CHAPTER 1
Dynamic and static positions
When I was a young chess player, I heard other players use terms to describe a position like open, closed, simple, quiet, or complex. I never used to pay much attention to these terms but understood the concepts in general.
Once I became a coach, I realised the importance of classifying positions in a more practical manner, which can be understood by correlation and applied by all in their thinking process.
In this context, I would like to classify positions into two major categories: dynamic and static.
In his book The Method in Chess, Iossif Dorfman briefly introduced the terms dynamic and static. To quote Dorfman:
‘In many games the hierarchy of strategic factors, determining the evaluation of a position, varies, and plans and ideas are transformed. It is this that constitutes dynamism in Chess.
This short paragraph comprises in concentrated form the move search algorithm in Chess. Thus to foresee the modification of the hierarchy of strategic factors is nothing other than to be able to define critical positions. I suggest analysing essential positions on the basis of their static state without taking account of dynamic factors. This aim is served by the proposed static balance. Candidate moves are chosen in accordance with the static balance. Here we should perhaps dwell on the concepts of ‘static’ and ‘dynamic’ factors. By ‘static’ are implied factors that have an enduring effect. Whereas dynamic factors are associated with a change in the state of a position, with the energy of a breakthrough, with the coming into contact with the opposing army. With the passage of time their role diminishes and reduces to nought.
If for one of the players the static balance is negative, he must without hesitation employ dynamic means and be ready to go in for extreme measures.’
The manner, purpose, and the whole concept of classifying positions into dynamic and static by me, I believe, is vastly different from what was attempted by Dorfman. Let me elaborate.
Dynamic positions: By this, I mean positions where things are changing quickly, there is plenty of action, and many factors are constantly evolving and in flux. Complex, open, attacking positions, positions with pawn breaks, and positions where forcing moves are possible can be categorised as dynamic positions. Almost all the positions we will see in this book belong to this category, and hence we will not be giving any examples now.
Static positions: By this, I mean positions in which things are not changing quickly – they are relatively quiet, calm, and lacking concrete action. Closed, quiet, simple, calm positions, positions with fixed pawn structures, and positions in which forcing moves are not possible can be categorised as static positions.
All types of chess positions can come under either the ‘dynamic’ or the ‘static’ umbrella. Of course, in most positions, both the dynamic and static elements play their respective roles together in exerting their influence on the evaluation of the position. Chess has become more dynamic and concrete after the arrival of computers. In dynamic positions, factors like king safety, time and the quality of the pieces will have more value than quantity (material parity) and static factors like pawn structure etc.
By the time factor, I mean how quickly one can achieve one’s objective. For example, to develop the bishop on the queenside, White can play either b2-b3 and ♗b2 (2 moves) or a2-a3, b2-b4 and ♗b2 (3 moves). The former takes less time to achieve our objective than the latter.
In static positions, the time factor is not that relevant, but factors like the quantity and quality of chess units and positional factors like pawn structures, space, weaknesses etc., will have more value.
A good chess player should be able to handle both dynamic and static positions equally well. In a game, the nature of the positions keeps fluctuating from dynamic to static. There are games that remain largely static or dynamic throughout, but these are rare in modern chess.
Most players are partial towards either dynamic or static positions by nature. Back in the old days, if one could call himself an attacking player or a positional player, it was considered a virtue. Not anymore. Mikhail Tal was considered an ‘attacking player’, while Tigran Petrosian was considered a ‘positional genius’. These days, when access to information is universal, it is possible to learn to play both kinds of positions equally well.
Under the circumstances, it will significantly help chess players if we know in what areas we should train ourselves to gain mastery over dynamic and static positions.
In my view, the following plan would greatly help in this regard.
Critical areas to learn for dynamic positions
1. Calculation: I will elaborate on calculation in the third chapter under the heading ‘Personal interpretation of chess terminology’.
2. Attack: There are a few critical questions related to attacking:
a) whether to attack with pawns or pieces;
b) the need for the presence of weaknesses as a target to attack;
c) to attack from the front or from the flank;
d) to attack immediately or to prepare the attack by delaying it; and
e) should the attack involve sacrificing material, or is that not necessary?
To handle dynamic positions well, a player should have good attacking skills.
Game 1 Level 1
Magnus Carlsen 2862
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 2784
chess24.com 2021 (2.13)
TASK: Time to think: 2 minutes.
34.♖c8!
34.♗h6 ♗xc3; 34.♗d4+? was played in this online rapid game. An understandable lapse of concentration in a speed game. It helped us get an interesting position to solve! 34...♖xd4 35.cxd4 ♗xd4 was unclear, though Magnus won the game anyway!
34...♖xc8
34...♖a8 35.♖xa8 ♖xa8 36.♗d4#.
35.♗d4#
Game 2 Level 3
Frank Darnstädt 2360
Markus Schäfer 2455
Berlin 1993 (6)
TASK 1: Time to think: 5 to 8 minutes.
16...e4!
Prophylaxis against 17.♗xg6+.
16...♘h5? tries to shut the white queen out of the game: 17.♗xg6+! ♔xg6 18.♔h1 (threatening 19.♖g1) 18...♕h4! (18...♘f6? – Black is not paying attention – 19.♖g1+ ♔f7 20.♖xg7+! ♔e6 21.♗g5+-) 19.♕xf8 ♔h7 20.♖g1 ♕h3 (20...♕xf2?! 21.♕a3! ♗f5 22.♕e3 ♕xe3 23.♗xe3 d4 24.♗d2 ♘f6
) 21.♕a3! and White gets sufficient counterplay, for example: 21...♗f5! (21...♗d7? 22.♗d2 ♔g8 (22...♗c6 23.♖g5 d4 24.♔g1+-) 23.♖g5 ♖f8 24.f4! ♘xf4 25.♗xf4 ♖xf4 26.♕xh3 ♗xh3 27.♖xe5
) 22.♗d2 ♖c8 23.♖ac1 d4! 24.♖xc8 d3! 25.♖cc1 ♕xf3+ 26.♖g2 ♗h3 27.♖cg1 ♗xg2+ 28.♖xg2 ♘f4 29.♗xf4 ♕d1+=.
17.fxe4
17.♗c2 ♘h5-+; 17.♗e2!? ♘h5! 18.♖d1 (18.♗e3 ♕h4-+) 18...♗e6! (18...♕h4? 19.♖xd5 ♗e6 20.♗g5! ♕h3 21.♗c4!) 19.f4 (19.fxe4?! ♕h4! 20.♗xh5 gxh5-+) 19...♕h4 20.f5!?
analysis diagram
TASK 2: Time to think: 8 to 10 minutes.
20...♔f6!! (20...♗xf5? 21.♖xd5+-; 20...♗d6!? 21.fxg6+ ♔xg6 22.♕xh5+ ♕xh5 23.♗xh5+ ♔xh5 24.♗e3∞) 21.♕h7 (21.fxg6 ♗g4! 22.♖xd5 ♗xe2 23.♗g5+ ♕xg5+ 24.♖xg5 ♔xg5 25.♖c1 ♖d8-+, the white queen is not going to join the game anytime soon!; 21.♗xh5 gxh5-+) 21...♔xf5! (only with this king walk can Black keep the advantage! 21...♗xf5? 22.♖xd5 ♔e6! 23.♕g8+ ♔f6 24.♗e3 ♘f4 25.♗d4+ ♔g5 26.♗e3 ♔f6 27.♗d4+=) 22.♗xh5 ♕xh5 23.♕xh5+ gxh5 24.♗e3 ♗d6-+.
17...♘h5! 18.♗e3?!
A) 18.exd5!?
analysis diagram
TASK 3: Time to think: 5 minutes.
A1) 18...♕h4?! 19.♗xg6+! ♔xg6 20.♕xf8 ♗f5!? 21.♕a3! (21.♕d6+? ♔h7 22.f3 ♖e8-+) 21...♕g4+ 22.♔h1=;
A2) 18...♕xd5! is the other option, but the next move should be found and assessed properly: 19.♖d1 ♕e6!! and Black retains a strong attack, for example 20.♗e3 ♕g4+ 21.♔h1 (21.♔f1 ♕h4-+) 21...b5-+;
A3) 18...♕f6! 19.♕h7 ♗d6-+.
B) 18.♕h7 ♕h4-+;
C) 18.e5!? is probably the best defence. I have been showing this position to my students for some years now and when I was checking the lines closely for this book, I was shocked to find that this position arose in a correspondence game in 2014! 18...♕h4 19.♗xg6+ ♔xg6 20.♕xf8 ♕g4+ 21.♔h1 ♗f5 22.♕a3 ♕e2! 23.♖g1+ ♔h7 24.f3 ♗d3! 25.♗g5 ♕xf3+ 26.♖g2 ♖f8 0-1, Jarabinsky-Postupa, cr 2014.
18...♕h4 19.f3 ♗h3!
19...♗d6? 20.♖f2+-.
20.♕h7
20.♖f2 ♗c5-+ (20...♗d6? 21.♕xa8 ♗xh2+ 22.♔xh2!+-).
TASK 4: Time to think: 5 minutes.
20...♗c5! 21.♗xc5 ♕g5+ 22.♔f2 ♕d2+ 23.♗e2 ♘f4!
23...d4? 24.♖ad1 ♕e3+ 25.♔e1+-.
24.♔g3
24.♖fe1 ♘d3+ 25.♔g3 ♕g5+ 26.♔xh3 ♘f4#.
24...♗xf1
24...♕xe2? 25.♖f2+-.
25.♗xf1 ♘h5+ 26.♔h3 ♖c8
26...♕g5! 27.♗d6 ♕f6! (27...♘f6?? 28.♕h4 ♕g1 29.e5 g5 30.e6+ ♔xe6 31.♖e1+) 28.♗g3 ♕xf3 29.♖c1 ♖c8 (29...♖h8 30.♕xh8 (30.♖c7+ ♔f6 31.e5+ ♔g5-+) 30...♘f4+ 31.♔h4 g5+ 32.♔xg5 ♘e6+ 33.♔h4 g5+ 34.♔h3 ♘f4#) 30.♖xc8 ♕xf1+ 31.♔h4 ♕f6+ 32.♔h3 ♕e6+ 33.♔g2 ♕xc8 34.exd5 ♕c2+ 35.♔f3 ♕d3+ 36.♔f2 ♕d2+-+; 26...♘f6 27.♕h4 g5 28.♕f2+-.
27.♗d6
27.b4 ♖xc5 (27...♕c3) 28.bxc5 ♕g5.
27...♘f6!
The drawback of 27.♗d6 is that ...♕f2 is now possible.
