1. hobbies and interests
2. games
3. chess

E-BOOK VERSION COMPILED BY
PEKCHA
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Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
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Contents
A. Video Course Lessons
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Instructions For Video Lessons
Lesson 1 – Positional Understanding
Lesson 2 – A Look At The Positional Principles
Lesson 3 – Step By Step Guide For A Practical Play
Lesson 4 – Strategic Elements – Pawn Structures
Lesson 5 – How To Take Charge Of Your Future?
Lesson 6 – The Bishops And Company
Lesson 7 – Other Chess Pieces And Important Rules
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B. Practical Part
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Instruction For The Practical Part
Task 1 (Part 1)
Task 1 (Part 2)
Task 1 (Part 3)
Task 1 (Part 4)
Task 2 (Part 1)
Task 2 (Part 2)
Task 2 (Part 3)
Task 2 (Part 4)
Task 2 (Part 5)
Task 3
Task 4
Task 5 (Part 1)
Task 5( Part 2)
Task 6
Task 7
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Contents
 Task 8
 Task 9
 Task 10
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C. Bonus Lessons
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Lesson 1- Removing Obstacles
Lesson 2- Your Questions
Lesson 3 – Your Questions ( Part 2)
Lesson 4 – Your Questions (Part 3)
Lesson 5 – The Power Of Real Understanding
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The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Video Course Lessons Part:
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Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Instructions for the video course
I would like to give you a few recommendations, which will make your study of the video
lessons more effective.
 Focus on a study. Turn off your mobile phone, music, TV etc.
 Stop (pause) a video lesson sometimes. When you stop the video, you can THINK
about an interesting idea and digest it better. It is very important to do it.
 Print the text versions of the video lessons. When you think about different ideas of
the course, you will see them at the same time. It is very helpful. After a study of
one video lesson, please look through its text version. Pay attention to the enhanced
font – it will help you to remember all the key ideas.
 Write the important ideas. While studying the video lessons you will find a lot of
useful rules, principles and so on. Also you will probably make your own conclusions.
If you write them, you will remember and classify them better.
 Make pauses. Your brain needs to have some free time to digest new information.
Don’t try to study everything at once.
 Repeat the lessons. Study the lessons several times. Of course it is hard to
remember a lot of information after a quick acquaintance. So you need to repeat it
sometimes.
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Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Lesson-1: “Positional Understanding”
Hi there! I am very glad to talk to you again. It’s me Igor Smirnov, International
Grandmaster and chess coach, and I’m back with another instructive chess course that will
surely take your game to the next level.
So what precisely are we going to take a look at in this course? Within the pages and videos
contained within this chess training course, we will tackle one of the most intriguing, most
mysterious topics in chess - Positional Understanding.
Have you watched top grandmasters and players comment and analyze their tournament
games right after playing them? Yeah? I’m sure you have heard some of them say: “This is
the most logical move that white should play” or something along the lines of “in this
position, it’s natural to go there….”
What’s baffling is that it’s totally unclear for you why this move is so “natural” and
“obvious”! In many cases, people can only admire this Grandmaster who has a great
positional understanding.
Here is another typical situation: a Grandmaster outplays his weaker opponent slowly but
surely. The Grandmaster did NOT unleash fancy tactics or invited complications.
HOWEVER, the Grandmaster’s position becomes better and better. It’s seems like he is
winning easily, and without even doing something special. This is another powerful
illustration of higher level of positional understanding.
So what is this magical UNDERSTANDING? And why is that only a very few players possess
it?
To be honest, I’ve never seen the real answer to these questions in chess books. Perhaps
strong players don’t want to share their insider secrets.  BUT the good news is that it’s
precisely the reason why I created this course for you: to spill the beans and make sure you
take your Positional Understanding to the NEXT level!
Here I am going to show you ALL chess strategy. I will not only stuff you with all important
rules. More importantly, I will explain to you WHY they are so. My goal is to develop your
deep understanding of a chess game.
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Let me quote Lasker’s “Manual of Chess”
“Education in chess has to be an education in independent thinking…You should keep in
mind no names, nor isolated incidents, not even results, but only methods.
The method is plastic. It’s applicable in every situation. The method produces numerous
results”
In my courses I call it “Principles”. All of the common strategic rules are logical results of
these principles. When you understand this well and deep enough, you will understand
EVERYTHING in chess!
To start things off, let’s take a closer look at the most basic knowledge about chess. This is
where your deeper positional understanding will be based from. From there, we will
analyze specific rules. With a good basic knowledge, you will understand all of the concrete
rules quickly and easily.
Oh! And one last IMPORTANT note: don’t let the word ‘basic’ deceive you and make you
think that this is for beginners. Quite the contrary, this is the deepest and the highest level
of chess understanding on a Grandmaster’s level. One must take it very seriously as this is
the most important part of the course.
Ok, here we go!
What is the main guiding idea of a chess game? Can you answer this question? Isn’t it
really strange that after reading so many books most players can’t answer this simple
question?
If you studied my other courses, then probably you know that this is: ACTIVITY. Activity
implies the quantity of squares under the control of your forces
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For instance a knight on h1 controls 2 squares; while a knight on d5 – 8 squares. Thus an
activity of the knight on d5 is higher. We can evaluate any position by using same method.
White’s turn
Here is a more complex situation. However, we still can calculate the quantity of squares
under the control of white’s pieces; and black’s pieces. After that we can compare these
amounts and conclude whose position is more active… and which side has the advantage.
By the way, this is how computer programs play chess. For example, it can calculate that
white controls 2 more squares than black (in a certain position) and it will show you an
evaluation +2 (or +0.2)
Of course this is a simplification of how computers work, but generally it’s correct.
By adopting this excellent thinking technique of computer programs, we should also gain
a great deal of power in the process
You may argue: “Hey, but it will take too much time for me to calculate all those squares”
Yes, but you don’t need to do it. In contrast to computer, we have intuition. For example, in
this position white is obviously more active. You can realize it intuitively right away.
Ok, now we have decided that the main guiding idea of a chess game is ACTIVITY. Now let’s
go to the next step. What determines an activity?
We have already seen that the position of a piece determines its activity. Going back to our
example with the knights, we can see that the knight on d5 controls more squares than the
knight on h1. Thus a position of a piece is the 1st factor which determines activity.
BUT let’s not forget, the quantity of pieces also matters.
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In this position an activity is equal. BUT if we ad another black knight on d5, then black will
have double advantage in activity (thanks to his extra piece).
Therefore there are 2 major factors, which determine activity:
(1)
(2)
Quantity of your pieces
Position of your pieces
Chess players usually call the first factor the Material factor. Having an advantage on the
first factor means we have an advantage in Material. The position of your pieces is usually
called “ACTIVITY” and it makes sense to use the same term.
It creates a little tautology, because we have an activity at the top and as one of the factors.
BUT I hope that you understand the difference. At the top we can see a general guiding
principle of activity. It implies the quantity of squares under the control of your forces
This general activity is determined by 2 factors. The 1st one is a material, which means the
quantity of your pieces. The 2nd one is activity, which implies a position of your pieces.
This brings us to a great strategically rule: you should evaluate chess position based on 2
factors: a material and an activity.
Yes, it’s that simple. Forget about those 10 steps evaluation algorithms you read in chess
books. No one can implement such complicated schemes in reality. And no one does it.
I am telling you how Grandmasters REALLY think in a REAL game scenario. It’s simple and
effective. You can check material very quickly and you will evaluate pieces’ activity rather
intuitively. This is how Grandmasters can play blitz games well, can quickly assess positions
while calculating variations and so on.
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Ok, let’s go forward. These 2 factors are certainly very useful, but they are too general.
They don’t give you the exact rules for playing. That’s why we need to have more practical
principles based on these general factors.
If you studied my course “The Grandmaster’s Secrets”, then you know the main strategic
principles at work during a chess game. Now we will analyze them on a deeper level. I
want to make sure that you do not only know these principles, but UNDERSTAND them on
a deeper level.
Once you understand them deeply, these guiding principles will come to you naturally. Like
those GMs, you will take a look at a certain position and will say: “Here white obviously
should make this move”. Thus you will get a Grandmaster’s positional UNDERSTANDING,
which is the point of this course.
Everything is quite simple regarding the material factor. The more material you have, the
more activity it provides. Therefore there is only 1 major principle concerning material. It
states:
If you can take something – do it.
On the other hand, you should keep your material and don’t lose it.
I know this sounds obvious. However, people often don’t follow this simple principle, which
has been clouded by many different ideas. That’s why it’s so important to understand chess
basics and to know the dominating factors.
White’s turn
In this position, White played 1.h5. What should Back don now? Let’s recollect the principle
of material: If you can take something – do it! Certainly black should capture the pawn
1…gh
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By the way this is one of my old games and I have to confess to my silly decision. I played
1…g5 instead. Of course I calculated 1….gh, but I thought that white could play a7, then f4
and bring the king to e6. This will create a zugzwang for black and white will win.
That’s why I played 1…g5. However, it leaves black his weaknesses on h6 and f5 I lost the
game afterwards.
Although I was in International Master at that time, I didn’t understand strategic principles
so well.
Instead of calculating lines and variations 20 moves ahead, I should have simply followed
the principle of material. If you can take something – do it!
That’s it.
The base strategic principles are the PRIMARY factors. You should follow them first of all.
They allow you to find the right moves easily. I guess it was Korchnoi, who said: “The
deeper positional understating you have, the lower quantity of variations you will need to
calculate”
In this example after 1…gh 2.a7 White really has a winning plan I mentioned earlier.
However, black can stop it by playing 2…h4 3.gh-f4. And this is a draw.
I will not analyze this endgame now. I just want you to understand how important and
powerful positional principles are. You should focus on them and care about them first
and foremost.
Let have a quick review of our general scheme. The main guiding idea of a chess game is
activity. It’s determined by 2 factors: (1) The quantity of your pieces and (2) their position.
As for the quantity or material factor, there is only 1 practical principle you need to keep in
mind. “If you can take something – do it” Let’s call it “The Principle of Material”
Actually everything is quite obvious here. Furthermore in most normal positions material is
equal. Let’s finish with this factor.
The 2nd factor (which is activity) is much more complex and interesting topic. Let’s analyze
it in the next lesson. I am waiting for you there.
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Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Lesson-2: “A Look at All The Positional Principles”
Hi and I’m back for the 2nd lesson where we will continue our discussion of how to deepen
our positional understanding and positional principles we MUST know like the back of our
hand.
As a little review, the main guideline idea of a chess game is an activity. It’s determined by
2 factors;
(1)
(2)
The Quantity of Your Forces (Known As Material)
The Position of Your Pieces (Known As Activity)
We analyzed a material factor in the previous lesson and now we will discuss and turn our
sights to the 2nd factor – activity. This is the art of placing your pieces on the MOST active
positions. This is what positional play is all about. Your forces should control the maximum
number of squares on the board.
That may seem easier said than done, BUT with the concrete principles and guidelines we
will take a look at, you should be able to keep your pieces as active as possible in practical
games.
Let’s think about it. Where should you place
the pieces in order to control more squares?
The specific rules are quite simple: You should move your pieces forward and keep them
closer to center. Almost every piece controls more squares in a center than on the edge.
HOWEVER, we should not forget about our opponent, who will strive to do the same with
his position. With that in mind, we should strive to: (1) increase the activity of our pieces
and (2) decrease an opponent’s activity
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Here the white’s king controls 8 squares, while his Black counterpart controls only 5
squares. This is a simple illustration of how powerful pieces on the center are compared to
those that are on the edge of the board.
Keep in mind the Principle of the Center: Keep your pieces on the center!
Here we are talking about a horizontal direction: whether to place your pieces in a center
or on a side.
Talking about a vertical direction, we should move the pieces forward.
In this position the White’s Knight is active and controls 8 squares. The black’s king controls
5 squares. Using a computer’s method of evaluation we may say that white has an
advantage +3 (white controls 3 more squares than Black)
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If we move the knight forward to e6
Then it will still control 8 squares, but it will also restrict the black’s activity. Here the king
controls only 3 squares. Thus the white’s advantage became +5
That’s why it’s always a good idea to move your pieces forward. This is an ideal situation:
you increase your activity and decrease your opponents’ activity.
This brings another principle in mind, which is the….
Principle of Maximum Activity:
You MUST Move Your Pieces As Forward As Possible!
Knowing this principle alone can help you find the RIGHT move in many different positions.
Here’s an example.
White’s turn
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The White’s bishop is under an attack. Where should it go? The a6-square is the most
obvious destination. This is the most forward available square. How much time do you
need to realize it? 1 second!
This is how Grandmasters make right moves even in blitz games!
From the a6-square the Bishop controls the c8 not allowing Black to move the rook there.
This is another illustration of how forward movement with your pieces can increase your
activity and restrict opponent’s activity at the same time.
Going back to our scheme, we have discussed 2 practical principles related to activity.
These are:
(1)
(2)
Principle of Maximum Activity
Principle of a Center
These principles will greatly help you to decide WHERE to place a certain piece. You should
keep your pieces closer to center and move them as forward as it’s possible.
Since you have many pieces on the board, you also need to know WHICH piece to move
now. As you will see, another straightforward and easy to understand principle will help us
pinpoint which piece needs attention:
In this potion the white’s c3-Knight controls 8 squares, and the a1-knight controls 2 squares.
All in all, White keeps 10 squares under his control. If white moves this knight to d5, this will
increase the white’s activity (because this is the move forward) but nevertheless white still
controls 10 squares.
If White moves the a1-knight instead (Na1-b3), it will control 6 squares and, because of this
move, White will end up controlling 14 squares here. Comparing it to the 10 squares from
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the previous example, we can conclude that a move of the a1-knight is more advantageous
for White and it brings white more activity.
This brings us to….
Principle Of The Least Active Piece
While Choosing Which Piece To Move Now
You Should Select The Least Active One!
This also explains why, during the opening stages of the game, we should develop knights
before bishops. The f1-bishop is already quite active; it controls this diagonal (f1-a6). The
g1- knight is less active and therefore we should move the knight now.
Everything becomes clear, when you have a good UNDERSTANDING of a chess game. Of
course a principle of the least active piece works in any other position as well.
By the way, I don’t stick on these principles too much, because I’ve already done it in the
course “The Grandmaster’s Secrets”. I hope that you studied it already. Otherwise I
recommend that you study it after this course. These 2 courses supplement each other
very well and will give you EXCELLENT practice as well.
Time for another review: now we know 3 practical principles based on a factor of activity.
When you need to decide what piece to move, you use a principle of the least active
piece. Then you apply the principles of a center and of a maximum activity in order to
decide where to place this piece.
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That’s it! Yes, it is that simple.  We have finished with the principles of activity related to
your forces. However, as I have mentioned, every chess player should not forget about his
opponent.
But worry not; I’ve got you covered here too. Certainly, the same principles work for your
opponent’s pieces as well.
Thus your goal is to follow these principles by yourself and to hamper your opponent in
doing the same. Therefore for the opponent’s pieces, you will use the same principles in
an opposite direction.
For instance, following the principle of maximum activity you should move your pieces
forward, and push opponent’s pieces back.
As we already know, the greatest power has a piece on an opponent’s territory. It’s very
active by itself and it also restricts opponents’ possibilities.
That’s why you should move our piece forward. And that’s why it’s essentially important to
push back opponent’s pieces from your half of the board.
Pushing off an advanced opponent’s piece is known as The principle Of Neutralization Of
An Opponent’s Most Active Piece. It states: if you see an opponent’s piece on your half of
the board – you should neutralize it somehow.
Steiner H. – Flohr S.
Black’s turn
Its Black’s turn and he has lots of things to do. However, this decision is not that hard for
us, because we know the base principles of a chess game. We can see the White’s knight
on the Black’s half of the board. It means that Black should neutralize this piece somehow.
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It also means that this is the Black’s primary task. Before anything else, one should think of
the base principles I have outlined.
Black played 18…Nd7. After the following moves 19.Bc5-Qc5 20.Kh2 Black took the White’s
active knight 20…Ne5
Now White can take by the queen 21.Qe5, but after 21…Rd5 will double Rooks on the d-file
and will get an advantage.
In the game white recaptured by the pawn 21.fe. Black still replies 21….Rd5 getting an
excellent position. Black controls the only open line, while white has a weak pawn e5.
Let’s have another little review: For your pieces you use a principle of maximum activity. It
means that you should move your pieces as forward as it’s possible (preferably on an
opponent’s half of the board).
For opponent’s pieces you use an opposite principle of neutralization of his most active
pieces. It means that you need to remove opponent’s pieces from your half of the board.
Moving on, how do you use principle of the least active for your opponent’s pieces? As
usual we need to find an opposite rule.
You should activate your pieces (especially less active ones)…BUT at the same time, you
need to restrict opponent’s pieces. It’s called a principle of limitation and it’s pretty
obvious actually. It simply means that you should restrict an activity of opponent’s pieces.
I’d like to emphasize that we are talking about the same thing. A principle of the least
active piece and a principle of limitation is the same principle actually. The difference is
whether you use it for your pieces or against opponent’s pieces. Thus these 2 principles are
equal, their effectiveness is equal.
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White’s turn
For example, in this position White has 2 options. First, white can continue his
development and play something like Nc3 or castling. Secondly, white can play d6
hampering black’s development. After that it’ll be harder for black to bring his c8-bishop
into the game.
Sometimes people ask: “Hey, but doesn’t the move d6 break the principle of development?”
I hope that now you know the answer. You may increase your activity or decrease
opponent’s activity. These are equal ideas.
Thus in this position a move d6 is good and it doesn’t break any rules. White may develop
his pieces or hamper black’s development and both ways are good
We analyzed how to apply the principles of the least active piece and maximum activity
against opponent’s forces. This is how we arrived at the principles of neutralization
opponents’ pieces on your half of the board and a principle of limitation
Next question: How to use a principle of a center against your opponent? Well, I think
there is no need to create a separate rule about it, because it’s pretty obvious.
The principle of the center means that you should bring your pieces into a center. While
doing this, your opponent will struggle and have a hard time fighting for the center
You don’t need a special rule about it.
Summing things up, we have created 3 rules about activity for your pieces. Additionally,
these rules apply to your opponent’s pieces and got us 2 more rules. These bring us 5
practical principles of activity that you should follow in your games. Keeping these
principles in mind will help you place your forces on the best squares and to take control
over the largest territory you can.
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Again, these 3 principles – maximum activity, center, least active piece, are used for
increasing your activity. While the rest, neutralization of opponent’s piece on your territory
and limitation, are used for decreasing opponent’s activity.
By making a move based on these principles, you may either improve your position or
worsen opponent’s position – these are equal things. HOWEVER, more importantly, you
can find the most effective move that allows you to perform these crucial tasks in one
swoop!
We have seen such situation while discussing a principle of maximum activity:
When you move your pieces forward on an opponent’s territory (1.Ne6), you increase your
activity and limit opponent’s activity simultaneously. Such moves are the most effective.
There is one another principle which allows you to make such great moves. It’s a principle
of an attack.
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Dolmatov – Kasparov
Black’s turn
In this position, Black played 18…Nd3. This increases an activity of the knight (because it’s a
move forward) and also it forces white to fall back. The f2-pawn is attacked and the only
way to protect it is to play 19.Nd1. Thus the Black’s attacking move Nd3 helped him to
increase his activity and to decrease white’s activity. This is the power of attack, and that’s
why attacking moves like these are very effective.
Continuing the game, Black played 19…Qe5 attacking the a1-Rook. Attacking moves help
you to realize your plan, while an opponent only has to defend. He has no free time for
performing his ideas.
20.Rb1-Bc5 black is threatening Rh8 capturing the queen. White has no defense
The Principle of Attack is quite simple. It state: if you can attack – do it.
I don’t explain it too much here, because I’ve already done it in the course “The
Grandmaster’s Secrets”. Moreover, in the course “How to Beat Titled Players” you can find
a special lesson about this topic.
I placed the Principle Of Attack at the top, because it’s the most powerful principle.
Attacking moves increase your activity and decrease opponent’s activity. This is an ideal
solution. That’s why first of all you should follow this principle.
Now we have finished everything. You know ALL the principles of a chess game. Let’s make
a final conclusion. We’ll quickly go over the whole system so that you will understand and
digest it better.
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In Conclusion…
The main guiding idea of a chess game is your pieces activity. It implies the number of
squares under your control.
Your activity is determined by 2 factors: (1) a quantity of your pieces and (2) their
positions. We decided to call these factors “Material” and “Activity”. You may use these
factors to evaluate any position quickly.
Based on these 2 factors, we concluded several practical principles to follow in a real game.
Everything is quite simple as far as material or quantity goes. There is only one principle
here, which states: “if you can take something - do it”
Along with that, there are several practical principles related to the activity. These are your
main guideline for a practical game.
First of all, you should try to attack. While making attacking moves you increase your
activity and decrease opponent’s activity. That’s why it’s the best that you can do. Ask
yourself a question “How can I move my pieces forward on an opponent’s territory and
take or attack something? If there is a way – you should use it.
If you can’t attack now, then you should either increase your activity or decrease
opponent’s activity.
There are 3 principle for improving your position
(1)
If you need to decide which piece should make a move now – use the principle of
the least active piece. After that you need to detect where to place this piece.
(2)
The Principles of maximum activity
(3)
and of a center will help you to make this choice.
In most cases you simply should move a piece as forward as possible
Except improving your position, you may also worsen opponent’s position. This is an equal
choice. There are 2 principles for decreasing opponent’s activity:
(1)
The principle of neutralization opponent’s pieces on your territory.
(2)
Principle of limitation.
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The main thing you should do here is to push back opponent’s pieces if they came to your
half of the board
That’s it. This is the whole theory of a chess game. I’ve told you in the last 2 minutes, so it’s
not that hard actually.
Please, accept my congratulation! Now you have a deep understating of a chess game. You
know how to play chess and you know why the rules are so. We concluded all the rules
based on the guideline idea of a chess game – an idea of activity. There is a strict logic in
our system. That’s why it will be simpler for you to apply it practically.
You got a real understanding of a chess game on a Grandmaster’s level. Even lots of
modern title players don’t understand chess so well. Let me congratulate you with this fact
again!
In the next lesson, we will analyze different strategically topics. Having a good
understanding of a chess game, you will digest all next topics easily. Right now please
perform a little task. Open the e-book with the text version of these video lessons. Read
these first 2 lessons slowly and thoughtfully. It will help you to overlook a complete
system of chest strategy. It’s very important to digest this information: it should become a
part of your chess nature.
After that, please, go to the next video lesson and I’ll talk to you there!
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Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Lesson-3: “Step By Step Guide For A Practical Play”
Hi, and welcome to the 3rd lesson of this course. With the title ‘Step By Step Guide for a
Practical Game’, I will show you in this video how to use your newly acquired chess
understanding in REAL games. Yu will get a SIMPLE and EFFECTIVE guide for play REAL
games using the principles we have tackled in the previous lessons.
First, I’d like to emphasize that during a real game you need to keep in mind ONLY the
guiding principles of chess. Here they are (material, finding the least active piece and so
on). We analyzed them in the previous lesson.
You should recollect 2 factors of activity (material and activity) ONLY when you need to
evaluate a certain position. In all other cases you should focus your attention on the
strategical principles SOLELY.
Additionally, I would remove a principle of limitation from this scheme. If you have a good
understanding of a chess game, then this principle is pretty obvious for you. The main
guideline idea of a chess game is activity. It means that you should increase your activity
and decrease opponent’s activity. If you understand this, you will never forget that you
should restrict opponent’s pieces.
That’s why I would remove a principle of limitation from this scheme. The simpler system
we have, the easier it’ll be to apply it in practice.
I would like to make another important note before we more on. Indeed, these strategic
principles are applicable for all chess forces: pawns and pieces alike. However, pieces are
certainly much more active and valuable. That’s why mainly these principles are directed
to the pieces. That’s especially correct for an opening and a middlegame stages when you
have many pieces on the board.
With that in mind, I want you to keep in mind one PRACTICAL Tip: if you have a choice of
whether to move a pawn or a piece – choose a PIECE move. Since pieces have more range
and scope than pawns, moving and improving the position of a piece will bring MORE
activity to your position.
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All in all, we have 6 main principles to follow in a practical game. Perhaps you would like to
ask: “Hey, but how can I choose what principle to use in a certain position?” I‘ll give you a
complete guide later on. I will explain EXACTLY how you should think during a practical
game. So please be attentive now.
As we know, the Principle Of Attack is the most effective one and on top of the list. That’s
why you should try to make attacking moves first of all. When you look at a certain position
and it’s your turn, ask yourself the IMPORTANT question:
“How can I move my pieced forward to the opponent’s
territory and take or attack something?”.
By the way, this helps you to realize the Principle of Material as well. If you can take
something, you’ll definitely notice it at this point.
If you have such attacking move – you should do it. There is no real need for you to think
about anything else. This will help you to find correct moves quickly and easily in many
different positions. This was the 1st step of your thinking.
If you have no attacking possibilities, then you should increase your activity or decrease
opponent’s activity. Thus you have 2 choices. You will need to calculate variations in order
to decide which option works better in this particular situation.
You really need to care about your opponent’s possibilities especially when you see one or
more of his pieces sitting on your half of the board. Here, the Principle of Neutralization
works. When there are no opponent’s pieces on your territory, there is no need for you to
think about it. In this case you have on one good option – to increase your activity
following these 3 principles: (1) Least Active Piece, (2) Maximum Activity, and (3) Center.
Find the least active piece in your position and put it on the MOST advanced square
available. This is the second step of your thinking.
This thinking algorithm is very simple. After some practice, implementing it into your game
should come easily. And more importantly, using this thinking algorithm will allow you to
find the correct moves and do it quickly.
So far, we have talked about general principles and guidelines. You may wonder:
“BUT What About Tactics And Calculation?”
Of course they are also important. While going through our thinking algorithm, you will
probably find several candidate moves that all seem logical. This is where calculation comes
to our aid. You need to calculate the consequences of each one to find the BEST move.
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In any case, you will need to calculate your upcoming move to ensure that it works and it
doesn’t lose something due to the tactical reasons.
However, there will be NO need for you to calculate EVERYTHING.
Based on your understanding, you will select a FEW logical moves. Then you will calculate
only these FEW variations. Let me remind you a dictum:
“The Better Positional Understanding You Have,
The Lower Quantity Of Variations You’ll Need To Calculate”
Along with that, you have a simple way to evaluate positions based on 2 factors of activity:
the material situation at the board and pieces’ activity. This will help you to select the best
line easier while calculating.
Most players don’t have REAL understanding of a chess game. That’s why they have to
calculate everything. They simply don’t know any other ways to detect good moves. They
spend lots of time, get tired, and make mistakes anyway. Chess is hard for them. You are in
much more comfortable situation now!
Let me say a few words about tactics also. This is not a topic of this course, so I’ll just make
one quick BUT important note about it. Do you remember the 1 st step of thinking during a
practical game? I hope you do. First of all you should ask yourself a question:
“How Can I Move My Pieces Forward To An Opponent’s Territory
And Take Or Attack Something?”
Tactical moves are usually the forcing moves on the opponent are half of the board, right?
Thus, this question will also help you to find tactical shots. Aright, we have discussed
enough theory. Now, let’s have a closer look at how this thinking scheme works.
Alexander Alekhine – Emmanuel Lasker
This is a game between Alekhine and Lasker. Let’s imagine that you are playing white. Now
we will apply our system of thinking for finding best moves.
1. d4
Perhaps it’s a bit early to start commenting , but anyway I’ll do it. I want you to
UNDERSTAND chess – from the opening all the way to the endgame, and not just make
book moves without thinking.
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As we know we should care about our pieces mainly. Piece moves bring more activity than
pawn moves. That’s why a pawn move in an opening can be good only if it prepares a
development of a piece.
Therefore 1.d4 move is better than let’s say 1.c4. 1c4 prepares a development of a queen,
while 1.d4 opens lines for a queen and a c1-bishop.
1…d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3
Following a principle of the least active piece, we should develop knights before bishops.
3….Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7
What should white do now? Find the least active piece and move it as forward as possible
5. Bg5
According to the principle of maximum activity Bg5 is better than Bf4
5…Nbd7 6.e3
This is pawn move, but it prepares a development of the f1-bishop, so it’s good. And get
this – except for the knights, all the other pieces require pawn moves for them to be
brought out. What matters is making the RIGHT pawn moves…those that prepare your
pieces’ development.
6…0-0.Rc1
Of course, 7.Bd3 was good as well. You see, in an opening, we simply follow the principle of
the least active piece all the time.
7…c6 8.Bd3 dc
A release of tension usually helps your opponent to increase his activity, to go forward.
Therefore, generally, it’s a mistake. Such moves can be good only if you have a concrete
tactical continuation.
9. Bc4 Nd5
The least active pieces in the black’s position are the c8-bishop and the a8-Rook. Thus black
should develop them first of all. For this purpose black could play something like 9…b5
following with Bb7.
The move 9…Nd5 breaks the principle of the least active piece and therefore is not the best.
Black wants to trade more pieces and to make a draw. This makes sense, but anyway it’s
not the best idea objectively.
Anyway, white captures the bishop – 10.Be7 Qe7
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What should white do now? There are no attacking moves at the moment, so white should
continue his development and make castling.
In the game, White played 11.Ne4 instead.
What do you think about this move? “Alekhine played it, so there should be a deep
positional idea behind this move”. Sometimes you can read something like this in chess
books, but it’s ridiculous. A bad move remains a bad move whoever does it.
In an opening we should not move a certain piece twice, because it breaks the principle of
the least active piece. That’s why 1.Ne4 is a mistake.
Alekhine wants to create a more complex position and to avoid exchange. You see, it’s not
about chess strategy; this is rather psychological decision.
11...N5f6
This is a move back, which breaks the principle of maximum activity. This ignores a
development of the c8-bishop, so it also breaks the principle of the least active piece.
Knowing a few positional principles we can find mistakes in the game between 2 World
Champions. Isn’t it nice?
12. Ng3
White made the same mistake by moving his piece backward. We should try to make
forcing move on opponent’s side of the board. Therefore 12.Nf6 was correct.
You may argue: “Hey but we should avoid exchanges when opponent has a tight position”.
Yes, that’s true, but it’s not the main thing you should care about. There are many different
factors in any position: open lines, weak squares, prophylaxis, center and many others.
Thus you need to detect the most important factor before you can select the best move.
The base strategic principles of a chess game are the most important. Therefore you should
follow them first of all; and you may not care too much about other ideas.
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12...e5
Pawn moves can be good when they prepare pieces’ development. Here e5 opens the
c8-h3 diagonal for the bishop and therefore it’s OK.
What White should do now? First we should ask ourselves a question “How can I move my
pieces on an opponent’s territory and take or attack something? Here White has attacking
moves 13.Nf5 and 13.de. We should calculate them.
13. Nf5 doesn’t bring troubles for black, because he can play Qb4 check. Attacking move
implies that you move your piece forward and force opponent to go back. This greatly
increases your activity and that’s why attacking moves are the best. In this position Nf5
doesn’t work in this way, so it’s not a real attacking move.
13. de helps Black to go forward with Ne.5. I’ve already told you that a release of tension is
usually incorrect.
Since White has no immediate attacking moves, he should continue his development.
13.0-0 ed
According to the principle of maximum activity we should move our pieces forward. It also
means that we should not help our opponent to go forward. Quite the contrary – we
should push opponent’s pieces back. In view of these ideas, 13…ed is a mistake.
Let’s think what black should have done instead. Black has the only attacking move on the
White’s territory 13...e4. Therefore we should think about it first of all. After 14.Nd2 Nb6
Black will finally develop his c8 bishop and will get a normal position.
Everything becomes simple, when you have good chess understanding.
Back to the game, Black played 13...ed. Now white has the only attacking move on Black’s
half of the board.
14. Nf5 Qd8
We pushed Black’s piece back and it’s good.
15. N3d4
This is a move forward and that’s why it’s better than 15.N5d4. At first sight, 15.Qd4 looks
good, but doesn’t work due to the tactical reasons. After 15…Nb6 Black double attacks the
f5-knight and the c4-bishop
Now Black obviously needs to develop his c8-bishop. What moves is better for this
purpose. Nb6 or Ne5? I hope that the answer is obvious for you. According to the
principles of a center and of a maximum activity, 15...Ne5 is definitely better.
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15...Ne5 16.Bb3
This a move back, but White has to play it in order to save material. A bishop is a bit
stronger than a knight in general.
16…Bf5
Black has no other way to develop this bishop. Also Black must neutralize the White piece
on his territory.
17. Nf5
What should Black do now?
First we should consider attacking moves on opponent’s territory. Here Black has such a
move 17...Nd3. However after 18.Rc3 Nb2 19.Qc2 the knight is trapped
If attacking moves don’t work, we need to increase our activity or decrease opponent’s
activity. According to the principle of neutralization of opponent’s pieces on your half of
the board, Black should push away the 15-knight. Black can do it by playing 17…g6. This
would give Black a normal position.
In the game Black played 17…Qb6. This removes a piece from a center and leaves the
White’s knight on Black’s territory. This is the decisive mistake that took Black out of the
game.
18. Qd6
This is the only attacking move on Black’s territory, so there is no need for White to think
about anything else.
18…Ned7
Such a move back is surely a sad decision for Black. However other moves don’t work
tactically. 18...Rfe8 loses after 19.Ne7 taking the knight then. 18...Ng6 allows White to
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exploit tactic 19.Nh6 gh 20.Qf6 breaking Black’s pawn structure. Back to the game, Black
played 18..Ned7.
White has an attacking more 19.Ne7, but it doesn’t give anything. When attacking moves
don’t work, we need to increase our activity or decrease opponent’s activity.
White played 19.Rfd1 bringing the least active piece into a game. Black replied 19...Rad8.
20. Qg3 this is the only real attacking move to which Black replied with 20...g6. Now White
has a few moves on the Black’s side: Nd6, Qg5. Out of the bunch, White chose 21.Qg5.
Do you remember why moves forward are good? The reason is simple – it’s because they
increase your activity and restrict opponent’s activity. In this example, Qg5 ties the Black
d7-knight down to the defense of the f6-knight. Now Black almost can’t move anything.
Lasker played 21…Kh8, but it weakens the f7 square. Now white has 2 attacking moves on
the Black’s territory: Nh6 and Nd6. Which one is better?
22. Nd6
This follows the principle of a center and therefore it’s best choice. You can find right
moves in a few seconds when you have a good understanding of chess game.
22…Kg7
Black protects the pawn. White has no immediate attacking moves; therefore he should
increase his activity. The white’s queen, knight and bishop are already on the best positions.
Rooks are a bit less active.
After that we need to use the principle of maximum activity to find the best square for our
piece. The most forward available move is 23.Rd4 and I like it. It prepared doubling rooks
on the open file. Also the rook can join the king-side attack after Rh4 or Rf4.
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In the game Alekhine played 23.e4. White is going to play e5 and it’s quite good idea also.
However, choosing between a pawn move and a piece move – we should move a piece.
This brings more activity to our position. That’s why 23.Rd4 was better.
Anyway, please, pay attention to the fact that Alekhine moved a pawn last of all. Before
that he developed all his pieces and placed them on good squares.
In the game there followed 23...Ng8 24.Rd3 I explained this move in the previous note
24…f6 Black tried to push away White’s pieces from his territory. Generally it’s correct, but
loses to the following tactical shot.
25. Nf5 Kh8 26.Qg6 hg 27.Rh3
And Black got mated.
Think about it: we analyzed the game between 2 World Champions and were able to
understand everything. Moreover we found some mistakes and improvements! This is a
power of a real UNDERSTANDING of a chess game! I hope that after learning of this course,
such an understanding will become a part of your chess nature.
In the following lessons, we will analyze different specific situation. Before we end this
lesson, I want to emphasize another important NOTE: all specific rules are only logical
consequences of the base principles of chess.
Do you remember how we created this system of chess understanding? We took the main
guideline idea of activity and then concluded 2 factors of activity.
Based on these factors, we concluded some practical principles. The following guiding
principles were logical consequence of the previous level. Based on the bottom level of
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principles, we also can conclude a lot of specific rules. However, all such rules will only
illustrate now a general principle works in different specific situations.
For example, I’ve told you that in an opening we should develop knights before bishops.
This is certainly right, but it’s just the Principle Of The Least Active Piece at work. Knights
are less active on the starting position (Bishops can control lots of squares from initial
position), so we should move them first.
Let’s take another well-known rule: In an opening you should not move a piece twice.
Again, this is only a consequence of the Principle Of The Least Active Piece.
We can conclude a lot of such specific rules. All the positional rules you’ve read in chess
books – weak squares, open lines, bad bishops and so on – they all are only a logical
consequence of the base principles.
Let me remind you what Lasker said about it:
“Education in chess has to be an education in independent thinking…
You should keep in mind no names, nor isolated incidents, not even results, but only
methods.
The Method is Plastic. It’s Applicable In Every Situation.
The Method Produces Numerous Results”
In other words: a principle produces numerous specific rules.
I can give you an analogy from English language
There is a word, let’s say “think”. If you are talking about past, you will use a word
“thought”. While talking about a continuous action, you will say “thinking”. You can create
an adjective “thinkable” or an adverb “unthinkingly”.
Hey, if you are a native English speaker, it’s probably funny to hear a language class from a
Russian guy. But I hope that you get my drift: there is one work “think” and there are
many different forms of this one word. They illustrate how you use this single word in
different specific situations.
Similar things happen in chess: there is 1 general principle and there are many specific rules
it produces. These specific rules illustrate how this principle works in different specific
situations. If you understand this – everything becomes clear for you.
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Chess books give you lots of specific rules without explaining their background. This makes
you play like a “a trained monkey”. It can perform different actions without understanding
why he is doing it. Unfortunately, this is what chess books offer you.
In contrast to them, I’d like to give you a deep UNDERSTANDING of a chess game. Thus you
will not only know the rules, but you will also understand why they exist and how you can
take advantage of them. You will be able even to conclude these rules by yourself! They
will become natural for you and you will follow them automatically.
I’ll give you all important specific rules in the next lesson. Having a good background you
will understand and remember them easily. Now please open the e-book “for printing” and
print our appropriate materials.
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Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Lesson-4: “Strategic Elements – Pawn Structure”
I am back once again and, starting from this lesson, we will analyze different specific rules
PLUS how they help reinforce the guiding principles we discussed in the previous lessons.
Right here in the 4th lesson, we will have a closer look at pawns.
Let’s take a look at our general scheme again. The whole discussion we had about the
guiding principles of chess apply both to pawns and pieces.
However, PIECES bring more activity to your position;
that’s why you should care about them first and foremost.
The overall function of pawn is more of a ‘backup’ – they can FAVOR pieces’ activity or
HAMPER it.
Pawns, on their own, can be powerful only when they reach the eighth rank and get
promoted. It usually happens in the endgame only. During the opening and middle game,
pawns work more like ‘backups’ for your pieces.
Note: if you are looking for a deeper analysis of pawns and how they work in the endgame,
I would whole-heartedly recommend my course “An Endgame Expert’: http://chessteacher.com/endgame 
As we know, there are 2 factors of activity: material as well as the positioning of your forces
(also called activity). These 2 factors determine 2 functions of your pawns.
Let’s discuss the material factor first. Normally it’s impossible to capture an opponent’s
piece, because it’s too mobile. With that in mind, the easiest way to gain a material
advantage is to attack the opponent’s pawns, which are not as mobile as his pieces. Pawns
cannot retreat back and they can only take a step (or rather a square) forward. With that in
mind, the first thing you need to keep in mind about pawns is that…
They are GOOD objects for attack!
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As for the activity factor, as I have said earlier: pawns can FAVOR or HAMPER pieces’
activity. This is the second function of pawns. We will discuss these 2 functions in greater
detail, BUG let’s start with the first one: pawns as objects for an attack.
There are 2 possible situations here:
(1) Pawns protect each other. In this case, they are strong and there is no way for your
opponent to attack such pawns.
And the second situation:
(2) Pawns do NOT protect each other. In this situation, they are weak and are real objects
for an attack.
Examples of strong pawns are: (1) Connected pawns and (2) Passed pawns. Connected
pawn protect each other, while a passed pawn, on the other hand, can be promoted into a
queen….and this threat of promotion can distort the harmony and limit the activity of your
opponent’s pieces.
Weak pawns, on the contrary, are disconnected pawns. Pawns can become disconnected in
3 main cases: (1) Pawn islands, (2) Backward pawns, and (3) Doubled pawns.
Such connected pawns are powerful, they can protect each other. You can defend any of
these pawns by playing f5 or e5 or d5.
HOWEVER, if we remove the e4 pawn, then pawn islands appear.
They are weak and they end up as juicy targets for Black.
If we put the e4-pawn to e2, it’ll be a backward pawn. Such pawns are disconnected and
don’t protect each other.
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Another way to weaken pawns is to double them. If White takes e4xd5 it breaks pawn
connection and also creates pawn islands.
It’s really simple: connected pawns are strong, disconnected pawns are weak.
P. H. Nielsen – V. Gashimov
White To Move
This position looks quite equal from a material stand point. However, Black has a weak
pawn on c6 and this along gives White a lasting initiative.
Weak pawns are easy targets for an attack!
Here white has a simple plan: to attack the Black’s c-pawn. Black has no objects for an
attack and it’s hard to find any constructive plan for him.
By the way, how can you find weak pawns? It’s simple, look for pawns that cannot be
protected by other pawns. In this position the Black’s weak pawns are: a7, c6 and f f7
Back to the game, White played…
27. Qd2
Attacking the knight and preparing a discovered attack
27… Qe7 28.a5
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White also has a weak pawn on the a-file. That’s why he wants to push the pawn to a6,
where it’ll be well-protected by the light-squared bishop.
Additionally it will fix the Black’s weak pawn on a7.
It’s useful to FIX AN OPPONENT’S WEAKNESS. You want potential weaknesses in your
opponent’s camp to be ‘sitting ducks’… immobile targets that are waiting for execution!
After that you can bring more and more pieces to attack this weakness; while your
opponent can’t put it away.
28…Nc5 29.Qc2
White’s heavy pieces are setting their sights on the c6- pawn.
29…Nb7 30.Qa4
It’s easy to find attacking moves (remember The Principle Of Attack?) when you have an
obvious object of an attack.
30…Qc5 31.a6 Nd8
The move shows us a sad reality. Black was forced to put the knight on such a passive
position to keep protecting the c6-weakness
32. Na2 Qb6 33.Qb4
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If Black goes back with 33…Qc7 White can simply play Bf3, then bring the knight closer to
center and he will keep attacking Black’s weak pawns. Taking on the b4 is even worse:
after 33…Qb4 34. Nb4 Re6 White can win the c6 pawn after 35.Bf3. Also White has even
more powerful idea 35.Rd1 attacking the knight 35…Bf6 36.Rd7 and White wins another
weak pawn on a7.
What can we learn form this example?
Your attack goes smoothly when you have an easy target.
Weak pawns are such vulnerable targets.
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Karpov – B. Parma
White To Move
In this position Black has a weak pawn on d6. His queen-side pawns are also weakened.
However, it doesn’t create any real problems for Black. His minor pieces cover all the
weaknesses easily.
This is a very typical situation: minor pieces are good defenders of weak pawns.
From the diagram, we can see that the e4-knight does a good job of guarding the d6weakness and it also serves many other functions simultaneously.
So if minor pieces defend weak pawns without breaking a sweat, what should we do then?
Here’s the answer: when you attack weak pawns, it’s useful to trade minor pieces and
leave heavy pieces.
Let’s imagine the same position BUT without the minor pieces. It’ll look like this.
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In this case White has a clear advantage. White can triple heavy pieces on the d-file
attacking the weak pawn. Black will have to do something similar.
You can see a great difference: White’s pieces are active and are attacking Black. Black’s
pieces, on the other hand, have been reduced to TOTAL passivity. It’s very sad to use such a
powerful piece like a rook to perform the menial task of defending of a weak pawn.
This example is a crystal clear explanation of why you should trade minor pieces and
leave heavy pieces in such position!
Additionally it helps you to prevent any counter play, while you can keep attacking weak
pawns.
Going back to the game, White realized this plan and started forcing exchanged of minor
pieces
17. b4 Nc3 18.Qc3 Ne6 19.Qd3
Attacking the pawn
19...Rfd8 20 Bf3
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White is trading another pair of minor pieces.
20…Bf3 21. Nf3 g6 22 Nd2 Nc7 23. Ne4 Attacking the pawn 23…Ne8 24.Qd5
Look at the domination of White’s pieces especially his heavy pieces on the d-file! White
didn’t make anything special except trading minor pieces. However, his position became
much better now.
24…Kg7 25.h3 Nf6 26.Nf6 Kf6 27.Qe4
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White was looking for something like this from the beginning of this example.
Now White can do whatever he wants, while Black is doomed to passive defense.
White will put his heavy pieces on the d-file and will breakthrough with c5 or f4 at some
point. White won this game afterwards.
As you already know, connected pawns are strong: disconnected pawns are weak.
However, even connected pawns can be attacked if they are too far advanced. The reason
is obvious:
When You Advance Pawns, You Bring Them Towards Opponent’s Pieces!
Take a look at the following example.
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A. Fedorov – A. Baburin
Black To Move
Although White’s pawns are connected, Black can still attack them. Black played 13…Bf3,
which eliminates the d4-pawn defender. 14. gf 0-0-0 and now, the d4-pawn is under attack.
15. Rd1 Bh4 16.Ng3 f6
Now it’s pretty obvious that White’s pawns are rather objects for the Black’s attack. These
pawns are far advance and are close to the Black’s pieces. That’s why Black attacks them
automatically.
17. b5 Ne7 18.Qa5 Kb8
The White queen can’t create real problems for Black
19. Be2 Nf5
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Attacking everything in the White’s position (g3-knight, e3-bishop, d4-pawn)
20. Bf2 Qf7
This opens the d-file for the rook and prepares Qg6 in some variations.
21. f4
White still tries to keep his pawn chain intact. However, Black easily breaks it after his next
move.
21…g5!
Now White’s position crumbles away quickly.
22. Nf5 Bf2 23 Kf2 fe!
This move opens lines against White’s king!
24. Ng3 gf 25.Ne4 f3
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And Black has a crushing attack. After 26.Bf3 Rhf8 Black attacks the bishop, the d4 and c4
pawns and it should be winning.
Let’s take a look at the starting position of this example again. Why does White experience
problems with his pawns? It’s because Black’s piece activity is higher.
“Thanks’ to his lack of development; White can’t provide enough support for his pawns.
That’s why pawns became weak.
If we imagine the same position with White’s completed development (let’s say after Be2
and castling), then White is probably winning! His strong pawns give White domination.
From here, we can conclude a rule: You may advance pawns when you have at least equal
pieces’ activity with your opponent.
Otherwise your advance pawns will be attacked.
There is one more rule based on this idea: advanced pawns are good for attack, but bad for
defense. And this leads to this rule: don’t move pawns when you are under attack.
You don’t need to remember all these rules, you need to understand them. They are only
logical consequences of the general principles.
Pawns serve an auxiliary or backup function: they can favour or hamper pieces’ activity. If
your activity is higher – you should move pawns. They will provide more space for your
pieces and will restrict opponent’s pieces.
If your activity is lower – you should avoid moving pawns. Otherwise your advanced pawns
will be attacked by your opponent.
Everything is simple and logical.
Ok, let me remind you that we are still talking about the 1st function of pawn: they are
objects for attack. Here are the main CONCLUSIONS:
(1)
(2)
(3)
Connected pawns are strong, disconnected pawns are weak
While attacking weak pawns, you should trade minor pieces and leave heavy
pieces.
Your may advance pawns when you have at least equal pieces’ activity with
your opponent.
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Next, we will analyze the 2nd function of pawns: pawns can favor or hamper pieces’
activity.
First let’s talk about a very IMPORTANT and popular topic: weak squares.
There is nothing groundbreaking here. We know ‘The Principle Of Maximum Activity’. It
states that you should move our pieces as forward as possible (preferably on opponent’s
half of the board). However, opponent’s territory is usually under the control of his pawns.
Take a look at the Black pawns – they control all the squares on the 6th rank. Also they can
easily push away any intruder from the 5th rank.
Now I’ll tell you the whole concept of weak squares summarized in 2 sentences.
1) To follow the principle of maximum activity, you need to penetrate into the
opponent’s territory.
2) Thus you should occupy accessible squares into opponent’s territory - those that
can’t be protected by opponent’s pawns.
All specific rules are only logical consequences of the base principles. For example, a
concept of weak squares is based on ‘The Principle of Maximum Activity’. If you understand
this well, everything becomes simple for you.
Nevertheless, I’ll tell you some specific rules about weak squares. They will help you to
make decision faster and simpler during a practical game.
Here is the 1st specific rule: it’s better to place your KNIGHT on a weak square.
The knight is the only short-range piece. That’s why it must be delivered to the place of
operation. In contrast to the knight, other pieces can work at a long distance. Take a look
at this diagram:
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The White’s long-range pieces can attack the Black’s king from the 1st rank. Moreover, even
if we move White’s pieces forward (Ba1-d4, Qg1-g4) – it will not change much in this
particular situation. They still attack on the same directions.
An opposite situation happens with the knight. If we place it on the 1st rank – it’ll be totally
passive.
The knight must be delivered to the Black’s territory…to the scene of action so to speak.
This is the only way to bring the knight into an attack. That explains why it’s better to place
a knight on a weak square. This is very important.
Here’s an example from one of my old games…
I. Smirnov – A. Zhigalko
White To Move
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Black has a weak square on the d5 and White certainly should place one of his pieces there.
In the game White played – 13.Bd5.
This avoids an exchange of a bishop on the Black’s a5-knight, BUT places the wrong piece on
a weak square.
This bishop doesn’t attack much on the Black’s territory. It’s activity became only slightly
higher compared to its previous position on b3.
At the same time the c3-knight now has no prospects at all.
Let’s look at the game continuation. Black played…..
13…Rc8 14.Qd3 Nc4
Attacking the b2 pawn.
15. Rab1 Qa5
And Black got the initiative position
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16. Bb7 Nb2 17.Rb2 Rc3
And now, it’s White who fights for a draw. It happened because of the mistake in the
starting position of this example.
The Knight INSTEAD Should’ve Gone To d5
White should have played 13.Nd5 putting a knight on a weak square. This single move does
A LOT:
(1)
The knight is very active here and it attacks many squares on the Black’s territory
(2)
It restricts the queen’s activity, attacks the f6-bishop and…
(3)
It can jump on b6 somewhere in the future
With just one move, the White position is slightly better.
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Let’s move on. So, if a hopping knight is good for taking advantage of weak squares, what
should his long-ranged buddy, the bishop, do? Get this: a BISHOP is the main defender of
weak squares.
Weaknesses appear after a pawn move.
For instance if White moves his d-pawn here, it will create a couple of weak squares around
(b3, c4, d3 ,e4, f3). Here’s an important thing to note: all these weak squares are on the
same color.
Which piece can protect the squares of the same color?
You guessed it! It’s the bishop. Well, the queen can also get the job done, but the queen
can be attacked by opponent’s minor pieces. And come on, the queen is way too powerful
to be assigned to such a boring job of guarding a weak square!
She’s better off wrecking havoc in the opponent’s camp and participating in the offensive.
Anyway, back to what we are talking about, the bishop is the ideal defender of weak
squares.
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The same thing happens with a single pawn.
White still has some weaknesses around (f3, e4, d3) and they are all on the same color.
Actually it’s another disadvantage of a weak pawn. Such a pawn is an easy target for an
opponent’s attack and also it creates weak squares around it.
Here Black played 9...g5 weakening the light-squares on the king-side. We already know a
few rules for such situation:
White should bring his knight on these weak squares.
White should exchange Black’s light-squared bishop, who is the main defender of the
Black’s weak squares.
In the game there followed…
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10. Bg3 Nh5 11.Nd2
White is preparing an exchange of the Black’s light-squared bishop after Bg4 move.
11…Nf4 12.0-0
White obviously needs to protect his g2-pawn
12…Nc5 13.Bg4
After this exchange Black will have no possibility to cover his f5 weakness. The White’s plan
is very simple: to bring the knight to f5. For example, the d2-knight can be transferred
there (Nf1-e3-f5). Black also has a strong knight on f4, but it can be kicked away after g3.
This is the difference between a weak square f5 and a usual square f4: a weak square can’t
be protected by pawn.
13…a5 14.f3
White wants to bring his dark-squared bishop into the game.
14...Ncd3 15.Qc2
The black’s pieces’ activity is a temporary factor – white will oust away these knights. The
weaknesses of the Black’s pawn structure are permanent and they can’t be repaired.
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15...c6 16.Kh1 h5
Black has to create a counter play. Otherwise White will simply realize his plan
17. Bc8 Rc8 18.a3 cd 19.cd Nc5
This move back isn’t a good idea. However White could push away Black’s knights in any
case: White was ready to play Bf2 and g3 then.
Back to the game, White played 20.Bf2 g4 21.g3 Ng6 22.fg hg 23.Be3 Now Black has lots of
weaknesses and White can occupy them all. White is going to play Rf5, Raf1, Nc4, Nb5;
White can attack the g4-pawn and so on.
All light squares in the Black’s position are defenseless. He has a losing position.
Let’s imagine that Black has a light-squared bishop on d7 (instead of his dark-squared
bishop). It changes the situation greatly! Now the position is totally unclear. That’s why it’s
so important to exchange a bishop, who is the main defender of weak squares.
In the actual game, White won easily.
Black played 23…b5 24. Nb5 Qb6 Black is trying to mix things up, but it doesn’t work. 25 .a4
Qa6 26.Nc4 White is occupying all weak squares. 26…f5 27 Rf5
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Down in material with a horrible position, black resigned soon.
We have seen how it’s powerful to trade opponent’s bishop, who is the main defender of
weak squares. Often it makes your opponent defenseless and he can’t resist your invasion.
And speaking of weak square invasion, the ideal situation is to…
Fix your knight on an opponent’s weak square and
to make it impossible for your opponent to neutralize this knight!
(it usually involves exchanging the bishop that can control the square)
I. Boleslavsky – G. Lisitsyn
White To Move
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Black has a weak square on the d5 and White found a great way to exploit it. Can you find
the move?
15. c4!
This pawn sacrifice helps White to trade the Black’s light-squared bishop, who is the main
defender of the Black’s weaknesses.
15…Bc4 16.Nc3
White is transferring the knight to d5
16…Qb3 17.Bc4 Qc4 18.Bg5
Now White is going to eliminate the last defender of a weak square d5
18…Qe6 19.Bf6 Qf6 20.Nd5
White realized his plan successfully. The d5-knight is very powerful; it controls lots of
squares on the Black’s territory
Also Black has no way to exchange the knight, that’s why it’s usually called an “eternal
knight”. Here White has a stable advantage and he won the game afterwards.
There are practical rules about such positions:
If you can fix your piece on a central weak square on the 5th rank – it gives you a stable
advantage.
If you can fix your piece on a central weak square on the 6th rank – it gives you s winning
position.
Of course I am now talking abut White; for Black it’ll be 4th and 3rd ranks
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M. Botvinnik – J. H. Donner
White To Move
In this position Black has a couple of weak squares: a6, b5, c6, e5. It’ll be the best for White
to occupy the central weaknesses on the 6th rank (c6 and d6 squares). And White found the
way to reach this goal!
14. Nd4
First White trades the bishop, who is the main defender of the Black’s light-squared
weaknesses.
14…Bg2 15.Kg2
Now the knight is ready to jump to c6
15…Qc7 16.Qb3 Rfc8 17.Rfc1 Qb7 18.Qf3
Now white is offering an exchange of another defender of the c6 square.
18…Nd5 19.e4 N5f6 20.b5
Fixing the weaknesses and preparing Nc6.
20…a6 21.Nc6
Attacking the bishop
21…Bf8 22.a4
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White fixed his knight on the 6th rank and it gives him a winning position. This knight
controls many squares in the Black’s position. Black is paralyzed, he can’t do anything
really. That’s why invasion on a central weak square usually give a winning position.
In the game there followed 22…ab 23.ab Ra 1 24.Ra1 Ra8 25.Rd1 Black position is running
out of space so, logically, White avoids exchanges.
25…Ne8 26. Nc4 Nc5 27.e5 Rc8
It’s a mistake but Black has nothing to do anyway.
28. Ra1
White is threatening Ra7 and Black can’t prevent it. If he tries to oppose his rook 28…Ra8,
White will play 29.Ra8 Qa8 30.Ne7 winning a queen.
I’ve told you some rules about weak squares. Please, don’t be confused, everything is
simple actually.
To wrap up this section, according to ’The Principle Of Maximum Activity’, you should move
your pieces as forward as possible (preferably on opponent’s territory). One of the BEST
ways to realize it practically is to occupy weak squares in opponent’s position. That’s it.
All other rules just describe this process in GREATER detail.
Now I’d like to tell you another important note about weak squares. For many years chess
players are not able to grasp this. HOWEVER, it’s pretty obvious if you know general
principles of a chess game. Here is the rule: Piece activity compensates weaknesses.
We know that pieces bring much more activity to your position than pawns. We know that
pawns have a rather ‘backup’ function: they can favor or hamper pieces’ activity.
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In any case we should care about pieces first of all. Then it’s not surprising that piece
activity is more valuable than pawn weaknesses
Probably you know Sveshnikov’s variation of Sicilian defense:
1. e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cd 4. Nd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5
In the time of classical chess, when Steinitz and Tarrasch reign supreme, such moves like
5...e5 is considered as a huge positional mistake. Just look at that gaping hole on the d5
and d6 squares and, to add to that, there’s a backward pawn on d7. Yes, it really worsens
Black’s pawn structure.
However, it’s compensated by Black’s piece activity. The …e7-e5 move (1) pushes away
White’s central knight; (2) it opens a diagonal for the bishop (f8-a3 diagonal); (3) and it’s a
forcing move, so it gives Black additional tempo for development.
We may conclude that the 5…e5 move worsens Black’s pawn structure, but raises his piece
activity. As I have emphasized, chess is all about piece activity. Therefore the 5...e5 move is
good.
I’m explaining everything in great detail, because I want you to deeply UNDERSTAND
chess and its guiding principles.
In a practical game you don’t need to think about all these generalities. When you
understand the base principles of a chess game, they just come to you and you should
simply follow them.
‘The Principle Of Attack’ states: “If you can attack – do it.” Thus if you can play e5 – you
should do it. Base principles are the PRIMARY factors: you don’t need to sink your head on
other secondary factors
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Piece activity compensates weaknesses. Well, certainly it also depends on a position. But,
while there are exceptions, in most cases, this rule is correct.
H. Nakamura – I. Krush
White To More
The White’s position is quite active and he wants to take advantage of this by attacking.
HOWEVER, White needs to activate his c1-bishop and invite it to the party. 16.Bf4 move is
possible, but will give Black an extra tempo after 16…Nbd5. 16 Be3 is also fine, but it forces
exchanges and helps Black to equalize a position.
In the game White played 16.g4! Of course it creates a lot of weaknesses on the king-side.
However, after 16…Qe7 and 17.g5 hg 18.Bg5 White was able to place his bishop on the
most active square. Yes, White has weaknesses around his king, but how can Black use
them? The White’s piece activity is higher and that’s why he is on the attacking side. Black
has to care about defense and there is no way for him to exploit white’s weaknesses. This
shows how piece activity compensates for weaknesses.
In the game, there followed 18...Rfd8
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Here White had an interesting combination 19.Nf7. Black can’t recapture by the
queen19…Qf7 because of 20.Rd7 following with 21.Be6 winning the queen.
Therefore 19…Kf7 is forced, but after 20.Ne5+, White will recover the material with interest
- in form of a better position. I will not analyze all the variations now, you can find them
yourself. I just want to show you that only White can attack in this position. That’s why
white’s weaknesses don’t matter really.
And it happened all because of White’s greater piece activity!
Back to the game White played 19.Kh1, this is also fine. White is intending to play Rg1 and
to attack the Black’s king.
Black played 19...Bc6 20. Nc6 Rd1 21. Rd 1 bc 22.Ne5, attacking the c6-pawn. After Black’s
22...Qc7, White has a winning combination with 23.Bf6 gf 24.Nf7
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24…Qf7 loses the queen after 25.Be6. 24...Kf7 gives White a mating attack after 25.Qe6,
then Rg1 and so on.
Ok. We have talked about weaknesses: weak pawns and squares. Let’s review and look at
the main conclusions:
(1) It’s better to place your KNIGHT on a weak square. A knight is a short-range piece
and it must be delivered to the place of action.
(2) A BISHOP, on the other hand, is the main defender of weak squares. A bishop
guards all the weak squares of the same color.
If you can fix your piece on a central weak square on the 5th rank – it gives you a stable
advantage; on the 6th rank – a winning position. Your piece on the 6th rank can totally
paralyze an opponent.
Piece activity compensates weaknesses. Piece activity is the main factor in a chess game; it
compensates anything actually.
Whew! That was quite a discussion, BUT we are not done yet. Aren’t you glad this lesson is
overflowing with chess wisdom?
Let me remind you that we are still talking about the 2 nd function of pawns: they can
FAVOUR or HAMPER pieces’ activity. One of the specific aspects of this issue is a concept
of weaknesses. We have analyzed it already. Another aspect is a space advantage.
It’s all really simple. We know that all specific rules are only logical consequences of the
general principles.
According to ’The Principle Of Maximum Activity’, we should move our forces as forward as
possible. Moving your pawns forward raises hour activity (because you get more space
under your control); and decreases opponent’s activity (because your pawns restrict
opponent’s pieces). This means you have a ‘space advantage’
You see, there is nothing new for us here. It’s still about ‘The Principle Of Maximum
Activity’.
There are only 2 specific rules associated with a space advantage. Here is the 1 st one: you
should trade pieces in a tight position, and you should avoid exchanges when you have a
space advantage.
It’s a well-known rule and probably you’ve heard about it already.
In a cramped position you don’t have enough free squares for maneuvers; your pieces
hamper each other. Exchanges help you to solve this problem.
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The side with the space advantage should avoid exchanges due to the same reason. Also
you need to have enough pieces for controlling your large territory and supporting your
advanced pawns
Earlier in this lesson, we analyzed that advanced pawns can be attached, if they don’t have
enough support by the pieces. This is another argument for avoiding exchanges in such
positions.
E. Lasker – J. R. Capablanca
Black To Move
White controls 4 ranks, while Black – only 3 ranks. Therefore White has a space advantage.
Due to the lack of space Black experiences some problems: the e7 bishop is locked, the
queen can’t go out; the queen blocks the a8 rook also and so on.
Black needs to trade pieces in order to ease his position.
8…Nd4 9.Qd4 Bb5 10.Nb5 Nd7
Black uses a tactical trick for bringing his bishop on the long diagonal. 11.Qg7 is out of the
question because of 11….Bf6 winning the rook
White played 11.Ba3 a6 12.Nc3 Bf6 13.Qe3 0-0 14.Rad1 Bc3!
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Black keeps trading the pieces. Another bonus is that it prevents White from placing the
knight on d5
15.Qc3 Re8
After several exchanges Black has no problems. He can easily bring all is pieces into the
game. The knight can go to e5, the queen can be developed along this diagonal (d8-h4),
and the rooks will play in the center. The players agreed to a draw after a few next moves.
The 2nd rule for positions with a space advantage is “The Principle Of 2 Weaknesses’
A space advantage gives you better mobility. You can transfer the pieces from one flank to
another easily. Your opponent can’t do it so quickly for lack of free space. That’s why a side
with a space advantage can play on both flanks successfully.
It’s called ‘The Principle Of 2 Weaknesses’. This is a quite simple idea and I’ve explained it in
the course “An Endgame Expert” already.
The last issue I’d like to discuss in this lesson is The Blockade. Nimzovich wrote almost a
whole book about it. However, let’s not complicate things. Everything is much simpler if
you understand general principles of a chess game.
“The Principle Of Maximum activity’ is, once again, at work here. It states that you should
move your pieces forward and not allow your opponent to do the same. It’s applicable for
pawns as well. When you stop an opponent’s pawn, it’s called blockading it. That’s it!
There is only 1 useful practical rule about a blockade and probably you know it: the KNIGHT
is the best blocking piece.
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E. Eliskases – S. Flohr
Black To Move
White has a passed pawn d5 and Black needs to blockade it. It’s possible to use a rook for
this purpose (2…Rd6). However, the rook will be totally passive and will not perform any
other work.
That’s why Black should use a knight instead.
21...Nc4 22.Re2 Nd6
Thanks to its unique movement, the knight can stop the pawn without reducing its activity.
That’s why a knight is the best blocking piece. In this position the d6-knight attacks the e4
pawn, supports f5-move and b5-move, and those are just to name some of the PROs
resulting from the move.
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Black has a huge positional advantage here. He can create a passed pawn on the queenside
and attack the white’s weak pawns e4 and a2. Black realized this plan and won the game
afterwards.
Now let’s make a final conclusion about a PAWN PLAY. Once again, I’d like to repeat that
there is nothing special here. All these rules are only logical consequences of the general
principles.
According to the principle of maximum activity you should move your pawns as forward as
possible. It will give more free space for your pieces and will restrict opponent’s pieces.
So, how should you use YOUR PAWNS?
At the same time you should move your pieces first of all. Pawns realize rather auxiliary
function.
It’s useful to keep the pawns connected. In this case they will protect each other and your
opponent will not be able to attack them.
As for OPPONENT’S PAWNS, there are 3 things you should do:
(1)
(2)
(3)
Blockade them. You should restrict opponent’s activity and prevent him from
moving forward. It’s valid for pieces and for pawns as well.
Attack his weak (disconnected) pawns. This is how you can gain a material
advantage.
Occupy the holes in his pawn structure (weak squares). This allows you to move
your pieces forward onto opponent’s territory.
All these rules are logical consequences of the principles of material and of maximum
activity.
This lesson was a bit long, but we analyzed all important aspects about pawns. I think it’s
pretty good. Get ready for the NEXT info-packed lesson!
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Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Lesson-5: “How To Take Charge Of Your Future?”
Hi, it’s still me Igor Smirnov and I want to welcome you to the next lesson called “How To
Take Charge Of Your Future?, Here we will talk about time machines, astrology and so on.
Of course I am kidding. LOL!
On a serious note, I am referring to the old quote of Siegbert Tarrasch, who said…
“The future Belongs To He Who Has The BISHOPS”.
A Bishop often becomes a key piece in a certain position. There are many different topics
related to Bishops: opposite colored Bishops, 2 Bishops, fianchettoed Bishop, a Bishop
against a knight and the list goes on. That’s why in this lesson we will analyze all the
associated with BISHOPS.
First, let me tell you why we pick out a Bishop from other pieces. Why it is so special?
Let’s recollect a general scheme of a chess game. You know that it explains everything and
all specific rules are only logical consequences of these generalities.
As you are aware, there are 2 main factors in a chess game: there’s the material factor and
there’s the activity (qualitative) factor. One of the REAL ways to get a material advantage
is to trade an opponent’s Bishop on your knight. Of course we would prefer to win an
opponent’s Queen or another piece, but against strong opponents, this is NOT easy to
achieve.
There are only 2 VERY practical ways to gain material advantage:
(1)
(2)
To win opponent’s pawn.
To trade an opponent’s Bishop for your knight.
This is the 1st reason which makes a Bishop a bit special.
Maybe you are thinking: “What the heck are you talking about? Bishop and knight are
equal pieces; there is no material advantage here.” Please, keep your cool and don’t worry.
Little later I’ll explain it.
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Now let’s talk about the 2nd argument, which is related to activity. A Bishop’s activity can
be VERY different. Sometimes a Bishop can be equal to a Rook’s power, while sometimes
it’s just like ”a tall pawn”. This is how a Bishop can be an advantage or a drawback of your
position. Only this 1 factor can be decisive in a final evaluation of a certain position.
Other pieces normally don’t have such a huge range of activity. For instance a Queen is
nearly always pretty active.
These 2 factors make a Bishop a key point of many different positions. I don’t remember
exactly who, but one of the famous players said: Chess is a struggle against Bishops”
OK, let’s move on and get started. Here is the 1st question. “How to use your Bishop”.
There are several main rules about it.
→ A Bishop Needs Open Diagonals
Everyone knows that a Rook needs open lines. There is a lot of theoretical information
about it. A bishop is a bit discriminated for unknown reasons. However, the rule is pretty
much the same.
Bishops and Rook are linear pieces. Rook needs open lines; a Bishop needs open diagonals.
The work “open” here implies clear of pawns. Thus you need to remove your pawns and
opponent’s pawns from the way of your Bishop. Therefore there are 2 things you should do
in a practical game:
(1)
Put your pawns on an opposite color comparing to your Bishop.
(2)
Move your pawns forward for opening the position.
This will help you to trade opponent’s pawns, which block your Bishop. Also it will give
more free space for your Bishop (and for your other pieces as well). Sometimes you can
even sacrifice a pawn for opening a diagonal for your Bishop.
By the way there is nothing special here. According to the principle of maximum activity
you should advance pawns. This will give more free space for your pieces (and for your
Bishops as well).
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Georgiev K. – Hubner R.
White To Move
Although White has the 2 bishops, they are not very active here. The pawn chains limit
their activity. In such situations you should push your pawns and open a position
With that said, white played 1.c4!
This is not even a sacrifice, because Black can’t take the pawn.
After 1…dc 2.dc the d7-knight is hanging. Black played 1…Qc5 instead. Now White starts
trading the pawns: 2.cd cd 3.ed ed. The g2-Bishop now puts strong pressure on the long
diagonal
4. Qb3 Attacking the pawns 4...Nb6 5.a4. This threatens a5. 5…Qa5 6.Be3. Just take a look
at the White Bishops on the next diagram!
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The 2nd Bishop joined the attack. It has an open diagonal and therefore it’s very active.
6…Rad8 protecting the d5-pawn. 7.Qb5. An exchange will open the a-file for the White’s
rook. That’s why Black played 7…Qb4.
Here White was able to open a position completely after another pawn move 8.f5! After
the forcing line 8…gf 9.Qb4 Bb4 10.a5 Nd7 and 11.Rf5
the White’ Bishops will capture all the Black’s pawns.
Polugaevsky - Bilek
White To Move
The White’s advantage is obvious: he has an extra passed pawn d5. Also White has 2
Bishops, but hey don’t do much. How can we activate Bishops? We need to push our pawns
to open a potion.
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White made the brilliant move 1.d6!!
White is ready to sacrifice his strong passed pawn just to provide free lines for his Bishops!
Such positional sacrifices are nearly always correct. As you know we should activate our
pieces mainly. Pieces bring much more activity than pawns.
That’s why if you can sacrifice a pawn, but open line for your rooks and Bishops – it’s
probably a good idea.
In the current example, Black played 1…Qd6 2.b4 Nb7 is the only move. 3.Bf3 Now the
Bishop has an open diagonal and it becomes very active. 3…Qb8 4.Bg5. In an open position
the White’s Bishops shoot through the whole board. 4...f6 5.Re5! Eliminating the last
defender, White is winning by force!
5...Re5 6.Qc4 Kg7 Black has to protect the f6-pawn. 7.Qc7 Kg8 8.Bf6 Now it seems that
Black should resign. However, he has a counterblow 8...Re1 trying to deflect the rook from
the queen’s protection. After 9.Kh2 Rc1 it looks like White did something wrong and Black
is winning. White lost almost all his material, but he still has those 2 excellent Bishops!
10.Bd5 The Rook has to guard the queen, so 10..Kf8 is forced. 11.Bg7 Ke8 12.Bf7 mate!
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Not for nothing White sacrificed his passed pawn in the beginning of this example. His 2
Bishops did really good work after that. A breath-taking game indeed!
Ok. We are done taking a look at the 1st rule “a Bishop needs open diagonal”. Let’s move
on. The 2nd rule states:
→ A Centralized Bishop is Very Powerful
Actually it’s obvious, because any piece is the most active in a center. However, it’s not so
simple to realize this rule inn practice. If you place a Bishop in a center, your opponent will
attack it by his pawns and knights. That’s why you REALLY can centralize your Bishop mainly
in an endgame stage only.
Here is the next idea:
→ A Centralized Bishop Controls Both Flanks
This rule is pretty similar with the previous one. It just emphasizes the fact that centralized
Bishop can work on both flanks simultaneously. Only a Queen can do the same.
This idea also works in an endgame stage primarily. We already talked that you really can
place your Bishop in a center only in an endgame. The situation when you attack
opponent’s pawns on both wings is also more typical for an endgame. Let’s imagine an
ordinary endgame position.
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What will happen later on? White will play 1.Bf3 b6. Then probably White will try to attack
Black’s queen side pawns (Kd4-c4-b5). Black will create counterplay on the king-side. Then
something like this may happen:
The white’s centralized Bishop controls both sides of the board. It protects White’s pawns
on the kind-side and on the queen-side. It also attacks Black’s f7-pawn. In the future,
White will capture Black’s queenside pawns and will push his pawns forward. The Bishop
will support this advance as well.
Look at that! White’s centralized Bishop controls the whole board! In such positions its
activity is closer to a Rook’s power.
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Now we arrive at the next rule:
→ A Fianchettoed Bishop Is Usually Good
In a middlegame it’s hard to place you bishop in a center, because it will be attacked by
opponent’s pawns and knights.
That’s why we have to keep the Bishop in safety (closer to our territory). At the same time
a Bishop should attack opponent’s territory. A fianchettoed position meets these
requirements.
These pawns (f2, g3, h2) cover the Bishop and therefore it feels alright. It will be very
difficult for an opponent to attack the g2-Bishop here. At the same time it attacks an
opponent’s territory (his queenside and center).
That’s why this is a pretty good position for a Bishop. A fianchettoed Bishop is a key piece in
many openings: King’s Indian defense, Gruenfeld defense, Dragon variation of Sicilian
defense and so on.
The next rule is not well-known. Quite the contrary, most players don’t understand it. Here
it is:
→ A Bishop’s Power Rises In The Endgame
It’s a very important practical idea. Assuming this rule you can turn a seemingly equal
position into a winning endgame. Now, why the Bishop becomes stronger in an endgame
phase? We already talked about a few associated facts.
In an endgame you really can place a Bishop in a center, where it’s the most active. Then it
will control the whole board, which is great for you.
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A principle of 2 weaknesses also works in an endgame mainly. When most pieces have
gone, opponent’s pawns became defenseless. Therefore you can attack opponent’s pawns
on both flanks. This is when your Bishop will help you a lot.
When a lot of material was exchanged, a position becomes opened. Thus your bishop will
have a lot of open diagonals.
The last, but not the least: Bishop works well with pawns. Bishop is a very useful piece
when you need to support your passed pawns or stop opponent’s ones. The endgame
stage is all about the pawns. So a Bishop works best here.
For instance in this position Bishop stops Blacks passed pawns easily.
And in this position as well.
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Even in this position a Bishop blockades 5 opponent’s pawns successfully. This task would
be impracticable for a knight or a rook. By the way, a Rook wouldn’t be able to stop even 2
pawns only:
Even if it’s White turn, white is defenseless. A Bishop could perform such task easily.
A Bishop’s power rises in an endgame. I’d like you to remember this rule. It’s a very
powerful practical idea. Capablanca won a lot of games against the opponents who didn’t
understand this thing.
Let’s go to the next idea concerning a Bishop’s usage.
→ A Bishop Can Work From Initial Position
A Bishop is a long-ranged piece. It’s enough to move adjoining pawn and a Bishop will start
controlling a quite long diagonal. Sometimes you can use this idea and to avoid missing
time on a Bishop’s development.
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Bronstein used this method in King’s Indian defense.
Reshevsky S. – Bronstein D.
White To Move
The Black’s c8-bishop didn’t make any moves in this game. However, it’s quite active.
Actually nothing will change if Black develops his Bishop to d7- it will still control the same
diagonal (c8-h3). That’s why Black shouldn’t waste time on a Bishop’s development.
Instead he can use this time for developing his queen-side attack.
OK, let’s make a little conclusion about how you should use your Bishop.
Just like all other pieces, A Bishop is the most active in a center. So you should try to place
it there. In practice, this is MOST possible in the endgame.
If it’s not possible, then you should place a Bishop on the first 3 ranks and provide open
diagonals for him. For this purpose you should put your pawns on an opposite color
comparing to the Bishop. Also you can push your pawns forward and force an opening of a
position.
OK. So far we discussed strong sides of a Bishop. Now let’s talk about its drawbacks.
A Bishop Can’t Work On The squares Of An Opposite Color
This is the only disadvantage of a Bishop.
In most cases it doesn’t matter really because your other pieces can take opposite colors
under their control. This will compensate a Bishop’s omission.
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This problem can really happen in an endgame when you have a single Bishop left. Your
opponent can place his forces on an opposite color and your Bishop will become useless.
Though Black has a huge material advantage, he can’t get any progress. His bishop can’t do
anything here.
Of course it would be easily winning for Black if he had any other pieces instead of this
Bishop.
Kravtsiv M. – Smirnov I.
White To Move
This is a position from a real game. White has an extra pawn, more active king and better
pawn structure. However, Black created a fortress by placing most of his forces on the dark
squares. The White bishop can attack only the h5-pawn, but it’s not enough for a win.
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We already analyzed how to make your Bishop active. Also we need to know how to
restrict opponent’s Bishop.
This is a very important topic. Do you remember the quote “Chess is a struggle against
Bishops”? Quite often, a Bishop’s activity determines the evaluation of a position. That’s
why you must know how to limit opponent’s Bishops. I’ll tell you the 4 main ways
First, you can oppose your Bishop (and probably trade them)
This is a quite obvious way. This happens in Queen’s Indian defense for example. After
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3. Nf3 Black plays 3…b6. Black wants that his fianchettoed Bishop puts
pressure on the White’s center and king-side.
