April 9, 2017 | Author: Olajide Baba Eniayo Tobun | Category: N/A
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Vladimir Thkmakov
Risk & Bluffin Chess The Art ofTaking Calculated Risks
New In Chess 2015
© 20 1 5 New In Chess
Published by New In Chess, Alkrnaar, The Netherlands www.newinchess.com All rights reserved. Νο part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher. Translated by Steve Giddins from the original book Risk i Blef v Shαkhmatαkh (20 1 5).
Cover design: Volken Beck Supervisor: Peter Boel Proofreading: Rene Olthof Production: Anton Schermer Have you found any errors in this book? Please send your remarks to
[email protected]. We will collect all relevant corrections on the Errata page of our website www.newinchess.com and implement them in a possible next edition. ISBN: 97 8-90-569 1 -595-7
Contents
Explanation of Symbols From the Author Introduction
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Chapter 1
Mikhail Tal: The Start of a New Era
Chapter 2
Bluff in the Openingo
Chapter 3
The Madness of the Brave
Chapter 4
The Logic of the Irrational
Chapter 5
By Right of the Strong
Chapter 6
Masculine Desperation
Chapter 7
In the Grip of Passion
Chapter 8
When a Win is the Only Acceptable Result
Chapter 9
The Last Chance!o
Index of Games
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6 7
12
23 49 82
124 144 15 7 186 196 209
222
5
Explanation of Symbols
The chessboard with its coordinates: 8 7 6 5 4
!!
3 2
?? !?
a b c d e f g h Ο White to move
Black to move Φ King 'iV Queen 1::r Rook � Bishop tb Knight 8
6
?!
;t + ± + +-+ 00
#
good move excellent move bad move blunder interesting move dubious move White stands slightly better Black stands slightly better White stands better Black stands better White has a decisive advantage Black has a decisive advantage balanced position unclear mate
From the Author Ίf you wαnt to show your opponent thαt 2χ2=5, you still need to understαnd thαt in reαlity 2χ2=4, αnd thαt you αre tαking α risk.'
Mikhail Tal Bluff is a term in card games. It is an integral part of poker, and makes the game attractive to millions of followers. Both in cards and in life generally, bluff is based on the fact that the opponent does not have complete information about your real possibilities. In poker, the players are only sure of the value of their own hand, and can only judge the rest on the basis of indirect signs. In life even more is unknown. Mistakes in opening preparation. Or a risky sacrifice from a simple oversight. Only the players themselves know the truth about what happened. By way of illus tration, here are two remarkable examples, which could have graced this book but which, alas, failed to pass the strict criteria for inclusion. The first was played in a World Championship match and played a significant role in the history of chess. Game1
Anatoly Karpov (2720) Garry Kasparov (2701) Moscow Wch
m
1 985 (16)
1 .e4 c5 2.lbf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lbxd4 tbc6 5.%5 d6 6.c4 lbf6 7.lb1 c3 a6 8.tba3
Later, however, it was found that as early as 1965, Peter Dely had already played this amazing pawn sacrifice in the Hungarian championship against lM Karoly Honfi. The eventful game petered out into a draw.
9.cxd5 exd5 1 O.exd5 lbb4 1 1 .�e2 8 ... d5!?
An astonishing opening discovery by Kasparov! This position had been seen hundreds of times before, but at the time the idea to sacrifice a pawn here seemed totally new.
In Game 1 2, faced with a surprise, Karpov had played the safest move 1 l . �c4, but his opponent demonstrated a convincing way to equalise: 1 l . .. �g4 1 2.�e2 �xe2 13.�xe2+ '5'e7 14.�e3 tbbxdS and a draw was agreed within a 7
Risk & Bluff in Chess
few moves. His opponent would natu rally have been fully armed against this latest try. 1 1 ... �c5?!
This ambitious but risky decision would undoubtedly have been prepared at home. The more cautious ll ... ..te7 12.�f3 .tfs would have given Black chances to equalise, but with no winning chances. Kasparov is in aπ extremely aggressive mood.
1 2.0-0?!
Black's 1 1th move was a complete sur prise to Karpov aπd, true to himself, he chooses the safest liπe. But White had available a much stronger move, which would have placed his opponent's idea in doubt. n . .te3! i!.xe3 1 3.1i'a4+ lbd7?! (stronger is 13 ... �d7! 14.'ifxM 'ti'b6 1 S.�xb6 �xb6 aπd the bishop pair gives Black reasonable chances of saviπg himself) 14.'ti'xb4 (14.fxe3!) 14 ... ..tcs 1 S.�e4+ �f8 16.0-0. Karpov demoπstrated all of this when he was already ex-World Champion, iπ a game agaiπst John van der Wiel (Brussels 1 986) . Admittedly, he did not manage to win this game either - this variation really was aπ unlucky one for him! 1 2 ... 0-0 1 3. �f3 �f5
8
Black has superb piece play for the sac rificed pawπ, and Kasparov goes on to wiπ in a very striking manπer. 1 4. �g5 .:r.ea 1 5. 'ii'd2 b5 1 6. .1:r.ad1 tbd3 1 7.tlJab1 h6 1 8.�h4 b4 1 9. ttJa4 �d6 20. �g3 .:r.ce 21 .b3 g5 22 . ..bd6 'ifxd6 23.g3 tbd7 24. �g2 'iff6 25.a3 a5 26.axb4 axb4 27. 'ifa2 �g6 28.d6 g4 29. 'ifd2 Φg7 30.f3 'ifxd6 31 .fxg4 'ifd4+ 32. Φh1 ltJf6 33 . .1:r.f4 ltJe4 34. 'ifxd3 ltJf2+ 35.:Xf2 �xd3 36. .1:r.fd2 'ife3 37.:Xd3 .l:r.c1 38.ltJb2 1i'f2 39.tbd2 0-1 :Xd1 + 40.ltJxd1 .l:r.e1 +
This looks like a classic example of bluff in the opening. Kasparov played 1 1 . . . �cS with a confideπt look, couπt ing on the surprise value, and it worked. Without knowing the truth, it would be easy to assume that his team had scru pulously worked out all the details aπd analysed in detail all the possible risks. The bluff worked to perfectioπ and one can only feel pleased with oneself. But the reality is rather differeπt. Ιπ their preparatioπs, Kasparov and his team had completely overlooked 12.�e3!, and Black was just lucky that his opponeπt took him at his word. So, sad as it was, Ι had to reject this example. However, this is not aπ uπu sual story and we will have to return to
From the Author
it agaiη later ση. It is quite likely that if Kasparσv had seeη the strσηgest reply iη his preparatiσηs, it wσuld alsσ have σccurred to Karpσv at the bσard. Over the bσard, the players fiηd themselves eηgaged iη a highly eηergetic mutual activity, where ideas seem to cσmmu ηicate themselves frσm σηe player to aησther. Withσut a sigηal frσm his σppσηeηt, White did ησt seek a refutatiση, aηd limited himself to the simplest deci siση. But this is aησther, aηd very iηter estiηg story.
but ση the σther, it wiηs him the game. After the calm 79.cl ! it wσuld be very hard fσr Black to streηgtheη his pσsi tiση. Νσw, hσwever, the value σf every mσve iηcreases sharply. 79 ...dxe4 80.f5!
Carlseη's task wσuld have beeη rather simpler after 80.e3 1::f.b 2; σr 80.d5 .J::tb s.
The secoηd example lσst to this bσσk cσmes frσm deep iη the eηdgame. Game 2
Fabiano Caruana (2773) Magnus Carlsen (2843) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2012 (1)
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ΔΦ The Nσrwegiaη had already speηt a lσηg time squeeziηg blσσd frσm a stσηe, iη his customary maηηer, ie. realisiηg a very small pσsitiσηal advaηtage. Just wheη it seems White has sσlved all his prσblems, there fσllσwed the uηex pected 79.:Xe4
It is very difficult to give this mσve a defiηite assessmeηt. Οη the σηe haηd, it places White ση the edge σf defeat,
80. �g2? ..
The mσve which misses the wiη. The desire to advaηce the kiηg is quite uηderstaηdable, but it was esseηtial first to activate the rσσk. 80 ... .1::tb2! wiηs iη all variatiσηs: 8l .d5 (8I .f6 g2! 82.f7 (σr 82.e3 .1::txc2 83.�g5 c3 84.xe4 Ir.e2+ 8S.fs c2 86.f7 1:ίf2+ 87. .if4 cl iV 88.f8"iV l:Ixf4+ 89.gxf4 g3) 82 ... .!::tb 8 83.e3 (83.�e7 f2) 83 ... 1:ίf8 84.xe4 �xf7 8S.ds c3 86.c4 f3-+) 8 1 . .. 1:ίb5 82.e3 .l::txdS 83.xe4 .I::!'.d 2-+. Alsσ gσσd is 80 ... 1:ίbl !. The variatiσηs here are ησt very cσmplicated: 8 1 .[6 (8I .e3 1:tel+ 82.d2 (82.f4 e3 83.f6 g2 84.e4 e2 8S.e3 c3 86.f7 �fl 87.xe2 �xf7 88.d3 �f3+ (88 ...f3 89.xc3 e4)) 82 ... 1:ίfl 83.f6 g2 84.e3 .!::f.e l+ 8S.d2 f2 86.f7 c3+) 8 I . .. g2 82.e3 1:lel+ 83.f4 e3 84.e4 e2 8S.e3 �cl 86.xe2 z:f.xc2+-+ 87.di �c3. Black shσuld wiη iη all cases. 9
Risk & Bluff in Chess
81 .�3 .C.b2?
One move earlier, this move would have won, but now it is the decisive mistake. There was still a draw after 8 1 . .. 1::f.b l! 82.Wxe4 .J::f.c l 83.f6 �xc2 84.Wd5! c3 85.Wc4 I:f.cl 86.f7 .Jd.fl 87.Wxc3 Ι:ίχf7. The same position could be reached with the more effective 8 l . .. �b3+ 82.Wxe4 1:lc3. 82.d5 :Xc2 83.d6
Surprisingly, there is no way to save the game. 83 ... c3 84.d7 .C.d2 85.dθ'it' :Χdθ 86. .txd8 h4 87.gxh4 g3 θθ.fβ c2 89. ..td2 e3+ 90. ..txc2 e2 91 . .b5
Black resigned.
Here also, the situations seems clear enough. White, fed up with passive defence and not believing he could hold the game, decided to bluff his oppo nent, and it worked brilliantly. In real ity, though, as Caruana himself admit ted, he thought that his passed pawns and active king would give him coun terplay. This indeed happened, but only as a result of Black 's weak play. Bravery and enterprise brought White his reward, but can we really say this was a case of deliberate risk? It seems to me that we cannot. Thus another apparently convincing example was lost to this book.
As we have seen, then, the presence of outward signs of bluff is not sufficient. The reality can turn out to be an elementary oversight or an incorrect assessment of the position, rather than a carefully-thought out decision to bluff. The ideal situation is to have the player's personal confirmation of what he was thinking, preferably signed in triplicate and officially notarised! Alas, though, this is unrealistic. Partly, this is because some of the players involved in the examples given are no longer around to answer our questions. And partly, it is because people inevitably tend to embellish their thoughts and feelings. Even so, in many of the examples given in this book, we do have such personal confirmations from the players. Ι should like to thank my many colleagues, who greatly helped me with their recollections or striking episodes in their chess ca reers. This expression of gratitude may serve as a kind of replacement of the usual bibliography, which you will find lacking in the back of this book. Ι should especially like to thank Mark Dvoretsky and Adrian Mikhalchishin, who generously shared examples from their own widely-drawn card indexes of posi tions. Those remarkable players Lev Psakhis, Veselin Topalov, Shakhriyar Mamed yarov, Teimour Radjabov, Pavel Elianov, Alexander Moiseenko and Andrey Volokitin not only recalled games of their own, which were relevant to our theme, but also tried their hardest to reconstruct the precise psychological circumstances of their decisions. And, of course, Genna Sosonko, as always, dredged up from the depths of his memory several fascinating stories. Α number of the striking examples of bluff have appeared in various articles and books and have become part of folklore, and they too find a place in the pages of the present volume. Sometimes the moves seem so eloquent to the author that he has independently interpreted the players' intentions. Ι hope Ι will not be judged too severely for such lese-majeste. The examples have been split into chapters, but this is sometimes somewhat arbitrary, since many of the examples have features which could make them belong 10
From the Author
to several different chapters. Some games are given in full, others only as fragments, where they have relevance to a certain theme. This decision is also the author's own and reflects his tastes and interests. In general, Ι should like to caution readers that my book does not pretend to any special scientific value. Risk and bluff in chess is more of aπ emotional concept than a scientific one. The author has not concealed his own emotions. Many diagrams have been formulated as a test. In this way, the book can also be seen as a textbook for trainers and players. In conclusion, Ι should like to say a few warm words of thanks to my tireless assis tant, without him this work would probably never have seen the light of day. As in my previous books, Ι call him my Silicon Friend, or SF. But Ι now look on him as something of a different personality from that in my previous books. Α certain irony and scepticism on my part has given way to respect and understanding. This is not only because he has grown stronger over the years, but also because Ι myself have changed. When you work with someone for a long period of time, you start to appreciate not only that person's obvious achievements, but also certain inevita ble weaknesses, which we all have. We expect the same attitude from our readers - demanding, but at the same time, understanding. Because we understand that nobody is proof against mistakes. Vlαdimir Tukmαkov Odessα, Ukrαine, April 2 Ο 1 5
11
Risk
&
Bluff in Chess
lntroduction Risk is an essential component in any game - its nerve and drive. Chess, one of the most remarkable of all games, is no exception. Throughout time, there have been players who preferred the storm to the calm. But when we speak of carefully calculated risk, used as a technique, as part of a player's style, then there are far fewer such players. The first who comes to mind is Emanuel Lasker, who viewed chess as first and foremost a game. The legendary World Champion did not give great attention to the opening, but in the middlegame he was prepared to exploit methods which astonished both players and experts alike. Sometimes, his methods seemed so at odds with established understanding that his contemporaries saw them as deliber ate provocation or even bluff. However, it was rare that one of his risky ideas was placed under serious doubt. What was the secret of his successes? Let us try to see, with the help of the following example: Game 3
Emanuel Lasker Frank Marshall United States Wch
m
1 907 (2)
ο
How should we assess this position?
the eyes of a modern grandmaster, the chances of the two sides look roughly equal. Lasker took a decision which both his own generation and later observers considered extremely risky. 1 8. 'ifg4+!
SF, however, thinks this move is the strongest and does not see any particu lar risk. One might well ask how one can argue with the cold and emotion less computer. But even what seems to me to be the most natural continuation, 18.1::f.fel gS! 19.'ifh2 fS, looks very sus picious to the human player, yet here too, the computer sees nothing to be afraid of. 1 8...f5 1 9....xg7 .:[g8?!
The then World Championship candi dates Tarrasch and Janowski were by no means the last people to claim that White's position is extremely difficult. Lasker, however, both during the game and in subsequent discussions, con sidered that his position was perfectly defensible. Looking at the diagram with 12
But this natural move is clearly not best. He should have played 1 9...t2Jd2! 20.t2Jxd2 �g8 2 I .t2Jf4! (a good zwischenzug, although even with the direct 2 1 .'iig3 �xg3 22.fxg3, which is indeed what Lasker had intended, White should hold) 2l ...'ifd6 22 .'fff7 'ifxf4 23 . .ίd.adl r!g6 after which there is 24.g3 !.
Introduction
Δ Δ Δ CiJ 1:, analysis diagram
Forcing Black to repeat the position after 24... �xg3+, for if 24... 1:ίdg8? 25.�hl . 24.�hl 'i:Vgs 2S.g3 tt:Jes 26.�b3 'ifhs is dangerous. 20.1/fhβ tbd2
Now this move is not so effective. Admittedly, even after 20 ... 1::f.g6 2 l .'irνf4 .ί:ιdg8 22.lLJh4 lLJgS 23.�hl White retains the advantage. 21 . 11fxd2 11fxf3 22.g3 h5 23. 'iff4 'ifd5 24.1Σfe1 1Σde8
Nor does he get anything from 24...h4 2S.'i:Vxh4 l:lh8 26.'i:Vf6 1:lxh3 27.'i:Ve6+. 25 . .:Xe8+ 27.'ifg5
.:Χeθ
26.1Σe1
1Σe4
that is another subject. In general, the impression one gets from this example is that two players of different classes were facing one another. And with all due respect to Frank Marshall, this is exactly what chess history confirms. So, the phenomenon of Lasker can be easily explained: he was head and shoulders above most of his rivals, in his under standing of the game. Moves which his contemporaries considered to be bluffs or tricks were in most cases simply the objectively best moves in that concrete position. In reality, the first great player to use risk and bluff as a way of confusing and disorienting his opponents was Alexan der Alekhine. Several of his decisions, even to this day, astonish one by their courage and paradoxical nature. Game 4
Alexander Alekhine Aaron Nimzowitsch Bled 1 931 (6)
1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tbc3 �b4 4.tlJe2
The further course of the game is not of any special interest from the viewpoint of our subject. Lasker easily realised his advantage. What conclusions can we draw from looking at this example? From the viewpoint of the modern player, influ enced by his unceasing work with the ruthless computer, Lasker's play does not seem that risky. Yes, he went in for a very committal decision, but it was dictated by the logic of the struggle. SF also confirms that there was not a single moment when White was ever worse. On the other hand, Black's play can be criticised in many ways, but
Alekhine comments: Ά completely harmless move, but Ι chose it because Ι know that in such positions, Nimzowitsch often displays excessive greed, for which he ought to be pun ished '. Both in his moves and in his comments, one detects a certain chutz13
Risk &. Bluff in Chess
pah, which is an essential part of suc cessful bluff. 4 ...dxe4 5.a3 bc3+ 6.tίJxc3 f5
9... tbf6!
The most active continuation. Other moves lead to a worse game for Black. For example, 9... lt::Jc6 IO.lLJbS 1Ve4+ 1 1 .ke3! or 9...lt::Je 7!? I O.�e3! 1Vf6 1 1 .0-0-0!. 1 0. 1i'xg7
And here is that 'excessive greed' of which Alekhine spoke. The natural 6 ...lt::Jc 6 leads to a roughly equal posi tion, but how bad is the text move? 7.f3!?
7.kf4!? lt::Jf6 8.f3 0-0 (8... exf3 9.'ifxf3 'iVxd4? I O.lt::JbS+-, Alekhine) 9.fxe4 lt::Jxe4 IO.lt::Jxe4 fxe4 1 l .'ifd2 lt::Jd 7 hap pened in a previous game Thomas Nimzowitsch, Marienbad 1925. Black has adequate play, but White also has nothing to complain about. However, the World Champion is after more. 7...exf3 8. 'ifxf3 1i'xd4
The position has become much sharper. How should Black play?
1 0... 1i'e5+!
Alekhine regarded this as the losing move, and suggested as strongest I O ... l:tg8! 1 I .'ifxc7 lt::Jc 6. This position is certainly unclear, but the move in the game is also very reasonable. Thus, Nimzowitsch's 'greed' is perfectly jus tifiable, although Alekhine's confidence in his own assessment is also quite cor rect. Without this, risk and bluff are much less effective. 1 1 . ..te2 :ga
Worse is 13.�f4±.
1 1 ... lt::Jg4
1 2.�xe5
lt::JxeS
1 2. 1i'h6 :g6
12 ... 1:txg2? 13.�g5! lt::Jbd7 leads to a quick collapse.
14.0-0-0
1 3. 1i'h4 .td7!? 9.1i'g3!
After 9.lt::Jb S!? Black has the possibil ity of 9...'ifh4+ (the other defence is 9...�eS+!? I O.�e2 lt::Ja6) IO.g3 'ife7.
He loses after 1 3 ... 1:f.xg2? 14.kf4+ .ί:lxe2+ 1 S .lt::Jxe2 1Vxb2 16.1::f.d 1 lt::Jbd7 1 7.1::rg 1, but 13 ... l:tg4!? was a possible alternative. 1 4.--tgS!
Introduction
himself, qualities which are extremely important in such play. Boundless con fidence in oneself and one's ideas is a highly important element in attacking play. As we will see later on, this fre quently has a demoralising effect on the opponent. Even more paradoxical is the open ing idea seen in the following game. White's initiαtive αssumes α threαtening chαr αcter. Does Blαck hαve α sαtisfαctory defence, or hαs the criticαl moment αlreαdy pαssed?
1 4... ..tc6?
Extremely optimistic! Black plans to develop his knight to d7 and defend everything, but there is already no time for such comfortable development. He should have played 14... tί'Jc6! with a fully defensible position, for example 1 5.0-0-0 0-0-0 16.�h5 (16.:r.he1!? h6! 1 7.�xh6 tί'Jg4! 1 8 . .ixg4 l:ιxg4 1 9.Vi'xg4 fxg4 20.1:lxe5 tίJxeS=) 1 6 ... tί'Jxh5! 1 7. .i.xd8 'iff4+ 1 8 .�b1 'ifxh4 19.�xh4 k1xg2 20.:r.hg1 1:f.g6 and Black does not stand worse.
Games
Alexander Alekhine Max Euwe The Netherlands Wch
m
1935 (7)
1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.lίJc3 .tb4 4.tlJe2 dxe4 5.a3 .te7 6. tbxe4 lίJc6
1 5.0-0-0 .b:g2
Nor is he saved by 1 5 ... tί'Jbd7 1 6 . .ί:rhel+ .ie4 (1 6 ... 0-0-0 1 7.�h5 �xgS 1 8 . .!::rxe5 �xhS 1 9.'iνd4) 1 7. .ihs (1 7. .if3!?) 1 7... tί'Jxh5 18.'iνxh5 tί'Jf6 1 9.�xf6 'ifxf6 20.tί'Jxe4 fxe4 2 1 .Vi'b5+!+-. 1 6 . .1:r.he1 .te4 1 7. -thS! 1 8 . .1:r.d8+ 'ίtf7 1 9. 1Wxh5
Whαt move hαd never been plαyed in this position?
7.g4?!
tbxhS 1 -0
If 1 9...�g7 20.tί'Jxe4 fxe4 2 1 . .ih6++-. Maybe the pawn sacrifice in the open ing should not be ascribed to bluff Alekhine considered this the strongest and most principled decision and not risky at all. However, one cannot but be amazed at his consistency, uncompro mising play and absolute confidence in 15
Itisk & Bluff in Chess
One of the most shocking moves ever played at such a high level! How does such an idea come about? Let us try to reconstruct the process. In the fifth game of the match, Alekhine played in 'normal' style: 7. ..ie3 tbf6 8.t2J2c3 0-0 9.t2Jg3 b6 10 . ..ie2 ..ib7 1 1 .0-0 and did not obtain anything from the opening. The more extravagant 7.f4 tbf6 8.VWd3 tbxe4 9.VWxe4 VWd5! also delivers no advantage. The move 7.g3 looks reasonable, but then there is 7... e5 8.d5 t2Jd4 9.t2J2c3 (an interesting pos sibility is 9.t2Jxd4 VWxd5 1 0 . ..ig2 VWxd4 1 1 .VWxd4! exd4 1 2 . ..if4 with sufficient compensation for the pawn) 9...f5 and Black is fine. In this context, one can see how the idea might come about of taking control of the square f5. Admittedly, the origins of such a committal move were proba bly also influenced by non-chessboard factors, namely Alekhine's successful start in the match, and the resulting over-confidence. 7... b6?!
Not a bad decision, although many commentators criticised it. It was safer to put the king on the other wing: l O ... VWd7!? 1 l .h4 (1 1 .g5 tbxe4 12.t2Jxe4 0-0-0 is equal according to Alekhine) 1 1 ... 0-0-0.
Δ
�I
1 1 .g5
Again the most energetic and risky deci sion. Admittedly, the quiet l l .t2Jxf6+ ..ixf6 1 2.0-0 was only good enough for equality. 1 1 ... tlJxe4 1 2.tlJxe4 ι;i;>hθ
Preparing ...f7-f5. However, it was better to attack the centre by means of 1 2 ... e5! 13 . ..ie3 (13.d5?! tba5 14.h4 VWd7) 13 ... exd4 14.cxd4 tba5 and Black has no problems.
Euwe reacts on analogous lines to his play in Game 5. In general, the play of the Dutch champion was characterised by a certain stereotyped manner of taking decisions, which may also have influenced his opponent's choice of seventh move. 7... e5!? 8.d5 t2Jd4! 9.t2J2c3 !? (9.t2Jxd4!? VWxd5 1 0 . ..ig2 VWxd4 1 1 .VWe2 was also possible, with definite compensation for the pawn) 9...t2Jf6 10.t2Jxf6+ ..ixf6 1 1 . ..ig2 h5 was quite possible, but even simpler was 7...t2Jf6! 8.t2Jxf6+ ..ixf6 9. ..ie3 h5! 1 0.gxh5 VWd5 with excellent 1 3. 'ifh5! 'ifeθ?! play for Black. Continuing with his plan consistently, 8 . .tg2 .tb7 9.c3 tί::Jf6 1 0.tb2g3 but here 1 3 ... e5! 14.dxe5 tbxe5 1 5 .0-0 0-0!? VWd5 was a better decision. 16
Introduction
21 .�e2
However, whαt is wrong with the text? After αll, the threαt of 14... f5 is extremely unpleαs αnt, αnd it is not cleαr how to prevent it.
1 4. tbf6!
Black had probably overlooked this blow! 1 4... bf6
Worse is 14...gxf6?! 1 S.gxf6 tΔaS (IS ... �xf6 16.�e4+-) 1 6.i.xb7 tΔxb7 1 7.�f3! (discovered by SF) 1 7...tL:JaS 1 8.fxe7 �xe7 1 9.�h6 1:f.g8 20.0-0-0 with advantage to White. 1 5.gxf6 gxf6 1 6. 'ifh4 'ifdθ
1 6 ...�e7? 1 7.i.e4+-. 1 7.�f4! e5 1 8.�g3 f5!? 1 9.dxe5
21 ... 'ii'e4?
After the strongest move 2l .. .'�c2! it would already be White who would have to seek salvation. 22. 'ifxe4 fxe4 23.�h4!?
23.0-0-0! was even stronger. 23 ... h6
23 ...�g7!. 24.0-0-0 :Seθ 25. �f6+ 'ith7 26.f4!+- exf3 27. bf3! tbas 2B.bb7 tbxb7 29.:d7 tbcs 30.:Xf7+ 'itg6 31 .:Xc7 tbd3+ 32.'itb1 'itfs 33 . .1:[d1 tbxes 34. .1:[f1 + 'ite4 35. :Xa7 tbc4 36. .1:[d7 'ite3 37.:e1 + 'itf3 38. :Χeθ :Χeθ 39 . .1:[d4 1 -0 tbe3 40. .1:[h4
Here, we can sum up the results of White's opening strategy: it has proved itself completely. The resulting position is clearly in his favour. The remaining Even today, 80 years later, Alekhine's adventures in this game are another play in this game looks ground-break subject, and although we will give the ing. After all, only in the 2 1st century game to the end, we will do so with have such daring raids with the g-pawn become almost standard, in many dif only brief comments. ferent openings. As for Alekhine's con 1 9... .1:[g8!? 20.�f3? Out of a wide choice of possible con temporaries, one only has to look at the tinuations, White does not choose the reaction of Salo Flohr, one of the strong most successful. Other options include est players of that time and a spectator 20.�xd8!? 20.'iVhS!? and 20.�h3 !?, of this game. Άfter 7.g4 Ι could not whilst SF suggests the rather non-human believe my eyes. Ι have never seen such a move in all my life. Ι annotated all of move 20.�gl. the games for a leading Dutch newspa 20 ... 'ifd3! An excellent resource, which, however, per. Without any particular thought, Ι he does not exploit to the full. described the move 7.g4 as a bluff, and 17
Risk & Bluff in Chess
criticised it sharply. The next day, Ι was visited by Lasker, whσ was attending the match. He lectured me alσng the lines σf 'Ύσung man, just because yσu have never played such a brave mσve as 7.g4, that dσes nσt give yσu the right to criticise Alekhine in such terms. Υσu are still tοσ yσung to understand Alekhine's deep idea."' Α remarkable σbservatiσn. At the time, Flσhr was 27, certainly a mere yσuth by the standards σf the time. But when dσ yσu take risks, if nσt when yσung? Alas, the Czech GM lacked the nerve and imaginatiσn σf his σlder and mσre famσus cσlleagues, as well as the desire and ability to take risks. It is nσ cσinci dence that he remained in the shadσw σf the twσ great Wσrld Champiσns, thrσughσut his career. «Pawns don't move bαckwαrds!» It is perfectly
clear that the fσurth Wσrld Champiσn was nσt in the slightest bit intimi dated by such ancient shibbσleths. The absence σf stereσtyped and rσutine play in his style makes him σne σf the mσst striking figures in the history σf chess. The fσllσwing game is aπ exam ple σfhis creative and absσlutely fearless apprσach. Α risky piece sacrifice, under taken at the very start σf the game, nσt σnly brings him success in this game, but effectively decided the σutcσme σf the entire Wσrld Champiσnship match. Game 6
Alexander Alekhine Max Euwe The Netherlands Wch
m
1 937 (6)
Befσre this game, the match scσre was 3-2 in favσur σf Euwe. Alekhine needed to win at all cσsts. It happened, as if 18
σrdained by a magic wand. And it prσved decisive, as it bσσsted Alekhine ση the σne hand, and demσralised his σppσnent ση the σther. And the rσle σf magician was played by Alekhine himself. 1 .d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.llJc3 dxc4 4.e4 e5 5. .bc4!?
Whαt is this? Accurαte cαlculαtion or bluff? Was this sαcrifice necessαry?
It is a brilliant find by Alekhine, espe cially when σne cσnsiders that White had the perfectly gσσd and sσlid alter native S .lLJf3 exd4 6.�xd4 'ifxd4 7.lLJxd4 bS 8.a4 b4 9.lLJd1 �a6 10.�e3 (IO . .if4 lLJf6 1 1 .f3 �cs n.tt:Jfs Ο-Ο 13.1::f.c 1 c3! 14.bxc3 g6 1 S.lLJg3 tt:Jfd7!= Kasparσv-Hίibner, Belfσrt 1 988) 10 ...tt:Jf6 1 1 .[3 (Alekhine). Here, White is taking πσ risk, but neither dσes Black have any special prσblems. In additiσn, after s .tt:Jf3 the decisiσn ση the sacrifice cσuld have been pσstpσned σne mσve, until after the natural reply S ...exd4. Hσwever, White did nσt bσther tor turing himself with dσubts, but simply burnt his bσats at the first σppσrtunity. 5...exd4
After S ...'δ'xd4 Alekhine was prepared to continue 6.'δ'b3 'iνd7 7.�g5! fσl lσwed by r!d1 . White's initiative is becoming threatening 6.lL!f3!
Introduction
7.tbe2 is also fine, as is the sharp 7.0-0 dxc3 8 . .ixf7+ We7 9.�b3 tbf6). So the sacrifice needs to be accepted. After 6 ...dxc3 7.�xf7+ We7 8.'iYb3 ...
Any other move would have been α moral capit ulation at this stage! Now what should Black play?
It is obvious that the capture on c3 is the most principled reply, especially as White has no forced win in sight. On the other hand, it is also obvious that the opponent will have analysed the consequences of the acceptance, in detail, in the quiet of home. The fact that he has chosen this sacrifice in pref erence to a quieter line suggests that he has looked at all the nuances and likes the results. Consequently, Euwe decides not to take the piece. However, it often happens that the desire to answer one surprise with another leads to a serious mistake, which is what happens here. In con temporary chess, the fact that analysis is done with computers makes this a typical situation. The best advice is to trust one's intuition. Euwe, on the other hand, preferred logic and knowledge over intuition ... 6 b5? ...
And this is the result! But let us try now to analyse the situation not ση the basis of general considerations, as above, but with hard cold variations. After 6 ... �c5 , declining the sacrifice alto gether, White has 7.tbe5!? (the quiet
How should Black defend?
In his annotations, the winner gave the results of his home preparation: 8 ...tbf6 9.e5 tbe4 1 0.0-0! tba6 (10 ...'ifb6 I l .'ifc4! cxb2 12 . .2.xb2 �xb2 1 3.'it'xe4 Φχf7 14.tbg5+ Φe8 1 5.'il'f4 1i..e 7 (15 ... .id7) 16.'iff7+ Wd8 1 7.1:ladl+ i.d7 18.tbe6+ Φc8 19.'ii'xe7 'ifxe5 20.l::i.fel 'it'f6 (20 ...'ifa5 2 1 .tbc5 1:ld8 22.tbe4) 2 1 .J::f.xd7 tbxd7 22.'iid6+-) l l .'iVc4 tbac5 1 2.i.g5+! tbxgS 13.tbxg5 with a dangerous, probably winning attack. This is a striking piece of analy sis, considering that it was done solely with head and hands! It is understandable that the human analyst does not look seriously at the capture on b2, since this brings the white bishop into the attack, which is illogical. However, SF does not concern itself with such human con siderations as logic, and only worries about concrete variations: 8 ... cxb2! 9. .ixb2 'it'b6! ιo.i.a3+ (10 . .ixg8 1Σχg8 l l .'ifxg8 Vib4+ 1 2.ti:Jd2 'ifxb2 1 3 . .1:Σbl 'ifc2+) lO ... cS l l .�xg8 I:f.xg8 1 2 . .ixc5+ (1 2 .'ifxg8 'ii'a S+) 1 2 ...'it'xc5 1 3.0-0 19
Risk & Bluff in Chess
decision would you have taken, dear reader? 7. ttJxb5!
�Δ
Euwe had missed this rather simple move. We have already discussed such type of mistakes.
tLJ Δ Δ Δ
1 3 ...'iνh5!!. This hard-to-see move, which is at the same time the only move, could easily have been missed in the old days, but SF deals with such problems with no dif ficulty at all. (Editor's Note: It is only fair to point out that all of this analysis, starting with 8 ...cxb2 and including 1 3 ...'i:VhS!!, was found by a Soviet amateur called Gon charov, shortly after the match was played, and was published in the Soviet journal 64, issue 9/1 938!] (Other moves do not help: 1 3 ... �h8 14 . .1:f.fcl 'iνb6 15.1:lxc8 'iνxb3 16.axb3±; 13 ...tt:Jc6 14.'lWxg8 h6 I S.�abl) 14.'ltxg8 �e6 lS.'iYh8 tt:Jc6 Black's advantage is indisputable, although the battle is not over yet. So, it turns out that Alekhine's fantastic idea has a hole in it, and strictly speak ing, was incorrect. But let us fantasise a little. How would he have played, if he had known of the final analysis of his idea? Ι am convinced that he would not have changed his play and would have mated his opponent in the same way as in the game. The only difference would have been aπ additional degree of conscious risk (bluff, if you prefer). After all, the Russian champion was a true player! Ι also do not doubt that Tal would have done the same. But what 20
7 ... .b6 8.'Wb3!
This is the strongest continuation of the attack, but it was also possible to play 8.'ltxd4 'ltxd4 9.tt:Jfxd4. Not settling for anything less than the maximum, Alekhine conducts the game to its logi cal outcome. 8... 'We7
After 8 ... i..xb5? 9.�xf7+ Φd7 I O.tt:Jxd4! White's attack is irresistible. 9.0-0 .bbS 1 Ο . .bbS ltJfβ
Not I O ... cxbS? I I .'i:Vds. 1 1 . ..ic4
One would be happy to give up a piece for such a position, but here we have material equality. The outcome of the game is effectively decided. 1 1 ... ltJbd7 1 2.ttJxd4! .l:.bθ 1 3.'Wc2 'Wc5 1 4.ltJf5
14.tt:Jxc6? �c8. 1 4... ltJe5 1 5. ..if4!
Bringing the last piece into play. Less clear is I S.tt:Jxg7+?! Φd8 1 6.�dl+ Φc7. 1 5... ltJh5 1 6. .bf7+! �xf7 1 7.'Wxc5 .bcs 1 8. .be5 .l:.b5
1 8 ... �be8 19.�d6.
Introduction
1 9. ..td6 .tb6 20.b4 .:l.dθ 21 . .:1.ad1 1 -0 cs 22.bxc5 .txcs 23 . .:1.d5
Α brilliant game. Admittedly, Black's defence was clearly not worthy of the status of the game, as Euwe turned out to be completely unprepared for such a sharp turn of events. In his attitude to risk in chess, Alekhine was somewhat ahead of his time. Of course, deliberate risk-taking is also featured in some of the games of other leading players in the world. Even Bot vinnik, the very antithesis of his pre decessor as World Champion, occasion ally would take non-standard and risky decisions, in order to change the course of an unfavourable battle. Game7
Mikhail Botvinnik Samuel Reshevsky The Hague/Moscow Wch 1948 (4)
ο
26.tDd5!? tίJxe4 27. .:1.e2 f5 28.g4!?
It was this unexpected pawn thrust on which White had placed his hopes. 28 ... -tcs
Black's eyes glaze over at the choice facing him, and Reshevsky just could not understand what his opponent was playing at. But refuting White's idea is not so easy. After the intended 28 ...tt:Je5 White wrig gles out: 29.tΔxe5 �xeS 30.gxf5 �xd4 3 I .fxe6 I:txe6 32.1Ixd4 .ί::!.x cl+ 33.�g2. Black should play 28 ...tt:Jg5 ! . White ends up a pawn down in all variations and would face a difficult battle for a draw: 29.1:rxe6 (29.�d3 tΔxf3+ 30.�xf3 fxg4 3 1 .hxg4 tt:Jes+) 29. ..tbxf3+ 30.�g2 tt:Jxd4 3 I ..i::rxd4 fxg4 32.hxg4 �f7+. However, calculating such tactical variations in time-trouble is extremely difficult. 29.gxf5 'ifxf5?
White's position is not very pleasant. With his last move 25 ... !:ί.α6, Reshevsky created the threat of 26 ...tt:Je5 against which it is not so easy to defend. Admittedly, as usual, the Arner ican grandmaster was in time-trouble, which allowed Botvinnik to change the outlines of the position sharply. Try to find the best decision for the World Champion. ,
Panic. He already lacked the time to calculate such a simple variation as 29... �xd4! 30.fxe6 �xf2+! 3 1 .Ilxf2 (3 1 .�g2 .l:i.xe6) 3 I . .. tt:Jxf2 32.�xf2 (32.Iιel tΔd3) 32 ... �xe6. In the final position, only Black can play for a win. 30.'ifxe4
In the variation 30.�xc5 .i:rxc5 3 1 .tΔe7+ �h7 32.tΔxf5 Black has the deadly reply 32 . ..lbc3!. 30... 'ifxh3
21
Risk & Bluff in Chess
30 ... .!:ιg6+ 3Η�ϊ'h2 .id6+ 32 . .if4. 31 .tbh2?!
White was also in time-trouble! 3 I .t2Jf4 'iVg4+ 32.Whl immediately ends the game. 31 ... :cc6?
After the correct move 3 I . ..ifhS! the time-trouble fever would have contin ued, although now White's advantage is not in dispute.
22
32.tbf4
Black resigned. Admittedly, such cases have only aπ occasional character, and depend strongly on the specific situation. That is, until the appearance of a new hero, barely ten years later, who completely overturned the accepted view of what was acceptable in chess!
Chapter 1.
Mikhail Tal: The Start of a New Era The results of the 24th USSR Championship were a sensation. Fearlessly battling his more experienced opponents, the young master from Riga, Mikhail Tal, was part of the leading group. And a direct attack in the final round, against grandmaster Alexander Tolush, brought him the gold medal. Most observers assumed Tal's success was one of those fluke results which hap pen, albeit rarely, even in the national championship. The following championship, which was also a zonal tournament for the World Championship, would restore the natural order, it was felt. Few expected the young master to repeat his success. Indeed, in summing the various participants' chances, grandmaster MarkTaimanov even promised to eat his hat, ifTal did so. Whether he carried out his promise, Ι do not know, but the miracle happened: by winning an improbably dramatic game against Spassky in the final round, Tal again won the championship. However, the sporting result was not even the main factor. What astonished and amazed was the play of the young grandmaster. His games were characterised by a total absence of conventional chessboard logic, with intuitive, uncalculated sacri fices of pawns and even pieces, and total chaos on the board. But time after time, in the most surprising fashion, he escaped from the most difficult positions, as his opponents made sometimes incomprehensible mistakes.
23
Risk
&
Bluff in Chess
Gameβ
Mikhaii Tal Efim Geller Riga ch-URS 1 958 (12)
1 .e4 e5 2.lLif3 llJc6 3. i.b5 a6 4.i.a4 lLif6 5.0-0 i.e7 6.1Σe1 b5 7.i.b3 0-0 8.c3 d6 9.h3 lL\as 1 O.i.c2 cs 1 1 .d4 i.b7 1 2.b4 cxb4 1 3.cxb4 llJc4 1 4.lLibd2 d5 1 5.exd5 exd4 1 6. lL\xc4 bxc4 1 7. 'ifxd4 bb4
il'xb8 22.�g5 �d8 23.'ifh4 leads to equality in a rather convoluted way after 23 ...h5!? (23 ... h6 24 . ..txh6 gxh6 2S.'ifxh6 'ifxd6 26.tbg5 �b6 27.�h7+ = is more obvious) 24.�xf6 �xf6 2S.'ifxh5 g6 26.�xg6! fxg6 27.il'xg6+ �g7 (27 ... h 6 44.'ifxf8+ 'iii>h 7 45.'ife7+ 'iii>hθ 46.'ifxe5+ 'iii>gθ 47.'ifg5+ 'iii>hθ 48.'ifd8+ 'iii>g 7 49.'ife7+ 'iii>hθ 50.g5 'ifcθ 51 . 'iff6+ 'iii>g θ 52.'ifg6+ 'iii>hθ 53.'ifh6+ 1 -0
Of course, luck smiled on Boris in both of these examples. But fate turned its back on him at the decisive moment, when he was playing for a win against Tal in the very last round, and ended up missing even the draw, and with it, a place in the interzonal tournament. It was very obvious whose side Caissa was on in those days. David Bronstein has always tried to avoid well-trodden paths. In the follow ing game, extreme risk almost cost him a full point. Game11
Bukhuti Gurgenidze David Bronstein Riga ch·URS 1958 (16) •
-
Mikhail Tai:The Start of α New Era
1 9...f5!?
