Botvinnik - Volume 2.pdf

BOTVINNIK'S BEST GAMES Volume 2: 1942 -1956

Mikhail Bolvinnik

Mikhail Botvinnik

BOTVINNIK'S BEST GAMES Volume 2: 1942-1956

(Analytical & Critical Works)

Translated and Edited by Ken Neat

Olomouc 2000

Published in the Czech Republic in 2000 by PUBLISHING HOUSE MORAVIAN CHESS P.O. Box 101, 772 11 OLOMOUC 2 Czech Republic

This book is an authorised translation ofMM Botvinnik Analiticheskie i kriticheskie raboty 1942-1956 (Moscow 1985) ©English translation copyright Ken Neat 2000

Chess Agency CAISSA-90

All rights reserved ISBN 80-7189-370-6

Contents

'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown'

16

Selected Games 1943-1956 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153

7

Botvinnik-Ragozin, 1943 Botvinnik-Konstantinopolsky, 1943 Botvinnik-Boleslavsky, 1943 Smyslov-Botvinnik, 1943 Botvinnik-Zagoryansky, 1943 Makogonov-Botvinnik, 1943 Botvinnik-Kan, 1943 Botvinnik-Smyslov, 1943 Lyublinsky-Botvinnik, 1943/44 Zhivtsov-Botvinnik, 1943/44 Botvinnik-Ravinsky, 1944 Botvinnik-Khavin, 1944 Veresov-Botvinnik, 1944 Botvinnik-Flohr, 1944 Smyslov-Botvinnik, 1944 Botvinnik-Boleslavsky, 1944 Botvinnik-Makogonov, 1944 Kotov-Botvinnik, 1944 Botvinnik-Alatortsev, 1944 Lisitsyn-Botvinnik, 1944 Botvinnik-Flohr, 1945 Tolush-Botvinnik, 1945 Botvinnik-Koblenz, 1945 Chekhover-Botvinnik, 1945 Romanovsky-Botvinnik, 1945 Ratner-Botvinnik, 1945 Botvinnik-Boleslavsky, 1945 Lilienthal-Botvinnik, 1945 Botvinnik-Bondarevsky, 1945 Ru(iakovsky-Botvinnik, 1945 Goldberg-Botvinnik, 1945 Botvinnik-Kan, 1945 3

16 18 22 26 29 32 36 39 42 45 47 54 56 58 61 65 68 70 72 77 80 82 85 86 88 92 94 98 100 102 105 108

154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194

Denker-Botvinnik, 1945 Botvinnik-Denker, 1945 Lundin-Botvinnik, 1946 Botvinnik-Smyslov, 1946 Steiner-Botvinnik, 1946 Botvinnik-Vidmar, 1946 Bemstein-Botvinnik, 1946 Botvinnik-Euwe, 1946 Stoltz-Botvinnik, 1946 Tartakower-Botvinnik, 1946 Botvinnik-Kottnauer, 1946 Botvinnik-Guimard, 1946 Reshevsky-Botvinnik, 1946 Botvinnik-Kottnauer, 1947 Gligoric-Botvinnik, 194 7 Kotov-Botvinnik, 1947 Botvinnik-Novotelnov, 1947 Plater-Botvinnik, 1947 Soko1sky-Botvinnik, 1947 Botvinnik-Ragozin, 1947 Keres-Botvinnik, 1947 Botvinnik-Euwe, 1948 Keres-Botvinnik, 1948 Botvinnik-Smyslov, 1948 Botvinnik-Keres, 1948 Botvinnik-Euwe, 1948 Smyslov-Botvinnik, 1948 Reshevsky-Botvinnik, 1948 Botvinnik-Keres, 1948 Botvinnik-Reshevsky, 1948 Bronstein-Botvinnik, 1951, 6th match game Botvinnik-Bronstein, 1951, 7th match game Botvinnik-Bronstein, 1951, 9th match game Bronstein-Botvinnik, 1951, 10th match game Bronstein-Botvinnik, 1951, 12th match game Bronstein-Botvinnik, 1951, 18th match game Botvinnik-Bronstein, 1951, 19th match game Bronstein-Botvinnik, 1951, 20th match game Botvinnik-Bronstein, 1951, 23rd match game Botvinnik-Moiseev, 1951 Botvinnik-Lipnitsky, 1951

4

110 112 114 118 123 125 129 131 137 139 144 146 150 154 160 162 166 171 175 179 182 187 189 194 ·200 202 205 207 211 214 217 221 225 229 232 235 239 243 245 251 254

195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235

Bronstein-Botvinnik, 1951 Botvinnik-Novotelnov, 1951 Botvinnik-Keres, 1951 Sliwa-Botvinnik, 1952 Szab6-Botvinnik, 1952 Kottnauer-Botvinnik, 1952 Botvinnik-O'Kelly, 1952 Troianescu-Botvinnik, 1952 Botvinnik-Pilnik, 1952 Botvinnik-Konstantinopolsky, 1952 Botvinnik-Goldenov, 1952 Tolush-Botvinnik, 1952 Bronstein-Botvinnik, 1952 Botvinnik-Keres, 1952 Botvinnik-Smyslov, 1952 Botvinnik-Boleslavsky, 1952 Botvinnik-Kan, 1952 Itivitsky-Botvinnik, 1952 Botvinnik-Geller, 1952 Moiseev-Botvinnik, 1952 Suetin-Botvinnik, 1952 Taimanov-Botvinnik, 1953 Botvinnik-Taimanov, 1953 Smyslov-Botvinnik, 1954, 1st match game Botvinnik-Smyslov, 1954, 2nd match game Botvinnik-Smyslov, 1954, 4th match game Smyslov-Botvinnik, 1954, 5th match game Botvinnik-Smyslov, 1954, 12th match game Smyslov-Botvinnik, 1954, 13th match game Smyslov-Botvinnik, 1954, 15th match game Botvinnik-Smyslov, 1954, 16th match game Smyslov-Botvinnik, 1954, 17th match game Botvinnik-Smyslov, 1954, 18th match game Smyslov-Botvinnik, 1954, 19th match game Smyslov-Botvinnik, 1954, 21st match game Botvinnik-Stahlberg, 1954 Botvinnik-Minev, 1954 Botvinnik-Najdorf, 1954 Botvinnik-Pirc, 1954 Unzicker-Botvinnik, 1954 Antoshin-Botvinnik, 1955 ·

5

256 260 265 269 273 278 281 283 285 288 291 294 297 299 302 305 308 312 315 318 323 328 332 ''335 341 344 348 352· 355 358 361 365 368 372 376 379. 383 389 . 392 395 400 ... •.

236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251

Kotov-Botvinnik, 1955 Botvinnik-Kan, 1955 Averbakh-Botvinnik, 1955 Botvinnik-Borisenko, 1955 Botvinnik-Stahlberg, 1956 Botvinnik-Benkner, 1956 Botvinnik-Padevsky, 1956 Larsen-Botvinnik, 1956 Botvinnik-Gligoric, 1956 Botvinnik-Ciocaltea, 1956 Padevsky-Botvinnik, 1956 Botvinnik-Najdorf, 1956 Sliwa-Botvinnik, 1956 Botvinnik-Stahlberg, 1956 Botvinnik-Szab6, 1956 Botvinnik-Uhlmann, 1956

403 408 411 414 417 420 421 423 425 428 430 432 436 441 443 445

Training Games Tournament and Match Cross-tables Summary of Tournament and Match Results (1942-1956) Translator's Notes Index of Openings

6

447 474 490 491 495

'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown'

A terrible time ensued - the War. On account of my eyesight I was not called up, and was evacuated from Leningrad to Perm.1 I worked as an engineer - as a specialist in high-voltage insulation. I took hardly anything with me, but my chess notebooks, the most recent publications and a chess set travelled . with me to the east. As soon as an everyday routine had been established, in the evenings I began writing notes to the games from the 1941 Match­ Toumament for the Title of Absolute USSR Champion. I had to preserve my chess strength for the years of peace to come (the government's decision about a match with the World Champion Alekhine had not been rescinded), and analytical work helped me to do this. When (after the victory at Stalingrad) I received an invitation to a tournament (Sverdlovsk 1943), it transpired that I was ready for battle. It was a double-round tournament. Against each of the other participants I scored I Y2 points and easily won first place. But there were also some adventures: for two weeks I tried to 'clean up' a continuation in the open variation of the Ruy Lopez (the regional authorities allowed me to prepare for the

tournament at a state farm near Penn). But I worked completely alone, and my preparation proved to be inferior. Isaak Boleslavsky (against whom I employed this variation) conducted the game very skilfully, and could have given mate if in the diagram position he had played 61 �.f8! ..

After he overlooked this opportunity, I was able to exchange my four con­ nected passed pawns for the opponent's bishops and on move 89 to draw this ending ... Yes, my analyses needed to be checked with Ragozin, this was clear! When I was preparing with him before the War, such problems did not occur ... The book of games from the match­ toumament was completed, and I had to 7

continue my training. The next event was the Moscow Championship (hors concours). Again I prepared alone, and again I suffered a fiasco in the open variation of the Ruy Lopez (this time against Smyslov). But the game with Zhivtsov (No.131) deserves particular attention. In 1941 in a training game, Ragozin and I tested a variation of the Queen's Gambit, which later became known as the 'Botvinnik Variation', but in the 1941 match-tournament my opponents avoided this variation. But Zhivtsov was not afraid and... he was immediately punished. For more than ten years I success­ fully employed this variation. Then it went out of fashion, but in recent years it has again begun appearing in tourna­ ment games. The power stations minister Zhimerin transferred me to the engineering de­ partment of the People's Commissariat, and in the next USSR Championship the first of the war years - I was already playing as a Muscovite. .On this occasion my good prepar­ ation told, and the title of champion, in competition with the young Smyslov, was won without any particular adven­ tures (for the fourth time). Significant in this respect was my game with Lilienthal: he prepared a new move in the Botvinnik Variation (Zhivtsov's experience was used!), and I found myself in a difficult situation. The · position of the black king is insecure, whereas White's king is fairly safe, and in addition he has the advantage of the two bishops.

There followed 32 ...t'bd7! (to open the diagonal for the g2 bishop would, of course, be suicidal) 33 .txd5? (greed is the undoing of my opponent; 33 'it'c3 was essential) 33 ... 'i'xd5 (now, despite being the exchange up, it is only White who has difficulties) 34 �4 e5 35 .i.g5 lD:fS! 36 f3 lbe6, and Black's advantage is obvious. A game, typical of this open­ ing variation: in a sharp struggle the winner is the one who has studied more deeply all of its positional complexities! A year passed, and - a new Cham­ pionship, this time the first after the victory over Hitler's Germany. With Ragozin I prepared particularly dili­ gently, both physically and creatively. I was able to put my nervous system completely in order. Before the tourna­ ment Ragozin and I went to the hairdresser's. I ended up with some inexperienced girl, who made an un­ believable mess of my hair. 'Misha', said my companion, 'you endured this so calmly, that you are already guaranteed first place ... . My friend was right: I scored 16 points out of 18; this time there was no '

8

up in a

I

ended

but later the USSR team played against

hopeless position against ...

the rest of the world (in 1970 and in

competition. True, in one game

1984), and quite successfully: 20Y2-19Y2

Ragozin.

and 21-19! Unofficially we were told of Stalin's evaluation of the match score: 'Well done lads ... '. The American Ambassa­ dor A.Harriman invited us to a reception and showed the film Casablanca with Paul Robeson.

2

But the main result was that, despite

the difficult war years, Soviet chess had

moved forward. And those masters, who early had been somewhat critical of my play, on this occasion all united and sent a letter to Stalin suggesting that a match I overlooked the unexpected inter­ mediate move 22 %ld l !, when the in­ vasion by the white rook onto the eighth

for the World Championship be organ­

rank is inevitable... There followed

positively, but a few months later the

22 .. Jla8 23 %ld8+ ii.f8 (23 ... �h7 is no

World Champiori suddenly died ...

ised between Alekhine and the Soviet Champion. The question was decided ·

'Troubled times' began - there had

better) 24 axb3 (the critical point of the game; after 24 cxb3 ii.b7 25 ii.b8 a5 26

not been such a situation in the chess

a4! Black's position would have been

world before; never previously had the

lost, whereas now his rook escapes from

Champion died undefeated. The first

imprisonment) 24....ab7 25 ii.b8 a5 26 f3 a4 27 bxa4 l:txa4, and the game

post-war FIDE Congress in Winterthur (Switzerland,

1946)

decided

that

a

match-tournament of the six strongest

ended in a draw! My friend was fatally unlucky with me in tournament games - he several times gained winning positions, but was unable to take them to their logical end.

players should be held to determine the new champion. This signified that from then on FIDE would be staging such events. But at the congress only six delegates were present - rather few for

It was no accident that he once presented me with a diagram stamp with an expressive inscription: 'To my friend, the boa constrictor, from his

such responsible decisions. An important say was due to be made by the tournament in Groningen (Au­

friend the rabbit...'. Then came the USSR-USA Radio

gust 1946). After the war this was the · first big international tournament. It was

Match. The Soviet team astonished the

no accident that Holland was the organ­

entire world - the score was 151/2-4Y2.

iser of this event. The calculation was

simple: former World Champion Max

Yes, at the time this seemed fantastic,

9

Euwe would win, and he would have to be proclaimed World Champion.

Dutch half of the match-tournament. The scheduling of the rounds was drawn

The competitive struggle in Gron­

up without any regard for the element­

ary demands of competition. A tourna­

ingen was exceptionally tense, but Euwe only finished second. After this there

ment should proceed at a measured

followed the team match USSR-USA (Moscow, September 1946), where all

pace, so that the participants become accustomed to a definite playing

six participants in the planned match­

rhythm. It is then that one can expect

tournament assembled: Euwe (he was

high creative achievements.

the match arbiter), Reshevsky and Fine

The

Dutch

organisers

had

disre­

garded this. They had not taken account

(USA), Botvinnik, Keres and Smyslov. Agreement about the match-tou rnament

of the fact that the numerous free days

was reached, but then (on the initiative

(due to holidays, and also because the

of the Soviet Chess Federation) it was

number of participants was odd - at the

annulled ...

last moment Fine had withdrawn) would

cut myself off from chess to work on the

disrupt this rhythm and could upset a player's mental balance.

dissertation for my doctorate. But in the summer of 1947, at the Congress in The

When I established that before the last round of the second cycle, one of

Everything was up in the air, and I

Hague,

the

Soviet

Chess

the participants would be 'resting' for

Federation

joined FIDE, and the match-tou rnament

six days in a row, I suggested to my

of six players was confirmed. From

colleagues Keres and Smyslov that we

September my scientific work was put

should make a joint protest. Alas, they did not support me! In a fit of temper, I

aside, and I returned to chess. Again - creative collaboration with

told them: 'You'll see - one of us in

Ragozin, which benefited us both. In the

The Hague will be "resting" for six days

Chigorin Memorial Tournament (Mos­

in a row, and on the seventh he will lose

cow 1947) Ragozin finished second! I

without a fight ...

managed to win, but of no less impor­ tance was the winning of my game against Keres, who many (after his

And the first part of the prediction came true: after a six-day break, Keres sat down at the board opposite me

'

victory in the 193 8 A VRO Tournament)

looking as white as a sheet, evidently

saw as a future World Champion.

fearing that the second part would also

And finally, the match-tournament. I

be confirmed. And that is what in fact

was excellently prepared (with Rago­

happened ...

zin's support!) - for the first time I went

After the 'half in The Hague (the

out on skis with rigid bindings. Unfortunately,

before

the

Moscow part of the match-tournament was longer, and consisted of three cycles) ·I was 1 Y2 points ahead of my

Soviet

players set off to The Hague a conflict arose. There were some heated argu­

nearest rival, Reshevsky. In our third

ments regarding the regulations for the

meeting

10

(the

first in

Moscow)

the

American grandmaster held the initia­ tive; my nerves let me down, and I suffered a defeat. But this did not affect the battle. Before the start of the last cycle my lead was so great, that in my last game with Euwe I was happy with a draw ...

public. A little

time

later

the film

cameramen suddenly realised that they had not 'immortalised' the moment when I had made my last move ·1 4 b4, which had brought the title of World Champion to the Soviet state. Then they noticed that Yakov Estrin, the demon­ strator of the game, was wearing a suit of the same colour as the new champion. The audiences had nq sus­ picion that the 'historic' move b2-b4 at the chess board in the film clip was made not by the hand of the participant, but of the demonstrator. The 'history' of the b-pawn did not end at that. It was taken away as a talisman by Elizaveta Bykova in the certainty that this pawn would help her to become Women's World Champion. And this did indeed happen!

In the diagram position I was due to

Incidentally, the demonstrator who

make my 15th move. Here I sensed that

touched

I could not play any more, and I offered

subsequently

my opponent a draw. At that point the

Champion, in correspondence chess.

tournament

position

of

the

former

this

truly

'magical'

also

became

pawn World ·

Thus a Soviet player had become

World Champion was hopeless, and I

World

was in no doubt that he would accept the offer. To my surprise, Euwe replied that he would like to play on.

isolated success, since a whole group of

I became angry, and my fighting

mood

immediately

returned.

'Very

well', I said, 'we will play on'. Here Euwe sensed the change of situation and extended me his hand, congratulating me on my victory in the tournament. Draw. The excitement and noise in the hall were indescribable. Play on the other

Champion. This

outstanding

Soviet

was

not

an

grandmasters had

assumed a leading position in the chess world. The broad popularity of chess was the direct result of the upsurge in popular culture, aroused by the October Revolution, and also the research work

in the field of chess. All this contributed

to the triumph of the

Soviet Chess

School. After

the

match-tournament

I

returned to the work on the dissertation

board had to be halted. It was only after

for my doctorate. I thought that there

several i:ninutes that the chief arbiter

would be sufficient time to prepare for

Milan Vidmar was able to calm the

the forthcoming World Championship

match in 195 1 (by the new FIDE rules, matches were due to take place every three years). However, the work dragged on, and all this time I did not take part in any tournaments. It is not surprising that, when in the spring of 195 1 I had to sit down at the chess board, to defend my champion's title in a match with Bronstein, I found myself in a difficult position. David Ionovich Bronstein (born 1924) was undoubtedly a colourful fig­ ure among chess grandmasters. A brilliant master of attack, capable of taking original decisions, he forced his way through to a m atch for the World Championship at the age of 27, pushing aside such outstanding players as Keres, Smyslov, Boleslavsky and others. The situation in our match was favourable for him, since, as already mentioned, for three years I had not played a single tournament game. One should not be surprised that Bronstein, who was inferior to me in experience and positional understanding, did not lose the match, but should rather ask the question: why did he not defeat his out of practice opponent? My lack of practice can be demonstrated, for example, by the 16th game of the match. · In the diagram position Black is two pawns up with a positional advantage. For the moment his king is not threat­ ened, and be could have calmly played 72...b4, when after 73 'ifxb4 ltlxg3 White can only resign. In time trouble I was let down by my nerves - I played 72...:xg3+, and the game ended in per.petual check . . .

Several similar examples could be given! So why in fact was I fortunate enough to draw the match? Two factors played their part. Firstly, Bronstein displayed a clear weakness in endgame play, and in the match he lost three endings in which I stood by no means better (this is also explained partly by non-objective analysis). The second factor was deficiencies in human character: a leaning towards a certain eccentricity and complacency. Alekhine pointed out long ago how important it was for a strong master to have a proper sense of danger! It is probable that this deficiency of Bronstein's revealed his comparatively weak positional under­ standing. Thus, the champion's title had been upheld, but I still had to regain my form! I also did not succeed in doing this in the 195 1 USSR Championship. Initially I took the lead, but then my nerves failed me; the same can be said about the international tournament in Budapest, with the difference that there I did not even take the lead.

·

12

However, there followed 44 ... 'i'gl+! 45 tDfl 00+ 46 l:txf3 'i'xc5 47 l:.d3 'i'f5, and Black, not without difficulty, gained a draw.

Late in December 1952, in Moscow, the 20th USSR Championship was coming to an end. When I resumed my game from the last round, I was not in the best of spirits. Initially I had retained every chance of winning, but I played weakly, and before Black's 58th move it was already clear that the game should end in a draw: there were opposite­ colour bishops. Meanwhile, only suc­ cess in this game would enable me to catch the leader Mark Taimanov, and keep open an opportunity of fighting for the championship of the country. And to win this title was simply essential. A few months earlier, on the proposal of other participants, I had been excluded from the Olympiad team, since, in the opinion of my colleagues, I was now a poor chess player. The 20th Championship was the first after the Olympiad, and, naturally, I wanted to demonstrate that the World Champion could still perform successfully. I managed to win that last round game (No.215) and to share first place in the tournament with Taimanov. Our match concluded successfully for me, and for the last (and 7th) time I won the title of USSR Champion. True, there were a number of adventures in the match. Here is one of them (see diagram). The game had just been resumed (this was the third game of the match) and it was Taimanov to move. He played 44 l:txf4, in the hope that after 44... 'i'xg3+ 45 l:tf2 'i'e3+ 46 �1 'i'd3+ 47 @g l ltle2+ 48 l:txe2 'ilfxe2 49 'i!fd4 the queen ending would be won for White.

A year later came a match for the World Championship with Smyslov (the FIDE rules were in operation). By that time the 33-year-old Smyslov had reached the peak of his chess strength. In the period from 1953-1958 he was undoubtedly the strongest tournament player in the world. He played safely: he did not end up in difficult positions, went in for exchanges, with each ex­ change he accumulated some positional plus, and the outcome was a favourable endgame. If his opponent was able to defend it, the result would be a draw, but otherwise, using his very fine end­ game technique, Smyslov would gra­ dually win the game. The combination of good calculation of variations, character, boldness, independence and natural health made Smyslov practically invincible. Why then in 1954 did he not win the match for the World Championship? I think that there can be only one answer:

13

in positional understariding I was never­

same in the knight ending, since the white king is as far away as it can be

theless somewhat superior to the challenger ... The final score was 12-12,

from the bl square. There was a win by 98 ... �5 99 00 tl'lg5 ! 100 tl'lh4+ '1ti>g4

and I won my third laurel wreath.

101 tl'lg6 lill3 ! , and after ...�g5 my

But, I have to admit, I was now over

forty, and the time of my successes in the 1940s had passed. Then there had

opponent would have promoted his h­ pawn unhindered.

not even been any competition, whereas

Tired after an adjournment session

now I was playing opponents who were

lasting several hours, Simagin (who was

my equal. But with equality of strength,

never noted for his stamina) played

there is always some advantage on the

98...GDd2, but this allowed

side of the player who is more skilled in

bring up his king with gain of tempo,

research work. It was this that enabled me

to

retain

my

crown,

White to

and after 99 'it>b4 ! '1t>f5 100 '1t>c3 ! tl'le4+ (or 100 .. �xe5 101 �d2, and the draw

however

uneasily ...

is obvious) 101 �d4 tl'lg5 102 tl'ld3 the knight ending could no longer be won.

In 1955 for the last (12th!) time I took part in the USSR Championship.

Before the last round

I still had

reasonable chances of becoming USSR Champion for the eighth time. But,

On this occasion too there was no 'purity' in my play. I think that my three-year break from chess (1948-

apparently, in some way I had angered

- the

the chess goddess Caissa: feeble play in

nervous system possesses great inertia.

my game with Keres pushed me back

In the tournament there were 'adven­

from first to third place.

1951) was continuing

to tell

And then came the last test before a

tures', for example in my game with

new match with Smyslov - the Alekhine

Vladimir Simagin.

Memorial Tou rnament in Moscow. In 1956 it was decided to mark the tenth anniversary of the great player's death. On this occasion I played with composure, and in the last round it was sufficient to draw my game with Keres to become sole winner of the tour­ nament. But here too I suffered a defeat, and Smyslov caught me. The training games given at the end of the book deserve particular attention. They clearly demonstrate the research aspect of preparing for events and its

practical benefit. It stands to reason that,

White's position is lost. The pawn ending is lost, and hence, in accordance

without specific research ability, this

with Ragozin's rule, it should be the

method cannot be used!

14

From time to time the research tendency (and it ensured the lengthy and solid achievements of the Soviet chess school) has come in for criticism. Thus in 1950, on the pages of the magazine Shakhmaty v SSSR, Grigory Levenfish expressed the view that the use of preparation in tournament play reduces the creative aspect of chess. Today too they sometimes try to reject the research method as being outdated, as a method that could only be used in the 'stage­ coach' era. I think there is little basis to either of this conceptions. The research method did not appear out of thin air (it was also used earlier, although to a lesser

degree), and the practical results achieved have been very impressive. The games given in this book demonstrate fairly clearly both a steady rise to the chess summit in the period 1943-1948, as well as some reduction in creative achievements immediately after my three-year break from play, and then my play stabilising at a fairly high level, despite the fact that I was already in my fifth decade. Here I was undoubtedly helped by my ability in self­ programming. But it can only be used with the aid of painstaking work. Yes, the poet was right - 'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown!' 3

15

Selected Games 1 943-1 956

Also in Groningen, O'Kelly played the interesting move 8 . b5 against me. However, it would seem that Black cannot equalise in this way. After 9 dxe6 fxe6 10 lbxb5 c5 White should have continued 11 fl with an obvious advantage. He can also advantageously decline the sacrifice - 9 e4.

Game 122

M.Botvinnik-V.Ragozin

.

A1aster Tournament Sverdlovsk 1943

Nimzo-Indian Defence

1 2 3

ltlf6 e6

d4

c4 ltlc3 e3 ltlge2

..tb4 4 b6 5 .ib7 A few years later 5...iLa6, which leads to more interesting play, began to be employed. In particular, this con­ tinuation occurred in my match with Bronstein (1951), and also slightly later in my games from the 19th USSR Championship with Moiseev (No.193) and Novotelnov (No. 196), and in my 1954 match with Smyslov (No.2 19).

6

a3

·

.

9 10

.tel e4

c6 ltla6

11

dxc6!

.ixc6

Now White has an opportunity to begin immediate active play on the queenside, which could have been avoided by 10... cxd5 11 cxd5 exd5 12 exd5 t'Da6. This recommendation was subsequently employed in a game Bondarevsky-Kan ( 1949), and indeed after 13 0--0 lD.c7 14 ii.f3 'ilfd7 Black achieved a satisfactory game.

..te7

7 d5 This was played several times by Reshevsky, but even earlier by Rubin­ stein, for example in Moscow (1925) against Rabinovich. 0-0 7 •

8

•

•

ltlg3

The alternative plan is to fianchetto the king's bishop. For example, Euwe played 8 e4 d6 9 g3 against O'Kelly (Groningen 1946).

8

.

. •

d6

16

12 13

b4 0-0

li::Jc7 11fb8

14 15 16 17

..te3 a4 b5 .i.xc4

b5 bxc4 .i.b7

17 18 19 20

exd5 li::J xd5 .i.xd5

d5 li::Jcxd5 li::Jxd5 .i.xd5

21 22

li::Jf5 ! i.d4

.i.f6 exf5

ll'ixd5 l::td 8 26 'il'e3 exd5 27 l::tfd l the ending is favourable for White. However, the energetic reply 22...'i'f4 (23 .i.xf6 'ii'xf5) would have left White with only a symbolic advantage - with opposite-colour bishops, there is no way that he could have exploited his extra pawn on the queenside.

Black intends the freeing advance ... d6-d5, but for this he must first exchange his b-pawn for the white c4 pawn. The drawback to this plan is that White gains a queenside pawn majority.

23

.i.xf6

24

l:Z.aJ!

24 25 26

l:r.g3+ 'i!fd4

i!fb7

It was on this move that Ragozin was pinning his hopes, since now the bishop and the g2 pawn are simultaneously attacked. However, disillusionment awaits him.

An unexpected turn of events. Black cannot reply 24.....txg2 on account of 25 :g3, while if 24 ... 'it>h8 there follows 25 'i'd4 l:.g8 26 :g3, and there is no way of defending the g7 square. Therefore he is forced to accept the breaking up of his kingside. ;

Thus Black has carried out his plan, and he has even gained the advantage of the two bishops. Immediately, however, this latter factor will no longer apply, as White has available an interesting tactical stroke.

A mistake, as a result of which Black's position sharply deteriorates. It is also unlikely that he could have resisted successfully with 22...i.xd4 23 'i'xd4 f6, as 8.fter 24 tlle7+ 'it>h8 25

gxf6 'it>h8

The bishop is regained, since only the queen can save the black king from being mated.

17

26 27 28 29

1!Fxd5 9'd4 1!fh4

29 30 31

l:ldl l:l.xg4 ·

38 39

11e7 1t'e6 l:lfd8

g3

1!f'h3

'fff3 h5 This counter-attack, alas, is too late.

40 b6 axb6 41 axb6 1t'c8 Black resigned, without waiting for

A new threat has appeared: 30 l:lh3.

llg8 Jlg4 fxg4

42 b7 'flc7 43 lhl (or 43 l::td7).

The situation seems to have eased for Black: he has slightly improved his · pawn formation and has exchanged a pair of rooks. But with simplification, the organic defects of his position become even more evident. .

Game 1 23

M.Botvinnik-A.Koristantinopolsky Master Tournament Sverdlovsk 1943 Caro-Kann Defence

1 2 3 4 5

e4 d4 exd5 c4

c6 d5 cxd5 it)f6 e6

ft)cJ

5...lbc6 would nevertheless seem to be stronger, since then after 6 JJ..g5 (cf. Game 56*) Black can reply 6 ...e6, and the position of White's pishop at g5 restricts his choice of plan. In the game, by contrast (after 5 . e6), he can also opt for other continuations. .

32

6 7

Ilg8 h3 1!fxh3 is no better. hxg4 llxg4 1!fe7 1ih6 a5

32 ... gxh3 33

33 34 35

. 1ih3

• •

:g6·

•

9'e2

36... 1t'b7 was rather more tenacious, '' but Ragozin, as usual, was aiming to play actively.

37

1i'd3

.i.g5

JJ..e7

Premature was 7 c5 0-0 8 JJ..d3 b6 9 b4 a,5, when Black achieves double­ edged play. On the other hand, the quiet continuation 7 cxd5 exd5 8 i.b5+ i.d7 9 '1Vb3 assures White of a slight, but enduring advantage. 7. 0--0

In the end the outcome is C:iecided by White's main trump - his queenside pawns.

35 36

ft)f3

.

•

•

* Games 1- 12 1 have been published in the first book. Botvinnik's Best Games

1!Fg4

Volume 1: 18

1925-1941.

8

Act

equal

14 0-0 e4 or 14... exd4) 14...ll:lxe5 15 dxe5 d4 16 'iig 3 Ji..f5 17 0-0 d3. Black's activity is sufficient compen­ sation for the sacrificed pawn. There is no simpler way for Black to resolve this problem: if l 1...ltlxc3 12 l:f.xc3 e5 there would have followed 13 tt:lxe5 ttlxe5 14 l:f.e3.

A similar situation had already occurred in my game with Krnoch (No.62). White aims to exploit his extra pawn on the queenside, but this plan involves a loss of time, and Black could later have avoided any difficulties.

A mistake, as a result of which the e5 square is irreparably weakened. Why defend the knight again, when for the moment it was not threatened? After 12...f6 13 b4 ltJxc3 14 l:f.xc3 a6 15 0-0 l:f.fd8 Black would have gradually prepared ... e6-e5.

It can be mentioned that again after 8 c5 White cannot gain an advantage, on account of 8 ... b6 9 b4 a5 10 a3 ll:le4 11 Ji..xe7 1!fxe7 12 ll:lxe4' dxe4 13 ll:le5 ltld7.

8

8 ... ltle4 chances.

9

9 10

...

would

ltlc6

have

given

cs

Ji..xe7

ll:le4 1!fxe7

12

a3

13

Ji..bS!

fS

Perfectly consistent. White aims to exchange Black's queen's knight, in order to gain control of e5. 13 ll:lg5 Black, in turn, wants to eliminate White's king's knight, in order to hinder the opponent's occupation of e5. • • •

11

.i.e2

.

•

•

.i.xc6 1!fxf3 'lff4! 0-0

18

9xeS

18 19

.

ltlxf3+ bxc6 l:lae8 es

In this way Black prevents the manoeuvre of the white knight to e5, but later one of the white pieces will be able to occupy the no less important d4 square, which is now vacated.

This move is made in order to block the e-file inunediately, in view of the possible threat of ... e6-e5. For example, if 11 Ji.. b5 there could have followed 11 ... ll:lxc3 12 .l':xc3 e5.

11

14 15 16 17

White transposes into a favourable ending.

.ild7

• •

dxeS

1!fxeS l:beS

After 19...d4 20 ltle2 d3 21 ltlr4 d2 22 '1cdl l:txe5 23 I:txd2 White would have emerged a pawn up.

Interesting complications would have resulted after l 1...l:ld8 12 'i'c2 (if 12 0-0 e5) 12...ll:lxc3 13 'i'xc3 e5 14 tt:Jxe5 (if �

19

Defending the b2 pawn and preparing White's next move..

25 .

20

f4

It is important to blockade the f5 pawn, which restricts the black bishop.

20

•

. •

:e7

20... l:te3 there would followed 21 f2 d4 22 l:lfdl.

If

21

l'!fel

21 22 23

l'!xe7

have

.tlfe8 l:lxe7

c;t>n xd4

g6

44 tLlc3 45 lle2 46 l£lxe2

h5 :xe2 �g4

47 �e5 48 ll'ld4 49 ll'lxf5

Ac8 h5 i.d7

This delays slightly the inevitable end. After 42...e7 43 c6 and only now 43 ... d4 there is no point in White wasting time on the eliminating the d­ pawn, since he can decide matters with 44 llb7+ 'it>d8 45 'it>d6! l:be2 46 l:tb8+ i.c8 47 c7+.

ng4 �e6

a4

J:tf2

tt'lcJ!

If 41 e5 Black would not have replied 41...:e I + on account of 42 ft'le2, but immediately 41 ... d4 with . some altogether unnecessary complications.

A rare situation: the invasion of the black rook does not bring any gains. Now, when I am working on formalising the way that a chess master searches for a move, I can explain this easily: the point is that that the black rook has no feasible trajectories for attacking the white pieces.

34 35

39

Precautionary measures superfluous.

White would have won more quickly after 35....i.e8 36 b5 axb5 37 axb5 cxb5 38 tLixd5+ e6 (38.. e5 would be a mistake because of 44 ...i.c4.

Even an active king can no longer do anything to help.

If 49.

36 b5! 37 . axb5 38 lllxb5

axb5 cxb5 l:tgl

..

i.xf5, then of course 50 h3+.

50 ! tt'lg7 · i.a4 g5 51 f5 52 'tlle6+ Black resigns

A classic �xample of exploiting a bad light-square bishop: ·White controlled the dark squares of the.. board in

21

combination with the exploitation of his pawn majority on the queenside.

