No.

3, May 21, 2011

TRAINING
let's improve youR chess

Believe in your luck!

In this game, played during the recent Russian Team Championship,
Zontakh tried to confuse Caruana in time trouble, but at the critical point
he didnt believe hed actually managed to do it!
by GM ANISH GIRI

This move already spoils it, but Caruana

giri's grab bag  hasn't seen the trick either. 30...d7! was the
Caruana-Zontakh are always pretty unpleasant, especially in time
Russian Team Championship 2011 trouble.
28.fxd3?!
1.e4 c5 2.f3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.xd4 f6 5.c3 And Fabiano immediately makes a mistake. It
c6 6.db5 b4 7.a3 xc3+ 8.xc3 d5 9.d3 was better to take with the other rook as then
d4 10.e2 e5 11.00 00 12.b4 e6 13.d2 a6 White would have been able to get to the h3
14.a4 d6 15.e1 b5 16.g3 ab8 17.axb5 square with his rook, without giving up the d-file.
axb5 18.a6 c8 19.f5 xf5 20.exf5 d5 28.axd3! but even here Black can continue
21.f3 fe8 22.e4 xe4 23.fxe4 d6 24.g3 fighting- 28...a7+! 29.f1 bd8! 30.h3 h6
f6 25.f3 d7 26.h4 b7 27.aa3 and now Black has some compensation for the
XIIIIIIIIY sacrificed pawn, although its more practical
9-tr-+r+k+0 in character. It would definitely not have been
9+q+-+-zpp0 easy for Fabiano in time trouble, however, as
9-+n+-zp-+0 the natural 31.xh6? surprisingly lets Black
escape. 31...xd3 32.xd3 xb4! 33.g3 e7! 31.d2!.
9+p+-zpP+-0
34.xf6 xc2! and after that brilliant sequence
9-zP-zpP+-wQ0 it becomes apparent that the White king is also
9tR-+-+R+-0 very exposed. In fact, the position is drawn.
9-+PvL-+PzP0 28...ed8
9+-+-+-mK-0 Now the move h3 is no longer possible.
xiiiiiiiiy Fabiano was probably just hoping to consolidate
Somehow it had happened that in the earlier and later convert the extra pawn, but in fact its
phase of the game Black got steadily outplayed really difficult to do so, and I must admit I already
on some little nuances and finesses. And even had some doubts about the outcome.
though the strength of his centre was never in 29.c3?!
doubt, he now encounters real difficulties, as Another inaccuracy, and now the advantage
there seems to be no defense against the simple is gone. I must admit I liked the move at first,
threat of h3. Whenever Black goes h6, White visually, but theres a concrete problem that all
just smashes through with xh6! However, of us missed. 29.f2!? was the way to keep
Grandmaster Zontakh found a final resource in fighting for an edge, though Black is not without
mutual time trouble. resources- 29...d4! and even though Black
27...d3! hasnt fully equalized, his compensation is
Here, playing on the table right next to them, I apparent- the Black pieces are excellent all of
saw that even though Fabiano understood that a sudden, the e4pawn is weak, and theres no
the move was made more out of desperation, he question of an attack on the Black king anymore.
nevertheless got nervous. Such little surprises 29...xd3 30.cxd3 d8?!
trick and it turns out that the move is a double
attack!- 31.g3 covering d3, but... 31...xb4!
(31...d8!?) 32.xb4 d4+ 33.f1 xb4 and
White is lucky to have a draw with- 34.a7!.
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-+k+0
9+q+-+-zpp0
9-+n+-zp-+0
9+p+-zpP+-0
9-zP-+P+-wQ0
9tR-vLP+-+-0
9-+-+-+PzP0
9+-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
31.g3?
31...f7?
Zontakh misses the trick again. Probably he
just didnt believe his luck! 31...d7! with the
same idea- 32.e1 (32.a6 xb4!) 32...xb4!
(32...d4+? 33.f2 xb4 34.xd4 xd4
35.c3! I think this was the line Fabiano was
hoping for.
32.e3
Now its gone and Fabiano easily converts.
32...h5 33.a1! h6 34.b6! c8 35.b7! e7
36.e1!
And Black is already lost, as the White bishop
will inevitably land on the dominating c5square.
36...e8 37.f2 b8 38.c7 c8 39.b7 b8
40.a7 d8 41.c5 c6 42.a2+ h7 43.e6
d7 44.xd7 xd7 45.a3 h5 46.f2 d4
47.a6 h6 48.e3 g5 49.b6 h4 50.b8
g4 51.d2 b3+ 52.c2 d4+ 53.xd4
exd4 54.xb5 f4 55.b3 e3 56.c4 c7+
57.c5 a7 58.e5 f2 59.e6 xg2 60.a5
c7+ 61.d5 xh2 62.d6 10

