . .tc6 and then 6 ... .ι:tg2+.

DEVELOPMENT OF ΤΗΕ INITIATIVE

5 'ird3

5

.ι:tel

would have 10st to 5 ... 6 'irxel .ι:tf1+! After the general exchange of pieces, the pawn ending is hopeless for White. .ι:txel+

5 ••• 6

.tf3

.ι:tη

Black would have had more problems after the paradoxical 6 Φf1. Nevertheless, they would have been

332. Euwe's last move, f2-f4, was made with the intention of supporting his bishop at e6 with f4-f5. The starting points ofKeres' combination were the powerful position of his bishop at b7 and the absence of an opponent to his other bishop. ι

...

2 .ι:txd3 3 'irxd3

d3!! 'ifxd3 .td4+!

ουΕΕΝ

178

Euwe-Keres Match, Holland, 1939/40

332 Β

SACRIFICE

8

Φxf2

1:e2+ 9 1Wxe2 1:xe2+ 10 gxf6 (not 10 . .. ...txg2?in view of 11 j7.') does ηοΙ attract Black. ΒΥ again avoiding the capture of the rook, he achieves more . Φχe2

8 1:d2 9 lΔΙ4

10 1Wbl 11 Φg2

...tc8 1:e3 1:13+ 1:ΧΙ4!

Breaking down the last barricade. Black has given υρ queen and pawn for rook and bishop, yet the resulting position is unfavourable for White. After 4 ΦhΙ (οτ 4lΔe3) 4 ... :Ιχe6 he cannot escape from the ρίη, and his defences quickly collapse against the combined a~tions of the Iong-range bishops and invading rooks. Therefore White's next move is forced. 4 1:f2 S

φη

1:xe6 Aae8!

The bishop at d4 is stronger than a rook!

12 gxf4 13 Φ13

1:g8+ ...tg4+

White resigns. He cannot move the g-fιle οη account of the 10ss of his queen, and 14 Φe4 1:e8+ 15 Φd5 ...tf3+ leads Ιο mate. οηΙο

Bronstein-Simagin 28th USSR Championship Moscow, 1961

333 W

6 fS 6 1: d2 is very strongIy met by 6 ... and then ... ...tf5 with the threat of ... ~h3. ~e4

6 ••• 7 Ι6

1:eS gxf6

The ending arising after 7 ... ...txf2

333. ΒΥ sacrifιcing a pawn, White has cramped his opponent. The pawn at d6 hinders the coordinatίon of the

179

POS/nONAL SACRIFICE

black pieces between the Q-side and K-side. But how can he develop his initiative?

1 ':xOO!

':&5

ΒΥ this interposition Black was planning to defend the a7 pawn and only then win the exchange ...

ΒΥ giving υρ his queen for rook and minor piece, White breaks through with his rook onto the seventh rank and wins the d7 pawn, after which his d6 pawn becomes a powerful force.

bxaS h6

Λη attempt to gain counterplay οη the K-side.

4 ':bl 5 ':xa7

6 -*.b6

lΔe8

g5 1Vb8

If 6 ... 1Vc8, then 7 -*.c7 followed by':b8. 7 ':xd7

11 fxg5 12 lΔxP 13 lΔf3 14 ':c7 15 ':bl

lΔι7

jfc8

lΔd4.

hxg5 1Vd5 Ι4

lΔf5

lΔe3

The attempt to create counterthreats with 15 ... Φh8 followed by ... 1:g8 is Ρaπίed by the doubling of rooks - 16 h3 ':g8 17 ':bb7. 16 h3 17 ':bcl

2 1VxaS!

2 ... 3 ':c7

jfc2 jfOO

Otherwise there follows 11

Mter the acceptance of the exchange sacrifice (1 ... dxc62 1Vxa7) Black has to keep a watch οη the d-pawn, whereas White will be threatening the Q-side pawns.

1 ...

8 ':e7 9 ':0 10 -*.12

jfd3

Black has prevented the doubling of rooks οη the seventh rank (17 ':bb7? 1VjJ+), but even so his position is indefensible. 17 ... 18 ':700 19 ':6c3

lΔd5 lΔe3

jfb5

19 ... jfe4 20 ':el. 20 -*.xe3 21 ':xe3

fxe3

For the queen White already has rook, knight and three pawns. 21 ... 22 ':c3

jfb6 Φg7

αυΕΕΝ

180

23

~h2

SACRIFICE

4 h4!

The remainder is a matter of eIementary technique. Black resigns. Spielmann- Mίiller

Αη exceptionally important move, breaking υρ Black's pawn chain.

4 •..

J.e7

Goteborg, 1920 Οη 4 . . . lίΊe7 Spielmann was intending 5 J.d3!

334 W

5 lίΊxgS 6 tL\xdS 7 hxgS

"'g6 J.xgS

Here Black made the active, but unfortunate move 7...

334. The game has not yet emerged from the opening (one might guess that it was a King's Gambit). White provoked ... J.g4, having conceived a positionaI sacrifice of queen for two minor pieces: 1

lίΊxe4!

2

lίΊxB

J.xf3

Black has a considerable materiaI advantage, but his queen is badly placed, his pieces undeveloped, his king unable to castle, and ίη the immediate future he essentially has to parry threats of the opponent's superior forces.

not sensing the dangerous position of his queen. After 7 . . . "'xg5 8 lίΊxf4! (not 8 J.x14 οη account of 8 ... • 15 with the idea ofthen playing ... lίΊe7) the play would also have been ίη White's favour, but Black could still have resisted. 8 J.e2 9 lίΊxΙ4

lίΊe7

cS?

Opening υρ the play ίη such a situation is equivalent to suicide. 9 ... c6 followed by . . . ~c7 was more tenacious. 10 J:l.h3!

2 ••• 3 lίΊΙ6+

"'c2

cxd4?

... h6 ~d8

The queen had to retreat, although

181

POSIT/ONAL SACR/F/CE

Black's position would have remained quite hopeless. Spielmann gives the following variation: 10 ... 'iff5 11 J:[ f3 cxd4 12 cxd4 J:[ e8 13 .i.d3 'ifg4 14 lbe2.

Ιο

take part ίη play οη the Q-side. Βυι the K-side Black has the more promising position, and he is the first Ιο begin his offensive. οη

1 ... 2 exf5

11 J:[d3!

Winning the queen and the game. Φd7

11 •••

f5! lbe5

The ροίηι of this manoeuvre is Ιο exchange the bishop at g2 and thus weaken the light squares οη the Κ side.

11 ... 'ifa4 12 J:[xd4+.

3 12 .i.dl 13 lbxd3 14 bxc3

'ifxd3+ dxc3

and White won.

RETAINING

ΤΗΕ ΙΝΙΤΙΑΤινΕ

Smyslov-Tal Moscow, 1964

Ι4

Of course, ηοΙ 3 fxg6? ίη view of 3 ... .i.xg2 followed by ... ",b7+.

3 ...

lZ:\f3+

Νοι 3 .. .i.xg2, which White would have answered with the simple 4 "'xg2 (but ηοΙ 4 /xe5? .i..a8.f).

4 .i.xf3 5 J:[el (336)

.i.xf3

335 Β

336 Β

335. White's plan is Ιο advance b3b4, when both his knights will be able

5 ...

'ii'e2!!

ουΕΕΝ

182

SACRIFICE

ΟηΙΥ this brilliant move enables Black to retain the initiative.

6 :xe2

337 W

:xe2

Here, after lengthy reflection, Smyslov thought it best to return the queen, and he played 7 'ilrxe2 8 li)b2

-*.xe2

After 8 9 10 11

SEIZING

... :el li)c4 bxc4

Glίgοήc-Βοbοtsοv

gxf5

-*.hS li)xc4 :e8

Black gained a promising ending (with this pawn formation, the bishop is stronger than the knight). We, however, are interested ίη what would have happened if Smyslov had accepted the sacrifice. Let us return to the position after 6 ... :txe2. Οη 7 'ilrcl there could have followed 7 ... :g2+ 8 Φfl :xh2 9 li)el -*.d5 10 :b2 :hl+ 11 ΦΩ :e8 (337). Α queen down for a rook, Black makes 'quiet' moves! The white pieces are scattered, whereas Black is threatening to include his knight ίη the attack. Even so, before drawing any definite conclusion about the correctness of Tal's idea, we invite the reader to check the consequences of 9 li)xd4 (instead of 9 li)el).

ΤΗΕ ΙΝΙΤΙΑΤIVE

Hastings, 1959/1960 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

e4 li)f3 d4 li)xd4 li)c] -*.gS Ι4

-*.Μ

'ilrf3 0-0-0 11 -*.d3

cS

d6 cxd4 li)f6

86 e6 h6 -*.e7 "fIIc7 li)bd7 b5

Α bold move ίη an already sharp variation. Οη 12 e5 Black plans 12 ... -*.b7, but his last move, at one time thought problematic, was refuted by this game. Modern theory considers the positional pawn sacrifice 11 ... g5, with the sequel 12 fxg5 li)e5 13 "fIIe2 li)fg4 14 li)f) hxg5.

12 e5

POSIT/ONAL SACR/F/CE

White falls intentions.

ίη

12 ...

with his opponent's

~b7

(338)

338 W

183

'it'xe7+ Φc7 19 J:tdl. Of interest to our theme is the queen sacrifιce 15 exf6 (instead of 15 iih3). After 15 ... i.xf3 16 fxe7+ c;t>c8 17 gxf3 c;t>b718 e8=ii %:thxe819 i.xe8 J:t xe8 White obtains rook and minor piece for his queen, without any marked additional compensation. Α very complicated position arises if White does ησΙ hurry with 18 e8='if, but continues playing with two minor pieces against a queen, attacking Black's central pawns (as ίη a game Estrin-ChΊStyakov, USSR, 1961). 15 exf6!

13

lί:Ίxe6!

As Gligoric explains ίη his notes Ιο the game, this sacrifιce was the result of deep consideration at the board (he spent nearly 90 minutes over his 11th move!) and was ηοΙ prepared ίη advance. 13 ...

fxe6

~xO 14 Forced, since 13 Φd8 15 lZΊxa8 leads to a material advantage for White. lZΊxc7+

14

~g6+

Φf8

Ιη the event of 14 ... Φd8 the simple 15 'it'h3 sets Black barely soluble problems. For example, 15 ... dxe5 16 'ii'xe6 'it'c6 (16 ... e4 also does not help: 17 ~xI6 gxf6 18 J:[xd7+ 'it'xd7 19 J:tdJ) 17 %:txd7+ lZΊxd7 18

With the king at f8 the queen sacis the οηlΥ good continuation of the attack. Ιη the event of 15 iih3 Black defends by 15 ... dxe5 16 'ii'xe6 'it' c4! rifιce

15 ... 16 fxe7+ 17 gxf3

i.xf3 c;t>g8

Ιη the variation given ίη the note to Black's 14th move (with the king atd8), he was saved by ... Φb7. But now the king cannot leave the back rank, and he is forced to part with a whole rook.

17 18 19 20

... i.xf6 e8='W+ i.xe8

lί:ΊΙ6

gxf6 1:!.xe8

The tactical operation has come to

QUEEN SACRIFICE

184

an end. The queen sacrifice was a temporary one: White has obtained more than sufficient compensation for ίΙ - rook and two minor pieces. True, the realίzation of White's advantage is ηοΙ easy. Black has a strong centre, and by ... Φh7 he plans Ιο bring his rook ίηΙο play. 20 .•.

d5(339)

Ιη full accordance with a well known saying, ίη opening theory a new idea often proves Ιο be an old one which has been well forgotten. Thus ίη the game ChudinovskikhBalashov (Kurgan, 1963) White caught his opponent ίη this entίre variation. And authors of opening guides considered this the source game of the variatίon with a queen sacrifice ... Balashov played 20 ... Φh7, after which οηlΥ three more moves were played: 21 tt::Je4 .e7 22 1:txd6 :xe8 23 1:td7, and Black resigned.

339

natural move 21 1:[ d4 defending his pawn. As Glίgoric later showed, he shou1d have played 21 f5!!, and after 21 ... 1If4+ 22 ..;ιbΙ .xf5 - 23 1:[hgl+ Φf8 24 ..tg6! with advantage. As played, under cover ofhis pawn centre Black managed to release his rook and obtain counterchances: 21 ••• 22 ~h5 23 1:[hdl

..;ιh7

.c5 :c8

The remainder of the game, ίη which, exploiting his opponent's inaccuracies, White went οη to win, is not of interest for our book.

CREATION OF POSITION

ΑΝ AΊTACΚING

Wexler-Bronstein Mar del Plata, 1960

W

340 Β

Here White made the apparently

185

POSITIONAL SACRIFICE

340. At first sight the main defect of Black's position is the situation of his queen's rook. But Bronstein finds a brilliant way ofbringing it into play. 1 •..

he has to give υρ his queen, leaving him a knight down.

Sideif-Zade v. Gipslis Moscow, 1983

lΔxe4!

341 W

The queen is sacrificed for a rook, minor piece and an attack. 2 ixc4 3 hxg3 4
lΔxK3+ J:Σ.xel+ J:Σ.BBl

Beware, the back rank! Mate by 5 ... J:Σ. h 1 is threatened, and this gives Black time to create new threats. 341.

5 g4 6 "iVa

played

1 ttJc4

6 'ifd3 was correct. White probably rejected this οη account of 6 ... lΔc5. But then he has 7 'iff3, after which Black would have had to find the strongest continuatίon, 7 ... id4, which gives him the advantage. Α possible variation is 8 lΔe2 J:Σ. hl + 9
Whίte

J:Σ.acl

bxc4 ixc3

and was content wίth his position. 1 ... "iVb4 he will play 2 a3, whίle if 1 ... 'ifa6 2 ttJd6. There followed, however,

Οη

1 ... 2 bxc3

"iVxc3!? ixd5

The sacrifice is a problematic one. Black aimed for ίΙ ίη advance, οη the following grounds: his powerful darksquare bishop, excellent knight, weak pawn at c3 and dangerous situatίon of the white king are sufficient compensation for the slίght material deficit.

J:Σ.hl+

3 White resigns: after 9
J:Σ.xc3+

lΔe5

4Μ

J:Σ.ac8

ουΕΕΝ

186

Played according to the principle that the best form of defence is attack. But Black is able to create real threats before the h-fιle is opened. 4 ••• S .tc4 Οη

5 lL!f3 5 ... e5.

f6

Gipslίs

S ••• 6 .txdS

SACRIFICE

13 lL!eS The concluding part of the game took place ίη time trouble. 13 g3 was more tenacious, when Black would have continued 13 ... J:e3! 13 ••• 14 lL!xg6

was intending

IS e6

15 ... fxg4? 16 lL!e7+! 16

Which piece should Black take? He rejected 6 ... fxe5 ίη view of8 .tb3 J:xf48 h5!

6 ••• 7 lL!f3 8 hS 9 'iVd3 10 φb2 10

Φa1

exdS lL!e4 J:fe8 lL!xc3+

ι4

ΦCΙ

16 gxf5 J:tb5+. 16 .•• 17 lL!h4 18 φd2

Ιχι4

lL!e2+

White would have 10st more slowly after 18 φd1 J:d4. Now the game concludes before the time control.