But Bronstein plays differently. Why? After all, the variation 1 9... .ί::rh6! 20.'iVxf7 'iVd8 ! (now there is the deadly threat of 2 1 . .. l::tg7) 2 1 .tbcS! (the only move) 2 1 . .. 1::rg7 22.tbxe6 l:lxf7 23.tbxd8 tbxd8 is fairly simple. Admittedly, after 24.tbd4 White has two pawns and defi nite compensation for the pawn. Το Bronstein, Black's advantage seemed too little here. One cannot exclude the possibility that his decision was also affected by the electric atmosphere of the entire tournament. 20.exf5 1Σh6 21 . 'ifxf7 'ifdθ 22.fxe6
Now 22.tbcS no longer works because of 22 ... 1::rg7 23 .lbxb7 (23.tbxe6 1::txh2+ 2Htii'xh2 'iVh4+ 2S.ι;t>gl l:txf7 is com pletely bad for White) 23 ...'iVb8. 22 ... ..be6 23.'ifxb7 'ifh4 24.'iii>g 1 tΔe7?
After this poor move, Black's entire con ception, starting with 19...fS, falls to ruins and the advantage passes to White. Admit tedly, the correct 24... .tc4!! is not so easy to find. Unlike Tal, the rather nervous and short on confidence David Bronstein often faltered partway to his goal. Let us continue this variation: 2S.'iVxc6 (2S.1::td2 dS) 2S ... he2 26.h3! (White loses after 26.j_xe2 'iVxh2+ 27.ι;t>f2 'iVg3+ 28.ι;t>gl 1::th2) 26 ....txdl 27.1:hdl 'ifxh3 and White faces a difficult defence. 25.lbbd4 27.'ife1 ? !
What should Black do?
..tcs
26. 'it'b4
..tg7
Significantly stronger was 27.�e4! �xh2+ 28.ι;t>f2 'ifh4+ 29.g3. The further course of the game falls outside the scope of our discussion and so we give it with only brief comments. 27 ... 'ifxh2+ 28.c;i;>t2 ..tf6?!
The assessment of the diagram position depends largely on the consequences of the tempting move 1 9... 1::th6.
28 ... j_xd4+! 29.1::txd4 'iVh4+ 30.g3 'ifh2+ 3 1 .ι;t>e3 tbfS+ 32.ι;t>d3 tbxd4 33.'ifc3!;!;; . 27
Risk & Bluff in Chess
29.'ίte3 tbf5+ 31 . .1:[h1 ?!
30. tbxf5
.bf5
31 .�b4! �xc2 32.1:f.hl±. 31 ... 'ifxh1 32. 'ifxh1 :Xh1 33.:Xh1 .bb2 34. 'ίtd2 .ba3 35.:S1 ..tc5 36. :Xa6 :ee 37.:Sθ ..te3+ 38.'ίtd1 :Χaθ 39. .baθ ..tg4 %-V2
It is obvious thαt Blαck hαs solved α!Ι his prob lems. In αddition, it is White who hαs diffi culty finding α sαtisfαctory move. Fortunαtely, Filip offered α drαw αt this moment, thereby relieving his opponent of his sufferings. Except thαt, rαther thαn grαb the drαw offer strαight αwαy, Τα! begαn to think ... Whαt wαs the Mαgiciαn from Rigα thinking αbout?
Tal played the interzonal tournament in the same enterprising and risky style, 28. ..ixh6! not letting the temperature of his play drop, from the first round to the last. In fact, it is effectively the only way to Without regard to his tournament posi continue the game. If 28.�e3 tbxe4 tion, he plunged without hesitation into 29.�[3 l::f.xdl 30.1:f.xdl 1:f.xdl+ 3 1 .'iVxdl complications, teetering on the brink of tbf6 the game would quietly move into what was permissible and occasionally the phase of Black realising his material and positional advantage. But what kind overstepping it. Since this book is not just a monograph of courage and confidence must a player on the eighth World Champion, the have, to turn down a draw in such a author faced a difficult choice: which position! games from the tournament should he 28... gxh6 29. 'ifxe5 ..te7! include in this chapter? After long con Despite the opinion of many commen sideration, Ι settled on two. The first tators, the best move! After the widely was played at the very beginning of this recommended 29 .. .'ife7 30.�f4 tbh7 marathon distance, when everything White obtains sufficient compensation was still very unclear and the battle for the pawn: 3 1 . 1:f.xd7 1:f.xd7 32.e5! f6 for the qualifying places was only just 33.e6. beginning. 30.:d4! :Xd4! 31 .cxd4 'ίth7 32.:d1 Game 1 2
Mikhaii Tal Miroslav Filip
• i
Portoroz izt 1958 (5)
ο
Δ
Suddenly Blαck hαs problems. How should he solve them?
32 ... tbeθ?
28
Chαpter 1
Τοο passive! The resource 32 ...'ii'g 7! 33.'ii'f4! (33 . .tlg1? .id6!) 33 .. .'�'g5 34.'ii'xg5 hxg5 35.e5 Φh6 36.exf6 �xf6 was hard to find at the board, but superior moves to the text included both 32 .. :ife8 and 32 ...tbd7. However, in all cases, a tense position would remain and the outcome would be unclear.
-
Mikhαil Tαi:The Stαrt of α New Εrα
Game 1 3
Mikhaii Tal Oscar Panno Por1oroz izt 1958 (17)
D
33.f6!
Another surprise!
fαntαstic opening stαge is not over yet. White hαs α number of promising continuαtions. Which one did Ταl choose?
Α
Δ 33... liJxf6?
Up to now, Black has defended very well, but in time-trouble, he is unable to find the best defence: 33 ... ..ixf6! 34.'ii'f5+ Φg8 35.e5 'i:fe7 36.l:tgl+ �f8 37.'ii'h 7 'i:fe6, although here too, the battle is not over: 38.tlg8+ cJi;e7 39.'ifxh6 l:txd4 40.exf6+ cJi;d7 with a very sharp position, where anything could happen. 34. 1i'f5+ Φhθ 35.e5
All is well that ends well! 35 ... 'it'g7 36.exf6 ..tgS 38.f4
.hf6 37.:g1
Black resigned. The second was played right at the finish, and Tal was already virtually guaranteed a place in the precious top six.
1 4.e5?!
Misha remains true to himself, imme diately launching a tactical battle. Even so, it was more in the spirit of the posi tion to play the prophylactic 14.b3! , limiting the scope of the black knights on the queenside. 1 4...dxe5 1 5.l2Jxe5
Of course, White did not decide on the advance of his e-pawn just for the sake of the variation 1S.dxe5 'irfxd1 16.J:ιxd1 tbac4 1 7.-ic 1 .Άb7. 1 5... liJbc4
Α perfectly good move. Another decent possibility was 1 S ...ltJdS. 1 6. 1i'd3 f5
The move 1 6 ...g6 looks more natural. Tal was intending 1 7. .Άh6 (more solid is 1 7.tbxc4 tbxc4 1 8 . .ih6 with approx imate equality), but then Black has the promising exchange sacrifice 1 7... cxd4! 1 8 . .ixf8 .ixf8 because on 1 9.lLJxf7 there is the strong retort 19 .. .'iff6 ! and Black stands extremely well. 1 7. ..tb3 f4! ?
29
Risk & Bluff in Chess
ΙfΡaηησ had seeη eveη part σfthe cσmiηg cσmplicatiσηs, he wσuld prσbably have settled fσr a quiet liηe such as 1 7... t'Δxb3 1 8 .t'Δc6 'li'd7 1 9.t'Δxe7+ 'iνxe7 20.axb3 t'Δxe3 with equality. 1 8. ..td2 tlJxb3
'Black has a material advaηtage, but Ι lσve to play pσsitiσηs iη which the σppσηeηt's pieces are iηactive' (Ίal). 24.'it'g4!?
Alsσ gσσd is 24.�g3 with the pσssible vanatωη 24... �g6 25.i.e5 t'Δxe5 26.'ifxe5 i.f7 27.''ifxc5 l:ιdl+ 28.Wh2 �xa2 29.1:hg7+! Wxg7 30.'ifg5+ Wh8 (30 ...11t>f7 3 1 .'ifh5+) 3 1 .'1Ve5+ lίt>g8 32.'iνg5+, but the text leaves bσth players with greater pσssibilities. 24... -tgβ 25. 'it'eβ+ tlJc2! 27.b3 ..tgβ
Does White have anything other than the nat ural queen recapture ση b3?
..tf7 26. 'it'fS
It seemed to Black that this was fσrciηg a draw. He already lacked bσth the time aηd the eηergy fσr the mσre compli cated play which arises after 27 ... 1:1dl+!? 28.Wh2 t'Δd2 29.�xd2 l:!xd2 30.'iνxc5 h6.
1 9.tlJc6!
Eveη Tal wσuld ησt have fσuηd it easy to decide ση such a mσve, as Black gets tσσ maηy pieces fσr the queeη. But ση the bσard we get a pσsitiση σf total chaσs, where the future Wσrld Champiση felt like a fish iη water! White avσided the baηal 19.'iνxb3 because σf 19 ... i.f6, but 20.t'Δa3! (weaker is 20.t'Δxc4?! bxc4 2 1 .'ifxc4+ Wh8) guaraηteed him equal ity: 20 ... �xe5 2 1 . Ώ:χe5 �e6! 22.t'Δxc4 i.xc4 23.'iff3. Ι am almσst certaiη that Mikhail Tal subcσηsciσusly created difficulties fσr himself iη this pσsitiση, just because σf a desire to avσid this blσσdless draw, eveη thσugh such aη σutcσme perfectly well suited his tourηameηt pσsitiση. 1 9 ... tlJxa1 20.tlJxd8 ..tts
Mσre eηergetic thaη 20 ... �xd8 2 1 .b3 i.fs 22.'iνf3. 21 . 'it'f3 1:axd8 23. ..txf4 :Xd4
30
22.:Xe7
.bb1
Is there any alternative to the draw for White?
28.:Xg7+!
By cσηtrast, Tal lacked ηeither time ησr eηergy, aηd he alsσ had aη uηlimited will tσ wiη, hσwever risky it appeared frσm the side. 28.'iνe6+ i.f7 29.'iif5 leads tσ repetitiση. 28 ... ιitxg7 29. ..thβ+ ιitxh6 30. 'it'xf8+ ιitgS 31 .bxc4 bxc4 32.g3
Temptiηg, but it was alsσ wσrth cση sideriηg the mσre subtle 32.Wh2! i.e4 33.g4! σr 32.f3!? .ifs 33.Wf2. 32 ... �e4 33.h4+
Chαpter 1
And here, an interesting try was 33.f4+! Φg6 34.g4 h6 3S.�e7!. 33... 'ίir>g4 34.'ίir>h2 ..tf5 35.'it'f6!
In time-trouble, Tal continues to ratchet up the pressure. Black had been count ing on 35.[3+ Φχf3 36.�xf5+ Φe3 when he is not in danger of losing. 35... h6 36. 'it'e5 .:f.e4
In time-trouble, there is no time for subtleties such as 36 ... .Άd3! 37.�[6 .Άfs. 37. 'it'g7+ 'iir>f3 38. 'it'c3+ tlJe3
Perfectly possible, but more exact is 38 ...Φχf2! 39.�xc2+ Φf3 with an unavoidable draw. 39. Φg1 ! ..tg4 40.fxe3 h5
The last move of the time-control, and Black manages to avoid the variation 40 ... 1:1xe3? 41 .�f6+ Φe2 42.�fl+ Φd2 43.�[4 with inevitable material losses. It seems Black has succeeded in defend ing, but even so,
Ταl finds α wαy to continue the bαttle. How?
41 . 'ife1 ! .:.Xe3?
Black's very next move after the time control, played out of inertia, turns out to be a serious mistake. Admittedly, it needs both time and a clear head to realise that after 4l ... �e6! 42.e4 c3 43.�xc3+ Φχe4 we reach a drawn fortress. 42. 'iff1 + Φe4 43. 'it'xc4+ 'ίir>f3 44. 'it'f1 + 'ίir>e4 45. 'it'xa6 'ίir>d4?
-
Mikhαil Tαi: The Stαrt of α New Εrα
The decisive mistake. He could retain good drawing chances with 4S ... .a'.xg3+! 46.Φf2 .a'.f3+! 47.Φg2 .a'.d3 48.�c4+ �d4 49.�xc5 1::ί.d2+. 46. 'it'd6+ Φc4 47.a4!
This pawn decides the outcome of this titanic struggle. 47... .Ι:Σ.e1 + 48. 'iir>f2 .:f.e2+ 49. 'ίir>f1 .:f.a2 50. 'it'a6+ Φd4 51 .a5 c4 52. 'it'b6+ 'ίir>d5 53.a6 .:f.a1 + 54. 'iir>f2 c3 55.a7 c2 56.'it'b3+ Φd6 57.'it'd3+ 1 -0
As we see, the tournament situation had no effect at all on the process of Tal's decision-making. We will meet this phenomenon plenty more times in the games of the Riga genius. Of course, one cannot say that he was not both ered about where he finished in the tournament. It is just that the events in the game he was engaged in playing at a given moment were so interesting and absorbing to him, that he would forget about pragmatic tournament considerations. In fact, such an attitude, where non-chess factors are completely excluded from one's mind, is extremely important for the taking of risky deci sions. In his best years, Misha would take risks without any fear at all, com pletely unaffected by any other circum stances than the logic of the chessboard struggle. In the Candidates' tournament, Tal was already one of the favourites, but this responsibility, which is so difficult for some players to bear, has no effect on his play. Of the many notable games he played in Yugoslavia, Ι have selected just two, both against the ex-World Cham pion Vasily Smyslov. The first has been analysed for over half a century by many leading grandmasters and many 31
Risk & Bluff in Chess
programs, but to this day, there have still not been any definite conclusions drawn. One can only sympathise with Tal's opponent, who had to resolve at the board matters which have proved insoluble even to generations of arm chair analysts. In this game, Smyslov found the right moves for a consider able time, just on intuition, but in the end, the tension his opponent created on the board proved too much. Game1 4
Mikhai/ Ta/ Vasily Smyslov Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade ct 1959 (θ)
1 .e4 c6 2.d3 d5 3.llJd2 e5 4.tl:Jgf3 llJd7 5.d4 dxe4 6.ltJxe4 exd4 7. 'ifxd4 tl:Jgf6 θ. �g5 �e7 9.0-0-0 0-0 1 0.llJd6 'ifa5 1 1 . �c4 b5
the diagram, it is hard to imagine that g5 will be a square for the white queen. Probably only Tal could picture this. 1 2 ... 'ifa6
Όη 12 ...'i:Yc7 Ι would probably not have been able to restrain myself from my hobby of showing that a rook is stronger than two pieces: 1 3 . .Άχf7+ .tt.xf7 14/Δχf7 �xf7 1 5 .t2Jg5+ �g8 16.I:f.hel ' - Tal. It is certainly true that this 'hobby' is not shared by all, but White has a solid alternative: 1 3.lLJf5 .Άc5 14.'i:Yh4!, developing an attack in analogous fashion to the game. 1 3.tl:Jf5! �dθ!
Stronger than the natural 13 ... .Άc5, after which White's idea works even better: 14.'ifh4 bxc4 1 5 . .Άc3 ! 'ifxa2 16.1:f.xd7! .Άb4! 1 7. .Άχb4 .Άχd7 1 8.t2Jh6+ �h8 19. .Άc3 with a very strong attack. 1 4. 'it'h4!
Not 14 . .Άb3 c5. 1 4 ... bxc4 1 5. 'ifg5
Fantasy becomes reality: the queen has reached g5! 1 5... tl:Jh5
Almost αll White's pieces αre pointing αt the enemy king. Which continuαtion do you think is the most effective?
1 2.�d2!
We will give the microphone to Alex ander Koblents, Tal's second at the tournament and an observer of events: 'Nobody in the hall saw this move coming! White intends to transfer the bishop to c3 , whilst the g5-square is freed for the queen.' It is certainly a sur prising move. But even now, looking at 32
On 1 5 ...t2Je8 Tal gives the following striking variation: 16.'i:Yxd8 'ifxa2 1 7. .Άc3 (the prosaic 1 7.'i:Ya5, with an obvious advantage, was too boring for him) 1 7...t2Jef6? 18.1:f.xd7! .Άχd7 19.lLJh6+ �h8 20.'ifxf6!. Of course, this line is quite cooperative, but even after the superior 1 7...lLJc5 1 8.lLJe7+ �h8 19.lLJg5! White has an attack. On 1 5 ... g6 the future World Cham pion was intending 16.lLJh6+ �g7 1 7. .Άc3 'ifxa2. In his notes, Tal gives the following way to strengthen the attack: 1 8.lLJh4! (interestingly, many years later, and with the help of SF, Kasparov suggest as strongest 18.lLJg4, but his analysis missed the relatively
Chapter 1
-
Mikhail Tal : rhe Stαrt of α New Era
simple 1 8 ...Φg8! , reqUinng White to Perfectly possible was 1 7...ti:Jf6!? 18.'tic5! force a draw: 1 9.ti:Jh6+ Φg7 20.ti:Jg4. ti:Jd7 1 9.'ifd6! .!tf6! (a serious improve Kasparov also missed the more ambi ment on Tal's 1 9...gxh6? 20.'iνxh6) tious 1 8 ...ti:Je5!?. We will leave the anal 20 . .!tg5 'ifxa2 2 1 ..!txf6 gxf6 22.1:1hel ysis of this line to the newer, improved l::tb 8!. Had this position arisen in the version of SF) 1 8 ...'iνal+ 19.Φd2 'ifa6 game. Ι think we can be sure that Tal 20.ti:J4f5+ Φh8 2t .Φe2! l::te 8+ π .Φfl would not have settled for the tame 'with strong threats'. This is certainly 23.�a3, to which SF appends a zero the case, but any modern programme evaluation. Any result is possible in this easily finds improvements for Black. crazy position. However, it is not our task to seek the 1 7... .!tf6!? is also a serious alternative final word in scientific truth. It is much to the text: 1 8.ti:Jxf7+ (this was Tal's more interesting to look at how one of fall-back move. During the game, the greatest geniuses amongst all chess he intended 1 8 . .!tc3 .!txc3 19.ti:Jg5, missing the unexpected 19 ... ..txb2+! players took decisions! (the nice line calculated by Tal, 19 ... 1 6. llJh6+ The immediate 1 6.�xh5? is easily g6 20.ti:Jhxf7+ 1:1xf7 21 .ti:Jxf7+ Φg7 refuted by 1 6 ...ti:Jf6! (also very strong is 22.�f3 .!tf6 23.ti:Jd6 �xa2 24.ti:Je8+ 16 ... 'ifxa2!) 1 7.�g5 ..txf5 1 8.�xf5 g6. Φf7 25.l:rxd7++-, is far from forced) 20.Φχb2 �b5+ 2 1 .Φcl gxh6 22.'iVxh6 1 6... �hθ 1 7. 'ii'x h5 �f5 and Black defends against all the threats) 1 8 ...Φg8 1 9.ti:J7g5 h6 20.ti:Je4 'ifxa2 21 .ti:Jxf6+ ti:Jxf6 22.'ifa5 'ifxa5 23 . .!txa5 .!tg4 24.1:1d6 with some advantage. 1 8. ..tc3
tLJ Δ Δ Δ :Μ White's threats look extremely unpleasant. Does Black have any counterplay?
Α bit of time, plus the rapid develop ment of technology, appears to put everything in its place in this head-spin ning position. 1 7... 'ifxa2! ?
Both Tal himself, and many commenta tors, considered this to be the decisive mistake. However, the passage of time has corrected this excessively categori cal assessment.
How should we assess this position? What should Black play?
1 8... llJf6??
One can only guess how the game would have ended, had Smyslov not made this oversight. Black had seen 33
Μ &. Bluff in Chess
this move from afar, missing a striking refutation. In reality, things are far from hopeless for Black, and he even has two ways to continue the battle: Α) 1 8 ... �f6! 1 9.lbgs (also inter esting is 1 9.tbxf7+ '1!tg8 20.tb7g5 ii'al+ 2 1 .'1t>d2 �xc3+ 22.bxc3 tbf6, with equality) 19 ... �xg5+ 20.ii'xg5 f6 2 1 .ii'hs tbes (21 ... gxh6 n.Iιhe l ! with a π attack) 22.1:lhel �e6 23.!:!.xe5 ii'al + 24.'1t>d2 .!::!.a d8+ 25.'1t>e3 ii'xdl 26.ii'xdl J:lxdl 27..l::txe6 gxh6 28 . .i:!'.xc6 and the resulting endgame should be drawn; Β) 1 8 ... �c7! .
analysis diagram
This completely unexpected resource is also perfectly valid. White has a guar anteed draw: 1 9.tbxf7+ (19.g3!? tbf6 20.ii'h4 is more in Tal's style) 19...'1t>g8 20.tbh6+ '1t>h8, but Ι doubt the game would have ended so prosaically. 1 9. 'ifxf7!
Now it is all over! 1 9 ... 'ifa1 + 20.d2 :Xf7 21 . ltJxf7+ Φgθ 22. :Xa1 �xf7 23.lC.e5+ Φe6 24. ltJxc6 lC.e4+ 25. e3 .ib6+ 26. .id4
Black resigned. The following game was played in the last cycle. The battle for first place had 34
reached its climax. Smyslov was out of the running, and this factor might have been expected to give him a psy chological advantage. Certainly, in the opening, White's play was nervous and impulsive. Black's play, on the other hand, was faultless, up to a certain moment. Game1 5
Mikhaii Tal Vasily Smyslov Bled·Zagreb·Belgrade ct 1 959 (22)
D
With his lαst rnove 23 ... f6! Blαck creαted the threαt of 24... g5. In αddition, the c2-pαwn is hαnging. White's position evokes serious doubts. How cαn he sαve himself?
24. .ie4!
True to himself, Tal worries more about pawns than pieces. 24... g5 25. 'iff5 bh6 26. 'ifxf6+
At first glance, the following looks like a more promising line: 26.l::rh3 ii'g7 27.ii'xf6 ii'xf6 28.l::txf6 �g7 29.�xh7+ '1!tg8 30.�xd6, with three pawns for the piece, but 30 ... �f8! 3 1 . l:rf6 �xdS! underscores Black's advantage. 26 ... .ig7 27. 'iff5 ti)g6 bb2 29. 'ifxg6 :e7
28.,:[h3
With accurate play, Black has repulsed all the threats and the outcome of the game seems decided.
Chαpter 1 - Mikhαίl Tαl:The Stαrt of α New Εrα
41 .J:.f6!
Surprisingly, this modest move decides the game at once. The time-control is passed, but there is no saving the posi tion. Smyslov resigned. Of course, the ex-champion certainly did not deserve to lose this game, but once again, Tal's amazing resourcefulness and belief in himself came to his rescue. However, Tal continues to pose prob lems, notwithstanding everything. 30.J:.h6 J:.gθ 31 ....f5 .tcθ 32. ...f3 g4 33.1!Vd3 .tes
Black has an extra piece and all the threats have been repulsed - isn't the game over? 34.c4 bxc4 35.bxc4 J:.eg7 36.c5!
The last resource comes into the game! 36...dxc5
The calm 36 ...ife7 is not a time-trouble move. 37.d6 1!Va7 38 . .td5 J:.dθ 39. ...e4 .td4 40. ...f4
.i. .l
With minimα] forces, Τα] hαs creαted tension on the boαrd. With one's flαg hαnging, it is not so eαsy to mαke the correct decision. Whαt is this?
40 ... J:.gd7??
Losing in a surprising way! Admittedly, finding the only move 40 ...ifd7! in time-trouble is not so simple.
Undoubtedly, both the course and the result of this game were affected by the shock effect produced on Vasily Vasilievich by his previous encounters with Tal. Their fantastic battle in the second cycle was examined above. Tal's miraculous escape from an absolutely hopeless position is given below, in the final chapter Ίhe Last Chance'. The intuitive style of the older former World Champion, based on common sense, was generally a good weapon against the Rigan's unpredictable escapades, but in this tournament, it did not work . The Candidates' tournament was also passed in a single breath, and before Tal lay the dream of every player - a match for the World Championship. He faced the Patriarch of Soviet chess - Mikhail Moiseevich Botvinnik. There was a great gulf between the two players, in terms of both age and match experi ence. On the stage of the huge theatre, in such unaccustomed surroundings, it was easy to lose one's nerve, in every sense of the word. If the unique match atmosphere was something Botvinnik was used to, then for the young chal lenger, it was an entirely new position that he had to get used to. In this situa tion, the first game was of special signif icance. The preparation, the game itself and the result to a large extent predicted the outcome of the entire match. 35
Risk & Bluff in Chess Game1 6
Mikhaii Tal Mikhail Botvinnik MoscowWch
m
1960 (1)
1 .e4
This move cannot have come as a sur prise to Botvinnik - his young chal lenger had announced it straight after winning the Candidates'. 1 ...e6 2.d4 d5 3.llJc3 .tb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 .bc3+ 6.bxc3 'ifc7 7.'ifg4 f5 8.'ifg3 �7 9.'iVxg7 :Ζ.gθ 1 0. 'ifxh7 cxd4
Both Botvinnik's favourite French Defence and this particular position were easy to predict. Can you guess the challenger's next move?
1 1 . ς,fiιd1 !?
The history of this far from obvious move is quite obscure.
was spotted by Tal's trainer Alexander Koblents, in a chess magazine which was lying randomly ση the floor, and that this happened literally half an hour before the start of this game! And it seems the challenger, without look ing at any of the numerous tricky var iations, just said Έxcellent, Ι will play it!'. This is a lovely story, fully support ing the legend of the Riga Magician, but such stories rarely pass the test of common sense. l l .ς,fiιd1 !? was intro duced into practice by Gligoric, in a game against Petrosian. This was at the 1 959 Candidates' tournament, the very event won so famously by Tal! It is simply impossible to believe that such a striking novelty could have gone unno ticed by him. The truth remains a secret, but the par adoxical king move fully accords with Tal's playing style. In addition, he had played all of his opening moves quickly and confidently, thus implying to his opponent that this was not improvisa tion, but deep and careful home prepa ration. The 'normal' move is 1 l .lLJe2, which also leads to a complicated, but more predictable position: 1 1 . .. lLJbc6 1 2.f4 .Άd7 1 3 .W'h3 dxc3 14.'ifxc3 0-0-0 1S.g3 .Άe8 1 6 . .Άg2 .Άhs with a good game for Black, as for example in R. Byrne-Botvinnik, Monte Carlo 1 968. 11 ... .td7!?
One of the legends, propagated by Tal all his life, has it that the move 1 l .ς,fiιd1 36
Botvinnik also turns out to be pre pared for this turn of events, and is the first to deviate from the source game. Petrosian played 1 l . .. lLJbc6 1 2.lLJf3 lLJxeS?! (12 ...dxc3!?) 13 . .Άg5 lLJSg6 and after 14 . .Άχe7?! lLJxe7 1 S.cxd4 .id7 equalised, but Black would have faced greater problems after 14 . .Άf6!. 1 2. 'iVh5+ tbgβ
Chαpter
1 2 ...�d8 is interesting, as Botvin nik played against Tal in Game 1 2 of their return match. That game went 1 3.tΔf3 'ifxc3 14.�a2 tΔbc6 1 5 . If.b2 �c7 1 6 . .a'.b5 .a'.h8 (16 ... a6!? 1 7. .ib2 axb5 1 8 . .ixc3 dxc3� Nakamura-Berg, Bermuda 2003. The move 1 6 ...'ifal !? has not yet been tried in practice) 1 7.'ifxh8 �xh8 1 8 . .ib2 'ifxf3+ 19.gxf3. Although Black has fully adequate compensation for the exchange, Tal went on to win.
Ι
-
Mikhαi] TαJ:The Stαrt of α New Εrα
Tal solves this problem extremely ele gantly, bringing his rook into play in an unusual manner, whilst his king remains in the centre. 1 8.h4! e5
•
.I
1 3.tbe2 d3
The logical follow-up to l l . .. �d7. Even so, Botvinnik spent 37 minutes on the move, which suggests some uncer tainty.
Trying to exploit the αbove-mentioned drαw bαcks in the white position. Quiet plαy with 18 ... tt:Je7 19.1:f.h3 0-0-0 20.1:Ie3 Jeαves White with the αdvαntαge. Now whαt shou]d he plαy?
1 9. .1:h3!
Non-standard positions usually require non-standard measures! 1 9 ... 'iff7
One can only guess at which point Botvinnik's preparation ended. Maybe it was as early as White's 1 2th move? But more likely, the character of the position was not to the World Cham pion's liking, as he generally preferred clearer play. Instead of the move in the game, it was worth considering 1 3 ...dxc3!? or 13 ...tΔc6!?. 1 4.cxd3 b4+ 1 5. �e1 'ifxe5
The more interesting 1 5 ...tt:Jc6, sacri ficing a second pawn, was more in the spirit of Tal than Botvinnik! 1 6. �g5! tbc6 1 7.d4 'ifc7
White's problem remains his develop ment lag and the insecurity of his king.
After 19... f4, Tal's recommendation 20.'ifg4 is not so good, because of 20 ...'iff7 2 1 .h5 tΔf8, but a very strong reply is 20.dxe5! 'ifxe5 2 I .�d2! fol lowed by bringing in the queen's rook. Or 1 9... e4 20.lΔf4 'iff7 2 I . l:t.bl and the position is prospectless for White. 20.dxe5! tbcxe5 22 . .1:b1 b6 23. llJf4
21 . .:r.e3
�d7
In a surprising fashion, all the white pieces have achieved harmony, whilst his king in the centre turns out to be perfectly safe. 23 ... .1:ae8 24. .1:b4 �c6 25. 'ifd1
Το complete the picture, the queen returns to her starting position! Lack ing such a sense of beauty, SF suggests as strongest the line 25 .tt:Jxg6 tt:Jxg6 37
Risk & Bluff in Chess
26.i.d3. Οηe caηησt but agree with this, whilst alsσ regrettiηg it. 25 ... tlJxf4 26.:Xf4 :Xe3+?!
lίJgβ 27.1:[d4
Alsσ bad is 27...f4 28.Ιιχe8 l::!:x e8+ 29.�d2! but the immediate 27 ... �c7 was sσmewhat mσre teηaciσus. 28.fxe3! rtJc7 29.c4!
Decisively σpeηiηg all the liηes aηd diagσηals. 29...dxc4 30. ..bc4 'ifg7 31 . ..bg8 'ifxgβ 32.h5 1 -0
Of course, such a victory iηspired the challeηger aηd gave him cσηfideηce aηd courage. But mσst impσrtaηt σf all, the game shσwed that it is bσth pσssible aηd ηecessary to remaiη true to σηeself, aηd that Tal's play - relaxed, risky aηd attackiηg - cσuld succeed eveη agaiηst the Wσrld Champiση.
sive. Admittedlγ, 22.g4 is α threαt, but this could be met in vαrious wαγs. Which would γοu prefer?
21 ... ltJf4!?
Αη iηcredible decisiση! It is all the mσre surprisiηg, because the lσgic σf the pσsitiση is far frσm requiriηg such extravagaηt measures. The simple 2I ...ti:Jf6 leads after 22.g4! .td7 (here the piece sacrifice 22 ... i.xg4 23.hxg4 ti:Jxg4+ H.�gi ti:Jxe3 25.fxe3 is wσrth much less) 23.�gi to a quiet pσsitiση, with sσme space advaηtage tσ White. The dariηg text mσve chaηges the situ atiση fuηdameηtally. 22.gxf4
The shσck was sσ great that Bσtviηηik ηeeded Ι Ο miηutes to decide ση this fσrced mσve! 22 ...exf4
Eveη sσ, Bσtviηηik quickly pulled him self tσgether aηd started to take the iηi tiative iη the match. The turηiηg pσiηt came iη Game 6. Game17
Mikhail Botνinnik Mikhaii Tal Moscow Wch
m
1960 (6)
•
This position, which αrose before Blαck's 2 Ist move, is not thαt simple, but nor is it so explo-
38
23 . ..id2?!
This ηatural mσve cσst the Wσrld Champiση aησther 10 miηutes. Hσw ever, here his task was rather mσre diffi cult. Cσrrect was 23.a3! 'W'b3 (23 ...'W'a5 24. .td2±) 24.i.xa7! (Ι suspect that Bσtviηηik did ησt cσηsider such direct mσves ση priηciple) 24-... .tes (24... 1::f.a8 2S.ti:Jb5!±). leadiηg to aη extremely coηfused situatiση, where it is far frσm simple fσr White to fiηd the cσrrect mσve: 25.f3 ! (this uηaesthetic mσve is
Chapter
nonetheless strongest. Clearly weaker is 2S.j_f3? 1::ίa 8! and the bishop on a7 is suddenly lost. Interesting is 2S.�gl !? so as to meet 25 ... 1::ίa 8 with 26.j_fl ! . Black does better to play 25 ...b6 with double edged play) 25 ... b6 26.a4! (the only way to extricate the trapped bishop on a7. 26.'iνdl allows the totally unexpected queen sacrifice 26 ...'iνxb2! 27 . .ί:!:a2 nxc3 28.1:d.xb2 .ί:d.xcl 29.'iνd2 j_xb2 30.'iνxb2 �bl 3 I .'iνf6 1:ίc2 32.'iνd8+ and White has to force perpetual check) 26 ... .ί:Ιb4 27.t2Jdl ! l:ίxcl 28.1::i.xcl 'iixa4 29 . .1:f.c7 and White's advantage finally assumes a stable character; It only remains to add that the imme diate capture on a7 is weaker: 23.j_xa7 'iνas 24.j_b8 �es 2S.�gl bS 26.j_xd6 �xd6+.
Returning to the game, how can Botvinnik's inaccuracy be exploited?
Ι
-
Mikhail Tai:rhe Start of α
New
Era
(SF's improvement. 25 ...'iνd4?! 26 . .!:txc4 .ί:Ιχc4 27.1::f.c l 1:txcl 28.�xcl 'iνxdS 29.t2Jf2 is unclear at best) 26.1:!.xal �xal and the crazy activity ofthe black pieces more than compensates for the material deficit. 24.:ab1 f3!
Yet another resource which Black had foreseen. The immediate 24... j_xbl 25.�xbl 'iic2 26.j_e4! f3 2 7.'iνel 'iνxd2 28.'iνxd2 j_xc3 29.'iνe3 I:f.e8 30.1::txb7 �exe4 3 I .'iνxf3 I:f.f4 32.'iνe3 �eS 33.�g2 was bad for Black. 25 . .:Xb2?
rired by the numerous shocks, Botvin nik hurries to exchange queens, but here the exchange is in no way a saving resource. Admittedly, even in the most ideal of frames of mind, the variation 2S.j_xf3! �xbl 26 . .ί:Ixbl 'iic2 27.j_e4! (here White has a draw if he wants it: 2 7.1::tc l 'iνb2 28 . .ί:rbl) 27. .. 1:lxe4 28.t2Jxe4! �eS+ (28 ...'iixbl 29.t2Jxd6 .ί:Ιf8 30.'iιfe6+ �h8 3 I .t2Jf7+ l::ίxf7 32.'iixf7 'iifs 33.V!Vxf5 gxfS 34.�g3 is also bad for Black) 29.�g2 'iixbl 30.t2Jxd6! was extremely complicated. 25...fxe2
23 ... 'it'xb2?
Tal seriously examined, and even wrote on his scoresheet, the significantly stronger move 23 ... j_e5!. The analysts, including SF, assess the consequences differently, but the very latest verdict is in Black's favour: 24.f3 (24.j_f3 'iνxb2 2S.t2Jdl 'iνa3 ! 26.l:rxc4 1:lxc4 27.'iνxc4 'iixf3 is clearly in favour of Black) 24...'iνxb2 2S.t2Jdl (2S . .ί.:f.abl j_xbl 26.l;lxbl 'iic2 27.I:i'.cl 'iνfS+) 2S ...'iνxal !
How should we assess this highly non-standard position?
39
Risk & BJuff in Chess
Black has just one pawn for the piece in the endgame, yet White's game is com pletely hopeless. 26.1Σb3 1Σd4! 27. ..te1 ..te5+ 28.Φg1
i Δ ii.
Δ
At this moment, something very unu sual happened in the playing hall. The excitement of the players was trans ferred to the audience, and at the request of Botvinnik's second, the game was moved into a separate room. 28... ..tf4!
Tal was later to lament bitterly the fact that he did not find the more crushing finish 28 ... �xc3! 29.�bxc3 .t1dl 30.1::f.c 7 �f4 3 1 .1:ίe7 J::f.xcl 32.�xe2 �d3 33.�e6 �e5 and explained this by the sharp change in circumstances. But the line chosen by him is also quite sufficient to win. 29.llJxe2 .ΣΣχc1 30.llJxd4
30.tbxcl !ιdl . 3 0... 1Σχe1 + 31 . ..tf1 ..te4-+ 32. tbe2 ..tes 33.14 ..tf6 34. 1Σχb7 ..bd5 35.1Σc7 ..ba2 36.1Σχa7 ..tc4 37.1Σa8+ Φf7 38.1Σa7+ Φeβ 39.1Σa3 d5 40.Φf2 ..th4+ 41 . Φg2 Φdβ 42. liJg3 ..bg3 43. .hc4 dxc4 44. Φχg3 Φd5 45.1Σa7 c3 46.1Σc7 Φd4 0-1
If one speaks of the change in chess, which occurred around the end of the 1950s, then Black's 21st move in the 40
above game symbolises it completely. The shocking knight jump to f4 marked a new era in chess, which began to value not only deep strategical ideas and fault less technical realisation of an advan tage, but also semi-correct sacrifices and daring attacks. Meanwhile, Mikhail Tal, after seizing the world title, became a kind of unofficial patent-holder for this kind of play, not only for himself, but also for his followers. Following the example of his comrade, Boris Spassky started to play more aggressively and riskily. At the same time, the new star Leonid Stein was developing, a player who had previ ously been criticised for being too light hearted and risky in his play. The strict positional approach had not lost its value, as Botvinnik demonstrated a year later in his return match against Tal, but play still became richer and more diverse. It was the Patriarch himself who cooled the ardour of the hotheads, who were keen to follow the new school blindly. It turned out that, to play like Tal, even enormous natural talent was not enough. Without fantastic energy and fireworks, the attack would fail, and it would be easy to put one's finger on the weaknesses in the risk-taker's ideas. Because of his health problems, Tal was never again able to scale the very heights of world chess, but to the end, his best games were remarkable for their fantasy and his absolute contempt for danger. The examples of his games, given below, are widely known and have been analysed many times. But just as with great pieces of music, dif ferent conductors unveil new subtleties and unexpected contents, so it is with Tal's games. New interpretations can be uncovered, which have been missed by previous commentators.
Chapter 1 Game1 8
Mikhaii Tal Lajos Portisch Bled
m
1965 (2)
-
Mikhail Tal:The Start of α New Era
with which Tal played it. In such situa tions, additional psychological pressure is always useful. 1 6...fxe6 1 7. 'ifxe6+
1 .e4 c6 2.ttJc3 d5 3.llJf3 dxe4 4. llJxe4 .tg4 5.h3 bf3 6. 'ifxf3 llJd7 7.d4 llJgf6 a . .td3 llJxe4 9. 'ifxe4 e6 1 0.0-0 .te7 1 1 .c3 llJf6 12.'ifh4 llJd5 1 3. 'ifg4 .tf6 1 4.r:.e1 'ifb6
What is the strongest defence?
1 7... �8?! Which plan would you prefer in Tal 's place?
White has an extremely comfortable position: two bishops and a mobile pawn phalanx. Admittedly, Black's posi tion is very solid and a win for White will require great patience and calm ness. These qualities were not always Tal's strongest point. Even so, the opera tion undertaken by the ex-World Cham pion is astonishing in its recklessness. 1 5.c4?!
' "Correct" (possibly even without the quotation marks) now was the cautious 1 5 .a3, hoping somehow to exploit the bishop pair in a lengthy battle. But Ι decided to play more sharply, because Portisch feels less at home in such posi tions' (Ίal). 1 5 ... llJb4 1 6.:Xe6+!
The point ofTal's idea! In any other case, White's previous move would simply be weak. But Portisch was shaken not only by the sacrifice, but also by the speed
The worst of the three possibilities. Objectively the strongest move is 17.. .'.tid8!, requiring White to force a draw: 18.'iνd6+ Φe8 1 9.'i!Ve6+. This was the reply Tal himself was most worried about. But during the game, he was convinced that his opponent, wlιo was well-known for his principled play, would not settle for a draw when he had an extra rook. The most beautiful variations arise after 1 7... �e7. White had prepared this: 1 8 . �g6+! Φd8 (he loses after 1 8 ... hxg6 1 9.�g5 'ifc7 20.t1e1) 1 9.�[5 "iVxd4 20.�f4 with an extremely dangerous attack for White. Admittedly, the com bined efforts of the analysts found a way of saving the black position: 20 ... 1:f.e8 21 .1:i.e1 g6! 22.�g4 t2Jd3 23.t1e4! 'ifxf2+ 24.Φh2 'ifgl+! 25.Φχg1 �c5+ 26.�e3! t1xe6 27. .a:xe6 a5. SF only con firms this verdict. 1 8. .tf4 .:Ζ.dθ
The only move, Bad is 1 8 ...'iνd8 1 9.1:te1 1l..e 7 20.�b1 with an irresistible attack for White. 41
Risk & Bluff in Chess
1 9.c5! tbxd3 20.cxb6!
