The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for December 10: In Memorium David Bronstein

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending December 10



David Bronstein
1924 - 2006
Image: David Bronstein from Gallery of Dutch Chess Programmers (Holland)

Contents

Post 1: News for the week
Post 2: Diagrams and other features
Post 3: Games from Current and Recent Events
Post 4: Bonus Game: David Bronstein - Paul Keres, Goteborg, 1955

[Jack Rabbit]

1. News for the week ending December 10

Chess legend David Bronstein dies at 82

Grandmaster David Bronstein, who was once only a blunder away from being the world chess champion, died Tuesday in Minsk, Belarus, at the age of 82 after suffering a stroke.

The height of Bronstein's career came in May 1951 when he tied a match for the world title in Moscow with then-world champion Mikhail Botvinnik at 12 points apiece. Botvinnik retained the title as the champion is given odds of a drawn match.

Bronstein won the 21st and 22nd games of the 24-game event to take an 11½-10½ lead over Botvinnik and needed only to avoid loss in the last two games or to win one of the two games outright to become world champion. However, Bronstein blundered in a winning position in the 23rd game and lost; Botvinnik held Bronstein to a draw in the final game.

For many years, the 23rd game had been the subject of much speculation with rumors flying that Soviet authorities forced Bronstein to throw the game to Botvinnik, a favorite of the Communist establishment. Bronstein himself seemed at times to feed those rumors, but at other times said the loss was his own decision as he did not wish to his his personal life and private views become the subject of public and government scrutiny as they would have had he won the match.

Bronstein won the right to play Botvinnik by tying for first place in the Candidates' Tournament held in Budapest the previous year with his older contemporary and good friend, Isaak Boleslavsky. Bronstein then defeated Boleslavsky in a playoff match held later in 1950 in Moscow.

Bronstein won many major tournaments and was twice Soviet Champion, in 1948 and 1949. He also represented the Soviet Union in four chess olympiads.



The 1954 Soviet Olympic Team in Amsterdam
Rear: Vasily Smyslov, Paul Keres
Front: David Bronstein, Mikhail Botvinnik
Photo: ChessBase.com

David Ionovich Bronstein was born near Kiev on February 19, 1924. When Bronstein was in his teens, his father, Ion Bronstein, who had been an active Bolshevik before Bronstein's birth, was sent to the Siberian salt mines on trumped up charges. The elder Bronstein was released in poor health after eight years and, two years after his death, exonerated by Soviet authorities during the de-Stalinization period. David Bronstein never forgave the Soviet government for his father's false imprisonment and pointedly refused to join the Communist Party, even though it would have been advantageous for him to do so.

The fate of the elder Bronstein also led to a story that Bronstein was related to Leon Trotsky, who's own father's name was David Bronstein. In his autobiographical book, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Bronstein states that the stories are not true.

In spite of the imprisonment of his father, Bronstein, who was proud of his Ukrainian Jewish heritage, wished to serve in the fight against Hitler. His severe nearsightedness prevented him from being taken into the Red Army, but he was sent to Stalingrad to help rebuild a factory.

In 1948, during a torunament in Saltsjobaden, Austria, Bronstein was attacked by a spectator while playing a game. The assailant was a Soviet expatriot who said he wanted to "kill Russians". Given Bronstein's bitterness toward the Soviet regime and the Ukrainian Jew, not a Russian, makes one wonder why the man chose Bronstein as a target. Bronstein shrugged off the incident and proceeded to win the game.

In 1976, Bronstein was one of a very few Soviet grandmasters who refused to sign a letter denouncing his friend, Viktor Korchnoi, after Korchnoi defected to the West. Bronstein was not permitted to play chess abroad for 14 years and even had his activity within the Soviet Union limited.

Bronstein championed an individualistic and intuitive approach to chess which emphasized creativity and imagination. This was at odds with official Soviet doctrine, which placed emphasis on a collective, institutionalized approach championed by Bronstein's rival in 1951, Botvinnik. Bronstein often liked to call himself a chess artist, which is to say he sought out possibilities of beauty in striking combinations. His personal style aggressive. In a age of positional chess, Bronstein did not fear on occasion to play the King's Gambit as White, even in an important game.

Bronstein loved a beautiful chess game, even those he lost. He own game collections, such as The Sorcerer's Apprentice and 200 Open Games, include defeats that are as breathtaking as some of his victories.

He was very well liked by his peers. Bronstein was admired for his story telling and his enthusiasm for position rich in possibilities. He would discuss chess with anyone who shared his passion for the game, whether a grandmaster or a club player.

He is credited with many opening innovations and, along with Boleslavsky and the Argentine graster Najdorf, did much to enhance the reputation of the King's Indian Defense in the years after World War II.

Bronstein is survived by his widow, Tatiana Boleslavskaya, a Minsk university professor 22 years his junior whom he married in 1983. She was his third wife and is the daughter of his old friend and rival, Isaak Boleslavsky.


Efimenko, Vozovic reign as Ukrainian Champions



Zahar Efimenko and Oksana Vozovic are the new Ukrainian chess champions.

Efimenko won the general competition, a single-elimination event that began in Poltava November 24 with 32 players, including 16-year-old Katya Lahno, Ukraine's leading woman player, Pavel Eljanov and Alexander Areshchenko. Efimenko and Yuri Drozdovskij were the last two standing when the fifth and last round began on December 2. The first game was drawn, but Efimenko scored a win with the Black pieces the following day to take the title.

Unofficial Cross Table
Ukrainian National Ladies Championship
Odessa

-------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 T- (W) (-SB)
.1 Oksana Vozovic . . . . .- ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 8. (5) (41.)
.2 Anna Ushenina, . . . . .½ - ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 8. (5) (39¼)
.3 Natalia Zdebskaya. . . .½ ½ - 1 ½ 0 1 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 7½ (5) . . .
.4 Natalia Zhukova. . . . .0 ½ 0 - ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 1 7. (5) (30¾)
.5 Inna Goponenko . . . . .½ ½ ½ ½ - 1 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 1 7. (4) (34¼)
.6 Maria Muzychuk . . . . .½ 0 1 ½ 0 - 1 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 5½ (3) . . .
.7 Olga Kaninina. . . . . .0 0 0 ½ 1 0 - 0 1 ½ 1 1 5. (4) (21½)
.8 Tatiana Vasilevich . . .0 ½ 0 0 ½ 1 1 - ½ ½ 0 1 5. (3) (24.)
.9 Katerina Dolzhikova. . .0 0 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 ½ - 1 1 ½ 4. (2) (17.)
10 Daina Arutyunova . . . .½ 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 - 1 ½ 4. (1) (19¼)
11 Galina Breslavska. . . .0 ½ 0 0 0 ½ 0 1 0 0 - 1 3. (2) . . .
12 Svetlana Ivanova . . . .½ 0 ½ 0 0 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 - 2. (0) . . .

The Jack Rabbit Unofficial Cross Table uses games won as first tie break

Ms. Vozovic won ladies' event, a single round robin among 12 twelve players held in Odessa from November 26 through December 6. Anna Ushenina lead the event most of the way, but Ms. Vozovic caught up with Ms. Ushenina in round ten, tying for first with 7 points each. Both player won their games the following day and Ms. Vozovic was declared the ladies' national champion by virtue of a superior Sonnenborn-Berger score, the tiebreak used in most chess tournaments.


Russian Superfinals underway



The final leg of the Russian National Championships, called the Superfinals, is underway in Moscow and Gorodents.

The general division of the Superfinal began last Sunday in Moscow. The event is now in the seventh round with a four-way tie for first place among Dmitry Jakovneko, Evgeny Alekseev, Idlar Khairullin and the tournament's top seed, Peter Svidler. Jakovenko had opened up a one-point lead yeasterday, but lost today to Khairullin while Svidler defeated 16-year-old Ian Nepomniachtchi (get used to that name, it's yahn nay powm NYACH chee) while Alekseev scored a Black win against Denis Khismatullin.