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ChessVibes TRAINING Let's improve your chess No. 3, May 21, 2011

Positional masterpiece: domination

Working for World Champion Anand has given Polish rising star
Radoslaw Wojtazek an enormous boost, making him an elite player.
Domination is a recurring theme in his games.
by IM MERIJN VAN DELFT

9.00!
guess the move  5 points for this amazing move, which is the
idea behind Whites previous move. In this case
ultra-normal development is based on some
Wojtaszek,R (2711) - Hracek,Z (2631) 8.g2! very special ideas. 9.bxc3 indeed doesnt involve
European Championship, 28.03.11 This very elegant move gets 5 points and heavy material loss after 9...xc3+ 10.d2 but
actually involves a couple of pretty tactical and after 10...xd2+ 11.xd2 xd2+ 12.xd2
1.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.f3 positional ideas. Dont worry if you didnt choose Black can get his pieces out with 12...c6
4.e3 and 4.c2 are important alternatives. this particular move, since it took the chess 13.b5 e7! leaving White with insufficient
4...c5 5.g3 cxd4 6.xd4 e4!? world a few decades and some creative minds compensation for the pawn. Therefore no points.
Moving the same piece twice so early in the like Kamran Shirazi to find and fully appreciate 9.d2 unfortunately doesnt win the piece back
opening always involves a certain risk, since it. 8.db5 would have been a standard reaction after 9...a4 so doesnt get any points.
it slows down the development of the other and gets 2 points. 8.d2 gives up the pair of 9...c6
pieces. The main alternative is 6...00. bishops without a fight, so doesnt get any 9...a4 10.a3 e7 11.b5 c5 12.b4 a4
7.c2!? points. 13.b1 ba6 14.e3 b3 15.bxc5 xc4
As we will soon see, this approach is more 8...xc3 16.d6+ xd6 17.cxd6 and White went on to win
flexible than the more common 7.d3 xc3 8...xc3+ 9.bxc3 xc3+ (9...xc3 just loses a using the domination theme in the stem game,
8.bxc3 e7. piece to 10.d2) 10.xc3 xc3 11.d2! a4 Shirazi-Zuckerman, New York 1990. 9...xe2+
7...a5 12.b5 followed by a3 and d6 gives White 10.xe2 also makes it difficult for Black to get his
Indirectly defending the on e4 by counter a winning attack, even without queens on the remaining pieces out.
attacking c3. board. 10.bxc3 xc3
XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+k+-tr0 9rsnl+k+-tr0 9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+p+pzpp0 9zpp+p+pzpp0 9zpp+p+pzpp0
9-+-+p+-+0 9-+-+p+-+0 9-+n+p+-+0
9wq-+-+-+-0 9wq-+-+-+-0 9wq-+-+-+-0
9-vlPsNn+-+0 9-vlPsN-+-+0 9-+PsN-+-+0
9+-sN-+-zP-0 9+-sn-+-zP-0 9+-vl-+-zP-0
9PzPQ+PzP-zP0 9PzPQ+PzPLzP0 9P+Q+PzPLzP0
9tR-vL-mKL+R0 9tR-vL-mK-+R0 9tR-vL-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Question 1 Question 2 Question 3
Would you play: Would you play: Would you play:
A) 8.db5 to combine attack and defence; A) 9.bxc3 because White doesnt actually lose A) 11.b3 to gain time by chasing the Black
B) 8.d2 to defend c3 and develop a piece at the on a1; queen;
the same time; B) 9.d2 to win back the piece, while developing; B) 11.b5 with a double attack against c3 and
C) 8.g2 to bring the pieces out as quickly as C) 9.00 to further accelerate Whites the d6 square;
possible. development. C) 11.xc6 to avoid any loss of time.

In this game quiz you can get a maximum of 40 points by answering the eight questions that follow the eight diagram
positions. More important than points though, is that you enjoy playing over the game and learn a few new ideas. If you
feel that the quiz questions are generally too difficult for you, don't be discouraged by the point system. You can simply
make a quick guess at the diagram positions and enjoy the beauty of the game.

