The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2: Test and Improve Your Positional Intuition

The Chess Cafe Puzzle Book 2 Test and Improve Your Positional Intuition by Karsten Muller Foreword by Susan Polgar 2...

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The

Chess Cafe Puzzle Book 2 Test and Improve Your Positional Intuition by

Karsten Muller Foreword by Susan Polgar

2008 Russell Enterprises, Inc. Milford, CT USA

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 Test and Improve Your Positional Intuition © Copyright 2008 Karsten MUller All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any manner or form whatsoever or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. ISBN: 978-1-888690-43-9

Published by: Russell Enterprises, Inc. PO Box 5460 Milford, CT 06460 USA http://www.chesscafe.com [email protected] Cover design by Janel Lowrance

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents Foreword Signs & Symbols Introduction I . Motifs Good and Bad Bishops Domination Outpost Undermining Opening the Position Blockade Improving Piece Placement Prophylaxis A Second Front Counterplay Positional Exchange Sacrifice Simplification Weaknesses Weak Color Complex

4 4 5 6 6 12 17 23 26 29 31 37 41 45 48 52 58 66

2.Tests Test 0 1 Test 02 Test 03 Test 04 Test 05 Test 06 Test 07 Test 08 Test 09 Test 1 0 Test I I Test 1 2 Test 1 3 Test 1 4 Test 1 5 Test 1 6 Test 1 7 Test 1 8 Test 1 9 Test 20

72 72 77 81 85 89 93 97 101 1 05 1 09 1 13 1 17 121 1 25 1 29 1 33 1 37 141 1 45 1 49

Exercise and Test Solutions Score Chart Bibliography

1 53 274 275

Foreword This is a unique training program that aims to help intermediate and advanced players by offering a large number of examples carefully selected by the author, German grandmaster Karsten Muller. While there are many books and software programs available to assist chess players in improving their tactical ability, there are relatively few that focus on strategic and positional considerations. Working through these positions and exercises is a great way to improve your positional understanding. I recommend it! Susan Polgar New York, May 2008

Signs and Symbols 1 -0 0-1 �-� +

•

! !! ??

!? ?! ;!; ± +-

';: :;: -+ 00 00

-+

D. Cl

ol m ch wch corr

White wins (Black resigns) Black wins (White resigns) draw agreed check mate a strong move a brilliant or unobvious move a weak move, an error a grave error a move worth consideration a dubious move an equal position White stands slightly better White has a clear advantage White has a winning position B lack stands slightly better B lack has a clear advantage B lack has a winning position an unclear position with compensation with the initiative with an attack with the threat or idea of better is Olympiad match championship world championship correspondence game

4

Introduction Why is it so much easier to find books that focus on tactical exercises rather than positional tests? One reason is that it is easier to locate suitable examples of tactical combinations - at least for me. Moreover, the computer can be used to check the accuracy and uniqueness of the solution. With positional exercises, different computer programs may favor different moves and completely disagree about the evaluation of a given position. This is, of course, never the case when a clear-cut tactical solution exists. In a way, this problem is similar for humans, making it difficult to find examples with unique positional solutions. Therefore, in the tests offered in this book, when I think that different moves also deserve points, I have mentioned these as well . I suggest that you begin with the introductory chapters o f motifs, but you can, of course, start with the exercises as a warm up. I f you are able to solve them quite quickly, then you should tum to the tests. You cannot expect to solve the puzzles on positional grounds alone. Positional motifs do not exist in a vacuum and con crete calculation almost always plays a role. So use your intuition to judge how far you must calculate to get ful l scores. Sometimes it is sufficient to find the first move, at other times you must calculate several moves ahead to ensure that your idea really works. Themes l ike "counterplay" or "opening the position" tend to be more tactical of course, but do not make your decisions on these grounds alone. Always let your intuition be your guide in any given position. You should repeat the tests after some time to train your memory and to recognize the patterns more readily. I hope that after studying this book, you will look at positional matters afresh, e.g. evaluate each exchange of a piece carefully (this problem is extremely important, believe me), look at the plans and ideas of your opponent and add the positionally desirable move to your list of candidates before you start calculating variations. Many thanks to Hanon W. Russell for adding many explanations, Susan Polgar for her foreword, Mark C. Donlan, Helene Romakin, N ikolas Lubbe and Steve Goldberg. Special thanks to Jacob Aagaard for testing the exercises. I wish you plenty of fun with the puzzles and I hope that your overall perfor mance improves! Karsten Miiller Hamburg, May 2008

5

Motifs Good and Bad Bishops

The bishop can only move on half the squares of the chessboard and this has many positional impl ications. I f one bishop is exchanged, the other is also weakened, as the enemy pieces can find a safe haven on opposite color squares of the remaining bishop. So the bishop pair is an important weapon and you should not give your opponent a strong unopposed bishop. This is especially true when an attack with opposite-col ored bishops is possible (see Part B).

Ho/lis,Adrian Swayne (2606) Hovde,Frank (2534) Corr. 1 99 1 (8)

A) Bad Bishop

Trying to restrict and finally dominate minor pieces is an important part of chess strategy. Pawns are usually used to make the bishops "bite on granite." [n Hollis- Hovde, the d3-bishop bites on the f5-h7 pawn chain, while the e3bishop is restricted by the d6- and c5pawns. Conversely, Black's a6-bishop cannot be simi larly restricted. These pawn chains are the active strategy to restrict an enemy bishop. Of course, especially long pawn chains in the cen ter can restrict the bishop. One famous example is the c8-bishop in the French Defense after l .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.e5. In our first example, White's dark-squared bi shop i s permanently bad, as the doubled c-pawns and the blocked f4pawn form a cage. The light-squared bishop is only on a bad square, but it will get stuck protecting c4 if White does not play actively. So 16.j},xf5!? is White's best bet. B lack is better after 1 6:�a4 .:£\aS 17 . .Q.. f2 .:£\f6 1 8.l"!.fel .:£\g4.

16...gxf5 17.�d5+ �f7 1 8 . � x c6 .il.b7!? This is more in the spirit of an attack with opposite-colored bishops than 18 . . . .Q..x c4. 19.�a4 h5 20.�abl 20 . .:£\xhS? is asking for trouble: 20 . . . �h4 2 1 . .:£\g3 f!. h7 22.'
B lack's attack gains momentum and White's bishop will play no role. 2l .f!.fdl was called for. 21 ...h4 22.�fb2 22.afl h3 23.gxh3 Jle4 and Black's attack is very strong. 23 . . . �h4?! allows the po sitional exchange sacrifice 24.f!. xb7!. 22 ... hxg3 23.� xb7 �xb7 24.�xb7

Motifs nothing can stop White's attack on the l o n g d i agon a l : t 6. 4) d 5 1 ? 4) x d 5 17.exd5 .4.xd5 18.t;td2! The point. 1 8: �d4? can be met by 1 8 . . : � e 5 . 18 .§f5 19.f4 iitd7 1 9 . . .�b5 20.§f2 §af8 2 l .�d4 § Sf6 2 2.f5+- . 20. iitd4 �f8 2l . .§ael 2 1 .g4 §hS 22.f5 wins as well. 21 ... .Q.c6 22.g4 1-0 22.�h8+ '
24... iiteSI This is the application of another positional principle: the more pieces that are exchanged, the higher the disadvantage of a bad piece. Black's knight will reign supreme: 25. iitxe8+ .§xeS 26. .sl.d2 .§e2 27. .§b2 4)h5 28.h xg3 4) x g3 29 . .§b8+ 29 . .ilcl

•..

§ x b2 30 . .ilxb2
0

Even without queens such an attack is possible, as long as tactical elements are present and king safety is an issue:

30.Ael .§ x e l + 3 1 . �f2 .§e4 3 2 . � x g3 .§ x c4 33 .§b7+ �e6 34 . .§ x a7 �d5 3 5 .a4 .§ x c 3 + 36.�h4 �e4+ and Black later con verted his advantage. •

David,Aiberto (2487) Plaskett,Jim (2525) Mondariz zt 1 . 1 ( I 0), 1 3 .09.2000

B) Attack with Opposite-Colored Bishops

Pure opposite-colored bishop endgames have a very d ra w i s h n ature ( s e e Dvoretsky s Endgame Manual o r Fun damental Chess Endings). However, when more pieces come into play, then the rule is that the side with the attack (resp. initiative) is favored by the pres ence of opposite-colored bishops, as the defending bishop cannot contribute to the defense: White's powerhouse on d4, combined with the attacking rooks, decides the issue: 26 4)d5! 26.§g3?
Seidler - Ruiz Buenos Aires, 1 974

.

( 27 . § gxg7+
28 .§7e6! B lack cannot defend the dark squares around his king. W hite wants to keep as much attacking poten tial on the board as possible, so he does not exchange pieces. 28 d5 28 . . .�g7 •

..•

29.§ xd6 �g6 30.§eS MS 31 .§aS +- .

B lack's king is feeling the danger, but 7

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 B lack 's in itiative is very strong, as White cannot block the long diagonal: 30.�g1?! 30 . E!.c 5 �e7 3 l . b4 �e4 32.�fl was more tenacious. 30 ... �d5 31.§ xd4 �f3 32.J}.e1 .§e8 33.§d2 h5! Initiative is more important than material here. Black wants to undermine W h i te ' s s h e l t e r : 3 4 . §f2 � x b3 35.Jl.b4 h4 36.f5 §e3 37.Jl.d6 g5 38.f6 §d3 39.Jl.c7 §d1 0- 1

29.Jl.xf6 d4 30.§g3+ �h7 30 .. .'it'f8 3 l .Ae5! +- . 3 1 . §g5!? d3 3 l . . . E!.d7 32. E!.xh5+ 'it>g6 33.g4 'it>f7 34.f5 E!.aa7 3 5 . A x d 4 +- F t ac n i k i n CBM 7 9 . 3 2 . § x h 5 + �g6 3 3 . §g 5 + �h7 34.Jl.c3 Jl.d1 35 . .§e3 1-0 The next example shows a nice combi nation based on an attack with oppo site-colored bishops: Taimanov,Mark (2530) Vitolimoh,Aivis (2415) Jurmala (9), 1 978

C) The Bishop-Pair

-

Two bishops are usually very strong. Jonathan Rowson describes this in The Seven Deadly Chess Sins (page 1 30) as fol lows: "Although the pair of knights can be very effective, we don't see them as 'a pair' because there is nothing one knight can do that t h e other can ' t i n principle . . . There may b e someth ing good about 'the two knights' in a par ticular position, but this is purely acci dental, for there is no reason in prin ciple why a pair of them should be more than the sum of their parts. On the other hand, one bi shop makes up for the shortcomings of the other, and takes care of its own shortcomings in the pro cess. So what happens when you cap ture the opponent's bishop is not only that you remove one piece of value, but that you 'weaken' the other bishop too."

24. . . § xe4! 25 . .§ xe4 d5 26.§ xd4 26.cxd5? �xd5 2 7 . E!.bel ( 27. El.e8+? E!.xe8 2 8 . � x d 5 E!.e 2 + 2 9 . 'it> h l Ax b l -+ ) 27 . . .A x e 4 2 8 . E!.x e 4 �xb3 -+ . 26 ... c x d4 27 .§c1 Jl.e4

28.�d1 dxc4 29.§ xc4 Jl.a8!

A single bishop can operate on both wings simultaneously, so it is easy to understand that the bishop-pair are a tactical powerhouse (especially in open positions) and are a strong endgame weapon. Therefore, it is no wonder that many positional operations aim to ob tain the bishop-pair:

8

Motifs 32 .cxb5 tzlxe4 33.§. xc8 �xc8 34.�xf4 Ag5 35.�fl tzld2 36.�f2 tzlc4 37.�c2 axb5 � . 3l . . . b)(c4 32.� )(f6+ ...Q. )(f6

Naiditsch,Arkadij (2524) Lutz,Christopher (2643) GER-ch Altenkirchen (9), 08. 1 2.200 1

33 .thd6 �d3 34. � )( b8 Et )( b8 35.Jl)(d3 35.§. xc4 tzlb2 -+ is the tac tical justification. 35 ... c)(d3 B lack is winning because of the bishop-pair, combined with the l ight-squared weak nesses in White's camp, and the passed pawn on d3 . 36.Etc4 Etbc8 37.Jl.c5 Jlc6 38.�b3 ...Q. b 5 39.Etc3 Jlg5 40.a4

I n this typ ical Hedgehog structure, Black successfully undermines White's overextended center and ulti mate ly wins the bishop-pair. This is decisive in the resulting endgame: 28 e51 The weakening of d5 is not so important, since White can't use it. 29.f5 29.fxe5 tzl x e 5 3 0 .tzld5? ( 3 0 ." � e 2 �c7 �) ••.

30 . . .tzlxd5 3 1 . c xd5 §. x c l 3 2 . � >< c l (32.§.xcl .llg5 33.Ae3tzlxd3 34.�xd3 .llx e3 35. �><e3 .ll x d5 -+ ) 32 . . .tzlxd3 33.§. xd3 .ilg5 34.Jle3 §. xe4 35 ..1l.xg5 h xg5 =i= Ribli in CBM 87. 29 . . . �f4 30.�d5 30 .Ae3 tzlxd3 31.�xd3 t.

40...Jlc61 40 . . ..1l.xa4? 4 l .§.cxd3 allows W h i te s o m e h o p e . 4 1 . h4 Jl )( h4 4 2 . � a 5 Jl )( a4 4 3 . Et d )( d3 Jl.el 44.Eta3 Jlc2 45.Eth3 Eted8 46.Etal Etdl 47.Et)(dl Jl )(dl 48.Ete3 Jlh4 4 9 . � c4 ? 1 Jlf2 5 0 . Etc3 ...Q. e l l 5 1 . � d6 5 l . §. c l A x b4 5 2 . .1l. x b4 Ae2 -+ and Black wins, despite the opposite-colored bishops, because of the many l ight square weaknesses i n White's camp. 51 ... Jl)(c3 52.� )(c8 Jlc2 5 3 . � d6 Jld3 54.g3 Jlb2 55.Jle3? 5 5 . Bb6 was more tenacious, but B lack will ultimately prevail, e.g.

30 ... b51 31 ..1lbl?

55 . . . g6 5 6 . fxg6 fxg6 5 7 . 'it'g2 .ll. c 3 58.Ac5 h 5 59. 'ifi>f3 Ad2 -+ . 55 Jla3 0-1 Naiditsch resigned as . . . a5 follows. •••

The advantage of the bishops is larger than Black's plus after 31.tzl xf4! exf4

As a rule, the side with the bi shops wants to control the position and then

9

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 open it on their own terms. Usually it takes time to win the bishop-pair, so the opponent gets some dynamic compen sation. This must be used to create weaknesses and outposts for the knights to use their dynamic potential before the bishops can control the position and restrict the knight's activity: Sturua,Zurab (2595) /zoria,Zviad (2372) Yerevan zt 1 .5 (4 ), I 0.06.2000

l .c4 eS 2 . .£l c3 .£lf6 3 . .£lf3 .£lc6 4.e3 .1l.b4 S.�c2 .1l.xc3!? B lack vol untarily cedes the bishop-pair. 6.�xc3 "tte7 7.d3 Here's one game that illus trates what can happen if Black does not follow up actively: 7.a3 0-0 8.b4

knights. 8 . .1l.e2 8.cxdS
had good play in A.Chemin-S.Polgar, B udapest 1 9 9 3 . 8 . . . 0 - 0 9 . 0 - 0 ? 1 9.cxdS

dxe4 1 2.b3 §ad8 13. .1l.b2 .£1b4

d6 9.d3 ..Q.g4 10 . ..Q.b2 E! ad8 11..il e 2 '
bishops ruled i n N . Ostoj ic-D. Kosic, Herceg Novi 200 l . White has complete control and went on to win. 7 . . . dS! Now it i s c l ear that B l ac k ' s l ight squared strategy has succeeded. 14.f3?! T h i s creates furth e r w e a k n e s s e s . 1 4 . f! fd l <£ld3 l S .
1 6 . .£j f l §fe8 1 7 . .£l g3 .£l d 3 1 8 . j}_ xd3 §xd3 1 9 . �a S § xe3 2 0 . j}_ xf6 gxf6 2 1 . �d2 �cS 22.§xe3 §xe3 23."�f2 �eS and B lack later converted his advantage.

Black wants to open the position to gen erate active opport u n i t i e s for h i s

10

Motifs Exercises

(EOJ) Suetin,Alexey Botvinnik,Mikhail URS-ch20 Moscow, 1 952

(EOl ) Short,Nigel (2677) Gurevich,Mikhail (2667) FIDE World Cup-B (5), 05.09.2000

B

w

How to continue White's attack? (Five points) Solutions begin on page 1 53 .

How did Botvinnik neutralize White's pressure? (Three Points)

(E02) Bareev,Evgeny (2721) lvanchuk, Vassily (27 1 0) 1 9th EUCup (6), 03 . 1 0.2003

(E04) Leko,Peter (2600) Rodriguez Cespedes,Amador (2555) Yopal (3), 22 .06. 1 997

w

w

Both sides are attacking with opposite colored bishops. But White's whole army is better mobilized, so it is per haps no surprise that he is winning. But how is this done? (Two points)

White has many threats and is well-cen tral ized. Can you fi nd h i s Achi l les' heel? (Four points)

11

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 Domination

h a v e i n c reased the pre s s u re w i t h 26.E! xd8 4:lxd8 27.e5! f6 28.�e3 as 28 . . . 4:l f7? is met by 2 9 . l"! c l .!ld7 30.E!c7 +- (Psakhis in CBM 89 extra). 26 ... E{ xd2 27.E{xd2 f6 28.a3 h51? 29.
Restricting the scope of the enemy pieces is a very important positional strategy. Studying the games of players like Karpov and Kramnik will allow you to see this concept in action and give you a better understanding of it. There are different degrees of domination: zugzwang is when all the enemy pieces are restricted, but just one dominated piece can spell trouble, as we will see in Topalov-Leko. However, let's first look at the general strategy:

4:ld4 32 . .ile2! g4.

Psakhis,Lev (2574) Gustafsson,Jan (2542) 20th Andorra Ia Vella op (7), 1 2.07.2002 -

Now Psakhis' suggestion 33.h3! to open a second front is convincing: 33 . . . 4:lxe2 (33 . . .gxh3 34.4:ld5+ +- ) 34.�xe2 gxh3 3 5 . �f3 �e8 3 6 . E! h 2 +- . 29 J}.d7 ••.

30.
White has more space and the initiative. But how does he make use of these ad vantages? 20.Ah31 Right! By stopping the freeing advance . . . eS, Psakhis en sures that Black's queenside cannot be developed. Next, he will j ust centralize his army and make sure that Black can not untang l e . 20 . . . �a8 2 1 . � ca4 � xb6 22.� x b6 E{e8 23.f4
3l ... �a7? Now White's monarch will enter with decisive effect. B lack had to exchange his passive rook immediately: 3 1 . . .l"!d8! 32.l"! xd8 4:lxd8 (Psakhis) and 12

Motifs Black can still offer tenacious resis tance. 32.�c5 4)c8 33.e51 Fixing the e6 weakness on a light square and re stricting the knight on c8. 33 ...fxe5 34.fxe5 .Q.c6 35 . .Q.g2 Jl x g2 36.gxg2

opponent's p ieces . N owadays most computer programs understand this, but Deep Blue seemed unaware ofthe prob lems until it was too late: Kasparov,Garry (2795) Deep Blue Philadelphia m (6), 1 996 [030]

1.4)f3 d5 2.d4 c6 3.c4 e6 4.4)bd2 4)f6 5.e3 c5 6.b3 4)c6 7.J1b2 cxd4 8.e x d4 .Q.e7 9.gct 0-0 10.J1d3 Jld7 1 1 .0-0 4)h5? A very bad move, as it loses valuable time. 1 2.l:!el 4)f4 13. .Q.bt .Q.d6 14.g3 4)g6 15.4)e5 gcs t6.4) xd7 �xd7 17.4)f3 Jlb4 ts.ge3 gfd8 19.h4 4)ge7 36 . . . 4)a7 36 . . . \t>e8 3 7 . § a 2 !? Good prophylaxis. The fol lowing line shows why : 37 . . . .£la7 ( 37 . . . \t>e7 38 . .£lxc8+ § x e S + 3 9 . \t>b6 § b8 4 0 . \t>c7 +- ; 37 . . . \t>d8 3 8 . § d 2 + \t>e8 39 . .£l x c8 § x c8+ 4 0 . \t>b6 t:!c 3 4 l . a 4 t:!c4 4 2 . § b 2 +- ) 3 8 . \t>d6 .£lb5 + 39.\t>xe6 +- ; The rook endgame after 36 . . . .£lxb6?! 37.\t>xb6 is totally winning

because of White's activity, which is extremely important in rook endings in genera l : 3 7 . . . \t>d7 3 8 . § d 2 + \t> c 8 39.\t>a7 +- . 37.gd2 Now White's su perior acti v i t y d e c i d e s the i s s u e : 3 7. . . �f7 38.gd7+ �g6 39-�d6 4)b5+ 40 . � x e6 4) x a 3 4 t . �e7 4)c2 4 2 . 4) d 5 �f5 43 .e6 4)d4 44.�f7 4)f3 44 ... .£lxe6 45 ..£le7+ \t>e5 46.t:!d5 + +- ( P sakh i s ) . 45.4)e7+1 ? �e4 46.4)g6 4)g5+1 47.�e7 �f5 48.4)f4 h4 48 . . . \t>g4 49.§d8 § xd8

Now White mobilizes his pawns to re strict B l ack to the maximum. 20.a3 .Q.a5 21.b4 .Q.c7 22.c5 B lack's army makes a very poor impression. The w h i te pawns d o m i n ate the board . 22 ... ges 23. �d3 g6 24.ge2 4)f5 25 . .Q.c3 h5 26.b5 "Keene calls this 'Kasparov's strategy of strangulation' and points out that 26.b5 doesn't just attack the knight but establishes 'a gi ant, crawling mass of wh ite pawns, rather resembling a colossal army of soldier ants on the move.'" (Friedel in CBM 50) 26 ... 4)ce7 27.Jld2 �g7 28.a4 gas 29.a5 a6 30.b6

50.\t>xd8 .£lxe6+ 5 1 ..£lxe6 b6 52.\t>c7 a5 53.b5 +- (Psakhis). 49.gd5+ �g4

50.h3+ 4) xh3 51.4) xh3 1-0 The fol lowing game is an ideal example of u s i n g pawns to restrict t h e 13

The ChessC�fe Puzzle Book 2 Topalov, Veselin (2745) Leko,Peter (2722) Candidates final Dortmund (2), 1 9.07 .2002

30 ...Jl.b8?? Now B lack's bishop and a8-rook are out of the game. 30 . . . Jld8 was absolutely necessary, when the e7knight could go to c6 and the bishop to f6 . 3 l .Ac2 .£) c 6 3 2 . Jl.a4 E!e7 3 3 . Ac3 .£) e 5 ? 1 34 . d x e 5 � x a4 35 . .£)d4 .£) xd4 36.� xd4 As more pieces are exchanged, the weakness of the dominated pieces is felt to a greater degree. 36 ... �d7 36 . . . �xd4 37.�xd4

43.E!h6 E!f7 44.�e6 E!f8 45.�e4?1 45 .'\;i'fS!? '\;i'e7 (45 . . . �f7 46.�e6 �f8 47.�h4!5:5 ) 46.�d3 �b7+ 47.f3! 4:\b2 48.�c2 �g7 49.�hl �g8 (49 .. .f5!? is probably B lack's best bet 50.�bl 4:\a4 51.�xa4 �g8 52.g4 fxg4 53.f4! White

�d7 38.�b2 �d8 39.c6 bxc6 40.b7

must use B lack's g-pawn as a shield 53 . . . �b7+ 54.'it>gl �e4 55 .�b3 and White is still fighting.) 50.g4 f5 5 1 . '\;i'xf5

� a7 4 l .� xc6 +- ; 36 . . . �c6 37.�d2 �d7 38.�g5 and White's attack on the

kingside w i l l w i n the game easi ly. 37.Jl.d2 E!e8 38..1lg5 E!c8 39.Jl.f6+ 'it/h7 40.c61? The decisive break through. 40... bxc6 40 . . . � xc6 4 1 .�ec2

4:\c4 (5 l . . . � e8 5 2 . � c l 5:5 ) 52.� xh7+ �xh7 53.�f6;�; (Rogozenko in CBM

90) is one line that shows White's re sources. 45 . . . �d7 46. �f3 \t'g7 47.E!h5

� x c 2 4 2 . � x c 2 �e8 4 3 . � c 5 'it>h6 44. �c8 +- . 4 1 . �c5 \t'h6 42.E!b2

�b7 43.E!b41? 1-0 The Deep B lue team resigned as B lack's army is para l yzed, e . g . 4 3 . . . 'it> h 7 4 4 . g4 h x g4 4 5 . � xg4 �g8 46:�e3 '\;i'c8 47.�h3 �e8

48.�g5

�f8

49 . h 5

�h6

50.�xc6 +- .

J ust one dominated piece can spell trouble. In the next example, White has only one pawn for the knight, but he can stil l of fer extremely tough resistance.

47 ... .£jb2? The kn ight is not really much better on b2; improving the rook 14

Motifs 2 2 . 4Jd l 'it'g8! and B lack was OK in J . P i achetka- V. B agirov, Berl in 1 979. 1 7 . . . Jl,.h6 1 8 .f41 B lack 's rook is dominated. 18 b4 1 8 . . . .!"!b8!? may be worthwhile to avoid the advance . . . b4, w h i c h weakens the l ight squares. 19 ..§d6 .§b819 ... bxc3? 20 . .!"!xb6 cxb2 2 l .Axc4 Jlc6 22 . .!"!xb2 and White wins, despite B lack's extra rook. 20 . .£jd1 Jl.xg5 21.fxg5 .£ld5? The idea of sac rificing the knight on e7 does not feel right, as White's whole army gets very active, but it is already difficult to give Black good advice. 2 l . . .Ad5? loses outright: 2 2 . 4Je3 ..lle 6 23 . ..1lg2 ..lld7 24 . ..1lc6 +- . 22.Jl,.xc4 .£l x e7 23.fxe7 \tlxe7 24 .§f6

was necessary: 47 . . J''!.d 8! 48.'�e4 h6 and it is hard to believe that White can hold this. 48..§d5 �e6 49 .§d41 .§cS 49 . . . 4Jc4? 50.�g4+ +- . 50 .§e4 �c6 5Vifj'h2 \tlf8?1 Now it is definitely drawn. 51. . .h5 was the last chance to play for a win. 52.�f41 \tlf7 53.�f5 .§gS 54. �xh7+ .§g7 55. �h5+ \tlf8 56.�f5? Topalov even wants to win! But t h i s is a s k i n g for too m u c h : 56.�h8;!; was warranted. 56 ... .£Jc4 57 . .§e2 5 7 .!'!.e6 !'!.h7 + 5 8 . � x h 7 � x e6 -+ ( Rogoze n k o ) . 57 . . . .§g5 5 8 . �h7 .£le5 59. �h6+ \tlg8 60. � x g 5 + f x g 5 6 l . .§ x e5 �f6 62 . .§e2 �f3 63 . .§d2 \tlf7 64.a4 �b3 65 ..§d6 � x a4 66 .§b6 �a2 0-1 •

••.

•

•

•

In the next example, Polugaevsky's con cept put Black's whole setup under a cloud: Polugaevsky,Lev (2620) Torre,Eugenio (2550) Moscow, 1 98 1

White continues his strategy of restrict ing Black's pieces. 24 ... .§hf8 25 . .£Je3 Jl.e4 26 .§xa6 .§bdS 27 .§f6 .§d6 28 .§f4 .§d4 29.h5 Jl.d3 30 . .£ld5+ \tld6 3 l . .§ x d4 c x d4 32 .Q.b3?1 Polugaevsky went on to win, although he later showed that 3 2 .Axd3 was c a l l ed for: 3 2 . . . 'it' x d 5 3 3 . h 6 .!"!g8 •

•

•

•

( 3 3 . . . .!"!h8 34 .�f2 �d6 3 5 . �f3 �e7 36. �g4 f6 37 . �h 5 +- ) 3 4 . h 7 .!"!h8 35 .'it'd2 'it'd6 36.�c2 �e7 37.�b3
17.h 4 1117.exf8�+? 'it'xf8 18. !'!.d6 !'!.b8 1 9.Ae3 !'!.h5 20.Ae2 !'!.e5 2 l .'it'd2 b4

15

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 Exercises

(E05) Radjabov, Teimour (2667) Minasian,Artashes (2586) Moscow Aeroflot op (3), 1 7.02.2005

(E06) Jvanchuk, Vassily (2729) Aronian,Levon (2752) Morelia/Linares (2), 1 9.02.2006

w

w

White to move! (Two Points)

How to use White's space advantage? (One point) Solutions begin on page 1 54.

16

Motifs Outpost

An outpost is a weak square that can not be controlled by an enemy pawn, but which can be occupied by a piece supported by its own pawn. Especially the knight needs strong anchor squares: Gurevich,Mikhai/ (2694) lvanov,Mikhail (2454) France chT ( 5 .2), 30.03 .200 1

w i l l o n l y h i t e m pty s q uare s . So 28 . . . A x d 2 w a s forced : 2 9 . � d x d 2 ( 2 9 . � c x d 2? c4 3 0 . bxc4 � x c4 a n d Black's counterplay makes White's task very difficult.) 29 .. :�d7 30:�f3 �e8 3 1 .�e2 ±. 29.�c4 §e8 30.�f3 fS? This weakens B lack's king and gives White another outpost on e6. 30 .. :�e7 offered more resistance, e.g. 3 1 .�dl �bb8 (31. ..�b7 3 2 . 4Ja5 �c7 33.4Jc6 �f8 34.�e2 +- ) 3 2 .a4 � b7 3 3 . � a l "(Jf c 7 3 4 . � a a 2 �b8 3 5 . 4Ja 5 � c7 36.�e2 +- . 31.§e2 §bb8

White's knight is the key to the posi tion. When it manages to land on c4, then converting White's material advan tage will be j ust a matter of technique: 24.�gll �a6 2S.�f3 Jlg7 26.�e2 �b7 27.§d3 Ah61 28.�d2

32.§e61 And it is over: 32 §xe6 3 3 . dxe6 � xe6 3 4 . § xd6 �e4 3S.�xe4 fxe4 36.§e6 §a8 37.a4 §b8 38.aS §xb3 39.a6 1 -0 •••

The fol lowing pawn structure occurs quite frequently: Gershenzon,Sergey Stisis, Yaacov (2403) Israel ch-T (9), 28.04.2000

In the next example, White has a hole on d4, which may serve as an outpost for B lack. White must also be careful not to allow a bind on the dark squares, as one weak square is often connected

28 �d7? White's knight will domi nate the position, while B lack's bishop •..

17

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 with a weak color complex. On the other hand, if he manages to get in c4-c5 and make use of the d6-outpost, he can eas ily be better.

counterchances. 17...j}_x b2 18."l:f x b2 4)c5 19."1:fc2 a5! Strengthening the bind on the dark squares. 20 . .§d2 .§adS 2 1 . .§fd 1 .§ x d2 22 . .§ x d2 .§d8 Exchanging rooks helps B lack, as h i s queen cooperates well with the knights. 23 .§xd8+ "l:f xd8 24.Jl.g2 4)e6 25.�h2 "l:fd6 26."1:fc3 •

12.h3? This helps B lack in his fight for dark square contro l . 12 . .>le3 .£lbd7 1 3.E!fdl 'ifJc7 14 . .£la4 was more to the point, as White must prevent a dark square b i n d . 1 2 . . . j}, x f3 1 3 . A x f3 Jl.c5 14.b3 4)bd7 1 5.Jl.b2 j},d4 16. .§ad1 "l:fc7

26 ... "l:!c5?! This gives White unneces sary counterplay. 26 . . . b6 27.f4 .£ld7 28.fxe5 .tlxe5 29 . .£lf4 .£lc5 + was more precise. 27.f4 exf4 28.gxf4? A tacti cal oversight. 28 . .£lxf4 makes it quite difficult for B lack. One possibility is 28 ... .£lg5 29.�d3 'ifJe7 30. 'ifJc3 a4 31.e5 .tld7 3 2 .h4 Oh7 3 3 . 0d3 f6 34.exf6 .tlh x f6 with an i n itiative for B lack.

