Chess Middlegame Combinations - Peter Romanovsky

CHESS
CHESS
MIDDLEGAME
COMBINATIONS
by
Peter
Romanovsky
Translated from the Russian by
Jimmy Adams
AMERICAN CHESS PROMOTIONS

Macon, Georgia, U . S . A .
First English language edition 1991
© Copyright 1991. American Chess Promotions. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 0-939298-95-3
American Chess Promotions

3055 General Lee Road
Macon, Georgia 31204
Cover design by Ron Watson

Contents
Translator's Preface 4
Chapter One: What is a Combination? 5
Chapter Two: Combinational Elements - Motives and Themes. 8
Chapter Three: Aesthetics of Combinations. General Ideas. 13
Chapter Four: Ideas and Technique in Combinations
with the "Smothered king". 17
Chapter Five: More about aesthetics.
About the Pseudo-Sacrifice.
The Sacrifice of a Queen. 23
Chapter Six: About the Theory of Combinations.
Typical Ideas 35
Chapter Seven: History of Combinations.
The Immortal Game.
Masterpieces of the end of the 19th century. 52
Chapter Eight: Double Attack. Pawn Attacks. 75
Chapter 'Nine: Positional Weaknesses - Motive of a
Combination. Combinations provoked by
weaknesses in the castled position.
Sacrifice of a bishop for the g3, h3, g6, h6 pawns. 97
Chapter Ten: The combinational attack of the two bishops.
Harmony of the rooks on the second and seventh
ranks. The sacrifice of the rook on g7. 1 16
Chapter Eleven: Harmony of rooks and bishops.
The theme of locked-in pieces. 143
Chapter Twelve: Methods of Interception and various
combinational ideas. 160
Chapter Thirteen: About the thinking of a chessplayer
during the game. 169
3
Translator's Preface
The present book, a translation of the Russian original of 1963, forms the
second part of Peter Romanovsky's classic work on the middlegame.
Middlegame Combinations, like its companion volume, Middlegame
Planning, is written with a view to helping the reader acquire a practical
understanding of middlegame techniques and an appreciation of the beauty
and aesthetics of chess.
Though little-known in the West, Romanovsky was one of the game's
independent and original thinkers, who gained great respect in the Soviet
Union as a player, writer and enthusiastic teacher of the art and science of
chess.
Throughout the book one is struck by the harmony of the author's
thoughts: the natural link of chess history with the present day, the
inter-relation of positional weaknesses and combinational motives, the
co-operation of the pieces in the carrying out of tactical operations,
balanced and organised thinking processes.
The history of this very important work is interesting. The first edition, a
single volume, The Middlegame. Combinations and Planning in Chess, was
published in 1929. Ten years later, Romanovsky was already preparing a
second edition, but War broke out and the revised manuscript perished in
the siege of Leningrad.
Much time and energy was required for Romanovsky to restore his
creation. But this was not an easy task and even a casual comparison of the
first edition with the present work is enough to convince the reader that we
have here, in its composition, elucidation of themes and illustrative
material, an entirely new and original piece of research.
After studying Romanovsky, the reader should never make a move
without good reason - a positional plan or a combinational idea - ever
again!
Jimmy Adams
London 1990
Chapter One
What is a Combination?
It is now more than t hirty years nesses in the book is nearly always
since the first edition of Middle interlaced with combinational
game was published. For the stor motives, and positional tension
my times of development of chess with an increase in combinational
thought - this is a long period. crises.
During this time quite a few new N ow a few words about terms.
strategical and tactical ideas in the Many of these which the reader
chess struggle have been con runs across in Middlegame Combi
ceived. There has been a deepen nations could be applied with syste
ing of positional understanding. matic benefit also when investigat
The richest shoots appeared in the ing planned positional methods of
ploughed field of chess theory , play. As in Middlegame Combina
which in many places was comp tions, Middlegame Planning li
letely renewed. kewise has its motives, ideas and
In presenting Middlegame Com themes.
binations to the reader, the author In chess circles there still exists a
strives to methodically unearth division of chessplayers into posi
combinations from positions, to tional and combinational - accord
reduce them to purely formal fea ing to their style of play. Each of
tures. From the very beginning of these "labels" attached to
the book it is easy to sense a very chessplayers must offend most of
sharp rapprochement, almost a all and first and foremost the
merging into a single whole of the chessplayer himself, since they te
e lements of positional and ·combi stify only to the organic nature of
national play. Combinations are his chess ability and thinking.
presented to the reader not only One cannot carry out and pre
and even possibly not so much as a pare a combination without under
method of operation , but mostly as standing the laws of positional
a significant creative phenomenon weaknesses and planning of the
which inevitably accompanies it, game, one also cannot carry out
i.e. as a natural course of events creative plans without taking up
and not as a chance "hocus-pocus". combinational weapons , without
The unity of the creative process is possessing keen vision and the
emphasised by the author in that ability to recognise combinational
the analysis of positional weak- motives.
5
Chess Midlegame Combinations
Such great masters of chess as W. You see , chess terminology has

Steinitz, Em. Lasker, M . Chigorin, come from generally accepted con
J. Zukertort , A . Rubinstein, A. cepts and j udgements. Thus a pawn
Alekhine and many others (out of is called "backward" when it is ac
Soviet chess players we name M . tually left behind , i . e . it is behind
Botvinnik , M . Tal , V. Smyslov, B . pawns of the same colour, and
Spassky , indeed there are many of "passed" if there are not enemy
them) were by no means suited for pawns on the local files, preventing
the label marked positional or its advance. The terms "blockade",
combinational. "attack", "centre", "flank", "blow"
Nevertheless style and school in and others essentially differ in no
chess art wholeheartedly exists and way from the concept that is fixed
cannot but exist. Heated argu for them in the very life and history
ments and d iscussions take place on of everyday language . The term
principal creative questions in "combination" can hardly be
order to create a group of like looked upon as an exception to this
minded persons. natural, standard origin of chess
In the game , chessplayers display terms.
many traits of human character. The word combination comes
Chessplayers can play carefully, from the Latin "combinatio",
riskily, sharply, boldly, exper which stands for a definite combi
imentally, temperamentally, cunn nation of characteristic features ,
ingly, drily , prudently, accurately, c ircumstances, which allows us to
ingeniously, etc , etc, but to play look at combining structures as a
positionally or combinationally is single whole .
not possible , since both these ele It is certain arrangement of pie
ments come into the practice of ces and pawns which opens the
chess , we repeat, with a unification possibility for one of the opponents
into a single creative process. To to forcibly and comparatively
remove any of these elements from quickly exploit a combination to
this process means decapitating i ts his advantage . In chess there exists
most important and main creative a concept called variation , which is
part. a chain of moves logically linked
All chessplayers imagine per together by a single plan. It is a
fectly well having combinations in certain combinational arrange
the chess struggle , but when the ment of chess forces on the board
matter arises as to the definition of which makes possible the carrying
a combination then there usually qut of a forced variation , leading to
develops a great deal of fruitless and the achievement of an objective
perhaps even groundless argu and indeed to an advantage for the
ment. initiator or the instigator of the
6
given variation. material gain, mating the oppo

H istorically, however, the nent, sometimes perpetual check,
matter turns out such that the stalemate, etc. )
concept "combination" begins to The broad concept of a combi
relate not only to a combinational nation, which adheres t o the
arrangement of pieces - from which c lassics of chess , m ight be expe
the concept arose , but to the very ressed by the following simple defi
process of the course of the forcing nition. A combination is a forced
variation. Instead of exploiting variation by means of which the
combinations ( pieces and pawns) initiator of it achieves a set aim. It
it is a matter of carrying out would seem that the definition
combinations - i . e . forcing varia applies only to dynamic combina
tions , coming out of the combina tions ( the main part of them) .
tional characteristics of certain This, however, is not so, since the
positions. Combinations are trans very concept of a possible combi
formed from a static to a dynamic nation comes o u t of the static
concept. Let us join these two evaluation of a given position,
concepts into one. This gives us where characteristics and features
the possibility, as also in any other giving it a combinational character
chess process, of making an inde are included.
pendent investigation of static and Centuries-old combinational
dynamic combinations. practice has allowed the discovery
I t is perfectly clear that in any of tens and hundreds of combina
forcing course of the struggle , i . e . tional features in positons. These
upon the carrying out of a forcing open the way to a study of pheno
variation there is an initiator, or mer.da , characteristic for the com
that of the opponents who makes binational struggle , which usually
the first move of a combination, attend it. The principal chapters of
calculating the achievement of an the book are devoted to a study of
obj ective which brings him an these phenomena.
advantage ( improving his position ,
7
Chapter Two
Combinational Elements .. Motives and Themes
Combinations display various N xe4 20 Qxe4 f5 ! and only then

degrees of difficulty in their execu exchange on c3 , which would give
tion: they can be short, simple and him the possibility of staunch
obvious , logically arising from the defence. However, Tarrasch
planned process of the struggle. played at once 19 ••• Rxc3 , not
They can also be very complicated, seeing any other way for White
many moves, with branching besides 20 bxc3 . But Pillsbury
variations , surprising moves which surprisingly replied 20 Nxf6 + . In
are difficult to calculate and escap his commentary at this point, Tar
ing even ingenious imagination. rasch gave Pills bury's move a ques
Not only in the process of play tion mark , j ust as also his next
itself, but even in analysis, combi move ( 2 0 . . . Bxf6 ) . He recom
national decisions at times escape mended taking the knight with the
the attention of very strong autho pawn, 20 . . . gxf6 , maintaining
rities. that in this case Black would win
We give an example of such the game. As proof, amongst other
mistaken analysis. In the game lines , Tarras ch provided this ana
Pil bury Tarrasch, from the in
.. lytical variation: 20 . . . gxf6 2 1
ternational tournament at Nilrn Qg4 + Kf8 ( not 2 1 . . . Kh8 in view
berg 1 896 , the following position of 22 Qe4 ) 22 QhS Ba4 with
was reached after White's 1 9th advantage to Black. However T ar
move Rxc3 ( knight) rasch did not notice that after 2 1
Qg4 + Kf8 2 2 Bh7 he is mated ( 2 2
. . . Bd6 23 Bxf6 ) . Thus Pillsbury's
move 20 N xf6 + ! turns out to be
the beginning of an excellent com
bination, but one which was not
noticed by T arras ch either in the
game or in subsequent analysis.
And here is another case, where
the world champion did not notice
a simple combination. The
diagram features a position, after
Black should now continue 19 . . . the 2 5 th move , from the game
8
Chess Middlegame Combinations
Alekhine .. Euwe in their return combinational motive ( the leit

match for the world championship, motif) is the undefended Black
1 93 7 . queen on e 5 . As soon as Euwe de
fended his bishop , this motive dis
appeared and the combination be
came impossible. Of course the
position of the White knight on g5
also played it own role as a supple
mentary motive , as did the queen.
Both these pieces occupied attack
ing positions close by the rather
exposed position of the Black king.
The undefended p iece , as shown
by an analysis of numerous combi
There fol lowed 2 6 Bb2 , whereas by national processes, is one of the
means of the simple combination important motives, which stimu
26 Qh8 + Kxh8 27 Nxf7 + and late the appearance of combina
28 Nxe5 White would have ob tions. The basis of this motive con
tained an easily winning endgame. sists of the opening of a possibility
Also on the following move the for the initiator of the combination
opponents did not notice this com to carry'out a double attack , either
bination, continuing 26 . . . Bc6 ? 2 7 on two undefended pieces or on an
a3 ? Only now , b y defending the undefended piece with a simulta
queen by 27 . . . Bd6 , did Euwe pre neous check to the king.
vent the threat. Precisely this might also have oc
These examples - of which we curred in the moment we looked at
could give many more , we present above from the game , Alekhine
mainly in order to draw attention Euwe , after 26 QhS + KxhS 2 7
to the importance of combina N xf7 + .
tional flair, i . e . careful attention to The history of chess knows many
those features of the position on the combinations on the theme of
board which incite ideas and imagi double attack; this theme is also
nation in the search for combina widely encountered today.
tions. Here we come close to yet
The features of positions , which another concept , essential for an
are characterised by certain combi investigation of the combinational
national conditions, i t is most con process , which we characterise as
venient to call the motives of com the theme of a combination .
binations. In the combination, If the motive can be called a
which failed to take place in the stimulus for a combination , then
game Alekhine-Euwe , the main the theme of a combination is its
9
finale, i . e . the concluding posi White.

tion, which realises the combina 2 2 Kg l f4
tional idea. Now this attack is deadly and
The theme, as it were , sums up leads to new combinations.
the whole combination and brings 2 3 Rc2 fxg3 24 fxg3 Bxg3
out the reuslt of it. We look at a few Also this combination has the
more examples on the theme of theme of double attack after 2 5
double attack with the motive of hxg3 Qxg3 + , when the Wh ite
undefended pieces, i . e . their place knight falls under attack at the
ment on undefended squares. The same time as the check .
diagram position is from the game 2 5 Rfl Ng5 !
Janowski..Mieses ( Prague 1 908 )
after White's 2 1 st move Rac ! .
A beautiful concluding combi

nation on the theme of simulta
Black could now maintain the ini neous double attack . The motive is
tiative b y 21 . . . f4 , but by exploit j ust the same: the undefended state
ing the undefended White queen on of the White queen on d3 . On 26
d3 , he finds a combinational means N xg5 follows 26 . . . Bxh2 + with a
of decisively increasing the attack. simultaneous attack on the White
2 1 ... Qh3 + ! queen.
A splendid combination on the 26 hxg3 Qxg3 + 2 7 Rg2 Nxf3 +
theme of double attack. If White 28 RxO Qxf3 29 Qxf3 Rxf3
were to go half- way to meeting the and White continued the struggle
opponent, and this, incidentally, without any foundation and res ..
was probably the best, then, after igned on the 4 5 th move .
2 2 Kxh3 N xf2 + 23 Kg2 N xd3 24
Rxe6 N xc l 2 5 Bxc l Rde8 , he also Queen's Gambit
could not save the game in view of White: G.Friedstein
the material loss. J anowski's refusal Black: V.Smyslov
to go into this forcing variation (22nd Moscow Championship 1944)
leads to an even quicker defeat for 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 d5 3 c4 c6 4 Nc3
10
dxc4 S e3 bS 6 a4 M 7 Nal e6 8 process of the combination itself.

Bxc4 Be7 9 0..0 0..0 1 0 Qe2 Bb7 In the field of vision should be
1 1 Rd l as 12 Bd2 Nbd7 13 Nc l discovered not only the presence of
Qb6 1 4 NdJ cS I S NdeS NxeS motives, but also the possibility of
1 6 NxeS Rad8 1 7 BbS creating them in the course of the
White gives up the d4 pawn, in struggle.
exchange for the as pawn. This 24 Kh l Qxd2 2S Qe2 Qf4
idea, however, runs up against a Materially, Black has gained no
combinational refutation. thing, but he has succeeded in
1 7 ... cxd4 18 exd4 Qxd4 1 9 wrecking the covering detachment
Nc4 QdS 20 Qfl QhS around the enemy king and created
here a number of weak points , as,
for example , the f3 pawn and parti
cularly the h2 point, on which
Black threatens to come down with
a dangerous attack by . . . Bd6 .
26 Nc4 Rc8 2 7 Rd l ReS 28 Ne3
b3 29 Ng2 Qc7 30 Ne3 g6 3 1
Qd3 Qf4 3 2 Ng2 QM 3 3 Ne3
Qh4 34 as RhS 3S Nfl Qxf2 and
White soon resigned.
And so the result of a combina
2 1 NxaS tion might be , and frequently is,
A natural desire to compensate not the obtaining of a material ad
for the loss he has suffered. White vantage , but simply the improve
could not "lag behind" in taking ment of one's position, the creation
the pawn. On 2 1 Be3 could follow of weaknesses in the opponent's
2 1 . . . Ng4 , on 2 1 Bf4 N d S . The camp, the achievement of an at
position of the White king has be tacking formation of pieces and
come generally shaky. Amongst other positional gains.
other things , the manoeuvre The theme of double attack is
Rd4-h4 etc . is threatened. also a characteristic of many com
21 .•. Bf3 ! binations on the endgame. We find
An . "awkward" move , with a very refined example of this in a
which begins a combination on the well-known study by Saavedra .
already known to us theme of A combinational motive is
double attack. created by the far-advanced White
22 gxO Rxd2 ! 23 Rxd2 QgS + pawn, and , though at first sight it
As distinct from the previous appears strange , the position of the
examples, here the motive of unde Black king in the corner. It is abso
fended pieces was created in the lutely clear that Black must endea-
11
Chess Mid legame Combinations
vour to give up the rook for the Rd4 + 4 Kc3 Rd l 5 Kc2 Rd4!
pawn. The first move of the com Intending after 6 c8 ( Q ) to
b ination, as also Black's reply, is achieve a draw by 6 . . . Rc4 + 7
obvious . Qxc4 stalemate.
6 c8( R ) ! Ra4 7 Kb3 !
The theme of the combination
is the double attack on a4 and
cl.
Black mates in a few moves.
'In the following chapters we

become acquainted with further
various combinational motives and
plans. We will come across these
elements of combination through
1 c7 out the whole book.
I t is interesting to note that with Beforehand, however, it is
the Black king on bl he could necessary to make a deep excursion
achieve a draw without difficulty , into the region of the internal
both b y checking the the rook, 1 content of combinations ; this rev
. . . Rd6 + 2 KbS RdS + etc . and eals to us a far more important
also by playing simply 1 . . . Rd2 stimulus in combinational creativ
followed by checks on the b2 and i ty than purely theoretical pre
a2 squares. requisites in the form of combina
1 ... Rd6 + 2 Kb5 Rd5 + 3 Kb4 tional motives.
12
Chapter Three
Aesthetics of Combinations. General Ideas.
Any h igher expression of harmony ground of a careful regard even for

makes a deep aesthetic impression. the weakest chess unit. And if
It excites , creates ideas about the several pieces or a strong piece (for
beautiful. example, the queen, rook) are
Combinations in chess art repre sacrificed , then the contrast is
sent a h igher expression of har redoubled.
mony of chess forces. Even combi Seemingly absurd , reckless
nations s imple in structure are in moves suddenly turn out to be
themselves aesthetically already strong ideas , instruments of
one in that all the initiator's pieces triumph, victory . The outwardly
operating in them pour out their weak - thanks to h idden meaning,
strength together, harmoniously triumphs over strength.
conducting a combinative theme. Adroitness, ingenui ty , imagina
The aesthetics of combinations tion, comes forth from the winner
are expressed also in methods of in a struggle against an opponent's
operation. Here , first and fore more powerful armaments. In this
most, is advanced the concept of l ies the individual beauty of the
sacrifices. In what l ies the aesthe sacrifice. The sacrifice will often
tics of sacrifices ? As is well known, be surprising, and this suddenness
from the very first steps we teach upsets the usual humdrum ideas
the beginner-enthusiast to have a about the course of the stuggle and
careful regard for material. We l ikewise takes the spectator into a
give , as an instructive example, world of magic adventure. There is
the case when, after losing a minor even an extensive , separate termi
piece, the master resigns the game , nology , characterising the aesthe
considering further resistance to be tics of chess combination. There
fruitless. Even an extra pawn, j ust arise the concepts of refined and
one pawn, frequently gives the even graceful combinations, pro
possessor of it an easy victory. ductions of rare beauty, immortal
Therefore a voluntary giving up of ideas, smooth mates , elegant
a pawn or piece, or an exchange of finishes, etc . As far back as the last
a stronger p iece for one less strong , century special prizes for beautiful
for example queen for rook or rook games were awarded in tourna
for knight etc . - is an event which ments.
contrasts with the strict back- In chess literature there are a
13
number of articles and special Let u s see how originally and inte
works , showing aesthetic chess restingly a combination developed
combinations. We point to the in it:
work of professor of literature. A. 28 Nb4
A. Smirnov, " Beauty in the Chess Already this move obliges Black
Game", the book by V. I. Volken to be carefu l . You see , after the text
stein, dramatist-theoretician, "Ex move, Black could reply 28 . . . as
perience of Contemporary Aesthe and White's knight has to retreat.
tics", where we find a special In addition to this, does Black have
chapter showing chess play. In the anything else at his disposal ? On 28
handbook of Emanuel Lasker, . . . exf5 follows 29 gxf5 and then 30
world champion for many years , N xd5 + . On 2 8 . . . Kd7 , simplest is
there is a special chapter under the 29 fxe6 + Kxe6 30 c6 Kd6 3 1 c7
heading "Aesthetics of Chess Kxc 7 32 N xd5 + and N xf6 . Thus
Play" . Black has no choice.
We give a few examples of beau 28 ••• a5 29 c6! !
ty in chess combinations. We begin The beginning of a long combi
with an illustration from the end nation, in which as the main theme
game, where the simplicity and serves the double threat of the
normality of the situation will con pawn - an original aspect of double
trast particularly boldly with the attack.
surpnsmg incursion into the 29 ... Kd6
struggle of combinations. This cir But right now it seems the knight
cumstance must undoubtedly make must step back.
a great aesthetic impression upon 30 fxe6!
us. It seems, in a simple position, A nai l , which is the basis of a
h ighly artistic ideas suddenly spring combinational idea.
up before us. Here is a position 30 ••• Nxc6
from the game PiIlsbury.. Black has nothing else, a situa
Gunsberg ( Internat ional tourna tion that often occurs during the
ment at Hastings 1 89 5 ) course of a brilliant and unusual
combination. Even two moves ago
it looked like a quiet knight ending
with some positional advantage for
White. Now, however, the two
White pawns burst into the 6th
rank , while the knight - his last
piece - White offers for sacrifice.
For what and why does Black
decline to accept the sacrifice ? The
reply to this is given by the follow-
14
ing possible continuation: 30 . . .

axb4 3 1 e 7 Kxe7 3 2 c 7 and the
White pawn goes on to queen,
since Black has no defence against
the two threats cxb7 or c8(Q) . An
original aspect of the double attack
of a pawn !
3 1 Nxc6 Kxc6 3 2 e4! dxe4 3 3
d5 +
If the first theme in all the
combinations is the "double" at
tack with the pawn, then the The White pawn on f6 is neutra
second is the formation of two lised, whereas no way can the
connected passed pawns, which Black pawn be overtaken by the
have already crossed the frontier. White king. Such an obvious state
33 Kd6 34 Ke3 b4 35 Kxe4
000 of affairs. But in the present case
a4 36 Kd4 the obvious is not the truth. As a
White hurries to hold up the matter of fact, White carries out a
Black pawn and this also decides combination with two themes.
the outcome of the struggle. H is One of them illustrates the success
contemporaries considered this ful pursuit of the Black pawn by
combinational miniature of Pills the White king, and the other -
bury to be one of the most refined , the queening of his own pawn,
in fact the most refined production despite the reliable guarding role of
of the Hastings tournament. And the Black king. The combination
indeed so it is. A combination develops l ike this:
refined in its suddeness , originality 1 Kb7 a4 2 Kc6
of theme , rarely met in practice , Now if 2 . . . a3 , then 3 Kd6 a2 4
simplicity of material taking part in f7 Kg7 5 Ke7 and White also
it, a beautiful sacrifice of a single queens.
piece and the overall beauty of all 2 000 Kg6 3 Kd5 ! !
the ideas. Two pawns , standing A move with two threats ! The
almost side by side , without piece king enters into the square of the
support, putting up resistance to a-pawn and defends his own passed
the king and knight, i. e. pieces pawn.
which are considerably stronger. 3 000 a3 4 Ke6 a2 5 f7 draw
The never-to-be-forgotten A .
In the next diagram we see a A . Troitsky composed many com
study by Ret i. White to play and binational classic endgame studies.
draw. At first sight, the study looks We give one of these , which makes
l ike nonsense. a most aesthetic impression.
15
The combination leading to the creative moves i n the chess game

win is constructed on the sixfold for the spectator, Em. Lasker said,
repetition of the theme of double "The spectator takes pleasure not
attack, but this is not all. only in the outward side of the
chess game but also in i ts story , its
drama. It does not matter that the
chessboard serves as the scene , and
the actors are represented by chess
pieces . If it were a drama of
chessplayers unfolding on the scene
of a theatre , it might not produce a
very deep impression, but with the
indispensable conditions that exist
on the board , the spectator feels
interested and understands it. "
The beauty of t h e study lies i n Not all combinations produce an
the extremely sparing movements equal aesthetic impression. Combi
of the rook from the start and then nations c a n b e more beautiful and
on its return journey along the less beautiful. A rough outward
same path, and that this "sloth", cover (form) might not be in ac
stingy in its movements, has at the cord with a fine idea (content) . At
same time a crushing effect: 1 Rb4! the basis of a combination are al
Qc8 2 Rb8 Qh3 3 Rh8 Nh4 4 ways combined two important
Rxh4 Qc8 5 Rh8 Qb7 6 Rb8, creative methods - dynamic and
and Black finally loses the stub harmonious. This united action
bornly escaping queen. A lso art leads to the production of creative
istic is the construction of the rook forms , the artistic content of which
manoeuvre : 1 Rb8-h8xh4-h8-b8 . also makes up, in the main, an
Looking at the influence of aesthetic combination.
16
Chapter Four
Ideas and Technique in Combinations

with the "Smothered King".
The concept of motives and the tional process , allowing an artistic

mes can probably be related to path for all the pangs and doubts of
theoretical concepts. Undoubtedly an artist.
quite a lot of creative accent falls The next diagram position was
on them, but all the same no more reached on the 2 7th move of an
than an accent. Meanwhile the exhibition game, Bemstein..
aesthetic - this essentially is the Capablanca ( Moscow, J anuary
sum of artistic creative forms , im 1914).
presses itself upon the thoughts
and feelings of man. It is clear that
in combinations, which appear as
one of the basic sources of artistic
c reation in chess, apart from mot
ives and themes there exists a
further kind of element , contain
ing exactly that creative oas;� whe
re harmony of operation is per
fected and its dynamic and in
tended, of course, concrete me
thod takes shape, which conveys White's position i s unsatisfac
thoughts from an approximate tory. His knight is under attack
landmark - a motive, to a clearly and if it retreats to a3 or d4 , Black
outlined objective - a theme. The consol idates his passed far
method which helps us to seek a advanced pawn by . . . Rdc8 (with
basic motive and achieve a theme the threat . . . N b4 ) , and White
represents a concrete intention, in cannot hold on for long under the
other words an idea. Idea ! This is very strong pressure. It is natural
what, consequently, is the main that White does not see any other
product of creative imagination in way out apart from taking the
the thoughts of man. This is where dangerous pawn, the more so that
a storehouse of aesthetic values is i t is attacked by him three times
concealed and humdrum, accrued and defended only twice by Black
small advantages become trans p ieces.
formed into a dashing comb ina- Moreover, into his thoughts
17
looms the variation 2 7 N xc3 N xc3 movement restricted by its pawns.

28 Rxc3 Rxc3 29 Rxc3 Qb 1 + 30 However, it should not be
Qf1 Qxa 2 , which, taking into thought that the motive - the
account the material equality, locked-in position of the king - by
gives him good chances of a draw. itself testifies to the combinational
Up to a certain point the game nature of the position. One super
proceeded according to the above ficial structural arrangement of pie
variation. It continued like this: ces and pawns is a long way from
27 Nxc3 Nxc3 28 Rxc3 Rxc3 29 being sufficient for such a conclu
Rxc3 sion. Of course, to a certain extent ,
the thoughts of a chess layer spurn
structural features in search of a
combinational decision, but only
spurn, not more. One and the same
position of the king ( for example,
locked-in, as in the example looked
at) could also be a combinational
motive, it might also not be. This
depends on the creative tension of
the position, on a number of details
characterising this tension.
Now, however, fol lows not 29 Exposing the position of the king
. . . Qb 1 + , but 2 9 ... Qb2 ! ! This also might serve as a combinational
double attack on the rook and motive, but only in that case when,
queen leads immediately to a win, although only potentially, the king
s ince White now loses a rook. In could be made an object of attack.
deed, on 30 Qe 1 fol lows 30 In the majority of endgames , only
Qxc3 , while on 3 0 Rc2 , 3 0 . . . in rare cases can the open position
Qb 1 + . of the king be seen as a combina
I t is not difficult to see that the tional motive.
possibility of carrying out the the Summarising, it is possible to say
me of double attack is based on the that the characteristic features of a
unfortunate position of the White position can only acquire the s ig
king, which has no flight squares nificance of a combinational mot
after the threatened invasion of the ive when this feature is accom
Black rook. if White had made the panied by other circumstances,
move h3 or g3 , then Black's combi which in total are able to produce
nation would have not been serious creative potential. Return
possible. Thus the main motive of ing to the combination in the game
the combination is the locked-in Bernstein-Capablanca , we point to
posi tion of the White king, its the additional circumstance which
18
allows the locked-i n position of the creative connection with ideas and
White k ing ( incidentally Black's is to a considerable extent promotes
also restricted ! ) to be seen as a the correct implementation of
combinational motive. This cir them ( in the given positional cir
cumstance is the presence on the cumstances ! )
board of heavy pieces and open We list a number of combina
files, which might obviously serve tional ideas: removal of a barrier
as paths for the penetration of the ( obstacle) , blockading, pinning
Black queen and rook to the first ( p ieces ) , intercepting ( lines on
rank. which pieces are moving) , deflec
What, however, is the idea of tion of pieces from defensive func
Capablanca's combination, i . e . tions , decoying of pieces to squares
what task did h e set h imself, by marked for attack, and others . All
sacrificing the main trump of his these methods are so closely con
positional pressure, the pawn on nected with the creative, planned
c3 ? Of course Black's idea is the side of combination, in other words
penetration of the queen and rook with the idea it rests upon , that it is
to the first rank . In order for such a even possible, if we want to, to
penetration to become possible, it attempt to classify combinational
is necessary to deflect the White ideas.
rook and queen from defence of the The technical method, you see ,
d 1 and b 1 points. He manages to also contains its own sort of plan,
deflect the rook by the sacrifice of the details of the general idea,
the pawn on c3 , and the queen by which as a whole is characterised by
carrying out the powerful theme . . . a combination. Thus it is not
Qb2 . possible to divorce the technique of
Here it should be noted that the a combination from its creative
theme in the present combination side , to give it secondary impor
turns out to be in an unusual and tance.
beautiful form, and , as it were , The importance of technique in
flowing into a basic creative plan - combinational creativity is so
an idea. The realisation of an idea great, that only upon the correct
often requires great imagination , and well-timed application of its
the application o f many methods , methods can creative thought in
which in total make up the tech combination find its full expres
nical side of fulfilling a plan. As sion. One slovenly method might
also in any business , technique has make a correctly conceived plan
paramount importance in chess. impossible.
Technical methods might at times To conclude the present chapter
be very complicated� The techni we dwell on one brilliant combina
que of combinations has a direct tional idea, a combination where as
19
the theme we come across none RxgS I I Nf7 mate

other than the downfall of a king, Such a mate with the rook (or
"smothered" by i ts own comrades. knight) and pawns locking in the
Essentially we discuss an idea close king is cal led smothered mate.
to the one we have j ust looked at of From G reco we find the follow
the mate of a king, locked in by its ing example of smothered mate in
own pawns. This idea has passed the finale of one of the game
along a great historical path and variations given in his manus
apparently entered into the history cripts.
of combinations as long ago as the
time of G reco ( 1 600- 1 63 4 ) . The
question here is of a king getting
mated as a consequence of the fact
that the surrounding pieces and
pawns ( of the same colour) , totally
deprive it of the possibility of mov
ing.
In an instructive game , pres
ented in his "Self-Teacher" ,
Schiffers , without indicating the
names of the opponents, demons 15 ... Nf2 + 16 Ke l Nd3 + 1 7
trated this mate in the following Kd l Qe l + I S Nxe l Nf2 mate
form. Here the White king is bricked
up with two pawns and three minor
pieces.
I t is not difficult to see that there

is much in common between the
ideas of both the combination and
the technique of carrying it out. At
the basis of the combination lies
two checks with the queen and
knight, in the first case by N h6 + ,
in the second by Nd3 + . The idea
I e4 e5 2 d4 c5 3 dxc5 of the combination is reflected in
Black's pawn sacrifice is un the sacrifice of the queen, made in
founded, and White can quietly order to blockade, to make
take the pawn on e 5 . inaccessible the last square to
3 Bxc5 4 Nf3 Nf6 5 Bc4 0 .. 0 6
••• which the king might still move ( in
Nxe5 Nxe4 7 Qd5 Nxf2 S Nxf7 compositions , such an idea is called
Qh4 9 Nh6 + KhS 1 0 QgS + the bricked-up king) .
20
The smothered mate is met in

games also as a threat that might
even bring to the active side ( the
initiator) a decisive achievement.
Out of several casual games with
the idea of such a mate, which we
have at our disposal , we present the
following example.
There followed 2 0 Nd6!

On 20 . . . Bxg2 , there is obviously
the inevitable smothered mate
after 2 1 Qa2 + .
N aturally Black prefers to suffer
material loss , by replying 20 •..
Bb3 2 1 Qc 1 cxd6 22 Bxc6 Re6

23 cxd6 etc.
In this pOSlUon, where White Morphy also succeeded in twice
has a small advantage, the struggle giving smothered mate to his oppo
might still go on for a long time , nents - these games are generally
were it not for a combinational well known and have appeared in
possibility , connected with the many publications.
idea of smothered mate which All that remains for us is to say a
White has at his disposal here . few more words about the idea of a
There fol lowed 24 Nd6! and combination ending in smothered
Black resigned, since he suffers mate. It consists of bringing the
new material loss ater 24 . . . cxd6 enemy king into a state of total
25 Bxd5 + etc. The main direction, immobility, due to the close en
however, of the combination l ies in circ lement of its own pieces and
2 5 . . . Bxg2 ( otherwise he cannot pawns.
avoid serious material loss) 26 To carry out this idea, which is
Qa2 + Kh8 27 Nf7 + Kg8 28 N h6 + the result of a joint ( harmonious)
Kh8 2 9 Qg8 + Rxg8 3 0 Nf7 attack of the queen and knight, the
mate. following operation is necessary
and obligatory: a diagonal check
A complicated combination was with the queen, double check with
carried out in the game queen and knight, and finally a
Romanovsky..Botvinnik played queen sacrifice leading to a total
at Leningrad in 1 92 7 . locking in of the king with pieces
21
of its own colour. After this the but, irrespective of this, its artistry,
knight gives mate on the critical the queen sacrifice, and outward
square, upon which it appears for structure of mate, even now makes
the second time. a great aesthetic impression on
Today this combination is more chess enthusiasts.
of purely historical significance,
22
Chapter Five
More about Aesthetics. About the pseudo..sacrifice.

The sacrifice of a Queen
Already in the previous chapters , undefended square cannot be

we have touched upon the subj ect taken, interest is aroused for the
of sacrifice , as upon the element of whole creative production. You
aesthetics in chess art. As we have see, also the pseudo-sacrifice ,
already explained above, we call a which l ike the sacrifice is an active
voluntary giving up of material, offensive operation, is needed in
pawns , pieces , etc, with the aim of accordance with the combinational
carrying out a combinational plan, conditions.
a sacrifice. Thus , essentially, the great diffe
Other sacrifices can be called rence between the pseudo-sacrifice
pseudo-sacrifices where , after one , and the sacrifice is difficult to per
two , three moves, the sacrificed ceive. Strictly speaking , the prefix
material is recovered with interest "pseudo" can be added to almost
and the sacrificer himself achieves any sacrifice, since as the end result
a material advantage. Also possible of the combination i ts initiator
is the kind of sacrifice as was fea achieves (or a definite combination
tured above in the game , Bernstein should achieve by itself) an advant
-Capablanca. The queen is placed age. The strength of the aesthetic
under attack, but it cannot be influence of a sacrifice is deter
taken because of the mate which mined not so much by the argu
would fol low immediately in this ment questioning the right to qua
case. Such a "sacrifice" can still lify a giving up of material as a
quite rightly be called a pseudo sacrifice, as by a number of other
sacrifice, but also a pseudo-sacrifice creative considerations , ansmg
in no way lacks beauty. In it, also , around the sacrifice ( or pseudo
the usual notions of the possibility sacrifice ) . In both this and the
and the allowance of this or that other case occurs a sudden break
move are sharply and surprisingly with generally accepted, habitual
disregarded. The first impression notions and one of these cir
about the pseudo-sacrifice is the cumstances is already sufficient for
same as an "oversight" ( the so an aesthetic perception of the
called unnoticed threat) . When, occurring events.
however, it is "explained" that the For the different degrees of aes
piece placed under threat on an thetic influence , of vital impor-
23
tance are a number of circumstan pawn, minor piece , rook , several

ces , concerning not only the fact pieces (see, for example , below in
i tself of the sacrifice (or pseudo Chapter 8, the game Anderssen
sacrifice) but also the inter-relation Kieseritsky ) , while it is also
of the sacrificial idea with the who possible to sacrifice the queen,
le compositon of the combination. which is the most powerful piece of
Let us point out a few of these: for the operating chess forces. There
example, the important moment fore precisely the sacrifice of the
when the sacrifice was offered. This queen or the pseudo-sacrifice of it
might occur either at the beginning often makes a particularly strong
or in the middle or end of the com impression.
b ination. In the game Bernstein Let us look at a few combinations
Capablanca, the final pseudo with such a sacrifice.
sacrifice, expressed by the move 29
. . . Qb2 ! found an almost unani
mous response with commentators.
"An effective concluding blow ! "
they wrote i n their comments to
this game. The aesthetic in this
pseudo-sacrifice consists of fou r cir
cumstances: its construction of
beauty, the fact that it is not ob
vious and therefore surprising in
that i t was foreseen "from afar", and
finally, its power and irresistibility , The diagram posltlon is from
which evoked a n immediate capi Kotov.. Bondarevsky, played in
tulation by the opponent. the All-Union tournament in me
N o less , and even greater effect mory of Savitsky ( Leningrad
can be produced by a sacrifice at 1 93 6 ) . It is unusu al. The game has
the start of some multi-move com reached the 2 1 st move but still no
b ination, where it will be d ifficult p ieces have been exchanged.
to quickly determine the correct Black's queen's flank is "frozen" and
ness of the sacrifice and where the two of his pieces - the rook and
struggle goes on sometimes for a b ishop - are inactive. The other
rather long time in unequal ma Black rook on d4 is tangled up
terial conditions , but with victory amongst the opponent's pieces and
being gained, nevertheless , by the must obviously perish in the small
side with the lesser strength. cage in which it finds itself. It
The third thing we want to men would seem that Black's position is
tion is about the scale of the sa unenviable, but White's king is in
crifice . It is possible to sacrifice a an extremely precarious position
24
which creates a motive for all sorts board , even though a t the moment
of combinations. Black threatens of mate White holds a great ma
not only a discovered and double terial advantage.
check - . . . N e4 + , but also simply 26 Kxd4 Bc5 + 2 7 Kd3 Nxe5
to take the knight on e5 . White mate
therefore has no choice. He is The idea of the combination
forced to take the rook . Thus: consists of enticing the White king
22 Bxd4 Ne4 + 23 Ke3 into a mating net. The queen
This leads to mate, since Black sacrifice was a decisive factor in
has available a beautiful combina this operation.
tion with a queen sacrifice. But In the game, Bernstein-
also the retreat to f1 was not very Capablanca the queen sacrifice is
comforting. On 23 Kfl there might the apotheosis of the combination.
follow 23 . . . Bxe5 2 4 Bxe5 N xe5 In the game, Kotov-Bondarevsky,
2 5 fxe4 N g4 with the threats of . . . the queen sacrifice forced a final
Ne3 + and . . . N h 2 mate. A lso the mate in 3 moves.
move 24 N xe5 would lead to an In the next example a sacrifice is
advantage for Black in this varia made in the opening itself. The
tion. Then 24 . . . Ng3 + 25 Kf2 combination coming out of it looks
Qxd4 + 26 Kxg3 N xe5 etc with the most spectacular since from the
better chances. sacrifice to the moment of the
23 000 f4 + ! demonstration of the theme still
This check solves two problems : l ies a long path . However, j ust as
it blocks the f4 square and deflects in the game Kotov-Bondarevsky,
the knight away from the f2 squa the idea of the combination cons
re. ists of luring the king into open
24 Nxf4 Qf2 + 25 Kd3 space, into a mating net.
25 000 Qxd4 + ! ! The diagram position is from the

Three minor pieces mate the game Averbach..Kotov ( Interna
Wh ite king in the middle of the tional tournament for Candidates ,
25
Zurich 1 95 3 ) . Black's d6-e5 -f4 carelessness on the 3 3 rd move.

pawn chain has a highly cramping This reduces its aesthetic tone a
effect upon the activity of the little, but Black all the same finds a
White pieces. The White king is win and thereby saves the reputa
precariously placed; the h3 point is tion of his sacrifice.
very weak and Black threatens to 37 ••• Nf6 + 38 Kf5 Nxd5 +
d irect his attack upon it by . . . Black's time-trouble was the reason
Rh6. for this unnecessary move.
30 Ne2 39 Kg4 Nf6 + 40 Kf5 Ng8 + 4 1
Only with the knight, from g l , is Kg4 Nf6 + 4 2 Kf5 Ng8 + 43 Kg4
it possible to defend the h3 point, Bxg5 44 Kxg5 Rf7
therefore White's move is forced. Again, mate is threatened after
However a combinational storm . . . Rg7 +
breaks out on the board. 45 Bh4 Rg6 + 46 KhS Rfg7 47
30 ... Qxh3 + ! Bg5 Rxg5 + 48 Kh4 Nf6
An excellent combination , pro . . . R5g6 is also winning.
ving that the strength of pieces is 49 N g3 Rxg3 50 Qxd6 R3g6 5 1
determined by their deployment Qb8 + Rg8 and White resigned.
and the dynamic role which they Out of two possible ways of rea
have in prospect to play in the lising the queen sacrifice , Black
cause of immediate events. White's chose the worse. This did not alter
quantitive advantage of a whole the result, but the artistic side of
queen is more than compensated by the combination faded . Thus tech
the active position of the Black nical infallibility is also an impor
pieces. Moreover White's pieces tant element of aesthetics. If we are
now find themselves behind their looking for an analogy , then a tech
king and are unable, in the shortest nical mistake in the process of a
possible time which is allowed combination can be compared ,
them, to come to its help. perhaps, to a stroke of the brush in
3 1 Kxh3 Rh6 + 3 2 Kg4 Nf6 + 33 the painting of a whole picture . In
Kf5 Nd7 a picture , however, such a stroke of
N ow mate in three moves is the brush can be corrected , washed
threatened by . . . RfB + , against off and restored in such a way as to
which, however, White can still achieve a production of full, high
defend h imself; meanwhile 3 3 . . . artistic value. In chess this is not
N g4 would have made mate una possible. A mistake made in the
voidable. process of carrying out a plan
34 Rg5 Rf8 + 35 Kg4 Nf6 + 36 accompanies the given c hess pro
Kf5 Ng8 + 37 Kg4 duction , until the end of time, as a
The combination has been com witness to its artistic imperfection.
plicated due to Black's technical We return again to a few inter-
26
esting illustrations. As is well is one of the first with this idea.

known , combinational romanti 17 Kxh6 1 8 NhfS + BxfS 19
000
cism found a good refuge in the NxfS + KhS 20 g4 +

thoughts of many chess players of This sacrifice of a pawn is not
the 1 9th century and earlier. Such obl igatory . Mate in 2-3 moves was
very important representatives of also achieved after 20 Rh3 + Kg4
Western romanticism as An 2 1 N h6 mate , or 20 . . . N h4 2 1
derssen, Zukertort , Mackenzie , Rxh4 + Kg6 2 2 Rh6 mate .
Blackburne , Bird and others were 20 Kxg4 2 1 Rg3 + KhS 22
000
proud champions of sacrificial tac Be2 mate

tics. Much material was sacrificed Thus the theme of the combina
by them, even the queen . First of tion is mate . Such a mate , from
all we give some examples from now on, we will call thematic . The
their practice . combination contained three the
matic mates: the bishop on e 2 , the
knight on h6 and the rook on
h6.
In the game , Kolisch.. Loyd ,
after the 2 5 th move was created , it
would seem, a perfectly quiet posi
tion. However, White strived for
precisely this position , as he was
inspired by a powerful combina
tional motive , in view of his very
actively placed bishop . The a2 -g8
The diagram position is from the diagonal , on which the bishop is
game Mackenzie ..Mason ( Paris deployed , points directly to a com
1 8 78) bination.
There followed 17 Qh6 + !
Black was j ust about to steal
away with his king to f8 . His last
move was 16 . . . Rag8 . With the
queen sacrifice, White forces the
enemy king to j ourney forth into
the enemy camp , where of course ,
it will be shown no mercy. Later we
will be convinced that such a for
cible luring away of the king into a
zone occupied by enemy forces as
sumes almost a typical character. The famous problemist Loyd ,
However the present combination looking placidly at the board was
27
probably shaken to the bottom of . . . N xe4 14 Bxf7 mate.