28.♕h4 g5 29.♕g3
29.♗f4 gxf4.
29...♖h8+
White resigned.
A nice attacking effort from Black!
Game 3 Level 3
Zoltan Almasi 2667
Victor Mikhalevski 2632
Heviz 2008
TASK 1: Time to think: 10 minutes.
Let us first try to assess the position before embarking on the analysis. White has completed his development, his piece coordination is better, and there is potential for an attack against Black’s king. Black’s pieces are scattered and not in harmony, and his queenside pawn structure is broken.
21.♘g3!
21.♘f6+!? is a very tempting continuation for White. In training at least, we should try to go as deep as possible before coming to a clear conclusion as there is no limitation of time pressure related to winning and losing or the fear of losing points. The only limitation could be our lack of motivation to improve our chess strength by investing our time, energy and effort.
Let us delve deep into the position and try to ascertain the truth to the best of our ability.
21...gxf6 is the critical continuation, of course. After 22.♕g4+, we should pause a little and realise that Black has several options or at least that his reply is not forced. Once the move we are analysing for Black is refuted subsequently, we should come back to this point and consider other possibilities for Black and refute them all. Alternatively, we can make a list and eliminate the easily-refutable moves first and then focus more effort on refuting the main line.
A) 22...♘g7? is the move that can be refuted with the least effort: 23.♗xh6 ♗f8 24.♗xg7 ♗xg7 25.exf6+-. Once we eliminate such easily-refutable moves, it makes our job easier. There will be less clutter in our mind and we will have a clear sense of direction where we should focus more;
B) 22...♔h7? can be refuted in multiple ways:
B1) 23.♕h5 ♕e4 (23...♔g8 24.♖c4+-) 24.♕xf7+ ♘g7 25.exf6; or
B2) 23.♕f5+ ♔g7 24.exf6+ ♗xf6 25.♗xh6+ ♔xh6 26.♕xf6+ ♔h7 27.♕xf7+ ♘g7 28.♖d7.
White wins easily in both cases.
C) 22...♔h8. Having eliminated the other two options for Black, we can conclude that this is the main line, and if we can refute this too, the sacrifice 21.♘f6 is winning for White. If we are not able to find a win against 22...♔h8, we should conclude that 21.♘f6 is not winning for White and look for alternatives on move 21.
C1) 23.♕h5
analysis diagram
TASK 2: Time to think: 3 to 5 minutes.
23...♕e4! 24.♕xf7 (24.exf6 ♗d6! 25.♗xh6 ♕h7⇆) and now:
C11) 24...♖g8? 25.♕xe7 ♕xf3 26.♗g5!+-, a very pretty move, refuting 24...♖g8;
C12) 24...♕f5? 25.♗xh6 ♗f8 (25...♖g8 26.♕xe7 ♕xf3 27.♗g5!+- is very similar to the variation above) 26.♗g5! ♘xg5 27.hxg5 ♖e7 (27...♕h7 28.♕xf6+ ♗g7 29.♕c6 and among other things, White has time for threats like g2-g3, ♔g2 and ♖h1; such is the dominating nature of his position) 28.♕xf6+ ♕xf6 29.gxf6 and the two pawns will soon win the game for White;
C13) 24...♕g4! and now:
C131) 25.♗xh6? ♖g8! (25...♕g8? 26.♕h5+-) 26.♘e1 ♖ae8 27.♖d7 ♘d8!? (27...♘bd4)
analysis diagram
TASK 3: Time to think: 3 to 5 minutes.
28.♗g7+! ♕xg7 (28...♔h7!? 29.♖xd8! ♖xg7 (29...♗xd8? 30.♗xf6+ ♔h6 31.♖c6!+-) 30.♕xe8 ♗xd8 31.♕xd8 ♘d4=) 29.♕h5+ ♕h7 30.♕xh7+ ♔xh7 31.exf6∞;
C132) 25.exf6? ♘d6-+;
C133) 25.♖d7! ♖g8! (25...♘f4?? 26.♗xf4 ♕xd7 27.exf6+-)
analysis diagram
TASK 4: Time to think: 3 to 5 minutes.
26.♘g5! ♘xg5! (26...hxg5? 27.♖xe7 ♖g7 28.♕xf6+-) 27.♗xg5! (27.♕xe7? ♘f3+! (27...♘h3+?! 28.♔f1 ♕xg2+ 29.♔e1 ♕g1+ 30.♔d2 ♕g7 31.exf6=; not 31.♕e6?? ♕xd7+-+) 28.♔f1 ♕xg2+ 29.♔e2 ♕g6! 30.h5 ♕f5 31.♕xf6+ ♕xf6 32.exf6 ♘g5 and Black retains good winning chances) 27...♖g7 (27...♕xd7!? 28.♗xf6+ ♗xf6 29.♕xd7 ♗xe5∞) 28.♕d5 fxg5!? (28...♖ag8?? 29.exf6+-; 28...♖f8? 29.♗xh6+-; 28...hxg5!? 29.exf6 ♗xf6 30.♕xa8+ ♔h7 31.♖xg7+ ♔xg7 32.♕xa6 ♕f5∞) 29.♕xa8+ ♔h7 30.♕d5! (30.♖d3?? gxh4 31.♕d5 c5-+) 30...gxh4 31.♕d3+ (31.♖c4 ♕f5 32.♕e4=) 31...♔h8 32.♕d5=.
C2) 23.♗xh6 ♖g8 (most 2100 level students gave 23...♗f8? as the main defence when they were analysing from the initial position. They completely missed or underestimated the ...♖g8-♖g6 defensive idea; 24.♗xf8 ♖xf8 25.♖c4 will end in checkmate soon) 24.♕h5 ♖g6! (24...♕e4? 25.exf6 ♗xf6 26.♗g5++-) 25.♖d7! (White is throwing everything at Black’s king; 25.♗f8+? is tempting and greedy and it does not work: 25...♔g8 26.♗xe7 ♖xg2+!-+)
analysis diagram
TASK 5: Time to think: 3 to 5 minutes.
C21) 25...♖e8? is the most obvious move and so it is wrong! One of the common bad habits most upcoming players have is their complete trust in obvious moves. Best moves are found by those who can overcome this impulsiveness. We should teach ourselves to think beyond the obvious. The learning is in the details! 26.exf6 ♗xf6 27.♖xf7;
C22) 25...♘bd4!. A fantastic defensive resource! In tough situations, it is important to not panic and lose the battle due to our emotions. We have to somehow collect our thoughts, calm ourselves and keep finding tough resources. 26.♗g5+!? (26.♖cxc7 ♕xf3; 26.♖c3∞) 26...♔g8 27.♘xd4
C221) 27...fxg5
analysis diagram
TASK 6: Time to think: 3 to 5 minutes.
28.♘c6! (28.♘xe6? ♖xe6=) 28...♗f8 29.♕f3+-;
C222) 27...♘f4?? 28.♕g4+-;
C223) 27...♘xd4! 28.♖xe7 fxg5! 29.♖cxc7 ♕e4 30.♖xf7 ♘e2+ 31.♔f1! (31.♔h2? ♕xh4+
) 31...♕b1+ 32.♔xe2 ♕e4+ (32...♕xb2+? 33.♔f3!+-) 33.♔d2 ♖d8+ 34.♖fd7! (34.♖cd7 ♕b4+=) 34...♕f4+! 35.♔e1 ♕e4+ 36.♕e2 ♕b1+=.
21...♖ed8 22.♕g4 ♔h8 23.♕h5 ♔g8 24.♖xd8+!
24.♗xh6! gxh6 (24...♖xd1+ 25.♖xd1 gxh6 26.♘f5+-) 25.♘f5 ♗f8 26.♖xd8 ♘xd8 (26...♖xd8 27.♖c4! ♘bd4 28.♘3xd4 ♘xd4 29.♘xd4+-) 27.♖c4 ♕b6 28.♖g4+ ♔h8 29.♖g3!? ♕e6 30.♕g4 (30.♘h2! ♕xe5 31.♕g4) 30...♕g6 31.♕e4 ♕c6 32.♕f4 ♘e6 33.♕g4 ♗g7 34.♘xg7 ♖g8
analysis diagram
TASK 7: Time to think: 3 to 5 minutes.
35.♘g5! ♘xg5 (35...hxg5 36.♘xe6+-) 36.♘f5! ♕e6 37.♕f4! ♘h7 38.♖xg8+ ♔xg8 39.♕g4+ ♔f8 40.♕g7+ ♔e8 41.♕xh7+-.
24...♖xd8 25.♗xh6?
This keeps ♖c4 options open for White; 25.♘f5 ♗f8 26.♖c4!+-.
TASK 8: Time to think: 3 to 5 minutes.
25...gxh6?
25...♘bd4! 26.♘xd4 ♖xd4 27.♘f5 g6! 28.♘xe7+ ♔h7 29.♕e2 ♔xh6∞.
26.♘f5
26.♖c4? ♕d5 27.♖g4+ ♔f8 28.♕xh6+ ♔e8∞.
26...♗f8 27.♖c4! ♖d7
27...♘bd4 28.♘3xd4 ♘xd4 29.♘xd4 ♕e4 30.♖xc7+-.
28.♘xh6+ ♗xh6 29.♕xh6
29.♖g4+ ♗g7 30.♘g5 ♖d1+ 31.♔h2 ♗xe5+ 32.f4 ♗xf4+.
29...♘bd4 30.♘xd4 ♘xd4
TASK 9: Time to think: 3 minutes.
31.e6!
The finishing touch to a beautiful attacking effort from White.
31...♖d5
31...fxe6 32.♖xd4! ♖xd4 33.♕g6+ ♔f8 34.♕f6++-.
32.exf7+ ♔xf7 33.♖xc7+ 1-0
Game 4 Level 4
Georg Meier 2622
Thomas Koch 2461
Karlsruhe 2020 (4)
1.♘f3 c5 2.c4 ♘f6 3.♘c3 b6 4.g3 ♗b7 5.♗g2 g6 6.0-0 ♗g7 7.d4 cxd4 8.♕xd4 d6 9.♖d1 ♘bd7 10.♗e3 0-0 11.♕h4 ♖c8 12.♖ac1 ♖e8?! 13.b3 a6 14.♗h3 ♖b8 15.♘d5 ♘xd5 16.cxd5 ♘f6 17.♗h6! ♗xd5?!
