Chess Strategy by Edward Lasker (inspirational novels .TXT) π
1. ... K-Q3
2. P-B3 K-B3
3. K-B4 and wins.
This settles all typical end-games of King and pawn against King. There is, however, one exception to the rules set out, namely, when a ROOK'S PAWN is concerned. Here the isolated King always succeeds in drawing if he can reach the corner where the pawn has to queen, for he cannot be driven out again. The Rook's pawn affords another opportunity for the weaker side to draw. Diagram 55 will illustrate this, and similar positions are of frequent occurrence in practice. Here Black draws with 1. ... K-B5. As he threatens to capture the pawn, White must play 2. P-R4. Then after the reply K-B4, White is still unable to cut the opponent off from the corner with K-Kt7, as the loss of the pawn is still threatened through K-Kt5. And after 3. P-R5 Black attains the position which is typical for this end-game, namely the opposition against the King on the Rook's file. The latter cannot escape without giving up the contested corner, and the game is drawn. 3. ... K-B3; 4. K-R7, K-B2; 5. K-R8, K-B1; 6. P-R6, K-B2; 7. P-R7, K-B1: and White is stalemated.
Diag. 55
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4. β¦ Kt-B3
5. Castles B-K2
6. R-K1 P-QKt4
7. B-Kt3 P-Q3
8. P-B3
βββββββββββββ
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | | | #R |
|βββββββββββββ|
7 | | | #P | | #B | #P | #P | #P |
|βββββββββββββ|
6 | #P | | #Kt| #P | | #Kt| | |
|βββββββββββββ|
5 | | #P | | | #P | | | |
|βββββββββββββ|
4 | | | | | ^P | | | |
|βββββββββββββ|
3 | | ^B | ^P | | | ^Kt| | |
|βββββββββββββ|
2 | ^P | ^P | | ^P | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|βββββββββββββ|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | ^R | | ^K | |
βββββββββββββ
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 116
8. β¦ Castles
In Capablancaβs opinion Black should not castle before Whiteβs intentions in the centre have been made clear. It makes a great difference whether White plays his QP to Q4 or to Q3 only.
If after 8. β¦ QKt-R4; 9. B-B2, P-B4 White plays: 10. P-Q4, his intention is to move his pawn further to Q5 as soon as Black has castled, and then to attack on the Kingβs wing with QKt-Q2-B1-K3, P-KKt4 and Kt-B5. For this reason Black should force White to disclose whether he intends to exchange his QP or to advance it to Q5. In the latter case Black can refrain from castling altogether and counter-attack on the Kingβs wing, e.g., 10. P-Q4, Q-B2; 11. P-KR3, B-Q2; 12. QKt-Q2, R-QB1; if now: 13. P-Q5 then P-R3 followed by P-Kt4-Kt5 gives Black many chances. If on the contrary 13. PxP, then Black need no longer fear an attack on the Kingβs side after he has castled, as his Rooks will have a favourable opportunity for operating on the open Queenβs file. However, there is still the disadvantage for Black of having advanced Queenβs side pawns, which are liable to attack (P-QR4).
The game takes a different course when Black exchanges the pawns in the centre. The continuation would then be: 11. β¦ Kt-B3; 12. Q Kt-Q2, B-Q2; 13. Kt-B1, PxP; 14. PxP, PxP; 15. B-Kt5, Q-Kt3. It is difficult to decide which side has the advantage. Black has an extra pawn, but White has the initiative.
If in Diag. 116, after 8. β¦ Castles White plays 9. P-Q4 at once, Black has an opportunity for the following interesting attack: 9. P-Q4, B-Kt5; 10. B-K3, KtxKP; 11. B-Q5, Q-Q2; 12. BxKKt, P-Q4; 13. B-B2, P-K5 14. P-KR3, B-R4; 15. Kt-K5, BxQ; 16. KtxQ, BxB; 17. KtxR, RxKt. White cannot take advantage of his Rooks, as there is no open file, whilst Black threatens to initiate a strong attack with P-B4.
Aljechin has analysed a variation of this line of play, which he thinks leads finally to Whiteβs advantage: 12. PxP, Kt-Kt4; 13. BxKt, BxB; 14. P-KR3, BxKt; 15. QxB, KtxP; 16. RxKt, PxR; 17. BxR, B-B8; 18. Kt-R3, Q-Q7. I doubt that White can win this game.