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ChessVibes TRAINING Let's improve your chess No. 3, May 21, 2011

11.b3! Question 5 XIIIIIIIIY

The most effective way of keeping the initiative, Would you play: 9-+l+r+k+0
getting 5 points. 11.xc6 dxc6 12.b1 does A) 17.xc5 to keep the initiative at all costs; 9+p+p+pzp-0
indeed avoid any further loss of time and gets B) 17.d5 to keep the initiative while not giving 9r+-vL-+-zp0
2 points. 11.b5 xa1 12.d2 (12.d6+ e7 up material; 9zp-+-+R+-0
doesnt lead anywhere.) 12...d8 13.xa1 gives C) 17.xe5 to win back the pawn. 9-+P+L+-+0
White some compensation and gets 2 points. 9+-+-+-zP-0
11...d4 17.xc5! 9P+Q+PzPKzP0
The novelty. 11...e5 12.f4 f6 13.ab1 e5 5 points for this powerful positional exchange
9+-+-wq-+-0
was Blacks choice in Radjabov-Gashimov, Elista sacrifice, one of the key moves in the game.
2008, and may still be the more solid option. Black will be terribly vulnerable on the black
xiiiiiiiiy
12.xd4 xd4 squares and still has enormous problems B) 24.e5 to exchange a defender;
12...xa1 13.b3 c3 fails to 14.xa1! xa1 getting his pieces into play. 17.xe5 xe5 C) 24.d5 to start the final attack.
15.b2 xa2 16.a1 trapping the . 18.d5 is not so impressive because of the
13.b1 Just like in last weeks game, White desperado move 18...xf2+ and therefore gets 24.c5!
manages to get his rooks into play quickly. no points. 17.d5 xf2+ 18.xf2 exf4 doesnt 5 points for further boxing in c8, creating
13...00 really work either, so no points. a pretty picture. 24.e5 xe5 25.xe5 b4
XIIIIIIIIY 17...xc5 18.d5 b4 19.xe5 e8 gives Black decent chances to defend, so no
9r+l+-trk+0 19...e1+ 20.f1 only makes things worse, points. 24.d5 xe2 25.xf7+ h7! creates
9zpp+p+pzpp0 since the Black queen is about to get trapped. unnecessary complications, therefore no points.
9-+-+p+-+0 20.e4 h6 24...e6 25.d5 a1
9wq-+-+-+-0 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9-+Pvl-+-+0 9r+l+r+k+0 9-+l+-+k+0
9+-+-+-zP-0 9zpp+p+pzp-0 9+p+p+pzp-0
9P+Q+PzPLzP0 9-+-+-+-zp0 9r+-vLr+-zp0
9+RvL-+RmK-0 9+-+RvL-+-0 9zp-zPL+R+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-wqP+L+-+0 9-+-+-+-+0
Question 4
9+-+-+-zP-0 9+-+-+-zP-0
Would you play: 9P+Q+PzP-zP0 9P+Q+PzPKzP0
A) 14.b5 to be able to swing the rook across the 9+-+-+-mK-0 9wq-+-+-+-0
board; xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
B) 14.xb7 to win back the sacrificed pawn; Question 6 Question 8
C) 14.d1 to bring the other rook into play as well. Would you play: Would you play:
A) 21.b2 to start building a menacing battery A) 26.d3 bringing the closer to the kingside;
14.d1! of and ; B) 26.e3 to emphasize that Black is completely
5 points for bringing both rooks into play B) 21.c3 to chase away the with gain of helpless;
effectively. 14.b5 is not a bad idea and was time; C) 26.xe6 simply winning material.
played one move later in the game, 2 points.After C) 21.d6 to prevent c8 from getting into play.
14.xb7 xb7 15.xb7 d6 Black has solved all 26.xe6!
his problems, so no points. 21.d6! 5 points, since White wins much more than just
14...c5 15.b5 5 points, for paralysing Blacks queenside. After the exchange. 26.d3 is not a bad idea either
This now looks even stronger. this move White is strategically winning. 21.c3 and gets 2 points. 26.e3 would be in the right
15...c7 16.f4 f8 is also good for White, but less principled spirit and gets 2 points.
Again keeping the initiative. (2 points).(21...xc4 loses to 22.h7+ followed 26...dxe6
16...e5 by xg7.) 21.b2 fails tactically to 21...xe4! so 26...fxe6 27.f8#.
XIIIIIIIIY no points. 27.e5 Black resigned, because after 27...e1
9r+l+-trk+0 21...e1+ 22.g2 a5 White has time for 28.f4! followed by c3
9zppwqp+pzpp0 Desperately trying to at least get the into play. trapping the .
9-+-+-+-+0 23.f5 a6
9+Rvl-zp-+-0
(diagram) Conclusion: The way Wojtaszek managed to
9-+P+-vL-+0 dominate a 2600 grandmaster is amazing. Its
9+-+-+-zP-0 Question 7 certainly worth looking up more games by this
9P+Q+PzPLzP0 Would you play: wonderful player. 10 
9+-+R+-mK-0 A) 24.c5 further trapping c8;
xiiiiiiiiy
3 of 8
ChessVibes TRAINING Let's improve your chess No. 3, May 21, 2011