A) 17...b5!? is probably the best for Black: 18.e4 ♕a5 19.♘d4 ♕xa2 20.♗xg7 ♔xg7 21.♕f4 ♕a5 22.g4! h6 23.g5 hxg5 24.♕xg5?! ♖h8 25.♘f5+ ♔f8 26.♘xe7 ♘e8 27.♗c8! ♗xc8 28.♘xc8 ♕b4! 29.♕e3 ♖h4;
B) 17...♘xd5? 18.♗xg7 ♔xg7 19.♖xd5 ♗xd5 20.♕d4+.
TASK 1: Find the best continuation for White. Time to think: 10 minutes.
18.♘g5!
18.♖xd5!? is very tempting, but with correct play, Black can reach a position where his defensive chances are not worse: 18...♘xd5 and now:
A) Some students fell for 19.♗e6?? ♗f6!;
B) And others for 19.♘g5? ♗f6!-+ (19...♘f6? 20.♗xg7 ♔xg7 21.♗e6);
C) 19.♗xg7 ♔xg7 20.♗e6! (20.♘g5 h6-+) 20...♘f6 (20...fxe6 21.♘g5 – Black cannot defend against both the threats – 21...♕d7 22.♕xh7+ ♔f6 23.♘e4+ ♔e5 24.f4+ ♔d4 25.♖c4+ ♔e3 26.♕h3+-; 20...h6 21.♗xd5) 21.♘g5 ♖f8 22.♗xf7 ♕d7! 23.♖c7! ♕g4 24.♖xe7 ♕xh4 25.gxh4 ♔h8 26.♗e6 (26.e4 h6 27.♘e6 ♖fc8 28.♗xg6 ♖g8 29.h5 ♖be8 30.♖xe8 ♘xe8) 26...d5! (26...♖be8 27.♖a7) 27.a4! ♖fe8 (27...b5 28.a5 ♖be8 29.♖a7+-) 28.♖f7 h6 29.♖xf6 hxg5 30.hxg5 ♔g7.
18.♗xg7 ♔xg7 19.♖xd5 ♘xd5 20.♗e6 ♘f6 21.♘g5 ♖f8 22.♗xf7 ♕d7 transposes.
18...♗b7?
This does not put up a good fight.
A) 18...♗h8 19.♖xd5 ♘xd5 20.♗g7+-;
B) 18...e6? 19.♗xg7! ♔xg7 20.e4! ♗a8 (20...h6 21.♘xf7) 21.e5+-;
C) 18...♗xh6! is the best practical defence: 19.♕xh6 e6
analysis diagram
TASK 2: How best to continue the attack? Time to think: 10 minutes.
C1) 20.♖d4!? ♖c8! (before putting up a second-rank defence, Black manages to get control of the c-file) 21.♖cd1 (21.♖xc8?! ♕xc8 22.♘xh7 ♘xh7 23.♖xd5 ♖d8∞) 21...♕e7
C11) 22.♖f4?! ♖c5! (22...♖c2?! 23.e4 ♗c6 24.♗f1! e5 25.♖f3; not 25.♖h4 ♕f8∞) 23.e4 (23.♖h4!? ♕f8 24.♘xh7 ♕g7! 25.♘xf6+ ♕xf6 26.♗g2) 23...♗c6 24.♖h4 (the merits of having a rook on h4 are obvious, but the downside is that the white queen can’t really go back) 24...♕f8∞;
C12) 22.e4? ♗b7 23.e5 dxe5 24.♖d7 ♖cd8-+;
C13) 22.♖h4 ♕f8 23.♘xh7 ♕xh6 (23...♕g7? 24.♘xf6+ ♕xf6 25.♖xd5 exd5 26.♗xc8 ♖xc8 27.♕h7+ ♔f8 28.♕h8++-) 24.♘xf6+ ♔g7 25.♘xe8+ ♖xe8 26.♖xh6 ♔xh6 27.♗g2 (27.e4 ♗xe4 28.♖xd6 ♖c8∞) 27...♗xg2 28.♔xg2 d5 29.♖c1 is probably the best White can get when going for 20.♖d4.
C2) 20.e4! ♗xe4!
analysis diagram
TASK 3: Time to think: 5 minutes.
21.♖c4! (in this manner, White gains a crucial tempo to get the rook to the fourth rank) 21...♗f5! (21...d5? 22.♖xe4!) 22.g4! (22.♖h4? ♗xh3 23.♖xh3 e5 (23...♕e7 24.♘xh7 ♘g4 25.♕f4! f5 26.♘g5 e5 27.♕c4++-) 24.♘xh7 (24.♖h4 ♖c8) 24...♘g4! 25.♕d2 (25.♕h4 ♕xh4) 25...♔g7 26.♖h4∞) 22...b5!? and now:
C21) 23.gxf5? bxc4 24.fxe6 fxe6 25.♗xe6+ ♖xe6 26.♘xe6 ♕e7 27.♖xd6 c3! 28.♖c6 ♘d5!-+;
C22) 23.♖cd4!? ♗c2 24.♖1d2 ♗b1 25.♖xd6 ♕c8 26.♖d1 (26.♘xf7 ♘e4!? 27.♘g5 ♖b7 28.♘xe4 ♗xe4∞) 26...♗e4 (26...♗c2? 27.♖d7 ♖b7 28.♘xe6!+-) 27.♖d7 ♕c2∞ 28.♖1d2 ♕c1+ 29.♗f1 ♖b7!=;
C23) 23.♖f4!. Suddenly, not only should the black bishop worry about its safety, but the black queen becomes overloaded to defend the d6-pawn and the f6-knight: 23...e5 (23...♗c2? 24.♖xd6 ♕xd6 25.♖xf6 ♕d1+ 26.♔g2 ♕d5+ 27.♖f3!+-)
analysis diagram
TASK 4: Find and analyse the best continuation for White in detail. Time to think: 10 minutes.
C231) 24.♖f3? ♗c2 25.♖d2 e4! 26.♖xf6 ♕xf6 27.♖xc2 ♖e5 28.♕xh7+ ♔f8 29.♕h6+ (29.♘xf7? ♖e7! 30.♘g5 ♕a1+!-+) 29...♔g8=;
C232) 24.gxf5 exf4 25.♗g2 ♕c8-+;
C233) 24.♘xf7 ♔xf7 25.♖f3 e4-+;
C234) 24.♖xf5!. The next wave of attack begins: 24...gxf5 25.gxf5 ♕e7
(if 25...♖b7, 26.♖d3! (26.♔h1? ♔h8∞) is the correct way to bring the rook to the g-file. The other way does not work, as can be seen in the analysis that follows: 26...♔h8 27.♗g2! (gaining a critical tempo to clear the third rank for the white rook due to the undefended position of the black rook) 27...♖c7 28.♖h3 ♖c1+ 29.♗f1 ♖g8 30.♕xh7+! ♘xh7 31.♖xh7#)
analysis diagram
TASK 5: Time to think: 5 minutes.
26.♔h1! (his majesty vacates the g-file for the rook; now 26.♖d3? ♔h8 27.♗g2 does not come with gain of tempo, and so bringing the white rook to the g-file via the third rank does not work here anymore: 27...♖g8-+) 26...♔h8 27.♖xd6! (White changes plans and exploits the lack of support for the f7-pawn – this is the drawback of ...♔h8) 27...♖g8! 28.♖xf6. White looks completely winning, but there is still some juice in the position: 28...♖xg5!? 29.♕xg5 ♖d8! (29...♖g8 30.♕h6+-; 29...♖c8? 30.♕h6+-)
C2341) 30.♖g6? ♕b7+ 31.♔g1 ♖d1+ 32.♗f1 fxg6-+;
C2342) 30.♗g4? ♖d6;
C2343) 30.♕h4? ♖d1+ (30...♕b7+!? 31.♔g1 ♕f3!= – 31...♖g8+? 32.♗g4+-) 31.♗f1 (31.♔g2? ♕b7+ 32.f3 ♕c7! 33.♕f2 ♕d8!-+) 31...♖xf1+ 32.♔g2 ♖e1∞;
C2344) 30.♕h6!? ♕d7! 31.♕c1 ♕d5+ 32.♗g2 (32.♔g1? ♖g8+-+) 32...♕d1+ 33.♕xd1 ♖xd1+ 34.♗f1 ♖xf1+ 35.♔g2 ♖a1 36.♖xa6 ♔g7; White can try to bring the king up and go for a win, but there is something better;
C2345) 30.♗f1! ♖d1 (30...♖d6? 31.♖g6! ♕b7+ 32.♕g2!+-)
analysis diagram
TASK 6: Find the best continuation for White. Time to think: 3 to 5 minutes.
31.h4!. Finally the rook on f6 is free to move around. (31.♔g1? ♖d6!-+ 32.♖g6 ♖xg6; 31.♕h6? ♕b4!= 32.♕h3 ♕f4!) 31...♖xf1+ 32.♔g2 ♖a1 33.♖c6 ♕xg5+ 34.hxg5 ♖xa2 35.f6 h6 36.g6!+-.
19.♗xg7 ♔xg7 20.♗e6! ♖f8 21.♗xf7 ♗c8
21...♕d7 22.♗e6.
22.♘e6+ ♗xe6 23.♗xe6+-
We will pay more attention to this concept in our subsequent books.
3. Tactics
This is the ability to sacrifice material to reach a higher objective. We will see many positions in this book that will involve a sacrifice of material. Many positional players are afraid to sacrifice material if the outcome is not clearly and visibly in their favour. They end up becoming players who mainly value positional factors higher than dynamic factors. Most of the positions in this book will involve all kinds of tactical themes.
Game 5 Level 1
Anatoly Karpov
Rafael Vaganian
Skopje 1976
TASK 1: Find a forced win for White. Time to think: 2 minutes.
20.♖xd5!
20.♖xa4! ♗xf3 21.gxf3 also wins for White.
The text move wins a pawn as
20...♖xd5
(20...♗xf3 21.♖xd8+ ♖xd8 22.♕e8++-, or 21...♕xd8 22.♕xf3+-) allows:
21.♕e8+
And White wins.
Game 6 Level 2
Ramesh RB 2450
Ponnuswamy Konguvel 2377
Biel 2000 (10)
TASK 1: Find a strong continuation for White. Time to think: 3 to 5 minutes.
25.♘f5! gxf5 26.♗h6!
White is threatening to take on g7 and play ♕h6+, along with the threat of opening the g-file with gxf5. Black’s king is suddenly undefendable. The rest of the game simply validates this.
26.gxf5!, opening the g-file first, is another good way leading to similar ideas: 26...♘xe4 27.fxe4 ♕b7 28.♖h4! ♖xe4 29.♕g2 ♖b4 30.♕xb7 ♖xb7 31.♖g1+-.
26...♘xe4!