28... 4) xe4! 29."1:fd3 29 . ..1lxe4? 'if1f2+ 30 . ..1lg2 'ifJxe2 -+ . 29 . . . 4)d6 30.�h1 g6 and B lack went on to win. In the first two examples, the outpost squares were already there. Now we will have to create them:

17.4)e2? This allows another favorable exchange. B lack's dream scenario of knight vs. light-squared bishop is get ting closer. 17.b4? is also wrong as Black can force the pawn to advance:

Tiviakov,Sergei (2625) Van den Doel,Erik (2583) NED-ch Leeuwarden ( 3 }, 22.06.2002

17 . . . a5 18.a3 axb4 19.axb4 iil'b6 20.b5 .£lc5 +; 17 . .Q.c l !? .£lc5 18 . .£le2 .£le6 1 9.�h2 E!ad8 20 . ..1lg2 ..llc 5 2l .f4 is one

po s s i b l e

l i n e that g i v e s

White begins with a very strong move that restricts B lack's I ight-squared bishop and creates outpost squares on

W h ite 18

Motifs e6 and g6, both of which can be reached from f4.

bxa4? This clearly goes too far. 30 . . . c4 3 l ..ilfl E!e8 3 2 .axb5 .ilxb5 3 3 . E! a l E! b8 (Postny) and B lack can still fight

tenaciously. 3 1 .Bc4 Wh ite converted his advantage: 3l. .. �f7 32.Jl,xe6+ � x e6 33 . .§.d8 Jl.d6 34. .§.g8 �f7 35 . .§.b8 �e6 36.�d3 �e5? This makes it very easy. 37 . .§.g8 gS 38 . .§.h8 Jl. b 5 + 3 9 . �c3 �e6 40. .§. xh6 Jle5+ 41.�c2 c4 42. .§.h8 1 -0 Creating an outpost square with the fol lowing positional pawn sacrifice i s quite typical in Benoni-l ike structures:

18.f5! However, White is not that much better here, as B lack's bishop-pair is qu ite strong, espec i a l ly the dark squared one. 18 ... Jl,d6 19.g3 .§.e8 20. .£)e2 Jl.d7 21 . .£)f4 cS

Tyomkin,Dimitri (2495) Cao Sang (2501 ) EUCup G 6 Budapest (3.5), 1 3 . 1 0. 1 999

2 2 .c4! T h i s prevents B l a c k ' s counterplay and continues the strategy of restricting B lack ' s l i ght-squared b i shop. 22 . . . a6 23.�c2!? A n i ce endgame move that prepares to activate the k i n g . 2 3 . . . Jl,c6 24 . .£)e6 .§.e7 25 ..§.d2 .§.ae8 26. .§.de2 .§. xe6?! This positional exchange sacrifice is very dubious. 26 . . . .1ld7 27.
21.e5! dxe5 22.f5 White has created an outpost on e4 for one of his knights. 22....£)e8 It may seem i llogical to ex change the superfluous white knight, but B lack's task is very difficult any way. 22 . . . �h4 23.
19

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 against B lack's king l ingers in the air:

2 5 . a 5 1 .Q.g4 26. �d2 4) x e4 27.4) x e4 4)d6 28.4) x d6 � x d6 29.b41 e4 30.� xf8+ �xf8 3l .�gl cxb4 32 .Q.xe4 .Q.c3 33.�g2 Jl.f5

20 . . . a5 2 1 . 4) f4 a4 2 2 .b4 4)c4 23.�e2 4)b8 24.4)ell Heading for the c5-outpost, where White's knight contributes to the attack . 24 .Q.g5 25.4)ed3 .Q.c6 26.�c3

•

33 . . . .Q.h5 34.axb6 "ii'!e 5 35 .d6 "ii'!x d6 36.c5 "ii'le5 37.c6 Af3 38.Axf3 "ii'!x e3 39 ..1ld5+ �g7 40.E!fl Af6 4 l . "ii'lf2 �e5

..•

42.f!dl +- . 34 ..Q.xf5 � xf5 35.axb6

�e7 36 .Q.f2 �f7 37 . .Q.c5 b3 38.�dl b2 39 .Q.gl �g5 39 . . . Af6 40.E!bl (40.�e4? is met by 40 . . . Ae5 •

•

(40 . . . E!e5? 4 1 ."ii'lg4 Ag5 42 .d6 .ll c l 43.d7 b l 'i£f 44.d8'i£f+ E!e8 45.f!d7 +- )) 40 . . . 'i£fd7 4 l .f! xb2 Axb2 4 2 . 'i£fxb2 and

White's passed pawns should win the game. 40.b7 .Q.e5? 40 . . . "ii'! x b7 4 l ."ii'fx g5 bl "ii'f 42.f!xbl "ii'fx bl 43.'i£fg4 "ii'ld 3 4 4 . 'it>g 2 'i£fd 2 + 4 5 . Af2 a 5 46."ii'!e4 ± . 41.�xg5 �f3+ 42.�g2

An important moment. B l ack had to exchange his proud c4-knight to prevent White's b2-bishop from joining the at tack! Such an exchange might seem odd at first glance, but you should not be b l i n d e d by your first i m press i o n . 26 4)d7?1 26 . . . "ii'!b6 27.4:\c5 4:\xb2! 28. "ii'!x b2 4:\d7 was more tenacious. 27. .Q.cll White simply plays around the knight, as it contributes nothing to the defense of the black king. 27 ... �e8 2 8 . 4) e l 4) f8 2 9 . 4) fd3 A x e l 30.�dxcl 4)h7 31 .f4 �e7 32.4)c5 .Q.e8 33.4)f3 �c6 34.4) h4 �ec7 35.�el 4)f8 36. �f2 4)d7

�xdl 43.�xb2! 1-0 Sometimes an outpost is not as strong as it looks, especially when the knight is too far away to attack the king:

•••

Balashov, Yuri (2555) Tunik,Gennady (2470) Russian Club Cup Maikop (5), 07.06. 1 998

In this next example, Black creates an outpost on c4, but this does not neu tralize White's advantage, as an attack 20

Motifs 18.jlf2 Jlg4 19.h3 After 19.Ae2, Kasparov gives a dynamic l ine that re flects his style well : 1 9 . . ..ilxe2 20.�xe2 f3! 2 l .gxf3 .£\f4 2 2.�d2 (22:i;1fl §.c8 23.!!gl .£\g6 00) 22 . . . .£\g2+ 23.'it>fl .£\h4 2 4 .i.txh4 � x h 4 , Informant 46/802; 1 9 . 0-0 f3 20.Jle3 �h4 2 l .'l;irf2 �e7 22.§.ac l .£\f4 oo. 19 ... jld7 20.0-0-0

Jle5 2 1 .�bl �f6 22.jle2 .£lg3 23.Jl.xg3?1 23.!!hel .ilxc3 24.�xc3 � x c 3 2 5 . b x c 3 .£\ x e 4 2 6 . .ild4 .ll. f5 27.'>t>b2 §. ac8 i s s l ightly better for

White. (Kasparov). 23 . . . fxg3 24.Jlf3 �ac8 25 .£le2 �g6 25 ...§. c5!? 26.§.cl §. fc8 27 . .ilg4 .ilxg4 28.hxg4 �g6 also gives Black very good compensation. 2 6 . � c l � x c l + 27 . � x c l �c8 28. �e3?1 �f6 29. �d2 �c5 30 . .£lcH

37.g4 Now White's whole army attacks in earnest. 37 ... .£l x c5 38.d xc5 f6 39 . .£l f3 f x e 5 40 . .£1 x e 5 .£1 x e 5 41.� xe5 �f7 42.�e3 �c8 42 . . . d4 4 3 . !! d 3 +- . 4 3 . �d4 Jld7 44.g5 White's attack plays itself. 44 ... hxg5 45.fxg5 �f8 46.h6 �g8 47.c6 � x c6 48. � x c6 Jl x c6 49 . � x e6 Jlb7 50.g6 �e7 51.�e5 1-0

•

Of course, bishops can also use out posts: Gheorghiu,Fiorin (2485) Kasparov,Garry (2760) Thessaloniki ol, 1 988

This allows Black's whole army to join the attack. 30.Rc I to reduce the attack ing potential was called for, e.g. 30 . . . b6 3 l . !! xc5 bxc5 32 . .£:\cl .ilxh3 33 . .£\d3 Ad7 34 . .£:\xeS �xeS and B lack is for choice. 30 ... Af4 3 l . �b4 3 l .�d3 Jlb5 3 2 . � a 3 �d4 33 . .£\b3 �d3+ 34 .'>t>a l !! c7 3 5 .�b4 �c2 36.�el �f2 -+ . 3l ... Jlb5 32 . .£lb3 Jl.d3+ 33-�al �c2 34.�bl 34.�d4 .ile5 3 5 . � x d3 §. x b 2 -+ ( K asparov ) .

15 e41? A typical pawn sacrifice to create a strong outpost on e5 . Kasparov bides h i s time before occupying it: 1 6 . .£l x h 5 .£l x h 5 1 7. f x e4 f41 •..

34 ... Ae5 35. .£lcl Axb2+ 36.�xb2 �xb2+ 0-1

21

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 Exercises (E07) Berkes,Ferenc (26 1 7) Erdos, Viktor (2480) 55th HUN-ch Kazincbarcika (8), 1 7. 05. 2005

(E09) Timofeev,Artyom (2622) Volokitin,Andrei (2679) 3 5th Saraj evo Bosnia (2), 20.05. 2005

How to finish B l ack's development? (One point) Solutions begin on page 1 55 .

Where will the white knight ultimately land? (One point)

(E08) Jackelen, Thomas (2392) Kesse/er,Heiko Bundesliga Germany (3.7), 24. 1 1 .200 1

(E I 0) Anand, Viswanathan (2786) Vallejo Pons,Francisco (2686) Linares ( 1 2), 08.03 .2005

w

B

W h at i s the proper way to deploy B lack's blockading forces? (One point)

How to win the fight for the important central files? (One point)

22

Motifs ( E l l ) Gurevich,Mikhail (2620) Balashov, Yuri (2505) Deutschland, 1994

w

White to move! (Two points) Undermining

If the base of a pawn chain can be cap tured or forced to move, then it can weaken the whole chain : Keene,Raymond Quinteros,Miguel Angel Orense, 1 975

White's pawn shield is in ruins. Now B lack uses the open l ines for a decisive attack: 24.�abl �h8 25.b4 �ag8 26.�fl b6 27.Jl.c3 .£)g4 28.Jl.xg7 � xg7 29.�c3 .£)f6 30.�gl �hg8 31.Jl.fl .£)g4 32.�b2 .£)f2+ 0-1 Outposts can also be undermined:

B lack wants to exploit the fact that White 's h-pawn is no longer on h 2 : 19. . .h5 20 . .£)e2? h was necessary to deter the destruction of White's pawn shield with 20.h4!. 20... h41 21.gxh4 �h6 22 . .£) fg3 � x h4 2 3 . \tl h l �f71?

Nikolic,Predrag (2640) Spraggett,Kevin (2560) Elista ol (8), 06. 1 0. 1 998

In the next example, B lack 's strong knight holds the position together, but 23

The ChessC�fe Puzzle Book 2 28.bxa6!? {Jxa6 29.{Jb4 {Jc5 30.{Jd5! 'il1a7 3 l .{Jxb6 �xb6 32.'il1xc5 'il1b2 is

also much better for White, but B lack h a s s o m e a n n o y i n g c o u n te r p l ay. 28 ... a x b 5 28 . . . a5 2 9 . {J x a 5 �a7 30. {Jc4 {Jxa4 3 l . .§ a l +- (Avrukh in CBM 66 extra). 29.a5JI 4)a4 29 ... 'il1b7 30.{Jb4 Jl.e4 3 l .a6 �a8 32.Axe4 {Jxe4 33.�xb6 ± . 30.a6 4)c5 31.a7 �h8

32."�e5 1-0 Black resigned because if he avoids the exchange of queens, White's queen will land on b8.

not for long: 28.a4!? The normal

Exercises

(E l 2) Iordachescu,Jiiorel (2609) Hillarp Persson, Tiger (2533) 1 3th Sigeman & Co Copenhagen/ Malmo ( I ), 1 5 .04.2005

(E l 3) Markowski, Tomasz (2548) Hickl,Joerg (2600) Bundesliga Germany (3.2), 24. 1 1 .200 1

w

w

It seems that White's initiative has come to a halt, but this is deceptive. How did he continue? (Two points)

How to act on the kings ide? (One point) Solutions begin on page 156.

24

Motifs ( E l 4) Shabalov,Alexander (2615) Baburin,Aiexander (2600) Mermaid Beach (3 ) 28.0 1 . 1 998

( E 1 6) Nimzovitch,Aaron Capablanca,Jose Raul New York (3), 1 927

,

w

B

How to convert the advantage ofthe two bishops? (Two points)

B lack to move! (Two points)

(E 1 5) Gurevich,Mikhail (2634) Espig,Lutz (2425) Bundesliga Germany ( 5 . 5 ), 1 4. 1 2.2002

w

How did Gurevich continue his under mining operation? (One point)

25

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 Opening the Position

The most important way to exploit a dynamic advantage is to open the posi tion, either by exchanging pawns, open ing files or using pawn levers. Finding the right moment and means is often crucial, as opening the position is not an end in itself and you must ascertain that you profit from it rather than your opponent.

k i ng fro m fi n d i ng s h e l te r on the kingside.

Movsesian,Sergei (2624) Tibensky,Robert (2448) SVK-ch Kaskady (6), 02.07.2002

2 2 . �e4! �g8 23.d x c S .Q. x c S 24.�g4+ �f7 2 4 . . . 'it'h8 2 5 .�h6 f5 26.l::(g5 l::(t7 27.<£\f4 �xf4 28.l::(g8+ +- .

2 S . �c 2 �e8 2 6 . � xc4 B l ac k i s busted . 2 6 �e7 2 7 . b4 .Q.d6 2 8 . �cd4 4) b7 2 9 . 4) d 2 ! ? 4)d8 30.�d3 4)b7 31.4)e4 1 -0 •.•

The following game i llustrates the im portance of opening the position when you have an advantage in development. It also shows a typical and very dan gerous plan against the Hedgehog:

Black's king is not very safe and his army lacks coordination, so Wh ite opens the center to make way for his second rook: 18.c4! .Q.d6 18. . . dxc4? plays into White's hand. One typical line runs 19. l::(a dl b5 09 . . .i;k8 20.d5

Rublevsky,Sergei (2634) Mahjoob,Morteza (2366) wchT Yerevan (2.2), 1 3. 1 0.200 I [ B40]

e5 2 l .d6 +- ) 20.dxc5 �c8 21.<£\d4 e5 22.h6 .ilxc5 23.�h5+ 'it'f8 24.l::( x e5 fx e 5 2 5 . � x e 5 l::(g 8 2 6 . �f6 + <£\f7 2 7 . <£\fe 6 + 'it'e8 2 8 . <£\g7+ l::( x g7 29.hxg7 +- . 19.�d2 �c7 20.4)h3

l.e4 cS 2.4)f3 e6 3.c4 b6 4.d4 cxd4 S.4) xd4 .Q.b7 6.4)c3 d6 7.A.d3 a6 8.0-0 g6 9.4)b3 4)d7 Black wants to establish a solid Hedgehog formation with moves such as . . <£\gf6, . . . .ilg7,

dxc4 21.�adl White uses of all his fo rces to e x p l o i t t h e open fi l e s . 21 ... �f8 White's next move illustrates that it is important to prevent the black

.

. . . 0-0, . . . l::(c8, . . .�c7-b8, . . . Jla8, . . . l::(fe8 or . . . l::(fd8. If he does so, then his posi-

26

Motifs and the a6-pawn is weak. But how does he i ncrease h i s advantage? 1 5.c51! B lack has no time to consolidate, as the whole queenside is blown open. 1 5 ... .£j x c5 1 6. A x c 5 W h ite re l i n quishes the bishop-pair to increase the speed ofhis attack. 16 ...dxc5 17. .£Ja5 �b8 18. .£j xb7 �xb7

tion will be difficult to break down. But White can use his initiative immedi ately.

10.a4! The b6-pawn is very important in the H edgehog pawn formati o n . 1 0 ... .£Jgf6 1 0 . . . a5?! l l .Af4 W h i te holds all the trumps, as the important b5-square is firmly in his hands. l l .a5 �c8 12.Ae3 bxa5 13 . .£J xa5 Aa8 t4 .£Jb3!? Ab7

19.t\'a4+? Surprisingly, this is a mis take. It is usually correct to keep the queen on the board when you are at tacking the enemy king. But 19.Axa6! was called for: 19 .. ."�txdl ( 1 9 . . . E! xb2?

•

20 . .1lb5+ E! xb5 2 1 ..:£\xbS +- ) 20.E!fxdl

and White's strong attack continues, even without queens: 20 . . . E!c7 2 l .e5 .:£\d7 2 2 . Ab 5 'lie7 2 3 . A x d7 E! xd7 2 4 . E! x d 7 + '!ixd7 2 5 . E! a 7 + '!ic6 2 6 . E! x f7 +- . 19 . . . .£J d7 20. t\' x a6

t\'bs 2 t .Ab5 Ag7 22.Ac6 �b6 2 3 . t\'a4 't!Jc7 24.Ab5 �e7 25.�fdl �d8 26.�acl t\'b7 White is only slightly better, but went on to win nevertheless.

White has made tremendous progress, as B lack's queenside has been damaged

27

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 Exercises

( E 1 7) Zelcic,Robert (2522) Thorfinnsson,Bragi (2448) 1 5th EU-chT (6), 04.08.2005

(E 1 9) Van Wely,Loek (2655) Bacrot,Etienne (2729) Dortmund (2), 09.07.2005

w

w

How to open the position? (One point) Solutions begin on page 1 57.

How to increase White's pressure on the queenside quickly? (One point)

(E18) Andersson, Ul/(2535) Huguet,Bernard (2255) Las Palmas (3), 3 1 .05. 1 972

(E20) Erenburg,Sergey (255 1 ) AI Tamimi,Hamad (22 1 0) Gibraltar Masters (8), 0 1 .02 .2005

w

w

How to open the position in White's favor? (One point)

H ow to open li nes on the ki ngside? (One point)

28

Motifs (E2 1 ) Korotylev,Alexey (2565) Frolov,Denis (2401) RUS-chT Sochi (9), 28.04.2004

(E22) Sasikiran,Kri.<;hnan (2679) Kasimdzhanov,R ustam (2668) I st Samba Cup (3 ) 1 2. 1 0.2003

-

,

w

w

How to use White's advantage in de velopment? (One point)

White's forces are well centralized, but how to make progress? (One point)

Blockade

N imzovitch pointed out the great im portance of the blockade, as passed pawns must be stopped. The knight is usually the best blockader:

24. '\;¥xd2 t!xe5 25.t!d l '\;¥c5 26 . .11£ 3 ;l;

was called for, as White's bishop feels more at home in an open position . 23 . . . c 5 ! 24.§e2 §de7 25.§fel �d6 26.Jlh3 h5 27. �e3
Jakovljevic, Vlado (2426) Dizdarevic,Emir (2520) BI H-chT Neum (5), 02 .06.2004 -

B lack has established a strong dark squared b lockade on the queenside. 29.f4? This i s fatal. White had to sit tight and let B lack try to open lines of attack. As I said in the previous section:

22 ... e5 23.d5? A m i stake. B l ack's k n ight w i l l be much stronger than W h i t e ' s b i sh o p . 2 3 . d x e 5 t! x d 2

29

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 finding the right moment and means is often crucial, as opening the position is not an end in itself and you must ascer tain that you profit from it rather than your opponent. 29 exf4 30.tt x f4 3 0 .'itrxe7? !!xe7 3l E! . xe7 fxg3=i= . 30 ... laxe2 3l.la xe2 ttxf4+ 32.gxf4 laxe2 33.�xe2 4)e41 34.�e3 4)d6 35 ..4.d7 h4 36.�f3 f5 B lack's pawn majority is mobile, while White's is b lockaded. 37.�e3 �f6 38.�f3 4)e4 B lack appl ies the wel l-known endgame strategy: do not rush. 39.-'l.eS 4)d6 40.Jld7 �e7 4 1 . .1l,c6 4)e4 42.�e3 4)c31? Provoking a weakness. 43.a3 4)e4 44.-'tb5 �f6 45 . .1l,a4 4)d6 46 ..4.c6 g5 B lack finally plays his trump. 47.fxg5+ � xg5 48.�f3 a5 49.A.d7 .£tf7 50.Ac8? •.•

This allows the undermining of White's queenside. 5 0.Ae8 was more tenacious. 50 ... a41 5 1 .b x a4 4)e5+ 52.�e3 .£. xc4+ 53-�f3 4)d61 54..1l,d7 �f6 55.�f4 c4 56.a5 bxa5 57.a4 c3 58. �e3 4)e4 0-1

Exercises (E23) Macieja,Bart/omiej (2618) Dominguez,Lenier (2661) Bermuda (7), 06. 02 .2005

(E24) Gyimesi,Zoltan (2602) Radjabov, Teimour (2667) Aeroflot op Moscow (6), 20.02.2005

B

B lack to move. (One point) Solutions begin on page 1 58.

30

How to assess the position with B lack to move? (Two points)

Motifs (E25) Smyslov, Vassily - Keres, Paul U RS Absolute-ch Leningrad/Moscow ( I ), 1 94 1

B

Black to move! (Two points) Improving Piece Placement

You can use different methods for find ing candidate moves. You can ask your self questions such as: what was the point of your opponent's last move? What is your plan? Do you have any pawn breaks? etc. This chapter deals with improving the placement of your pieces, and one way of doing this is by talking to them: Tisdall,Jonathan (2500) Lechtynsky,Jiri (2435) Osterskars op (9), 1 995

Imagine you are White. B lack has no threats, and it is a relatively quiet ma neuvering position, so it makes sense to open a dialogue with the white pieces. The white king will tell you that it wants to be more central ized. The rook is al ready very happy on c2, as it can use its power on the second rank for defense and the c-fi le to restrict B lack. The knight will say that it is already on a decent square, but that there are even greener pastures on c5. And, voila, you have unearthed the solution: 31 .4)d2J Now B lack l oses a pawn by force. 31 . . . E! b 5 3 1 . . . f! b6 3 2 .lL\e4 4Ja6 3 3 . 4Jc3 +- . 3 2.4)e4 �e7 33.4)c5 4)d5 34.4) xa4 �d6 35.�e2 b6?J 36.b4J and White went on to win. The next i m portant method 1s M a k o go n o v ' s r u l e , a s quoted in Dvoretsky's Positional Play: "In posi tions of strategic maneuvering (where time is not significant) seek the worst placed piece. Activating it is often the

31

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 most reliable way of improving your position." In a way, this is a special case of talking to your pieces:

Hector,Jonny (2562) Aagaard,Jacob (2359) 24th Politiken Cup, Copenhagen (3), 1 7 .07.2002

Khalifman,Alexander (2650) Romanishin,Oleg (2590) I schia, 1 996

How to i m prove B l ack 's position? W h i c h i s h i s worst p l aced p i ece? 24 . . . laae81? A good prophylactic move. 24 ... .£lh5? 2 5 ."iir h 3 i s one line where the hanging pawn on e6 is prob lematic. 25.�el?l 4)fg4 B lack has a very pleasant position and later won.

White's d2-knight is not contributing much to the game at the moment. So let's consider where it wants to be. What is the k n i g h t ' s "dream s q u are?" Khalifman concluded that b5 would be strong and regrouped accord i n g l y : 24. labcl h 5 ? 1 2 5 . 4) b t l 4) e8 26.4)c3 "I#Je7 27.4)b5 The knight has arrived and B lack's position collapses: 27 . . . a6?1 27 . . . .£lg6 2 8 . a x b 6 a x b6 29.§al ± . 28.4)c3 bxa5 29.�xa51 The c4-c5 break will open the position for W h i t e ' s b i s h o p s . 29 . . . Af5

Finally, the next game il lustrates the principle of improving all your pieces to the maximum before opening the position: Istratescu,Andrei (2593) Conquest,Stuart (2556) 4th EU-ch Istanbul ( 1 3), 1 3 .06.2003 [A4 1 ]

29 . . ..£!d7 30 ..£le4 .£!df6 3 1 ..£lxf6+ "iir x f6 32.c5 +- . 30.e4 Jl.g6 3 1 .c5 d x c5

32.Jl.xc5 "l#lc7 33.�a31 White's pres sure is much stronger with queens. Un derstanding when to exchange pieces is very important, see the chapter on s i m p l i fi cati o n . 33 ... 4)d7 34. jlf2 4)d6? 34 ... §a8 35 . .£la2 "iir d6 36."iir a 5 §db8 37.§c6 +- . 35.4)bt l-0

t .d4 d6 2 .4::){3 Jl.g4 3 .c4 4)d7 4."1#Jb3 lab8 5.h3 Jl.xf3 6."1#Jxf3 g6 7.e3 j}_g7 s.�dl e5 8 . . . c5 is the al ternative approach. 9.d5 f5 10.4)c3 4)h6 t t .e4 0-0 12.Ad3 a6 13.Ae3 �h4 t4.�e2 c5 1 5.a4 �h8 The start o f a typical regrou p i n g w ith . . . .£lg8, followed by . . . Ah6. 15 ... a5 also comes into consideration. If B lack manages to keep the kingside closed, then it will be extremely difficult to

Jacob Aagaard gives the following in structive example in Excelling at Posi tional Chess: 32

Motifs break through. 16.Ad2 4)g8 17.g3 �f6 18.g4 f4 18 .. .fxg4? 19.hxg4 g5 20.§.h5 �h6 2 1 .<£\dl ± (Ribli in CBM 96). 19.f3 �h4+ 20.'ifjldll Exchang ing queens is wrong, as White's space advantage is more of a factor with more pieces on the board. 20 h6

�ch8 37 . � a h 2 g5 3 8 . h 5 �b8 39.�a2 �hh8 40.Ae2 �hc8

.•.

2l.a51A very important move, as White needs the b2-b4 break. Yet before implementing it, he improves all h i s pieces t o t h e max imum. 2 1 . .. �d8 22.h4 4)gf6 23.�g2 �g8 24.b3 Af8 25. �a3 Ae7 26.Ael 'it'g7 27.Afl �c7 2 8 .�a2 lstratescu pro phylactically stops b7-b6. 28 �h8 29.Ah3 �ds

White's king is badly placed for the break, so it goes to the k i ngside. 41 .'ifi'el 4)e8 42.Adl Af6 43.'it'f2 �d8 44. 'it'g2 'it'g7 45.Ac2 �c7 46.�bl �cc8 47.Adl White has all the time in the world, as Black can do nothing to stop the b4-break. 47 �e7 48 .1l.e2 'it'h7 49.�a4 Ag7 50. �a2 �ds 5 t .Aet 4)ef6 52.Af2 Afs 53.�b2 �e8 54.�bl �a8 •.•

•

.•.

Now it is time to improve the knight's placement. 30.4)a41 4)h7 3l .Afl 4)hf6 32.4)b2 �c7 33.4)d3 �bc8 34.Ac3 'it'f7 35-�al �h7 36.�a2

33

55.b41 White finally shows his hand. 55 ... b51 Black must keep the position closed or get as much counterplay as possible. 56.cxb5 a xb5 57.�a3 c4 58.4)el 4)b8 59.4)c2 4)a6 60.�c3 'it'g8 6 t .4)a3 Ae7 62. �fl Ads W h ite has o n l y o n e way to make progress. Can you find it?

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 passed pawns. 63 ... � x b5 64.§xc4 §xc4 65.Axc4 �b7 66.Ab5 �c8 66 . . . .:tlb8 67.iik4 and B lack is domi nated. 67.�e2 4) x b4 B l ack returns the piece, but his prospects are very poor in any case. 67 . . . .:tlc7 68.Ac6 �a6 69.Ael .:tla8 70.b5 �xaS 71 .Axa5 AxaS 7 2 . � a 2 �d8 73 . �d3 +- . 68. § x b4

63.4) xb51 White will get very good compensation with his bishops and the

A x a5 69.§c4 �f8 70. �c2 §b8 7 t .Aa6 \t'h8 7 2 . Ac8 Ab6 73.Axb6 § x b6 74.Ae6 The pen etration of Wh ite's rook will decide: 74 . . . §b8 7 5 . §c7 �d8 76.�c6 4)e8 77.§a7 4)f6 78.�c7 � xc7 79.§xc7 1-0

Exercises (E26) Sch/osser,Philipp (2570) Sokolov,Andrei (2582) FRA-chT Top 1 6 GpA (3 ), 06.02.2005

(E27) Avrukh,Boris (2625) Sax, Gyula (2563) Istanbul ol (8.3 ), 05 . 1 1 .2000

-

w

-

w

Improve White's worst placed piece ! (One point) Solutions begin on page 1 59.

34

Improve White's worst placed piece! (One point)

Motifs (E28) Wojtaszek,Radoslaw (2569) Kovchan,Aiexander (2488) 6th EU-ch Warsaw (7), 25.06.2005

(E30) Golod, Vitali (2586) Lerner,Konstantin (2540) Cup of Israel Tel-Aviv (5), 27.05.2005

w

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Improve White's worst placed piece! (One point)

Improve White's worst placed piece! (One point)

(E29) Sasikiran,Krishnan (2642) Hansen, Curt (2633) 1 3th Sigeman & Co Copenhagen/ Malmo (4), 1 8.04.2005

(E3 l) Lautier,Joel (2672) Sutov...ky,Emil (2674) 1 5th EU-chT Gothenburg (6), 04.08.2005

w

B

What pieces will White improve first? (One point)

How to develop B l ac k 's initiative? (Two points)

35

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (E33) Tiviakov,Sergei (261 7) Jvanchuk, Vassily (2705) 1 7th Carlos Torre Wimbledon Yucatan (2.3 ) 1 8. 1 2.2004

(E32) Yakovich, Yuri (2573) Miroshnichenko,Evgenij (2571 ) Noyabrsk Fake) Jamala (9), 26. 1 1 .2003

,

B

w

B l ack could snap off a pawn with

White's extra pawn is doubled and iso lated, so it will not win just by itself. How to improve the coordination of the army? (Two points)

29 . . .4Jxa3, but he has a much better way

of putting White under pressure. (Three points)

36

Motifs Prophylaxis

L oo k at the p o s i t i o n from y o u r opponent's perspective. What i s h e planning o r threatening? I f you know the answer, you can try to stop him from executing his ideas. This is called pro phylaxis. Karpov is very good at this: Karpov,Anatoly (2688) Milov, Vadim (2620) Cap d' Agde-A ( I ), 24. 1 0.2002

3 l .� xc8 was even better: 3 l . . ..ilxc8 32 .fxe4 � xc3 33.�a2 a6 34 ...1lc7 �b3 35 . ..1lxb6 � xb6 36 . ..1lxc4 ± . 3 l . .. f6

32 ..Q.c7 §b3 33.§a2 �d7 34.§xc4 .Q.d5? 34 . . . exf3 35 .gxf3 .lld 5 36.�xa7 .ll xc4 37 ..llxc4 � xc3 38 ..Jld6 �3xc4 39.� xd7+ (Ribli) and B lack has better

d rawing chances than in the game. 3 5 . § x a7! .Q. x c4 36 . .Q.xc4 § x c3 37 . .Q.d6 § 3 x c4 38. § x d7+ \t'g8 39.fxe4

20.§fcl! It is very important to pro tect the c3-pawn. 20.a4? is weak be cause of 20 . . . 4Jxa4 2 l .� xb7? 4::\x c3 + . 20... §c7 21.f31? .Q.d5 22.\t'f2 Im prov i n g the worst p l ac e d p i e c e . 22 . . . §c6 23.h4 \t'g7 24.a41 Now this advance i s very strong, to open roads on the queenside. 24 . . . � xa4 24 . . . a 5 ?

2 5 . � b5

2 5 . § x b7

§a6

� a8

26 . ..1lf4 ± .

2 6 . §b5

� b6

26 . . ...1lc6? 27 . .ilxc4 �b6 28.�c5 �xc4 29.� xc4 ± ( Ribli in CBM 92). 27.§c2

It is good prophylaxis to protect the v u lnerable second rank. 27 . . . §a4 28 . .Q.f4 §c8 2 9 . §c 5 .Q.b7?