9. P-Q3
In this less aggressive continuation, in which nothing is immediately attempted against Blackβs centre, White prepares gradually for a Kingβs side attack, as in this game with Kt-Q2- B1-Kt3. But Black should obtain time for operations in the centre.
9. β¦ Kt-QR4
10. B-B2 P-B4
11. QKt-Q2 Kt-B3
12. P-QR4
In many variations of the Ruy Lopez, this advance is always good, if Black cannot avoid exchanging the pawn, because the White Queenβs Rook, which only gets into play with difficulty, can either be exchanged or hold the Rookβs file. In any case the Black Knightβs pawn is weak for the end-game. If, as in the present game. Black can play P-Kt5, P-R4 is useless and even doubtful, as the Rookβs pawn itself may become weak in the end-game.
12. β¦ B-Kt2
This causes the loss of the game. In the Ruy Lopez the Bishop is nearly always needed on the diagonal QB1-KR6, to prevent a Knight from settling at Whiteβs KB5, which otherwise cannot be repelled except by P-KKt3, a most undesirable consummation. The proper continuation would have been P-Kt5, B-K3, Q-B2 and P-Q4, capturing the Queenβs file. Compare note to move 13 in the next game.
13. Kt-B1 Q-B2
14. Kt-Kt3 P-Kt3
βββββββββββββ
8 | #R | | | | | #R | #K | |
|βββββββββββββ|
7 | | #B | #Q | | #B | #P | | #P |
|βββββββββββββ|
6 | #P | | #Kt| #P | | #Kt| #P | |
|βββββββββββββ|
5 | | #P | #P | | #P | | | |
|βββββββββββββ|
4 | ^P | | | | ^P | | | |
|βββββββββββββ|
3 | | | ^P | ^P | | ^Kt| ^Kt| |
|βββββββββββββ|
2 | | ^P | ^B | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|βββββββββββββ|
1 | ^R | | ^B | ^Q | ^R | | ^K | |
βββββββββββββ
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 117
Here is the weakness. White first provides against Blackβs P-Q4, and then starts a sharp attack on the Kingβs side.
15. B-Kt5 QR-Q1
P-Q4 at once is not feasible, because of BxKt.
16. PxP PxP
17. Q-B1
This brings the Q away from her file, which Black could now secure by P-Q4, followed by PxP.
17. β¦ KR-K1
The proper continuation is the one outlined in the note above.
18. P-R3
White has now ample leisure to prepare the advance of his KBP.
18. β¦ R-R1
19. RxR RxR
20. Kt-R2 B-QB1
21. P-KB4 Kt-K1
22. P-B5 BxB
23. QxB Q-K2
Black seeks salvation in exchanges, which White, of course, tries to avoid, having good prospects of driving home his attack. His pieces are concentrated on the Kingβs side, whilst the Black forces are scattered, and unable to get back in time for the defence. Moreover, it is likely that the weakness at Blackβs KR3 and KB3 will prove fatal as the Black KB is exchanged.
24. Q-R6 Q-B1
25. Q-B1 Q-Kt2
26. R-B1 P-Kt4
White was threatening to play Kt-Kt4 with PxP and Kt-R6.
27. Kt-Kt4 Kt-B3
28. KtxKtch QxKt
One of the attacking Knights is eliminated. But there is another, which forces the entry at KB6 and KKt6.
29. P-R4
to gain access for the White Queen at KR6. If Black, captures there follows: 30. Kt-R5, Q-Q1; 31. Q-R6, Q-B1; 32. Kt-B6ch, an instructive example of the weakness created by P-KKt3.
29. β¦ P-R3
30. Kt-R5 Q-Q1
31. P-B6
All this is easy to understand.
31. β¦ K-R2
32. PxP B-Kt5
33. Kt-Kt7 K-Kt3
34. B-Q1 Q-Q2
35. Kt-B5 BxKt
36. PxBch Resigns.
The conclusion might be: K-R2; 37. B-R5, PxP; 38. QxP, R-KKt1; 39. B-Kt6ch, PxB; 40. Q-R4 mate.
GAME No. 13
White: Teichmann. Black: Schlechter.
Ruy Lopez (see p. 37).
Move 1-8 as in Game No. 12.
