training

99

| March 23

2013

lets improve your chess

A sharp Tarrasch
It seems the recent beating I received in Wijk aan Zee did wonders for
me because my results have improved since! In the Dutch League I had
a sharp battle against Berelowitsch.

thegrandmaster'seye
l'Ami,E (2624) - Berelowitsch,A (2562)
Dutch league, 09.03.2013
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 c5
Not a big surprise. My opponent is a particular
connoisseur of the Tarrasch Defence.
4.cxd5 exd5 5.f3 c6 6.g3
Recently I had ventured 6.dxc5 d4 7.a4
xc5 8.xc5 a5+ 9.d2 xc5 10.c1 twice,
and with decent results. It doesn't feel like a
refutation, though!
6...f6 7.g2 e7 8.00 00 9.dxc5 d4
10.a4 f5

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+n+-sn-+0
9+-zP-+l+-0
9N+-zp-+-+0
9+-+-+NzP-0
9PzP-+PzPLzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.a3
Needless to say, my memory didn't help me
much at this point. That may have been a good
thing this time, though! The official refutation,
which I saw upon arrival back home, is 11.f4
e4 12.c1 but this doesn't seem all that clear
to me after 12...h6!? when 13.e3 is well met
by 13...g5 14.d6 b5! with unclear play, while
13.a3 followed by b4 looks rather slow now.
11...e4
This looks very logical. The f6 square is vacated
for the bishop and Black will be ready to plant
a knight on c3 the moment White pushes b2
b4. It doesn't quite work out, though. I believe
11...e4 12.b4 d5 offers better chances of
obtaining play for the pawn.

By GM Erwin l'Ami

12.b4 f6 13.b2 c3
The d4pawn was threatened by b4b5 so
Black has to follow through.
14.xc3 dxc3 15.b3 c2 16.ac1

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+-vl-+0
9+-zP-+l+-0
9NzP-+-+-+0
9zPQ+-+NzP-0
9-+p+PzPLzP0
9+-tR-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A critical moment in the game. White intends
to bring his knight back into the game with c3
when both e2e4 and d5 are serious threats.
16...e8
I'm inclined to say something reproachful
about this move but, given the fact that I can't
provide a satisfactory alternative, I will refrain
from doing so.
17.c3 a5
Because 17...xc3 18.xc3 xe2 is punished
with 19.b5 a5 20.d4!.
18.b5 a4 19.d5!
Black's point was 19.xa4 a5! 20.b4 e4! .
19...e7 20.xd8 exd8 21.e4
Rounding up the c-pawn.
21...ac8 22.exf5 xc3 23.xc2 xc5
24.fc1 dc8 25.e1 b6
Mutual blindness. I thought my previous move
prevented 25...b2 but obviously it does not.
It's very questionable whether 26.xc5 xc1
27.xc8+ xc8 28.xb7 d6 29.c6 c4!
30.c2 f8 31.d5 b6 32.a2 f6 gives White
any winning chances. Despite being two pawns
up I don't see a clear way forward. 31.f6!? is
better, in order to create weaknesses on the

kingside. For instance, 31...gxf6 32.d5 b6

33.a2 e7 34.f1 when further activating the
king would cost Black his f7pawn.
26.d3 5c7
26...c4 looks bad and is bad after 27.e5
4c7 (27...4c5 28.d7!) 28.c6 since the
bishop can't be removed due to xe7+.
27.b4 e5 28.c6 f8
The last fighting chance lay in 28...xc6
29.bxc6 d6 but with such a giant on c6 this
should be a technical win.

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-mk-+0
9+-tr-snpzpp0
9-zpN+-+-+0
9+P+-vlP+-0
9p+-+-+-+0
9zP-+-+-zP-0
9-+R+-zPLzP0
9+-tR-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
29.d1!
I like this move a lot. It stops Black's pieces
from occupying the d-file and prepares to
pick up the a4pawn with c4 (which would
otherwise have been met with b2).
29...xf5 30.h3 g6 31.xf5 gxf5 32.c4
All the pawns are falling.
32...f6
A funny finish would have been 32...f6 33.f4
b2 34.d3 e8 35.f1 and there is nothing
to stop White from trapping the bishop with
c2 followed by d1.
33.xa4 e8 34.d5
The rest is easy. The final moves were made
with my opponent in huge time-trouble.
34...e6 35.xf5 d7 36.a6 g7 37.xb6
d1+ 38.g2 a1 39.a6 b1 40.b4 xa6
41.bxa6 10
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99

| March 23

2013

The art of counterattack

After the example in CVT 80, the following game takes the whole thing
to the next level: the opponent is allowed in pretty far and the position
almost cracks under the strain, but the counterattack comes just in time.