Tal's own comments to this move are extremely interesting: Άt first, Ι was ready to force a draw here with 20.jιh6, after which the only defence is 20 ...'ttxb2 (worse is 20 .. .'iYc7 2I .'ifxf6+ �g8 22.jιxg7) 2 I .'ifxf6+ �e8 22.'tte 6+. But not every pawn gets the chance to reach a7! Therefore White again decides on a rather adventurous, but not losing queen capture.' From these words it is quite clear that Tal was not just some sort of machine, calculating tens of moves ahead, but just a human with fears and doubts. He was also a genius, with fantastic intuition! 20... tbxf4 21 . 'ifg4 tαl5 22.bxa7
23 ... :&8 .:.Xa7?
24. .:.e1 +
�d&
25.b5!
The decisive mistake! After 25 ... 1:ίhd8 26.b6! ti:Jxb6 27.l:rbl White still has to demonstrate how to convert his undoubted advantage. 26.1Σe6+ �c7 27. .:.Xf6!
1 -0
If in the above game, Tal's play was risky, but still within the bounds of the permissible, then his approach in the next example is hard to describe as anything other than 'hooliganism' - a favourite word of Tal's, meaning play that was risky to the point of being a bluff Probably, he just enjoyed shock ing his solid and very correct opponent. Game 19
Lajos Poήisch Mikhaii Tal Amsterdam izt 1964 (2)
1 .ttJf3 ttJf& 2.g3 d& 3.d4 g& 4. .tg2 .tg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 .tg4 7.ttJc3 'ifcθ 8.1Σe1 .ΣΣeθ 9. 1i'b3 ttJc& 1 O.d5 ttJaS 1 1 .'ifa4 b6 1 2.tαl2 .td7 1 3. 'ifc2 c& 1 4.b4 SF is more optimistic in its assessment. In its opinion, White's chances are superior, but Black can hold with the best defence. What is that?
22... �e7?
Portisch had actually seen the strong move 22 ... g6! after which White needs to show extremely inventive play: 23.1:ίel �g7 24.h4 h5 25.a8'iν 1:ίχa8 26.'iYd7+ �h6 27.'ifxb7 and in this non-standard position, White's chances are superior. 23.b4!
Portisch: 'Checks from the heavy pieces are not dangerous here, but Ι had missed this quiet pawn move.' 42
Is 14.. .ti:Jb7 necessary?
1 4... tbxc4?!
Α typical Tal decision! Ι suspect such piracy would not enter the head of Magnus Carlsen, for example. After
Chαpter 1 - Mikhαil Tal:The Stαrt of α New Εrα
the Όnly move' 14 ...t2Jb7 Black retains a somewhat passive, but perfectly play able position: 1 5 . .ib2 c5 1 6.b5 (16.a3 cxb4 1 7.axb4 a5) 16 ...t2Ja5. 1 5.llJxc4 cxd5 1 6.tba3 d4?!
Black plays the game in a highly aggres sive manner! It looks more level-headed to play 1 6 ... a5!? 1 7.b5 �[5 18.�b3 (1 8.�d2!?) 18 ...t2Je4 1 9.t2Jxe4 dxe4 20.�e3 (20.�b2 �e6) 20 ... a4 2 l .�c2 �xal , but level-headed players do not reach such positions. 1 7. .ba8 'ifxaθ 1 8. lbcb5 1 9. 'ifd1 lbe4 20.f3
White has retained an extra rook, all of his pieces are defended, and on top of that, the knight on e4 is hanging. But Tal carries on the battle as if nothing was amiss. 23 ... 'iff5 24.g4
The immediate 24.�d4 was also good. 24... 'ife6 25. �d4
11c8
For the moment, Portisch retains full control over the position. Also possible was 20.t2Jxd4 t2Jc3 2 l .�d3 e5 22.t2Jb3 d5 with what looks like a nice position for Black, if one forgets for the moment that he is a rook down!
Now, on top of everything, α rook is hαnging. Can the reαder think of αnything else except to resign?
The next move is just astonishing in its equanimity. 25 ... h5!!
20 ...a6
One gets the impression that Tal's main task in this game was to surprise his opponent on every move. Objective stronger was 20 ...d3 but after 2I .l:ιbl! (stronger than 2l .�xd3 �xal 22.fxe4 �f6) 2 1 . .. 1:rxcl 22.1:rxcl d2 23.fxe4 dxcl� 24.'iVxcl 'ifxe4 25.'ti'f4 White's task is simplified. 21 .llJxd4 'ifdS
Or 2 I . .. t2Jc3 22.�d3 e5 23.t2Jb3 e4 24.�xd6+-. 22.�e3 11c3 23.t2Jdc2
Of course, the exclamation marks have nothing to do with the chess strength of the move - after all, Black no objec tively good moves in this position. But one cannot but applaud Tal's belief in himself and his pieces. And they, like loyal soldiers, are ready to lay down their lives for their commander! 26. .bg7 hxg4! 27.t2Jd4
He could have continued gathering in the harvest: 27.�xc3 g3 28.'iVd4 gxh2+ 29.�hl t2Jg3+ 30.�g2 �h3+ 3 I .�f2 e5 32.�xd6 and Black just has nothing with which to continue the fight. 27... 'ifdS 28.fxe4 'ifxe4 29.lt:\f3
The first sign of panic, although it does not in itself spoil anything. Black has no chances at all after 29.�h6 or 29.'ifd2. 43
Risk & Bluff in Chess
37.�xb6 ι;t>f7! aπd the battle is far from over.
29 ... '1fe3+ 30.Φh1 �cβ
32 ...gxf3 33. '1fxc6 'lfxe2 34. .:r.g1 Φχg7
Δ φ Despite his huge mαteriαl deficit, Τα! hαs mαn αged to creαte some quite serious threαts. Does White still hαve α pαth to victory?
31 . .:r.f1 ??
Portisch's first real mistake proves deci sive. He could have wοπ with both 3l .'iνd4 1::f.xa3 (3 1 . ..gxf3 32.'iνxc3 'iνf2 33.l:ιgl �e4 34.e3) 32 . .!:f.acl �b7 33.'iνxe3 aπd 3 l .ιi:Jc2 'iff2 32.kd4. 31 ... :Xa3?!
The other capture was stroπger: 3 1 . .. gxf3! aπd after the forced 32.exf3 ι;t>xg7 33.ιi:Jc2 �xf3+ 34.1::f.xf3 �xf3+ 35.'iνxf3 l::txf3 Black is ποt riskiπg defeat.
32. '1fc1 ?!
Α mistake iπ returπ. He should have played 32.1::f.c l! gxf3 33.exf3 �xf3+ 34.'iνxf3 'ifxf3+ 35.1::f.xf3 1::f.xf3 36.�d4!. Ιπ view of the threat of mate, Black loses the b6-pawπ - 36 ... f5!
White still has aπ extra rook, but has completely spoilt his positioπ, aπd iπ additioπ, Portisch had hardly aπy time left. Fortuπately for him he has a per petual attack οπ the queeπ. 35.:Se1 'ifd2 36 . .:r.d1 'ife2 37. .:r.de1 'ifd2 %-%
It is difficult to describe such aπ escape other thaπ as witchcraft, but this is far from beiπg the oπly such case iπ Tal's practice. Οπe oπly has to recall his game agaiπst Smyslov from the 1959 Caπdidates' tourπameπt, or the games examiπed above agaiπst Ρaππο aπd Filip. Eveπ today it seems straπge, but iπ those days, such positioπs were usu ally resigπed, so saviπg them was eveπ more uπusual. Miracles happeπ, of course, but oπly extremely rarely, aπd usually both players are surprised by such thiπgs. But here we have a player, who, without formally breakiπg the laws of the game, regularly refutes the regular impressioπs aπd stereotypes. Το the uπbiased observer, it seems obvi ous that this could hardly be maπaged without iπterveπtioπ from οπ high, or, at the very least, hypπosis. Ιπ the last rouπd of the Caπdidates' tourπameπt iπ Yugoslavia, Pal Beπko, after losiπg his three previous games agaiπst Tal, eveπ came to the board for their last game weariπg dark glasses! But the light-hearted geπius respoπded to this by himself dοππiπg a pair of out side suπglasses. Iπcideπtally, amidst the farce, Beπko's 'defeπce' did ποt work aπd oπly Tal's geπerosity saved half a
Chαpter 1
point for the Hungarian - in an abso lutely winning position, Tal offered a draw, which guaranteed him victory in the tournament. But, joking aside, it was extremely hard to explain the incredible metamorpho ses which regularly occurred in the games of the 'Riga Magician'. This is especially true of the young Tal, who, at moments of extreme tension, wore an almost demonic look, and would frequently glance at his opponent with his striking black eyes, which was extremely difficult to withstand. This certainly affected his opponents. But the real secret of his success was that he understood the value of the pieces rather differently from the norm. He gave them not a permanent value, but a temporary one, depending on the situation on the board. He had a subtle feel for nuances that others missed alto gether, and from the side, it appeared that material had no significance for him at all. When in an equal position, he sacrificed a pawn or piece, or when he played a position with an uneven material balance, his remaining pieces acquired a completely different value, and operated with a harmony that only he could achieve. It is no coincidence that many of his sacrifices, which his contemporaries regarded as sheer bluff, are shown by SF to be completely correct. And even when he did bluff, a position which his opponent thought could be won how ever he wanted, turns out to hinge on one or two only moves. Even the best grandmasters in the world were often unprepared for such a transformation in the position. From the outside, it looks like witchcraft, but Tal's pieces
-
Mikhαil Tαi:The Stαrt of α
New
Εrα
operated according to rules which were somewhat different from those gov erning his opponents'. They seemed to acquire extra energy permanently, and develop new powers and possibili ties. This secret generator was a unique feeling for the hidden dynamics of the pieces, an unrepeatable sense of the harmony of chess. Here is another example of Tal's magic. Game 20
M ikhaii Tal Bent Larsen Bled
m
1965 (6)
1 .e4 tbf6 2.e5 tbd5 3.d4 d6 4.tbf3 dxe5 5. tbxe5 e6 6. 'iff3 'iff6 7. 'ifg3 h6 8.tlJc3 lbb4 9. ..ib5+ c6 1 0. ..ia4 tbd7 1 1 .0-0 tbxe5 1 2.dxe5 'ifg6 1 3. 'iff3 'iff5 1 4. 'ife2 ..ie7
Whαt should White plαy?
In the diagram position, nothing radi cal has happened. We face an unhurried positional battle, with some advantage to White - at least, that would be the normal development of events. 1 5.a3!?
Α move that is not entirely simple to understand. Tempting is 1 5.f4 0-0 1 6.a3 lLJdS 1 7.l2Je4 bS 18 . .tb3 and Black has some problems. 1 5 ... tbd5 1 6.tbb5!! 45
Risk & Bluff in Chess
Lightning from a clear sky! Instead of a comfortable advantage, we get compli cations - Tal in his element! 1 6...cxb5
Forced. After 1 6 ... 0-0 I 7.lbd4 �h7 18.c4 lbb6 19.i.c2 Black's position looks simple terrible. 1 7.1Wxb5+ �d8 1 8.c4
23.'ifg4!
Broad and sweeping, but SF's first choice also. 23.1::ld4! followed by 24. ..td2 was also good. 23 ... 1Wf5 24.'ifc4 1Wd5? This is the position Τα! was aiming at, when he sacrificed the piece. How should Black play?
1 8... 'ifxe5?
And this is the result. Such a sharp change in the situation is hard to deal with even for the strongest players of the world. Tal saw the strongest defence 1 8 ... t'bb6! and intended 1 9.�a5! �c7! (worse is 19 ... i.d7 20 . ..te3! ..txa4 2 I . ..txb6+) 20.c5 �b8 2 l .cxb6 axb6 22.'ii'bs t:l:as 23.�b3 with good attack ing prospects. After 1 8 ...lbf4? White had prepared a sur prisingly beautiful variation: 1 9.1::td l+ Wc7 20.l:f.d7+ ..txd7 2l .�xd7+ Wb8 22.�xe7 �xeS 23.i.e3! lbg6 24.�xf7 �f6 2S . ..te8!! �e7 26.�xg6 .ί::i.xe8 27. ..tcS! �d7 28 . ..td6+ Wc8 29.c5 and Black is helpless. 1 9.cxd5 ..td6 20.g3 'ifxd5 21 . 'ife2
The black king in the centre and lines open for attack - what else does Tal want? 21 ... �e7 22.J:.d1 1Wa5
46
'ifcS 25.'ifd3
The last mistake, but the computer defence 2S ... .ί::i.d 8! 26 . ..te3 'ii'a s 27. ..tb3 1:1d7! is hard for any human player to find. Admittedly, even this position is unlikely to find too many players will ing to play it. 26. 1Wc3! Aes 27. 1We1 'ifcs 28. Ad2 �6 29.J:.ac1 'ifb6 30.j.e3 'lfa6 31 . 'ifb4!
The white queen does a huge amount of work in this game! 31 ... b5 32.bb5 'ifb7 33.f4 j.bθ 1 -0 34. ..tc6!
In this game, Tal's creative approach is revealed very vividly. In the diagram position, the majority of strong players, without much serious thought, would settle for the fairly simple and obvious positional plan. Even more than that, this was the correct decision in this position. Did Tal realise this? Undoubt edly! However, instead he preferred to take the game into unpredictable com plications, eschewing the 'playing for two results', so beloved of most pro-
Chapter 1
fessiσηals, aηd iηstead σptiηg fσr total σbscurity, where the result will depeηd ση a siηgle σηly-mσve. This is what σηe might call the σbjective picture.
-
Mikhail TaJ:rhe Start of α
New
Era
lightness there lay aη enσrmσus quaη tity σf wσrk. There is much in cσmmσn between music and chess aηd it is ησ surprise that amσng musicians, σne finds many chess lσvers.
Hσwever, there is aησther explaηatiση fσr White's appareηtly spσηtaηeσus decisiση. Ιη the first case, we wσuld reach a fairly baηal aηd staηdard type σf pσsitiση, where it wσuld be relatively easy fσr Larseη to defeηd himself. Tal's decisiση leads iηstead to a completely irratiσηal pσsitiση, where the Daηe's head wσuld be spiηηiηg. The geηeral rules, by which strσηg players geηerally σperate, are ησt applicable here. The priηcipal rσle is played by the ability tσ appreciate the cσηcrete factσrs σf this uηique pσsitiση. Ιη 'playiηg by the rules', Tal was a strσηg player, but just σηe σf maηy, whereas wheη it came to 'playiηg the exceptiσηs', he had ησ equals. Αηd wheη his uηique geηerator σf eηergy iη his pieces gσt to wσrk iη such pσsitiσns, the result was an unre peatable magic iη chess.
But if σne carries this parallel further, theη Ι am remiηded σf Elvis Presley. Of cσurse, this cσmparisσn is very condi tiσηal. The kiηg σf rσck and rσll was wσrshipped by milliσns, whereas Tal was knσwη to a far smaller ηumber σf peσple. But, takiηg into accσunt the specifics σf each prσfessiση, we caη say that bσth became famσus well σutside the circle σf eveη recσgnised celebrities. Being σf a similar age, bσth went frσm σbscurity tσ wσrldwide fame with astonishing speed. Bσth Presley and Tal were expσηents σf σthers' creatiσηs - it is well-knσwη that Presley never wrσte a single sσηg, aηd Misha ηever spilled much blσσd wσrking ση σpen ings. Α special eηergetic drive, exhib ited by bσth σur herσes, captivated the viewers, whσ became almσst cσ-actors in the eveηts uηfσlding befσre them. Ησw shσuld we assess Tal's cσntributiση Ιη chess, at any rate, nσthing similar to the develσpment σf chess? There is ησ had ever happened befσre Tal. Finally, dσubt that the game changed in a majσr bσth burned themselves σut in their way after him, aηd ησt just in terms σf private lives, as in their creative σnes. its inner content. With the advent σf Everythiηg ηew and creative which Tal, chess became significaηtly mσre they achieved came iη a shσrt, coηcen pσpular in the wσrld, and the ηames σf trated periσd. Misha was just 23 when the leading players became knσwn σut he became the yσungest-ever Wσrld side the ηarrσw circle σf chess prσfes Champiσn, aηd Elvis became the king siσηals. Misha was nicknamed bσth the σf pσp music at rσughly the same age. Mσzart and the Paganini σf chess, by And althσugh Tal lived much lσnger jσurηalists. He himself, coηtiηuing the than many predicted, he achieved musical metaphσr, cσmpared himself to almσst all his greatest mσments iη his Imre Kalman, the king σf σperetta. He yσuth, like Presley. regarded his play as belσηging to a light Mσst σf all, thσugh, he chaηged chess genre, althσugh behind the apparent fuηdamentally! 47
Risk & Bluff in Chess
Conclusion Can one draw anything instructive from the Tal games examined here, and the author's modest commentary thereon? Especially given that the games are very well-known , and the little that is new in the comments here are largely due to the efforts of SF? The main advice Ι would like to give my dear readers is: on no account try to play like Tal ! As it says in the warnings that usually accompany magic tricks or acrobatic displays, ' do not try this at home! ' . Of course, one can mimic the outward appearance of a piece of geni us, but even then, it will just be a pale imitation or copy. It is like those TV shows , where people appear on stage, doing impersonations of a famous singer - it is much easier to get the outward appearance looking right than to recreate the authentic sound.
Νο
matter what level you are at,
you should play ' your kind of chess ' , the chess that you understand, the chess that corresponds to your character and temperament. This does not mean that you should always avoid any kind of risk or bluff in your games. The most important thing is to suit your play to your abilities, to ' cut your cloth according to your pocket' , as they say. Otherwise the result is predictable and, Ι am sorry to say, is not going to be good. But familiarity with the genius of a Tal brings not just aesthetic pleasure, but also widens the horizons of what you can achieve. One might only have the painting talent of an amateur, but it does no harm to know the work of Rembrandt and Picasso. You do not have to play an instrument at the level of a professional orchestra, but a familiarity with the world's leading musicians will improve your modest playing. Conse quently,
Ι would urge
everyone not to limit their knowledge of the play
of the ' Mozart of chess' to those few examples in the present book. And if you are one of those who prefer unpredictable complications and tactical battles to a quiet and logical positional game, then this recommendation can be transformed into an absolute requirement !
48
Chapter 2
Bluff in the Opening The opening is the most predictable part of a chess game and therefore is the part to which most time is devoted when working on chess. Sometimes, this goes too far, and more time is spent on opeπings than is πecessary, to the detrimeπt of other aspects of preparation. Because predictability is actually just aπ illusioπ. Our aπcieπt game is too deep and too maπy-sided to be reduced to a few easily-pre dicted moves. Although the role of opeπiπg preparatioπ is very importaπt, eveπ the stroπgest players have approached it (aπd do approach it) differeπtly. Some will devote mouπ tains of time and eπergy to the search for the absolute truth. Οπe strikiπg example of such a player was Lev Polugaevsky. Others try to escape as soon as possible from what they regard as the most boriπg part of chess, aπd start thiπkiπg for them selves. This was Tal's approach to opeπiπgs, and even more so, that of Boris Spassky. Ιπ our day, the situation has chaπged radically. There is aπ old saying that 'God made everybody differeπt, but Coloπel Colt made them all the same ' . This refers to the Wild West of America, whose life chaπged radically with the appearance of a simple aπd conveπieπt form of haπdguπ. Ιπ chess, the role of the Colt 45 is played by SF. The latter has effected a complete revolution in chess. With the aid of computer databases aπd the unflappable engine assistant, opening preparation has become much easier. On the other hand, the illusion of ultimate truth beiπg available has become eveπ stroπger. The role of risk iπ openiπg preparatioπ has also chaπged coπsiderably. Ιπ this chapter, we will examiπe some examples of bluff in the opening, both from the era of 'workiπg by hand' , aπd from more contemporary chess.
49
Risk & Bluff in Chess
We will start will an old and unique case of collective bluff. In the 14th round of the interzonal tournament in Gothen burg 1955, the vagaries of the draw threw up a three-board match between the USSR and Argentina. Keres, Geller and Spassky faced respectively Najdorf, Panno and Pilnik. What could the black players play against the powerful Soviet trio? The Argentinians' choice fell on a sharp variation of the Najdorf Sicilian. This line requires extremely energetic play from White, involving sacrifices. But collective analysis showed that, even in this case, Black's defensive resources appeared adequate. It is a rare thing when opening preparation achieves 100 % suc cess for one side or the other, but that is what happened here!
1 1 .tlJxe6!
This tempting sacrifice was played in all three of the above-mentioned games. It was not a surprise for the Argentin ians, and they had already analysed the consequences deeply before this - or, at least, so it seemed to them. Geller was the first to decide on the sacrifice, and his example was soon followed by Spassky and Keres ... However, the text is far from being obligatory, and another good line was l l .'iVhs tbes 12.�f2 �xg5 1 3.h4 fol lowed by long castling, which was later seen in practice. 1 1 ...fxe6 1 2. 'ifh5+ 'itfθ
Game 2 1
Paul Keres Miguel Najdorf Gothenburg izt 1955 (14)
1 .e4 c5 2.tbf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.tlJxd4 ttJf6 5.tbc3 a6 6.�g5 e6 7.f4 �e7 8.'iff3 h6 9.�h4 g5! ?
Α novelty at the time, and the result of collective work by the Argentinians. 1 O.fxg5 ttJfd7
Δ Δ � How should White continue the attack?
1 3. �b5!
The Argentinians had even analysed this strong move, which was chosen by all three Soviets. It is probably strongest, although White later tried 13.�c4 tbe5 14.�g3! lbbc6 1 5.gxh6. This position needs further computer and analytical testing. 1 3... '1tg7
The criticαl position of the entire variation. Which continuation seems the most principled for White?
50
The young Panno followed the path planned at home: 1 3 ...tbe5?, but ran into a response from Geller which he had not foreseen: 14.�g3!, after which he was already busted (probably, as was often the case in the pre-computer era, the
Chapter 2
analysis had only considered the auto matic 14.0-0+ �g8! 1 5 . .ig3 (SF sug gests as strongest 1 5.l:ιf6!? .ixf6 1 6.gxf6 but after 1 6 ...�h7 the attack comes to nothing) 1 5 ...hxg5, winning) Α few more moves were played in the game: 14 ... ..txg5 1 5.0-0+ �e7 16.�xe5 �b6+ 1 7.�hl dxe5 18.'iνf7+ �d6 1 9.1:f.adl+ after which everything is clear.
-
Bluff in the Opening
1 4.0-0 lίJe5 1 5.i.g3 ttJg6
After 15 ...�g8? White wins with 16 . .ixe5+ dxe5 1 7. ..te8 ! whilst after 1 5 ...t2Jbc6? the simple 1 6.Jtxc6 decides. 1 6.gxh6+ :X:h6 1 7.:f7+ 1 8. 'ifxh6 axb5 1 9.:f1 + 20. 'ifxg6+ g8 1 8.li:Jc1 jι[g 19.jιxf8 (even stronger is 19 . .ikb2) 1 9... 1:lxf8 20.li:Jb3 li:Jxb3 2 l .axb3 b6.
Game 26
Veselin Topalov (2460) Vladimir Tukmakov (2535) Palma de Mallorca 1 992 (9)
1 .d4 llJfβ 2.c4 gβ 3.llJc3 d5 4.cxd5 llJxdS 5.e4 llJxc3 6.bxc3 .tg7 7. .tc4 0-0 8.llJe2 llJc6 9.0-0 e5 1 0. b3
In connection with the following sac rifice, this is the most principled con tinuation, but other moves seen here include I O . .ike3 and I O.d5 li:Ja5 1 I ..ikd3. 1 0... .1:r.e8 1 1 . bf7+!
At first sight, a strange decision - White plunges into complications, when it is his opponent who needs to win. But for the moment, the game is just following known lines. 1 1 ... 'ifiιxf7 1 2. 'iνb3+
analysis diagram
Campos Moreno-Tukmakov, Osuna 1 991 . Black must fight for equality. Analysing the last game, Ι glanced briefly at the king move, which looked ridiculously dangerous, but Ι did not see a direct refutation. It was hard to imagine a better chance to test it out. Taking a deep breath, Ι went for it! 1 3.f4?!
Wαs the move 12 ... .ike6 necessαry?
The most natural continuation of the attack, which did not cost my young opponent very much time. In my preparation, Ι had not bothered looking at anything else. However, SF has a different opinion: 1 3 .1:lad 1 ! poses Black much more dif ficult problems. Things look extremely dangerous after both 1 3 ... .ikd7 (now the following line seems very unattractive: 61
Risk & Bluff in Chess
1 3 ... exd4 14.tbxd4 'ifd7 (even worse is 14... �d7 I S.tbxc6 bxc6 1 6 . .!::i.d3) I S .tbbs
two other tempting tries. The first of these is 14.dxe5+!? �g7 I S .fS!? (15.1:1'.adl 'ifh4!) IS ... tbxeS 1 6.f6+ Wh8 1 7..!::radl .Άd7 1 8.f7 .ί::rf8 1 9.'iνxb7 (Black's task is eased after 19.�xf8 'ifxf8 20.'ifxb7 'δ'cS+ 2 l .�hl l::rf8) 1 9... �e3+ 20.�hl cS 2 l .c4 1:1'.b8 22.'ifxa7 (Black is clearly better after 22.�b2 �d4 23.jιxd4 cxd4 24.'iνxa7 'i:Vb6!) 22 ... 1:1'.xf7!.
analysis diagram
I S ...tbaS (relatively best. Totally bad is I S .. .'iνf7 16.c4!) and now White has a pleasant choice between 16 . .!::i.xd7 tbxb3 17 . .!::i.xc7 tbd2 1 8 .tbd6 �e7 1 9.1:1xe7 �xe7 20.1:1'.dl �xc3 2 I .tbb5+ or the more primitive 1 6.'δ'a4 'ifc6 1 7.'ifxa5) 14.dxe5+! l::f.xeS (14... tbxe5 I S.f4 is totally bad for Black) I S.f4! 1:1'.xe4 1 6.tbg3 �e3 1 7.f5! with a win ning attack for White. In this case, we can say that the dubiousness of Black's opening idea has been demonstrated. 1 3... ..th6
analysis diagram
This counter-sacrifice solves all the problems. 23.1:1'.xf7 tbxf7 24.'iνxd7 'i:Vxd7 25.1:1'.xd7 1:1'.bl+ 26.�cl tbeS 27.�dl tbg4 and White must fight to save himself. More tempting is 14.d5!? tbaS I S.fxeS+ �g7 1 6.'i:Va4 with undoubted compen sation for the piece. Of the many replies - 1 6 ...b6, 1 6 ...c6, 1 6 ... �g4, 1 6 ... �e3 - it is not easy for Black to choose the best. 1 4.. hs 1 8.l:ιg8+! ςt>xg8 1 9.ii'gl+ with inevitable mate (Ljubojevic-Honfi, Cacak 1 970). Ljubo also knew what the best defence was, as we see above. 1 5. �g5 1Wc7
Significantly more interesting is 16 . .te2!? .tcs 1 7.'ifd2 1i'xe5 (1 7... �xgl? 18.�f6) 18.1:f.g3 ! with mutual chances. 1 6... �c5 1 1. 1Wf4
The game takes an unexpected turn after 1 7.d6! �xd4! (1 7...'iYc6 1 8.'iνf4 .txg1 1 9.e6 is very dangerous for Black) 1 8.dxc7 .txg1 1 9.cxb8ii' �axb8 20.0-Ο-Οοο. Although the queens have left the board, White retains full com pensation for the sacrificed exchange. 1 7... bg1 1 8.d6!
The strongest move in the position. But Bronstein increased its unexpectedness by offering a draw! Maybe this para doxically contributed to his success? Α couple of months later, Ljubojevic had to defend this position again. White was clearly not up to the task and lost very feebly: 1 8 .ςt>e2? 'iνc5 1 9.l:txgl 1i'xg1 20.�f6 'iνg2+ 2 1 .ςt>e3 'iνxb2 n.ςt>d3 tb8d7 23.tbe4 1:t.ac8 24.1i'h6 tbxe5+ 25.ςt>e3 1:f.c3+ (0-1, Gheorghiu Ljubojevic, Manila 1 973). In our day, when information travels around the world in seconds, such a situation is impossible to imagine! 1 8 ... 1Wc8?!
In this very shαrp position, White hαs severαl possibilities. Which would you choose?
1 6.�b3!?
Bronstein chooses the most principled, but also the riskiest continuation. It was possible to avoid the sacrifice with the aid of the unexpected 1 6.1:t.g4!?, but in this case, Black has no problems: 16 ...tbxc4 1 7.d6!? (1 7.ii'xc4 'ilfxe5+ 18.ςt>f1 .txc3 1 9.'ifxc3 tbd7 is safe for Black) 1 7... �xc3+! 1 8.1i'xc3 ii'b6! 19.ii'xc4 'iVxb2 20.1:f.dl ii'xe5+ and now White's best is 2 l .'ife4, retaining sufficient activity for equality. 74
Like all his earlier moves, the Yugoslav played this very quickly. Bronstein had only about 5 minutes left ση his clock, which was obviously insufficient in such a sharp position. It is understand able that Black wished to avoid the tempo-loss after 1 8 ...1i'c5 19.tbe4 but then 1 9...1i'd4! 20.!1d1 'iixb2 2l .tbf6+ (21 .e6 tb8d7 22.e7 'ifxh2 23.exf8'iV+ 1:t.xf8 24.1i'xh2 .txh2 was seen in the game Gruenfeld-Ljubojevic, Riga izt 1 979, which the Yugoslav once again won!) 2 1 ...ςt>hs 22.Ιιd2 'ifal+ 23.1:f.d1 ii'b2 24.1:f.d2 led to a draw. However, one cannot doubt that the mercurial Ljubojevic would have rejected this line,
Chapter 2 - Bluff in the Opening
even if he had seen it. Black is playing only for a win! 1 9. Φe2?
The cause of this inaccuracy was some thing quite different - a catastrophic shortage of time! After the strongest line 19.0-0-0! White no longer has the threat of 20.lLJe4, but in return, after 19...lLJ8d7 (ση 19...'ifcs there is the very unpleasant 20.e6) 20.1:ίxgl lLJcS 2 1 ..!:f.d l ! lLJxb3+ 22.axb3 his king i s safe and he can quietly develop his attack. 1 9... .tc5?
Continuing to move at blitz speed, Ljubojevic did not even attempt to delve more deeply into the position. But with the white king on e2, 1 9...1!fcS! was now very strong! For example, 20.e6 (on 20.lLJe4 there is the very unpleas ant 20 .. .'iVbS+! and Black wins: 2 H iid2 lLJc4+ 22.�xc4 'iνxb2+ 23.�d3 'iνxal 24.lLJf6+ �h8) 20 ...'iνf2+ 2 1 .�d3 lLJ8d7! 22.exd7 tι:Jxd7 23.lLJe4 'iνd4+ and White stands badly. 20.tbe4 llJSd7 2 1 . 1:1c1 1i'c6
You
are in desperate time-trouble,
and
22 ...�bS+ is threatened. What do you do? 22 . .:.Xc5!
The only correct reply! 22... tbxc5 23. tlJf6+ c;i;ιhθ 24.1i'h4
Now Black's position is so hopeless that the time factor ceases to be so important.
White's moves are sufficiently obvious that he can play them automatically. 24 ... 1i'b5+ 25. Φe3 h5 26.tbxh5 1i'xb3+ 27.axb3 ttJd5+ 28. Φd4 tbe6+ 29.Φχd5 tbxg5 30. tlJf6+ c;i;ιg7 3 1 . 1i'xg5 1:1fd8 32.e6 fxe6+ 33. Φχe6 .:.ιs 34.d7 as 35.tlJg4 .:.S6+ 36. Φe5 1:1f5+ 37.1i'xf5 gxf5 38.d81i' fxg4 39.1i'd7+ Φh6 1 -0 40.1i'xb7 1:1g6 41 .f4
Α remarkably surprising game and a no less dramatic finish! Black's risky open ing choice was, strangely enough, com pletely correct. Ljubo has never been noted for his caution and cold-blood edness, but on the other hand, he is superb in tactically complex positions. His very fast play must also have made a considerable impression on his suffer ing opponent. Everything went as might have been expected, but the sudden and unexpected draw offer deprived Ljubo of all of his sense of caution. He doubtless thought it was a last desper ate chance for an opponent who had already 'shot his bolt'. In reality, once he realised that there was no possibility of compromise, Bronstein played on with desperate ingenuity and courage. Had the Yugoslav kept a clear head, he would have been able to find his way through the complications, especially as he had so much time on the clock. True bluff is always accompanied by excitement, but this must be kept under control. Defeat in this game had far-reaching consequences. Α distraught Ljubo collapsed at the finish of the tour nament and never did reach the Candi dates. Two subsequent victories in this same variation were only slim consola tion for him. The lesson is clear: never let the excitement get the better of you! 75
Risk & Bluff in Chess
ln all of these examples examined so far, one player (or both) has, at an early stage, wrenched the game out of normal channels and headed into tactical com plications. In such situations, the value of each move rises sharply, and the player who is better prepared for such a turn of events gains the advantage. The term Όpening bluff' has silently acquired the meaning of precisely this kind of turn towards tactical compli cations. But no less interesting is the opposite approach, when the risk does not take such an obvious character. This next example is a kind of treat for true gourmets. Game 33
Curt Hansen (261 5) Viktor Kortchnoi (2645) Malmί:i 1996 (5)
1 .d4 tiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tiJf3 b6 4.g3 .tb7 s. .tg2 �e7 6.tiJc3 tiJe4 7.�d2 fS θ.dS tiJa6!?
9.0-0
White plays the most natural move, and Black breathes a sigh of relief. But previously, Kortchnoi had run into an unpleasant surprise in this position: 9.dxe6! . This move becomes possi ble only because of the experimental knight jump to a6. Of course, he had prepared an improvement: 9...t2Jac5! (9... dxe6 I O .'ii'a4+ 'ii'd 7 1 I .'ii'xd7+ Wxd7 1 2.t2Jxe4 .i.xe4 1 3 .t2JeS+ WcB 14 . .i.xe4 fxe4 1 5.0-0-0 had occurred in the above-mentioned game and Black had eventually lost this unpleas ant endgame in Alterman-Kortchnoi, Beer-Sheva 1992) I O.exd7+ 'ti'xd7 1 1 .�e3! (weaker is 1 I .'fi'c2 t2Jxd2 1 2 .'ti'xd2 'ii'xd2+ 1 3 .Φχd2 t2Je4+!+) 1 1 ...t2Jxc3 1 2 .'ii'x d7+ t2Jxd7 1 3 .bxc3 .i.f6 and Black is hanging on, but a draw is the limit of his dreams. Kortchnoi was very much hoping that this would not happen in the game, and he was proved right! 9 ... 0-0 1 O. .:l.c1 .tf6 1 1 .a3 c6!
This break was Kortchnoi's whole idea. Standard measures such as 1 1 ...exd5 1 2.cxd5 cS 13.dxc6 dxc6 14.�f4! or 1 l . .. t2Jac5 1 2.Μ t2Jxc3 1 3 . .i.xc3 t2Je4 14.�xf6 'ii'xf6 1 5 .'ii'd4! do not achieve full equality. 1 2.dxe6 dxe6 1 3.1i'c2 cS 1 4. .:1.fd1 1i'e7 1 5.tiJe1 tiJxd2 1 6.bb7
16.1:ίχd2!?. This is whαt Viktor Kortchnoi wrote about Blαck's lαst move: 'Ι have to αdmit that Ι was bluffing in the opening. It is well-known that after 8 ... �f6 9.'ii'c2 White obtαins the advantage, so Ι came up with the idea of the knight move to α6, so thαt after 9.'ii'c2 Ι could play 9...t2Jb4 or 9...t2Jαc5.' And now the ques tion: whαt exactly was the bluff in the greαt grandmaster's ideα?
76
1 6 ... 1i'xb7 1 7.1i'xd2 .:l.adθ 1 8.'ife3 'ife7
One should not overrate the results of the opening experiment - Black has only achieved solid equality. But if one adds to this the positive emotions that come from a successful bluff (even if not such a serious one), the chances of a successful outcome to the game are increased.
Chapter 2 - Bluff in the Opening
1 9. 'iff3 ltJbB! 20.ttJd3?!
Nor is this garne an exception. 34. 'ifb6 h6 35.:1.e7 'ifd1 + 36.'ίtg2 'ifd5+ 37 . ..t>g1 :l.cβ 38.:1.e1 'ifc6 39. 'iνd4 'ifb7 40.h4 b4 41 . ..t>h2 b3 42.:1.e2 :l.c1 43. 'iνdβ+ ..t>h7 44. 'ifd3+ g6 45.f3 b2 46.h5 b1 'if 47.hxg6+ ..t>g7 48. 'ifd4+ Φχg6 49. 'ifd6+ 'ίΡ17 50. �h3
And White resigned. What is special about this game? It is cornpletely devoid of the outward Α significant inaccuracy. He should have effects, which were typical of the pre exchanged all the rooks: 20.tίxd8 tlxd8 vious exarnples in this chapter. And 2 1 ..Ud 1 . But how can White's mistake be in what did Black's risk-taking really exploited? consist? In an inferior, but objectively defensible endgarne? 20 ... .ixc3! In reality, what Kortchnoi showed here Α concrete decision! By exchanging off was piloting of the highest class. After his lovely bishop, Black firrnly seizes delving deeply into the nuances of the position in his preparation, he thought the initiative. 21 .bxc3 up a far frorn obvious irnprovernent, Να better is the capture 2 1 . 1:1xc3 e5 and with its help favourably solved his after which 22.e4? tbc6 23 .'iνg2 t2Jd4 opening problerns. Then he outplayed 24.Whl f4 leads to a large advantage for his opponent frorn an equal position Black. the rnark of a great rnaster! 21 ...e5 22.e4 ltJc6 23.tbe1 fxe4 24. 'ffxe4 'iff7! 25. 'ffe2
30... tbxc4 31 . .:.Xc5 tbxe3 32. 'ifxe3 a6 33. .:.Xe5 'iff3
It rnay seern that such an approach is rnore characteristic of the previous century, whereas the rnodern fashion if rnore for 'rnove by rnove' battles. Avoiding the rnain line given by SF can often result in irnrnediate defeat. We have already exarnined several exarn ples of this in the present chapter. But history advances by rneans of spirals. And the strongest players of today, led by Magnus Carlsen, are turning back to the earlier approach, where the hurnan cornes up with the initial idea, and SF just follows along behind.
The position is technically winning for Black, and realising his advantages is not usually a problern for Kortchnoi.
Here are two typical exarnples, taken frorn the last Candidates' tournarnent.
After 25.t2Jd3 a very strong reply is 25 ...�f3! 26.'ifxf3 z:ιxf3 27.tbb2 l:ιxdl+ 28.t2Jxd Ι tίd3. 25... .:.Xd1 26. .:.Xd1 liJaS
As a result of White's 21st rnove, the square d4 is not available to the white knight, but in return, there is now a weakness ση c4. 27.lbg2 tbxc4 28.tbe3 tbxa3 29.c4 b5! 30.:1.d5
30.cxb5 t2Jxb5.
77
Risk & Bluff in Chess Game 34
Veselin Topalov (2785) Vladimir Kramnik (2787) Khanty-Mansiysk ct 2014 (6)
1 .d4 tiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tiJf3 d5 4.tiJc3 i.e7 5.i.f4 0-0 6.e3 tiJbd7 7.c5 tiJhS 8.i.e5!?
Kramnik decides it is the first and so with his last move, he radically stops the advance of the g-pawn. He could also have killed two birds with one stone: lO .. .tiJxeS! l l .lLJxeS f6 1 2.tiJf3 e5! after which the only one likely to have any problems is White.
This is not actually a novelty, but it is a pretty rare move all the same_ At grand master level, 8.�d3 is almost exclu sively played. 8...c6 9.i.d3 g6
9... [6 10.�g3 fS was seen a century and more ago! Although this was in a World Championship match, both sides' play is not above criticism. After l l .lLJgS? t2Jdf6? (Steinitz-Chigorin, 1 7th match game, Nuremberg 1 896) White even tually won. Had Chigorin found the simple l l .._l2Jxc5!, the outcome would probably have been different.
analysis diagram
However, the surprise factor proved decisive in this game. Topalov's bluff worked 1 00%. 1 1 . i.h2!
Now the dark-squared bishops survives, as if by a miracle, and is a serious bone in Black 's throat. 1 1 ... b6?!
The text move is probably strongest and was probably foreseen by Topalov in his preparation. Try to guess what he had in mind.
Α further inaccuracy. Black had a pleas ant choice between taking the pawn with l l ... �xh4!? 1 2.ifc2 �[6 (although in this case, after 1 3.0-0-0 White has excellent attacking prospects), or the double-edged l l ... f4!?. 1 2.b4 f4
Now 1 2 ... �xh4 is already too danger ous because of 1 3 .bS! �b7 14.'ti'a4. 1 3.0-0 a5?
1 0.h4!?
This is a real novelty! The move is shocking in its paradox. What is the move - the start of a kingside pawn storm with g2-g4 or just preparation of a retreat for the bishop to h2? 1 0...f5
78
Continuing his series of unsuccessful moves. Good or bad, he had to take the pawn with 1 3 ... �xh4. 1 4.b5!
Kramnik must have underestimated this move. 1 4... bxc5 1 5.bxc6 tiJb8 1 6.i.b5! i.a6
Chαpter 2
Probably the decisive mistake, although Black's position is already extremely dangerous. 1 7.a4 'ifc8 1 8.dxc5!
Even stronger than the natural 1 8 .lLJeS, which was also good. 1 8... ltJxc6 1 9.ltJxd5 exd5 20. 'ifxd5+ �hθ 21 . 'ifxc6 'ifxc6 22 . .b:c6 :Scθ
The lesser evil was 22 ... �xfl 23 . .ixa8 �a6. 23. ..tb5 .b:b5 24.axb5 .b:c5 25.:Xa5 fxe3 26.fxe3 .b:e3+ 27.�h1 J:c2?