J:e4. 18 •••

10 •.. 11 hxg6

J:e4 hxg6

The counterplay initiated by White οη the K-side has not achieved any result, and has merely lost time. Now Black is not tempted by the variation 11 ... J:b4+ 12 Φa1 J:a4 13 gxh7+ ";'h8 14 ";'b2 J:xa2+ 15 Φb3, since by retuming his queen - 'iVxc3 - White gains drawing chances. 12 a3

J:xf4 J:e4 J:cS!

fS

.th6+

White resigns: wherever his king moves, the queen is lost. 342. The attacked queen did not retreat. There foIIowed

1 ... 2J:xa 3 lL!cl

is

J:xh3!? J:xhl+

Evaluating the resulting situation not easy. Black's rook has

187

POSlTfONAL SACRfFfCE

Ign8tiev-Simagin Moscow, 1959 342

White cannot offer the exchange of rooks by 6 1: e3, since after 6 ... 1:3h2 he loses material. However, Black's reply forces this move.

Β

6 ... 7 1:e3

b4!

7 cxb4 c3+.

7 .•. 8 llJe2 9 1Wxe3 penetrated οηΙο the back rank, and his bishop is active. Βυι a queen is a queen, and ηο forcing continuations for him are apparent. ΑΙΙ that is clear is that he must bring his other rook into action, and try Ιο break υρ the white king's pawn screen by advancing his pawns.

3 4 1:e2

1:eh8

85

The queen sacrifice has sharply changed the character of the play. Ιη such situations mistakes are common, explained by the difficulty of adapting to the suddenly changed

1:1h2 1:xe3 i.d3

The knight is lost. After 10 _g3 11 cl 12 cxb4

1:xe2+ e4 c3

White resigned. Nezhmetdinov-O. Chemikov Rostov-on-Don, 1962 343 W

condίtίons.

5 b3? He should have played 5 1:el.

5 ... 6 Φb2

1:8h3

343. This position is well known ίη theory.* The former evaluation was that White had to agree Ιο a repetition of moves and a draw after 12 _h6

αυΕΕΝ

188

SACR/F/CE

J..g7 13 'iVh4 J..f6 etc. The ροίηΙ is that, if the queen moves Ιο f4 or g3, Black gains a positional advantage by the temporary queen sacήfice 12 ... 'it'xc3! 13 bxc3 lbe2+. And 12 'ifg4 can be met by 12 ... d5. What else can there be ίη this thoroughly studied position? After thinking for three quarters of an hour, Nezhmetdinov literally stunned his opponent and the spectators with a paradoxical sacrifice. 12 'iVxf6!! Α move based οη an intuitive evaluation of the position. For the queen White obtains οηlΥ a knight and bishop. His idea is Ιο exploit his lead ίη development (all three minor pieces are ίη play), and the weakness of the d5 square and of the dark squares οη the K-side (the bishop at e3 has ηο opponent). Even so, some continuations had Ιο be calculated, for example, the intermediate move 12 ... lί:Ixb3, and the check, diverting the knight from the strategically important d5 square - 12 ... lbe2+. 12 ... lbxb3 13 axb3. Here Black, ίη turn, can try giving υρ his queen -

* From a variation ofthe Sicilian Defence: 1 e4 ε5 2 iί)f3 iί)c:6 3 d4 c:xd4 4 iί)xd4 g6 5 lZΊc3 j.g7 6 j.e3 iί)Ι6 7 j.c4 0-0 8 j.b3 iί)ι4 9 1IIxg4 iί)xd4 10 111Μ (10 1IIdl is considered the strongest) 10 ••. 11185 11 0-0 j.f6.

13 ... 'ifxa1, ίη order to remain the exchange υρ after 14 .l:xal exf6. Βυι instead of 14 .l:xal White has the strong move 14 'ifxe7!, placing Black ίη a hopeless position: 14 ... 1i'a5 15 J..h6 'ifd8 16 lbd5! Ιη the game 12 ...

lί:Ie2+

was played. Ιη this way Black gains time for defensive measures. 13 lbxe2 14 lbc3

exf6 Ae8

From e6 the rook is ready to guard the vulnerable f6 square. It was suggested that the bold 14 ... d5!? would have given Black better chances, e.g. 15 ti!xd5 .te6 16lbxf6+ φg7 17 J..d4 Φh6. But as Nezhmetdinov later explained, he was intending Ιο play ηο! 15 lbxd5, but 15 J..d4!?, retaining good prospects. 15 16 17 18 19

lbdS .td4 .l:adl .l:d3 .1:13

.l:e6 Φι7

d6 J..d7

The f6 pawn falls, after which White's attack will be directed against another target. Note the posίtίon of the black queen, which is essentially taking ηο part ίη the play. 19 • . •

.tb5

189

POSITIONAL SACRIFlCE

20 .i.c3 21 ~xΙ6!

is hopeless.

'ifd8

23 1:t h3 Α

22

small

detaίl:

lΔg4+ Φg8

21 ... .i.xfl 23 .i.xe6.

21 ..•

faίls

11 e5

to

.i.e2 (344)

344

24

lΔg5

was threatened .

24 Ι4! 25 ΦΧΩ 26 .i.d4!

.i.xfi 11c8

W

The bishop is stronger than the rook! 26 ... 27 lΔg5

b5 1Ic7 (345) 345 W

22

lΔxh7+!

Of course, when he gave υρ his queen White could nοΙ have foreseen this combination. But the fact that it tumed υρ was nοΙ by accident. Intuitίon suggested to Nezhmetdinov that the besieging of the [6 square would open υρ a wealth of tactical possibίlities.

22 .. .

This game of rare creative content is crowned by a combination, luring the black queen and king into a fork.

Φg8

The capture of the knight is severely punished: 22 ... ΦΧh7 23 1Ixf7+ Φh6 (23 ... Φg8 24 .i.xe6) 24 .i.d2+ g5 25 .i.xe6, and if25 ... .i.xfl, then 26 .i.f5 'ifh8 (or 26 ... 'iig827 1116+ Φh5 28 g4+ and 29 J:l.h6 mate) 27 h4!, and Black's further resistance

28 .i.xn+! 29 1Ih8+! 30 lΔxΠ+ 31 ~xd8 32 lΔOO 33 Φe2 Black resigns.

J:l.xn ΦΧh8

Φh7

1Ixe4 J:l.xf4+

αυΕΕΝ

190

Α

LAUNCHING COUNTEROFFENSIVE

SACRIFICE

his queen. 6 J:th3

lba4!

Μalyutίn-Chίgοήn

St Petersburg, 1904

Ιη order to exchange or shut out of play the dangerous dark-square bishop.

346

W

7 .tal c3! lbxc3 8 .txc3 9 J:tcxc3 (347)

347 Β

346. Ιη an Evans Gambit, for his sacrificed pawn White has obtained quite good attacking chances οη the K-side. There foIIowed 1 lbh5

't!..c7

9 ••.

lVxh5!

25 After driving away the knight, White then plans to switch his rook to the h-file. Building υρ the pressure οη the g-file by 2 J:tgl and J:tg3 came ίηΙο consideration. 2 ••• 3 Ι4 4 "'g2

5

%ΣΟ

lbe5 ~d7

lbc5 'ii'e8

This calm move is the result offarsighted anticipation. Already here Chigorin was thinking of sacrificing

Sacrificing his queen, Chigorin launches a counteroffensive. 10 nxh5

J:txc3

For the queen Black has οηlΥ rook and knight, but his positional achievements are considerable. The opponent's attack has been elίmin ated, his rook at h5 is out ofplay, his back rank is weak . . . 11 .tc2

ne3!

The rook penetrates

Ιο

el!

Οη

11

191

POS/nONAL SACR/F/CE

... .Σ:r.fc8? there would have followed 121i'g6. 12 h4 13 e5

.Σ:r.c8

Α vain attempt to gain counterchances.

13 •.. 14 d6 15 Φh2 16 Φh3 17 Φg4

24 Φh2 25 ΦhΙ 26 h5 271i'g4 28 b4

dxe5 1:ιeΙ+

.Σ:r.α+ .ι:ίΙ4 .Σ:r.5

.tf4 ~e4

any further resistance was pointless. Capablanca Υ. Ilyίn-Genevsky Moscow, 1925

.tgl+ .Σ:r.c3+

348

~c4!

W

If White had been counting here taking the b7 pawn with his queen, he would have been seriously disappointed. After 18 1i'xb7 he is mated ίη four moves: 18 ... ~e3+ 19 Φf3 ~Π+! 20 φg2 (20 Φg4 :ι:Ig3 mate) 20 ... nxc2+ 21 ΦhΙ (or 21 Φχg1) 21 ... ~g3 mate. Malyutin exploits his last chance to put υρ a resistance. οη

18 19 20 21 22 23

.Σ:r.xh7+

Φπ7

Φh5

~xd6

fxe5 'irg6+ .tb3+ axb3

Φg4 Φ h3

1 g5 25

~d7

.Σ:r.xe5

Φg8

Ιη

reply Ilyin-Genevsky began

.Σ:r.xb3!

counterρlay οη the Q-side. Numerous

.Σ:r.x5+

commentaries have been made ofthis game. It used to be thought that the W orld Champion, playing ίη υη customary style, had exceeded the bounds of acceptable risk, and that the queen sacrifice was therefore retribution for a positionally unjustified plan. But, as modern

The game is decided, since for the queen Black has too much material. After 22 23

348. Here Black's K-side came under a pawn storm -

.te3 .Σ:r. 0+

QUEEN SACRIFICE

192

analyses have shown, things are by ηο means so simple. 2 ••.

bS

3 lΩΙ4

b4

4

Ι6

lΩα

Α few moves later the knight returns to dl, so as not to hinder the switching of the heavy pieces to the h-file and to prevent the invasion of the enemy rooks. Therefore the commentators unanimously gave the knight manoeuvre a question mark. Of course, it was not essentίal for White to waste time. The immediate 5 h4 came into consideratίon. Ιη contrast to the commentators, who strongly condemned White's play throughout the game, Capablanca was convinced that his offensive should have succeeded.

5 •••

8 hS 9 hxg6 10

e6 .l:.b8 .l:tb6

hxg6

lΩdl

J.f8

4 ... exf6 is strongly met by 5 lΩd5.

5

6 ••• 7 h4

bxc3

6 bxc3

The play develops according to the principle of "who will be quicker": White - ίη opening the h-file, switching his heavy pieces Ιο ίt, and 'gettίng to' the enemy king, or Blackίη gaining a decisive advantage by breaking through οη the Q-side. The following defensive move, however, is necessary.

The knight makes way for the queen to go Ιο h4. Ιη addition, ίη anticipation of the doublίng of the enemy rooks, it covers the b2 square. But a few moves ago the knight was already standing at d 1 ... 10 • • • ιι 'iffl

lΩdeS

After the game Capablanca pointed out two other continuations: 11 J.h3 (depriving the knight of the g4 square) and 11 c4 (rejecting ideas of an attack, so as after exchanging queens to try and exploit the cramped position of Black's bishops and king). Ιη the first case Black would probably have continued his plan with 11 ... .Ι:. db8, and ίη the second case, after 11 . . . "'xd2 12 J.xd2 lΩd4 he would have buίlt his hopes οη the . .. d5 break. ιι

.. .

12 ... h4

~g4 lΩceS

(349)

Black, understandably, is ηοΙ tempted by the win of a pawn: 12 ... lΩxe3 13 lΩxe3 "'xc3 14 lΩg4 and lΩh6+.

13 d4

POS/nONAL SACR/F/CE

349

193

1fxe317 J:th1) 16 l2Je2 l2Jxf3 (16 ... J:txe2+ 17 J..xe2 1fd218 J:t12 .xe319 J:th1, or 16 ... 'fkxd317 J:th1 J:txe2+ 18 Φg3) 17 ΦΧf3 Axe2 18 :Σ.hΙ J:txe3+ 19 Φχe3 1Wd4+ 20 ..tό>e2 1fb2+ 21 ..tό>f3, and Black is mated.

W

White's plan is straightforward: to drive away the knight, so as then to switch his rook to h3. After the game 13 ~d2 was analyzed. As shown by Romanovsky, Black would have gained counterplay by 13 ... J:.db814 ~h3 J:tb2! 15l2Jxb2 J:txb2, and if 16 ~cl l2Jh2! Quite recently the Leningrad player Β. Baskov suggested the surprising move 13 ~f3!!, which had not occurred to any of the commentators. Without going into all the detaίls of the lengthy analysis, which has been amplίfied by Α. Chistyakov, we give the main continuations: 13 ... lt:Jxe3 14 lt:Jxe3 Ι

14 ... 1fxc3 15 ..tό>g2! Ιη this and other branches of the analysis, this king move allows the rook access Ιο hl. White is not concerned about 10ss of material. Paradoxically enough, although lacking any pawn cover, the white king proves invulnerable. 15 ... J:tb2+ (15 ... 1fd2+ 16 Ά.!2

11 14 . . . J:t b2 15 l2Je2. Here the following branches are possible: Α. 15 . . . l2Jxd3 16 :Σ.Ω lt:Jxf2 17 ..tό>xΩ with the irresistible threat of :Σ.hΙ. Β.15 ... J..b516 ..tό>g2l2Jxf3 17 'όPxf3 ~xd3 18 l2Jg3 1fb5 19 c4! (the immediate 19 :Σ. h1? is a mistake ίη view of 19 ... ~e2+ 20 Φ/4 e5 mate) 19 ... ..txc4 20 l2Jxc4 1Wxc4 21 :Σ.hΙ 1fd3+ 22 Φg4, and here too Black cannot avoid mate. c. 15 ... d5 16 ..tό>g2 l2Jxf3 17 ..tό>xf3 dxe4+ 18 dxe4 ..tb5 19 l2Jf4!. Black has two replίes: 19 ... ..txfl and 19 ... :Σ.d3. 8. 19 ... ..txfl 20 :Σ.χΠ :Σ.dd2 21 :Σ.hΙ :Σ.h2 22 :Σ.χh2 :Σ.χh2 23 1Wxh2 1fxc3 - Black can hardly hope to save the game. b. 19 ... :Σ.d3 20 l2Jxd3 ~xd3 21 :Σ. ael! (preventing the blocking ofthe h-file by ... ~e2-h5) 21 ... 1fxa2 (if 21 ... • b5, then 22 c4! i.xc4 23 l2Jxc4 1fxc4 24 J:th1 1fd3+ 25 :Σ.e3, whίle if 21 . . . i.xfl 22 :Σ.)ζ{1 1f b5, then 23 c4 followed by :Σ.h1) 22 J:thl J:tf2+ 23 .xf2 ..txe4+ 24 ..tό>xe4 1fxf2. If Capablanca had been shown this position, he would not have recognized his game! Here the rooks are

αυΕΕΝ

194

stronger than the queen. Ιη the ορίηίοη ofChistyakov, who analyzed 15 ... d5, White should win after the possible continuation 25 ':dl! .b2 26 ':bl! .xc3 27 ':b8 .d4+ (28 ':xj8+ was threatened) 28 φΟ .d6 29 ':c8! c430 1:tdl1!i'a3 31 ':dd8. But let us return to the famous game itself. 13 ••. 14 .!bxe3 15 dxe5

~xe3

.xc3 .xe3+ (350)

350 W

16

φhΙ

After the game Capablanca remarked that, had he moved his king not to hl but to h2, he woUΙd have won. The combination with a queen sacrifice, carried out by IlΥίη Genevsky, woUΙd ηο longer have worked. Even so, the commentators did not agree with the World Champion. The active 16 ... .: b2 (preventing ':β) and if 17 .: ael 1!i' c3 parries White's threats - this was their conclusion. "Ι do not see how

SACRIFICE

White can continue his attack", wrote Bogoljubow. How White should continue his attack was revealed 60 years later by Igor Zaitsev. He suggested playing not 17 ':ael, but 17 ':adl!, with the threat of ':d3. Here are some possible variations: Α. 17 ... ':d2 18 ':0 .ΧΟ 19 ':xd2 .c3 20 ':d3 and then ':h3. Β. 17 ... c4 (preventίng .: d3) 18 rothl (threatening .:tfi) 18 ... ':d2 19 ':del .d4 20 .:0 ':dl 21 ':xdl .xd1+ 22 Φh2 1!i'xO (otherwise .: h3) 23 ~xO dxe5 24 .!be2. With accurate play White shoUΙd be able to realίze his advantage. C. 17 ... 1!i'xe4 18 Φg3! The quintessence of Zaitsev's analysis. The bold king does not fear anyone! Οη 18 ... 1!i'xe5 (if 18 ... ':xg2+ 19~xg2.xe5+, then20 '4.f4> there follows 19 ':Ο! (but not immediately 19 ':h1, after which Black is saved by 19 ... ~h6! 20 1!i'xh6 ':xg2+21 φχg2 ~c6+withperpetual check) 19 ... ~c6 20 ':hl ':xg2+ 21 Φχg2 ~xO+ 22 ΦΧΟ 1!i'c3+ 23 Φg4. The white king is safe, and Black is mated. True, Black is not oblίged to play 16 ... .: b2, but can continue, as ίη the game, 16 ... dxe5. Then Zaitsev gives 17 ~xg6! fxg6 18 ':0, and after the possible 18 ... 1!i'e2 19 ':el1!i'd2 20 .: efl .: b2 21 .: lf2 .xf2 (there is nothing else) 22 .: xf2 .: dd2 23 .: xd2 ':xd2 24 .h3! White has real winning chances.