Game 124

ing .tc l -g5xf6. The point is that if 8 .tg5 there follows 8 ...tt:lxe4 9 lllxe4 .txg5 10 tt:lxd6+ e6 there follows, of course, 37 . . . llf5. Smyslov prefers not to move his king away from his c-pawns.

Black's main objective is to be able to answer c3-c4 with . . . d5-d4; it follows that the e4 pawn must be securely defended. Therefore White must switch to attacking the enemy pawn centre by f2-f3 . Then, however, after the exchange of White's f3 pawn for the black d5 pawn his material advantage is somewhat flevalued, since he is not able to exchange his doubled c3 pawn.

27 28 29

g3

•

37 38 39 40

i.g2

If29 c4, then 29 . . . exf3 .

29 30 31 32 33

l:td6 dxe4 ltlxd6

fxe4 lbd6 f.2

Or 33 lldl (to answer 33 ...l:ta5 with 34 l:td4), but then 33 . J:tcs. .

33 34 35

i.xe4 g4 62 @xg6 �4 63 @h6 'it>g4 64 g6 h4 65 g7 h3 66 g8'ii'+.

'it>e3 l:lh6 D.xh4 f6 l:la4 'it>xg6 h4 @fl 'it>h5 b3 g6 Wg5 Draw agreed

A game which typifies the play of the young Smyslov. He was capable of making errors in the transition to the midcllega.me (16 i.bS+), but he con­ ducted the endgame with staggering precision and composur� I was able to make partial use of the experience gained in this rook ending 27 years later in my game with Spassky (Leiden 1970).

'it>c4 llf4 �d3 �e3

Game 126

M.Botvinnik-Y.Zagoryansky Master Tournament Sverdlovsk 1943 Reti Opening

1 2 3

Apparently with the aim of attacking the g6 pawn, but in fact a clever trap. 29

li)f3 c4 b3

d5 e6 lDf6

4 5 6

..tb2 el �CJ

..te7 0-0 c5

...

cxd5

�xd5

8

�xd5

exd5

Now Black is left with an isolated pawn. After 8. . . 'ii'xd5 9 ..tc4 he would have given the opponent an important tempo for development, as in one of the games from the Botvinnik-Levenfish match, 1937 (the ending of which is given in the introduction to Volume 1).

d4 1!fxd4

12

..tel

..te6

13 14 15

0-0 1'xb2 :fdl

..txb2 Wa5

15 16 17 18 19

l:td2 J:tadl bl �e5!

•

.

.

12 ... ..tg4 was somewhat more active, whereas 12 . . . ..txb2 13 1!fxb2 'i!fa5+ 14 'i!fd2 'i!fxd2+ 15 hl l:tac8 1 5 .i.d2 l:lfe8 followed by . . . d6-d5, as subsequently occurred in the game Romanovsky-Kan ( 1 4th USSR Championship, 1945).

7 a4 An old-fashioned system of develop­ ment. Four decades ago there was not a great deal of experience in this opening, and masters were largely guided by recommendations given in Becker's monograph on the ' Sicilian Game'.

7

• • •

'i'c7 36

13

an equal nwnber on the d 5 square.

1ie2!

White thereby is indeed forced to ex­ change knights on c5, which he rightly

It transpires that 1 3 . . .ltlxb3 14 cxb3 is unfavourable for Black, as White is the first to exploit the open c-file - a

avoided on the 1 3 th move. However,

standard idea of Bolesla\.'sky.

that which was unfavourable in the

13 14

@bl

i..e7

opening now proves successful, since on the implementation of his ill-fated ideas Black

is

spending too

much

time.

Instead he should have risked castling · on the kingside.

17 18

lldl /i)xc5

'i'a8 dxc5

Of course, the opening of the d-file for further simplification is welcome, but this capture

leads by

force

to

Black's defeat on account of his lack of development. After 1 8 . . . bxc5 White's offensive could not have been so swift, but he would have possessed a signifi­ cant and obvious positional advantage, especially in view of the weakness of

On which side should Black castle? If on the queenside, then here the king

the c4 and d5 squares.

Many regarded Kan as a player of

will not have a secure pawn screen, and

positional style. I think that he was a

will be unable to find safety. Castling

clever tactician. A deficiency of his play

kingside immediately invites a pawn storm

by

g2-g4-g5.

Therefore

was an excessive striving for simplifi­

Kan

cation.

decides to leave his king in the centre, but in the end here too it comes under attack.

14

. .

b6

15 16

i.. d2 .tel

l1d8

.

Preventing i.. g5 and i..xf6.

After . Black has deprived White's bishop of the g5 square, this is a natural and quite suitable way of bringing it

into play (via h4 ).

16

.

•

.

'ifc8

By playing his queen to a8, it wol,lld seem that Black achieves · gains · thanks

19

to his fourtl1 attack on the e4 pawn and

37

i..g3!

The central e5 pawn becomes the main target of attack.

19 20

... l:.xdl

l:.xdl 1!fb8

21

tl'ld5

tl'lxd5

22

exd5

ii.d6

23

f6!

g6

The defence by 20 . . . tl'id7 was not possible, as this _would have removed Black's control of d5 . But now too it proves insufficiently well defended! Black himself is forced to assist White's attack on the e5 pawn: if 2 1 . . .'ifd6 (otherwise the b6 pawn cannot be saved) there could have followed 22 tl'ie3 and tl'ic4, if there is nothing better. Black was evidently pinning his hopes on this move, since 22 . . . .tf6 23 d6 or 22 . . .f6 23 d6 .i.xf3 24 d7+ and 25 Wxf3 was bad for him. Now it only remains for him to reinforce his centre by . . . f7-f6, after which he will be able to count on a successful defence. But for this last step he is not given the necessary respite. After 23 ... gxf6 24 ..te4 Black is completely tied down and he is unable to prevent ..th4 and l:tfl . as a result of which White regains his pawn while retaining all the advantages of his position.

24

ii.xe5

An obvious move, which Black could not have failed to foresee. Now if 24 . . . .txe5 White decides the game with 25 nel, or, even more energetic, 25 d6. But despite the loss of his important central pawn, Black is not without hopes of saving the game, since the d5 pawn appears to be solidly blockaded.

24

...

This i s Black's plan: now h e will finally occupy the open file with his rook and obtain a viable position, even though a pawn down. But this plan proves impracticable on account of an unexpected tactical refutation by White. To be fair, it should be mentioned that after the other king move, 24 ... 'it>d7, although the combinative solution would not have worked (as will be shown below), after the quiet 25 .lc3 ! (this bishop must be retained) 25 ....:.e8 26 'it'c4 (26 . . . .lxh2 27 d6) Black's position would have been pretty bad.

25

i.. xd6

26

1!fe7+!

26 27

fxe7+

1!fxe7 Wd7

28

d6

ii.xf3

'iixd6

A terrible check! The ending is hopeless for Black, although the win is not so easy in view of the blocked nature of the position. • • •

Of course, not 27 ...@xe7 28 d6+, but if the black king had already been at d7 (cf. the note to Black's 24th move), there would have followed 2 7 . . . 'it>d6 ! with an obvious draw.

®d8

38

29 gxf3 30 ' @gl

:cs g5

This makes tllings easier for White, as the weakening of the f5 . and h5 squares allows his king to break through on the kingside. However, otherwise it would have headed for c4 (after l:l.dl­ d5), and when the black rook moves from c8 the breakthrough a4-a5 wins.

31

lld5

Here the rook is invulnerable.

31 32 33 34

f6 'ot>e5 1ih1+ @d4

91 92 93

1!ff6+ ct>g8 g7

�c5 cii>b5 @a4

94

�

94

...

The black king runs as far away as possible from the battle zone, in order not to hinder the queen in its defensive functions.

a5 Hopeless for Black is 82...'oii>g8 83 'itih6 'oii>h8 84 g7+ 'itig8 85 cii>g6 a5 86 bxa5 with mate in three moves. Ravinsky naturally prefers to go into a queen ending.

83 84 85 86

87 88 89 90

b4 b3 b2 bl'li'

.

Keres begins his analysis from this position, and suggests that 94 1if5 ! was correct. 94 'ifd4+, centralising the queen, was undoubtedly even stronger. However, more details of this type of ending are given in the notes to my game with Minev (No.23 1). Only then, ten years later, was I able to find the general principles which should enable the stronger side to win

At the · moment when this game was played, the resulting ending of queen and knight's pawn against queen had not yet been worked out .in theory; and neither side handled it in the best way. The ending was studied in detail by Keres, and his analysis was published in 52

Wh5+

116 117 118

94 . . .'ifb7+ would have created more difficulties for White, but should not have led to a draw.

95 96 97

e6 47 l:lc5 .ic6 48 l:lxh5, or, as in the game, give up the c-pawn. .

46 47 48

l:txe3+ .i.b6

e3 ..ie4

.id4+ ct>f4 ..ixg7

f5 'it>e6 l:lxd6

.i.xf8

llxd2 f6

53

l:lgJ

i.d5

54

.lc5

lldl

55 56 57

eJ ¢>d4

58 59 60

.id6 .i.b8 llxh5

60 61

eJ

llfl+ ltfJ+ .i.g8

e6 llbJ

The time has come when the g-pawn has to be sacrificed, in order to make effective use of the other passed pawn on the h-file.

The point is that White can give up his rook at d2, since the enemy rook at f8 is attacked.

51 52

•

The position of the bishop at g8 cannot be called a good one, but other moves were even worse.

White decides to give up defending his d6 pawn, but to win the g7 pawn, in order to create the threat of advancing his g6 pawn.

48 49 50 51

.

llg5 The rook has left the g3 square, and Black no longer has the drawing chance involving . . . f5-f4. Now begins the concluding phase of the struggle to penetrate with the bishop onto the long diagonal.

:f8

.

:d2!

.

llb4+ 1lg4

For a draw it was sufficient to play 52 . . Jlg2, and Black can no longer hope for more. Black continues, without any groWids. to play for a win. He could have forced a draw by 53 . . . llf2+ 54 e3 f4+ 55 'it>xf2 f.xg3+ 56 'it>xg3 i.xg6. . After the f2 square has been defended, the position of the white king is secure. Now Black must take care that

Black was evidently coWiting on 62 l:.h6 'it>f6 63 h5 g7 64 l:lh8 lle4+, but

76

a big and insuperable danger awaits him.

62 63 64

:h8 h5 .i.f4!

l:lxg6 !lg4

64 65

... Il.h6+

.i.ti

65 66 67

nd6+ h6

68

lld7

Further restricting the mobility of the black pieces.

Before advancing the h-pawn, White activates his rook.

h3 t:Dxf2+ 44 'iith2 .l:.hl mate) 40 . . . l:txd8 41 'l!fxd8 'i'bl + 42 'iith2 1!fxe4 43 1fc7 1!fd5.

Apart from a positional advantage, White also has an extra pawn.

31 32 33 34

Wb7 'l!fd7 1t'd6

35

{'jjg4

36

ifxe5

{'jje7

:e8 '�

'lfxb4

39 40 41 42

{'fjf6+ 1!fxf6 Wh2

43

1!fxc6!

�b7 {'fjxf6 @g8 l'!f8

The most energetic continuation. 35 :aS . • •

The first inaccuracy committed by White. 36 {'jjxe5 'iixe4 37 1!ff6 1!ff5 38 tbd7+ was immediately decisive (it was this last move that I did not notice in time trouble).

36 37

• . •

l'ld7

In analysis I was able to find that 43 . . . 'i'b2 (threatening a perpetual check from h8 and al) loses to 44 1fd6 'ifxf2 (44 . . . 111h8+ 45 'ifiig l Wal + 46 'ifdl ) 45 c6 �g7 46 'iixf8+ and 47 c7.

1!fb3 {'jjgS

43 44

Black defends very resourcefully.

38

38 39

• • •

1!fd4+

Wd6

�g7

Defending the first rank.

1t'd6+

38 'ifiih2 was stronger.

• • •

44 45 46

b l

c4

Black intends to advance his c-pawn further. Can this be prevented? In the event of 16 dxc5 .txe5 17 fxe5 llld7 18 t'llb5 l:.c8 the opening of the c-:file is not in White's favour, while after 16 t'llb5 all the same there is the reply 16 . . . c4 ( 1 7 'ii'a4 a6 18 t'llxd6 cxd3). This plan too was employed in the afore-mentioned Game 1 34. 17 .i.f5 That which was good on the 14th move is now forced and belated. The enemy pawn is already at c4, and the e4 square has been significantly weakened. But White has little choice. If 17 .i.e2, then 17 . . . g6, and the battle for the bl­ h7 diagonal leads to unpleasant consequences: 18 g4 h5 1 9 h3 hxg4 20 hxg4 l:lh2.

17 18

• • .

1!fxf5

.l:te2 bxc3

21 22 23

'ital 'ircl

l:ld6 .i.xc3

After 2 1 'ii'xc3 Black would have carried out the standard plan of a pawn offensive on the queenside. Now, however, the white c3 pawn becomes a convenient target.

White intends to set up a fortress by placing his rook at c2, as otherwise after 23 . . . l:la3 the c3 pawn falls.

..i.xf5 .i.b4

23

. . .

l:ld8

To conclude his attack Black needs to switch his rook from h8 to, the queenside. This requires three moves (the route via h6 after . . . h6-h5 would have taken the same nwnber).

It only remains to exchange the knight at c3, and the knight at f6 will occupy e4.

19

19 20 21

11i'c2

Before it is too late, the queen must be returned to its own camp. Now Black had a forcing and fully favourable continuation: 19. . . l£ie4 20 iL:lxd5 .l:txd5 2 1 'irxe4 l:lhd8 (but not 2 1 . . .'ii°e6 22 f5) 22 l:te2 f6 23 a3 i..xa3. However, following Capablanca's advice, I avoided complications in a position where I had an obvious advantage.

24 llc2 25 i l£ig4

lldd6

It was no accident that Black avoided losing time i on . . . f7-f6. The white knight . voluntarily leaves the central square, where it looked imposing, but was out of play. However, White's natural desire to exchange it . for . the

99

active enemy realisable.

25 26

knight

proves

.. b3

l:lg6 h5

ttk5 ti)f3

llgb6

•

34 tLlxd4 35 l:ld2 tLle2 ltlc3 36 l:lel 37 :ct White resigned before Black's reply.

un­

Black himself even drives this ill­ fated knight to its pseudo-active position.

27 28

Game 150

M.Botvinnik-LBondarevsky 14th USSR Championship Moscow 1945 King's Indian Defence

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

ltlg5

29 30 31 32

Vxa3 l:ldcl ti)xf7

8

After 29 t'De5 Black, of course, would have had to avoid the trap (29 . . .tZ'lxc3 30 'i!fxa3 J:lxa3 3 1 l:ldcl llbb3 32 lbd7+ c/;c7 33 tZ'lc5) and find the simple way to win: 29 . . . llb3 30 Wxa3 llaxa3.

lillc3 lha3 ltlb5

32 llel f6 does not change anything.

32 33 34

lbe5

g4

l:lxe3 gl 1%el mate.

Black has achieved a great positional advantage.. . His pieces are very well coordinated, whereas the opponent's are disunited. ·

1ic4

g3

l:le5

.i.g4

Black constantly creates threats, not wasting time on the capture of the d5 pawn.

104

.i.h3

27 28

llel f4

g5

It seems to me that Geller's manoeuvre 7 'i'a4 1Ld7 8 'i'e4 gives White an advantage, whereas the game continuation is far weaker, and in this case Rubinstein's idea proves justified.

Retreating the lalight would have lost the exchange (28 . . . 1Lf5). Therefore White seeks salvation in a temporary piece sacrifice.

28 29 30 31 32 33

1i'f3 g4 1Lxd2 11fxh3 1!fxb4

7

l:txd5 gxh4 li)d2 :xd2 11fxf4

• •

•

e5

Although White has managed to get rid of his two bad minor pieces, his heavy pieces are passive, as a result of which Black dominates the board.

33 34

:cc2 11fg3 Wd4+ White resigns

The finish could have been as follows: 35 'iti>hl 'i'd5+ 36 'iti>gl �g2+ 37 e8 or 30 . . . 'it>c8 - 3 1 'i'd6, while after 30. . . 'it>e7 or 30. . .'it>c7 3 1 lldl followed by 32 11ld6+.

llab8 llb5 l:h5

Black resigns.

Game 1 56

E.Lundin-M.Botvinnik

llb8 g6

Groningen 1946 Queen's Indian Defence

Freeing the rook from the defence of the h-pawn, but weakening the dark squares, which White promptly exploits.

21

tl:le5+!

The only reply that allowed the battle to be prolonged slightly was 29 ... 'it>e8. Black was expecting 30 lld l + 'it>e8, but White had prepared a more effective continuation.

Such an attack cannot ease Black's lot, but he wants to defend his h7 pawn with gain of tempo, in order immed­ iately to bring his second rook into play.

25 26

28

The exchange of the dark-square bishop and the opening of the d-file bring White closer to his goal, but after 28 . . . 'it>c7 29 tZ:1·xc6 'it>xc6 30 'i'a4+ things would have been equally dismal for Black.

:rs

1 2 J 4 5 6 7

d4 c4

lt)fJ

g3 .i.g2 0-0 tticJ

l£lf6 e6 b6 ..tb7 ..te7 0-0 d5

It may be wondered why, when I considered 7 ... tl:le4 to be stronger for Black (No. 96), in this game, and also in the one with Chekhover (No.45) and even earlier against Zamykhovsky (7th USSR Championship, 1 93 1 ), I never­ theless played 7 . . . dS ? The point was that, when meeting opponents against whom I considered myself obliged to

1 14

aim for a win with Black, I avoided the simplification to which 7 . . .tt'ie4 leads. In Game 96 it was Alekhine who had White against me, and 7 . . .tt'ie4 was the perfectly natural continuation.

8

�

In the afore-mentioned game Chekhover played 8 cxd5 exd5 9 ..tf4 and did not gain any advantage. In the fight for the initiative 8 ti)e5 can be considered obligatory.

Black does not object to some slight simplification, in order to free his game somewhat

10

lbxd5

11

1!fb3

exd5

10 . . . ..txd5 is bad on account of 1 1 e4 and 12 �f4, when White develops strong pressure on the c-file. White aims to provoke . . . c7-c6, as after this, immediately or later, he will be able to make the useful advance e2e4. For the same reason Black defends his d5 pawn in another way.

1!fe6

11

After 1 1 . . . l:td8, as Smyslov played in one of his games, there could have followed 12 e4, when Black's position is difficult.

12

Wc8

s

I lmew that 8. . . c6 (Game 92) cannot give Black a satisfactory game on account of 9 e4, but instead of the move played, 8 . . .tt'ia6 came into consideration, as was demonstrated in Las Palmas ( 1 977) by both Karpov and Tai. Against the World Champion, Browne made the poor move 9 ii.f4, and against the Ex­ World Champion he played slightly more strongly: 9 ii.e3 c5 10 l:.c 1 ltJe4 1 1 cxd5 exd5 12 tt'ixe4 dxe4 1 3 dxc5 Axc5 14 Axc5 tt'ixc5 1 5 b4 lbe6, but did not gain any advantage. Perhaps 9 'ifa4 is a more promising reply (Kochiev-Karpov, 1 977).

9

cxd5

ti)xd5

lbdJ

.:.ds

Here is another example of . . . c7-c6 being played prematurely: 1 2 . . . c6 13 e4 dxe4 14 'i'xe6 fxe6 1 5 lbr4 with a significant advantage to White (Larsen­ Olafsson, 1 956).

!

13 : Ji.el

1 3 .i.f4 was more energetic, since at e3 the white bishop will be very passively placed, and in addition it

1 15

away at a time when it cannot be transferred to either c5, or e5 .

prevents the advance of the e-pawn. This finally allows Black to play . . . c7c6 and to calmly complete his development.

13 14 15

l:tfdl l:lacl

c6 lhd7

The . result of the opening is that White has- mobilised all his forces, but he has not prevented Black from doing the same.

15 16

• • •

l:lc2

lhf6 lhe4

The manoeuvre . . . lhb8-d7-f6-e4 has enabled the g2 bishop to be shut out of the game, and it would have been extremely dangerous for my opponent to exchange it, on account of the weakening of the light squares on the kingside.

17 18 19

l:ldcl lhf4 Wa4

l:lac8 1!fd7

If 19 b3 all the threats are parried by 19 . . . f5, when the structure of the position is amazingly similar to that in Game 45.

19

• . •

22

lhh5

22 23 24 25 26

f3 .i.f2 b3 h3

26 27

g4

28

.i.g3

22 lhb3 was more circumspect, since at h5 the knight proves to be out of play.

White wants to support his knight by g3-g4.

a5!

Roughly the same also occurred in Game 45, but the idea of creating the pawn chain a5-b6-c6-d5 with the possibility of playing the bishop to a6 was one that I noticed in Ragozin' s games.

20 21

1ib3 1fd3

f5 lhd6 l:lf8 l:lf7

b5

g5! Again a familiar positional idea from the game with Chekhover. The move is very important. Exploiting the fact that .the white queen is taking away the d3 square from its knight, Black drives it 1 16

1ie6 1tg6

The decisive mistake. White allows the opponent to advance his f-pawn with gain of tempo, after which the exchange on g6 will be impossible on account of the loss of a piece. As · a result White remains with doubled d-pawns and his knight shut out of the game. Taking account of these factors, Bronstein rightly pointed out that 28 t:bg3 would have been stronger, also forcing 28 . . . f4, but in this case after 29 'ifxg6+ hxg6 30 lill1 the pawns are not doubled and the knight is in play. However, 30 . . . b4! followed by . . . t:bb5 and . . . .tf6 would have given Black a significant advantage.

28 29 30

.tf2 exd3

35 36

hxg5 �gl

hxg5 .td7 .

For the moment Black has defended his c6 pawn with his bishop from a more active square than b7, and, after relieving his rook of this duty, has simultaneously cleared the way for it to break through on the a-file. 37 l:lce2 �

38 39

l:lc2 ..tfl

l'!a7

39

...

a4!

f4 'ifxd3

This breakthrough forces White to move all his pieces (apart from his knight, which is condemned to inactivity) to the defence of the queenside, and then they will be tied down.

30 31 32 33

l'!el l'!e5 �h2

40 41 42

b4! 1Ic7 �b5

_White prepares to exchange the h­ pawns, in order to tie Black down to the defence of the g5 pawn.

33 34

h4

i.c8 h6

bxa4 l:tb2 Ziel

l:txa4 �c3 l:th7

Black has no reason to hurry. The further course of the game shows that the rook will come in useful here. 43 . l:lal � But perhaps the rook will need to .be switched via h8 to a8.

44

1 17

i.el

�b5

45

.i.e2

An incorrect idea: White considers that it is advantageous for him to exchange his doubled pawn at d4 for the enemy b4 pawn, but he does not take account of the fact that then the black knight will come decisively into play. He should have returned his dark-square bishop to f2.

45 46

.i.dl

ltlxd4

and to gain an overwhelming material advantage. 48 � After another move by the king (for example, to fl) Black would simply have taken the bishop on a4. · .i.xg4 48

49

.i.dl

49 50 51 52

ltle5 .i.xg4 ltlxg4+ ltxh5 'iti>gl .i.f6! ltg2 White resigns

After 49 .i.c6 'iti>e6 50 .ie8 ltle5 Black wins the knight at h5 (5 1 � .i.xh5 52 l::th2 .i.g6), and with three pawns for the exchange he easily con­ cludes matters.

Game 157

M.Botvinnik-V.Smyslov Groningen 1946 Griinfeld Defence

c5!

46

After the alternative 46 . . J:ta3 47 .i.xb4 White would have activated his pieces, but Black is not obliged to retreat! It may seem that with the move in the game he sacrifices the exchange, in order to retain his b4 pawn and have both material, and particularly, positional compensation.

47

.i.xa4

ltlxfJ+!

Nothing of the sort ! Black sacrifices not the exchange, but temporarily a rook. At the same time White gets rid of his passive knight at h5, which, how­ ever, is defending his king quite well. As a result, the activity of Black's pieces allows him to mount on attack

1 2 3 4 5

d4 c4 ltlcJ ltlfJ 1!fb3

ltlf6 g6 d5 .i.g7 dxc4

6 7

1!fxc4 e4

0-0 .i.g4

Regarding 5 ... c6, see Game 55. In the game Black concedes the centre, but not, of course, 'for free' . As it turned out, Smyslov had in mind an elegant and logically-founded system of development, which in 1946 did not yet allow Black to achieve an equal game, but a year later, after necessary im­ provements, gained every right to exist.

1 18

This is the point of Black's plan. If White avoids the exchange on f3 by playing 8 tlle 5, then 8 . . . .te6 is possible, and 9 d5 .tc8 is hardly advisable, since Black will immediately begin under­ mining the pawn centre and the undefended knight at e5 will assist this. In the event of the exchange on f3, Black will no longer have the problem of developing his queen's bishop, and as soon as the knight at b8 comes into play, all his minor pieces will be developed. As for White's pawn centre, it proves to be by no means as powerful as might appear at first sight.

8

.i.e3

Black in the centre.

.i.xfJ! 9 ... During the game I was somewhat afraid of 9 . . .tlla5 10 Wa4 c6, thinking that after 1 1 e5 .txn 12 exf6 Ji.xf6 1 3 gxf3 cxd5, despite the win of a piece, it was hard to say whose position was better. After all, White's pawn chain is broken up, and Black's two extra central pawns are impregnable! Therefore I thought that Smyslov was on the wrong track, in making an exchange that was not yet forced. Later it transpired that instead of 1 1 e5 White has the energetic reply 1 1 l:td 1 ! , emphasising the unfortunate position of the knight at a5. 10 gxfl! The subtle point of Black's idea was that if 10 dxc6 he does not retreat his bishop, but replies 10 . . . b5 ! , wining the central e4 pawn and achieving a good game. However, White safely avoids this imperceptible pitfall, and retains a positional advantage. �e5 10 . • .

11

8 �c6 Alas! At that time Smyslov had not yet found the clever and strong manoeuvre 8 . . .t2Jfd7 ! , after which the entire variation rightly bears his name. In the present game Black ends up in a difficult position. • • •

9

d5

White must be careful, since the opponent has already mobilised his forces. For example, 9 h3 .txf3 10 gxf3 e5 1 1 d5 �d4 ! leads to great activity by

We2

c6

Twenty years later Simagin tried to improve this variation for Black, by playing l l . ..b5 against Portisch, but after 12 l:tdl a6 13 .tg2 t2Jc4 14 f4 t2Jxe3 1 5 fxe3 l1b8 16 es t2Jd7 17 h4 White had an undisputed advantage. 12 f4 �ed7 12 ...ll:\eg4 13 es �xe3 14 exf6 lllxfl l S fxg7 Black is left a piece down. But now it appears that pawn ex­ changes in the centre are inevitable, which in view of White's retarded development will give Black fair prospects.

1 19

13

.ig2!

although unfavourable for Black, is probably his only saving hope.

The whole point is that if 13 ...cxd5 there follows 14 e5 ! tbe8 1 5 .ixd5, and Black's b7 pawn is hopelessly weak. Since subsequently too he has no opportunity to exchange in the centre, Black cannot hope for equal chances. Now it becomes clear that his opening plan involving 8 . . . tbc6 was incorrect, and that White will be able to complete the mobilisation of his forces.

13 14 1s

l:Cdl

tbb6 1ic7 :rds

16 11

:ct D.fdt

1!t'd7 Wg4

After working out the following exchanging variation, I came to the conclusion that it would lead to a won ending with an extra pawn, and without checking this continuation any further (after each of Black's replies) unpardonable carelessness! I quickly made the planned moves. -

0--0 Note that all the time . . . cxd5 was bad because of e4-e5. Now White carries out a useful regrouping of his heavy pieces, so that they operate on both the open (in the future), and the half-open files.

The correct decision, . since otherwise Black will have no active possibilities and will be obliged to contemplate how White will improve his position. The move played leads to a number of exchanges and to an ending which,

18 19 20

1!t'xg4 .ixb6 dxc6

20 21

e5

l£lxg4 axb6

This could have led to White losing a considerable part of his advantage. The immediate 20 e5 was correct, and if 20 . . . c5 (20....ih6 2 1 h3), then 2 1 a4, 22 b3 and 23 �b5, when White is effectively a pawn up with the better position. •

. •

bxc6

Before making my 1 8th move I care­ fully analysed this situation. To me it seemed favourable to White, since the bishop at g7 is inactive, it will take two moves for Black to bring his knight at g4 into play ( . . . tbg4-h6-f5), and the c6

120

pawn cannot be defended: 2 1.. .l:tac8 22 i.h3 h5 23 f3 .

But here, as I awaited my opponent's reply, I noticed to my vexation that in this latter variation Black continues 23 . . . lbe3 ! maintaining material equal­ ity, while in the event of 2 1 .. .l:.ac8 22 l:t.xd8+ l:.xd8 23 i.xc6 the pawn is won, but Black gains the d-file for counter­ play. It is probable that after 2 1. . .l:acS I would nevertheless have had to go into a slightly better ending: 22 i.h3 il..h3 h5 23 f3 lDe3 24 i.xc8 lDxdl 25 l:.xdl l:.xc8 26 l:.d7. However, I was not vexed for long. Smyslov was evidently under the impression of my rapid and confident play during all the preceding exchanges, and, without checking the variations deeply, he accepted the loss of his c6 pawn. ,

21 22 23 24

i.xc6 llxdl li:ld5!

li:lb6 llxdl+ , 11�8

White does everything possible to de­ fend his bishop at c6, since in so doing he keeps the black rook 'out of,p_lay. •'

24 25

llcl

26

llc4!

26 27 28

li:lxb6 l?la4

29 30 31

i.e4 � i.b7!

.i.f8 li:lfS

In an ending with opposite-colour bishops where both sides have pawn weaknesses, one should not strive for a big material advantage. Thus, for example, after 26 lDxb6 l:tb8 the retreat 27 lDc4 would have been impossible in view of 27 . . . li:ld4 ! with a double attack on bishop and rook (the fork at e2), while after 27 lDa4 l:.b4 the activity of the black pieces would have increased. Now, however, the b6 pawn will all the same 'not run away'; since 26 ... l:.bS 27 a4 ! is pretty hopeless for Black.

e6 llb8 lid8

Even so, Smyslov finds a loophole by which to gain counterplay, which however is not too dangerous for White.

lllh4 il.h6!

li:lf5 Each side has his trumps. Black wants to cut off the enemy rook from the f4 pawri, in order to win it. For his

121

part. White has prepared the exchange of rooks, which will facilitate the conversion of his two connected passed pawns, but for the moment he takes measures to defend his weak pawns on the kingside.

knight to d3 to defend the e5 and f2 pawns; Black would have had no defence against the advance of the a2 pawn. Now, however, slight compli­ cations arise. Alas, such inaccuracies were typical of my play; I found good ideas, but their tactical implementation was not always successful.

38 39 40

32 33 34 35

loiting the fact that the black b-pawn is tied to the defence of the bishop, which for this reason retreats.

24

a5

Cf1a8

25 26

a6 b4

b6 b8

Vidmar defends with exceptional accuracy. After 24...tbd7 25 a6 b6 26 nc3 d3

White has no reason to hurry. • . •

•

The first and last moment to exchange the rooks. The retuni· of the white rook to b7 was threatened.

l:lxg7

37. 38 l:lxa7+

llxb6

'i!tb7 5 1 0.c7 'iftxa7 52 'iftc4 is im­ mediately decisive, but now after 49 d6 there follows 49 . . . l:tc8 50 �d3 l:.cl 5 1 tllc3 l:tal with a draw. However, White has another way to win.

49 50 51

ltld6+ lLle8

ltlxf6

'it>xa7 'it>b6

The passive placing of Black's pieces (with his opponent having a material advantage) makes his position hopeless.

51 52 53 54

@fl

h4 ltlb5

l:lcJ+ %lc7 l:tf7

54 g5 would have been a mistake on account of 54 . . . hxg5 5 5 hxg5 l:lg7.

54 55 56

128

g5 hxg5

'it>c7 hxg5 l:lb7

57

ti)f6

l:tb2+

6

Of course, not 57 ... l:tg7 58 tDe8+.

:thl 58 'iti?g3 l::tb8 59 °iti?g2 60 g6 Black resigns (60 . . . :th6 61 g7).

On that same August day, ten years before my meeting with Vidmar, my game with Capablanca at Nottingham (No.8 1 ) ended in a draw. After an analysis in which the former World Champion tried to demonstrate that he had a win, I said: 'But today you couldn't have won against me, because today is my 25th birthd3y.' And here after the adjournment session and analysis of my game with Professor Vidmar, to console him I added: 'Today is my 3 5th birthday' . And my opponent's face again cheered up.

7

8

J.eJ 0-0

9

9'd2

9 10 11

J.xg4 f3

..tg7 ti)c6 0-0

·

9 tbb3 is somewhat more promising. The move played leads to an equal game (this was what Grigoriev played against me in the tournament of Leningrad masters, 1933).

Game 160

O.Bernstein-M.Botvinnik Groningen 1946

Why drive the bishop from a position in which. strictly speaking, there is nothing for it to do?

Sicilian Defence

1 2 3 4 5 6

e4 ti)fJ d4 ti)xd4 ti)cJ ..te2

lhg4 ..txg4

cs d6 cxd4 ti)f6 g6

11

At the time when this game was played, the Rauzer variation, involving 6 .ie3 and 7 f3, was already known, but 11 my opponent, an elderly grandmaster (he was born in 1882), who had played long ago against Chigorin, preferred a quieter continuation.

• • •

..te6

Here the bishop is more actively placed than at d7, and it is unfavourable for White to exchange it; after 12 tbxe6 fxe6 Black's position in the centre is strengthened.

12

ti)xc6

Now Black's chances will be definitely better, since the b7 pawn will take up an excellent position at c6, and White will not succeed in exchanging the dark-square bishops. But both now

129

and later my simplification.

12 13

opponent

... i.d4

aims

for

18

..tf2

18

...

bxc6

13 i.h6 was not possible on account of 13 . . .txh6 14 'i'xh6 "l!fb6+ 1 5 'ifi>h l 1i'xb2. .

a5!

It is important to provoke a2-a4, after which it only remains to play . . . c5-c4 in order to separate White's queenside pawns.

13

...

f6!

14 15

bJ 1£ibl

1i'a5

An important move, by which Black retains the two bishops for the endgame.

The experienced grandmaster realises that the opening battle has concluded not in his favour, and he aims for sal­ vation in the endgame. Here, however, he encounters considerable difficulties.

15 16 17

1£ixd2 1:1.adl

17

.;.

