Charushin - The Tacticians Handbook Revised & Expanded 2017 Bookmarked PDF

The Tactician's Handbook
by Viktor Charushin
Revised and Expanded by Karsten Muller
ISBN: 978-1-941270-34-9 (print)

ISBN: 978-1-941270-35-6 (print)
Cl Copyright 2016
Karsten Miiller
All Rights Reserved
No pan of this book may be used. reproduced. stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any manner or
form whatsoever or by any means. electronic, electr ostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without the express written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations
embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Published by:
Russell Enterprises, Inc.
P.O. Box 3131
Milford, CT 06460 USA
http://www.russeU-enterprises.com
info@russell-enterprises.com
Cover design by Janel Norris

Editing and proofreading by Peter Kurzdorfer
Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents
Preface by Karsten Müller 4
Signs & Symbols 5
Foreword by Judit Polgar 6
Alekhine ' s Block 7
Alekhine's Block: Exercises 60
Combination Cross 74
Combination Cross: Exercises 108
Domination 119
Domination: Exercises 155
Lasker ' s Combination 164
Lasker's Combinatiom Exercises 191
Mitrofanov ' s Deflection 207
Mitrofanov's Deflection: Exercises 227
The Steeplechase 233
The Steeplechase: Exercises 254
Less Common Combinations 258
Less Common Combinations: Exercises 285

Preface
After I had finished work on the new edition of Rudolf Spielmann's claSS1c 71te An ofSacrifice. pubbsher Russell Enterprises approached me
with the idea of publishing a new edition of Charushin's seven books on tactics. At first I was a bit skepucal. as I was not familiar Victor
Cha rush in. but after briefly reviewing his seven-volume series released under the general heading of The Tacucian 's Halldbook. it became
clear to me that these were interesting and wonhwhile books on tacucs.
With the Spielmann book, while converting the English descriptive notation to algebraic. we also preserved the original content. My additions
and comments to that content were presented in blue and appeared in the text. New material. guided by Spielmann's Epilogue, nearly
doubled the size of the book and was presented in its own separate section. However. with 71te Tactician's Handbook. a somewhat different
approach was used.
The seven original books averaged about 100 pages per book. Games and game fragments were presented by Charushm. often with little or
no notes. For this ed1uon of The Tacudan·s Handbook, Icarefully reviewed and lhen selected the material I thought most instructive. Then I
added instructive exercises. I also tried no1 to use too many examples from one single source, e.g., Kasparian·s selection of endgame studies
on domination. from which Charushin had chosen a lot of examples.
Regarding Charushin's seven themes. I was especially fascinated by Alekhine·s Block and ha,·e added several new examples there. But of
course Domination. Combination Cross and Lasker's combination are also quite common and wonh knowing, while Mitrofanov's Deflect.ion
is very beautiful. but also quite rare.
All the analysis has been checked with the computer and Charushin's notes and comments were revised directly. where necessary. without
indication. I nevertheless hope that I have preserved Charushin's spim in the work. For this reason, I have tried to preserve Charusrun·s
terminology, whenever possible.
I find it really amazing that Charushm managed 10 produce work of this quality considering the circumstances under which he worked.
Apparently the manuscript of this book was presented to the original publisher in handwritten form. Charushin wrote the entire book
longhand on lined legal-sized sheets, with diagrams created using an ink stamp for the boards and with the piece figurines hand-drawn on
the proper squares. These aged and brown papers combined tape. glue and inserted newspaper columns - then were tied together with old
stnng for shipment to America. Yet the result was a powerful sense of order and system. of method and. perhaps, of magtc.
I hope that you ,vill enjoy Charushin's magic as much as I did!
Karsten Muller
Hamburg 2016
4
5
Foreword
It was not without cenain nostalgia that I went through the pages of this book's manuscript. I have always considered myself a tactical player
and as a child J ha\•e spent many thousands of hours solving tactical exercISes. ll is not an exaggeration to say that combmaU\'e play 1S like my
second mother tongue.
Discussions between grea1 players. speciahsts and theonsts. a1mmg at gi\1ing an accurate definition of the chess combinauon started roughly
a century ago. but I am not sure if they ever reached a final and indisputable conclusion. Therefore. I will give some of my personal and
inevitably subjecuve thoughts on this matter.
From a practical point of view, tacuc.s are something that yielded me some of my most memorable victories, and if we extend 1hu correlation
to my entire career. they have been the main '"provider'" of whole points. Jfwe approach it from an abstract perspective, tactics are a
combination of seeing ahead and precise calculaung. but not without a dose of psychology. Tacucal operat[)ns usually take place on a specific
pan of the board. and if they are destined to be decas1ve. the situauon on remote areas loses significance. Thu explains why in my games I
frequently sacrificed material or made strategic concessions. Combinations are closely related with time and accelerating the rhythm of the
attack.
But even m such an imaginanve and pracucally unhmned chapter of chess theory. themauc class1fymg accord.mg to cenain patterns is
possible. There are some special openings which are very tacucal by their nature. featunng typical sacrifices on squares such as eS. e6. rs. dS.
f6. g6. h6. g7. or h7 (and of course. if the attacker plays Black. this last also includes the corresponding squares): several Sicilian systems are
among the best examples.
Some other patterns do not ha\'e a direct connection wnh the opening, belonging strictly to lhe midd.Jegame theory. Ignoring the rich
inheritanre from our predecessors can have senous consequences. In our game from Hoogeveen in 2003. Karpov carelessly allowed the
double bishop sacrifice on h7 and g7 - known ever since the famous game Lasker-Bauer- and had to resign JUSt a few moves later.
Some of my favorite patterns are 116!1 in the Fischer-Benko game and White's queen sacrifice from Lllienthal-capablanca. I would also add
Levitsky-MarshaU to my greatest memories from the early childhood.
I have always been impressed by the attacking power of two well-coordinated knights and in the beginrung of my career I mainly associated
tactics \\1th the presence of queens on board. Wnh the years. I have learned lhat tacucs can be beauufuJ and effective in endings too! rrom
the gallery of great tactical players. whose games are wonh examining for improving tacucal sktlls, I would me noon Morphy, Steinnz in the
first pan of his career. Alekhme. Tai and Kasparov.
Solving siudies is another imponant method or tactkal training. as we can find here beautiful patterns and special effects, such as ,ugz,.ang.
in their pure fonn. My fa\•orite composers are Rinck. Cheron and above all others. Kubbel. rrom the modem composers I appreciate Afek's
abihty of creating positions which could well occur m practical games. I hope you enioy this book and benefit stgmficantly from solvmg the
featured exercises.
Judit Polgar
Budapest 2016
6
1
Alekhine's Block
The sixth rank is intimidaring. A piece placed 0 11 ir brings fear and panic to the enemy·s army. - Savielly
Tartakower
The object of a chess game is 10 checkmare the opponent's king. There are two means 10 this goal, either
directly through anack or indirectly by acquisition of material superiority. Of course. the first way is more
natural and more beautiful, but our opponent will try to place insurmountable obstacles in our path.
Overcoming such careful defense is an extremely complicated task. and toward this end various tactical
measures are employed. Here we shall analyze one of them. the blockade on the f6-squa re.
Consider Black's castled position. The row of pawns in front aspire to build a n impregnable bastion
defending the king. The first duty of the anacker is to rupture that pawn barrier. The simplest way to do so
is by a pawn slOrm, but advancing the white pawns will cost much time and is fraught with the da nger of
weakening his own king's position. when failure leads 10 an immediate counteranack and inevitable defeat.
A more reliable method of softening the enemy pawn barrier is by piece pressure. For example, place the
while queen on h4 and a bishop on d3. The threat of mate on h7 forces Black to move one of his pawns. The
move...h7-h6 is the least successful, leading only to further weakening of Black's position. White's queen
goes to e4 and Black must also play...g7-g6 or ...f7.r.;. after which his pawn fortress loses strength. Instead.
the move ...g7- g6 weakens the dark squares, and makes sense only with a subsequent transfer of Black's
bishop to g7 - time consuming or often simply impossible.
The most active defense against the h7-male involves...f7.f5. This move begins to illustrate the role of Black·s
rook on f8. Before the pawn move, this rook is passive and only cramps the king. After...f7.r.;. however, the
rook gains in strength and supports the fpawn, nurturing hope of a counterattack.
Therefore, it is a perfectly natural idea for White 10 blockade the f7-pawn by placing a rook, for example. in
front of ii on the f6-square. Thus the black defensive order is permanently frozen, while White's rook
penetrates into the enemy camp. True. the situation is complicated by the defender's ability 10 capture the
blockading piece. a nd the correctness of the sacrifice must be calculated accurately. But placing the white
rook on f6 sets in motion this blockading operation. which we will refer to as Alekhine's Block or simply the
Block.
Alt'xander Alekhme
Al the begtnnmg of the 20th century, the anracuve ideas
underlymg the Block were brtlliantly rea!Jzed by Alexander
Alekhine. A profound understanding of the game led him to
conclude 1ha1 the Block can be executed not only by a rook on
the f6-square, but o n any square of the sixth (or third) rank by
any piece. None of the grandmasters reveal in their games
such variety m implementmg this complex tacucal maneU\•er
as does the fourth world champion. Although early examples
of the Block may be seen here, Alekhine was the ftrst to
systematically employ this device m his kingside attacks.
There can be no doubt that a blockadmg piece sacrifice on the
s ixth (or third) r ank should be called • Alekhme's Block."
As a passive sacrifice. the Block should ideally be a •quiet"
move, without a check or capture. Exceptions are possible. for
example. in that a knight on f6 often gives automatic check,
and the queen's Block- that of the queen on g6 (or g3) - was first de monst ra ted by Frank Marshall in game
1-74 Alekhine·s similar effort in game 1-75. though earlier. was played ma s1mul1aneous exhtbin on. and so
this "subset" of the Block should rightfully bear Marshall's name.
II is noteworthy that the theoretical and widely known exchange sacrifice on c3 in the Sicilian Defense
represents a modem development of Alekhine·s Block. By means of this sacrifice, Black obtains sufficient
counterplay with minima l material loss.
7
Alekhine·s Block has been firmly established in practice. It is employed at all levels, from blitz games to
matches for the world championship. In order to study this tactical maneuver we propose that the reader
analyze the games given below, which ar e classified according to the piece being sacrificed and the square
being blockaded. I am convinced that both beginning chessplayers and experienced masters will derive true
enjoyment from th ese examples of chess an .
Al~khint uses liis own block
The rook blocks at {6/fJ
{1-1) Alek.hine -Ostrogsky
Moscow (sim) 1910
22.!!fG!! With th e idea 23.llhG gxh6 24.~ f6+. 22.NG+I gxf6 23.gxf6+- - Lein.
22.ltiG! ! 4:lg6 22...gxf6 23.~xf6· ltg7 24.tl'h6#; 22...g6 23.g,ifl .te8 24.rlxg6+ This is even bener than
Charushin's 2U !6f.h-. 24..J-xg6 (24...~ xg6 25.~ f6+ lllfB 26. h6#) 25Jlxf8+ ltxfB 26. :..hB+ l!if7 2H)h61/
23.!l.xg6 fag6 24•.ixg6 1-0
it-2) Alek.hine - Dawnrnan
( San Luis (bf sim) 1924 _______.,)
16.i!f6!! 16..te71g6 (16...~ xe717.::lxf7+- ) 17.'Mh6+- Lein.

16.lti6!! .w.d4 16...gxf6? 17.M 6 M 618.txf6+ t:g819.~ g511 17.flaf1?
8
Alekhine brings his last piece into the attack. but this over-presses. t 7.J4 is caUed for: t 7...f6 (1 7...g6 18.tl'h4
1 g7 19.llafl .._) 18.~aft t es 19.I!h4 g6 20.tfxg6 itas 2t.l!xf6+-- t 7...ixf6? After the cold-blooded 17...gxf61
18. f6 li!.gl. White has some compensation, but not enough. e.g.. 19.Bh4 ~ e6 20.c3 .ieS 21.t e3 Ud8 22.d4
l!g8 23.dxes '"xes and Black is for ch oice. t8.I!xf6 ~ es t 9.l!h6 gxh6 ZO..if6+ ~ xf6 21.~ xf6
21 ...'!'e7? The queen sacrifice 21...llgSJ 22.lilxd7 i.:ixd7 23..t.xf7 lsg7 was the last chance to defend, but White is
of course much better. 22.tl'xh6 tl'xf6 23.1fxf6+ ltlg8 24.ih3 llae8 25.h4 ~ d 7 26.'lffS ~ cS
'''• ' WI' '

f3, ti,.
~ t:,
f3, /j f3, f3,
@
27.hS? Alekhine should block f6 first with 27.'9g5+1 lth8 28.'ll'f6+ ltg8 29.hS+-. 27... ~ .xb3? 1-0 27...r esJ stops
the direct atta ck. but White's long term pressure prevails after 28.• g4• lth8 29.h6 ~ e6 30.tl'h4 f6 31.1!th3+-.
28.'ll'g5+ ltlh 8 29.tl'f6+ ltlg8 30.h6 With th e idea 31.tl'gl#. 1-0
(c1-3l Marshan - Spielmann

\...._Moscow 1925
27.!l.f6!! 'lff8! 27...gxf6? 28.ttxh6- ; 27...axb4? 28.!lxh6 gxh6 29.l:txh6•- 28.<ilf4 Marshall feeds his knight into
th e attack. 28.bSJ?, to close roads on the queenside first, was the alternative. 28...axb4 Even 28...gxf6?1
29.exf6 i::ea7 is not completely clear, e.g.. 30.lt:.xe6 fxe6 31.Ug6• f:g7 32.Bxh6 ~ f3+ 33.gxf3 l!xg3- 34.;tf2 Wxh6
35~6 f'.gS 36.f4 nrs
37..t.xfS exfS. and Black stiU has drawing chances. 29.~g6 fxg6 30.I!xf8+
9
30...!Lu8? Until now Spielmann has defended well. but this natural recapture is wrong. After 30...ltxf81
31.ftd l (31.'!ng6 is met by 31 ...gxa2 32.&f4 • ltg8) 31...!!ea7, White is only slightly bener. 3Ufxg6 ~ e4
32 ..ixe4 dxe4 33.!lxh6 .id5 34."lfg5 lle6 35.llxe6 .ixe6 36."lfg6 .id5 37.e6 !!c8 38."lff7• ltlh 7 39.'lfd7 !!a8 40.e7
W 41."l!fxc6 1-0
(__
U_-4_)_c_h _ar u_sh_in
__________________________ -J
l.lti6! With the idea 'ltxh6•. 1...~ g5? 1...'li'fSI 2.trf3 g5 Hrxd5 !Jg7 4.Ue4 1:_d8 with coumerplay is called for.
2.llxg5 h,xg5 3."!fxg5 ltlg8 3...gxf6? 4.Uh6++- 4.Mh5! This is better than Charushin's 4.'ilh4?, which can be met
by 4 ...d e811 (4 ...g6? 5. g5 c2 5...!1f8 6.h4+- 6..txc2 .J!d8 7..tf:i+-) and Black defends. e.g., 5.t<h7+ itf8 6. d6 !1c6
7.i.b5 c2 8.tth8+ ltie7 9.fllh4• f6=. 4...g6 5."!fg5 l!ftl 6.h4 with a very dangerous attack.
The defense <J.gB

{<t-5) Schon eberg - Liebert
~any1972
25.llf6!? This wins, but the direct 25." xf7+ is even stronger because of 25... gs 26.JJ\3 b7• 27 ~ .!Xf7
28. .xf7• xf7 29.llxf7 . xf7 30..txcs ,.__xcs 31.!lcl +-
25.llf6!? lllg8! 26.llafl Now 26.AXh6? can be met by 26...gxh6 27. xh6 f6-• . 26...1fxe5 27.116f5
10
27 ...ffe3? With queens on the board White's attack crashes through. 27 ...g6! 28.thh6 f'ih8 29.Wxh 8+ 1lxh8
30.:w? d3 is forced and limits the damage. 28.~xf7 d3 29.!!e5 'lfd2 30..i.e4 ~ d7 31.ffg6 .if2 32.Mh7• wxf7
33 ..id5+ 1·0
Doubling on che!-file
( (1-6) Simagin - Lys kov
\.. Moscow 1957
-----------------------~ J
16.!!f6! ! 'lfe7? Black had to defend his Achilles heel f7 with 16...~ c6 17.!!afl ~ dB. when White is better after.
e.g., 18.:ll\6, but matters are not completely clear. 17.ffafl ~ d7 18.!l.xf7 'ffx:f7 19.ffx:f7 wx:f7 20.~ f4 ~ f8 21.c4
d xc4 22.'lff.J ffd8 23.dS?! 23.~h3+1? It.es 24.'"gs ffd7 25.dS+- was more precise. 23... exdS?! This opens roads
for White's attack. 23...l!e7 was called for, but White will win after 24.e4 anyway. 24.~ h3+ we8 25.~ gs !!d7
26.e6 ~xe6 26...!le7 can even be met by 27.ffl+ gxn 28.exf7+ ~ e7 29.fxg8=11'+ - 27.~ xe6 we7 28.fff5 wd 6
29.~f4 c6 30.ffe6+ 1-0 l!f6 blocks the f-pawn.
Rai11ier Knaak
{<i:ii Fischer - Benko
\_USA ch New York 1963
19.fff6!! A really fantastic s hot. Benko had counted on 19.eS? fSI=

t9.!!f6!! wgs 20.es h 6 21.~ e2 1-0
11
The following example is similar:
(1-8) Knaa k -Anastasian
( Yerevan 1988
= = = = = = ~)
23.i!f6! ! 1-0
The next example is less spectacular:

r (1-9) Chemin - S.Polgar
Budapest 1993
'lil
-~- ''
g
21...llf.J!! 21... h4? 1s met by 22 f3.

21...llf.J! ! 22.g3 22. • h2 h4 23.gxf3 h6 24. • gl xh3-•
22...e h4 23.wh2 ltgxg3 24.fxg3 trxg3· zs.wh1 1'xh3• 2s.wg1
11g3. 21.wfl llh4 28.llh1 llh3• 0.1
B/6 blocks 1he lhird rank
23...lif.3!! The block with 23...M3?1 was actually played. II is only slightly bener for Black and led only 10 a
draw. 2UJd2 ars 25.f.3 25. e3 115 26.f3 .1xf3 27.gxf3 g3• 28. • fl 112-• 25....uf.3 26.tfn 1fg4 27.cxdS llg5
28.f!e3 i.xg2 29.ffg3 ffxg3 30J!xg3 ftxg3 31.dxc6 l!g5-•
12
Opening the g-file
29.!if6 29.l!iel I? t hS 30.h4 llf8 31.l!id2 is probably even stronger.

29.!if6 'lfe4? After 29...'1:YhS!, ii is not clear if While can make progress. 29...gxf6? 30.gxf6 l!if8 31.fxe7+ l!ixe7
32.bJ gives White a strong initiative. 30.g6!! I!f8? 30...h6131.gxf7~ 1!xf7 32.I!xf7 ltlxf7 33.tl'd7- ltlf8 34.'1Yxe6
I!d8 limi1s the damage. 31.I!f4 fxg6 31...Hxg6 32.J gl 1tlh5 33.J h4 "e-15 34.1:::gS+- - Charushin. 32..ffxe4 dxe4
33.ffxe4 cs 34.c4 1-0
~ Bukic - Cebalo
Skender Vakuf 1980
28.I!f6!I ffeS? Black should reduce the anacking potential

with 28... ~ xf6 29.gxf6 \,,cf6 JO..th6 ltg611.
Now ii is not clear, if White can win. e.g.. 31. h4 .txh6 32. xh6 eJ 33.~ e2 es 34.d6 dB 35....J4 - "<d6
36.t xg6 hxg6 37. el e2 w ith pracucal drawing chances 29.1'h3 Hc7? 29 xf6 30.gxf6 xf6 3 1-116 f3+
32. xf3 exfJ 33.t xg7+ h8 34. ':gt - 30.!if4 loe5? 30... d6 31...h4 fS 32.gxf6 .._xf6 33.if4 dB 34....g5+-
3Ulxe4 log6 32.lof6• .ixf6 33.gxf6 whs 34.'lfh6 :gB JS.flh4 loxh4 36.flg7 t-<l
13
Alekhine uses /tis block witlt a bishop.
~ 3) Alekhine - Sterk
Budapest 1921 )
23.il6! ! Wilh the idea 24.l!g4 'll'xe2 2S.ffxg7+ - Alekhine. 23...fffc8 23... h6 24.~.eS+-; 23...hS 24.ffg4?! (24.e.eSI
gxf6 25.'ll'xhS+--) 24...Hxe2? (24... hxg4 25.tlxa6 gxf6 26.e.d4+-) 2S.bXg7+ l!ih8 26.~ gS.._ -Alekhine. 2UJe5 l!c5
24...'ll'xc4 25.Hg5 ltlf8 26.'ll'xg7+ ltle8 27.'ll'g8+ ltd7 28.<l'. eS+ ltld6 2H)xc4++- 25.'ffg3 g6 26.ffxa4 Md3 27.fffl
l!ac8 28.l!d4 'fff5 29.'fff4 'ffc2 30.'!l'h6 1--0
The bishop blocks the fpawn

{ (1-14) Charus hin )
1.. ..if3!! The direct 1...::1h6?1 wins as well. but it is not as convincing as the block: 2.f31txh2+ 3.l!.f2 Hh4+ 4.g3
(4.@gl ? txf3-+; 4.~ g3? " g6-+) 4...'ll'h2+ 5.ltel ib7-+
1...i f.i!! 2.gxf3 2.g3 Hxh2+ 3.l!;xh2 llh6+ 4.l!;gl l!hl#; 2.J d3 t h6 3.h3 txg2-+ 2...l!h6 3.!lel Mx.h2+ 4.wfl TNh3+
s .wg1 'ffhl# 0-1
... 'iW ~
... .t .l
~ ...
... g
WI t:, .t
t:, lt) t:,
~ t:, t:, /J,
It It~
20....if.3!! and White resigned in view of 21.gx.f3 !lg5• 22.ltlhl 'll'h3 23.ffe8+ .tfS-+.
Not 20..ih3? 21.gx.h3 b xh3 22.~ e2 t gS+ 23.~ g3 .lxb2 24.ffadl =;
14
20... ,gs? 21.f4+-. 0-1
Nick de Flrmia11
( (1-16) de Firmian - Sosonko

Lucerne 1989
21.il6!! 21.ll.h3?f5=
21..if6! ! .;}xf6 22.exf6 ffd8 22 ...gxf6? 23..Jh3 es 24.fS exd4 2S.tlhS ~xrs 26. ·•xf5 \fe4 27.!!g3•+- 23.fxg7 !le8
24.!leS f6?! 25.ffhS ge7 26.1:1.e t \!b6?! 27..;}fS 1-0
Attacking che g7-pawn
( (1-17) Charushin ______________)
& .t 'if&@
'' ''''
Al\¥
1.i f6! ! gxf6 1...h6 2.Wg6+-; 1...lilxc4 2.tigS+- 2.llld3 .;}xc4 3.gh J+-
(1-18) Chiburdanidze - Alexandria

Tbilisi 1977
!@
~
.t
8
.t
i A WI 1J..
'''
' !!
! 8 8
8 8 8
26.if6! ! 26.!lh4 g6 27.?'lxg6+ hxg6 28.if6 works as well

26.if6!! lllb8 2Hfg5 if8 28..i.xg7 it..xg7 29.lllg4 ltlf8 30.'lfxg7+ we& 3U!'g8+ ltld 7 32.lfxfl+ 1-0
15
( (1-19) Kasparov - Kengis
, Riga t99S
20..if6!! ffb5 20...gxf6 21~ g3• ;t;h8 22. e2+-; 20....Je8 21 .l!g3 !.f8 22.=xg7• !..xg7 23.Mg3+-; 20... d5 21 .l!g3 g6
22. e2 + h7 23.!1dl ttb7 24.llgS~ 21.l!g3 g6 22.Hdl exfS 23.!lxf5 1-0
Such an attack can be very difficult to parry:
( (1-20) Korsunsky - Sher
Alma Alta 1979 _______....)
g ..t !'.
.l 'Si ..t .l .l .l
.l ~ ... ~
!!:._ ~,-
t 5....ixf6 1S... d8 16. rgs g6 17.h4 xf6 18.exf6 .tf8 19..txgG hxg6 20.hS:; e7 21 e4 dS 22.fxe7 .!XgS 23.e8= t
~e7 24. xe7 he7 25.~ xgS ...xg5 26.hxg6 fxi;G 27.ti' c5+-:
ts.._ es 16.J4 .l.xf6 17.exf6 g6 18. dS+-;
t5...h616. e4 ~ exes 17..txes { xes 18. ..xe5+-
15....ixf6 16.exf6 ~ ce51 6... xf617 Jcf6gxf6 18.te-l g719. e3 h820., g3• f821. h6+ e822. xf6 f8
23.'" d 4 ...,xd4 24. xd4 rs 25.~ d6++- 17J!e3 ~ xf6 18.l!xe5 1fe7 19.1fg5 h6 20.1fh4 l!e8 21.l!e3 .id7 22.ftg:3 wf8
23.l!gf.3 1-0
lJJ.rry Chnstlansen
Ct-21) Chris tia nsen - Gilden
~ 1976
15..if6 15..t.xe71? might be even stronger. e.g.. 15 ... xe7 16.13

es 17.b3 d.xe5 18.f6 e4 19. g4 g6 20...ue-l • d7 21...,.xds exd5
22.~ 13 t; xf6 23.ui6- ,t:g7 24. d4--
16
15..if6 g6 15...dxe5 16.ixh7+ .txh 7 17.f'lhS+ ltg8 18.lxeS .le4 19.'lfh4 'lfd7 20.b3 gxf6 21.'ltxe4 rs 22.WxaS .lcS
23.c3 ~ c6 24.ttxa6 ~ xd4 25.cxd4 .lxd4+ 26.lthl - ; 15 ...gxf6 16:t\lhS rs 17.t.xfS f6 18.4:ih6+ ;!;h819.ixh7+-
16.rs .ixf6 17.exf6 es 18.'ll'g4 exd4? 18...t.d71 is called for. but White's attack continues after 19.UgS .th8
2M~e2 tld8 21.llh4 xf6 22.b.h7+ <txh7 23.fxg6+ fxg6 24J'i xf6 f6 25.~ g3 19.l!x d4? 19.fxg6 fxg6 20ixg6
lth8 2t.f7 '/ee7 22.r a3+- 19 ....ib7? 19...e d71 limits the damage, e.g.. 20.'tl'h4 (20.fxg6 fxg6 21..1xg6 21.:L'<d5
~ xf6 22.fte6• <tg7 2t...~ xf6 22hh7+ lllh8 23.llxf6 · f6 24..t.d3 ffa5) 20...\rb6 2t .lth t 11'xb2 22.llxdS \\'xf6
23.ftg3 lte7. 20.fxg6 fxg6 2U.xg6 whB 22.!lh S l!xf6 23.ll.xf6 1-0
But Alekhine's block is not always the best way to attack:
C
(1-22) Sax - Sveshnikov
Hastings 1977n 8
J
- ---------
19..if6?! White has at least two stronger options: (a) 19.Ae7 l!e8 20..tcs bs 21..lxa7 l!xa7 22.l!c7 l!fb6 (22...h6
23.tl'f4 11'.f8 24.1:dB!+-) 23.ffdB! MB 24.!Wi+•- Lein; and
(b) t9.t c4- is also very strong.
19..if6?! h6? Black must reduce the attacking potential \\~th 19... xf2+ 20.'l!ixf2 .bf2+ 2U;xf2 gxf6 22.exf6.
Now 22...es 23.t.xes .le6 offers practical chances. 20.ffl4! 'll'x h2 20...gxf6 2t.exf6 tfxf2+ (21...t h7 2H' e5•-)
22.;!;hl Ae3 (22...l!ih7 23.tle<I· ;t;h8 24. g4 l!g8 25.l!dB+-) 23.Ug4+ A.gs 24.t.xgS thf6 (24 ...l!tfS 2S.,hf7••-)
25.~ xf7++- Lein. 2Ufg4 ffxf2· 22.lllhl g6 23.'1Sb4 li.b6 24.l!d2 ffe3 25.l:!c3 a5 26.ffxfB+ lllxf8 27.ll.xe3 1-0
The windmill
(ITTJ)Torre - Em. Lasker
~ cow l 925
17
2s..if6!, ffxhs 2G.11xg7• whs 21.11xf7• wgs 2s.11g1• whs 29.ffxh7• wgS 30.llg7• wh s 31.11gs• wh7 32.!lxhs
wg6 33.llh3 wxf6 34.l:txh6• wgs 35.llh3 l'iebs 36.!lg3• wf6 37.ffl+ wg6 38.a3 as 39.bxas l'ixas 40.~c4 lids
41.llf4 ~ d7 42.liXe6• wgs 43.g3 1-0
Alekhine uses his block with a knight.
( <1-24) Alekhine - Yanovsky
Scheveningen 1913 _ _ _ _ _ _)
23.~f6!! !ld8 23...gxf6 24.flh6+- - Charushin. 24.llxg7 wxg7 25.ffgS• wh8 26.'C,h S ffxf6 27.exf6 !lg8 28.!ldt
i g4 29.hxg4 lLxdt• 30.whz !ld7 31.f4 b6?! 32.gS cs 33.f5 b5 34.g6 fxg635.fxg6 11xg6 36.ffeS 1-0
{'"ct-25) Vavrzhinsky - Alekhine

\.2'._rague (sim) I 925
19...~ 1'3!! 20.~ g3 20.gx.!'3 trxn• 21.digt .hh2• 22.dixh2 '3.h6+ 23.ii>gt h111 20...Bh6 2t.exf3 exf3 22.1.lxfS
IWl2• 23.wgt 11xg2• 24.wh1 !Ids 0-1
(1-26) Sal omovich - Alekhine

Maravska Ostrava (sim) 1925
.t. .l .t. .t.

.t.
~
•
I:, f!:,
A
.t.
ii.
WJ E:,E:,f!:,
4
EI Ei ct;
20...~ 1'3!! 21.h3 21.gxf.3 exf.3 22.tld3 lfh3-+ 21...ees 22.g3 ffhS 23.h4 23.wg2 1<Jh4+... 23...1'g4 0-1
18
(1-27) Alekhine - de Kossio
San Sabastian (bf sim) 1944
9.~ f6•!! gxf610..ixf6 1-0

(1-28) Alekhine - Euwe )
( The Hague 1921
-----..,:_-~=======-'
10.~ f6•?! 10.W4 'lfg4 tl.d4-- is much stronger.

10.~ f6•?! gxf611.exf6• l&>d8? 11...;!;fS! 12.l!e1 (12.b4 hb4 13.!lbl .t.cs 14.!lel ~ xf6 15.l!bS d6 16..tb2 ~ bd7l
12...~ xf6 13.'lfe7• llig7 14.!le5 1tg6 15.l!gS dS is not clear. 1Z.!le1 1-0 Euwe resigned in view of 12 ...c6 (12...cS
13.ll"e8• ~ c714.b4 hb4 15.t.b2--) 13.b4Axb4 14.tleS· ~ c715..tb2•-
f(l-29) Alekhine - Euwe

~ '\/Ch Utrecht 1935
14.~ f6!! .ixf614...gxf6?115.gxf6 ~ a5 16.A.x b7 ~ xb717.'ll'f.3 ~ d6 18M4 l:c8 19.fxe7 'll'xe7 20.0-0-0 f6 21.Ilhet
gives White more play. 1S.gxf6 gxf616.1fh4 1fd8 17if4 es 18..i.g3 fS 19.dxeS !lg8 20..i:.f.3?! 20.trf4 !lg6 21.0-0
favors White slightly. 20...tl'dJ 21.ieZ t:fe4? 21...l!'cZ 22.ttf6• "g7 23.~gl 1hb2 24.e6 ltxal • 25 ..t.dl ~ d4
26.1hg7• lilxg7 27~4• lth6 28..tg5• llig6 29.Ah4i 22.ffXe4 fxe4 23..i.h4 23.0-0-01? 23...h 6 24.0-0-0 !lae8
2S..if6• l&>h7 26.f4 exf3 27..ixf3 ~ as 28..ixb7 ~ xb7 29.l!d7 ~ cs 30.l!xf7• wg6 31.!lxc7 ~ d3• 32.wbl wf5?!
33.!ld1?! ~ xes 34.!lft • we4 3S.!lxa7 ~ c4 36.l!d7 we3 37.l!e1•?! 37..td4• \!ie2 38.l!f2• ltet 39.a4•- 37.-.wf.3
38.!lxe& !lxe8 39.l!d4 ~ e3 40.l!h4 ~ f5?! 41.l!b4 1-0
19
Opening 1he g-jile
( (1-30) Charushin )
1 ...~ f3+!! z.gxf3 2.<1:h1 , h4 3.h3 C'el-• z ...ffg5• 3.<l>hl .ixf3,
g 9
Wi
Ji '
8
i
'Ii
' ' '' ~
ti,
8 8 /j 8
"'
a j;j' <i;
1...~ 1'3•!! 2.gxf3 llg5- 3.wfl 3.\!hl ~ - • 3 ...'ffh3• 4.l!ie2 l!e5#

( (1-32) Charushin J
1...~ 1'3•!! 2.gxf3 .ixf3+ 3.ig3 ffxg3+ 4 .hxg3 l'll(g3• 5.l!ih2 .ix£! 6..ih3 l'txh3• 7.l!ixh3 l!h8#
{ (1-33) Charushin )
1...~ 1'3+ !! 2.gxf3 2.lt>hl .lh5 3.h3 .txh3-+ 2...l!gS+ 3.1!/h l ffxf3#
20
(. <t-34) Charushin
t ...~ f3+!! 2.gxf.l 1'g 6• 3.l!lht ~ g3+ 4.hxg3 lfxc2-+

(1-35) Furman - Klovan
( Moscow 1964 )
g fl
11 1 1 1
1 g
lt)
/j /j ~.t•
WI
t:, /j /j /j
ii !! .i ct;
t...~ f3!! 2.g3 2.gxf3 t h6 3.h3 .txf.3+-+ - Charushin 2...llh6 3.h3 gxh3• 4 •.w.xh3 1'h6 0-1
(1-36) Karpov - Kortchnoi

wch Merana 1981
~
1 ~~·
.i. 111
&
1 •/j
ti:)
AWi
/j /j /J.
~ w
t 7.~ f6+!! ixf6 17...gxf6 18.exf6 'ld8 (18...t.d6? 19.:Sd4+- ) t 9.fx e7 e7 20.h3+- 18.ex:f6 1'c8 19.fxg'l lld8
20.h4 c5 21.lfacl ffc7 22.h5 ffe5 23.h6 ffxbZ 24.!id ? !ixd7 25.ffxaS+ l!d8 26.ffxa6 ffe2? ! 27.l!fl?! 27.g3+-
27...l!dl 28.ffa8+ l!d8 29.1'c6 b4 30.1'a4 ffd3 31.!icl ffd5 32.1'b3 ffe4 33.1'c2 ffxcZ 34.llxcZ f5 35.f4 l!lf7?!
36.g4 g ds?! 37.gx:fS iL'U5 38.!id Z lif6 39.!id 7+ wgs 40.fS l!xfS 41.g e? ~ xg7 42.!ixg?+ l!lh8 43.llc? wg8 44..i xcS
11.g 5• 45.wfZ 11g6 46.:ie,3 1-0
21
Weakening h6
{ (1-37) Charushin )
1...~ f3+!! 2.gxf3 'tfh4 3.llhl i.xh3 4..w.d2 llf6 5.llh gl .w.fl#
Weakening/6
(('t-is) Torre - Dus Chotimirsky
\._Moscow 1925
i '!,
~ g
' ''.t '

' A
lt)
Ii\'¥ A
t!, t!, t!,
Ii @
37.~f6!! tl'c8 Black gives up the queen as otherwise White's queen invades on the dark squares: 37...gxf6?
38.ltxf6 ~ gs 39.lleS• llxe8 40.llxeS+ 111h7 4 Urh811 38.lle8+ ltxe8 39.llxeS+ 'lfxe8 40.~xe8 1!1xe8 41.'tfaS+ 1!1e7
42.ffxas .w.e4 43.'llb4 f5 44.a4 llb7 45.ffd4 llb1• 46.1!1h2 llb 2 47.'ll'xg7+ 1!1e6 48.'lfxh6 + 1!1d549.ffe3 1!1c4
50.§ d4+ 1!1b3 5Ulxd6 1!1xa4 52.h4 1!1b3 53.h5 l!lxc3 54.h6 llb 7 55.1'3 t-0
~ Klovans - Pribyl
Budapest 1970 )
~ ii @
'i' 4i .t i .t. .t.
.t. .t.
.t. t!,
4i lt)ii_
lt) ~
A I'!:, A 88
Ii Ii @
19.0 f6!! lla7? 19...gxf6? 20.exf6 llg8 21.A.xc7 llxg3 22.fxe7 '!gg8 23.t.eS+-; 19...tl'dS 20.c3 gxf6 21.exf6 "1tf6
22.cxb4 ~ hS 23.'ll'g4 '<lx f4 24.tbf4 f6 limits the damage. 20.lladt 20.~ gSI? h6 21.c3 '<ldS 22.'ll'd3+- 20 ...'lfc4
21.b3 'll'c8 22.0 h 5 g6 22...llgS 23..tgs Ac5 24..td2 15 25.exf6 t.xf6 26.1l'h4+- 23.»,gS .w.xg5? 23...~ c6 24.Ah6 ltlg8
25.c3 llb8 26..t.xfS 'tfxf8 27.H4+- is t he lesser evil. 2H:ixg5 'lfxc2 2S.'tff4 gxhS 26.~ xf'7+ llxf7 27.ffxfl 'll'c8
Z8.ffxe6 ~ c6 29.llc t llc7 30.ffd6 1!1g8 31.e6 0 de5 32.llfS ~ g6 33.llf7 lLu'7 34.exf7+ 1!1xf7 35.llxc6 ffe8 36.'ll'f6+
1!1g8 37."ll'e6+ 'lfxe6 38.lt.'1::e6 1-0
22
Opening 1he long diagonal a1-h8
( (1-40) Vurtaev - Donch enko
\._Alma-Ata 1979 _ _ _ _ _ _)
19.~ f6! ! ffb8 l 9 ...gxf6 20.exf6 .td8 21.lilgS•- 2Mlg5 .ix.f6 2t .ex:f6 ~ d4 22bd4 cxd4 23.MhS t-0
' .t
'
U l f6+!! gxf6? 1 ... wh8? 2.~ xe8 :ifxe8 3.exd6 .bd6 4.ftxh6+ l!lg8 5.1!fxg7#; l ...bf61? 2.exf6 h d3 3.cxd3 lth7
4.fxg7 lilxg7 5.f5 exf5 6..te3+- 2.1l!'x h 6 .ixd3 2...f5 3.exd6+- (3.!!e3+-) 3.l!e3 Mxc2 4.!!h3 .ih7 5.f5 1-0
Altacki11g h7
(1-42) Krstic - ll1ilicevic
{(1-42)
\. Yugoslavia 1984
J
_
------------------------------
gg 9
·~
'i' .l • .l
- .t.l '
" ' •
~ ~
€)
•
~
~i.
-, ~'i/!V
tl)~
~<t;
s
1.~ f6!! gxf6 l ...h6 2. h6+ gx.h6 3. hl+- 2.gxf6 Md8 2...!!xbl 3.l\lh6+-3.llxh 7+ wxh7 4 .1l!'h6+! 1-0
23
Alekhine uses the block with his queen.
(1-43) Brinckma nn - Alekhine
(...._Triberg 1921
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- J
g
..t i @i i
ii
~
0i 13, i 'I
A A A
A 'i'A_i g
ft ft <.£?
25...fff3! !
25...:ahl + wins as well: 26i xh1 llxhl + 27.d>xhl (27.d>g2 fue3+ 28.fxe3 'li/h3+ 29.d>f2 t!'hU) 27...trh S+ 28.;tgt
tfh2+ 29.1!.>fl 'l!hl# 0-1
c
Opening the diagonal h3-f1
(~-44~ Janowsky- Marshall
Biarntz 1912 J
K'l..t
iii
ji'.
iii •
'1!V
..t
A
A iJ.. ~
A WU AAA
ft ii. g
<.t;
12...ffxtl!! 13.cxb4 ~ c6 14.J.b2? 14.h3 offers more resistance, e.g., 14...1ilh5 15..td2 ~ xd4 16. c3 'IM5- +
14...0 xb4?! 14...J.h3!? 15.!lgl ~ xb4 16.Axh7+ 1!.>h8 17.'IMl llid l + 18. dl .td7- + 15..ixh7+ 1!.>h816.gxf3 .ih3+
17.1!.>gl ~ xc2 18..ixc2 !le2 19.!lcl ? 19..td3 !lxb2 20..11'1 .te6-+ 19...!laeS 20.ic3 !!8e3 20...gxc2 21.I!xc2 !le6
wins as well. 21 ..ib4 llxf3 22.i dl ti6 0-1
(1-45) MacDonnell - Boden )

( ___Lo_n_d_
o n_ 18_6_
9 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
20...ffxfl!! 21.gxf3 .ih3+ 22.1!.>gl !le6 23.!l'c 2 !lxd4 2U.xd4 0 xd4 0-1
24
(1-46) Steinitz - Bracke nborough
Baltimore (bf sim) 1885
u , xf6! ! gxf6 2..-.h6• l!,g8 3.lle3 '1Jc7 4.llg3• 'IJXS3 5.~e7# 1-0
Opening che e-fi/e
( (147) Cars tens -
Uhlrich
~ memunde 1932
- - - - - - ~)
20.'1Jf6! ! 1-0
c ;s ) Feldman - Tseitlin
USSR 1971 _ _ _ _ _ _ _)
16.'1Jxf61! 0-0-0 16...0-0 17. xe71W>7 18...th6•- Lein; 16...l;',xf617.llexe7+ ltd8 (1 7...\tlfS 18..lh6+ l!ig8
19. f7+-l 18.AgS tl'xb7 19.Jixb7 l!ic8 20.f.xf7 lt'.e8 21.Ag4+ \!ib8 22..td7•- 17.!ixe7 ffxb7 18.ig4 ?rxd5 19.llxd7
!ixd7 20 .'1Jxh8+ wc7 21..i.xd7 wxd7 22..i.f4 'lfdl+ 23.wgZ '1Jd5+ 24.lt>h2 '1Jxa2 25.'ll'b8 'll'a6 26.M f6 27.Bf8 r.;
28.'lff7+ wc6 29.'lfe6 wbs 30..i.xd6 1-0
25
Genna Sosonko
(1-49) Sosonko - Helmers

Reykjavik 1980
~ @
j. ..t~ j. j.
j. j. 'Ii
j. I::,, ltJ j.
I::,,
I::,, t::,,
t::,, ~_i I:!. LX t::,,
ct;
24.'lfxf6!! gxf6 25.llxeB+ and Black resigned in view of

25...J.h7 26.~.xd6• ¢ g7 27.4'.J/'5+ ltih7 28.d6 '15'd 7 29.!le7+- 1-0
Weakening the color complex
(1-50) Andruet -Spassky
Germany 1988
~ @
.t j.
~ j.
8 j. 'Ii j.
'Ii
~ 13, lb
't\Y I:!_ /j/j/j
I:!. ltJ@
1...lff.l!! 0-1 White resigned because of 2.gxfH:.exf3· 3.ithl .th3-+.
(1-51) Petrosian - Ivanovic

( Bar 1980
J
'------=======--
24.'lfxf6!! gxf6 25.~xds Bxe3? 25...tl'cS 26.~ xf6+ ltf8= and 25...t.xe3+ 26.lthl tlcS 2Hlxf6+ ltif8 28.g4 Uc2
29.i a3+ ltg7 3Mlxe8+ ltihB 31.lldBfrxe2 32.~ f6+ ltg7 33.~.xhS+ 1!1h7= both lead to draws. 26.~ xb4 llxe2+
27..id4 .ixd4+ 28.Bxd4 axb4 29.lixb4 llxa2 30.!ixb7 White is slightly better and w on later, but objectively
Black should be able to hold. 1-0
26
((1-52) Ljubojevic - Gelfand
\21ovi Sad 1990
12.1'xf6!! g.rt612 ...bxc3? 13.exf7+ lilxf7 14.~e6+- 13.lild5 l!la714.lilxf6+ l!.>d815.lild5+ l!.>e8 16.lilf6+ l!ld8
17.lildS+ l',..1/,
Alekhine uses the block with his queen
_ _ _ _ _ _ _)
( (1-53) Alekhin e - Supiko
~ o n (bf sim) 1941
20.1'g6!! a nd Black resigned in view of 20... hxg6 20...fxg6 21.lilxg6+ hxg6 22..J\3+ 'l!fh4 23...xh4#; 20 ....:lgS
2U, xh7~ l!lxh7 22.l!h3:t 2 Ulh 311 1-0
The next queen ·s block arises by transposition:
(1-54) Ale khine -NN )
( Moscow (sirn) 1911
--- ----------
16.lild S!! l!lh8 16...fxg617.~ e7+ ~ h8 18.exg6# 17.lile71'xe7 18.dxe7 fxg619.~ e5 1-0
27
28
29
30
(1-64) Lutilcov - Chernilcov
Vladivostok 1978
g
.l
18 ...'ll'xg3!! 19.fxg3 .ixcS+ 20.ltlhl h5 21.J.e2 .ie3 22.'ll'b4 h4 23.J.xg4 hxg3+ 24..ih3 gxh3+ 2S.gxh3 .ic6+
26.'ll'e4 .ixe4+ 27.dxe4 MS 28.ltlg2 .if4 29.~ c3 gd z+ 30.ltlf.l ffi+ 31.ltlg4 g2 0-1
C
(l-65) Sibarevic - Pavlov
Pernik 1988
---------------------
)
20.ffxg6! ! hxg6 21.hS gx17 22.hxg6+ ltlg8 23.gxf7+ ltlf8 24.~ e6+ 1-0
(1-66) Karpov - Salov

( Linares 1993
.._
---------------------
)
33.'ll'xg6! ! 1-0 Black resigned in view of33... hxg6 34.llh4 lfxb3 35,ghs#.
31
1.Mxg6!! hxg6 2.l!f.J+-
(1-68) Capablanca -Campos
Sao Paulo (siln) 1927
17.Mxg6? This is not correct. White should opt for a quiet line like 17.J.cl ~ f4 18..txf4 exf419.1!6d2 ~ e5
20.tds
17.Mxg6? hxg618.1!6cl3 ftt7? 18...dS! Lein 19.~ xdS l!xd5 20.:::h3+ \t/g8 21.AxdS+ ;;J 7 22.teJ ~ d8-+ 19.~ ds
'l\lcS? 19...11'e6! 20.~f6 gxf6 2lbe6 dxe6 22.ll.xd8+ li'ixd8 23.l!xdS+ lt'l{l= 20.l!h3+ 111g8 21.~xf6+ 111f8 21 ...gxf6
22.Axf6 d5 23.:lll8# 22.l!h8+ 111e7 23.l!e8+ 1-0 Black resigned in view of 23....axe8 24.Rxd7+ \!if8 25.ll.xf7#.
Ope11i11g che seve11ch ra11k

c:g;9) Bronstein - Geller
Moscow 1961
---------------------~
)
20.Mg6!! 1-0 Black resigned in view of 20...fxg6 2L,x'l{7+ ltf8 2H' xg6#.
Accacki11g 011 the h-fi/e
/<t-70)Kasparov - Ljubojevic
\_!russels 1987
.l .l
-~
37.§ g6!! 1-0
32
37...'lfg3!! 38.gxf.3 38.fxg3?1 ~ xg31138...'1xf2+ 39.'lfxf2 'lfxf2 40..ifl 'lfxf3+ 41..ig2 "lld3 42.llli6 e4 43.IL'Cd6
ffbl+ 44.ll.>h 2 'lfb8 0-1
(1-72) Spangenberg- Ftacnik
Moscow ol (men) 1994
i .t
i
24•..'lfg3!! 0-1 Wh ite resigned in view of 25..lxg3 ~ xg3• 26.ith2 lic.xft+ 27.l!ihl ~ xd2- .
lubomir F1acnlk
The fpawn ran advance co fl
(1-73) Podgaets - Gusev
USSR 1974
27.'lfxg6!! fxg6 28.f7+ 1!.>h 7 29.fxeS='lf "llxe8 30.i..u S and

White went on to win. 1-0
One of t he most famous moves of all time:
{<i:74) Levitsky - Marsh all
~ a u l 912
33
23 ...'1'g3 0-1 White resigned in view of 24.l1xg3 (24.hxg3 ~ e2t:; 24.fxg3 ~ e2-•) 24...t e2· 25.;!;h l ~g3+
26.;!;gl itxfl--+ (Marshall).
(1-75) Alekhine - N )
( Moscow (sim) 1911
--- ---------
16.~d5!! A "Queen's Block" by transposition. 16...lllh8 16...fxg617.~ e7• lth8 18.~ xg6il 17.~e71'Xe7 18.dxe7
fxg6 19.~ e5 1-0
An opening trap based 011 Alekhine's Block

r (l-76) Wade - Bennett
\._corr 1942
J
t .d4 d5 2.c4 e6 H )c3 oilf6 4.ig5 ~ d 7 5.e3 i e7 6.~ f.3 0-0 7.l!cl c6 8.id3 dxc4 9.ixc4 ~ d5 to.ixe7 '2'.ice7
~·
11 .0·0 ~ xc3 12.l!.xc3 e5 13.'l!'c2 exd414.exd4 ~ f6? 14...t b6 is more circumspect. 15.l!el 'l!'d6 16.4~g5
.l it' •••
~
lt:l
i. /'J
a l!J.
t:, t!, W!i t!, t!,
El rt;
16 ...ig4 16... t'lf4? 17.t xf7+- Levenfish-Riumin, Moscow 1935; 16...h6? 17.l<' xf7.i.xf718.M'g6+- Alekhine-
Carlsson. Ore bro 1935. 17.l!g3? 1H ' xf7 is critical. e.g.. 17...ltxfl 18~• \txf7 19.ti'b3• ltf8 20. xb7 f.b8
21.tlxa7 - w2 22..:'!xc6 and White is for choice. 17...:i'.h 5 18.llh3 .w.g6? 18...'IJ<b4! 19.!!he3 ig6 20.1fb3 tl'xb3
21..txb3 llfe8= Boleslavsky-Moiseev. Odessa 1949. 19.'lfxg6!! 1-0 Black resigned in view of 19...hxg6 20..tid7•
l!.,cf7 21.!!hS+ ;!;xh8 2H,xf7+ .tg8 23./;Jxd6 f.d8 24.f:e6+-.
34
Alekhi11e uses his block 111ith his rook
(1-77) Alekhine - Grossman
New York (sim ) 1932
25...l!xg3!! 26.hxgJ ~ g4 27.~ f4 27.fxg4? 1txg2~ 27...~ xe3 28.~xdS .ixdS 29.ffl i.f6 30.l!e2 ~ f5 31.wh 2 h S
32.wh3 we7 33.l!dt ~ d4 and Black went on to win. 0-1
T/1e block stops ...g7-g6
( (1- 78) Gufeld - Hubner

\_Sukhumi 1972
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- J
43.llg6!? 43.::lgS g6 is also difficult to break down.