195

POSIT/ONAL SACR/F/CE

Thus Capablanca's positional sense did ποΙ deceive him. The correct king move could have reversed the result of the game. 16 • . . 17 :1.13 (351)

dxe5

With the king at hl, Zaitsev's sacrifice 17 ~xg6 fxg6 18 : f3 does not work - 18 ... "'e2 19 :el :Σ.dΙ. 351

with the threat of :hl. 19 'ilrel Things would have been ηο different after 19 :el :b2 20 :xe3 J:.dl+ 21 φh2 J:l.dd2. 19 ... 20 "'xe3 21 ~13 22 a3

:b2 :dd2 c4

Desperation.

Β

22 .•• 23 "'a7

~d6

23 e5 A.c7. 23 ...

If the queen moves, then 18 :h3 wins. Βυι by sacrificing his strongest piece, Ilyin-Genevsky launches a counterattack. 17 . . • 18 :xe3

exf4! fxe3

Ιη an instant the situation has changed. The black king is πο longer threatened, and the black rooks, intruding οηΙο the 2nd rank, decide the game. Here ίΙ shouId be said that, if the white king had been at h2, Capablanca would have had 19 ..tg3

c3

White resigns. Our detaίled description of the struggle ίη this sensational game once again illustrates the inexhaustible nature of chess. At least a dozen masters and grandmasters - and not at the board, but ίη their commentaries - have repeatedly made mistakes ίη their evaluations. And ίΙ is quite possible that the latest analyses too will ποΙ become 'the whole truth'. 352. Tal played 1 •••

:xe3

intending Ιο sacrifice his queen for two minor pieces.

196

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

Toran-Tal

353 Β

Oberhausen,1961

352 Β

If now 2 .txc6 (the rook cannot be taken, of course, οη account of 2 ... .txd4), then 2 ... ':d3! (this interposition leads to a position ίη which Black gives υρ the exchange, but obtains ίη return two pawns and a pair of powerful bishops) 3 .tdS+ Φh8 4 'irxd3 .txd3 5 tLlf7+ 'irxf7 6 .txf7 .txd4+ and 7 ... .txb2 - Black has an undisputed advantage. Of course, Toran saw 1 ... ':xe3, but assumed that after this the game would end ίη perpetual check ...

obtains only bishop, knight and pawn. But his posίtional gains are very significant - powerful centralίzation of all the pieces, with the enemy king exposed . 4 .txt7 5 We2 6 Φg2

7 ':dl 8 'ir0 9

Φh3

ίη

':e3 .te4+

':13 .tf5+

Φh8

After 3 . . . Φg8 4 tLlh6++ and 5 lLJf7+ White cut short his calculations: surely Black cannot give υρ his queen? ... 3 ...

lLιe5!

The bishop cannot return to dS view of 7 ... c6 8 .te4 .: e3 .

10 'ire2 2 .td5+ 3 tLlt7+ (353)

Ad3 .txd4+

'irxt7!

As materia! compensation, Black

White resigns (11 Φg2 ':f2+ 12 Wxf2 .txf2, or 11 Φh4 ':f2, with a material advantage sufficient to win). Ιη the chapter 'The Path to the Ooal' we gave examples of combinations with the release of a knight from a ρίη (the 'Legall theme' and its modifications). It will be recalled that, after the queen sacrifice, either the king was given short shrift, or else

197

POSIT/ONAL SACR/F/CE

a material advantage was gained by force. The method of releasing a knight from a ρίη is also employed ίη positional sacrifices, although here the consequences of the tactical operation are much more difficult ΙΟ foresee. La

Bourdonnaίs-McDonnell

Match, London, 1834 354 W

his chances. Βυι ίη any event, McDonnell did ηοΙ allow lΔd5 ίη order Ιο retreat his queen . . . 2 .••

lΔxd5!

Νοι a standard release from a ρίη, but a positional sacrifice! The queen is given υρ for two minor pieces. ΑΙΙ the consequences of the combination could ηοΙ be calculated, and McDonnell must have based his decision οη arguments of a general nature. These are, primarίly, the powerful placing of Black's minor pieces, the poor position ofthe white king, and the sad fate of the rook at hl.

3 i.xe7

lΔe3+

4 ΦeΙ

354. Ιη order Ιο vacate d5 for his knight, the French master played 1 d6

He considered the position after 1 ..• 2 lΔd5

This is the result of an incorrect evaluation of the position. Had La Bourdonnais known what was awaiting him, he would probably have returned the queen by 4 'ifxe3 i.xe3 5 i.xd6, and batt1ed οη a pawn down.

cxd6

be favourable. Ιη the event of 2 ... 'Wd8 Black has Ιο reckon with a knight sacrifice - 3 lΔxf4 exf4 4 e5. And ίι was ηοι easy Ιο decide οη 2 ... 'iff8, although ίι is possible that Black, with two extra pawns, is ηοΙ ίη such a dangerous position, and that La Bourdonnais had overrated

4

5 'ifd3

J:d8

Ιο

One does ηοΙ exchange such a knight for a rook.

6 :d2

lΔOO

7 b3 This weakening of the c3 square

αυΕΕΝ

198

SACRIFICE

plays an important role. Note that οη Lasker's suggestion of 7 :t Π (White is ready to give back the exchange) 7 ... i.a5 8 ΙΗ2 Black could have replίed 8 ... lLIb4! 7 . •• 8 a3 9 :tg1

Ciric-Nezhmetdinov Rostov-on-Don, 1961 355 Β

i.a5 :tac8

White's counterplay οη the K-side has ηο time to develop. ΒΥ opening up the Q-side, the Englίsh master creates decisive threats οη the c-file. 9 •••

10 i.xb5 11 gxf3

b5! i.xf3 lLId4

Not οηlΥ is Black attacking Ο; 12 . . :t c2 is also threatened. Disregarding loss of material, White is forced to block the file.

1 ..• 2 i.xd8

For the queen Black only obtains two bishops and a pawn. His main achievement is an attacking position ση the K-side. 3 "ife3

4 12 i.c4

13

φα

14 15 16 17

:txg7+ :tf7+ :tb7 bxc4

lLJxf3+ lLIxd2 ΦΙ6

Whίte's

φg2

lLIxh3+ lLIf4+

Here, after some thought, White decided to retum the queen with

Φg6

lLIdxc4 1:!xc4

The white king is under attack, and the material advantage is now with Black. Thus the game is decided, although it lasted [σΓ a further 12 moves. 355. Το followed

lLIxd5 lLIf4

surprise there

5 'ifxf4 and battle οη a pawn down. Ιη the event of5 φg3 (5 φgΙ is well met by 5 ... i.h6) 5 ... :txd8 the white king is exposed, and Black has dangerous threats. Thus 6 lLIf5 is strongly met by 6 . . . i.g6!; for example: 7 Φχg4 :t g8!, with the irresistible threats of 8 ... i.h5++ 9 φh4 :tg4

199

POSIT/ONAL SACR/F/CE

mate, as well as 8 ... ~xf5++ 9 ~xf5 lbe7+ 10 Φf6 I:tg6 mate. 7 'tWd2 I:th3+ 8 Φχg4 ~h5+ 9 Φg5 lbe6+ 10 ~f6 1:t0 and 11 ... ~e7 mate. The move that sets Black the most difficult problems is 7 lbd2, and that is what Ciric should have played. After the move ίη the game the realization of Black's advantage does ηοΙ present any particular difficulty.

5 ... 6 ~g5 7 ~xe7 8 lbd2 9 I:tbl 10 b3 ιι d5 12 I:tb2 13 I:tabl 14 exd5 15 13

Βilek-Gιigοήc

Teesside, 1972 356 Β

exf4 ~e7 t:Δxe7

~d7 Ι6

J.ΓT

I:tb6 l:tab8 t:Δxd5!

~xd5+

dangerous dark-square bishop. Also threateningly placed is the knight at g3, for which White will soon be glad to give υρ a rook. 4 I:tI3 5 'ii'd3 6 I:tafi

~d6

':I'de8

g3

White resigns. After the only possible move by the rook, Black replies 16 ... ~e6. 356. Ι

lbxe4!

2 J.xd8 3 ΦgΙ

t:Δg3+

I:txd8

Black has given υρ his queen for two minor pieces, but the positional compensatίon he has gained is considerable: insecure position of the white king, open g-file, powerful knight at d4, and potentially

ΑΙΙ the black pieces are participating ίη the ofTensive. ΒΥ giving υρ two exchanges, White tries ίη vain Ιο stem the onslaught.

6 ••• 7 I:txfi 8 ΦbΙ 9 ~gl 10 ~xΠ

lbxΠ

lbe2+ t:Δg3+

lbxfi

Black has restored comparative equality (for the queen he has two rooks), with his offensive continuing unweakened. The opposite-colour bishops merely favour his attacking

200

QUEEN SACRIFICE

operations. 10 • • •

1 1:tg3

The doubling ofrooks οη the g-file decides the game. 11 'iVdl 12 'iVh5 13 'iVxn 14 Ι6

J:teg8 J:txg2 .te5 .td4

White resigns. Zamikhovsky-Nezhmetdinov Kharkov, 1956 357 W

The queen is given υρ for two minor pieces, but ίι soon transpires that, to avoid a dangerous attack, it is best for White Ιο return part of the sacrificed material. 2 'iVxa5 Α bold decision. We have here an instance where the acceptance of the sacήfice is not obligatory. It would have been simpler to take the knight - 13 exd5 or 13 cxd5 - with roughly equal chances.

2 ..•

357. White played 1

tϊld5

convinced that the queen would have Ιο retreat Ιο d8, since Ι . . . 'iVxd2? faίls Ιο the intermediate check 2 lί:Ixe7+, when White wins a pawn. Βυι there followed a deeply conceived, and for White quite unexpected, queen sacrifice -

tϊlxd5!

tϊlxe3

The rook and the c4 pawn are attacked. Ιη the event of3 J:t d3 tϊlxc4 Black also picks υρ the b2 pawn, at the same time denuding the enemy king. Το make an exact evaluation of this variation is ηοΙ possible, but ίι can be said with good reason that the defence of White's position at the board would be extremely difficult. When deciding οη the sacrifice, Black would have had Ιο weigh υρ the consequences ofthe variation 3 J:t xd7 .txd74 'iVd2. Here Black has a choice of two continuations: 4 ... tϊlχΩ 5 J:t χΩ (οη 5 'iV xd7 there follows 5 ... J:tfd86 'iVxe7 J:tdl+ 7 ~c2 tϊle3+) 5 . . . .te6, with a promising position. 4 ... tϊlxc4 is tempting, but ίt allows White ... to save the game by per-

POSΙΤ/ONAL

petual check! After 5 'it'xd7 .:Ι. ad8 6 'iixe7 .:Ι. dl + 7 ttJcl! (this way, since 7c:;c2? 't1d2+ 8c:;bJ .:I.jd8givesBlack a decisive attack) 7 ... ~h6. White's position appears critical, but he is saved by 8 .txc4! .:I.xhl 9 .txf7+! ':I'xf7 10 'iie8+ c:;g7 11 'it'e5+, with a perpeΙUal pursuit of the king.

201

SACR/FlCE

Α couple ofyears later the correctness of this sacrifice was tested ίη another game.

Bobotsov-Tal Varna, 1958 358 W

3 ':I'cl White decides Ιο give υρ the exchange immediately, so as Ιο get rid of the aggressive knight.

3 4 ':I'xc4!

ttJxc4

Here too, after a move by the queen, 4 ... ttJxb2 would have given Black two minor pieces plus two pawns, with the white king exposed. 4 5 6 7 8

... llJc3 .txc4 .te2 1:tdl

bxc4 .:I.b8 ttJe5 ~e6

Here Black played inaccurately -

8 ... 9 .:I.d2

~c4(?)

ttJc6

and ίη the end the game finished ίη a draw. As shown by Nezhmetdinov, he should have played 8 ... ttJc6, and if 9 'iia3 ttJb4, retaining the advantage.

358. Compare this diagram with the preνious one. If 1 dxc5 dxc5 is played, the position from the Zamikhovsky-Nezhmetdinov game is reached. Ι ttJd5 2 'iixa5 2 1:tcl 4 1:txc4

llJxd5 ttJxe3 ttJxc4 bxc4

So far, exact1y as ίη the previous game. Βυι there is a difference. The diagonal of the bishop at g7 is closed, and White has the possibility ofplaying to hold the d4 square. With this aim he should have considered 5 'it'd2; although eνen then, ίη Tal's ορίηίοη, Black has a perfect1y good game. 5 llJcl

1:tb8

202

ουΕΕΝ

6 ~xc4 7 ~b3 8 1Ird2 9 tbe2 10 ~c2

tbb6 ~xd4

~K7

SACRIFICE

Lipnitsky-Tolush 18th USSR Championship Moscow, 1950

c4!

c3!

359 W

Black succeeds ίη breaking υρ the opposing king's pawn screen, and also ίη taking his own pawn to b2; οη 11 tbxc3 there follows 11 ... tbc4. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

1Ird3

cxb2

~d4

~d7

:dl ~b3

:fc8 tba4

~xa4

~xa4

tbb3 'it'xa6 axb3 'it'a3 :xcl

:c3 .txb3 :bc8 :cl+ :xcl+

and mate next move.

