Chess Fundamentals
Play Sample
Example 41.—The procedure here is very similar.The things to bear in mind are that the Rook must be prevented from interposing at Kt 1 because of an immediate mate, and in the same way the King must be prevented from going either to R 3 or B 1.
Example 42.—We shall now examine a more difficult position.
Many players would be deceived by this position.The most likely looking move is not the best.Thus suppose we begin
| 1. Q - K 5 ch | K - B 1 | |
| 2. K - Kt 6 | R - Q 2 |
The only defence, but, unfortunately, a very effective one, which makes it very difficult for White, since he cannot play 3 Q - K 6 because of 3...R - Kt 2 ch; 4 K - B 6, R - Kt 3 ch draws.Nor can he win quickly by 3 Q - Q B 5 ch because 3...K - K 1, 4 K - B 6, R - Q 3 ch !driving back the White King.
Now that we have seen the difficulties of the situation let us go back.The best move is
| 1. Q - Kt 5 ch ! | K - R 1 |
If K - R 2; 2 Q - Kt 6 ch, K - R 1; 3 K - R 6 !
| 2. Q - K 5 ch ! | K - R 2 best | |
| 3. K - Kt 5 | R - R 2 ! best |
If 3...R - Kt 2 ch; 4 K - B 6 leads to a position similar to those in Examples 40 and 41.
| 4. Q - K 4 ch | K - Kt 1 | |
| 5. Q - B 4 ch | K - R 2 | |
| 6. K - B 6 | R - K Kt 2 | |
| 7. Q - R 4 ch | K - Kt 1 | |
| 8. Q - R 5 |
and we have the position of Example 40 with Black to move.
Let us go back again.
| 1. Q - Kt 5 ch | K - B 1 | |
| 2. Q - Q 8 ch | K - Kt 2 | |
| 3. K - Kt 5 | R - B 6 |
The best place for the Rook away from the King.3...K - R 2; 4 Q - Q 4, R - Kt 2 ch; 5 K - B 6 would lead to positions similar to those already seen.
| 4. Q - Q 4 ch | K - B 1 | |
| 5. K - Kt 6 |
5 Q - Q 6 ch, K - Kt 2; 6 Q - K 5 ch, K - B 1; 7 K - Kt 6 would also win the Rook.The text move, however, is given to show the finesse of such endings.White now threatens mate at Q 8.
| 5. ........ | R - Kt 6 ch | |
| 6. K - B 6 | R - B 6 ch | |
| 7. K - K 6 | R - K R 6 |
White threatened mate at K R 8.
| 8. Q - B 4 ch |
and the Rook is lost.
Note, in these examples, that the checks at long range along the diagonals have often been the key to all the winning manœuvres. Also that the Queen and King are often kept on different lines.The student should carefully go over these positions and consider all the possibilities not given in the text.
He should once more go through everything already written before proceeding further with the book.
CHAPTER III
Planning a Win in Middle-Game Play
I shall now give a few winning positions taken from my own games. I have selected those that I believe can be considered as types, i.e.positions that may easily occur again in a somewhat similar form.A knowledge of such positions is of great help; in fact, one cannot know too many.It often may help the player to find, with little effort, the right move, which he might not be able to find at all without such knowledge.
17.ATTACKING WITHOUT THE AID OF KNIGHTS
Example 43.—It is Black's move, and as he is a Kt and P behind he must win quickly, if at all.He plays:
| 1. ........ | Q R - Kt 1 ! | |
| 2. R - B 2 |
If, Q × Q, R × P ch; K - R 1, B - Q 4 and mate follows in a few moves.
| 2. ........ | R × P ch | |
| 3. K - B 1 | B - B 5 ch | |
| 4. Kt × B | R - Kt 8 mate |
Example 44.—Black's last move was P - K 6, played with the object of stopping what he thought was White's threat, viz. : R - Q R 5, to which he would have answered Q - B 5 ch and drawn the game by perpetual check. White, however, has a more forceful move, and he mates in three moves as follows:
| 1. R × P ch | Q × R | |
| 2. R - Q R 5 | Black moves | |
| 3. White mates |
Example 45.—White has a beautiful position, but still he had better gain some material, if he can, before Black consolidates his defensive position.He therefore plays:
| 1. R × Kt ! | P × R | |
| 2. B × P ch | K - K 2 |
If Kt × B; R × Kt and Black would be helpless.
| 3. Q - R 7 ch | K - K 1 | |
| 4. Q × Kt ch | K - Q 2 | |
| 5. Q - R 7 ch | Q - K 2 | |
| 6. B - B 8 | Q × Q | |
| 7. R × Q ch | K - K 1 | |
| 8. R × R | Resigns |
In these few examples the attacking has been done by Rooks and Bishops in combination with the Queen. There have been no Knights to take part in the attack.We shall now give some examples in which the Knights play a prominent part as an attacking force.
18.ATTACKING WITH KNIGHTS AS A PROMINENT FORCE
Example 46.—White is two Pawns behind.He must therefore press on his attack.The game continues:
| 1. Kt (B 5) × Kt P | Kt - B 4 |
Evidently an error which made the winning easier for White, as he simply took the Rook with the Knight and kept up the attack.Black should have played: 1 ...Kt × Kt.Then would have followed: 2 Kt - B 6 ch, K - Kt 3; 3 Kt × B, P - B 3 (best); 4 P - K 5, K - B 2; 5 Kt × P, R - K 2; 6 Kt - K 4, and Black should lose.[4]
Example 47.—The student should carefully examine the position, as the sacrifice of the Bishop in similar situations is typical, and the chance for it is of frequent occurrence in actual play.The game continues:
| 1. B × P ch | K × B | |
| 2. Kt - Kt 5 ch | K - Kt 3 |
Best.If 2...K - R 3; 3 Kt × P ch wins the Queen, and if 2...K - Kt 1; 3 Q - R 5, with an irresistible attack.
| 3. Q - Kt 4 | P - B 4 | |
| 4. Q - Kt 3 | K - R 3 |
White finally won.[5]
19.WINNING BY INDIRECT ATTACK
We have so far given positions where the attacks were of a violent nature and directed against the King's position.Very often, however, in the middle-game attacks are made against a position or against pieces, or even Pawns.
The winning of a Pawn among good players of even strength often means the winning of the game.
