IECC Weekly Jottings #3 December 31, 1996 Editor: Gordon Lee Publisher: Lisa Powell If there's anything which you as members of IECC would like to see in Jottings, and we mean ANYTHING at all, we would be more than happy to consider to include it in future editions of Jottings. We are hard at work in putting more contents in future issues, which includes: Opening Discussions Critical Position Analysis Integrating parts of Chess Basics to Jottings Some amusing stuff in general Request: If any strong player would like to write a thing or two on chess or about the IECC in general. We would be DEEPLY grateful, please send them to me or Lisa Powel ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chess Strategy - Pawn Storms ======================= by Gordon Lee You might have wondered how some of your opponents seems to have a clear purpose to every move, while you're still fumbling in the dark. That might be because you lack a plan. You must have a plan before a game, if not at least during the game. How should you decide on a plan? Well, decide on the types of opening is a start. For example, I was playing this player whose favourate opening is the King's Gambit, in particular, Muzio Gambit. It is a wild line where White sacrifices both his Knight and Bishop to get at my king. When I got the first move from him 1.e4, I knew if I replied e5 I would get the King's Gambit 2.f4, I chose it anyway because I thought that there's no way he could get back from two minor pieces down and win. Guess what, I was wrong, I won't lose the game, but I couldn't get ANY counter play what-so-ever. Despite the fact that I am two minor pieces up. I didn't have a chance to make the extra pieces worth while. I did plan several counter sacrifices to simplify it to a won ending. But didn't get a chance to play it. The moral of the story is: Don't play lines that you KNOW that your opponent is an expert in. (I am a specialist in a defence, and I haven't lost with it in IECC yet and I am not going to tell you what it is!) Unless you know the opening well also. Therefore it is worth your while to research your opponents previous games to see their weaknesses. Our web site contains a searchable game database of ALL the games played in the IECC, it is updated monthly. Have a look at it at Right, choose the opening. Your opponent had castled he looks solid, now what? A good plan would be to open the king's position up with a pawn storm. Here's a couple of examples: [Event "CL4-1996.15"] [Site "IECC"] [Date "1996.08.06"] [White "Gordon Lee"] [Black "Ebrahim Jakoet"] [Result "1-0"] 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.Nxd4 Qf6 5.Nxc6?! [Correct was 5.Nb5, this move allows Black to have the initiative and the doubled central pawn] Bc5 6.Qe2 dxc6 7.Nc3 Bd4 8.Bd2 Ne7 [Black had equalised without too much trouble due to the opening error] 9.f4 [The first warning shot] O-O 10.g3 Qe6 11.f5 [Although this looks awkward, it is good because it gains a tempo, the Black Queen must retreat] Qf6 12.O-O-O a5 [Black sees what's happening and react on the Q-side] 13.h4 h6 14.g4 b5 15.g5 Qe5 16.gxh6 b4 17.Na4 [Black's attack suddenly just stalled - His battery can't penetrate b2! My moves so far are easy to play and straight forward, with one basic aim in mind, storm the opposite fortress!] Ba6 18.Qg4 Bxf1 19.Rdxf1 [A rather useless attack as now white's pieces take up two further more menacing square - Supporting the pawn storm behind the g and h files] g6 20.f6 Nc8 21.h5 Qe6 22.Qxe6 fxe6 23.hxg6 [The pawns had been remarkably successful, all three white pawns are lined up directly in front of the Black king!] Bxf6 24.Rxf6! [A simple piece of tactic ends it all quickly. if the rook capture, the h-pawn queens] Nd6 25.Rxf8+ 1-0 Here's another game, taken from "Attacking the King" by J N Walker 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 c6 5.e3 Be7 6.Qc2 O-O 7.Bd2 Nbd7 8.O-O-O Re8 9.e4 Nf8 10.e5 N6d7 11.h4 [The centre is blocked with pawns and there are no open files. A pawn storm is needed to increase the fire-power of the white rooks, and White gets straight on with the job, the advance will be slow, since there are now weaknesses in Black's pawn shield. However, White realizes that Black has not finished his development, is short of space and will take time to work up a counter] Nb6 12.g4 Nxc4 13.Bxc4 dxc4 14.g5 b5 15.Ne4 b4 16.Nf6+! [The knight is the first to knock on Black's door. If now 16...gxf6 17.gxf6 and White has trapped the Black bishop and opened g-files for his rooks] Bxf6 17.gxf6 b3 18.axb3 cxb3 19.Qe4 Ba6 20.Rdg1 [Bringing the last pieces for the final assault!] Ng6 [Black has to prevent 21.Rxg7+, g6 won't do because of 21.Qf4 where Queen mates on g7] 21.h5 Qd5 22.hxg6!! [A Queen sac! There is no stopping the white pawns now that they've scented blood. Black's pawn shield is totally gone] Qxe4 23.gxf7+ Kxf7 [23...Kh8 24.fxg7++ 23...Kf8 24.Bb4+ Kxf7 25.Rxg7++] 24.Ng5+ Kg6 25.Nxe4+ Kf5 26.Nd6++ 1-0 Several points to happy storming: 1.You should intiate a storm as soon as the position allows you to. 2.Speed is important, material is less relevant, sacrifice if you have to (make sure that it leads to definite advantages first, don't take reckless risks for the sake of it) 3.If you can find a way of tripping the other sides attack, it may be worth a move or two to stall their attack. 