ΙΝ

SEARCH OF COUNTERPLAY

359. Ιη this position the game was adjourned. White sealed the obvious and strong move 1 tbc4 expecting the queen to move to c3 or f6. Ιη each case his position is clearly better: his powerfuI knight can support the advance of the e-pawn. Some possible variations: 1 ... 1Irc3 2 :d3 1Irf6 (exchanging

the queen for two rooks - 2 ... ~xcl 3 :xc3 bxc3 - is unfavourable for Black, since White continues 4 e5, and then 1Ir g3 with the threat of e5-e6) 3 :el. 1 ... 1Irf6 2 e5 ",f4 (or 2 ... 1Irg5 3 :f/ followed by .Ι:[ cel and j2-f4) 3 g3 'it'g4 (if 3 ... 1Ir/3 4 :'bl 1Irc3, White has the very strong 5/4, with the threat of .Ι:[ d3) 4 .Ι:[ b 1, threatening 5 e6, and if 5 ... fxe6 6 tbe5. Lipnitsky had these variations ίη mind when he set offfor the resumption ofthe game. He aIso considered a third queen move - 1 ... 1Ira2, οη which he intended 2 f4. After this the queen is shut out of the game, and 2 ... ~xa4 leads to its Ioss - 3 ~bl "iWxb34.1:[d3. Tolush too analyzed 1 ... 1Irc3 and 1 . . . 'it'f6. He aIso came to the conclusion that White should gradually be able to realize his positionaI advantage, and began

203

POS/nONAL SACR/F/CE

examining the paradoxical move Ιο a2 ... Οη the resumption the game developed as follows: 1 ... 2 Ι4 3 .i.bl 4 :d3 (360)

1IVa2 .i.xa4 1IVxb3

ΑΙΙ according Ιο the analysis. Who has made a mistake?

360 Β

4 •••

1IVxbl!

The queen is given υρ for just a rook! Black's sacrifice is based οη the potential possibility of advancing his passed pawns, the active position of his rook (after ... :xe4) and the poor (although this is οηlΥ temporary) position of the white queen.

7 :xd3 8 lί)d2

The position is so complicated that a mistake ίη its evaluation is possible ηοΙ οηlΥ during play, but also ίη a commentary οη the game. Thus Lipnitsky gave the knight move a question mark and stated that 8 d6 would have won: 8 ... .i.xf4 9 1Ifh3 .i.g5 10 d7 .i.d8 (if 10 ... 1:l.xc4 11 d8=1IV .i.xd812 1%xd8 and then 1Ifc8) 11 1IV0 f5 12 1IVg3 Ae7 (if 12 ... /4, then 13 1Iff3) 13 :d6 :g7 14 lί)e5. Later Lipnitsky himself found that Black can play more strongly, with 9 ... :xc4! (instead of 9 ... .i.g5). After this the game should end ίη a draw. Οη 10 d7 Black has perpetual check -10 ... :cl+ 11 Φf2 :c2+ 12 Φfl 1%cl+. White cannot avoid it by 12 ΦΟ .i.g5 13 1IVg3, οη account of 13 ... :xd7!, while if13 1Ifh2, then 13 ... :c3! But now let us see what happened ίη the game after 8 lί)d2. 8 ...

.i.c2 .i.xd3

Interesting complications after 6 ... a4.

aήse

also

.i.xf4

Ιη the event of8 ... c4 9lί)xe4 cxd3 10 1Wg3! White has every chance of winning.

9 1IVh3 5 :xbl 6 1:1bdl

:xe4

:e2

This move too is the most accurate. If9 ... :el+ 10 Φf2 :ae7, then 11 1W0, when 11 : 7e3 12 1IVxf4 : le2+ 13 ΦgΙ :xd3 14 lί)fl gives

204

QUEEN SACRIFICE

White a win.

The construction of the fortress is complete. There followed:

10 d6 10 ltJc4 .!:f.e4 11 d6 :xc4leads Ιο a drawing variation analyzed earlier. 10 ... 11 d7

:Ιχd2 :Ιχd3

Resourcefu1ness and accuracy Ιο the end! Had B1ack played 11 ... .!:f.a8?, he wou1d have 10st the game: 12 .!:f.xd2 .txd2 13 'iνh4! g5 14 'iVe4+, picking υρ the rook. 12 13 14 15 16 17

'iWxd3 'iVd5 'iWxg5+ d8="iH 'ifh8+ 'iff8

.,tg5 Φh6 Φχg5

Φh6 Φg5

White succeeds ίη picking υρ all three passed pawns οη the Q-side, but, a1as, this does ηοΙ bring him a win - οη the other side of the board Black manages Ιο set υρ an ίη destructible fortress. 17 . . .

22 Φe3 23 'ifb8+ 24 'iWc8

Φg8 Φg7

:e5+

and here, having exhausted all the possibilities, the two pIayers agreed a draw.

CHANGING ΤΗΕ CHARACTER OF ΤΗΕ ΡΙΑΥ We will now make the acquaintance of a sacrifιce which is prob1ematic from the pureIy chess viewpoint, but which has a profound psycho10gica1 implication - a pure1y Lasker-1ike sacrifιce made by the great player himse1f. Ilyίn-Genevsky Υ.

Lasker Moscow, 1925 361 Β

.1:d7

17 ... :c7? 18 'iWd8+; 17 ... c4? 18 'iWcS+. 18 'ifxcS+ 19 'iWxa5 20 'ifxb4 21 Φf2

Φh6

Φh7

:d5 :f5+

361. White hasjust p1ayed lί:Ic3-e2, ofTering the exchange of queens and

POS/ΤΙONAL

planning c2-c4. Both after the exchange, and the withdrawal of the queen, White's prospects are better, since c2-c4 will practically deprive Black of counterplay. And here, ουΙ ofthe blue, Lasker gives υρ his queen for rook, bishop and pawn.

1

'ifxa2!?

The marks indicate ηοΙ the strength of the move, but the originality of the idea. 2 :a1 3 :tb1 4 .l:txbl

"ifxb2 'ifxbl+ .l:tfd8

Neither player's position has any weaknesses. Α difficult struggle is ίη prospect [οτ both sides, with an unusual balance of forces. Here, too, after the opponent's queen sacrifice, White can still play his planned c2-c4. Βυι ίη contrast Ιο the initial position, Black gains the strong square b4, since the pawn at a2 has disappeared from the board. Ιη general, Black's positional compensation for his ηοΙ quite equivalent exchange is more than modest. Ν οΙ wishing Ιο defend passively, Lasker has, metaphorically speaking, caused an oscillation ofthe chess scales, an oscillation after which his opponent, inferior Ιο him ίη resourcefulness and strength, is more likely Ιο make a mistake, than ίη a standard position with normal material balance. Ιη the given instance

SACR/F1CE

205

this psychological calculation is fully justified. Put ουΙ of his stride by the sudden tum of events, White very suddenly makes a decisive error. 5 c4 6 Ι4

ltJe8

This active move merely weakens White's position. He should have exchanged οη c6. 6 . •• 7 'ίt>h1 8 "ife3 9 :dl

a6 ltJc7 :b8 ltJb4

Black methodically improves the placing of his pieces, whereas White operates without a definite plan. 10 "ifc3 11 :al

a5 b6

As a result Black has obtained sufficient compensation. It is ηοΙ clear how the game would have gone, had ηοΙ Ilyin-Genevsky, who was already ίη time trouble, made a blunder. 12 13 14 15 16

'ife3? ltJf5 exf5 "ifc3 'ifxa1

e5 .txf5 lLIc2 lLIxal

For the queen Black now has two rooks and a pawn. It is instructive Ιο

206

QUEEN SACRIFICE

follow how Lasker's pieces take υρ dominating positions ίη the centre. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

... 'ifgl cxd5 fxe5 g4

.i.f6 d5! lbxd5 .i.xe5

h4

b5

lbd4 'ifxe3 .i.f3 h5 'ife2

~e3!

I:txd4 a4 a3 !tbd8

bishop, suggested by the Soviet player L. Radchenko 12 ••• 13 I:txd8

We will conclude this chapterwith some examples of a positional queen sacrifice ίη the opening. Ιη the Open Variation of the Ruy Lopez there is the following line: e4 lbf3 .i.b5 .i.a4 0-0 d4 .i.b3 dxe5 'ife2 I:tdl c4 .i.xc4 (362)

Β

Ι6

White resigns.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

362

e5 lbc6 a6 lbf6 ~xe4

b5 d5 .i.e6 .i.e7 0-0 bxc4

Here various continuations are possible. Of interest for our theme is the sacrifice of queen for rook and

dxc4 I:tfxd8

Ιη the game Kholmov-Grechkin (Tbilisi, 1949) after 14 lbbd2 lbc5 15 h3 lbd3 16 b3 lbdxe5! Black gained excellent counterplay. Even so, after many years testing of the sacrifice ίι was concluded that White's chances are preferable. Here are some possible variations: 14 h3 .i.d5 (14 ... lbc5 is strongly met by 15 .i.g5) 15 lbc3. 14 .i.d2 .i.d5 (here Ιοο after 14 ... lbc5 White advantageously plays 15.i.g5) 15 lbc3 lbxc3 16 .i.xc3 lbb4 17 b3 .i.xf3 18 gxf3. 14 lbc3 lbxc3 15 bxc3 h6 (Black must prevent the unfavourable exchange of dark-square bishops) 16 .i.f4! (after 16 .i.e3 l:tαb8 Black has quite good counterchances) 16 ... I:td3 17lbel I:td5 (17 ... I:txc3 is bad ίη view of 18 'ifb2, and if 18 ... lbd4 19 .i.d2 .i.α3 20 'ifb7) 18 I:tdl.

207

POSITIONAL SACRIFICE Ιη

another -

lίne

of the same

363 W

νariatίon

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

e4 l2Jf3 i.b5 i.a4 0-0 d4 i.b3 dxe5 'Wie2 .:!.dl

e5 l2Jc6 a6 l2Jf6 l2Jxe4 b5 d5 J..e6 i.e7 l2Jc5

(instead of 10 ... Ο-Ο), if White makes a temporary bishop sacrifice 11 i.xd5 with the intention after 11 ...

of exploίtίng the

i.xd5 ρίη

-

12 l2Jc3

Ιη a topica! νariation ofthe Cata!an Opening -

then B!ack rep!ies 12 ...

21 l2Jxc5 sι.xc5 22 l2Jd3 i. b6 (or 22 ... J..e7, and if 23lΔj4 jJ524 .13 i.d7! 25 .dl a5 26 'Wixal Ο-Ο) 23 l2Jxb4 ο-ο 24 l2Jc6 [6! 25 h4 fxe5! 26 .xe5 J:H6. We are following two games from the 25th USSR Championship (Rίga, 1958): Suetin-Boleslavsky and Suetίn Geller. After complications both ended ίη a draw. There is a!so some interesting tactίcal play after 18 J..d2l2Jxc2! After a whir!wind has swept over the board - 19 .xc5 1:I.xel+ 20 1:txel i.xc5 21 1:tcl J..e7 22 .:!.xc2 i.f5 23 1:tc4 i.xe4 24 1:I.xe4 c5, a !eνe! ending is reached.

J..c4! (363)

After 13 1:txd8+ .:!.xd8 14 'Wie3 B!ack gains counterp!ay by 14 ... b4 15 b3! i.e6! (15 ... bxc3? 16 i.a3) 16 l2Je4 .:!.d1+ 17 l2Jel l2Jd4, for examp!e: 18 i.b2 l2Jxc2 19 'Wie2 .:!.xal 20 J..xa1 l2Jxa1 (20 ... l2Jxel 21 .xel l2Jxe4 22 'Wixe4 ο-ο is a!so possib!e)

1 d4 2 c4 3 g3 4 J..g2 5 l2Jf3 6 0-0 7 e3 8 l2Jc3 9.e2

l2Jf6 e6 d5 dxc4 a6 l2Jc6 i.d7 i.d6 b5

208

QUEEN SACRIFICE

10 :dl 11 e4

O~

there is the following continuation: 11 12 13 14 15

... dxe5 lίJxe5

i-g5 i-xf6

e5 tiJxe5 i-xe5 c6

Ιη the event of 15 .i.h3 Black is saved by 15 ... "W/c7.

15 ...

gxf6

This move is forced, since οη 15 ... i.xf6 there follows 16 e5 and i.xc6. The game Razuvayev-A.Petrosian (Tashkent, 1984) continued 16 [4 i-xc3 17 bxc3 "Wie7. Black is a pawn up, but his K-side pawns are weakened. But why did White not want to play 16 i-h3 (364) attacking the bishop?

Ιη the game Stemd-Neishtadt (12th W orld Correspondence Championship, 1986-88), this move was made. There followed

16 . . .

i-xh3

The sacrifice of queen for rook and bishop is the only possibility, but also quite sufficient. After 17 :xd8

1:1axd8

the two powerful bishops ensure Black an excellent game: 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Ι4

~hl

1:1dl ~g2

a3 "ifh5 "W/g4+ "iff5 "ifxh7 "ifh6+ bxc3 Φf2

i-d4+ i-c8! 1:1fe8 c5 1:1d6 ib7 ΦΙΒ

1:1de6 i-xc3 ~g8

i-xe4+ b4!

364 Β

The passed pawn decides the outcome. 30 31 32 33 34 35

axb4 cxb4 Ι5

:cl g4 h4

οη

the Q-side

cxb4 c3 c2 nd6 1:1e5 J:ted5

POSITIONAL SACRIFICE

36 h5 37 'itg3

.l:l.d2+ .l:l.dl

White resigns. If 38 'ii'f4, then 38 ... .l:l.xc1 39

209

'ii'xc1 .l:l.d1, while 38 g5 .l:l.xc1 39 g6 (39 gxf6 .l:l.gJ+) does ηοΙ help ίη view of39 ... .l:l.g1+ 40 roi;>h2 J:lg2+ 41 roi;>h3 fxg6 42 fxg6 .1:1. d3+ 43 'ith4 i.xg6 44 hxg6.1:1.h2+.

10 Classical Heritage If, ίη analogy with lίterature and art, we were Ιο understand by this term the best creations of the great masters, we would markedly narrow and impoverish our conception of classics ίη chess. The reader will ηο doubt have noticed that the authors of many splendid combinations were not chess stars, and not even famous masters, but players whose names are not to be found ίη the cross-tables of important events. Ιη evaluating the compIexity of a combination and its aesthetic virtues, it is of ηο significance whether the game was played ίη a match for the Worid Championship, or ίη a club tournament. Το uphold this broad interpretation of what is a chess classic, we give what we consider to be a weighty argument ίη favour of this viewpoint a peerless combination by the Moscow master Gusev, carried out ίη the Championship of an ordinary Sports Society. 365. Black has played the opening badly and has ended υρ ίη a difficult

Gusev-Auerbakh*

Moscow, 1946 365 W

position. Such a game can be lost ίη various ways, and it would have remained unnoticed, had it not been for White's magicaI attack with a queen sacrifice, unusually combined with unhurried manoeuvring. 1

lί'ie6!

Threatening 2

lLΊdc7,

so that the

* Not to be confused with grandmaster Yuri Averbakh.

210

211

CLASS/CAL HERITAGE

knight has to be taken.

1 ... 2 fxe6+

~xe6 ι;f;JfB

Forced, since 2 ... cotxe6 would have lost to 3 'ffb3! cotd7 4 1Ira4+ cotd8 (4 ... cote65 lΔc7+!) 5 1Irxa7.

3

lΔxΙ6!

This is not a sacrifice (since Black cannot play 3 ... ex/6 οη account of 4 1Ir xd6+ and 5 1Ir xe5), but merely the prelude to future offers.

3 •••

lΔXΙ6

4

μΙ6

~xΙ6

5

~h6+

Much more thematic than 5 ~g5 6 ~xf6+ exf6 7 "ifxd6. With his powerful knight at e5, Black's defences would have held. <:ί;g7

5 ... 6 J:ιxΙ6! 7 'ffxd6

8 'ffxe5!! The final success of the sacrifice comes to lίght after a series of quiet moves. Α queen down, White engages ίη manoeuvring play! The motif of the sacήfice is provided by the dismal positίon ofthe rook at h8, and the open f-file together with the threatening position of the bishop at h6, which tίes the black queen to the defence of the ffl square.