his heart when there followed 26
Qxg6! ! and Black could resign in
view of 26 . . . hxg6 27 RH. The six
moves which Black made (26 . . .
Qd7 2 7 RH Rad8 28 Rh3 h6 2 9 e6
Qc7 30 QxfS Rf8 3 1 QeS QxeS 3 2
fxeS ) were essentially a n unnecess
ary "production cost".
We now present a queen sacri
fice , made by the leader of German
romanticism, Adolf Anderssen .
Anderssen.. SehaUopp ( Berlin We do not have to discuss the
1 864) This game, together with the motive of this combination. The
combinational finale, lasted j ust 1 4 course of the game, from the very
moves. opening, has a completely combi
I e4 e5 2 f4 d5 3 NfJ dxe4 4 national motive, over which
Nxe5 Bd6 5 Be4 Bxe5 6 fxe5 "loomed" the significance of
Qd4 7 Qe2 Qxe5 8 d4! Qxd4 9 accepting the weakness of the f7
Nc3 Nf6 1 0 Be3 Qd8 1 1 0.. 0 h6 point. Attack on this point also
On 1 1 . . . 0-0 White would reply made up the idea of the combina
1 2 Rad 1 Nbd7 1 3 BgS obtaining an tion, into which entered the dis
i rresistible attack. traction of the Black knight from
12 Be5 the f6 square.
Now 1 3 Rad l Bd7 or N bd 7 1 4 The thematic mate presents it
Qxe4+! i s threatened. Black does self as a pure mate , with two
not see this queen sacrifice, but he b ishops, to a Black king which is
generally cannot defend himself half locked in by its own pieces .
against White's combinational at Schallopp played the game weakly
tack. and Anderssen probably did not
12 •••Nbd7 have to work very hard to demons
(See next diagram) trate the aesthetic brilliance of his
1 3 Qxe4 + ! plan.
An obvious sacrifice , which con Riemann ..Anderssen
siderably reduces its aesthetic ( Breslau 1 8 76)
value; nevertheless the queen is I e4 e5 2 f4 exf4 3 Be4 Qh4 + 4
given up for insignificant material. Kfl d5 5 Bxd5 Nf6 6 Nc3 BM 7
Contemporaries of this time as e5 Bxc3 8 exf6 Bxf6 9 NO QhS
sessed this combination as a "highly 1 0 Qe2 + Kd8 I I Qe4 Re8
instructive ending". The conclud A transparent combinational
ing mate is original and "pure", 1 3 "trap" which one does not have to
28
be particularly perspicacious to does the concept of combinational

notice , but most frequently it is vision enter into chess termino
precisely a queen sacrifice which is logy. Combinational vision arises
overlooked. anywhere in the inmost recesses of
12 Bxf7? our thoughts and , helping in the
White ought to play 1 2 d3 with a work of imagination, allows us to
good game. I nstead of this he is find interesting, beautiful, ou
mated in 5 moves. twardly well-veiled combinations.
It is well known that there are
chessplayers who possess or who
have posse ssed very good , sharp
combinational vision. Amongst
these, in the first instance , we can
pick, out of contemporary USSR
chessplayers , Tal , Spassky, Korch
noy. In the past - the giants of
combination were Anderssen ,
Zukertort, Pillsbury , Lasker, Chi
gorin and , o f course, Alekhine.
12 ••• Qxf3 + ! 13 gxf3 Bh3 + 1 4 At the same time, there exist
Kf2 strong chessplayers who possess
Or 1 4 Kg l Re I + 1 5 Kfl Bh4 average combinational vision. It is
mate precisely these chessplayers , for the
14 ... Bh4 + 1 5 Kg I Re I + 1 6 most part, who overlook combina
Qft Rxft mate tions.
White "fell" for the combina This is why it is not possible to
tion ! Also the present example il equate the overlooking of combi
lustrates the by no means rare case nations with a simple "blunder" of
of this sort. Very often a combina pieces , pawns or mate .
tion remains unnoticed, not only I t i s true that under some combi
by the player over whom hangs the national schemes, which are dis
threat. Sometimes even an "ob cussed below, we do succeed in
vious" combination slips out of placing a theoretical base , but for
eyeshot, as we have already seen the present such schemes are still
above and will come across time comparatively few in number.
and again in the future. What does A vailing ourselves of a conve
this imply? This implies that com nient opportunity for a little digres
binations are an element of the sion, we by no means intend to
chess struggle , most yielding with leave the theme of queen sacrifice.
difficulty to theoretical generalisa Extensive material still lies ahead
tion and analysis. Not for nothing of us in this area, which we con-
29
sider absolutely essential to bring to safe refuge for h is wandering

the notice of our readers. A few "monarch" by playing 1 2 a4 .
more old illustrations. 1 2 Kxc5 Ne7
Now Black threatens mate in
Vienna Game two moves - . . . b6 + and . . . Bd7 + .
White: C.Hamppe 1 3 Bb5 + Kd8 1 4 Bc6!
Black: P .Meitner The only move to save himself
(Vienna 1 8 7 3 ) from mate. After 14 . . . bxc6 1 5
1 e 4 e 5 2 Nc3 Bc5 3 Na4 N O White breaks out of the mating
Bxf2 + net, into which his king has fallen,
White wants to refute Black's and then the material advantage
2 nd move , and Black - White's 3 rd tells.
move. Sharp play ensues , in which 14 ... b6 + 15 Kb5 Nxc6 16 Kxc6
White tries to hold on to the extra Bb7 + ! 1 7 Kb5
piece. Accepting this sacrifice is strictly
4 Kxf2 Qh4 + 5 Ke3 prohibited - 1 7 Kxb7 Kd7 18 Qg4 +
The right continuation was 5 g3 Kd6 , and White is mated.
Qxe4 6 NO Qxa4 7 Bh3 followed 1 7 ... Ba6 + 1 8 Kc6!
by 8 Re I . White is accurate. He could still
5 ... Qf4 + 6 Kd3 d5 7 Kc3 Qxe4 get mated after 18 Ka4 Bc4 !
8 Kb3 Na6 9 a3 1 8 ... Bb7 + Draw by perpetual
check.
Thus Black's queen sacrifice led
to a draw. After the queen sacrifice
Black played in the best way , con
sequently only one question re
mains to be decided - whether, in
the diagram position, Black had
available a continuation better
than . . . Qxa4 , in other words, was
it worth sacrificing the queen for
the sake of a draw ? White threatens
9 ••• Qxa4 + ! to play Nc3 and then Ka2 , after
A surprising combination ! By which the extra piece , which he
sacrificing the queen, Black comp has, can "claim its right". Only two
letely isolates the White king from retorts are possible against this: 9
its army and surrounds it with his . . . Be6 and 9 d4 . The attempt 9 . . .
own forces. Be6 is refuted by 1 0 d4. There re
10 Kxa4 Nc5 + 1 1 Kb4 a5 + mains to look at the continuation 9
Black also has to give up the . . . d4, but then 1 0 Ka2 Be6 + 1 1 b3
knight. Otherwise White finds a is possible. Thus , fro , .1 Black's
30
point of view, the queen sacrifice Italian Game

was the right decision. Not to White : H.Bird
mention the fact that White might Black: A.Bum
make a mistake in the difficult ( London 1 886 )
defence and lose, Black with this 1 e4 e5 2 NfJ Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4
sacrifice insures himself against c3 Nf6 5 b4 Bb6 6 Qb3 0 ..0 7 d3
loss. d6 8 Bg5 h6 9 Bh4 g5 1 0
Blackbume .. Mackenzie ( Lon Bg3
don 1 882 ) . The position after At first sight it seems that, by
White's 29th move ( 29 Qg2-f2 ? ) sacrificing a piece, 1 0 N xgS ,
White obtains chances of a win.
However, Black would reply 10 . . .
N xe4 with an interesting counter
attack. Moreover, also after 1 0 . . .
hxgS 1 1 BxgS Bxfl + ! Black has
promising defensive resources.
10 Ne7 1 1 Nbdl c6 12 d4
•••
exd4 13 Nxd4 Nxe4? 14 Nxe4

d5 1 5 Nf6 + Kg7 16 Nh5 + Kg6
1 7 Bd3 +
S imply 1 7 Be2 was also possible,
but White has planned a combina
There follows a combination tion with a queen sacrifice.
with a queen sacrifice and a beauti 17 ••• Kxh5 18 Qd l + Bg4
ful thematic mate t o conclude. In the event of 1 8 . . . g4 , White
29 ••• Qxd5 ! quickly decides the game after 1 9
Blackbume was at this time h3 .
already one of the strongest
chessplayers in the world. In the
2nd congress of the German Chess
Federation in 1 88 1 , which was
held in Berlin, he took 1 st prize ,
outstripping Zukertort , Winawer,
Chigorin, L. Paulsen and many
other masters of that time . And
none the less he did not notice the
threatened queen sacrifice !
30 exd5 Bf5 + 3 1 Qc2 Ra l + ! 32
Kxa l Bxc2 1 9 Qxg4 +
and White was mated on the next A quite simple combination
move. with a queen sacrifice , but the
31
English champion did not see it, mediate 3 4 Nf5 Bxf5 3 5 Rxf5 Qc3
otherwise he would, o f course, 36 Rxf8 + Kxf8 would give White
have resigned. nothing, since on 3 7 Qxh 7 follows
19 ••• Kxg4 20 Be2 mate 3 7 . . . Qxf3 + . However, after 3 4
International tournament prac Kh2 , this variation i s threatened,
tice knows quite a few cases of the and equally also some other at
overlooking of combinations with tacks. All this, apparently, worried
a queen sacrifice , even in classics Schlechter so much that he lost
of chess art. Here is one s ight of such an unusual method as
example. the sacrifice of a whole queen.
In the game Janowski.. 34 Qxh7 + ! ! Kxh7 35 Rh5 +
Schlechter, played in the great Kg8 36 Ng6 and Black resigned
international tournament at Lon in view of the inevitable mate.
don 1 889, after White's 3 3 rd move Let us now take a look at the
the following position was queen sacrifice in the play of
reached. Alekhine. This outstanding Rus
sian chessplayer valued h ighly the
aesthetic element in chess , the
basic reflection of which he consi
dered to be the sacrifice. The
number of pieces sacrificed by
Alekhine in the course of his
creative work was enormous. I t
goes without saying that amongst
the pieces sacrificed was also the
queen.
Alekhine..CoUe ( Paris 1 9 2 5 )
White's pieces have headed har
moniously towards the king's
flank, and the position of the
Black king is far from safe . For
example , 3 4 e5 dxe5 35 Qh6 e4 36
Rh5 is threatened , and Black is
defenceless. There followed:
33 ..• R8f7?
So as to meet 34 e5 with
Rxe 5 . However this move misses a
beautiful, decisive combination for
White . The best defence was 3 3 . . . The position looks clear and an
Qf6 , but also in this case Black's evaluation of it should present no
position remains difficult. An im- complications. Material is level
32
but White has a strong passed

pawn, he controls the open lines ,
his king feels freer and moreover it
is his turn to move. Undoubtedly,
White has a positional advantage
but it is not easy to see that the
board is full of h idden combina
tional motives and that one of
them, and besides the most impor
tant, is the unfortunate ( it turns
out ! ) position of the Black Black has j ust taken t h e pawn,
queen. 24 . . . N xb2 , assuming he had
29 Bxg6! hxg6 deceived his opponent , since on 2 5
From the positional point of Rxd7 follows 2 5 . . . Rxd 7 ! 26 Rxd7
view the most accurate reply. On N xa4 with an obvious advantage
29 . . . Qxg6 follows the combina to Black.
tion 3 0 Qxd 7 . Finally, 2 9 . . . fxg6 However there followed:
makes White's passed pawn a real 2 5 Qxa7 ! Rxa7
danger. For example: 29 . . . fxg6 30 Black goes into the combination
Qe6 + Rf7 3 1 RcS RxcS 32 QxcS + and accepts the queen sacrifice ,
RfS 33 ReS ! Qf5 34 RxfS + QxfB after which he loses by force. Upon
35 Qc6 , and , in order to repu lse the other continuations - . . . Rxd2
the threat d6, Black must give up a or . . . N xd l - the result would be
pawn by continuing 3 5 . . . Qf3 36 the same , but not so forcing.
QaS + QfS 37 Qxa7 Qd6 . How 26 Rxd8 + BfS 27 Bxc5 h6 28
ever, in this endgame , the struggle RxfS + Kh7 29 Rdd8 Qh l + 30
might still have been protracted Kh2 Rh7 3 1 Nh4!
and, of course, Colle would have On this final move is based
gone into it if he had foreseen the White's combination. Black res
combinatinal consequences of his igned in view of the quick mate
"obvious" move. after 3 1 . . . g5 3 2 RhS + Kg7 33
However, least of all, did he RdgS + or 31 . . . g6 3 2 Bd4 .
think about the possibility, from In conclusion we present two
the opponent's side , of a queen combinations , similar in idea,
sacrifice. motive and theme, where the
30 Qxd7 ! Rxd7 3 1 Re8 + Kh7 queen was offered for sacrifice al
32 R l c8 Rd8 33 Rexd8 and ready on the first move. B y means
Black resigned. of the sacrifice the opponent's king
is driven from behind the chain of
Alekhine..Molina its defending pawns and , under the
( Buenos Aires 1 926) coordinated blows of the two rooks
33
and knight, makes a journey into

the enemy camp , surrounded by
hostile pieces and pawns , and is
naturally finished off.
has a weakened queen's flank and

his knight is precariously placed on
c6, being under threat by the
queen. In short, the first impres
There followed: sion is that White has the initiat
28 QxfS + ! ive , but it is Black's move .
In this way White deprives the f7 There followed:
pawn of defence and introduces the 30 •.. Re l +
possibility of his own harmoniously At first sight this check merits
operating rooks launching a very censure , since it deprives the
strong attack on the enemy king. knight on c6 of defence. N everthe
28 .•• KxfS 29 Rxf7 + Kg8 30 less , as will be seen later, it is
Ne7 + Kh8 3 1 RfS + Kg7 32 correct.
R l f7 + Kh6 33 Ng8 + Kg5 3 1 Kg2 Qxf2 + !
On 33 . . . Kh5 follows mate in A queen sacrifice , which forces
two moves. mate in a few moves.
34 Kh2 ! Qxe2 35 h4 + Kg4 36 32 Kxf2 R8e2 + 33 KO Ne5 +
Rf4 + Kh5 37 Kh3 g5 38 g4 + 34 Kf4 Rfl + 35 Kg5 h6 + 36
Black resigned. Kxh6 Rxh2 + 3 7 Kg5 Rh5
This idea of enticing the oppo mate
nent's king, by a queen sacrifice , to The last two combinations - and
"visit" him, has already come quite we could , if we wanted , add some
a long way . Here is a combination, more examples with analogous
simi lar in motive , idea and theme . ideas of pursuing a king which has
been lured into open space - un
Kugenek..Romanovsky questionably point to the possibil
( Petersburg 1 9 1 2 ) ity of some theoretical general con
Though Black is the exchange clusions even in the area of combi
ahead, White has managed to pro national creativity. We will devote
voke some complications , Black the next chapter to this question.
34
Chapter Six
About the Theory of Combinations.

Typical Ideas
At the basis of a combination lies a finally, t o a certain extent, the

creative idea. The birth of an idea methods of combinational think
- this is the frui t of the mind and ing at the chessboard. Concerning
imagination of man. Creative the general theory, it is necessary
thought is impoverished without to include also the tactics of com
inventive fire and a broad outlook, binations , ie. the numerous tech
when it is usually unable to create nical methods which allow the full
deep , original ideas , beautiful carrying out of combinational
creative forms. plans.
The question arises as to There exist rather a lot of parti
whether there exists in the purely cular posi tions , especially those
creative role of chess art, in i ts where both motives and themes
combinational area, a theory simi are of the same type . In such
lar to, let us say, the virtually positions also combinational ideas
immutable theory of the endgame come to be of the same type
( rule of the square , opposition, ( usually ) . This offers a possibility
etc. ) or the theory of the opening of constructing a method of gene
where there is absoluely no need to ralising the theory of a number of
provide proof of the uselessness (at combinations , which can be boldly
least ! ) of such opening moves as 1 called typical combinations. Let us
g4 , 1 h4, 1 . . . h 5 , 1 . . . g5 and look at one of these typical combi
possibly some others as wel l ? Of nations in detail.
course it exists. There is a general Theoretically the scheme of it is
theory of combinations, there exist like this:
also successful general conclusions
of combinational practice , a fami
liarity with which allows every
chessplayer to find a correct com
binational reference point in many
positions.
Concerning the general theory
of combinations , above all, is its
definition, an analysis of the ele
ments of which it is made up, and
35
The pre-requisite for the combi how this well known combinational
nation ( its motive) is the weakness scheme, which first saw the light of
of the h 7 point , defended only by day about 300 years ago, nevertheless
the king, and the ready for attack finds itself being carried out also in
( i . e . successful deployment) White crucial games in international
knight, queen and bishop. The tournaments of the 20th century.
technique of the combination does
not look complicated. By means of Queen's Gambit
a bishop sacrifice on h 7 , White White : K.Schlechter
exposes the position of the king, Black: H.Wolf
challenges i t on h 7 by a knight International Tournament
check, and sets Black an unplea (Ostende 1 905 )
sant choice, whether to advance 1 d4 dS 2 NO Nf6 3 e3 cS 4 c4 e6
the king towards open space, or to S Bd3 Nc6 6 0 .. 0 a6 7 Nc3 dxc4
go back - where it will prove diffi 8 Bxc4 bS 9 Bd3 Bb7
cult, and often an impossible task Apparently already this - an
to repulse the threats of mate. automatic follow up to his 8th move
The solution to the scheme is - is an inaccurate continuation and
thus: leads to early difficulties.
1 Bxh7 + Kxh7 On the other hand, after 9
Though the retreat of the king to ................... cxd4 10 exd4 Nb4 and then
h8 allows White to maintain both Bb 7, Black obtains a good game
his attack and the material advant and thereby proves that White's
age he has gained, this would have opening system is harmless.
been comparatively best . 10 a4! c4?
2 NgS + Kg8 But this raising of the siege
In calculating the combination against the d4 point opens up for
White must examine in detail the White real combinational prospects,
possibility of the advance of the in connection with the advance of
king to h6 or g6. The usual conti the e-pawn. The lesser evil would
nuation of the attack in these cases have been 10 ... b4 1 1 Ne4 cxd4 1 2
is 3 Qg4. Nxf6+ gxf6! 1 3 exd4 Rg8,
3 QhS
This also is a typical posi tion for concentrating counter
exammmg the combinational pressure on the g2 point.
scheme. In order to save himself 1 1 axbS axbS 12 Rxa8 Bxa8 1 3
from immediate mate , Black is Bb l Qb8
forced to move his rook , but then White's advantage consists of
after 4 Qxf7+ White's attack as the fact that he outstrips Black in
sumes a decisive character. development, and that the latter,
The following game illustrates strictly speaking , already has no
36
time to secure castling for himself. ( early 1 7th century ) .

14 e4! 1 9 Bxh7 Kxh7
Exactly ! White intends to re He cannot refuse the "Greek
move the Black knight from f6 and gift". An even quicker catastrophe
thereby deprive the h 7 point of ensues after 19 . . . Kh8 20 Ng5 g6
defence. If Black castles, it would 2 1 Qf3 Nf5 22 Bxg6.
be possible to carry out the scheme , 20 Ng5 + Kg6
which we have looked at, by means The best, but insufficient,
of a bishop sacrifice on h 7 . defensive resource. On 20 . . Kg8
14 ••• Be7 follows , according to the scheme,
Black meets the danger half 2 1 Qh5 Re8 22 Qxf7 + Kh8 23 f4 ,
way. He should play 1 4 . . . Nb4, with the irresistible threat of Rf3 .
but, clearly, it is also not easy to If, however, 22 . . . Kh6 , then 23
play with the k ing in the centre. Qg4 Qc8 24 Qh4 + Kg6 2 5 Qh7 +
1 5 Bg5 0 .. 0 Kxg5 26 f4 + Kg4 2 7 Qh3 mate.
After this everything goes 2 1 Qg4 £5
"swimmingly". It is hard to believe N o help either is 2 1 . . . f6 , on
that Wolf forgot about the b ishop which, as also in the game , would
sacrifice on h 7. Perhaps, it seemed have followed 22 exf6. However
to him that, in the present concrete the threat of N e6 + cannot be re
conditions, a defence would turn pulsed in any other way.
up for Black. If this is so then he fell 22 exf6 gxf6
victim to unj ustified optimism. Or 22 . . . Rxf6 23 Ne6 + Kf7 24
16 e5 Nd5 1 7 Nxd5 exd5 1 8 Qxg 7 + Kxe6 25 Re l + .
Bxe7 Nxe7 2 3 Ne6 + Kf7 24 Qg7 + Kxe6 2 5
Re l + Kf5 26 Qh7 + Kg5 2 7
Rxe7
Mate is forced by means of 2 7
h4 + Kg4 ( 2 7 . . . Kf4 2 8 Qh6 + ) 28
f3 + Kg3 29 Qg7 + and Qg4 mate.
27 Rg8 28 Re3 b4 29 Rg3 +
•••
Qxg3 30 Qxg8 + Black resigned

Let us examine one more colour
ful , game on the same theme.
Queen's Gambit
It cannot be doubted that Sch White: G.Salve
lechter envisaged this position in Black: M. Vidmar
making his 1 4th move. There fol International Tournament
lows a typical combination, well ( Petersburg 1 909)
known from the time of G reca 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c5 4 e3
37
Nf6 5 NO Ne6 6 a3 Bd6 7 dxeS play either 1 7 cxd5 or at first 1 7

BxeS 8 b4 Bd6 9 Bb2 0 .. 0 10 Bd3 Bxf6 Qxf6 and then 1 8 cxd5 . The
as ! 1 1 bS NeS complications develop in White's
Black's combinational plan be favour thanks to the precarious
comes clear. He will exchange position of the Black bishop on c 7 ,
White's knight, which prevents for example, 1 7 cxd5 N xd5 ( if 1 7
the realisation of the idea of the . . . exd5 , then 1 8 Bxf6) 1 8 Qc2 g6
bishop sacrifice on h 2 . (or 1 8 . . . h6) 1 9 e4 Nf4 20 Qxc7
12 NxeS BxeS 1 3 Qe2 Qe7 1 4 Qxc 7 2 1 Rxc7 N xd3 22 N xb6 Rb8
0 .. 0 b 6 1 5 Na4 Be7 1 6 Rac 1 23 Bf6 (or N xc8 etc ) .
White does not stand badly and 1 7 . . . bxeS 1 8 NxeS Bd6 1 9 Qe2
has chances to seize the initiative eS 20 a4
after carrying out the break c5 . On 20 h3 could follow 20 . . .
However, he should keep under ob Bxh3 2 1 gxh3 Rac8
servation the situation on the 20 ... Bg4!
king's flank, where in the weakness Black threatens 2 1 . . . Rac8 2 2
of the h2 point is contained a Ba3 N d 7 .
typical combinational motive with 2 1 Nb3 Rae8 22 Qb l e 4 23
the bishop sacrifice on h 2 . Be2
1 6 . . . Rd8 It was possible to play 23 Bxf6 ,
b u t after 23 . . . Qxf6 2 4 Rxc8 Rxc8
25 Bc2 Qh6 26 h3 Bxh3 on 26 g3
Qh3 White's time would also be
up.
23 ... Be2 24 Rfe l
Also now, if 24 Bxf6 , then 24 . . .
Qxf6 2 5 Rfe 1 Bf3 ! White cannot
save himself.
1 7 cS
Routinely and non-concretely
played. Firstly White achieves no
thing from this break and , at the
same time , opens a way for Black to
attack the king's flank in connec
tion with the advance of the e
pawn.
I nstead of his last, rather hasty At last all the pre-requisites have
"attacking" move , White should been created for a combination
38
with the sacrifice of a bishop on h2 encountered earlier. Here is an

and subsequent attack with the example from the practice of that
queen and knight on the White great chessplayer.
king , helped out of the "fortress".
24 ... Bxh2 + ! 25 Kxh2 Ng4 + 26
Kh3 Rd6
The rook is also included in the
attack.
27 Bxe4 Rh6 + 28 Kg3 Qh4 + 29
Kf4 Qh2 + and mates in 4 moves.
White resigned.
A typical combinational idea
can be considered the exploitation
of a king locked in by its own
pawns ( motive) to achieve a decis The diagram features the posi
ive material or positional advant tion after the 1 8th move in the
age , while at other times even a game Morphy..Mongredien
forced mate. The main idea in ( Match , Paris 1 8 5 9 ) . The sharp
such combinations is to strive to combinational sight of Morphy
divert , from the defence of the first perceived here a beautiful combi
or last rank ( depending on whether nation on the theme of double
the initiator is White or Black) , attack, as a motive for which ser
the enemy pieces covering it. The ves the locked-in position of the
themes of such combinations can Black king and the undefended
be various , but more often than state of his bishop on b 7 . There
any other is met the theme of followed: 1 9 Nxf6 Qxf6 20 Rhfl
double attack , as, for example , in Qd8 2 1 Rxf8 + QxfS 22 QM
the game , Bernstein-Capablanca, and the double attack decided the
with which the reader has already struggle. Interesting further is this
become . acquainted in Chapter 4 . combinational variation: 22 . . .
Both b y this game and b y those Nd7 23 Qxb7 Rb8 24 Qxc 7 Qb4
given below one can also be con 25 Bb5 axb5 26 Qxb8 + N xb8 2 7
vinced how great an element of Re8 + .
aesthetics is contained in combin I n the 1 0th game of the match,
tions of this type , despite the fact TalTasch..Lasker (Munich 1 908 ) ,
that to a considerable extent they White cleverly exploited the lock
have now already become the pro in position of Lasker's king and
perty of theory . The history of this won a pawn in a situation which
combination takes us back at least was very favourable for him. After
to the time of Morphy, but it is Black's 24th move, the game
highly probable that it was also reached the following position.
39
There is only one reply for

Black.
25 ... Qg6 26 Bf4 Re6 27 Bxd6
Qh5
A combinational "trap". On 28
Be5 ? Black wins the game after 28
. . . Qxd I + 29 Rxd I Rxd I + 30 Kh2
Rg6 . Undoubtedly better was 2 7 . . .
h5 , a move pointed out by Lasker,
but this could only prolong res
istance.
Black has a real positional weak 28 Qg4 Qxg4 29 hxg4 Re4 30
ness - the d6 pawn. White could Bxc5 Rxd2 3 1 Rxd2 h5 32 Rd6
win it at once , by continuing 25 Black resigned.
Bf4 Re I + 26 Rxe I Qxe I + 27 Kh2 , The following game represents a
and the d6 pawn i s lost. 2 7 . . . d 5 is c lassic example of the exploitation
bad in view of 28 Be5 g6 29 Qg5 of the locked-in position of a king
Re8 30 Bf6 with the threats of Qh6 as a leit-motiJ of a combination.
and cxd5 . However, Lasker pro
bably reckoned in this variation, Philidor Defence
instead of 2 7 . . . d5 , on playing White: Z.Adams
simply 2 7 . . . Qe6 28 Bxd6 Qg6 , Black: C.Torre
and Black, thanks to the opposite (New Orleans 1920)
coloured bishops, obtains chances 1 e4 e5 2 NO d6 3 d4 exd4
of a draw. If we set the opening task of the
This, however, was obviously struggle to be influence in the cen
foreseen also by Tarrasch. He tre , and it is well-known that this is
steered clear of the "drawing" reef an appropriate question , then he
and , exploiting the locked-in posi should of course prefer 3 . . . Nf6
tion of the Black king, found a here. Though the exchange made
combinational decision, leading by Black does not lead to clearly
quickly to victory . There fol bad consequences, it simply makes
lowed: it easier for White to draw up a plan
2 5 Bh6! of play.
Threatening no more , no less 4 Qxd4 Nc6
than mate, and preparing, in the Some players would now prefer 4
event of 25 . . . Qxh6 , the decisive . . . Bd7 , so as to then play . . . Nc6
combinational blow 26 Qxe 5 . with tempo, but this particular and
Black also cannot play now 2 5 . . . rather intangible consideration
Re I + 26 Rxe I Qxe I + 2 7 Kh2 g6 cannot serve here as a basis for
28 Qc3 , and mate is inevitable. criticism of the continuation cho-
40
sen by Black. On 4 . . . Bd7 White possession of the initiative.

would have replied 5 Bg5 N c6 6 16 Rae l Qd7 17 Bxf6
QdZ , and the possession of a base From a narrow positional point
on d5 means he still retains the of view, this does not look like a
better position. 4 . . . Qf6 is worth particularly successful operation,
considering. but . . . this is the beginning of a
5 Bb5 Bd7 6 Bxe6 Bxe6 7 Ne3 pre-requisite for the combination .
Nf6 8 0-0 Be7 9 Nd5 17 000 Bxf6
The position after the 8 th move Black could still have rid himself
had already been met in tourna of the terrible combinational
ment practice. Thus , Pills bury , "scourge", by playing 16 . . . gxf6 ,
against Blackburne in the London after which the combination 1 7
international tournament 1 899, Rxe 7 is not possible, ie. 1 7 . . .
now played 9 b3 , which probably Qxe7 ( but not 1 7 . . . Rxe7 1 8 Rxe7
gives White more chance of attack. Qxe 7 1 9 Qg4+ ) 1 8 Rxe 7 ? Re I +
9 000 Bxd5 10 exd5 0-0 1 1 Bg5 and Black mates. On 1 6 . . . gxf6
On the basis of his initiative , White should play 1 7 h3 , threaten
White strives to exert pressure on ing the indicated combination. If
the only open e-file , in order to then 1 7 . . . Rc7, there follows 18 g4
exploit his better development and and , after the manoeuvre Nh4-f5 ,
territorial advantage in the centre. Black finds himself in a hopeless
There is also nothing else for situation.
White. This plan arises from the
spirit of the position.
11 e6 12 e4 exd5 13 exd5 Re8
000
14 Rfe l as 1 5 Re2 Re8

A fatal mistake , allowing White
to carry out a very beautiful combi
nation which goes into chess hi
story a a brilliant example of the
exploitation of the motive of a king
blocked in by its own pawns. Black
ought to "open a vent", i . e . play 1 5
. . . h6 an thereby eliminate the 1 8 Qg4!
motive and as a consequence the White's double attack on the
theme of double attack - the two rook on e8 will force Black to keep
main elements of the combination , his rook on c8 also under the
which create the combinational defence of two pieces - queen and
idea. I t should , however, be noted rook. It is enough for White to
that also after 1 5 . . . h6 16 BdZ and deflect the queen from the a4-e8
then 1 7 Bc3 , White has firm diagonal or the rook from the last
41
rank, and mate by Rxe8, to Black resigned.

demonstrate distinctly the theme Combinations , motivated by the
of the combination. locked-in position of the enemy
Repeated applications of the king are frequently met in the
technical method of diversion of creative work of chessplayers . Here
the opponent's queen from the e8 are some examples. The diagram
point in the end achieves the ob posltlon is from the game
jective. Black finds himself faced N .Pavlov..Romanovsky, after
with a depressing alternative , White's 20th move .
whether t o lose the queen or be
mated.
The external idea of removing
the queen from the a4-e8 diagonal
is very nerve- racking. White's
queen itself is left undefended and
invulnerable , twice is placed en
prise to both Black's heavy pieces .
This combination goes into the hi
story of chess art as producing one
of the most aesthetic impressions.
1 8 ... Qb5 Black has a small advantage in
N ow Black even threatens the the centre , but his queen's flank is
winning move . . . Qxe 2 , but there weak. It is true that White's queen
follows . . . is in unpleasant opposition to the
1 9 Qc4! Black rook, but this circumstance is
Brilliant, but the following move of little significance here . After . . .
of the combination is perhaps even Re7 or . . . Qd7 this opposition
more striking. might possibly produce real threats,
19 ... Qd7 but the fact of the matter is that
Obviously the only move . White could himself play 2 1 Qa6 !
20 Qc7 ! Qb5 2 1 a4! Black has nothing better than 2 1
Not at once 2 1 Qxb 7 ? in view of . . . Bxg3 2 2 hxg3 Ne5 , after which
. . . Qxe 2 . White could take the pawn on a 7 .
2 1 ... Qxa4 2 2 Re4 Qb5 23 Black's small initiative hardly com
Qxb7 pensates for the loss he has suffered .
A fourth "sacrifice" of the queen However, White played
to conclude the combination. 2 1 Qd3 ?
Black's queen cannot stay on the motivated by the variation 2 1
a4-e8 diagonal, which is a necess Qxd3 2 2 Rxd3 Bxg3 2 3 Rxe8 +
ary condition for continuing the Rxe8 24 hxg3 Re 1 + 25 Kh2 Re2
struggle. 26 Rd2 , securing him a draw.
42
Nevertheless also in this variation for the present not very active.
he is mistaken. Instead of 25 . . . This contrast between a superficial
Re2 , Black maintains the better placement of rooks and their actual
chances in the endgame after 25 . . . role is a testimony to a deep combi
Ne5 ! due to the bad position of the national plan. The combination
White king. However, other unfolded like this:
moves are worse for White. After
2 1 Qd3 ? a combinational possibil
ity arises for Black which is based
on the locked-in position of the
White king. A good example of
how a not very real motive , but
nevertheless one which potentialy
exists, suddenly becomes a decisive
factor in the struggle. There fol
lowed:
2 1 ... Qxd3 22 Rxd3 Bxc3 !
and Black has an extra pawn and a 24 ... Bxf5 !
strong central group of pawns ; this A sacrifice which diverts the
advantage was realised without dif White rook from the first rank.
ficulty in the endgame . 2 5 Bxf5 NxfS 26 Rxf5 Red8 2 7
An elegant, deeply-calculated Qc4 Rac8 2 8 Qe2 Rxc2 2 9 Qxc2
and subtle combination was carried Qc8!
out by Black in the game, N ow the theme of the combina
Novotelinov.. Rovner ( Moscow tion is illustrated - double attack on
1946 , Semi-final of the 1 5 th USSR c 2 and f5 . White cannot parry this
Championship ) . In the diagram it blow and loses a rook. Novoteli..
is Black's 24th move. nov resigned.
It is hard to believe, look ing at A very brilliant combinational
the construction of this position attack was conducted by Tal
that the motive - locked in position against Lehmann in the match
of the White king - can already be USSR v West Germany, 1 960 ,
realised with an excellent combi where White's idea, which Tal
nation on the theme of double at played , is based on, or rather ensues
tack and the idea of diverting Whi from, the motive - the locked-in
te's pieces from defence of the first position of the king. Lehmann de
rank. He should set off the obliga fended himself quite ingeniously,
tory and dec isive part in the combi but he could not do anything
nation played by the rooks ( as also against the subtle and accurate
in all such combinations ) , the posi exploitation by Tal of the above
tions of which in the diagram are mentioned minus in the Black
43
king's posltton. After the 24th 26 Rxf8 + RxfS 27 Re6!

move this game reached the follow Black cannot defend the a6
ing position. pawn and , in addition, he must
worry about repulsing the threat of
the invasion of the White knight.
27 Qf4 28 Rxa6 Qc l + 29
•..
Kh2 Qf4 + 30 g3 !
Again a little combination on
the motive of "the suffocated
king".
30 ... Qc4 3 1 Qd2
White's knight is invulnerable,
he has an extra pawn and the ini
tiative; White's final attack,
White's queen is under attack however, deserves attention.
and his knight tied down to neceSs 31 ••• Nb7 3 2 Ra7 Nc5 33 Ne5
ary cover of the f2 point. However Qft
on the board are many open files , The queen moves out of play,
on which heavy p ieces operate, and which makes White's attack easier.
Black has a locked-in king. This Best now was 3 3 . . . Qe6 .
combinational motive prompts Tal 34 Rf7
to a beautiful solution to the pro The other way is 34 N f7 + Kg8
blem. 3 5 N h6 + Kh8 36 Rf7 N e6 3 7 Qf4
25 Rf4 ! Rxf7 3 8 Qxf7 gxh6 39 Qf6 + etc.
W hite now threatens a very 34 ... Ne6
dangerous attack after 26 Ng5 . On 34 . . . Rc8 , White wins
25 .•• QM quickly after 35 Qd5 , with the
Beautiful, but insufficient to threats Qxc5 and Rf8 + !
repulse the attack. Relatively best 3 5 Rxf8 + NxfS 36 Qf4 Ne6
was 25 . . . h6 , forcing White into Or 36 . . . Ng6 3 7 Qf7
Rxf8 + and opening an airway for 3 7 Qf7 h6 38 Ng6 + Kh7 39 Ne7
the king. On 2 5 . . h6 would have Black resigned.
probably followed 26 Rxf8 + Rxf8 On 39 . . . Qxh3 + follows 40 Kg 1
2 7 Qd6 with attacks on f8 and a6. If h5 4 1 Nf5 winning the knight.
27 . . . Qf6 , then 28 Re6 and White
maintains the initiative. Beautiful The question sometimes arises
is this possible variation: 28 . . . why the side, fin,ding itself the ob
Qal + 29 Kh2 Qxa2 3 0 Rxh6 + ! j ect of a combination based on the
gxh6 3 1 Qxh6 + Kg8 3 2 Qg6 + Kh8 motive "locked-in position of the
33 Ng5 , and there is no saving king", in anticipation of a possible
Black from mate. combination, does not make, in
44
good time , one of the prophylactic manage , because of the sharp pro
moves . . . g6 or . . . h6. The reply to cess of events , to find time to open
this rather naive question could be an "air-vent". From the examples
formulated in approximately the presented it can be seen that even
following way: in the chess struggle grandmasters become v ictims of
the element of time , measurable by the theoretical combinations
moves or temp i , plays a very signifi which we have looked at.
cant role and one should n o t make Let us consider now one further
moves "just to be on the safe side", theoretical continuation which
moves with a motivation which periodically finds i tself a place in
"does not seem to surface" . There contemporary practice. The ques
fore the moves . . . g6 or . . . h6 , tion concerns the sacrifice of a
motivated only by the considera knight for two pawns in the follow
tion that otherwise the king finds ing situations.
itself locked in by i ts own pawns ,
cannot be regarded as expedient.
Such abstract prophylactics essen
tially can be, and actually often
are, a wrongful waste of precious
time. Besides this, the moves . . . g6
and . . . h6 ( g3 , h3 ) lead to a wea
kening of the castled position and,
as we see later, can lead to the
creation of new combinational
motives. You see , the motive
"locked-in posi tion of the king", as
in any other motive, needs to be
looked at not abstractly, but creat
ively, i . e . according to the general
conditions of the struggle. In other
condi tions a locked- in position of
the king is a plus, since i t ensures
safety, and it does not serve at all as
a motive for a combination by the
opponent. Thus a master never White continues 1 Nxg5 ( in the
makes the moves h3 or g3 j ust for other diagram correspondingly 1 . . .
the sake of prophylaxis, not really N g4 ) and afterl •••bxg5 2 Bxg5
existing, threats . At the same time , renews the pin of the knight f6 ( for
increasing combinational tension Black - the knight f3 ) .
can make these moves extremely Moreover, by exploiting the
necessary and one may not always open position of the Black ( White)
45
king, White obtains the possibility makes three moves with the king's
of holding on to a strong initiative bishop Bc4-b5 xc6 , j ust to
for a long time. A high standard of exchange it for a knight which has
defence is required from the made one move. No way can such
defending side in order to avoid an expenditure of time, right in the
defeat. If there were such cases in opening stage, be recommended ,
the history of this combination, but White's sin lay in 7 Bb5 .
they were considerably rarer than 8 ... Nd4!
the successful conclusion of the at N ow the bishop on b5 finds itself
tack by the initiator of the sa isolated from the main area of the
crifice. struggle , while the problem of the
The illustrations given below pinned knight on f3 arises with new
show how the attack develops force .
when this combination is carried 9 Bxd4 Bxd4 1 0 h3 BhS 1 1
out. g4?
White's position is worse , but
Italian Game there was no basis for such a provo
White : G.Salve cative form of action. He could
Black: M.Chigorin contend with the pin of the knight
3rd All-Russian tournament, by continuing 1 1 Qe2 and prepar
(Moscow 1903) ing the transfer of the knight, Nd l
1 e4 eS 2 NfJ Ne6 3 Be4 BeS 4 e3 . In the event of 1 1 . . . Bxc3 1 2
d3 Nf6 S Nc3 d6 6 0.. 0 Bg4 bxc3 White manages to liberate the
Black threatens the move . . . knight by Qe3 , but Black main
Nd4, which also follows even on 7 tains a positional advantage also in
Be3 . Meanwhile the pin of the this case after 1 1 Qe2 c6 ! 1 2 Bc4
knight on f3 hampers White . It was Bxc3 1 3 bxc3 d5 14 Bb3 Qa5 .
possible to play 7 h3 Bh5 8 Bg5 , in Now follows the combination
his turn threatening also the moves which we saw in the theoretical
g4 and Nd5 . After 8 . . . h6 9 Bxf6 scheme .
Qxf6 1 0 Nd5 Qd8 1 1 c3 White has
a fully satisfactory game .
The way chosen by Salve pre
vents the immediate threat ( . . .
Nd4) but does not solve the car
dinal question about the pin of the
knight. This is its weak side.
7 BbS? 0 .. 0 8 Be3
8 Bxc6 was more consistent, but,
in this case , arithmetic would have
its way. It turns out that White
46
1 1 ... Bxc3 notice some resemblance o f open

Possible was also an immediate ing plans. Both Salve and Maroczy
1 1 . . . N xg4 1 2 N xd4 exd4 1 3 Nd5 refrained from an immediate attack
(Of course , not 13 hxg4 dxc3 1 1 in the centre ( d4 ) . For both, the
gxh5 cxb2 1 5 Rb 1 Qg5 + and . . . white-squared bishops , deployed
Qxb5 ) 1 3 . . . Ne3 ! 1 4 Qxh5 N xfl on the queen's flank, turned out to
1 5 Rxfl c6 or 1 5 Ba4 c6 16 Nf4 be not very active pieces . The
Nd2 ! and Black, threatening both player of the Black pieces in these
. . . b5 and . . . Qg5 + ! retains an games reacted to this slow form of
extra exchange. activity with a pin of the knight on
12 bxc3 Ng4 13 hxg4 Bxg4 f3 ( Bg4) and , after h3 and g4 , with
This can be called a theoretical a sacrifice of a knight on g4 . Thus
position. However if the queen we observe that a quiet, "solid" me
were on e2 or the king on h I , thod of operation, pretending only
White would have obtained the to fortify the centre ( d3 ) , but not
possibility to dispute the correct containing an ounce of initiative ,
ness of the knight sacrifice , in the does not prevent, but more quickly
first case by Qe3 , in the second Rg 1 facilitates, the creation of combi
- see the game N imzovich-Marshall national plans from the opponent's
below. However, in the present side.
theoretical structure , the threat . . . Taking the opportunity, we the
f5 makes Black's attack irre refore want to repeat once again
sistible. the advice which we systematically
14 d4! illustrate in the pages of this book:
So as, by playing 1 5 Be2 unpinn the best way to prevent a combina
ing the knight, to endeavour to tional initiative by the opponent is
repulse the attack. by one's own activity. Both Salve
14 ... f5 15 Be2 fxe4 16 Nd2 and Maroczy sinned greatly in this
This retreat of the knight respect and a fully deserved punish
hastens his downfall, but also after ment befell them.
1 6 Nh2 Bh3 1 7 Kh 1 Bxfl 1 8 Qxfl
Qh4 1 5 Kg 1 Rf6 , White would not Spanish Game
be able to save the game. White : G.Maroczv
16 ... Bxe2 1 7 Qxe2 Qg5 + 1 8 Black: D.Janowski
Kh l Rf4 White resigned. (International tournament at Ostende
In the game Maroczy-J anowski , 1905)
Black's sacrifice o f a knight o n g4 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4
was carried out in considerably Ba4 Nf6 5 d3
more complicted conditions. Com Besides this very quiet continua
paring the opening stage of both tion, White has at least three ac t
games , ' it will not be difficult to- ive possibilities: 5 d4 , 5 Bxc6 , 5
47
0-0. One cannot ignore also such troublesome pin.

moves as 5 Nc3 and 5 Qe2 , which 14 .•• 0 ..0 15 Re i e5 !
likewise m ight provide a basis for N ow Black seizes the initiative.
the organisation of active play in I t is unfavourable for White to
the centre. exchange on cS , and he is forced to
The motive of the "solid" move advance the attacked pawn. But
chosen by Maroczy can be sought in then Black obtains the important
various directions, even in the eS square for his knight, while in
tournament standings at the mo addition to this he has a mobile ,
ment the present game was played. active group of pawns on the
To all appearances, Maroczy did queen's flank - three against two.
not strive for a sharpening of the In the light of developing
game against a temperamental op events, the pin on f3 becomes all
ponent. the more and more tiresome.
5 .•• Be5 6 0 .. 0 d6 7 Be3 16 d5 Ba5 !
After appropriate preparation, Black frees the advance of the
White nevertheless intends to c-pawn, pins the second White
begin an advance in the centre and knight and finally creates a direct
play d4. threat . . . N xe4 ( if, on this, BgS ,
7 ... b5 8 Bb3 Bg4 then . . . QxgS ! ) .
A pin which weakens the 1 7 Be2 Nbd7 1 8 h3 Bh5 1 9
strength of White's pressure after Bf4
d4. On the other hand , Black pro On 1 9 g4 would have followed
vokes White into h3 and g4. Pro the combination 1 9 . . . N xg4 20
tracted manoeuvring is required to hxg4 Bxg4 and already he cannot
rid himself of the pin in any other plan now 2 1 Bf4 , in view of 2 1 . . .
way, and , with the active deploy Bxd2 2 2 Bxd2 N e S .
ment of Black's p ieces, this would 19 •.. e 4 20 Re3 Bb6 2 1 Re i
be dangerous. White is orientated The rook manoeuvre pursues the
towards the advance d4 , and this is aim of freeing the knight on d2
correct. However, in this light, from the pin. It goes without saying
White's 5 th move must be subj ect that White agrees to a repetition of
to criticism. moves.
9 c3 Qe7 10 Nbd2 Rd8 I I Bd5 21 ••. Ne5 ! 22 Bxe5
Nb8 1 2 d4 exd4! He cannot endure the knight on
A sharp and far-sighted reply. e S , but now the Black bishop on b6
13 exd4 Bb6 14 Bb3 becomes a doubly threatening
Timidly played ! There is no need piece.
for White to fear the capture on dS . 22 •.. dxe5 2 3 g4
It would have been useful to play 1 4 This move is not in accord with
Qc2 , i n order t o rid himself of the White's careful, circumspect play
48
in this game. I t is not based on the would have probably played 23 . . .

conviction that White can refute Bg6 .
the attack after . . . N xg4 ; Maroczy , 24 hxg4 Bxg4 25 Kg2 Rd6 26
apparently, simply came to the Rg I Rf6 27 Qe l
conclusion that his position was Obviously in order to include the
unsatisfactory and the best chance bishop in the defence of the f3
of saving the game was to try to point, via d 1 . On 2 7 Kfl , which
provoke the opponent into a piece looks better, could follow 27 . . .
sacrifice. It seems to us that to a h5 .
certain extent he is right. After 23 27 .•. Rf4!
Nfl Bg6 24 Ng3 NhS ( . . . N e8-d6 is White has no defence against 28
stronger) 2 5 N xh5 Bxh5 26 g4 Bg6 , . . . f5 29 exf5 Bxf3 + 30 Nxf3 e4.
White would have got into a very 28 Kfl Bxf3 29 Nxf3 Rxf3 30
difficult position . Rg2 Qh4 31 Kg I
From the point of view of this Or 3 1 Ke2 Qh5 and Black
psychological moment, the move wins.
23 g4 can be regarded as almost a 3 1 ... Rh3 White resigned.
forced continuation. In both the games we have
given, the knight sacrifice proved
to be j ustified , but the conclusion
should not be drawn from this that
the idea of unpinning the knight by
h3 and g4 ( . . . h6 and . . . g5 ) is faul
ty. The unpinning of the knight
requires preparation , which Salve
and Maroczy did not manage to
carry out. In the following
examples we see how the knight
sacrifice on g4 suffers a fiasco.
23 •.• Nxg4
We do not give this move an Four Knights Game
exclamation mark for the simple White: Nim%ovich
reason that equally good would Black: Marshall
have been the simple . . . Bg6 with (San Sebastian 19 12)
the threat . . . h5. If 24 Nh4, then 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4
24 . . . N xd5 25 N xg6 fxg6 26 exd5 Bb5 BM 5 0 ..0 0 ..0 6 Bxc6 dxc6
Rxf2 with an irresistible attack. 7 d3 Bg4 8 h3 Bh5
With his style of play, J anowski (See diagram next page)
could not choose this way. 9 Kh l !
However, Rubinstein or Sch A preparatory move ! If at once 9
lechter and even Capablanca g4, then 9 . . . N xg4 1 0 hxg4 Bxg4
49
White's hands.
1 1 hxg4 Bxg4 1 2 Rg l Qg6
On 1 2 . . . f5 , White would have
played simply 1 3 exf5 . Now,
however, Black threatens a check
on h5 , and White's reply, strictly
speaking, is forced.
13 Rxg4
1 3 Rg3 is dangerous, in view of
1 3 . . . Qh5 + 1 4 Kg2 Bxc3 1 5 bxc3
and Black's attack is highly dange f5 and White's defence becomes
rous s ince . . . f5 is threatened. difficult.
9 ••• Qd6 13 ••• Qxg4 14 Nh2 Qxd l + 1 5
Black cannot prevent the move Nxd l
g4 , after which White would threa Black has rook and two pawns for
ten the active knight manoeuvre - two knights, which at worst can be
Ne2 -g3-f5 . N imzovich time and regarded as material equality for
again successfully carried out this him. Consequently, also in this
plan in his practice. Therefore , in game the knight sacrifice j ustifies
stead of the queen move which has i tself, but since Black nevertheless
very obscure aims, Marshall should loses this game , we will give a few
play 9 . . . Bxc3 and then . . . N d 7 , more moves here.
with a future transfer o f t h e knight 15 ••• fS ?
to e6 , after . . . Re8. In an excellent position , Black
10 g4 surprisingly gives himself an iso
If N imzovich had thought that lated pawn, but the main thing is
the knight sacrifice on g4 was that a strong piece base on e4 is set
dangerous for him, then he would up for the opponent's knights . And
have played the preliminary 1 0 all this for a shadowy attack on the
Rg 1 . From the point of view of the f2 pawn , while possibly also even
consistent carrying out of the plan, with a dream of once again creating
this was also the most expedient threats to the king. As a result of
continuation. Black's thoughtless move , the ini
10 ••• Nxg4 tiative passes to White.
Even with the king on h I , Black 16 exfS RxfS 1 7 Be3 RafS
does not risk much by sacrificing Also now Black could still put up
the knight for two pawns. Restora serious resistance by 1 7 . . . h5 , and
tion of material equality was , in any if 1 8 Nfl , then 1 8 . . . h4. Instead of
event, assured for him. On the this , he makes a routine move ,
other hand , after 1 0 . . . Bg6 1 1 Ne2 White's knight gets to e4 without
the initiative would find itself in hindrance , and his advantage be-
50
comes decisive. 2 6 Rxf7 + KgS 2 7 Rg7 + KhS 2S

IS Nfl Rh5 + 19 Kg2 Rh4 20 Rxb7 + KgS 29 Rg7 + KhS 30
Ng3 h5? 2 1 f3 Rg5 + Kh7 3 1 Rxh5 Kg6 32 Rh3
On top of everything, Black has Kxf6 33 Rxh6 +
further entangled his rook. And White easily exploited his
21 000 Be7 2 2 Ne4 extra pawns. This combination is
Black was soon forced to give up so effective in its results and so
the exchange , but only laid down striking in its form, that it forces a
his arms on the 46th move. player to be extremely alert with
We have examined three types regard to his g7 square (or g 2 ) when
of theoretical combination, but the there is a combinational attack of
theory of combinations is not bishop and rook. And nevertheless
limited to these. Such themes as the "mill" combination still finds
smothered mate, which we looked itself a place from time to time in
at earlier, are theoretical; also tournament practice.
relating to theoretical combina In the course of the future
tions is the so-called "mill", which chapters of this book , the reader
was carried out in the well-known will come across some more combi
game , Torre-Lasker, played in nations which can, in their con
the international tournament at tent, be placed in the area of theo
Moscow in 1 92 5 . As a scheme, we ry. In general, however, if we
give the end of this game. broach the subject of the inter
relation of theory with the ele
ments of combinations , then it is
possible to say that theoretical in
vestigations and generalisations
come into closest contact with the
motives of combination. There is
almost no motive which has not
been exposed to , and investigated
by, the thoughts of a chessplayer.
Likewise, combinational themes
lend themselves to theoretical in
24 Bf6 Qxh5 25 Rxg7 + KhS vestigation. In return, in respect of
Now the rook, by repeated disco ideas , theory still cannot say a great
vered checks from the g7 square , deal.
wins back the sacrificed material If it has been possible to gene
with interest. This combinational ralise and somehow classify certain
form of harmony in the action of ideas , then thousands of them re
rook and bishop is given the gra main outside the orbit of theory,
phic name of "the mill". since repetition of ideas is rare.
51
Chapter Seven
History of Combinations. The Immortal Game.

