Chapter 57
The positional sacrifice
A positional sacrifice is one that does not lead to an attack on the king or to the regaining of material, but rather brings long-term positional pluses in return for the sacrificed material. A great master of this type of sacrifice was the 9th World Champion, Tigran Petrosian, for whom the positional exchange sacrifice was his visiting card.
360 *
Aivars Gipslis
Vladimir Simagin
Sverdlovsk 1957
The main battle centers around the d5-square. If White manages to secure it, he will obtain the advantage. Black’s task is to create counterplay on the c-file, and carry out the freeing advance …d6-d5, or take control of the central squares.
16…♖xc3! 17.bxc3
White’s idea now is to play c3-c4, so as to keep the c2-pawn after the exchange on b5, and avoid Black’s creating a pair of central passed pawns.
On 17.♕xc3, there would follow the quiet 17…♗xe4 18.♕d2 d5, and in time, the black central pawns will start to advance.
17…♗xe4 18.♕e2 ♕c8 19.c4 bxc4
Black wants to retain control over the long diagonal, but there is also a good argument for taking another pawn close to the centre. Therefore, 19…♗xf5 was equally good, when White would have to lose a tempo defending against …♗f5-g4.
20.♗xc4 ♗b7 21.♗b3 d5 22.♗c1
White cannot break up the centre: 22.c4 d4 23.♗xd4 exd4 24.♕xe7 ♖e8, followed by 25…♖e2.
22…♗d6 23.♗b2
23…♗b8
The bishop moves away from the veiled threat on the d-file. At the same time, Black gets the potential possibility of playing …♕c8-c7, and then …e5-e4, forcing a weakening of the long diagonal with g2-g3. Having forced such a weakness, Black can then consider a possible sacrifice of his pawns with …d5-d4 and …e4-e3, completely clearing the long diagonal, followed by …♕c7-c6.
24.♖d3 d4 25.♖g3
Black is too strong in the centre, and White’s scattered forces cannot create any real threats on the kingside.
25…♖d8 26.♗c1 e4
Black’s central play is more important than White’s unprepared activity on the kingside.
27.♗f4 ♗xf4 28.♖xf4
28…♗d5
Another excellent possibility was 28…♕c5, further strengthening the position in the centre, and taking aim at the a3-pawn (currently, this is untouchable because of ♗b3xf7+).
29.♗xd5 ♖xd5 30.♖xe4
White goes into an endgame a pawn down, which he hopes to save. This does not succeed, but it is hard to recommend anything better – Black dominates and threatens to take on f5, as well as 30…♖c5.
30…♘xe4 31.♕xe4 ♕xf5 32.♕xf5 ♖xf5 33.♔g1 ♖c5 34.♖d3 ♖c4 35.♔f1 f5
As well as his extra pawns, Black has the more active rook, and this decides the game.
36.♖d2 ♔f7 37.♔e2 ♔e6 38.♔d1 ♔d5 39.♖e2 ♖a4 40.♖e7 g5 41.♖h7 ♖xa3 42.♖xh6 d3 43.cxd3 ♖a2 44.g3 ♔d4 45.♖f6 ♔xd3 46.♔e1 ♔e4 47.h4 g4 48.♔f1 ♔f3 49.♖xf5+ ♔xg3 50.h5 ♖a1+ 51.♔e2 a5 52.h6 ♖h1 53.♖f6 a4 54.♖a6 ♖h5 55.♔e3 ♔h2 56.♖g6 g3 57.♔f3 ♖h3
White resigned.
361 *
Alexei Dreev
2694
Alexander Riazantsev
2714
France tt 2012 (11)
Naturally, the black knight would like to come to d5, but if it does so at once, he must reckon on the exchange on d5, creating a kingside pawn majority for White. There is also the idea of the bishop coming to g4, followed by the advance of the h-pawn. In both cases, White obtains counterplay. Therefore, Black goes in for a sacrifice, with the help of which he obtains an excellent post for his knight on d5, whilst also devaluing the white kingside pawn structure.
21…♖xf3! 22.gxf3 ♘d5 23.h4 ♖f8
Black will transfer his rook to f5, from where it both defends and attacks.