guessthemove
Naumkin,I (2475) - Vitiugov,N (2609)
Cappelle la Grande, 19.02.2008
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6
2...c6 3.f3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.g5 h6 6.xf6
xf6 is the normal move order to reach the
Moscow Variation.
3.f3 f6 4.g5 h6 5.xf6 xf6 6.c3 c6
7.e3 d7 8.d3 dxc4 9.xc4 g6 10.00 g7
Black has the bishop pair, which is a nice longterm asset, but his position is still cramped
and he lags behind in development. White has
more space and easy development, but it's not
so easy to turn this into something concrete.
11.e4

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+n+pvl-0
9-+p+pwqpzp0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+LzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Question 1
Would you play:
A) 11...b5 to create counterplay on the
queenside;
B) 11...e5 to block White's advance in the
centre;
C) 11...00 to continue with simple
development.
11...00!
Allowing White to dominate in the centre,
believing in the counterattacking potential
of the black position, 5 points. 11...e5 12.d5
b6 13.b3 g4, followed by exchanging

By IM Merijn van Delft

everything on f3, is a solid option but doesn't
equalise completely, 3 points. 11...b5 12.e5
e7 13.d3 is premature and may just leave
Black's queenside weakened, therefore no
points.
12.e5 e7
White has gained space but his central pawns
can also become vulnerable.
13.e2 b8
Breaking with 13...c5 isn't effective yet
because of 14.d5.
14.a4 b6 15.fe1
If White eliminates the bishop pair with 15.a6
xa6 16.xa6, Black can blow up White's
central pawn chain with 16...c5!.
15...b7 16.ad1 fd8 17.h4
After centralising all his pieces, White now
turns his attention to the kingside.

XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-tr-+k+0
9zpl+nwqpvl-0
9-zpp+p+pzp0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9P+LzP-+-zP0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9-zP-+QzPP+0
9+-+RtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Question 2
Would you play:
A) 17...a8 to harmonise the position and free
the b-file for the ;
B) 17...b4 to exploit the weakness of the b4
square and create counterplay;
C) 17...f8 to defend the kingside and free the
d-file for the .
17...b4
This is pushing things to the limit, taking away

an important defender from the kingside.

It's very interesting to see what happens (2
points), but objectively it's not good. 5 points
go to the solid alternative 17...a8 since here
18.e4? runs into 18...c5!. Another solid
option is 17...f8 (4 points) since 18.e4 is
again answered by 18...c5!
18.h5
Opening up the b1h7 diagonal for attacking
purposes.
18...g5 19.e4

XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-tr-+k+0
9zpl+n+pvl-0
9-zpp+p+-zp0
9+-+-zP-zpP0
9PwqLzPN+-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9-zP-+QzPP+0
9+-+RtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Question 3
Would you play:
A) 19...xa4, grabbing the pawn and trusting
the strength of the black position;
B) 19...b5 to counterattack on the queenside;
C) 19...c5 to counterattack in the centre.
19...b5!
Fighting for the initiative, 5 points. 19...
c5 20.d6! cxd4 21.xb7 xb7 22.xd4,
followed by ed1, leaves White firmly in
control, therefore no points. 19...xa4 is
refuted by 20.fxg5! hxg5 21.xg5 f8 22.b3
b4 and now 23.h6! xh6 24.h5 with a lethal
attack (no points).
20.a2 bxa4
For better or worse, the had to retreat


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, dont 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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guessthemove
with 20...e7.
21.b1
A logical move, but it loses momentum. 21.d6
f8 is now solid. White could have whipped
up a strong direct attack with 21.fxg5! hxg5
22.xg5 e7 23.g4 and now 23...h8
24.f4 f8 (24...g8 25.d3) 25.e4, with
major problems for Black.

XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-tr-+k+0
9zpl+n+pvl-0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9+-+-zP-zpP0
9pwq-zPN+-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9-zP-+QzPP+0
9+L+RtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Question 4
Would you play:
A) 21...a8 to increase the pressure against
b2;
B) 21...c5 to open up the centre as well;
C) 21...e7 to retreat now that the queenside
job is done.
21...e7!
Black shouldn't push his luck, so he makes
a swift retreat, 5 points. 21...c5 22.exg5 is
very unclear and it is unnecessary to allow it, 2
points. The same goes for 21...a8 22.exg5
(2 points)
22.c2

| March 23

2013

By IM Merijn van Delft

23.c5 is too passive and should be avoided,
therefore no points.
23.exg5!
White also senses that there is no way back.

XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-tr-+k+0
9zpl+nwqpvl-0
9-+-+p+-zp0
9+-zp-zP-sNP0
9p+-zP-+-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9-zPQ+-zPP+0
9+L+RtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Question 6
Would you play:
A) 23...cxd4 since it's only a check on h7;
B) 23...f8 to prevent the white from
entering;
C) simply 23...hxg5 to pick up the piece.
23...cxd4!
Thanks to the strong Dragon on g7, Black
is not mated so easily, 5 points. 23...f8 was
the safe alternative, 3 points. 23...hxg5 fails to
24.h7+ f8 25.h6 therefore no points.
24.h7+ f8 25.xd4 xe5!
White's pawn centre has disappeared.
26.xe5 hxg5 27.xa4?
This pawn was unimportant. White is losing
track. After 27.h6 xe5 28.xe5 f6 29.d3
the struggle continues.

XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-tr-+k+0
9zpl+nwqpvl-0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9+-+-zP-zpP0
9p+-zPN+-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9-zPQ+-zPP+0
9+L+RtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-tr-mk-+0
9zpl+-wqpvlQ0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-+-sN-zpP0
9R+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-zP-+-zPP+0
9+L+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

Question 5
Would you play:
A) 22...c5 to counter in the centre;
B) 22...f8 to sidestep the check on h7;
C) 22...f8 to secure the defence of h7 square.

Question 7
Would you play:
A) 27...d2 to take possession of the second
rank;
B) 27...xe5 to start some back-rank tactics;
C) 27...f6 to stop the advance of the h-pawn.

22...c5!
This counterattacking measure forces White
to show his hand, 5 points. 22...f8 looks
playable, but isn't necessary, 2 points. 22...f8

99

27...xe5!
With this move Black takes over, 5 points.
27...d2 is not concrete enough and 27...f6

is too modest, therefore no points in either of

these cases.
28.xe5 d1+ 29.h2 f6
The takes over the function of the Dragon .
30.e2 c6 31.g4 xb2 32.xb2 xb2
33.c2
33.g6 xf2 and Black is quicker.
33...c1 34.h6+ g7 35.xg7+ xg7
36.a4

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9zp-+-+pmk-0
9-+l+p+-+0
9+-+-+-zpP0
9L+-+-+R+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-zPPmK0
9+-tr-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Question 8
Would you play:
A) 36...xa4 to keep the extra pawn in the rook
endgame;
B) 36...f5 to try chasing the away from the
fourth rank;
C) 36...h6 to go after the weak h-pawn.
36...f5!
Winning material in a study-like way, 5 points.
36...h6 37.xc6 xc6 38.a4, with the
idea of g4, is not easy to crack, therefore no
points. 36...xa4 37.xa4 is even further from
winning, so no points.
37.xg5+
37.d4 e5! 38.b4 a5! wins the .
37...h6 38.g6+ xh5 39.xe6 xa4
40.a6 c6 41.xa7 g4
The dust has cleared and Black went on to win
the endgame:
42.f3+ f4 43.e7 c2 44.g1 b5 45.b7
d3 46.e7 c4 47.c7 c1+ 48.h2 c3
49.c5 c2 50.c7 g5 51.g1 d3 52.a7
c1+ 53.h2 f4 54.e7 c6 55.g1 b6
56.h2 g6 57.a7 f1 58.a2 e3 59.g4
f4 60.g1 d3 61.g2 c6 62.a3 c2+
63.g1 d2 01
Conclusion: The first official World Champion
Steinitz also used to test his to the limit
to see how much it could handle, thereby
raising the general level of defence. In this
game Vitiugov risked a bit too much, but was
eventually rewarded.
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99

| March 23

2013

Majestic manoeuvres
Take your king for a walk in the heat of the middlegame. In some
positions it is the logical thing to do, in other cases it may be quite a
surprising act.

guidelinesinthejungle
Lasker-Lilienthal
Moscow, 1936
OLD LOGIC We start with a classic example
in a French game which has found many
followers since.

XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+k+-tr0
9+-+lwqp+-0
9-snn+p+p+0
9zpp+pzP-+p0
9-+pzP-zP-+0
9zP-zP-sNN+P0
9-zP-+L+P+0
9+R+-wQRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
23...d8!
Let's just hear what Lilienthal had to say about
his decision: Black has to bring his rook from
h8 into the game. But castling is dangerous:
White is all geared up for an attack on the
kingside. Because of this I decided to send my
king in the other direction. Sounds sensible
enough, does it not? Beyond that, you can
observe that the position is closed and as a
result the king will be safe on c7. When Black
opens up the b-file with b5b4, the king will
even be able to assist here, controlling some
important entry squares.
24.d1 c7
Lasker intended to meet 24...b4 with 25.axb4
axb4 26.a1 a8 27.xa8+ xa8 28.a4 after
which Black can win a pawn with 28...xd4
or 28...xe5 , but in both cases White gets a
superb central knight as compensation.
25.d2 b7
Lilienthal later considered this too cautious,
suggesting 25...b4 26.axb4 axb4, noticing that
after 27.c2 followed by f3g5, Black had to
reckon with b2b3. This is of course a logical
countermeasure against an early king walk:
trying to open up the position to expose the
enemy king. In fact, the immediate 27.b3 would
be a serious try.

By IM Arthur van de Oudeweetering

26.g5 b8 27.e2 c8 28.b3
Lasker decides it is time to open up his
opponent's wing.
28...xa3
After his indecisive 25th Black suddenly
becomes extremely bold - Lilienthal on his
own choice of moves! He went on to win a
complicated game against the former world
champ, but here considered 28...d7 , planning
a7 and hb8, to be a better continuation.

Sanchez-Brunello
Crespi Memorial (Milan), 2012

XIIIIIIIIY
9-trl+-mk-tr0
9+-+-wqpzp-0
9-+n+p+-zp0
9zpp+pzP-+P0
9-+pzP-+-+0
9zP-zP-wQN+-0
9-+PmKLzPP+0
9tR-+-+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
BATTLE ON TWO WINGS Here is a modernday example. The same pawn structure as in
the first example, but this time the white king is
on d2. This makes it perhaps easier for White
to advance his kingside pawns, though at the
same time his own king will be more vulnerable
when Black succeeds in breaking through on
the queenside.
17...e8!
Following in the footsteps of Lilienthal! The
king moves towards a safer place, aiming to
connect the rooks before the action starts on
the queenside.
18.g4 d7 19.hg1 b4 20.axb4 axb4 21.gb1
21.g5 hxg5 22.xg5 bxc3+ 23.xc3 f8
24.ag1 a8! and Black grabs the initiative.
21...d8 22.cxb4 xb4 23.c3 xb1
24.xb1 c7
Mission completed. Black is ready to bring his
king's rook into the game, while his king is safe
on c7.

25.b5?! a8 26.c5
A rather unfortunate manoeuvre which
misplaces the rook, which cannot cause much
danger on its own.
26...d8 27.b2 b8 28.xb8+
Or 28.b5 a7 threatening 29...xe5 30.dxe5
xb5 31.xb5 b8.
28...xb8
With the queens off, the black rook has free
play with its counterpart still being locked in on
c5. Black won easily.

Yang-Kamsky
World open (Philadelphia), 2011

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
9zpp+-wqp+n0
9-+-zp-snp+0
9vlPzpPzp-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9zP-sN-wQPzPL0
9-+-+N+K+0
9+R+-+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
BATTLE ON ONE WING Here it is very
probable the battle will be fought on the
kingside. Therefore Kamsky takes appropriate
measures.
26...d8 27.a2 c7 28.ac1 af8
Thus Black has completed his artificial castling.
In the meantime White is trying to create play
on the queenside. 29.b3 b6 30.a4 b8 Just
in time. 31.a5 d8! This allows Black to keep
the queenside closed whichever pawn, a or b,
White advances. This very much resembles
the outcome of Petrosian's 18...a6! in the 7th
match game against Spassky in 1966 (see
supplementary games). Now Black still has a
long way to go on the kingside, but at least his
king, unlike the white one, is out of the way,
and he later managed to outwit his opponent.
Another nice example of a king walking away
from the battle scene is Zubarev-Shyam, 2nd
Chennai Open 2010.