Rapid development in the Rossolimo

Youre about to see a typical Rossolimo game. White develops
quickly and tries to achieve something right out of the opening. If
Black survives, he gets two strong Bishops as a reward.
by IM THOMAS WILLEMZE

based on an important principle: always try

improve your play
Tourkolias,D (1893) - Pagalis,G (1812)
Greek Team Ch (Athens), 30.03.11
1.e4 c5 2.f3 c6 3.b5 c7 4.00 g6
There are many lines in the Rossolimo where
Black develops his to g7, but in this particular
position its probably not the best idea. In order
to keep the white away from d5, Black has
to play e6 anyway, and combining both g6 and
e6 makes the dark squares a little vulnerable.
Furthermore, Black has already spent a tempo
on c7 and has to be careful not to get behind
in development. 4...e6 followed by ge7 and
a6 looks like the most natural setup for Black.
4...a6 is the most popular move, but its hard to
understand why. Didnt the go to b5 to take
on c6 anyway?
5.e1 g7 6.c3 e6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+ntr0
9zppwqp+pvlp0
9-+n+p+p+0
9+Lzp-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzPPzP-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
7.d3
7.xc6 was the most principled continuation,
as the Black is not yet on e7 to recapture.
Like in most Rossolimos, White voluntarily
gives up his and starts playing against the
weakened black -structure and the on c8.
7...bxc6 (7...xc6 is simply too slow. White has
almost finished his development and Black will
even have to spend a third tempo with his ,
as its a bit exposed at c6. 8.d4 with a large
initiative for White.) 8.a4 d6 9.e5.
7...ge7 8.e3
to maintain the tension as long as possible,
hoping that your opponent will exchange. By
8.xc6 Is again interesting, but Black is doing recapturing, you can improve a piece or a
fine after 8...xc6 , the best way to recapture. pawn for free.
It prevents White from playing 9.e5 followed by 16.xc3
10.e4 aiming at the weakened dark squares. Now White is the one who improves a piece
9.b5 b8 10.e5 xe5 11.f4 d6 12.xd6+ without using a tempo. Black has to be very
xd6 13.xe5 xe5 14.xe5 00 and Black careful as he still needs a few more moves to
will eventually activate his by playing f6 and finish his development. All the White pieces
e5. are ready for action.
8...d4 9.xd4 cxd4 10.e2 a6 11.c4 b5 16...00 17.d4 a7 18.e5
12.b3 c6 Very well played. The on c3 is now ready
XIIIIIIIIY to go.
9r+l+k+-tr0 18...b7 19.e4 a5 20.c2 d5
9+-wqp+pvlp0 20...c4 would have been stronger, followed
9p+n+p+p+0 by ac8, after which all the black pieces are
participating.
9+p+-+-+-0
21.f6+ xf6 22.exf6
9-+-zpP+-+0 From code orange to code red. With some of
9+L+P+N+-0 his pieces still out of play, Black has ended
9PzPP+NzPPzP0 up with one of the most dangerous kingside-
9tR-+QtR-mK-0 structures possible.
xiiiiiiiiy 22...xf3
13.c3 XIIIIIIIIY
As White has a lead in development it makes 9r+-+-trk+0
sense to open up the position. However, this 9wq-+p+p+p0
advantage is only temporary. As soon as Black 9p+-+pzPp+0
has brought his to safety and his pieces into
9sn-+-+-+-0
play, his would love to have some space.
Therefore it would have been better for White
9-+-zP-+-+0
to keep the position closed and continue with
9+-+-+l+-0
the less ambitious 13.a4. 9P+L+-zPPzP0
13...dxc3 14.bxc3 b4 9+-tRQtR-mK-0
A tempting move, but the simple 14...00! xiiiiiiiiy
would have been much stronger. After Black After this move things develop really quickly.
finishes his development and his enjoy a 22...c4 would have been better.
certain amount of space, he will get a pleasant 23.d2!
position. White simply ignores the and goes for his
15.c1 main target: the .
A coffee house player would certainly go for 23...h8 24.gxf3
15.cxb4!? xa1 16.xa1 00 17.a3 with good Simple and strong. Its impossible for Black to
compensation for the exchange. defend without active pieces.
15...bxc3 24...c4 25.h6 g8 26.e4 g5 27.xh7+
15...a5! Would have been the best move, 10