8 ... 9 J:ιΠ!

J:ιc8

(366)

10 366 W

fxe5

10 ~b5 was threatened, and after 9 ... J:ιxe6 White would have won immediately by 10 ~c4.

cotg8 exf6 J:ιc6

After the queen moves, Black will calmly pick υρ the e6 pawn. Then he has a choice - he can play either ... lΔΠ, driving the bishop from its strong positίon, or else . . . ΦΠ, freeing his rook . . .

~dl!

The e6 pawn is still immune. After 10 ... 'ffxe6 11 ~b3 ίι does ηοΙ help Ιο give υρ the queen and play οη the exchange ahead - 11 . . . 1Irxb3 12 axb3. Black's 'imprisoned' rook causes his downfall. White takes his king to the Q-side and creates a passed pawn. If Black blocks the e6 pawn by 10

212

OUEEN SACRIFICE

· .. :c7 11 ~b3 .l:.e7, then after 12 ~d5! he ends υρ ίη zugzwang! One rook is shut ίη, the other cannot move οη account of e6-e7+, and any queen move is decisively met by : f7, e.g. 12 · ..... d8 13 :f7 "'e8 14 :xe7! 'fIxe7 15 Μ!! - ίη the end the queen will have to move, after which e6-e7+ wins. 10 .••

:c4

Το

close the diagonal, Black gives the exchange, but this too does not save him from zugzwang.

15 Φκ2 16 :a 17 :0

... &3

"'e7 g5

After queen moves White would have hidden his king from checks and then invaded with his rook. 18

:ΙS

g4

With the last faint hope of parting with the g- and a-pawns and playing for stalemate . . .

υρ

11 12

~b3

b5

~xc4

bxc4

For the queen White has οηlΥ a bishop. With such a balance offorces, play aimed at creating a passed pawn οη the Q-side makes a great impression.

The immediate 13 Μ! was more accurate. Fortunately, the move played merely makes the win more difficult, but does not throw it away.

a5

14 bxc4 Now 14 b4? would have 10st to 14 · .. axb4 15 cxb4 c3.

14 ••.

"'e7

... d8

19 ... "'xc5 20 :g5 mate. 20 c6 21 c7

"'e7 Resigns

Virtually the most impressive ofall queen sacrifices. The right to participate ίη ουΓ of classic queen sacrifices has been granted to: Compositions from the distant past, artistically expressing ideas which were later employed ίη actual games. Famous combinations by famous masters. Combinations by lesser known players, but outstanding ίη originality of idea, solution ΟΓ final position, also ίη complexity of calculation (for example, the inclusion of 'quiet' moves which were difficult to exhibitίon

13 b3

13 .•.

19 cS

CLASS/CAL HERITAGE

foresee), or ίη the striking implementation of typical ideas. Combinations which do ηοΙ perhaps meet the strict creative crίteήa, but which thanks Ιο their frequent publίcation have become 'text-book' examples. Certain combinations and sacrifices, where there was a sensational result ίη the game. Of course, ίη selecting the 'candidates', the age of the combinations was taken ίηΙο account. Many games of our contemporaries will become classics, but they have yet Ιο withstand the test of time. * Some of the combinations making υρ the classical heritage have already been met ίη the previous chapters: the problems by Stamma (ρ.2, 3), del Rio (ρ.4), ΙοlΙί (ρ.4), Ponziani (ρ.4) and Mendheim (ρ.148), and the combinations from the games La Bourdonnais-McDonnell (ρ.197), Kieseritzky-Dumoncxeau (ρ.126), Morphy-Bryan (ρ.115), ReinerSteinitz (ρ.9), Schiffers-Chigorin (ρ.63), Mackenzie-Mason (ρ.86), Tarrasch-Chigorin (ρ.ΙΟ7), ChigorinSchlechter (ρ.146), RubinsteinDuras (ρ. 110), Alekhine-Samisch (p.162), Fine-Yudovich (ρ. 108),

* Of games from recent events, a place of honour ίη future displays of chess classics will go Ιο the combinations from the games Geller-Karpov (p.152) and Kasparov-Karpov (p.148).

213

Averbakh-Kotov (ρ.167), PetrosianPachman (ρ.78), Fischer-Tal (ρ.46), Spassky-Keres (ρ.22), Tal-Hecht (ρ.l64), and Petrosian-Spassky (ρ. 144). We should also add one of the combinations from the final chapter (Ύour Move') ίη the game LaskerSteinitz (ρ.237). Among the positional sacrifices, the games IlΥίη Genevsky v. Lasker (ρ.204) and Capablanca v. Ilyin-Genevsky (ρ.191) are regarded as classics. And we would unhesitatίngly include ίη this list the grandiose game Nezhmetdinov-O.Chernikov (ρ.187). ΒΥ observing the chronological order, the reader has the opportunity Ιο place the masterpieces listed οη their appropriate stands. Now let us begin our tour. From the book by Stamma (1737)

367 W

367. Α composίtίon which became especially well known after ίΙ was used by J. Eichenbaum ίη his chess poem 'Gakrab', written ίη Modern

ΟUΕΕΝ

214

Hebrew and first publίshed ίη 1940 ίη London. Ιη ίΙ the author describes a chess game, which after 29 moves reaches Stamma's position. As ίη the majorίty of Stamma's probIems, White's position Iooks desperate (mate is threatened, and his queen is attacked), but by sacrificing several pieces he is the first Ιο give mate: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

'iff4+! .txf4+

gxf4

lΔb6+!

axb6

axb6+ 1:txc8+ Axa6+ .tg2+ .txc6 mate

lΔa6

'ίt;>a8

tιxc8

bxa6 :tc6

Hofmann-Petroff Warsaw, 1844

1 e4

e5

lΔO

lΔc6

3 .tc4

.tc5 liJf6 exd4

2

4c3 5 d4 6 e5

The Mo11er Attack - 9 d5 (after 6 cxd4 .tb4+ 7liJc3liJxe4 8 ο-ο .txc3) was ηοΙ yet known at that time, and those who were ηοΙ content with the quiet variation 7 .td2 .txd2+ 8 liJ bxd2 d5 9 exd5 liJxd5 chose this continuation, which today has been forgotten, but which ίη the middle of the last century was very popular.

SACR/F/CE

6 ...

liJe4?

Ν ow White gains a material advantage. The counter 6 ... d5, typical of such positions, relίeves Black of a11 difficulties.

7 .td5!

liJxf1

The sacrifice is forced. Ιη the event of7 ... [5 8 cxd4 .tb4+ 9lΔbd2 BIack is catastrophica11y weak οη the a2-g8 diagonal.

8 9

ΦΧf1

dxc3+ cxb2

φg3

Ιη order at least Ιο obtain three pawns [οτ the knight. As shown by a correspondence game BerlinPotsdam (1851), 9 ... tΔe7 10 tΔxc3 tΔf5+ 11 φh3 d6 12 g4 is hopeless [οτ Black, since he cannot exploit the position of the enemy king.

10 .txb2 11

tΔg5

tΔe7

(368)

368 Β

It may seem that things are bad [οτ

215

CLASSICAL HERITAGE

B1ack. Οη 11 . . . ο-ο White has the decisive 11 'ifh5, whίle if 11 ... lΩxd5 he had prepared 12 lΩxfΊ φxfΊ 13 'ifxd5+ and 14 'ifxc5, with a piece for οηlΥ two pawns. But ίη reality the energetic move 11 lΩg5 is a decisive mistake. ΒΥ an unexpected queen sacrifice Petroff gains a matίng attack. Meanwhίle 11 'ifc2 would have consolidated White's advantage, for example: 11 ... d6 (or 11 ... lΩxd5 12 'ifxc5 lΩe7 13 J..a3 lΩc6 14 :'e1 with strong pressure) 12 J..e4lΩg6 13 ~bd2 and White, having comp1eted his mobίlization, will be ab1e to take his king to safety after h2-h3. The immediate 11 h3 or 11 J..e4 is also possible.

11 ••• 12 lΩxΠ

Cutting offthe white king's retreat the f-fi1e, B1ack assaίls it with a11 his forces. White's next move is forced, since after 13 'ifxd5 :'xfΊ 14 'ifxc5 'ifg5+ 15 φh3 d6+ he is mated. He a1so faίls Ιο escape with the 10ss oftwo pawns: 14 h3 'ifg5+ 15 φh2 'iff4+. ~xd8

14

φh3

d6+

15 e6 16 Φκ4

lΩΙ4+ lΩxe6

(369) 369

W

This is the position that Petroffhad mind when he sacrificed his queen. The brief respite does not save White. Despite his great materia1 advantage, he cannot avoid mate. ίη

lΩxd5 ο-ο!!

οη

13

14 ...

J..f2+

Mate ίη four fo11ows after 14 φg4 :'f4+ 15 Φh5 (or 15 φg5 h6+ etc.) 15 ... :'h4+ 16 φgS h6+ 17 'itf5 (or 17 φg6) 17 ... lΩe7 mate.

17

lΩxe6

17 ... :'f4+ and 18 ... :'h4 mate was threatened. Ιη the event of 17 J..cl or 17 'ifd2 White is mated as fo11ows: 17 ... ~d4+ 18 φgS :'5+ 19 Φg4 hS+ 20 Φh3 :'f3 mate. 17 g3 1asts out longest, when B1ack wins both by 17 .. . lΩd4+, and (even more convincing1y) by 17 ... lΩxd8+!, with the following variations: 18 φh4 :'f4+ 19 ΦhS (or 19 Φg5 ~e6+ 20 Φh5 g6+ etc.) 19 ... g6+ 20 ΦgS lΩe6+ 21 Φh6 J..e3 with inevitab1e mate, or immediate1y 21 ... :. h4+ 22 gxh4 J..e3 mate. 18 ΦgS :'5+ 19 'itg4 (19 ΦΜ 'fJ../4+) 19 ... :'f6+ 20 Φg5 (20 φh4

216

QUEEN SACRIFICE

:f4+ οτ 20 Φh5 g6+) 20 ... .i.e3+ 21 :h6+ 22 1Irh5 g5 mate! 18 Φh5 :f5+ 19 Φg4 :f6+ 20 Φh4 : h6+ 21 Φg5 .i.e3 mate. After the move made by White, mate is achieved more simply.

370.

ΒΥ

Φh4

17 ••. 18 Φg5 19 Φg4 20 'Φh3

.i.xe6+ :f5+ h5+ :13 mate

The queen sacrifice ίη the game known ίη chess history as the 'immortal'* is not ίη itself of any great interest. It was the conclusion Ιο a grandiose combination with the sacrifice of two rooks and some pretty 'quiet' moνes. Αnderssen-ΚieseήtzkΥ

London, 1851 370

W

1 .i.d6!

Anderssen gave his opponent a choice of either rook. It should be mentίoned that White also had two less committίng continuations - 1 .i.e3 and 1 : el (a moνe suggested by the Soνiet master Belavenets ίη 1938). Analysis has shown that ίη both cases White would have successfully concluded his attack. 1

.i.xgl

After this reply, Anderssen's combination wins by force. Black would stίll have had hopes of saνing the game after 18 ... 'ti'xal+ 19 Φe2 'ti'b2!, as suggested by Steinitz. Thus Anderssen's moνe with its brilliant conception was objectiνely not the strongest way of conductίng the attack. 2 e5!!

* One of sixteen casual games played between Anderssen and Kieseritzky during the first international tournament.

Α rook and a piece down (the bishop was sacrificed seνeral moves earlίer), Anderssen allows his opponent to take the second rook wίth check. ΒΥ blocking the al-h8 diagonal and cutting off the black queen, he threatens mate by 3 lLlxg7+ and 4 .i.c7.

2 •••

'irxal+

217

CLASS/CAL HERITAGE

3

Φe2

ltJa6

Κieseritzky defends c7, but is mated οη another square. As was later shown, the game could also not have been saved by other continuations, ίη particular Steinitz's suggestion of3 ... .ta6. White should play 4 ltJc7+ Φd8, and now not 51fxa8 ίη view of5 ... 'irc3! 61fxb8+ .tc8 7ltJd5 'irxc2+ 8 'iitel "ifcl+ with a draw by perpetual check, but 5 ltJxa6!, for example: (a) 5 . . . 'irc3 6 .tc7+ 'irxc7 (otherwise mate) 7 ltJxc7 Φχc7 8 "ifxa8, and Black's position is hopeless (Falkbeer). (b) 5 ... .tb6 61fxa81fc3 71fxb8+ 'irc8 8 1fxc8+ Φχc8 9 .tf8!, after which play reduces to an ending with an extra pawn, which White should win: 9 ... h6 (9 ... ltJh610 ltJd6+ and 11 .i.xg7) 10 ltJd6+ Φd8 11 ltJxf7+ Φe8 12 ltJxh8 ΦΧf8. There can follow 13 ΦΟ, and if 13 ... Φe7 14 ltJg6+ Φe6 15 Φe4 d6 (or 15 ... d5+ 16 Φ/4 and then ltJb4) 16 d4! etc. (Chigorin).

4 ltJxg7+ S 1ff6+!

Φd8

The concluding sacrifice (ηοι just the queen), by which the knight is diverted from the defence of e7. S ... 6 .i.e7 mate Ιη

ltJxf6

the final position White is a

queen, two rooks and a bishop down! The mate given by Anderssen meets the strict demands of chess composition - ίΙ is pure and economical: ηοΙ one of White's pieces is 'superfluous', and each square which the king could move Ιο is attacked by only one piece. Anderssen-Dufresne Berlin, 1852 371 W

371. 1 J:[xe7+!

Diverting the knight from the defence of d7.

1 ... 2 1fxd7+!

ltJxe7

Decoy of the king, followed by a double check. 2 ... 3 .tfS++ 4 .td7+

ΦΧd7 Φe8

and mate next move.

218

QUEEN SACRIFICE

Steinitz cal1ed this "an evergreen game ίη the laurel wreath of farnous German masters". Chigorin judged the combination to be ''one of the most bril1iant ever encountered ίη games between famous players". L.Paulsen-Morphy Ν ew Υ ork, 1857 372

again threatened with mate, and neither 6 1Ifh4 J..xfl, nor 6 1:[gl .::I.xgl+ and 7 ... 1:[el+ is any help.

4 ••• 5 ΦgΙ 6 ΦΠ

.t.g2+ J..xf3+ J..g2+

6 ... .::Ι. g2 is more accurate, with inevitable mate ίη not more than four moves.

Β

7

ΦgΙ

J..h3+

Here 7 ... J..e4+ 8 Φfl .t.f5! would have led to mate. However, the move played is good enough to win.

372. With his previous move ('ii'a4a6) White offered the exchange, to which Morphy replied with a queen sacrifιce, opening the g-fιle: 1 ...

2 μΟ 3 φhΙ 4 ':dl

1Ifxf3! 1:[g6+ .t.h3

The more tenacious 4 'ii'd3 would have obliged Morphy to fιnd the subt1e move 4 ... f5! Ιη this way Black blocks the diagonal, not allowing the opponent to give υρ queen for rook (4 ... J..g2+ 5 ~gl .t.x.f3+? 6 'ii'xg6). If now 5 1Ifc4+, then 5 ... φf8! (not 5 ... Φh8 6 1If17.'), after which White is

8 φhΙ 9 1Iffi 10 ,:χπ 11 '::I'al 12 d4

J..xf2 .t.xfi 1:te2 1:th6

The result would not have been changed by 12 Φg2 1:[f6 13 ΦhΙ .t.g3 14 1:txf61:[xh2+ 15 ΦgΙ gxf616 1:txa7 h5. 12 . • .