19 20

a4 l:tfel

20 21 22

.i.eJ bxc4

l:tfc8

20 c4 l:tcb8 followed by 2 1 . . . .i.xd2 and 22 . . Jbb3 would have led to White losing a pawn.

c4! i.g7 .i.xc4

The first aim has been achieved: the white pawns at a4 and c2 have become isolated.

1ixd2 .i.b6

23 24 25

1£ib3 l:te2 l:td4

..tf7 l:tc4 l:tc3

White, of course, will succeed in exchanging one pair of rooks, but I rarely missed an opportunity, by In anticipation of the coming skirmish on the queenside, perhaps 17 . repeating the position, to speed up the :Cd 1 and then 'ifi>fl -e2 would have been reaching of the time control. l:lc4 26 :dd2 slightly sounder.

27

c5

1 30

l:l.d4

iU �

�

�>

i ·�;

•·���L ,;•:,wa; · a • -ii� •'Wffi.{,,,,,,,�J; ,�. ,"'";�:.�if ""•·"0®• ,� . �-��.--, ,%. ••• • ..t • m = •e . %. - • ""

f5

27

The bishop, which Black carefully preserved from exchange, comes into play at the decisive moment.

28 29 30

lbc4 :et .i.d2

i.xc4 fxe4

30 31 32

.. lhe7 ti)xaS

exfJ fxg2

33 34

c4

i.f3

A mistake, which makes it easier for Black to win. After 30 fxe4 i.c3 3 1 .td2 i.xb3 32 .txc3 .i.xc2 he would still have had to overcome serious technical difficulties in order to convert his extra pawn. •

Evidently 32 @xg2 should have been preferred, although even then after 32 . . . .td5+ and 3 3 . . . l:tc8 Black has an overwhelming position. 32 i.dS @f:z l:tf8 The quickest way to win. 34 . . Jlxa5, hoping for 35 .i.xa5 .td4+, did not work due to 35 llxg7+ @xg7 36 .i.xa5, while 34 . . . il.d4+ 35 .te3 i.xe3+ 36 nxe3 would have been prolonged the battle.

131

35 36 37 38

i.e3

lla7 @g3 l:txa5

.tcJ

i.c6+ .i.xa5 :f3+

This is why Black should not have been allowed to retain his pawn at g2.

39 @xg2 :xeJ+ 40 . @gl :cJ lbc4 41 l:la7 1:1.cl+ 42 l:l.c7 llc2+ 43 @£2 White resigns

This was my only meeting at the chess board with Ossip Bernstein. When I was playing him, I could not help re­ membering that, back in the year when I was born, Capablanca had played with him a brilliant game (San Sebastian 1 9 1 1), which entered the golden treasury of chess. Game 161

M.Botvinnik-M.Euwe Groningen 1946

·

Qlleen's Gambit Accepted In his later years Max Euwe ( 190 1 1 98 1 ) was well known as the President

of FIDE, but we became acquainted long before this. A highly ambitious and energetic player, he was a pragmatist at the chess board (and, perhaps, also in life). Euwe made a brilliant study of every­ thing that others had done in chess, but anything new that he himself introduced was of strictly practical significance. He would change the character of the battle on the chess board with exceptional mastery, always aiming to seize the initiative, thanks to which he gained significant competitive successes and for two years held the chess crown. Initially Euwe and I were rivals, but then, after he had given up playing, he offered me his hand, which was happily accepted. I invariably felt a liking for him and regarded him as my friend, although I was very worried by the fact that as FIDE President he was not always fair, and took decisions which were not in the interests of chess. Euwe's ability to change the situation on the board was a stumbling block for me. Before this game we had met five times. Twice I had lost, and three games had ended in draws. And now came our sixth encounter, at a tournament taking place soon after the death of Alekhine, when the chess world had been left without a champion. At the FIDE Congress in Winterthur (Switzerland, 1946), a final decision as to how to determine the new champion had not yet been taken. Dutch chess players, and Euwe himself, realised: if the former World Champion were to win this· game and emerge as victor of the first major tournament after the war,

public opinion would approve the sug­ gestion of proclaiming Euwe World Champion without any contest. This was the situation in which we played. Some two thousand spectators, crowding into the Harmonie Hall, followed the encounter from the first to the last move.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

d4 tl)f3 c4 eJ i.xc4 0-0 a4

d5 lDf6 dxc4 e6 c5 a6

7 8

... 1le2

lDc6 JJ..e7

This continuation, introduced by Rubinstein in his time, restricts Black's activity. Subsequently the move went out of fashion, but then experienced a revival in the Botvinnik-Petrosian match ( 1963).

Black does not exchange in the centre, since after 8 .. cxd4 9 :d1 JJ..e7 1 0 exd4 White gains the opportunity of comfortably developing his queen's bishop.

l

132

.

9

:dl

I thought that 9 dxc5 lL'ie4 would give Black a good game. Some ten years later, however, I changed my opinion after a scrupulous analysis. Here are the variations I found: 10 :td l Wc7 1 1 lbct4 tL'ixc5 12 tL'ixc6 bxc6 (12 ... ifxc6 1 3 il.b5 axb5 ·14 axb5 l:.xal 1 5 bxc6 l:.xbl 16 b4 l:.xb4 17 .ta3) 13 b4 tL'id7 ( 1 3 . . .ltie4 14 i.b2 0-0 1 5 i.d3 lb:f6 16 lL'id2 !tb8 17 ltic4 with a positional advantage) 14 i.b2 0-0 1 5 tL'id2 i.xb4 16 'i'g4 ltie5 17 ifg3 . After this analysis I came to a different opinion: White would have the initiative! And so 17 years later I played 9 dxc5 in the 8th game of my match with Petrosian. However, Igor Botvinnik found that after 17 i.a3 Black continues 17 . . . l:tb6 ! and retains a material advantage.

9· 10 l£lc3 • •

•

ilc7

For 10 h3, see Game 1 16. After 10 dxc5 i.xc5 l l i£lc3 0-0 12 h3 l£le5 the chances would have been equal. 0--0 10 •

11

•

.

b3

White could no longer have achieved anything with 1 1 dxc5 i.xc5 12 e4 tt:lg4.

11 12

• • •

Ab2

i.d7 !tac8

Euwe waits, but meanwhile after 12 . . . cxd4 1 3 exd4 tt:la5 he would have gaiged counterplay on the queenside. 1 2 . . . l:.fd8 also came into consideration. Now, however, the c-file remains closed, and White advantageously opens the centre. I alsq carried out this plan in a game from the 1 941 Match-

133

Tournament with Keres (cf. the afore­ mentioned Game 1 16), but to be fair it should be pointed out that this idea was employed much earlier by Alekhine.

If

13 14 15

d5 t£lxd5 i.xd5

16

Wc4

exd5 i£lxd5 i.g4

1 5 . . . tt:lb4 White would advantageously have replied 16 i.e5. 16 h3 i.h5 17 g4 i.g6 18 h4 is more active, but at the same time more risky.

16 17

• . .

i.xc6

i.h5

Although now too the pawn offensive 17 g4 .ltg6 18 h4 involves some risk, this was the only way to develop the initiative. In this important game I was aiming for a peaceful continuation, but I did not find peace and merely squandered my advantage.

17 18

... i£le5

'ii'xc6 1!fe8

A move typical of Euwe' s resourceful style. Now against 19 g4 he had prepared 19 . . . i.f6, and if 20 l:!.d5 the simplest is 20 . . . b5.

19 · l:ld5

!td8

Black too commits an inaccuracy. The same prescription - 1 9...b5 was also applicable in this position. Where should the queen go? If to a neutral square, c2 or f4, then 20 . . . l:.d8, while the construction of a battery (20 'i'c3) is neutralised by 20 ... f6 21 CLld7 'iff7 22 e4 nf"d8.

20

25

�xfl

l£id7

An anti-positional · idea. White concedes the d-file for the sake of an illusory attack, and ends up in a critical position. For many moves, with greater of lesser justification, l had been avoiding continuations involving g2-g4, but now, at any event, I should not have neglected this possibility. After 20 g4 i.g6 (20. . .bS 21 l:.xd8) 2 1 :adl l:.xdS 22 'i'xd5 'ifc8 23 ti:)d7 White has the initiative, as 23 . . . l:.d8 is bad on account of 24 i.xg7 Ji.c2 (24 . . . �xg7 25 ii'e5+) 25 .tc3 i.xdl 26 'i'e5 f6 27 We6+.

20 21

l:bd7 1Fd8

l:l.xh5 A crafty move. In view of the

threatened check at d l , White does not have time to play 22 ii..xg7 @xg7 23 'i'g4+ h8 24 'i'f5.

22

:n

g6

23

:hJ

l:.dl

25

•

•

•

b5

The former World Champion plays with his customary energy. The b-pawn is immune, since the white queen must defend the g4 pawn.

26 27

axb5 'iff4

axb5 f6

28 29

e4

'ifdl+

Now Black does not have to fear the queen going to h6 (since he will always have . . . l:.f7), and in the meantime he wants to win the b3 pawn. �g2

Now the 'attack' on the black king comes to an end, and the rook is driven back to a position that is unfavourable from the point of view of the endgame. Black, of course, aims to take play into an ending, since on the opposite side of the board from the kings he has . an extra pawn.

24 g4 A useful, although belated thrust. 24 l:txfl+ • .

29

•

134

. • .

.td6

Euwe finds a tactical possibility of talcing play into a rook ending.

30 31 32 33

Wf3 D.xf3 .i.xe5 llc3

ifxf3+ .i.e5 . , fxe5

A passive move. Significantly stronger was 33 l:td3 l:tc8 34 :d.5 c4 35 bxc4 bxc4 36 'i¥tfl � (36 ... c3 37 :dl ) 3 7 'iit>e2 'iit>e6 3 8 !ta5, when White could have hoped for a draw. The exchange of rooks has to be avoided (33 l:txf8+? 'iit>xf8 34 f3 g5, and the black king marches over to the queenside).

33 34 35 36

@e3 f4

36 37 38 39

@xf4 bxc4 h4

w

%Cc8

�

'iit>e6

Why in time trouble make such a committing move?

39

•

.

•

exf4+ c4 . bxc4

h6

When, immediately after the game, Flohr advised playing 39 . . .l:k5, my

opponent showed that in this case too White retains saving chances: 40 e5 'iit>d5 4 1 :e3 c3 (4 1 . ..:c6 42 h5) 42 e6 c2 43 e7 l:tc8 44 l:tel @d6 45 @g5 'iit>d7 46 l:tcl @xe7 47 'i¥i>h6. Another suggestion (39 . . . l:tc6) was later made by Levenfish. Then 40 h5 l:tc5 4 1 e5 l:c6, but here not 42 'iit>e4? g5 43 ltiid4 :cs 44 'iil>e4 l:tc7 45 'i¥i>d4 l:td7+ 46 'i¥i>e4 l:tf7 when Black wins, but 42 hxg6 hxg6 43 'iit>e4 g5 44 1:.h3 c3 45 l:h6+ 'iit>d7 46 :h7+ 'i¥i>e8 47 :hl with a draw.

40

g5

h5

In this position I sealed my move. Of course, my opponent, like myself, knew tl1at Lasker had won a similar ending against Rubinstein (St Petersburg 1914). The only difference was that there the h­ pawns were absent. But during the break for dinner I was able to establish that the presence of these pawns changes the evaluation of the position. I did not find this immediately - I was hindered by the awareness that the great Rubinstein had been unable to save the ending. I was looking desperately at the board, when into the room came the leader of our delegation, Veresov. He knew that things were bad for me, but he hopefully asked: 'Mikhail Moise­ evich, perhaps you will nevertheless find a way to save the game?' I then looked at the position without a pre­ conceived opinion, and . - oh joy! - I understood the secret of this endgame. When I arrived for the resumption of the game, Euwe sympathetically slap­ ped me on the shoulder. He was in no dout>t that, if the greai Rubinstein had been unable to save such an ending, the

135

outcome was clear. Also obviously in agreement were the spectators, who awaited with impatience .the triumph of their favourite. 41 @e3 @e5 42 llc2! Forcing the enemy pawn to advance.

42 43

@d3

the breakthrough by the black rook on the h-file, and they lead to the pawn ending being drawn.

43 44

•

•

l:td8+

Of course, 44 @xc3 was dangerous, as the white king would have been cut off from the kingside.

c3

Here my opponent looked at me sus­ piciously. Evidently he did not like the fact that I was so calm. In the game with Rubinstein, Lasker won by the manoeuvre . . Jk7, @e3 llh7 followed by . . J �h3+ and . . J lg3. After . . . 1:lc7 his opponent could not take the c3 pawn, as after the exchange of rooks the pawn ending would have been lost (I should merely add that in the afore-mentioned game the colours were reversed). But here the transition into the pawn ending would have led to a draw: 43 . . . llc7 44 llxc3 l:txc3+ 45 @xc3 @xe4 46 'it>c4 M4 47 �d4 @g4 48 @e5 @xh4 49 @f6 @g4 50 @xg6 h4 5 1 ltif6 h3 52 g6 h2 53 g7 bl if 54 g8°i'+. The h-pawns play a dual role: they rule out

•

lt?eJ

44 45 46

llxc3

47

llc6

Wf3

lld4

llxe4+

l:txh4

The most accurate. After 47 ... 'ifilf5 48 l:tc5+ e6 49 llc6+ Black cannot achieve anything.

47 l:lf4+ l::te4+ 48 ct>eJ 49 � xf3 so b7 � S l b8'i' g2+ 52 �h2 gl'i'+ S3 'it>xh3. But it turns out that by · playing 44 . . .lbd4 ! (instead of 44 . . . d3), which prevents 4S bS, Black penetrates with his King to f2 via f3 a tempo sooner. In every variation White loses: the mating threats to his king ·give the opponent the necessary tempf ·

44

•

•

•

45 lbd5 In order to try and eliminate the mate threat by sacrificing the knight for the h3 pawn. 45 46 47

lbf4+ lbxb3+

'ote2 xf2

Or 47 lbxhS g3 48 lbxg3 xg3 49 as h2 SO a6 tZ:lgS S l a7 lbe4 and mate next move.

Black could have won by 47 . . . gxh3 48 a5 g3 49 a6 GLJgS 50 a7 lbe4 S 1 a8'ii 00+ S2 gl h2+ S3 � hl'i'+ S4 'irxhl lbxhl SS b4 tLJf2 S6 bS lbe4 S7 b6 tZ:id6 S8 gl h4 S9 hl h3 60 @gl h2+ 6 1 hl tZ:ie4, and mate is inevitable. However, he chooses a more natural and simpler plan.

d3

143

47 48 49 50 51

ll'lf4 ll'lg2 a5 li)f4

� . gJ

�

h4 fl

There is no defence against . . . h4-h3.

52 53 54

lDg2 h3 lDeJ+ � lDg4+ 'itie2 White resigns

This was my second and last meeting with Saviely Tartakower, who deser­ vedly enjoyed the affection of the chess world.

Game 164

M.Botvinnik-C.Kottnauer Groningen 1946

Queen's Gambit

1 2 3 4

d4 ll)fJ c4 cxd5

d5 li)f6 e6

12

I was afraid of the simplification after 4 li:)c3 c5 5 cxd5 li:)xd5, whereas in the game it is not so easy for Black to avoid a complicated struggle.

4 5

•

•

•

li)cJ

i.g5 'ifc2 e3 Ji.dJ i.h4

.

cxd4

13 14

exd4 li)xc6

li)c6 bxc6

15 16

i.gJ hxgJ

AxgJ li)g4

17 18

Wd2 b3

ltb8

18 19

... 'iff4

lrf6 'ifxf4

20 21 22

gxf4 llfdl

n.b4

Again White has to be vigilant in view of Black's intended manoeuvre . . .'tlig5-h5.

c6 0-0 n.eS h6 Ae6

Had this move not been made, White would have had no doubts about the need to castle short and to cany out tl1e standard pawn attack on the queenside. Now, however, there is an opportunity to activate his game somewhat in tl1e centre. 11 ll)es c5 The natural reaction. In the event of passive play there could have followed f2-f4. 12 0--0

.

Now 15 . . . Jlxh2+ 16 'it>xh2 �g4+ 17 g3 g5 is threatened.

exd5 Ji.d6

This looks unconvincing. 5 . . . c6 is better, in order to develop the bishop at f5 as soon as possible.

6 7 8 9 10

•

In such situations it is advisable to play 12 . . .li:)c6 immediately.

18 �4 was evidently stronger, and if 18 . . . iigS 19 'i'xg5 hxg5 20 b3 n.b4 2 1 :fd l .

·

After the transition into the endgame the weakness of the c5 square and the c6 pawn will tell, of course, but avoiding the exchange of queens would have meant Black going totally onto the defensive.

144

Jlfl

'it>f8

�f6

White had everything prepared for the manoeuvre of his knight to c5. If after 23 ttJa4 there had followed 23 . . . ttJh5, then 24 g3 i.g4 25 l1d3 ! (25 :td2 l1e4) 25 . . . i.e2 (25 . . . :e4 26 f3) 26 :td2 .i.xfl 27 c7 After 5 1 . . .l:te7, either 52 .l:.a8 or 52 l:txe7 g3 Wf4

t£ig6 (jje7 (jjg6+

51 52 53

'it>g5 h5 f4

(jjf8 .i.c6

The white king can be diverted only temporarily from its intended march to the queenside. After arranging in the best way his weak kingside pawns, White will continue his plan. Although towards the finish of the tournament I did not play so con­ vincingly, even so my good technique counted .

Not all these moves in time trouble are the most accurate. Perhaps it would have been better for Black to play 39 ... 'i'a2+, and now for White to take the e6 pawn.

43 44

48 49 50

�g8

.i.e8

The pursuit of Black's queen begins: it will be hard for him to avoid the exchange.

44. 45 'it'b2 46 1!fal 47 i.xal

Wbt 1ih1 'i!hal

One gafus the impression that Black is hoping for 54 h4 tbh.7+ 55 �g6 .i.e8 mate.

54 55 56 57

Without the queens the ending is an elementary win.

47

•

•

.

l£if4

.i.e2 'it>h4 �g3 'it>t'2

(jjb7+ Wf7

(jjf6

Black resigns

A nervy game. After two defeats (against Kotov and Yanofsky), in every game I needed to win, in order to compete for the first prize with the tournament leader Max Euwe.

149

Game 166

S.Reshevsky-M.Botvinnik USSR v. USA Match Moscow 1 946 French Defence

Samuel Reshevsky ( 19 1 1 - 1992) 12 was already g1vmg simultaneous displays at the age of six, and on one occasion one of his opponents was none other than the future World Champion and President of FIDE, professor Max Euwe. There was no doubting the great talent of the child prodigy. Reshevsky appeared in the international arena in the 1930s, he played successfully in the AVRO Tournament (1938), and subse­ quently, as one of the top players, he was invited to participate in the World Championship Match-Tournament of 1948. When the FIDE rules came into force, the many-times USA Champion and winner of numerous international tournaments several times won the right to participate in world championship events, and even at the age of 56 he for the last time became a candidate. . Reshevsky was a brilliant and dis­ tinctive chess player. He calculated variations excellently, and possessed an outstanding positional understanding, but even so he was a typical practical player, with an additional defect, con­ sisting . in an incurable time trouble disease. This last factor, unfortunately, was a hindrance to his results being even better. In October 1 983, in the Manhattan Chess Club in New York, there was a meeting of the three (our of eight) surviving participants in the AVRO

Tournament: Fine, Reshevsky, and the author of these lines. Fine had given up chess long before, I had stopped com­ peting in tournaments in 1 970, but the indefatigable Sammy was continuing to play. In the second USSR-USA match the players were already sitting opposite one another. The Soviet team was placed in a difficult position, since half of the participants had arrived in Moscow after the difficult tournament in Groningen, which had just finished. As a result the atmosphere was nervy, as the present game indicates. The match ended in a victory for the USSR team, but this time a less convincing one (12Y2-7Y2).

1 2 3 4 5

d4 e4

6

1!fg4

6 7 8 9

dxc5 bxcJ 1!fxg7

lllcJ e5

a3

e6 d5 ..tb4 c5 ..ta5

I chose this continuation for the first time in my career (although it was known earlier), to safeguard myself against possible preparations by my opponent for 5 . . . hc3+, which I usually employed. After considerable thought in the opening, Reshevsky finds a good plan. The more popular move 6 b4 was recommended by Alekhine back in the 1920s.

llle7 ..txcJ+ llld7

But this is a routine move. The simple 9 tbf3 would have given White a

1 50

15

good game, although the Encyclopaedia considers that after 9 . . . ttlg6 10 h4 h5 1 1 'i!i'g3 ttlxc5 the position is unclear. Now White eliminates the g7 and h7 pawns, but this takes time, and in addition the central e5 pawn disappears from the board, as a result of which the initiative passes to Black.

.J\b5

In the hope of forcing Black to choose the modest move 1 5 . . . .i.e6, and subsequently of tying the black king to the defence of the f7 pawn.

15

9 10 11

.

• • •

11fxh7 .i.e2

l.1.g8 ltlxe5

Exploiting the fact that the g2 pawn is immune ( 1 L .ltxg2? 12 'iib.8+ and 13 'i!i'xe5), White completes the develop­ ment of his kingside pieces.

11 12

• . •

.i.d2

1fa5 1i'xc5

li:lfJ .i.xfJ

16

.i.xti+

Hardly any better was 16 11fxf7+ �d7 17 'ii'f6 ( 17 .. :a:IB was threatened) 17 ... ltxg2. .

White has a nominal material advantage, but this is compensated by the fact that his doubled pawns are devalued, that Black can occupy the centre with his pawns, and, most important, that it is hard for the white king to find a secure refuge.

13 14

.i.f5!

. • •

Not a move that one is able to make in every game. There is no doubt that it came as a surprise to my opponent. As a result an exchange of the f7 and g2 pawns occurs, White's extra pawn will not be worth anything at all, and his king will have nowhere to go.

lLlxfJ+ e5

Black is threatening by 1 5 . . . .i.f5 and 16 . . . 0-0--0 to complete his mobilisation.

151

16 17

• . •

'ilb6

�d7

During the game I did not notice that I could now have tried to win the bishop that is stuck in Black's territory: 17 . . . l:!h8 18 'i'f6 (18 'i'g5 :!h7 19 iLh5 ltg8) 1 8... 'ifc6 1 9 'ii'xe5 lth7 (the advantage is also on Black's side after 19 'tixc6+ bxc6 20 f3 lir.af8).

17 18 !lfl

�xg2

with 28 . . . b5, moving the pawn off the 7th rank (or 28 .lld8 tLlc6).

28

D.xb7

This seems risky, but White has accurately calculated everything.

28

18

•

•

.

1!t'b6

A positional mistake. Black ex­ changes queens at the cost of a worsen­ ing of his pawn structure, and the game becomes level. At the board I did not find the continuation 18 ... 1Wc4 1 9 :bl 'iie4+ 20 'i!ie3 b6, in which Black has an undisputed advantage.

19 20

11i'xb6

axb6

� Well played. First and foremost White connects his rooks.

20 21 22 23 24 25

@b2 il.eJ .txe6+ .i.xb6 :gt

.rl.xaJ .rl.a4 il.e6 @xe6 D.xh2

Black would have good wmrung chances if he were able to exchange one pair of rooks. Then his king would be safe, and his knight would acquire scope. But now White has counterplay.

25 26 27

•

.

•

Jlg7 Jlh7

tLld6

.rl.b6 Jlg6 tLlf5

An incorrect pawn sacrifice. 27. . . l:t.c4 was better, in order to answer 28 .i.a5

29

@b3!

An important gain of tempo. By advancing, the king (initially) feels more secure.

29

.

.

•

Jla8

29 ...'Dxb7 30 @xa4 ttJd6 was also possible.

30 31 32 33

Jlc7 Jlc6 lic7+ Jlc6

ll.b8 @d7 @e6 l:lb7

34

c4

dxc4+

A reckless decision. It would have been more sensible to repeat moves and accept the draw, tacitly offered by the opponent. The d-file should on no account have been opened. By playing 34...d4 I would not have risked anything, e.g. 35 c5 @d5, or 35 l:t.hl d7 36 :c7+ :xc7 3 7 l:th7+ @c6 38 .txc7. Now the positional advantage passes to White.

152

35

@b4

a7

41 42 43

43

l:lhl 'it>b7 1J..xc7

'

•

•

.

ti)b5+ ti)xc7

lld4!!

I had the 1good fortune to be able to seal this winning move, which establishes control of the 4th rank: neither of the white . pawns must be allowed onto it. No one expected this

153

revenge for his su:fferings before the time control, when the white rooks were pursuing his king.

move; they only considered 43 ....l:.d2 44 f4 with a draw. Therefore the partici­ pants in the match (both the Americans, and the Soviets) had no doubts about the outcome. The fact that Black should win was known only by Ragozin and my wife. The main threat is 44... I:tb4+.

44

c3

l:lc4

45

.i.a5

d7

The white king is cut off from its pawns, and this is Black's main trump.

l:lf6 46 l:th8 A cunning manoeuvre, found during

night-time analysis. White's king, bishop and pawn are passive, and now his rook too will be badly placed.

l1d8+ J:td2

l:la2

49 50 51

l:lb2 .i.b6

51 52 53 54 55

l:lb4 l:lb2 lta2 a6

'it?d7 :cs

A tacit admission that defeat is inevitable. But how could White venture 5 1 .ib4 I:tc7+, after which mate is threatened from all sides?

After the bishop has moved to a5 (the e5 pawn is not attacked), the exchange 46 I:th7+ I:te7 47 I:txe7+ e3 ltle2!

38 39

ltlf4

thd3

The ill-fated last move before the time control. By 40 h4 ! White would have increased the pressure, since after 40 . . . b4 4 1 axb4 axb4 42 h5 ! both 42 ... gxhS 43 .i.xh7 and 42 . . . gS 43 tl:ld3 tl:la6 44 h6 ! lose for Black.

tha6

40

thxe5

After the voluntary retreat of the knight from f4 Black has gained a temporary respite, and he initiates counterplay on the queenside. However, White could well have ignored it by playing 4 1 h4, reverting immediately to the idea of beginning action on the kingside. Instead of this he decides to block Black's queenside by b3-b4. Such a plan looks particularly 'theoretical', since it emphasises the passive placing of the black bishop. But, on th.e other hand, White creates for himself a chronically weak b4 pawn!

tDe8

ff1c7 Wf7

A good . move, which would have quickly given positive results, if White had had in reserve . . . another minute! The attack on Black's weakened kingside by lbr4 and h3-h4-h5 should have inevitably assisted the activity of the white pieces. 'iti>e7 a5

axb4

41 42

b4 axb4

· ltlb8

43

'ifi>d2

ltlc6

While White still had to spend two tempi on defending the h4 pawn with his king, Black had time to play 42 ... gS 43 'iPd2 .td7 44 'iti>c3 .i.e8, but the bishop would not be able to go to g6 on account of tl:ld3-c5.

A year before this tournament I also played White against Kottnauer in Groningen. The surprising thing is that there too roughly the same structure

But this is already a flaw in Black's adjournment analysis. He is intending to play his knight via d8, fl and h6 to f5, but in certain cases the exchange of the bishop for the knight at f5 may prove very useful for White. However, it is doubtful whether . . . ltlb8-d7-b6-c4 was any better, since

158

But not 50 ..i.xf5 gxf5 5 1 h6, after which there is nowhere for the white king to break through.

although the knight would appear well placed at c4, it would be inactive.

44 45

cl h4

ltld8 ltlt7

hxg6 cl The exchange 5 1 i.xf5 gxf5 would 50 51

•

•

•

again have led to a draw.

51 52

'

•

•

•

i.e2

c;&>t7

52 �l was more accurate.

46

ltlf4!

46 47

d2

47 48 49

i.d3 h5!

•

•

ltld3 ltlc5 ltla6

55 56 57

.i.g4 ltlc5

58

dl

..i.d7 e7 ..i.e8

This is merely a repetition of moves, in order to reach the next time control as soon as possible.

White finally finds the correct way, which he overlooked on move 40. •

52 53 54 55

i.d7

d8 i.d7 e7

White would not have achieved anything with 47 h5 g5 followed by . . . h7-h6. Therefore he resorts to cunning: he leaves the d4 pawn undefended, to entice Black to play his knight to f5.

i.e8 ltlh6

But now this advance is advantageous to White, since after 49 . . . g5 50 lD113 i.xh5 5 1 t'Dxg5 he wins the h7 pawn, while if 49. . . gxh5 there follows 50 i.xh7, and Black cannot avoid the loss of his h5 pawn. Therefore he is forced to agree to the creation of another weak pawn - at g6.

49 50

hxg6

ltlf5

Again White has to use cunning. Since his king has blocked the fl -a6 diagonal, it appears that Black has no reason to be concerned about the defence of his b5 pawn. However, 58 i.h3 was essential, sin�e D.t the · game Black could have played · the active

159

58 . . . g5 ! , when if 59 f4 he has the reply 59 . . . �6! (only not 59 . . .gxf4 60 .txf5 exf5, which favours White).

58 59

•

•

•

.i.bJ

.tcs �es

.td2 Itel

8 9 10 11 12 13

cxd5 .i.e2 0--0 l:lfdl .tel

e6 b6

Perhaps it is slightly premature to decide here which rook should be placed on which file. 8 ..te2 looks more

A tragic moment. Black reckons that he is not threatened by anything, and he falls into the trap . . . True, as already mentioned, 59 . . . g5 was now bad in view of 60 f4 ! , but after 59 . . . lbh4 ! and then . . . g6-g5 he could still have put up a tenacious resistance. 60

6 7 8

natural.

�CJ

It becomes clear that the b5 pawn is lost: after 60 . . . ..td7 61 ..tfl the black bishop cannot move (the e8 square is occupied, and the king is not defending the e6 pawn).

.i.b7 exd5 c6 lbbd7 l:le8 .tf8

Black resigns.

Grune 168

S.Gligoric-M.Botvinnik Moscow 1947 Griinfeld Defence

1 2 3 4 5

d4 c4 tl)cJ tl)fJ eJ

tl)f6 g6 d5 .i.g7

5 6

... 1!fb3

0--0

The reader will already be familiar with 5 'i'b3 from Games 55 and 157. It will also occur in Game 177.

Of the many other moves employed ih this position, Makogonov's patent 6 b4 looks energetic; I had to play against this variation in Game 202. Regarding 6 .te2, see Game 88.

White has not only failed to gain any opening advantage, but also the initiative is gradually passing to Black, who controls the central squares e4 and e5. With the idea of an attack on the kingside, Black begins playing his bishop to d6, but he later has to give up this idea. An interesting plan for Black was suggested by Ragozin: 1 3 . . . ..th6, and if 14 ttJd2 tDf8 15 M lt:ie6, preventing e3-e4 and threatening to win a pawn by 16 . . . lt:ixd4 17 exd4 .l:bel + 18 �xe l i.xd2.

160

If 14 . . ..i.d6 there could have followed 1 5 .i.f3 'fie7 16 g3, when White carries out the useful advance e3e4. Therefore Black doubles heavy pieces on the e-file, with his queen behind the rook. However, the rook will be unable to remain at e6 for long, and therefore 14 ... .i.h6 should have been preferred.

15 16 17

.i.f3 ttle2 ttlf4

'ile7 .i.h6 lld6

18

ttlfl

a5

19

ttlg3

Black avoids the exchange on f4, preserving his king's bishop for a subsequent complicated struggle.

Ragozin was correct when he wrote that there now follow complications,. the consequences of which were difficult to calculate in time trouble. As for his recommendation of amung for simplification by 25 . . . 'ii'd5 26 .ixc5 bxc5 27 'ifxc5 'ifxc5 28 l:.xc5, Black would have retained the advantage and it would have been easier for him to find his way when short of time, but for White too things would not have become more difficult! And at that point no one could know that it was I who was destined to end up in a difficult position. ·

Preventing the unpleasant 19 .i.b4. After 1 9 ti:id3 ti:ie4 20 'iic2 White would have restrained the enemy forces and continued manoeuvring. Now, how­ evet, the black pawns begin advancing.

19 20

•

•

.

dxc5

cs

Otherwise after 20 . . . c4 and then . . . b6-b5-b4 White's position would become very cramped.

20 21

. .

•

11fc2

it)xc5 .i.:xf4

Now this exchange is necessary, to clear the way for the d-pawn, which now becomes passed.

22 23 24

e:xf4 .i.xb7 b4

Activating the bishop.

24 25

. .

•

.i.xb4

d4 11t'xb7

26 27

'ile2 f5

lid7

27 28

... 1!Ff3

l:te8 gxf5

29

it)e2

b6

Such a pawn sacrifice, weakening the enemy kingside, may prove effective, especially in time trouble.

Calculations show that Black has nothing to fear.

axb4 l:td5

It is hard to find fault with this move, since here the rook defends the knight at c5 and controls the f5 square. Of course,

161

The h7 square has to be vacated for the king: on the dark squares it will feel less secure. .

30

ti)f4

Jlde5

35 36 37

Indirectly preventing the attack on the d4 pawn by 3 1 Ac3 (3 1 . . . dxc3 32 llxd7 llel +). ·

31

In time trouble it is always useful to open an escape square in the castled position. 31 . llc8 I do not widerstand how I betrayed my old rule - during time trouble the pieces must defend one another! Besides, 3 1 . . .llc8 had no particular point (I merely wanted to free the rook at e5 from having to defend the knight at c5). By continuing 3 1 . ..�h7, I would have been able to answer 32 ilc3 with 32 . . J:te4, threatening 33 . . . 'i'd6.

37 38

34

1!be5

Defending mate.

•

•

•

lhd4

1!fe6 !lxd4

Dangerous was 38 . . .'i'xe5+ 39 �xe5 nxd4 40 i.xd4 b5 4 1 ll.e5 when White has the better ending. Black prefers to keep the queens on and to exchange the queenside pawns, since in play on one wing the knight is not at all weaker than the bishop.

• •

'i'g3+ tDh5

Jlxct+ l:tc4

In this way Wlllte restores material equality and, importantly, eliminates Black's passed pawn.

h3

32 33

!lxd3 �h2 �d6 �

39 40 41

�h7

tDxh5 against the threatened

1rxa2 'ill'xd4 11fxb6 'ife6 ti)f6 11t'd4 Draw agreed Gatne 169

A.Kotov-M.Botvinnik Moscow 1947 Dutch Defence

As Gligoric was hesitating slightly over his last few moves, I had already foreseen this position and had found a miraculous escape, to my great delight. 34 . tDdJ! •

1 2 3

d4 c4

e6 f5 .i.b4

4 5

ifc2 e3

ltlf6

&:J Such a combination of the Dutch Defence with the ideas of the Nimzo­ Indian Defence is not without point. It occurred both in matches at the start of the century, and also, for example, in my world chatnpionship match with Tal (1960). There my opponent chose with Black the following move order: I d4 tDf6 2 c4 e6 3 tDc3 .tb4 4 a3 i.xc3+ 5 bxc3 ltle4 6 'i'c2 (or 6 e3) 6. . .f5.