24.h5 gxh5 25.♔g2 b5 26.♖h1 ♖f5 27.f4 ♗f8 28.♖hd1 c6
The ♗g3 is terrible, and Black’s position is winning.
29.a4 a6 30.axb5 axb5 31.♖a1 ♕e7 32.♖a8 ♕b7 33.♖d8 ♔g7 34.♕e4 ♗e7 35.♖e8 ♔f7 36.♖h8 ♔g7 37.♖e8 ♔f7 38.♖h8 ♗f8 39.♖xh7+ ♗g7 40.♕f3 c5 41.♖d1 ♔g8 42.♖xg7+ ♔xg7 43.♔h2 ♕f7 44.♕g2 ♔h7 45.♖a1 h4 46.♗xh4 ♖h5 47.♕e4+ ♕g6 48.♖a7+ ♔h6 49.♕xg6+ ♔xg6 50.♔g3 ♘xc3 51.♖e7 ♘e2+ 52.♔g4 ♖xh4+ 53.♔xh4 ♘d4 54.♖c7 c3 55.♖xc5 c2
White resigned.
362 **
Alexander Kotov
Svetozar Gligoric
Zurich ct 1953 (25)
White plans to castle queenside and play g2-g4, so as to get control of the square e4, and is prepared to sacrifice a pawn to achieve this. Correspondingly, Black does not want to allow this in any circumstances, and he plays a positional sacrifice, getting in return the e5-square.
11…e4! 12.fxe4 f4
Black’s play here is typical for the King’s Indian Defence.
13.♗f2 ♘d7 14.♘g1
The white knight heads to f3, to fight for the e5-square.
14…♕g5 15.♗f1 ♘e5 16.♘f3 ♕e7 17.♘xe5
On 17.0-0-0, there could follow 17…♘g4, beginning to hunt down White’s important dark-squared bishop.
17…♕xe5 18.0-0-0 ♘f6 19.h3 ♗d7 20.♗d3 a6 21.♘b1
The first white knight on f3 has been exchanged, and now he directs his other knight there. The idea is positionally correct, but slow.
Equally logical seems 21.a4!?, trying to preventing the advance …b7-b5. But Black has no other way to develop his initiative, and after 21…b5 22.cxb5 axb5 23.axb5 ♖fb8! with the idea of …♘f6-e8-c7, the position has a doubled-edged character.
21…f3?!
An interesting, but extremely risky idea. Now, the white knight will no longer have the f3-square, but in return he has the g-file, along which he can develop serious counterplay.
After the more natural 21…♘h5 22.♘d2 ♗a4! 23.b3 (23.♘b3 b5 leaves the initiative with Black) 23…♕a1+ 24.♕b1 ♕c3+ 25.♕c2 ♕a1+, the battle ends in a repetition of moves.
22.gxf3 ♘h5
23.♘d2?
He should not have been tied down to the f3-pawn, when his pieces are totally passive.
Much stronger is 23.♗e1! ♖xf3 24.♖g1, preparing the transfer of the bishop to c3. In this case, White can seize the initiative, and force Black to regret his provocative opening of the g-file.
23…♘f4 24.♗f1 b5 25.h4 ♔h8
Black plays two pawns down, as if nothing were amiss.
26.♖g1 ♗f6
The bishop moves away from the opposition of the ♖g1, just in case – there was no direct action possible anyway.
27.♘b3 ♖ab8 28.♗e1 b4 29.♔b1 ♖a8
30.♗g3
Stronger was 30.♕h2 ♖g8 (30…a5 31.♗g3 ♗g7 32.♘c1 is completely bad – there is no defence against the blockade-lifting ♘c1-d3) 31.♖xg8+ ♖xg8 32.♖d2. White threatens to untangle his position, by transferring the knight via c1 to d3, or with the help of ♗e1-g3. Black’s compensation looks insufficient.