Unofficial Cross Table
Russian National Championship General Superfinal
Moscow

-------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 T- (W)
.1 Dmitry Jakovenko . . . .- ½ 0 ½ . 1 . 1 ½ 1 . . 4½ (3)
.2 Evgeny Alekseev. . . . .½ - ½ ½ . . 0 . 1 . 1 1 4½ (3)
.3 Ildar Khairullin . . . .1 ½ - . ½ . ½ 1 . . ½ ½ 4½ (2)
.4 Peter Svidler. . . . . .½ ½ . - ½ ½ . 1 1 ½ . . 4½ (2)
.5 Sergey Grigoriants . . .½ . ½ ½ - . ½ ½ ½ . 1 . 4. (1)
.6 Ernesto Inarkiev . . . .0 . . ½ ½ - ½ . 1 * . 1 3½ (2)
.7 Sergei Rublevsky . . . .. 1 ½ . ½ ½ - 0 . ½ ½ . 3½ (1)
.8 Ian Nepomniachtchi . . .0 . 0 0 ½ . 1 - . . 1 ½ 3. (2)
.9 Denis Khismatullin . . .½ 0 . 0 . 0 . . - ½ . 1 2½ (1)
10 Evgeny Tomashevsky . . .0 ½ . ½ . * . . ½ - ½ ½ 2½ (0)
11 Evgeny Najer . . . . . .. 0 ½ . 0 . ½ 0 . ½ - ½ 2. (0)
12 Nikita Vitiugov. . . . .. 0 ½ . . 0 . ½ 0 ½ ½ - 2. (0)
*Seventh round game Inarkiev-Tomashevsky incomplete (appears drawn)

The Jack Rabbit Unofficial Cross Table uses games won as first tie break

One game in the seventh round is incomplete, that between Ernesto Inarkiev and Evgeny Tomashevsky. As of yesterday, Inarkiev was one of several players tied for second a point behind Jakovenko. However, today's game appears to be drawn. After 63 moves, White (Inarkiev) is threatening mate in one; however, White's King is in check and has only one legal move. Black should be able claim a draw by pertetual check and he has nothing better.

The general Superfinal will finish after the eleventh round on Friday. Tuesday will be a rest day.

The ladies' Superfinal began Friday, December 1, in Gorodents, a 12th century city linked with the legendary warrior-prince, Alexander Nevsky.

After nine rounds, 21-year-old Ekaterina Korbut leads with seven points, a half point ahead of the Kosintseva sisters, Nadezhsa and Tatiana, who are tied for second. Ms. Korbut leads by virtue having defaeated both of the sisters, Nadezhda in round one and Tatiana in yesterday's eighth round. Up until then, it looked like a two-way race between Tatiana and 15-year-old Elena Tairova, but Ms. Tairova also tasted defeat yesterday at the hands of Alisa Gilliamova, the runner up in this year's women's world championship event.

Unofficial Cross Table
Russian National Championship Ladies' Superfinal
Gorodets

-------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 T- (W)
.1 Ekaterina Korbut . . . .- 1 1 1 . ½ ½ 0 1 1 1 . 7. (6)
.2 Tatiana Kosintseva . . .0 - ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 . 1 1 . 6½ (5)
.3 Nadezhda Kosintseva. . .0 ½ - . ½ . 1 1 1 ½ 1 1 6½ (5)
.4 Alisa Galliamova . . . .0 0 . - ½ 1 ½ 1 1 . 1 1 6. (5)
.5 Elena Tairova. . . . . .. ½ ½ ½ - . 0 1 1 1 ½ 1 6. (4)
.7 Ekaterina Kovalevskaya .½ ½ . 0 . - ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 5½ (3)
.6 Tatiana Shadrina . . . .½ 0 . ½ 1 ½ - . 1 . 1 ½ 5. (3)
.8 Elena Zayats . . . . . .1 0 0 0 0 . 0 - 0 1 . 1 3. (3)
.9 Anatasia Bodnaruk. . . .0 . 0 0 0 ½ 0 1 - 0 . 1 2½ (2)
10 Svetlana Matveeva. . . .0 ½ . 0 0 ½ . 0 1 - ½ 0 2½ (1)
11 Maria Koniagina. . . . .0 0 0 . ½ 0 0 . . ½ - 1 2. (1)
12 Valentina Gunina . . . .. 0 . 0 0 0 ½ 0 0 1 0 - 1½ (1)

The Jack Rabbit Unofficial Cross Table uses games won as first tie break

At 15, Ms. Tairova isn't even the youngest player in the tournament. That honor goes to 14-year-old Anastasia Bodnaruk,

The ladies' tournament will wrap up with the eleventh round Tuesday.


Kazhgaleyev, Koneru win first Olympic gold medals in chess



Murtas Kazhgaleyev of Kazakhstan and India's Koneru Humpy are the first recipients of gold medals for chess from an official Olympic competition in the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

Kazhgaleyev won the men's and Ms. Koneru the women's individual rapid chess competition.

Kazhgaleyev scored 7½ points out of 9 games to take the gold. Kazhgaleyev won 6 games and drew 3. Bu Xiangzhi of China and Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam tied for second with 7 points apiece. Each won 6 games with 2 draws and a loss.

Kazhgaleyev and Bu were tied for first going to the final round, where Kazhgaleyev defeated Sasikiran Krishnan of India while Bu was held to a draw against Uzbekistan's Rustam Kazimdzhanov.

Ms. Koneru, 19, currently the second ranked woman player in the world behind Judit Polgar, won 8 and lost one in winning the gold. The silver medal went to Zhao Xue of China who scored 7½ points (7 wins, one draw and a loss) while the bronze was won by China native Zhu Chen of Qatar with 6 points.

Currently underway in Doha is the mixed teams Swiss system event. Each team consists of two men and one woman. After four rounds, India leads the competition with 10 points out of a possible 12, with China second with 9 points. Qatar, featuring the husband-and-wife team of Mohammed al-Modiahki and Zhu Chen, is third with 8½ points.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Diagrams and other features of the JR Chess Report

!""""""""#
$tMvWlVmT%
$OoOoOoOo%
$ + + + +%
$+ + + + %
$ + + + +%
$+ + + + %
$pPpPpPpP%
$RnBqKbNr%
/(((((((()
White to move
This position is a theoretical draw

Does this picture make sense to you? If not, or if it looks like a bunch of Wingdings, please click here.

Diagrams used in the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Chess Merida, a true type font that is available as freeware at the above link.

Also, the JR chess report makes the main variation in annotations more distinct and readable by putting it in red. A secondary variation, is in blue and other colors are used if needed.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Games from current and recent events

Chess Games
Analysis by JR and Fritz

Oksana Vozovic - Katerina Dolzhikova, Ukrainian Ladies' National Championship, Round 10, Odessa
Maria Muzychuk - Anna Ushenina, Ukrainian Ladies' National Championship, Round 7, Odessa
Ian Nepomniachtchi - Sergey Rublevsky, Russian National Championships, General Superfinal, Moscow, Round 4
Elena Zayatz - Tatiana Kosintseva, Russian National Championships, Ladies' Superfinal, Gorodets, Round 4

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Vozovic - Dolzhikova, Ukrainian National Championships, Odessa

Oksana Vozovic
Photo: ChessBase.com


To view this game: Please click here and select the next-to-last game.

Oksana Vozovic vs. Katerina Dolzhikova
Ukrainian National Championships, Round 10
Odessa, December 2006

Moorish Game: Horseman Defense (Alekhine Defense)

1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3

• 2. e5 is more common and more aggressive; White will come out the the opening with a space advantage.

2. -- d5

• 2. -- e5 would stop any further advance of White e-pawn and trsform into a Vienna Game

3. exd5 Nxd5 4. Bc4 e6

• 4. -- Nb6 5. Bb3 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bf5 7. d4 e6 8. 0-0 Be7 9. d5 would give White a comfortable game.

5. Nf3 Be7 6. 0-0 0-0 7. d4 b6

• 7. -- Nxc3 8. bxc3 c5 9. Ne5 Qc7 10. Bd3 Nd7 11. Bf4 Bd6 12. Re1 Nf6 13. Bg5 Nd5 14. Bd2 b6 is balanced (Bernard-Martinidesz, Geneva Open 2001).