That’s why White immediately opposes his Bishop by playing 4.g3. After 4….Bb7 5.Bg2
the Black’s b7-Bishop is neutralized by his White’s counterpart. Most probably these
Bishops will be traded in the future. That’s why I said that you can oppose your Bishop and
probably trade them.
The 2nd way to restrict opponent’s Bishop is more interesting.
You can block opponent’s Bishop by a pawn chain!
It can be your pawn chain or an opponent’s pawn chain. It’s easier to create your pawn
chain because it depends on you. By the way we are mainly taking about central pawns
here.
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How can Black restrict the White’s fianchettoed Bishop? He should place his central pawns
on the light squares. For example, he can create this pawn chain: pawns: c6, d5, e4. Or this
one: pawns c6, d5, e6. Or at least this one: pawns c6, e6. In all these positions the White’s
Bishop is hampered by Black’s pawns.
This a very common idea and it works in many different positions. For instance in Catalan
opening after 1.d4 d5 2c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 White is intending to play Bg2. If black takes
4….dc, then after 5.Bg2 the Bishop pressures the long diagonal and will create lot of
troubles for Black.
That’s why Black usually plays 4…c6 instead.
This pawn chain (c6-d5-e6) will restrict the White’s Bishop
However, there is one problem for Black: the pawn chain restricts the Black’s light –
squared Bishop as well. Earlier in this lesson we discussed that your Bishop need open
diagonals and you should place pawn on the opposite color to your bishop. How to resolve
this dilemma?
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There is a Capablanca’ rule about it:
 If your OPPONENT has a Bishop – put your pawns on the color of this Bishop.
 If YOU have a Bishop – put your pawns on the opposite color to your Bishop (and it
doesn’t matter whether your opponent has a Bishop or not)
This rule simply means that you should care about your Bishop first of all. According to this
rule Black did mistake in the current position. His 4…c6 move limited his Bishop, which
should not have happened. Black should have cared about his Bishop first of all.
Black To Move
In this position Black may take the knight 1…Bf3.2.Bf3 and play 2….e6 then. Now
everything is ok: the Black’s pawn chain restricts the White’s fianchettoed Bishop. At the
same time Black’s pawns are on the opposite color to his Bishop, that’s why it has lots of
open diagonal (f8-a3, b8-g3,b6-f2)
It’s useful to remember this idea: if you exchange 1 of your Bishops – put your pawns on
the color of your traded Bishop after that.
In Saemisch variation of Nimzo defense: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bc3.bc
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This rule becomes the main guideline idea for Black. He exchanged his dark-squared
Bishop, so he should place his pawns on the dark squares. On the next moves Black plays
c5, d6, e5, b6 and gets a good position. Moreover, this idea even forced White to stop
playing Saemisch variation!
We analyzed how to use your pawn chain to restrict opponent’s Bishop. An opponent’s
pawn chain can do it as well. Probably you know what that I am talking about. Such
situation happens in French defense for example: 1.e4-e6 2.d4-d5.
Now the Black’s central pawns are on the light squares and this limits an activity of his lightsquared Bishop greatly. It’s usually called “a bad Bishop”
Right now the Bishop controls only 1 square, so it’s like a pawn actually. That’s why a bad
Bishop can be a huge drawback in your position. It’s like giving an extra piece to our
opponent!
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White To Move
The bishop’s activity is limited by his own pawn (c7 and e5 pawns). White played 17.Rd5
attacking the e5-pawn and forcing Black top place one more pawn on the dark square
17…f6.
There followed 18.Nh4 Kd7 19.Red1 Rb6 20.Rd3. Have you notices that the d6-Bishop is
somewhat like a pawn? It seems like if we replace this Bishop by a pawn, nothing will
change really.
White has a huge advantage, because in fact he has an extra minor piece in the game.
20…Ke6 21.Rg3 g5 22.Nf5 Rbb8 23.h4 and after 23…gh Black got into a mating net in
addition to all his other problems. 24.Rg7 White is going to take Rd6 and to play Re7 mate
after. Black resigned. During the whole this example a bad Bishop was totally useless for
Black: it didn’t make any move.
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Often an opponent creates a bed Bishop by himself. We have seen the French defense
already: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5. Black restricted his Bishop by himself.
In such situation your goal is to fix this situation, to blockage opponent’s pawn chain.
Thus your opponent will have no chance to change the situation and to activate his Bishop.
In the current position White can play 3.e5 for this purpose (blocking Black’s pawns e6 and
d5).
Actually there is nothing new for us here. According to ‘The Principle Of Maximum Activity’,
you should move your forces forward and not allow your opponent to do the same.
That’s why you need to blockage opponent’s pawns. It will restrict an activity of his pawns
and of his pieces behind the pawns. We discussed it in the previous lesson about general
principles of a chess game.
Also I’ve told you that all specific rules are only logical consequence of the general
principles.
Nimczovich, in his book “My System”, gives this training example:
White blockaded the Black’s central pawn chain and Black has no possibility to activate his
passive Bishop. White is probably winning, despite of Black’s nominal material advantage.
An experience opponent will not create a bad Bishop in his position. Therefore you will
need to force an opponent to place his pawns on unfavorable positions.
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Eliskases E. – Flohr S.
Here White made a mistake by playing 16.e4. Black replied 16…Bg4 attacking the d4 pawn.
Black wants to force White to advance the d-pawn to d5. Then both white central pawns
will be on the light squares and this pawn chain will restrict the White’s Bishop.
17.Rfd1 e6 18.Kf1 Bf3 19.Bf3 Rac8 the Black Rook is aiming to the 2nd rank and White
played 20.Rd2 to prevent it. However, now Black can play 21…e5 using a pin and forcing
White to play 22.d5. The f3-Bishop is locked and it became “a bigger pawn”. Black fixed
this situation by blockading the pawn. 22…Nc4 23.Re2 Nd6. Black won the game
afterwards
It was all about the 2nd way of restricting opponent’s bishop by a pawn chain. The next way
is:
To Fix Your Knight In The Center!
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You see, it’s something similar to a pawn chain. Black just used a knight instead of 1 pawn.
Well, everything is pretty obvious actually. You can’t block opponents’ Bishop by your
Rook, because he will simply capture it. Thus you need to use a piece, which is less valuable
than a Bishop. That’s why you can block the bishop by a Knight or by a pawn.
By the way, we need to centralize a knight in any case, because it’s the most active here.
Now we came to the last method of restricting a bishop. We can use the main Bishop’s
drawback: it can’t attack squares of a certain color. Thus your can:
Remove your pieces from the Bishop’s diagonal (put them on an opposite color)
We already analyzed it while discussing the Bishop’s drawback. If you place your pieces to
an opposite colored squares, an opponent’s Bishop will not be able to attack them.
The White fianchettoed Bishop attacks the Black’s queen-side. In order to neutralize the
Bishop’s pressure, Black can simply remove his piece from this diagonal.
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Now the Bishop attacks emptiness. It suddenly became useless.
We may conclude that there are 4 ways to restrict opponent’s Bishop:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Oppose your Bishop (and probably trade them)
Block opponent’s Bishop by a pawn chain (it can be your pawn chain or an
opponent’s one)
Fix your knight in the center
Remove your pieces from the Bishop’s diagonal (put them on an opposite color)
You need to know all 4 methods very well. These are highly EFFECTIVE and practical ideas.
The practical part of the course will give you a possibility to train these rules.
Of course, you should study all the video lessons first. So I am waiting for you in the next
lesson!
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Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Lesson-6: “The Bishops And Company”
In the previous video lesson, we analyzed general properties – the ins and outs, of a Bishop.
We learnt how to use your Bishops to their FULL potential and how to strangle the
opponent’s Bishops.
Now we will discuss how a Bishop works with or against other pieces. We will start from
one of the most common topics: the never ending battle between a Bishop against a
Knight.
First of all, I’d like to say that A Bishop is Stronger Than A Knight. It’s a common illusion
that these pieces are equal.
How do we know that one piece is stronger that another one? We put a piece in a center of
the board and calculate how many squares it controls. This is how we know that a Rook is
stronger than a knight for example.
A Bishop Can Control 13 Squares
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A Knight Can Control Only 8 Squares AT MOST
13 against 8, the verdict should be clear, right? Therefore a Bishop is stronger! By the way
a Rook controls 14 squares. Thus we may conclude that a Bishop’s value is closer to a Rook
than to a Knight.
There are lots of facts that can prove that a Bishop is stronger than a Knight:
(1)
2 Bishops can mate opponent’s single king easily. 2 Knights can’t do it at all.
(2)
2 Bishops are stronger than 2 Knights in almost any position.
(3)
A Bishop can dominate against a Knight (White Bishop on d5 and Black Knight on
d8). A Knight can’t do that!
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(4)
A Bishop can work at a long distance; it can play on both flanks simultaneously.
For a Knight it’s impossible.
(5)
A Bishop is often more powerful than 3 pawns. The knight, on the other hand,
struggle against a mass of pawns especially when they are located on different
sides of the board.
I’d like you to remember it: a Bishop is stronger than a Knight. Trading opponent’s Bishop
on your Knight gives you a material advantage.
All strong players know about it, but lots of club players don’t. This gives you great chances
to get a practical benefit from understanding this rule.
Well, please, don’t take me wrong. I am NOT saying that a Bishop is MUCH stronger. Of
course not. A Bishop is a bit stronger than a Knight, but anyway it’s stronger.
I know you will argue: “Hey, but in some positions a Knight is stronger!”
In some specific positions a Knight can be stronger than a queen (for example when you
give a smothered mate). But does that mean the Knight is stronger than the Queen? Of
course NOT.
Here we are talking about most often cases. And in most ordinary positions a Bishop is
stronger.
Nimzowitsch A. – Capablanca J. R.
Black To Move
This is a well-known game Nimzowitsch-Capablanca and maybe you know it. The position is
quite standard. White has an extra passed pawn which should determine white’s huge
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advantage. However, Black has a Bishop against a Knight and this makes the situation
unclear.
By the way, let’s imagine the same position without the Knight and Bishop. Then White has
a clearly winning position. White will simply push his passed pawn and Black has nothing to
oppose.
Ok, let’s go back to the game. The Black’s Bishop pressures the White’s queen-side. What
the Knight can do? Nothing really. Even if White transfers this Knight somehow to d4 or f4
(via e2) it still will not do much.
In the game, Black played 21…Qc4 22. Rfd1. Now Black can take on c3 and win the a4 pawn
then. However, it will probably lead to a draw, while Black wants more.
Black doesn’t want to trade his powerful bishop, and that’s why he played 22…Reb8 23.Qe3
Rb4 Black is threatening Bd4.
24.Qg5-Bd4 25.Kh1-Rab8 Black increases the pressure gradually. The White’s Knight is
rather an object of an attack here. Now Black is threatening to take it after Bc3. White
gave up an exchange 26 Rd4, but certainly his position is losing after that.
Illa R. – Capablanca J. R.
Black To Move
Here is another example. Who is better here? White obviously has a better pawn structure:
he has a pawn center, while Black’s king-side pawns are weak.
However, Black has good compensation due to his Bishop. As we know, a Bishop against a
Knight gives a little material advantage.
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Let’s see the game continuation.
14…Bd7 15.0-0 Rc8 16.Qe2 Qa5 17.Rfb1 both players make quite natural moves. 17...Bc6
Now we can clearly see a Bishop’s great advantage over a Knight. The c6-Bishop protects
his queen-side pawns and pressures the White’s center and castling.
The f3-Knight is pretty useless actually. It has no moves forward and its’ difficult to transfer
it somewhere. White may try to bring the Knight to c5, but Black will easily push it away
playing b6
White played 18.Nd2.
Now I’d like to tell you another useful practical rule. A Bishop becomes more powerful
when it has no counterpart. In this case opponent has nothing to oppose to this Bishop.
That’s why it makes sense to play on the part of the board, where your bishop looks.
According to this rule, Black should attack on a king-side here. He played 18…Kh8 19.e4 Rg8
20.Rb3 f5! A bishop needs open diagonals
21. Nc4 Qd8 22. Ne5 Finally White brought the Knight to a good square, but it costs him a
pawn after 22…Qd4. There followed 23.Nf7 Kg7 24 Rd1, the Rook was attacked 24…Qe4.
Black won a pawn and is still attacking the White’s king. In the game, White played 25.Rg3?
and White threw the towel after 25…Kf7.
Thus, in most normal positions a Bishop is stronger than a Knight.
This advantage becomes even bigger in an endgame. This is another important practical
rule.
In the previous lesson we analyzed that a Bishop’s power rises in an endgame. Here you
can place your Bishop in a center, attack opponent’s pawns on both flanks and so on.
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In contrast to a Bishop, a Knight’s power goes DOWN in an endgame. A Knight needs
strong squares where it can be placed on. When lots of materials are traded, it’s difficult to
find such strong squares. Another disadvantage of a Knight is that it can’t play of both
flanks (something that’s often ESSENTIAL in an endgame)
Fischer R. – Taimanov M
White To Move
The pawn structure is symmetric and a position looks drawish. However, White has a
Bishop, which determines his huge advantage.
White played 25.Bf1 attacking the pawn 25…a5 26.Bc4 . Now we can see a great difference
between minor pieces. The White’s Bishop attacks both flanks, while a Knight is only a
spectator.
Moreover, there are no strong squares where the Knight can be transferred. Thus a Knight
is doomed to be passive during the whole next game.
There followed 26…Rf8 27. Kg2 Kd6 28.Kf3 Nd7 29.Re3 Nb8 Black is trying to ‘find a job’ for
his knight. 30. Rd3 Kc7 31.c3 Nc6
The Knight was transferred to another square, but it’s still passive.
I will not show you the whole game, because it’s pretty long. White traded the Rooks and
brought his king to the queen-side. Then the following position appeared:
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Black To Move
The White’s Bishop ties the Knight down to the defense of the g6-pawn. Also a Bishop
controls the c6 square not allowing Black’s king to go there. A Bishop’s ability to play on
both flanks is really powerful in an endgame.
After the only move 61…Kd8 White played 62.Bg6! Ng6 63 Kb6. White wins all Black’s
queen-side pawns and then he will simply push his passed pawns. White won the game
soon.
Let’s make some CONCLUSIONS:
 Generally a Bishop is stronger than a Knight.
This advantage is especially big, when:
(1)
(2)
(3)
A position is opened (and bishop has lots of open diagonals);
A Bishop can play on both flanks;
In an endgame.
In these types of positions, a Bishop can show his FULL power
 Often it makes sense to play on that part of the board where your bishop points to.
Since your opponent has nothing to oppose, your attack will be very powerful.
In some specific positions a Knight can be stronger than a Bishop. This happens when a
Bishop’s activity is restricted. In the previous lesson we analyzed 4 ways to restrict a
Bishop;
(1)
(2)
Oppose your opponent’s Bishop.
Block opponent’s Bishop by a pawn chain.
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(3)
(4)
Fix your Knight in the center.
Remove your pieces from the Bishop’s diagonal (put them on an opposite color).
The 1st method is not applicable in the battle between Bishops and Knights. Thus we have 3
main cases (points 2 to 4) where a Knight can be stronger. I would like you lo pay attention
on the first 2 situations. They are the most common.
 First, a Knight can be stronger, when a Bishop is blocked by a pawn chain. It can be
your pawn chain or opponent’s one. This usually happens in closed positions.
 Second, when you can fix your Knight on a strong central square.
A Knight is a short-ranged piece and it must be delivered to a place of action. That’s
why it’s crucial for a Knight to have strong squares. Otherwise, the opponent will
push it away and the Knight will be out of the game.
Actually this is what happened in all the games we analyzed in this lesson.
Here the Black’s c6 pawn realizes a very important function: it takes away the d5 square
from the White’s Knight. Thus the Knight has no active squares to be placed on.
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A similar situation happened in this example: the f6 pawn doesn’t allow White to place the
Knight to e5.
Next, let’s look at an opposite situation.
Anand V. – Kasimdzhanov R.
Black To Move
The Black’s Bishop is: (1) restricted by a pawn chain and (2) a Knight has a strong square in
the center. Both conditions for a Knight’s advantage were complied. This is a classical
situation when a Knight is definitely stronger.
In the game White won pretty soon: 37…Rc5 38.Ne3 attacking the pawn 38…Be7 39.b4 Rc8
40.Rb6 White is winning the b5-pawn and then he will simply move his passed pawn
towards promotion.
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Ok, let’s make a final CONCLUSION.
Generally a Bishop is stronger than a Knight.
This advantage is ESPECIALLY BIG, when:
(1)
(2)
(3)
The position is opened (and Bishop has lots of open diagonals);
The Bishop can play on both flanks;
It’s already the endgame.
A knight, on the other hand, can be stronger in 2 major cases:
1. When a bishop is blocked by a pawn chain.
2. When a Knight can be placed on a strong central square(s).
Next we will talk about positions with opposite coloured Bishops.
You know all the general ideas about Bishops already. That’s why everything will be simple
for you here.
A Bishop is especially powerful when your opponent has no counterpart.
In this case it makes sense to play on that part of the board, where your bishop points to.
Your attack will be very powerful, because your opponent has nothing to oppose to your
Bishop. Thus you will have an extra piece into the attack. That’s why different colored
Bishops strengthen an attack.
Since such an attack is often winning, the activity of the Bishops becomes a key factor.
A Bishop’s activity is determined by a pawn structure mainly. That’s why a pawn structure
becomes extremely important.
This is the whole theory about opposite colored Bishops. Everything becomes clear, when
you have a good chess understanding. Take a look at the following example.
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Toshkov T. – Gipslis A.
White To Move
What is the evaluation of this position? What do you think? Maybe it looks unclear to
you. Let’s use our theory about opposite colored Bishops however. The key factor in
such positions is the activity of Bishops. That’s what we should really thing about.
The White’s c3 Bishop looks at the Black’s king and White will attack there. Black may try
to close the Bishop’s diagonal by playing e5. However, the e5 pawn will be weak and it
will be under the pressure of the White’s Bishop. We may conclude that White has good
chances for an attack.
The Black’s Bishop is also on the long diagonal. However, White can block it easily by
playing f3. After that it’s almost impossible for Black to open a long diagonal again. Thus
Black’s chances for an attack are next to nothing.
By the way, Black is a pawn up. Does it compensate Black his less active position?
Definitely not! An activity of opposite colored Bishops is the most important factor in
such positions. The one who can start an attack has good chances to mate the opposing
king! Of course, a pawn can’t compensate it.
Let’s look at the game’s continuation. White played 25.Qe3. This is a double attack of the
Black’s pawn a7 and e6.
What should Black do now? Again, he should think about the activity of opposite colored
Bishops first of all. Black could play 25…e5 closing the White’s Bishop. After 26.Ra7 White
certainly has more initiative position, but after 26…Bb7 Black can hold it.
In the game Black cared about his pawns instead. That’s why he played 25…Qc6? 26. f3
a6. This keeps all the Black’s pawns, but leaves white his powerful bishop. This is a
decisive mistake.
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The Bishop could take vengeance on Black after 27.Bg7! with a crushing attack. 27 Kg7
28.Qh6 and the king will be mated soon.
White overlooked this little combo and played 27…Qg5. Of course 27.Bg7 was much more
powerful, but Qg5 move is also logical. You should play on that part of the board where
your Bishop looks.
Black played 27…Rb7 28.Qh5 attacking h7 28…g6 29.Qg5. Now you can see why an attack
is so strong in positions with an opposite colored Bishops.
In fact white has an extra piece into the attack, because Black has nothing to oppose
against the White’s Bishop.
By the way, even if Black’s a8 Bishop was closer to his king, somewhere on f7, it would not
change anything. White attacks the dark squares, so Black’s light-squared Bishop can’t
help at all.
29….Rf8 was played. 30.Qe3 White is going to play Qe5 or Qd4. 30…Qb6 31.Bd4 Qb5
Black covered the e5 square, but it doesn’t help. 32.Qe6 Rbf7 Although Black
consolidated almost all his pieces for defense, White still has an extra piece ((Bd4) into the
attack. 33.Qg6 leads to a nice mate. 33…hg 34.Rh8#
White won the game pretty easily. Let’s take a look at the starting position again.
Why everything was so sad for Black? Because his a8-Bishop was passive and he had no
possibility to restrict the White’s Bishop. If Black had his f-pawn on f7 or f6 – his position
would be fine. He would be able to set a pawn chain against the White’s Bishop by
playing f6 and e5. Maybe he could make his extra pawn count. Maybe Black is even
better in this case.
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You can see the great importance of a pawn structure in position with opposite colored
Bishops. If a pawn is on f6, Black has a little advantage; if pawn is on f5 – White is almost
winning.
An activity of opposite colored Bishops is the key factor in such situations. This activity is
determined by a pawn structure.
This is the whole theory about opposite colored Bishops. I hope that everything is clear
for your now.
Let’s move to the next topic which is 2 Bishops.
We already analyzed general properties of a Bishop. Also we discussed ‘The Bishop vs.
Knight’ match-up. That’s why you will easily understand positions with 2 Bishops against a
Bishop and Knight. Actually all the rules are still the same here.
First, 2 bishops give you an advantage. This advantage is mainly determined by a Bishop
without a counterpart. As we know a Bishop is stronger that a Knight.
The main Bishop’s drawback is that it can’t control squares of 1 color. When you have 2
Bishops, this disadvantage disappears. 2 Bishops supplement each other very well, they
have good harmony. This is another reason why 2 Bishops are so strong
A Bishop and a Knight can hamper each other sometimes. For instance in this typical
situation, if White develops his Knight on the most active square f3, it will close the Bishop’s
diagonal.
2 Bishops never have such problems. They can’t hamper each other.
harmoniously.
They work
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2 Bishops together can control almost the whole board.
powerful. Their activity here is close to the Queen’s power.
This makes them very
Smirnov I. – Kononenko D
Black To Move
In this position Black used an interesting positional sacrifice: 25….Rc4 26.Bc4 Rc8. After
27.Kd2 Bc4 Black has only 2 bishops against a Queen. However, Black’s Bishop pair stands
against the Queen confidently.
If white plays 28.Qe4 Black replies 28…Bc3 and then 29.Ke3-Bd5. 2 Bishops cover all the
squares and the Queen has to go back. After 30.Qd3 Be5 Black is threatening Rc3, which
forces the queen to retreat again.
Of course I am not saying that Black has an advantage, but he has enough compensation.
This game was ended as draw afterwards.
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Previously we already discussed some rules about a Bishop. Of course, they are applicable
for positions with 2 Bishops as well.
Bishops need open diagonals. Thus you should move pawns and open a position.
Bishops can play on both flanks simultaneously and you should use it.
A Bishop without a counterpart is more powerful, because your opponent has nothing to
oppose. Therefore, if you have 2 Bishops, you should mainly use a power of the Bishop
without a counterpart.
You should play on that part of the board, where your Bishops point to.
Kopylov – Zaitsev
Black To Move
Black has 2 Bishops and therefore he needs to open a position. For this purpose we
should move pawns and trade them. That’s why Black played 1…f5 2.ef Rf5
We need to play on that part of the board where your Bishops look. Thus Black will attack
on the queen-side.
3.Nb5 threatening Nd4 3…Rd5 4.Qf3-Qd7. Now Black is going to play Rc8 and Rc2 then.
White tried to prevent it by playing 5.Rbc1, however, it loses a pawn after 5…..Rf5 6.Qe2
Bb3 Black got a material advantage and White resigned soon.
104
Baranov - Konstantinopolsky
Black To Move
If you have 2 Bishops, you should mainly use a power of a Bishop without a counterpart.
The Black’s plan here is to use his light-squared Bishop and to attack on the king-wide
(where the b7-bishop looks)
He played 1….Qc6 preparing d4. 2.Nd2 0-0 3.Rfe1.
Generally, Black wants to play d4. However, White will reply Nce4 and the Knight will
close the Bishop’s diagonal. Black decided to play f5 to eliminate this White’s possibility.
3…Rae8 4.f4 f5. Now Black is ready to push d4. Taking on the f6 would open position for
Black’s Bishops. White played 5.b3
Now Black starts a crushing attack on the king-side, using a power of his b7-Bishop
5…g5 6.fg d4 7.Na4 f4 8.Bh4 Ne5. White certainly can’t take the Knight because of Qg2
mate. For lack of light-squared Bishop White can’t resist the Black’s pressure on the long
diagonal. After any move (9.Nb2) Black will push 9…f3 opening the long diagonal
completely. 10.Qe5 loses after 10…f2 and 11…Qg2 mate.
The whole Black’s attack was based on a power of his Bishop without a counterpart.
As you already know a Bishop’s power RISES in an endgame. So if you have 2 Bishops, it’s
very advantageous to transfer a game into an endgame. 2 Bishops can give you enough
advantage for a win, even without any other positional advantages.
105
Englisch B. – Steintz W.
Black To Move
The position is totally symmetric. Many players would probably agree to a draw here.
However, everything is not that simple. Black has 2 Bishops, which gives a serous
advantage in an endgame. Let’s look at the game’s continuation.
Now it’s black turn. He can’t win the b2-pawn (1…Bb2) because White will play 16.Rb1 and
will take the b7-pawn.
That’s why black simply played 15…Rad8. 16.c3 Rfe8 17.Nb3 b6. Black is going to play c5,
which will restrict the White’s Bishop and Knight. In an endgame, 2 Bishops control lots of
squares and this gives you a possibility to advance your pawns. Your opponent can’t do the
same; otherwise his advanced pawns will be attacked by 2 Bishops
For example, in the current position Black can play c5-c4, a5-a4 and whatever he wants.
Unlike Black, White can’t do anything. White can’t move the c-pawn because Black will take
on b2; the b-pawn can’t go forward, because it will weaken the c3 pawn. Even a4 move
looks a bit dubious, because Black will play Be6, Bc4 and will attack White’s weaknesses.
It’s important to remember this idea: a side with 2 Bishops can and should advance pawns
in an endgame.
White played 18.h3 Be6 19.Rfd1 c5.
106
The White’s position is already a bit cramped. His pieces haven’t any good squares to go
to. An attempt to bring the king into a center (Kf1) will make a king vulnerable (Bc4)
20.Bg5 was played 20…f6 21.Bf4 Kf7. Black has no problems with activating his king. This
is another aspect I’d like you to pay attention on. 2 bishops give you domination. This
allows you to centralize our king which is very important in an endgame.
22.f3 g5 Black keeps advancing the pawns. 23.Rd8 Rd8 24.Be3 h6. One of the ways to
restrict opponent’s bishop is to place your pawns on the color of that Bishop. We
discussed it in the previous lesson. Here Black creates pawn chains on the dark squares in
order to constrict the White’s Bishop.
25.Re1 f5 26.f4 otherwise Black would play f4. 26…Bf6 27.g3 a5 28.Nc1 a4 The Black’s
plan is still the same – he pushes his pawns forward. Now he is threatening to break
White’s pawns after a3. So White has to play 29.a3 by himself.
29…Bc4 the Bishop cuts the Knight off.
30.Kf2 Black improved his position on both flanks and got domination. Now it’s time to
make invasion and to start a direct attack. However, the White’s pieces control all the
squares onto his territory (d1, d2, d3). That’s why Black decided to exchange one of them;
30…gf 31.Bf4 Bg5. After trading the White’s bishop, Black will be able to play Rd2
There is a well-known dictum: “A good thing about 2 Bishops is that you can always trade
1 of them”. I agree we that, but I think it’s not precise enough. I would say: if you have 2
Bishops, you can trade an opponent’s important defender on 1 of your Bishops (when
necessary).
In the game there followed: 32.Bg5 hg 33.Ke3 (covering the d2 square) 33...Kf6 34.h4
here Black has a forcing win: 34…gh 35.gh Re8 36.Kf2 Re1 37.Ke1 Ke5
107
Black will capture the h-pawn while White has nothing to do. White resigned soon.
Let’s make some conclusions about 2 Bishops in an endgame:
2 Bishops give you serious advantage in an endgame. With the support of your Bishops
you can and should:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Advance your pawns.
Centralize your king.
Attack opponent’s pawns on both flanks.
You can trade an opponent’s important defender on 1 of your Bishops when
necessary.
So far we analyzed how to play with 2 Bishops. Sometimes, however, you have to play
against them. Of course the ways to restrict Bishops’ activity are still the same:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Oppose your Bishop.
Block opponent’s Bishop by a pawn chain.
Fix your Knight in the center.
Remove your pieces from the Bishop’s diagonal (put them on an opposite color).
At the same time I’d like to make an important note. Usually it’s impossible to restrain both
the opponent’s Bishops. Therefore it makes sense to play against 1 certain Bishop
A Bishop without a counterpart is the most dangerous for you.
That’s why you should mainly limit an activity of this Bishop.
108
Maiorov N. – Smirnov I.
Black To Move
White has little more initiative position thanks to his 2 Bishops. How can Black neutralize
the white’s pressure?
First, we need to notice that White has 2 bishops and the d4-bishop has no counterpart. It
pressures Black’s king-side and the b6 weakness. Therefore Black should limit an activity
of that d4-Bishop.
Generally there are 4 ways how this can be done. In this position only 1 method is
possible: to create a pawn chain on the color o the bishop
Black played 18…Ne8 preparing f6 and e5. There followed: 19.Rab1 Rd6 20.f3 f6 21.Qg3
e5. Almost all the Black’s pawns are on the dark squares and the bishop’s mobility is
limited greatly.
After 22.Bc3 (or Bb2), Black can chase the Bishop by playing 22…Na4
22.Ba1 is too passive and allows Black to pressure on the d-file 22...Rcd8
In any case, the White’ dark-squared Bishop became very passive. Black equalized the
game and has a comfortable position.
That’s about everything you need to know about the 2 Bishops. I hope that everything
was clear to you. Actually we already analyzed most of these rules while talking about 1
Bishop.
Let’s call it a day for now and get ready for the next lesson!
109
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Lesson-7: “Other Chess Pieces And Important Rules”
And now we are down to the very last lesson of this course.
During the first lessons I’ve told you the general principles of a chess game. Using those
principles you can decide what piece must make a move now and where PRECISELY it
should go. It’s very useful to deeply understand those ideas, because they help you to
find the best move in any position.
Based on the general principles, we concluded some concrete rules for different typical
situations. We discovered the specific rules for pawns and for Bishop:
In this lesson we will talk about all other pieces.
Maybe some of the rules will seem simple for you, but I want that you have a COMPLETE
understanding of a chess game. In this case you will understand how to play chess in
general, and exactly how you should play in different typical situations. Then everything
will be clear and even obvious for you.
So, the 7th lesson is called Other Chess Pieces And Important Rules. Here we go.
To start off, how should you use your KING effectively?
As we all know, in the opening we should castle. Some say that you should castle NOT
because you can BUT because you intended to or you need to. There are many chess
proverbs about castling. But bottom line, this is something you should do.
Do you know that in the past a castling was made simply by replacing King and Rook? (i.e.
king goes to h1, Rook goes to e1). It was made to activate the Rook and it’s important to
understand this.
Yes, castling keeps your King safe. However, the main idea of castling is to being your
Rook into the game. Without castling, you are playing without 2 Rooks!
110
Tal M. – Bilek I.
White To Move
In this position, White has an interesting positional sacrifice 15.Ne6. After 15…fe 16.Qh5
White will prevent Black from castling. Does it worth a Knight? What do you think?
Without castling, you are playing without 2 Rooks also. If you understand it, you will have
no doubts in White’s sacrifice. It’s definitely correct! Let’s have a look at the moves that
follow: 16…Kf8 17.Rhf1 Bf6 18.de
Though it’s Black’s turn he can’t do anything really. Black is unable to use his Rooks and
this is his biggest problem. On the next move White will play e7 or Rd8 or Rd7 following
with Qf7 mate.
There is one funny thing about this position. After 16.Qh5, Black has the only way to
survive: 16…Kd7 move. After 17.Qg4 seems like Black should resign, but computer offers
totally unbelievable move 17..Kd6!
In an opening we should develop pieces, so the computer looking at the Black’s pieces
decided to develop his King.
By the way, on the next move the King is going to continue his trip and to go to c5! This is
one of the craziest variations I’ve ever seen! Nevertheless only computer can play so, and
White has a strong attack anyway.
Without castling you are playing without 2 Rooks also. That’s why a castling is so
important. If you can’t castle, well….YOU SHOULD! What I mean is to artificially castle
111
White To Move
For example, in Benko gambit, White has to move a King in one of the main lines. That’s
why after that, White should artificially castle: 9.g3 Bg7 10.Kg2 0-0 11.Nf3 and 12.Re1.
Only after bringing the h1-Rook into the game White may breathe freely.
In the endgame, the King becomes an ORDINARY piece. Then the general principles work
for a king as well as for all other pieces. Following the principle of a center, you should
bring the king into a center; according to the principle of maximum activity you should
move the king as forward as possible.
Quite similar situation happens with a QUEEN.
Following the general principles, you should move it forward and keep it closer to center.
However, it’s usually impossible to do it in an early stage of game. Otherwise a Queen will
be attacked by opponent’s pawns and minor pieces.
That’s why in the opening, we have to keep a queen in safety: on our territory, behind
our pawns and pieces. Most often you should place a queen on the central squares of
the 2nd or 3rd rank.
Here is another useful tip: develop your Queen last of all.
112
Usually it’s pretty obvious where to develop your minor pieces. In most cases you will
develop your Knights to f3 and c3: the Bishops will go to the most forward available
squares.
It’s not so clear where to place your Queen. That’s why you should postpone this
decision. Make all obligatory moves first, and after that you should be able to find a
better position for a Queen depending on the concrete situation. As I’ve already said,
most often you will place a Queen on the central squares of the 2nd of 3rd rank.
After some exchanges, you certainly should activate the Queen.
Let’s move on. How to use your ROOKS effectively?
There are 2 main rules here. The 1st rule states: a Rook needs open lines. Therefore if
have a Rook, you should push pawns and open lines. This is a very important rule.
Maybe you think: “come on, it’s obvious, everyone knows it” Then let me show you some
examples.
113
Miles A. – Korchnoi V.
White To Move
How would you play here as White? I mean not only the next move (obviously White
needs to move the attacked Bishop), but what is White’s plan? Please, pause the video
now and try to find the right plan for White.
The White player – who is a GM (the first British GM matter of fact) – wasn’t able to find
any constructive plan. He played Bc2, Re1, a4 just trying to hold a position. However,
Black played f5, transferred the king into the center, and won the d-pawn and the game
afterwards.
The right plan for white was suggested by Korchnoi. White has 2 Rooks here and the
White’s primary goal is to use them…activate them.
For this reason, White should push pawns and open lines. The only way how this can be
done is play: g4, Kg2, h4, then Rh1 and h5.
Maybe this plan doesn’t look great. However, White has to play it. If you have Rooks –
you must give them open lines!
Let’s take a look at another example.
114
Korchnoi V. – Seirawan Y.
Black To Move
Here is another question for you: how should black play here?
In the game he played 23…g4. These followed 24.e4 fe 25.Qe4 Kh8 26.Bb2. After that
White took on e5, won the g4 pawn and continued his attack. Black lost without any real
resistance. Of course, it’s not the best that Black could do.
Let’s go back to the starting position.
Although Black has 2 Rooks, they are totally passive now. Rooks need open lines. Black
should find a way to move his pawns and to open a position. His move 23…g4? rather
closes position. Instead Black should have played 23…a6! This would open lines on the
Queen-side and would give Black some counter-play.
115
Rooks need open lines. A Rook is the most active on an open file, so it’s logical to place it
there. After that, following the principle of maximum activity, you should move your
Rook as forward as possible.
 If you can penetrate into the 8th rank, you will attack opponent’s king.
 If you invade in the 7th rank, you will attack all opponents’ pawns. Additionally it
often creates a mating net around opponent’s king.
Everything is pretty simple here actually. It’s just a Principle of Maximum Activity.
Nimzowitsch A. – Capablanca J. R.
White To Move
It’s white’s turn now. What should white do? Find the least active piece and improve its
activity. White certainly should move his a1-Rook. It can go to one of the open lines: Rc1
or Rd1. Everything is simple when you know general principles of a chess game.
In the game, White played 25.Bd4 however. Now Black can use an open line to penetrate
into White’s territory: 25…Rc2. Rooks are usually very powerful on the 2nd rank. By the
way, there is nothing special here: according to the ‘Principle of Maximum Activity’, any
piece is MOST active on the opponent’s territory.
26.Qa6 was played. Now Black sacrifices a pawn to open the d-line. 26…e5! 27.Be5 Rdd2.
Connected Rook are often powerful! 2 Rooks on the 2nd rank are extremely powerful.
They attack opponent’s pawns and create a mating net around his king.
If White protects the f2 pawn 28.Rf1, Black has a nice combination 28…Qe3! 29.fe Rg2
30.Kh1 Rh2 31.Kg1 Rcg2# The Black Rooks are at their full power!
116
In the game White played 28.Qb7 Rf2 (attacking the h-pawn) 29.g4-Qe6 30.Bg3-Rh2!
See? The 2 Rooks on the 2nd rank restrict opponent’s king and this creates many tactical
motifs.
31.Bh2 Qg4 32 Kh1 Qh3 and White can’t prevent mate.
Here is one more advice: put your Rook in front of the Queen on an open file.
Kuzmin G. – Rukavina J.
White To Move
White set up heavy pieces on an open file in a right order: Rooks in front of a Queen.
Generally you are going to use an open file to penetrate into opponent’s territory.
After such an invasion your piece appears amid opponent’s forces, which can be
dangerous. That’s why we should assign a Rook for this risky mission. A Queen is too
valuable for such ‘no-turning-back’ missions.
In this game there followed 27.Qb4Ba6. Black is trying to capture the Rook; however
White has a strong reply 28.Rd7 (using a pin). After 28…Qa5 29.Qa5-Ba5 30.Rd6, White is
winning. If Black removes his Knight from an attack, White will capture the a6-Bishop.
It was all about the 1st rule: Rooks need open lines. Let’s move on the next rule: keep
your Rooks connected. Rooks supplement each other pretty well. 2 Rooks on the 7 th rank,
doubled Rooks on an open line – connected Rooks are the most powerful.
It’s useful to remember this practical tip.
117
Now let’s make a general conclusion about how to use your Rook
1.
In the opening, you should castle to bring the Rook into a game.
2.
After that you need to finish development and to move your Queen. This will
connect the Rooks (connected Rooks are the most powerful).
3.
At this point the Rooks are still passive. You need to bring them into a game
by placing them on the central lines
 In the closed openings (after the 1st move 1.d4) Rooks are typically
placed on c1 and d1
 In open positions (after the 1st move 1.e4) Rooks are usually placed on
d1 and e1
4.
Next, you should move pawns and provide open lines for your Rooks. Then
you will use an open file to penetrate into opponent’s territory and to start a
direct attack.
Of course this is more of an overview of how Rooks should ideally work, but it’s the most
typical scenario. It gives you a clear guideline.
Let’s go ahead to the next piece A KNIGHT
Following the principles of a center and of maximum activity you should keep your Knight
closer to center and move it forward.
I hope that it’s obvious for you now.
There is another important rule: a Knight needs strong squares.
We analyzed it in one of the previous lessons. A Knight is a short-ranged piece. That’s why
it must stay at the place of action. Therefore it needs a strong square; otherwise an
opponent will kick YOUR Knight away.
A strong square for you is same to a weak square in opponent’s position – this is a square
which can’t be protected by opponent’s pawn. Thus a knight is usually very active when
opponent has lots of weaknesses.
118
Suetin A. – Keres P.
Black To Move
Here Black took the Knight 17...Bc3!
Generally a Bishop is stronger and we should not trade it for a knight. In this position,
however, Black notices 2 important factors:
 This exchange breaks the White’s pawn structure and Black will able to attack
these weaknesses.
 And the 2nd factor: When opponent has lots of weaknesses, your Knight will
have lots of strong squares and therefore will be very active.
In the game there followed 18.bc Ne5 attacking the pawn. Also the c4 square is one of the
strong squares for a Knight, thus Black wants to place a knight there.
19.Rb1 b5 This closes White’s eventual counterplay and provide c4 square for a Knight.
20.cb ab 21.Rb2 Qg5 f6 23.Bc1. White has a couple of weaknesses (f4, e3, d3, c3, c4, a3,
a4) and Black’s Knight can use all these squares 23…Kf7 25.Kg1 Ra4 25. Rd2 Ke6 I will show
next move quickly, because they are not so important for out topic.
26.Rff2 Rea8 27.Rfe2 h5 Black is improving his position step by step
28.f4 White tired of waiting and he wants to do something. However, it creates new
weaknesses and gives new strong squares for a Knight.
28…Nc4 29.Rc2 f5 After an exchange 30.ef Kf5 the Black’s Knight has new strong square d5.
31 Kf2 Nb6 Next Black will play Nd5 and will win one of the White’s weak pawns.
119
The last rule about Knights is not new for you: in an opening we should develop Knights
before Bishops
This is a logical consequence of a principle of the least active piece. A Knight is less active
on its initial position, so you should move it first.
There is one additional argument; I call it the principle Of Flexibility. Most probably you
will develop your Knights to c3 and f3, you haven’t much choice really. As for a Bishop, you
can’t be so sure: sometimes it will go to b5 or c4 or even d3.
Therefore it makes sense to play Nf3, because you have to do it anyway. Later you will
make a decision about a Bishop depending on the future situation.
That’s why we should develop Knights before Bishops.
This is all that I wanted to tell you in this lesson and this is the last video lesson in this
course. Now you know the whole chess strategy. All of those complex rules revolve around
the general principles I have outlined.
In the first lesson, we analyzed general principles of a chess game. They determine what
piece should make a move and where it should go. These are universal rules, which allow
you to find the best move in any position.
In the next lessons, I’ve told you specific rules for every piece. Thus you know exactly how
you should use your pieces in different typical situations. Of course, these specific rules are
only logical consequences of the general strategically principles.
That’s why during a practical game, you need to keep in mind only these principles. In the
3rd lesson I’ve told you exactly how you should do it. This is your system of thinking during a
chess game
120
You’ve learnt all chess strategy. Moreover, you know why it is so. We concluded all the
rules based on a general idea of activity. This gave you a REAL understanding of a chess
game on a Grandmaster’s level. Please, accept my congratulations!
Oh! By the way, get ready for the home works!
understanding.
They will surely test your new
Now you should go to the practical part of the course. Before that, please, open an e-book
for printing and print out all presented materials.
Thanks for your attention! Bye!
121
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part:
122
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
The Practical Part: INSTRUCTION
After a study of the video lessons you have received a certain set of knowledge. Now it’s
necessary to put the received knowledge into practice. This practical part of the course will
help you to do it
Your GOALS for the practical part are:
 To develop your deep understanding of a chess game
 To train (and automate) the correct way of thinking
Most often you will need to think about a position and to find the right move. HOWEVER
these are NOT the tactical tasks and your main goal is NOT just to guess the move
somehow. Moreover, often there is no just one “right” or “wrong” move here.
Your goal is use your positional understanding, and to detect the best move based on this
UNDERSTANDING
While studying the answers I recommend that you go over the WHOLE presented game
(not only the first move).
These games are very instructive. You should analyze them and understand how general
ideas (from the video lessons) work in different practical positions. Try to understand the
reason of every move (pay attention on the winner’s moves mostly)
The notes:
 The practical part contains 10 tasks (they are presented in separate folders). A
separate instruction is applied for each task. You should carry out all the tasks
consistently, following the corresponding instructions. Read the instruction from the
e-book FIRST and then perform the task.
 Remember that you should focus on the quality of your training, not on the quantity
of the performed work.
123
 Do not use the computer engines during a performing of the tasks (if it’s not
specified in a certain task’s instruction). You should think by yourself to train your
skills.
 If something is not clear to you – learn once again a corresponding video lesson.
Now you should start performing the task, starting from the “Task 1”
124
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 1 (PART-1).
I hope that you have studied all the video lessons carefully. Now we will have a little exam
for you!
The Task: Remember and write down the strategic rules about PAWN PLAY. Include all
the rules that you know.
After that you may go to the answer (presented in the next chapter of this e-book) and
check yourself.
The Note: if you weren’t able to remember ALL important rules by yourself, then you NEED
to watch again the video lesson # 4
125
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
PAWN PLAY
Strategic Rules
 PIECES are much more powerful that pawns. That’s why we should care about our
pieces first of all.
If you have a choice between a pawn move and a piece move – move a piece.
 Generally we should advance pawns, because it gives more space for our pieces and
restricts opponent’s pieces.
HOWEVER it’s necessary to remember this rule: advanced pawns are good for attack, BUT
bad for defense.
Advanced pawns are close to opponent’s territory. That’s why it’s simple for your opponent
to attack such pawns
 Advanced pawns are strong, if they are well-supported by your pieces. Otherwise
advanced pawns will be an easy target for opponent’s pieces.
 In a middlegame it’s difficult to attack opponent’s weak pawns, because his minor
pieces cover all the weaknesses.
While attacking weak pawns, you should trade minor pieces and leave heavy pieces.
When you exchange the main defenders of weak pawns (opponent’s minor pieces) it will be
much simpler for you to attack and to capture those pawns.
126
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 1 (PART-2).
Now it’s time for you to apply your theoretical knowledge in practice.
Your task:
Open the database “TASK 1 (PART-2) GAMES SECTION” and detect the best moves in
presented positions.
After that, open the database “TASK 1 (PART-2) ANSWERS SECTION” and check yourself.
The Notes

1.
2.
3.
Of course you should NOT just guess the right move. You should:
Recollect the general strategical rules applicable for a given position
Detect the best move based on those positional rules
Calculate the consequences of this move.
 If you experience any problem or don’t understand something – you should study the
video lesson #4 once again.
127
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 1, (PART -2) GAMES SECTION
(1) Ziov - Kesaris (2102) [C84]
Friendly Game, 3m Café, 30.09.2011
[Smirnov]
(3) Meister - Amateur [D36]
Beyer-Verlag Hollfeld, 1998
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-trlwq-trk+(
7+-+-vlpzpp'
6p+-zp-sn-+&
5sn-zpPzp-+-%
4PzpP+P+-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2-zPLsN-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+rsnk+(
7zpp+-+pzp-'
6-+pwq-sn-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-sNLzPN+P#
2PzPQ+-zPP+"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
(2) Spahic - Kesaris (1869) [A58]
Rated game, 16m + 0s Main Playing Hall,
03.10.2011
[Smirnov]
(4) Kotov,Alexander - Pachmann,Ludek
[D65]
Venice Venice (4), 1950
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8rtr-+-+k+(
7+-+nzppvlp'
6qsn-zp-+p+&
5+-zpP+-+-%
4P+-+P+-+$
3+PsN-sN-+-#
2-+QvL-zPPzP"
1+R+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqrsnk+(
7+p+-vlpzpp'
6p+p+-sn-+&
5+-+p+-vL-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-sNLzPN+-#
2PzPQ+-zPPzP"
1+-tR-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
128
(5) Smyslov,Vassily - Keres,Paul [D36]
World Championship 18th Den
Haag/Moskau (17), 25.04.1948
[Smirnov]
(7) Karpow,Anatoli - Ricardi,Pablo (2545)
[D35]
Najdorf mem IT Buenos Aires (9),
13.09.2001
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqr+k+(
7zpp+-vlpzpp'
6-+l+-snn+&
5+-+p+-vL-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+QsNLzPN+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1+R+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+r+-+(
7vl-+-trpmkp'
6-+pwq-zpn+&
5zpp+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-zPL+$
3zP-sNQzP-zP-#
2-zP-+RmK-zP"
1+-+R+-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(6) Shulman Yuri - Ehlvest Jaan [D38]
2011 US Championship Group A (3),
17.04.2011
[Smirnov]
(8) Nikolaidis,Ioannis Brustman,Agnieszka (2375) [E70]
Aegina op Aegina (7), 1994
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7+p+-+p+p'
6-zp-+-zp-+&
5+-+-+-wq-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+L+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1tR-wQ-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[BLACK'S TURN]
1–0
1–0
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trn+(
7+p+-+pvlk'
6-wqpzp-+p+&
5zp-snPzp-+p%
4P+P+P+-+$
3tR-sNNvLP+-#
2-zP-wQ-+PzP"
1+-+-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy
129
(9) Portisch,Lajos - Jussupow,Artur (2645)
[D36]
Bugojno Bugojno (4), 1986
[Smirnov]
(11) Kirilov N - Pavlov V [B03]
corr 46/145, 1988
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+rsnk+(
7+p+nwqpzpp'
6p+p+l+-+&
5+-sNp+-+-%
4-zP-zP-+-+$
3+-+LzP-+-#
2P+Q+NzPPzP"
1+R+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wqk+-tr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-sn-+p+-+&
5+-+-zPl+-%
4-vlPzP-+-+$
3+-sNL+N+-#
2PzP-+-+PzP"
1tR-vLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
0–1
0–1
(10) Nikolaidis,Ioannis - Arduman,Can
(2380) [A07]
Ankara zt Ankara (1), 1995
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+k+-tr(
7zp-wqnsn-zpp'
6-+p+lzp-+&
5+-vl-zp-+-%
4-zp-+P+-+$
3+-+-sNNzP-#
2PzPP+-zPLzP"
1tR-vL-wQRmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(12) Huebner R - Hort V (2570) [B03]
Biel 44/133, 1987
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+ktr-+-tr(
7zppzpqvlpzpp'
6-snn+p+l+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+PzP-+-zP$
3zP-+-vLNsN-#
2-zP-wQL+P+"
1+-mKR+-+R!
xabcdefghy
0–1
130
(13) Belokrylov A - Pavlov V (2105) [B03]
corr 74/99, 1997
[Smirnov]
(15) Kokkoris H - Marovic D [B03]
Greece 9/112, 1970
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wq-trk+(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-sn-+p+-+&
5+-+-zPl+-%
4-vlPzP-+-+$
3+-sNL+N+-#
2PzP-+-+PzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqk+-tr(
7zppzp-vlpzpp'
6-sn-+p+l+&
5+-+PzP-+-%
4-snPsN-+-+$
3zP-sN-vL-+-#
2-zP-+-+PzP"
1tR-+QmKL+R!
xabcdefghy
0–1
0–1
(14) Tsarev V - Palatnik S (2460) [B03]
Kiev 48/159, 1989
[Smirnov]
(16) Ivanchuk,Vassily - Aronian,Levon
(2744) [D38]
Morelia/Linares 24th Morelia/Linares (7),
25.02.2007
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqk+-tr(
7zppzplvlpzpp'
6-sn-+-+-+&
5+-+PzP-+-%
4-sn-sN-+-+$
3+QsN-vL-+-#
2PzP-+-+PzP"
1tR-+-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy
0–1
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-trk+(
7zpl+n+pzp-'
6-zp-+-+-zp&
5+-trp+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3zP-tR-zPN+-#
2-zP-+LzPPzP"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
131
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 1, (PART- 2) ANSWERS SECTION
(1) Ziov - Kesaris (2102) [C84]
Friendly Game, 3m Café, 30.09.2011
[Smirnov I]
XABCDEFGHY
8-trlwq-trk+(
7+-+-vlpzpp'
6p+-zp-sn-+&
5sn-zpPzp-+-%
4PzpP+P+-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2-zPLsN-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
13...b3! [(Following the principle of
maximum activity, we should move pawns
forward. Here it helps black 1) to blockade
the b2–pawn and to restrict white's
queen-side pieces; 2) to break connection
between white's pawns and so to make
them weak.)]
14.Bb1 [14.Nxb3? Nxb3 15.Bxb3 Nxe4µ
gives black a strong central pawn e5
against white's backward pawn b2]
(2) Spahic (1851) - Kesaris (1869) [A58]
Rated game, 16m + 0s Main Playing Hall,
03.10.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8rtr-+-+k+(
7+-+nzppvlp'
6qsn-zp-+p+&
5+-zpP+-+-%
4P+-+P+-+$
3+PsN-sN-+-#
2-+QvL-zPPzP"
1+R+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[(In Benko gambit black has open lines on
the queen-side and should attack there.
Also he should take note of the fact that
"connected
pawns
are
strong,
disconnected pawns are weak.")]
17...c4! [! (Black wants to break the
white's pawn chain in order to attack it
after that.)]
18.Nb5? [(this blunder loses a pawn)]
14...Rb4‚ [The disconnected pawns are
weak and can be attacked. Now black is
going to play Bd7 and to capture the a4
pawn.]
[18.b4! Nxa4 19.Nxa4 Qxa4 20.Qxa4 Rxa4
21.Nxc4 f5„ White still has an advantage
thanks to his extra pawn. However, black
has some counterplay.]
0–1
18...Rc8? [certainly black should take the
pawn 18...cxb3 19.Qxb3? (19.Rxb3 Qxa4
black has an initiative position) 19...Nxa4
and black is suddenly winning, because
132
white can't neutralize the pin on his b5–
knight.]
0–1
(3) Meister - Amateur [D36]
Beyer-Verlag Hollfeld, 1998
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+rsnk+(
7zpp+-+pzp-'
6-+pwq-sn-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-sNLzPN+P#
2PzPQ+-zPP+"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
14.Rab1 [(White realizes a standard plan pawn minority attack. After pushing b4–
b5 white will break black's pawn chain and
will attack it afterwards.)]
14...Bd7 15.b4 Qe7 16.b5 Ne4 17.Ne5
Nxc3 18.Qxc3 Rec8 19.bxc6 Bxc6 20.Nxc6
bxc6 [(Now white has obvious targets for
an attack: black's weak pawns c6 and a7.)]
21.Rfc1 Qe6 22.Qc2 Qd6 23.Rb7 Ne6
24.Bf5 g5 25.Bg4 Kg7 26.g3 Kg8 27.Qf5
Nd8 28.Rd7 Qe6 29.Qf3 Qe4 30.Qf6 Qg6
31.Qxg6+ fxg6 32.Rxd5 cxd5 33.Bxc8 Rb8
34.Rc7 a5 35.Rc5 a4 36.Bd7 Rb2 37.Bxa4
Rxa2 38.Bb3 Ra1+ 39.Kg2 Kf8 40.Bxd5
1–0
(4) Kotov,Alexander - Pachmann,Ludek
[D65]
Venice Venice (4), 1950
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqrsnk+(
7+p+-vlpzpp'
6p+p+-sn-+&
5+-+p+-vL-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-sNLzPN+-#
2PzPQ+-zPPzP"
1+-tR-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
12.a3 [(White starts realizing a pawn
minority attack. Usually white plays Rb1
preparing the move b4. In this position,
however, it makes no sense to remove the
rook from its active position.)]
12...g6 13.b4 Ne6 14.Bxf6 [(It allows white
to play a4 on the next move. Also it forces
black to place his bishop on a passive
position.)]
14...Bxf6 15.a4 Ng7 16.b5 axb5 17.axb5
Bf5 18.Bxf5 Nxf5 19.bxc6 bxc6 [(Now
black has a weak pawn c6 and a weak
square c5. White should attack the weak
pawn and occupy the weak square.)]
20.Na4 Rc8 21.Qc5 Nd6 22.Nd2 Re7
23.Rb1 Rb7 24.Rxb7 Nxb7 25.Qa7 Nd6
26.Qa6 Qc7 27.Rc1 Bd8 28.Nc5 Qa5
29.Qd3 Qb5 30.g3 Bb6 31.Rb1 Qxd3
32.Nxd3 Ba5 33.Nb3 Bd8 34.Nbc5 Be7
35.Nd7 Rc7 36.Nb8 Nc4 37.Ra1 Rc8
38.Nd7 Rc7 39.Ra8+ Kg7 40.N7e5 Nxe5
41.Nxe5 Bd6 42.Nd3 Kf6 43.g4 Ke6 44.Kg2
133
Rb7 45.Re8+ Re7 46.Rh8 f6 47.h4 Rb7
48.Kf3 Rf7 49.Re8+ Re7 50.Rd8 Ra7
51.Nc5+ Ke7 52.Rc8 Bxc5 53.dxc5 Kd7
54.Rh8 Ke6 55.Rd8 Ke7 56.Rd6 Ra6 57.g5
fxg5 58.hxg5 Kf7 59.Kg3 Ke7 60.f3 Ra3
61.Kf4 Ra4+ 62.Ke5 Ra3 63.Rxc6 Rxe3+
64.Kxd5 Rd3+ 65.Ke4 Rc3 66.f4 Rc1
67.Rc7+ Kd8 68.Rxh7 Rxc5 69.Rf7
1–0
(5) Smyslov,Vassily - Keres,Paul [D36]
World Championship 18th Den
Haag/Moskau (17), 25.04.1948
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqr+k+(
7zpp+-vlpzpp'
6-+l+-snn+&
5+-+p+-vL-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+QsNLzPN+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1+R+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[The white's plan is to attack black's
pawns d5 and b7.]
16.Bxf6! [(Minor pieces are the main
defenders of weak pawns. This exchange
eliminates a defender of the d5–pawn.
Also it prevents the black's eventual
counterplay with the move Ne4.)]
16...Bxf6 17.Bb5! [(While attacking weak
pawns, it's useful to trade minor pieces.)]
17...Qd6 18.Rfc1 h5 19.Ne2 h4 20.Bxc6
bxc6 21.Qa4 [(Now white can attack the
black's weak pawns c6 and a7 directly.)]
21...Ne7 22.Rb7 a5 23.h3 Reb8 24.Rcb1
Rxb7 25.Rxb7 c5 26.Rb5 cxd4 27.Nexd4
Rc8 28.Nb3 Bc3 29.Qxh4 Rc4 30.g4 a4
31.Nbd4 Bxd4 32.Nxd4 Qe5 33.Nf3 Qd6
34.Ra5 Rc8 35.Rxa4 Ng6 36.Qh5 Qf6
37.Qf5 Qc6 38.Ra7 Rf8 39.Rd7 d4 40.Rxd4
Ra8 41.a4
1–0
(6) Shulman Yuri - Ehlvest Jaan [D38]
2011 US Championship Group A (3),
17.04.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7+p+-+p+p'
6-zp-+-zp-+&
5+-+-+-wq-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+L+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1tR-wQ-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
19.Qb2 [(While attacking weak pawns, we
should trade minor pieces and leave heavy
pieces. Therefore white should avoid an
exchange of the queens. Moreover, a
queen is very powerful in positions with
lots of weaknesses. It can attack all of
them simultaneously.)]
19...b5 20.Rfe1 Rd8 21.Re3 Kh8 22.a3
[(fixing the weakness)]
134
22...Ra4 23.Rd1 [(After this exchange
white can penetrate into the last rank by
Re8)]
23...Rxd1+ 24.Bxd1 Rc4 25.Be2 Rc6
26.Qd2 Re6 27.h4 Qg8 28.Rg3 [(Black has
too many weaknesses and he can't hold a
position)]
28...Qf8 29.Bxb5 Rd6 30.Qf4 b6 31.Bd3
Bd7 32.h5 Re6 33.Bc4 Rd6 34.Kh2 f5
35.Bxf7 Rf6 36.Rg8+ Qxg8 37.Bxg8 Kxg8
38.Qd4 Rf7 39.Qxb6 f4 40.h6
1–0
(7) Karpow,Anatoli (2692) - Ricardi,Pablo
(2545) [D35]
Najdorf mem IT Buenos Aires (9),
13.09.2001
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+r+-+(
7vl-+-trpmkp'
6-+pwq-zpn+&
5zpp+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-zPL+$
3zP-sNQzP-zP-#
2-zP-+RmK-zP"
1+-+R+-+-!
xabcdefghy
28...b4? [(This is a huge positional
mistake. When you advance pawns, you
are weakening your position. It's
important to understand it and to be very
careful with pawn moves. Black is trying to
play actively, but in fact it only favors the
WHITE's attack.)]
[28...Nf8 (The white's position is slightly
better, but it's difficult for white to get
any progress. Thus black should simply
wait. In the meanwhile he may try to bring
the knight to f8–d7–b6–c4) 29.a4? b4
30.Nb1 c5„]
29.axb4 axb4 30.Na4 [(Now white has a
strong square c5 for his knight, and an
obvious plan of attacking the black's weak
pawns b4 and c6)]
30...Re4? 31.Bf3 R4e7 32.Rc1 Qd7 33.Nc5
Qh3 34.Bg2 Qh5 35.h3 Nf8 36.Nb3 Re6
37.f5 Rd6 38.Bf3 Qh6 39.Na5 Bb8 40.h4
Rc8 41.Qa6 Rc7 42.Rxc6 Ra7 43.Qb6 Nd7
44.Qxb4
1–0
135
(8) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2460) Brustman,Agnieszka (2375) [E70]
Aegina op Aegina (7), 1994
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trn+(
7+p+-+pvlk'
6-wqpzp-+p+&
5zp-snPzp-+p%
4P+P+P+-+$
3tR-sNNvLP+-#
2-zP-wQ-+PzP"
1+-+-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy
[White is going to take on c5 and to
double black's pawns. Black should
prevent it.]
16...Bh6?! [black has an obvious way to
solve the problem: 16...Nxd3+ 17.Bxd3 c5
and white can't attack on the queen-side
anymore. On the next move black will play
Bh6 with a normal position.]
17.Nxc5 Bxe3 18.Qxe3 dxc5 [(The black's
weak pawns will be a long term problem
for him. This determines white's lasting
initiative.)]
19.Be2 Qxb2? [(This greedy move opens
the b-file for white's rooks. After that it'll
be extremelly hard for black to withstand
against white's pressure on the queenside.)]
20.Ra2 Qb6 21.0–0 cxd5 22.cxd5 Bd7
23.Rb1 Qc7 24.Rab2 Rab8 25.Bb5?
[25.Rb6! fixing the weak pawn and placing
the rook on an active square. After that
it's hard to find any logical move for
black.]
25...Nf6 26.Qg5 Kg7 27.Bxd7 Nxd7
28.Nb5 Qd8 29.Qxd8 Rfxd8 30.Nd6 b6
31.Kf2 Rf8 32.g4 hxg4 33.fxg4 Rfc8 34.Kf3
Rh8 35.Kg3 Rhf8 36.h4 Rh8 37.Rf1 Rhf8
38.h5 f6 39.Rh2 Rh8 40.Rfh1 gxh5
41.Rxh5 Rxh5 42.gxh5 Kh6 43.Kg4 c4
44.Kf5 Nc5 45.Rg1 c3 46.Nf7+ Kh7 47.h6
Rg8 48.Rxg8 Kxg8 49.Kg6
1–0
(9) Portisch,Lajos (2610) - Jussupow,Artur
(2645) [D36]
Bugojno Bugojno (4), 1986
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+rsnk+(
7+p+nwqpzpp'
6p+p+l+-+&
5+-sNp+-+-%
4-zP-zP-+-+$
3+-+LzP-+-#
2P+Q+NzPPzP"
1+R+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[White has a standard plan of attack on
the queen-side. He will play Rfc1, a4, b5
and so on. The c5–knight is very powerful
and is attacking many squares in the
black's position. Black really needs to find
a way to overcome this unfavorable
situation.]
15...Nxc5! [(This looks like a positional
mistake, which gives white a semi-open b-
136
file against black's weak pawn b7.
However, black has a simple way to
neutralize this pressure.)]
[Advanced pawns are close to your pieces
and therefore are easy targets for your
attack.]
16.bxc5 Rad8 17.Rb2 g6 18.Rfb1 Bc8 [(The
b7–pawn is protected and the white's
attack is over. Now black may think about
his own attacking plans.)]
14.a3! bxa3 15.b3 [(White broke the
black's pawn structure. After that white
will attack the weak pawns a7 and c6)]
19.Nc1 Rd7 20.Nb3 Ne6 21.Na5 Nd8
22.Qd1 h5 23.Qf3 Kg7 24.h3 h4 25.Qf4
Rc7 26.Kf1 Rh8 27.Rb3 g5 28.Qh2 f6
29.R1b2 Nf7 30.Ke1 Re8 31.Kd1 f5 32.Re2
Qd8 33.Rb6 f4 34.exf4 Rxe2 35.Kxe2 Qf6
36.Rb4 gxf4 37.Kd2 Re7 38.Qh1 f3 39.Kc3
Ng5 40.gxf3 Qf4 41.Rb1 Nxf3 42.Nb3 Kf8
43.Rd1 Ng5 44.Nd2 Rf7 45.f3 Nxh3
46.Re1 Ng5 47.Re2 Re7 48.Rxe7 Kxe7
49.Qe1+ Be6 50.Qb1 h3 51.Qxb7+ Bd7
52.Qa8 h2 53.Qh8 Nh3
0–1
(10) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2505) Arduman,Can (2380) [A07]
Ankara zt Ankara (1), 1995
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+k+-tr(
7zp-wqnsn-zpp'
6-+p+lzp-+&
5+-vl-zp-+-%
4-zp-+P+-+$
3+-+-sNNzP-#
2PzPP+-zPLzP"
1tR-vL-wQRmK-!
xabcdefghy
15...0–0 16.Bxa3 Qb6 17.Qc3 Bxe3
18.Bxe7 Rf7 19.Ba3 Bc5 20.Bxc5 Qxc5
21.Qxc5 Nxc5 22.Ra5 Nb7 23.Ra6 Rc7
24.Rd1 Kf7 25.Ne1 Nc5 26.Ra5 Nb7
27.Ra3 Ke7 28.f4 Nd6 29.fxe5 fxe5
30.Nd3 Nf7 31.Ra5 Rd8 32.Rc5 Rd6
33.Rb1 Kf6 34.Rf1+ Ke7 35.Nxe5 Nxe5
36.Rxe5 Kd8 37.Bf3 Re7 38.Rd1 Rxd1+
39.Bxd1 Bc8 40.Rxe7 Kxe7 41.Kf2 Kd6
42.Ke3 Ke5 43.b4 Bb7 44.Kd3 c5 45.bxc5
Bxe4+ 46.Kc4 Bc6 47.Kb4 Bd7 48.Bf3 Bc8
49.c3 Ba6 50.Bc6 g5 51.Bb5 Bc8 52.Bd3
h6 53.Kb5 Bb7 54.Bc4 Kf6 55.c6 Bc8
56.Ka5 Ke7 57.Ba6 Kd8 58.Bxc8 Kxc8
59.g4 Kc7 60.Kb5 Kd6 61.h3 Kc7 62.Ka6
Kxc6 63.Kxa7 Kc7 64.c4 Kc6 65.Kb8 Kc5
66.Kc7 Kxc4 67.Kd6 Kd4 68.Ke6
1–0
137
(11) Kirilov N - Pavlov V [B03]
corr 46/145, 1988
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wqk+-tr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-sn-+p+-+&
5+-+-zPl+-%
4-vlPzP-+-+$
3+-sNL+N+-#
2PzP-+-+PzP"
1tR-vLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
[White has a pawn center, but it doesn't
well supported by his pieces. In such cases
advanced pawns can be weak and can be
attacked by an opponent.]
9...c5! 10.d5 [10.Bxf5 exf5 (10...cxd4!?
11.Nxd4 exf5 12.Nxf5 Bxc3+ 13.bxc3
Qxd1+ 14.Kxd1 0–0 with an attack against
white's weak pawns) 11.d5 Nxc4 and black
starts capturing white's advanced pawns.]
10...Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 exd5
13.Ng5 [(The white's center was
destroyed and he lost a pawn. White is
lost strategically, and now he can only
hope for tactical tricks.)]
13...Nc6 14.Nxf7 Kxf7 15.Qf5+ Ke8 16.0–0
Ne7 17.Qf7+ Kd7 18.cxd5 Nbxd5 19.Rd1
Kc7 20.c4 Rf8 21.Qxg7 Nc3 22.Re1 Qd7
23.Bg5 Rae8 24.Qxh7 Ne2+ 25.Kh1 Rh8
26.Qg7 Reg8 27.Qf6 Nf5 28.h3 Nfd4 29.e6
Rxh3+
0–1
(12) Huebner R (2610) - Hort V (2570)
[B03]
Biel 44/133, 1987
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+ktr-+-tr(
7zppzpqvlpzpp'
6-snn+p+l+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+PzP-+-zP$
3zP-+-vLNsN-#
2-zP-wQL+P+"
1+-mKR+-+R!
xabcdefghy
[The white's position looks very active.
However, advanced pawns weaken all the
territory behind them. Black found a way
to exploit white's weaknesses.]
16...Nb4! 17.b3 [17.axb4 Qa4 (threatening
Qa1) 18.Bd3 Nxc4 19.Bxc4 Qa1#]
17...Nc2 [(attacking the a3–pawn)]
18.c5 Qc6 19.Bd3 Nxe3 20.Qxe3 Nd5
21.Qf2 Bxd3 22.Rxd3 Qa6 [(the white's
advanced pawns are exposed targets for
the black's attack.)]
23.Rhd1 Qxa3+ 24.Qb2 Qxb2+ 25.Kxb2 f5
26.Ne2 h6 27.h5 g5 28.hxg6 Rdg8 29.Rh1
Rxg6 30.g3 h5 31.Rh3 Rg4 32.Nc3 Nxc3
33.Kxc3 Kd7 34.b4 c6 35.Nd2 b5 36.Kc2
Kc7 37.Kd1 f4 38.gxf4 Rxf4 39.Ke2 h4
40.Ke3 Rg4 41.Ne4 Rg1 42.Ra3 Kb8
43.Rh2 Rf8 44.Raa2 Rb1 45.Nf6 Bxf6
46.exf6 Rxf6 47.Rxh4 Rf7 48.Ke4 Rd7
49.Ke5 Rxb4 50.Rd2 a5 51.Kxe6 Kc7
138
52.Ke5 Re7+ 53.Kf6 Rd7 54.Ke5 a4 55.Ke4
Rc4
0–1
(13) Belokrylov A - Pavlov V (2105) [B03]
corr 74/99, 1997
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wq-trk+(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-sn-+p+-+&
5+-+-zPl+-%
4-vlPzP-+-+$
3+-sNL+N+-#
2PzP-+-+PzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
10...Nc6! [(This move looks risky, because
it allows white to push his central pawns.
However, black is going to attack white's
advanced pawns after that.)]
[a trite move 10...Bxd3 helps white to
support his central pawns after 11.Qxd3 .
Now white has a clear advantage, while its
difficult for black to create any
counterplay.]
11.Bxf5 exf5 12.c5 [12.d5 Na5 and white
can't defend the c4–pawn]
15.Qe2 Qd5 16.Rb1 b6 17.Rxf5 bxc5
18.Rb5 Rab8 19.Rxc5 Nxd4 20.Qh5 Ne2+
21.Kf1 Ng3+ 22.hxg3 Qd3+ 23.Kg1 Qxf5
24.Bf4 Nb2 25.Rxc7 Nd3 26.Qf3 Nxe5
0–1
(14) Tsarev V (2415) - Palatnik S (2460)
[B03]
Kiev 48/159, 1989
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqk+-tr(
7zppzplvlpzpp'
6-sn-+-+-+&
5+-+PzP-+-%
4-sn-sN-+-+$
3+QsN-vL-+-#
2PzP-+-+PzP"
1tR-+-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy
[White has advanced central pawns, but
his position is undeveloped. This gives
black an opportunity to start attacking
these pawns.]
13...c5 14.dxc6 [14.Nf3 c4 15.Qd1 Bf5‚]
14...bxc6 15.0–0–0 Qc7 [(now it's difficult
for white to protect the e5–pawn,
because he doesn't have enough piece in
the game)]
12...Bxc3 13.bxc3 Nc4 [(the black's plan is
to blockade the white's pawns and to
attack them afterwards.)]
16.Bc4 [16.Bf4 0–0 following with N6d5
would give black an initiative position]
14.Ng5 Qd7? [better was 14...h6 15.Nh3
b6„]
16...Nxc4 17.Qxc4 Qxe5 18.Rhe1 0–0
19.a3 Nd5 20.Nxc6 Bxc6 21.Nxd5 Bxa3
139
22.bxa3 Rfc8 23.Bc5 Bxd5 24.Rxe5 Bxc4
25.Kb2 f6
22.Rf3 Bxf3+ 23.Kxf3 Rf8+ 24.Ke2 Qg4+
25.Ke1 Qxg2
0–1
0–1
(15) Kokkoris H - Marovic D [B03]
Greece 9/112, 1970
[Smirnov]
(16) Ivanchuk,Vassily (2750) Aronian,Levon (2744) [D38]
Morelia/Linares 24th Morelia/Linares (7),
25.02.2007
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqk+-tr(
7zppzp-vlpzpp'
6-sn-+p+l+&
5+-+PzP-+-%
4-snPsN-+-+$
3zP-sN-vL-+-#
2-zP-+-+PzP"
1tR-+QmKL+R!
xabcdefghy
[White has menacing pawns in the center
and black has to oppose something.]
12...c5! [(Opening lines and starting the
attack against white's advanced pawns.)]
13.Nxe6 [13.axb4 cxd4 14.Qxd4 Bxb4 now
the d5–pawn is hanging; 13.dxc6? Nxc6
14.Nxc6 bxc6 the white's pawn chain was
destroyed and black will attack the weak
pawn e5 afterwards]
13...fxe6 14.axb4 cxb4 15.Nb5 0–0
[(Because of the black's better
development, white's advanced pawns
became rather a weakness of the white's
position.)]
16.d6 Bg5 17.Bd4 Be3! 18.Bxe3 Qh4+
19.Kd2 Rxf1 20.Rxf1 Nxc4+ 21.Ke2 Bh5+
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-trk+(
7zpl+n+pzp-'
6-zp-+-+-zp&
5+-trp+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3zP-tR-zPN+-#
2-zP-+LzPPzP"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[Black has an isolated pawn on d5. While
attacking weak pawns we should trade
minor pieces and leave heavy pieces.]
17.Rcc1! [(that's why white is avoiding an
exchange of the rooks)]
[After 17.Rac1?! Rfc8 all heavy pieces will
be traded. Then white will have no pieces
for attacking the d5–pawn.]
17...Rfc8?! [(Black made "a natural move"
without understanding a strategical
content of a position.)]
[17...Rxc1+! (unlike white, black should
trade heavy pieces) 18.Rxc1 Rc8 with good
chances for a draw]
140
18.Rd1! Rc2 19.Bb5 Nf8 20.Rab1 R2c7
[(Now white has a clear plan: to double
rooks on the d-file and to attack the d5–
pawn.)]
21.Ba4 Ne6 22.Bb3 Kf8 23.h3 Rc5 24.Kh2
Ke7 25.Rd2 Rb5 26.Ba2 Rbc5 27.Ne1
[(preventing Rc2 and not allowing black to
trade rooks)]
27...a5 28.Rbd1 Rd8 29.Kg3 Rb5 30.f3
Rc8? [(this mistake leads to an immediate
loss, but white has a clear advantage in
any case)]
[30...Rc5 31.Nd3 Rcc8 32.Nc1 and the
knight will go to e2–c3/d4.]
31.Nd3 [(Now the rook is trapped. White
is threatening a4)]
31...d4 32.Bxe6 Kxe6 33.Nf4+ Ke7
34.Rxd4 Rc7 35.R1d2 Rbc5 36.e4 Rc4
37.Rd6 R4c6 38.e5 Rc2 39.Rxc2 Rxc2
40.Rxb6 Bc6 41.b4 g5 42.Nh5 axb4
43.axb4 Bd5 44.Ng7 Re2 45.Nf5+ Ke8
46.Nxh6 Be6 47.Rb5 Rb2 48.Rb8+ Kd7
49.Rg8
1–0
141
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 1 (PART-3).
Here is another little exam for you!
The Task: Remember and write down the strategic rules about WEAK SQUARES. Include
all the rules that you know.
After that you may go to the answer (presented in the next chapter of this e-book) and
check yourself
The note: If you weren’t able to remember ALL important rules by yourself, then you NEED
to watch again the video lesson #4.
142
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
WEAK squares
Strategical Rules
General theory:
In a middlegame you should start an attack.
OBJECT of your attack, first.
For this purpose, you need to detect the
The easiest targets are WEAKNESSES in opponent’s position.
A weakness is a pawn or a square on the 5th or 6th rank (in black’s position), which can
NOT be protected by opponent’s pawn.

If opponent has a weak pawn – you can attack and capture it.

If he has a weak square – you can fix your piece there (which allows you to
penetrate into opponent’s territory)
Practical tips:
 It’s better to place your KNIGHT on a weak square.
 A BISHOP is the main defender of weak squares. Thus you should exchange an
opponent’s Bishop, which guards his weak squares.
 If you can fix your piece on a central weak square on the 5th rank – it gives you a
stable advantage.
 If you can fix your piece on a central weak square on the 6 th rank – it gives you a
winning position (because such a piece controls lots of squares on the opponent’s
territory, which paralyzes his movement).
 Piece activity compensates weaknesses. More active side will ATTACK, while his
opponent will only have to DEFEND. Therefore, attacker may not care about his
weaknesses too much.
143
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 1 (PART-4).
Now you will test your skills in practice.
Your Task:
Open the database “TASK 1 (PART-4) GAMES SECTION” and detect the best moves in
presented positions.
After that, open the database “TASK 1 (PART-4) ANSWERS SECTION” and check yourself.
The Notes:
 Of course you should NOT just guess the right move. You should:
1. Recollect the general strategical rules applicable for a given position.
2. Detect the best move based on those positional rules.
3. Calculate the consequences of this move.
 If you experience any problem or don’t understand something – you should study the
video lesson # 4 once again.