Hence the study of such positions is of great importance.We give below two positions in which the attack aims at the gain of a mere Pawn as a means of ultimately winning the game.
Example 48.—Black is a Pawn behind, and there is no violent direct attack against White's King. Black's pieces, however, are very well placed and free to act, and by co-ordinating the action of all his pieces he is soon able not only to regain the Pawn but to obtain the better game. The student should carefully consider this position and the subsequent moves.It is a very good example of proper co-ordination in the management of forces.The game continues:
| 1. ........ | R - R 1 | |
| 2. P - Q R 4 |
White's best move was P - Q Kt 3, when would follow Kt × B; 3 Q × Kt, R - R 6 and Black would ultimately win the Q R P, always keeping a slight advantage in position.The text move makes matters easier.
| 2. ........ | Kt × B | |
| 3. Q × Kt | Q - B 5 | |
| 4. K R - Q 1 | K R - Kt 1 |
Black could have regained the Pawn by playing B × Kt, but he sees that there is more to be had, and therefore increases the pressure against White's Queen side.He now threatens, among other things, R × Kt P.
| 5. Q - K 3 | R - Kt 5 |
Threatening to win the exchange by B - Q 5.
| 6. Q - Kt 5 | B - Q 5 ch | |
| 7. K - R 1 | Q R - Kt 1 |
This threatens to win the Kt, and thus forces White to give up the exchange.
| 8. R × B | Q × R | |
| 9. R - Q 1 | Q - B 5 |
Now Black will recover his Pawn.
Example 49.—An examination of this position will show that Black's main weakness lies in the exposed position of his King, and in the fact that his Q R has not yet come into the game.Indeed, if it were Black's move, we might conclude that he would have the better game, on account of having three Pawns to two on the Queen's side, and his Bishop commanding the long diagonal.
It is, however, White's move, and he has two courses to choose from.The obvious move, B - B 4, might be good enough, since after 1 B - B 4, Q R - Q 1; 2 P - Q Kt 4 would make it difficult for Black.But there is another move which completely upsets Black's position and wins a Pawn, besides obtaining the better position.That move is Kt - Q 4 !The game continues as follows:
| 1. Kt - Q 4 ! | P × Kt | |
| 2. R × B | Kt - Kt 5 |
There is nothing better, as White threatened B - B 4.
| 3. B - B 4 ch | K - R 1 | |
| 4. R - K 6 | P - Q 6 | |
| 5. R × P |
And White, with the better position, is a Pawn ahead.
These positions have been given with the idea of acquainting the student with different types of combinations.I hope they will also help to develop his imagination, a very necessary quality in a good player.The student should note, in all these middle-game positions, that—
once the opportunity is offered, all the pieces are thrown into action "en masse" when necessary; and that all the pieces smoothly co-ordinate their action with machine-like precision.
That, at least, is what the ideal middle-game play should be, if it is not so altogether in these examples.
CHAPTER IV
General Theory
Before we revert to the technique of the openings it will be advisable to dwell a little on general theory, so that the openings in their relation to the rest of the game may be better understood.
20.THE INITIATIVE
As the pieces are set on the board both sides have the same position and the same amount of material. White, however, has the move, and the move in this case means the initiative, and the initiative, other things being equal, is an advantage. Now this advantage must be kept as long as possible, and should only be given up if some other advantage, material or positional, is obtained in its place. White, according to the principles already laid down, develops his pieces as fast as possible, but in so doing he also tries to hinder his opponent's development, by applying pressure wherever possible. He tries first of all to control the centre, and failing this to obtain some positional advantage that will make it possible for him to keep on harassing the enemy. He only relinquishes the initiative when he gets for it some material advantage under such favourable conditions as to make him feel assured that he will, in turn, be able to withstand his adversary's thrust; and finally, through his superiority of material, once more resume the initiative, which alone can give him the victory.This last assertion is self-evident, since, in order to win the game, the opposing King must be driven to a position where he is attacked without having any way of escape.Once the pieces have been properly developed the resulting positions may vary in character.It may be that a direct attack against the King is in order; or that it is a case of improving a position already advantageous; or, finally, that some material can be gained at the cost of relinquishing the initiative for a more or less prolonged period.
21. DIRECT ATTACKS EN MASSE
In the first case the attack must be carried on with sufficient force to guarantee its success. Under no consideration must a direct attack against the King be carried on à outrance unless there is absolute certainty in one's own mind that it will succeed, since failure in such cases means disaster.
Example 50.—A good example of a successful direct attack against the King is shown in the following diagram:
In this position White could simply play B - B 2 and still have the better position, but instead he prefers an immediate attack on the King's side, with the certainty in his mind that the attack will lead to a win.The game continues thus:[6]
| 12. B × P ch | K × B | |
| 13. Kt - Kt 5 ch | K - Kt 3 | |
| 14. Q - Kt 4 | P - B 4 |
Best.P - K 4 would have been immediately fatal.Thus: 14...P - K 4; 15 Kt - K 6 ch, K - B 3; 16 P - B 4 !P - K 5; 17 Q - Kt 5 ch, K × Kt; 18 Q - K 5 ch, K - Q 2; 19 K R - Q 1 ch, Kt - Q 6; 20 Kt × P, K - B 3 (if K - K 1, Kt - Q 6 ch wins the Queen); 21 R × Kt, Q × R; 22 R - B 1 ch, K - Kt 3 (if K - Q 2 mate in two); 23 Q - B 7 ch and mate in five moves.
| 15. Q - Kt 3 | K - R 3 | |
| 16. Q - R 4 ch | K - Kt 3 | |
| 17. Q - R 7 ch | K - B 3 |
If K × Kt; Q × Kt P ch and mate in a few moves.
| 18. P - K 4 | Kt - Kt 3 | |
| 19. P × P | P × P | |
| 20. Q R - Q 1 | Kt - Q 6 | |
| 21. Q - R 3 | Kt (Q 6) - B 5 | |
| 22. Q - Kt 3 | Q - B 2 | |
| 23. K R - K 1 | Kt - K 7 ch |
This blunder loses at once, but the game could not be saved in any case; e.g.23...B - K 3; 24 R × B ch, Kt × R; 25 Kt - Q 5 mate.