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furtherexamples
Fridman-Anand
Baden-Baden, 2013

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
9+p+l+-zpp0
9-+-zp-zp-+0
9sn-wq-zpP+-0
9ptRP+P+-+0
9+-zP-wQLzP-0
9P+-sN-mK-zP0
9+-+-+R+-0
xiiiiiiiiy

lets improve your chess

99

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+k+0
9zpp+-+r+-0
9-+-zp-trp+0
9zP-zpPzp-+p0
9-+P+-+-zP0
9+-zP-+PzPq0
9-+-+KtR-+0
9+Q+-+-tR-0
xiiiiiiiiy

2013

By IM Arthur van de Oudeweetering

PREPARING FOR THE ENDGAME Heading for an endgame can also be a valid reason for taking your king
for a stroll. In the diagram position the queens are very likely to disappear from the board and, because of that,
Black would prefer to keep his king in the centre, for instance on e7. Apparently Anand was not satisfied with
that and sent his king towards c7 where it also defends the pawn on b7. 22...d8 23.d1 23.fb1, vacating
f1 for the knight, was an alternative. 23...c7 24.xa4 White is not winning much of a pawn, considering his
doubled c-pawns. Though White disposes of his bad bishop, it is Black who obtains the active pieces. 24...c6
25.xc6 xc6 26.xc5 26.b2 a3 27.b1 a4 28.d2 ha8 and Black is also on top. 26...dxc5 27.b2 a3
28.b1 a4 29.d2 d8 After 29...ha8 30.g4 xa2 31.xa2 xa2 32.e3 Black is still better, but White has at
least achieved some coordination. 30.e1 d6 31.g4 e8 Here the advantage of already having the king on c7
is obvious. Thus the king walk has yielded Black a slightly improved version of the endgame that was to come.
Later Anand had a real winning chance before the game ended in a a draw.

A FUTILE CHECK? 1.d4 f5 2.c3 f6 3.g5 d5 4.xf6 exf6 5.e3 e6 6.h3 g5 7.e2 d7 8.h5+ Black
has embarked upon an ambitious set-up (g7g5) and moving the king is the consistent follow-up. The question
remains whether the check is really useful or is only superficially strong. The only other game where this position
arose had continued with 8.f4 (instead of White's last e2h5). Similar examples where the bishop got stuck on
h5 are Nasri-Reinderman, Jakarta 2011 and, to a lesser degree, Schwierskott-Shirov, Main Ordix rapid 2010.
8...d8 After 8...f7 Black would lose a vital defender, for example 9.xf7+ xf7 10.f3 b4 11.00 xc3
12.xf5 9.g1 Apart from the bishop on h5, this knight serves no further purpose on h3, so Winants starts to
regroup his pieces. Black uses the time to find a good spot for his king on the other side of the board. 9...c6
10.ge2 e7 11.f3 c6 12.d3 c7 13.000 c8 14.g4 Now 14.e4 seems the logical move, trying to profit
from Black's vulnerable king and open up the game. However, Black seems solid enough and it does not seem
as if White will achieve much with the central advance (although, when the e-file is opened up, the bishop on h5
will at least have some purpose!). In the game White luckily escaped with a draw.

Sachdev-Hbner
Prague, 2011

| March 23

Winants-Beukema
Dutch league, 2013

XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+kvl-tr0
9zppzpq+-+p0
9-+-+lzp-+0
9+-+p+pzpL0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+N0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy

WITH MAJOR PIECES As you know from CVT 65 "Major Pieces in the Twilight Zone", the location of the king is
crucial in positions with only major pieces. Having the initiative against a vulnerable king is a big advantage here.
No wonder you can find the occasional stroll to the opposite side. Here Black has the upper hand, but still has
to break through on the kingside. In order to do so, he starts by bringing his own king into safety. This strongly
resembles Petrosian-Unzicker, Hamburg 1960, where the future world champion, in a superior position, first
brought his king from g1 to b1 before starting an offensive on the kingside. 34...f8! 35.e3 g7 36.e4 e8
37.d2 d8 38.e3 White was probably focused on stopping g6g5, but she had some active possibilities to
take into account as well. Perhaps 38.f4 was worth a try, while 38.a6 seems useful to include, to obtain some
entry squares (c6 at least )for the queen. 38...gf7 39.g5 c7 40.gf1?! d7! With this retreat the queen
threatens to enter the queenside, exposing the white king. 41.a1 e8 42.e3 f5 43.c2 d8 44.af1 b8
45.a1 a6 46.d2 a7 47.e2 g5 Finally, but also decisively! 48.hxg5 xg5 49.g2 gf5 50.h2 g8 51.f2
xg3 And Black won.