Masterpieces of the End of the 1 9th Century.
Up to the 1 9th century and in the weapons, these had to b e conside

first 30-35 years of the 1 9th cen rably improved and perfected. This
tury , combinations were the basic process of renewal came to be
creative method in the chess noticed particularly brilliantly, in
struggle. Even Phi lidor, pioneer of approximately the middle of the
the first positional thought, was 1 9th century , i . e . roughly from the
essentially a brilliant exponent of first international tournament
combinational methods of play. which took place in London 1 85 1 .
Only in the 40's did the develop This tournament proceeded under
ment of chess thought lead to the the banner of positional play and
introduction into the chess process neither the brilliant combinational
of many notions about positional thoughts of its winner, the
play , play with a p lan based on outstanding master of the German
these notions . Masters of this time , chess school, Adolf Anderssen,
in the first p lace the Englishmen, nor the elegant, bold play of the
Staunton, Wyvill, Williams, and Hungarian Szen, could change the
then also the Germans , Lasa, Bil positional background of the tour
guer and, somewhat later, L . Paul nament, guarded by such pillars of
sen, proved to be knowledgeable English chess as Staunton, Wil
and subtle apologists of positional liams and Wyvill. These three also
principles in practical play. occupied the next places to An
However, all of them at the same derssen in the tournament. And
time inherited the historical line this occurred even despite the fact
and were first-class exponents of that the introduction to the tour
combinational creativity. Combin nament was a stunning combina
ing the latter with positional prin tion. We are referring to the game,
c iples, they possessed weapons Anderssen-Kieseritsky, played on
against which the representatives the eve of the tournament and
of chess art , for whom the concept which, in the history of chess , is
"chess game" was equivalent to the called the "Immortal Game". I t is
concept "combinational play" , precisely this game which we
proved powerless. In order to win choose as a starting point for
from now on with combinational expounding the h istory of combi-
52
nation in the second half of the o f an advantage for White i n this

1 9th century . It is useful for the variation, then it is only an insigni
reader to know that in many publi ficant one.
cations the text of the game is 7 d3 Nh5
given incorrectly ( the text-books of Black threatens a check on g3 .
Euwe, Reti and Em. Lasker, the Now 8 Kg 1 is bad in view of . . .
magazine Shakhmaty by N. I. G re Qb6 + ; however no worse than the
kov) , with a wrong order of moves. continuation chosen bY .Anderssen
It should also be taken into account was 8 Rg l .
that this game , which lasted about 8 Nh4 Qg5
1 112 hours , ought to be c lassed as a A double attack, reckoning on 9
"casual" game. Thus Anderssen's Nf5 c6 and , on any retreat of the
profound execution of the combi bishop , 10 . . . d5 with an initiative.
national idea deserves, all the Kieseritsky does not take into
more , h igh estimation. account a circumstance which, it is
true , would not be easy to notice
Bishop's Gambit even in a serious game. 8 . . . g6 was
White : A.Anderssen best.
Black: L.Kieseritsky 9 Nf5 c6 10 g4 Nf6
(London 1 85 1) Black also reckoned on this posi
1 e4 e 5 2 f4 exf4 3 Be4 tion. What can White do now ? On
The King's Gambit, at least at 1 1 Ba4 follows 1 1 . . . g6 and then
the time , led to a lively combina . . . N xg4 with an obvious advant
tional game. S ide by side with the age for Black.
Evans Gambit, it was the favourite
opening of Anderssen.
3 ... Qh4 + 4 Kfl b5
This counter-gambit has some
foundation: the White b ishop is di
verted from a strong posi ton to an
undefended square and Black gets
time to develop his queen's bishop .
However the further course of the
struggle turns out so tragically for
Black that neither this nor any
other factor plays any role at all. 1 1 Rg l !
5 Bxb5 Nf6 6 Nf3 Qh6 Chigorin, never very generous
Here the queen is too limited in with his praise , characterised this
its possibilities. More promising rook manoeuvre as a genius -like
looked 6 . . . Qh5 and on 7 Qe2 plan and provided Anderssen's
Qxb5 8 Qxb5 Ba6. If one can speak combinational move with two
53
exclamation marks . A rare event in Black. On 16 . . . Bb7 would have

Chigorin's evaluations ! Anders followed 1 7 N xbS with the threats
sen's idea is indeed very deep and it of Nd6 + and N c 7 + . Relatively
is hard to blame Kieseritsky for not better would be 16 . . . Na6, but also
being able to fathom it out to the in this case the continuation 1 7
end. Bd6 ! with the threat eS , leads to a
11 •.. exb5 decisive attack. 1 7 . . . Bxd6 is
Black has nothing else. If 1 1 . . . clearly not possible in view of 1 8
N xe4, so as, after 1 2 dxe4 , to take NdS QeS 1 9 d4 . If, however, 1 7 . . .
the bishop , then White wins by Bb7 , then 1 8 gS Qe6 1 S N xbS with
continuing 1 3 QdS with a double the irresistible threat N bd4.
threat of taking the rook and winn 1 7 Nd5
ing the queen after Nd6 + . I t is Apart from the above-
interesting that on 1 1 . . . N xe4 mentioned move 1 7 d4 , White
White achieves a win also by means wins here by means of 1 7 Bd6 with
of the simple 1 2 Qe2 , which leads the threats of gS and e S . Black is
to the loss of a p iece for Black ( as a helpless, since , on 1 7 . . . Bxd6,
minimum, since White still holds a again 1 8 NdS is decisive.
dangerous initiative) . 1 7 ... Qxb2 1 8 Bd6!
1 2 h4 Qg6 1 3 h5 Qg5 1 4 Qf3 The best continuation of the at
Ng8 tack, which is sated with combina
For the suffering which fell to tions.
Black's lot, he wants to at least 18 ... Bxg l
maintain the extra material. A The bishop cannot be taken in
legitimate desire ! view of mate in four moves. Nume
1 5 Bxf4 Qf6 1 6 Nc3 Be5 rous commentators of this h istoric
Black cannot defend himself game maintained that after 18 . . .
against the invasion of the knight Qxa 1 + 1 9 Ke2 Qb2 Black obtains
on d S . If, for example , 1 6 . . . N e 7 , chances of saving the game .
then 1 7 Nd6 + Kd8 1 8 e S . Never However, after the simple 20 Kd2
theless Kieseritsky's move is bad , Bxg l 2 1 eS is obtained approxi
since it deprives the g7 pawn of mately the same picture as in the
defence and the more so that the game. White threatens , after 20
simple 1 7 d4 decisively refutes the Kd2 , not only to take the bishop
aggressive intent of the thrust. The but also the deadly Rb 1 . There is
only j ustification for such moves no apparent difference.
can be that they are usually the 19 e5 !
result of a recogni tion of the hope Cutting off the queen from the
lessness of one's position. g7 point ( the method of interfe
Indeed, there does not seem to rence ) and preparing a final sa
be any satisfactory continuation for crifice of the queen.
54
' Chess Middlegame Combinations
19 000 Qxa l + 20 Ke2 24 Nd6 mate or 23 . . . Ke8 2 4

Nd6 + Kf8 2 5 Qxf7 mate i s threa
tened . ) 22 . . Bb6 (or 22 . . . Qc3 23
Bc 7 + Qxc7 24 Nxc7 Kxc 7 25 Qxa8
Bc 5 26 Nd6 Bxd6 27 exd6 + Kc8 28
Qxa 7 ) 23 Qxa8 Qc3 24 Qxb8 +
Qc8 25 Qxc8 + Kxc8 26 Bf8 ! Kb 7
( if 26 . . . Nh6, then 27 Nd6 + Kd8
28 Bxg7 with the three threats of
Bf6 mate , Bxh6 and Bxh8 . On 26
. . . h6 follows 27 Nd6 + Kd8 28
N xf7 + Ke8 29 Nxh8 KxfB 30
Wh ite threatens mate in two Ng6 + Kf7 3 1 Kf3 and the realisa
moves , 2 1 N xg7 + and Bc 7 mate , tion of the extra pawn does not
and mate in three moves, 2 1 present any difficulties here. ) 2 7
Nxg7 + Kd8 2 2 Qf6 + ! N xf6 2 3 Be7 Bxg7 (also leading to a win i s 2 7
mate . Kieseritsky noticed only the N b4 h 6 28 Nd6 + Kb8 2 9 N xf7
first threat, as the more obvious , Rh 7 30 Kf3 , and the king pene
and defended himself only against trates to g6 without hindrance) 2 7
that. . . . Kxa6 2 8 Bxh8 h 6 2 9 g 5 hxg5 3 0
20 000 Na6 h 6 with the win o f the knight.
Defending the c7 square , but And so even upon the best
getting mated from the other side. defence by Kieseritsky, Black's
The best defence was the move 20 game could not have been saved .
. . . Ba6 , pointed out by Steinitz. Anderssen's combinational intui
The idea of the move is to free the tion , aesthetically, considerably
cB square for the king. 20 . . . Bb7 , raises the artistic value of the game.
with the same obj ective , i s unsatis Anderssen created a tru ly immortal
factory in view of 2 1 N xg 7 + Kd8 production of chess art.
22 Qxf7 . On any move of Black's It is interesting that contempo
king's knight, and there are no raries, without mentioning the fact
other ways to defend against the that they worked on a confused
threat of Qe8 mate , White forces text, subj ected Kieseritsky's play to
mate by N e6 + . However, also after criticism when he was already in a
20 . . . Ba6 Black must lose , as losing position, and did not indi
shown by the following analysis, cate what exactly was the original
the basic variation of which be cause of Kieseritsky's defeat.
longs to Chigorin. And so: 20 . . . Black's 6th , 7th and 8th moves
Ba6 2 1 Nc7 + Kd8 2 2 N xa6 ! created difficulties which in the
( Pointed out by Chigorin. Now, end proved to be insurmountable.
apart from 2 3 Qxa8 , 2 3 Bc 7 + Kc8 We give the finale.
55
2 1 Nxg7 + Kd8 22 Qf6 + ! Nxf6 development of positional thought

2 3 Be7 mate concerning the planning of the
game, weaknesses of a position. In
turn the question arose about the
i mprovement of methods of
defence, above all against a combi
national attack. Of course, willy
nilly, Anderssen had to possess ele
ments of positional planning, but
to the end of his life his heart and
soul belonged to combinational
ideas. This led to him losing by a
b ig score in 1 85 8 to the young
A pure economical mate after American Morphy, who possessed
the sacrifice of the queen, two both combinational talent and fine
rooks and bishop, while not one of understanding of the positional
Black's p ieces was subjected to struggle.
banishment from the arena of batt In 1 866 he lost a match to the
le. I n this also lies the immortality young Steinitz, future world cham
of the game. pion. J ust like Morphy , Steinitz
Anderssen's enormous combina possessed great combinational gifts
tional talent won him world fame. and relatively good technical play.
After the game with Kieseritsky Obj ectively, Anderssen at this
soon followed his game with time was stronger than Steinitz , but
Dufresne , which, in accord with he underestimated him and several
the beauty of its concluding combi games , particularly in the middle of
nation , was dubbed "evergreen". In the match, he played too riskily.
a number of other games , An ( The score of the match was +8 -6
derssen succeeded in carrying out in Steinitz's favour) . The name of
many beautiful combinations. T0- Steinitz, future author of teaching
get her with this it should be men about positional play ( see Middle
tioned that Anderssen was no game Planning) , represented , in
longer a son of his time . Here it is the chess world, a brilliant combi
necessary to explain why his sport national player. In the interna
ing glory was comparitively short tional tournament at London
term. Anderssen did not keep pace 1 86 2 , his combination in a game
with the history of chess. Chess against Mongredien ( Black) was
thought was developing intensively highly valued by Anderssen himself
at this time in the direction of the (first prize-winner of the tourna
construction and deepening of ment) .
theory , perfection of technique , Here is this combination:
56
of the combination. The line

which suggests itself, 2 1 Rfl + Ke8
22 Bxg6 + Rxg6 23 Qxg6 + Kd7 ,
does not produce a clear result.
2 1 ... Ke6 2 2 Qh3 + Kf7 23
Rfl + Ke8 24 Qe6 Rg7 2 5 Bg5
Qd7 26 Bxg6 + Rxg6 2 7 Qxg6 +
Kd8 28 Rf8 + Qe8 29 Qxe8
mate.
Steinitz's plan is beautiful both
in content and execution. The pe
riod 1 860- 1 880 represented years of
The diagram posltlon was further development of positional
reached after the 1 5 th move, principles, and combinational
which was preceded by the moves creativity, in its old I talian spirit,
1 5 g4 fxg4 ? Black went half-way to gradually went on the wane. Let us
meeting White's combinational look at a number of combinations ,
plan . He should have played 1 5 . . . carried out in this period, which
Nxe5 1 6 fxe5 f4 or 1 6 dxe5 Bc8 , help us to grasp the evolution of
and Black could still defend himself combinational ideas, giving rise to
successfully. Thus , to be fair, it is the further development of me
necessary to say that the combina thods of evaluating positions on the
tion succeeded for Steinitz after a new foundations and the need to
direct mistake by Mongredien. take into consideration the
Was this not an example of Stei heightened role of defence and also
nitz's basically mistaken premise the theory of exploiting positional
that every combination can be pre weaknesses.
vented ? This was what Steinitz Mayet.. Zukertort ( Berl in 1 868 )
maintained when later construct
ing his positional theory .
I n reply t o 1 5 . . . fxg4 , there
followed:
16 Rxh7 ! Nxe5 1 7 fxe5 Kxh7 1 8
Qxg4 Rg8
Steinitz had foreseen the alter
native 18 . . . Qe8 19 Qh5 + Kg8 20
Bxg6 Rf7 2 1 Kh 1 Bf8 22 Rg 1 Bg7
23 Bh6 and wins.
19 Qh5 + Kg7 20 Qh6 + Kf7 2 1
Qh7 + In the diagram posltlon it is
In this check lies the fine point Black's 20th move . Mayet was
57
obviously not able to exploit the White threatens mate in three

combinational motives contained moves after 29 Qxh 7 + , since on 29
for White in the King's Gambit and . . . Kxh 7 mate is achieved in two
as a result found himself no better ways: ( 1 ) 30 Rh3 + and Rh8 mate;
off than at the start. A mating the ( 2 ) 30 g8 (Q) + and Rh3 mate -
me is in the air, since the White precisely because of this second
king finds itself in a helpless state , threat any move of the rook from
surrounded by enemy pieces. With the f7 square is useless.
two small combinations, involving But how does Black defend him
the sacrifice of the queen, Zuker self? Alas there is no defence and
tort solved the combinational pro this one example already disproves
blem: Steinitz's thesis about the possibil
20 Qd6! 2 1 Ba3 Qd3 22 Nd5
••• ity of preventing any combination.
Qfl + 23 Rxfl Ne2 mate Zukertort chose 28 •••Qd6 on
This game was the first time that which followed 29 Qxh7 + Kxh7
the theme of mate with two knights 30 f6+ Kg8 3 1 Bh7 + ! Kxh7 32
had been carried out in this form. Rh3 + Kg8 33 Rh8 mate.
The combinational idea - the The following game between
transfer of the queen from h6 to f1 - two German romantic masters is
is spectacular by its suddeness and interesting because of the scale of
means of transfer. the combination. The reader sees a
Anderssen.. Zukertort ( Berlin whole series of mating threats, and
1 869) the king leaves its passive position
Anderssen was a great connois to make a forced trip through the
seur and lover of the Evans Gam whole board.
bit. In the present game , with a
bold attack, he succeeded in Steinitz Gambit
achieving a position where the White: C.Goring
concluding beautiful combination Black: H.Minckwiu
turned out to be irresistible. (Wiesbaden 1 8 7 1)
1 d4 £5 2 e4 fxe4 3 Nc3 N£6 4
Bg5 e6
Here , 4 . . . c6 is more often met
in practice , but the organic defect
of this continuation is the delay in
the development of both flanks. In
any case , M inckwitz's move is no
worse ; after 5 N xe4 Be7 6 Bd3 b6 !
Black has time also to develop his
queen's flank. Interesting is the fol
lowing combinational variation:
58
7 Bxf6 Bxf6 8 Qh5 + g6 9 Qf3 a-a ? also lose , with h i s pieces "frozen"
10 N xf6 + Qxf6 1 1 Qxa8 Qxf2 + 1 2 on the queen's flank , but neverthe
Kd l Nc5 1 2 N e 2 with advantage to less, by keeping the queen in play,
White. However, instead of 9 . . . he might have put up a more
0-0, Black should play 9 . . . Bxd4 ! successful resistance.
and, if 1 0 N d6 + , then 1 0 . . . cxd6
1 1 Qxa8 Bxb2 1 2 Rb 1 Bc3 + 1 3 Kfl
Nc6. This variation already looks
more promising for Black .
5 Bxf6 Qxf6 6 Nxe4 Qg6
Black wants to gain time by at
tacking the knight, but this move is
not good . Even the simple conti
nuation 7 N g3 followed by Bd3
leads to an advantage for White.
Correct was 6 . . . Qh6 , and i t is not
easy for White to exploit his ad 12 Nf6 + Kf7
vantage in development. On 1 2 . . . Ke7 follows the main
.7 Bd3 branch of the combination: 1 3
The beginning of a multi-move, N d5 + ! ! exd5 1 4 Qxh 7 + Kf6 1 5
finely and deeply calculated, beau Qxg6 + Ke7 1 6 Qg5 + Kf7 1 7 Bg6 +
tiful combination. Of course , Black Kg8 1 8 Qxd5 + Kg7 1 9 Qf7 + Kh6
is not obliged to go half-way to 20 Qh7 + Kg5 2 1 f4 + Kxf4 2 2
meeting the opponent and take on Qh4 + K O 2 2 Be4 mate.
g2 . Also worth considering now If, in this variation, Black plays
was the retreat of the queen to h6 , 1 7 . . . Kg7 , then 18 Be8 + Kh7 1 9
disregarding the loss of tempo , but Qg6 + ! Kh8 2 0 Qh5 + Kg7 2 1
M inckwitz apparently did not fore Qf7 + Kh8 2 2 Qxf8 + K h7 2 3
see the opponent's grand plan to its Qf7 + Kh8 2 4 Qf6 + with a quick
full extent and reckoned only on 7 mate.
. . . Qxg2 8 N g3 Qd5 ; true , even in 13 QgS + Kxf6
this case Black does not have an On 1 3 . . . Ke 7 follows again 1 4
easy life , but, after playing . . . Qg6 N d5 + !
on the previous move , Minckwitz 1 4 Qxf8 + Kg5 1 5 f4 +
had already decided to be consi An even quicker way of forcing
stent. mate is by 1 5 h4 + Kg4 - otherwise
7 Qxg2 S Qh5 + g6 9 Qe5 !
••• mate in two moves - 16 Be2 + Kh3
Qm l 1 0 QxhS Qxg l + I I Kd2 1 7 QO + Kh2 1 8 Qg3 + Kh 1 1 9 BB
Qn l mate. This little miss of Goring is,
Now it is all forced. After 1 1 . . . perhaps , the only speck in the com
Qg2 or 1 1 . . . Qxh2 Black would bination, which contemporaries
59
called brilliant. manoeuvring and generally circum

15 Kg4 16 Be2 + Kh3 1 7
•.. spect play.
Qh6 + Kg2 1 8 Qg5 + Kxh2 1 9 The period 1 880- 1 899 was cha
BO Qft 2 0 Qh4 + Kg l racterised by many combinations
Or 20 . . . Qh3 2 1 Qf2 + built on a foundation of new stra
2 1 Qg3 + Qg2 + 23 Qxg2 mate. tegy, purposeful plan of play, posi
We give the final position. tional manoeuvres. To the aesthe
tics of combination was added the
absolute correctness demanded of
it. The beauty of combinations be
came deeper, because the combina
tions themselves came to be not
self-contained factors but appeared
as a component logical part in the
positional plan of play. Combina
tions became not a product of style
but an inevitability of any chess
process. They , as it were , orga
The whole of this wonderful nically influenced even the creat
combination contains several the ive thought of the fighting side and
matic mates , each more beautiful entered into a new historical stage
than the other. of their development, which
A very effective combination should be called the planning or
was carried out in the game even more accurately the posi
Hampe-Meitner ( Vienna 1 8 73 ) . tional stage.
Black obtained a draw. I n this com We begin an investigation of this
bination should be mentioned period with a very beautiful combi
White's accurate defence ( see nation which was carried out in the
Chapter 5 ) . game Mason..Winawer from the
This game was one of the last, in international tournament at Vien
the period we are looking at, to be na 1 88 2 . After 35 QhS Rf6 the
played in a purely combinational game reached the following critical
spirit, but even here is felt the in position. White has two extra
creased role of defence. pawns , but the very active position
In the 1 880's the majority of of the Black knight on cS , weak
games presented themselves as a ness of the White fS , e3 , a2 pawns ,
process of a positional struggle, at the strong outposts on e4 and a3 ,
times quite strictly so, in which was would seem to bring to the position
already widely exploited open some motives for equ ilibrium.
lines, weakness of squares, and However, the decisive factors prove
showing the first tendencies to to be the precarious state of the
60
Black king and the powerful

deployment of the White bishop ,
which stimulates White to look for
a combination.
rank, White wins the queen and

with it also the game.
44 KaS 45 QxgS and Black
••
soon resigned.
There followed: In this same tournament,
40 Rxg5 hxg5 4 1 Qh7 + Nd7 Winawer ( Black) in a game against
On 4 1 . . . Kd8 could follow 42 Steinitz was able to demonstrate a
Rxb8 Qxb8 43 Qh8 + Kc 7 44 form of defence against the combi
Qg7 + Kc8 4 5 Qxf6 Qb l + 46 Kh2 national attack of the future world
Qxa2 47 Qxd6 Qc4 48 f6 a2 49 f7 champion. It should be noted that,
and mate is inevitable. in the Vienna tournament 1 88 2 ,
42 Bxd7 QgS Steinitz and Winawer divided first
Bad is 42 . . . Qxd7 43 Rc4 + Kd8 and second prizes. The present
44 Qh8 + Qe8 45 Qxf6 + with a game is one of two games of the
quick win. match for first prize , in which the
However also the continuation opponents exchanged victories.
chosen by Winawer meets with an The game went like this.
elegant refutation.
43 Rb7 + ! ! French Defence
In this surprising, beautiful sa White: W.Steinitz
crifice of a rook are combined, in Black: S. Winawer
one move , two combinational me (Vienna 1882)
thods: diversion of the rook from 1 e4 e6 2 e5
defence of the queen and luring of A very old continuation which
the king to the white square b 7 , cannot be refuted by simple means.
which introduces the possibility of In any case, practically speaking, it
a double check ( Bc8 + ) . has brought White many interest
(See diagram next column) ing victories.
43 •••Kxb7 44 BcS + ! 2 ••• f6 3 d4 c5 4 dxc5
By an interception on the 8 th In the game Pollock-Tarrasch ,
61
from the international tournament with check. Otherwise he would

at Hastings in 1 895 , White conti have played 17 Ne4, and, if 17 ... Kf7 ,
nued here 4 Bd3 and , on 4 . . . fS , 5 then 18 Nd6 + with a draw. Also
g4 ! with a nice initiative. not without interest is the
4 ... Bxc5 5 Nc3 Qc7 6 Bf4 Qb6 continuation 17 NfS, on which
7 Qd2 Bxf2 + S Qxf2 Qxb2 9 Black has only one reply, 17
Kd2 ! Qxa l 1 0 Nb5 Na6 1 1 ................ Ng6, and, if 18 Nf4, then 18
Nd6 + KfS 1 2 Bxa6 bxa6 1 3 Qc5 Qxh2 and there is apparently no
White has obtained a dangerous decisive attack for White, whereas
inititative for the exchange . Black's material advantage is highly
1 3 ... Ne7 significant.
1 7 ... Qxh2
Winawer conducts the defence
in workman-like fashion. 18 Qxf6 is
met by 18 ... Qxd6 + and ... NfS.
IS Bf4 Qh5 ! 19 Qxf6 Nd5 20
QdS+ Kg7 21 Qa5 Nxf4 22 Qc3
+ e5 23 Nxf4 Qg5 24 g3 RfS
25 Ne4 Qe7 26 Nd5 Qe6 2 7 Nc7
Qh6 + White resigned.
Winawer demonstrated in this
game how much the art of defence had
14 Ne2 grown in the second half of the 19th
An interesting combination. Of century.
course , Goring's double rook sa As we have already pointed out
crifice was well-known to Steinitz. earlier, this led to the growth of
The idea of isolating the oppo combinational art itself. Combinations
nent's queen in this way is quite not only became precise, correct and
correct when there is an attack on interesting, but the artistic value of
an insecure enemy king. them was increased.
However, as shown by the Below we present five games,
further course of the game , Steinitz played in the period 1883 -1896 ,
did not calculate the combination where the combination carried out was
to the end. called a true masterpiece.
14 ... Qxh l 15 exf6 gxf6 1 0
Bh6 + KgS 1 7 Qd4 English Opening
This move is based on a miscal White: J.Zukertort
culation . Steinitz explained his mi Black: J.Blackbume
stake by the fact that he did not International Tournament ( London
notice that, after 1 7 . . . Qxh2 1 8 1883 )
Qxf6 , Black takes the knight o n d6 1 c4
62
This particularly posi tional which would lead to a certain wea

opening was widely practiced by kening of White's queen's flank.
English masters in the first inter Finally, after NbSxd6 , Black, by
naional tournament in London taking the knight with the c-pawn,
1 85 1 . Hence the name of the open obtains the c-file for operations
ing. with his rooks .
I e6 2 e3 Nf6 3 Nf3 b6 4 Be2
••• And yet, despite the weightness
Bb7 5 0 ..0 d5 6 d4 Bd6 of the given considertions, Black
The game has developed at a burne's decision must be consi
slow tempo, and even Blackbume, dered , at least, debatable. I t would
creator of many beautiful combina be right if White's manoeuvre
tions , set an example of the new NbS xd6 were a separate, indepen
positional approach to the process dent operation. Meanwhile the
of the struggle. exchange actually carried out by
7 Nc3 0.. 0 8 b3 Nbd7 9 Bb2 Qe7 Zukertort is the initial link of a
Blackbume allows the exchange deep plan of attack, the execution
of the black-squared bishop for of which brings Black to a terrible
White's que en's knight ( after 1 0 combinational catastrophe.
NbS ) . I t is not so simple to say White's plan consists of the pre
whether or not this decision is paration of a pawn offensive in the
right. The following considerations centre by means of Nd2 , £3 , Qc2 ,
speak in favour of it: White , for the Rae 1 , Bd3 and, finally, e4. With
exchange of a piece of equal value, the bishop on d6 and pawn on c 7 ,
must lose two temp i , since, you see , this complicated plan comes up
it is not possible to maintain that against the antidote . . . c S . If Black,
the Black bishop on d6 is stronger instead of 9 . . . Qe7 had played 9 . . .
than the White knight on c3 - this cS or 9 . . . a6 , then White would
is one consideration. The other have to think a little over another
consists of the fact that, with the plan in connection with the moves
move NbS , White gives up, even if a3 , b4, while, in the event of an
temporarily, to Black's control the immediate 9 . . . cS , to play 1 0 dxcS ,
important central point - the e4 in order to open the diagonal for
square. One also cannot ignore this the queen's bishop and organise ,
thought: with his 1 0th move Black after 1 0 . . . bxcS , pressure on the cS
continues to mobil ise his forces , pawn.
connecting rooks and developing In the tense situation created
the queen to a new, more handy upon this play, it would be hard to
pos ition for it, where it can support talk about anyone having the ad
the advance . . . eS , while on the vantage , since the opening stage of
other hand it creates the positional the game was played by both oppo
threat . . . Ba3 , the carrying out of nents sufficiently well and in accor-
63
dance with the new positional prin could first of all play 16 Bd3 or 1 6
c iples. Rae 1 and thereby secure the ad
10 Nh5 Ne4 vance of his central pawns. Black's
This knight thrust , which essen task is to keep the e4 point under
tially gives Black nothing, makes it maximum control and Blackbur
easier for White to carry out the ne's move fully meets this task.
above- mentioned plan. At the 16 Bd3 Rfc8
same time, the advance . . . eS at Black plays routinely, not fore
the present moment, after 1 1 dxeS seeing the strength of the impend
N xeS 1 2 N xd6 cxd6 , leads to an ing hurricane, but how can he
advantage for White (a piece base create a covering detachment ? The
on d4, weakness of Black's centre continuation 1 6 . . . Qd6 1 7 Rae 1
pawns ) . It is not easy to suggest N d 7 1 8 e4 dxe4 1 9 fxe4 eS 20 Bc4
anything useful for Black here , would maintain the initiative for
since rook manoeuvres along the White.
8th rank also look quite pointless , 1 7 Rae l Rc7 18 e4
but, apparently, it was nevertheless The offensive begins , but, as will
necessary to untie the knot in the be apparent later, Blackburne has
centre by means of 10 . . . cS , and , if thought up a sharp and, as it seems ,
1 1 N xd6 Qxd6 1 2 NeS , then 1 2 . . . a highly promising plan of
cxd4 1 3 exd4 dxc4, giving the op defence.
ponent hanging pawns. 18 .•• Rac8 19 e5 Ne8 20 f4 g6
1 1 Nxd6 cxd6 1 2 Nd2 ! Ndf6 1 3 An immediate 20
f3 Nxd2 1 4 Qxd2 dxc4 fS also would not give a
The only possibility of somehow satisfactory defence, due to 21 exf6
doing something against the im Nxf6 (21 ... Qxf6 22 fS) 22 ReS! Ne4 23
pending threat of the advance e4. If Qel (e2) with the threat fS .
White takes with the bishop on c4 , 2 1 Re3
then the c-file is opened and Black Provoking the reply which
obtains an exit for rook operations. immediately follows. If Black does not
If, however, 1 5 bxc4 , then the play 21 ... fS at once, then, after 22 Rfe 1,
pawn on c4 might serve as an ob this move will already be hampered,
ject of attack. and, without it, it will be difficult to
15 Bxc4 d5 conduct a defence.
The fact that this move limits 21 •.. f5
the activity of the bishop on b7 Simply g4 was threatened.
( supposedly ! ) plays no role. Of 22 exf6 Nxf6
course , Black could for the present Also after 2 2 . . . Qxf6 23 Qe2
play 1 5 . . . Rfc8 , and an immediate Ng7 24 ReS , White retains the at
16 e4 is now not so good in view of tack. In addition , this continua
the reply, 16 . . . dS . But White tion cuts across Blackbume's p lan
64
of defence , with which he intended

to dec isively refute Zukertort's at
tack.
23 f5 Ne4
Blackburne , not without founda
tin, pinned all his hopes on this
move. Indeed , what does White do
now ? If White retreats the queen,
Black simply replies 24 . . . exfS and ,
with his powerfully deployed
knight in the centre and extra If it were not defended by the
pawn , stands to win. After 24 Bxe4 queen , White would force mate .
dxe4, Black, threatening a rook in Thus , on 28 . . . Qxb4 , follows 29
vasion on c 2 with the win of a BxeS + Kxh 7 30 Rh3 + Kg6 3 1
bishop , obtains a good counter Rg3 + Kh7 ( 3 1 . . . Kh6 3 2 Rf6 +
initiative . KhS 33 RfS + Kh6 34 Bf4 + and
It goes without saying that RhS mate) 3 2 Rf7 + Kh6 33 Bf4 +
Blackburne does not suspect that in and Rh7 mate.
this game he is destined to fall vic 28 ••• R8c5
tim to one of the most brilliant Relatively best, but not a saving
combinations in the history of reply. On 28 . . . Qe8 , decisive is 29
chess. Rf8 + Qxf8 30 BxeS + Kxh7 3 1
24 Bxe4! Qxe4 + Kh6 3 2 Rh3 + KgS 3 3
All the same ! Rg3 +. If, however, 28 . . . R2cS ,
24 ••• dxe4 25 fxg6! then 29 Qxe4 and Black cannot
At first sight it is incomprehen defend the eS pawn.
sible what White intends after 2 S 29 Rf8 +
. . . Rc2 . Moreover, there i s nothing This new sacrifice achieves the
else left for Black, since on 2S . . . capture of the critical eS square.
hxg6 would have followed 26 Rg3 29 ••• Kxh7
Qg7 (or 26 . . . Qh7 2 7 Rf6 Rg7 28 Of course , also after 29 . . . Qxf8
Rh3 ) 27 dS eS 28 QgS Re8 29 Rf6 . 30 BxeS + the denouement app
25 •.•Rc2 26 gxh7 + Kh8 2 7 roaches quickly.
d5 + e5 30 Qxe4 + Kg7 3 1 Bxe5 + Kxf8
(See diagram next column) 3 2 Bg7 + Black resigned.
28 QM! ! Zukertort's combination could
In this surprising queen sacrifice , be characterised as a true master
grand in idea and strength , is rev p iece of chess art. Steinitz called
ealed the whole of Zukertort's bril Zukertort's combination one of the
liant improvisation. The combina greatest, perhaps the most beautiful
tion develops around the eS point. of all that had ever been created on
6S
the chessboard. Be7 5 Bd3

In 1 889, out of the midst of Ger The majority of commentators
man chessplayers , the 22 year old had a negative regard to this move
Emanuel Lasker attracted atten of Lasker, considering that Black
tion. In J uly of this year, in an could later on , with advantage ,
international tournament for ama exchange the bishop,
teurs in Breslau ( where in the 5 ... b6 6 Nc3 Bb7 7 NO
master tournament the first place We quote the text of the game
was also taken by a German according to Steinitz's magazine ,
chessplayer - S. Tarrasch) , Lasker since in several other publications
turned out to be the winner and ( for example Dufresne's book A
gained the right to take part in Collection of Instructive Games,
international master tournaments . Played in Recent International
Already within a month, Lasker Tournaments) the move of the
took advantage of this right and king's knight appears as the 6th,
competed in a small international and the queen's the 7th.
tournament in Amsterdam, where , 7 ... Nbd7 8 0 .. 0 0 .. 0 9 Ne2 c5
besides him, participated five Engl Knowing the role which White's
ish , two Dutch and a Viennese bishop on d3 plays in the combina
master, Bauer. Lasker obtained 2nd tion following shortly, the com
prize in this tournament ( l st was mentators unanimously main
Bum ) . Steinitz wrote the following tained that Black ought to have
assessment of this success: "Herr exchanged it by playing now 9 . . .
Lasker made an excellent debut in a N c S . Probably White would have
master tournament . . . without replied 10 NeS N xd3 1 1 cxd3 .
doubt we will hear again of the Black is rather cramped, but with
successes of this talented young the move 1 1 . . . Nd7 he could pro
player, who , in this tournament , bably obtain equal chances.
created a masterpiece in a conclud 10 Ng3 Qc7 1 1 Ne5 Nxe5 1 2
ing attack on the opponent's king. " Bxe5 Qc6 1 3 Qe2 a6?
He was referring to the game Lasker Leading to defeat. Black, preoc
won against Bauer, which was not cupied with his plan, ignores Whi
only of h istorical , but also theore te's threat (NhS ) . It is surprising
tical significance in the develop that not one of the commentators ,
ment of combination. including even Steinitz, paid atten
tion to Bauer's mistake . He should
Bird's Opening play 13 . . . Ne4; neither 1 4 Qg4 nor
White: Em.Lasker 14 NhS was terrible for Black, in
Black: J.H.Bauer view of 14 . . . f6 .
(Amsterdam 1889) Black could also play 1 4 . . . g6 ,
1 f4 d5 2 e3 Nf6 3 b3 e6 4 Bb2 but this would weaken the castled
66
position unnecessari ly. from the White queen and rooks.

14 Nh5 ! Black is forced to accept the sa
1 4 . . . Ne8 is not possible now , in crifice . On 1 7 . . . f6 , the simplest
view of 15 Bxg7. On the other way to decide the game is by 18 Rf3
hand , the threats Bxf6 or N xf6 , in Qe8 19 Qh8 + Kf7 20 Qh7 .
the present circumstances, are 1 7 . . . Kxg7 I S Qg4 + Kh7 1 9 RfJ
deadly, and so there is nothing left e5 20 Rh3 + Qh6 2 1 Rxh6 +
for Black but to take the knight. Kxh6 22 Qd7
14 ... Nxh5 The final thematic move of the
Black reckoned only on 1 5 Qxh5 combination . The queen carries
f5 after which his pos ition is quite out a double attack .
solid. 22 ... Bf6 23 Qxb7 Kg7
As a result of the combination,
White has obtained a great ma
terial advantage with a continuing
attack. Black could already resign.
We give the final moves.
24 Rfl RabS 25 Qd7 RfdS 26
Qg4 + KfS 27 fxe5 Bg7 2S e6
Rb7 29 Qg6 f6 30 Rxf6 + Bxf6
3 1 Qxf6 + Ke8 32 QhS + Ke7 33
Qg7 + Kxe6 34 Qxb7 Rd6 35
Qxa6 d4 36 exd4 cxd4 3 7 h4 d3
15 Bxh7 + ! 3S Qxd3 Black resigned.
"The beginning of a very deep Almost 25 years later Lasker's
and elegant combination", Steinitz combinational idea was repeated in
noted, apropos this sacrifice. the game Nimzovich..Tarrasch
For this time , Lasker's combina ( Petersburg 1 9 1 4 ) . The latter car
tion was perfectly original , since ried out a double bishop sacrifice ,
the feature of it consists not of the playing Black in the following pos i
sacrifice of the bishop on h 7, with tion.
which we have already become
familiar above , but in the sacrifice ,
a move later, of the other bishop
for the g7 pawn .
15 ... Kxf7 1 6 Qxh5 + KgS 1 7
Bxg7!
The second sacrifice completely
wrecks the castled position and
after this the exposed Black king
falls under a convincing attack
67
1 8 ... d4 1 8 exd4 Bxh2 + 20 replied Lasker - and especially not

Kxh2 Qh4 + 2 1 Kg l Bxg2 2 2 f3 on this matter of what the j udges
22 Kxg2 is not possible because have decided. Your combination
of mate after . . . Qg4 + and . . . with N i mzovich, Doctor, remains a
Rd5 . masterpiece , j ust as all the brilliant
22 ... Rfe8! 23 Ne4 Qh l + 24 productions in your games. Such a
Kf2 Bxfl 25 d5 f5 26 Qc3 Qg2 + combination - he added - might
2 7 Ke3 Rxe4 + ! 28 fxe4 f4 + 29 occur only once in 25 years . . . "
Kxf4 Rf8 + 30 Ke5 Qh2 + 3 1 After the game , N imzovich
Ke6 Re8 + 3 2 Kd7 Bb5 mate. T arrasch, the sacrifice of the two
In its aesthetic form , T arrasch's bishops occurred in several more
combination is even higher than games . And so this sort of combina
Lasker's . A pure , economical final tion assumed a theoretical cha
mate , a sacrifice of the exchange on racter, representing , as it were , a
top of the sacrifice of two bishops , theoretical discovery of Lasker.
the uneasy position also of the The diagonal operation of the
Black king, all these adorn Tar bishops in the direction of king's
rasch's play in this game . side castling, and the defence of the
The venerable German cham g2 and h 2 , g7 and h 7, pawns with
pion was awarded the second spec j ust the king - this is the combina
ial prize for beauty for this game , tional motive through which one
though it was undoubtedly as beau can boldly carry out this theoretical
tiful and effective as the game combination . And one more con
Capablanca-Bernstein, which was clusion - the strength of two
honoured with the first prize . The bishops lies not only in the har
j udges did not deny this, but their mony of the ir operation , but also in
decision was motivated by the fact their readiness to "sacrifice them
that Tarrasch's combination was selves".
not original and had a predecessor. We give two combinational
This formal approach to the pro masterpieces, created by Chigorin
blem was of course unj ust. In con in the international tournament at
nection with this we recall an anec New York 1 889. In this tourna
dotal incident, of which the author ment, Chigorin divided 1 st and
was an eye-witness. 2nd prizes with the Austrian grand
During the banquet at the end of master Weiss and gained a great
the tournament, T arrasch came up number of excellent victories in
to Lasker with a bottle of wine and , purely positional style .
without beating about the bush ,
begged to state his opin ion about M.Chigorin .. W.Pollock
the decision of the j udges. "I do not The most striking combinational
wish to take issue with the j udges - motive is the White pavm on e 7 .
68
The position on the board some

how resembles a wilderness . Chi go
rin thought up a 1 2 move combina
tion. His imagination sees the
flight of the enemy king through
the chessboard wi lderness.
There followed:
34 Rxg7 + Kxg7 35 Rb7 + Kg6
36 Qf7 + Kf5 3 7 Rb5 + Ke4
Black also threatens mate !
Very diverse combinations might 38 f3 + Ke3 39 Qb3 + Ke2 40
arise on the theme of its reaching Qb2 + Kd3 4 1 Qb l + Ke2 42
the last rank. For example, the Rb2 + Ke3 43 Qe l + Kd4 44
move 32 Nxg7 might be the start of Qd2 + Kc4 45 Rb4 mate.
one of them. On 32 ... Nxe7 or 32 The following game received the
Kxe 7, White quickly concludes the first spec ial prize for beauty in the
struggle after 33 Qe6 +. The best famous Hastings congress of 1 895 .
way out for Black would be 33 ... In its combinational idea, it be
Rxe4, but it is obvious that also here longs to the unique productions of
the simple e8(Q) + achieves victory chess art. The combination in this
for White. Chigorin preferred game can be cons idered the crown
another, more effective way, striving ing and , to a certa in extent, the
to combine two aspirations result of combinational creativity
- victory and beauty . of the second half of the 1 9 th cen
32 e5 fxe5 tury. It represents , as it were , the
If 3 2 . . . dxe5 , then 33 Rd8 highest point of ascent of combina
33 Nxd6 + ! Rxd6 34 fxe5 + Rf6 tional thought of the 1 9th century ,
35 e8(Q) + Kxe8 36 Qd7 + Kf8 both in the idea and bri ll iance of its
37 exf6 Black resigned. form and also in its classical
simplicity and clarity of content.
M.Chigorin - H.Bird
Italian Game
White: W.Steinitz
Black: C.von Bardeleben
International Tournament
(Hastings 1895)
1 e4 e5 NO Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4 c3
Nf6 5 d4 exd4 6 cxd4 Bb4 + 7
Nc3
The sharpest reply, which was
recommended by Steinitz in his
69
text-book . A quieter continuation Black plays . . . Kf7 , . . . NdS and . . .

here is 7 Bd2 Bxd2 + 8 N bxd2 . Rhe8 , he might even take over the
Wh ite does not sacrifice a pawn , initiative.
but in return must, after 8 . . . d S , Upon 16 . . . Kf7 , was Steinitz
part with h i s pawn centre and sub reckoning on the cont inuation 1 7
mit to the isolation of the d4 pawn . Qxe 7 + Qxe7 1 8 Rxe 7 + Kxe7 1 9
7 H d5 Rxc 7 + ete ?
Modern theory goes deeply into From the following notes , the
the move 7 . . . N xe4 , the practice reader will be conv inced that this
of which prov ides a great deal of calculation is too optimistic .
material to evaluate, from the However, after 1 6 d 5 , White's
variations ensuing from this reply. initiative would have continued to
At the time the requisite continua develop, for example: 16 dS Kf7 1 7
tion was 7 . . . N xe4 8 0-0 Bxc3 9 Rad I Rhe8 (if 1 7 . . . Nxd S , then 1 8
bxc3 (9 d5 is the Mi'lller Attack) 9 NgS + fxgS 1 9 Qf3 + Kg8 2 0 Rxd 5 )
. . . dS 1 0 Ba3 , which is also recom 1 8 Qc4 Kf8 1 9 Qb4 or 1 9 Re6 .
mended in Steinitz's text-book . 1 6 ... c6
S exd5 Nxd5 9 0 ..0 Black does not play 1 6 . . . Kf7 ,
Now Black has no good reply . A probably fearing the combination
double capture on c3 leads to de with 1 7 Qxe7 + . Meanwh ile, after
feat, as shown by theory . Black I 7 . . . Qxe 7 1 8 Rxe 7 + Kxe 7 1 9
cannot, withou t loss , secure cast Rxc7 + Kd6 2 0 Rxg7 Rac8 2 1 g3
ling for himself. Rc7, Black successfully defends
9 Be6 1 0 Bg5 Be7 1 1 Bxd5
••• himself.
Bxd5 1 2 Nxd5 Qxd5 1 3 Bxe7 Admittedly, in reply to 1 6 . . .
Nxe7 1 4 Re i Kf7 , Steinitz had avai lable the
White's exchanging combina sharp continuation 1 7 NeS + (also
tion has once and for all deprived NgS + ) fxe 5 18 dxe 5 Qe6 1 9 Rxc 7 ,
Black of the possibility of castling. o r 1 8 . . . Ke8 1 9 e 6 Qc8 2 0 Qf3 .
However, the uncastled king - this Black's defence would not have
is an effective combinational mot been easy. It is also possible that
ive and namely on its basis is cons this variation confused Bardeleben .
tructed White's future attack. However, in the numerous sources
14 ... f6 15 Qe2 Qd7 16 Rac 1 where this game was featured , not a
Perhaps the only move in the word was said about this possibil ity
whole of White's play , with which for Wh ite .
we cannot quite agree . A more cor (See diagram top of next page)
rect continuation of the attack was 1 7 d5 !
16 dS . One cannot deny the text In order to penetrate with the
move is natural - the rook is deve knight, via d4 , to e6 . The pawn
loped on an open line. However, if sacrifice is absolutely correct, and
70
Black should not accept it. find themselves under attack.

17 ... cxd5 Black cannot take the rook - 2 2 . . .
Better would have been 1 7 Kxe 7 - owing to 23 Re 1 + Kd6 24
....... Kf7 , and , if 1 8 Nd4, then 1 8 Qb4 + Kc 7 2 S Rc l + or 2 S Ne6 +
NxdS . White , however, with a quick win.
maintains the advantage by 23 Rf7 + !
continuing 1 8 dxc6 bxc6 1 9 This move sets off the depth and
Qc4 + QdS 20 QxdS + cxdS 2 1 accuracy of Steinitz's technique . If
Rc 7 . White were , first of all, to
1 8 Nd4 Kf7 1 9 Ne6 Rhc8 2 0 exchange on c8 he could not have
Qg4 g6 won the game .
It is all happening as Steinitz 23 ... Kg8 24 Rg7 + ! !
wanted, and with the following The peak of beauty . I t is clear
moves he begins to reveal his that neither with the king, nor the
brilliant combinational plan. Added queen , can Black take the unde
to the particular colouring of the fended White rook. Black has to
whole combination is the fact that, in move to the corner. An unusual
the process of carrying it out, White spectacle !
needs to seriously take into account
the locked-in position of his own
king - a circumstance which is
distinctly exploited by Bardeleben.
21 Ng5 + Ke8
(See diagram top ofnext column)
22 Rxe7 + ! ! Kf8!
A splendid reply which speaks for
the fact that, in this game, Steinitz
encountered a worthy opponent.
Because of the threat of mate on cl, the
Black queen is invulnerable, whereas 24 ••• Kh8 25 Rxh7 + !
all four White pieces Here Bardeleben left the touma-
71
ment hall and did not return that 7 . . . Be7 8 0 ..0 ..0 Qa5 g e 3 Bd7 1 0
day. Thus he did not allow Steinitz Kb l h6 1 1 exd5 exd5 1 2 Nd4
to bring this remarkable combina 0 .. 0 1 0 Bxf6 Bxf6 14 Qh5 Nxd4
tion to an end. However, Steinitz, 1 5 exd4 Be6 1 6 f4
there and then, demonstrated be This precocious attack is beauti
fore the public the finale of his fully refuted by the world cham
idea, and to be precise , 26 . . . Kg8 pion . Deserving attention is 1 6
27 Rg7 + Kh8 28 Qh4 + Kxg7 29 Bc4 , and , i f 1 6 . . . g6 , then 1 7 Qf3 .
Qh 7 + Kf8 30 Qh8 + Ke7 3 1 Qg7 + Also here Black maintains the ini
Ke8 3 2 Qg8 + ! ( incorrect would tiative by replying 16 Bc4 Qb4 .
have been 32 Re I + Kd8 33 Ne6 + The tempting 1 6 Ne4 was not good
Qxe6 , and the ominous threat .of because of the surprising combina
mate on c l brings Black a win. ) 3 2 tional retort 16 . . . Bxd4 1 7 Rxd4
. . . K e 7 3 3 Qf7 + Kd8 34 Qf8 + Qe8 Qe 1 + and Black is left with an
35 Nf7 + Kd7 36 Qd6 mate . Thus extra pawn .
Steinitz's calculation ( 2 2 Rxe7 + ) 1 6 ... Rae8 1 7 f5
extended for 1 4 moves ! Intending , on 1 7 . . . Bd7 , to play
In our view, the following game , 1 8 Qf3 , but Lasker has something
in which clashed the two strongest else in mind.
players of the 1 890s, should be
ranked with the number of combi
national masterpieces of the 1 9th
century .
Queen's Gambit
White : H.Pilsbury
Black: Em.Lasker
Match-tournament
(Petersburg 1 895/96)
1 d4 d5 2 e4 e6 3 Ne3 Nf6 4 NfJ
cS 5 Bg5 exd4 6 Qxd4 Ne6 7 1 7 ... Rxc3 !
Qh4 Beautiful, surprising, and at first
In a game played between the sight not even fu lly comprehen
same partners 9 years later sible.
(Cambridge Springs 1 904 ) , Pills 18 fxe6
bury played the sharper 7 Bxf6 gxf6 On 1 8 bxc3 would have probably
and now 8 Qh4 . Gradually White followed 18 . . . Qxc3 19 fxe6 Rc8
succeeded in obta ining an attack. 20 Qxf7 + Kh8 2 1 Be2 Qb4 + 22
To avoid this possibility, it is useful Ka l Rc l + ! and mate in two
for Black on the 6th move to first of moves, or 20 exf7 + Kf8 2 1 Qe2
all play 6 . . . Be 7 . Bxd4.
72
18 ••• Ra3 ! ! simply . . . Qxa3 , maintaining a