White's active pieces dominate B lack: 39 . . . §cl 40.\t'f3 §fl + 4 1 . \t'g3 §c3 42 . .Q.f4 §gl 43.e5 f x e 5 44 . d x e 5 §c6 45 . .Q.h6 §bl 46.§g7+ \t'h8 47.§e7 §b8 48.e6

29 . . . � xc5 30.dxc5 4Jd7 3 l .�d2 Jle6 3 2 . c 6 4Jc 5 w a s more tenac i o u s .

30.§b2 §a3 31 . .Q.e5+?1

37

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 E!cc8 49.�f7 \tlg8 50.�g7+
I nstead of 12.Jlxe6?1 fxe6 13.Jlxf6 gxf6 14.t\'h5+ �f7 when the worst is over for B lack, I prefer 1 2 .'it'h l .

A prophylactic improvement ofthe king is also often seen: Pavlogianni,Despina (1964) Trabert,Bettina (2312) GRE-chT Aghia Pelagia ( 3 ), 06.07.2004

This highlights Black's main problem: where will her king hide? White should have enough compensation for the pawn. Of course, 1 2.§f2 also strongly comes into consideration.

38

Motifs Exercises (E34) Sakaev,Konstantin (2672) Stefansson,Hannes (2573) 6th EU-ch Warsaw ( 1 2), 30.06.2005

(E36) Jansa, Vlastimi/ (251 5) Babula, Vlastimi/ (2566) CZE-ch Karlovy Vary ( I ), 0 1 .02.2005

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Sakaev played an innocent looking move that proved to be poisonous. Can you spot it? (One point) Solutions be gin on page 1 6 1 .

To take the pawn or not to take the pawn . . . (One point)

(E35) Nielsen,Peter Heine (2668) Baburin,Alexander (2523) 1 5th EU-chT Gothenburg (6), 04.08.2005

(E37) Kasparov,Garry (28 12) Topalov, Vese/in (2700) Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee (4), 20.0 1 . 1 999

B

w

H ow to stop B l a c k ' s p l ay o n t h e kingside? (One point)

Kasparov has just offered the sacrifice of a rook. How to react? (Two points)

39

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (E40) Karpov,Anatoly (2755) Adorjan,Andras (2530) Luzem 48/689, 1 989

(E38) Karpov,Anatoly (27 1 0) Yusupov,Artur (2565) U RS-ch50 Moscow, 1 983

w

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What was Karpov 's first priority here? (Two points)

White to move! (Three points)

(E39) Piket,Jeroen (2640) Kasparov,Garry (2795) Linares ( 4 ), 07.02. 1 997

(E4 1 ) Haba,Petr (2525) Lechtynsky,Jiri (2487) CZE-ch Karlovy Vary ( 4 ) 04.02.2005 ,

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White has sacrificed a pawn to speed up his attack on the queens ide. How did he continue his initiative? (Two points)

It looks tough to break B l ack's de fences. But only one hit is neccessary to make it collapse. Can you spot it? (Two points)

40

Motifs A Second Front

One weakness can often be defended relatively easily; however, the defend ing pieces tend to be rather immobile. This is where the principle of two weak nesses comes into play: Topa/ov, Vese/in (2735) Karjakin,Sergey (2556) 1 6th Leon ( 1 . 2 ) , 06.06.2003

36 �c7?! The typical 36. . . hS!? was called for, to get rid of the weak h-pawn if W hite advances his pawns on the kingside. 37.g41 e6 38.dxe6 fxe6 39.Jlg2 .§f8 40.�g3 �d7 4t .h4?1 The prophylactic 41 .ilf3 was better ( Stohl in CBM 96). 41 ... .§g8?! Too passive. Black had to seek counterplay: •.•

I n i t i a l l y , Topa l o v i n c r e a s e s t h e pressure on t h e queen s i d e : the first fro n t . 2 4 . jlf l ! jl x d 5 2 5 . e x d 5 .£le5 26 .§bc l ! ? A good positional dec i s i o n , to avoid any un neces sary counte rp lay. 2 6 . � x a6?! l"k3 2 7 . E! a l E! a8 2 8 . b 5 4Jbd7 a n d B l a c k h a s good draw i ng c h ances because of h i s s t r o n g k n i g h t s . 2 6 ... .§ x c l 2 7 .§ x c l .§ a S 2 8 . .§ c 7 � f 8 29 . .§b7?! 2 9 . �g2 4Jed7 3 0 . f4 was more prec i se as the rook is we l l placed o n c 7 . 2 9 .£la4 30.�g2 �e8 3 l . f4 .£ld7 32 . .§c7 �d8 33 . .§c2 a51 B l ack wants to e l i m i n ate h i s weakness, b u t h e w i l l a l w a y s h a v e to guard t h e b - p a w n . 34.b5 .£lab6 35.�f2 .£lc5 36.�f3 •

•

. • •

41

4 1 . . . h 5 ! ? 4 2 . g x h 5 ( 4 2 . g 5 �e7) 42 . . .gxh5 43.ilc6+ '!ie7 44.4Jc4 tzlxc4 4 5 . E! x c4 4Jd3 4 6 . E! d4 E! g8 + and

Black's activity seems to be sufficient for a draw, e.g. 47.'!if3 4Jc5 48.E!dl E!g4. 42.Jlf3?1 42.g5 !? is more pre cise. 42 ... .§g7?! 42 . . . h5 was again cal led for. 43.g51 .§f7 44.h5 �e7 45.hxg6 h xg6

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 46.4)c4 B lack's king and rook are away from the queenside, so Topalov tries to lift the blockade. The attacker's forces can shift from wing to wing much easier than the defender's. 46... 4) xc4 47. .§. xc4 �d7 48. .§.c2 .§.h7? This just loses valuable time. B lack had to try 48 . . .'it>c7!. The king defends (and attacks ! ) on the queenside and the rook does l i ke w i s e on t h e k i n g s i d e . 49.Jl.c6+ �c7 4 9 . . . 'it'e7 50.b6 E!.h8 5 1 . E!.h 2 ! ? E!.x h 2 5 2 . \t' x h 2 'it'd8 5 3 . 'it'g3 ± ( Stoh l ) . 50.Jl,e81 W h i te

35.h4 �g7?1 35 . . . h5 makes it more difficult for White to open the kings ide on her terms, while 35 . . ..ilb6? is bad as White surprisingly just exchanges her knight, when the defensive bishop will be sore l y m i ss e d : 3 6 . 4:'l x b6 E!.xb6 37.E!.d5 E!.a6 38.�al +- . What remains on the board is more important than w h at i s e x c h a n ged! 3 6 . h 5 Jl.g5 37:�f3 .§.c8 38. .§.dl .§.c6 39:{te2 .§.c8 40. .§.hl �g8 41.f31?

shifts his attention back to the kingside. 50 . . . .§.g7 5 1 . .§. h 2 .§.g8? 5 l . . . e 5 52.fxe5 dxe5 53.E!.h6 4:'le6 54 .'iftg4 4:'lf4

was the last chance to fight, but White's advantage is undi sputed. 52 . .§.h7+ �b6 53.Jl.f7 .§.b8 54.Jl,xg6 �xb5 55.Jlf7 �a4 56.g6 4)e4+ 57.�f3 4)f6 58.jlxe61 d5 58 . . .4:'lxh7 59.gxh7 E!.h8 60 ..ilg8 'it'b5 61.f5 'it'c6 62.f6 'it'd7 63.'it'e4 'it'e8 64.'it'd5 'it'd7 65.a4 +

(Stohl). 59 . .§.f7 .§.b3+ 60.�e2 4)e4 61.g7 .§.g3 62.Jl,xd5 4)c3+ 63.�f2 .§. xg7 64. .§. xg7 64 . .ilc6+ is even bet ter. 64 ... 4) x d 5 6 5 . �f3 � x a3 66..§.g5 4) xf4 67.�xf4 a4 67 . . . 'it'b4 68.'it'e3 a4 6 9 . 'it' d 2 +- . 68. �e3 68.E!.b5 'it'a2 69.'it'e3 +- . 68 ... �b2 69.�d2 a3 70. .§.b5+ �at 71.�c3 �a2 7 l . . .a2 72.E!.d5 'it'bl 73.E!.d l '* . 72 . .§.b3 1-0 The following scenario occurs quite often in practice:

"Whi te vacates the f2-square, from where White's queen will threaten both fl anks ( �f2 -a7 and �f2-g l - h 2 ) . " (Baburin i n CBM 63 ). The disadvantage of 4 l .f3!? is that the position of White's king is weakened (often the f2-pawn is the most loyal defender of the king! ). So J udit was confident that she will stay i n contro l . 4 t . . . .§.b8 42.�f2 .§.b7 43.hxg6 A good moment to open

Polgar,Judit (2670) Anand, Viswanathan (2770) Wijk aan Zee (6), 22.0 1 . 1 998

In the next diagram, White is clearly better, but the powerful d5-knight does not win by itself. W h ite must open fronts for her major pieces:

42

Motifs key to this position is whether any p i e c e s s h o u l d be e x c h anged. You should first try to make progress with the full army and only then try to de cide if any exchanges are favorable. Here the rooks can be exchanged, as the queen and knight form a powerful tan dem, which is often stronger than queen and bishop according to Capablanca's theorem. It is important to make sure that B lack's queen will be restricted and unable to launch a counterattack against White's monarch. ( 5 5 . . . 'it'h6 56 . .§ c8

the position, as Black must recapture with the f-pawn weakening the position of h i s k i n g . 43 . . . h g6 43 . . . h x g 6 4 4 . � g l f 5 (44 . . . ..1lf6 4 5 . � h 2 ..ll g 7 46.�h4 +- ) 45 .�h2 ..llf6 46.�h6 ..llg7 47.�g5 .§ d7 48 . .§ a l +- ( Baburin) and

B lack's defense will soon collapse be cause of the pressure on both wings, supported by the monster knight in the center.

..lld8 57 . .§ a8 g5 58 . .§ a7 �c6 59:�c4 g4 (59 . . . h4 60. 4Je3 ± ) 60.fxg4 hxg4 61.'it'fl ± ) 56 . .§ b6! Without the rook,

Black's weaknesses on the light squares are more pronounced, and one strong counterattacking unit leaves the board. 56 . . . �a7 (56 . . . .§ xb6? 57.�xb6 ..lld8 58.�b8 'it'f7 ( 58 . . . �e8? 59.4Jc7 �d7 60.�xd8 +- ) 5 9 . � x e 5 +- ) 5 7 .�b5 .§ xb6 58. 4Jxb6 ..ll f6 59.�c5 g5 60.�c6 �a6 6 1 . �d 7 + 'it' h 6 6 2 . 4Jc4 .llg 7 63. �d2 ..llf6 64. �d5 ± . 55.f4 exf4

44.c51? As White's king is weakened, it is good to open the c-file to pressure both flanks. This is more important than exchanging B lack's weak backward pawn, as one weakness can be de fended, but pressure against two or more weaknesses often leads to success. 44 ...dxc5 45."� xc5 .Q.d8 46.Elcl �f7 47.�e3 Keeps an eye on h6. 47... �g7 48.Elc4 Eld7 49.�cl h5 50. E{c6 Eld6 5 1 . Elc81 Of course White does not want to exchange any thing in order to be able to apply maxi mum pressure. 5 1 . .. �d7 52.�c5 �h6 5 3 . Elb8 .Q.f6 54.�e3+ 5 4 . � x a 5 ? .§ c6 gives Black strong counterplay chiefly because of 41.f2f3 (do you remember the axiom?). 54. . . .Q.g5? 54 ... \t'g7 55.�c5 ..lle7 The

56.Elh8+ 1-0 Anand resigned because ofthe beautiful: 56 . . .'it'g7 57.�d4+ .llf6 5 8 . � x f6 + .§ x f6 5 9 . .§ h7 + 60. 4Jxf6+ 'it'g7 6 1 . 4Jxd7 +- .

43

\t' x h 7

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 Exercises

(E42) Grischuk,Alexander (27 1 0) Rublevsky,Sergei (2650) Poikovsky (4), 0 1 .03.2005

(E43) Taimanov,Mark Von Elst USSR 1 953

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How to increase White's pressure on the dark squares? (One point) Solutions begin on page 1 63 .

Taimanov played powerful chess i n his prime. Here we see him with a slight plus in the endgame, demonstrating his deep understanding of positional con cepts. H o w d i d he continue? (Two points)

44

Motifs Counterplay

Playing too passively is one of the sur est ways to lose at chess. If your oppo nent has the initiative, you should try to take the sting out of it. One impor tant principle is that an attack on the flank should be countered in the cen ter, as in the following typical Hedge hog example:

2 4 . � e e 3 �xc4 2 5 . b 3 �cl when

B l ac k ' s b i s h o p s ru l e t h e board . 24.�b3 � x b3 2 5 . a x b3 �c2 26.�edl �xb2 27. .£,f51 Now White has good drawing chances, although he later lost. Sometimes counterplay is even more important than development, especially if the position is relatively closed:

Werle,Jan (2443) Aroshidze,Levan (2345) EU-ch U20 Baku (5), 1 8.07.2002

Stefanova,Antoaneta (2450) Gurevich,Mikhail (2620) Lost Boys op Antwerp ( 6) 07.08. 1 997 ,

White's structure is overextended and his attack on the kingside is countered in the center in a textbook manner. 1 7 . . . d 5 1 1 7 . . . e 5 ? i s i n c orrect, as Wh ite's knights get too many good squares: 18.�f5 g6 ( 1 8 . . . exf4? 19.b4

White's attack on the kingside must be countered on the queenside: ll ... c51 l l . . . .llb7? wastes valuable time. Fur thermore, it is unclear if this is the right square for the bishop. 1 2 .g5 cS 13.d5 and White's attack is much more dan gerous than in the game, as B lack 's counterplay is slower. 1 2.d5 12.dxc5 �xeS 1 3.g5 .ilb7 Now this is definitely the right square for the bishop. 1 4.'i!?bl 'i:Jc7 gives B lack a very comfortable game. 12 ... e5 13.�dgl c4 14.jlfl 'l:i\'a5 Counterattack is again the order of the day. 1 5 .g5 This allows Black to keep the kingside closed . But after

�e6 20.�d5 +- ; 18 . . . Ad8?! 19.g5 ± ) 1 9 . fx e 5 d x e S 2 0 . � x e 7 + 'i:1 x e 7 2 l .�d5 ;!; . 18.e5 18.exd5 �xf4 19.�f5 exfS 20.� xe7 �xg4 2 l .�c2 �fe8 + .

18 . . . .£,fe41 The point. Bl ack needs open l i n e s for h i s co unterpl ay. 19. .£, xe4 dxe4 20.Afl �fd8 This activates Black's last piece. White's at tack has come to an end, and B lack's central pressure is mounting. 21.�c3 .£ld31? 2 2 .jl x d3 e x d3 23.� xd3 �xc4?1 23 ... .ilb4! was called for, e.g.

l S . h S?! � c S 16 . a 3 b4 17 . � b l c3

45

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 B l ac k ' s co unte rp l ay is too strong. 15 . . . h5 16.�el?J 1 6.g6!? f6 1 7 .a3 .:£lc5 1 8:l
16 . . . Ad8J? Gu rev ich activates his worst placed piece. In such a closed position, this is often more important than ord inary development. 17. .£ld2 j},b6 1 8 . �b l j},d4 19 . .§.g3 g6 20. .£ldl �c7 21.J1,e2?J The bishop on e2 is only in the way, but it is diffi c u l t to suggest anyth i n g better. 21 ... Ab7 22 . .§.fl 0-0-0 23.c3 Ac5 24 . .£le3J .§.he8 25.b3? White opens the floodgates. He should have waited with a move l ike 25 . .:£lc2 . 25 ...cxb3 26.axb3 �b8 27. .£lc2 .§.c8 28.�b2

46

28 ....§.e7J? A typical pattern : it will be easier to double the rooks and f7 is pro phylactically protected. 29 . .£lbl Aa7 30.�dl .£lc5 31 ..£ld2 �b6 32.f4?J This gives Black's knight the dominant e5-square. 32. . .exf4 33 . .§.xf4 .£ld7J 34.Afl .£le5 35.Ah3 .§.cc7 36. .§.f6 a5J 37.�fl? 37:l
Motifs Exercises

(E46) Golod, Vitali (2523) Avrukh,Boris (2595) I S R-ch Tel Aviv (8}, 02 . 1 2.2002

(E44) Polgar,Judit (2732) Anand, Vtswanathan (2785) Sofia MTel Masters (4), 1 5 .05 .2005

-

B

B

White has the bishop-pair and the cen ter, but Black is on move . . . (Two points)

How does Black find counterplay? (One point) Solutions begin on page 1 63 .

(E45) Topalov, Veselin (2757) Adams,Michael (274 1 ) Linares ( I ), 23 .02.2005

(E47) Krasenkow,Michal (2676) Hracek,Zbynek (2595) Bundesliga Germany (3.2), 27. 1 1 .2004 -

-

B

w

A dynamic position has arisen in this game fro m the 2004 B u n d e s l i ga . B lack's pieces are slightly more active, but how to challenge White on the kingside? (Five points)

How to defend against Black's kingside attack? (One point)

47

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 Positional Exchange Sacrifice

In order for a positional exchange sac rifice to be successful, you should have one or more of the following fonns of compensation: one or two pawns, an attack against the king (preferably with an unopposed oppos i te - c o l ored bishop), the bishop-pair, a strong un opposed bishop, strong anchor squares (especially for the knights), a strong passed pawn, a mobile pawn majority, a strong blockade, many weaknesses i n the enemy camp that must be protected by the rooks, and last but not least no Iong-tenn prospects for the rooks. The latter is quite important, as the rooks tend to become stronger in the endgame, when there are fewer pawns and more open l ines. Also, you do not want to exchange too many pieces and pawns. Let's start with two typical cases:

16.cxd3 �xc3 17 . ..1l.b2 �b4 (17 . . .
strong outpost on fS and a long-tenn attack against White's king based on the weak l i ght square s . F u rthermore, W h i te ' s pawn structure i s i n rui ns, which makes it difficult for his rooks and his dark-squared bishop to play any real role. 15 . .1la3 .£lf5 1 6.f4 {)g6 17 . .1lg4 {)gh4 18. .1lb4 't#/c7 19.a5 't#/f7 20 .f3 .1ld7 2 1 . �ael 't#/g6 22.cif}h 1 .1lc6 23.'t#/f2

Felgaer,Ruben (2509) Korchnoi, Jliktor (2634) Bled ol SLO ( 1 2), 07. 1 1 .2002

23 ... d411 A very deep positional pawn sacrifice. White's dark-squared bishop is further sideli ned and a strong outpost on dS is created . 23 . . . �f6? 24 . ..1l.c5

The following sacrifice occurs quite often i n t h e French D e fe n s e : 12 �xf31? 13.gxf3 c41 13 . . .
�xc3 2S . .§ xe6 d4 26 . .§eS d3 27.cxd3 (27 . .§ x f5?!
1 4:�e2
n ing chances because of the attack with

.••

48

Motifs S.Zagrebelny-C. Lingnau, Berlin 1 993. 18.Acl?! 18. h 5 4Je5 1 9 .Jl.d4 was more critica l . 18 4)e5 19.h5 d5! Now the time i s ripe. 20. tth2 Ad6 2 1 . tth3 4) xd3 22.cxd3 b4! This speeds up B lack 's attack. 23.cxb4 23.c4 dxc4 24.dxc4 .lle 5, with an at tac k . 23 . . . E{c8 2 4 . cifjl a 1 dxe4 25.fxe4

opposite-colored bishops. N ote that White's rooks are now extremely strong and can start to attack. 24.Axf5 4)xf5 25.cxd4 Ad5 26.c3 26.E!.g l �h5 27.E!.efl �h3 gives B lack excellent compensation as his rook will soon en ter the attack. 26 ... tth5 27.�e5 tth6 28.�e4 tth3 29.�g1 b6 30. ttg2 tth5 31 .a6 �c8 32.Ad6?? A blun der; probably because of time trouble. But Black is also pressing after 32.�g4

•••

�h4 33.h3 h5 (33 . . . E!.d8? 34.\t>h2 �f2+ 35 .�g2 �h4 36.�g5 ± ) 34.�g2 E!.c7 35 . .1la3 f!. f7 :;: . 32 g6 33.Ae5 4)h4 .••

0-1 Another typical sacrifice is . . E!.xc3 in the Sicilian Defense: .

Movsesian,Sergei (2668) Kasparov,Garry (285 1 ) Sosna SuperGM Sarajevo ( I I ), 29.05.2000

25 ...j}_xe4! The decisive blow. 26.g6 2 6 . d x e4 Jl. e 5 + 2 7 . E!.d4 -ll. x d 4 + 2 8 . 4::l x d4 � x c l + 2 9 . E!. xc 1 E!. x c l • ; 2 6 . E!.h g l � c 2 -+ . 26 ... jlxh1 27.ttxh1 Axb4 28.gxf7+ 28.gxh7+ \t>h8 -+ . 28 . . . cifjlf8

13 ... �xc3!? As compensation B lack gets strong knight outposts at a4, c4 and c5 and the d6-d5 break to fuel his at tack. 1 4.bxc3 ttc7 1 5 .4)e2 Ae7 16.g5 0-0 17.h4 4)a4! The knight is very annoying for White. It is too early to open the position w i th 1 7 . . . d5? 1 8 . h 5 dxe4 1 9 .Jl.xe4 -ll. x e4 20.fxe4
Kasparov uses the t7-pawn as a shield for his king. 29.ttg2 �b8 30.Ab2 30 . .lld 2 .lla3 -+ . 30 ... 4)xb2 31.4)d4 4)xdl! A nice final touch. 32.4)xe6+ cifjlxf7 0-1 White resigned because of

and W h i te was c l early better

33.�xg7+ \t>xe6 34.�xc7 Jl.c3+.

m

49

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 H ere are two modern exam p l es to sharpen the reader's eye: Topalov, Veselin (27 1 8) Anand, Viswanathan (2790) Corus Wijk aan Zee (8), 22. 0 1 .200 I

down materia l . When down an ex change the minor piece needs more men to coordinate with, while the rook usu ally feels comfortable alone, especially in an open or semi-open pos i t i o n . 22.§abl h61? 22 . . JH6 23.Jld4 Jlxa2 2 4 . f!. a l �b3 2 S . f!. dc l ! = . 2 3 .Jl.b4 23.f!. xh2 fl. xeS 'i' without rooks White would be better, but as matters stand Black can easily attack the weak pawns and make White fight for the draw. 23 . . . Jl.e5 Black is slightly better, but Topalov escaped: 24.a3 §c6 25.§bcl Jl.c4 26.§d8+
16 Jl.xd41 Anand gets a pawn, the bishop-pair, a mobile pawn majority on the queenside and a strong outpost on d4. Furthermore, White's rooks have no real prospects. What more could you ask for? 17.§dl 1 7.�xa8 ti'xa8 18.ti'xa8 f!. x a8 1 9 . f!. e l cS 2 0 . f!. e 2 �g4 and Black is by no means worse. 17 . . . c5 1 8 . Jl. x a8 � x a8 1 9 .Ae3 � x f3 20.gxf3 Axb2 2l.Jl. xc5 •.•

Grunberg,Mihai (2401) Nikolic,Predrag (2648) 5th EU-ch Antalya (7), 22.05.2004

22 ... § xe21 23.�xe2 �f5 24.�gll 24.4Jd2? hl .ll f7 2 7 . �g4 �f6 2 8 A � f3 A h S (28 . . . f!. g8!?) 29.�g5 �xgS 30.xg2

21 §c81 B lack does not want to ex change rooks as he can create more pressure with them. As a general rule of thumb, do not exchange pieces when •..

50

Motifs pensation for the exchange. 25.�hl 4)e5 26.t�"dl? 26.�d l ! was called for, when Black only just has compensation. 26... .Q.e6 27.�cl � xcl 28.§xcl 4) xd3 and B lack went on to win.

.ilf3 + 33.'\t>gl � h S -+ ) 3 1 . . . .ilf6 -+ ) 25 . . . 4Jxd3 26.�xf5 �xfS 27.�e8 c6!? (27 . . . ..Q..e 5+?! 28.'\t>hl �xf2 29.�d1 4Jb2 30.�bl 4Jd3 3 1 . � d l =) 28.4Jf3 4Jxc5

and Black has more than enough com-

Exercises (E50) Anand, Viswanathan (2795) Sadler,Matthew (2660) Tilburg, 1 998

(E48) Hracek,Zbynek (26 1 2) Kallio,Heikki (245 1 ) Istanbul ol ( 1 1 .2), 08 . 1 1 .2000

w

8

White to move! (Two points)

To sacrifice the exchange or not to sacrifice the exchange? (One point) Solutions begin on page 1 64. (E49) Karpov,Anatoly (2725) Gelfand,Boris (2690) Linares (6), 1 993

(E51) Korchnoi, Viktor (2635) Seirawan, Yasser (2605) Lugano op, 1 986

w

w

White to move ! (Two points)

White has an edge here, but how did Karpov force the issue? ( Five points) 51

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 Simplification

U nd ersta n d i n g w h e n to e x c h a nge pieces (and which pieces to exchange) is very important. Do not underestimate this! Some guidelines are: I ) What remains on the board is more important than what is exchanged. 2) Do not exchange pieces if you have more space, but instead try to further restrict the enemy pieces. 3) Exchange pieces when ahead ma terial and exchange pawns when be hind in material. 4) Exchanging queens usually dra matically changes the nature of the position, as endgame themes begin to dominate, and these are quite dif ferent from the usual middlegames.

teet c7 are not satisfactory e ither: 2 l . . . .§ c8? 2 2 .Jlh3 4Jg4 2 3 . 4Jh4 g6 24.E!c3 +- , the threat f2-f3 cannot be satisfactori ly parried . ; One sample line after 2 l . . .c6 runs 2 2 . 4Je5 c5 23 . .§ b2 cxd4 24.exd4 .§d6 25.E!cbl 4Jg4 26.f4 .§ ee6 27.Jlf3 f5 28 . .§cl .§e7 29.E!hc2 .§ de6 30 . .§ c7 4Jf6 3 l .'it'g2 ± . 22.Jl,fl

Jl,a8 23.a4

Let's start with an example of rule #4: Vallejo Pons,Francisco (2648) Tkachiev, Vladislav (2625) Biel GM (2), 23 .07.2002

23 ... f6? The weakening of the l ight squares on the kingside is fatal . Just marking time with 23 . . . Jlb7 was called for, e.g. 24.Jlb5 'it'f8 25 .Axe8 .§ dxe8 26 . .§ xc7 .§ xc7 27 . .§ xc7 E!e7 (Gershon) 28 . .§cl ± . 24.4)h41 B lack is lost and so decided to sacrifice the exchange, but his knight will find no strong outpost. 24 4)d6 25.4)g6 Eled7 26.Jl,h3 �f7 27.Jl,xd7 Etxd7 28.4)f4 4)c4 29.e41 This strong undermining de cides, as it forces 29 . . . c6 after which B lack's bishop needs too much time to participate in the game. 30.4) x h5 b5 3 l .e5 fxe5 3 2 . d x e5 d4 33.4)f4 �e7? Al lowing a strong blockading knight on d3 makes it easy for White. 33 . . . 4Jxe5 j ust had to be tried, but a few precise moves by White will show that B l ack's counterplay is i nsufficient: 34. .§c5 .§e7 35.E!dl +- . 34.4)d3 Eld5 ..•

20. �a31 Black's strong queen defends c7 and influences both flanks, while White's queen plays no influential role. But White's active rooks will count for much in the endgame. 20 ... � x a3? 20 ... c6 was called for. 21.bxa3 4)e8 Relatively best. The other ways to pro52

Motifs 35.f4 Jl.b7 36.Cif/f2 J}.c8 37.axb5 ex b5 38.Etxc41? bxc4 39.Et xc4 Jl.f5 39 . . . .Q.a6 40.E!c5 +- . 40.Cif/e2 Eld7 4 1 . Cif/ d 2 Cif/e6 4 2 . Etc6+ Cif/ d 5 43.Etc5+ cifle4 44.e6 1-0

ki ngside, w h i l e White's play o n the queenside is unstoppable. 23 ... h4 24.Cif/e2 hxg3 25.hxg3 Etg6 26.Eta3 Eth6 27.Cif/f3 Elhl 28.E{xa7 1-0 Now, two examples of rule #2:

One aim of an exchange is to create an advantageous imbalance like a good bishop vs. bad knight or vice versa:

Dautov,Rustem (2631) Romanishin,O/eg (2559) Julian Borowski-A 3rd Essen (7),

09.05.200 1

Mikha/chishin,Adrian Chernin,A/exander Cienfuegos, 1 98 1

White should avoid simplifications be cause of his space advantage: 14.Jl.h31 A typical move to preserve the bishop pair. 1 4 . . . Jl.h7?1 1 5 . .£, d 2 .£,e4?1 B lack wants to exchange pieces at any price, but White's center becomes too strong. 1 5 . . . d5!? was called for, to get a foothold on the light squares: 1 6.cxd5 exd5 1 7.AbU (Dautov in CBM 83). t6. .£, xe4 Jl. xe4 17.f3 J1.h7 18.e4 It is clear that White's bishop-pair and strong center give him an undisputable advantage . 18 . . . a4 1 9.�b2 �e7 20.b4 a3?1 2 1.�b3 Elfd8 22.E{adl .£,f6? 22 . . . c5 2 3 . E! d3 ± . 23.b5 + White first won the a3-pawn and then later the game.

The key to the position is Black's bad bishop on e7 and White's initiative on the l ight square s : 16.Jlxf61 ± This weakens B lack's kingside pawn struc ture and purifies the favorable imbal ance, which is often good. This is also a good example for rule # I : what re mains on the board is more important than what is exchanged. White's dark squared bishop might look strong, but B l ack's f6-knight is also useful. So White correctly decided to exchange on f6. 16...gxf6 17.Eldl Elb8 18.Etd3 Etb4?1 This plays into White's hands, as his knight wants to go to c4 anyway. Yet it is difficult to suggest anything better for B lack. 19 . .£,d2 Elg8 20.g3 Et x c4 2 1 . .£, x c4 Etg4 2 2 .f4 h 5 23.Cif/d2 Wh ite improves h i s worst placed piece. The king will defend the

The famous R us s i an trainer Mark Dvoretsky has collected many examples of the concept ofthe superfluous knight. Here is a recent one:

53

The ChessC�fe Puzzle Book 2 Go/od, Vitali (2538) Tomescu, Vlad (24 1 2) 4th Estensi op, Lido (5), 1 1 .06.2003

Often the attacker does not want to ex change pieces, because he needs them to participate in the attack :

-

Miiller,Karsten - Dautov,Ru.'item German Bundesliga, 2006

15.�f2! White correctly avoids the exchange of knights, as B lack's d7 knight has problems fi nding a good square. 15 ... c6 16.b3 cxd5 17.exd5 This prepares the strong blockading e4s q u are for t h e k n i g h t s . 1 7 . . . g6

W h i te wants to keep both roo k s : 26.§fel!? Ag6 Black wants to de crease White's firepower, but every ex change comes at a price: the loss of time. 27.Axg6 � xg6 28.�d4 �e7 29.§a1 �f5 30.�a2

1 7 . . . <£\f6?! 18.g4! e4? (18 . . . h6 19.a3 ;!; ) 1 9 . <£\fx e 4 ! <£\ c x e 4 2 0 . <£\ x e4 <£\xe4 2 l . E( e l ± ( G o l o d in CBM 9 6 ) .