He could retain some saving chances after 27... t2Jf6. 28.J:b1
Now it is all over. 28 ... J:fc8 29.:Sa1 ..tb6 30 . ..te5+ �gθ 31 . :&6 ..te3 32.b6 J:c1 + 33.:Xc1 :Xc1 + 34.�h2 J:b1 35.g4 ..tf4+ 36.�g2 .b:e5 37. ltJxe5 llJf4+ 38.�3 llJe6 39.b7 J:b3+ 40.�2 J:b2+ 41 .�e3 1 -0
Starting from his 1 5th move, White effectively had already begun the pro cess of realising his advantage (which he managed almost faultlessly, by the way). But how did Topalov manage to get a substantial advantage so quickly, in a quiet opening, against one of the world's best-prepared players? After all, the game did not feature any spectac ular sacrifices or extreme complica tions. The game was effectively decided by a paradoxical opening idea, which, strictly speaking, was not fully correct. But the surprise factor is so great in modern-day chess that such bluffs are usually very effective. The following game had great sport ing significance. The ex-World Cham-
-
Bluff in the Opening
pion was confidently leading after the first cycle, and Aronian needed a win at all costs. Declining to go down well-known variations, from the early moves, he headed into unknown and risky waters. Game 35
Levon Aronian (2830) Viswanathan Anand (2770) Khanty-Mansiysk ct 2014 (θ)
1 .c4 c6 2.llJf3 d5 3. 'ifb3!?
In his previous white game in this tour nament, against Andreikin, Aronian played 3 .g3, allowing 3 ... dxc4. He was probably not satisfied with the results of the opening from that game, although he may just have wanted to get away from theory as quickly as possible in this highly important game. 3 ... d4!? 4.e3 c5
Cαn one justify the queen's position somehow?
ση
b3
5.'ifb5+?!
This idea looks dubious just at a glance! In addition, such play is not at all in Aronian's style. White probably decided on this bluff at the board. It is a case where creative principles have to be sacrificed for sporting considerations. 5... llJc6 8. 'ifb3
6. 'ifxc5
e5 7. 'ifb5
a6
79
R.isk & Bluff in Chess
8... ..ic5
Black has excellent compensation for the pawn, and now he could pose his opponent more serious problems with 8 ...tbf6! 9.exd4 (9.d3 �b4+ 1 0.�d2 .ixd2+ l l .tbbxd2 dxe3 1 2.fxe3 tbg4! does not solve the problems) 9 ... e4 10.d5 exf3 l l .dxc6 ..tcS!. Anand's move is less principled. 9.d3 ltJf6 1 O.e4!? 0-0 1 1 . .te2 ..ib4+ 1 2. ltJbd2 a5 1 3.0-0 ttJd7 1 4. 'iνd1 ..id6 1 5. llJe1 ltJcS 1 6. ltJb3 ltJa6 1 7. ttJd2 ttJcs 1 8.ltJb3 ttJa6 1 9.ltJd2?!
Draw agreed.
19.f4!? leads to a sharp position with mutual chances. Even more in the spirit of the position was 19.a4!?. Certainly, here too Black retains positional com pensation for the pawn, but a long and complicated battle would lie ahead, with an unpredictable outcome. Α strange game, which raises many ques tions. What was the point ofWhite's third move? Το defend the pawn? But isn't it dynamic positions with lively piece play which are the Armenian's trademark? It seems to me as though the queen check, followed by capturing on c5, was not home preparation, but ΟΤΒ inspiration. The resulting position cannot have given Aronian any very positive emotions, and he would probably have been quite happy to switch colours with his oppo nent. This led to him agreeing a draw in a position where Carlsen would have been rubbing his hands with glee. It is clear that in this game, the opening bluff was not a well-thought out decision, but a chance idea. As a result, it was almost doomed to failure.
Conclusion What is meant by opening bluff in today's chess? Most often, it is when, in preparing for
a
concrete game with
a
concrete opponent, the player
decides on an extremely risky continuation , in full awareness of the possi ble consequences. But like everything totally pure and distilled, this rarely happens in real life. In the Introduction , we gave the famous game Karpov Kasparov, in which a common sense interpretation would suggest exactly this unique form of opening bluff. Alas, things turned out to be much simpler and more understandable from a human viewpoint.
The
team
simply blundered in their analysis before the game, and as a result of this blunder, a true chess masterpiece ended up being born. One is reminded of Anna Akhmatova's lines: Ίf only you knew what trash gives rise
I Το
verse, without a tinge of shame' . In our day, such a situation is simply impossible. SF points out 1 2 . �e 3 ! instantly, as its first line. It is impossible to miss the move, unless one de liberately decides to ignore the computer, which is not going to happen. Such opportunities for computer preparation are now available not j ust
80
Chapter 2
-
Bluff in the Opening
to the world's top players, but to any amateur who is not afraid of tech nical progress. As a result, it is much more difficult now to surprise an opponent. On tl1e other hand, if you do manage to catch someone out, the effect of the surprise is all the greater. After all, the opponent has the same information sources and databases as are available to you, so he can see the same moves and the same computer assessments of the resulting positions. Consequently, tl1e first reaction to a surprise in the opening is usually the standard one: Ί have probably looked at this, but have for gotten it' . However, once it proves impossible to drag anything up from the memory, the panic starts.
Νο
doubt the opponent has penetrated the
secrets of the position more deeply than you, and he is armed to tl1e teeth against every possible continuation and remembers every variation per fectly. Meanwl1ile, you are forced, like a blind man, to grope around for the correct continuation, which the opponent already knows. So how should one retain a cool l1ead in such situations? The main thing is not to panic. Every cloud has a silver lining. The opponent l1as played a new move in a position which you have analysed in depth with the computer? Well, surely then, his move does not feature among the first tlπee choices of the computer, else you would remember it. So, that means the novelty is almost certainly not so deadly, and he is relying mainly on the effect of surprise. Therefore, forget about SF, switch on your own brain at once, and react in accordance with your own under standing of the game, your own style and your own mood at the moment in question. Of course, there are some variations, in which the price of each move is unusually high, and knowing tl1e correct answer is better than stum bling around in the dark. And, if you are stupid enough to like such ex ceptional variations, then there is sometimes a price to play for tl1is pleas ure. Countless hours spent in front of the computer screen, countless more learning numerous computer variations, which often have internal logic to them. But even fulfilling all these conditions cannot guarantee you will never be caught by surprise. In double-edged forcing positions, the danger multiplies many times over. However, even here, there is no sense in losing your head. If a desper ate opponent sacrifices two pieces in a well-known variation, and then six moves later plays a move you have not seen before, there is no need to resign. More than likely his novelty simply means that, with the help of SF, he has found another, less obvious way to equalise, as that is the logical outcome of all ultra-sharp opening variations. So, search, and the draw will be your reward for passing the examination. However, periodic defeats resulting from such an approach are inevitable. After all, man is not a computer, and memory lapses are unavoidable. But this author will not accept any complains from his readers on this score - you have been warned! 81
Risk & Bluff in Chess
Chapter 3
The Madness of the Brave In this chapter, we will focus on positions in which there is absolutely no necessity for risky action. Indeed, typically, there is a quiet and natural plan which stands out on the surface. But for unknown reasons, the player ignores the standard logic and takes aπ unexpected decision, sharply changing the material balance on the board. Mikhail Tal frequently used such a device, and we will start with a famous example from his play. Ι would remind you that this was played in the penultimate, 27th round of the Candidates' tournament, and had enormous sporting significance, in terms of the battle for first place.
82
Chapter 3 - The Madness of the Brave Game 36
Robert Fischer Mikhaii Tal Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade ct 1959 (27)
1 .e4 c5 2.tbf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.tbxd4 tbf6 5. tbc3 a6 6. .tc4 e6 7 . .tb3 b5 8.f4 b4 9.tba4 tbxe4
16 . .Άχa7 exdS 1 7.1:f.ael+) 16.1:f.ael , is very convincing. White has a very strong attack and he has only sacri ficed one pawn. For example, 1 6 ... 1:f.c7 1 7.'ifxh7 tbxa4 1 8.it.h6! 1:f.xh6 1 9.tbxh6 'ifh4 20 . .Άχe6. 1 4...exf5 1 5.bf5
White has a pleasant choice - there were also l S.it.dS!? and 1 S . i.f3 !?. 1 5 ... .:.e7 1 6.bc8
The first step in the wrong direction. Stronger was 1 6.c3 i.b7 1 7.i.h3. 1 6... 'ifxc8 1 7. .tf4? !
In those long-lost days, this was all virgin land, in which the first furrows were just being made. But even in those circumstances, the choice of such a sharp line was a huge risk, especially taking into account the tournament situation at that moment.
And this is the second! The quiet con tinuation 1 7.c3 'ifb7 1 8 . 1:f.f2 promised White a comfortable advantage, with no risk. But one should not forget that this calm diagnosis is the result of analysis by dozens of people, over more than half a century. 1 7... 'ifc6 1 8.1!Vf3
1 0.0-ο g6 1 1 .f5! gxf5 1 2 . tbxf5 .:.gs
White has a very dangerous attack, for just one pawn. Things are completely bad for Black after 1 2 ... exf5 1 3.'ifdS na7 14.'ifd4. But the text is also extremely optimistic. There were better chances of a successful defence after 1 2 ...'ifc7!? 13.'ifd4 l::f.g8 or 12 ... d5.
Δ Δ Δ � Can the knight sacri/ice be accepted?
1 3. .td5! .:.a7
The only move! exdS 14.'ifxd5 1 6.'ifxe4+ �e7 Black is a pawn tion.
It is hopeless after 13 ... �xfS l S . .t:ίxfS .!::l.a 7 1 7.'it'xb4 1:f.e2 1 8.1:tf2!. down with a bad posi
1 4. be4?!
The variation pointed out by Fischer, 14.i.e3 tbcS (the inventive defence 14 ... it.b7 is insufficient because of 1 S.c4!) l S .'ifhS 1:f.g6 (1 S ...tbxa4
1 8 ... 'it'xa4!
Extremely risky, but at the same time, the only choice for Tal. Exchanging queens into a slightly worse ending would be a betrayal of himself. Fischer, by contrast, considered accepting the sacrifice to be suicide, so his opponent's choice came as a great shock. 1 9.bd6 'it'c6 2 1 . 'iiί>h 1 'it'xbθ
20.bb8
'ifb6+
83
Risk & Bluff in Chess
Δ Δ Δ :t;t During the game, both players were in doubt that White's attack should be decisive. The main question was in the details - which of the two natural continuations - 22.'ifc6+ or 22.1:tae1 - leads to victory? It was just at this moment that the following pantomime took place: 'First Fischer wrote down the move 22.1:tae1!, which is undoubtedly strongest, but he wrote it not in his usual descriptive nota tion, but in algebraic, and, moreover, in Russian script! Αηd he quite openly allowed me to see his scoresheet' - Τα!. Do you agree with this assessment of the critical position?
22.1!fc6+!?
demonstration board, and then, with a satisfied look on my face, Ι returned to my seat. Ι noted how Fischer was watching me the entire time, rather than calculating variations. Once again, Fischer stared at me (Ι just did nothing), and then... picked up his pen, crossed out his intended move, and gave the queen check! ' One of the greatest psychological duels in chess. One must recall that in 1 959, Fischer was very young, only a junior actor at a provincial theatre company, as it were. Α decade or so later, he had become a world-famous actor! As for the pure chess aspects of this drama, it was only many years later that the truth was uncovered, with SF taking a significant part in the affair. Thus: 22.1:tae1!? Φd8! 23.1:tdl+ (after 23.1:txe7 �xe7 24.'iVdS+ .id6 2S.l:rf6 Black defends successfully with the aid of 25 ... 1:ίg6!) 23 ... Φc7 24.'iVf4+ (24.1:td4 'ifb7) 24...Φb7 25.1:td6 'ife8 ! (Fischer gave 25 ...'ifc7 26.'ifxb4+ Φc8 27.l::rxa6 'ifb7 28.'i:Vxb7+ Φχb7 29.1:taf6 1:tg7=) 26.'iff3+ (26.'iVxb4+ 'ifbs 27.'ifxb5+ axbS+) 26 ... 1:te4 27.1:tf6 Φb8 and White must fight for a draw. Thus, 22.1:tael was not as strong as Tal thought during the game. 22... :d7 23.:Se1 +
Also insufficient is 23.1:tadl ? 'ifb7! 24.'ifxd7+ 'iVxd7 25.1:txd7 Φχd7 26.1:ίχf7+ id..e7 27.�xh7 �c8, whilst 23.�xf7? 'i:Vd6 is even worse. 23 ... �e7 24. .:Xf7?
Tal passes this theatrical exam! What should he do? Ί could see that Fischer very much wanted to know my opinion ofhis deci sion, so Ι just got up from the board, walked around, exchanged a joke with another player, whilst glancing at the 84
Only this move can be considered a serious mistake. Black's task is much more complicated after 24.'iff6! Φd8 (24... �f8 2S.'ifxa6) 2S.'ifxf7 1:te8 26.'ifxh7 with a double-edged position. 24... '1tt>xf7 25.1!fe6+
2S.'ifxd7 'ifd6!.
Chapter 3
25... �f8 26.1i'xd7 'ifd6 27. 1i'b7 .Z:.g6 28.c3 a5 29. 1Wc8+
Black 's position is technically winning. Stronger, in Fischer's opinion, was 29.cxb4 �xb4 (29... axb4 30.a3 bxa3 3 1 .bxa3 �xa3) 30.'tWf3+ �g7 31 .'tWe2 .id6. 29 ... �g7 30. 'ifc4 ..idθ 31 .cxb4 axb4 32.g3?
More tenacious is 32.�e4 .ic7 33.�e7+ Φg8 34.�e8+ �f8 35.'tWe4. 32 ... 1Wc6+ 33 . .J:te4 'ifxc4 34.:Xc4 .Z:.b6! 35.�g2 'ίtf6 36.�3 �e5 37.�e3 ..ig5+ 38. �e2 �d5 39.�d3 ..if6 40 . .Z:.c2 ..ie5 41 . .Z:.e2 .Z:.f6 42 . .Z:.c2 .Z:.f3+ 43.�e2 .Z:.f7 44.�d3 ..id4 45.a3 b3 46. .Z:.c8 ..ixb2 47 . .Z:.d8+ �c6 48. .Z:.b8 .Z:.f3+ 49.�c4 .Z:.c3+ 50.�b4 �c7 51 . .Z:.b5 0-1 ..ia1 52.a4 b2
Tal's rniraculous escape had far-reach ing consequences for chess history: he won the Candidates' tournarnent, and then the World Charnpionship itself. As for the garne itself and its interest for our therne, the psychological battle, so beautifully described by the winner, certainly played its role in the result of the garne. But the rnain thing, in rny view, is that even in his best years, Bobby strove to avoid wild cornplica tions and preferred sirnple and clear decisions. Misha, on the other hand, felt like a fish in water in such corn plicated positions. Thus his bluff (and, as shown, the serious risk) had serious justification. Indirect confirrnation of the Fischer approach to chess is provided by the following garne, even though it was played long before anyone in the chess world had heard of the Arnerican.
-
The Madness of the Brave
Game 37
Leonid Shamkovich Vladimir Simagin Leningrad 1 951
1 .d4 li::!f6 2.c4 g6 3.liJc3 d5 4.li::!f3 ..ig7 5.1i'b3 dxc4 6.'ifxc4 0-0 7.e4 ..ig4 8. ..ie3 li::!fd7 9. 'iVb3 ..ixf3 1 0.gxf3 liJc6 1 1 . .Z:.d1 e5 1 2.dxe5 liJcxe5 1 3 . ..ih3 liJxf3+ 1 4. �e2 li::!fe5 1 5. ..ixd7 liJxd7 1 6.'iVb5 c6 1 7. 'ifxb7 .Ζ:.bθ 1 8.'ifxd7 :Xb2+ 1 9.�1
What should Black play? After the exchange of queens, α draw is inevitable.
However... 1 9... 'iff6!?
19...'tWxd7 20 . .1:lxd7 .ixc3 2 1 .1::!.xa7 �e8 22.1:ta4= occurred in a garne Evans Fischer, US Charnpionship, New York 1962/63. It seerns that the future World Charnpion, who usually eschewed risk, did not even consider the dubious-look ing piece sacrifice. 20. liJa4?
As often happens in such situations, the sudden change in the garne produces rnistakes. However, the following anal ysis shows that the sacrifice has a full right to exist. The rnost natural reply 20 . .id4 leads to equality: 20 ...�f3 (or 20 ...�h4 2 I .ti:Jds cxdS 22 . .ixb2 �xb2 23.'tWxd5 �h3+ 85
Risk & Bluff in Chess
24.Φe2 'ifg4+ =) 2l.�gl .1::f.c2 22.1:tg3! 'iνhl+ 23.�gl 'iif3. Less clear are the consequences of 20 . .1::f.d 3!? 'iff3 !? (20 ... l:tc2!?) 2l .Φgl ! (21 . .1::f.g l? .Άχc3 ! 22 . .1::f.xc3 1::tfb8! 23.'iixc6 .l::i.d 8!) 2 1 . .. 1:1c2 22.�xa7 'iff4 23 . .ie3 'ifh4. Even here, Black has fully adequate compensation for the piece. 20 ... .:.Xa2
It is not clear exactly what Shamkovich missed, but after this simple move, White's position collapses. 21 . ltJc5
2 l .Φg2 .1::f.xa4. 21 ... 'iff3 22. �g1 ..thβ! 23 . ..td4 'ifxd1 + 24.�g2 'ifd2 25.'ifd6 ..te3 26.tαl7 1i'xf2+ 27.�h3 ...g2+
White resigned. Grandmaster Simagin was well known for his non-standard thinking aπd highly interestiπg decisions. Admittedly, his sportiπg results fell significaπtly short of his creative achievemeπts, but in this case, the risk proved justified and brought him a well-deserved success. Several talented masters, amoπg them none other than Mikhail Tal, developed uπder his influeπce, which gave them aπ extra stimulation to improve. Leoπid Stein was one of the most strikiπg rep resentatives of this new wave.
In this position, typical for the 4...t2Jd7 Caro Kann, the only thing that rαises any eyebrows is the odd position of the queen on e7. Does this give White additional possibilities?
1 1 . ..tb4!?
The normal continuation was l l .t2Je4 t2Jxe4 1 2.'it'xe4 t2Jf6 13.'ifh4 with some advantage. But if you examiπe sacri fices, then aπother interestiπg possibil ity is l l .t2Jxe6!? fxe6 1 2.t2Jh4! (weaker is 1 2 . .ixe6 0-0-0) 1 2 ...Φf7 1 3 . .1::f.hel t2Jd5 14 . .id3! with obvious compeπsatioπ. 1 1 ...c5
The only reply! Takiπg is bad: l l . .. 'iνxb4 12.t2Jxf7 'iνxc4 (12 ... Φχf7 1 3.'ifxe6+ Φg6 14. .iild 3+ Φhs ι s .'ifh3#) 13.'5'xc4 Φχf7 14.t2Je5+ t2Jxe5 1 5.dxe5 t2Jd5 1 6.'5'g4 b5 1 7. .1::f.d3 aπd the queeπ is much stroπger than Black's three pieces. 1 2.dxc5 bxc5
Game 38
Leonid Stein Salo Flohr Kieν ch·UKR 1 957
1 .e4 cβ 2.d4 d5 3.ltJc3 dxe4 4.tbxe4 tαl7 5. ..tc4 ttJgfβ 6.ttJg5 eβ 7. •e2 'ife7 8 . ..td2 bβ 9.0-0-0 ..tb7 1 0.tlJ1 f3 hβ
86
1 2 ... hxg5 1 3 .c6 'ifxb4 14.cxd7+ t2Jxd7 1 5 . .ixe6 0-0-0 1 6 . .ixd7+ Φc7 does not solve the problems, because of the reply 1 7.t2Jd4! wheπ the piece caππot be takeπ: 17 ... 1:1xd7 1 8.t2Jb5+ Φd8 1 9. .ί:!χd7+ Φχd7 20.1:ldl+ and Black loses. Otherwise, White has an extra pawn and aπ uπstoppable attack.
Chapter 3
4J
Δ Δ Δ Wi Δ Δ Δ Φ 1d 1d But what should White do now, when he has two pieces attacked?
1 3. .b:c5!
An essential continuation of the com bination. 1 3 ... liJxc5
Of course, not 1 3 ...'ifxc5? because of 14.tΔxf7! with a crush. 1 4. lLJe5!
White also had to see this strong move, when he played l l .�b4. 1 4 ... l2Jfd7?
Good or bad, the move 14 ... hxg5! was essential, after which the price of every move for both sides increases sharply. Let us try to continue the variation: 15.�b5+ tt:Jfd7.
-
The Madness of the Brave
Β) Butperfectlypossiblewas 16.�xd7+ tt:Jxd7 1 7.�xd7 'iVb4 (1 7...ii'xd7 takes play into the main line) 1 8.a3 ii'b6 1 9.�xf7 with double-edged play; C) 1 6.�xd7! (most unpleasant for Black!) 1 6 ...tt:Jxd7 1 7.�xd7+ '>t>d8?! (more cautious is 17 ...ii'xd7 18.tt:Jxd7 '>t>xd7 and Black holds: 1 9.!Idl+ �d6 20.'iib 5+ �c6 2 l .�xg5 �hd8! 22.ii'xg7 '>t>e8) 18 . ..tc6! (after 1 8 .t2Jc6+!? .ixc6 19 . ..txc6 �b8 20.�dl+ '>t>c7 2 1 .ii'e5+ \t>xc6 22.'ifxb8 White's activity is suffi cient for equality) 1 8 ...\t>c?! (Black loses after 18 ...\t>c8 1 9.�b5 �b8 20.�d7+ '>t>c7 2 1 .'iia 5+ \t>d6 22.b4! .id5 23.�e1) 1 9.�xb7 �b8! 20.t2Jc6! ii'e8 2 l .t2Jxb8 '>t>xb7 22.�d l ! '>t>xb8 23.Ιιd3! and the logical outcome of the com plications is an endgame with an extra pawn for White, which is reached after 23 ... .ί:ίh4 24.�b3+ �b4 25.�e5+ '>t>b7 26 . .U.xb4+ �xb4 27.�e4+. 1 5.lL\gxf7 liJxeS
Weaker is 1 5 ... �h7 1 6 . .ib5 �c8 1 7.b4. 1 6.liJxe5 1i'g5+
The best. 1 6 ...Vi'f6 1 7.�h5+ 1 8 .t2Jc6+! �xc6 1 9.'ifxc5+ 20.�xc6 loses quite simply.
\t>e7 '>t>f7
1 7.f4! 1i'xf4+ 1 8.�b1 �e4!
Once again the only defence. After 1 8 ... �d6, both 1 9.'iih 5+ and 1 9. .ib5+ win.
Δ Δ Δ Ψιi Δ Δ Δ 1d Φ 1d analysis diagram
Α) The incautious 1 6.tt:Jxd7? now even loses after 1 6 ... 0-0-0!;
Δ Δ 1d White hαs several ways to develop his αttαck. Which would you prefer?
87
Risk & Bluff in Chess
1 9. 'ifh5+?!
The natural move, but it loses a large part of the advantage. The correct plan was the non-trivial 19.�bS+! �el 20.tbd7! - this unexpected move decides the game at once. 1 9... g6
.! .t.
•
. ...
.!
Find the best continuation for White in this position.
22.'iixg6? 'i!Vgs. 22... Φf7 23.'ifc6 'We4 24.'ifd7+ Φgθ 25. .td3 'Wg4 26.h3 'ifg5 27.'Wxe6+ j}_f7 28.'Wc6 .l:tbθ 29.'it'c7 .l:tb6
Black has managed to evade the direct threats and the position has balanced out, but White continues to play for a win, out of inertia .
.� Δ Δ Δ ςt( �
Δ
Δ �
30. .tc4?! 20 . .tb5+
Stein's desire to simplify the variations he has to calculate is understandable. But objectively stronger was 20.tbxg6!, after which Black loses after both 20 ... �xc2+ 2 1.'.�ixc2 "iVxc4+ 22.�bl 'i!Ve4+ 23.�al 'iifs 24."iVxfS exfS 2S.lbxh8 and 20 ... �xg6 2 l ."iVxg6+ 'iνfl {2l ...�e7 22.1:ίhfl) 22.�bS+ �el 23.'i!Vg3. The only defence is 20 ..."iVgS!. Now White needs to show exceptional bravery: 2 l .�bS+! (2l ."iVxgS hxgS 22.lbxh8 �g7 is insufficient) 2l ...�f7 22.tbeS+! (he loses his advantage after 22.lbxh8+ �g7) 22 ...�f6 23.1:lhfl+ �xeS 24."iνh3! with a strong attack. Of course, it is easier to offer advice with SF running beside you than to take such decisions at the board, with the clock ticking. 20... Φe7 22.'ifxc5+
88
21 .tlJxg6+
..bg6
30.'iνxa7 'i!VcS looks dangerous, but 30.b3 or 30.1::f.hfl were both very solid. 30... .1:th7 31 . .1:thf1 .l:tf6 32. :Xf6 'ifxf6 33. .1:tf1 ??
Α terrible mistake. dynamic equality. 33 ... 'it'xf1 +!
33.a3
retains 0-1
Α dramatic game! Unfortunately, Stein never entirely succeeded in ridding himself of the impulsiveness and insta bility which affected him in his youth, and it was these weaknesses that pre vented him from fully realising his colossal natural talent. Tal's triumphant march to Olympus also gave confidence to Stein, who understood that he could also be successful without having to abandon his natural style, despite the criticism from others. Stein's trademark was sharp, dynamic positions, in which both his fantasy and his pieces had full scope.
Chαpter 3
-
The Mαdness of the Brαve
Game 39
Nikolay Krogius Leonid Stein
Ξ i
Kiev RSFSR-UKR 1 960
1 .d4 tί:\f6 2.c4 g6 3.tί:\c3 �g7 4.e4 0-0 s . .te2 d6 6. tί:\f3 e5 7.d5 h6 8.0-0 tί:\h7 9.tί:\e1 tί:\d7 1 O.tί:\d3 f5 1 1 .f3 f4 1 2.b4 :11 1 3.c5 tί:\df6 1 4.c6 bxc6 1 5.dxc6 .te6 1 6.b5 �fθ 1 7. tί:\b4
Δ Μ
'iV
•
Ξ � .t i i � Δ .t tLJ l Δi Δ !Ι] i
Δ
iι
iι Δ Δ �Μ φ
Whαt hαs Blαck αchieved with his sαcrifice, αnd how shou]d he continue?
20 ... tί:\g3+!?
Α typical King's Indian approach to the position! Νο half-measures, do or die! Α quiet continuation such as 20 ... lt:J7f6 2 1 . �c4 favours White. We hαve α cornplicαted, typica] King's Indiαn position. Whαt plαn would you choose for Blαck?
The multi-purpose move 1 7... h5 most accords with the character of the posi tion. However, with an unexpected central breakthrough, Stein provokes an imme diate crisis. 1 7...d5!? 1 8. tί:\bxd5
One of the points of similar sacrifices is that the character of the position changes sharply, and the value of each move greatly increases. Thus, here White must choose between three roughly equivalent continuations. As well as the move in the game, both 1 8 .exd5 �c5 + ( 1 8 ... .ixb4 1 9.dxe6) 1 9.Φhl �fs 20.lt:Jd3 (20.'ifb3? lt:JhS !) 20 ... �d4 21 . .ib2 and 1 8.lt:Jcxd5 .icS+ 1 9.Φhl ltJhS 20.'iνel are quite good. 1 8 ... �c5+ 1 9. 'iii>h 1 tί:\h5 20. 'We1
21 .hxg3 'Wg5 22.g4 h5 23.g3! hxg4 24.'iii>g2 :ate 2s.�d2
Black has no obvious threats, so a nat ural developing move should not usu ally attract criticism. But in reality, the only way to retain the advantage was with the far-from-obvious 25 . .ί::r.h l ! , for example 25 ...lt:Jf6 (25 ... gxf3+ 26.�xf3 .ig4 is bad because of 27.�xg4 'ifxg4 28.1:th4) 26.lt:Jxf4! gxf3+ 27 . .ixf3 �g4 28 . .ixg4 lt:Jxg4 29.lt:Jh3 'iνhs 30.�d2 and Black's attack runs into a dead end.
However, now Blαck hαs α difficu]t choice. How should he continue?
89
Risk & Bluff in Chess
25 ... 'ifh6?
Freeing the square gS for the knight. But in the process, the queen moves from the epicentre of the battle, which proves the more important factor. He should have played 2S ...gxf3+!. Best is 26 . .!::!.xf3! (the natural 26 . .Άχf3 is met by 26 ... .Άg4, after which White loses in the event of 27.Ψ!fe2? (relatively best is 27.::thl .Άχf3+ 28.Φχf3 fxg3+ 29.Φe2 .ί::rf2+ 30.Φd3 .!:I8f3+ 3 H!;>c2 although even here, 3 l . ..g2 guaran tees Black the advantage) 27... ikh3+ 28.Φhl tbf6!, decisively bringing the rook to the h-file) 26 ...Ψ!/g4! with suffi cient counterplay, for example: 27.Ψ!/hl tbgs 28.1:lxf4 Ψ!/h3+ 29.Ψ!/χh3 .Άχh3+ 30.Φh2 exf4 3 l .gxf4 ike6!. The result ing very sharp position is hard to assess.
29.e5! 'Wxe5?
Α serious mistake, which could have had a decisive effect on the result of the game. It was essential to play 29 ...gxf3+! 30 . .Άχf3 g4 3 l . .Άe4 f3+ 32.Φfl g3! . The following long variation i s almost forced: 33 . .Άχh7+ Ψ!lxh7 34.Ψ!/χg3+ Ii'.g7 3S.tbe7+! ikxe7 36.�xh7 .Άc4+ 37.Φf2 .ΆcS+ 3 8 . .Άe3 ikxe3+ 39.Φχe3 l:Ixg3 40.tbe4 Φχh7 4l .tbxg3 .ΆxbS 42.l:ιd7+ Φg6 43.1:lxc7 f2 44. .!::!.xa7 flΨ!/ 4S.tbxfl 1:rxfl=. 30.fxg4?
Α mistake in return! 30 . .Άd3 ! gxf3+ (30 ...Ψ!/d6 3 l ..!:f.h6!) 3 l .Φfl wins.
30... 'Wxe2+! 31 . 'ifxe2
26.:h1
The most natural continuation, and not bad, but even stronger was 26.fxg4! tbgs 27.Ilhl Ψ!/g7 2s . .Άd1 ! . 2 6. . . 'ifg7 27.gxf4 exf4 28.:d1
Non-standard positions, as a rule, require non-standard decisions! The unexpected 28.tba4! .Άd4 29. .Άc3 .ΆxdS 30.exd5 �e8 3 l .Ψ!/d2 I:!.xe2+ 32.Ψ!/χe2 ikxc3 33 . .ϊ::!.afl ! retains the advantage. 28 ... g5!
Now the position again becomes razor sharp. 90
3 l .tbxe2! .ΆxdS+ 32.Φfl .Άxhl looks very dangerous for White, but 33.ikb4! equalises the chances: 33 ... f3 34. .Άχc5 fxe2+ 35.Φχe2 1:1e8+ 36.ike3 �f3+ 37.Φd3 .Άxdl 38.Ψ!/xdl 1:1d8+ 39. .Άd4 .tlf4 40.Ψ!ib3+ Φf8 41 .Ψ!/a3+ Φe8 42.Ψ!/χa7. 31 ...f3+ 32. 'ifxf3 :Xf3 33. :ht1 ?
Only the cold-blooded 33 . .Άel ! retains chances of a successful defence. 33 ... ..bg4
Now White cannot avoid material loss. 34.ltJe4 ..th3+ 35. 'iith 2 36. :Xf1 ..txf1 37.ttJxc5 38. 'iitg 1 :Xd2 39. ttJxc7 ..th3 :g2+ 41 .'iith 1 tlJf6 42.a5 43.ltJe4 :e2
:Xf1 :t2+ 40.a4 tlJg4 0-1
Chapter 3
As these last two games have shown, Stein's great qualities were his imagi nation and his outstanding intuition. They often predominated in the taking of responsible decisions. As a result, he played many striking masterpieces, but occasionally suffered shameful lapses. Over the years, Stein never lost his love of risk, but he gathered the necessary experience. Bluff needs to be under taken with a cool head. The following game is a good example of the play of the mature Stein. Game 40
Leonid Stein Vlastimil Hort Los Angeles pff 1 968 {2)
1 .e4 c6 2.d3 d5 3.tαl2 g6 4.g3 i.g7 5.i.g2 es 6. liJgf3 tι:Β7 7.0-0 0-0 θ.c3 tαl7 9.b4 b6 1 O. i.b2 i.b7 1 1 . .:e1 .:es 1 2. i.h3 'iic7 1 3.exd5 cxd5 1 4.c4 d4 1 5 . .:tc1 f5 1 6. i.g2 i.f6 1 7.c5 b5 1 8.tlJb3 i.d5 1 9.a4 a6 20.tlJa5 tlJc6 21 .axb5 axb5
-
The Madness of the Brave
Stein decides to change the position sharply. 22.tlJxe5?!
Certainly, the 'normal' 22.t2Jxc6 �xc6 23.'iνe2 i::i.e b8! 24. .!:i.al .l:ta4 offers few prospects. However, the other central blow 22.t2:Jxd4!? was stronger and leads to unpredictable consequences: 22 ... .ixg2 23.t2:Jxb5 'i:Vb8 24.'iνb3+ c;t>h8 2S.t2:Jxc6 �xc6 26.t2Jd6. White's pieces have come alive noticeably, but it is very difficult to assess at the board whether his initiative is worth the sacrificed material. Analy sis shows that chances are equal. Here is a sample variation: 26 ... .!:i.f8 27.f4!? (or 27.'tWc4!? .!:i.a4 28.�c3oo) 27...exf4 28.gxf4 :la4 29. .!:i.e7 'i:Vxb4 30.t2Jf7+ c;t>gs 3 ιt2Jh6+ c;t>hs=. As a result of the sudden transformation of the position, the value of each move has increased sharply. After Black's inaccuracies, Stein's risk-taking proves completely justified. 22 ... t2Jxb4?
Significantly stronger was 22 ... .!:i.xe5! 23.1:f.xe5 �xg2 24.�b3+ c;t>g? 25.1:f.e6 t2:Jxa5 26.bxa5 �c6 and all the possi ble penetration squares in Black's camp are securely protected. It would be extremely hard for White to develop his initiative. 23.tlJxd7 'it'xd7 25 . .:Χeθ+ .:Χeθ
24.c6
'it'f7
Black 's position looks magnificent: α strong pawn centre, superbly mobilised pieces, and at the same time White's main trump, the passed pawn ση cS, is securely blockaded. Can White somehow sharpen the situation?
Understanding that normal means do not lead to anything positive, Leonid 91
Risk & Bluff in Chess
26.lί:b7!?
Sensing his opponent's uncertainty, Stein plays for the maximum. Νο doubt his decision was infiuenced by Hort's time-trouble. It was also possible to play more solidly: 26.�xd5!? tt:JxdS (bad is 26 ... 'ii'x d5? 27.c7 :cs 28.iί.a3 tt:Ja2 29.t1c5) 27. t1cs tt:Jc7 28.tt:Jb3 or 26.'f:!Vd2 �xg2 27."ifxb4 "iνdS 28."iνb3. In both cases, White has a minimal advantage, but it is signifi cantly easier for Black to defend. 26 ... �e5?
Once again, Black's choice is unfortu nate. He should have played 26 ... �e7!. 27. .ixd5 29. 'iff3!
'ifxd5
28 . .1:.c5
'iff7
In the space of just seven moves, the position has changed as if by a miracle - the passed pawn has become a tower of strength, the white king is not threat ened at all, and just one single pawn remains of Black's formerly mighty pawn centre!
Α sharp game with great sporting sig nificance! Thanks to this victory, Stein obtained excellent chances of reach ing the Candidates' tournament. But this dream of his life was destined never to be fulfilled, and the blame lay with another, less successful bluff. In the final round of the match-tourna ment playoff, he again faced Hort with white. The Czech needed to win at all costs, but in the better position, he sud denly offered a draw. Of course, Stein should have accepted, but in this case, his fate would have depended on the outcome of the game Hort-Reshevsky. The former would have been playing for nothing, whereas the American would have been able to reach the Can didates by winning. Conspiracy theory triumphed over common sense. Leonid decided not to risk any suspicions, and to decide his fate with his own hands. He declined the draw offer and went on to lose . . .
29 ...g5 30.c7
Even stronger was 30.tt:Jd8! "ife7 3 I ."ifxf5 tt:Jxc6 32.1:rxc6 'iνxd8 33.t1e6 �g7 34.t1xe8+ 't:!Vxe8 3S."iνxg5 but White was also short of time by now. 30 ... g4 31 . 'ifd1 ..bc7 32. 'ifd2
It was perfectly possible pawn with 32.�xd4.
to
take the
32... �6?
And Black should now defend it: 32 ... �e5!, retaining chances of saving the game after 33.'t:!Vxb4 't:!Vxb7 34.1:Σχb5 �c6. The scales finally tip decisively in White's favour. 33. .:.Xb5 lίJxd3 34. tαl6 'ifd7 35. 'ifg5+ ι.fίιhθ 36. 'iff6+ ι.fίιgθ 37.'ifg5+ ι.fίιhθ 38. lίJxe8 'ifxeθ 39. 'ifxf5 tbe5 40. .:.Xb6 tbf3+ 41 . Cίtg2 'ifaθ 42.'iff6+ ι.fίιgθ 1 -0 43. 'ife6+ Cίthθ 44. 'ifc6
92
In this chapter, we cannot possibly overlook one of the most striking fig ures of the 1 960s and 70s, Bent Larsen. This is a player who could never resist risk! It was in his blood, and his games are generally strewn with sharp changes of course and unexpected, paradoxical decisions. The reader of this book has already had the opportunity to become acquainted with his creativity. It seems to me that, like many others, Larsen fell under the magic of Tal. Indeed, it was impossible not to catch this virus of magic and absolute freedom on the chessboard! Admittedly, in Larsen's games, one does not feel that sense of natural harmony which one finds in Tal's play. Larsen's decisions often look very far from arising naturally out
Chαpter 3
of the demands of the position, and instead are often strange-looking and paradoxical. However, like Tal, he loved to break the generally-accepted rules of the game, but his 'hooliganism' had what one might call a more intellectual character. If the Riga Magician played like he breathed, then the Prince of Denmark played like he thought.
-
The Mαdness of the Brαve
other, more natural continuations: 28.'�f2!? �g4 29.'ii'h6 'ii'f7 30.!Ixg7+! 'ii'xg7 3 1 .'ii'e 6+ 'ii'f7 (3 1 .. .'�;>h8 32.h4) 32.'ii'h6 and Black must repeat moves, to avoid worse. Or 28.'ii'h 6!? 'ii'f7 29.1::f.xg7+! 'ii'xg7 30.'ii'e 6+ Φh8!? (30...'ii'f7 3 I .'ii'h6) 3 1 .'ii'xd5 .ί:lad8 32.'ii'xb3,
Game 41
Bent Larsen Theo van Scheltinga Beνerwijk 1 964 (θ)
ο
analysis diagram
The diαgrαm position is quite difficult to αssess. Who stαnds better? How should White con tinue?
White's extra pawn does not really play any role and can be left out of account. But what strikes one most about the position is the difference between the activity of various white pieces the queen and rook are super-active, whilst his other pieces are fairly useless. Clearly, the same issue struck Larsen. Objectively, he assessed his posi tion as practically lost, but such was the strength of his optimism that he thought only in terms of winning. 28.c4!
An amazing resource! Admittedly, things are not so bad for White after
with a very sharp position. However, it is the uncompromising move found by Larsen which changes the pos1t10n fundamentally and requires an extremely accurate reaction from Black. 28... .b:c4?
Larsen's opponent proves not to be up to the problems he faces, and he loses without much of a fi.ght. He should have preferred a different capture: 28 ... dxc4!. After the strongest reply 29.d5! (weaker is 29.�c3 �g4 30.'ii'h6 f4! 3 l .exf4 �xh6 32.l:i.xe7 gxf4 and in a sharp endgame, Black's chances are superior) 29... �g4 30.1::rxg7+! Φχg7 3 1 .'ii'g3 it is not obvious whose attack is the more dangerous. Larsen himself was afraid of 28 ... 1:lac8 29.cxd5 �c2 30.�c3 ϊ::i:xc3 but SF proves to be a greater optimist even than the Dane: 3l .bxc3 �d3 32.l:tel! b2 33 . .!:ihs bl'ii' 34.�xbl �xbl 35.d6 'ii'd 8 36.'ii'g3 g4 37/Δf4 and White 93
Risk & Bluff in Chess
dominates. One only has to compare this position with the initial one. 29.l2Jf4!!
Α brilliant blow, which is the logical follow-up to the previous one! 29...gxf4 30. �2!
Now the light-squared bishop cannot reach g4, and Black has no other defenders. 30 ... fxe3+ 31 . ..be3 f4 32 . ..id2 �7
32 ...'irfgs 33.1:1gl 'irfxgl+ 34.\!txgl is also completely hopeless. 33. 'Wh5+ �e6 34. 'Wg4+
Black resigned. The following game is a remarkable example of Larsen's creative creed: no compromises. Game 42
David Bronstein Bent Larsen Amsterdam izt 1 964 (19)
1 .d4 l2Jf6 2.c4 g6 3.l2Jc3 ..ig7 4.e4 d6 5 . ..ie2 0-0 6 . ..ig5 c5 7.d5 e6 8.l2Jf3 h6 9. ..if4 exd5 1 0.exd5 ΙΣeθ 1 1 .l2Jd2 l2Jh5 1 2 . ..ig3 ..ig4 1 3.0-0 l2Jxg3 1 4.hxg3 ..ixe2 1 5.l2Jxe2
This famous game has been anno tated by many well-known grandmas ters, including both of the players. It is included in this book not only because it is a great example from both the pure chess and the dramatic angles. From the viewpoint of risk, which is our main theme, it seems to me that the commentators have got it wrong. It seems superficially that it was Bronstein who took the risks and stirred up all the trouble, whilst Larsen played the pas sive role. But the reality is the complete opposite - it was the Dane who drew the fire on himself and subjected him self to great danger. 94
1 5... ..ixb2!?