144
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 1, (PART- 4) GAMES SECTION
(1) Petrosian,Tigran V Velimirovic,Dragoljub
Vrbas Vrbas, 1980
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
(3) Smyslov - Denker
Moscow
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+ntrk+(
7zpp+-+-+-'
6-+-zp-sn-+&
5+-zpP+p+p%
4-+P+pzP-+$
3+-sN-+-zP-#
2PzP-sNL+-zP"
1+R+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtr-+k+(
7zp-+-wq-vl-'
6-zp-zpl+pzp&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+PsN-wQ-zP-#
2P+-+-zPLzP"
1+-tRR+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(2) Hage,Paul - Nimzowitsch,Aaron
Arnstadt, 1926
[Smirnov]
(4) Greko–12 - Nik Gor
Friendly Game, 3m + 0s Main Playing Hall,
07.08.2009
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnltr-+-+(
7+-+-mk-zpp'
6-+pvl-sn-+&
5zpp+-zpp+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3zP-sN-zPN+-#
2LzPPvL-zPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7+p+-snpzp-'
6p+n+p+-zp&
5+-+pzP-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3sN-zPL+N+-#
2-+-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+QmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
145
(5) Fischer,R - Gadia,O
Mar del Plata, 1960
[Smirnov]
(7) Polgar,Judit - Anand,Viswanathan
Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee (6), 22.01.1998
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqk+-tr(
7+-+-vlpzpp'
6p+lzp-sn-+&
5+p+-zpP+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+LsNQ+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1tR-vL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7+-wqnvlpzpp'
6p+-zp-sn-+&
5+p+-zp-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+PsN-vLN+-#
2-zPP+QzPPzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(6) King,Daniel J - Heaven,Peter
EU-ch U20 Groningen (3), 1982
[Smirnov]
(8) Lilienthal,Andor - Botvinnik,Mikhail
URS-ch12 Moscow, 1940
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ltr-+k+(
7zpp+-vlpzpp'
6-+-zp-sn-+&
5+-+-zp-vL-%
4-+-+P+q+$
3+-sNQ+N+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1+-+R+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zplzp-vl-zpp'
6-zpnzpp+-+&
5+-+-+p+-%
4-+PzP-+-+$
3+-+-+-zP-#
2PzPQ+PzPLzP"
1tR-vL-sNRmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
146
(9) Ivacic,V - Mikhalchishin,A
Slovenija tch, 1993
[Smirnov]
(11) Hracek,Zbynek - Almasi,Zoltan
Odorheiu Secuiesc zt Odorheiu Secuiesc
(4), 1995
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-+k+(
7+pzpq+pzpp'
6-+n+lvl-+&
5zp-+-zp-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3zPP+PvLNzP-#
2-+Q+-zPLzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8rtr-+-vl-+(
7+-+-wqp+k'
6-sn-zpl+pzp&
5zpp+-zp-+-%
4-zP-+P+P+$
3zPLzPQvLPsN-#
2-+-+-+P+"
1tR-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
(10) Rubinstein,Akiba - Hromadka,Karel
Bad Pistyan Bad Pistyan (3), 22.05.1912
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7+pzp-+-zpp'
6p+-+pvl-+&
5+-zPpsNpsn-%
4-+-zP-vL-+$
3+-+LzPP+-#
2PzP-+-+PzP"
1+-tRQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
(12) Smirnov Igor (UKR) - Chernikova
Svetlana (UKR)
Open (8), 08.2002
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+ntr(
7zppzp-+-vlp'
6-+-zp-+p+&
5+-+Pzpn+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-sN-vL-+-#
2PzPPwQ-zPPzP"
1+-mKR+LsNR!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
147
(13) Smyslov,Vassily - Euwe,Max
Groningen Groningen (8), 1946
[Smirnov]
(15) Lundin,Erik - Botvinnik,Mikhail
Staunton mem (2), 1946
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+qtrk+(
7+-zp-sn-vl-'
6p+-zplzp-zp&
5+p+-zp-zp-%
4P+-zPP+-+$
3+-zP-+NzP-#
2-zPL+-zPP+"
1tR-+QtRNmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtr-+k+(
7+l+qvlpzpp'
6-+p+-+-+&
5zpp+p+-+-%
4-+-zPnsN-+$
3+-+QvL-zP-#
2PzPR+PzPLzP"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
0–1
(14) Mureshan - Severeid
Tbilisi Òáèëèñè
[Smirnov]
(16) Nikolaidis,Ioannis Fournarakos,Gerasimos
Aegina op Aegina (8), 1993
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7zp-+-vlpzpp'
6-+p+p+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+k+-tr(
7zppzpr+p+p'
6-+n+lvlp+&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+-vLN+P#
2PzPP+LzPP+"
1+-mKR+-+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
148
(17) Aronian,Levon - Kramnik,Vladimir
Botvinnik Memorial Moscow RUS (6),
03.09.2011
[Smirnov]
(19) Botvinnik,Mikhail Ragozin,Viacheslav
Chigorin mem Moscow, 1947
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+-+-+q+&
5+-+P+l+-%
4-+P+N+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2P+-+QzPPzP"
1tR-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+r+k+(
7+-zplwqpzpp'
6pzp-zp-sn-+&
5+-+Psn-+-%
4-+PvL-+-+$
3zP-sN-+-+-#
2-zPQ+LzPPzP"
1+-+-tRRmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(18) Capablanca Jose Raul (CUB) Zubarev Nikolay (RUS)
It, 1925
[Smirnov]
(20) Karpov,Anatoly - Kamsky,Gata
FIDE-Wch Elista (1), 1996
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-+-+(
7+p+qtr-mkp'
6p+-+-zpp+&
5+-wQP+-+-%
4P+-+N+-+$
3+-+-+-+P#
2-vl-+-zPP+"
1tR-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7+-zp-+pvlp'
6p+-sn-+p+&
5+-+P+-+-%
4-+-zp-+-+$
3+-sNQ+-zPq#
2PzP-+-zP-zP"
1tR-+L+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
149
(21) Flohr Salomon M (CZE) - Navarovszky
Laszlo (HUN)
It Balatonbereny (Hungary), 1960
[Smirnov]
(23) Petrosian Tigran V (ARM) - Karner
Hillar (EST)
Memorial P.Keres Tallinn (Estonia), 1983
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7+-+lzpp+p'
6p+-zp-+p+&
5wq-+P+n+-%
4-+L+-+-+$
3+PsN-+-+-#
2P+-wQ-zPPzP"
1+-tRR+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+k+-+(
7zpp+-zp-+p'
6-sn-+-+pvl&
5+-zp-+p+-%
4-+P+PzP-+$
3+P+-vLP+-#
2P+K+N+-zP"
1+-+R+-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(22) Kamsky,Gata - Karpov,Anatoly
FIDE-Wch Elista (4), 1996
[Smirnov]
(24) Karpov,Anatoly - Shirov,Alexei
Biel Biel (13), 1992
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-trk+(
7zpp+l+p+p'
6-wqn+pvlp+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-zPQ+-+$
3zP-+LvLN+-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-trr+k+(
7+l+-wq-zpp'
6p+p+-zp-+&
5+p+-sn-+-%
4Pvl-+-+-+$
3+P+-zP-sNP#
2-vLQ+LzPP+"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
150
(25) Short,Nigel D - Anand,Viswanathan
Amsterdam VSB Amsterdam (6), 1993
[Smirnov]
(27) Petrosian Tigran V (ARM) Nikolaevsky Yuri V (RUS)
Ch URS (1/2 final) Kiev (Ukraine) (7), 1957
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+-+-vl-+&
5+-+psNl+-%
4-snPzPn+-+$
3+-sN-vL-+-#
2PzP-+LzPPzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqntrk+(
7zpp+-+pvl-'
6-+-zp-+pzp&
5+-zpPzp-+-%
4-+P+P+-+$
3+-sN-+N+-#
2PzP-vLLzPPzP"
1tR-+QmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(26) Lasker,Emanuel - Capablanca,Jose
Raul
St.Petersburg f St.Petersburg, 1914
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+r+k+(
7+pzp-sn-zpp'
6p+pvl-zp-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+PzP-+$
3+NsN-+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1tR-vL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(28) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Smyslov,Vladimir
World Championship 20th Moscow, 1954
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wqk+-tr(
7zp-zp-vlpzpp'
6-zp-+-sn-+&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-sN-+$
3zP-sN-zP-+-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQ+K+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
151
(29) Inkov - Gurevich
Russia
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-+k+(
7+lwq-vlpzp-'
6p+nzpp+-zp&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+P+N+P+$
3zP-+-+N+-#
2-zPQtRPzPLzP"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
Line
152
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 1, (PART- 4) ANSWERS SECTION
(1) Petrosian,Tigran V Velimirovic,Dragoljub
Vrbas Vrbas, 1980
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+ntrk+(
7zpp+-+-+-'
6-+-zp-sn-+&
5+-zpP+p+p%
4-+P+pzP-+$
3+-sN-+-zP-#
2PzP-sNL+-zP"
1+R+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
(2) Hage,Paul - Nimzowitsch,Aaron
Arnstadt, 1926
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnltr-+-+(
7+-+-mk-zpp'
6-+pvl-sn-+&
5zpp+-zpp+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3zP-sN-zPN+-#
2LzPPvL-zPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[Black has a passed pawn e4 and white
should blockade it.]
[Generally we should push pawns
forward, because it gives more space for
our pieces and restricts opponent's ones.]
20.Nd1 [(A knight is the best blocker
piece)]
1...b4 2.Nb1 c5 3.Bc4 e4 4.Ng5 Ba6
[(trading the last white's active piece)]
20...Bd7 21.Ne3 [(except blockading the
pawn, knight also attacks the f5–pawn and
covers the g4 square)]
5.Bxa6 Rxa6 6.axb4 axb4 7.Rxa6 Nxa6
8.c3 h6 9.Nh3 Ng4 10.g3 Ne5 11.Kg2 g5
12.Bc1 b3 [(the white's position is totally
cramped and is winning easily)]
21...b6 22.a3 h4 23.gxh4 Kf7 24.Rfc1 Rh8
25.Ng2 Ng7 26.Nf1 Rag8 27.Rc3 Ngh5
28.Ng3 Rg6 29.Nxh5 Nxh5 30.Bxh5 Rxh5
31.Rg3 Rh8 32.b4 Rc8 33.b5 Rxg3 34.hxg3
Ra8 35.Ne3 a6 36.bxa6 Rxa6 37.Kf2 Rxa3
38.Rxb6 Ra2+ 39.Ke1 Ra1+ 40.Kd2 Ra2+
41.Kc1 Ra3 42.Rxd6 Rxe3 43.Rxd7+
13.Nd2 c4 14.Ng1 Nc5 15.Ne2 Rg8 16.Nd4
f4 17.Nf5+ Ke6 18.Nxd6 f3+ 19.Kg1 Kxd6
20.Rd1 Ke6 21.Nb1 Ncd3 22.Na3 Kd5
23.Nb5 Rb8 24.Na3 Ra8 25.h3 Kc5 26.Kf1
Nxc1 27.Rxc1 Nd3 28.Rb1 Nxb2 29.Rxb2
Rxa3 30.Rb1 b2
1–0
0–1
153
(3) Smyslov - Denker
Moscow
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtr-+k+(
7zp-+-wq-vl-'
6-zp-zpl+pzp&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+PsN-wQ-zP-#
2P+-+-zPLzP"
1+-tRR+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[The white's plan is to occupy weak
squares (d5, e4) and to attack the black's
weak pawns (d6).]
1.Bd5 [(A bishop is the main defender of
weak squares. Therefore white should
exchange it.)]
1...Kh7 2.Bxe6 Qxe6 3.Rd3 Rc7 4.Rcd1 Rf7
5.Ne4 [(white is placing all his pieces on
the light squares and black has nothing to
do against it)]
(4) Greko–12 - Nik Gor
Friendly Game, 3m + 0s Main Playing Hall,
07.08.2009
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7+p+-snpzp-'
6p+n+p+-zp&
5+-+pzP-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3sN-zPL+N+-#
2-+-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+QmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
11.Nb5! [(white found a way to bring his
knight on a strong square d6)]
11...0–0 12.Nd6 b5? [The d6 knight
paralyzes black's movement and black has
to neutralize this knight. 12...f6!
undermining the e5–pawn, created a
position with mutual chances]
13.Bxb5
1–0
5...Bf8 6.Rd5 Qg4 7.R1d3 Be7 8.Nxd6
Bxd6 9.Rxd6 Rdf8 10.Qxe5 Rxf2 11.Rd7+
R2f7 12.Rxf7+ Rxf7 13.Rd8 Rg7 14.Qe8 g5
15.Qh8+ Kg6 16.Rd6+ Kf7 17.Qxh6 Qf5
18.Rd1 Qc5+ 19.Kg2 Qe7 20.Rf1+ Kg8
21.Qf6 Qe8 22.Qf5 g4 23.Rf2 Qe7 24.Qd3
Rg5 25.Re2 Qf8 26.Qe4 Rg7 27.Qd5+ Qf7
28.Re6
1–0
154
(5) Fischer,R - Gadia,O
Mar del Plata, 1960
[Smirnov]
(6) King,Daniel J - Heaven,Peter
EU-ch U20 Groningen (3), 1982
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqk+-tr(
7+-+-vlpzpp'
6p+lzp-sn-+&
5+p+-zpP+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+LsNQ+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1tR-vL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ltr-+k+(
7zpp+-vlpzpp'
6-+-zp-sn-+&
5+-+-zp-vL-%
4-+-+P+q+$
3+-sNQ+N+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1+-+R+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[Black has an obvious hole on d5. An idea
situation for white is to fix a knight there.]
12.Bxf6 [(White should take away this
knight, in order to place his knight on d5
after that)]
13.Bg5 Qb6+ 14.Kh1 0–0 15.Bxf6
[(eliminating a defender of the d5–
square)]
15...Bxf6 16.Bd5 [(a bishop is the main
defender of weak squares. Thus it's useful
to exchange opponent's bishop, which
covers his weaknesses)]
16...Rac8 17.Bxc6 Rxc6 18.Rad1 Rfc8
19.Nd5 [(Now white has a strategically
winning position: it's a classical example
of a good knight against a bad bishop.)]
19...Qd8 20.c3 Be7 21.Ra1 f6 22.a4 Rb8
23.Nxe7+ Qxe7 24.Qd5+
1–0
[12.h3 (perhaps it's even more powerful)
12...Qh5 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Nd5 Qg6?
(14...Be6) 15.Nxe5! and white is suddenly
winning]
12...Bxf6 13.Nd2 [(the knight is going to
c4–e3–d5/f5. That's why white didn't play
h3 earlier - white is going to play Ne3 with
a tempo!)]
13...Be6 14.Nc4 Bxc4? [(A bishop is the
main defender of weak squares and
certainly black should have saved it. And,
by the way, a bishop is stronger than a
knight in general.)]
[14...Bg5! and black is ready to take the
white's knight if it goes to e3.]
15.Qxc4 [(Now
advantage)]
white
has
a
clear
155
15...Qe6 16.Nd5 [After that white will
double rooks on the d-file with a strong
pressure.]
1–0
(7) Polgar,Judit - Anand,Viswanathan
[B90]
Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee (6), 22.01.1998
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7+-wqnvlpzpp'
6p+-zp-sn-+&
5+p+-zp-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+PsN-vLN+-#
2-zPP+QzPPzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[Black has a weak pawn d6, but white has
no real way to attack it. Also black has a
weak square d5 and this is a real target for
white. Generally it's better to place a
knight on a weak square. This will be a
guideline for white's next moves.]
14.Bg5 [(white is ready to take the knight
and so to eliminate one defender of a d5–
square)]
14...Rfc8 15.Ne1 [(It protects the c2–pawn
as black was threatening b4. At the same
time Ne1 has a strategical sense also:
white wants to transfer this knight to d5
via d3–b4–d5 or g2–e3–d5.)]
15...Qb7 16.Bxf6 Nxf6 17.Nd5 Nxd5
18.Rxd5 Rc5 19.Rad1 Rxd5 20.Rxd5
[(White occupied the d5 square, but the
rook doesn't do much here. We should
place a KNIGHT on weak squares.)]
20...Rc8 21.c3 b4 22.c4 g6 23.g3 Rc5
24.Rd1 a5 25.Nc2 Kg7 26.Qd3 Rc6 27.Ne3
Qc8 28.Kg2 Qe6 29.Qe2 Bd8 30.Nd5 [(This
strong knight gives white domination.
Now white needs to open a position and
to start a direct attack)]
30...Rc5 31.Qe3 Be7 32.Rd3 Bd8 33.Qd2
Rc6 34.Qd1 Kg8 35.h4 Kg7 36.h5 Bg5
37.Qf3 Rc8 38.Rd1 Rc6 39.Qe2 Rc8
40.Rh1 Kg8 41.f3 Rb8 42.Qf2 Rb7 43.hxg6
fxg6 44.c5 dxc5 45.Qxc5 Bd8 46.Rc1 Kf7
47.Qe3 Kg7 48.Rc4 Rd7 49.Qc1 h5 50.Rc6
Rd6 51.Rc8 Qd7 52.Qc5 Kh6 53.Rb8 Bf6
54.Qe3+ Bg5 55.f4 exf4 56.Rh8+
1–0
156
(8) Lilienthal,Andor - Botvinnik,Mikhail
[E19]
URS-ch12 Moscow, 1940
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zplzp-vl-zpp'
6-zpnzpp+-+&
5+-+-+p+-%
4-+PzP-+-+$
3+-+-+-zP-#
2PzPQ+PzPLzP"
1tR-vL-sNRmK-!
xabcdefghy
12.d5! [(First, this is an attacking move.
Additionally, this 1 move does a lot: 1) it
gives strong squares c6 and e6 for white's
knight; 2) it gives white a semi-open file
against black's backward pawn c7; 3) it
weakens the f5 pawn.)]
12...exd5 13.cxd5 Nb4? [13...Ne5 we
should move towards center]
14.Qd2 a5 15.a3 Na6 16.b4 [(Now the a6–
knight is out of game)]
16...Bf6 17.Bb2 Qd7 18.Bxf6 Rxf6 19.Nd3
[(the knight is going to f4–e6)]
25...Ra8 26.Re3 Kh7 27.Rcc3 Rb8 28.Qd3
Ra8 29.Ng6 Rxg6 30.hxg6+ Kxg6 31.Re6+
Kh7 32.g4 c5 33.b5 Nc7 34.gxf5 Nxb5
35.f6+ Kg8 36.Rc4 Re8 37.Rg4 g5
38.Rxe8+ Bxe8 39.Re4 Kf8 40.Re7 Qg6
41.Be4 Qh5 42.Bf3 Qg6 43.Rxe8+
1–0
(9) Ivacic,V (2295) - Mikhalchishin,A
(2520) [A07]
Slovenija tch, 1993
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-+k+(
7+pzpq+pzpp'
6-+n+lvl-+&
5zp-+-zp-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3zPP+PvLNzP-#
2-+Q+-zPLzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[White has a weak square d4. The black's
ideal goal is to fix his knight there. For this
purpose black needs to exchange
defenders of the d4–square: the e3–
bishop and the f3–knight.]
19...a4 20.Rac1 Qf7 21.Nf4 [(a strong
knight on the 6th rank usually gives a
winning position by itself)]
15...Bg4 16.Rd2 h6 17.Rc1 Bxf3 18.Bxf3
Bg5 [(a bishop is the main defender of
weak squares. thus black is going to
exchange it.)]
21...Bc8 22.Rc3 Bd7 23.Rfc1 h6 24.h4 Ra7
25.h5 [(Fixing some more weaknesses in
the black's position. Now white has lots of
positional advantages and his position is
totally winning.)]
[18...Nd4? would be a mistake, because it
gives white a possibility to exchange the
knight 19.Bxd4 Qxd4 although black has
an advantage, but it's not so big.]
157
19.Bd1 Qd6 [(Of course black doesn't
want to take on e3, because it will cover
the d4 square for white)]
(10) Rubinstein,Akiba - Hromadka,Karel
[D63]
Bad Pistyan Bad Pistyan (3), 22.05.1912
[Smirnov]
20.Qb2 Qg6 21.Bxg5? [(White made this
unfavorable exchange without any
reasons. After that black gets a
strategically winning position with an
eternal knight against a bad bishop.)]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7+pzp-+-zpp'
6p+-+pvl-+&
5+-zPpsNpsn-%
4-+-zP-vL-+$
3+-+LzPP+-#
2PzP-+-+PzP"
1+-tRQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
[21.b4 would give white some counterchances]
21...Qxg5 22.b4 axb4 23.axb4 Rd4?
[(Black placed a wrong piece on a weak
square. The knight belongs to d4!)]
[23...Qe7! 24.b5 Nd4 Black achieved his
goal. The d4–knight gives black
domination and his further attack will be
easily successful.]
24.Rc4 Rad8 25.h4 Qe7 26.b5 Rxc4
27.dxc4 Nd4 28.Qa2 Qf8 29.Kg2 Ra8
30.Qb1 Qa3 31.Be2 b6 32.Bg4 Ra4 33.Rd3
Qc5 34.Bd1 Rxc4 35.Qa2 Rc1 36.Qa8+ Kh7
37.Qe8 Qxb5
0–1
15.c6! [(Following the principle of
maximum activity, we should push pawns
forward. It gives more space for your
pieces and constricts opponent's position.
In the current position it will be difficult
for black to develop his queen-side pieces
now.)]
15...Nf7 16.0–0 Nxe5 17.Bxe5 Bxe5
18.dxe5 bxc6 [after 18...b6 19.b4 black is
unable to bring his queen-side pieces into
the game 19...a5 20.b5+–]
19.Rxc6 [(Now white has a clear plan: 1)
to attack weak pawns (a6, c7, e6) and 2)
to occupy weak squares (a5, c5, d4).]
19...Bb7 20.Rc5 c6 21.f4 Qb6 22.Qc2 Rfc8
23.Qc3 a5 24.Rc1 Ba6 25.Bb1 Bb7 26.a4
Kf7 27.b3 Kg8 28.h3 Kf7 29.Rd1 Kg8
30.Bc2 Rcb8 31.Kh2 Kh8 32.g4 g6 33.gxf5
gxf5 34.Bxf5
1–0
158
(11) Hracek,Zbynek - Almasi,Zoltan
Odorheiu Secuiesc zt Odorheiu Secuiesc
(4), 1995
[Smirnov]
(12) Smirnov Igor (UKR) - Chernikova
Svetlana (UKR)
Open (8), 08.2002
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8rtr-+-vl-+(
7+-+-wqp+k'
6-sn-zpl+pzp&
5zpp+-zp-+-%
4-zP-+P+P+$
3zPLzPQvLPsN-#
2-+-+-+P+"
1tR-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+ntr(
7zppzp-+-vlp'
6-+-zp-+p+&
5+-+Pzpn+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-sN-vL-+-#
2PzPPwQ-zPPzP"
1+-mKR+LsNR!
xabcdefghy
28.Bxe6! [(a bishop is the main defender
of a weak square d5)]
9.Bb5+! [(Black has a weak square e6.
Thus white should trade the black's lightsquared bishop, which is the main
defender of this weakness.)]
28...Qxe6 [28...fxe6 29.Qxb5 winning a
pawn]
29.Bxb6! [(exchanging the last defender of
a d5 square)]
[29.Qxb5? Nc4‚]
29...Rxb6 30.Nf1 [(It's better to place a
knight on a weak square)]
30...Be7 31.Ne3 Bh4 32.Nd5 Rb7 33.Reb1
Qc8 34.Kh2 Qd8 35.g3 Bg5 36.a4 axb4
37.Rxb4 Qb8 38.Qb1 Raa7 39.a5 Ra6
40.c4 Bd8 41.Rxb5 Rxb5 42.cxb5 Rxa5
43.Rxa5 Bxa5 44.b6
1–0
9...Bd7 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.Nf3 [(Now
white is threatening Ng5–e6)]
11...Nxe3 12.fxe3 Bh6 13.Rhf1 0–0–0
14.Kb1 Ne7 15.Ne4 Nf5 16.Rde1 Rdf8
17.Qd3 Qe7 18.c4 Nh4 19.Nxh4 Qxh4
20.c5 dxc5 21.Nxc5 Rxf1 22.Rxf1 Rf8
23.Rc1 Qb4 24.d6 Rd8 25.d7+ Kb8 26.Ne6
e4 27.Qd5 Bxe3 28.Nxd8 Bxc1 29.Nc6+
bxc6 30.d8Q+ Kb7 31.Qb3
1–0
159
(13) Smyslov,Vassily - Euwe,Max [C77]
Groningen Groningen (8), 1946
[Smirnov]
(14) Mureshan - Severeid
Tbilisi
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+qtrk+(
7+-zp-sn-vl-'
6p+-zplzp-zp&
5+p+-zp-zp-%
4P+-zPP+-+$
3+-zP-+NzP-#
2-zPL+-zPP+"
1tR-+QtRNmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7zp-+-vlpzpp'
6-+p+p+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
18.Bb3! [(Black has lots of weaknesses on
the light squares (c6, e6, f5, g6, h5) and
white should exchange the main defender
of these weaknesses)]
[The white's plan is 1) to attack weak
pawns (a7, c6) and 2) to occupy weak
squares (a6, a5, c5, d6, e5).]
18...Bxb3 19.Qxb3+ Qf7 20.Qxf7+ Kxf7
21.Ne3 Rfb8 22.axb5 axb5 23.d5 [(fixing
the weaknesses in the black's position.
Now white can attack black's weak pawns
(b5, c7) and occupy the weak squares (c6,
e6, f5, h5).]
23...h5 24.Kf1 g4 25.Nh4 Bh6 26.Nef5 Ng8
27.Ke2 Ra4 28.Rxa4 bxa4 29.Rb1 Rb3
30.Kd3 a3 31.Kc2 Rxb2+ 32.Rxb2 axb2
33.Kxb2 Bd2 34.Kc2 Be1 35.f3 Ne7
36.Nxe7 Kxe7 37.fxg4 hxg4 38.Nf5+ Kf7
39.c4 Kg6 40.Kb3 Kg5 41.Ka4 Bxg3
42.Nxg3 Kf4 43.Nh5+ Kxe4 44.Nxf6+ Kf5
45.Ne8 e4 46.Nxc7 e3 47.Nb5 Kf4 48.Nc3
Kg3 49.c5
1–0
1.Be3 0–0 2.Rfc1 Bb7 3.Bc5 [(a bishop is
the main defender of weak squares)]
3...Bxc5 4.Rxc5 [(now black can't resist the
white's invasion onto the dark squares)]
4...Rfd8 5.Rac1 Kf8 6.Kf1 Rd3 7.Ke1 Rad8
8.Ne5 R3d4 9.f3 Rd2 10.R5c2 Rxc2
11.Rxc2 Rc8 12.Nd7+ Ke7 13.Nc5 [(it's
better to place your knight on a weak
square)]
13...Rc7 14.e5 Bc8 15.b4 [(white fixed all
black's weaknesses and has a winning
position)]
15...Bd7 16.Rd2 Be8 17.Rd6 Rc8 18.Kd2
Rb8 19.Kc3 a5 20.a3 axb4+ 21.axb4 Ra8
22.Kb2 Ra7 23.f4 Ra8 24.g4 Rb8 25.Kb3
Ra8 26.Rd1 Ra7 27.h4 Ra8 28.g5 Ra7
29.h5 Bd7 30.h6 gxh6 31.gxh6 Bc8 32.Rg1
Ba6 33.Rg7 Be2 34.Ne4 Bd3 35.Nf6 Ra8
160
36.Nxh7 Rh8 37.Ng5 Bg6 38.h7 Kf8
39.Nxe6+ Ke7 40.Ng5 Kf8 41.Rg8+ Rxg8
42.hxg8Q+ Kxg8 43.Kc4 Bc2 44.Kc5 Ba4
45.Ne4 Kg7 46.f5 Bc2 47.Nd6 Ba4 48.Nc8
1–0
(15) Lundin,Erik - Botvinnik,Mikhail [E18]
Staunton mem (2), 1946
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtr-+k+(
7+l+qvlpzpp'
6-+p+-+-+&
5zpp+p+-+-%
4-+-zPnsN-+$
3+-+QvL-zP-#
2PzPR+PzPLzP"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
47.Bxa4 Nxf3+ 48.Kf2 Bxg4 49.Bd1 Ne5
50.Bxg4 Nxg4+ 51.Kg1 Rxh5 52.Rg2 Bf6
0–1
(16) Nikolaidis,Ioannis Fournarakos,Gerasimos [B06]
Aegina op Aegina (8), 1993
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+k+-tr(
7zppzpr+p+p'
6-+n+lvlp+&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+-vLN+P#
2PzPP+LzPP+"
1+-mKR+-+R!
xabcdefghy
[The endgame looks drawish...]
21...g5! [(It's useful to advance pawns if
they have enough support from your
pieces)]
22.Nh5 f5 [(now black is controlling a
large territory and it's difficult for white to
do something active. At the same time
black can prepare a realization of his
active plans. Right now the white's h5–
knight is in danger)]
23.f3 Nd6 24.Bf2 Rf8 25.b3 Rf7 26.h3 Qe6
27.g4 Qg6 28.Bg3 f4 29.Bf2 Qxd3 30.exd3
b4 31.Re1 Rc7 32.Re5 Nb5 33.Kh2 Bc8
34.h4 h6 35.hxg5 hxg5 36.Kg1 Bd7
37.Rce2 Kf8 38.Rc2 Ra7 39.Bf1 a4 40.bxa4
Rxa4 41.Rb2 Nc3 42.Re1 Rh7 43.Ra1 Kf7
44.Be1 Nb5 45.Be2 Nxd4 46.Bd1 c5
13.Bb5! [(However, white has a way to
break black's pawn structure)]
13...0–0 14.Bxc6 Rxd1+ 15.Rxd1 bxc6
[(Now white has a clear advantage thanks
to black's weaknesses)]
16.b3 Ra8 17.Rd3 Bc8 18.Bg5 [(white is
going to occupy weak squares c5/a5 and
therefore he trades a defender of these
weaknesses)]
18...Kg7 19.Bxf6+ Kxf6 20.Rc3 Bb7 21.Rc5
Re8 22.Kd2 Re6 23.Ke3 g5 24.Ra5 a6
25.Ne1 [(we should place a knight on a
weak square)]
161
25...Re8 26.Nd3 Bc8 27.Ke2 h5 28.Nc5
Ke7 29.Nxa6 Kd6 30.Nc5 f5 31.exf5 Bxf5
32.Nb7+ Kd7 33.Rc5 g4 34.hxg4 hxg4
35.Ke3 Rb8 36.Rxe5 Bxc2 37.Nc5+ Kd6
38.Rg5 Bb1 39.a3 Re8+ 40.Kf4 Rf8+
41.Kg3 Bf5 42.b4 Bc2 43.Rxg4 Ra8
44.Nb7+ Ke5 45.Na5 Be4 46.Nc4+ Kd5
47.Ne3+ Ke5 48.f3 Bd5 49.Nc4+ Kf6
50.Rd4 Ke6 51.Rh4 Kf6 52.Kf2 Kg5 53.Rd4
Be6 54.Ke3 Kf6 55.g4 Ra4 56.Kd3 Kg5
57.Kc3 Bd5 58.f4+ Kxg4 59.Ne3+ Kf3
60.Nxd5 cxd5 61.Kb3 Ra7 62.Rxd5 Kxf4
63.Ra5 Rb7 64.Kc3 Rb6 65.Rc5 Rb7
20.Qe5 Bxc4 21.Nf5 [(threatening Ne7)]
1–0
23...Be4 24.Qf4 Rfe8 25.f3 Bd3 26.Rad1
h5 27.Rd2 Bb5 28.Red1 Rad8 [(a knight is
a good blocker. Other pieces are not very
suitable for this mission.)]
(17) Aronian,Levon (2807) Kramnik,Vladimir (2791) [A18]
Botvinnik Memorial Moscow RUS (6),
03.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+-+-+q+&
5+-+P+l+-%
4-+P+N+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2P+-+QzPPzP"
1tR-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
19.Ng3! [(We should use an open file to
penetrate into opponent's territory. Now
white is going to play Qe7 or Qe5.)]
19...Bd3 [(this natural move gives white a
clear advantage in the end of the focing
line)]
21...Kh8 22.Ne3 [(protecting the d5–pawn
with a tempo)]
22...Bd3 23.Qxc7 [(It was necessary to
calculate the line until this position before
playing 19.Ng3. Now the passed pawn-d5
determines white's stable advantage.
Black will have to use his rooks to
blockade the d-pawn. This is how the
single pawn d5 will restrict an activity of
both black's rooks.)]
29.d6 Bc6 30.d7 Re6 31.Nc4 Qf6 32.Qxf6
gxf6 33.Na5 Kg7 34.Rd4 f5 35.Kf2 b6
36.Nxc6 Rxc6 37.Kg3 Rc2 38.Kf4 Kg6
39.Ke5 Re2+ 40.Kd6 Kf6 41.Rd5 Rxg2
42.Kc7 Rgg8 43.f4 Rgf8 44.Rg1 Ke7
45.Rd6
1–0
162
(18) Capablanca Jose Raul (CUB) Zubarev Nikolay (RUS)
It, 1925
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-+-+(
7+p+qtr-mkp'
6p+-+-zpp+&
5+-wQP+-+-%
4P+-+N+-+$
3+-+-+-+P#
2-vl-+-zPP+"
1tR-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[Black has a weak square e6 and white
found a nice way to bring the knight
there.]
24.Ng5!? Rae8 [24...fxg5? 25.Rxe7++–;
24...Rxe1+ 25.Rxe1 fxg5? 26.Re7++–]
25.Ne6+ [(This knight controls lots of
squares on the black's territory, which
makes it difficult for black to use his heavy
pieces.)]
25...Kf7 26.Rab1 Be5 27.Qc4 Rc8 28.Qb3
Bb8 29.g3 Qd6 [(A queen is a bad blocker,
because it can be attacked by opponent's
pieces.)]
30.Nf4! [(White wants to punish black for
his mistake: after Re6 white will kick away
the queen and will push d6!)]
30...Rce8 31.Re6 Qd7 32.Rxe7+ Kxe7
33.Qxb7 Bxf4 34.Re1+ Be5 35.d6+ Ke6
36.Qb3+ Kf5 37.Qd3+ Kg5 38.Qe3+ Kf5
39.Qe4+ Ke6 40.Qc4+ Kxd6 41.Rd1+ Ke7
42.Rxd7+ Kxd7 43.Qxa6 Rb8 44.Qa7+ Kc6
45.Qxh7 Rb2 46.Qxg6
1–0
(19) Botvinnik,Mikhail Ragozin,Viacheslav [E40]
Chigorin mem Moscow, 1947
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+r+k+(
7+-zplwqpzpp'
6pzp-zp-sn-+&
5+-+Psn-+-%
4-+PvL-+-+$
3zP-sN-+-+-#
2-zPQ+LzPPzP"
1+-+-tRRmK-!
xabcdefghy
17.f4! [(All the white's pieces are active.
Therefore he may and even should
advance his pawns!)]
17...Ng6 18.g4 [(White's pawns chase
black's pieces and push them backward)]
18...Qd8 [18...Bxg4? 19.Bxg4 (19.Bxf6?
Qe3+„) 19...Qxe1 20.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 21.Kf2+–]
19.g5 Ng4 20.Qd2 h6 21.f5 N6e5 22.h3
Nf6 23.gxf6 Qxf6 24.Qf4 Re7 25.Kh1 c5
26.Bg1 g6 27.fxg6 Qxf4 28.Rxf4 fxg6
29.Rf6 Bf5 30.Rxd6 Nxc4 31.Re6 Rxe6
32.dxe6 Bxe6 33.Bf3
1–0
163
(20) Karpov,Anatoly (2770) Kamsky,Gata (2735)
FIDE-Wch Elista (1), 1996
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7+-zp-+pvlp'
6p+-sn-+p+&
5+-+P+-+-%
4-+-zp-+-+$
3+-sNQ+-zPq#
2PzP-+-zP-zP"
1tR-+L+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
19.Ne2! [(Right now white is blockading
the d4–pawn by his queen. However,
queen is a bad blocker and it's too
miserable function for a queen. Generally,
a knight is the best blocker. That's why
white is starting a maneuver Ne2–f4–d3.)]
["A natural" move 19.Ne4 doesn't have
any strategical idea behind it. After
19...Nxe4 20.Qxe4 Rfe8 black has even
slightly more active position thanks to his
passed pawn.]
19...Qf5 20.Nf4 Rfb8 21.Qxf5 Nxf5 22.Nd3
[(The knight is blockading the pawn, which
also restricts an activity of the g7–bishop.
Once black's passed pawn is neutralized,
white may start attacking black's weak
pawns.)]
22...Bh6 23.Re1 a5 24.Bg4 Nd6 25.Re2 a4
26.a3 Ra5 27.Rc2 Rxd5 28.Rxc7 Ra5
29.Bf3 Bg5 30.Rd1 Rc8 31.Rxc8+ Nxc8
32.h4 Bf6 33.Rc1 Nd6 34.Kf1 Be7 35.Ke2
Kf8 36.Rc7 Bf6 37.Kd2 h5 38.Ke2 Nf5
39.Rc4 Nd6 40.Rb4 Ra6 41.Nc5 Ra7
42.Kd3 Rc7 43.Nxa4 Rc1 44.Nb6 Bg7
45.a4 Ra1 46.Nd7+ Ke8 47.Nc5 Ke7
48.Kc2 Rf1 49.Nd3 Ra1 50.Kb3 f5 51.Rb6
Bh6 52.Bd5 g5 53.Ra6 gxh4 54.gxh4 Rd1
55.Bc4 Rh1 56.a5 Rxh4
1–0
(21) Flohr Salomon M (CZE) - Navarovszky
Laszlo (HUN) [A04]
It Balatonbereny (Hungary), 1960
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7+-+lzpp+p'
6p+-zp-+p+&
5wq-+P+n+-%
4-+L+-+-+$
3+PsN-+-+-#
2P+-wQ-zPPzP"
1+-tRR+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[White controls 5 ranks and so he has a
space advantage. In such situations it's
useful to avoid exchanges.]
19.a4! [(preventing the move Bb5. Now
the black's bishop has no available
squares) at all).]
19...Rfe8 20.Qf4 Kg7 21.Ne4 [(Thanks to a
space advantage white can attack all over
the board. White can attack weak pawns
(a6, e7) and the black's king-side position.
It's good to combine these plans: for lack
of free space black can't keep his position
in many directions simultaneously.)]
164
21...Qb6 22.Rc3 Nh6 23.h4 Ng4 24.h5 Ne5
25.h6+ Kh8 26.Re3 [26.Nf6!?]
26...Bf5 27.Ng3 Bd7 28.a5 [!]
17...Ne7! [(Next, the knight can blockade
the d4–pawn after Nd5 or attack it after
Nf5. Also it vocates the c6–square for a
bishop. So the pawn can be blockaded by
this bishop also (Bc6–d5).]
[28.Rxe5? dxe5 29.Qxf7 Qf6]
28...Qd8 [28...Qxa5 29.Rxe5]
18.Ne5 [18.d5 doesn't do much, black can
simply reply 18...Qxb2]
29.Rxe5 [!]
18...Nf5 [18...Nd5 was good as well]
29...dxe5 30.Qxf7 Rg8 31.d6 e6 32.Ne4
Be8 33.Qxe6 Rf8 34.Qxe5+
19.Nc4 Qa6 [(preparing Bb5)]
1–0
(22) Kamsky,Gata (2735) Karpov,Anatoly (2770) [B14]
FIDE-Wch Elista (4), 1996
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-trk+(
7zpp+l+p+p'
6-wqn+pvlp+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-zPQ+-+$
3zP-+LvLN+-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[Generally we should push our pawns
forward and not allow an opponent to do
the same (principle of maximum activity
at work). This also explains why it's
important to blockade an isolated pawn
d4.]
20.a4 Bc6 21.Qf4 Bd5 [(Now the pawn is
blockaded. This restricts an activity of all
white's pieces behind this pawn.)]
22.Ne5 Qb6 23.Bxf5 [23.g4? g5–+]
23...exf5 [(Now black has a clear
advantage, while white can only sit and
wait)]
24.Rd2 Bg7 25.h4 Rfe8 26.Qg3 Rc8
27.Nd7 Qc6 28.Nc5 b6 29.Nd3 Qd7 30.a5
Re4 31.Nf4 b5 32.Rdd1 Bc4 33.Rac1 h6
34.Rc3 b4 35.Rc2 Rc6 36.Rdc1 Bb5 37.Kh2
Kh7 38.Rxc6 Bxc6 39.Rc4 Bf8 40.Nd3 Qe6
41.d5 Bxd5 42.Rxe4 Bxe4 43.Bxa7 Bd6
44.Nf4 Qe5 45.Nh3 Qe7
0–1
165
(23) Petrosian Tigran V (ARM) (2580) Karner Hillar (EST) (2415) [E80]
Memorial P.Keres Tallinn (Estonia), 1983
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+k+-+(
7zpp+-zp-+p'
6-sn-+-+pvl&
5+-zp-+p+-%
4-+P+PzP-+$
3+P+-vLP+-#
2P+K+N+-zP"
1+-+R+-+-!
xabcdefghy
22.h4! [(A side with a space advantage
should use "a principle of 2 weaknesses".
For lack of free space an opponent can't
transfer his pieces from one flank to
another as quickly as you.)]
22...Nd7 23.h5 Bf8 24.Rh1 Rc6 25.Ng3
Re6 26.hxg6 hxg6 27.Bd2 Ra6 28.a4 e6
29.Bc3 Rc6 30.Ne2 Rc8 31.Nc1 b6 32.Nd3
Rd8 33.Rh7 a5 34.Kd2 Be7 35.Ke3 g5
36.Rg7 fxe4 37.Kxe4 Bf6 38.Rxd7 Bxc3
39.Rxd8+ Kxd8 40.fxg5
1–0
(24) Karpov,Anatoly - Shirov,Alexei
Biel Biel (13), 1992
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-trr+k+(
7+l+-wq-zpp'
6p+p+-zp-+&
5+p+-sn-+-%
4Pvl-+-+-+$
3+P+-zP-sNP#
2-vLQ+LzPP+"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
21.Bxe5! [(together with the following
Bd3 this allows white to weaken black's
light squares.)]
[21.Nf5!? also looks fine, but it's not so
clear what to do after that. 21...Qf8 then
only attacking move now is f4, but it
weakens the white's position as well.]
21...Qxe5 22.Bd3 h6 [22...g6? 23.Bxg6
hxg6 24.Qxg6+ Kh8 25.Qh6+ Kg8 26.Nh5
thereatening Qg7 or Nf6]
23.Bg6 [(We should use weak squares to
penetrate into opponent's territory)]
23...Rf8 24.Nf5 c5 25.axb5 axb5 26.Ra7
Qc7 27.Nh4 [(theatening Bh7 and Ng6.
White's attack goes on all over the light
squares)]
27...Rxd1+ 28.Qxd1 Ra8 29.Qg4 Qc6
[29...Rxa7? 30.Qe6+ Kf8 31.Qe8#]
166
30.Rxb7 [(a bishop is the main defender of
weak squares. After white eliminates this
bishop, black becomes defenseless. )]
19...Ne7 20.Bc5 Bxf1 21.Kxf1 [(Rooks
need open lines to be active. Here black's
rooks don't have much to do.)]
30...Qxb7 31.Qe6+ Kh8 32.Be4
21...Qd7 22.Qb3 b6 23.Ba3 Rae8 24.Rd1
Ng6 25.e6 Qd8 [25...fxe6? 26.dxe6 Qxe6
27.Bd5+–]
1–0
(25) Short,Nigel D (2655) Anand,Viswanathan (2710) [C42]
Amsterdam VSB Amsterdam (6), 1993
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+-+-vl-+&
5+-+psNl+-%
4-snPzPn+-+$
3+-sN-vL-+-#
2PzP-+LzPPzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
13.g4! [(First, this is an attacking move,
which push opponent's piece back. Next
question is whether it's dangerous to
weaken white's position or not? The rule
says: "You may advance pawns when you
have at least equal pieces' activity with
your opponent". So everything is fine.]
13...Be6 14.f4 [(Advancing pawns gives
more space for your pieces and pushes
opponent's pieces back)]
14...Nxc3 15.bxc3 Nc6 16.Bf3 Bxe5
17.dxe5 d4 18.cxd4 Bxc4 19.d5! [(This
doesn't allow black to impose a blockade
on the d5 square)]
26.f5 [(Now all black's heavy pieces are
locked)]
26...Ne5 27.Be2 Qh4 28.Qg3 Qxg3
29.hxg3 fxe6 30.Bxf8 Kxf8 31.dxe6 Ke7
32.g5 c6 33.g4 g6 34.Rd4 gxf5 35.gxf5 Rf8
36.Rf4 b5 37.Ke1 a5
1–0
(26) Lasker,Emanuel - Capablanca,Jose
Raul [C68]
St.Petersburg f St.Petersburg, 1914
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+r+k+(
7+pzp-sn-zpp'
6p+pvl-zp-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+PzP-+$
3+NsN-+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1tR-vL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
12.f5! [(An advancement of your pawns
restricts opponent's pieces. In the current
position white takes away available
squares from the black's c8–bishop and
e7–knight. However, f5 move has 1
disadvantage: it gives an e5 square for
167
black. Generally black should place his
knight on a strong square, but in this
position it's difficult to realize it
practically.)]
12...b6 13.Bf4 [(An advancement of your
pawns also gives more free squares to
your pieces)]
13...Bb7 14.Bxd6 cxd6 15.Nd4 [(thanks to
the f5–pawn, white has a strong square e6
for his knight.)]
15...Rad8 16.Ne6 Rd7 17.Rad1 Nc8 18.Rf2
b5 19.Rfd2 Rde7 20.b4 Kf7 21.a3 Ba8
22.Kf2 Ra7 23.g4 h6 24.Rd3 a5 25.h4 axb4
26.axb4 Rae7 27.Kf3 Rg8 28.Kf4 g6 29.Rg3
g5+ 30.Kf3 Nb6 31.hxg5 hxg5 32.Rh3 Rd7
33.Kg3 Ke8 34.Rdh1 Bb7 35.e5 dxe5
36.Ne4 Nd5 37.N6c5 Bc8 38.Nxd7 Bxd7
39.Rh7 Rf8 40.Ra1 Kd8 41.Ra8+ Bc8
42.Nc5
1–0
(27) Petrosian Tigran V (ARM) (2580) Nikolaevsky Yuri V (RUS) (2315) [E92]
Ch URS (1/2 final) Kiev (Ukraine) (7), 1957
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqntrk+(
7zpp+-+pvl-'
6-+-zp-+pzp&
5+-zpPzp-+-%
4-+P+P+-+$
3+-sN-+N+-#
2PzP-vLLzPPzP"
1tR-+QmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
[Black is going to play f5. You always
should remember that opponent's pawn
moves WEAKEN HIS POSITION.]
10.h4! [(White found the way to exploit
the black's weaknesses)]
10...f5 11.h5 g5 12.exf5 Bxf5 [(Now black
has lots of weaknesses on the light
squares. The white's next goal is to trade
light-squared bishops and to fix his knights
onto these weak squares.)]
13.Be3 a6 14.Nd2 Kh8 15.Nde4 Nf6
16.Bd3 Nxe4 17.Bxe4 Bxe4 18.Nxe4 b5
19.b3 Qe7 20.Qg4 Re8 21.Rd1 Nd7
22.Qe6 Bf8 23.Qg6 Qh7 24.Rh3 Be7
25.Qxh7+ Kxh7 26.Rf3 Rf8 27.Rxf8 Bxf8
28.Ke2 Kg7 29.Bd2 Nf6 30.Ng3 Kf7 31.Ba5
Ke7 32.Kd3 Kd7 33.Rh1 Rb8 34.Bc3 Ng8
35.Ne4 Be7 36.f3 Ra8 37.Ra1 Bf8 38.cxb5
axb5 39.a4 b4 40.Bd2 Ne7 41.Nf6+ Kd8
42.Ke4 Bg7 43.Ng4 Kc7 44.Ne3 Rf8 45.g3
Rf7 46.Rc1 Kd7 47.a5 Rf8 48.a6 Ra8
49.Ra1 Ra7 50.Ra5 Kc7 51.Nc4 Nc8
168
52.Be3 Nb6 53.Nxd6 Kxd6 54.Rxc5 Rc7
55.Rxc7 Kxc7 56.d6+ Kc6 57.Bxb6 Kxb6
58.Kf5 Bf8 59.Kxe5 Kxa6 60.Ke6
1–0
(28) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Smyslov,Vladimir
[E45]
World Championship 20th Moscow, 1954
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wqk+-tr(
7zp-zp-vlpzpp'
6-zp-+-sn-+&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-sN-+$
3zP-sN-zP-+-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQ+K+R!
xabcdefghy
[White moved his king and now it's
difficult for white to bring his h1–rook into
the game. White can artificially castle by
g3 and Kg2, but it's too passive. White
found more aggressive way.]
10.g4! [(This move has a tactical idea: to
capture the black's d5–pawn after g5; and
a strategical idea: to bring the white's h1–
rook into the game.)]
10...c6 11.g5 Nfd7?! [11...Ne4 we should
go forward!]
12.h4 [(now the rook becomes active on
its initial position)]
12...Bd6?! [(Black ignores development,
which gives white more active position)]
13.e4! [(When your pieces are more
active, you may and even should push
pawns forward)]
13...dxe4 14.Nxe4 Bxf4 [(a bishop is the
main defender of weaknesses. after its
exchnage white will easily occupy the d6
square)]
15.Bxf4 0–0 16.h5 Re8 17.Nd6 Re6 18.d5
Rxd6 [18...cxd5 19.Qxd5 Na6 20.g6‚]
19.Bxd6 Qxg5 20.Qf3 Qxd5 21.Qxd5 cxd5
22.Rc1 Na6 23.b4 h6 24.Rh3 Kh7 25.Rd3
Nf6 26.b5 Nc5 27.Bxc5 bxc5 28.Rxc5 Rb8
29.a4 Rb7 30.Rdc3
1–0
(29) Inkov - Gurevich
Russia
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-+k+(
7+lwq-vlpzp-'
6p+nzpp+-zp&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+P+N+P+$
3zP-+-+N+-#
2-zPQtRPzPLzP"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[In a middlegame we should start an
attack. For this purpose we need to find
169
an object of an attack first. The easiest
targets are opponent's weaknesses.]
1...Na5! [(the knight is aiming to the weak
square b3)]
2.Ng3 Rab8 3.Rd3 Qb6 4.e4 Ba8 5.Rb1
Nb3 6.Qd1 d5 [(Now black has more
active position and he may start a direct
attack)]
7.exd5 exd5 8.Qe2 Bf6 9.cxd5 c4 10.Rdd1
Bxd5 11.Ne4 Qe6 12.Re1 Qxg4 13.Rbd1
Bxe4 14.Rxd8+ Rxd8 15.Qxe4 Qxe4
16.Rxe4 Rd1+? [black missed a forcing
win: 16...Bxb2 17.Rxc4 Bxa3 18.Ra4 Bc5
19.Rxa6 Rd1+ 20.Bf1 Nd2 21.Nxd2 Rxd2
winning the f2 pawn]
Line
170
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 2 (PART-1).
Another exam is coming! We’ll see if you can qualify for the Remote Chess Academy!
Remember and write down the strategic rules about BISHOPS. Include all the rules that
you know:
 How to use our Bishop effectively?
 Bishop’s drawbacks.
 4 ways to restrict opponent’s Bishop.
 When a Bishop is stronger than a Knight?
 When A Knight can be stronger than a Bishop?
 The main rules for positions with opposite-coloured Bishops.
 How to play with 2 Bishops in an endgame.
After that you may go to the answer (presented in the next chapter of this e-book) and
check yourself.
The note: If you weren’t able to remember ALL important rules by yourself, then you NEED
to watch again the video lessons #5-6
171
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Strategical rules about
A BISHOP
How to use your Bishop effectively?
→ A bishop needs open diagonals.
→ A centralized bishop is very powerful.
→ A centralized bishop controls both flanks.
→ A fianchettoed bishop is usually good.
→ A bishop’s power rises in the endgame.
→ A bishop can work from initial position.
Bishop’s drawbacks:
A bishop can NOT work on the squares of an opposite color.
4 ways to restrict opponent’s Bishop:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Oppose your Bishop (and probably trade them).
Block opponent’s Bishop by a pawn chain (it can be your pawn chain or an
opponent’s one).
Fix your Knight in the center.
Remove your pieces from the Bishop’s diagonal (put them on an opposite color).
When a Bishop is stronger than a Knight?
Generally a Bishop is stronger. This advantage is especially big, when:
(1)
(2)
(3)
A position is opened (and Bishop has lots of open diagonals);
A Bishop can play on both flanks;
In an endgame.
A Knight can be stronger that a Bishop in 2 major cases:
(1)
(2)
When a Bishop is blocked by a pawn chain.
When a Knight can be placed on strong central squares(s).
172
The main rules for positions with opposite-colored bishops.
→ A Bishop is especially powerful when your opponent has no counterpart.
→ In this case it makes sense to play on that part of the board, where your bishop
points to.
→ Different colored Bishops strengthen an attack.
→ An activity of the Bishops becomes a key factor.
→ A Bishop’s activity is determined by a pawn structure.
How to play with 2 bishops in an endgame.
With the support of your Bishops you can and should:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Advance your pawns.
Centralize your king.
Attack opponent’s pawns on both flanks.
You can trade an opponent’s important defender on 1 of your Bishops when
necessary.
173
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 2 (PART-2).
This task is dedicated to BISHOPS. This is a very practical topic; these ideas are
commonly used in a practical game play.
Your Task:
Open the database “TASK 2 (PART-2) GAMES SECTION” and detect the best moves in
presented positions.
After that, open the database “TASK 2 (PART-2) ANSWERS SECTION” and check yourself.
The Notes:
 Of course you should NOT just guess the right move. You should:
1. Recollect the general strategical rules applicable for a given position.
2. Detect the best move based on those positional rules.
3. Calculate the consequences of this move.
 If you experience any problem or don’t understand something – you should study the
video lesson # 5 once again.
174
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 2 (PART- 2) GAMES SECTION
(1) Kesaris (1829) - BENEDETTO Davide
(1870) [A01]
Rated game, 3m + 0s Main Playing Hall,
02.10.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+nzp-sn-+&
5+L+-zp-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+P+-zP-+-#
2PvLPzP-zPPzP"
1tRN+QmK-sNR!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(2) Kesaris (1885) - Spahic (1851) [A06]
Rated game, 16m + 0s Main Playing Hall,
03.10.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
(3) Petrosian,Tigran V - Simagin,Vladimir
Moscow ch m Moscow (5), 1956
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zpp+nzppvlp'
6-+pzp-snp+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+PzPP+l+$
3+-sN-vLN+-#
2PzP-+LzPPzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(4) Andersson,Ulf - Grohde,Wolfgang
[D14]
Bayern-chI Bank Hofmann 11th Bad
Wiessee (6), 14.11.2007
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-trk+(
7+-wq-+pvl-'
6l+p+psnp+&
5zp-zppsN-+-%
4P+-+-zP-wQ$
3+P+PzP-+R#
2-vLPsN-+-zP"
1+-+-+-tRK!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rwq-trk+(
7+-+lvlpzpp'
6p+-+psn-+&
5snp+psN-+-%
4-+-zP-vL-+$
3+-sNLzP-+-#
2PzP-+QzPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
175
(5) Polgar,Zsuzsa (2550) - Cramling,Pia
(2525) [D30]
FIDE-Wch Ct Tilburg (11), 09.1994
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
(7) Illescas Cordoba,Miguel - Short,Nigel
D
Dos Hermanas Dos Hermanas (3),
04.04.1997
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+kvl-tr(
7zpl+n+pzpp'
6-wqp+psn-+&
5+p+-+-+-%
4-+-zPP+-+$
3zP-+-+N+-#
2-zPQsN-zPPzP"
1tR-vL-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqntrk+(
7zppzpnvlp+p'
6-+-zp-+p+&
5+-+Pzp-+-%
4-+P+P+-+$
3+-sN-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
(6) Klatt,Peter - Mainka,Gregor [C05]
Dortmund op-A Dortmund (1), 2001
[Smirnov]
(8) Tukmakov,Vladimir B (2560) Karpov,Anatoly (2645) [C95]
Leningrad Interzonal Leningrad (3),
05.06.1973
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wqkvl-tr(
7zp-+n+pzpp'
6-zp-+p+-+&
5+-zppzP-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-zPQ+N+-#
2PzP-+NzPPzP"
1tR-vL-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
[BLACK'S TURN]
0–1
0–1
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7+-+nvlpzp-'
6p+pzp-sn-zp&
5+p+-zp-+-%
4-+PzPP+-vL$
3+L+-+N+P#
2PzP-+-zPP+"
1tRN+QtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
176
(9) Mikhalchishin,Adrian (2500) Lyrberg,Patrik (2415) [D37]
Bern op Bern (9), 1995
[Smirnov]
(11) Fischer,R - O'Kelly,A [C98]
Buenos Aires 10/369 Buenos Aires 10/369,
1970
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rwqr+k+(
7+l+-+pzp-'
6psnp+psn-zp&
5+p+-+-+-%
4Pvl-zPPvL-+$
3+-sNL+N+P#
2-zP-+QzPP+"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-wq-+k+(
7+-+-+-zp-'
6p+-+psnnzp&
5+p+-zp-+-%
4-+p+P+-+$
3+-zP-sN-zPP#
2PzPL+QzP-+"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(10) Mjl (1669) - Kesaris (1839) [B23]
Rated game, 16m Main Playing Hall,
30.09.2011
[Smirnov]
(12) *GM_Nakamura - *GM_Carlsen
[D59]
ICC 90 0 u Internet Chess Club, 11.10.2011
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-+-tr(
7zpp+k+-+-'
6-+-vl-+p+&
5+-zpPzpp+p%
4-+-+-+-zP$
3+-zPP+LzP-#
2PzP-+-+-+"
1+-mKR+-+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-+-+(
7+-+-mkpzp-'
6-+-+l+-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-tR-zP-+P#
2-+-sN-zPP+"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
½–½
177
(13) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2493) Romanishin,Oleg M (2544) [C46]
Negroponte, Chalkida Cannes (8), 2010
[Smirnov]
(15) Karpov,Anatoly (2715) Kasparov,Garry (2750) [D87]
World Cup Belfort (14), 06.1988
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ltr-+k+(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+-+pzP-+$
3+-vL-+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-trk+(
7zp-+-zp-vlp'
6-zp-+q+p+&
5+-zp-zP-+-%
4-+nzP-+P+$
3+-zP-+-+P#
2P+-wQNvLP+"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(14) Mikhalchishin,Adrian Aseev,Konstantin N [D30]
URS-sf Nikolaev (15), 10.1983
[Smirnov]
(16) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2490) Beliaev,Sergei V (2290) [A70]
Ikaria op Ikaria (6), 1998
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqr+k+(
7zpp+-vlpzpp'
6-+n+-sn-+&
5+-+p+-+l%
4NzP-sN-+-+$
3zP-+-+-zPP#
2-vL-+PzPL+"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7+p+-wqpvl-'
6p+-zp-+pzp&
5+-zpPsn-+n%
4P+-+P+-+$
3+-sNL+N+P#
2-zP-+-zPPvL"
1tR-+QtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
178
(17) Sedlak,Nikola - L'Ami,Erwin
EuroTeams 2007 Crete, Greece (3.3),
30.10.2007
[Smirnov]
(19) Beliavsky,A - Korchnoi,V [E20]
Reggio Emilia 45/680 Reggio Emilia
45/680, 1987
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+qtrk+(
7+-zp-+-vl-'
6p+-zp-snp+&
5+p+P+-+-%
4-+P+Pzp-+$
3+-sN-+Q+-#
2PzP-vL-zP-+"
1+-mKR+-tR-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-trr+k+(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-snN+-+-%
4l+p+-+-+$
3+-+-+-zP-#
2PzP-tRPzPLzP"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(18) Duboue,Peio (1899) Tissir,Mohamed (2463) [B43]
Rohde op 08th Sautron (6), 29.10.2008
[Smirnov]
(20) Browne,Walter S - Petrosian,Tigran V
Las Palmas Interzonal Las Palmas (8), 1982
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rwqk+-tr(
7+l+nvlp+-'
6p+-+p+p+&
5+-snpzP-+p%
4-zp-sN-zP-zP$
3+P+LvL-zP-#
2P+P+NwQ-+"
1+-tR-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-mk-+(
7zp-+r+pzp-'
6-zp-+-sn-zp&
5+-+ptR-+-%
4-zP-zP-+-zP$
3+L+-+P+-#
2-zP-+-mKP+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
½–½
179
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 2 (PART- 2) ANSWERS SECTION
(1) Kesaris (1829) - BENEDETTO Davide
(1870) [A01]
Rated game, 3m + 0s Main Playing Hall,
02.10.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+nzp-sn-+&
5+L+-zp-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+P+-zP-+-#
2PvLPzP-zPPzP"
1tRN+QmK-sNR!
xabcdefghy
[Bishops needs open diagonals. Therefore
you need to push pawns and to open
diagonals for your bishops.]
5.d4 [(white needs to play this move in
order to activate his fianchettoed bishop)]
5...exd4 6.Qxd4 Bd7 7.Bxc6 Bxc6 8.Nf3
Be7 9.Nc3 0–0 10.0–0–0 a6 11.Rhe1 Bd7
12.e4 Ng4 13.h3 Bf6 14.Qd2 Ne5 15.Nd5
Nxf3 16.Nxf6+ gxf6 17.gxf3 Kh8 18.Qh6
[Of course this game is not free of
mistakes.
Nevertheless,
it's
quite
significant that the b2–bishop determined
a result of the game.]
1–0
(2) Kesaris (1885) - Spahic (1851) [A06]
Rated game, 16m + 0s Main Playing Hall,
03.10.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-trk+(
7+-wq-+pvl-'
6l+p+psnp+&
5zp-zppsN-+-%
4P+-+-zP-wQ$
3+P+PzP-+R#
2-vLPsN-+-zP"
1+-+-+-tRK!
xabcdefghy
21.Nd7 [(white has many ways for a win,
but this is the most powerful one)]
21...Nxd7 22.Qh8+ [22.Qh7#]
22...Bxh8 23.Rxh8# [The final position
illustrates a power of a bishop: it can
support a king-side attack, standing on an
opposite part of the board.]
1–0
180
(3) Petrosian,Tigran V - Simagin,Vladimir
Moscow ch m Moscow (5), 1956
[Smirnov]
30...Rxf6 (30...Nxf6 31.gxf6 Rxf6 32.Rg3)
31.gxf6 Nxf6 32.Re6+–]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zpp+nzppvlp'
6-+pzp-snp+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+PzPP+l+$
3+-sN-vLN+-#
2PzP-+LzPPzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
30...Bxh2 31.Rxf8+ Kxf8 32.Rxe8+ Rxe8
33.Bxh2 Re7 34.Nxd6 Qxg5 35.Qf1+ Kg8
36.Ne4 Qh4 37.Qe2 Rg7 38.d6 Qh6
39.Qd1 Qh4 40.Qe2 Qh6 41.Qf1 Rf7
42.Qg2+ Kf8 43.Ng5 Qxd6 44.Qa8+ Kg7
45.Bxe5+ Qxe5 46.Qh8+ Kxh8 47.Nxf7+
9.Nd2 [(In King's Indian defense white
usually places his central pawns on light
squares, while black - on dark squares.
With this pawn structure the white's lightsquared bishop becomes "a bad one",
while his black's counterpart - "a good
one". That's why it's useful for white to
trade them.)]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rwq-trk+(
7+-+lvlpzpp'
6p+-+psn-+&
5snp+psN-+-%
4-+-zP-vL-+$
3+-sNLzP-+-#
2PzP-+QzPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
9...Bxe2 10.Qxe2 e5 11.d5 c5 [(here is a
pawn structure we were talking about)]
12.Rab1 Ne8 13.f3 f5 [(an advancement of
black's pawns exposes his weaknesses on
the light squares)]
14.b4 cxb4 15.Rxb4 b6 16.a4 Bf6 17.Kh1
Bg5 18.Bg1 Nc7 19.Rbb1 Na6 20.Nb3
Ndc5 21.Nxc5 bxc5 22.exf5 gxf5 23.g4!
fxg4 24.Ne4 Bf4 [24...Nb4 25.fxg4 (25.f4 !?
25...Bxf4 26.Qxg4+ Kh8 27.Qe6ƒ) 25...Bf4
26.g5ƒ; 24...gxf3 25.Rxf3 Bf4 26.Be3‚]
25.Rb7 Nc7 26.fxg4 Ne8 27.g5 Qc8 28.Re7
Qh3 29.Rf3 Qg4 30.Qd3 [30.Nf6+ !
1–0
(4) Andersson,Ulf - Grohde,Wolfgang
[D14]
Bayern-chI Bank Hofmann 11th Bad
Wiessee (6), 14.11.2007
[Smirnov]
[The position is equal and quite
symmetric. Certainly white can make "a
natural" (superficial!) move Rc1. However,
it will probably lead to mass exchanges on
the c-file and a quick draw.]
15.Bg5! [(White found a way to struggle
for a positional advantage. Now if black
moves his f6–knight, white will trade his
"bad bishop" on opponent's "good one".)]
181
15...Nc4 16.Rac1 Be8 17.Nb1 Bd7 18.Rc2
Nxe5 19.dxe5 Ne4 20.Rxc8 Bxc8 21.Bxe7
Qxe7 [(A bishop is the main defender of
weak squares. After this exchange, white
will be able to occupy weak squares in
opponent's position (a5, b6, c5, c7, d6,
d4)]
opponent's pawns restrict his bishop your goal is to fix this situation.)]
22.Rc1 Bb7 23.Nd2 Nxd2 24.Qxd2 g6
25.a3 Rd8 26.Qb4 Qd7 27.Qd4 Rc8 28.Rc3
Kg7 29.Kf1 Qe7 30.Rxc8 Bxc8 31.Ke1 Bb7
32.h4 h6 33.Kd2 Qc7 34.g3 Qe7 35.Qb6
Qd7 36.Qd6 Qxd6 37.exd6 Bc6 38.Kc3 e5
39.Kb4 Kf6 40.Kc5 Bd7 41.Kxd5 Be8
42.Bc2 Bd7 43.b4 Be8 44.Be4 Bd7 45.f3
Be8 46.Kc5 Bd7 47.Bc6 Be6 48.Kb6
14.Bd3 e5 [14...0–0 ? loses after 15.Bc2
Raa8 16.e5 Nd5 17.Qd3+–]
10...a5 11.Rb1 axb4 12.axb4 Ra4 13.Qc3
Bd6 [an attemp to ease his position
doesn't work for black: 13...e5 ? 14.Nxe5
Nxe5 15.dxe5 Ng4 16.Qg3±]
15.dxe5 Ng4 16.0–0 Ngxe5 17.Bc2 Ra8
18.Nd4 [!]
18...Ng6 [?]
1–0
[certainly black should have castled, but
white has an advantage anyway: 18...0–0 !
19.Nf5‚]
(5) Polgar,Zsuzsa (2550) - Cramling,Pia
(2525) [D30]
FIDE-Wch Ct Tilburg (11), 09.1994
[Smirnov]
19.N2f3 Nde5 [now castling doesn't work:
19...0–0 20.Nf5 Be5 21.Nxe5 Ngxe5
22.Be3 Qc7 23.f4+–]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+kvl-tr(
7zpl+n+pzpp'
6-wqp+psn-+&
5+p+-+-+-%
4-+-zPP+-+$
3zP-+-+N+-#
2-zPQsN-zPPzP"
1tR-vL-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy
[Black is going to play c5 and to open a
diagonal for his b7–bishop.]
10.b4! [(White has a simple way to keep
the b7–bishop in the cage. When
20.Nf5 Nxf3+ 21.Qxf3 Be5 22.Be3 Qc7
23.Bc5+– Bc8 24.Rbd1 Bxf5 25.exf5 Ne7
26.Rfe1 Rd8 [26...0–0 27.f6 gxf6 (27...Bxf6
? 28.Bxe7 Bxe7 29.Qe4+–) 28.Bxe7 Qxe7
29.Qg4+ Kh8 30.Qf5+–]
27.Bxe7 Rxd1 28.Bxd1 Kxe7 29.Qg3 Kf6
30.Qh4+ g5 31.Qh6+ Kxf5 32.Bc2+ Kf4
33.Re4+ Kf5 34.g4#
1–0
182
(6) Klatt,Peter - Mainka,Gregor [C05]
Dortmund op-A Dortmund (1), 2001
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wqkvl-tr(
7zp-+n+pzpp'
6-zp-+p+-+&
5+-zppzP-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-zPQ+N+-#
2PzP-+NzPPzP"
1tR-vL-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
[In an endgame the white's standard plan
(an attack on the king-side) will not be too
effective. Then black will have a positional
advantage thanks to his "good" bishop
and more solid pawn structure.]
9...Qc8 [(that's why black is preparing a
move Qa6, which offers an exchange of
the queens)]
10.0–0 Qa6 11.Qd2 [(the black's
maneuver forced white to go back, which
is a little achievement for black)]
11...Nc6 12.b3 Be7 13.Bb2?! [(the white's
bishop is blocked by his pawns here.)]
13...0–0 14.Rfd1 b5 15.a4 bxa4 16.Rxa4
Qb7 17.Nc1 c4 18.b4 [18.bxc4? Nb6!]
18...Rfb8 19.Ba1 a5 20.bxa5 Nxa5 21.Ra2
Nb3 22.Nxb3 Rxa2 23.Qxa2 cxb3 24.Qb2
Qa6 25.Qc1 Nb6 26.Nd2 Bg5 27.Qb1 Bxd2
28.Rxd2 Nc4 29.Rd3 b2 30.Bxb2 Qb5
0–1
(7) Illescas Cordoba,Miguel - Short,Nigel
D
Dos Hermanas Dos Hermanas (3),
04.04.1997
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqntrk+(
7zppzpnvlp+p'
6-+-zp-+p+&
5+-+Pzp-+-%
4-+P+P+-+$
3+-sN-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
12.Rb1?! [(this trite move is a positional
mistake)]
[Obviously black is going to play f5–f4.
This will restrict the white's c1–bishop.
White should not wait until this happens.
Instead he should activate the bishop right
now. 12.Bh6! Ng7 13.b4 f5 14.Rc1 (the
white's h6–bishop blockades black's kingside and hampers black's attack) 14...f4
15.c5! (the white's attack goes much
faster) 15...dxc5 16.bxc5 Bxc5 17.Qb3‚
white has lots of threats: Qb7, d6, Ng5–
e6...]
12...f5 13.b4 f4 [(the bishop's activity can
be restricted by your pawn chain or by
opponent's pawn chain.)]
14.a4 Rf7 15.Ba3 g5 16.Nd2 Nef6 17.f3
Rg7 18.Kh1 g4 19.Qe2 Kh8 20.Rec1 Rg6
21.c5 dxc5 22.bxc5 Bxc5 23.Bxc5 Nxc5
24.Nb5 b6 25.a5 Qe7 26.Nb3 gxf3 27.gxf3
Nxb3 28.Rxb3 Rag8 29.Qf2 Qg7 30.Rbb1
183
Rg2 31.Qh4 Qg6 32.Nc3 b5 33.Re1 b4
34.Ne2 Nxe4 35.fxe4 Rg1+
29.Rxb4 Ne2+ 30.Rxe2 Rxe2 31.Rb7 Re7
32.Rb8+ Kh7 33.Kf1 Rd2
0–1
0–1
(8) Tukmakov,Vladimir B (2560) Karpov,Anatoly (2645) [C95]
Leningrad Interzonal Leningrad (3),
05.06.1973
[Smirnov]
(9) Mikhalchishin,Adrian (2500) Lyrberg,Patrik (2415) [D37]
Bern op Bern (9), 1995
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7+-+nvlpzp-'
6p+pzp-sn-zp&
5+p+-zp-+-%
4-+PzPP+-vL$
3+L+-+N+P#
2PzP-+-zPP+"
1tRN+QtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
13...Nh5! [(the black's central pawns
restric an activity of his dark-squared
bishop. Therefore black wants to
exchange his passive piece.)]
14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.cxb5 axb5 16.Nc3 b4
[(Having a light-squared bishop, black
should place his pawns on an opposite
color.)]
17.Nb1 Nf4 18.Nbd2 exd4 19.Nxd4 Ne5
[(a bishop is the main defender of weak
squares. once it was traded, black can
easily occupy all the dark squares.)]
20.N2f3 Qf6 21.Nxe5 dxe5 22.Nf5 Bxf5
23.exf5 Rad8 24.Qf3 Rd2 25.Re3 Rxb2
26.Rae1 Re8 27.Re4 Nd5 28.Qg3 Nc3
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rwqr+k+(
7+l+-+pzp-'
6psnp+psn-zp&
5+p+-+-+-%
4Pvl-zPPvL-+$
3+-sNL+N+P#
2-zP-+QzPP+"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[(The black's b7–bishop is locked by his
pawns. The white's task is to fix this
situation.)]
17.Na2! Bf8 18.a5 Nbd7 19.b4 [(now the
b7–bishop is in the cage, which
determines white's huge advantage)]
19...g6 20.Rab1 Nh5 21.Bh2 f5 22.Nc3
Nhf6 23.Ne5 Nxe5 24.dxe5 fxe4 25.Nxe4
Nxe4 26.Bxe4 Qe7 27.Bxg6 Red8 28.Qg4
Kh8 29.Bg3 Rd5 30.Bh4 Qc7 31.Be4 c5
32.Bf6+ Bg7 33.Qxe6 Rxd1+ 34.Rxd1 Bxe4
35.Bxg7+ Kxg7 36.Rd7+ Kh8 37.Qf6+
1–0
184
(10) Mjl (1669) - Kesaris (1839) [B23]
Rated game, 16m Main Playing Hall,
30.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-+-tr(
7zpp+k+-+-'
6-+-vl-+p+&
5+-zpPzpp+p%
4-+-+-+-zP$
3+-zPP+LzP-#
2PzP-+-+-+"
1+-mKR+-+R!
xabcdefghy
[In positions with opposite colored
bishops we should care about bishops'
activity first of all. The white's bishop is
limited by his d5–pawn, which is good for
black. However, the black's bishop is also
passive. Thus black should push pawns
and provide open diagonals for his bishop.
For this purpose black needs to prepare
the moves e4 and c4.]
20...b5 [20...c4!? (this interesting idea
allows black to realize his plan right away)
21.dxc4 e4 (21...a5!? (blockading the
pawns on the light-squares) 22.Be2 e4
23.Rhg1 Bc5 24.Rgf1 Kd6 after a little
material sacrifice black achieved an ideal
situation: the white's bishop is totally
constricted, while the black's bishop is
very active.) 22.Be2 Bxg3 23.c5 a6 and
black will push his central pawns forward]
21.Kc2 [In positions with opposite colored
bishops we should care about bishops'
activity first of all. The white's bishop is
limited by his d5–pawn, which is good for
black. However, the black's bishop is also
passive. Thus black should push pawns
and provide open diagonals for his bishop.
For this purpose black needs to prepare
the moves e4 and c4.]
21...a5 [21...c4! (this opens a diagonal for
a d6–bishop and prepares the move e4
after an exchange of the white's pawn d3.
22.Be2 cxd3+ 23.Bxd3 a6 24.Rhg1 e4 Black
realized his plan successfully. Now his
bishop is MUCH more active than his
white's counterpart.]
0–1
(11) Fischer,R - O'Kelly,A [C98]
Buenos Aires 10/369 Buenos Aires 10/369,
1970
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-wq-+k+(
7+-+-+-zp-'
6p+-+psnnzp&
5+p+-zp-+-%
4-+p+P+-+$
3+-zP-sN-zPP#
2PzPL+QzP-+"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[The white's bishop is passive. In such
situations you should push pawns and
provide open diagonals for your bishop.]
27.b3! cxb3 28.Bxb3 Nf8 29.c4! Qd7
30.Qc2 Qb7 31.cxb5 axb5 32.Ng4 N6d7
33.Qd3 Qc6 34.Qe3 Kf7 35.Nxe5+ Nxe5
36.Qf4+
1–0
185
(12) *GM_Nakamura - *GM_Carlsen
[D59]
ICC 90 0 u Internet Chess Club, 11.10.2011
[Smirnov]
(13) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2493) Romanishin,Oleg M (2544) [C46]
Negroponte, Chalkida Cannes (8), 2010
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-+-+(
7+-+-mkpzp-'
6-+-+l+-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-tR-zP-+P#
2-+-sN-zPP+"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ltr-+k+(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+-+pzP-+$
3+-vL-+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
[Black has an isolated pawn d5 and a bad
bishop. On the next move white will
transfer the knight to d4 (Nf3–d4) and
black will be doomed to a struggle for a
draw.]
[The black's e4–pawn limits his bishop.
The white's goal is to fix this situation, to
blockade this pawn.]
29...d4! [(when your bishop is passive, you
should push pawns and open lines. This
positional sacrifice eases the black's
position.)]
14.Kf2 Bf5? [(black wants to keep his
pawn, but this makes his bishop "a taller
pawn")]
30.exd4 Rb4 31.Rd3 Kd6 32.Nf3 Bd5
[(Black was able to activate all his pieces
and this gives him enough compensation)]
[14...e3+! (in positions with opposite
colored bishops, we should care about
bishops' activity first of all) 15.Kxe3 Bf5
16.Rac1 a5 following with b5–b4 would
give black a counterplay and good chances
for a draw.]