| 24. R × Kt | Q × Q | |
| 25. Kt - R 7 ch | K - B 2 | |
| 26. R P × Q | R - R 1 | |
| 27. Kt - Kt 5 ch | K - B 3 | |
| 28. P - B 4 | Resigns |
Example 51.—Another example of this kind:
In the above position the simple move Kt × P would win, but White looks for complications and their beauties.Such a course is highly risky until a wide experience of actual master-play has developed a sufficient insight into all the possibilities of a position.This game, which won the brilliancy prize at St.Petersburg in 1914, continued as follows:—
| 21. B - R 4 | Q - Q 2 | |
| 22. Kt × B | Q × R | |
| 23. Q - Q 8 ch | Q - K 1 |
If K - B 2; 24 Kt - Q 6 ch, King moves; 25 mate.
| 24. B - K 7 ch | K - B 2 | |
| 25. Kt - Q 6 ch | K - Kt 3 | |
| 26. Kt - R 4 ch | K - R 4 |
If 26...K - R 3; 27 Kt (Q 6) - B 5 ch, K - R 4; 28 Kt × P ch, K - R 3; 29 Kt (R 4) - B 5 ch, K - Kt 3; 30 Q - Q 6 ch and mate next move.
| 27. Kt × Q | R × Q | |
| 28. Kt × P ch | K - R 3 | |
| 29. Kt (Kt 7) - B 5 ch | K - R 4 | |
| 30. P - K R 3 ! |
The climax of the combination started with 21 B - R 4.White is still threatening mate, and the best way to avoid it is for Black to give back all the material he has gained and to remain three Pawns behind.
The student should note that in the examples given the attack is carried out with every available piece, and that often, as in some of the variations pointed out, it is the coming into action of the last available piece that finally overthrows the enemy.It demonstrates the principle already stated:
Direct and violent attacks against the King must be carried en masse, with full force, to ensure their success.The opposition must be overcome at all cost; the attack cannot be broken off, since in all such cases that means defeat.
22.THE FORCE OF THE THREATENED ATTACK
Failing an opportunity, in the second case, for direct attack, one must attempt to increase whatever weakness there may be in the opponent's position; or, if there is none, one or more must be created. It is always an advantage to threaten something, but such threats must be carried into effect only if something is to be gained immediately. For, holding the threat in hand, forces the opponent to provide against its execution and to keep material in readiness to meet it. Thus he may more easily overlook, or be unable to parry, a thrust at another point. But once the threat is carried into effect, it exists no longer, and your opponent can devote his attention to his own schemes. One of the best and most successful manœuvres in this type of game is to make a demonstration on one side, so as to draw the forces of your opponent to that side, then through the greater mobility of your pieces to shift your forces quickly to the other side and break through, before your opponent has had the time to bring over the necessary forces for the defence.
A good example of positional play is shown in the following game:
Example 52.—Played at the Havana International Masters Tournament, 1913.(French Defence.)White: J.R.Capablanca.Black: R.Blanco.
| 1. P - K 4 | P - K 3 | |
| 2. P - Q 4 | P - Q 4 | |
| 3. Kt - Q B 3 | P × P | |
| 4. Kt × P | Kt - Q 2 | |
| 5. Kt - K B 3 | K Kt - B 3 | |
| 6. Kt × Kt ch | Kt × Kt | |
| 7. Kt - K 5 |
This move was first shown to me by the talented Venezuelan amateur, M. Ayala. The object is to prevent the development of Black's Queen's Bishop viâ Q Kt 2, after P - Q Kt 3, which is Black's usual development in this variation. Generally it is bad to move the same piece twice in an opening before the other pieces are out, and the violation of that principle is the only objection that can be made to this move, which otherwise has everything to recommend it.
| 7. ........ | B - Q 3 | |
| 8. Q - B 3 |
B - K Kt 5 might be better.The text move gives Black an opportunity of which he does not avail himself
| 8. ........ | P - B 3 |
P - B 4 was the right move. It would have led to complications, in which Black might have held his own; at least, White's play would be very difficult. The text move accomplishes nothing, and puts Black in an altogether defensive position.The veiled threat B × Kt; followed by Q - R 4 ch; is easily met.
| 9. P - B 3 | O - O | |
| 10. B - K Kt 5 | B - K 2 |
The fact that Black has now to move his Bishop back clearly demonstrates that Black's plan of development is faulty.He has lost too much time, and White brings his pieces into their most attacking position without hindrance of any sort.
| 11. B - Q 3 | Kt - K 1 |
The alternative was Kt - Q 4.Otherwise White would play Q - R 3, and Black would be forced to play P - K Kt 3 (not P - K R 3, because of the sacrifice B × P), seriously weakening his King's side.
| 12. Q - R 3 | P - K B 4 |
White has no longer an attack, but he has compelled Black to create a marked weakness.Now White's whole plan will be to exploit this weakness (the weak K P), and the student can now see how the principles expounded previously are applied in this game.Every move is directed to make the weak King's Pawn untenable, or to profit by the inactivity of the Black pieces defending the Pawn, in order to improve the position of White at other points.
| 13. B × B | Q × B | |
| 14. O - O | R - B 3 | |
| 15. K R - K 1 | Kt - Q 3 | |
| 16. R - K 2 | B - Q 2 |
At last the Bishop comes out, not as an active attacking piece, but merely to make way for the Rook.
| 17. Q R - K 1 | R - K 1 | |
| 18. P - Q B 4 | Kt - B 2 |
A very clever move, tending to prevent P - B 5, and tempting White to play Kt × B, followed by B × P, which would be bad, as the following variation shows: 19 Kt × B, Q × Kt; 20 B × P, Kt - Kt 4; 21 Q - Kt 4, R × B; 22 P - K R 4, P - K R 4; 23 Q × R, P × Q; 24 R × R ch, K - R 2; 25 P × Kt, Q × P.But it always happens in such cases that, if one line of attack is anticipated, there is another; and this is no exception to the rule, as will be seen.
| 19. P - Q 5 ! | Kt × Kt |
Apparently the best way to meet the manifold threats of White. B P × P would make matters worse, as the White Bishop would finally bear on the weak King's Pawn viâ Q B 4.