There was no need to take this pawn. The simple I S ...tbd7 would have ensured Black a comfortable game without any risk. However, Larsen, who had already practically assured himself qualification for the Candidates, was thinking only of victory. 1 6. 1Σb1
Bronstein, by contrast, had a lot to lose. Therefore, before plunging into the complications, he first offered a draw. 1 6... ..ig7
And was refused! 1 7. 1Σxb7 llJd7 1 8.llJf4 llJb6!?
Here it was still not too late to return to safe waters: 1 8 .. ."ifc8 1 9.l:Ibl tbf6. 1 9. 1Σe1 ..ic3!?
Continuing to play with fire. 19...'ii'c8 20.Iibe7 Ihe7 2 1 . 1he7 �f6 would still have rnαintained cornfortαble equality. Now how can White disturb his opponent's serenity?
Chapter 3
The Madness of the Brave
22.h7 23.'iνbl fxg6 24.'ifxg6+ ςt>hs 2S.�f7 �f8 26.�xd7 'iνxd7 27.J::ίxd7 J::ίad8 28 . .l:ιxa7=) 2I .'iνc2 l:Ie7 22.tΔxe6 Vi'e8 23.l:ιxe7 'iνxe7 24.�xc3. The powerful knight on e6 promises White at least sufficient compensation. Ι suspect, how ever, that Larsen did not look so far ahead in his calculations, but relied more on instinct and his natural optimism. 20... .be1
Bronstein described this move as reck less courage. But Larsen did not enter this whole risky line, in order to back out at the last moment. 20 ... .ig7 was probably objectively the best and safest decision. The game would most prob ably have ended with a draw by rep etition, and then it would not have appeared in this book! 21 . llJe6! .bf2+!
Δ
-
'iY
Bronstein, by contrast, despite having a much more difficult choice, spent only six minutes on this committal move. Of course, being a rook down, he wanted to recover part of the material. Α safer way of doing so was 22.tΔxf2 fxe6 23.'iνg4 'iνgs (the same result comes from 23 ...�[6 24.tΔe4 'iffs 2S.'iνxf5 exfS 26.tΔf6+) 24.tΔe4 'ifxg4 2S.tΔf6+ ςt>[g 26.tΔh7+ with perpetual check. But if one shakes off material considerations altogether, then White has three paths at his disposal. The first leads to quick defeat: n.ςt>hl? .ixg3 23.tΔxd8 l:Ixe4. The second looks dangerous, but anal ysis does not confirm this fear: n.ςt>fι .id4 23.tΔxd8 I:txe4 (23 ... J::ίaxd8 24.'iνf3 fS 2S.'iνf4 l::Ixe4 26.'ifxh6 tΔd7 27.'iνxg6+) 24.tt:Jxf7 tΔxc4 2S.tt:Jxh6+ ςt>h8. In all cases, White's activity suf fices for a draw. Black expeήences greater problems after π.ςt>h2! but even in this case, he can avoid catastrophe: 22 ... �d4! 23.tΔxd8 (the assessment of the position is not changed by 23.'iVf3 J::ιf8 24.tΔxd8 .!:Lιxd8) 23 ... Ld8 24.'iYfl ! fs 2S.'iff4 J::ίd7! (2S ... lhe4 26.'iνxh6 tΔd7 27.'ifxg6+ .ig7 28.'iνgs l;lee8 29.J::ίxa7 is worse) 26.J::ίxd7 tΔxd7 27.'iνxd6 fxe4 28.'ifxd7 J::ίe S.
Δ .t Δ φ
Probably only at this moment did the Dane realise the full extent of the danger he had taken ση. This strictly only move cost him 20 min utes. Both 2l. .. fxe6 22.'ifg4 and 2l. ..�c8 22.tΔf6+ ςt>hs 23.J::ίxf7 Iose. Now White has several possibilities. Which would you choose?
Δ ΔΦ analysis diagram
95
Risk & Bluff in Chess
Although SF insists for a long time that White has the advantage, Black's trumps (his mate threat and the passed e-pawn) turn out to be sufficient for a draw. 22 ...fxe6 23.'ifg4 :[fθ+ 24.'ifi?g1 :[fβ
culating lots of long and complicated variations, the grandmasters overlook something quite simple. 26. tLJgs :11 + 21. 'ifi?h2 :ts 28. t2Jxe6 :hs 29. 'ifxh5 gxh5 30. t2Jxf8 :χfθ
White resigned.
Black has come out of the complications with α large material advantage. But is the game over?
25.'ifh3??
Surprisingly, this move, which effec tively loses the game, took Bronstein only 2 of his remaining 1 8 minutes. Admittedly, in those days there was no time increment, and there was still a long way to go to reach the time con trol. 25.dxe6 is obvious, but on closer examination, there is the unpleasant 25 ...'iff8! (25 ... h5 26.e7! 'ifxe7 27.l:ιxe7 hxg4 28.tt:Jxf6+ Φf8 29.�b7 tt:Jxc4 30.�d7 leads to a draw. 25 ...tt:Jxc4 was recommended by Larsen as strongest, but does not survive SF's critical gaze: 26.e7 �fl + 27.Φh2! 'iVe8 28.'ife2 l:rf5 29.g4 �f7 30.gxf5 �e8 3 l .fxg6 'iife6 32.'iffl !+-) followed by 26.e7 l:rfl+ 27.Φh2 'iffs 28.Yi'xf5 �xf5. Only late that night did Bronstein find 29.l:t.xa7!! 1::f.b 8 30.�b7 .l::!a 8 with a draw, but by then the zero was already up in the tournament table. 25... 'iff8!
Now the game ends quickly. As some times happens, after accurately cal96
In looking at this game, Ι have the impression that the Dane did not bother himself over much about individual moves, or with trying to penetrate very deeply into the labyrinth of variations. In his best years, his intuition and opti mism were his main weapons, and the specific problems which inevitably arose were solved as and when they came up. Α total optimist by nature, at the board Larsen believed in the possibilities of his pieces. But whereas in his game, Tal worshipped the all-conquering god of combinations, the Dane preferred stra tegic risk. It is fascinating to watch the clash of these two opposite philoso phies. As a rule, the meetings between these two players were highly interest ing. Game 43
Mikhaii Tal Bent Larsen Eersel
m
1 969 (6)
The previous day, Larsen had lost a game which would have knocked anyone off balance (see Game 95). How would he react in such a difficult psychological situation? 1 .e4 c5 2.tlJf3 dβ 3.d4 cxd4 4.tlJxd4 tlJf6 5.t2Jc3 t2Jc6 6 . .tg5 eβ 7. 'iVd2 �e7 8.0-0-0 0-0 9.f4 tlJxd4 1 Ο. 'ifxd4 •as 1 1 . .tc4 .td7 1 2.'ifi?b1 .tcβ 1 3.:hf1 hβ 1 4. .th4
Chαpter 3 - The Mαdness of the Brαve
1 6.fxg5 hxg5 1 7.:Xf6 ..bfβ 1 8. 'it'xfβ gxh4 1 9.gxh4 ..th7
Alreαdy with his opening choice, Lαrsen demon strαtes to everyone, especiαlly his opponent, that he is fαr from demorαlised by his defeαt in the previous gαme. In αddition, he tαkes the very risky decision to play on his opponent's home turf. Everyone knows that positions with opposite-side cαstling αre Τα!'s meat αnd drink. What would you now plαy in Blαck's position?
1 4... 'it'h5!?
This is a very Larseηesque solutioη to the positiση. There was ησthiηg at all wroηg with the staηdard 14 ... bS. White has a far frσm simple chσice. He gets ησthiηg frσm the sharp lS.eS dxeS 16.fxeS 1:ίad8 (16 ... 1:ίfd8 1 7.'iνf2) 1 7.'iVgl .J::ίxdl+ 18.1:ίxdl bxc4 19.exf6 �a3! 20.fxg7 1:ίb8 2 1 . .i:ld8+ 1:ίχd8 22.�xd8 'iVxd8 23.bxa3 'iVb6+ 24.iV'xb6 axb6, ησr frσm the eveη mσre aggressive lS.�dS tbxdS (15 ...exd5 16.eS;;!;;) 16.exdS �xh4 1 7.dxc6 b4 18.t2Je2 �f6. Meaηwhile, after the quiet 15.�d3 b4 16.t2Je2 1:ίad8 Black is alsσ fiηe. Maybe Larseη waηted to limit his oppo ηeηt's choice - after the text, the game takes ση a mσre fσrciηg character. 1 5.g3 g5!
This lσσks very extravagaηt aηd risky, but Black prσbably toσk this decisiση ση the previσus move. The less committal 15 ...e5!? 1 6.'ifd2 exf4 1 7. .ie2 f3 1 8 . .Άχf3 'ti'eS was alsσ perfectly pσssible.
Black's pσsitioη is extremely daηgerσus: his kiηg is expσsed aηd lσoks virtually defeηceless. At the same time, White has aη almost free attack, ησr should we forget exactly who it is that is attackiηg! Sσ what is this ση Black's part - bluff or a calculated risk? 20.e5
The mσst cσηsequeηtial way to develop the attack. Nσthiηg real is prσmised by 20.1:ίχd6 'iVg6 2 1 .'iff2 1:ίad8 with aη equal game, but the prσphylactic 20.a3 was wσrth cσηsideriηg, gσiηg σver to lσηger-term play. But Tal cσuld ησt wait to turη the match iη his favσur, a factor that Larseη dσubt less toσk iηto accouηt wheη thiηkiηg about the previσus game. 20...dxe5 21 . .1:tf1
Fσrtuηately fσr Black, 2 1 . �d3+ e4 dσes ησt work fσr his σppσηeηt. If the pawη were ση a3, the game wσuld be σver at σηce, whereas ησw 22.t2Jxe4 is uηfor tuηately impossible because σf mate iη σηe. As is well-kησwη, 'chess is the tragedy σf σηe tempσ'. 21 ... 'it'gβ 22. 'it'xe5 f5!
After this strσηg mσves, the scales start to tip towards Black. 23. ..td3
97
Risk
&.
Bluff in Chess
Once again, the prophylactic 23 .a3 offered better chances. But Tal, as usual, is thinking only of attack. 23... 11ff6 24.11fe3 :Sdθ 25.tbe2 a6!
Preparing 26 ... �b5. 26.tl:\f4!?
26.a3!. 2 6. . .e5 27.tl:\h3 e4 28.tlJQ5+ fίiίιhθ 29.11fe2 Wh6 3Q.j_c4 f4
White's situation has become critical. The passed e- and f-pawns threaten to sweep away everything in their path.
But it is hopeless?
In this game, as in the match as a whole, Larsen came out on top, and this was far from being a coincidence. Both players' approaches require enor mous energy and emotional expend iture, and the tension was so great that Tal's dubious health was inevita bly unable to sustain him at the high est level throughout the match. For Larsen, these were the years of his greatest successes. It seemed as though the tide had turned and could never be reversed, but the reality proved otherwise. After years of enormous successes, Larsen was crushed in his match with Fischer, after which he started a gradual, but irreversible slide. Tal, on the other hand, to the surprise of a great majority of onlookers, started playing a different kind of chess, more pragmatic and energy-saving, and as a result, he returned to the elite of world chess. This is a fascinating theme in itself, but one for another book!
Viktor Kortchnoi occupies a special 31 . tl:\f7+? Without the knight, White has almost no place in chess. Exceptionally emotional, chance. Nor was 3 l .lbe6 any better: 3 1 . .. explosive and unpredictable in real life, f3 32.'iVel 'i!Yd2! (the most exact! Black so in chess too, he recognizes no author should exploit the white king's lack of ities or rules. In my view, Tal played aπ luft. Less convincing is 32 ... 1::f.de8 33.lbxf8 important role in his chess fate. Viktor �xf8 34.'iVg3) 33.'iYxd2 �d2 34.lLJxf8 could by no means be described as a e3, Black's powerful passed pawns decide supporter of, or apologist for, the com the outcome of the game. More practi binative style. On the contrary, he is a cal chances are offered by 3l .Vi'g4!. For great master of defence. It was a matter example, 3l ...e3 32.lLJf7+ �xf7 33.�xf7 of honour for him not to stand with the f3 34.'iVfs f2 35.'iνe5+ Φh7 36.h5!. winning side, but to support 'the resist ance', to show that sacrifices and attacks 31 ... :Xf7 32 . ..bf7 f3 33.11fc4 11ff6 Even stronger was 33 ... �b5! 34.Vi'c7 are not all there is to chess. 'iVd6. It is no coincidence that he was Tal's 34. 1i'b3 11fd4 35.a3 e3 36. .J:r.c1 most difficult opponent. On the other e2 37.11fe6 11ff4 38. 11fe7 11fxc1 + hand, he was so contrary and multi 39. fίiίιa2 11fg1 ! 40.11fxd8+ fίiίιh7 faceted that one can find in his games examples of every genre. 41 . j_c4 0-1 98
Chαpter 3 Game 44
Viktor Kortchnoi (2640) Jozsef Pinter (2570) Beer-Sheva 1 988 (2)
ο
-
The Mαdness of the Brave
tinuations, White has fully adequate compensation for the sacrificed mate rial: 27...'ifa5 28 . .ic3 'ifhs 29.1::f.e 4 tbf6 30.1::f.e S �h7 3 l ..ixe6+ �h8 32.'ifa4!? or 27...tbh6 28 . .ixe6+ tbf7 (28 ... 1::f.f7 29.�xg6 1::f.e 8 30.d5) 29.'ifxg6. Also interesting is 29.h5!? gxh5 30.1::f.e S. 28.be6+ J:.f7?
rhe positioπ looks perfectly good for White, so his decisioπ seems rαther strαπge αt first sight. However, let us heαr whαt Kortchπoi himself sαys: 'rhe kπight is heαdiπg viα h6 to fS, απd Blαck plαπs to pressurise the d4-pαwn and grαduαlly seize the iπitiαtive.' And απ eveπ more impor tαπt thought: Ίπ α prαctical gαme αgαiπst α humαπ oppoπeπt (ποt α computer, Ι emphαsise!) with limited time, the surprise elemeπt plαys απ importαπt role. Ιπ eαch iπdividuαl case, αdmit tedly, οπe must αssess the elemeπt of risk.' Give α11 these hiπts, Kortchπoi 's choice is pre dictαble. Whαt wαs it?
ln reality, it is this move which is the cause of Black's defeat. 28 ... �h7? is also bad because of 29.h5! tbxhS 30.1:1e5 tbf6 3 1 .1:Ig5+-. The best defence, pointed out by SF, consists of 28 ...�h8! 29.'ifxg6 'ifd8 ! (a hard move t o find!) 30.d5 �e8 and Black holds, for example: 3 1 .h5! 'ifxg6 32.hxg6 1::f.e 8 33 .�g2 1:Ixe6 34.dxe6 1:rb7=. 29.'it'xg6 1Σb8
He also loses after 29... .!::f.e 8 30.dS cxdS 3 l .�xf6. 30. .ia1 ba3
Such moves are usually the result of there being nothing better, in which case they are understandable. 30 ... .ί:te8 3 l .d5 cxdS 32.�xf6 1::f.xe6 33.1::f.xe6 'ifxc4 and White's win is only a matter of time. 31 .d5
Now it all ends quite quickly. 26.:Xe6!?
In fact, Ι have the definite impres sion that the idea of this sacrifice just grabbed Kortchnoi and he lacked the strength (or the desire) to resist it, inventing the purely chess justification later on. After all, in his long chess career, there are numerous examples of his winning similar positions by purely technical means. 26...fxe6 27. .th3! tbfβ
Kortchnoi considered this natural knight retreat to be virtually the deci sive mistake. But even after other con-
31 ... �8
On 3 l . . .'ti'e7 the simplest line is 32.h5!, underlining Black's complete helpless ness. 32.-tes 34.h5
cxd5
33. bc7
:Xc7 1 -0
For Kortchnoi a game of chess is not just about the pieces, but is first and foremost about the opponent who sits opposite him. Consequently, the psy chological aspects of the battle are extremely important for him. All of this is clear in the game just examined. 99
Risk
&
Bluff in Chess
Elements of bluff play an important role in chess. Factors affecting a decision at the board can include a poor tourna ment position, dissatisfaction with the character of the position, or simply one's particular mood. In any case, a sudden turn in a position, a zigzag, gives the game dram and entertainment. In the following game, a quiet opening does not appear to foreshadow any great shocks. But, as a rule, if you look for trouble, you will find it! Valery Salov, one of the strongest GMs in the world in the 1980s-90s, was regarded maiπly as aπ outstaπding positional player, but he also had a great feel for the dyπamics of the game.
1 8... gxf6 1 9. 'Wxf6 J.eθ 20. .z:r.g4+ J.g6 21 .h4!?
Super-aggressive! It is temptiπg to play 2 l . �e4 .ig7 22.'iVg5 but after 22 ... e5! (thiπgs are very daπgerous for Black after 22 ... h5 23.'ifxg6 hxg4 24.f3! aπd he comes uπder a stroπg attack) 23.1:f.cl (the endiπg after 23.�xg6 'ifxg6 24.'ifxg6 hxg6 25.1:f.xg6 e4! 26.dxe4 l:td2 is clearly iπ Black's favour) 23 ... l:r.d6 offers White oπly miπimal chances of aπ attack. 21 ... J.g7 22. 'WgS hS?!
There was πο πeed for such radical measures. Black is quite safe after either 22 ... I:tf8!? 23.�e4 1:f.f6 24.h5 h6 25 .'ifh4 �[5 or 22 ... 1::i.d4 23.h5 (23 . .ie4 'ifd8!) 23 ... l:txg4 24.'ifxg4 �f5.
Game 45
Valery Salov (2645) Alexander Beliavsky (2640) Linares 1 991 (1 1 )
ο
Now how should White continue?
23.'Wxg6?! By αccurαte plαy, Blαck hαs neutrαlised his opponent's eαrly initiαtive αnd the gαrne seems to be drifting towαrds α drαw. Whαt do you think of the piece sαcrifice?
1 8. ..bf6! ?
Salov is ποt prepared to settle for such an outcome to the game aπd tries to exploit the active positioπ of the rook on c4. 1 00
Α bit too artful! Objectively, it was stroπger to play the calm 23.1::f.c4! e5 24.�xb7! with approx imate equality: 24... .ixd3! 25.�xc8 �xc4 26.bxc4 l:txc8 27. .1:f.dl . 2 3... hxg4 24.J.e4 .z:r.c7! 25.�g2
Alas, he has to resort to positional measures. Ιπ this situatioπ, 25.f3? l:tf7! plays iπto Black's haπds. 25 ... .z:r.f7 26.h5 .z:r.t6 27.1i'xg4 �7
Despite Black's serious material advan tage, the battle is far from over. The
Chαpter 3
presence of opposite-coloured bishops makes it difficult for Beliavsky to sim plify the position. At the right moment, the white passed pawns can become strong, whilst the black king is rather riskily advancing towards the scene of the action. Safer was 27...Φh8. 28.f4 ..th6 29. ..tg6+ �θ?!
Α serious inaccuracy! More consistent and stronger was 29...Φe7!? and it is hard for White to get his pawns moving: 30.�h4! �d6! 3 1 .e3 eS!. Another pos sibility was 29...Φg7!?. 30. .J:.f3?!
Salov misses his chance: 30.�h4! eS! (the strongest! 30 ... .ig7 3 1 .g4 Φe7 looks too passive, whilst 30 ...Φg7? 3 1 .g4! IldS really is dangerous) 3 1 .fxe5 fιxfl 32.e6! �d6 33.Φxfl and, as they say, play is for three results. 30... 1i'b4?!
More accurate is 30 ...�d6. 31 . 1i'h4! �g7 32.e4!
Not 32.g4? .ixf4 33.g5 1:rff8. 32 ...e5! ?
Α highly interesting endgame arises after 32 ...�d2+ 33 . .i:if2 �xd3 34.�xf6+ Φχf6 35.e5+ Φe7 36 . .ixd3 1:lxd3 37.g4 .if8 38.g5 bS. The chances of the two sides are probably about equal. 33.fxe5 1i'd2+ 35.1i'xd8
34.�h3
.J:.xf3
-
The Mαιlness of the Brαve
lt is hard to retain one's objectiv ity and self-control in severe time trouble! He should have made a draw with 35 ... 1:lxg3+! 36.Φχg3 �f4+ with perpetual check. 36. 'ifd7+ �gθ??
Losing at once. Absolutely the only move was 36 ...Φf8 37.�c8+ Φg7 38.�xb7+ Φfs 39.�b8+ Φg7 40.�xa7+ Φfs 4l .�b8+ (41 .�xc5+? �e7oo) 4l ... Φg7 42.�c7+ Φf8, although White is not obliged to settle for perpetual check, but can play for a win with 43.e6! J:lfl 44.�d6+ �e7 45.e5! . 37.1i'h7+
1 -0
Mate is unavoidable: 37...Φf8 38.�h8+ Φe7 39.�e8#. Naturally, a sudden change from a quiet position to one where practically every move could be decisive, is a very effec tive device. And the side which initiates such a transformation has a psycholog ical advantage. But is everyone will ing to part with material to bring this about? In one's youth, there is usually greater willingness to take risks. The thirst for battle carries one away, energy overflows and one fears nothing. This is especially so when the player sitting opposite is the reigning World Cham pion. Game 46
Garry Kasparov (2847) Teimour Radjabov (2624) Linares 2003 (2)
35 ... 1i'g5?
1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ttJc3 lLJf6 4.e5 lLJfd7 5.f4 c5 6.lLJf3 ttJc6 7. ..te3 a6 8. 1i'd2 b5 9.a3 1i'b6 1 0.lLJe2 c4 1 1 .g4 h5 12.gxh5 .J:.xh5 1 3.lLJg3 .J:.h8 1 4.f5 exf5 1 5.lLJxf5 lLJf6 1 6.lLJg3 lLJg4 1 7. ..tf4 ..te6 1 8.c3 ..te7 1 9.lLJg5 0-0-0 20. lLJxe6 fxe6 21 . ..te2
101
Risk & Bluff in Chess
The assessment of this position is extremely important for απ understanding of what follows. Who stands better and what plan should Black choose?
h2, but Black also has at his disposal the much more 'human' move 2 1 . .. tt:Jh6! 22.0-0 (22.0-0-0?! a5) 22 ... tt:Jas 23.'li'c2 tt:Jb3 24.!1adl and here the modest move 24...g6! promises Black a balanced game, because he would like to establish his knight on f5, whilst 25.'ii'xg6 1:tdg8 26.'iVc2 Q\fs is dangerous for White. Another interesting option is SF's recommendation 2 l . ..gS!?, for example 22.�xg4 (the variation 22.�xgS �xg5 23.'iVxg5 1:thg8 24.'ii'd2 tt:Jcxe5 25.dxeS 'iνf2+ 26.�dl d4 is dangerous for White) 22 ...gxf4 23.'ii'xf4 (23.�xe6+ �b8 24.tt:Jf5 �g5!) 23 ... �b8! with an unclear position.
The young Radjabov unquestioningly assessed it as not being in his favour, and so began looking for a way to change the situation radically. 21 ... lbgxe5! ?
Risky, but a t the same time, the logi cal decision. It seemed to Black that he was losing strategically, and so Teimour seeks his chances in complications. However, the assessment of the position is not actually as clear-cut as it seemed ten years ago. Admittedly, the direct 2 1 . .. 1:lxh2? is refuted most easily of all by the simple 22.1:txh2 tt:Jxh2 23.';t>f2! and the intrepid knight is lost. Another risky-looking move is 2 1 . ..tt:Jxh2!?. Admittedly, in his notes, Kasparov considered this move to be the most principled, and supported this view with variations: 22.tt:Jh5 (22.0-0-0 b4! 23.axb4 a5 24.bS 'fi'xbS 2S.tt:Jhs a4 26.1:txh2 tt:Jas 27.1it>bl tt:Jb3 28.'ifc2 a3 with a very dangerous attack) 22 ...tt:Ja5! 23.1:ίbl tt:Jb3 24.'iνe3 g6 25.1:txh2 gxh5 26.�xhS with approximately equal chances. In a practical game, it would be very difficult to decide on the capture on 1 02
22.'ife3!
The correct practical decision! It is too dangerous to play 22.dxeS? d4 23.tt:Je4 (23.cxd4 tt:Jxd4) 23 ... tt:JaS! 24.�dl dxc3 25.'ife3 (2S.'ifxc3 l::td3) 25 ...'ii'x e3+ 26 . .Άχe3 cxb2 27.l:!.bl c3!. The line 22.�xeS tt:JxeS 23 .dxeS is better, but here too, Black retains good attacking chances: 23 ... �cS 24.�f3 (24. .Άg4 .Άe3 25.'ii'g2 d4) 24... 1:thf8 2S.1:tfl .Άe3 . 22... ttJd7?!
Τοο modest! Black had at least two interesting ways to develop the ini tiative. The first is 22 ... �d6!?, after which White, in his turn, faces a dif fi.cult choice: 23.�g5! (other options
Chαpter 3
include 23.0-0-0 lLJd3+ 24.�xd3 �xf4 25.'iVxf4 cxd3 with approximate equal ity, and 23.dxe5 �c5 24.'iVf3 �hf8! (stronger than 24...g5 25.�d2 1:ldf8 26.'iVg4 lbxe5 27.'iVxg5) 25.'iVg4 �f2+ 26.'ί!;>d2 d4 and Black has an extremely powerful attack for the piece) 23 ... 1::tde8 24.dxe5 �c5 25.'iic l �f2+ 26.'i!td2 d4 with a very sharp position, which is hard to assess. The second decision is simpler: 22 ...l2Jd3+!? 23.iιxd3 cxd3 24.'iVxe6+ 'i!tb7 25.0-0-0 �hf8 with definite com pensation for the sacrificed material.
-
The Mαdness of the Brave
26.ο-ο-ο tbas
In whose fαvour is this position, αnd whαt should White play?
23.'ifxe6 i.h4 27 . .:.df1 ??
White finally loses control over the game. After the correct 27.'i!tbl! the out come would remain totally unclear. 27... tlJb3+ 28.�d1 bg3! 29 . .:.f7
Α sad necessity. 29.hxg3 ii'g6! 30.�cl 'iVbi 3 I .ii'xg5 lbxcl 32.'ifxcl "ife4 loses quickly. 29 ... .:.ds
29.. ."ifc6!?. The position hαs become much shαrper. Which continuαtion should White prefer?
30.bg5
30.'iVxg3 'iVg6. 30... 'ifg6 31 .'iff5
3 I ..l:ιf5 1::td e8. 24.'ifg4?
Trying to play more solidly. More principled and stronger was 24.'iVxd5! taking the important central pawn. Black's compensation is clearly insuffi cient: 24 ... l2Jde5 (or 24 ... l2Jf6 25.'iVf5+ 'i!tb7 26.0-0-0±) 25.'iVg2! (less clear is 25.'ii'e 6+ l2Jd7 26.d5 lbe7) 25 ...l2Jg6 26.iιd2. 24...g5! 25.i.d2 .:.deθ!?
Black also has fairly comfortable play after 25 ...l2Ja5 26.0-0 (not 26.0-0-0? �xg3! 27.'iνxg3 1:ίde8! 28.�fl lbb3+ 29.'i!tbl 'iVg6+ 30.'i!ta2 'ifc2) 26 ... l2Jb3 27.1::tadl l2Jxd2 28.�xd2 'i!tb8.
31 ... 'ifxf5 32 . .:.xt5 .:.dfθ! 33. .:.Xf8+
After 33.1::txd5 the phlegmatic 33 ... 'i!tc7 is good. 33... tlJxf8
Black's extra piece decides. 34. i.f3
34.h4 lLJh7 35.1::tgl l2Jxg5 36.hxg5 �f2 is also hopeless. 34... i.h4 35.i.e3 tlJd7 36.bd5 .:.es 37.i.h6 tlJdcS! 38. i.f7 .:.e1 39.i.h5 tlJd3 0-1
Garry, who is used to imposing his will ση opponents, was clearly out of sorts in this game. Fortune favours the 1 03
Risk & Bluff in Chess
brave! Admittedly, bravery needs to be accompanied by mastery as well, which it seems to me is not a bad description of the younger generation.
1:f.xc4- 20.t"Δbd2 .l:ic7, in both cases with a quiet and roughly equal position. Now, however, the game turns sharply into tactical waters.
Not long after, the 16-year old Teimour took the following scalp. Another top GM was beaten in the same brave and risky manner.
1 8.t"Δxb5 is pretty much equally good, after which 1 8 ...t"Δxb4- 1 9.axb41:f.xa2 20.�c4-+ h8 2 1 . �xa2 'iVxbS 22.'ifxd6 leads to some advantage for White. More interesting is 1 8 ... d5!? with compensation for the sacrificed pawn.
1 7.cxb5 axb5 1 8. Jixb5
Game 47
Viswanathan Anand (2774) Teimour Radjabov (2648) Dortmund 2003 (2)
1 .e4 c5 2.ttJf3 ttJc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ttJxd4 e5 5.ttJb5 d6 6.c4 Jie7 7.b3 f5 8.exf5 Jixf5 9. Jid3 e4 1 0. Jie2 a6 1 1 .ttJsc3 Jif6 1 2.0-0 ttJge7 1 3.a3 0-0 1 4.1Σa2 'ifa5 1 5.b4 'ife5 1 6.J:ιe1
1 8... ttJd4!?
Again the most risky decision. It was worth considering 1 8 ...'iνe6!? because the direct 1 9.�xc6 t"Δxc6 20.�d5 fails to 20 ...t"Δxb4-!. Better is 19.1:1c2 with complicated play. 1 9. Jif1
It is difficult, especially during a game, to assess the consequences of the forc ing operation 1 9.i.c4-+ dS 20.t"Δxd5 t"ΔxdS 2 1 . i.b2 h8! 22.�xd4 'iνxd4 23 .'ifxd4- i.xd4- 24-.i.xdS 1:f.ae8 25.1:f.d2 �b6, and even the two extra pawns do not guarantee White the advantage. 1 9...d5 20.J:ιd2 Jie6
It is quite hαrd to αssess the position. The black pieces αre more hαrmoniously plαced, but the pαwn on e4- rαises certαin concerns. How should Blαck play? The time fαctor becomes criticαl. Of all the possible continuαtions, Rαdjαbov chooses the most energetic, but αt the sαme time, αlso the riskiest.
1 6... b5! ?
White's positional threat of 1 7.i.g4could have been met directly with 16 ..."iVe6 or indirectly with 16 ... 1::f.ac8 1 7.i.g4- t"Δd4- 18.i.xf5 'tixfS 1 9.t"Δxe41 04
21 .f4!?
2 1 . �b2 looks more natural, although the resulting wild complications are very hard to judge over the board: Α) 2 1 . ..�[4- 22.t"Δxe4 dxe4- 23.�xd4�xd4- 24-.1:f.xd4- "iVxf2+ 2S.hl and here Black holds with the aid of 25 ...
Chapter 3
e3! 26.1:te4 U.ad8 27.'flle2 tbf5! 28.l:ιxe6 tbd4; Β) 2 l . .. Θec6!
-
The Madness of the Brave
22 ...�g4 23.l:ιxf6 .l:ιxf6 24.Vi'xd4 !taf8, but here too, White's chances are supe rior: 25.ifdl ! 'iig6 26.�e3. 23. 'ίtxf2 lLJbS!
The only way!. Significantly weaker is 23 ...Θc2 24.�gl ! �d4+ 25.'it>hl Θxel 26.'ifxel �f2 27.'ifdl, or 23 ... .ih4+ 24.Wgl .if2+ 25.�hl �xel 26.�xel , and White's material advantage decides. 24.'ίtg1 ! tiJxc3 25.tiJxc3 .bc3
analysis diagram
22.b5 (it looks more cautious to play 22.ltJb5 Vi'f4 23 . .ixd4 Θχd4 24.Θχd4 �xd4 25 . .!:ιχd4 'fllxf2+ 26.\thl but here the energetic 26 ... .ig4! 27.l:ιd2 �xdl 28.l:ιxf2 1:ιχf2 29.1:ίxdl e3 retains the initiative for Black) 22 ...�f4! 23.bxc6 �e5 24.Vi'h5 g6 25.tbxd5! (25.'i!fxe5 'ifxe5 26.tbb5 tbf3+ 27.gxf3 'ifg5+ 28.\thl 1:ιχf3 29.ltJd4 .ig4! is too dan gerous for White) 25 ... .ixd5 26.'ifh3. 21 ... 'ifxf4 22 . .l:r.f2
Δ
It seems as though White has finally seized the initiative. But has he?
26.�5
After such a shock, it is hard to retain one's self-control. Black also has suffi cient counterplay after 26.1:ιe3 .ie5. Relatively best is 26.�d2 �d4+ (worse is 26 ... .ixd2 27.'S'xd2 1:ιχa3 28.�b2) 27.�e3 .ixe3+ 28.1:txe3 although in this case too, the position is completely unclear: 28 ...ltJf5 29.U.h3 (29.l:lel %;lxa3) 29... d4. 26 ... i.xe1 27. 'ifxe1 llJfS 28.�2 .l:r.acθ 29. .b4 .l:r.f7 30.h3
The natural reaction. Anand tries to secure his king, but now Black gets a new entry square. Both 30 . .Άb3 and 30.�dl were worth considering. 30 ... h5! 31 .b5?!
22 ... 'ifxf2+! !
Lightning from a clear sky! White is better after both 22 ...'ifh4 23.nf4 'S'g5 24.1:ιfxe4 and 22 .. .'ii'b8 23.l:ιxf6 .U.xf6 24.'ifxd4 ltJfs 25.�c5±. Better is
It was essential to play 3 1 . -id 1! h4 32 . .Άg4. 31 ... h4 32.�e5 d4! 33.b6
He is not saved after 33.'ii'xe4 Θe3! (33 ... :i.cl+? misses the win: 3Hii'h2 1 05
Risk & Bluff in Chess
t2Je3 35.'ifxh4! l:lffl 36.'ftd8+ .!::!.f8 37.'ifxd4 lLJfl+ 38.�g1) 34.'ftxh4 1:f.f1+ 35.�h2 lLJfS! 36.�g5 �cc1 . 33...e3 34. ιii(h 2 d3 35. 'tlfb4 e2 36.�c3
Αη uηexpected decisioη. Temptiηg is 9.c3, but Aηdrey decides ηοt to lose time ση such trivia as defeηdiηg pawηs. 9 ... 'tlfxd4 1 0. �e3 'tlfd6
Or 36.�b3 �xb3 37.b7 �xb7 38.'ftxb7 �e6 39.'iYb6 �dS 40.'iνa5 t2Je3-+. 36 ... :Xc3 37. 'tlfxc3 :Xb7 39.'tlfa5 :bθ
tlJg3 38.b7 0-1
Α strikiηg wiη! But, abstractiηg from the emotioη, Ι have tried to aηalyse both games from the poiηt of view of our choseη theme. Ιη ηeither case did the opeηiηg seem to promise such dra matic developmeηts. The iηitiative lay with the favourite, who was playiηg Whαt does White hαve for the pαwn? Only White each time. The sharp chaηge iη superior development. But Blαck hαs α very the ηature of the positioη did ηοt alter solid position, αnd he needs only α few simple is assessmeηt, but the psychological iηi moves for the development fαctor to ceαse to be tiative shifted to Black. Αηd it turηed relevαnt. out that eveη the best players iη the Does White hαve αt his disposαl αny sort of rαd world react badly to such stress. icαl meαsures? Of course, to achieve success, οηe ηeeds belief iη oηe's abilities, aηd decisive 1 1 . llJxe6!? ηess. The game with Αηaηd was a par ticularly good example of the correct Α completely uηexpected aηd very strikiηg decisioη, all the more so approach iη such situatioηs. because Volokitiη had a wide choice. All Paradoxically, it seems easier to decide the ηormal moves, 1 l .�e2, 1 1 .'iνf3, aηd ση such dramatic actioη to seize the iηi 1 1 .0-0, would, at best, have giveη oηly tiative, wheη οηe is playiηg with black. moderate compeηsatioη for the sacri Very few top players today will eηgage ficed pawη. Now, however, the stakes their oppoηeηts from the first moves as rise sharply! White. The followiηg game is a rare aηd 1 1 ... 'tlfxe6 The most ηatural aηd at the same time at the same time strikiηg example the stroηgest reply. Black does ηοt equalise after either 1 1 ... �xd3 1 2.t2Jxf8 Game 48 'iνb4+ 1 3 .'iνd2! (weaker is 13.�d2 Andrey Volokitin (2594) 'iνe7+ 14.�e3 �b4+) 13 ... t2Ja6 lgor Khenkin (2627) 14.0-0-0 �xd2+ 15.�xd2 �c4 16.t2Jd7, Germany Bundesliga 2003/04 (5) 1 .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.ttJc3 dxe4 4.llJxe4 or 1 1 ... fxe6 12.'�fh5+ �d8 13.0-0-0 �f5 5.tiJg3 �g6 6.lb1 e2 e6 7.h4 h6 t2Jf6 14.�f7. 8. lbf4 �h7 9.�d3!?
1 06
1 2.bh7 :Xh7 1 3.'tlfd3!
Chαpter 3
-
The Madness of the Brαve
is 18.�xeS tLJxeS 1 9.�d4 t2Jfd7 20.f4 f6 2 1 .fxeS tLJxeS 22.�e4 nh8 B.tLJfS) 1 8 ...g6 (or 1 8 ...tLJxhS 19.�xeS tL:!xeS 20.�xh7 We7 21 .�e4 f6 22.g4±) 19.�xeS tL:!xeS 20.tι:Jxf6+ �xf6 2 1 .�d4. 1 6 . ..bf6 'ifxf6 1 7.'ifxh7
Black still hαs α solid position, αnd now αη extrα piece αs well. Cαn the sαcrifice reαlly hαve been correct? And if not, then where do we look for the refutαtion?
1 3... tt:Jf6?!
Now it is αlreαdy White who hαs α mαteriαl
The most natural move, but, surpris advantage. But αre things so cleαr? ingly enough, also a mistake. The strongest move was the paradoxical 13 ...g6!. After a possible line such as 1 7... .b3! 14.0-0-0 �e7 1 S . l:the1 tLJd7 16.�f4 It is hard to resist such a move! White is �dS! 1 7.�a3 �cS we reach a situation clearly better in the variation 1 7...�xf2?! where White's attacking potential is 1 8.�d3 �xg2 1 9.tLJfs but a tempting running out and Black's material advan move is 1 7... g6! and the queen on h7 tage becomes the decisive factor. experiences considerable anxiety. How Another move which was better than ever, everything ends happily: 1 8.tι:Je4 the text is 13 ... �h8 with the possible �f4+ 19.tLJd2 �f6. The attempt to continuation 14.0-0-0 tLJd7 l S . �hel avoid the inevitable only prolongs the 0-0-0 1 6.�gS �xel 1 7.�xe1 hxgS game after 20.c3 �g7 2 I .t2Je4 �f4+ 1 8.hxgS tι:Je7. White faces a battle for 22.tLJd2 �f6. 1 8.c3 g6? ! equality. Now this move only exacerbates Black's 1 4.0-0-0 tt:Jbd7 1 5. ..td4! Now it unexpectedly turns out that problems. He had two reliable courses the knight on f6 becomes a target. The to equality: 1 8 ...�xf2!? 19.bxa3 �xg3 threat is 1 6 . .i:ίhe1 , whilst after 1 5 ... 0-0-0 20.�d3 �xd3 2 I . .I;lxd3 l:le8 and 1 8 ...�xc3+!? 19.�c2 �xb2+ 20.Wb1 there follows 16.�xf6. �xc2+ 21 .Wxc2 �f6. 1 5 ...0-0-0! 1 9.�b1 ! .:hs 20.tt:Je4! Even so! Bad is 1 S ...�xa2 1 6.1:ίhel+ (a transposition results from 16.�xf6 Khenkin had clearly underestimated tι:Jxf6 1 7.1:lhel+ �e7) 16 ... �e7 1 7.�xf6 this move. 20 ... 'ife5?! tι:Jxf6 18.I:rxe7+. Somewhat better is 1 S ... �b4!? 1 6.c3 Of course, Black did not particu �d6 1 7.�he1 �eS 18.tLJhS! (also good larly wish to go into aπ inferior end1 07
Risk & Bluff in Chess
game with 20 ... 1:txh7 2I .lt:Jxf6 lt:Jxf6 22.bxa3, but this would in fact have given chances of saving the game after 22 ...lt:Je4. Things are worse for Black in the middlegame. 21 . 'ifxf7 'ifxe4+ 22. �a1 23. 'ifxg6 .tc5 24 . .1:he1 ± 25.'ifg4
'ife7 'Wf6
Even stronger was 25.l:te8+! l::f.xe8 26.'iνxe8+ 'i:Yd8 27.'i:Ve6.
28... 'ife6
28 ...'iνe8 29.'iνf4+ c8 30.1:f.f7+-. 29.'ifg6! 'ife2
29...�xg6 30.hxg6 is also completely hopeless. 30. 'ifd6+
1 -0
Playing in such a way requires a special emotional mood. Doing it too often is bad for your rating!
25... 'iff7 26. .1:e5!?
The following game shows a slightly different psychological picture. Game 49
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (2646) Alexander Khuzman (2577) Warsaw 2005 (3)
Δ Δ
ο
26... .tb6!
Taking the pawn is dangerous: 26 ... .ixf2?! 27.�[5 'i:Ve6 28.'i:Yg7 'i:Yxf5 29.'iνxh8+ 'iff8 (29...Φc7 30.'ifxh6) 30.'iνxf8+ lt:Jxf8 3 U : �fl .ics 32.�[6 and Black cannot hold the endgame. 27.h5 �c7?