•

162

At one time Rubinstein used to play the opening this way with White. After continuing .i.d3 , tLlge2, f2-f3, .i.d2 and 0--0--0, he would then open files on the kingside for an attack on· the black king. In the present game Kotov only paTuy follows this plan and, as if ignoring the move . . . f7-f5, chooses a system of development typical of one of the variations of the Nimzo-Indian Defence.

5 6

.i.dJ tLlge2

0-0 d6 c5

7 In view of White' s intention of playing 8 a3, and after 8 . . . i.xc3+ of recapturing 9 tL!xc3, in this case Black prepares to put active pressure on White's centre by 9 . . . t'lic6 (Game 1 87).

8

d5

All this confirms the correctness of Rubinstein' s strategy.

8

...

.i.xcJ+!

9

tLlxc3

exd5

10

cxd5

lDg4!

11 12

0-0 i.e2

lDa6

The subtle point of Black's active defence. If 9 Vxc3 there follows (if there is nothing better) 9 . . . e5, when the manoeuvre tlie2-f4-e6 is no longer possible. After the game continuation too the white knight is diverted from making this dangerous manoeuvre. This move is necessary, in order not to allow the exchange 10 dxe6, after which in some cases the white knight could have occupied d5. Here the knight is very actively placed, and it can be driven away only by weakening the pawns in front of the white king. Now Black has everything defended. The strength of White's two bishops is not felt, as a result of the semi-closed character of the position. Besides, one of them (the queen's) still has to be developed, while the other (the king's) will have to be used for exchanging the aggressive knight.

This, of course, gives up the fight for the initiative, but it is hard to suggest anything else. But this decision cannot be approved; Kotov tries in vain to exploit the weakening of the light squares in the opponent' s position. The sacrifice can­ not be accepted: 8. . .exd5 9 cxd5 t'lixd5 10 .i.c4 .te6 1 1 1Wb3 . In the event of 8 a3 Black can also retreat his bishop, as I played against Taimanov (Moscow. 1953).

1 63

12 ' . . .

i.d7

12 . . .We7 was more accurate. Now White could have improved his position somewhat by 1 3 fl tlie5 14 f4 t'lig6 ( 14 . . . t'lig4 1 5 ,.txg4 fxg4 16 e4).

13

bJ

Passively played and, in addition, moving the bishop from c l to b2 weakens White's kingside.

13 14 15

... .i.b2 l:r. ael

1!fe7

l:r.ae8

Instead of this Romanovsky recom­ mended 15 h3, after which he con­ sidered 15 . . . lbe5 16 .*.xa6 bxa6 17 f4 lbg6 18 l:r.ael, but after 15 ... lbr6 and then . . . lbe4 Black has a clear predomin­ ance in the centre and on the kingside.

15 16

•

•

•

.i.xg4

lbc.7

White is not only tired of observing the annoying enemy knight, but he simply has no other sensible plan (after 16 h3, as pointed out, the manoeuvre . . . lbg4-f6-e4 is unpleasant).

16 17

e4

fxg4

t£ib5

19 l:r.xf3 White had been intending to reply 19 lDxb5, but he rejected this because of 19 . . . fxg2 ! ! 20 l:r.xf8+ l:txf8 21 'i'xg2 (otherwise 2 1 . . . .i.h3 ! with unavoidable mate) 2 l . ...i.xb5 . Meanwhile, although a pawn down, he would have retained more drawing chances than in the game. Now the pawns in front of his king are broken up, and the enemy knight invades at d4 with gain of tempo. l:!xf3 19 . •

•

20 21

gxf3 1fg2

lDd4 ltf8

22 23

Afl 1!Fg3

1!fb4

23 24 25 26

hxg3 l:lf2

Probably stronger was 2 l.. .'i'h4 22 l:te3 (22 l:tfl .i.h3) 22 ... l:te5 (23 lDe2 t£ixe2+ 13 24 'i'xe2 l:r.g5+ and 25 ... .i.h3). Short of time, Black aims for simplifi­ cation, assuming that the ending will be an elementary win.

Because of the threat of 23 ... .i.h3, White has to give up a pawn.

This move was probably not anticipated by White. Since after 18 tLlxb5 .i.xb5 he loses the exchange, Black's other knight breaks through to the strategically important d4 square.

18

f4

No better for White was 18 lbbl tLld4 19 .i.xd4 cxd4 20 'ii'd3 'i!t'e5 2 1 tLld2 b5 2 2 l:tcl l:tc8 2 3 f4 'if'f6.

18

•

..

gxfJ! 164

'it>bl

1ixg3+ .i.h3 tl)xf3+ lDd4

The further simplification was not essential, but it does not spoil anything. The maximwn that White can hope for is to reduce matters to an ending with opposite-colour bishops, but even this does not save him, since Black can create passed pawns on both wings.

.

27 28 29 30 31

�xf'8+ @gt

eJ lhbl

xf'8 e7 .i.g4 g5 tbfJ

32 33 34

lhd2 xd2 d3

tbxd2 h5 .i.h3

f2

obtained as many as three (not just two) passed pawns, whereas White's central connected passed pawns would never have been able to move and would not have had any value. But at this critical moment Black makes an obvious error, perhaps his only one in the entire game. There is only one justification -· it was the 3 9th move!

After 3 1. . .lt1e2 32 @fl White's pieces would have become active, whereas now he can cotint only on the exchange of knights.

The simplest way to win was by the immediate advance of the h-pawn (34 . M 35 gxh4 gxh4 36 .i.cl h3 37 .i.f4), when Black would only have had to make the accurate move 37 . ..tf3 , advance his pawn from b7 to b4, transfer his bishop to the fl -a6 diagonal, and play . . . c5-c4. However, now too he is on the right track. ..

. .

35 36

eJ .i.c3

37

b4

.i.g2 b6

Again the h-pawn' s advance would have decided the game more quickly.

A last and 'desperate' attempt. . . 37 h4 38 gxh4 gxh4 39 bxc5

It only remained for Black to reply 39 . . . dxc5 ! (as was later pointed out by Goldberg), and his advantage would have increased. In time he could have

165

39 40 41

.i.et .i.g3

41 42 43 44

a3 d2 c3

ii.fl .i.c4 .i.a2 .i.bt

45 46

e5 exd6+ .

Aa2 d7

bxc5 b3

A surprising position has been reached: Black's king is tied to the defence of the d6 pawn, and the advance of the c-pawn will merely lead to its exchange for the e-pawn. Therefore already here the draw is clear.

Now the pawns · in the centre are exchanged and the black king obtains freedom of movement, but even this does not help matters. .

47 48 49 50

ll.b2 .i.g3 .i.b2 .i.g3

ll.xd5 �c6 .i.e6

Game 170

M.Botvinnik-N.Novotelnov Moscow 1947 Griinfeld Defence

1 d4 2 c4 3 thfJ 4 · g3

thf6 g6 ..tg7

5 6 7 8

d5 thxd5 c5

In the earlier games of the book this move has not occurred, but with White I was already prepared to employ this variation of the Griinfeld Defence, and in subsequent events it made frequent appearances. 0--0 4 It is curious that Black can even win the bishop (50 . . . �d5 5 1 .th.2 f3 54 xc5 a2 .ih2 .igJ Draw agreed

ll.g2 cxd5 0--0 e4

..

8

...

thb6

d5 .tg5

e6

8 . .tbf6 is perhaps more active, as in Alekhine-Mikenas, Kemeri 1937 (cf. also Game 1 90). .

After 58 . . . a4 59 .lth2 a3 60 'it>b4 'ili>b2 there follows 6 1 .ie5+. In this game my opponent was able · to save a difficult ending with opposite­ colour bishops. However, in 1 955 I had the good fortune to gain my revenge (No.236).

9 10

A double-edged move. On the one

hand, White provokes a weakening of the opponent's pawns ( . . . f7-f6), but on

166

the other hand White's queen's bishop ends up on e3, which gives Black an important . tempo for the manoeuvre . . . ctJb6-c4-d6.

knight to go to d6, thus hindering the implementation of the plan mentioned above. In trying to seize the initiative, he is prepared to give up material.

f6

10 11 12

ctJa6 .teJ tLlc4! tiJcJ The correct plan. Black is aiming for an ideal piece set-up: central pawn at e5 and knight at d6. Then he will prepare to attack White's centre by . . . f6-f5. Black played less well in Fairhurst­ Flohr (USSR v. Great Britain, 1947), where he hastily exchanged pawns in the centre (12 . . . exd5), which gave him a difficult game. 13 .tel After lengthy thought White came to the conclusion that after 13 lbd2 lbxe3 (but not 1 3 . . . tLlxb2 14 Wc2) 14 fxe3 exd5 15 exd5 .td7 16 a4 lbb4 17 lbc4 f5 Black has equal chances. By avoiding this natural variation, White assists his opponent's plan, and apparently ends up in a difficult position. 13 14

•

•

•

lDb5!

e5!

White does not allow the black

14 15

a4

ilb6

16 17

b3 :ei

tLla5 tLlb4

...

.td7

One has to give credit to Novotelnov's positional sense, in not wanting to part with his light-square bishop. Indeed, after 15 . . . .txb5 16 axb5 l1Jc7 White had only one move, but an adequate one, 17 b4 ! ! , eliminating Black's main threat of . . . 11Jxb5 and . . . lLJd4. After 17 . . . cxb4 18 'i'b3 lbd6 1 9 b6 ! axb6 20 l:txa8 11Jxa8 2 1 'i'xb4 White would have gained a clear advantage. However, if Black does not exchange the knight at b5, his own knight will be unable to reach the cherished d6 square.

In the new situation the exchange 17 ... .txb5 1 8 axb5 with the win of a pawn by 18 . . . 'ifxb5 would have left the black pieces wiable to come to the aid of their king after 19 iLfl Wb6 20 h4 1

167

18

lDaJ

a6

19

..1l.e3

has in reserve the tlueat of . . . f6-f5-f4. However, even now his position is less promising, since his queenside pawns are weakened. This latter factor should have suggested to White that he play 2 1 axb5 axb5 22 'it'e2 ! (but not 22 .ifl because of 22 . . . f5), when Black ends up in a difficult position. For example: 22. . f5 23 tiJxb5 'it'b6 24 tiJaJ f4 25 tiJdc4, or 22 . . . .l:tab8 23 .l:tec 1 .l:tfc8 24 tiJc2 ! But White was feeling complacent, since Black had avoided playing . . . f6-f5, and he decided to continue 'tempting fate', but in so doing he miscalculated1 f5! 21 .ift Now the initiative passes to Black.

Up to here White has played well, but now he makes a routine move which does not threaten anything, since the c5 pawn is easily defended. At e3 the bishop merely comes under attack after . ; . f6-f5-f4 ! Correct was 19 lbd2 ! flc7 20 iLfl, and now . either 20 . . . f5 21 .ib2 f4 22 l£ic2 lb.xc2 23 'i'xc2, or 20. . . .l:tab8 2 1 .ib2 b 5 2 2 axb5 axb5 2 3 lDc2 ! with an appreciable advantage to White due to the weakness of the enemy queenside.

19

.

..

.

'ifd6

Black unpins the c5 pawn, which was not in fact necessary. Meanwhile, by playing 19 . . . f5 ! immediately he could have demonstrated the weakness of White's previous move . .

22 23 24

f3

hxg3

f4 fxg3 .i.h6

26

ltxeJ

1!fb6

28

lLlc2

.if2

With the extremely unpleasant threat of 25 . . . .ixd2. White has to go in for the exchange of dark-square bishops, which weakens his king's position and strengthens the opponent's queenside. .i.xe3+ 25 .ieJ

20

.

The best indication of the change in the situation is the return of the queen to b6. Earlier it felt uncomfortable here, whereas now it is threatening to develop Black's initiative. lLlb7 27 �

lLld2

The alternative plan, 20 tiJc2 tiJxb3 2 1 tiJxb4 tiJxal 22 tiJa2 c4 23 'it'xa I .ixa4 24 tiJc3 .id7, would have led to unclear play.

20

•

.

.

b5

Of course, 20 ... tiJd3 would have lost to 2 1 tiJdc4. With his last move Black has established control over c4 and he

The latight at b4 has to be exchanged, of course. In general White · justifiably begins aiming for simplifi­ cation, so that it will be easier to defend his king's position. In addition, it is only in the endgame that the weakness of Black's queenside pawns may tell.

1 68

28 29 30

Wxc2 'ifc3

ttlxc2 g5

This was probably also clear to Black, but he imagined that he saw a tactical 'subtlety', enabling him to gain precious time for developing his attack on the kingside.

33

...

h5

Black continues his attack, disregarding the exposing of his own king.

34

lial

lie8

Probably the losing move. Black 'lures' his opponent into playing 35 l:la7.

35

:a7

White 'naively' falls into the trap.

35

Both sides are playing consistently: Black on the kingside (which is un­ pleasant for White, considering his shortage of time on the clock), while for the moment White is preventing the enemy knigitt from going to d6, from where it could easily join the attack.

30

...

axb5 %:txa8

It becomes clear that the need to watch the a-file prevents Black from creating a dangerous attack on the king. ·

•

.

'i!fb6

W'f6

Subsequently 30 . . .%:tae8 was suggested here, so as not to tie down the queen to the defence of the e5 pawn, but after 3 1 axb5 axb5 it would have had to guard the a7 square. Besides, . for the moment Black is hoping that his attack will succeed and therefore he includes his queen in it. In reply White immediately begins active play on the queenside in order to obtain counterplay.

31 axb5 32 lba8 33 . �el!

•

The white rook is attacked, and a discovered check (36 . . . c4+) is also threatened.

36

:xb7

It transpires that it is not White, but Black who has fallen into a trap. This exchange sacrifice diverts the black queen from the defence of the kingside, where the white queen now begins to take charge.

169

36 37

1!i'eJ!

1fxb7 g4!

At a difficult moment Novotelnov does not become flustered, and he finds the best decision. If White had won the black pawns on the g5 and h5 squares, he would have been able to create three connected passed pawns and the win would have been guaranteed. Now, however, this plan is not feasible, and the conversion of the advantage is more difficult. 38 11fg5+ �

39 40

11ff6+ 'i!fg6+

41 42 43

11ff6+ 1Wg6+ 'ifxh5

'i&i>g8

� The adjourned position. White has good winning chances, of course: the enemy king is exposed, and all the black pieces are badly placed.

'i&i>g8

a4 :n+ l:tf8 ttlb5

:b2+ :xb2 'itg6 ttld6 ttlf5

56

:r6+

dS) 8 1 . . . �es 82 :rs+ (82 :e6+ 'ittd5) 82. . . 'itie6 83 l:.f6+ 'ittd5, and in each case after one more check Black would have released the stalemate · of the enemy king. However, these variations did not have to be demonstrated . . .

9

.td2

dxc4

10 11

.i.xc4 0-0

e5 0-0

12

:ae1

12 13

... llle4!

It was not essential to concede ground in the centre; 9 ... i.c7 could have been tried.

White resigns.

Game 175

M.Botvinnik-M.Euwe . Atfatch-Tournamentfor the World Championship, The Hague 1948 First Cycle Slav Defence

1 2 3 4 5 6

d4 c4 ll:if3

�

e3 .td3

d5 e6 lllf6 c6 lllbd7

Thus White is agreeable to the Meran Variation (6 . . . dxc4 etc.), · but Euwe accepted this challenge only in Moscow (Game 179).

6

•

•

•

A cunnirig move, since it is not easy for Black to find a satisfactory reply. After 12 ...exd4 1 3 exd4 White gains an important tempo by attacking the queen; if 12 . . .:e8 there follows 1 3 lllg5, while if 12 . . . e4 13 lllxe4. Therefore, in order to create the threat of . . . e5-e4, Black has to retreat his bishop.

.i.b4

This move had been well known to my opponent for a long time, since he played it against Alekhine in their 1 937 World Championship Match.

7

aJ

.ta5

In the afore-mentioned game Black exchanged on c3 and ended up in a difficult position. Therefore it is natural that Euwe should avoid the exchange of minor pieces. ·

s

Wc2

1!Fe7

�s

It would have been b€1tter �C> c il�,.. without losing time, as . Taimanov

JJ..c7

In this way White prevents the variation 1 3 : . . e4 14 lllg5 i.xh2+ 15 �xh2 lllg4+ and 16 ... 'i!VxgS, and simul­ taneously creates the tllreat of 14 .tb4.

13 , . · · li)xe4 14 ' 1lfie4 · �•

•.

But thi� ;.s . a waste-,, O.f. precious time, and a weakening of 'the position.

187

Keres's recommendation of 14...�hS 15 .i.b4 c5 also seems dubious in view of 16 .i.xc5 tLixc5 17 dxc5 f5 (17... 'ifxc5 18 tLlg5) 18 'i!fd5 .l:td8 19 'ilf7. 14 . . ..td6 came into consideration.

15 16

.ta2 'if'h4

However, it was essential to play 20 . . . ii.e6, and if 2 1 .tb l , then now 2 1 . . . lLidS 22 1Vxe4 (after the exchange of queens the ending is safe for Black) 22 . . . fS and 23: . . tLixc3 . Of course, White's position would have remained more favourable, but there would still have been all to play for.

lLif6 e4

21 22

17

11fxe7 fxe4

tbxe7

llJe5

A natural pawn sacrifice. If it is accepted, White will gain a strong attack on the enemy king.

17

. .

•

It would have been better to decline· the sacrifice and play 1 7 . . . .i.e6, in order to answer 18 .tb l with 18 . . . .td5. But in this case too, with 19 .tc3 followed by f2-f4, White would have retained the advantage.

18 19 20

dxe5 i.cJ f3

White has two active bishops, play on the d- and f-files, and finally, doubled pawns which excellently con­ trol the central squares.

Axes

11fxe5 Ve7 tbd5

Euwe becomes nervous: he wants to suppress White's attack as quickly as possible, but he does not notice that the resulting ending is difficult for him. 20 . . . exf3 would also not have worked, in view of 2 1 i.b 1 h6 22 l:lxf3 tats 23 :tg3 !

22

.

. •

b6

This move was rightly criticised by the commentators, but what can be suggested instead? 22 . . . .te6 loses quickly to 23 .i.xe6 fxe6 24 :xf8+ xf8 25 Jlil+! g8 (25 ... �e8 26 .i.xg7) 26 .l:tdl , and after the inevitable :invasion of the rook at d7 it can be considered that the game is decided. If 22 . . . .tg4 there follows 23 l:tf4 ilh5 24 g4 .tg6 25 h4 h5 26 'it>h2 'it>h7 27 l:tgl f6 (suggested by Keres), but here, if there is nothing better, possible

188

29 30 31 32

is 28 gxh5 .i.xh5 29 e5 ! with a strong attack. After 22 ... .i.g4 23 l:r.f4 �5 24 g4 .i.g6 also sufficient is 25 l:r.dl l:r.ad8 26 l:r.xd8 l:lxd8 27 .i.xa5 :dl + 28 'ifiif2 , when White is a pawn up with two strong bishops. Perhaps after 22... .i.g4 Black would have had slightly better practical chances of saving the game, but his position would have remained lost, and therefore his 20th move must be considered the decisive mistake.

23 24 2s 26

l:ldl l:r.d6 :n e5

.i.c6 .lh.b6 lDxc6 lbc6 e7+ l:r.t7 .i.d5 Black resigns Game 176

P.Keres--M.Botvinnik Match-Tournamentfor the World Championship, The Hague 1948 First Cycle · R.eti Opening

lDg6 .i.a6 .i.bs

And so we now met in The Hague. After our game from the previous tour­ nament (Moscow 194 7) Paul, of course, could not feel relaxed; I therefore aimed for a complicated battle.

1 2 3

c4 g3 ..i.g2

e6 d5 d4

A highly risky move, against which White immediately finds a good rejoinder. The variation 3 . . . dxc4 4 'i'a4+ 'i'd7 5 't!fxc4 occurred in a later game (No.205). The most sensible for Black is nonnal development by 3 , . .lDf6, 4 .. .i.e7 and 5 . .0-0. .

.

Now Black loses because of the weakness of his f7. White's doubled pawns begin advancing, preparing the decisive opening of diagonals for the bishops . and continuing · to control the central squares.

26 27

• • •

e4

lDe7

Maintaining control of the centre.

27

28

e6!

c5 f6

4

b4

White would not have derived anything from the variation 4 e4 e5 5 d3 i.d6.

4

•

•

•

c5

Tiris too, objectively speaking, is not the best continuation. 4...a5 was pre­ ferable. For example, a game Goldberg­ Bronstein ( 1947) continued as follows: 5 b5 es 6 d3 Ab4+ 7 tDd2 t2Jf6 s �3 lDbd7 9 0-0 0--0 10 a4 h6, and Black's position was even to be preferred.

189

5

b5

and 1 1 tLif4, while if 9 ... .tg4 10 h3 .txe2 1 1 'i!fxe2 exf4 12 e5 !) 10 f5 when he retains equal chances.

But here it is difficult to explain the point . of White's move. The idea of adding to the pressure on the g2-b7 diagonal with an attack on the b-file suggests itself. After 5 bxc5 .ixc5 6 .ia3 White would have the initiative.

5 6

d3

9 10 11

0-0 f3

11 12 13

f4 f5

13 14

lLld2

lLlh6 _i.g4

Again there are grounds for a critical comment: it was essential to transfer the knight from b 1 via d2 and f3 to h2, increasing the number of defenders on the kingside, as Black often does in the King's Indian Defence, manoeuvring his queen's knight to h7.

e5 ..i.d6

.te6 .ig4

In this situation it was now danger­ ous for White to open the position by 13 fxe5, and he could not continue his development with 13 00 on account of 13 . . . exf4. 7 e4 This decision is also not easy to understand. White has just closed the b­ file, and now he also blocks the important diagonal. Meanwhile, with the cunning manoeuvre (introduced, if I am not mistaken, by Capablanca) 7 lLld2, and only if 7 . . . f5 8 e4, White would have initiated play in the centre, while retaining the possibility of activating his bishop at g2 . 'Wc7 7 Hindering f2-f4.

thd7 g6

-

•

8 9

•

•

lLle2 h4

h5

Yet another positional error, after which f2-f4 will involve a weakening of the g4 square. White should have continued 9 f4 f6 (otherwise 10 fxe5

A critical moment in the game. The opening of the f-file is inevitable, and since in this case White has to reckon with the weakness of his e3 square, Black has the better prospects.

190

15 16 11 18

fxg6 tl'lfJ :n ..i.xh6

fxg6 il..e7 'ifd6

24

In an open game, when there are no fixed positional weaknesses, the dark­ square bishop may be exchanged. But in this position White has such a weakness (the e3 square), and the other side's dark-square bishop will persistently aim to reach there.

18 19 20

'ifd2 ll'lg5

21

l:tel

l:txf8+

The exchange is inevitable, of course, but why help the black bishop to go to h6? ..i.xf8 24 .. •

25

a4

Here the knight should have been returned to f3, preventing ... il..h6. The loss of a pawn is now unavoidable.

l:lxh6 l:lh8 ll'lf6

Finally Black too commits a positional error. It was essential to exchange a pair of rooks by 20 . . . Itf8, after which White would have been unable to create any counterplay. Now 22 lLJr4 is threatened, whereas the immediate 2 1 lDr4 would have been premature because of 2 1 . . . exf4 22 gxf4 (22 e5 'ilxe5 23 l:tel We3 ! ) 22 . . . 'i!ic7. 21 . . . Wb6 Black parries the threat of 22 ll'lf4, removing his queen from a possible attack.

22

ll'lfJ

This unexpected move again allows Black to exchange a pair of rooks, and this time he exploits the opportunity. Things would have developed different­ ly if White had signalled liis intention of starting an immediate attack on the other wing - 22 a4 a5 (otherwise 23 a5 iic7 24 a6 b6 25 lDr4 exf4 26 e5) 23 bxa6 l:r.xa6 24 'ilic2, when he has the possibility of active play.

22 23

ll'lg5

ll'ld7 l:tf8

191

25 26

a5

il..h6 1'f6

ll'lb3

:rs

•

•

.

A second attack on the pinned knight, and a third will soon follow, whereas there is nothing more with which to defend it. 0-0-0 27 ll'lcl A typical idea, of which I made extensive use: Black castles only on the 27th move. Of course, this is possible in closed positions. Delayed castling allows one to gain time for manoeuvres aimed at fighting for the initiative in the post-opening stage.

28

Black has no reason to hurry, and for the moment he completes the mobil­ isation of his forces, and also takes certain prophylactic measures, iri order

to be fully prepared for possible actions by the opponent on the queenside.

29 30 3t

l:.at l!fct l:.a2

1i'e7 'ifilb8 l:.ti

32 33

'if'a3 hxg5

..i.xg5

The way for the knight via f8 to e6 is open; White decides to give up a pawn inunediately.

39 40 4t

..i.b3 1i'dt b6

4t 42

Wg4

42 43

'it>xg3

c!Llb7 c!Llg5

This, the strongest move, was sealed. After analysis Black was able to play boldly, not fearing his opponent's threats on the queenside, since his ac­ tivity on the kingside is more effective. It need hardly be said how much anxiety this game caused. Everyone considered Paul and myself to be the main contenders for victory in the tour­ nament. The game was adjourned with an advantage to Black, but with possib­ ilities of counterplay for my opponent. •

•

•

The last chance. •

•

•

b4!

hxg3+

Of course, not 43 'i'xg3 l:.h7.

33

. .

•

..i.dt

The simplest - Black eliminates the knight that is attacking his c5 pawn, after which his queen will be relieved from having to defend it.

34

Wet

34 35

l:.b2

..i.xb3 ..i.dt

36 37

l!fxdt Wet

Wxg5 c!Llf8

38

'ifilh2

'iff6

Of course, this change anything. •

•

•

'trick'

does not

Diverting the queen from the defence of the g5 pawn.

Being a pawn up is not enough - the knight must also demonstrate its superiority over the bishop!

I chewed over this position for a long time, but was unable to find any secure way to win. In the event of 43 . . . �xh3 44 'i'xh3 I first had to reject 44 . . . 'iff3+ 45 'ifilh2 'ifxh3+ 46 'ifilxh3 :n+ 47 'ifilg4 l:txd3 because of 48 l:th2 axb6 49 axb6 'it>c8 50 l:th7 l:te3 5 1 @g5. Then, instead

1 92

of the rook ending, I considered the queen ending: 44. . . 'i'f4+ 45 'it>g2 'i'fl+ (45 . . . g5 46 1i'h6) 46 'it>h2 l:tf2+ 47 l:txf2 Vxf2+ 48 'it>hl 'iii'el+ 49 'it>g2 Ve2+ 50 'it>hl 'i'h5 5 1 'it>g2, and it transpired that the pawn ending with an extra pawn cannot be won - 5 1 . . . 'i'xh3+ 52 'it>xh3 axb6 53 axb6 'it>c8 54 'it>g4 r,t>d7 55 r,t>g5 'iPc6 56 'it>xg6 xb6 57 c;t>f5 . What could I do? I had to call on the assistance of Flohr, my other official second (my main second was, of course, Rag�zin). Within an hour my consultant returned and suggested a move, which was in fact accepted.

43

. • •

After 46 l:txb7+ xa6 White loses a piece, while if 46 xh3 Black wins by 46 . . . 'iffl+ 47 cJi>h2 lth8+ 48 'it>g3 'i!fg 1+ 49 l:lg2 'i'e3+ 50 'i!Ff3 l:th3+. This means that the knight has to be taken by the queen.

'i!Fxb3 g2 'it>b2 ltxf2 Whl xb7

a6

There was no perpetual check (45 ll.xb7+ xb7 46 'i!fd7+ b8 47 'iib5+ a8), but now Black transposes into a won pawn ending.

45

•

•

•

�xh3

Here the outside guarantees a win.

55 56 57 58

g2 fJ

b6 a5 'it>b4 g5

pawn

It was also possible to win by 58 ...'it>b3 59 d4 h5 Draw agreed

7 8

lbgl

e5

A heavy-weight battle, . which does credit to both players. More than once, exploiting imperceptible errors by Black, I built up an advantage, and each time Smyslov demonstrated his tactical superiority. A fine feature of the game was undoubtedly . provided by the analysis of the adjourned position, even though it remained 'off-stage' .

8

Game 178

M.Botvinnik-P.Keres Match-Tournamentfor the World Championship, The Hague 1948 Second Cycle Nimzo-Indian Defence ·

1 . d4. 2 c4 l lbcl

lbf6 e6 .i.b4

•

•

.

d6

Instead of this Keres recommends 8 . . .d5, and Taimanov 8 . . . b6. But I think that 8 . . e4 9 Ae2 b6 10 0-0 i.b7 was better, when 1 1 f3 leads to a complicated battle with chances for both sides. .

9

.te2

Immediate operations in the centre would not have promised White any advantage: 9 f3 c5 10 e4 exd4 1 1 cxd4 cxd4 12 'ilfxd4 ltic6. 200

9

•

•

•

lLlbd7

With the aim of putting pressure on White's pawn centre, 9 ... c5 and then 10 ...lLlc6 was more energetic. Keres thought that the immediate 9... lbc6 was also possible (10 0-0 lLla5). 10 0-0 c5 With the queen's knight at d7, this move is no longer so strong.

11

f3

Since Black's queen's knight is not attacking the d4 pawn, White has the opp0rtunity to prepare and carry out the advance of his e-pawn.

11

•

•

.

cxd4

In such positions Keres liked to open the centre. He also carried out a similar plan in our first encounter in the AVRO Tournament ( 1 938). In the given position this decision can hardly be approved, since White gets rid of his doubled pawn and his queen's bishop becomes active. 1 1 ... tbf8 came into consideration, although even in this case White has the better chances.

12 13

cxd4 .ib2

lLib6 exd4

All three possible recaptures would have justified Black's exchange: 14 'it'xd4 tBa4, 14 exd4 d5 or 14 .txd4 .te6 1 5 l:.cl l:.c8, in each case with counterplay. But White can defer the elimination of the d4 pawn, after creating a more favourable situation for this, and Keres, apparently, did not take this into account. In · the spirit of the position was 13 . . . .te6 14 l:tc l l:.c8 15 dxe5 (15 d5 .id7) 1 5 . . .dxe5 1 6 1!fxd8 ltexd8 17 .txe5 with the better prospects for White in the endgame.

20 1

14

e4!

White plans to capture on d4 with his queen, when the a l square has been vacated for the retreat of his bishop.

14 15

. :ct •

.

.te6 :e7

A loss of time. By 1 5 . . .l:tc8 16 'i'xd4 lba4 17 .ta l lbc5 Black could still have carried out the thematic manoeuvre of his knight to the blockading position. 1!fc7 16 1!1xd4 Black effectively provokes White into opening the position, which is favourable for the latter as his rook comes very powerfully into play. Strange though it may seem, here Black misses his last opportwrity to prolong the resistance: 16 . . . l:tc8 17 l:tfdl Vic? ( 1 8 'ifxd6 'it'xd6 19 l:lxd6 lbe8 20 l%d4 l%ec7).

17 18

c5 l%xc5

dxc5 'ilf4

' 18 ... 'i'd8 was better, since after 19 'i'e3 �d7 or 19 Vlxd8+ 1'xd8 20 .txf6 gx:f6 2 1 lbh5 f5 ! (22 exf5 .txf5 23 l:txf5 :xe2) Black would have parried the opponent's immediate threats. In the game it all ends more quickly, since the

black queen is pushed back a long way from the kingside.

19

After this second defeat in the Match-Tournament it became clear to everyone that Paul could no longer hope to win the event.

Jlcl

The position of the bishop at c 1 also proves useful as regards the attack on the black king.

19

.

.

•

'ilb8

Game 1 79

Or 19 .. J�d7 20 'ifb4 'iib8 2 1 .i.b5. If

20

l:lg5

M.Botvinnik-M.Euwe

li:\bd7

Match-Tournamentfor the World Championship, Moscow 1948 Third Cycle Slav Defence

20. . .lLleS there would have followed 2 1 lLlh5 f6 22 lLlxf6+, when White is a pawn up with an attack. Paul did not suspect that White could sacrifice his rook and conclude the game with a direct attack. However, this happens to players with an attacking style - they often underestimate their opponent's attacking possibilities.

21 22

l:lxg7+! �h5+

1!1'e3

d5 li:\f6 e6 c6

5 6

el .i.d3

�bd7 dxc4

8 9 10

.i.d3 e4 e5

a6 c5

After suffering a failure in the first game of the Match-Tournament (No. 175) with 6 . . . .i.b4, the former World Champion decided to try an old and well-known continuation in the Meran Variation, which theory considered to be sufficient for equality. Regarding 6. .. .i.e7, see Game 144. b5 7 .i.xc4

'it>xg7 'it>g6

The retreats of the white pieces are amusing: first the bishop from b2 to c l , and now also the queen.

.. Black resigns.

d4 /i)fJ c4 �c3

Euwe employs my own weapon against me (cf. , for example, Game 154).

White's attack was also irresistible after 22 . . . 'it>t8, but now things ends in mate.

23

1 2 3 4

I had made a thorough study of this continuation (see, for example, Game 10). 10 d5 was known back in the 1 920s, but at that time it did not receive a proper evaluation. Euwe knew, of course, that I did not employ it.

10 202

.

•

•

cxd4

In the afore-mentioned Game 10, 10 . . . t'Llg4 was played.

11

lDxb5

axb5

12

exf6

1!i'b6

13 14

fxg7 0-0

.txg7

When at that time I played the Meran Variation as Black, I used to prefer Sozin' s move - 1 1... t'Llxe5. In the 19th USSR Championship (195 1 ); against me Simagin played 1 2 . . . .i.b7, which does not substantially change the evaluation of this variation.

'ii'd6 17 'ii'c2 h6 18 .td2 .i.b7 19 a3 Larsen gained a substantial advantage against Mestel, Hastings 1972/3) 16 M4 .i.dS, since White has a good choice between occupying e5 ( 17 t'Lle5 t'Llxe5 18 .ixe5 .txe5 19 llxe5, and if 1 9 . . .f5 there is the dangerous exchange sacrifice 20 llxd5 exd5 2 1 'i'b3 1Wc5 22 .ixb5 l:tfb8 23 'ii'g3+), and seizing control of the c-file ( l 7 1!i'e2 b4 18 l:iac l).