| 20. R × Kt | P - K Kt 3 | |
| 21. Q - R 4 | K - Kt 2 | |
| 22. Q - Q 4 | P - B 4 |
Forced, as White threatened P × K P, and also Q × P
| 23. Q - B 3 | P - Kt 3 |
Q - Q 3 was better.But Black wants to tempt White to play P × P, thinking that he will soon after regain his Pawn with a safe position.Such, however, is not the case, as White quickly demonstrates.I must add that in any case Black's position is, in my opinion, untenable, since all his pieces are tied up for the defence of a Pawn, while White's pieces are free to act.
| 24. P × P | B - B 1 |
| 25. B - K 2 ! |
The deciding and timely manœuvre. All the Black pieces are useless after this Bishop reaches Q 5.
| 25. ........ | B × P | |
| 26. B - B 3 | K - B 2 | |
| 27. B - Q 5 | Q - Q 3 |
Now it is evident that all the Black pieces are tied up, and it only remains for White to find the quickest way to force the issue.White will now try to place his Queen at K R 6, and then advance the K R P to R 5 in order to break up the Black Pawns defending the King.
| 28. Q - K 3 | R - K 2 |
If 28...P - B 5; 29 Q - K R 3, P - K R 4; 30 Q - R 4, R - K 2; 31 Q - Kt 5, K - Kt 2; 32 P - K R 4, Q - Q 2; 33 P - K Kt 3, P × P; 34 P - B 4, and Black will soon be helpless, as he has to mark time with his pieces while White prepares to advance P - R 5, and finally at the proper time to play R × B, winning.
| 29. Q - R 6 | K - Kt 1 | |
| 30. P - K R 4 | P - R 3 | |
| 31. P - R 5 | P - B 5 | |
| 32. P × P | P × P | |
| 33. R × B | Resigns. |
Commenting on White's play in this game, Dr. E.Lasker said at the time that if White's play were properly analysed it might be found that there was no way to improve upon it.
These apparently simple games are often of the most difficult nature. Perfection in such cases is much more difficult to obtain than in those positions calling for a brilliant direct attack against the King, involving sacrifices of pieces.
23.RELINQUISHING THE INITIATIVE
In the third case, there is nothing to do, once the material advantage is obtained, but to submit to the opponent's attack for a while, and once it has been repulsed to act quickly with all your forces and win on material.A good example of this type of game is given below.
Example 53.—From the Havana International Masters Tournament, 1913.(Ruy Lopez.)White: J.R.Capablanca.Black: D.Janowski.
| 1. P - K 4 | P - K 4 | |
| 2. Kt - K B 3 | Kt - Q B 3 | |
| 3. B - Kt 5 | Kt - B 3 | |
| 4. O - O | P - Q 3 | |
| 5. B × Kt ch | P × B | |
| 6. P - Q 4 | B - K 2 | |
| 7. Kt - B 3 |
P × P might be better, but at the time I was not familiar with that variation, and therefore I played what I knew to be good.
| 7. ........ | Kt - Q 2 | |
| 8. P × P | P × P | |
| 9. Q - K 2 | O - O | |
| 10. R - Q 1 | B - Q3 | |
| 11. B - Kt 5 | Q - K 1 | |
| 12. Kt - K R 4 | P - Kt 3 |
Black offers the exchange in order to gain time and to obtain an attack.Without considering at all whether or not such a course was justified on the part of Black, it is evident that as far as White is concerned there is only one thing to do, viz., to win the exchange and then prepare to weather the storm.Then, once it is passed, to act quickly with all forces to derive the benefit of numerical superiority.
| 13. B - R 6 | Kt - B 4 | |
| 14. R - Q 2 | R - Kt 1 | |
| 15. Kt - Q 1 | R - Kt 5 |
To force White to play P - Q B 4, and thus create a hole at Q 5 for his Knight.[7] Such grand tactics show the hand of a master.
| 16. P - Q B 4 | Kt - K 3 | |
| 17. B × R | Q × B | |
| 18. Kt - K 3 |
Kt - K B 3 was better.
| 18. ........ | Kt - Q 5 | |
| 19. Q - Q 1 | P - Q B 4 |
In order to prevent R × Kt giving back the exchange, but winning a Pawn and relieving the position.
| 20. P - Q Kt 3 | R - Kt 1 |
In order to play B - Kt 2 without blocking his Rook.
Black's manœuvring for positional advantage is admirable throughout this game, and if he loses it is due entirely to the fact that the sacrifice of the exchange, without even a Pawn for it, could not succeed against sound defensive play.
| 21. Kt - B 3 | P - B 4 | |
| 22. P × P | P × P |
The position begins to look really dangerous for White. In reality Black's attack is reaching its maximum force. Very soon it will reach the apex, and then White, who is well prepared, will begin his counter action, and through his superiority in material obtain an undoubted advantage.
| 23. Kt - B 1 | P - B 5 | |
| 24. Kt × Kt | B P × Kt | |
| 25. Q - R 5 | B - Kt 2 | |
| 26. R - K 1 | P - B 4 |
He could not play R - K 1 because of R × Q P.Besides, he wants to be ready to play P - K 5.At present White cannot with safety play R × K P, but he will soon prepare the way for it.Then, by giving up a Rook for a Bishop and a Pawn, he will completely upset Black's attack and come out a Pawn ahead.It is on this basis that White's whole defensive manœuvre is founded.
| 27. P - B 3 | R - K 1 | |
| 28. R (Q 2) - K 2 | R - K 3 |
Now the Black Rook enters into the game, but White is prepared. It is now time to give back the exchange.
| 29. R × P | B × R | |
| 30. R × B | R - K R 3 | |
| 31. Q - K 8 | Q × Q | |
| 32. R × Q ch | K - B 2 | |
| 33. R - K 5 | R - Q B 3 | |
| 34. Kt - Q 2 |
R - B 5 ch might have been better.The text move did not prove as strong as anticipated.
| 34. ........ | K - B 3 | |
| 35. R - Q 5 | R - K 3 | |
| 36. Kt - K 4 ch | K - K 2 |
R × Kt would lose easily
| 37. R × B P | P - Q 6 ! |
Very fine.White cannot play R B 7 ch because of K - Q 1; R × B, R × Kt winning.
| 38. K - B 2 | B × Kt | |
| 39. P × B | R × P | |
| 40. R - Q 5 | R - K 6 |
The ending is very difficult to win.At this point White had to make the last move before the game was adjourned.
| 41. P - Q Kt 4 ! | R - K 5 | |
| 42. R × P | R × P | |
| 43. R - K R 3 | R × P | |
| 44. R × P ch | K - B 3 | |
| 45. R × P | K - B 4 | |
| 46. K - B 3 | R - Kt 7 | |
| 47. R - R 5 ch | K - B 3 | |
| 48. R - R 4 | K - Kt 4 | |
| 49. R × P | R × R P | |
| 50. P - R 4 ch | K - R 4 | |
| 51. R - B 5 ch | K - R 3 | |
| 52. P - Kt 4 | Resigns |
I have passed over the game lightly because of its difficult nature, and because we are at present concerned more with the opening and the middle-game than we are with the endings, which will be treated separately.