33.Kh2 Be4 34.Ra3 f6 35.Ra6+ Ke7
36.Ra7+ Kf8 37.Rd7 Bc6 38.Rd6 Bxf3
39.gxf3 Ke7 40.Rd5 Ke6 41.Rd8 Ke7
42.Rd5 Ke6 43.Rd8 Ke7 [Game drawn]
15.Ke3 Rd5 16.h3 Rad8 17.g4 Bc8 18.a4
[(the simplest way to restrict opponent's
bishop - is to place your pawns on the
color of that bishop)]
½–½
18...Bd7 19.f5 Bc6 20.h4 Re8 21.h5 Rc5
22.h6 g6 23.a5 Rxc3+ 24.bxc3 Rxe5 25.a6
b6 26.Rhd1 Kf8 27.Rd8+ Ke7 28.Rc8 gxf5
29.Rxc7+ Kd6 30.Rxa7 f4+ 31.Kxf4 e3
32.Rd1+ Ke6 33.Re7+
1–0
186
(14)Mikhalchishin,Adrian Aseev,Konstantin N [D30]
URS-sf Nikolaev (15), 10.1983
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqr+k+(
7zpp+-vlpzpp'
6-+n+-sn-+&
5+-+p+-+l%
4NzP-sN-+-+$
3zP-+-+-zPP#
2-vL-+PzPL+"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[One of the ways to restrict opponent's
bishop - is to create a pawn chain on the
color of that bishop.]
16.f4 [(threatening g4 and f5)]
[16.g4 Bg6 17.f4 this idea doesn't work
right away, because the bishop will
escape: 17...Be4]
16...h6 17.g4 Bg6 18.f5 [(now the bishop
is locked and white has an extra piece into
the game)]
18...Bh7 19.Nxc6 bxc6 20.Rc1 Rc8 21.Nc5
Bd6 22.Bd4 Bc7 23.e3 Qd6 24.Rf4 Nd7
25.Nxd7 Qxd7 26.Rf2 Bb8 27.Qf3 Kh8
28.Rfc2 f6 29.Qe2 Qb7 30.Rc3 Bg8 31.Qc2
Qc7 32.Rxc6 Qh2+ 33.Kf1 Rcd8 34.Qf2
Be5 35.Qg1 Qg3 36.Qf2 Qh2 37.R1c2 Bf7
38.Qg1 Qg3 39.Qf2 Qh2 40.R6c3 Re7
41.Qg1 Qg3 42.Qf2 Qh2 43.Bxe5 Qxe5
44.Qf4 Qxf4+ 45.exf4 d4 46.Rc8 Rxc8
47.Rxc8+ Kh7 48.Kf2 d3 49.Bf3 Bb3
50.Rd8 Bc2 51.Bd5 g5 52.fxg6+ Kxg6
53.Bc4 Re4 54.Bxd3 Bxd3 55.f5+ Kg5
56.Rxd3 h5 57.gxh5 Re5 58.Rc3
1–0
(15) Karpov,Anatoly (2715) Kasparov,Garry (2750) [D87]
World Cup Belfort (14), 06.1988
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-trk+(
7zp-+-zp-vlp'
6-zp-+q+p+&
5+-zp-zP-+-%
4-+nzP-+P+$
3+-zP-+-+P#
2P+-wQNvLP+"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[Both bishops are restricted by the white's
central pawn chain. White found a way to
restrict the g7–bishop even more!]
22.Qg5! [(White is provoking black to play
h6, which will take away the h6 square
from the black's bishop.)]
[22.Qc2? Bh6 and black's bishop became
very active]
22...h6 23.Qc1 [(now the g7–bishop has
no moves!)]
23...Qf7 24.Bg3 g5 25.Qc2 Qd5 26.Bf2 b5
27.Ng3 Rf7 28.Re1 b4 29.Qg6 Kf8 30.Ne4
Rxf2 31.Kxf2 bxc3 32.Qf5+ Kg8 33.Qc8+
Kh7 34.Qxc5 Qf7+ 35.Kg1 c2 36.Ng3 Bf8
37.Nf5 Kg8 38.Rc1
1–0
187
(16) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2490) Beliaev,Sergei V (2290) [A70]
Ikaria op Ikaria (6), 1998
[Smirnov]
(17) Sedlak,Nikola - L'Ami,Erwin
EuroTeams 2007 Crete, Greece (3.3),
30.10.2007
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7+p+-wqpvl-'
6p+-zp-+pzp&
5+-zpPsn-+n%
4P+-+P+-+$
3+-sNL+N+P#
2-zP-+-zPPvL"
1tR-+QtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+qtrk+(
7+-zp-+-vl-'
6p+-zp-snp+&
5+p+P+-+-%
4-+P+Pzp-+$
3+-sN-+Q+-#
2PzP-vL-zP-+"
1+-mKR+-tR-!
xabcdefghy
[The white's goal is to push e5, which will
give open lines for his rook and bishops.]
[Opposite side castlings often create harp
positions. White is obviously attacking on
the g-file. Black is preparing a counterattack supported by his g7–bishop and
b8–rook.]
15.Be2! [a trite move 15.Nxe5 allows
black to impose a strong blockade
15...Bxe5 and it's extremely difficult for
white to breaktrough]
15...Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Be5 [16...Nf6 17.e5‚
white realized his plan and has a strong
initiative]
21.e5! [(this positional sacrifice closes
diagonal of the g7–bishop. after that it's
difficult for black to do something active,
while the white's attack is keep going!)]
21...dxe5 [21...Qxe5? 22.Rxg6+–]
17.Bxh5 Bxh2+ 18.Kxh2 Qe5+ 19.g3 Qxh5
20.Qxh5 gxh5 21.e5 [(and white has a
winning position)]
21...Bf5 22.a5 Rfd8 23.Na4 b5 24.axb6
Rab8 25.exd6 Rxd6 26.Re5 Bc2 27.Nxc5
Rbxb6 28.Re2 Bb3 29.Rd2 Kg7 30.Ra3 Bc4
31.Na4 Rb8 32.Nc3 f5 33.Ra4 Bb3 34.Rh4
a5 35.Rxh5 Kg6 36.Rh4 Rb4 37.Rxb4 axb4
38.Ne2 Kf6 39.Nf4 Ke5 40.Nd3+ Kd4
41.Nc1+ Kc4 42.Nxb3 Kxb3 43.Kg2 Kc4
44.Kf3 Rxd5 45.b3+ Kc5 46.Rxd5+ Kxd5
47.Ke3 h5 48.f3 Ke5 49.g4
1–0
22.Ne4 Nxe4 23.Qxe4 Rf6 24.c5 Qf7
25.Kb1 Re8 26.Ba5 f3 27.d6 cxd6 28.cxd6
Qd7 29.Rxg6 Rxg6 30.Qxg6 Re6 31.Qf5 e4
32.Bc3 e3 33.Bxg7 exf2 34.Bc3 Rxd6
35.Qxd7
1–0
188
(18) Duboue,Peio (1899) Tissir,Mohamed (2463) [B43]
Rohde op 08th Sautron (6), 29.10.2008
[Smirnov]
(19) Beliavsky,A - Korchnoi,V [E20]
Reggio Emilia 45/680 Reggio Emilia
45/680, 1987
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rwqk+-tr(
7+l+nvlp+-'
6p+-+p+p+&
5+-snpzP-+p%
4-zp-sN-zP-zP$
3+P+LvL-zP-#
2P+P+NwQ-+"
1+-tR-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-trr+k+(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-snN+-+-%
4l+p+-+-+$
3+-+-+-zP-#
2PzP-tRPzPLzP"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[White pieces are not very active. White
needs to open lines for his rooks and
bishops.]
20.Rc1! b5 [(now the black's bishop is
restricted by his pawn chain)]
21.Nxe6! Nxe6 [21...fxe6? 22.Bxg6+ Kf8
23.f5‚]
22.f5 [(in order to activate linear pieces
we should push pawns and open lines)]
22...gxf5 23.Qxf5 Ndf8 24.Qxf7+ Kd7
25.Nd4? [25.Bf5!+– white is threatening
Nd4 and Qg7. Black is defenseless.]
25...Nxd4 26.Bxd4 Ne6 27.Qxe6+ Kxe6
28.Bf5+ Kf7 29.Bxc8+ Kg6 30.Bxb7 Qd7
31.Bxa6 Qg4 32.Bd3+ Kg7 33.Bf2 Bxh4
34.Kg2 Rf8 35.Be1 Rxf1 36.Bxf1 Bg5
37.Ra1 Qd4 38.Rb1 Qe4+ 39.Kg1 Be3+
0–1
[20...Bb5 21.b3 and white is winning a
pawn using a pin]
21.b4! [(white fixes this situation using a
tactical motif)]
21...Nd7 22.Nc3 [(Now the a4 bishop is
locked and white has an extra piece into
the game)]
22...Nb6 23.Rxd8 Rxd8 24.Kf1 Rd2 25.Be4
Kf8 26.Ke1 Rd6 27.h4 Ke7 28.Rb1 h6
29.Rb2 g5 30.hxg5 hxg5 31.Rd2 Re6
32.Rd4 Re5 33.Kd2 f5 34.Bc6 g4 35.e4 Kf6
36.exf5 Rxf5 37.Ke3 Re5+ 38.Re4 Rg5
39.Re8 Rg6 40.Be4 Rg7 41.Rh8 Kg5 42.Rf8
Rd7 43.Rg8+ Kf6 44.Rxg4 Re7 45.Rg6+ Kf7
46.Rh6 Kg8 47.Kd2 Rd7+ 48.Kc1 Rf7 49.f4
Rd7 50.g4 Rd4 51.g5 Nc8 52.Bd5+
1–0
189
(20) Browne,Walter S - Petrosian,Tigran V
Las Palmas Interzonal Las Palmas (8), 1982
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-mk-+(
7zp-+r+pzp-'
6-zp-+-sn-zp&
5+-+ptR-+-%
4-zP-zP-+-zP$
3+L+-+P+-#
2-zP-+-mKP+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
[Black has a tight position. White is
threatening g4–g5 and has lots of ways to
improve his position.]
29...Ng8!! [(this unbelievable move leads
to a forcing draw!)]
30.Rxd5 [30.Bxd5? Nf6 31.Bc6 Rxd4 with
double attack]
30...Rxd5 31.Bxd5 Ne7 32.Be4 Nc8 [(The
black's plan is to play Nd6 and f6. This will
create a fortress. Black uses the main
bishop's drawback - it can't attack squares
of an opposite color)]
33.Ke3 g5 34.hxg5 hxg5 35.f4 gxf4+
36.Kxf4 f6 37.Bd3 [37.Kf5 Nd6+]
37...Nd6 [(black placed all his forces on
the dark squares, and the white's bishop
became useless)]
38.Kg4 Kg7 39.g3 Kf7 40.Kh5 Kg7 41.g4
½–½
190
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 2 (PART-3).
If you studied previous materials carefully, then you CAN use your bishops PROPERLY. Now
we will expand your skills associated with this topic. In the current task you will practice
positions with a Bishop against a Knight
Your Task:
Open the database “TASK 2 (PART-3) GAMES SECTION” and detect the best moves in
presented positions.
After that, open the database “TASK (PART-3) ANSWERS SECTION” and check yourself.
The Notes:
 Of course you should NOT just guess the right move. You should:
1. Recollect the general strategical rules applicable for a given position.
2. Detect the best move based on those positional rules.
3. Calculate the consequences of this move.
 If you experience any problem or don’t understand something – you should study the
video lesson # 6 once again.
191
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 2 (PART- 3) GAMES SECTION
(1) Zolotukhin Valery - Giri Anish [B90]
18th Russian Team Championship (9),
21.04.2011
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
(3) Capablanca Jose Raul (CUB) Friedmann I [C05]
Mexico Mexico, 1933
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-+k+(
7+-+-vlpzp-'
6p+rzp-+-zp&
5+p+Rzp-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+-sN-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7+pwq-+pzpp'
6-+-+p+-+&
5+-+pzP-+-%
4p+n+-zP-+$
3+-zPQvLN+-#
2PzP-+-+PzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
(2) Capablanca Jose Raul (CUB) Schiffman [C66]
Detroit (USA) Detroit (USA), 1909
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+k+-tr(
7zpp+-vlp+-'
6-+pzp-zp-zp&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+PzP-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1+-+R+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(4) Consultants - Capablanca Jose Raul
(CUB) [C01]
Consultant Game, 1914
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zpp+-+p+-'
6-+-+-+-zp&
5+-+psN-+-%
4-+-wQl+-zp$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPP+-tRPzP"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
192
(5) Trifunovic,Petar - Teschner,Rudolf
[A48]
Dortmund Dortmund, 1961
[Smirnov]
(7) Flohr,Salo - Capablanca,Jose Raul
[D62]
Moscow Moscow (13), 1935
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+-trk+(
7zplwq-+pvlp'
6-zp-+-snp+&
5zP-zp-zp-vL-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zPLzP-+-#
2-zP-sNQzPPzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7+p+-+pzpp'
6p+-mkl+-+&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-sN-+-+$
3+-mK-zP-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
½–½
(6) Alekhine,Alexander - Yates,Frederick
[D64]
London BCF Congress London (10), 1922
[Smirnov]
(8) Smirnov Igor (UKR) - Zavgorodny
Sergey (UKR) [E13]
Ch Ukr u18 (team) (7), 05.2004
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+r+k+(
7zp-+nwq-zpp'
6-+p+p+-+&
5+p+n+p+-%
4-+LzP-+-+$
3+-+-zPN+-#
2PzPQsN-zPPzP"
1+-tR-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-+k+-tr(
7zp-zp-+-+-'
6-zp-zp-+-zp&
5+-+-+-zp-%
4-+PzPP+-+$
3+-+-+-zP-#
2P+-+-+P+"
1+-mKR+L+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
½–½
193
(9) Smirnov Igor (UKR) - Vovk Jury (UKR)
[B60]
Ch Ukr u18 (team) (5), 05.2004
[Smirnov]
(11) Didenko Sergej (UKR) - Smirnov Igor
(UKR) [C50]
round robin (10), 12.2004
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtr-+k+(
7zpp+-snlvlp'
6-+-zp-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+pzPNwq$
3+N+-+-+L#
2PzPPtR-+-zP"
1+K+R+Q+-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-zp-+-+p'
6-+p+-vlk+&
5zp-wqp+p+-%
4P+-+rzP-zP$
3+PsNR+-zP-#
2-+PwQ-+K+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
0–1
(10) Tiviakov,Sergei - Van der Wiel,John
TH [C09]
Groningen Groningen (9), 1994
[Smirnov]
(12) Berger,Johann Nepomuk Chigorin,Mikhail
Barmen-A Barmen, 1905
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+rtrk+(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+nwq-+-+&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-sNl+-+$
3+NzP-tR-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+Q+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-+k+-'
6-+pmK-sn-vL&
5+-zP-+-+P%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
194
(13) Rublevsky,Sergei - Andersson,Ulf
Rubinstein Memorial 34th Polanica Zdroj
(8), 1997
[Smirnov]
(15) Savchenko (UKR) - Smirnov Igor
(UKR) [C11]
Ch Ukraine (final) (3), 03.2001
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqr+-mk(
7+-+-zp-+p'
6-zpp+l+-+&
5zp-zp-zPp+-%
4-+-sn-+-+$
3zP-sNPvL-+P#
2-zPP+-wQP+"
1+-+-tRRmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtr-+-mk(
7zpQwq-+pzp-'
6-zp-+pvl-zp&
5+-+-+-+-%
4P+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
0–1
(14) Swiercz,Dariusz Damljanovic,Branko [B44]
IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (7), 27.04.2008
[Smirnov]
(16) Bologan,Viktor - Bareev,Evgeny [C11]
Enghien les Bains Enghien les Bains (7),
18.04.2001
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+rtr-mk(
7+-+-+-+p'
6-wq-zpl+-+&
5+p+-zpp+-%
4-+-+-zP-+$
3+-zP-sNR+-#
2-zP-wQ-+PzP"
1tR-+-+-+K!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-trk+(
7+-zp-+-zp-'
6-zpL+p+-zp&
5zp-sn-zPp+-%
4-+-+-zP-+$
3wqPzP-wQ-zP-#
2P+-+-+-zP"
1+K+-tR-+R!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
195
(17) Schlosser P - Nakamura H [B37]
TCh-FRA Top 16 Poule Basse (9),
30.05.2008
[Smirnov]
(19) Akopian Vl - Shirov A [B30]
World Cup (4.1), 03.12.2007
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zpp+-zp-+p'
6-+nzp-+p+&
5+-+-+l+-%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+-wQ-+P+-#
2PzPN+L+PzP"
1tR-+-+R+K!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-+-+(
7+-+-mkp+p'
6-+-zp-+p+&
5+-zp-zp-+-%
4l+P+P+-+$
3+NzP-zP-+-#
2P+R+-mKPzP"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
0–1
(18) Anand V - Morozevich A [B80]
WCh (11), 25.09.2007
[Smirnov]
(20) Adams,Mi - Leko,P [C69]
Karen Asrian Mem Yerevan ARM (7),
13.06.2008
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+-+k+(
7+p+qvl-zpp'
6p+-zp-+-+&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-+-+Ptr-+$
3+N+R+P+-#
2PzPP+Q+-zP"
1+K+-+-tR-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+ktr-+-+(
7+-zp-+-zpp'
6-zp-vl-+-+&
5zpPzp-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-zPPsN-zPPzP"
1+-+R+K+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
0–1
196
(21) Saidy,Anthony Fred - Fischer,Robert
James [A33]
USA-ch New York (11), 02.01.1964
[Smirnov]
(23) Lasker Edward (GER) - Capablanca
Jose Raul (CUB) [D38]
New York (USA) New York (USA), 1915
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+-trk+(
7+p+-+pzpp'
6p+-+-sn-+&
5+-+p+l+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3zP-+-+-+-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLL+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+k+-tr(
7+p+-+pzpp'
6-+l+p+-+&
5zp-+-+-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-sN-zPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
0–1
(22) Smirnov Igor (UKR) - Myshakov
Fedor (UKR) [B14]
Round robin (2), 01.2002
[Smirnov]
(24) Kupper,Patrick - King,Daniel J [C09]
SUI-chT SUI (7.2), 1999
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7zpl+-mk-+-'
6-zp-+-zpp+&
5+-+p+-+p%
4-sN-zP-mK-zP$
3zP-+-+-zP-#
2-zP-+-zP-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7zpp+-snpzp-'
6-vln+-+-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-sN-+-+$
3+NzPL+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
0–1
197
(25) Bruzon Batista,L - Le Quang Liem
[D72]
Capablanca Memorial Elite Havana CUB
(3), 13.05.2011
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-trr+-+(
7zp-+-+-mk-'
6-zp-+-zpp+&
5+-zpP+q+p%
4Psn-+-+-+$
3+P+l+-zPP#
2NwQ-tR-zPL+"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
(27) Averbakh,Yuri L - Lilienthal,Andor
Moscow-ch Moscow, 1949
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+r+k+(
7+pzpl+pvlp'
6p+-zp-+p+&
5+-+P+-+-%
4-+PsN-+-wq$
3+P+-vL-+P#
2P+-wQRzPP+"
1+-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
0–1
(26) Kuzubov,Yuriy - Schroll,Gerhard
[D59]
IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (5), 25.04.2008
[Smirnov]
(28) Lutz,Christopher - Kasparov,Garry
[B85]
Bled ol (Men) Bled (11.1), 06.11.2002
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-+k+(
7zp-+-+pzp-'
6-+-+l+-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-+-+q+$
3wQ-+-zPN+-#
2PzP-mK-zPPzP"
1+-+-+-tR-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtrl+k+(
7+p+-wqpzpp'
6p+-zppsn-+&
5zP-+-+-+-%
4-+-sNPzP-wQ$
3+-sNP+-+P#
2-zP-+-+P+"
1tR-tR-+-+K!
xabcdefghy
0–1
0–1
198
(29) Polugaevsky,Lev - Hartston,William R
[D94]
Las Palmas Las Palmas (12), 1974
[Smirnov]
(31) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Petrosian,Tigran
V [D31]
Wch25 Moscow (14), 1963
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtr-+-+(
7tR-+-+p+p'
6-zp-sn-+p+&
5+P+pmk-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-zP-+P#
2R+-+LzPP+"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-wqr+k+(
7+p+-+p+p'
6p+r+l+p+&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-+P+$
3+PsN-tRP+P#
2P+-tR-wQK+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(30) Van der Wiel,John TH Karpov,Anatoly [C54]
IBM Amsterdam, 1980
[Smirnov]
(32) Tyapkin Vladimir(UKR) - Smirnov Igor
[A53]
Solne4naja pewka (open) (2), 07.2007
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-trk+(
7zpp+-+pzpl'
6-+-+-+-zp&
5+-+psN-+-%
4-+-zP-+PzP$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-+RzP-+"
1+-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8k+-trr+-+(
7zpp+q+pvl-'
6-+-zp-+-zp&
5sN-zpPsn-zp-%
4-+-+P+P+$
3+QsN-+P+-#
2PzP-tR-+P+"
1+K+-+-+R!
xabcdefghy
0–1
0–1
199
(33) Unzicker,Wolfgang - Fischer,Robert
James [B92]
Varna ol (Men) Varna (7), 1962
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
(34) Garry Kasparov - Martin Vaculik
[D27]
30.03.2008
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7+-wq-vlpzpp'
6psn-zp-sn-+&
5+-+-zpP+-%
4-+l+P+-+$
3+NsN-vL-+-#
2-zPP+L+PzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[WHITE'S TURN]
0–1
1–0
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-mk-+(
7+n+-+pzpp'
6p+-+p+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-zP-+-+-+$
3+-+-zP-+-#
2-vL-+-zPPzP"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
(35) Short,Nigel D - Timman,Jan H [B04]
Tilburg Tilburg (4), 1991
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7+pzp-+pvlp'
6-sn-+p+p+&
5zp-+-zP-+-%
4PwqL+Q+-+$
3+-+-+N+P#
2-zPP+-zPP+"
1tR-vL-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
200
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 2 (PART- 3) ANSWERS SECTION
(1) Zolotukhin Valery - Giri Anish [B90]
18th Russian Team Championship (9),
21.04.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-+k+(
7+-+-vlpzp-'
6p+rzp-+-zp&
5+p+Rzp-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+-sN-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
22...Bg5 [(An activity of the black's bishop
is restricted by his central pawn chain. The
white's knight is going to be placed on d5,
which will give white "an eternal knight".
Black should prevent it.)]
23.c3 [23.Rd3?! Rac8 24.c3 b4‚]
23...Bxe3 [(Additionally, this weakens the
white's pawns. Thanks to better pawn
structure black has a positional
advantage.)]
24.fxe3 Kf8 25.Rcd1 Ke7 26.Kf2 h5 27.Ke2
Ke6 28.R1d2 Rb8 29.a3 Rbb6 30.Rd1 Rc4
31.Kf3 g6 32.R5d2 a5 33.Re1 h4 34.h3
Ra6 35.Red1 f5 36.exf5+ gxf5 37.g3 hxg3
38.Kxg3 b4 39.cxb4 axb4 40.axb4 Rxb4
41.Rb1 Rab6 42.Kf2 Rh4 43.Kg3 Re4
44.Rd3 d5 45.Kf3 Reb4 46.Rd2 Rh4 47.Kg3
Re4 48.Rd3 Rxe3+ 49.Rxe3 f4+ 50.Kf3
fxe3 51.b4 d4 52.b5 Kd5 53.h4 Rf6+
54.Kg2 e2
0–1
(2) Capablanca Jose Raul (CUB) Schiffman [C66]
Detroit (USA) Detroit (USA), 1909
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+k+-tr(
7zpp+-vlp+-'
6-+pzp-zp-zp&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+PzP-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1+-+R+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[White has a bishop against a knight.
Therefore white should 1) place his knight
on a strong square; 2) restrict an
opponent's bishop.]
15.Ne2! [(This move helps white to realize
both his ideas. 1) The knight is going to
g3–f5.2) Also it prepares the c4 move,
which will keep the position closed.)]
15...Rd8 16.c4 [(white fixes the pawn on
d6 keeping the e7–bishop locked)]
16...Rd7 17.Ng3 Kd8 18.Nf5 Kc7 19.Rd3
h5 20.Rfd1 Rhd8 21.Rh3 d5 22.Nxe7 Rxe7
23.exd5 cxd5 24.cxd5 Re2 25.Rxh5 Rxb2
26.Rh7 Rd7 27.h4 Kd6 28.h5 Rb4 29.g3
201
Rb2 30.Rh8 Re7 31.Rd8+ Kc7 32.d6+ Kxd8
33.dxe7+ Kxe7 34.h6 Rb5 35.g4 Rc5
36.Rd8
(4) Consultants - Capablanca Jose Raul
(CUB) [C01]
Consultant Game, 1914
[Smirnov]
1–0
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zpp+-+p+-'
6-+-+-+-zp&
5+-+psN-+-%
4-+-wQl+-zp$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPP+-tRPzP"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
(3) Capablanca Jose
Friedmann I [C05]
Mexico Mexico, 1933
[Smirnov]
Raul
(CUB)
-
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7+pwq-+pzpp'
6-+-+p+-+&
5+-+pzP-+-%
4p+n+-zP-+$
3+-zPQvLN+-#
2PzP-+-+PzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
16.b3 [(this creates a classical situation
with a good knight and a bad bishop)]
[actually 16.Bf2 was also possible, because
black can't take the pawn anyway.
however, in this case black's c4–knight will
give him some counterplay. 16...0–0
(16...Nxb2? 17.Qb5++–) 17.b3 Na5„]
16...Nxe3 17.Qxe3 g6 18.Nd4 Bd7 19.Qh3
0–0 20.Rae1 axb3 21.axb3 Kg7 22.Qg3 f5
23.exf6+ Rxf6 24.Re5 Raf8 25.Qe3 Qd6
26.g3 Qa6 27.Re1 Re8 28.h4 h5 29.Rg5
Rc8 30.Qe5 Qb6 31.g4 hxg4 32.h5 Be8
33.Re3 Rc7 34.Nxe6+ Qxe6 35.Qxc7+
1–0
21...h3! [(a bishop needs open diagonals)]
22.Re1 [22.gxh3? Kh7 and Rg8 with a
strong attack]
22...f5! [(black fixes his powerful bishop in
the center)]
[22...hxg2? 23.Rxe4 (23.Nd7!) 23...dxe4
24.Rxg2+ Kh7 25.Nd7‚; 22...Bxg2? 23.Ng4‚]
23.gxh3 Qf6 24.Nf3 Kh7 25.Qxf6 Rxf6 [(in
an endgame we can clearly see an
advantage of a bishop against a knight. a
centralized bishop can play on both flanks
and it controls the whole board.)]
26.Re3 Rb6 27.b3 Rc8 28.Nd4 Rf6 29.Rf4
Kg6 30.c3 Kg5 31.Ne2 Ra6 32.h4+ Kf6
33.a4 b5 34.axb5 Ra1+ 35.Rf1 Rxf1+
36.Kxf1 Ke5 37.Nd4 f4 38.Rh3 Rg8 39.Ke1
Rg1+ 40.Ke2 Rg2+ 41.Kf1 Rb2 42.Ke1 h5
43.Kd1 Bf5 44.Nxf5 Kxf5 45.c4 Ke4 46.Rc3
f3 47.Ke1 d4
0–1
202
(5) Trifunovic,Petar - Teschner,Rudolf
[A48]
Dortmund Dortmund, 1961
[Smirnov]
(6) Alekhine,Alexander - Yates,Frederick
[D64]
London BCF Congress London (10), 1922
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+-trk+(
7zplwq-+pvlp'
6-zp-+-snp+&
5zP-zp-zp-vL-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zPLzP-+-#
2-zP-sNQzPPzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+r+k+(
7zp-+nwq-zpp'
6-+p+p+-+&
5+p+n+p+-%
4-+LzP-+-+$
3+-+-zPN+-#
2PzPQsN-zPPzP"
1+-tR-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
15.Bxf6! Bxf6 16.Be4! [(this leaves black
with his passive bishop solely)]
[Generally a bishop is stronger than a
knight (and in the current position as
well). Nevertheless, white should take on
d5 now, because it will expose all the
black's weaknesses.]
16...Bxe4 17.Nxe4 [(Black has lots of
weaknesses on the light squares. After an
exchnage of black's light-squared bishop,
white will be able to occupy all these
weaknesses)]
14.Bxd5! [14.Bb3? Bb7 although white is
better, it's not easy to breakthrough]
17...Be7 18.axb6 axb6 19.c4! [(Black's
pawn chain restricts his bishop. The
white's task is to fix this situation. Also the
c4 move provides strong squares d5 and
b5 for the knight)]
14...cxd5 [(now white can penetrate onto
the black's territory over the c-file. For
lack of dark-squared bishop black can't
protect his weak squares, and white's
knights will occupy them)]
19...Ra8 20.Nc3 f5 21.e4! Rxa1 22.Rxa1 f4
23.Qg4 Bd8 24.Nd5 Qf7 25.Ra8 h5 26.Qd1
Qe6 27.f3 g5 28.h3 Qf7 29.b3 Qg7 30.Nc3
Bf6 31.Qd5+ Kh8 32.Rxf8+ Qxf8 33.Qe6
Bg7 34.Nd5 Kh7 35.Kh2 Qd8 36.Qf7 h4
37.Ne7 Qf8 38.Qg6+ Kh8 39.Qh5+
15.0–0 a5 16.Nb3 a4 17.Nc5 Nxc5
18.Qxc5 Qxc5 19.Rxc5 [(The black's bishop
is restricted by his pawn chain, while the
knight has a strong square in a center. This
is a classical situation when a knight can
be much stronger)]
1–0
19...b4 20.Rfc1 Ba6 21.Ne5 [(white places
all his forces on the dark squares and the
203
black's light-squared bishop becomes
useless)]
21...Reb8 22.f3 b3 23.a3 h6 24.Kf2 Kh7
25.h4 Rf8 26.Kg3 Rfb8 27.Rc7 Bb5
28.R1c5 Ba6 29.R5c6 Re8 30.Kf4 Kg8
31.h5 Bf1 32.g3 Ba6 33.Rf7 Kh7 34.Rcc7
Rg8 35.Nd7 Kh8 36.Nf6 Rgf8 37.Rxg7 Rxf6
38.Ke5
1–0
(7) Flohr,Salo - Capablanca,Jose Raul
[D62]
Moscow Moscow (13), 1935
[Smirnov, King, Kesaris]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7+p+-+pzpp'
6p+-mkl+-+&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-sN-+-+$
3+-mK-zP-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
the dark squares. However, black has to
play it in order to prevent the white's
plan.)]
[33...Kd6 34.Nb1 Kc6 35.Nd2 Kd6 (35...h5
36.Nf3 g6 37.Nh4) 36.Nf3 Kc6 37.Nh4 Kd6
38.f5 Bf7 39.g4 Kc6 40.Ng2 Kd6 41.Nf4 Kc6
42.Ne6 Bxe6 43.fxe6 Kd6 44.e7 Kxe7
45.Kxd5 Kd7 46.b4]
34.b4 axb4 35.axb4 Kd6 36.b5 [36.Nb1
Bd7 37.Nd2 Bg4 black should prevent
white from a realization of his plan: Nf3–
h4, pawn f4–f5 and then knight goes to
f4.; 36.Na4 Kc6 37.Nc3 Kd6 38.Ne2 Kc6
39.Ng1 Bg4]
36...g6 37.Na4 Kc7 38.Nc3 Kd6 39.f5 gxf5
[39...Bxf5 40.Nxd5 Bd7 41.Nxf6 Bxb5
42.Nd5 Kc6 43.Ne7+]
40.Ne2 Bd7
42.Nxh5]
41.Nf4
Be8
[41...Bxb5
42.Nxd5 Bxb5 43.Nxb6 Bc6 44.Nc4+ Ke6
45.Nb2 Bb5 46.Nd1 Be2 47.Nf2 Bf1
48.Nd3 Bxd3 49.Kxd3 Ke5 50.Ke2 Ke4
51.h3 [51.Kf2 h4 52.gxh4 f4 53.h5 fxe3+
54.Ke2 Kf5 55.h4 Ke6 56.Kxe3 Kf7 57.Kf4
Kg7 58.Kf5 Kh6]
[Having a dark-squared bishop, black
should put his pawns on the dark
squares.]
51...Kd5 [51...h4? 52.gxh4 f4 53.h5 Kf5
54.exf4+–; 51...Ke5 52.Kf3 Kd5 53.Kf4 Ke6
54.h4]
25...b6! [(Black can't wait. Otherwise
white will play b4 and then a4–a5, fixing
black's pawns on the light squares)]
52.Kf3 Ke5 [Finally black was able to
retain a draw. However, it was a tough
task, and it required very careful defense.
White's good knight against a bad bishop
+ black's isolated pawn determined
white's positional advantage.]
26.f4 Bd7 27.Nf3 f6 28.Kd4 a5 29.Nd2 Bc8
30.Nb1 Be6 31.Nc3 Kc6 32.a3 h6 33.g3 h5
[(Generally this move is not good for
black, because he should keep pawns on
[52...Ke5 53.h4 Kd6 54.Kf4 Ke6]
½–½
204
(8) Smirnov Igor (UKR) - Zavgorodny
Sergey (UKR) [E13]
Ch Ukr u18 (team) (7), 05.2004
[Smirnov]
(9) Smirnov Igor (UKR) - Vovk Jury (UKR)
[B60]
Ch Ukr u18 (team) (5), 05.2004
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-+k+-tr(
7zp-zp-+-+-'
6-zp-zp-+-zp&
5+-+-+-zp-%
4-+PzPP+-+$
3+-+-+-zP-#
2P+-+-+P+"
1+-mKR+L+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtr-+k+(
7zpp+-snlvlp'
6-+-zp-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+pzPNwq$
3+N+-+-+L#
2PzPPtR-+-zP"
1+K+R+Q+-!
xabcdefghy
[The white's bishop is restricted by his
own pawns. If black finishes development,
his position will be even better.]
[Black's position is exposed, however, his
2 bishops give him some counterplay.]
19.c5! [(a bishop needs open diagonals)]
19...bxc5 20.dxc5 Ke7 21.Bb5 [(now it's
black who struggles for a draw)]
21...Nd7 22.Bxd7 Kxd7 23.e5 d5 24.Rxd5+
Kc6 25.Rd3 Rae8 26.Re1 Re6 27.Re2 Rhe8
28.Rde3 Rd8 29.Ra3 Rd5 30.Rxa7 Rexe5
31.Ra6+ Kxc5 32.Rc2+ Kb5 33.Rxh6
27.Ne5! [(using a pin on the d-file, white
can eliminate black's light-squared
bishop)]
[27.Ne3? Qf6 28.c3 Rc6 29.Nd4 Ra6 with
some counter-chances]
27...e3 28.Nxf7 exd2 29.Nxd8 Qf6
30.Be6+! [(this important intermediate
move allows white to fix his bishop on a
strong square)]
½–½
[30.c3? Rxd8 31.Rxd2 Kh8 and black is not
loosing yet]
30...Kf8 31.c3 Rxd8 32.f5+– Bh6 33.Nxd2
Bxd2 34.Rxd2 Kg7 35.Qg2+ Kh8 36.Qxb7
Nxf5 37.Qf7 Qxf7 38.Bxf7 Rf8 39.Be6 Ne3
40.a4 Rf1+ 41.Ka2 Rh1 42.h3 Rd1 43.Rxd1
Nxd1 44.Kb3 Kg7 45.Kc2 Ne3+ 46.Kd3 Ng2
47.Ke4 Kf6 48.Bc8 Ke7 49.Kd5 Kd8 50.Bg4
Kc7 51.Ke6 Ne3 52.Kf6 Nc4 53.b3 Nd2
205
54.Be6 Ne4+ 55.Kg7 Nxc3 56.Kxh7 d5
57.Kg6 d4 58.Bc4 Ne4 59.h4 Nd6 60.Bd3
a5 61.h5
18...Qb8 [18...f5 19.f3 (19.Rae1 Qg6
20.Rg3 Qh6 21.f3 Bc2) 19...Bc2 (19...f4?
20.Rxe4+–) 20.Qxa7±]
1–0
19.Rae1 Bc2 20.Nc5 Bf5 [20...Rxe3
21.Qxe3 Qxb2 22.Nd7 Rd8 23.Qe8+ Rxe8
24.Rxe8#; 20...Qxb2?? 21.Rxe8+–]
(10) Tiviakov,Sergei - Van der Wiel,John
TH [C09]
Groningen Groningen (9), 1994
[Smirnov, King, Kesaris]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+rtrk+(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+nwq-+-+&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-sNl+-+$
3+NzP-tR-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+Q+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
17.Nxc6 [(there are 2 main arguments for
this move: 1) while playing against weak
pawns you should trade minor pieces and
leave heavy pieces; 2) knights need strong
squares to be active. there is only 1 strong
square (d4) in this position, thus white
should trade his superfluous knight.)]
[17.Qe2? f5; 17.Qd2? Ne5 with an idea
Nc4 or Ng4]
17...bxc6 [17...Qxc6 18.Nd4²]
18.Qd4 [(blockading black's pawns on the
light squares and providing a c5–square
for a knight.)]
21.b4 [(Now we can see a typical situation
when a knight can dominate against a
bishop: the bishop's activity is restricted
by his central pawn chain; while the knight
has strong squares in a center.)]
21...h6 22.a4 Rxe3 23.Qxe3 Qd6 24.Qe5
Qg6 25.Kh1 Bc8 26.h3 f5 27.f4 Qf6
28.Qxf6 Rxf6 29.Re8+ Rf8 30.Rxf8+ Kxf8
31.Kg1 Ke7 32.Kf2 Bd7 33.Ke3 Be8 34.Kd4
Kd6 35.Nb7+ Kc7 36.Na5 Kd6 37.c4 dxc4
38.Nxc4+ Ke6 39.Kc5 g5 40.g3 gxf4
41.gxf4 Kd7 42.Ne5+ Kc7 43.Nf3 Bd7
44.Nd4 Be8 [44...h5 45.h4 a6 46.a5 Kb7
47.Kd6]
45.Nxf5 Bd7 46.Nxh6 Bxh3 47.a5 Bc8
48.Nf7
1–0
206
(11) Didenko Sergej (UKR) - Smirnov Igor
(UKR) [C50]
round robin (10), 12.2004
[Smirnov]
(12) Berger,Johann Nepomuk Chigorin,Mikhail
Barmen-A Barmen, 1905
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-zp-+-+p'
6-+p+-vlk+&
5zp-wqp+p+-%
4P+-+rzP-zP$
3+PsNR+-zP-#
2-+PwQ-+K+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-+k+-'
6-+pmK-sn-vL&
5+-zP-+-+P%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
45...Re8 [(This simple retreat is the best
decision. The white's knight has no strong
squares and it's at a loose end.)]
[Due to the little quantity of pawns white
should be very careful.]
[45...d4? (This move looks powerful, but it
has 1 significant drawback - it closes the
bishop's diagonal) 46.Ne2 (46.Nxe4? fxe4–
+) 46...Qd5 47.Kf2 next white will transfer
the knight to g1–f3 and he can hold a
position]
46.Ne2 Qe7 47.Nd4 Bxd4! [(generally the
bishop is much stronger, but this
exchange helps black to invade the 2nd
rank)]
48.Rxd4 Qe2+ 49.Kg1 Kh5 50.Rd3 Qxd2
51.Rxd2 Re3 52.Kf2 Rc3 53.Re2 Kg4
54.Re7 Rxc2+ 55.Ke1 h5 56.Rg7+ Kf3
57.Kd1 Rc3 58.Rg5 Rxb3 59.Rxh5 Kxg3
60.Rxf5 Kxh4 61.Rf7 Kg4 62.f5 Rc3 63.f6
Kf5 64.Rf8 Rc4 65.f7 Kf6
0–1
70.Bf4! [70.Kxc6?? Nxh5 and it's a draw
71.Kd6 Nf6 72.c6 Ne8+=]
70...Nxh5 71.Be5+– [This maneuver cuts
off the knight. Now black is defenseless.]
1–0
207
(13) Rublevsky,Sergei - Andersson,Ulf
Rubinstein Memorial 34th Polanica Zdroj
(8), 1997
[Smirnov]
(14) Swiercz,Dariusz Damljanovic,Branko [B44]
IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (7), 27.04.2008
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqr+-mk(
7+-+-zp-+p'
6-zpp+l+-+&
5zp-zp-zPp+-%
4-+-sn-+-+$
3zP-sNPvL-+P#
2-zPP+-wQP+"
1+-+-tRRmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+rtr-mk(
7+-+-+-+p'
6-wq-zpl+-+&
5+p+-zpp+-%
4-+-+-zP-+$
3+-zP-sNR+-#
2-zP-wQ-+PzP"
1tR-+-+-+K!
xabcdefghy
20.Bxd4 [! (The white's bishop is limited
by his e5 pawn, while the black's
centralized knight is very powerful)]
26...Bc8! [(A rook needs open lines; a
bishop needs open diagonals. Black is
transferring the bishop to a long diagonal
a8–h1. Together with the rook on g8 it will
attack the white's king.)]
20...Qxd4 [20...cxd4 21.Ne2 c5 22.Nf4 Bc8
23.e6 blockading the black's position
completely]
21.Ne2! [(A knight needs strong squares
to be active. White is transferring the
knight to a good blocking square f4)]
21...Qxf2+ [21...Qxb2 22.Nf4 Bd5 23.Rb1
Qxa3 24.c4 Bg8 25.Rxb6±]
22.Rxf2 Red8?! [(black leaves his f5–pawn
unprotected)]
27.Raf1 Bb7 28.Rg3? [28.Nd5! white must
close the bishop's diagonal 28...Qc5
29.Rd3 with approximately equal position]
28...Be4! [(a centralized bishop is very
powerful, it controls the whole board)]
29.Rg5 d5 30.fxe5 f4 31.Ng4 f3 32.Rf2
fxg2+ 33.Kg1 Rxf2 34.Qxf2 Ra8 35.Rg8+
Kxg8 36.Nf6+ Qxf6
0–1
[22...Rad8 23.Nf4 Bc8 24.e6 Rd6 25.Re5±]
23.Ng3 Rf8 24.Ref1 Rad8 25.Nxf5 Rd5
26.Nxe7 Rxf2 27.Kxf2 Rxe5 28.Nxc6 Rf5+
29.Kg1
1–0
208
(15) Savchenko (UKR) - Smirnov Igor
(UKR) [C11]
Ch Ukraine (final) (3), 03.2001
[Smirnov]
(16) Bologan,Viktor - Bareev,Evgeny [C11]
Enghien les Bains Enghien les Bains (7),
18.04.2001
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtr-+-mk(
7zpQwq-+pzp-'
6-zp-+pvl-zp&
5+-+-+-+-%
4P+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-trk+(
7+-zp-+-zp-'
6-zpL+p+-zp&
5zp-sn-zPp+-%
4-+-+-zP-+$
3wqPzP-wQ-zP-#
2P+-+-+-zP"
1+K+-tR-+R!
xabcdefghy
21.Qe4? [White doesn't feel danger. A
bishop is stronger than a knight. This gives
black a positional advantage. White is
struggling for a draw and he should try to
equalize.]
22.Qc1! [(a bishop's power rises in an
endgame)]
[white should simplify a position and play
for a draw 21.Rxd8+! Bxd8 22.Qxc7 Rxc7
23.Kf1 and white should be able to hold a
draw without serious problems]
21...g6 22.Qe3 [(the white's knight doesn't
have strong squares and that's why it's
difficult for white to use his knight
somehow)]
22...Kg7 23.Nd4? [(white wants to
transfer his knight to b5, but it doesn't
work)]
23...Qc4!µ 24.Qe1 Bxd4 25.cxd4 Qb3
26.a5 b5 27.Qe5+ Kh7 28.Qf4 Rd7 29.g4
b4 30.Re1 Qxb2 31.Rab1 Qa3 32.Re3 Rc1+
0–1
[A "natural" move 22.Rd1?! leads to a
draw (while white wants more - he has a
positional advantage thanks to his bishop
against a knight) 22...Nxb3 23.axb3 Qxb3+
24.Kc1 Qa3+ 25.Kb1 Qb3+]
22...Qxc1+ 23.Rxc1 [(In an endgame a
bishop plays on both flanks, which
determines his huge advantage against a
knight)]
23...g5 24.Kc2 Kf7 25.Rcd1 gxf4 26.gxf4
Ne4 27.Rhg1 Nf2 28.Rd4 Rxd4 29.cxd4
Rd8 30.Kc3 Ne4+ 31.Kd3 Nc5+ 32.Ke3 Na6
33.a3 Rg8 34.Rc1 Nb8 35.Bf3 c6 36.Bxc6
Nxc6 37.Rxc6 Rg1 38.Rxb6 Re1+ 39.Kd3
Rf1 40.Rb7+ Kf8 41.Kc4 Rxf4 42.Kc5 Re4
43.Kd6 Rxd4+ 44.Kxe6 f4 45.Rf7+ Ke8
46.Rh7 Kd8 47.Rxh6 f3 48.Rf6 Rd3 49.Kf7
209
Rxb3 50.e6 Rb7+ 51.Kg8 Re7 52.h4 f2
53.Rxf2 Rxe6 54.h5 Ke7 55.Rf7+ Kd6
56.Kg7 Re3 57.Rf6+ Kc5 58.h6 Rxa3 59.h7
1–0
(17) Schlosser P - Nakamura H [B37]
TCh-FRA Top 16 Poule Basse (9),
30.05.2008
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zpp+-zp-+p'
6-+nzp-+p+&
5+-+-+l+-%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+-wQ-+P+-#
2PzPN+L+PzP"
1tR-+-+R+K!
xabcdefghy
[The white's bishop is passive, because it's
limited by his own pawns. White is going
to trade this bishop by playing Bd3. Next,
white is going to transfer his knight to d5
getting a good position.]
16...Bxc2! [(black breaks the white's
plans)]
[16...Rc8?! 17.Bd3]
17.Qxc2 Qb6 [(White has lots of
weaknesses on the dark squares (b4, d4,
e3, f4, e5) and black can place his knight
there. In addition to that, the white's
bishop is restricted by his c4 and f3
pawns. Assuming these factors, the knight
is more powerful in this situation.)]
18.Qd2 Qd4 19.Rad1 Qxd2 20.Rxd2 Rac8
21.Kg1 Rf5 22.Rc1 a5 23.Kf2 a4 24.Rc3
Rc5 25.Rd5 Nb4 26.Rxc5 dxc5 27.a3 Nc6
28.Bd1 Ra8 29.Ke3 Nd4 30.Kd2 Kf7
31.Re3 Kf6 32.f4 Nf5 33.Re5 Rd8+ 34.Ke1
b6 35.Bxa4 Rd4 36.g3 Rxc4 37.Bb3 Rc1+
38.Kd2 Rh1 39.Re6+ Kg7 40.Rxb6 Rxh2+
41.Kc3 Nxg3 42.Bd5 Ne2+ 43.Kc4 Nxf4
44.Bb7 Rc2+ 45.Kb3 Rc1 46.a4 Ra1 47.Rc6
h5 48.Rxc5 h4 49.a5 Ne6 50.Rd5 h3
0–1
(18) Anand V - Morozevich A [B80]
WCh (11), 25.09.2007
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+-+k+(
7+p+qvl-zpp'
6p+-zp-+-+&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-+-+Ptr-+$
3+N+R+P+-#
2PzPP+Q+-zP"
1+K+-+-tR-!
xabcdefghy
23.Nc1! [(A knight needs strong squares to
be active. The only good square for a
knight is d5. Thus white should transfer
the knight there.)]
23...Rcf8 24.a3 [(from the a2–square the
knight has 2 paths to d5: a2–b4–d5 and
a2–c3–d5)]
24...Kh8 25.Na2 Qh3 26.Rg3 Qh5 [Black
has to create a counterplay. Otherwise
white will fix his knight on d5, push away
210
black's pieces and get total domination. At
the same time, black leaves his queen-side
unprotected, which gives white additional
attacking possibilities.)]
30...h5! [(In order to activate a bishop,
you should push pawns and open
position)]
[30...Bxb3? 31.Rb2]
[26...Qd7 27.Nc3 and Nd5]
27.Qg2 Rh4 28.h3 Qh6 29.Rb3 b5 30.Nb4
Rh5 31.Qf1 Rh4 32.Qg2 Rh5 33.Nxa6 Bh4
34.Rg4 Bf6 35.Qe2 Rxh3 36.Rxb5 Bd8
37.Rb8 Qf6 38.Nb4 Rxf3 39.Nd5 Qf7
40.Qa6 h5 41.Rg2 h4 42.Qxd6 Be7
43.Qxe5 Rxb8 44.Qxb8+ Kh7 45.Qc7 Bf8
46.Qxf7 Rxf7 47.Rg4 Rf1+ 48.Ka2 Rh1
49.e5 Bc5 50.e6 Kh6 51.Rc4 h3 52.Rxc5 h2
53.Ne3 Ra1+ 54.Kxa1 h1Q+ 55.Ka2 Qe4
56.Re5
1–0
(19) Akopian Vl - Shirov A [B30]
World Cup (4.1), 03.12.2007
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-+-+(
7+-+-mkp+p'
6-+-zp-+p+&
5+-zp-zp-+-%
4l+P+P+-+$
3+NzP-zP-+-#
2P+R+-mKPzP"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
[In spite of white's extra pawn, black has
an advantage thanks to his bishop and
white's weaknesses.]
31.Ke1 h4 32.Kd2 Bc6 33.Kd3 f5! [(now
the bishop becomes a true "monster")]
34.exf5 gxf5 35.Rf2 Ke6 36.Ke2 Ra8
37.Ke1 Ra4 38.g3 hxg3 39.hxg3 Be4
40.Rh2 Rxc4 41.Kd2 Ra4 42.Kc1 c4 43.Na1
Ra8 44.Rd2 Rg8 45.a4 Rxg3 46.Nc2 Bxc2
47.Rxc2 Rxe3 48.a5 Kd7 49.a6 Kc7
0–1
(20) Adams,Mi - Leko,P [C69]
Karen Asrian Mem Yerevan ARM (7),
13.06.2008
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+ktr-+-+(
7+-zp-+-zpp'
6-zp-vl-+-+&
5zpPzp-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-zPPsN-zPPzP"
1+-+R+K+-!
xabcdefghy
[In an endgame a bishop is much stronger
than a knight. It's especially true for open
positions.]
22...Be5! [(a centralized bishop controls
the whole board)]
211
[22...Bf4?! doesn't do much after simple
23.Ke2]
23.c3 c6 [(black starts using his pawn
majority on the queen-side. Additionally
black wants to take away strong squares
from the white's knight)]
24.bxc6 Kc7 25.Ke2 Kxc6 26.Nc4 Rxd1
27.Kxd1 Bc7 28.Ne3 a4 29.c4 Be5 [(a
bishop plays on both flanks and a knight
can control only 1 side)]
30.Kc2 Bxh2 31.Nf5 Be5 32.f3 b5 33.cxb5+
Kxb5 34.Ne3 Bd4 35.Nd5 Kc6 36.Nf4 Kd6
37.Nd3 Kd5 38.Nf4+ Ke5 39.Nd3+ Kd6
40.b3 a3 41.Kb1 Bc3 42.Ka2 Bb4 43.Nf4
Ke5 44.Ne2 h5 45.Kb1 g5 46.Ka2 g4
47.fxg4 [47.Kb1 gxf3 48.gxf3 h4]
47...hxg4 48.Ng3 Kf4 49.Nf1 Ke4 50.Nh2
Kf5 51.Nf1 Kf4 52.Kb1 Bc3 53.Ka2 Bb2
54.Kb1 Ke4 55.Nh2 g3 56.Nf1 Be5 57.Ka2
Kd3 58.Kxa3 Ke2 59.Nxg3+ Bxg3 60.Ka4
[60.b4 c4]
60...Ke3 61.Kb5 Bd6 62.g4 Kf4 63.Kc6 Bf8
0–1
(21) Saidy,Anthony Fred - Fischer,Robert
James [A33]
USA-ch New York (11), 02.01.1964
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+-trk+(
7+p+-+pzpp'
6p+-+-sn-+&
5+-+p+l+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3zP-+-+-+-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLL+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[The easiest way to neutralize 2 bishops is
to exchange one of them.]
17...Bc2! [(Black is trading his "bad"
bishop against an opponent's "good" one.
Additionally, black is exchanging the main
defender of the white's weak squares (c2,
b3, c4, d3, e4, e2...)]
18.Be3? [(white should have avoided this
unfavorable exchange)]
[18.Be2!? Bb3 (threatening Bc4) 19.Bf3=;
18.Bf3!? Be4 19.Bd1=]
18...Bxd1 19.Rfxd1 Rc2 [(now black can
occupy light squares in the white's
position. Together with the white's bad
bishop, this gives black a lasting
initiative.)]
20.Rd2 Rfc8 21.Rxc2 Rxc2 22.Rc1 Rxc1+
23.Bxc1 Nd7 24.Kf1 Nf8 25.Ke2 Ne6
26.Kd3 h5 27.Be3 Kh7 28.f3 Kg6 29.a4 Kf5
30.Ke2 g5 31.Kf2 Nd8 32.Bd2 Kg6 33.Ke3
212
Ne6 34.Kd3 Kf5 35.Be3 f6 36.Ke2 Kg6
37.Kd3 f5 38.Ke2 f4 39.Bf2 Ng7 40.h3 Nf5
41.Kd3 g4 42.hxg4 hxg4 43.fxg4 Nh6
44.Be1 Nxg4 45.Bd2 Kf5 46.Be1 Nf6
47.Bh4 Nh5 48.Be1 Kg4 49.Ke2 Ng3+
50.Kd3 Nf5 51.Bf2 Nh4 52.a5 Nxg2 53.Kc3
Kf3 54.Bg1 Ke2 55.Bh2 f3 56.Bg3 Ne3
0–1
(22) Smirnov Igor (UKR) - Myshakov
Fedor (UKR) [B14]
Round robin (2), 01.2002
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7zpl+-mk-+-'
6-zp-+-zpp+&
5+-+p+-+p%
4-sN-zP-mK-zP$
3zP-+-+-zP-#
2-zP-+-zP-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
[White has a positional advantage
because of his good knight against a bad
bishop. Now white needs to compose a
plan.]
41.f3! [(Generally the white's plan is to
penetrate into opponent's territory via
dark squares. It's impossible to do it right
away, because the black's f6 pawn covers
e5 and g5 squares. Thus white should
exchange this pawn by playing g4–g5.)]
41...a5 42.Na2 Bc6 43.Nc3 Ke6 44.Nd1
Bb5 45.Ne3 Bd3 46.g4 Bb1 47.Nf1! [The
knight is going to g3 in order to force black
to take on g4.]
[47.g5? Ba2 48.gxf6 Kxf6 The black's h5–
pawn not allows white to play Ng4+; white
can't get any progress.]
47...hxg4 48.fxg4 Bd3 49.Ne3 Be4 50.g5
f5™ [50...Ke7 51.Ng4 fxg5+ 52.Kxg5+– and
Ne5 then. White realized his plan
successfully.]
51.Nf1 [(Next, white should transfer the
knight to f4 and breakthrough with a
pawn move h5)]
51...Bc2 52.Ng3 Bd1 53.Nh1 Be2 54.Ke3
Bd1 55.Nf2 Ba4 56.Nh3 Be8 57.Nf4+ Kd6
58.Nd3 Ke6 59.Kf4 Kd6 60.Ne5 Ke6 61.b3
b5 62.b4 a4 63.Kg3 Bf7 64.Nd3 Ke7
65.Nf4 Kd6 66.h5 gxh5 67.g6 Be8 68.Kh4
1–0
213
(23) Lasker Edward (GER) - Capablanca
Jose Raul (CUB) [D38]
New York (USA) New York (USA), 1915
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+k+-tr(
7+p+-+pzpp'
6-+l+p+-+&
5zp-+-+-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-sN-zPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[One of the ways to neutralize an
opponent's bishop is to place your central
pawns on the color of that bishop. That's
why white is going to play f3 setting a
pawn chain against black's bishop.]
20...0–0–0! [(Black is playing aggressively
and white has no free time for playing f3)]
[20...Rd8? 21.Rfd1 Ke7 22.f3 next white
will play Nc4 or Nb3 with good chances for
a draw]
21.Nc4 Bxe4 [(In an open position a
bishop becomes extremely powerful)]
22.Rfc1 Kb8 23.f3 Bd5 24.Nxa5 [(Now the
bishop cuts off the knight on the edge)]
24...Rc8 25.b3 Rxc1+ 26.Rxc1 Rc8
27.Rxc8+ Kxc8 28.Kf2 Kc7 29.Ke3 Kb6
30.Nc4+ Bxc4 31.bxc4 Kc5 32.Kd3 e5
33.g4 f6 34.h4 g6 35.Ke4 Kd6 36.f4 exf4
37.Kxf4 Kc5 38.h5 Kxc4 39.Ke4 b5 40.a3
Kb3
0–1
(24) Kupper,Patrick - King,Daniel J [C09]
SUI-chT SUI (7.2), 1999
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7zpp+-snpzp-'
6-vln+-+-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-sN-+-+$
3+NzPL+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
12...Nxd4! [(this forcing variation leads to
a favorable position for black)]
13.Nxd4 Bxd4 14.cxd4 Bf5! [(trading the
white's good bishop. After that the black's
knight will have strong squares c4 and e4,
while the c1–bishop is restricted by his
d4–pawn.)]
15.Bb5?! [(white avoids an exchange, but
gives few extra tempos to black)]
15...Qb6 16.Ba4 Rac8 17.Bb3
[(threatening Be4 and Bc2)]
Qg6
18.Qf3 Be4 19.Qh3 Nf5 20.Be3 Rc6
21.Rfe1? [better was 21.Rac1 Rxc1
22.Rxc1 Nh4 23.Bc2! Qxg2+ 24.Qxg2 Bxg2
25.Bd1 white will play Rc7 with some
counter-chances]
214
21...Nh4! 22.Qg3 Nxg2 23.Rec1 Nxe3
24.Rxc6 Qxc6 25.Qxe3 Qg6+ 26.Qg3 Qf6
27.Qe5 Qf3
0–1
(25) Bruzon Batista,L - Le Quang Liem
[D72]
Capablanca Memorial Elite Havana CUB
(3), 13.05.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-trr+-+(
7zp-+-+-mk-'
6-zp-+-zpp+&
5+-zpP+q+p%
4Psn-+-+-+$
3+P+l+-zPP#
2NwQ-tR-zPL+"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
25...Bc2! [25...Nxa2? 26.Qxa2 Be4 27.d6
with approximately equal position]
26.Rf1 Nxa2 27.Rxc2 [27.Qxa2 Be4‚ black
can attack the d5–pawn and disturb
white's king-side by playing h4]
27...Nb4 [(The black's knight has strong
squares in a center (d4, e5); the white's
bishop is restricted by his pawns on the
light squares. This gives black an
advantage)]
28.Rd2 h4! [(fixing the pawns on light
squares)]
29.Kh2 Qg5 30.g4 Qf4+ 31.Kh1 Nc6!
32.Qc3 a5 33.Rd3 Nd4 34.Re3 Ne2
35.Rxe8 Rxe8 36.Qd3 Nd4 37.Kg1 f5
38.gxf5 gxf5 39.Kh1 Kh7 40.Qc4 Kh6
41.d6 Qxd6 42.Rg1 Qf6 43.Bf3 Rd8
44.Qc1+ f4 45.Qc3 Rd7 46.Rg4 Rg7
47.Rxg7 Kxg7 48.Bg4 Qc6+ 49.Kh2 Qe4
50.Qd2 Kg6 51.Kg1 Kg5 52.Kh2 Kg6
53.Qc1 f3 54.Qc4 Qe5+
0–1
(26) Kuzubov,Yuriy - Schroll,Gerhard
[D59]
IX EICC Plovdiv BUL (5), 25.04.2008
[Smirnov, King, kesaris]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-+k+(
7zp-+-+pzp-'
6-+-+l+-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-+-+q+$
3wQ-+-zPN+-#
2PzP-mK-zPPzP"
1+-+-+-tR-!
xabcdefghy
[Black needs to activate his rook and
bishop. For this purpose he should push
pawns and open lines.]
21...d4 [! (a bishop needs open diagonals)]
22.exd4 [22.Nxd4 Qh4 A queen is very
annoying for white 23.Ke2 (23.Re1 Qxf2+
24.Re2 Qf1 25.Nxe6 fxe6 and white's king
is exposed) 23...Qxh2 24.Rc1 Bg4+ 25.Kd3
Qxg2 with huge advantage]
215
22...Bd5 23.h3 Qf5 [23...Qg6 24.Qc3 Rb8
25.b3 Qa6 26.Qb2 Qa5+ 27.Kd1 Rd8
28.Ne1 Be4 29.f3 Qc5 30.Nc2 Bxc2+
31.Kc1 Qf5 32.g4 Qxf3 Rodriguez
Cespedes - De Greif 1974 0–1.]
24...Kf8 25.f3 c5 26.dxc6 bxc6 27.Rd2 Ke7
28.Ne2 Be6 29.Kf2 d5 30.c5 [! (now the
black's pawn chain will restrict his bishop)]
24.Re1 Rb8 25.Qc3 [25.b3 Bxf3]
30...Kd7 31.Nd4 f6 32.Re2 Bf7 33.f4
[(White gains space and fixes black's
pawns on the light squares)]
25...Bxa2 26.Re5 Qb1 27.Qc2 Qf1 28.Ke3
Qxg2 29.b4 Be6 30.d5 Rc8 31.Qd3 Bxh3
32.d6 Qh1 33.Kf4 g5+ 34.Nxg5 hxg5+
35.Rxg5+ Kf8 36.Qh7 Qh2+ 37.Ke4 Bg2+
[30.cxd5 ? 30...Bxd5 31.Nc3 Kd6]
33...Rg8 34.g3 h5 35.Re3 Re8 36.Rxe8
Bxe8 37.g4 hxg4 38.hxg4 Kc7 39.Kg3 Bd7
40.g5 fxg5 41.fxg5
0–1
1–0
(27) Averbakh,Yuri L - Lilienthal,Andor
Moscow-ch Moscow, 1949
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+r+k+(
7+pzpl+pvlp'
6p+-zp-+p+&
5+-+P+-+-%
4-+PsN-+-wq$
3+P+-vL-+P#
2P+-wQRzPP+"
1+-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[One of the simplest ways to neutralize 2
bishops is to trade 1 of them.]
20.Nf3 [!]
20...Qh5 21.Bd4 Rxe2 22.Qxe2 Bxd4
23.Nxd4 Qxe2 24.Rxe2 [(The black's lightsquared bishop is restricted by the white's
pawn chains on the color of that bishop.)]
(28) Lutz ( Clasical a4 ),Christopher Kasparov ( 12.¥d3 ),Garry [B85]
Bled ol (Men) Bled (11.1), 06.11.2002
[Smirnov, Ftacnik, Kesaris]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtrl+k+(
7+p+-wqpzpp'
6p+-zppsn-+&
5zP-+-+-+-%
4-+-sNPzP-wQ$
3+-sNP+-+P#
2-zP-+-+P+"
1tR-tR-+-+K!
xabcdefghy
23...Nd5 [! (A bishop's power rises in an
endgame)]
24.Qxe7 Nxe7 25.Kg1 e5 [! (Black drives
the knight away and opens the game for
his bishop).]
216
26.Nde2 f5 [(When you have a bishop, you
should push pawns and open lines)]
27.exf5 Nxf5 28.Nd5 Rc5 [(When a knight
hasn't strong squares to be placed on, an
opponent can kick it away easily.)]
29.Nb6 Bb5 30.fxe5 Rxe5 31.Nf4 Nd4
32.Rc8 Rxc8 33.Nxc8 Bc6 34.Rf1 Re8 [!]
35.Na7 [35.Nxd6 ? 35...Rf8 36.Kh2 g5–+]
35...Bd7 [(bishop cuts off the a7–knight)]
36.Nd5 [36.Rc1 g5 ! (36...Ra8 ?! 37.Rc7)
37.Rc7! (37.Nh5 Ne2+) 37...gxf4 38.Rxd7
Re1+ 39.Kh2 Re2 40.Kg1 (40.Rxd6 ?
40...Nf3+ 41.Kh1 Re1#; 40.h4 ? 40...f3–+)
40...Nf5 41.Nc8 Ng3–+ creating a mating
net]
36...h5 [36...Ra8 ? 37.Ne7+ Kh8 38.Nac8±]
37.Nb6 Bf5 38.Kh2 g5 39.Rc1 [39.Nc4
Bxd3 40.Nxd6 Re2‚]
39...g4 40.hxg4 hxg4 41.Nac8 [(while
white tries to bring his knight back into
the game, black is creating a mating
attack)]
41...g3+ 42.Kh1 [42.Kxg3 Ne2+]
42...Re6
0–1
(29) Polugaevsky,Lev - Hartston,William R
[D94]
Las Palmas Las Palmas (12), 1974
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtr-+-+(
7tR-+-+p+p'
6-zp-sn-+p+&
5+P+pmk-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-zP-+P#
2R+-+LzPP+"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[A knight needs to have strong squares to
be placed on. In the current position black
has a few such strong squares: c4, e4, c5.
This makes black feel alright.]
28...d4? [Generally a defender should
exchange pawns in an endgame. In the
current position, however, it's a wrong
idea. After that it'll be difficult for black to
place his knight in a job.]
[There are not much things white can do
here. Black should just improve his
position. 28...h5!?; 28...Rc5!?]
29.exd4+ Kxd4 30.Re7 Kc5 31.Rc2+ Kb4
32.Rd2 [(Now the black's knight is
hanging, while the white's bishop is very
powerful in an open position.)]
217
32...h5 33.g4 hxg4 34.hxg4 f5 35.Re6 Ne4
36.Rxd8 Rxd8 37.Rxb6 Nc3 38.Bf1 Rd1
39.Re6 fxg4 40.b6 Kc5 41.b7 Rb1 42.Re5+
Kd6 43.Re3 Nd5 44.Rd3 Kc6 45.Rd1 Rxb7
46.Rxd5
1–0
(30) Van der Wiel,John TH Karpov,Anatoly [C54]
IBM Amsterdam, 1980
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-trk+(
7zpp+-+pzpl'
6-+-+-+-zp&
5+-+psN-+-%
4-+-zP-+PzP$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-+RzP-+"
1+-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[When you have a bishop, you should set
your pawns on an opposite color.]
22...f6! [(Also this helps black to push the
knight away)]
23.Nf3 g5 [(fixing the white's g4–pawn on
a light square. in the future black's bishop
will be able to attack it.)]
24.Re7 Rf7 25.hxg5 hxg5 26.Re8+ Rxe8
27.Rxe8+ Kg7 [(generally a bishop is
stronger than a knight. this position is not
an exception)]
28.Ne1 Rc7 29.f3 Kf7 30.Rb8 Ke6 31.Kf2
b6 [! (the white's knight hasn't any strong
squares and therefore is out of game)]
32.Ra8 Bb1 33.a3 Ba2 34.Ke3 Rh7
35.Re8+ Kd7 36.Rf8 Re7+ 37.Kd2 Ke6
38.Rh8 Rc7 39.Re8+ Kf7 40.Ra8 Bb3
41.Nd3 Ba4 42.Rh8 Ke6 43.f4 Rc2+ 44.Ke3
Rg2 45.f5+ Kd6 46.Rh6 Rg3+ 47.Kd2 Ke7
48.Nb4 Rxg4 49.Nxd5+ Kd6 50.Nxf6
Rxd4+ 51.Kc3 Rh4 52.Ne4+ Kd5 53.Rxh4
gxh4 54.Ng5 Bd7 55.f6 Kd6 56.Kd4 h3
57.f7 Ke7 58.Nxh3 Bxh3 59.Ke5 Bd7
60.f8Q+ Kxf8 61.Kd6 Ba4 62.Kc7 Ke7
63.Kb7 Kd6 64.Kxa7 Kc5
0–1
(31) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Petrosian,Tigran
V [D31]
Wch25 Moscow (14), 1963
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-wqr+k+(
7+p+-+p+p'
6p+r+l+p+&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-+P+$
3+PsN-tRP+P#
2P+-tR-wQK+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
27.Na4! [(a knight should be placed on a
strong square. now the knight is going to
c5)]
27...b6 28.Nb2! [(now the knight is going
to e5 (b2–d3–e5)]
218
28...a5 29.Nd3 f6 [(Black places his pawns
on an opposite color compared to his
bishop. This is a right strategy. Also this
takes away strong squares from the
white's knight.)]
30.h4! [(white needs to eliminate the f6
pawn in order to provide the e5–square
for his knight)]
30...Bf7 31.Rxe8+ Bxe8 32.Qe3 Bf7 33.g5
Be6 34.Nf4 Bf7 35.Nd3 Be6 36.gxf6 Qxf6
37.Qg5 Qxg5+ 38.hxg5 a4 39.bxa4 Rc4
40.a5! [(a knight needs strong squares in a
center)]
40...bxa5 41.Nc5 Bf5 42.Kg3 a4 43.Kf4 a3
44.Ke5 Rb4 45.Nd3 Rb5 46.Kd6 Kf7
47.Kc6 Bxd3 48.Rxd3 Rb2 49.Rxa3 Rg2
50.Kxd5 Rxg5+ 51.Kc6 h5 52.d5 Rg2 53.d6
Rc2+ 54.Kd7 h4 55.f4 Rf2 56.Kc8 Rxf4
57.Ra7+
1–0
(32) Tyapkin Vladimir(UKR) - Smirnov Igor
[A53]
Solne4naja pewka (open) (2), 07.2007
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8k+-trr+-+(
7zpp+q+pvl-'
6-+-zp-+-zp&
5sN-zpPsn-zp-%
4-+-+P+P+$
3+QsN-+P+-#
2PzP-tR-+P+"
1+K+-+-+R!
xabcdefghy
[A bishop becomes more powerful when it
has no counterpart. In such cases it makes
sense to play on that part of the board
where your bishop points to.]
26...Qc7! [(Black should attack on the
queen-side and push his pawns there.
Ideally black would like to open the b-file
and to attack the b2–pawn by his bishopg7 and rook-b8.)]
27.Nc4 Nxc4 28.Qxc4 a6 29.a4 Qa5
30.Rd3 Rb8 31.Nb5 Qb6 32.Nc3 Qa5
33.Nb5 Red8 34.Kc2 b6 35.Nc3 b5
36.axb5 axb5 37.Qa2 Qxa2 38.Nxa2 Kb7
39.Ra3 Ra8 40.Rxa8 Rxa8 41.Ra1 Ra4
42.Kb1 Rd4 43.Kc2 Rc4+ 44.Kb1 Kb6
45.Nc1 Rb4 46.Ra2 c4 47.Kc2 Be5 48.Ne2
Rb3 49.Nc1 Re3 50.Ra8 Re1 51.b4 Bf4
52.Na2 Re2+ 53.Kd1 Rd2+ 54.Ke1 Rxg2
55.Kf1 Rb2
0–1
219
(33) Unzicker,Wolfgang - Fischer,Robert
James [B92]
Varna ol (Men) Varna (7), 1962
[Smirnov, King, Kesaris]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7+-wq-vlpzpp'
6psn-zp-sn-+&
5+-+-zpP+-%
4-+l+P+-+$
3+NsN-vL-+-#
2-zPP+L+PzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
15.Bxb6 [? (white is trying to reach a
standard situation with a good knight
against a bad bishop. However, he
oversights one important aspect.)]
[simple move 15.Kh1 was better. Next
white will play Na5.]
15...Qxb6+ 16.Kh1 Bb5 [(black wants to
play Bc6 and then to push his a-pawn to
a4)]
17.Bxb5 axb5 18.Nd5 Nxd5 19.Qxd5
[(white really achieved a classical position,
BUT his knight is NOT on d5. A knight is
active ONLY when it can be placed on a
central strong square. Otherwise it's
difficult to place a knight in a job. That's
why in this position, a bishop is stronger
than a knight.)]
19...Ra4 20.c3 Qa6 21.h3 Rc8 22.Rfe1 h6
23.Kh2 Bg5 [(although black's bishop is
limited by his central pawn chain, it's still
much stronger than the white's knight)]
24.g3 [24.Rad1 b4 25.Qxd6 Qxd6 26.Rxd6
bxc3 27.bxc3 Rxc3 28.Nd2 (28.Rb6 Ra2
29.Rb7 Rcc2 30.Rg1 Be3) 28...Ra2 29.Nf1
(29.Nf3 Rxf3) 29...Rcc2]
24...Qa7 25.Kg2 Ra2 26.Kf1 [26.Rxa2 Qxa2
27.Re2 Rxc3]
26...Rxc3 [26...Rxc3 27.Rxa2 (27.bxc3
Qf2#) 27...Rf3+ 28.Ke2 Rf2+ 29.Kd3 Qxa2
30.Ra1 Qxb2–+]
0–1
(34) Garry Kasparov - Martin Vaculik
[D27]
30.03.2008
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-mk-+(
7+n+-+pzpp'
6p+-+p+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-zP-+-+-+$
3+-+-zP-+-#
2-vL-+-zPPzP"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[Black can't bring his king into a center,
because it has to guard the g7–pawn. Of
course black wants to fix this problem. A
move g6 is not a good solution - white will
reply Bf6, blockading the black's position.
Therefore black will play f6, setting a
pawn chain against white's bishop.]
220
22.g4! [(white is ready to destroy the
black's pawn chain even before this chain
was created!)]
22...f6 23.Rd7 Nd8 24.g5! e5 25.f4! [(a
bishop needs open diagonals!)]
order to use black's weaknesses on the
dark squares)]
18...Nxc4 19.bxc4
threatening Ba3)]
[(Now
white
is
19...Re8 20.Rd1 [(preventing Bd7 move)]
25...Nf7 26.h4 exf4 27.gxf6 gxf6 28.exf4
[(now the bishop is very powerful, which
gives white a lasting initiative)]
28...Kg7 29.Rc7 Rd8 30.Bc3 h5 31.Kf2 Kg6
32.f5+ Kg7 33.Ke3 Rd6 34.Bd4 Kg8 35.Ke4
Nh6 36.Be3 Ng4 37.Bc5 Rd1 38.Ra7 Re1+
39.Kd5 Re5+ 40.Kd6 Nh6 41.Rxa6 Nxf5+
42.Kd7 Kf7 43.Ra7 Kg6 44.Rc7 Nxh4 45.b5
Re1 46.b6 Rb1 47.b7 Nf3 48.Ba7 h4
49.b8Q Rxb8 50.Bxb8 h3 51.Rc8 Kg5
52.Rh8 Kg4 53.Ke6 f5 54.Rg8+
20...Qc5 21.Qh4 [(the black's king has only
1 defender + black's castling is weakened
by the g6 move - this gives white great
attacking chances)]
21...b6 22.Be3 Qc6 23.Bh6 [(a bishop is
the main defender of weak squares)]
23...Bh8 24.Rd8 [!]
24...Bb7 25.Rad1
threatening Qe7!)]
[(now
white
is
1–0
(35) Short,Nigel D - Timman,Jan H [B04]
Tilburg Tilburg (4), 1991
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7+pzp-+pvlp'
6-sn-+p+p+&
5zp-+-zP-+-%
4PwqL+Q+-+$
3+-+-+N+P#
2-zPP+-zPP+"
1tR-vL-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
18.b3 [! (White is ready to give up his
bishop and to break his pawn structure in
25...Bg7 26.R8d7 Rf8 [26...Bxh6 27.Qxh6
White threatens 28.Rxf7 and 28.R1d5
following with Ng5; 26...Qe4 27.Rxf7 !!
Timman saw this move too late (Anand).]
27.Bxg7 Kxg7 28.R1d4 Rae8 29.Qf6+ Kg8
30.h4 [(the black's king has no defenders.
The white's first threat will be decisive)]
30...h5 31.Kh2 Rc8 [31...Bc8 32.g4 !
32...hxg4 (32...Bxd7 33.gxh5 gxh5
34.Qg5++–) 33.Ng5 ! 33...Bxd7 (33...Bb7
34.f3; 33...g3+ 34.Kxg3 Bb7 35.f3) 34.h5
gxh5 35.Qh6+–]
32.Kg3 [! (white found a brilliant way to
exploit black's weaknesses)]
221
32...Rce8 33.Kf4 [!]
33...Bc8 34.Kg5 [!!]
[34.Kg5 !! 34...Bxd7 35.Kh6 ! Black cannot
avoid mate on g7.]
1–0
222
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 2 (PART-4).
Here we will test your skills in positions with opposite colored Bishops. I included some
really cool examples! You will need to find mistakes in the games of top GMs and world
champions!
Your Task:
Open the database “TASK 2 (PART-4) GAMES SECTION” and detect the best moves in
presented positions.
After that, open the database “TASK 2 (PART-4) ANSWERS SECTION” and check yourself.
The Notes:
 Of course you should NOT just guess the right move. You should:
1. Recollect the general strategical rules applicable for a given position.
2. Detect the best move based on those positional rules.
3. Calculate the consequences of this move.
 If you experience any problem or don’t understand something – you should study the
video lesson # 6 once again.