43.llg6!? llb7 43...1txg6? 44 ..thS• <th7 45.h f7 llf8 46.be6 h e6 47. e7•- 44 ..ih5 b4 45.'llfgS bxc3 46.bxc3
l!b2• ? The rook should defend the seventh rank, so 46...a4! was called for, when it is still not easy to break
Black's walls. 47.wg3 llc2?! 47...llbl 48.;!;h4 ~ t7 49.He7 l!.b7 50.ffa3 ~ h8 51.l!g2 g6 52.ftxaS•- ; 47...llxa2?
48.1te7 li:c2? 49..l!xh 6• ltxh6 so.'fl'gS• lth7 st ..tg6• whs 52.i!fh4# 48.'1Je7 llxc3• 49.wh4 whs 50.ltrlt6• gxh6
S1.'lff6+llg7 52..i.g6 1-0
35
The block chremens h6
(1-79) Torre - O'Kelly
Malaga 1973
22.!!g6!! H J Black resigned in view of 22 ...fxg6 23.fxg6+ lth8

24.bl\6 gxh6 25.trxh6#.
The accacker doubles 0 11 che g-file
27.!!g6! ! ~ ce6 27...;tgB is me1 by 28.!!xg7•11 ctixgl 29.J gl+ lth8 30. h4 d6 31 .~f5 l!.b6 32.flgS i::xbZ+ 33..tgl
lib6 34..hh7 11-xg5- 35.fxg5 ltg7 36..1d3•- 28.!!dgl !!f8 29.!!h 6 ~ g8 30 ..w.h3 !!d6 3Ufg2 !!fd8?! 31...ru-6 32.!!xf6
tfxf6 33.h d5+- 32.:i.x d5 !!xd5 33.!!xe6 'lff8 34.!!eB lixeB 35.ffxdS• 1-0
Descroying Black's pa11111 shield

((1-81) Smyslov - Hansen
~ 1993
~ i 9
g_t ll'i 11
1 'I .t.
.a. j_ .a. /.j,
i:
.t ~ g
~ 'ii/ I':, ~ I}
li <,ti
24.Rxg61 ! fxg6 25.!'Jg4 .i.a6 26.'!!'xe6+ dih7? 26...lth BI avoids the 1actical options and leads ID an ending
which is similar ID 1he game after 27..txa6 l!xa6 28.tlf7 l!xd 7 29.tl'xd7 ltc6 30.lif7 ffe6 3Utxe6 l!xe6 27..ix a6
!!xa 6
36
~ ~
tli i @
g WI
' ' [!,
i.
''
.t t:,
[:, [!, [!, [!,
It@
28.fff7? Thjs is too slow. The strike 28.~ f6+! decides the day directly. e.g., 28...;!ih8 (28...gxf6 29.ttl7+ ~ h8
30.e6 gxe6 31.1l'xe6 i:18 32..txf6+.,._) 29.'IHi t.e7 30.Wxg6 gxf6 31.erl6+-- 28...ffxd7 29.Hxd7ffc6 3H!l'7 'lfe6
3t .ffxe61Lxe6 32.f4 gc6 33.g4 .ic5 34.ffdt hS? 34...stgS is more tenacious. 35.gxhS gxhS 36.f5 .-.xd4+ 37.1Lxd4
get+ 38.•,!if'Z gcz+ 39.l!lfJ ffxa2 40.ibcdS ffa3 4t.wf4 ffxb3 42.gxaS l--O
Alekhine uses the block with his bishop
( (1-82) Alekhlne - Rubinstein
\._Carlsbad 1923
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --
)
25..-.g6!! ffeS 25...fxg6 26. e4 :hb4?! 27.tlh4• itg8 28.1!.h7+ l!JIB 29. h8+ <te7 30. xg7+ J.e8 31.tl'gS+ .tf8
32.trxg6• :tie7 33. xe6#; 25...ib7 26. c4•- Alekhjne 26.0 d 7• g.'(f727JLX!71Jf5 28.fffdt gxdt + 29.ibcdt
'l!lxf7 30.ffxc8 l!lh7 3t .lfxa6 ff£! 3Z.Hd3• 1--0
(1-83) Alekhine - Rumijantzev

Sarajevo (sim) t 931
g 'if g
.t
''
'' i i. i 41l
[!, tli
41) f!l
'
.t
f!l l!, WI !J t:, !J
@li:r g
19..ig6!! 11:fll 20.i.xf'?+ g.'(f7 21.lfg6 1-0
(1-84) Alekhine -Apserueks )

( Folkestone 1933
-------------
37
t2 ..ig61l lilxe51 2...fxg6 13.1fxg6+ -tie7 14..tb4+ c515.dxc5 c5 16.Mi+ ~ d617.axb5 axbS 18.0-0+- 13.lilxeS
i!c7 14..ia5 fxg615.lJxg6+ we7 16.lilf7 We817.lilxh8 llc818..w.b4+ c5 19..ixc5• llxc5 20.dxcS .ie4 21.'lfxeS+
loxes 22.f.3 .id3 23.axbs 1-0
Ope11i11g the diagonal a2-g8

( (1-85) Uhlmann - Yanofsky
S1egen 1970
37..ig61l fxg6 38.'IMS+ '!fxdS+ 39.cxd5 ltu2+ 40.llxe2 llxe2+

41.wf.3 i!e7 42.d6 lld7 43.we4 wfs 44.wes lids 45.wds wes
46.i!et• wf8 47.wc6 1-0
c (l-86) J.Polgar - Rogers

Biel 1993 J
41.ig6ll llxd3 41 ...fxg6 42.ll'xe6· 1!1f7 43.ftxc8• lff8 44.Ui8++- 42.ih7+ 1-0
38
Ope11i11g the ffi/e
(1-87) Ruderfer - Maslov )
C
-Tashkent 1979
-----------~
g • g
i iii
.t i i
19.:i.g6!! 19.e6!? is also very strong. 19... fxg6 19...0-0 20..txf7• !lxf7 2Utxc3•- 20.bxc3 'lfM 21.d6 llh8
22.l!adl ffi 23.'lfe2 l!f4 24.e6 'IU6 25.exd7• l!lx d7 26.l!fel .i.b7 27.'lfe7• 'lfxe7 28.!lxe7• 111c6 29.l!c7• l!lb5
30.d7 !lff8 31.!lxb7 31.~ e21?•- 31...l!xb7 32.d8•'1f !Lxd8 33.!lxd8 l!la4 3H, e4 l!e7 35.f3 l!la3 36.l!d2 b5 37.l!lf2
as 38.l!d5 l!la4 39.~ d6 l!e6 4Mlxh5 !lb6 41.~ d6 l!b2• 42.l!lg3 1-0
At1acki11g 112
(1-88) Richtr ova - S.Polgar
Thessaloniki 1988
20...:i.gl!! 21.i dJ 21.hxg3 fxg3 22.Ilfdl ?! 11'h4 23.11,fl 'lfhl + 24.tgl ~ h4 25..td3 l!xf3+ 26.gxf3 .t.h3• 27.l!; e2
1Jg2• 28.<t;eJ ~ xf31121...'l:fh4 22.h3 'l:fg5 23.~ c6 23..tf2 .txf2• 24.l;xf2 .bh3-• 23... ~ M 24.l!lhl ~ xg2!!
25.'lfxg2 25.l!lxg2?1 .te1+-• 25...l!IM 26.l!lgl .ixh3 27.'ftlhl !lf6 28.i ds !lxd8 29.~ xds !!h6 29...Aell? 3M:le6?!
30...tfS .txf5 31.ti'xh4 .txh4-+ 30 ...'l:e7 0-1
Attacki11gp
(1-89) Graf (Nenashev) - Kramnik
Moscow 1992
20....i.g3!! 21.~b5 1fh6 22.~ c3 ~ xf2 23.l!xds i g6?1 23. .ixf3124.t.'xf3 e3 25.ltf5 19e6 26.l'xe6 fxe6 27.l!d7
~ d3-+ 24.•M l i e4 25.l!d4 ~ xdl 26.l!cxdl .i.c6?! 26...l!acS-• 27.'lfd2?! .ixf3 28.gxf.3 .ie5 29.l!g4 1fxh3•
30.l!lf2 1fh2+ 31.l!g2?! .ig3+ 0-1
39
c (1-90) I.Gurevich - Bar eev
Biel 1993
33...ig3!! 34.C4 34.fxg3 " cd81 35.f'lf5 c4-; 34.~ xg3 n cds-+ Lein. 34... licd8 35.fffS ffxc4? 35...g6! 36.lfg4
.lxf2 37.Yf4 . c4-+ 36.lle3 Jlb8 37.g3? 37.~ fd4! limits the damage in view of 37.......d2• (37...~xd4 38.g4)
38. t gl tJ,-xb4 39Jixe8+ i:xe8 40. d 7 37...'ll'xh4-• and Black went on to \\fo. 0-1
Alekhine uses his block
(1-91) Tarrasch - AJekhine )
( Pistyan 1922
~---------
Z•l...~ g3+!! 25.1!.>gl 25.fxg3 . g3- + 25....id S 26.ffa4 ~ e2+ 27.1!.>hl ID 28.§ a 6 h5 29.b6 ~ g3+!! 30.1!.>gt axb6
31.1'xb6 d2 32.l!ft ~ xft 33.a n t .ie6 34.1!.>h l .ix h3 3S..gxh3 l!f3 3Ulg3 h4 37..if6 'l!'xf6 38.a xe4 1Lxh3+ 0-1
c (1-92) AJekhine - Appel

Lodz (sim) 1928
======~J
g g fl
.l ..t ~ .t. .t.
.t. .t. ..t .t. ~ .t.
~
t::,t::, ~
£:,1'!, Wf i_ !'!,!'!,t!,
~.l:i ~
19.~6!? fxg6 20.'ll'xg6 lie7 20...Vd7 is a.lso met by 21.lle4= 21.lie4 § d7? 21...cS! 22.I;.h4 cxd4 23.~h7 ~ xh7
24."ll"xh7• l!.>f7 25. hS+ <tig8=; 21...~ xe4?? 22. h7+ ·11f8 23.!th811 22.lih4 tfe8?! 22...cs 23.1td3 es 24.g4+-
23.ffd3 ID Z4.ffh3 1-0
40
41
("('i-%) Speelman - Levitt
~ donl992
2H :lg6!! gas 25...::lxe3?126.tJfS~ 26.~ e7+ wh8 27.ffe6 1-0

Black resigned in view of27...h6 28,gh3 MB 29.a h6+ gxh6
30.t.xf6+ l!lh7 3Utf7+ lllhB 32.~ g611.
Opening che h-file
(1-97) Shishov - Lisitsin
Tbilisi 1946
3Ulg6+! ! hxg6 32...l!lgB 33.~ h6+ gxh6 34.~e5++- 33.hxg6 :i.e6 34..ia7 :i.xf5 34...:ias 35~6 lllgB 36. h3 .te7
37.cS dxc5 38..tc4 .txc4 39.bxc4 t9e6 40.~ xe7+ !!xe7 4 l .h h7+ MB 42ixc5+- 35.exfS ~ e6 36.tfhS+ wg8
37.fxe6 1-0
(1-98) Karpov - Taiman ov )
( __L_ e_n_in_gr
_a_d_1_97_7_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
38.Alg3+ 0-1 White resigned in view of 39.hxg3?1 (39.'ltxg3 Wl-+) 39..,gas 40.b7 01811.
42
~ 9)Charushin
-------------------")
1...~ g3+!! 2.hxg3 "Mh3+ 3.l!?gl .ixe3+ 4.ffxe3 4. f2 ffxg2# 4 ...ffxg2#
{<t-i""oo) Kostina - Sammul

~ ilisi1974
24.~ g6!! hxg6? 24....txg6 25.hxg6 h6 26./;'.f7 l!xf7 27.gxf7• lt.xf7 and 24...ll'd8 2S.l;'.xf8 hfB 26.h6 gxh6 27.i xf6
Yxf6 28.~ hl are more tenacious. 25.lucg6 .ixg6 Z6.!!ah1 ~ hS 27.!!xh5 .ixh S Z8."Mxh5 .ixgs 29..ixg7 e5
30:i,h1+ wfl 31.J.xfB+ wes 32.i cS tte6 33.l!lhS+ l!lf7 34.ffXfl•?! 34.!Jh8+ l!id7 35.!!h7+- 34...l!?x.f7 35.cbce5
we6 36..id4 !!a8 37.!!h7 b3 38.a4 IU>8 39.!!a7 i e7 40.!!a6+ wfS 41.ltxaS ia3 42.IU>S !!xbS 43.axbS we6 44.b6
wd7 45.e6• 1-0
(u-i"o,t) Charushin
1...~ gl•I! 2.hxg3 hxg3• 3.wgl ~ f2 4.!L~ !!ht • s.wxh1 gxf2-•
43
--- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
.t. .t. .t. .t.

.t
1...0 g3+!! 2.hxg3 hxg3+ 3.i.xhS !!M l

(1-103) CabriJo - Djuric
Yugoslavia 1978
g W!I fJ
'l.tg .t..t.
.t. .t.
'I) .t. ... ~
[:, [:, ~~
!'1
~ ~ !'1 [:, !'1
!! <t;
23.0 g6•! ! hxg6 24.lJXg6 e es 25.l!e3 !!bl• 26..iel l!xel • 27.l!xe1 0 f8 28.'tfhS• wgs 29.l!e3 g6 30.0 h 6• wh7
3t:lfh3 wg7 32.l!g3?! 32.Hg4 c4 (32...;!;xh6? 33.- h3• wg7 34.'li'M ~ e6 35.!fh7• ltlf8 36.YhSII) 33.l:.h3 is more
precise, but Black can also fight on in this case. 32...§ bS? 32...'<lb7 33.l!al li:.d6 limits the damage. 33.!lal § b2
34.11ft 'tfdZ 35.0 1'5• wgS 36.0 h 6• wg7 37.0 1'5• wgS 38.§ hS § f4? 38...~ b7 39.llxg6• lcicg6 40.ttxg6• ltf8
41.tl"hs tlgs 42. h8• t!fg8 43.UxgS• wxg8 44.«ih6• wg7 45.fufl wxf7 46.llbl +- 39.'ll'eZ ~3 40.l!g4 'll'dZ
41.tfe4 0 c1 42.0 xe7• wg7 43.0 f5• wgs 44.f4 1-0
Weakening che lighc squares

(1-104) Beliavsky - Larsen
~ Tilburg 1981
15.0 g6! ! 0 d5 1S...fag616.'l."Xg6+ ;!;f81 7.llxe6 Ye8 18.~del

tfxg6 l 9.hxg6 tb4 20.c3• - 16.0 f5 .i.f8 17..id6 l!g8 18.c4 0 b4 19.'ll'h3 fxg6 20.l!xe6• wf7 21.hxg6• wxe6
22.l!e1 • 0 e5 23..ixeS 1-0
44
0; (1-105) Smirin - Lputian
Rostov on Don 1993
-----------
)
~ .t. .t.
~ .t.
~ t!, .t. t!,
WI ltJ
8 .t. -Ii
t!, 8
<t;
zs.0 g6!! 111h7 zs...fxg6 29.hxg6 ltf8 30.:ds + ite7 31.Hd611 29.0 f8+ lllg8 30.lldS g5 31.1!1'd 6 1-0
Alekhine uses the block 011 c3 with a rook
( (1-106) Schulz - Alekhine
\_Stockholm (sim) 1914 J
.t. .t. .t .t. .t. .t .t.
.t. 'Ii .t.
t!, t!, .
tiJtl) .a
t!, t!, t!, WI ii. t!:, 8
t'.l'
13...llxc3!! 14.bxc3 0 xe4 1S.'ll'd3 0 xe3 16.ti'xe3 0 xc3 17.llae1 as 18.Ji.f.3 .ibS 19.!U2 dS 20.lfcS b6 20...e6!?-+
2U7e3 d4 22.ffxe7 a4?! 22...~.xa2!? 23.0 cl 11b8 24.0 d3? Trying to exchange queens with 24.l!l'b7 is more in
the spirit of the position. Z4.•.lle8 25.'ll'b7 llxel+ 26.0 xel 1'xb7 27..ixb7 d3?! 27...~ aZ- + is easier. 28.lllh t ?!
28.cxd3 i d4 29.~ c2 .lxf2• 30.itxfZ hd3 31.lila3 .t.e4- 28....i.d4 29.lld2 .i.e3 30.ll.xd3 u d3 31.0 xd3 0..xa2
32..idS 0 c3 33..ic6 a3 Q.1
Vladumr Akoplan
Opening the b-jile
(l-107) Yedj<lia - Af<opian
Las Vegas t 994
22...ll.c3?! This bold sacrifice is objectively not correct. The

engine prefers 22... c7 23.J cl f6 but it looks very scary.
22...ll.c3? ! 23.bxc3 bxc3 Z4..ixc3 'll'b6+ 25..ib2? The king
should leave the danger zone with ZS.Itel llb8 26.itdZ dxc3+ 27.ltel+- 2S...!ib8 26.ffb3 1!1'c6 27.11a2 0b6
Z8..i.xd4? White should sacrifice the exchansre with 28.ltal I ~ c4 29.ll.bt :lb4 30.ia3 ~ xa3 31.!!.xb4 hb4
45
(3t...~ xc2+ 32.lt>bl ~ xb4 33.tl'b3 .1f8 34.la'.cl ) 32.'lfb3 when he is cenainly not worse. 28...exd4 29.!lxd4 "lfc3
30.!ld3 ~ c4• 31.wcl .ia3• 32.wdl ~h2• 33.wez 0xd3 34.!lbl ~ f4 • 35.wfl "£3• 0-1
The bishop block on c3
Opening che b-file
(1-108) Honfi - Gurgenidze )
CKislovodsk 1969
'------~=====~
21....ic3!1 22.bxc3 "lfe7 23..i.e3 b4 24."lfe l 24.l!al b3 25.Ilbl 1!1'a3 26.cxb3 axb3 27.tb2 l!d7 28.~ el l:.hg8 29.I!gl
!lg3-+ 24 ... b3 25.cxb3 axb3 26..icl !lxa2 27.!ld2 "lfa 7 0-1
Boru Kostic
(1-l OS) Marshall - Kostic
._cologne 1911
29....ic3! 30.b xc3 30.lixf7 .L'lh2· 31.J.xb2 ~ab8+ 32.l!cl trc3it

30...!lab8 31.'lffl !lbl • 32.ll.xbt "lfxf3 33.!lbcl ffd2 (1-1
{<1-ii'o) Pelikan - Corte

~osAires
27..ic6 !lxd6 28.exd6 b xc6 29.d7• lt>xd7 30.ll.b7+ we8 31."1Sd 6 1·0
46
Alekhine·s Block with the knight on c6
Opening the diagonal a6-c8
(1-111) Zoller - Borsdorf DO
Germany 1975
16.~c6!'! bxc617.i.a6• wb818.!!xd7 and White went on to win. 1-0

Opening the b-file
(1-112) Georgiev - Hazai
( _ Sofia 1979
J
18...~ cJ• !! 19.b xcJ bxcJ zo.wa l 20. xe6• ltc6 21.dS• ~ xd5+ 22.llla l lc.xeJ 23.'l!lxeJ Yxc2--+ 20... ~ dS
21.~xe6 'll'aJ 22.~ cS+ wd8 0-1
(1-113) Yudasin - Makarichev

Nikolaev 1983
23...~ cJ+!! Z4.bxc3 .ixa2+ 25.wal? 25.1txa2? 1'a5+ 26.lllbl bxc3 27.Ac4 WaJ 28.ll'xg6+ Ag7-•; 25.ltcl I is
relatively best. but Black's attack continues after 25...ltxcJ 26.lc.e2 l!ab8 27.MZ fgc7. Z5....it.e6 26.~ bJ
26.l?,xe6? 1:l'a5+ 27.ltbl bxc3-+ 26...'ll'xcJ+ 27.wbl 27.\!ia2 as 28..tel !k7 29.lllbl a4 3o..'<lcl b3 31.c41f5
32.1!'e3 e4 33.Axe4 .be4+ 34.fxe4 a3--+ 27....ixbJ 28.i.e l h 2+ 29.wxaZ ffa3+ 30.wbl b3 31.cxbJ '1Jxb3+
32.wcl Bfd8 33.!!d2 !!ac8+ 34..it.c2 ffa3+? 34...&c4 35.ltd l Ya2 36.lsxd8• b d8 37.Ud3 !!d4-+ 35.wdt ffal •
36.wez !!xd2• 37.wxdZ 'll'c3• ?! 37...Ag?I is still much bener for Black. 38.wdt 'll'al• 39.wd2 !!'c3•? 40.wdt
!!'a l + 'h-'h
47
(1-114) lvan ch ulc - Rozentalis
Debrecen 1992
~ g g
iii ~ i .t i
i
.t
~ 'i'
~ ~
~~
14.'<lc6• !! lllc814...bxc6 15. b3• lta8 (15...i!.c8? 16.~6· <td7 17.ttxf7#) 16..he4•- 15.~a7• lllb8 16.~ c6•
lllc817.0 l!xd4 17...~.xg3 18.L-xg4 .txd4• 1H , xd4 i!xd4 20...;f4 llhd8 21. d4 t.xd4 22.'t;e ! xg4 23.lucg3 ...xd3
24.!.e3•- 18..u3 l!xd3 19.ffxd3 '<lxg3 20if4 1-0
{'o-us) Oral - Naerland
\._Rimavska Sobota 1992
22.~ c6• !! b xc6 23.dxc6 .ii.cs 24.i..-:c5 l!xd1+ 25.l!xdl g ds 26.gbl 26.M7 d7 27.cxd7 'l'd8 28..1xb6 cxb6
29.11'e 5• stb7 30. d6 is even better. 26...!!dS 27.ffxb4 ffxc6 28..w.xb6 'l!lxb6 29.lff8• llla7 30.l:l'x fl l -O
Opening the long diagonal
_ _ _ _ _ _)
(1-116) Quinteros - Popovic
( Novi Sad 1982
25...'<lc3!! 26.'<lc5 26.bxc3 Wxc3· 27.;t.bl ~xc2• 28.i!.a l 't'xb3 29.. d7• <te8-• 26...'<lxdl 27Jt'll:d1 lihd8
28.h...'11:g7 l!xd1+ 29.ffxdl :il.xg7 30.'tfhS+ lllg8 3l.ffg4 ffhl• 32.llla2 ffd5+ 33.'<lh3 a5 0-1
48
___________
Pressure on the d-fi/e
(1-117) Sus hko - Klisa
( corr 1976
_.....)
22...~ cl! ! 23.llll8 23. xf4?! llxdt ll: 23.bxc3 llxd2 24.:;;.h8• i!d8+-+ 23...lile2• 24.lflb1 'l!l'x d225.l!xd2 ltui8 0-1
A/ekhi11e's Block 111ich the queen 011 b6
Ope11i11g cite a-file
(1-118) Rubinstein - Hromadka
Mahrisch Ostrau 1923
2S.ffb 6!! ffd7 25...axb6 26.axb6+ .11a7 27J!xa7+ lflb8 28Jl[xb7+ \t/c8 29.lla6•- 26_j_c5 ffxf7 27..i x d6 fff2•
28.ffxf2 ~ xf2 29.li:cS 1-0
Weakening the b6/b3-square
(1-119) Kuijf - Hodgson
Wijk aan Zee 1989
16...ffb3!! 17.li:d3 17.axb3?! lcxb31! 17...ffxa218.~ b4 i!e219..ixe2 ~ bl+ 20.'!Jxbl 1!1'x b3 21.ffdZ 'lfe3 0-1
49
Alekhine's block with a bishop on b6
Opening the a-file
(1-UO) Yermo-Iin
_ s_ky
- - -Ep_is_h_in
_
Leningrad 1980
23.ib6!! ffc8 23...axb6?1 24.axb 6 \l'd8 25.exr6H- Z4.exf6+ l!laS

25.f7 l:!f8 26.a6 bxa6 2HlgS axb6 2S.0xh7 l:!xf7 29.0 g5 l:!e7
30.!!..~ 6 a s 31.nhS l!la7 32.l:!b2 .tes 33..ixeS l:!xeS 34.0 f7 l:!e7
3S.0 eS 1-0
Attacking b7/ b2
( (1-121) Pihajlic - Gurieli
\._Tbilisi 1975
g
g .t. .!. .t.
.t. .t.
ii. .!. Iii
~ I:!, .t.
'ii Iii I:!,
tZ'i@~
25...ih3!! 26.1!!xb3 26.::!i<d7 Yxb2+ 27.ltd l l:!xd7+ 2S..tie2 t'rxc2+ 2H: d2 l:!xd2+ 30.ltxd2 i.c4+- + 26...1!.xdl +
27.11.xdl .ixb 2+ 0-1
Alekhine's block with a knighc on b6
Opening the a-file
(1-122) Kramnik - Georgiev
Moscow 1994
Z4.0b6+!! a xb6 2S.a xb6 0 a6 25..J~xe6? 26.f:al# 26.ffal l!d8 27.ffe7! 'f!ld6 28.l!.xa6+ l!lb 8 28...bxa6? 29.tfa7#
29.'f!lxd6+ ffxd6 30.l!a3 cs 31.l:!b3 g6 32.l:!bS ffe6 33.i.d3 Des 34.b4 h5 3S.l!.xc5 lle6 36.gxhS gxh S 37.11.xhS
l:!xb6 38.l!lcJ l:!c6+ 39.l!ld4 l:!b 6 40.l!lc5 l:!c6+ 41 .l!ld S 1-0
50
Alekhi11e uses the block with a rook 011 e6
(1-123) Reti - Alekhine
( Baden-Baden 1925
-----------------------~ J
26... i!e311 27.lof.3? 27.fxe3?? tl'xg3+ 2s..t.g2 ~ e3-+ Alekhine; The sacrifice should be declined with 27..t.1'3.
for example, 27..llaeS (27...L'{f3 is answered by 2S.exf.3) 2S.bxc6 hf.3 29.~ xf3 bxc6 30.i!b2 and White is
slightly better. 27 ... cxbS 2Uf xb 5? 2S.ti'd 4 1 a4 29Jlxa4 xcl • 30.'1dl !tc7 3t.~ c5 r es 32.e4 li.,e7 33.i!cl is the
lesser evil 2S...loc3 29.'lfxb7 'lfxh7 30.loxb7 loxe2• 31.wh2 loe4 32.i!c4 loxf2 33..ig2 .i.e6 34.i!cc2? 34.:;l,4 is
more tenacious. but Black \\~ll win in the long run anyway. 34...log4+ 35.l&>h3 ~ eS• 36.l&>h2 l!xf3 37.ltxe2
log4 • 3S.wh3 loe3• 39.l&>h2 loxc2 40.ll.Xf.3 lod 4 41.lUZ loxf.3• 42.i!xf.3 .i.dS 0-1
'tat ~
• .l .l .l
'' '
~ 41)
g t:, ~
13, ~
~ 13, 13, 8
~ ~ ~
22.i!xe61! fxe6 23.logS ffhS 24.lox e6+ l&>f7 25.logS+ ltf8 26.'lfdS l!g7 27.loe6+ 11.>gS 2S.loxg7• l&>xg7 29.clxe7
lof 6 30.trxbS l!a7 31.i!el 'lfd6 32.eS=lo• loxes 33.'lfxe8 'lfxd 2 34.ffeS• l&>f7 35.h4 lLxa3?136.'ll'eS• l&>g7
37.i!e7+ l&>h 6 38.fffS+ 11.>h S 39.lle5• l&>g4 40.!!gS+ 1-0
Weakening the light squares
(1-125) Raetsky - Krasenkow
Rostov o n Don 1993
.l.l. .l.l. ..t .l.

..t '
20.i!xe61? This is probably even stronger than 20.li.,d5 AxdS 21.!..x d5 e6 22..1!'3 which is of course also
promising for White.
51
20.ll.xe6!? fxe6 2l .h4?! 21.~ e41? is more precise, e.g., 21...~8 2H.d1 ~15 23~h3 r es 24.~~e6+ t h8 25. c4
with strong pressure on the light squares. 21...lt>h8 22.'<le4 lifll 23.!ld1 ll.bd8 24.ll.xd8 1fxd8 25.'lfxe6 'lfdl •?
25....td4! is called for. when Black should be able to hold. 26.111h2 ffxa4 27.'f!lxe7? After 27.c6 bxc6 28.bxc6.
the passed C·pawn gives White good winning chances. 27...'.fxbS 28.'tld6 'f!lb3 29.f4 as 30.n b7 a4 31.c6 a3
32.c7 'f!lc2+ 33.lt>h3 a2 34.c8•1' 'lfxc8+ 35..i xc8 al •'lf 36.M+? 36..tb7= is called for. 36...lt>gB 37,jo,e6 'lfhl+
38.lt>g4 h S• 39.lt>gS lt>h7 40.g4 'f!lgl? 40...tl'f3 was a beuer winning try. 41.'<leS 'f!lbl 42.'<ld7 Ua8? 42...Jixf4
43..txf4 l!cl+ 44.lte4 Ohl • 45.;t;dJ n fl ! 43..w.d s lucg4 44.'<lf6+ lt>h 8 4S..ie4 1-0
Alekhine's Block 111ith a bishop on e6

(1-126) lvanchuk - Lukin
Rostov-on-Don 1993
g 9
g """
'i' 8
t!,
'Ii ~"8
t!, fl l!i Ji.
8 <it,
~
31 ..ie6 3J .,.g21? is even better, e.g.. 31...!tf6 32.'.<Xe7 l!xe7

33.tlxf6 lse4 34.~c8•+-
31..i .e6 ~ xe6 32.dxe6 ffa6 33.exf7• wxf7 and now instead of
34.!lc7?! after which lvanchuk won later anyway. 34. h6!? is
more precise. e.g.. 34...!1e6 35.tl'h7• ltf8 36. cc3 ..xe3 37.nxe3
c6 38.bS t!'dS 39.tl'xg6+- 1-0
Alekhine's Block 111ith a knight on e6

Opening che diagonal e6-g8
(1-127) Krasenkow - Ovoirys
( Podolsk 1993
----------------------~
)
24.'<le6! ! 1-0 Black resigned in view of 24 ...fxe6 25.gS 1k7 26.~e6+ lt>h8 27.gxh6 ~ d6 28.g4 ~ bS 29.tl'b2+ ~ c3
30.::!d3 b5 31.b4 !lc4 32.d6+-.
52
Opening the diagonal eI-114
The fol/0111i11g is one ofrhe shorresr decisive tournament games ever:
(1-128) Gibot - Lazar
( Paris 1924 _ _ _ _ __..,)
1.d4 ~ f6 2.~ <12 es 3.dxe5 ~g4 4.h3 0 e3! !
ti,
~ /!,
/!, fj fj tjj fj fj fj
!I. JL ~~iltb g
and White resigned in view of 5.fxe3? fth4+ 6.g3 tl'xg3# 0-1
S\lerozar Gligortc
Opening the fji/e
(t.129) Gligoric - Smejkal
( Milan 1975
21..fle6+!! f:xe6 21... xe6? 22.lth84 22.'ll'xg6 'lff6 23.ll.1'3 ffxf'3

24.gx:1'3 d3 25.whl l -O
( h-130) Miles - Littlewood
\_England 1984
25...~ e31 ! 26.f:xe3?1 26. a I e4 27.dxe4 dxc4 28.eS IS the lesser evil. 26....t.n 3• 27.=f1 1:Jf6+ 28.i.!'3 .ad4?1
28...e4 IS more precise. e.g.. 29.dxe-l L'ta7 30. xa7 xc3 31.cxdS cxdS 32.exdS .U'S 33.d6 ..bd8 34. b6 c2
35.e4 .td7-· 29.lla3? 29.cxdS cxdS 30. c7 is more tenacious. 29.....i.xc3 29... gSI? is even bener. 30.llxcJ e4
31.'l:lc2?! exfl 32.~ d4 33.lla3 .tg4 34.Jla2 lle3 35.= gt llbes 36.llfl .a..'tf3 37.exll llXf3 38.lldl llee3
39.ltaJ2 ffrl2 40.Jlx:!2 ffe6 41.wfl cS 42.'ll'd2 'll'b6 43.ffdt ffb-144.ll.<12 ffb 7 45.wgt llxdJ 0-1
53
Undermining 1he pawn cover
(o-131) Panov - Sorokin
~ ingrad 1953
2Hle6+! ! ixe6 27...fx e6 28.'ltxg6+ <tf8 29.fxe6+- 28.dxe6 l!h6 29.ex.1'7 ru'8 30.!ixh5 lifh8 31.1!.xe? 0 d 7
32.!!..-rn6 1Lm6 3J.f6.+ 1-0
Trapping 1he queen
(1-132) Fischer- Resh evsky
New York 1958
1.e4 cs 2.~ f3 0 c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.~ d4 g6 S.~ c3 ~ 6.-.e3 ~ f6 7.i.c4 0--0 8.i.h3 0 a5? Fischer had read the
refutation in a Russian magazine. 9.es ~ eS?
10.ixf7+!! l!lxf710...llxf7 l l.~ e6 loses the queen. 11.~ e6!!
11...dxe6 11...l!ixe6? loses the game: 12.'UdS+ l!if5 13.g4+ l!lxg4 14.l!gl + l!lh5 15.tfg2..... 12.17xd 8 0 c613.1'cl2
.ixeS 14.0--0 ~ d 6 15if4 ~ c4 16.'C7e2 .ixf4 17.ffXc4 l!lg7 18.~ e4 -.c? 19.~cS llf6 20.c3 es 21.l!adl 0 d8 22.~ d7
l!c6 23.1'M ll.e6 Z4.0 c5 ll.f6 25.0 e4 ll.f4 26.1'xe7+ ll.f7 27.1'a3 ~ c6 28.0 d6 .ixd6 29.lb:d6 .if5 30.b4 ll.ff8 31.bS
0 d 8 32.l!dS ~ f7 33.J:lcS a6 34.b6 j,e4 35.l!el j,c6 36.l!xc6 bxc6 37.b7 l!ab8 38.ffXa6 38...bl ~ ds 39.tl'e?+ is
even better. 38...~ dB 39.11.bl l!f7 40.h3 ll.fxb7 41.l!Xb7+ lixb7 42.'C7a8 1--0
54
(H 33) Luzgin - Ioffe )
( -·1-1_1_m_sk_ t9_6_8 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _-
1.e4 g6 2.0 f3 d6 3.il.c4 0 d7
4..ixf7• wxf7 S.0 g5• 1-0 Black resigned in view of S...'1ie8 M ' e6~.
Alekhi11e uses the block with a knight on d6
(1-134) Alekhine - Allies
Palma de Mallorca (simultaneous consult) 1935
1.e4 c6 2.d4 dS 3.0 c3 cbi:e4 4.0 xe4 0 f6 S.i.d3 A risky gambiL S.~.x f6• is the main line. 5...'lbd4 6.0 f3 'I!ld8
7.tfe2 0 bd7?? 7... ~ xe4 is played most often. 8.0 d6#
This trap is over 100 years old. You can see it in the manual of Jean Dufresne.
Opening Traps
(1-135) Keres - Arlamovsky
Szczawno-Zdroj 1950
t .e4 c6 2.d4 d S 3.0 c3 dxe4 4.0xe4 0 d 7 5.'ll'e2?! 0 gf6?? 5...4'df6 is called for. 6.0 d6#
g 1.'i'fl g
ii 'Ii i . i i i
i lt:l 'Ii
t:,
55
c (1-136) Levenberg - Bjorklund
1900
l
..)
1.e4 dS 2.exdS 'lfxdS 3.~ c3 'lfaS 4.J.c4 €lf6 S.d3 .i.g4 6.13 .i.hS?! 6...td7 scores best. 7..i.d2 c6?! 8.tfe2 ~ bd7
9.€lb5 9.g4 .tg6 10.f4+- is even better. 9..."tl'd8? 9...trb6 l0.~d6+ ltd8 11.~ + hf7 12.ixf7 tlrxb2 13.f::dl +-
10.~d6#
ii-137) Dudkin - Skitin j

C
.....u_ s_s_R_19
_6_7_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___,.
1.d4 dS 2.c4 es 3.dxeS d4 4.00 €lc6 S.~d2 'lfe7 6.a3 €lxe5 7.~xd4?? HJxeS 11-xeS 8.lcf3 ttaS+ 9.Ad2 b6
IO.b4 is called for. 7 ...~ d3#
g .t
'''
Alekhi11e's Block with a knight 011 h6

(1-138) Alekhine - Tanakower
Kecskemet 1927
14.~h6+! ! gxh615.Ji:.xh7+ ~ xh7 16."lfg4+ ltlh817.l!xd8 l!xd818.'lfe4 €lc619.'lfxc6 .if8 20.€lf5 .i.c4 21 .Ji:.xh6
.i.d 5 22.'lfc7 l!ac8 23.1ff4 l!c6 24..ixf8 l!xf8 25.'ll'eS+ €lf6 26.€ld6 1-0
56
{<t-ii9) Alekhine - Ricondo
~ tander (bf sim) 1945
14.0h6+!! 1·0
A piece on [6 is hanging
(t-140) Charushin - Granberg
( . corr 1984-85 )
Z4.~ h 6+1! gxh6 ZS.llxf6 a s? 25...~ xc4 26. . c4 l!d4 27.WeZ c4 limits the damage. 26..ibS wg7 Z7.lit5 l!d4
28.WeJ a4 Z9.c3 ll:fd8 30.ll:hS?! JO.It/bl! bxcJ 31.ll'xcJ gJ 32.llxcS 1fxg2 33.l!cl +- 30 ...1!8d6 31.wbt ~ c4
32..ixc4 llxc4 33.l!cl 'lfb 6?! 33...'l!ldS is more tenacious. 34.cxb4 Wxb4 35.l!xcS l!dZ 36.WxdZ 'lfxdZ 37.l!Sxc4
WxgZ 38.l!xa4 Wxfl 39.eS tJfS+ 40.lllat hS 41.l!et lllf8 4Z.a3 llle7 43.l!d4 tff2 44.l!ee4 tfgt + 4S.lllaZ 'lfg8
46.l!dS we6 47.l!cS 'lfa8 48.l!ec4 lllf5 49.a4 we6 s o.as w fS 5t .l!d4 'lfa7 sz.b4 'lfb7 53.l!cds 1·0
u t -141) Spigel - Salmon

..
USA 198-l
3.~h 6•!! ~ h 8 U l gS lle7 5.ll.d8! ~ bd7 6.1Je3 1-0
57
58
59
(<i'748) Mate in four
U l.h 3+!! gxh3+ 2.11>£3 g4+ 3.wf4 g3 4.h.'Cgl#
Exercises
(1-149)
Should White block the f-pawn with 21.l'16?

Show/Hide the Solution
( (1-149) Ene voldsen - Nilsen

Denmark 1967 )
21.lif6? The direct 21.:c.JtS? is met by 21...f6! 22.llgl ~ 'te4 23.tlg4 ts and Black is for choice.
White should opt for 21. f5!, when Black is under pressure, e.g.. 21 ...• 6xf5 22.exf5 f6 23.ixfS rxrs 24.c5
.ud3 25.cxb6 axb6 26. xd3 and White is cenainly not worse.
21.lif6? ~ e6! This strong answer repels the anack. E,·en 21...gxf6? is slightly bener for Black, e.g.• 22.~·hS
e6 23.l'' xf6+ ... g7 24 d5 t"dS 25. g3+ g5 26. "Xg5+ ..'tg5 27.txd6 f6 22.~ hS lifdS? The wrong rook. After
22... adS!. White's attack is turned back. e.g.. 23.i'dfl ..cs 24. !g3 es 25..:..t ls xf6-+. 23.l!dfl l!d7? Black
does not have time for this regrouping. 23...bc41 is called for: 24., xg7 ~ xg7 25.bd6 ,Xd6 26.t:.'td6 .te6=
24.ffgl whs
60
25.'lfxeS? Alekhine's Block now should be used on h6: 25~6!1 f6 26.9g6 ~ gS 27.h4 ~ es 28.hxgS gxh6
29.11"xh6 and White has more than enough compensation for the exchange. 25...!!adS? 25..JlgSI defends, e.g..
26.~ xg7 ~ xc4 27. xc7 ~ xc7 28.Axc4 .txc4 29.~ f5 llg6= 26.1'xe6! .ic8 26...fxe6? 27.'1f8+ !!xf8 28.llxfS#
27..ixd6 !!Xd6 28.Wxf7 !lxf7 29.!Lx:1'7 1-0
How to refute 23.11"xd3? How to defend with White?

{(1-150) Ren e - Romero

~ ningen 1984-85
23.'!fxd3? 23.JigS! was forced, e.g.. 23...~ dxf2• 24.llexf2 ~ xf2• 25.t xf2 . gs 26.d;xh2=.
23.'!fxd3? "lfhS 2Hlg5 .id 6+ ZS.0 h 3 llf3! !
Alekhine·s Block is the point of Black's combination. 26.l!lgl .IUIZ• 26...,~xh3? 27.gxh3 l'xh3 28.f4= 27.l!lh l
!Lxh3 0-1
61
(1-151)
How to refute 17.tl'd3? How to defend?

(1-151) Barta - Kluger

Hungary 1979
17.ffd3? This runs into Alekhine's Block. 1 H'd51'lfd8 (17...b d2 is met by 18.~ e7 i g5 19.e.xcs U -xc8
20.~ xd6 ..c7 21.e..bS) t8.f4 gives White the initiative.
17.ffd3? l!f3!! 18.gxf.3 .if4 19.~ d5 ixh2+ 20.l!.>xh2 '!fh4+ 21.l!.>gl ir.h3 22.f4 ffg4+ 23.ffg3 ~ e2+ 24.l!.>h2 ~ xg3
25.fxg3 m l 26.!ixfl hS 27.f5 l!h8 2U le7?! h4 29.lilxg6 hxg3+ 30.'.!lgl llhl + 0-1
(1-152)
g
.l .t
Can Black implemem Alekhine's Block?

(1-152) Kelecevic- Ivkov

Yugoslavia 1983
19...ffh4 ! The direct 19 ...:113?1 only leads to a draw in ,·iew of 20.gxf3 lcxh2 21.fxe4 trg5+ 22..!xhZ t\<M t .
19...'!fh4 ! 20.h 3 l'l£3! ! 21.hxg4 21.llad l? l!afll 22.hxg4 :l8f6-+ 21...l'!a fS 22.g3 'lfxg4 23.l'!fet l'!8f6 24.ffll trhS
Using the h-pawn as battering ram with 24...h51? is even stronger. 25.l'!e2
62
25.. JL,cg3+? The exchanges too much attacking potential. 25...ll315 26.llael !lh6 27.rlg2 g4 28.~f1 ltihS
29.~ h2 ll.m 2 30.t.ixh2 A.m 2 31..txh2 .lc8-+ Charushin. 26.fxg3 Bxfl + 27.wxft .&c8 28.wel t!l'hl + 29.0 fl
White is now better and went on to win. 1·0
('i1-ts3)
How sho uld Black defend ?

Show/ Hide the Solution
(1-153) Kalendovs ky- Tomic \

C
,._,_Br_n_o_1_9_94_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __,.)
23...ffdS? Black should seek counterplay with 23...b4! 24.c4 (24.!!6f3 bxc3 25.bxc3 !!c7; 24.1tg4 bxc3 25.bxc3
lth7) 24...HdS 25.t::6f4 gs 26.!!f6 .lxd4 27. f3 g4 28.Yfl !!d2 29.fte3 ll'd4 with practical dra\\~ng chances in all
cases.
23...!!dS? 24.'lfh4 t!l'd8? 24...!lxeS 25.dxeS gxf6 26." fl f!d8 is more tenacious. 25.t!l'g4 g6 2S...wh7?126.lsxf7+-
26.'C,f4 !ld 7 27.t!l'x h6 1-0
(1-154)
'i"
How should Black defend against Alekhine's Block?