8. Qe2

• After 8. Re1 Bb7 9. Nxd5 Bxd5 10. Bxd5 Qxd5 11. Qd3 Nc6 12. c3 Bf6 13. Bf4 Rac8 14. Ne5 Bxe5 15. Bxe5 f6 16. Bg3 e5 17. Qf5 a draw is agreed (Crespan-Begovac, Bled Open 2003).

8. -- Bb7 9. Ne4 Nd7 10. c3

• If 10. Rd1
• 10. -- c5 11. Bb5 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Qc7 13. c4 N5f6
• 14. Nxf6+?! Nxf6 15. Be3 Rac8 16. Rac1 Rfd8 gives Black more activity (Bisguier-Keres, Tallinn 1971).
• however, 14. Bxd7 Bxe4 15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. Nxe6 Qe5 17. Nxf8 Rxf8 is level.
• 10. -- N7f6 11. Bd3 Nb4 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. Be4 Bxe4 14. Qxe4 is a standoff (Zhigalko-Krainski, Pocztowy Open, Bydgoszcz (Poland) 2001).

10. -- c5 11. Neg5 N7f6

• The text move is aimed at overprotecting the Knight at d5, but Black misses an opportunity to gain the advantage.
• If 11. -- cxd4!
• 12. Qe4 N7f6 13. Qxd4 Nc7 14. Ne5 Qxd4 15. cxd4 Rac8 gives Black better command of open lines.
• 12. Rd1 dxc3 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. Qxe6+ Kh8 15. Rxd5 Bxd5 16. Qxd5 Nf6 leave Black and exchange up with the initiative.

12. Ne5 h6

• White puts the question to the Knight.
• 12. -- cxd4 13. Nexf7 Qc8 14. cxd4 Rxf7 15. Nxf7 Kxf7 16. Bd2 is a balanced position.

13. Nh3?!

• This isn't the best answer to the question. The Knight offsided and out of play here.
• Better is 13. Ngxf7 Rxf7 14. Nxf7 Kxf7 15. Re1 Qc8 16. Bxd5 Bxd5 17. c4 Be4 offers equal chances.
• Black gets the better game as a result of White's inaccuracy.

13. -- cxd4 14. cxd4 Re8

• Black has it a little better at the moment, but the text move doesn't do a lot toward exploiting the advantage.
• A little better is 14. -- Rc8, activating the Rook: after 15. Be3 Bd6 16. Rac1 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 Nd5 18. Qe4 Qe7 Black retains a fine initiative.

15. Be3 Qd6 16. Bd2 Qb8?!

• This is almost a blunder. It makes it particularly difficult to activate the Queen's Rook.
• Better is 16. -- Rec8 17. Rac1 a6 18. Rfe1 b5 19. Bb3 Qb6 20. Be3 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Rd8 leaves Black in better control of the center.

17. Bd3!?

• After her inaccuracy on move 13 and following Black's inaccuracies in the last several moves, White has a chance to equalize and misses it.
• Better is 17. Rfe1 Qd6 18. Rac1 Rac8 19. Bf4 Nxf4 20. Nxf4 Ne4 21. Qh5 when White takes over the initiative in a level position.

17. -- Rd8 18. f4 Nd7?

• Black will not recover from this inaccuracy.
• If 18. -- Nb4 19. Bxb4 Bxb4
• 20. Ng5 hxg5 21. fxg5 Rxd4 22. gxf6 Rh4 the game is level.
• 20. f5? exf5 21. Bc4 Rxd4 22. Bxf7+ Kh8 give Black command of vital open lines and White's defense disorganized.
• White now punishes Black severely.

Black: Katerina Dolzhikova
!""""""""#
$tW T +l+%
$Ov+mVoO %
$ + +o+ O%
$+ +mN + %
$ + P P +%
$+ +b+ +n%
$pP Bq+pP%
$R + +rK %
/(((((((()
White: Oksana Vozovoc
Position after 18. -- Nf6d7

19. Qh5!

• White wins the the game the old-fashioned way: she strikes at f7.
• If Black now plays 19. -- f6 then White wins by 20. Qf7+ 21. Kh8 21. Ng6+ Kh7 22. Ng5+ fxg5 23. Nxe7+ Kh8 24. Ng6+ Kh7 25. Ne5+ Kh8 26 Nxd7 leaving White two pieces up.

19. -- Nxe5 20. fxe5 f5 21. Qg6 1-0

• If 21. -- Rf8 22. Qxe6+
• after 22. -- Kh8 23. Rxf5 Rxf5 24. Qxf5 Qg8 25. Qg6 Nb4 26. Bxb4 Bxb4 27. Ng5 Black must lose material or submit to checkmate.
• 22. -- Rf7 23. Rxf5 Qe8 24. Raf1 Black must lose a piece.
• Ms. Dozhikova resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Muzychuk - Ushenina, Ukrainian National Championships, Odessa

Anna Ushenina
Photo: ChessBase.com


To view this game: Please click here and select the game Mazychuk-Ushenina.

Maria Muzychuk vs. Anna Ushenina
Ukrainian Championships, Round 7
Odessa, December 2006

Spanish Sicilian Game: Rossolimo Opening (Lutikov Gambit)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. 0-0 Bg7 5. c3 Nf6 6. d4?!

• This gambit cannot be recommended. White's results from it are not promising.
• A better alternative is 6. Re1 0-0 7. d4 when:
• 7. -- cxd4 8. cxd4 d5 9. e5 Ne4 10. Nc3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Na5 12. Bg5 a6 13. Bd3 Qc7 14. Rc1 b5 yields an equal game (Moshina-Rybenko, World University WCh, Ulan Batar 2002).
• 7. -- d5 8. e5 Ne4 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. Nbd2 cxd4 11. cxd4 c5 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. Nb3 Nxb3 14. Qxb3 d4 15. Qd3 Bb7 the position is balanced (Grischuk-Leko, FIDE Grand Prix, Dubai 2002).

6. -- cxd4

• If 6. -- Nxe4 7. d5 Nd6 8. Bd3 Ne5 9. Nxe5 Bxe5 then:
• after 10. Re1 Bg7 11. Bf4 0-0 12. Bxd6 exd6 13. a4 b6 14. Bc4 Bb7 15. Qd3 Qg5 16. Nd2 Rae8 17. g3 a6 the players agreed to a draw (Evdokimov-Korotylev, Pripes Mem, Moscow 1999).
• after 10. Bh6 f5 11. Re1 Bf6 12. Nd2 Nf7 13. Bf4 d6 14. Nf3 0-0 15. Qd2 Bd7 16. Re2 Kg7 17. h4 h6 18. Rae1 Rh8 19. c4 Qf8 20. Qc1 Re8 21. Bd2 Nd8 22. b4 e5 a draw was agreed (Smirin-Vyzmanavin, Norilsk 1987).

7. cxd4

• After 7. Nxd4 Nxe4 8. Bd3 Nxc3 9. Nxc3 Nxd4 Black is two pawns up.

7. -- Nxe4 8. d5 Nd6 9. Ba4

• This retreat is one of White's better choices here.
• Among other choices are:
• 9. Na3 defends the Bishop, but runs the risk of offsiiding pieces: 9. -- a6 10. Qa4 Ne5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 and now:
  • If 12. Re1 Bf6 then:
  • 13. Bh6 Nf5 gives White, in spite of offsided pieces, greater activity (Barlov-Matulovic, Kragujevac 1977).
  • 13. Bf4 Qb6 14. Bd3 0-0 15. Rab1 Qc5 16. Qb3 b5 gives Black edge with a possible queenside attack looming.
  • If 12. Nc4? 12. -- Nxc4 13. Bxc4 0-0 14. Bh6 Re8 gives Black much better piece placement (Aghabekian-Harika, World Jr Ch (Girls), Yerevan 2006).
• If 9. Bd3? puts White in serious trouble: 9. -- Nb4 10. Nc3 then:
• after 10. -- 0-0 11. Re1 b6 12. Bb1 Bb7 13. Bf4 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Nxd5 15. Bxd6 exd6 16. Qd4 Qf6 Black, up by two pawns, forces an exchange of Queens and challenges White control of the e-file (Felgaer-Pavasovic, Pinamar 2002).
• 10. -- Nxd3 11. Qxd3 0-0 12. Re1 b6 13. Bg5 Re8 14. h4 a5 15. Rad1 Ba6 Black will have White's forward isolated pawn stopped, will gain time harrassing the White Queen and remains a pawn to the good (Naylor-Cherniaev, 4NCL, Birmingham 2001).
• If 9. Bxc6 dxc6 10. dxc6 bxc6 11. Re1 0-0 12. Bg5 Re8 13. Nc3 Rb8 Black threatens to win another pawn on b2 (Fritz).