18.�fe4 Now White al lows the ex change, but his advantage in develop ment justifies it, as he will transform his space and development advantage into a dangerous initiative. 18 ... � xe4 1 9 . � x e4 � f6 2 0 . f x g6 f x g 6 21.§ xf6 A strong positional exchange sacri fice fo llows. 2 1 . <£\ x f6 + !? E( x f6 22.E(xf6 �xf6 23.�d2 i.tf5 24.E(fl 'l!1d8 2 5 . c 5;!; . 2 1 . . . § x f6 2 2 . c 5 ! §f8 22 . . . dxc5?? 23.d6 �d8 24.<£\xf6+ �xf6 25 .d7 +- (Golod); 22 . . . Af5? 23 .<£\xf6+ 'l!1xf6 24.g4 Ad7 25.c6± . 23.� xd6 b6

30 ... � x d4?! This exchange finally goes too far. 30 ... 'lt'c7 was called for, as 3 1 .<£\xf5? (31.�b2 E( f7 32.�b4 '.!i'd7

24.�e4! bxc5 25.d6 �f7 and now instead of 26.�d2? Golod should have chosen 26.<£\xc5! 'l!1f2+ 27.'.!i'hl 'l!1xc5

33.E(fl E( cf8 34.E(f3 <£\xd4 35.E(xf7+ .§ x f7 36.cxd4 and White has a danger o u s long term in itiative) 3 l . . . E( a8 32.�xa8? E(xa8 33.E( xa8 can be met by

28.Axa8 i.te6 2 9 . E( c l 'l!1e3 30. Ag2 ( 3 0 . A d5?? E( fl + 3 l . 'l!1 x fl -'txd 5 + 32.'l!1g2 'l!1xcl # ) 30 . . . E( f2 3 l .�gl �e2 32.a3 when White is better, but Black's

3 3 . . . 'l!1f2 ! . 3 1 .c x d4 �c7 3 2 .�a3

�d7 33.§fl §f5?

counterplay sti l l deserves attention.

54

Motifs White is o n move and must preserve all his attacking potential: Magomedov,Magaram (2604) Khouseinov,Rashid (2330) Dushanbe, 1 999

Immediately after the game Anand in dicated that 33 . . . E!a8 34:�g3 gS was the way to go. White keeps the initia tive w ith 3 5 :�d3, but B lack is sti l l fighting tenaciously. 34.g4 +- .§ xf1+ 35 .§ x fl �c7 36 .§ c 1 + �b8 37 . .§ x c8+ � x c8 38. �f8+ �d8 39 . � x g7 �a5 40. t!U8+ �d7 4 1 . �d6+ �c8 4 2. � x e6+ �b8 43. t,td6+ � a 7 44. �c5+ �b8 •

•

29 . .§a1U Now it is over as his long term attack c a n n o t be stopped. 29 ... .§d6 30 . .§e5 .§ad8 31 . .§ae1 �c7 3 2 . � e4 .§ d 1 32 . . . .£\ x h 7 3 3 . .£\gS +- . 3 3 . � x f6 .§ x e 1 + 34 . .§ x e 1 g x f6 3 5 .Q.f5+ �g8 3 6 . t,th7+ �f8 37 . .Q. x e6 � x f4 38.�h8+ �e7 39.Jl. x f7+ � x f7 40.�h7+ �f8 41.�e7+ 1-0

44 ... b6 45.�c7+ 'ifta8 46.�c8+ 'ifta7 47. �a6+ +- . 45. �f8+ �a7 46.b6+!?

Forces simplification into a won pawn ending. 46 ... � x b6 47.�c5 1-0

•

Here is another striking example of this concept.

55

The ChessCl!fe Puzzle Book 2 Exercises (E54) Papaioannou,loannis (2578) Nevednichy, Vladislav (2583) 1 5th EU-chT (7), 05 .08.2005

(E52) Khismatullin,Denis (2572) Romanov,Evgeny (2437) 6th EU-ch Warsaw ( 7} 25.06.2005 ,

8

w

B l ack has fi n ished his development. What to do next? (One point) Solutions begin on page 1 66.

How can the rooks enter B lack's camp? (One point)

(E53) Radjabov, Teimour (2673) Milov, Vadim (2653) 6th EU-ch Warsaw ( 1 2}, 30.06.2005

(E55) Yakovich, Yuri (2565) Frolyanov,Dmitry (2505) RUS-chT Sochi (5}, 23.04.2005

w

8

How to take the sting out of White's in itiative? (One point)

How to use White's space advantage and initiative? (One point)

56

Motifs (E58) Gonza/ez,Renier (2483) Benjamin,Joe/ (2563) HB Global op M inneapol is (6), 2 1 .05 .2005

(E56) Graf,A/exander (2637) Fish,Gennadij (2523) 76th GER-ch Altenkirchen ( 8), 25 .02.2005

B

w

Black's c-pawns look pretty dangerous, what should White do? (One point)

White has a space advantage. What will B lack do? (One point)

(E57) Duppel,Matthias (2455) Casper, Thoma.<; (2409) B undesliga Germany (4.6), 24. 1 1 .200 1

(E59) Magomedov,Magaram (2604) - Khouseinov,Rashid (2330) Dushanbe, 1 999

w

w

White to move ! (Three points)

How to use White's possession of the d-file? (One point)

57

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (E61) Seel,Christian (2492) Wahbo,Matthias (2538) Bundesliga Germany ( 1 2.4), 1 1 .03 .2006

(E60) Sakaev,Konstantin (2649) Azarov,Sergei (258 1 ) Aeroflot op-A Moscow ( 5 ) , 1 2.02.2006

B

w

White to move! (Three points)

Black to move! (Two points) Weaknesses

Here Philidor's famous aphorism: "The pawns are the soul of chess" comes into play. If the pawn structure has holes or is broken, this has significant implica tions on the play. The pawns themselves can be weak, as well as the squares that cannot be defended by the pawns. These two concepts are surprisingly similar, and the section "Outpost" has already emphasized that knights usually prefer positions with many weak pawns that provide squares to settle on. So weak pawns and weak squares go hand i n hand. Important rules are: I ) A weakness that cannot be ex ploited is no weakness. This can hap pen when a weakness is a static fea ture of the position, and if one side has a strong long-term initiative, it may be impossible for the opponent to take advantage of the weakness, because h i s forces m u st defe n d against the enemy activity. 2) Most of the time one weakness does not exist in isolation, but is con-

nected with a whole weak color com plex - see "Weak Color Complex." 3) U su a l l y one weakness is not enough to win. Here the principle of two weaknesses comes into play, see "A Second Front." The fol lowing game shows how even one static weakness can affect the play: Handke,F/orian (2384) Miiller,Karsten (2503) G ER-ch Altenkirchen (9), 08. 1 2 .200 I [C09]

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)d2 c5 4.exd5 e x d 5 5.4)gf3 4)c6 6 . .1l.b5 jld6 7.dxc5 Jl xc5 8.0-0 4)ge7 9.4)b3 .1l.b6 9 . . . Jld6 may be more precise. lO.E{el 0-0 l l .jlg5 f6?1 Every pawn move weakens some squares (here e6), but Black's task is not easy in any case. 1 2 . .1l.e3 4) e 5 13 . .1l. x b6 � x b6 14.4)fd4 4)7g6 15.�d2 a6 16.Afl Wh i te j ust keeps the structure and

58

Motifs s lowly improves the position of h i s pieces. His advantage is not very large, but it is stable because of the weak d5pawn. B lack has no real dynamic com pensation for the weakness. 16 ... Jld7 17 . � e 2 1 ? C h anges t h e b l o c k e r. 17... Jle6 18.itd4 itc7 19.�adl? 19 . .£lc3 §ac8 20.§adl is more precise, as B lack has no dynamic options. When you have a static advantage, try to re strict any possible counterplay ! (see "Prophylax i s" and "Counterp l ay"). 19 ... §ac8? The dynamic 1 9 . . . �xc2!? was c a l l e d for, e . g . 2 0 . .£lc5! .£:Jh4!

3 0 . t'! d e l .£:Jd6 3 l .�e3 ± . 29.§e2

2 1 .<;ff h l .£lf5 2 2 . �c3 �xc3 23 . .£lxc3

31 .h41? This is a strong positional move, with the aim of improving the positions of the king and the bishop (the worst placed pieces) to increase the pressure on the l ight squares. 31 ...f5

�ac6 30.�de1 itd7

.llf7 24 . .£lxd5 § ad8 25 . .£:Jb6 ; (Psakhis

in CBM 87), but White retains some chances because of his activity and Black's weak queenside pawns. 20.f4 � c6 2 1 . it f2 Jlg4 2 2 .g3 � b4 23.h3 Jlxe2 23 . . .Af5? 24 . .£led4 Axc2 25 . .£:Je6 �d7 26 . .£:J x f8 ± . 24. � x e2 �e7 25.c3 � bc6 26.Jlg2 �fd8 27.�ed2 �a5

31. . . .£:Jf5 32 . .£:J x c6 bxc6 33 .Ah3 ± .

32.§e3 Preparing to again take aim at the isolani. 3 2 ... �f8 33.itd2 �f7 34.§d3 �ff6 35.clf}h2 g6 36.�d1 �a5 37.b31 'l!/c7 38.�c2 Now the d5-pawn falls under favorable circum stances and the rest is just a matter of technique. 38 ... � ac6 39.�e3 d4 40.cxd4 B l ack's isolani was weak and securely blockaded, but White's is very strong as it is very difficult to stop its advance. 40 . . . ita5 4 1 .d 5 it x d2 4 2 . � 3 x d 2 � b8 4 3 . � c4 �d8 44.�a5 �b6 45.d6 �ec6 46.�c4 §b5 47.�e1 �c5 48.§e71 � xc4 49.Jld5+ clf}f8 49 . . . <;ff h 8 50 .Axc4 .£lxe7 5 1 . d xe7 t'! x d 2 + 5 2 . <;ff h 3 +- .

50.�f7+ \tieS 51.Jlxc4 1-0

B lack hopes to get activity by sacrific ing the weak d5-pawn, but Handke cor rectly wants to first improve his posi tion and not to cash in too cheaply. 28.�d4! 28.�xd5+? .£lxd5 29.§ xd5

Wells,Peter (25 1 5) Zifroni,Dov (2505) Herzliya ( I ), 06.09. 1 998

t'! xd5 30.t'! xd5 .£lxb3 3 l . a x b3 §e8

I have already dealt with the creation of weak squares in the "Outpost" sec-

g i v e s B l a c k draw i n g c h a n c e s . 28 ... � d 6 28 . . . .£:J c 4 2 9 . t'! e 2 t'! e8 59

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 tion, so let's have a look at the creation of weak pawns:

Another step in the wrong direction. 20 . . . 4:'lbd5! 2 l .Axd5 cxd5 2 2 . �e 5 E! b7 ;J; ( We l l s ) . 2 1 . 4) a4 �c7?1

2 2 . 4) c 5 � x a 5 2 3 . 4) x a 6 Etb7 2 4 . 4) c 5 E{bb8 2 5 . Et d 3 1 A l l of Black's forces are on the queenside, so White finally shifts his attention to the kingside. 25 . . . 4) c7 2 5 . . . �c7? 26. .§ b3 +- ; 25 . . . 4Jxd3?? 26.�xa5
2 8 . Et b 3 � a 5 ? Now it i s over. 28 . . .
14.4)xc61 bxc6?1 14 . . . 4:'lxc6 is prob ably the lesser evil, although White has the initiative and no weaknesses after

3 1 .4:'lxe6! fxe6 32.itfxe6+ ctJg7 33.�e5+ ctJh6 3 4 . �f4 + '
1 5 .Axf6 .ilxf6 16.d5 exd5 1 7 . 4:'lxd5

(Wells). 31 .4)d7 Etb7 32.4)f6+ lifjlf8 3 3 . 4) x h7+ lit'g8 3 4 . 4) f6+ lifjlf8 35.h5 gxh5 36.E{g3 1-0

when the opposite-colored bishops add spice to White's attack. 15.a51 Fixing the a-pawn is extremely important, as now a6 and c6 are weak and White can try to launch an attack on the kingside w i th h i s w h o l e army. 1 5 . . . 4)fd5 16. .Q. xe7 �xe7 17.4)a4 Aiming for the strong outpost on c 5 . 17 ... 4)c7 18.E{ac1 E{fd8?1 Philipp Schlosser's suggestion 18. . . 4Jb5! was more precise, e.g. 1 9.4:'lb6?! ( 19.�e l !? ;J; ) 19 . . . .§ ad8 20.Axb5 cxb5 2 1 .d5 .§ fe8=. 19.4)b6 Etab8 20. �ell? Wells wants to expel the knight from its strong post on b4. 20... 4)a8?1

At first sight B lack has no apparent weaknesses, but Gurevich shows how to attack on the queenside: Gurevich,Mikhail (2667) Ponomariov,Rus/an (2630) FIDE World Cup-B Shenyang (3), -

03.09. 2000

21 .4)d21 Improves the worst placed piece to increase the pressure on the light squares. 21 ... 4)b8 2 1 . . .f5 22.�d5

60

Motifs 46.§g5 4Jc3 47.§g7 4J)(b5 48.§b7 +- .

'it!e7 2 3 . 4Jc4 b5 2 4 . 4Jd6 § b8 2 5 . b4 4Jb6 2 6 . 'it! b 3 'it! x d6 2 7 . b x c 5 ± .

40.E{e6t .Q.d6 4 1 . .Q. )( d 5 .£) )( d5 42.E{)(h7 �g8 43.Etb7 f4

22.�b5 �d7 23.a41 A very deep move. Gurevich had to make sure that his weak queenside pawns and squares can ' t be e x p l o i t e d . 23 . . . � )( b5 23 . . . 4Jc6 2 4 . 4Jc4 f6 25 . .ilh3 gives W hite strong pressure on the l i ght squares. 24.a)(b5 Ete7

44.�g21 This meets the criteria oftwo principles: it improves the worst placed piece and activates the king in the e n d g a m e . 44 . . . f )( e 3 4 5 . h e3 g4 46.�f21? An important principle in the endgame is: do not rush, especially if the opponent has no rea l acti v i ty. 46 . . . .Q.b4 47.�e2 .Q.a5 48.�d3 E{c8 49. Etd7 .£) c3 50. E{c6 E{e8 5 t . Et )(c3 .Q. )( c3 52.� )( c3 Et )(e3+ 5 3 . �c4 E{e2 54. E{d6 Et )( h 2 55.Etg6+ �f7 56.E{)(g4 1-0

25.b41 The point. White will dispose of his weaknesses, while Black's will remain. 25 ... E{ec7 26 . .£)c41 c )( b4 2 7 . E{ b l Et c 5 28 . E{ )( b4 E{d8 29.Etbbl f5?1 This is refuted by a beautiful shot, but good advice is al ready hard to give. 29 . . . 4Jc7 30.4Ja3 4Je6 3 l .f4 exf4 32.d4 §cc8 33.gxf4 ± . 30 . .£) )( e511 Et )(e5 30 . . . .ilxe5 3 l . d4 .ilxd4 32 .exd4 §c2 33.d5 4Jc5 34 . .ilf6 §e8 35.d6 +- . 3l . .Q.)(e5 .Q.)(e5 32.d4 .Q.d6 33.Etal .£)c7 33 . . . §d7 34.§a4

Doubled pawns can be statically strong and provide valuable anchor or outpost squares, but they usually do not like to advance, as it is quite difficult to do so w ithout leaving serious weaknesses behind.

and the a7-pawn fal ls. 34. .Q.flt .£)d7 35.Et )( a7 White's active rooks w i l l soon dominate the board. This endgame also shows the power of an attack with opposite-colored bishops. 35 ... �f8 3 6 . E{ c l .£) d 5 37 . E{ c6 .£) 7f6 37 .. .'!ie7 38 ..ilc4 'it'e6 39.f3 +- ( Ribli i n CBM 79). 38..Q.e2 .Q.e7 39. .Q.f3 g5?1 White should win in any case. One sample line runs 39 . . .'it'f7 40.h4 'it'e8

Brenninkmeijer,Joris (2490) Van der Sterren,Paul (2560) N LD-ch (2), 1 995 [E28]

l.d4 .£)f6 2.c4 e6 3. .£)c3 .Q.b4 4.e3 0-0 5.a3 Jl. )(c3+ 6.b)(c3 d6 7 . .£)e2 c51? Blockading the doubled pawns in order to lay siege to them later. Further more, it is good for B lack to put his pawns on dark squares to compensate

4 1 . h 5 g x h 5 4 2 . § e 6 § d7 4 3 . § x d7 'it' x d7 4 4 . § e 5 .ild6 4 5 . § x f5 'it'e6

61

The ChessC�fe Puzzle Book 2 doubled pawns can sometimes be ac ceptable:

for the missing bishop. 8.4)g3 4)c6 9.Jld3?1 9.e4 is better according to theory. 9 ...b6 The beginning of a typi cal siege of the doubled pawn. 10.0-0 J1,a6 l l .J1,b2?1 4)a5 12.�e2 E!cB 13.E!ac1

Botvinnik,Mikhail - Kan,Ilia l i th U RS-ch Leningrad ( I 0), 1 939

White is better despite his bad pawn structure because of the strong outpost d5 and the semi-open b-file. 16.4)e41 The defender of the outpost is ex changed to al low the bishop to come to i t s dream sq uare : d 5 . 16 . . . �d8 1 7 . 4) x f6+ � x f6 1 8 .j},e4 E{b8 19.E!ad1 b6 20.h3 Jl.a6 21.Ad5 b5 22.cxb5 E! xb5 23.c4 E!b6 24.E{b1 E!dB 25.E!xb6 axb6? The resulting structure i s aston i s h i n g l y w e a k .

13 ...�d71? Increasing the pressure on the light squares. The alternative 13 . . .d5 1 4 . cxd5 .Q.xd3 1 S ."t;¥xd3 exdS 1 6 . f3 4Jc4 i s also better for B l ack. The

doubled pawn has disappeared, but the squares are sti ll weak - a typical phe nomenon. 14.e4 �a4 15.f4 The im mediate 1 5 .e5!? is more dangerous, but B lack can defend: l S . . . dxeS 16.dxe5 4Jd7 17:l;i<e4 g6 18.l'�cd l "t;¥h3! 19 ..ilc2 "t;¥xh2 20 . .§ xd7 �xc3 and White's at

25 . . . �xh6! 26.e4 ( 26.f6? .§ xdS 2 7 . .§b1 .§ d 2 ! = is the tactical justifi cati o n . ) 2 6. . . "t;¥f6 27.fl.h1 is better for White, but

tack is repelled, while his weaknesses rema i n . 1 5 ... A. x c4 1 6.e5 d x e5?1 1 6 ... Axd3!? 1 7 . "t;¥xd3 "t;¥c4 was more precise. 17.fxe5 4)d5 18.4)e4 cxd4 19.4)f6+1 4) x f6 19 . . . gxf6?? runs into 20 . lb h 7 + +- . 20.e x f6 j}, x d3 21. �xd3 dxc3? Now the game peters out into a draw. 2 1 . . . 4Jc4! was called for: 22.�g3 g6 23.�g5 'it'h8 24."t;¥h6 !'!g8 25.cxd4 gS + (Dautov in CBM 48). 2 2 . f x g7 E{fd8 2 3 . E! x c 3 4) c4 24.�xh7+1 � x h7 25.E!h3+ �g6 26.E!g3+ � h 5 27 . E! h 3 + �g6 28.E!g3+ Yt-Yt

Black can offer tough resistance. 26.e4 Ac8 27.�a4 Ad7 28.�a7 Ae8 29.E!b1 E!d6

.

Final ly, one example to show that

62

Motifs 30.a4! A strong u n d e rm i n i n g . 3 0 . . . Ciflh7 3 1 . a 5 b x a 5 32.� x a 5 .§a6 33.� xc5 .§ a 2 34.�e3 �a6

35 ..§b8 �a4 36.Cjfjlh2 .§a3 37.�c5 .§a2 38. .§a8 �xa8 39 . .Q.xa8 .§xa8 40.� xe5 .Q.c6 41.�c7 1-0

Exercises (E64) Ehlvest,Jaan (2587) Christiansen,Larry (2544) New York ( 5 ) , 28 .04.2003

(E62) Socko,Bartosz (2570) Levin,Felix (2498) Bundesliga Germany (8.3), 29.0 1 .2005

-

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w

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Where is Black's Achil les' heel? (One point) Solutions begin on page 1 68.

White's superior activity does not seem to mean much, but this is deceptive. Can you find out why? (One point)

(E63) Kramnik, Vladimir (27 1 0) Ribli,Zoltan (261 0) PCA Groningen ( I ), 1 993

(E65) Gabriel, Christian (2575) Hickl,Joerg (2565) Bad Homburg (7), 1 997

w

B

In this typical position with hanging pawns, Kramnik seized the moment to start a strong initiative. Can you do the same? (Two points)

There are many holes in White's pawn formation, but which one to exploit first? (One point)

63

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (E66) Yusupov,Artur (2655) Lautier,Joe/ (2645) Donner mern-A Amsterdam (3 ), 1 994

(E68) Wang Yue (2549) Ponomariov,Rus/an (2700) Aeroflot op Moscow (6), 20.02.2005

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How to continue White's play in the center? (Three points)

How to assess this position with White to move? (Two points)

(E69) Bu Xiangzhi (2607) Tregubov,Pavel (2629) Aeroflot op Moscow (7), 2 1 .02 .2005

(E67) Kargin,Arseny (2251 ) Maljutin,Evgeni (2440) Geller Memorial, Moscow (5), 1 4.02 . 1 999

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B l ack has many weaknesses on the queenside, but how to exploit them? (Two points)

Black's bishop seems to be bad, but how will White exploit it? (Two points)

64

Motifs (E70) Anand, Viswanathan (2770) lvanchuk, Vassily (2731) FI DE-wch K.O. Moscow (6.4),

1 3 . 1 2 .200 1

B

This is a good example ofCapablanca's Theorem, that �+4J are better than �+..ll . How did lvanchuk prove it? (One point)

65

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 Weak Color Complex

This chapter is strongly related to the chapters on "Weaknesses" and "Domi nation." As I said, usually one weak ness does not exist in isolation, but is connected with a whole weak color complex:

pieces are on light squares. 23 ... §.c7 24 . §. x a4 �c5 2 5 . §.c4 � x c4 2 6 . 4) b6+
Pavlovic,Milo.'i (2548) Jan.'isen,Ruud (2489) Corus-C Wij k aan Zee (8), 1 9. 0 1 .2004

The next two examples deal with the creation of a weak color complex: Kochyev,Alexander (2430) Shaposhnikov,Evgeny (241 5) St. Petersburg-ch ( 1 2), 1 9.04. 1 998 [A08]

1.4)f3 4)f6 2.g3 d5 3.jlg2 e6 4.0-0 Ae7 5.d3 0-0 6.4)bd2 c5 7.e4 4)c6 8.§.e1 b5 9.e5 4)d7 10.4)f1 a 5 l l .h41 b4 12.h5 Aa6

Obviously, d5 is weak as it cannot be protected by pawns, but c6 and b7 are also weak, so White can try to exploit the weak color complex on the light squares and combine it with an attack. 14.a41 A very strong pawn sacrifice to get a b i n d on the l i g h t s q uares . 14 4) x e4? 1 4 . . . h4 was necessary: ..•

13.h6 White creates a weak color com plex around Black's king and bases all h i s fol lowing play on exploiting it. 13 ...g6 14.jlf4 a4 15.a31 This stops a4-a3, after which a weak color com plex and the breakthrough c5-c4 would arise. 1 5 Ab5 1 5 . . . hxa3 16 .hxa3 l"! h8 was the alternative. 16.4) 1h2 §.c8 17.4)g4 c4? The beginning of a flawed concept. This only strengthens White's center, his bind on the dark

1 5 . .>lxf6 .tlxf6 16..tld5 .tlxd5 1 7.exd5 a5 1 8 . l"! e4 w i th an i n i t i a t i v e i n

V.Kotron ias- B .Jobava, Batumi 2002. 1 5 . Jl. x e4 Jl x g 5 + 16.
••.

66

Motifs squares and even gives White play on the queenside. 17 . . . 4Jd4! was called for, as it is much more difficult to exchange Black's key bishop on e7. 18.d4 c3 1 9 . b x c3 b x a3 2 0 . � d 2 ! ? 4) a 5 21.jlg5 �xg5 22.4) xg5 �e7

Murrey,Jacob (2487) Marin,Mihail (2555) I S R-chT Israel (6), 1 7.03.2000

22.� x b6! An amazing solution. In order to achieve a strong bind on the dark squares, White exchanges his un opposed bishop! But what remains on the board is more important than what comes o ff of i t . 2 2 . t:!e 1? .ll d 5 = . 22 cx b6 23.4)e5 �d5 24.g3 b5 "Now we see - to prevent c4, an ugly dark square weaknesses will emerge. Of course, exchanging the knight on b6 also helped to render white's outpost im pregnab l e . " ( We l l s in CBM 7 7 ) 25.a5 \tlf8 26.\tlb2 \tle7

23.ftebl Now White uses the files on the queenside to strengthen his initia tive. 23 ... Etb8 24.�f4 4)c4 B lack's position on the queenside looks good at first sight, but it cannot really be im proved and B l ack's proud knight on c4 can be exchanged for the g2-bishop at any time. 24 . . . Ac4 is met by 2 5 . t:!xb8 t:!xb8 26.t:!xa3! ( H orn in CBM 6 5 )

. . •

2 6. . . § b 1 + 27. 'itrh2 Ab5 28.c4
ftfb8 27.\tlh2 Useful prophylaxis, as B lack can do nothing. 27 4)b2 Wait ing does not help. 27 . . . §8b7 28.Axc4 ..•

Axc4 2 9 . t:!x a4 a2 3 0 . 4Je4 § b 1 3 1 . 4Jgf6 + 4J x f6 3 2 A::l x f6+ 'itrh8 33. 4Jd7! +- (Hom). 28.Jlxb5 ft xb5 29.Etxa3 ft8b7 29 . . . t:!xb4 30.cxb4 § xb4 3 l .t:!f3! § xd4 3 2."itfxd4 "itfxg5 33."itta7 +- . 30.ft xb5 Et x b5 3 1 .c4!

4) xc4 32.Et xa4 Eta5 33.Etb4 Eta7 33 . . . 4Jcb6 34. 4Jf6+
27 .c41? A good way to open roads for the k i n g and the roo k . 27 . . . b x c4 2 7 . . . B xc4 28.t:!d7+ 'itrf6 29.4Jxc6 ± . 2 8 . \tlc3 \tld6 2 9 . 4) xc4+ \tlc5 30.4)e5 figS 3l.ftbl g5 32.ftb7 h5

34 . 4) f6+ 4) x f6 3 5 . � x f6 �f8 36.Etb8 1-0 What remains on the board is often more important than what comes off of it: 67

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 32 . . . gxf4 33 .4Jd3+ 'it'd6 3 4 . 4J x f4 ± .

3 3 . f x g 5 Et x g5 3 4 .li) d3+
haunt h i m . " ( We l l s i n CBM 8 1 ) 1 5 . . . 4Je4! was the way to go: 1 6.4Je2 Jlc4 ( 1 6 . . . a4? 1 7 .4Jf4 Jlc4 1 8.4Jxd5 Jlxd5 1 9.c4 ± ) 1 7.f3 tzlxd2 1 8.�xd2=

( We l l s ) . 16.4)e2 Elfb8 1 7.f3 b4 18.
To fight against a bind, you should try and sense the danger early in order to take prophylactic measures. It is also important to exchange the proper pieces by keeping important defenders on the board - usually the bishop that defends the weak color complex:

19.4)c11 This positional exchange sac rifice is much stronger than 1 9.axb3 E!. x b3 2 0 . El. a 2 = . 19 ... b2 20.4) xd3 bxa1 � 21.Elxa1 a4 22.e4 h6 23.h4 4) a 5 2 3 . . . d x e 4 ? 2 4 . fx e 4 tzl x g 4 + 25 .'it'g3 h 5 26.e5 ± . 24.g5 White's bishops are much stronger than the rook and knight. A good example of the strength of the bi shop-pair fo l lows. 24 ... h xg5 25.hxg5 4)h5 26.exd5 4)c4 27.Acl a3 28.4)b4

Van Wely,Loek (2700) Piket,Jeroen (2632) Corus Wij k aan Zee (7), 2 1 .0 1 .200 I

The light squares on White's queenside are weak and the 0-knight is somewhat in the way, so van Wely uncorked : 15.4)g1 1 b5?1 " A highly committal strategy. I suspect black had in mind the ful l plan which he is able to carry through, but after winning material the huge gash which he has caused in his own structure will come back to

Now it is White who has a bind on the light squares. The tables have turned completely! 28 ... Ete8 29.Afl 4)b2 30.jld2 g6 3 1 .Ab5 Eleb8 32.c4

68

Motifs E!b6 33.E!el �f8 34.�g2 E!ab8 35 . .£J c 6 E! x b5 3 6 .c x b 5 E! x b 5 37 . .1lb4+ �g7 38 . .1l x a3 .£! c4 39 . .1l c l E! x d5 40. E!e7 E! b 5 4 1 . E! x c 7 E! b l 42 . .£j e 5 E! x c l 43 . E! x c4 .£! f4+ 4 4 . � h 2 E! d l 45.E!c7 E! xd4 46.E!xf7+ �g8 47.a3 E!d2+ 48.�g3 .£lh5+ 49.�h3 E!d5 50. E!e7 E! a 5 5 1 . .£l xg6 E! x g5 5 2 . �h4 E! a 5 5 3 . E!e3 .£l f6 54 . .£J e7+ �g7 5 5 . .£l c 6 E! h 5 +

56.�g3 E!c5 5 7. .£le5 .£ld5 58.E!d3 E!a5 59 . .£Jc6 E!c5 60 . .£jd8 .£lc7 6t ..£jb7 E!cl 62.a4 �f6 63.a5 �e5 64.E!d7 .£Je6 65 . .£ld8 .£lf4 66.a6 E!gl+ 67.�f2 E!g2+ 68.�fl E!a2 69.a7 .£ld5 70. .£jc6+ �e6 71.E!d8 .£lc7 72 . .£ld4+ �e5 73 . .£lb5 �f4 74.E!f8+ �g3 75 . .£1 x c7 E! x a7 76 . .£1 b5 E! a 2 7 7 . .£j d4 E!f2+ 78.�el E! a 2 7 9 . E! g8+ �f4 80.E!g4+ 1-0

Exercises (E72) Timman,Jan (2625) Kuzubov, Yuriy (2535) 1 5th EU-chT Gothenburg (2), 3 1 .07.2005

(E71) Kosten,Anthony (2522) Lautier,Joel (2672) FRA-ch Chartres (6), 20.08.2005

B

w

How to use Black's space advantage? (One point) Solutions begin on page 1 70.

Which is B lack's most important de fender? (One point)

69

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (E75) Ftacnik,Lubomir (2585) Cvitan,Ognjen (2570) Bundesliga Germany, 1 997

(E73) Sakaev,Konstantin (2672) Gouliev,Namig (2526) 6th EU-ch Warsaw (2), 1 9.06.2005

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w

How to assess this position with White to move? (Three points)

Sakaev makes just one innocent look ing move and B lack's position collapsed l ike a house of cards. Can you spot it? (One point)

(E76) Khalifman,Aiexander (2700) Rublevsky,Sergei (2639) Kazan (2), 1 6.08.200 1

(E74) Yudasin,Leonid Benjamin,Joel M i nneapolis 2005

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w

At first sight this looks l ike a typical Hedgehog, but Khal ifman found a flaw. Can you spot it? (Three points)

How did Yudasin crown h i s attack? (Four points)

70

Motifs (E77) Yandemirov, Valeri (2500) Shchukin,Dmitry (2400) Chigorin Memorial, St. Petersburg (6), 1 997

w

H ow to continue White's in itiative? (Two points)

71

Tests

You have two hours for each of the twenty tests. Solve them from the diagrams and write your solutions on a sheet of paper. I advise you to take one test per day and then use your average score over all twenty tests. Of course, your score (or "Positional Elo") must be taken with a very large grain of salt, as tactics play an extremely important role in chess.

Test 01

(Tl .O l ) Donev,lvo (2420) Summermatter,Daniel (23 15) SUJ-chT Switzerland, 29.03 . 1 998

(T I .02) Nielsen,Peter Heine (2626) Lahno,Katerina (2486) 79th Hastings ( 3 ), 30. 1 2.2003

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8

White clearly has more space on the queenside and the two bishops, but Black has no obvious weaknesses. How did the Danish GM continue? (Two points)

White is saddled with doubled, back ward c-pawns. However, this appears to be more than o ffset by the strong centralized knight. Is it? (Two points) Solutions begin on page 1 72.