63
C
(1-154) Alekhine -Schick
. Prague (blitz) 1943 .
J
---------------------------------
18...gxf6? 18....tfS! 19.'lfgS J.g6=;
18....:1>4? 19- g3 IDth4 20.lsxg7+ iih8 21.'lg3~:
18...ttb-l? 19.l'lg3 ftxh4 20.1xg7• lth8 21.'.:lgSC
18 ...gxf6? 19.llg3+ 1-0
How should Black react to 15.J.g5-f6?

( <t-155) Byrne - Evans

\_New York 1965
15 ...gxf6? 1S...".xf6116.exf6 M8! 17.I:Jtb.1 xb4 18. gS g6-+ from Ortega-Bobotsov. Sochi 1966 defends.
J
15 ...gxf6 16.lfh6 lfxe5 17.0f5 ex fS 18.0 e.t .id2 19.0 xd2 lfd4+ 20.whl 0 e5 21.llg3+ 0 g4 22.h3 lfeS 23.l:f4
lfel • 24.0 f1 lfxg3 25.flxg4• lfxg4 26.hxg4 0 d7 2Hlg3 wh8 28..id3 llg8 29..i.u 5 llg6 30.i.xg6 fxg6 3Ule-l
bS 32.gS i.117 33.0:xf6 0f8 34.'1:Th 2 .ic8 35.tfeS 0 e6 36.0 d7+ 1-0
(1-156)
How should Black defend after 14..t.g5-f6 ?

(1-156) Platonov - Efimov

Yaroslavl 1966
14 ...'Cfc6? 14...:"'1'51 is forced. when one sample line runs as follows: 15. e2 c6 16.g4 '" d417 ..'" xd4 cxd4
18.•t xg7 .txg7 19. d6+ dB 20. xfl (20.-~+? is met by 20..:;tc7 21.L xh81xh8 22. fl+ t d7 23. dt cS)
20...!.fs 21. dt bd6 22-xd4 cs 23.- e-l ' xc4 24.exd6 es 25. d7• es 26- e7+ .. ds 27- d7.
14...lfc6? 15.i.xg7! 1t.J(g7 16.0d6+ wf8 16... ~d81 7.:<...xd4 cxd4 18..;.Xf/ ....xeS (18....tf8 t9. .l'xd4+-) 19 .... xb7•
cs 20., as cs 2 1. e4 d3• 22. h I J>S 2H : b3 d6 24.•dl ·- 17.0xd4 cxd4 18.llxf7+ wg8 19.lfg6 lh7
20.llafl wh8 21.le7 0 xc4 22.0 f7+ wg8 23.0xh6• 1-0
64
( (1-157) J
!. @
-~ ...
.t.
.t.
•
.t.
g
.t.
li 8 .t
~ 888
]Ii,~
How should While defend? 27.g3 ?

Show/Hide lhe Solulion
(1-157) Seirawan - Christiansen )

( . USA 1980 .
27.g3? After 27..teSI. only While can harbor hopes 10 win, e.g., 27...a4 (27...dxeS? 28.!tx d8• ~ h7 29.g3+-)
28~d6 Ile8 (28...f.xd6 29.'l!'xd6 axb3 30.1g3 i.1>7 31.f3 I'g5 32.a4) 29.l!'b2 r.xe5 30. xe5 .txg2 31.bg2 ~g6
32..th l llxg2 33.bxa4 ll.xf2 34. g3
27.g3? ~ e4 28.trxa5 llf8 29.1'a6 'lfg6 30.lledl? Th e last chance to figh1 was 30..tg2. for example, 30....txg2
31.,!;xg2 Ilh4 32.!!xd6 ~ xd6 33..tes f d8 34. b6 d7 35.\l'c6 ne4 36.tl xd7 es 37.. dl and Whi1e has practical
drawing chances. 30.. .f4 The banering ram advances. 3 1Jlxd6? ! 31.exf4 .txdt 32.- xdl !!.gxf4 33..tg2 Jxf2-+
31...fxg3 32..i xg7• wh7 0-1
m
...:....
o _-1_ ) ----~==================='
5 8.:....
g •.t~ ~(I
.t. .t . ... .t. .t.
.t. .t. ltJ
__,.,._,,A 8 i.
8
8 i. 8
~Ir~
How should Black defend?

Show/Hide the Solut ion
( <t-158) Timman - Portisch )

\._London 1982 _)
17...lllh8? Black must play t 7...gxf6 18 ..lxf6 .tf5 19.ffcl 1g6 20.'lfh6 e rs 21.1xd8 ~ xh6 22..txc7 with drawing
chances.
17...lllh8? 18.~c3 ~ a618....tf:i 19J:lLxd5 cxd5 20.exdS ~ bc6 21.~ xe7 ~ e7 22.l!xd8 llfxd8 23..be7+-
19.~fxd5 cxdS 20.~ xdS .w.e6 21..ixe7 ll'd 7 22.~xc7 ll'xc7 23..i.d6 ll'c4 Z4..ill 1-0
65
66
(1-161)

(1-161) Dreev - Riazantsev

Khanty-Mansiysk (rapid) 2013
Z4 ....ixf6 24...lfxf6 25.gxf6 ixf6 26.exf6 Ile! "-+ works as well.
Z4 ...i..'l:f6 25.gxf6 '1Jxf6 26.exf6 llel• 27.llxel lllxh7 28.f4 c4 29.lle7 lllg8 30.llld2 ~ c5 31.llle3 lld8 32.IS gxf5
33.l!lf4 l!d5 34.l!lgS ~ e4+ 35.lllh 6 ~ xf6 36.llxa7 lllf8 37.f3 f4 0-1
Why does 17...dxc4? lose? What should Black do?

(1-162) Fox - Bauer

( . An twerp 1901 )
17 ...dxc4? 17...li:xd4! 18.cxd4 (1 8 . ~ ltxf7 19.ftxd4 dxc4 20.fS tl'xd4• 21.cxd4 ~ h8 22 ..bc4• i!if8 23...xh7
~ f7 24..th6 .tf6 25.bg7+ hg7 26.f6 .t.e6 27.dS b g4 28...xg7 .t.h5 29.ltf2 lle5-+) 18...dxc419.l!'le4 (19.11'xg6??
'ttxd4+ 20.\tg2 hxg6-+) 19....t.eG-+:
17...h6?1 is also playable. e.g., t M,xg6 .hg4 19..lXh6 gxh6 20.~ ceS .t.e6 21.ll'g3, xe5 22.beS+ .!lh8 23.fS g8
24.fxe6 ..xg3+ 25.hxg3 il.g8 26.~ x.f7 tl'e8=
17...dxc4? 18.'1Jxg6!! hxg618...fxg6 19..lxc4+ MS 2M' xg6• hxg6 21.chSli 19.~xg6 fxg6 20.uc4+ 1-0
67
)
How should White d efend?

(1-163) Reggio - Mieses )

( Monte Carlo 1903
- - - -~ = = = = = = -
u , xg3 1.hxg3? Be3• 2~e2 'll'xe2#
1.l!fxg3 .ih4 0-1 White resigned, but after 2~a6 .bg3• 3.hxg3 tixa6 4.llhl. White can still fight on and is
only slightly worse.
(1-164)

(1-164) Tukmakov- Kortchnoi )

C. Riga 1971 .
20....ieS? 20...ic71 is forced. e.g.. 2Uxf7 (21~d3 .bes 22.dxeS ~ hs 23.t:g4.tc6 24.'lfeZ fld7 25..tcz gs
26.~ xdS ~ xd5 27.h4 ~ f4 28.bf4 gxf4J 21..i xes 22.dxes .tc6 2Hlxd5 nxds 24.exf6 'lfxf6 25.ti'c2 :Seda 26~6
'lfxh6 27.i g6 'lfd2 and Black is still fighting.
20...i eS? 21.tfxh6!! f/b4 2t...gxh6 22~6• ltg8 23.ie4• l!ch8 24.ig?+ l!:g8 25..bf6+ l!.fB 26.~ dS exdS
27.be7• -txe7 28..tfS llc7 29.h4.._ 22.l!JhS• we7 23.'lfxg7 'l!lxd4 2Hld3? 24.~ f3 b b4 25.bfl .bf7 26.~ es f8
27.{ixdS• ~ xd5 28..th6+- Z4 ...ixc3? 24 ...~,xc3 25.bxc3 .bc3 26..ta3• l!.d6 is the lesser evil. 25.bxc3 ~c3
26..ia3+ l!id 7 27.l!.el l!ic7 28.ie7 ~ cdS?! 29.i.xd8+ lti-xd8 30.i e4 1'xa4 31.ixdS ~ dS 32.'lfgS• wc7 33.h4
.ibS?! 34.llcl + i c6 35.hS l!fd4 36.~ es f6 37.~ xc6 bxc6 38.'1Jg7• wd6 39.h6 ~ f4 40.'l!lg4 ll'd2 41.lldl 1-0
68
How did Black defend?
(1-165) Van der Wiel - Karpov

Amsterdam 1987
9... hxg5! 9...fxg6? 10.lfxe6+ t.e7 t1.'ll'f7+ ltd8 tH' e6#

9... hxg5! 10.ix.f'7+ l!ld8 10...l!lxf7? t V::lxg5• ltg6 12. d3• lth5 1H:.xe6 t,aS+ 14.l!ld l +-- lt.axg5 lilb6 So far it
was more or less forced. White has good compensation, but Black can still fight of course. 12..w.xe6 l!xh2
13.0-0 llh5 14.g3 14.lilfl+ is answered by 14...i!ieS 15.tb3+ tl'e7 16.lileS lilbdS 17.!'et g6 14 ...ffe7 15.llel ILxgS?!
The engine gives 15...Axe6!? l 6.lilxe6+ ltd7= 16.-..xgS .w.xe6 17.1fxe6 1fxe6 18.llxe6 l!ld7 19.l!ael lilbdS
20.:i.xf6 20.c4!? ~ h7 21 .i.h4 lildf6 22.l!lgZ is more criticaL 20...lilxf6 21.ll6e5 b5 22.c3 as 23.l!lfl a4 24.a3 lild5
25.l!fS i e7 26.l!f7 l!g8 27.lle2 l!le8 28.llf5 l!ld7 29.!U7 l!ld6 30.l!lg2 l!ld7 ~

(1-166) Nadanian - Sherb atov

corr 1992-1993
13...ffd7! t4.lle1 14.l:dl fxg6 15.e.xdS .ld6 16.net dlf7 17.1/if3+ digs 18.tl'b3 i!ifl= 14...0-0-0? 14...fxg6 15.1fxe6+
~ xe6 16.ll.xe6+ It.fl 17.~.xd5 l!lxe6 18.lilxc7+ ltd7 19.lilxas t.c5= 15. ~dS hxg6 16.ffxhS i.b4? 16...WxdS
t7."lth4 tlb5 is more tenacious. 17.Wx dS+ 1fxd8 18.lilxb4 a519.lile2 "!fd3 20.lila3 bS 21.i.e3 b4 22.lledt ffa6
23.lilc2 1-0
69
(1-167)

{<t-16?) Arnold - Natsis

~ nmgen 1978 _)
15...l'lf7? 15...ise8! 16.lsf4? (1 6.~ xe71) 16... ~ xc4 t7.IDl4 exf518.tsxh7 ltxh719.1th 5+ itg8 20.\ih8+ itf7 21.DhS
~ d6 22.~ eS+ ltlg8 23.~.xc6 dxc6-+
15...l'lf7? 16.11!4 ~ xc417.llh4 h6 17...exf5 18. h7 l!ixh7 19.!l'h5+ ltlg8 20. h8# 18 ..hh6 gxh6 19.llxh6 1-0
____________________,)
How should White deal with the knight invasion on g3?

(1-168) Beliavsky - Miles

( Biel 1992
j
----------
20.i.d4 ! Not 20.hxg3? fxg3 21..te3 t!lh4 22.bxc5 dxc5 23.Ld5 (23.±d3? l>h2+ 24.ltft J ht+ 25..tgt .!1\3 26.gxh3
lff8 27..te2 .o:d2 28..;.Xd2 .lf4-+) 23 ...cxds 24.cxds t,h2+ 25.\tft !!thl • 26.~gl .lh3 27.gxh3 .ld4 28.tt'xd4 cxd4
29= 'td4 lla8 30.d6 trxh3• 31. ~el a7 and Black is for choice.
20.i.d4! ~ xeZ+ 21.~ xez ~ d7?! 21...trgSI 22.h4 'tfxh4 23.bxcS d.xc5 24..1xe5 1a,xd2 25.llxdz hc4 26..td6 beZ
27...xez g5 28..1xc5 g4= 22..i.!2? 22.bS! is more to !he point as it addresses !he problem of !he wayward
knight a 7 directly. 22...lla8 Black is now beuer and went on 10 win after further adventures. 0-1
70
(1-169)
Is 23...l,~c3+ a good choice?

C
(1-169) 111ikhalchishin - Lerner
--_Ri_g_a_
19_s_s_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
J
23 ...~ c3+!! 24.bxc3 bxc3! 24...~c4? 25.1'c5+- 25.ll'e3 25..lxe6? 11'a3-+ 25...:i.xc4 26.'ffxc3 gcS 27.M6 gees
28.ll'c\2 :i.e6 29.wb 2 and now instead of 29...gc4? after which Black later won anyway, the pawn advance
29...aSI followed by 30.l!el ll'b!>-+ is stronger. 0.1
(<t-110)
How should White deal with Black"s annoying knight on c3?

(<i:no) Alekhine - 111arshalJ

\ Baden Baden 1925
23.b:dS 23.bxc3? is met by 23...""'dl + 24...xdl la3· 25. b l 1e4• 26..td3 .tg6=
23.llll:d8 llx d8 24.fxg7 ~ xa2· 25.wbl ! 25.ba2? runs into 25...t'cS+ 26. • b1 •.d 7 25...ll'eS 26.e6 Ji.e4• 27.il>al
fS 28.e7• lldS 29.ll'f6 ll'f7 30.eS•ll'• 1-0
71
(1-171)
How to defend with Black? Calculate to the end!

c (t-171) Gruenfeld - Polugaevsky

Riga 1979
'
.)
20...01>3•!! 21.<!>bl? 21.axb3 Ra!• 22.md2 lfd7• 23.;l;e3 .tcS• 24.l!lf4 gS• 25.ltig3 gxdl 26...t xc6 el 27..txd7•
l!lfS 28.1"b7 :Je3• 29.mg4 hS• 30.ltxgS l!g8• 31.\!.h6 ffhS• 32.ltgS l!g8i 21...~ as 22.M4 gcs 23.gedl g5
Z4..i.xc6• 'lfxc6 25.tfd3 fl.e7 26..i.el 0-0 27..i.xb4 .ixb4 2s .gxb4 ~ c4 29.b3 ~es 30.'1Je2 tfc3 and Black went
on to \\~n. 0-1
(1-172)
How should Black deal with the intruder on e6?

c (1-172) Vyz;manavin - Tseitlin

Tbilisi 1985 )
15...~ eS? 15...~ xg3! 16.~ xg3 (16.hxg3? /;'.e5 17.~ xf8 ~ xc4 18.~ d71xe4 19. ~e4 .txb2 20.l!.d2 lrxc3• 21.a c2
a3-+) 16....te5 17.h g7 ~ xc4 18.!ld4 ~ xb2 19.~ 75 gxG 20.i!ixb2 lte6 21.'lld3 .tcS=:
15...fxe6? t 6..t.xe6• ;th7 17.Lxd7+-
15...iile5? 16..i x es .ixe517.iild2! 17.<tixfS? li:lf4 18..txfl· i:xfS 19.flb51g7= 17....if6?! 17...Lxe6 18. xeS N 4 is
the lesser evil. 18.g4 bS 19.gxhS bxc4 20.~ xf8 .i.'\'.hl 21.~ g6 '1Jb7 22.~ es ffbS 23.iildxc4 :i.gS• 24.<!>bl '1Je4•
25.'1Jxe4 .ixe4• 26.<!>al gc3 27.ffd4 .if5 28.f4 .if6 29.iile3 .i.e6 30.c4 and White went on to win . 1-0
72
(1-173)
What is Black's best chance to continue to fight?

c (l-173) Neumann - Anderssen

Berlin 1864
12...cxd613.exd6 § e4? 1L llg8!! 14.dxe7 1 xd4+ 15.'lixd4 llxg2· lM1hl lld2· 17.t d S bdS+ 18.VxdS .llxdS
J
19.hh6 ates is the best chance to fight for a draw. 14 ..ixf7+ l!ld8 14...~ f7 15. . f7• ltd8 16. xg7 ll'e8 17.~6
ltc818.ilae1 g819.c4 ..:1>8 20.dS \rxg7 2Uxg7 l!g822.l!f7 1 a8 23llee7•- 1S.ffgS• ltc8 16.ll'xg7 0 xf7
17.llxf'7? 17.,!XhB+ ~ d818.'ltxd8• st.xd819l:f8• f'>e8 20.tgs+ ..!ic8 21. es, 17... l!dS? 17...tlel• 1s.- r1 f'les is
called for. 18.i d2 .ic6 19..ii.a5 l!lb7 20.i.xd8 l!xd8 21.c4 ~ b4 22.d S ia4 23.b3 l!g8 24 .1!fxg8 '1Jd4• 25.i!.f2
'l\lxal • 26.ftfl § d4• 27.whl ~ d3 28.'l\lf7 1-0
(1-174)

(1-174) Afek - Birnboim

Israel 1993 _)
21 ...f6? 21...id3! 22.f!g5 1 g6 23.UeS f6 24/'xg6+ hxg6 25. e4 rs (25... J7 26.foxg6 .tgs 27J'!h5 tre2 28.1d2=)
26.tl'eS r.f7 27..1.xg7+ .ixg7 28., c7 t:ag8 29.1!ff6 ffe2 30.g4 t'lel • 31.\t.g2 9 e4+ 32.11.gl rel!:
21...gxh67 22. xh6 e5 23., c6 "'xc6 24.<t.~c6 bxc6 25. f6+ "'gs 26.\i>xfl exd4 27. xd4 gives White chances in
view of Black's weak pawns and open king.
21 ...f6? 22.llc7 llf'7 2.3.~ r.; exfS 24.!l.xf7 Ji.xg2 25.l!lxg2? 25.l!xg7 .1.xh3 26.11'e3 !!fl+ 27.~h2 .tg4 28., e7 Jg8
29.:es wins. zs...gxh 6 26.ffxh6? 26.1Jc7 1'c6• 27.t!'xc6 bxc6 28.l!xf6 is called for. 26...!!gS• 27.l!lhZ ffd 6•
28.f4 llg2+ 29.l!lxg2 ffd S+ 30.l!lh2 'lfxf7 31.§ h4 ll'e6 32.'ll'f2 '1Je4 'h-¥!
73
2
Combination Cross
For 1he chessplayer the success which crowns his work, the greai dispel/er of sorrows, is named"
combination." - F.manuel Lasker
The Cross is one of the most ancient symbols, known to have existed long before the appearance of
Christianity- even before we find wrinen languages. By contrast, the Cross as a type of chess combination is
not yet recognized. Although this striking tactical method was seen as early as the mid·nineteenth century,
chess theoreticians took notice of it only relatively recently. At ftrst the combination was referred to as a
"double pm." until Koblenz coined the term ·cross pin." Now we name it Combination Cross. or simply the
Cross. Whether or not this term will become standard depends on you, dear reader.
The Combination Cross is a very powerful and beautiful tactical operation. It has been adopted by all the
strongest chessplayers in the world. from Morphy and Steinitz in the past to Anand and Kasparov in the
present. However, the greatest number of examples are found in the creative work of our founh world
chess champion, Alexander Alekhine. His games a re an inexhaustible source from which players and
theoreticians alike may draw deeply of chess knowledge.
I daresay that the Cross will gTOW more complex and refined. and be honed to perfection as our civilization
nunures its most shining attribute - the game of chess.
The Cross and 1/te Double Pin
In their works on the middlegame. correspondence gTand masters Yakov Neistadt and Alexander Volchok
consider the double pin co be a powerful. often decisive, type of combination. Their interpretation. however.
is somewhat superficial in view of the obvious need to funher investigate this attractive tactical method.
Let us examine the following study position. which arises after the first move of the solution (1.'ll'h l ·h2):
St. Andrew's Cross
@ >Charus hin 1996 J
In the diagram there is a double pin along the al·h8 and b8·h2 diagonals. at the intersection of which lies
the key piece. the black bishop. We call this structure a "cross." For victory. White must win the key piece;
Black must naturally prevent it We can list the main defensive paths:
(1) Protect the key piece.
In this case Black's only option. but after 1...1!1f6 2.e4!, with the threat 3.ffl4+! l!.e6 4.t\'C5+ l!ld6 5...txeS+. We
find the Cross to be quite a stable structure. The moves just made haven't changed anything. and there may
follow:
(2) Unpin the king.
2 ....te6 3.t. h3+ + d6 (3..:M7 4.fu:117• lt f8 5. h6•-) 4..t.x eS• ct:xe5 5.tl'h2+ _.. xe4 6. •xc7-
(3) Unpin the queen.
2 ...t.d6 3.ttf4+ l!;g6 (3...\!.e6 4.t. f5#) 4.'lff5• ;.t;h6 5.ttxeS IM'd l + 6..tcl • +-
(4) Protect th e queen.

2 ...t.c5 3. h6+ ";{7 4.'!'!'xh7• \l;e6 5.1Jh3+ l!;d6 (5... +f7 6. ~rs++-) 6..ta3+-
(5) Counter.pin an attacker.
74
In the present example, th.is normally effective defense does not help, e.g.. 2...t.'b8 3. f4+ ite6 4. 15• ± d6
5.WxeS+ ~ d7 6.iWJS+- 1·0
We now may define our terms and classify the tactical methods.
Definitions
(1) A ·cross" is a double pin, formed by five pieces. At their center stands the key piece. the object of the pin.
(2) A pin against the king is absolute; the pinned piece cannot move. Other pins are relative. as the pinned
piece may legally move.
Classification
(1) Geometric Design
(a) St. Andrew's Cross is formed by two diagonal pins.
(b) The Oblique Cross is formed by one diagonal pin and one vertical or horizontal pin.
(cl The Maltese Cross is formed by one vertical pin and one horizontal pin.
CZ) Mobility of the Key Pieces) The Ideal Cross occurs when one of the pins is absolute while the key piece is
relatively mobile. Position I shows an Ideal Cross.
(3) All other cases of the Combination Cross are non-ideal, or simply Double Pins. In game I. the double pin
is formed by one absolute and one relative pin, but the key piece is strictly motionless. In game 2. we find
two relative pins and a key piece with full mobility.
Next we present our illustrations of Combination Cross. They are arranged according to the classification
given above. At the beginning of each group are found the games of Alexander Alekhine and then - in
roughly chronological order from antiquity to our days - the games of other players.
it g
i ... ii
! i 'll i
'i' iJ..
I!, A
lo
I!, I), WI I!, I!,
2t...0 e8 Black has enough protection for the key piece. 22.al as 23..i.~d6+:llxd6 24.llXd6 0xd6 25.~eS? and
the game was drawn, but 25.~es= is better. 25...wc7 Black is much better in view of White's pawn
weaknesses. ~~
(2-3) Alekhin e - Ma lina

Buenos Aires (clock sirn) 1926
25...llxa7? 25 ...!l..xd2? 26.I:xd2 llxd2 27.~ xd2-;

25...~ xdl! 26.llxd7 ~ xe3 27.fxe3 ~ d7 28.Vxd7 bl+ 29.ltih2 Wb8+ 30.11.gl bl+ 31.ltfZ b2!;
75
25 ....t.d6? 26.'l:txd7 !!xd7 27.l!xb2 !if6 28..albd2 (Alekhine) with strong pressure.
25...l!xa7? 26.!lx dB+ :il8 27..i.xcS h6 28.!lxfB+ wh7 29.!!ddB'lfbl+ 30.wh2 !lb7 31.~ M and Black resigned in
view of 31...gS 32.f hB+ ltg7 33.:ldgB+ ltf6 34.':lxh6+ lte5 35.- eB+ ltf4 36.g3~ (Alekhine) 1-0
Sc. Andrew's Cross
(2-4) /\.lckhinc Mikulka
Olomouc (sim) 1923
18.!l.d 7 i.xf7 18... f719 ..t.xe6 l!lf8 20.'lfxf7+?! (20.d51?+-) 20...tll'xf7 21...b f7+- Alekhine 19.:il6! 1-0
_(2-5) Capablanca - Alekhine

_ 1927 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
j
CBuenos Aires _____.
The following drama look place in game 11 of the match for the world's crown. The great Cuban Capablanca
suffered a Cross Male from the Russian genius Alekhine:
- - - ~ - - -,;;:
'
.t. @
.t.
/j
/j <i;
'I'
66...ffdfl+ 0-1 67.Bg2 'lthl#
(2-6) Alekhin e - Kolarzik )

( Graz (sim) 1936
----------
g .t g
.t. .t. yj' <tr .t. .t. .t.
.t .t.
WI
1s ...!l.ds 1s ...rs 1s.'ltg3 !lgs 11.!l.fdl+-

1s ...!l.dS t 6.!l.a d1 f6 17.ff~ g6 t 8.'lfh4 hS 19.'lf~ es 20.ffxg6Ae6 2t .!l.xd6 !l.xd6 22.l!dt l!a d8 23.!lxd6 1-0
76
77
( <2-10) Evdokirnov - Ragozin
corr 1955
--------------------- J
26...~ e3+ 27.wc3 fixes+ 28.bxcS ~ dS+ 29.wd4 29.;!;c2 .txd3• 30.ttxd3 -'<:.b4+-+ 29...'ffg4+ 30 .wxds Ji..,;:d3
3t.t,a4 f!d8+ 0-1
(2-11) Renards - De Claire

( -·B
_e_Igi
_·u_m
_ 19_7_2 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
J
1.IL,;:d7 ll'xd7 2.ltdl tfc7 3.JibS+ .li.c6 4.'ffe4 The Cross is on the board. 1-0
(2-12) Mariasin - Bort:nikov
( - -Liepaja
- - = - . ; _1974
__ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ ,
j
1.d4 0!6 2.~c3 c5 3.dxcS e6 4.e4 .ixcS?! 4.......c6 is more precise. 5.eS itb6? Black falls into the trap. 5.......dS
limits the damage. 6.exf6 .ixf2+ 7.we2 lixgl 8.llxgl ffxgl 9.ffd6 gxf6 10.:a-.e 3 ithl 11.~ e4 h 6 12.~6· ltld8
13.~dS ~ c6 13...exd5 14.'lff6+ ~ e8 (14 ... t c7 15..tf4• d6 16. xd611) 15. 'xh8• ~e7 16.'lle5• .l;d8 t7..ah6•-
14..w.xh6 ~ d4• 1S.<Jlf2 ~r.; 16...llgS+ f617.ffe5
The Cross is on the board. 17...ffi 18.:a-.xf6+ ~ e7 1-0
78
/'<2-13)
Psakhis - Geller
~evan 1982
19...ll'b7 20.f3? 20.!!gl I is forced, but Black is for choice after 20...::.x dl+ 21.~ xdl .t.xg2+ 22.::lxg2 d7 23.Mf3
!!d8 20...!!x dt + 21.0 x d l ffa6+ 22.wgt !!d8 23.0 f2 .il.d4 24.'lfel i.xf2+ 0-1
(2-14) Vocephovsky - Sandler
(....._u s_s_R_1_9 s_2_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~
J
1 ...e2! 2.ixf2 2.:.as- ltc6 3. a l i e3-+; 2..d.,:f4 ll.xf4 3..txg3 c5-> 2...i e3!! 0-1
(2-15) Charushin - Erikson )

( _ corr 1983 _
--------------------------------
16.f4! 16.ll.12? 15 gives Black counterplay.

16.f4! exf4 16...A.'te3· 17.1l'xe3 exf4 18. txa7•- 17.ixb6 axb617...fxg3 18i e3+- 18.dxc6?! 18.a xf4 !?+-
18...fxg319.cxb7+ lllxb7 20.ffc3? 20.l:!f4+- 20 ...gxh2+? 20...1l'e3+ 2U;h t ll.xd3-+ 21.lllhl 0 f6 22.llacl cs
23.eS! 1-0
79
("cz.16) Sariego - Leyva
~ uba 1996
16.ibS+ .ic61Hl'f3 The Cross in on the board. 17...i!c8 18.i.d8 11'd 7 19.i!adl .ixf3 20.i!xd7? 20.hd7+ l!ixd8
21.gxf.3 i.xc3 22..txe6+ l!:e7 23..th3 i!c7 24.1::cl la..x ct 25.i!Xcl !.g7 26..'::lc7• is a bener way to use White's
initiative. 20....ic6? 20...a61 21.!.f6 axb5 22."'d3 i!g8 23.gxf3 gs 24.i!bt !.e7 25.:s!.'11>5 .bf6 26.exf6 1:g6 and Black
can probably defend. 21..ixc6 i!xc6 22.i!edl i cS 23.i.gS 0-0 24.i.xh6 i!a8 25.gds+ i!xd8 26.i!xd S+ l!lh7
27.igS and White went on 10 win. 1-0
Double Pin
Again we start with examples from Alekhine:
(2-17) Kahn - Alekhine
( Moscow 1909
= = = = = = ~)
28...tl'gS The direct exploitation of the pin with 28...c!ge6 is also very strong: 29.ti3 l!xe3 30.ciXe3 .bf4•
31.\t gl i!xe:3-+
zs...tl'gS Z9.i!f3 29.l!iht Yh4 30.!::f3 i!g3-+ 29...i!Xe3 30.i!Xe3 .i.xf4+ 31.l!lhl .ixe3 3Z.~ b3 '!fg3 0-1
((2-18) Alekhine - Fonuny

~ celona (sim) 1928
...
...
32.tl'xfS! i!xfS 33-.ixe6+ tl'x e6 34.i!xe6 hS 35.ge7?! Alekhine underestimates Black's counterplay. 35.!ld6 is
called for, e.g., 35...l!ifB 36.ltlbl gS 37.fxgS i!xg5 38.!ld3+- 35...i!dS 36.i!xa7?! i!d3 37.i!b7 Uxg3 38.i!xb6 h4
39.i!bS g6 40.f5? 40.a4 h3 41.i!bB• ltlg7 42.:lb7• lth6 4rbs ltlg7 44.:lb7: 40...gS 41.!lb6 l!lg7?! 41...h31?-+
42.i!g6+ lt>h7 43.i!d6 h3 44.M2 l!g2 45.gdJ g4 46.lt>a2 h2 0-1
80
c (2-19) Philidor - Bruhe
London 1789
---------------------~ J
1.ia6! mis 2.ffc6?! Philidor plays for the gallery. 2.tlc4 .td8 3.~ '<c7 t.xc7 4.l'xg8+ wins much easier.
2...ir.d8?! 2...~+ offers more resistance, e.g.• 3.c3 Aas 4 ..',lc5 lcxc5 5.dxc5 f!le7 6.0-0-0 ties 7.1txe8• !!Xe8
8.ift +- 3.ir.g5 tl'xgS U ~xgs ir.xgs s:tre6 1-0
(2-20) Janowsky- Schallopp

Nuremberg 1896
g 9 _t')i g
' ' ' '''

WI xi. ..t
ti) ~
~ !Ji !Ji ~ !Ji
~ c,t., ti
12..idS!! exds 13."lfxc6+ wds 14.ffxaB+ wd7 1s:11b7+ we6

16.tl'c6+ i d6 t 7.i f4 1-0
(2-21) Tatarintzev - Zemzov
USSR 1966
g 41i 'i!t'll&
E
' ' ' 'ii"' ' ..t

ti)
~
' !Ji !Ji
!Ji
i..
fj,
'W~ <ti
1.fff3 ir.xb3 t...hf.3?! 2..sxfl:i 2.l!x:f7+ ixf7 3..',le6+ 1-0
81
( (2-22) Vinke( - Seredenko
USSR 1969 )
1.!Lxe4 dxe4 2.~xe4 ffd8? 2... el+ 3. • h2 ll'xcl 4.tf6+ \th8 S.{ xe8 is more tenacious. 3.nh6 ~ d6 4.ffg6!
4...l!lh8 5i xg7• .li.xg7 6.ffhS+ l!lg8 7.fild6 !le7 8.~ xf7 ffc\3 9.~ h6+ 9..ta2 t fll JO.~ h8•- 9...l!lf8 10.fffS+?!
tO.b6+- 10...'!fxf5 t 1.~ xfS !lc7 t 2.g4 1-0
__________
(2-23) Arkhipkin - Prodan ov
( Alhena 1977
)
_____..,.
1.f6! hxgS 2.ffg6 1-0

(2-24) Konovalt:zev - Kamenets
Moscow 1979
82
36...!l'gS 37.11.fel lixa2 38.wfl .i.d3+ 39.<o!lgl 39. ~xd3 l!fl+ 40.ltgl llc2+-+ 39...'11h6 40.!l'd t !!'h3 0-1
(2-25) Raicevic - Maximovic
Yugoslavia 1980
u
.t.t
~
.l B i
i.
~t:,/3,~/);, .l
@
t .!l'f4! geS?! 1...exf4!? 2.la.xg7 xe4 3.ructi+ ltg8 4.r g7+ s!;f8 5.clxe4+- 2..ixe5 llg8 2....t.,ceS 3JL>:e5 'lfxes 4.tlh6+
ltg8 5.i.h7+ ltlh8 6~6+ ltg8 7.11'h7• ltlf8 8:lh.f'J# 3.lixg7 lixg7 4.!!'gS h 2+ 5.<o!lhl !l'g 4 6..ixg7+ lt/g8 7.i.h7+! 1-0
(2-26) Stanis h evsky - Gordienko

corr 1989
12.WxdSI! cxdS 13..ixd7+ <o!ld8 t4..ig5 f6 15.~c3 15..tf4 is even ben er. 15 ...c6? 15...fagS! t M "xd5 lhd7
17.excl7 c6 t8J'b4 .tixcl7 limits the damage. 16 ..if4 d.xc517.~e 4? 17.0-0-0 gs 18.1xc6 gxf4 19.bdS ttxe6
20.~ xf4+ a pplies more pressure. 17...d.xe4? 17...aS!!, to meet 18.0-0-0? with 18...lla6, is the best defense. 18.0-
0-0 c4? 18...e319.fae3 as 20.txc6+ ltc8 21.i.xaS 'll'xe6 is more 1enacious. 19.il.xc6+ <o!lc8 20.~d7 !l'xe6?!
21.llc7+ ltld8 22.lldl + .i.cl6 23.lixd6+ ttxd6 24..ixd6 llc8 25.M7• ltle8 26..ia4 1-0
(2-27) Alapin - Alekhine )

( -·_st_.P_e_te_rs_b_u_rg_ J9_1_4_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
4S...ge2!! 0-1
83
(2-28) Shumov - Winawer
St. Petersburg 1875
zs.gct ! The Cr oss in all its beauty a nd strength! Black cannot take the queen because of mate - the
combination is irrefutable! 28...l!f6 28... xa4?1 29.::XcS: 29.lixc6 mxc6 30J!xa7 lt.>d8 31.ffa S+ ll!Sc7 32.lixc7
lixc7 33.g4 wd7 34.ffbS• wd6 1-0
(2-29) Anderssen - Fritz

Frank.fun 1878
20..w.e6! 'lfxe6 2Uf xb7• lild8 and now Anderssen played 22•.w.gS•?! and later the game was even drawn.
22. xc6 wins much more easily. v,.v,
Ratnur Kholmov
(2-30) Rholmov - Ebralidze

Tbilisi 19.19
31.M3 fff8? 31...:.XeS 32.=xdS· c7 33.l:"d3 ctc6 offers more

resistance. 3Z.IDl:d6 gx d6 33.<ue4 wc7 34.?1xd6· ffxd6
35.0 xd6 wxd 6 1-0
(2-31) Milcenas - Aronin
USSR 1957
84
g @
iii
i
~
~ i 'fl 1:3,
1:3, 1:3, 1:3,
@ ,a
1...fic\8! 0-1
((2-32) Bannik - Cherepkov

l Moscow 1961
38...lle2 39.lxgS 39. IXCS gxg2+ 40.~ hl llh2+ 41.\t gt lleg2#39 ...'lfxg5+ ()..1
((2-33) Bisguier - Evans

\ USA 1959
1.'lfa3• lfe7 1 ...1!1g8 2..txh7•._ 2 ..i.c6 Hl
/c2-34) Donner - Hiibner

l Biisum 1968
3 ...1fb6• 4.llcS llxcS 5."lfx cS llc8! ! 0-1
85
86
87
88
C
(2-44) Montana - Alekhine
Barcelona 1922
J
- ---------
29....ig4?! 29...bs 30.ll.xa6 .lxg2 31.ltxg2 ~ 15-+ is much better.

29....ig4?! 3Mlel? 30.~ f4! Axf3 31.l!xf3 l!d7 32.Vg2 exf4 33.!'axf4 lof5 34.'!l'f2 limits the damage. 30... ~ fS
31..i.e3 .i.h3 32..i.d2 ~ d4 33.'ll'e3 llf4 34.c3 lt;rn4 35.cxd4 and 0-1 in view of 35.. ..tg2• 36.lflxg2 1fh3• 37.lflgl
Yhl #.
(2-45) Schul ten - ~lorphy

New York (b0 1857
White's e2-bishop is pinned by both a rook on the file a nd a bishop on the diagonal. However, the bishop is
well protected, and it is necessary for Black to ftnd additional attacking resources. 11.c4 c6 12.dxc6? This
plays into Black's hand. Castling by hand with t 2.h3 i.xe2 13.li'.xe2 cxd5 14.cxdS ffl'e7t5.d6 1'e6 16.ltf2 'ltxd6
17."'lel is better. 12...0." c6 13.l!>fl flxe2 14.~ ez ~ d4 15.'ll'b l .i.x e2• 16.l!>fZ ~ g4• 17.l!>gl ~ f3• 18.gxf3 'll'd4•
19.l!>g2 'll'f2• 20.wh3 a xf3• 21.wh4 ~ h6 0-1
Rudo1fSplelmw111
(2-46) Bogoljubow - Spielmann
Magdeburg 1927
23...lixf2 24.!iexfZ !ixf2 25.'ll'xfZ 'll'e5 26.g3 h5 and Black went

on to \\~n. 0-1
89
(7i:ii'J Capablanca - Treybal
\._Karlovy Vary 1929
55.:i.a6 bxa6 56.il.xd7 lle7 57.il.xdS+ 1-0
{<2-48) Nezhrnetclinov - Tal

~ u t961
9 i
·~
i
·~ .t. 4)
.t
WI !iL I},
It <;!.,
24.'§d4 wfs 24...~gz 25.nxes+ ltf8 26.llfS~ 25.11.xeS tJdS 26.llfS+ gxfS 27.tJxh S+ we7 28.tfg7+ we6 29.gxfS+
1-0
(2-49) Addison - Steinmeyer )

( ....._u s_A_1_9 6_3_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
l.llxb5 llxb5 2.ffa4 llxhl 3.1JXd7 1-0
90
91
(2-53) Horvath - Chao s ang
Varat Tavasifeszt 1996
35..iB! :..g7 35...gxf5 36.gxfS•- 36."!l'g 3 gxf5 37.gxfi h6

37...W?I 38.A.'<e8• .txe8 39. e7•- 38.fxe6 liexe6 39.l!xe6 llxe6
40.ffg4 ltlffi! 40...fS 4Uf xf5 lie7 42.'t:rxd7 d7 43.~eS• -t;fl
44..Ja8•- 41.fff5 ~ b 6 42.l!xe6 1-0
(2-54) Bergrasser - Weiner
corr 1975
37.ffh3!! l:lfg7 38.ffc8• ltlh7 39.fxg7 l:lxg7 40.ffll3• 1-0

(2-55) Gendel - Sushkevich )
'-----------~
USSR 1956
g g
ti, j 'Ii
'
'' .t 15,
' 'iW
t!, A
l:i
l!,
Ai¥
'
!:,
t:,
ii~
1 ... l!xg3• 2.l!xg3 ligB 0-1
92
zutcS! ~ xg4 24...bc5? 25....xdS+ .td6 26.tfxe6+ il.xe6 27.rucb s
~ f.3• 28:1'g2 ,;: xgS 29.l!xgS•- 25.lldxds+ exds 26.BxbS ~ xhz
21.wg2 ~ g4 28.l!x ds+ we6 29.lldS Bh Z• 30.wf'J wr.. 3t.i'.e3
.ih6? 31...,;: xe3 32.il.xe3 .th6+ offers more resistance. 32..ixa7
i'.g5 33.!!bS ~ eS+ 34.l!le2 0 c6 35.!!bS+ l!le6?! 36.0 c5+ ltldS
37.0 d3+ we4?! 38.llxgS ~ xa7 39.0 xb4 1-0
1...!!b2+ 2.Bd2 " dt! and White resigned. but the position is drawn after 3.l!xb2 xd8 4.lU2=. 0-1
The Maltese Cross is rather weU known in the world of chess composition:
( (2-58) Rinck (1926) & Cheron (1957)

J
U Je4• 1. ht+? :ta7 2.Bh7· i:.rn 3.t!lf.3 ~ hs:

1.'1Je4• ltb81 ...il.a 7 2.!!h7• '!!f7 3.fla4• il.b6 4. "'b3+~ 2.ffeS• ! lta7 2... Qa8 3. hs~ 3.llh7+! 3. c7+? • a6
4,Qc6+ It a5= 3...ltl7 4.fff6!!
93
4 ...!!xh7 5.ffx:f8 l!c7 6.l!lc4+--
(2-59) L.Mitrofanov & V.KaJjagin

JnteUect ua 1993
The study is not correct, bu1 the point is beautiful: l .c7 ~ xc7 2.f7 h2 2...~ e6 3.l!xe6 f3- 4.ltc3 f4--+ 3.f8 =t:f
hl • t:f? 3...~ dS+4.ltcS ht =tfS.ltxdS f3 6.!lxg4 'lfhS-+ 4.l!xf4+ l!Jr.J
-~
5.1!/aS!! l!gS + 5...!Ltl4 6.'lhf4 1."xf4 s talemate 6.l!la4! l:ig4! 7.l!laS l!gS+ 8.l!la4=
(2-60) Pravda - Uedinenia Weather Station

Radio Match 1978
if
.t. .t, g i .t.
~ .t..t. .t.
ti,
~ LX s WI t:, t:,
1...l!fxb2! ! 0-1
94
Special Cases
The Secret Cross
Here the anractiveness lies in the partial concealment of the Cross:
(2-61) Lyskov - Muchnik )
( USSR 1953
------~=======-'
19 ...ffgS!! A most interesting St. Andrew's Cross. The cl-h6 diagonal pin is real but the pin along the a7-gl
diagonal is masked by the d4-knight. This "secretiveness· makes the combination even more powerful. Of
course, it is impossible to capture the queen, e.g., 20.lJ~ 20..ug5 lce2+ 21.lth l &fl /I. But if one doesn't
capture? 20...lJxe3 0-1 21.'f!lxe3 ~ e2+ 22.i!,hl llfl + 23.ttgl :hgt #
(2-62) Brundrup - Budrich

( Berlin 1954
J
'-------------
The Perfect Cross
This beautiful combinational type features a bishop (usually) as the key piece, with both kings as objects of
the pinsl Thus we see two absolute pins:
t'tt
i
i ~ i
.t
'iW i.
l!,
1 ..r.cS ib6 2.lff4+! 1-0
The Counter Cross
C (2-63) Soos - Teschner

Kassel 1970
This combination occurs when the defender intentionally places an active piece on the key square. either to
J
block important lines or to counterattack along them:
95
96
( (2-67) Pos t - Wolf
Ostend 1906 J
g ,i, g
.I. Jl '11V .t .I. .I.
.I. ~
/j .I.
/j .t /j
/j /j
i.H @
22.ia3 !fgS 23.:ixe7+ ffxe7 24.ffxe7+ gxe7 25.11!d8+ !le8 26.!lxe8+ l!.>xe8 27.!lb8+ l!.>e7 28.!lxh 8 1-0
(2-68) Mars hall - Capablanca

St. Petersburg 1914
1.i g4!? White avoids U txc4?! c6 2.~b6• -tc7 3.fk5 'll'xg3• 4..tg2 .hh3 5.~ d5+ ltb8 6.'ltfS+= Lein. After the
text. Black loses a piece. but his pawns give him drawing chances, e.g.,
1.ig4!? 1Jxg3+ (1 ... f5? 2..t.xf5+-; l ....t.xg4? 2.tl'e8+ fid8 3.~e7++-) 2.1!.>hl ~ xh2 3.ixe6+ lflb8 4.1Je3 'lfxe3
5.~ xe3 a5 1-0
Next. we have an astonishing example of the Cross on two mating squares:

( (2-69) Miiller - NN
~ zig1937 )
·~
li ti' .I.
1i .I. i.
~
/j
=--·~·- !!,. @
Uil>fl gf7 l...~ e6 2.1!#Xe6++-; l..."'f7 2.!lxg6++- 2.'!fd7! !lef8 3.ffe7! 1-0
97
~ ) Stoltz - Kotov
Sahsjobaden 1952 _ _ _ _ _ _ _)
42 ...fff3! 0-1 in view of 43.ttxb7+ Ith&-+.
( <2·71) Nordstrom - Platzak

Sweden 1969 _ _ _ _ _ _ _)
g
..t
1.fff3 g f6 2 .'lfxa 8 IL"l: fl+ 3.lixf1 .ib73....1xg4 4.'ft"d 5 ltc7 5.!lxfl xf7 6.8d 8+ 1tf8 7.'ll'x f811 4 ..i.e6!!
4....i.xgZ+ 4 ....1xa8 s .gxf71 t g76Jlxg7+ ltf8 7Jlb7++- 5.1Jxg2 lfxe6 6.llel 1-0
ra-n>
~SSR
Turukin - Mi tin
1974
98
U lf8? 1..thS :;xhs 2 ..ug7....;
ungz....
U l f8? !!lxf8? 1...b'c6! 2..te4 \txf8 3.fu:h 6 '"f6!! 4.?-lxg7+ Ilxg7 5..txc6 IL,cg3 6.hxg3 t.':.g4 offers tenacious
resistance. 2.ffxh6 wes 2 ...e.es 3.'!!thS• .txh s 4. gS# 3.ffh S+ .ifs 3 ..i xhs 4.!!gS+ ;;.rs 5..tg6~ 4.ffxf8+ IlxfS
5.ig6+ IU7 6.:i.xfl+ !!lxf7 7.llg7+ 1-0 7 ... ;!;1'8 8.~g8+ .tf7 9.:11g7#
( <Z-73) Nason ov- Chis tiakov

USSR 1978
-------------------- J
U l f6+! w fs 1...gxf6 2.lt.hl • 1t,f8 3.6 d 6+ :J.e7 4..th6• mes 5l!gSll 2.ffd 6+ 0 e7 3 ..li.h6! !!eds 3 ...gxh6 4.lth l f eds
Sl!gSll 4.wh l 1-0 4 ...!!xd6 5..txg7~
~ Xie Jun - Arkell