A new revelation b y Lasker. strong attack, whereas the posi
19 exf7 + Rxf7 20 bxa3 Qb6 + tions of White's pieces are h ighly
2 1 Bb5 passive.
Otherwise it is quite bad, but 25 Qf5
even now White's position is miser N o less unpleasant for Black here
able. was the move 25 Re I , with the
21 ••• Qxb5 + 2 2 Ka l Rc7 threat to exchange queens. On 2 5
A "quiet" move , with the threat . . . Qc4 , White forces a draw: 2 6
. . . Re I + , which determines the Re8 + K h 7 2 7 Qf5 + g 6 28 Re7 +
correctness of Lasker's fine combi Bg7 ( 2 8 . . . Bxe7 2 9 Qf7 + Kh8 30
nation. Though White parries the Qe8 + and Qxe7 + ) 29 Rxg 7 + etc .
threat and later some others, the 2 5 . . . Kf8 i s also doubtful i n view
inevitable denouement quickly of 26 Ra with the irresistible threat
draws near and it is crowned with a of a sacrifice on f6 . Black would
splendid diagonal mate with the have to retreat the rook to c8, but
bishop . On the way to this mate , then, if only, 26 Qf5 Qc4 27 Qd3 .
White overlooks the sacrifice of the The move made by Pills bury does
second rook on the same ill-fated not contain direct threats and this
a3 square. is its minus.
23 Rd2 Rc4 24 Rhd l 25 ••• Qc4 26 Kb2 ?
On 24 Qe2 Lasker had in mind a This is already carelessness. 26
beautiful sacrifice of the queen: 24 Qf1 was also not good , in view of
. . . Rxd4 2 5 Qxb5 (25 Qe6 + Kf8 26 the simple 26 . . . Qa4, and White's
Qc8 + Kf7 27 Qc7 + Kg6 ) 25 position remains difficult, but 26
Rb4 + ! 26 Rb2 Rxb5 or 26 Kb l was necessary. After this,
Bxb2 + and then . . . Rxb5 . White threatens to provoke an
24 ... Rc3 exchange by Rc2 . If, however, 26
So as , on 25 Rb l , to reply 25 . . . . . . Rxa3 , then 27 Re I ! and not
Qc4 and, if 26 Qd I , then 26 . . . Bg5 possible are . . . Qb5 + or Qb4 +
27 Re2 Rd3 or 2 7 . . . Be3 . Never because of 28 Rb2 , and it is Black
theless this quiet, self-confident not White who stands badly. Cov
move might give White a surprising ering himself with the rook is also
chance. A decisive continuation of miserable: 27 . . . Rc3 28 Rxc3 Qxc3
the attack was 24 . . . Qc5 ! and if 2 5 29 Qxd5 + and White has every
Qe8 + Kh7 26 Qe3 ( there is appa thing more or less in order.
rently nothing else ) , then 26 . . . A draw might be obtained after
Rc3 ! 2 7 Rd3 ( 2 7 dxc5 Re I mate) 26 . . . Qb5 + 2 7 Rb2 Qc6 28 Rc2
27 . . . Bxd4 ! 28 Qxd4 Re I + and 29 Qb5 + etc . Black's king is also in
Kb2 Qc2 mate. Upon the reply 2 7 sufficiently covered, and there is
Qe l i n this variation, Black plays hardly anything better for him.
73
Lasker's reply strikes like a bolt KxbS Qc4 +

from the blue. And mate on the following
move .
With this brilliant example , we
conclude our short history illustrat
ing the development of combina
tional ideas in the second half of
the 1 9th century. The main con
clusion from the given examples is
this: in the second half of the 1 9th
century , combinations gradually
came forth as an organic compo
nent part of the positional plan,
26 ... Rxa3 ! 27 Qe6 + Kh7 and began to show the way for a
On 28 Qf5 + Black replies now construction of its theory and sub
28 . . . Kh8 . sequent historical stages of its deve
28 Kxa3 Qc3 + 29 Ka4 bS + 30 lopment.
74
Chapter Eight
Double Attack. Pawn Attacks.
The double attack is the most the queen does subj ect the Black
frequently met case of simulta pawns on g7 and d7 to attack. The
neous attack. I t is necessary to obj ect of the blow always becomes
subj ect this theme to an indepen undefended or insufficiently de
dent, separate investigation. The fended points in the deployment of
theme of double attack ( mainly enemy forces, and frequent mot
with the knight) has already been ives in combinations with the the
slightly touched upon in Chapter me of double attack are weak
2, where we showed the combina points and pieces (or pawns) .
tional elements . There , however, The most effective piece for
we touched upon this theme only delivering a double attack , clearly ,
with the aim of more clearly fami is the queen. Let us try to portray
liarising the reader with the defini schematically the various themes
tion itself of the theme , i . e . how of double attack with the queen.
we understand this as an element From the diagrams given below we
of combination . Now before us see that there are five such kinds.
stands another task - to investigate The queen alone , at times , del ivers
the theme of double attack in all a double attack , but more often it
the aspects of it which could have requ ires the help of some piece or
a bearing on its implementation in other, as we can see both from the
the practice of combinational crea given schemes and also from the
tivity. Above all, one important examples i llustrating the delivery
matter should be mentioned . of a double attack in the chess
Double attack is not only a combi game .
national theme . It can be delivered
also without combinations. This is
the first thing. However, the se
cond thing is that we do not call
any attack in chess a blow , but
only one which is difficult to parry.
For example , one cannot regard as
a blow the move 3 Bb5 in the
Spanish Game or the double-blow
move 2 Qg4 ? after 1 e4 e 5 , though
75
Three kinds of double attack with

the queen , more than any other,
are met in games. These are:
1 ) double attack along the dia
gonal
2) double attack along the rank and
file, and
3) double attack along the diagonal
and rank (or file)
76
Let us take a look at combina Rad 1 , Black, as a minimum , loses

tions with these themes. the pawn on e5 with the worse
position. Bum chooses the second
Spanish Game way but, upon it, a combination on
White : J.R.Capablanea the theme of double attack awaits
Black: A.Burn him.
(San Sebastian 19 1 1 ) 17 ••• b4 1 8 exb4 Bxb4
I e4 e5 2 Nf3 Ne6 3 Bb5 a6 4
8a4 Nf6 5 d3 d6 6 c3 Be7 7
Nbd2 0 .. 0 8 Nfl b5 9 Be2 d5 1 0
Qe2 dxe4 I I dxe4 Be5
Black's last two moves are poor
and allow White to plan an inte
resting combination.
12 Bg5
In the present situation, the pin
of the Black king's knight is a se
rious combinational motive.
12 ••• Be6 13 Ne3 Re8 1 4 0.. 0 1 9 Bxf6 Qxf6 20 Qe4
Qe7 A double attack on h7 and b4 .
1 4 . . . Bxe3 is bad , in view of 1 5 The possibility of it is conditioned
fxe3 ! but he should return with the by the undefended state of the
bishop to e 7 . bishop on b4 and the fact that the
15 Nd5 ! Bxd5 1 6 exd5 NhS 1 7 h7 square is defended only by the
a4! king. If the Black pawn were on a5
Here White could carry out a or the knight not on b8 , but on f8 ,
little combination on the theme of there could have been no question
double attack: 1 7 d6 Bxd6 1 8 Bxf6 of a double attack .
Qxf6 1 9 Qe4 N d 7 20 Qxh 7 + KfB . 20 ••• Bd6
White somewhat worsens the posi Or 20 . . . Qg6 2 1 Qxb4 Qxc2 2 2
tion of the Black king. Capablanca Rac 1 a n d Black loses the c 7 pawn.
finds a combination on the same 2 1 Qxh7 + KfS 22 Nh4 Qh6
theme , but with a better result. If 2 2 . . . g6 , then 23 Bxg6 !
The move in the game is, as it 23 Qxh6 gxh6 24 Nf5 and White
were , an introduction to this com wins.
bination. White threatens simply
to take the pawn on b5 . There is White carried out a whole series
nothing to defend it, and Black is of combinations on the theme of
faced with the alternative of play double attack in the exhibition
ing 1 7 . . . bxa4 or 1 7 . . . b4 . In the game Capablanea.. Ous Choti..
first case , after 18 Bxa4 Rd8 1 9 mirsky ( Petersburg 1 9 1 3 ) .
77
It seems that now everything is

in Black's hands , and so it also
would be if the character of the
struggle were determined only by
its positional elements. However,
combinations intervene , and eve
rything is changed , as if by
magic.
25 e5! g6
If Black were to reply 25 . . .
The diagram posItion is after dxe5 , then, with the move 2 1 Qf5 ,
Black's move 2 2 . . . Nc5 . The game White , by attacking the h 7 and c8
continued points , · also in this way carries out
23 b4! ! the theme of double attack and
This a t first sight rather harmless would triumphantly complete the
and not very intelligible move is attack. However, also after the
the prelude to a series of elegant defensive move , Black's position
and surprising combinations. It is remains disma l , since White's at
incomprehensible for what reason tack does not dry up and after a
White invi tes the opponent's two-move combination once again
knight to a4 , where it secures the begins to regenerate its "electric"
capture of a weak point in White's charge . I ts summer lightning be
camp - the c3 square , and , pro gins to flash from all directions .
bably, domination over one of the 26 e6 RfS
open files. If 26 . . . fxe6, then 2 7 Qg4
23 000 Na4 2 7 Ng3 Qb7
Black does not unravel the oppo On 2 7 . . . fxe6 follows 28 Qg4 e5
nent's combinational idea, but he 29 Bxg6 .
hardly need grieve heavily over 28 Nf5 !
this. The continuation 23 . . . N xd3 Also this is an original double
24 Rxa8 Rxa8 25 Qxd3 would lead attack . Both N h6 + and exf7 + are
to a winning position for White , threatened. Clearly impossible is
due to the weakness of Black's 28 . . . gxf5 29 Qxf5 and mate is
pawns . White threatens , after 26 unavoidable.
Rc6 , to win one of the pawns , b5 or 28 000 fxe6 29 dxe6
d4 . If, however, 25 . . . Bf6 , then , A new combination on the the
all the same , 26 Rc6 Qb8 2 7 f4 ! and me of double attack with the
Black is helpless against the knight. 29 . . . Qxf3 would lose a
manoeuvre Nfl -g3 -f5 or h5 , since , piece after .30 N xe 7 + .
on . . . g6 , follows e5 . 29 000 Qc7
24 Rxc8+ Rxc8 Or 29 . . . Qa7 .30 Nh6 + Kg7 3 1
78
Nf7 with the threats of 3 2 BxbS said that Capablanca's positional

and Qf4- h6 + . plan was met, right from the open
ing, by an insufficiently staunch
resistance , which also facilitated
the successful conduct of its con
cluding combinational stage for
Capahlanca. V. Smyslov spoke well,
apropos the inevitable course of the
struggle when there is an accumula
tion of combinational tension, in
his book "Selected Games". He
wrote "A correctly staged game not
infrequently creates , in its develop
30 Qc6 ment , a culminating moment
One more combination on the which can only be decided by com
theme of double attack with the binational means".
knight: 30 . . . Qxc6 3 1 N xe 7 + . But nevertheless in the creative
30 ••• Qd8 process there is also a place for the
Giving up material and the chance combination, when one of
game . the opponents overlooks a combi
3 1 Nxe7 + nation prepared beforehand, which
Possibly the objective was in such cases begins to assume the
achieved even quicker by 3 1 N h6 + character of a skilfully disguised
Kg7 3 2 Nf7 , but not i n the style of trap, but is not a logical conse
Capablanca, to whom "a bird in the quence of planned positional play.
hand is worth twice in the We want to look in more detail at
bush". one such case , where also the the
31 Qxe7 3 2 Bxb5 Nc3 33 Qd7
••• me of double attack with the queen
Qxd7 34 Bxd7 is featured.
Black now loses the exchange , In the game Dubinin.. Savitsky
but , through inertia, he still conti ( 9 th USSR Championship, Lenin
nued the struggle for some time. grad 1 93 4 ) , the following position
Can i t be said that the combina arose after White's move 20 RH -a.
tion carried out by Capablanca in (See diagram next page)
this game bore a fortuitious cha Black has the more active posi
racter and was the result of a serious tion. The powerful deployment of
mistake , made by his opponent ? Of his queen and rook, the pin on c4,
course not ! This combination ap passed a-pawn, weakness of the eS
peared as an organic part in the pawn, control of the central d-file -
plan, and, as it were, was the stage these many positional considera
of completion of the plan. It can be tions convince us that Black has
79
2 1 Rxa5 Rd l + 22 Rfl Rd2
the initiative in the devel"oping

struggle. Savitsky made the "beau
tiful" move 20 ... a5 ? This bad 2 3 Rf2 ??
move surprisingly brings Black a Black also counted on this. Now
quick victory, whereas in fact it follows a combination on the the
ought to have led to a total neutra me of double attack with the
l isation of Black's positional ad queen.
vantage . Black gives up a pawn , 23 ... Rxf2 24 Kxf2 Rxc4! and
obtaining nothing in return. I t White resigned in view of 2 5
turns o u t that Savitsky played for a Qxc4 Qd2 + xa5 . Instead o f the
trap in the hope that his partner fatal 23rd move , White should
would not notice the combination continue 23 g3 , and neither 23 . . .
he had prepared. And so it hap Qh6 , nor . . . Rcd8 gives Black a
pened. Playing for a "trap" - this is a decisive attack. More than this
bad style of play, which usually Black must reckon with the threat
turns sharply against the author of mate , which arises for White , on
himself of the trap. Play, counting the back rank in connection with
on a mistake by the opponent, the locked- in position of the Black
usually consists of bad moves and is king. Here is an approximate varia
j ustified sportingly only in that case tion, pointed by by G. Y. Levenfish:
when the opponent falls into a 2 3 g3 Qh6 24 h4 Rcd8 25 Rb l !
"trap". Creatively, however, in Qg6 ? 26 Qxd2 Rxd2 2 7 Ra8 + and
general it is not j ustified, since the mate in two moves.
bad moves of the winner do not Instead of the trappy idea with
become good j ust because the op 20 . . . as , Savitsky should advance
ponent "blunders". Winning a bad the other rook's pawn two squares,
game - resounds as a paradox, and which would give him good
in every case the bad play remains a chances of winning the game . And
discredit to creativity. so 20 ... h5. The a7 pawn is safe ,
However, what happened in the because o f the combination 2 1
game ? This is what happened : Rxa7 Rxc4 , then . . . Rd l + and . . .
80
Qe3 + (diagonal double attack flank. One of the concrete minuses

with the queen) . At the same time , of Black's last move , amongst
White i s bound hand and foot , others , is that , after 8 cxdS , he
while h i s bishop remains pinned: cannot take on dS with the knight
the pin serves as a highly active in view of the loss of a pawn.
combinational motive . The bishop However, in the event of 8 cxdS
can only be unpinned by the move exdS , the position of the Black
21 Qb3 ( on 2 1 Qc l follows an b ishop on b 7, where it will ob
elegant combination: 21 viously be developed, is rather pass
Qxc l + 2 2 Rxc l Rxc4 ! 2 3 Rxc4 ive. It is interesting that , in this
Rdl + 24 Rfl Rxfl + 25 Kxfl Ba6 - game , the bishop on b 7, being un
theme - double attack of the bishop defended, even plays a role of a
along the diagonal) 2 1 Qxe5 22
••• combinational motive. Black's
Rxa7 Qc5 23 Rxb7 Rd2 24 Qb6 most energetic reply to 7 Qc2 is
Qxc4! 25 Rxd2 Qc l + 26 Kf2 considered to be here . . . c S . This
Qxd2 + 2 7 Kg] g5 , and White , was frequently played in this varia
obviously, cannot repulse the mat tion, and with good success , by
ing attack. The variations are full Teichmann.
of interesting ideas and combina 8 cxd5 ! exd5 9 BdJ Bb7 10 0..0..0
tions. All this could have hap This sharp variation, introduced
pened upon 20 . . . hS . After 20 . . . into practice by Rubinstein and in
as victory came more quickly, but which White prepares the storm h4
creatively the game was impover and g4 , creates great combina
ished. tional tension in the struggle.
Wh ite gained an excellent vic 10 ••• Ne4 I I h4 f5 I I Kb l !
tory, on the theme of double at A subtle move , having the aim
tack, in the following game . not only of removing the king from
a line on which Black could coun
Queen's Gambit terattack by . . . cS and . . . Rac8 , but
White: A.Rubinstein also preparing a convenient situa
Black: E.Znosko..Borovsky tion for a combination.
International Congress 12 ••• c5?
(Petersburg 1 909) Already Black's last move gave
I d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 rise to doubt; the opening of the
Be7 5 e3 Nbd7 6 Nf3 0 .. 0 7 Qc2 a 2 -g8 diagonal, with the king on
b6 g8 , will create new combinational
At the time this game was motives - which also rather sug
played, the theory of the Orthodox gested to Rubinstein the move 1 2
Variation still did not highlight suf Kb 1 . The concrete significance of
ficiently the shady side of this me this move is seen from the follow
thod of developing the queen's ing note .
81
1 3 dxc5 bxc5
Not 1 3 . . . Ndxc5 , in view of 1 4
N xd5 Bxd5 1 5 Bc4 . I f the White
king were standing on c l , then this
combination would prove to be im
practicable in view of the interme
diate 14 . . . N xd3 - with check, but
also , in reply to 1 3 . . . bxc5 , Rubin
stein had prepared a beautiful com
bination in which was consistently
carried out the theme of double 1 5 Bxe4!
attack, at first by the bishop , then A double attack by the bishop on
the queen , and finally the rook. d5 and h 7 .
Instead of 1 2 . . . cS , Black could 1 5 . . . dxe4
make the preparatory move , 1 2 . . . Thus opening both ways for a
ReS , but also in this case White double attack by Rubinstein.
maintains the initiative by conti 16 Qb3 +
nuing 13 Bxe4 fxe4 14 Ne5 , and , if A double attack of the queen.
14 . . . N xe5 , then 15 dxe5 Bxg5 1 6 16 ... Kh8 1 7 Qxb7 exf3 1 8
hxg5 Qxg5 1 7 f4 ! Rxd7
And so Black overlooks the com A double attack of the rook on
bination and finds himself already dS and e 7 .
under the "yoke" of strong pressure 1 8 . . . Qe8 1 9 Rxe7 Qg6 + 2 0
from the opponent's side. Such a Kal Rab8 2 1 Qe4 Qxe4 22 Rxe4
phenomenon - an oversight in the fxg2 2 3 Rg l Rxf2
worse position , is highly character As a result of the deeply
istic for the thinking of some and calculated combination, White has
even many chessplayers , coming up an extra piece. Black's little coun
against · difficulties. Here , several terplay, in connection with the
traits of a man's nature are tried , penetration of his pawn to g2 , is
such as coolness, stubborness and liqu idated quickly by simple tech
will. nical means. To give the full pic
The idea of Rubinstein's combi ture we present the finale.
nation consists of the exploitation 24 Rf4 Rc2
of the d-file and the a2 -gS diagonal If 24 . . . Rbxb 2 , then 25 RfS +
for the setting up of a series of 25 b3 h6 26 Be7 ReS 2 7 Kb l
double attacks . By sacrific ing a Re2 28 Bxc5 Rd8 29 Bd4 Rc8
bishop , White opens both these ar 30 Rg4 Black resigned.
teries for his combinational at The theme of "double attack", in
tacks. its structure , looks very simple ,
1 4 Nxe4! fxe4 and , it would seem that contem-
S2
porary chessplayers of our epoch, wrecked. Stahlberg's attention was

having many examples from play of drawn to yet another combina
the classic past, could by now make tional motive: the undefended
some theoretical generalisations state of the rook on a6 together
and conclusions . However, creat with the weakness of the g6 point.
ively , this theme is so interesting Concentrating his creative
and rich and contains such a varied thoughts around these motives,
combinational process , that even Stahlberg finally found a combina
famous grandmasters of our time tion which quickly achieved vic
fall victim to combinations on this tory for him. The introductory
theme . Here is one of these . move to the combination is beauti
fu l.
3 1 Bf7 ! !
Black cannot take the rook: 3 1
. . . Rxd2 3 2 Qxg6 + Kf8 33 Qg8 +
Ke7 34 Qe8 + Kd6 35 Qe6 mate .
3 1 ... Kxf7 32 Rxd8 Qxd8 33
Qb7 +
The theme .
33 ... Kg8 34 Qxa6 e4 35 Re3
Bd4 36 Rxe4 Black resigned.
The diagram features the posi In the game Smyslov..Euwe

tion after the 3 0th move in the ( I nternational Cand idates Tourna
game Stahlberg..Najdorf, played ment in Swi tzerland 1 9 5 3 ) , White
in 1 94 7 at the international tour carried out an elegant combination
nament in Buenos Aires. on the theme of double attack.
Black's position is clearly worse
due to the sple"ndid deployment of
the White bishop in the centre of
the board. Under cover of this
bishop , White could systema
tically, and in various ways, con
duct his attack. For example, 3 1
Rdd3 with the threat of Rxf6 is
worth considering; very dangeous
for Black was the idea of attack
with h4-h5 , against which there is
apparently no good defence , for The diagram is after White's
example, 3 1 h4 h5 3 2 g4 and the 24th move . There followed:
Black king's pawn cover is 24 Bb4! Qf6
83
To avoid the double attack, 24 liantly portrays the nature of this

. . . Qxb4 2 5 Qxe5 + . that it is hardly worth adding any
25 Bc3 thing to such a p icture.
Again threatening the thematic We pick out briefly our
blows Bxe5 or Qxe 5 . thoughts , devoted to the theme of
25 000 Bg7 26 Nc5 double attack ( mainly with the
And once again a double attack queen) .
is prepared, this time with the I n the majority of cases , a wea
knight. kened point in the castled position
26 Ka8 27 Nxb7 Kxb7 28
000 serves as one of the objects of at
Rd7+ Ka8 29 Qc5 and White tack, when carrying out the theme
won but after still a long of double attack.
struggle. Let us l ist other combinational
Bronstein gave the fol lowing methods which assist in the carry
vanatlon, which would have ing out of combinational ideas on
crowned Smyslov's combination this theme:
more worthily: 29 Bg2 Re8 30 Bxe5 1 ) The method of enticement (pie
Rxe5 3 1 Qxe5 Qxe5 32 Bxc6 + ces lured to an undefended square ,
KbB 33 Rb7 + Ka8 34 Rb6 ( b5 , b4, the king - to a line where it can be
b3 ) mate . checked)
I t would have been possible to 2 ) The reverse of the first - the
give further quite a lot of illustra method of diversion (pieces di
tions demonstrating the double at verted from defence of squares or
tack with the queen. It is useful for l ines intended as one of the objects
the reader himself to sort out and of the double attack)
investigate suitable examples. 3 ) Demolition or removal of
Special examples of double attack obstacles ( doing away with enemy
by the rook or bishop are not given. pieces and pawns with the aim of
These are identical with the double exposing the position of the king,
attack of the queen. Double attack opening of lines, weakening of
with the rook is the same as the squares) .
vertical-horizontal blow with the There are also other combina
queen. The theme of the bishop is tional methods , as , for example,
the theme of the diagonal double the method of interception of lines
attack with the queen. Likewise we of defence ( depriving the attacked
do not consider it necessary to re point of defence by intercepting
turn once again to the double at the line of operation of the piece
tack of the knight. The nature of defending it, for example the move
such a double attack is clear. J ust e5 in the "Immortal" game ) . A par
the one study of Troitsky, given in ticular place is occupied by the me
Chapter 3, so diversely and bril- thod of the pin of a piece, and
84
several others. We refer to these Four Knights Game

later on. White : D.Janowski
Now , however, we want to Black: Em.Lasker
throw l ight on the question of the International Tournament
combinational role of the weakest (Cambridge Springs 1 904)
chess unit - the pawn, i ts part in 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Ne6 3 Nc3 N£6 4
those combinations where it is Bh5 Be5
destined to play the role of a hero. The famous Morphy also l iked to
However, also the secondary role of play this.
the pawn has a part which is of very 5 Nxe5
great significance. A very compli Already here there is a l ittle
cated combination might not rece combination on the theme of the
ive its fulfi lment, if a pawn, taking pin.
part at some stage of it, turns out to 5 ... Nxe5
be just one square further forward Lasker goes half-way to meeting
than that on which precisely i t the opponent and allows him to
would play i t s secondary role. carry out the theme of the fork. In
Below we are offered the poss i the well-known game , L. Paulsen
bility of convincing ourselves that Morphy , Black castled , which
the pawn might indeed become a looks more natural. Contemporary
hero of a combination, which pres opening analysis also looks at 5 . . .
ents itself as the basic reason for its N d4 here .
birth. In other words , we must rec 6 d4
ognise that the activisation of White wins back the piece , at
pawns leads to the creation of ori the same time having the rather
ginal combinational motives. better development.
A passed , far advanced pawn - is
almost on the threshold of a combi
nation. In chess terminology, the
double attack of the pawn is given
the graphic name of the "fork". Al
ready in the opening stage , we of
ten come across the pawn fork. In
the middlegame , the pawn fork ap
pears at the other times as a combi
national theme .
The exploitation of the "fork",
both as a tactical method and as a 6 ... Bd6 7 £4 Ng6
combinational theme , is well por The best opening reference
trayed in the first half of the follow books consider 7 . . . Nc6.
ing game. 8 e5
85
Yet another fork . Admittedly , in 24 Qb3 + Ke7 25 Re I + Kf8 26

the present situation it does not N xa8 Qxa8 27 Qe6 ! Kg7 ! 28 Qd7 +
present itself as a combinational Kh6 . J anowski indicated 2 1 Qg7 as
theme . a winning move , considering that
8 000 c6 after 2 1 . . . Bxd5 22 Qxh8 + Kd7 23
A dubious attempt to confuse Qxh 7, White has both a material
the game . Janowski considered it advantage - rook and three pawns
obligatory to castle here , but also for bishop and knight, and also a
possible is 8 . . . Be 7 . continuing attack. This evaluation
9 Bc4 requires careful verification, since
Black's position becomes critical it does not take into account the
after 9 exd6 cxb5 10 Qe2 + Kf8 1 1 powerful attacking position of
f5 N h4 1 2 0-0 b6 1 3 Bg5 , or 1 2 . . . Black's centralised white-squared
Qb6 1 3 Qe7 + Kg8 1 4 Nd5 . bishop . By continuing 23 . . . Qc6
9 000 Bc7 1 0 exf6 Qxf6 1 1 0 .. 0 d5 Black immediately obtains chances
12 Bxd5 ! of a counterattack.
Otherwise Black simply obtains In this example, the combina.
the better game . tional role of the pawn - the open
1 2 000 cxd5 1 3 Nxd5 Qd6 1 4 ing thematic fork - was still compa
Qe2 + Ne7 1 5 Re I Bd8 1 6 c4 £6 ratively unimportant. However,
1 7 Bd2 as 1 8 Qh5 + g6 1 9 cS recall ing the historical game from
Qa6 20 Qh6 Be6 the 4th match between the stron
gest masters of their time , Labour..
donnais ( France ) and MacDon ..
nell ( England) , where three pawns
of Labourdonnais, playing Black ,
reached the second rank, automa
tically imbues one with great faith
in the dynamic combinational ac
tivity of pawns. Here is the con
c luding combination in this game .
2 1 Nxf6 + ?
This continuation loses the
game. Black holds on to the piece ,
and also obtains a counterattack.
After 2 1 . . . Kf7 22 N e4 Nf5 !
Chigorin gave the following varia
tion, leading to v ictory : 2 1 N b6
N f5 ! 2 2 Rxe6 + Kf7 23 Qh3 Kxe6
86
There fol lowed: the material and positional advant

36 ... Qxd l ! age turned out to be the decisive
This is more decisive then 3 6 . . . advance of the White g5 pawn ,
Qxfl + 3 7 Rxfl e 2 . By playing now which, taking into account the
38 Qd3 e l ( Q ) 39 g3 , White could supporting bishop , embodies all the
have still put up resistance. elements of combination - motive ,
37 Rxd l e2 idea, theme .
The three pawns turn out to be The possibility of a harmonious
stronger, by far, than the queen attack on the f7 point with the
and rook , and White cannot avoid bishop and pawn is the basic leit
a quick mate . motif of the combination . And
The impetuous march of pawns so:
to queen in many games figures as a 27 g6! Re7 28 Qh5 Nh6
theme of beautiful combinations.
Let us look at a number of
examples.
29 Qxh6!
A sacrifice with two thematic
mates in mind. One theme - mate
In the diagram is the pOSItion with a rook supported by the bishop
after the 26th move in the game and . . . for the present, a non
Sterk..MarshaU ( International existent knight!
tournament in Pistyan 1 9 1 2 ) . 29 ... gxh6 30 gxf7 + Kh7 3 1
White is the exchange ahead ; f8(N) +
Black has no compensation for it, I t was possible to delay the deci
more than this, the positional ad sion by one move , by promoting to
vantage is l ikewise on White's side. a queen , but it seems that White
His bishop on c4 occupies a threa was concerned that the decision
tening place , while the f7 , g7 and was not only concise but elegant.
h 7 points are really weak. Particu 3 1 ... Kh8 22 Rg8 mate.
larly weak is the f7 point, which is Though the final mating theme
already subjected to attack. passed by , as it were, without the
The most energetic realisation of first-hand participation of the
87
pawn, it would be ingracious of 30 Qxd2 3 1 Qxf8 + Ng8 32

• • •
Black to forget about i ts heroic run. c8( Q) Black resigned.

From the idea side , but not the
technical, the piece on f8 is not In the game , Schlechter..Perlis
simply a knight , but a pawn trans ( International tournament in
formed into a knight. Carlsbad 1 9 1 1 ) , still in the open
In the following position we see ing, even in the early stage of it,
how the firmly blockaded dS pawn White succeeded in demonstrating
is surprisingly given the "green a fascinating idea, the essence of
light" and quickly brings the which is to free the pawn for queen
desired decision for White. ( From ing by a surprising combination.
the game , Botvinnik..Grigoriev, After the moves:
Leningrad-Moscow match 1 9 2 7 ) 1 d4 d5 2 Nf3 Bf5 3 c4 c6 4 Qb3
Qb6 5 cxd5 Qxb3 6 axb3
Black felt he was forced to
play
6 ••• Bxb l
The introductory move o f the

combination is surprising and beau
tiful.
28 Rxe5
Black now has a painful choice - Indeed, the continuation 6
whether to leave the rook to its cxdS 7 Nc3 e6 8 NbS N a6 9 Rxa6
own fate, by playing 2 8 . . . QxeS , or bxa6 10 Nc7 + Kd8 1 1 N xa8 Kc8
to go half-way to meeting White's 1 2 Bf4 might not suit him, but now
combinational theme and open the follows a witty combination, in
semaphore "pawn" on dS . Black which the pawn must show all its
chooses the second. best qualities.
28 ••• dxe5 29 d6 7 dxc6! !
And here also is the known to us With rare originality and a beau
theme - double attack. tiful idea. On 7 Be4 would have
•••
29 ••• Qd8 30 dxc7 followed 8 Rxa7 ! ! Rxa7 9 c7. This

It was possible to conclude also position, which we give in the
with 30 Qxf8 + Qxf8 3 1 dxc 7 . diagram, also appears as the theme
88
of Schlechter's combination. examples , was carried out in the

game , Bogolyubov..Alekhine
from the international tournament
at Hastings 1 9 2 2 . The diagram
shows the position after White's
29th move Rxa5 .
The pawn on c7 embodies in its

action, as it were , a double attack
in which the threat to take on b8
also represents a blow in the finest
sense of the word . Referring to the
threat c8 , even this is also not a There followed:
blow in the literal sense , but never 29 ... b4!
theless it is a threat of mate or a The beginning of a deeply calcu
blow on a square. Therefore , in lated combination, the theme of
chess terminology , the threat to ad which is the same as that in the
vance the pawn to the last rank it is game Schlechter-Perl is. The basis
customary to consider a blow. of it is the undefended state of the
Thus in pawn themes there are first rank and the undefended
two aspects of double attack: one - knight on d l which is situated on
is a fork , the other - the threat to it.
capture , at the same time as the 30 Rxa8
threat to advance the pawn to the White is hoping for 30 . . . Qxa8 ,
last square of its file. which would leave him chances of
We have digressed from the resistance . Bad now would be 30
Schlechter-Perlis game , but there Qa 1 , on which would have fol
remains to give j ust one move 7 . . . lowed 3 0 . . . Rxa5 3 1 Qxa5 Qa8 ! 3 2
Nxc6 8 Rxb l . Black is simply left a Qxa8 Rxa8 33 Nfl Ra l 34 Rd2
pawn down with the worse pos i Ba4 , or 34 Nb2 Ng4 with a quick
tion, and naturally also lost the win.
game . 30 ... bxc3 !
An amazing combination, with a Three moves ago this pawn was
thematic blow by the pawn as its still on b 7. From this it follows that
finale, but considerably more com the six-square path of the pawn,
plicated than in all the previous which seemed so long and impenet-
89
rable , assumes a completely diffe 36 Rb8 Bb5 37 Rxb5 Qxb5

rence aspect when the advance of Black has a queen - for rook and
the pawn is stimulated by the fire of bishop - a quite serious material
a combinational beacon . advantage .
3 1 Rxe8 c2 ! ! White's pieces are bunched in
And here , before u s once again, the corner of the board . The reali
is the final theme of the combina sation of such an advantage usually
tion - the double attack of the pawn occurs by means of a concrete , but
on d l and c l . The combination purely techn ical, plan. However,
consists of three pawn moves. the presence of combinational
32 Rxf8 + Kh7 motives in the position , in particu
Black is two rooks ahead , but the lar the sea of weaknesses into which
strength of the double attack is so the Wh ite king falls, compels one
great that the hopelessness of his to expect a new combinational out
pos ition becomes clear quite soon . break in this spectacular game .
38 g4 Nf3 + 39 Bxf3 exf3 40
gxf5 Qe2 4 1 d5
If 4 1 Ng4 , then 4 1 . . . N xg4 42
Rxe2 fxe2 and the double attack of
the pawn crowns the matter.
41 ... Kg8 42 h5 Kh7
Zugzwang.
43 e4 Nxe4 44 Nxe4 Qxe4 45 d6
cxd6 46 f6 gxf6 47 Rd2 Qe2 !
Now, after 48 f5 , White once
again finds himself in zugzwang.
33 Nf2 c l ( Q ) 48 Rxe2 fxe2
The inevitable has happened ! Wh ile now the pawn coming
The b 7 pawn is promoted to a from e7 has its say. And so , one
queen on c l . Here the curtain more double attack .
could be lowered , but the fact of 49 Kf2 exfl (Q) + 50 Kxfl Kg?
the matter is that 1 5 moves later we 5 1 Kf2 Kfl 52 Ke3 Ke6 53 Ke4
will witness yet another pawn com d5 + and finally White capitu
bination . lated.
34 Nfl
A tragi-comic position for Wh i The pearl of the tournament -
te's pieces on the king's flank. grandmaster Tartakover called the
34 ... Ne l 35 Rh2 Qxc4 game Capablanca-Spielmann
N ow arises the threat of . . . Bb5 , ( Match tournament, New York
which White cannot prevent with 1 9 2 7 ) , in which White's deciding
out material loss. combination was concluded with
90
the run of White's a-pawn to the a7 Alas, the gift must be accepted.
square. The diagram features the On 18 . . . Bb7 would have followed
po..�ition after the 1 7th move . simply 1 9 bxa6 .
1 9 Bxe4 Rb8
The branch , where the pawn
theme of the combination would be
expressed more strikingly, and per
haps even more beautifully, cons
ists of 19 . . . Ra7 20 b6 Qxa5 2 1
bxa7 ! ! Bb7 2 2 Rxa5 Bxe4 23 Rxa6 -
winning.
20 bxa6!
The positional advantage is on

White's side; his pieces are better
developed , his pawn chain is
strong, compact , in the centre - is a
strong passed pawn.
Black's pawns on the queen's
flank already come under attack.
White's 1 7th move was a4 , on
which Spielmann replied . . . Qd5 ,
attacking the White bishop on g5 . 20 ... Rb5
The initiative also is on White's Or 20 . . . Qxa5 2 1 Rxa5 N b6 2 2
side. The simple retreat of the a 7 Ra8 23 Rb l
bishop to f4 forces Black to enter a 2 1 Qc7 Nb6
region of difficult defence. There is also no comfort in 2 1 . . .
However, Capablanca's next move Qd8 2 2 Qxd8 Rxd8 23 a 7 and he
shows that this initiative assumes a has to give up the knight for the
dangerous character. "terrible" pawn.
18 axb5 ! ! 22 a7 Bh3 23 Reb l Rxb l + 24
The bishop is offered for sa Rxb 1 f5 25 BO f4 26 exf4 Black
crifice , the bishop which would be resigned.
so needed by White to dominate
the weakened black squares in the The pawn "aggression" of
opponent's camp . In the process of Labourdonnais is reminiscent of
combination , such positional con the final part of the game ,
siderations do not begin to come Smyslov..Botvinnik, played in
into the reckoning. 1 94 1 in the match- tournament for
18 ••. Qxg5 the title of absolute champion of
91
the USSR. We give the posi tion is a position from the game Kotov..
after the 5 5 th move. Ragozin ( 1 7th USSR Champion
ship, Moscow 1 949)
White has two connected passed

pawns , breaking through to the 27 b5 !
cherished 8th rank, but Black has "The beginning of the most
not two , but three connected beautiful combination that I have
passed pawns, out of which one - ever managed to create on the
on the b2 square - already finds chessboard" noted Kotov, apropos
i tself on the eve of its triumph - this move. He gives further the
arrival at the queening square. basic branch coming out of his
56 a6 combinational idea. I t consists of
Otherwise Black will play . . . c 2 . 27 c5 28 dxc5 ! Qxe5 29 cxb6
•••
N o w , however, this i s not good, if Rxc3 30 bxa7 Rxc2 3 1 Rxc2

only in view of 5 7 Rxb2 c l (Q) 58 "A rare position - writes the author
Rxc l Rxc l + 59 Kh2 , and there is of the combination in conclusion -
nothing left for Black but to give the White pawn, completing the
back the rook by . . . Rxb6. On march d4-c5-b6-a 7, is inevitably
White's move , Black replies with a promoted to a queen , since three
combination with a rook sacrifice. Black pieces cannot prevent this . "
56 Rxb6! 57 Rxb6 d3 ! 58 Rg l
•••
d2 ! 59 Rxf6 Rc7
But not 54 . . . cl 60 Rf7 + Kh8
6 1 Rf6 - draw.
60 Rfg6
So as, on 60 . . . c l , to reply 6 1
R6g5 .
60 .•• d l ( Q ) ! White resigned.
If 6 1 Rxd l , then 6 1 . . . c 2 .
A few more examples. Before us
92
The theme of double attack with combination, to remove it from the

a pawn finds its brilliant expression creative process , this is approxi
in this variation . True , the b8 mately the same thing as depriv ing
point is defended , but the a8 point human l ife and activity of the spi
is inaccessible to Black. ritual sense. No matter how much
If here 3 1 . . . Qa 1 + , then simply the technique of defence and pro
32 Bfl . Our look at examples could phylaxis grows both in our century
also have been completed with this and in the future centuries, combi
illustration of the theme in a com nations will live and develop for as
mentary variation, but the disap long as chess art lives and deve
pointment which overtook Kotov lops.
in connection with Ragozin's reply
27 . . . Rac 7, and the statement by The match for the world cham
him apropos this consideration, ob pionship between Botvinnik and
liges us to respond with a little Bronstein ( Moscow 1 95 1 ) pro
comment. Apropos 27 . . . Rac 7, in duced many interesting games, in
place of the natural 27 . . . c5 which particular the 9th game of the
was anticipated by White, Kotov match, which provides excellent
wrote, "In our century , an oppo material for the investigation of
nent does not give one the chance pawn combinations. The first 1 4
to carry out beautiful combinations moves brought the opponents to
and prefers to s imply be left a pawn the following position, with Bot
down" . In this way, grandmaster vinnik, as White, to move.
Kotov, author of many beautiful
combinations which his opponents
could not avoid, contradicts him
self in trying to generalise Ragozin's
decision and j ustify i t by the ten
dencies of "our century". The ques
tion is obviously about the increase
in the standard of defence in "our
century", the improvement of
technique, etc . But, you see, com
binations are an organic compo
nent part of the overall creative The White pawn, which has
process of the chess game, and, be made i ts way to b5 , becomes the
sides, one of the most important, hero of the combination.
being inseparably linked with it. It 15 b6! Bxa4 16 b7
is possible to prevent an arising There is no double attack , but
threat of a combination or combi even a single one is sufficient to
national trap, but t o prevent any remain with an extra rook.
93
16 Bxb3 1 7 bxa8(Q) Bb6 1 8

••• Here already is the first combina
axb3 tion on the theme of the pin. 32
The result of the excellent pawn Qxd4 was dangerous , in view of 32
combination - is at hand. . . . Rxc2 33 Qxd5 cxd5 34 Nd4
To conclude , in praise of the Rc8 ! 35 N xf5 Rf8 with advantage
pawn, we want to show one classic, to Black.
old combination. In it, the pawn 32 ••• Qxe6 33 b5 + Ka5
presents itself in such a varied role Black is still on the look-out for a
that it is difficult even to have any double attack with the knight,
idea where hard and fast rules can which stops the king marching to
limit it. the c6 and b5 squares. Therefore
bad now is 33 . . . Qxb5 or 33 . . .
Before us is a position from the Kb7 .
1 3 th game of the match between 3 4 bxe6 Rxe2 35 Nxd4 Re5 !
Tarraseh and Marshall, played in Black already needs to concern
1 906. In this game , Marshall himself with a draw. Insufficient for
played White. this purpose was 3 5 . . . Bxd3 36
N xc2 Bxc2 37 g4 ! hxg4 3 8 h5 Ka6
39 h6 b5 40 as , and White must
win.
36 e7
With the threat o f N xf5 .
36 Bg4 3 7 Nb3 + KM 38
•••
Nxe5 Kxe5 39 a5 Kd4 40 axb6

axb6 4 1 Kf2 Kxd3 42 Bd6 b5 43
Be7 Kd4 44 Bd6 Ke4 Draw.
Let us sum up a little. The com

Black is the exchange ahead , but binational role of the modest infan
the position is sated with combina tryman looks quite varied in all the
tional motives ; it is sharp and the illustrations given. Even the pawn
position of the Black king leaves itself mates and helps pieces in the
much to be desired. setting up of mating nets. Breaking
Marshall exploits this cir through into the enemy camp and
cumstance excellently and , guided through the blockading chain, the
by his surprising combination on pawn promotes the organisation of
the theme of double attack, neu various combinations, riveting the
tralises the opponent's material ad opponent's defensive reserves to it.
vantage. Quite a few technical methods fall
There followed: to the lot of advancing pawns.
32 Qxe6! They must "divert", "intercept" ,
94
and "destroy" . the knight on f3 with the bishop.

A real performer finds many He should begin to move on the
combinational ideas in them. To queen's flank, for example, by 1 9
conclude , we present a game in . . . as , and White would not be able
which White carries out an excep to carry on his line in such a
tional combination with the help carefree way as in the game.
of a pawn. 20 N e3 Rad8 2 1 Nf5 Bxf5 22
exf5
Italian Game The opening of the e-file - is
White : S.Tartakover favourable for White. Moreover,
Black: A.Rubinstein on e6, Black has a "hole" where the
International tournament White knight can head for.
( Moscow 1 925) 22 ... Qd7 23 Rf4 Rfe8 24 Kh l
1 e5 e5 2 Ne3 Ne6 3 Be4 Nf6 4 Re7 25 Re4 Rde8
d3 Bc5 5 Be3 d6 6 Bxe5 dxc5 7 Black also cannot extract any
Nge2 Na5 8 Bb3 Nxb3 9 axb3 thing from this centralisation along
0. 1 0 0-0 Ng4 1 1 h3 Nh6 1 2 f4 the e-file. White, however, having
The manoeuvre . . . Ng4-h6 does control of space on the king's flank ,
not justify itself: White seizes the begins to prepare combinational
ini tiative . For the present, it is still threats.
not dangerous, but, possessing the 26 Qh4
advantage in the centre , White has Already the combination N xf6 is
a basis to count on its further deve threatened.
lopment. 26 ... Kg8 27 Qf2 b6 28 Rfe l
12 ... exf4 Kh8 29 R l e3 Kg8 30 Rg3 Kh8
This is necessary - White threa Not suspecting the enormous
tened to push on the pawn to f5 . potential strength of the f5 pawn .
13 Nxf4 f6 Now a combination breaks out, in
Black chooses the e5 square for which this strength comes into
his piece base . Indeed he succeeds operation.
in settling down here with the
knight, but it proves difficult to
derive benefit from this due to the
fact that the initiative continues to
remain in White's hands.
14 Qf3 Nf7 1 5 Rf2 Ne5 1 6 Qg3
c6 1 7 Nh5 Qe7 1 8 Rafl Kh8 1 9
Nd l Bd7
A very passive move , which,
moreover, entails a loss of tempo
as , a move later, Black has to take
95
3 1 Rxg7 the theme of the combination: it

Exploding a mine in a well pro deserves a diagram.
tected fort. The rook opens the way
for the knight, which, in its turn,
frees the way for the f5 pawn.
31 ••• Rxg7 32 Nxf6
The double attack of the knight
here appears , as it were , as a transit
theme.
32 •.. Qe7 33 Nxe8 Qxe8 34
Qf4!
The queen prepares the advance
of the pawn. An immediate 34 f6
would be unnecessary haste , in Black resigned.
view of 34 . . . Rg5 35 Qf4 h6, and In his mind he foresees the fol
White has no compensation for the lowing mate, hanging over his
piece. king: 3 7 . . . Qf8 38 Qf6 + Qg7 39
34 ••• Re7 f8 (Q) + Ng8 40 Qxg7 mate .
The forced advance of the White With this we conclude our
pawn to f7 brings with it ruin for account of the combinational
Black. wonders of the magic pawn .
35 f6! Ng6 Passing on to the next chapter,
On 35 . . . Re6 follows the thema we, however, in no way intend to
tic finale: 36 Rxe5 ! Rxe5 37 f7 take leave of the pawns as combi
-
Re I + 38 Kh2 Qf8 39 Qf6 + and national participants - for ever. We

mate on the following move. will certainly still come across them
36 Rxe 7 ! Nxe7 37 n ! ! time and again when we examine
Here this move also embodies individual combinational ideas.
96
Chapter Nine
Positional Weaknesses .. Motive of a Combination.

Combinations provoked by weaknesses in the casded position.
Sacrifice of a bishop for the g3 , h3 , g6, h6 pawns.
The combinational motives to nent, develops into a combina

which we have already given so tional method of action , is served
much consideration, present them by the following game by N imzo
selves as nothing other than vich. Here it is appropriate to me
weaknesses of a position. The tion that N imzovich knew to per
locked-in king, undefended pieces , fection the elements of the posi
exposed position of the king - all of tional struggle. He wrote deep es
these are minuses , which, upon op says on this theme (My System, My
portune conditions , allow combi System in Practice, The Chess Bloc
national ideas t o come to the fore kade ) . At the same time , N i mzo
of the struggle. On the other hand , vich was a brill iant master of com
a positional weakness in the light of bination.
weak squares, undefended or insuf
ficiently defended points , open Caro-Kann Defence
files , ranks and diagonals - can , in White: L.Asztalos
accordance with the position, play Black: A.Nimzovich
the role of a combinational motive. (Bled 193 1)
The usual combinational motive is 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4
a positional weakness in the castled Nxe4 Nf6 5 Nxf6 + exf6
region. Pawns pushed forward to h3 As shown by the practice of this
and g3 , h6 and g6 , quite often serve variation, more often 5 . . gxf6 is
.
as objects for combinational at preferred. In the sporting respect,

tacks and points for sacrifice . The this move also gives the best res
points £2, g2 , h 2 , f7, g 7 , h7 if they ults.
are defended only with the king, 6 c3
can at any moment be made real The important opening theoreti
combinational motives. We recall cian, Soviet master Rauser,
if only the combination with the successfully employed here a plan
sacrifice of the bishop on h 7 and involving g3 and Bg2 . From this
even two bishops on g7 and h 7 . square the bishop later supports the
An excellent i llustration o f how advance of pawns on the left flank ,
a plan , leading to the formation of where White has available a "pawn
positional weaknesses for the oppo- majority".
97
6 Bd6 7 Bd3 0..0 8 Qc2 h6 9

••• Only by 13 0-0-0 could White
Ne2 Qc7 1 0 Be3 Nd7 1 1 Qd2 leave himself free to attack on the
N ow White threatens the com king's flank , but he obviously
bination Bxh6 and , as it were , re avoids sharp play, preferring careful
minds the opponent about the manoeuvring and a 1 00% securing
weakness of the h6 point. Well, of his own king's position.
Black might be pleased with this 13 ••• Bxe3 14 he3 NfS
reminder and , of course , he fore Since the dark-squared bishops
stalls the threat. Nevertheless is it have been exchanged, N imzovich's
worth losing time in order to create plan will consist of creating a weak
a threat which is easily parried ? Of ness of the black squares in the
course it is not worth it. Possibly opponent's camp. The basis of this
the threat seemed irresistible to plan lies in the advance of the c
Asztalos , or, most probably , that pawn, therefore it is useful for
the double attack on h6, according White to immediately play 1 5 b4 .
to the thinking of the Hungarian 1 5 Rf2 Qe7 1 6 e4 Be6 1 7 a3 cS
master, must restrict Black, who Black provokes the advance of
would have to continually watch the d-pawn, which would give him
over this weakness of his. Such a the possibility of exploiting the
motivation for action is neverthe good piece base on the eS square .
less incorrect. It is not necessary to 1 8 Raft
create a threat for the sake of a White's new threat is the combi
threat, but to plan the game . nation 19 Rxf6 gxf6 20 Qxh6 Bg4
Very good was 1 1 0-0-0 with a 2 1 Rf4 , and Black finds himself
subsequent pawn storm on the under a mating attack. Neverthe
king's flank , while it was possible less, White's move deserves cen
also to begin i mmediately the act sure , since it forces Black into a
ive operation 1 1 h4, followed by strong continuation, which signifi
g4 , with the threat gS . In such a cantly improves his chances in the
sharp attack, the combinational future development of the struggle.
tension would also inevitably have Undoubtedly , better was 18 NhS ,
to increase . again threatening Rxf6 , and if 1 8
11 ••• Re8 1 2 Ng3 ? . . . Bg4 , then 1 9 N f4 with the
But this already is not at all in threat of NdS .
the spirit of the position. Of course , (See diagram next page)
1 2 0-0-0 was correct. The sacrifice 18 cxd4!
•••
of the bishop on h6 would now A beautiful and convincing re

have been mistaken , in view of the tort to White's combinational idea.
reply 1 3 . . . Bf4 , after 1 2 Bxh6 gxh6 On 19 Rxf6 now follows 19 . . . dxc3
1 3 Qxh6 . 20 bxc3 gxf6 2 1 Qxh6 QcS + 2 2
1 2 ... Bf4 1 3 0 .. 0 Kh l QgS . On the other hand ,
98
gins to noticeably increase.

21 Rae8 22 Rffl Qe5 23 Qf2
.••
a6 24 h3
White continues to weaken his
position, and on castled territory at
that, and gives the grateful oppo
nent grounds for carrying out play
with a combinational idea. The
best defensive resource here seems
to us, 24 Rxc8 Rxc8 2 5 Re 1 , in
Black , by attacking the d4 pawn , tending, on . . . N f4 , the retreat Bb 1
forces its advance , after which he and cherishing some hopes of the
can already hope to seize the ini sortie Qb6 .
tiative by exploiting the e5 square . 24 Bd7 25 Rfd l Qg5 26 Rxe8
•••
19 exd4 Ng6 20 d5 ? Rxe8

A move which reckons only on Now the c-file is also seized by
an incorrect retreat of the bishop. Black , and the weakened g3 and h3
Indeed , in the event of 20 . . . Bd7 squares assume the significance of
2 1 Rxf6 gxf6 22 NhS Qf8 23 combinational motives. This in
Nxf6 + and N xd 7 , White would cites Black to a combinational
have the better chances , despite decision to the crisis of the struggle.
being the exchange down . Worth The denouement approaches sur
cons idering is 20 h3 , so as not to prisingly quickly.
allow the bishop to g4 and thereby 27 Kh2
secure the h5 square for the White is already uneasy and be
knight. gins to take measures to defend the
20 ••• Bg4! 2 1 Re i ? h3 point, which for the present is
This is already a retreat and an still not threatened; however, the
admission of the erroneousness of clouds are thickening, all Black's
his 1 8th move . If 2 1 h3 , then 2 1 . . . pieces are deployed very actively ,
Qe5 ! and the White knight already and probably it is already not
does not succeed in penetrating to possible to prevent the discharge of
h5 , while the springboard on e5 the accumulated combinational
opens up broad possibilities of ini tension.
tiative for Black. White could con 27 ••• Ne5 28 Nf5
tend for the initiative by continu On 2 8 Qd2 , highly unpleasant
ing now 2 1 Be 2 . After also missing for White would be the continua
this chance , he soon gets into an tion 2 8 . . . Ng4 + ! 29 Kg 1 ( 29 Kh 1
area of serious difficulties , while Qh4 30 Qe 1 Ne5 ) 29 . . . Qe5 with
the main thing is that the combina the threats of . . . Qxg3 and . . .
tional tension of the position be- Qd4 + . By playing also simply 2 8
99
. . . Qxd2 29 Rxd2 Kf8 , Black ob also not possible to play 3 1 Kxh3 .
tains an endgame with an advant The White king is thereby virtually
age which is easy to realise ( the d6 deprived of pawn-cover, to the
and eS squares) . other weaknesses is added that on
2 8 ... Rc l ! 2 9 Rd2 g4 , and combinations arise one
29 Rxc l ? N xd3 would lose a after the other.
piece. Also , 29 Qd2 Rxd l 30 Qxd l 3 1 Bft Bd7
g6 3 1 Ng3 Ng4 + would be miser Threatening two combinations:
able for White. Combinations with 32 . . . Qxe3 , followed by . . . Ng4 + ,
double attacks sparkle from both and 3 2 . . . Rxfl 33 Qxfl Qxe3 .
sides. But also after the move cho 32 Kg l Bh5
sen by Asztalos, the combinational Once again threatening the
discharge is inevi table. combination . . . Qxe3 etc.
29 ... g6! 33 Rd l
An excellent introductory move There was no defence for White
to a combination in which all of and a new combination crowns
Black's pieces take part. matters . The finale is elegant.
30 Ne3
If 30 N d4 , then 3 0 . . . N xd3 3 1
Rxd3 QeS + and . . . Qxe4. White is
mated in two moves after 3 0 Ng3
N g4 +
33 ... Qxe3 ! 34 Qxe3 Rxd l 35

Qh6 Ng4 36 g3 Bxft ! White res
igned.
The mate by . . . Bh3 is inevit
able.
30 . . . Bxh3 ! Let us try to again retrace the
And so, a positional weakness, whole process of play in this ins
arising in the process of Black's pur tructive game.
poseful p lanning play, is exploited In the opening stage , White did
in a combinational way. The beau not feel bad. Black chose a difficult
tiful idea: 3 1 gxh3 N B + . The vanatton of the Caro-Kann
White queen is forcibly diverted Defence , in which Black's cons
from defence of the g l square. It is truction of pawns on the king's
1 00
flank was not quite satisfactory . great combinational tension.