26...♘e8 27.♗xg7 ♘xg7 28.♕h6 f6 29.gxf5+-; 26...♕f8 27.♗xg7 ♕xg7 28.gxf5+-.
27.fxe4 f4
27...♕e6 28.♗xg7 (28.gxf5?? ♕xe4+ 29.♔a2 a4) 28...♔xg7 29.gxf5 ♕xe4+ 30.♔a2. White’s king is safer than Black’s, and with minor pieces alone on the board, this is decisive!
28.♗xg7 ♕e6
28...♔xg7 29.♕h2 ♕h8 30.♕xf4.
29.♗c3 ♕xe4+ 30.♕d3 1-0
Game 7 Level 3
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa 2567
Antoni Kozak 2354
Mumbai jr 2019 (2)
TASK 1: Please try not to get carried away after finding White’s first move. The analysis that follows is very important as well. The more we can expect from ourselves, the more the chances we can meet them! Time to think: 8 to 10 minutes.
17.♖f6! ♘f5
17...♗f5 18.♖xd6 ♕b8 (18...♕c7 19.♖xh6!, threatening 20.d6) 19.♕f4.
18.g4!?
18.♖f1! is the most principled move, but White should have seen the next critical move as well: 18...gxf6 19.♗h3! (the most important move, but correct evaluation is also necessary. Ideally this should have been found while thinking about this position initially) 19...♘xg3 (19...♘d4 20.♕xh6+-; 19...♖e8 20.♗xf5 ♗xf5 21.♖xf5+-) 20.hxg3 ♗xh3 21.♖xf6+-.
18...gxf6 19.gxf5 ♔g7 20.♘g3
20.♗h3 or 20.♕f4 would have kept the pressure and the advantage alive as well.
20...♔h7 21.♔h1?!
21.♘h5! ♗xf5 (21...♖g8 22.h4!, with complete domination. This move is essential as Black was threatening to play ...♖g5 next) 22.♖f1 ♗g6 23.♘xf6+ ♔g7 24.♕c3!+-.
21...♖g8⇆
The worst is beyond Black, but Pragg eventually won the game after mutual mistakes.
4. Forcing moves
By forcing moves I mean checks, captures, threats and pawn breaks. We will see around nineteen examples in Chapter 4 and five examples in Chapter 5 to emphasise the need to see forcing moves in our analytical process.
Game 8 Level 1
Sergei Movsesian 2732
Vasily Ivanchuk 2786
Nanjing 2008 (9)
TASK 1: Find a forced draw for White. Time to think: 3 minutes.
32.♖xd7+!
Black’s rook and two minor pieces outweigh the queen. This means White has to act quickly before Black manages to co-ordinate his pieces better and turn the game over to White in the long run.
32...♖xd7 33.♕f6+ ♔e8 34.♕h8+ ♔e7 35.♕f6+ ½-½
This ends the game immediately. In a slightly worse positions, it’s important not to prolong the game unnecessarily with drifting moves. We should be very concrete and end the game quickly wherever possible. Many half points are lost due to drifting by playing aimless moves.
Game 9 Level 1
Marcin Dziuba 2556
Alexander Ipatov 2494
Moscow 2009
TASK 1: White to play and win. Time to think: 5 minutes.
30.♕g3!
White does not attach too much importance to keeping material parity and instead goes for an all-out attack.
30...♖xg8 31.♕g5+ ♔h7 32.♕e7+ ♔h6
33.♗f6!
Including new units into the scene of action.
33...g5 34.♗xg5+ ♖xg5 35.fxg5+ ♔g6 36.♕f6+ ♔h7 37.♕f7+ ♔h8 38.g6 ♕c5+ 39.♔h1 1-0
Game 10 Level 1
Slavisa Brenjo 2491
Igor Miladinovic 2607
Vrsac ch-SRB 2007 (2)
TASK 1: Find the win for White. Time to think: 3 to 5 minutes.
27.♗xf7 ♔xf7 28.♕h5+ ♔f8 29.♕xe8+ ♔xe8 30.♗d4+
And Black wins.
This position arose in the analysis of the above-mentioned game. Another minor point is that all moves were forcing moves!
Game 11 Level 2
Ramesh RB 2415
Rahul Shetty 2390
Kasaragod 1996 (13)
TASK 1: Find the forced winning continuation for White. Time to think: 5 to 8 minutes.
25.♗xe5 dxe5 26.♘e6! ♕a7+!
26...♕b6+ 27.♔h1+-.
27.♕f2!
It’s very important to find this move as well.
27.♔h1? ♖g8! (this defensive resource for the opponent should be found while analysing the initial position) 28.♖h6! fxe6 29.♖xh7+ ♔xh7 30.♕h3+ ♔g6 31.♕xe6+=; 27.♖f2?? fxe6-+; 27.♔f1? ♖g8 28.♖h6 fxe6 29.♖xh7+=.
27...♕e7
This defensive resource for the opponent should be found while analysing the initial position.
27...♕xf2+ 28.♖xf2 ♖e8 29.♖xf7 ♔g8 30.♘g5 h6 31.♖c7+-.
28.♘xg7!
This resource should also be found while analysing the initial position.
28...♗xe4
28...♔xg7 29.♖xc6+-.
29.dxe4
29.♘e6? ♖c8 30.h4!∞.
29...♔xg7 30.♖xa6
Ideally we should come until this point while analysing the initial position, as most if not all the moves were forcing moves.
30...♖d8 31.h3 ♖d6 32.♖a5 ♖f6 33.♕e2 ♕c5+ 34.♔h2 ♕c1 35.♖xb5 ♖f1 36.♕g4+ ♔f8 37.♖b8+ ♔e7 38.♕h4+ ♔e6 39.♖e8+ 1-0
In this example, the player is expected to find the following critical moves while analysing the initial position: 27.♕f2!, 27...♕e7!, 27...♖g8! and 28.♘g7!.
Only by finding all the important moves for both sides and getting the whole solution correctly can we make real progress in our analytical skills. Missing these critical moves is a sign that either our effort is lacking or our concentration is not good enough. Try harder in the next position when such misses happen.
5. Active defence
When something is under attack, most upcoming players and positional players tend to automatically play defensive moves without much thought or hesitation. I always tell my students to avoid playing defensive moves to the extent possible, or at least to try to delay playing defensive moves if it is impossible to avoid them altogether.
The reason is that when we play defensive moves, our position can become passive, or we may hand over the initiative to our opponent, or we will lose precious time in the process. The better alternative is to look for a continuation that will give us active counterplay. This could mean that we may have to employ tactical means or sacrifice material for long-term compensation.
Game 12 Level 1
David Recuero Guerra 2492
Vugar Gashimov 2740
Lugo 2009 (2)
TASK 1: Find a strong continuation for Black. Time to think: 3 to 5 minutes.
26...♕f4!
Through such examples, we should learn the importance of not playing automatic defensive moves whenever something is under attack. As the wise say, counter-attack is the best defence in chess in most positions. Gashimov was one of my favourite players. I had the honour of staying in the same hotel during a tournament in Spain many years ago. We both were the only players who had arrived a few days in advance. I invited him to my room, where he played bullet games online on my laptop! I struggle to play bullet games with a mouse even now with a good internet connection, but back then, Gashimov was at the very top in bullet ratings and playing with a keyboard! He shared many interesting events from his young life, which were very moving. Mother earth took him away from us prematurely. Such a great human being...
27.bxc5?!
27.g3! ♕xe4 28.♕xe4 ♘xe4. Black will confidently play for a win with the extra pawn.
27...♖d2! 28.♕xd2 ♕xd2 0-1
Game 13 Level 2
Ian Nepomniachtchi 2774
Wang Hao 2762
Yekaterinburg 2020 (5)
TASK 1: How can Black defend in this apparently worse position? Time to think: 3 to 5 minutes.
32...♕d7?
Black thought his position was already undefendable. What is interesting here is that Black can save the game in two different ways. We can see the impact our frame of mind has in how we look at things and how it affects our decision-making ability.
32...♘xd4! 33.♕xb7+ ♕e7 34.♕xa6 ♕e4!⇆ (34...♕xc5 is also good enough to keep the balance) 35.♕b7+ ♔e8 36.♕xh7 ♘f3+ (36...♘e2+ 37.♔f1 ♘g3+) 37.♔f1 ♘d4=; 32...♕e7! 33.♕h8 ♔e6=.
33.♕h8 ♔e6
34.f4!
A fantastic move, and White won quickly:
34...♘xd4 35.♕g8+ ♕f7 36.♕c8+ ♕d7 37.♕g8+ ♕f7 38.♕d8 ♕d7 39.f5+ gxf5 40.gxf5+ ♘xf5 41.♕xd7+ ♔xd7 42.♘xf5 ♔e6 43.♘e3 1-0
Game 14 Level 4
Manuel Petrosyan 2590
SP Sethuraman 2641
Moscow 2020 (5)
TASK 1: How can Black defend this position? Time to think: 10 to 15 minutes.
36...♔f6?? 37.♖xc6 ♖xc5 38.♖a6 ♗b8 39.♘e8+ ♔e6 40.♖e1+ ♖e5 41.♘c7++- was the game continuation. Black missed a tough- to find opportunity to save the game here, most likely due to lack of time:
36...♗xb6! 37.cxb6 c5!
White needs a few moves to combine his pieces to aid the advance of his passed pawns. Black must use this time effectively to create his own counterplay. The c-pawn is his counterplay, as it will distract White’s pieces from coordinating well.
A) 37...♖e2?? 38.♖b1! ♖b8 39.d7 ♖d2 40.♘a6! ♖b7 41.♘c5 ♖b8 42.b7+-; a beautiful knight!;
B) Not 37...♖d5?? 38.♘xd5 ♖xd6 39.♘e3+- or 37...♖e4? 38.♖b1 c5 (with the idea ...♖b4) 39.♘a6!+-;
C) According to the engines, 37...♖a5! also does the job for Black. But the moves are not very obvious and hard to find. Almost all the students I gave this position to solve found the other solution. Hence, I will focus on that move.
After 37...♖a5 we have:
C1) 38.♖b1 ♔f6! – only move – 39.f4 ♖a2 40.b7 ♖b8. The knight is not able to come out and aid the pawns. The d-pawn advance will be met with Black’s king approaching it: 41.g4. In this way, White tries to drive the black king away from the d-pawn so that it can be advanced: 41...♖a4 42.g5+ ♔f5 43.d7 ♔xf4! 44.♖d1 ♖d8=. Black will give up the rook on the eighth rank for both passed pawns and draw with the remaining pawns on the kingside;
C2) 38.♖e1!? ♖a2 39.♖e8 ♖xe8 40.♘xe8+ ♔f8 41.♘f6 ♖b2=.