Novi Sad 1990 J
g g @
.\ .\ .t 'ii#
.\ .\ i.
'iV
' ~
I!, 13, /j
<,ti ii ii "'
.e
25..li.h6! 1-0
(2-75) Read - Ves tergaard

corr 1994
J
~-------~
19.igS 1-0 19 ... fxg5 20.Yxfl+ \td8 2t.t.':.b7il
99
Transfomiario11: double pi1110 lriple pin
(2-76) AJekhine - Cercle de lllontmore
Paris (bfsim) 1925
A triple pin occurs when, after the defender protects th e key piece of a double pin (not necessarily a Cross),
the attacker responds with an additional pin. In a triple pin any piece, even a knight or pawn, can be the key
piece:
Z•Uel 1-0
In the next game notice the "chameleon-like" pins. First. an Oblique Cross becomes a triple pin. only to
return in two moves to its original structure. but ends with a Maltese Cross. The conjurer Tai seems to juggle
with Crosses! (Notes based on those The Magic ofChess Tactics by Claus Meyer and Karsten Miiller.)
Mikhail Tai
....-- ,--
(2-77) Tai - Koblentz
Riga 1957
1.e4 cs 2.1,lf.3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 U lxd4 ~ f6 5.<!lcJ ~ c6 6.igS e6
7.'lfd2 il.e7 8.0--0-0 0-0 9.~ b3 ffb6 10.0 a611.g4 lid812 ..ie3
ffc7 13.h41 bS 14.gS ~ d7 15.g6 hxg6 16.h 5 gxh5 17.lixhS ~ f6
18.lihl d5 19.eS <!lxes 20..if4 i d6 21.ffhZ <11f8 22.'lfh8+ <!lg8?
Koblentz wants to trap Tal's queen, but underestimates the
danger to his own king. 22...;!;e7! would have refuted White's
attack outright: 23.~ hJ (23. xg7? l!g8 24. h6 t:dJ+ 25.itbl
.bf4-+) 23...1d7-• Z3.flh7 rs Carrying the deadly threa1 ~ g6
winning the queen 24..i.h6
24 ...ltd7 24...gxh6 25..xc7 hc7 26.1.. e2 is very complicated. 25.il.xbS!? Deuiying the sacrifice wnh 25k d4?1
seems to be stronger. e.g.• 25 ... f7 (25... e7 26.~,xfS .r, g6 [26...exfS? 27. xd5 • g6 28.t xc7 .,xh8 29.. ~xd6 c7
30. d8+ l!;e7 31. g8 ~ f7 32.. hxg7~- J 27.fi. xe7 [27.1xg7+?! li.<tg7 28.ttxg7• J xg7 29.!;xg? .lf4• 30.lt bl ~ 8e7
31. e7 i "xe7 32.~ xe7 • xe7 and Black is at least slightly bener.) 27...{ xh8 28.hg7• ,.x.e7 29.i.xh8+ t d8
30. c7 xc7, ) 26., dxb5 axb5 27.1.. xbS gxh6 28.~ xc7 .xc7 29.llxc7 bc7 with an unclear game 2S... llf7?
Also mistaken 1s 25...axbS? in view of 26..gl ..:g4 27.{ xb5 JJ4• 28.,l;bl es 29..1xf4 xf4 30.fxg4+-, e.g..
JO...fxg4 JU.cs e7 32...: d6 Yf6 33.f hhl b6 34k xa6 Exa6 35.. fl Rxd6 36.lb:f6• gxf6 37ni6 l!dd7 38.a4. But
continuing along the chosen path with 25...lt.'g61 was called for: 26.t d4 (26.!xd7? f4 • 27.i.xf4 [27. • bl !.xh6
28.!xc8 , xh8 29......xeG .r, f7-• ) 27... f4+ 28.{ d2 hhS-+) 26... f7 (26...:, xh8?! 2H xe6+ " f7 28.hc7 ~xc7
29. g7· ~ f8 30. ,.xc7... ~xh6 Jt..lc6 Ji~) 27.i.xg7+ .xg7 Now White has th e amazing problem-like shot
28..ld711
100
For example. 28... xd7 29.~ xe6• ttxe6 30. xg7• \te8 31.~ xd5 a5. making room for the bishop. Now White is
well advised 10 go for the draw \\~th 32.t.f6• .·f6 3H!'x g8• e.ra 34Jlxd6 thd6 35.Wf7• l!id8 36.l!hS Ud7
37~u8• l!.c7 38.hd7• ltxd7 39.hf'5= 26.llgt lla 7 27.0d4?! With the threat of28.ha6. Bui this time it is
weaker 1han its i mmediate execution: 27 ixa6! and now: 27...fu:fl
(a) 27....txa628.otd4 1.c8 29.li'dbS l!rb6 30.llgxg7•-:
(b) 27..."' g4 28.llxg7 (28..l.xc8) 28...!.f4• 29.\f; b l 11xg7 30..txg7• ftxg7 3t.t,xg7• llxg7 32.hc8·- .','. e3 33.llxg7
J.xg7 34.1.xe6: 28.~5 tf4· 29.,1,;bt t.xh6 30.~ xc7 llaxc7 31..Uc811xc8 (31...~ xgt 32.l!xh6 gxh6 33..txe6 Ii' f3
34.!.xdS t.g5 35.1..u7 llxf7 36.t.d4 f4 37.e.d2 f3 38.a4• -) 32.!lxh6 ~gt 33.llxe6 f4 34.ll'h t f3 35.trxgl f2 36.16ft
e.h6 3Hcd2.._ 27... 0 g4!?
(a) 27... t.c4 28.e.xfS! .tf4• 29. t bl exf5 30.{Jxd5 .bh6 (30...treS? 3U.xc4 .t.x h6 32. h6 !sab7 [J2...t,d4
33., ghl •- ] 33.b3 !.e6 34.ll.xe6 . e6 35.t.f4 a c4 36.otg6• '!ie8 37. g8• ;td7 38.t.eS++- ) 3H:.xc7 axb5
32~h6 axc7 33.la.h2-;
(b) 27...1 c5 28ixg7• !!xg7 29J'hxg7 !!xg7 30.[ xg7 g7 3Uih4 Z8.fxg4 i e5? This messy position is just too
complica1edl
Alternatives:
(a) 28...gxh6? 29.gxfS t f4• 30.t-bl f g7 (30.. ~5? 31.. xh6 l!g7 32id711 .bd7 33.fG· - ) 31.llhxg7 U'xg7 32.11xg7
!Lxg7 33.'lhg7• ;.txg7 34..txa6 .t.xa6 35.~e6• ;l;f6 36k xd5• \txf.i 37.li'exf4•-:
(b) 28...tf4•1 29:;tbt (29.t.xf4?1 'ltxf4• 30.\t bt il'xd4 31.P'ght r1e7 is unclear as Black can answer 32.gS \\ith
32... g4) 29....t.xh6 30.gxf'S tih2 31.N3 f4 32..td3 exf'S 33.otez tixf.3 34.llxh6 " ae7. 29.0c6?! Only the second-
best route for the knight
Also no1 29.!.e8?! .t.xd4 (29 ... J.xeS? 30.~e6 .t.xe6 31.t'lxgS• ct;e7 32..txg7 .bg7 33.r,xg7 dxg7 34.b xg7• lf;d6
35.lrf6 ltf7 36.11'd4•-; 29...gxh 6? 30.ll.xf7• '°fxf7 31.t'txe5+-; 29...,a!e7? 3MJc6 Rxe8 31.gxf5 lle732.f6 1.x f6
33.t.xa7•- ) 30..bf7 1txf7 31.llfl .
However. 29.lcf31 , with the winning idea of ~ h4-g6•, would have been decisive. e.g.. 29....bc3 (29...axb5
30.lt.h4 llf6 31.gS+-) 30.e.h4 t e7 (30..J''f6 31.gS t d2• 32.\t bl .lxgS 33.1 :<gS•-) 3Uhg8 llc5 32.t g6• itd6
(32...itf6 33.hg7• '.!.xg6 [33...11xg7 34.g5• ;txg6 35.llh6#) 34.i.d4+ llg7 35.lt'l:g7+ lcxg7 36.Dxg7#) 33.!ldt .._ lsab7
34.a4 axbS 35.bxc3 29...i.xc3? 29...axbS s hould have been tried: 30.e.xes ~ xeS 31.l!fl ± 30.i.e3+- Also
30.bxc3•- 30 ...d4 31.llghl ! lld7 31...dxe3 32.tixgS• ·;t;xg8 33J!h8# 32.igS? Le1ting his opponent back imo 1he
game. which would have been soon over after 32.gxfS!, e.g., 32...l!l'gJ 33.fxe6 Oxe3· 34..!..bt tl'xe6 35.~ xa7
axbS 36.ru'l • l!:e8 37.:;xg7 ltxg7 38. xg7 .tb4 39.~cS•- 32...axbS 32....t xb2• came into consideration as well:
33..!..xb2 (33.ltbl ? d3. and Black's counteranack is very dangerous.) 33...axbs (33..J!b7? 34.1::lh6•- ) 34.t.xa7
(34.llth6 'ltxc6 35.l'!f6- gxf6 36.th6• llg7 37..txg7+ ,J;e7 38..lxf6· ;td6 39.~eS• ltdS 40.!.xd4=) 34...igcJ• 35.itlbl
!lxa7 36.t :th6= 33.llth6
101
Intending the mating attack 34.l'lf6+ gxf6 35..t.116• etc. 33 ...dJ? Stumbling in the last critical moment and
falling a victim to the lasting pressure.
Correct was:
(a) 33...'bxc6 34 ..16+ gxf6 35..th6+ 1!g7 36..txg7• ~ e7 37..txf6• ~ d6 38..teS• (38.ll:.x a7? 0 xf6 39.bxc3 dxc3-•)
38..... ds and Black is a ble to hold. e.g.. 39. a7 txb2• 40.f bt .c3 4'1..tb8 el · 42. "'"xb2 ~c3.: with perpetual
check; or
(b) 33 ....t.w2+ 34.1txb2 t. xc6 35.~f6+ gxf6 36i h6· !!g7 37..txg7• lte7 38..txf6• ltd6 39..teS+ (39.!Lxa7 t1>cJ1)
39...t dS 40..txd4 ..xa2• 4t.lt,xa2 . c2+ 42.Ab2 tfa4+/ti'c4+=, with a perpetual. 34.bxc3 d2+ 35.l!ldl! ffxc6
36.l!f6+ ffl 36...gxf6 37..th6• f g7 38ixg7· -.J;e7 39.i.xf6+ ltd6 40..teS+ ~ ds 41 ..ib8- 37.ffxg7• and mate to
follow . t -0
(2-78) Metz - Weisenburger

( -·_G_e r_m_a_n_y_19_7_1_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
j
20.lfe4 Bgfi? 20...dxe4 21.!lxd7 .bc4 22.llxc4 llc6 is called for. 21.li:lxe6 llxe6 22.ll.x dS ~ xdS 23..i.xdS llaeS
24.!!el l!lf8 25ixe6 1·0
~ Dahl - Schulz )
\.___
ccoo_rr_rr _119_5_6_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
1.e6 .i.xe6 Z..i.<14 f6 3.ffg4 1-0 in view of 3...M 7 4.!!ael +-.
( <2-80) Belavenets - Panov

Leningrad 1939
= = = = = = ~)
102
There is an Oblique Cross on the board. Panov strengthens the relative pin by bursting into the thick of
White's pieces with 1...Me4? Too risky. Objectively. 1...Uf6 is better, e.g.. 2.f:.el f4 3.'fl'e2 .1.xeS 4.~ xeS trh4
5.1 g2 hh3 6..txh3 trg3• 7.i!; h l h3+ 8.lt.gl 'l!fg3• 9.M l l!xeS 10.1n:e5 ~ f3!
l...Me4? 2.llel? 2.t. xe4 fxe4 3.exd6 exf3 4...txf3+- 2...1Lxe5 3.fu:eS .ixeS+ 4.wg1 1'xe3+ S.l!xe3 i d4 6.wf2 f4
This case also touches upon the triple pin. 0-1
( <2-81) Sokolov - Ehlves t

Sochi 1982 _ _ _ _ _ _ _)
33...~f4 ! 34.lla4 An ideal Triple Cross is seen in the variation 34. xf4 la.xd4 35.l!xd4 'll'xd4+ 36.Mxd4 .t.xd4+
37.st;fl Axal-+ 34....i xM 35.l!.Xb4 l!xgz+ 0-1
The Broken Cross
Here we demonstrate unonhodox (or combinative) methods of liberation from this terrible pin:
(2-82) Steinitz - Gorham 1k Lester
.....corr 1888
g
,. ,. @
19.fff.3?! 19.c3 is the alternative. e.g., t9 ...£g4 20.~ d2 HfS+ 21.ltgl ixe3+ 22Jlxe3 and the pins are broken.
19.Mf.3?! i xe3+ 19...tixf3+ 20.ltlxf3 ixd3 21.Axd3 lile5+ 22.~ f4 lilxd3+ 23.cxd3 hb2 offers better winning
ch ances. 20.'lh:e3 ffxe3+ 21.llxe3 llxe3 22.wxe3 ixd3 23.ixd3 fte8• 24.~f4 ~ ds 25.fth.3 ~ e6+ 26.wg4 as
27.ftf.3 lle7 28.llfS b6 29.fthS f6? 29...lilf8 is called for. 30.fth6 1-0
(2-83) Gligoric - Langeweg
C-·A_m_st_er_d_a_m_1_9_7 _1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
J
g
'' • ''
•.t
,. ,. g
'jj' /3,
.t 1i.
~~ ti:J
t!, I:!, t!, ti:.
ii @ii. g
12.ftcl! breaks the cross and so Black resigned. 1-0

103
(2-84) Ljubojevic - Miles
C- L_a_ v_a_ll_e_tt_a_t_9_8o_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _-
J
28...tl'xdl+! 29.l!lxdl fxg2+ 30.l!ld2 !l.fd8+ 31.i.d5 l!xd5+ 0.1

The False Cross
Finally, we should warn the reader against various kinds of pseudo-pins. Let us consider a game that young
Charousek played while blindfolded:
(2-85) Truszkovsky - Charousek
Miskolcz (bO 1890
~~·
.ii.
''' -, .t
.t '
All i
.i
,_
-
~
'
'fflt
.l::t~
fl, /j t:, [}, /j
I .l::t <;ti
A triple pseudo-pin! Obviously. only one of the three pins is real, that along the d8-h4 diagonal. The other
pins have as their objects well-protected pieces, and moreover there is no absolute pin. The key piece is
attacked four times, however. and the situation looks dangerous for Black. Charousek solves the problem
with brilliant simplicity- he moves the key piece:
17...~ d7! ! 17...lile4 is also very strong. 18.'lfh4?! 18.l!xfB• llxf8 19.tixdS+ .txd5 20..txe7 .t.d4+ 21.lllh l txfl +
22.lilxfl .txc3 23.bxc3 .b:a2-+ 18...tfcS+ 19.l!lhl llxf.3 20.llxf3 llel+ 21.~ ft d4? 21...gaJ-> 22.ffxel i.xf3
23.gxt:l dxc3 24.ffe8+? 24.t!'e6• .!lfll 25.t!'xd7 lfxg5 26.1k8+ M 7 27. xc7• ~ e7 28.'lk4• fte6 29.'ll'c71 24...~ f8
25..i.e7 'IUS?! 25...ttf2-+ 26.l!lg2?! cxb2 27..ixfB .ixf8 28.ffel ffxc2+ 29.~ d2 b l =tf 30.'lfxbl ffxd2+ 0-1
( <2-86) Geller - Euwe

Ziirich 1953 )
22...!'!h8?! 22...'8d5!? 23.!le4 I!c6 24.!lael Le6 is even bener for Black.
22...llh8?! 23.tl'xhB !lc2 24.llcl ? The queen's attacking road must be blocked with 24.dSll .bdS 25.lldl !lxg2+
26.Ml !la2 27 i d2= 24 ...llxg2+ 25.lllfl tl'b3 26.l!lel tff'3 0.1
104
Shumov's Cross
(.Aarhus
.._ 1953 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
(2-87) Olsen - Jacobsen )
1.llexd5? 1.BxdS+- 1...1hg2•!! Completely unexpected - the Cross disappears!. Now it is Black who chains
his opponent, as the illsta rred rook is double pinned. An astonishing metamorphosis! l...bc6?? 2.l!.."(d81/
2.l!lxg2 .ixc6 0-1
{(2-88i Mis.zito - Kloza

\._Poland 1955
1....w.c:5? Black liquidates the double pin with his own Ideal Cross. but the matter is not so simple. l...1fa2•
2.<.tfl ffee7 is more tenacious.
1....w.c:5? Z.1fh7•!! l!lxh7 3.llxg7• l!lh8 4.llg8• l!lh 7 5.lllg7• l!lh 6 6.llg6• l!lh7 7.118g7• l!lh 8 8.llh 6# 1-0
( (2-89) Toran - Kuijpers

Malaga 1965 )
@
g .t .l
.l .l .l .l
.l /3, 'iii .fl
13, 13,
/j ~ /j /j
11 g.>
1 ....l'.d4• ?! Z..i.e3 1fg5? Here St. Andrew's Cross is not solid enough. By simply destroying one of the pinning
pieces. White ruins his opponent's formation. 3.1fxd4! 1-0
105
(2-90) Karpov - Kas parov
( New York 1990
J
----------
29.l!lh l?! 29..t.e311 t gS
''
g
•
~' lLJ
!},
' _t
~
'
_t '
~ 1i. !},
~ WN ~
~ It~
And now one pin is just broken by 30.~ f4! tl'es (30....t xf4 31 J!xf4 tl'es 32..t.d4 gs 33.Rf7•+-) 31..t.d4 t h6
32..t.xes dxes 33.'lfc3 exf4 34.1!:cdl +-
29.lllhl ?! .ixd5 30.cxdS ffd4 31.dxc6 b xc6 32.Rxc6 Re 8 33.l'lc4 ffxd2 34.:ixd2 .ie5 35.i.e3 .ig3 36.l'lf'3 h4
37..i.£2 .ix:f2 38.Rxf2 Rde7? 38...~ h6 is more tenacious. 39.!!.f4 gS 40.l'lf6 llxe4 41J!xe4 l'!xe4 42.l'lxd6 lle7
43.Ra6 l!ly;7 44.l!lgt 1-0
~ ) Ada ms - Dreev
~don1995
32.lle5 l'lf6?! 33.llcS 'll'b8 34..ixe6+ 34.l'lc7•!? ltg6 35.ffg3++- 34...l!lg6

For his attacking zeal White is rewarded with a Maltese Cross. Black's king finds him self in an x-ray pin, so
Adams liquidates the absolute pin and uses his remaining pieces to weave a mating net. 35..1:1.xfS+ 35.llc7!?
Rexe6 36 ...lxe6 Rxe6 37.11'xe6••- 35 ...l!lh6 36.ffxbS lLtj>S 37 •.id3 g6 38.l'le7 .ic6 39.g4 1-0
106
( <Z-92) Kaidanov - Orlov
USA 1995 _ _ _ _ _ _ _)
24.ffxfi Double pin against thee-pawn. 24....ixd4 25 ..ixh6? 25./;'_xc6 lllcc6 26~ a2 is called for. 25....ixeS
26.ltxes A third pin appears. 26....w.d s 27..i..'idS?
St. Andrew·s Cross. complicated by an extra diagonal pin. 27.'l!ig6 lae7 28.!lxdS ~ xds is forced and
dynamically balanced or slightly bener for Black. 27...ffxdS!! With a single blow Black solves aU his
problems. 28.llx ds exfS 29.l!xc8 l!xc8 30.IL'i15 gxh6 31.h3 w fl and Black went on to win. 0-1
Postscript
Of course, all of the above does not exhaust the theme of multiple pins - chess is limitless. For example.
where would we assign a structure composed of two absolute pins against one king? Below is an example:
~
White to play and win

U ~e8+ 1'g 8 2.1'h5+ 1'h 7 3.ffgS ffg8? 3...gl ='lf 4.'ltxgl h6+ 5.il.f7 t\'h7+ 6.lte8 f4 is a tablebase draw. 4.1'h6+
ffh7 5.'!ff8+ 1'g8 6.e7!
107
6...g1='11' 7.t:rh 6• ffh 7 8.e8=t:r• t:rgg8 9.'ll'xh7• lllxh7 10.'ll'h5#
This problem-like masterpiece makes it easier to study another type of combination. known as Mitrofanov's
Deflection, which we intend to analyze in chapter 5 of the Tacrician·s Handbook.
( <2·94) Pirrot - Hertneck
Germany 1989
----------------------- J
1....w.g4 0-1 in view of 2.lsxg4 1ffl- 3.!lgl l.;g3+4.hxg3 1fh311
Exercises
(2-95)
How to use White's advantage in development?

(2-95) Wang Zili - Steingrimsson

Novi Sad 1990
22.t:re4!? 22.•b b6 .tf6 (22...'ll'xb6 23.!l'xe5 0-0 24..1d3) 2U.d4 .txd4 24.t:xd4 0-0 25.Yc3 is also good :
22. xe5? ilhe5 23.fxeS bxe5 24.!:d6 !1e8 25.Exe61.Xe6 26.'"'5 -;td? 27."'dl+ lie? 28i.xc6 itxe6 29. ,d6• lie?
30." a6 l::d8 sells White's advantage too cheaply.
22.ffe4!? 'll'c7 23-"'b5!
108
g
.t. .t
'8' •
.t.
.t. .t.
g
.t.
.t. i. i. .t
~ /j
ti,
/j /j, /j, /j,
<t; ll Ii
23...llcS 24..i xc6+ 'ffxc6 25.'lfxeS?! 25.tl'xc6+ Jtxc6 26ixh6 !l:xb6 27.fxes .ibS 28.r hel 'l,e7 29.b3 cs 30.lle2
should be winning. 25...'lfxcS 26.'lfxg? 'lfxc2+ 27.1!/al l!/e 7 28.llhel llhd8? 28...trfS \\~th drawing chances is
called for. 29.llxe6+ l!lxe6 30.'lfeS# 1-0
(2-96)
While 10 move and win

(2-96) Robatsch - Jansa )

Sochi 1974
-----------
12.'lfd2 12. el wms as well. 12 ...'lfxdS 13.'lfxc3• es 14.0.u S 1-0
(2-97)

U
(Z-97) Alcvis t - Kuzmin
Reggio Emilia 1976
-----------
)
22.itxl'7! ! 1-0 in view of 22...1.xf7 23..lc4· .lldS 24.11'! 3· ;!;e6 2S~ g3•+-.
109
(2-98)
How 10 use the exposed position or Black's bishop d5?

(2-98) Ljubojevic - Karpov

Amsterdam 1988
22.0 e3! ! .ixb3 22....t xg2?! 23.itxf7• lflh8 24.~xg2•- 23.J.xc6 h6 Z4Jla3 hxg5 25.llxb3 .w.f8 26.wg2 l!e6 27..w.1>5
wg7?! 28-h3 i.e7 29..i.c3 i.d 6 30.l'la3 .w.b8 31.l!a8 lle7 32.i.d2 e4 33.d4 Ac7 34.llc8 0 f8 35.i.c3 0 8h7 36.i.c6
0 f8 37.bS 1-0
(2-99)
How 10 use Black·s initiative?

(2-99) Cifuentes Parada - Zvjaginsev

Wijk aan Zee 1995
Z4...0 xf2!! 2s.w xf2 itxe3 26..i.xe3 26.ltxe3 ~g4• 27.ltd2 ~ xh~ 26...0 g4• 27.wt:3 0 xh2• 28.wl2 ~ g4•
29.wf3 lfe6 30..i.f4 l'le8 31.ffc4
.t
'
31 ...ffe3•!? 32.i.xe3 itxe3• 33.wxg4 .i.c8• 34.wgS h6• 35.wxh6 l!e5 0-1
110
111
(2-102)
How did White finish the game?

(2-102) Pachman - Gunnarson

Vrnjacka Banja 1967
26.l!dxd7+! 26.!:cxd7+? r.xd7 27.'ll'bS can be met by 27...'t!,e? 28.'ltxe8 l!xe8 29..:!d7+ lth6 and Black can still
fight.
26.l!dxd7+! l!xd 7 27.lfbS 1-0
Qz.ioJ)
While to move and win

( (2-103) Volchok - Kres lavsky

~USSR 1970
15.ffg4+ 1Jd7 15...ltbS 16i.'<e5+-- 16.ie 7 '1Jxg4 17.l!xdS# 1-0
- - - - - - - - - - - -- J
(2-104)
112
How to use White's queens?
Show/Hide the Sohrtion
(2-104) Keller - Jaser

( corr 1978
j
------------
29.'ll'dxd4! 29.1txf8·1? ltx!l! 30.~6• lte8 31.1td6 fce7 32.~gS should win as well in the long run, but is much
more complicated.
29.'!l'dxd4! ~ xd4 30..ith 6 ~ e6 J1.'i,xe6 1-0
c <2-1os,
White to move wid win

{iz-ios) Krasenkov - Arbakov

~OSCO\\! 1989 _)
29.ll.xe6 ll.xe6 30.ffxfB+ llld 7 3t .fff7+ lle7 32.e6+ lllc6 33.Hf6 'l:l'd5 34.he7 lllb6 35.f.3 llgS?! 35... xf.3 36..tcS•
lta5 37.'itxf.l .txf3 38.g5 lle8 39.e7 ltxa4 40.ltf2 ih5 41 .l!cl tf7 42.dS ixdS 43.lte3 b4 44.ltd4 i.f7 45..,xc4+-
36..itc5• llla5 37.ll'f4?! 37.itf21?+- 37...c3?! 38.axbS axb5 39.a4 llc8 40.axb5• lllxh5 4U!bl + lllc4 42.ll'e3 1-0
(2-106)
g .t g
ti .t. .t. .t.
.t.
·~ .,
'iW .t.
ltJ
!'!:, .i
!'!:, /j I'!:,
~ <,S;>
White to move and win

C
(2-106) Golubev- Mantovani B7
Biel 1992
26.'ll'xcS• ffh6 26... cs 2Hlc6• l!.a8 28.i..xbB# 27.~c6+ was 28.l'txb6 1-0
J
113
114
(2-109)
How to defend against the pin of the e4-pawn?

(2-109) Rosselli - Treybal

The Hague 1928
30.llde2? 30.llftl pins Black's bishop and turns the tables in view of 30...l!xe4 31.g4+-
30.llde2? i g6 31.a4 '!Jf.3 32.llf2 ixe4 33.'!l b2?! lfd3?! 33...tfg41?-+ 34,gd2? 34.axbS offers more resistance.
but Black comes out on top after 34 ....lxg2 35.B.xe7 ::L-,;e7 36.;txgZ Zle3 37.bxc6 11'e 4• 38.;!;h3 b e6+ 39.ltgZ
ffxc6• 34...ixg2 35.!lxd3 1ixel + 0-1
@ to> )
White co move and win

(2-110) Kotov- Kholmov

( USSR 1971
28.'lfbS! llxc2 28...:lxbS 29.ltxcS+ l!f7 30i-,;a7·- 29.ixa7 llxa2 30..icS h 6 31.h4 1!1h7 32.hS l --O
(2-111)
.ea
115
Black ro move and win
( <2·111) Ribli - Adorjan

\._Hungary 1983
2 7....ifl !! 0-1
------------------------- J
(2-112)
Black ro move and win

(2-112) Palamik - Kruppa

Kiev 1984
39...i.xe4• 40.ll1xe4 lixg3 41.l!al 0-1 in view of 41...\\'c3 42.1te2 42. xc3 l!e311 42...1'b2 43.l!hZ ffxal -•
('iz.it 3)
g
.t.
.l
..t
...
~ .l ~·
lb.i. •
11
.i A ~
A~A ~A
11 @
How to deal with White's anack?

(2'.113) Anand - Gelfand

( W1Jk aan Zee 1996
J
~---------
2t...fxe6? Now White's anack kicks in. Surprisingly. in the middle of this raging attack, Black has time for
21...!leSI which lends extra support 10 the essential e6-square and leaves White at a loss for a comfocing
attacking move. 22.!se4 (22.!lefl fails to the strong intermediate move 22....th41 which completely destroys
the harmony of White's army) 22...h e6 Now after the s pectacular 23.::Ixe6!? (23.~e6 fxe6 24.1'xg6• ~7 and
the anack has come to a hold) 23...fxe6 (23...t."xe617 (Rasmus Svanel 24.he6 a.w 6 25J!fl b6 is also better for
Black.) 24.'llxg6• i,P 2s.ro1 (On the third r ank the rook has stable squares.) 2S...tl'd71 (After 25... bS 26.l!h 3,
Black has 10 find the prophylactic 26...l!lfBI 27.l!f.3• 1t-g8 leading to a repetition of moves.) 26.~f61 (26.llh3?
l!e7! was Black's point.) 26...bS 27.>\xe6• 1t~e6 28.:he6 l!fS Black comes out on top.
116
117
)
How 10 defend wnh While?

( ....___
Moscow 1921________ J
(2-116) Alekhine - Grigoriev
_____,
25.llxd2? Black ge1s 100 active now. 2S.J.e4 1l<xb2 26.1ff2..._
and 2S.li'.h6• .tg7 26..t.e4+-- win directly.
25.l'L'l:d2? gxd2 26..ie4 ltxe2 27..ixc2 llxc2 28.lldl?! 28.aSI? {'xas 29.llal cs 30.h4 offers bener chances.
28...hs 29.lld8• 111h7 30.llh8 filc5 31.b3 llh2 32.aS gJcb3 33.lllf2 llbt 34.llb5 llcl 3S.lllg3 b3 36.a6 filxa6
37.llxb3 files 38.llh6 11le6 39.llb 2 filg7 40.fild6 l!lg6 41 .e4 llc6 'h-'h
@ t 7) J
How 10 deal with White's Cross?

(2-117) 111atveeva - Prudnikova )

( Azov 1991
---------
30...'IfgS!I An unexpected solution IO the Cross! 31.lfh8• 31.~ e4? ll'xh61 32.gxh6 /.d4• 33.tfl (33.t..f2?1
lteU) 33...gJ(h7 34.lixh7 e4-• 31...111f7 3Ufxe8·?! 32.tl'h7 ...h8 33.lcxe4 llxh7 34.lcxgS• st.es 35.l!e6• st.dB
36. d6• ~ c7 37..llc6• stb8 38.~.xh7 1.d4• 39..tfl Icx.h7 40 ..tf4- is more 1enacious. 32...111xe8 33..ixgS .ixc3
34.lle6• lllf7 35.llxe4 gd7 36.h4 f!xd5 37.lte7• lllg6 and Black went on to win. 0-1
118
3
Domination
The next focus is on "Domination· -the trapping or confmemenl of a piece. Simple examples include a
knight trapped on at after capturing a rook. or the position of a knight on a4 hemmed in by an enemy
bishop on the d4·square. Bui here Charushin elevates the "Domination" theme to a new level, classifying the
combination and illustrating it with games and compositions by top chessplayers. We can now witness the
evolution of this attractive motif across the centuries, from a mere tactical trick 10 the modern culmination
of deep strategic thought. Charushin puts particular emphasis on development of "Domination" in the chess
games of world champions, where the idea is refined into an art form.
This third chapter of The Taccician's Handbook is devoted to the combinational theme "Domination." You
will soon be convinced that this is not a simple combination: it requires a rapid tactical conception which is
in some cases a consequence of complex strategic plans. The precise ideas of domination were formulated
by the great world champion Jose Raul Capablanca, and have been refined by world champion Anatoly
Karpov.
As an "appetizer" we pr esent one example of Domination in action, given in the notes to the following game:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _)
42...t,xb Z!! 43.11.xbZ llxb2 44.'!Sat a2 45.0 fl
45...lleZ!? Giersing plays for domination. 45...llbl 46. a2 llxct + 47.d:f2 l!c3 is also very good for Black.
46.~ el 46.l!et c2-• 46 ....ia4 4Hlc2 Ludwig Bachmann gives the following variation: 4H' fl :ilib2 48.~ et
llbd2 49.;t;fl (49.~ f.l ~d3-+) 49...th2 50.ltgl (50.~ f3 llhf2+ St.Itel t:de2JI) 50.... hf2-+
119
120
121
~ Petrov - Szymansky
War saw 1847 )
g'IJ g
.t. .t. 'IJ .t..t..t.
.t. '1!t'
.t
.t. ~ ii.
I",
I", WI t,, t,, t,,
!I ii. li <$l
1S..i.f5! In this position, another domination is even possible: 15..thSI ffe6 16..uf7•! lllxf7 (16...ffxf7 1 H ' d6•)
IH',gS++-
1S..if5! 0 x:f5 Black could play on after 15...UxfS 16.e.d6+, but !he text move leads 10 mate. 16.~f6• 1-0
( (3-4) Petrov - Journoud l

\..._Paris 1863 ...)
1.e4 es 2.f4 exf4 3.~ f.3 gs 4.h4 g4 s.~ es ~ f6 6..i.c4 dS 7.exds .id6 8.d4 ~ h s 9..il>S•?! lllfil?! 9...c6!? 10.dxc6
bxc6 1U lxc6 e.xc612..txc6• Ms 13..l xas e.g3-• Rosanes-Anderssen, Breslau 1863. 10.0 c3 ~ g3?! tl.i.xf4
t1.";h21? 11 ...~ xhl 12.l!'dZ? 12.ltd2= is critical. 12...'lfxh4• 13.g3 ~ xg3 14.'lff2 ~ fS 1S.'lfxh4 ~ xh4 16 ..ih6•
lllg817.~e4 .ie7 18-.ieS ~ f.3• 19.wf2 ~ xeS 20.dxeS ifs 21.~ f6• .ixf6 22.exf6
Dominating !he rook. 22 ...~ d7? Now Black does not have enough material left to free himself. 22...e.a6!
23.::lel e.cs wins. 23..ixd7 i.xd7 24.f!el lleS 25.llxeS• .ixe8
.t.
A rar e position. Black has an extra rook a nd pawn, but is boxed in with no way to extricate himself. 26.wgl
.id7 27.c4 as 28.a3 a4 29.cS ii.cs 30.d6 cxd6 3t .cxd6 .id7 32.lllf4 .ie6 33.wgl 'h-'h
122
(3-5) Gunsberg - Steinitz )
( ___
w_c_h _N_e_w_Y_o_rk_ t8_9_o_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
32.aS! To deflect the queen - a curious and unusual case of domination! The b5-pawn is undefended but any
capture of it leads to the loss of a piece. Charushin 32...~ xbs 32...1Jlxb5 33.t:xd6 lle8 (33...1/ixe2 34.llcel +-)
34.~ f4+- 33.ffxe7+ wxe7 34.axb6 axb6 35.~c4 and White went on to win. 1-0
((3-6) Study by Capablanca & Lasker

~ int914
1.~ xc7 ~ xc7 2.ga8+!! ~ xa8 2...ltxa8 3.l!ixc7 <!a7 4.<!c6 l!;a8 S.<!xb6 ll,b8 6.i!ia6 lta8 7.b6 l!;b8 8.b7 <!c7
9.lta7- 3.wc8! Surprising domination of the knight! 3...~ c7 4.wxc7 wa8 5.wxb6+-
(3-7) Morrison - Capablanca

New York 1918
The following games show Capablanca's original idea which has transferred the tactical conception into the
r ealm of strategy (the short quotes by Capablanca are from A Primer of Chess, London 1935; Charushin.
consulted the Russian edition. Moscow 1983).
1.e4 e5 2.~ ~ c6 3..ib5 d6 U l c3 id7 5.d4 exd4 6.~ xd4 g6 Hlf.3 it.g7 8..q5 ~ f6 8...t ge7? runs into 9.~ d5!
9.ffd2 h6 10..ih4 0-0 11.0-0-0 ges 12.llh el g5 13.i.g3 ~ hs 14.~ d s a6 15..idJ i e6 16.c3 f5?! "The beginning of
an attack. the purpose of which is to either win the g3-Bishop or cut it off from play." (Capablanca). But
Black's king defense is very weak now. 17.M f4
•.t
'
123
124
( (3·9) Capablanca - Bogoljubow
London 1922
27.f4 Capablanca aims 10 dominate Black's bishop. 27...T!le?

28.g4 ig6 29.f5
From 110111 011 che bishop is cue offfrom the theater ofmilitary
acrion. White plays as though he has an extra piece. fl is true
that his pawn position is worse, bur the "extra· piece can
comper1Sate for marry deficiencies. capablanca 29....ih? 30.li lg3
1'e5 31."'1g2 l!ab8 32.llabl f6 3H}f3 l!b2• 34.llxb2 ffxb2+
35.l!e2 T!lb3 36.~ d4
36...T!lxe3? A wrong exchange. Black should keep the queens on as his bishop needs a lot of time to come
back into the game. After 36...f:rxc4, Black is not worse. 37.IL'Ce3 l!b8 38.l!c3 w fl 39."'1f3 l!b2?! 40,qigeZ?!
40.li::e6 lild7 41.~ e2 is more precise. 40...igS 41.~e6 qib3? 41...lte7 is called for. 42.c5 dxc5 43.~xc5 ~ d2•
44."'1f2?! 44.t f4 liJfl 45.~ d4 lff2• 46.otf3 oth2 47 ..','.xa4 ¢ e7 48.~ b6- 44..."'1e7 45.<;!/el ~ b l 46.l!d3 a3?
46... • d6 is more tenacious. 47.d6• ltld8 48.~d4 llb6 49.~de6• ixe6 SO.fxe6 llh8 51 .e?+ we8 SU:ixa6 1-0
(3-10) Sou ltanbeieff - Winte r

Ra msgate 1929
Capablanca took th e s1rategic concept and expanded it into absolute domination! The first game was one to
which Capablanca was a spec1ator; he offers an instructive post-monem:
125
126
Combination Cross! Charushin. 55...bxa6 56.l!xd7 l!e7 57.l!xd8•! A strategically inter esting game. 1-0
(3-12) Capablanca - Czerniak

Buenos Aires 1939
In this game, the wonderfully ingenious Cuban n,~ce carries out the domination of the opposing queen. -
Charushin. 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exdS cxdS 4.c4 0 c6 5.0f3 .ig4 6.cxdS ffxd5 7..ie2 7.e.c31? 7 ...e6 8.0-0 0 f6
9.0 c3 ffa510.h3 ih5 11.a3 l!d812.g4 ig6 13.b4?! .ixb4? Too risky. 13...tl'c7 is called for. 14.axb4 ffxal
15.'Wb3 Threatening 16..tb2. The first domination of the queen. Charushin. 1S...l!xd4 16..ia3! .ic2 17.'Wxc2?!
17.:ixal hb3 18.bS .td5 19.bxc6 hf.l 20..tcs A.xc6 21.Axd4 is preferable. 17...§ xa3 18.0bS! '=!'xb4? 18...l:xg4•
19.hxg4 ttxb4 is critical 19.0 fxd4 0 xd4
I. .I. • .I. .I. .I.

.I. ii
~
~
~ 'II £!,
[!,
'tW iJ.. £!,
20.0 x d4?! 20.'flc8• lte7 21.ttc7• ~ d7 22.~ d4 lld8 23.lld l might be even stronger. 20...0--0 20...&xd4?
21.11'c 8• 'Dd8 22..tb5• lte7 23.'ltxb7• Ms 24.!:cl •- 21.i!.dl 0 d5?! 22..if.3 ~ f4 23.1!.>h 2 eS?! 24.0fS g6 25.0 e3
0 e6 26.0 d 5 § a3 27.l!d3 ffal 28.'Wd2 l!.>g7 29.Ve2?! 29.!.l'e3.._ is more precise. 29...f6 30.Ve3 a6 31.!idl?!
31.e.c31? 31.. :i,1>2 32.0 c3 0 d4?! 33.iibl ffc2 34.il.e4 "The black queen cannot escape her fate" Alekhine.
Charushin: "The second domination of the queen. Alekhine's comments are from the book Gran Ajedrez,
Madrid. 1982; pp.98-100. 1-0
36...i!.d2! Dominating the bishop! Charushin . 37.0 xe5• l!.>e7 38..ibl i!.b2 39.i!.e6• l!.>d 8 40.l!d6+ l!.>c8 41.M
i!.xbt 42.g4 c3 43.l!d3 b4 44.axb4 a,w4 0-1
127
128
(3-15) Ale khine - Bogoljubow
Vienna 1922
Absolute domination on the board. But how should White finish the game? Alekhine finds a fantastic
combination:
1.ffxb4!! cxM 2.a7!! ffd8 2...J::xc4 3.a8='1t ...- ; 2...la.xa7 3.llc8•.._ 3.ltxc7 tfa8 4.ltlb3 4.llc6•- 4...ltlg8 5.wxb4
ltlf8 6.i!f'7• ltlg8 7.ltlc3 lfc8• 8.ltld2 ltlh8 9.lic7!! lfa8 10.ltle3 wg8 11.ltlf.3 wfs U.ltlg4 ltlg8 13.h6! gxh614.wh5
ltlh8 15.lih7• ltlg8 16.ltlxh6 ffc8 16...t.tfS• 17.g7+- 17.l1c7!1 !l'f8• 18.g7 lfa8 19.g e? ffc8 20.ltlg6 !l'a8 21.l1f7 ffe8
22.aS=lf !l'xa8 23.!!f8• 1-0
(3-16) Alekhine - Beaubien

Montreal bf sim 1923
19.if4! .id6 Z0.0 e5•? 20.1xd6 cxd6 21.lla fl gives White a strong initiative. 20...~ xeS? 20..•t xeSI 21.dxeS
ltf7= opens the rook's road back. 21.dxes .ie7 22.h3 Dominating the rook! 22...ggs 23..ixgS .ixgS• 24.ltld3
cs 25.lihfl il.e7 26.gael c4• 27.ltlc2 ltlh6 zs.gf7 ges 29.e6 bS 30.a3 as 31.ffi lid8 32.lleeS g6 33_gf? 1-o
~ 7 ) Wolf- Alekhine
Karlsbad 1923
------------------------ J
16...i .xd3! '"Beginning the domination of White's bishop" Charushin. 17.cxd3 17.\l'xd3? :ixe2 18.ttxez d31-
and Black wins a piece.; 17JL,ce81xft l 8J'.xf8· ,!;xfS 19.'l;xft 1 xd2 is also promising for Black. 17 ... gxeZ
18.!fxez '!l'fS 19.m !l'xdS ZO.lfe 4 !l'e 6 21.fS 2t.lfxb7 1xd2!-+ 21 ...l!'eS 22.lfxeS? 22.,;1;g2 is more circumspect.
22...d xes 23.ltlg2 f6 24.ltlf.3 ii.d B!
129
130
(3-19) AJekhin e - Euwe
wch Netherlands 1937
Sometimes the domination of a piece is not relevant:
18...b6? 18...fs limits the damage. 19..ia6! "As the game continuation shows, the threat to lock in the bishop
by means of...b6-bS was an illusion" Alekhine. 19...!!b819...gc7 20.thcl+- 20.e4 b S 20...f6 21.exdS t\'xd5
22."lael+ <tf7 23.ge7++-2UJf41
This powerful i11cermedia1e move takes away Black's last hope ofmaking a prize of the bishop 011 a6. Alekhine.
21 ...!!b6 2t...~d8 22.exdS lfxdS 23.!!.hel + .&.e6 24..!!eS ttxd4+ 2S.'ltxd4 llxd4 26.hb5++- 22.exd5 'll'xds
23.!!.hel+ .ie6 24.llacl f6 25.llc71wd826.l!.xa7 1-0
c (3-20) AJekhine - Vates

London 1922 J
1.d4 ~ f6 2.c4 e6 3.M d5 U :lc3 i e7 5..r.gS 0-0 6.e3 ~ bd7 7.llcl c6 8.1Jc2 l!e8 9.i d 3 dxc4 10.ixc4 ~ dS
11.~ e4 11.Axe7 &xe7 12.0-0 is the main line. 11 ...f5? this weakens the dark squares too much. 11 ...tl'aS+, as
played later in Griinfeld- Yates, Mera no 1926, is called for. 12..w.xe7 'lfxe7 13.0 ed2 b5 14 ..ixdS cxd 5 15.0-0
a516.~ b3
g .t g
~ 'i' ,. ,.
@
,. ,. ,. ,. j.
8
tiJ /j tiJ
/j 8 ~ 8 t3, 8
g ii@
16...a4? 16...~6. with the idea 17.~ xas b4 18.lsfel ~s to get some coumerplay, 1s more m the spim ot the
position. 17.~ cS ~ xcS? In the following endgame. Black has no counterplay and can only sit and wait for
the execution, which will come in the form of an invasion on the dark squares. 17...~ b6 offers better
practical chances. 18.'lfxcs 'lfxc5 19.llxcS b4 20.gfcl .ia6 21.~ e5 lleb8 22.f.l b3 23.a3 h6 24.l!lfZ Alekhine
activates the last force- his king. 24...l!lh7 25.h4 llf8 26.l!lg3 l!fb8 27.l!c7 .ibS 28.lll cS .ia6 29.l!Sc6 ges
30.l!lf4 l!lg8 31.h5 ifl 32.g3 .i.a6 33.l!f7 l!lh7 34.llcc7 llg8 35.M7 lllh8 36.~ f6 i!gf8
131
132
133
(<3'.iiJ Botvinnik - Spielmann
\_Moscow 1935
1.c4 c6 2.e4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.d4 lilf6 5.lilc3 lilc6 6.ig5 'll'b6?! 7.cxd5 ffxh2? 7...~ xd4 is critical. 8.l'!cl ! lilb4
8...li::a5 9.'!fa4++-; 8.A:;d8 9..txf6 exf6 10..tbS• J.d7 1U.xd7• ltxd7 12.~.ge2 J.d613.0-0 f514.1td3 g6 1H ': bS•-
9.lila4
g .t
.I. .I.
Domination of the queen! 9...Wxaz 10.i c4 .ig4 11.lilfl ixf3 12.gxf.l 1-0 as there is only 12..."lra3 13.f c3•-.
.t
55...lilc8 Botvinnik blocks the rook's road. 56.lllbS 56.a7? itb6• - 56....ifZ S,7.lllaS i a7 58.lllbS f6 59.lllb4 es
60.fxeS fxe5 61.lflc3 .ib8 62.lfld3 ~ b6 63.a7 lilxa8 64.a.xb8=tr• 1!1xb8 65.lfle 4 lilb6 66.1!1xe5 lild7• 0-1
( <3-26) Botvinnik - Donner

Noordwijk 1965 _ _ _ _ _ _ _)
50.'ll'fl! Botvinnik block's the queen·s road. 50...gs "Now the outcome of the struggle is obvious, for the
continuation 50...h3 St.as bxas S2.bxas Ug2 S3.a6 leads to the loss of Black's last trump card. the h3-pawn .
However. there is no other way to free himself" Botvinnik. 51.a5 bxaS 52.bxa5 g4 53.a6 1-0
134
135
( <3-30) Tim man - Smyslov
Las Palmas 1982 _______ )
19...!l.bS! An odd domination of the knight, which has no retreat. 20.1'c3! 20.<l'. cS? f!txc7-+; 20.~c3? 1hc7-+
20... bxa4 2Ul'c6 ~ bes 22.dxcS ~ es 23.'ll'd 6 1Lw 2 24.i.c3! IL"<e2 25.i.xeS .ixeS 26.'1Jxe5 1fh4 27.g3 1fb4
28.~ f6 ffi 29.c6 l:let + 30.llxet ~ xet + 31.wg2 ~ cl 32.'lfe7 '1Jc4 33.'ll'd7 'll'e4+ 'h-'h
( (3-31) Tai - Gasic

Sarajevo 1966 )
2t.g4 Domination of the queen! 21 ....b d4+? 21... h41 is forced and leads to unclear play after 22..tf2 i e5
23.!i'ht <l'. de3 24..t xh4 fl.xft 25.if2 fl. fd2 22.~ xd4 Bh4 23.exds 0 e5 24.l:lxes 1-0
(3-32) Tai - Filipowicz )