9. -- b5 10. Bc2?

• This isn't the first time this Bishop retreat has been played. It lost the other time, too.
• Correct is the general liquidation: 10. dxc6 bxa4 11. Re1 dxc6 12. Qxa4 0-0 13. Nc3 Qd7 14. Bg5 f6. Black still has the upper hand, but White's game is playable.

10. -- Na5!?

• White varies from the older version of this position in case Black has an improvement prepared.
• If 10. -- Nb4 11. Bb3 0-0 12. Nc3 Na6 13. Bf4 Nc5 then:
• after 14. Be5? Bxe5 15. Nxe5 f6 16. Nd3 Nxb3 17. axb3 Qb6 Black remains a pawn up with superior pawn structure and an active Queen (Minasian-Vyzmanavin, World TCh, Lucerne 1993).
• 14. Bxd6 exd6 15. Nxb5 Ba6 16. a4 Bxb2 17. Rb1 Bg7 Black remains a pawn up, albeit with a less satifactory pawn structure than the red variation, with an active Bishop.

11. Nc3

• If 11. Re1 Nac4 12. Bg5 f6 then:
• 13. Bc1 Bb7 14. a4 bxa4 then:
• 15. Rxa4 0-0 16. Qd3 Nb6 17. Ra5 f5 -/+
• 15. b4 axb3 16. Bxb3 0-0 -+
• 13. Bh4 Bb7 14. b3 Nb6 15. Bg3 0-0 -+
• If 11. a4 then:
• 11. -- bxa4 12. Rxa4 Nac4 13. b3 Nb6 14. Ra5 Bb7 15. Bf4 0-0 -/+
• 11. -- b4 12. Re1 Nac4 13. Bg5 f6 14. Bf4 g5 15. Bxd6 Nxd6 =/+

11. -- 0-0 12. Re1 Nac4

• 12. -- Bb7 13. Bg5 Re8 14. Qe2 b4 15. Ne4 Qc8 16. Nxd6 exd6 -+

13. Rb1 Bb7 14. Ne2

• 14. Qe2 b4 15. Ne4 Bxd5 16. Nxd6 Nxd6 17. Qxe7 Qxe7 18. Rxe7 Bxa2 19. Ra1 Be6 -+

14. -- Rc8 15. Nf4 e5

• If 15. -- Nb6 16. Re2 a5 then:
• 17. b3 e6 18. dxe6 dxe6 then:
• 19. Ne5 Ne4 20. Bb2 Nc3 -+
• 19. Rd2 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 e5 -/+
• 17. b4 a4 18. a3 Nbc4 19. Nd2 e5 20. dxe6 dxe6 -+

16. b3

• If 16. dxe6 dxe6 17. Nd2 Qg5 18. Nxc4 Nxc4 19. Qe2 Rfd8 20. Rd1 Rxd1+ 21. Bxd1 Be5 -+
• If 16. Nh3 Qa5 17. b3 Nb6 then:
• 18. a3 Nxd5 19. Bb2 f6 20. Rc1 b4 21. axb4 Qxb4 22. Ra1 Nc3 -+
• 18. Bb2 Qxa2 19. Re2 Bxd5 20. Nxe5 Rfe8 21. f4 f6 -+

16. -- exf4 17. bxc4 Rxc4 18. Ba3

• 18. Bd3 Rc5 19. Bxf4 Rxd5 20. Bxd6 Rxd6 21. Rxb5 Ba6 -+

18. -- Qb6 19. Bd3 Rcc8 20. Qd2 Rfe8

• 20. -- a5 21. Qxf4 b4 22. Bb2 Bxb2 23. Rxb2 Qc5 -+

21. Qxf4 21. Nc4?

• Ms. Ushenina and Ms. Muzychuk both embark and a streak of chess blindness in which each blunders on two consecutive turns before Black finds the winning move.
• Correct is 21. -- Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 Nc4 23. Bxc4 bxc4 24. d6 f5 25. Rc1 Qa6 after which White must evacuate her Bishop and Black advances her c-pawn.

22. Bxc4?

• Correct is 22. Rxe8+! Rxe8 23. Bxc4 a6 24. d6 Rf8 25. Ng5 Qc6 26. Bxf7+ when:
• 26. -- Kh8 27. Qg4 Qc2 28. Rf1 gives White some serious threats against Black's position; for example: if 29. -- Bc6 then 29. Bb3 gains time for an attack on the King or if 28. -- h6 then 29. Qxd7 wins a pawn.
• after 26. -- Rxf7 27. Qxf7+ Kh8 28. Qe8+ White deliveers mate on the nect move

22. -- bxc4?

• Correct is to divert the Queen's Rook away from attacking the Black Queen.
After22. -- Rxe1+! 23. Rxe1 bxc4 24. d6 f5 25. Rc1 Qa6 26. Bb4 Qxa2 Black's superior piece activity generates multiple threats.

23. Be7?

• After 23. Rxe8+! Rxe8 24. Rxb6 axb6 25. Qxc4 Rc8 26. Qb5 White is threatening to take the d-pawn; Black's only defense is to threaten the Bishop in order to drive it away and alowing a snap mate on the back rank, but these all fail:
• after 26. -- Bf8 27. Bb2 Bg7 28. Qxb6! Bxd5 29. a4! Black must conted with therats against her loose pieces and the advance of White's a-pawn.
• 26. -- Rc3 27. Wxd7 Rxa3 28. Ng5 Bxd5 29. Qxd5 gives White a Queen against Black's Rook.
• after 26. -- Ra8 27. Bb4 Bc8 28. Qxb6 White continues to tighten the noose


Black: Anna Ushenina
!""""""""#
$ +t+t+l+%
$Ov+oBoVo%
$ W + +o+%
$+ +p+ + %
$ +o+ Q +%
$+ + +n+ %
$p+ + PpP%
$+r+ R K %
/(((((((()
White: Maria Muzychuk
Position after

23. -- Qa6!


• Black finally puts the game on a decisive track with an effective move that both removes her Queen from attack and overprotects the c-pawn.
• If 23. -- Bb2!? 24. Qh6
• 24. -- Bg7 25. Rxb6 Bxh6 26. Rxb7 c3 27. Ba3
• 27. -- c2 28. Rxd7 Rxe1+ 29. Nxe1 c1Q! 30. Bxc1 Rxc1 31. Kf1 leaves the position balanced.
• after 27. -- Rxe1+? 28. Nxe1 c2 29. Nxc2 Rxc2 30. Rb8+ Kg7 31. Bf8+ Kf6 32. Bxh6 White has an extra piece.
• 24. -- f6 25. Re2 c3 26. Rbe1 Ba3 27. Bxa3 Rxe2 28. Rxe2 Qb1+ 29. Bc1
• 29. -- Bxd5 30. Re7 Bf7 31. Rxd7 Qxa2 32. Qe3 leaves Black with only two pawns for a minor piece.
• 29. -- Qb4 30. Qh3 Qd6 31. Bf4 White has time to stop the c-pawn and conjur up kingside threats.
24. Nd4


• After 24. d6 c3 25. Ne5 Bxe5 26. Qxe5 c2 27. Ra1 Qc4 28. h3 Qd5 29. Qxd5 Bxd5 Black is still a pawn up and it's knocking at the door with a Rook behind it.
24. -- Bxd5 25. Nb5 Rb8 26. Nc7 Rxb1 27. Rxb1 Qxa2 28. Rc1