38.b7
38.d7 c4.
38...c4!
By just advancing his c-pawn, Black creates new problems for White to solve and escapes with a draw in the process. 38...♖e4?? 39.♘a6+-.
39.♖b1
39.♘a6 ♖b5=.
39...c3 40.d7 c2 41.♖c1 ♖c5 42.♘a6 ♖b5 43.b8♕ ♖bxb8 44.♘xb8 ♖xb8 45.♖xc2 ♖d8 46.♖c7 ♔f6=
Game 15 Level 4
Abhimanyu Puranik 2597
Sanan Sjugirov 2674
Moscow 2020 (5)
The position has just begun to get interesting. In the ensuing complications, both players lost their way and made mistakes. Let’s try to avoid them in our analysis!
TASK 1: Find Black’s main continuation and analyse the consequences. Time to think: 5 to 8 minutes.
21...♘c4! 22.dxc4 ♕xd1 23.♘xc7!
This defensive resource for White should be found in our analysis for sure.
23.♘d6? ♖xd6 24.cxd6 ♕xd6.
23...e4! 24.♘xe8
24.♗xg7 leads to an unclear position as well: 24...exf3 25.♕c3 ♖e7 26.♗xf3 ♕d2 27.♘xe6 fxe6 28.♕xd2 ♖xd2 29.♗f6 ♖e8 30.♖b1 ♖f8 31.♗g5 ♖a2 32.♗g4 ♖fxf2∞ should end in a draw with correct play!
24...exf3 25.♗c3??
White’s first major mistake.
Necessary was 25.♖xd1! ♖xd1+ 26.♗f1, though at first glance it looks very scary as Black has two possible ways to exploit the pin. But with careful attention, we realise that White can handle the same threat in two different ways by one defensive idea: ♕a1!. Here we see that the correct move 25.♖d1 went out of White’s list because of the mistake made in the subsequent analysis: 26...♗xc4 (26...♗h3 27.♕a1! (Karthikeyan) 27...♖xa1 (27...♖xf1+ 28.♕xf1 ♗xf1 29.♗xg7=) 28.♗xa1 ♗xf1 29.♗xg7 ♗xc4 30.♗c3=) 27.♕a1!. This resource saves the game for White: 27...♖xa1 (27...♖xf1+ 28.♕xf1 ♗xf1 29.♗xg7 ♗e2) 28.♗xa1 ♗xf1 29.♗xg7 should end in a draw eventually.
25.♕a1?? ♕xa1-+.
25...♖d3??
Now it is Black’s turn to return the compliment with this blunder. Black could have won the game in two different ways but missed both. This is a common problem during a practical game; we are faced with many alternatives, everything looks good, one idea is no less attractive than the other. At such moments, having a choice between several good options, even very strong players can sometimes lose their way, especially when time is also a factor. Even though time-trouble probably did not play a major role in this position, it just goes to show the practical risk in handling such positions and the need for us to be alert during such moments.
A) 25...♗xc3! 26.♕xc3 ♕d4!-+ (26...♘d4? 27.♘f6+=) 27.♘f6+ ♔g7 and White will lose material;
B) 25...♘d4! 26.♗f1 ♘c2! (26...♘e2+?? 27.♗xe2 fxe2 28.♘xg7+-) 27.♖xd1 ♖xd1 28.♕b3 ♗h3-+;
C) 25...♕xe1+?? 26.♗xe1 ♖d1 27.♗xf3+-.
26.♖xd1 ♖xd1+ 27.♗f1 ♗xc3
27...♗xc4 28.♕a1=.
TASK 2: Find the defence for White. Time to think: 5 minutes.
28.♕b3??
Three big mistakes in the space of four moves. This goes to show the necessity for enhancing our ability to handle pressure. Both h-pawn pushes would have saved the game:
A) 28.h3! ♘d4 (28...♗xc4 29.♕xc3 ♖xf1+ 30.♔h2 ♖xf2+=) 29.♘f6+! (29.♔h2 ♖xf1 30.♘f6+ ♔g7 31.♘e8+ ♔h6 32.♕xc3 ♖xf2+=) 29...♔g7! 30.♘e8+ ♔h6 31.c6! ♘e2+ 32.♔h2 ♖xf1 33.♕f8+ ♔h5 34.♕c5+! g5 35.h4 h6 36.♕e3! ♗g4 37.cxb7 ♖g1 38.b8♕ ♖g2+=;
B) 28.h4! ♘d4 (28...♗xc4? 29.♕xc3 ♖xf1+ 30.♔h2 ♖xf2+ 31.♔h3 ♗e6+ 32.g4+-) 29.♘f6+ (29.♔h2 ♖xf1 30.♕xc3 ♖xf2+ 31.♔h1 ♖f1+=) 29...♔g7 (29...♔h8?? 30.c6+-) 30.♘e8+= ♔h6??
analysis diagram
TASK 3: Find the win for White. Time to think: 5 minutes.
31.c6! ♘e2+ 32.♔h2 ♖xf1 33.♕f8+ ♔h5 34.♕c5+! f5 35.♕e3! (35.cxb7? ♖g1!=; 35...♗d4? 36.♕xd4 ♘xd4 37.♘f6+ ♔h6 38.b8♕ ♖xf2+ 39.♔h3+-) 35...f4 36.♕xf3+ (36.♕c5+? ♗f5-+) 36...♗g4 37.♕d5+ ♗f5 38.g4+ (38.♕g2!) 38...♔xh4! (38...♔xg4? 39.♕g2+ ♔xh4 40.♕xf1 f3 41.c7 ♗e5+ 42.♔h1+-; 38...♔h6? 39.gxf5 ♖xf2+ 40.♔h3+-) 39.♕g2!
B1) 39...♖e1? and now:
B11) 40.gxf5? f3! 41.♕h3+ ♔g5 42.♕xf3 ♗e5+ 43.♔g2 ♘f4+=;
B12) 40.f3? ♘g3-+. Karthikeyan thought Black’s bishop was on b2 here and said ♕b2 was winning;
B13) 40.cxb7? ♗e5 41.♕d5
TASK 4: Time to think: 5 minutes.
41...♖f1! (Aravindh; 41...♘d4? 42.gxf5 f3+ 43.♕xe5+-) 42.♕xe5 ♖xf2+ 43.♔h1 ♔g3-+;
B14) 40.♘d6? ♗xg4 41.c7 ♖g1 (41...h5? (Pragg) 42.♘f7! ♗f6 43.c8♕! (43.f3? (Pragg) 43...♘g3! 44.fxg4 ♘f1+ 45.♕xf1 ♖xf1 46.c8♕ ♖f2+ 47.♔g1 ♔g3 48.♘d6 ♖g2+ 49.♔f1 ♖f2+ 50.♔e1 ♗c3+ 51.♔d1 ♖d2+ 52.♔c1 ♖xd6= Karthikeyan) 43...♗xc8 44.♕xg6 ♗e7 45.♕e4! (Aravindh) 45...♗f6 46.♘e5 ♗g4 47.♕d5!+- Aravindh) 42.♕e4 f3 43.♕e7+ ♗f6! 44.♕xf6+ ♔h5 45.♕e5+ g5 46.♕h8 ♖g2+=;
B15) 40.♕h3+! ♔g5 41.♘d6! (this is why 39....♖d1 is correct) 41...♗xg4 42.♘f7+ ♔f5 43.♘h6++-.
B2) 39...♖d1! 40.gxf5 f3! 41.♕h3+ ♔g5 42.♕xf3 ♗e5+ 43.♔g2 ♘f4+ 44.♔h2 ♘e2+=.
C) 28.♕xc3?? ♘d4-+.
28...♖xf1+!
28...♖c1-+.
29.♔xf1 ♗h3+ 30.♔g1 ♘d4 0-1
Game 16 Level 3
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2731
Etienne Bacrot 2705
Elista 2008 (3)
The position at first glance looks hopeless, but upon closer inspection we can see that Black has a concrete way to save himself:
41...♔g7!!
Black sacrifices the knight to make his pawn majority on the kingside mean something of value.
A) 41...♔g6?? looks very similar to 41...♔g7, but does not lead to the same outcome: 42.♖xb4! (42.♖d6+! ♔g7 43.♖g5+ ♔f8 44.♖d8+ ♔e7 45.♖b8+-) 42...f3+ 43.gxf3 gxf3+ 44.♔xe3! (44.♔f1? ♖c7=; not 44...e2+? 45.♔f2 ♖e7 46.♖b6+! ♔f7 47.♖f5+ ♔g7 48.♖g5+ ♔f7 49.♖g1+-) 44...f2 45.♖b6+! ♔h7 46.♖xh5+ ♔g7 47.♖g5+ ♔h7 (47...♔f8 48.♖b8+ ♔e7 49.♖b7++-) 48.♖b4! ♖f3+!? (48...♔h6 49.♖g2+-) 49.♔d2! ♖h3 (49...♔h6 50.♖g2 ♔h5 51.♖b8+-) 50.♔e2+-.
B) 41...f3+?? 42.gxf3 gxf3+ 43.♔xf3+-;
C) 41...♘c6?? 42.♖xf4++-.
42.♖xb4
42.♖g5+ ♔h6 43.♖e5 f3+ 44.gxf3 gxf3+ 45.♔f1 (45.♔xe3? ♘c2+-+) 45...♘c2! 46.♖de4!? (46.♖d6+!?) 46...♖b7! (46...♖d7? 47.♖xe3+-) 47.b4 e2+ 48.♔f2 e1♕+ 49.♖xe1 ♘xe1 50.♖xe1 ♖xb4=.
42...f3+ 43.gxf3
43.♔f1 e2+ 44.♔f2 fxg2+.
43...gxf3+ 44.♔f1!
44.♔xe3? f2 45.♖g5+ ♔h6-+.
44...♖c7!
44...♖d7=; 44...e2+? 45.♔f2 ♖e7 46.♖g5+ ♔h6 47.♖g1+-; 44...♖e7? 45.♖f4+-.
45.♖a7! ♖xa7=
Black went on to save this rook and pawn ending easily.
We will pay more attention to this concept in our subsequent books.
6. The initiative
The initiative is the essence of any sport. In soccer, we cannot hope to score a goal unless we possess the ball. Similarly, in chess, we need to create threats at various stages of the game to have any chance of playing for a win. There is a struggle for the initiative from the opening. It is a form of attack that is temporary. We can have the initiative when our opponent has an uncastled king, or when we have a development advantage, etc.