223
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 2 (PART- 4) GAMES SECTION
(1) Moiseenko,Alexander (2715) Navara,David (2722) [E13]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk RUS
(3.5), 05.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7zp-+q+pzp-'
6-zplsN-+-zp&
5+-vl-zP-+-%
4-+-zp-+-+$
3+-+Q+-vLP#
2PzP-+-zPP+"
1+-+R+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
(2) Polgar,Judit (2701) - Dominguez
Perez,Leinier (2710) [B90]
FIDE World Chess Cup 2011 KhantyMansiysk/Russia (4.1), 06.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+r+-+k+(
7wq-+-vlpzpp'
6p+-zp-sn-+&
5+-+Pzp-+-%
4-+L+-+-+$
3+-tR-+N+-#
2PzP-+QzPPzP"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
(3) Istratestku,Andrei - Buturin,Vladimir
Bucharest, 1992
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-+k+(
7+-tr-+p+p'
6-+-+pvlp+&
5+q+-+-+-%
4p+-+-zP-+$
3zP-zPR+-+-#
2LzPQ+-+PzP"
1+-mKR+-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(4) FM Biryukov,Mikhail - FM Ali
Marandi,Cemil Can [B22]
Aeroflot Open 2010 NBA (6.23),
13.02.2010
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-+k+(
7zpp+-+p+p'
6-wq-+-vl-+&
5+-+-+-zp-%
4-+-zPQ+P+$
3zP-+-+-+-#
2LzP-+-+-zP"
1+-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
½–½
224
(5) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Smyslov,Vassily
[E61]
Wch20 Moscow (18), 1954
[Smirnov]
(7) Andersson,Ulf - Stean,Michael [A30]
Sao Paulo Sao Paulo, 1979
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-trk+(
7+-zp-+-vl-'
6-zp-wq-+p+&
5zpPzpPzpp+-%
4P+-+P+-+$
3+P+-+LzPp#
2-+Q+-zP-zP"
1+-+-tRRmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-+-+(
7zp-+-mkpzp-'
6-+p+-+-+&
5+-+lzp-+p%
4-+-+-+-zP$
3zP-tR-vL-zP-#
2-zP-+PzP-+"
1tR-+-mK-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
½–½
(6) Flohr,Salo - Euwe,Max [D34]
Amsterdam/Karlsbad m Amsterdam (11),
1932
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-mk-+(
7zp-+r+pzp-'
6-zpR+-vl-+&
5+-+-wq-+-%
4-zP-zp-+Q+$
3zP-+L+-zP-#
2-+-+PzP-zP"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(8) Short,Nigel - Berg,Emanuel [B42]
Sigeman & Co Malmö (1), 03.06.2009
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7+p+-vlpzpp'
6p+-zp-+-+&
5zP-+Pzp-+-%
4-+Psn-+-+$
3+L+-vL-+-#
2-zP-wQ-zPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
225
(9) Karpov,A (2690) - Mecking,H (2550)
[D30]
Buenos Aires, 2001
[Smirnov]
(11) Karpov Anatoly (RUS) (2720) Kasparov Garry (RUS) (2700) [D55]
Ch World (match) Moscow (Russia) (4),
1985
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-trk+(
7+l+-wqpzp-'
6pzprtR-+-zp&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-zP-+p+-+$
3+-+-+-wQ-#
2PvL-+-zPPzP"
1+-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[WHITE'S TURN]
1–0
1–0
(10) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Kan,Ilia
Abramovich [B59]
Moscow training m1 Moscow, 01.1953
[Smirnov]
(12) Movsesian,Sergei (2700) Polgar,Judit (2699) [B30]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.2), 01.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-+-+(
7+-+-mkpzp-'
6p+rzp-vl-zp&
5+-+Rzp-+-%
4-+-+P+LzP$
3+Pwq-+-zP-#
2-+P+QzP-+"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+-+k+(
7zpptr-+pzp-'
6-wq-+lvl-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-sN-+-+$
3+-+-zP-+-#
2PzP-tRLzPPzP"
1+Q+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-vlrtrk+(
7zpp+q+p+p'
6-+-+-+pwQ&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+-+-tR-+$
3+L+P+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1tR-+-+-+K!
xabcdefghy
0–1
226
(13) Botvinnik,Mikhail –
Smyslov,Vassily [E45]
World Championship 21th Moscow (13),
04.04.1957
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7+-+-+pzpp'
6pzpl+p+-+&
5+-zp-+-sn-%
4P+PzP-+-+$
3vL-sN-zPP+-#
2-+-+-+PzP"
1tR-+QmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
227
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 2 (PART -4) ANSWERS SECTION
(1) Moiseenko,Alexander (2715) Navara,David (2722) [E13]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (3.5), 05.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7zp-+q+pzp-'
6-zplsN-+-zp&
5+-vl-zP-+-%
4-+-zp-+-+$
3+-+Q+-vLP#
2PzP-+-zPP+"
1+-+R+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
22...Bxd6! [(this leads to a position with
opposite colored bishops and good
attacking chances for black)]
23.Qxd4 [23.exd6? Bb5 24.Qxd4 Bxf1³]
23...Qb7 24.exd6 Bxg2 [(This is a position
black was aiming for. Opposite-colored
bishops strengthen an attack, thus black
has good chances here. Pay attention to
the white's bishop-g3 - although it stands
near white's castling, it can NOT help
white in defense at all.)]
25.Kh2? [(white afraids an attack and
gives up a material. however, he gets
loosing position after that)]
[25.Rfe1! Bxh3 (25...Bh1 26.f3 Bxf3
27.Re7! with unclear position) 26.Qe4
black has an advantage, but white is still in
the game]
25...Bxf1 26.Rxf1 Rad8 27.Rg1 f6 28.Rc1
Qf7 29.a3 Rd7 30.Rc3 Rfd8 31.Re3 Re8
32.Rc3 Kh8 33.Rc7 Qe6 34.Rc3 Qe4
35.Qd2 Qf5 36.Rc7 Red8 37.Qe3 Kh7
38.Qe2 Qd5 39.Qc2+ f5 40.Rc3 Rxd6
41.Bxd6 Rxd6 42.Rg3 Rc6 43.Qb3 Qe5
44.Kg2 Rc1 45.Qe3 Qxb2 46.Qe6 Qf6
47.Qxf6 gxf6 48.Rd3 Kg6 49.Rd7 a5
50.Rb7 Rb1 51.Kg3 Rb3+ 52.f3 b5 53.h4
a4 54.Kf4 Rxa3 55.Rxb5 Rb3 56.Ra5 Rb4+
57.Kg3 Rc4 58.Ra7 Kh5 59.Ra5 Kg6 60.Ra7
f4+ 61.Kg4 h5+ 62.Kh3 Rc3 63.Rxa4 Rxf3+
64.Kh2 Kf5 65.Ra6 Rd3 66.Kg2 Rc3 67.Rb6
Ra3 68.Rc6 Rb3 69.Ra6 Kg4 70.Rxf6 Rb2+
71.Kg1 Kg3 72.Rg6+ Kxh4 73.Rg8 Kh3
74.Kf1 Kh2 75.Rg5 h4 76.Rg4 h3 77.Rg8 f3
78.Rg7 Rg2 79.Rf7 Kg3 80.Rg7+ Kf4
81.Rf7+ Ke4 82.Re7+ Kd5 83.Rd7+ Ke6
84.Rh7 h2
0–1
228
(2) Polgar,Judit (2701) - Dominguez
Perez,Leinier (2710) [B90]
FIDE World Chess Cup 2011 KhantyMansiysk/Russia (4.1), 06.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+r+-+k+(
7wq-+-vlpzpp'
6p+-zp-sn-+&
5+-+Pzp-+-%
4-+L+-+-+$
3+-tR-+N+-#
2PzP-+QzPPzP"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[In positions with opposite-colored
bishops we should care about bishops'
activity first of all.]
20...Bd8 [(Black is transferring his bishop
to an active diagonal a7–g1, where it will
pressure the f2 pawn. White's bishop has
no job. This determines black's huge
positional advantage.)]
21.Ng5 a5 22.Rf3 Qe7 23.b3 a4 24.Rh3 g6
25.Qc2 axb3 26.axb3 [(the white's c4–
bishop is "a taller pawn")]
26...Bb6 27.Rf1 Ng4 28.Ne4 f5 29.Rg3 Nf6
30.Nxf6+ Qxf6 31.Rd3 Rc7 32.Qc3 Rca7
33.Rd2 Bd4 34.Qd3 Ra1 35.g3 Rxf1+
36.Kxf1 Bc5 37.Kg2 e4 38.Qe2 Re8 39.f3
exf3+ [!]
[39...e3 ? would give black a passed pawn,
BUT would close the bishop's diagonal. An
activity of opposite-colored bishops in the
major factor in such positions.]
40.Qxf3 Re3 41.Qf1 [41.Qf4 Re1]
41...Qe5 [(white has no piece to protect
dark
squares.
This
makes
him
defenseless.)]
42.Qf4 Qe7 43.Ra2 Re1 44.b4 Be3 [!]
45.Qf3 [45.Qh4 g5 46.Qh5 Qe4+ 47.Qf3
(47.Kh3 g4+ 48.Kh4 Qe7+ 49.Qg5+ Qxg5#)
47...Qxf3+ 48.Kxf3 g4+ 49.Kg2 Rg1#]
45...Rg1+ 46.Kh3 Qg5
0–1
(3) Istratestku,Andrei - Buturin,Vladimir
Bucharest, 1992
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-+k+(
7+-tr-+p+p'
6-+-+pvlp+&
5+q+-+-+-%
4p+-+-zP-+$
3zP-zPR+-+-#
2LzPQ+-+PzP"
1+-mKR+-+-!
xabcdefghy
[An activity of bishops is the most
important factor in positions with
opposite-colored bishops. Right now both
bishops are limited by opponent's pawn
chain. However, white has a way to
change this situation!]
1.g4! Rbc8 2.f5 exf5 3.gxf5 [(White
activated his bishop, while black has
229
nothing to do about his f6–bishop. This
gives white a huge advantage.)]
3...Kg7 4.fxg6 hxg6 5.Rf3 Rc5 6.Rg1 Qb6
7.Rgf1 Bg5+ 8.Kb1 [(white has an extra
piece into the attack, because black has
nothing to oppose to white's bishop)]
8...f5 9.h4 Bf6 10.Ka1 Qb5 11.Rg1 Bxh4
12.Rh3 Bf6 13.Rgh1 Kf8 14.Qd2 Qc6
15.Rh7 Bg7 16.Rh8+ Bxh8 17.Rxh8+ Ke7
18.Rh7+
[black can't take the pawn right now:
30...Rxd4?? 31.Qe8+ Kg7 32.Qxf7++–; so
black should prepare Rd4 move by a
simple 30...Kg7 In a middlegame black has
a winning attack on a white's exposed
king. White is defenseless.]
31.Qxd4 Bxd4+ 32.Kh1 Rd7 33.Rd1 Rd6
34.Bc4 Kf8 35.b3 f6 36.Kg2 h6 37.a4 a6
38.Kf3 Ke7 39.Ke4 Be5 40.Rxd6 Kxd6
41.h3 Kc5 42.Kf5 b5 43.axb5 axb5 44.Bf7
Kd4 45.Kg6 Ke3 46.Be6 Kf4 47.Kxh6 Kg3
48.Kg6 Kxh3 49.Kf5
1–0
½–½
(4) FM Biryukov,Mikhail - FM Ali
Marandi,Cemil Can [B22]
Aeroflot Open 2010 NBA (6.23),
13.02.2010
[Smirnov, Kesaris]
(5) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Smyslov,Vassily
[E61]
Wch20 Moscow (18), 1954
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-+k+(
7zpp+-+p+p'
6-wq-+-vl-+&
5+-+-+-zp-%
4-+-zPQ+P+$
3zP-+-+-+-#
2LzP-+-+-zP"
1+-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-trk+(
7+-zp-+-vl-'
6-zp-wq-+p+&
5zpPzpPzpp+-%
4P+-+P+-+$
3+P+-+LzPp#
2-+Q+-zP-zP"
1+-+-tRRmK-!
xabcdefghy
[In a middlegame opposite-colored
bishops strengthen an attack; in an
endgame they raise drawish chances.]
[The white's bishop is restricted by his
pawn chain. How to activate him?]
30...Qxd4+? [(in an endgame with
opposite colored bishops white will make
a draw easily.)]
26.g4! [(we should push pawns and
provide open diagonals to our bishop)]
26...f4 27.g5 [(Now bishop has a good
diagonal h3–c8. Maybe white will lose the
230
g5–pawn somewhen later, but the
bishop's activity is the MOST important
factor in such positions.)]
27...Kf7 28.Kh1 Ke7 29.Rg1 Rh8 30.Rd1
Rh4 31.Rd3 Qd7 32.Qe2 Rbh8 33.Bg4 Qd6
34.Qf1 Bf8 35.Rf3 Kd8 36.Qd3 Be7 37.Be6
R8h5 38.Rxh3 Rxh3 39.Bxh3 c4! [(now
black sacrifices a pawn to open his
bishop's diagonal. Such sacrifices are
nearly always correct in positions with
opposite-colored bishops.)]
28...Qe3+ 29.Kg2 [(White has an extra
pawn and more importantly his bishop is
much more active. The 2nd factor gives
white a decisive attack.)]
29...a6 [(white is going to invade onto the
h-file and black tries to deflect white from
this idea)]
30.R1c2 a5 31.Rxb6 axb4 32.axb4 Ra7
33.Qh5 Rda8 34.Qc5+ [middlegame attack
would win the game immediately
34.Qh8+! Ke7 35.Rc8 Rxc8 36.Qxc8+–]
40.bxc4 Qa3 41.Qxa3 Bxa3 42.Bf5 gxf5
43.g6 Bf8 44.exf5 Bg7 45.f6 Bxf6 46.g7
Bxg7 47.Rxg7 f3 48.Rg4 Rh3 49.Rg3 Rh4
50.Rxf3 Rxc4 51.Ra3 Kd7 52.Kg2 Kd6
53.Kg3 Kxd5 54.h3 Ke6 55.Kf3 Kf5 56.Kg3
Kg5 57.Kf3 Rf4+ 58.Kg3
34...Qe7 35.Qxe7+ Kxe7 36.Rbc6 Rb8
37.b5 Rab7 38.Rc7+ Kd8 39.Rxb7 Rxb7
40.Kf3 Rc7 41.Ra2 Kc8 42.Be4 Rc3+
43.Kg2 Rb3 44.Ra8+ Kc7 45.Bd3 Kd6
46.Rf8
½–½
1–0
(6) Flohr,Salo - Euwe,Max [D34]
Amsterdam/Karlsbad m Amsterdam (11),
1932
[Smirnov]
(7) Andersson,Ulf - Stean,Michael [A30]
Sao Paulo Sao Paulo, 1979
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-mk-+(
7zp-+r+pzp-'
6-zpR+-vl-+&
5+-+-wq-+-%
4-zP-zp-+Q+$
3zP-+L+-zP-#
2-+-+PzP-zP"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
28.f4! [(This pushes black's queen away
and restricts black's bishop)]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-+-+(
7zp-+-mkpzp-'
6-+p+-+-+&
5+-+lzp-+p%
4-+-+-+-zP$
3zP-tR-vL-zP-#
2-zP-+PzP-+"
1tR-+-mK-+-!
xabcdefghy
[The white's bishop has an obvious target
for an attack (a7–pawn), while the black's
231
bishop has nothing to do. This determines
white's positional advantage.]
(8) Short,Nigel - Berg,Emanuel [B42]
Sigeman & Co Malmö (1), 03.06.2009
[Smirnov]
19.b4! [(black intended to play a5–a4 with
an immediate draw)]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7+p+-vlpzpp'
6p+-zp-+-+&
5zP-+Pzp-+-%
4-+Psn-+-+$
3+L+-vL-+-#
2-zP-wQ-zPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
19...Rdb8
21.Bb6+–]
[19...a5?
20.bxa5
Rxa5
20.Bd2! [(black prepared the a5 move,
exchanging his weak pawn. White
prevented this idea)]
20...Ke6 [20...a5?! 21.bxa5 Rxa5 22.Re3
winning the e5–pawn]
21.Rc5 Rb5 22.Rcc1 f6 23.a4 Rb7 24.Rc5
[(now the black's a-pawn is fixed and will
be a long-term target for the white's
attack)]
24...Rg8 25.f3 f5 26.Kf2 Rd8 27.Bc3 e4
28.Rd1 Rdd7 29.Ke3 g6 30.f4 Rd6 31.Rb1
Rdd7 32.Bd4 Kf7 33.Rb2 Ke6 34.Kd2 Kf7
35.Kc3 Ke6 36.Ra5 Kf7 37.Ra6 Re7 38.Bc5
Red7 39.Rd2 Rbc7 40.Be3 Rb7 41.Bc5
Rbc7 42.Rc2 Rb7 43.Kb2 Rdc7 44.Ka3 Rd7
45.e3 Rdc7 46.Bd4 Rd7 47.Rc5 Rbc7
48.Kb2 Rb7 49.Kc3 Rb6 50.Rca5 Rxa6
51.Rxa6 Ba2 52.Rxc6
1–0
18.Ba4! [although white can win a pawn,
it will not bring him a real advantage:
18.Bxd4?! exd4 19.Qxd4 Bf6 20.Qd2 Qc7
Black is pressuring white's queen-side
pawns and is ready to trade rooks on the
e-file (which will equalize a game).
Bishops' activity and pawn structure are
often more important than a pawn in such
positions.]
18...b6 19.Bxd4 exd4 20.Qxd4 [(Now the
white's bishop has strong square c6 and
not allows black to play Re8.)]
20...bxa5 21.Rae1 Bf6 [(Ideally black
would like to transfer his bishop on c5, but
it's impossible to do it practically.)]
22.Qd2 Ra7 23.b3 [(the black's bishop
attacks emptiness)]
23...g6 24.Re4 Re7 25.Rxe7 Bxe7 26.Re1
Bf6 27.c5 Qc7 28.c6 Kg7 29.g3 Rb8 30.Re4
h5 31.Kg2 Qb6 32.h3 Qc7 33.f4 Qd8
34.Qe3 Qc7 35.g4 hxg4 36.hxg4 Kf8 37.g5
Bg7 38.Qe2 Qa7
1–0
232
(9) Karpov,A (2690) - Mecking,H (2550)
[D30]
Buenos Aires, 2001
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-trk+(
7+l+-wqpzp-'
6pzprtR-+-zp&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-zP-+p+-+$
3+-+-+-wQ-#
2PvL-+-zPPzP"
1+-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[Opposite-colored bishops strengthen an
attack in a middlegame, and raise drawish
chances in an endgame.]
24.h4 [! (white prevented the move Qg5,
which could help black to reach a drawish
endgame)]
[24.Bd4 Qg5!? 25.Qxg5 hxg5 26.Bxb6 Rc2
27.a3 Re8 28.Bd4 e3 29.Bxe3 Rxe5 with
good chances to retain a draw]
29...Bc6 [29...Qxa2? 30.d7]
30.Qf4 Kh7 31.Kf2 Bb5 32.Be3 Kg8
33.Qxh6 Qe5 34.a4 Bc4 35.Qg5 Qxg5
36.hxg5 f5 37.Bb6 Rf7 38.Rc1 Bb3 39.Rc8+
Kh7 40.Bd4
1–0
(10) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Kan,Ilia
Abramovich [B59]
Moscow training m1 Moscow, 01.1953
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-+-+(
7+-+-mkpzp-'
6p+rzp-vl-zp&
5+-+Rzp-+-%
4-+-+P+LzP$
3+Pwq-+-zP-#
2-+P+QzP-+"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
24...e3 [24...Rxd6? 25.exd6 attacking g7;
24...Rc2 25.Bd4 Rxa2 26.e6! f6 27.Rd7+–]
[In positions with opposite-colored
bishops, it's very important to make your
bishop active. Often it is the most
important task.]
25.Bd4 [(a centralized bishop attacks both
sides of the board)]
29.Qd1! [(white is going to transfer his
bishop to c4)]
25...e2 26.Re1 g6 27.Bxb6 Rxd6 28.exd6
Qe6 29.f3 [(The pawn chain f3–g2 restricts
the black's bishop, while the white's
bishop can easily attack dark squares
around black's king. Together with an
extra pawn, this gives white a decisive
advantage.)]
29...Rb8 30.Be2 a5 31.Bc4 [(Now the
bishop looks at the f7–pawn and protects
all white's queen-side pawns)]
31...a4 32.Ra1 Rb4 [32...axb3 33.Ra7+‚]
233
33.Rd3 Qb2 34.c3 Rbxc4 35.bxc4 a3
36.Rb1 Qa2 37.Rb4 Ra6 38.c5 dxc5
39.Rd7+
1–0
(11) Karpov Anatoly (RUS) (2720) Kasparov Garry (RUS) (2700) [D55]
Ch World (match) Moscow (Russia) (4),
1985
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+-+k+(
7zpptr-+pzp-'
6-wq-+lvl-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-sN-+-+$
3+-+-zP-+-#
2PzP-tRLzPPzP"
1+Q+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
21.Nxe6!! [White exchanges his powerful
knight on a black's bad bishop. It looks like
an obvious mistake. However, this is a
really profound strategical decision!]
["natural" moves doesn't give anything to
white: 21.Rfd1 Bxd4 22.Rxd4 Rc2 23.R4d2
Bf5! 24.Qa1 Be4‚ black has a very active
position; 21.Bf3 Bxd4 22.Rxd4 Rc2 23.b3
Qa5 and now white should be careful to
keep an equal position]
more active? The MAIN thing we should
think about in positions with oppositecolored bishops is an activity of these
bishops! The white's bishop can attack
along the diagonal h3–c8 or white can
trasfer it to the diagonal b1–h7, where it
will support the white's attack over the
black's king. What can black do with his
bishop? Nothing really, it has no
prospects. At any time white can play b3
and the f6–bishop will attack emptiness.
We may conclude that white has a quite
big positional advantage!)]
22...Rc4 23.h3 Qc6 24.Qd3 Kh8 25.Rfd1
a5 26.b3 Rc3 27.Qe2 Rf8 [(You see, there
is nothing black can do really. Passive
bishop is a huge drawback in such
positions)]
28.Bh5 b5 29.Bg6 Bd8 30.Bd3 b4 31.Qg4
[(threatening Qg6)]
31...Qe8 32.e4 [(Generally, this is not a
good move, because it gives a7–g1
diagonal to the black's bishop. In the
current position, however, white is going
to create a battery B+Q along the diagonal
b1–h7 and to mate the black's king!)]
32...Bg5 33.Rc2 Rxc2 34.Bxc2 Qc6 35.Qe2
Qc5 36.Rf1 Qc3 37.exd5 exd5 38.Bb1 Qd2
39.Qe5 Rd8 40.Qf5 [(Finally white realized
his plan, while the black's bishop is only a
spectator)]
21...fxe6 [21...Qxe6 allows white to attack
the d5–pawn 22.Bf3 and Rfd1]
40...Kg8 41.Qe6+ Kh8 42.Qg6 Kg8
43.Qe6+ Kh8 44.Bf5 [(In positions with
opposite-colored bishops you have an
"extra" piece into the attack.)]
22.Bg4 [(How would you evaluate this
position? Equal? Maybe black is slightly
44...Qc3 45.Qg6 Kg8 46.Be6+ Kh8 47.Bf5
Kg8 48.g3 Kf8 49.Kg2 Qf6 50.Qh7 Qf7
234
51.h4 Bd2 52.Rd1 Bc3 53.Rd3 Rd6 54.Rf3
Ke7 55.Qh8 d4 56.Qc8 Rf6 57.Qc5+ Ke8
58.Rf4 Qb7+ 59.Re4+ Kf7 60.Qc4+ Kf8
61.Bh7 Rf7 62.Qe6 Qd7 63.Qe5
1–0
(12) Movsesian,Sergei (2700) Polgar,Judit (2699) [B30]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.2), 01.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-vlrtrk+(
7zpp+q+p+p'
6-+-+-+pwQ&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+-+-tR-+$
3+L+P+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1tR-+-+-+K!
xabcdefghy
[White puts pressure on the f7–pawn.
Black certainly wants to solve this
problem. One of the ways to neutralize
opponent's bishop is to remove your
pieces from the bishop's diagonal. Here
black can do it by playing Kh8 and f5.]
23.Raf1? [this natural move is a huge
mistake! It allows black to perform his
idea without any problems.]
[23.Rf3! (white threatens Rh3 and this not
allows black to place his king on the h-file)
23...Kh8? (the only defense is 23...Qd4 but
after 24.Raf1‚ white still puts pressure on
the black's position) 24.Ba4 (white has
many ways for a win: 24.Rh3!? f5 25.Ba4
or 25.Qg6) 24...Qxa4 25.Rh3 and Qh7
mate]
23...Kh8 24.Re4 [24.Rxf7? Rxf7 25.Bxf7
Qxf7 26.Rxf7 Re1+]
24...f5 [(now black netralized the pressure
of the white's bishop and rooks)]
25.Re3 Bf6! [(black solved his problems
and now he may start an attack!)]
26.Rfe1 Bg7 27.Qh4 Rxe3 28.Rxe3 f4
29.Re4 f3 30.gxf3 Rxf3 31.Be6 Qd6 32.Bg4
Rf8 33.Qe7 Qb6 34.b3 Qa5 35.Re2 Qxa2
36.Qxc5 Qa1+ 37.Qg1 Qc3 38.Bh3 a5
39.Qe1 Qc5 40.c4 b5 41.cxb5 Qxb5
42.Bg2 Qxb3 43.Re8 Qb2 44.Bd5 Qf6
45.Rxf8+ Bxf8 46.h3 Bd6 47.Bg2 Qf4
48.Kg1 a4 49.Qc3+ Be5 50.Qa3 Kg7
51.Qe7+ Kh6 52.Qa3 Bd4+ 53.Kh1 Qf2
54.Qc1+ Be3 55.Qa1 a3
0–1
235
(13) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Smyslov,Vassily
[E45]
World Championship 21th Moscow (13),
04.04.1957
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7+-+-+pzpp'
6pzpl+p+-+&
5+-zp-+-sn-%
4P+PzP-+-+$
3vL-sN-zPP+-#
2-+-+-+PzP"
1tR-+QmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
[We can see a position with oppositecolored bishops. It means that we should
think about the bishops' activity first of all.
The black's bishop is restricted by the
white's pawn chain f3–g2. Moreover,
white is ready to push his pawns to d5 and
e4, which will set an impregnable obstacle
against black's bishop. At the same time
white will place his pawns on the light
squares and will leave many open
diagonals for his dark-squared bishop.
Thus strategically, the black's position is
very sad. He must do something to change
the situation.]
17...f5? [(This is not enough. White can
play d5 anyway.)]
[Again, black must do something, which
will change the situation significantly!
17...Nxf3+! 18.gxf3 Qh4+ 19.Ke2 Rfd8‚ The
white's king stuck in the center and all
white's pawns are weak. The c6–bishop
became very active and it attacks the f3
pawn. Practically, it's very difficult to play
such position as white. Black has great
attacking chances.]
18.0–0 Qf6 19.Qd3 Rfd8 20.d5 Nf7 21.e4
[(White realized his plan and now has a
clear advantage)]
21...exd5 22.cxd5 Bd7 23.Bb2 [(the
white's bishop is on the long diagonal,
while black's bishop has no moves at all)]
23...Ne5 24.Qe2 f4 25.Nd1 b5 26.Nf2 c4
27.axb5 axb5 28.Qd2 Rac8 29.Rfc1 Re8
30.Bc3 Rc7 31.Kh1 Rb7 32.Ra2 h5 33.Rca1
b4 34.Bxb4 Qb6 35.Bc3 Qe3 36.Nd1 Qxd2
37.Rxd2 Nd3 38.Bd4 Reb8 39.Nc3 Rb3
40.h4 R8b7 41.Ra8+ Kh7 42.e5
1–0
236
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 2 (PART-5).
This task is dedicated to 2 BISHOPS. As you know, this topic includes all the ideas from the
previous associated topics (“a Bishop”, B against N” opposite-colored bishops”). If you
performed previous tasks carefully, this one should not be hard for you.
Your Task:
Open the database “TASK 2 (PART-5) GAMES SECTION” and detect the best moves in
presented positions.
After that, open the database “TASK 2 (PART-5) ANSWERS SECTION” and check yourself.
The Notes:
 Of course you should NOT just guess the right move. You should:
1. Recollect the general strategical rules applicable for a given position.
2. Detect the best move based on those positional rules.
3. Calculate the consequences of this move.
 If you experience any problem or don’t understand something – you should study the
video lesson # 6 once again.
237
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 2 (PART- 5) GAMES SECTION
(1) Feller,Sebastien - Grischuk,Alexander
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.3), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wq-trk+(
7zplzp-+pzp-'
6-zp-+-vl-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-sN-zPN+-#
2PzPQ+LzPPzP"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
(3) Karjakin,Sergey - So,Wesley
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.4), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqkvl-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+n+p+n+&
5+-+pzP-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-vLN+-#
2PzPP+LzPPzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
0–1
(2) Topalov,Veselin - Kramnik,Vladimir
World Championship Elista (9), 07.10.2006
[Smirnov]
(4) Rosenthal,Samuel - Steinitz,William
Wien Wien (1), 1873
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-trr+k+(
7zpq+n+pzpn'
6-+p+-+p+&
5+-+-+-vl-%
4N+-zPP+-+$
3+-+-vLLzP-#
2-zPQ+-+-zP"
1+-+R+R+K!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ltr-+k+(
7zppzp-+pvlp'
6-+-+-+p+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+qsN-zP-+$
3+-zP-vL-+-#
2PzP-+-wQPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
0–1
238
(5) Sellmann Alexander G - Steinitz
Wilhelm (CZE)
It London (England) (23), 1883
[Smirnov]
(7) Smirnov Igor (UKR) - Drozdovskiy Yuri
(UKR)
Ch Ukraine (final) u18 (3), 02.2002
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7zp-+-+pvlp'
6-zp-+-+p+&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-vLN+P#
2PzP-+-zPP+"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7zpp+-+-zp-'
6-+-+pzPp+&
5vl-+p+-+-%
4-+-sn-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+QzPPzP"
1tR-vL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
(6) Chigorin,Mikhail - Tinsley,Samuel
London London (2), 1899
[Smirnov]
(8) Nepomniachtchi,Ian - Kamsky,Gata
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (3.2), 04.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rwq-mk-tr(
7zp-+p+pzp-'
6-zpl+p+-zp&
5+-vl-zP-+-%
4-+-+-vL-+$
3+-+-+-wQN#
2PzPPtR-zPPzP"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[WHITE'S TURN]
1–0
1–0
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+k+(
7+ptr-trpvl-'
6p+-snp+p+&
5+-+-+-zP-%
4-+-+-zP-+$
3+RzP-zPL+-#
2R+-zPK+-+"
1vL-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
239
(9) Botvinnik - Smyslov
Moscow
[Smirnov]
(11) Karpov - Kavalek
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-trlwq-trk+(
7+-+-zppvlp'
6-snpzp-+p+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-zPpzPP+-+$
3zP-sN-vLP+-#
2-+-wQN+PzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+-+k+(
7+ptrnzppvlp'
6p+-zp-+p+&
5+-+P+-+P%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+P+-vLP+-#
2P+-mKL+P+"
1+-tR-+-+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(10) Stein - Averbakh
Riga
[Smirnov]
(12) Kramnik Vladimir - Ivanchuk Vassily
Corus (10), 27.01.2010
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+-+-mk(
7zp-tr-+pvl-'
6-zp-+n+pzp&
5+-+-zpn+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-sNPzP-zP-#
2P+-vL-zPLzP"
1+RtR-+K+-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+R+-+-+(
7+p+-+-+-'
6-+l+-mk-zp&
5zp-vl-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-zP$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-tR-zPPmK"
1+-+-tr-+-!
xabcdefghy
½–½
1–0
240
(13) Weinstein,Norman - Seirawan,Yasser
Quebec Open (5), 1977
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-vlp+p'
6pzp-+-+k+&
5+-+l+-+-%
4-+-sN-vL-+$
3+P+-mK-zP-#
2P+-+-+-zP"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
(15) Petrosian,Tigran V Schmidt,Wlodzimierz
Skopje ol (Men) fin-A Skopje (6),
02.10.1972
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+k+-tr(
7zp-zp-zppvl-'
6-+-wq-+pzp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-+-+l+$
3+N+PvL-zP-#
2PzP-+PzP-zP"
1tR-wQ-mK-tR-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(14) Petrosian,Tigran V - Bertok,Mario
Bled Bled (14), 24.09.1961
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+n+-+-+(
7+-+-+k+p'
6-sn-zp-+pzP&
5+-zpPzp-+-%
4-+P+P+L+$
3+K+-+P+-#
2-+-vL-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(16) Sutovsky Emil - Mastrovasilis
Athanasios
WchT 7th (4.4), 08.01.2010
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+k+r+(
7zp-+-vl-trp'
6-+p+ltR-+&
5+-+pzp-+-%
4-+-+-+q+$
3+-zPLvL-+-#
2PzP-wQ-+PzP"
1+-+-+R+K!
xabcdefghy
1–0
241
(17) Boleslavsky - Sherbakov
Moscow
[Smirnov]
(19) Nimzowitsch,Aaron Levenfish,Grigory
Karlsbad Karlsbad, 1911
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-+-+(
7+n+-mk-snp'
6pvLp+-zpp+&
5zPp+-zp-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+L+-+PzP-#
2-zPP+-+-zP"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[WHITE'S TURN]
1–0
1–0
(18) Alekhine,Alexander - Asztalos,Lajos
Kecskemet-A Kecskemet (9), 1927
[Smirnov]
(20) Nikolaidis,Ioannis Lupulescu,Constantin
GRE-chT Div-A 38th Peristeri (7),
11.07.2010
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-snk+(
7+p+lvlpzp-'
6-+p+p+-zp&
5wq-+-sN-+-%
4p+PzP-+-+$
3zP-+L+-sN-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1+-wQRtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-trr+k+(
7zp-+l+-+p'
6-+p+pwqp+&
5+-vlpsN-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-+-+-#
2PzP-sNQzPPzP"
1+-+-tRRmK-!
xabcdefghy
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+k+-tr(
7zp-+-+-zpp'
6-+p+-zp-+&
5+-vllzp-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-vL-zP-zP-#
2PzP-sN-zP-zP"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
0–1
242
(21) Miles,Anthony J - Portisch,Lajos
Buenos Aires olm Buenos Aires, 1978
[Smirnov]
(23) Nijboer,Friso - Kabatianski,Alexander
Dutch Cht 2007/8 Meesterklasse
Netherlands NED (8), 29.03.2008
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-trk+(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-+p+-+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+-+NzP-+$
3+-sNlvl-zP-#
2PzP-+-+-zP"
1tR-+R+-+K!
xabcdefghy
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+r+-+k+(
7+-+-+pzpp'
6l+-+p+-+&
5zppsnpzP-+-%
4-+-vL-zP-+$
3zPP+-tR-+-#
2-mKP+L+PzP"
1+-+R+-+-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
(22) Nikolaidis,Ioannis - Kalichkin,Igor
RUS-Cup4 Perm (5), 12.02.1997
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+ntrk+(
7zpp+n+-vlp'
6-+p+-+p+&
5+-+-zpp+-%
4-wqP+P+-+$
3+-sN-vLNzP-#
2PzPQ+-zPLzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(24) Faibisovich,Vadim Z Westerinen,Heikki MJ
Vilnius Vilnius (11), 1969
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-zp-tr-+-'
6-zp-zp-mkp+&
5zp-sn-+-+p%
4P+-+LzP-zP$
3+Pvl-vLKzP-#
2-+P+-+-+"
1+-+R+-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
243
(25) Tarrasch - Rubinstein
San-Sebastian Ñàí-Ñåáàñòüÿí
[Smirnov]
(27) Lasker,Emanuel - Chigorin,Mikhail
Hastings Hastings, 1895
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+r+k+(
7zpl+-+-zp-'
6-+p+-zp-+&
5+p+p+-+-%
4-+-+-zP-zp$
3+-zPPvl-zP-#
2PzP-+-sN-zP"
1tR-+L+K+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rsn-trk+(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-+p+n+&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+-zP-zP-+$
3+-zPLzP-tR-#
2P+-vLKzP-zP"
1+-+-+-tR-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
0–1
(26) Vaitonis - Geller
[Smirnov]
(28) Illescas Cordoba,Miguel - Short,Nigel
D
Ciudad de Pamplona Pamplona (5),
31.12.1999
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+n+k+(
7+-+-+p+p'
6p+-zp-+p+&
5vL-zpP+-+-%
4P+Pvl-zP-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-zPLzP"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-+k+(
7+l+-wqpzp-'
6p+p+nvl-zp&
5zPp+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-sN-zPN+-#
2QzP-tR-zPPzP"
1+-tR-+LmK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
244
(29) Spassky,Boris V - Portisch,Lajos
WchT U26 04th Reykjavik (10.2), 1957
[Smirnov]
(31) Anand,Viswanathan - Butt,Sabih
Alam
WchJ U18 Baguio, 1987
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7zppzp-+pvlp'
6-+n+p+p+&
5+L+p+-+-%
4-+-zPP+-+$
3+-sN-+N+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tR-+QtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-mk-+-sn-+(
7+p+-+-zpq'
6p+-zp-vl-+&
5+-+Pzp-+-%
4-zP-+Q+L+$
3+-zP-vL-+-#
2P+-+-zP-+"
1+K+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(30) Nimzowitsch Aaron - Tarrasch
Siegbert (GER)
It St. Petersburg (Russia), 1914
[Smirnov]
(32) Romanishin,O - Suba,M
Moscow, 1986
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-trk+(
7zp-+-wqp+p'
6-+lvl-+p+&
5+-zpp+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+P+-zP-+-#
2PvLQsN-zPPzP"
1+-tR-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-mkr+-+(
7zpp+n+-+p'
6-+-+-snp+&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-+-+-zP$
3+-+-vL-+L#
2PzPr+PzP-+"
1+-+RmK-tR-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
245
(33) Fridshtein - Simagin
Moscow
[Smirnov]
(35) Quezada,Yuniesky Morozevich,Alexander
WchT 6th Beersheba (1), 01.11.2005
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqk+-tr(
7zppzpnvlpzpp'
6-+-zppsn-+&
5+-+-+-vLl%
4-+LzPP+-+$
3+-sN-+N+P#
2PzPPwQ-zPP+"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
32.Qh4 [BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+r+k+(
7+-+-+-+p'
6-+-vl-+p+&
5+-+psNlzP-%
4-wq-vL-wQ-+$
3zpP+-+P+-#
2P+-+-+-+"
1mK-+R+-+R!
xabcdefghy
0–1
0–1
(34) Magomedov - Epishin
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-trltr-+k+(
7zp-+-+pzpp'
6-zp-+p+-+&
5+-+nzP-+-%
4P+-vL-+-+$
3+-+-+-zP-#
2-zP-+-zPLzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(36) Lasker,Emanuel - Didier,M1
Paris Paris (2), 1900
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+r+k+(
7zpl+-vlpzpp'
6-zp-+-sn-+&
5+Lzppwq-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+PsN-zP-+-#
2PvL-+QzPPzP"
1+-tRR+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
246
(37)
Dominguez
Perez,Leinier
Polgar,Judit
FIDE World Chess Cup 2011 KhantyMansiysk/Russia (4.2), 07.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+R+(
7+-+R+-+-'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-zp-vl-+-tr$
3+P+-+-+-#
2K+lmk-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
-
(39) Kamsky,Gata - Svidler,Peter
FIDE World Chess Cup 2011 KhantyMansiysk/Russia (4.2), 07.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-sN-+r+-mk(
7+lzp-+p+-'
6-vl-+-snpvL&
5+p+-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-wq$
3+-+-+-+P#
2LzPQ+-zPP+"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
Line
0–1
(38) Dominguez Perez,Leinier Polgar,Judit
FIDE World Chess Cup 2011 KhantyMansiysk/Russia (4.2), 07.09.2011
[Smirnov]
(40) Stein - Smyslov
Moscow
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-tR(
7+-+R+-+-'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-zp-vl-+-tr$
3+P+-+-+-#
2K+lmk-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wqk+-tr(
7zplzp-snpzpp'
6-zp-zpp+-+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+PzP-+-+$
3zP-zP-+N+-#
2-+-+QzPPzP"
1tR-vL-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
247
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 2 (PART- 5) ANSWERS SECTION
(1) Feller,Sebastien - Grischuk,Alexander
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.3), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wq-trk+(
7zplzp-+pzp-'
6-zp-+-vl-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-sN-zPN+-#
2PzPQ+LzPPzP"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
11...c5! [(If you have 2 bishops - you
should open a central position. )]
12.Rd1 Nd7 13.0–0 Rc8 14.Qf5 g6 15.Qf4
Bg7 16.Rd2 Qf6 17.Qg3 Qe7 18.Rfd1 Rfd8
19.a3 Nf6 20.Ne5 cxd4 21.exd4 Ne4
22.Nxe4 dxe4 23.Nc4 Bd5 24.Ne3 Kh7
25.Bg4 Rc6 26.h4 h5 27.Be2 Rcd6 28.Qf4
Bb3 29.Rc1 Bxd4 30.Bxh5 Bxe3 31.Qxe3
Rxd2
0–1
(2) Topalov,Veselin - Kramnik,Vladimir
World Championship Elista (9), 07.10.2006
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-trr+k+(
7zpq+n+pzpn'
6-+p+-+p+&
5+-+-+-vl-%
4N+-zPP+-+$
3+-+-vLLzP-#
2-zPQ+-+-zP"
1+-+R+R+K!
xabcdefghy
[2 bishops supplement each other pretty
well. Together they are the most
powerful.]
25.Bg1! [(White saves his 2 bishops.
Another argument for avoiding the
exchange is black's embarrassed position.
)]
25...Nhf8 26.h4 Be7 27.e5 Nb8 28.Nc3
Bb4 29.Qg2 Qc8 30.Rc1 Bxc3 31.bxc3 Ne6
32.Bg4 Qc7 33.Rcd1 Nd7 34.Qa2 Nb6
35.Rf3 Nf8 36.Rdf1 Re7 37.Be3 Nh7
38.Rxf7 Nd5 39.R7f3
1–0
248
(3) Karjakin,Sergey - So,Wesley [B12]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.4), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
(4) Rosenthal,Samuel - Steinitz,William
[C46]
Wien Wien (1), 1873
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqkvl-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+n+p+n+&
5+-+pzP-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-vLN+-#
2PzPP+LzPPzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ltr-+k+(
7zppzp-+pvlp'
6-+-+-+p+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+qsN-zP-+$
3+-zP-vL-+-#
2PzP-+-wQPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
12.c4! [(When you have 2 bishops, you
should open a position and give them
enough open diagonals.)]
[2 bishops control the whole board. This
allows you to advance pawns, gaining a
space advantage.]
12...dxc4 13.Bxc4 Qc7 14.Qb3 Be7
15.Rac1 0–0 16.Bd3 Rfd8 17.Rfd1 Bf8
18.g3 Rd7 19.Be4 Rxd1+ 20.Rxd1 Rc8
21.Kg2 Na5 22.Qa4 b6 23.Rd7 Qc4
24.Qxc4 Nxc4 25.Bd4 Bc5 26.Bxg6 hxg6
27.Bxc5 bxc5 [27...Rxc5 28.Rd8+ Kh7
29.Ng5+ Kh6 30.h4 (30.Nxf7+ Kh5 31.Rh8+
Kg4 32.Rh4+ Kf5 33.Rf4#) 30...Kh5
31.Kh3+–]
16...c5! [(This also prepares a c8–bishop's
development on a long diagonal)]
28.b3 Nb6 29.Rxa7 c4 30.bxc4 Nxc4 31.a4
f6 32.exf6 gxf6 33.a5 e5 34.a6 Na5
35.Nh4 Nc6 36.Rb7 g5 37.Nf5 Kf8 38.Rf7+
17.Nf3 b6 18.Ne5 Qe6 19.Qf3 Ba6 20.Rfe1
f6 21.Ng4 h5! [(2 bishops give you
domination, so you may not worry too
much about weaknesses in your position)]
22.Nf2 Qf7 23.f5 g5 24.Rad1 Bb7 25.Qg3
Rd5 26.Rxd5 Qxd5 27.Rd1 Qxf5 28.Qc7
Bd5 29.b3 Re8 30.c4 Bf7 31.Bc1 Re2
32.Rf1 Qc2 33.Qg3 Qxa2 34.Qb8+ Kh7
35.Qg3 Bg6 36.h4 g4 37.Nd3 Qxb3 38.Qc7
Qxd3
1–0
0–1
249
(5) Sellmann Alexander G - Steinitz
Wilhelm (CZE) [C60]
It London (England) (23), 1883
[Smirnov]
(6) Chigorin,Mikhail - Tinsley,Samuel
[B00]
London London (2), 1899
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7zp-+-+pvlp'
6-zp-+-+p+&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-vLN+P#
2PzP-+-zPP+"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rwq-mk-tr(
7zp-+p+pzp-'
6-zpl+p+-zp&
5+-vl-zP-+-%
4-+-+-vL-+$
3+-+-+-wQN#
2PzPPtR-zPPzP"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
16...Be6! [(This is stronger than a
"natural" move Bb7. Now black's bishops
pressure white's queen-side.)]
[(In order to neutralize opponent's 2
bishops, you need to exchange one of
them.)]
17.Rfd1 Rfd8 18.a3 Bb3 19.Rxd8+ Rxd8
20.Nd2 Ba4 21.Re1 h6 22.g4 Bf8 23.Ne4
Bc6 24.Nd2 f6 25.h4 Kf7 26.f3 Rd5 27.Kf2
f5 28.g5 h5 29.Bf4 Bd6 30.c4 Rd4 31.Be3
Rxh4 32.Nf1 Rh3
16.Be3! [(This is also an exchange of the
bishop, which is the main defender of
black's weak square d6)]
16...Qe7? [16...Be7 black should have
avoided this unfavorable exchange]
0–1
17.Nf4 h5 18.Bxc5 Qxc5 19.h4 Rh6 20.c3
Qe7 21.Rd6 [(After an exchange of black's
dark squared bishop white can occupy
dark squares in the black's position)]
21...Rc7 22.R1d4 [(White placed almost all
his forces on dark squares, which made
the black's bishop useless.)]
22...Kg8 23.Qd3 f5 [23...Qxh4? 24.Nxe6
with a discovered attack]
24.Qg3 Kf7 25.Nh3 Rg6 26.Ng5+ Ke8 27.f4
Rh6 28.Qd3 Rg6 29.Qc4 b5 30.Qc5 Rh6
250
31.a4 Kd8 32.axb5 Bxg2 33.Qa3 Bd5
34.Ra4 Rb7 35.Rxa7 Rxb5 36.Rdxd7+
Qxd7 37.Qf8+
1–0
(7) Smirnov Igor (UKR) - Drozdovskiy Yuri
(UKR) [C00]
Ch Ukraine (final) u18 (3), 02.2002
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7zpp+-+-zp-'
6-+-+pzPp+&
5vl-+p+-+-%
4-+-sn-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+QzPPzP"
1tR-vL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
14.f7+! [(While playing agains 2 bishops,
it's important to keep the position closed.
The white's intermediate move f7 allows
white to impose a strong blockade on the
central squares. This will keep the black's
bishop passive.)]
[14.cxd4? gxf6 with unclear position]
14...Rxf7 15.cxd4 Bb6 16.Bg5 Qd6
17.Rad1 Bd7 18.Ne5 Rf5 19.f4 [(White
fixed a position and black is doomed to
total passivity)]
19...Be8 20.Kh1 Bd8 21.Bxd8 Rxd8 22.h4±
Qb6 23.Qd2 Rf8 24.Rc1 Bf7 25.Qc3 Qa6
26.a3 Qb5 27.Rf2 Ra8 28.Rfc2 Be8 29.g3
Qa4 30.Qb4 Qxb4 31.axb4 Bc6 32.Nxg6
Rfe8 33.Rc5 a6 34.Ne5 Kf8 35.Kg2 Rec8
36.Kf3 Ke7 37.g4 Kd6 38.h5 Rc7 39.g5 Rh8
40.Kg4 Rf8 41.Ra1 Rcc8 42.Nxc6 Rxc6
43.Rxc6+ Kxc6 44.Rc1+ Kd6 45.Rc5 Rh8
46.b5 axb5 47.Rxb5 Kc6 48.Rc5+ Kd6
49.Rc3 Ra8 50.h6 gxh6 51.gxh6 Ke7
52.Rc7+ Kf6 53.Rxb7 Ra1 54.h7 Rh1 55.b4
Rg1+ 56.Kf3 Rh1 57.Kg2 Rh6 58.b5 Kf5
59.b6
1–0
(8) Nepomniachtchi,Ian - Kamsky,Gata
[A34]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (3.2), 04.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+k+(
7+ptr-trpvl-'
6p+-snp+p+&
5+-+-+-zP-%
4-+-+-zP-+$
3+RzP-zPL+-#
2R+-zPK+-+"
1vL-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
[In an endgame, with a support of 2
bishops, you can advance pawns and
centralize your king. This will give you
domination.]
30.d4! [(thus white should push his
pawns)]
30...Nc4 31.Kd3 Nd6 32.e4 Red7 33.e5
Nc8 34.c4 Ne7 35.Bc3 b5 36.cxb5 axb5
251
37.Ra8+ Rc8 38.Rxc8+ Nxc8 39.Rxb5 Bf8
40.Rb8 Rc7 41.Bb7
(10) Stein - Averbakh
Riga Ðèãà
[Smirnov]
1–0
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+-+-mk(
7zp-tr-+pvl-'
6-zp-+n+pzp&
5+-+-zpn+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-sNPzP-zP-#
2P+-vL-zPLzP"
1+RtR-+K+-!
xabcdefghy
(9) Botvinnik - Smyslov
Moscow
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-trlwq-trk+(
7+-+-zppvlp'
6-snpzp-+p+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-zPpzPP+-+$
3zP-sN-vLP+-#
2-+-wQN+PzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
2.Bh6! [(the simplest way to neutralize 2
bishops is to exchange 1 of them.)]
2...Bxh6 3.Qxh6 f6 4.a4 [(Now white can
simply push his queen-side pawns
forward. Black has nothing to oppose.)]
4...Na8 5.Rfb1 f5 6.Qe3 fxe4 7.fxe4 Nc7
8.d5 cxd5 9.exd5 Bb7 10.Rf1 Qd7 11.Qd4
e6 12.dxe6 Nxe6 13.Qg4 Rfe8 14.Nd4 Qg7
15.Rad1 Nc7 16.Qf4 Re5 17.Nc6 Bxc6
18.Qxc4+ d5 19.Qxc6 Rd8 20.Qb6 Qe7
21.Qd4 Qd6 22.Rfe1 Rde8 23.Rxe5 Rxe5
24.b5 Ne6 25.Qa7 d4 26.Ne4
1–0
[A bishop's power rises in an endgame.]
1.Nb5! [(After some exchanges, white's
bishops will have more open diagonals,
and it will be simpler for white to attack
black's pawns (because they will not have
enough defenders)]
1...Rxc1+ 2.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 3.Bxc1 a6 4.Nc3
Nc5 5.Ke2 Kg8 6.g4 Nd6 7.Bc6 Bf8 8.Nd5
f5 9.gxf5 gxf5 10.Nxb6 e4 11.d4 Nd3
12.Bd2 Nb5 13.Bb7 Nb4 14.a4 Nd6 15.Ba8
1–0
252
(11) Karpov - Kavalek
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+-+k+(
7+ptrnzppvlp'
6p+-zp-+p+&
5+-+P+-+P%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+P+-vLP+-#
2P+-mKL+P+"
1+-tR-+-+R!
xabcdefghy
[The white's e2 bishop is passive and
white needs to activate it.]
(12) Kramnik Vladimir (2788) - Ivanchuk
Vassily (2749) [D39]
Corus (10), 27.01.2010
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+R+-+-+(
7+p+-+-+-'
6-+l+-mk-zp&
5zp-vl-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-zP$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-tR-zPPmK"
1+-+-tr-+-!
xabcdefghy
36...a4? [this move doesn't do much.]
1.f4 [(White opens a new diagonal for his
bishop and then can place it on g4 or f3.
Also a side with 2 bishops should advance
pawns in an endgame.)]
1...Nc5 2.Bg4 Ne4+ 3.Kd3 f5 4.Bf3 b5 5.g4
[(First, white should advance pawns.
Secondly, white needs to open a position
for his bishops.)]
5...bxc4+ 6.Rxc4 Rxc4 7.bxc4 Nc5+ 8.Bxc5
Rxc5 9.h6 Bf8 [(now the bishop guards the
8th rank, but becomes totally passive)]
10.Kc3 fxg4 11.Bxg4 Kf7 12.Be6+ Kf6
13.Bg8 Rc7 14.Bxh7 e6 15.Bg8 exd5 16.h7
Bg7 17.Bxd5 Bh8 18.Kd3 Kf5 19.Ke3 Re7+
20.Kf3 a5 21.a4 Rc7 22.Be4+ Kf6 23.Rh6
Rg7 24.Kg4
1–0
[black should use his powerful bishops for
an attack: 36...Bb4! 37.Rd3 (37.Rc2 Bd6+
38.Kh3 Bd7+) 37...Re2 and black is
winning. Nominally a material is equal, but
in fact black's bishops are extremely
powerful in such an open position.]
37.Rg8 Re4 38.Kh3 Re1 39.Kh2 Re4
40.Kh3 Re1? [black overlooked a 3rd
repetition]
[40...Bb4 still would give black good
winning chances]
½–½
253
(13) Weinstein,Norman - Seirawan,Yasser
[B06]
Quebec Open (5), 1977
[Smirnov]
(14) Petrosian,Tigran V - Bertok,Mario
[E85]
Bled Bled (14), 24.09.1961
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-vlp+p'
6pzp-+-+k+&
5+-+l+-+-%
4-+-sN-vL-+$
3+P+-mK-zP-#
2P+-+-+-zP"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+n+-+-+(
7+-+-+k+p'
6-sn-zp-+pzP&
5+-zpPzp-+-%
4-+P+P+L+$
3+K+-+P+-#
2-+-vL-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
[2 bishops controls the whole boards in an
endgame. This provides you a possibility
to activate your king.]
55.Bxc8! [(A good thing about 2 bishops, is
that you always can trade 1 of them on an
opponent's important defender)]
39...Kh5! 40.Kd3 Kg4 41.Bc7 b5 42.h4 f5
43.Ke3 Be4 44.a4 b4 45.Be5 Bc5 46.a5 h5
47.Ke2 Be7 48.Bc7 Bf6 49.Ke3 Bg7 50.Bf4
Bf6 51.Bc7 Kh3 52.Bd6 Kg4 53.Bc7 Be7
54.Ke2 Bc5 55.Ke3 Bc2 56.Bb6 Bxd4+
57.Bxd4 Kxg3 58.Be5+ Kxh4 59.Kf2 Kg4
60.Bd6 f4 61.Bxb4 h4 62.Bd2 h3 63.Kg1
Kg3 64.Be1+ Kf3 65.Bd2 Bf5 66.b4 Bc8
67.Kh2 Ke4 68.Bc1 Bd7 69.Kg1 f3 70.Bg5
Kd3 71.Bf4 Ke2 72.Bg3 f2+ 73.Bxf2 h2+
74.Kg2 h1Q+ [74...h1Q+ 75.Kxh1 Kxf2
76.Kh2 Bc8 77.Kh1 Bb7+ 78.Kh2 Bg2 !
79.b5! axb5 80.a6 b4–+]
55...Nxc8 56.Bg5 [now white blockades
the black's position completely]
0–1
[56.Ka4 was also possible]
56...Nb6 57.Bd8 Nc8 58.Ka4 Ke8 59.Bg5
Kd7 60.Kb5 Kc7 61.Ka6 Nb6 [61...Kb8
62.Bd8 Ka8 63.Bc7 Zugzwang]
62.Bd8+
1–0
254
(15) Petrosian,Tigran V Schmidt,Wlodzimierz [A16]
Skopje ol (Men) fin-A Skopje (6),
02.10.1972
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+k+-tr(
7zp-zp-zppvl-'
6-+-wq-+pzp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-+-+l+$
3+N+PvL-zP-#
2PzP-+PzP-zP"
1tR-wQ-mK-tR-!
xabcdefghy
[Black has 2 bishops and the white's major
task is to restrict their activity.]
15.f3! [(first white pushes away the g4–
bishop and sets a pawn chain against it)]
15...Bd7 16.d4! [(next white blockades a
center, which helps white to keep the
position closed)]
[16.Bd4? Bxd4 17.Nxd4 c5³; 16.Bc5!? is
interesting, because a queen doesn't have
a suitable square to go to. However after
16...Qe6 black has a sudden threat Qh3]
16...Rb8 17.Kf2 h5 18.Bf4 [(this helps
white to exchange 1 of the black's
bishops)]
18...e5 19.dxe5 Bxe5 20.Qe3 f6 21.Qxa7
0–0 22.Rac1 Rfe8 23.Bxe5 Qxe5 24.Rge1
Ra8 25.Qxc7 Qe3+ 26.Kg2 Ra7 27.Qd6 h4
28.gxh4 Be6 29.Rc3 Qh6 30.a3 Rd7
31.Qg3 d4 32.Rd3 Bxb3 33.Rxb3 Qd2
34.Kf1 Kh7 35.Rb8 Re5 36.Qg4 f5 37.Qg5
Re3 38.Qf6
1–0
(16) Sutovsky Emil - Mastrovasilis
Athanasios
WchT 7th (4.4), 08.01.2010
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+k+r+(
7zp-+-vl-trp'
6-+p+ltR-+&
5+-+pzp-+-%
4-+-+-+q+$
3+-zPLvL-+-#
2PzP-wQ-+PzP"
1+-+-+R+K!
xabcdefghy
23.h3! [(This move gives white 2 powerful
bishops in the end of the forcing
variation)]
23...Qxg2+ 24.Qxg2 Rxg2 25.Rxe6 R2g3!
26.Rxe7+ Kxe7 27.Bc5+ Ke8 28.Bf5 [(It
was necessary to calculate the line until
this position, before playing 23.h3. Now
the white's bishops control the whole
board and white dominate the situation)]
28...e4 29.Be6 [(Creating a maring net
around black's king)]
29...Rh8 30.Rf7 Rxh3+ 31.Kg2 Rh6
32.Re7+ Kd8 33.Rxa7 Rg6+ 34.Kf1 Rxe6
35.Ra8+ Kd7 36.Rxh8
1–0
255
(17) Boleslavsky - Sherbakov
Moscow
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-+-+(
7+n+-mk-snp'
6pvLp+-zpp+&
5zPp+-zp-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+L+-+PzP-#
2-zPP+-+-zP"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[White has 2 bishops, which should give
white a huge advantage in an endgame.
However, the bishops are not very active
right now.]
15.c4! [(If you have 2 bishops, you should
push pawns and open lines.)]
15...Rc8 16.Rc1 b4 17.c5 [(fixing black's
disconnected pawns)]
17...Nd8 18.Bc4 Ra8 19.Kf2 Nde6 20.Ke3
Nd4 21.f4 Nge6 22.Rf1 Nc2+ 23.Kd3 Ncd4
24.f5 gxf5 25.exf5 Ng7 26.Ke4 Ne8 27.g4
Nc2 28.Rf2 Nd4 29.g5 Nb5 30.Bxb5 axb5
31.h4 Kf7 32.Rd2 Ke7 33.b3 Rb8 34.a6
Rc8 35.a7 Ra8 36.Rd8 Nc7 37.Bxc7 Rxa7
38.gxf6+
1–0
(18) Alekhine,Alexander - Asztalos,Lajos
[D43]
Kecskemet-A Kecskemet (9), 1927
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-snk+(
7+p+lvlpzp-'
6-+p+p+-zp&
5wq-+-sN-+-%
4p+PzP-+-+$
3zP-+L+-sN-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1+-wQRtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
19.c5! [( 1) White should close the
position in order to keep black's bishops
passive. 2) This moves fixes weaknesses in
the black's position. 3) Having a lightsquaresd bishop, white should place his
pawns on the dark squares.)]
19...b5 20.Be4! [(of course white should
keep the position closed and black's
bishops passive)]
20...Qc7 21.Qc3 Be8 [(a strong centralized
knight can neutralize opponent's bishop.
For instance in this position white's e5–
knight dominates against black's e8–
bishop)]
22.Ne2 Ra6 23.Nc1 Nd7 24.Nxd7 Rxd7
25.Nd3 Rd8 26.Ne5 Bf8 27.h4 Raa8
28.Bb1 h5 29.Qf3 g6 30.g4 hxg4 31.Qxg4
Bg7 32.Ba2 b4 33.Bc4 bxa3 34.bxa3 Qa5
35.Qe4 Qc7 36.Qf4 Rab8 37.h5 gxh5
38.Kh1 Rb7 39.Rg1 Qe7 40.Rxg7+ Kxg7
41.Rg1+ Kh7 42.Nxf7
1–0
256
(19) Nimzowitsch,Aaron Levenfish,Grigory [C02]
Karlsbad Karlsbad, 1911
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-trr+k+(
7zp-+l+-+p'
6-+p+pwqp+&
5+-vlpsN-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-+-+-#
2PzP-sNQzPPzP"
1+-+-tRRmK-!
xabcdefghy
[Black has 2 bishops and white must
neutralize them. For this purpose white
should blockade black's center and keep
the position closed.]
18.Kh1!? [White is preparing f4 move,
which will strengthen white's blockade.
Although this is a logical plan, white had
even more powerful solution.]
[18.b4! Bd6 19.Nb3 now white blockaded
the black's position completely. The d7–
bishop is totally locked. On the next move
white can play f4.]
18...Bd6 19.f4 c5 20.c4! [(blockading
black's center once again)]
20...Bf8? [(a blunder)]
[20...Bxe5 21.Qxe5 Rf8 and all the game is
ahead]
21.cxd5 Bc8 [21...exd5 22.Nxd7 Rxd7
23.Qxe8+–]
22.Ne4 Qg7 23.dxe6 Bxe6 24.Qa6 Kh8
25.Rd1 Bg8 26.b3 Rd4 27.Rxd4 cxd4
28.Qa5 Rc8 29.Rd1 Rc2 30.h3 Qb7
31.Rxd4 Bc5 32.Qd8 Be7 33.Qd7 Qa6
34.Rd3 Bf8 35.Nf7+ Bxf7 36.Qxf7 Rc8
37.Rd7
1–0
(20) Nikolaidis,Ioannis Lupulescu,Constantin [A30]
GRE-chT Div-A 38th Peristeri (7),
11.07.2010
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+k+-tr(
7zp-+-+-zpp'
6-+p+-zp-+&
5+-vllzp-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-vL-zP-zP-#
2PzP-sN-zP-zP"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
[When opponent has 2 bishops, you
should neutralize them. Often it's difficult
to restrict both opponent's bishops, then
you should play against ONE of them. An
opponent's bishop without a counterpart
is the most dangerous for you.]
16.Rg1? [(White is playing against a wrong
bishop! White's pawn chain restricts
black's dark-squared bishop. White
wanted to save this situation and that's
why he played Rg1. However, white
should play against black's LIGHTSQUARED bishop, which has no
257
counterpart (and therefore is the most
dangerous for white)]
(21) Miles,Anthony J - Portisch,Lajos
Buenos Aires olm Buenos Aires, 1978
[Smirnov]
[16.e4! Be6 17.Ke2= on the next moves
white will play b3 and f3 setting pawns
chain against black's light-squared bishop.
Also this follows Capablanca's rule: place
your pawns on an opposite color to your
bishop.]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-trk+(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-+p+-+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+-+NzP-+$
3+-sNlvl-zP-#
2PzP-+-+-zP"
1tR-+R+-+K!
xabcdefghy
16...g5 17.Ke2 Kf7 18.Rgc1 Bb6 19.Bb4
Rab8 20.Bd6 Rb7 21.b3 Rd8 22.Bc5 Rbd7
23.Rc2 Be6 24.Bxb6 axb6 25.a4 e4
26.Raa2 Bg4+ 27.Ke1 Rd3 28.Rxc6 Rxb3
29.Rc1 Rbd3 30.Rb1 R8d6 31.h3 Bf3
32.Rab2 R6d5 33.Nxf3 exf3 34.Rxb6 Ra3
35.R6b5 Ke6 36.Rxd5 Kxd5 37.Rb5+ Ke4
38.Rb4+ Kd3 39.Rd4+ Kc3 40.g4 Ra1+
41.Rd1 Rxa4 42.Rc1+ Kd3 43.Rd1+ Kc2
44.Rd2+ Kc3 45.Rd1 Ra2 46.Rc1+ Rc2
47.Ra1 Re2+ 48.Kf1 Rb2 49.Ke1 Kc2
50.Rd1 Rb4 51.Ra1 Rb3 52.Rd1 Ra3
53.Rd2+ Kc3 54.Rd1 Ra4 55.Rc1+ Kd3
56.Rd1+ Kc2 57.Rd2+ Kc3 58.Rd1 h5
59.Rc1+ Kd3 60.gxh5 Rh4 61.Rd1+ Kc2
62.Rd6 Rxh3 63.Rc6+ Kd3 64.Rd6+ Ke4
65.Rxf6 Rxh5 66.Rf8 Rh1+ 67.Kd2 Rf1
68.Re8+ Kf5 69.e4+ Kf4 70.e5 Rxf2+
71.Kd3 Re2 72.e6 Kg3 73.e7 g4
0–1
[The knights are active if they have strong
squares to be placed on. Otherwise an
opponent can easily kick them away.
That's why black should undermine the
e5–pawn and take away the strong square
d6 from the white's knights.]
22...f6! [(this also helps black to open a
position for his bishops)]
23.Nd6 Bg6 24.Nc4 Bd4 25.Kg2 Be8
26.exf6 gxf6 27.Rac1 Bc6+ 28.Kf1 Bc5
29.Ke2 a6 30.Nd2 Kf7 31.Nce4 Bd4
32.Nc3 Ke7 33.Nf3 Ba7 34.Ne1 Rxd1
35.Rxd1 Be8 36.Kf3 Rg8 37.Rc1 Bh5+
38.Kg2 Be3 39.Rc2 Bxf4 40.Ne4 Bb8
41.Nc5 Rc8
0–1
258
(22) Nikolaidis,Ioannis - Kalichkin,Igor
[E60]
RUS-Cup4 Perm (5), 12.02.1997
[Smirnov]
(23) Nijboer,Friso - Kabatianski,Alexander
Dutch Cht 2007/8 Meesterklasse
Netherlands NED (8), 29.03.2008
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+ntrk+(
7zpp+n+-vlp'
6-+p+-+p+&
5+-+-zpp+-%
4-wqP+P+-+$
3+-sN-vLNzP-#
2PzPQ+-zPLzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+r+-+k+(
7+-+-+pzpp'
6l+-+p+-+&
5zppsnpzP-+-%
4-+-vL-zP-+$
3zPP+-tR-+-#
2-mKP+L+PzP"
1+-+R+-+-!
xabcdefghy
[Black is attacking the c4–pawn. What
should white do?]
[Black is going to play b4 activating his
bishop, and to place his knight on e4. How
can white prevent this plan?]
14.a3! [(White is ready to sacrifice this
pawn, because it will give a long diagonal
to his bishop.)]
14...Qxc4 15.Bf1 Qe6 16.Ng5 Qe7 17.Bc4+
[17.exf5 gxf5 18.Bc4+ Kh8 19.Ne6‚]
17...Kh8 18.Ne6 f4 [18...Rg8 19.Nxg7 Rxg7
20.Bh6±]
19.Nxf8 fxe3 20.Nxd7 exf2+ 21.Qxf2 Bxd7
[(and white got a material advantage)]
22.Qf7 Qc5+ 23.Kg2 Nf6 24.b4 Qe3
25.Rd3 Qg5 26.Rf1 b5 27.Bb3 Bf5 28.exf5
e4 29.Nxe4 Nxe4 30.Rd7 Qh6 31.f6
31.Bxc5! [(a good thing about 2 bishops is
that you always can trade 1 of them if
necessary)]
31...Rxc5 32.b4 [(Now it's a classical
example of a good bishop against a bad
one)]
32...Rc6 33.Rc3 Rxc3 34.Kxc3 Rc8+ 35.Kb2
a4 [35...axb4 36.axb4 Kf8 37.Ra1 Rc6
38.Ra5 Rb6 39.Kc3 and Kd4–c5]
36.Rd3 Kf8 37.Rc3 Rc4 [37...Rxc3 38.Kxc3
Ke7 39.Kd4 Kd7 40.Kc5]
38.Bxc4 dxc4 39.Rh3 h6
1–0
1–0
259
(24) Faibisovich,Vadim Z Westerinen,Heikki MJ [A49]
Vilnius Vilnius (11), 1969
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-zp-tr-+-'
6-zp-zp-mkp+&
5zp-sn-+-+p%
4P+-+LzP-zP$
3+Pvl-vLKzP-#
2-+P+-+-+"
1+-+R+-+-!
xabcdefghy
[Black created somewhat like a fortress,
it's difficult for white to breakthrough.]
43.Bxc5! [(A good thing about 2 bishops is
that you always can exchange an
opponent's important defender on 1 of
your bishops)]
43...bxc5 44.Rd5 Rg7 45.Rg5 Bd2 46.Ke2
Bc3 47.Kd3 Be1 48.Kc4 Kf7 49.Kb5 Bc3
50.Rd5 Be1 51.Rd3 Kf6 52.c3 Re7 53.Bb7
Re2 54.Kxa5 Rc2 55.Kb5 Bxc3 56.a5 Be1
57.a6 c4 58.bxc4 Bf2 59.Ra3 c6+ 60.Kxc6
Rxc4+ 61.Kxd6 Ba7 62.Bc6 Rb4 63.Kd7
Rb1 64.Ra5 Rb3 65.Rg5 Re3 66.Kc7 Re7+
67.Bd7 Bf2 68.f5 Re3 69.Rxg6+ Kf7
70.Be6+ Ke7 71.Rg7+ Kf8 72.Rf7+ Ke8
73.a7
1–0
(25) Tarrasch - Rubinstein
San-Sebastian
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+r+k+(
7zpl+-+-zp-'
6-+p+-zp-+&
5+p+p+-+-%
4-+-+-zP-zp$
3+-zPPvl-zP-#
2PzP-+-sN-zP"
1tR-+L+K+R!
xabcdefghy
5...a5 [(when you have 2 bishops, you
should push pawns and open lines)]
[5...d4!? this pawn move is also possible,
but it gives a diagonal to white's bishop
(after Bf3) and the e4–square to white's
knight.]
6.Bf3 b4 7.Kg2 bxc3 8.bxc3 Ba6 [(now
black's bishops became really powerful)]
9.c4 Rad8 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.Rhd1 Re7
12.Ng4 hxg3 13.hxg3 Bd4 14.Rac1 Rb7
15.Rc2 Kf7 16.Nf2 Rb2 17.Rxb2 Bxb2
18.Rd2 Bd4 19.Nh3 Ke6 20.Rc2 Kd6 21.f5
Rc8 22.Bd1 Rxc2+ 23.Bxc2 Ke5 24.g4 Be3
25.Kf3 Kd4 26.Bb3 Bb7 27.Ke2 Ba6 28.Bc2
Bb5 29.a4 Bd7 30.Kf3 Kc3 31.Kxe3 d4+
32.Ke2 Kxc2 33.Nf4 Bxa4 34.Ne6 Bb3
35.Nxd4+ Kb2 36.Nb5 a4 37.Ke3 a3
38.Nxa3 Kxa3 39.Kd4 Kb4
0–1
260
(26) Vaitonis - Geller
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+n+k+(
7+-+-+p+p'
6p+-zp-+p+&
5vL-zpP+-+-%
4P+Pvl-zP-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-zPLzP"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1...f5! [(When you struggle against 2
bishops, you should keep the position
closed. f5 move also fixes the white's
weak pawn f4)]
2.Kf1 Kf7 3.Ke2 Nf6 4.Bf3 Nd7 5.h3 Bb2
6.Kd2 Ba3 7.Bc7 Ke7 8.a5 Nf6 9.Kc2 Kd7
10.Bb6 Kc8 11.Kd2 Nd7 12.Bd1 Nxb6
13.axb6 Bb4+ 14.Kc1 Kb7 15.Ba4 Kxb6
16.Be8 Be1 17.Kc2 Kc7 18.Bf7 Kd8
0–1
(27) Lasker,Emanuel - Chigorin,Mikhail
[D02]
Hastings Hastings, 1895
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rsn-trk+(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-+p+n+&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+-zP-zP-+$
3+-zPLzP-tR-#
2P+-vLKzP-zP"
1+-+-+-tR-!
xabcdefghy
[In order to limit 2 bishops, black should
try to close the position.]
18...c4! 19.Bc2 f5 [(White still has an
advantage, but black is making his best.)]
20.Bc1 Rf7 21.Ba3 Rc6 22.Bc5 Ra6 23.a4
Nc6 24.Rb1 Rd7 25.Rgg1 Nge7 26.Rb2
Nd5 27.Kd2 Ra5 28.Rgb1 b6 29.Ba3 g6
30.Rb5 Ra6 31.Bc1 Nd8 32.Ra1 Nf7
33.Rbb1 Nd6 34.f3 Nf7 35.Ra3 g5 36.Ke2
gxf4 37.e4 Nf6 38.Bxf4 Nh5 39.Be3 f4
40.Bf2 Ra5 41.Rg1+ Kf8 42.Raa1 e5
43.Rab1 Ng7 44.Rb4 Rc7 45.Bb1 Ne6
46.Rd1 Ned8 47.Rd2 Nc6 48.Rb5 Rxa4
49.dxe5 Nfxe5 50.Bh4 Rg7 51.Kf2 Rg6
52.Rdd5 Ra1 53.Bd8 Nd3+ 54.Bxd3 cxd3
55.Rxd3 Rag1 56.Rf5+ Ke8 57.Bg5 R6xg5
0–1
261
(28) Illescas Cordoba,Miguel - Short,Nigel
D [D58]
Ciudad de Pamplona Pamplona (5),
31.12.1999
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-+k+(
7+l+-wqpzp-'
6p+p+nvl-zp&
5zPp+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-sN-zPN+-#
2QzP-tR-zPPzP"
1+-tR-+LmK-!
xabcdefghy
19...c5! [(Black has 2 bishops, thus we
should push pawns and open lines)]
20.dxc5 d4 21.Nxd4 Bxd4! [also possible is
21...Nxd4 22.exd4 Rxd4 with active play]
22.exd4 Nxd4 [(Now black is threatening
Nf3, that's why black didn't trade his
knight.)]
23.Kh1 [23.Rcd1 Nf3+ 24.gxf3
25.Rxd2 Qg5+–+; 23.Rdd1 Qg5]
Rxd2
23...Nf3 24.Rxd8+ Rxd8 25.c6 [25.gxf3
Bxf3+ 26.Bg2 Bxg2+ 27.Kxg2 Qg5+–+]
25...Bxc6 26.Ne2 Qh4 27.gxf3 [27.h3
Qxf2]
(29) Spassky,Boris V - Portisch,Lajos [C10]
WchT U26 04th Reykjavik (10.2), 1957
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7zppzp-+pvlp'
6-+n+p+p+&
5+L+p+-+-%
4-+-zPP+-+$
3+-sN-+N+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tR-+QtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
10.Bxc6! [(Usually we should not
exchange our bishop on opponent's
knight. In this position, however, white
can blockade the center afterwards. This
will keep black's bishops passive.)]
10...bxc6 11.Na4! [(Knights are strong
when opponent has weaknesses. In this
case knights have lots strong squares.)]
11...Rb8 12.e5 f5 13.exf6 Qxf6 14.b3 e5!?
[(Black must do something to open a
position. Otherwise white will fix his
knights on c5 and e5 with strategically
winning position.)]
15.dxe5 Qf4 16.Nd4 Bxe5 17.Rxe5 Qxe5
18.Nxc6 Qg5 19.Nxb8 Bh3 20.Qf1 Rf4
21.f3 Rd4 22.Re1 Rd2 23.Re2
1–0
27...Qxf2 28.Nf4 Bxf3+ 29.Bg2 Rd2 30.Rg1
Be4
0–1
262
(30) Nimzowitsch Aaron - Tarrasch
Siegbert (GER)
It St. Petersburg (Russia), 1914
[Smirnov]
29.Kxf4 Rf8+ 30.Ke5 Qh2+ 31.Ke6 Re8+
32.Kd7 Bb5#
0–1
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-trk+(
7zp-+-wqp+p'
6-+lvl-+p+&
5+-zpp+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+P+-zP-+-#
2PvLQsN-zPPzP"
1+-tR-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
(31) Anand,Viswanathan - Butt,Sabih
Alam [B81]
WchJ U18 Baguio, 1987
[Smirnov]
[You should play on that part of the board,
where your bishops point to. Here black's
both bishops look at white's king, which
can be very dangerous for white.]
18...d4 [! (Black is opening diagonals for
his bishops)]
19.exd4? [(white
combination)]
overlooks
black's
[19.Rfe1 !]
19...Bxh2+ 20.Kxh2 Qh4+ 21.Kg1 Bxg2 [!
(this is a typical combination and it's
useful to remember it)]
XABCDEFGHY
8-mk-+-sn-+(
7+p+-+-zpq'
6p+-zp-vl-+&
5+-+Pzp-+-%
4-zP-+Q+L+$
3+-zP-vL-+-#
2P+-+-zP-+"
1+K+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
[Thanks to white's 2 bishops he has an
advantage. Now white should find the
best way to get progress.]