But now Black misses a study-like chance: 27... .ixf2! 28.1:tf5 'iνe6 29.'i:Yg7 'iνxf5 30.'ifxh8+ 'iff8 (30 ... c7 3 l .'iνxh6±) 3 l .'iνxf8+ lt:Jxf8 32.1:lfl .ics 33.1:f.f6 Φd7 34.1:txh6 e7. By comparison with the previous vari ation, Black has lost a tempo, but it is precisely the presence of the pawn on h5 that deprives White's rook of oper ating space. However, White manages to save himself with a series of only moves: 35.1::ίh 8 f7 36.h6 ii.e7 37.h7 g7 38.l:i.g8+ xh7 39.l::tg 3=. 28. .1:f5!
Now it is all over! 1 08
The diαgrαm position αrose from α vαriαtion of the Nimzo-Indiαn Defence, which, αlthough not α mαin line, periodicaJJy αttrαcts αttention from elite GMs. In pαrticulαr, it wαs seen in the mαtch Aηαnd-Cαrlsen. The first impression is thαt Blαck is αbsolutely fine - White's extrα pαwn is weαk αnd the blαck knights hαve excel lent secure outposts. Mαmedyαrov goes for αη αttempt to chαnge the position completely. Try to guess whαt he plαyed.
1 5.tlJd4!
Α complete surprise! The knight offers its life, in the cause of improving the white pawn structure. After the natural
Chapter 3
1 5.tt:Jg3 the position would be roughly equal. 1 5...0-0-0
Played after long and tortuous thought. In the event of 15 ... exd4 16.cxd4, White has only two pawns for the piece, but the absolutely wonderful pawn phalanx and the bishop pair promise him suffi cient compensation. 1 6. tlJb5 liJxb5 1 8. Φe2 ..te6
1 7. .bb5
Φc7
If you compare this with the initial position, then its character has not changed fundamentally. Black stands very solidly, but the psychological blow inflicted by the shock move 1 5.tt:Jd4 has not passed. The strength and time spent calculating and assessing the variations may have its say later on. 1 9. ..te3 ..tc4+ 21 . .J:r.b4 l2Jxe3 23 . .J:r.hb1 Φc6 25.Φe2 Φχc5
20 . .bc4 l2Jxc4 22. Φχe3 .J:r.d7 24. .J:r.1 b2 .J:r.hdθ
It was possible to stick to waiting tactics, but Khuzman tries to provoke the crisis at once. 26.:Xb7 Φc4 27. Φ1'2 Φχc3 28. Φg3 g6 29.a4!
The pawn is heading for a6, ensuring control over b7. 29...f5 30.exf5 gxf5 32.:Xd7 :Xd7 33. .J:r.b6
33 ... .J:r.g7+?
31 .a5
a6
-
The Madness of the Brave
In time-trouble, Black tries to stick to passive defence, but this proves insuf ficient. He should have sought counter play with 33 ... e4! 34.\!tf4 (of course, not 34.1:txa6? e3) 34 ...\!td3 35.l::tb 3+ \!tc4 36.1:te3 .ί:f.f7. 34.Φ1'2 .J:r.g6
34... �a7 35.\!te3 is too passive. 35.h4
It turns out that the black rook cannot stay on the sixth rank. The a6-pawn is doomed. 35... Φd2
35 ... f4 36.h5 1:tg5 37 . .ί:f.h6 1:tg7 38.�xa6 is also unpromising. 36.h5 .J:r.g5
36 ... 1:txb6 37.axb6 e4 loses by force: 38.fxe4 fxe4 39.b7 e3+ 40.\!tf3 e2 4l .b8� el� 42.'il'b4+ \!tdl 43.'it'xel+ \!txel 44.g4. 37.h6
Now the game cannot be saved. 37...e4 38. .J:r.d6+ Φc3 39. :Xa6 Φd4 1 -0 40. .J:r.d6+ Φe5 41 . .J:r.d7
In this case, White's attempt to sharply change the position with a piece sacrifice was met poorly. But the decisive factor was the distant psychological effects of the action. The psychological stress undoubtedly has an influence on Black's condition. In addition, maintaining the status quo on the board required a great deal of time and strength. Therefore it is not surprising that, having solved some serious problems, Alexander was eventually unable to cope with some relatively simple ones. The bluff used by Mamedyarov, as a lever with which to unbalance the posi tion, proved an effective weapon. It did not lead to immediate success, but it nevertheless determined the final result. 1 09
Risk & Bluff in Chess
In the final part of this chapter, we present some games from recent years. Special place goes to the following. Game 50
Hikaru Nakamura (2778) Vladimir Kramnik (2797) lstanbul οΙ 201 2 (9)
ο
He only needs to plαy 28.tΔb3, after which Blαck's problems will become αcute. How does Blαck stop this?
On the basis of the foregoing considera tions, Kramnik's next move is perfectly logical. The position is completely equal and the play ers had already repeated moves twice. Nobody doubted thαt the game would be drawn, but does White hαve any wαy to continue the fight?
27... .:.X:c5!? 28.dxc5 Wfcβ
More accurate is 2 8 ...'ifc7, defending c7 in advance, which proves significant in the variation 29.tΔb3 tΔc4 30.a4 bxa4 3 1 .1:ίχa4 jιbs. 29. tl:Jf3
23.tl:Jb1 ?!
What is this!? Ι have never seen a more shocking move in my life, and Ι have seen a fair bit! 23.jιb4 ends the game in a draw at once. 23 ... b5
Α somewhat strange decision. However, it soon becomes apparent that Nakamu ra's very committal move is not so easy to exploit. The only weakness on c3 is solidly defended. Mind you, it is also not clear what active plan White has. But Kramnik was now full of desire to punish his opponent for his 'incorrect' play, which is probably just what the American had counted on. 24.h4 llJc6 25. ..tcs 'ifbβ 26. Wfe2 tl:Ja5 27. ttJd2
Strangely, White's strategy works. 1 10
rather
devious
In his turn missing a chance to exploit Black's inaccuracy with 29.tΔb3 tΔc4 30.a4. 29 ... 11fxc5
Black has a pawn for the exchange and well-coordinated pieces, so chances are roughly equal. But the tone of the game is clearly being set by White. 30.tl:Jh2?!
Chαpter 3 - The Mαdness of the Brave After the 'correct' 30.α4 tbc4 3 I .axb5 �xb5 32.tbd4 �e8, Blαck would hold the position without trouble. Nakamura, however, continues to rock the boαt. Is this α risky decision?
30... �g7
The uπdefeπded pawπ could very well have beeπ takeπ: 3 0 ...'il'xc3! 3 1 .tbg4�d2! (also good is 3 1 . .. �g7 32.1:lacl 'il'd4 33.1:1edl 'il'b6) 32 . .!:redl tbc4. Ιπ this case, White might have had reasoπ to regret his extremely artful play. 31 .h5
31 ... g5?
But this is a clear mistake. Now, too, he should have played 3 1 . ..'il'xc3! although here it is less good thaπ οπ the previous move. 3 2 . .a'.acl 'il'd4 3 3 .tbg4- leads to a complicated game, with mutual chaπces. 32.h6!
Α move which Kramπik had clearly overlooked. Suddeπly it turπs out that Black's kiπg has far too few defeπders. 32 ... �xh6 33.'ifh5 ..ig7 34.'ifxg5 tlJc6 35. tfjg4 'ife7 36. 'ifxe7 t:Δxe7 37.a4!
Ενeπ without queeπs, the positioπ will be iπdefeπsible. 37... d4 38.axb5 bb5 39 . .:Xa7 d3 40. .:Xe7 d2 41 . :td1 ..ie2 42.ltJe3 be5 43.c4
White's material advaπtage determiπes the outcome of the day.
43... h5 44.:ta7 h4 45.:ta2 bd1 46.t:Δxd1 hxg3 47.fxg3 bg3 48.c5 f5 49.:ta7 e5 50.c6 e4 51 . ..ih3 :tcθ 52.:ta6 :tfθ 53.:ta5 f4 54.�1 e3 55. �e2 :tf6 56.:ta8+ �g7 57.:ta7+ :tf7 58.:tb7 �6 59.�3 :te7 60. .:Xe7 �xe7 61 .c7 e2 62.c8llJ+ �6 63. �xe2 �e5 64.lί:\b6 �d4 65 . ..ig2 Ae1 66.tbd5 �e5 67.lί:\b4 ..ih4 68.tbd3+ �5 69.�xd2 �g4 70.�e2 ..if6 71 . lί:\1 f2+ �g3 72 . ..if3 ..idθ 73.ltJe4+ �h4 74.ttJe5 ..ic7 75.ttJQ6+ �h3 76.ltJe7 ..idθ 77. lί:\f5 ..ib6 78. �1 �h2 79 . ..ig4 f3 80. lί:\h4 1 -0
This time, the logical course of the game was disrupted ποt by a sacrifice or aπ irreversible pawπ thrust, but by a modest kπight move. However, it looked so ugly that it was precisely its uπaesthetic appearaπce which pro duced the shock οπ the woπderfully aπd classically chess-educated former World Champioπ. It is ποt aπ accideπt that he played the coπcludiπg part of the game so poorly. Fraπkly, Ι do ποt kπow aπyoπe iπ the world elite who would have decided οπ such a kπight move. Ι would remiπd you that this all happeπed πear the eπd of the Olympiad iπ Istaπbul, aπd the result ofthe game determiπed the USA's match victory over Russia. Το what exteπt was the result caused by the sportiπg factor, or is it the computer iπflueπce, aπd the fact that aesthetics simply do eπter the machiπe's calcula tioπs? Certaiπly, SF does ποt regard the shockiπg kπight move as too bad. Prob ably the Americaπ graπdmaster took the psychological effect iπto accouπt. Whatever the case, the bluff worked brilliaπtly. 111
Risk & Bluff in Chess
The following game developed accord ing to an entirely different scenario.
dation of 20.tΔf3 can only be regarded as a total humiliation. 20... tbxb2
Game 51
Magnus Carlsen (2835) Veselin Topalov (2770) Wijk aan Zee 2012 (1 1 )
1 .e4 cS 2.tbf3 d β 3.�b5+ tbd 7 4.c3 tbfβ 5. W'e2 aβ 6.b4 W'c7 7.0-0 eS 8.d4 bS 9.�c2 cxd4 1 0.cxd4 �e7 1 1 .ltJc3 0-0 1 2.�g5 hβ 1 3. �h4 �b7 1 4.1:.ad1 .:.Scθ 1 5. �b3 1Σfe8 1 6.dxe5 dxeS 1 7. �g3 �fθ 1 8.h3 lbbβ
After the gαme, Mαgnus αdmitted thαt he hαd missed this move, when plαying 19.tΔh4. Not only shαmeful defeαts, but sometimes αlso stun ning mαsterpieces result from bαnαl oversights! However, beαutiful words αre not enough whαt should White plαy?
21 . �h4!
In whose fαvour is this position? Whαt should White plαy?
1 9.tbh4?!
This move proves the prologue to boundless complications, which make this game one of the most striking of recent years. After the 'normal' 1 9.1:1cl or 19 . .Άh4, the position remains roughly equal, and it is unlikely that the game would have made it into this book.
Α fantastic move! With both his appear ance and, especially, his moves, Carlsen shows everyone that he did not lose the b2-pawn, but sacrificed it! In that sense, 2 1 .1:ίcl would be a criminal admission. The only alternative to the text was 2I .tΔxh6+!? gxh6 22 . .Άh4, which was objectively the strongest.
1 9... lίJc4 20.tbf5
Having said Α, he must say Β. After 20.t:rcl, there is the very strong 20 ... .Άb4! , attacking the e4-pawn, and the complications after 2 I .tΔdS tΔxdS 22 . .Άχc4 bxc4 23.exd5 .ixdS clearly favour Black. SF's shameless recommen1 12
analysis diagram
However, paradoxically, Black's defence is easier in this line: 22 ... �e7 23.�xf6
Chapter 3
�xf6 24.'ifg4+ �h8 25.1:1d7 'ti'xc3 26.�xf7! (weaker is 26.1:lxb7 l:rc7 or 26.l:ιxf7 �g8 27.'iYfs �g7 28.1:hb7 t2:Jc4) 26 ... 1:red8 27.1:hb7 l:rc7 28.'ifg6 �g7 and White faces a difficult fight for a draw. Without regard to his material losses, White throws everything ση the fire, in the search for an attack.
-
The Maιlness of the Brave
D) Finally, 24.tt:Jxg7 is met by 24... 1::!xf6 2S.t2:JhS+ �h8 26.t2:Jxf6 �g7 27.'iffs �xf6 28.'ifxf6+ �g8 29.ifg6+ �f8 30.'δ'χh6+ �e8.
21 ... ttJxd1 22 . ..bf6! ttJxc3 23. 'it'g4
analysis diagram
White is α rook down, but his remaining pieces are threatening the enemy king. In practice, the position is not so easy to defend, especially when the opponent's appearance exudes confidence. Try to find the best defence for Black.
23... ..be4?!
Not the optimal choice. Of course, with the cold-blooded SF by one's side, it is easy to find the strongest line: 23 ... l:re6!, after which the white attack can be beaten off in all variations. Thus: Α) 24.�xg7 is unsatisfactory: 24... �h7! 2S.�xe6 fxe6 26.�xf8 l:rxf8; Β) 24.t2:Jxh6+ is only a little better: 24...�h7 2S.tt:Jxf7 'iYxf7 26.�xe6 'ifxf6 27.'ifhS+ (27.�xc8 �xc8 28.'iνxc8 t2:Je2+ 29.�h2 'tif4+ 30.�hl t2:Jg3+) 27...'ifh6; C) More serious problems are posed by 24.�xe6 fxe6 2S.t2:Je7+ �h8 26.'ifg6!. Then there is the defence 26 ... �xe4! 27.'iYxh6+ �h7 28.t2:Jxc8 'δ'χc8 29.�xe5 t2:Jxa2;
However, it is almost impossible to cal culate all these complicated variations during a game. Α more 'human' move is 23 ...�h7, but even in this case, White has a way to keep great tension in the position: 24.t2:Jxg7! (the strongest continuation of the attack. After 24.�xg7 there is the very strong 24 ... l:re6! (24...'iVc6!? 2S.�xf8 'δ'f6 is also good) 2S.�xe6 fxe6 26.�xf8 1:txf8, whilst 24.t2:Jxh6 fails to the cold-blooded 24...�xh6!) 24... �xe4!? (24...t2:Je2+!? 2S.�h2 t2:Jd4 is interesting) 2S.tt:Jxe8 l:rxe8.
analysis diagram
In this apparently hopeless position, White turns out to have the unlikely 1 13
Risk & Bluff in Chess
resource 26.1::f.d l ! ! mainta1n1ng the intrigue. For example: 26 ... .ig6 27.1:rd7 t2Je2+ 28.Wfl ! (28.Wh2 h5!) 28 ... t2Jg3+! 29.fxg3 'ifcl+ 30.We2 h5 3 I .'ti'f3 and it is far from clear whose king is in the greater danger. 24. tillc:h β+?!
Extremely tempting, but not the best move! He should have played 24.t2Jxg7! Wh7 25.t2Jxe8 Irxe8 26.1::f.d l!!, taking the game into the variation given above. 24... 'ίth7
34.Wg2 1:1xc2+ 35.Whl �cl+ 36.Wg2 1::f.c2+) 29.�[5 g6 30.�xd5+ Wh8 3 I .�b3 �g7 32.t2Jf7+ Wh7 33.t2Jg5+ with perpetual check. Thus, only with 26 ... t2Je4! can Black retain the advan tage: 27.�xe4+ �xe4 28.t2Jg5+ Wg8 29.t2Jxe4 �f7. One hardly needs to say that such variations bear little relation to reality and that over the board, any thing could happen! 25 ... 1!Vxf7?
And here is the indirect confirmation of my words! It seems that there was noth ing forcing Topalov to such extreme measures. Even more than that, if one thinks seriously about the position, then White has no actual threats, even though his pieces are grouped around the enemy king. In such positions, espe cially with a shortage of time, it is very hard for a human player to retain his self-control.
How should White continue the attack? 25. ..bf7?!
In such crazy positions, it is impossi ble to calculate everything, so one must to some extent rely on intuition. As the result of the game shows, Magnus' intu ition did not let him down, but objec tively it was stronger to play 25.t2Jxf7!, which poses Black very serious prob lems. Firstly, he must find the only move 25 ... �d5!, defending against the horrible threat of 26.�h5+. Secondly, after 26.�c2+ Black must decide on 26 ...t2Je4! because the natural 26 ...e4 leads to a draw in the most surprising fashion, after correct play on both sides: 27.t2Jg5+ Wg8 28.�xc3 �xc3 (an equally beautiful variation is 28 ...�d6 29 . .1:ldl ! 1::f.xc3 30.1::f.xd5 'δ'χd5 3 l .�h5 �f5 32.g4 'ti'xf2+ 33.Wxf2 �c5+ 1 14
It is another matter for the machine, though! It suggests 25 ... �d3! which guarantees Black an advantage, even with unhumanly accurate play: 26.Whl ! t2Je2! 27.�g8+ Wh8 28.�d5 t2Jf4 29.t2Jf7+ Wg8! 30 . .ixe5 (30.�b3 �c4) 30 ... 1::f.xe5 3 I .t2Jxe5+ t2Jxd5 32.�e6+ Wh7 33.t2Jxd3 'iνc6. This is better than the more easily under stood line 25 ... 1:f.e7 26.�xe7 'δ'χe7 27.'iνxc8 t2Je2+! (27...gxh6 28.'iνxc3
Chapter 3
'ifxf7 29.'ifxe5) 28.'1t>h2 '>t>xh6! where things are less clear, and many times better than 25 ...gxf6?? 26.'iνg8+ '>t>xh6 27.'ifh8+ 'ίt>gS 28.'ifh5+ 'ίt>f4 29.g3#. But one can understand Topalov: after the exchanging operation undertaken by him, Black obtains a material advan tage, and it seems that he escapes all the threats. Unfortunately for him, this turns out not to be quite the case.
-
The Madness of the Brave
27 ... .tg6 28. 'ifh4+ 'iftg7 29.fxe5 !Ce4 30. :Xf6! .tc5+ 31 . 'ifth2 ttJxf6 32. 'ifxf6+ 'ifth7 33.tίJQ5+ 'ifth6 34.liJe6!
Possibly the most appropriate outcome of this fantastic game was a draw after 34/Δf7+ 'ίt>h7 3S.t2JgS+, but Carlsen wanted more! 34... :Xe6 35. 'ifxe6 .:.ee 36. 'iff6 iιe7?!
τiredness and time-trouble have their say. It was perfectly possible to keep the pawn: 36 ... a5!.
26. ttJxf7 gxf6
37.'ifxa6 b4 38.'ifc4 .tfθ 39.g4 'ifth7 40.e6! .td6+ 41 .'iftg2 iιe7 42. 'ifc7 'iftgθ 43.'iftg3 'iitfθ 44. 'iff4+ 'iftg7
Black has α mass of pieces for the queen, and the knight ση f7 is in real danger. Is Carlsen in trouble? ·
27.14!
This is the move Black had missed (or underestimated).
45.'iVd4+?
Carlsen also errs. He should have played the immediate 4S.h4!. 45... 'iftgθ 46.h4 .:.dθ 47. 'ifc4?
He could still retain winning chances with 47.�a7! .!:Id3+ 48.'1t>f4 '>t>f8 49.h5. 47... .td3?
An incomprehensible decision! The tempting 47... 1::f.d 3+ 48.'1t>f4 1ιd6+ 49.'1t>g5 '>t>g7! ensured a draw: SO.hS 1ιe7+ S I .'>t>f4 1ιd6+. 48.'ifc6 .tb1 ?
There is no time even to think of cap turing the apparently cut-off knight on f7, and the battle rages with renewed strength.
And this is already the decisive mis take! Significantly more tenacious was 48 ...'1t>g7. 49.h5
1 15
Risk & Bluff in Chess
49.'ii'b7 �d6+ SO.Φh3 1::!.f8 S l .e7 wiπs more quickly.
8 . .i.b2 0-0 9.0-0 1:.f6 1 Ο. 'iVc2 ttJf7 1 1 . tιJd2
49... .b:a2 50. 'ife4! �hβ 51 .h6 .i.f6 52.e7 1:.e8 53. 'iff4 .i.g7 54.hxg7+ 1 -0 �xg7 55.g5 �gβ 56. 'iVf6
Α stuππiπg aπd dramatic game! Απd it scarcely matters that White's desperate attack resulted from aπ oversight οπ his part. After all, chess is played by humaπs, who are always goiπg to make mistakes. What matters more is how οπe reacts to mistakes. Α weak charac Black's hopes involve αctivity on the kingside. ter takes it badly, aπd the staπdard of How should he develop the initiαtive? his play usually deteriorates, but to the stroπger characters, such lapses oπly 1 1 ...e5!? serve as a motivatioπ. This game is a woπderful example. Απ uπexpected aπd risky decisioπ. After his mistake, Carlseπ played as if Temptiπg is 1 1 . .. l:ιh6 12.f4 t2Jf6 with a he did ποt for οπe secoπd doubt the cor complicated positioπ. rectπess of his play, aπd the logic of his attack was so coπviπciπg aπd his moves so aggressive, that iπ the eπd his oppo πeπt could ποt withstaπd the pressure. Carlseπ's play is all the more strikiπg for the fact that this is by πο meaπs his πatural game. Risk aπd, eveπ more so, bluff are far from his trademark. But he has aπ excelleπt feel for the playiπg coπ teπt of the game aπd is ready to fight for victory οπ other players' terms, where 1 2 . .b:f5!? that is the best choice. Ιπ playiπg his 1 1th move, Black had Alexaπder Morozevich, οπ the other to reckoπ with 12.cxd5!? e4 13.�c4 haπd, is a maπ who likes his games (13.tt:Jcxe4 fxe4 14.tt:Jxe4 is iπterestiπg) spicy. He is williπg to eπter uπpredicta 13 ...tt:Jb6 (the temptiπg sacrifice οπ h2 ble complicatioπs agaiπst aπy oppoπeπt. is iπsufficieπt: 13 ... �xh2+ 14.Φχh2 1:f.h6+ 1 5.Φg1 'ifh4 1 6.[3! t2Jf6 1 7.dxc6 f4 1 8.1:f.ae1 ! aπd White successfully Game 52 beats off his oppoπeπt's attack: 1 8 ...tt:Jg4 Levon Aronian (2825) 19.fxg4 'iνh2+ 20.Φf2 'ii'g3+ 2l .Φe2 Alexander Morozevich (2769) Moscow 2012 (5) �xg4+ n.tt:Jf3 exf3+ Β.Φd2) 14.g3 1 .d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.tlJc3 c6 4.e3 tιJd7 aπd Black has some compeπsatioπ for 5.ttJf3 f5 6. .i.d3 tbh6 7.b3 .i.d6 the pawπ, but is it sufficieπt? 1 16
Chαpter 3
1 2...e4 1 3 . .b:h7+!?
Thi5 lead5 to a po5ition with an unu5ual material balance. The natural 13.�xd7 allow5 the typical combination 13 ... .i.xh2+ 14.�xh2 �h6+ 1 S .�g1 'iVh4 1 6.f4 i.xd7 1 7.cxd5 cxdS with a guaranteed draw for Black: 1 8.tL1xdS 'iVhl+ 1 9.�f2 'ifh4+ 20.�gl. 1 3 ... �xh7 1 4.cxd5 .:tgβ 1 5. tbdxe4
1 6.tbxf6+
'iVxfβ
25... ..tb7 26.h3 tbgθ 27.e5 .:cs 28.d5 ..tb4 29.e6 .:tddθ
Ξ. Ξ.
i .t. i .
Δ
Δ
1 7.f4
Extremely complicated. Simpler aπd better i5 1 7... .i.h3 18.�f2 1:f.e8. 1 8. tί:le4 'iff5 1 9.dxc6 �e7
Coπtiπuiπg the liπe of maximum complicatioπ5. 20.c7 .:tcβ 21 . 11fb1
Aroπiaπ, by coπtra5t, trie5 to 5implify the po5itioπ. More daπgerou5 for Black wa5 2 l .'i!Vd3! 1:Ixc7 22.d5. 21 ... .:Xc7 22.tbc3 'ifxb1 23. .:Sxb1 .1:td7 24. .1:tbd1 bβ 25.e4
Vi5ually, it 5eem5 a5 though White ha5 everythiπg iπ order. The white pawπ5 look a5 though they will 5weep away everythiπg in their path.
Δ CΔ Δ il
The Maιlness of the Brave
trol. Ιπ 5uch circum5tance5, anything i5 po55ible.
The fir5t impre55ion i5 that Black ha5 great problem5. But thing5 are not 50 5imple. 1 5 ... tbf6 tbhβ?!
-
Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ nw
However, the black piece5 are al5o very good, aπd both player5 had oπly five miπute5 (plu5 a 30 5ecoπd incremeπt) οπ the clock, to reach the time cοπ-
30.tί:le4?
It turn5 out that the white pawn5 are ποt ju5t a strength, but al5o a weakπe55. Approximate equality could be maiπ taiπed by 30.l:!f3 tL1e7. 30... .:Xd5 31 .tbQ5+ �gβ 32 . .:Xd5 .b:d5 33 . .1:td1 tί:le7 34.�d4?
Now the black piece5 develop fierce activity. More chaπce5 of holdiπg the game were offered by 34.l::!.c 1 . 34... .1:tc2 35.g4 ..td2! 36. .1:tf1 �c1 37.tbf3 .b:f4 38.tbh4+ �g5 39. tbf3+ �hβ 40.h4 .:Xa2
White re5igned. Morozevich'5 play 5eem5 to be like doiπg a 5word-daπce οπ a tightrope above aπ aby55. Οπe mi55tep aπd it i5 iπ5tant death. Admittedly, hi5 oppoπent i5 al5o forced to take part in thi5 deadly daπce. 'Ri5k' 5eem5 aπ iπadequate and rather banal word to de5cribe 5uch aπ approach to che55. Rather, it i5 a duel to the death, with no retreat5 or compromi5e5 po5sible. But 5uch play require5 eπormou5 work at the board, aπd 50 it i5 5imply impos5ible to play like thi5 without regular collap5es aπd defeat5. 117
Risk & B]uff in Chess
Situational risk is another thing. This is something one sees even from players who are predominantly known as posi tional players. Game 53
lvan Cheparinov (2709) Pavel Elianov (2678) Reykjaνik 2013 (6)
1 .d4 dS 2.c4 c6 3.tt:J13 ttJ16 4.tt:Jc3 a6 5.a4 e6 6.g3 dxc4 7. .tg2 cS 8.0-0 cxd4 9.tt:Jxd4 .te7 1 0.a5 0-0 1 1 . tt:Jc2 1fc7 1 2 . .te3 .td7 1 3 . .tb6 "ifcθ 1 4. tt:Je3 .tbS 1 5. .:1.c1 tt:J1d7 1 6. tt:Ja4 .tgs 1 1.14
V!fxa8 23.tt::Jxc4 with a clear advantage to White. Also better than the text was 1 9.'ifd2 1ld8 20.b4 'ifxb6 2 1 .axb6 l:txd2 22.fxg5. 1 9... .t16
Black already has a choice. As well as the natural text, another interesting option was the paradoxical 19... .id8!? 20.b4 (20.tt::Jxa8 .ixa5) 20 ... V!fxb4 2 1 .tt::Jxa8 .ixa5. 20.tt:Jxa8
20.b4!? 'ifxb4 2 1 .tt::Jxa8 tt::Jc6 leads to an unusual position, where Black has sufficient compensation for the rook: 22.tt::Jc 7 .ia4 23.'ife1 'lixel+ 24.J;!xel tt::Jx a5. 20... .:1.d8 21 . 'it'e1 tt:Jc6 22.tt:Jb6
Or 22.tt::Jc 7!? .id4 23.tt::Jxb5 .ixe3+ 24.l:rxe3 'lixe3+ 25.�fl axb5 26.1:ίdl with approximate equality. 22 ... .td4!
Where shou]d the bishop retreαt to?
1 7... tt:Jxb6?!
This decision also turns out to be possible, but the attempt to change the position sharply involves some risk. The natural 1 7... .ie7 leads after 1 8 .tt::Jxc4 tt::Jc6 1 9.b3 to a position where Black needs to show accuracy to equalise.
How does White best pαrry the bαηα] threαt of 23 ... .ie3 ?
1 8.tt:Jxb6 'it'cS 1 9. .:1.13?!
As often happens, the sharp change in the position causes mistakes. Correct was 1 9.�f2!, although this also looks strange: 1 9... .if6 20.tt::Jxa8 1:f.d8 2 l .b4! (less clear is 2 1 .'ifc2 .id4 22.V!fd2 tt::Jc 6 23.tt::Jb 6 tt::Jx a5 24.b4! 'iff8) 2 1 . ..Vi'a7 (21 . ..'ifxb4 22.'ifc2 tt::Jc 6 23 . .ixc6 .ixc6 24.tt::Jb 6 c3 25 . .!:i.fdl) 22.'ifc2 1 18
The unusual position on the board is very hard to judge, so White's next mis take is not at all surprising. 23.'ίW2?
lt was essential to reduce the tension at once: 23.tt::Jxc4! .ixc4 24.�fl ! .ixe3 25.l:rxc4 'ifxc4 26.l:ιxe3 and the most likely outcome is a draw.
Chapter 3 - The Maιlness of the Brave
23 ...e5!
After this unexpected move, which Cheparinov clearly underestimated, Black finally seizes the initiative. 24.b4 lbxb4 25.fxe5 tbc6 26. "ifd2?
The decisive mistake. However, not everyone can retain their self-control in such a rapidly-changing situation. Only 26/t:Jxc4! retained chances of resisting. Here is one sample variation, though it is by no means obligatory: 26 ... .ixc4 27.�fl ! tt:Jxe5 28.t2Jxc4 tt:Jxc4 29.'ifd l ! �f6 30.�c2 t2Jd2+ 3 1 .�xd2 !ιχd2 32 . .ί:!'.χc5 !ιdl+ 33.�f2 .id4+ 34.e3 .ixc5 35.�e2. 26... c3
Now it all ends quickly. 27. "ifc2 tίJxe5 28. "iff5 g6 29. 'iff4 .J:r.eθ 3 0 . tίJd5 'ifxd5 3 1 . 'iiί>f 1 tίJxf3
White resigned. The turn in the following game is even more unexpected. Game 54
Evgeny Tomashevsky (2706) Levon Aronian (281 3) Tromse 2013 (3.2)
In order to appreciate the following battle fully, one needs to understand the sporting situation in which it was played. Tomashevsky had managed to defeat his powerful opponent with black in the first game of the mini match, so a draw suited him in game two. The following scenario is natural - Aronian will try with all his might to confuse matters, whilst White will calmly attempt to damp down his oppo nent's actiνity. At first, that is exactly how matters unfold. 1 .d4 tίJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tίJf3 c5! ? 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 ..td6!?
Using this opening variation can be called a bluff. In recent years, Levon has generally chosen more solid systems. 6.tbc3 0-0
In the only other Aronian game Ι found ση ChessBase, Levon played less accu rately with 6 ... .ic7. The further course of the game was highly interesting: 7.g4!? d6 8.g5 tt:Jhs 9.e4 0-0 10.t2Je5 g6 l l .t2Jc4 1:ίe8 12 . .ie3 b5 1 3.t2Jxb5 .l::rxe4 with complicated play (Palliser Aronian, Athens 2001). 7.g3 ..tc7 8.d6! ..tas 9. ..tg2 tίJe4!? 1 0.0-0!?
1 0.�d3 .ixc3+ l l .bxc3 'iff6 1 2 .0-0 1::te 8 13 . .if4 t2Jc6 14.1:tacl b6 1 5.t2Jh4 c4?! 16.'iVxc4 t2Jc5 was seen in the game Moiseenko-Gashimov, Gothen burg 2005. 1 0... lbxc3
Also possible is 10 ... .ixc3 l l .bxc3 �f6 1 2 . .if4 .ί:ιe8 1 3.�d3 t2Jc6 as in the game Aronian-Gashimov (World Blitz Championship 2009). It is not impossi ble that this particular game was what influenced Levon's opening choice. 1 1 .bxc3 bc3 1 3. 'ifd5! tίJa6!
1 2. ..tg5
..tf6
If you are going to suffer, then you may as well have a pawn to suffer for!
It is obvious that White has sufficient compensation for the pawn, but he needs to play energetically and bravely, which does not suit his match situation. 1 19
Risk & Bluff in Chess
1 4. .:Sc1 .:r.b8 1 5.'iff5! b5 1 6.e4!?
The mσst eηergetic! White has a wide chσice: 16.1::tfdl !?, 16.h4!?, but maybe the strσηgest is the sσlid 16.�xf6 'ifxf6 1 7.'ifxf6 gxf6 1 8.t2Jh4 .ib7 1 9.t2Jfs .ixg2 20.'it>xg2 1::rfe8 2 I .lLJe7+ 'it>g7 22.1:f.fdl aηd it is hard to see hσw Black caη wiη this pσsitiση. But Tσmashevsky prepares to wiη the match frσm a pσsi tiση σf streηgth. 1 6 ... .bg5! 1 7. lillcg5 g6 1 8.'ifg4 f6 22.e5!?
How should White play? In taking your deci sion, do not forget to take account of the tour nament situation.
1 9. lillch 7!?
Αη astoηishiηg decisiση! Has Evgeηy fσrgσtteη that he σηly ηeeds a draw? Prσbably, he made himself fσrget this, sσ as tσ cσηceηtrate better ση the garne! Meaηwhile, there was ησthiηg wrσηg with 1 9.t2Jh3 1:f.b6 20.1:f.fdl �b7 2 I .lLJf4 with cσrnpeηsatiση fσr the pawη. 1 9... �xh7 20.f4 ..tb7 21 .f5
Black has a clear extra piece, yet White, withσut aηy hurry at all, quietly iηcreases the pressure! This paradσx is explaiηed by the fact that the tba6 aηd �b7 are rnerely spec tators σf the eveηts uηfσldiηg ση the kiηgside. 21 ... 'ifeβ
1 20
It is hard to refraiη frσrn such a rnσve, but eveη strσηger was the calrn 22.1:f.ce l ! , briηgiηg the last piece iηto the attack. Black's task wσuld be very difficult iη this case, pσssibly iηsσluble. Α) Fσr exarnple, briηgiηg the kηight iηto the garne dσes ησt help: 22 ...t2Jb4 23.e5 t2Jd3 24.'ifh4+ 'it>g8 2S.'ifh6! 'iff7 26 . .ixb7 1:f.xb7 27.exf6 'ifxf6 28.1:f.e7 1::f.f7 29.1::f.e 8+ .!:tf8 30.1:1xf8+! (30.1:f.e7=) 30 ...'ifxf8 3 I .'ifxg6+ 'ifg7 32.'ife8+ 'iff8 33.'ife4, regaiηiηg the sacrificed rnaterial with a veηgeaηce; Β) 22 ...'iff7 23.e5 �xg2 24.Φχg2 t2Jb4 (24... .!::i.b e8 25.e6) 25.exf6! (Black survives after 25.e6 dxe6 26.fxe6 'ifb7+ 27.'it>gl fS 28.e7 fxg4 29. .!::i.xf8 'ifds 30.1:1xb8 'ifd4+) 25 ... t2Jds 26.'ifgS! 'ifxf6 27.fxg6+ 'ifxg6 28.'ifxd5 aηd White's attack cσηtiηues with equal rnaterial. 22 ... .bg2 23.�xg2 fxeS 24. .:r.ce1 ?!
After the exchaηge σf light-squared bishσps, this quiet rnσve is ησt sσ gσσd. He shσuld have played 24.'ifh4+! 'it>g8 2S.'ifgS! 'iff7 26.fxg6 f!YdS+ 27.'it>gl 'ifxd6 28.g7 1:f.xfl+ 29. .!::!.xfl f!Yd4+ 30.'it>g2 'ifdS+ 3 I .'it>gl 'ifd4+ with a draw, siηce 3 I . ..l2Jc7? 32.'ifhs 'iνd4+ 33.'it>g2 'ifdS+ 34.'it>h3 'ife6+ 3S.lιfs Φχg7 36.'ifg4+ is bad fσr Black.
·
Chapter 3
-
The Madness of the Brave
29.h4! c3
Or 29 ... �e8 30.'ti'xb5 lt:Jb8 3 I .l:tf5! 'ti'e6 32.1:lf6! with a draw. 30.h5 'iνe4+ 31 .�h3 �hθ 32.'iνe6 ltJc5 33.'iνf6+ �h7 34.'iνf7+ �hθ 35.1i'f6+ �h7 36.1i'e7+ �hθ 37. 'iff6+ 112-112
How could Levon have exploited this error by White?
24...gxf5?!
lt was vital to wake up the slumberiπg kπight: 24...lt:Jb4!. Ιπ this case, White's attack would probably fizzle out: 25.'iνg5 l:!xfS 26.1:Ixf5 gxfS 27.'iνxf5+ 'iνg6 28.'iνxd7+ �g8 29.�xe5 lt:Jd3. 25.:Xf5 :Xf5 27.'iνxd7+ �gθ
26.'ifxf5+
'iνg6
From a player of the eveπ-tempered, eveπ phlegmatic type like Evgeπy Tomashevsky, οπe would rather have expected quiet play to maiπtaiπ equal ity. But agaiπst Aroπiaπ, such small coπcessioπs aπd compromises evideπtly seemed iπeffective to Evgeπy, aπd so he weπt for aπ opeπ battle. Eveπ wheπ the situatioπ οπ the board (aπd iπ the match!) did ποt by aπy meaπs require such risky actioπs, the fact that he was programmed for aπ uπcompromis iπg fight told. Evgeπy's pressure was so great that his oppoπeπt missed the fleetiπg chaπce that preseπted itself. Ιπ the eπd, both Evgeπy aπd chess were the wiππers. The sportiπg situatioπ also had a sigπificaπt iπflueπce οπ the course of the followiπg game. Game 55
Alexander Moiseenko (2673) Luke McShane (2683) 28. .:[f1 ?
After 28.1:lxe5 'iνc2+ 29.�f3 Tomashevsky was probably afraid of 29... 1:!f8+, but after the calm 30.�g4 'iνdl+ 3l .�g5 Black oπly has perpetual check.
Aix-les-Bains Ech 201 1 ( 1 1 ) •
28 ... c4?
Here too, it was esseπtial to briπg the kπight iπ: 28 ... lt:Jb4! 29.'iic 7 (29.'iνxa7 J:ld8) 29 .. .'it'e4+! 30.�gl 'it'b7!-+. Pos sibly it was exactly this elegaπt defeπce that Aroπiaπ missed some time back. 121
R.isk & Bluff in Chess
This game was played in the last round of the European Individual Champi onship. Both players were arnong the leading group ση +5, and a draw would cornfortably have guaranteed both a place in the World Cup. Α win would have given chances of one of the very top places, but a loss could be costly. In this difficult psychological situation, the players preferred an uncornprornis ing struggle. 1 7... 'ife7
The critical rnornent. How should White continue? 1 8.e5!
24... �g7 25. 'ifxe2 �xh7 26.1:a3!
The point of White's cornbination, begun at rnove 1 8 . The queen's rook is included in the attack, and Black has to solve difficult problerns. It is clearly weaker to play 26.�xh5+? �g7 27.1:1a3 I:r.h8 28.'iff3 l:th6 and the white attack peters out. 26... :e8?!
Only SF could find the paradoxical 26 ...�h6! 27.1::[af3 �gS 28.1::f.xf7 �e8, when the battle is only beginning. Also stronger than the text is 26 ...�g7 27.1:taf3 d3 28.'ii'xd3 �d4+ 29.�hl fS. 27.'ifxh5+
The pawn sacrifice is practically forced. After 1 8.�ael Black would take the pawn with 1 8 ...tbxe4! whilst after 1 9.tbg3 he would sacrifice the queen: 19 ...tbxg3 20.1::f.xe7 1:txe7 with wonder ful cornpensation. 1 8...dxe5 1 9.fxe5 'ifxes 20 . .i.f4 'ife7 21 . -i.gS
27 ... �g7?
Is Blαck obliged to repeαt rnoves?
But this natural rnove loses. After the only rnove 27...�g8! 28.'fi'f3! (28.1:taf3 is significantly weaker because of 28 ...'iνe5! 29.'ifxe5 ifιxeS with a serious advantage to Black, because 30.1::txf7 �xa4 3 l . .ί:!'.xb7 �c2 is irnpossible) 28 ... �g7! 29.'ifxf7+ �h8 30.1:taf3 we have a situation of dynarnic equality. 28 . .:aι3 :h8 29 . .:Xf6
21 ... 'ifd6!?
Declining the peaceful finish to the garne with 21 .. ."iVe5 22.�f4 'ii'e7. 22.b1'6!?
22.�f4 'ii'a 6. 22 ... bf6 23.bg6 .:Xe2 24. ..th7+!
24.�xf7+ �xf7 2S.'i!Vxe2 1:th8 favours Black. 1 22
Possibly this sirnple rnove is what McShane rnissed in tirne-trouble. The rernaining rnoves were probably played just out of inertia. 29... .:Xh5 30. .:Xd6 ba4 31 . .1:[df6 .i.e8 32.d6 �8 33.:1fs :h4 34. .:Xc5 ..tc6 3S.:cf5 .1:[h7 36 . .1:[f4 .1:[g7 37.g4 d3 38. :d4 1 -0
Chαpter 3
-
The Mαdness of the Brαve
Conclusion What unites the games we lιave j ust examined ? The answer is the absence of a clearly defined motive for taking a risk. The game Carlsen-Topalov is perhaps a special case, where Wllite plunged into unpredictable com plications because of an oversight. So what did make the other players decide on risks, contrary to the nature of the position? The main answer is obvious: the desire to win, either the particular game or the overall event. The player realised that with a normal , natural development of events lιis clιances would be significantly reduced. The game Tomashevsky-Aronian is especially notable in this respect. White was happy with a draw, and, more over, solid play suits tlιe character and natural playing style ofTomashevsky. In such cases, experienced players usually try to make their opponents take the risk, to sharpen the game. But probably the psychological pressure was too great, to add to which was tlιe effect of the opponent's reputation. In such situations, it is extremely difficult to retain one's calm and, correctly assessing llis own mood, Tomashevsky decided to seek success through attack. After all, he knew he was keeping the advantage in this way too, and two results out of three suited him. Of course, a lot depends on a player's manner of play and his temper ament. For a sharp and aggressive player, who prefers attack to defence, going into an equal endgame can be j ust as much of a risk as the most ad venturous combination. Thus, although this clιapter contains many strik ing examples, the autlιor is by no means telling everyone to sacrifice and take attack. It is very important to know yourself and your capabilities. You need to know what you can do, not only in general, but on that day and at that moment. If you manage to assess your mood accurately, then sometimes you can achieve things that you would not necessarily have ex pected. But if the right mood is lacking, you should avoid such escapades. After all, tllis is an attempt to settle matters, when normal methods are by no means exhausted.