STAY OR GO? A typical kind of King's Indian fight on both wings, here coming from a Ruy Lopez. What would you
play here? Considering the previous six game fragments, it would be natural to opt for the same move as Anand
(note, this was a rapid game): 23.f1 Yet Carlsen considers this the wrong plan. It is too late for 23.d1, he says,
because of 23...g4 24.hxg4 hxg4 25.xg4 xg4 26.fxg4 h4 followed by f6. 23.h1 had to be played: 23...g4
24.g1 White seems solidly placed, but it will not be easy to retain his initiative on the queenside. 23...f7 24.e1
Here the white plan is just too slow, the point being that Black can act quickly and open up the g-file and invade.
24...g4 25.d1 gxh3 26.gxh3 g8 27.c2 g2 Black is already threatening to win a piece (xe2 and g2), while
the white kingside pawns are an easy target. White's initiative on the queenside has come to a standstill as a result
of the king march. 28.h1 xe2 29.xe2 g2 30.d3 b6 31.bg1 bg8 32.xg2 xg2 33.a5 xc4 34.c1
b5 and Carlsen converted his material advantage. So here the king transfer did not work; it simply took too long,
allowing Black to expand his initiative. Of course, there are further examples where majestic manoeuvring did not
obtain the desired effects (check for instance, Lupuluscu-Bologan, Greece 2010, where White managed to open
up the position of the enemy king). Still, it remains a typical strategic means which should not be lightly discarded!

Anand-Carlsen
Amber rapid (Monte Carlo), 2011

XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+-trk+0
9+pzpnvl-+-0
9p+-zp-snq+0
9+-+Pzp-zpp0
9PzPP+Pzp-+0
9+-sN-+P+P0
9-+-vLQ+PsN0
9+RtR-+-mK-0
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XIIIIIIIIY
9-+l+-trk+0
9zpr+-+pzpp0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+Rzp-zP-+0
9wq-+P+Q+-0
9-+-vLK+PzP0
9+-+-+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+r+k+0
9+-wqn+pvlp0
9p+-+-+p+0
9+pzpP+-zPn0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9zP-+LvLQ+P0
9-zPPsN-+-+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trr+-+k+0
9+-+-zp-vlp0
9p+-+lsnp+0
9+pwq-vL-wQ-0
9-+-+-+P+0
9zP-sN-+P+-0
9-zPPtR-+-+0
9+-mK-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-+k+0
9zp-+-+pzp-0
9-zpq+p+-zp0
9sn-+-tR-+-0
9-+rzP-+-+0
9zP-+-+N+P0
9-zP-+QzPP+0
9+-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

99

| March 23

2013

By IM Robert Ris

XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zplwq-+pzp-0
9-zp-zp-sn-+0
9+-+p+-+Q0
9-+-zPp+-sN0
9+-zP-+-+R0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+r+k+0
9zp-+-+pvl-0
9-wq-+p+pzp0
9tR-+-+-+-0
9-+p+P+-+0
9+-zP-+N+P0
9-tr-+-zPP+0
9tR-+-wQ-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trnvlq+rmk0
9+-+l+pzp-0
9p+-+p+-zp0
9+p+pzP-+-0
9-vL-zP-sN-+0
9+P+LzP-wQ-0
9P+R+-+PzP0
9+-tR-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-trk+0
9zp-+p+-zpp0
9-zpn+p+-tr0
9+-zpP+-+-0
9-zPP+p+-wq0
9zP-+-zP-+P0
9-vLQ+-zPP+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

XIIIIIIIIY
9-sn-+-vl-+0
9+lwq-zp-mk-0
9-+-+Lsnp+0
9+p+p+-+-0
9-+PwQ-+N+0
9+-+-+-+R0
9-zP-+-+PzP0
9tr-vL-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+r+-+0
9zppmk-+pzpp0
9-+-zp-+-+0
9zP-zpP+P+-0
9-+P+-+-sn0
9+-zP-tr-+-0
9-+-mKLtR-zP0
9+-+-+-tR-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+Q+-+0
9+ltr-+pmk-0
9-wq-+-zp-vl0
9+-+-zpP+-0
9-+-+P+-zp0
9zP-+-+-+-0
9-zPP+-+PzP0
9+K+R+R+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-tr-mk0
9+-+-+-+p0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+Qzpn+-0
9-+P+q+-+0
9+-+-zP-+p0
9P+-+LzPp+0
9+-+R+-mK-0
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| March 23