White secured himself a firm centre Beginning from the 28th move , the
and stood quite well on the flanks. first lightning appeared and the
However, Black, on the other combinational threats increased to
hand, had to concern himself with maximum strength on the 30th
prophylactics - in various direc move after . . . Bxh3 .
tions and particularly on the king's On the 3 3 rd move followed a
flank. Coming out of the opening decisive combination by Black.
with an excellent game , Asztalos, In this game it is clearly seen that
instead of castling queen's-side to the achievement of a positional ad
logically exploit his opening ad vantage is a pre-requisite for a com
vantage, began to play passively, b inational decision , where posi
avoiding a sharpening of the game tional weaknesses assume the role
which in the created situation of the main combinational motive.
would have opened the way for In the same light, let us look at
White to seize the initiative. Black one more game of N imzovich from
then exchanged the dark-squared the tournament in Bled.
bishops and won the struggle for
control of the black squares in the Caro-Kann Defence
centre. White: R.Spielmann
White's 1 8th and 20th moves, Black: A.Nimzovich
reckoning only on a mistake by the ( Bled 193 1)
opponent, turned out to be a 1 e4 e6 2 NO d5 3 Ne3 dxe4 4
wrongful expenditure of time Nxe4 Nf6 5 Ng3
which was exploited excellently by A rather artificial retreat with
Nimzovich. He achieved his the aim of avoiding early exchanges
planned obj ective and achieved and complicating the game. The
domination in the centre , creating continuation N xf6 + fol lowed by
a handy position for his pieces on d4, frequently occurring in the
the e5 square. practice of this variation and
From the moment Black finally strongly recommended by theory ,
seized the initiative and began to might have appeared dull to such a
prepare a decisive combinational lover of combinations as, not with
attack on the 24th move, White out foundation, Spielmann was
further weakened his castled posi considered to be.
tion with the move h3 . A number N evertheless , the fact that it is
of positional weaknesses appeared confirmed by deep experience and
in White's castled position, and tested as a correct way of obtaining
Black had full domination of the e5 a solid position in the centre,
square; however, his seizure of the should not be discounted. Besides
open c-file led to the creation of this, the retreat of the knight is
101
nevertheless a loss of time. Also taste for a chessplayer t o choose

unclear is the choice of the square one or another plan, when pres
of retreat. Why g3 , and not c3 , ented with a certa in choice . The
where the knight would have a plan chosen by N imzovich leads to
greater amplitude of activity ? a complicated game , in which it is
S ••• cS difficult to foresee the various
N imzovich immediately under possibilities which appear for both
l ines White's refusal to seize the opponents. To a more clear, and if
centre and already strives to hinder we might say, elastic position, led 8
him from playing d4 . None the less . . . Bg4 9 h3 Bxf3 1 0 QxO e6 1 1 0-0
the move . . . cS has rather more Be 7 1 2 Re 1 0-0. The situation,
psychological persuasiveness than which here foreshadows a
chess strength. A good continua manoeuvring game , is more com
tion for Black here is the sharp S . . . fortable for Black , whose pieces
hS , and , if White plays not 6 h4 or have great operational directive for
6 h3 , but for example 6 Bc4 , Black , purposeful transference and
by advancing his pawn to h3 , manoeuvres. We point to the d
seriously weakens the white squares fi le, the d8-aS diagonal , the march
on the opponent's king-side castled routes for the knights c6-d4 , f6-d7-
position. eS, which might, depending on the
6 Bc4 future situation and course of the
Of course , this is not bad , but he struggle , turn out to be useful for
would have given Black more diffi carrying out his planned ideas.
cult ies now by 6 d4 , and , if 6 . . . 9 Be3 Bg7 1 0 0 .. 0
cxd4 , then 7 Qd4 ! However, this The variation 10 BxcS QaS + 1 1
would not be in the spirit of Spiel b4 N xb4 was favourable for Black,
mann's style , though in the spirit of but now White threatens to take
the position. the pawn.
6 .•• a6 7 a4 Nc6 10 ••. b6 1 1 c3 0 .. 0 12 h3
After White has twice volun Not at once 12 Qe2 , on which
tarily decl ined to play d4 , Black , White rightly feared the continua
with harmonious pressure by tion 1 2 . . . Bg4 1 2 h3 BxO 14 Qxf3
several of his pieces on the d4 squa NeS.
re , achieves a strong position in the 12 .•.Bb7 1 3 Qe2 NaS 1 4 Ba2
centre where already he is also close (See diagram next page)
to securing the initiative . 1 4 ... BdS !
S d3 g6 At first sight, the exchange , of
The king's bishop also places the fered by N i mzovich , is not quite
d4 square under fire. Black decides comprehensible. The f7 point, if
to develop both bishops on the need be , could have been easily
flanks. Of course , it is a matter of covered by . . . e6. In fact, however,
102
Black.
18 000 b5 19 Nb6
Giving up the a-pawn for the cS
pawn and exchanging Black's
central knight would seem to ease
White's mind.
19 Nxb6 20 axb6 Qxb6 2 1
000
Ne4 Qc7 2 2 Nxc5

Nevertheless , as now becomes
clear, the measures taken by White
do not avert Black's offensive on
with the exchange ot the white the queen's flank.
squared bishops, Black begins a 22 000 a5 23 d4 RfbS 24 f4
deep plan of advance on the With some delay, Spielmann
queen's flank, for which, first of nevertheless tries to start active
all, he creates light-squared operations on the king's flank , the
weaknesses. more so that Black's offensive, for
This is similar to his game with the present, does not contain direct
Asztalos , where N imzovich, by threats , while the knight is strongly
means of an exchange of dark placed on c S . White threatens d5 ,
squared bishops, began play on the then Bd4 , and finally f5 .
weakened black squares. 24 000 e6 25 Raa l
15 Nd2 Bxa2 16 Rxa2 Nd5 1 7 With the legitimate desire for
Nc4 Nc6 the rook to establish contact with
It is clear that the exchange of the pieces on the king's flank;
knights would cut across the Black however, White misses the chance
plan which we indicated in the pre of playing f5 . After 25 f5 gxf5 26
vious note . Bf4 , or 25 . . . e5 26 d5 , the sharpen
18 a5 ing of the conflict does not lead to
This operation leads to enor bad consequences for White -
mous compl ications , the conse rather the contrary .
quences of which were impossible Black would have to go in for 2 5
to foresee at the board . . . . exf5 26 Bf4 N xd4 2 7 cxd4
The development of a battle on Bxd4 + 28 Kh l Qxc5 29 Bxb8
the queen's flank enters into Rxb8 30 Rxa5 , which in the end
Black's plan, and , instead of meet would probably lead to peace,
ing the opponent's idea half-way , it though Black's ' chances here are
would have been useful for White somewhat better.
to create a di version on the other In any case , this continuation
flank . For example, the advance was more correct for White than
h4-h5 must cause some anxiety for that which occurs in the game .
1 03
Thus White's last move could be takes the lead.

seen as the decisive mistake. 29 ... b4 30 f5 exf5 3 1 gxf5 a3 !
25 ... Ne7 ! Combinational threats hang
Black exploits the white squares over White's position . This is a
in artistic fashion. He blockades all logical consequence of the posi
of them. tional break on the queen's flank.
A combination. appears on the A colourful position !
scene if, for example, now 26 f5 , 3 2 bxa3 bxc3 3 3 f6
then 26 . . . N xf5 2 7 Bf4 N xd4 etc . On 33 Bxc3 follows 33 . . . N xc3
as pointed out above. N everthe and then . . . Bxd4 + with a double
less, White should choose this con attack.
tinuation as the lesser evil. 33 ... cxd2
26 g4 Nd5 2 7 RfJ And here again on the scene ap
Defending the g3 square from a pears the combinational pawn,·
queen check, and thereby prepar which we have only j ust left. It
ing f5 . turns out to be a real motive for the
2 7 ... a4 28 Bd2 approaching combination.
He also has to make this prophy 34 fxg7 Re8!
lactic move, since , on an imme 34 . . . Qc 1 + is parried by cov
diate 28 f5 , very unpleasant would ering with the rook, Rfl . Now,
be 2 8 . . . exf5 29 gxf5 Re8. however, White cannot prevent
28 ... Qc6! the combination with the
The last preparatory move for exchange sacrifice on e4. At the
the break . . . b4 , upon which, with present moment, besides this sa
the queen placed on c 7 , would crifice , is threatened . . . f5 or . . .
have followed Na6. Qe6 .
Besides this, Black defends the 35 Qd3
a4 pawn and the sixth rank , which
also improves the conditions for
the break.
29 Ne4
An immediate 29 f5 would lead ,
after 29 . . . exf5 30 gxf5 Re8 , only
to a concession of the e-file to
Black and a future derangement of
the castled position. Therefore
White attempts to also bring up his
knight to the right flank , and , al
ready on the next move , tries to 35 ... Rxe4!
breach Black's castled position The atmosphere must be
with the long-awaited f5 . But Black cleared , and the inevitable time of
1 04
the combinational completion of channels. Meanwhile, it is worth

the plan of attack on the que en's examing 9 . . . Nxe5 . Black loses a
flank draws near. pawn, but great possibilities are
36 Qxe4 Re8 37 Qh4 opening up for him to take the
The other variation of the com initiative. Here is a sample varia
bination is 3 7 Qd3 Re 1 + 38 RH tion: 9 . . . N xe5 10 dxe5 Ng4 1 1
Nf4 39 Qxd2 Re2 Bxe7 Qxe7 1 2 Qxd5 (or 1 2 N xd5
37 ... Ne3 38 Rffl QdS White Qxe5 13 N xc 7 Qxb2 14 Be2 Rb8
resigned. 1 5 Bxg4 Bxg4 with the better
The struggle against the pawn on chances for Black) 1 2 . . . Be6 1 3
d2 is useless . It is interesting that it Qe4 f5 1 4 exf6 Qxf6 , and , if 1 5 f3 ,
was j ust this modest infantryman then 1 5 . . . Rae8 1 6 fxg4 Qf2 + 1 7
which White , with his 1 8th move , Kd l Bxg4 + 1 8 Qxg4 Rd8 + and
willingly let through the frontier on mate in three moves.
b5 . N ow Black, first and foremost, I t seems that White should not
threatens to play . . . Re4 , but there go after the pawn, but instead of
are also other threats . N xd5 or Qxd5 , be content with the
In the following game , which modest retreat of the bishop to f4 ,
was awarded a special prize for on the one hand, creating the
beauty, a catastrophe befalls Black threat to capture on d5 , on the
on the g6 square . other, however, intending to exp
loit the precarious position of the
Queen's Gambit Black knight by h3 . Nevertheless,
White : H.Pillsbury also here Black could successfully
Black: H. Wolf defend himself by exploiting the
International Tournament fact that White lags behind in the
(Monte Carlo 1903) development of his king's flank, for
I d4 dS 2 e4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 BgS example: 1 1 Bf4 c6 1 2 h3 N h6 1 3
Nbd7 S NfJ Be7 6 e3 0 .. 0 7 Re i Bxh6 gxh6 1 4 Bd3 Re8 1 5 Qh5 Bf8
b6 etc .
Apropos this method of develop In a l l cases, Wolf would have
ment - see Chapter 4 in Middle obtained a less difficult position
game Planning. than that which Black usually ob
8 exdS exdS 9 NeS tains in the Pills bury system.
In earlier games, Pills bury made 10 f4 a6 1 1 Bd3 cS 12 0 ..0 e4
this move only after Bd3 and 0-0, Black is in difficulties. Not good
which seems to us to be more ac is 1 2 . . . N e4 1 3 Bxe7 Qxe 7 1 4 Bxe4
curate and logical . dxe4 1 5 N xd7 Qxd7 16 dxc5 Qxd l
9 . . . Bb7 1 7 Rfxd l bxc5 1 8 Na4 with the win
With this reply, the opening of a pawn, but also the plan of a
once again goes into theoretical pawn offensive on the queen's
1 05
flank, chosen by him, is at least to the defence , via c8.

premature, since White's attack on Best for Black would be to play
the king's flank makes much 16 . . . Ne4, but White also main
quicker progress. It apparently tains the initiative in this case ,
makes sense to play 1 2 . . . Re8 , and after 1 7 Bxe4 dxe4 1 8 Qg4 , and if
then . . . N fB , in order to strengthen 1 8 . . . N xe5 , then 1 9 Qh4 ! The
the weakest point of the castled continuation chosen by Wolf
position - the h 7 square. opens the important operational f
1 3 Bf5 b5 1 4 RfJ Re8 1 5 Rh3 line, and all the weaknesses in the
Because of the h 7 pawn - this Black king's ca&tled position, men
"eternal weakness" in Black's tioned earlier, became real obj ects
castled position - the situation has of attack. The position is sharp and
become threatening. On 1 5 . . . tense - the weaknesses become
Nf8 , there would already be a clap combinational motives , the atmos
of combinational thunder: 1 6 Bxf6 phere of the struggle thickens and a
Bxf6 1 7 Bxh 7 + N xh 7 1 8 Qh5 combinational discharge becomes a
Bxe5 1 9 Qxh 7 + Kf8 20 fxe5 and logical inevitability.
things are rather bad for Black. 17 fxe5 Nd7 1 8 Bxe7 Rxe7 19
Another tragedy would unfold in Qf3 Nf8 20 Rfl Qd7 21 Qf6 b4
reply to 1 5 . . . h6. Then 16 N xd 7 Black apparently, does not
N xd 7 1 7 Bxh6 gxh6 1 8 Qg4 + Kf8 notice the reply, but also after 2 1
1 9 Bxd 7 . Thus Black's reply is . . . Re6 2 2 Qg5 b4 2 3 N e 2 , and
forced. then Nf4 , his position remains dif
15 ... g6 ficult.
The h 7 pawn is defended at a 2 2 Na4! Qc7
h igh price - the serious weakening The White knight is invulner
of the h6 point. As will be seen able. If 22 . . . Re6 , then 23 Qf4
shortly, the f6 point is also inse Qxa4 ? 2 4 Qxf7 + Kh8 2 5 Qxb7 and
cure , and even the g6 point. And White , threatening Rxf8 + and
all this close to the king, it goes Qxh 7 mate , wins .
without saying that the weaknesses 2 3 Nc5
formed around the king become All five white pieces occupy
combinational motives. strong attacking positions - a decis
16 Bb l Nxe5 ? ive combination can be expected
Black fears the advance f5 . Of any minute.
course, all is not well for Black with 23 ... Bc8 24 Rh6 a5 25 Rf4
the g6 square , but this could never The last preparatory move .
theless be further defended with 2 5 ... Rb8
the knight from f8 . Incidentally, Black does not evaluate the op
upon 16 . . . Nf8 , the possibility is ponent's previous move . The only
opened to also move the bishop up possibility of resistance for him
1 06
could be in connection with the hardly gives aesthetic satisfaction ,

move 25 . . . Re8 , defending the f8 since a quick victory could have
point and , fer the present, parrying been ach ieved even without resort
the threatened combination . ing to it.
Nevertheless , the initiative - and 27 ••• Nxg6 28 Qf6 Re8
dangerous at that - remains in Whi White threatened a combination
te's hands , while the combina on the same theme Rxg6 + , but if
tional tension is not weakened. resistance is to be continued then it
There could follow (on 25 . . . must be by 28 . . . N xf4 29 exf4 c3
Re8) 26 Rfh4 Qe7 2 7 Qf3 Be6 2 8 30 bxc3 bxc3 3 1 Rh5 Re8 . Of
g4 , w i t h the threat of Qh3 . course , Black would also lose
here .
29 Rfl Be6 30 Qg5 Kh8 3 1 Qh5
Nf8 32 Nxe6 Nxe6 33 Rxe6!
Black resigned.
A little combination on the the
me of double attack with the
rook.
The following position was

reached after 18 moves in the
game Nolmann..Alekhine ( Bue
26 Bxg6! nos Aires 1 926).
The black squares do their
"black" business. Mate on the h8
and f8 squares determines the possi
bility and the correctness of this
combinational blow . The g6 point
is a fort which defends Black's who
le stronghold. The point is that, on
26 . . . N xg6 , follows 27 Rxg6 +
hxg6 28 Rh4.
26 ••• Rb6 27 Qxb6
This "effective" move served , it
seems , as the main basis for award Black is threatening t o win the
ing Pills bury the special prize for exchange by playing . . . Ng4 . If
brilliancy. White plays 19 h3 , then his oppo
However, after 27 Bxh 7 + (or 2 7 nent is provoked immediately into
Bxf7 + ) , Black would probably making a combination: 19 . . .
have recognised that further play Bxh3 20 gxh3 Qd7 2 1 Bc4
was useless. Such a queen sacrifice N xh3 + 22 Kfl b5 23 Bd3 Ng4
107
etc. The game continued: ness of the sacrifice.

19 Rd l Ng4 20 Ree l Kh8 25 gxh3 Nxh3 + 26 Kfl
Black intends to play . . . f6 and On 26 Kg2 could follow 26 . . .
then, under the cover of a well Nf4 + 2 7 Kfl Ng4 28 Qa 7 Rb8 and ,
fortified centre , to prepare an of if now 29 Red 1 , then 29 . . . Qf6 20
fensive on the king's flank. Qc5 Ne6 ! 3 1 Bxe6 fxe6 and the
2 1 h3 open f-fi le gives Black a dec isive
White gets nervous of the knight attack .
on g4 , and he decides to weaken 26 Ng4 2 7 Qd3 Qf6 28 Bd l
•••
the castled position, if only to Rd8 29 Qc2 Rxd2 30 Qxd2 Rd8

thrust back the rather "trouble 3 1 Qe2 Ngxf2 32 Bc2 h5 and
some" knight. N ow the h3 pawn Black won.
becomes a combinational motive ,
and Black begins to concentrate his King's Indian Defence
attention on . . . Bxh3 . White: V.Goglidse
21 ••• Nf6 22 Qe3 Rde8 Black: S.Flohr
According to Alekhine , the sa International Tournament
crifice of the bishop was unclear (Moscow 193 5)
here . Th is is his variation : 22 . . . I d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nf3 Bg7 4 g3
Bxh3 2 3 gxh3 N xh3 + 24 Kg2 Ng4 0 .. 0 5 Bg2 d6 6 0 .. 0 Nbd7 7 Qc2
25 Qc 1 Nhxf2 26 Rd2 etc. Black e5 8 dxe5 dxe5 9 Rd l Qe7 10
would assure himself a draw if, in Nc3 c6 I I Na4? Re8 1 2 h3 Nh5
stead of 24 . . . Ng4 , he played . . .
Nf4 + , but obviously this result did
not suit Black .
23 dxe5 dxe5 24 Rd2
White's castled position is wea

kened by the advance of the g and h
pawns. Particularly weak is the g3
point, in the direction of which
24 ••• Bxh3 Black already begins to exert pres
It is interesting that, in going in sure , by placing his knight on h5 .
for this combination , Alekhine was This obl iges White to act with cir
not convinced of the total correct- cumspection . White, apparently,
1 08
was carried away with active opera

tions on the queen's flank where , 1 9 ... Nxf2 !
two moves ago , he began t o prepare Demolishing the last bulwark.
an offensive. Therefore he played: 20 Kxf2 Qh4 +
13 cS The theme of double attack.
Cherishing the idea , sooner or 2 1 Kf3 Bxh3 22 Bxh3 Qxh3 +
later, of invading on the weak d6 23 Kf2
square. The mistake l ies in the fact If 2 3 Bg3 , then 23 . . . BeS .
that White does not give due atten 23 Qh4 + 24 KfJ BeS ! 25 e3
.••
tion to the opponent's concrete Bxf4

possibilities and , as a result, over Black exchanges the bishop
looks an elegant combination. In which represents the heart of the
the game there followed: defence.
1 3 ... e4 1 4 Nd4 e3 1 5 Bxe3 26 exf4 Qh3 + 27 Kf2 Re3
Nxg3 Now . . . Rg3 is threatened.
By now opening new approaches 28 Rg l Rae8 29 Rg2 Qh4 +
to the white king, Black firmly sei White resigned.
zes the initiative and quickly A splendid combinational rout,
launches an attack. in which the positional weaknesses
16 Rac 1 Nf6 1 7 Nc3 Nfe4 1 8 of White's castled position were
Nxe4 Nxe4 brilliantly exploited as combina
White's position is hardly defen tional motives.
sible. . . . NgS is threatened and, We return to the position before
generally speaking, the shattered White's 1 3 th move, wishing to put
defence of his king appears as a the question: is it possible that all
serious combinational motive , this happened because of 13 cS ? Of
foreshadowing a new combina course not , as the saying goes, it
tional outbreak. only poured oil on the flames. You
1 9 Bf4 see, also upon other moves, Whi
It is necessary to shut off the te's weaknesses on his king's flank
gaping diagonal. would by no means disappear and ,
indeed , the struggle tells its own
story . Nevertheless, in place of 1 3
c S , White should have concerned
himself with fortifying these
weaknesses by the manoeuvre Nd2-
f1 , but this means yielding the ini
tiative to Black. Alas, at times, one
has to come to such a decision. The
reason for White's difficulties was ,
above all, the moves 1 2 h3 and 1 1
1 09
Na4, but even earlier White's castled pOSition and represents a

opening plan suffered from a lack of quite real characteristic of a combi
c learness of purpose. For example , national motive . All the same , the
the pawn exchange on e5 was not re followed:
in the spirit of the position. 24 0 .. 0
He wanted to exchange first on
In the game , Szily..Bronstein e6, but, on 24 N xe6, alas , follows
( Hungary-USSR match , Budapest 24 . . . Bb4 .
1 949 ) , the position before White's 24 ••• Bxh3 ! 25 Ng3
24th move looked like this. Not at once, but on the follow
ing move , White will be forced to
accept the sacrifice . On an imme
diate 25 gxh3 could follow 25 . . .
Qg6 + 26 Kh l Rf3 2 7 N g l Qh5 28
Kg2 Rxh3 ! 29 N xh3 Qg4 + 30 Kh l
Qh3 + and . . . Qh2 mate .
25 Qg6 26 gxh3 Bxg3 2 7 Kh l
•••
Qh5 28 fxg3 Qxh3 + 29 Kg l

Qxg3 + 30 Kh l Rf3 3 1 Rxf3
Qxf3 + 3 2 Kg l Nxc5 3 3 dxc5
Qg3 + 34 Kh l RfS
Any chessplayer would prefer A decisive intervention by the
Black's posi tion for many reasons. reserves !
Particularly unpleasant for White is 35 Qe l Qf3 + 36 Kg l Rf6 37
the position of his king. It is ob Bf2
viously bad to leave it in the cen If 3 7 Qf2 , then 3 7 . . . Rg6 + 38
tre . Castling on the queen's-side Kfl Qh l + and . . . Qxa l .
also is not very acceptable. The 37 Rg6 + 3 8 Kfl Qh3 + 39
•••
king does not find a cosy future Ke2 Qd3 mate.

there . It seems that there remains The following game also serves
only one way out, to attempt to as an instructive and beautiful illus
hide the king on the king's flank, it tration of the combinational
its own domain, so to speak. exploitation of weaknesses in the
However, even in its own dwelling, castled position.
it will hardly find itself being left in
peace . You see , Black controls the King's Indian Defence
territory on this flank . This is White: B.Gurgenidze
secured by the strong pawn chain, Black: M.Tal
c6-d5-e4. Besides this, White has 24th USSR Championship
made the move h3 , which, in the (Moscow 1957)
present situation , weakens the 1 d 4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5
1 10
This "indicated" move , not al te's planning prospects upon these
lowing the queen's knight to be moves are not a bit worse , and
developed "normally", on c6, is possibly even better, than upon 3
considered by many to be the best d5.
continuation. There are strong 3 ... e 6 4 Ne3 exd5 5 exd5 d 6 6
masters, past and present, to whom NO g6 7 e4 Bg7 S Be2 0..0 9 0 ..0
such a wedge-shaped incursion of ReS 1 0 Nd2 Na6 I I Re i ?
pawns , crossing over to the oppo This and the 1 3 th move are bad ,
nent's terri tory , was a real support since they do not lead to any ob
to their creative views. However, j ectives and weaken the region of
we have dealt in detail with the the castled position ( the f2 and g4
question of the construction of a points ) . White must strive as
wedge in Middlegame Planning, to quickly as possible for the construc
which we now also refer the reader. tion a4 , Nc4 , Bf3 , and in this way
Th is, you see , is a purely positional organise pressure on the weak d6
question. Nevertheless, also now pawn ( Bf4 ) .
we allow ourselves to give one con I I ... Ne7 1 2 a4 b6 1 3 Qe2 ?
sideration of a general character. A White does not find a conve
pawn in the opening, advanced to nient plan, which , indeed , is not
the fifth rank ( for Black , to the easy. Worth considering is 13 Bf3
fourth rank ) , quickly becomes an Nd7 1 4 Nc4 Ne5 1 5 Nxe5 Bxe5 1 6
obj ect of attack . In addition to this, Be2 .
such an advanced pawn ( we have 13 ••• Ng4 1 4 h3 ?
in mind a central one ) , for the most Wh ile this is already inad
part , signifies a refusal to fight for missible carelessness. He should of
the initiative in the centre and an course take the knight. The varia
agreement to concede to the oppo tion 14 Bxg4 Bxg4 15 h3 Bc8 ! 1 6
nent the influence of squares of a N f3 f5 1 7 Bg5 Qd7 retains the
certain colour. In the French better game for Black, but it might
Defence , for example, after e5 , still be a stubborn struggle. Now,
Black is offered the possibility of however, over White's king's flank
carrying out play on the white squa blows a combinational whirlwind,
res , while in the present variation which in the course of a short time
of the King's Indian Defence - on produces terrible devastation in the
the black. We present these consi White king's suite .
derations in order t o show the sub 14 ••• Nxf2 !
jectivity of the statement about The king is invited to come
which continuation , this or that, out.
( in reply to 2 . . . cS) is better here. 15 Kxf2 Qh4 + 16 Kfl
Also 3 dxc5 and 3 Nf3 are suffi On 1 6 g3 follows . . . Bd4 + with a
ciently energetic replies here . Whi- quick mate . •
111
16 ••• Bd4 17 Nd l advantage.

The combination is in ful l swing, 2 3 Ra3 Rae8 24 Bd2 Nxd5
but nevertheless White does not Also 24 . . . Qf4 was good.
sense the theme of it. 2 5 Bxd5 Rxd5 26 Ke2
Or 26 N xd5 Qh l mate.
26 ••• Bxe3 2 7 Rxe3 Bxc4 +
On 28 Qxc4 now fol lows 28 . . .
Qxg2 + 29 Kd l Qxd2 mate, while
on 28 Kd l Rxe3 29 Rxe3 Qxg2 etc.
White resigned.
In the examples presented

above, the sacrifice of a piece for a
pawn, taken from the castled posi
tion, presented itself as a combina
17 ••• Qxh3 ! tion with, for the most part , a clear
Murderous trouble ! On 1 8 gxh3 theme , and quickly brought con
follows . . . Bxh3 mate. Here , this is crete results.
a pure mate with the two bishops In the following game , the cor
and appears as the theme of the rectness of the combination with
combination. the sacrifice of the bishop for the
18 Bfl Qh2 19 Ne3 f5 20 Ndc4 h6 pawn was , for a long time, the
fxe4 2 1 Bxe4 Ba6 22 BO object of a great debate and, even
Black is still a piece down and to the present day , it seems there
the White pieces are managing to are opponents who assert that the
go over to the help of their king. combination , or more rightly the
The first impression is that the sacrifice , was incorrect. Neverthe
worst for White is over. But this is less , this game was awarded a prize
only the first impression . The posi as the best in the tournament;
tion of the king, attacked by four possibly, in the decision of the
powerful pieces , remains h ighly j udges , the surprise, difficulty and
precarious and threatens to become risk of the sacrifice , played a role.
the obj ect of a new combination.
22 ••• Re5 Nimzo-Indian Defence
White will not succeed in slipp White: D.Bronstein
ing away with his king from the Black: P .Keres
combinational zone . Thus, if 23 International Tournament
Ke2 , then 23 . . . Rae8 24 Ra3 Qf4 (Gothenburg 1955)
2 5 Kd l Bxc4 26 Qxc4 Bxe3 , and 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e3
Black , recovering the sacrificed c5 5 Bd3 b6 6 Ne2 Bb7 7 0 ..0
piece , is left with a great material cxd4
112
Black, without sufficient founda dxc4

tion, refrains from the struggle for Here, the matter consists not so
equal i ty in the centre by . . . dS . much of the gaining of a second
The exchange of pawns, which he pawn, which of course would not
carries out, pursues the aim of do any harm either, so much as
opening the possibility of retreat for blocking the way of the White
his bishop on b4, but this, in the queen, after NfS , to the g3 square
present position, is only a particu ( via f3 or d3 ) .
lar problem which could also have 1 4 Bxh6!
been solved later.
8 exd4 0.. 0
Now Black intends to play 9 . . .
dS , but White gets there first.
9 d5 h6
It was unfavourable to play 9 . . .
exdS 1 0 cxdS N xdS 1 1 N xdS BxdS
1 2 Bxh 7 + ( possibly 1 2 N f4 Bb7 1 3
NhS i s even more energetic) 1 2 . . .
Kxh7 1 3 QxdS N c6 1 4 Bf4 with a
good game, ful l of initiative. The
refore , in the meanwhile, Black de The 1 1 th and 1 3 th moves pre
cides to prevent the pin BgS . pared this sacrifice , which Black is
However, in the present situation, forced to accept. After 14 . . . gxh6 ,
there immediately arises the idea of White's basic threat consists of
a sacrifice on h6, since Black is Qd2xh6 and then NfS or N h S .
badly developed, while White's 1 4 ... gxh6 1 5 Qd2 Nh7
pieces are handily placed for an As Black cannot defend the h6
attack on the king's flank. In other pawn, his task consists of finding a
words , the h6 pawn - is a weakness way to neutralise the direct attack
in the castled position, and it of three White pieces - queen ,
would be better for Black to think bishop and knight, and with his
about something else, possibly 9 . . . move Black achieves this object
Re8 , though even in this case ive , admittedly with some material
White maintains the initiative loss. Was there anything better for
after the simple 10 a3 . Black ? Here, grandmaster Bonda
1 0 Be2 Na6 1 1 Nh5 revsky , with the greatest clarity ,
The beginning of one of the dee presented a detailed analysis of this
pest combinations of our time. position, which proved that, even
White threatens to win the bishop after 1 5 . . . NcS ( recommended by
after a3 . many commentators as best) Black
1 1 ... exd5 1 2 a3 Be7 1 3 Ng3 could not save the game.
1 13
We give a few variations from

this analysis: 1 5 . . . Nc5 1 6 Rae 1 !
( occupying the e4 square also
represents a decisive link in the
attack. On 1 6 Qxh6 , Black in
cludes the bishop in the defence : 1 6
. . . Be4, which makes difficult the
further course of the attack. Thus ,
on 1 7 Qg5 + , Black could calmly
reply . . . Bg6 . However, by conti
nuing 1 7 N xe4, White even in this
case maintains the better chances. ) material equality, but there are no
1 6 . . . Nd3 1 7 Bxd3 cxd3 1 8 Nf5 pawns left in the castled position
Be4 (on 1 8 . . . Re8 fol lows 1 9 and his king is totally exposed - an
N xh6 + Kf8 2 0 Qg5 Bc5 2 1 Nf5 effective combinational motive . It
Re6 22 Qg7 + Ke8 23 Qh8 + Bf8 24 is precisely this which determines
N bd6 mate . ) 19 N bd4 Re8 20 White's advantage .
N xh6 + Kf8 2 1 Qg5 Bg6 (or 2 1 . . . 20 Qh5 Q£6 2 1 Nd6 Bc6 22 Qg4
d5 2 2 Rxe4 ! dxe4 23 N e6 + fxe6 24 A double attack. Both h4 ( f4)
Qg6 ) 2 2 Rxe 7 ! Rxe 7 (22 . . . Kxe7 and Qxc4 + are threatened.
23 N hf5 + Bxf5 24 N xf5 + Ke6 25 22 ... Kh8 23 Be4
Re I + Kd5 26 N e 7 + ) 23 Qxf6 Re4 It is natural that White wants to
2 4 Qh8 + Ke7 25 N hf5 + Bxf5 26 speculate on the bad position of the
N xf5 + Ke6 27 Qh3 etc as indi Black king, the more so that there
cated in Bondarevsky's analysis. I t are quite a few other weaknesses in
is indeed bad for Black. If, for Black's position. Nevertheless a
example , 2 7 . . . ReS , then 28 f4 more worthy crowning of this bril
Rxf5 2 9 Re I + Kf6 3 0 Qh6 mate . liant game here was the combina
Thus also 1 5 . . . Nc5 left White a tion 23 Qxg5 Qxg5 24 Nf7 + Kg7
possibility of deciding the game by 25 N xg5 Kf6 26 Bc2 ! Kxg5 27 Rd6
an effective attack. From this, Ne6 28 f4 + N xf4 ( 28 . . . Kf6 29 f5
another conclusion suggests itself, Ke7 30 Rxc6 ) 29 h4 + Kg4 30 Rd4
that the continuation 1 5 . . . Nh 7 , Rf8 3 1 Kh2 and then Bd l + winn
chosen b y Keres, was the most diffi ing the knight.
cult retort , for White , to his combi A strong continuation of the at
national attack. tack was also 23 Nf7 + Qxf7 24
16 Qxh6 £5 1 7 Nxf5 Rxf5 ! 1 8 Qxg5 . Thanks to the threat of Rd4 ,
Bxf5 NfS 1 9 Rad l Bg5 White does not allow the inclusion
The immediate danger has into the defence of the knight on
passed. Black has two minor pieces a6.
for rook and pawn, approximate 2 3 ... Bh6 24 Bxc6 dxc6 25
1 14
Qxc4 Nc5 26 b4 Ne6 2 7 Qxc6 Nxg7 Qg3 3 7 Kh l Nxf4 38 Qf3

Rb8 28 Ne4 Qg6 29 Rd6 Bg7 30 Ne2 39 Rh6 + and Black res
f4 Qg4 3 1 h3 Qe2 3 7 Ng3 Qe3 + igned.
33 Khl Nd4 The main conclusion which sug
On 33 . . . N xf4 arises a new com gests itself from the illustrative ma
bination with Rh6 + . terial - is the presence of a close
There followed intercommunication between weak
34 QdS Re8 35 NhS Ne2 36 points and combinational motives.
1 15
Chapter Ten
The Combinational Attack of the Two Bishops,

Harmony of the Rooks on the 2 nd &. 7th Ranks.
The Sacrifice of the Rook on g7.
We have already spoken quite a bit Rubinstein also regularly em

about the two bishops in Middle ployed this opening with White,
game Planning. Previously , how when , in the present position , he
ever, this theme had touched usually played 6 a3 , so as, after 6
mainly upon the process of plann . . . Bd6 , to continue 7 dxc5 Bxc5 8
ing manoeuvring, where , in cer b4 and BbZ .
tain conditions , the harmonious 6 dxc5 Bxc5 7 a3 a6 8 b4 Bd6 9
activity of the two bishops ac Bb2 0.. 0 1 0 Qd2
quired specific strength. Thus White delays the decision
In a combinational attack, the of the basic problem of the opening
bishops become particularly threa - castling. On the other hand , also
tening if their blows from the unfavourable is 10 Bd3 , since after
queen's flank , along two open, 1 0 . . . dxc4 1 1 Bxc4 b5 1 2 Bd3 Bb7
adj acent diagonals, are directed 1 3 0-0, would have been obtained
towards the side of the opponent's a perfectly symmetrical position,
castled position . In such attacks but with Black's turn to move .
the bishops promote many beauti This means that White has lost a
fu l combinational themes. One whole tempo , and , in the present
can cite the immortal combina variation , this circumstance has
tional attack in the game , Rotlev i highly important significance. The
Rubinstein, where , exploiting the correct decision was 1 0 cxd5 exd5
powerful harmony of the bishops , 1 1 BeZ or 1 1 Qb3 .
Black , with each move , offered the 1 0 ... Qe7 ! 1 1 Bd3 ?
opponent newer and newer sa The negative side to this move is
crifices. This beautiful game pro explained in the previous note . 1 1
ceeded in the following way. cxd5 was necessary .
1 1 ... dxc4 1 2 Bxc4 b5 1 3 Bd3
Queen's Gambit Rd8 14 Qe2
White: G.Rotlevi And so , a further loss of tempo.
Black: A.Rubinstein The White queen has gone from
5th All-Russia Toumament d 1 to eZ in two moves.
(Lodz 1 90 7) 14 ... Bb7 15 0.. 0
1 d 4 d5 2 N f3 e6 3 e3 c5 4 c4 The diagram presents a clear
Nc6 5 Nc3 Nf6 picture. White has lost two
1 16
clear temp i . knight) .
15 ••• Ne5 Nevertheless , things are bad for

"Black will exchange the knight White: the diagonal power of
f3, which, in the present position, Black's bishops has reached its cul
essentially represents the main sup mination, the harmonious attack
port of the king's flank. At the of the bishops with an irresistible
same time , Black opens the long and inevitable mate - a punishment
diagonal and both Black's bishops for the two lost tempi - hangs over
get the chance to open a hurricane the White king.
of fire , along the adj acent dia 24 Qxd2
gonals, on White's castled posi Or 24 Bxb7 Rxe2 25 Bg2 Rh3 .
tion. Events are about t o happen Or 24 Bxc3 , either . . . Bxe4 + or
quickly and inevitably. simply . . . Rxe2 mates.
16 Nxe5 Bxe5 1 7 £4 Bc7 18 e4 24 •••Bxe4 + 25 Qg2 Rh3 White
Rac8 19 e5 Bb6 + 20 Kh l Ng4! resigned.
2 1 Be4 Approximately a year and three
At first sight the Black bishops months before this game , in the
seem to have been rendered harm international tournament at Nurn
less , but this is far from being so. berg in 1 906, was played the fol
21 ••• Qh4 22 g3 lowing game , which might have
Also after 22 h3 would have fol served as a warning for Rotlevi, if
lowed the same move as in the he had managed to get to know
game. about it beforehand.
22 Rxc3 ! 2 3 gxh4
•••
See diagram next column . Queen's Gambit

23 Rd2 ! !
••• White: F.MarshaU
With the exception of the Black: H.Wol£
bishop on b6, all Black's pieces are (Niirnberg 1 906)
under attack; in addition to this I d4 d5 2 c4 dxc4 3 Nf3 e6 4
White is a queen ahead ( for a Nc3 c5 5 e3 Nf6 4 Bxc4 a6 7 0 ..0
117
Nc6 8 a3 Qc7 ? 9 Qe2 b5 1 0 Ba2 On 20 . . . gxhS follows the thema

Bb7 1 1 dxc5 Bxc5 1 2 b4 Bd6 1 3 tic mate Bh 7 .
Bb2 0 .. 0 1 4 Rac 1 20 . . . f6
Both opponents' bishops are The only move , but it also does
aimed at the enemy castled pos i not save him.
tion, but Black's queen is poorly 2 1 Bxg6 Rd7 22 Nxe6 Rh7
placed. If it were on e 7, Black If 22 . . Qc8 , then 23 Qxd 5 .
.
could have seized the initiative 2 3 Bxh7 + Qxh7 24 Qxh7 +

with the move . . . N e 5 . Kxh7 25 Nxf8 + BxfS 26 Rfd }
14 . . . Rad8 Nce7 2 7 e4 Black resigned.
Necessary was . . . Qe 7 In the following game , the dia
1 5 Bb l Ba8? gonal attack of the bishops was di
It is impossible to understand the rected at the queen's-side castled
aim of this move, though Black's position.
pos ition is already unsatisfactory
since he cannot prevent the incur Centre Opening
sion of the White knight on e4. White: Consultants
16 Ne4! Nd5 Black: J.Blackbume
If 16 . . . N xe4 , then 1 7 Bxe4 and (Bradford 190 1 )
the double attack on h 7 ( Bxh 7 + ) 1 e4 e 5 2 d4 exd4 3 Qxd4 Nc6 4
and c6 ( Bxc6 followed by Nd4) Qe3 g6
cannot be parried. Since , in the Centre Opening,
17 Neg5 g6 18 Nxh7 ! White usually castles on the
All these possibilities are queen's-side , Black prepares the
opened , thanks to the powerful at development of the bishop on g7,
tacking role of the bishops. where it w i l l conveniently attack
18 ... Kxh7 19 Ng5 + Kg8 the queen's-side castled position .
On 1 9 . . . Kh6 follows 20 Qg4 . As shown by the future course of
events , Blackburne's calculation is
completely j ustified .
5 Bd2 Bg7 6 Nc3 Nge7 7 0..0.. 0
0 .. 0 8 f4 d5 ! 9 exd5
There is apparently nothing
better; on 9 e5 follows . . . d4 .
9 ... Nb4! 1 0 Bc4 Bf5
The second bishop occupies a
threatening position, in relation to
White's castling.
1 1 Bb3 Nexd5 12 Nxd5 Nxd5
20 Qh5 ! 1 3 Qf3 Qf6
A decisive combinational blow. The bishops reveal their fire-
1 18
power. White is mated on the fol lowing

14 cl Nb4 move. The concluding position,
With the decisive threat of . . . j ust as the whole attack, is of rare
Nd3 + . White can defend himself beauty. The finale deserves a
against this check only by playing diagram.
the bishop to c4. And so he also
plays.
15 Be4
White resigned.
In all the three presented games ,
the combinational bishops ope
15 ... Qa6 ! ! rated harmoniously along two adj a
This effective combinational cent diagonals. In the following
move is, at the same time, also the example, the scale of activity of the
strongest. On 1 5 . . . b5 , White bishops goes far beyond the bounds
could still reply 16 g4 . Now, of the two diagonals . They will
however, White perishes swiftly. operate both along the adj acent
16 g4 diagonals and along the parallel
Black's queen, knight and and intersecting lines, but let us go
bishop are under attack, but the over to the game itself.
horrible state of the White king,
falling under the diagonal in Sicilian Defence
fluence of the bishops , makes Whi White: G.Ravinsky
te's position completely hopeless. Black: V.Panov
Black finds an effective combina (21 st Moscow Championship 1 943)
tional decision which kills the op 1 e4 cS 2 N f3 e6 3 d4 exd4 4
ponent instantly. Nxd4 Nf6 5 Ncl d6 6 g3 Ne6 7
1 6 ... Qxa2 Bgl Bd7 8 0 .. 0 a6 9 Be3 Re8 1 0
Black could also win by 1 6 . . . Qe2 b5
Qxc4 1 7 gxf5 Qxa2 1 8 Qe4 Qa 1 + Black delays too much the mobi
1 9 Qb l Nd3 + 20 Kc2 Qa4 + 2 1 lisation of the king's flank. The
Kxd3 Rfe8 etc. un castled king, you see , is also a
17 Be3 Bxe3 ! serious combinational motive . It is
1 19
enough to recall if only the game , its very death.

Steinitz-Bardeleben ( see Chapter 2 1 ... fxe6 22 Qxe6 + Be7
7 ) , and a few others . Leading to mate is 22 . . . Kd8 23
I I a 3 Ne5 1 2 Rad l Nc4 1 3 Be l Bg5 + Kc 7 24 Qc6 + Kb8 25 Bf4 +
Nxa3 Rc7 26 Bxc 7 + Qxc7 2 7 Qa8 .
Black decides to take the pawn. 2 3 Re i Qc5
The move 1 3 . . . Be 7 was still On 23 . . . Nb6 follows 24 Bg5
possible. Rc 7 25 Bc6 + Kf8 ( 2 5 . . . Kd8 26
14 e5 dxe5 15 Nc6 Qc7 16 Nxe5 Rd l + Nd7 2 7 Bxe7 + Kc8 28
Nc4 1 7 Nxd7 Nxd7 1 8 Nd5 Qa7 Bxd 7 + Rxd7 29 Rd6 and wins ) 26
19 Nf4 Re3 or 26 ReS . Black has no
With the unequivocal intention defence against Rf3 + . On 26 . . .
of sacrificing on e6. Rxc6 follows 2 7 Bxe 7 + and
19 ... Nce5 Qxc6 + .
24 b4
Trying to divert the Black queen
from the g5 square , on which the
White bishop intends to swoop.
24 •.. Nf8! 25 Qg4 Qc3
20 Rxd 7 !
The theme of this attractive and
surprising combination is the full
exposure of the Black king and the
freeing of space for an attack upon
it with the two bishops . Six moves 26 Rxe7 + !
later, White carries out a further N ow the bishops will be every
combination on the same theme , where.
in which he sacrifices also a second 26 ... Kxe7 27 Bg5 + Kd6
exchange. No better either is 2 7 . . . Ke8 .
20 .•• Nxd7 2 1 Nxe6! Then 28 Qe2 + Kf7 29 Bd5 + Kg6
The logical continuation of the 3 0 Qe4 + Kxg5 3 1 Qf4 + Kh5 32
combination, which serves as an Bf7 + and Qh4 mate.
instructive punishment for the ne 28 Qd l +
glect to castle. The Black king is This beautiful return of the
now doomed to cruel suffering until queen to its original square opens
1 20
up broad possibilities for the combi the seventh ( second) rank is

nation of a thematic mate , usually accompanied by many
problem- like in form, with the act threats , at times irresistible and
ive participation of the b ishops . which all by themselves can serve
28 ... Kc7 as a theme for combinations.
Or 2 8 . . . Ke6 , resulting in a pure However, it can and always will be
mate in the spirit of Czech pro a combinational motive, leading to
blemists, 29 Qd5 mate, or 28 . . . new combinations , and, finally,
Ke5 29 Qd5 mate. such a harmonious invasion creates
29 Bf4 + Kb6 30 Qd6 + Ka7 3 1 a whole whirlwind of combina
Qe7 + tional ideas around itself.
And Black cannot avoid a rapid Thus the harmony of rooks on
mate. For example, 3 1 . . . Rc7 3 2 the seventh ( second) ranks , as it
Be3 + Kb8 2 3 Qd8 + Rc8 3 4 Qb6 were , embodies all the elements of
mate. combination. From here comes
The reader is probably noticing that power which cannot usually
how the harmonious action of pie j ustify the opponent falling under
ces helps the development of com such a combinational structure.
binational events. You see, combi Let us look at a few schemes.
nation - i s a lofty form of harmony
in the chess struggle.
One can say that combinations
are the consequence of increasing
harmony in the operation of chess
forces.
Let us recall the game , Adams
Torre ( see Chapter 6 ) , where the
harmonious operation of rooks on
the e-file led to the creation of a
wonderful combinational master
piece. Not only this example but White forces mate:
also a number of others show how 1 Rde7 + Kd8 2 Ra7 Ke8 3 Rh7
the rooks can rage along a file and And there is no defence against
pursue the enemy k ing, which is the mate on h8.
running around in a panic. N ow we Before us is a position from the
want to touch upon one further game A.Alekhine ..F.Yates ( Inter
aspect of the harmonious operation national tournament, London
of rooks. For White along the 1 92 2 ) after the 3 4th move. Not
seventh rank: for Black - the se only the rooks , but also all of Whi
cond . te's pieces operate harmoniously,
The operation of the rooks on including even the king.
121
Chigorin ( White ) , was this:
The rooks are on the seventh

rank. This culmination of harmony
must lead to a combinational crisis White is a piece ahead ( an extra
in the ,truggle. knight for a pawn) , but the Black
35 Nd7 Kh8 36 Nf6! RgfS 37 rooks on the second rank are very
Rxg 7 ! ! dangerous. The combination ' "
This i s the "point" o f White's Bh5 -f3 + , and also . . h3 , is threa
combination . White could an tened. The right cQIltinuation for
nounce mate here in not later than White was pointed out by Chigo
seven moves. rin, 32 Rxb7 , but here he would
37 ••• Rxf6 38 Ke5 have to take into account the
N ow on . . . Raf8 or . . . Rff8 repl ies: 32 . . . Rxd5 , 32 . . . Rxe6 , 32
White mates in two moves: 3 9 . . . h3 , 3 2 . . . Bh5 , 3 2 . . . Bf7 . If the
Rh7 + Kg8 40 Rcg7 mate . This first two are refuted comparatively
mate also represents the theme of easily, then on 32 . . . h3 White
the combination , begun on Whi would have only one winning
te's 3 5 th move . White now , with move , 33 Bg3 , on 32 . . . BhS only
out hindrance , takes the rook on 33 Rb3 , and on 32 . . . Bf7 - 33 Nf4 .
f6 . On 38 . . . Bd3 or 38 . . . f4 follows however there followed: 3 2 BM?
mate in four moves: 39 Rh 7 + Kg8 Rxh2 + and White resigned in
40 Rcg7 + Kf8 4 1 Kxf6 Rh8 mate. view of . . . Rdg2 mate.
The dramatic finale to the se The following game outlines for
cond match between Steinitz and us the very process of the invasion
Chigorin, as is well-known, was of rooks.

caused by Chigorin's surprising
overlooking of a mate with the Petroff Defence
rooks on the second rank. White : G.Maroczy
In the 23rd game of the match, Black: F.MarshaU
the last as it turned out, the posi International Tournament
tion , before the fatal mistake of (San Sebastian 1 9 1 1 )
1 22
1 e4 e5 2 NO Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Qa4 ! Rxd3 20 Qa6 + .

NO l\"xe4 5 e4 Be7 6 Nc3 Nxc3 1 9 exb7 +
7 dxc3 Ne6 8 Bd3 Ne5 9 Nxe5 On 1 9 Qa4 , Black would pro-
dxe5 1 0 Qe2 Bg5 1 1 0 .. 0 Be6 1 2 bably have replied 1 9 . . . Kb8 , and ,
Re 1 Bxc 1 1 3 Raxc 1 Qg5 if 20 Qb5 , then 20 . . . b6 , and
The game has proceeded very White's attack is in a blind alley.
peacefully. A rather strict j udge of 19 ••• Kb8
pos itional niceties would prefer N ow the question is whether
here Black's game , with reference Black is able to extract anything
to the pawn structure in which from the d-file.
White's queen's-side pawns do not 20 a4 Bd5 2 1 Rg3 Qf4 22 Bxh7
form a chain such as that which The attempt to penetrate with
characterises Black's pawns on the the queen to f5 , and upon this also
king's flank . I t is possible to give capturing a pawn, cannot be con
some more positional considera demned , since it is very difficult to
tions , but all these cannot be deli suggest anyth ing in return, without
berated upon because they are not bending to the will of his oppo-
very real. nent.
It is difficult t o anticipate most of Now, however, Black breaks
the events in this position, how through on the d-file and the
ever a combinational storm sud struggle at once enters into an area
denly comes down upon White's of combinational tension.
position, which suddenly finds it 22 ••• Bxb7 23 h3
self on the brink of destruction. N ecessary to avoid threats of
14 Re3 0 .. 0 .. 0 15 Ree l f6 16 b4 mate on the first rank . If, for
Maroczy plays the game without example, at once 23 Qf5 , then 23
inspiration. The move made by . . . Rd l 24 Rge3 (or 24 Kfl Rxe l +
him cannot be considered as even a and wins) 24 . . . Qxe3 ! 25 fxe3
hint of attack . Why does he not Rxe l + 26 Kf2 Re I and White's
liven up the game by 1 6 Qa4 Kb8 position becomes critical .
1 7 Be4 ? 23 .•. Rd2 24 Qf5
16 ••• Rd7 ! 1 7 e5 Rhd8 1 8 e6
This is already something, but
Black has prepared for this prick
and , together with this, organises
pressure on the d-file. The atmos
phere begins to thicken move by
move, creating combinational
motives.
18 ••• Rd6!
Of course not 1 8 . . . bxc6 1 9
1 23
24 ••• Qxg3 ! 3 1 Qxe4 Rhe 2 .

The moment for the combina However, there i s for White j ust
tion is ripe , and Black must meet one, but nevertheless sufficient, re
this requirement of the position. tort, 28 Qf3 , and, if 28 . . . Rb2 ( a 2 ,
After 24 . . . Rd l ( which looks c 2 ) , then 29 Kg l Rhc2 30 Qfl ( but
hopefu l ) , he would risk losing the not 30 Qd 1 Rg2 + and Black wins
game. There might follow 25 Rxd 1 back the queen, leaving himself
Rxd l + 26 Kh2 Qc l 2 7 Rxg7 etc . with the better endgame) and
25 fxg3 Rxg2 + 26 Kfl Rdd2 Black might even lose.
The harmony of the rooks on the 28 Qxe4 Rdf2 + 29 Ke 1 Ra2 30
second rank represents .the theme Kfl Raf2 + 3 1 Ke l Ra2 32 Kfl
of Black's combination. He threa Rgf2 + 33 Kg l !
tens to immediately decide the White must manoeuvre accu
game in his favour by playing . . . rately, with the king coming under
Rh2 . How does White defend him the rook storm. M istaken would
self? If 2 7 Rc 1 Rh2 2 8 Ke 1 , then 28 have been 33 Ke l Rfb 2 , and , in
. . . Rde2 + 29 Kd l ( 29 Kfl Reg2 ) order to defend himself against
29 . . . Reg2 ( or . . . Rea ) 30 Qfl mate, White has to give up the
Bf3 + 3 1 Ke l Re2 + 3 2 Qxe2 queen for the rook.
Rxe2 + 33 Kfl Rh2 and Black must 3 3 ... Rfe2
win. The White queen cannot 3 3 . . . Rfb2 would now be parried
abandon the f5 square , in view of by the move 34 Qe 1 .
mate on a . 3 4 Qb l Rg2 + 3 5 Kh l
N evertheless White finds a Only so ! 3 5 Kfl loses , in view of
chance for a draw. 3 5 . . . Raa + 36 Ke l Rb2 .
2 7 Re4! 3 5 ... Rh2 + 36 Kg l Rag2 + 32
Kfl Rb2 38 Qe4 Draw.
An interesting and instructive
example of the energy which is
concealed in the horizontal har
mony of the rooks ; an example in
which White , to the end , did not
want to believe that the raging
rooks could not achieve more. By
sacrificing the queen, Marshall,
undoubtedly, counted upon winn
ing the game , but it was not
27 ... Bxe4 possible to foresee everyth ing. It is
Tempting was 2 7 . . . Rh2 , on sufficient to say that the world
which 28 Kg 1 loses because of 28 champion of that time , Emanuel
. . . Rdg2 + 29 Kfl Rb2 3 0 Kg l Bxe4 Lasker, commenting upon this
1 24
game , pointed out that, by conti Now it is clear who has lost a
nuing 27 . . . Rh2 ( instead of 27 . . . tempo !
Bxe4 as Marshall played ) , Black 9 b6 1 0 cxd5 Nxd5 1 1 Nb3
•..
would win. But he did not notice Bb7 1 2 Nxc5 Bxc5 1 3 Qa4 Qf6
28 Qf3 , and analysed in detail only 14 Ba6 Bxa6 1 5 Qxa6 Nb4 1 6
28 Kg ! . Qe2 Rfd8
We look at one more game At last one of the rooks begins to
where the Black rooks secured stir; after a couple of moves , the
themselves on the second rank. other goes to c8 . After that, in
This time they were the rooks of turn, they invade on d2 and c 2 .
the then world champion , J ose 17 a3 Nd3 1 8 Ne l
Raoul Capablanca. With astonishing persistence ,
N i mzovich strives for exchanges of
Queen's Gambit minor pieces , but here this tactic is
White : A.Nimzovich not j ustified: after each exchange
Black: J.R.Capablanca Black's posi tion , and not White's,
Match-tournament (New York 1927) becomes better.
1 c4 18 ... Nxe l 19 Rxe l Rac8 20
Nominally, according to open Rb l Qe5 2 1 g3 Qd5 22 b4 BfS
ing catechism, the opening in this 23 Bb2
game ought to be called the Engl ish It seems that at last White has
Opening, but the name actually freed himself from his constraint,
given to it is conditioned by the but Black's queen manoeuvre . . .
position after the 3 rd move. Qf6-eS-dS contains a concrete idea
1 Nf6 2 NfJ e6 3 d4 d5 4 e3
.•. which is revealed by his next move.
Be7 5 Nbd2 0 .. 0 6 Bd3 c5 7 dxc5 23 .•. Qa2
This exchange bears the cha Bravely placing itself at the head
racter of a principal wish to force of the attack in fnmt of its troops.
Black to lose a tempo , since , after 7 The queen is menacingly placed on
. . . BxcS , it turns out that the Black a 2 , where it paralyses White's pie
bishop gets to cS , not in one , but ces; at the same time it prepares an
two moves. In fact, however, after attack on the queen's flank by . . .
7 dxcS , it is not Black , but White , as .
who loses a tempo. If N i mzovich 24 Ra l Qb3 25 Bd4
had foreseen the opponent's reply, White probably underestimated
he would have chosen rather 7 0-0. the strength of the threat . . . Rc2 ,
The variation 7 . . . cxd4 8 N xd4 eS but whether he cou ld have coped in
9 NfS , as aso 8 exd4 dxc4 9 N xc4, general with his difficulties, the
does not lead to anything bad for history of which take us back as far
White . as the opening in this game, is a
7 .•• Na6! 8 0 ..0 Nxc5 9 Be2 big question. On 2 5 Rad 1 follows ,
1 25
for example , 2 5 . . . as 26 bxa5 bxa5 30 ••• Rxh2 !