.t.e3!

White resigns. 373. Morphy's opponent, concealed behind his initials, simplemindedly tried to drive away the knight with 1 c3

219

CLASS/CAL HERITAGE

A.B.-Morphy York, 1859

Ν ew

Mandolfo-Kolisch Triest, 1859

373

374 Β

Β

after which disaster struck:

1 ... 2 1fxe4 3 'ifxd4

1Σχe4!

2 ...

lbg3!

BIack created irresistible threats:

lbg3! 3 lbc6+

Οη the capture of the queen there would have followed 3 . . . lbde2 mate!

3 ... 4 ΦhΙ

lbe2+ 1fxh2+!

5Φxh2

1Σh8+

3 fxg3 lbf3 mate. 3 ... 4 'ifxe2

lbde2+ lbxe2 mate

Steinitz-Pielhal Vienna, 1862 375

and mate next move.

W 374. Releasing his knight from the ρίη by 1 •..

lbe4!

after 2 i..xd8 2 dxe4 1fxg5 and ... "it'h5.

375. Steinitz played

220

QUEEN SACR/F/CE lΔxd7!

1 and

Rosanes-Anderssen BresIau, early 1860s

οη

377 Β

1 ... 'tWxd5 2 lDf6++ Φf8 3 ~xe7 mate Steinitz-Rock Game at Odds, London, 1863 376

W 377. After sacrificing two pawns ίη the opening and gaining a lead ίη development, Anderssen went ooto the offensive:

376. There fol1owed

ίη

repIy to

1 ... mate

ίη

lDxb3

six moves:

2 exf7++ 3 ~e6+

lDxe4

dxe4 e5 0-0-0

'tWb6

~Ι5

4 5 6 7

••• c3 b3 lDfJ (378)

~d4

:tab8 :ted8!

Φd7 Φc6

4

lΔe5+

Φb5

5

~c4+

Φa5

6 ~b4+ 7 axb3 mate

...

White had ηο other move. But now, by attacking the b2 square, Anderssen forces his opponent to weaken his king's posίtίon.

1 dxe6! and

1 2 3 4

After 7 cxd4 'ifxd4 White is mated, while after 7 Φb2 Black wins by 7 ... ~e6!

Φa4

7 .••

'tWxb3!

221

CLASS/CAL HERITAGE

378

Anderssen cleared the way for his rook Ιο e8, after which ίΙ was ready Ιο invade the opponent's position. The game continued:

Β

2 tL:Ic3 3 φα 4 tL:Ia4

.I:l.e8+ "ifb6

4 ... .te5 was threatened. Breaking screen.

υρ

the king's pawn

8 axb3

%Σ.χb3

9 .tel

.te3+

This is why the rook is needed at d8! White resigns. Rosanes-Anderssen Breslau, 1863

4 ... 5 lίJc3

"ifa6

And now mate is threatened - 5 .. . "it'e2+ 6 "it'xe2 .I:l.xe2+, then 7 .. . .I:l.e1+ and 8 ... J:[fl mate. 5 c4 fails Ιο save White ίη view of 5 ... "it'xa4! 6 "it'xa4 .I:l.e2+.

5 ...

.teS!

This 'quiet' move is the prelude Ιο the concluding combination. The bishop cannot be taken ίη view of6 ... "it'b6+, mating.

379 Β

6 a4 (380)

379. White has an enormous material advantage, whίle Black has a clear lead ίη development. ΒΥ

One more move, and White will play tL:Ib5. Βυι the white queen is overloaded: ίι ηοΙ οηlΥ has Ιο defend the d4 pawn but also Ιο cover Π. Using the method of diversion, Anderssen announced mate ίη four moves: 6 ...

1 ••.

rj;g7

7 "ifxfi

"it'fi+! .txd4+

222

QUEEN SACRIFICE

380

41:h3+ 5 1:h8 mate

Β

Φg8

Zukertort-Blackbume London, 1883 382 W

8 J..e3

1:I.xe3

and mate next move. Anderssen-Zukertort Barmen, 1869

382. Ν ot allowing himself Ιο be diverted from his planned attack, Zukertort ignored the threat of . . . 1: c2 and played

381 W

1 fxg6 There followed

1 ...

:c2

1 ... hxg6 2 1:I.g3. 381. Anderssen announced mate ίη moves:

fιve

1 "iWxh7+! 2 f6+

'Otxh7 'Otg8

If 2 ... 'ilt"xd3, then 3 1: h3+ 4 1:h8 mate. 3 J..h7+!

ι:;,Χh7

2 gxh7+ 3 d5+

roth8 e5 (J8J)

Ifthe queen moves, Black picks υρ the bishop ... Βυι Zukertort had ίη mind a brilliant diverting sacrifιce. ι:;,g8

4 "ilVb4! The capture of the queen (the

CLASS/CAL HERITAGE

383 W

223

Zukertort-Englisch London, 1883 384 W

variation of interest for our theme) leads to a linear mate: 4 ... 'ifxb4 5 .i.xe5+ 'ίtό>xh7 6 %:[ h3+ φg6 7 %:[g3+ ~h7 (7 ... ~h6 8 %:[/6+,or 7 ... Φh5 8 %:[/5+ etc.) 8 %:[f7+ ~h6 9 .i.f4+Φh5 10 %:[h7 mate. Blackburne played 4 ... οη

%:[8c5

which there followed 5 %:[f8+!

~xh7

1 1fb5! 2 c8=1f+

ΦΓΤ

White has given υρ his queen and gained a new one, ίη doing so losing his proud c7 pawn. The idea was Ιο decoy the black queen to b5 and free c7 for the knight. After this, with the aid of a decoy queen sacrifice, he wins the knight:

If 5 ... 1fxf8, then 6 .i.xe5+ ~xh7 7 "Wxe4+. Βυι now the pawns are captured ίη reverse order. 6 'ifxe4+ 5 .i.xe5+! 8 .i.g7+!

1fxb5

3 "ii'xe6+! 4 ~xc7+ 5 ~xb5

Φχe6

and

~g7 ΦΧf8

385. Black was mated moves: 1 g4+ 2 hxg4+ 3 1fxh6+ 4 ~h2

Black resigns (8 ... 'ifxg7 9 1fe8 mate). 384. The plausible 1 'ifb8+ does not achieve anything - Black replies 1 ... ~d7. White wins by ... sacrificing his passed pawn:

Α 'quiet' ηο

ίη

five

fxg4 ~h4

"Wxh6

move, after which there is defence against 5 .i.f2 mate.

224

QUEEN SACRIFICE

Schlechter-Meitner

Vienna, 1899

and mate next move (2 . . . 3 .i.d8 mate, ΟΓ 2 . . . Φe8 3 mate).

385 W

Φc7 ΙΣ d8

Levitsky-Marshall

Bresiau, 1912 387 Β

Reti-Tartakower

Vienna, 1910 387.

386 W

Α

move of rare beauty,

1 ...

386. There is hardly a single primer which you will not find this opening combinatίon, which occurred, incidentally, not ίη a tournament, but ίη a casuai game. The queen sacrifice, decoying the king, and the doubie check created a classic miniature: ίη

1 'ifd8+! 2 .i.g5++

ΦΧd8

'ifg3!!

forced White Ιο lay down his arths (2 fxg3 lΩe2+ and 3 ... IΣxf1 mate; 2 hxg3 lΩe2 mate; 2 'ifxg3 lΩe2+ 3 ΦhΙ lΩxg3+ 4 ΦgΙ lΩxf1 ΟΓ 4 ... ΙΣ h5). The combination leads Ιο a general exchange of pieces; ίη other words, Biack finds the quickest way Ιο realίze the material advantage which he already possesses. Problemists might object Ιο Marshall's 'golden move', since ίΙ is ηοΙ the οηlΥ way. 1 ... 'ife3 wouId also have won (true, ηοι so spectacularly). 388. Το end υρ ίη such a position as Black, when hardly ουΙ of the opening, is possible οηlΥ for a very weak

225

CLASS/CAL HERITAGE

Alekhine-Feldt Ternopol, 1916

Capablanca-Fonarofl' New York, 1918

388

389 W

W

player. * This, however, does ηοΙ diminish the virtues of Alekhine's combination, which is the quickest way of realizing his positional superiority. There foHowed two sacrifices, decoying the king 1

lΔf7+!

ΦΧf7

1 . . . 1Vc8 is decisively met by 2 'ffxe6. 2 1Vxe6+!

Φg6

389. There followed 1 lΔh6+ 2 'ffxeS! 3 lΔxf7+

and Black resigned. The knight cannot be taken οη account of mate, and otherwise he loses a piece. Teichmann-N.N. Zurich, 1920 390 W

(if2 ... Φχe6, then 3 lΔg5 mate; οη 2 ... Φf8 there also foHows 3 lΔg5), and Alekhine announced mate ίη two moves: 3 g4 4 lΔh4 mate

Φh8

1VxeS

.i.e4

* Alekhine was giving a blίndfold simultaneous display ίη a mίlitary hospital during the First World War.

390. ΒΥ the

sacήfice

of a rook, and

QUEEN SACRIF/CE

226

then his queen, White set his g- and h-pawns ίη motion: 1

:Σ Β6!

lL!xh6

If 1 ... 1':.xh6, then 2 .txf7+ and 3 g8=1!H; or 1 ... bxc4 2 :Σh8+.

Both 3 Wfd8+ and 3 1Ifxh6 were threatened.

3 Wfd8+!! 4 h6 (391)

White has promoted two queens, but ίη the preceding play he gave υρ too much material, and by now continuing 7 . . . Φd6!, after 8 .txe6 lL!dxe6 Black can hide his king οη the Q-side. For the queen he has three minor pieces. Ιη the complicated battle to come, he has at least equal chances. Αdams-Τοπe

New Orleans, 1920

lL!xd8

392 W

Against h6-h7+ there appears Ιο be defence, and so Black resigned. Teichmann's elegant combination was thought to be irreproachably correct. But ίη 1982 Μ. Dvoretsky found that ίη the final position Black can successfully defend! ηο

391 Β

4 ... 1Ifd4! Ιη anticipation of h6-h7+ and g7-g8=1Iν+, the queen clears a flight path for the king. 5 h7+ r:;f7 6 g8=1H r:;e7 7 h8=W

392. The classic and, without exaggeration, the best illustration of the theme of diverting pieces from the defence of the back rank. The queen repeatedly places itself en prise, but each tίme its capture is punished by mate. 1 "'g4! 2 "'c4! 3 "'c7!!

Wb5 ",d7 ... b5

If 3 . . . "'a4, then 4 :Σe4! g6 (4 ... ... b5 5 "'xb7) 5 "'xc8 "'xe4 6 Wxe8+.

227

CLASS/CAL HER/TAGE

7 Itg5+

4 a4! ΒΥ

decoying the queen οηΙο the fourth rank, White transposes into a variation from the previous comment. 4 •.. 5 %Σe4 6 'ifxb7!

'ifxa4 'ifb5

The queen ηο 10nger has anywhere to go. Black resigns. Tone-Em.Lasker Moscow, 1925

White leaves the a7 pawn alone, to avoid opening the a-file. 7 ••• 8 %Σχh5

Φh7 Φg6

Black regains his piece, but there is playing οη two pawns down, and Lasker soon resigned. Since then 'Torre's windmill' has appeared ίη virtually every chess primer. ηο ροίηΙ ίη

Alekhine-Colle Paris, 1925

393 W

394 W

393. After sacrificing his queen, the young Mexican master used the 'windmill' to 'pulverise' several enemy pieces and pawns. 1 J..f6! 2 %Σχg7+

394. ΒΥ exploitίng the fact that the g6 pawn and queen are blocking the black king's escape to the g-file, Alekhine sacrificed his queen and invaded the back rank with his rooks:

'ifxh5 Φh8

%ΣχΠ+

Φg8

1 "'xd7! 2 lte8+

4 %Σg7+ 5 Axb7+ 6 %Σg7+

Φh8

2%Σcc8

3

%Σχd7

Φh7

φg8

Φh8

After the 'desperation move'

228

ουΕΕΝ

3 ... 4 1:exd8

1:d8

SACRIFICE

5 iDf3 6 J.f4

7 h3 Colle resigned. Janowski-Simisch Marienbad, 1925

811fxf3 9 J.e2 10 a3 (396)

J.g4 e6 .txf3 J.b4 iDd7

396 Β

395 W

395. There followed

White is ηοι threatening Ιο take the bishop, and so Black decided Ιο castle ...

l1fh6! 10 •.• and Black resigned. Οη the capture of the queen there follows 2 1:g3 mate, whίle if 1 ... f6, then 2 1: g3 (with the threat if 3 J.c4+) is again decisive. "Samisch was caught by the remaining tooth of an ageing lίoη", one of the commentators remarked. Cana1-N.N. Budapest, 1934 1 e4 2 exd5 3 iDc3 4 d4

d5 'ifxd5 'ifa5 c6

ο-Ο-Ο?

The bishop would indeed have been immune, if, say, Black had contίnued his development with 10 . . . iDgf6. Βυι now with a famίliar (although slίghtly more complίcated) combination White forces a win. 11 axb4! 12 Φd2 13 'ifxc6+! 14 .ta6 mate

'ifxa1+ 'ifxhl bxc6

397. Exploiting Black's delay ίη White went οηΙο the offensive castlίng,

229

CLASS/CAL HERITAGE

Lilienthal-Capablanca Hastings, 1934/35 397 W

Ιη

the second case (with 2 . . . Black avoids the direct opening of lines, but 3 lZΊf4 lZΊfd7 4 :'adl ο-ο 5 lDd5, with the threats of 6lZΊe7+ and 6 f6, gives White a strong initiative.

lDxe5)

398 W

ι Ι5

Lilienthal recalls that, when he made this move, he had already worked out the combination which occurred ίη the game, and he anxiously awaited the Ex-World Champion's reply. ι

...

2 dxe5

ε5

The starting position of a combination which appeared ίη all the world's chess press. Lilίenthal left his queen en prise by playing 3 exf6!!

jfxe4 (398)

lt was οη this move that Capablanca had based his defence. Had the great Cuban known what was awaiting him, he would undoubtedly have preferred 2 ... 'ifc5+ or 2 ... lDxe5. True, ίη the first case 3 ~f2! 'ifxe5 4 .i.d4 gives White excellent possibilίties, e.g. 4 ... 'ifxe4 5 jfxe4 lZΊxe46 .i.xg7 .r:th7 7 f6, or 4 ... jfe7 (4 ... 'ifd6 5 :'αdl) 5 e5! (a pawn sacrifice to open the e-file) 5 ... lZΊxe5 6 lZΊg3 ο-ο (6 ... lΔjd7 7/6.') 7 :'ael lDfd7 8 [6! gxf6 9 lDh5!

Ιη his resulting attack, which is initially mounted without any checks, White not οηΙΥ restores the material balance, but gains a decisive advantage.

3 ..• 4 fxg7 5 lDd4

jfxc2 :'g8 jfe4

Black has a depressing choice. If 5 . . . 'ifxc3, then 6 :'ael+ lZΊe5 7 .r:txe5+ 'ittd7 8 .r:te7+ 'ittd6 9 lDb5+, whi1e οη 5 ... jfd2 there fol1ows 6 :'ael+ lDe5 7 :'xe5+ 'ittd7 8 :'d5+

230

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

Φe89 .:!.el+, with sufficient material for a win.