2013

The king in the mating attack

Unlike in the opening and the middlegame, the should be used as
actively as possible in the endgame. In fact, the can become one of
the strongest pieces in this phase by joining a decisive mating attack.

practicalendings
Li Chao-Gagunashvili
Indonesia Open (Jakarta), 15.10.2012

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-mk-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9tr-+-zpPzP-0
9p+-+K+-+0
9tR-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Both sides have only one and two s, but
it's clear White is pushing for the win with his
connected passed s. In CVT 63 we looked at
two similar examples and now we'll see what
happens when the appears to support them.
62.f6+ f7?
The picks the wrong square. Instead, Black
should have played 62...e6! with the idea
of answering 63.f3 with 63...b5! as 64.f7?
(64.g6? drops the f-pawn as well.) runs into
64...b4+ 65.e3 b3+ 66.e4 xf3 67.xf3
xf7 and Black even wins.
63.f3!
The is ideally placed here, threatening to
play 64.g6. Possibly the Georgian GM had
only counted on 63.f5 which allows Black to
save the game with 63...e4+!
63...a8
63...b5 no longer works in view of 64.g6+
xg6 65.f7 and the f-pawn is unstoppable.
64.f5!
Here the comes into action. White has
calculated correctly that Black's passed
a-pawn can't cause any harm.
64...a3 65.g6+ g8 66.g7! f7
Temporarily taking away the g6 square from
the white . In the event of 66...a2 , White has
67.g6! a6 (67...a1 68.f7#) 68.h3 xf6+
69.xf6 a1 70.h8#.
67.c3 a2
Covering the seventh rank with 67...a7 allows
68.c8 and nothing can be done against

By IM Robert Ris
69.g8.
68.c7+ g8 69.g6 and Black resigned, in
view of 69...a1 70.f7#. 10

Ris-Ingvason
Reykjavik Open, 2013

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-mk-+0
9tR-+-+-+-0
9-+L+p+-+0
9+P+-sn-+-0
9-tr-+P+p+0
9+-+-+-mK-0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White is a up, but on the other hand it is quite
difficult to make progress since the black and
are stopping the advance of the b-pawn.
However, the black has been cut off on the
seventh rank, while the prevents the from
escaping to the queenside. White only needs
to activate his .
57.f4! d3+
57...xc6 loses to 58.bxc6 c4 (58...e8
59.a8+! e7 60.c7 and the c-pawn queens.)
59.c7 e8 60.a8+ d7 61.c8+! xc8
62.xc8 xc8 63.xg4 and the ending wins
easily, e.g. 63...d7 64.g5 e7 65.e5 f7
66.h6 g8 67.g6+.
58.g5!
Ignoring the g-pawn, although 58.xg4 would
have been possible too.
58...xf2
I remember it was my intention to meet
58...b2 with 59.g6! xf2 60.a8+ e7
61.e8+ d6 62.d8+ and on the next move
the will be taken.
59.f6 g8
59...xe4+ fails to 60.xe4 xe4 61.a8#.
60.g6 f8
(diagram)

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9+P+-+-+-0
9-tr-+P+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-sn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
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61.a8+! e7 62.e5! and Black resigned, as
nothing can be done against the mating threat
on e8. Note the unfortunate on g4, which
prevents the from giving check. 10

Greenfeld-Swinkels
Batavia GM (Amsterdam), 2013

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+k+-0
9-+-+-+-tR0
9+-+-+-zp-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+L+PzP-0
9-+-+P+K+0
9+qtrn+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White had been pressing almost from the
opening (see CVO 219) until a few moves
prior to the current position. Now the tables
are turned and it's White who has to fight for
his life.
66.h7+
White tries to be smart and provoke the black
to move up the board in order to trade off
the remaining . Although there isn't anything
wrong with the text, White could also have
opted for 66.xb1 xb1 67.a6 and since the
black has been cut off on the sixth rank, it's
not clear how Black can make progress.
66...f6 67.h6+
67.xb1 is still an option.
67...e5 68.f4+?