72

Tests (TI .05) Miezi...,Normunds (2524) Dautov,Rustem (2630) 5th Bad Wiessee (9), 04. 1 1 .200 I

(T I .03) Nunn,John (2605) Conquest,Stuart (2585) Hastings (7), 1 2. 1 996

B

w

Which pieces does White want to ex change? (Two points)

B lack's 4:\e7 and .lld7 seem to be q uite restricted. How did Dautov change this? (Two points)

(T l .04) Anand, Viswanathan (2766) - Markowski, Tomasz (261 0) Bundesliga, Germany (4. 1 ) 23. 1 1 .2003

(TI .06) Knaak,Rainer (2495) Ge/ler,Ejim (2575) Moscow, 1 982

,

w

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W h e re do W h i t e ' s pieces belo ng? (Three points)

Find White's strongest move ! (Two points)

73

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (Tl .07) Vydes/aver,A/ik (2405) Psakhis,Lev (2560) ISR-ch Ramat Aviv ( 1 . 1 ), 08. 1 1 . 1 998

(Tl .09) Boensch, Uwe Schwartz,Bernd 24th DOR-ch Stralsund ( 1 6), 1 975

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B

B

What to do in this typical Sicilian posi tion? (Two points)

White has many positional trumps and will be on top in the long run. So how should B lack act? (Five points)

(Tl .08) Jvanov,lgor (2430) Arnason,Jon (2450) Lone Pine op, 1 98 1

(Tl . l 0) Chebanenko, Vecheslav (2410) - /zvozchikov,Alexander (2330) U RS-chT Riga, 1 975

w

B

White's spatial advantage appears to be offset by Black's play on the queenside. The Canadian 1M finds a way stifle that play, keeping the advantages of the po sition. How? (Two points)

The ending looks relatively equal. Ma terial is even, both kings have come into the center and although Wh ite has a queenside pawn majority, there does not seem to much here. B lack disagrees. What did he play? (Two points)

74

Tests (Tl . 13) Smirin,Jiia (2676) Pelletier, Yannick (2571) Biel (6), 28.07 .2002

(T l . l l ) Nie/sen,Peter Heine (2648) Cheparinov,Jvan (2572) Corus-B Wijk aan Zee (5), 20. 0 1 .2005

B

w

A quick look at this position might sug gest Black is in trouble. White threat ens both <£\xc6 winning the exchange, and <£\fS+, winning the queen. H owever, the Bu lgarian grandmaster has seen deeper. What did he play? (One point)

White's pieces are nicely centralized, but the king is in the center. What is the proper evaluation of this position and how should W h ite continue? (One point)

(Tl . l2) Mi/es,Anthony (2550) Rodriguez Cespedes,Amador (2555) Yopal (5), 24.06. 1 997

(Tl .14) lvanchuk, Vassily (271 9) Ehlvest,Jaan (2627) FI DE-wch K.O. (2.4), 02. 1 2.2000

B

w

White's position appears threatening. The knight on e5 is supported by the d and f-pawns, while the doubled rooks are ready to spring into action after fS. What does the Estonian grandmaster find to tum the tables? (Three points)

White clearly has more space, but Black seems solidly entrenched. How did the late British grandmaster gain a decisive advantage? (Two points)

75

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (Tl . I S) Rublevsky,Sergei Volkov,Sergey Smolensk, 1 99 1

(T1 . 1 6) Bogoljubow,Efim Gothilf,Solomon Moscow, 1 925

w

B

There doesn't seem to be much going on here. Material is equal and neither side appears to have any direct threats. However, a closer examination of the position reveals that some pieces may be worth more than their counterparts. How did White continue? (One point)

This appears to be a rather run-of-the mill opening position. B lack's light squared bishop has left the queenside, but that should not be fatal, if he finds the right move here. (Four points)

76

Tests Test 02

(T2.0 1 ) Nunn,John (2620) Ward,Christopher (2485) Hastings (6), 04.0 1 . 1 998

(T2.03) Stange,Sven Van Beek�/exander (2259) Vlissingen HZ op (6}, 08.08.2002

w

w

What is White's best strategy? (Two points) Solutions begin on page 1 79.

The black king cannot castle and is tem porari ly caught in the center. How can White capitalize? (Two points)

(T2.02) Ovsejevit.<;ch,Sergei (2526) Malakhatko, Vadim (2568) Ordzhonikidze zt 1 .9 (8), 1 6.06.2000

(T2.04) Salov, Valery (2660) Adams,Michae/ (2630) Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee (9}, 0 1 . 1 993

w

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B lack's compact position seems to be able to withstand any attacking attempts by White. In this clash of the super GMs, Salov finds a way to keep the pressure on his opponent. What did he play? (One point)

Perhaps you cannot pronounce White's name, B lack's name or even the name of the place whe re th i s game was played. You may be able to say "open ing the position," but can you "walk the walk" after you "talk the talk"? (Two points)

77

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T2.05) Jovanic,Ognjen (2435) Jurkovic,Ante (2324) Pula op (4), 22.06.2004

(T2.07) Bak/an, Vladimir (2585) Kopylov,Mihail (2385) Donetzk zt (2 ) , 03 . 1 1 . 1 998

w

How to stop Black's counterplay on the kingside? (Five points)

White already has strong pressure on B lack's position. How does White tum up the heat? (One point)

(T2.06) Ramirez Alvarez.Alejandro (2507) - Smeets,Jan (2475) Corus-B (5), 20.0 1 .2005

(T2.08) Short,Nigel (2665) Kasparov, Garry (2775) Euwe mem (4), 26.03 . 1 996

B

Everything seems to be working in White's favor. The bishops have scope, the rooks are well-placed and every thing seems in order. B lack shows how looks can be deceiving. What did he play? (Three points)

This is not an easy position to evaluate. White has the two bishops, but the one on d4 looks like a big pawn. It may also be undermined if B lack can get in a timely b5-b4. How does the British grandmaster continue? (Two points)

78

Tests (T2. 1 1 ) Kaidanov,Gregory (2596) Kraai,Jesse (2442) USA-ch Seattle ( I ). 05.01 .2002

(T2.09) Sebag,Marie (2432) Berg,Emanue/ (2495) Malmo Masters (8), 05.08.2003

B

w

How to assess this position with B lack to move? (Two points)

What is White's first priority? (Two points)

(T2. 1 0) Zifroni,Dov (250 1 ) Karolyi, Tibor Jr. (2432) 1 5th Czerniak mem (7), 06.04. 1 999

(T2. 1 2) Shariyazdanov,Andrey (2582) - So/ak,Dragan (2490) Subotica (2), 1 9. 1 2.2000

B

How to stop White's initiative? (One point)

Everything looks in order. The game is just emerging from the opening, Black will castle, bring out his b8-knight and, as they say, it's a game. Sti ll, is there some way White can immediately put Black under pressure? ( Four points)

79

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T2. 13) Thorhal/sson, Gylfi Hil/arp Persson, Tiger Icelandic Team Championship, 2003

(T2. 1 5) Mikhalevski, Victor (2499) Ribshtein,Nati (2362) I S R-chT Ramat Aviv ( I ), 1 4 . 0 1 .2000

B

w

-

White is threatening to take on d6. How to react? (Two points)

In this typical Benoni position, time is quite important. H ow did White seize the moment? (Two points)

(T2.14) Nisipeanu,Liviu Dieter (261 1 ) Avrukh,Boris (2620) Corus-B (2), 1 9.0 1 .2000

(T2.1 6) lbragimov,lldar (2554) Shchekachev,Andrei (2505) R US-ch K.O. (3.2), 20. 1 2. 1 999

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B

w

How to increase Black's pressure? (Two points)

White certainly has a comfortable po s i tion, but how to make progress? (Three points)

80

Tests Test 03 (T3.03) Milos,Gilberto (2605) Polgar,Judit (2665) Sao Paulo, 1 996

(T3.01 ) Bareev,Evgeny (2702) Vaganian,Rafae/ (2623) FI DE-wch K.O. (2. 1 ), 30. 1 1 .2000

B

w

This endgame appears difficult to evalu ate, but Bareev found a way to get his horses hopping. . . (Two points) Solu tions begin on page 1 86.

I s White's center strong or overex tended? (Three points)

(T3.04) Rogozenko,Dorian (2530) Mu/ler,Kan;ten (2500) Bundesliga Germany, 1 997

(T3.02) Kha/ifman,Alexander (2628) Barua,Dibyendu (2550) FIDE-wch K.O. ( 1 .6), 02.08. 1 999 -

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Khalifman was on his way to winning the FIDE world title. Although the po sition looks relatively equal, he sees the possibility of giving it a little massage. How did he keep his cool in the scorch ing summer heat? (Two points)

Normally two pieces are more than enough compensation for a rook. How ever, White's rooks have broken through on the kingside. Black seems to be hold ing, but White shows that any sense of security is an il lusion. ( Five points)

81

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T3.05) Troiane.<;cu,Octavio Petrosian, Tigran Bucharest ( I 0), 1 9 5 3

(T3.07) Rodriguez Guerrero,Enrique (2133) - Kalantarian,Norik (2474) 5th Ubeda op ( I ), 20. 0 1 .2000

B

B

B lack has already given up the ex change and has ample compensation in the form of the two bishops and a pro tected passed pawn. However, the fu ture world champion has more i n mind . . . (Two points)

With his king still in the center, B lack has launched an attack on the kingside, while White seems to have black's queenside bott led up. How should Black proceed? (One point)

(T3.06) Afek, Yochanan (2375) Hauchard,Arnaud (2500) Herzliya (4), 09.09. 1 998

(T3.08) McShane,Luke (2568) Stefansson,Hannes (2569) Reykjavik Hrokurinn (5), 22.02.2003

w

B

White, a noted endgame study com poser, is a pawn up, but the bishop's scope is restricted as a result of the many pawns on white squares. Can Black make use of this and hold the position? (One point)

B lack looks like he is doing well on the light squares and his king's position seems secure. But the young English grandmaster has seen a strong plan. What concept did he apply and how do you evaluate the position? (Two points)

82

Tests (T3.09) Karpov,Anatoly (2740) Topa/ov, Veselin (2640) Linares ( 4 ), 1 994

(T3. 1 1 ) Grivas,Efstratios (25 14) Naumann,Alexander (2478) GRE-GER m Corfu (2), 1 3 . 1 0. 1 999

w

w

How did Karpov obtain full control? (Three points)

White has pressure down the d-file, but B lack seems to be holding on. How can White tum up the heat? (Three points)

(T3. 1 0) Svetushkin,Dmitry (2505) Ham>en,Sune Berg (2555) Olympiad Bled SLO (9), 04. 1 1 .2002

(T3. 1 2) Adams,Michael (27 1 5) Polgar,Judit (2658) Corus Wijk aan Zee (2), 1 6. 0 1 .2000

8

B

How to deal with White's queenside majority? (Two points)

Where is White's Achilles' heel? (Three points)

83

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T3.15) Wohl,Aleksandar (2440) Solomon,Stephen (2435) Saintly Cup Sydney (3), 24.0 1 . 1 999

(T3.13) Atalik,Suat (2541) Blagojevic,Dragisa (2527) Zenica op (5), 08. 1 2.2004

w

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Black has a knight on e4 supported by a pawn and rook. White is poised for the classic m i nority attack on the queens ide. How should White proceed? (Two points)

The black knights are embedded deep in the white position. But things are not always as they seem. What did Wohl see? (One point)

(T3.14) Gereben,Erno Wirthensohn,Heinz Bern, 1 974

(T3. 16) Mortensen,Er/ing (2438) Boe 0/sen,Mads (2389) DEN-ch Nyborg (9), 1 5 .04.200 1

w

B

White is attacking the black queen, but at the same time, the knight on c3 is loose. What should B lack do? (Four points)

White has the nice d5-square for his pieces, and the black pawn on d6 i s backward. C a n W h i t e exploit these weaknesses? (One point)

84

Tests Test 04 (T4.0 1 ) Richardson Sadler England, 1 995

(T4.03) lnkiov, Ventzislav (2480) Manouck, Thierry (2365) Bulgaria (3), 1 985

B

B

White is being pressed on the queen side, but seems to be holding. How did B lack i mprove h i s pos ition further? (Two points) Solutions begin on page 1 92.

White wants to force a concession from B lack on the queenside. How do you react? (Three points)

(T4.02) Paehtz,Eiisabeth (233 1 ) Nemet,lvan (2439) PSV GM Rostock (3), 27.08.2002

(T4.04) Gustafsson,Jan (2572) Prusikhin,Mihailo (25 1 9) 2nd Pulvermuehle ( I 0), 27.02.2004

w

B lack tries to get a firm hold on the dark squares. H ow do you react? ( Two points)

I n t h i s typical H edgehog position, White had a poisonous plan in mind. Can you spot it? (Three points)

85

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T4.07) Karpov,Anatoly (2700) Unzicker, Wolfgang (2535) N ice ol (3), 1 974

(T4.05) Petrosian, Tigran Planinc,Aibin Amsterdam, 1 973

w

w

How to put White's activity to good use? (One point)

Karpov had just opened the a-fi le. What was his point? (Two points)

(T4.06) Polgar,Susan Wong Mazatlan, 1 988

(T4.08) Bindrich, Falko (2339) Abel,Dennes (2 1 77) OEM U l 6 Wi llingen (4), 1 6.05 .2005

w

B

Black has gained plenty of space, but h i s pieces are sti l l quite passively placed. White should act before Black's army is better coordinated! (Two points)

White has a strong initiative for the sac rificed pawn. Can you find B lack's best defense? (Four points)

86

Tests (T4.1 1 ) Leko,Peter (270 1) Bunzmann,Dimitrij (2596) Hamburg m (6}, 2 1 . 1 0. 1 999

(T4.09) Khalifman,Aiexander (2545) - Luther, Thomas (241 0) Leningrad, 1 989

w

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White's pieces look well-placed, but the future FIDE world champion realizes he can reposition one piece with deci sive effect. Which one and how? (Three points)

Although the position of Black's king looks a little drafty, it is not all that clear how White can break through. The d4pawn is backward and d5 is firmly un der B lack's control. Isn 't it? (Three points)

(T4. 1 0) Wells,Peter (2480) Emms,John (2545) Redbus Knockout London ( I . 1 ), 2000

(T4. 12) Garjinkel,Boris Russeii,Hanon corr 1 974

w

w

How to continue White's attack? (Two points)

When two popular GM authors clash, you are almost certain to see something instructive. White is on top, but how does he break through? (Three points)

87

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T4. 1 5) Andersson, Ulf(2623) Gi.'ibrecht,Ewgeni (2422) Bundesliga Germany (6.6), 1 2. 1 2. 1 999

(T4. 13) Sh/iperman,lgor (24 1 0) Yermo/insky,Alex (2650) World op Philadelphia (3), 1 997

B

Both sides have a compact position, but White seems to have the edge with the bi shop-pair and more space on the queenside. However, B lack sees things differently. What did he play? (Two points)

This position looks relatively normal. White has more space and B lack is a little constricted on the queenside, but there is nothing immediately obvious. What did the Swedish grandmaster see? (Two points)

(T4. 14) Rodriguez,Jorge Luis (2300) - Soppe,Guillermo (2440) Buenos Aires Naj dorf qual ( 4 ) 1 992

(T4.16) Mii/ler,Karsten (2505) Gabriei, Christian (2575) Bundesliga Germany, 1 997

,

w

B

H ow to continue White's in itiative? (Two points)

How to assess this position with Black to move? (One point)

88

Tests Test 05 (T5.03) Felgaer,Ruben (26 18) Rodriguez,Andres (2523) 50th Villa Martelli (2), 1 8.08.2005

(T5.0 1) Mikhalevski, Victor (25 16) Blees,Albert (241 0) Lost Boys op Antwerp ( 8), 07.08. 1 999

w

w

Despite the knight embedded on c6, Black is expanding on the queenside. What should White do? (Three points) Solutions begin on page 1 97.

How did Wh ite increase the pressure? (Two points)

(T5.02) Erenburg,Sergey (2533) Uhlmann, Wolfgang (2411 ) ZMD op Dresden (7), 2 1 .07.2004

(T5.04) Lautier,Joel (2625) Topalov, Veselin (2700) Elista ol (6), 04. 1 0. 1 998

B

w

White is hoping for an initiative on the queenside. But are his forces too far away from his monarch? (Two points)

With approximate material equality, no obvious entry points and opposite colored bishops, some players might be inclined to split the point. How did White proceed against his veteran op ponent? (Four points)

89

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T5.05) Epishin, Vladimir (2630) lvanchuk, Vassily (2720) Tilburg (2), 1 992

(T5.07) Krasenkow,Michal Beliavsky,Alexander Bundesliga Germany, I 0.04.2005

B

B

How did lvanchuk create counterplay? (Two points)

Should B lack attack or defend? (Three points)

(T5.06) Hector,Jonny (25 13) Nielsen,Peter Heine (2636) Sigeman & Co Malmo (5),

(T5.08) Mahesh Chandran,P (2482) - Novikov,lgor (2588) UTD GM Dallas USA (6),

1 0.06.2002

1 2. 1 2 .2004

How did the fearless Hector continue his attack? (Two points)

F ind B lack's typical plan in this Sicil ian position! (Two points)

w

90

Tests (T5.09) Lastin,Aiexander (2622) Gelfand,Boris (27 1 4) RUS-chT Sochi (8), 27.04.2004

(T5. 11) Ribli,Zoltan (2574) Yu.
-

B

B

How to assess this position? (Two points)

Wh ite's pressure on the queenside is strong, but there was a way to neutral ize it. Can you find it? (Two points)

(T5. 1 0) Gurevich,Dmitry (2502) Gulko,Boris (2583) 2nd American Continental Buenos Aires (6), 23.08.2003

(T5. 1 2) Salov, Valery (2680) Karpov,Anatoly (2735) Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee (7), 24.0 1 . 1 998

-

B

White's structure looks a bit suspect, but how to exploit it? (Two points)

B lack's hedgehog structure already has some holes. How to use White's advan tage in development to increase the pressure? (Two points)

91

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T5. 1 5) Marin,Mihail (2485) lnkiov, Ventzislav (251 0) Stara Zagora zt-B (6), 1 990

(T5. 13) Kamsky,Gata (2645) Kramnik, Vladimir (271 0) wchT Luzem (4), 1 993

w

How did Kamsky use his i nitiative? (Two points)

Black is almost dominated, but how to finish him off? (Two points)

(T5. 14) Hiibner,Robert (2640) Tischbierek,Raj (2523) 74th GER-ch (5), 26. 1 1 .2002

(T5. 1 6) Petrosian, Tigran (2645) Nunn,John (241 0) Hastings ( 1 3 ), 1 977

w

w

Before you open a second front, you sometimes must make sure all is quiet on the first one. How does Hubner do it? (Four points)

The former world champion was play ing against the up-and-coming British star John Nunn. What did "The Tiger" find in this position? (One point)

92

Tests Test 06 (T6.03) Miiller,Kar..,ten Dinstuhl, Volkmar I .BL, Castrop-HSK, 6.Brett, 1 4.04.2002

(T6.01) Winter, William Capablanca,Jose Raul Hastings, 1 9 1 9

8

8

Dark c l ouds are gathering around B lack's kingside. What to do about it? (Two points)

How did the future world champion demonstrate that White has his hands full? What did B lack play? (Two points) Solutions begin on page 203. (T6.02) Zilberman,Nathan (2455) Gu...ev, Vladimir (2360) Belgorod, 1 990

(T6.04) Schlosser,Philipp (2490) Schild, Christoph (2278) BL2-Sued Germany (8.5), 1 4.04.2002 -

-

w

w

Black has just made a bold pawn ad vance in front of his own king and was duly punished. Can you spot how? (Two points)

B l ack has aggress i v e l y challenged White in the center. By calmly assess ing the position, White finds a simple, yet dangerous response. (Four points)

93

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T6.05) Dolmatov,Sergey (261 5) Wahls,Matthia.'> (2525) Bundesliga Germany, 1 993

(T6.07) Andersson, UI/(2599) Markowski, Tomasz (2549) Bundesliga Germany (5.3), 1 4. 1 2.2002

w

w

How did White open the gates? (Two points)

How to use Black's weakened kingside? (Two points)

(T6.06) Vaganian,Rafael (261 5) Muller,Kar.'>ten (2485) Bundesliga Germany, 1 996

(T6.08) Bareev,Evgeny (27 1 1 ) Gelfand,Boris (2714) RUS-chT Sochi (6), 25.04.2004

8

8

White's mighty bishops seem to domi nate the rooks. But it is Black's move. (One point)

How to neutralize White's pressure? (Two points)

94

Tests (T6.09) Sofler,Ram (2525) Smirin,llia (2590) ISR Cup-f ( 5), 1 4.05 . 1 998

(T6. 1 1 ) Wells,Peter (2506) Bar.•wv,A/exei (2534) 2nd Vikings GM York ( 8), 20. 1 2 .2000

B

w

Smirin easily located the Achil les' heel of Wh ite's position. Can you do the same? (Two points)

White's rook on c6 is under attack, and it looks like it has to retreat to a6. Can you see what Wells saw? ( Four points)

(T6. 1 0) Zhukova,Natalia (2465) Koroty/ev,Alexey (2603) Corus-C Wijk aan Zee (3 ) 1 7. 0 1 .2005

(T6. 1 2) Capablanca, Jose Rau/ Miese...,Jacques Bad Kissingen (5), 1 928

,

B

w

The great Cuban world champion un dertakes a maneuver fairly typical i n games featuring a minority attack. What did he do? (Three points)

White has more space on the queens ide, but B lack is pressing on the other wing. How was B lack able to open the posi tion to his advantage? (Two points)

95

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T6.15) Hodgson,Julian (2560) Maiwald,Jens Uwe (2495) Mermaid Beach Club Bermuda (6), 1 997

(T6.13) Kramnik, Vladimir (2730) Timman,Jan (2590) Belgrade ( I ), 1 995

w

w

White has concentrated his forces on the queenside, but how can he take ad vantage of the weakened dark squares on Black's kingside? (Two points)

The dangerous attacker Julian Hodgson has j ust sacrificed the a2-pawn. What did he have up h i s s l eeve? (Three points)

(T6.14) Beliavsky,Alexander (2667) - Aagaard,Jacob (2400) 1 2th Sigeman & Co ( I ), 30.04.2004

(T6. 1 6) Anand, Viswanathan (2765) - Shirov,Alexei (2690) Dos Hermanas (2), 02 .04. 1 997

w

w

How to continue White's initiative? (One point)

The former world championship can didate has the popular Danish IM in a vice-like grip. The pawn on e6 is par t i c u l a r l y tro u b l e s o m e . H o w does B e l i a v s k y break through? ( T h ree points)

96

Tests Test 07 (T7.01 ) Petrosian, Tigran (2585) Lutikov,Anatoly (2430) URS Spartakiad Moscow, 1 98 1

(T7.03) Anand, Viswanathan (2794) - Topalov, Veselin (27 1 1 ) Dortmund (8), 20.07.200 1

w

B

B l ack's kingside pawn structure has been shattered, the a-pawn is isolated and Black's pieces seem to be getti ng in each other's way on the queenside. How did the former world champion take advantage of these factors? (Three points) Solutions begin on page 208.

Despite his extra pawn, White is under some pressure on the dark squares, spe ci fically f2. Black, one of the super grandmasters of our era, realizes this of course. H o w s h o u l d he conti nue? (Three points)

(T7.02) Dautov,Rustem (2595) Yusupov,Artur (2640) Bundesliga Germany, 1 998

(T7.04) Andersson, UI/(2640) Malaniuk, Vladimir (26 1 5) 34th Rubinstein mem ( 5 ), 23.08 . 1 997

w

w

Dautov found an amazing way to capi talize on his activity. How did he strike? (Three points)

What did U l f Andersson play? (Three points)

97

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T7.07) Korchnoi, Viktor (2628) Smirin,Ilia (2656) Biel (7), 28.07.2003

(T7.05) Wade,Robert Uhlmann, Wolfgang Skopje/Ohrid ( 1 8), 1 968

w

B

How to use White's better develop ment? (Two points)

What is the best way for B lack to se cure his advantage? (Three points)

(T7.06) Bezold,Michae/ (2456) Bischofl,Klaus (256 1 ) 2 n d Pulvermuehle ( 2 ) , 20.02.2004

(T7.08) Smirin,Jiia (2555) Nikolic,Predrag (2625) Tilburg (2), 1 992

w

B

The position is about to open up, but how can B lack do it on his terms? (Two points)

How to finish Wh ite's development? (One point)

98

Tests (T7.09) Vaganian,Rafae/ (2625) Hiibner,Robert (261 0) Thessaloniki ol ( 1 4 }, 04. 1 2. 1 984

(T7. 1 1 ) Bogdanovski, Vlatko (2483) Kempinski,Robert (2587) 1 8th EUCup Halkidiki (5), 26.09.2002

w

B

How to assess th is position with White to move? (Two points)

How did Kempinski increase his pres sure? (Two points)

(T7. 10) Larsen,Bent Hort, Vlastimil San Antonio, 1 972

(T7. 1 2) Zak, Uriel (2341) Zifroni,Dov (253 1 ) IS R-chT (4), 03.03 .2000

w

B

Black's position is full ofholes, but how to storm it? (Two points)

The position seems to be completely equal, but this is not the case. What did Black play? (Two points)

99

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T7. 1 5) Brestian,Egon (2429) Ftacnik,Lubomir (2589) EU-chT Batumi (2.2), 30. 1 1 . 1 999

(T7. 13) Adams,Michael (2734) Nguyen Chi Minh (2366) FRA-chT ( I ), 3 1 .0 1 .2003

8

w

Michael Adams found the typical ma neuver in such positions. Can you do the same? (One point)

B lack isolated d-pawn may become weak in the long run. What to do about it? (Two points)

(T7. 1 4) Topalov, Veselin (2735) Shirov,Aiexei (2736) L inares ( 1 0), 29.02.2004

(T7. 1 6) Seirawan, Yasser (2595) Kozui,Zdenko (2580) Wijk aan Zee, 1 99 1

w

w

W h ite has mighty pressure against Black's weakened kingside, but it seems difficult to increase it. How did Topalov do it? (Two points)

How to assess this position with White to move? ( Four points)

1 00

Tests Test 08 (T8.0 l) Byrne,Robert Fischer,Robert Sousse Interzonal ( 1 2), 1 967

(T8.03) Anand, Vi!>wanathan (2766) - Akopian, Vladimir (2693) Corus Wij k aan Zee (2), 1 1 .0 1 .2004

B

In this position, Fischer has typical Si cilian counterplay on the queenside. H ow did the future world champion i ncrease the pressure? ( F ive points) Solutions begin on page 2 1 2.

Both sides are attacking vigorously and every move carries additional weight. So it is important that you find B lack's best! (Two points)

(T8.02) Mieses,Jacques Alekhine,Alexander Baden-Baden, 1 925

(T8.04) Kramnik, Vladimir (2770) Bologan, Victor (2663) Dortmund-B playoff (6), 27.07.2004

w

B

B lack's advantage is clear, but how to convert it into a full point? (One point)

Kramnik used a typical plan against the Hedgehog. Can you do the same? (Two points)

101

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T8.07) Psakhis,Lev (2580) Hebden,Mark (2435) wchT U26 Chicago, 1 983

(T8.05) Kramnik, Vladimir (2777) Gelfand,Boris (2703) Cap d'Agde-A (4), 2 5 . 1 0.2003

w

w

How to regroup White's forces? (One point)

Outl ine a plan for White. (Two points)

(T8.06) Khalifman,Alexander (2702) - Kramnik, Vladimir (2789) St Petersburg-Paris ( 1 . 1 ) 28 .05 .2003

(T8.08) Slobodjan,Roman (2527) Epishin, Vladimir (2599) GER CupT sf ( l . l ), 09.03 .2002

,

B

w

What is White's first priority? (Two points)

How did Epish in exploit the lack of harmony in White's position? (One point)

1 02

Tests (T8. 1 1 ) Lautier,Joel (2678) Sharif,Mershad (2463) ch-FRA Top 1 6 ( 1 0), 06.05.2005

(T8.09) Nuesken,Niko/as (2242) Peschel,Andreas ( 2 1 74) Czech op-A Pardubice (9), 3 1 .07.2004

w

B lack's central pawns, in particular the e-pawn, are under pressure. How can White tum it up a notch? (Three points)

The d6-pawn has driven deep into the black position. H ow did Lautier tum up the heat? (Three points)

(T8. 1 0) Car/sen,Magnus (2484) Werle,Jan (2407) Wij k aan Zee NED (8), 1 9.0 1 .2004

(T8.1 2) Sch/osser,Philipp (2465) Hoffmann,Michae/ (2370) Lippstadt (8), 1 99 1

w

B

White is fully developed, while the black king is stil l in the center. How did the Norwegian wunderkind proceed? (Two points)

B lack appears to be under some pres sure from White, and some patient re positioning is required. What did Black play? ( Four points)

1 03

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T8.15) lvanchuk, Vassily (2710) Van Wely,Loek (2661) 1 9th EUCup Rethymnon ( 3 ), 2003

(T8.13) Miiller,Kar.
w

w

The author, playing white, needed to win this game to earn his first grand master norm. How did he continue? (Two points)

What's worth more, White's grip on d5 or B lack 's pressure along the f-fi le? lvanchuk finds a neat way to neutralize B lack's activity. (Three points)

(T8.14) Hinz,Juergen Wittstadt,Renato M L-220-BdF Email, I 0.05.2005

(T8.16) Bartel,Mateusz (2417) Blehm,Pawel (2547) 59th POL-ch ( I I ), I 0.05 .2002

B

w

White's spatial advantage is obvious, with a rook on the seventh and the cramping effect of the pawn on d5. How did White break through? (Three points)

Was 1 5 . . .1lxh3 a good choice? (One point)

1 04

.

Tests Test 09

(T9.01 ) Penrose,Jonathan Tal,Mihail Leipzig ol ( I I ), 1 960

(T9.03) Kamim;ki,Marcin (2540) Rublevsky,Sergei (2650) 34th Rubinstein mem (2), 20.08 . 1 997

w

B

What is Black's typical way to fend off such an attack? (Three points)

Why was Tal 's last move 18 . af6-d7 a capital mistake? (Three points) Solu tions begin on page 2 1 8 . .

.

(T9.04) Wells, Peter (2506) Gustafsson,Jan (2506) Herzliya (5), 1 0.09.2000

(T9.02) Uhlmann, Wolfgang Schmidt, Wlodzimierz Rubinstein mem (7), 1 967

-

w

w

Wh ite's forces are better mobil ized, with at least two of B lack's pieces "off sides." Can White take advantage of this, and is the d5-pawn a plus or a mi nus? (Four points)

White's advantage appears to be small, but he can win on the spot. How? (Three points)

1 05

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T9.05) Ye Rongguang (2525) Gelfand,Boris (2680) Novi Sad ol (9), 1 990

(T9.07) Wright,Josie Huss,Andrea.'i England, 1 973

-

w

w

White should use his s lightly better placed pieces to create pressure. But how? (Two points)

How to assess this position with White to move! (Two points)

(T9.06) Smejkal,Jan (251 5) Novak,Jvan (2200) CSR-ch Trinec (5), 1 972

(T9.08) Leko,Peter (27 1 7) Adam.'i,Michae/ (2752) Dortmund Candidates (6), 1 1 .07.2002 -

w

w

Where is Black's Achilles' heel? (One point)

H ow to increase Wh ite's advantage? (One point)

1 06

Tests (T9.09) Morozevich,Alexander (2595) Petrushin,Alexander (24 1 5) RUS-Cup6 Krasnodar ( I ), 1 997

(T9. 1 1) Petrosian, Tigran Najdorf,Miguel B led (8), 1 96 1

-

w

w

How to increase White's pressure? (One point)

White has a wonderful position and full control; yet how to make progress? (One point)

(T9.1 0) Jimenez Zerquera,Eleazar Larsen,Bent Palma de Mallorca, 1 967

(T9. 12) Silman,Jeremy (2390) Delaune,Richard (2360) World op Philadelphia (8), 1 990

w

B

How to assess the position with B lack to move? (Four points)

How to improve White's position? (Two points)

1 07

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T9. 1 5) Rozentalis,Eduarda.'l (26 1 0) - Appel,Ralf(2430) Bundesliga Germany, 1 994

(T9.13) Tkachiev, Vladislav (2672) Adams,Michael (2746) Cannes rapid m ( 4 ), 1 9.03.200 I

w

w

How to increase White's pressure? (One point)

Black appears to be stemming the tide on the kingside. However, White can advantageously switch the focus to the queenside. How? (Four points)

(T9. 1 4) Smyslov, Vauily Reshevsky,Samuel 1 8th wch NLD/URS ( I I ), 1 1 .04. 1 948

(T9. 16) Dydyshko, Viacheslav (25 1 6) - lllescas Cordoba,Miguel (2577) EU-chT Leon (8.3), 1 4. 1 1 .200 1

8

w

White has the two bishops, and B lack is bottled up. Can White take advantage of this? (Three points)

W h i te contro l s more space on the kingside, B lack has a backward d-pawn and the black queen seems off-sides. Of course, things are not always as they ap pear. What did the Span ish grandmas ter play as black? (Two points)

1 08

Tests Test 1 0 (Tl O.O l ) Yusupov,Artur (2645) Christiansen,Larry (2620) Las Palmas, 1 993

(T1 0.03) 1/jin,Stanis/av (2325) Smirin,Jiia (2600) EUCup Gr7 Krynica (2), 1 997

w

B

White is better, but how would you play this position? What would be your short and long term goals? (Three points) Solutions begin on page 222.