15

15 16

All this had been prepared by me before the War and tested in April 1939 in a training game (see the last section of the book). Ragozin was playing Black, and he continued 14... .ta6, since he always liked to make 'non­ theoretical' moves, but after 15 b4 he got into difficulties. Euwe sticks to the recommendation of theory. How could he have known that it were wrong?

14

. . •

lDc5

.if4

White begins implementing the plan of seizing control of the centre with his pieces. The seemingly promising ex­ change of Black's knight for the bishop at d3 cannot prevent this aim. It was this that constituted the subtle point of the new system I had prepared. •

•

•

Itel

.ib7 l:td8

Here Euwe realised, of course, what the opponent's plan was, and he decided to stick to waiting tactics, but the continuation that suggested itself was 16 ... l'Llxd3 1 7 'ifxd3 .ixf3 1 8 'ii'xf3 0-0, which occurred in subsequent games. Even so, after 19 'ifg4 White has the advantage. Black could also have gone in for sharp play without castling: 16 ... .idS 17 .ieS .txe5 18 t'Llxe5 llg8 1 9 .to with advantage to White.

11 18

�ct .ie5

:d5

Thus White has achieved that for which he was aiming. In this position Black cannot castle, and this . is perhaps the most important thing. · If 18 . 0-0 there would have followed 19 · .txg7 ! �g7 20 t'Lles, with · the threat of 21 l:txc5, 22 'i!fg4+ and 23 'ifbs. If ..

The following continuation is dubious for Black: 14 ...0--0 15 .!:t.el .ib7 (15 ...eS is anti-positional; after 1 6 �5

203

20 . . .tbxd3 2 1 'i'xd3 �h8 (2 1...f6 22 l:tc7+! 'i'xc7 23 'i'g3+), then 22 'iff3 f6 23 'iff4, intending 24 �6. It should be mentioned that numerous analyses of 1 9 Jlxh7+ led to an unclear game. Instead, White gains a decisive advantage by continuing his plan of occupying the centre.

22

1f'g3!

There is no defence against the invasion of the white queen.

22 23 24

In accordance with his style, Black begins simplifying, hoping to take play into an ending where Black's good bishop and central pawns will give him the advantage.

18 19

. • •

:xe5

Jlxe5

• •

. • •

tbxe5 '9xd3

24 25 26 27 28

'ifeJ bJ

29

f3

1!f'xc7

11be5

lbe5 ltlxdJ f6

When Black played 18 ... Jlxe5 he undoubtedly had this position in mind, but could he have imagined that the white knight was not bound to retreat? However, if Black had preferred 2 I . . .llg8, there would have followed 22 'ifxh7, not fearing just one check (22 . . . l:lxg2+).

204

fxe5 l:lf8

Since Black cannot play 24 ... 'ird6 on account of 25 l4xb7 d3 26 Ila? 'fid8 27 'ifxh7, he is forced to give up his queen.

This way, with the rook, since it is useful to exchange Black's active rook.

19 20 21

.

1!fg7 l:lc7

1!fxc7 i.d5 d3 i.c4 llf7

White need not hurry capture of the bishop.

29 30 31 32

1i'd2 bxc4

with the

3 4 5 6 7

l:td7 e5 bxc4

� e3 llg3+ White resigns

This game was of considerable importance in the tournament. Before it the score in my mini-match with Reshevsky was equal (1 Y2- l Y2). By winning this game against my nearest rival, I was able to consolidate my lead.

210

8 9

Game 182

M.Botvinnik-P.Keres

Queen's Gambit

d5 .i.f5

3 4

e6

9 10

Of course, in this way Black solves an eternal problem of the Queen's Gambit - the development of his queen's bishop, but the weakening of the b7 pawn will cause him certain problems.

c4 cxd5

By choosing this simplifying contin­ uation, White guarantees himself against any surprises, but at the same time he cannot aspire to much. In the 8th game of my match with Smyslov (1 954), I found the correct plan: 4 'iib3 tLlc6 5 Ad2 !

4 5

... 'i!fb3

10

11 12 13 14

-

.tgS .i.xe7

Ae7 tLlgxe7

J:lcl

•

•

•

0-0

a5!

Excellently played, and a positional flank blow typical of Keres. In view of the threat of . . . a5-a4-a3 White is obliged to parry it by a2-a3, after which his queenside pawns are fixed, as well as the weak squares b3 and c4.

exd5 /i)c6

Should White take the b-pawn? No, since after 6 11fxb7 /i)b4 the initiative passes to Black. And the move suggested earlier, 6 .td2, is no longer so strong in view of 6 . . . :bs 7 tLlc3 .te6 ! this is the drawback to the exchange of pawns in the centre (the e6 square is freed for the bishop). However, it has to be admitted that in this game I was not aiming for a complicated battle, and this was unfavourable for my opponent, for whom, on account of his tournament position, only a win would do!

6 7

1lt'd6

The point is that after the natural 9 lbc3 there could have followed 9 . . . lbb4 10 l:tc l .i.d3. with some discomfort for White. 1 8 Therefore preference had to be given to a less active continuation.

Match-Tournamentfor the World Championship, Moscow 1948 Fourth Cycie

1 d4 2 /i)fJ

e3 /i)bd2

·

a3 .tdJ 1!t'c2 'irxd3

Afc8 a4 il.xd3 lbd8!

An essential link of the same plan. Now Black would have been expected to activate . his queenside ·pawns . . . tt:le6, ...b7-b6 and . . . c7-c5. 15 0-0 16 . lk3

/i)e6 b5

A strange decision. When all was ready for tl1e attack indicated in the

211

previous note, Black weakens squares on the c-file without any justification. After 16. . .b6 White would have had to reply 17 e4, which would have main­ tained the balance, but not more.

17

is achieved by attacking the central d5 pawn.

21 22 23

23

1fc2!

.

•

•

thet

· !tcb8

24 25

The other route was 'prohibited' : 1 8 lbes cs ! , and the advantage passes to Black.

18

•

•

•

20 21

tl:)dJ ttlb4

tl:)cs

tl:)b6

The whole point is that White does not allow the enemy knight to invade at c4. Now and on the following move this

•

•

l:lxc6

l:lxc6 llxb6

l:ldS

This obvious exchanging operation destroys Black's pawn fonnati.on.

. ·.

For the second time Black prepares a more active continuation ( 1 8 ...b4) but then refrains from it. Such indecision is bound to prove costly. In addition he incautiously lifts his control of c6. 1'e7 19 J:[c6

.

l:ld8 Ad6

Black misses the last chance to gain counterplay by 23 . . Jlad8. Then there would have been an opportunity to separate the white rooks (24 ...ttlc4), and 24 l:lxb6 cxb6 25 l£ic6 'fic7 would have even. lost for White.

Now the knight at f3 will head via e l to d3, securing White an obvious advan­ tage. It was easy to reject 17 'i'xb5, since there would have followed 17 . . . !tcb8 and 18 . . . !txb2.

17 18

Vf5 :rci

25 26 27 28

tl)c6

ttlxd8 Wc2

cxb6 1'c7 'i!rxd8

White's occupation of the only open file condemns Black to a passive, and in the given situation, hopeless defence. · Therefore Keres goes in for the ex­ change of queens; with them on the board, the play would have been more complicated.

212

28

.

.

•

Vc7

29

'ifxc7

ltlxc7

Now it all becomes clear. First White centralises his king. 30 itlbl bl ..id7 12 ..ie2 'iib6 13 lbb3 ! , and White's position is preferable. 8 ..ixf6 gxf6

Grune 184

D.Bronstein-M.Botvinnik World Championship Match Moscow 1951, 6th game Sicilian Defence

1

2

3 4 5 6

e4 tbtJ d4 tbxd4 tbcJ

cs tbc6 cxd4 ibf6 d6 e6

..igS It will be remembered that in Game 146 White played 7 .i.b5 here, and in Game 180 - 7 .i.e2. On this occasion he accurately follows Rauzer.

7

7

1!fd2

•

•

•

9 10 11

0-0-0 f4

a6

..id7 'it>bl This move could have peen qelayed until Black played . . . h6-h5. ·

11 12

il..e2

13 14 15

'ifxd4 %thf1 :o

•

•

•

il..e7 tbxd4

Aft.er the exchange of knights, the freedom of the black queen increases.

1!fa5 h5

h6

I prepared this variation specially for the present match. Black goes in for an inferior pawn formation, but he gains a 'tooth-like' pawn formation in the centre, and also the advantage of the two bishops, the power of which may tell in some cases, particularly in the endgame. I found this plan after analysing the game Dubinin-Koblenz (1949).

White prepares for queenside castling by his opponent: 1 5 ... 0-0--0 16 b4 'flc7 1 7 ibd.5 exd5 1 8 l:lc3, but disillusion­ ment aWaits him. The point is that Black has available a manoeuvre (incidentally, prepared before the match) that ensures the safety of his king.

217

15 16 17

111d2 l:e3

1!1c5 ..tc6 1!fa5

Black could not castle long, again because of 1 8 illd5, but he should have considered 17. . . h4, improving his position and awaiting activity by the opponent. I had in mind that White would either have to repeat moves ( 1 8 1!i'd4 'iic 5), or that I would advantage­ ously be able to play · 1 8 . . . 0-0-0. However, Bronstein chose another continuation.

26

1!fc4

26 27

bxc4

Only a short time ago White avoided the exchange of queens, but now, in the interests of safety, he himself forces it. After 26 ltld5 exd5 27 exd5 i.xa4 28 bxa4 l:tdc7 Black would certainly not have stood worse.

1ixc4

·

18

..to

In the game Liberzon-Botvinnik (1 967) White chose the following plan: 1 8 a3 l:td8 19 ..tc4 ..td7 20 'i'e2 l:c8 2 1 i.a2 c.tf8 22 f5. 18 0-0-0 .

19

. •

1!fd3

Renewing the threat of 20 lLid5. The immediate 19 ltld5 would not have given White anything: 19 . . . 'i'xd2 20 ltlxe7+ fl 61 �b3 . Therefore it is clear what my opponent was hoping for, and where his mistake lay. ..

.

and 7 Ea:3 followed by 8 .i.g5 ! , as has already been mentioned in the notes to Game 174. I employed b2-b3 followed by the development of the bishop at a3 back in 1 939 in a game against Ragozin ( 1 1th USSR Championship).

7 8

.i.a3

0-0

Game 1 85

M.Botvinnik-D.Bronstein World Championship Match Moscow 1951, 7th game Dutch Defence

1 2 3

d4 c4

d5 e6 c6

lLlfJ Not being a great expert in the field of opening theory, my opponent took a ' Solomon-like' decision: to employ one of Botvirutik' s variations against Botvinnik This was a serious mistake on his part. Because of my lengthy break from tournament play, I would have felt much less happy in unfamiliar variations!

In the afore-mentioned game Black himself exchanged bishops, which as­ sisted the manoeuvre tLlxa3-c2-b4(el)­ d3 . However, he played more strongly in the game Szabo-Botvinnik (Budapest 1952), namely 8 : . . tl:lbd7 (No. 1 99).

Here it is! All this I had played many times: first the set-up . . . d7-d5, . . . e7-e6 and . . . c7-c6, and now . . . f7-f5 - the stonewall variation of the Dutch Defence.

White cannot retain any appreciable opening advantage with, for example, 1 2 tLld3 c5, 12 f4 c5 or 12 tl:lclf3 tbxe5 1 3 �e5 �7. The same can be said about the position in the game.

4

g3

f5

5 6

.i.g2 0-0 b3

�f6 .i.e7

8

9 10 11

7 Other continuations, perhaps more deserving of consideration, are 7 �bd2

22 1

12 13

•

•

•

.i.xe7 �e5 �d2

�xd7 e3

b6

1!fxe7 i.b7 �bd7

tl:lxd7

If the black pawn were at f7; the game would be completely equal. Here, however, despite the simplification that

follows, White retains a slight positional advantage, for the reason that this pawn is at f5 - the weakness of the e5 square may tell.

13 14 15

Act 1lfd

Aac8 c5 lDf6

16

cxd5

ii.xd5

his position is slightly better, and he calmly waits for Black' s patience to run out.

Black has satisfactorily mobilised his forces, but White's pawn formation is still to be preferred.

22

ifd3

g6

23 24 25

11fa6 11fe2 a4

rl;g7 1id6

This creates another slight weakening - of the seventh rank.

In this way Black exchanges White's bishop, which is defending his king's position, but this is achieved at the cost of . a certain weakening of his own queenside.

If

17

.ixd5

exd5

18 19 20 21

lDf3 l:k2 Afcl lDe5

Ac7 Afc8 lDe4 lDf6

17 ...'DxdS there would immediately have followed 1 8 e4.

For the present my opponent is happy to play passively, since in this match he usually timed any sharpening of the position to coincide with time trouble. But White too has no reason to hurry :

Apparently played without any point, but in fact there is a reason for this move: if in the subsequent play Black should succeed in advancing . . . c5-c4, it will be hard for him to support this pawn with . . . b6-b5. 25 lDe8

26 27

111d2 Wc3 'ifd3

lDf6 lDe4 cxd4

28 Apparently played in expectation of 29 l:lxc7+ l:lxc7 30 l:t.xc7+ 'i'xc7 3 1 'i'xd4 'i'c3, which would have led to an equal ending. However, the position of Black's king is insecure, and he should not have opened up the position in this way. It would have been better to wait calmly, or else to choose the sharp

222

continuation suggested later by Szabo: 28 . . . c4 29 bxc4 'ii'b4, which after 30 c5 bxc5 3 1 dxc5 .l:.xc5 32 l:.xc5 l:xc5 33 .l:.bl 'i!i'xa4 34 J:tb7+ would have led to a draw.

29 30

exd4 g2

a5

32 33 34 35 36

30 31 32

We2 gxf4

'i!rd7+! lLJxd7 f3

lLJxb6

1i'xd7 lLJxf4+ lLJdJ

Thus White has successfully got through the time scramble.

li)f6 f4

The time trouble complications begin. The curious thing is that both players overlook the variation 32 ... .l:.xc2 33 l:hc2 tbh.5 ! , when Black regains his pawn with a perfectly sound position. Therefore White should first have exchanged all the rooks on c7 and only then taken the f4 pawn, reaching the same position that arises after the mutual mistakes in the game.

lLJh5 llxc7 'ifxc7 li)f6 lLJh5

There is practically nothing else that Black can move, but now White forcibly transposes into a won ending.

· 37 38 39 40

A rare instance of the two sides' positions being so symmetric after 30 moves. The only difference is that White's pawn is at f2, and Black's at f5. But on the one hand, this factor gives White a slight positional advantage, and on the other hand, it tempts Black into sharpening the play.

l:.xc7+ l:txc7+ 1!t'g4 We6

40 41 42 43

f4

lLJd7+ lt)es

lLJb4 f6 d4 h4 ! In the game, however, Black cannot reply either 53 ... lbc7 or 53 . . . �5 on account of 54 'it?c3, when he is in zugzwang (compare this with the position before White's 5 l st move).

46

53

'ii?d2

A tactical subtlety, preventing Black from playing 46...�4, when there follows 47 �d3+ lDxd3 48 �d3 'it?xf3 49 b4 axb4 50 a5 and the a-pawn queens.

46 47 48

•

•

.

lDd3 li)cS

•

•

•

'ifi>e7

Other king moves would not have changed anything.

54

'ifi>cJ

'it>d6

55

b4 li)xb4 a5 'it>dJ

axb4+ li)c7 li)b5+

h5 li)a6

White arranges a two-move 'respite' to gain time on the clock.

48 49 50

•

.

•

li)d3 h3!

li)b4 li)a6

.Now in the event of the exchange of the kingside pawns - 50. . . g4 5 1 hxg4+ hxg4 52 fxg4+ 'ii?xg4 53 li)e5+ �f4 54 tLic6 Black loses another pawn.

50 51

•

•

•

56

ti)c7

�e3 White would also have won after 5 1 'itr>c3 �a6 5 2 b4 axb4+ 5 3 lLJxb4 �4 54 li)xa6 @xf3 55 �c5 g4 56 hxg4 hxg4 (56 ... h4 57 g5) 57 �d3 g3 58 �l+ 19 xd2 .tdJ �cl lDc3

29 30 31 32

.i.e2 lDa4 :lc4

i.xd2+

�

g6 :lb8

If 29 llc6 Black would have replied 29 . . . llb7, and then all the same . . . t'bb4.

1ixa4 .ixeJ

.i.fl At first sight this is an active move, but in fact it is a loss of time, since it is essential to bring the rook into play as soon as possible. This would have been achieved by 24 t'bc3 .txd2+ 25 @xd2.

25 26 27 28 29

lDb4 lla8 c6

The time trouble play of both sides is not overblessed with ingenuity: the main aim is not to · leave anything en prise, and to attack if possible.

lla8

The whole problem for White is that after 25 .tc4, which he was planning 227

32 . 33 .i.dl 34 1£ib2 · 35 . :lh4

llb8 'it>e7 . d5

A useless venture, since here the rook is badly placed. Now White no longer has any winning chances.

seal my move. The idea was that, tired out by the five hours of play, I would seal a poor move and also spend much time on it, so that on the resumption I would be close to time trouble. However, on this occasion Bronstein was so wrapped up in considering the position, that he noticed the arbiter only after Opocensky had invited Black to seal a move . . . In reply the challenger quickly played

41

35 36

•

.

h5

•

g4

The dangers of 36 lbd3 were pointed out in his commentary by Romanovsky: 36 . . . lDxd3 37 'it>xd3 e4+ 38 fxe4 dxe4+ 39 �e3 'it>f6.

36 37

fxg4

38 39 40 41

g5 l:lb7+ l:lg7 l:lxg6+

•

•

Simpler was g4-g5.

•

hxg4 f4

37 ... ®f6, preventing

•

.

•

e5

and demanded that White should seal a move. After some hesitation the arbiters (Opocensky and Stahlberg) took the decision that Black had made an open sealed move (as is provided for in the rules). But, alas, analysis during a sleepless night showed how dangerous the black passed pawns were, and in the final position I thought it best to offer a draw, which was accepted.

llf8 cbd6 e4

Here, as was the case throughout the match, Bronstein was apparently pre­ paring to employ a standard procedure. When a game was about to be ad­ journed, he would usually wait for tl1e chief arbiter Karel Opocensky to head towards our table, in order to give the directive about sealing a move, and at this point my opponent would manage to make his move on the board. Then the arbiter, naturally, would invite me to

In the event of the game being resumed, the following variation, for example, could have occurred: 42 Jl.g4 (in order to answer 42. . . l:th8 with 43 h3)

228

42 . f3 43 %U6! l:lxf6 44 gxf6 �xf6 45 .tx:f3 ex:f3 46 �e3 it)c2+ 47 'iii>x:f3 lDd4+ 48 �e3 lDxb3 49 tiJd3 c5 (or 49 . . . @e6 50 h4) 50 tDxcS ttJxc5 5 1 'ifi>d4 e6 52 'itixc5 'itie5 53 h4 d4 54 �c4 e4 55 h5 d3 56 h6 etc.

In the afore-mentioned game White played 8 d5; I should also remind you of my recommendation: 8 .i.d2.

. .

8

Game 1 87

D.Bronstein-M.Botvinnik Dutch Defence

d4 c4

e6 f5 .tb4

5 6

e3

0-0

• •

.i.xc3+

9 10

thxc3 dxc5

10 11 12

b3 .i.b2

13

..i.e2

lDc6

10 d5 lDe5 is no better.

World Championship Match Moscow 1951, 1 0th game

1 2 3

•

This is stronger than 8. . . ..i.35, which I played in my match with Taimanov (1953). It can happen that, when searching for something new, a player 'discovers' an inferior continuation.

dxc5 .td7 ltJe5

tiJcJ The point of this manoeuvre and the subsequent course of the opening battle are explained in the notes to Game 169, in which the player with White was Kotov. 4 1ic2 lDf6 7

8

.tdJ lDge2 a3

d6 c5

My opponent prefers to retain his king's bishop. Meanwhile, in the event of 13 0-0-0 ! I did not see any clear plan for Black, and therefore I made my previous move only after much hesita­ tion. Indeed, the exchange 13 . . . lDxd3+ 14 l:txd3 would have allowed White the open central file, and the bishop at b2 would have exerted significant pressure along the long diagonal. After the retreat of the bishop Black will prevent his opponent from castling 229

19

queenside, and White begins to exper­ ience some difficulties, as the position of his king in the centre or on the king­ side (after castling short) is insecure.

13 14

f3

15

tDdl

. • .

JLc6 tDbS!

Threatening an unpleasant check at h4. In the event of 15 0-0 Black would have developed pressure on the castled position: 15 . . . 'i'g5 16 Ji.cl f4.

15 16

•

.

.

'ii'c3

tDg6 'it' g5

While White's knight is preventing him from castling queenside, the queen can give up its observation post at d8 to the rook.

17 18 19

g3 tl)f2 l:.gl

.

•

•

ile7

As shown by Aronin, Black could apparently have won with 19...f4 ! (20 tllli3 'it'h6 2 1 gxf4 llllixf4 22 ibxf4 exf4, or 20 e4 fxg3 21 hxg3 lbxg3 22 %1 lbxe2). The cautious move in the game allows White to evacuate his king to the queenside.

20 21 22 23

:dt :d2 dl ct

ti)f6 a6 b5 b4

24 25 26 27

'i'c2 'lfxd2 1ic2 gxf4

:xd2 l:.d8 f4 exf4

Black too does not waste time in vain: the advance of the queenside pawns is aimed not so much at an attack, as at the further 'smothering' of the opponent's pieces.

e5 :ad8

Against the pawn sacrifice 27 . e4 White could have replied 28 f5 ! , with unclear consequences. Now, however, Black retains all his trumps. ..

28 29

White realises that he must also finally give up the idea of castling kingside. Had he played, for example, 19 f4 'i'h6 20 0-0, then 20 . . . nd7 ! 21 l:.adl .l:te7 would have put him in a critical position, since the a8-hl diagonal is poorly defended. 230

e4 tDd3

a5

White justifiably considered himself obliged to control the e5 square as far as possible, but now this has led to a situation which could have been resolved by tactical means: 29 . . .lllxe4 ! 30 fxe4 (30 tbxf4 l:td2) 3.0. . . .txe4 3 1 'fid2 (3 1 l:tdl f3 32 .tfl tbf4) 3 1 ...f3 32 .tfl 'i!fd6 3:3 l:tg5 h6 34 li:th5 We7, and it is doubtful if White's phl).

31

.i.d3

There now begins the next stage of the game, full of mistakes by White. He should have prevented . . . b6-b5 by 3 1 J:ta2 l:ta8, and then played h2-h4, f4-f5, .le3 and g3-g4, threatening g4-g5 with a clear advantage.

31 32 axb5 33 cxb5

b5! axb5 c4

38 39 40 41 42 43

l::lxa8 c4 .i.d2 'it>hl Wf3

cxb3 'ifxa8 l:lb4 Wa7+ l:lb8

Three moves had passed since the start of the resumption, and already here Black thought for a long time. There was an elementary win by 43 . . . 'iia2 44 'ild3 b2 45 :bl .l:tb3 46 \'fc2, when the manoeuvre . . . ttif?-d8-b7-c5 is decisive. However, in his analysis of the

267

adjourned position, Black foresee this variation.

did

not

49

43 44 45

'lfc3 ffeJ

'W'd4 'llf2

White forces the exchange of queens, after which he. . . loses a piece. But then it turns out that he acquires some hopes of saving the game.

45 46 47

48

.i.xe3 :bl c5

'lfxe3 bl l:Cb3

The last practical chance: White gives up a piece, but obtains a protected passed pawn. After other moves the outcome would have been decided by the knight manoeuvre via dS and b7 to a5 (or c5).

48

•

.

.

ltxe3

In the event of 4S... dxc5 49 .ixc5 lbdS (but not 49 . . . :c3 50 .l:.xb2 with the threat of 5 1 .l:.bS+) White would also, apparently, have lost.

49

l:lxb2

Now it only remains for Black to make an escape square for his king, and then to switch to decisive action.

g6

After this poor move White finds a surprising possibility, which makes the win for Black more difficult. Had Keres guessed what difficulties he would have to endure, he, of course, would not have exposed the seventh rank, but would have played 49 . . .h5 ! with as easy win. For example: 50 c6 .l:.c3 5 1 :b7 lbh6 52 .l:.d7 lbg4 53 .l:.xd6 l:k l + 54 @g2 ltc2+ 55 g2 .l:lc4 58 � Draw agreed

At that time this variation was rarely employed. A few years later it became very popular, because the correct plan for Black was found: . . . ltJf6, ... 0-0, and then ... ltJr6-e8-c7 with an equal game. In the position reached. 7 f4 and then � can be recommended for White.

7 8

.ig5 Provoking . . . h7-h6, after which Black will be tied to the defence of his rook's pawn, and kingside castling will prove impossible. However, this man­ oeuvre does not bring White any par­ ticular gains, although other plans also did not promise anything significant.

8 9

•

•

•

.ii.el

h6

Now, in view of the threat of d3-d4, Black must occupy the central square with his knight, and White gains a tempo for 10 'i!i'd2.

9 10

. . .

lLld4

.iLd7 'ifd2 It would seem that Black could have played 10 . . . 0-0, but after 1 1 .ixh6 Axh6 12 'ifxh6 lEic2+ 13 c;tid2 tEixal 14 269

So, the cards are revealed: the king is heading for h7.

h4 ! White will only be the exchange for a pawn down, and his attack develops of its own accord.

Instead of · this Black continues his well-camollflaged strategic plan: he brings into play all his pieces, apart from his rook at h8, and his king. which for the moment remains in the centre, castles artificially only at the last moment. His opponent is somewhat disoriented by this.

11

l:tbl

a5

12 13 14 15

0-0 l:tbel bl l:tbl

.ic6 1!1'd'7 b6

15 16

l:tbel

17 18

t2Jf4 ttJce2

�g8 �h7

19 20 21 22 23

.ixd4 b4 b5 a4 .ILhJ

cxd4 l:ta8 .ILb7 %lhe8

Now White has nothing better than to exchange the opponent's centralised knight, which, as was mentioned, should have been done earlier and more effectively.

Of course, b2-b4 cannot be allowed, but now White could have achieved a good game by 12 .i.xd4 cxd4 13 t2Jb5. Bu( he avoids this exchange, not wishing to relieve the pressure on the h6 pawn. Here are the first fruits of Black's strategic plan!

Still waiting to see which way the enemy king will go . . .

lid8 ..WS!

270

This attempt by White to resolve his problems by piece manoeuvring is doomed to failure, and he gradually ends up in a difficult position. However, the closed nature of the' position makes it hard for Black to win.

23 24 25

tl)ct tl)b3

25 26 27 28

W'dl tl)e2 f4

tl)gS 1!fd8

all possible, given accurate defence by White. But it should be said that, had Black played 3 I . ..@xg6, there would not have been that subtle psychological analysis of the adjourned position, for which this game is noteworthy.

Beginning a manoeuvre to provoke . . . e6-e5, after which the game becomes even more blocked.

h5 tl)b6 e5

At last! Played, however, after much delay, and now the weakening of the e3 square, for which there is no compen­ sation, condemns White to passive defence.

28 29

.

• •

f5

.tc8

Forced. In the event of 29 .txc8 1!fxc8 Black would have subsequently been able to play . . . t:bg4 (the same could have happened after 29 .tg2). If instead 30 fxe5 dxe5 3 1 c5, then this is after all a pawn sacrifice (3 l . . .bxc5 32 'ii'c2 ..tf8).

29 30 31

.txg4 fxg6+

tl)g4 hxg4 fxg6

A serious error, after which it will be impossible to make a pawn break­ through, which is so necessary to activate the bishops. After 3 1 . . .@xg6 ! at the appropriate moment Black would have been able to play . . . f7-f5, which would have decided the outcome. Now, however, the win is very difficult, if at

271

32

@g2

After 32 l:f7 i..e6 the rook would have had to abandon enemy territory.

32 33 . tl)gt 34 tl)at !

Heading to the important e3 square.

34 35 36 37 · 38

tl)c2 :n 'lfe2 @bl

38 39

... l:g2

l:a7 .th6 defence

of the

:h8 Wg8 l:tah7 i.. g5

Black has completed his minimum program in good time, and now he merely wants to reach the time control.

.tf4

Of course, White avoids 3 9 gxf4 g3.

39 40

·

:n

.i.g5 " .*.e6

41

:m

Analysis showed that the direct battle for control of the f-file would lead merely to the exchange of the heavy pieces. The only possibility of avoiding this consists in playing a rook to f5. Then the acceptance of the sacrifice (e4xf5) opens the a8-hl diagonal, while the exchange (the capture with the rook on f5) allows Black again to obtain an f­ pawn and to use it to break through. Since this operation has to be carried out in favourable conditions, for the time being Black endeavours to conceal his plan, in order to catch his opponent unawares. A psychological ploy, similar to that which was employed in Game · 193. h1

c6 .i.d6

This 'attacking' move (threatening 12 . . . .i.xh2+ 1 3 'iti>xh2 ltlg4+ and l4 . . . Vxg5) proves to be a serious mistake, since Black will be unable to release the pin on the knight at f6, other than by returning with his bishop to e7. He should have played l l . . .ltlg4. Now in the event of 12 . . . .i.xh2 White would have played 1 3 .i.xf6 'i'xf6 14 'iti>xh2. .

ltlf8

But this is a continuation that was unusual for that time, although it has now become quite common. After

10 11

12 13

• . .

fJ!

ltlg6

White has prepared the standard attack on the queenside 1 1 .!:tab i , but now, of course, he rejects this plan in

299

-

favour of an offensive in the centre. Black can no longer prevent e3 -e4, since in the given position it is hard for him to counter with . . . c6-c5. This is the consequence of the unfortunate move . l l . . . .id6.

18

13

• • •

.ie7

After 13 . . .h6 White would not have continued 14 .ixh6 gxh6 1 5 .i.xg6 fxg6 16 1fxg6+ 'it>h8 17 W'xh6+ �7 with an unclear game, but simply 14 .ixf6 'i!i'xf6 15 e4 with an obvious advantage.

14

.D.bel

/i)d7

Black avoids the complications which would have arisen after 14 ...h6 15 .ixh6 gxh6 16 .i.xg6 fxg6 17 'ii'xg6+ 'it>h8 ( 18 llli4 ..il.f8 19 '8f7 .i?i.fS), but perhaps he was wrong to do so. After 14 . . . c5 15 dxc5 .ixc5 16 .ixf6 gxf6 1 7 �4, however, his pawn structure would have been irreparably weakened.

15

Jl..xe7

.D.xe7

Black has finally managed to exchange the enemy bishop, but with a significant loss of time, thanks to which White has already made much progress.

16 17

/i)g3 1i'f2

/i)f6 .i.e6

/i)f5

White does not hurry to advance e3e4, remembering Tarrasch's saying that the threat is stronger than its execution. But it is not put off for long, only to a time when Black will not have any active replies.

18

• •

•

Jl..xf5

If 1 8 . . . l:.e8 there would have followed 19 g4, and then after the exchange on f5 White would have recaptured with the g-pawn. causing Black fresh problems. But in the game too the white bishop will be very well placed at f5, and the e-pawn can be advanced immediately.

19 20

.ixf5 e4

1'b6 dxe4

21 22

fxe4

l:.d8

By opening the position Black hopes to gain at least some counter-chances, but in the process White's activity also increases! e5

Although Black now obtains a comfortable post for his knight at d5, far more important is the fact that the white knight will penetrate to d6.

300

In order to answer 30 l:ih3 with 30 . . . f5, when after 3 1 exf6 possible is 3 1 . . . 'i'xd6.

22 23

•

•

.

/l)e4

/l)d5 /l)f8

23 ... /l)c7 was not possible in view of 24 l'Lld6, and if 24 . . . /&8 (in order to immediately expel the white knight from d6), then 25 l'Llc8 or 25 0.xf7.

24

. • .

Ae4

1fc7 lhe6

'flh4 .ixd5 l!cl

28 29

l:tc3

30 31

/l)h6+

l:fe8

White is again not content with winning the exchange: the capture of the f7 pawn wins more simply.

The resistance could have been prolonged by the exchange sacrifice (25 . . . :xd6 26 exd6 'ifxd6), but, of course, not for long (if only because of 27 Axd5 cxd5 28 l:te5). Now, however, White exchanges the opponent's centralised laright and occupies the c­ file which is opened in the process.

26 27 28

/l)f5!

.

/l)d6

But now too White is threatening both 25 t'Llxc8, and 25 t'Llxf7 l::txf7 (25 . . . 'it>xf7 26 Jie6+) 26 Ae6.

24 25

30

This ensures the win of the exchange, since if 30 .. :ees there follows 3 1 'irf6 h5 32 l'Llh6+ Wh7 33 t'Llxf7.

g6 cxd5

After 28 :e3 Black might yet have 'changed his mind' and given up the exchange.

'ird7 l:f8

301

31 32 33

'flf6

l:kfJ

f8

/l)g7

A picturesque position! There is the threat of 34 'ifxf7+ l:txf7 35 l:lxf7+ 'ilxf7 36 l:lxf7 mate.

33

34

35 36 37

ttlxf7 'ifg5 ttlb6 g4

l:lc8 l1.e6 ttlf5 1!fg7

Black resigns

Game 209

7

M.Botvinnik-V.Smyslov 20th USSR Championship Moscow 1952 Slav Defence

1 2 3

d4 c4 ttlc3 cxd5

8 9 10

d5 c6 ttlf6

4 As in the Queen's Gambit (see the previous game), the Exchange Variation of the Slav Defence retains an opening advantage for White, and deprives Black of counterplay. cxd5 4

5 6

ttlf3 .tf4

ttlc6 e6

e3

.te7

Regarding the variation with 7... .td6, see Game 167.

As was mentioned in the notes to Game 155 (there the reckless 6 ... 'iia5 was played), this modest but sound reply was preferred by Lasker, while I several times chose 6 ... ttlh5. As for the most popular and complicated variation with 6 ... i.f5, as, incidentally, Tai ( 1 961) and Pomar ( 1966) played against me, to all appear­ ances Smyslov was insufficiently familiar with it.

.td3 h3 0-0

0-0

.td7 1f'b6

Smyslov played less successfully 10 . .. a6 - against me in the 14th USSR Championship, 1 945.

11

We2

11 12 13

1:1.acl l:tfdl

White can also carry out another effective plan, as in a game from the Portisch-Petrosian match (1974): 1 1 a3 tlla5 12 b4 ttlc4 13 ttle5 ! l:tac8 14 .txc4 dxc4 15 .tg5 'ifd8 16 Wf3 .ltc6 17 tbxc6 l:lxc6 18 l:lad l .

llfc8 i.e8

Wd8

Thus Black has completed a subtle regrouping plan: his king's rook has been allowed across to the queenside to support active play there, his bishop has retreated to e8 to reinforce the kingside, and his queen has returned to its initial position, in order from a distance to take part in the battle, wherever it should · flare up.