6 7 8 9

.:!.ael .:!.xe4+ .:!.el .:!.xe4+

ltJc5 lbxe4 .:!.xg7 <;i;>d7

3 Φd3 4 <;i;>xd4 5 <;i;>d3

'irxd4+! .i.c5+ lbxe5 mate

Alekhine-N.N. Simultaneous display Trinidad, 1939 400

and without waiting for his ορ ponent's reply, Capablanca resigned. After the obvious 10 .:!.e7+ <;i;>d6 11 [6 fol1owed by 12 .i.g3+, the game is soon over.

W

Kotov-Bondarevsky Leningrad, 1936 399 Β

400. The pawn at d7 is ηοΙ defended, and is twice attacked. Ιη amazing fashion Alekhine manages Ιο give impetus Ιο ίΙ 1 .:tc8!

399. Ιη the course of his attack Black has given υρ a rook. Ν ow a pawn sacrifice blocks a square Ιο which the king might have moved 1 •.. 2 ltJxf4

f4+!

The pawn is stil1 under attack, and the c8 square is controlled by Black. Βυι after 1 ... 'irxd7 Black receives a deadly 'X-ray' check - 2 'irf8+. There only remains 1 ...

.:!.xc8

but then 2 'ire7!!

and now mate is forced by

2 ..•

'irf2+

If2 ... 'irxe7, then 3 dxc8='ir+. Οη 2 ... .:!. b8 (or 2 ... .:!.g8) and also 2 ...

CLASS/CAL HERΙΤAGE

'ifc6 there follows 3 d8='if(+). Mean'ifxe6 fol1owed by dxc8="it' is threatened, and after 2 . . . 'ifxd7 3 "it'xd7 resistance is pointless. Black therefore resigned. whίle,3

Rossolimo-N.N.

1944 401

231

Α 'quiet' move of wonderful beauty: with the board ful1 of pieces the king advances towards its ορ ponent. The threat is 5 .i.h5+ and 6 .i.xn mate.

4 ••• 5 1:t h8!

"it'e6

The only way. Οη 5 .i.h5+ Φh7 6 .i.xn+ Black has 6 ... "it'h6+. But now the mate at h5 is unavoidable, and he had Ιο resign.

W

Keres-Spassky

Goteborg, 1955 402 W

401. There fol1owed 1 J:txfS clearing the diagonal for the queen and simultaneously elίminating one of the defenders of h6.

1 ... 2 "it'xh6+!

exfS

402. Black was surprised by

ΦΧh6

1 "it'xg7+! If 2 . . . gxh6, then 3 tt)f6+ and 4 1:tg8 mate. 3 1:thl+ 4 ~Ι4!!

Φκ6

which forced him Ιο capitulate. After 1 . . . Φχg7 2 tt)xd7+ Φg8 3 tt)f6+ ΦΠ (3 ... Φh8 4 tt)xe8+) 4 lίJd5+ White remains a bishop up.

11 It'5

ΥουΓ

Imagine that you are playing a tournament game, and at the most important moment, when you are intensively pondering over your move, some mysterious voice says Ιο you: "you must sacrifice your queen ..." Even for a player of relatively low standard, ίη the majority of cases such a prompting is sufficient Ιο enable him Ιο find the combination. Ιη tackling the following tests, this is the help that you will receive. Even so, οη finding the solution (normally a spectacular one), you will experience a sense of satisfaction, and at the same time will fix ίη your memory certain typical procedures. So why ηοΙ enjoy the satisfaction of making thirty-eight queen sacrifices!

232

Move!

403 Β

404 W

Irs YOUR

405 W

ΜονΕΙ

233

406 W

'407 W

408 W

409 W

410 W

234

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

411 W

412

413

414

Β

415 W

Β

Β

416 W

IT'S YOUR MOVEI

417 Β

419 W

421 Β

235

418 W

420 W

With his last move ie2-dl White attacked the queen. Your solution?

236

QUEEN SACR/F/CE

422 W

White is a queen and rook up, but he is threatened with mate. How can he save the game?

423

How does White realize his exchange advantage?

424

W

Οη

1 h5

W

81ack replied 1 .. .

1:!.e4

What shou1d White do?

237

IT'S YOUR MOVEI

425 Β

Black avoided taking the e5 pawn and played 1 ... J:[g6 (1 ... g6 was probably best). But why did he reject 1 ...

426 W

428 W

1i'xe5?

427 W

429 W

238

QUEEN SACRIFICE

430

431 Β

Β

432

433

Β

434

W

Black was not afraid of

W Ι

lL!dS

(1 ... 'ifxc4? 2 lL!xe7 mate), against which he had prepared Ι

...

.i.e6

Were his calculations correct?

239

IT'S YOUR MOVEl

435 Β

Ιη

reply to

1 .. .

bl='if

White played

2 'ifa8+ and after 2 ...

'it'g8

he resigned. Was this finish logical?

436

437

W

438 Β

W

Black gave υρ his queen, ίη order to obtain for ίt rook, knight and pawn. After

1 ... 2 :1xc4 3 φπ

.i.xd4 dxc4 .i.xb2

his Q-side pawns assured him of a win. Can Whίte's play be improved?

240

439 Β

QUEEN SACRtFtCE

Black did ηοΙ take the bishop, but defended against the threatened check at f8 with

1 ...

.i.e8

1. Why did he reject 1 . . . ΙΣ xg2? 2. How should the game go after the move played?

440 W

241

IT'S YOUR MOVE!

ANSWERS ΤΟ

ΤΗΕ

TESTS

408. 1

lίJe6+

φh7

403.

1 2

'ifel+! ΦχeΙ

3 ...

~b4++

and ':el mate

Οη 1 ... φg8 White achieves an easily won ending after 2 ':c8+ φh7 3 'ifxe2 ~xe2 4 .: a8.

2 1Wh6+!

(Geisert-Starck, Strobeck, 1973). 404. 1 1Wg7+! 2 lίJh6 mate

lίJxg7

(Taimanov-Jakobsen, Copenhagen, 1967).

2 . . . ΦΧh6 3 .: h1 mate (Spassky-Korchnoi, Candidates Match, Kiev, 1968). 409.

1 Wh6+ 2 'ili'g7!

Φe8

':1'8

405. 1 We6+!

lίJxe6

Or 1 ... .txe6. 2

lίJh6

If 2 ... ':xg7 3 fxg7 φe7, then 4 .: h8, and the pawn attains the prize square, leaving Black a rook down. 3 Wxl'8+! 4 1:!.h8 mate

mate

φχ1'8

(Rannefort-N.N., Bamberg, 1950). (Alster-Fershter, Leningrad, 1970). 406. 1 1Wh6+! 2 ~1'8 mate

ΦΧh6

(Variation from the game KarpovMiles, Amsterdam, 1981).

410. After 1 ~e7! Black was forced to resign (Tartakower-Bi1kar, Ostende, 1907). 411.

407. 1

lίJh6!

The threat is 21Wg8+ ':xg8 3lίJ-f7 mate, and 1 ... .: e7 does not help ίη view of 2 1Wxe7 J..xe7 3 lίJgf7 mate (Tal-Portisch, Biel, 1976).

1 'ifxh6+! 2 ':xh8+ 3 ':h5 mate

ΦΧh6 Φg5

(Ν eumann-Przepiorka, 1904).

Vienna,

242

QUEEN SACR/F/CE Cleaήηg

412.

1 ..•

the 2nd rank for the rook.

J.f3! 1 •••

led Ιο a material advantage for Black (Mark Tseitlin-Yermolinsky, Leningrad, 1980).

1 ... J.g8 2 .l:tdg2. 2 'iVxh7+ 3.1:th2+

413.

1 ...

'iVxg3!

2 hxg3

lLIa+

3

~h2

(Suetίn-Dydyshko,

lLIeg4 mate!

1 ...

2

414.

1 ..• 2 .l:txh2

4

'itί>a

Φχh2

.l:txh2! 'iVhl+!

.l:txhl+ J.h4 mate

415.

2 'ilfxh7+ 3 .l:th3+

lLIg4+ 3

φχh7

ΦΧh7

and mate next move (KaiszauriSznapik, Poland, 1970.

.l:th3+!

418. The bishop at b3 is pinned and attacked. But even ίη such a doomed state it is attacking an important diagonal, which a110ws White to carry ουΙ a mating combination -

1 'iVxf8+!

419.

1 'iVxh7+! 2 .l:th5+ 3 lLIg6

'itί>xh7 ~g8

Making an escape square from the mate by 3 •••

416. 1 lLId4!

'itί>hl

.l:txffi 2 .l:txh7+ Φχh7 3 .l:thl+ (Skuya-Rozenberg, Liepaja, 1962).

fxg6

If 1 ... φg8, then 2 'iVxh7+! 3 .I:t h3+ and .I:t h8 mate.

'ilfxh2+!

Plovdiv, 1982).

(Dijkstra-Kaiser, Beverwijk, 1951).

1 lLIg6+!

USSR, 1975).

4 J.xh3 .l:th2 mate (Inkiov-Boyovich,

'X-ray' check! 3 .l:txhl

'itί>xh7

417.

(Lebedev-Lesnev, Saratov, 1983).

Αη

exd4

does not help:

.l:tf6

243

IT'S YOUR MOVEI

4 J:(h8+ 5 J::!.f8 mate

φπ

(Janowski-Schlechter, 1899).

London,

2 3 4 5 6 7

•.. dxe5 φα

J:( xdl b4 c4

J.xe5 J:( hl + J:(xdl J.xdl ΦΙ5

420. 1 J:(xe4! 'ii'xe4 2 lίΊg5 -'g6 3 'ii'xh7+ 'ii'xh7 4 lίΊxΠ mate

(7 ... φχe5 8 J.c3+), and the game soon ended ίη a draw (ChomskiAbelman, Correspondence, 1956).

(Saunina-Chekhova, Soschi, 1980). 421. The queen did 1 ...

ηοΙ

move.

ΒΥ

Φb8

White resigned (LukovnikovAlekseyev, Voronezh, 1973). 422. 1 "it'g6+! ΒΥ

this decoy sacrifice White destroys the mating net. 1 ... 2 lίΊe5+

1 J.xd5!

ltJb4!

Black created two threats: 2 ... lίΊa2 mate and 2 ... J:(xdl+ 3 J::!.xdl 'ii'c2 mate. After 2 -,h3+

423. This is most simply done by means -

combinatίonal

The exclamation mark is for entire plan; wίthout the following sacrifices the exchange wou1d be point1ess. Whίte's

1 ...

ltJxd5

The οηlΥ possible capture, since Black has Ιο guard h7. 2 3 4 5 6

'ifxd5! J:(xh7+ J:(xh7+ ltJxf6+

-'xd5 J:(xh7 ΦΧh7

and after

lίΊxd5

Φχg6

Ιη order Ιο exchange the powerfu1 bishop, a rook Ιοο is ηοΙ begrudged. The resu1t is an ending with oppositecolour bishops:

White is two pawns υρ with an easίly won ending (PanovRomanovsky, Moscow, 1943). 424. He shou1d win the game by the elegant manoeuvre

244

QUEEN SACRIFICE

rank. However, the same rook move also follows ίη the game.

2 .th6!! (Marshall-von Carlo, 1904). 425.

Scheve,

Monte 3 4 5 6

aη

1 ...

lbxd7 .l:!.e7 lbf6+ .l:!.xc7

lbxg5 Φg8

Φf8

Resigns

'ilfxe5?

there would have followed mate ίη four moves:

(Em. Lasker-Steinitz, St Petersburg, 1895/96). 428.

lbxh7 2 "irxh7+! lbf8 3 .l:!.d8+ 4 .l:!.h8+! ΦΧh8 5 %:ιΧf8 mate

1 "ifxd7!

2

'ilfxd7 Φh6

If 2 ... Φg8, then 3 lbe7+ "irxe7 4 dxe7 followed by 1:!. d8.

(Variation from the game VidmarTeichmann, Karlsbad, 1907).

3 g5+ 4 lbf4+ 5 Φh2! 6 g3+! 7 Φg2

426 1 "ifh6!

JιΙ6+

'ilfxe5

Φh5 ΦΜ

.tf2 Jιxg3+

1 ... .l:!.g8 2 "iff6+. 2 "ifxh7+! 3 Φg2 mate(!)

ΦΧh7

followed by 1:[ h 1+ (Andrez-Perez, Havana, 1987). 429.

(Pillsbury-Maroczy, Paris, 1900).

1 "irxh7+! 2 lLIf6++ 3 1:!.h3+

427. 1 "ifxf4!

2 lbf6

4 JιM+ 5 .l:!.f3+

exf4 lbe6

The queen could ηοΙ be saved οη account of 3 lLIn mate. aη 2 ... 1:!. d8 3 lbxd7 %:ι xd7 White wins by 4 c6, and otherwise after the capture of the queen at d7 the rook invades the 7th

ΦΧh7

Φh6 Φg5

ΦΙ4

and if 5 . . . Φe5 6 i-g3 mate (Anderssen-Felsted, Norway, 1987). 430. 1

"ifb6!

245

Irs YOUR MOVEI

l.f6+ 2 "'g7+! 3 ~f6+ 4 hxg7++ 5 Ah7 mate

2 "'xb6 Otherwise Black picks knight.

2 ... 3 {4 If 3

~f4

the

Φh2

Φη7

Axg2 434. Black overlooked

Ah2+.

3 .•. 4

υρ

'itg8 Axg7 'ith8

2 .xc6+! Agl++ 1:8g2 mate

(Vademark-Sjoldebrand, holm, 1987).

Here this typical combination is lengthened by one move. After

Stock-

431.

2 .•• 3 .i.xa6+

bxc6

it is not yet mate 1 ... 2 1:112

.b5!! 3 .•.

Ifthe queen is taken by the bishop or knight, there follows 2 ... ~b3 mate. 2 ..•

~xc3!

'itd7

is possible, but then 4

~f6

mate

(Rytov-Skuya, Riga, 1971).

White resigns - 3 .xc3 ~b3+; 3 .i.xb5 ~b3 mate; 3 bxc3 ... bl mate (Vetemaa-Shabalov, USSR, 1986).

435. It was not. Instead of2 "'a8+? (Dikarev-Pelts, Κiev, 1964) White could have drawn by

432.

2 "'e5+! 1 ... 2 hxg3

.xg3! Φι7!

(Alapin-SchitTers, St Petersburg, 1902). 433. White gives mate moves:

ίη

five

If 2 ... "'g7, then 3 "'b8+ "'xb8 - stalemate, while οη 2 ... Φh7 (or 2 ... 'itg8) stalemate follows after 3 "'g7+! 436. 1 Ae8+!

Axe8

246

QUEEN SACRIFICE

1 ...

ιl;χΠ

2

'iνe6

2 "it'xg7+! 3 fxe8=.!Lι+ 4

ιl;xg7

..tb7 6 Φd4, threatening the Q-side pawns: 6 ... φf8 7 φc5 φe7 8 .!Lιd4 Φd79 ιl;b6, and then (after 9 ... .tc8)

and

.!Lιc6-b4(b8).

mate.

.!Lιxc7

remaining a rook υρ (L. Bulovcic, Sombor, 1966).