• If 28. Rf1 Rxe7 29. Nxd5 Re8 then:
• after 30. Qd6 Qa4 31. Ne7+ Kh8 32. Re1 Rf8 Black holds her own position and continues advancing her passed pawns.
• 30. Qc7 Qa4 31. Qd6 c3 32. Ne7+ Kh8 33. Re1 Rf8 differs from the red variation only in that the c-pawn is closer to its goal.
28. -- Rxe7 29. Nxd5 Re8 30. g3


• After 30. h3 h6 31. Nf6+ Bxf6 32. Qxf6 d5 33. Ra1 Qb3 34. Qf4 c3 35. Qxh6 d4 Black's strong passed duo guarantee a win.
30. -- c3 31. Nxc3 Bxc3 32. Rxc3 Qa1+ 33. Rc1 Re1+ 34. Rxe1 Qxe1+


• Black's plan is now simple: force an exchange of Queens after which she has an easily won King and pawn ending.
35. Kg2 Qa1 36. Qd6


• If 36. Qb8+ Kg7 37. Qd6 a5 then:
• after 38. Qxd7 a4 39. h4 a3 40. h5 gxh5 41. Qb5 Qf6 42. Qxh5 a2 there is no satisfactory way for White to stop the a-pawn.
• 38. h4 a4 39. h5 gxh5 40. Qxd7 a3 41. Qb5 h6 42. Qxh5 Qd4 gives Black a winning edge, but White could play on hoping for an opportunity to force a draw on repetition.
36. -- Kg7 37. g4 a5 38. h4 a4 39. h5 gxh5 40. gxh5 Qf6 41. Qg3+


• 41. Qxd7 a3 42. Qa4 Qg5+ 43. Kf1 Qc1+ 44. Kg2 Kh6 gives Black better chances of forcing an exchange of Queens than White chances of stopping the a-pawn.
41. -- Kh6 42. f4 Qg7 43. 0-1


• White cannot prevent the exchange of Queens.
• Ms. Muzychuk resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Nepomniachtchi - Rublevsky, Russian Superfinals, Moscow

Ian Nepomniachtchi
Photo: ChessBase.com (Spanish language edition)

Ian Nepomniachtchi vs. Sergei Rublevsky
Russian Championships, Round 4
Moscow, December 2006

Open Sicilian Game: Kan Defense

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3

• More flexible are the lines initiated with 5. Bd3, which allow White the option of playing the Maroczy bind.
• If 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. 0-0 Qc7 7. Qe2 d6 8. c4 (the Maroczy bind, making it difficult for Black to advance his d-pawn any further) g6 9. Nc3 Bg7 10. Rd1 0-0 11. Nf3 then:
• 11. -- Nc6 12. Bf4 e5 13. Be3 is equal.
• 11. -- Nbd7 12. Bf4 Ng4 13. Rac1 Nge5 with a sastisfactory game for both sides.

5. -- Qc7 6. Qf3

• Much more common is 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. 0-0 Nc6 8. Be3 Ne5 9. h3 Bc5 10. Kh1 d6 11. f4 Ng6 12. Qe1 0-0 with an equal game.

6. -- Nf6

• 6. -- Nc6 7. Nb3 Nf6 8. Bf4 d6 9. Be2 Be7 10. Qg3 0-0 11. Rd1 Rd8 12. 0-0 b5 is level (Korchnoi-Taimanov, Soviet Ch, Riga 1958}.

7. Bg5 Qe5

• If 7. -- Be7 8. 0-0-0 then:
• 8. -- h6 9. Bh4 Nc6 10. Be2 d6 11. h3 0-0 is level.
• 8. -- Nc6 9. Nxc6 dxc6 then:
• 10. Qg310. -- e5 11. Be2 0-0 12. f4 gives White a spatial edge on the kingside.
• after 10. -- Qxg3 11. hxg3 Bd7 12. Be2 Rd8 13. e5 White has an advantage in space in the center.

8. Be3

• White directly protects his Knight which is holding down his share of the center.
• 8. Bxf6 Qxf6 9. Qxf6 gxf6 10. 0-0-0 Bh6+ 11. Kb1 d6 12. g3 gives White better pawn structure and an almost meaningless edge in space while Black has the most active piece on the board.

8. -- Bb4!

• This is definitely Black's best move here. White must take time to deal with the pin before going much further with any plans.
• 8. -- d5 9. exd5 Bc5 10. 0-0-0 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 exd5 12. Bf4 gives White a very distict edge in piece activity and initiative.

9. 0-0-0!

• White deals with the pin immediately, although it will cost him in terms of pawn structure and maybe even King safety.
• If 9. Nde2, postponing the unpinning move to secure better pawn structure, then 9. -- Qxe4 10. Qg3 Qg6 and now:
• 11. Qc7 11. -- 0-0 12. 0-0-0 Ng4 13. Bd4 Nc6 forces the Queen to retreat.
• after 11. Qxg6 hxg6 12. a3 Ba5 13. Rd1 d5 Black has firm control of the center.

9. -- Bxc3 10. bxc3 0-0 11. Bd3

• The game is level. White is better developed, but his pawn structure leaves something to be desired and Black's Queen is safe in the center for now.

11. -- d6 12. Nb3 d5!?

• Black continues to neglect the development of his queenside pieces in an attempt to dominate the center.
• 12. -- Nc6 13. Bd4 Qg5+ 14. Be3 Qh4 15. Qg3 Qxg3 16. hxg3 b5 is even.

13. exd5

• White takes his chances by liquidating the pawn center.13. Bf4 Qh5 14. Qxh5 Nxh5 15. Bg5 h6 16. Be3 Nf6 17. Bc5 Re8 is equal.

13. -- exd5 14. h3 Nc6?!

• White finally gets a queenside piece out. but it doesn't seem to have anything to bite or anywhere to go.
• If 14. -- Re8!? 15. Bd4 Qg5+ 16. Kb1 Ne4 17. Rhe1 then:
• If 17. -- f5 18. c4 Nc6 then:
• 19. Bb2 Ne5 gives BLack an edge in central space.
• 19. cxd5?? Nxd4 20. Nxd4 Nd2+ is obviosly unsatisfactory for White.
• Else if 17. -- Bf5 18. Nc5 Nc6 19. Nxe4 Bxe4 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Rxe4 gives White N extra pawn and a firm piece center.

15. Bf4 Qe7

• White has a clear initiative. All Black can do is defend accurately and bode his time.
• 15. -- Qh5? leads to disaster for Black: 16. g4 Qh4 17. Rhe1 and now:
• 17. -- Re8 18. Rxe8+ Nxe8 19. Qe3 Qd8 20. Bg5 give White firm command of open lanes and the center.
• after 17. -- b5 18. Qe3 d4 19. Qf3 Bd7 20. Nxd4 Nxd4 21. cxd4 Black's Queen is offsided, his Rooks atre idle and White's pieces are all bearing down on the center.
• after 17. -- Bd7 18. Nc5 Rfe8 19. Nxb7 a5 20. Nd6 Rxe1 21. Rxe1 Black's Queen is offsided, his other pieces are passive and White has a Knight established on the sixth rank.

16. Bg5 Be6

• Black chooses the best way to defend the d-pawn.
• If 16. -- Ne5 17. Qf4 then:
• 17. -- Nxd3+ 18. cxd3 Be6 19. Kb2 Rac8 20. Rde1 give White an edge in piece activity.
• after 17. -- b5? 18. Rhe1 Qa3+ 19. Kb1 Nc4 20. Bxc4 bxc4 21. Bxf6 cxb3 22. cxb3 White is up by a pawn and have active pieces commanding important avenues of attack.

17. Qg3 Rfe8

• Black is now paying for his earlier tardiness in developing his pieces. He needs regroup his pieces into a coordinated defense of the kingside.
• After 17. -- Rfc8 18. Rhe1 Qa3+ 19. Kb1 Nd7 20. f4 White is better in terms of piece mobility.