302

22 23 24 25

14 15

�bl l£1e5

l£1xc6 1fel!

Jbc6

Black was threatening 17 ...b4 18 lba4 l:txcl and 1 9... �xa4, winning a piece. Now the e2 square is vacated, and via it the knight heads for d3.

17 18

.

.

•

llxc6 /i)cl l£1d3

25

llxc6 l£1d6 l£1c4

The knight' at c4 is not badly placed, but from there it is unable to perform its 'traditional '. duty of cqntrolling· the e4 square. Therefore White begins making preparations for e3-e4.

.

•

•

�xdJ

At this critical moment, when 26 e4 was finally due to follow, Black takes the correct decision: he allows his opponent the advantage of the two bishops, but prevents the invasion of the knight at c5 which would be unavoidable after e3-e4.

26 27

�xdJ e4

1fc7 l£1b6

Otherwise there follows 28 exd5 exd5 29 l:.el , and White has a danger­ ous initiative.

llac8

l£1e2 l£1e4 The opposing knight, in turn, heads for the c4 square. 19 20 21

f6 �g6 1!fb6

a6 b5

This move would advisable if Black were to succeed in transferring his knight from c6 to c4. But since White immediately exchanges this knight, Black does not gain any compensation for the weakness of the c5 square. 15 . . .l£1a5 and only then . . . b7-b5 was essential.

16 17

We2 �gJ f3 .i.f2

28 gJ 29 · rxe4

dxe4 e5

Black plays this in order to provoke the advance of the pawn to d5, where it will be blockaded, thereby reducing the activity of the light-square bishop. However, this plan has its drawbacks, since White is able to open the position on the queenside . and . obtain definite pressure.

303

30 31 32 33

d5 �g2 Wxdl b3

:ct l:.xdl l£ia4 l£ic5

34 35 36 37

Wc2 .te2 a4 bxa4

.id6

Black's active queen controls the left

flank, and the only thing that remains

for White is to prepare a pawn break­ through on the other side of the board.

43 44 45 46

After 33 ... lLic3 34 'i'c2 a5 35 .tel b4 36 .tc4 Black would not have escaped from his difficulties. @f8

.ixc5 .txa6

i.xc5 g2 @h3 .A.g2

.id6 1fa2+ 1!1a3

And now there was no point in playing 50 g4 in view of 50 . . . hxg4+ 5 1 'iti>xg4 We3 .

50

f5

Smyslov could have continued adhering to waiting tactics, but his 304

61 62

decision to force events also leads to the desired goal.

51 52

'iit>b2 11'f3

f4 11'xf3

..i.xf3 'iit>xg3

'iit>f2

Ae2 ..tb5 g3

..td8 f3 ..txh4 c5 69 a5 ..td8 70 .i.e8 71 a6 b6 Draw agreed

fxg3+ ..tb4 @d6 ..taS ..td8

In this game Smyslov resourcefully and almost faultlessly conducted a difficult defence.

Game 2 10

M.Botvinnik-LBoleslavsky 20th USSR Championship Moscow 1952 King's Indian Defence

An ideal arrangement of the black forces: from d8 the bishop controls the a5 square and ties the white king to the defence of the h4 pawn.

58 59 60

..tc6 ..i.b7

h2

39

...

li:ld2

40

Ad3

c2!

The losing move, allowing Black a precious tempo for a knight manoeuvre. 39 'it>hl was correct, when White would have retained the better chances, e.g. 39 . . . tLid2 40 i.d5, or 39 ... tt:la5 40 l:lc8 :n 41 �h2 (4 1 . . . :n 42 :b1).

The natural 3 3 e5 would no longer have saved White on account of 3 3 . . . c3 34 .i.e4 c2 35 .i.xc2 l:lxg3, but now too Black could have substantially increased his advantage.

With a double threat: 40. . . liJxe4 and 40 . . .lilil+.

33

•

. •

'it>h7

Time trouble has its effect. Black wastes a tempo defending a pawn, and the picture changes sharply. Correct was 33 . . . .i.e3+ 34 .i.:f2 (34 'it>h2 c3 3 5 :xg6+ 'it>h7) 34... i.xf2+ 35 'it>xf2

The need to control fl does not allow White to eliminate the dangerous c2

320

reply 46 .tc4 there follows 46 . . . lDxg3+ 47 l:xg3 .i.b6+! 48 �h2 .i.c7 49 h4 l:a3, and White comes out a rook down.

pawn (4 1 .txc2 ttJfl+); 41 l:.d5 is also bad on account of 4 1 . . . l:xd3.

41 42

.ile2 e6!

llxa2

The best continuation. White activ­ ates his passed pawn and his dark­ square bishop. 42 .1'.d3 was bad because of 42 . . . ttJD+ !

42

. • .

:a1

After 42... �e4 43 .i.e5 ! cl'iW 44 %1xcl .i.xc l 45 .td3 the black knight has no good move, and as a result White's chances would seem to be no worse (45 . . . tbg5 46 .i.xg7 �xg7 47 l:.b7+ �6 48 e7 and 49 .i.b5).

43 44

44

l:xc2 ci>hl

•

.

•

.i.gl+

�e4!

l:tb3

h4

47 48 49 50 51

1bg3 �hl Ik5! l:d5 l:l.xd6

52 53 54 55 56

llh3 r.fi>g3 J:th2 llh3

lbxg3+

. Jld4+ .i.e5

.i.d6 Ibe6 Jlxd6

Despite the material advantage, the win is far from obvious, since the play is taking place on one wing; in addition, the black pawns are badly placed on light squares (the g6 pawn is weak). However, there is also a defect in White's position: the fact that he has a light-square bishop guarantees Black a win if the position is simplified. 52 .to . Now Black wins almost by force. It is true that 52 .i.d3 J:ta4! 53 �h3 Il:dd4! 54 .txg6+ �h6 was also had for White, but after 52 l:td3 he would still have retained hopes of saving the game, although the ending after 52 . . . Il:xd3 53 .txd3 Il:a4! 54 g3 It.a2+ 55 �h3 would be difficult for him .

An important subtlety. The white bishop cannot move anywhere on the h2-b8 diagonal on account of 45 . . . lbf2 mate, while if 45 Jui4 there follows 45 . . . .i.f2+. The loss of the exchange is unavoidable.

45

46

Black cannot intensify .the pressure, since he has to reckon with the possible manoeuvre J:tf3 and then Ji.fl .

J:te7

White is tied down, and Black brings his rook into play, at the same time setting a little trap: after the natural 32 1

Ild4 @g7 f6 @f5

ltbl

Here White sealed his next move. Despite Black being the exchange up, the realisation of his material advantage, as already mentioned, involves great technical difficulties. Even so,. iii. home analysis a way to win was. fo�c;I. .

61 62 63 64 65

57

.i.fJ llhJ il.b7 l:l:xhl il.c8

�es l:lccl :ht l:'l:xhl

.*.el

It should be mentioned that 57 l:lh2 would have lost quickly to 57 . . . l:tg4+! 58 .txg4+ (if 58 'ifi>f2 or 58 'it>h3, then 58 . . . 'ifi>f4) 58 ... hxg4 59 'it>f2 (or 59 h5 l:tb3+ 60 'it>h4 g5 mate) 59. . .'it>f4. But, of course, I was not counting on such an easy success, and now this combination does not give Black anything on account of 57 ... l::tg4+ 58 h2. The winning plan consists in exchanging rooks on bl; in this case the white king will not reach the h-file. Then the g6 pawn is exchanged for the h4 pawn, after which the black king penetrates to g3. Curiously, my opponent judged the position after the exchange of rooks to be drawrt Therefore he happily assisted the opponent in the implementation of his plan, which accelerated White's defeat by several moves.

57 58 59

.*.o l::th2

59 60

.i.d5

l::td2 :n

After 59 h2 there would have followed 59 . . . �4, and if 60 l:.g3 l:[hI+.

l::tc2 l::tcJ+

Both sides have achieved the position for which they were aiming.

65

•

.

.

�6!

Now the afore-mentioned exchange of pawns is unavoidable. White was short of just one tempo. If his bishop had been at h3, he would have con­ tinued 66 fJ

iLd7

llct

Game 2 15

A clever trap. After 70 ... llc3+ 7 1 �e4 llg3 7 2 iLh3 Black to move would be unable to strengthen his position. But if it is White to move, Black wins easily, since his king penetrates to f4.

70 71

•

•

•

JLe6

Ac2

7 1 .llh3 l:lc3+ 72 'itie4 l:lg3 would have led to the position considered in the previous note - it is won for Black, since it is his opponent's tum to move.

71

. . •

l:tc7!!

A.Suetin-M.Botvinnik 20th USSR Championship Moscow 1952 Sicilian Defence

This game was played in the last round. Although I was a point behind Taimanov, he had to play Geller, and, given a favourable combination of circumstances, there was a possibility of catching my rival. I very much wanted to do this, because since 1 948 my competitive results had declined somewhat I needed to show that I had not forgotten how to play chess. -

1 e4 2 ttJf3 3 d4 4 ltJxd4 5 ltJcJ 6 .llg5 7 1id2

A classic zugzwang position. The reader already knows that 72 .llh3 loses. 72 'itie4 lle7 73 'iiti>e5 l:le8, when the black king reaches the cherished f4 square, is no better. Therefore White is forced to help the opponent to create a passed pawn.

72 73 74 75

llc3+ h3+ b8 ltg8 .'ilfd7

34 35

f3 Jlb2

�g5

35 36 37 38 39

:et h4 �xe6 e4

40 41

1Ibe2 't!fd2

was defensible, but that accurate play was required of him.

b5 :ae8

�

l:r.xe6

In the end this operation to create a protected passed pawn should have saved White, and so it merits approval. llge8 39

... e5!

42 43 44

'ifxc3 1ib2

44 45

1!fxb4

45 46

Jlxe5

46 47

JlxeS

'ife7

Completing the creation of the passed pawn. Black still has some advantage, mainly because in the future (in the event of the exchange of queens) his king may prove more active than White's. Therefore Black should aim for a rook ending.

Over the past few moves White has earned out a useful exchange and knight manoeuvre. Now he could have retained active play by 34 'i'h5 (weaker is 34 h4 f5) 34 . . . f5 35 'i'h4 ! Instead of this, he allows the opponent to exchange the dangerous knight at f4. And this move is a waste of time.

41 42

bxc3 'ilfb4

White is agreeable to the exchange, but in the process he does not want to connect the black pawns. However, that is what he should have played, obtaining after 44 'i'xb4 axb4 45 f4 the possibility of a successful defence. For example: 45 . . . f5 46 :g2 l:r.h6 47 :thl :as 48 ..ti>bl llha6 49 Jlh3 b3 50 Jlhh2.

b4

fxe5

This is now forced, although it involves the loss of an important tempo. 45 .l:.xe5 would have lost to 45 . . . 'i'xel +, while if 45 dxe5 'i!fc5 ! and then . . . d5-d4.

Here · the game was adjourned. . Analysis showed that White's position 331

axb4

After 46 dxe5 d4 Black's pawns quickly advance, which gives him fair hopes of winning, but the pawn ending is even worse for White, although my opponent was convinced that the connected passed e- and f-pawns would guarantee him a draw.

l:r.xe5

47 dxe5 n ! 29 e4 'it>e7 30 .id2 would have given White problematic chances of saving the game. But now White again has a decisive advantage. � 28 1lfh8+ .

29

.

•

1lfh5+

g8

Now, alas, the g7 pawn is indeed · immune: 29 ...Wxg7 30 :g2+ Wf8 3 1

334

'i'h8+ rj;e7 32 :tg7+ tj:jf"/ 33 l:txf7+ rj}xf7 34 'ifb7+. Also, the king could not move to e7 on account of 30 'ifh7:

30

The cunning point is that after 32 ... 'i'c6 White gives mate with 33 'l'h8+!, while after 32 . . .f5 the queen returns to h5 with the irresistible threat of 34 llh3. Black is also not saved by 32 ... 1!fc7 33 .td2 'i'c2 on account of 34 .txa5 (but not 34 .U.h3 'i'dl+ 3 5 .tel llh5).

l:l g2

It was hard to decide· on this move when I had only five minutes remaining for eleven moves. However, I very much wanted to win this game, which would practically secure the title of USSR Champion. This was assisted, I would say, by the even intense atmosphere of the match, resulting from the fact that during our game from the championship itself there had been a rather unpleasant dispute. And so I avoided the repetition of moves, although the risk was great.

30

32

...

e5

33 34 35

l:.b3 1txh3 exf4

1llxb3 exf4 .tb6

36 37

c;t>n

.tb2

.U.b5

Only by giving up his queen can Black save his king.

If 35 ... llel+ and 36 . . Jhcl, White mates in three moves: 37 'i'h7+! etc. Now it is all clear, whereas after 37 1!fd7 l:lel+ 3 8 rj;f2 l:.xb2+ 39 �xe l llxg2 40 1!fxb7 Black would have had the defence 40 . . . l:lb2. 37 .ta5

&Df7

38 39 40 41 42

31

l:lf3!

.

'ifi>f2

W'xe8+

!tb3 !tbe3 l:Cel+ .tc7

The resulting ending is easily won. Black resigned, without resuming. With this game the outcome of the match was effectively decided.

The rook is mobilised for the attack with decisive effect. It is true that at first sight the position of the white king becomes very dangerous, but things are even worse for the black king.

31 .• 32 - ffh4!

l:tc2 1i'd7 1Fxa4

Grune 218

V.Smyslov-M.Botvinnik World Championship Match - Moscow 1954, 1st game French Defence

J:la5

It was only after finding this move that I decided to play on with 30 llg2.

Altogether I played three matches for the World Championship with Smyslov,

335

in which we met 69 times. This was in Smyslov's heyday, and the series gave him an advantage in points .( 18 wins, 17 defeats and 34 draws), but I was the one who finished ahead in terms of laurel wreaths (2-1 ), since in the event of a drawn match the champion retained his title.

1 2 3

e4 d4 t/)cJ

e6 d5

Smyslov nearly always employs this move. It seems to me that after 3 tDd2 it is harder for Black to gain counterplay.

3

•

.

.

..ib4

This sharp continuation has been popular for a good six decades. Black may end up in a difficult position, but on other hand he gains counter-chances.

4

e5

White has many promising continuations (4 e5, 4 a3, 4 ..td2, 4 lDge2), but unfortunately in one game only one of them can be employed! In the present match Smyslov chose only 4 e5 ( l st, 3rd and 9th games), and 4 a3 (7th, 19th and 2 1 st games).

4 5

•

•

•

aJ

c5

..ta5 5 . . . ..txc3+, which previously was very popular, first lost many of its devotees after the well-known radio match game Alexander-Botviilllik ( 1 946), but then again became common. In particular, it occurred in my Games 1 25, 136, 143, 1 8 1 and 235. The bishop retreat, if I am not mi'staken, became fashionable since the time of the �eshevsky-Botvinnik game (No. 166), in which White chose 6 'i'g4, not the best continuation. ·

6

b4

6 7

... lDb5

7 8 9

f4 tt)fJ

JJ..c7 lDe7 ltlbc6

10

..idJ

i.b8

This pawn sacrifice was recom­ mended by Alekhine in the book of the New York international tournament of 1 924. Soon it was tried in a similar position (with the addition of the moves 00 and . . . f7-f6) in the game Botviilllik-Ragozin (No. 14). Alekhine only considered the reply 6 . . . cxb4, after which White gains strong pressure on the black position: 7 it:Jb5 bxa3+ 8 c3 etc. I was able to test this idea too in my game with Pavlov­ Pyanov (No.20).

cxd4

In the 9th game of the match Smyslov played more strongly - 7 'ifg4, and gained an advantage, which led to a win for him. 7 it:Jb5 was employed in the game Makogonov-Aramanovich ( 1 949). Since there were periods when Smyslov collaborated with Makogonov, such a similarity of 'tastes' was quite logical. It can be mentioned that 7 it:Jb5 leads to quieter play (compared with 7 'i'g4).

Aramanovich played the weaker 9 . . . a6, but the simplest here is 9 . . . i.d7 10 lDb:xd4 it:Jbc6 1 1 c3 tt:Jxd4 1 2 cxd4 (as I played in the 3rd game of this match), and now I should have continued 12 . . . tt:Jc8 followed by . . . ltlb6 and in some cases . . . ltlc4. Of course, much time is lost on this manoeuvre, but the dark-square bishop is really very useful !

336

11 12

�bxd4 .ile3

a6 .ila7

With his last move White prevented the opponent from castling (if 1 8. . 0-0 there could have followed 19 'i!fh.4 �g6 20 .txg6 fxg6 21 :n with a dangerous initiative). Now castling again proves possible, but since White is expecting it, when he intends to begin active play on the kingside, for the time being Black refrains from castling. .

19

13

0--0

White is aiming for the exchange of the dark-square bishops, while main­ taining a piece outpost at d4 and a favourable endgame. 13 c3 was more dangerous for Black, in order after the exchange on d4 to retake with the pawn. Then White would have had more possibilities for an attack on the kingside - a similar plan was carried out by Smyslov in the 3rd game of the match. Now, however, with a series of ex­ changes Black weakens the opponent's pressure and successfully completes his development.

13 14

•

.

•

ii.xd4

a4

White is tempted by the prospect of squeezing the opponent's position on the queenside by a4-a5, but he over­ estimates his chances. I should mention that also in the event of 19 :cl a5 (followed by .. Jla8) Black would have retained counterplay: the weakening caused by b2-b4 begins to tell.

19

.

.

•

a5

The natural reply, which White, of course, had in mind.

20

�b3

�xd4

14 liJxd4 followed by c2-c3 came into consideration.

14 15 16

�xd4 �hl

iLxd4+ 'ffb6 .ild7

17 18

c3 'i'el

l:tc8 h6

Of course, not 16 ... 'ffxd4 1 7 .ib5+.

It was on this move that White was pinning his hopes, when he began his manoeuvre (a3-a4). After 20 ...axb4 2 1 cxb4 he vy!u hl:lve a clear advantage on . 337

the queenside. But Smyslov overlooked his opponent's shrewd reply.

20

.

•

.

1!rc7!

The turning point of the game, as now the initiative passes to Black. Since 2 1 t'DxaS b6 22 t'Db3 'i'xc3 is by no means in White's favour, he has to play his knight to cS, where it is insecurely placed.

21

tDc5

22

Wf2

26

tDxd7

26 27

bxa5

28

a6

28 29

c4

29 30

.txc4

This too is logical. All the same the knight cannot be maintained on cS.

l:txd7 l:a8

.li.c6

Black shows sensible caution. After 2 1 .. .0-0 22 tDxd7 'ifxd7 23 bxaS he would still have had to find a way to regain the pawn. For example: 23 . . . :as 24 c4 dxc4 25 .txc4 'iic7, and the chances are equal. The following line was not dangerous for Black: 22 fS lDxfS 23 .txrs exf5 24 l:txfS 0-0, and White has many weaknesses.

22 23 tDbJ 24 . 'i!fc5

But this is a routine decision. White aims to close the a-file. Meanwhile, the black pawn at b7 was a target for him to attack, whereas by moving to a6 it will restrict the activity of the white bishop by controlling the b5 square, after which the white a4 pawn may be in danger. White should have played 28 c4 immediately, or, as suggested by Averbakh, 28 .tbs l::tc7 29 l::tfc l and 30 c4 with almost equal chances.

0-0

.td7

Smyslov nearly always aimed for the exchange of queens, if this did not worsen his position. Here too he chooses this path, hoping to save the endgame. This decision would seem to be quite sound - after 24 :tfcl f6 25 'ifg3 fxeS 26 fxe5 tDrs White would have been in a difficult position on account of the weakness of his pawns.

24

.

•

•

1!rxc5

The exchange of queens was forced, since if 24 . . . 'i'dS there would have followed 2S 'i'e3 ! (but not -2S 'ifxaS b6 26 'i'a6 l:ta8 27 'i'b7 .tc6), and White gains an important tempo, since now his bishop is defended.

25. tDxc5

.

•

.

bxa6

White gets rid of his weak c-pawn, but in the process files are opened for the invasion of the black rooks. Perhaps, therefore, Romanovsky's recommen­ dation of 29 :tab l should have been preferred.

. l:tc7

338

dxc4 l:d4!

Anticipating Black's . . . g7-g5, White tries to exchange as many pawns as possible. If 37 ..te2 there could have followed 37 . . . lbe3. 37 g5

Now it is obvious that the position of the paWll at a6 is advantageous to Black.

31 ..tel If 3 1 l:!acl there was .. the unpleasant

reply 3 1 . . . �5 .

31 32 33

34

g3 ..tn

• .

lbd5 lbcJ :bs

38 39

.

hxg5 fxg5

hxg5

Also after 39 ..te2 a5 40 ..txc4 l:lxc4 Black would have retained the advantage in the double rook ending. 39 lbxe5

l:laJ Had White allowed 34 ... l:!b3, he would have been in a difficult position, since the position of the lmight at c3 would have become invulnerable. White parries this threat in the only way.

•

•

.

40

..tel

41

g2

l:.bl+

A second error, and, as often hap­ pens, on the last move before the time control. 40 . . .as 4 1 ..tbs l:!g4 ! would have favoured Black, but after this pointless check White gains an important tempo for the defence. The sealed move. Black's position is still significantly better on account of the weakness of the enemy pawns.

41

34

. . •

lbbl

Perhaps Black's first error in this game. He should have calmly taken the pawn - 34 . . .lbxa4. After 35 l:!fal he had the reply 3 5 ... l:tbb4 (36 ..tdl lbc5 37 l:tc3 l:!bc4 38 l:txc4 l:rxc4 39 i.e2 l:!e4 40 ..txa6 g5), while if 35 ..tc6, then 3 5 . . . lbc5, if there is nothing better. After 34 . . . tDxa4 White would have retained only slight chances of saving the game.

35 36 37

l:.a2 .:.n h4

lbd2 lbc4

• .

.

a5

The pawn must be moved away from the attack. For example, 4 1 . . .l:tb3 42 l:U4 %lxf4 43 gxf4 lbg6 44 f5 lbh4+ 45 'it>f2 lbxfS would have led to a draw due to 46 .!i.xa6. If instead 43 . . . lbd3, then White can probably save himself in the rook ending: 44 ..txd3 %lxd3 45 l:te2 l:!d4 46 f5 exf5 47 l:!e5 l:!xa4 48 l:!xf5.

42

l:.c2

One of the strongest continuations. After 42 ..th5 'it>g7 43 %tf4 l:!d5 ! 44 Ilaf2 l:!b7 followed by . . J:te7, Black, who in some cases threatens . . .lbg6, would also have retained some advan­ tage.

42

•

.

.

llb3

A curious incident! When I began analysing the adjourned position, I 339

immediately found the best plan in the diagram position (although," perhaps, not good enough for a win): 42 ...l1xa4 43 l:lc5 l:le4 ! Now after 44 .th5 %:[.b3 45 .txf7+ &i:Jxf7 46 l:tc8+ h3 ! we essentially reach the ending that was already assessed as drawn in the note to Black's 4 l st move. The presence of the pawn at g3 is of no significance.

56 57 58

¢>e4 llf6+ l:tf3 c4

g4 %:.h4+ 49 'it>f3 &hxd4+, but Smyslov decided not to play on.

White resigns.

�6 h5

l£ie3

Game 224

V.Smyslov-M.Botvinnik

The knight has to be protected.

36 37

llb2 l:tfl+ 11b2

World Championship Match Moscow 1954, 15th game Sicilian. Defence

l£ixf5+ a6!

1 2

e4 l£ic3

c5

And so, again the Closed Variation. Smyslov had evidently come to the conclusion that the line with 5 . . . b6 was insufficient for equality (Game 223), and not without reasol).. However, disillusionment awaits him , . .

2 3

4

5 3 58

g3 i.g2 d3

l£ic6

g6 i.g7 d6

Black begins implementing a differ­ ent plan.

6

�ge2

Spassky, when he was fighting for the title of world champion, successfully played both 6 lDh3 and 6 f4 here. The latter move was also employed by Srnyslov, but it was perhaps 6 .te3 that occupied the most significant place in his repertoire. The move in the game is to some extent a retrograde step.

6

•

•

.

loses its strength: it is no longer possible to open the d-file� White should have either exchanged on e7, or defended his knight at d5 with the one from e2, or finally, as recommended in the Encyclo­ paedia, retreated his knight to e3 .

e5!

Since the bishop at g2 is securely blocked in, it becomes hard to advance d3-d4, and f2-f4 can be panied by . . . f7f5 . As for the weakness of the d5 square, it is of no great significance, since White can only occupy it with his two knights, whereas for its defence Black, apart from his knights, also has his bishop. From this it can be concluded that Black has already overcome his opening difficulties. It only remains to remind the reader that a similar plan (with colours reversed) had also occurred earlier in the English Opening, and in particular it was successfully employed for White by Nimzowitsch.

7 �d5

As has already been mentioned, this can only lead to exchanges. After 7 0--0 tl:Jge7 8 f4 0--0 followed by . . . f7-f5 Black also has no difficulties.

7

...

8

c3

�ge7!

Not fearing 8 .tg5 h6 9 .tf6 0--0. The initial cause of all White's problems! Black now rids himself of the only defect of his position - the weak­ ness of the d5 square. In addition, d3-d4

8 9 10

exd5 0-0

�xdS �e7

The variation 10 d4 exd4 1 1 cxd4 cxd4 1 2 lBxd4 0--0 ! (but not 12 . . . t'Dxd5 1 3 0--0 tl:Je7 14 lBb5 d5 1 5 .tf4) is advantageous to Black - the activity of his bishop at g7 increases sharply.

10 11

•

•

f4

•

0--0

White should nevertheless have risked 1 1 d4. After the pseudo-active continuation in the game, he ends up in a difficult position. The f4 pawn will restrict the activity of the bishop at c I and the knight at e2. The position of the white king is weakened and may become uneasy. As for the possibility of the exchange of f- and e-pawns, for White to go in for it (f4xe5) is clearly unfavourable, whereas Black can ex­ change pawns ( . . . e5xf4) at a favourable

359

moment. As a result White's game is restricted by the fact that he must always be prepared for this exchange.

11

•

.

.

by 17 fxe5 on account of 17 . . . ..th6 1 8 'ilfc2 lLle3 .

17

.id7

�h2

..th6

By the threat of 12 ...Wc8 Black provokes 12 h3, which weakens still further the white king's position. 12 f.xe5 dxe5 1 3 d6 lllf5 14 ..txb7 l::tb8 is unpromising for White.

12 13

h3

.teJ

ilc7

White plays his bishop to f2, where it would seem to defend his king better. But in the process the c l -h6 diagonal is weakened, and Black soon exploits this. 13 ..td2 was more circwnspect.

13 14

.

.

•

'ilfd2

l:lae8

The queen will be badly placed on this diagonal, so now White should have completed the planned manoeuvre of his bishop to f2.

14 15 16

..tf2 l:lael

tl)f5 h5

There is no longer time for such moves. While it was not too late, White should have increased the scope for his pieces by 16 g4 hxg4 17 hxg4 ltlh6 18 g5, although at first sight this seems dangerous. Now, however, Black closes this 'loop-hole' too, after which White will be completely deprived of any active possibilities.

16

.

.

•

Vd8!

In order after 17 g4 hxg4 18 hxg4 to reply 18 . . . tbh4, exchanging one of the white bishops, which instead of the pawns are now covering the white king. White cannot uy to relieve the situation

The storm clouds are gathering over White's kingside. He again cannot play 1 8 g4 in view of 1 8 . . . hxg4 19 hxg4 ltlh4 20 g5 ltlxg2 2 1 @xg2 exf4 22 gxh6 'ii'g5+ 23 'it>h2 Wxh6+ 24 'it?gl Wg5+ 25 'it?h2 xg3 'it>b2 .i.eJ

l:txe5 hxg3+ l:lg5+ l:lf5

32 33 34 35 36

cxd4 'it>b7 .:.n g5 ll'le2 l1xf2+ f5 .i.xf2 White resigns cxd4

One of the decisive games of the match!

W'g4

Otherwise there follows 24 . . . h4, but all the same White cannot avoid this.

24 25 26

.i.f2

Black cannot now win a piece: if 32 ... g5 there is the reply 33 l:!gl , but with his next two moves he creates this threat.

1!t'x:f5

Here the black queen can be attacked - 23 tbe6, but after 23 . . . ilxe3 ! 24 'ii'xe3 'ifxd5 White's position is hope­ less. For the moment Black still has that same minimal material advantage (one pawn), but his positional superiority has grown greatly.

27

Now Black will have two connected passed pawns.

1Wxe2+ l:te5 llfe8

Game 225

M.Botvinnik-V.SmysJov World Championship Match Moscow 1954, 16th game King's Indian Defence

1 2 3 4

d4 c4 g3 ilg2

'll'lf6 g6 .i.g7 0-0

5 6

ll'lc3 e3

d6

Smyslov is happy to repeat the opening that brought him success in the previous even-numbered game. Avoiding 6 00 tbbd7 7 0--0 e5 8 e4 c6 9 .i.e3 tbg4 I 0 .!lg5 'ilib6 with very complicated play, not unfavourable for Black, as occurred in the 14th game.

361

The method of development chosen in the present game cannot give White an opening advantage, and the weight of the struggle is transferred to the middlegame.

6

•

.

•

7

l£ige2

8 9

bJ .lil.aJ

l£ibd7 e5

In the 18th game of the match (No.227), without spending time on this move, Black immediately began pre­ paring active play on the queenside by 7 . . . a6 8 b3 :bs, which was immediately suppressed - 9 a4.

•

•

•

� dxe5

12

c5!

a6 l£ixe5

An imperceptible inaccuracy, after which White's game is no longer worse. Correct was 1 1 ...dxe5 !, as Black played in a similar position in the 20th game, when his position was perhaps slightly preferable.

l:l.e8

This manoeuvre is much stronger after a2-a4, as in the 1 8th game; in this case Black does not have· counterplay with . . . b7-b5. However, before Black has played . . . a7-a6 or . . . l:.b8, it is hard for White to decide on a2-a4. In general, it is easy to see that White, with colours reversed, is adop­ ting the same strategy that is typical for Black in the closed variation of the Sicilian Defence. Tilis, for example, is how the game Alexander-Botvinnik (Nottingham 1936) developed.

9

10 11

The following exchange seems to favour Black, since he obtains a pawn majority on the queenside. However, White's e- and f-pawns prove to be more mobile. In addition, now . . . b7-b5 will be pointless, and hence the moves . . . a7-a6 and . . . :bs turn out to be a loss of time.

l:t.b8!

An excellent plan! In view of the

threat of . . . a7-a6 and then . . . b7-b5-b4 winning a piece, White must play cautiously. Black could not play 9 . . . e4, as after l O 'i!fc2 ile7 1 1 g4 White would advantageously give up his g-pawn for the central e4 pawn. Also good here was the preparatory 9 . . .h5 - a refinement employed by Smyslov in the 20th game of the match, and after IO h3 - 10 . . . a6.

12 13

•

•

.

ilxc5

dxc5 b6

There was no point in Black playing 1 3 . . . tDed7 in view of 14 .i.a7! l:a8 1 5 .i.d4, after which White's pieces are more actively placed. However, strange though it may seem, it would have been more advantageous for Smyslov himself to exchange · queens, even though this appears to lose a tempo in the battle for the open file. The point is that

362

1 3 . . . 'i'xdl 14 l:laxdl b6 15 i.d4 c5 16 i.xe5 l:lxe5 17 e4 leads to a position which subsequently Black will unsuc­ cessfully try to obtain.

14 lS

Wxd8 i.d4

l:l.xd8

lle8 Now it is clear why Black has lost time. Of course, the 'obvious' 16 l:lad l c5 17 .i.xe5 l:lxe5 1 8 e4 would have led to the position that Black missed on his 13th move; in this case the game would have been roughly equal. But White also has another possibility - an imme­ diate offensive in the centre.

16

e4!

.i.b7

17

f4

ttleg4

18

h3!

The only way! After 18 e5 c5 ! 19 exf6 cxd4 White would have been in a critical position, and no better was 18 i.xf6 .i.xf6 19 e5 .i.xg2 20 �xg2 tt'le3+.

18

•

. •

cs

Forced. Black, of course, had been hoping for 1 8. . .lCixe4 19 hxg4? tt'lxc3 ! with an easy win, but at this moment he observed that his combination would be refuted by the prosaic exchange 19 .i.xe4! .i.xe4 20 hxg4. Now he faces a difficult defence in the endgame.

19 20 21 22 23

The balance could almost have been maintained by 16 ...tt'lc6 17 .i.xf6 (or 17 .i.e3 tt'lb4) 17 . .. i.xf6 18 %lad 1 tt'lb4. Instead, Smyslov plays for a trap, but falls into it himself, since in one of the variations he overlooks an intermediate exchange.

.i.xf6 es Wxg2 l:.adl l:l.d6!

ttlxf6 .i.xg2 ttld7 ttlf8

It was still possible to avoid the intended continuation: 1 7. . . tt'lc6 18 i.xf6 Slxf6 19 l:ladl , and there is little doubt about White's advantage. Even so, Black should have played this.

How the position has changed in just a few moves! Black no longer has the two bishops, and his remaining one has no prospects. The d-file has been lost, and the weakness of the d6 square is especially unpleasant - for this reason the important advance . . . f7-f6 cannot be made. It is hard, if at all possible, for 363

Black to · find a good plan. As was correct pointed out by Romanovsky, if 23 ... l::te6 White can advantageously continue 24 l::tfdl f6 (24 ... l::tbe8 25 tl:la4) 25 l::txe6 tl:lxe6 26 l::td6 '3;f7 27 exf6 .i.xf6 28 l::td7+ @g8 29 tl:ld5.

23 24

.. t:Lle4! •

24 25 . llfdl 26 l:txd8 21 l:txd8

l:ted8 At'S llxd8 tl:lxd8

28 29

�g7

Now White wins a pawn by force. 29 tl:le8+ @g8 30 tl:lc7 tl:le6 (30. . . a5 3 1 a4 and 3 2 tl:ld5) 3 1 t:Lixa6 was also possible, but White thought that before winning the a6 pawn it would be more advantageous to provoke . . . b6-b5. ·The manoeuvre 'it>f3-e4 was also tempting, refraining for the moment from the win of a pawn. Reckoning that all these variations were roughly equiv­ alent, in the endgame White neverthe­ less preferred . . . a material advantage!

29 30 31 32

tl:lc7 � gxf4

bxc4 t:Lixa6

35

t:Lic7!