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ChessVibes TRAINING Let's improve your chess No. 3, May 21, 2011

further examples
Spassov-Kru.Georgiev
Today we'll take a closer look at two themes. We start with two nice examples of a being mated on the dark Sofia, 10.01.2009
squares, just as happened in our main game. Next, I'll show you some rapid development in the Rossolimo. XIIIIIIIIY
24.f6! By pointing lots of pieces at the d5square, White controls the center. As his pieces are also much more 9-+-+rvlk+0
mobile than the black ones, all the ingredients are there for a dangerous attack. The plan is simple. It starts with 9+-wq-+psnp0
fixing the dark squares around the and removing an important defender. 24...ge6 25.xf8 xf8 As you can 9lzppzp-zPpvL0
see, the dark squares suddenly became very weak. Black is in serious trouble as his position is cramped and
9zp-sn-tr-+-0
he cant get any defenders to his . White, on the other hand, doesnt seem to have any problems moving his
pieces. 26.h6 ce6 Now Black cant move a muscle. Patiently eliminating all the defenders will do the rest.
9P+P+P+P+0
27.d3 g5 28.h3 Theres no need to hurry. Black doesnt have enough forces to react in the centre. 28...d7
9+PsN-+-+-0
29.f4 Eliminating defender number one. 29...dc5 30.xe6 xe6 31.d5 And Black resigned. White is soon 9-+-wQ-+LzP0
going to chase away the last defender, either by recapturing on d5 or by playing f4. 10 9+-sNR+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
Biro-Bigalke
Oberhaching, 07.08.2006 White is a pawn down and has to be quick. Once Black gets the time to coordinate his forces and put them
XIIIIIIIIY behind his strong center, the game is over. It's not so easy for White to decide what to do. Starting a pawn storm
9r+-+-trk+0 on the kingside by playing 16.h4, for instance, will not really help. Black simply plays 16...e5 and puts his on
9zp-+nwqpzpp0 c7. As the Black kingside doesn't have any weaknesses, it will take White a lot of time to achieve anything there.
9-zp-+pvl-+0 In the game, White found a nice solution: creating a weakness with active piece play! 16.xd7! 16...xd7 17.g5
17.xf6+ Its always tempting to force your opponent to recapture with the g-pawn on f6, as his looks a bit
9+L+-+-+-0
exposed afterwards. However, by doing so White ends his attack before its started, as after 17...gxf6 18.f4
9-+-zpN+P+0 e5 19.xf6 e6 Black has nothing to worry about because of his powerful center. 17...e7 18.f6+! A very
9zP-+-+-wQ-0 effective way of opening up the kingside. 18...xf6 19.gxf6 g6 20.f4 Back to our theme: the dark squares!
9-zPP+-zP-zP0 20...h8 This is not really helping. The only thing Black can do is go for f6. 20...d8 21.xd4 e5 22.xe5 c8
9+-mKR+-+R0 Black could at least suffer a little longer. 21.h6 g8 22.d3 ac8 23.xh7+ xh7 24.h3# 10
xiiiiiiiiy
Ulibin-Akopian
Santiago de Chile, 1990
Black has a solid position and needs only two more moves to complete his development. White decided it was XIIIIIIIIY
time for action. 7.d4! The exclamation mark is for the sequel. 7...cxd4 8.d5! Thematic, but always nice to see. 9r+l+kvl-tr0
From now on, Whites main goal is to keep Black busy, never allowing him to get his safe and complete his 9zppwq-+pzpp0
development. 8...d8 8...exd5 Its not hard to calculate the soundness of the sacrifice, as 9.exd5+ wins back the 9-+nzppsn-+0
easily. 9.xd4 White takes his back and the rest of the attack is for free, with no need to sacrifice anything.
9+Lzp-+-+-0
9...d7 10.g5 c8 11.f5 White increases the pressure with every move he makes. 11...a6 12.xc6 bxc6
13.xf6+ gxf6 14.d4 14.h4 and simply taking the on d6 afterwards would have been easier. 14...c5 14...
9-+-+P+-+0
exf5 was again inadvisable. 15.exf5+ e7 16.xf6. 15.xf6 xf6 16.xf6 g8 17.ad1 Black still cant take the
9+-sN-+N+-0
and is experiencing trouble coordinating his pieces. 17...c6 18.e3 The is going for a little tour in order 9PzPPzP-zPPzP0
to create weaknesses. 18...h5 19.d5 c8 20.f4 e5 21.d5 h3 22.g3 g6 23.e3 c4 24.b4! cxb3 25.xb3 9tR-vLQtR-mK-0
xc2 26.b8+ c8 27.db1 e6 28.1b7 Black is completely paralysed. 28...h3 29.b6 10 xiiiiiiiiy