24.CUTTING OFF PIECES FROM THE SCENE OF ACTION
Very often in a game a master only plays to cut off, so to speak, one of the pieces from the scene of actual conflict. Often a Bishop or a Knight is completely put out of action. In such cases we might say that from that moment the game is won, because for all practical purposes there will be one more piece on one side than on the other. A very good illustration is furnished by the following game.
Example 54.—Played at the Hastings Victory Tournament, 1919.(Four Knights.)White: W.Winter.Black: J.R.Capablanca.
| 1. P - K 4 | P - K 4 | |
| 2. Kt - K B 3 | Kt - Q B 3 | |
| 3. Kt - B 3 | Kt - B 3 | |
| 4. B - Kt 5 | B - Kt 5 | |
| 5. O - O | O - O | |
| 6. B × Kt |
Niemzowitch's variation, which I have played successfully in many a game.It gives White a very solid game.Niemzowitch's idea is that White will in due time be able to play P - K B 4, opening a line for his Rooks, which, in combination with the posting of a Knight at K B 5, should be sufficient to win.He thinks that should Black attempt to stop the Knight from going to K B 5, he will have to weaken his game in some other way.Whether this is true or not remains to be proved, but in my opinion the move is perfectly good.On the other hand, there is no question that Black can easily develop his pieces.But it must be considered that in this variation White does not attempt to hinder Black's development, he simply attempts to build up a position which he considers impregnable and from which he can start an attack in due course.
| 6. ........ | Q P × B |
The alternative, Kt P × B; gives White the best of the game, without doubt.[8]
| 7. P - Q 3 | B - Q 3 | |
| 8. B - Kt 5 |
This move is not at all in accordance with the nature of this variation.The general strategical plan for White is to play P - K R 3, to be followed in time by the advance of the K Kt P to Kt 4, and the bringing of the Q Kt to K B 5 via K 2 and K Kt 3 or Q 1 and K 3.Then, if possible, the K Kt is linked with the other Kt by placing it at either K R 4, K Kt 3, or K 3 as the occasion demands.The White King sometimes remains at Kt 1, and other times it is placed at K Kt 2, but mostly at K R 1.Finally, in most cases comes P - K B 4, and then the real attack begins.Sometimes it is a direct assault against the King,[9] and at other times it comes simply to finessing for positional advantage in the end-game, after most of the pieces have been exchanged.[10]
| 8. ........ | P - K R 3 | |
| 9. B - R 4 | P - B 4 |
To prevent P - Q 4 and to draw White into playing Kt - Q 5, which would prove fatal.Black's plan is to play P - K Kt 4, as soon as the circumstances permit, in order to free his Queen and Knight from the pin by the Bishop.
| 10. Kt - Q 5 |
White falls into the trap.Only lack of experience can account for this move.White should have considered that a player of my experience and strength could never allow such a move if it were good.
| 10. ........ | P - K Kt 4 |
After this move White's game is lost.White cannot play Kt × Kt P, because Kt × Kt will win a piece.Therefore he must play B - Kt 3, either before or after Kt × Kt, with disastrous results in either case, as will be seen.
| 11. Kt × Kt ch | Q × Kt | |
| 12. B - Kt 3 | B - Kt 5 | |
| 13. P - K R 3 | B × Kt | |
| 14. Q × B | Q × Q | |
| 15. P × Q | P - K B 3 |
A simple examination will show that White is minus a Bishop for all practical purposes. He can only free it by sacrificing one Pawn, and possibly not even then. At least it would lose time besides the Pawn. Black now devotes all his energy to the Queen's side, and, having practically a Bishop more, the result cannot be in doubt. The rest of the game is given, so that the student may see how simple it is to win such a game.
| 16. K - Kt 2 | P - Q R 4 | |
| 17. P - Q R 4 | K - B 2 | |
| 18. R - R 1 | K - K 3 | |
| 19. P - R 4 | K R - Q Kt 1 |
There is no necessity to pay any attention to the King's side, because White gains nothing by exchanging Pawns and opening the King's Rook file.
| 20. P × P | R P × P | |
| 21. P - Kt 3 | P - B 3 | |
| 22. R - Q R 2 | P - Kt 4 | |
| 23. K R - R 1 | P - B 5 |
If White takes the proffered Pawn, Black regains it immediately by R - Kt 5, after P × B P.
| 24. R P × P | P × P (Kt 6) | |
| 25. B P × P | R × P | |
| 26. R - R 4 | R × P | |
| 27. P - Q 4 | R - Kt 4 | |
| 28. R - B 4 | R - Kt 5 | |
| 29. R × B P | R × P | |
| Resigns |
25.A PLAYER'S MOTIVES CRITICISED IN A SPECIMEN GAME
Now that a few of my games with my own notes have been given, I offer for close perusal and study a very fine game played by Sir George Thomas, one of England's foremost players, against Mr. F. F. L. Alexander, in the championship of the City of London Chess Club in the winter of 1919-1920. It has the interesting feature for the student that Sir George Thomas kindly wrote the notes to the game for me at my request, and with the understanding that I would make the comments on them that I considered appropriate.Sir George Thomas' notes are in brackets and thus will be distinguished from my own comments.