35 36 37 38 39 40

fxe5 e4 a4 a5 a6

41

t:Llb5

bxc4 f6

lLle6 .

Now the f6 square is fixed. Black's position is difficult, and he understand­ ably tries to weaken White's pressure by exchanging all the rooks. However, this makes things simpler for the stronger side, as the opponent will have no hope of counterplay.

tl:lf6+ t:Lid5

33 34

b5 g5 gxf4 c4

This decision merely accelerates Black's inevitable defeat, since White immediately acquires a passed pawn on the a-file.

White goes in for a variation in which he gives up his h3 pawn. Of course, he could have avoided any sacrifice by playing 35 exf6+, but then he would have been left with a pawn at f4, which is less dangerous for the · opponent than one at e5. Also, to win the h3 pawn the black king is diverted to the edge of the board, and it will be unable to take part in the main events.

fxe5 'it>g6

@gs

'it>h4 tl:lc6

@xh3 The time scramble had ended, and White was able to ponder over which move to seal. Black's misfortunes are aggravated by the fact that his bishop cannot move onto the a7-g l diagonal (41....i.c5 42 'it>d5 tl:lb4+ 43 @xc5 tZ:lxa6+ 44 @d6). Now 42 tl:led4 is threatened, ensuring

364

the promotion of the a-pawn, and Black is forced to sacrifice his c-pawn in order to delay his defeat.

41 42 43

44

lbbxc3 tbd4

tbd5!

World Championship Match Moscow 1954, 1 7th game King's Indian Attack

c3 �g4 CDa7

1 2 3 4 5

tbtJ g3 il.g2 0-0 d3

lDf6 g6 .i.g7 0-0

White attempts to employ the King's Indian Defence with colours reversed. But the point is that Black can achieve success in this opening only when White has already played d2-d4. In the given case too, if Black acts cautiously (does not hurry with . . . d7-d5), it is hard for White to gain an advantage.

h5

The white larights control the entire board. The only attempt to put up a resistance, albeit also a hopeless one, was 44 . . . ..ti>h5, since now Black loses a second pawn. Apparently my opponent reckoned that the aim of the ' adjournment session' had been achieved - White had not gained an additional free evening when he could relax and now he himself was seeking a convenient terminate to the opportunity 'struggle' . . . -

45

Game 226

V.Smyslov-M.Botvinnik

5 6

c5 tbc6 d5

7 In the light of the preceding note, this move should not have been made: it turns out that Black falls in with his opponent's wishes to initiate typical King's Indian play. 7 ... d6 was more cautious, and if 8 tiJbd2 e5, as in the game between the same players from the 22nd USSR Championship (1955).

8

e5

White forces the play prematurely and ends up in a difficult position. 8 l'Llbd2 was correct.

tbf6+ Black resigns

If 45 . . . 'it>g5, then 46 . CDh7+, or 45 ... 'it>h4 46 00+, if there is nothing else.

e4 c3

8 9

.. d4

•

tbeS il.g4!

This simple manoeuvre completely refutes the over-hasty advance in the centre. The white d4 and e5 pawns turn out to be convenient targets for counterplay by Black. ·

365

·

account of 15 . . . ..txeS 16 .i.xe6+ 'it>h8 (16 . . .@g7 17 'ii'd2) 17 ltJd2 with a double-edged game. If 15 ... f:Dc7 there follows 16 f4. Therefore all that remains for Black is the forced, but not un­ favourable advance of his d-pawn.

15 16

•

hJ

10 11 12 13

..txfJ .i.eJ cxd4

This reaction is essential in view of the threat of 10 . . . Wd7.

..txf3 e6 cxd4 f6

17 18

If now White were obliged to exchange on f6, his position would become completely bad. However, he has an opportunity, by attacking the e6 pawn, of gaining an important tempo for supporting the centre by f2-f4.

14

.i.g4

fxe5

1 5 f4 cannot be allowed. The move played suggests itself, since it is unfavourable for White to take the e6 pawn -15 he6+ @hS 16 dxeS &Dc7 17 ..tg4 d4 18 .i.d2 &Dxe5, and Black has an obvious advantage. But Smyslov defends very calmly and is able, by delaying the capture on e6, to renew the threat of f2-f4.

15

dxe5!

A precise move order. Now Black cannot take the central pawn with his knight 'in view of 15 . . .ltJxeS 16 .ixe6+ and 17 ilxdS, or with his bishop on

.

d4

Again the bishop could not hurry with the capture of the pawn: 16 .ixe6+ 'it>h8 17 ili4 ltJc7 18 ..tb3 ti)d5 ! 19 ..txd5 'i'xdS is in Black's favour. ltJxe5 16 This move cannot be delayed any further in view of the threat of 17 f4. White too cannot now keep the capture of the pawn in reserve. .

10

•

.id2!

.

.

..txe6+ .i.f4!

b8

The saving move! White covers the f3 square and threatens to exchange Black's most active piece - his lmight at es . ltJc7 18 •

.

.

19

.i.bJ

19

...

20

Wg4

White has achieved much, and, as is evident from the preceding comments, mainly because he avoided the premature capture of the e6 pawn.

ll'lc6

Black has no choice, since he must not allow the exchange of his centralised knight. Securing the g5 square for his bishop; otherwise after 20 . . . f:Dd5 he would been virtually forced to retreat it to c l (leaving d2 for the development of his knight). How can Black exploit his temporary and not so significant lead in develop-

366

ment? In the event of 20. . . tba5 2 1 ttld.2 l°iJxb3 22 ttlxb3 he does not gain any real advantage, while after 20 ... d3 2 1 lbc3 ttld4 2 2 l:tadl or 2 2 i.c4 White is again satisfactorily placed.

Nevertheless!

22

•

•

•

lt)eJ!

Even so, White finds the only way to save the game.

20

...

In principle this decision is correct, except that Black should have first played 20 ...l:tf5, when after 2 1 h4 (securing the g5 square for the bishop) 2 1 . . . ttld5 22 i.g5 he would have the reply 22 . . . i.f6, and, in contrast to the game, White would be unable to gain a tempo by 23 .ih6, while after 23 .txf6+ ttlxf6 Black has a good game. This proved to be a significant moment in the game.

21

Ags

'ifa5

From the previous note it follows that if 2 1 . . . .tf6 White would have replied 22 i.h6 and 23 ttld.2. Now, however, his development seems to be hampered, since if 22 ttla3 there is the reply 22 . . . ttlb6 (but not 22 ... ttleS 23 ttlc4) with the threat of 23 ...ttle5, while against 22 ttld2 a little combination had been prepared.

.

23 24

ttld5

fxeJ %hf8+!

1ixd2

After 24 exd4 Wxb2 ! (the queens should not be exchanged earlier than necessary) the black pieces would have taken up threatening positions.

24 25

•

•

•

k'tfl!

D.xf8

All accurately calculated. Now Black can no longer avoid the exchange of rooks, after which he will be forced to give perpetual check. 25 . lbfl+ •

.

26

xfl · ·

1!fcl+

27 28 29

e7

It can be said that it is only this unprovoked journey of the king, first to . e7 and then to d8, that gives White real winning chances. If Black had placed his rooks on h4 and h8, his bishop on e7 and his king on g7, White would probably have had to settle for an immediate draw. But at e7 and d8 the king is not safe, and so the battle continues.

29 30

. . . h7-h5-h4-h3 and . . . f7-f5 it was easy for even e>..."}Jerts to be deceived), now all illusions are dispelled. The threat of 27 gxf5 gxf5 28 exf5 with the occupation of the e4 square is so unpleasant, that in searching for a way to save the game, Black tries to block the position. •

.

•

g5

f4

An essential move; if White were to allow . . . g6-g5, he would lose any possibility of breaking into the enemy position. This last move involves a pawn sacrifice (27 . . .'fle7 28 'it>hl 1!fxg5), but in this case White does not risk anything, whereas Black faces a difficult defence. It is this that explains the decision: White plays on, and Black declines the win of the pawn.

27

•

. .

l:tb8

In order, given the opportunity, to play d5-d6, and also to attack the h3 pawn with the rook from d3 .

Whereas up till now it might have seemed that Black had quite a good game (in evaluating the pawn offensive

26 27

Agl :dt

30 31 32

Ad3 'ffe2

Ah4 1!i'd7

For the moment the 32 d6+ break­ through was not dangerous for Black in view of 32 . . . cxd6 3 3 ngdl :d8.

An

32

. • •

l:tbb8

omission, which goes un­ punished. Black should have restored the blockade of the d-pawn by 32 . . . 'ifd6, and to 33 .1i.g4 replied 3 3 . . . :bh8.

@f7

This must be judged a good move, since it opens the way for the rooks to the h-file, but at the same time a bad one; since Black associates it with a faulty idea.

370

33

.ig4

White should have played 33 d6+ cxd6 34 .llg4 'iic7 3 5 l:t.gd l ltd8 36 :xh3 , developing a dangerous initiative (pointed out by Averbakh).

33

•

•

•

1lfd6

The only move, since 33 ... Vd8 34 d6+ cxd6 35 ltgdl and then 36 l:.xd6 'ifxd6 37 l:.xd6 lt>xd6 38 Wdl+ is w1favourable for Black.

34

lifl

has good chances of a draw in view of the closed nature of the position. It was still wrong to take the g5 pawn. After 39 . . . l:.xg5 40 i.g4 or 3 9 ... .i.xg5 40 'i':t3 and 4 1 'i'g4 Black's position would have become difficult. It should be mentioned, however, that all these subtleties would have been superfluous, if the black king had been at g7:

40 41

White does not immediately find the most favourable arrangement of his pieces, but does not lose anything as a result.

34 35

. • •

:o

bxc4 1Wxa3

111a3 .i.xa3

.tf8

For the moment it was not possible to win the h3 pawn (35 J:txh3 l:txh3 36 i.xh3) on account of 36 . . . c4! 37 bxc4 'ii'a 3, when Black picks up the more important a4 pawn. Therefore White decides to place his queen on the third rank, so that the a3 square should be defended, and for this he vacates d3.

35

. •

.

d8

35 . @n 36 .ie6+ lt>g7 perhaps have been simpler. ..

36 37 38

1!fd3 .i.e6 lbh3

.i.e7 lt8h5 lbh3!

39

.i.xhJ

c4!

would

Black successfully avoids a cam­ ouflaged trap: after the natural reply 38 . . . :XgS there would have followed 39 i.g4 ! ! l:.gxg4 40 l:.xg4 ltxg4 4 1 lth8+ .tf8 (4 1 . . .lt>d7 42 'i'h3) 42 'i'h3 l:tg5 43 'i'h6, and White's attack becomes decisive. 25Here too this is good (cf. the note to White's 3 5th move), since in the ending, despite being two pawns down, Black

After the adjournment of the game this position was of course analysed by both players. The ending would be completely drawn, were it not for the possibility of White breaking through by sacrificing his bishop (42 i.f5), or by playing his rook to h3. I came to the conclusion that this second possibility did not give any chances, for example: 42 .i.g4 l:th8 (neutralising the threat of .if5) 43 lt>g2 lt>e7 (43 ... ..te7 is weaker in view of 44 d6 cxd6 45 c5 bxc5 46 b6) 44 l:.dl l:.h4 45 1'.e2 1'.c5 46 ltd3 d6 47 l:lh3 1'.xf2 48 .i.fl ltxh3 49 'it>xh3 ' and after 49 ., . . lt>e7 50 ..ie2 (50 �g4 .tgl 5 1 h4 .i.f2 52 h5 c;1a/)_ 5o. . . ..ie3 5 1

371

..tf3 ..tf2 52 ..tg4 .i.e3 53 ..te6 f3 White has no real winning chances. Therefore I decided to give the spectators some pleasure by sacrificing my bishop.

42 43

..if5 g6

In my analysis I had overlooked this spectacular move. It is no longer pos­ sible to advance h2-h4, and White is effectively playing a king down. Since 49 l:te4 �d7 50 :xe5 l:h4 does not promise White anything, and 49 c6! (32 l:tb6+ �xc5) .

28 29

.

•

•

lDxfJ! .

fxgJ

The only defence: 29 fxg3 f4 3 0 f2 fxg3+ 3 1 hxg3 h4 ! would have led to a win for Black.

375

29 30

. �xh2

•

•

gxh2+ :rg8

This knight manoeuvre enables Black to suppress the initiative that the opponent was about to obtain.

30 . . . :g4 was probably . weaker: 3 1 �h3 l:txc4 3 2 t'iJg5.

31

�h3

38 39

:g4

Black does not exploit all his 1;hances. After 3 1 . . .l::tg2 32 l:te2 l:t8g3+ 33 fxg3 l:txe2 (34 t'iJh4 t'iJe7) with the exchange of one pair of rooks White's position would have deteriorated, since his counterplay involving threats to the b7 pawn would have been reduced to the minimum.

32

lle6

32 33

... llf6

Only in this way can White on attack on the enemy pawns.

lt)cJ :ee2

The aim is achieved: the rook no longer needs to guard the seventh rank.

40 :b6 li)d5 41 !bc2 was now sealed, but a draw

was agreed without the game being resumed. The finish could have been: 4 1 . . . l:txc2 42 li)e6+ �d7 ! 43 l:td6+ @e7 44 l:txd5 �xe6 45 l:td6+.

arrange

Game 229

:xc4

V.Smyslov-M.Botvinnik

World Championship Match Moscow 1954, 21st game French Defence

Winning an important tempo, in view of the threat of 34 l:tf7+.

33 34 · J:lxf5

a4 :c4

:g7 %bc2

1 2 3 4

e4 d4 lt)cJ

e6 d5 .i.b4

a3 And so, Smyslov again avoids 4 e5, which was mentioned in the notes to the previous game. However, even in this comparatively simple variation with 4 a3 an opening surprise awaited him . . .

It is now obvious that the game will end in a draw, and this would have been agreed more quickly after 34 ... t'iJd4.

35 36 37

li)g5 @h4 %%.f4

l:t.e7 li)d4 li)b5

4 5 6 7 8 9

bxcJ 1!fg4

'ifxg7

Wh6 li)e2

.i.xcJ+ dxe4 lDf6 l:lg8 cs l!g6

This move, chosen by me back in the 7th game, is quite logical, whereas 9 . . .t'iJc6, as played in the 1 9th game (No.228) is weaker. White . is now · forced to detennine the position of his

376

queen, after which it is easier for Black to find the correct plan. In the 7th game · Black obtained an equal position, but subsequently I forgot ( ! ) that . White's king had already moved, and that he had lost the right to castle. As a result of this I spent a lot of time on the calculation of a variation, which by the rules of the game was not possible.

10

'ifd2

This looks unnatural. White wanted to avoid the continuation from the 7th game, 10 We3 li)c6, and was aiming for a position from the 19th game, which could have been reached after 10 . . . li)c6 1 1 dxc5. However, Black had prepared a different variation.

12 hJ An unusual plan. White is intending

g2-g4-g5, but his king remains in danger. Better was 12 li)f4 %lg8 13 i.b5 Wc7 14 c4 cxd4! 1 5 'ifxd4 'ifxf4 16 'ifxf6, although even in this case Black does not face any specific threats.

12 13 14

10

• .

•

lDbd7!

11 i.b2 b6 An incautious move. l l...llfc7 was .

more accurate, defending the c6 square in the event of ...b7-b6.

.li.b7 'ifc7

Before playing g2-g4, it is essential to castle, since the king's position in the centre would be even more dangerous than on the queenside.

14

•

•

•

0-0-0

Carelessly played. The position is so complicated, that one hasty move can change the entire picture. The Encyclopaedia rightly gives preference to l4 . . . cxd4 1 5 cxd4 li)d5, but overrates the recommendation of 16 'it>bl %lc8 17 %tel , when there can follow 17 . . . b5 ( 18 li)g3 e3 ), and Black's chances are perhaps the more promising.

15

It becomes evident that White's main aim - the win of the c5 pawn and the exchange of queens - is unattainable. And at d2 the queen will be badly placed.

l:lgl 0-0-0

1!ff4

if'c6

After lengthy consideration, Black decides. on this gambit continuation (on the next move a pawn is sacrificed). It should be mentioned that the endgame would be in White's favour, and the e4 pawn would all the same be doomed on account of the unavoidable set-up g2-g4, ttJg3 and .ig2. Therefore Black prefers to give up the central e4 pawn immediately, in or(jer to engage White in a battle now, before he has com­ pletely mobilised his fore.es. The subtle point of Black's manoeuvre is that the tempting 16 c4 (hoping for 16 . . ;cxd4 17 ttJxd4 and 16

377

lDb5) can · be met by either 16 ... a6, or 16 ... 'i'c7 17 'ii'xc7+ xb7 24 'il'xf4 would have led to essentially the same position as after the 32nd move, when the white g-pawn was exchanged for the black e6 pawn! It has to be admitted that Black has gained sufficient compensation for the sacrificed pawn.

If 17 'i'xf7 there could have followed, if there is nothing better, 17 . . . lD7f6 and 1 8 . . . l:td7.

17 18

.

.

•

.i.g2

'iia4

White is a pawn up, but he has to defend very carefully. For example, 1 8 c4 was bad because of 1 8 . . . lDb4 19 d5 exd5 20 'i'f5 l:tg5 2 1 'ii'xh7 lDIB, while 1 9 lbc3 (or the same move later) does not work in view of 19 . . . lbal+!

18 19

.

.

•

'ifd3

f5

White would have lost after 19 gxf5 l:txg2 20 l:txg2 ltlb4 (or 20 . . .lb5f6). Therefore he makes use of the first opportunity to move his queen off the dangerous diagonal, which gives Black an important tempo for the advance of his c-pawn.

19

. • .

c4

In addition to obtaining an 'eternal' knight at d5, Black has blockaded the opponent's queenside, the position of the bishop at b2 being particularly miserable.

20 21

9'g3

Would 20 'iid2 have changed any­ thing? Black, of course, would not have replied 20. . . fxg4 2 1 hxg4 l:txg4 on

•

l£17f6

On the one hand, it is natural that White should aim for exchanges, to re­ duce Black's pressure. But on the other hand, when the light-square bishops and a pair of knights have disappeared, the only minor pieces remaining will be the centralised black laUght and the white bishop at b2, the 'virtues' of which have already been mentioned.

·

20

• •

l£if4

21 22 23 24

.i.xb7+

'i!lxf4 1if3

l£ixf4

xf3 lbe5+ 24 f8 is not possible on account of 42 'i'd8+ g6 ! , when the white pieces are pinned, which gives him excellent chances of gaining a draw.

37

•

•

c6!

Now this pawn cannot be stopped without losing material.

37 38

.

•

•

c7

l:ld5 l:i:xb5

Of course, not 38 ... llc5 39 l:l.d8. Here White rightly avoided the position where he was the exchange up (39 l:td8 lk5 40 cS'i' l:lxc8 41 l:txc8 l:Dxa2), since in the given situation it would have been very difficult, if at all possible, to convert this advantage.

39

:.f8+

'it>xf8

Stahlberg obligingly suggested to me what I should promote my pawn to, by

During my analysis I had to spend the most time on 44 . . .f5 (after 44 'i'g8+ 'it>d6 45 'lixh7 Black would not have had this possibility). Even so, a solution was found: 45 'i'g6+ iL!f6 46 h4 e4+ 47 'it>g2 'it>e7 26 48 'i'g5! �e6 49 h5! f4 50 'i'xf4 l:txh5 5 1 g4 l:tes 52 'lb.6 c2 Aa2+ 3 1 'it>cl ktal+ was not able to achieve anything, because of 32 �b2.

I

A typical mistake. White helps Black

to reduce the number of weak pawns on the seventh rank. 30 llle4 .ic6 3 1 lllc5 .id5 32 l:lxg7 fxe5 33 a6 would have been quickly decisive.

30 31

•

•

•

li)e4

gxf6 .tc6

3 7 ! li)b7+!

White advantageously takes play into a rook ending, where is a pawn up with a solid positional advantage, since the enemy king is cut off from its pawns.

397

37 38 . axb7

.txb7 l:tb5+

39 40

c;t>c2 b81W+!

40 41 42

l:[xb7

c;t>c7

The king will be not only confined to the back rank, but also a long way from its own flank.

:e7

c;t>xb8 lt>c8

Unzicker has a clear leaning towards play with his pieces. By playing 42 g4 followed by h2-h4, White would have accelerated the development of events. 42 :eS

43 44 45

d2 :n .

c;t>e2

d8 :rs �es

White's unfortunate manoeuvres have led to the black king reaching its goal with gain of tempi. :eS+ 46 :a7 l:.b5 47 �1 48 h4

at five o'clock in the morning. Initially I was helped by Boleslavsky, but an hour before midnight I let him go, since he had difficulty in waking up when I roused him. Then Flohr came to help me. He bore up very well : when I roused him, he woke up straight away. At two o'clock we parted, with the agreement that he would turn up at eight o'clock to check my analysis. And, when he returned, Flohr struck me a severe blow. He showed that in one variation Black could nevertheless lose. To be fair, I should mention that du­ ring the resumption I also found another way for White to win. We concluded the game in splendid isolation in the enor­ mous Apollohal. Hardly any chess reporters were there - so sure was everyone that Black's position was hopeless. Only Paul Keres turned up he carefully followed the play, and left only when the result was obvious.

48

•

• .

f5

The sealed move. The attempt to play actively would not have saved Black: 48 . . . l:tb l + 49 e2 l:!hl (49 . . .l:!b2+ 50 lt>f3 l:td2 5 1 h5 l:!xd3+ is even worse because of 52 c;t>e2 and 53 h6) 50 g3 e5 5 1 f3 f5 52 c;t>e2, and there is no defence against 53 l:!a5.

49

g3

If 49 h5 there would have followed 49 . . . l:!b l + and 50 . . . l:!hl .

The extra pawn "and the passive position of the enemy king should ensure White a win. And so, an even more sleepless night than when I analysed the ending with Minev (Game 23 1): I went to bed only

Wf8 l:!d7 As shown by Smyslov, White could have more quickly obtained the same position as in the game by 50 h5 g8 5 1 l:te7! e5 52 h6 c;t>h8 53 lti>g2, since 50 . . Jlb l + 5 1 g2 h8

l:la5

Finally White finds the correct plan, and Black has only one chance left. ·

56 57

•

•

•

g4

:ds

After 57 h7 Black would have had a more modest choice: 57 . . .:a5 58 :t7, or 57 . . . e4+ 58 dxe4 fxe4+ 59 .l:.xe4, but perhaps my opponent did not want to give up his h-pawn?

57 58

dxe4 'it>e2

e4+ fxg4+

59 Of course, I was not really hoping for 59 'itxg4? d3 . 59 dJ+ .

60

. .

•

61 62

•

•

•

l:r.d4

l:r.e8+

• • •

!te6

'ith7 .l:la4!

Just now, all Black's counterplay involved his d-pawn, but now it has to be given up !

63 64

'it>d2

After 60 'iii>d l , following my analysis, I would not have replied 60 .. J::td4 because of 6 1 'itd2, giving Black the move, but 60 . . . lla5 ! with the idea of counterplay, which subsequently I was in fact able to exploit.

60

61

6 1 e5 ! would have won, since after 61.. ..l:.f4, which is what White was afraid of, there would have followed Flohr's manoeuvre 62 .l:.g7!, and the e­ pawn cannot be stopped. And after 6 1 . . . .l:ld5, as I observed with great regret during the resumption, White wins by 62 e6 .l:ld6 63 .l:.e8+! 'iii>h7 64 e7 .l:.e6 65 'iii>xd3 l:e5 66 �d4 .l:.e6 67 'itd5 .l:.e2 68 'itd6 .l:.d2+ 69 'ite5 ! .l:.e2+ 70 M4 l:Ixf2+ 71 'iii>e3 . The move in the game prematurely releases the enemy king from imprisonment, which leads to a draw.

'it>xd3 'ite2

l:la3+ l:lfJ

A curious position, in which the two

extra pawns are insufficient for a win. White is unable to strengthen his position (65 .l:.a6 .l:.f4), and after thinking for 40 minutes, he decides to give up his e-pawn

399

65 66

e5 ..tel

l:US

French Defence against Unzicker (Euro­ pean Team Championship, Oberhausen 1 96 1 ). the goddess's patience ran out. I did not even manage to get as far as an ending . . . I lost in the middlegame.

l:lf4

Game 235

V.Antoshin-M.Botvinnik 22nd USSR Championship Moscow 1955 French Defence

67

l:tf6

No better was the attempt 67 'it>fl g3 68 l:lf6 (68 f3 l:xf3+ 69 @g2 %1e3 70 'it>h3 %1a3) 68 ... l:lxf6 69 exf6 h3 'it>g5 with a draw, whereas now it would be fatal to go into the pawn ending: 67 . . J:txf6 68 exf6 'it>xh6 69 'it>e2 'it>g6 70 'it>e3 f2, in order after 36 .. J ld7 to capture the central pawn - 37 l:lxe4, and then if 3 7 . . . l:ld2+ to return the rook to the second rank 38 :e2. Then after 3 8 . . . xb5 3 9 l:txd2 cxd2 40 'ot>e2 c3 4 1 f5 gxf5 42 h4 a5 43 h5 White should not lose. -

.

· 32

d4

If 34 l:tdl , then 34 . . . c5.

e4 'Bd6

There are many ways to including by exchanging queens.

l:txc3 a4

36 37 38 39

l:le2 h4 h5

'l:ld7 Wxb5 a5

It would appear that here too White is not behind in the pawn 'race', but it unexpectedly turns out that Black will promote his h-pawn, and not his a­ pawn, and then the white king will have no defence.

402

39

. . •

gxh5

40

g5

king hides from the checks, whereas White's is threatened with mate both at d2, and at fl . Despite the mistakes by both sides, a game not without its instructive points.

After 40 gxhS White would �ve no chance of success with his separated pawns.

Game 236

A.Kotov-M.Botvinnik

22nd USSR Championship Moscow 1955 Slav Defence

40

•

• •

l:td2

Now this transition into a pawn ending is decisive. h4 41 �

42 43 44

g6 'it>xe2 g7

llxe2+ h3

• • •

g81!r

h2 h11!t'

In the queen ending Black wins without difficulty.

46 . 9'd5+ 47 f5

'it>b4

Of course, there is no perpetual check: 47 'ilfd6+ 'it>a4 48 'irc6+ 'it>a3 49 'i'cS+ 'it>b2 50 'irb6+ 'it>xc2.

'i!ff3+ 47 . 9'e3+ 48 'it>el 'i'f2! 49 'it>dl White resigns. After 50 'ird6+ �a4 .

d4 c4 ltlcJ ltlf.J e3 .tdJ

7

0-0

7 8

..td2

8

...

d5 c6 ltlf6 e6 ltlbd7 ..i.b4

Regarding 6 ... dxc4, see Game 231, while 6 . . . .te7 occurred in Game 144. 7 a3 is the most energetic (Game 175).

Nothing would have changed in the event of 44 'it>fl e3 4S g7 h2 46 'it>g2 e2 47 g8'i' el ii'.

44 45

1 2 3 4 5 6

•

•

• •

0-0

In view of White's intention to play 9 lbxd5 (9 . . . lbxd5 10 cxd5 .txd2 1 1 dxe6) it is simplest for Black to retreat his bishop to d6, achieving a more or less satisfactory game. However, 8 . . . 'i'e7 is also possible. Then if 9 lbe5 there follows 9 . . . cs with equal chances, as in the game Portisch­ Botvirutik (Olympiad, Leipzig 1960), but after 9 'Be 1 dxc4 10 .ixc4 .td6 1 1 .tb3 e5 1 2 tlJg5 ii..c7 1 3 lbce4 lbxe4 14 lbxe4 as 15 d5 White would have retained the advantage (lvkov-Kolarov, 1957).

S l 'ilfc6+ �a3 52 'ird6+ 'ili>a2 the black

403

.td6

9

b3

This waiting move can hardly give White an advantage, which he could have counted on after 9 e4, e.g. 9 . . . dxc4 10 .i.xc4 e5 1 1 ..ig5 . The following move order could have come to the same thing: 6. . . .i.d6 7 0-0 0-0 8 e4 dxc4 9 ilxc4 e5 10 .i.g5. Black also achieves equality in the event of 9 h3 dxc4 10 hc4 e5 .

9 10

.

•

.

1'c2

1ie7 e5

The most suitable plan in such positions. Black is left with an isolated d-pawn, but in view of the poor placing of the white bishops (it is more advantageous to keep them at b2 and e2) he achieves a good game.

11 12 13

cxd5 dxe5 tt'.id4

cxd5 tt'.ixe5

White pins his hopes on his centralised knight, whereas 1 3 .ie2 would have been more circumspect.

13 14

Wxd3

tt'.ixd3

the e4 square, but the immediate 14 . . . l:td8 came into consideration.

15 16

f4 l:tacl

17

ltc2

'ife7

Both players overlook the possibility of the strong manoeuvre iLel -h4, although after 16 ii.el l:te8 Black would have gained sufficient counterplay. 16 . � . l:td8 At this point I had already seen the above manoeuvre, which in the new conditions (with the rook at d8) would have been especially unpleasant. Fortunately, Kotov did not notice it.

17

• • •

..ic5

Now Black achieves a good game (the d5 pawn is defended by the rook, and 1 8 .tel can be met by 1 8 . . . tbe4, if there is nothing better). The exchange of White's centralised lallght leads to a position with opposite-colour bishops, but the white bishop is passive.

18 19

tt'.ia4 9xd4

19 20 21 22

i.b4 ltc3 ltccl

22 23

... ltfdl

.ixd4

After I 9 exd4 White would have no compensation for the weakening of the e4 square, since the d5 pawn would cease to be a defect in Black's position.

'ffe5

i.f5 '9d7 tt'.ie4

22 t'Llc5 was simpler, since 22 . . . t'Llxc3 was not possible in view of 23 ..txc3, when, in view of the mate threat, Black loses his queen.

It was hard to refrain from making a move which provokes a weakening of

404

b6 f6

The pawn moves 22 . . . b6 and 23 . . . f6 have restricted the activity of the enemy

pieces. White has no other plan, other than to exchange knights in the hope of saving the game with the opposite­ colour bishops. But all ii; not so simple, since the black pieces will take up very active positions. �xc3 24 tt)cJ 25 l:txcJ .te4 Black's positional advantage is clear. His d5 pawn has ceased to be weak, his bishop is more active than his oppon­ ent's, which is irreparable when there are opposite-colour bishops, and White is forced to consider the defence of his g2 square.

26 27 28

11fd2 h3 'i!t'f2

32 33

llcct .id4

33 34 35 36 37

l:ld2 :dd1 11fe2 11ff2

l:ldc8

Black controls c2, c3 and . c4, which s�bsequently assures him of control of this open file. Now I went in for an op­ eration to save time for thought, which could have concluded unexpectedly . . .

.tc2 ..te4 11i'f5 11fg6

A typical delusion. Manoeuvring first with one piece (the bishop) and then another (the queen), in time trouble Black forgets that, irrespective of this, the position is repeated. This is also missed by Kotov, who before making his last move could have claimed a draw. But the most amusing thing is that this was not noticed by any of the spectators, or the readers of bulletins, magazines and books.

'i!t'g4 'i!t'g6 h5

37 38

• • •

:xc8+

a4

If 3 8 bxa4 there would have followed the unpleasail.t reply 3 8 . . . l:lc4 and then . . . litxa4. ·

It is curious to note that, as regards the chess material, this game very much resembles a previous encounter of mine with Kotov (No. 102). Here, however, White has better defensive possibilities.

29

�h2

a5

30 31

..taJ ..tc5

b5 b4

Now the time has come to play actively on the queenside.

38 39 . . bxa4 40 l:cd2 41 'ilh4

Ibcs 11i'e8 11i'xa4 llc2

42 43

11Fxc2

Otherwise it is hard to exploit the weakness of the a2 pawn, although, of course, the exchange of rooks increases White's drawing chances.

l:txc2 ilg3

Here I was initially intending to play 43 . . . 'if.?f7. but I noticed in time that after 44 f5 ! .ixf5 45 'iff3 a draw was

405

drawn, but let us see how events develop.

inevitable. Therefore Black also has to agree to the exchange of queens.

43 44

1'..xf6

45 46

11fxg2 1'..d4

.i.xg2

�g3 h4

rJm

55

1!fxa2 1!fxg2+

As in our 193 9 game, the queen nevertheless captures the g2 pawn. This move leads to the win of a pawn. If 46 1'..e7 there would of course have followed 46 . . . b3 .

46 47

48

49

Wf2

..te4

g6 e6

Thus Black is a pawn up, but this advantage would appear to be insufficient for a win.

50 51 52 53 54

e2 c;t>d2 ..tf6 ..te7 ..tf6

54

...

f5 g4 'i!i>g3 h3

54 ..ixb4 'it>xh4 was bad for White: he would have to give up his bishop for the h-pawn. 28 The

position

'it>g4

seems

hopelessly

..te7

This is not an attack on the b4 pawn, since the bishop is obliged to defend the h4 pawn, but simply a waiting move.

55

• • •

.i.f5!

The black bishop is switched to e6, where at first sight it is more passively placed. But in reality, from this square it will be able to defend the b-pawn, when it steps onto the third rank, and it also covers the g8 square, on which a white pawn may possibly promote to a queen.

56 57 58

.i.f6 ..te7 'i!i>cJ

� b3 ..te6

Black could have won a second pawn (58 ... @xe3 59 'iiti>xb3 @xf4), but then the drawing character of opposite-colour bishops would have been fully apparent (60 'iiti>c3 'it>e3 6 1 .i.g5+ @e4 62 @d2). Now, however, the b3 pawn is immune: 59 'it>xb3 d4+ 60 'it>c2 dxe3 61 'it>dl � 62 ..tcs ..ib3+ 63 'it>cl �. and White loses his f4 pawn, which allows Black to break through with . . . g6-g5 and to win.

406

59

i.c5

Titis move seems obvious, since White's king must stop the b-pawn, and hence the e3 pawn should be defended by the bishop. Jn fact the truth lay in the paradoxical move 59 'it>d2, with which the white kirig apparently makes a hope­ less attempt to catch two birds (defend the e-pawn and stop the b-pawn). The point is that White cannot win the b­ pawn on the third rank whereas (by analogy with the variation given in the note to Black's 58th move) on the second rank this is perfectly possible. We will repeat this continuation in its new version: 59 . . . b2 60 'it>c2 �xe3 61 'it>xb2 xf4 62 c3 with a draw. In the game White gives up control of the g5 square, which allows Black to create a passed h-pawn, and the defender's position becomes hopeless. ,

@xe3 . After the decision taken by Kotov, the ending becomes 'poetic'.

60

fxg5

61

exd4

d4+!