Initiative means superiority – José Raúl Capablanca.
Nowhere is time-wasting more severely punished than in chess – Samuel Reshevsky.
Game 17 Level 4
Ferenc Berkes 2706
Sebastian Bogner 2534
Germany Bundesliga 2011/12 (12)
34.♘g5! (threat)
This shows that not all endgames are boring technical affairs and that tactical alertness is required throughout the game. White seizes the initiative with this sacrifice.
Directly going after the h-pawn with 34.♖h7?! is not efficient, as Black gets sufficient counterplay after 34...♗f5 35.♖xh6 ♗xe4 36.♗xe4 ♘xf4∞.
34...hxg5
White gets a dangerous passed pawn as a result.
A) 34...♗e6 allows 35.f5!, luring the bishop away from the f7-pawn and getting attacking chances against the black king as well:
A1) 35...♔f6 36.♘xe6 fxe6 (36...♘e7!? 37.♖h7+-) 37.♖g6+ ♔xf5 38.e4++-;
A2) 35...♔f8 36.♘xe6+ fxe6 37.♖xb7+-;
A3) 35...hxg5 36.fxe6 ♔xe6 37.♖xg5+–, the outside passed pawn is too dangerous.
B) 34...♔f8 35.♖xf7+ ♔g8 36.♗xd5 cxd5 37.♖c7+-.
35.h6 (threat) 35...♗f5
35...♘f6 36.fxg5 ♗f5 37.gxf6+ ♔xf6 38.e4 ♗g6 39.d4 ♖xa3 40.e5+ ♔e6 (40...♔f5 41.h7+-) 41.♖xg6+!+-;
35...♔f8 36.♖xg5+-.
36.e4! (threat)
White does not want to let up the pressure and keeps making one threat after another, keeping Black busy with defending tasks.
A) 36.fxg5? ♔f8 37.e4 (37.♗h5 ♗e6) 37...♗g6 38.exd5 cxd5∞;
B) 36.♖xg5? ♘xf4 37.h7 ♘h3+ 38.♔g3 ♘xg5 39.h8♕ ♘xf3 40.♔xf3 b6=;
C) 36.♗e4?? ♗xe4 37.dxe4 ♘f6 38.fxg5 ♖xg5-+.
36...♘xf4?
A) 36...gxf4 37.exf5 ♘f6 38.h7 ♘xh7 39.♖xh7 ♖xf5 (39...♖xa3 40.♗h5) 40.♗h5;
B) 36...♗g6 37.♖xg6! (capture) 37...fxg6 38.h7 (threat)+-;
C) 36...♔f8 37.exf5 gxf4 38.♗xd5 ♖xd5 39.f6+-.
37.exf5 (capture)
Now both the knight and rook are unable to come to the kingside to stop the dangerous passed pawn.
37...♔f8
37...♔f6 38.♖g8+-.
38.f6 (threat) 1-0
Game 18 Level 1
Robert Markus 2592
Petr Haba 2439
Austria Bundesliga 2021 (1)
TASK 1: Find the forced win for White. Time to think: 5 to 8 minutes.
36.♘d7!
I would not be surprised if some players did not even consider this move seriously at this level despite thinking for some time. If you found it and managed to prove its correctness in your analysis, you are doing great!
36...♖xc2
36...♖xd7 37.♖xc6+-.
37.♘f8+!
This is the move that justifies the previous move.
37...♔h8
37...♖xf8 38.♖xc2+-.
38.♘xg6+ ♔h7 39.♘f8+ ♔h8 40.♖xc2 ♕g4 41.♕xb6+-
Game 19 Level 2
Peter Svidler 2729
Vladimir Kramnik 2753
Amsterdam 2019 (6)
TASK 1: Time to think: 5 minutes. Find a good counterattacking continuation for Black.
16...♗d6!
Directly going for mate.
17.f4
A) 17.♘e4 f5 18.♘xd6 ♘f4!-+;
B) 17.♕e4 f5 18.♕xe6+ ♔h8 19.axb4 ♘f4-+. Usually when the knight lands on this square, especially if opponent’s f-pawns are doubled, it is quite ominous;
C) 17.♔h1 ♕h4 18.f4 ♗xf4 19.f3 ♘g3+-+.
17...♕h4 18.f3
18.♕f3 ♗xf4-+.
18...♘xf4 19.♕d2 ♘bd3-+ 0-1
Black wins a lot of material.
We will pay more attention to this concept in our subsequent books.
7. The drawback principle
This is another principle that has been largely ignored in chess books. Most of the moves played have a good and a bad side to them. Only the ratio of good and bad in the move keeps varying. In good moves, there are more good and less bad elements and vice versa.
When we pay attention to the good side of a coming move by the opponent, and do something about it, we call this prophylactic thinking. But many moves also have a bad side to them. Suppose we can identify the drawback of the opponent’s previous move and can do something about it to our advantage. This is called the drawback principle. Humans had enjoyed the benefits of gravity before Newton codified it; similarly, all the strong chess players have been applying this kind of thinking in their games already; I am just codifying it here. But at the lower level, it is very beneficial to know about this method of thinking, especially when we have many moves that are forcing in nature. If we look carefully at most forcing variations, we can see the drawback principle silently in play. The books usually talk only about prophylaxis a lot but are silent about the drawback concept. Prophylaxis is primarily valuable for static positions; drawback is very effective in dynamic positions.
Game 20 Level 2
Evgeny Tomashevsky 2695
Anton Shomoev 2557
Moscow 2011 (4)
Black has just played 21...e4. Let us see the drawback principle in action.
22.♘f4
The drawback of Black’s previous move 21...e4 is that it gives White access to the f4-square.
22...♕f7
The black queen defends the g6-pawn, but the drawback of this move is:
23.♘b5
The pawn on d6 has lost its support because of Black’s queen move.
23...♖d8?!
A passive defensive move that reduces the activity of the black rook, condemning it to a passive role.
The drawback to 23...♕d7!? would have been 24.♘xg6.
The drawback of the black rook abandoning the e-file is that it allows White to play:
24.fxe4
White gets some action on the e-file.
24...♘xe4
And the drawback of this move is that it allows White to play:
25.g4! a6 26.gxf5∞
White could have got a small advantage with 26.♘a3.
26...axb5
was played in the game that White eventually won... 1-0
We will pay more attention to this concept in our subsequent books.
8. The pawn break
This is an effective tool that can be used for various purposes:
a) to open up the position when it is very cramped for a lack of space;
b) to gain access to the opponent’s king when our king is castled, while the opponent’s king is still in the centre in the opening phase of the game;
c) as a tool to start action on one side of the board;
d) to fight for the initiative; and
e) as a tactical motif.
Game 21 Level 2
Erwin l’Ami 2610
Viktor Kortchnoi 2602
Amsterdam 2008 (10)
The queenside seems to be the area where the main battle takes place. Based on the pawn structure, White has a very nice square for his knight on c4. Generally, most of White’s pieces are more active than Black’s. Another important aspect is the weakness of the base of Black’s pawn chain, namely the d6-pawn. Among White’s forces, only the light-squared bishop lacks any sort of mobility. Based on these features, White can embark on his next move.
25.d4! (pawn break) 25...cxd4
25...exd4 26.♗f4+-. The d6-pawn cannot be saved and White will get connected passed pawns.
26.♗b4 (threat)
The point! Either of the captures give access to White to attack the weak d6-pawn.
26...♘g6 27.♗xd6 (capture)
White’s pieces are more active and he should win comfortably.
27...♖xb1 28.♖xb1 ♗f6 29.♗c7
29.♘b6 is a simple tactic that White could have played too.
29...♕g7 30.♘d6 ♗d7 31.♖b7 ♘f8 32.♖xa7 ♖xa7 33.♕xa7 ♕g5 34.♘c4 ♗g7 35.♗d6 1-0
White dominated with his overwhelming positional advantage in terms of better pieces and pawn structure. He used little tactics to achieve this favourably.
Game 22 Level 1
Olga Badelka 2440
Aleksey Goganov 2589
Cheliabinsk 2021 (6)
TASK 1: Find a forced way to win some material. Time to think: 5 minutes.
Another slightly tougher position for this level. Give your best effort and check your conclusions carefully before seeing the solution!
53...f4! 54.f3
54.♔e1 ♖b1+ 55.♔d2 (55.♗d1 ♗xf2+-+) 55...♗xf2-+.
54...e4!
A very important resource.
55.fxe4 f3 56.♗d3
To stop 56...♖b1 checkmate.
56.♗xf3 ♖f2+-+.
56...♖d2
56...♖h2 57.♔e1 ♖xh3-+.
57.♗c2 ♖h2
White resigned.
Game 23 Level 3
Santosh Gujrathi Vidit 2642
Natalija Pogonina 2454
Gibraltar 2016 (5)
This game is a good example of what happens when we try to defend slightly worse positions against a stronger and experienced player. They will gradually outplay us without chances of counterplay. Hence, it is important to seize our active chances early on before things become too cramped.
TASK 1: How can Black defend this position? Time to think: 10 minutes.
23...c5!
Black’s bishop on e8 is very happy to see this move. New doors are being opened for it!
23...♖d5?! is the move I mentioned earlier, while explaining (about forcing moves) that pawn breaks also help in accelerating the speed of the game. When the position is of a closed nature, both sides should keep an eye on the possible pawn breaks by both sides, as they can turn the tide of the game very quickly. 24.♕xd8 ♖axd8 25.♘d6. White keeps the pressure on.
In the game, Black played 23...♖a6? and suffered for a long time. When our pieces are cramped and lacking in space to move about, it is important to keep looking for creative ways to conjure activity. 24.♕b3 ♖d5 25.♕xb7! ♖a8 26.♘d6 ♖b8 27.♕a6 ♗d7 28.♕e2+- ♕b6 29.♕h5 ♖f8 30.♘c4 ♕b4 31.♘e3 ♕xb2 32.♖b1 ♕c3 33.♕h4 ♕a3 34.♖a1 ♕b3 35.♕e7 ♖e8 36.♕a3 ♕b6 37.♘xd5 cxd5 38.♕d6 ♕a7 39.♖dc1 ♗c8 40.♖c5 and White won easily. This is what happens when we do not look for active counterplay in a cramped position. We can see how pawn breaks can help us in passive, cramped positions to open up the position for our pieces. But many players will not feel comfortable to drastically change the nature of the position, even if it means they have to struggle for space. The fear of the unknown or the impending complexity can be very tough to handle for many.
24.♕xd8
The critical move. White wants to keep the position locked with the knight on d6 and the pawns on f4 and e5.