T.Willemze-Slingerland
Leiden, 12.02.2003 We finish with one of my own games from my younger days. Just as in the previous game, it started with
XIIIIIIIIY a Rossolimo. Again, White's main goal is to keep Black busy all the time. It's very important not to let him
9r+l+-vl-tr0 coordinate his pieces, which would give him an edge due to his . 12.f3+ e8 13.00 g6 Black makes his
9zpp+pzpkzpp0 first developing move, while White has already brought his to safety. From now on, White will have to develop
9-+-+-+-+0 pieces and create threats simultaneously in order to keep Black busy. 14.d4 are not important as we go for
the . 14...cxd4 15.e1 Threatening f6. 15...d8 16.f4 d5 17.c4 f5 18.g4 e6 19.g3 Threatening c7
9+-zp-wq-+-0
and d6. 19.d6 was, however, much stronger. 19...c6 20.g5 g8 21.c7+ e8 22.f4 g7 23.e5 xc4
9-+-+N+-+0 24.xg7 xg7 25.d6 Is winning, but its a pity White didnt find the way of finishing the game in style. 25.xe7+!
9+-+-+-+-0 xe7 26.e1+ d8 27.f7+. 25...f8 26.xe7+ xe7 27.e1 e6 28.xe6 dxe6 29.e5 xg5 30.xg5 d7
9PzPPzP-zPPzP0 Black can struggle on a little longer, but the ending is lost. 31.e5 d3 32.f1 d8 33.e1 d2+ 34.xd2 c6+
9tR-vLQmK-+R0 35.e3 f7 36.g5 e8 37.c7+ g8 38.f4 d5 39.b4 a6 40.a4 f8 41.f2 f7 42.d6 f8 43.g3 c8
xiiiiiiiiy 44.e5 c4 45.h4 xb4 46.b8+ f7 47.c7+ e8 48.c8+ 10
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ChessVibes TRAINING Let's improve your chess No. 3, May 21, 2011

tactics, tactics by IM ROBERT RIS

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-wq0 9r+-+-trk+0 9-+r+-trk+0
9+-+lzp-+-0 9+pzpqzppvl-0 9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-zp-zp-mk-+0 9psn-+-+pzp0 9-+p+pwq-+0
9zp-zpP+-+n0 9+-+Psn-+-0 9+-zPpsn-+-0
9-+P+Q+p+0 9-+-+P+-+0 9-zP-+-+-+0
9+-zP-zP-+-0 9+-sN-vL-zPP0 9zP-wQPzP-+-0
9P+-+L+PvL0 9PzP-+QzPL+0 9-+-sNNzPPzP0
9+-+-+-mK-0 9+-tRR+-mK-0 9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0 9-+-+-+k+0 9-+-+rtrk+0
9+-+-+pzp-0 9zp-+-+p+-0 9zp-+-+-zpp0
9-tRl+r+k+0 9-+-+-+-+0 9-zp-+q+-+0
9+-+-+-+p0 9+-+-vL-sN-0 9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+p+-zP0 9q+-tR-mK-+0 9-+Q+Psn-+0
9+-+-zP-zP-0 9+-+p+-+-0 9zPR+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+L+0 9-+-+-+-+0 9-+-+-sNPzP0
9+-+-+-mK-0 9+-+-+-+-0 9+-tR-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-trk+-tr0 9-+-+-+-+0 9-+-tr-+k+0
9+p+-+-zp-0 9+-+-tR-+-0 9+-+-+-zpp0
9p+psnL+p+0 9-+rsN-mkpzp0 9p+-+-vl-+0
9zP-+-sn-zP-0 9zp-+-+-+-0 9+pzp-+-+-0
9R+-+-+-zP0 9KzpLtr-+PzP0 9-+P+-+-+0
9+-zP-zP-+-0 9+P+-+-+-0 9+P+q+N+-0
9-+-+-zP-+0 9-+-+-+-+0 9P+-+R+PzP0
9+-vL-mK-+R0 9+-+-+-+-0 9+-+-+Q+K0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0 9-+-+r+k+0 9-+-+-tr-+0
9+-zp-+-mk-0 9zpl+-+-+p0 9zp-+-+-mk-0
9-+-+P+-+0 9-zp-+-zpp+0 9-+-+-wq-+0
9+-zp-+K+-0 9+-zpPsn-+-0 9+pwQ-+-zp-0
9p+r+-+-+0 9-+-+-+-wq0 9-+-+-+-+0
9zPp+-+-+-0 9+P+-+-+-0 9+P+-zPr+-0
9-zP-+-+-tR0 9PvL-wQ-zPLzP0 9P+-tR-zPK+0
9+-+-+-+-0 9+-+-tR-mK-0 9+-+-+R+-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
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ChessVibes TRAINING Let's improve your chess No. 3, May 21, 2011