The central pawn, boldly advancing into a three-fold attack, sacrifices itself so as to save the outside passed pawn. The capture with the king is pointless, since the b-pawn becomes a queen while after 6 1 i.xd4 g3 62 g6 'it>xh4 63 d2 the win is achieved by 63 . . . f3 It is not Black's fault that his opponent avoided a more spectacular concluding move: 65 d5 i.xd5+.

65

59

•

•

•

g5! !

A possibility which Black envisaged when he played his bishop to e6. The capture with the h-pawn loses 'prosaically' : 60 hxg5 h4 6 1 f5 (61 .id6· MS 62 g6 .ixg6 63 f5 .ixf5 64 �xb3 'it>g2) 6 1 . . .i.xfS 62 'it>xb3 h3 63 i.d6

407

i.d5+ White resigns

The final position is a typical one from an ending with opposite-colour bishops, where there are two widely separated passed pawns. But how many subtleties preceded it!

Game 237

M.Botvinnik-LKan

22nd USSR Championship Moscow 1955 English Opening

1 2 3

c4

till'3

l0d4

e5 e4 l0c6

Roughly the same pawn configur­ ation arises in the Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez. White's plan in such situations is obvious: exchange pieces and go into an ending, where he will effectively be a pawn up.

Other continuations that have occurred are 3 . . . c5 4 l0b3 (Tartakower­ Spielmann, 1 925) and 3 . . . d5 4 cxd5 11fxd5 (Berger-Gilg, 193 l ); in neither case did White gain an opening advantage.

4 5 6

l0xc6 lDc3 e3

dxc6 lDf6

The fianchetto of the king's bishop led after 6 g3 .i.c5 7 ..ig2 ..if5 8 0-0 0-0 to approximate equality in the game Reti-Torre ( 1925).

6

•

•

•

d4 ..txd3

i.d6

exd3

Now, in any possible endgame, White's superior pawn formation will give him a theoretical advantage.

8 9 10 11

11fc2 b3 ..ib2

1!fe7 i.e6

0--0-0

...

h5

12 13

0-0-0 h3

h4 l0d7

14 15 16

..i.f5 ..txe6 lDe2

llde8 Wxe6 l:lh5

Black should be aunmg for a complicated battle, but he fails to find any way to achieve this. It would not have been bad, for example, to make use of his doubled pawns by . . . c6-c5 and . . . c7-c6, to establish control of the central squares.

6 . . . ..i:f5 was more accurate, in order to hinder the advance of the d-pawn.

7 8

11

This move could be worthwhile only if White had castled kingside or was planning to do so. But in the given position, of course, he will castle on the queenside.

It was not yet too late for 16 . . . c5, preventing the enemy knight from going to d4. ·

17

408

l0d4

'tie4

·

As a result, Black himself is forced to offer the exchange of queens: 17 . . .'i!i'h.6 or 17 . . .We7 is met by the unpleasant 1 8 t'Df5.

18 19 20

Wxe4 ltltJ Ahel

lbe4 g6

tDc5

This is Black's idea: he is aiming for activity on the queenside, where nomin­ ally he is a pawn up. However, the pawn structure is such that it is not possible to create any threats.

21 22

@cl :d4

a5

White, for his part, continues to ex­ change material.

22 23

• • •

:e2

f5 g5

1be4 ltld2 @xd2

e4 �el

28 29 JO

:xe4 .i.cJ

%ih6 Jlf4+

As it is, for the moment all is quiet on the queenside, so the king is transferred to that part of the battlefield where White has a pawn advantage.

30

. • •

fxe4 c5

a4

In order to worsen the opponent's pawn formation and to gain active play on the queenside, Black sacrifices a pawn. While this strategic idea deserves respect, it should nevertheless be mentioned that in the given instance 30 .. :a6 would have given better chances of a successful defence. .

Here one cannot help remembering Tarrasch's cautionary saying, that pawns cannot move backwards!

24 25 26

26 27 28

ltlxe4 ltlxd2

White consistently proceeds towards his goal. In the absence of the lallghts, the superiority of his pawn configur­ ation becomes appreciable.

31 32

bxa4 @e2

l:.b6 �d7

But this is inconsistent. 32 ... :bl should have been played immediately, with the threat of 33 ... l:r.cl 34 'ii?d3 %:.gl. Then the strongest reply would seem­ ingly have been 33 Ae5 . Now, however, White will immediately force the invading rook to retreat.

409

'il>dl :et �c2

:bl :b6

35 36 l:te4 37 llel 38 :e2

l:lg6 l:d6 l:[g6

33 34 35

44

·

When it proved necessary to defend the b 1 square, the king returned to the queenside.

44 45 46

:e4 llel :e4 a3

• • •

a5

•

llf8 bxa5

.

46 47 48

b6 l:r.d6 J:g6 l:[d6

l:[g6 : gS

.

.

•

l:te4 'iL'e2

J:d8 c;fo>c6+

And once again the white king is in the place where at the given moment it is most needed, since the outcome is bound to be decided on the kingside.

A useful move, since if it should be necessary to give up this pawn, this is better done at a3 than on the second rank.

42 43

. .

J:e2 'il>d3

Of course, not 46 .i.xa5 because of 46 . . :as.

Before the time control there is no reason to take any committing decisions.

38 39 40 41 42

a4!

White gives up his material advan­ tage, in order to weaken the enemy pawns and to tie the black pieces to their defence.

48 49 50 51

l:le6+ Ae7 Jle4

51 52 53 54

l:.e6 :e7+ lle4

55

.i.el

'iL'b6 c6 Wa6

White needs to gain time on the clock before the next control.

The variation 43 . . .bxa5 44 .i.xa5 l:i.a6 45 .i.d2 .i.xd2 46 a6 Wb6

75

Finally, when Black has no counter­ play, White sets about creating a_ passed pawn.

55 56 57 58 59 60 61

g3 fxg3 h4 gxh4 i.d2 'rt>f3

i.ct ·hxg3 l:tb8 gxh4 il.b2 i.d4

Game 238

Yu.Averbakh-M.Botvinnik 22nd USSR Championship Moscow 1955 French Defence

1 2 3 4

In conclusion., the white king performs its last role, this time an active one.

61 62 63 64 65

i.g5 l:tf4 l:tt'S h5

i.b2 l:tf8+ l:tg8 i.d4

h6 cl;g4 :r4 l:le4+

cl;c7 ci;d7 �e6 l:lb8

White seems to be illogically driving the black king_ to where it wants to go. But in the given instance, calculation shows that, when Black's king is on the eighth rank, due to the threat of mate his rook is unable to leave that rank, in order to become active.

69 70 71 72 73 74

l:te7+ �5 ci;g6 llb7+ l:ld7

w

�g8 AflH ci;b8 �g8

. • •

lDc3

i.d3

e6 d5 i.b4

4 5 6

i.xe4 ..id3

dxe4 l£if6

6 i.f3 is better, as in the Euwe­

Mar6czy match (1921/22). As regards

the variation 6 i.gS c5 7 dxc5, initially Tarrasch played against Lasker (match, 1 908) 7 . . . i.xc3+ 8 bxc3 Was, and White gained a great advantage (9 ..ixf6 gxf6 10 'i'd4). Then in the same match Black played 7 . . . 'i'xd l + 8 .l:i.xdl lllbd7, and his position became the more promising.

6. 7 dxc5 8 i.d2 9 . i.b5+

c5 l£ibd7 lhxc5 l£icd7

9 . . i.d7 was simpler, of course, but Black avoids simplification and prefers to retain his light-square bishop. .

10 11 12 13

It is simplest to exchange the rooks.

74

e4 d4

This move does not set Black any difficult problems, and he easily equalises.

White's patience is rewarded - his pawn majority on the kingside is successfully realised.

65 66 67 68 69

Ad8 Black resigns

c;tb8

411

thfJ ..i.d3

.

0-0

l£ie4

a6

0-0

b6 iJ...e7

Again · avoiding an exchange. Now Black advantageously completes his development, and his queen's bishop will occupy the long diagonal.

14 15 16 17

We2 l:ladl .i.g5 c4

17 18 19 20

J:lfel lhxf6+ .th4

only be assumed that he was afraid of 23 ... gS 24 .i.g3 g4 25 t'Llel l:lxdl 26 .i.xd l l:ld8 with the threat of 27 ... .tb4, but this was hardly dangerous for him.

23 24 25 26 27

.i.b7 1'c7 l:lfe8

17 c3 was preferable, not weakening the central squares and tying the black pieces to the defence of the a6 pawn.

Aft .i.c2 .i.xf6

.ixf6 g6 Axd8 Axdl+

l:lad8 b6· lhxf6 .i.b4

Black has no reason to fear the ex­ change on f6, since his position in the centre is strengthened, and White is tmable to exploit the weakening of the kingside.

21 22 23

b3 l:lxd8 Adi il.xdl

Now Black has a clear advantage in the endgame. One observes the same motif as in the preceding game - a pawn majority on the ·kingside. It is true that here White's pawns on the queenside are not spoiled (he does not have doubled pawns), but the black pieces occupy dominating positions, and this will tie down the white pawns.

27

28

Wc6 .i.e7

It would have been more logical to exchange on f6 when the black bishop was at b4. White gives his opponent the advantage · of the two bishops, without gaining any compensation for it. It can

29 30 31

lhel lhc2 lhe3 lhd5

32 33 34

g3 h4 .i.c2

es e4 1!fd6 Wd4 .i.g5

After 3 1. . ..i.xdS 32 cxd5 Wxd5 3 3 .ic2 a draw would have been inevitable.

4 12

f5 .i.d8 rt.>f7

Here too, of course, Black is not tempted by 34 . . ..i.xd5 35 cxd5, since after 35 . . . b5 36 'ii'd l 'ifxdl+ 37 .i.xdl ¢;f7 38 a4 White succeeds in defending his d5 pawn, and the opposite-colour bishops would have played their peace­ making role.

35

'ifdl

36 37 38

.i.xdl l£if4+ �

�e6 �6 g5

39 40 41

hxg5+ l£id5+ a4

hxg5 �e5 �d4

The centralised enemy queen cannot be tolerated for long, but it is for the endgame that Black is aiming. 'ffxdl+ 35

43 44 45 46

�1 �gl �g2

..t.e8 ilf7

47 48 49

� gxf4 l£ixf4

f4! gxf4

49 50 51 52

i.dl .1g4 .ile6

52 53 54 55

t£ixe6 l£id4+ tt:)f5

.i.d7 a5!

After fixing the weak pawn at b3 (and hence also the one at a4), with the following pawn sacrifice Black secures the breakthrough of his king on the queenside. The same aim could not have been ·achieved by 46 ... b5 on account of 47 axb5 axb5 48 l£ib4! �c3 49 tl'ic6 etc.

Otherwise there would nothing for White to move.

The main strategic idea of the game begins to be exploited.

soon

be

�c3 @d2 @cl

White pins his last hopes on the exchange of bishops.

.ilxe6 J..e7 �c3 ..t.f8

The black pieces have taken up the key positions, and the knight at d5 only appears to be well placed.

42 43

i.e2 �g2

J..c8

Another plan involved playing the king across to c2, but it too had its drawbacks.

413

Again the bishop has to keep to the edge of the board, so . that the white ·

knight is unable to attack it, gaining a tempo.

56 57 58 59 60 61

lllgJ �e2 lllxe4 e2 'it>d6 49 @d3 f5 50 f3 �c6 5 1 g4 �b5 52 l:ld4 a4 53 �c2 a3 54 'it>bl l:la4 55 .l:.d6 hxg4 56 .l:.xg6 gxf3, and Black must win. �f5 46 fJ!

AcJ b3 Axc7 %la7

47

.

g4+!

Now it is inevitable that either the black pawns on the kingside will be weakened, or White will create a passed pawn. Whereas in the variation from the previous note the pawn position was 'dead', here the white pawns come alive.

47

.

. •

hxg4

If 47 . . . �g5, then 48 gxh5 �xh5 49

h4.

48

fxg4+

@es

49 50 51

h4! h5 gxh5

'itd5 gxh5 'ii?e6

52

h6

b5 53 l:lh4 .l:.h7 54 Ah5+ c.ti>b4 55 l:lh4+ it could have hidden from the checks either on the sixth rank, when the a-pawn is not dangerous, or on the first rank, but then l:lh2-h4, and the a­ pawn is lost. The position of the white king at g l is the optimal one for pur­ suing the opponent's king.

416

3 4

tbf3

bl

d5 g6

5 6

.ltb2 .ltg2 0-0

Ag7 0-0 lt)bd7

8

1!fc2

9 9

lt)cJ ...

This is a sounder continuation than 4 . . . .i.f5 .

53

llg4!

53 54 55 56

ltf4 llg4 llf4

:a6 lla7 'it>g8

llxf6 Af2 Aa2

a4 Wh7 Wxh6 'it>g5

Cutting off the black king from the hpawn. 'itif8

The draw is now obvious, but Black still wants to try a pawn sacrifice.

57 58 59 60 61

@f2

lt)f8!

.

'it>e3 Draw agreed

Game 240

cxd5 cxd5 11 ttJb5. But now both 10 . . . d4 and 10 . . . e5 are threatened. 10 cxd5 cxd5 11 lbb5 achieves nothing, if only because of 1 1 . . . .i.d7. Therefore, although White's next move is the most natural, the initiative nevertheless passes to Black.

10

M.Botvinnik-G.Stablberg

d4

.ltf5

It becomes clear that the move 8 'iiic2

Olympiad, Moscow 1956 Reti Opening

c4 g3

Subsequently it transpired that this move was no better than others, but apparently White could not in fact have gained an opening advantage. 8 l:le8 9 .. e5 was premature in view of IO

Although everyone predicted that White would lose, a 'miracle' occurred.

1 2

7 With the development of the bishop at g7, the fianchetto of the queen's bishop seems the most sensible, so that Black usually plays 7 . . .b6. Stahlberg, however, had devised another plan, and he delays the development of his bishop from c8. Later he tries to provoke d2d4, in order to have the possibility of attacking White's central pawn with . . . e7-e5 .

was not very timely.

11 12

lt)f6 c6

The best reply to the variation chosen by White. 417

1icl .:.dl

lt)e4 lt)xc3

Black incorrectly goes in for simplifi­ cation, thereby losing his advantage. 12 ... l:tc8 should have been played.

13 14

.txc3 �1

14 15 16 17 18

'it>xg2 1!fc2 .tb2 Aacl

.ie4

After 14 .th3 .txf3 1 5 exf3 . e6 White's two bishops would not have given him any advantage.

.ixg2 tLld7 11t'c7 l:lac8 dxc4

�xc4 tLld3

dxe5

.txe5

22

b4

b5

23

bxa5

23 24

tLlxe5

A clever reply. If 22 . . . 1!fc7, then 23 tLlxe5 ltixe5 24 'i!fc3 would have been unpleasant for Black (24 . . . f6 25 e4 followed by f2-f4).

Black is still aiming for . . . e7-e5, in order to gain counterplay, and for the moment he parries the threat of 19 cxd5 . The latter, however, would have been more simply achieved by 1 8 . . . 'i'b8.

19 20

21

Stahlberg had been intending, of course, to play 2 1 . . . ltixe5 22 ltixe5 ii.xe5, until he noticed that there follows 23 Ad7 Af8 24 b4, winning a piece. But now if 22 tLlxe5 ltixe5 23 .txe5 1!fxe5 24 Ad7 there is the · saving reply 24 . . . Ae7.

The simplest solution, since in the ending White's advantage will become more apparent. It will be hard for Black to defend his weak queenside pawns.

1!fa5

. • •

bxc4

Also good was 24 Axc4 .txb2 25 ltixb2 Axe2 26 Axd7 Axb2 27 a4 followed by Af4.

24 25

20

•

•

•

e5

•

.

•

h3

tLlxe5

Such a 'fine' knight in the centre of the board is left without a single retreat square. If now 25 . . . c5, then 26 Ad5 tLlc6 27 l:.xc5 Axe2 28 .td4, and Black cannot avoid defeat.

Even so this is premature. It was correct first to exchange queens 20 ... 1!fd5+ 2 1 f3 'i'xc4 22 l:txc4, and only thenplay 22 . . . e5 (but not 22 . . .lbb6 23 Ac2 lbd5 24 'it>f2 .th6 25 ii.c l, which would have been in White's favour) . After the move in the game, which involved a miscalculation, Black ends up in a difficult position.

25 26

...

27

l:tbl

..icJ Or 26 ... f6 27 Ad6.

Abs Ae7

Now White wrests control of the b­ file in order to invade the enemy position.

418

27

28

29

J:lxbl a6

11.xbl f6 c5

This too does not save Black.

My friend Stahlberg usually found himself playing Black, I would gain a positional advantage, a favourable end­ ing would be reached, . and even his desperate resistance would not save him from defeat.

38

Axb6

38 39 40 41

l::tf7 l::txf6+ l::tfJ

42

e4!

3 8 l:.xh7 was probably weaker on account of 38 . . . ttld5 39 a7 c3.

®xb6 @xa6 'it>b5 l::td8

4 1 . .. l%a8 42 a3 'it.?c6 43 d2 c.ftd5 was more tenacious, but here too with 44 l::tc3 ! followed by f2-f4, g3-g4 and f4-f5 White would have created a passed pawn on the kingside.

30 31 32

l:lb8+! lks �

32 33

l:tc6+

The only plan that leads to a win. White must immediately advance his passed pawn and support it with his rook. After 42 a3 l:!d4 43 h4 h6 44 l::tc3 h5 45 f3 'it>a4 ! 46 e4 l:!d3 47 :txc4+ c.ftb5 Black can successfully defend.

@f7

42

/i)d7

The e2 pawn has to be defended, and simultaneously White's king approaches the centre, and hence also the queenside. •

•

•

®e6 ®ds

In this way Black loses his a7 pawn, but even after the repetition of the position - 33 . .. @n 34 l:lc7 @e6 - the consequences would have been the same.

34 35 36 37

l:lc7 :xa7 Jla5 ®el

�d6 :!e8

®c6

In time trouble White chooses the safest continuation. 37 l:tc7+ 'it.?d6 38 a7 c3 39 ®e l lbe5 would have led to complications. ·

37

•

•

•

/i)b6

•

•

•

l:t.d4

Or 42 .. J:te8 43 l:le3 c3 44 c.ftdl.

43

e5

43 44 45 46

l::te3 f4 e2

Of course, not 43 l:!e3 in view of 43 . . . c3, when Black exchanges one of his devalued doubled pawns for White's passed pawn.

c.ftc6 d7 We6

Black is in zugzwang (for example, 46 . .. h5 47 h4 ®e7 48 l:lc3 and then a2a4). If instead 46 ... g5, then 47 f5+ 'itrxf5 48 e6 l:ld8 49 i e7 l:!e8 50 a4 @f6 5 1 a5, and after the exchange on e7 the black king is not in l;ime to stop the a-pawn. In the game too matters are decided by the advance of the passed rook's pawn, after which the black rook has to aban­ don its comfortable post on the fourth rank.

419

be considered proven that 3 ... c6 is preferable. But if White plays 2 tllc 3, then this idea is not justified, as was shown by the 9th game of the Botvinnik-Tal return match (196 1).

4 5 6 7 8

cxd5 lllcJ tlltJ 0-0 aJ

lllxd5 tllb6 tllc6 i.e7

8

. . .

0-0

The immediate 8 d3 is also played here.

46 47 48 49

a4 l:.aJ �dl

:ds l:.b8 l:lb2+

Since White's intention of playing b2-b4 is obvious, Black should have made the prophylactic move 8 . . .a5, as Portisch played against me in a similar position in Monte Carlo ( 1968).

Only not 49 'it>e3 because of 49 . . . l:l.g2 50 'it>f3 l:l.b2 with the threat of 5 1 .. Jlb3+.

49 50 51

a5 �d2

l:.b6 l:la6 g5

Black is forced to do something, although he again ends up in zugzwang.

52 53 54 55

gxf4 ¢ic3 c.fild5 gxf4 l:lal h5 h4 Black resigns

9 10 11

b4 d3 tlle4

a6 i.e6 h6

12

.ib2

f5

This is merely a loss of time and a weakening of the castled position, since the white knight is aiming not for g5, but for c5.

Game 24 1

M.Botvinnik-0.Benkner O�vmpiad, Moscow 1956 English Opening

1 c4 2 g3 . 3 i.g2

e5 tllf6 d5

Thanks to the efforts of Keres, it can

This looks active, but now Black's game is positionally lost, primarily

420

24

because he is no longer able to set up a reliable barrier on the al -h8 diagonal. 13 lbcs .txc5

14

bxc5

14 15 16

Act lbh4!

16 17 18 19

f4 gxf4 'ifel

l:lcel

Another defender of the central e5 pawn has disappeared from the board

lbd7 1We7

Indirectly parrying the attack on the c5 pawn (in view of the threat of 17 lbg6), but more important - preparing f2-f4, to open the long diagonal.

'iffi exf4 Aad8 .td5

The bishop cannot move from e4, since there follows 25 l:lxe7, but it is also not possible to defend it.

It is naive to imagine that White will agree to the exchange of bishops; subse­ quently the central strike e2-e4 will be made with ·gain of tempo. But for the moment this would have been prema­ ture: 20 e4 fx.e4 21 dxe4 .tc4, and the c5 pawn is in danger. 1 9 ... ttJf6 may have been better.

20

... 11fg3

lbe7

Olympiad, Moscow 1956

•

•

•

King's Indian Defence

g6

1 2 3 4 5

d4 c4 g3 .tg2 lbcJ

lbf6 g6 .tg7 0-0 d6

6

lbf3

c5

e4!

It will be remembered that 5 ... c5 occurred in Game 232.

dxe4

6 . lbbd7 was examined for the last time in Game 210, and 6 . . . lbc6 in Game 239.

By sacrificing a pawn, White opens the position with decisive effect.

22 23

111xe4 l:txe4 llel 1Wxf4 lbe7 Black resigns Game 242

The f5 pawn is secure, but now there is not a single black piece or pawn remaining on the al-h8 diagonal.

22

25 26 27

M.Botvinnik-N.Padevsky

Again threatening the f5 pawn, since one of its defenders - the queen - is simultaneously saving Black from mate.

21

...

.th3!

The f5 pawn comes under attack.

20 21

1Wc4

24

Or 24 . . . lbxc5 25 Wc3 .

fxe4 .txe4

421

..

7

White is forced to exchange on d5: he cannot allow . . . d5-d4.

d5

The alternative and more rational continuation is 7 0-0 ll'ic6 8 d5 lba5; it is clear that the black knight will be better placed at c7 than at a5.

7 8 9

0-0 ll'id2

13 14 15

fi)a6 fi)c7

• • •

Wc2

ll'ifxd5 b6

But this simplification is unfounded. Now the exchange of light-square bishops also becomes inevitable. For the moment this could have been avoided by 1 5 liadl. As a result, White is deprived of any attacking possibilities.

9 a4 is recommended here, to prevent Black's counterplay on the queenside.

9 10

cxd5 .ilb2 fi)xd5

llb8

e5

15 16 17

The recommendation on the previous move by the Encyclopaedia is con­ firmed by the variation 10 ... b5 ! 1 1 cxb5 ll'ixb5 1 2 ll'ixb5 llxb5, in which Black achieves an equal position.

.ixg7 lladl

.i.xd5 �xg7

17 e4 would have weakened the central d4 square.

17 18 19

'it>xg2 fi)e4

.txg2 We7

An unconvincing continuation, since Black can easily defend his f6 square, and the knight at e4 is insecurely placed. However, White no longer had any promising continuations; in the given situation the pawn attack with e2-e4 and f2-f4 is too late. 19 20

11

dxe6

• • •

bl

.ixe6 d5

Black has nothing to fear, especially as he is slightly ahead in development.

•

•

b4

D.fd8 . llxdl

After this move certain hopes appear­ ed, and my mood improved somewhat. It became clear that my opponent had not seen one tactical subtlety. He evidently assumed that to gain a draw he only had to exchange the rooks. This would have been so, if Black had first made one more accurate move, 20 . . . f6.

Without the exchange on e6 it is hard for White to activate his pieces; e2-e4 is pointless, since it will inevitably be countered by . . . f7-f5 . But now Black is able to play . . . d6-d5, after which he does not have any particular difficulties.

11 12

•

21

llxdl

lld8

22

1!fb2+

f6

My suppositions are confirmed. It was not yet too late for 2 l...f6, although Black must then concede the d-file.

422

If 22 . . .�h6 there would have followed 23 tfu'6 ! with numerous threats (for example, if 23 . . . J:lxdl 24 lLig8+). After the move in the gatne Black loses two pawns.

Game 243

B.Larsen-M.Botvinnik Olympiad, Moscow 1956 Sicilian Defence

thf3 e4 d4 lhxd4 lllc3

c5 lhc6 cxd4 lfil6 d6

6 Ji.gs 7 '9°d2 8 .i.xf6 9 . :dl

e6 h6 gxf6

1 2 3 4 5

For the moment I had no reason to avoid the Rauzer Variation, since Games 1 84 and 2 1 5 had developed favourably for Black, and my encounter with Keres at the Alekhine Memorial Tournament (1 956), which brought dis­ illusionment, was still to come.

23

lLixf6!

f2

manoeuvre 14 ...ti)c7 and ... a7-a6 or . . . .id7-f5, but with doubled b-pawns and opposite-colour bishops, this advantage may not be decisive.

Game 247

M.Botvinnik-M.N ajdorf Moscow 1956 Nimzo-Indian Defence

1 2 J 4 5

d4 eJ ti)ge2

ti)f6 e6 Ab4 c5 d5

6

a3

cxd4

c4

Q)cJ

5 . . . cxd4 6 exd4 d5 leads to an equal game, but the reader already knows (Game 232) that Najdorf was not very strong in opening theory. Better is 6 ... .i.xc3+ 7 lbxc3 cxd4 8 exd4 dxc4 9 .i.xc4 CLJc6 10 .i.e3 0--0, as in the game Botvinnik-Tolush ( 1 965); now White has a solid advantage.

7 8

axb4 ti)xc3

dxc3 0-0

Should Black await another pawn exchange, or should he make it· himself? In the latter case (8 ... dxc4 9 'i'xd8+) he loses the right to castle, and his king may come under attack.

9

cxd5

ti)xd5!

White would have gained greater attacking possibilities, if the pair of knights had remained on the part.

10

ti)xd5

1!1xd5

11 ' 12 13

'i'xd5 iLd2 .ic3

exd5 .if5 ti)a6

This reduction of the opponent's attacking potential is also logical, although in the ending White has an undisputed advantage.

Black finds the correct method of play. It is hard for White to refuse the win of a pawn, in view of the possible

14 15

.ixa6 l1xa6

bxa6 .idJ!

17 18

cti>d2 l:tc5!

a6

18 19

g4

Seizing control of the b5 square and thereby blocking the white b-pawns. 16 l:la5 .ic4

The best post for the rook, from which it attacks the d5 pawn and con­ trols c7. And if Black should wish to ex­ change it, White will repair his pawns.

Afd8

Widening the front of the attack, which is aided by the fact that the black bishop is tied to the queenside. It was possible, of course, to win another pawn ( 1 9 'i&?c2 l:td7 20 e4 l:tad8 2 1 lldl .ie2 22 l:td2 .i.b5 23 exd5), but after the simple reply 23 . . . f6 it is not apparent how White can strengthen his position, since it is not possible to switch his bishop to the h2-b8 diagonal (e.g. 24 f3 d4 'ifi>e6 46 f4 .tc6 47 f5+ @fl 48 'iti>e3 .td7 49 �f4 .tc6 50 e5 .tb7. 50. . .fxe5+ 5 1 'it>xe5 .t.f3 52 xd7 16 l:hbl l£ic4 17 l:b7+ with an obvious advantage. 34

10

..teJ

It is in the endgame that White's advantage will be especially perceptible. 464

In passing he prevents the development of the black bishop at c5.

10 11

'iit>xdl

Black could not tolerate this un­ pleasant bishop any longer, but the exchange of bishops also comes into White's plans, since after this the d7 square is weakened and the activity of the white king increased.

f7

White would not have achieved anything with 23 .ixb6 .ixb6 24 l::td7+ d2 50 'iti>h2 because of 50 . . . 'ifi>d l ! Now he loses after 5 1 �g2 'ifte l , or 5 1 'ittgl 'ifte2, or 5 1 'it>h l f4, or, finally, 5 1 'iti>h3 'ifte2. But how is Black to win after 47 'ittfl ! ! 'iftd3 48 'ifte l f4 49 g4 (since 49 ...D 50 'iftdl 'ifte4 5 1 'iftd2 'iftf4 52 �d3 �xg4 53 r.Pe3 leads only to a draw)? Even so, there is a win: 49 . . . c2 50 e2 'iftc l ! 5 1 d3 (5 1 @e l f3) 5 1.. . 'iftd l 52 e4 'ifte2 53 f3 �f2 54 �5 @xf3 55 xg5 g3 . 2

2

23

(p.289) Why not 37 ... Wg3+ followed by 38 . . . 'ifxc3 ? (p.3 10) After 26 ... g5 27 'tlfc2 White does not win immediately: 27 ... h6, and 28 l:.xc7 can be answered by 28 . . . 'i'f4, threatening both 29. . . 'i'xc7 and 29 ... :td2.

24 (p.341) Several games, beginning with Timrnan-Hiibner (Montreal 1979) have suggested that the ending after 1 5 ... �xf7 16 dxe5 lf'id7 is quite playable for Black. 25 (p.371) After 43 'i'h6 Black has a surprising defence: 43 . . J 1f5 ! 44 exf5 'ifxd5+ with perpetual check. 43 'i'h4 is stronger: 43 . . . 'i'f6 44 l:Xxf8+ 'i'xf8 45 Wxg5+. But in any case 42 . . . 'iff6 looks a better defence (than 42 . . . !tg5): 43 f3 l:!g5 44 Wh6 cJiie7 45 :xIB 'i'xf'8 46 1!fxg5+ 'i'f6. 26

(p.382) It is not clear why only 47 . . . 'ifte7 is considered (after 48 'iWg5 ! 'ifte6 etc. Black has simply wasted a precious tempo) . Why not the obvious 47 ... !txa2, when Black not only creates the counter-threat of . . . e4-e3, but also has the defensive manoeuvre . . . . . .ltc2-c7, hailing the h-pawn?

27

(p.391) 3 1 gxh6+ wins immediately.

28

(p.406) After 55 'ifte2 'iftg4 (or 55 ... 'iftg3 56 .te l + '1t>g4 57 'ittf2) 56 'itf2 it isn't clear that White has to give up his bishop for the h-pawn, and the position after 56 ...d4 57 exd4 'iti>xf4 would appear to be a theoretical draw.

29 (p.440) The 'favourable' queen ending after 48 Ml would appear to be easily won for Black after 48 . . . Vf5+ 49 �gl (if 49 e l or 49 'ifte2, then 49 . . . 'itth2) 49... 'i!ff4 (50 'i'e6+ g4).

493

30

(p.460) In fact after 25 ...hS 26 h3 White appears to win material (26 . . . 'i'e2 27 · l:tfel).

31

(p.460) I don't think that there any 'unclear complications' . Black seems obliged to force a draw by 29 . . . 'i'h5+ 30 gl 1!i'c5+.

32

(p.46 1) 17 tLie7+ tLixe7 18 f5 is perhaps more convincing

33

(p.462) After 3 1 . . . �xc6 32 l:txd5 �xd5 I don't think that Black is losing - he has more than sufficient compensation for the queen!

34

(p.464) After 17 ... c6 is White's advantage really so obvious? - 18 l:ixf7 (or 18 l:labl tLixa3 19 l:U b3 tLlc2 and it is doubtful whether White's positional compensation is worth two pawns) 1 8. . . tLle5 19 l:U4 ile7, with the threats of . . . �g5 and ... g7-g5.

494

Index of Openings

Open Games Four Knights. Game. C48 - 138; C49 183. King's Gambit. C36 - 207. Ruy Lopez. C75 - 245; C77 - 1 30; C79 - 148; C86 - 145. Three Knights Gaine. C46 - 129.

Semi-Open Games Caro-Kann Defence. B14 - 123. Centre Cowiter Opening. BOl - 204. French Defence. COO - 162; COl 163, 248; C04 - 1 37; C05 - 206; ClO - 165; Cl5 - 228, 229, 238; Cl7 - 166, 2 18, 234; C l 8 - 181; Cl9 - 125, 136, 143 , 235. Sicilian Defence. B20 - 171; B24 223; B25 - 224; B5 l - 1 72; B59 124; B62 - 146, 180; B63 - 184, 2 1 5, 243 ; B73 - 160; B84 - 128; B88 - 246.

Closed Games Catalan Opening. EOO - 159. Dutch Defence. A84 - 169, 187, 188; A9 1 - 186; A94 - 185, 1 99; A95 1 58, 1 74. English Opening. A20 - 237; A21 -

C48 etc.

are Encyclopaedia

250; A29 - 24 1; A30 - 2 1 1 ; A34 1 52; A37 - 244; B20 - 1 98. Griinfeld Defence. D70 - 1 92; D74 170, 190; D87 - 147; D93 - 2 14; D94 - 202; D95 - 168; D98 - 1 57, 1 77. King's Indian Attack. A04 - 226; A07 - 20 1 ; AOS - 251. King's Indian Defence. E6 1 - 225, 227; E64 - 242: E65 - 232; E66 - 2 13, 239; E68 - 1 50, 210; E85 - 200. Nimzo-Indian Defence. E26 - 197; E28 - 178; E35 - 134; E36 - 1 5 1 ; E40 - 173, 2 1 7: E42 - 233, 247; E44 - 1 22; E45 - 193, 196, 2 19; E5 1 - 1 94. Queen's Gambit. D06 - 182; D35 149, 164; 036 - 208; D4 1 - 132, 133; D53 - 1 53 ; 054 - 203. Queen's Gambit Accepted. D22 - 142, 220; D27 - 1 6 1 . Queen's Indian Defence. E l4 - 139; E I S - 156. Reti Opening. A06 - 1 4 1 ; A09 - 135; A l l - 240; A 13 - 126, 176, 205; A l4 - 1 9 1 , 230, 249. Slav Defence. D l 3 - 1 55, 167, 209; D I S - 140, 222; 030 - 2 1 2; D44 1 3 1 , 154, 195, 221 ; D45 - 127, 189, 2 16; 046 - 144, 175, 236; D 47 23 1 ; 049 - 179.

of Chess Openings codes

Numbers refer to games 495

Already published: Mikhail Botvinnik: Botvinnik' s Best Games Volume 1 1925- 194 1

In preparation: Mikhail Botvinnik: Botvinnik' s Best Games Volume 3 1957- 1970

496

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E: 29 · 99 r)