βββββββββββββ
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|βββββββββββββ|
7 | | | #P | | #B | #P | #P | #P |
|βββββββββββββ|
6 | #P | | #Kt| #P | | #Kt| | |
|βββββββββββββ|
5 | | #P | | | #P | | | |
|βββββββββββββ|
4 | | | | | ^P | | | |
|βββββββββββββ|
3 | | ^B | ^P | | | ^Kt| | |
|βββββββββββββ|
2 | ^P | ^P | | ^P | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|βββββββββββββ|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | ^R | | ^K | |
βββββββββββββ
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 118
9. P-Q3 Kt-QR4
10. B-B2 P-B4
11. QKt-Q2 Q-B2
Supporting, as it does, the KP, this is not a lost move, although White has not played P-Q4. It prepares Blackβs P-Q4 (after Kt-B3), the KP being fully protected against Whiteβs double attack by PxP.
12. Kt-B1 Kt-B3
13. Kt-K3 B-Kt2
The logical move would have been B-K3, to enforce P-Q4. Black is then very well developed, whilst White labours under a somewhat undeveloped Queenβs side. An attempt to exert pressure in the centre with P-Q4 in order to prevent Blackβs P-Q4 would be belated. Black would gain the advantage by: l4. β¦ KPxP; 15. PxP, PxP; 16. KtxP, KtxKt; 17. QxKt, Kt-Kt5! Nor would B-Kt5 before Kt-K3 be more successful; after B-K3; 14. Kt-K3, QR-Q1; 15. P-Q4, BPxP; 16. PxP, PxP; 17. KtxP, KtxKt; 18. QxKt, Q-B4, Black has the better chances in the end-game. The move in the text is not good because, as we saw before, the Bishop is wanted on the other diagonal to cover the square at KB4.
14. Kt-B5 KR-K1
15. B-Kt5 Kt-Q2
Even now it was desirable to aim at P-Q4, therefore QR-Q1 was preferable.
16. B-Kt3
The position of the White pieces points to a dangerous menace to the opposing Kingβs side.
16. β¦ Kt-B1
17. B-Q5!!
The beginning of a brilliant combination. BxKt is threatened, and Black must first cover his B at K2.
17. β¦ Kt-Kt3
18. BxB KKtxB
QKtxB is not feasible, because of BxB and KtxQP.
19. BxPch!! KxB
20. Kt-Kt5ch
βββββββββββββ
8 | #R | | | | #R | | | |
|βββββββββββββ|
7 | | #B | #Q | | #Kt| #K | #P | #P |
|βββββββββββββ|
6 | #P | | #Kt| #P | | | | |
|βββββββββββββ|
5 | | #P | #P | | #P | ^Kt| ^Kt| |
|βββββββββββββ|
4 | | | | | ^P | | | |
|βββββββββββββ|
3 | | | ^P | ^P | | | | |
|βββββββββββββ|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|βββββββββββββ|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | ^R | | ^K | |
βββββββββββββ
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 119
Quite a number of charming combinations are hidden in this position. If K-Kt3 or Kt1, then 21. KtxKtP! If K-B3 White can capture the RP first with check.
20. β¦ K-Kt1
21. Q-R5 KtxKt
22. QxRPch K-B1
23. QxKtch K-Kt1
24. Q-Kt6!!!
The point. This prevents P-Kt3, which would allow Black to bring up his Q for the defence at Kt2. Now nothing can be done against the threatening R-K3-B3 or R3.
24. β¦ Q-Q2
25. R-K 3 Resigns
A wonderful game in which Teichmann, the great judge of position, proves himself also a master in hand-to-hand fighting, in the wild chaos of sacrificial combinations.
GAME No. 14
White: Spielmann. Black: Tarrasch.
Ruy Lopez (see p. 41).
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. B-KT5 P-QR3
4. B-R4 Kt-B3
5. Castles Kt-P
6. P-Q4
βββββββββββββ
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | #B | | #R |
|βββββββββββββ|
7 | | #P | #P | #P | | #P | #P | #P |
|βββββββββββββ|
6 | #P | | #Kt| | | | | |
|βββββββββββββ|
5 | | | | | #P | | | |
|βββββββββββββ|
4 | ^B | | | ^P | #Kt| | | |
|βββββββββββββ|
3 | | | | | | ^Kt| | |
|βββββββββββββ|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|βββββββββββββ|
1 | ^R
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