30…♖g8 31.♕h2 ♖xg3 32.♖xg3 ♘e2 33.♕xe2 ♕xg3 34.♘c1 a5 35.♘d3 ♗d4 36.h5 ♕h4 37.♗g2 ♖g8 38.♖h1
38.f4 looks attractive, trying to play e4-e5. Then the battle could develop roughly as follows: 38…♗g4 39.♗f3 ♗xf3 40.♕xf3 ♖g3 41.♕e2 ♕h3 42.♕c2 ♖g2 43.♕b3 ♕d7 44.a4 ♕h3 45.♔a2 ♕xh5, with compensation for Black.
38…♕g3 39.♗f1 a4 40.♔c2 a3 41.b3
The players agreed a draw, because of the repetition of moves occurring after 41…♖f8 42.♗g2 ♖g8 43.♗f1.
363 **
Herman Pilnik
Efim Geller
Gothenburg izt 1955 (15)
With the help of a typical positional pawn sacrifice, Black obtains a magnificent outpost in the centre, whilst the white bishop on c2, being so badly restricted, is very bad.
22…e4! 23.♗xf6
No better was 23.fxe4 ♗xc3 24.bxc3 f4.
23…♕xf6 24.fxe4 f4 25.♖f2 ♘e5 26.♖df1 ♕h4 27.♗d1 ♖f7
Under the cover of the ♘e5, Black quietly prepares a decisive attack. White has nothing with which to oppose it.
28.♕c2 g5 29.♕c3 ♖af8 30.h3 h5 31.♗e2
White is suffering, so he might as well have something to suffer for! More practical chances were offered by 31.♗xa4, although after 31…g4 (Black also has a dangerous attack after 31…f3) 32.♗d1 ♔h7!, with the threat of 33…f3, Black should win in any case.
31…g4 32.♖xf4 ♖xf4 33.♖xf4 ♖xf4 34.g3 ♘f3+ 35.♔f2 ♕xh3 36.gxf4 g3+ 37.♔xf3 g2+ 38.♔f2 ♕h2
0-1
364 ***
Jonny Hector
2592
Andrei Volokitin
2661
Germany Bundesliga 2010/11 (14)
One quite often sees positional sacrifices in the opening stage. Usually, after such sacrifices, one gets a tense, interesting and non-standard struggle. This is one example. We have a popular variation of the Najdorf Sicilian. With his last move, Black decided to develop his ♗f8 on g7, and so played …g7-g5.
12.fxg6! ♗g4
The continuation 12…fxg6 13.♘d5 ♘xd5 (on 13…♗g7, there follows a sudden queen trap in the centre after 14.b4+–) 14.exd5 ♗g7 15.♘b3 ♕b4 16.♗d3 leads to White’s advantage.
13.gxf7+ ♔xf7 14.♕d3 ♗xd1 15.♘xd1!
For the sacrificed exchange, White has a pawn. Black’s king is insecure, and his light squares weak.
15…e6
Black has created an object of attack – the pawn on e6.
Maybe in later games, Black will look into 15…♗g7!? 16.g3 (16.♕b3+ d5! 17.♘f5 ♘xe4 18.♗d3 ♘f6 19.♖e1 ♖he8 20.♘h4 ♔g8 21.♗g6 e6∞) 16…♘xe4 17.♕xe4 ♕xd4 18.♗c4+ ♔e8 19.♕xb7 ♕a7 20.♕e4∞. Black’s position is dangerous, but he is probably holding.
16.g3 ♗g7
Nothing was changed by 16…♖e8 17.♗h3! ♗g7 18.♖f1, transposing into the main line.
17.♗h3 ♖ae8 18.♖f1 ♖e7 19.♘e3 ♖he8 20.♘g2 ♕e5 21.♘f4 ♕xe4 22.♕xe4 ♘xe4 23.♗xe6+ ♖xe6 24.♘fxe6+ ♗f6 25.♖f4
Even stronger was 25.♘c7! ♖e5 26.♖f4 ♔g6 27.♘f3 ♖f5 28.♖xf5 ♔xf5 29.♘d5 ♔g4 30.♘xf6+
A) The pawn endgame is probably lost after 30…♔xf3 31.♘xe4 ♔xe4 32.♔d2 ♔f3 33.c4 ♔g2? (33…h5 34.♔e1 ♔g2 35.b4 ♔xh2 36.♔f2+–; a study-like save – if one exists – could be sought after 33…a5! 34.b3 h5 35.♔d3 ♔g2 36.♔e3 ♔xh2 37.♔f4 ♔g2 38.g4! h4 (38…hxg4 39.♔xg4+–) 39.g5 h3 40.g6 h2 41.g7 h1♕ 42.g8+♕
) 34.♔e3 ♔xh2 35.♔f3 h5 36.g4!+–)
B) 30… ♘xf6 31.♘g1 – White has a healthy extra pawn.