27 Rxd8 Rxd8 28 Ra l Rc8 29 Rc 1 The discharge which could have
RbB (or even . . . Rxc 1 + ) , and the been expected move by move,
pawn on a3 falls. likewise, 25 Rac 1 minute to minute. The king's posi
does not solve his problems , in tion is demolished and soon all that
view of the same . . . a5 or 2 5 . . . remains for victory is to realise his
Rxc 1 26 Rxc 1 a5 . In all cases , the technical resources.
position of the pawn on a3 turns 3 1 Qf3
out to be bad. One can hardly se A painful necessity: 3 1 Bxh2 ?
verely criticise White for his last Qxg4 + 3 2 Kh l Qh3 forces mate.
move ; you see , it is directed prec 31 ••• Rhg2 + 32 Qxg2
isely against the threat . . . a5 . Otherwise he is mated: 3 2 Kh l
25 ••• Rc2 26 Qa6 e5 ! Qh6 + or 3 2 Kfl Qc4 + .
A little combination, having the 32 ••• Rxg2 +
idea of invading with the other The open position of the White
rook on the second rank, after king will continue to remain a real
which the combinational atmos combinational motive , and this
phere becomes much more heated. deprives White of the possibility of
27 Bxe5 Rdd2 28 Qb7 successfully organising a defence.
It is not easy to defend the pawn. 3 3 Kxg2 Qxg4 34 Rad l h5 35
28 Rfl would provoke a combina Rd4 Qg5 36 Kh2 a5 37 Re2
tion: 28 . . . Qxe3 ! 29 Bf4 Rxf2 , axb4 38 axb4 Be7 39 Re4 Bf6 40
with the well-known mating theme Rf2 Qd5
which occurred in the game And , after giving check on e8 ,
Chigorin-Steinitz ( see page 1 2 2 ) . White resigned, though he might
The move 2 8 Qfl however, have still resisted for some time.
brings White's position into a With the followng game , on a
totally passive state . N evertheless , great plan, we intend to finish our
upon this defence , White still has talk about the harmony of rooks 0
chances of putting up resistance. the penultimate ranks. However, it
28 ••• Rxf2 29 g4 Qe6 30 Bg3 is necessary to forewarn the reader
that, in the presented game , the
question of the harmony of rooks
will have for us even wider and
greater scope than this. The ques
tion in the present case will not be
so much about the joint action of
the rooks on the rank , a<; the com
binational attack of the rooks on
the file, however, the seventh rank
for Black is , as it were, a territorial
1 26
threat, which will hinder necessary to deny him this possibility, Black
measures to oppose the storming also makes his own preventive
pressure on the file. move. Of course , Black also had
However, the game itself, speaks other plans at his disposal, but
more than these few introductory whether thay are better or worse
words. than "Teichmann's" plan is a
matter for debate.
Spanish Game 9 d4 Bd7
White : O.Duras Indirectly defending the e5
Black: R. Teichmann pawn, since , after 1 0 Bxc6 Bxc6 ,
International Tournament the White pawn on e4 finds itself
(Ostende 1905) under attack.
1 e4 e5 2 NfJ Ne6 3 Bb5 a6 4 10 Nbd2 Re8 1 1 Nfl Bf8 1 2 Ng3
Ba4 Nf6 5 0..0 Be7 6 Re i d6 7 cl g6
0-0 8 h3 h6 Now White's knights come up
If White's 8th move was to some against a pawn "fence"; Black's pie
extent understandable as a desire to ces, however, are excellently deve
secure , by preventing the pin of the loped and occupy good, active posi
knight, the advance in the centre tions. This is fraught with the
d4 under the best conditions , then possibility that Black will seize the
Black's analogous move with the initiative.
h-pawn could provoke even bewil 13 Bb3 Qe7 14 Be3 Bg7
derment. You see , such pawn Black loses a knight if he chases
moves invariably lead to a weaken after the pawn - 14 . . . exd4 ? 1 5
ing of the king's position, and , con cxd4 N xe4 ? 1 6 Be l .
sequently , they should not be made 1 5 d5
without extreme necessity. A great deal has been said about
All this is so, but the fact of the such a crucial blocking of the cen
matter is that T eichmann's move is tre in Middlegame Planning. Here
a link in the whole plan and , to a we can only say that if White de
certain extent, expedient. Black cides on this step, then he will
has in view the transfer of the make it in good time, immediately
bishop from e7 to g 7 , where it will rendering harmless all Black's play
be deployed much more actively on the e-file and the a l -h8 dia
and in any case improve Black's gonal.
position in the centre . To accompl The struggle will now b e trans
ish this transfer, the moves . . . Re8 , ferred to the flanks , and , to prepare
. . . Bf8 , . . . g6 and . . . Bg7 are for that, both opponents obviously
planned. However, after . . . Bf8 , have to resort to new piece
White could immediately pin the manoeuvres.
knight with the move Bg5 . In order 15 ... Nd8 16 e4 b6 17 Be2 a5 18
127
Nh2 Kh7 1 9 Rh l Ng8 20 f4 of the g6 square.

But this advance - is a double 22 Bxe5 Qxe5 23 Ngfl Qg7 24
edged weapon. Black's cramped NO Nh7
pieces come to life and sensitive If Black were to succeed in con
weaknesses are formed for White in solidating his knight on eS , his
the centre. For example , the e4 game would even be preferable, but
pawn, or the eS and cS points there is no way to do this. It goes
which can become excellent bases without saying that the knight will
for the Black p ieces. What does be excellently deployed on eS , but,
White obtain in return ? The f-file, you see , the matter does not l ie in
and this, it seems , is all. one s ingle position of the knight.
N evertheless, matters are not so Black's main problem is - the rooks.
simple. White's pawn formation is The solving of this problem de
such that the White rooks have a pends largely upon the character of
great deal of space for manoeuvring the forthcoming struggle.
and organising joint operations. 25 Ng3 Nc5 26 Qd2 Re7 27 Qf2
For the present, the position of the White exerts hidden pressure m
Black rooks is worse. Even if f7 and threatens , in reply to 2 7 . . .
Black's queen's rook manages to get bS , a beautiful combination: 28 eS !
out of the corner, the territory for dxeS 29 NhS Qh8 30 RxeS RxeS 3 1
its operations will be rather res NgS + hxgS 3 2 Qxf7 + Kh6 33
tricted, without even mentioning Qxg6 mate.
j oint operations with its friend on 27 ••• Rae8
the king's flank. The easier to Black anticipates the combina
achieve harmonious operation of tion. After 28 eS dxeS 29 N hS he
the rooks - this is the main trump in can retreat the queen to f8 .
White's hands. The question cons 28 Re2 Kh8 29 h3 Nf6 30 Rbe 1
ists only of the reali ty of this trump. Nh7 3 1 Bh l
The struggle is now quickly shar White was probably in time
pened and this means that it must pressure , therefore there is no appa
inevitably enter into a phase of rent motive for this move. The
combinational tension, with possi continuation 3 1 Kh2 might have
bilities for both sides. been useful.
20 ••• exf4 ! 2 1 Bxf4 Be5 ! 31 ••• Ng5 32 Nxg5 hxg5 33 QO
After long deliberation, Black Probably to prevent the move . . .
comes to the conclusion that this g4. Because of his 3 1 st move,
blockading of the e4 pawn is abso White has lost the initiative and
lutely necessary. White threatens must defend himself.
to carry out eS , after N f3 . The 33 Qd4 + 34 Kh2 Kg7 35 Rf2
•••
move . . . f6 , however, will not do in Qe5 36 Refl Rh8 3 7 Kg l Rh4

view of the catastrophic weakening With the threat of 38 . . . g4 .
1 28
3S Qe3 ! Rh6 f6 ! (a move which Em. Lasker

On 38 . . . g4 could follow 39 pointed out, in his day) , and Black,
NfS + BxfS 40 RxfS gxfS 4 1 QgS + ridding himself of danger , retains
or even simpler 3 9 Rf4 ! the extra piece . If, in this varia
39 a3 g4 40 hxg4 Bxg4 4 1 Rf4 tion, White gives a check with the
Bd7 42 Qf2 BeS queen on d2 on the 46th move
( indicated in Middlegame Planning
as a winning continuation) , . then
follows 46 . . . Kg7 ! ( but not 46 . . .
Kh 7 ? which was analysed in Midd
legame Planning) 4 7 RfS Qa l , and
Black , successfully defending him
self, threatens to play . . . ReS . If,
however, for example ; 48 RhS ,
then simply 48 . . . N xe4 49 Qh6 +
Kg8 , and again everything is in
order for Black. From this it follows
43 Rf5 ! ? that the position in the diagram is
A storm begins , there i s n o other unsatisfactory for White , and hur
way out for White but a risky com ling himself into a sea of combina
binational attack, it is even worse tional complications was probably
to surrender the initiative to the the best psychological decision. In
opponent. However, Black does fact , what other continuation be
not have a great choice - he must sides the rook sacrifice on fS can be
either take the rook or move the recommended for White ? You see,
queen away to c3 . It would hardly 43 b4 would only weaken his
be reasonable to place the queen on queen's flank still further. True , it
a i , where it is under potential was possible to play in a passive -
threat of the White rook. defensive spirit, 43 Bc2 , but, after
43 ••• Qc3 ? 43 . . . Qb2 , from j ust the psycholo
What held Black back from 43 gical point of view, White would
. . . gxfS ? Most probably, trust in the feel bad. It is interesting that Duras'
calculation of the opponent or, consideration j ustifies itself, and he
principally, distrust in the possibil now gets the chance to really
ity of defending an exposed king. demonstrate the overwhelming
But meanwhile he should take the combinational strength of the har
rook and thereby immediately cut monious action of the rooks .
the Gordian knot of the position. 44 e5 !
The following variation points to It is surprising that T eichmann
this: 43 . . . gxfS 44 N xfS + Kh7 4S reconciled himself to this obvious
N xh6 Kxh6 46 Qh4 + Kg7 4 7 RfJ continuation of the attack, cutting
1 29
off the queen from the king's flank 47 Qxf5 + Rg6!

which is subject to a strong attack, In reply to 4 7 . . . Kh8 , the attack
and bringing into battle the inact would develop by 48 Rh5 Qe3 + 49
ive White bishop. Now already , Kh2 Kg7 ( if 49 . . . e4 , then 50
taking the rook is strictly prohi Qf6 + Kh7 5 1 Rf5 Rd7 52 Rg5 ) 50
bited for Black. RfJ Qd2 (or 50 . . . Bd7 5 1 Qh7 + ! )
44 ... dxe5 5 1 Rfh3 ! Rxh5 (also now not 5 0 . . .
On 44 . . . N xb3 , there were Bd 7 , in view of 5 1 Rg5 + Kf8 52
several combinational refutations. Rxh6 ! ) 52 Qxh5 Qf4 +
One of these is 44 R5fJ Qxc4 45 48 Qf6!
Rxb3 ! Qxb3 46 Qf6 + Kh7 4 7 Nf5 With the threat of mate in two
gxf5 48 Bxf5 + Kg8 49 Qxh6. moves, and also Bxg6 + and Qxe 7 .
45 Rg5 Kh7 This double threat - is one of the
themes of the combination, begun
with White's 46th move . Black
finds the only way to save himself
from immediate ruin.
48 ... Qd4 + 49 Rf2 Qd l + 50
Kh2 e4 5 1 Qxe7 Rh6 + 52 Kg3
Qe l 5 3 Qxe8 Qe3 + 54 Kg4
Not only Black's king, but also
White's shifts to find a cosy place.
There are motives which also give
Black the chance to think about
46 Nf5 ! combinations. Against 54
Combination follows combina Rh4 + there is only one , but suffi
tion, and White , of course, had cient, defence: 5 5 Kxh4 Qxf2 + 56
foreseen it earlier. You see, only in KhS Qe2 + 5 7 Rg4 , but not 5 7 g4
this way can he prevent the threats Qh2 mate.
46 . . . e4 or 46 . . . Qd4 . Black finds another combina
46 ... gxf5 tion, which allows him to continue
Obviously the sacrifice must be resistance for still some time.
accepted . How quickly and surpris 54 ... f5 + 55 Rgxf5 !
ingly the conditions change in a O n 55 Kxf5 , Black mates i n two
combinational struggle. Only a few moves. If, however, 55 Rfxf5 , then
moves ago, the White bishop Black achieves a draw by perpetual
might have been christened "the check: 55 . . . Qe2 + 56 Kf4 Qf2 +
living dead", but now this same 5 7 Ke5 Qb2 + .
bishop plays virtually the leading However, now an interesting
ro1e in Duras' brilliant combina possibility of a check on g6 is also
tional idea. opened for Black.
1 30
55 ... Rg6 + several important questions , purely

Wherever the white king moves , of a creative order, and therefore it
it is mated. A new combination seems to us that an afterword is
comes to his assistance. necessary . Let us recall how the
struggle proceeded. The first im
portant moment , after a theore
tically played opening, came on the
1 5 th move , when White decided to
lock the centre by the move d5 . As
a result of this crucial advance , the
game entered into an area of
manoeuvring, where White had
some territorial advantage and , as a
consequence of which , Black's
pos ition was rather cramped.
56 Qxg6 + ! Kxg6 A very serious, principal mo
A very beautiful final combina ment, again on White's initiative ,
tion , leading to mate , where the came on the 20th move when he
harmony of the rooks on the f-file very quickly prepared and carried
even exceeds in strength and effect out f4 , obviously seeing a way of
a similar inter-action of rooks on attack. However, after 20 . . . exf4 !
the seventh rank . The end, despite all the windows and doors opened
its absolute clarity , is original and for Black . He began to play again
colourful. on the long a l -h8 diagonal and the
57 Rf6 + Kg7 58 Rf7 + Kg8 central e-file.
If 58 . . . Kg6 , then 59 R2f6 mate . After obtaining a piece base on
The first theme . e5, Black blockaded the White e4
59 Rf8 + Kg7 60 R2f7 + pawn and put out of action the
A hurricane ! bishop on c 2 . Then Black set up
60 ... Kg6 6 1 Rf6 + Kg7 62 the knight on the weak cS square
R8f7 + Kg8 63 Kh5 and the balance gradually ti lted to
N ow 64 Rf8 + and R6f7 mate is his side. Thus , White's 20th move
threatened . The second echo turned out to be not particularly
theme . successful. However, we should not
63 ... Qe2 + 64 g4 and Black confine ourselves to this statement.
resigned since , even at the cost of I t is highly important if only to try
the queen , he cannot stop mate in to reply to the question - what
2-3 moves ( 64 . . . Qh2 + 65 Kg6 thoughts and state of mind did
Qd6 66 Rg7 + Kh8 67 Rxd6 cxd6 Duras (he was then 24 years old )
68 Rc 7 ) . have when he deliberated over f4
Th is great game touches upon and then nevertheless decided to
131
play it. The height of Duras' combi quickly as possible to open the posi
national creativity, its culmina tion. The question arises why then
tion, came in the period 1 908- did he lock himself in with the
1 9 1 2 , after which he began to with move 1 5 dS ? It cannot be doubted
draw from the chess scene. But in that, in making the move, Duras
the first period of his creative work already foresaw the plan with the
( 1 904- 1 907 ) , Duras' play was move f4. Why not ? Duras achieved
marked by brilliant combinational his obj ective and the position be
thoughts and at the same time, an came combination ally strained.
above average understanding of T eichmann, in the meanwhile,
positional principles. He, so to played excellently. After the
speak , did not draw upon this side , exchange of knights and finally
whereas, in every tournament , his gammg the eS square ( the
victories were distinguished by manoeuvre . . . Nh7-gS ) , Black's
subtle , elegant combinations. In pieces took up dominating posi
short, Duras won fame with a tions on the board. Duras "built
deeply pronounced "combina up" on the f-file, but the f7 point
tional" style. In the very first turned out to be firmly defended by
chapter we have already indicated 42 . . . Be8 , and invulnerable, while
not only the deterioration of this White got into an original blind
concept in our time, but also to the alley with numerous weaknesses in
artificiality of it even for the epoch his position and an already not par
of Anderssen and the I talian chess ticularly safe king. It was then that
school. However, there is nothing also followed 43 RfS ! ? as the only
bad or artificial in calling Duras or and natural way to j ustify the move
some other chess player combina 20 f4 , and all hopes and expecta
tional. Any chessplayer can be tions ( very great) connected with
called this, who strives , as quickly it. There , this sacrifice should not
and forcibly as possible, to provoke be censured, even though upon the
combinational tension in the posi correct reply it should also have led
tion. Such a player often plays ris to a loss for White. I t was not
kily, while at other times also possible , with limited time , to cal
breaks or by-passes the most ele culate at the board all the conse
mentary rules of positional play. quences of the sacrifice . On the
Returning to the move 20 f4 , other hand , declining the sacrifice
one could say that in this way Duras of the rook would have left White
expressed not so much some sort of without any prospects for the fu
style , as an individual creative "I". ture , with several weaknesses in his
He did not like, one could even say own camp and . . . more or less prob
submit to , lengthy processes of able defeat as well. We add , as a
manoeuvring, and strived as further reason for RfS , Duras'
132
creative tendency , and we come to g7 square is clearly carried out by

the conclusion that Duras did what White , but cannot Black realise, in
he had to do. a corresponding situation, an ana
T eichmann did not accept the logous combination with a rook sa
sacrifice , replying 43 . . . Qc3 ? and crifice on the g2 square ? Both yes
this amounted not only to a combi and no , I would reply to this ques
national mistake , but mainly a tion. Yes , because every position
positional "blunder" . Over the and situation in the chess game can
course of 23 moves, T eichmann be imagined with colours reversed .
rightly blockaded the e4 pawn and And yet, more than likely "no".
kept the White b ishop locked up, We do not intend to give special
and then suddenly voluntarily set consideration to the question of the
the bird free . This sharply in sacrifice of the Black rook on g2 .
creased the combinational poten The fact of the matter is that prac
tial. Duras , of course, immediately tice hardly produces any examples
played 44 e5 , including the bishop with the rook sacrifice on g2 , while
in the attack on the k ing's flank the rook is sacrificed on g7 in many
and excluding the opponent's games. For us, however, the crite
queen from the defence of this rion for the choice and examina
flank. Combinations, which up to tion of this, above all and exclus
this point could not exist, now ively , is practical play. Even if we
completed the rout. The final com succeeded in finding two or three
bination, where the main element combinations with the sacrifice of a
was the harmony of the rooks on rook on g2 , then we would hardly
the f-file and the accompaniment need to examine these specially.
of the king, completed a beautiful But the main thing is that our me
thematic mate. thodical resume , in respect of a sa
Amongst combinational ideas in crifice on g7, can always be utilised
which a rook is sacrificed , practice for the rare combination with a
advances the combination with the rook sacrifice by Black on the g2
sacrifice of a rook on the g7 square square. One cannot ignore the
( i n the king's side castled position) . combinations of the brilliant Mor
Such a sacrifice still cannot be con phy, where , playing Black in two
sidered theoretical, as is the sa games with L.Paulsen, in both
crifice of a bishop on h 7 ( see cases he sacrificed a rook on the g2
Chapter 6 ) , but it is already pos square. Here is how it happened.
sible to foresee a certain parallel. (See diagram top next page)
The question will be gone into The first diagram is a position
further after an examination and from a blindfold game played in
analysis of a number of illustra New York in 1 85 3 . Morphy an
tions. The sacrifice of a rook on the nounced mate in 5 moves :
1 33
ing the game , but, after conducting

the final part of the game inaccu
rately, he had to be satisfied with a
draw .
Both these historical examples
portray for us motives for sacrifices ,
their basis , etc. It is important that
the square , on which the rook was
sacrificed , was defended only by
the king. The aim of the sacrifice -
23 ••• Rxg2 + 24 Kxg2 RgS + (or is to demolish and expose the pos i
24 . . . Qh3 + 2 5 Kf2 Qh2 + 26 KO tion of the king, but in order to
Rf8 + and Rxf7 mate ) 25 KfJ exploit its open position after that,
Qh5 + 26 Kf2 Qh2 + and . . . Qg2 it is necessary to have reserves
or . . . Rg3 mate . which will be ready to immediately
complete the combination. In the
first example, such reserves were
the bishop on e6 , queen on h5 and
the rook on a8 ; in the second , the
queen , two bishops , but also the
rook which, in both branches of
the combination, made the con
cluding ( demonstrating the theme )
move ( 2 5 . . . RxO and 25 . . . Rf2 ) .
And so - the sacrifice of the rook
on g7 ! Above , we have already
This diagram is from the game twice come across such a sacrifice
L.Paulsen.. Morphy, from the in in the game Chigorin- Bird
ternational congress in N ew York (Chapter 7 ) , but the· sacrifice is
1 8 5 7 , after White's 2 1 st move only a fellow-traveller for other
(Ng5-e4 ) . There followed: ideas - which was illustrated by this
21 ••• Rxg2 + ! 22 Kxg2 £5 23 fJ game . In the following examples,
And here Morphy made a mi this sacrifice will be the centre of
stake , by playing 23 Qg6 + . A
••• our attention.
forced win was achieved after 23 . . . Here we have a posi tion from the
fxe4 24 fxe4 (also bad is 24 Rxe4 exhibition game Berry..Plllsbury,
Qg6 + 25 Kh l RxO ) 24 . . . Qg6 + played in Boston ( USA) in 1 900.
25 Kh l Rf2 . (See diagram top ofnext page)
After 23 . . . Qg6 + , Paulsen, White is the exchange up for a
naturally, replied 24 Ng5 and ob pawn . In addition to this , Black has
tained good chances even of winn- two excellently deployed bishops
1 34
( Petersburg 1 909)
and a strong , mobile pawn group in

the centre . It would seem that the
opponents have in prospect still a 24 Rxg7 + ! Kxg7 25 d5 + f6 26
prolonged struggle , but the decisive Rxe6 Ng8 27 Qf5 RfS 28 Bd3
factor in assessing the present posi The position is threatening; all
tion is a combinational motive . White's pieces enter into the at
The g7 point is defended only by tack.
the king , White's rook has pene 28 ••• Kh8 29 d6!
trated to the seventh rank and its Very good ! After 25 Bxf6 + ,
activity is successfu lly directed at White's attack is weakened.
precisely this point. The reserves 29 ••• Qd8 30 c5 Rg7 3 1 Qxf4
are also in a state of readiness: these Now we can sum up. White has
are a strongly deployed queen, and two pawns for the exchange ,
a rook on e l , and potentially also Black's king is half-exposed , there
the bishop. There followed the are some weaknesses around it,
combination: White's queen and rook, together
32 Rxg7 + ! Kxg7 33 Re7 + Kg8 with the two harmoniously
If 33 . . . Kf6 , then 34 Qh4 + Kg6 operating bishops , attack the shat
35 Qg3 + Kh5 36 Rg7 with the tered Black castled position, and
threats of Rg5 + and Qf3 + . this is still not all. Located in the
34 Qxh6 Bg l + 35 Kh l Bd4 centre on the sixth rank , White has
The only move ! a strongly-defended passed pawn,
36 cxd4 Qxd4 3 7 Qg5 + Kh8 38 which severely cramps the oppo
Qh4 + Kg8 39 Qg3 + Kh8 40 nent's pieces , and , through its pres
Bc3 and Black resigned. ence, eternal threats hang over
He is mated in 4 moves. Black's position. All this is more
Thus in the diagram position, than sufficient to j ustify the combi
White could have announced mate nation. Black's position is hope
in 1 3 moves. less , nevertheless the game , thanks
The next posi tion is taken from to the ingenious defence , still pres
the game Forgacs..Bemstein ents certain interest.
135
31 Rff7 3 2 b4 a6 3 3 Bf5 as 34
••• tement apropos this: "White - he
a3 axb4 35 axb4 b6 36 Bd4 bxc5 writes in the tournament book -
3 7 bxc5 Qa8 turns out to be the master, even
The Black queen breaks away for with the stunning possibilities".
some space. 42 ••• Qxd4
38 h4 Qa4 39 Re8 The preliminary 42 . . . Rxg3 +
Many threats crop up. The main does not change matters.
one - mate in 3 moves after 43 d7! Qd5 + 44 Kh2 Rxg3 45
Qxh6 + . Kxg3 Qxf5
39 ••• Qd l + 40 Kh2 Black has won the queen and
both bishops , but this proves to be
insufficient to withstand White's
passed pawn . Again the inconspi
cuous pawn plays a dec isive role !
46 d8(Q) Kh7 47 Qc7 +
White has already suffered a
great deal from the clever counter
blows of the opponent , and plays
"safely". It was possible to take the
knight: 47 Rxg8 Qe5 + 48 Kg2
Qe4 + 49 Kh2 ! Qxh4 + 50 Kg ! , or
40 ••• Rxg2 + ! 49 . . . Qf4 + 50 Kg l Qc 1 + 5 1 Kg2
An excellent combinational or 49 . . . Qe5 + 50 Rg3 .
chance, not quite crowned with 47 Kh8 48 Qd8 Kh7 49 Qc7+
•••
success. Everything is ready for Kh8 50 Qe7 Qd3 + 5 1 Kg2 Qh7

Black's combination: the weakness 52 Qxh7 + Kxh7 53 Rc8 Black
of the g2 square and the position of resigned.
the sacrificing rook, but there are In this same tournament , in the
insufficient reserves to complete last round game , Em. Lasker.
the attack . In addition to this, the Teichmann , Black resigned in a
White pawn on d6 turns out to be a pos ition where he was convinced
real, dangerous combinational that he could not prevent the
motive . winning combination by Lasker of
4 1 Kxg2 Rg7 + 42 Qg3 ! a rook sacrifice on g 7 .
If it were not for this queen sa (See diagram top ofnext page)
crifice in reply to the combination , Black has a queen defending the
White would have lost the game. g7 square ( besides the king) and
Nevertheless the possibility of consequently suitable conditions
White's queen sacrifice should be do not exist for a combination with
considered a natural phenomenon. a rook sacrifice on g7.
Interesting is Emanuel Lasker's sta- White endeavours t o drive the
1 36
has to take into account very many

and various considerations - it is
possible to l ist tens of them. Pro
bably , White's position should be
somewhat preferred and not
because of the weakness of the g6
square , which, however, can also ,
upon certain conditions , play its
own role , but mainly because of the
c-file where White might organise
queen away from the critical point. pressure on the c6 pawn.
If Black now plays 22 . . . Qf6 , then White has also made some pro
follows 28 QxdS + Qf7 29 Rxg7 + ! gress in the territorial respect. It is
Kxg7 30 Rg l + Kh8 3 1 BeS + Bf6 interesting that the sharp combina
3 2 Bxf6 + Qxf6 3 3 QhS + and mate tional sight of Marshall was at
on the next move. Teichmann tracted to two combinational mot
played 2 7 •••Qe6 but resigned ives. The undefended state of the
immediately without waiting for queen and the weakness of the g7
Lasker to carry out the combina square , which is defended only by
tion: 28 Rxg7 + Kxg7 29 Rg l + the king. Probably these two mo
Kh8 30 QhS + and Qxh6 mate. ments played no little role in
The combinational moment pro Marshall's choice of continuation.
ved to be very instructive in the 23 Nf4!
game MarshaU..Kupchik, played A crafty move, the aim of which ,
in the tournament at Chicago in apparently, consists of the transfer
1 9 26. Marshall did not secure a Qc2 and in the organisation after
tangible advantage until the 2 2 nd that of systematic pressure on the
move, as we see by the following c6 pawn. However, the cunning of
double-edged and tense position. the move lies in the fact that, at the
same time, it conceals a combina
tional idea, constructed on the
above- mentioned combinational
motives.
23 •.. cS?
Generally speaking, a pardon
able oversight. Black is anxious, as
it were , not to be late with this
move. White threatens to play b4
and Qc2 . Nevertheless, Black
should first move away the queen to
In evaluating the position, one d 7 , and then already set about
137
solving the strategical questions.
the e6 and g6 squares compels

24 Rxg7 ! Black to give up a great part of the
Kupchik, probably, was shocked energy of his pieces to their
by this surprising revelation. I t defence. Meanwhile, White has
turns o u t that taking the rook i s available also a concrete plan of a
good for White: 24 . . . Kxg7 2 5 combinational attack, consisting of
Qg3 + and wherever the king the further wrecking of the Black
moves or if it is covered against the king's position by the advance of
check, White wins the queen by a the h-pawn , the opening of the
knight check. After the loss of the g-fi le and including the rooks on
g7 pawn , Black cannot resist for this line in the attack. It is difficult
long. for Black to counteract this plan.
24 ••• Qd8 25 Rg3 36 Qf4
25 Rg6 looks more energetic , but If at once 36 h5 , then 36 . . . g5 .
also the simple retreat, chosen by 36 ••• RabS
Marshall, is good enough. On 36 . . . Qe 7 , so as, on 3 7 h5 ,
25 cxd4 26 Ng6 + Bxg6 27
••• to still reply 3 7 . . . g5 , possible al
fxg6 Rxe3 28 Rexe3 dxe3 29 ready is the combination: 37 N xg6
g7 + Kg8 30 Qf5 Black res fxg6 3 8 Rxe6 .
igned. 3 7 h5 gxh5 38 Kh l Rh7 39 Rg l
Alekhine ( White) , in the tour Everything has been prepared for
nament at Kecskemet 1 9 2 7 , was the sacrifice of the rook .
awarded a spec ial prize for beauty 39 Qe7 40 Rxg7 + ! Kxg7 4 1
•••
for a rook sacrifice on g7 in his Rg l + Kh7 42 Nxf7 !. and Black

game against Asztalos. In the resigned since on Q or Bxf7 fol
diagram is the position after the lows Bd3 + .
3 5 th move.
Black's king's position is shaky , The two concluding examples,
and , though the sacrifice of the we present in the form of whole
knight on g6 is not a threat at the games played in Soviet competi
moment, the potential weakness of tions , one of these being from
1 38
1 960. These bear witness to the on f6 .

fact that the theme "Rxg7" is still 1 6 Bdl Re8 1 7 Rad l Ne6
far from exhausted. On 1 7 . . . N xc3 , White , in the
present situation , would take with
Nimzovich Defence the bishop.
White : A.Tolush 18 Be l Nxc3
Black: A.Sokolsky This exchange would have been
1 8th USSR Championship acceptable for Black if, on the fol
(Moscow 1950) lowing move , he had also ex
1 d4 e6 2 e4 Nf6 3 Ne3 Bb4 4 e3 changed on e5 .
0..0 5 Bd3 d5 6 Nf3 e5 7 0..0 exd4 Black would also maintain a
8 exd4 dxe4 9 Bxe4 Ne6 good position after 1 8 . . . Bf6 ( sug
Black transfers the game to the gested by A . Tolush ) .
channels of the Queen's Gambit 1 9 bxc3 b5 2 0 Rd3 Qd5
Accepted , but with the �ishop on Also now 20 . . . Nxe5 2 1 dxe5
b4 and not e 7 . Since he retreats the Qb6 would give Black a satisfactory
bishop to e7 on the next move , it game.
turns out that he has lost a tempo. 2 1 Ng4 Rfd8 22 Rg3 b4?
1 0 Bg5 Be7 1 1 Qd3 Black does not notice the sa
This leads to an exchange of the crifice of the rook on g7. If White
white-squared bishops , which is did not have this possibility, his
favourable for Black , who obtains centre would be quickly smashed .
the possibility of a more firmly con Of course , Black should play 22 . . .
solidated d5 square. As a conse g6 , but after 23 Nh6+ Kg7 24 Rh3 ,
quence of this state of affairs , the White already obtains an attack.
isolated White pawn is weakened. 23 Nh6 + KfS
It would probably be useful to first
of all play 1 1 a3 , not only to secure
the bishop , in case of need , a re
treat on a2 , but also preparing b4
and closing down the b4 square
against the manoeuvre . . . N b4-d5 .
Also worth considering is 1 1 Re 1 ,
increasing pressure on the e5 and
e6 squares.
1 1 ... Na5 12 Bb5 Bd7 13 Ne5
Bxb5 14 Qxb5 a6 15 Qe2 Nd5
Not good is 1 5 . . . Qxd4 16 Rad 1 24 Rxg7
Qa7 1 7 N d 7 , and White obtains an The position of the king is
attack by exposing the position of wrecked and it comes under a mat
the Black king with an exchange ing attack, where Black's pieces are
1 39
bunched in the centre and on the h4 Qa l + 39 Khl f6 40 Nf4

queen's flank and unable to give it Threatening Qf8 mate. If 40 . . .
speedy assistance. Kg7 , then 4 1 Qe7 + Nf7 4 2 N xe6+
24 ••• Kxg7 25 Qg4 + Bg5 or 4 2 h5 .
The best chance in the search for Black resigned.
chances of resistance. On 2 5 . . . Kf6 The fact that the rook sacrifice
could follow 26 Qf4 + Kg7 2 7 on g7 continues to find a place for
Qg3 + Kf6 2 8 N g4 + Kg7 2 9 Ne5 + itself in tournament and match en
with a quick mate. counters , in games between highly
26 c4 rated players , indicates the conti
Also the simple 26 Bxg5 leads to nuing underestimation of combina
a quick victory . tional motives which stimulate
26 Qxd4 2 7 Qxg5 + K fS 2 S
••• these combinations. We conclude
Be3 with the illustrative material of a
This upsets the logical course of game between two international
the combination, and Black sur grandmaters .
prisingly begins to put up res
istance. Black would have had to Sicilian Defence
capitulate after 28 Qg8 + Ke 7 29 White: A.Kotov
Qxf7 + Kd6 30 Bf4 + Ne5 3 1 N g4 Black: I.Bondarevsky
Rf8 3 2 Bxe5 + Qxe5 3 3 Rd l + . USSR Team Championship
2S QhS 29 Bc5 + KeS 30 Ng4
••• (Moscow 1960)
Kd7 3 1 Bb6 I d3 c5 2 g3 g6 3 Bg2 Bg7 4 e4
White gives back the material N ow we have the clear outline of
and maintains the initiative which the Closed Variation of the Sicilian
is sufficient for a favourable com Defence.
pletion of the struggle. V. Panov 4 ••• d6 5 f4 Nf6 6 Nd2 0 ..0 7 Nb3
pointed out a more energetic conti Every move has its own idea, its
nuation 3 1 Qf4 Rc 7 32 Bb6 Rb 7 33 own plan; there is also one in the
Qxf7 + , and Whi te achieves a ma move Nh3 , for example, to support
terial advantage. the advance of the g-pawn after
31 RbS 32 Rd l + KeS 33
••• N U , and yet White's move is arti
BxdS RxdS 34 RxdS + NxdS 35 ficial. A simpler, and possibly the
Nf6 + KfS best, reply to it was . . . N g4 .
Also hopeless is 3 5 . . . Ke7 36 7 Nc6 S Nf3 c 4 9 N f2 cxd3 1 0
•••
Nd5 + Kd6 3 7 Qe7 + Ke5 3 8 Qc5 ! Qxd3 Ng4 I I 0 ..0 Qc7

The threat f4 + is deadly, while on Undoubtedly, Black thought
3 8 . . . exd5 fol lows 39 Qxd5 + and about the move 1 1 . . . Qb6 , but for
Black either loses the queen or is some reason rejected i t . Wrongly,
mated. i t seems to us. Possible was 1 1 . . .
36 Qc5 + Kg7 37 Nh5 + Kh6 3S Qb6 1 2 c3 f5 - the game is sharp,
1 40
but also not without prospects for 2 9 Rxg7 + !

Black. 2 9 Bh4 would not be so decisive .
12 c3 RbS 1 3 Nd l bS 14 h3 Nf6 After 29 . . . R b 7 Black could still
I S Ne3 e6 1 6 Bd2 RdS 1 7 Nd4 defend himself.
A very unpleasant move for 29 Kxg7 30 Bh4 Kf7 3 1 Qe2
•••
Black. Both N xb5 and N xc6 are RgS 32 QhS +

threatened. Black decides to go in The attack develops "by itself'.
for a type of position in which 32 ••• Rg6
White has a strong piece base on If 3 2 . . . KfS , then 33 Qh6 + KeS
d4 , but Black also has his 34 Qxh7
chances. 33 Rg l KfS 34 Rxg6 hxg6 3S
17 dS IS Nxc6 Qxc6 19 eS
••• QhS + Kf7 36 Bf6 QcS
Nd7 20 Nc2 NcS 2 1 Nd4 Qb6 Or 36 . . . Rb7 3 7 Qg7 + KeS 3 S
22 Qe3 Bb7 23 Be l Ne4 24 g4 fS QgS + K d 7 39 Qf7 mate.
2S gxfS gxfS 3 7 Qg7 + KeS 3S Qxg6 + KfS 39
Carelessness, but 2 5 . . . exf5 M. Black resigned.
would not be in the spirit of the After 39 . . . Qc7 40 Qh6 + Black
game at all. is mated.
26 Kh2 The picture portrayed and con
Hoping to transfer the rook to ditioned by the combination with
the g-file. the rook sacrifice on g7 is abso
26 ••• ReS lutely clear. In the illustrative
He should take measures to de examples even its details are clearly
fend the g7 square , for example by reflected in the notes. The reason
26 . . . Rd7 or 26 . . . BcS and then . . . why a s ituation is suitable for carry
Rb7 . ing out a sacrifice , the process of
2 7 Rg l preparation for the sacrifice and the
Black is too late. On 2 7 . . . Re 7 attack after the sacrifice , already
follows Bxe4, fol lowed by Bh4-f6 . amounts to a definite pattern of
27 ••• BcS 2S Bxe4 dxe4 operation which soon allows us to
place this sacrifice on a theoretical
foundation.
I t remains for us to further note
the following. One might think
that the process of sacrificing a rook
on g7 does not require strenuous
effort, if the rooks j ust go on to the
g-file and if the g7 square is only
defended by the king. We want to
take the opportunity to warn
against such a casual approach to
141
any sacrifice , including also the rooks t o the g-file , the usefulness of
rook sacrifice on g 7. Even the theo such a transfer not just for the sa
retical combination with the sa crifice , but its purposefulness in the
crifice of the bishop on h 7 requires overall positional planning.
clear calculation , and practice When the opponent, with a
knows quite a few cases where the view to defending against a sa
sacrifice of a bishop proves to be crifice, is forced to make moves
incorrect, despite the bad position which worsen his position in other
of the king and the presence of sectors of the struggle, then, it goes
reserve forces for the attack. without saying, one should bear
Everything that has been said this in mind when attacking the g7
must relate even more to the sa point with the rook.
crifice of the rook on g7. The final One should not forget that not
variations completing the attack only the combination itself is
must be calculated concretely and dangerous, but also the threat to
accurately (of course, within the carry it out. Both one and the other
bounds of possibility ) . In the pro serve as good guarantees in the
cess of preparation, i . e . the pre matter of struggle for the initiative
sacrifice play, one should take into or in the development of the ini
account, when transfering the tiative.
142
Chapter Eleven
Harmony of Rooks and Bishops.

The Theme of Locked"in Pieces.
When the question is about the

harmonious operation of rooks and
bishops , then we have in mind,
mainly , the mating themes which
are characteristic for the attack of
rooks and bishops on the oppo
nent's king's position. At least half
a dozen thematic mates can be
portrayed in combinations of this
type . W e illustrate these schemes
in the diagrams:
1 43
example , in Chapter 5 , the finale

of the game , Kolisch-Loyd ( scheme
3 ) , or, in Chapter 6, the game ,
Torre-Lasker, in which White car
ried out a combination , dubbed
"the mill" ( scheme 5 ) . This is a
very striking illustration of the
combinational harmony of rook
and bishop . The concluding part of
the game Chigorin Bemstein..
( 3 rd All-Russian tournament, Kiev

1 903 ) represents an interesting
example. Already in the opening,
Black ( Bernstein) got into a diffi
cult position and was forced to give
up the queen for rook and bishop.
However, later Chigorin did not
play in the best way and not bad
chances arose for Black. After
White's 26th move , the fol lowing
position was reached.
We omit two or three themes.

The task does not consist of listing
all possible varieties of mates of The continuation was :
bishop and rook, therefore it re 26 ... c5!
mains to give mainly the themes Beautifu l ! On 2 7 N xd8 follows
which are most common in chess . . . Bxd4 + .
practice. In other words we stick to 2 7 Qe7
the true slogan: "Closer to life ! " White maintains good chances,
Above , we have already encoun not only of a draw, by playing 27
tered several of the given themes in Qxh 7 .
the pages of this book . See , for 2 7 . . . Bxd4 + 28 Kfl
1 44
Also this move is not good. Black resigned.

Better is Kh 1 . However, in the diagram posi
28 ••• Rh8 29 Qxg5 Be5 30 h3 tion, there is a quicker and more
This last move before the time effective decisive combination,
control accelerates his downfall, which forces mate in three
which was also inevi table after 30 moves:
N xc5 RfS + 3 1 Ke2 ReS. 25 Bf8 + Bh5 26 Qxh5 + ! gxh5
30 Re8! 3 1 Nf4 Bxf4 32 Qxd5
••• 2 7 Rh6 mate.
Bg3 and White resigned. It is interesting to note that this
is not an isolated case of "overlook
In the game Duras .. Olland ing" such a mate. In the tourna
(Carlsbad 1 90 7 ) , White over ment at Sverdlovsk 1 943 , in the
looked a mate in three moves game Boleslavsky.. Botvinnik, a
which he could have given if he similar mate was overlooked by
had more deeply estimated the har both partners. As a result of an
monious inter-action of rooks and extraordinarily sharp and tense
bishops. This happened in the fol struggle , from the opening itself,
lowing position. after White's 5Sth move the game
reached the following extremely
unusual and sharp position.
Black is the exchange ahead , but

his position is hopeless in v iew of
the irresistible attack of the White The original and tense situation
pieces on the exposed Black king. which developed in this game
Black's last move was 24 . . . Bg4 , in seems to have tired out both oppo
order to save himself from the nents. Black has five pawns for two
threatened BfS mate , White bishops , but his king finds itself
replied: under attack . Black's chances lie in
25 Nf4 the fact that his pawns on d2 and c3
And after rivet the White bishop to the d l -a4
25 Rh8 26 Nxd5 Qxd6 2 7
••• diagonal and the rook to the d-file.
exd6 Bh5 2 8 Be3 Rad8 2 9 Qg5 In the game there followed:
1 45
58 ... Re I tion, But, furthermore , Black holds

Black now threatens a conti a convincing initiative , the main
nuous attack on the bishops , by object of which is the tattered sur
manoeuvring along the first rank. roundings of the White king.
59 Rd6 + Kg7 ? In order to clear the atmosphere ,
This should have led to a n im White is prepared to also give up
mediate loss. Correct was 59 . . . the exchange , since , on 1 8 Re I ,
Kh7 . could follow if only 1 8 . . . Be4 ,
6 0 Bxh6 + Kh7 6 1 Bg5 ? without even mentioning 1 8 . . .
One good turn deserves another! Rhe8 with the threat . . . Bb5 -c6 .
Instead of completing the combi Events developed like this:
nation with 61 Bf8 , and mate is 18 Qc l Bb6 19 Qg5 Bxfl 20
irresistible - White steps back with Rxfl Nd3 ! 2 1 Qxg7 h5 ! 22 Qxf7
his bishop and misses the chance to h4 23 gxh4
exploit the ideal harmony in the Of course he cannot allow the
action of rooks and bishops . advance of the pawn to h3 .
6 1 ... Rb l 62 Be2 Rc l 63 Bxf5 + 23 ... Nf2 + 24 Rxf2
Kg7 64 Rd7 + Kf8 65 Bxd2 exd2 Otherwise - mate !
66 Rxd2 b3 24 ... Bxf2 25 h5 Rhg8
and the game ended in a draw Now Black's two rooks and
on the 89th move . bishops operate together like clock
Mieses ( Black) conducted the work.
attack with rooks and bishops in 26 Qe6 + Kb8 2 7 h4 Be5
beautiful style against OUand in With the plain threat of 28 . . .
the following position from the Rd 1 + 29 Kh2 Bd6 + .
Carlsbad tournament 1 90 7 . 2 8 f4
Black announced mate in five

Black has three minor pieces and moves by means of the following
a pawn for the queen , which , even combinat ion : 28 ... Rd l + 29 Kh2
from a purely material point of Bg I + 30 Kh l Be3 + 3 1 Kh2
view, obl iges one to prefer his posi- Bxf4 + 32 Kh3 Rh l mate.
1 46
An incredible case of more than mate i n three moves b y means of

once disregarding a mate with rook the simple combination 4 1 . . .
and bishop occurred in the game , Rh3 + 4 2 Kf4 Rf3 + and . . . Qe5 .
Stoltz .. Pilnik ( International tour We think that such mistakes hap
nament in Stokholm 1 95 2 ) . Black pen not because of time- trouble (or
had conducted the attack excel because of smoke in the playing
lently and, after 3 0 Kh4 , Stoltz was hall ! ) , but because there are even
already prepared to reconc ile him grandmasters who underestimate
self to the inevitable. The position the specific gravity of combinations
looked like this: in the creative process of the chess
struggle.
In one of the variations of the

I tal ian Game , well known to the
maj ority of chessp layers , and fol
lowing the game Knorre..
Chigorin, the strength of the har
mony of bishops and rooks is
demonstrated in very expressive fa
shion. The variation develops in
this way.
Black had to make his 3 6th I e4 e5 2 NO Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4
move. It is quite clear that the at d3 d6 5 0..0 Nf6
tention of the partners - interna On 5 . . . Bg4 , White should reply
tional grandmasters - did not focus 6 c3 .
on the mate by Rh3 , which is pre 6 Bg5 h6 7 Bh4
vented by the White queen on c3 . Best here is 7 Be3 or 7 Bxf6
The idea of the mate simply j uts out 7 ••• g5 8 Bg3 h5 !
from all positions. Neverthe less , This bold attack at once transfers
instead of 36 . . . Qc4 + 3 7 Qxc4 the game to the channels of combi
Rh3 mate, or 36 . . . Qc4 + 37 Rg4 national ideas . Also good for Black
Rxc3 38 Rxc4 Rh3 mate , Pilnik is 8 . . . Bg4 .
played: 9 Nxg5
36 Re4 + 37 Kg3 Re3 + 38
••• The right reaction here to the
Kh4 Re4 + storm is Dubois' move 9 h4.
Still not noticing what is staring 9 h4! 10 Nxf7 hxg3 I I Nxd8
•••
him in the face . Bg4 1 2 Qd2 Nd4!

39 Kg3 Rg4 + 4 0 Khl Rh4 + 4 1 This move contains irresistible
Kg3 combinational threats , in which is
Time-trouble is over and Black concealed the thematic mate of
agreed a draw, instead of giving bishop and rook , and rook and
147
knight and others . With the threat of mate . . .