( Halle 1974
-----------------
31 ..id3 Domination of the rook on d4. 31...lla2 31....ta4? 32.llal +-32.wf2 .b4 Domination of the rook on b3.
33.we3 0 c6?! 33... d3+!? 34.l'txd3 ixc2 35Jld2 b3 was wonh trying. 34.l:lcl! wl(l 35.~ b 7 l:lc4!? 36.iLxc4
d xc4 Further domination of the rook! 37.~d6 .ixb3!? 37...cxb3 38.cxb3 .l.xb3 39JLxc6 .ab2 40...cc7 i d5=
38.cxb3 llxb2 39.l:lxc4 ~ e7!? 39...llxbl• 40.;!;d2 fl.e7 4 l .llc7 1111'8 42.g4= 40.we4 ~ ds 40...ll.xb3 4t.g4 <l'.d5
42.fl.eS• l!lf8 4H:f6= 41.~eS• wrs lh-'h
136
137
138
139
140
c (J-37) Fischer - Reshevs ky
New York 1958
1.e4 cs 2./ofJ /oc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lox d4 g6 5./ocJ iy;, 6.i.eJ lof6 7.i.c4 0-0 8.i.bJ loaS? 9.eS! /oe8?! 10.:..xf7+!
wxf7 11.1oe6! !
Domination! Black is compelled to surrender his queen, as it is impossible to play 1t...wxe6. ll...dxe6
tt...11xe6 t2.'ll'd5+ ~ts 13.g4• wxg4 14..agl • followed by mate in three. 12.ffxd8 /oc6 13.ffd2 i.xeS 14.0-0 lod6
15.M4 /oc4 16.He2 .ixf4 17.Hxc4 wg7 18.loe4 il.c7 19.loc5 llf6 20.cJ es 2Uladl lod8 22.lod7 Hc6 23.ffh4 f!e6
24./ocS f!f6 25./oe4 l!f4 26.'lfxe7+ l!f7 27:ll'aJ /oc6 28.lod 6 .i.xd6 29.l!xd6 :..ts 30.b4 liff8 31.bS lod8 32.!idS lof7
33.f!cS a6 34.b 6 i.e4 35.llel .ic6 36.llxc6 bxc6 37.b7 l!ab8 38.ffxa6 lod8 39.l!bl l!f7 40.h3 l!fxb7 41.llxb7•
llxb7 42.ffa8 1-0
(3-38) Karpov - Vaganian )

( ___
M_o_sc_o_w_1_9_7_2_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
The concise notes were adapted from the following books: Karpov,A. /zbra11nye pani 1969-1977, Moscow
1978: Karpov,A. Sro pobednyklt party. Moscow 1984; Stefaniu.C.. Gheorghiu, Karpov, Bucharest ·1978; Tumir
zvezd. Momreal 1979, Moscow 1979; Turov,8., Moscow 1984.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.loc3 .ib4 4.eS loe7 S./ofJ c5 6.a3 .ixc3+ 7.bxcJ lobc6 8.i.e2 'lfaS 9.0-0 Hxc3? Too greedy.
9...J.d7 is the main move. tO.i d2 '!l'b Z 11.l!bt '!l'xa3 12.l!b3!! 'lfa2? 12...9 a4 13..tb5 Ma2 14. cl a6 15..ld3 c4
16. sa3 t!fxa3 17. xa3 cxd3 18. xd3 .td7 offers more resistance. 13.'lfct lots 13...1<:b414.dxc5.._ 14.lia3 The
lightning hunt or the queen is finished by her destruction. 14...lofxd4 1S.i.d3 15.~ xd4 b d4 16.~5•1 ~
15...loxf3• 16.gxt:3 Hxa3 17.'ll'xaJ 0-0 18.ffxcS loxes 19.i.eZ log6 20.ffc7 f6 21..ib4 lif7 22.'lfd8• lof8 23.il.bS
with the idea 24..te8. with the domination or the rook as well. 1-0
('<J.39) Cal vo - Karpov

~ rid1973
In the next game Karpov slowly but surely dominates his opponent in typical fashion.
1.e4 cs 2./ofJ e6 3.d3 /oc6 4.g3 dS 5.lobd2 il.d6 6..ig2 /oge7 7.0-0 0-0 8.llet ffc7 9.b3?! 9.c3!? 9...il.d 7 10.il.b2
d4! 11 .loc4 es 12.a4 b 6 13.'ll'dZ?! f6 14.h4?! 'lf'b8 lS..iaJ il.c7 16.l!ebl i e6 17.wh 2 Hc8 18.ffe2 il.g4 19.fffl fS!
20.locd2 f4 21..ihJ hS 22.ffgZ log6 23./ogS .id8 24./ogfJ il.e7 25.ligl He6 26.liafl lif7 27.l!hl lia f8 28.wgl ffd6
29.wh2 a6 30.wgt l!f6 31..ixg4 hxg4 32.logS f3 33.ffh 2 lo.h8 34.l!cl?! !!h6
Domination of the knigh1. 35./oc4 'lfc7 All of White·s pieces are in zugzwang. 0-1
141
Anatol)! Karpov
(3-40) Karpov - Unzicker

Nice 1974
In the next case, Karpov exploits a space ad vantage:
24..ia7! No piece exchange! 24 ...lileB 25.li.c2 lilc7 26.l!eal ffe7

27.i.bl li.e8 28.lile2 lild8 29.~h2 :i'.y;l 30.f4 f6 31.fS gS?! 32.iu:2 il.f7 33.lilg3 ~ b7 34..idl h6 35J.h5 tfe8
36.ffdl ~ dB 37Jla3 wf8 38.111a2 wgs 39.~ g4! wf8 40.lile3 wgs 41 .:i.xf7+ lilxf7 42.ffhS lildB 42...lilhB 43.-'<'g4
!txhS 44.l,',xhS Ul
Domination of the h8-knight. 45~6 llxa3 46Ja..xa3 lla8 47. _xa8 ~ xa8 48.~ds and none of Black's pieces can
move; he is in complete zugzwa11gI 43.tfg6! w f8 44.~ hs 1-0
(3-41) Karpov - Timman

( __ M
_ on_t_re_a_l 1_9_7 9_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
J
24.if2 Full harmony in White's camp and black knight a6 is out of play. 24 ....aes 24...~ cS? 25.eS+- 25.ffd3!
ffh7 25.../,',b8 26.e5+- 26.llal ! 0 c7 26...tl'xbZ 27."1eb1 and domination of the queen. 27.l!x as !ldd7 28.b4 0 e6
29..ie3 c5 30.fS 0 d8 31.bS
142
For complete happiness. White must still play c3-c4 to achieve domination of the whole board. 31 ...l!lhS
32..il2 'lfc7 33.!!a4 '!Sb8 34.c4
The big job for White's pieces is finished; only a small task now remains to complete the work. 34...ffa7
35.ffxa7 llxa7 36.e5 dxe5 37.0 xe5 !!a2 38..ixc5 1-0
(13-42) Karpov - Portisch
~ c erne1982
Against Portisch. Karpov managed to dominate the queen twice:
21.il.d2! 0 xe4 If 2t...b6, then 22.g4 '!tc2 23. . c2 .txc2 24..txas .txes 2S.l!xc2+-. But now comes domination of
the queen! 22.g4! 0 xe5 23.gxfS 0 f3• 24.l!lgZ ir.h5 25.'lfa4 0 h4+ 26.l!lh3 ixe2 27.beZ 1-0
Q 3-43) Karpov - Portisch

Turin 1982
= = = = = = = - ')
143
36.i.xd6 cxd6 37:ll'd3 dS 38.1'3!
Wonderful domination of the queenI Black is defenseless against the corning pawn march h3-h4-h5. 1-0
(3-44) Krejcik - Schmunerrnaier

Reinberg-Dobersberg 1924
21.dS 21.'ffcZ+- 21 ...ffxds 22.~ f4 'l!td4• 23.1rxd4• ~ xd4 Z4.~ x e6 ~ eZ• 25.wfZ ~ xcl 26.~ cS•
Domination! 26...we7 27.ftal 1-0
(<3-45) Ziese - Charushin

\_:arr 1991
.i .t. .t. • .t.

..t
.t.
t2J /!, ,ti
/!, /!, .t.
/!, .t.
t:, t:,
~
144
145
146
(3-51) Ponce-Sala - Parpal
Barcelona 1950
21..ih6• wg8 Domination ! 22.g e1 tl'cS• 23.w hl '1Jxc2 24.llbe3 t'lc6 25.'l!'d4 .id 7 26.ges fxe6 27.'lfxf6 1-0
44...1!.xdZ!? 45.11.x dZ f2 46.Ml .ia5 and 0-1 in view of 47$1 *.el .
Domination! 48.e5 <tf7 49.d6 ltie6 50.h4 ltid7 51.e6• ltlxe6-+
Domination ofthe queen

( (3-53) Kugaevsky- Khmelevsky
\_corr 1998 _ _ _ _ ___.)
147
11 ...~ ! ! 12.Axe7 12.h3 tfd6 13. • xn .lh4+ 14.•M l h 2-• 12 .. .i.dt Dominauonl 0-1
Domination in chess composition

((3-54) L.Kubbel
\.2_925
Note: Many of the following compositions are from the book Domination in 2,545 Endgame Studies
by Genrikh Kasparyan (Progress Publishers. Moscow. 1980). The almost unlimited opponunities for the
creation of more and more cunning dominations are represented here by chess composition. Judge for
yourself:
It is White to play and win. u , c2• l!ld8 2.'efh7!! "The beautiful queen sacrifice liquidates all of Black's It is
White to play and win. l.11'c2• ;!;dB 2.trh711 "The beautiful queen sacrifice liquidates all ofBlack·s threats
and sets up an irresistible attack" Kasparyan. 2 ...Wxh7 3.11.xaS• wd7 4.l!a7++- A wonderful domination of
the queen and bishop.
(3-55) V.Bron
( USSR 1948
= = = = = = = . ,)
White to play and win. 1.1!117 0 h 6+ 2.1!/fS 0 g8 3.0 g4 h 6 4.l!lf7 l!lh7 5.0 e5 l!lh8 M lc4 l!lh7 7.0d 6 l!lh8 8.0e8
l!lh 7 9.l!le6 lllh8 10.111ds wh1 11.wd1 whs 12.we6 l!lh7 t 3.wf7 111hs t4.0c7 l!lh 7 1s.0 e5 whs t 6.0 f8+-
Through subtle play. White paralyzed the knight. and after that the king.
~ )Y.Afek
~tes641978
148
White to play and win. 1.~c2 ! 1..ta4? A logical try. t...cxb4 2.cS b3 3..txb 3 " xb3 4.c6 lca5=;
1.lca6? lllxdl 2./cxcS li:c2=
1.~ c2! ~ b l 2.~ a t !! That's it! Not 2.lce3? lila51= 2...~ xat Forced since any other knight move, e.g.• 2.../caS, is
met by Hlb3•! 3..ia4! l!lc3 4.l!ld5 l!lb4 5..idt!•- and Black is in z11gz111ang.
(3·57) G.Zakhudyakin
( --_64_ 1_9_3_1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
J
White to play and win. 1.l!lc5 lilc7 2.l!id6 ~ e8• 3.l!le7 ~ g7 4.ig6! l!lg8 5..i.1'7• l!lh 7 6.l!lf6 l!lh 8 7.l!leS l!lh7
8.l!le4 l!lh8 9.l!lf4 l!lh7 10.l!lg4 l!lh8 11.g6.._ A gem of endgame composition. The possibility of winning in
what seems to be a drawn position 1s remarkable indeed.
{<3-58) J.Peckover
~ nst Memorial Tourney 1959
White to play and win. t .g7 ~ M • 2.l!lc5 i ds 3.l!lxd5 lilfS 4.g8=~ l!lb7 5.l!le5 lilg7 6.lilf6 l!lc7 7.J.h4 l!lc8 8.ig5
l!lc7 9.ih6•-
(3-59) R.Reti
Neue Ziiricher Zeirung 1922
White to play and win. 1.lild4• l!lc5 2.l!lht Z11gz111a11g 2...i ct 2....tf8 3.li:e6H- ; 2....td2 3.~ b3u -3.lilb3• .._
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
(3-76)
White to move and win.

(....._
Moscowt983 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
(3·76) Karpov - Gerogadze )
34.~ e7+! !lxe7 35..i.xa8 !lxe2 36.llxe2 ~ xa8 37.llc2 Domination! 1-0
(3-77)
Black lo mo,·e and win

c (3-77) Franz - CS6

corr 1988
29..!ll'b6 Domination I 30.~ cS we7 31.'We4 llxb8 32.h3 ftbd8 33.~ a4 ~ d6 0-1
(3-78)
156
157
g .t~ g
'' 'l.i. .l.l.l
'' 'I
' t1)
t:, i. t:, t:,
fj t:, fj fj ti
'.g t1) i. 'i!N 'ii? g
White 10 move a11d win.

(3-81) Krogiu s - Aratovsky

( __u
_s_s_R_19_4_s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
J
7.:iJ..U7+ ~ xf7 8.0 e6 'tfb6 9.a5 " b4+ 10.c3 ~ c41Ulc7+ lt.d812.b3 Domination! 1--0
(3-82)
Black has fallen into an opening trap. How to exploit this?

Show(Hide the Solution
{(3-82) Canal - Becker

~ ! s had 1929 _)
12.0xb6 axb6 13.dS ~ as 14.:i.d3 .ir.g4 15.b4+- Domination! And White won in 43 moves. 1--0
(3-83)
g _t g @.t
'' ' "'''
-~ 'I i i.
t:, t:,
,_ ~i. t1) t:,
t:, fj 'i!N fj fj -
'.g ~ <3;>
White 10 move and win.

158
159
J
Whue co move and win.

C
(3-86) W.T.Pierce
...___
1s_s_6_______________________________
J
1..ir.c3 g cz 2.l!.d3 ltti2 3.i d4 llf3+ 4.l!.e4+-
(3-87)

( (3-87) L.Prokes
\._Sachove wneni 1947
1 ..ir.f4+ l!.a 7 2.i.e3+ l!.b8 3.l!.d8 ffa7 4.~c6+ l!.a8 S.~ xa7+-
= = = =)
White 10 move a11d win.

160
161
162
163
4
Lasker's Combination
We now ta kes up a tactical element we call "Lasker's Combination." the destructive sacrifice of two bishops
against the castled king. The stem game (4-2) is rather well known, but the attackin g method itself is
insufficiently explored. The theory of this tactical idea is given here, and a classification of the combination
is offered. More importantly, the internal "natural laws· of this combination a re revealed, recurring
patterns which serve as signposts along the way. For example, note the close relationship of Lasker's
Combination to Alekhine's Block (see chapter 1).
To illustrate the marvelous legacy of the second world champion. 55 games by players of every level, from
novice to world champion, have been chosen. We see a triumphal procession of 1JO years, from Emanuel
Lasker to Garry Kasparov- the heritage of this beautiful combination.
A combination is a possible impossibility! It is a divine spark located absolurely oucside ofchess, and like a
meceor ii lighrs up a game ofchess. Therefore iris wrong, and merely cheapens che combinacional vision. 10
make ic depe11de111 on so-called posi1io11al play. 10 111hich ic is diamerrically opposice. Combination aims 10
descroy che lifeless mass ofchess pieces. che limicing space of the chess board. rhe cold and ari1hme1ical
councing ofmoves. and even che opponem's very spirit. It solves this cask, chrowing overboard all principles of
mauer (nwnber ofpieces!}, position (weak poincs!J, and rime (rempos!). 111/1ile corruring 111i1h impudence che
honest ejforc 10 win by posicional play. Tl1erefore ics rela1io11 10 posicional play is by 110 means complemenrary.
bur ralher disordering... - SavieUy Tartakower
50 Years Ago
The youth o f my generation grew up in the cold and hungry post-war years. Chess. however, is not subject
to circumstances, and Caissa's fire burned constantly in our souls. In the backwoods there were no chess
schools, no sections, no coaches- nobody and nothing. The theoretical knowledge of young chess players
was close to zero. Books were rarities, and no money was available for the only chess magazine, Shakhmary
v SSSR. Few tournaments were scheduled and they were inaccessible to us because of our lower
qualification. Nevertheless, we fought with emhusiasm on the 64 squares, and organized small
competitions. We played wherever we could; we organized school championships, technical secondary
school tournaments, and even separate chess classes. One such "childish occupation· was a 200(1)-game
match for the title of champion among our student group. I met with Arthur lpatov in turn at his or my,
playing four games a week. However, the match was not finished, for when my advantage mounted to 20 or
30 points (I don't remember exactly) the "pretender• acknowledged defeat.
Why these reminiscences? In one particular game of this unlimited duel, an interesting position arose.
Although we played mostly by intuition, we still had elementary ideas, obtained from our own experience
and by observing the games of first category players (there were only five or six of them). We already knew
something about isolated pawns, strong knights, bishop pairs, and so forth. Therefore, in spite of the pawn
minus, I considered my position in the following game to be not bad at all:
c (4-1) Charushin - lpatov

Izhevsk 1948 _ _ _ _ _ _ _)
164
1..ixh7·!? wxh7 2.ll'hS+ wg8 3.li.xg7! wxg7 The threa1 is 4.'lfh8t;, and if 3...f6?, a ·merry-goro und" begins
with 4.lfh8+ c;!;f7 5.'ltxf8+ ltg6 6.tlx:f6+ ltlh7 7.tlh6• 1!1g8 8J!e8· M7 9. e6+ tixg7 10.llg8+ ith7 11.ftg6Jt 4.ffgS+
l!lh7? Greater difficulties for While arise after 4...l!lh81, intending to sacrifice queen for rook. 5.!'!h4• l!.g7
6.gg4+ <i,h8 7. e3 f5 8Jlh3+ tlh7 9.llxh7+ ltxh7 10. h5• \tg7 11.tl'gS• While is bener. bu1 i1 is not clear ifhe
can win. 5.l!e3 'lfd7? 6...tl'dl+, bu1 the sly opponent se1s a further trap. Instead, 5... c8? is followed by 6.s gJ!,
when mate is unavoidable, and 5...J.c8? is refuted by 6L e4; 5....txg2 6.ll'xg2 t!ld7 U .h3• xh3 8.tlxh3+ ,;t;g7 is
mos11enacious. bu1 also insufficient in the long run. 6.Bh4+!? If now 6.1:hJ+?, then 6...\lx h31 7.gxhJ llgB--+
6...l!lg6 7.llgJ+ l!.fi 8.'ll'h3+ We did not know that we had repeated the famous combination of Emanuel
Lasker and took pride in this masterpiece. sho1\ing it to numerous friends and acquaintances. Thus we
comprehended the beauty and greamess of chess! 1-0
The Birth ofa Combinarion - 1889

(4-2) Em .Lasker - Bauer )
( --A
_m_ st_e_rd_a_m_ 18_8_9_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~
Let's turn the pages of history back and consider events near the close of the 19th century. In Augusl of
1889, a "beginning" chessplayer, Emanuel Lasker, took second place at a small tournament in Amsterdam
(1 . Burn, 2. Lasker, 3. Mason). In it, the following hiS1orically significant game was played.
1.f4 dS 2.e3 ~ f6 3.b 3 e6 4 ..ib2 il.e7 S.itd3 b6 6.~ 1'3 .ib7 7.~ c3 ~ bd7 8.0--0 0-0 9.~ e2 cs 10.~gJ 'lfc7 11.~ eS
~ xeS 12..i xe5 l!Jc6 13.'ll'e2 a6? 13...g6 is called for. 14.~ hS ~ xh5?
Taking the knight invites a firestorm, but not taking is hopeless after 14...~ e8? 15.J.xg7 ~ xg7 16.Vg4+-: or
14... h6? 15..txf6 J.xf6 16.lcxf6+ gxf6 17.Bg4+ l!lh8 18. h4 \tg7 19.!:f3 llfd8 20.llg3+ l!;f8 21.tnf6+-; or 14...d4?
15.bf6 Axf6 16. g4 l!;h8 (16...es 17.ie4+- ) 17.Jlf.l 'TgS (17...dxeJ t8.lcxf6 gxf6 19.tl h4+-) 18.J.xh7 ~gd8
19. h3 Ae7 20.Ae4+-: 14...:::fd8 is relatively best, but also insufficient of course. 15.il.xh7+! "The beginning of
a very deep and elegant combinarion.· Steinitz 15...<!>xh7 16.lfxhS• <!>g8 17.i'.xg7!! "An original
interpretation of the two bishop advantage - sacrifice both of them to strip the hostile king naked as the
hero of Andersen's fairy 1ale." Weinstein 17...wxg7 t7...f6 18.llf.l 11'e 819.b h8+ <tif7 20.lfh7+- 18.Bg4+ wh7
19.!l.1'3 es 20.llh J + ffh6 21.llxh6+ l!lxh6 22.l!Jd7! "The finish. without which the combination would be
incorrect: both bishops a re anacked. The curtain might be dropped..." Tai and Damsky 22...itf6 23.'lfxb7 wg7
24.llfl !labs 25.Bd7 l!fd8 26.l!Jg4+ l!lf8 27.fxes itg7 28.e6 l!b7 29.ffg6 f6 JO.l!xf6+ .ixf6 31.'1Jxf6+ we8
32.ll'h8+ we7 33.ffg7+ 111xe6 34.1'xb7 l!d6 35.1fxa6 d4 36.exd4 cxd4 37.h4 d3 38.Bxd3 1-0
165
166
( <4-4) Lehr - Ouras
Prague 1906
1.e4 es 2.0£3 0c6 3 ..ibS 0 f6 4.0-0 ~ e4 S.d4 il.e7 6.dS 0 d4? 6...~ d6 is called for. 7.0 xd4 exd4 8.l!el?
J
8. g4•- 8 ...0 d6 9.l!fxd4 0-0 9...~ xb5? 10.'il'xg7 i::f8 11 ..th6 d612.11'xf8• llid713.'ll'xf7+- 10..i.d3 .if6 10...~ e8?
11.'ll'e4•- 11.ffg4 l!e8 12.lldl! b 6 13.0c3 il.b7 14.il.f4 ii.es?
14...g6 is necessary tS..i.xh7•! lt.>xh7 t 6.l!fh5• lt.>g8 17..ixe5 0 c8? 17...~ c4? 18..lxg71 l!ixg719.'ltg4• l!if8
20.1txc4•-: 17...fte7 limits the damage. 18.l!d3 d6 Black cannot be saved, e.g., 18...~ e7 19.r.h3 ~ g6 20.'llth7•
llif8 2U fxg7• llie7 22.tl'f6• llif8 23.llhS• I ~ xh8 24. h6+ l!ie7 25.d6• cxd6 26.Axd6# 19.li.xg?!! w xg7 20.l!g3•
lt.>f8 21.ffh6• lt.>e7 22.l!el + wd7 23.ffh3• l!e6 24.l!xe6 il.xdS 2S.l!e8•! lt.>xe8 26.l!gS• lt.>e7 27.0xdS# Janowsky,
Revista Scacchistica llaliwia. 1906 No. 10, p.192.
(4-5) Alekhine - Gutkevich )

( Tula Csim) 1910
----------
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.0c3 0 f6 4.exds exds S..igS it.e7 6.il.d3 0-0 7.~ ge2 c6 8.ffd2 il.e6 9.0-0-0 0 e8 10.h4 0 d6
11.0 g3 il.f6?! 12.0 hS 0 d7 13.'11f4 il.e7?
13...~ eS limits the damage. 14.il.h6 ~ e8 15.il.xg7! Lasker's Combination with a transposition of moves.
1s ...:ag5 16.hxgs '1xg7 17.il.xh 7•! 1-0
(<4-6! Dus Ch otimirsky- Levenfish

~lsbad191l
1.d4 dS 2.0 f3 0 f6 3.e3 cs 4.dxcs e6 S.a3 .ixc5 6.b4 il.e7 7..ib2 as 8.bs 0 bd7 9.il.d3 b 6 10.0 e5?! 0 xe5
11..ixeS 0-0 12.0-0 0 d7 13.:i.d4 .ib7 14.f4 0 cS
g
.t
167
15.:ixh7+? This is not correct. 15...wxh7 16.'lfhS+ wg8 17.ixg717.!lf.3 is also insufficient in view of 17...f6
t8.'1h3 Ad6 t 9.g4 tie&-+ 17...wxg7 18.'lfg4+
18...igS! A classic defense! Black returns one of the bishops, and in subsequent play realizes his material
adva111age. 19.fxgs 0 e4 20.h4 'lfc7 21.0d2 'lfg3 22.'lfxg3 ~ xg3 and Black went on to win.
Perhaps more examples exist from this time period, but now we turn to the "recognized" successor to Em.
Lasker- Bauer.
~ Nimzowitch - Tarr ascJl

~ t. Petersburg 1914 _;
1.d4 dS 2.0 f3 c5 3.c4 e6 4.e3 0 f6 5.i d3 0 c6 6.0-0 i d 6 7.b3 0-0 8..ib2 b6 9.0 bd2 .i.b7 10.l!cl lll'e7 11.cxdS
exds 12.~ h4 g6 13.~ hf3 !lads 14.dxcs bxcS 15..abS?! 0 e4 16.ixc6?! .i.xc6 17.l!rcZ ~ dZ 18.~ xd2
,. i
~,. ,. ,.g9
,. ,.
.t .t
t!:, t!:,
t!J i.~ltJ l!:,t!:,!!,
H li~
18...d4!? Tarrasch opens anacking roads. 19.exd4? 19.g3 limits the damage. as 19...dxe3?1 can be answered
by 20.!tc3 f6 2t.Yxe3 19...ixhZ+ The direct 19...Axg2 is also very strong in view of 20.ltxg2 8'g5+ 21.ltlht t\'f4
22.<;1;g2 xh 2+ 23.ltf3 llfe&-+ 20.wxhz 'lfh4+ 21.wgt ixg2!! 22.f.3
22.ltxg2 Vg4• 23.lth2 l!d5-+ 22 ...llfeS! Tarrasch brings his last unit into the attack. 23.~ e4 23..ilet ..iXel+
24.:t~el 'ltxel + 25.1!.xg2 ffe2+ 26.ltgl l!dS.-. 23...'11h1 • 24.wfZ .ixf1 25.dS f5 26.'lfc3 26.l!xf1 11'h 2+-+ 26...l!rg2+
27.we3 l!xe4+ 28.fxe4 f4 + 2s...e g3+ 29.wd2 b f2+ 30.wdt tl'ezq Z9.l!.>x:f4 llf8• 30.weS l!rhZ+ 3t.we6 1:te8•
32.wd 7 32.<tf6 ~411 32.. ..abS# 0-1
168
("i4-si" Schlech ter - Maroczy
~ ienna 1907
1.d4 dS 2.0 1'3 cs 3.e3 e6 4.c4 lilf6 5.a3 lilc6 6.lilc3 cL~c4 7..i.xc4 a6 8.0-0 b5 9..id3 .ib7 10.dxc5 .ixc5 11.b4
.i.d612..ib2 0 eS 13.0 xes .i.xeS 14.f4 .i.c7 15.'f!Je2 0-0 16.lladl?! 16.a4 is called for. 16...'f!Je7 17.e4 eS?!
17...:'lad8 is nece-ssary. 18.lildS! 0 x d5 19.exdS llfe8?! The weakening of the f7-squ are makes possible the
following combination. corre-ct was 19...!!ae8. 20.fxeS .ixe5?
& @
~ .........
t!, j_
i.
WI t:, t!,
n n@
20....t.°'dS was correct 2t..i x h7+! 1!.>xh7 22.tfh S+ l!.>g8 23.ixeS f6? ! 23...9xe5 24.Mxli+ lllh8 25.!!fS 11'e3+
26.i!',ht Yet+ 27.l!xel !sxet + 28.llfl lsxft+ 29.tfxft .lxdS is more tenacious. 24.J.xi'G! gxf6 25.lld 3 ffh7 26.llg3+
l!.>h8 27.11'1'3 What be coy? 27.Uxh7• l!lxh7 28.llf4 leads to checkmate straight away. 27...'f!ifl Z8.'f!ig4 1-0
(4-9) Gruber - Euwe )

(. .
Vienna
..._ 1921 _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ .
1.e-4 es 2.00 lilc6 3.d4 exd4 4.0 xd4 0 f6 S.0 xc6 bxc6 6..i.d3 d5 7.'f!ie2 cl'l:e4 8.0 d2?! 8.,tc31? is more precise.
8....ib4! An unexpectedly strong rejoinder. 9..-.xe4 9.c3? would be followed by 9...lixd3-+, and after 9.a3?.
Black has 9...0-0 10.axb4 exd3 t t.cxd3 .lfS t 2.<lle4 ~ xe4 13.dxe.i ~ e4- • 9...0-0! t0.c3 .id6 10...,txe41?
u .i.~c6 llb8
12.0-0?! 12..tc4 ..t.a613.a4 was required. t 2...i xh2•! t 3.l!lxh2 'f!Jd6• 14.l!lgt 'l!lxc6 t 5.tff3 ffa6 Naturally, an
exchange of que-ens is unfavorable for Black. And so he turns his anention to White's weakened kingside.
and plans a decisive attack. 16.0 e4 ~e4 17.'f!ixe4 l'tl>6 18.b3 ts.r.m 18....ib7 19.'l!lf4?
&tit
.t. j_ .t. .t. .t. .t.
~~
WI
£:, t!,
13. 88
II i. II@
White should try to reduce the attacking potential with 19.tl'c4 19...n g2! 20.llel After 20. .txg2 l!g6•. Black
takes the fl-rook. 20...!!gG21.c4 .ie4+ 0-1
169
170
171
(4-14) Garcia - Najdorf
Santa Fe 1956
1.d4 ~ f6 2.c4 e6 3.W cs 4.~ cJ cxd4 s.~ xd4 .ib4 6.'lfcZ ~ c6
7.e3 0-0 8.i.dZ dS!? By energetic play Black equalizes the
game. 9.aJ i e7 10.0 f3?! a6 11.i e2?! dxc4 12.il.xc4 b5 13.i d3
xb7 After taking the c-file. the advantage passes to Black. 14.0·
o !!c8 1S.b4? A mistake. Perhaps 15~e2 should be played.
15...xxh4116.'lfb1 16.axb4? <txb4 17..txh 7+ lah7 18.'!fb l Lxf.3
19.gxf3 ~ g5-+ 16 ...i d6 17.~ e4 0 x e4 18.i xe4 fS! An
important move. allowing ...!!f8-f6-h6. 19..icZ?! 0 eS 20.0 d4
0 c4 21.xh4
21.ILJxe6 .txh2+ 22.lt.>xhZ trh4• 23.'.!;gt 1xg2 24.i!ixgZ Wg4+ 25.lthZ !!f6-+ 21...il.xhZ+! 22.<!>xhZ '1Jh4+ 23.lt.>g l
~ ~ @
j_ .t. .t.
.t. .t.
.t. .t.
Ji~ ltJ 'i'
£3, £3,
ii. t:, t!:,
11~ 11@
23...il.xg2!! 24.f4 24.l!lxgZ 'll'g4+ 25.lthl l'.f6-+ 24 ....i.dS 0-1
(4-15) Pachrnan - Neikirkh )

( ......___
Portoroz 1958 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
1.c4 0 f6 2.0 C3 e6 J.~ f3 ds 4.d4 cs s.cxds 0 xd5 6.e3 ~ c6 7.i c4 ~ xc3 8.bxC3 i e7 9.0-0 0-0 10.'lfeZ b6 11.!!dl
cxd4 12.exd4 0 a5 13..i.d3 .ib7 14.i.f4 'll'd5?! 15.!!abl l!ac8 16.llbS!? The choice is made: White begins to
attack the enemy king. 16...'lfd8? 16...ttd7 is more precise. 17.~ gS! i xg5 l 8.ixg5 '1Jd6
19.if6! ! tff4! Immediately lifting the blockade, Black also helps to centralize the ominous bishop. But what
could be done? lf 19...gxf6?. then 20..l.'th 7· ... xh7 21.!!hS• +gs 22. g4:l 20.i e5 1Jg5?! 20... h4 2U.d6.ld5
limits the damage. 2t.f4 We7
172
173
C
(4.-17) Keres - Rampp
Augsburg (sim) 1968
J
- --=-------..::--------~
''
~·
~
'i' .t i.
t!, /j I!,
i.
.:
i,,
WI /j I!,
1 ..w.x h 7+ ! ltxh7 2.'lfh5+ wgs 3.ixg7! fS If Black accepts the second sacrifice, then White's g-pawn will play a
decisive pan after 3...ltxg7 4. h6+ wg8 5.g6!- 4.ffh8+ wf7 5.g6+ we7 6..i.xf8+ l'!xf8 7.g7 l!c8 8.lfxc8! 1-0
Completing our review of canonical combinations. it is necessary 10 single out two more typical patterns.
The presence of an advanced pawn on g5 insures a win for White if he follows the Keres plan oflfh6
followed by g5-g6-g7. On the other hand, controlling th e gs-square offers some chance of turning away the
attack if Black can return the bishop at once with ...igs. or after a preliminary ...wh6. We call this idea the
"Levenfish" defense (Game 6).
(4-18) Sarbay- Kuzmin

Minsk 1971
1.e4 e5 2.~c3 ~ f6 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 ~ xe4 5.d3 ~ xc3 6.bxc3 ~ c6
7.~ f3 i g4 8.d4 iLe7 9..id3 ~ a5?! 10.0-0 c5?! l U l'el 0-0?!
12.lfg3 ih5 13.~ gs &xg5 13..~g6 14.h h7 .txh7 15.A.h6 g6
16.!..xfS tlxf8 17.e6 f618..txg6 ~g6 19.ttxg6• \tg7 20. rs l'gS
2Urd3+- 14.ixg5 'lfc7
15..i.x h7• wxh7 16.'lfh4 cxd4? 16...Dl8 17.tlxh5• ltg8 limi1s the damage. 17.ffxh5• wgs
g g9
i i 'i'
~ i /); ''.i '11N
t!,
/j
I!,
' I!, /j
l:i l:i "it>
174
175
176
177
''
41
~
~
1:i
.t'' ~·
t:, ~
.i Wi f:.ll!,,
1:i <;ti
21..ixg7!? Kasparov's beautiful strike wins. He reasoned that he wants to play ~ es, which shuts the bishop
and so his idea is to give up the bishop first for the valuable g7-defender. The alternative 2t.ID!S is also
strong, e.g.. 2t...ti'c2 22.tfxe7 t-xbz 23.li:es ..ct 24.g4 ft+ ZS.1hft bS+ 26.l!gt ti'bl+ 27.l!gZ ti'e4+ 28.ltg3
tibt 29.thS+ l!;xhs 30.Vxfs• l!;h7 3Utxf7 Bb3+ 32.ti'O-± 2t...lflxg7 22.~eS lifdS 22...fS? 23.1ld7 Mes 24./;'.d3+-;
22...!!'c2? 23.Bg4• lth7 24.a d3•- ZJ.ffg4• wfs 24.WfS f6
~:! ll,
~ i.
''
41 1:i ~ 11¥ '
t:,
t:, I:!, t:,
1:i <;ti
25.~ d 7+ Kasparov keeps his queen on the board 25.l;'.g6+ ltg7 (25... \tf7? 26.lieS.._) 26.~ f4 RxdS 27.l;'.xdS 1l'eS
28.l;'.xe7 trxfS 29.~ xfS+ was the alternative. 25...llxd7 Z6.1Lxd7 ffc5 27.ffh7 l!c7
28.ti'h8+! An important zwischenschach as 28.l!d3? runs into 28...'ltxn+!! 29.ltxfZ (29.':ixfZ? Rel + 30.r ft J.cS+
31.l!ihl l!xfl ~) 29....tcS+ 30.ltg3 ijXh7= (ChessBase Megabase) 28...wf7 29.l!d3 ~ c4 30.llfdl ~ e5? Now Black's
king can be forced to leave his shelter. There are belier defenses, but no real rescue, e.g., 30...t d6 31.lih3 l!e7
32.l'!h6 me6 33.1Lxf6+ ltd7 34.tl'aS bS 35.U8 lte6 36.thS+-; 30.../;'.d6 31.lig3 (31.h4!?) 31...lte6 32Jle3+ ltd7
33.1\'h7 \!;d8 34:itg8+ lt-d7 35.lleG 1txa3 3G.h4 - 31.'11h 7• weG 32.ffgS+ II.ts 33.g4+ w f4 34.l!d4+ w£3 35.ffh3•
and Portisch resigned in view of 35...1fc3 36.1td5+ lte2 37.Be4+ tfe3 38.!txe3# 1-0
(~·24) Dizdarevic - Miles )

( Biel 1985
---------
The following is a special version of the double bishop sacrifice, which was introduced in the following
classic:
t .c4 b6 2.d4 e6 3.~ f3 ~ f6 4.e3 .r.b7 S.i d3 d5 6.b3 i d6 7.0-0 0-0 8.ib2 ~ d7 9.~ bd2 ~ e4 10.'lfcZ fS t U adt ?
This runs into an amazing shot. 11.~ es is played most often. 11 ...~ xdz 12.~ xd2 dxc4 13.~xc4? 13.t ez is
forced as White can then defend against the double bishop sacrifice: 13.. .:.xh2• ?1 (the simple 13...cxb3 is
belier) 14.,1,xhz t h4• 15..!.gt .txgz 16.J.xgZ tl'g5· 17.J.ht !!J6 18.~ f3 l!h6• n ;:hz t1h4 zo.11.h, 'lfxhs Zt.f3 and
the defense holds.
178
Now the scene is set. The ftreworks begin as usual with... t 3 ....i.xh2• t4.ltxh2 lfh4• 15.11/gt
But now taking on g2 is insufficient. The defending f-pawn must be blocked instead with 15...:i.f3! !
t5 ....t xg2? can be met by t6.f4 .1xft t 7..txfl tf6 18.'ltf2 'lfh5 19..!;el and White survives. 16.0 d2 16.gxf3 is
met by 16... g5• 17.lth2 gj°6-+; and after 16.j.ez. Black can finally capture: 16...~g217.<l;xg2 (17.f3 lsf6
18.! dl ih3-+) 17... gS+ 18.lthl '16-+ 16....i xg2 17.f.3 1H1xg2 tfg4• 18..th1 .ilf6 19.\txc7 e5--- 17...llf6 18.0 c4
.ihl and White resigned in view of t 9. h2 llg6- 20.;!;hl .Ag2- 21.;!;gl Axf3• 22.Ug2 !l..xg2# 0-1
Alexander Bellavsky
(4-26) Be liavsky - Tal

Oslo 1989
28..•.ixh2+!? 29.wxh2 tth4• 30.wgl .:i:.xg2!
''
179
31.f4! White blockades the deadly fifth rank. Tai gets the minimum which Lasker's Combination gives him:
a r ook and two pawns for two minor pieces- but the pawn sacrificed earlier should be subtracted ! 3Ltixg2
allows a direct draw by 31...1!'g4• 32:th2 h4! 31...m l 32.l!lxfl 32.l'l.xfl? lfg3• 33.\!i ht !ld6-• 32...'lfhl +?
32 ... cs more or less forces a draw, e.g., 33. dl tl'hl + 34.\t.1'2 h~ 33.l!le2 'lfg2+?! 34.1!1d3 MdS?! 35.1!1c3 ffcS•
36.1!1b2 g6 37.ggt 1'd 6 38.:i.d 3 1'f6 39.whl ffe8 4M l£!?! 40..tl>S , d8 41.1c4• ..th8 42. ie2 should win for
White in the long run. 40...ffdS?! 41.~ eS?! 1!1g7 42.'l!lb Z?! ffcdS 43.ic2?! 43. cl =xd3 44.~ xd3 ti'xb2+
45.l,ixh2-43...l!c8 44.ffg2 ffc7 45.Ma3 1!Jd 6 46.Mxd 6 !b:d6 47..ixfS ffdl • 48.1!1b2 l!e1 49.ffg3 1!1f6 a nd a draw
was agreed. although White is still for choice after S0.1d3 ,,.,_,,,.
c (4-27) Dolmatov - Sp eelman

Hastings 1990 J
g ..t g @
.l .t. .t. .t. .t.
.t. .a
~ /j
it.
/j
'ii¥
18.i .xh7+!! lilxh7 18...d.f& 19.ll'g4 gxf6 20.exi6+- 19.'lfh5+ lilg8 20.'lfgS 'l!f8 21.Etdl!
Dolmatov activates his last unit. 21...b6 and now instead of22.!!d4?1 22J!d31 wins dir ectly: 22...i a6 23..!!g3
t d3 24.J.xg7·- 22...ia6 23.l!g4 .ie2 24.i..xg7 :i:.." g4 25..ixfS+ wxf8 26.'lfxg4 and Dolmatov went on to win.
(4-28) Chuprov - Geller

St. Petersburg 1994
14 ....o.x.h Z• ! 15.wx.hZ 'lfM • 16.wgl .ix.gZ! In this short game, the subtleties of Laske r's Combination are
brightly displayed. First. at this stage White's defensive methods are lim ited; there are only three possible
moves. Second. in case his attack is repulsed. Black has the chance to easily escape with a draw. 17.f4 If
17.1hg2?. then 17...ll'g4+ 18.ltihl ~ h3+ is perpetual check. 17....ie4?!
180
181
c (4-31) Kozlov - Mikenas
USSR 1953
Z4..ixh7•!! A courageous decisio n requiring precise calculation. Lasker's Combination is now carried out
with the g7-square protected. 24...1!.>xh7 25.'E,h5• wg8 26..i.xg7! f6 If 26...Axg7. 27.llxg7•1 ltlxg7 28. lgl • and
White wins. 27..i.xfS• 1-0
18 ..ixh7+! l!.>xh 7 19.lfh5• lflg8 20..i.xg7! lflxg7 21.lfgS• l!.>f8 On 21....thS, White wins \\~th 22.lld4•- (22. d7?
llxd7 23. f6• l!igs 24.<ths 'ollf8=>22.'l:fh6• wgs 23.~ hs .tf8 24.'ll'gS• w hs 2s.gxd11 1-0
(4-33) Richter - Ulrich )

( Germany 1962
------'---------_____;
1..i.xh7•! l!.>xh7 2.l!lh5• wga 3 ..i.xg7! wxg7 Ufh 6• lflg8 5.g6? 5.lla3 is much stronger, e.g., 5....txgs 6.llg3 <tes
7.llxg5• ~ g6 8.llxg6• fxg6 9.11'xg6• lth8 10.~ f3 d7 1U t h6• llig8 12.tlgl • M 7 13.llg7• lte8 14.~g5•-5... ~ f6?
5 ...fxg61 6.'l!'x g6• l!ih8 7.lla3 <teS 8.r.113• .t.h4 9.'ltg3 ru'7 10.llxh4• tl\7 limits the damage. 6.l!a4 'll'e 8 7.g7 ~ h7
8.llg4 .i.gS 9.llxgS 1-0
182
( <4-34) De Rooi- Crabbendam
Beverwijk 1965
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- J
~
•••
A
AAA '!i. W/ AAA
<.t, ~
16..ixh7+! wxh7 17.ffh5+ 1!1g8 18.i.xg7! 1!1xg7 19.ll.d3 fS? 19...!lh B is forced, but White is for choice after
20.'.'.lg3+ .tgS• 21.1txg5+ l!f8 22.h4+- 20.ll.g3+ l!lf6?! 21.ffg6+ Illes The laws of chess are inexorable: the king's
journey into the center is punished by inevitable mate. 22.ll.dJ il.c6 23.f4• l!lxf4 24.ffgJ• l!le4 25.ffe3# 1-0
(4-35) Beversdorf- Haakert )

( Germany 1993
~---------------
20....ixh2+!? Here Lasker's Combina1ion aims to equalize the position. 21.1!1xh2 ffh4• 22.lllgl il.xg2!? 23.f4? !
In case of 23.ltxg2, Black has to give a perpetual check. 23....il.xfl The precarious position of White's king
allows Black to torment his opponent In any case, a draw is ensured for Black. 24.il.xfl 0-0 25.ffg2 ll.f6 With
2S...~ f6!? Black can press on. 26.'!Jf2 llg6+ 27..ig2 lilg4 28.ffd2 lilf3 29.whl!
Avoiding the terrible trap 29...~ b61 30.~ xb6 g2•! 31. xg2 xe3+ 32.1!.'h l cl • 33.;th2 t."xf4+-+
29...llh6• 30.wgl llg6 31.whl ,,.,__,,.,
(4-36) Kozlova - Bogatkova

( _Morava 1996
J
_
25..ixh7+ ! wxh7 26.MIS• mg8 27.il.xg7! f6 28.ffhB+ wf7 29.ffh 7 ~ f8 30.il.xfS+ wxfB 31.~ fS! Adding a knight
to the attack ensures a win. All attempts to give back material are fruitless. 31...ffxf2+ 32.wxf2 ii.cs+ 33.l!lt:i
ll.e3+ 34.ll.:xe3 ..i.xe3 35.llx dS! Mate is unavoidable. 1-0
183
c (4-37) Hausner - P.Llttlewood
Skara 1980
= = = = = =)
29.ih7+! A most decisive blow! 29...whs 30.J.xg7+! wxg? Now if 30...li'lxg7, then 31.t d3+ with mate.
3t .'lfxf7• wh 8 32.llxhS 1-0
( <4-38) Braun - Weber

Germany 1992
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --
)
2t ..ix.h7+! wf8 22..ixg?+! wxg? 23.Y:g4• llg6 24.li.xf7+! 1-0
The sacrifice on h7 can also be combined with Alekhi11e's Block:

(4-39) R.Fischer - Barlocco
Mendrisio 1988
19..i.~ 7+! wxh7 20.'lfh S• ? The direct 20.tf61! wins: 20...gxfG 21.t:<hS+ ;tg8 22.'lfg4+ lth7 23.ffi Ud2 24.tilf5+
wg8 25.l'!h3 .Jes 26.\txf6-+- 20...wg8 21..i.fG! Alekhine's Block! 21. ..ffd2? 21...t.e4 is called for, e.g.. 22~ xg7
ltxg7 23.tllg4+ wh6 24.!!5 /i'Jf2+ 25..!!xf2 f5. and Black can still fight. 22..ixg?! wxg7 23.'lfg4• w h7 24.!!f.3 f5
25.llh3+ 1'h 6 26.llxhG+? 26.WgS wins directly. 26...wxhG A lonely queen is no ·warrior in the field." and
White can only hope for a draw. which he achieved after many further moves. Y!~
184
185
186
Destroyers: bishop and knight
( <4-44) Tarjan - Gilden
El Paso 1973
----------------------- J
19.0 xg7! wxg7 20.ffg3• wh 8 21.:i'.xh7!! f5 Other moves lead to defeat, e.g., 21...1!.xh7 22.l!fS e.df6 23.11'h 4•
lt-g7 24.l!gS#; 2t...e.df6 22...td3 J.e7 23.'ll'h4• ;!;g7 24 ..th6•! ~ xh6 25.ftgS• \t h8 26.thh6• l!lg8 27.l!xf6 J.xf6
28.trh7# 22..i'.xgS f4 No good is 22.....,xgs 23.l'h4• llig7 24.fih6++- 23.ffg6 0 f6 24.lif.3? 24...te61+- is
significantly stronger. 24 ...DxgS? A reciprocal counesy. 24...l'g71= is correct. 25.tfxf6• Dg7 26.id2 White has
m •o elClra pawns plus an ongoing attack. 26...DfS 27.Dh 3• l!.>g8 28.Me6• l!ff'7 29.Del i d6 30.i!h6 tjxc2 31.Dcl
'lffS 32.DcS• if8 33.Dxf8• l!.>xf8 34.DhS• Dg8 35..i.xM+ 1-0
( <4-45) Kvamme - Willim

Berlin 1995
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -~ J
19.0 xh7! wxh7 20.tfhS• l!.>gS 21.i.."<g?! wxg7 Hopeless is 2t...f6 22.1.e4 f5 23...txds ttxdS 24.ffg6 IID 25..tb2•
ltf8 26.Dxe6+- 22.tfgS• 1!.>hS 23.lle4 .i'.xd3 23...~ 5f6 24.Ilh4• ~ h7 25.Yh6 e.df6 26.Wxf6• lt.g8 27.l!g4 • e.gs
28. gs• lth7 29.tl'g7# 24.cxd3 ~ f6 25.i!h4• ~ h7 26.tfh 6 'lfxd3 Or 26...li'.df6 27.Wxf6 ++- 27..ie4! 'lfxe4
28.lixe4 Two knights for the queen are not enough. Black's position is hopeless. 28...DgS Z9.i!h4 Dg7 30.Dcl
l!.>g8 31.Dxb4 0 e5 32.'lfe3 ~ gs 33.l!.>g2 Dd8 34.lixcS f6 35.lixeS fxes 36.Dg4 0 f7 37.Dxg7• wxg7 38.'lfxa7 1-0
Destroyers: two knights
24.0 xg7! If Black does not take the knight he loses material; if he takes it. he gets mated. Panczyk chooses
the shonest way. 24...1!.>xg? 25.~ xh7! ~ h7 26.ffh6• l!.>g8 27.:ixh7• 1!.>h 8 28.i g6+ wg8 29.l!l'h 7• 1-0
187
188
16..i.xh7• 1 wxh7 17.'lfh4• wg8 18.l!xg7• 1wxg7 19ih6• wh7 Naturally. the only move. 20.li.gS• wg8 If
20...;!;g6, then 21.Uh 6• i!if5 22.1if611 21 ..if6 ffxe5• Alas and Ohl The move is forced. 22•.ixe5 f6 23.:i.xf6 ~ 8d7
24.'lfh8• White has decisive material and positional advantage. 24...wf7 25.'lfg7• l!le8 26.l<le<l .i.b4• 27.l!lf2
<i:lx dS 28.'16g6• !l.f7 29.<i:lgS .ir.cS• 30.wfl 1-0
Desrroyers: bishop and queen

(4-51) Engels - Allies )
( __
Cc_o_n s_u_lt_a o
_·o_n_l _l9_4_3_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
1.'16h7•!1 wxh7 2.<i:lf6• wh8 In case of 2...;!;xh6 mate is also unavoidable: 3.lih3+ wg5 4.l!g3+ ltlh6 (4 ...;!;f4
5.l!g4#) 5.f!g611 3 ..ixg7• 1I wxg7 3...l!xg7 4.f'.113+ llh7 5.tsxh7# 4.f!g3+ wxf6 Black cannot run in any direction! If
4...ltlh6, 5.l!g611; or 4...11.hB 5.!!gB#; or 4...11/fB5.l!g8# 5.l!g6# 1-0
c (4-52) Madi - Summermatter

Geneva 1988 )
14.:i.xg71 The Keres a ttack will yield a n overwhelming positional advantage to White, realized t hrough
Lasker's Combination. 14 ...wxg7 15.'lfh6• wh8 16.e51 <i:lf817.~ e4 ~ g6 18.~ f6 li.xf6 19.gxf6 l!g8 20.h5 'll'f8
White, using the cramped position of Black's king. completes the combina tion with a splendid stroke.
21.'lfxh?•II, 21...l!lxh7 22.hxg611. A beautiful combinatio n! t-0
189
190
19.ixh 7•! 1!.>xh 7 20.l!JhS• l!.>g8 Zl.if6! Anot her Alekhine's Block. Zl...gxf6 ZZ.l!Jg4• 1!.>h7 Z3.ex:f6 l!.>h6 Z4.f4 1·
o Any move leads to mate. For example, 24...Ub6• or 24...~gS 25. h4• ll.g6 26.'tfgS• \t>h7 27. hS# 25..thl /;'.e3
26.tl:gS+ lflh7 27.Yg7#
Exercises
(4.•55)
li'
i' .t.
.t

(4·56) Book - lngers l ev

Giiteborg 1929
16.ixh7+! 1!.>xh7 17.l!Jh5+ lflg8 18.ixg?! l!.>xg7 19.!lg3+ l!lf6 20.llel l·O
(4·57)
191
~ ) Ras musson - Pulkinen

~elsinki 1933 __;
t 6.:i.xh7+! wxh7 t 7.ffhS+ wgS 1s.i..1:g?!! wxg? 1s... cs l 9.t.g6 flf7 20..lf6+ Ms 21.ll'h6• l!lgs 22.trhS# 19.ffgS+
wh8 20.!ID ~ f6 2Ulh3+ ~ h7 22.ffh 5 1-0
(4-58)

(4-58) Lo um a - D0le2.hal
Marianske Lazne 1951
t 5..ixh7+! <1>xh1 16.fflts+ w gS 11.i..1:&71f6 1s.iif3 .id6 t 9..ih6 t -o
How to continue White's anack?