25…♘c5 26.♘xc5 dxc5 27.♘f3 ♖e2 28.♔d1 ♖g2 29.a4 ♔e7 30.b4!
White has the advantage, which he conducted to victory.
365 ***
Bent Larsen
Tigran Petrosian
Havana ol 1966
Black has played the opening badly and has a cramped position, as well as being behind in development. He has to take a difficult decision, not solving his problems entirely, but changing the character of the position, to a double-edged one:
14…♖xe5!
Completely bad is 14…♕e6 15.♘g4 ♕f7 16.♕xf7+ ♔xf7 17.f4, followed by f4-f5 – Black’s minor pieces lack squares;
The natural course of the game looks something like this: 14…♖e7 15.♘g4 ♘b6 16.a3 a5 17.b3 ♗e6 18.♘e3. Now, White has many ideas. For example, he can begin the advance of his b-pawn or simply play ♘e3-f5, exchanging the knight for another black bishop.
15.dxe5 fxe5
16.♖fe1
Strong was 16.f3!, fixing the pawn on e5, a vulnerable square for Black. Then, there could follow 16…♘f6 17.♕g5 c5 18.b3 ♘e6 19.♕e3 ♘d8 20.♖ae1 ♘f7 – White has the advantage, but by holding the centre, Black gets counterchances.
16…e4 17.♗f1 ♘f6 18.♕h4 ♗f5
By seizing space, Black forces White onto the defensive, although in a position that could still open up, the extra exchange is still felt.
19.♕g3 ♕e7 20.c3 ♘e6 21.♗e3 ♘g4 22.h3 ♘xe3 23.♖xe3 ♖f8
Now, White does not have the advantage of the two bishops!
24.♕e5
The move 24.f3! better answers the demands of the position. White opens lines for his pieces, which currently lack breathing-space.
24…♗g6
Starting a series of manoeuvres.
25.♖d1 ♕f7 26.♖d2 ♘f4 27.b4 h6 28.a4 ♗h7
It was better to put the king here: 28…♔h7!.
29.♕d4
Having missed a chance a few moves back to break up Black’s kingside pawn structure, here he had a chance to do the same on the queenside: 29.b5!, and the ♗h7 finds itself a long way from the centre of events.
29…b6 30.♖e1 ♕c7 31.♕e3 c5 32.bxc5 bxc5 33.g3
Instead of this weakening of the light squares, it was better to occupy the open file: 33.♖b2, or 33.♖b1.
33…♘d3 34.♗xd3 exd3 35.♕e6+
35.♖xd3 ♗xd3 36.♕xd3 allows simplifications, leading to a draw.
35…♕f7 36.♕xf7+ ♔xf7 37.♖b2 c4
38.f3?
38.♖b7+ ♔f6 39.♖d7 retains good chances of a successful defence.
38…d4
Now, the black pawns are unstoppable.
39.♖c1 ♔e6 40.♔f2 ♗e4 41.f4 ♖e8 42.g4 ♗c6 43.♖e1+ ♔d5 44.♖xe8 ♗xe8 45.cxd4 c3 46.♖b8 d2 47.♖d8+ ♔c4 48.♖c8+ ♔d3
0-1
366 ***
Rustam Kasimdzhanov
2672
Evgeny Alekseev
2715
Elista 2008 (4)
If the knight moves from c6, White plays c3-c4, obtaining a protected passed pawn. Admittedly, his bishops (especially the light-squared one) are blocked by the pawns, and so Black still has counterplay. However, a stronger idea had been found in home preparation:
15…♖xd5! 16.♗xd5 ♘xd5
The white pawns on c3 and e3 are very passive, and they become objects of attack if they advance. Black wants to put his pawns on dark squares, so as to restrict further the ♗b2, whilst his pieces will fight in the main for the light squares. In such a closed position, where there are few open lines for the rooks, one pawn is often sufficient compensation for the exchange.