After 24.♕xc5 ♖d5, the white queen cannot defend both the d4- and the a4-pawn at the same time: 25.♕a3 ♗xa4!? (25...♖xd4 26.♖xd4 ♕xd4=) 26.♕xa4 b5, and it is obvious that Black has equalised.
24...♖axd8 25.♘d6!
25.♘xa5 cxd4 26.f4 f6! (another pawn break that comes to Black’s aid) 27.♘c4 ♗h5 28.♖d2 ♖c7
25...cxd4 26.♖xd4
26.♖c5!? b6 27.♖c6 f6 28.f4 ♖a7! (the reason for this move will become apparent later) 29.♖xb6 (29.♖c4 g5 30.♖dxd4 gxf4 31.gxf4 ♖g7+ 32.♔f2 fxe5 33.fxe5 ♗h5 34.♘e4 ♖xd4 35.♖xd4 ♔f7!=) 29...fxe5 30.fxe5 ♗xa4 31.♖xd4 ♗c2=. If required, Black can advance ...a4-a3 with the rook firmly behind it.
26...f6! 27.f4
TASK 2: How should Black continue? Time to think: 2 minutes.
27...g5!
The third important pawn break. This opens the position completely for the black pieces and they can now move around freely.
28.♖dc4
28.♔f2 gxf4 29.gxf4 fxe5 30.fxe5 ♖g7 31.♖g1 ♖xg1 32.♔xg1 ♗c6 33.♖g4+ ♔f8 34.♖f4+ ♔g8 35.♔f2 ♖d7 (35...♖a8!? is another creative way to create counterplay: 36.♔e3 ♖a6 37.♔d2 ♖b6 38.♔c3 ♗d5! 39.b4 axb4+ 40.♖xb4 ♖c6+ 41.♔d4 ♖a6 and again, Black has achieved a very comfortable position) 36.♔e3 ♖g7⇆.
28...gxf4 29.gxf4 ♖g7+ 30.♔f2 ♗c6⇆
Closing the c-file effectively.
Game 24 Level 3
Ramesh RB 2450
Dimitrij Bunzmann 2484
Biel 2000 (8)
TASK 1: Find the main idea and calculate as deeply as you can. Time to think: 5 to 8 minutes.
36.g4! ♖xg4
36...fxg4 37.f5! (37.♘h4 g3 38.♖xg3 ♖g4) 37...♗xf5 38.♘h4 ♗e6 39.♘xg6 fxg6 40.♕f6! ♖e8 (40...♕b6 41.♕e7+ (41.♖f2? ♖g8∞; 41.♘d3 is also good enough for a win) 41...♔g8 42.♖h2! (42.♖f2 ♗f5 43.♖xg4! ♘e3! 44.♖gf4!) 42...h5 43.♖xh5! gxh5 44.♕g5+ ♔h7 45.♕xh5+ ♔g7 46.♕g5++-) 41.♖xg4 g5 42.♖xg5+-.
37.♖xg4 fxg4 38.♕h4!+
This is the whole point.
38...♔g7
38...gxf3 39.♖h2; 38...♕d8 39.♘g5+ ♔g6 40.♖h2.
39.♖h2+-
Game 25 Level 3
Slavisa Brenjo 2491
Igor Miladinovic 2607
Vrsac 2007 (2) (analysis)
White to play and win
27.g4!!
Adding a new dimension to the attack.
Most of the upcoming students I gave this position to felt that 27.♕d6 was the obvious winning move and could not find the defence for Black. A typical problem at this level: 27.♕d6? ♖e8! (27...♖g8? can be refuted in many ways; one forcing continuation is 28.♕d5+ ♔g7 29.♖e7+ ♔h8 30.♕f7 (30.♖ce1+-) 30...♖xg3+ (30...♕xc1+ 31.♔g2 ♕d2+ 32.♔h3+-) 31.hxg3 ♕xg3+ 32.♔f1 ♕f3+ 33.♔e1+-) 28.♕xb8 ♖xe1+ 29.♖xe1 ♕xb4=.
27.♕d5+ does not work as Black survives after 27...♔g6 28.g4 d6.
27...d5
27...fxg4 loses to either 28.♕d5+, 28.f5 ♕f3 29.♕d6, or 28.♕e4.
28.g5 ♔g8 29.♕xf6 ♖f8 30.♕d6
White should win this eventually.
30...♗d7 31.♕xd7 ♖bd8 32.♕e6+ ♔h8 33.c6 bxc6 34.♕e5+ ♔g8 35.♖xc6+-
Game 26 Level 3
Alexander Grischuk 2719
Peter Leko 2747
Elista 2008 (2)
19.♖b1!?
Preparing to open the position on the queenside.
19...♗a3 20.b4!
Here we can see the pawn break being applied to open the queenside to gain better access to the pawn weaknesses there and also to open lines for White’s pieces.
20...axb4 21.♘xb4 ♕e7 22.♕b3 ♖a7
After 22...b5 23.♘c2, White can hope to exploit the weaknesses on the queenside in the long run.
23.♘c2 b5 24.♗xd5 cxd5 25.♘xb5 ♖a6 26.♘bxa3
It looks like White has won a healthy pawn, but Black can create serious counterplay on the kingside:
26...♗c8!
Black has good compensation, but White eventually won the game.
We will pay more attention to this concept in our subsequent books.
9. Maintaining tension
I explained this concept in detail in Chapter 8 of my book Logical Decision Making. To quote from it: with most exchanges, one side benefits more than the other. The same goes for pawn exchanges. It is often a test of ‘who blinks first?’. Lower-rated players are not comfortable in situations where there is some kind of tension, so they are eager to simplify the position by trading. A higher-rated player has more capacity to withstand tension in the position for a longer period of time.
By maintaining the tension, we add pressure to the opponent psychologically and we also gain certain concrete advantages in the position. It is easier to make a mistake when we have a choice than when we don’t have one. So by keeping the pawn tension a little longer, we give our opponent a chance to make an incorrect decision.
We should release the tension only when we:
a) get something concrete in return, like control of a file, a passed pawn, initiative, the pair of bishops, better pawn structure, etc.;
b) cannot postpone releasing the tension, as our opponent will release the tension in his favour on his turn;
c) see that no useful purpose is served by keeping the tension.
Game 27 Level 2
Alexei Shirov 2730
Mikulas Manik 2426
Ohrid 2009 (1)
27.♖h8!
Not defending the d3-pawn. Counterattack is the best defence.
27.gxf7+? ♔d7!.
27...♗xd3+ 28.♕xd3 ♘xd3 29.fxg7 ♕d1+ 30.♔a2 ♔d7 31.♖xf8!
Threatening 32.♖f7 check, followed by 33.g8 with promotion and checkmate.
31...♖e8 32.gxf7
32.♖xe8+-.
32...b3+ 33.♘xb3
Black resigned.
Game 28 Level 4
SP Sethuraman 2639
Radoslaw Wojtaszek 2727
Gibraltar 2016 (9)
19...d5 20.♘e5!? ♕a6
20...♕b6? 21.♘df3! ♘c4 (21...♘xe4 22.♖xe4! dxe4 23.♗xf7+ ♔h8 24.♘g5+-) 22.♘xc4! dxc4 23.♗xc4 ♗xe4 24.♖xb5 ♗xf3 25.♖xe8+ ♖xe8 26.gxf3+-.
21.a4!
The psychological impact of such moves should not be underestimated. Such moves can upset the balance of the mind of many players in the heat of the battle.
21...♘c4
21...bxa4 22.♘xf7 (22.♕c2) 22...♔xf7 23.e5!?∞ ♘d7 (23...♔g8 24.exf6 ♕xf6 25.♖xb7 ♖xe1+ 26.♕xe1 ♘xb7 27.♗xd5+ ♔h8 28.♗xb7 ♖b8∞) 24.♕f3+ ♔g8 25.♖xb7!.
22.♖xb5
22...♘xd2?
The pressure generated by White’s previous moves that maintained the tension was a prime reason for inducing Black to commit this mistake.
22...♘d6 23.♖b4; 22...♘xe5! is the only way to get a playable position: 23.dxe5 ♖xe5 24.♘f3 (24.♗b2 ♖e7 (24...♖ee8 25.e5 ♘d7 26.♗xd5 ♗xd5 27.♖xd5 ♘b6 28.♖b5 ♘xa4 29.♕b3 ♘xb2 30.♕xb2∞) 25.♕a1 ♕xa4 26.♗xf6 ♗xf6 27.♕xf6 ♕xb5 28.♕xe7 ♕b2!∞ – 28...♖xa2? 29.e5!) 24...♖xe4 25.♖xe4 ♘xe4 26.♖xb7 ♕xb7 27.♗xd5 ♕a7 28.♗xe4 ♕xa4∞. It is important to assess this position correctly to go for this variation in a game. When one is under pressure, it is easy to imagine ghosts where none exist.
23.♗xd2 ♕xa4 24.♕xa4 ♖xa4 25.♗b3 ♖xd4 26.♘f3
White won in a few more moves.
10. Intermediate moves
This is one of the concepts where even very strong players go wrong quite often. The human mind loves continuity in action and can easily underestimate or overlook intermediate moves while calculating variations. Intermediate moves disturb the flow of the moves by introducing a shocking move or concept all of a sudden at unexpected places. They have a substantial psychological impact on the opponent.
Game 29 Level 3
Etienne Bacrot 2719
Robert Kempinski 2620
Germany Bundesliga 2014/15 (14)
From this example, let us try to identify some of the common mistakes chess players at this level make while analysing positions in general and in calculation in particular.
29.♖cf2?
29.♕e3 ♖c7∞.
TASK 1: Time to think: 10 minutes.
29...♘xd5?
Black misses the boat completely! It so happens in a practical game that a player calculates a variation, checks it thoroughly, does not find anything wrong with it and plays it. The opponent also sees the same variations and comes to same conclusions! The funny part is that both miss something that is not so obvious at all. It is as if a deep, subconscious understanding exists among the players! Such is the case here. Both White and Black are optimistic about White’s pressure on the f-file and act according to that belief.