Ι would
advise readers not to go to such extremes.
1 23
Risk & Bluff in Chess
Chapter 4
The Logic of the Ι rrational We have agreed to talk about risk aπd bluff iπ chess as some sort of coπscious decisioπ, takeπ with a clear head aπd iπ full kπowledge of what οπe is doiπg. Of course, duriπg a game it is impossible to thiπk absolutely ratioπally. The πeed to calculate complicated variatioπs, aπticipate the oppoπeπt's reactioπ aπd withstaπd the coπstaπt stress meaπs that aπy decisioπ οπ the chessboard will depeπd οπ maπy factors. Eveπ so, iπ this book the author, as far as possible, has tried to sort the wheat from the chaff, i.e., cases of deliberate risk-takiπg from the sort of risk that results from aπ oversight or a mistake iπ aπalysis. However, there are situatioπs where a siπgle decisioπ, ποt takeπ with coπscious risk-takiπg iπ miπd, πevertheless leads to uπpredictable complicatioπs, where the player caπ oπly do his best to go with the flow aπd hope to fiπd his way through. Of course, calculatiπg variatioπs is esseπtial, but all the same, at the eπd of the day οπe caππot calculate the iπcalculable. Ιπ such situatioπs, it is much more importaπt to rely οπ oπe's iπtuitioπ (assumiπg it is somethiπg you caπ trust) . Ι myself formed aπ additioπal rule, which Ι thiπk helps iπ playiπg such positioπs: 'Noπ-standard positioπs require πoπ-staπdard decisioπs' . Ιπ other words, πormal, typical methods teπd to work poorly iπ uπusual positioπs. By coπtrast, paradoxical moves quite ofteπ prove to be the salvatioπ. The more strict readers may retort that the exceptioπ proves the rule. This is true: educatioπ is πever a bad thiπg. But that is eπough of philosophical discussioπs - let us turπ to aπ example.
1 24
Chαpter 4 Game 56
Mark Taimanov Bent Larsen Vinkovci 1 970 (13)
1 .d4 tlJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tbc3 �b4 4. 'it'c2 c5 5.dxc5 0-0 6.�f4 bc5 7.tlJf3 tbc& 8.e3 d5 9.a3 1Wa5 1 O. .:Z.c1 �e7 1 1 .�e2 dxc4 1 2 . bc4 tbd5 1 3. bd5 exd5 1 4.1i'b3
-
The Logic of the Irrαtionαl
no way serve as a possible refutation: 16.l2Jd2 1:ίd8 (also possible is 1 6 ...d4 I 7.l2Jd5 �e6 1 8.l2Jxe7+ l2Jxe7) 1 7.0-0 d4; 16.l2Je5!? �f6 (16 ...d4 1 7.exd4 l2Jxd4 18.'iνd5 'i!Vd8!) 1 7.l2Jxc6 bxc6 with rough equality in all cases. 1 6... tbxd4 1 7.exd4 �g5 1 8.0-0?!
Taimanov continues to follow the prin ciple that Black's risky operation can (and should!) be punished only by equally energetic play. However, with normal continuations, Black is, at the very least, free of prob lems: 18.1:lc2 l::te 8+ 19.1:le2 1:t.xe2+ 20.�xe2 �d7; 1 8.1:t.d1 'i!Va6 1 9."iνbs 'i!Vxb5 20.l2Jxb5 �d7. 1 8... bc1 1 9. .:Xc1 �e6 20.h3?!
The pαwn defended?
ση
d5 is hαnging. How cαn it be
1 4... g5!
This game is so famous and the diagram position so well-known that Black's move is now accepted as almost natu ral. And of course, SF chooses it as its first line. However, in those far-off days such courage was regarded as tantamount to a betrayal of the positional laws of chess. However, Larsen was a totally enemy of routine. Α 'normal' continuation, such as 14 ... d4 1 5.l2Jxd4 l2Jxd4 16.exd4, or 14... 1:1d8 1 5 .0-0, leads to a position with a mini mal advantage to White.
Taimanov has dreamed up an inter esting plan of counterplay, but unfor tunately, it turns out to have a hole. He should have swallowed his pride and settled for a probable draw after 20."iνxb7 'iνb6 2 I ."iνxb6 axb6 22.�c7. 20 ... gxh3 21 .�e5?! f6!
After long thought, Larsen goes down the most principled route. 2 I . .. "iνb6 22.lLJb5 (weaker is 22.l2Jxd5 �xd5 23.'iixd5 1::tfc8) 22 ... �[5 was also fully possible. 22.tbe4 fxe5 23. 'ifg3+
1 5.�g3 g4 1 6. tbd4?!
Taimanov was no less an optimist than his opponent. He probably regarded Black's extravagant march of the g-pawn as an adventure, which ought to be punished. Quieter moves can in
How should Blαck plαy?
22 ... �g4!
1 25
Risk & BJuff in Chess
This effective iηtermediate mσve had beeη missed by Taimaησv iη his cal culatiσηs. 23 ...Wh8? 24.'iνxe5+ aηd 23 ...Wf7? 24.tbg5+ We7 2S.'iνxe5 bσth wiη fσr White. 24.1Wxg4+ �hθ
Νσw it is Black whσ has a wiηηiηg attack. 25.tbg5 'ifd2 26 . .1:.c7
26.l::tfl hxg2 is tσtally bad.
that bσuηdless σptlmism, which pre veηted him assessiηg pσsitiσηs σbjec tively. Game 57
Sνetozar Gligoric Bent Larsen Lugano ol 1 970 (4)
1 .d4 tiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.ttJc3 j,b4 4.e3 b6 S.j,d3 j,b7 6. ltJf3 ltJe4 7.0-0
26 ... 1Wxf2+ 27.�h2 1Wxg2+ 28.1Wxg2 hxg2 29.dxe5 .1:.ac8 30. .:Xb7
Nσthiηg chaηges after 30 . .1:f.xh7+ Wg8 3 I .l::txb7 l::tf2. 30 ... .1:.c2 31 .ttJf7+ �g7 32.e6 �6 33.e7 g1 1W+ 34.�xg1 .1:.g8+ 0-1
Οηe mσdest pawη mσve by Black decisively chaηged the character σf the pσsitiση. Α quiet aηd rather baηal In this position, which is quite populor in our pσsitiση was traηsfσrmed iηstaηtly day, Block hos α choice between three moves: iηtσ a cσmpletely σrigiηal σηe, where 7...tbxc3, 7... �xc3 ond 7... f5. Which con σrdiηary rules aηd apprσaches wσrked tinuotion do you think Lorsen chose? badly. Taimaησv, to give him his due, played extremely iηveηtively aηd iηter estiηgly. But iη this battle σf twσ coη 7... ttJxc3 firmed σptimists, it was the Daηe whσ Fσr thσse familiar with the Daηe's came σut ση tσp. Perhaps because iη his apprσach, the questiση aηswers itself dariηg raid with the g-pawη, he was - σf cσurse, he chσσses the mσst risky ahead σf his time, whilst his σppσηeηt aηd prσvσcative liηe! remaiηed iη his? 8.bxc3 bc3 9 . .1:.b1 ltJc6 1 0. .1:.b3 h5 1 1 .e4
The fσllσwiηg games shσw eveη mσre clearly the streηgths aηd weakηesses σf Beηt Larseη. Οη the σηe haηd, there is the absσlute flexibility aηd lack if dσgma iη his thiηkiηg, aηd the ease with which he toσk decisiσηs, plus his bσuηdless σptimism, which helped him iη difficult situatiσηs. Οη the σther, a teηdeηcy tσ get wrapped up iη his σwη ideas aηd, as a cσηsequeηce, tσ igησre his σppσηeηt's ideas, plus σf course . . . 1 26
Ιη thσse far-σff days, wheη this game was played, His Highηess Theσry did ησt have aη uηambiguσus σpiηiση ση the pawη sacrifice made by White here. Hσwever, eveη a superficial glaηce at the pσsitiση is eησugh to reveal that the black kiηg faces difficult times ahead. Practically all σf White's pieces are pσised fσr the attack, aηd his pσwerful pawη ceηtre is ready fσr a decisive storm, whilst at the same time, the
Chapter 4
black pieces are stranded on the queen side.
-
The Logic of the Irrαtional
1 7.e5!
The most energetic continuation of the attack, although the direct 1 7. .1::f.h3 4Jf8 was also not bad, and now White has a pleasant choice between 1 8 . .i.gS!? 'iνe8 (1 8 ... f6 19.e5) 1 9.e5 fS 20.'iνxe8 .l::txe8 2l .tΔxc7 with material gains, or 1 8.e5 g6 1 9.�h6 exdS 20.f4! with a strong attack. 1 7...exd5
1 1 ... lίJe7 1 2.d5 lίJgβ 1 3.tbd4 'ife7 1 4. .tc2 .tb4 1 5. �b5 0-0 1 6. 'ifh5
Is the position ready for the final attack?
1 8. .tg5? White's pressure is growing. Does Black have any way to defend?
1 6... :tc8?
Α decision characteristic of Larsen! Α super-optimist, he decides to let the black king take care of itself, and feels that his extra material is the most impor tant factor. But the truth is that pawns are already irrelevant in this position. It was absolutely essential to play 16 ... eS!, at least closing the diagonal of one of the powerful enemy bishops. After the possible continuation 1 7.1::rh3 h6 1 8.4Jxc7 (1 8.�xh6 gxh6 1 9.�xh6 l::rfc8 is far from deadly) 1 8 ... 1::tac8 1 9.�xh6 gxh6 20.�xh6 1::tfd8 White has only perpetual check.
Strictly speaking, this move does not actually spoil anything, but the position is already ripe for a forced (and none too difficult) win: 1 8 . .!::f.h3 h6 19.�xh6 gxh6 20.�xh6 �xeS 2 l .�xg6 �g7 22.�xf7+! (of course, this move has to be seen from afar, but it is far from the most complicated of ideas) 22 ...\t>f8 23.'iνf4!. But it seems that Larsen's boundless faith in the unbreachabil ity of his own position communicated itself to his opponent. Ι can think of no other explanation for such strange play from Gligoric, who was one of the strongest players in the world. 1 8... 'it'f8
1 8 ...1/VxeS 1 9.�e3 'iνb2 20 . .I::th3 h6 2 l . �xh6 gxh6 22.�xg6 fxg6 23 . .!::f.g3! is too terrible even for Larsen. 1 9. tbd4
127
Risk & Bluff in Chess
White continues to play by general con siderations, in a position which requires decisive action. Again he could have won by 1 9.l::th3 h6 20 . .ixh6, although this time it is more complicated: 20 ... gxh6 2 l .e6! (here the direct 2 1 ..ixg6 fxg6 22.'iνxg6+ was not so strong: 22 ...'iνg7 23.'iνbl ! �h8 ! 24.'ifxb4 dxc4 and Black somehow holds) 2 1 . .. dxe6 22.�xg6 fxg6 23.'iνxg6+ 'iVg7 24.'iVxe6+ �h7 25.l:rg3 'iVf8 26.'iVg6+ �h8 27.l:Ih3 .id2 28.f4. 1 9 ... :ee
Δ Δ Δ �� How should White continue the attack?
20.a3?
Amazing! Not only does White waste a tempo senselessly, but he also forces the enemy bishop to retreat to a better square. The logical consequence of the previous play was 20.�h3 h6 2l .tbf5! (2 1 . �xh6 gxh6 22.�xg6 now leads only to a draw: 22 ... fxg6 23 . .1:1g3 ! �h7 24.'ifxg6+ �h8 25.1:rh3 'ifg7 26.�xh6+ �g8 27.'iνxg7+ �xg7 28.t2Jf5+ �f7 29.1:1f6+) 2 1 . .. 1:1xe5 22.�xh6 gxh6 23.tbxh6+ �g7 24.tbf5+ �f6 (also bad is 24....1:1xf5 25.�xf5) 25.f4 �xfS 26.'ifxf5+ �g7 27.'ifg5 and Black is in a bad way. 20 ... �c5 21 . .:r.h3 h6 22.tlJf5 :Xe5 23 . .bh6 gxh6 24. tlJxh6+ e4 :g3 52. ..ti>f4 :Xg6 53.tbe3
ο
Now it Black who has a large material advantage, but in an incredible way, this does him no good! 53 ... :bs 54.ttJf5 :ιs 55.:h5 :es 56 . ..ti>e4 :g1 57.:h3 �fβ 58 . ..ti>d5 :d1 +?
The wrong rook. Correct was 58 ... 1::!.d 8+! 59.lbd6 .ixd6 60.exd6 1::f.d 1+ 6l .Wxc5 l::ί8xd6. 59. ..ti>e4 :c1 60. ..ti>d5 :d1 + 61 . ..ti>e4 :d7 62.ltJh6+! bh6 63.:Xh6
It appears that the σpeniηg has gσηe ίη Black's favσur. He has made prσgress ση the queeηside, whilst White's prσspects ση the σther flaηk αre quite uηclear. What shσuld Spassky dσ? 16 1
Risk & Bluff in Chess
20.:be1 !
After any other rook retreat Black carries out the simple, but also very convinc ing plan of ...tί:JbS , ... l::ta 8, winning the a2-pawn and at the same time activating all his other pieces. With his unexpected exchange sacrifice, Spassky sharply changes the position. In doing so, he probably also took into account that his opponent very much disliked such sudden transformations of the position. 20 ... .tc3
He has to accept the challenge, as after 20 ... tί:Jb5 there would follow 2l.e5. 21 . 'iff2 .txe1 22. .:Xe1 f6 23. .th6 .1:.17 24.g4 e6
Black plays consistently and logically, but each move was taking him too much time. Very soon, time-trouble starts to affect things. After 24...tί:Jbs 25.g5 eS 26.'iνh4 .Άd7 27. .ί:!'.gl the white initiative assumes a threatening character. 25.tlJh4 gS 26.tlJf3!
Enviable sang-froid! Few players would have been able to refrain from 26.fxe6 .Άχe6 27.tί:JfS but, strangely, this eases Black's task: 27...Φh8 28.h4 gxh4 29.i.f4 .ί:!'.b6. 26 ... exf5 27.gxf5 �hθ 28.h4 g4 29.tlJh2 g3
Black already had just a few minutes to reach the time control. In such situa tions, it is particularly difficult to make the correct choice.. 29...tί:Jbs 30.tί:Jxg4 i.b7 retains the better chances.
3I ...tί:Jd4! 32.i.fl l::f.bb7 33.tί:Jg4 l::f.g 7! with a completely unclear position. 32 . .tf3 'ifd7 33. .th5 .1:.e7 34.tlJg4
The white pieces arrive on the most active positions. 34... .1:.g8 35. 'iff2! tlJd4?
The last chance to prolong resistance was 3S ... .ί:!'.xe4! 36.dxe4 i.xe4+ 37.Φh2 'ife7! - worse is 37...1txf5 38.!tfl ! . 36. tlJxf6 .:Xg1 + 37. 'ifxg1
Black resigned. On 37 ... 'i:Vd8 or 37...'i:Vc8 the move 38.i.e8! decides. Geller's next black game in this match was even worse for him. Up to a cer tain moment, events developed accord ing to much the same scenario. Having again played the Closed Sicilian without any great pretensions, Spassky at a cer tain moment faced a dilemma: whether to go over to passive defence or try to muddy the waters with a direct attack. As in the game above, he preferred risk. Game75
Boris Spassky Efim Geller Sukhumi m 1 968 (4)
ο
30. 'ifxg3 tlJxc2 31 . .1:.g1 .tb7?
Surprisingly, this natural move turns out to be almost the decisive mistake. The light-squared bishop occupies its usual position, but in this position, it would be better to reserve this square for the rook. 1 62
Black's rnain threat is 26... tiJxb3. Can you suggest α good reply?
26.tlJd5
Chαpter 6
Alas, normal moves do not work: after 26.'iνh4 1::f.xc2 27.1::f.xc2 tbxc2 28 . .ic1 �c6! (defending against the threat of e4-e5) 29.�b2 eS White is left with nothing. After the intermediate 26.�xd4 there is the counter-zwischen zug 26 ...tbxg4! 27.'iVh4 .ixd4+ 28.�h1 tbf6. Finally, 26.e5 �xg2 27.exf6 exf6 28.tbxf7 �a8! 29.tbxd6 'i:Vc6 30.tbe4 fS also fails.
-
Mαsculine Desperαtion
34. ..tf4 'ifd4+ 35.e8 4l .'iνes. 40. .i.b7 :&7 41 . .bc8
1 -0
Time-trouble is finally over, but the black position is now in ruins. 33.f6!
Brave and consistent. Bluff must be car ried through to the end! 33.e5 .ixfS 34 . .ie4 :lf7 allows Black to defend without any special problems. 33 ... .bf6?
It is not easy to choose the correct cap ture of the two, especially in time-trou ble. Averkin makes a sub-optimal choice, and the battle sharpens mark edly. Black probably rejected 33 ...'iνxf6! because of 34.e5 'iνg6 35.�b7, but after 35 ... 1:t.a7 36 . .ixc8 �xc8 37.l:txb6 'iffs White's activity fizzles out.
As well as courage and a willingness to play such sacrifices, one also has to have very good timing. Here, Dvoretsky subtly chose exactly the right moment for his bluf( His tired opponent, who was also in time-trouble, was simply not prepared for such a sudden funda mental change in the position. It is hard to resist the temptation to present an example from my own prac tice. Ι hope it sits quite appropriately in the context of our theme.
34.e5 .i.h4?!
Undoubtedly 34 ... 1::le 7! was better, although here too, after 3S . .ib7 :la7 36 . .idS things are not so clear. 35.e6
SF shows that it was stronger to include 3S . .ib7! :la7 and only now play 36.e6 l:ιxb7 (36 ... .ia4 37 . ..txc8 'iνxc8 38 . .ί:ιχb6) 37.exd7+ \t>xd7 38.'iνe4, after which Black has to force a draw: 38 ...\t>d6 39.'iνe5+ Φd7 40.'iνe4.
Game 85
Alexander Beliavsky (2650) Vladimir Tukmakov (2568) Bled 2002 (5) •
35 ... .i.a4 36.f5
Now 36 . .ib7 is already impossible. 36 ... 'it'f6 37.'it'e4 .i.gS?
The sharp change in the position clearly robbed Black of his self-control, and he was also very short of time. He should have played 37... \t>f8, although after 38 . .if4 the whole battle would lie ahead.
Black had committed several inaccuracies in the opening and fallen into α difficult position. What can he do? 177
Risk & Bluff in Chess
Not wishing to settle for passive defence, Ι decided to change the picture radically, albeit at the cost of a piece. 1 8... .bf2+!?
Objectively 18 ... l:t.xdl 19.1:lxdl �f8 was better, but this position seemed too dull to me. 1 9. :Xf2?!
Α natural reaction, but stronger was 1 9.ιit>xf2! t2Jg4+ 20.tit>gl! (but not 20.tit>el? t2Jxh2 with splendid counter play for Black) 20 .. .'ti'b6+ 2 l .e3 t2Jxe3 (2I ...fxe3 22.a5!) 22.t2Jxe3 'ifxe3+ 23.'tif2 l:t.xdl 24.1:Ixdl �b3 25.1:1el and the compensation for the piece is clearly insufficient.
25.bxa5 t2Jxc2 Black retains chances of saving himself. After the text move, the game becomes double-edged. 21 ... lίJg4 22.J:tf1
Black has achieved his aim: the sharp change in the nature of the position has clearly unsettled my opponent. Here too, preferable was 22.l:rf3 "iib 6+ (in this situation, it is not so good to play 22 ...�e5 23.h3! 'iνxf5 24.hxg4 'ifxg4 25.t2Jc3±) 23.e3 fxe3 24.a5 'iVb5! (24 ... 1:Idl+ 25 . .1d.fl l:t.xcl 26.axb6 l:t.c2 27.t2Jcl axb6 28.h3 t2Je5 29.t2Jxe3±) 25.t2Jc3 'ifxb4 26.t2Jxe3 �c5 although here too, things are not so clear.
1 9... :Xd1 + 20. ...xd1 J:tdθ
Δ Δ
Even so, White still has αη extra piece for the moment. Find Black's strongest move.
As a result of his inaccuracy at move 1 9, White now faces a new, but signifi cantly more difficult choice. His queen has many possible squares, but choos ing the best one is not so easy. 21 . ...c1 ?!
It is pretty hard to work out that 2 1 .'ifbΙ ! is the best. However, this is the move that under lines White's advantage: 2 I . .. t2Jg4 22.1:lfl "iVb6+ 23.e3 1:Id2 24.a5 �b5 25.t2Jc3 'ifxf5 26.'ifxf5 .r:i.xg2+ 27.!it>xg2 t2Jxe3+ 28.ιit>f3 t2Jxf5 29.gxf4±. The move 2 I .'�'c2 is also not bad, although in the variation 2 I . ..t2Jg4 22.1::f.fl �b6+ 23.e3 t2Jxe3 24.a5 'ifxa5 1 78
22 ... 'ife5!
Significantly stronger than 22 ...�b6+ 23.e3 fxe3 24.a5 "iib 5 25.t2Jxe3. 23.e4
The situation has sharpened to the maximum. Although Black has only one pawn for the sacrificed piece, White's position is far from easy to play. His knights are scattered around the board and the small, but extremely active black army can create various threats. In this situation, Beliavsky tries to seize the initiative. The other attempt at counterattack promises nothing: 23.t2Je7+ ιit>d7
Chαpter 6
24.tt:Jxc6 bxc6 2S.�xc6+ We7 26.'iνe4 'ifd6! and White should think about equalising. Stronger was the cold blooded 23.h3! ttJd4 (23 ...'δ'χf5 24.hxg4 'ifxg4 2S.gxf4 Yi'xe2 26.ttJc3 "iνc4;!;;) 24.ttJc3 ttJxfS 2S.hxg4 tt:Jxg3 26.�f3 although in this case, after 26 ... t1d4! the position is completely unclear. 23 ...fxe3
How should White plαy?
24.tίJe7+?
The point of his idea! The rook is included in the attack, yet in a sur prising way, its activity only worsens White's position. He should have played 24.h3! with the possible variation 24...ttJd4 2S.ttJxd4 "iνxd4 26.hxg4 e2+ 27.Wh2 exflttJ+ 28.'δ'xfl , and White retains chances of equalising.
·
-
Mαsculine Desperαtion
The piece sacrifice in this game was a total bluff- Ι arn not at all asharned to adrnit it. But to a large extent this bluff was forced, because with normal play, the position just seerned to rne to be too lacking in prospects. Another factor which played a role in rny decision was rny good knowl edge of rny opponent. Ι had known Beli avsky for rnany years and we had played nurnerous garnes. The Lvov grandrnas ter is extrernely dangerous in positions where his opponent has no counterplay. In such cases, Beliavsky is superb at grad ually strengthening his pressure, without having to worry about tactics. But he feels rather less cornfortable in double-edged positions. So, effectively, Ι had little choice. And in the end, with the aid of a good deal of luck, things turned out well. In the following garne, a typical Sicilian duel in the opening does not presage anything particularly special. Indeed, it soon appears that White is going to achieve a fairly standard victory, but then events take aπ unpredictable turn. Game 86
Adrian Mikhalchishin Boris Taborov Daugaνpils 1 978
24 ... Φd7 25. tbxcβ
White starts to attack and loses! Other continuations were no better: 25.1::1xf7 We8 or 2S.ttJfs e2.
ο
25 ... bxc6 26.'ii'd 1 + 'ifd4?!
Black's desire to simplify is understand able, but he could end the game more quickly by 26 ...We7! 27."iνxg4 e2. 27.lίJc:3?
Missing the chance to prolong resist ance by 27.'ife2! We7 28.ttJcl . 27...e2+! 28.'iνxd4+ tbxd4 29 . .:te1 tίJeS 0-1
On the boαrd, we hαve α stαndαrd Scheveningen Siciliαn. How should White develop his αttαck?
1 79
Risk & Bluff in Chess
1 6. lL\d5!
Of course. If such a blow does not involve a piece sacrifice, it usually guar antees an advantage for White. 1 6 ... 'ifd8!
This rnodest rnove is good. Not 1 6 ... exdS 1 7.exd5 and White wins. Sornewhat stronger would have been 16 ... Jtxd5 1 7.exd5 eS, but even in this case, White retains pressure after 1 8 . JtfS! g6 1 9.Jtg4!.
Irnperceptibly, White crosses the red line. He had to play 1 9.1:lh3 ! h6 20.gxh6 g6 2I .Vi'f3 ! with approxi rnate equality (weaker is 2 I .'i:Ve2 �f6 22.fxe5 dxeS 23.�c5 �e7): 2 1 . .. �f6 22.fxe5 dxeS 23.�c5 1:ίe8 (now we see the point of White's 2 1st rnove: Black cannot play 23 ... �e7 24.�xe7 Vi'xe7 25.exd5) 24.exd5 �xdS 25 . .Άe4 .Άχe4 26.'i:Vxe4. 1 9...g6!
1 7. 'ifh5!
Strangely, the knight jurnp to dS has not brought irnrnediate dividends. The text rnove is the rnost energetic continuation of the attack. Α) 1 7.tbe3?! allows Black to obtain excellent counterplay by rneans of 1 7...f5!; Β) After 1 7.'iνh3!? a strong reply is 1 7... e5, but not 1 7... exd5? 18.e5! g6 1 9.exd6+-; C) Finally, White is prornised nothing by 1 7.tbxe7+ 'iVxe7. 1 7...exd5 1 8. .:r.t3!?
1 8.exd5? �xdS+ 1 9.Φgl g6 20.'iνh6 is significantly weaker in view of 20 ...tbe5! 2 1 .1:f.e3 �e6!. The rnove 1 8 . 1:ίe3? dxe4 also fails, but one possibility was 1 8 .e5! g6 19.'i!Vh6 dxeS 20.1:f.xe5! tbxeS 2 l .�xe5 d4+ 22.Φgl f6 23.�xg6 hxg6 24.'ifxg6+ with perpetual check. Strangely, there is no way to break through Black's defences. 1 8... l2Je5!
1 8 ... dxe4! looks ternpting, but here too, White's attacking potential is sufficient for a draw: 1 9.1:1h3!! exd3+ 20.Φgl h6 2 1 .gxh6 d2 22.h7+! (22.1:ίdl? �f3! 23.Vi'xf3 �f6-+) 22 ...Φh8 23 . .Άχg7+ Φχg7 24.h8'if+ l:txh8 25.1:ίg3+ �gs 26.�xg5+ 'ifxgS+ 27.Vi'xg5+ Φf8 28.Vi'e7+ = .
1 9.fxe5?
1 80
19... .Άχg5? loses to 20.e6! fxe6 2 I .exd5, but whαt should White do now? It looks αs though his αttαck hαs stαlled. 20.'ifxh7+!!
Α fantastic resource! Suddenly it turns out that norrnal rneans do not work. After 20.'ifg4 there follows 20 ... dxe5! 2 1 . .Άe3 (2Ι . .Άχe5 .ΆxgS) 2 1 . ..Vi'c8! 22.'ifh4 dxe4 23.�xe4 fS! with a deci sive attack for Black! White's attack also peters out after 20.'ifh3 dxeS 2 1 . .Άχe5 �xgS. In the situation that exists, the queen sacrifice is the best practical chance, especially considering the rnutual tirne-trouble. 20... ς,txh7 21 . .:r.h3+ ς,tgs 22.exd6 f6 23.e5!!
Α unique position. White is a whole queen down, and it is Black's rnove, yet the outcorne of the garne is still unclear.
Chαpter 6
-
Mαsculine Desperαtion
24 ... :t7! 25.:h6!
Black's defeπsive task was simpler after 25.�xg6!? �e8 (stroπgest, though 25 .. .'�c7 aπd 25 .. .'�d7 are also possible) 26.�f5! �d7 27.�h7+ l:ιxh7 28.f7+ 'ί!.ιf8 29.l:ιxh7 �xg5 30.l:ιh8+ 'ί!.ιχf7 3 I . l:ιh7+ 'ί!.ιf8 32.l:ιh8+ 'i:Vg8-+. The material eveπtually triumphs! 25 ... -teβ?
23 ... ..bd6!
Black is also at his best. Weaker is 23 ... fxe5 24.dxe7! (24. .Άχe5? d4+! 25.'ί!.ιgl .Άχg5-+) 24...'ifxe7 25.1:1xe5 'ifd7! (the πatural 25 ...'ifg7 suddeπly puts Black οπ the verge of defeat: 26.l:ιh4!! �xe5 27.�xe5 d4+ 28.'ί!.ιgl l:ιae8 29.�f6) 26 . .!::f.e e3 aπd Black has oπly a draw: 26 ... .!:tf4 27.l:ιh8+ 'ί!.ιf7 28.l:ιh7+ 'ί!.ιg8. 24.exf6?!
Οπe caπ oπly marvel at Mikhalchishiπ's courage. He completely disregards material iπ this game! However, iπ this situatioπ, he should have preferred the piece: 24.exd6! 'ifxd6 25.1:lh6! wheπ Black 's task would be extremely dif ficult, especially iπ time-trouble. The correct decisioπ is to give up the rook 25 ... l:ιa7!!, but oπly the machiπe could do this: 26.�xa7 d4+ 27.'ί!.ιgl fS!. Oπly ποw caπ Black breathe easily. The temptiπg 25 ... 1:lf7?! leads after 26 . .Άχg6 .I:f.g7 27.gxf6 l:ιxg6 28.l:ιxg6+ 'ί!.ιf8 29.l:ιg7 to a positioπ where the chaπces favour White, despite his lack of a queeπ. Thiπgs are also ποt so simple after the other πatural defeπce 25 ... .ie8. After the further sacrifice 26.l:ιxe8! l:ιaxe8 27.I:txg6+ 'ί!.ιf7 28.1:1xf6+ �xf6 29 . .ixf6 it is ποt so easy for Black to realise his material advaπtage.
Ιπ extreme time-trouble, Black forces a draw - safety first! There is a route to aπ advaπtage, but it is practically impossible to fiπd iπ time-trouble: 25 ... �f8! 26.l:ιxg6+ 'ί!.ιh8 27.l:ιe7! .Άe8! (27.. .'�'d7!?) 28 . .Άf5! 'ifc8!!+ (28 ...iνxe7 29.fxe7+ .ig? is iπsufficieπt because of 30 . .I:f.h6+ 'ί!.ιg8 3 Ι ..Άh7+ with perpetual check) 29. .Άχc8 .!::!'.xc8 30.l:ιe6 �h7 aπd suddeπly the white rook turπs out to be trapped! 3 I .l:ιg7+ �xg7 32.fxg7 .1:f.xg7 33.�xg7 �xg7. Less clear are the coπsequeπces of 25 ...'iff8 26.l:ιxg6+ �h8 27.nh6+ 'ifxh6 28.gxh6. Although Black has aπ extra rook iπ the eπdiπg, realisiπg the mate rial advaπtage is practically impossible. 26.:Xg6+ �hβ
The same fiπish arises after 26 ...�f8 27.I:I.h6. 27.:h6+ �gβ 28.:g6+ 29.:h6+ �gθ 30.:g6+
�hβ Υ2-Υ2
There is aπ Eπglish sayiπg, 'Doπ't throw out the baby with the bath-water'. The seπse of this is that sometimes iπ life, a persoπ reacts to a relatively small setback with a totally disproportioπate reactioπ, which simply briπgs much worse coπ sequeπces οπ himself. This sayiπg seems particularly apt for this game. Το returπ from philosophy to chess, eveπts iπ the above game at first devel oped quite πormally for this variatioπ: White attacked aπd Black took defeπ181
Risk
&.
Bluff in Chess
sive measures. Both sides played very sensibly and intelligently. But at some moment, events simply slipped out of White's control. It was not too late to step back from the attack. But it is extremely difficult to admit one's own mistakes, especially in the middle of a game. Therefore, Mikhalchishin con tinued to come forward, not worrying about sacrifices and blindly following the logic of the attack. As the saying goes, the tail was wagging the dog. As a result of these unpredictable actions, a masterpiece was born. Something similar happened in the next game between two of the greatest players, although this was 20 years ago, when they were both quite young. Game 87
Vladimir Kramnik (271 Ο) Alexey Shirov (2705) Linares 1994 (12) •
Giving Black a very difficult choice. 24... 1i'xh3!?
It would be strange to expect Shirov to adopt the passive 24 ... �b8. After 2S.h4! the black rook would be inactive on a8, probably for the rest of the game. Admittedly the piece sacrifice was pos sible in another version: 24... �gS 2S.h4 �xh4 26.gxh4 'iVh3 27.�g2 'i:fxh4, although in this case, the calm 28.'iVd2! gives White an advantage. 25 . .tg2 Wfh5 26.gxf4 tljg4 27.%Σfd1 .:Seθ!?
The direct 27...'ifh2+ 28.�fl 'ifxf4 was also insufficient because of 29.1:f.d3 !. 28. .:ld3 'ifh2+ 29.c;tf1 f5!?
Intending to include the second rook in the attack via f6. 29.. .'ifxf4 is insufficient because of 30.'iYd2. 30.1i'd2!
Of course, 30.1:f.g3? is premature because of the deadly 30 ...'iVxg3. 30... .:lf6
The threat was 3 1 .1::th 3. Of course, it was possible to play simply 30 ...'iνh4 but after the straightforward reply 3 1 .1:f.el White's victory is only a matter of time. Shirov tries to compli cate his opponent's task as much as pos sible. 31 .f3
With his last move 23.'i:Yb3-c2 White cre ated the positional threat of 24.g3. How should Black prepare for this threat?
23 ... 1i'd7?
What is this? Hastiness or reckless cour age? Perfectly solid was 23 ...hS 24.g3 �h6. 24.g3!
1 82
After 3 1 . .l:r.h3 Black had prepared 3 1 . .. 1:f.g6!, after which White must play 32.1:f.g3! (32.1:f.xh2 t2Jxh2+ 33.�gl t2Jf3+-+ is just bad; whilst after 32.1:lel l:f.xel+ 33.'iVxel 'iVxf4 Black has a real attack). Therefore the imme diate 3 1 .1:f.g3 was significantly stronger, as then 3 1 . .. 1:f.fe6 loses to 32.t2JxdS! . But the text move looks very good also. The black knight has no retreat squares and White's material advantage looks like becoming overwhelming.
Chapter 6 - Masculine Desperation
34.cxb7!
Weaker is 34.c7 lιf8 35.1:f.cl 1:f.c8 with an unclear position. 34... .1:.e4!
Amazing! The black rook heads to the same attacked square! 35. .1:.c1 ! Φh7! 36.bθ'W!
Try to guess Shirov's reaction.
31 ... .1:.e4!!
Α surprisingly beautiful move and at the same time, the best practical chance! 32.tbxd5!
Defl.ection at the cost of a whole queen. The attempt to advance the pawn in safety fails to Black's counterplay, which is fully adequate for a draw: 36.�c7 'iνg3 ! 37.b8'iV tbh2+ 38.'it>gl l:tel+ 39.'iVxel 'iVxel+ 40.Φχh2 'ifh4+ = or 36.1:ίc8 'iVg3! 37.b81i' tbh2+ 38.Φgl �el + 39.'iVxel 'ii'xel+ 40.\t>xh2 'ifh4+ 4I ..th3 �f2+ 42.Whl 'ifel+ 4Η!ϊ>g2 'iVe2+ = .
Kramnik also rises to the occasion. It was also perfectly possible to play the direct 32.fxe4 fxe4 after which he would have had to find 33.tbe2! (weaker is 33 . .txe4 !1xf4+ 34.'iVxf4 1i'xf4+ 3S . .tf3 tbh2+ 36.\t>g2 tbxf3 37. .!::i.xf3 �xd4; or 33 . .tf3 �g3! 34. .txe4 1:f.xf4+ 35.1i'xf4 'ii'xf4+ 36 . .tf3 tbh2+) 33 ... exd3 34.'iVxd3 'ii'h4 35.1i'g3 'ii'xg3 36.tbxg3 1:t.xf4+ 37.\t>gl with the better chances in the ending.
36... 'Wxb8 37.fxg4!
The other capture unexpectedly loses after 37.fxe4? fxe4+ 38.\t>el 1:t.f2-+. 37... 1!t'h2!
37...fxg4+? 38.\t>gl .
Now how do we defend against the threat of 38 ...fxg4 ?
38. .1:.13?! analysis diagram
However, the line chosen by Vladimir is more principled and stronger. 32 ...cxd5 33.c6! :Xf4
33 ... 1:t.xc6? 34.fxe4 fxe4 35.l:th3+-.
Up to this moment, both players have played outstandingly, but now the ten sion and time-trouble starts to have its say. White should have settled for sim plification: 3 8 . .tf3! 'ifxd2 39.1:f.xd2 fxg4 40.1:t.f2! (40.1:f.d3 1:f.e8!) 40 ...gxf3 4l .b7, the consequences of which 1 83
Risk & Bluff in Chess
would have been rnuch easier to delve into after tirne-trouble has finished. The rook ending turns out to be winning for White: 41. .. l:th4 42.Iιfc2! l:tf8 (42 ... f2 43.b8'iY .ί::!.h l+ 44.�g2 fl'ili+ 45 . .ί::!.xfl lιhxfl 46.�h2) 43 . .ί:lc8 .ί::!.h l+ 44.�f2. 38 ... :Xg4
3 8 ... fxg4?? 39. .!:r.xf6 gxf6 40.�xe4+. 39.b7?
The decisive rnistake! This typical tirne trouble rnove finally tips the scales of this epic battle in Black's favour. He should have played 39. .ί::!.f2! �fg6! 40.�xd5 (40.�f3 'iνh3+ 41 .�e2 .ί:le6+ 42.�d3 .ί::!.ee4!) 40 ...'iνh3+ 41 .�e2 I:i'.d6 42.'ife3! "iνxe3+ 43.�xe3 l:txd5 44.1:f.bl .ί::!.e 4+ 45.�f3 1::f.e 8 46.1::f.c 2! l:rb8 47. .!:Ic7, retaining the advantage.
out of desperation. But having decided to bluff, he played with the rnaxirnurn of inventiveness and aggression. Look at his fantastic 3 1 st rnove! It would have been a travesty of justice if such energy and incredible irnagination had not brought hirn success. However, Krarn nik's play in this garne also did not deserve to lose. This next exarnple is the direct oppo site. There is no desperate attack, and no virtuoso defence. It is all rnundane and prosaic. Game 88
Gennady Kuzmin (2550) Lev Psakhis (2535) Frunze ch-URS 1 981 (14) •
i
.t i
Δ
�i
analysis diagram
However, such subtle prophylactic play usually fares badly with one's flag hang ing. 39... .:r.fg6 40. .:r.c2
There was also no salvation after 40.b8'i!V 'ifxb8 41 .1::f.f2 f4! 42.'iνc2 (42.'iνd3 .ί::!.g3 43.'ifbl 'ifxbl 44.l:txbl f3) 42 .. .'iYb5+, nor after 40.1:tf2 .ί:lxg2 41 ..ί::!.χg2 'ifhl+. 40... :Xg2! 41 . 'it'xg2 :Xg2 42.:Xg2 'it'h1 + 43. �2 'it'b1 0-1
It is hard to say if the piece sacrifice was planned, or whether Shirov played it 1 84
•
i.
• ·�
i i i
� i.
ttJ tt:J II Δ Δ ΔΔ Δ 1'1 w
How should we assess this position? What move would you suggest for Black?
The black pieces are poorly coordinated, and the pawn on b4 is hanging. Defend ing such a position is not sornething one would wish on one's worst enerny. However, with his next rnove Psakhis produces a huge shock, even allowing for his sad predicarnent. 24...c6! !
Το all his other problerns, Black adds a terrible bishop on b7. How could such a rnove enter a grandrnaster's head?
Chαpter 6
Firstly, there was already no good defence. If, for example, 24...tbe7, then 25.f4 �h5 26.g4! 1::rh4 27.h3 and Black is not to be envied.
-
MascuJine Desperαtion
Careless! White probably thought that the win was only a matter of time. He should have played 27.�e4! c5 28.�xe6! fxe6 29.t2Jdxc5 and Black is in a bad way. 27 ... lL\xe5 28 . .:Xe5 .:l.d5!