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practicalendings
Correct would have been 68.xb1 xb1 69.f4+
and White draws on the spot.
68...d4!
This move had certainly been overlooked by
the experienced GM from Israel. In the event
of 68...gxf4 69.h5+! (69.gxf4+? xf4 70.f6+
(70.xb1 e3+ 71.h2 g4+ and Black
wins.) 70...e5! 71.f5+ e6 72.xb1 e3+
and Black picks up the .) 69...d4 70.xb1
xb1 71.gxf4 White has succeeded in trading
off Black's remaining . After the text the black
has a very strong position in the centre and
controls the e3square for the .
69.xb1
69.d6+ fails to 69...c5!.
69...e3+!

| March 23

2013

By IM Robert Ris

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-tR0
9+-+-+-zp-0
9-+-mk-zP-+0
9+-+-sn-zP-0
9-+-+P+K+0
9+Ltr-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy

70.h2
The doesn't have a good square, since
both 70.f3 f1# and 70.h3 h1# lead to an
immediate mate.
70...g4+ 71.g2 xh6 72.fxg5 g4
Of course, 72...xb1 73.gxh6 b6 is also

possible, and after picking up the h-pawn

Black doesn't have any problems eliminating
the others s as well.
73.h7 e3+ 74.h2 e5 75.g4 f4 76.g6
c7 01
Conclusion: As we have seen in virtually every
issue, the position of the plays a key role
in the last phase of the game. In all three
examples the was decisive in the outcome
of the game. The more pieces are exchanged,
the more responsibility the has in supporting
the remaining pieces on the board. Without the
aid of the the results of these three games
might have been completely different.
n

solutionspage 6
23.xc8! [23...xc8 24.xb7+] 10 De Graaf-Winkels, TCh-NED
Meesterklasse 201213 Netherland NED (6.9), 16.02.2013
20.h8+! xh8 21.g6+ g8 22.h8# 10 Khrapatin-Race, US
Amateur Team East 2013 Parsippany USA (1), 16.02.2013
26.h7+! xh7 27.xf6+ exf6 28.h4+ g7 29.h6# 10
Thorfinnsson-Raddatz, Reykjavik Open 2013 Reykjavik ISL (5.38),
22.02.2013
20...xe3! 21.d6 [21.xe3 d4+] 21...xf3 22.dxc7 xf1+ 23.xf1
c8+ 01 Danov-Grigorov, Karpos Open 2013 Skopje MKD (1.40),
09.03.2013
27...xc3! [28.e3 xa5+; 28.xc3 xf2+ 29.h2 xg2#] 01
Istratescu-Vachier Lagrave, 11th Meurthe Festival KO Nancy FRA
(2.2), 10.03.2013
31...xe2+! [32.xe2 f3+ 33.d3 xe2 34.xe2 xg1++]
01 Lorenzo de la Riva-Espinoza Palomino, I Montcada Closed
Montcada i Reixac ESP (5.2), 08.03.2013
21.xf6! xf6 22.d8+! [22.d8+! xd8 23.xc5+] 10 SanalNikolovska, Karpos Open 2013 Skopje MKD (1.69), 09.03.2013

29.g6+! h7 [29...fxg6 30.xg6+] 30.e7+ g6 31.xc8 10

Bogdanovski-Georgieva, Karpos Open 2013 Skopje MKD (1.57),
09.03.2013
27...xc2! 28.b4 [28.xc2 xe4+ 29.c3 c5+ 30.b3 d5+
31.a4 (31.xd5 xd5+ 32.b4 d2+ 33.a4 c4+ 34.b4 xf1
+) 31...c6++] 28...xe4 29.a1 e3 01 Kacakovski-Parligras,
Karpos Open 2013 Skopje MKD (1.12), 09.03.2013
24.xa5! c2 [24...bxa5 25.e5 c2 26.xc6 xe2 27.xe2+]
25.c5! [25...bxc5 26.xc2; 25...xe2 26.xc6 xe1+ 27.xe1+]
10 Bjerke-Norowitz, Reykjavik Open 2013 Reykjavik ISL (2.41),
20.02.2013
18...f3! 19.dxc6 [19.gxf3 xh3 20.dxc6 h1#] 19...xh3 20.gxh3
g5+! [20...xh3+] 21.h2 g4 01 Handler-Stefansson,
Reykjavik Open 2013 Reykjavik ISL (5.26), 22.02.2013
31...h2+! 32.xh2 h4+ 33.xg2 [33.g1 h1#] 33...xe3+!
34.g1 [34.fxe3 f2+ 35.g1 h2#] 34...xd5 01 MoradiabadiBercys, UTD Turner GM Invitational 2013 Richardson USA (3),
10.03.2013

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