Rh6 + and . . . B£2 + .
3 3 Bxe4
Useless is 33 Kg l , Bf2 + and
mate with the rook on h6. White
probably thought , by taking the
knight, that at least he would rid
himself of mate .
33 000 Bf2 !
A very beautiful conclusion with
two thematic mates: at once
Rh6 mate or after 34 g3 Be4 ,
13 N e 3 Nf3 + 1 4 gxf3 Bxf3
And White is lost as he has no Next the elegant conclusion of
defence against the main theme - White's attack in the game Duras ..
mate of the rook on h I , after 1 5 Spielmann ( International tourna

hxg3 or 1 5 h 3 Rxh3 . A lso mate by ment in Pistyan 1 9 1 2 ) . The
1 5 . . . gxh2 is threatened. diagram position is after Black's
44th move . . . Qd6 .
With a small, but original and
elegant combination, Capablanea
( Black) finished his game with
Nim%ovich in the international
tournament at San Sebastian 1 9 1 1 .
In the diagram position it is
Black's 3 2 nd move . Though Black
has a clear advantage , the denoue
ment fol lowed sooner than might
have been expected.
Black pins the rook, parrying the

main threat of Re8 mate . The
sharpness of the created situation is
characterised not only by the
dangerous position of the Black
king, but also the completely ex
posed position of the White king,
which allows Black to create va
rious counter-threats. Thus , for
example , White is not able to un
32 000 Rf6 pin the rook by the natural moves
1 48
45 Qf4 or 45 Kh l . In both cases he of this whole variation of the King's

is mated after 45 . . . Qxh6 + . On Indian Defence .
the other hand , White can con 9 Bd3 Ng4 1 0 NfJ
tinue the attack only by unpinning This is forced , though undoubt
the rook, since there is no time for edly White had previously planned
him to busy himself with prepara to develop the knight on e 2 .
tory manoeuvres. Black threatens However, thanks t o the fact that
to play . . . Kg8 and . . . Bf? , which White's king is detained in the cen
leads to him seizing the initiative. tre , already combinational clouds
The solution to the question is a begin to gather. Here, for example,
combination which, as it turns out, is one of the possibilities pointed
was foreseen by Duras earlier. out by Boleslavsky: 10 0-0-0 f5 1 1
45 Qg3 ! ! Qxh6 + exf5 N b4 1 2 Be4 Rxf5 1 3 Bxf5 Bxf5
There is nothing else. On 45 . . . w ith numerous threats. If, how
Rxg3 would obviously follow 46 ever, 1 0 N ge 2 , then 10 . . . Nce5 1 1
Rxe8 mate . 0-0 Nxh2 1 2 Kxh2 Qh4 + 1 3 Kg l
46 Qh3 Qd6 N g4 1 4 Qf4 Be5 .
Also after the exchange of 10 Nge5 1 1 Be2 Nxf3 + 1 2
• • •
queens, Black would lose the Bxf3 Nd4 1 3 Bd l

bishop at least. White patiently falls back , wait
47 Kh l ! KgS 4S RxeS + Kf7 49 ing his turn for when he will finally
RhS Black resigned. set foot on the d5 square .
13 ••• f5 1 4 exf5
A further two games i llustrate He must not allow the further
the combinational consequences of advance of the f-pawn.
a harmonious operation of rook and 14 Bxf5 1 5 Ne2 Nxe2 1 6
•••
bishop . Bxe2 Bxb2 1 7 Qxb2 Qg5

The introduction to the creation
King's Indian Defence of a harmonious attack on the
White : V.Alatortsev White king, with the joint opera
Black: I.Boleslavsky tion of the bishop and rook. The
(1 8th USSR Championship 1950) further course of events is quite a
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 d6 3 Nc3 e5 4 e4 bit reminiscent of Black's attack in
exd4 5 Qxd4 Nc6 6 Qd2 g6 7 b3 the game , Maroczy-Marshall ( see
Bg7 S Bb2 0 .. 0 Chapter 1 0) .
White lags behind in develop I S g3 RaeS
ment and does not succeed in Forcing White to castle on the
exploiting the d5 square for his pie king's side , where his king will find
ces - in the first place the knight, no peace . Black now threatens the
and this places under doubt the moves . . . Bg4 or . . . Bd3 .
correctness, from his point of view, 1 9 0.. 0 BhJ 20 f4
1 49
On a move of the rook would In this game , Black's bishop and

follow a combination with . . . Rxf2 . rook solved the problem of har
For example: 2 0 Rfc l Rxf2 ! 2 1 mony in the best way.
Kxf2 Qe3 + 2 2 Ke l Qg l + 2 3 Kd2
Rxe2 + 24 Kxe2 Qxh2 + and . . . English Opening
Qxb 2 . White: Y.Sakharov
Black: S.Levitsky
29th Ukraine Championship
(Kiev 1 960)
1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 d5 3 cxd5 Nxd5
4 g3 g6
It is possible , imitating the oppo
nent, to develop his forces also in
this way , but Black would have felt
more confident in the opening by
continuing classically - . . . cS or
even . . . e 5 . On the other hand,
2 0 . . . 8xft ! ! one cannot approve of the natural 4
The harmonious play of the rook . . . b6 here , in view of 5 Bg2 Bb7 6
and bishop in the next stage of the Qa4 + , and Black must make the
attack reveals fully the essence of clumsy move 6 . . . Bc6 .
the combinational idea , with even 5 8g2 Nxc3
a queen sacrifice . This exchange is poor for many
2 1 fxg5 Rxe2 22 Qc3 8g2 2 3 reasons and , in general, difficult to
Qd3 give a reason for. Did he really
On 23 Re 1 would have followed make it only to remove the at
23 . . . Bh3 . tacked knight with tempo ? Any re
2 3 ... 80 24 Rft treat of the knight, without even
Terrible unpleasantness is threa mentioning the move 5 . . . c6 ,
tened after . . . Rg2 + , but there is might have become a useful link in
no defence . Black's opening plan of develop
24 ... Rg2 + 25 Kh l 8c6! ment.
Obtaining the "mill" formation 6 bxc3 8g7 7 h4
with the rook threatening to j ump Before the mobilisation of for
away. This is deadly. ces, such an impetuous attack on
26 Rxf8 + KxfS the flank cannot be recommended.
The exchange of rooks does not Above all and most of all it wea
improve White's position. To save kens his own position. This kind of
the king - he has to give up the pawn "shot" testifies more to daring
queen. than a serious plan of play. It
27 Qft Rf2 + White resigned. should at the same time be noted
1 50
that the combinational tension , . . . Qd5 . Worth considering is 1 9

upon such a rather l ight-hearted BO . The plan of attack, pursued by
attitude to the future , sometimes White, is very clever and ought to
increases at a very quick rate. have led to victory.
A normal plan for White would 1 9 ... c4! 20 Bh6
be a concentration of pressure on The tension has reached its
the b-file (Qb3 , Rb 1 ) , plus a firm height - it is clear that a crisis is
pawn outpost on d4 with the deve looming, which must break out
lopment of the knight on e2. J ust into a combination . On 20 . . . Bh8
such a plan would have forced would have probably followed 2 1
Black to regret the exchange on c3 . Bf8 ! wth the threat of Rxh8 + .
7 ••• 0 .. 0 White's attack can hardly be par
Of course , Black has nothing to ried. For example , 2 1 . . . Bf6 22
fear. Bh3 or 2 1 . . . Be5 2 2 Be 7 with the
8 h5 Qd6 threat g4 , and also Qh6 .
Black has many good plans. 20 ... cxd3
Possibly this is not bad, though an
early development of the queen is
usually associated with some incon
venience. Good was 8 . . . Nc6, and
then . . . Bf5 or . . . Bg4 .
9 hxg6 hxg6 1 0 Rb l Rd8 1 1 Qc2
c5
Black should hurry with his
development, by continuing now
. . . Nd7 or . . . Nc6.
12 Nf3 Nc6 13 Ng5 b6 1 4 Qb3
e6 1 5 Ne4 Qe5 1 6 d3 2 1 Bxg7
The try 16 N xc5 Qxc5 1 7 Ba3 A move which , though linked to
Qg5 1 8 Bxc6 Qxd2 + would end in a beautiful combinational idea with
Black's favour. a mating theme conditioned by the
16 ... Na5 1 7 Qc2 Bb7 18 Bf4 harmonious operation of the rooks
Qf5 and bishops , is nevertheless mista
Despite the fact that Black has ken and j ustifies itself only after a
played in far from the best way , he mistaken reply by the opponent.
has not bad counter-chances, The correct and , apparently ,
mainly because the position of decisive continuation of the attack
White's king leaves much to obe was 2 1 exd3 Rxd3 22 Bxg7 Bxe4 23
desired. Qh6 f6 , and now not 24 Qh7 + Kf7
19 Qc l and White does not achieve much ,
On 1 9 Bh3 , Black would reply 1 9 but 24 Bf8 ! ! This quiet move leads
151
to mate, since on the only defence pin or double attack, but about the
against the threat on g7 - 24 . . . attack on a piece which cannot
Rd7 , follows mate in three moves retreat, either because all squares of
by 25 Qh8 + etc. retreat are occupied by its own pie
2 1 ... d2 + ? ces or pawns or because some squa
Losing the game. H e should play res of retreat find themselves under
2 1 . . . Bxe4 and there is not the attack by pawns or pieces of the
move 22 Qh6 in view of . . . d2 + . If, opponent. Here is a schematic pic
however, now 2 2 exd3 , then 22 . . . ture of such themes.
Bxg2 23 Qh6 f6 , and, after 24
Qh7 + Kf7 , White cannot do any
thing against the Black k ing. The
move Bf8 is now refuted by the
simple . . . Qe5 + .
22 Qxd2 !
Black had reckoned only on 2 2
N xd2 .
22 ••• Rxd2 23 Bf6!
23 Qxf6 24 Nxf6 + Kg7 25

•••
Bxb7 Rad8 26 Ne4

And White is a piece up.
Black resigned.
To conclude this chapter we

want to touch upon one small but
original combinational theme.
Figuratively speaking, this theme
could be called "mate" of a piece .
The question here is not about the
catching of a piece by means of a
152
It should be mentioned that a

similar combinational theme is en
countered also in several other
variations ( Spanish Game) as, for
example, the following:
1 e4 e5 2 NO Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4
Ba4 Nf6 5 d4 exd4 6 e5 Ne4 7
Nxd4 Nxf2 ! 8 Kxf2 Qh4 + 9
Ke3 Qxd4 + 1 0 Qxd4 Nxd4 1 1
Kxd4 b5 1 2 Bb3 c5 +
And Black , locking in the
bishop, wins back the piece ,
remaining with the better game.
In the international tournament

at San Sebastian 1 9 1 1 , in the game
Nimzovich..Leonhardt, occurred
a curious case of co-operative
locking-in of the Black queen.
After Black's 26th move . . . Qc6 ,
We begin with a little opening this game reached the following
example. In the Spanish Game , position.
well known is the variation into
which sometimes fall inexpe
rienced chess amateurs : 1 e4 e5 2
Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 d6 5 d4
b5 6 Bb3 Nxd4 7 Nxd4 exd4 8
Qxd4 ( He should play 8 Bd5 ) 8 ...
c5 9 Qd5 Be6 10 Qc6 + Bd7 1 1

Qd5 c4 and the White bishop is
locked in.
Pondering the opponent's plan ,

N imzovich came to the conclusion
and , as it turns out, a correct one ,
that Black wants nothing more
than to penetrate with the queen
on d4 . Taking into account that
the position has assumed a locked
character and that it is therefore
1 53
going nowhere fast, he decides , in Qc2 c4 34 Qf5 Qxf5 35 gxf5 Rf7

any case , to concoct a trap for the 36 Rg4 b5 3 7 a4 c6 38 Rg l and
Black queen on the d4 square . Black soon resigned.
Events develop quickly.
27 R l g2 In 1 9 1 4 , at the international
The aim of this move is to defend grandmaster tournament at Peters
the f2 pawn: for the concoction of burg, the game Alekhine..
the trap, this has important s ignifi Blackbume developed in the fol
cance . lowing way .
27 ••• Qd6 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 Nd4
Heading for its downfall. Blackburne repeatedly employed
28 Qc 1 this active defence in the Peters
With this move White keeps the burg tournament, steadfastly l ink
d4 square under strict lock and key . ing it to the development of the
28 ••• Qd4? king's bishop on g7.
Straight into the trap ! The 4 Nxd4 exd4 5 0..0 g6 6 d3 Bg7 7
astute N imzovich should be given f4
his due . Leonhardt probably consi Capablanca, in a game against
dered that, though the invasion on Blackburne , played firstly 7 Nbd2 ,
d4 is not dangerous for White , he and only on 7 . . . Ne7 8 f4 .
would take the opportunity "to 7 c6 8 Bc4 d5 9 exd5 cxd5 1 0
•••
make some noise". Bb5 + ? Kf8!

A combinational move, which
sharpens the position. The fact of
the matter is that White's bishop
on b5 now looks like a hermit and
White must be worried about its
isolation.
In order not to pay the price for
this, simplest was to play 1 1 Ba4 .
Also possible was 1 1 Qe 1 or 1 1
Re 1 , and finally Bd2 and even b4.
White carelessly by-passes all these
29 Nd5 ! possibilities.
The queen is trapped, all that 1 1 Nd2 ?
remains is to sell its life dearly. After this mistake , the bishop
29 Rxd5 30 c3 Qxd3 3 1
•.• gets locked in and perishes .
exd5 ! (See diagram top next page)
After 3 1 Rxd3 Rxd3 , the ad 11 Qa5 1 2 a4 a6 1 3 Nb3 Qd8
•••
vantage would pass to Black. The bishop is trapped , White's

31 •.. Qxc4 32 dxe6 Qxe6 33 task - is to obtain something for it.
1 54
There followed:
18 e5 Nh5
Black probably supposed that the
knight would be relatively safe
here . On 1 9 g4 , Black has the reply
. . . Bb 7 with the threat of . . . Bxf3
and . . . Qg5 . On the other hand ,
after 1 8 . . . Ne8, Black's position
would be hopelessly cramped. A
very simple method of realisation
1 4 Bd2 axb5 1 5 axb5 Rxa l 1 6 would consist of 19 Qd8 Qxd8 20
Bb4 + Ne7 1 7 Qxa l Bf6 1 8 Qa7 Rxd8 Bb7 2 1 Rxa8 Bxa8 22 Nd4.
b6 1 9 Re i Also good is 19 Qa4 - pointed out
Threatening N xd4 . by Levenfish.
1 9 000 Be6 20 Kh l h5 ? 2 1 Bxe7 + 19 g4!
Qxe7 22 Qxb6 Qb4 23 Qe5 + And none the less the knight is
Qxe5 24 Nxe5 Bd8 25 Nxe6 + won.
fxe6 26 Rxe6 Kf7 2 7 Rd6 Be7 19 000 Bb7 20 Qe3 BxO 2 1 Qxf3
28 Rxd5 Re8 29 e4 dxe3 30 Qg5 22 h4 Qf4 23 Kgl
bxc3 Rxc3 23 Rc3 leads to the same result,
Despite the fact that Black's but not 23 Qe2 in view of . . . Ng3
chances are still preferable , White with defensive resources.
succeeded in achieving the 23 000 Qxe5 24 gxh5
exchange of the last Black pawn White has a piece for a pawn ,
and on the 4 5 th move the oppo and the initiative - the outcome of
nents agreed to a draw. the struggle is clear.
In the 6th game of the return
The following position occurred match between Alekhine and
in the game Levenfish..Dus Cho .. Euwe , Black ( Euwe) , apparently
timirsky in the Leningrad masters' shaken by the stormy course of the
tournament 1 93 4 . opening , overlooked a piece sacri
fice introducing a simple combina
tion on the theme of a locked- in
rook.
I d4 d5 2 e4 e6 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 e4
e5 5 Bxe4 exd4 6 NO
This position has already be
come part of history. Numerous
analyses , with which Alekhine
himself agreed , proved that Black
should accept the knight sacrifice ,
155
6 . . . dxc3 7 Bxf7 + Ke 7 8 Qb3 cxb2 A move which does not take into
9 Bxb2 Qb6 etc . , in the final ana account the opponent's strong
lysis favouring Black. Euwe , reply; it was apparently dictated by
however, was planning first and a desire to develop the bishop on
foremost to drive the White bishop fS , which is hampered by the
back to b3 , so as to remove this White queen on b3 . Black's task,
square from the orbit of the queen's however, in this difficult opening
activity. This positionally tactical variation is the preparation of the
consideration in a tense combina advance . . . cS , otherwise it will not
tional atmosphere turns out to be be easy for Black to j ustify the deve
totally misplaced. lopment of the bishop on g7 . To
6 •.. h5 initiate this plan it is necessary to
consolidate the d5 square , which is
achieved by the move 7 . . . e6.
8 Qa3 ! e6
He should return with the queen
to d8.
9 cxd5 exd5
This makes possible the carrying
out of a h ighly original combina
tion , but the capture with the c
pawn also does not promise Black
7 Nxh5 ! any joy after 10 Re I Nc6 1 1 Na4
So if now 7 . . . cxbS , then 8 BdS Qd8 1 2 BbS Bd7 13 NcS , and Whi
and the locked- in rook on a8 te's position is overwhelming.
perishes. 10 Na4 Qd8
7 ••• Ba6 8 Qh3. Suspecting nothing.
A very effective, because of its

surprise and great originality, com
bination on the theme of a locked
in rook, was carried out in the game
S.Freyman-I.Rahinovich ( 9th
USSR Championship, Leningrad
1 93 4 ) . It is apparent that the open
ing was played strictly classically by
both sides and nothing foresha
dowed the combinational outburst.
Here is how it happened: 1 1 Nb6 ! !
1 NfJ d5 2 d4 Nf6 3 c4 c6 4 e3 g6 A combination with two themes
5 Nc3 Bg7 6 Qh3 0-0 7 Bd2 Qh6 of locking-in - the rook and the
1 56
queen after 1 1 . . . Qxb6 1 2 Ba5 . This retreat is by no means

1 1 ... axb6 forced, but, obviously, by resorting
He has to ! to it, Black already has in view his
1 2 Qxa8 Nbd7 1 3 Be2 Ne4 1 4 combinational counterattack on
Rd l the 1 2th move. No worse, if not
Beginning with this move , better, for Black here was 8 . . .
White plays indifferently and in Bxd4 9 Qxd4 d6 , with the threat to
the end has to be satisfied with a win the bishop ( . . . c5 ) .
draw. Of course , being the 9 dxe5
exchange ahead , White must win On 9 f4, as is usually played in an
the game and several p lans lead to analogous variation of the Four
this. One of them: 10 0-0 N df6 1 1 Knights Opening, could follow 9
Rfc 1 , then Be 1 with a future pawn . . . Ng6 1 0 e5 c5 or 1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1
attack on the queen's flank. It goes exd6 Re8 + , not without advantage
without saying that if Black, on 1 4 for Black.
0-0, exchanges o n d 2 , i t can only 9 •••Bxe5 1 0 f4 Bxc3 + 1 1 bxc3
make White happy. 0..0
The theme of locked-in pieces Alekhine indicated that this was
occurs virtually throughout the forced since on 1 1 . . . N xe4 follows
whole process of the following 1 2 Qd5 . Meanwhile the position is
l ively and sharp game. As the con so sharp and sated with combina
cluding and most interesting i llus tions, that it should be looked at in
tration, we present it in ful l . more detail, how the struggle
would turn out in this variation.
Spanish Game After 1 2 . . . 0-0 13 Qxa8 c6 ! 14 Be3
White: A.Alekhine ( not good is 1 4 0-0 Qb6 + 1 5 Kh l
Black: R.Reti Bb 7 1 6 Be3 c5 ) 1 4 . . . Qh4 + 1 5
International Tournament Kd l Qf6 ! Black ought not lose.
(Vienna 1922) 1 2 e5
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4
Ba4 Nf6 5 Nc3 b5 6 Bb3 Bc5
As a result of this, the course of
the struggle is sated with combina
tional content; the storm begins to
die down only on the 30th move ,
when the endgame becomes clearly
defined.
7 Nxe5
A well-known opening combi
nation on the theme of fork.
7 •.. Nxe5 8 d4 Bd6 12 ••. c5 !
157
A combinational decision to the a successful resistance.

problem - beginning play against 20 Qe5 + Qf6 2 1 Bd3 Rfe8 22
the locked-in White bishop on b3 . Qh5
Black could also retreat the knight 22 Qxf6 + Kxf6 23 Bxh7 would
to e8. After 1 2 . . . Ne8 1 3 0-0 Qe 7 , have been mistaken. Then 23 . . .
despite the cramped position, Re2 24 Rg 1 Rh8 2 5 Bd3 Re3 with
Black could defend himself, the the irresistible threat of Reh3 .
more so that White's position is From this variation we can see what
also not without weaknesses. ricb possibilities are concealed in
13 Ba3 Qa5 ! 14 0 .. 0 Qxa3 the powerful position of the bishop
This temporary removal of the on b 7 .
opponent's queen from the central 22 h6 23 Qg4 + Kh8 24
000
zone of the developing combina Qxd7

tional battle entered into Alekhi White wins another pawn and ,
ne's calculation, but none the less besides , "with tempo", since he at
he does not achieve anything decis tacks the bishop. In addition to
ive by this. this , White also threatens the
15 exf6 c4 exchange of queens after Qd4. It
And so the theme is real ised , the would seem that the scales are tilt
bishop is locked in. ing clearly to his side.
16 Qd5 Qa5 ! 24 Re7 25 Qd4 Qxd4 26 cxd4
000
Now, on 1 7 Qxa8 , follows . . . Rd8 2 7 £5 f6 28 Rae l Rg7 29

Qb6 + and then . . . Bb7 , locking in Be4 Rxd4 30 Bxb7 Rxb7 3 1 Re6
and winning the queen. The threat Kg7 32 Rxa6 Rc4 33 RfJ Rxc2
1 7 Qg5 is also parried by means of and the game ended in a draw on
the same check on b6. the 60th move .
1 7 fxg7 Qb6 + 18 Kh l Kxg7 Is some sort of generalisation
Here , 1 8 . . . Rd8 is already bad, necessary in respect of the theme of
in view of 19 Bxc4 bxc4 20 Qxa8 locked- in pieces ( mate of a piece ! ) ,
Bb7 2 1 Rab 1 , and White remains on the basis of the i llustrative ma
the exchange ahead. terial ? It seems to us it is not necess
1 9 Bxc4! Bb7 ! ary . The theme , you see , is very
Of course , not 1 9 . . . bxc4 , on clear in itself, and the methods of
which would fol low the variation realising it are so simple that we
pointed out in the previous note would risk lapsing into unnecessary
and so White brings the bishop out repetition and detail. It is perhaps
of imprisonment and also captures only of some use to mention, in
a pawn. Nevertheless this is far respect of the theme of the locked
from being the whole story . The in rook , that this theme , 80% of
excellent posi tion of the Black the time , appears as an opening
bishop guarantees him resources for theme and the locked-in rook is
1 58
subj ect to attack usually on its ori those cases when it penetrates deep
ginal square. into the territory of the enemy for
Referring to the queen, then it ces. Such a queen invasion must
finds itself in danger most fre therefore be calculated particularly
quently on the queen's flank in accurately and concretely.
159
Chapter Twelve
Methods of Interception and

Various Combinational Ideas.
The method of decoying a piece to queen was cut off from the critical
a desired square and the method of g7 point.
diverting a piece from defence of a Here is a simple and altogether
square, the method of restricting a striking example of the surprising
piece by means of a pin, and many and convincing role which is often
other different methods usually at played by the method of intercep
tend the carrying out of combina tion. Before us is a position from
tional ideas. Amongst all these the game , Reggio..Mieses, Monte
methods we pick out the method of Carlo tournament 1 90 1 .
interception on its own, though
essentially it fulfils the same role as
the method of diversion from
defence of a square. The same role,
in fact, but by another means. The
method of interception consists of
the fact that, by placing one's
piece or pawn between the square
interesting you and the location
of the opponent's piece, you , as it
were , cut or intercept the line of
operation of the enemy pieces and I f the White queen were not on
thereby weaken the square on h3 , defending the critical e3 squa
which your combinational attack is re , Black would have mated in two
directed. The method of intercep moves - 22 . . Qe3 + 23 Be2 Qxe2
tion is very difficult, invariably mate. Black cannot divert the
l inked to a sacrifice which is highly queen from defence of the e3
effective both superficially and also square by simple means . On 22 . . .
in its creative content. The ele Bh4 + , White does not take the
ment of surprise further increases bishop , but replies 23 Ke2 and
its effectiveness here. We recal l , in everything is in order with the e3
the immortal game, Anderssen square. Therefore , White was ut
Kieseritsky, the intercepting move terly surprised by the manoeuvre to
of Anderssen 1 9 e5 , with which which Mieses resorted , in order to
the communication from a l -g7 was intercept the connection of the
broken and thereby the Black queen with the e3 square , and
1 60
which came l ike a bolt from the do, then this move looks forced.
blue. However, now the bishop once
22 Rg3 !
•.. and for all is cut off from the
and 23 hxg3 is not possible queen's flank, which is subjected
because of . . . Qe3 + . He has to at once to a crushing attack.
take the rook with the queen, but 7 Qa4+ Nc6
after 23 Qxg3 Bh4 ! White loses Better, but bad enough, is 7 . . .
the queen and, naturally, also the N d 7 8 N e 5 Nf6 9 Bg5 a6 ! Black
game. is left at least two pawns down
In the fol lowing miniature game , with a shaky k ing's position.
the method of interception was S Ne5 Qxd4
appl ied already in the opening Come what may ! Objectively
stage. speaking, despair is a bad counsel
lor. I t was, of course, necessary to
Queen's Gambit play 8 . . . Bf5 , and, if 9 N xc6, then
White: D.Janowski 9 . . . Qd 7 1 0 Bb5 a6. True, also
Black: E.SchaUopp here , by continuing 1 1 d5 exd5 -
( International tournament, N urn worse is 1 1 . . . Qxd5 1 2 Nc3 - 1 2
berg 1 896) Nd4, White would maintain a
I d4 d5 2 c4 dxc4 3 NO c5 4 material advantage , but the game
e3 cxd4 5 exd4 Bg4 would nevertheless have con-
Perhaps the root of the calamity t i nued and , in troubled
soon befalling Black lies in j ust combinational complications,
this brisk development of the much could still happen.
bishop. Black's queen's flank is 9 Nxc6 Qe4+ 10 Be3 bxc6 1 1
exposed to attack and moreover Nc3 Qxg2 1 2 Bd5 !
the departure from there of the
b ishop deprives it of important
defensive resources. The most reli
able was 5 ... e6, striving for a
future blockade of the d5 square.
6 Bxc4
White not only recovers the
gambit pawn, but also threatens a
combination with the move 7
Bxf7 + or Ne5. The undefended
bishop on g4 becomes an object
of attack. Intercepting the connection of
6 ...e6 the queen with the critical c6
If he does not go back with the point and also attacking the
bishop, which he possibly should queen. A combinational catas-
161
trophe ! He could have laid down castled posltlon of numerous

his arms, but Schallopp , a passio weaknesses, embodying combina
nate chess amateur, quite often tional motives , this Initiative
played on until mate. The end is threatens to discharge with combi
clear and i llustrates excellently the nations. The critical point in Whi
beauty and power of the method of te's position - is the g2 square. A
interception. sharp initiative is directed there ,
12 exd5 13 Qxc6 + KdS 1 4
••• while the White knight on e 1 is
QxaS + Kd7 1 5 Qb7 + Ke6 1 6 riveted to the defence of this squa
Qc6 + Bd6 1 7 Bf4! re. The White king finds itself
Working out that, after 1 7 . . . locked in. White's first rank is de
Qxh 1 + 1 8 Kd2 Qxa 1 , he is mated fended by the rook , but also here its
in three moves, SchaUopp res.. influence extends only to the e 1
igned without waiting, in the square. Finally, the advancing pha
event of 1 7 . . . f6 , for the prosaic 1 8 lanx of Black's e-pawn and f-pawn
Qxd6 + Kf7 (fS ) 1 9 QxdS + . occupies threatening positions.
The combinational events un
A combination with the method folded like this:
of interception was carried out very 33 ••• e3 !
elegantly in the game lIyin .. This is more energetic than 33
Genevsky .. A.Kubbel, played in . . . Bf! , on which would fol low 34
the Leningrad Championship Qh3 . One of the tasks of Black's
1 9 2 5 . In the diagram position, move is to bar the way of the queen
Black is about to make his 3 3 rd to the king's flank.
move. 34 fxe3
Not possible is 34 Qxd3 , on
which Black wins at once with the
double attack . . . exf2 . 34 f3 is also
refuted by means of the simple 34
. . . Bf! 3 S Qc2 QgS and it is not
possible to prevent the intercep
tion of the queen's connection with
the g2 point by the move . . . e 2 .
34 ••• Rxe3
Now there is a new threat of . . .
Rxe 1 + followed by . . . Qxg2 mate.
Despite the fact that White has 35 Qb2
an extra pawn , his position is far White defends the g2 square
from easy , since Black has full once more and intends to play
possession of the initiative , while N xd3 , at the same time having in
upon the presence in the White mind also some "trappy" comb in-
1 62
ations. Thus on the intercepting defence or at least in the transfer to

move 35 . . . Re2 ? follows 36 Qxe2 ! the ending stage of the chess
Bxe2 3 7 Ne 7 + , and White wins. game .
However, Black makes another In the diagram is the position
threatening blow , which immedia after the 36th move in the game ,
tely decides the struggle. Levenfish .. Kan (9th USSR
Championship , Leningrad 1 934)
35 ... Be2 ! !
This time the interception de White's position i s better,
cides immediately. The move is mainly due to the locked- in posi
surprising, beautiful and strongest tion of the Black bishop. To a con
in the present position. On 35 . . . siderable extent, this circumstance
Bfl , White has at his disposal the has an influence on White's initiat
only , but strong , reply 36 Kg l . But ive. The white squares in Black's
what does White do now ? Black castled position are really weak
threatens . . . Rxe 1 + , which follows and , as a combinational motive , it
also on 36 Qxc 2 . If 36 g3 , then 36 prompts one to search for combina
. . . Qe4 + . There is no defence . tions . The Black king is half-open
White resigned. and might find itself an obj ect of
direct attack, the more so that all of
It remains to note that in varia White's pieces are deployed very
tions , getting up an idea (attack on harmoniously . Together with this,
the g2 pawn) , we came across not it is not possible to ignore several
only the method of interception , counter-threats which arise , or
but also the method of diversion of possibly also crop up for Black , in
the rook from the first rank and connection with the open f-file and
decoy of the queen to c2 , in order strong position of the Black queen
to then win it by . . . Rxe l + . and knight. White exploits the
Let us look at another example , comb inational motives in Black's
where the method of interception camp very elegantly. There followed
in combinaitons was applied to 3 7 Nd6! Nxh3 +
1 63
Black, naturally, strives quickly 4 1 . . . N h 7 42 Be6 + leads to a

to exploit his counter-chances. If at quick end, but now he can apply
once 37 . . . Ba8 , then 3 8 Qe 7, with the method of interception.
the threat Qxf8 + ! and White 42 BfS
holds a dangerous initiative. For With this move , intercepting
example, 38 . . . Ng6 39 Qe6 + Kh7 the f-file, the Black rook is cut off
40 Ne8 with a very strong attack. from the king's position and cannot
Also 3 8 . . . Qf6 would lead to a take part in the defence against the
difficult endgame for Black after 39 move Re8 + .
Qxf6 Rxf6 40 Re8 + Rf8 41 Re7, 42 ... RxfS ?
and , if 41 . . . N xh3 + , then 4 2 Kh2 Premature capitulation.
Ng5 43 Be2 with a great advantage , 43 NxfS Kf7 44 Nd6 + and Black
since . . . Rxf2 is not possible in resigned since he loses also a
view of 44 Re8 + , and White , be bishop .
sides Bxa6 , threatens the convinc Though Black made a fatal mi
ing move f4 . stake on the 42nd move , could he
38 Khl NgS have counted on saving himself
Black exploits his combinational upon the best reply 42 . . . g6 ? As a
possibilities. If now 39 N xb 7 ? then detailed analysis shows , even in
39 . . . RxO and the chances pass this case Black would have to suffer
over to Black. defeat. After 42 . . . g6 43 Re8 +
39 Bg4 QxeS 40 RxeS BaS Kg7 44 Rxa8 gxf5 45 Rxa6 the
An endgame approaches, or at White pawn on a4 quickly and for
least the threshold of an endgame , cibly proceeds to a8. For example,
in which White, at present, is even 45 . . . c5 46 a5 Ne4 4 7 Ra7 + Kf6
a pawn down. However the game (or 4 7 . . . Kg6 48 Ne8 c4 49 bxc4 b3
continuation makes it clear why he 50 Rb7 Nc5 5 1 Rg7 + and mate in
is striving for this position. two moves) 48 N e8 + Ke6 49 a6
Rfl ( Black does not hurry with the
counterattack 49 . . . Rh4 + 50 Kg 1
f4 5 1 Rg7 Ng3 5 2 Kf2 Rh l 53 KO
h5 5 4 Kxf4 ) 50 Rh7 Ra l (also now
he does not save himself by 50 . . . f4
5 1 a7 Nf2 5 2 g4 ! or 5 1 . . . Ng3 5 2
Kh3 Kf5 53 Rf7 + Kg5 54 R g7 +
Kf5 5 5 Nd6 + ) 5 1 a7 and Black is
helpless against this pawn.
We present in full the following
game , in which the final combina
41 f4! Rxf4 tion was both conceived and car
Of course , 4 1 . . . Nf7 4 2 Be6 or ried out by means of an inter-
1 64
ception of the communication of naments.

pieces, defending the 8th rank. In 4 Bg2 Bd6 5 0.. 0 0 ..0 6 b3 ReS 7
it, the concluding combinational Bb2 Nbd7 S d4
idea is, as it were , the logical conse Here , this advance was perhaps
quence of the initiative which an innovation and surprised Black.
White takes almost at once , j ust as In other games of this same tourna
the opening stage is completed. ment, as also in earlier games , Reti
This game was awarded the first continued 8 d3 now, allowing
special prize for beauty of combina Black the future prospect of setting
tion and deservedly became world up, without h indrance , a pawn for
famous. mation with . . . eS etc.
S . .. c6
Reti Opening Despite the apparent strength of
White: R.Reti the pawn triangle in the centre ,
Black: E.Bogolyubov c6-dS -e6 , White sets out to prove
International Tournament that this superficial impression does
(New York 1924) not represent the true state of af
1 NfJ Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 fairs.
The quiet, talented Hungarian 9 Nbd2
grandmater directed the idea of his White now threatens to play
sharp opening against Black's pawn Qc2 and then e4. The opening has
outpost on dS . j ust finished ( though things are still
The prototype of this opening far from being in order for Black on
looked l ike this: 1 Nf3 dS 2 c4 ! the queen's flank) , while the
(Carlsbad 1 923 ) . struggle is already entering a phase
However, if, i n reply to 1 Nf3 , of critical tension. Before Black are
Black chooses a system of develop important questions which really
ment without an early . . . dS (for have to be sorted out. The first
example, a fonnation in the spirit question is whether to take the ini
of the King's Indian Defence or tiative by immediately pushing the
with the development of both e-pawn, and, if not, then how to
bishops on the flanks , accom prevent White's above-mentioned
panied by the move . . . cS ) , then, plan.
sooner or later, White has to resort The idea of . . . b6 , followed by . . .
to the classical d4 . What one can Bb7 , arises. In general, it is necess
say about Black's last move is that, ary to see to what extent the move
quite apart from its positional side , e4 could be unpleasant, i . e . what it
it goes half-way to meeting Reti's brings in its wake , and many other
innovative idea which at this time things. Black thought for a long
had already had quite a few exper time over the arising problems , but
imental trials in international tour- the decision he makes turns out to
1 65
be far from the best, to say the exf3 1 3 Bxf3

least. White is already engaging in a
serious battle in the centre , while
Black has still not mobilised his
queen's flank. This, of course , is
one of the results of his 9th move .
13 .•. Qc7
A natural attempt to force
White h imself to exchange on d7,
b u t this gives White an extra tempo
in initiative and an inviolable pha
lanx of pawns in the centre . Black
would have easily have set up a
9 ••• Ne4 defence in the variation 1 3 . . .
It is possible to censure this N xeS 1 4 dxeS BcS + I S Kg2 Bd7 1 6
thrust, giving various kinds of posi e 4 g6 , b u t even here , after 1 7 exfS
tional considerations ( which, as is gxfS I S Be l , White has a strongly
well-known , can always be called pronounced initiative.
into question) , but its inferiority is 14 Nxd7 Bxd7 15 e4 e5
best shown by the concrete conti Otherwise the advance eS , and
nuation occurring in the game . I t is then also dS , crushes Black.
difficult to establish, but highly 16 c5 BfS 1 7 Qc2
possible, that Black went in for this White now threatens both dxeS
move without a deep calculation of and exfS .
its consequences, and partly also 17 exd4 1 8 exf5 Rad8 1 9 BhS
..•
because the variations examined, Re5 20 Bxd4 Rxf5

or other continuations , did not Black has recovered the pawn
satisfy him. Actually the variation and achieved exchanges. It seems
9 . . . eS 10 cxdS cxdS 1 1 dxeS N xeS the main dangers are over - but in
1 2 N xeS BxeS 13 BxeS RxeS 1 4 fact a combination , as surprising as
N f3 ReS I S Qd3 or I S Qd4 would it is brilliant, awaits him.
leave Black in a poor state around 2 1 Rxf5 Bxf5 22 Qxf5 Rxd4 23
the dS pawn. Probably he also Rfl Rd8
looked at the continuation 9 . . . b6 There is nowhere to move the
1 0 NeS or 10 Qc2 . Also upon bishop . On 23 . . . Be 7 follows mate
these , White maintains the initiat in three moves. If, however, 23 . . .
ive. Other possible continuations Qe7 , then 24 Bf7 + KhS 2 S BdS !
were 9 . . . Qe 7 or 9 . . . as . A tho- intercepting the line of retreat of
. rough investigation of all these the rook to dS . On 2S . . . Qf6 fol
would require too much time. lows 26 QcS .
10 Nxe4 dxe4 1 1 Ne5 f5 12 f3 ! 24 Bf7 + Kh8 25 Be8!! Black
1 66
8 ... Ng4
Lasker played this in the 7 th
game of his match with Schlechter.
Black has no defence against the

double attack of the queen and
rook on f8 . The strength of this
attack also "raises to a second
power" the bishop , intercepting 9 e6!
the 8th rank. A brill iant example The pawn intercepts the con
of the triumph of superior har nection of the bishop with the g4
mony. square ; 9 . . . fxe6 or 9 . . . Bxe6 leads
to the loss of the knight. On 9 . . .
The reader will have probably N h6 fol lows 1 0 Bxh6 and exf7 + .
noted the fact that in nearly all the 9 ••• £5 1 0 0 ..0
illustrations we have given, with Now the White pawn on e6 is
the exception of the combination very cramping for Black, which
in the game , Reggio-Mieses , the determines a positional advantage
intercepting piece was the bishop , for White.
which cannot be considered acci One more small example. In a
dental. Undoubtedly , also the game from the Leningrad Cham
knight proves useful for this role, pionship 1 930, Romanovsky..
but in practice such a role falls on Koyalovich, after the 36th move a
the knight comparatively rarely. sharp struggle brought the oppo
An interception can also be made nents to this position.
by the pawn. In the Sicilian
Defence , there is this variation:
1 e4 c5 2 NO Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4
Nxd4 N£6 5 Nc3 d6 6 8c4 g6 7
Nxc6 bxc6 8 e5
Here already there is a combina
tion. If 8 . . . dxe5 ? then 9 Bxf7 +
.
Black obtains a difficult game also

after 8 . . . Nd7 9 exd6 exd6 1 0 0-0
etc .
167
There fol lowed: creativity is infinite ! We see our

37 fl own task as something else, and it
And the pawn fulfilled a double seems to us, mainly and above all,
role , by intercepting the connec to set up, where possible , theore
tion of the Black queen with the g8 tical landmarks on ways to develop
square and also increasing the har combinations, furthermore to bring
mony in the operation of the Black out the role of combinations as an
rooks. Neither of the rooks can inevitable companion of every
take the pawn, in view of Qg8 + creative process, and finally to
followed by f6 + . If, however, 3 7 . . . present combinations to the reader
Qxf7 , then 3 8 Rxd7 Qxd7 3 9 as the original source of aesthetics
Qg8 + and 4 0 f6 mate. in chess art , as a basic element in
Black resigned. chess beauty.
But both in Middlegame Combi
Chapter 1 2 , which we end with nations and Middlegame Planning
this little example, concludes , in the question is not touched upon
its turn, also all our investigations how the thinking of a chessplayer is
into methods of combinational conducted during the chess game ,
operations and the role and signifi which of its elements, conse
cance of combinational ideas in the qences , basic directions , and many
creative processes of the chess other things , the chessplayer
struggle. thinks about, when bending over
Of course , it is impossible , in the board.
deed there is also no need, to in To this question, which both
clude in the book all possible cases parts of Middlegame touch upon ,
of combinations. Combinational we devote the fol lowing chapter.
1 68
Chapter Thirteen
About the Thinking of a Chessplayer

During the Game.
In Middlegame Planning and Com greater methodical experience , ob

binations the reader is given a great servation and study of the thinking
deal of varied material for study, of numerous pupils and compa
but, naturally, the author is inte nions - highly rated chessplayers ,
rested in the question - to what points to the fact that, during the
extent does an examination of game , a player often thinks in an
book illustrations , games , undisciplined way, if not to say
examples, schemes and other h iggledy-piggledy. It is precisely
things , even the accompanying this circumstance which gives rise
comments of the author, help a to the "sickness" of time-trouble,
chessplayer improve his play. an intrusion of a not quite natural
I t is one thing to study theore psychological factor in the process
tical and creative questions in a of play, and some other harmful
book, another to apply the phenomena. Meanwhile dis
knowledge in practice. ciplined thoughts, plus knowledge
During the game it is necessary - is a basic guarantee of success.
to independently solve great and Observations show that players
small creative problems and to do sometimes come to quick, prema
this mentally only , without mov ture decisions in positions which
ing the pieces on the board. require deep reflections , and , on
The strict rule - "touch-move" is the other hand , engage in much
inexorable. Besides this, thinking and also stubborn thought where
time is regulated by special chess there is no reason. Sometimes , in
clocks . Exceeding the time-limit positions where a player is pres
entai ls defeat - also an inexorable ented with two equivalent conti
rule. nuations , instead of choosing one
Under such conditions , a player of these and then conforming to
must, if he is sitting at the board the decision already made , he stub
with the intention of gaining vic bornly tries to discover - which of
tory , mobilise to the utmost his the two continuations is neverthe
thoughts , his memory , his imagi less better, and spends a great deal
nation. of effort and time on this, and ,
The author's great playing expe after establishing nothing, is forced
rience , while, possibly, even to pick up a motive in favour of
1 69
one of these . Wishing to make a first attempt to establish at least the

move based on 1 00% realisation, main obj ects which , at the board,
he begins to look for an artificial attract the thoughts of a
reason, far-fetched , so to speak, in chessplayer during the game , and
order to reassure h imself and set to systematise, within the bounds of
aside doubts and hesitation. With possibility, the continuous link of a
satisfaction, he will come to a deci chessplayer with positions and
sion based upon some small mot variations.
ive , not having a direct regard to And so , how do the thoughts of
the position, and essentially dece rated chessplayers proceed, at the
ive himself. The question as to board, during the game ? It is com
which rook, from f1 or a i , should paratively easy to give , in general,
go to d l , is at times a matter of the features over which the
concern for a player, who , after thoughts of a player exert them
lengthy thought, fails to find a solu selves in the process of play. We
tion; what then ? call the basic objects of the effort of
Sometimes, after an hour- long thinking, the elements of thinking.
deliberation, a player makes a bad Observing the consecutive nature
move as a consequence of uncer of the process of thinking, one can
tain thoughts , skipping from one be convinced of the fact that there
theme to another in pursuit of arti are three elements of thinking. The
ficial reasons , etc. Finally, we come first - is the position which is before
across also such phenomena as con the eyes of the player, i . e . the ac
fusion of thoughts, demoralisation, tual arrangement of pieces and
etc. It is possible to give thousands pawns on the board at the present
of examples of thoughts which moment. The second - is the calcu
have lost their zest and much other lation of variations to which this
evidence of the collapse of thinking position directs the attention, and
right up to real chaos . All this the third - the position which ap
points to the great importance of pears mentally to the chessplayer
the question of the thinking of a upon the completion of the varia
chess player during the game . tion, we call the post-variation
Of course, with reference to position.
creative imagination, it is possible These three obj ects of the effort
to construct a stereotype. In art, of thinking ( the three elements of
each person creates his own forms thinking) are characteristic for
within the limits of his own imagi positions of approximate equality,
nation, his own ingenuity, and also for the thinking of that of
knowledge , experience, inspira the opponents who at the present
tion , etc . Therefore we shall make moment of the struggle has the ini
only an attempt - apparently the tiative.
1 70
The above-mentioned three ele consideration which prompted

ments of thinking we class as basic, them to choose namely the given
because the will of the player plays continuation. With the play of
a decisive role in them. Other ele rated chessplayers, moves are not
ments of thinking assume a depen made so simply, but on the basis of
dent character and are the conse considerations revolving around
quence of a certain submission to two inter-related and interacting
the will of the opponent. Such ele phenomena which determine the
ments of thinking are characteristic process of the chess game , around
for a chessplayer, struggling against the position and around variations .
the initiative of the opponent and The opponents go into the cha
forced to defend himself with only racter of the position and into
moves. It is not worth touching variations also to j ustify the deci
upon questions of thinking (ele sion they have made. Thoughts
ments of thinking) on obvious con begin to exert themselves more
tinuations. For example , in the strongly when there is a choice of
variation of the Spanish Game , 1 several continuations and there is
e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Bxc6 , it not sufficiently clear information
is obvious that Black can only reply to make an obj ective decision.
4 . . . bxc6 or 4 . . . dxc6 , and that he In these cases , besides expe
will not play, instead of this, 4 . . . rience , acquired earlier, which is
Bc5 ? Upon obvious, compulsory transformed into intuition, on the
moves , the effort of thinking is scene also appears the subjective
minimal and consequently the ele taste and attitude of a player,
ments of thinking are hardly reflecting his nature and personal
touched upon, Finally, we will also point of view. It is well-known that
not refer to the question of think apropos this or that move , and
ing in the opening, partly because , sometimes even a whole plan, dis
to a significant extent , the think cord occurs even between grand
ing here is a consequence of masters. That which pleases one ,
knowledge obtained from the theo does not quite please the other, and
ry of openings or is a result of spec vice versa.
ial preparation for the game, partly A dispute arising at the end of
also because our book is in no way the last century between two giants
devoted to the opening, but to the of chess thought, W. Steinitz and
middlegame . M . Chigorin, about creative me
It is perfectly clear that, for every thods of play is a good example of
move made on the board , there this statement.
ought to be a reason. Even be They debated the permissible
ginners , if they are asked why they degree of risk in creative exper
made one or other move, give some iments, the principles of evaluating
171
a posltlon, the specific gravity of reflect, as it were , the essence, the

combinations in the processes of basic point of the position, its core ,
the chess struggle , and many other we might say. Usually there will
things. J ust as in any art , in chess not be more than two or three
there is argument. One cannot call factors , and, compared with other
for uniformity from the thinking of elements of evaluation, they look
chessplayers during a game , and it significant and rivet the attention
would be useless to search for it in of a player.
the numerous creative forms even In analysis, in commentaries to
of classical chess thought. games, and even in verbal discus
However there are quite a few sions of this or that move , we con
criteria for an objective evaluation stantly come across the expression
of a position, i . e . weak and strong "played not in the spirit of the posi
squares, open l ines, invasion of pie tion" or "in the spirit of the posi
ces , exposed king's position, pawn tion would be here . . . " etc. What,
centre and other pawn formations, however, is meant by this myste
etc. Quite enough has been said rious spirit, about which we find so
about them in Middlegame Plann frequent mention in chess litera
ing, and quite a bit also in Middle ture ?
game Combinations. All these posi It is precisely the spirit of a posi
tional and combinational factors tion which makes up its meaning -
are equally respected by its core, the "main thing" which
chessplayers of all creative shades. deliberation over a move or varia
The question leads mostly to the tion should base itself upon. To
establishment of the significance understand the spirit of a position -
for the present position of any of this means, more or less obj ect
the above-mentioned factors. It is ively , to comprehend its condi
precisely here that most frequently tions , to find a j ust reason for a
arise contradictions, errors in the move and present it as a general
thinking of a chessplayer, such as aim, bringing it to the fore. Hence
underestimation or overestimation it is not difficult to conclude that
of individual factors. However, a the spirit of a position - is an un
player's experience and talent plays derstanding of strategical ideas by a
a great role here. chessplayer, whereas a variation,
-
When deliberating upon a move for example , represents a reflection
it is useful to take into account all of tactical ones. To play not in the
factors which help one to draw spirit of the position - this means
c loser to an obj ective evaluation of making a strategical mistake , and a
the positon, but the most impor strategical mistake will usually be
tant thing is to be able to grasp, fraught with serious consequences.
amongst many factors , those which Finally, the spirit of a position is
1 72
a landmark which guides the the game , which is not assessed on

thoughts of a player to the essential the basis of general principles , such
positional qualities of the situation. as pawn weaknesses, open l ines,
In playing a move , a chessplayer better development, etc , since the
always endeavours to make it in the equilibrium is upset in many
spirit of the position and ought to sectors , and there cannot be a pre
be convinced after making it that c ise balance. An attempt to cal
this is in fact the case. One should culate variations is also not always
not think that there might be only successfu l . Let us say that there are
one single move which represents a six or seven different continuations
continuation in the spirit of the for White , and Black has , on each
position. It can be that this is prec move, five or six in reply. It is not
isely so, but many situations allow hard to see that not even a genius
one , two , at other times even more can get up even to the fourth move
continuations which are in ful l ac in the calculation of variations. It is
cord with the spirit of the positon. then that comes to his aid, intui
In such cases, the thinking of a tion, imagination - a force which
player, on the one hand, is even gives chess art very beautiful com
simplified, in that there is a choice binations and allows chessplayers
available, but i t is also compl icated to experience the true j oy of crea
since the choice will at other times tivity".
be a difficult one, and, thinking Intuitive thinking - this is a basic
over a move, a player begins to bury question which requires special elu
h imself in doubts and hesitation. cidation, and we do not intend to
Apropos of this, we think it is use dwell on it in the present chapter.
ful to quote a statement of grand We gave the statement of
master D. Bronstein from his book D. Bronstein as extra and authorat
International tournament ofGrand ive evidence of the fact that posi
masters. Here is what he writes: tions occur, where, even for a grand
"Pre-requisites for chess creativity master, an objective evaluation, as
are usually considered to be logic, well as finding a logical move, pres
accurate calculation of variations ents great difficulties , and that the
and technique, including, in the only way out of this "blind alley",
latter, an understanding and Bronstein, for example, considers ,
knowledge of theory. However, is an intuitive solution to the pro
there is also a fourth component, blem. However intuition - is not an
possibly the most attractive, element of thinking, and we must
though one which is frequently for search for another solution.
gotten. I have in mind intuition, We must be guided by the spirit
or, if you l ike, chess imagination. of the position, i . e. find a starting
At times a position is obtained in point for a move or variation. Per-
1 73
haps it is better to interpret a posi mended in the opening reference

tion wrongly, than not to interpret books , is 5 . . . Nd7, on which
it at all. White can play 6 h4 - a variation
Of course the question about the well-known in opening theory
spirit of a position, is not solved as under the name of Chatard Attack.
simply as it looks on paper, and not 6 Nxe4 BxgS 7 NxgS QxgS 8 g3
infrequently even chess masters cS 9 c3 Nc6 1 0 f4 Qe7 1 1 NO
lose their way here . It is possible to Bd7 1 2 Qd2 0-0 1 3 Bd3
show that the spirit of a position is a
h ighly variable value and that it is
necessary to interpret it after' al
most every move . This is clearly an
error. You see , by alienating your
self from the spirit of the position ,
you usually already intend an
approximate plan of action, which
guides you until some extraordinary
incidents, which abruptly change
the conditions of the struggle ,
occur in the game. It goes without The opening stage can be consi
saying, we have to include such dered to be over. True, White has
extraordinary incidents in the work still not castled , but it will ob
of our thoughts and , in accordance viously follow on the very next
with them, renew the starting move . It is clear that as soon as
point of our future operations; in White castles, he will begin to pre
other words , to plan the game all pare an attack on the king's flank ,
over again, or to some extent all where conditions are quite favour
over again. able for a display of the initiative.
The following game might serve At the present moment, it is
as a good example of all that we Black's move , and , in deliberating
have said about the spirit of the upon it, he must about all solve the
pos ition. question of how to counter the
events about to happen on the
French Defence king's flank. Black's basic chance
White: L.Forgacs consists of play on the queen's flank
Black: S.Tartakover and partly in the centre , in connec
International Congress in memory of tion with the not unfavourable for
M . I . Chigorin (Petersburg 1909) him pawn tension "cS -d4".
1 e4 e6 2 d4 dS 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 BgS Possible, for example , was even
Be7 S eS Ne4 an immediate 1 3 . . . cxd4 and , on
The usual continuation, recom- 14 N xd4 - 14 . . . f6 , breaking up
1 74
White's pawn wedge on e 5 . In the Ne6 + .