33.Bf5! [(Now the bishop cuts the knight
out of game)]
33...g6 [(this moves takes away the g6–
square from black's knight and makes the
g-pawn vulnerable)]
22.f3 [22.Kxg2 Qg4+ 23.Kh2 Rd5 and Rh5]
34.Bg4 g5 35.Qxh7 Nxh7 36.Bf5 Nf8
37.Bb6 [(black is paralyzed)]
22...Rfe8 23.Ne4 Qh1+ 24.Kf2 Bxf1 25.d5
[25.Rxf1 Qh2+–+; 25.Nf6+ Kf8 26.Nxe8
Qg2+–+]
37...g4 38.c4 Bh4 39.a4 Ka8 40.a5 Kb8
41.c5 Bxf2 42.c6
25...f5 26.Qc3 Qg2+ 27.Ke3 Rxe4+ 28.fxe4
f4+ [28...Qg3+ ! 29.Kd2 Qf2+ 30.Kd1 Qe2#]
1–0
263
(32) Romanishin,O - Suba,M [A11]
Moscow, 1986
[Smirnov]
(33) Fridshtein - Simagin
Moscow Ìîñêâà
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-mkr+-+(
7zpp+n+-+p'
6-+-+-snp+&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-+-+-zP$
3+-+-vL-+L#
2PzPr+PzP-+"
1+-+RmK-tR-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqk+-tr(
7zppzpnvlpzpp'
6-+-zppsn-+&
5+-+-+-vLl%
4-+LzPP+-+$
3+-sN-+N+P#
2PzPPwQ-zPP+"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
26.h5 [! (A side with 2 bishops should
push pawns and open lines)]
1...Bxf3!? [For lack of free space black
should trade pieces. Also this weakens
white's pawns structure, while the knights
are strong when opponent has
weaknesses (then knights have strong
squares to be placed on.]
[26.Rd2 Rc1+ 27.Rd1 Rc2=]
26...Rxb2 [26...Nxh5 27.Rxd5‚]
27.hxg6 hxg6 28.Rxg6 Rxa2 [(Black is a
pawn up, but white's postition is much
more active. 2 bishops are extremely
strong in open positions)]
29.Kf1 Rh8 30.Bg2 Ke7 31.Bxd5 Nxd5
32.Rxd5 Rh7 33.Bg5+ Kf7 34.Rgd6 Ke8?
[34...Nf8 !?]
[Also black has a tactical way to ease his
position: 1...Nxe4 2.Nxe4 d5 and black
equalized the game]
2.gxf3 Nh5 [(The knight is going to the
strong square f4. Also black wants to
exchange one of white's 2 bishops.)]
[2...Nxe4!? still was possible]
35.Re6+ Kf8 36.Bh6+ Rxh6 [36...Kg8
37.Re8+ Kf7 38.Rxd7+ Kxe8 39.Rxh7+–;
36...Kf7 37.Rxd7+ Kxe6 38.Rxh7+–]
37.Rxh6 Nb6 38.Rc5 Kg7 39.Rd6 Kf8
40.Rc7 Ke8 41.Rxb7 Nc4 42.Rh6
1–0
3.Be3 c6 [( 1) White has 2 bishops, so
black should close the center to keep the
bishops passive. 2) White's light-squared
bishop has no counterpart, so black
should restrict this bishop first of all. 3)
Black has dark-squared bishop, so he
should set his pawns on dark squares.)]
264
4.a4 d5 5.Bd3 Bb4 6.Qe2 Qc7 7.Kf1 0–0
8.e5 Bxc3 9.bxc3 f5 10.f4 g6 11.c4 c5
12.cxd5 cxd4 13.Bd2 exd5 14.Qf3 Qc6
15.Bb4 a6 16.Bxf8 Rxf8 17.Rb1 Nc5 18.a5
Ne4 19.Rd1 Qc5 20.Kg2 Qxa5 21.Kh2 Qd8
22.Bf1 Qh4 23.Rxd4 Nxf4 24.c4 Ne6
25.Rxd5 N6g5 26.Qe2 Nxf2 27.e6 Nge4
28.Qf3 Nxh1 29.Kxh1 Qf6 30.c5 Qxe6
31.Bc4 Kg7
After that white will be able to attack
them by his d4–bishop.]
2.Bxb6 Rxd1+ 3.Rxd1 Nd5 4.Bxa7 Ra8
5.Bxd5 exd5 6.Rxd5 Be6 7.Rd4 f6 8.Bb6
fxe5 9.Re4 [(In the end of the forcing line
white got a strong passed pawn + black's
e5 pawn is weak.)]
0–1
9...Re8 10.Rxe5 Bd7 11.Rxe8+ Bxe8 12.a5
Bb5 13.f4 Kf7 14.Kf2 h5 15.Ke3 Ke6
16.Kd4 g6 17.Kc5 Bf1 18.Kc6
(34) Magomedov - Epishin
[Smirnov]
1–0
XABCDEFGHY
8-trltr-+k+(
7zp-+-+pzpp'
6-zp-+p+-+&
5+-+nzP-+-%
4P+-vL-+-+$
3+-+-+-zP-#
2-zP-+-zPLzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[A side with 2 bishops should advance
pawns in an endgame. 1) It gives you a
space advantage, while 2 bishops can
protect your large territory easily. 2) It
gives more free space for your bishops.]
(35) Quezada,Yuniesky Morozevich,Alexander [B80]
WchT 6th Beersheba (1), 01.11.2005
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+r+k+(
7+-+-+-+p'
6-+-vl-+p+&
5+-+psNlzP-%
4-wq-vL-wQ-+$
3zpP+-+P+-#
2P+-+-+-+"
1mK-+R+-+R!
xabcdefghy
[In a real game white played]
1.b4! [(White is using tactics to realize his
strategical plan)]
[1.a5 wasn't so strong 1...bxa5 (1...Bb7!?)
2.Rxa5 a6 and black holds a position]
1...Nxb4 [1...Bb7 2.b5 White gained space
and fixed black's pawns on dark squares.
32.Nc6 [but black's attack goes on in an
endgame as well.]
[at the first sight a move 32.Qh4 seems
the most natural, however, black has a
powerful reply: 32...Qxd4+!! 33.Rxd4 Bxe5
(Black's 2 bishops look at white's king and
265
white is defenseless.) 34.Qxh7+ Kf8
35.Qh6+ Kf7 36.Qh7+ (36.Rhd1 Bxd4+
37.Rxd4 Re1+) 36...Bg7 and white has
nothing to do. Black is threatening Rh8, or
Kf8 or anything else...]
32...Bxf4 33.Nxb4 Re5 [(the real game's
continuation is pretty interesting as well)]
34.Nc6 Re6 35.Nb4 Bxg5 36.Nxd5 Rd8
37.Bc3 Rc8 38.Bb4 Rc2 39.Rhe1 Rxe1
40.Rxe1 Be6 41.f4 Bh4 42.Ne3 Bf6+
43.Kb1 Rb2+
remove his queen from the bishop's-b2
diagonal) (17...d4!? 18.exd4 cxd4 19.Bxe8
dxc3 20.Qxe5 Bxe5 21.Bb5 Ne4 with
unclear position) 18.Bxe8 Rxe8 black has a
very good compensation for a little
material loss. Thanks to his 2 bishops +
white's weakened king-side black has
good attacking chances.]
17.Nxd5 Qe6 18.Nxe7+ Qxe7 [(In an open
position 2 bishops are very powerful. This
determines white's stable advantage and
lasting initiative. This is the situation black
should have tried to avoid.)]
0–1
(36) Lasker,Emanuel - Didier,M1 [E14]
Paris Paris (2), 1900
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+r+k+(
7zpl+-vlpzpp'
6-zp-+-sn-+&
5+Lzppwq-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+PsN-zP-+-#
2PvL-+QzPPzP"
1+-tRR+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[A "natural" move]
16...Red8? [leads to huge white's
positional advantage. Black should think
hard, but find the way to avoid such an
unfavorable situation.]
[16...Bd6! (forcing white to weaken the
diagonal a8–h1) 17.g3 Qe6 (Black needs to
19.Rxd8+ Rxd8 20.Rd1 Rxd1+ 21.Qxd1 h6
22.Bf1 Nd5 23.Qg4 g6 24.Bc4 Kh7 25.Qf3
Nc3 26.Qf4 Nd5 27.Qb8 f6 28.e4 Qc7
29.Qxa7 Ne7 30.Ba6
1–0
266
(37) Dominguez Perez,Leinier Polgar,Judit [B33]
FIDE World Chess Cup 2011 KhantyMansiysk/Russia (4.2), 07.09.2011
[Smirnov]
(38) Dominguez Perez,Leinier Polgar,Judit [B33]
FIDE World Chess Cup 2011 KhantyMansiysk/Russia (4.2), 07.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+R+(
7+-+R+-+-'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-zp-vl-+-tr$
3+P+-+-+-#
2K+lmk-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-tR(
7+-+R+-+-'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-zp-vl-+-tr$
3+P+-+-+-#
2K+lmk-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
[The white's king is in the mating net and
black only needs to make a single check to
finish the game.]
74...Rxh8? [(black missed an immediate
win)]
74.Rh8 [!? White's position is loosing, but
he found a witty idea to mix up the things.
Now if black take the rook]
74...Rxh8 [white will reply 9]
75.Rxd4+ Kc3 76.Rc4+ Kd3 77.Rxb4
[capturing the last black's pawn. white
reached a theoretical draw.]
Line
[74...Kc1! 75.Rxh4 Bb1# 2 bishop did really
good work here!]
75.Rxd4+ Bd3 76.Rxb4 Kc3 77.Ra4 Rh2+
78.Ka3 Rb2 79.Rg4 Rxb3+ 80.Ka4 Rb1
81.Ka5 Rb5+ 82.Ka4 Rf5 83.Rg3 Rf4+
84.Ka3 Rf1 85.Rg2 Rh1 86.Rb2 Ra1+
87.Ra2 Rb1 88.Rg2 Rb3+ 89.Ka4 Rb4+
90.Ka3 Rb6 91.Rg4 Ra6+ 92.Ra4 Rb6
93.Rg4 Rb7 94.Rh4 Rb1 95.Rh2 Rb6
96.Rh4 Bf1 97.Rg4 Rb5 98.Rg3+ Bd3
99.Rg4 Rb1 100.Rg2 Rb3+ 101.Ka4 Rb5
102.Rg4 Rf5 103.Ka3 Rf1 104.Rg2 Rb1
105.Rh2 Bf5 106.Rg2 Bd3 107.Rh2 Bf1
108.Rf2 Bc4 109.Rf3+ Bd3 110.Rf2 Rb3+
111.Ka2 Rb6 112.Ka1 Rg6
0–1
267
(39) Kamsky,Gata - Svidler,Peter
FIDE World Chess Cup 2011 KhantyMansiysk/Russia (4.2), 07.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-sN-+r+-mk(
7+lzp-+p+-'
6-vl-+-snpvL&
5+p+-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-wq$
3+-+-+-+P#
2LzPQ+-zPP+"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[When 2 bishops look at opponent's king,
it always creates great attacking
possibilities.]
26...Re2 [!! (deflecting the white's queen)]
[26...Qg3 27.Nc6 and white holds a
position, although black can continue his
attack after 27...Re2!]
27.Qc3 [27.Qxe2 Qg3 and white can't
avoid mate]
27...Rxf2 28.Nc6 Rxf1+
0–1
(40) Stein - Smyslov
Moscow
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wqk+-tr(
7zplzp-snpzpp'
6-zp-zpp+-+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+PzP-+-+$
3zP-zP-+N+-#
2-+-+QzPPzP"
1tR-vL-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy
[Black has an obvious plan to finish his
development and then to attack white's
central pawns. What is the white's plan?]
1.h4!! [(when you have 2 bishops, you
should push pawns and open files!)]
1...Nd7 2.h5 Bxf3 3.Qxf3 dxe5 4.h6 gxh6
5.Bxh6 [(White sacrificed a pawn, but
opened a position completely. Now his
bishops will show their full power)]
5...exd4 6.Bg7 Rg8 7.Rxh7 Nf5 8.Bxd4 c5
9.g4 cxd4 10.gxf5 e5 11.Qd5 Rf8 12.cxd4
Rc8 13.Rd1 Qe7 14.Bg2 Rg8 15.Qb7 Rxc4
16.dxe5 Qxe5+ 17.Kf1 Qb5 18.Kg1 Qc6
19.Qxc6 Rxc6 20.Rh8
1–0
268
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 3.
In this task we will analyze the role of a KING. You will see that even some strong
Grandmasters don’t understand this topic so well.
Your Task:
Open the database “TASK 3 GAMES SECTION” and detect the best moves in presented
positions.
After that, open the database “TASK 3 ANSWERS SECTION” and check yourself.
The Notes:
 Of course you should NOT just guess the right move. You should:
1. Recollect the general strategical rules applicable for a given position.
2. Detect the best move based on those positional rules.
3. Calculate the consequences of this move.
 If you experience any problem or don’t understand something – you should study the
video lesson # 7 once again.
269
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 3 GAMES SECTION
(1) Filippov,Anton UZB (2606) Bacrot,Etienne (2710) [A01]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.4), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7+pzpp+pzpp'
6p+nvl-sn-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3sNP+pzP-+-#
2PvLP+LzPPzP"
1tR-+QmK-sNR!
xabcdefghy
0–1
(2) Salov,V (2715) - Lautier,J (2655)
Dos Hermanas, 1995
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-mk-+(
7+-+-+-zpp'
6-zp-+Kzp-+&
5+l+-+-+-%
4pzP-+-+-zP$
3tR-+-sN-zP-#
2-+-+-zP-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
(3) Felgaer,Ruben (2573) Zherebukh,Yaroslav (2590) [C65]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk RUS (2.4),
02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-+k+(
7zp-+-+p+-'
6-+-+-+-zp&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+-zp-+$
3+P+-+q+-#
2P+-+-zP-zP"
1+-+QtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
(4) Zherebukh,Yaroslav (2590) Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar (2765) [B80]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk RUS (3.3),
05.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+k+-tr(
7+l+-vlpzpp'
6-wq-zpp+-+&
5zp-sn-+-zP-%
4-zp-+PzP-+$
3+N+PvL-sN-#
2PzP-+-wQ-zP"
1+KtR-+-+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
270
(5) Janowski,D - Saburoff,P [D55]
Oostende , 1906
[Smirnov]
(7) Papathanasiou A (1722) - Kesaris E
(1858) [A45]
Eswteriko iwanninwn (5), 01.05.2011
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-+k+(
7zpp+-wqp+p'
6-+-tRp+p+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+-+Q+-zP$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPP+"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+kvl-tr(
7+p+-zp-+p'
6p+-zpp+p+&
5wq-sn-+-vL-%
4-+-tRP+Q+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1+K+-+-+R!
xabcdefghy
0–1
(6) Mikhalchishin - Dzhanoev [A09]
Tbilisi, 1976
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqkvl-tr(
7zpp+-+-zpp'
6-+n+lzp-+&
5+-zpnzp-+-%
4-+N+-+-+$
3+P+-+NzP-#
2PvL-zPPzPLzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(8) Morozevich,Alexander (2694) Fier,Alexandr (2566) [B48]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.2), 01.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7+pwq-vlpzpp'
6p+-zp-sn-+&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-+-wQPzP-+$
3+-sN-vL-+-#
2PzPP+L+PzP"
1+-mKR+-+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
271
(9) Kamsky,Gata (2735) - Karpov,Anatoly
(2770) [C43]
FIDE-Wch Elista (6), 1996
[Smirnov]
(11) Nikolic,Predrag - Huebner,Robert
[D46]
Tilburg Tilburg, 1987
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-mk-+-+(
7zp-zpltrpzp-'
6-zp-vl-wq-zp&
5+-+P+-+-%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+-+LvL-zP-#
2P+-+-zPKzP"
1+R+QtR-+-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+k+-+-+(
7trp+-+pzp-'
6-+p+-+-+&
5+-zPl+-zP-%
4ptR-mK-vL-+$
3zP-+-+P+-#
2-zP-+-+P+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
(10) Portisch,Lajos (2600) Karpov,Anatoly (2775) [E12]
Biel SKA Biel (8), 1996
[Smirnov]
(12) Morphy,Paul - Budzinsky,J [C42]
Paris, 1859
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rwq-+-tr(
7zpl+nmkpzpp'
6-zp-+p+-+&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3zP-wQ-zPN+-#
2-zP-+LzPPzP"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqk+-tr(
7zp-+-vl-+p'
6-+p+-+p+&
5snp+l+p+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-+L+N+-#
2PzPQsN-zPPzP"
1tR-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
272
(13) Ljubojevic,Lj (2590) - Gurevich,M
(2650) [C05]
Linares 51/264, 1991
[Smirnov]
(14) Heinemann,Thies - Schilow,Vladimir
[C03]
Variation from game Germany GER (13.7),
06.04.2008
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7zpp+n+-zpp'
6-wqn+pzp-+&
5+-+pzP-+-%
4-vl-zP-zP-zP$
3+-+L+NmK-#
2PzP-+-+P+"
1tR-vLQ+-sNR!
xabcdefghy
0–1
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7+p+l+-zpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+pmk-+-%
4p+-+-sN-+$
3+-zP-+-zP-#
2PzP-+-+-zP"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
½–½
(15) Kozul,Zdenko (2611) Topalov,Veselin (2707) [A43]
Istanbul ol (Men) Istanbul (8.1),
05.11.2000
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7zp-sn-+pvlp'
6-+-zpp+p+&
5+PzpP+-zP-%
4-+P+P+-+$
3+Q+L+N+-#
2R+-sN-zPP+"
1+-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
0–1
273
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 3 ANSWERS SECTION
(1) Filippov,Anton UZB (2606) Bacrot,Etienne (2710) [A01]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.4), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7+pzpp+pzpp'
6p+nvl-sn-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3sNP+pzP-+-#
2PvLP+LzPPzP"
1tR-+QmK-sNR!
xabcdefghy
8.cxd3? [(After this mistake white has to
move his king on the next move)]
[Of course a simple move 8.Bxd3 was
better. By the way, following a principle of
maximum activity, we should move a
PIECE (not a pawn) if there is a choice.;
8.Qxd3 is not so good, because black win
gain an extra tempo by attaking this
queen 8...Ne5]
8...Bb4+ 9.Kf1 [(The white's king can't
catle anymore. Black has an advantage.
Do you think this is obvious? Then let me
tell you that white player is 2600+ GM :)
However, he didn't understand the key
point. Yes, the white's king is in safety
now. But the main problem isn't here. The
h1–rook is locked in the corner - and this
is a REAL trouble.)]
9...d5 10.Rc1 0–0 11.Nf3 Bd6 12.h3 Nb4
13.Qd2 c5 14.Bc3 Nc6 15.Qb2 d4 16.exd4
cxd4 17.Bd2 Re8 18.Nc2 Bc5 19.b4 Bb6
20.a4 Bf5 21.Na3 Qd5 [(black has all the
pieces in the game, while the h1–rook is
still offside.)]
22.Bf4 Rxe2 23.Kxe2 Bxd3+ 24.Kxd3 Qe4+
25.Kd2 Qxf4+ 26.Kd1 Ne4 27.Nc4 Nc3+
28.Kc2 Qf5+ 29.Kb3 Qd5 30.Qd2 Nxb4
31.Kxb4 Bc5+ 32.Kb3 Ne4 33.Qf4 b5
34.Qe5 bxc4+ 35.Ka2 Nc3+ 36.Ka1 Qc6
0–1
(2) Salov,V (2715) - Lautier,J (2655)
Dos Hermanas, 1995
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-mk-+(
7+-+-+-zpp'
6-zp-+Kzp-+&
5+l+-+-+-%
4pzP-+-+-zP$
3tR-+-sN-zP-#
2-+-+-zP-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
40...Be8? [Black was able to create a
mating net! 40...Rd4 ! and white has no
normal defense against Bd7 mate! 41.Nd5
Bc4–+]
41.Rc3 Rd4 42.Rc8 a3 43.Nf5 [43.Ra8 a2
44.Nc2 Rd2 45.Na1 Rd1 46.Nc2 Rc1
47.Rxa2 Bf7+–+]
274
43...a2 44.Ra8 a1Q 45.Rxa1 Bf7# [In the
end I'd like to mention that this position is
exceptional. In most endgames you should
NOT attack opponent's king, because this
plan doesn't work well.]
38.Rd1 Qe5 39.Rd5 Qa1 40.Rd1 Qe5
41.a4 a5 42.Rd5 Qe1 43.Rd1 Qe5 44.Rg1
Rxg1 45.Kxg1 h5 46.Kg2 Kg7 47.Qb7+ Kh6
48.Qf3 Qg5+ 49.Kh2 Qe5 50.Qd3?? f3+
51.Kg1 Qg5+ 52.Kf1 Qc1+
0–1
0–1
(3) Felgaer,Ruben (2573) Zherebukh,Yaroslav (2590) [C65]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.4), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
(4) Zherebukh,Yaroslav (2590) Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar (2765) [B80]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (3.3), 05.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-+k+(
7zp-+-+p+-'
6-+-+-+-zp&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+-zp-+$
3+P+-+q+-#
2P+-+-zP-zP"
1+-+QtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+k+-tr(
7+l+-vlpzpp'
6-wq-zpp+-+&
5zp-sn-+-zP-%
4-zp-+PzP-+$
3+N+PvL-sN-#
2PzP-+-wQ-zP"
1+KtR-+-+R!
xabcdefghy
30...Qc6! [When opponent's king is
exposed, you should save queens on the
board. You will be able to keep attacking
opponent's king in this case.]
[Black is attacking on the queen-side, he is
going to push a4. What should white do?]
[30...Qxd1? 31.Rxd1
struggle for a draw]
and
black
will
31.h3 Kh8 32.Qd4+ f6 33.Kh2 Rg8 34.Qe4
Qd6 35.Qf3 Qd2 36.Rd1 Qb4 37.Rc1 Qd4
[(White certainly has a positional
advantage (because of his better pawn
structure). However, white's weakened
king-side gives black a counterplay.)]
21.f5! [(White should ignore black's
attacking attempts! The black's king is in a
center, thus he is playing without the h8–
rook. Any tactical complications will be
favor white, thanks to his extra rook into
the game. White has an advantage. He
should not defend, he should attack. The
REAL strategical understanding helps in
tactical position as well!]
21...Qb5 [21...a4 22.Nxc5 dxc5 23.Nh5‚]
275
22.Nxc5 dxc5 23.Rhd1?! [23.Nh5! white
should attack! Black leaved his king in a
center and white should punish black for
this mistake!]
23...c4 24.dxc4 Rxc4 25.Rxc4 Qxc4 26.f6
gxf6 27.gxf6 Bd8 28.Qd2 [(the "extra"
rook gives white a decisive advantage)]
28...Bxe4+ 29.Nxe4 Qxe4+ 30.Ka1 Qd5
31.Qc2 Qb7 32.Qa4+
1–0
(5) Janowski,D - Saburoff,P [D55]
Oostende , 1906
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-+k+(
7zpp+-wqp+p'
6-+-tRp+p+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+-+Q+-zP$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPP+"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[White is intending to play h5–h6, fixing
black's king-side. After that black will
always experience "a back rank problem".]
22...b6?! [22...h5 black should stop the
white's plan! Following the principle of
maximum activity, you should push your
pawns forward, and stop opponent's
pawns.]
23.h5 Kg7 [? in fact this rather helps white
to play h6]
[now the h6 move is a real threat and
black has to stop it! 23...Qg5! and
everything is quite fine with black]
24.Qf4 Kg8 25.h6 [(creating a mating net
around black's king. Now white has a huge
advantage)]
25...Rac8 26.g3 Ra8 27.Qd4 Rdc8 28.Qd2
Rcb8 29.Rd7 Qf8 30.Qg5 Rc8 31.R1d3 Qe8
32.Re7 [32.Qf6! Qf8 33.Rf3+–]
32...Rc1+ 33.Qxc1 Qxe7 34.Qd2 Qe8
35.Qg5 b5 36.Qf6 Qf8 37.Rd7 a6 38.Kg2
b4 39.Kf3 a5 40.Kg4 a4 41.Kg5 a3 42.b3
Rb8 43.Qe7 Qxe7+ 44.Rxe7 Kf8 45.Kf6
Rb5 46.Rxf7+
1–0
(6) Mikhalchishin - Dzhanoev [A09]
Tbilisi, 1976
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqkvl-tr(
7zpp+-+-zpp'
6-+n+lzp-+&
5+-zpnzp-+-%
4-+N+-+-+$
3+P+-+NzP-#
2PvL-zPPzPLzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[Black spent lots of time to build strong
position in a center. However, his king-
276
side pieces are not developed and his king
is still in a center.]
10.e3! [(White wants to open a position
and to attack black's uncastled king)]
10...b5 11.Na3 a6 12.d4 exd4 [12...e4
13.Nd2 f5 (13...cxd4 14.Nxe4 dxe3 15.Nc2
white opened a center and is ready to
attack) 14.dxc5 Bxc5 15.Rc1‚]
13.exd4 Kf7 14.Re1 Ndb4 15.Qe2 Bd5
16.Rad1 Qd7 17.dxc5 Re8 18.Rxd5 Nxd5
19.Ng5+ fxg5 20.Bxd5+ [20.Qxe8+! Qxe8
21.Bxd5++–]
1–0
(7) Papathanasiou A (1722) - Kesaris E
(1858) [A45]
Eswteriko iwanninwn (5), 01.05.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+kvl-tr(
7+p+-zp-+p'
6p+-zpp+p+&
5wq-sn-+-vL-%
4-+-tRP+Q+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1+K+-+-+R!
xabcdefghy
[Black's king is in a center, his h8–rook is
out of game. White should attack!]
15.e5! [(in order to start a direct attack,
we need to open lines first.)]
[White had another interesting idea: to
attack the black's queen. Generally one
should NOT develop his queen too early,
otherwise it will be attacked by
opponent's pieces. In the current position
white may try to punish black for this
mistake. 15.b4!? Qa3 (better is 15...Qb6
16.Nd5! Qc6 17.Rc4 white has lots of
attacking ideas, because of the black's
exposed queen. However, black can hold a
position after 17...exd5 18.exd5 Qd7
19.Qxd7+ Kxd7 20.bxc5 Rxc5 21.Rxc5 dxc5
22.Re1 and white has advantage in an
endgame.) 16.Rc4 now the knight is
attacked and the queen is trapped on a3.
On the next move white will play Bc1
winning a game. (white even has 1
additional way to capture black's queen:
16.Bc1!? Qxc3 17.Bb2+–) ]
15...dxe5 [15...Bg7 16.exd6! (white should
open a position) 16...Bxd4 17.Qxd4 0–0
18.dxe7+– white's powerful pawn and
black's weakened king give white an easy
win.]
16.Rd2? [White thinks only about black's
king, while this is WRONG! The main
black's problem is his passive rook on h8!
The white's task in such a position is to
start tactical complications. They will be
winning for white because of his extra
rook into the game.]
[16.Rc4! threatening b4. White should
inforce black to start a fight! Thanks to
white's "extra" rook, he will gain a victory
easily: 16...Rc6 (16...Qb6 17.Be3+–;
16...Qd8 17.Rd1 Nd7 18.Qxe6+–) 17.b4
Qb6 18.Be3+–]
16...b5 17.Ne4 Nxe4 18.Qxe4 Qc7
19.Rhd1 Kf7 20.Qf3+ Kg8 21.Qd3 Kg7
277
22.h4 h6 23.Be3 Qc4 24.Qxc4 Rxc4 25.g3
Rc6 26.Rd7 Kf7 27.Rb7 Bg7 28.Rdd7 Bf6
29.Bb6 Rhc8 30.Rbc7 R6xc7 31.Bxc7 Ke8
20...Nd6 21.Qxa6 f6 22.Nxe7 Kxe7 23.Bc5
Rxc5 24.Qa7+ Nb7 25.Qxb7+ Ke8 26.Rd2
0–1
1–0
(8) Morozevich,Alexander (2694) Fier,Alexandr (2566) [B48]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.2), 01.09.2011
[Smirnov]
(9) Kamsky,Gata (2735) - Karpov,Anatoly
(2770) [C43]
FIDE-Wch Elista (6), 1996
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7+pwq-vlpzpp'
6p+-zp-sn-+&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-+-wQPzP-+$
3+-sN-vL-+-#
2PzPP+L+PzP"
1+-mKR+-+R!
xabcdefghy
12.fxe5! [(white can deprive black of
castling)]
12...dxe5 13.Qa4+ Kf8 [Unfortunately for
black, Bd7 move is impossible: 13...Bd7?
14.Rxd7! Nxd7 (14...Qxd7 15.Bb5) 15.Nd5
Qd6 16.Rd1 and white should be easily
winning. Because of black's centralized
king, he plays without 2 rooks!; 13...b5?
14.Nxb5+–]
14.Rhf1 Bd7 15.Qb3 Rc8 16.Kb1 Be6
17.Nd5 Nxe4 18.Bg4 Qc6 19.Bxe6 Qxe6
20.Qxb7 [(The black's main problem is his
rook, locked on h8. So white is not even
attacking black's king. White attacks
black's unprotected queen-side.)]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-mk-+-+(
7zp-zpltrpzp-'
6-zp-vl-wq-zp&
5+-+P+-+-%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+-+LvL-zP-#
2P+-+-zPKzP"
1+R+QtR-+-!
xabcdefghy
[Because of black's centralized king, his
a8–rook is out of game. Following the
principle of the least active piece, black
should ativate that rook first of all.]
21...Ke8! [(Black is intending to play Kf8
and to develop his rook to e8 after that. A
good idea!)]
22.Bc2!? [(white is preparing Qd3 trying to
penetrate into h7. However, it doesn't
work)]
[Generally we should open a position
when opponent's king is in a center:
22.c5! bxc5 23.Qc2 Kf8 24.Bxc5 with equal
position]
278
22...Qc3 [! (preventing Qd3)]
23.Bb3? [(this dull move makes the b3–
bishop a taller pawn. Any natural move
like Qd3 or Bd4 etc would be better)]
23...Kf8 24.Rc1 Qf6 25.Bc2? [(White stuck
to his plan, which doesn't work anyway)]
[25.c5! (we should attack! Also this opens
lines for white's bishops and rooks.)
25...bxc5 26.Bxc5 Bxc5 27.Rxc5 Bg4?
(27...Rae8=) 28.Qxg4! Rxe1 now white has
a shocking stroke 29.d6! white is
threatening Rf5, and if black takes a pawn
29...Qxd6 then 30.Qf3 is a dual attack of
a8–rook and f7–pawn.]
25...Rae8³ [While white spent time on
purposeless moves, black consolidated his
position. Now black has an initiative
position thanks to white's weaknesses.]
26.Qd3 Bg4 [King: Kamsky must have
been angling to play the queen down to
h7, but now that he is here he must have
realised that 27 Qh7 would have been met
by 27...g5!, when White can make no
further progress, and then he must
suddenly deal with the threats to his own
king.]
27.Bd2 [? A decisive mistake in the
difficult position.]
[27.Bd4 ? 27...Qf3+ 28.Qxf3 Bxf3+ 29.Kf1
Rxe1+ 30.Rxe1 Bg2+ 31.Kxg2 Rxe1µ;
27.Qh7 g5µ; 27.Bd1 Bf5 28.Qd2 Ba3µ;
27.f4 Karpov 27...Bc5 28.Bxc5 bxc5
29.Rxe7 Rxe7 30.Bd1 Re1 31.Rb1 Qf5
32.Qxf5 Bxf5 33.Rb8+ Ke7 34.Bf3 Ra1
35.Rb2 Bb1³ !]
27...Re2 28.Rxe2 [28.Be3 Qf3+ 29.Kg1
Bh3–+; 28.Rf1 Ftacnik 28...Rxd2 ! 29.Qxd2
Qf3+ 30.Kg1 Bh3–+]
28...Rxe2 29.Rf1 [29.Be1 Karpov 29...Bc5–
+ x f2; 29.Be3 Qf3+ 30.Kg1 Rxc2 ! 31.Qxc2
Bh3–+]
29...Rxd2 [29...Rxd2 30.Qxd2 Qf3+ 31.Kg1
Bh3–+]
0–1
(10) Portisch,Lajos (2600) Karpov,Anatoly (2775) [E12]
Biel SKA Biel (8), 1996
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rwq-+-tr(
7zpl+nmkpzpp'
6-zp-+p+-+&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3zP-wQ-zPN+-#
2-zP-+LzPPzP"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
13.dxc5? [(White player (a famous GM)
demonstrates a typical misunderstanding.
He is trying to open a position and to
attack the black's king. BU T the main
black's problem isn't here. Black suffers
from the passive h8–rook, which is locked
at the corner. The white's correct play is
to play in a CENTER, where he has an extra
rook into the game.]
279
[13.0–0 following with Rd1 and Rc1 would
save white's advantage]
active. Now black can't keep all his weak
pawns.)]
13...Rxc5 14.Qxg7 Rg8‚ [(white helped
black to solve his biggest problem. Now
black's position is even more active.)]
41...Rb5 42.Rxa4 Rxb2 43.Be5 Rb5
44.Ra8+ Kd7 45.Bd4 Bd5 46.Rf8 Rb3
47.Rb8 Rxa3 48.Rxb7+ Ke8 49.Be5 Ra2
50.Re7+ Kd8 51.Rxf7 Bxf7 52.Kxf7 Rxg2
53.f4 Kd7 54.Kxg6 Ke6 55.Bd4 Kd5 56.Bg7
Kxc5 57.Bh6 Kd5 58.Kf5 c5 59.g6 Ra2
60.g7 Ra8 61.Bg5 c4 62.Bf6 Rc8 63.Bc3
Ra8 64.Kg6 Ke4 65.f5 Ra2 66.f6
15.Qxh7 Rxg2 [an interesting alternative is
15...Nf6!? 16.Qd3 (16.Qh3? Rh5 17.Nh4
Bxg2–+) 16...Qxd3 17.Bxd3 Rxg2 with an
initiative position]
16.Qh4+ Nf6 17.Rd1 Qc7 18.Nd4 a5
19.Nb5? Rxb5 20.Bxb5 Rg4
0–1
(11) Nikolic,Predrag - Huebner,Robert
[D46]
Tilburg Tilburg, 1987
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+k+-+-+(
7trp+-+pzp-'
6-+p+-+-+&
5+-zPl+-zP-%
4ptR-mK-vL-+$
3zP-+-+P+-#
2-zP-+-+P+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
38.Be5! [(White is enforcing black to play
g6, which will open a path for white's
king)]
38...g6 39.Bd6 Ra5 40.Ke5 Ba2 41.Kf6
[(The white's king became extremely
1–0
(12) Morphy,Paul - Budzinsky,J [C42]
Paris, 1859
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqk+-tr(
7zp-+-vl-+p'
6-+p+-+p+&
5snp+l+p+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-+L+N+-#
2PzPQsN-zPPzP"
1tR-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[On the next move black will castle
reaching an ordinary middlegame
position.]
16.Rxe7+!? [(white wants that black's king
stay in the center. Actually this idea is
pretty obvious. The real question is
whether is worths white's sacrifice? When
opponent's king is in a center, he is
playing without 2 rooks! Thus white's little
sacrifice is definitely correct.)]
280
16...Kxe7 17.Re1+ Kf7 18.Bxf5! gxf5? [(too
optimistic)]
[better was 18...Re8 but white keeps
attacking after 19.Ne5+ Rxe5 (19...Kg7!
20.Bd3©) 20.dxe5 gxf5 21.Qxf5+ Kg8
22.Ne4‚]
19.Qxf5+ [(Now the white's whole army is
attacking the black's exposed king. Black's
2 rooks and a5–knight are out of game. So
white's attack should be easily
successful!)]
19...Qf6 [19...Kg7 20.Qg4+ Kf8 (20...Kf7
21.Ne5+ Kf8 22.Qf4+ Kg7 23.Re3 and Rg3)
21.Re5 with a wining attack]
20.Ne5+ Kg7 21.Qg4+ Kh6
22.Nd7++–]
[21...Kf8
22.Re3 Bxg2 23.Kxg2 Rhg8 24.Rh3+ Qh4
25.Rxh4#
1–0
(13) Ljubojevic,Lj (2590) - Gurevich,M
(2650) [C05]
Linares 51/264, 1991
[Gurevich,M]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7zpp+n+-zpp'
6-wqn+pzp-+&
5+-+pzP-+-%
4-vl-zP-zP-zP$
3+-+L+NmK-#
2PzP-+-+P+"
1tR-vLQ+-sNR!
xabcdefghy
[The white's king is exposed. Black only
needs to open a position in order to start
a direct attack.]
12...Nxd4! 13.Nxd4 fxe5 [(with just 2
moves black opened a position
completely. Now his attack meets no
obstacles.)]
[13...Qxd4?? 14.Bxh7+]
14.fxe5 [14.Nb3 exf4+ 15.Bxf4 Rxf4
16.Kxf4 Qf2+ 17.Qf3 e5+ mating the
white's king soon]
14...Nxe5 15.Bc2 Ng6 16.Bxg6 hxg6
17.Nde2 [17.Ndf3 Bd6+ 18.Kh3 Qf2
19.Qe1 e5+ 20.g4 Rxf3+–+]
17...Qf2+ 18.Kh3 Bd6 [(Because of black's
castling, he has an extra rook into the
game!)]
281
19.Qb3 [19.g4 Rf3+; 19.Bg5 e5+ 20.g4
Bxg4+ 21.Kxg4 Qf5+ 22.Kg3 e4+ 23.Kg2
Qg4+]
19...e5+ 20.Kh2 Qxh4+ 21.Nh3 Bxh3
[21...Bxh3 22.Qxh3 e4+ 23.g3 Rf2+ 24.Kg1
Qxh3 25.Rxh3 Rxe2]
0–1
(14) Heinemann,Thies - Schilow,Vladimir
[C03]
Variation from game Germany GER (13.7),
06.04.2008
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-+-+(
7+p+l+-zpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+pmk-+-%
4p+-+-sN-+$
3+-zP-+-zP-#
2PzP-+-+-zP"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[The white's position looks very
dangerous. First, black has a bishop, which
is much more powerful than a knight in an
endgame. Secondly, black's king is very
active. Right now black is going to play
Ke4, where the king will have a
dominating position and will be ready to
penetrate
into
white's
territory
afterwards. White must prevent it
somehow.]
35.Nd3+! [(White has the only way to
prevent black from playing Ke4)]
[a "natural" move 35.Kf2? is very weak. It
doesn't hamper the black's plan. Probably
white is losing now. 35...Ke4 36.Ke2 g5
37.Ng2 Bb5+ 38.Kd2 (38.Kf2 Kd3) 38...Kf3
39.Ne3 Bc4 and the black's king will
capture white's king-side pawns.]
35...Kf5 [35...Ke4? is now impossible
because of 36.Nc5+ fork!]
36.g4+! [(Generally it's not good for white,
because it weakens his pawns. However,
this is the only way to push away the
black's king.)]
[36.Nf2!? looks interesting. It sets a
barrier on a way of black's king. Now
white only needs to bring his king into a
center to retain a draw. However, black
has a sudden "counter-restriction"!
36...Bb5! 37.Kg2 Be2 the white's king
suddenly appeared in a cage! Black is
going to play Ke5 and d4 winning a game.;
36.Kf2? allows black to realize his plan
after 36...Bb5 37.Nf4 Ke4]
36...Kg5 37.h3 [(The white's king-side
pawns are weak. However, black's pawns
(a4, b7, d5) are also weak, which gives
white enough counterplay.)]
37...h5 38.Nc5 Bc8 [38...Bc6 39.gxh5=]
39.Nxa4 hxg4 40.hxg4 Kxg4 [Black is still
better thanks to his bishop. However,
white should be able to keep a draw due
to the little quantity of pawns.]
½–½
282
(15) Kozul,Zdenko (2611) Topalov,Veselin (2707) [A43]
Istanbul ol (Men) Istanbul (8.1),
05.11.2000
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7zp-sn-+pvlp'
6-+-zpp+p+&
5+PzpP+-zP-%
4-+P+P+-+$
3+Q+L+N+-#
2R+-sN-zPP+"
1+-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
14...Kf8 [! (Next, black will take on d5,
opening the e-file. This will force white to
remove his king from the e-file by making
castling. After that black will play h6,
bringing his rook into the game and
opening the h-file for his future attack
against a white's king. What a great plan!)]
15.Ra3 exd5 16.exd5 a6 17.0–0 [17.b6 ?
17...Rb8 18.0–0 (18.bxc7 Qe7+–+ !)
18...Na8µ]
17...Rb8 18.Re1 h6 19.gxh6 Rxh6 20.Ne4
Rb6 21.Qa2 [21.Nc3 Bg4µ]
21...Bg4 22.Neg5 [22.Re3 axb5 23.cxb5
Rh5µ]
22...Bf6 23.Qd2 Rh5 24.Qa5 Na8 25.Ne4?
Bxf3 26.gxf3 Bd4 [Opposite-colored
bishops and open lines against white's
king give black a powerful attack.]
27.Kf1 Rh2 28.Ke2 f5 29.Nd2 Bxf2
30.Rea1 Be3+ 31.Kxe3 Qg5+ [31...Qg5+
32.f4 Qg3+ 33.Nf3 Qf2#]
0–1
283
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 4.
Now it’s time to examine your skills in handling QUEEN. You will find some easy task, while
others are quite difficult. Sometimes you will need to use your calculation skills also.
Your Task:
Open the database “TASK 4 GAMES SECTION” and detect the best moves in presented
positions.
After that, open the database “TASK 4 ANSWERS SECTION” and check yourself.
The Notes:
 Of course you should NOT just guess the right move. You should:
1. Recollect the general strategical rules applicable for a given position.
2. Detect the best move based on those positional rules.
3. Calculate the consequences of this move.
 If you experience any problem or don’t understand something – you should study the
video lesson # 7 once again.
284
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 4 GAMES SECTION
(1) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2495) Werner,Bernd Michael [A65]
Cappelle op 11th Cappelle la Grande (5),
1995
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-trl+r+k+(
7+-+n+pvlp'
6p+-zp-snp+&
5+pzpP+-vL-%
4Pwq-+P+-+$
3tR-sN-+PsN-#
2-zPQ+L+PzP"
1+-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(2) Botvinnik Mikhail M (RUS) (2630) Spielmann Rudolf (AUT) [B13]
It Moscow (Russia) (1), 1935
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
(3) Karpov,Anatoly (2770) - Kamsky,Gata
FIDE-Wch Elista (9), 1996
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-tr-mk(
7+-+-zp-vlp'
6-wQ-+-+p+&
5+-+-+l+-%
4p+-zP-+-+$
3+-+-vL-+-#
2-+-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(4) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2440) Haritos,Hristos [B39]
Athens op Athens (1), 1993
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-zppzpp'
6-+-+-sn-+&
5+-+P+-vL-%
4-sn-zP-+-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2Pwq-+-zPPzP"
1+-tRQmKLsNR!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+k+-tr(
7zpl+-zpp+-'
6-zp-zpn+-+&
5wq-+-vl-zpp%
4-+P+P+-+$
3+PsNLvLP+-#
2P+-wQ-tRPzP"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
285
(5)Karpov,Anatoly
(2775)
Romanishin,Oleg M [E12]
Biel SKA Biel (11), 1996
[Smirnov]
-
(7) Berkes,Ferenc (2696) Efimenko,Zahar [A11]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.2), 01.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+n+k+(
7+-+l+pvlp'
6psN-zp-+p+&
5+-zpPzp-vL-%
4-+P+P+-+$
3zPR+-+PzPq#
2-+Q+-+NzP"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(6) Zukertort Johannes (GER) - Steinitz
Wilhelm (CZE) [C46]
It London (England), 1883
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+r+k+(
7zpp+n+p+-'
6-+pzp-+pwQ&
5+-+-+q+-%
4-+-+NzP-+$
3+-+-tR-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1+-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+q+r+k+(
7zpp+-zppvlp'
6-snp+-snp+&
5+-vL-+-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+P+NzPl#
2PzPQsN-zPLzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
(8) Korchnoi Viktor (SUI) (2639) - Smirnov
Pavel (RUS) [E73]
Ch Europe Ohrid (Macedonia) (7), 2001
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zpp+-+pvlp'
6n+pzp-snp+&
5+-+-zp-vL-%
4-+PzPP+l+$
3+-sN-+N+-#
2PzP-wQLzPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
286
(9) Tratar,M (2482) - Korchnoi,V [E11]
34th Open Donostia ESP (5), 20.04.2011
[Smirnov]
(10) *GM_Carlsen - *GM_Ivanchuk [E21]
ICC 90 0 u Internet Chess Club, 10.10.2011
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqk+-tr(
7+pzp-+pzpp'
6-+-+psn-+&
5zp-+-+-+-%
4-vlpzP-+-+$
3+-+-+NzP-#
2PzPQvLPzPLzP"
1tRN+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-tr-mk(
7+lzp-tR-zpp'
6nzp-+-+-+&
5zp-+n+LsNq%
4-+p+-vL-+$
3zP-+-+-zP-#
2-zPQ+PzP-zP"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
½–½
1–0
287
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 4 ANSWERS SECTION
(1) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2495) Werner,Bernd Michael [A65]
Cappelle op 11th Cappelle la Grande (5),
1995
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-trl+r+k+(
7+-+n+pvlp'
6p+-zp-snp+&
5+pzpP+-vL-%
4Pwq-+P+-+$
3tR-sN-+PsN-#
2-zPQ+L+PzP"
1+-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
16.axb5! [(After a closing of the b-file the
black's queen has no way back)]
[16.Bd2? bxa4 17.Nb5 axb5 18.Bxb4 cxb4
19.Ra1 Nc5 and black got pretty good
compensation]
16...axb5 17.Bd2 [(Now white is
threatening to play Nb5 capturing the
black's queen. That's why we should keep
our queen on the first 3 ranks at an early
stage of game. Too advanced queen can
be attacked by opponent's forces.)]
17...c4? [the only way to escape is
17...Qd4 but white is much better after
simple 18.Nxb5 Qe5 19.0–0 white has an
extra pawn, while the black's queen is still
vulnerable]
18.Na4+– [(now the queen is trapped)]
18...Qxa4 19.Rxa4 bxa4 20.0–0 Ba6
21.Qxa4 Nc5 22.Qc2 Nd3 23.Bc3 Nd7
24.Ra1 N7c5 25.Bxg7 Kxg7 26.Rxa6 Nxa6
27.Qxc4 Ndc5 28.Qc3+ f6 29.Bxa6 Nxa6
30.Qc6 Nc5 31.Qc7+ Kh6 32.Qxd6 Nd3
33.Nf5+
1–0
(2) Botvinnik Mikhail M (RUS) (2630) Spielmann Rudolf (AUT) [B13]
It Moscow (Russia) (1), 1935
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-zppzpp'
6-+-+-sn-+&
5+-+P+-vL-%
4-sn-zP-+-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2Pwq-+-zPPzP"
1+-tRQmKLsNR!
xabcdefghy
[When your opponent develops his queen
at an early stage of a game, you should try
to attack this queen! It can help you to
gain some extra tempos or even to
capture the queen.]
9.Na4! Qxa2
11.Bc4+–]
[9...Qa3
10.Rc3
10.Bc4 Bg4 [10...Qa3 11.Rc3+–]
Qxa2
288
11.Nf3 Bxf3 12.gxf3 Qa3 13.Rc3
[Generally, we should develop a queen
LAST of all.]
1–0
(3) Karpov,Anatoly (2770) - Kamsky,Gata
(2735)
FIDE-Wch Elista (9), 1996
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-tr-mk(
7+-+-zp-vlp'
6-wQ-+-+p+&
5+-+-+l+-%
4p+-zP-+-+$
3+-+-vL-+-#
2-+-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[White has a material advantage. How to
realize it? How to use the white's queen
effectively?]
27.h4! [(A queen loves to have many
objects for an attack. In this case it can
show its full power. Thus white should
attack on the whole board. The h4 move
will help white to start attacking black's
king-side by playing h5 (at a suitable
moment). Also white solved his "back rank
problem".)]
27...e6 [27...Rfb8? allows white to
performa little combo: 28.Rxa4 Rxb6
29.Rxa8+ Bf8 30.Bh6+–; 27...a3? loses a
pawn after 28.Qb3]
28.Bf4 Be4 29.Bd6 [(here the bishop
resitricts both black's rooks and blockades
the a-pawn. Your piece on a central
squares of the 6th rank usually paralyzes
an opponent!)]
29...Rfc8 30.Qb5 Bc6 31.Qb4 Kg8 32.Ra3
[(First white restricted black's eventual
counterplay. Now white is ready to create
"the 2nd weakness" and to spread black's
defense. For instance white can play h5,
Rg3, Be5 etc)]
32...Ra6? [(this blunder hastens a loss)]
33.Qc4 Rca8 34.Qxe6+ Kh8 35.Be5 Bxe5
36.Qxe5+ Kg8 37.h5 Be8 38.h6 R6a7
39.d5 Rb7 40.d6 Rd8 41.Rf3 [(white is
threatening Qh8!)]
1–0
289
(4) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2440) Haritos,Hristos [B39]
Athens op Athens (1), 1993
[Smirnov]
(5) Karpov,Anatoly (2775) Romanishin,Oleg M (2555) [E12]
Biel SKA Biel (11), 1996
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+k+-tr(
7zpl+-zpp+-'
6-zp-zpn+-+&
5wq-+-vl-zpp%
4-+P+P+-+$
3+PsNLvLP+-#
2P+-wQ-tRPzP"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+n+k+(
7+-+l+pvlp'
6psN-zp-+p+&
5+-zpPzp-vL-%
4-+P+P+-+$
3zPR+-+PzPq#
2-+Q+-+NzP"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[The black's queen is in front of her army.
This lets white think about attacking and
capturing the queen!]
[The black's queen is amidst white's
pieces. White may try to capture it.]
29.Ne1 [(with an idea Nd3–f2)]
17.Qb2! [(threatening b4)]
17...Nc5 18.Bf1 Qb4 19.Bxg5 Bd4 20.Kh1
Rg8 21.Bh4 Bxf2 22.Bxf2 [(black's queen is
still in the cage!)]
22...Ne6 23.Nb5 [23.Nd5! Bxd5 24.cxd5
Nc5 25.Be1+–]
23...Bc6 24.a3 Qa5 25.a4 Rc8 26.Be1 Qa6
27.c5 Kf8 28.cxd6 exd6 29.Bb4 Nc5
30.Nxd6
1–0
29...Rb7 [29...Bf6
31.Nxf6++–]
?
30.Nxd7
Rxb3
30.Nd3 Qh5 31.Nxd7 Rxd7 [?!]
[31...Rxb3 would save black's queen after
32.Qxb3 Qxg5 However after 33.Qb8!
white gets a winning position 33...Qe7
34.Qc8 and black has nothing to do]
32.h4 [(preparing g4)]
32...Qxf3 33.Nf2 [!]
[33.Nf2 ! 33...Qh5 34.g4+–]
1–0
290
(6) Zukertort Johannes (GER) - Steinitz
Wilhelm (CZE) [C46]
It London (England), 1883
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+r+k+(
7zpp+n+p+-'
6-+pzp-+pwQ&
5+-+-+q+-%
4-+-+NzP-+$
3+-+-tR-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1+-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[White is threatening Rh3 and Nd6. Black's
position seems hopeless.]
23...Rxe4! [(black found an interesting
strategical idea. This is the best black's
chance indeed.)]
[23...Qh5?! 24.Qxh5 gxh5 25.Rg3+ Kf8
26.Nxd6 would gave white a clear
advantage]
24.Rh3 Qf6 25.Qh7+ Kf8 26.Qh8+ Ke7
27.Qxa8 [(Now it looks like white is just
winning. However, black noticed an
important factor: the white's queen
appeared far away from the place of
action. Black can use it for starting a
counterattack!)]
27...Qd4+ 28.Kh1 Rxf4 [(Suddenly black is
an attacking! The note: it was necessary to
calculate the lines until this position
before playing 23...Re4)]
29.Re1+ [29.Rg1 Nc5 with the following
Ne4 gave black good counter-chances]
29...Re4 30.Rxe4+? [30.Rf1 Rf4=; 30.Rg1!
Qf2 31.Rf3! would save white's advantage
(31.Qxb7? Re1–+) ]
30...Qxe4 31.Qxa7 b6! [Keeping the
white's queen out of a game. Now white
can't prevent a simple move Qe1 mate!]
0–1
(7) Berkes,Ferenc (2696) Efimenko,Zahar (2706) [A11]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.2), 01.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+q+r+k+(
7zpp+-zppvlp'
6-snp+-snp+&
5+-vL-+-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+P+NzPl#
2PzPQsN-zPLzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
14.Bxh3?! Qxh3 15.Qb3 [(This variation
looks promising for white. Now he is
threatening the b6–knight and Qf7
following with Ng5. However, white
underestimated the power of black's
queen around white's castling. A queen is
the most powerful attacking piece. You
should check variations very carefully
before "inviting" opponent's queen at
291
your territory. In the current position it
was too dangerous for white.)]
15...Bh6 [Black even were able to ignore
the white's threat: 15...Ng4 16.Qxf7+?!
Kxf7 17.Ng5+ Kg8 18.Nxh3 Na4 19.Ba3
Rad8 with very active position]
16.Bxb6 axb6 17.Nc4 Ng4 [(now black
only needs to eliminate the f3–knight)]
18.Qxb6 e5 19.a4 Re6 20.a5 [(fantastical
coolness :)]
20...Rae8 21.a6 bxa6 22.Rxa6 Kg7 [(now
black is ready to play Rf6)]
[22...Rf6? 23.Ncxe5 Rxe5 24.Qd8+ Bf8
25.Ra8÷]
23.Qxc6 Rxc6 24.Rxc6 Rd8 25.Rc7 Rxd3
26.Rxf7+ Kg8 27.Re1 Bf4
0–1
(8) Korchnoi Viktor (SUI) (2639) - Smirnov
Pavel (RUS) (2510) [E73]
Ch Europe Ohrid (Macedonia) (7), 2001
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zpp+-+pvlp'
6n+pzp-snp+&
5+-+-zp-vL-%
4-+PzPP+l+$
3+-sN-+N+-#
2PzP-wQLzPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[White obviously should activate his rooks
(a principle of the least active piece at
work). There are 3 logical squares for the
rooks: c1, d1 and e1. Which ones to
choose?]
10.Rad1! [(There is one practical hint for
such a situation: it's useful to oppose your
rook to an opponent's queen. It will be
unpleasant for your opponent in many
different variations. That's why white
placed his a-rook to d1.)]
10...Qc7 [(black decided to place his
queen in safety, but now the a6–knight
has no available squares)]
[10...Qe7 seems more natural, but in this
case white can play 11.Rfe1 opposing
another rook to black's queen. Actually
white aimed to this position while playing
10.Rad1.]
11.h3 Be6 12.a3 Rfe8 13.d5 cxd5 14.cxd5
Bd7 15.b4 [(white has a clear advantage)]
292
15...Rac8 16.Rc1 Qb8 17.Qe3 Nh5 18.Qd2
Nf4 19.Bb5 Qc7 20.Bxf4 exf4 21.Qxf4 Nb8
22.Ng5 Re7 23.Bxd7 Qxd7 24.Nb5 Rxc1
25.Rxc1 Be5 26.Qh4 h5 27.Rc7 Qe8
28.Ne6 Rxc7 29.Nbxc7 Qd7 30.Qd8+ Qxd8
31.Nxd8 Bb2 32.a4 Bc3 33.Nxb7 Bxb4
34.Nb5 a6 35.N5xd6 Nd7 36.Nc4 Kf8
37.Kf1 Nf6 38.f3 Ke7 39.Nba5 Bxa5
40.Nxa5 Nd7 41.Nc4 Nc5 42.a5 f5 43.e5
Nd3 44.h4 f4 45.Ke2 Nb4 46.Nb6
9...Bd7 [(The white's queen is constantly
attacked by black's pieces. That's why he
should NOT develop the queen too early.)]
10.0–0 Rb6 11.Qd3 [11.Qg5 h6 12.Qxg7?
Rh7–+]
11...Bb5 12.Qe3 Nd5 13.Qe4 Nf6 14.Qe3
Nd5 [In an opening black's task is to
equalize a game. Here black realized this
task easily.]
1–0
½–½
(9) Tratar,M (2482) - Korchnoi,V (2557)
[E11]
34th Open Donostia ESP (5), 20.04.2011
[Smirnov]
(10) *GM_Carlsen - *GM_Ivanchuk [E21]
ICC 90 0 u Internet Chess Club, 10.10.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqk+-tr(
7+pzp-+pzpp'
6-+-+psn-+&
5zp-+-+-+-%
4-vlpzP-+-+$
3+-+-+NzP-#
2PzPQvLPzPLzP"
1tRN+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-tr-mk(
7+lzp-tR-zpp'
6nzp-+-+-+&
5zp-+n+LsNq%
4-+p+-vL-+$
3zP-+-+-zP-#
2-zPQ+PzP-zP"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[White just played Qc2 and now is going
to take Qc4. This breaks a strategical rule:
don't develop your queen at an early
stage of a game.]
[A position is complicated. Right now
black is attacking the white's rook and
bishop. What should white do?]
7...Ra6!? [(Black is trying to punish white
for his strategical mistake and to take
advantage of the white's prematurely
developed queen.)]
8.Qxc4 Rc6 9.Qb5 [9.Qd3? Rc1# ouch!]
19.Bg4! [(white gets an advantage in the
end of this forcing variation. By the way
it's not that hard to find this move, if you
remeber the base strategical principles!
According to the principle of attack, first
of all we should consider attacking moves.
293
From this point of view white has not too
many options.)]
30...Nc6 31.Rd5 Ne6 32.Qc4 Ncd8
33.Qg4+ Ng7 [33...Kh8 34.Bd2 and Bc3]
[computer suggests 19.Re5 Perhaps it's
good, but a bit unnatural. After 19...Nxf4
20.gxf4 a position is still unclear]
34.Qxc8 [White wins]
19...Qg6 [19...Qh6? 20.Nf7++–]
20.Nf7+ Kg8 21.Bf5 [(The black's queen is
in front of his army, which gives white a
possibility to attack it!)]
[Here white could force a draw: 21.Nh6+
Kh8 (21...gxh6? 22.Qxg6+ hxg6 23.Be6+
Kh8 24.Bxd5 Bxd5 25.Be5+ Kg8 26.Rg7++–
) 22.Nf7+ Kg8 23.Nh6+= However, white
wants more!]
21...Qxf5 [21...Qh5? 22.g4 Qh4 23.Bg3
Qh3 (23...Qxe7? 24.Bxh7+ Kxf7 25.Qg6#)
24.Ng5 and the queen is trapped]
22.Qxf5 Nxe7 23.Nh6+! [(It's very
important to break black's pawn structure.
The queen needs to have lots of objects
for an attack)]
23...gxh6 24.Qg4+ Ng6 25.Bxh6 [(The
note: it was necessary to calculate the
lines until this position before playing
19.Bg4. Generally black has enough
material compensation for a queen.
However, his pieces are disorganized. In
contrast to black, the white's queen is
very powerful. It can attack black's
numerous weaknesses with a great
effect.)]
25...Rf7 26.Rd1 Re8 27.h4 Nc5 28.h5 Bc8
29.Qxc4 Ne5 30.Qh4 [(threatening Rd8
and Qg5)]
1–0
294
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 5 (PART-1).
Here is another little exam for you!
The task: Remember and write down the strategic rules about a ROOK. Include all the
rules that you know.
After that you may go to the answer (presented in the next chapter of this e-book) and
check yourself
The Notes: If you weren’t able to remember ALL important rules by yourself, then you NEED
to watch again the video lesson #7
295
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
A ROOK
“How to use your rook?’
There are 2 main rules for a rook play.
1)
A rook needs open lines
It’s important to understand it. A rook can be powerful ONLY if it has open lines. In closed
positions a rook is not very active; its value becomes closer to a minor piece. That’s why:
 If there is an open line – you should place your rook there.
 If there are NO open lines – then it’s your task to provide open lines for your
rooks! For this purpose you should push pawns forward and trade them.
2)
Keep your rooks connected.
2 Rooks are the most powerful when they are connected (2 rooks on the 7 th rank, double
rooks on an open file and so on). That’s why you should always try to keep your rooks
connected.
General scheme for a rook’s usage during a practical game.
1. In an opening you should castle to bring the rook into a game.
2. After that you need to finish development and to move your Queen. This will
connect the rooks (connected rook are the most powerful).
3. Next, you should provide open lines for your rooks. Push your pawns and trade
them. After that you’ll be able to place a rook on an open file, where it’s the most
active.
296
4. Then you will use an open file to penetrate into opponent’s territory and to start a
direct attack.
Following the principle of maximum activity, you should move your rook as forward as
possible.
 If you can penetrate into the 8th rank, you will attack opponent’s king.
 If you invade in the 7th rank, you will attack all opponent’s pawns. Additionally it
often creates a mating net around opponent’s king.
297
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 5 (PART-2).
Now it’s time for you to apply your theoretical knowledge in practice.
Your Task:
Open the database “TASK 5 (PART-2) GAMES SECTION” and detect the best moves in
presented positions.
After that, open the database “TASK 5 (PART-2) ANSWERS SECTION” and check yourself.
The Notes:
 Of course you should NOT just guess the right move. You should:
1. Recollect the general strategical rules applicable for a given position.
2. Detect the best move based on those positional rules.
3. Calculate the consequences of this move.
 If you experience any problem or don’t understand something – you should study the
video lesson # 7 once again.
298
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 5 (PART-2) GAMES SECTION
(1) Greko–12 (2025) - Abm_yassin (1828)
[C47]
Friendly Game, 25m + 0s Main Playing
Hall, 13.11.2009
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7+-zp-+pzpp'
6p+-zp-+-+&
5+p+Qwq-+-%
4-+-+P+PzP$
3+-+-+P+-#
2PzPP+-+-+"
1+-mKR+-+R!
xabcdefghy
(3) McConnell,J - Morphy,Paul [C02]
New Orleans, 1850
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+kvl-tr(
7zpp+l+pzpp'
6-wqn+p+-+&
5+-+pzPn+-%
4-zP-zP-zP-+$
3zP-+Q+N+-#
2-vL-+-+PzP"
1tRN+-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
(2) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2565) Alexakis,Dimitrios (2240) [E18]
Piraeus op Piraeus, 1997
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-trr+k+(
7+lsn-+-zpp'
6pzppwq-zp-+&
5+-+p+-+-%
4Q+-zP-sN-+$
3zP-tR-zP-zP-#
2-zP-+-zPLzP"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(4) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2565) Skembris,Spyridon (2450) [D53]
GRE-ch Athens, 1997
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zpp+nvlpzp-'
6-+-+p+-zp&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+pzPP+-+$
3+-sN-+-zP-#
2PzPQ+LzPP+"
1+-+RmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
299
(5) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2565) Kanelakis,Simeon [A80]
Korinthos op 1st Korinthos (1), 1997
[Smirnov]
(7) Erwich,Marc JL (2205)
Dongen,Cor (2135) [B13]
Lost Boys op Amsterdam, 2000
[Smirnov]
-
Van
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7zpp+n+-zpp'
6-+pvlpsn-+&
5+-+p+pvL-%
4-+PzP-+-+$
3+-+LzPN+-#
2PzP-sN-zPPzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+q+-trk+(
7+p+-+pvlp'
6p+l+p+p+&
5+-zPpsN-+-%
4-+-zP-vL-+$
3+Qsn-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(6) Kasparov,Garry (2630) Petrosian,Tigran V (2585) [E11]
Bugojno GM Bugojno (6), 05.1982
[Smirnov]
(8) Naroditsky Daniel (2403) - Kamsky
Gata (2713) [B12]
2011 U.S. Championship (6), 21.04.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7zpp+-wqpzpp'
6-sn-+p+-+&
5+-+-sN-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-zP-#
2PzP-wQPzPLzP"
1+-tRR+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+k+-+(
7+p+-vlpzp-'
6p+r+p+-zp&
5+-+pzP-+P%
4-+-vL-+-+$
3+-zPK+-+R#
2PzP-+-zPP+"
1tR-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
0–1
300
(9) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2565) Karagiannis,Athanasios (2265) [A56]
Halkida op Halkida, 1997
[Smirnov]
(11) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2565) Kasioura,Froso [A04]
Agios Nikolaos op Agios Nikolaos, 1997
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-tr-mk(
7+p+lsnqzpp'
6p+-zp-sn-vl&
5+-zpP+P+P%
4P+P+-zP-+$
3+-sN-+QsNL#
2-zP-vL-+K+"
1+-+-tR-+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-trk+(
7+-+qsn-vlp'
6p+-zp-+p+&
5+p+Pzp-+-%
4-+-+Pzp-+$
3+-+-+PzP-#
2PzP-+QvLLzP"
1tR-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(10) Illescas Cordoba,Miguel (2595) Short,Nigel D (2655) [C02]
Linares GM Linares (10), 03.1995
[Smirnov]
(12) Stevic,Hrvoje (2611) Telljohann,Sven (2415) [B01]
European Individual Chess Championship
Aix-les-Bains (9.58), 31.03.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-sn-wq-mk(
7+p+-tr-+-'
6-sn-+p+-zp&
5+P+pzPpzpN%
4p+-zP-+-+$
3zP-tR-+-+P#
2-+-wQLzPP+"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[WHITE'S TURN]
1–0
1–0
XABCDEFGHY
8-wq-trr+k+(
7+p+n+pzp-'
6p+pvl-sn-zp&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-zPPzP-+-+$
3zPQsN-vL-zPP#
2-+-+-zPL+"
1+-tR-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
301
(13) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Sederborg,B
Stockholm, 1962
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7+-+-+-vl-'
6-+-zp-zp-zp&
5zPp+Pzp-zp-%
4-+-zpP+L+$
3zP-+P+-zP-#
2-+R+-+-zP"
1+-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(15) Moiseenko,Alexander (2715) Inarkiev,Ernesto (2679) [B06]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.4), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7+p+-zppvlp'
6p+-zp-+p+&
5+-sn-zP-+-%
4-+-+-+n+$
3+-sNLvLN+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(14) Alekhine,Alexander - Prat [D07]
Paris, 1913
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqr+k+(
7zpp+lsnpzp-'
6-+p+psn-zp&
5+-+-sN-+-%
4-+LzPP+-+$
3vL-zP-+-+-#
2P+Q+-zPPzP"
1+-+R+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(16) Sher,Miron N - Magerramov,Elmar
[D32]
Helsinki op Helsinki (3), 1992
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7+-+-+pzpp'
6p+pwq-sn-+&
5+-vlp+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-sN-zPL+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
0–1
302
(17) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2490) Skaperdas,Kostantinos [D05]
Ikaria op Ikaria (4), 1998
[Smirnov]
(19) Kuzmin,G - Averbakh,Y [C98]
USSR 18/323 USSR 18/323, 1974
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-trk+(
7zpq+n+pzpp'
6-zp-+pvl-+&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-zP-+NvL-#
2PzP-+QzPPzP"
1+-+RtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8rtr-+-+k+(
7+nwqlvlp+p'
6p+-zp-snp+&
5+pzpPzp-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+PzP-+NsNP#
2P+LvL-zPP+"
1tR-+QtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(18) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2460) Atalik,Suat (2535) [A30]
Peristeri Peristeri (9), 1994
[Smirnov]
(20) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2460) Valkesalmi,Kimmo (2370) [D20]
Moscow ol (Men) Moscow (2), 1994
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-+k+(
7+q+-zppvlp'
6pzprzp-+p+&
5+-+R+-+-%
4P+P+P+-+$
3+P+-vLPzP-#
2-+-+Q+KzP"
1+-+R+-+-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-+-tr(
7+-+l+kzp-'
6pzp-zp-zpn+&
5+-+Pzp-+p%
4P+-+P+-zP$
3+-sN-vLPzP-#
2-zP-+K+-+"
1tR-tR-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
303
(21) Miles,Anthony J - Rivas
Pastor,Manuel
Linares 5th Linares, 1985
[Smirnov]
(23) Blackburne,Joseph Henry Steinitz,William [C46]
London, 1883
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+r+k+(
7zpp+n+pvlp'
6-+p+-+p+&
5+-zPpzp-+-%
4-zP-zPnvL-+$
3+-+LzPN+P#
2-zP-+-zPP+"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+nwq-+-+(
7zpp+l+rmkp'
6-+pzp-zpp+&
5+-+-+P+-%
4-+-sNP+-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzPPwQ-+PzP"
1+-+R+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(22) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2565) Alexakis,Dimitrios (2240) [A70]
GRE-chT Athens (7), 1997
[Smirnov]
(24) Chigorin,Mikhail - Falk,Rafail
Moscow, 1907
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+r+k+(
7+-wqn+pvl-'
6-zp-zp-+-zp&
5zpPzpPsn-zp-%
4P+-+P+-+$
3+-sN-+-+P#
2-+-sN-zPPvL"
1+-tRQtRLmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-+-+(
7+pzpnsn-+k'
6-zp-zp-zp-+&
5+-+-zpPzp-%
4-zP-+P+P+$
3zP-+P+LmK-#
2-+PvL-+-+"
1tR-+Q+-+-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
304
(25) Banikas,Hristos (2542) Legky,Nikolay A (2520) [D26]
Martinez op-A Cannes (5), 02.08.2000
[Smirnov]
(27)
Carlsen,Magnus
(2823)
Aronian,Levon (2807) [A36]
Botvinnik Memorial Moscow RUS (4),
03.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+N+-trk+(
7+-+-+pzp-'
6p+-vlpsn-zp&
5snp+qsN-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3zP-+-vL-+-#
2-zP-+QzPPzP"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[BLACK'S TURN]
1–0
0–1
(26) Dubinsky,A - Donchenko,Anatoly G
Leningrad, 1968
[Smirnov]
(28) Vidmar,Milan Sr Nimzowitsch,Aaron [E11]
New York New York (1), 1927
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-wq-trk+(
7+-+-snpvlp'
6-+nzpl+p+&
5zprzpNzp-+-%
4Q+-+-+-+$
3zP-+PzP-zP-#
2-zP-vLNzPLzP"
1+R+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[BLACK'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-tr-+(
7+p+-vl-mk-'
6-wqp+l+-zp&
5tr-+pzPpzp-%
4p+-+-+-+$
3+-+NzPPzP-#
2PzPRwQ-+LzP"
1+-+-+R+K!
xabcdefghy
[BLACK'S TURN]
0–1
0–1
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7zpl+-wq-+p'
6-zp-+-sn-+&
5+-zp-zppzp-%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+Q+-zPP+-#
2PzP-tRLvLPzP"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
-
305
(29) Karpov,Anatoly - Unzicker,Wolfgang
Nice ol (Men) fin-A Nice (3), 17.06.1974
[Smirnov]
(31) Polugaevsky,L - Dorfman,J [D70]
USSR (ch) USSR (ch) 26/671, 1978
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+rwq-vlk+(
7+n+l+p+p'
6-+-zp-snp+&
5+p+Pzp-+-%
4-zPp+P+-+$
3+-zP-vLNsNP#
2R+-wQ-zPP+"
1+L+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+n+q+k+(
7+p+n+-vl-'
6p+pzPptr-zp&
5zP-+-+-zp-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-sN-+NvLP#
2-zP-+QzPP+"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(30) Navara,David (2705) Zherebukh,Yaroslav (2580) [C04]
FIDE World Chess Cup 2011 KhantyMansiysk/Russia (4.2), 07.09.2011
[Smirnov]
(32) Portisch,Lajos (2630) Christiansen,Larry Mark (2585) [E12]
Phillips&Drew London, 1982
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7+pwq-+-zpp'
6-+nvlpsn-+&
5zpLzpp+-+-%
4P+-zP-+-+$
3+-zP-+NsN-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtr-+k+(
7zpl+-wqp+p'
6-zp-+pvlp+&
5sn-+-+-+P%
4-+-zPP+-+$
3zP-+LwQN+-#
2-vL-+-zPP+"
1+-+R+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
306
(33) Kortschnoj,Viktor (2605) Nijboer,Friso (2505) [E98]
NED-chT Netherlands (9), 1993
[Smirnov]
(35) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2490) Graf,Alexander (2625) [E41]
GRE-chT Poros (4), 22.04.1998
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqntrk+(
7+-+-sn-vl-'
6-+-zp-+-+&
5zp-zpPzp-zpp%
4P+P+Pzp-+$
3+-sNN+P+-#
2-+-+LvLPzP"
1+R+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7zpp+-snp+-'
6-+-zp-wq-zp&
5+-zpPzpPzp-%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+-zPL+Q+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1+RvL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(34) Karpov,Anatoly (2700) Spassky,Boris V (2650) [B83]
Leningrad csf Leningrad (9), 1974
[Smirnov]
(36) Nikolic,Predrag - Van Wely,Loek
[A30]
NED-ch Rotterdam (3), 23.06.1998
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-+-+(
7+q+-+pmk-'
6n+p+-+p+&
5zp-+-zp-+p%
4P+Q+P+-vl$
3+-zP-vL-+P#
2-zP-tR-+PmK"
1+N+-+R+-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-tr-+k+(
7+l+-vlpzpp'
6pzp-zppsn-+&
5+-wq-+-+-%
4-+P+-vL-+$
3+-sN-wQNzPL#
2PzP-+PzP-zP"
1+-tRR+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
307
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 5 (PART-2) ANSWERS SECTION
(1) Greko–12 (2025) - Abm_yassin (1828)
[C47]
Friendly Game, 25m + 0s Main Playing
Hall, 13.11.2009
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7+-zp-+pzpp'
6p+-zp-+-+&
5+p+Qwq-+-%
4-+-+P+PzP$
3+-+-+P+-#
2PzPP+-+-+"
1+-mKR+-+R!
xabcdefghy
17.Qxe5 [(This opens the line for white's
rooks)]
17...dxe5 18.Rd7 [(Now white can
penetrate into opponent's territory and
attack his pawns.)]
18...Rac8 19.Rhd1 Rfe8 20.R1d5 f6 21.Rc5
Kf8 22.Rcxc7 Rxc7 23.Rxc7 Rd8 24.Ra7
Rd6 25.h5 g6 26.h6 f5 27.Rxh7 fxe4
28.fxe4 Rd4 29.Rg7 Rxe4 30.Rxg6 Kf7
31.Rg7+ Kf8 32.g5 Rh4 33.Kd2
1–0
(2) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2565) Alexakis,Dimitrios (2240) [E18]
Piraeus op Piraeus, 1997
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-trr+k+(
7+lsn-+-zpp'
6pzppwq-zp-+&
5+-+p+-+-%
4Q+-zP-sN-+$
3zP-tR-zP-zP-#
2-zP-+-zPLzP"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
21.Rxc6! [(This is not even a sacrifce,
because white will take lots of black's
pawns soon. After this move white's
pieces invade into opponent's territory
and start capturing everything. White is
controlling the only open file, thus black
can't place his rooks in a job.)]
21...Bxc6 22.Rxc6 Qe7 23.Qc2 [Here black
resigned. The following variations prove a
timeliness of this decision.]
23...Nb5 [23...Rc8 24.Nxd5 Nxd5 25.Bxd5+
Kh8
26.Rxc8+–;
23...Rd7
24.Rxc7!
(24.Bh3!? is also winning) 24...Rxc7
25.Bxd5+ Kh8 26.Ng6+! hxg6 27.Qxg6 and
black can't prevent Qh5 mate!]
24.Bxd5+ Kh8 25.Re6 Qc7 26.Qf5 [and
Be4 on the next move]
1–0
308
(3) McConnell,J - Morphy,Paul [C02]
New Orleans, 1850
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+kvl-tr(
7zpp+l+pzpp'
6-wqn+p+-+&
5+-+pzPn+-%
4-zP-zP-zP-+$
3zP-+Q+N+-#
2-vL-+-+PzP"
1tRN+-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy
[When your rook is on an open line, you
should look for a possibility to penetrate
into opponent's territory. This will give
you a direct attack.]
11...Bxb4+! 12.axb4 Nxb4 13.Qd2 Rc2
[13...Nc2+!?–+]
14.Qd1 Ne3
0–1
(4) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2565) Skembris,Spyridon (2450) [D53]
GRE-ch Athens, 1997
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-trk+(
7zpp+nvlpzp-'
6-+-+p+-zp&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+pzPP+-+$
3+-sN-+-zP-#
2PzPQ+LzPP+"
1+-+RmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
[We all know that you should provide
open lines for your rooks. At the same
time this means that you should NOT give
open lines to your opponent's rooks.]
15.d5! [(White leaves the only open line
(d-line), which is under the white's
control)]
[15.dxc5?! would open a d-file for white,
but would also open the c-file for black!
15...Bxc5 16.0–0! Qe7 17.Bxc4 Rac8 and
black has even more initiative position]
15...exd5 16.Nxd5 [(we should place a
knight on a strong square)]
16...Qa5+ [Black were able to keep the
extra pawn 16...b5 However, after 17.f4
following with e5 white gets domination.
All black's pieces are inactive and it's
difficult to change this situation.]
17.Kf1 Rae8 18.Bxc4 b5 19.Nc3 bxc4
20.Rxd7 [(When you penetrate into the
309
7th rank, you will be able to attack
opponent's pawns and his king)]
20...Bf6 21.Rh5 Bxc3 22.bxc3 Re6
23.Rhd5! [(Connected rooks are the most
powerful)]
9...cxd5 [9...exd5 is currently impossible
because white will win a pawn 10.Bxf5
This happened because of the black's d7–
knight, which closed the c8–bishop's
diagonal. Of course this was a temporary
situation. That's why white should have
used it instantly.]