Same-coloured bishops not the same

Judit Polgar has always been feared for her outstanding attacking skills.
Recently she proved she had another aspect to her game as well,
displaying superb technique in the following bishop ending.
by IM ROBERT RIS

48.xg4 Black loses the pawn ending after

practical endings  48...f7 49.f5 g7 50.fxg6 xg6 51.f4 g7
52.f5 f7 53.g6+ and the will pick up the
remaining pawns.
Polgar,J (2686) - Guseinov,G (2584) g6.) 41.d5+ xd5 42.xd5 e7 43.c6 and 48.e2!
European Ch (Aix-les-Bains) 30.03.2011 the pawn endgame is easily won. 38.d3! An The transition into a pawn ending is now no
XIIIIIIIIY excellent spot for the , from where it keeps an longer advisable, since after 48.xf5? gxf5
9-+-+-+-+0 eye on both b5 and g6. 49.h3 h7 50.h4 g6 White is unable to
9+-+lzpk+-0 38...f7 39.f4 g7 40.c3 f7 41.b4! win.; Moreover, White doesnt have time to
9p+-zp-+p+0 XIIIIIIIIY prepare the exchange on f5 with 48.h4?
9-+-+-+-+0 because of 48...d3! and the becomes active.
9+p+P+-zP-0
9+-+lzpk+-0 48...d7 49.f1 f7 50.d3 g7 51.h4 e8
9-+-+L+-+0 Whites plan couldnt be prevented by means
9+P+K+P+-0 9-+-zp-+p+0
of 51...f7 52.e2 e6 because of the following
9P+-+-+-+0 9zpp+P+-zP-0
forced sequence: 53.dxe6+ xe6 (53...xe6
9+-+-+-+-0 9-zP-+-zP-+0 54.xb5 wins easily.) 54.g4+ e7 55.xd7
xiiiiiiiiy 9zP-mKL+-+-0 xd7 56.f5! gxf5 57.g6 e7 58.g5 f4 59.xf4
In spite of the limited material left on the board, 9-+-+-+-+0 f6 60.e4 and again the outside passed
Black has serious problems in this endgame. 9+-+-+-+-0 pawn decides matters.
The pawn on g6 requires constant protection. xiiiiiiiiy 52.e2 f8
White's pawn on d5, on the other hand, is a 41...a4 After 52...d7 53.g4 Black cant play 53...f5
powerful asset, as it prevents the black from The note about 37.b4 is illustrated by the fact in view of 54.xf5 gxf5 55.h5! and the
approaching the centre and also restricts the that 41...axb4+ now drops a pawn, because of penetrates.
movement of the on d7. However, a second 42.xb4!. 53.g4 f7 54.e6!
weakness needs to be created in order to make 42.d4 g7 XIIIIIIIIY
further progress. Black is unable to get rid of his backward 9-+-+-mk-+0
36.a3 a5 e-pawn with 42...e6 because of the chronic 9+-+-zpl+-0
Sooner or later this move has to be made, e.g. weaknesses on b5 and g6. Since the has 9-+-zpL+p+0
after 36...g7 37.c3 Black is forced to play done its job on the queenside, it returns to the
9+p+P+-zP-0
37...a5 to prevent an invasion on the queenside battle on the other part of the board.
by b4a5. 43.e3 f7 44.f3 g7 45.g3 f7 46.e2
9pzP-+-zP-mK0
37.d4 g7 47.g4!?
9zP-+-+-+-0
The immediate 37.b4?! axb4 38.axb4 seems Checking whether Black will fall into the trap... 9-+-+-+-+0
to suit our plan well. However, the exchange of 47...f5! 9+-+-+-+-0
pawns usually helps the weaker side and hence XIIIIIIIIY xiiiiiiiiy
Polgar delays the advance of the b-pawn 9-+-+-+-+0 The cleanest solution. 54.d7 xd5 55.xb5
in order to execute it under more favorable 9+-+-zp-mk-0 might have given Black some counterplay.
circumstances. 9-+-zp-+p+0 54...e8
37...g7 The pawn ending after 54...xe6 55.dxe6 is lost
9+p+P+lzP-0
Black is sadly doomed to passivity, as for Black. Whites walks to c6 to pick up the
alternatives only decrease Blacks chances of
9pzP-+-zPL+0 pawns on the queenside, and if Black prevents
survival: 37...b4? 38.axb4 axb4 39.c4 simply
9zP-+-+-mK-0 that by putting his on c7, White can count on
loses a pawn. No better is; 37...e5+? 38.dxe6+! 9-+-+-+-+0 the breakthrough with f4f5!
(After 38.c3? e8 Black is out of danger.) 9+-+-+-+-0 55.g4 g7 56.f3
38...xe6 39.b4 axb4 40.axb4 c4 (40...d7 xiiiiiiiiy Polgar refrains from the tempting 56.f5!? and
41.d5 and Black has to give up either d6 or The only correct response. In case of 47...xg4 carries out another instructive plan.