event of 1 4 cxd4 , Black could al 22 Nd8 2 3 e6 Ra6 2 4 Qe5
•.•
ready evoke an exchange of queens Kh6 25 R l f5 fxe6 26 Nf7 +

by continuing . . . Qb4 . Also good Qxf7 2 7 Rh5 + Kg7 28 Rxg6
was to make the preparatory move mate.
1 3 . . . Rac8 , having in mind, after By sacrificing the pawns on the
1 4 0-0, to undertake play by 1 4 . . . 1 7th and 1 8th moves , White
cxd4 1 5 cxd4 Nb4. In short, the clearly foresaw , by calculating
spirit of the position must be pro variations , the irresistibility of the
mpted by the Black moves . . . cxd4 , attack he obtains , either on the f7
. . . Rc8 , . . . f6 ( and even . . . f5 ) , in a square , along the f-file, or on the
certain order, which would have h6 point, in the event of 19 . . . h6
secured him a firm position and not 20 Nh 7 etc . The pawn sacrifice was
bad prospects in the future play. confirmed by concrete variations,
But how did Tartakover play ? Alas, but Forgacs' idea was aimed at this
not at all in the spirit of the pos i sacrifice , in the spirit of the posi
tion, and to be exact - tion, which was easily prompted by
13 •.. e4? the vulnerability of a badly de
Black, without taking into fended king's position. The move
account White's territorial advant 1 3 . . . c4 obviously turned out not
age on the queen's flank, raises the to be in the spirit of the position ,
siege on the d4 pawn, closes the which was confirmed by the further
c-file and in this way gives White course of the game .
full scope for a direct attack on the We mention further that the spi
king's flank. Forgacs mercilessly rit of a position and the require
punishes his opponent for not play ment of a position, as people some
ing in the spirit of the position. times l ike to express it, are not
14 Be2 b5 15 0 ..0 a5 16 Rae l b4 quite identical concepts. The
1 7 £5 ! requirement of a position is a loud
The spirit of the position for voice , allowing no obj ections ,
White is clear. I t calls for a direct, which indicates a single possible
energetic attack on the Black king's correct continuation or the need to
position. transfer play to a combinational
17 ••• exf5 18 g4! fxg4 19 Ng5 g6 path. Of course , the requirement of
Also 19 . . . h6 does not save him. a positon also reflects the spirit of a
Then 20 N h 7 Rfd8 21 Nf6 + gxf6 position, but a reverse dependence
22 Qxh6 f5 23 Bxf5 Bxf5 24 Rxf5 f6 between the spirit and the require
2 5 Rxf6 Qh7 26 Qg5 + Kh8 2 7 ment of a position does not exist.
Rh6 . The concept of the spirit of a posi
20 Rf6 Kg7 2 1 Refl Be8 22 Qf4 tion is far broader, it continues to
This is more energetic than 2 2 serve as a setting-off base for chess-
1 75
players even when the pOSItion 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Ne6 3 Bb5 a6 4

does not indicate any requirement Bxe6
at all. Here , as is well-known , the re
We have already mentioned that treat of the bishop to a4 is also
it is not always easy to penetrate possible. Both this retreat and the
into the spirit of the position. The continuation chosen by Capablan
re are also chessplayers who even ca fully meets the spirit of the posi
consciously ignore it. Such chess ton, allowing White to choose one
players in fact disregard an object of the plans.
ive evaluation of the position and, 1 ) to base his play on the more
playing not in the spirit of the posi full-value , more compact pawn
tion but in the spirit of their own chain, or
mood and taste , will, as a rule , be 2) to prepare for an attack on
cruelly punished by an opponent, Black's king's-side castled position,
for whom the spirit of the position on the basis of a far-sighted concen
represents the basic source of creat tration of forces on appropriate
ive paths. squares and diagonals. In his prac
The main playing strength of the tice, Capablanca nearly always
Cuban chessplayer, Capablanca, chose namely the second plan, and
consisted of the fact that he was the capture on c6 was of course a
always guided by the spirit of the surprise for the tempermental
position. Nobody could compare J anowski .
with him in the ability to quickly 4 ••• dxe6 5 Nc3 Be5 6 d3
and faultlessly understand the core The most consistent continua
of a position, i ts spirit. Capablanca tion, upon which Black , for a long
could make a mistake in calcula time, has to reckon with the "isola
tion, not choose the best variation, tion" of his outpost on e5 .
but he did not make a mistake in 6 ... Bg4 7 Be3 Bxe3
the assessment of a position when it This improves White's game , as
was a question of its spirit, its main he obtains the open f-file and a firm
point, the important and essential pawn superiority in the centre. In
in it. addition to this, after castling,
We examine the following ins White without difficulty unpins
tructive game in the light of this the knight f3 and obtains clear
statement. prospects of an attack on the Black
king in the event of its castling on
Spanish Game the queen's-side.
White: J.R.Capablanea Interesting, however, is what
Black: D.Janowski could have prompted J anowski to
International Tournament make this exchange .
( Petersburg 1914) It is clear that his heart does not
1 76
lie in such moves as 7 . . . Bb4 or 7 queen's flank. Also, the queen

. . . Bd6 , since this would be an move forces Black into a slow and
admission of the unsatisfactory na uncomfortable development of the
ture , or at least the insufficiently knight via the flank - the h6 squa
satisfactory nature, of his 5 th re. In the third situation , obtained
move. Why, however, he refrained after five moves , Black has to
from 7 . . . Qe 7 remains unclear. nevertheless exchange on f3 in
Concrete variations do not clear up order to deprive White's king's
this question sufficiently. For knigh� of the possibility of taking
example, 8 N a4 Bxe3 9 fxe3 Qb4 + part in the attack.
( Precisely this, whereas after 9 . . . Thus J anowski made a serious
Bxf3 1 0 Qxf3 Qb4 + 1 1 Nc3 Qxb2 error in assessing the position
1 2 Kd2 ! White , threatening both which is obtained after castling
Rhb 1 and Qg3 with an attack on queen's-side.
the g7 and e5 pawns , would have In the spirit of the position now
the better position) 10 c3 Bxf3 1 1 was the continuation 8 . . . f6 , and
gxf3 ( 1 1 cxb4 Bxd l 1 2 Rxd l Nf6 , then 9 0-0 Ne7 1 0 Qe l 0-0 1 1 Qg3
and Black's position i s preferable Be6 1 2 N h4 Qd7 13 Rf2 Kh8 1 4
because of his better pawn forma- Rafl c 5 1 5 Nf5 Ng8, and Black's
tion) 1 1 . . . Qe 7 , and Black, threa- defensive line is quite solid. After
tening . . . b5 and . . . Qh4 + , could . . . Rad8 Black himself could dis
obtain the initiative. play activity by . . . c4.
The continuation 8 Bxc5 Qxc5 9 I t is perfectly clear that the rea
d4 also does not promise White son for the mistaken, not in the
anything. Black could play both, spirit of the position, chosen plan,
simply 9 . . . Bxf3 , and 9 . . . Qb4 , is an insufficiently deep penetra
when 1 0 dxe5 Qxb2 would turn out tion into the position reached after
in Black's favour. the 7th move and a superficial look
S he3 Qe7 at it without an examination of
Black does not want to exchange concrete variations.
bishop for knight, but the latter It is a dangerous mistake to think
"weighs heavy" on the e5 pawn that calculation is possible only on
and , naturally, Black takes mea forcing variations. This is far from
sures for its defence . At the same being so. In calculating variations
time Black opens up for himself the we have in mind that reply of the
possibility of castling on the opponent which, in our view,
queen's-side. meets the spirit of the position , and
The decision made by Black con represents , if not the best, then a
tradicts the spirit of the position good, natural move . It goes with
which has emerged. The Black out saying that there are positions
king will not be safely placed on the where it is very difficult to embark
1 77
on vanations due to the various knight, via the f6 and d7 squares,

possibilities from the opponent's to b8 , where it reinforces the a6
side. I t is difficult, but nevertheless and c6 pawns against which Whi
possible. However, such positions - te's attack will be directed.
are a minority. Apparently ,
J anowski did not delve particularly
deeply into the position, in any
case he did not foresee even Whi
te's 1 1 th move , and with it
Capablanca's whole plan of attack.
9 0-0 O-O-O?
Not played at all in the spirit of
the positon ! You see , when there is
castling on opposite sides, one of
the best and right ways of securing
the initiative is a pawn attack 1 1 Rb l ! !
(storm ! ) on the king's position. It is The White a and b pawns will
possible to see with the naked eye begin a storm of the weakly de
that White has at his disposal all fended Black king's position. The
the pre-requisites for such an attack difficulty of the defence is
on the queen's flank, while Black redoubled by the advanced position
has no chances at all for such an of the pawns on a6 and c6. The
attack on the king's flank. White White b-pawn, already after three
controls considerably more space moves , will enter into contact with
here . them.
Therefore , even now , Black 11 ••• £6 12 b4 Nf7
should have still stuck to the plan He should play 1 2 . . . Be6 , in
pointed out above , and played 9 . . . order to secure himself against the
f6 followed by . . . N h6 and . . . 0-0. invasion of the dS square by the
10 Qe l ! White knight; soon afterwards the
The last preparatory move . In c6 pawn will be eliminated.
unpinning the knight, the queen is 1 3 a4 Bxf3
also deployed on a square from Now Black will be subjected to
where it might be transferred to the will of the opponent; this
either flank . exchange , pursuing the aim of
10 ••• Nh6? diverting the White rook from the
Black does not see the danger, queen's flank, is hardly necessary .
but meanwhile he probably already On 1 3 . . . Be6 , White , after 1 4 bS
cannot save the game . Black's cxbS 1 5 axbS as 1 6 b6 , succeeds in
defence would have been streng opening the b-file ( 1 6 . . . c6 1 7 N a4
thened by the transfer of the and then QxaS ) .
1 78
14 Rxf3 b4 1 5 b5 cxb5 1 6 axb5 Black eliminates the terrible

a5 knight, but . . . at the cost of a rook.
Black has succeeded in avoiding 26 exd5 Qxd5 2 7 c6 + KbS 28
the opening of l ines by means of a cxd7 Qxd7 29 d5 Re8 30 d6
blockade of the b-pawn , but the cxd6 3 1 Qc6 Black resigned.
initiative remains in the hands of In this game Capablanca's
White , who obtains an excellent thoughts had to pass through the
base on the dS square for his first element of thinking , i . e . to
knight. deliberate over the spirit of the
Under the cover of his base , position , only once , after Black's
White also carries out a decisive 9th move , 0-0-0.
advance of the d and c pawns. In the course of the remaining
1 7 Nd5 Qc5 part of the game , his thoughts were
Black tries to prevent the ad mainly taken up by the second ele
vance of the d-pawn, but these at ment of thinking - variations . The
tempts are fruitless - he is only able third element - the evaluation of
to delay for a short while the ad the post-variation position - oc
vance of the White centre. While cupied his thoughts , probably be
Wh ite has still not consol idated fore the calculation of the move 1 5
the pos ition of his knight by c4 , the bS , since , after 1 6 . . . as , i t was
best chance would be to sacrifice important for him to foresee a way
the exchange : 1 7 . . . RxdS I S exdS of developing the attack ( 1 7 NdS ! )
e4. And so , the first line of thought
18 c4 Ng5 19 Rf2 Ne6 20 Qc3 for a chessplayer during the game ,
Rd7 2 1 Rd l Kb7 when deliberating upon a move , is
Black cannot delay the advance the "main thing" in the position , its
of the White pawns , and this points core , its spirit - this is the starting
to the irreparable nature of his posi point for the move or variation .
tion. Nevertheless the king volun Sometimes, in clearer positions ,
tarily walks into a pawn fork (cS penetration into the spirit of the
c6 + ) . positon occurs quickly without
However, also after 2 1 . . . ReS , much inner hesitation. Often ,
White carries out a beautiful winn however, this or that position , par
ing combination : 22 d4 exd4 23 ticularly when there arises the pro
exd4 Qd6 24 cS ! bxcS 25 QxaS Kb 7 blem of composing a plan of play ,
26 Ra2 Rb8 2 7 Qa7 + KcS 2 7 Rda 1 requ ires a dynamic evaluation , i . e .
with the deadly threat of QxbS + . If a more o r less deep penetration into
. . . RxbS , then 29 QaS + Rb8 3 0 variations , as it were , arising from
Rb 1 ! or 3 0 Rb2 ! the spirit of the present pos ition
22 d4 Qd6 23 Rc2 exd4 24 exd4 and , together with this, correcting
Nf4 25 c5 Nxd5 the original comprehension of the
1 79
position. chess thought, for chessplayers of

A variation often requires very such outstanding creative plans as
great effort of thought, even when Alekhine , Chigorin, Botvinnik,
it embodies a combination. At Bronstein, Keres , Tal , Smyslov
other times there arises a conflict in and others , is made up precisely of
a position, when an examination of variations , thought out at the
variations leads to the conclusion board during the process of the
that there is a mistake in the static chess game.
evaluation, in an incorrect percep
tion of the heart of the position - its Bishop's Opening
spirit. However, far from all White: P.Keres
chessplayers will be prepared to rec Black: D.Bronstein
ognise this, and prefer to play (Candidates tournament 1956)
sometimes not in the spirit of the I e4 e5 2 Be4 Nf6 3 Nc3 Ne6 4
position than return once again to f4 Be5
the process of trying to find the
essence of it.
The presence of such conflicts
comes to light nearly always after
the game , during analysis of it.
Usually, however, a concrete plan,
and on its base a concrete varia
tion, arises from the spirit of the
position and represents a way , or
part of a way , which does the
thinking for a chessplayer in order
to help find a solution, coming out In this position, the question ari
of the spirit of the position, to the ses: whether White should change
problem, as we saw in the game , the course of the struggle into the
Capablanca-J anowski . channels of the King's Gambit, by
How does the work of thinking playing now 5 NB , or, by eliminat
over a variation take place ? To ing the eS pawn, to create the
develop a variation, as it were, at threat of forming a powerful centre
tracts ideas. The effort of thinking after d4 . White chooses the second
weakens if the' variation leads it to a way , and possibly did not look
satisfactory result, i . e . if a positon , through, sufficiently concretely ,
created as a result of a variation, the variations arising as a result of
pleases a player, satisfies him. this decision. And so:
A variation is a dynamic creative 5 fxe5 Nxe5
thought of a player, it is created by Now approaches the most tense
imagination. The basic content of moment of the struggle , since it is
1 80
only possible to find the correct White agrees , more accurately is

decision here by means of a deep , forced , to allow a draw , which is
dynamic evaluation , i . e . an exami obtained after 9 . . . Qf2 + 10 Be2
nation of a number of variations. Qe3 + 1 1 Ke 1 Qf2 +. However,
6 Bb3 Black, taking into account the dif
An opinion exists that, by play ficult position of the White king,
ing 6 Be2 with the threat of d4 , considers that the spirit of the posi
White obtains the better position, tion demands more from him.
but do you think one can agree 9 ••• Nc6 10 Qf3 Nf6 1 1 Kd3
with such an evaluation without a
dynamic elucidation of this ex
tremely sharp situation ? In fact,
White plays correctly in so far as
the contination, 6 d4 N xc4 7 dxc5
0-0, on purely positional grounds
was not very acceptable. Neverthe
less it was quieter, but the search
for quietness in such positions far
from satisfies everyone. On 6 Be2 ,
Black would have replied 6 . . . Bd4 !
and Keres undoubtedly, saw the 11 ••• b6?
variation: 7 Nf3 N xf3 + 8 Bxf3 d5 9 Already in time-pressure , it was
exd5 0-0. Now, on 1 0 N e 2 , follows not humanly possible to calculate
1 0 . . . Re8 , and if 1 1 c3 , then 1 1 . . . the tens of variations after 1 1 . . .
Ne4 ! 1 2 cxd4 Qh4 + 1 3 g3 N xg3 1 4 N b4 + 1 2 Kc4 . Nevertheless it is
hxg3 Qxg3 + 1 5 Kfl Qxf3 + and clear that it is not quiet develop
wins . ment which is in the spirit of the
If, on 1 1 . . . Ne4, White replies position, but an immediate exploi
1 2 Bxe4, then 1 2 . . . Qh4 + . All tation of the dangerous position of
this, Keres had to think out when the White king by means of 1 1 . . .
deliberating over his 6th move. I t N b4 + . Of course , it was possible to
would have been better if h e had make a mistake in conducting the
occupied himself with a dynamic attack, particularly in time
investigation of the position before trouble, and lose.
his 5 th move: he then, most likely, However, such considerations
would not have made it. ought not intrude upon chess
6 ••• Bxg l 7 Rxg l Nfg4 8 d4 thought and influence it.
This move is made in accordance 12 Be3
with the requirements of the posi Of course , White's position now
tion, but reluctantly. is considerably better.
8 ... Qh4 + 9 Kd2 12 ••• Bb7 13 Qf4?
181
After this Black obtains good you come across a position which
chances of a draw. He should play you assess as favourable for yourself,
1 3 Rae 1 , and not terrible is 13 . . . then this also clearly serves as a
Nb4 + 1 4 Kd2 Bxe4 1 5 Bf4 d5 , and basis to begin carrying out at the
White wins by continuing now board a variation , thought out
either 1 6 N xd5 or 1 6 N xe4 dxe4 1 7 mentally, and making an end of
Rxe4 + . any further calculation of it.
1 3 ... Ba6 + 1 4 Kd2 Qxf4 1 5 We examine the following short
Bxf4 Nxd4 1 6 Bxc7 Nxb3 + 1 7 game , which is instructive from the
axb3 Bb7 and the game , in the point of view of the consequences
end, finished in a draw. arising as a result of a mistake in the
calculation of a variation .
A few more words about the
birth of a variation. It is born with Kings Indian Defence
its first move , but, if it is limited to White: M.Filip
j ust this move , it is to a certain Black: L.Szabo
extent discredited. (Amsterdam 1956)
There ought not be one-move I c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 g6 3 e4 d6 4 d4
variations. Some reply for the op Bg7 5 f4 c5 6 d5
ponent can be foreseen, on the Practice and contemporary theo
basis of the spirit of the position, ry , in this old variation, recom
but, if that's the way you will have mends 9 Nf3 here . Whether this
it, then it is possible to plan one continuation is better than others ,
more move to already obtain a two it is for the present too soon to say.
move variation. If, however, a 6 0 .. 0 7 NfJ e6 8 Be2 exd5 9
•••
player succeeds, with a certain exd5 Re8 1 0 0..0 Ng4

degree of probability, in foreseeing Sensing the weakness of the
a reply to his second move , then we black squares, d4 , e3 ( the spirit of
are already talking about a three the position) , Szabo wants "to take
move variation. In this way , some the bull by the horns" and , without
times are created multi-move varia completing his development, be
tions which , at the same time , are gins a headlong attack on White's
not combinations. dark-squared territory in the cen
Usually the calculation of a tre . However, it is to Black's mis
variation ceases, when, even with a fortune, that his calculation of the
small degree of probability, it is not variation proves to be inaccurate .
possible to foresee the opponent's Black should increase his pressure
reply, or when too many variations in the centre by means of 1 0 . . . a6
appear, which are simply too diffi 1 1 a4 b6 and then . . . Ra7-e 7 .
cult to cope with mentally. 1 1 Re i
If, in the process of deliberation, It is clear that White sees the
1 82
bishop check on d4 , and, ob Black resigned.

viously , has carefully looked at its If 1 9 . . . Qh 1 + then 20 Kf2 Qxa 1
consequences. Black should take 2 1 Bd .
into account this side of the ques
tion and not hope , without any The variation finds its reflection
basis, that White has "missed" his at the board during the course of
1 3 th move . the game , whereas "the spirit of the
position" is reflected only in the
thoughts of a player. The chess
game , from beginning to end, cons
ists of variations , consequently the
creative thought of a chessplayer is
mainly concentrated upon varia
tions - it creates them and puts
them into practice at the board.
Unfortunately, we see , in all the
games which we have looked at,
that variations , making up the
1 1 ... Bd4 + ? practical process of the struggle , il
A serious mistake i n calculation. lustrate only the lesser part of the
By continuing 1 1 . . . Nh6, with the creativity of the player. A signifi
intention of making his way to d4 cant part of the variations, which
with the knight, Black might still have been thought out, remains
feel alright. On 1 2 Bd3 , a good the secret of its author, if it does
reply would be 1 2 . . . BfS , or 1 2 . . . not find its reflection later on in
a6 1 3 Ne4 NfS . Now, however, analytical investigations and com
Black quickly loses. mentaries. However, even in print,
1 2 Nxd4 cxd4 1 3 Qxd4 it is difficult to reflect the full con
This calm capture of the sacri tent of creative thought. If a player
ficed pawn probably surprised or sets himself this aim, then for each
confused Szabo. Most likely, he game he would have to write a
assumed that Filip would go in for whole book. Variations require
1 3 NbS Ne3 1 4 Bxe3 dxe3 . very great effort of thought and 80-
1 3 ... Qh4 90% of the time, allocated to the
1 3 . . . Nxh2 would be refuted by players , is spent on them.
the reply 1 4 fS . There are chessplayers who do
1 4 Bd2 Qxh2 + not like to go deeply into variations
Black has not lost anything, but in which they content themselves
16 Bxg4 is threatened ( after Kfl ) . mainly with one-move , in the last
1 5 Kfl Na6 1 6 Bxg4 Bxg4 1 7 case two-move , variations. With
Ne4 Rxe4 1 8 Rxe4 Nc5 1 9 Re3 ! such an approach to the process of
1 83
play, the thoughts of a chessplayer The simplest example of diffe

inevitably pass by many creative rent evaluations is served by the
values and possibilities , concealed many games in which one of the
in various m iddlegame positions. opponents sacrifices material
The creativity of a chessplayer, ( usually one or two pawns - see the
with this sort of tendency, will above game Forgacs-Tartakover) ,
never be full-value and will never considering that the positional ad
attract the attention of the millions vantage , obtained after the sa
of chess amateurs. crifice , fully compensates for the
A variation, or variations , some material loss. The other side ac
times leads the thoughts of a player cepts the sacrifice , considering the
a long way. A new position, arising reverse , namely that the opponent
from a variation, is sometimes does not obtain due positional
many moves away from the posi compensation for the loss incurred.
tion standing at the board . There It will often be the case that both
are certain cases when combina partners are in error and only the
tions separate the two positions by further process of the struggle or a
1 5 or more moves. deep analysis of its critical mo
It is obvious that the new posi ments can reveal if one of the oppo
tion, which presents itself nents is right.
mentally, also requires a certain The position , which is obtained
evaluation. The variation begins to upon the completion of the varia
be carried out on the board when tion, we call the post-variation
this evaluation satisfies , relatively, position. The question arises what
both opponents. This will happen, connection there is between the
when the new position subj ectively spirit of a position and the post
pleases them both or when one of variation evaluation. On the face
the players makes a mistake in eva of it, both concepts are absolutely
luation by overestimating or unde identical , in fact this is not quite
restimating its individual factors , so. The evaluation of the post
or finally, when the assessment is variation position will usually be
very complicated and contains wider in scope , but more superficial
quite a few pluses and minuses for in the inherent comprehension of
both sides. There will also be cases it. The spirit of a position - this is
when a decisive role in an evalua its core , "the main thing" . A
tion is played by the creative style number of secondary character
of the player. istics of the position are not taken
Upon a combination, the subor into account when determining the
dinate side willy-nilly has to go in spirit of it. The spirit of a position
for a position which is unsatisfac directs thoughts to the creative
tory for him. path of producing variations . The
1 84
post-vanatlon position, on the and long, merge in the thoughts of

other hand , completes the varia a chessplayer, or at least ought to
tion and, at times , also the game. merge into a single stream,
Figuratively speaking it is possible logically developing and presenting
to say that if the spirit of the posi itself as the realisation of a s ingle
tion serves , as it were , as the source plan, or several plans , logically
of the variation, then the post connected and merging with each
variation position - is its lower other.
reach . It is not the spirit of the We define this statement more
position, but the evaluation of the precisely with a few illustrations.
post-variation position which helps
to make variations purposefu l . The Italian Game
spirit of a post ion - this is a setting White: A.Alekhine
off point, the post-variation posi Black: S.Tarrasch
tion - this is the conclusion, the (Mannheim 1914)
result of great effort of thought. 1 e4 e S 2 NO Nc6 3 Bc4 BcS 4
The post-variation position ceases c3 Qe7 S d4 Bb6 6 0..0 d6 7 a4
to be such when it has been The aim ( technical) is to evoke ,
achieved. Then already , deliberat on Black's side , the advance of the
ing on the future , the player endea a-pawn, which virtually forces him
vours to determine its significance , to exchange on e3 after Be3 . White
the main thing in i t . Thus any posi is now threatening to win a piece: 8
tion, as it were , passes twice d5 Na5 9 Bd3 or 8 as N xa5 (8 . . .
through the thoughts of a player: Bxa5 9 d5 ) 9 Rxa5 Bxa5 1 0 Qa4 + .
once as the creative sum of think 7 ••• a6
ing out, the second time as a In accordance with the spirit of
starting-point. the Italian Game , both opponents
The number of evaluated post have solved the opening problem
variation positions in the course of well. The development for both
a game will be different. Usually White and Black is quite satisfac
post-variation positions are con tory , the centre is firm. This posi
nected to one another with a tion represents the first post
logical thread ( mainly serving as variation position in the present
the spirit of the position) , conse game . Admittedly, the opponents
quently the thoughts of a player arrived at it not by means of imagi
pass through a number of positions , nation and calculation, but on the
not by fits and starts, each time basis of familiarity with the theory
revealing completely new posi of the I talian Game. In this quiet
tions , but consecutively, fluently. opening, White cannot lay claim
All positions and thread to much, and Black usually man
variations , great and small, short ages to retain equal ity .
1 85
Here is an example of how both into White's calculation. Here we

sides strive for a definite position have a divergence in the evaluation
( in the present case theoretical) , of the position. Black forces a move
going for one and the same varia which White considers useful for
tion. himself. Tarrasch possibly should
also be censured for the fact that,
resting on his 40 years experience ,
he l imited himself to pure statics,
without taking some pains to ex
pose the position to a dynamic in
terpretation. But the same charge
could hardly be levelled against
Alekhine. The variation, begun
with the move 8 Be3 , should be
continued further. You see , Alek
hine must have expected the reply
S Be3 8 . . . Nf6, in so far as he censured
On the one hand - this com the move 8 . . . Bg4 . We continue
pletes the mobilisation, on the the variation: 8 . . . Nf6 9 N bd2 0-0
other, however, it is a concrete 10 d5 Nd8 1 1 as Bxe3 1 2 fxe3 Ng4
plan, pursuing the improvement of 13 Qe l f5 , and Black's position is
conditions on the king's flank. quite promising.
White has in mind the variation 9 We give this post-variation posi
d5 Nd8 1 0 as Bxe3 ( or 1 0 . . . Ba7 tion , which did not occur due to
1 1 Bxa7 Rxa 7, and the Black rook Tarrasch's "mistake".
is in a poor position) 1 1 fxe3 . The
present post-vanatlon position
might win White's favour, but this
calculation does not include
Black's 8th move, and this cir
cumstance , as will be seen later,
has a certain significance.
S •.• Bg4
Alekhine censured this move ,
but the motive of his criticism
( weakening of the b 7 pawn) is un
founded. It is possible that Tar The game might have continued
rasch considered the locking of the something like this: 1 3 exf5 Bxf5
centre favourable for himself and 1 4 Nh4 Bd 7 1 5 Rxf8 + Qxf8 1 6
therefore forces the move d5 , Qg3 and , though White's pieces
which , even without this, entered are rather actively placed, he has
1 86
more vulnerable points in his posi 1 2 Nbd2 Nbd7 1 3 Qe l

tion than Black. Black has a difficult position.
One might conjecture that, if However if he determined the spirit
T arrasch had played 8 . . . Nf6, of the position and was able to
then, after 9 N bd2 0-0 1 0 d5 Nd8, subordinate his future play to it,
Alekhine would have preferred then he could still have contended
simply 1 1 h3 to the move 1 1 as . with the difficulties.
9 d5 NbS The weak point in White's posi
The natural retreat, but strange tion is the e4 pawn. I t is precisely
as it may seem, the Black knight here that Black's minor pieces
does not find itself a suitable posi ought to direct their blows. On the
tion in the future . other hand , Black must guard the
I t would have been more far f5 square against the invasion of the
sighted to play 9 . . . Nd8 , not fear White knight. The move . . . g6 was
ing the attack on the b6 pawn , after unsuitable for this, since then the
1 0 Bxb6 cxb6 - it is easily de f6 square would be dangerously
fended. weakened. Exploiting the open f
10 a5 Bxe3 file , White could deliver blows
Also not so bad for Black was 1 0 from all his heavy pieces on this
. . . Ba7 1 1 Bxa7 Rxa 7 . Super square.
ficially, the position of the rook on All these considerations , taken
a 7 is not very aesthetic , and it has together, also characterise the spi
to lose time ( in due course ) to re rit of the present position. They
turn to a8 , but in return for this ought to lead Black to the conclu
tempo , Black does not allow White sion that it is necessary to transfer
play on the f-file and obtains an the bishop to g6 . Consequently,
obj ect for attack, on this same line , correct, and in the spirit of the
in the shape of the f4 square . position , would be to play now
I I he3 Nf6 1 3 . . . Bh5 !
N atural, but not meeting the spi
rit of the position. The locked
structure in the centre , which
Black himself has provoked , requi
res dynamic play from him with the
move . . . f5 . It was possible to begin
this, both immediately and after 1 1
. . . Nh6. Black is simply making a
move which completes his deve
lopment. Such one-move variation
play must, sooner or later, be pun
ished. The variation arises , 1 3 . . . Bh5
187
1 4 N h4 Bg6 ! 1 5 Nf5 ( 1 5 N xg6 variation) position ? Alekhine was

hxg6 or . . . fxg6 were, of course, pleased with this position for sure.
favourable only for Black) 15 . . . 1 6 Nh4
Bxf5 1 6 Rxf5 Ng4 ! 1 7 Qg3 g6 1 8 See the annotation to the 2 1 st
RfJ h 5 1 9 h 3 N h6 , and Black's move.
position is quite solid. 16 g6 1 7 Qe l e6 1 S NhfJ exd5
•••
If, however, White does not play 1 9 exd5

14 Nh4, Black, all the same , 1 9 Bxd5 would look attractive, if
transfers the bishop to g6 and it were not for 1 9 . . . N xd5 20 exd5
White has to worry about the f5 , and Black increases his in
defence of the e4 pawn. fluence in the centre.
In addition to this, the bishop 19 ••• e4
gives excellent protection to the Otherwise it is not possible to
king's position. bring the queen's-side pieces out of
13 ••• Ne5 ? imprisonment.
A momentary attack. A move 20 Ng5 h6 2 1 Nh3 Qe5 ?
later, the knight will be ignomi Incomprehensible ! Tarrasch
niously driven back. does not exploit the last chance to
1 4 Qb l DeS? bring the queen's flank into play.
It is clear that, also now, he The rook, bishop and knight - and
should play . . . Bh5 . The bishop this is a great force - now remain, to
goes into voluntary imprisonment , the end of the game , apathetic wit
from which it is destined to not nesses of the catastrophe. What
emerge until the end of the game. variations did Tarrasch calculate in
At the same time it also locks in the making his queen move ? Probably
rook. none whatsoever. It was enough to
15 b4 Nd7 see the three-move variation which
occurs in the game and he would
have avoided the position promised
him, "where his eyes are looking".
Meanwhile , after 2 1 . . . Ne5 , the
struggle might still have assumed a
rather stubborn character. Alek
hine gives this variation: 2 1 . . . Ne5
22 Nf4 Bf5 23 h3 h5 24 Bb3 Rc8 25
c4 , followed by Ne2-d4 , with the
better position for White, but, as
Alekhine wrote , without obvious
Is it possible that Tarrasch , in possibilities of quickly exploiting
making his 1 3 th move , had chosen it.
this post-variation (a three-move This is not quite so simple . For
1 88
example, Black, on 25 c4, could One more short game.

reply h4, and , if 26 N e 2 , then 26
. . . N d3 27 Qb 1 NhS , developing Budapest Gambit
an initiative. It seems that, even White: A.Rubinstein
earlier, Alekhine played insuffi Black: S.Tartakover
c iently concretely, not foreseeing (Bad Kissingen 1928)
the undermining 1 7 . . . c6. Was it 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 Ng4 4
not better, instead of 16 N h4 , Bf4
which already looks too d irect, to Rubinstein liked this move ,
play 1 6 Bd3 , so as, on 1 6 . . . c6 , to whereas Alekhine conducted his
continue 1 7 c4, not letting out attack by 4 e4 N xe5 5 f4 . However,
Black's p ieces on the queen's flank. White's pawn energy, in this varia
22 Re i Ng4 tion, suffers an appreciable loss of
Also this is a one-move varia power if Black arms himself with
tion. the following continuation: 5 . . .
23 Nf4 g5 N 5 c6 6 Be3 N a6 ! 7 Nc3 Bc5 8 Qd2
N ow White also exploits the f5 d6 9 NB 0-0 1 0 Bd3 Bxe3 1 1 Qxe3
square. An interesting idea is 23 . . . Nc5 with good play for Black.
Ndf6 , and if 2 4 h3 , then 24 . . . g5 The game , Rudakovsky-Ratner
25 hxg4 N xg4 . ( 1 4th USSR Championship, Mo
24 h3 Ngf6 scow 1 945 ) , continued further: 1 2
A lso now, he should continue . . . Bc2 Nb4 1 3 0-0-0 N xc2 1 4 Kxc2
N df6. Playing for the win of the Re8 1 5 Rhe 1 Bd7 16 e5 b6 1 7 Kc l
pawn is so irreparable, j ust as many dxe5 1 8 fxe5 Qc8 1 9 Qg5 h6 20
other thoughts of Tarrasch in this Qg3 Qa6 2 1 Rd4 Bf5 and Black
game. obtains a very dangerous attack.
25 Ne2 Nxd5 26 Bxd5 Qxd5 2 7 4 ••• Bb4 + 5 Nd2 Nc6 6 Nf3 f6
Nd4 Qe5 This is undoubtedly more in the
Black does not have the move 2 7 spirit of the position than winning
. . . Ne5 , because of the reply 2 8 c 4 - back the pawn: 6 . . . Qe 7 7 e3
in this l ies his m isfortune. On 2 7 . . . Ngxe5 8 Be2 0-0 9 0-0, and , if 9 . . .
Nf8 , Alekhine had intended to d6 , then 1 0 Nb3 with a3 to fol
play 28 Qe2 , with the threat of low.
Nc4. Black must lose. Probably 9 . . . Bxd2 1 0 Qxd2 d6
28 Nc4 Qd5 29 Nf5 ! KfS 30 is more acceptable for Black here .
Nfxd6 Rh7 3 1 Rd l Qc6 32 Rd4 Also after this, Rubinstein pre
b5 33 axb6 Bb7 34 Na5 Black ferred White's game , but it seems
resigned. the main reason for this assessment
A stormy finale for such an un was White's "two bishops".
pretentious opening as the I talian 7 exf6 Qxf6 8 g3 Qxb2 9 Bg2 d6
Game . 1 0 0.. 0
1 89
moves as 1 0 . . . h6 , 1 0 . . . Bd , or 1 0
. . . Bf5 ( as occurred, and led to a
successful result, in one of the
games of the "side" tournament at
Bad Kissingen) .
I I Nb3
Rubinste in immediately exploits
the opponent's too "reflex" move
and places Black's bishop on b4 in
an uncomfortable position. Now,
1 0 ... 0..0 for example, it is already not
So as to finally "get busy", in real possible to play 1 1 . . . Bd , in v iew
earnest, with the middlegame , of 1 2 & 1 .
which was not to be particularly I I ... Qf6 1 2 Ng5 h6
recommended with the king in the 1 2 . . . Bd is not possible , in view
centre . of 13 Ne4; but it is hardly advisable
None the less Black is rushing. to thrust back the knight to a squa
The struggle has already assumed a re where it is heading for itself and
character of such a kind that not where its position, in fact, is not
only allows , but also demands a very pleasant for Black.
deep penetration into the position It was necessary to consider the
and its spirit. move 1 2 . . . Bf5 , so as , on 13 e4 , to
Black's bishop is isolated on b4, examine the continuation 13 . . . h6
and there comes a moment when it ( 1 3 . . . Bd7 is dangerous , because of
is necessary to decide the question the reply 1 4 e5 ! and , whichever of
of its future participation. If White Black's knights takes the pawn ,
succeeds in playing N b3 , its posi White obtains , in the final
tion could become precarious. account , a material advantage . For
Therefore Black should think out example:
several continuations , with which 1 ) 14 . . . Ngxe5 15 a3 Bc5 16 N xc5
he might improve the general posi dxc5 1 7 Bd5 + Kh8 18 N xh 7 !
tons of his pieces on the queen's 2 ) 1 4 . . . Ncxe5 1 5 h 3 Nh6 1 6 a3
flank. The queen also has, perhaps, Bc5 1 7 N xc5 dxc5 1 8 Ne4 ! winn
travel led too far away. Black's cast ing either the knight e5 or the
l ing - is obj ectively a useful move , bishop d7) .
but is, as it were , outside the requi After 1 3 . . . h6 1 4 exf5 hxg5 1 5
rements of the position and does Qxg4 gxf4 1 6 Bd5 + Kh8 1 7 Qxf4
not take into account the concrete Qxf5 1 8 Qh4 + Qh7 1 9 Qxh 7 +
"main thing" at the present mo Kxh 7 , would b e obtained a post
ment of the struggle. It would be variation position , which is not
better to cast his attention on such easy to evaluate.
1 90
We can only say that the present the whole board, cannot resist for
position would be more acceptable long.
for Black than that which actually 19 ••• hxg5 20 Bxa5 Be6 2 1 Bc3
occurs in the game after 1 2 . . . h6. The black-squared a 1 -h8 dia
13 Ne4 Qn 14 a3 Ba5 15 Nxa5 gonal is fatal. It now expresses the
Nxa5 1 6 h3 ! Ne5 spirit of the position.
Of course , not 1 6 . . . Nf6 1 7 2 1 Nc6 22 Qd2 Qf5 23 g4 Qf4
•••
N xf6 + Qxf6 1 8 Qd5 + xa5 . 24 Bxd5 ! Bxd5 25 Qxd5 + Kh7

In considering his 1 2 th move , Of course , also 25 . . . Rf7 26 e3
Tartakover should have foreseen Qf3 27 Qxg5 + leads to Black's
and evaluated the position which quick downfall.
occurs now. He should have , but 26 e3 Qf3 2 7 Qxg5 Qxh3 28
probably did not foresee it. Qg7 mate.
Black was careless twice - on the
1 0th and 1 2 th moves. This was
enough to be mated on the 28th
move.
This happened because Black
made a mistake in the first element
of thinking, not understanding
that the spirit of the position was
determined by the unfortunate
position of the bishop on b4. If
T artakover had correctly under
17 c5 ! g5 18 Bd2 d5 stood the essence of the position
T artakover himself pointed out after the 1 0th and 1 2 th moves , he
the continuation 1 8 . . . N b3 1 9 would undoubtedly have directed
Bd ! N x a 1 2 0 cxd6 , as favourable his thoughts along the variations
for White. Indeed , Black would given in the annotations to these
have lost quickly both after 20 . . . moves. Hence one can draw the
cxd6 2 1 N xd6 and also in the event conclusion that, ignoring the spirit
of 20 . . . N d 7 2 1 Bxa 1 , with the of the position , or misreading the
threats of N xg5 and Qd4 . essence of it, involves a "fall" into
However, also the continuation the second element of thinking -
chosen by Black finds a dangerous the evaluation of the post-variation
retort. position. You see , to play not in the
19 Nxg5 ! spirit of the position - this means
The king's position is exposed , going along a not exactly logical
and Black, even without this , path. However, upon considering
preoccupied with the unsatisfactory an incorrect variation , a player still
state of his forces - scattered over has the possibility, extending into
191
the post-variation evaluation, i . e . the position.

glancing ignominiously into the fu Thus , at times , the variation acts
ture , of sensing his, for the present, as material, helping to determine
only mental mistake in the first the spirit of the position, and this
element of thinking. means that the second element of
Indeed, this is so, but only upon thinking should sometimes occupy,
the condition that, in the varia in a player's thoughts, a place be
tion, he foresees strong replies by fore the first.
the opponent. If Tartakover had In conclusion, we examine one
foreseen Rubinstein's 1 1 th move , more game. This time we try to
Nb3 , he would not have played 1 0 give our annotations an educa
. . . 0-0. It i s possible t o say exactly tional character, so as , in this way,
the same about Black's 1 2th move. to sum up a little all that has been
If Tartakover, in considering the said.
variation, had seen White's 1 7th
move , c5 , he would have rej ected King's Indian Defence
1 2 . . . h6. From this follows a highly White: M.Taimanov
important conclusion, the main Black: A.Bannik
point of which is that the spirit of 25th USSR Championship
the position ( the first element of (Riga 195 8 )
thinking) and the variation ( the 1 c4 Nf6 2 d4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4
second element of thinking) d6 S f3 eS 6 Nge2 Nc6 7 dS Ne7
mutually control one another, and , 8 Be3 cS 9 g4
in this mutual-control, pre With the aim of opening the g
eminence belongs to the variation. file, after Black plays . . . f5 , a move
Where the essence of the posi without which Black suffocates in
tion is more or less clear, thought the "King's Indian middlegame".
easily finds moves and variations
ensuing from it. When, however,
difficulties arise in determining the
main thing in the position, and a
period of doubt and hesitation
approaches, then a variation and
variations must, as it were , go to
the assistance of the player's
thoughts. In such cases the varia
tion supplements your search for
the "core" of the position with new
material, possibly playing a decis 9 ••• hS
ive role in the preliminary evalua Such a "rapid-fire" tactical at
tion, i . e . in mastering the spirit of tack , a type of intermediate play ,
1 92
might also be permissible, but only actually difficult to do this. Now ,

when it produces, if only an in there i s already n o sense in Black
significant, but nevertheless posit playing 1 1 . . . f6. Both after 1 2 h4
ive result, and when i t does not and also 1 2 gxf6 , fol lowed by an
contradict the spirit of the posi attack on the g6 square. White,
tion. amongst all the other things, would
We have already mentioned , in also obtain a position which is full
the previous note , that the main of initiative on the king's flank.
task for Black is to oppose the Black's last move is nevertheless
White wedge , c4-d5 -e4, by . . . f5 . not bad, and the positive side to it
In this also l ies the spirit of examin lies in the fact that he takes under
ing the position. By rejecting the control the b5 square and eli
move . . . f5 and, in addition , a minates the possible White threat
quick execution of it - this means of Nb5 . As soon becomes clear,
not understanding the spirit of the Black makes the move . . . a6 as
position, letting White dominate preparation for . . . b5 , i . e . an im
the centre without a struggle , and practicable measure. This, of
also the queen's flank, where course , is also an incorrect appre
White has the possibility of an at ciation of the spirit of the position.
tack ( b4 ) . Not understanding all Black should resort to complicated
this, Black embarked on a confused manoeuvres , the aim of which must
variation without a starting-point be to meet White's attack, b4 , with
and , as a result, quite soon went all his weapons ; furthermore , on
downhill. Meanwhile Black's play a4 , he should have the move . . . as .
would have been clear if he had On bxc5 he should have ready not
penetrated the essence of the post only . . . bxc5 , but also . . . dxc5 ( ! )
opening situation and proceeded in and finally, as a blow on the other
this way: 9 . . . 0-0 10 Ng3 N e8 ! 1 1 flank, he should prepare . . . f6 . In
Rg l f5 1 2 gxf5 gxf5 1 3 NhS f4 1 4 concrete terms, these manoeuvres
Bf2 Ng6 , and , though Black is might take the form of the moves
cramped , he has prospects of deve . . . Bd7 , . . . Nc8, . . . b6 , . . . Bf8 , and
loping active play on the queen's . . . Be7 .
flank by . . . b5 . 1 2 Qd2 Rh8
White, however, despite the Still, come what may. You see ,
open g-file, does not have a parti after . . . b6, this pawn might need
cularly great amount of space . defence .
1 0 g5 Nh7 I I Nc 1 a6 1 3 Rh l !
As also might be expected , Black White makes a correct apprecia
begins to hurl himself from one tion of the position, its spirit, and
thought to another and cannot launches a quick and very energetic
work out a purposeful plan. It is attack on the queen's flank , against
1 93
which Black is defenceless. If any with one of the forts - the b6 pawn .
thing can come to his rescue now , White's thoughts now are fully
then it is only a decisive counterat occupied with variations. There re
tack on the king's flank after 1 3 . . . mains only for him to carefully and
0-0 and . . . f6 . Instead of this, he accurately calculate them, which ,
makes a hopeless attempt to parry in the present position, is not parti
the onslaught of White's superior cularly difficult to do.
forces on the queen's flank. 16 ... cxb4 17 Rxb4 bxa5 18
In the present game , the first Rxb7 Bxb7 19 c5 bxc5 20 Nb3
element of thinking, was , for Nd7 2 1 Na4 0..0 22 Nxa5
Black, in full disarray. White's four minor pieces, to
13 ••• b6 14 b4 Rb7 gether with the queen, literally
Obviously, in order to defend smash up the opponent's que en's
himself against 1 5 bxc5 . 1 4 . . . Bd 7 flank. This part of the game makes
leads to the same aim, but this does a big impression .
not change matters very much. 22 ... Ba8 23 Bxa6 f5
15 a4 Nf8 Now this move , which was the
After 1 5 . . . as 1 6 bxa5 bxa5 , the breath of life for Black after 9 g4 ,
as pawn would be doomed to die. only redoubles his misfortune ; in
Black endeavours to transfer the deed , even the aim of it is not
king's knight to the queen's flank. apparent. The open f-file, equally,
Now , of course , it is not a matter gives Black nothing - this is very
for the spirit of the position, since , easy to see , while even the under
to a large extent , he is subjected to mining of White's powerful wedge
the will of the opponent, who seizes is practically impossible and ought
the initiative. not even to have found itself
included in Black's range of vision.
Interesting is T aimanov's reac
tion to this move in his annotation .
He writes , "The proverb - better
late than never - is not applicable
in the present case . Black is 1 2
moves late with the move . . . f5 ,
and now this counter-chance does
not achieve its obj ective". Thus
writes Taimanov , but , generally
speaking, what obj ective , we re
16 as ! peat, can we talk about and what
Of course , he goes for a storm exactly (what thought ! ) induted
ing, purposeful attack on the cS Black to decide upon the advance
square . To this end, he does away of this pawn ? But , meanwh ile, its
1 94
negative role is striking. The ap the move 23 . . . f5 , it would be

pearance of dangerous "holes" on quite to the point to say "better late
e6 and g6 when there is a direct than never" .
road for the White knight to the e6 26 ... Ne8 2 7 Nb3
square . The knight heads for e6 , and it is
Such statements of critics and not possible to prevent this.
commentators and , now and then, 27 ... e4 28 Nbe5 Nxe5 29 Nxe5
even the author himself, some Qe8 30 Ra l Nd6 3 1 Ne6 Bb7 32
times graphically bring to l ight cau Qb4 BfS 33 Be5 Rxe6
ses which are desperate , etc . Such Otherwise there is no saving the
reasons might serve as more than piece . If 33 . . . Qd7 , then 34 Ra 7 .
sufficient evidence of that disorder 3 4 dxe6 Qe6 35 Re i
in thinking which sets in for Black continued the game up to
chessplayers during the game and the 44th move .
about which we speak further at the We would like to furthermore
beginning of the chapter. It further turn our attention to the following:
interprets patently bad moves as Whereas Bannik began to lose
those which are "j ust as bad as any confidence after the move 9 . . . h5 ,
thing else". This also is not serious. his thoughts parting with logic and
If the fact of the matter is that finally becoming confused , Taima
"once a wedge , always a wedge" nov's thinking was distinguished by
then one should simply stop the harmony, clarity and logic. This
game . Black also had available here indicates not the personal qualities
the move 23 . . . Qb8 , which is un of the opponents, but the character
doubtedly better than 23 . . . f5 . of the proceeding struggle. Throu
'
Worth considering is also 23 . . . ghout the whole game , Taimanov
Nc8. held the initiative and he had free
24 gxf6 Rxf6 25 Be2 will , whereas the will of Bannik
And that's all ! The f-file is ren found itself, to a greater or lesser
dered harmless , White's wedge is extent, subordinate to the conti
immovable , while Black's whole nuous threats and attacks of the
position, together with the two opponent. Thinking frequently
locked-in bishops , represents all loses its harmony, systematic cha
round weakness. Generally speak racter and logic for that opponent
ing, if we compare the roles of who falls under the initiative or
White's minor pieces and Black's attack. This explains why approxi
( and you see these are the water of mately 80% of oversights , miscal
l ife in an attack ) , then comment culations and "blunders" fall to the
ary becomes unneccessary . lot of the defender. During the op
25 ... QfS 26 0 ..0 ponent's initiative , particularly
But here , unlike the comment to when it bears a protracted cha
1 95
racter, the defending side finds tion, a position arises from a varia
himself under pressure of the threat tion and it is necessary to see this
of loss - this also weakens discipline interdependency in its logical ,
of thought and prevents due pres meaningful sense.
ence of mind to counter and over Self-discipline of thought ! - this
come the difficulties arising. To is the slogan which we place along
conclude , let us sum up all that has side the slogan - Desire for the ini
been said about the thinking of a tiative ! which we proclaimed in
chessplayer during the process of Middlegame Planning.
play: It is not difficult to see how both
A variation arises from a posi- slogans are organically connected.
1 96

Chess Middlegame Combinations - Peter Romanovsky

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What is the book about?

What is the book about?

What are some of the chapter topics discussed?

What are some of the chapter topics discussed?

CHESS

Translated from the Russian by

AMERICAN CHESS PROMOTIONS

© Copyright 1991. American Chess Promotions. All Rights Reserved.

American Chess Promotions

Cover design by Ron Watson

Such great masters of chess as W. You see , chess terminology has

given variation. material gain, mating the oppo­

Combinational Elements .. Motives and Themes

Combinations display various N xe4 20 Qxe4 f5 ! and only then

Alekhine .. Euwe in their return combinational motive ( the leit

finale, i . e . the concluding posi­ White.

A beautiful concluding combi ­

dxc4 S e3 bS 6 a4 M 7 Nal e6 8 process of the combination itself.

'In the following chapters we

Aesthetics of Combinations. General Ideas.

Any h igher expression of harmony ground of a careful regard even for

ing possible continuation: 30 . . .

The combination leading to the creative moves i n the chess game

Ideas and Technique in Combinations

The concept of motives and the­ tional process , allowing an artistic

looms the variation 2 7 N xc3 N xc3 movement restricted by its pawns.

the theme we come across none RxgS I I Nf7 mate

I t is not difficult to see that there

The smothered mate is met in

There followed 2 0 Nd6!

Bb3 2 1 Qc 1 cxd6 22 Bxc6 Re6

More about Aesthetics. About the pseudo..sacrifice.

Already in the previous chapters , undefended square cannot be

tance are a number of circumstan­ pawn, minor piece , rook , several

25 000 Qxd4 + ! ! The diagram position is from the

Zurich 1 95 3 ) . Black's d6-e5 -f4 carelessness on the 3 3 rd move.

esting illustrations. As is well is one of the first with this idea.

cism found a good refuge in the NxfS + KhS 20 g4 +

proud champions of sacrificial tac­ Be2 mate

probably shaken to the bottom of . . . N xe4 14 Bxf7 mate.

be particularly perspicacious to does the concept of combinational

sider absolutely essential to bring to safe refuge for h is wandering

point of view, the queen sacrifice Italian Game

exd4 13 Nxd4 Nxe4? 14 Nxe4

but White has a strong passed

and knight, makes a journey into

has a weakened queen's flank and

About the Theory of Combinations.

At the basis of a combination lies a finally, t o a certain extent, the

time to secure castling for himself. ( early 1 7th century ) .

Qxg3 30 Qxg8 + Black resigned

Nf6 5 NO Ne6 6 a3 Bd6 7 dxeS play either 1 7 cxd5 or at first 1 7

with the sacrifice of a bishop on h2 encountered earlier. Here is an

There is only one reply for

sen by Black. On 4 . . . Bd7 White possession of the initiative.

14 Rfe l as 1 5 Re2 Re8

rank, and mate by Rxe8, to Black resigned.

king's posltton. After the 24th 26 Rxf8 + RxfS 27 Re6!

1 1 ... Bxc3 notice some resemblance o f open­

0-0. One cannot ignore also such troublesome pin.

given variation. material gain, mating the oppo

finale, i . e . the concluding posi White.

A beautiful concluding combi

The concept of motives and the tional process , allowing an artistic

tance are a number of circumstan pawn, minor piece , rook , several

proud champions of sacrificial tac Be2 mate

1 1 ... Bxc3 notice some resemblance o f open

Up to the 1 9th century and in the weapons, these had to b e conside

called brilliant. manoeuvring and generally circum

This particularly posi tional which would lead to a certain wea

The position on the board some

Let us take a look at combina Rad 1 , Black, as a minimum , loses

The diagram features the posi In the game Smyslov..Euwe

There fol lowed: the material and positional advant

rable , assumes a completely diffe 36 Rb8 Bb5 37 Rxb5 Qxb5

Let us sum up a little. The com

The combinational motives to nent, develops into a combina

as objects for combinational at preferred. In the sporting respect,

of the bishop on h6 would now A beautiful and convincing re