18. Kb1 a5?

• Perhaps impatient with defending, and perhsaps simply because there isn't much more he can do on the kingside, Black attempts to spearhead a counterattack on the opposite wing.
• A better try is 18. -- Rac8 19. Rhe1 Qc7 20. Bxf6 Qxg3 21. fxg3 with an equal game.

19. Rhe1

• White continues to pressure the center.
• 19. Qh4 h6 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. Qxf6 gxf6 22. Bb5 Re7 23. Rhe1 White, with his active Rooks, continues to enjoy the advantage, but it is far from a decisive advantage.

19. -- a4 20. Nc5!

The Knight is relatively safe; if 20. -- Qxc5 then 21. Bxf6 and Black cannot recapture on f6 because of the pin.
• If 20. Nd2 b5 21. Qh4 h6 then:
• 22. Bxf6 Qxf6 23. Qxf6 gxf6 24. Kc1 Rab8 25. Nf3 gives White an indecisive edge with piece activity, but with the Queens off the board it's hard to drive it home.
• after 22. Bxh6 gxh6 23. Qxh6 d4 24. Qg5+ Kf8 25. Qh6+ Kg8 White has only two pawns for the piece and has nothing better than to force a draw by repetition.

20. -- Ra5

• Of course, Black could take the Knight and live long enough to tell the tale. It isn't poisoned, but it will make Black dizzy.
• After 20. -- Qxc5 21. Bxf6 g6 22. Qe3 Qf8 23. Qc1 b5 24. a3 White, commanding open lanes to the Black King, has a signigicant edge.

Black: Sergei Rublevsky
!""""""""#
$ + +t+l+%
$+o+ WoOo%
$ +m+ M +%
$T No+ B %
$o+ + + +%
$+ Pb+ Qp%
$p+p+ Pp+%
$+k+rR + %
/(((((((()
White: Ian Nepomniachtchi
Position after 20. -- Ra8a5

21. Nd7!!

• The Knight is even safer here than at c5. It will remain en prise for five moves before retreating.
• 21. Nxe6? lets Black slip away: 21. -- fxe6 22. Qh4 h6 23. Bxf6 Qxf6 24. Qxf6 gxf6 25. c4 Ne5 is level.

21. -- Nh5

• After 21. -- Qxd7 22. Bxf6! g6 23. Qf4! +- Black must give up material to prevent mate on g7.

22. Bxe7 Nxg3 23. Bb4 Ra7

• 23. -- Nxb4 24. cxb4 Ra7 25. Rxe6 fxe6 26. fxg3 gives White two minor pieces for a Rook and superior piece activity.

24. Bc5 Ra5 25. Bb4 Ra7 26. Nc5 Nh5

• If 26. -- Ne4 27. Nxe4 dxe4 28. Rxe4 then:
• after 28. -- Raa8 29. Ree1 g5 30. Kb2 Nxb4 31. cxb4 a3+ 32. Kb1 White has his bases covered and is ready to take the initiative with decisive effect.
• 28. -- Rd8 29. Rde1 Raa8 30. R4e2 h5 31. a3 White's mobility and activity will carry the day.

27. Bb5 Nf4 28. g3

• The text is better than 28. Nxb7 when:
• 28. -- Nxb4 29. Bxe8 Rxb7 30. cxb4 Rxb4+ 31. Kc1 Nxg2 32. Re5 White continues to enjoy better piece activity, but his advantage has dissipated some.
• 28. -- Rc8 29. Nd6 Rcc7 30. Bc5 Ra5 31. Kc1 Nxg2 32. Rh1 and White is safe, but will have to work a little harder to convert the point.

28. -- Nxh3 29. f4 Raa8 30. Nxb7 Rec8

• If 30. -- Nxb4 31. Bxe8 Nxc2 32. Kxc2 Rxe8 33. Rxd5 then:
• after 33. -- g5 34. Nc5 gxf4 35. Nxe6 Rxe6 36. Rxe6 fxe6 37. Rh5 White's active Rook beats the Knight and extra pawns.
• 33. -- Rb8 34. Nd8 a3 35. Nxe6 fxe6 36. Rxe6 Rb2+ 37. Kd3 Nf2+ 38. Kc4 Rxa2 39. Ra6 White has an easy win.

31. Nd6 Nf2

• If 31. -- Rc7 32. f5 Bd7 33. Rxd5 then:
• after 33. -- Ng5 34. Kb2 Rb8 35. Ka3 Nxb4 36. cxb4 Bxb5 37. Rxb5 the Black Rook cannot leave the back rank because of the threat of mate.
• after 33. -- Rb8 34. Kc1 f6 35. Rc5 Nxb4 36. Bc4+ Kf8 37. Rxc7 the Bishop is trapped.

32. Nxc8 Rxc8 33. Rd2 Ne4 34. Rxe4 dxe4 35. Bxc6 e3 36. Rd4

• 36. Rd6 e2 37. c4 Rb8 38. Kc1 Bxc4 39. a3 g5 40. Kd2 stops Black's last best hope.

36. -- e2 37. c4 Rb8 38. Kc1! 1-0

• The text move assures that the e-pawn will not coronate.
• After 38. -- Bxc4 39. Kd2 Ba6 40. Bxa4 Rc8 41. Rd7 Bc4 42. Bb3 White will either attack the pawn with the Rook or take Black's Bishop, after which the pawn falls.
• Rublevsky resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Zayatz - T. Kosintseva, Russian Superfinals, Gorodents

Tatiana Kosintseva
Photo: ChessBase.com


To view this game with a PGN viewer:

• Please click here
• Select Games in pgn format
• Select game 22 from the list.

Elena Zayatz vs. Tatiana Kosintseva
Russian National Championships (Ladies' Superfinal), Round 4
Gorodets, December 2006

King's English Game: Four Knights' Opening

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d4

• If 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 0-0 6. 0-0 e4 7. Ng5 Bxc3 8. bxc3 Re8 then:
• 9. f3 exf3 10. Nxf3 is equal.
• 9. d3 exd3 10. exd3 h6 11. Ne4 b6 12. Bf4 Bb7 13. Re1 Na5 is equal.
• If 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 0-0 6. Nd5 Re8 7. Qf5 d6 8. Nxf6+ gxf6 9. Qh5 d5 then:
• 10. cxd5 Qxd5 11. Be2 Be6 12. 0-0 e4 13. Qxd5 Bxd5 then:
• 14. Ne1 Rad8 15. d4 Bxe1 16. Rxe1 Nb4 with an equal game (Keene-Korchnoi, Montreaux 1977).
• 14. Nh4 Rad8 15. f3 Be6 16. fxe4 Bxd2 with equality (Korchnoi-Karpov, Euwe Mem, Amsterdam 1987).
• 10. Bd3 e4 11. cxd5 exd3 12. dxc6 bxc6 13. b3 Qd5 14. Qh4 Bf8 15. Bb2 Bg7 16. Qg3 gives White a small edge with the pin on the g-file (T. R. Hansen-Borresen, Norwegian Ch, Kristiansund 2001).

4. -- e4

• If 4. -- exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 then:
• 7. -- Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Ne5 then:
• 9. f4 Ng6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. g3 0-0 12. Bg2 d6 13. 0-0 c6 14. Rb1 Qe7 15. e4 is level (Shapi-Arlamowski, Szczawno Zdroj1950).
• 9. e3 Ng6 10. Bg3 Ne4 11. Qc2 Nxg3 12. hxg3 d6 13. f4 turned into one of Botvinnik's most famous victories (Botvinnik-Levenfish, Soviet ch, Moscow 1940). Interstingly, Fritz evaluates the game as comfortably favorable to Black at this point.
• 7. -- 0-0 8. Rc1 Re8 9. e3 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 c5 11. Qd1 g5 12. Bg3 d5 13. cxd5 Qxd5 14. Qxd5 Nxd5 15. h4 Bg4 16. hxg5 hxg5 17. Bb5 Re7 is equal (M. Gurevich-Bareev, Wijk aan Zee 2002).