Example 55.—Queen's Gambit Declined.(The notes within brackets by Sir George Thomas.) White: Mr. F.F.L.Alexander.Black: Sir George Thomas.
| 1. P - Q 4 | P - Q 4 | |
| 2. Kt - K B 3 | Kt - K B 3 | |
| 3. P - B 4 | P - K 3 | |
| 4. Kt - B 3 | Q Kt - Q 2 | |
| 5. B - Kt 5 | P - B 3 | |
| 6. P - K 3 | Q - R 4 |
(One of the objects of Black's method of defence is to attack White's Q Kt doubly by Kt - K 5, followed by P × P. But 7 Kt - Q 2 is probably a strong way of meeting this threat.)There are, besides, two good reasons for this method of defence; first, that it is not as much played as some of the other defences and consequently not so well known, and second that it leaves Black with two Bishops against B and Kt, which, in a general way, constitutes an advantage.
| 7. B × Kt | Kt × B | |
| 8. P - Q R 3 | Kt - K 5 | |
| 9. Q - Kt 3 | B - K 2 |
This is not the logical place for the B which should have been posted at Q 3.In the opening, time is of great importance, and therefore the player should be extremely careful in his development and make sure that he posts his pieces in the right places.
| 10. B - Q 3 | Kt × Kt | |
| 11. P × Kt | P × P | |
| 12. B × B P | B - B 3 |
(I did not want White's Kt to come to K 5, from where I could not dislodge it by P - K B 3 without weakening my K P.)The same result could be accomplished by playing B - Q 3.Incidentally it bears out my previous statement that the B should have been originally played to Q 3.
| 13. O - O |
The alternative was P - K 4, followed by P - K 5, and then O - O. White would thereby assume the initiative but would weaken his Pawn position considerably, and might be compelled to stake all on a violent attack against the King.This is a turning point in the game, and it is in such positions that the temperament and style of the player decide the course of the game.
| 13. ........ | O - O | |
| 14. P - K 4 | P - K 4 |
| 15. P - Q 5 |
(White might play 15 K R - Q 1, keeping the option of breaking up the centre later on. I wanted him to advance this P as there is now a fine post for my B at Q B 4.) By this move White shows that he does not understand the true value of his position. His only advantage consisted in the undeveloped condition of Black's Q B. He should therefore have made a plan to prevent the B from coming out, or if that were not possible, then he should try to force Black to weaken his Pawn position in order to come out with the B. There were three moves to consider: first, P - Q R 4, in order to maintain the White B in the dominating position that it now occupies.This would have been met by Q - B 2; second, either of the Rooks to Q 1 in order to threaten 16 P × P, B × P; 17 Kt × B, Q × Kt; 18 B × P ch.This would have been met by B - Kt 5; and third, P - K R 3 to prevent B - Kt 5 and by playing either R to Q 1, followed up as previously stated to force Black to play P - Q Kt 4, which would weaken his Queen's side Pawns.Thus by playing P - K R 3 White would have attained the desired object.The text move blocks the action of the White B and facilitates Black's development.Hereafter White will act on the defensive, and the interest throughout the rest of the game will centre mainly on Black's play and the manner in which he carries out the attack.
| 15. ........ | Q - B 2 | |
| 16. B - Q 3 |
(This seems wrong, as it makes the development of Black's Queen wing easier.At present he cannot play P - Q Kt 3, because of the reply P × P followed by B - Q 5.)
| 16. ........ | P - Q Kt 3 | |
| 17. P - B 4 | B - Kt 2 | |
| 18. K R - B 1 |
(With the idea of Q R - Kt 1 and P - B 5.But it only compels Black to bring his B to Q B 4, which he would do in any case.)
| 18. ........ | B - K 2 | |
| 19. R - B 2 | B - B 4 | |
| 20. Q - Kt 2 | P - B 3 |
(It would have been better, probably, to play 20...K R - K 1, with the idea of P - B 4 presently.)Black's play hereabout is weak; it lacks force, and there seems to be no well-defined plan of attack.It is true that these are the most difficult positions to handle in a game.In such cases a player must conceive a plan on a large scale, which promises chances of success, and with it all, it must be a plan that can be carried out with the means at his disposal.From the look of the position it seems that Black's best chance would be to mass his forces for an attack against White's centre, to be followed by a direct attack against the King.He should, therefore, play Q R - K 1, threatening P - K B 4.If White is able to defeat this plan, or rather to prevent it, then, once he has fixed some of the White pieces on the King's side, he should quickly shift his attack to the Queen's side, and open a line for his Rooks, which, once they enter in action, should produce an advantage on account of the great power of the two Bishops.
| 21. Q R - Kt 1 | Q R - Q 1 | |
| 22. P - Q R 4 | B - R 3 | |
| 23. R - Q 1 |
(White has clearly lost time with his Rook's moves.)
| 23. ........ | K R - K 1 | |
| 24. Q - Kt 3 |
(To bring his Queen across after Kt - R 4 and B - K 2.)
| 24. ........ | R - Q 3 | |
| 25. Kt - R 4 | P - Kt 3 | |
| 26. B - K 2 |
| 26. ........ | P × P |
(I thought this exchange necessary here, as White is threatening to play his Bishop via Kt 4 to K 6. If he retook with the Bishop's Pawn I intended to exchange Bishops and rely on the two Pawns to one on the Queen's wing. I did not expect him to retake it with the King's Pawn, which seemed to expose him to a violent King's side attack.) Black's judgment in this instance I believe to be faulty. Had White retaken with the B P, as he expected, he would have had the worst of the Pawn position, as White would have had a passed Pawn well supported on the Queen's side. His only advantage would lie in his having a very well posted Bishop against a badly posted Knight, and on the fact that in such positions as the above, the Bishop is invariably stronger than the Knight.He could and should have prevented all that, by playing B - B 1, as, had White then replied with Q - Kt 3, he could then play P × P, and White would not have been able to retake with the B P on account of B × P ch winning the exchange.
| 27. K P × P | P - K 5 | |
| 28. P - Kt 3 | P - K 6 |
I do not like this move.It would have been better to hold it in reserve and to have played P - B 4, to be followed in due time by P - K Kt 4 and P - B 5, after having placed the Q at Q 2, K B 2, or some other square as the occasion demanded.The text move blocks the action of the powerful B at Q B 4, and tends to make White's position safer than it should have been.The move in itself is a very strong attacking move, but it is isolated, and there is no effective continuation.Such advances as a rule should only be made when they can be followed by a concerted action of the pieces.