B lack to move and win! (Three points)

(T10.02) Bischoff,Klaus (2564) Lau,Ra/f (2503) Bundesliga Germany (8.4), 1 5 .02.2004

(T 10.04) Smyslov, Vassily (2600) Ribli,Zoltan (26 1 5) Candidates sf2 London (7), 1 983

w

w

What is the order of the day for White? (One point)

White must keep his initiative going; otherwise his isolated pawn may be come weak later. Can you spot the best way to increase the pressure? (Two points)

1 09

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T I 0.05) Kotronias, Va.<>ilio.'> (2580) Jobava,Baadur (2566) 3rd EU-ch Batumi (5), 1 6.06.2002

(T I 0.07) Loginov, Valery (2507) lonov,Sergey (2527) St. Petersburg-ch ( 4 ), 20.03 .2005

-

-

w

w

White has a nice blockade, but how to profit from it? (Three points)

W h ite i s better; yet h o w to make progress? (Two points)

(TI 0.06) Wells,Peter (2530) Waitzkin,Joshua (2465) Agency London (2), 1 6.06. 1 998

(TI 0.08) Adams,Michae/ (2742) Gurevich,Mikhail (264 1 ) Corus Wijk aan Zee ( I I ), 25.0 1 .2002

w

w

Which white piece will be improved next? (Two points)

White has many good moves, but which is the best? (Three points)

1 10

Tests (T lO. l l ) Karpov,Anatoly (2725) Van der Wiel,John (2540) Tilburg, 1 988

(Tl 0.09) Yusupov,Artur (2582) Meister, Yakov (25 1 9) 76th GER-ch (9), 26.02.2005

w

B

How to deal with White's pressure? (One point)

How did Karpov use his deep positional sense to exploit Black's structural weak nesses? (Two points)

(Tl O. l O) Giorgadze, Giorgi (2605) Salov, Valery (2680) Presidents Cup Elista (2.2), 1 1 .05. 1 998

(T 1 0. 1 2) Dorfman,Josif(2585) Hauchard,Arnaud (2500) FRA-ch Meribel (3), 1 6.08. 1 998

w

B

What is B lack 's priority here? (Two points)

Who will win the fight for knight out posts on the queenside? ( Four points)

Ill

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T 1 0. 1 5) Vaulin,Aiexander (2490) Vokac,Marek (2475) Zlin, 1 995

(Tl0. 13) G/ek,Igor (251 5) Dolmatov,Sergey (2595) Dortmund op-A (4), 1 992

w

w

How did Glek profit from his superior activity? (Two points)

How to use White's advantage in de velopment? (One point)

(T1 0. 1 4) Svid/er,Peter (2735) /zoria,Zviad (2600) Cal via ol Mallorca ( 1 2), 27. 1 0.2004

(T l0.16) Hernandez, Gi/berto (2509) - Kotronias, Vasilios (2599) Cal via ol Mallorca (2), 1 6. 1 0.2004

B

B

How to neutralize White's pressure? (Two points)

White's initiative is very dangerous, but Kotronias found a way to neutralize it. Can you do the same? (Four points)

1 12

Tests Test 1 1 (T11.03) Yusupov,A rtur (2582) Meister, Yakov (25 1 9) 76th GER-ch (9), 26.02.2005

(Tl l .O l ) Van der Wiel,John Sax, Gyula Plovdiv, 1 983

w

w

Both sides are developing a strong at tack, so the value of every move is ex tremely high. Find White's best option! (Four points) Solutions begin on page 227.

In this typical position with an isolated queen 's pawn, White must use his ini tiative to increase the pressure. Can you find a way? (Two points)

(T 1 1 .02) Ponomariov,Ruslan (2734) - Kramnik, Vladimir (2807) Corus Wijk aan Zee (2), 1 2. 0 1 .2003

(T1 1 .04) Morozevich,Alexander (2702) - Chatalbashev,Boris (2534) EU-chT Plovdiv ( I ), 1 1 . 1 0.2003

w

w

White setup looks relatively harmless, but Ponomariov found a way to inject some poison. Can you do the same? (Two points)

How to open the position? (Two points)

1 13

The ChessC�fe Puzzle Book 2 (T l l .07) Barle,Janez (2440) Beshukov,Sergei (2480) Lj ubljana op, 1 994

(T1 1 .05) Ilincic,Ziatko (252 1) Berke.'i ,Ferenc (254 1 ) Budapest GM-A (9), 09. 1 2.200 I

B

w

How to introduce Black's major pieces into the battle? (One point).

White must use his initiative; otherwise Black's bishops will become a factor. How? (Three points)

(Tl l .06) Kasparov,Garry (2775) Kramnik, Vladimir (2775) Dos Herrnanas (6), 1 996

(T 1 1 .08) Kempinski,Robert (2586) Cyborowski,Lukasz (2565) POL-ch Warsaw (6), 29.04.2004

B

w

How to continue Black's attack? (Two points)

White's forces are well mobilized, but how to make progress against the solid defense? (Two points)

1 14

Tests (T 1 1 .09) Jansa, V/astimil (2500) Wachinger,Guenther (2260) Cattolica ( 5 ), 1 993

(T l l . l l ) Benitah, Yohan (234 1 ) Cvitan,Ognjen (252 1 ) M itropa Cup Baden (4), 04.04. 1 999

B

B

How to stop White's initiative on the queenside? (Two points)

White's structure is a bit overextended, but how to exploit it? (Two points).

(T1 1 . 1 0) Berg,Emanuel (2364) lbragimov,lldar (2602) Katrineholm (3), 1 3 .05. 1 999

(T1 1 . 1 2) Salov, Valery (2670) Lautier,Joe/ (2596) Enghien les Bains (2), 04.03 . 1 999

w

B

How to assess th is position with B lack to move? (Two points)

H ow to convert White's advantage? (Three points)

1 15

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T1 1 . 1 5) Karpov,Anatoly (2700) Spassky,Bori.'i (2650) Candidates sfl Leningrad (9), 1 974

(Tl l . 1 3) Lobron,Eric (2575) Landenbergue, Claude (2430) Ptuj zt ( 4 ) 1 995 ,

w

w

How to continue White's i nitiative? (Two points)

How did Karpov use his fine positional sense to i m prove the harmony of White's position? (Three points)

(Tl l . l 4) Kramnik, VIadimir (275 1 ) Adams,Michael (27 1 6) Linares (6), 27.02. 1 999

(Tl 1 . 1 6) Stoica, Valentin F/i.o;,Jacek Polanica Zdroj , 1 983

w

w

How would you convert the advantage of the bishop-pair? (Two points)

White's initiative is surprisingly danger ous, especially as he has a strong trump up his sleeve. Can you find it? (Three points)

1 16

Tests Test 1 2

(T1 2.0 1 ) Petrosian, Tigran Suetin,Aiexey U RS-ch25 Riga, 1 95 8

(T 1 2.03) Avrukh,Bori!i (2595) Shachar,Ehud (2374) J SR-ch Tel Aviv (9), 03. 1 2.2002

w

w

How t o assess this position with White to move? (Two points) Solutions begin on page 23 1 .

What is the best way to keep White's pressure? (Two points)

(T1 2.02) Khenkin,lgor (26 1 0) Motylev,Alexander (2680) TCh-RUS Sochi RUS (6), 24.04.2005

(Tl 2.04) Rozlapa, Vija (2000) Kristol,Luba (2000) U RS-chT Riga, 1 975

w

w

Black's dangerous pair of passed pawns supported by his bishops seems to guar antee him a draw. But this is not the case. Can you fi nd out why? ( Four points)

Find the most precise move for White! (Two points)

1 17

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T l 2.07) David,Alberto (2560) Atalik,Suat (2570) EU-chT Plovdiv (9), 20. 1 0.2003

(T1 2.05) Taimanov,Mark Karpov,Anatoly Moscow-3teams ( 1 . 1 ), 24.04. 1 973

B

B

How did Karpov use the weakness of the light squares in White's camp? (Two points)

How to stop White's initiative? (Two points)

(T1 2.06) Lautier,Joe/ (2666) Zvjaginsev, Vadim (2664) 4th Karpov Poikovsky ( 5 ), 24.04.2003

(T l 2.08) Topalov, Veselin (2745) Bareev,Evgeny (2726) Candidates sf2 Dortmund (2), 1 4.07.2002

B

w

White's bishops look powerful. Indeed, Lautier did not need many moves to achieve a won game. Can you do the same? (Two points)

To cash in or not to cash in? That is the question. B lack to move. (Two points)

1 18

Tests (T1 2.09) Sakaev,Konstantin (2647) Adams,Michael (2752) 1 8th EUCup (4 ), 25 .09.2002

(T1 2. 1 1 ) Bacrot,Etienne (2653) Dorfman,Josif (2602) FRA-ch B Marsailles (2), 1 4.08.200 1

B

White is threatening to start a strong attack on the kingside, based on his powerful dark-squared bishop. What to do about it? (Three points)

Did Bacrot win the pawn back? (Three points)

(T1 2 . 1 0) Solozhenkin,Evgeniy (2544) - Drei,Andrea (2349) Tomeo di Capodanno Reggio Emilia (9), 04. 0 1 .2000

(T1 2 . 1 2) Gelfand,Boris (2710) Dreev,Alexey (2676) RUS-The World Moscow (6), 1 0.09.2002

w

B

Find B l ack's best defense ! (Th ree points)

B lack's defense seems to be solid, de spite his passive knights. But Gelfand found one hole to infiltrate. Can you do the same? (Three points)

1 19

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T 1 2. 1 3) Lputian,Smbat (2627) Marin,Mihail (2556) Bled ol ( 6 ) 3 1 . 1 0.2002

(T1 2. 1 5) Velimirovic,Dragoljub (2558) - Markovic,Miroslav (2586) Valjevo (2), 1 8.06.2000

,

B

B

How to assess the position with B lack to move? (Two points)

Find a plan to improve Black's position! (Two points)

(T 1 2 . 1 4) lbragimov,lldar (2554) Shchekachev,Andrei (2505) RUS-ch K.O. Moscow (3 .2), 20. 1 2 . 1 999

(T1 2.1 6)A/ Modillhki.Mohamat/(2571) - AI Sayed,Mohamad Naser (243 1 ) 4th Asia-ch Doha ( I ), 22 .02.2003

w

How to use White's advantage in de velopment? (One point)

w

Where is Black 's Achilles' heel? (Two points)

1 20

Tests Test 1 3

(Tl3.03) Kramnik, Vladimir (2797) Piket,Jeroen (2628) Zurich K.O. (2.2), 29.04.200 I

(T 13.01) Szabo,Lasz/o Petro.<>ian, Tigran Saltsjobaden Interzonal ( 1 5), 1 952

w

How to assess this position with Black to move? ( Four points) Solutions be gin on page 235.

Who is attacking whom here? White is to move. (Two points)

(T1 3.02) Karpov,Anatoly (2693) Leko,Peter (2713) Cannes NAO M asters (5), 26.02.2002

(T1 3.04) Dautov,Rustem (2597) Bischoff,Klaus (2509) 7 1 st G ER-ch Altenkirchen (5), 1 6. 1 1 . 1 999

w

B

Karpov used his fine positional under standing to find a way to improve his position. Can you spot it? (Three points)

What is B lack's ti rst priority? (Two points)

121

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T l3.07) Bareev,Evgeny (27 1 1 ) Fominyh,Aiexander (2579) RUS-chT Sochi (4), 23 .04.2004

(T1 3.05) Bi.'ichoff,Kiaus (2554) Nikolaidis,loannis (2502) GER-GRE Fuerth (3), 02.09.2002

w

w

Find a plan for White! (Two points)

(T1 3.06) Carls.'ion,Pontus (2330) Agrest,Evgenij (2532) SWE-ch Linkoping (4), 03.07.200 1

How to attack B lack's king? (Three points)

(T 1 3.08) Topalov, Veselin (2745) Bareev,Evgeny (2726) Candidates Dortmund (2), 1 4.07.2002

w

How to i m prove W h i te's k n ights? (Three points)

B

B areev found a way to create immedi ate problems. Can you do the same? (Two points)

1 22

Tests (T 1 3 . 1 1 ) Klimov,Sergey (2433) Lugovoi,Aleksei (251 0) St. Petersburg-ch (8), 24.04.2002

(T13.09) Kupreichik, Viktor (2580) Gavrikov, Viktor (2365) U RS-ch49 Frunze ( 1 4), 1 2. 1 98 1

w

w

Russian grandmaster Viktor Kupreichik has a reputation as a bri l liant tactician. However, he also has a good positional sense. This position looks fairly level, but is it really? (Three points)

Has White a better option than 1 7.fxe4? (Two points)

(Tl 3. 1 0) G/ek,lgor (2590) Nataf,lgor (2560) 1 8th EUCup (7), 28.09.2002

(T1 3 . 1 2) Bacrot,Etienne (2627) Akopian, Vladimir (2654) Enghien les Bains (7), 1 8.04.200 1

B

w

How to continue White's initiative on the queenside? (Two points)

T h i ngs l o o k grim for B l a c k , but Akopian found a way out. Can you dis cover it? (Two points)

1 23

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T13. 13) Kobalija,Mihail (2620) Gershon,Aiik (2558) 4th Rector Cup Kharkov (9), 28 .03 .2002

(Tl 3. 1 4) Beliavsky,Aiexander (2599) - Kozui,Zdenko (2585) 1 5th EU-chT Gothenburg ( 3 ), 0 1 .08.2005

w

B

H ow to convert Wh ite's advantage? (Three points)

Who is better and why? B lack is to move. (One point)

(T1 3 . 1 5) Kramnik, Vladimir (2772) Tiviakov,Sergei (2597) Corus Wijk aan Zee (4), 1 7.0 1 .200 1

(T 13.16) Karpov,Anatoly (2745) Yusupov,Artur (2640) Dortmund (2), 1 997

w

w

How to best use White's bishop-pair? (Two points)

Find Karpov's next move! (One point)

1 24

Tests Test 1 4 (T1 4.0 1 ) Welb>,Peter (2455) Almasi,Zoltan (2470) Balatonbereny op (7), 1 992

(Tl 4.03) Chuchelov, Vladimir (2535) - Arlandi,Ennio (2435) Mondariz zt 1 . 1 (8), 2000

w

w

White's well-placed forces create plenty of pressure; yet how to break the de fenses? (Four points) Solutions begin on page 240.

How to continue White's attack on the kingside? (Two points)

(T1 4.02) Milov, Vadim (2604) Burmakin, Vladimir (2493) Linares Anibal op (5), 1 2.0 1 .200 1

(T1 4.04) Nikolic,Predrag (2635) Kramnik, Vladimir (2790) 7th Amber-bl ind ( 3 ), 1 5 .03. 1 998

B

w

How to increase Wh ite's pressure? (Two points)

White's mi nority attack has started. What to do about it? (Two points)

1 25

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T1 4.05) Wojtkiewicz,A/eksander (2570) - 8/ees,A/bert (241 5) Sonnevanck Wijk aan Zee (4), 1 993

(T14.07) Grigore,George (2475) Cosma,loan (2475) ROM-ch Bucharest ( 1 3 ), 2 1 . 1 2. 1 998

w

w

This position seems to be quite typical, but B lack has already gone too far. How did W hite's demonstrate i t? (Three points)

How to use White's pair of bishops? (Two points)

(T l 4.06) Moroz.A/exander (25 1 3) Lerner,Konstantin (2575) Ordzhonikidze zt 1 .9 (4), 1 2.06.2000

(T14.08) Mchedlishvili,Mikheil (2566) - Amin,Bassem (2342) ADCF Masters (2), 1 7.08.2003

w

B

How did B lack tum the heat on? (Two points)

How to continue White's attack? (Two points)

1 26

Tests (T1 4.09) Sorin,Arie/ (2496) Vescovi,Giovanni (2640) 3rd American Continental ( 6 ), 1 1 .08.2005

(T1 4. 1 1 ) Gelfand,Boris (2685) Adams,Michae/ (2660) Wijk aan Zee (m/6), 1 994

B

B

How to assess this position with Black to move? (Two points)

Statically White is much better, but in his annotations Gelfand showed a way to inject dangerous dynamics. Can you find it? (Three points)

(T1 4. 1 0) Dvoirys,Semen (2589) Shaposhnikov,Evgeny (2533) 5 8th R US-ch sf (6), 08.09.2005

(T 14. 1 2) Van Wely,Loek (2655) Tiviakov,Sergei (2590) Beij ing ( I I ), 04.09. 1 997

B

B

I n this Sicilian position B lack played a typical maneuver. Which one? (Two points)

White structure is better because of the strong knight on d5. How did Black equalize? (Two points)

1 27

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T l4.13) Stein,Igor Kundin,Alexander (2403) lSR-ch U 1 8 (9), 20.07. 1 999

(T1 4. 1 5) Shklovski, Vladislav (2220) - Golod, Vitali (2590) Rishon op ch (9), 02.09.2000

w

B

How to assess the position with White to move? (Two points)

B lack won easily. How? (Two points)

(T14. 1 4) Brom>tein,David Botvinnik,Mikhail wch 1 9-Moscow (22), 1 95 1

(Tl 4. 1 6) Kramnik, Vladimir (2770) Yu.
w

w

Black's position seems to be OK. But Bronstein proved this was an i l lusion. Can you do the same? (Three points)

H ow did Kramnik infiltrate B lack 's position? (Two points)

1 28

Tests Test 1 5

(T1 5.01) Shabalov,Alexander (2623) Movsesian,Sergei (2639) Bermuda (9), 24.0 1 .2004

(T1 5.03) Kramnik, Vladimir (2740) Topalov, Veselin (2725) Novgorod ( I ), 1 1 .06. 1 997

-

w

w

How to assess this position with White to move? (Four points) Solutions be gin on page 244.

Kramnik won remarkably easily. Can you do the same? (Three points)

(T1 5.02) lvanov,lgor (2485) Benjamin,Joe/ (2560) USA-ch m Jacksonvi lle ( 1 ), 1 990

(T15.04) Piket,Jeroen (2628) Forster,Richard (2462) Zurich Korchnoi-A ( I ), 28.04.200 I

B

w

Which is B lack's worst placed piece and how to improve it? (Two points)

Only one small straw was necessary to break the camel's back. Which one did Piket use? (Two points)

1 29

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T I 5.05) Ljubojevic,Ljubomir (2559) Kramnik, Vladimir (2758) 9th Amber-blind (8), 24.03 .2000

(T 1 5.07) Zvjaginsev, Vadim (2650) Minasian,Arta."ihes (2584) Petrosian mem ICC ( I ), 1 8. 1 2.2004

-

-

w

B

Find Black's best move and outline a plan. (Two points)

B l ack's pos ition is q u ite solid, but White found a way to increase the pres sure. Can you do the same? (Three points)

(TI 5.06) Hickl,Joerg (2552) Kindermann,Stefan (2527) 7 1 st GER-ch (4), 1 5 . 1 1 . 1 999

(TI 5.08) Gelfand,Boris (2665) Short,Nigel (2660) Candidates qfl Brussels (8), 1 99 1

-

w

B

White has the initiative, but Black's pair of bishops is not easy to impress. How did Hickl do it? (Two points)

White's i niti ative looks threatening. How to take the poison out of it? (Three points)

1 30

Tests (T1 5.09) Gligoric,Svetozar Bolbochan,Julio Tel Aviv, 1 966

(T 1 5. 1 1 ) Lilienthal,Andor Botvinnik,Mikhail Moscow ( 1 7), 1 935

w

B

White has greater activity and the bet ter minor piece, but how to continue? (Three points)

How did Botvinnik fin ish his develop ment? (Two points)

(Tl 5. 1 0) Lobron,Eric (2509) Kanep,Meelis (2475) Keres mem rap Tallinn (2), 26. 1 1 .2004

(T 15.12) Se/ezniev,Aiexey Alekhine,Alexander Triberg-A (3), 1 92 1

B

w

I n th is typ ical Stonewall formation, B lack's dark-squared bishop is missing, but how to use this? (Two points)

By the early 1 920s, Alekhine was al ready developing the irresistible attack ing force that would characterize his play. However, much as Petros ian's tac tical abil ity has been ignored, so was A lekhine's positional sense. What did he play in this position? (Two points)

131

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T1 5. 1 5) Shaba/ov,Aiexander (261 3) Akobian, Varuzhan (253 1 ) USA-ch Seattle (9), 1 8. 0 1 .2003

(T1 5. 13) Po/gar,Judit Adams,Michae/ Corns A Wijk aan Zee (5), 2005

-

B

w

Black has infiltrated the white position but White's position appears compact and resistant to further invasion. How did M ickey Adams proceed? (Three points)

Shabalov has sacrificed several pawns in his typical style. What was his point? (One point)

(T1 5. 1 4) Bareev,Evgeny (2688) Kharlov,Andrei (261 9) 5 8th RUS-ch sf (7), 09.09.2005

(T1 5. 1 6) Caze/ais,Marc (2201 ) Erenburg,Sergey (2551) Gibraltar Masters ( 3 ), 27.0 1 .2005

w

B

Where is B lack's Achi lles' heel? (One point)

White hopes to get the initiative in the center, but Erenburg showed this to be an illusion. Can you do the same? (Two points)

1 32

Tests Test 1 6

(T 1 6.0 1 ) Golubev,Mihail (2523) ltkis,Boris (2384) ROM-chT ( I ), 1 8 . 1 2 .2000

(T I 6.03) Kasparov,Garry (2700) Karpov,Anatoly (2720) wch Moscow ( I ), 03.09. 1 985

B

w

H ow to react to White's dangerous break d4-d5? (Four points) Solutions begin on page 250.

How to i ncrease White ' s pressure? (Two points)

(T1 6.02) Sheve/ev,Arkady (2378) Mikhalevski, Victor (253 1 ) ISR-ch op (9), 08.04. 1 999

(T 1 6.04) Lputian,Smbat (2638) Obodchuk,Andrei (241 7) 4th Poikovsky (3}, 22.04.2003

B

B

How to assess the position with B l ack to move? (One point)

It is not easy to neutralize White's ini tiative, but it should be possible with careful defense. How would you do it? (One point)

1 33

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T16.05) Anand, Viswanathan (2784) Piket,Jeroen (2609) Wijk aan Zee {2), 1 7.0 1 . 1 999 -

(Tl 6.07) Gu/ko,Boris (2644) Adams,Michae/ (27 1 5) KasparovChess G/60 ( 1 .2), I 0.02.2000

w

B

White's knight has the better outpost. How did Anand use this? (Two points)

Both knights have a strong outpost, but Black is to move. (Two points)

(T1 6.06) Radjabov, Teimour (261 0) Svid/er,Peter (2690) Moscow (3), 09.09.2002

(T1 6.08) Lautier,Joe/ (2596) Ponomariov,Ruslan (2609) Enghien les Bains (7), I 0.03 . 1 999

w

B

Black is clearly on top, but it is surpris ing how easily Svidler won. Can you discover how? (Two points)

How did Lautier continue his initiative? (One point)

1 34

Tests (T 1 6.09) Dizdar, Goran (2525) Miiller,Karsten (25 1 8) TCh-AUT ( 3 ), 07. 1 2.2002

(Tl 6. 1 1 ) Bo/ogan, Victor (2627) Sokolov,lvan (2684) Pamplona ( 6 ), 28. 1 2.2002

B

w

How to regroup Black's pieces? (Two points)

White's strong center should give him the advantage, but how to cope with Black's pressure on the c-file? (Three points)

(Tl 6. 1 0) Pelletier, Yannick (253 1 ) Geifand,Boris (27 1 4) Biel GM (7), 200 I

(T1 6. 1 2) Bacrot,Etienne (271 5) Vo/kov,Sergey (261 2) FRA-chT Top 1 6 ( I ), 04.02.2005

B

White has a dangerous initiative on the light squares, but Gelfand found a way to neutralize it. Can you do the same? (Two points)

White has the bishops, more space and controls the opening of the queens ide, but Black's structure is quite sol id. Can you fi nd h i s Ach i l l e s ' heel? (Two points)

1 35

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T 16. 1 5) Hjartarson,Johann (2590) - Hansen, Curt (2630) Reykjavik zt (9), 1 995

(T l6. 1 3) Radjabov, Teimour (2624) Topalov, Veselin (2743) Corus Wij k aan Zee ( 3 ), 1 4.0 1 .2003

8

8

How to assess this position with B lack to move? (Two points)

This position arose from a Scandina vian Defense. Everyth ing seems in or der, but the Danish GM playing black sees a l ittle deeper. What did he play? (Five points)

(Tl6. 1 4) Flore.'i,Diego (2439) Claverie,Rau/ (2303) Buenos Aires ( 4 ), 2 1 .08.2003

(Tl 6. 1 6) Bosch,Jeroen (2480) Hansen,Sune Berg (2520) Bochum - HSK (5), 1 999

w

8

Black has pressure on White's center pawns, but how can he increase it? (One point)

The position is typical for the Mar6czy B ind. These types of positions require patient handling on both sides, although White usually has a slightly freer hand. What did White play? (Five points)

1 36

Tests Test 1 7

(T l 7.03) Lutz, Christopher (2600) Morozevich,Alexander (2625) Elista ol ( 1 2), I I . I 0. 1 998

(Tl 7.01) Lobzhanidze,Davit (2448) Grischuk,Alexander (2449) 5th Ubeda op ( 3 ), 2 1 .0 1 .2000

8

8

How to neutralize White's annoying pressure? (Four points) Solutions be gin on page 256.

How did Morozevich prove the superi ority of his bishops? (One point)

(T1 7.02) Jkonnikov, Vyacheslav (2556) - Maiwald,Jen.'i Uwe (2543) 39th Capablanca mem ( I ), 06.05 .2004

(Tl 7.04) Naidit.'ich,Arkadij (2581) Korchnoi, Viktor (2626) SU I-GER Zurich (2), 08.09.2002

8

8

B lack's position is rather cramped. Nev ertheless, Maiwald found a way to cre ate activity. Can you do the same? (Four points)

Both sides have serious weaknesses, but Black is to move. (Two points)

1 37

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T1 7.05) Lauber,Arnd (24 16) Danner,Georg (2443) Perenyi mem Gyula (7), 30.0 1 .2000

(T1 7.07) Psakhis,Lev (261 0) Komarov,Dimitri (2575) Benasque (4), 1 995

B

w

Black's situation is not enviable, but Danner found a way to neutralize the pressure . Can you fi nd it? (Three points)

How to increase White's pressure? (One point)

(T1 7.06) Miles,Anthony (2635) Lovlu,Saifuddi (22 1 5) Sakthi ( 4) 1 996

(T 1 7.08) Damljanovic,Branko (2548) - Zivanic,Marko (2450) Belgrade (4), 29.06.2002

,

w

B

Find a strong plan for White! (One point)

White's initiative looks dangerous be cause of B lack's weakened kingside, but Z i v a n i c fo u n d a way to get counterplay. Can you do the same? (Two points)

1 38

Tests (T1 7.09) Ros.'t,David (23 1 8) Onischuk,Alexander (2657) Montreal (3), 25 .07.2003

(T l 7. 1 1 ) Hort, V/astimii Hubner,Robert Germany, 1 982

Onischuk seized the moment to grab a strong strategic initiative. Can you do l ikewise? (One point)

White has some pressure, but Black's position is obviously quite solid. What did Hiibner play? (Three points)

(T 1 7 . 1 0) P/askett,Jim (2462) Sherwin,James (2339) BCF-chT (9.2), 04.05.2002

(T l 7. 1 2) Suba,Mihai (2528) Matamoros Franco,Car/os (2456) 27th Seville op (4), 1 4.0 1 .2002

B

w

Can Black's strong blockade be broken? (Two points)

B

How did B lack obtain sufficient com pensation in this typical Volga position? (Two points)

1 39

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T17.13) Gu/ko,Boris (26 1 8) Shabalov,A/exander (2566) USA-ch ( I ), 23 .08. 1 999

(T1 7. 1 5) Mitkov,Niko/a (2539) Zambrana,Oswaldo (2473) Cal via ol Mallorca (8), 2 3 . 1 0.2004

B

B

White's nagging pressure in the center is annoying. What to do about it? (Four points)

What is B lack's first priority? (One point)

(T1 7. 1 4) lvanchuk, Vassily (2739) Moiseenko,A/exander (2665) TCh-RUS Sochi (9), 2005

(T1 7 . 1 6) Horvath,Peter (2482) Szieberth,Adam (2371) FSGM Budapest ( I I ), 1 2. 1 1 .2002

w

B

White c learly has more space than Black, but there is no obvious way to take advantage of this. What did Vassily find? (Four points)

I n this typical Benko Gambit position, B l ack's compensation seems to have dried up, but Szieberth still had some thing up his sleeve. Can you spot it? (Two points)

1 40

Tests Test 1 8

(T1 8.03) Teran Alvarez,/smael (2382) - Spraggett,Kevin (2526) Dos Herrnanas-8 ( 1 ), 1 9.04.200 1

(T1 8.0 1 ) Sokolov,Jvan (2690) Vtsser, Yge (2445) NED-ch Leeuwarden (9), 09.07.2004

B

w

I t i s by no means easy to convert Wh ite's extra pawn , or is it? (Two points) Solutions begin on page 26 1 .

H ow to convert B lack's advantage? (One point)

(T1 8.02) Nijboer,Friso (2553) Hector,Jonny (2570) Wijk aan Zee (3), 1 4.0 1 .2003

(T1 8.04) lvanov,Aiexander (2545) Espinosa Flores,Rafael (2430) L inares, 1 992

w

w

How to use White's advantage in de velopment? (One point)

How to convert White's majority on the queenside? (One point)

141

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (Tl 8.07) Tyomkin,Dimitri (2503) Dvoirys,Semen (26 1 2) Beer Sheva g/30 ( 4 ) 1 9.04.2004

(T l 8.05) Leko,Peter (2736) Vallejo Pons,Franci.'ico (2629) Linares (5), 27.02.2003

,

w

w

How to use White's initiative? (One point)

White already has a commanding posi tion, but how to make progress? (One point)

(Tl 8.06) Shipov,Sergei (2593) Khalifman,Aiexander (2668) R US-chT Sochi (5), 24.04.2004

(Tl 8.08) Shirov,Alexei (2737) Atalik,Suat (2570) EU-chT Plovdiv ( I ), 1 1 . 1 0.2003

w

How to use White's advantage in de velopment? (One point)

w

Wh ite has more space and seems in charge, but how to break through is an other matter. How does the Latvian ge nius proceed? ( Four points)

1 42

Tests (TI S. I I ) Jvani.
(TI 8.09) Lasker,Emanuel Capablanca,Jose Raul St. Petersburg, 1 9 1 4

B

w

What i s B l ack's best move? ( Four points)

White seems to have all the benefits arising from an English Opening: two bishops raking the queenside, open files for his rooks and a compact king's po sition. Yet how to increase the pressure? (Three points)

(T I S . I O) Adams,Michael (2670) Jvanchuk, Vassily (2740) Dortmund ( I ), 26.06. 1 998

(T I 8. 1 2) Graf,Alexander (2646) Radjabov, Teimour (2650) Benidonn (8), 28. 1 1 .2003

B

w

Two super G Ms battle it out in the high powered tournament at Dortm und. There is rough material equal ity. The Ukrainian grandmaster comes up with a variation on a theme to continue to apply pressure on the white position. (Three points)

White's knight is well posted on f4, the other pieces are well-placed and there are a number of weaknesses in the black camp, not to mention the undeveloped bishop and rook on the queenside. Can White take advantage of these factors to improve his position? (Three points)

1 43

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (TI 8. 1 5) Charbonneau,Pascal (2509) - Huz.man,Alexander (2577) Montreal ( I I ), 1 4.08.2005

(TI8.13) Vukic,Milan Suba,Mihai Vinkovci, 1 977

w

w

I n this typical H edgehog position, White has kept B lack's potential energy at bay. Yet how to keep the cork on the bottle? (Three points)

White has a very comfortable position, but the bishop-pair is usually tough to beat. How d i d W h ite do so? ( Four points)

(Tl 8.14) Kveinys,Aloyz.as (25 1 0) Maki Uuro,Miika (2390) 1 5th EU-chT (7), 05.08.2005

(Tl 8. 1 6) Svidler,Peter (2660) Yusupov,Artur (2640) EUCup final Kazan (2), 1 997

w

w

Can you find why White is better here? (Three points)

Which is White's worst placed piece? (Two points)

1 44

Tests Test 1 9

(T1 9.03) Beliavsky,Alexander (2599) Sermek,Drazen (2532) 1 6th Vidmar mem ( I ), 09.07.2005

(T1 9.0 1 ) Panno,Oscar Cifuentes Parada,Roberto Argentina, 1 984

-

B

w

White to move. (Two points) Solutions begin on page 265.