17.♖fd1 ♘b6 18.a4
White tries to activate his queenside.
Another possibility was 18.e4 ♗e6 19.♘d2, with the idea of later transferring the knight via f1 to e3. In this case, a difficult positional battle lies ahead, in which Black’s chances look no worse.
18…a6
Useful prophylaxis. Black does not want to allow the white pawn to reach a6 with tempo, and the b5-square is also taken away from the white queen, just in case.
19.c4?!
This allows his pawns to be fixed on squares where they become objects of attack. At the same time, White cannot create active counterplay.
Correct was 19.a5! ♘d7, and only now 20.c4. Then, there could follow 20…♘f6 (bad is 20…♘xa5? 21.e4 ♗e6 22.♘xe5, whilst 20…e4 21.♘h4 ♗e6 22.♕c2 f5 23.f4 is risky – the weakness of the long diagonal could be felt) 21.♗c3 ♘e4, with a complicated positional battle.
19…a5!
A magnificent positional decision! As well as fixing the pawn on a4, Black gets the b4-square for the knight.
20.♗c3 f6! 21.♘d2 ♘b4 22.♗xb4 cxb4 23.♖dc1
A chance of activity was given by 23.c5, although after 23…♘d5 24.♖ac1 ♘c3 25.♖xc3 bxc3 26.♕c4+ ♔f8 27.♕xc3 ♖d8, White has to think about equalising.
23…♖d8 24.c5 ♗d3 25.♕e1 ♘d5 26.♘b3
26…h6!
Giving the king h7, in case of necessity.
27.♖a2 e4 28.♖aa1
28…♖a8
The rook goes to the defence of the a5-pawn, to free the queen. However, it is passive there and White gets a tactical chance.
Stronger was 28…♘e7!, directing the knight to c6. On this square, the knight not only defends the a5-pawn, but also blockades the c5-pawn, and prevents the white knight coming to d4.
29.♘d4
White misses the chance of 29.c6! bxc6 30.♖c5 ♘c3 31.♖xc3 bxc3 32.♕xc3, with equality.
29…♖c8 30.♕d2
Here too, 30.c6! allows White to equalise.
30…♔h7 31.f4
It is later, but 31.c6! was still essential here.
31…♘c3 32.♘b3
More tenacious is 32.♖xc3 bxc3 33.♕xc3 ♕xc5 34.♕xc5 ♖xc5 35.♘b3.
32…♘e2+ 33.♔f2 ♘xc1 34.♖xc1 ♕d7
White resigned.
367 ***
Anish Giri
2714
Levon Aronian
2805
Wijk aan Zee 2012 (10)
One of the most memorable games of 2012 was that in which Levon Aronian played in the style of his great predecessor, Tigran Petrosian.
13…♖xf3!
The basis for this exchange sacrifice is simple. The powerful bishop is eliminated, and the f3-square becomes vulnerable. After the bishop appears on c6 and the rook on the f-file, it will not be easy for White to defend his weak pawns on the kingside. And exploiting the extra exchange is difficult, because there are simply no open files.
14.gxf3 ♗d6
Possibly more accurate was 14…♗c6!?, not allowing the white queen to e4: 15.e4 (15.♘e4 ♕f8 16.♘d2 ♗b4! is dangerous for White) 15…♗d6 16.♗xd6 cxd6 17.♕e2 ♕f6 18.♖ad1 ♖f8 19.d5 exd5 20.exd5 ♗d7 21.♖fe1 h6, with a complicated position, in which Black’s chances are preferable.
15.♕e4
Maybe it was already time for White to play to equalise: 15.♗xd6! cxd6 16.♕e4 ♕f6 (16…♖b8 17.f4!; 16…♕c8 17.♕g4 h6 18.♕g3!) 17.♕xb7 ♖c8 18.♕xa7 ♕xf3 19.♕xb6 ♕g4+, with a probable perpetual check.