(4-59) Noalch - !11oisieev

( Leningrad 1952
17.ixg7? Alekhine's Block with 17.IJ61! is better, e.g.. 17...~ d7 18..txg7 ltxg7 19. g5• lth8 20. f3 tfxc2
J
21.~3+ h7 22 ...xh7+ ..txh7 23.fS ~ es 24. fl d4 25.f:xe6 fxe6 2L.xf8 llxf8 27.s e7• ig7 28.ti'xd7 dxe3
29.\l'd3• !<CS 30.'li'Xe3+-
17.ixg7? f6 ! 18..w.xfll 18.!!fi? Yxg7 19.l!g3 Ld7-+ 18 ....ixfS 19.!ID tth7 20.!lg3+ il.g7 Black has defended
himself and later even won. 0-1
192
193
(4-62)
How 10 defend?
( (4-62) Zhuravlev - Suba

USSR 1977
25...igS! 25...bg2? 26.ltlxg2 i g5 27.f4 l:c2• 28.;!;h l b7+ 29.;!;gt Uah
_ _ _)
25....igS! 26.l!h3+ l!.>g6 27.l!h5!? 27.l!g3 11'd8 (27...fl>-+l 28.f4 15 29.tl'h4 '!l'd 4+ 30.ltlht .:.118 3t .11'xg5· wf7
rs
32.11'g6+ l!.e7-+ 27... f6?! 27...'!l'dB!? 28.f4 29.lixgS+ ;!;f6 30.!!g6+ <be7 3t.'fl'h4• <J.d6 32.!!dt • i ds 33.Ue t d7-
• 28.h4 l!h8? Black can fight for the full point with 28.•.tdS 29.hxg5 !!c4 30.!!h6• ;!;f7 31.Uh5• <!e7 32.gxf6•
ltld7 29.llxg5• ! fxg5 30.'ll'xe6• wh 5
3t.'ll'e2• ? 31.a f7+ \l: xh4 32. •e6 lth5 33.b f71 3t ... lilxh4? Black m isses the amazing 31...!.f311 with a
Mitrofanov deflection: 32.'lhf.l• lth6 33.tl'g4 l!hf8 34.11-xg5+ ± h 7-+ 32.'ll'e 6!? wh5 33.'ll'f7• l!>h4 34.'1Je6 lk-'h
(J£63l )
Black co move arrd win.

194
(4-63) Shereshevsky - Vladimirov
Daugavpils 1978
20...id4? 20...tf2!! 21.l':xf2 t:f6 22.!l'g5+ ~ 17 23.1!1g7• ·;l;e8 24.ig5 ,t,dB 25.;l;gl <l.c7-•
20....i:d4? 21.'lfg6+ il.g7 22..i xg7 "lfxg7 23.'lfxe6+ llf7 24.'!fxc6 After 24~ g3?1 tb7 25.ot.e3 ltxg3 26.hxgJ otf8,
Black has too many pieces for the queen. Now a draw by repetition is forced. 24 ...'lffB 2s.gg3+ l!lh8 26.llh3+
l!lgB 27.gg3+ ',',-',',
(4-64)
Black to move and win.

(4-64) Kliewe - Starck :

( _ Rostock 1982 J
13...~ xdZ The direct 13...J.xhZ• works as well. 14.~ xdZ dxc4 15.ixc4 ixh2+! 16.lt>xh.2 'lfh4+ 17.\!/gl .w.xg2!
18.f4 The intermediate 18.J.xe6· could not be played because the bishop has to keep an eye on e2. 18...lfg3
19.IIO White is defenseless. 19....w.xf3+ 20.wfl llf6 21.~ xf3 'lfxf3+ 22.wel llh6 23.i.e2 llht• 24.wd2 llh2
25.!l'xe6+ whB 26.l!et ~ f6 27.wdl gxe2 28.!!xez !!eB 29.'!l'b 3 ~ d5! o-t
C(4-65)
Does Lasker's Combination work?

{<4-65) lvanovic - A.Sokolov

~ S a d 1984
17..i.xh7+? 17.Yet limits the damage. 17...lt>xh7 18.lfh3• wgB 19..ixg7 lt>xg7 20.gx d6?! Spectacular but
incorrect Any capture of the rook leads to perpetual check; therefore Sokolov declines the offer. Now
20.1fg4+ would be followed by Levenfish's classical 20...ig5!-+ defense. Instead. lvanovic (probably
beforehand) calculated a different continuation. 20...lih8!? Simple and convincing. 21.l!xdS ixd8!? Black
gets the better endgame a fter 21...~3?1 22.!:xcB ~ds or good middlegame chances after the text. 22.'ll'e3
195
ith6 23.lllgl ii.d5 24.llf2 itc4 Interesting is 24...!!c61? 25.1'5 !!e4 26.ffg3+ l:!g6! Z7.ffc3+ il6 28.HdZ !!d4 29.fxg6
llxdZ 30.llxd2 .ixb2 31.gxf7 .ixa3 It is impossible to stop the advance of Black's a-pawn. 32.h4 i c5+ 33.lllh2
a5 34.g4 a4 35.g5 a3 36.!!dl wx17 37.h 5 a2 38.c3 .id6+ 39.lllh3 .ie5 40.g6+ 111'/[l 41.itfl lllh 6 0-1
(4-66)

( <4-66) Gonzales - Ballesteros

\._corr 1989
13...ixhZ+? 13... h4 14.g3 'il'h3 is called for.
J
13...ixh2+? 14.lllxhZ !/h4+ 15.lllgl .ixg2 16.lllxg2 li:lf4+ In Capablanca's opinion. the queen and knight make
an ideal attacking couple, but here White has a defense. 17.lllf.3! li:ld318.li:le4 Losing immediately is 18.llfl ?
.Jlh3+ 19.-teZ /;' f4- 20.;!;el llae8+ 21.~e4 t xe4+ 22...te3 &xe3+! 23Jxe3 t!ixe3- 24.tfe2 'llxe2# 18...li:lxel+
19.ffxel gaes 20..if4 Surprisingly, 20.~g51? is also very strong in view of 20...tih3+ 2L1'f4 h6 22. hl
20...Hh3- 21.ig3 tffS+ 22.wgZ d5 23.i.xc??! 23.AeS dxe4 24.He3 is even better. 23...llxe4 24.Hhl?! 24.tl'd2 is
called for. 24...l!teZ Now Black·s attack compensates for the sacrificed material and he went to win. 0-1
.....
-~ .l .l .l
.l
~
j_ t:, ii. t:,

t:, I:,
ff. 'llN ff. ~
Whice co move a11d 111i11.

(4-67) Beliaev - Pavlov

( _ Russia 1992
J
_
-----------------------------------
1.litxa3 I The direct 1.•l xh7+? can be met by 1...\txh7 2.X.xa3 tl'g5 when White is better. but not as much as in
the game.
U txa3! ffxa3 The only move. 1...f6 is refuted by the simple 2.1 d6+- 2..ixh 7+! lllxh7 3.§'h5+ lllg8 4.ix'/[l!
lllx'/[l Again the only move. If 4...f5, then White \vins after 5.\\'g6 fl 6~6· 5.ffg5+ wh8 6.l!te4 'ffal + 7.lllhZ
ffbl 8.'ffh6+! wg8 9.llh4 f6 10.l!tg4+ wf7 11.!!'l[l+ we8 12.ffhS+ wd813.ffc5! i d7 13...2e8 14. c7# 14.'ffxfS+
wc7 15.Hc5+ 1-0
196
(4-68) Stefansson - Klarenbeek

Cappelle la Grande 1993
15..ixh7+? Control of the key gs-square permits Black to repulse the attack. tS.bxa4 ~ b6+ 16..th l '1!1xb2
17." abt= i.s called for.
1Snh7+? 1!.>xh7 16.1Jh5+ l!.>g8 17..ixg7 l!.>xg7 18.JID lf 18.1Jg4•. then 18....tgSI. and after 19.bxa4 (19.dxe6
~ cs-+; 19.dxc6 hc6 20.bxa4 f5 21.'lfg3 'lfd4+ 22.lthl 11.hs-+) 19...f; 20. g3 cxds 21.!!a bl Ui- + White's
position i.s hopeless. 18...i cS+ 19.1!.>hl l!g8 Securing the rs-square for the king's escape. 20.dxe6 l'Jf 6 21.l!e l
lflf8 22.bxa4 ib4 23.c3 i e7 24.l!ee3 cS The beginning of a strong counteroffensive. 25.'IJX:f7+ 25.!!g3 ::.118
26.ll'g4 tcs- 25 ...1fxf7 26.exf7 IL"g2 27.lixe7 0-1 Not waiting for the obvious 27...~xf.3.
(4-69)

(4-69) Aagaard - Liva

(.....vejen 1993
17....ixh2•! Paul Keres demonstrated (Game 17) that with an advanced g4-pawn. Lasker's Combination
J
leads to a win. 18.l!lxh2 'lfh4• 19.l!lgl .ixg2! 20.f4 20:txg2 'tth3+ 21.\!cgl g3 22.fxg3 (22.li:;!3 !!dgS-+)
22 ...tl'xg3· 23.i!ih t \l'h3+ 24..!.gl !!dg8+ 25.11112 f9g311 20...1fhl+ Thus Black collects a decisive material
advantage. 20...g3? 2t:t xg2 ~ h2+ 22.M3 g2 23.J:!gl = 21.l!lf2 g3+ 22.l!lel ufl 2Hlxft g2 24.bS cxbS 2S.c6
~ b 6 26.1fb3 a6 27.'lfa3 l!!'h4+ 28.lfldt ~ c4!? Black plays cat and mouse. He could long ago have promoted a
second queen. 29.1fc5 b6 30.'lt'b4 1ff2 3Uld2 gl='lf• 32.l!.>c2 l!!'x e2 33.lixc4 l'Jgdl• 0-1
197
How to defend?
((4-70) Stohl - Seitaj

~ c ow1994
23...eS! Blocking th e b8-h2 diagonal saves Black the game. Everything else leads to defeat. for example.
23...axb2? 24.U'g 3 f6 25.ffg6 lld8 26.!!h~ :
23... .hg7? 24.tl'g3+ ;t;f6 25.fth4+ ltf5 26..lf.3+ ltg6 27.tg3+ \!i fS 28.!fgS#;
23...f6? 24.Ug3 dlf7 25.hf8 ~ xf8 (25 ... ;!;xfS 26.!!h7+-) 26.l!hS-1--
23...eS! 24..ii.xf8 lox:f8 25.llg3+ llg6 26.llxg6+ 26. xc8? t:xg3 27.hxg3 axb2 28.tl'xb7 c4 is advantageous for
Black. Z6...fxg6 27.bxa3 'lfd2 28.llfl .if5 29.'lfxcS 'lfd4 30.'lfc7 .ii.e4 31.llet loe6 32.'lfe7 lof4 V.-'n
(4-71)
How to react?
(4-71) Kaminski - Kri vosh e y )

( Katowice 1995
----------
24...f6? II is a draw after 24...t xg71 25.ffgS• lth8 26.tl'h6· (26J!d4?1 can be met by 26...f6 27.t'h4+ 1!1'h7
28...c'1'.h7+ <txh7 29.1th4+ ;!;g7 and Black is certainly no worse.) 26...;J..gB 27."'g5-
24.. .f6? 25.li'..'l'.f8 .ii.rl8 26.l!XdB Wxd8 27.!!dl In the e merging middlegame, White's rook is stronger than
Black's bishop pair. which is hampered by its own pawns. 27...'lfe? 28.'lfg6+ .i;.g? There is no alternative,
since 28-.1'g7? 29.'lfxg?+ ltxg7 is followed by 30J!d8+- 29.'!M3 e5? 29... tif7 is called for. 30.'lfd8• fff8 31.'ffc?
wh7 32.RdS 1'a3 33.l!dl ? White will not settle for the draw with 33..a.Xc8? 'l/lcl + 34.lth2 Df4_; but 33.g41 wins
directly. 33....if'S 3 4.'lfxb? 'ffx a2 35.'fff.3 'ffc2 36.cS? ! 36...d6 is more precise. 36....i.e4? 36... wg6 is called for.
37.1'h5+ wg8 38.lld8+ .w.f8 39.ffg4+ .i;.g6 40.c6 wg7 41.c7 'lfxc7 42.!!d?+ 'lfXd7 43.'lfxd ?• W 44.h4 wg8
45.'ffg4+ 1--0
198
199
200
How to defend against Lasker's Combination?
(4-76) Ivan ov - Hermlin )

CHelsinki 1996
~--------~
25....igS? 25...if6! 26.!!d7 (26.g7 ttxb3+!! 27.cxb3 ~+ 28..t:c l ~2+ 29.ltd2 !!ad8+ 30.ll'd6 !!xd6#) 26...Ag7
27.1\'h7· ;t;f8 28.gxf7 ~ 29."gl llel • 30J!xet tfxf2- +
25...il.gS? 26.ffh7+! l!lf8 27.!!d7!! 1'xb3+!? 28.axbJ Thl' only move. 28...a2+ 29.l!lbZ .i.f6• 30.cJ il.y;J 31.gxf7
il..'!.f7 32.ll'dJ! b 5 33.fff.3 lle7 34.1Lu 7 l!lxe7 35.ffxc6 A s harp struggle! 1-0
(4-77)

m -7) .susak - Rosandic

\_.__T_2._
uu
_cc_ee"p_
-i 1_9_9_6_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___,/
19...f6? 19....t:xy;, 20.UgS• <th8 and White has no more than a draw in view of 21.!!e3?1 (21.llf6+ ith7 22. e3?
b h 2+ 23..t:ht !xg2+ 24.""xg2 !!g8· zs.+ ht li'b7+ 26.i!f3 gf>-+) 21...f6 22.!!h3• l!l'h7 23...ooi7+ .11xh7 24.!lh4+
.tg7
19...f6? 20.il.xfS il.xf8 Familiar circumstances. White's minimal material deficit is more than compensated
by his relentless anack. 21.ltu6 'lfy;J 22.dS?! 22.f3 is more prl'Cise. 22...l!dS 23.c4 bS? Reckless. 23...AcS is
more circumspect and limits the damage. 24.lle3 ffl 25.'lfg4+ il.y;J?! 26.llaet ii.cs The minor pieces are
helpless against White's mobile and all-penetrating hea vy pieces. 27.ffgJ bxc4 28.l!e7 Hf8 29.'§c7 il.h6
30.WxdS 1-0
201
g
.t.
.t.

(4-78) Fahnenschmidt - Schwalfenberg

Germany 1996
21.0 xf5!! This original counterblow immediately decides the game. 21...gxfS 22.'lfe4 ga f8 23.'lfXe6+ lflh8
24.ib:d7 gs f6 2S.ixf6 'llh6+ 26.lflgZ 1-0
(4-79)
Black to move and ivi11.

( (4-79) Berndt - Sandle r )

1975 _I
13...0 xb4! An intermediate knigh t sacrifice! 14.axb4 i.xg2! 1S.f3 Or 15.;!;xg2 1fg4+ 16.lthl llf6 and Black
wins. Now Black should play 15...~31 instead of... 1S...llf6? 16.0 e4!, when White was not worse, but lost the
game later nevertheless. 15..ihJ! 16.~e4 fxe4 17.he4 l'g3+ 18.i!ihl b fl-+ 0-1
(i4-8!
~_<4_-so_>_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~)
202
Black resigned here. What defense had he missed?
(4-80) Gusseinov - Balajan

( USSR 1975
J
--------~==--
6...Bdl +!! 7.wxdt 7.nxdl? .tg5+--+ 7....if.3+ s.wcl 'll'hS 9.gxf7+ wxf7 to.'ll'f4+ 'l!'fS= 1-0
(4-81)
How to defend?
Show/ Hide the So lution
c (4-81) Lunn ey - Bruer e

corr 1977
19...'lfe4+!! The saving counterblow. Black loses following 19...l!h8? 20. xf7+ lth6 21.tl'h5+ llig7 22.lilcxe6+1
Axe6 23.~.xe6+ ltg8 24.Hg5+ llif7 25.'ll"f6+ lte8 26.l:Jxh8+ ltld7 2Hlc5+ ltc7 28.tif6+-
19...'lfe4+! ! 20.~ e4 lilg6 2Ufg5 gac8 A bloody battle. l'l-1/z
(4.•82)
White co move a11d win.

(4-82) Minarelli - Pastorini )

C
-Forh 1989
---------~
18.i xg7! wxg719.ffg5+ wh8 20.~ es ffc8 21.gc4 .w.15 22.!l.h4+ .i:.h7 23.'ll'h 6 1-0
203
204
205
206
5
Mitrofanov's Deflection
The fifth chapter of The Tac1ician's Handbook is devoted to deflections, especially the deflection of a piece
giving check. This fantastic combination, in which various pieces are sacrificed without any visible
compensation. has been seen in practice for more than 100 years. Among players we find Alekhine.
Blackburne. Errnenkov. Larsen. Parma. Pillsbury. Topalov. Fischer. Junge and other famous grandmasters.
However. the greatest contributors in in working out this "cosmic" idea have been the chess composers.
Therefore, the deflection accomplished by a rook or minor piece is named after the brothers Vassily and
Mikhail Platov.
The queen's deflection. however, belongs to Leopold Mitrofanov, as we shall see. There followed several
magicians of the chess study. such as Bron, Weenink, Wotawa. Gorgiev. Kasparyan. Korolkov, Kubbel,
Mattisons. Prokes, Rusinek, Troitzky and others. Deflection leading to mate \\~th a single bishop (see
Appendix) is considered a different kind of combination, based on the famous studies ofTroirzky and
Cordes.
Altogether 49 games, fragments and studies are collected, along with 10 exercises which illustrate our
subject.
He lived on Cosmonaw Avenue, next 10 1he sub,vay Zvezdnaia. I have no doubt char he arrived from another
\llorld. and I was nor ar all surprised when grandmaster Leonid Yudasi11 one day said thal Leopold Mitrofanov
was a newcomer from ourer space. He drew chis conclusion upon considering Mitrofw1ov's astounding,
fanrastic studies. - V. Fedorov, An Amazing Combi11a1ion
Leonid Mitrofanov (1932-1992) was an international master as well as international arbiter of chess
composition. He published more than 250 studies and was awarded several FIDE gold medals. In 1993,
shonly after Mitrofanov's passing. the book Elusive Simplicicy (L.Mitrofanov and V.Fedorov) was published.
One of the studies reprinted in this book shook the planet when it first appeared. A tactical method, called
Mitrofanov's Deflection by his followers. was demonstrated in all its splendor. The following excerpt from
the book is given with slight abridgments.
An international chess studies competition dedicated to the 800th jubilee of the great Georgian poet Shota
Rustaveli. author of the immortal poem Vicyaz v 1igovoj shkure (Hero in a Tiger·s Skin). was announced in
Georgia in that memorable year. The study awarded first prize became a deserved adornment of the
competition. 250 studies from 170 authors- practically all the leading composers of the world - rook part in
this supercompetition of the century.
L Mitrofanov
( 5·1)
( Leningrad 1967
White to play and win. 1.b6+ Black has three extra pieces; moreover. only one step remains before the h2·
pawn becomes a queen. Black's advantage is so great that the involuntary question arises whether the
posiuon IS a pracucal joke. It seems obvious that White must lay down his arms, but the task is ·whne to
play and win." No. the author and jury are by no means joking! 1...'olla8 2.g7 White can play only with
pawns; he has no pieces. you know. 2 ...ht •lr 3.gS•lr· s.b8 4.a7 To prevent the threat of xb8# is not so easy.
For example. if 4 d7, then new unpleasantness hes in wait for Black after 5.axb8= • xb8 6. f7.
However. Black has here an excellent opponunity to launch an attack. 4...~ c6+ 5.clxc6 'lfxhS• Now II does
not matter where the white king moves-a series of checks will follow. e.g.. 6. a6? e2+ or 6.ta4? •dl •
with victory for Black. Nevenheless, White has to choose one of these lines since there 1s obviously no other
.. - ..
207
with victory for Black. Nevertheless, White has to choose one of these lines since there is obviously no other
way. But all of a sudden ... 6.'lfg5! !
Mitrofanov's Deflection. Why? To give up the queen for absolutely no compensation is too much I Even a
chess computer trying to solve the study has no courage for it. John Roycrofi, publisher of the English
magazine Endgame, reported to his readers the words of grandmaster Yudasin: "The queen is given for
nothingl" 6...1fxg5• Black takes the valuable present, a nd even -...~th check I 7.ltla6 It turns out that Black has
no more checks, while White has the threat of 8.b7#. Yet Black has a lot of extra piecesl 7...iLXa7 It is useless
for White to play 8.b7• \!ib8, but h is answer to Black's capture is murderous. 8.c71!•- 1-0
This modest. quiet move compels Black's immediate capitulation. It is a tremendous finish. especially since
even now not everything is completely clear. We fmd it necessary to pause, and make ourselves
comprehend what has happened. How did two pawns end up stronger than the armada of black pieces?
One of those trying to solve the study remarked, "The Mitrofanov entry is pretty good, but there is a
shortcoming: that superfluous knight on el." But the whole point is that without the et-knight, everything
would be alright for Black. He would then have. in the final position. 8... aS• 9. xaS .t.xb6• (9... • b7
10.bxa7) 10 ... xb6 and it is stalemate!
There is a kind of mysticism here - the more pieces Black has, the worse he is for it! The competition·s jury
(the eighth world champion Mikhail Tai, grandmaster of composition Gia Nadareishvih. along with
internauonal arbiter of composition Alexander Herbst man) justly mentioned that this unique study stood
by itself m the competition: " It doesn"t look bke any other. and is beyond the rest of the studies." Later
Herbstman recalled that, "Immediately after the first preview, Mitrofanov•s masterpiece created a
tremendous impression by the intensity and novelty of the idea. The ranking of the other studies, as a
matter of fact, was designated by us beginning with second place."
If we acknowledge the great cosmic mind permeating the universe, generating ideas, then it becomes clear
that Mitrofanov's combination did not appear at o nce, o n a clean slate. Most likely its central concept
crossed the minds of both practical players and chess composers. If we could take a dvantage of a time
machine and transport ourselves to the remote past. we would witness some quue mteresting events.
120 Years Ago
( (5-2) Pillsbury - Em.Lasker
Moscow 1895
At the beginning of 1896, the imposing St. Petersburg match/tournament was drawing to a close. After three
rounds the young American. Harry Nelson Ptllsbury. was substantially in the lead. He had won all three
games agamst Mikhail Chigorin and had taken 2~ points from Emanuel Lasker. The position of the
participants was as follows: Pillsbury 6¥!. Lasker 5¥!. Steinitz 5. Chigorin 1 ~- In the crucial game, world
champion Lasker carried out one of the most beautiful combinations of all time. Blinded by his brilliant
208
win, contemporaries and future generations overlooked an astonishing tactical method demonstrated by his
opponent for the first time over the chessboard.
@
.t. .t. ~ .t.
~ .t .t.
'i,lf
fl,
f!, I), fl,
<t; g .i. II
21..li:.bS!! The bishop is given for .. nothing." and on an unprotected square; the opponent can take it with
check. losing no tempo in the attack. What is the aim of this sacrifice? The aim is the deOection of Black's
main attacking piece to an inconvenient square. After taking the bishop, the black queen will find herself on
a light square. no longer threatening the key d4-pawn located on a dark square 21...l!fxbS• 22.l!lal gc7?
22 ...t!'c4 23.tl'g4 J?e7 gives Black good winning chances. 23.!ldZ !lc4 24.ghdl? Too passive. The active 24. el I
more or less forces the draw. e.g., 24 ...ftaS 25.!leS· ct-h7 26. fS• g6 27.>.e?· .txe7 28.n f?. 24...!lc3? 24 ...19c6
25.;t;bl .tgs 26. el lth7 gives Black good chances to win. 25.flf5 1'c4
.t.
.t .t.
.t. ~
~ f!,
t!, ~
I), g
~ g
26.l!lbZ? As a result of this terrible mistake Pillsbury spoiled his excellent combination. According to Lasker,
he could protect himself by 26.1/bl ! .;xa3 27.\l'c2? (With 27.!lcl , White can even fight for the full point.)
27... c3 28.YbZ bS 29., c2 h d4 30.llxc3 .txc3 31. b3 and Black is forced to take a draw. 26.. Jt xa3!! 27.'.fe6•
wh7? 27...ltihS 28. e8• lth 7 wins. 28.wxa3? 28.b fS+ g6 29.!Jd7+ .tg7 30.ltixa3 c3+ 31.lta4 c4+ 32.ltia3=
28...flc3• 29.l!la4 bs• 30.l!lxbS 'lfc4• 31.l!laS i ds• 32.'1Jb6 .w.xb6# 0-1
~ A. Troitzky
\..__
NN_oo_
vvoo~,y_e_v_re_n~iy_a_1_B_9_6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _}
One of the most attentive spectators at the tournament was Alexei Troitzky, a beginner who became one of
the greatest composers. It is known that he dedicated a separate study to each participant. Troitzky took
notice of Pillsbury's move. and embodied its idea in his study published in 1896, given below:
Whire co move and wi1t

1 .1t'<h4 !!Xb4 1...!lgS 2.~d3 gxrs. 3.!lf4 i::gs H:es 'l.e7 5.'lg4 grs. 6.l!ig3 i::rs 7.g7 11gs s .11g6+- 2.~ d3 gb5 2...!lg4
3.te5 !lf4· 4.l!ie3 llxfS 5.g7 - e5• 6.ltf4 :::rs• 7.;!;g4• - 3 .g7 !lxf5• 4.~4!! The knight is sacrificed in order to
209
displace the black rook. drawing it onto the fourth rank where the white king reaches it. In chess
composition this theme is called "displacement of the checking piece." 4 ...l'txf4+ S.wg3+-- 1-0
Development of the theme from 1903 to 1928
(5-4) V.&M.Pla tov
Dewsche Schachzeinmg 1909
Vassily Platov (1881-1952) and Mikhail Platov (1883-1942) published more than 200 studies. They won
approximately 30 awards. As befits a genius. Troitz.ky abandoned th e deflection idea and forgot it. It took
another 10 years before one of his talented followers. Vasily Platov, again took up the splendid concept. He
took this matter very seriously. Together with his brother Mikhail, in some five years he published 16(1)
studies: 10 on bishop deflections. five on knight deflections. and one rook deflection.
'
1.ffl+ we7 t...l!;g6 2.'ig3 !L'tg3 3.b7+-; 1...ltlg8 2.lie3 llg5 (2...llgt + 3.'. td2 l'J>l 4.es b4 s.exd6 lixb6 6.d7+-)
3.e5 dxeS 4.b7+-- Z.b7 ll.xe4+ 3.l!e31 ! llxe3+ 4.wdz lle6 5.b8='1f+- In the following years the Platov brothers
continued to elaborate this fruitful idea. It is interesting that their activities compelled Troitz.ky to return to
the theme, and he also composed several studies.
((5-5)Nyholm - Ale khiue
~ tockholm 1912
Finally. in 1912. the future world champion. Alexander Alekhine, demonstrated a bishop's d eflection over
the board. This brilliant combination immediately d ecided th e result.
g ..tK
' '
~
''
Yl!J
~ '11.i.
~ ti, t!:. ti,
11 @
"Now moving the king allows 22.::!xc3 with an extra piece. and 21...~ dS? is refuted by 22.~ f3 'ltf4 23. dS
.rxcl - 24.11.fl .te6 25.Exd8• llxd8 26. . e6- 1th8 27.~eS wh en White wins," (Alekhine). However. an
insurmountable problem is waiting for White - a bishop's deflection - and in the best case White will be
minus two pawns.
Zl ....w.e6!12Z.'lfxe6+ ltlh8 23.l!eS 'IJXd3 24.llcel?! h 6?! 24 ...tl'd6 is more precise. Z5.'lfg6? 25.~ !'3= 25...'lfx dZ 0-
1
The century-long history and development of this theme, "displacement of the checking piece,• reminds one
of mountaineers storming the highest peak in the world. Chessplayers were demonstrating new
combinations. and composers were perfecting their studies. More than 100 bishops, knights. and rooks were
sacrificed. However. no one managed to carry out the ultimate deflection, a queen sacrifice; many tried to
reach this apex of chess creativity. but without success. The mountaintop seemed quite close at times. but
remained unreachable. The world was waiting for the entrance of a new genius. one who would ftnally
conquer the summit.
210
211
It seems that White wins easily, as after 26...;!;b8?. 27.'lbd3 .te3 28..tc3 wins. However. Junge demonstrates a
very splendid example of Platov's Deflection.
26....icS!! 27.ll'xd3 If 27..txc5+?, 27...-;!;d7 28..td4 c8 29. d6· lte8-• , and the appearance of a new queen is
inevitable. Hennig declined the sacrifice and soon losL 27...l'!d8 28..id4 !lxd4 0-1 Indeed, our combination
might have been called Junge's Denection. Unfortunately. the game of the 16-year-old genius was
overlooked by the chess community. Only after the 1993 publication of my book. Dance 011 the Edge ofa
Volcano. was it brought to the public's attention.
(5-8) Porat - Larsen )
( Moscow 1956
'-----~========-'
15 ....ie6!! 16.tfxe6+ 'f!lf717.'C,xf7+ l'!xf7 18.exd4 !!d 7 White can only gaze at the ruin of his formerly fine
position. 19.dS?l li.lxdS 20.ic4 wh7 21..ixd S .r.xc3+ 22..ixc3 cxdS 23.g4 !lxd6 2.4.grl5 gxfS 25.i!dl ol:lc6 26.bS
li.ld8 27.13 ol:le6 28.fxe4 fxe4 29.lifl ol:lgS 30.ltfi d4 31.M ol:lf3 + 32.we2 lic8 33.iM gg6 0-1
(5-9) Charus hin - Kasif

Moscow (analysis) 1957
1 .ol:le4? U .d3 is stronger. 1...'§d8? 1...ltlg7= 2.ltx b7 ol:lc6 3.ir.xa6? 3.!!Xc7? 'tiXc7 4.'ltxh4• !!'h 7 5.ttxh7+ 1txh7
6.~ f6+ ~ g7 7.<wCe8• es 8.l::xa6 ,',:d4=; 3.'lfcl - 3....w.as? 3...lle7 is forced. 4.l!xa5?! ol:lxas
212
5.tfxa5!! 1fxa5?! 6.~ f6 tfe1• 7..ifl !! 'lfxfl• 8.wh2•-
Bent Larsen
23...ig4!! 24.'lfxg4• lth8 2s.~ g5 tfd 2 26.lic7 'lfx:f2• 27.whz

'lfxg2• 28.'lfxgZ hxg2 29.clxeS liac8 30.llxb7 l!c2 31.~ f7• wg7
32.e6 wf6 33.e7 gl :tf+ 34.wxgl lig8• 0-1
(5-11) Kaplan - Lavrenjev
Moscow 1976
t ... d3• ? t....txf8= 2..id4!! L'!:d4• 3.¢>ht dxc2 4.r!h8• wxh8 5.1'b8• .11.e 8 6.'lfxe8• ¢>h7 7..11.gS• wh8 8.:id7• wh7
9.'lfgS: 1--0
(5-12) Van Wijgerd en - Van Scheltinga
Hilversum 1983
213
32.'lfe6 'lfxg1 + 33.l!.>xg1 Bel+ 34•.li'.e l ffxel + 35.\t>f2 1-0
(5· 13) Van der Wiel - Ligterink

Wijk aan Zee 1985
43...l!c8+?! 43...~ xe4+ is even better in view of 44.tc3 llc8+ 45..1c5 1re5+ 46.t d3 xd6• 47.!..xd6 :::.xcl
43...Bc8+? ! 44 ..icS!! .ib3+ 44...:lxcS•? is met by 45.ctcd3 1txe4· (45...~c4 •? 46.;!;d4+-) 46.1txe4 15+ 47.gxf6 g.x cl
48." a6 45.lllbl .ia2• 46.lllc2 'lfxh2+ 47.Bd2 ffxcS• 48.llld3 'lfd6+ 49.llle2 'lfh2+ 50.llld3 'lfd6• 51.llle2 'l!-11!
(5-14) Schmaltz - Kis hnev

Altensteig 1993
g
.t
i
21 ...lixg2+!! 22.ltlxg2 'lfg6+ 23..igS!! 11'x h7 24.1Jxh7+? 24.be7 'lfxc2· (24...f'xh3· 25.itxh J Efb8 26..A.xb4 t.xb4
27.'<idS .JJ7 28.~ e3=) 25.l!f2 ttxb3 26..tf6 gxf6 27:ltg4! 24...lllxh7 25•.ixe7 0 xc2 26.lt>g3? 26.ixf8 4'.e3+ 27.ltf.1
~ xfl 28.ib4 is more tenacious. 26...BfbS 27.0c5 f6 2s.gf2 ~ d4 29.0 Se4 lllg6 30 ..icS Bbl 31.ltlg2 i!ab8 32.i d6
lld8 33..i.e7 Bdb8 34.id6 llc8 35.lld2 0 f5 36 ..li'.cS llcb8 37.0d1 0 h4+ 38.lllfl ffl+ 39.i.fZ llf4 40.'1c5 0 f3
4t.lld7 0 xh2• 42.llle2 0 g4 43..igl as 44.0 e 6 lle4• 45.llld2 ggs 46.0 c3 !!b4 47.l!.>c2 Bgb8 48.ffxg7+ l!lfS
49.'1c5?! ffxb2+ SO.l!.>d3 l'lg2 0-1
(5-15) Urday - Bellon

Benasqu e 1993
36...'lfeS! 37.'1g7+ ltlxf6 38.11.fl • iO!! 39.0h5+ llle6 40.0g7+ 111f6 41.0h 5+ llle6 42.'1g7+ 'l.!-11!
The k11ighc's deflection
(5-16) Tolus h - Byvshev )
( -·_M_o_sc_o_
w_1_9~_·2_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
214
19...~ b4!! 19...t e7? 20.€.e4 is dangerous.
19...~ b4!! 20..11.e 4 20..ixb4+ cs 21.dxcS?? (21.!a2 <me3+ 22.ltxg2 Yf.3: ) 21...'lhe3+ 2Lt xg2 U'f.3+ 23.ltgl l!el·
20...ffxe3+ 21.wxg2 Vd2+ 22.wft tff4+ 23.wg2 ffd2+ 24.wfl Vf4• 2s.wg1 lfe3+ 26.wg2 ffd2+? ! 26... ?xc3
27~ d5 e d2+ 28. .thl llel! 21.wh l '§xc3 28..ixh4+ '§xb4 29.im Bad8?! 30.ll'h8• we7 31.1J:xf6+ wd 7 32.1Jc6•
we7 33..ifi? 33. c7• Bd7 34. f4+- 33....i xf5?? A tragedy. Black could have virtually equalized with
33...lixd4 34.thc7+ d7 35.lic6 Bdd8 36i."<g4 flxg4 37.\Jf6· itd7 38. xf7• .tc8 39.l!cl + ltb8 40.IS'c7• .ta8
4Ul'c6= 34.<i:lxf'S+ ,Ms 35.ffh6+ "1g8 36.ffg?R 1-0
(5-17) Oren - Dyner

( _Tel Aviv 1952
J
.
1.llxb3 '§a7+ 2.li lb6!! ffxh6+ 3.ffd4+! 1-0 in view of 3... xd4+ 4.~ xd4 llxd4 5..t xg4+-
(5-18) Tai - Koblen cs )

(.Moscow
._ 1960_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____,.
18...~ g4!! 18...lllh6? l 9.M4+ <th5 ZOi eZ• otg4 21.::Xg4 U b4+ 22.c3 tlxc3+ 23.<tf1+-
18...~ g41 ! 19.l!xg4 • wf6 20.11f4• w.,;, ,,.,_,,.,
( (5-19) Parma. - Puc
\_Ljubljana 1969
------------------------~
)
215
50.~ dS+!! l!lb 7 50...:txdS+ 51.ltle4 .','.c3+ 52.ltf4 ~a4 53.aB=l!f+- 51.aB•ff+ l'txa8 52.111>4 lla5 53.~ c3 l!lc6
54.l'txbS l!xb5 55.~xbS l!lxb5 56.l!ld 4 l!lc6 57.l!le5 l!ld 7 58.l!lf6 l!le8 59.l!lg7 l!le 7 60.f6+ l!le6 61.h 3 1-0
(5-20) Fischer - Ivkov
Palma de Mallorca 1970
.t
42.<i:lel! ! ffxel + 43.l!lh2 ~ gs 44.i.xf7+ 1-0
,.''' J
( <S-21) Kanko - Kaviah o
\._Finland 1975
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --
g g
' ' .t 13,

lb
I), W!i ~
I), !i._ ~ 13, I), 13,
~ <t;
1.IL~ + l!lxg7 2 .\!fg3• ~ g4!?
- & &
.t @'
'
- ' .t lb '
13,
I),
[:, 11..
•'*'
'v!' Ls [:, ls
~ ct;
Unfortunately, here Platov's Deflection does not save the game. If 2...l!Jf8?1 3.~ d7•! ~ xd7 4.!.g7+ t;e7 5.'l:!'g5•
f6 6ixf6• ~ x f6 7.Yg711 3.~ xg4+ A curious change of checking piece. 3...l!lf8 3.....g6 4.~ f6+ .tf5 5.Uh3• .tg5
6.~ xh7• 1 g6 7.l g3·•-; 3...es 4.~es• "' f6 (4...l!fs s.-td7+.-) s .~f4•~; 3..J6 4.~h6· ltxh6 5.~h4• 11h5
(5 ... t g6 6.1l xf6+ t hS 7. •f7•+-) 6.1 xf6+ b g6 7.l'h4· ti'h5 8..ig7++- 4 ..ig7+! l!le7 4... • gs s.ctif6#; 4 ... :!lxg7
5.~ es+ MB (5...U6 6. f4• ltg7 7.1.gS+·-) 6.~ d7+ ~ e7 7.tl'gs-~ 5.\!fh4+ Minev 1-0
216
~ Kaplun - Ark.hlpkin
"--~u
_ss_ss_RR_t_
97_s_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
J
1...~ e8!! 2.tl'xe8+ <t>h7 3.ffeS .ixeS 4.dxeS lle8 0-1

(5-23) Moskalenko - V.lvanov
Moscow 1995
30...~ eS!! 31.llccl 31.lsxe8+?! 1.f7 32.l1f8· lte7 33.llfl d 2 plays into Black's hand. 31 ...ffbS?! This gives White
some chances, but the game was later drawn anyway. 3l...~ d6= is more precise. "'1-Y.t
((5-24) Spasov - Svidler
\__ Yerevan 1996
~ 9
i ~.t i
~ i i
i l:, i
[:, ~
ii.. [:, [:,
[:, .t [:,
<"J:;
31...~ dS! ! 32.!lxd8+ wf133.!ld ?• we8 34.llxg7 ffxc4 34...t1xa21? 35.:16 .:ibl • 36.! h2 ~ el -+ is even better.
35..if6 'll'e4 36.M .i.d l 37.111112 ffel 38.hS gs 39.~ d3 fffl 40.!le?• l!lf8 0-1
The rook's deflection
(5-25) Goring - Anderssen )
C
~Leipzig 1877
---------
217
218
219
38.!ixgS+? The game now ends by perpetual check, but White could have played 38.l.l'xgS+I hxgS 39.!!exgS+
,'! @
,'!
'' 'g
I},
~
~
'I' ~~
@
'
Mate seems inevitable. However, Mitrofanov's Deflection saves the game with 39...1tg711 40J!xg7+ \th8 and
Black has real chances to draw, but Wh ite is still for choice of course.
38.!ixgS+? hxgS 39.'lbgS+ ltlh7 40.'lfhS+ 11>g8 41.'IJgS+ ~
(S-32) Ermenkov - Sa."l )

(___
w_a_rs_a_w_l_9_69_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
1.d7 rtxfl + 1...d2 2.'ll'al <+- z.wxfl d2 3.'llxf3! !!cl + 4.'lfdl! ! 1-0
Brilliant! Black resigned in view of 4...l!XdJ+ S.\te2 !lbl 6.ds=tt dt ='II'• 7.!!l"xdl l!Xdl 8.'hdl +-.
220
(S-33) Mohring - Kaikamdzozov
Zamardi 1978
U fhJ !! ffxh J+ 2.wgs 'lfgJ+ 3.wf6 ffi• 4.we7 ffxb3 s.fflls+ wg7 6.'!fgS• 1--0
( (S-34) Falk - Ostojic

\.__Wiesbaden 1981
J
.
1.'!fg7• i.xg7 2.h xg7• wg6? It was necessary to play 2...tl'hS, but White wins nevenheless in the long run,
e.g., 3.l!xh S• i!.g6 4.g8=1f• .txhS s.ttxf7• l!.'g5 6.ttg7· ltf4 7.;!.g2 l:a2 8.t g3• l!lxe4 9,fget• .tdS 10.;!; !3 t a3•
11.M4•- J.g8:'!f• l!lx:f6 4.!lf.J• we7 s .l!xf7• 1--0
47.'ll'cl !! Not 47.;!;1'2?? !!fl # The queen sacrifice is forced, bm

there are two ways to do iL The other variation of
Mitrofanov's Deflection even loses:
47.1 el? _xet • 48.IHZ !!e2• 49.\tgt (49.1.ft ?! e3-•) 49...eJ 50.h3
!.!et• 51 .1! h2 e2 52.d7 !'hl • 53.\t xht el = f • 54.\th2 t.'>xaS 55.e7
ffe5• 56.lt.gl ;tx f7 57.dB=II' 'lfe3• 58.lt.h2 xe7 59.1rxd3 tlle5•-•
47.ffcl !! !lx cl • 48.wf2 !lc6 49.!td7 ib5 50.meJ !!c2 51.flc7 !!e2• S2.wf4 llf2• 53.wxe4 fie2+ 54.wfS ffl•
ss.wes !le2• S6.wf6 llf2• S7.we7 fie2 SB.d7 li.x d7 ss.w.x d 7 11d2• 60.weB 1-0
221
The deflection in compositions
Platov's deflection
The bishop's deflection
(5-36_) V.Platov
( Russia 1906
J
~ - - - - - - - - ~
Displacement of the checking piece became a fruitful idea in the world of chess composition, especially in
the work of the Platov brothers.
White to play and win 1.id6 Only this move prevents Black's idea of giving his rook for the g-pawn, which
would be enough to draw. On l i c5? would follow 1...I!d8 2.MB ~d4+ 3.;!;h5 l!g4=
1.i.d 6 l!hl• 1...l!d4• 2.1ths ia:g4 3...t.f4• ,.tcz 4..tgs•-2..ih2!! l!.xhZ• 3.wg3 l!hl 4.wf2 4.;!;g2? l!.h4= 4 ...11.h2•
5.wf3 l!.h3+ 6.wf4 l!.h4• 7.wx:f5 l!h5+ 8.wf4 l!h4• 9.wf3 l!h3+ 10.wg2+- v. & M. Platov. As elsewhere in this
section, commentary anributed to the Platovs is understood to be with minor editing.
(5-37) V.&M .Pla tov
Deutsche Schachzeicung 1908
White to play and win. 1.d6 l!d l + Best. The d6-pawn can be taken at any time. If 1...ltb6, th en 2.f7 IU'3 3.d7+-
2.wg2 l!d2• 3.wh3 3.;tf3? alXd6 4.f7 l!d5= 3...!!xd6 Now Black must take the d6-pawn. since 3...!fd3• is
followed b y 4.Ag3 ;!;b6 5.f7 f3 6.d7+-- 4.f7 l!d3+ 5.wg2 lld2+ 6.wg1 l!d1 + 7.Jte1•!! llxel + 8.wg2 lle2+ 9.wg3
l!e3+ 10.wg4 lle4 + 11.wg5 l!e5+ 12.wxg6 lle6+ 13.wg5 l!e5• 14.wg4 I!e4+ 15.wg3 l!e3+ 16.wf2+- -V.&M.Platov
The kmght's deflection
(5-38) V.Platov
Deutsche Schachzeinmg 1906
222
White to play and win 1.a7 lllb 7 t ..."ig5+ 2.<&c6 l!a5 3.e7 l!a6+ 4.ltlb5"'-; l...!ldt + 2.ltc6 ct+ 3.lt b6 tbt +
4.lt:a6~ 2.a8=ff+ 2.e7? l!g8 H ' e6 lse8 4.a8=U• a81 5.<lld8+ ltlc7 6.e8=11 t.xd8!. 2...,,t>xa 8 3.e7 l!d l + 4.~d3! !
!ixd3+ 5.llle4 l!dl 6.e8 ff++- V.Platov
2
(5-39) V.Platov & M.Platov

Shakhmatnoe Obozre11ie 1909
White to play and win 1.~e2+ The knight transfers to a more advantageous position. White could win the
bishop for a pawn, but it would lead to defeat after t.f7? be5+ 2.~ a2 ~6 3.~ e4 i.e7 4.~ gS es 5.~ e6 c4
6.f8='1!1 (6.~ ,cg7=) 6....1.'Cffi 7.~ 'CfB c3-+
t .~ e2+ llld2 1...ltlc2 2.~ d4• cxd4 3.fxg7 b eS 4.g8=B d3• 5.lt:a2 d2 6.'lfg6++- 2.f7 .ixeS+ 3.~ c3!! li.d 6 4.~ e4++-
V.&M.Platov
(5-40) Levenfish - Romanovsky
Leningrad 1933
55...ffcl •? Correct is 55...tif4 with a probable draw. 56.¢>h2 fff4+ 57.g3+ The composer's sharp eye noticed
that. although mate was accomplished above by the queen. it might easily have been a bish op. Mate by a
lone b ishop would have made a worthy subject for a tactical reference book. if ii were not for the limited
material. Therefore, this a ppendL,c is given as a brief survey of the theme.
Historical Development
The single bishop mate first a ppears in the mid-eighteenth century. The example below is not strictly a
chess problem, but a training example - one of those which the Italian master offered to his readers for
analysis.
(5-40) Levenfish - Romanovsky

Leningrad 1933
223
224
CNovoye Vremrya_ _ _ _ _ _ ___
(5-43) A.Troitzky )
1895
- - -...:.-.:...
White to play and win. 1..w.116+ <Jlg8 2.g7 wfl 3.gB='lf+! One bishop cannot mate. so White's first two moves
aimed at saving his pawn. Now it is sacrificed! 3...<Jlxg8 4.<Jle6 <Jlh8 5.<Jlfl e5 6.i g7# It should be noted that
the first study with such a corner mating pattern was published in 1842.
c (S-44) H.Cordes
Rigaer Tageblacr 1895
--------------------------
)
White to play and win. t .ic:7 l!fet • z.wh Z Threatening 3i g3#. z ...ffxfZ 2...g4 3.i d8• Ye7 4.ixe7# 3id6 trf4+
3... ·e t 4.g3+ !1'xg3• S.hg3# 4.g3• !! 'lfxg3• S..i xg3# In the combined attack on two diagonals. the strength of
White's bishop is fully realized!
The splendid studies ofTroitzky and Cordes mark the last step in this theme's historical developmenL
Posterity was left only to work out the details. Over the next century, the single bishop mate happened time
and again. both in tournament play a nd chess composition. Among performers are such famous composers
as Genrikh Kasparyan. Vladimir Korolkov. Sam Loyd. Andre Cheron and others. The combination has been
carried out in actual games by Harry Pillsbury, Mikhail Tai. Robert Fischer. Carl Schlechter. Erich Eliskases
and other grandmasters.
To conclude out historical review. we give a little-known ending from one of Robert Fischer's simultaneous
exhibitions.
225
226
White to move. 1.il.xg7!? Black threatened 1 ...lilf51. 1..J!xh4 2.'lfxh4• wxh4 3..if6• gs 4 ..ic3! 'lff2 Any move
leads to defeat. The queen cannot leave the second rank because of S.g311. and if 4...g4, S-tf61i. S..ieS! Almost
a complete replication of the Cordes study in a game. 1-0
White to move. U !eS!! lLuS 2.i.xeS bS 2....tdl 3..tc311 3.i.c7# 1-0
Exercises
(5-50)
Mare in five.
( (5-50) S.Lloyd
....1867
1.IH'8 lilxf8 2..if5 lilh7 3..i:dt7 .ii.b8 4.g4 .ic7 5..ie4# 1-0
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- J
White ro move and win.