What should Black have played? (Four points)

(T1 9.02) Gufeld,Eduard Taimanov,Mark U RS-ch37 Moscow ( I 9), 04. 1 0. 1 969

(T 1 9.04) Mann, Christian (2455) Krivoshey,Sergei (2499) Bundesliga Germany ( 1 5.4) I 0.04.2005 ,

B

Find B lack's best defensive plan and execute it! (Three points)

B

B lack to move. (Two points)

1 45

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T1 9.05) Miton,Kamil (2592) Grabarczyk,Miroslaw (2487) 62nd POL-ch Poznan (4), 24.04.2005

(T1 9.07) Beliavsky,Alexander (2630) - lbragimov,lldar (26 1 1 ) H B Global o p (5), 20.05 .2005

w

w

White to move. (One point)

White to move. (Three points)

(T1 9.08) Maiwald,Jens Uwe (25 1 4) - Thesing,Matthia .. (2420) Bundesliga Germany (9.4 ), 30.0 1 .2005

(T1 9.06) Jobava,Baadur (2637) Arencibia, Walter (2530) 40th Capablanca mem ( I ), 06.05 .2005 -

.

w

w

White to move. (Three points)

White to move. (Two points)

1 46

Tests (T I 9.09) Bi.<>choff,Kiaus (2559) Vallejo Pons, Francisco (2678) Bundesliga Germany ( I 0.3 ), 1 2.02.2005

(T I 9. 1 1 ) Spas.'iky,Bori.'i (2640) Ljubojevic,Ljubomir (2590) Montreal ( 1 5 ), 1 979

w

White to move. (Three points)

(T I 9. 1 0) Gavrikov, Viktor Kuksov, Valerij USSR, 1 977

White to move. (Two points)

(T 1 9. 1 2) Kalinitschew,Sergey (2533) - Holzke,Frank (2492) Bundesliga Germany ( 1 3 .5 ), 1 3.03 .2005

w

White to move. (Two points)

B

B lack to move. (Three point)

1 47

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T l 9. 1 5) Neverov, Valeriy (2566) Moiseenko,A/exander (2665) 6th EU-ch Warsaw ( 3 ), 20.06.2005

(T1 9. 1 3) Andersson, U/f(2510) Longwitz,Achim Grossenbrode tt (5), 1 972

w

w

White to move. (One point)

White to move. (Three points)

(T1 9. 1 6) Kritz,Leonid (2549) Movsesian,Sergei (2628) 6th EU-ch Warsaw (6), 23 .06.2005

(T19.14) Oral, Tomas (2540) Krush,lrina (242 1 ) Montreal (6), 07.08.200 1

B

w

White to move. (One point)

B lack to move. (Two points)

1 48

Tests Test 20

(T20.0 1 ) Porti.'lch,Lajos (2525) Fedorchuk,Sergey (2577) 6th EU-ch Warsaw (8), 26.06.2005

(T20.03) Dunis,Aurelien (2485) Schenk,Andreas (2492) FRA-chT Top 1 6 (8), 04.05.2005

w

w

White to move. (Two points) Solutions begin on page 269.

White to move. (Two points)

(T20.02) Carl.'ien,Magnus (2528) Volokitin,Andrei (267 1 ) B iel GM (4), 20.07.2005

(T20.04) Topalov, Veselin (2690) Rozentalis,Eduardas (2586) EU-chT Batumi ( 1 . 1 ) 29. 1 1 . 1 999

B

w

Black to move. (Two points)

,

White to move. (Four points)

1 49

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T20.05) Spoelman, Wouter (2362) Wells,Peter (25 1 3) Hoogeveen Essent op (7), 27 . I 0.2005

(T20.07) Karjakin,Sergey (2599) Nikolic,Predrag (2676) Corus-B Wijk aan Zee (7), 22.0 1 .2005

B

B

Black to move. ( Four points)

(T20.06) Giorgadze, Giorgi (2599) Piket,Jeroen (2649) Istanbul ol (7.2), 04. 1 1 .2000

Black to move. (Three points)

(T20.08) Dominguez,Lenier (266 1 ) Bologan, Victor (2683) 6th Karpov Poikovsky (4), 0 1 .03 .2005

B

B

Black to move. (Three points)

B lack to move. ( Four points)

1 50

Tests (T20.09) Gheorghiu,Florin (2520) Andersson, Ulf (2535) Las Palmas (4), 02.06. 1 972

(T20. 1 1 ) Arencibia, Walter (2530) Jobava,Baadur (2637) 40th Capablanca mem (8), 1 3 .05.2005

w

w

White to move. (Four points)

White to move. (Two points)

(T20. 1 2) Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar (2657) - Karjakin,Sergey (2599) Aeroflot op Moscow (3), 1 7.02.2005

(T20. 1 0) Wang Hao (25 1 2) Zhang Pengxiang (261 6) 2nd Sanj i n Hotel Cup ( I I ), 20.07.2005

w

White to move. (One point)

w

White to move. (One point)

151

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (T20. 1 3) Bologan, Victor (2700) Volokitin,Andrei (2679) 3 5th Bosnia Sarajevo ( I ), 1 9.05.2005

(T20. 1 5) Krasenkow,Michal (2672) Jakovenko,Dmitrij (2608) 6th EU-ch Warsaw ( I I ), 29.06.2005

w

White to move. (One point)

Black to move. (Two points)

(T20. 1 6) Nielsen,Peter Heine (2668) - Naiditsch,Arkadij (26 1 2) Dortmund (7), 1 5 .07.2005

(T20. 1 4) Moiseenko,Alexander (2665) - Alekseev,Evgeny (2597) 6th EU-ch Warsaw (8), 26.06.2005

w

White to move. (One point)

8

Black to move. (One point)

1 52

Exercise and Test Solutions

(EO I ) Attack with opposite-colored b i shops: 32.� xe7 Short won by a long, forced combination. 3 2 . Jlh7+? 'i!tg7 33.ile4 �e8 and it is unclear if White can prevail. 32 .Q. xe7 33.d6U c x d6 34.c6 E!cS 3 5 .c7 E!c5 3 6 . §. x c 5 d x c 5 37 . .Q.c4 §. x c7 ..•

37 . . .'it'f8 38.�xf7+ 'it>e8 39 . .§ h7 .§ xc7 40 . .§ xh6+- .

29.§.b1 29.f3? tzlxg2 30.'it>xg2 .§ xf3 -+ ; 29 . .§ c 1 .ilxg2 + ; 29 . .§e4!? is probably

3S. §. x f7

'it'hS

3 9 . 'it' c 2

§.d7

39 . . . .Q.d 6 4 0 . .§ f6 +- . 40.'it'b3 a5

4 1 .f3 §.d4 4 l . . . .§ c 7 4 2 . 'it> a 4 � a7 43.'it>h5 a4 44.Jle6 +- . 42.§. xe7 a4+ 43.'ifi'xa4 §.xc4 44.'ifi'b5 §.c2 45.b3 'it'gS 46.§.e5 §.xa2 47.§. xc5 §.aS 4S. 'ifjl x b4 §.fS 49. §.f5 §.bS+ 50.'it'c3 §.cS+ 51 .'it'b2 §.bS 52.f4 1-0 A l l five points, if you calculated until 38.Rxf7 and saw that White wins. ( E 0 2 ) B i s h op- P a i r, We a k n e s s e s : 23 ... �cSI + 24.4)db5 24.�b3 fxe4

the most tenacious, but Black should still be better. 29 ... .Q. xc3 30.�xc3 Jlxg2 31 ..Q.g3 .Q.e4 32.§.xb6 §.xc4 3 3 . �a3 4)f3+ 34.'it'f1 4)d2+ 35.'it'g1 §.ccS 36.§.b4 h5 37.h4 E!f3 3S. �b2 §.c2 39.§.bS+ 'it'h7 40.�b5 §.c l + 4 1 .'it'h2 E!f5 0-1 Two points for 23 ... �c8! and two more if you saw 25 . . . . exd3!!. (EOJ) Bishop-Pair: 19 .Q.h61 20.fxe6 fxe6 21.§.xf6 §.cfS 22.§. xfS .Q.xfSI Black has to exchange one pair of rooks to neutralize White's activity. But one rook should remain, so that Black can create threats in the long run. 23.§.f2 .Q.h6 24 . .Q.c4 Jle3 25.§.e2 .Q.g1 26.g3 This reduces White's winning potential. One sample l ine after 26.h3? runs 26 . . . Jle8 27 . .:£\d l Jlh'i 28 . .§d2 •••

25 . .§dd 1 ( 2 5 . tzlxe4? ..ll x e4 26 . .§ xe4

.ilh2 29.c3 .ll f4 30 . .§ f2 .llg3 3 1 ..§ d2

tixc4-+) 25 . . . {)h4 26.4:'lxe4 d'i 27.cxd5

A e l 3 2 . .§ c 2 .ll x d l 3 3 . � c 1 .llh 5

.il x d 5 2 8 . �g 3 .§ a 2 2 9 . b 5 � aS + .

34 . .§ xe1 .§ xg2 -+ . 26 ... hxg3 27.hxg3

24...fxe4 25.4)d6 exd31! 25 . . ..llxd6?

§.xg3 + The rest is quite instructive. 2S.a3 .Q.es 29.'it'a2 .Q.h5 30.§.e1 .Q.d4 3 1 . §.h1 E!g5 32.'it'b3 Ae5 33 . .Q.d3 Ag6 34.§.h4 §.g3 35.a4 Af6 36.§.h1 §.g4 37.§.e1 .Q.e5

26 . .§ xd6 �xc4 ( 26 . . . e3 27.fxe3 �xc4 28 . .§ x d 7 '1= ) 27 . .§ x d7 =i= . 26.4) x cS §.a x eS 27.�d2 2 7 ." � b 3 {) f4 + . 27 ... .Q.xb4 2S.�xd3 4)h4

1 53

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 34.h5 d3+ 35.� xd3 E{d4 35 . . . 1'1 xg4 3 6 . � x d 6 + � x d 6 3 7 . 1'1 x d 6 + 't;c7 38.1'1d5 1'1 xg5 39.1'1dxe5 +- . 36.�f5

Eld2+ 37.Etexd2 cxd2+ 38.'it' xd2 'it'c7 39 . .1l.f3 Ab4+ 40.'it'e2 e4 41.Axe4 1-0 Two points for 28.c4!!. (EOS) Domination: 18.g5J ± Dominat ing Black's kingside. 18... Ag7 19.c3 'it'b8 20.�c2 E{g8 2 1 .'it'b1 Ah8 22.c4 �a5 23.a3 E!g7 24.'it'a2 �c5 2 5 .b4 � x d3 2 6 . b x a 5 � x f2 27.cxd5 cxd5 28.E{c1 e6 1-0

38.�d1 E!f4 39.�c3 Elf3 40.�b1 Jl.g3 41.E{g1 Jl,xe4 42.�d2 Jl,d5+ 43. 'it'a3 E{f2 44.�e4 Jl,h2 45.Etg6 Axe4 46.j}, xe4 d5 47.Ad3 Ae5 4S.Etgs 'it'd7 49.b4 Af6 50.E!g1 Elh2 51 .'it'b3 'it'd6 52.Eld1 'it'e7 53.c4 Elb2+ 54.'it'a3 dxc4 55.Axc4 E{c2 56.Ab3 Jl,b2+ 57.'it'a2 Elf2 58.Jl.,c4 a5 59.bxa5 Jl,c3+ 60.'it'b3 j}_ x a 5 6 t .Ab5 b6 62. 'it'c4 'it'f6 63.'it'd4 E!f4+ 64. 'it'e3 'it'e5 65.Elh1 Ete4+ 6 6 . 'it'd 3 E!g4 67 .E{h5+ 'it'd6 6 8 . E{ h 8 'it'e5 6 9 . El h 5 + 'it'f4 7 0 . E! h 3 Elg8 7 1 . El h4+ 'it'e5 7 2 . E{ h 5 + 'it'd6 73.E!h4 Elg3+ 74. 'it'e4 Ad2 75.Ad3 Ag5 76.E{h5 'it'c5 0-1 Two points for 1 9 . . . Ah6! and the third i f you calculated until 22 . . .Axf8!.

(E06) Domination: 18.f3J Restricting the aS-bishop and the f6-knight. 18...e6 19.Af2 E!eS?J o 1 9 . . . Ab7 20.4Jb4 ;�; 20.�b4 Provokes holes on Black's q u e e n s i de 20 a5 2 1 . � a 6 E{c8 2 2 . � x d6 � x d6 23. E! x d6 � d 5 •••

(E04) Attack with Opposite-Colored B i sh o p s , B l oc k a d e , Prop h y l ax i s : 28.c411 +- 28:�xh7? �c3!! 29.1'1xe5+

24.E{d1?J 24.1'1el JleS 2 5 .1'1d7 Ac6 2 6 . 1'1 a7 4Jc3 2 7 . f4 Jlf6 28 . .Q.x b6 ± .

3 2 . "i;t' a 5 +

'
33 .�a7+

'
( Rodriguez in CBM 60); 28.1'1 xd4? �c3 29 . 1'1 x e S +

'
30 . 1'1 x d 6 +

'
31 .1'1e7+ '
and gets two points.; 28.1'1d3 gets one point. 28 bxc3 28. . . dxc3 29.�xh7 +- . 29.'it'c2J 'it'd8 30.�xh7 Elf8 31 .g5 Elb8 3 2 . Ag4 �c6 3 3 . h4 Elb4 ••.

24 �c3 25.El1d2 b5 26.Etd7 Ae5 2 7 .c x b 5 � x b5 28.Afl Ac6 29.El7d3 �a3 30.f4 Af6 31.�c5 A,e7 32.E{d1 �b5 33.�a4 Ae4 34. E!d7 Jl,b4 3 5 . Jl.g2 A x g2 3 6 . 'it' x g 2 E{c2 3 7 . El b7 �a3 38. E{dd7 Elf8 39 . 'it'f3 � b 1 40. Ae3 E{ x a 2 4 t . Ac5 � d 2 + 4 2 .'it'g2 A x c 5 43 . � x c 5 e 5 ? 44.�e6 exf4 45.E! xf7 1-0 .•.

'
1 54

Solutions (E07) Outpost: 8... .£jh6! Heading for d 4 . B l a c k can start p l ay o n t h e queenside afterwards. 9 .§b1 .£if5 1 0 . a 3 a 5 l l . h4 h5 1 2 . .£je4 e6 13 ..£ig5 .§b8 14.J}.d2 .£ifd4 15.00 b5 16 .§e1 b4 17.a4 't:fe7 18.b3 f6 1 9 .Jl. x c6 fx g5 20.J}.e4 g x h4 2 1 .J}. xg6+ �d8 2 2 . Jl. x h 5 h x g3 2 3 . f x g 3 �c7 24.�g2 .§bg8 25 ..§h1 Jl.h6 26.'t:fe1 'i:tg7 27..§h3 e5 28.'t:fe4 exf4 29.Jl. xf4+ Jl.xf4 30.'i:fxf4+ d6 31 . .§e1 .§f8 32.'i:fe4 't:ff6 3 3 . '/i:\'e7+ 'li:\' x e7 34 . .§ x e7+ �b6 35.Jl.f7 .§ xh3 36.�xh3 .£if5 37..§d7 �c6 38. .§a7 �b6 39 ..§d7 �c6 40. .§a7 Y�YI •

•

(E08) Outpost: 23. .§d5!

2 2 . Jl. x c4 a 5 2 3 . Jl.d 2 .£ib6 24.Jl.b5+ �f8 25.c3 'i:fd8 26.cxd4 cxd4 27. .§acl Jl.g5 28 . .§c6 .£ic8 29.Jl.xg5 'i:f xg5 30.f6 .§h6 31 ..§f5 'i:fe3+ 3 2 . 'i:f x e3 d x e 3 33.fxg7+ � xg7 34 . .§ x f7+ � x f7 35 . .§ x h6 .£ie7 36. .§ x h3 .§d8 37.�fl .§d4 38 .§ h7+ �f6 39 . .§h6+ �f7 40 . .§ h4 .£i g6 4 t . .§h7+ �f6 42 ..§a7 .£jf8 43 . .§a6+ �e7 44.�e2 .§xe4 45.Jl.c6 .§b4 46.�xe3 .£ie6 47.Jl.d5 .£ic5 48. .§c6 .£j xa4 49.b3 .£J b 6 50.Jl.e6 .£i d7 5 t . Jl.c4 a4 5 2 . b x a4 .§ x a4 5 3 .�e4 .§a5 54.�f5 .§a3 55.Jl.d5 .§d3 56. .§e6+ �f7 57.Jl.c6 .§d2 58.Jl.xd7 .§xd7 59 . .§ x e 5 .§ d 3 60 . .§ a 5 .§f3+ 6t .�g5 1 -0 •

( E I O) Outpost: 30 .§e51 30 . . . .£Je5? 3 l . .t\ x e 6 +- . 3 1 .g4 3 l . 'it'f4 .£Jd6 3 2 . El e 2 Elc5 =i= ( Stohl in CBM 1 06). 31 .£jd6! 32.fxe6 and now instead of 32 ...dxe6? which led to a draw. Va l l ej o P o n s s h o u l d h a v e p l ayed ..•

•.•

=

23 . . . f5 2 3 . . . l'He8 ! ? 2 4 . �c7 � x e 4 2 5 . El xe4 El c8 26.Eld7 t. 24. 'li:\'d3 f4 25.gxf4 .§deS 26 . .§e3 Jl.h4 27.h3 .§f5 28 . .§d6 't:fc8 29 .§d7 .§ f7 30 . .§ x f7 � x f7 3 1 . 'i:f x h7 Jl.f6 3 2 . 'i:f h 5 + �g8 3 3 . Jl. x f6 .§ x e3 34.fxe3 g x f6 3 5 . 't:fg4+ 'i:f x g4+ 36.hxg4 �f7 37.�f2 �e6 38.�f3 a6 39.�e4 b5 40.a4 1-0 •

(E09) Outpost: 14 . .£ib1! The knight is redirected to c4 - a typical procedure. 14 c5 1 5 . .£i d 2 h5 1 6 .'t:fe1 h4 17 . .£J c4 h3 1 8.g3 Jl.c6 1 9.�g1 Jl.b5 20.'i:fe2 .£id7 2 1 .a4 Jl. x c4 •.•

3 2 . . . .£Jxe4 33 . .£Jf5 + fl x f5 34.fl xd7+ fl xd7 35.fl xd7+ 'it'xe6 36.fla7 Ele5!? (36 . . . fl xf3 + 37. 'it'xf3 Jlc6 38.fl xg7 shou l d be draw n . ) 3 7 . fl xa8 <£\c 5 + 3 8 . 'it'f2 'it'd6 39 . .il d1 .£Jd3+ 40. 'it'f3 El e7 =i= One point for 30 . . . Ele5!.

(E l l ) Outpost: 21 .§a51 White uses a typical method to increase the pressure on an open file. 21 ... .£je8 2 1 . ..El xa5 •

2 2 .bxa5 �a7 ( 2 2 . . . b4 2 3 . El b l El b8 24.�c4 ± ; 22 . . . El a8 23.�b4 ± ) 23.�b4 �d4 24.�xd4 exd4 2 5 . .£Jxb5 <£\xe4 26.El xc8+ itxc8 27 .Jlb4 ± . 22 .£1 x b5 .§ x c 1 + 22 . . . El x a 5 2 3 . b x a 5 El b8 24.Elbl .£Jc7 25 . .£Jd4 ± (Gurev ich in •

Informant 62/604). 23.Jl. xc1 .§ x a5 24. b x a 5 .£ic7 2 5 . .£id4 'li:\'a7?1 25 ... �a8 26.�b6! .t\xd5 27.exd5 exd4 28.a6 �xd5 29.�d8+ M8 30.itxh6+- .

1 55

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2

26.t\'b6J t\' x b6 27.a x b6 e x d4 28.b7 1-0

22

•..

ex f4?! 2 2 . . . ..Q.. h 6! 2 3 . � fl .ilxf4

24.ltxf4 exf4 25 .bxc5 f3 gives B lack

some counterplay. 23.§fl b5 23 . . . g5 (E1 2) Undennining: 18.h4J This creates a strong outpost on t"l-. 18 g4 19.4:)el b6 2 0 . 4:) g 2 .11, a 6 2 1 .t\'e3 t\'e8 22 .f3 g x f3 23.t\'xf3 b5 24. 4:)f4 §c8 2 5 . .1le3 b4 26.a x b4 a x b4 27.4:)a4 4:)b5 28.t\'f2 Etc7 29.4:)c5 .11,c8 30 ..11,a4 4:)ca7 31.§dct t\'e7 3 2 . 4:) g6 t\'f7 3 3 . 4:) x f8 A x f8 34.4:)d3 §c4 3 5 . .1lb3 Et x c l + 36 . E{ x c l .11, d 7 3 7 . 4:) f4 4:) c8 38.�h2 4:)b6 39.§gl l-O .•.

( E 1 3) U n derm i n i n g : 3 2 .g5! f x g 5 33.4:) xd6? 33.c5 would have won im mediately. 33 ... .11, xd6 Now B lack has counterplay. 34.A xe5 §e8 35.§fel .1lc5+ 36.�hl a4 and H ickl even won later. Two points for 32.g5 fxg5 33.c5 +- .

( E 1 4) U n d erm i n i n g : 2 1 .f4J t\'f6 2l . . . e x f4 2 2 . ..Q.. x f4 ltg7 2 3 . \t' h l ± ; 2 1 . . . Jlg7 2 2 . \t'h 1 ( 2 2 . fx e 5 ? ! .Q.. x e 5 2 3 . t h c 5 � h 4 2 4 . g3 g 2 �xh2+ 26.\t'xf3 �xg3+ 27.\t'e2 �g4+ 2 8 . 'i!i' d 2 � g 2 + g i v e s B l ack strong counterplay. ) 22 . . .lth6 23.�xc5 �xc5

24.bxc5 £t.g7 25.£t.f2 �e5 26.� e l ± .

24.a x b6 t\' x b6 2 5 . .1l x f4 t\' x b4 26.t\'xa6 4:)b3?! 26 . . . ..Q..g7! 27.\t'hl .§ e8 28.Jlc7 �d2 29.d6

•

( E l S) U ndermining: 1 9.cxd6 exd6 20.Axf6 4:) xf6 20 . . . ..Q..xf6?! 2 1 .4::l x d5 cxd5 2 2 .4::ld 4 ± (Finkel in CBM 93). 2 1 . t\' x d 6 4:) e4 2 2 . t\'d3 Ac8 23. t\'c2 .11, a 6 24. §fc l Ab5 25.4:)d4 §a2 25 . . .ltxd4 26.exd4 � fe8 2 7 . � a l ± . 26.§b2 §fa8 27.A xe4 Et x b2 28.t\' x b 2 f x e4 2 9 . t\' c 2 1 .11, x d4 30.e x d4 § e 8 3 1 .t\'d2 3 1 . .§ e l ! ? . 3 1 . g 5 3 2 . 4:) g2 EtaS 33.t\'el t\'d5 34. t\'c3 §a2 35.4:)e3 t\'f7 36.§c2 §a6 37.§d2 t\'a7 38.d5 cxd5 39.§xd5 §al + 40.�g2 Ae2 41.t\'c8 One point for 1 9.cxd6. . •

22.b4 2 2 . .§ fl ! ? e x f4 2 3 . .il x f4 .\l.d6

(E l 6) Underm i n i n g : 17 ... h51 N ow White had to concede the outpost f5 to B l ac k 's knight. 1 8.g5 1 8 .h3? h xg4

24 . ..\l.xd6 �xd6 25.b4 .§c8 26 . .§ e l ± .

1 9. hxg4 0-0-0 20.4::l d4 ( 20.\t'g2 g5 :;:

24 . .§ xc5 ltxf4 25 .. 1lxf4 exf4 26.\t'gl ± .

1 56

Solutions underm ining e5 ) 20 . . . Rh4 +. 18 ... 0-0 19 . .£ld4 �b6 20.§f2 §fc8 21.a3 §c7 2 2 . §d3 .£l a 5 2 3 . § e 2 §e8 2 4 . 'ifjlg2 .£jc6 2 5 . §ed2 §ec8 26.§e2 .£ie7 27.§ed2 §c4 28.�h3 'iflg7 2 9 . §f2 a 5 3 0 . §e2 .£l f 5 31 . .£j xf5+ gxf5 32.�f3 'iflg6

White is tied up, while Black's in itia tive on the queenside has just started. 33.§ed2 §e4 34.§d4 §c4 35. �f2 �b51? A n ice little creeping move. 3 6 . 'iflg3 § c x d4 37.c x d4 �c4 38.'ifjlg2 b5 39.'iflg1 b4 40.a x b4 a x b4 41 .'iflg2 �c1 42.'iflg3 �h1 43. §d3 §e1 44.§f3 §d1 45.b3 §c1 46.§e3 §f1 0-1 (El7) Opening the Position: 27.e51 + f x e 5 2 7 . . . d x e 5?? 2 8 A:l x e 6 + +- . 2 8 . § x e5 �a3 29 . .£J x e6+ 'ifjlf7 30.f5 'iflg8 31.fxg6 h xg6 32.§g3 1-0 ( E 1 8) Opening the Position: 20.a41 �d6 21 . .£je11 White's activity on the queenside gives him an annoying ini t i a t i v e . 2 1 . . . E{b8 2 2 . a 5 b x a 5 23.�a2 .£lg4 24.g3 § xb5 25.§xb5 .£i e 5 2 6 . � x a 5 .£i x d3 27 . .£j x d3 � x d3 2 8 . �c7 h 5 2 9 . h 4 §d7 30 . � x c 5 � d 1 + 3 l . 'ifl g 2 a6 32.�c8+ 'iflh7 33.§ x h5+ � x h 5 3 4 . � x d7 �c5 3 5 . � x f7 � x c4

3 6 . � h 5 + 'ifjlg8 37. �e8+ 'iflh7 38. � h 5 + 'iflg8 39. �g6 a5 40. �e8+ 'iflh7 4 1 . � h 5 + 'ifjlg8 42.� xa5 1-0 ( E 1 9) Opening the Position: 19.a51 Opening the position immediately is very strong, as White's pressure against the key base pawn c7 will mount very q u i c k l y. 1 9 . . . b x a 5 20 . .Q.d2 .Q.f5 2 l . § x a 5 �d7 2 2 . �a4 § x a 5 2 3 . � x a 5 .Q. x e4 2 4 . § x e4 c6 25.dxc6 .£j xc6 26.�a1 d5 27.cxd5 � x d 5 28.�e1 .£lf6 2 9 . §a4 e4 30. .£ic3 �d7 31 . .Q.b5 �h3 32.�fl � xfl+ 33.'iflxf1 .£le5 34.h3 §b8 35. .Q.e2 .£if3 36..Q.f4 §d8 37. .£J xe4 .£ld4 38. .Q.c7 §c8 39.§ xd4 §xc7 40. §d8+ .£ig8 4 t . .£l d6 .Q.f6 42.E{a8 §cl + 43. 'ifjlg2 .Q.e7 44..Q.c4 h5 45.§ xg8+ 'iflh7 46.§c8 Jl,xd6 47. .Q.g8+ 1-0 (E20) Opening the Position: 38.g41 Now Black has to open the h-file. 38...hxg4 3 9 . h xg4 �d8 40 . § h 1 'iflg7 41.§h3 �e7 42.g5 §c7 43.�f6+ �f8 44.§h8 �xf6 45.gxf6 E{xc3 46.f4 §c1 47.§h3 §c7 48.'ifjlf2 §c2+ 49.'ifle1 §c1 + 50.'ifjld2 §c7 51.§h1 §c8 52.'ifld3 §c7 53.�d2 §c8 54 . .Q.d3 'ifjle8 55 .§b1 §b8 56.§c1 �d8 57. .Q.b5 §c8 58.§h1 'iflc7 59. §h7 §f8 60.'ifle3 'ifjld8 61.'iflf3 'iflc7 62.'ifjlg4 'iflb6 63.'iflg5 'iflc7 64 . .Q.d3 'ifjlc6 65.§h1 �d7 66.§c1 §b8 67.§c2 'ifjld8 68.§h2 'ifle8 69 . .Q.b5+ 'ifjlf8 70.§c2 1-0 (E2 1 ) Opening the Position : 20.f41 Korotylev immediately opened inroads. 20 . . . e x d4 2 1 .e 5 .£l g4 2 2 . .£je4 W hi te 's powerfu l knight reigns su pre m e . 2 2 . . . .£je3 2 3 . .£ld6+ 'ifjlf8 24 . .Q. x e3 d x e3 2 5 . �c4 .£i b8

1 57

The ChessC�fe Puzzle Book 2 26 . E{ x e3 �e7 2 7 . E!g3 �e6 28. �b4 4) d7 29 . .1lc4 1 - 0 O n e point, if you calculated unti l 22.�e4.

prove it. In the game, B lack played

(E22) Opening the Position: 1 9.g4! Sasikiran used h6 as a hook to open roads agai n s t B l a c k ' s m o n a rc h . 1 9... E{ae8 20.g5 hxg5 21.fxg5 4)e4

( E 2 4 ) B l ockade : 22 . . . 4) fg8! + 2 3 . 4) d 5 4) x d5 24. jl x d 5 E!fd8!

23 . . . �f6? 24.d7! +- �b7 25.�e7 �c6 26.�g5 'iil'f3 27.llxe6 'it'h8 28.E!d3 1-0.

24 . . . E! xc 5 2 5 .Ab3 E! x e5 26.�a3 55

(Avrukh in CBM 1 06). 25.Axb7 E!c7 26 . .1lf3 2 6 . c6 d2 27 . .il x d 2 f! x d 2

2 l . . . �xc3 22 .bxc3 �e4 2 3 . �h5 g6 24.�h6 E!c8 25 ..llxe4 dxe4 26. E! f6 �e7 27.{)xg6 +- .

2 8 . E! a d 1

E! x d 1

2 9 . E! x d 1

�e7 +

(Avrukh). 26 d2 27 .1lxd2 E{xd2 28.c6 4)e7 29.E{ab1 E{d8 30.E{b7 E{dc8 31 .E{d1 3 l . E! e4 �f5 32.E!a4 ..ll x e 5 3 3 . E! x a 6 'it'g7 -+ ( Avruk h ) . 3 1 ... .Q. xe5 32.E!d7 E{ x b7 33.cxb7 E{e8 34. E!d3 a5 3 5 . E! a 3 .ilc7 3 6 . Et c 3 .ild6 37 . E{ d3 Ac5+ 38.�f1 �g7 39.E!b3 Ab4? .•.