15…♗c6 16.♕g4 ♕e7 17.♗xd6
A) 17.f4 gxf4 18.exf4 ♗xe5 19.fxe5 ♖f8
;
B) 17.♘e4 ♗xe5 18.dxe5 h6 19.♖ad1 ♖f8 20.♖d4 ♗d5.
17…cxd6 18.♘e4 h6 19.♕g3 d5 20.♘c3
White has managed temporarily to block the ♗c6, at the cost of several tempi. But he cannot get rid of the weaknesses on the kingside.
20…♖f8 21.♘e2
With the idea of trying to eliminate the consequences of the exchange sacrifice by playing f3-f4, and thus getting rid of the f3-pawn.
21…♖f5
Exploiting the white queen’s being busy on the kingside, it was possible to look for weaknesses on the other wing: 21…♕b4 22.♖ab1 ♗e8! 23.♕e5 ♗g6 24.♕xe6+ ♔h7.
22.♔g2
The continuation 22.f4 gxf4 23.exf4 ♘d7 can hardly satisfy White – the f4-pawn will be hard to defend.
On 22.♔h1, preparing f3-f4 in a good version, there follows 22…♕b4! 23.♖ab1 ♗a4 24.♖fc1 ♕d2 25.♘c3 ♗c2 26.♖a1 ♘d7.
22…♘d7 23.♖h1
23…♘f8!
A very strong manoeuvre! The knight is heading for h4, and White’s problems are probably already too great to be solved.
24.h4 ♘g6 25.f4 ♘xh4+!
The continuation 25…gxf4 26.♘xf4 ♘xf4+ 27.exf4 ♕f6 28.♖ad1 ♖xf4 also gives Black a large advantage, but there is no point in his making unnecessary exchanges.
26.♔f1 ♕b4 27.♖b1
27…♗e8
He could win at once with 27…♕d2 28.♘c3 ♗a4!.
28.♘c3 ♕e7 29.b4
It is hard to give good advice in such a position: 29.♖d1 ♗h5 30.♖c1 ♖f8 31.♕h3 ♗g6–+.
29…♖f8 30.♖b2 ♗g6 31.♔e1 ♗d3 32.fxg5 ♘f3+
32…hxg5 33.f4 ♘f5 34.♕xg5 ♕xg5 35.fxg5 ♘xe3 36.♖bh2 ♖f3 37.♘b5 ♔f7.
33.♔d1 hxg5
Complete domination – the white rooks cannot do anything at all.
34.♕h3 ♕f6 35.♔c1 ♗g6 36.a4 ♖d8 37.♘e2
37…e5!
Putting the finishing touch.
38.♕g4 exd4 39.exd4 ♖e8 40.♕d7 c3 41.♖a2
41.♖c2 ♖d8 42.♕h3 ♗xc2 43.♔xc2 ♖e8 44.♕h8+ ♔f7 45.♕h5+ ♔f8 46.♕h8+ ♔e7 47.♕h7 ♔d8 48.♘xc3 ♘xd4+ – White can resign.
41…♘e1!
A strong reply, although after 41…♘d2 42.♘xc3 ♘b3+ 43.♔b2 ♘xd4, Black also has a decisive attack.
42.♖xe1 ♕f4+ 43.♔d1 ♕e4!
White resigned. There could follow 44.♕xe8+ ♗xe8 45.♘xc3 ♕d3+ 46.♖d2 ♗h5+–+.
Additional material
Tal-Petrosian, Riga 1958
Petrosian-Gligoric, Varna 1962
Portisch-Petrosian, San Antonio 1972
Polugaevsky-Petrosian, Moscow 1983
Nikolaevsky-Geller, Tbilisi 1966/67 – Black’s 19th move
Martin Gonzales-Dolmatov, Barcelona 1983
Kupreichik-Jussupow, Vilnius 1980/81 – Black’s 14th move
Dolmatov-Jussupow, Wijk aan Zee match/1 1991 – Black’s 30th move
Jussupow-Dolmatov, Wijk aan Zee match/6 1991
Petrosian-Rashkovsky, Moscow 1976 – White’s 16th move
Petrosian-Nunn, Hastings 1977/78 – White’s 16th move
Karpov-Kasparov, New York Wch match/11 1990 – Black’s 13th move