29...♖xc4! looks like a blunder but... 30.♖xf6 ♖f4!. This is the ‘minor’ detail both players probably missed. Missing intermediate moves and missing not so obvious, long-term sacrifices are both common problems even for stronger players, and definitely at the upcoming player level. Instead of White exploiting the pin on the ♘f6, it is Black who is benefiting from the counter-pin on the ♖f6! The tragedy for White is that, after an eventual 31.♖f5 (31.♖1xf4 is the better move order for White to avoid 32...♖f1, as shown below: 31...exf4 32.♖f5 ♕xg5! (32...♕e3+?! 33.♔h2 ♕g3+ 34.♔h1 ♕e1+ 35.♔h2, and Black has nothing better than a draw by perpetual check) 33.♖xg5 g6, transposing to lines after 31.♖f5) 31...♕xg5 32.♖xg5 g6! (32...♖xf1+ 33.♔xf1 g6 34.♗e4 ♔g7 is also winning for Black after 35.h4 ♖h8! 36.♗xg6 fxg6 37.h5 ♖h6), the ♖g5 is trapped and cannot escape from the cage. Ideally, if we can come to this point in our analysis in five minutes, we can be reasonably happy. While analysing positions, there are two aspects we need to take note of. One is identifying the main idea or the concept in the position, and the other is making it work – the nitty-gritty of the variations. Some players have difficulty in spotting the main tactical idea, others have a hard time going through the move-to-move, concrete analysis, and the rest have a tough time doing both! 33.♖xf4 exf4. Black is threatening to play 34...♔g7 and 35...f6, trapping the rook, so White must do something concrete instead of looking for general moves: 34.♗e4
analysis diagram
34...♔g7! 35.h4.
A) Black has to be careful, as the hasty 35...♖e8?? spoils all the hard work done until now: 36.♗xg6 fxg6 37.h5+-;
B) 35...♖h8?? 36.♗xg6! fxg6 37.h5 ♖h6 38.♔f2 ♔f6 39.♖xg6+ ♖xg6 40.hxg6 ♔xg6 41.♔f3 ♔g5 42.b5! and White wins because of zugzwang. This goes to show that accuracy and alertness are required even after we get a good position; reducing our alertness is not an option until the game is really over;
C) 35...♔h6? does not work: 36.♔f2 ♖c8 37.♔f3⇆;
D) 35...♔f6! is a nice prophylactic move, preventing tricks associated with ♗xg6 followed by h4-h5 ideas to get the rook out of the cage. Even though White has an extra piece, his rook is never going to see the light of day. Black’s rook will have a free hand to collect White’s pawns one by one: 36.♔g2 (36.♔f2 was the move suggested by an 1800+ student while analysing from the initial position in his mind without moving pieces on the board: 36...♖h8-+. When we look at positions casually, the difference between the moves 36.♔g2 and 36.♔f2 will not be obvious, nor will it seem to be that important and warrant our attention. But real improvement happens when we begin to understand and appreciate the relevance of being curious about such small details and take the pain to learn the difference between apparently similar looking moves. The lesson to be learnt is that in many positions, the most natural or the obvious move is not the best move and there is always some concrete detail we need to find before we can come to a correct conclusion) and now:
D1) 36...♖h8. This is good technique: lure the white king away to the kingside and then use the e-file to penetrate with the rook: 37.♔h3 (this would not have been possible had White played 36.♔f2; 37.♔f3 ♖xh4 38.♔xf4 ♖h3 39.a4 ♖b3 40.b5 ♖b4-+) 37...♖e8-+. Black will soon collect the white pawns, while the white rook remains in the cage;
D2) 36...♖e8 is also good enough for a win, but it gives White an interesting way to play for a counter-attack: 37.♗f5!? (the bishop is working very hard to give itself up to get the rook out of the cage) 37...♖e3 38.♗e6!? and here 38...fxe6? spoils all the hard work done so far in a single move: 39.dxe6 ♖xa3 40.e7 ♖e3 41.b5 ♖xe7 42.♖d5∞ and despite being two pawns down, Black is unable to take advantage of his pawns and White gets sufficient counterplay. However, Black is not obliged to take the bishop: 38...♖xa3! 39.♗xf7!? ♔xf7 40.h5,
analysis diagram
and finally it looks like the white rook can escape from the cage, but... 40...♖g3+! is the key move for Black in this variation: 41.♔f2 gxh5 42.♖xh5 ♔g6!. This makes sure White’s rook will not be able to attack the d6- and a7-pawns easily, thereby gaining precious time for Black’s rook to go after White’s weak pawns and establish a clear material superiority (42...♖xg4? 43.♔f3!=): 43.♖h8 ♖b3, and the ending should be a win for Black. Finally, if 29...♔f8? 30.♕h4+-; and if 29...♔h8? 30.♖xf6+-.
30.♕xe7 ♘xe7 31.♖xf7 ♖e8
31...♘g6 32.♗d5 ♔h7 33.♖xa7 ♘f4 34.♔h2+-.
32.g5
White gets a clear advantage that he easily converted to a win.
We see from this example that chess is a game where the human element also plays a major role in our decision-making. Keeping good concentration and remaining alert throughout the game for using the not so obvious chances that come our way out of the blue are some of the qualities we need to cultivate consciously.
Game 30 Level 3
Sergei Tiviakov 2669
Sergey Karjakin 2660
Wijk aan Zee 2006 (8)
White has a big lead in development, but the price he had to pay for that is in the form of the weak e5-pawn, which is under a double attack. There seems to be no good way to defend the pawn, but upon closer inspection we can see that White indeed has a fantastic resource:
14.h3! ♗xf3
14...♗h5 15.♘d5!? (15.e6!? fxe6 16.♘g5 ♗xe2 17.♔xe2) 15...0-0-0 16.e6 fxe6 17.♘f4; 14...♗f5 15.g4 ♗g6 16.e6.
15.e6!!
This turns the game upside down.
15.♗xf3 ♘dxe5.
15...fxe6
15...♗xe2 16.exd7+ ♔d8 17.♗b6#.
16.♗xf3
White obtains a clear advantage. Karjakin came up with some creative defensive moves in the final stages of the game and escaped with a draw.
We have seen some of the essential concepts involved in dynamic positions with an example for each one. We will cover most of these concepts again in detail in the subsequent books of this series. Let us now shift our attention to the other side of the coin. We will not cover the static concepts in this book apart from highlighting the important topics in this area.
Critical areas to learn for static positions
1. Prophylaxis
This has been covered extensively in many books. Let me give an example here so as not to let it feel ignored:
Game 31 Level 3
Santosh Gujrathi Vidit 2718
Le Quang Liem 2728
Danzhou 2018 (7)
TASK 1: How can White fight for an advantage? Time to think: 5 minutes.
20.♕f5?
This was played in the game, and White lost most of his advantages in the position.
20.♗f3? is very tempting, but unfortunately Black has a nice tactic: 20...d4! 21.♖xd4 ♕e5!-+.
20.♗xf6! ♘xf6 21.g3! are the key moves that need to be found: 21...♖e5 22.♗f3. White can follow up with ♔g2, and at the right time the ♘c3-e2-d4 manoeuvre and the b2-b3 break. White has a clear and comfortable advantage without much risk. This is mostly a prophylactic continuation, but the idea of g2-g3 can be found by calculating the 20.♗f3? variation, and from that line we come up with an improvement. This position was chosen to highlight how interconnected positional and tactical concepts are, and how they complement each other. In modern chess, to be a good positional player, one needs to have good calculation skills too, and vice versa.
The direct 20.g3! is also possible, leading to similar positions as in the 20.♗f6! line.
20...♔h8⇆
The position is complex but balanced.
2. Piece improvement
Mark Dvoretsky has written a book on this topic: Maneuvering: The Art of Piece Play. We will cover this topic in detail in the subsequent books. How a player handles his pieces reveals a lot about the positional understanding of the player. It is very important that we do not keep our pieces in passive, undeveloped squares for long. Pieces thrive on activity.
Game 32 Level 1
Leinier Dominguez Perez 2758
Magnus Carlsen 2862
Opera Euro Rapid Prelim 2021 (5)
This is a comparatively tough position for this level.
TASK 1: Find an effective mating attack against the black king. One that actually works! Not just a good looking attacking continuation. If you find the answer for this position, you can be really proud of yourself. Time to think: 10 minutes.
28.♖d4!
This move would have weaved a mating net around the black king and White would have won the game. Such moves are tough to find and evaluate correctly for players at this level. This is because the moves are not forced and it does not appear to win the game immediately.
Black was better after the game continuation 28.♖h1+? and went on to win the game with 28...♔g5. 28.f4? g5!-+. One of my students completely missed this resource after which Black is simply winning. 28...♔h7? 29.♖h1+ ♔g8 30.♘g3+– was given as a solution by a student. He did not check the solution for mistakes and as a result could not find out where Black can change in this variation. A good attempt though.
28...g5
28...♘xb3 29.♖h1+ ♔g5 30.f4+ ♔f5 31.♘g3#.
29.♖xg4 a4
29...♘xb3 30.♘f4+-.
30.♘f4!
Followed by ♖h1 and mate: 0-1
Game 33 Level 1
Baadur Jobava 2603
Glenn Flear 2431
Tornelo Rapid 2021
TASK 1: Time to think: 3 to 5 minutes. Find a powerful continuation for White here.
31.♘a4!
After this move, Black cannot defend the h7-pawn, the rook and the bishop all at the same time. Something has to give.
31...♖d3+ 32.♔f2 ♖d2+ 33.♔g3
Thus, White’s king reaches safety, while all the threats from White remain.
33...♗c8 34.♖xh7+-
We will cover these two static concepts, as well as thirteen other ones, in a separate book.
Chess is, at the same time, both dynamic and static in nature. In most positions, both dynamic and static elements are present but in varying degrees. Some positions are more dynamically inclined (with static elements present in a comparatively smaller ratio) and vice versa.
An important point to note here is that the concepts mentioned in bold can play a significant role in dynamic positions as well. But in my experience, I tend to believe that these occur more in static positions than otherwise.
Under dynamic and static positions, several areas can be used for both purposes. So these are not strict classifications but they work in most cases.
If a player gets a good grip on both dynamic and static concepts, he will be able to handle any position well. In this book, we will focus on dynamic concepts of calculation and, to some extent, forcing moves. In the subsequent series of books, we will be covering the rest of the concepts.
Assessment of positions
One of the areas where many upcoming players have difficulty is the assessment of positions. In the book Find the Right Plan with Anatoly Karpov (2008), the following are given as ‘established seven basic principles or reference points according to which the study of any position should be undertaken’:
1. material relationship between the forces
2. presence of direct threats
3. position of the kings, their safety
4. possession of open lines
5. pawn structure, weak and strong squares
6. the centre and space
7. development and the position of pieces
In my view, the following reference points will be helpful to assess a position, arranged in their order of importance:
1. king safety
2. activity of pieces
3. material
4. all other factors like pawn structure, weaknesses, space advantage, passed pawns, control of the centre, bishop pair, etc.
We will go deeper into this topic in the next book of the series.