•

22 . .1l x e4! 2 2 . �xe4? dxe4 23 .llxe4 Axe4 24.�xe4 �d6 ;!; (Dautov in CBM 9 8 ) . 2 2 . . . d x e4 2 3 . � h 5 ! .il x c 3 2 3 . . . e3? 2 4 . E! f4 e2 2 5 . E! h4 exd 1 � + 26.�xd1 + - (Dautov) ; 2 3 . . . �c5 24.g6 fxg6 2 5 . f! x f8+ Jlxf8 26.�xg6 Jla6 2 7 . �b5 +- . 24.bxc3 e3 25.E!de1 2 5 .g6!?. 25 ... �d5 26.�h3 E{ x e 5 2 6. . . .llc8 27:-if1xe3 Jld7 28.E!f4 ll.xa4 29.g6 +- . 27.d xe5 E!e8 28. E{ x e3

This allows White to draw. Radjabov should have played 39 . . . E! b8 40.E!b5 llb4 4 l . a 3 ll.xa3 4 2 . E! xa5 .ll d 6 -+

E{ x e5 29 . E{ x e 5 � x e 5 3 0 . � d7 �e3+ 3 l . � h 2 �e5+ 3 2 . � h 1 .ilxg2+ 33.� xg2 � xg5+ 34.�f2 �f4+ 3 5 . � e 2 �e4+ 3 6 . � d 2 �g2+ 37.�e1 �e4+ 38.�f2 �f4+ 39.�g2 �g5+ 40. �(3 1 - 0 Two points for 19 .g4!, with the idea g4-g5. ( E 2 3 ) B l ockade: 23 . . . E{dc8! was called for, when Black's blockade is secure and his position is even sl ightly more comfortable, as it is easier to im-

(Avrukh). 40.a3! In the game, White played 40.'it'e2? and Radjabov went on to w i n . 40 . . . Ad6 4 1 . E!b5 .Q. x h2 42.E{ xa5 0-1 One point for 22 . . . �fg8! and one for the assessment that Black is clearly better. ( E 25) B l ockade : 23 . . . � x f5 Keres stopped White's play on the queenside completely. 24.gxf5 f6! Black's con trol of the light squares will decide the issue. 25.exf6 25 .dxc5 fxg5 26.E!f3

1 58

Solutions .§ a 5 2 7 . .§ c l .§ b 5 28 . .§ c 2 '1'9f7 + .

2 5 . . . 4)e4 26.fxg7 E! x f5 27.Ae7 � x g7 2S.f3 4) d 2 29.�f2 E!eS 30.E!ae1 4) e4+ 3 1 . �g2 E! x e7 3 2 . f x e4 E! x e4 3 3 . E! x e4 d x e4 34.E!xe4 E!b5 35.E!e2 E!b3 36.�f2 �f6 37.�e1 h6 3 S . E! g 2 �e6

(E 27) Im prov i n g P i ece Pl acem ent: 23.4)fll Sending the knight to better square s . 23 . . . E!b4 24.�f2 �b6 25.4)d2 �c7 26.4)c4 a4 27 .E!d4 E!bbS 2S.E!c1 4) b7 29.f4 4)a5 30.E!a1 4) x c4 3 l . E! x c4 �dS 3 2 . �d4 �b6 3 3 . .Q.d3 � x d4+ 34.E!xd4 E!aS 35.E!a3 E!a5 36.E!b4 E!cS 37. E! b x b3 .£l h 5 3S.g3 f5 3 9 . E!b7 f x e4 40 . 4) x e4 .Q.g4 4 1 . 4) x d6 E!dS 4 2 . 4)f5 �fS 43.4)e3 1-0 ( E 28) I m proving P i ece P lacement: 25.4)d2! f5? 25 . . . 4::le 5 26.4::le4 Af5 27.axb5 axb5 28 . .§ xb5 ltxe4 29.Axe4 ii!d7 (Krasenkow in CBM 1 08 ) was

39.�d1 �d5 40.�c2 E!h3 41.E!d2 �c4 4 2 . � b 1 h5 4 3 . � a 2 E!h4 44.E!f2 �xd4 45.E!f7 b5 46.E!f2 E!h3 47.E!d2+ E!d3 4S.E!f2 �c4 4 9 . E! c 2 + �d5 5 0 . E! g 2 E!h3 5 1 . E!d 2 + �c5 5 2 . E!c 2 + �b6 53.E!f2 c5 54.E!f6+ �a5 55.E!f2 c4 56.E!g2 c3 57.b4+ axb3+ 5S.�xb3 c2+ 59.� xc2 E!xa3 60.�b2 E!f3 61 .E!e2 h4 62.E!d2 h3 63.E!e2 �a4 64.�b1 E!fl+ 65.�c2 b4 66.�d3 E!dl+ 67.�c2 E!g1 0-1 ( E 26) I m proving P i ece P lacement: 22.4)fll The knight is transferred to greener pastures. 22 ... 4)e7 23:�e2 �h6 24.4)e3 Af6 25.E!f1 4)gS 26.�g1 AdS 27.f4 gxf4 2S.gxf4 exf4 29.4)f5 �fS 30 ..Q.xhS E!xhS 3 l .e5 4) h 6 3 2 . 4) x d 6 4) x g4 33.E! xg4 tth6 34.E!gxf4 f6 35 ..£lf5 �h7 36.�g2 Axf5 37.ttc6+ �e7 3S.e x f6+ �f7 3 9 . �b7+ �fS 40.�g7+ �xg7+ 41 .fxg7+ �xg7 42.E! xf5 1-0

called for. 26.d6 E!bS 27.4) xc4 Ae6 2S.4)e3 E!b6 29.d7 E!e7 30.4)d5 1-0 ( E29) Im proving P i ece Placement: 22.E!f31 The knight has many options, so it is logical to improve the rooks first. 2 2 . . . E!ceS 23 . E!dfl f6 24.e x f6 E!xf6 25.E!xf6 gxf6 26.�g3 �g5 2 7 . � h 2 � x g3+ 2S.4) xg3 E!fS 29.4)h5 f5 30.�g3 4)e7 31.E!c1 E!cS 32.E! xcS+ AxeS 33.�f4 �f7 3 4 . �e5 4) c6+ 3 5 . � x d 5 Ab7 36.4)f4 �f6 37.�c4 �g5 3S.g3 h 5 3 9 . d 5 .£l a 5 + 40.
1 59

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 18.Jlc2 4Jd7 19.4Jc4 b6 20.�xh4 axh4

40.
2 1 . 4Jb5 ± . 15.4)c5 4) xe3 16.fxe3 Ac8 1 7.Ad3 b6 1 8 . 4) 5e4 4)f5 19.§ael e6 19 . . . Jlh6 20.4Jd l Jlg7 2 1 . 4Jec3 ± . 20.d x e6 A x e6 2 t .d5 2 1 .�c2!? 2l ... Ac8 22.4)d2 4)d6 23.4) b5 4) b7 24.Ac4 4)c5 25. �c2 Ad7 26.e4 §c8 27.e5? This allows B l ac k ' s b l ockad e to become v ery strong. After 27.4Jf3! Axb5 28.Axh5, W h i te has good w i n n i n g chances. 27 . . . A x b5 28.a x b 5 4)d7 29.e6 4)e5 30.e xf7+
pawns, one of them isolated, B lack's extra pawn may not be enough to win.; 29 . . . 4Ja4?! avoids the exchange of Wh ite's problematic bishop and gets one point. ; 29 . . . �a8?! i mproves the worst placed piece and gets one point, as B lack's pressure is not nearly as strong as in the game. 30.§bl Or 30.�d2 4J6c4 3 1 .�e2 �d6 =�= (Lukacs in CBM 1 05 ). 30 ... 4) 6c4 3 1 .�e2 EtaS 32.Af2 lf 32.Acl then 32 ... 4Ja4, followed by �d8. 32 ... §d8 33.-'tel §d3 34.4)al?! ,

( E 3 2 ) I m p ro v i ng P i ece P o s i t i o n : 14.4)d3! White's f4-knight i s the worst placed piece, as it has no active pros pects. So it is rerouted i mmediately, since it is not yet clear where the rooks belong. 14 ... 4) bc4 1 4 . . .tl:lf5 15 .4Je5 Ac8 1 6 . Ad 3 �d6 17. � a d l �b4

34...§e31 35.�c2? 35.�fl was more

1 60

Solutions tenacious. 35 ... .£Jd3 The cavalry has arrived with decisive effect! 36.j}.f2 .£j x a3 37.�d2 .£i c4 3 8 . � x e 3 .£j xe3 39.Jlxe3 White does not have quite enough material for the queen and his pieces are tangled up. This adds up to a w i n n i n g pos i t i o n fo r B l ac k . 39 �c8 4 0 .£i b3 b 6 4 I . Jl x b6 �a6 The infiltration of the black queen puts White out of his misery. 42.Jle3 �a2 43 ..£id2 �c2 44.
M8 30.:9.c6 :9.fg7 3 1 .
can be met by 26. �d3.

•

(E34) Prophylaxis: 28.b31 This takes away the important c4-square, so that B l ack 's counte r p l ay is restricted. 28 h6 29.E!d3 .£jde8 30. E! x d8 �xd8 31.E!d1 �b6 32.Jlf3 .£ic7 33.E!d6 �a7 34.
(E37) Prophylaxis: 24 ...
..•

•

(E35) Prophylaxis: 19.h41 Good pro phylaxis, which also inhibits B lack's forces on the k i ngside. 19 j}_e6 20. E!d6 E!ad8 2 l . E! x d8 .£j x d8 2 2 . .£i g 5 Jl x b3 2 3 . a x b3 .£l f6? 2 3 . . . 'iii' h 5 o ffered more resi stance (Huzman i n CBM I 09). 24.E!d6 .£lc6 25 . .£i d 5 E!d8 2 6 . E! x d8+ .£1 x d8 27 .£ie7+
•

(E36) Prophylaxis: The prophylactic 24.j}_e41 was much better than taking the pawn. In the game, White played 24 .:9. xd6? and now B lack gets a strong attack. 24 . . . ..1lh3 25 :i;}'f3 Ag4 26.'iii'd3 -'1.f5 27.'iii'd 2 :9.g8 28 ..Q.xf5 'iii'xf5 29.f3

2 5 . !'! e7 + ! +- �b6 26.�xd4+ 'it'xa5 27.b4+ 'ifta4 28.'iii'c3 (28.!'!a7! wins as well.) 28 ... 'iii'x d5 29.!'!a7 ..!lb7 30.!'!xb7 'iii' c 4 ( 30 . . . !'! he8 3 1 . !'! b6 !'! a8 3 2 . ..!lfl ! ! +- ) 3 1 . � x f6 'it' x a 3 ? ! (3l . . .!'!dl + 32.�b2 !'!a8 33.'iii'b6 �d4+ 34.'iii' x d4 !'! xd4 3 5 . !'! xf7 aS 36 . ..!le6 axb4 37 . ..!lb3+ 'ifta5 38.axb4+ �b6 39.!'! xh7 +- ) 32.'iii'x a6+ �xh4 33.c3+ 'iftxc3 34.'iii'a l + 'iffd 2 35 .�b2+ 'iftdl 36 . .Q.fl !! !'!d2 37.!'!d7! !'! xd7 38 . ..!lxc4 h x c 4 3 9 . 'iii' x h 8 !'! d 3 4 0 . 'iii' a 8 c 3 4 1 .�a4+ 'ifte l 42.f4 f5 43 .'iftcl § d 2 44.�a7 1 -0; 2 4 . . . .Q.xd5? 25.:9. xd5
161

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 25 t\'xf4 26.E!xf4 4) xd5 27.E!xf7 cxb4 28.a xb4 4) xb4 29.4)b3 jld5 30. E!f6+ 4)c6 =i= Tw o p o i n t s for

in CBM 57). 30.jlxh4 f3 31.t\'c2 gx h3 and now Piket gave Kasparov good counterplay with 32.g3? 32./"!fxf3 would have won. 32 ... E!f41 and the game was later drawn. Two points for 1 9.l"!c3!, one for 1 9./"!c4.

••.

24 . . . 'it'b6!.

(E38) Prophylaxis: 29.E!c51 The knight maneuver . . . 4:\a5 -c4 had to be prevented. 29 ... 4)e7 30.�h2 4)f5? simply loses the c-pawn. 30 . . . c6! was called for, e.g. 3 1 . /"! a S 4:\fS 3 2 .i£l'd2 i£l'd8 33./"!a4 4:\xe3 ( 3 3 . . . i£l'e7? 34 ...Q.J4 ± ) 34.i£l'xe3 when Black is sti ll fighting. 3 1 . E!bc2 E!g6 3 2 . E! x c7 E! x c7 33.E!xc7 t\'b5 34.g4 4)h4 35.E!c8+ �h7 36. t\'d 1 t\'a6 37 . E! c 2 f5 38.�g3 fxg4 39.�xh4 gxh3 40.f4 t\'e6 41 .t\'h5 t\'e7+ 42.� xh3 t\'f7 43.E!h2 t\'d7+ 44.f5 1-0 Two points for 29./"!cS!.

(E40) Prophylaxis: Karpov stops Black's activity in his typical style. 24.t\'c31 24 . ..1lf4? �aS gives Black counterplay. 24 ... Ab5 24 . . . /"! xd4 2 5 . i£l'xd4 AxeS 26. '{;;< a 4 ± . 2 5 .Ac21 4)f5 26. jlf4 t\'b7 27.a4 jla6 28.Ae4 t\'a8 Now everything is ready for White's attack on the kingside. 29.h5 g5 30.jlxg5 f6 31.h6 4) x h6 32.jl x h6 jl x h6 33. t\'b3 E!e8 34.4)g4 �g7 34 . . . ..1lg7 35.Jlf5 +- . 35.�g2 Planning to bring the rooks into the attack via the h-file. 35 .4:\xh6 'lftxh6 36. �f3 f5 37 .g4 +- .

(E39) Prophylaxis: 19.E!c31 Prophy lax is on the kingside combined with attack on the queenside. 19.4:\xa7? g4 2 0 . fx g4 f3 g i v e s B l ack an attack . 1 9 b6 20.jle11 E!f7 21.4)f2 4)h4

35 ...f5 36.4) x h6 � x h6 37.jl xf5 exf5 38. t\'f7 1-0

••.

2 1 . . .4:\xb4 2 2 . 4:\xc7 l"! b8 2 3 . 4:\e6 ± .

2 2 . 4) x d 6 c x d6 2 3 . .Q. x a 6 t\'e8 24.t\'e2 g4 25.fxg4 E!g7 26.h3 t\'g6 26 ... hxg4 27.4:\xg4 ± . 27.jlb51

(E41) Prophylaxis: 27.h31 Black's po sition col lapses q u ickly. 2 7 . l"! a x f6? i£l' x f6 2 8 . 'l;'/ d 3 i£l' c 6 + . 27 . . . 4) b6 27 . . . g6 2 8 . l"! a 7 l"! d 8 2 9 . �g4 ..ll g 7 30.Axg7 'lftxg7 3 1 ./"! d l +- . 28.t\'g4

t\'d6

28 . . . 'lftf8

3 0 . ..1l x g7 +

.Q.. x g7

2 9 . /"! x b6 3 1 . i£l'c8+

l"! x b6 i£l'e8

32. i£l'c5+ +- .

Exchanging the important bishop just in time. 27 jl x b5 28. a x b5 E!f8 29.4)d1 hxg41? 29 . . . i£l'g5 30 . ..1lxh4 �xh4 3l .gxh5 l"!g5 32.4:\f2 +- (Psakhis •..

29.E!xf61 1-0 Two points for 27.h3!.

1 62

Solutions (E42) A Second Front: 22. t::\'e 11 ± A strong double attack. 22...<;!7e8 22 . . . a5 23. 'l;'th4 + ± . 23 . .1lg5 E!d4 24 . .1le3 E!d7 2 5 . t::\' x b4 t::\' d 6 26 . .1lfl a5 27. t::\' a 3 E!dc7 28 . .1l b 5 + <;!le7 2 9 . E! c 3 4)d7 30. E! x c7 E! x c7 3 1 . t::\' x d6+ <;!l x d6 3 2 .1}.d2 E!c2 33 .1l x a 5 E! x b2 34.E!c1 4) f6 3 5 . .1lc7+ <;!l d 5 3 6 . E! d 1 + <;!lc5 37 . .1le5 E! a 2 38 .1}.d4+ <;!7 b4 39.E!b1+ 1-0

36.<;!7g2 .1lf6 37.E!e6 a5 38.E!a6 <;!lf5 39.c5 .1ld4 40.E!d6 <;!7e4 41.c6 E!c3 42.<;!7h3 .1lf2 43. E!g6 .1lb6

•

•

•

(E43) A Second Front: 1 .f4 B lack's bishop on c8 has no scope. Taimanov first plays to restrict it even more, fix ing the f5-pawn. 1 h6 If B lack tries to get some breathing room by l . . . .§ e7, he comes up against 2 .'iftf2 g4 3 . .§ e l ••.

.§h6 4.'iftgl c5 5 . 4Jc2 b5 6.e4 bxc4 7.bxc4 fxe4 8.4Je3 ± with a strong plus

for White. 2.b4 Having taken care of business on the kingside, he shifts his attention to the queenside. 2 E!e7 3.�f2 .1ld7 4.E!b1 <;!lg7 5.a4 c5 6.4)e2 .1l x a4? B l ack goes from the frying pan into the fire. His best chance to defend was by playing 6. . ..1le6 7.l"k2 4Jd8 8.a5 .llf7 9.b5 ± , but the defense is sti l l d i fficult. 7.b5 E!fe6 8.4)c3 axb5 9.c x b5 E! xe3 10.4)d5 gxf4 1 1 .gxf4 and Black must lose material . One point for I .f4 and the second ifyou were planning to play 2.b4 to open a second front. .••

(E44) Counterplay: 17 ... t::\'g 51 Black must start counterplay i mmediately. 18.g3 4) xe5 19.f4 4)f3+ 20.<;!7f2 t::\' h 5 2 1 ..1}. xg6 f x g6 2 2 . E! x e6+ .1l xe6 23.t::\' xe6+ .1le7 24.t::\' xc6+ <;!lf8 2 5 . t::\' a 8+ <;!lg7 2 6 . � x d 5 4) x h 2 27. t::\' x h 5 g x h 5 2 8 . E! h 1 4) g4+ 29.�f3 4) f 6 30.b3 E!b6 31.4)e4 4) xe4 32.<;!7 xe4 <;!7g6 33.c4 E!e6+ 34.<;!7(3 E!d6 35.E!e1 Eld3+

44.<;!7h4 E!c5 45.E!d6 .1lc7 46.E!d7 E!xc6 47.<;!7xh5 jld6 48.<;!7g5 .1la3 49.E!a7 E!c5+ 50.<;!7g6 .1lb4 51.E!a6 E!c3 52.E!e6+ <;!7f3 53.f5 E!c2 54.f6 E! x a 2 55.f7 <;!7 xg3 56. <;!7g7 E!f2 57 . E!g6+ <;!7 h 3 5 8 . E! h 6 + �g2 59.E!h5 Elf3 60.E!g5+ <;!7f2 61.�g8 E!g3 62.E!xg3 <;!7xg3 63.f8� jlxf8 64 . <;!7 x f8 <;!7f4 6 5 . <;!7e7 <;!le5 66. <;!7d7 <;!ld5 6 7 . <;!7c7 �c5 68.<;!7b7 <;!7b4 69.<;!7a6 a4 70.bxa4 <;!7xa4 Yt-Yt (E45) Counterplay: 27.e41 Now Black is lost, as White's defense is very well coordinated. 27... 4)h5 28.Ac4 �h4 29.Jl xe6+ f x e6 30.g x h 5 t::\' x h 5 31 .E!d3 E!g8+ 32.E!g3 Eld8 33.Ae3 e5 34.E!fl h6 35.b4 a6 36.b5 axb5 37.axb5 jlxb5 38.E!g7 c6 39.t::\'a 2 .1la6 40.�e6+ <;!7b8 41.�d6+ 1-0 (E46) Counterplay, Weak Color Com plex: 16 b51 Black has to fight for the l ight squares immediately, which is a typical technique against the bishop pair. 17.cxb5 4)d5 18:�e4 1 8.�e5? ..•

-'txf3 19 . .1lxf3 ( 19.gxf3? axb5 20 ...1l.xb5? .§b8 2 l .a4 .§ xb5! 22.axb5 4Jc4 23.i;'te2 4Jf4 -+ ) 1 9 . . . 4Jc4 2 0 . � e 2 a x b5 =F

1 63

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 (Avrukh i n CBM 9 3 ) . 1 8 a x b5 19.Jl xb5 � b3 1 9 . . . -tlb7 20.'l;Jh4!? • • .

{20.a4 .tld6 2 1 . 'l;fd3 .llxf3 2 2 . 'l;J x f3 .tlxb5 23.axb5 'l;Jd7= (Avrukh); 20 ...1lc6 'l;Jb6 5i5 ) 20 . . . .1lxf3 2 1 . 'l;J xd8 f!. fxd8 22.gxf3 .tld6 23 . ..1lc6 f!. ah8 24.f!.fh l 4Jf4 25.'it'fl and White's a-pawn is a

dangerous force. 20 . .§ad 1 't;t a 5 2l.Jld3 Jlg6 22.'t;tg4 2 2.�h4 Jlxd3 2 3 . f!. x d 3

�h5

2 4 . f!. fd l

f!. fc8 5i5

(Avrukh). 22 ... .§fc8 23.Axg6 Yz-Yz A d raw was agreed because of 23 . . . hxg6 24.'l;Je4 �c7 25.f!.fe l 'l;Jc2 26.f!.hl �xe4 27.f!.xe4 f!.c2= (Avrukh) Two points for 1 6 ... h5!.

(E47) Counterplay: 19 ... .§ce8! gets all five points. Black cannot take the d-pawn by 1 9 . . . -tlxd5? because of 20.Jlxh7+ 'it'h8 2 1 ...1lf5 +- and White wins . ; In the game, B l ack pl ayed 1 9 . . . f!. c3? and White wasted no time striking back:

tralization of the queen, White begins to consol idate his material edge. 29 . . .g6 30.f!.d5 �f6 3 1 ...1le5 �g5+ 3 2 . 'it' h l ..llxf2? Once again Ftacnik notes that

without any better alternatives, Black takes the pawn, hoping to weather the storm. However, "the ensuing exchange of pieces will leave him with miserable survival chances." (More tenacious was 32 . . . �h6) 33 . ..1ld6! �xd5 (Or 33 . . . �f6 34.f!.fl +- winning.) 34.�xd5 Axe l 35 .Axf8 .tlxf8 Another good move was "resigns." The rest of the game needs no further commentary. 36.�h7 a S 37. �xb6 Ah4 38.f4 'i!fg7 39.�d4+ 'i!tgB 40.f5 !? gxf5 4 1 .�f6 .tle6 42.�xf5 �g7 4 3 . 'it' g 2 ..ll c 5 4 4 . � e 5 + 'it'g8 45 .�g3+ 'it'f8 46.�c3 .1lh4 47 .�h8+ 1 -0 ; 19 . . . f!. c5 gets four points as it equal izes. 20 .itg5 f!. xd5 2 1 ..1lx h7+ .tl x h7 22 . .1l x e 7 f!. e8 2 3 . Jlh 4 = ; 1 9 . . . �d8 gets two points, a s White stil l has a dangerous initiative.; 1 9 . . . g6 gets

two points, as White sti ll has a danger ous i nitiative. 20.�g5 h6 20 . . . �xd5!? 2l .�h7 2 1 .itf5? �xd5 22 .4:le6 ..llc 5 23.f!.e5 'l;Jc4 24.Jld3 ..\lxf2+ 25.'it'xf2 �c3 26.-tlxf8 .tlg4+ -+ . 2 1 . � x h7 •.

22.A x h7+
25 ...Axal 26.'t;t xal .§c8 27.Axh6 .§xcl+ 28.jl xcl Jlc2 � and Black has the edge ( Ftacnik in CBM I 05). 20. ..1lf5! 'l;Jd8 2 Ule5 f!.b3 (Or 2 l . . .f!.c5 22. 'l;Jb4 Jlb5 23.f!.ad 1 ! ± with a big plus fo r W h i te . ) 2 2 . 'l;J c l .tl x d 5 ( N o t 22 . . . 'l;J xd5? 2 3 .-tld4 +- ) 2 3 . Ac2! A s

Ftacnik noted, White is severely test ing B lack's abi l ity to coordinate his p i ec e s . 2 3 . . . f!. x f3 2 4 . g x f3 A x c 2 ( 2 4 . . . ..1lg5 2 5 . f4 ± ) 2 5 . 'l;J x c 2 ..ll c 5 26.f!.adl �g5+ 2 7 ..1lg3 4Jf4 28.a4 4Je6 29.'�e4 Black's flurry of activity has

easily been repulsed, and with the cen-

(E48) Positional Exchange Sacrifice: 20... � xe51 In this fairly closed posi tion, B lack's knight is not much worse than White's rook. 20 . . . 4Je7?! 2 1 .4Jd4 f6 22.itd6 gives White strong pressure. 22.-tlxhS!?. 2l.Axf8 .§xf8 22.�d4 � c7 2 3 . a 6 f5 2 4 . � f3 � x f3 + 25 ..§xf3 .§f7 26. .§bl
1 64

•

•

Solutions E!f7 3 3 . E! e3 a4 3 4 . Cit' c l E!e7 35.E!f3 Cit'd7 36.Cit'b2 4:)e8 37.Cit'a3 4:)f6 38.Cit'b4 Cit'd6 39.E!h3 E!h7 40.E!e3 d4 41.§.el 4:)d5+ 42.Cit'a3 d x c3 43.E!exe6+ Cit'c5 44.§.c6+ Cit'd4 45. E!g3 E!a7 46.E!d3+ Cit'e5 47.E!c5 b4+ 48.Cit'a2 E!d7 49.E!a5 h3+ 5 0 . Cit' b l Cit'e6 5 1 . E! x a4 b2 52.g3 E!d6 53. E!a7 Cit'f6 54.§.a5 Cit'e6 5 5 .f3 E!d7 56.§.a6+ Cit'f7 57.E!a5 Cit'e6 58.f4 E!d6 59.E!a xd5 E! xd5 60.E! xc3 §.d2 61 .E!e3+ Cit'f6 62.E!d3 E!h2 63.c4 Cit'e7 64.c5 E!e2 6 5 . E! d 5 Cit'e6 66.§.d6+ Cit'e7 67. E!g6 Cit'd7 68 . E! x g7+ Cit'c6 69. E!g6+ Cit' x c 5 70 . §. x h6 §. h 2 71.E!h8 Cit'd4 72.h6 Cit'e4 73.h7 Cit'f3 74.Cit'a2 Cit'f2 75.Cit'hl Cit'f3 76. Cit'a2 Cit'f2 Yz-Yz (E49) Positional Exchange Sacrifice: 20.E!d511

A stunner. This type of exchange sacri fice has been seen before, but it is more common when the destination square for the rook is covered by two pawns ( i .e., there would be another pawn on c4 ). Karpov has evaluated the position very wel l. 20.Ad3? Lets Black off the hook. 20 . . . l:"! gH 2 1 .4:Jh4 ( 2 l . l:"! fe l ? f5 2 2 .4:Jd2 ( 2 2 . h3? <';1-c6 -+ ) 22 . . . .Q._xd2 23.1:"! xd2 fxe4 +) 2 1 . . .l:"!g4 22.4:Jf5 �.xe4 2 3 . Jl x e 4 l:"! g x e 4 . 20 . . . §.he8 I f

20 . . .Jlxd5, then 2 l .exd5 l:"!e7 22.l:"!dl ± ( Karpov). This position was analyzed in John Watson's excellent book Secrets ofModern Chess Strategy. Several fac tors were noted that justified the offer of the exchange: ( I ) White has all the possible entry squares on the e-file cov ered; (2) The bishops of opposite color are not perform ing equal ly, in particu lar White's light-squared bishop can go to the b l -h7 diagonal from where it will support the i n v a s i o n o f the black queenside, particular from the nice f5square; ( 3 ) White has a strong central pawn; and ( 4) The black king is exposed and the wh ite knight is also able to go to f5 , where it domi nates the board. 2 1 .jld3 E!dS 2 2 . §. d l E!ed6 23.Ae2 A, xd5 Black cannot sit idly by while White improves his position. 23 . . . l:"! x d5? is not good because of 2 4 . e x d 5 �d6 2 5 . �h4 ± . 24.e xd5 �b7 Black might even have winn ing chances, if he could rid himself of the d 5 - paw n . 2 5 . � h4 A.f8 26. jlc4 §. xd5 The d5-pawn is no longer a bone in Black's throat, but a bad bishop vs. good knight, the exposed black king and poor black pawn structure add up for a v e ry d i ffi c u l t d e fense fo r B l a c k . 27 . .1l, x d 5 §. x d 5 2 8 . §. e l §.dS 29.� xf6 �c7 30.g3 jld6 All else being equal, the pawns are placed on the same color as the opposing bishop, so as to limit its scope. 31 .4:)g5 E!d7 3 2 . §.e8+ Cit'h7 3 3 . 4:) e4 �c6 34.�f5 jle7 35.Cit'g2 E!c7 36.§.h8 �g6 37.�d5+ �c6 38. � x c6+ Cit' x c6 39. E! x h7 A pawn up, better pawn structure and an excellent square at c4 for the knight add up to a winning position for White. 39...Cit'd5 40.4:)d2 A.f6 4 1 .4:)c4 Cit'd4 42.§.h6 E!c6 43.g4 E!e6 44.h4 Cit'd5 45.g5 1-0 Five points for 20.l:"! d5!!.

1 65

The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 2 36.J}.g6 �g x g6 37. h x g6 � x g6 38.�f8+ �h7 39 . t\'e4 t\' x f8 40 . .£) x f8+ Jl. x f8 4 1 . t\' xe5 j}_d6 42.t\'f5 b6 43.�g2 �g7 44.f4 �f6 4 5 . �g4+ �h7 4 6 . t\'d7+ �g6 47. t\'e8+ �g7 48.t\'a8 �f7 49. t\' x a7 Jl.b4 50. t\'b8 Jl.c5 5 1 .t\'d8 �h7 52.a5 bxa5 53.b6 cxb6 54.d6 �g7 55.d7 b5 56.t\'c7 1-0

(ESO) Positional Exchange Sacrifice: 30.�xe51 White must remove B lack's powerful central ized bishop immedi ately, as it attacks, protects its king and pressures Wh ite's kingside. 30:i;1g5? .ilf6 3 l .'l;i
(ES t ) Positional Exchange Sacri fice: 20. .£)d41 White's pressure on the light squares will give him more than enough compensation, especially as the pros pects of Black's rook do not look very bright at the moment. 20 . . . Jl x d 1 2 1 . � x d 1 �f7 2 2 .t\'c2 t\'d7 23..£)e6 g4 24.e41

(E52) S i m p l i ficat i o n : 14 . . . Ac51 t B lack exchanges the key defender of the dark squares. 15.A xc5 bxc5 16.0-0 �ad8 17.t\'c2 .£)h7 18.�fe1 .£)g5 19.b4 f5 20.exf5 .£)h4 21.Jl.fl t\'f4 2 2 . .£) ce4 � x f5 2 3 .f3 �df8 24.�hl? .£) x e4? 24 . . . itxe4 25.E! xe4 ( 2 5 .4:'lx e4? 4:'lgxf3 26.gxf3 llJxf3 -+ ) 25 . . . 4:'lxe4 26.4:'lxe4 =1= . 25 . .£) xe4 ex b4

26.a xb4 t\'c7 27.t\'dl? o 27:�d2 . 27 . . . � x f31 28.t\'d6 t\' x d6 29 . .£) xd6 � x f1+ 30.� xfl Jl. xg2+ 3 1 . �g 1 Jl x fl 3 2 . � x f l � x f 1 + 33.�xfl .£)f5 34. .£)e4 .£)e3+ 0-1 (E53) Simplification: 19.Ab31 Jl.e6? Now White wins a pawn. But even af ter the better 1 9 . . . ..1lxb3, White has strong pre s s u r e : 2 0 . 'l;i< x b 3 E! x d l 2 l . l"'! x d l "1fic7 2 2 . .£ld 2 §dB 2 3 . .£lc4 E! xd l + 24.'l;i<x d l . 20.J}. xe6 t\' x e6

Opens more roads for White's l ight squared bishop. 24...fxe4 25:�· xe4+ �h8 26...Q.b2 t\'e7 27.Jlxe51? This purifies the situation : an attack with opposite-colored bishops is now on the agenda. 27...dxe5 27 . . .Jlxe5 28.'l;i<xg4 '{;lf6 29.f4 Ab2 30.'l;i