Ρορον

437. 1 "it'xh7+ 2 .!Lιg6+ 3 .l:.h8+

ιl;xh7 φg8 ιl;Γ1

The reader wilI probably having already met a simi1ar situation ίη the game Janowski-Schlechter (position 419). There .l:.f8 gave mate. And here? Here the same move

439. 1) 1

:!.xg2?

would have lost: φΙ6

2 ... f8+ 3 "'h8+

4 .l:.f8+ is made, and mate folIows a little later 4 ... 5 d6 mate!

But ίη 1966 Β. Voronkovfound that instead of 3 ... .txf2+ Black should play 3 ... .txe4 4 .!Lιxd4 Φf8. After 5 f3 .td5 6 φf2 φe7 7 ιl;e3 φd6 8 f5 Φc5 Black is threatening Ιο create a passed pawn, and the chances are οη his side. Thus Pillsbury's combination was correct.

"it'xf8

ιl;gS

(3 ... φe7 4 :!.e1+!). White cannot take the queen ίη view of 4 ... .Ι:. h2+ 5 φg1 .u. cg2 mate, but, after vacating Π for his king 4

J:ιxfS+!

(Ahues-N.N., Berlin, 1932). 438. This occurred ίη the game Janowski-Pillsbury (Hastings, 1895). Later Chigorin stated that Pillsbury's combination could have been refuted by a counter queen sacrifice - 3 'ifxe4 .txf2+ 4 ιl;xf2 .txe4. Ιη the ending White is a pawn down, but ίι is Black who has Ιο think ίη terms of saving the game. There can follow 5 φe3

he can then take ίι. 2) The 'last desperate trap' set by White ίη the game Hartoch-Spassky (Amsterdam, 1970) did not succeed. After Black had blocked the back rank with 1 .•• the game was

.te8! ηοΙ

continued

247

IT'S YOUR MOVEf

White resigned. Οη 2 J:tgl (there is now ηο check at f8, and White is oblίged Ιο defend his bishop) Black wins by 2 ... 'ii'xgl+! 3 'ίPxgl J:txg2+ 4 ΦhΙ J:th2+ 5 ΦgΙ J:tcg2+ 6 Φf1

2 ltJ g5

Wf5

2 ... ltJxg6 3 lίJίΊ mate, or 2 ... i.f5 3 'ii'h5+.

~b5+.

440. 1

lίJef6+

wh8

3 We8+! J:txe8 lίJxΠ 4 ltJn+ 5 J:t xe8 mate

Index

οΙ

Players and Analysts (numbers refer

Abelman 243 Abolinsch 95 Abramson 143 Abrosimov 82, 120 Adams 7,226 Adorjan 160 Agdamus 87 Ahues 14, 246 Airapetov 161 Alapin 245 Alatortsev 176 Alekhine 83,102, 131, 162,225,227,230 Aleksandrov 122 Alekseyev 243 Alexander 139 AIster 241 Amado 74 Ambainis 120 Anderssen, Α. 6,35,216,217,220,221,222 Anderssen 244 Andreyev 155 Andrez 244 Anikayev 170 ΑnΙοnον 11 Arnold 11

Ιο

pages)

Aronin 14, 61 Asafov 80 Asmundsson 13 Asztalos 64 Auerbakh 210 Averbakh 167 Aymukhanov 44 Bachmann 36 Baginskaite 75 Balashov 184 Bannik 127 Baskov 193 Bastrikov 137 Bednarski 66 Behrens 44 Belavenets, L. 56 Belkadi 45 Belov 91 Benko 8 Berebora 65 Berg 58 Bernstein, ο. 145 Bernstein, S. 75 Bielczyk 34 Bielicki 143 Biglova 23

248

ΙΝΟΕΧ

OF ΡΙΑ YERS

Bίlek

199 241 Bisguier 45 Bjarnason 82 B1ackburne 24, 65, 222 B1ake 34 B1aszak 71 B1umenfe1d 93 Bobotsov 182, 201 Bodisko 86 Bohm 70 Bo1bochan 74 Bo1es1avsky 17, 176, 207 Bonch-Osmo1ovsky 28 Bondarevsky 230 Borisenko, G. 87 Botvinnik 17, 97, 139 Boudre 160 Boyovich 242 Brinck-Claussen 11 Bronstein 138, 178, 184 Bryan 115 Buchis 64 Bulovcic 246 Butkevich 130 Bykhovsky, Αη. 17 Bykov 21 Bίlkar

Cana1 228 Capab1anca 92, 191, 225, 229 Carbone 133 Car1s 145 Car1sson 141 Carrion 15 Chagan 130 Chaikovskaya 59 Chekhova 243 Chekhover 77 Chernikov, ο. 187

ΑΝΟ ΑΝΑΙ YSΤS

249

Cheron 100 Chigorin 63,93, 107, 13~ 14~ 151, 155, 190 Chistyakov 25, 129, 154, 183, 193 Chomski 243 Chudinovskikh 184 CΊric 198 Clarke 10 Colle 227 Csema 155 Cuellar 133 Dahlίn

84 Damiano 2 Dashevsky 32 Davidson 26 De Lange 90 De1 Rio 4 Denker 124 Devos 127 Diemer 120 Dijkstra 242 Dikarev 245 Dimitrijevic 38 Dimitrov 129 Dittmann 41 Djindjihashvilί 158 Dmitrieva 59 Doda 54 Donchev 11 Dragunov 123 Dubinin 14 Dueball 73 Dufresne 217 Dumoncxeau 126 Duras 110 Durasevic 99 Duz-Khotimirsky 137, 175 Dvoretsky 226

250

Dydyshko 242 Eckart 6 Eichenbaum 213 Ekstrom, F. 9 Ekstrom, R. 43,61 Englίsch 223 Englund 67 Eperyesi 39 Estrin 76, 183 Ettingen 128 Euwe 177 Factor 73 Fainboim 65 Fairhurst 109 Fatalίbekova 49 Fedin 95 Feldt 225 Felsted 244 Fershter 241 Fiedler 121 Fίlatov 67 Fίlipov 59 Fίlipowicz 169 Fine 108 Fischer 46, 78 Florian 16 FonarofT 225 Foulds 52 Fridman 32 Fuchs 11 Fuderer 45 Furman 48

Gabrisz 169 Galander 55 Garcia Perez 126 Garifullin 49

ΙΝΟΕΧ

OF PLA YERS

ΑΝΟ ΑΝΑL YSΤS

Gegeris 95 Geisert 241 Geller 152, 207 Gergel 116 Gibbs 93 Gipslίs 92, 185 Glίgoric 27, 182, 199 Glukhovsky 81 Goglίdze 97 Gorbachov 58 Granau 55 Grassi 147 Grechkin 99,206 Greco 2 Gιiinfeld 69 Gunsberg 55 Gurevich 68 Gurgenidze 21,94 Gurin 19 Gurνich 134 Gusev 210 Gusev, Ν. 68 Gutop 142 Halvorsen 90 Hartlaub 36 Hartoch 246 Hazai 29 Hecht 164 Heinra 125 Henneberger 23 Henning 44 Hermann 41,55 Hernandez 70 Hofmann 214 Hooke 34 Horowitz 124 Horνath 140 Horwitz 81

ΙΝΟΕΧ

Ignatiev 187 Ilyin-Genevsky 191, 204 Inkiov 242 Iochelson 56 Ivanov 129, 151 Iνanovic 26 Ivkoν 62 Jakobsen 241 Janowski, Α. 60 Janowski, D. 228, 243, 246 Januszowski 128 Johansson 10 Jovanovic 147 Juarez 13 Kaiser 242 Kaiszauri 242 Kakabadze 114 Kalinkin 140 Kalinski 66 Kamyshov 51, 76 Karasev 43 Kiίrner 145 Karpov 112, 148, 152,241 Kasparian 80 Kasparoν 50, 148 Katskova 114 Keres 22, 60, 138, 178, 231 Khalomeyev 19 Khasanova 15 Kholmov 72, 206 Kieseritzky 126, 216 Kimmelfeld 91 Kinmark 147 Knuszinski 34 Koch 130 Kochiev 18 Kofman 67, 109

OF ΡΙΑ YERS

ΑΝΟ ΑΝΑΙ YSTS

Kolarov 62 Kolisch 219 Kondrakov 81 Konoνaloν 81 Konstantinopolsky Kopayev 129 Korchnoi 241 Koshtenko 72 Kotov 94, 167, 230 Krantz 84 Kreichik 155 Kristol 149 Krogius 112 Krupenko 82 Krutikhin 68 Krystev 80 Kugenek 171 Kunstmann 36 Kuntsevich 8 Kuuskmaa 72 Kuzmin 158 Kuznetsov 17 Kveinis 64

251

νiii

La Bourdonnais 197 Lang 52 Lasker, Ed. 41, 67, 88 Lasker, Em. 92, 204, 227, 244 Lazard 157 Lebedev 242 Lederman 8 Lee 71 Legall 99 Leizerman 79 Lerner 72 Lesnev 242 Letelier 78 Leνenfish 22, 25, 60, 74 Levin 97

252

Levitsky 151, 224 Lhagva 35 LΉermet 51 Lί1ienthal 28, 61, 229 Lipnitsky 202 Lisίtsyn 74, 86 Littlewood, J. 11 Ljubojevic 121 Lolli 4 Lucena 1 Lukovnikov 243 Lundin 41 Lutikov 100 Lyogky 43 Lysenko 49 Machulsky 68 Mackenzie 86 Makarov, Α. 127 Makna 76 Makov 151 Malyutin 190 Mamayev 98 Mandolfo 219 Marangunic 96 Margolit 118 Maroczy 244 Marovic 130 Marshall 224, 244 Marshall, S. 41 Martins 73 Masic 160 Mason 86 Matsukevich 86 Matthews 105 Matulovic 56 McDonnell 197 Meitner 224 Melikov 52

ΙΝΟΕΧ

OF PLA YERS

ΑΝΟ ΑΝΑΙ YSΤS

Menchik 157 Mendheim 148 Mester 20 Mieses 55 Miglans 70 Mikkov 145 Mίles 95, 121, 241 Mills 132 Miroshnichenko 138 Mitov 47 Moller 180 Monostori 16 Morozova 149 Morphy 115,218,219 ΜϋΙΙer 120 ΜϋΙΙer, Η. 42 Nadezhdin 44 Najdorf 14 Negyesi 41 Ν eishtadt 208 Nekrasov 91 Nenarokov 151 Neumann 241 Ν ezhmetdinov 80, 87, 114, 187, 198, 200 Nielsen 45 Nietsche 73 Nikitin 48, 130 Nikolayevsky 113 Nikolov 163 Nordstrom 58 Ν ouissere 66 Novotelnov 154 Odurkovsky 123 O'Kelly 89, 127 Oreshkin 98 Osmanagic 27

ΙΝΟΕΧ

Ozolίnsh

OF PLA YERS

58

Pachrnan 60, 74, 78 Padevsky 13, 59 Pagil1a 133 Parnpin 134 Panov 86,99,243 Panteleyev 20 Pares 8 Parrna 144 Paulίc 38 PauIsen 218 PavIenko 77 Pedreny 74 Pelts 245 Penrose 89 Perenyi 39 Perez 244 PerIasca 147 Peterson 13 Petroff 214 Petrosian, Α. 29 Petrosian, Τ. 26, 50, 77, 144 Peyko 25 Pf1ughaupt 55 PieIhaI 219 Pil1sbury 71, 115, 244, 246 Pirisi 78 Planinc 96 PIaskett 7 Podgorny 10 Podtserob 8 PoIugayevsky 40 PoIyak, Ε. 72 Ponziani 4 Ρορον 37,47 Ρορον, L. 246 Portisch 241 Potter 105

ΑΝΟ ΑΝΑΙ YSTS

PrainfaIk 72 Praszak 118 Priwonitz 38 Przepiorka 241 PyteI 8 Radchenko 206 Ragozin 25 Randviir 125 Rannefort 241 Rashkovsky 170 Rattrnann 38 Razdobarin 104 Reiner 9 Reshevsky 133 Reti 224 Richter 14, 116 Riernann 6 Rock 220 Rogers 18 Rornanovsky 22,171,175,243 Rornberg 85 Rosanes 220,221 Roshal 142 Rossetto 16 Rossolίrno 79, 231 Rovner 137 Rozenberg 242 Rubinetti 87 Rubinstein 111 Rusakov 140 Ruzhnikov 149 Rytov 245 Saidrnan 49 Saidy 59 Siirnisch 162, 228 Sarnsonov 114 Sandler 12

253

254

ΙΝΟΕΧ

OF ΡιΑ YERS

Santasiere 7 Sapi 140 Saunina 243 Schardtner 41 Schiffers 63, 93, 245 Schlechter 146,224,243 Schmid 93, 123 Schneider 78 Schulten 81 Schwarz 36 Schweber 13 Schwicker 160 Seidler 14 Seidman 75 Semenov 65 Serebrennikov 12 Sergeyev 103 Sergievsky 112 Shabalov 245 Shakhnazarov 52 Shamkovich νίίί Shein 159 Shifman 119 Shilov 104 Shostakovich 109 Sideif-Zade 185 Sίlva, F. 15 Simagin 143, 178, 187 Sjoberg 43, 61 Sjoldebrand 245 Skala 77 Skuya 13,242,245 Slίwa 54 Smolny 80 Smyslov 16, 161, 181 Sokolov 149 Sokolsky 51, 119 Somogyi 65 Spassky 22,144,231,241,246

ΑΝΟ ΑΝΑΙ YS~

Spencer 109 SpieImann νίίί, 8, 51, 62, 180 Spirίdonov 54 Spona 70 Stafeckίs 76 Stamma 2,3,213 Stanchev 59 Starck 241 Starukhin 100 Steinίtz 9, 24, 219, 220, 244 Sterud 208 StoIyarov 20 Strandstrom 23, 138 Suetin 21,207,242 Sugar 79 Svenn 147 Syversen 10 Sznapik 242 Taimanov 40,241 Tal 7,46,50, 164, 181, 196,201,241 Tarrasch 6,30, 69, 83, 85, 107, 121 Tartakower 30,224,241 Teichmann 225, 244 Tenner 103 Thomas 26, 88 Tikhanovic 20 Tίmofeyev 21 Tolush 202 Toran 196 T<~rnerup 60 Torre, C. 226,227 Toth 64, 133 Toth, Β. 12 Tringov 80 Troianescu 35, 147 Troynov 37 Tsai 97 Tseitlίn, Mark 242

ΙΝΟΕΧ

Tsemsh 70 Tsvetkov 56, 60 Tylor 131 Uhlmann 54, 95 Urusov, S. 66 Utyuganov 81 Vademark 245 Vaisman 159 van der Enden 118 van der Wiel 126 Vanka 77 Vasyukov 99, 113 Vazersky 118 Vegh 79 Velimirovic 7 Velting 103 Veresz 13 Vetemaa 245 Videla 53 Vidmar 244 Vinogradov 95 νοη Scheve 244 Vooremaa 6 Voronkov 246

OF ΡιΑ YERS

ΑΝΟ ΑΝΑΙ YS~

Voronova 75 Vukovic 133 Wahl 82 Wayne 132 Westin 141 Wexler 184 Winz 53 Witkowski 71 Wolf 62 Yakubovich 139 Yermolinsky 242 Yudovich 108, 137 Yurkov 91 Zaborovsky 92 Zaitsev 122, 194 Zaitseva, L. 15 Zakhariev 163 Zamikhovsky 200 Ziwitz 116 Zollner 130 Zsoldos 112 Zukertort 35, 222, 223

255