23...Rfe8 24.f3 Ra6 25.Rd2 Qb6 26.e5 Qe6
27.f4 Qg4 28.Rd8 Rae6 29.Qa4 Rxd8
30.Rxd8+ Kh7 31.Qxa7 Qxg3 32.Qxf7 Rb6
33.Qf5+ Rg6 34.Qe4 Qh4 35.Rd6 Qh1+
36.Kf2 Qh4+ 37.Kg1
10.Rc1 Qb6 11.Nb3 Ne4 12.Bf4
[(exchanging the main defender of black's
weaknesses)]
1–0
12...h6 13.Qc2 Rf7 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.Qc7
[(we should use an open line to penetrate
into opponent's territory)]
(5) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2565) Kanelakis,Simeon [A80]
Korinthos op 1st Korinthos (1), 1997
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7zpp+n+-zpp'
6-+pvlpsn-+&
5+-+p+pvL-%
4-+PzP-+-+$
3+-+LzPN+-#
2PzP-sN-zPPzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[Black's
advanced
pawns
create
weaknesses behind them (c5, d6, e6, e5).
However, white can't attack them
instantly, because the position is closed.]
9.cxd5! [(So white should open a position.
White chosen a right time for this move:
black can't recapture by the e-pawn at this
moment.)]
15...Nf8 16.Qxd6 Nxd6 17.Ne5 Re7 18.Rc2
a6 19.Rfc1 b5 20.Na5 Nc4 21.b3 Nxe5
22.dxe5 Re8 23.f4 Ng6 24.Rc7 Nf8 25.Kf2
Bd7 26.Nb7 Rec8 27.Nd6 Rxc7 28.Rxc7
Kh8 29.a3 Kg8 30.h3 Kh8 31.g4 g6 32.Kg3
Kg8 33.h4 Kg7 34.h5 Kh7 35.hxg6+ Kxg6
36.gxf5+ exf5 37.Kh4
1–0
310
(6) Kasparov,Garry (2630) Petrosian,Tigran V (2585) [E11]
Bugojno GM Bugojno (6), 05.1982
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7zpp+-wqpzpp'
6-sn-+p+-+&
5+-+-sN-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-zP-#
2PzP-wQPzPLzP"
1+-tRR+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[White's pressure on the open files is very
strong. Black needs to develop his bishop,
but white controls the d7–square very
well. Thus the only black's chance is to
play f6. After that black will try to develop
his bishop to d7, or will play e5 opening a
diagonal c8–h3 to his bishop.]
16.Qa5! [This move does a lot: 1) prevents
black from playing f6.2) prevents black
from playing Rb8.3) opens the d-file for
the white's rook.]
[16.Qd6!? was also possible, but helped
black to ease his position for a bit
16...Qxd6 17.Rxd6 f6 18.Nd3 Rb8±]
16...g6 [Black has nothing to do.]
[16...Nd5 17.e4 pushing black's knight
back; 16...f6 17.Nc4 Nxc4 18.Rxc4 and on
the next move white will play Rc7! This
was an idea of the white's move Qa5.]
17.Rd3 Nd5 18.e4 Nb6 19.Bf1 Re8
20.Rdd1 Rf8 21.a3 Kg7 22.b3 Kg8 23.a4
Rd8 24.Qc5 [Black resigned because of the
line:]
24...Qxc5 25.Rxd8+ Qf8 26.Rxf8+ Kxf8
27.Rc7+–
1–0
(7) Erwich,Marc JL (2205) - Van
Dongen,Cor (2135) [B13]
Lost Boys op Amsterdam, 2000
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+q+-trk+(
7+p+-+pvlp'
6p+l+p+p+&
5+-zPpsN-+-%
4-+-zP-vL-+$
3+Qsn-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[In the game white did an obvious move]
17.Qxc3 [Also white had a very interesting
idea 17.bxc3!? Now white is going to take
on c6 and to put his heavy pieces on the
b-file. Black can't oppose his rooks,
because the b8–square in attacked by the
white's f4–bishop. Thus black is
defenseless and white will succeed in his
attack. This is a good plan, but suddenly
black can hold a position (although a very
subtle play is required) 17...Be8! (this
bishop is the only piece, that can protect
black's queen-side. that's why black must
311
save it) 18.a4 (18.Rab1 f6 19.Nd3 Bb5 and
white will need to play a4 anyway) 18...f6
19.Nd3 Bc6 (guarding the b7–pawn again)
20.Bd6 Re8 21.Nb4 Bd7! Black saved his
light-squared bishop and can hold a
position. However, I doubt that Black
player could find these precise moves in a
real game play.]
17...f6 18.Nxc6 Qxc6 19.h4 Rfe8 20.Re2
b6 21.b4 a5 22.Rc1 axb4 23.Qxb4 bxc5
24.Rxc5 Qa6 25.Qe1 Bf8 26.Rc7 Qb6
27.Qc3 Rxa2 28.Rxa2 Qb1+ 29.Kh2 Qxa2
30.Qc6 Qa8 31.Qb6 Qd8 32.Qc6 Qa8
33.Qb5 Rc8 34.Rb7 Re8 35.h5 g5 36.Bg3
Qa1 37.Qxe8
24.a3 a5 25.Rg3 Kf8 26.f4 Bc5 [(Black
needs to trade the white's d4–bishop.
Otherwise he can't attack the c3–pawn)]
27.Bxc5+ Rxc5 28.Rf1 b4 29.axb4 axb4
30.Kd2 d4 [(Now black's rook will show
their full potential)]
31.Rc1 Rc4 32.Rf3 dxc3+ 33.bxc3 Rd8+
34.Ke2 Re4+ 35.Kf1 Rc8 36.g3 Rec4
37.Ke2 bxc3 38.Rc2 f6 39.Re3 Kf7 40.Kf3
R8c5 41.exf6 gxf6 42.Rd3 Ke7 43.Re3 e5
44.fxe5 fxe5 45.g4 Kf6 46.Kg3 Kg5 47.Kh3
Kf4 48.Re1 e4 49.Rf2+ Ke5 50.Rf5+ Kd4
51.Rf4 Kd3 52.Rd1+ Kc2 53.Rff1 e3
54.Rc1+ Kd3 55.Rfd1+ Ke4 56.Kg3 c2
57.Rd8
1–0
0–1
(8) Naroditsky Daniel (2403) - Kamsky
Gata (2713) [B12]
2011 U.S. Championship (6), 21.04.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+r+k+-+(
7+p+-vlpzp-'
6p+r+p+-zp&
5+-+pzP-+P%
4-+-vL-+-+$
3+-zPK+-+R#
2PzP-+-zPP+"
1tR-+-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
23...b5 [(Rooks need open lines. Therefore
you should push pawns and provide open
files to your rooks. In the current position
the black's rooks are already doubled on
the c-file. So it makes sense to open it.)]
(9) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2565) Karagiannis,Athanasios (2265) [A56]
Halkida op Halkida, 1997
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-tr-mk(
7+p+lsnqzpp'
6p+-zp-sn-vl&
5+-zpP+P+P%
4P+P+-zP-+$
3+-sN-+QsNL#
2-zP-vL-+K+"
1+-+-tR-+R!
xabcdefghy
22.Re6! [(This positional sacrifice is
obvious for you, if you know base rules
about a rook. Rooks need open lines to be
active. In the current position black's
312
rooks have no work at all. Thus white's
sacrifice is definitely correct)]
22...Bxe6 23.fxe6 Qe8 24.Nf5 Nxf5
25.Bxf5 Qd8 26.Bc2 Kg8 27.Ne4 b5
28.Qd3 bxc4 29.Nxf6+ Rxf6 30.Qxh7+ Kf8
31.Rh3? [31.Bc3! Rxf4 32.e7+ Qxe7
(32...Kxe7 33.Re1+ Kd7 34.Bf5+ Kc7
35.Ba5++–) 33.Qh8+ Kf7 34.Bg6#]
31...Ke7 32.Rg3 Qh8 33.Qe4 Qf8 34.Rg4
Qe8 35.Bc3 Qf8 36.f5 Rb8 37.Qxc4 Rxf5
38.Qxa6 Rf2+ 39.Kg1 Rf1+ 40.Qxf1
1–0
(10) Illescas Cordoba,Miguel (2595) Short,Nigel D (2655) [C02]
Linares GM Linares (10), 03.1995
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-sn-wq-mk(
7+p+-tr-+-'
6-sn-+p+-zp&
5+P+pzPpzpN%
4p+-zP-+-+$
3zP-tR-+-+P#
2-+-wQLzPP+"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[We should use an open file to penetrate
into opponent's territory.]
29.Rc7! [(A rook on the 7th rank is very
powerful, it attacks opponent's pawns and
create a mating net around opponent's
king)]
29...Nc4 30.Rxe7 Qxe7 [30...Nxd2 31.Rcc7
and black will be mated soon 31...Ne4
32.f3 Nd2 33.Rh7+ Kg8 34.Nf6+]
31.Bxc4 dxc4 32.Rxc4 Qxa3 33.Rc7!
[(threatening Nf6)]
33...Qf8 34.Qa2 a3 35.Nf6 Nf7 36.Qxe6 a2
37.Qxf7 a1Q+ 38.Kh2 Qxf7 39.Rxf7 b6
40.Rh7#
1–0
(11) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2565) Kasioura,Froso [A04]
Agios Nikolaos op Agios Nikolaos, 1997
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-trk+(
7+-+qsn-vlp'
6p+-zp-+p+&
5+p+Pzp-+-%
4-+-+Pzp-+$
3+-+-+PzP-#
2PzP-+QvLLzP"
1tR-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[There is an open c-line. Both players will
place his rooks there and will trade them.
Is there anything better?]
22.Qf1! [(White is intending to play Bh3.
After that the bishop will become very
active and will prevent black from playing
Rc8. Thus white will occupy the c-file.)]
313
22...fxg3 23.hxg3 Qb7? [black should have
used the same idea: 23...Bh6! and white
can't double rooks on the c-file anymore]
24.Be3 [(Now white is winning. He will
play Bh3 and will double rooks on an open
line. Black has nothing to oppose.)]
24...b4 25.Bh3 Kh8 26.Be6 h6 27.Kg2?!
[(an unnecessary move)]
[27.Rc4! following with Rac1]
27...Kh7 28.Qc4?! [(Generally we should
place a rook in front of a queen on an
open line. In this case it will be simpler for
you to invade into opponent's territory
afterwards.)]
[28.Rc2 or Rc4 was better]
28...Rbe8 29.b3!? [29.Qc7!]
29...a5 30.Qc7 Qa6 31.Rc4 a4 32.Qb6
Qxb6 33.Bxb6 axb3 34.axb3 Ra8 35.Ra4
Rxa4 36.bxa4 b3 37.a5 h5 38.Rb4 Nc8
39.Bf2
1–0
(12) Stevic,Hrvoje (2611) Telljohann,Sven (2415) [B01]
European Individual Chess Championship
Aix-les-Bains (9.58), 31.03.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-wq-trr+k+(
7+p+n+pzp-'
6p+pvl-sn-zp&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-zPPzP-+-+$
3zPQsN-vL-zPP#
2-+-+-zPL+"
1+-tR-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[Black is trying to open central lines for his
rooks.]
20.d5! [(So white closes them! We should
place our rooks on the open lines and
hamper an opponent in doing the same)]
[20.dxe5?! Nxe5 and black got some
counterplay; 20.c5? exd4 21.Bxd4 Be5 and
black became closer to equality]
20...c5 [(now black is closing the c-file to
keep white's c1–rook inactive.)]
[after 20...cxd5 21.Nxd5 white will push
his c-pawn forward and white's rook will
be on the right place.]
21.Rb1 [(The c-file became closed and
white is replacing the rook to potentially
opened line)]
21...Rc8 22.b5! [(This time white closes
the c-file to keep black's c8–rook passive.
314
It's interesting to see how both players
use the same idea one after another :)]
(13) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Sederborg,B
Stockholm, 1962
[Smirnov]
22...Qc7 [22...a5 23.b6 the black's pawns
are weak and his position is cramped]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7+-+-+-vl-'
6-+-zp-zp-zp&
5zPp+Pzp-zp-%
4-+-zpP+L+$
3zP-+P+-zP-#
2-+R+-+-zP"
1+-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
23.bxa6 bxa6 [(White won this struggle
for getting an open line.)]
24.Qa4 Nb8 25.Rb3 [(White will double
rooks on the b-file, penetrate into
opponent's territory and will start a direct
attack. White's position is strategically
winning.)]
25...Nfd7 26.Reb1 f5 27.Bd2 [27.Rb7! Qd8
28.g4! after that white will place his knight
to e4 getting a totally winning position]
27...Qd8 28.Ne2 g5 29.Rb7 Re7 30.g4 fxg4
31.Ng3 gxh3 32.Bxh3 g4 33.Bxg4 e4
34.Nf5 e3 35.Nxe7+ Qxe7 36.Be6+ Kf8
37.Bxe3 Qg7+ 38.Kf1 Qh7 39.Ke2 Rd8
40.Rh1 h5 41.Rg1 h4 42.Rg8+ Ke7 43.Bg5#
1–0
6.Rc7! [We should use an open file to
invade
into
opponent's
territory.
Following the principle of maximum
activity, we should move the rook as
forward as possible. Thus in the current
position white should penetrate into the
7th rank. The rook is very powerful here, it
creates a mating net around black's king.]
[6.Rc6? is much weaker 6...Rxa5 7.Rxd6
Rxa3 with unclear position]
6...Rxa5 7.Rfc1
connected!)]
[(keep
your
rooks
7...Rxa3 8.Rb7 [(white wants to double
rooks on the 7th rank)]
8...h5 [8...Rc3 9.Ra1 and Ra7]
9.Rcc7 [(white reached an ideal situation,
now he is winning)]
9...Ra1+ [9...hxg4 10.Rxg7+ Kh8 11.Rh7+
Kg8 12.Rbg7#]
315
10.Kf2 Ra2+ 11.Ke1 Ra1+ 12.Kd2 Rfa8
13.Rxg7+ Kf8 14.Rbf7+ Ke8 15.Bd7+ Kd8
16.Rg8+
1–0
(14) Alekhine,Alexander - Prat [D07]
Paris, 1913
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqr+k+(
7zpp+lsnpzp-'
6-+p+psn-zp&
5+-+-sN-+-%
4-+LzPP+-+$
3vL-zP-+-+-#
2P+Q+-zPPzP"
1+-+R+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[In order to activate rooks, you should
push pawns and open lines.]
14.f4! [(The f1–rook is the least active
piece in the white's position. So white
needs to provide an open line for this
rook)]
14...Qc7 15.f5 Rad8 16.Nxf7! Kxf7 17.e5
[(now all white's pieces have open lines
and are extremely active)]
17...Neg8 18.Bd6 Qc8 19.Qe2 b5 20.Bb3
a5 21.Rde1 a4 22.Qh5+ Nxh5 23.fxe6+
Kg6 24.Bc2+ Kg5 25.Rf5+ Kg6 26.Rf6+ Kg5
27.Rg6+ Kh4 28.Re4+ Nf4 29.Rxf4+ Kh5
30.g3 Bxe6 31.Rh4#
1–0
(15) Moiseenko,Alexander (2715) Inarkiev,Ernesto (2679) [B06]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.4), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7+p+-zppvlp'
6p+-zp-+p+&
5+-sn-zP-+-%
4-+-+-+n+$
3+-sNLvLN+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
10.Bxc5 [(Actually this is the only move :)
White has no other way to protect his e3–
bishop and e5–pawn. At the same time it
leads to white's clear advantage. Thanks
to his better development, white will
occupy the only open line (d-line) getting
domination.)]
10...dxc5 11.Qe2 0–0 12.h3 Nh6 13.Rfd1
Qe8 14.Nd5 Rb8 15.c3 Kh8 16.a4 Bd7
17.Nb6 Bc6 18.Be4 Rd8 19.a5 Rxd1+
20.Rxd1 f6 21.e6! [(keeping black's pieces
passive)]
21...f5 22.Bxc6 Qxc6 23.Rd7 [(White
realized his plan successfully. Now he
penetrated into the 7th rank and can start
a powerful attack)]
23...Ng8 24.Qc4 [24.Ng5! is winning
immediately: 24...h6 25.Nf7+ Kh7
26.Nd8+–]
316
24...h6 25.b4 Rf6 26.Qxc5 Qxc5 27.bxc5
Rxe6 28.Rxb7 Rc6 29.Na4 Re6 30.Rb6 Re4
31.Rb4 Re6 32.Rb6 Re4 33.Rb4 Nf6 34.c6
Nd5 35.Rxe4 fxe4 36.Nd2 e3 37.fxe3 Be5
38.Nc4 Bg3 39.Kf1 Kg7 40.Ke2 Kf6 41.Nc5
Bh2 42.Nxa6 Nxc3+ 43.Kd3 Nb5 44.c7
Bxc7 45.Nxc7 Nxc7 46.Ke4
1–0
(16) Sher,Miron N - Magerramov,Elmar
[D32]
Helsinki op Helsinki (3), 1992
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7+-+-+pzpp'
6p+pwq-sn-+&
5+-vlp+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-sN-zPL+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
12...h5!? [(This is a typical attacking plan
and it's useful to know it. We must admit
that this is a bit premature attack: black
didn't finish his development yet. Thus
you should think twice before playing h5.
This is a very risky decision. Nevertheless,
it can be effective sometimes. And it this
case you will mate your opponent
quickly!)]
13.e4! [(This is a correct reaction:
opponent's side attack should be met by a
counterblow in a center! White needs to
open a position and to attack black's king
and his numerous weaknesses.)]
13...Ng4 14.g3 [14.Bxg4?! hxg4 this is the
point of the black's plan with a move h5:
now his h8–rook joined the attack.]
14...d4 [(Black must attack by every move,
he has no way back! Black's move h5
weakened his position seriously, black
can't castle after that. Black only can
attack and he should do it. If his attack is
successful - black will win quickly.
Otherwise, white will repulse black's
storm and will start attacking black's
weaknesses)]
[14...Nxh2?! (this typical sacrifice doesn't
work so well here) 15.Bf4! (15.Kxh2? h4
with a winning attack) 15...Nxf3+ 16.Qxf3
Qg6 17.exd5 and white will counter-attack
black's centralized king; 14...h4!? (this is
another standard attacking move) 15.Bf4
(15.Bxg4? hxg3 16.hxg3 Qxg3#) 15...Qg6
16.exd5 hxg3 17.Bxg3 Nxh2 18.Re1+ with
mutual chances]
15.Ne2? [I hope you would never make
such a move (after a study of this course).]
[15.Na4! we should go forward! (a
principle of maximum activity)]
15...Ne5 16.Nf4 Bg4! [(Black is enforcing
white to open the h-file)]
17.Bxg4 hxg4 18.h4 d3! [(now black is
threatening Nf3 and d2, winning a piece)]
[18...g5!? 19.Nd3 Nf3+ 20.Kg2 gxh4 21.Bf4
this is also winning for black, but it's not
so clear]
317
19.Kg2 Qd4 20.Qe1 g5 21.hxg5 Nf3
38.d8Q Qh1+ 39.Kg4 f5+ 40.Kf4 g5+
41.Kxf5 Qxf3+ 42.Kg6
0–1
1–0
(17) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2490) Skaperdas,Kostantinos [D05]
Ikaria op Ikaria (4), 1998
[Smirnov]
(18) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2460) Atalik,Suat (2535) [A30]
Peristeri Peristeri (9), 1994
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-trk+(
7zpq+n+pzpp'
6-zp-+pvl-+&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-zP-+NvL-#
2PzP-+QzPPzP"
1+-+RtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-+k+(
7+q+-zppvlp'
6pzprzp-+p+&
5+-+R+-+-%
4P+P+P+-+$
3+P+-vLPzP-#
2-+-+Q+KzP"
1+-+R+-+-!
xabcdefghy
18.d5! [(When you have rooks, you should
consider pawn moves, which will help you
to open more lines.)]
Rfe8
22.Bf4! [(When you have rooks, you
should push pawns and open lines.
White's rooks are already doubled on the
d-file, so it's logical to open it)]
19.d6 [(White got a strong passed pawn,
which determines his huge advantage.
This pawn also keeps black's rooks
inactive (they have to blockade the
pawn).]
22...Rc5 23.e5 Rxd5 24.Rxd5 dxe5
25.Bxe5 Bxe5 26.Qxe5 Rc8 27.Qd4!
[(that's right: a queen should stand behind
a rook on an open file. Now white can
invate into black's territory after Rd8 or
Rd7)]
18...Rfe8 [18...exd5? 19.Bd6
20.Qxe8+ Rxe8 21.Rxe8++–]
19...e5 20.Nd2 g6 21.Ne4 Bg7 22.Bh4 Rb8
23.Be7 h6 24.g4 Bf8 25.Nf6+ Nxf6 26.Bxf6
Qd7 27.Bxe5 Re6 28.Qd2 Rbe8 29.Bg3
Rxe1+ 30.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 31.Qxe1 Qxg4
32.h3 Qxh3 33.Qe8 Qh5 34.d7 Qd1+
35.Kg2 Qd5+ 36.f3 Qd2+ 37.Kh3 Qd1
27...Qc6 28.Rd8+ Rxd8 29.Qxd8+ Kg7
30.Qxe7 a5 31.Qe5+ Kg8 32.g4 h6 33.h4
Qc8 34.Qd6 Qb7 35.Kg3 Kg7 36.h5 Kh7
37.Kf4 Kg7 38.Qd5 Qa7 39.Qd8 Qb7
40.Ke3 Qc6 41.Qd5 Qc7 42.Qd4+ Kh7
43.Qf6 gxh5 44.Qf5+ Kg7 45.gxh5 Qd6
46.Qg4+ Kf8 47.Qd4 Qe7+ 48.Kd3 Qe6
318
49.Qd5 Qe7 50.c5 bxc5 51.Qa8+ Kg7
52.Qxa5 Qd7+ 53.Kc2 Qf5+ 54.Kb2 Qxh5
55.Qc3+ Kf8 56.a5 Qh2+ 57.Ka3 Qd6
58.b4 Ke7 59.bxc5 Qc6 60.Qe3+ Kd7
61.Kb4 h5 62.Qd3+ Kc8 63.a6 h4 64.f4
Qf6 65.Kb5 Qxf4 66.a7 Kb7 67.c6+
1–0
(19) Kuzmin,G - Averbakh,Y [C98]
USSR 18/323 USSR 18/323, 1974
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8rtr-+-+k+(
7+nwqlvlp+p'
6p+-zp-snp+&
5+pzpPzp-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+PzP-+NsNP#
2P+LvL-zPP+"
1tR-+QtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
22...Kh8 23.Qd2 Nxg4 24.hxg4 f6 25.Bh6
Nd8 26.g5! fxg5 27.c4 b4 28.Bd3 Nf7
29.Rxf7 Bxf7 30.Qb2+
1–0
(20) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2460) Valkesalmi,Kimmo (2370) [D20]
Moscow ol (Men) Moscow (2), 1994
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-tr-+-+-tr(
7+-+l+kzp-'
6pzp-zp-zpn+&
5+-+Pzp-+p%
4P+-+P+-zP$
3+-sN-vLPzP-#
2-zP-+K+-+"
1tR-tR-+-+-!
xabcdefghy
18.Nh2! [(white is intending to push the fpawn, which will open lines for the e1–
rook)]
[Generally white wants to double rooks on
the c-file and to penetrate into the 7th
rank. For this purpose white needs to
move the knight somewhere and to
protect the a4–pawn.]
18...Be8 19.f4 exf4 20.Bxf4 Nd7 21.Ng4
Ne5 [21...a5? 22.Nf5! (white has a tactical
way to open the e-file for his rook and to
destroy black's castling) 22...gxf5 23.exf5
Bf8 24.f6 and white is threatening Qd3, or
Nh6+Qg4]
25.b4! [(White found an ideal solution:
after b4–b5 white: 1) closes the d7–bishop
so it doesn't attack the a4–pawn anymore;
2) gains more space; 3) creates an outpost
square c6 for his rooks; 4) fixes black's
weak pawn on b6.)]
22.Rf1 [(black blocked the e-file, so the
rook is searching new targets)]
25...Rhc8 26.b5 a5 [26...axb5 27.Nxb5!
Ke7 (27...Bxb5+ 28.axb5 and white will
place his rooks to the 7th or 6th rank)
28.Rxc8 Bxc8 29.Rc1 and Rc7 then]
319
27.Nd1 [(the knight is going to c4. The
black's rook has to protect the b6–pawn,
so it can't be used on an open file)]
27...Ne7 28.Nb2 Rxc1 29.Rxc1 Rb7 30.Nc4
Nc8 [(now white
is completely
dominating)]
31.f4 Ke7 32.Kd3 Kd8 33.Bf2 Ke7 34.f5
Kd8 35.Rh1 Be8 36.g4 Ke7 37.g5 Bf7
38.Be3 Be8 39.Rg1 Kf7 40.gxf6 Kxf6
41.Bg5+ Kf7 42.Bd8 Kf8 43.Rc1 Bd7
44.Ne3 Ke8 45.Rc7 Rb8 46.Bg5 Ne7
47.Nc4 Nc8 48.Ne3
black 16...Bxe5 17.Bxe5 Rxe5 and black
even has a slightly more active position]
16...dxe4 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Bxe5 Rxe5
19.Ke2 [(After that white will ocupy the dfile. Black's a8–rook is tied down to the
defense of the a-pawn. That's why black
can't oppose his rooks on the d-file in
time)]
19...a6 [19...Rd5 20.Rhd1 Rxd1 (20...Rad8
? 21.Rxd5 Rxd5 22.Rxa7±) 21.Rxd1
threatening Rd7. The note: it was
necessary to calculate the lines until this
postiion before playing 15.de.]
1–0
(21) Miles,Anthony J - Rivas
Pastor,Manuel
Linares 5th Linares, 1985
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+r+k+(
7zpp+n+pvlp'
6-+p+-+p+&
5+-zPpzp-+-%
4-zP-zPnvL-+$
3+-+LzPN+P#
2-zP-+-zPP+"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
15.dxe5 [(this is a beginning of the forcing
line, which leads to white's stable
advantage)]
15...Nxe5 16.Bxe4! [a "natural" move
16.Nxe5? doesn't create any problems for
20.Rhd1 Rae8 21.Rd4 [21.Rd7 looks more
powerful, but leads to a probable draw:
21...R8e7 22.Rad1 Rxd7 23.Rxd7 a5
24.Rxb7 axb4 25.Rxb4 Rxc5 26.Kd2 Rd5+
27.Kc3 Rf5 black's counterplay should be
enough for keeping a draw]
21...h5 22.h4 R8e7 23.Rc1 [23.Rad1 a5 !?
a defender should trade pawns in an
endgame; 23.Kd1 ! Miles]
23...Kg7 24.Kd1 Kf6 25.Kc2 a5 26.Kb3
axb4 27.Kxb4 b6 28.Rd6+ R7e6 29.Rxe6+
Kxe6 30.Rc2 Kd7 31.cxb6 Rb5+ 32.Kc4
Rxb6 33.Rd2+ Kc7 34.Kd4 f5 35.Ke5 c5
36.g3 [Zugzwang]
36...Rc6 37.Rd5 Kb6 38.Rd7 Ka5 39.Rb7
Ka6 40.Rb8 c4 41.Kd5 Rc7 42.Rg8 Kb5
43.Rxg6 Ra7 44.Rf6 Rd7+ 45.Rd6 Ra7
46.Rd8 Rb7 47.Rc8 Rd7+ 48.Ke6 Rd2
49.Kxf5 Rxf2+ 50.Kxe4 Rd2 51.Kf3 Kb4
52.Rb8+ Ka4 53.g4 hxg4+ 54.Kxg4 Rg2+
55.Kf5 Rf2+ 56.Ke5 Rh2 57.Kd5 Rxh4
58.e4
1–0
320
(22) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2565) Alexakis,Dimitrios (2240) [A70]
GRE-chT Athens (7), 1997
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+r+k+(
7+-wqn+pvl-'
6-zp-zp-+-zp&
5zpPzpPsn-zp-%
4P+-+P+-+$
3+-sN-+-+P#
2-+-sN-zPPvL"
1+-tRQtRLmK-!
xabcdefghy
21.Ne2! [(White is transferring the knight
to g3. After that it will jump to black's
weak squares f5 and h5.)]
21...Nd3 [(did white overlooked this
move?)]
22.Bxd6! [(No,
sacrifice!)]
it
was
a
positional
22...Qd8 [22...Qxd6 23.Nc4 Qg6 (the only
way to take the pawn back) 24.Qxd3 Qxe4
25.Qxe4 Rxe4 26.Ng3 Rxe1 27.Rxe1 all
black's active pieces were exchanged.
Now white has a huge advantage in
activity and can start attacking black's
weaknesses.]
23.Qc2 Nxe1 24.Rxe1 [(Rooks need open
lines to be active. In positions with long
pawn chains it's hard to use the rooks
effectively. This is a strategical
background of the white's positional
sacrifice.)]
24...Ne5 25.Bxe5 Bxe5 26.Nc4 Qf6 27.g3
[(White has an obvious plan: to prepare
an advancement of his central pawns. It's
much more difficult to find a constructive
plan for black)]
27...Ra7 28.Bg2 Rae7 29.Rd1 Rd8 30.f4
gxf4 31.gxf4 Bd4+ 32.Nxd4 cxd4 33.Qf2
Qg6 34.Rd3 Rc7 35.Ne5 Rc1+ 36.Kh2 Qf6
37.Nc6 Re8 38.Rg3+ Kh8 39.e5 Qf5 40.e6
f6
1–0
(23) Blackburne,Joseph Henry Steinitz,William [C46]
London, 1883
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+nwq-+-+(
7zpp+l+rmkp'
6-+pzp-zpp+&
5+-+-+P+-%
4-+-sNP+-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzPPwQ-+PzP"
1+-+R+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
19.e5!? [(When you have rooks, you
should push pawns and open lines. That's
why white must consider this move.)]
19...fxe5 [19...dxe5??
21.Qxd8+–]
20.Ne6+
Bxe6
20.Ne6+ [20.fxg6 is also interesting, but
doesn't work after 20...Rxf1+ 21.Rxf1
321
hxg6! (21...exd4? 22.Qxd4+ and white is
winning) ]
20...Bxe6 21.fxe6 [(The positional sacrifice
gave open lines to white's rooks. For just 1
pawn, white got active position and good
attacking chances.)]
21...Re7 [21...Rxf1+? 22.Rxf1 will give
white a crushing attack after Rf7]
22.Qg5 Qe8 23.Rd3 Rxe6 24.Rh3 Qe7
25.Qh6+ Kg8 26.Rf8+ Qxf8 27.Qxh7#
1–0
(24) Chigorin,Mikhail - Falk,Rafail
Moscow, 1907
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wq-+-+(
7+pzpnsn-+k'
6-zp-zp-zp-+&
5+-+-zpPzp-%
4-zP-+P+P+$
3zP-+P+LmK-#
2-+PvL-+-+"
1tR-+Q+-+-!
xabcdefghy
[(White needs to place his rook on on
open file (h-file). For this purpose he
needs to protect the a3–pawn first.)]
1.Qc1! [an immediate attempt to use the
h-file doesn't work: 1.Qh1+ Kg7 2.Qh5
Qh8 and black saves his solid position. We
should use a rook to invade into
opponent's territory on an open line.]
1...Qg8 2.Qb2 Kg7 3.Rh1 Kf8 [if black
transfers his rook to h8, white will start
attacking on the queen-side: 3...Qf7 4.Be3
Rh8 5.Rxh8 Kxh8 6.a4 and a5. If you have
a space advantage, you should use "a
principle of 2 weaknesses" and spread an
opponent's defense.]
4.c3 Ke8 5.Bd1 Nf8 6.Bb3 Qg7 7.Bc1 c6
8.Rh5 [(we should place a rook in front of
the queen on an open line)]
8...Rd8 9.Qf2 Nc8 10.Be3 b5 11.Qh2 b6
12.Be6 Ne7 13.Bxb6 Nxe6 14.fxe6 Ng6
15.Rh7 Qg8 16.Qh5
1–0
(25) Banikas,Hristos (2542) Legky,Nikolay A (2520) [D26]
Martinez op-A Cannes (5), 02.08.2000
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+N+-trk+(
7+-+-+pzp-'
6p+-vlpsn-zp&
5snp+qsN-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3zP-+-vL-+-#
2-zP-+QzPPzP"
1+-tR-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
23.Rc7! [(we should use an open line to
invade into opponent's territory!)]
23...Nb7
25.Nxd5]
[23...Bxc7?
24.Ne7+
Kh8
322
24.Qc2 Nd8 25.Ra7 [(a rook is very
powerful on the 7th rank: it attacks lots of
opponent's pawns and creates a mating
net around his king)]
3.Nc1 Rxd4 4.Qf2 Bc5 5.Qe2 Rfd8 6.a3
Qa5 7.f4 g4 8.h3 h5 9.Rc3 Rd2 10.Qe1
Bb6 11.b4 Qb5
0–1
25...Re8 26.Nxd6 Qxd6 27.Qc5 Qd5
28.Qc7 Qb3 29.h3 Nd5 30.Qc1 b4 31.Bxh6
gxh6 32.Qxh6 Qd1+ 33.Kh2 Qxd4 34.Qg5+
Kh8 35.Nxf7+ Kh7 36.Nxd8+ Qxa7
37.Qh5+ Kg7 38.Qxe8 bxa3 39.bxa3 Nf4
40.Nxe6+ Nxe6 41.Qxe6 Qxf2 42.Qe5+
Kh7 43.Qc7+ Kh8 44.Qg3 Qb6 45.h4 a5
46.h5 Qc5 47.Qf3 a4 48.Kh3 Qc4 49.Qf8+
Kh7 50.Qf5+ Kh8 51.h6 Qb3+ 52.Kh4 Qc4+
53.Qg4
1–0
(26) Dubinsky,A - Donchenko,Anatoly G
Leningrad, 1968
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-tr-+(
7+p+-vl-mk-'
6-wqp+l+-zp&
5tr-+pzPpzp-%
4p+-+-+-+$
3+-+NzPPzP-#
2PzPRwQ-+LzP"
1+-+-+R+K!
xabcdefghy
(27) Carlsen,Magnus (2823) Aronian,Levon (2807) [A36]
Botvinnik Memorial Moscow RUS (4),
03.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-wq-trk+(
7+-+-snpvlp'
6-+nzpl+p+&
5zprzpNzp-+-%
4Q+-+-+-+$
3zP-+PzP-zP-#
2-zP-vLNzPLzP"
1+R+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[The most principled move is]
14...Qb8! [Black keeps his rook on an
active position and attacks the b2–pawn.]
[Moves back are usually incorrect
14...Rb8? 15.Nxe7+ Nxe7 16.Bxa5 and
white won a pawn]
1...d4! [(you should push pawns and
provide open lines to your rooks!)]
15.Nc7! [Certainly black should have
considered this move before playing
14...Qb8. What should black do now?]
2.exd4 Rd5 [(the black's position became
winning immediately. White can't resist
the black's invasion over the d-line)]
15...Qxc7! [15...Rxb2?! gives white an
initiative position after 16.Nxe6 fxe6
17.Nc3 and white is keep pressuring
323
black's position. The white's bishops can
be very powerful here.]
16.Qxb5 Rb8 17.Qa4 Bb3 [(The white's
rooks don't have open lines. It's difficult to
find any job for these rooks. In such closed
positions a minor piece can be equal to a
rook!)]
18.Qh4 Bc2 19.Qc4
20.Rfe1 Rxb2µ]
[19.Rbc1? Bxd3
19...Bb3! [(the black's bishop is stronger
than the white's passive rook!)]
[19...Bxb1? 20.Rxb1 then white will play
Nc3 and will attack black's weaknesses]
20.Qc1 Qb6 21.Re1 d5 22.Nc3 Rd8 23.e4
d4 [(of course black should close a
position to keep the white's rooks
passive)]
24.Nd5 Nxd5 25.exd5 Rxd5! [(Black
exploits the same idea again! Minor pieces
can be more powerful than rooks, if rooks
don't have open lines.)]
[25...Bxd5? 26.Bxd5 Rxd5 27.Qc4 Rd7
28.b4! and white's rooks got freedom!]
26.Bh6 Bf6 27.Bxd5 Bxd5 28.Qd1 Be7
29.h4 Qb7 30.Kh2 f6 31.Qe2 Nd8 32.Bd2
Bf3 33.Qf1 a4 [(Black is blockading a
position, which keeps white's rooks out of
a game)]
34.Qh3 h5 35.Ba5 Nf7 36.Qe6 Bd5 37.Qh3
Qb5 38.Bc7 Qxd3 39.g4 Qd2 40.Kg1 Be6
41.Qg2 hxg4 42.Rbc1 Kg7 43.Bb6 c4
44.Qc6 g3 45.fxg3 Bh3 46.Qf3 Qxb2
47.Ba7 Qb3 48.Qxb3 cxb3 49.Bxd4 Bxa3
50.Ra1 Bb4 51.Reb1 exd4 52.Rxa4 Bc5
53.Ra5 Bb6 54.Rb5 Bc7 55.R5xb3 Be5
56.Kf2 Nd6 57.Kf3 Be6 58.Ra3 Bd5+
59.Ke2 Nb5 60.Ra5 Nc3+ 61.Kf2 d3
62.Rxd5 Nxd5 63.Rb7+ Bc7 64.Kf3 Kh6
65.Rb3 Bxg3 66.Rxd3 Nf4 67.Rd8 Nh5
68.Kg4 f5+ 69.Kh3 Be5 70.Ra8 Bf6 71.Ra6
Kg7 72.Ra7+ Kf8 73.Rb7 Be7 74.Ra7 Kf7
75.Ra6 Nf6 76.Kg3 Ne4+ 77.Kh3 Bc5
78.Rc6 Bd6 79.Ra6 Kg7 80.Ra8 Be5
81.Ra7+ Kh6 82.Rb7 Nf6 83.Re7 Ng4
84.Ra7 Bf6 85.Rf7 Kh5
0–1
(28) Vidmar,Milan Sr Nimzowitsch,Aaron [E11]
New York New York (1), 1927
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7zpl+-wq-+p'
6-zp-+-sn-+&
5+-zp-zppzp-%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+Q+-zPP+-#
2PzP-tRLvLPzP"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
19...Rae8! [(White can't get benefit out of
the d-file, because the d7–square is
covered by the black's knight. At the same
time black is going to open other lines for
his rooks, where they will be really active.
Black has 3 possible pawn moves (e4, f4,
g4), so one of them will definitely work for
black.)]
324
[Of course black could play 19...Rad8?!
After that the rooks will be traded and
white will got a better endgame (thanks to
his 2 bishops and black's weak pawns).
Black didn't agree to such a sad scenario.]
24.Ba7! [(White closes the open line so
that he has enough time to double (or
tripple) his heavy pieces there. It's a typcal
practical idea and it's useful to remember
it!)]
20.Qa4 Ba8 21.Rd6 [21.Rd7? doesn't give
anything to white: 21...Nxd7 22.Rxd7 Qf6
23.Qxa7 e4‚]
24...Ne8 [24...Qc7 25.Ra6
25...Nd8 26.Qa2 Karpov]
21...Qg7 22.Bf1 e4 23.Be1 [23.f4? gxf4
24.exf4 e3 25.Bh4 e2–+]
23...exf3 24.Bc3 Qe7 25.R6d3 fxg2
26.Bxg2 Bxg2 27.Bxf6 [27.Kxg2 Qe4+]
27...Qe4 28.R1d2 [28.Bxg5 Qg4 29.Kf2 f4–
+]
28...Bh3 29.Bc3 Qg4+ 30.Kf2 Qg2+ 31.Ke1
Qf1#
(25.Qe3)
25.Bc2 Nc7 [25...Ng7 26.Rea1 f5 27.exf5
gxf5 28.Ng5± Karpov]
26.Rea1 Qe7 27.Bb1 Be8 28.Ne2 Nd8
29.Nh2 Bg7 30.f4 f6 [30...exf4 31.Nxf4
Karpov]
31.f5 g5 32.Bc2 Bf7 33.Ng3 Nb7 34.Bd1
h6 35.Bh5 Qe8 36.Qd1 Nd8 37.Ra3 Kf8
38.R1a2 [(rooks should stand in front of
the queen on an open line. in this case it'll
be simpler for you to invade into
opponent's territory)]
0–1
(29) Karpov,Anatoly - Unzicker,Wolfgang
Nice ol (Men) fin-A Nice (3), 17.06.1974
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+rwq-vlk+(
7+n+l+p+p'
6-+-zp-snp+&
5+p+Pzp-+-%
4-zPp+P+-+$
3+-zP-vLNsNP#
2R+-wQ-zPP+"
1+L+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
38...Kg8 39.Ng4 Kf8 40.Ne3 Kg8 41.Bxf7+
Nxf7 [41...Qxf7 42.Qh5 Qxh5 43.Nxh5 Nb7
44.Nc2 Nd8 45.Bb6 Rab8 46.Bxc7 Rxc7
47.Ra8 Rcb7 48.Rxb8 Rxb8 49.Ra5]
42.Qh5 Nd8 43.Qg6 Kf8 44.Nh5
1–0
325
(30) Navara,David (2705) Zherebukh,Yaroslav (2580) [C04]
FIDE World Chess Cup 2011 KhantyMansiysk/Russia (4.2), 07.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7+pwq-+-zpp'
6-+nvlpsn-+&
5zpLzpp+-+-%
4P+-zP-+-+$
3+-zP-+NsN-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[The only passive piece in the white's
position is the a1–rook. How to activate
it?]
16.b3! [(When you can't bring your rook
into a center along the 1st rank, you can
use the 2nd rank. This is a not a wellknown idea, although it works quite
often.)]
16...Bd7 17.Ba3 [(Also white got a good
square for his bishop. White wants to
exchange the black's good bishop, which
covers black's weak squares.)]
17...b6 18.Ra2 Rae8 19.Rae2 [(now all the
white's pieces are very active and he has
an advantage)]
19...Nd8 20.Bd3 Nf7 21.Ne5 c4 22.Bxd6
Nxd6 23.bxc4 dxc4 24.Bc2 Nd5 25.Qb1 g6
26.Bxg6 Re7 27.Qc1 hxg6 28.Nxg6 Rf6
29.Nxe7+ Nxe7 30.Nh5 Rg6 31.Nf4 Rg4
32.f3 Rg7 33.Nxe6 Bxe6 34.Rxe6 Ndf5
35.R1e5 Nh4 36.Rxe7 Nxf3+ 37.Kf2 Nxe5
38.Re8+ Kh7 39.Rxe5 Qc6 40.Qc2+
1–0
(31) Polugaevsky,L - Dorfman,J [D70]
USSR (ch) USSR (ch) 26/671, 1978
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+n+q+k+(
7+p+n+-vl-'
6p+pzPptr-zp&
5zP-+-+-zp-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-sN-+NvLP#
2-zP-+QzPP+"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
22.Ra4! [(White is bringing his least active
piece into an attack)]
22...Na7 23.h4 gxh4 24.Rxh4 [(now the
white's attack is very powerful)]
24...Nb5 25.Be5 [(exchanging one of the
important black's defenders)]
25...Rg6 [25...Rxf3 26.Bxg7]
26.Bxg7 Kxg7 27.Ne5 Nxc3 28.bxc3 Rg5
29.f4 Rf5 30.Qg4+ Kh7 31.Qh3 Rf6 32.Ng4
Qf8 33.Nxf6+ Qxf6 34.Re1 Nf8 35.Re5 Kg7
36.Reh5
1–0
326
(32) Portisch,Lajos (2630) Christiansen,Larry Mark (2585) [E12]
Phillips&Drew London, 1982
[Smirnov]
point of the white's plan. Black can't use
his queen normally, because it has to
guard the 8th rank.)]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtr-+k+(
7zpl+-wqp+p'
6-zp-+pvlp+&
5sn-+-+-+P%
4-+-zPP+-+$
3zP-+LwQN+-#
2-vL-+-zPP+"
1+-+R+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
24...Qd8 [24...Bh8 25.Ne5 Qe8 26.d5 exd5
27.exd5 Bxd5 28.Nxg6 Bxb2 29.Ne7+ Qxe7
30.Qb8+ (finally white forces his way to
the 8th rank!) 30...Qf8 31.Bxh7+ Kxh7
32.Qxf8+–]
[Usually white should attack on the kingside in such positions. For this purpose
white should take on g6, bring the queen
somewhere closer to black's casting, and
try to attack the king. In this position,
however, this standard plan is too slow.
Black is pressuring the white's center
already, and is threatening to play Nc4
now. This forces white to find another
plan.]
19.Rc1! [(How to get benefit out of the
advancement of white's h-pawn? There
are 2 alternatives: 1) White can take on g6
and attack black's castling. 2) White can
push the pawn to h6 and exploit the
black's "back-rank problem". Since the 1st
choice doesn't work, white switches to the
2nd one)]
19...a6 20.Rxc8 [(white is exchanging
defenders of the black's 8th rank)]
20...Rxc8 21.Rc1 Rxc1+ 22.Qxc1 Qd8
23.h6 Qc8 24.Qf4 [(Now we can see the
25.Ne5 b5 26.Bc3 Nc4 27.Bxc4 bxc4
28.Ba5 Qe7 29.Nd7
1–0
(33) Kortschnoj,Viktor (2605) Nijboer,Friso (2505) [E98]
NED-chT Netherlands (9), 1993
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqntrk+(
7+-+-sn-vl-'
6-+-zp-+-+&
5zp-zpPzp-zpp%
4P+P+Pzp-+$
3+-sNN+P+-#
2-+-+LvLPzP"
1+R+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[All black's pieces are on the back ranks.
At the same time all his pawns are
advanced, which weakens his position
seriously. So his position seems very
dubious...]
18.Nxc5! [(This positional sacrifice opens
lines for white's rooks and bishops. Also
white got 2 passed pawns in the center.
327
Their advancement will constrict black's
position completely)]
18...dxc5 19.Bxc5 Ng6 20.Bb6! [(Of course
white doesn't want to trade his powerful
bishop for an opponent's passive rook.
When rooks have no open files, they often
appear out of a game)]
[20.Bxf8? Bxf8 and black will impose a
blockade on the dark squares]
20...Qf6 21.c5 g4 22.d6 gxf3 23.gxf3 Bh3
24.Kh1! [(White demonstrates black, that
his position is hopeless. The h3–bishop is
the only active black's piece. After its
exchange, black will have nothing to do at
all. )]
24...Bxf1 25.Bxf1 [(Take a look at black's
rooks. They almost have no moves. The
white's bishops are much stronger!)]
25...Qe6 26.d7 Nf6 27.d8Q Rfxd8 28.Bxd8
Nd7 29.Bg5 Rc8 30.Qd5 Ngf8 31.Be7 Nxc5
32.Bh3 Qxd5 33.Nxd5 Rc6 34.Rc1
1–0
(34) Karpov,Anatoly (2700) Spassky,Boris V (2650) [B83]
Leningrad csf Leningrad (9), 1974
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-tr-+-+(
7+q+-+pmk-'
6n+p+-+p+&
5zp-+-zp-+p%
4P+Q+P+-vl$
3+-zP-vL-+P#
2-zP-tR-+PmK"
1+N+-+R+-!
xabcdefghy
27.Re2! [(White needs to activate his b1–
knight. Of course white could simply take
on d8 and play Nd2 then. However, white
wants to save his rooks; they will attack
black over the f-file.)]
[27.Rxd8?! Rxd8 28.Nd2 White is still
better, but he helped black to bring the
a8–rook into the game and to ease his
position.]
27...Rf8 28.Nd2 [(now white is going to
play Nf3, Ref2 and to attack black's kingside)]
28...Bd8 29.Nf3 f6 [(Black strengthened
his king-side, but left the d-file
unprotected)]
30.Rd2 Be7 31.Qe6 Rad8 32.Rxd8 Bxd8
33.Rd1 Nb8 34.Bc5 Rh8 35.Rxd8
1–0
328
(35) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2490) Graf,Alexander (2625) [E41]
GRE-chT Poros (4), 22.04.1998
[Smirnov]
(36) Nikolic,Predrag - Van Wely,Loek
[A30]
NED-ch Rotterdam (3), 23.06.1998
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7zpp+-snp+-'
6-+-zp-wq-zp&
5+-zpPzpPzp-%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+-zPL+Q+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1+RvL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-tr-+k+(
7+l+-vlpzpp'
6pzp-zppsn-+&
5+-wq-+-+-%
4-+P+-vL-+$
3+-sN-wQNzPL#
2PzP-+PzP-zP"
1+-tRR+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[The white's f5–pawn is attacked and
white should do something about it.]
15.Nd5!! [White is sacrificing material to
open lines for his rooks.]
16.h4! [a "natural" move 16.g4? allows
black to start an attack: 16...h5 17.h3 hxg4
18.hxg4 Ng6! and Nf4 then]
[15.Na4 is also possible, but gives black
some counterplay: 15...Qh5 ! 16.Bg2 Nbd7
with an idea Ng4, Bf3 and Qg2]
16...gxh4 17.g4 hxg3 18.fxg3 [(White
solved the problem of the f5–pawn's
protection and opened lines for his rooks
on the king-side.)]
15...Bxd5™ [15...exd5 16.Qxe7 Nc6
17.Qxb7 Ra7 18.b4+–; 15...Qxe3 16.Nxe7+
Kf8 17.Bxe3 Kxe7 18.Bxb6+–; 15...Nxd5
16.cxd5 lead's to the game continuation]
18...Kd8 19.Rb2 Kc7 20.Rh2 Bd7 21.Rh5
Nc8 22.Qe4 Nb6 23.Kg2 Na4 24.Bd2 Rag8
25.g4 Qg7 26.Kg3 f6 27.Rfh1 Be8 28.Bxh6
Nxc3 29.Bxg7 Nxe4+ 30.Bxe4 Rxh5
31.Bxf6 Rxh1 32.Bxh1 b5 33.cxb5 Bxb5
34.Be4 Be2 35.g5 c4 36.g6 Bd3 37.Bxd3
cxd3 38.Bg5 Kb6 39.Be3+ Kb5 40.Kg4 Kc4
41.Kg5 Kxd5 42.f6 Ke6 43.f7 Rc8 44.Kh6
d5 45.Kg7 Kf5 46.Kh7 Rc7 47.Kh6 Ke4
48.Bg5
16.cxd5 Qxe3 17.Bxe3 Nxd5 18.Rxd5
[(White is eliminating the last black's
active piece. Also white can invade into
the 7th rank after that)]
1–0
21.Be3 [! (White is ready to meet Nd7
move by Rc7 invasion!)]
18...exd5 19.Bxb6 Rf8 20.b4 [! Closing the
R in the corner. Now black is paralyzed]
20...f5 [20...Bd8 !? 21.Be3 a5 22.b5 and
the black's rook is still out of a game]
329
[21.Rc7? Bd8]
21...Nd7 22.Rc7 Rad8 23.Nd4 [threatening
Nc6, Ne6 and Bf5]
23...Bf6 24.Ne6 g6 25.Bg2 d4 26.Bh6 Rfe8
27.Nxd8 Rxd8 28.Bd5+ Kh8 29.h4 [29.f4 !
would keep black's pieces inactive]
29...Ne5 30.Bg5 Bxg5 31.hxg5 d3 32.exd3
Nxd3 33.a3 Re8 34.Bc4 Ne5 35.Bxa6 h6
36.gxh6 d5 37.a4 d4 38.Rc5 d3 39.Kg2 g5
40.Bb5 Re6 41.Rd5
1–0
330
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 6.
In this task you will need to demonstrate your skills in handling KNIGHTS
Your Task:
Open the database “TASK 6 GAMES SECTION” and detect the best moves in presented
positions.
After that, open the database “TASK 6 ANSWERS SECTION” and check yourself.
The Notes:
 Of course you should NOT just guess the right move. You should:
1. Recollect the general strategical rules applicable for a given position.
2. Detect the best move based on those positional rules.
3. Calculate the consequences of this move.
 If you experience any problem or don’t understand something – you should study the
video lesson # 7 once again.
331
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 6 GAMES SECTION
(1) Paulsen,Louis - Winawer,Szymon
[C46]
Leipzig Leipzig (5), 1877
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
(3) Nikolaidis,Ioannis - Vallet,Richard
[E71]
Heraklio op Heraklio (3), 1993
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqk+ntr(
7zppzpl+pzpp'
6-+-zp-+-+&
5+-+Psn-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+LsN-+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trn+(
7+pzp-+pvlk'
6n+-zp-+pzp&
5zp-+Pzp-+-%
4-+P+P+P+$
3+-sN-vL-sNP#
2PzP-+-zP-+"
1tR-+QmKL+R!
xabcdefghy
0–1
1–0
(2) Anand,V - Bacrot,E
Chess 960 World Championship, Mainz,
2007
[Smirnov]
(4) Geller,Efim P - Mikhalchishin,Adrian
[B84]
URS-Ch Tbilisi (7), 12.1978
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-vlk+(
7+-+-+pzpp'
6-+-+q+n+&
5+-+NzpN+-%
4-+-+P+QzP$
3+-+-+-zP-#
2-+-+-zP-+"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+r+k+(
7+-+Rvlpsnp'
6pzpr+p+p+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4P+-+-+-+$
3+-sN-vL-+-#
2-zPP+-+PzP"
1+-+-+R+K!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
332
(5) Akopian,V - Tolhuizen,L [C06]
Bad Wiessee Bad Wiessee, 2001
[Smirnov]
(7) *GM_Anand - *GM_Vallejo [D10]
ICC 90 0 u Internet Chess Club, 11.10.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ltr-snk+(
7zpp+-+-zp-'
6-+nvlpwq-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-+-+NsN-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRLvLQtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-+-tr-+(
7zp-+-+p+p'
6l+-+-vlk+&
5+-zpP+N+-%
4Pzpp+-+-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1+-mKR+L+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(6) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Keres,Paul [D36]
URS-ch20 Moscow, 1952
[Smirnov]
(8) Grischuk,Alexander - Feller,Sebastien
[A50]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.4), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-+k+(
7zpp+-trpzpp'
6-wqp+-snn+&
5+-+-+L+-%
4-+-zPP+-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzP-+-wQPzP"
1+-+-tRR+K!
xabcdefghy
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wq-trk+(
7zpl+-+-vl-'
6-zpp+p+pzp&
5+-+-+p+n%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+-sN-vL-zP-#
2PzPQsNPzPLzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
333
(9) Lasker,Emanuel - Schlechter,Carl
[D94]
World Championship 10th GER/AUT (10),
08.02.1910
[Smirnov]
(11) Lysyj,Igor - Ivanov,Alexander [E12]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.4), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7zp-+-zppvlp'
6n+p+-snp+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-zp-zP-+-+$
3zP-sNLzPN+-#
2-zPQ+-zPPzP"
1tR-vL-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqr+k+(
7+l+nvlpzpp'
6p+p+-+-+&
5+p+p+-+n%
4PzP-zP-+-+$
3+QsN-vLNzP-#
2-+-+PzPLzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
(10) Rubinstein Akiba K (POL) - Takacs
Sandor (HUN) [D65]
It Budapest (Hungary), 1926
[Smirnov]
(12) Svidler,Peter - Nguyen,Ngoc Truong
Son [C02]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.5), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+rsnk+(
7+p+n+pzp-'
6pwqp+-+p+&
5+-+p+-vl-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+QsN-zP-+P#
2PzP-sN-zPPvL"
1+-tR-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-tr-mk(
7zpp+lsnpvlp'
6-wq-+p+-zp&
5+-+pzP-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-sNL+N+-#
2PzP-wQ-zPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
334
(13) Ponomariov,Ruslan - Ni,Hua [C11]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.5), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
(15) Eckhardt - Andreasson [A45]
Oslo, 2003
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7+-+-vl-+p'
6-+nwqpzp-+&
5+p+p+-+-%
4p+nzP-sN-zP$
3zP-+-+NzP-#
2-zPL+-zP-+"
1tR-vLQtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7+-wqp+pzp-'
6p+-+p+-zp&
5+pvl-zP-+-%
4-+-sn-vL-+$
3+LsNQ+-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
Line
(14) Nikolaidis,Ioannis - Katsenos,G [A15]
Ikaria op Ikaria (7), 1993
[Smirnov]
(16) Ivanchuk,Vassily - Sutovsky,Emil
[D75]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (3.4), 05.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-tr-+(
7zppzp-zppmkp'
6-sn-+l+p+&
5+-+-sN-+-%
4-zP-+-+-+$
3zP-zP-+-zP-#
2-+-+PzPLzP"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7zpp+-zppvlp'
6-+n+-+p+&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-zP-+NzP-#
2P+-+PzPLzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
1–0
335
(17) Svidler,Peter - Kamsky,Gata [C90]
FIDE World Chess Cup 2011 KhantyMansiysk/Russia (4.1), 06.09.2011
[Smirnov]
(19) Zherebukh,Yaroslav - Felgaer,Ruben
[B30]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.3), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqrvlk+(
7+lzp-+pzp-'
6p+nzp-sn-zp&
5+p+-zp-+-%
4-+-zPP+-+$
3zP-zP-+N+-#
2LzP-sN-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+n+p+-+&
5+Lzpn+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-zP-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
(18) Korchnoi Viktor (SUI) - Petrosian
Tigran V (ARM) [E07]
Memorial A.Alekhine Moscow (Russia)
(11), 1975
[Smirnov]
(20) Nikolaidis,Ioannis Bliumberg,Vladislav [A57]
Budapest FS06 GM Budapest (11), 1994
[Smirnov]
[BLACK'S TURN]
[WHITE'S TURN]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rwqrsnk+(
7zp-+n+pzpp'
6lzpp+p+-+&
5+-+pzP-+-%
4PvlPzP-+-+$
3+PsNQ+NzP-#
2-+-vL-zPLzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
1–0
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wqkvl-tr(
7zpl+-+-+p'
6-+-zppsn-+&
5+-zp-+-zp-%
4PzpP+-+-+$
3+-+-+NzPL#
2-zP-sNPzP-zP"
1tR-vLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
1–0
336
PRACTICAL PART - TASK 6 ANSWERS SECTION
(1) Paulsen,Louis - Winawer,Szymon
[C46]
Leipzig Leipzig (5), 1877
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqk+ntr(
7zppzpl+pzpp'
6-+-zp-+-+&
5+-+Psn-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+LsN-+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
knight
25.Rc3
28.Qh4
31.Rc2
34.Bc2+
Re2
Bg4
Rf7
Kg7
0–1
(2) Anand,V - Bacrot,E
Chess 960 World Championship, Mainz,
2007
[Smirnov]
11...Ne7 [Black has a strong square d5,
and he should keep a knight there. Now
black is transferring the knight to g6,
where it will strengthen another knight on
e5.]
[11...Nf6? puts the
unpleasant pin: 12.Bg5]
23.Rxd3 f5 24.exf5 Bxf5
26.Rf2 Rxf2 27.Qxf2 gxh3
29.gxh3 Qf4 30.Qe1 Bf3
32.Qe6 Kh7 33.Rg2 Bxg2
35.Qg6+ Kf8
under
12.Bf4 N7g6 13.Bg3 Qg5 14.Qd4 0–0
15.Ne2 h5! 16.Bf4 [(Of course this
exchange favors black: 1) black trades his
knight on the white's bishop; 2) white
loses the main defender of his darksquared weaknesses.)]
[black is threatening h4 and white has no
way to save his bishop 16.Bf2?? Nf3+;
16.Be1 Nh4 threatening Qg2 and Nf3]
16...Nxf4 17.Nxf4 Qh6 18.Rae1 a6 19.h3
Rae8 20.c4 g5 21.Nd3 g4 22.Re3 Nxd3
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+-vlk+(
7+-+-+pzpp'
6-+-+q+n+&
5+-+NzpN+-%
4-+-+P+QzP$
3+-+-+-zP-#
2-+-+-zP-+"
1+-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[Despite of a very little quantity of
material on the board, white is winning!
(thanks to his excellent knights!)]
33.h5 Nh8 34.Nde7+ Qxe7 35.Nh6# [It's
quite amusing that it happened in a real
game between 2 Grandmasters!]
1–0
337
(3) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2440) Vallet,Richard (2190) [E71]
Heraklio op Heraklio (3), 1993
[Smirnov]
(4) Geller,Efim P (2590) Mikhalchishin,Adrian (2460) [B84]
URS-Ch Tbilisi (7), 12.1978
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trn+(
7+pzp-+pvlk'
6n+-zp-+pzp&
5zp-+Pzp-+-%
4-+P+P+P+$
3+-sN-vL-sNP#
2PzP-+-zP-+"
1tR-+QmKL+R!
xabcdefghy
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-+r+k+(
7+-+Rvlpsnp'
6pzpr+p+p+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4P+-+-+-+$
3+-sN-vL-+-#
2-zPP+-+PzP"
1+-+-+R+K!
xabcdefghy
[A knight needs strong squares to be
active.]
[Black wants to place his knight on f5, but
now it's white's turn...]
12.h4! [(White is going to play h5. Black
will have to reply g5. After that the white's
knight will get a strong square f5)]
22.g4 [! (Many players know that a bishop
restricts a knight, when there are 2
squares between them. Very few people
know that it's quite fair for a pawn against
a knight as well.)]
12...f5? [(Black stops the white's plan, but
the price is too high)]
13.exf5 gxf5 14.gxf5 [(Now white is a
pawn up, while black has lots of
weaknesses)]
14...Nf6 15.Bd3 c6 16.Nh5 Qe7 17.Rg1
Rg8 18.Rg6 Nb4 19.Bb1 e4 20.Nxf6+ Bxf6
21.Rxh6+ Kg7 22.Nxe4
22...h5 23.h3 hxg4 24.hxg4 b5 [24...Rc4
25.Rf4 Rxf4 26.Bxf4 Generally, exchanges
raise the white's advantage in such
positions. When black trades all his active
pieces, he will be left with the passive
knight only. Then there will be no real
warriors in the black's army.]
25.axb5 axb5 26.Ne4 [!]
1–0
26...Rxc2 27.Nf6+ Bxf6 28.exf6 Rxb2
29.fxg7 f5 30.Rf3 fxg4 31.Rf4 Rc8 32.Bc5
[!]
1–0
338
(5) Akopian,V (2660) - Tolhuizen,L (2210)
[C06]
Bad Wiessee Bad Wiessee, 2001
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ltr-snk+(
7zpp+-+-zp-'
6-+nvlpwq-zp&
5+-+p+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-+-+NsN-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRLvLQtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[An ideal position for a knight is a strong
central square on the 5th of 6th rank (if
it's the white's knight).]
15.Ne5± [! (White can place his knight on
a good square instantly)]
15...Qh4 [15...Nxe5? 16.dxe5 Bxe5 17.Nh5
and black loses his bishop]
16.f4 Bd7 17.Be3 Be8 18.Rf1 Bxe5 19.fxe5
Rac8 20.Rf4 Qe7 21.Rg4 Kh8 22.h4 Qb4
23.Bxh6 [23.Bxh6 gxh6 24.Qc1 Rc7
25.Qxh6+ Nh7 26.Bxh7 Rxh7 27.Qf6+]
1–0
(6) Botvinnik,Mikhail - Keres,Paul [D36]
URS-ch20 Moscow, 1952
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+-tr-+k+(
7zpp+-trpzpp'
6-wqp+-snn+&
5+-+-+L+-%
4-+-zPP+-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzP-+-wQPzP"
1+-+-tRR+K!
xabcdefghy
[Black has a few weak squares in a center:
c5, d6, e5, f5. White should try to fix his
knight on 1 of these strong squares.]
22.e5! [(providing a d6–square for the
white's knight)]
22...Nd5 [22...Ne8?! Here the knight is
limited by the white's e5–pawn and
appears out of a game]
23.Ne4 Nf8 24.Nd6 [(A knight on the
central square of a 6th rank controls lots
of squares onto opponent's territory. This
paralyzes an opponent and frustrates all
his plans. This advantage is usually enough
for a win)]
24...Qc7 25.Be4 Ne6 26.Qh4 g6 27.Bxd5
cxd5 28.Rc1 Qd7 29.Rc3 Rf8 30.Nf5 Rfe8
31.Nh6+ Kf8 32.Qf6 Ng7 33.Rcf3 Rc8
34.Nxf7 Re6 35.Qg5 Nf5 36.Nh6 Qg7
37.g4
1–0
339
(7) *GM_Anand - *GM_Vallejo [D10]
ICC 90 0 u Internet Chess Club, 11.10.2011
[Smirnov]
simply play h3. Secondly, it weakned the
black's king and white can use it.]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-+-tr-+(
7zp-+-+p+p'
6l+-+-vlk+&
5+-zpP+N+-%
4Pzpp+-+-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2-zP-+-zPPzP"
1+-mKR+L+R!
xabcdefghy
22.Ne7+ Kh7 23.Rd5! [(suddenly the
black's king appeared under a strong
attack!)]
[The white's knight is under an attack.
How should white deal with that? What
white definitely should NOT do, is to move
his knight back (because it would break a
principle of maximum activity). Other
logical
moves
require
serious
consideration.]
1–0
18.g4!? [(White fixes his knight on a
strong square. In such situation a knight
can make his best.)]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wq-trk+(
7zpl+-+-vl-'
6-zpp+p+pzp&
5+-+-+p+n%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+-sN-vL-zP-#
2PzPQsNPzPLzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[18.Nd6!? is a good move, because it is a
move forward (following the principle of
maximum activity). However, it blocks
white's d-pawn and forces black to push
his c-pawn, which black was going to do
anyway.; 18.N3h4+!? is also a good
alternative: 18...Bxh4 19.Nxh4+ and white
traded black's bishop. However, white's
h4–knight appeared on the edge.]
18...c3 19.bxc3 bxc3 20.Bxa6 Nxa6 21.d6
h5? [Black tries to undermine the f5–
knight, but this idea fails. First, white can
23...Nb4 24.Rxh5+ Kg7 25.Nf5+ [(Chess
players noticed that the best square for a
knight to develop a king-side attack is the
f5–square.)]
25...Kg8 26.g5 Bd4 27.Rg1 Rab8 28.g6
Nd3+ 29.Kc2 Nf4 30.N3xd4 cxd4 31.Rh8+
Kxh8 32.g7+ Kg8 33.gxf8Q+ Kxf8 34.Nxd4
Nd5 35.Nb5 Rc8 36.Rg4 a5 37.Nc7 Nxc7
38.Rc4 Ke8 39.dxc7
(8) Grischuk,Alexander (2746) Feller,Sebastien (2666) [A50]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.4), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
[If you have knights, you should think
about good positions for them. The best
squares for knights are weaknesses in
340
opponent's territory on the 5th and 6th
ranks.]
15.c5! [(After the next move Nc4 the
white's knight will be placed on 1 of the
central strong squares (d6, e5).]
15...Nd7 [generally black would prefer to
play 15...b5 but it's impossible because of
16.Nxb5]
16.Nc4 Nxc5 17.Bxc5 bxc5 [(Now black
has lots of weaknesses all over the board.
In such positions the knights are very
powerful. They will go to weak squares
and will attack weak pawns.)]
18.Na4 Nf6 19.Nxc5 Bc8 20.Ne5 Nd5
21.Nxg6 Re8 22.Nd3 [22.e4! fxe4 23.Nxe4
would expose all black's weaknesses]
22...Rb8 23.Nge5 Rb6 24.Rac1 Ba6
25.Rfd1 Qc7 26.Nc4 Rbb8 27.Qa4 Bb5
28.Qa5 Qe7 29.a4 Bxc4 30.Rxc4 Rb6
31.Qc5 Qf7 32.a5 Ra6 33.Qa3 e5 34.Nc5
Bf8 35.b4 e4 36.Nxa6 e3 37.f4 Nf6
38.Rxc6
1–0
(9) Lasker,Emanuel - Schlechter,Carl
[D94]
World Championship 10th GER/AUT (10),
08.02.1910
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7zp-+-zppvlp'
6n+p+-snp+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-zp-zP-+-+$
3zP-sNLzPN+-#
2-zPQ+-zPPzP"
1tR-vL-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
11.Na4! [11.Bxa6? is a huge mistake. The
black's a6–knight is on the edge and has
no active moves. Certainly white should
not exchange this bad knight.; 11.Ne4?!
(generally we should go to a center. In this
position, however, Ne4 move helps black
to open the g7–bishop and to play c5
then) 11...bxa3 12.bxa3 Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Rb8
on the next move black will play c5
equalizing the game]
11...bxa3 12.bxa3 Bb7 13.Rb1 Qc7
14.Ne5?! [(it breaks the principle of the
least active piece)]
[simple 14.0–0 would save white's clear
advantage]
14...Nh5 15.g4 Bxe5 16.gxh5 Bg7 17.hxg6
hxg6 18.Qc4 Bc8 19.Rg1 Qa5+ 20.Bd2 Qd5
21.Rc1 Bb7 22.Qc2 Qh5 23.Bxg6 Qxh2
24.Rf1 fxg6 25.Qb3+ Rf7 26.Qxb7 Raf8
27.Qb3 Kh8 28.f4 g5 29.Qd3 gxf4 30.exf4
Qh4+ 31.Ke2 Qh2+ 32.Rf2 Qh5+ 33.Rf3
341
Nc7 34.Rxc6 Nb5 35.Rc4 Rxf4 36.Bxf4
Rxf4 37.Rc8+ Bf8 38.Kf2 Qh2+ 39.Ke1
Qh1+ 40.Rf1 Qh4+ 41.Kd2 Rxf1 42.Qxf1
Qxd4+ 43.Qd3 Qf2+ 44.Kd1 Nd6 45.Rc5
Bh6 46.Rd5 Kg8 47.Nc5 Qg1+ 48.Kc2 Qf2+
49.Kb3 Bg7 50.Ne6 Qb2+ 51.Ka4 Kf7
52.Nxg7 Qxg7 53.Qb3 Ke8 54.Qb8+ Kf7
55.Qxa7 Qg4+ 56.Qd4 Qd7+ 57.Kb3 Qb7+
58.Ka2 Qc6 59.Qd3 Ke6 60.Rg5 Kd7
61.Re5 Qg2+ 62.Re2 Qg4 63.Rd2 Qa4
64.Qf5+ Kc7 65.Qc2+ Qxc2+ 66.Rxc2+ Kb7
67.Re2 Nc8 68.Kb3 Kc6 69.Rc2+ Kb7
70.Kb4 Na7 71.Kc5
1–0
(10) Rubinstein Akiba K (POL) - Takacs
Sandor (HUN) [D65]
It Budapest (Hungary), 1926
[Smirnov, Kesaris]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+rsnk+(
7+p+n+pzp-'
6pwqp+-+p+&
5+-+p+-vl-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+QsN-zP-+P#
2PzP-sN-zPPvL"
1+-tR-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
19.Na4! [(Black has a couple of weak
squares on the queen-side (a5, b6, c5) and
white is transferring his knights there.)]
19...Qxb3 20.Nxb3 Ne6?! [20...a5 was
better probably. Generally a defender
should not move pawns. However, black
has no other way to prevent Na5 move.
Next, black will play Ne6, Be7 and will
cover all his weaknesses.]
21.Na5 Ra7 22.Kf1 [if why tries to attack
the black's b7–pawn immediately 22.Rc3
(threatening Rb3) black will reply
22...Nxd4 using a pin]
22...Bd8 23.b4 f5 24.Nb2 [(the knight is
going to d3, where it can reach one of the
strong squares: c5, e5, f4.)]
24...Kf7 25.Nd3 g5 26.Rc2 Bb6 27.Bd6
Nd8? [(a move back is rarely a good idea.
it breaks a principle of maximum activity)]
28.Nc5 Nxc5 29.Bxc5 Bxc5 30.bxc5 [(Now
white has a clear advantage. His plan is 1)
to attack the b7–pawn, which will tie all
the black's pieces down to the defense. 2)
to create a second weakness on the kingside and "to spread" the black's defense.)]
30...Ke7 31.Rb2 Kd7 32.Reb1 Kc8 33.Ke2
Re7 34.Kf3 Re4 35.g4 g6 36.Rg1 Nf7 37.h4
gxh4 38.gxf5 gxf5 39.Rg7 Nd8 40.Rg8 f4
41.Rh8 fxe3 42.fxe3 Kd7 43.Rg2 Re8
44.Rxh4 Re7 45.Rh8 Kc7 46.Rgg8 Rd7
47.Nb3 a5 48.Nc1 Ra8 49.Nd3 b5
50.cxb6+ Kxb6 51.Nc5 Rd6 52.a4 Rc8
53.Kg4
1–0
342
(11) Lysyj,Igor (2629) - Ivanov,Alexander
(2538) [E12]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.4), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqr+k+(
7+l+nvlpzpp'
6p+p+-+-+&
5+p+p+-+n%
4PzP-zP-+-+$
3+QsN-vLNzP-#
2-+-+PzPLzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[Black is going to transfer his knight to c4
(Nb6–c4) and white should prevent it.]
15.a5! Bd6 16.Bg5 [(The white's darksquared bishop is bad, and white don't
mind to exchange it)]
16...Ndf6 17.Nd2 h6 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 19.e3
Qe7 20.Rab1 f5 21.e4 fxe4 22.Ndxe4 Kh8
23.Nxd6 [(eliminating the main defender
of black's weaknesses)]
23...Qxd6 24.Rbe1 Nf6 25.Na2! [(the
knight should occupy opponent's weak
squares. White is transferring the knight
to c1–d3–e5/c5)]
25...Bc8 26.Nc1 Bf5 27.f3 Nd7 28.Qc3 Qg6
29.Kf2 Bb1 30.Re2 Rxe2+ 31.Nxe2 Ba2
32.Nf4 Qd6 33.Re1 Nf8 34.Nd3 Nd7
35.Bh3 Bc4 36.Re6 Qf8 37.Nf4 Qf7 38.Qc2
Nf8 39.Ng6+ Nxg6 40.Qxg6 Qxg6 41.Rxg6
[(a clear example of a "good" bishop
against a "bad" one.)]
41...Re8 42.Re6
1–0
(12) Svidler,Peter (2739) - Nguyen,Ngoc
Truong Son (2637) [C02]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.5), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-tr-mk(
7zpp+lsnpvlp'
6-wq-+p+-zp&
5+-+pzP-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-sNL+N+-#
2PzP-wQ-zPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[(The black's weak squares are: c5, d6, f6,
h6 and h5. The white's task is to fix his
knights on these weaknesses)]
14.Ne2! [(the knight is going to a strong
square h5. There it will blockade and
attack black's king-side)]
14...Bb5 15.Bxb5 Qxb5 16.Nf4 Ng6
17.Nh5 Rac8 18.Rac1 Qd7 19.h4 Rxc1
20.Rxc1 Rc8 21.g3 Rc6 22.Rxc6 Qxc6
23.Nh2 Ne7 24.Qf4 Nf5 25.g4 Qc2 26.Nf3
Ne7 27.Qxf7 Qg6 28.Qxe7 Qxg4+ 29.Kh2
1–0
343
(13) Ponomariov,Ruslan (2764) - Ni,Hua
(2662) [C11]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.5), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7+-+-vl-+p'
6-+nwqpzp-+&
5+p+p+-+-%
4p+nzP-sN-zP$
3zP-+-+NzP-#
2-zPL+-zP-+"
1tR-vLQtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
18.Nh2? [This is a good move strategically:
black has weak squares h6 and h5, and
white should bring his knights there.
However, white missed a winning tactics.]
[18.Bxh7+! Kxh7 19.Ng5+ (black has no
pieces on the king-side, so the white's
attack meets no resistance) 19...fxg5
20.Qh5+ Kg7 21.Qg6+ Kh8 22.Nh5 Bf6
23.Nxf6 Rxf6 24.Qxf6+ Kg8 25.Qxg5++–
and white is keep attacking]
18...Rf7 19.Ng4 Kh8 20.Nh6 Rg7 21.Nh5
e5 22.Nxg7 Kxg7 23.Qh5 Be6 24.Nf5+
Bxf5 25.Bxf5
1–0
(14) Nikolaidis,Ioannis - Katsenos,G [A15]
Ikaria op Ikaria (7), 1993
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-tr-+(
7zppzp-zppmkp'
6-sn-+l+p+&
5+-+-sN-+-%
4-zP-+-+-+$
3zP-zP-+-zP-#
2-+-+PzPLzP"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
15...Bd5?! [This move deflects the black's
knight from the strong squares a4 and c4.]
[15...c6! One of the ways to neutralize
opponent's bishop is to set a pawn chain
against this bishop.So the g2–bishop is not
a problem for black anymore. Next, black
will place his knight on the white's weak
squares c4 or a4, and will get a good
position.]
16.Bxd5 Nxd5 17.c4 Nf6 18.f3 [(Now the
f6–knight has no prospects. When there
are no strong squares for a knight, it's
difficult to place it in a job.)]
18...Rfd8 19.Rd1 Rd6 20.e4 Rad8 21.Ke2
Ne8 22.c5 Rxd1 23.Rxd1 Rxd1 24.Kxd1 c6
25.Nc4 Nc7 26.Na5 b6 27.Nxc6 Nb5 28.a4
Nc3+ 29.Kc2 Nxa4 30.Kb3
1–0
344
(15) Eckhardt - Andreasson [A45]
Oslo, 2003
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7+-wqp+pzp-'
6p+-+p+-zp&
5+pvl-zP-+-%
4-+-sn-vL-+$
3+LsNQ+-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
[Obviously white is intending to play Ne4.
It will 1) push away the c5–bishop, 2) give
white an opportnity to place his knight on
d6, 3) prepare the move c3, pushing away
the black's knight. Of course black should
try to prevent it.]
14...f5 [! You may wonder: "Doesn't this
move break a principle of development?"
Here is the answer: you may either
increase your activity or decrease
opponent's activity. These are equal
alternatives.]