227
{Ts'.si) L.Mitrofanov
~hmamaya Mysl 1969
1.lfg4- wa5 2.d7 f1=1f+ Black sacrifices his new queen! 3.wxfl flcl+ 4.lfdl!!
White does jus1 the same. Unexpected and effective. 4...flxdl• 5.we2 g el+ 6.wxd2-'- 1-0
The next study unfortunately has a Oaw. 4.t\'d5 is the best rry, but nevenheless, how does Black win?
(5-52)
WI @ g
ft &
9 13,
... W!J
I::,
How does Black win?

(5·52) L.l\1.itrofanov & D.Gurgenidze

Loshinsky Memorial 1962
...I
4.lfd5!? lfxd5• 5.we8 lfa8•? s...'l!'c6+ 6.gd7 ti'c8+ 7.- ds fle6+ 8.\tfs Vf6+ 9.wg8 ll'xd8+ to.1t;xh7 'IH6 1 t.llg8
It.cs 12.=g7 ltd4 13.!:g6 f7+ 14.llg7 trxbJ.-+ 6.M7 lfxh 8 1.ge6+ wc7 s .ge7+ wds 9.fle5! wd 7 to.ge7+= Black
cannot gel out through the d4-square: 10...wd611.fle6• wd512,ge5+ wd4 13.fle8 'h·l/z
(5·53)
White 10 move and wiit
228
( (5-53) G.Kasparyan
Shakhmacy v USSR 1934 )
U Jf7! .ie3! 2.lfe7+ gs 3.l!lh2 .igl +! 4.l!lxgl trcl + 4 ...'ll'd4+ 5.'lre311 tl'xe3+ 6.ll>h2 leads to the main variations.
5.lfel +!! 5.l!lh2? tl'gl + 6.~ xgl stalemate. 5 ...'ll'xe l + 6.lflh2 'IH2 7..w.d6! Zugzwang. 7...'Wf4+ 8.g3+ ffxg3 +
9 ..w.xg3# 1-0
White co move and draw.

(5-54) E.Pogosyants
Leninskoe Znamye 1967
1.1Jh5+ l!la4 2.1Jh4+ 'll'g4!? 3.axb 3• White declines the Mitrofanov sacrifice in view of 3. xg4+? ·;t;a3 4.tl'a4+
<!>xa4 5..tb2 (5.axb3+ l!;a3-+) s...bxa2 6.~ xa2 ct = -+ 3 ...l!lxb3 4.'Wg3+ Wxg3 stalemate Y:-Yz
(5-55)
White to move and 111i1L

Show/Hide· the Solution
(5-55) G.Slepian )
CShakhmacy v USSR 1984
- - ·_ c . __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _
l .d7 l!le5 2.ig3+ ~ xg3 3.d8·'W qie4+ 4.l!lh6 llh2+ 5 .l!lg7 l!h7+ 6.l!lxh7 ~ gs+ 7.l!lg8 i e4+ 8.-WdS+!!
229
8...ixdS• 9.'itlf8 'itld 6 10.b? ~ e6+ 11.'itle8 ~ c7+ 12.'itld8 ~ a6 13.~ c7 ~ b8 14.'itlc8 ~ d 7 15.~ e8+ 'itle7 16.~ f6+-
1-0
While IO move and 111i1t

1.'lff.3• First, White makes his queen more active. 1...ltla7 2.'lfe3· was 3..i xe6! .i.a6+! Subtle. lf 3....Ue6.
4 . . e6 t!g5• (4...WhS• 5:t,b6- ) 5.\ta6+-. 4.wa5 A dignified answer. If 4.! xa6?, 4... c4+ 5.l!;b6 xc7• 6.l!;xc7
stalemate. 4 ...'lfh5+! 4 ... h l 5. eS+-; 4...t:ih8 5..tdS· ~ 7 6..ub7• l.txb7 7.Ub6• - 5.'lfgS!!
S.\txa6? l!'e2• 6.l!laS ffa6•1 7.l!lb4 tl'b6• 8.t."xb6 stalemate. s...tfxgS• 6.'itlxa6 'lfg8! 7.idS•! 'lfxds 8.c8='1f# A
masterpiece! This stud y is considered the most brilliant realization of Mitrofanov's Deflection according to
Viktor Razumenko.
(S-57)
230
White to move and draw.
(5-57) T.Gorgiev )
C
___
us_s_R_1_9_52_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ~
1.li lc2• 'lfxc2+ 2.wxc2 ~ e3+ 3.fxe3 i g6+ Now \Vhite sacrifices both bishop and queen. 4.ifS!! .ixf5+
5.'lfe4• !! i xe4• 6.1!1d2 !lhl stalemate V!-'h
(S-58)
White co move and wiJL

( (5-58) j.Rusinek l
Szachy 1971 ..)
1.h3• wh4 1 ... • f5 2.bb2•· - 2.i eS! e2• 3.11/h Z lll'gl • ! 4.11/xgl ll:al + 4 ...el =\t• does not save the game: 5.'b fl
'Inf!• 6.t h2!! 11'!2 7.d8'1f b t =tf 8.\id4• 'ltxd4 9.g311 s .wh 2 flhl• 6.lllxhl el=lll'• 7.'lffl !!
7 ...'lfxfl • 7...1txe5 8.t.<12• ~ g3 9.tfd4++- 8.wh 2 'l!lf2 9.d8: 'l!f 'lfgl • 10.lllxgl blz'IIJ• 11.ffd l ! ! 1 U !ih2? gl +I
12..!ixgl stalemate. 11 ...'lfxdl+ 12.wh2 g4 t 3..i.f6#
231
232
6
The Steeplechase
The pawn is rite soul ofchess - Fran~ois-Andre Danican Philidor
As the soldier dreams of becoming a general, so the pawn desires to become a queen. In the opening stage of
chess, pawns define the redoubtable structures of black and white fortifications. In the middlegame. pawns
serve as rams for crashing through the opponent's defenses, or as armored shields to beat off an attack. In
the endgame, pawns are the masters who hold the game's fate in their hands.
In this sbnh chapter of The Tactician's Handbook we will investigate the combinative potential or pawns.
with emphasis on opening and middlegame play. Lei's look, for example. at the white d2-pawn. On its initial
square this pawn carries out only defensive functions. but with each move its offensive strength increases.
On the fourth rank it provides a solid foothold in the center, but the pawn's advance to the fifth rank
already constitutes an invasion into the opponent's territory, accompanied by definite threats. Its
appearance on the sixth rank brings perturbation in the opponenrs camp. Here a blockade is almost
impossible. and any push to the seventh rank is very close to victory. Forward again to the eighth rank with
transformation into a queen - rather a rare thing in the middlegame - is a complete apotheosis!
The pawn's road forward is not studded with roses: it must overcome numerous obstacles created by the
opponent. Th us the march turns into a steeplechase - a race through obstacles. Of course. the name only
represents artistically the combination's main point and must not be understood literally. Here the "chase"
is a pawn charge or breakthrough (with intermediate moves). and the "barriers· are opposing units that
directly. or indirectly. influence the ·racer's" route. The following position illustrates these points.
{ (6-1) V.Charushin 1998 )

g
•
The d-pawn is at the starting gate. The initial advance is directly influenced by the enemy e-pawn. so the
first move breaks down this barrier. t.d.xeS+ we 7 2.ex:f6+ In the same manner the f-pawn is eliminated.
2...l!le8 Now the black king controls f7, and seems to stop a ny further charge or the annoying pawn.
However... 3.f7+!! The finish! This pawn forces itself to the seventh r ank despite all. The decision follows
shortly. 3...l!.>e7 4.i!x d8 l!.>xd8 The spiteful 4 ... ;t;xf7 onl}• prolongs the suffering. 5.f8•1!f+- As it happened, to
reach the eighth rank an intermediate move was needed. Starting from the fourth rank. therefore, the pawn
required three moves to reach the seventh rank. and five moves to gain the eighth. These steps will be seen
repeatedly in the follo\,fag pages!
(6-2) Bogoljubow - Alekhine- -

llasnngs 1922
The shades ofnight were falling fast,
As chrough an Alpine village passed
Ayourh. who bore. ·nud snow and ice.
A banner with the scrange device,
Excelsior!
- Longfellow, Excelsior
The most complex and spectacular kind of Steeplechase is the pawn's march fro m its initial position to the
etghth rank. where its promotion ta kes place. This vanety of Steeplechase we call ·excelsior."
233
To illustrate this theme, nothing serves better than the following wellknown game, which the first Russian
world champion considered to be the best of his chess career. Except where noted. the comments are those
of Alekhine.
1.d4 fS
A risky defense, which up to the present I have adopted only very infrequently in serious games. But in the
present game I had to play positively for a win in order to make sure of first prize. whereas a draw was
sufficient for my opponent to secure third prize. Hence I found myself forced to run some risks which were,
after all, justified by my result.
2.c4 N63.g3
It is better to prepare this flank development of the light-square bishop in the Dutch Defense before playing
c2-c4, because now Black can advantageously exchange his darksquare bishop which has only a very
limited range of action in this openin g.
3... e6 4..ig2
This immediate fianchetto development. evolved by Steinitz and adopted later by Rubinstein. does not
appear to be the best line of attack; Black with the succeeding move obtains at least equality.
4 ...:i.1>4• 5..w.d 2 .ixd2+ 6.~xd 2
The recapture 6.\rxd2. followed by 7.~ c3, is a little better.
6...~ c6 Hlgf3 0--0 8.0-0 d 6 9.'0b3
This maneuver does not prevent Black from realizing his plan, but at this point it is difficult to suggest a
satisfactory line to play for White.
9...1!.>h8 10.ffc3 es
This advance is feasible. because after the exchanges in the center the queen's knight is attacked by the
black queen.
11.e3
If t l.dxe5 dxeS l 2.'--.xe5? ~ xeS 13.1he5, White's knight would be en prise to Black's queen.
11...aS!
It was very imponant to prevent b2-b4 temporarily, a~ will be seen later.
12.b 3
Not 12.a3?! on account of 12...a4.
l 2...'l!'e8 13.a3 'l!'h5
Now Black has secured an attacking position
14.h4
A good d efensive move, which secures new squares for his f3-knight and revives the threat 15.dxeS. White
cannot a nswer 14.dxeS dxeS 15.~:xeS? ~ ,es 16. txe5 on account of 16..J' g4. \\foning outright
14...~ g4 1s.~gs
White seeks to dislodge Black's knight at once with 16.!'3. which, however. weakens his pawn position still
funher. Possibly 15.b4 would now be preferable.
1S....id7 16.f3?
If 16..bc6 .bc6 17.13, then 17...exd4118.t,g4? (Better is 18.exd4= KMiiller) 18...dxc3 19.gxhS cxd2
(Steeplechase!) leads to the better endgame for Black.
16...~ f6 17.f4
Already compulsory. in view of the th reatened 17...f41.
17...e418.lifd1
In order to protect the g-pawn (which was threatened by 18...Hg4 and 19 ...~ hS) by ~ fl . However, the
preliminary advance 18.dS!, preventing Black from forming a center, would have yielded White more
chances of a successful defense.
18...h6 19.~3 dS
By this move Black completely wrecks his opponent's hopes in the center, and shorlly seizes the initiative on
the queenside in a quite unexpected fashion.
234
235
The finish line! Having overcome all obstacles, the pawn advanced along the route ... b7-b5-b4-c3-c2-cl.
nearly by force That is what "Excelsior" looks like, as performed by a world champion. Because of this
combination, Black has a strategically won position.
34.~ fl ~ el
Threatening an unexpected and original ""smothered mate."
3S.llll2 'lfxc4
Creating a threat of mate in a few moves, startin g with 36....tbS. which compels White to sacrifice the
exchange.
36.lib8 i.bS 37.!!.xbS 'lfxbS 38.g4
The only chance for White to prolong his resistance. but Black retorts with a fresh surprise move.
38...~ f3+ 39i xf3 exf3 40.gxfS
Forced. for if 40.g5, Black would have obtained two united passed pawns after 40...~ g4 41.ug4 f:xg4--+.
40...'lfeZ!!
This move leads to a problematic position. in which White is unable to move any piece without exposing
himself to immediate loss. for example,
41.d S
4Hl h3 .Zg4H; 41.~ g4 ~ xg4--+; or 4 Ulh3 .Ze4--+ and wins. Hence, after two unimportant moves, he must
play e3-e4, which leads to immediate liquidation with a won endgame for Black.
41...lllgB
Not, however, the pla usible move 41 ... hS?. upon which White would have saved himself by 42.lc h3 followed
by43.lilg5+.
42.h S lllh 7 43.e4 ~ xe4 44.~e4 'lfx e4 4S.d6
Being unable to defend his pawns, White endeavors to dislocate those of his opponent, but his game is
hopelessly lost.
4S...cxd6 46.f6 gxf6 47 .!ld2 'lfe2
A pretty finish. worthy of this fine game. Black forces a winning pawn endgame.
48.!lxe2 fxe2 49.lllf2 exfl=ff• 50.lllxfl Illy;! Sl.mf2 lllf7 S2.we3 me6 S3.111e4 d5+ 0-1 This game makes a
singularly bright impression. so much so that the comb ination might have been called· Alekhine's Passage!"
236
Across che cenmries
(<6-3)Polerio - N. N.
\._ tt.aJtca. 1572-1584 )
The history of the steeplechase combination spans nearly 400 years. After Giulio Polero finally formulated
the modern rules of play in the period 1585-1590. there appeared an opportunity to demonstrate the full
strength of this tactical method- The next game was played at Duke Dacomo Buoncomanio's palace.
1.e4 es 2.f4 exf4 3.~f.3 gs 4..ic4?! i g7 5.h4 h6 6.d4 d6 7.~c3 c6?! 7...~ c6 is critical. 8.hxgs hxgs 9.ltxhs
.i.xh8
10.~eS? This goes too far. to.es is critical. White has enough compensation but probably not more.
10...dxeS 11.MhS fff6
12.dxeS! Beginning a forced charge to the f7-square. The queen at f6. and indirect obstacle. has to be
overcome. 12...ffg7 13.e6 No obstacle here! 13...~ f6 t 4.exf7+
g ')i_t
~" • /j WK
..t
"
ii.
'I
i 'iW
[!, "
~
!}, /j £!, /j
Ii ii. ct;
White's aim is achieved through a Steeplechase along the route d4-e5-e6- f7. overcoming two obstacles.
14...wfS? The game is cited by Gioachino Greco (Calabrese) in his treatise, where he points out variations
such as 14 ...;!;e71 15. , e2 .te6? (Bener is IS...tg4-+ K.Miiller) 16.l.xe6 he6 17.tlc4+ <+e7 18.0 b4+ ltxf7
19.b xb7• ~ 7 20.'lixaS Greco ends here, but after 20...Vh6, Black is not worse.; 14...;t;dS? 15.ftxg5 1txg5
t6.f8=11• ltd 7? (Better is 16...ltc7= K.Miiller) 17.ftxh8 ltxg2 18.ttxf61'3 19. f7+ .td6 20..tf4• ·;!;cS 21.f:a4+ 1ib4
(2t...ct d4 22.c3+ t xe4 23.~ cS~) 22.td2• ltxa4 23.b3• lta3 24.tle7• 1' b2 25.t:eS• t aJ (25...ltxc2 26.l!c3#)
26.~ cl• ·1;b4 27.c3#. After the text move, maners end more quickly!
t 5.ixf4 ~ x h5 16.i d611
Now we must leap forward 230 years! The deposed emperor o f !'ranee, being imprisoned on a distant
island, occupies his leisure dictating his memoirs and...playing chess.
237
238
~ ~ ~
.t /j A AAA
WI 'll
I::, A
8 t!,
/j /j ~ 8
~ A ·~A
--- ----
Ii
18..i.xf4! 'lfxal?! 19..ixc7• ! wxc7 20.ttx a7 !lb8 21.i.hS! A series of brilliant strokes in Charousek's stylel
21...tfxht 22.tfcS+ wxh7 23.1Jc6+ wa7 24.tfa6:
In the next game a future master was examined by the world champion in a "seance" also known as a
simultaneous exhibition.
Emanuel Lasker
(6-6) Reti - Em.Lasker

Vienna 1908
l .e4 es 2.~ ~ c6 3.d 4 exd4 4..ic4 ~ f6 5.0-0 ~ xe4 6.!lel ds
7 .i.x dS tfxdS 8.~ c3 tfd8 9.~ xe4 .ie6 10.c3? ! The usual
continuations 10..tgS or 10.~ egS are better. Now there follows
a Steeplechase along the route d4-c3-b2-atl 10...d xc3!
As in the previous example, the combination is carried out in

the opening. Of course. if t0 .. ~c4??. then ll.~ f6# 1U tb3 ib4?
Too courageous. t t... gd7 12.~ eg5 cxb 2 t 3..txb2 0-0-0 is more
circumspect. 12.~ egS cxb213.~ xe6? 13..t.xb21 .txet 14 ....xet
1'd7 15.~ xf7 0-0 16.~ h6• gxh6 17.d:e6 favors White. 13... bxat~1J!
g
Ail
~
•
lt:)
g
AAA
.t
~ lt:)
t!, /j /j /j
'lli' A ~ ~
The triumphant finish! 14.~ x d8+ .i.xe1 15.~ c6 1Jxcl 0-1

During a Christmas tournament in Hastings, the victim of our combination was an ex-world champion, the
chess machine Capablanca.
239
( (6--7)_Lilienthal - Capablanca
Hasnngs 1935 )
1.d4 0/6 Z.c4 e6 3.0 c3 j_b4 4.a3 i.xc3• S.bxc3 b6 6.f.3 dS 7-=.gS h6 8 ..i M i.a6 9.e4 i.xc-l 10.n:c4 dxc4
l 1.1f a4• 1Jd7 1Z.exc4 e c6 t 3.e d3 0 bd7 t4.0e2 gds 15.0-0 as 16.1:lc2 1Jc4
g g
.t. 'Ii .t. .t.
.t. .t. 'Ii .t.
.t.
t 7.f4 No, this is not the stanl Another soldier will run the Steeplechase. 17...llc8 t 8.f5! es
19.dxeS! Here the sprint to g7 begins. 19...e xe4? 19...'' xeS limits the damage. 20.exf6!! A queen sacr ifice
that shook the chess world. but a necessary element of this well-played combination. 20...l!fxc2 21.fxg7 Fo r
the queen White gets only a bishop. but the opponenrs king IS in danger. The following moves by Black a re
forced. 21 ...ggs 22.0 d4 'lfe4 23Jlaet 0 c5 24.llxe<I• ~ xe4 25.llel Now While gets a decisive material
advantage. 25...llxg7 26.llxe-l• llld7 1-0 Not waiting for the obvious 27= e7+ d6 28.f6 g4 29.J.g3·+-
Andor LUfenthal
,., g
'e''ll'll .l
'IVV ei l3' ii.
A ii.. t3'
t!, t!, 8
1:! nw
The steeplechase begms: 18.eS bS 19.ex:f6?! The computer
prefers 19. fb3!? .....xM 20.. d6- -t fl! 21. xe6 fxe6 22. xb7 dS
23.4:._u5 and White is better. 19...bxa4 20.fxg7 llg8 21..i.15
240
241
26...hS The h-pawn begins its victory march. 27..icl ? 27.h4
limits the damage. but Black remains on top after 27...c5 28.~f7 d7 27... M! 28..=.xf4 exf4 29.0r.; h3!
30.lfe6? A mistake but good advice is hard 10 give anyway. 30 ...h xg2 31.lllxgZ f3+ 32.lllgl 'lfxfl • 0-1
(6-11) Alekhine - Levitsky

St. Petersburg 1913
18.~ e6! fxe6 19.dxe6 The dpawn Steeplechase. 19...111h8 20.exd7 IL,cel• 21.llxel .ixd 7 22.h 6 .ic6 23.dS .id7
Z4.rul bs Z5.:..b3 ll'e8 26.d6 ~ hs Z6..~ c6 27.d7 Another Steeplechase! 27....bgZ 28.dxes=tr !L>:e8 29llXf6•-
27..if7 treS 28.'lfxa8 1-0
((6-12) Alekhine - Grigoriev

~ 1oscow 1915
1.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.0 c3 0 f6 4.i gS ib4 s.es h6 6.exf6 "Chigorin's Steeplechase". Nowadays this is not
considered to be critical. 6... h.xgS 7.fxg7 lig8 8.h4 gxh4 9.'lfg4 .ie7 10.g3?! c5 11.gxh4?! Very risky. 11.dxcS
is more natural. 11 ...e,'<d4 12.h S dxc3?! 12 ..eS!? 13.'lfg3 dxc3 14.bxc3 .tf5 is critical. 13.h 6 cxb2
~ • .t'i1@ ~
,. ,. .t ,. ~
,. ~
-.---~." ~
Black answers with a Steeplechase along the path ...c7-cS-d4-c3-b2. 14.l!bl 'lfaS• 15.111e2 'lfxa2? 15.....t.fB
16.gxfB='IJ+ llxf8 is critical. Black is probably not worse. 16.h7 'lfxbl 17.hxg8~'1f•
Wonderful! The third steeplechase of the game. 17...111d7 18.'lfx17 lfx c2• 19.111f3 ~ c6 20.!fgxe6•?! 20.gS='lf• -
is easier. 20 ...111c7 21.'lff4• ll1b 6
242
22.ffeeJ+? 22..ldJI I h'b3 23.'!'fel .ld6 24. el+ d4 25.tfe4 .te6 26.!!.hS a6 27.~ e2+- 22....ic5 23.gS=lf bl =lf
24.!lli6!! 'lfxfl? With 24.. .tg4• 25.Ugxg4 !xe3 26.Uxel• cs 27.1!rxc5+ ~ xc5 28.i!lg2 ll'e4 •. Black can still
fight. ZS.'l'l'b 4+ '!fb5 26.lfdS+ wa6 27.lfeaJ• 1-0
(6·13) Alekhine - Hofmeis ter

St.Petersburg (~l odds) 1917
1.c5 bS? 1 .. 1e2 turns the tables. 2.axl>S ~ e4?! 2...lilfl + 3.1!.h l lilg3• 4.llxg3 tixg3 5.b6+- 3.b6 <llxd6 4.cxd6
!iec7 5.b7· The Steeplechase route: a4-b5-b6-b71 S...wbB 6.d7 lfg3• 7.itlhl
We cannot resist showing the final position. A fantastic combination! l ·O
243
244
(6-16) Alekhine - Treybal )
( . Semmering 1926 .
---------------------------------
20.d S!! Anoth er d-pawn Steeplechase. 20...0 c5 20...cxd5? 21.€'.xdS l!acS 22. dl +- 21.dxe6 0 xb3? 21....be6
22.txe6+ lilxe6 23.ti'b3 ll;;f7 offers more resistance. 22.exd7 0 xa1 23.l!xal !!fd8 24.l!dl "ll'h4 25.e6 b4?!
26.axb4 "ll'xb4 27.0 e2 l!xaS 2Ml d4 !!cS 29."ll'e2 "ll'c4 30 ..i.a3 "ll'xe2 3t.0xe2 l!d5 32.l!xds .ixa3 33.l!d3 i cS
34.0 d4 1-0
(<6-17) Carranza - Alekhine

~ n o s Aires 1926
1.e4 es 2.0 f.3 0 c6 3.:il.bS a6 4.ia4 0 f6 5.0-0 d6 6.d4 i d 7 7.!!el 7.c3 is the main move. 7... bS 8..i.b3 0 xd4
9.0 x d4 exd4 to.e5 dxeS 11.!!xeS+ :il.e7 12.'C,e l cs 12...lllfSI? 13.idZ 13.:..XcS? 0-0-+ 13 ...a5 13...lllf81? 14.a4 c4
15.axbS? Too courageous. 15.Aa2! lilg4 16.!!e4 lilf6= 15...cxb3 16..i.xa5 bxc2!
A fantastic...c7-<:5-c4-b3-c2 Steeplechase! 17..i.xdS l!xat 18.l!xe7• <llxd8 0-1
c (6-18) Alekhine - Weenink

Prague 1931
= = = = = = = - ')
In this position the world champ ion rips open the king's fortress with a g-pawn march. 22.g4?! 22..txh71 is
even stronger in view of 22...l!ixh7 23.<llg5+ .l.icg5 (23...l!igB 24. f7+ l!lh8 25.~e6+- ) 24 ..lxgS l!c8 25.l!f.3+-
22.g4?! 'ffd6 23..ig6! Strong preparation. The direct 23.gS? can be met by 23...tl'dS which limits the damage.
23...l!fs 24.gS .ixd4 2S.gxh6 0 df6 26.hxg7+ <bxg7 27."ll'h6+ wh8 28.0 xd4 'ffxd4 29.:il.b2! 1--0
245
(6-19) Per es- Alekhine
( _,_M_ad
_ r_id_ (_b_li_tz_) _1 9_4_3_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~
J
1.e4 eS 2.0 c3 0 c6 3.f4 exf4 4.~ f.3 gs S.d4?! This can hardly be correct Transposing to the Quaade gambit
with 5.g3!? is interesting. S...g4 6..ic4 gxf.3 7..i.xf4 fxg2?
:! .i. 'll!f • .i. 'I i
'''''' 'I
ii. /j [!, iL
~
[!, /j /} ' /j
The world champion is playing blitz games versus the participants in the Madrid 1943 tournament Here
Alekhine has fallen into a terrible trap. 7...12+ 8.ltxf2 .tg7 is one critical answer. 8 ..ixf7+ wxf7 9.'t,hS• wg7
10.llgl ~ ge7 11 ..ih6+ wg8 12.llxg2+ 1-0
(6-20) Alekhine -Sa misch

Berlin (blindfold) 1923
1.e4 cs 2.~f.3 0 c6 3..ieZ e6 4.0-0 d6 S.d4 cxd4 6.~xd4 i!f6 7..if.3 ~ es 8.c4 ~ xfl+ 9.'lfxfl .ie7 10.~ c3 0-0
11.b3 ~ d7 12..ib2 .if6 13.ffadl a6 14.'!Jg3 'tfc7 1S.whl !!.d8? 15...b6 is called for. 16.f4 b6? 17.15?! 17.li'.fS+-
17....ieS
18.fxe6!! .ixg3? 18... N 6 19.exf7+ Yxf7 20.ffld3 .tb7 limns the damage. 19.exf7+ l!lh8 20.0 dS! ! 1-0 20...ffla7
20...1ll'b 7 21.e.e6+- ; 21.~ c6 .tes 22..t xes dxes 23.li'.xa7 ff.~a7 24.-'<l xb6 i.rs 25.li'.xcs ffxc8 26. · d7+-
((6-21) Alekhine - Gize

\._corr 1906
23.e6+! wd8 24.e7+ wd 7 25.llxcS 1-0 zs...l!lxc8 26.e8=lf++-

This game was the foundation for game 1.
246
Steeplechase in the opening
(6-22) Myers - Alvarez
Santo Domingo t 966 _)
1.0 h 3 d S 2.g3 es 3.f4? Black's e-pawn is invi1ed 10 a s1eeplechase, aiming for the h2-square. 3....ixh3 Black
accepts the challenge. 4..ixh3 exf4 5.0-0 fxg3 6.e4 The idea of the opening belongs 10 Tanakower, who
introduced ii in the 1930s. One of his games continued ins1ead 6.hxg3 NG 7.d3 li'c6 M lc3 td6? (after 8...d4
9.~ e4 e.xe4 10.dxe4 Ad6, Black is much better.) 9..tgS .txg3 10..txfG gxf6 11.e4 l!g8?112.e.xds AeS•?l 13.;!;h t
1'd614.c3 l!g3 15.1fhS l!xd3 16.l!ad1?1 l!xd117.l!xd1 li'.e7? (17 ...l!d818.tl'xh7 f5= ) 18.li'.e3 UcS? 19. xh7?
Tanakower-Lilienthal. Paris 1933 (19..td7• wins) 19...fS= 6 ...gxh2+ 7.l&>hl
A 1ypical position. In shedding three pawns, White achieved not only a great advantage in development and
an attacking position, but can also use the black h2-pawn as a shield for his own king! 7...clxe4 A delicate
hint: Black's e-pawn is ready to begin its own Steeplechase to the c2-square. Myers allows the charge. and
establishes a record by sacrificing six pawns in the opening! 8.0 c3 0 f6 9.d3!? exd3 9...e.c61? 10.igS dxc2?
Too courageous. Afterthe developing move 10...Ae7, ii is very doubtful if White has enough compensation.
11.fff.3?
&'I ~ • .t. g
.t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t.
~~1-,1~~~ ')i
I il.
- 1
-- WI
A unique case - both black center pawns have marched 10 the second rank within ten moves. The prosaic
1 Ufxc2 wins for White. 11 ....ie7 11...e.c61? 12.ffxb7 ~ bd7 13..i xd7• 0 x d7? 13...ltlxd7 is critical, when after
14.tlgZ White has compensation but maybe not more. 14..i xe7 l&>xe7 15.0 d5• l&>f8 16.0xc7 0 c5?! 17.0 e6•
0xe6 18.ffxf7# 1--0
English Opening
{<6-ii) Razuvaev - Kupreichik
\_!?ebna 1970
1.c4 es M'lc3 ~ c6 3.0 f3 f5 4.d4 e4 5.igS ~ f6 6.d 5?! ex.f.3 7.clxc6 fxgZ 8.cxd7•?
g
.t. .t. .t.
247
248
12 ...'lfa5+ 13.c3 .ixf2- 14.llld2 .i'.e3+ 15.lllc2 1-0
(6-28) Krischewsky - Fu
Berlin 1961
J
~--------~
1.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.Elc3 ~ f6 4..igs il.b4 S.il.dJ cs 6.es cxd4 7.exf6 dxcJ 8.fxg7 cxbZ+
The mutual Steeplechase has led to a very critical position. 9.<!>f1 .ic3! 10.gxhS='lf+ .ixh8 11.llbl l 1.bd8?
bxal =fr 12. at J.xal -+ 11...'lfxg5 12.~ e2 ~ c613.c3 .id 7 14.l!xb2 d4? 14...0-0·0 is called for. 15.ffxb7? 15.h4
'ltc5 16.cxd4 t.xd4 17. · b7 .1c6 l B.!lbl ~ds 19.IU\3 is more precise. 15...cbcc316.ie4 'lfd2 t 7.'lfa4? t 7.li'xc3
.l.xc3 18.!txd2 .l.xd2 is more or less equal, e.g., 19.:,!;e2 .1g5 20.:ldl 0-0-0 21.!lbxd7 l!xd7 22..1xc6 .lXdl
23.;!;xdt= 17 ...ll:cS 18.g3 ~ e519.lfa6 f5 20.l!.xd7 lllxd7 2t.lfa4+llle7 22.'lfXa7+ Eld 7 23.'lfa6 gbs 24.Elf4 'lfd6
25.lfxd6+ lllxd6 0.1
Cenw· Game
((6-29) Rusakov - Verlinsky
~=-1~
1.e4 es 2.c3 Eic6 3.d4 ~ f6 4.i.gS h6 5..ih4?! g5 6.ig3?! exd4 7.es dxc3? 7..."-e4 is better. 8.exf6? White falls
~
into th e trap. s.a xc3 is called for. 8...cxb2 9.ll'e2+ 'lfe7!! A fantastic move! This mutual Steeplechase (e5-d4-
c3-b2 and e5-f!H!7) ends in immediate victory for Black. t0.fxe7 .ig7!
~ .t • !
.t. .t. .t. .t. ~ .t. .t
41 •
.t.
fl
WI ~~~
~fllt)g
A beautiful final position! 0-1
249
Vienna Game
(6-30) Tartakower - Spielmann ~

( _Ostende 1907 )
1.e4 es 2.~c3 ~ f6 3.i.c4 ~ xe4 4.lfhS ~ d6 S.ib3 ~ c6?! 6.~ bs g6 7.Mf3 ~ 5?! 8.g4 a6 9.gxf5 axbs 10.fag6
lfe7 11.gxf7•
"Excelsior! (nearly) This pawn's destiny will define the game's destiny.• (Tartakower) 11...l!ldS U.d3 ~ d4
13.1'hS it.gl? 13...< xb3 14.t.gS ~ xal 15.ltdZ ga6 was a bener chance to fight 14.~f3 lla6 15.~ xd4 exd4•
16.l!lft gg6 17 ..id2 d6 18.l!e1? 18..Jgl wins. 18 .. .i.g4 19.llxe7?! 19.lfxg6!? 19....i xhS 20.llel i.f.3? 20..~6! is
almost equal. 21.llgl .ie5? 21...llxgl • 22..txgl h6 offers more resistance. 22..ih6 lt>e7 23.ig7 lld8 24 ..ixes
d xe5 25.llxeS• lt>f8 26.llgl :i.c6 27,gegS gdd6 28.llhS llxg3 29.hxgl h6 30.g4 :i.f3 31.!Lxh.5 b6 32,ges MS
33.gS h5 34.g6 1-0
( <6-31) Book - Hildenhejmo
Helsinki 1924
1
_)
l .e4 e5 2.~ c3 ~ f6 3.i.c4 ~ xe4 4.ffll5 ~ g5?! 5.d4 ~ e6 6.d5 g6? 6...~ d4 7.ftxeS• l!'e7 is forced. 7.dxe6 gxh5
8.exf7• l!le7
Now begins the pursuit of Black's king, which will end in mate. 9..ig5• l!ld6 10.0-0--0• Illes 11.lldS• 111xc4
12.b3• l!lb4 13.l!bS• l!la3 14.~1• l!lxa2 15,gas• .ia3• 16.llxa3: 1--0
(6-32) Kozlicek - Trangoni
Hlogovec 1994
In the next game White, following Alekhine's suggestion, interrupted the black pawn march at his c3-
square... then unexpectedly launched his own Steeplechase on the e«S-f6-g7 path! Black's resignation was
forthcoming.
1.e4 es 2.~ f3 ~ c6 3.d4 exd4 4.c3 dxc3 5.~ xc3 .li'.c5 6..ic:4 ~ f6?! 7.es dS 8.exf6 dxc4 9.lfxd8• ?! 9.fxg71?
9...~ xd8? 9...ltxd8 10.fxg7 ges• is critical. 10.f.,:g7 llg8
250
11.0 d S! 1-0
{<6-33) Biwer -Kassidi
~ 1uenchenstein 1959
1.d4 dS 2.c4 es 3.dxes d4 4.eJ?! .w.b4+ S.Ji.d2 dxeJ
6 ..ixb4? 6.fxe3 h4• 7.gJ e4 8.M3 limits the damage. 6...exf2+ 7.l!le2 fxg1=0• 8.l!lel 8.:lxgl .lg4+-+
8 ...ffh4+ 9.l!ld 2 0 c6 10.ic3 llg4 0-1
Tarrasch Defense
(6-34) Grekov - Grigoriev "'i
( Moscow 1919 J
1.d4 dS 2.c4 e6 3.0c3 cs 4.01'3 0 c6 S.if4 cxd4 6.0xd4 :ib4 7.0dbS? 7.e3 scores best. 7...d4! 8.~c7•? ffxc7
9.ixc7 dxc3 10.a3 c2+
i .t
i i .a
'ii
/j .t /!, ~~--r--
~ i /j ~ /j ti
la ~~ii.. g
1Ufd2 .i.xd2+ Black nrs1 wins back 1he queen. and !hen... 12.wxdz es 13.l!?xe2 l!?d7! D0mina1ion! 0-1
Queen ·s Indian Defense
(6-35) Tarrasch - Bogoljubow
Gothenburg 1920
1.d4 0 f6 2.0 f:I e6 3.c4 b6 4.igS .w.b7 S.e3 h6 6..ih4 Ji.b4+ 7.0h d2? 7.~ c3 is called for. 7...gS A case of !he
S1eeplechase as punishmem for the pr emature pinning 4~ g5. 8.i.g3 g4 9.a3 gxf3 10.axb4 fxg2
~ 'ti . 9 ~
i .t i i i
... i 'ti ...
~ I!, l!,
I!, ii..
I!, ~ I!, i I!,
~ ~~ii.. Ii
1 t.bg2 Ji.xg2 Black has an extra piece. Surprisingly enough. however, Bogoljubow managed 10 lose this
game. 12.l!gl .ib7 13..ih4 d6 14.e4 0 bd7 1S.1ff:l 1fe7 16.!!g4 es 17.dS 0-0-018.l!le2 l!dg819.l!ag1 l!xg4
20.llxg4 hS 2U g3 l!lb8 22.fffS i.c8 23..igS h4 24.l!f:I t!'f8 2S.Ji.xf6 0 xf6 26.1fxf6 i g4 27.h3 1fh6?? 27...f!h6-
28.hxg4 1-0
251
Excelsior in Chess Composi1ions
(<6'.36) S.Loyd
~don Era 1861
There in the nvilighr cold and grey.
Lifeless. bur beautiful. he lay,
And from 1he sky, serene and far,
A voice fell like a falling star,
£xcels1or!
- Henry Wadswonh Longfellow,
"Excelsior•
Mate in five
The term "Excelsior" was the name of a famous puzzle created by Sam Loyd in 1858, at the Paul Morphy
Chess dub in New York. l .b4 i c5+ 2.bxcS a2 3.c6 itc7 4.cxh7 i.xg3 5.bxa8=1J#
Sam Loyd has expressed. in original fashion, the connection between poetry on the chess boar d and poetry
in literature. Like Longfello\,fs hero, the pawn attains lofty peaks of performance under the banner motto,
"Higher and higher!" The idea behind the problem - to perform a pawn march from its initial position to the
eighth rank and promotion - was already known at this time. Loyd's creation, however. stimulated in chess
circles a general interest in the subject. Later the theme was taken up by several composers; below are some
examples of their work.
( (6-37) Labourdonnais
Mate in seven
1.§b3• IW>3+ 2.axb3• wM 3.bxa4+ was 4.axh5• wb 6 5.bxa6• Illa? 6.axh7+ wb8 7.bxa8='!f#
(6-38) H.Meier
Deutsches Wochenschach 1885
252
253
Exercises
(6-42)

((6-42) B.Bejnfest
\_Shakhmary v SSSR 1976
1.f6 !lxg3 Z.f7 2.fS? ffg2• 3.\l;hl ffgS 4.h4 ~ xfs 5.hxg5 ~ h4 6.gxh6 ~ g6= 2...~ e6 3.mxg3 wc7 4.15 ~ f8 S.l!lg4
l!lc6 6.whs wxcs 7.wxh6 md6 s.wg 7 ~ d7 9.f6 we6 tO.h4+-
c (6-42) B.Bejnfest
Shakhmary v SSSR 1976
')
..,I
1.f6 llxg3 2.f7 2.15? ffg2· 3.\l;hl ffg5 4.h4 ~ xfS 5.hxg5 ~ h4 6.gxh6 ~ g6= 2...~ e6 3.wxg3 wc7 4.15 ~ f8 5.wg4
wc6 6.whs wxcs 7.wxh6 wd6 s .wg7 ~ d7 9.f6 we6 tO.h4+-
c (6-43)
While 10 move and wi11

(6-43) V.Kor olko v

64, Shakhmarnoye Obozrenie 1969
1.bxc3 • wcs 2.cxd4• wd6 3.dxeS• we7 4.exf6• wf8 s.fxg7• lllg8 6.gxh8•'ff• wx h8 7.'ffb2• wgs 8.'lfxe2+-
254
c = H.Rinck
Basler Nachrichcen 1937 )
1.<t>ds i es 2.g3+ wf5 3.g4+ wf6 4.g5+ wf5 5.g6 wf6 6.g7+--
(6-45)
@i g
' •' '

/j '
I'!, . /j
fj t!,,
A
' ' 'WI
~
/j /j
~ ~ <t;
Black co move and ivi.n

Show/Hide· the Solution
{<6-45) Tringov - Planinec

~ k 1970 _ _ _ _ _ ___.)
29...f.3! 29...axb6? 30.Yf.3=
29...f.3! 30.wel fxg2 3t.wd2 gt ='lf 32.lixgt 'l:fxf2+ 33.wc3 1Jxd4 + 34.wb4 ~ d 5+ 35.wa4 0 xb6+ 36.wb4 as+
37.wa3 0 x c4+ 38.wa2 0 xb2 39.!'lacl "lfa4+ 40."lfxa4 0xa4 41.!'lxc6+ wd 7 42.ll!a6 Ba8 0-1
c (6-46)
255
Black co move and win
(°(6'.46") Panov - Yudovich

\_!bilisi 1937
11 ...~ xeS! 11...gxh3?? 12.~xe6+ <J.g813i c4 ~ es 14.tl'xe5+-
11 ...~ xe5! 1Z.dxe5 gxh313..i.xh7?! 13.~ gxh3 l!g8 also loses in rhe Jong run. 13...l!.xh7 14.'!fxh7 hZ 15.llleZ
hl='lf 16.~ g6+ lllfl 17.~8+ '!fxh818.'lfxh8 ~ c6 19.'lfhS• lllgB 20.~ h3 'lfxg2 2UJe8+ .if8 22.~ gs ~ xe5 23.c4
'lfg4+ 24.lllfl '!fxc4+ 25.lllgl Wg4+ 26.lllfl .id ? 0-1
(6-47)
How did White strike?

c (6-47) Tal-N.N.
Stuttgan 1958
The Magician from Riga played 16.gxf6 and it was game over after 16.. .llxdt + 17.~ xdt 'lfxd2 18.fxg7 t -O
( (6-48)
g
j ,.,.@&
,. ~ ......
- .t
- t!, .t
,. t!, .
,.
- I!, t!, t!, t!,
£3, 11. ~ £!, ii.
II~ ~ _g
How 10 b reak White's walls?