5. Ng5 Bb4 6. d5 Na5

• If 6. -- Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 Nb8 8. Qd4 Qe7 9. c5 then:
• 9. -- h6 10. d6 Nc6 11. dxe7 Nxd4 12. cxd4 hxg5 13. Bxg5 is equal (Ferster-Singe, Olympiad, Turino 2006).
• 9. -- d6 10. cxd6 cxd6 gives Black an advantage in space (Rasmusson-Rosselli, Olympiad, London 1927).

7. Qc2?

• This loses a pawn without compensation.
• If 7. Qa4 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 b6 then:
• 9. e3 0-0 then:
• 10. Rb1 d6 11. Ba3 then:
• 11. -- Re8 12. Nh3 Qe7 13. Nf4 Qe5 14. Bb4 Nb7 15. Qc2 is level.
• 11. -- Qe8 12. Qxe8 Rxe8 13. Bb4 is essentially the next line with the Queens off the board; this is level.
• 10. Ba3?! Re8 11. Rd1 d6 isn't terribly great for either side; White's Queen and Bishop are offside, and the Knight will have to regroup to h3.
• 9. c5? Bb7 10. Nxe4 Nxd5 11. e3 0-0 12. Qd4 f5 is more than comfortable for Black.
• If 7. Bd2 Nxc4 8. Ngxe4
  
  Analysis Diagram: Ohrid 2001
  Black: Maxim Turov
  !""""""""#
  $t+vWl+ T%
  $OoOo+oOo%
  $ + + M +%
  $+ +p+ + %
  $ Vp+n+ +%
  $+ N + + %
  $pP BpPpP%
  $R +qKb+r%
  /(((((((()
  White: Lukasz Cyborowski
  Position after 8. Ng5xe4
  
  8. -- Nxe4 9. Nxe4 Qe7 10. a3 Bxd2+ 11. Nxd2 Nb6 12. Qb3 0-0 13. e4 c6 14. dxc6 dxc6 15. Be2 Be6 draw agreed (Cyborowski-Turov, Ohrid 2001).

7. -- Nxc4 8. Ngxe4

• If 8. Qb3 Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 Nd6 then:
• 10. Qe5+ Qe7 11. Bf4 Qxe5 12. Bxe5 h6 -/+
• 10. Bf4 0-0 11. Rd1 b5 -/+

Black: Tatiana Kosintseva
!""""""""#
$t+vWl+ T%
$OoOo+oOo%
$ + + M +%
$+ +p+ + %
$ Vp+n+ +%
$+ N + + %
$pPq+pPpP%
$R B Kb+r%
/(((((((()
White: Elena Zayantz
Position after 8. Ng5xe4

8. -- Nxd5!

• Black wastes no time in taking the pawn.
• The reader can now see that the difference between this game and the Cyborowski-Turov game quoted in the notes to White's 7th move is that in the other game the Bishop at d2 shields the Knight from check, therefore there is no pin. The Knight at f6 has to take the Knight at e4 since it would be suicide to take the pawn at d5. In this case, with the Knight pinned, the pawn is free and it would be foolish not to take it..

9. Qd3 Ndb6 10. Qg3 Kf8

• Black does not like the idea of castling into a pin, so she protects the pawn this way. The drawback to this move is that it will make developing the King's Rook difficult.
• 10. -- Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Kf8 12. Bg5 f6 13. Bf4 Qe7 14. Nd2 Nxd2 15. Bxd2 d6 gives Black a considerable edge with greater mobility.

11. a3 Be7 12. b3 Nd6 13. Bb2

• White seek to put pressure on Black's seemingly vulnerable g7.
• After 13. Ra2 Nf5 14. Qd3 d5 15. Rd2 Be6 16. Ng3 Nxg3 17. hxg3 h6 Black is comfortably holding her position and White needs to develop her King's Bishop.

13. -- Nf5 14. Qd3 d5 15. 0-0-0!

• This is White's best. With this move, her King heads for safety and pressure is put on the d-file, although Black's d-pawn is solidly defended shortens White's range.
• 15. Rd1 c6 16. Nd2 Nd6 17. e4 Bg4 18. Be2 Bxe2 19. Nxe2 Nb5 Black remains a pawn ahead while White's position looks unnecessarily cramped.

15. -- Be6 16. Ng3 Nxg3 17. Qxg3

• Black has improved her position slightly while White's Queen is back where it was on before it recaptued on the 17th move. Black will now grab space on the queenside.
• After 17. hxg3 Kg8 18. e4 c6 19. Qc2 Qf8 20. Bd3 dxe4 21. Nxe4 h6 Black is threatening the a-pawn and can eaily take command of the d-file by playing his Rook to d8.

17. -- Bh4 18. Qe3 Qe7 19. g3 Bf6 20. Qd3

• White feels is it best to remove his Queen from a possible pin it and win it attack from the threat 0f -- Bg5.
• If 20. Nb5 Bxb2+ 21. Kxb2 c5 22. Qf4 then:
• after 22. -- d4 23. Nc7 Bxb3 24. Kxb3 g5 25. Qf3 Qxc7 Black's two extra pawns roll on.
• after 22. -- c4 23. Rc1 Bd7 24. Nd6 Bc6 25. Rg1 Rd8 White retains a strong initiative.
• If 20. f4 c5 21. Nb1 d4 22. Qd3 c4 23. Qe4 cxb3 24. Bxd4 Rc8+ then:
• after 25. Kd2 Bxd4 26. Ke1 Bd5 27. Qxe7+ Kxe7 White must lose at least the exchange.
• 25. Kb2 Na4+ 26. Ka1 b2+ 27. Bxb2 Bxb2#.

20. -- c5 21. e4

• After 21. Qc2 d4 22. Nb1 c4 23. bxc4 Rc8 24. Kd2 Nxc4+ 25. Ke1 d3 Black wins material; for example: 26. Bxf6 dxc2 27. Bxe7+ Kxe7 28. Rc1 Bd5 29. Rg1 cxb1Q 20. Rxb1 Nxa3.

21. -- d4 22. Ne2 c4 23. bxc4

• After 23. Qf3 c3 24. Nxd4 cxb2+ 25. Kxb2 Qd6 26. Qc3 Rc8 White's Queen vacates and then the Black Rook plays to d8, winning the Knight.

23. -- Bxc4 24. Qd2

• With 24. Qb1 Qc5 25. Qc2 Rc8 26. Nxd4 Bxf1 27. Qxc5+ Rxc5+ 28. Kb1 Bg2 Black threatens to win the e-pawn. White will either surrender more material or, in saving it, give Black time to finally activate his King's Rook.

Black: Tatiana Kosintseva
!""""""""#
$t+ + L T%
$Oo+ WoOo%
$ M + V +%
$+ + + + %
$ +vOp+ +%
$P + + P %
$ B QnP P%
$+ Kr+b+r%
/(((((((()
White: Elena Zayantz
Position after 24. Qd3d2

24. -- Rc8!

• Black threatens a deadly discovered check.

25. Kb1

• 25. Bh3 Rc6 26. Nxd4 Bd3+! 27. Nxc6 Bxb2+ 28. Kxb2 Nc4+ winning the Queen after 29. Kc2 Qxa3+! 30. Kd4 Nxd2.

25. -- Qxe4+ 26. Ka1 Qxh1 27. Bh3 Qe4 28. 0-1

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Bonus Game: Bronstein - Keres, Goteborg, 1955

David Bronstein
Photo: Spits (Holland)


Reference: David Bronstein and Tom Fürstenberg, The Sorcerer's Apprentice (London: Everyman Chess, 1995), p. 50.

David Bronstein vs. Paul Keres
Interzonal Tournament, Round 7
Goteborg, August 1955

East India Game: Nimzo-Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5 5. Bd3 b6 6. Nge2

• More common is 6. Nf3. The purpose of the text move is to put the Knight to g3 in order to overportect e4, which will then be occupied by a pawn.
• If 6. Nf3 0-0 7. 0-0 Bb7 8. Na4 cxd4 9. exd4 Re8 then:
• 10. a3 Bf8 11. b4 d6 12. Re1 Nbd7 13. Bb2 Rc8 14. Nc3 e5 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Ne4 give White a small spatial plus (Korchnoi-Jusapow, Vienna 1996).
• 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Nc6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qxf6 gxf6 15. d5 Ne5 gives Black better piece activity (Gligoric-Kaplan, Lone Pine Open (California) 1979).