Now it transpires that the worst is behind him. 29. .:Xf5 .:XfS 30.h4 .:l.dS
The position has finally equalised. The remaining moves only confirm the inevitable.
analysis diagram
31 .c3 bxc3 32.bxc3 g6 33 . .:1.e5 .:Xes 34.fxe5 riJe7 35.riJe3 cs 36. lL!c1 c4 37. ..tc2 ttJdβ 38. riJd4 llJc6+ 39. ri;xc4 lL\xa5+ 40. riJcS .tf3 Yz-Yz
The obviously unaesthetic text does Would Psakhis have managed to defend have its positive sides, however. One of the position by normal means? Ι very these is closing the a4-e8 diagonal and much doubt it. But Black's suicidal-look freeing the knight at e6, which might ing 24th move made such an impression later jump to d4. It also turns out that on his opponent that the game ended very quickly and with quite a differ the threat to take on b4 is not deadly. ent result from what one would have 25.�2! The strongest! Worse is 25.t2Jxb4?! c5 expected. Evidently, Kuzmin thought 26.t2Jd3 c4 27.t2Jbc5 i.c8 28.f4 l::rh 5 Black's move was just capitulation and 29.tbxe6+ �xe6 with real chances of a he found it impossible to maintain the necessary concentration. An incredible draw for Black. effect for such a modest move! 2s ... hs 26.t4 .:r.ts 27.ttJes? Conclusion
Effectively, we l1aνe said everything that needs saying, in the games and the commentary thereto. Α sharp change in the position, when things are going badly, is always a good idea, both in chess and in life. The worse your position is, the greater the justifiable risk. Just as in life generally, chess players never like change, when things are going well. So do not be ashamed to complicate your opponent's life, with a paradoxical manoeuvre or unexpected sacrifice. He will probably not like it. If the best players in the world can lose in such situations, then your opponent today is probably going to make mistakes as well. Be an optimist. As the great writer Mikhail Zhvanetsky said: Ίf you inflate your joys to the level of your troubles, you will enjoy them' . So do not fear unpleasantness in life - it can be the source of great joy! Go in for dramatic changes, without fear or worry. But if you really don't like doing that, Ι can only advise you never to get into a bad position. Do you think that is easier? 1 85
Risk & Bluff in Chess
Chapter 7
Ι η the Grip of Passion Do you regard yourself as a calrn and rational person? If you have answered in the affirrnative, with no doubt at all, then sorne of the decisions you will see in this chapter are likely to astonish you. Why should a player, without any necessity at all, take a decision which results in the position spinning cornpletely out of control and becorning totally unpredict able? Have you ever done this? Do you always analyse the situation frorn all angles and only then take your carefully-considered decision? Ι don't believe you! After all, if you are reading this, you are a chess player, that is, a garnes player. And every player, no rnatter how experienced and calrn he is, knows what it is like to find hirnself in the grip of alrnost drunken passion. That is, when your actions are not guided by cold calculation and cornrnon sense, but by a desperate and irre sistible urge to do a certain thing, regardless. Usually, this passion only lasts a few rninutes, and then you look with horror on the inevitable costs of your rnornent of rnadness. But sornetirnes such decisions bring success in the rnost surprising and unlikely ways.
1 86
Chαpter 7
-
In the Grip of Pαssion
40.'it>fl 'ifhl+ 4l .'iVgl White keeps an extra piece. Admittedly, it surprisingly turns out that realising this advantage is extremely difficult: 4l. .. 'iVh6! 42.1:ίal 1::re 6 43.l:!.dl 1:ίe3 and it is not clear how White can strengthen his position . However, Ι do not think Hoi penetrated so deeply into the secrets of the posi tion. Be that as it may, his decision may objectively have been rather crazy, but from a practical point of view it was brilliant.
Game 89
Alexander Beliavsky (2668) Carsten Ηοί (2385) Copenhagen 2003 (6) •
39... 'itxhθ 40. 'ifxf6+ 'ίfί>gθ The previous section of the gαme wαs α mαnoeu vring bαttle. In the seαrch of απ αdvαntαge, Beliαvsky hαd spent α greαt deα] of time αnd wαs in serious time-troubJe. Now Blαck fαces α dif ficu]t choice. Whαt would you plαy in his pJαce?
36... tlJQ3+!?
Pure bluff! Hoi saw that his combina tion was not quite sound, but hoped that his opponent would not be able to make the time-control intact. But there was no reason to stake everything on one card. Black had the strong positional continuation 36 ...lΔg7! followed by transferring the knight to fS. In the variation 37.'iνxb6 h3 38.'ir'f2 hxg2+ 39.'ir'xg2 'iνe3 he has superb play for a pawn. Another line which was fully in keep ing with the spirit of the position is 36 ...h3!? 37.g3 'iνfs. Black retains good chances and all the battle lies ahead: 38.f4 �bl 39.l:tal 'f!!fxb4 40 . ..txh3 bS . 37.hxg3 hxg3 39.:Z.h8+??
38.'itg1
'ifh6
It is hard to refrain from such a move, when one's flag is hanging! This is indeed what Black was counting on. After the cold-blooded 39. ..te2! 'iνh2+
0-1
White's checks run out and he has no defence against mate. This game is quite typical from the psy chological point of view, so it makes sense to delve into the mechanism of such emotional bluff. It is obvious that by all logic, Hoi was the underdog in this game. Having weakened towards the first time control, he proba bly considered that he was not going to hold the position in the normal course of events. Consequently, a nice trap was always going to attract his interest. After all, this would provoke an immediate crisis and the game would be decided within a few moves. He would in any event avoid long and probably fruit less suffering. And the fact that the bluff turned out to be an entirely correct com bination was just pure chance. And how will Hoi play the next time such a situation arises? Ι have no doubts about that! In the following example, the logic out lined above fails completely. The double Soviet Champion Lev Psakhis, at the peak of his career, faced a strong and experienced player, who had by then, however, lost all his sporting ambitions. 1 87
Risk
&.
Bluff in Chess
Game90
Orest Averkin (2450) Lev Psakhis (261 5) Sochi 1 982 (7) •
and it poses more serious problems. For example, now 2 8 . .tcl ? is bad because of 28 ... 1:le7. Black is also better after 28.�e6 tl:Jd4!. Even after the strongest move 28.g3 Black has everything in order: 28 ... 1ixb2 29.�xc5! J::i.xf4 30.�xb5 �fxf2! (but not 30 ... �xg4? 3 1 .f4! and the rook is suddenly trapped) 3 l ..::lb7+ �f6. Fur thermore, it is very difficult to play such a position as White, when in time trouble. 28.bxa3?
This non-stαndαrd position is not eαsy to αssess. White has α materiαl αdvantage, but Black's piece activity compensates. It is Black to move. What continuation should he choose?
The reflex answer on which Black had been counting. After the strongest line 28.l::rc l! I:r.xcl 29.�xcl tl:Jbs 30.tl:Jd2! , followed by transferring the knight to c4, Black would probably have regretted his artful decision at move 27. 28 ... :Xf4! 29. Jbf4 b3 30 . .te6?
27 ... ltJa3?!
An extremely risky decision, espe cially considering that Psakhis had seen White's best defence. However, in the opponent's time-trou ble it is hard to refrain from landing such a lovely blow, especially as such moves often bring success. The natural move 27... �bl ! had only one drawback - it was too predictable.
The decisive mistake. He should have played 30.�f3 ! b2 3 l .�e4 .i:ixe4 32 . .!:ιχe4 bl'f!V 33.�e7+ Φf6 34.�xa7. The passed c-pawn is not promoting and White manages to hold the posi tion, e.g. 34...c4 35.a6 �b6 36.�xh7 'ifxa6 37.l:lc7 Vi'bS 38.g3 . 30 ... b2 31 . .J:r.f7+ Φh6 32 . .J:r.b7 bHi' 33.:Xb1 :Xb1
After the exchange of a pair of rooks, White's position seriously deteriorates. The c-pawn will cost him a piece.
Δ .Ι
•
Δ Δ Δ tLJ Φ
analysis diagram
However, from a purely chess point of view this move was definitely strongest, 1 88
34.f4 c4 35.�2 c3 36.lbe3 c2 37. ttJxc2 .J:r.b2 38.�3 :Xc2 39.h4 .J:r.c3+ 40.ι �e4 :Xa3 41 . .td7 :XaS 42.f5 gxf5+ 43.Φχf5 Jbd5+ 44. r.te6 .J:r.d4 45.g3 'ifr>g7 46. -tcβ a5 0-1
How can we explain Black's bluff in this game? From a common sense view point, it makes little sense. But during a game, it is impossible to evaluate risk in mathematical fractions and always
Chapter 7
make aπ irreproachable decisioπ. Ιπ the takiπg of decisioπs, a huge role is played by character, emotioπ, aπd mood at a giveπ momeπt. Ιπ those days, Lev was youπg, aπd was wiππiπg tourπameπt after tourπameπt, aπd his self-coπfi deπce sometimes weπt over the top. It was as if Lady Luck herself was guidiπg his actioπs aπd decisioπs, aπd at that time, she πever let him dowπ. The decisioπ takeπ by our πext hero has πο logic at all. Ενeπ this author, who is usually ready to explaiπ aπythiπg, simply admits defeat. Game91
Baadur Jobava (271 Ο) Benjamin Bok (2560)
-
In the Grip of Passion
If aπy readers failed to fiπd aπythiπg other thaπ the solid 1 7.t2Jxe4, theπ do ποt beat yourselves up over it. Admit tedly, after 1 7. .. dxe4 1 8.t2Jf5 'iνc7 19.�e3 White has πothiπg special, but with such aπ approach to the opeπiπg, he caππot expect aπythiπg more. 1 7...dxe4
But what ποw? 1 8.t2Jxe4 .ixe4 (the immediate 1 8 ... .ic5 is also good) 1 9.'i:Vxe4 .icS oπly gives miπimal compeπsatioπ for the exchaπge. Jobava πeeded oπly a few secoπds to fiπd his reply. 1 8.bh6!!
Ιπ this case, the exclamatioπ marks do ποt bear aπy relatioπ to the purely chess streπgth of the move.
Wijk aan Zee Β 2014 (10)
1 .e4 e5 2.t2Jf3 t2Jc6 3.�e2 t2Jf6 4.d3 d5 5.ll:bd2 �c5 6.c3 a5 7.a4 ο-ο 8.0-ο :es 9.h3 h6 1 0.'iνc2 b6 1 1 .Ae1 .ib7 1 2.t2Jf1 �d6 1 3.t2Jg3 &i::B7 1 4.t2Jh4 c5 1 5.�g4 c4 1 6.dxc4 t2Jxe4
:ι i Δ
.t i
usual, }obava has played the opening very modestly, banking on the middlegame. The position is sharp. Can you think of anything other than the natural 1 7.t2Jxe4 ?
As
1 7. :Xe4!?
Jobava speπt oπly 3 miπutes οπ this fraπkly uπusual move!
This latest sacrifice is just bluff! But the level is beyoπd praise. 1 8 ... �c5?
Bok believes him! Απd what else could a 1 9-year old player do, who has just made his GM title, aπd is faced with a member of the 2700 club, the brilliaπt Baadur Jobava? But iπ fact, the piece could aπd should have beeπ takeπ: 1 8 ... gxh6! 19.l:td1 t2Jc8! (the more πatural 19 .. .'�Wc7?! is sigπificaπtly weaker, due to 20.'iνd2 e3 2I .'iνxe3 �c5 22.'iνxh6 'iνc6 23.'i:Vg5+ t2Jg6 24.t2Jh5 aπd to avoid worse, Black must force a draw: 24... .ie7 25.'i:Vh6 .if8 26.'i:Vg5 .ie7. However, 1 89
Risk & Bluff in Chess
serious attention should be given to the intermediate 1 9... e3!? 20.fxe3 and only now 20 ...'ifc7) 20.lt:Jhf5 (nor does anything result from 20.�xc8 l:f.xc8 2 I .lt:Jhf5 l:te6 n.lt:Jxe4 �xe4 23.'iVxe4 'it>f8-+) 20 ...'iff6 2I .lt:Jxe4 (2I .lt:Jhs 'iνg6) 2 l . .. �xe4 22.'ifxe4 l::tb 8 and White's attack fizzles out. 1 9. .J:I.d1 'Wc7 20. 1Wc1 ! e3
Here too, taking the piece with 20 ... gxh6 2 I .'i!Yxh6 'iVc6! was perfectly possible, although it suffices only for a draw, which was already shown above: n.'i!YgS+ lt:Jg6 (22 ...'it>h8? 23.lt:Jhs+-) B .lt:JhS �e7 24.'i!Yh6 �f8 2S.'ifgs �e7.
27.�d8+ 29.'ifxh4.
l::txd8
28.'iVxd8+
'it>h7
24.'Wg5 llJg6 25.g8 27.f3! 'iVc6 28.l::td 6 'iVcS+ 29.'it>h2 with a decisive attack. 25 ... -tcθ?
Black's last chance to prolong his resist ance was 2S ...f6! . Even so, after 26.'ifxg6 (also good is 26.�d7 fxgS 27.l::txg7+ 'it>f8 28.lt:Jxg6+ 'ifxg6 29.�xg6) 26 ... 'ifxg6 27.lt:Jxg6 White's material advantage should decide the outcome. 26.f3 'Wc2 27. .J:I.d6! bg4 28.hxg4 c;fί>h7 29. llJxg6 fxgβ
21 . ..be3 ..be3 22. 'it'xe3
We have approximate material equality ση the board. Is that also the assessment of the position?
22 ... 'Wxc4?
Black prematurely decides to take the game into positional channels. This would have been justified only after the correct 22 ... 1::ta d8! 23.1:ίχd8 'ifxd8 24.lt:Jhs �c8! with approximate equal ity. After the careless capture on c4, it turns out that White's succeeding attacking gestures cannot be defended against. 23.llJh5! 'it'e4
He also loses after 23 ... lt:Jg6 24.lt:Jxg7! lt:Jxh4 2S.lt:Jh5 l::te 6 26.'iVgS+ l::tg 6 1 90
30.llJf6+
Equally good is 30.1:ld7. 30...gxf6 31 . .J:I.d7+ c;fί>gθ 32. 'Wxfβ 1 -0
Once again, Ι underline my complete capitulation in the attempt to explain the Georgian's decision. Nothing can explain it except absolute confidence, not just in himself, but in the gods to deliver him the desired result. It is prob ably similar to the sort of belief that a roulette player has, when he stakes everything on the zero. Το the outside observer, the decision simply looks mad, but the result justifies everything. If the outcome is a huge jackpot, one can only throw up one's hands in amaze-
Chαpter 7 - In the Grip σf Pαssiσn
ment. If not, you shake your head sadly. Of course, chess is not roulette. Such complete bluff in chess requires not simply luck, but huge talent and imag ination, which is not necessary at all in the casino. But even so, one cannot help feeling that these great chess qualities could be used more rationally. After such a genius example of using bluff, the following one may seem like little more than a street magician's trick, by comparison with the David Copper field show. Admittedly, in our case, the same player takes both roles.
equαl. It is wσrth remembering αlsσ thαt this gαme wαs plαyed ση the tσp bσαrd σf the tσur nαment, αnd the σutcome wαs extremely impσr tαnt in the σverαll context σf the tσurnαment leαdership. Ησw wσuld yσu plαy?
29.f4?!
Undoubtedly, Jobava's move deserves a pure question mark, but his insane courage should also be marked! The natural continuation 29.1::f.xc8 'ii'xc8 30.'ifc4+ (30.1::!:c l!?) 30 ... 'iνxc4 3 1 .bxc4 fxgS 32.cxb5 1::f.xb5 33.�cl leads to an equal endgame, but such decisions are not for real fighters! 29 ... fxg5 30.hxg5 ..tfθ?!
Game92
Baadur Jobaνa (2706) Daniil Duboν (26 1 4) Minsk 2014 (7)
1 .b3 e5 2 . ..tb2 tlJc6 3.e3 g6 4.h4 hS s.tt:\f3 ..tg7 6.c4 d6 7.d3 tt:\ge7 8.tt:\bd2 as 9.a3 ο-ο 1 0. 'ifc2 Ι:ιbθ 1 1 . ..te2 ..tg4 1 2.tt:\e4 'iVd7 1 3.0-0-0 b5 1 4.cxb5 :Xb5 1 5.d4 l:ιb6 1 6. tlJc5 'δ'fS 1 7. ..td3 'iVcθ 1 8. tt:\a4 l:ιbθ 1 9.d5 tt:\a7 20. ..tc4 c6 21 .dxc6 'ifxc6 22.e4 tt:\bS 23. cli>b1 l:ιfcθ 24.cli>a2 ..te6 25. Ι:ιc1 ..th6 26. tt:\g5 ..txc4 27.'ii'xc4 'iVeθ 28.'iVd3 f6
After 30 ... �g7 Black probably feared 31 .[5 gxfS 32.exf5, but 32 ... e4! 33.'iixe4 �xb2 3Hti'xb2 I:i'.xcl 35.1:1xcl 'iνf7! 36.[6 t:Δd4! tips the scales in his favour. 31 .fxe5 dxes 33.:Xc1 Ι:ιcθ?
αnd α nσn-stαndαrd bαttle in the middlegαme hαs led tσ απ interesting pσsitiσn with σppσsite cαstling. The chαnces αre rσughly
:Xc1
This is a serious inaccuracy, after which the battle becomes sharper. He should have played 33 ... 1:ιd8! and the extra piece should decide the outcome of the game. For example, 34.'iνc4+ h7 3S.'i!Ve6 (or 3S . .Ufl .f:rd2+ 36.al tbdS! 37.�b2 t:Δxa3) 3S ... t:Δg8! . 34.tlJc5! tlJc 6 35.tt:\d7!
Δ Δ φ Α rαre σpening
32 . ..txes
Δ
Jσbαvα hαs gσt whαt he wαnts - nσw α greαt deαl depends ση every mσve. Whαt shσuld Blαck plαy?
191
Risk & Bluff in Chess
35 ... ttJxe5?
The young Dubov clearly cannot with stand the tension. He has already lost his advantage, but here after 3S ... �g7! 36.�xg7 Wxg7 37.tbf6 'ifeS 38.�xc6 tbc3+! 39. .!:r.xc3 'iνxc3 40.'ifd7+ the game would have ended in perpetual check.
Game93
Borki Predojevic (2643) Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (2746) Rogaska Slatina tt 2011 (3)
1 .e4 e5 2.tlJf3 ttJc6 3. ..ic4 ..tcs 4.c3 tlJf6 5.b4 ..ib6 6.d3 d6 7.a4 a5 8.b5 ta!7 9.0-0 0-0 1 0.tlJbd2 tbg6 1 1 . b2 ..tg4 1 2.h3 ..th5
36.1i'd5+ 1i'f7?
The final mistake in time trouble. How ever, even after the only move 36 ...Wg7! 37.tbf6! iνf7 38 . .ί:ιχc8 'ifxdS 39.exd5 Black faces a difficult defence in the endgame. But it was essential to play this way. 37.'ifxf7+
Black resigned. Continuing the analogy, Copperfield's viewers can only admire the fact that the street magician's illusions are usu ally based solely on their outward sim plicity. Admittedly, those people who are paying to see them could not repeat these illusions themselves, but they have plenty to say about the tricks. In my capacity of a simple observer, Ι can say this about Jobava's decision to risk everything to win the tournament. For maximalists like him, first place is the only place that exists in the tourna ment table and for this, they will make any effort. But you and Ι know that first place is not the only place that matters - especially in Swiss events, there are many high places and prizes. Anyway, Ι am only trying to explain the trick employed by Jobava, not to repeat it. The same is true of the following exam ple, which Ι will undertake to explain fully, but would myself never try to copy. 1 92
Already the opening has developed unusually. In this position, we have motifs which are not very characteristic of the Italian Game. In par ticular, why shouldn't White win α piece with 13.g4 ?
1 3.g3
Limiting the knight on g6. The immedi ate 13.g4? tbxg4 14.hxg4 �xg4 is pre mature, and leaves Black a very strong attack. 1 3... xg2. With a series of only moves, White has managed to avoid any great unpleasantness and retain good drawing chances. 24.h6!
Now it transpires that Black is not the only one attacking! 24...gxh6 25 . .1:r.g1 be3 26. tbxe3 b6 27.tbeg4 tbe4 28.f3! tbxc3 29. 'ifd2 .l:r.e2 30. 'iff4 'iffS
20. tbh2! ?
As well a s this, White has half a dozen other perfectly acceptable continua tions. But exhaustive analysis of every line is not part of our task.
31 . 'ifxf5? 19 3
Risk & Bluff in Chess
In serious time trouble, White misses the strongest continuation. Admittedly, only SF is capable of calculating all of its consequences, and then only when it is on very good form! 3 I .'ifd4+! f6 3 2. jιc4! (a problem move, which is extremely hard to see in time-trouble) 32 .. .g8 (if 34 ... 'iνf6 then 35.ti:Je4 'i:Vxc3+ 3 6.ti:Jxc3 ι.t>f6 37.ti:Jb5 a6 38.ti:Jc3 and the white knights are starting to coop erate, which promises equal chances) 35 .'ti'g3+ 'ifxg3 36.hxg3 ne7+ 37.ι.t>d2 wins a tempo compared with the previous variation. White should probably save the game, although it is not easy to decide on such a line in a practical game; C) But if we retain the queens, then we have to play more carefully: 34.ι.t>d2 1::re7 35.'iνc3+ ι.t>f7 36.'iif3+ ι.t>e8 37.ti:Jd3 'fi'xh2+ 38.ι.t>c3. 34... .:e7+ 35.d1 ?
Larsen slips. Significantly more stub born was 35.ι.t>fl , although even in this case, White is in a bad way: 35 ...'ti'c4+ 36.ι.t>g2 (36.ι.t>gl l:tel+) 36 ...'ti'xd5+ 37.ι.t>fl 'ifeS!. 35... ...c4!
Now it all ends quickly. 36. 'Wb6 'Wf1 + 38. c3 'Wc1 + 40. c4 .:c2+
37. d2 39.d4
.:[e2+ 'We3+ 0-1
Alas, even such a successfully-employed bluff could not change the overall course of events. The optimistic Dane did not bat an eyelid and won the match with games to spare, by a score of Slf2-21f2.
Whαt do you think of the move 34.'ti'xa7 ?
34. ...xa7?
However, this decision proves to be a mistake. 202
In the following game Teimour Radja bov had to win, because he had lost the first game of this mini-match. How ever, unlike Tal, he did not take risks from the very first moves, but preferred aπ outwardly harmless development. The appearance proved deceptive.
Chαpter 8 Game96
Teimour Radjaboν (2744) Vasily lνanchuk (2768) Khanty-Mansiysk 201 1 (5.2)
1 .tt:Jf3 c5 2.g3 g6 3.c4 Ji..g 7 4 . ..ig2 tt:Jc6 5.tt:Jc3 e6 6.d3 tt:Jge7 7.h4 h6 8 . ..id2 b6
-
When α Win is the On!y Acceptαble Result
1 o... hxg5 1 1 . Jixg5
Let us try to see why White sacri ficed the piece. It is understood that he needed to win the game, and so any risk is justified. But there are also purely chess arguments: the powerful passed h-pawn, Black's slight lack of development and the discoordination between the black pieces. The question is whether these are sufficient. 1 1 ... Jixc3+?!
9.h5!?
The usual continuations here are such things as 9.0-0 or 9.a3. Another pos sibility is 9.ii'cl, preventing castling. In the resulting unhurried positional battle, the chances are roughly equal. Radjabov gives the game a completely unexpected twist. 9...g5
The sharp change in the position has clearly unsettled lvanchuk. The bishop on g7 plays an important role and its immediate exchange for the white knight enhances White's attacking potential. The natural l l . .. �b7 1 2.h6 �e5 1 3.f4 (13.�d2 f6) 13 ... �xc3+ (now this exchange is justified) 14.bxc3 1::ίh 7 was stronger, since in this case, it is much harder for White to include his queen in the attack. 1 2.bxc3 Ji..b 7 1 3.'ii'd 2 1Wc7
The threat was 14.�f4, and in the event of 1 3 ...f5 14.�f6 1:f.h7 with the idea of 1 5 ...'ίt>f7, White has the excellent riposte 1 5 .g4! �c7 16.g5 and the white g- and h-pawns are highly unpleasant. 1 4. ..if6 0-0-0
Completely unexpectedly, the situation has become quite threatening. Black cannot play 14 ... 1::th 7 1 5.�e4 lί:Jg8 16.'iνg5! . 1 5.0-0-0!?
Whαt do you think is the point of White's Jαst move?
1 0. tt:Jxg5!
Crossing the Rubicon! Any other deci sion would be totally inconsistent.
White quietly continues his develop ment, as it is hard for Black to organise his defences. However, it was perfectly possible also to play the more reso lute 1 5 .h6 1:f.h7 16.�e4 tί:Jg6 1 7.�xd8 tί:Jxd8 18.�xb7+ �xb7 1 9.f3 with the better chances. 1 5... J:ιhg8
1 5 ... 1:f.he8 (defending the knight on e7) 1 6.h6 lί:Je5 1 7.�xb7+ 'ίt>xb7 18.h7 203
Risk & Bluff in Chess
tb5g6 1 9.'iνg5! also fails to relieve Black of all his problems.
White also needs to show definite accuracy. Try to guess Radjαbov's far from trivial decision.
The seemingly quiet and unpretentious opening made the piece sacrifice even more effective psychologically. In addi tion, Vasily Ivanchuk often experiences problems playing decisive games. How ever, in this case, he survived the shock and won the tie-break. The following game was one of the most dramatic of the 2013 Candidates' tour nament. But its sporting significance was an important part of the sub-text. Game97
Levon Aronian (2809) Vladimir Kramnik (281 0) London ct 2013 (12)
1 6 . ..bc6!
Unlike the similar operation by Black at move 1 1 , here this is a timely and very strong decision. The natural 1 6.h6 was weaker: 1 6 ... I:f.g6! 1 7.h7 .i:ixf6 1 8.h8'iν 1::!.xh8 1 9.1::i.x h8+ tbd8 20 . .Άχb7+ �xb7 2 I .'iνg5 �xf2 22.'iνxe7 tbc6. Although White now has a material advantage, after the inevitable loss of the pawn on e2, his advantage is gone. 1 6... dxc6?
Now the game cannot be saved. It was absolutely necessary to play 1 6 ... .Άχc6! 1 7. .Άχe7 !Ide8 1 8 . .Άg5! (stronger than 18 . .Άf6 .Άxh l 1 9.l:rxhl eS) 18 ... .Άxhl 1 9. 1:1xhl 'iνc6, when White's chances are superior, but the battle is not over yet.
This game from the Candidates' tourna ment was played two rounds before the end, so its sporting significance cannot be overestimated. Both grandmasters were battling for the lead, with the Russian half a point ahead of his opponent. Thus, Aronian abso lutely had to win. This circumstance had a serious effect on the white player's decisions in the course of the game. 1 .d4 tiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tiJf3 d5 4.tbc3 c5 5.cxd5 tiJxdS 6.e3 tbc6 7. .i.d3 Ji.e7 8.a3 0-0 9. 'it'c2 cxd4 1 O.exd4 f5 1 1 .0-0 Ji.f6 1 2. tbxd5 'ifxd5 1 3. Ji.e3 b5 1 4. 'it'e2 Ji.b7
1 7.h6 .J:.g6 1 8.h7 .J:.xf6 1 9.hθ'it' .J:.xhθ 20. .J:.xhθ+ �d7 21 .d4!
Possibly lvanchuk had missed this resource when playing his 1 6th move. The d-file is opened and Black cannot avoid great material losses. 21 ... 'ifd6 22. 'ifgS! .J:.f5 23. 'ifh4 cxd4 24. .J:.xd4 .J:.d5 25.cxd5 'ifa3+ 26.�b1 cxd5 27. .J:.h7 'it'xc3 1 -0 28 . .J:.xf7
204
Black's next move will be 1 5 .. .f4. How would you meet this unpleasant threat?
Chapter 8
1 5.:ac1
Objectively stronger was 15.�xb5 f4 16.�c4 "iνe4 1 7.�d3 "iνd5 18.�c4, forcing a draw, but as we have already said, Aronian needs to win this game at all costs.
-
When α Win is the Only Acceptable Result
g6!? or 2I. ..tbxd4!?) 23.gxf3 t2Jg8.
22.I:i.h5
�xf3
1 5...a6 1 6. .1:.fd1 f4 1 7. .1:.c5 1i'd6
Can White exploit his opponent's error?
21 .e4? The time has come for What would you do?
αη
important decision.
1 8. 1i'c2!
White goes in for a risky piece sacrifice. But in the sporting circumstances that he faced, he had no other option. After other continuations, such as 1 8.�d2 tt:Jxd4 1 9.tbxd4 "ifxc5 20."iνxe6+ Ι:ιf7 (20 ... �h8? 2I .'ifh3) 2 l . �xh7+ �xh7 22.'ifxf7 "ifxd4 23.'ifxb7 .tld8 24."iνf3 'iVdS! or 18.�xf4 'ifxf4 19.'ifxe6+ �h8 20.Ii.xc6 �xc6 2 I .'iνxc6 �xd4, he would have faced a difficult battle for a draw. 1 8...fxe3 1 9.bh7+ �hθ 20.fxe3 lbe7?!
The enormous importance of the result has its effect ση Kramnik's play too. Safety first! Significantly stronger was the zwischenzug 20 ... 1:i.ac8! after which the balance tips in favour of Black: 2 I .'iνd3 (also insufficient is 2 I .ifbl tbe7 22 . .!::Ih 5 �xf3 23 .gxf3 t2Jg8! whilst 2I .l:Ih5 fails to 2 I . .. tbxd4!) 2 I . ..tbe7 (it is worth considering 2 1 . ..
This looks quite attractive, but is actu ally a mistake. He should have played 2 I .l:Ih5! after which the advantage unexpectedly switches to White: 2 I . .. l:Iac8 (2I . .. .ixf3 22.gxf3 g6 (also inadequate is 22 ... .!::r.ac8 23.'ifg2 g5 24.h4) 23.�xg6+ �g8 24.�hl! with a strong attack and material equal ity) 22.'ife2 �xf3 23.'ifxf3 �g5. In this case too, White has the initiative: 24.�bl+ �g8 25.'iVh3 �f6 (25 ... .ih6 26.g4!) 26.l:Ih8+ �f7 27.'ifh5+ g6 28.'ifh7+ �e8 29.1:!.xf8+ �xf8 30.1:lfl tbfs 3 I ."iνxg6. 21 . . .:ace?
2 I . ..'iνf4! 22.l:Ih5 lbg8! refutes White's 2 1 st move. 22.e5!
Fortunately, he has a move which saves him from serious unpleasantness. 22 ... be5 23.llJxe5 .l:.xc5 24.llJQ6+! llJxgβ 25.dxc5 �e4! 26. .l:.xdβ bc2 27.bg6 bgβ 28. .1:.xe6
As a result of a forcing operation, we have reached aπ interesting endgame. Of course, White must forget about winning, but he retains chances of a draw. The further course of the game is 205
Risk & B]uff in Chess
very dramatic, but is no longer relevant to our theme.
Game98
Etienne Bacrot (271 0) Romain Edouard (2587)
28... �d3 29.h4 a5 30.c6?! .J:[f1 +
30 ... l;lc8!.
Caen ch-FRA 2011 (9)
1 .d4 d5 2.ttJf3 ttJf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 e6 5. bc4 a6 6.0-0 c5 7 . ..tb3!? tlJc6 8.tlJc3 cxd4 9.exd4 ..te7 1 0. ..tg5 0-0 1 1 . 1i'd2 �d7!? 1 2. .J:[ad1 tlJa5 1 3. ..tc2 tlJc4 1 4. 'ti'e2!? .:tc8 1 5.�b3!? b5 1 6.tbe5 ttJb6 1 7. .J:[fe1 h6!?
31 .ιJi>h2 .:tc1 3 2. .:.e3 �b1 33 . .J:[c3 .:Xc3 34.bxc3 ιJi>g8 35.c7 ..tf5 36. ιJi>g3 ιJi>f7 37. ιJi>f4 ..tc8 38. 'it>g5 ..td7 39.h5 �e6 40.g3 a4 41 .g4 ιJi>f8 42. ιJi>f4 ιJi>e7 43.g5 'it>d7 44.ιJi>e5 �g8 45.c8'if+
4Ht>d4 Φχc7 46.Φcs .tc4 47.h6 gxh6 48.gxh6 .id3=. 45 ... ιJi>xc8 46.ιJi>d6 ιJi>d8 47.'it>c6 ιJi>e7 48.ιJi>xb5 ιJi>e6 49.ιJi>xa4 ιJi>f5 50.g6??
SO.h6 g6 S l .Φbs ΦxgS 52.c4 Φχh6 53.a4 gS 54.a5 g4 SS .a6=. 50 ... ιJi>g5 51 . ..t.ιb5 ιJi>xh5 52.a4 ιJi>xg6 53.a5 ιJi>f6 54.a6 ..td5 55.c4 b8 56.'it>b6 ιJi>e5 57.Φc7 g5 58.Φbθ �e4 59.ιJi>c7 g4 60.a7 g3 61 .c5 b8 62.ιJi>b8 ..tc6 0-1
Α real thriller, in which the tension is maintained until the very last moment. Aronian's piece sacrifice was essential, given the tournament situation. But the enormous stress created over the board had its effect on the course of the game. What did Aronian lack for success here? Desperate decisiveness? Calmness? Or maybe a combination of the two? The real great fighters seem to know the secret of some magical elixir, which allows them to triumph in the most important encounters. Levon probably needs only to master this art. In the following game, White also had to win. Only the level of the event and the 'price' of the game was lower. Pos sibly that made it easier to take the nec essary decisions and the desired result was achieved. 206
17 ...b4 would have left White with a pleasant choice: 1 8 .d5!? (1 8 . .ixf6!? .ixf6 19.tί:Je4 .ibS 20.'i!Vg4 is also good) 1 8 ... exd5 (the only move. If 1 8 ...bxc3? 19.dxe6+-) 19.ti.Jxd7 'ifxd7 20.'i!Vxe7 'ifxe7 2 l ..ί::l'.xe7 bxc3 22 . .ixf6 gxf6 23.bxc3 l;lxc3 24.1:f.a7 and White is playing for a win without any risk at all.
provocative move! A1though Edouard feared the sacrifice ση h6, he hoped that his oppo nent wou]d at Jeast hesitate over the decision to Jaunch α direct attack. White had JittJe time Jeft α]ready and every minute spent here wou]d enhance BJack's chances. Shou]d White risk the piece sacrifice? Α
1 8. bh6!?
Το Black's surprise and disappointment, this resolute move came almost at once. Maybe the speed with which Bacrot took such a committal decision was influenced by the tournament situation.
Chαpter 8 - When α Win is the Only Acceptable Result
The game was played in the final round and Bacrot had to win at all costs. From a purely chess viewpoint, 1 8 . .th4 was perfectly good, and 1 8 . .txf6!? .txf6 19."iVe4 was also worth considering. 1 8...gxh6 1 9. 1:1.d3!
Brave and consistent. The outwardly aggressive 19.d5!? only leads to unwel come simplifications: 1 9...exd5 20.t2Jxd7 "iVxd7 2 I ."iVxe7 "iVxe7 22.�xe7 1::f.fd8 and Black retains excellent drawing chances.
21 ... liJc4!?
The other possible defence is 2l. .. exd5!? 22.t2Jxd5 t2Jc4 although in time-trou ble, it is not humanly possible to calcu late variations such as 23.'i:Vc3 ! (weaker is 23.t2Jxc4 bxc4 24. .txc4 .tgS! !) 23 ...t2Jxe5 24.'iνxe5+ �f6D 25.t2Jxf6 t2Jxf6 26.�edl �e8 27.�xd7 'ifxd7 28.'iνxf6+ f3.
Vasily Ivanchuk, as a rule, does not relax his concentration in winning positions and continues to play accu rately. But even he suffers unexpected lapses sometimes. Game 1 05
Vasily lvanchuk (2739) Alexander Moiseenko (2665) Sochi 2005 (9) •
� Δ
t2J Δ Δ Δ 'ςt) 217
Risk & BJuff in Chess Outwardly, the position Jooks completely hope Jess for Black. What is his Jast chance?
23 ... llJxg3 24.hxg3 .:.Xg3!
Moiseenko finds a way to muddy the waters! The computer's first line 24... 1:1g6 can only prolong the resist ance.
3 I . l:ίxb8 'iid l+ 32.\t>h2 �hS+; 3 l . �xg7+ \t>g8! (3 I . ..l:i.xg7 32.:Ixg7 'i!Ydl+ 33.\t>h2 �hS+ 34.\t>g3 \t>xg7 3S . .!:!:d6). 31 ... .:.Xb7 32.'ifxb7 'ifd1 + 33.ςph2 1:.h5+ 34. .:.Xh5 'ifxh5+ 35. ςpg3 'ifg5+ 36.'ifo>f3 'iff5+ lh-Yz
25. .:.Xd6!
Naturally, Black was not seriously counting on 25.fxg3 �xe3+ 26.\t>h2 'ifh6+ with perpetual. 25 ... .:.aa 26.1:.e6! 'ifgθ 27. 'ifb7 .:.gs 28 . .:.Xc7 1:.b8 29. 'ife4
Is it all over? The white pieces dominate the board, quite apart from his mate rial advantage. But even in absolutely hopeless positions, one must continue to seek chances - hope springs eternal! 29... 'ifdθ! 30.1:.b7??
.i Μ i
Δ
Δ .i
1V �
The final example could appear in any other chapter, as well as this one. But the situation which we will discuss is so typical that it would be wrong to omit it from the book.
Μ 'iV Δ
Δ Δ \t
Mirac]es do sometimes happen, but only to those who believe. PracticaHy any move wins except the one played in the game... But what is wrong with it?
30 ... tίJf8!
Amazing! This modest knight retreat to a more passive square saves the game. Suddenly, the weakness of the back rank becomes the decisive factor, which nobody (including even Ivanchuk) would have suspected. 31 . 1:.h6
218
White has to acquiesce in perpetual check.
The phenomenon of the 'difficult oppo nent', even between players of roughly equal strength, is well known. It is espe cially interesting to follow the fortunes between the elite players, who meet each other at the board so often. When play ers of similar strength meet very often, the score can just be balanced, as their ratings would suggest. However, excep tions occur. If, for example, you take the statistics between Karpov or Kasparov, and their close rivals, the score is often surprisingly poor from the latter's point of view. The same is true in the case of the reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen, who has an especially one sided record against Hikaru Nakamura.
Chapter 9
The talented and ambitious American is only a pale shadow of himself, in games against the World Champion, showing none of his customary inventiveness, solidity in defence, or accuracy in con verting advantages. Even in absolutely winning positions, inexplicable things seem to happen.
-
The Last Chance!
The threat was 36.l:ίh6. 36. 'ifh3 'ifg6
Game 1 06
Hikaru Nakamura (2789) Magnus Carlsen (2872) Zurich 2014 {3) •
·� � Ά�
i Δ i i Δ ll:. Δ Δ .i Δ iϊi. � iϊi.
White's position is very good, but does he have α direct win?
.� . i
i i Δ Δ
'ii t2J
;:: ;::
At first sight, the position looks double-edged. White is attacking on the kingside, whilst Black has counterplay against the enemy king, on the opposite flank. What should Black play?
26... .b:b2
Alas, it turns out it is all an illusion. The attack down the h-file is much more dangerous than the black counterplay. The text move is the best chance. Black loses after 26 ...'tWd7 27.'iνh4 tlxg3 28.hxg6 fxg6 29.'tWxg3 tbxe4 30.'iνg2 tbf2 3 1 .tlxh7, whilst the line 26 ... tbbxc4 27...txc4 tbxc4 28.hxg6 �xb2 29.�xb2 tbxb2 30.gxh7+ Φh8 3 1 . tlxb2 'ifb6 32.1:h2 is not much better. 27. .b:b2 ttJbxc4 28. .b:c4 tbxc4 29.hxg6 'ifb6 30.g7 J:[dθ 31 . 1Wh4 :Xb2+ 32.'ίfi>a1 :Xh2 33.:Xh2 Wg6 34. lL!f5 :es 35.'ifg4 'ifb6
37.d6?
Unfortunately, the only move that does not win! Nakamura decided it was time to go over to decisive action. In real ity, the victory only required patience, because after the waiting move 37.Φa2 bS (what else?) 38.d6 now wins, since in the variation 3 8 ...tbxd6 39.tbxd6 .ίd.d8 40.tbfs I:.dl 4l .Φb2 Black does not have a deadly check on b6. Another good line is 37.tlhl bS 38.d6! tbxd6 39.tbxd6 1:d8 40.tbf5, and there was even a third option: 37.'ir'fl ! bS 38.J::lx h7! 'tWxh7 39.tbh6+ and Black must give up the queen with 39 .. .'�xh6 40.gxh6, which is tantamount to resig nation. 37... tbxd6 38.tbxd6 J:[dθ!
Suddenly it transpires that White only won a piece, not the game. Nakamura, this realisation was great a shock and he completely control of the position.
has For too lost
39.tbc4?!
The unusual move 39.tbc8! allows him to retain winning chances in the line 39...Φχg7 40.tbe7 l:tdl+ 4l .Φa2 �e6+ 42.'tWxe6 fxe6. But how realistic are 219
Risk & Bluff in Chess
they? By contrast, the natural 39.ι�:Jf5 leads to immediate defeat: 39... !ιdl + 40.�a2 Vie6+. 39... 'ifxe4
42 ... b5 43.tίXJ2 'iVxg5
Quite enough to win, but also good was 43 ... 1::tx a3+ 44.�b2 �g3.
Δ
Now Black only needs to show accu racy, which Carlsen manages to do.
The position hαs become much shαrper. But White still hαs α chance to sαve the game. Whαt is it?
40.'iVh5?
Now the game is quickly lost. It was still possible to hold the position with the cold-blooded 40.tbe3! 'ifd3 4l .tbfs and Black has only perpetual check: 4l . ..'ifdl+ 42.�a2 1::td2+ 43.I:f.xd2 �xd2+. 40... .1:1.d3!
Having been given the slightest chance, Carlsen is as ruthless as ever. 41 . .1:1.h4 'iff5
White's attack is just a distant memory, whilst Black has a material advantage and the attack. 220
After 42.g6 Vixg6 43.Vixg6 fxg6 44.tbxe5 �xa3+ 4S.�b2 �b3+ 46.�c2 bS the armada of black pawns decides.
•
i Δ i i Δ
42. 'iVe2
44.'iVxd3 'iVxh4 45.l2Je4 �xg7
46.'iVf3 'iVf4 47.'iVg2+ �θ 48.�b2 h5 49.tίXJ2 h4 50.�c2 b4 51 .axb4 cxb4 52.'iVa8+