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ChessVibes TRAINING Let's improve your chess No. 3, May 21, 2011

56...f8 57.e4 g7 58.c8 f7 59.d4 f8 now it eventually serves as a springboard for 62.f5! and Polgar finally touches her f-pawn,
60.b7! the white . after which Black resigned, in view of 62...
60...d7 61.c6 e8 gxf5 63.g6 and wins. Whites handling of the
XIIIIIIIIY 61...e8 62.xe8 xe8 63.e4 followed by endgame was exemplary. Saddling Black with
9-+-+lmk-+0 64.f5 wins (see 47...xg4). a second weakness on b5, Polgar gave her
9+L+-zp-+-0 XIIIIIIIIY opponent the impossible task of holding the
9-+-+k+-+0 position together. The threat of transposing into
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+lzp-+-0 a pawn ending helped to push Black further
9+p+P+-zP-0 back. Its noteworthy that White delayed moving
9pzP-mK-zP-+0 9-+Lzp-+p+0
her f-pawn until the very last move. 10
9zP-+-+-+-0 9+p+P+-zP-0
9-+-+-+-+0 9pzP-mK-zP-+0
9+-+-+-+-0 9zP-+-+-+-0 
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+-+-+-+0
For the entire endgame the pawn on d5 has 9+-+-+-+-0
proven an annoying obstacle for Black, and xiiiiiiiiy

solutions p.6
3
 2...f5!+ 01 Chueca Forcen-Zamarbide Inarrea, Ch-ESP ESP Selecciones Autonomicas Gijon ESP (3.3), 30.04.2011
Selecciones Autonomicas Gijon ESP (1.4), 29.04.2011 3
 2.e8+! [32.e8+! f7 (32...xe8 33.xd3+) 33.e5+! xe8
1
 9.xb6! cxb6 20.f4+ 01 Trepat Herranz-Perez Calahorra, 34th 34.xd3+] 10 Gelashvili-Shen, Philadelphia Open USA (3),
Open Donostia ESP (7), 21.04.2011 21.04.2011
31
 5...xd3+! [15...xd3+! 16.xd3 (16.d1 xf2+) 16...xa1++] 01 5
 9.h7+? [59.h8! c1 (59...xh8 60.e7+) 60.e7 f1+ 61.g4+]
Tirado Parra-Krulich, 34th Open Donostia ESP (7), 21.04.2011 59...f8 60.e7+ e8 61.f6 f4+ Juanes Garcia-Gomez
5
 5.xc6! [55.xc6! xc6 56.xe4+ f5 57.xc6+] 10 Smirnov-Huynh, Dieguez, TCh-ESP Selecciones Autonomicas Gijon ESP (1.6),
Sydney International Open AUS (4), 28.04.2011 29.04.2011
54
 4...xd4+! [44...xd4+! 45.xd4 d2+] 01 Mateo-Dgebuadze, 34th 2
 6...f3+! 27.xf3 g5+! 28.h1 [28.xg5 xe1+ 29.g2 fxg5+]
Open Donostia ESP (9), 23.04.2011 28...xd2 29.xe8+ f7+ 01 Velten-Elsness, 34th Open Donostia
62
 9...e2+! [29...e2+! 30.xe2 (30.f1 xc1+) 30...xb3+] 01 ESP (8), 22.04.2011
Bocharov-Vitiugov, ch-RUS Rapid Olginka RUS (9), 26.04.2011 3
 7...g3+! [37...g3+ 38.h2 (38.xg3 f3+ 39.h2 h8+ 40.g1
72
 4...d3+! 25.e2 c5!+ 01 Tregubov-Inarkiev, ch-RUS Rapid h1#; 38.fxg3 xf1+ 39.h2 h8#) 38...h6+ 39.xg3 h4+ 40.g2
Olginka RUS (7), 26.04.2011 g4+ 41.h2 h8#] 01 Aranaz Murillo-Baron, 34th Open Donostia
3
 8.e6+! g7 39.e8++ 10 Candela Perez-Bestard Borras, TCh- ESP (5), 20.04.2011

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