| 29. P - B 4 | B - B 1 | |
| 30. Kt - B 3 | B - B 4 | |
| 31. R - Kt 2 | R - K 5 | |
| 32. K - Kt 2 | Q - B 1 | |
| 33. Kt - Kt 1 | P - K Kt 4 |
(If now 34 B - B 3, P × P; 35 B × R, B × B ch, with a winning attack.)
| 34. P × P | P × P | |
| 35. R - K B 1 | P - Kt 5 |
R - R 3 was the alternative.White's only move would have been K - R 1.The position now is evidently won for Black, and it is only a question of finding the right course.The final attack is now carried on by Sir George Thomas in an irreproachable manner.
| 36. B - Q 3 | R - K B 3 | |
| 37. Kt - K 2 | Q - B 1 |
(Again preventing B × R, by the masked attack on White's Rook. White therefore protects his Rook.) If Kt - B 4, P - K 7 ! ; 39 Kt × P, R × Kt ch; 40 R × R, B - K 5 ch !! ; 41 B × B, best, R × R and White is lost. If, however, against 38 Kt - B 4, Black plays Q - R 3, and White 39 Q - B 2, I take pleasure in offering the position to my readers as a most beautiful and extraordinary win for Black, beginning with 39...Q - R 6 ch !!!I leave the variations for the student to work out.
| 38. R (Kt 2) - Kt 1 | Q - R 3 | |
| 39. Q - B 2 |
(Making a double attack on the Rook—which still cannot be taken—and preparing to defend the K R P.)If either the Rook or Bishop are taken White would be mated in a few moves.
| 39. ........ | Q - R 6 ch | |
| 40. K - R 1 | R × P !! |
(If 40...R - R 3; 41 Kt - Kt 1, Q × Kt P; 42 Q - K Kt 2.Black therefore tries to get the Queen away from the defence.)A very beautiful move, and the best way to carry on the attack.
| 41. Q × R |
(The best defence was 41 R × B, but Black would emerge with Queen against Rook and Knight.)
| 41. ........ | B × B |
(Again, not R - K R 3; because of P - Q 6 dis.ch.)
| 42. R × R |
(If 42 Q × B, then, at last, R - R 3 wins.)
| 42. ........ | B × Q | |
| 43. Kt - B 4 | P - K 7 ! |
(The Queen has no escape, but White has no time to take it.)
| 44. R - K Kt 1 | Q - B 8 |
White resigns.A very fine finish.
CHAPTER V
End-Game Strategy
We must now revert once more to the endings. Their importance will have become evident to the student who has taken the trouble to study my game with Janowski (Example 53). After an uneventful opening—a Ruy Lopez—in one of its normal variations, my opponent suddenly made things interesting by offering the exchange; an offer which, of course, I accepted. Then followed a very hard, arduous struggle, in which I had to defend myself against a very dangerous attack made possible by the excellent manœuvring of my adversary. Finally, there came the time when I could give back the material and change off most of the pieces, and come to an ending in which I clearly had the advantage. But yet the ending itself was not as simple as it at first appeared, and finally—perhaps through one weak move on my part—it became a very difficult matter to find a win. Had I been a weak end-game player the game would probably have ended in a draw, and all my previous efforts would have been in vain. Unfortunately, that is very often the case among the large majority of players; they are weak in the endings; a failing from which masters of the first rank are at times not free. Incidentally, I might call attention to the fact that all the world's champions of the last sixty years have been exceedingly strong in the endings: Morphy, Steinitz, and Dr. Lasker had no superiors in this department of the game while they held their titles.
26.THE SUDDEN ATTACK FROM A DIFFERENT SIDE
I have previously stated, when speaking about general theory, that at times the way to win consists in attacking first on one side, then, granted greater mobility of the pieces, to transfer the attack quickly from one side to the other, breaking through before your opponent has been able to bring up sufficient forces to withstand the attack.This principle of the middle-game can sometimes be applied in the endings in somewhat similar manner.
Example 56.
In the above position I, with the Black pieces, played:
| 1. ........ | R - K 5 ch | |
| 2. R - K 2 | R - Q R 5 | |
| 3. R - R 2 | P - K R 4 |
The idea, as will be seen very soon, is to play P - R 5 in order to fix White's King's side Pawns with a view to the future.It is evident to Black that White wants to bring his King to Q Kt 3 to support his two weak isolated Pawns, and thus to free his Rooks.Black, therefore, makes a plan to shift the attack to the King's side at the proper time, in order to obtain some advantage from the greater mobility of his Rooks.
| 4. R - Q 1 | R (Q 4) - Q R 4 |
in order to force the Rook to Rook's square, keeping both Rooks tied up.
| 5. R (Q 1) - R 1 | P - R 5 | |
| 6. K - Q 2 | K - Kt 2 | |
| 7. K - B 2 | R - K Kt 4 |
Black begins to transfer his attack to the King's side.
| 8. R - K Kt 1 |
A serious mistake, which loses quickly.White should have played 8 K - Kt 3, when Black would have answered 8...R (R 5) - R 4; 9 P - B 3, and Black would have obtained an opening at K Kt 6 for his King, which in the end might give him the victory.
| 8. ........ | R - K B 5 |
Now the King cannot go to Kt 3, because of R - Kt 4 ch.
| 9. K - Q 3 | R - B 6 ch | |
| 10. K - K 2 |
If P × R, R × R; followed by R - K R 8 winning,
| 10. ........ | R × R P |
and Black won after a few moves.
Example 57.—Another good example, in which is shown the advantage of the greater mobility of the pieces in an ending, is the following from a game Capablanca-Kupchick played at the Havana Masters Tournament, 1913.The full score and notes of the game can be found in the book of the tournament.