(6-48) Larsen - Spassky )

Belgrade 1970
----=--------------
12...M!! 13.hxg4 hxg3 14.llgl llhl!?
256
257
7
Less Common Combinations
The motifs selected by Charushin in this chapter may be relatively rare, but they are very beautiful. like the
Smothered Mate, the Zwickmuehle (here and also later Charushin has taken many examples from Tim
Krabbe's excellent work Chess Curiosities, London 1985). castling to win, the staircase maneuver, and
famous mating patterns like Anastasia's mate, Reti's mate and Legal's mate. It is a lot of fun to study them
a nd solve the exercises and maybe, just maybe, you are also able to bri ng one of the beautiful motifs into
action in one of your own tournament games.
Smothered Mare
/17:trLucena
\..~ m51500
)
.
·~·
1.ffe6- <jih8 2.0f7+ wg8 3.0h 6+ <jih 8 3 ...• f8 4. f711 4.'lfg8+ l!xg8 S.0f71+--
(7-2) Morphy - Bryan
Knight odds, New York 1859
17.eSl lfgS 1s.h4 'lfg4 19.'lfaJ• wgs zo.0 e 7• wf8 21.0 g6• wg8 22.'lffR• !! 1-0
C
(7-3) N - Grimm
Consta ntinople 1864
J
- ·- - - - - - - - ~
1.e4 es 2.~ ~ c6 :U.b5 a6 4.ia4 ~ f6 5.0-0 ic5 6.c3 ia7 7.!!el ~ g4?! 8.d4 exd4 9.cxd4? 9.h3 ~ geS 10.~ xeS
~ xeS t t.cxd4 gives White a strong initiative. 9...0 x d4 10.~xd 4 'll'M
g .t g
.t .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t.
.t.
.it ~ /j 'Ii ~
/j /j /3, /j /j
~ltJi.'t/N~@
11.~f.3?? t t..le3 is forced. tt...'lfxn+ 12.wh l lfgt •! 13.l!xgt ~ 12# 0-1
258
( (7-4) Steinitz - Stein
New York 1884
1.e4 es 2.i.c4 i.c5 3.b4?! .ixb4 4.f4?! d6 5.~ f.3 ~ c6 6.0-0 ~ f6 7.c3 i.a5!? 8.fxeS dxeS 9..ia3 i.g4 10.ffbl?!
.ib6+ 11.l!lht .i.hS? J 1...Yd7 is called for a nd it is doubtful if White has enough for the pawn. 12.d4 ~ xe4?
12...exd4 is critical. 13.~xeS ffh4 14..ixf7• l!ld8 15.ffdS• l!lc8?!
.l .l .l 1i. .l .l
..t.
'i/U lo ..t
A'ti 'it'
i. A
t3, t:, A
Ii ei l;[ <;ti
16.lfe6+ l!lb8 17.~d7+ l!lc8 18.~ xb6+ l!lb8 19.ffcB+ ltxc8 20.~ d 7# 1-0
(7-5) Muller - Crane )

London 1906
---~=======
20...lixh2+ 21.~2 ltxh2+ 22.Wxh2 ~ f2# 0-1
C
.Boston
._ 1923 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
(7-6) Alekhine - Menzel )
29.l!a8• !! ~ xa8 29...t eB 30~ c51•- 30.'Cfc8• 1·0 in view of 30.,.r ffl 31. xe6• \thB 32.t f7• ltig8 33.t h6• <thB
34.trgB• !lxg8 35.~ f711 (Donaldson)
259
c (7-7) Alekhine - Lugows ki
Belgrade sim 1931
- - - - - - ~)
13.0 e6+! 0 xe614.'l:l'e7+ ltlg8 1S."l!re8+ 0 f8 16.0 e7# 1-0
c (7-8) Salvio
1634
==========--')
(a) White to play and win: t .0 f6

(b) Black to play and White wins: 1...gS 2.0 f6 g4 3.0 xg4+ 1!.>hl 4.1!.>fl h2 S.0 12.#;
1.0 f6 l!.>h1 2.0 g4 gS 3.1!.>fl h 2 4.0 fZ#.._
(<7-giJanowsky - Keene
~ ewYork 1917
1.0 g4+ 1!.>h t 2.1!.>fl f3 3.1!.>fZ h2 4.1!.>ft f2 5.0 xf2# 1-0
260
((7-10) Brech - Bogilow
~chen 193B
1.e4 es Z.f4 ex:f4 3.~ f3 gS 4.~ c3 The Quaade gambit. 4 ...g4 s.~ eS 1fh4+ 6.g3 fxg3 7.1fxg4 gZ+? 7...'ld xg4 is
forced. B.1fxh4 gxh1 =1' 9.lfhS ite7 10.~ :1..i'7 ~ f6?
i'll.t 9 ~
' ' ' i .t 'I)
tZJ
'
'iW
t!,
lZ)
t!, /j t!, t!, t!,
~ it. ~k 'tt'
(7-11) Seoane - Prieto

( ....._ca_di
_·z_1_9_B_6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___,)
The following game is from John Shaw's excellent work The King's Gambit (Quality Chess 2013): 1.e4 es Z.f4
ex:f4 3.0£3 gs 4.~ c3 g4?! S.~ eS ffh4• ?! 6.g3 fxg3 7.1fxg4 gZ•? Black falls into the Quaade trap. Quaade was
a Dutch sea captain by the way. 7...1'xg4 B.~ xg4 dS is critical. B.1fxh4 gxhl=ff 9.ffhS!
This a lready wins m a higher sense. 9..i d 6? 9......h61 10.d4 d6 (10...t.c6? 1 lixl\6 dB 12.!gS d6 13..txdB
dxeS 14. xeS+ 1-0 Jensen-Rydstrom. Helsingor 2011; 11.i..xh6 dxeS 12. l'xeS+ j.e6 13. fxhB , d7 14.bfS 0-0-0
(14...~ xrs ts. es ) 15. xh7 xfB 16. h6+ (Shaw); 9....11>4? 10. xl7• d B 11. g7 xh2 12.d4 •.e7 13.!gS
1fg3+ 14.d;dl•-; 9...J.e7? 10.udi .lh4+ (10...{.f6 t 1., d6• dB 12. eB· ,.xeB 13.' 1711) 11 . xh4 * xf7 12.b3 c6
13ih2 d6 14. fl+- 10.l!Jxf7+ wdB 11.d4 ~ e7 12.AgS ~ bc6 12...lleB 13.<. g4 (13.1<.dS+- Shaw) 13...c6 14.....f6
llh B t s.es .tb4 16. !g7+- 13.~ dS tJxe-t• 14..i.e2 'lrhl+ 1S.wd2 lfxa116.11'e8+ ll.>xe8 17.~f6+ wf8 17...<tdB
18. 17# 18.ith6l1
A really brilliant game!
261
('c7-iz) Taimanov - Jakobsen
~ openhagen 1967
29.ffg?• <i:lx g7 30.<i:lh6# 1·0
g .t i
'' 'ti' ~
'WI
'''
ii. 4)
[:, [:, [:, [:, [:,

I! <t; Ii
18.ffxf7+ lt.>h8 19.'l:l'g 8+! Hl

{<7-tii) Tarasov - Sarafanov
\_:,orr 1991
16.••'l:l'b 5 • 17.lt.>gl <i:leZ• 18.lt.>fl <i:lg 3• 19.wg1 fffl• Z0.11.xfl <i:leZ/1 O·l
~ ) G.Polerio
g
.t.t
262
White to play and win 1.'lfxhS gxhS 2.~ e6• 2.li:.xf7• tgJ 3Jl.'(g3• l!.xf7 4..llg?t; 2...lflh7 3..llg7• lflh8 4.lixf7•
lflg8 5..llg7• lflh8 6.l!xc7• lflg8 7..llg7+ lflh8 8.l!xb7• lflg8 9..llg7• lflh8 10.~ xf8 'll'xf811.l'lf7++- White should
win easily with his passed pawns.
Note that Black could not disable th e Zivickmuehle at an}' point by ...lif6 as the e6-knight precludes the
escape of th e black king anyhow. As shown here however, the position is incorrect; White can win mor e
quickly \\~th 2.ltlf7 followed by flg7t/. This could be easily repaired by transferring the queen to cs (Krabbe).
Here and further notes by Tim Krabbe adapted from his book Chess Curiosities (London 1985).
(7-16) M.Platov
.._White to play and win. 1927
1 ..ieS• lflg8 2.l!g7•! lflh8 3.ial ! Threatening mate by gf7.l!f8-!lh8. Black's only defense is to attack the
bishop from a safe square. 3 ...ffcl Or 3...1i'gl and 4 ..tf6 with the idea I!f7-!lfl!-!lh8; 3...urs 4.:a!xg6• i!ih7 SJ!g7+
lth8 6.!:g5•- 4.if6 g5 4...tics SJ!xg6+ l!lh7 6.l!g7+ l!lh8 7.Jsg5++- 5.l!xg5• lflh7 6.l!g7+ lflh8 7.l!gl ++- Krabbe
(7-17) L.Paulsen - Morphy )

(-·_N_e ,_v_Y_o r_k_1_8_5 7_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
~ g
' i .t , , ...
iW .i. .t. ~
8
8~
~ t!,
j)_
17...tfxf.J! 18.gxf3 l!g6+ 19.lflh l :ih3 20.fld l?! 20.iM3 f5 21 .tk 4+ ;tf8!-+ 20...ig2+ 21.lflgl .ixfl+! 22.lflfl
ig2+ 23.lflgl i.h3+ 23....te4+1? 24.l!ifl .tJSI 25.tl'e2 .th3+ 26.l!lel l!gl# 24.lflhl .ixf'2 24...tg41?-+ 25.'ll'ft .ixft
c
26.!Lu l l!e2 27.!lal lih6 28.d4 i e3 0-1
(7-18) Fusch - Kalniczky

Banreve 1894 )
g ~ !.
'.t. .t .t.
.t. .t.
' 8 .t
13, 4\ ei
A
ti,
8 WI 13, I}
20...tfxgS! 21.ixgS ~ g3+ 22.hxg3 lixf1+ 23.wh2 igl+ 24.lflh l i e3+ 25.lflh2 ixd2 26.ixd2 l!e8 27.~c2 ffi 0·1
263
c (7-20) Alekhine - Flet cher
Lo ndo n 1928
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -~ J
26.ffxe4! fxe4 27..i.xe4+ l!lh8 2Ulg6+ l!lh7 29.0 xf8+ <llh8 30.0 g6+ l!lh7 31.0 eS+ l!lh 8 32.0 f7# 1-0
C
(7-19) Torre - Em.Las ker
.._____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
Moscow 1925
J
2S..if6! ffxhS 26.~g7+ l!lh8 27.~+ l!lg8 28.l!g7+ l!lh8 29.l!xb7+ l!lg8 30 J!g7+ l!lh8 31.l!gS+ l!lh7 32.l!xhS
l!lg6 33.l!h 3 l!lxf6 34.ltxh6+ l!lgS 35.l!h 3 l!eb8 36.l!g3+ l!lf 6 37.1!£3+ lt.>g6 38.a3 a s 39.b x a s l!x a s 40.0c4 l!d5
41 .l!f4 0 d 7 4 2.l!x e6+ l!lgS 43.g3 1-0
Mate wich the rook or queen on dB or dJ

{ITTt) Ostropolsky - lvanovsky
~SSR 1949
1.12'xd7+ !! l!xd7 2.~ c7+! ~c7 3.l!d8# 1-0
264
~ ) Onderka - N )
\.._.!._
v_i1_ _n_a_19_s_s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~
eenrn
''tb 'lbi it' '''

ii.
' WI
t!, "/5, t!, I}
.a: .a: <t;
1.~ c7•! gxc7 2.'ll'xc6•! bxc6 J,gd~ 1-0
~ 9
WI
''it. 'ii
I}
'I"
/3, j_
t!, 13, H t!, I}

~Ii
1...'ll'cZ•!! z.g,'l:cZ ~ b3•13.axb3 3.lt.bl ffXdl • 4.Itcl ffXcl lf 3 ...gxdl# 0-1
Castling 10 win
(7-2.4) Greco - NN
(--_16_20_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
J
Remove White's gt-knight:
1.e4 es 2..i.c4 ~ f6 3.d4 ~ e4 4.dxeS ~ 5.0-0!?
s...~ xdt?? s...dS- • 6.i.xf7• we7 7.:igS# 1-0
265
(7-25) De May - O'Ke lly
Brussels 1935
12....li.xe4 13.llel .igS• 14.wdl 0-0! 0-1

Ll!gal's Mace
(7-26) Legal -Saint-Brie
Paris 1750
1.e4 es 2.i.c4 d6 3.~ f3 .li.g4 4.~ c3 g6?
5.~ xeS!! Thunderbolt! 5....li.xdl? 5...dxe5 6.l."xg4._ 6.i.xf7· 111e7 7.0 d5# 1-0
( <7-27) Buckley-NN
\._London 1840
1.e4 c5 2.~ f3 d 6 3.0 c3 es 4.i c4 ~ c6 5.d3 ~ ge7? 6..i.g5? 6.-t:gS•- 6...ig4 7.~ d5 0 d4?
----- J
g
''
8.~ xeS?! 8.lilxd4!?+- 8....li.xdl? 8...dxe5 9.Uxg4+- in view of 9...ot:xc2+? 10.wd l ot:xal 11 ~5+ 9.~ f6+ gxf6
10..i.u '7# 1-0
Knight attack
266
c (7-28) Mandolfo - Kolisch
Paris 1859 J
t6...~ e4! ! t7n d8 t 7.uxe4 dxe4 18.ixds ~ ez~ 17...~ g3!! 18.<l:lc6+ wd7? 0-1 White resigned but chances are
about eq ual now. If 18...~ geZ+, 19... xez+ f xe211. but 19.tfe 7+ i.xe7 ZO.fxg3 i.cS 21.l!xl'7+ wxc6 22.l!c?• wb6
23.ltxcS+ wxcs 24..i.e?:!
9.<l:lxes n dl? 9...~ xdS? to.~ xg4-; 9...~ xb3? tM, xg4 ~ xds (1 o...~-~al ? 1 t k gf6•! gxf6 12.~ xf6t;) 11.axbJ....;
9...dxe5 10.Vxg4 ~ 3 1 l.axb3 f5 limits the damage. 10.ol:lf6+! gxf6 11.:i.xf7t: 1-0
( ~~:;> Mieses - Ekwist

------------------------------
J
1.e 4 dS 2.exd5 'lfxd5 3.<l:lc3 t:7d8 4.d4 <l:lc6?! 5.<l:lr.3 .ig4? 6.ds
6 ...<l:le5? 6... u f3 7.gxf3 ~ b8 8i f4 .... 7.0xe5! .ixdl 8..ibS• c6 9.dxc6 a610.c7• axb5 11.cxd8•ff• ltxd8
12.0xdl 1-0
267
(7-34) Don ev - Orlovsky
( . Switzerland 1992
J
--------------------------------.
1.e 4 cs ,Ulc3 ~ c6 3.g3 g6 4.ig2 il.gl 5.d3 d6 6.f4 Bb8 7.00 b5 8.0-0 as 9.e5!? dxe5 10.fxe5 ~ xe5 11.il.f4 il.g4
12.~ eS?! 12.'lfe2 is better according to the computer. 12...'!fd4+? 12....t.xdl 13.t c6+ ltf814.~ d7+ 1txd7
15.hd7 .td4• 16.i!.g2 es 17..txes hes 18.:Jaxdl ~ f6= 13.whl il.xd l 14.ll.c6+
g
A
''' 'Ill¥ ~ A
CiJ t!, t!,
t!, /j t!, /j
li .t li <3;
14...wdS? 14...11.: fS is forced, but after 15.~ d7• 'lfxd7 16..t.xd7 "ld8 17.hl>S (Donev in Chess /11/ormanr.) White
is much bener anyv;ay. 15.~ x:f7+ wc8 16.il.xbS il.xc2 17.~ xbs '!fx:b2 18.il.eS .txes 19.~ fd6+ 1-0
Take my rooks
C
(7-33) Kahn - Hook
Calcuna 1979
J
~----------
1.e4 es 2.~ f.3 ~ c6 3.i.115 a6 4.il.a4 ~ f6 5.0-0 ~e4 6.d4 b5 7..ib3 d5 8.dxes il.e6 9.~ bd2 il.g4? 10.~xe4 clx:e4
11 ..iclS! ~ xe5? 11...1'd712..txe4•- 12.~ xe5! il.xdl 13.:i.xf7+ we7 14.il.g5• wcl615.Bax:cll• wxe5 16.i.xcl8 1-0
268
(7-34) Donev - Orlovsky
Switzerland 1992
1.e4 c5 Hlc3 0 c6 3.g3 g6 4.li:g2 ~ 5.d3 d6 6.f4 llb8 7 .00 b5 8.0-0 a5 9.e5!? dxe5 10.fxe5 0 xe5 11..if4 .i.g4
12.0xe5?! 12.ffe2 is better according to the computer. 12...ffd4+? 12 ....txdl 13..tc6+ ltf814.~ d7+ tfxd7
JS..lxd7 .td4+ 16.;!;g2 es 17..lxeS .lxe5 18.!:!axdt ~ f6= 13.whl ixdl 14..ic6+
g
.\TL
''' ~/j
~ ~ i. /j
/j /j /j /j
1l ..t ~ (3;
14 ...llld8? 14...ltf8 is forced, but after t5.~ d7+ Vxd716..txd7 ~d817..txb5 (Donev in Chess Informant.) White
is much better anyway. 1S.0 xf7+ wc8 16.li:xb8 bc2 t 7.~S trxb2 18.i eS i xeS 19.0 fd6+ 1-0
Take "!Y rooks
(7-35) Euwe - Reti

Amsterdam 1920
1.e4 es 2.0f3 0c6 3..'i.c4 0 f6 4.d4 exd4 s.o-o 0.u 4 6.Jlel d5 7.ixdS 'lfxd5 8.0c3 lfa5 9.0xd4? 0 xd4 10.lfxd4
15! 11 ..igS?!
11 ...lfcS! 12.lfd8•?! 1111713.0."te4 fxe414.lla d1 ll.d6! 15.lfxh8 lfxgS 16.f4?1 1fh417.llxe-l
269
g .t
''' .t
17.g3 AcS• 18.: h l ~ 4!-+ 17...:ih3!! 18.ffxas .icS• 19.'~hl .ixg2• ! 20.lflxg2 lll'g4• 21.lflf1 1'0 • 22.lflel ll'f2#
0·1
/<7-36) Reti - Euwe

\ Amsterdam 1920
1.d4 f5 2.e4 fxe4 H lcJ ~ f6 4..-gS g6 s.o ex£3 6.~xn il.g7 7..id3 cs 8.ds 1fb6 9.'IM2
g•.t g
''i"' ' ' . .t
, i
' l5. 1L
~.i. ~
!!; I!. I!, WI !!; I!.
~ w ~
9...'lfxb2? 9...d6 is called for. 10.llbl ~ xds 11.~ xdS! 'IJxbl • 12.wf2 ll'xht?! 13..ixe7 d6?! 14..ixd6 ~ c6
15.:..bS! .i.d7 16.JUc6 bxc6 17.1fe2• 1-0
(7-37) Krame r - German !

( 1mo J
1.~ 13 dS 2.c4 c6 3.cxdS cxdS 4.d4 ~ f6 5.~ c3 ~ c6 6..if4 e6 7.e3 tl'aS 8.~ d2 :ib4 9.flcl!? .ixc3 10.llxc3 tl'xa2
11.'lfcl -eras
270
l 2.il.xc6? 12..te2 is called for. l 2... bxc6 l 3.'lfxc6· ?! .id 7! 14.'lfxaS+ l!.>e 7! l S.'lfXh8?! 'Ital + 16.l!.>e2 .w.bS+ 0-l in
view of 17.;!;f3 (17.t.c4 .txc4+ 18.ltd21'xb2+ 19.;!;dl .tb3• 20. .!.el cl+ 21.lteZ ttdl#) 17...tfdl + 18.ltg3 ffg4#
(Roisman).
(7-38) Bem stein - Tartakower )

( Paris 1937
1.e4 es 2.~ f3 d6 3.d4 ~6 4.dxes fu:e4 S..«4 .ie6 6..i.xe6 fxe6 7.'lfe2 dS! "Puning a good face of things.
Black tran sforms the loss of a pawn into a sacrifice.· (Tanakower) 8.'lfb S+ ~ c6?1 9.~ d4? 9:itxb7 ~ b4
10.ttbS+ 'ed7 11.'ee2 is necessary. 9...'lfd7?
9...1.cSI 10..te3 (10.bc6 h4-+) 10 ....txd4 1 U.xd4 0-0- 10.'lfxb7? 10.~ xc6 ltxc6 1 U,xc6• bxc612.f3=
10....ib4+ 11.c3 ~ xd4 12.'lfxa8• wf7 13.'lfxh8 13.trb7 ~ cS! 14.\fxa7 'lfbS-+ 13...'lfbS 0-1
(7-39) Gaprindashvili - Servaty

Dortmund 1974
1.e4 cs 2.~f.3 ~ c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.~xd4 g6 S.c4 il.g7 6..ie3 ~ f6 7.~c3 ~ g4 8.'lfxg4 ~ xd4 9.'!l'dl es 10.~bS 0-0
11.ie2
271
11 ...'lfh4? Black falls into the trap. 11...UaS· might be critical. 12.~ xd4 exd4 13.li.x d4 'lfxe4 14 ..w.xg? 'lfxg2?
14 ...;txg7 limits the damage. 15.tl'd4!! 'IJxhl+ 16.wdZ '1Jxal 16...,,;c617.~f8 itxf8 18.''el+-: 16... xhz 17~
d518ixf8 <txfS 19. lhl ltd6 20.:ixh7·- 17.ffl6 1-0
Boden's Mate
( (7-40) Schulder - Boden
London 1860
J
14 ...ffxc3• ! 15.bxc3 i a3# ,o-1

( (7-41) Vaccaroni - lllazzocci
\._1891
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -~ J
g
1.'1Jg4•!! .ixg-1 ZJW\6+! gxh6 3.i.f7# 1-0
272
( (7-42) Dus-Khotimirsky - Robine
1910
J
u ~xf7! wxf7 2.d6+ wfS?! 3.tshs ffes 4.llxf6+ gxf6 s.'lrtxh6+ llxh6 6..ixh6# 1-0
The staircase
(7-43) Lowcki - Tartakower )
C
~Jurata 1937
---------
32...e bs 33.wgl ffcS• 34.lllhl ffc4 35.wgl ffd4+ 36.wht tse4!
"The Black queen interrupts its zigzag movement b6-b5/ c5-c4/ d4-d3. in order to decentralize the adverse
queen. Futile would be 36...'t'f4? because of 37.h4" (Tanakower) 37.lfct ffd3 38.wgl 9 d4• 39.wht ffd2 0-1
@> J.Polgar - Trap)

Budva 1963
273
23...ffb6+ 24 .whl ffb7+ 25.lt.lgl l!e2 26.fffl ffb6• 27.whl ffc6• 28.lt.lgl ffcS+ 29.whl ffdS+ 30.wgt 'ffd4+
31.whl ffe4+ 0-1
Cascling mates
( (7-45) Spencer - NN )
t.e4 es 2.f4 exf4 3.~f.3 gs 4.ll.c4?! g4 s .il.xf7• ? wxf7 6.~ es +
~
/J i i
/J /J /J £3, /J /J
Ii lb i. ~ ~ g
6...we6? 6 ... "te8! refu1es Wh i1e's concept. 7.'ffxg4+ wx eS 8.d4• wxd4? 8...* d6 is forced. 9.b4 .i.xb4+ 10.c3•
.ixc3• ?! 10...+cS 11.cxb4• itb6 limits the damage. 11.~ xc3 lt.lxc3
''''
l2..ib2+ lt.lxb2 13.ffe2• wx al 14.0-0# 1-0
(7-46) N - Znosko-Borovsky )
CDundee 1930
~------------'-"
t .hxg3 hxg2• 2.wxg2 .w.h3• 3.mxh3 ~ g4• 4.wxg4 'ffd7• s.wgs .w.e7• 6.mxg6 l!g8• 7.wh7 .w.f6• s.wxgs 0-0-0#
0-1
Anasrasia 's mare
~ Gottschall - NN )
"""
'- 119090
-_ -11 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _-'"'
274
U tdfl ! 1fx c4 1...t9e8 2. sxf8+ 'ftxf8 3.~ g6~ 2.~ g6+ 111g8 3.~ e7+ 111h 8 4.l!x h7+ 111xh 7 5.llhl# 1-0
~ ) Leonhardt - Englund
1...~ eZ+ Z.l!lhl l!le 7! 0-1
~ ) Bailey - Brown
~ e y 19Sl
8 ...~ xe5? 8...J.e7= 9.l!x e5+ il.e7 10.~ d5! 0-0 11.~ xe7+ 111h8 12.tfh5
12...d61 2...h6 13.d3 d6 14.J.xh6•- 13.1'xh7•! 1-0

275
Castling with check
White to play and win. In studies you are allowed to castle, if it cannot be proven by the position that it
castling is illegal. however unlikely this may seem: 1.d7 wc7 2.d8='!f• wxds 3.0-0-0++-
(7-51) Dw\bar - Sjavkin

( Poland 1925
J
~ - - - - - - - - -
1.e4 e5 2.00 ~ c6 3.d4 exd4 4.~xd4 i c5 5.ie3 d6? 6.~ xc6 bxc6 7.ixc5 dxc5 8.lfxd8• wxds 9.c4? 1lih8
1M lc3
10 ...!ixh2? ? 11.0-0-0•! 1-0
(7-52) Mattissons - Mlllers

Karlsruhe 1926 ..I
1.e4 c5 2.g3 ~ c6 3.ig2 ~ f6 4.~ c3 e6 S.f4 d 5 6.eS d4?! 7.exf6 cb:c3 8.bg7 cxd2• 9.'!fxd2 ixg7 10..ixc6• bxc6
1U l'xd8• wxds 12.c3 !l.b8?1 13.ie3
13 ...lixb2?? 14.0-0-0•! 1-0

Deadly discovered check
276
17.'~eS+! lixe8 18.fxe8=lif+ .i.x e8 19..i xd 6# 1-0
Aron Nrmzo<11tsch
(C?.54) Nimzowitsch - Rickhoff

~ Pamu 1910
10..ie2!? e.xf.3? 10...bxc611. e5 d6 12. c6 d7 13.l..d4•-

11.cxb7 .axb7 11 fxe2 12 bxa8= •- 12.sh5: 1-0
((J-55) Loman - Teschner
~Pynnont 1950
1.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.'1c3 dxe4 4.'1xe4 '1d7 5.0 1'3 0 gf6 6.'1eg5?!
il.e7
277
t!J,~~~,-o~-
l!, /j [!, [!, /!, [!,
I{~~~~ g
9 ...ll'e8? 9....tb4+ JO.c3 !fe7-+ 10.'<lxc7?? 10.tc4+- 10...ib4; 0-1
Mace with bishop and knight
(7-56) Blumenfeld - N )
C~
1903
---------=-'
t .e4 es 2.'<lf3 '<lc6 3.'<lc3 g6 4.d4 exd4 5.'<ldS itg7 6..igS '<lge7? 6..." ce71 is caUed for. 7.'<lxd4 itxd4
.
.l.li.l 'll .l
lb
j_ /3,
~
''
13, /j /j l!:, /j /),
I{ 'tit'~ ii. _g
8.ffxd4!! '<lxd4 9.'<lf6+ 1!1f810.ih6# 1-0
(7-57) Schmidt - Schlage
C. Berlin 1933
J
.
1 .e4 cs 2.'<lf3 '<lc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.'<lx d4 '<lf6 5.'<lc3 es 6.'<ldbS d6 7.itgS a6 8.itxf6 gxf6 9.'<la3 b S 10.'<ldS :i'.e6
t1 .c4 '<ld4 t 2..id3 l!g8?!
t3.g3? 13.0-0 .0.h 3 14.g3+- t 3...ffa5+ 14.l!lfl t4.b4 'll'xa3 15.e.c7• l!ld816.t.:.xa8 'ltc3+-+ 14...:i'.h3+ 15.l!lgl
15 ...ffel +!! 16.ffxel 16..tfl Wxft +l 17.h fl " f3#16...'<lf3# 0-1
278
(7-58) Alexandrov - Pok:rovsky )
(
-·u_s_s_
R _19_3_
9--------------------------
15...1fxe4+! 16.dxe4 :.fl+ 17.wgl ~ h3,1t o-t
(7-59) Kazic - Vukovic )

( Yugoslavia 1940
""----"-----------_____.,.
Kazic now uses Legal's combination with the mate with bishop and knight:
14.0 xe51! .ixd1 1H ld7! .ie716.ollexf6+ .ixf617.lle8+! tfxe8 18.ol)xf6# 1-0
c (7-60) Alekhine - Munoz

Sabadel1946 )
gi ~
.t ~·
i .l
'I\ .l ~ .l
/j
~ lb ~
/j /j /j
~--~- ~g
15.0f:i!! 1-0
( (7-61) Teplov - Balgin
\._Moscow 1959 )
279
18.. .'ilh3+! 19.ltlhl 'lfxf.31! 0-1
(7-62) Meder - Zunker
( 1973
= = = = = = = ")
13.0 dSl 1-0

( (7-63) Dodge - Hough-Teling
~cago1904
1.d4 dS z.c4 es 3.e3?1 exd4 Ufxd4?! 0 f6 S.0 c3? 10 c66.lfdl .if5 7.f3? 7.cxd5 ~ b4 8..tb5+ c6 9.dxc6 tl'xdl +
I0.1txd1 bxc6 t 1.Aa4 0-0-0+ 12.;t el limits the damage. 7...0 b4 8.ffa4• 'Cl'd 7? 8...c6--+ 9.ffxd7+ ltlxd7 10.e4?
10.;!;d l is required. 10...dxe4 ll.fxe4 ~ e4 12.llhl 0 c2+ 13.ltldl 0 f2+ 14.ltleZ .i.cS 1S.0 f3 .id3+ 16.ltld2 .i.e3#
A final position of super originality. The disposal of the Black minor pieces yield a wonderful harmony. The
hanging knights a nd bishops, protecting each other, offer a fantastic symmetrical scene.
Tile Reti Mate
(7-64) Machusski - Kalisch

( . Pans 1864
J
.
---------------------------------
This combination attracted quite a lot of attention in 1910. It was the unexpected queen sacrifice. foUowed
by discovered check, which is now called the "Reti Mate." However, by the time the combination's
precursors were found, it was too late. The name "Reti Mate" was by then a part of chess history.
l .e4 es Z.0 f3 0 c6 3.d4 exd4 4.~d4 'lfh4 S.0 c3 ib4 6.'ll'd3 0 f6 7.a icc6 dxc6 8 ..i.d2 .i.xc3 9..i.xc3 0 xe4
10.ffd4 ffe7 11.0-0-0
280
11 ...'IJgS+? 1l...{.xc3 12.b xc30-0 is necessary. 12.f4! trxf4• 13..i.<12! trg4
The peculiar thing abom this game is that the complete opening, including moves 11-13. was prepared and
conceived before the game was played. 14.ffd B+I ! lllxd8 1S.Jif.gS+ llle8 16.ll:d8# 1-0
U (7-6S) Hjulett - Jung Hobart

1890
1.e4 es 2.f4 ex:f4 3.~ 13 gs 4.d4? ! The Rosentreter gambit is probably not correct. 4...g4 S.~ es '1Jh4+ 6.g3
J
fxg3 7.'lfxg4 g2+ 8.'1Jxh4 gxhl='IJ 9..ie3? 9.{.c3 is critical. 9...d6 10.~ c3 cb:eS 11.0-0-0 '!ff.I 12..id2 .i.b4
13.cb:eS i g4?
13....t.e7-+ 14.'IJdB+!! wxd8 l S.Jif.gS+ llle8 16.ll:d8i:! 1-0
( ~~~:) Reti- Tartak ower Vienna

---------------------------------
J
1.e 4 c6 2.d4 d S 3.~c3 dxe4 4.~xe4 ~ f6 5.'1Jd3 eS?! 6.ru:eS 'IJaS+ 7.id2 'lfxeS 8.0-0-0 ~ xe4?
g'))_t ..t g
ii iii
i
-~
'))
'i!J
t!, /j /j iL /j /j /j
<it> ft ii_~g
9.ffd8+!! wxd8 10..i.gS+ die? 10...lte8 11. d811 lt is most likely that Reti had no knowledge of the preceding
games, finding this combination over the board. 11..w.dS# 1-0
c (7-68) Chistia kov - Kogan

USSR 1933
281
19...ffdl•! 0-1
Heavy pieces ar1ack
~---~s_·:_:>
_t_9~-~- o_v_-_s_r_o n_.s_,e_m_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___,J
1.ir..'l:e6? U t !'.3 is called for. t ...0 g3+! 2.wgt? 2.hxg3 xhl• 3.1;f2 :.cs• 4.d4 xdl 5..uf7+ lt/f8 6.li'xdl .t.xd4+
7.~ e3 ~.xe5 8id5 c6 is better. 2....:r.c5+ 3.d4 .ir.xd4+ 4.tfxd4 0 e2+! 5.0xe2 tfet# 0-1
(. . .__
Vienna ________ J
(7-70) Alekhine - NN
1933 __.
1.d 4 0 f6 2.c4 e6 3.~c3 b6?! 4.e4 .ib4 5.eS ~e4 6.ffg4 ~ xc3 7.bxc3? 7.a3 ~ 8..tg5 i.e7 9i,ce7 tl'xe7 10.ffxg7
f8 11.lrxfS• !Lxf8 12.bxc3 should be played. 7....ir.xc3• 8.l!ld l wfs 8 .. bal? is met by 9. xg7 i;:fs 10..tgS
9.:ia3• 1!1g8 10.lll>1 0 c6? 10....tas 11.~b3 d6 12- g3 g6 slows White's attack down. 11.lll>3 i.xd4?
11 ...hs is required. 12.ffxg7+! wxg7 13.l!g3• 1-0 in view of 13...~ h6 (13...'ltgS 14.txg5+ ;t;h615.l:g3+-) 14.~1 +
ltlh 5 15.i.e2+ lth4 16.l!h 3:t This game had a lready been played, mo ve for move in Lukomsky-Pobedin.
Moscow 1929, 1-0
282
{'(7-n>Gachon - Denis )
\.....__...,
LLyy'-oo_nn_1_988
_ _ _ _ _ _- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . . . . . -
1.i,x:g7+!! lt>x:g? 2.l!g4+ lt>h6 3..if6 :i:ds 4..tg7+ whs 5.l!gS+! .i.xgs 6.~ es+ wh4 7.g3+ lt>h3 s.:i:g4# 1-0
((7-n) Shtejnikov - Jashkov
\ . . ~ 1988
='
~)
U fx:g?• !! wxg7 z.gg4+ wh6 J,gd6+ f6 4.i!xf6+ whs s.gM+ ! wgs s ...<.!ixh4 6.: h6t: 6.f4+ wxh4
g
fl .I.
I!
1.wh211 1-o
( (7-73) Lasker - Loman
\._London 191 o
1
..,)
The pawn promotion apparently cannot be stopped. Lasker had apparently executed a perire combi11aiso11
himself, sacrificing a rook on f8, followed by g6xh7 to queen a pawn:
~
' !!.
1...llc3+ But he blundered with 2.wg4? 2.;!;f2 llc2+ H;e3 is called for. 2...llc4+ 3.wg5 llh4! 4.lt>xh4 g5·
S.wxgs lt>g7 and Black won. It is quite likely Loman found his move over the board, but this particular case
of square-vacating had already occurred in 1899 (T. Krabbe. Chess Curiosities. London, 1985. pp.111-112). 0-1
283
(7-74) A.Troittky
( --1_8_9_9 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
J
White 10 play and win. 1.hJ + wh4 1...wf5 2.~ d4+ .lxd4 3Jle7 ~ es 4.::!xe5+! Loman's move in a Troitzky study!
4...1h eS S.f4+ l!ixf4 6.wf2 and wins z.gd4+! .ixd4 3.~ xd4 el '11'+ 4.ltg2+-
2
(7-75) Alekhine - Shishko

( _ Moscow 1919
J
_
---------------------------------
1...'l:l'f2? t...wh7 is called for. 2.lixf2 gxf2 3.ffxf5 1-0 as the pawn is stopped after 3...wxf5 4.g4+ ·atixg4 5.ltg2•-
c (7-76) Richter - NN
Berlin 1930 _ _ _ _ _ _ _)
1...gh1+ 2.wxhl gxf2 J .g f5! and White won. 1-0
284
Exercises
(7-77)
g
WI " "
"
i.
I}, /!:, /j fj I}, /j
Black resigned here. But there is a defense. Can you find it?
( <7-77) Potsc h - Bamler

1929 _ _ _ _ _)
18... bxa6? 18 ...Yxc6? 19.'ltxc6• bxc6 20-ta6#;
t8 ...~ d6? t9.hd6 \l'xd6 zo.e.xa7• ltc7 21.e.bSH- ;
18...<teS!! 19.<txa7• ltlb8 20.b eS• .td6 21.«lc6• bxc6 22.hh8 ffxh8 23.!e2 ltlc7=
18 ... bxa6? 19..ixa 6# 1-0
(7-78)
Black to move and win

(7-78) Romanovs ky - Zubare,, )

(..._
__ss_s_R_19_3_o_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___.
14 ...'ffxc3- 15.hxc3 Ji.a3# 0-1
285
(7-79)
White 10 move and 111i11

(7-79) Alekhine - Vasic

( Banja Luka 1931 )
10.ffxe6+ fxe6 11J.g6# 1-0
(7-80)
Wh11e to move and win

( <7-80) Canal - NN
1934
11.axb4! § xal • t2.lild2 ffxhl 13.§ xc6+!! b xc614.ia6# 1-0
- - - - - - - - - - -~ J
( (7-81)
White co move and 111in
286
((7'.st)
~' -
Ofstad - Uhlmann )
_33_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~
1199_66-
1.1'd6+ ite7 t...~ e7 2ixg5+- 2.lixe7 ~ xe7 3.1'f6+ gxf6 4.ith61t 1-0
(7-82)
g ..t
.I.
.I.

(7-82) Tai - N
(,__
19_7_4 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
J
t.itxh 7+! wxh7 2.!ih3+ l!lg8 3.~ 151 'll'gS 4.'ll'h5! 1-0 in view of 4...tfxh5 H,e7+ ll.h7 6J!xh 5#
(7-83)
Black to move a11d ivin

C
(7-83) Espig-Moehring
Leipzig 1973
J
~-------~
12...0-0-01! 13.hh2 Nothing helps: 13.exf7 bxat= 14.fxg8=1f l:xg8 and Black is a rook up; or 13.~ xf7
bxa1=1• 14.t xd8 and now the easiest is 14...4)f6 15.bc6 clxc6 16.e7 L""<e7 17.l'!Xe7 fl<xb118..l.""<c7· ·1lb8
19...xc6 dJ and Black wins. 13 ...1'1514.~ dxe615.a ""<d8 ~ xd816.0 d2 ~ f61 7.!icl .ib7 18..ie5 0 d5
l9.1'a 4 0 cJ 20..i..x c3 bxcJ 21.!ixcJ JI.CS 22.0 f..l !if8 23.!idl ~ f7 24.h3 0 e5 25.!ibJ .ib6 (Krabbe) 0-1
287
(7-85)
Whire co move and win

(7-85) Bonch Os molovsky- Bar anov

Moscow 1953
18.'lfdS+!! wxd8 19.~xe6+ we7 l9....te8 20.~g7+ Axg7 2U.gS+ Ms 22_ d8/I: 19 ....tcs 20.J d8# 20.li.gS+ f6
21.~ d8+! (Roisman) 1-0
(7-86)
Whice co move a11d wi11

( <7-86) Alekhine - Freiman

New York 1924
23.ge8+ ~ts 24.~h 6• 'lfxh6 2S.gxf8+ wxfs 26.'lfd S# 1-0
- - - - - - - - - - - - -~ J
Whue co move a11d win

288
('7:i:87) Saxtoh - Ohman

~ maha _)
14.'1Jxg7+ wxg7 1S,gg3+ 1-0 in view of 15 ...1fg5 16.lsxgS+ lllh6 17..tcl d3 18J!g3+ llih5 19..txd3 ~.xe5 20.e gs+
ltih6 2Ulg6+ lllhS 22.ffh6+ ltig4 23.h 3# (Zavodny)
How to conti nue White's a nack?

.London
.._ 1790_ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
(7-88) Bowdler - Co nway )
20.ir..'Ch4! \ol/hite has time for this as his queen will invade next. 20.i.xa8?? ffal 2Utd3+ b5 22~ c6 1lc3+-+;
20.1ld3+? b5 21.a4 'll'xg2+ 22.ltcl 'ligS• 23.;!;b2 'll'xd5 24.exd5 ~ b6 25.tl'xb5· ltb7 26.ftc6+ lta6=
20.i.xb4! wbs 20... bS 21.'ifa3+ lllb6 22.e as11: 20...~ cs 21.9 a3+ ltb5 22.c411 21.c4+ wxb4 22.'!fb3+ was 23.'1Ja3#
1-0
(7-89)
How to introduce White's knight imo the a ttack?

(7-89) Lus ting - Szen )

( Pest 1856
-------=====-'
20.~ 17+! 20.~ xe6•? ;t;e8 21.t c7+ ltd8 is only a d raw.
20.~ 17+! lt>e8 21.'lfxe6• ltlf8 22..i.d 6+ ltlg8 23.~ gS# 1-0
289
(7-90)
How should While slart the king hunt?

c (7-90) Goring - Minckwitt

Wiesbaden 1871 J
13.'lfgS•! wxf6 13...lte7 14.~ dS• exd5 (14...;!;d6 15.itxf8• ;!;xd5 16.'lfcSJ;) 15.1h h 7+ ltle6 16.11Xg6• ltle7
17.~ gs• we6 t s.Ms• ll:n t9.t g6• 1tgs 20.te4• tg1 21.txds• mh7 22.111'5• 1th6 23.W•- 14.'!l'xfS• wgs 1s.f4•
wg4 16.i.e2• wh317.ffh6• wg2 1s .wgs• wxh219..if31m 20.ffh4• wg121.ffgJ• ffg2• 22.ffxg2# 1-0
' ' '' i 9
'i'
£3, /j
' /j /j
/j
/j
!i ltJ.i <J.> g
Whal was Black's point?

(7-91) Rodzinski - Alekhine )

( Paris 1913
------------
14 ....w.e ?! 15.tfxh8 .ih4: 0-1
(7-92)
Wi
''
290
Find Black's next shot!
(7-92) Fleissig - Schlechter

17...~ 1'2! 0-1 in view of 18.1xf2 ftd2+ 19.ltbl ftdl+ 20.ltla2 1fxc2~.
(7-93)
How to catch Black's king?

(7-93) Jukes - Pinch )

( corr
' - - - - - - - - - - - - -
18.ll.fl! 18.cxd4? Ha519.llf.3• ltlxd4 20. cl ..es 2t.he8g6 22.Ml std!>-+
18.ll.1'2! ~ e2• 19.~xe2 ~ a4 20.ltlfl! 1-0
(7-94)
g .t g
.t..t..t..t. ~ .t. .t.
~-
.i
WI
t!, /j
<ti
How should White stalt the king hunt?

Show/Hide the S0lu1ion
(7-94) Schiller & Morocz - Kendelenyi

Pest 1863
t8..id6+! wf619..ie7+ ltlg6? 19...txe7 20.'ltxf5 llf8 2t.t:c5+! d6 22. xc7-+- 20..i.xf7+!! 'll'xf7 20...ltlxf7
21.&xG+ d>xe7 22.t'eS+ <t.f7 23. xhR+-- 21.ffg4+ wh6 22.ffgS# 1-0
291
White 10 move and win
/(7-95) Smirnov - Tikhonov

~ 1954
16.ffael ! ffxd5 17.ffe8+ i.fB 18.i.h6! 1-0
(7-96)
Whire to move a11d win

(7-96) Cochrane - Mohishunder

Calcutta 1848
24.ffcS ffxf7 24....t xf4 25. · b6· ~7 26.'ltxb7:t 25..i xd6+ 1-0
292
(7-97)
Whire co move and win

(7-97) Sokolov - Ruzhnikov )

( corr 1966
'-----------~==-
20. llxb7• ! hx g5 20...Af6 21.~ c6- .te8 22.:le7• It f8 23.ftxg?# 21.~c6• llle8 22.lle711 1-0
293

Charushin - The Tacticians Handbook Revised & Expanded 2017 Bookmarked PDF

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Charushin - The Tacticians Handbook Revised & Expanded 2017 Bookmarked PDF

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

The Tactician's Handbook

ISBN: 978-1-941270-34-9 (print)

All Rights Reserved

Cover design by Janel Norris

Printed in the United States of America

Preface by Karsten Müller 4

Signs & Symbols 5

Foreword by Judit Polgar 6

Alekhine ' s Block 7

Alekhine's Block: Exercises 60

Combination Cross: Exercises 108

Domination: Exercises 155

Lasker ' s Combination 164

Lasker's Combinatiom Exercises 191

Mitrofanov ' s Deflection 207

Mitrofanov's Deflection: Exercises 227

The Steeplechase 233

The Steeplechase: Exercises 254

Less Common Combinations 258

Less Common Combinations: Exercises 285

16.i!f6!! 16..te71g6 (16...~ xe717.::lxf7+- ) 17.'Mh6+- Lein.

'''• ' WI' '

(c1-3l Marshan - Spielmann

The defense <J.gB

19.fff6!! A really fantastic s hot. Benko had counted on 19.eS? fSI=

The next example is less spectacular:

21...llf.J!! 21... h4? 1s met by 22 f3.

29.!if6 29.l!iel I? t hS 30.h4 llf8 31.l!id2 is probably even stronger.

28.I!f6!I ffeS? Black should reduce the anacking potential

The bishop blocks the fpawn

( (1-16) de Firmian - Sosonko

(1-18) Chiburdanidze - Alexandria

26.if6! ! 26.!lh4 g6 27.?'lxg6+ hxg6 28.if6 works as well

15..if6 15..t.xe71? might be even stronger. e.g.. 15 ... xe7 16.13

{'"ct-25) Vavrzhinsky - Alekhine

(1-26) Sal omovich - Alekhine

.t. .l .t. .t.

9.~ f6•!! gxf610..ixf6 1-0

10.~ f6•?! 10.W4 'lfg4 tl.d4-- is much stronger.

f(l-29) Alekhine - Euwe

1 ...~ f3+!! z.gxf3 2.<1:h1 , h4 3.h3 C'el-• z ...ffg5• 3.<l>hl .ixf3,

1...~ 1'3•!! 2.gxf3 llg5- 3.wfl 3.\!hl ~ - • 3 ...'ffh3• 4.l!ie2 l!e5#

t ...~ f3+!! 2.gxf.l 1'g 6• 3.l!lht ~ g3+ 4.hxg3 lfxc2-+

(1-36) Karpov - Kortchnoi

' ''.t '

(1-45) MacDonnell - Boden )

(1-49) Sosonko - Helmers

24.'lfxf6!! gxf6 25.llxeB+ and Black resigned in view of

1...lff.l!! 0-1 White resigned because of 2.gxfH:.exf3· 3.ithl .th3-+.

(1-51) Petrosian - Ivanovic

(1-66) Karpov - Salov

Ope11i11g che seve11ch ra11k

37.§ g6!! 1-0

27.'lfxg6!! fxg6 28.f7+ 1!.>h 7 29.fxeS='lf "llxe8 30.i..u S and

An opening trap based 011 Alekhine's Block

T/1e block stops ...g7-g6

( (1- 78) Gufeld - Hubner

43.llg6!? 43.::lgS g6 is also difficult to break down.

22.!!g6!! H J Black resigned in view of 22 ...fxg6 23.fxg6+ lth8

Descroying Black's pa11111 shield

(1-83) Alekhine - Rumijantzev

19..ig6!! 11:fll 20.i.xf'?+ g.'(f7 21.lfg6 1-0

(1-84) Alekhine -Apserueks )