6. -- Bb7 7. 0-0 cxd4 8. exd4 0-0 9. d5!?

• This was a novelty when Bronstein played it in this game.
• 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Bc2 d5 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Qd3 g6 14. Qh3 Kg7 15. f4 Rd8 16. f5 g5 is level (Richardson-Crouch, 4NCL, Birmingham 2002).

9. -- h6

• Since White did not pin the Knight with 9. Bg5, Black takes the opportunity to prevent it.
• If 9. -- d6 10. a3 Bxc3 11. Nxc3 then a balanced game is achieved by either:
• 11. -- exd5 12. Nxd5 Nxd5 13. cxd5 Nd7 14. Re1; or
• 11. -- Na6 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 Nc7 14. Be4 exd5 15. cxd5.

10. Bc2?!

• The text move could have opened some opportunities for Black.
• 10. a3 Bxc3 11. Nxc3 exd5 12. cxd5 Re8 13. d6 Nc6 is even.

10. -- Na6?!

• However, Black misses the best line.
• 10. -- Qc7 11. Qd4 exd5 12. cxd5 Qc5 13. Rd1 Qxd4 14. Rxd4 Bc5 15. Rd1 Re8 gives Black superior piece activity.

11. Nb5?!

• Looking for complications and attacking possibilities, White shuffles the Knight into a more aggressive position rather than passively defend.
• Safer and objectively better is 11. a3 Bxc3 12. Nxc3 Rc8 13. dxe6 dxe6 14. b3 Qe7 15. Qe2 Rfd8 16. Bb2 with an equal game.

11. -- exd5 12. a3

• White decides he would be better off if Black's Bishop were somewhere else.
• If 12. cxd5 Bxd5 13. a3 Be7 14. Be3 Re8 then:
• after 15. Re1 Bc4 16. Ned4 Nc7 White must retreat his Knight.
• 15. Nbc3 Bb7 16. Re1 Qc7 gives Black better command of open lines.

12. -- Be7 13. Ng3!

• White sacrafices the pawn in order to obtain a very interesting counterattack.
• If 13. cxd5 Bxd5 14. Re1 Re8 15. Ned4 then:
• Bc4 16. Nc3 Rc8 17. Nf5 Be6 18. Nxe7+ Rxe7 gives Black better piece activity.
• 16. Bf4 d5 17. Bf5 Bc5 18. Qf3 Rxe1+ 19. Rxe1 gives Black an extra pawn.

13. -- dxc4

Black: Paul Keres
!""""""""#
$t+ W Tl+%
$Ov+oVoO %
$mO + M O%
$+n+ + + %
$ +o+ + +%
$P + + N %
$ Pb+ PpP%
$R Bq+rK %
/(((((((()
White: David Bronstein
Position after 13. -- d5xc4

14. Bxh6!?

• Tal claimed unsound or speculative sacrifices as his, but in fact Bronstein preceeded him in this respect. This sacrifice, as breathtaking as it is, does not win the game. In fact, Black has a very good line here.

14. -- gxh6?

• However, Black played this one instead.
• White is a whole piece down after
  • 14. -- Re8! 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 and then either:
  • 16. Nd6 Bxd6 17. Nf5+ Kg8 18. Nxd6 Qc7; or
  • 16. Nf5+ Kg8 17. Nbd6 Bxd6 18. Nxd6 Re6.
  15. Qd2!!
  
  
  • This is the move that actually wins. "After 15. Qd2!! the White attack unfolds by itself" (Bronstein).
  15. -- Nh7
  
  
  • If 15. -- Nc5 16. Rae1 Nd3 17. Bxd3 cxd3 18. Qxh6 then:
  • after 18. -- Nh7 19. Nf5 Bf6 20. Re3 Re8 21. Rg3+ Kh8 22. Rg7 White mates on the next move (Bronstein).
  • after 18. -- Re8 19. Nf5 Bf8 20. Qg5+ Kh7 21. Nbd6 Re6 22. Re3 Ng8 23. Qh5+ Nh6 24. Nxh6 Bxh6 25. Qxf7+ Kh8 26. Rxe6 dxe6 27. Qxb7 White has a superior position (Bronstein).
  16. Qxh6 f5 17. Nxf5 Rxf5
  
  
  • After 17. -- Bf6 18. Nfd6 Qe7 19. Nxb7 Bxb2 20. Rab1 Bf6 21. N7d6 Ng5 22. f4 Ne6 23. Rf3 White is threatening to bowl over Black's King.
  18. Bxf5 Nf8 19. Rad1 Bg5 20. Qh5 Qf6
  
  
  • If 20. -- d5 21. Nd6 Qxd6 22. Qxg5+ Kf7 23. Qh5+ then:
  • after 23. -- Kg7 24. Rd4 Qe5 25. Rh4 White threatens 26. Qh8+ winning the Queen.
  • 23. -- Kg8 24. Rd4 Ng6 25. Rg4 wins the Knight.
  21. Nd6 Bc6
  
  
  • If 21. -- c3 22. f4 Bh6 23. Nxb7 then:
  • after 23. -- cxb2 24. Rd6 Ne6 25. Rxd7 Ng7 26. Qg6 Qxg6 27. Bxg6 White is an exchange and a pawn up.
  • after 23. -- Nc7 24. bxc3 d5 25. Rf3 Rb8 26. Rg3+ Black is crushed.
  22. Qg4 Kh8 23. Be4 Bh6 24. Bxc6 dxc6 25. Qxc4 Nc5
  
  
  • After 25. -- Nb8 26. Rfe1 a5 27. Qf7 Nbd7 28. Re7 Qg7 29. Rde1 White wins material.
  26. b4 Nce6 27. Qxc6 Rb8
  
  
  • If 27. -- Rd8 28. Nf7+ Qxf7 29. Rxd8 Nxd8 30. Qxh6+ then:
  • after 30. -- Nh7 31. Rd1 Ne6 32. Rd6 Nef8 33. h4 White pawn keep rolling.
  • after 30. -- Kg8 31. Qg5+ Kh7 32. Qxd8 White's material advantange is prohibitive.
  28. Ne4 Qg6 29. Rd6 Bg7 30. f4 Qg4 31. h3 Qe2 32. Ng3 Qe3+ 33. Kh2 Nd4
  
  
  • If 33. -- Nxf4 34. Rh6+ then:
  • 34. -- Nh7 35. Qd6 Bxh6 36. Nf5 Qe8 37. Qd4+ Kg8 38. Nxh6+ White wins more material (Bronstein).
  • after 34. -- Kg8 35. Qc4+ N4e6 36. Rxf8+ the Knight at e6 falls (Bronstein).
  34. Qd5 Re8 35. Nh5 Ne2 36. Nxg7 Qg3+ 37. Kh1 Nxf4
  
  
  • 37. -- Kxg7 38. f5 Qe3 39. f6+ Kh8 40. Rd1 Ng3+ 41. Kh2 Qf4 42. Qf3 leaves Black little hope.
  38. Qf3 Ne2 39. Rh6+ 1-0
  
  
  • The only possible continuations are:
  • 39. -- Kxg7 40. Qf6+ Kg8 41. Qf7#
  • 39. -- Kg8 40. Qf7#
  • Keres resigns.
  
  

[Lithos]

9. A classic game

Sacrifices such as these are equal parts bravado, psychology and strategy. It breaks the line of thought of your opponent, which given their personality may result in a mistake that allows such a strong follow up as Qd2 was here.

I would have loved to have been in the room during those few moves. There is a whole story in those few moves.

L-

[Jack Rabbit]

10. There are so many games by Bronstein that would have been suitable

Like this one, often beautiful and brilliant with a dash of recklessness.

Although Bronstein helped systems developers with chess programs, he was of the humanist school, like Lasker and Tal. Perhaps there is something to the coincidence that he died on the day that Kramnik went down to Deep Fritz.