White's only advantage in the above position is that he possesses the open file and has the move, which will secure him the initiative. There is also the slight advantage of having his Pawns on the Queen's side united, while Black has an isolated Q R P. The proper course, as in the previous ending, is to bring the Rooks forward, so that at least one of them may be able to shift from one side of the board to the other, and thus keep Black's Rooks from moving freely. What this means in general theory has been stated already; it really means: keep harassing the enemy; force him to use his big pieces to defend Pawns.If he has a weak point, try to make it weaker, or create another weakness somewhere else and his position will collapse sooner or later.If he has a weakness, and he can get rid of it, make sure that you create another weakness somewhere else
From the position in question the game continued thus:
| 1. R - K 4 | K R - K 1 |
with the object of repeating White's manœuvre, and also not to allow White the control of the open file.
| 2. Q R - K 1 | R - K 3 | |
| 3. Q R - K 3 | R (B 1) - K 1 | |
| 4. K - B 1 | K - B 1 |
Black wants to bring his King to the centre of the board in order to be nearer to whatever point White decides to attack. The move is justified at least on the general rule that in such endings the King should be in the middle of the board. He does nothing after all but follow White's footsteps. Besides, it is hard to point out anything better. If 4... P - Q 4; 5 R - Kt 4 ch, followed by K - K 2, would leave Black in a very disagreeable position.If 4...P - K B 4; 5 R - Q 4!R × R?6 P × R, R × P; 7 K - B 2, R - K 2; 8 R - Q R 4, winning the Q R P, which would practically leave White with a passed Pawn ahead on the Queen's side, as the three Pawns of Black on the King's side would be held by the two of White.
| 5. K - K 2 | K - K 2 | |
| 6. R - Q R 4 | R - Q R 1 |
The student should note that through the same manœuvre Black is forced into a position similar to the one shown in the previous ending.
| 7. R - R 5! |
This move has a manifold object.It practically fixes all of Black's Pawns except the Q P, which is the only one that can advance two squares.It specially prevents the advance of Black's K B Pawns, and at the same time threatens the advance of White's K B Pawns to B 4 and B 5.By this threat it practically forces Black to play P - Q 4, which is all White desires, for reasons that will soon become evident.
| 7. ........ | P - Q 4 | |
| 8. P - Q B 4! | K - Q 3 |
Evidently forced, as the only other move to save a Pawn would have been P × P, which would have left all Black's Pawns isolated and weak.If 8...P - Q 5; 9 R - K 4, K - Q 3; 10 P - Q Kt 4!R - K 4; 11 R - R 6, and Black's game is hopeless.
| 9. P - B 5 ch | K - Q 2 | |
| 10. P - Q 4 | P - B 4 |
Apparently very strong, since it forces the exchange of Rooks because of the threat R - R 3; but in reality it leads to nothing.The best chance was to play R - K K 1.
| 11. R × R | P × R | |
| 12. P - B 4 |
Up to now White had played with finesse, but this last move is weak.R - R 6 was the proper way to continue, so as to force Black to give up his Q R P or Q B P.
| 12. ........ | K - B 1 | |
| 13. K - Q 2 |
Again a bad move.13 R - R 3 was the proper continuation, and if then 13...R - Kt 1; 14 P - Kt 3, K - Kt 2; 15 P - Kt 4, K - R 1; 16 R - Q Kt 3, with excellent winning chances; in fact, I believe, a won game.
| 13. ........ | K - Kt 2 |
Black misses his only chance. R - Kt 1 would have drawn.
| 14. R - R 3 | R - K Kt 1 | |
| 15. R - R 3 | R - Kt 2 | |
| 16. K - K 2 | K - R 3 | |
| 17. R - R 6 | R - K 2 | |
| 18. K - Q 3 | K - Kt 2 |
He goes back with the King to support his K P, and thus be able to utilise his Rook.It is, however, useless, and only White's weak play later on gives him further chances of a draw.
| 19. P - K R 4 | K - B 1 | |
| 20. R - R 5 |
To prevent the Black Rook from controlling the open file
| 20. ........ | K - Q 2 | |
| 21. R - Kt 5 | R - B 2 | |
| 22. K - B 3 | K - B 1 |
He must keep his King on that side because White threatens to march with his King to R 6 via Kt 4.
| 23. K - Kt 4 | R - B 3 | |
| 24. K - R 5 | K - Kt 2 | |
| 25. P - R 4 | P - Q R 3 | |
| 26. P - R 5 | R - R 3 |
He can do nothing but wait for White.The text move stops White from moving his Rook, but only for one move.
| 27. P - Kt 4 | R - B 3 |
The only other move was K - R 2; when White could play R - Kt 7, or even P - Kt 5.
| 28. P - Kt 5 |
A weak move, which gives Black a fighting chance.In this ending, as is often the case with most players, White plays the best moves whenever the situation is difficult and requires careful handling, but once his position seems to be overwhelming he relaxes his efforts and the result is nothing to be proud of.The right move was 28 R - Kt 7.
| 28. ........ | R P × P | |
| 29. P × P | R - B 1 ! | |
| 30. R - Kt 7 | R - R 1 ch | |
| 31. K - Kt 4 | P × P | |
| 32. K × P | R - R 7 | |
| 33. P - B 6 ch | K - Kt 1 | |
| 34. R × R P | R - Kt 7 ch | |
| 35. K - R 5 | R - R 7 ch | |
| 36. K - Kt 4 | R × P |
Black misses his last chance: R - Kt 7 ch, forcing the King to B 3, in order to avoid the perpetual, would probably draw.The reader must bear in mind that my opponent was then a very young and inexperienced player, and consequently deserves a great deal of credit for the fight he put up.
| 37. R - K 7 | R × P |
R - Kt 7 ch; followed by R - K R 7, offered better chances.
| 38. P - R 6! | R × P ch | |
| 39. K - Kt 5 | R - Q 8 | |
| 40. P - R 7 | R - Kt 8 ch | |
| 41. K - B 5 | R - B 8 ch | |
| 42. K - Q 4 | R - Q 8 ch | |
| 43. K - K 5 | R - K 8 ch | |
| 44. K - B 6 | R - K R 8 | |
| 45. R - K 8 ch | K - R 2 | |
| 46. P - R 8 (Q) | R × Q | |
| 47. R × R | K - Kt 3 | |
| 48. K × P | K × P | |
| 49. K × P | K - B 4 | |
| 50. K - K 5 | Resigns. |
This ending shows how easy it is to make weak moves, and how often, even in master-play, mistakes are made and opportunities are lost. It shows that, so long as there is no great advantage of material, even with a good position, a player, no matter how strong, cannot afford to relax his attention even for one move.
27.THE DANGER OF A SAFE POSITION
Example 58.—A good proof of the previous statement is shown in the following ending between Marshall and Kupchick in one of their two games in the same Tournament (Havana, 1913).