15.exf6? [(this is simply loosing. White
can't attack with a single queen)]
15...Qxf4 16.Qg6+ Kd8 17.fxg7 Rg8
18.Ne4 Bb7 19.Nf6 [19.Nxc5 Qe5+]
19...Nxb3 20.0–0 Bd6 21.g3 Qf3
Line
(16) Ivanchuk,Vassily (2768) Sutovsky,Emil (2700) [D75]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (3.4), 05.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq-trk+(
7zpp+-zppvlp'
6-+n+-+p+&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-zP-+NzP-#
2P+-+PzPLzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[Of course white has a wide choice here.
One of the best alternatives is]
10.Be3! [(now white is threatening to take
the c5–pawn: immediately or after the
move d5.)]
10...cxd4 11.Nxd4! [(this is a point of the
white's idea. He got a strong knight in a
center and opened diagonals for his
bishops)]
11...Na5 12.Qd3 Bd7 13.Nb3 Nc6 14.Nc5
Ne5 15.Nxb7 Qc7 16.Bf4 [better was
16.Qa6]
16...Be6 17.Qe3 Rac8 18.Rab1 [18.Qxa7
(if you can take something - do it)
18...Qxc3 19.Rac1 Qb2 20.Nc5‚]
18...Qxc3 19.a4 Bg4 20.Rfe1 Nc4 21.Qxa7
Bd4 22.Qa6 Ra8 23.Qc6 Rfc8 24.Qe4 Bf5
25.Qxe7 Bxb1 26.Rxb1 Re8 27.Qb4 Rxe2
28.Qxc3 Bxc3 29.Nd6 Na3 30.Rc1 Bb2
345
31.Rc7 Re1+ 32.Bf1 Rf8 33.a5 Rd1 34.a6
g5 35.a7 Bd4 36.Bxg5 Bb6 37.Nc8
1–0
(17) Svidler,Peter (2740) - Kamsky,Gata
(2756) [C90]
FIDE World Chess Cup 2011 KhantyMansiysk/Russia (4.1), 06.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqrvlk+(
7+lzp-+pzp-'
6p+nzp-sn-zp&
5+p+-zp-+-%
4-+-zPP+-+$
3zP-zP-+N+-#
2LzP-sN-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
[It's useful to develop this practical skill:
notice weak squares into opponent's
position and bring your knights there.]
13.b4 [(white fixed the weak square a5
and will transfer his knight there)]
13...a5 14.d5 Ne7 15.Nb3 axb4 16.cxb4
Rb8 17.Bb2 c6 18.Na5 [(white realized his
plan and got initiative position. Please,
pay attention to the following rule: a
strong square for a knight is a weak
square into opponent's position, which is
under a control of your pawn.)]
18...Ba8 19.dxc6 Nxc6 20.Nxc6 Bxc6
[(black neutralized the white's knight, but
created weak pawns b5 and d6)]
21.Qd3 Qd7 22.Rac1 Rbd8 23.Bb1 Ba8
24.Qe2 g6 25.Bd3 Rb8 26.Rc2 Nh5 27.g3
Bg7 28.Rec1 Qg4 29.Nd4 Qxe2 30.Nxe2
Nf6 31.Nc3 Bc6 32.f3 Bd7 33.Nd1 d5
34.exd5 e4 35.fxe4 Nxe4 36.Bxg7 Kxg7
37.Rc7 Bf5 38.Bxe4 Rxe4 39.Nc3 Rd4
40.Rd1 Rxd1+ 41.Nxd1 Ra8 42.Ne3 Be4
43.Re7 Bb1 44.Re5 Ra6 45.Kf2 h5 46.Kf3
Ba2 47.Ke4 Rxa3 48.Kd4 Rb3 49.d6 f6
50.Re7+ Kf8 51.Nd5 Bb1 52.Kc5 Rd3
53.Ra7
1–0
(18) Korchnoi Viktor (SUI) (2665) Petrosian Tigran V (ARM) (2645) [E07]
Memorial A.Alekhine Moscow (Russia)
(11), 1975
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8-+rwqrsnk+(
7zp-+n+pzpp'
6lzpp+p+-+&
5+-+pzP-+-%
4PvlPzP-+-+$
3+PsNQ+NzP-#
2-+-vL-zPLzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy
15...Nb8! [(Black found the only weak
square in the white's position (b4) and is
transferring his knight there.)]
16.Qc2 Be7 17.Qa2 Bb7 18.Qb2 a5! [(A
knight needs a supporting pawn. In this
case an opponent can't kick the knight
away.)]
346
19.h4 Na6 20.Bg5 Nb4 [(black placed his
knight on a strong square. This is a
positional achievement for him)]
21.Rac1 Rc7 22.Qd2 Qd7 23.Nh2 Bxg5
24.hxg5 Rec8 25.Ng4 Qd8 26.f4 Rd7
27.Ne3 Ng6 28.f5 exf5 29.Nxf5 Nf8
[29...dxc4! 30.bxc4 Nxe5 and black won a
pawn]
30.Nd6 Rxd6 31.exd6 Qxd6 32.cxd5 cxd5
33.Qf4 Qd8 34.Bh3 Ng6 35.Qf3 Rc6 36.Rf1
Rc7 37.Nb5 Re7 38.Rce1 Ba6 39.Bf5 Nf8
40.Qf4 Bxb5 41.axb5 Rxe1 42.Rxe1 g6
43.Bb1 Ne6 44.Qf6 Qc7 45.Kg2 Qc3
46.Rf1 Qc7 47.Rf3 Nf8 48.Kf2 Ne6 49.Ke2
Ng7 50.Re3 Ne6 51.Kd2 Qd7 52.Rc3 Qe8
53.Bc2 Qf8 54.Bb1 Qe8 55.Rf3 Qf8 56.Rf1
Qe8 57.Rf2 Qf8 58.Rf3 Qg7 59.Rc3 Qf8
60.Kc1 Qe8 61.Kb2 Qa8 62.Qe7 Qb8
63.Rf3 Qf8 64.Qf6 Qe8 65.Rc3 Qa8 66.g4
Qe8 67.Qe5 Qd8 68.Bxg6 hxg6 69.Rh3
Nd3+ 70.Rxd3 Nxg5 71.Rc3 Ne4 72.Rh3 f6
73.Qh2 Kf7 74.Rh8
1–0
(19) Zherebukh,Yaroslav (2590) Felgaer,Ruben (2573) [B30]
FIDE World Cup 2011 Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS (2.3), 02.09.2011
[Smirnov]
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+n+p+-+&
5+Lzpn+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-zP-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
[Of course white can simply play 7.d4 with
a standard position. In the game he found
another (more creative) idea.]
7.Bxc6+!? [(It looks like a positional
mistake: a bishop is stronger than a
knight. However, white noticed 2
important factors: 1) it creates
weaknesses in the black's position, while
the knights are strong in such a situation.
2) the black's light-squared bishop will be
limited and will not be able to show his
full power.)]
7...bxc6 8.c4! [(This is an important move
in the white's plan. There are many
arguments for this move: 1) It kicks away
the black's knight from a good central
position. 2) Now the black's light-squared
bishop is restricted by his pawns (c6, e6)
and by the white's pawn c4.3) White has a
dark-squared bishop, so he should place
his pawns on the light squares.)]
347
8...Nf4!? [(Black enforces white to play d4.
Black has 2 bishops and he wants to open
a position.)]
(20) Nikolaidis,Ioannis (2410) Bliumberg,Vladislav (2360) [A57]
Budapest FS06 GM Budapest (11), 1994
[Smirnov]
[8...Nf6 9.d3! Bd6 10.Nc3 In such a closed
position black's bishops are not very
active. White has a clear plan: to attack
the black's weak pawns (the c5–pawn
mainly).]
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wqkvl-tr(
7zpl+-+-+p'
6-+-zppsn-+&
5+-zp-+-zp-%
4PzpP+-+-+$
3+-+-+NzPL#
2-zP-sNPzP-zP"
1tR-vLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
9.d4 Ng6 10.Bg5 [(White wants to trade 1
of the black's bishops and so to neutralize
2 bishop advantage.)]
10...Qc7 11.d5 Bd6 12.Nc3 0–0 13.dxe6
Bxe6 14.Ne4 Bf4 15.Qb3 Rab8 16.Qc3 h6
17.Bxf4 Qxf4 18.Rfe1 Bg4 19.Nfd2 Rfd8
20.Nb3 [(There 2 main problems
concerning black's weak pawns: 1) They
are weak and white can capture them. 2)
They create weak squares, which can be
occupied by the white's knights. That's
why the knights are good when opponent
has weaknesses.)]
20...h5 21.Nbxc5 h4 22.b3 Qf5 23.h3 Bh5
24.Nd3 Rd7 25.c5 Rd5 26.Re3 Rbd8
27.Nd6 Qg5 28.Rae1 Rd7 29.Kh1 Kh7
30.Ne5 Nf4 31.g3 hxg3 32.Rxg3 Qf6
33.Nxd7 Qh6 34.Nf8+ Kh8 35.Re8 Rd1+
36.Kh2
1–0
10.Nxg5! [(If you fix a knight on the strong
central square of the 6th rank - it will
paralyze an opponent and give you
domination. White is ready to sacrifice a
rook to reach such a favorable situation!)]
[10.Bg2? (It's possible, but too passive.
Moves back break the principle of
maximum activity.) 10...g4 11.Nh4 Bxg2
12.Nxg2 Nc6 with mutual chances;
10.Bxe6!? (fixing your bishop on the 6th
rank is also good!) 10...g4 11.0–0 gxf3
12.exf3 The white's e6–bishop dominates
over black's pieces. White will use the efile to mate the black's king soon :)]
10...Bxh1 11.Nxe6 Qe7 12.f3 [(Now the
bishop is trapped, so actually the white's
material sacrifice is very small)]
12...h5 [12...Bg2 13.Bf5! keeping the
knight on e6]
348
13.Qc2 [a sudden move 13.Ne4! is
winning immediately! 13...Nxe4 14.Qd5
winning the a8–rook.]
13...Nc6 14.Ne4 Nd4 15.Nxd4 Nxe4
16.Ne6 Qb7 17.Nc7+ Kd8 18.Nd5 Qh7
19.fxe4 Bxe4 20.Bg5+ Be7 21.Qd2 Bxd5
22.Qxd5 Bxg5 23.Bf5 Qh6 24.Qxa8+ Ke7
25.Qxa7+ Kf6 26.Qd7 Bd2+ 27.Kf1 h4
28.Kg2 Kg5 29.Bh3 Qg6 30.Qg4+ Kh6
31.Qxh4+ Kg7 32.Qe7+ Kh6 33.Rd1 Bg5
34.Qxd6 Bf6 35.Qf4+ Bg5 36.Qf5 Qc6+
37.Rd5 Rg8 38.Bg4
1–0
349
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 7.
Your task:
Check the graphical menu in the next two pages. Print out the presented materials.
After that, please, read these rules once again. Make sure that you understand and
remember each one perfectly.
350
GRAPHICAL MENU:
351
352
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 8.
Previously you were learning something all the time. Now it’s time for YOU to try a teaching
profession!
Your task:
Imagine that you have a friend, who wants to get better in chess. Unfortunately he is not
that good in chess, and he is asking you to help him. Being a generous person, you can’t
turn him down!
You need to explain to him a whole chess strategy:
-
What’s the main idea of a chess game?
How to conclude strategical principles based on this idea?
How to create a thinking system, based on your strategical understanding?
The notes:
 Keep in mind that “your friend” is not a pro. You should explain to him everything
clearly and in details.
 Maybe this task looks dumb for you. Nevertheless, please, perform it seriously.
AFTER THAT you will be surprised. While explaining chess to your imaginery friend,
you will understand (and remember) everything much better by yourself!
 If you experience any problem – you should study the video lessons #1 – 3 once
again.
353
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 9.
Now you will apply your knowledge in REAL practice.
Your task:
Play 6 training games against a computer:
o Including 3 games for White + 3 games for Black.
o Set an average level of playing to your computer program.
o A time control is 25 minutes per game + 10 seconds for each move.
Your MAIN task is to apply the correct system of thinking.
Once a game is finished, analyze it with a computer. Detect what you did right and what
wrong. If you made a mistake, ask yourself why it happened.
The notes:
 Of course you may play more than 6 games. 6 is a minimum quantity.
 You may set longer time control if necessary.
354
Chess teacher:
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Practical Part: TASK 10.
If you studied the course seriously, then your strategical understanding raised significantly!
Please accept my congratulations!
Now you will apply your NEW understanding to your OLD games. First, you will feel your
progress. Secondly, you will find a lot of improvements in your game. This is a very useful
work. People remember their own conclusions much better.
Yours task:
Analyze your 10 recent games (which you played BEFORE a study of this course).
o Find mistakes and improvements in your games.
o Pay attention to the positions, which seemed unclear to your previously.
o Use your NEW understanding to find correct moves.
The notes
 Certainly you may analyze more than 10 games.
 You should NOT use computer assistance. Use your own strategical understanding.
The End
Thanks for your attention! I hope the course was interesting for you; and I am sure it will
bring you good results.
Feel free to let me know about your practical success! I’ll be glad to get such a message
from you!
355
 Now you may study my FREE Course “Quick Success in Chess”: http://chessteacher.com
 Here you can get my other COURSES to strengthen your game even more!
http://chess-teacher.com/products
 Get the NEW FREE lesson on my blog: http://gmsmirnov.com/
Talk to you in the internet!
GM Igor Smirnov
356
The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Bonus Lessons
357
The Grandmaster’s Position Understanding
By GM Igor Smirnov
Bonus Lesson – 1: “Removing Obstacles”
Hi! I hope that you have studied the course: The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding or
at least, you have watched the video lessons of this course. If you have, PERFECT! The
following bonus lessons will surely help you get the MAXIMUM benefit from the course.
So, what are we going to talk about in these bonus lessons? Primarily, we will tackle 2
IMPORTANT things.
 First, I will answer your QUESTIONS – the questions which you have sent to me
 And secondly, I will point out the main MISTAKES students make when studying
my courses and chess in general.
On our first bonus lesson, we will take a closer look at the latter and you will see HOW
important it is that you are aware of these training mistakes.
Having taught and coached students of various skill levels, ages, backgrounds, and more, I
have seen students who would burn the midnight oil and try REALLY hard. They do ALL
of the chess exercises they read about; they keep on reading books; watch the latest videos;
keep themselves updated on opening theory and so on.
The sad part, however, is that their progress of chess is very slow. You see, to improve in
chess you need to do 2 things: add LOTS of positives (which they do), BUT you also need
to get rid of the negatives. If you ignore the latter and don’t get rid of the negatives, you
won’t make significant progress.
Think about this: imagine a car. And in front of the wheel of this car, there is an obstacle
like a stone or something huge which keeps this car from moving forward.
No matter how hard you try, no matter how much you step on the gas, the car will stay on its
place and you will just be wasting precious gas. This obstacle prevents you from moving
forward, and logically, to move forward, you got to take the time to remove it.
Mistakes in chess PREVENT you from making the significant leap in playing strength
that every chess player dreams of. So you MUST take the time and eliminate those errors.
I’m not just talking about errors or mistakes in theoretical or chessic sense. More
importantly, I’m talking about mistakes one makes when training, which can handicap you
for the rest of your chess-playing career if you don’t pay attention to it. So in this first bonus
lesson, I will explain some of these typical mistakes.
Again, in the next lessons I will also answer all the questions which you have sent to me so
don’t worry. I will clarify all your doubts about the videos and so on.
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BUT let’s focus on the topic – the mistakes that chess students and players make when
studying my courses.
The first typical mistake will sound familiar to you. Chess students think that these
principles, which I explain in these courses, are very simple and are for beginners.
I know it’s quite natural to think so. “If you can take something, do it!” That sounds
elementary, right?
Then the following monologue follows: “Oh! This is just for beginners. This is obvious.”
And all of the other principles look simple and very straightforward. The student then thinks
that this stuff is just for newbies in the game.
Get this: this is TOTALLY wrong and this is a COMPLETE misunderstanding! By the
way, at least think about this, in the video lessons: I use the games of top grandmasters, of
world champions, and I show you how they make a LOT of mistakes and stray away from
these FUNDAMENTAL principles.
Do you really think that they are complete patzers? Do you really think that they make silly
beginner’s mistakes, which are obvious for you? And do you really think that you are
playing WAY BETTER than those super GMs?
If you do, if you think that these basic and fundamental are so obvious which even top
grandmasters miss, that means you are playing better than them.
You see, if your rating and performance is not very high, I’m sorry to burst your bubble BUT
it’s just a delusion. I can guarantee you, that if I take your game and analyze it, I will be able
to find LOTS of mistakes and I will be able to show you that you break these principles
EVERY TIME when you play a game, I will find the moves which breaks these principles.
That said: heed my warning: don’t take it too lightly. These fundamental principles are
definitely NOT just for beginners. They are MUCH more deep and profound. If you get
that sense that it’s too simple, chances are you don’t understand these principles completely.
It means that you take them TOO superficially. A little later I will show concrete examples.
The second mistake somewhat ties along with the first one: chess players claim that they
know something already.
Here’s an example: when a student reads abut the Principle Of Maximum Activity, which is
about moving the pieces forward to maximize activity and mobility, he might think that:
“OK, I know about it. Of course, we need to move pieces forward. We need to keep an active
position. It’s obvious and I know it already”
Again, let me warn you. This phrase: “I know it ALREADY!” is very dangerous. It’s like a
50-ton metal tied on your legs when you are jogging. It keeps you from moving forward.
Actually, I have already explained it one time in my FREE course “Quick Success in Chess”:
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http://chess-teacher.com. But since I see lots of people makes this mistake and to emphasize
how detrimental it can be for your chess progress, let’s discuss it.
Your see, there are different levels of knowledge.
THE FIRST LEVEL
When you just know something… perhaps you have read or heard about it, this is just the
very first level of knowledge, and this doesn’t really translate to concrete improvement.
Here’s an illustration. We all know that we need physical exercise to keep our health in good
shape. It doesn’t have to be very strenuous or tiring, but we need to b physically active. But
you see, there is a great difference between knowing about that and actually exercising
regularly!
If you really run 5 km a day, your health would be in good shape. You will feel great. You
shouldn’t have trouble in keeping your weight down. Your cardiovascular health especially
will be in good shape. BUT what if you know that you have to exercise BUT you don’t act
on it? What does that give you? NOTHING!
In the same vein, it’s important not only to know about the base principles of a chess game.
BUT it’s important that you stick to them and consider them every time when you play
a game, and to follow them at your every move. So again, when you learn a new idea or
principle, that‘s just the first level of knowledge. It‘s a good first step BUT it’s NOT the
breakthrough. It’s not the end. It is the first level of knowledge and you need to take it to the
next levels!
THE SECOND LEVEL
Secondly, after being acquainted with a certain principle, you need to practice it. You need
to apply the new idea and through this practice, you understand it at a DEEPER level.
Again, on the first level of knowledge, when you just get the new information, you don’t
really understand it. It’s impossible to understand something unless you apply it in practice.
So, on the second level of knowledge, which involves applying it in practice, you wills start
understand those NEW theoretical ideas DEEPER and BETTER.
 You will KNOW why this rule is so. You will understand how it came to be.
 Your will see how this principle works together with other principles and at which
situations which principle is more important than others.
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 You will understand how this principle works together with tactics and calculation –
you will see when you need to follow it; when you need to calculate variations; and
when this principle takes the backstage.
 You will see at what stage of the game – opening, middlegame, or endgame, this
principle is MORE important.
 And once you achieve that level of understanding, it will become so NATURAL for
you and you will just remember it like the back of your hand.
So you see, you need to go beyond just knowing a certain principle. You need to understand
it completely….comprehensively. You need to MASTER this knowledge – know its
application; its limitations; and everything else in between. There is great difference
between just knowing a certain principle superficially and TRULY and DEEPLY
understanding it and the details around it. I hoe that you can see it now.
Here’s an illustration that some of you can relate to for sure: imagine that you have a friend
who is trying to learn how to play chess for the VERY first time and you decided to take him
under your wing. You start at the very basic: how the pawns and pieces – queen, rook,
bishop, knight moves; the special moves such as castling and capturing en passant; and so on.
You explain to him that White moves first; that you cannot pass and other chess rules.
BUT after that, your friend says: “Ah! OK! I get it now. Chess is a very simple game. I
know all the rules already. So I know how to play chess”. Some of you may nod to that in
agreement so as not to ruin your friend’s good mood, BUT think about it: does he really
know how to PLAY chess? I’m sure you will say NO.
Yeah, he knows ALL of the basic rules about chess BUT that’s just the beginning:
everything is much more complex and much more profound. It’s a good first step, BUT it’s
NOT the breakthrough. It’s NOT the end but rather the beginning.
The same thing works with the strategic rules, which I elaborate inside this course. If you
just know them, good BUT that is NOT the end. This is only the beginning. You need to
cross the border between just knowing to TRULY and DEEPLY understanding it. You need
to practice them. You need to know all the ins and outs about this rule. And only then,
you’ll have a real understanding of these strategic principles. This is the second level of
knowledge.
THE THIRD LEVEL
HOWEVER, learning and internalizing a principle doesn’t stop there. There is the third of
knowledge. On the third level, you need to train our understanding of this new principle
further and automate it as a new skill.
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As we all know, in a REAL chess game, you only have a couple of minutes to think for every
move. You cannot ponder about your move for too long. You MUST be efficient and quick
in your thinking.
This process of automating a certain skill takes from 3 to 6 weeks for different people.
Within this time period, from 3 to 6 weeks, you need to train and sharpen it regularly: You
need to play training games geared for this specific skill; solve appropriate puzzles where
you need to show this skill; and then analyze your results.
You need to know what was good in your way of thinking; you need to isolate what was bad
and why it was bad; make the needed changes; and the cycle goes on. Practice it over and
over and over again. And when you do it for a few weeks…for a prolonged period of time,
you get the certain SKILL automated.
Take a look a master of martial arts. They train one element over and over again….perhaps
even a thousand times. And only after that can they perform this skill – maybe in a real fight
or a full-contact sparring.
The master wouldn’t indulge in over-optimism. After learning a new element of the martial
art they specialize in, they would not say: “OK! I know it already. There’s no need to train
on this” A TRUE martial arts master knows better than that. He knows that knowing it –
reading or hearing about it doesn’t bring anything. He needs to automate it.
He needs to train the same element and skill hundreds or maybe thousands of times. And
only after that, he really can say that he knows it and he really can apply it.
The same thing happens for us for chess players. Just knowing or reading about a new
principle or fundamental rule is NOT enough. You need to perform it many times… over
and over again so that it will be automatic. It will be natural for you, and then you will apply
it easily and quickly.
Here’s an example: one of my students sent me a question. He says that: “In your lessons,
you often say that: ‘Take a look at this position and following the principles of maximum
activity, we can find that, here, White should play this move. And we can realize it just in one
second’ And my pupil asks me: “BUT I cannot understand it in one second. And my pupil
asks me: ‘BUT I cannot understand it in one second. I need MUCH more time to think. I
need to evaluate the position; remember the principle which you taught me: and only then
will I understand that this move is the best. How can you do it so quickly?”
The answer is VERY simple: it’s because I have the skill automated already because I
have trained and sharpened it over and over again. And that’s why now; I don’t’ need to
spend so much time and energy thinking about it. I already have the skill automated. I just
perform it. That’s why you need to do the same. Again, on the third level of knowledge, you
need to train a certain rule… a certain principle over and over again until it becomes
AUTOMATIC!
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THE FOURTH LEVEL
And finally, we got on the forth level of knowledge. You need to include this new rule and
principle in your thinking system. You need to know how to weave and apply this rule
together with all other rules, which finally forms an efficient thinking process.
It’s only after that where this skill really becomes a part of your chess nature. And you will
be able to apply it easily and quickly in your games EVERY TIME when you play a game.
FINALLY, you can confidently say that YOU KNOW IT!
I’m sure you can now see the great difference between the first level of knowledge when you
read or learn abut a new principle… and between the REAL and DEEP understanding. That
explains why these mistakes must be corrected. Some people think that they know
everything already on the first level of knowledge BUT they just heard a certain new idea.
And they think: “OK, now I know it already”
Here are your options:
 Go through these 4 steps of knowledge and learning, which will definitely bring you
SIGNIFICANT results. You will improve your chess. You will progress. Some
might be faster or while others may move forward relatively slower, But YOU WILL
IMPROVE DEFINITELY.
 On the other hand, you can be one of those chess students and players who think that
he knows everything already from the beginning. And guess what: he’s doomed, he
won’t progress at all. To make mattes worse, he doesn’t even understand what the
problem is. From the VERY beginning, he puts off his progress. He puts this
obstacle in front of the wheel of his car. And no matter how much he ties to push, it
will be in vain.
It’s important not to get into this delusion…. into this misunderstanding of knowledge. You
will soon find yourself in a very confusing situation. It seems to him he already knows
everything BUT he’s wondering why his results don’t get nay better. That’s a surefire way
to set yourself up for confusion and frustration.
And I hope that, now, it will be clear for you. You know that you shouldn’t think that you
know everything already. You need to keep training; go through these steps of knowledge;
train and automate certain ideas; and only after that, you will be able to apply it in practice
successfully. And you will apply it in your games – EVERY TIME when you play a game
at your EVERY MOVE.
Talk to you soon in the next lessons!
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The Grandmaster’s Position Understanding
By GM Igor Smirnov
Bonus Lesson – 2: “Your Questions”
Hello there! This is Grandmaster Igor Smirnov and I’m happy to welcome you to the 2 nd
bonus lesson of the course – The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding.
As I have promised, in this lesson, I will answer the questions that you along with my other
students have sent me. So without further ado, let’s have a look at the question, and here it
is.
………………………………………………
“IF YOU CAN TAKE SOMETHING – DO IT.
The principle that is above described is not clear! I am saying this
Because the sacrifice is a very common thing in chess.”
………………………………………………
So positional sacrifices – do they break the principle o material or not? To answer this
question, let’s review our general scheme since it explains everything in chess.
As I have mentioned over and over in my course, the main guiding idea of a chess game is
ACTIVITY. And there are several concrete ways to realize this idea.
 One of the ways is to take material, get ahead in that department.
 Another way is to put your pieces on the MOST active positions.
 Then there’s the neutralization principle – which is about restricting the activity of
your opponent’s army.
Which way is better? It depends on a concrete position. All of them are perfectly good ways
of realizing the main guiding idea of a chess game, which is to boost your pieces and pawns’
activity.
Often we just have to roll up our sleeves and calculate the candidate – moves to determine
which of these principles works best in the given position. Again, the main idea of chess is
activity. There are several ways (principles) to realize this goal. There is no conflict
between them. You simply should choose the principle, which works better in a certain
specific position.
Here’s an example position:
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White’s turn
White here played 20. Nxb5. Black can’t take the knight since after that, White will play
Bd4 attacking Black’s Queen and Rook, which wins the latter.
That’s why Black, instead, played 20…Rxc2. And after the forcing variation: 21.Nd6-Bd6
22. Qd6 and 22…Rxf2 Black is now winning a piece!
If White captures the Rook (23.Rf2), the Rook on a1 will be captured in return. That
explains why White played 23.Rad1-Rf1 24.Kf1 and now, the knight on d7 is hanging. It
cannot move away as it allows Qd8 checkmate. This forces 24…Bc8. And in reply, White
played 25.e5, which opens the diagonal for his Bishop.
Black’ turn
As we can see, this is a positional sacrifice. White has no forcing variation here. White just
evaluated the position and sees that it’s worth giving up material.
Now, how did white came up with this sacrifice? VERY EASILY actually. He knows that
the guiding principle of chess is activity. He sees that the material given up is worth it since
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he got an advantage in activity. Remember, we need to evaluate the REAL activity of the
pieces.
Looking at it exclusively from a material point of view, we can see that Black is up a Knight.
HOWEVER, f we examine the real activity of his pieces, we can see that the Rook on h8 is
dozing and doing nothing. He is a Rook down in activity! In fact White is an exchange up –
he has a Rook against Black’s Knight. See? Everything becomes simple when you stick to
the main guiding idea of chess.
Do that and even seemingly elusive positional sacrifices will be natural and obvious for you.
Later in the game, White played Bc6; took on d7; and won the game afterwards. We won’t
analyze the game in full as that is beyond the scope of the question.
But if you want an in-depth discussion of positional sacrifices, I would recommend checking
out my course – How To Beat Titled Players: http://chess-teacher.com/program
Here I’d like to mention one more thing.
-----------------------------------------------Sometimes my students send me their games where it looks like a
certain principle of a chess game doesn’t work. And they ask:
“Hey! What about that?! The principle doesn’t work!”
------------------------------------------------Let me show you an example. It’s a simple one BUT it illustrates what I mean.
White’s turn
In this position, White obviously should take on f7 and that wins the game immediately.
HOWEVER, at the same time, 4.Qxf7 breaks the principle of least active piece as well as
development. Does it mean that the principles mentioned don’t work?
Of course not! In most cases, 99% of the cases, these principles work. Yes, in this
specific position, White has a better option. BUT that is due to the concrete tactical
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properties of the position. HOWEVER, in most cases, the FUNDAMENTAL principles I
have given you will lead you to the RIGHT direction.
I want to emphasize that there are no rules that work in 100 percent of the cases. But, these
rules are not called rules for no reason. They are called that way since they apply to MOST
of the positions one encounters. In most positions, they work and they will help you find the
BEST move.
If you don’t stick to the guiding principles, your results will be inconsistent. You may pull
off a win or two. BUT you will lose games just as much. Thus you will get about 50% of
the scores.
If you follow the principles I have elaborated in the Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding,
you will make the BEST move in MOST cases, perhaps in 95% of positions. Maybe you
will still lose a few games. BUT you will win majority of them. Thus you will get about
95% of the scores. And it’s much better than your current 50/50 results.
There is logic of learning as I have discussed in Self-Taught Grandmaster: http://chessteacher.con/selfteacher You can’t study multiplication, until you learn addition.
Just like in building a tower, you need to build its foundation first. In the same way, you
need to build the first floor before you can go to the second one.
First, you need to digest the main principles of chess very well. In the previous bonus
lesson I’ve told you about different levels of knowledge. You should go through these steps
until the principles are DEEPLY ingrained in your thought process and they are automated.
Only then you will be able to move on and tackle advanced topics…the exceptions to the
rule.
Moving forward to the next question, here it is:
-----------------------------------------“Dear Igor, pertaining to the principle of Maximum Activity, my
problem is that when I apply that principle, my opponents would
attack that piece of mine and drive it back since it is near the
opponent’s territory”
----------------------------------------Well, the question is quite clear and the answer is quite obvious. First of all, let’s review the
thought process I have outlined in my courses starting with The Grandmaster’s Secrets
(http://chess-teacher.com/course ). Before moving on, I advise that you check out that course
of mine and review if THOROUGHLY.
First of all, when you look at the position, you think about generalities and using the
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES, you will have an idea what moves would be good in a
certain position. You will have a list of logical candidate moves.
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However, this is NOT the end of the thought process. After that, you need to verify your
findings through CALCULATION. You need to find out which moves work; which moves
are tactically flawed; which moves work better than others and so on. Again, you need to
VERITY and make sure your move is sound.
For example: I’m sure you are familiar with the principle of attack. It states that you should
try to make forcing moves on opponent’s territory and take or attack something.
But of course, in many cases, the attacking moves don’t work. You wouldn’t capture a pawn
and lose a piece in return without compensation just because it’s a forcing move, right? Do
NOT follow the principles blindly. You need to check through calculation if the move
works.
OK, as an example, let’s take a look at this very simple position after 1.e4 e5.
White’s turn
Of course, here it makes NO sense to develop your Bishop as deep into the enemy camp as
possible, which is the b5-square (2.Bb5), since Black can easily play 2…a6 or 2…c6 pushing
the Bishop back. That said, 2.Bb5 in this position just does not work.
OK. I hope this clears things up. First, you need to think in general; form a list of candidate
moves that conform to the base principles of a chess game; and next, you need to start
calculating and evaluation the consequences of these moves; and finally, pick the best one!
Also, I would like to remind everyone that before making a move on the board, you need to
perform an anti-blunder check. Ask yourself: “ What forcing and attacking moves can my
opponent play in reply?”
I explained this in grater detail along with other anti-blunder techniques in my FREE video
lesson: “How To Prevent Blunders”. You can find the link to this free video in the text
version of this lesson (http://chess-teacher.com/blunders) and reviewing it is HIGHLY
recommended.
This should help you ensure that you won’t overlook tactical tricks and that it is safe. Well,
that should clear things up for this question.
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Now I would like to bring up another typical mistake students make when learning a chess
course. And I want you to be aware of this mistake so you can avoid it.
While training, you focus on a certain topic for some time. To turn this new knowledge into
a skill, you have to focus and train it for a few weeks. This is necessary for improving in this
area. But I would like to point out that this creates a temporary imbalance since you will
be ignoring other topics and aspects of the game.
Let’s say you are learning how to use the open file to its full potential. HOWEVER, when
you play at a REAL tournament game, you cannot just focus on how to take advantage of an
open file SOLELY. You need to think about all of the elements.
That said, yes, when you are tackling a course, you should focus on its topic for some time.
BUT before starting to play in tournament games, you need to refresh your other skills.
You need to restore your practical skills.
You may need to solve a couple of tactical drills; play training games, some blitz games; and
more. The idea here is this: these refresher drills should be focused on our thought process
as a whole… to follow the correct thinking system. When you feel that your thinking skills
are refreshed, when you feel that you follow your thought process and chess principles in
EVERY SINGLE move of the game, then you are ready for your next tournament games.
Again, when you are training a certain chess skill, you create a certain imbalance. You
MUST restore your normal balance and put a little time and effort in doing so. Everything
should go smoothly.
That’s it for now. Thank you very much and see you on the next lesson.
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The Grandmaster’s Position Understanding
By GM Igor Smirnov
Bonus Lesson – 3: “Your Questions (part-2)”
Hi, I am Igor Smirnov; and in this 3rd lesson I’ll continue answering my students’ questions
about the course “The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding”.
Here is one of such questions:
-----------------------------“Hi Igor, are there any openings that allow me to stick to the
principles more than the others? It seems that titled players use
openings that break these principles… BUT they work anyway! I’m
getting destroyed by these openings that I know nothing about.”
-------------------------------OK, there’s more than one question here so let’s discuss them one-by-one.
First, this question shows that you do NOT understand the base principles well enough.
In the previous bonus lesson, we have discussed the different levels of knowledge. Many
chess students make mistakes by taking these principles superficially. Reading this question,
I can tell that you don’t understand these principles deep enough yet.
You need to dig deeper - widen and deepen your knowledge of the principles; reach the
next levels; you need to perform the exercises and watch the videos again CAREFULLY this
time; train them through practice games; and of course, analyze them deeply.
That’s the first thing.
Next, the question about “openings that allow you to stay in touch with the fundamental
principles of chess”. Well, of course, there are. Take a look at the principles and you will
see which openings stick to it, and which openings don’t.
For example, if White plays d3 instead of d4 in a certain opening, then it breaks the principle
of Maximum Activity. You see, you can answer this question yourself. Ask right from the
VERY first move if it follows the base principles of a chess game.
I discussed this in-depth in my course “The Grandmaster’s Openings laboratory”:
http://chess-teacher.com/opening Check it out.
Moving on, ‘It seems like titled players use openings that break the rules BUT work
anyway’. Well, first of all, I don’t think so. I can vouch that most often these players use
openings that follow the basic principles. Perhaps the problem is that you do NOT
understand them well enough.
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Let me give you this position as an example:
White’s turn
This is taken from the Gruenfeld Defense as you may recognize, and now White can play
5.Qb3. Here’s the question: is it bad because it breaks the principle of the least active piece?
Yes, it breaks that principle BUT no, it’s not bad at all.
 First of all, it follows the principle of attack, which is HIGH on the priority list. It
threatens to capture the pawn – cxd5 winning material
 Along with that, it also keeps Black under pressure and maintains a tension. Those of
you who have watched my free course “Quick Success in Chess” (http://chessteacher.com ) should know that ”To Take Is A Mistake”. You should maintain
tension and refrain from automatically taking.
 Next, 5.Qb3 develops the Queen. Although I agree that it’s done earlier than it should
be done.
 And lastly, it helps White in his struggle for the center. So it follows the principle of a
center.
HOWEVER, I do agree that the move 5.Qb3 breaks the principle o the least active piece and
ignores the development of the kingside pieces. And that explains why this move is NOT
the main line in this position. Still, though, you cannot say that the move 5.Qb3 is a
mistake, because it follows other IMPORTANT rules and principles.
Again, there are different principles that will allow you to realize the main guiding idea of
chess, which is activity. It all depends on the concrete position at the board. You need to
calculate and decide which of these principles work better in a certain position.
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Here I’d like to emphasize another important idea also: you should NOT mix things up too
much in your head. Your task is to follow the principles until you know them like the
back of your hand.
Not to find exceptions to the rule. That’s a good way to create chaos and confusion. Save
the effort of searching for the exceptions when you are A LOT stronger. Just try to follow
the principles all the time. Then everything will be simple and effective for you.
Here’s another example:
Black’s turn
Here’s a position where Black played 5…d3 – a move that seems to break the principle of
development and least active piece, since all of his pieces are still on their home squares…
and he’s just moving his pawns forward.
BUT the question is – does it break the main guiding idea of chess? NO, it doesn’t. As we
know it, there are 2 faces of achieving the main guiding idea of chess – increase e your
activity or decrease your opponent’s activity. They are equally important. The pawn-move
d3 doesn’t develop a piece – TRUE, but at the same time, it also restricts the development
and activity of White’s pieces. So this move is possible – it’s one of the ways to struggle for
activity and fight for an advantage
You may wonder: “why does this happen? Is this one of the so-called exceptions to the
rule?”
There’s another advanced idea that I have discussed in my free video: “How To Make
Incorrect Moves To Win” Check it our on my blog and watch it:
http://gmsmirnov.com/how -to-make-incorrect-moves-to-win/
Anyway, the idea says: ‘if one player breaks the principle of a chess game thereby
upsetting the balance, another player may and even MUST break the principles as well
to punish his opponent.
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In this game, we can see that White also did a lot of pawn moves: he played e3, c4, b4, and
his previous move was c5. White also breached the principles of development MANY times
in this game. That explains why, in order to punish White for his mistakes, Black deviated a
bit from the most natural course of development.
The pawn-move d3 is not even a deviation. It’s logical and it follows the principle of
neutralization.
So in commenting to his remark that titled players break the rules and get away with it, I can
say that most probably, it’s just because you don’t understand the principles deep enough yet.
So it comes across that they are breaking the rules. When in fact, they are not. They play
logical and correct moves that stick to these fundamental principles.
However, I do agree that strong players sometimes make moves that are NOT objectively the
best. In the course “How To beat Titled Players” (http://cess-teacher.com/program ), you
will see that when they play against strong classical players (like Kramnik), it’s very hard to
win. He can play the Petrov’s Defense and will always keep a draw in hand. So against him,
his opponents understand that expecting or waiting for Kramnik to make a mistake in
symmetrical positions is a wasted effort.
That said, they try to bring up complex unbalanced positions. And to achieve that, they make
moves that are NOT the best objectively…. moves that bring complications on the board
making the task of players like Kramnik harder.
HOWEVER, this problem is faced by titled players. That said, if you are not at their level
yet, you shouldn’t bother yourself too much about it. I guess you are not facing Kramnik
in your club tournaments, right?
Your opponents will not be able to play perfect chess. They will make A LOT of mistakes.
And there will be no need for you to do something complex or unique. In levels below the
very top, taking advantage of your opponent’s mistakes and playing the best moves will be
more than enough to grant you that sweet victory.
Just stick to the base principles of chess and everything will be fine.
Strong players break some of the chess principles sometimes…. BUT when they do, they
understand the possible consequences (risk) and possible gains.
So moving to the final part of the query: “I’m getting destroyed with these openings that I
don’t know in detail”. This again shows that you still need to deepen your understanding of
the principles and main guiding idea of chess.
If you do, you would be able to play ANY opening decently…. and NOT get destroyed.
There are strong player who play at their level even without wide opening knowledge.
The problem is NOT lack of deep opening knowledge BUT the lack of deep understanding of
the principles I have presented in the course: The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding.
My advice? Do NOT fall into this tricky illusion of understanding the principles when, in
reality, you have just read about them and are still a long way to applying, automating, ad
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deeply ingraining them into your thought process. So keep training them and you should be
good to go.
In the previous lesson, I have presented the typical mistakes and obstacles that prevent you
from making progress. NO matter how hare you push, if you make these mistakes, your
progress will be close to nothing. I hope you now recognize these mistakes and that you
won’t make them in the future.
Now, there is another mistake that can handicap you and hinder you from making progress
for YEARS. I want to ask: how can you make progress in chess? Think about it.
To get better, you need to improve your way of thinking. That said, you have to be openminded for change. You have to be flexible.
Think about this: your current way of thinking brings you your current results. If you are
listening to me right now, it means your current results don’t live up to your expectations.
To change that, you need to change the way you think, and be open to it. At the same time,
this is difficult to do psychologically since your current way of think is the EASIEST way
for you. That’s what you are used to do… for a LONG time most probably. It has been
developed for years and, naturally, when faced by a chess position, your mind will use your
current way of thinking. It’s the most conformable way to go about things.
When you hear something new, you feel uncomfortable about that.
You are MORE inclined to stick to your current thinking habits than adopt the new and much
more efficient one. When faced with this uncomfortable psychological problem, many chess
students buckle down and, instead of making a genuine change for the better, they stick to
what they are doing for years… and guess what: their results stay there, unable to make
progress, for years!
That explains why kids often progress faster than gown-ups. Children are very flexible and
open-minded. Like a sponge, they absorb information and they are NOT afraid to try
something new… and adopt it, if it helps them achieve better results. That said, I think it will
be good for you to review my article Children And Adults In Chess. Don’t worry it’s FREE.
You can see it in my blog, the link is the text version of this lesson:
(http://gmsmirnov.com/chidren-and-adults-in-chess/ )
Here’s an analogy: imagine driving a car. You do NOT really look at where your car is.
Instead, you look forward. You look where you want to go. And after some time you
reach your destination.
Do the same thing when you study chess. DO NOT stick to where you are. Look forward
and foresee the skills and results you want to get. Do that enough and put the necessary
effort…trust me; you will see yourself in your destination in the future.
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OK, so for this bonus lesson, we have discussed some chess rules and psychological aspects
of effective learning. These are very important things. They determine whether you will
progress or remain where you are.
Thanks for your attention and I’ll talk to you in the next lesson!
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The Grandmaster’s Position Understanding
By GM Igor Smirnov
Bonus Lesson – 4: “Your Questions (part-3)”
Hi, I glad to welcome you in the next bonus lesson of this series. I am Igor Smirnov and here
I answer my students’ questions.
Here is the next question…
----------------------------------------“You mentioned that activity is about the quantity of squares under
the control of your forces. My question about this: I think the quality
of the squares do matter, too. Who cares about an uninteresting
square? ...
And the 2nd part of this question:
How much control is control? Or does it mean no opposing piece can
survive moving into the square, which means I attack it more often
than my opponent?”
------------------------------------------Phew… A VERY interesting question BUT I doubt you will be able to put this in action
when playing REAL games. What I want to emphasize is this: in real game, you need to
make decision relatively quickly. Sometimes you only have a couple of seconds to make a
decision. That said, if your way of thinking is too complicated, it’s hard to apply it.
I think that sometimes chess players are having a hard time improving because they know
TOO MANY abstract rules. Instead of helping them, it creates chaos and confusion. It
muddles up the way you think. The player ends up having a hard time which of these rules
to follow; which rules to temporarily discard; and can’t understand what is going on at the
board.
I have to warn you against complicated things. Keep it simple and understandable.
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Here’s an example position:
I don’t’ suggest that you REALLY calculate the number of squares you control. We are
NOT computers and we shouldn’t do that. We need to approach this aspect of chess in an
intuitive manner.
For example, we can see that the Black Bishop on d5 is more active than the White Bishop
on d2. There’s no need to literally calculate the squares to understand it. You look at the
position, and the answer concerning the activity of both Bishops should be obvious enough.
On the other hand, when we compare the Bishop on d5 against the one on d3, we can say that
it’s pretty equal. Again, we didn’t need to do something out of the ordinary to come up with
that conclusion.
Let me emphasize: Do NOT complicate things. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel.
And I don’t want to stuff you with hundreds of abstract rules. Just stick to the guiding
principles and ideas presented in The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding and don’t mix
things up.
Along with that, my student asked that “in similar positions White sometimes retreat the
Bishop to b1 (instead of moving it forward) to attack Black’s king”
Well, again, that depends on the concrete features of the position.
With a pawn on b7, of course, you wouldn’t shove your Bishop forward at a6, right? And
yes, sometimes we should go back in some specific positions.
Additionally, we should recognize that aside from finding single moves: we should also
create a PLAN. We need to find the correct setup for our pieces that would allow us to
realize that plan.
I explained the ideas in the course: “Your winning Plan”, which I recommend that you
review: http://chess-teacher.com/plan. And no, not just a superficial review BUT a thorough
one. Go through all of the videos for the second or third time around ….perform the
practical tasks and everything else in between.
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One time is NOT enough! Previously, I have told you about the different levels of
knowledge and how this applies to sharpening chess skills. A good part of it is reviewing the
necessary chess training materials again and again to master it.
Going back to the position:
Sometimes, to realize our plan, you need to make a backward move. HOWEVER, again,
don’t mix things up and stick to the main principles I have outlined in the course. In most
cases, in 95 percent of positions, it will be good for you to move your pieces forward to their
MOST active posts.
True, there will be exceptions that you will discover after calculation and analysis. You may
need to go back in some positions. BUT your main goal, remember, is to follow the main
guiding idea of chess-activity. And focusing on the principles of chess I explained in the
course will help you do just that! Again, keep it simple and understandable… that’s what
you want to do in real games. Believe me, it will give you good practical results.
In the previous lesson, I have told you about the typical mistakes that chess students and
players make when studying my courses and chess in general. And these aren’t the sort of
mistakes you can ignore. They significantly handicap you – preventing you from making the
GREAT leap and progress you want.
And now, we are going to discuss another dilemma that players and chess students face all
the time. Often, students send me questions like:
-------------------------------------“In your lesson, you said that White should play this move. HOWEVER,
the computer suggests another move.”
Or something along the lines of: “You recommend that I play this
opening BUT the computer says I only get an equal position out of it.”
--------------------------------------
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Do you see where the problem is? Many players of today are overly dependent on
computers. True, computers are very helpful buddies when it comes to analyzing games; it
can serve as a strong sparring partner.
HOWEVER, to use the computer’s assessment as gospel is NOT good. Do not fall into this
trap. You see, the computers play chess in a way that’s VERY DIFFERENT from us. It
has its own style. Yu shouldn’t blindly follow its suggestions and trying to play chess the
way it will only handicap you.
Again, a computer can be your sparring partner. They can help you analyze positions…
especially very tactical ones. However, a computer can NOT be your teacher!
Here are some concrete examples I want to show you.
For instance: many players love to analyze the games of Mikhail Tal the former world champ
and magician from Riga. And to their surprise, they would discover that MANY of the
sacrifices of Tal are incorrect and unsound by today’s computer standards.
Does it mean Tal is a terrible chess player? Of course NOT! He won lots of games and,
ultimately, the world championship.
His moves are bad in the eyes of the computer. BUT imagine yourself facing Tai – with his
trademark stare, and he plays a sacrifice. Even the Iron Logician Botvinnik buckled under
pressure in their first world championship match!
Thus Tal’s moves are bad against a computer, but they are excellent against a human!
Now I’ll give you another example. A computer dislike lots of openings…even the GOOD
ones. Let’s take a closer look at the Sicilian Defense, the Scheveningen Variation.
White’s turn
If you leave the computer to think in this position, it won’t even consider the move 6.g4 as a
candidate move! BUT every chess player who’s familiar with this variation will recognize
that the move 6.g4, known as the Keres Attack, is one of the STRONGEST weapons in
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White’s arsenal. Some Scheveningen players even gave up the variation to avoid facing this
move.
Another opening that computers frown on is the English Attack variation of the Sicilian
Najdorf
White’s turn
Here white plays f3, g4 or even g4 right away.
Computers don’t like these positions where White plays g4 in the early phase of the game.
Depending on your computer it may evaluate the following positions as equal or even
advantageous for Black!
YET again, as any Najdorf player knows… even at the top, the English Attack is one of the
most unpleasant variations they could face. Looking at the statistics, White wins MOST of
the games… which results to many Black players abandoning the 6…e6 variation of the
Najdorf.
Computers often disdain the loss of material, and as a result, they don’t like lots of Gambits.
Does that mean Gambits are useless? NO! You can ask veteran club-players and they will
tell you just how quickly human-players crumble under pressure.
I hope you understand what I am saying. Computers play in their own style… one that is
nowhere near to how humans play it.
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Let’s take a look at this position:
White’s turn
This is a known position in the Dragon Variation of the Sicilian. Here, computers suggest
that the best move for White is 19.Kb2 and after the discovered check 19…Nd1, White
should go 20.Ka3
This doesn’t look very natural to a human – you voluntarily tuck your King away from your
pieces, BUT this is the computer’s recommended line.
Ok, but anyway, should white really go into this line? Let’s analyze it.
In reply, Black plays 20…Nb2 attacking the Rook. Now, White should be careful in
choosing where to move his Rook. Black has Nc4 – double attack on the king and Bishops,
in the cards. That said, 21.Rb3 is forced.
Black goes 21…Nc4+ anyway. Here again, White should be careful. Playing 22.Ka4 is
answered by 22…a5 – creating a mating net and threatening Bd7 Checkmate.
This forced 22.Kb4 attacking the Knight and making Black play 22…d5, and Black is still
threatening to play a5 + followed by Bd7.
White has to remove that pawn on a7 – 23.Ba7. Even though it looks dangerous since Black
can play 23…Ra8 bringing the Rook into the attack, White doesn’t have a choice.
After 23…Ra8, White plays 24.Bd4 to neutralize the Dragon Bishop on g7 and making the
c3 square available for the White King. Now, after 24...Bxf3, White should answer with
25.hxg6. I will not show you all the variations as there are quite a lot of them.
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Black’s turn
Anyway after that, Black replies with 25…Bxd4 and White needs to make another precise
move 26.gxf7+, which destroys the Black pawn structure.
After 26…Kf8, White can finally take on f3 – 27.Bxf3. Black replies with 27…e6 and now
White plays 38.Rh4. This is important as it forces the Bishop to leave the d4-square giving
the White King more breathing space.
After 28...Bf6, White can now take the h7 pawn – 29.Rxh7. As a reply, Black grabs the a2pawn 29…Ra2 and attacking the c2-pawn.
After all of those complex variations, it’s still not easy to see what White should do here.
BUT upon closer examination, 30.Bg4 forces a draw since Black should settle for a perpetual
check with 30...Be7+ and 31.Kc3-Bf6+. Note that 32.Kd3 is NOT possible since 32…Ne5
check wins the Bishop on g4.
After all of those analyses, I have a question: should White really go for 19.Kb2, 20.Ka3 in
the initial position?
White’s turn
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NO. This is a very risky variation. It requires tons of calculation. And if you do that in a
REAL game, you will invest A LOT of time. The psychological pressure of being chased
and threatened PLUS the potential time trouble could induce a blunder. It’s hard to play
when every move there are possible mistakes and one slip could lead to your defeat. There is
great chance that you will make that slip and lose the game RIGHT away.
While it is good enough for computers that can calculate ahead by dozens of moves; it’s
NOT practical for us humans to do that.
I’ve showed you quite a lot of examples. In conclusion, I’d like to repeat that the computer
can be your assistant. BUT, it cannot be your teacher.
When you are studying my courses, go through the tasks THOROUGHLY and carefully.
Think by yourself and don’t just slap the position in the computer – Fritz, Rybka, or
whatever you have. During a REAL game, that silicon buddy of yours won’t be around to
help.
The way you play chess and the way computers do are VERY DIFFERENT. You should
NOT rely on them too much.
Train and think INDEPENDENTLY. Only after coming up with your own verdict, you
should check your answers with the computer.
That’s it for this lesson. Thanks for your attention! Talk to you in the next lesson!
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The Grandmaster’s Position Understanding
By GM Igor Smirnov
Bonus Lesson – 5:
“The Power of Real Understanding”
Hello this is GM and Chess Coach Igor Smirnov. Welcome to the next BONUS lesson
called “The Power of Real Understanding”.
To get us started, I want to ask you a question: In the fifth lesson of the course The
Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding, I showed you the following position.
I said that the position is a draw since Black cannot improve his position and make progress.
However, this is wrong since Black can improve his position quite simply: by bringing his
King to g3 and pushing his f-pawn forward.
Pawn structures of this kind are really drawish – if we place the King on e6 and White
Bishop on e4 then it is easily drawn. BUT in the position I gave you in the lesson, Black is
simply winning.
I notice that mistake while I was making the lesson. I was about to change it BUT I decided
to leave it there to test you.
Now, I want to ask this question: Have you found this mistake while studying the course?
Have you found it by INDEPENDENTLY thinking? Or did you just look through the lessons
quickly and unthinkingly? If your answer is the latter, then you are doing it wrong, sir. Just
reading and watching the videos is SUPERFICIAL training. That’s NOT the way to go.
In one of the previous lessons, I have told you about the different levels of knowledge.
After knowing a certain rule – perhaps you have read about it or you have seen a video about
it- you still have a LONG way to go.
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Remember the next three levels? You need to understand how it applies in most positions;
how other chess principles work with it; you need to turn it into a skill. You need to
automate this NEW skill and, ultimately, you have to seamlessly integrate it into your way of
thinking.
Only after going through these 4 levels of knowledge you can expect to get GOOD
results. Just hearing or reading about these rules, and using your computer to do all the work
you should be doing, would give you progress that is next to nothing.
Perhaps you have read my lesson: “How Can They Do It”? If not, I urge you to check it
out in my blog (it’s FREE)
http://gmsmirnov.com/how -can-they-do-it/
In that lesson, I have told you how strong players can predict a game continuation for many
moves ahead. They can analyze certain openings all the way through the late middlegame or
even endgame.
They can analyze an unclear middlegame position 20 moves ahead and make a final verdict.
It seems like these GMs and elite players have some sort of super-power! So how can they
do it? The answer lies in their positional UNDERSTANDING.
Their sharpened positional understanding allows them to weed out all of the irrelevant moves
and find the one, two, or three candidate moves that REALLY matter and MUST be
analyzed. Only after that they calculate.
See how such a level of positional understanding allows you to pin-point which direction to
take? That’s how strong players get the job done. Contrary to popular belief that these top
players are calculating machine, their positional understanding is what sets them ahead of
the pack.
And that’s EXACTLY my aim when I created the course The Grandmaster’s Positional
Understanding. It’s made from the ground up to help you play like the masters of chess do –
UNDERSTAND the position and only then to calculate.
If you study the course thoroughly, you will get that great level of chess understanding.
Now, I’ll show you an example. You’ll see how strategic understanding works in REAL
game situations. You’ll see what GREAT results you can get, if you study the course
SERIOUSLY.
Here’s a game and position between two legendary players – Korchnoi and Botvinnik. I
skipped the first 10 moves, because they were theoretical moves.
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Black’s turn
Now it’s more complex position, and it’s Black’s turn. Let’s think What Black should do
here. First of all, we can see that White wants to win a pawn by taking on e6 or on e4 twice.
As I have emphasized over and over again, let’s look at the forcing and attacking moves
first:
Black has only 2 forcing moves: 11…ed and 11…Nc3.
If Black captures on d5 (11…ed), White of course recaptures 12.cd.
We can see that this is good for White. Now Black has a couple of weaknesses in his camp –
f5, the c6 and e6 squares, the backward pawn on c7. Also, with the exchange, White has
gained a semi-open file that’s staring directly at the backward c7-pawn. White can pile up
more pressure on that file by bringing his Rooks there.
Also the move 11...ed released the tension. Remember, “To take is a mistake”. Black may
only exchange on d5 if he has a concrete tactical continuation (for instance, if he wins
material). BUT in this case, Black has nothing. After taking on c3 12…Nc3 to parry the
threat on e4, White recaptures with the Queen 13.Qc3 and Black won’t have time to capture
that pawn on d5 (since White is threatening Qg7).
Another forcing move Black has is 11…Nxc3 right away. White answers with 12.Qxc3 –
following the principle of attack, threatening mate on g7.
Here, 12…e5 is almost forced.
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White’s turn
For those who have studied the part of the course dealing with the Bishops should know why
this is. White has 2 Bishops and Black should keep the position closed. More
importantly, he should limit the activity of the Bishop without a counterpart – the darksquared Bishop on b2, by putting his central pawns on the dark squares.
In the end, we have a normal position. Both players have about equal chances so we will
keep this in mind – 11…Nxc3 is a possibility.
Let’s think what else Black can do. Certainly he can simply protect the pawn by playing
something like 11…Qe7. However, this is too passive. It’s not a good move and it makes no
sense to think about it.
As we know, first, we should try to make attacking and forcing moves. If there are no
attacking moves, then we need to activate our position following the principles of the
least active piece and maximum activity
We already analyzed forcing moves 11…ed and 11….Nc3 in the current position. Now let’s
apply a principle of the least active piece. Black may try 11…Nd7. It develops the Knight
and keeps the tension. So it’s a logical move.
Now we need to consider, primarily, 2 options for White – 12.Nxe4 and 12.dxe6 – these are
the forcing moves
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White’s turn
Let’s take a look at 12.Nxe4 first – Black replies with 12…fxe4 13.Qxe4 and Black now
plays 13…Nc5 – hitting the Queen and pawn on b3 while keeping the e6 pawn protected.
Black will regain his pawn with a good position. His pieces are developed and are now
occupying active posts.
See? We don’t really have to dig deeper. There’s no need to calculate even further. Using
our strategic understanding, we can already see that Black is in good shape. His pieces are
active while the opponent’s are still on the first rank.
Now let’s move on to 12.dxe6. Black answers 12…Ndc5 – side – stepping the threat and
following the principle of Maximum Activity: Black goes to the most forward available
square. The e6-pawn is weak and Black will take it back easily.
However, Black has to be careful as the position has already opened up and the Bishops
can become dangerous. Nevertheless, this is still an option – Black’s pieces are active and
this should be an enough compensation.
So summing things up – Black has 2 options:
 He can take on c3 (11…Nc3) and follow it up with 12…e5. It leads to a solid,
approximately equal position
 Also he can play 11….Nd7, which leads to a more complex position with mutual
chances.
In the game, Black chose the more solid continuation of 11…Nxc3, and after 12.Qxc3, he
played 12…e5 as predicted.
Moving on, White played 13.f4 – trying to open up the position for his Bishops. I hope that
you understand that the f4-move is a mistake. In an opening we need to realize the main
opening tasks first. Only after that we may start an attack.
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Let’s think which move was correct here for White. Simple – We need to find the least
active piece and post it on the MOST forward available square. Thus White should play
13.Bd3.
Going back to the game, White played 13.f4.
Generally we should keep a tension, so Black should not take or play e4. In this position it’s
completely impossible, as it leads to mate (14.Qg7).
Black should maintain the tension and continue his development: he played 13…Nd7.
White played 14.Bd3. That’s right: the Bishop should go as forward as possible.
Now again, we need to make a decision: What should Black do here? We need to finish the
main opening tasks; so to connect the Rooks. Also, Black has the only forcing move
14…Qh4. Therefore we should consider this move first of all. Probably this is the ONLY
logical move for black
White’s turn
White has to play 15.g3. By the way, can you see now the drawback of the move 13.f4 being
played before finishing development? The e1-h4 diagonal was weakened and allowed Black
to take advantage of it.
Going back, after 15.g3, we know that Black should move his pieces as forward as
possible so 15…Qh3 is the most logical choice.
This also prevents White from castling on the Kingside. So White will be forced to castle on
the Queenside. BUT this is more unpleasant for White. He has advanced pawns there,
which means that his castling is not very safe. Black can toss Nc5, play c6 and start an
attack.
In the game, however, Black made a mistake and played 15…Qh6. Now, White certainly
should castle 16.0-0
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And again, we have another situation where we need to decide what to do. Please, pause a
video and think about it.
First, we should consider attacking moves. Black’s has an attacking move 16…e4, but it’s
not good as it removes the tension and opens up the diagonal for the Queen and Bishop
battery. The b2-Bishop has no counterpart and therefore it will be extremely powerful.
Black also puts his central pawns on the same color of his b7-bishop… reducing its
activity. Thus 16...e4 is a huge strategic mistake.
By the way, I want to point out that the computer likes the 16…e4 move. You see, you
shouldn’t rely on your computer too much; you should not believe it always.
Another attacking move Black can play here is 16…Nc5. This is an attacking move, because
Black is threatening to take the Bishop. As we know, a Bishop is stronger than a Knight
By the way, you shouldn’t worry about 17.fxe5 since it falls prey to 17…Qxe3+. So after
16...Nc5, White has to retreat to c2 (17.Bc2). Black now plays 17…Rae8 to defend the pawn
and put his Rook on a more active post. All in all, this looks good for Black and the position
is about equal. This is a possibility.
What else should we consider? We have already considered the attacking moves so now, we
have to look at moves that activate our pieces, especially the most passive ones.
The passive pieces for Black are the rook-a8 and bishop-b7. How can we activate them?
16...Rae8 is the most logical move for the Rook and as for the Bishop, Black play 16..c6 and
to open up the diagonal.
But as we know, if we have attacking moves available, it should be played. That’s why
16…Nc5 is the best move here. In the game, however, Black played 16…c6 instead.
White’s turn
He now threatens to take on d5 twice and bring the Rood to c8 attacking the Queen. So
17.dxc6 is forced; 17…Bxc6
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Now here’s the next question for you: how should White play here? As usual I suggest that
you pause the video, and think by yourself first.
White should now play 18.Qc2 since it’s the only attacking move here. He’s also
provoking 18…e4 which is good for him. It releases the tension, opens a diagonal for the
White’ dark-squared bishop and closes the Black’s c6-bishop. Thus Black should NOT play
18.e4.
This brings us to the nest question: what should Black do about the pawn on f5? Please,
think about it.
Well, he can simply protect the pawn by playing something like 18...Qg6, BUT it’s too
passive. We know that we should NOT just buckle under threats. Generally we should try to
attack and activate our position. We may make defensive moves only when there are no
better options.
Black has a couple of possibilities here – he has 2 forcing moves 18…exf4 and 18..Nc5 (Nc5
is an attacking move). And also, there’s 18…Rae8 which ignores the threat, maintains the
tension, and develops a Rook.
But as for the latter option, after 18…Rae8, white will capture a pawn 19.Bf5, and its’ hard
to find a real compensation for Black. If he plays 19...exf4, White recaptures with the Rook
20.Rf4, following the principle of maximum activity (we should move a piece instead of a
pawn if there is a choice). He now threatens Rh4 in some variations, and can even double
Rooks on the f-file. And let’s NOT forget: White has the extra pawn!
That leaves us with 2 options to calculate – 18...Nc5 and 18…exf4. After 18…Nc5, White
takes on f5 19.Bf5 – following the principle of material. Black now plays 19...Nxb3 – trying
to lure away the Queen from the defense of the Bishop and keeping the material parity. After
20.Qxb3 and 20…Rxf5, White has 21.c5+. And after 21...Kh8, White can win a pawn with
22.cxb6.
Black’s turn
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White is a pawn up BUT Black has some compensation in form of his light-squared Bishop
that’s eyeing on all of the holes on the Kingside.
In opposite colored Bishops scenarios, we should remember that the activity of the Bishops
is of paramount importance. Black can play 22...Qh3 and follow it up with Rh5
developing an attack. BUT Black is not without problems: remember, he’s a pawn down.
His d6 pawn is weak and his back rank is potentially weak.
Summing it up, this position is balanced. White is a pawn up, BUT the dynamic factors –
activity and possibility of attack – are on Black’s side.
Another option is 18...exf4. If White plays 19.Rxf4, Black has the attacking move 19...Ne5 –
attacking the Bd3; the f3 square; and it opens the possibility of Ng4. It looks good for Black
so Rxf4 doesn’t work.
He has to take by the pawn – 19.exf4. The f5-pawn is still hanging, BUT we shouldn’t start
to defend it unless it’s REALLY necessary. Again, if we have attacking moves available, we
should consider them first of all. If we can ignore the threat and go for something else more
active, we should.
Here Black has no real attacking moves. Thus he should consider the principle of the least
active piece.
That said, Black has 19…Rae8, and YES, this indirectly defends the f5-pawn. If 20.Bxf5,
then Black has 20…Rxf5 followed by 21.Qf5-Re2 with a winning attack.
Instead of capturing, White has to bring his least active piece into the game with 20.Rae1.
Again, the f5-pawn is hanging and Black can protect it with 20...Qh5. This is the end of the
forcing variation and now we need to stop calculating and evaluate a position.
White has 2 bishops and a better pawn structure. But his castling is weakened by the g3
move, and this gives Black some counter-attack. In the future Black can play Qh3 or Qf3
and create some threats. We may conclude that it’s a dynamically balanced position with
mutual chances. Black has dynamic compensation for White’s stable advantages.
Now, we can make the final conclusion about this position after the White’s move 18.Qc2,
Black has 2 options:
 18…Nc5, which sacrifices a pawn in exchange for a dangerous attack on the White
King.
 Or, he can play 18…exf4, which is much simpler and creates balanced position.
He can go either way. That depends on personal preference.
Do you know what we just did? We did a FULL analysis of the position after 18.Qc2! It
may sound unbelievable that we can analyze ALL the lines in a complicated middlegame
position and make a final verdict. Even computer can’t do that. BUT we can! If you have
a REAL UNDERSTANDING of a chess game – then it’s real task for you.
Going back to the game, Black played 18...Rae8 which is a mistake as we have seen. White
can now win a pawn after 19.Bxf5 and certainly he should do it.
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Now black has to decide again what to do.
As we know, forcing moves should be considered, and in this case, that is 19...exf4.
HOWEVER, we have already seen something like that before. White plays 20.Rxf4 and the
resulting position isn’t good for Black.
Black’s turn
White can double on the f-file and swing his f4-Rook to h4 in the future. It also removes the
tension, and, as we know, it helps an opponent to activate his position. Here the move
19...ef helps White to activate his rook-f1.
Generally we can evaluate that White is a pawn up, has 2 Bishops and an active position.
This means that it’s bad for Black and there is no need to calculate this position any further.
In the main course I’ve told you an important idea: “The greater positional understanding
you have, the lower quantity of variations you’ll need to calculate”. Now you can see
how it works practically.
Anyway, if you like, we can look further. We should calculate 20…Rxe3 which is the only
forcing move for Black.
White, according to the computer should play 21.Bd4 and probably it’s good. BUT for a
human it’s more natural to consider 22.Rh4 attacking the Queen and the h7-pawn. This
forces Black to play 22...Rxg3+ which is the only forcing move and otherwise, he has a
completely BUSTED position. After 23.hg-Qe3 24.Qf2-Qxf2+ 25.Kxf2 Rxf5+ and 26.Rf4
White is the exchange up and has the advantage.
That said, 19…exf4 for Black isn’t good. That’s our verdict and we need to look for
something else.
If attacking moves don’t work, we should look for something that activates our least active
pieces. With that in mind, 19...Nc5 is a move we should consider.
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Now here’s another question for you: What should White do here? Please, pause the video
and think about it by yourself first.
Actually White should do the same thing: look for attacking moves – in this case, it’s
20.b4. and if this doesn’t work, bring the least active piece into the game, which is
20.Rad1... putting pressure on the d6-pawn
Looking at 20.b4, we should remember that an attacking move is only worth considering if it
forces the opponent to move back. In this position, it doesn’t. Black can play 20…Na4
threatening t take on b2 and f5. Black can also play 20...Ba4 attacking the Queen and it
cannot leave the b1-h7 diagonal as the f5-Bishop would hang.
So probably we should turn our attention to 20.Rad1. This move puts pressure on the
backward pawn and activates his least active piece. What should Black do now? I don’t see
anything good for Black. Black may try 20…Nxb3 to lure away the Queen, BUT after
21.Qxb3-Rxf5, and 22.c5+, White is winning a pawn and, his pieces are on the right posts to
take advantage of Black’s weaknesses. Now White is going to take the d6-pawn. If Black
plays 22...d5, then it closes his own Bishop. White can take the b6-pawn, the e5-pawn or
even play 23.e4. All in all this looks bad for Black and we may stop calculating. Thus
20.Rad1 gives White an advantage.
HOWEVER, White played 20.b4 in the game! Now let’s think what should Black do here?
Please, pause the video and think about it.
Black’s turn
As I have mentioned earlier, 20...Ba4 and 20…Na4 are the forcing moves. They move
Black’s pieces forward, helping Black to activate his position.
Also, let’s not forget 20...exf4. The White’s last move 20.b4 created a CONTACT between
the white’s and Black’s pieces. In such positions we should rely on a calculation mainly.
Though 20...ef looks outrageous BUT it’s a forcing move and we must check it.
Thus black has 3 candidate moves: 20...Ba4, 20...Na4 and 20...ef. Let’s start off with
20...Ba4. White cannot leave the diagonal b1-h7 as mentioned since it will hang the Bishop
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on f5. 21.Qb1 is too passive and probably we should not calculate such timid lines.
Black can then play 21...Nb3 threatening the a1-Rook a Knight fork on d2 as well.
21.Qb1, definitely, isn’t the answer. Again, LOOK FOR FORCING MOVES! And White
has one here – 21.Bxh7+. And after the Queen exchange on h7 (21...Qh7 22.Qh7-Kh7),
White picks the Knight on c5 (23.bc) and emerges 2 pawns up in the endgame. So the
verdict for 20...Ba4 is that it’s NOT good.
Moving forward, let’s consider 20...Na4. It threatens Nxb2 followed by snapping the Bishop
on f5. White now has the only forcing move 21.b5. A little bit of calculation will reveal that
21...Nxb2 22.dxc6 isn’t good for Black. The pawn on c6 is ready to touchdown and promote
to a Queen with the help of the Bishop on f5 that controls c8.
Black has to retreat 21...Bb7. White can now take on a4 (22.Qa4) and Black regains the
piece by 22..Rxf5.. producing an opposite colored Bishop scenario. Now, this isn’t very
good for White as the Black Bishop on b7 is very active and Black can develop an attack
with Qh3 and possibly Rh5.
So White must look for something else instead of 22.Qa4. He has an ATTACKING move
22.Bd7 threatening the Rook. After 22…Re7, White plays 23.Bc6 neutralizing that Bishopb7. If Black doesn’t find any counter-play, which in this position he doesn’t have, he’s
busted. White is a pawn up, let’s NOT forget that.
And now, we need to look at the MOST outrageous looking option- 20...exf4. Now white is
at a crossroad. He has 3 forcing moves mainly: 21.bc or he can take on f4 by his rook
(21.Rf4) or by his e-pawn (21.ef).
Let’s start with 21.bxc5. Here, Black can play 21...fxg3 – opening up the possibilities of
gxh2+, Qxe3+ and Black has a very strong attack. It seems like Black is winning.
Let’s consider another forcing move for White – 21.exf4. We have seen already, in a similar
looking situation, that Black can gain an attack by sacrificing the exchange with 21..Rxf5 and
plunking a Rook on e2 (22.Qf5-Re2). This is good for Black so it makes no sense for White
to go in this line.
That said, this only leaves us with only one move to analyze: 21.Rxf4. Since the Knight on
c5 is attacked, black should move it somewhere. Perhaps, Black should play 21...Ne6
ATTACKING the Rook.
The Rook cannot move since it will allow Qxe3+. 22.Bxe6 is basically forced and after
22…Qxe6, we reach the end of the forcing variation. Looking at it, white is a pawn up BUT
Black has compensation – the loose light squares on the Kingside that are dominated by the
Bishop-c6; he has more centralized pieces; and the opposite colored Bishops create good
attacking chances on the middlegame.
Comparing it with the other candidates, we can see that Black should go to this line.
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White’s turn
Once again, we analyzed, calculated, and evaluated a complex looking position... and it
wasn’t really that difficult, was it? We didn’t have to calculate EVERYTHING. BUT
thanks to our strategical understanding, we are able to weed out the rubbish lines and
find the BEST and most relevant ones.
Back to the game, Black went for 20...Ba4, which is a mistake. And after 21.Bxh7+,
exchange of Queens on h7 (21…Qh7 22.Qh7-Kh7), and 23.bxc5, White gains a serious
material advantage in the endgame.
Now we have to decide again what should Black do?
Of course, 23...dxc5 is not a possibility s that hangs the pawn on e5. White will play 24.Be5
having 2 extra pawns.
Thus we should consider 23…bxc5 and 23...exf4.
If 23...bxc5, White will take on e5 (24.fe) and, if Black takes back (24...de), White wins the
e5 pawn by capturing the f8-Rook 25.Rf8-Rf8 26.Be5.
If Black goes for 24...Rxf1+ - releasing the tension and activating that inactive Rook on
a1, White recaptures 25.Rf1-de and now he can play 26.Rf7 or Rf5, which is bad for Black.
White has an extra pawn and more active position. Most probably White will capture other
Black’s pawns soon.
That leaves us with 23...exf4.
If White takes – 24.exf4, Black takes 24...dc and he’s only a pawn down, plus his pawn
structure is more solid than before.
So to maximize his chances, white should take on b6 (24.cb). threatening bxa7. Black
should play 24...axb6. And now white gains a 2 pawn-advantage with 25.exf4. This is,
without a doubt, the BEST variation for White.
What should Black do now? What do you think?
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Black’s turn
As usual we should consider ATTACKING options first.
Black has 25...Re2 move, but it doesn’t do much. Attacking moves are good, when they
force an opponent to defend, to go backward. In the current position White will go
forward 26.Bd4 attacking the b6-pawn. Thus it rather helps White.
Black has 3 other attacking possibilities also: 25…Re4 or Rc8 and 25..Bb3… all three
moves attack the c4-pawn.
Between the Rook moves, 25...Re4 is MORE active than 25...Rc8 so we should pick that.
The principle of maximum activity states that we should go forward.
Finally, we have 2 candidate moves – 25...Bb3 and 25...Re4. Both of them are good.
In the game, black played 25...Re4. For now, white doesn’t have any attacking moves. Thus
white should activate his position and bring the least active piece into the game.
For this reason White may try 26.Rac1, but it doesn’t save a pawn. Black plays 26...Rc8 and
he wins the pawn anyway. Thus 26.Rac1 does not protect the pawn and also it’s a passive
move. Generally we should place a Rook on an open file, not on the closed one.
That’s why White should play 26.Rae1 instead, following the principle of least active piece
and maximum activity.
It’s Black’s turn to think now. If he takes on c4 (26...Rc4), White will penetrate into Black’s
territory by 27.Re7. White is now attacking the g7-pawn and he can continue his attack with
f5-f6. Generally a Rook is very powerful on the 7th rank.
Capturing on e1 (26...Re1) is bad strategically. It relieves the tension and hands the e-file
over to White. That said, Black must maintain the tension and activate his only piece that’s
sitting and doing nothing – 26…Rfe8. It does the above things and it also threatens to win a
Rook so it limits White’s options.
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Of course, White doesn’t want to hand over the open file to Black and break the tension.
27.Kf2 is White’s reply.
Black now took the pawn on c4 (27...Rc4) and white took on e8 (28.Re8), forcing the Bishop
to move back 28...Be8.
Black is now threatening Rc2+ winning the Bishop on b2. Generally we should neutralize
opponent’s pieces on our half of the board. So 29.Rc1 should be played. And after
29...Rxc1 and 30.Bxc1, we reach the end of the forcing variation.
Black’s turn
At LONG last, we have reached an endgame with opposite colored Bishops. BUT don’t be
deceived that this is a draw. It is NOT! White is a pawn up and he can create 2 passed
pawns on the Kingside… thanks to his 3-1 majority. In the actual game, White won pretty
easily. He pushed the Kingside pawns forward and Black had to resign.
What can we CONCLUDE after an analysis of this game?
Here’s what: using the principles of positional understanding we are able to analyze a
COMPLICATED game COMPLETELY. We analyzed ALL of the RELEVANT and
LOGICAL variations. We are able to find all good candidate moves and evaluate them
accurately.
Have you noticed? In critical positions, the choices aren’t very wide. At most, only 3 moves
have to be considered. Without a good positional understanding, we could end up
calculating IRRELEVANT lines….and believe me, here tons of them. BUT thanks to the
principles, we are able to narrow down our options, calculate only a few logical moves
and choose the BEST one…
By using this method we analyzed a complex opening position ALL the way to the end! We
analyzed all the variations and everything was clear to us. Even computer can NOT make
such a great analysis.
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This shows you the GREAT power of REAL positional understanding.
One more thing I would like to point out – these rules and principles are very deep and
profound. These are the ideas on the level of top Grandmasters and World Champions!
If you REALLY digest this information, you will be able to get fantastical results! You’ll be
able to analyze any position for many moves ahead and make a final conclusion.
That’s why it’s so important to study my courses SLOWLY and SERIOUSLY. Milk it for
whatever its worth! Squeeze all the knowledge and skill you can gain from the course...
down to the last ounce!
Remember about the different levels of knowledge. Your goal is NOT to just know about the
principles I have outlined. Your goal is to turn them into a skill: automate them; and
MASTER them like the back of your hand.
I’d like that you pay attention on 1 more thing. In this lesson we analyzed the game between
Korchnoi and Botvinnik – w famous Grandmasters. Botvinnik was a World champion ad
Korchnoi was very close to that title. These great players made quite a lot of mistakes in this
game, ad they breached the base principles several times.
So, this material is NOT just for beginner that, I hope, is clear to you now.
So in concluding this lesson: make a serious training, and you’ll get serious results!
Believe me, it will bring you progress you have never had before!