4.Centre control important - Centre control = Space advantage = freer movement for your pieces 5.Follow up pawn storms with your pieces. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Opening Discussion ================ King's Indian Defence - Samisch Variation KID - 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 KID is a favourate of aggressive, ambitious players such as Kasparov and Fischer. This is an old defence armed with new ideas. Black allows White to establish a large pawn center, then attack it. White must also be wary of the latent power of the long diagonal bishop, also, the locking of the centre usually lead to White storming on the Q-side while Black on the K-side. The Samisch (5.f3) is now considered White's most reliable choice, balances aggression with solidity. KID is not really recommended for beginners, however, it is a reliable weapon once you've learnt the basics of chess. Other variations includes Classical (5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O) 4-pawns attack (5.f4), Fianchetto variation (5.g3) and others, which we will cover in future editions Analysis by FM Chuck Schulien [Event "CL2-1996.7"] [Site "IECC"] [Date "1996.11.30"] [White "Sciarretta,Dominic"] [Black "Wenaas,Eric"] [Result "1/2"] ["ECO E88"] 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 O-O 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 c6 8.Bd3 b5 9.cxb5 cxd5 10.exd5 Nbd7 11.Bc4 e4 12.f4 Nb6 13.Bb3 a6 14.Nge2 axb5 15.Nxb5 Ba6 16.Nec3 Rc8 17.0-0 Nc4 18.Bxc4 Rxc4 19.Qb3 Ng4 20.Ba7 Rc8 21.h3 Ra8 22.Qb4 Bxc3 23.bxc3 Nf6 24.a4 Nxd5 25.Qd4 Bxb5 26.axb5 Nxc3 27.Qxc3 Rxa7 28.Qd4 Rxa1 29.Rxa1 Re8 30.Re1 Qa5 31.Rxe4 Rxe4 32.Qxe4 Qxb5 33.Qa8+ Kg7 34.Qa1+ 1/2-1/2 Attached is some analysis of the game, both in text and PGN format. I appended two supplemental games, but didn't go into much theoretical detail in the main line of this gambit (10...e4.) I hope that you find this analysis useful, and I welcome comments and analysis from others on the game. Sciarretta,Dominic - Wenaas,Eric [E88] CL2-1996.7, 1996 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 O-O 6.Be3 e5 [GM Joe Gallagher notes that World Champ Kasparov is the leading exponent of the "Orthodox" 6...e5 versus the Samisch Variation. While this is a solid line, the gambit 6...c5!? and also the flexible 6...Nbd7 have prompted many exponents of the Samisch to explore 6.Bg5. 7.d5 c6 8.Bd3 b5!? This interesting gambit was tested by Kasparov 1988-91. 8...cxd5 9.cxd5 Nbd7 10.Nge2 Black plays his knight from f6 to h5 or e8, either now or on the previous turn, preparing ...f5. White castles kingside, exchanges pawns on f5, and generally keeps just a small positional advantage in these main lines.] 9.cxb5!? [Accepting the sacrifice is risky, allowing Black to open the center before White's pieces are developed and his king secured. 9.a3 This is the move which lessened the appeal of Kasparov's Gambit line. 9...bxc4 10.Bxc4 c5 Black does not wish the d5 square to become a base of operations for the White pieces. 11.Nge2 Nbd7 12.b4 White enjoys a comfortable initiative on the queenside, and Black has no really dangerous counterplay in store.] 9...cxd5 10.exd5 Nbd7 [I am not familiar with this move. Kasparov recommends fighting for the initiative with 10...e4!? Now White has a chance to develop the knight on g1. 11.Bc4?! White takes some chances moving the bishop again to reinforce control of d5.] 11.Bc4 [11.Nge2 Nb6 12.Be4 Nc4 13.Bg5 The b2 pawn is at least for the moment immune from capture.] 11...e4! [Black jumps at the second chance to play .....e4.] 12.f4 [12.fxe4 Nxe4! 13.Nxe4 Qh4+; 12.Be2 Re8] [White must still solve the problems of development and the e-file.] 12...Nb6 13.Bb3 [White must protect d5 and also leave e2 free for the the knight.] 13...a6!? [Black continually plays to open lines through pawn exchanges. 13...Ng4 14.Bd4 Bxd4 15.Qxd4 f5 I think that both sides have chances here.] 14.Nge2 axb5 15.Nxb5 Ba6 16.Nec3 [16.Nbd4? Nfxd5] 16...Rc8 17.0-0 Nc4 18.Bxc4 Rxc4 19.Qb3 [19.Qb3 is a natural move, trying to consolidate the queenside, but this is where White may look to improve. 19.Rc1? Rb4; 19.a4 Rb4 20.Rb1] 19...Ng4! [Black's initiative, nearly put out, suddenly flares up!] 20.Ba7 [20.Qxc4 Nxe3 21.Qc6 Bxc3 22.bxc3 (22.Qxa6 Bxb2 23.Rfe1 Bxa1 24.Rxe3 f5 Black stands well.) 22...Bxb5 23.Qxb5 Nxf1 24.Rxf1 f5 25.Qc6 White has an extra pawn and a winning queenside advantage, but the passed e pawn provides significant counterplay.] 20...Rc8 [White should think about relieving the pin on his knight at b5.] 21.h3 [21.Nxe4? Bxb5 22.Qxb5 Qe7; 21.Rfe1 f5 22.Qb4] 21...Ra8! [Black continues to scorn material in favor of the initiative. Now if White cannot capture something, he has no advantage.] 22.Qb4 [22.hxg4 Rxa7 23.Nxa7 Bd4+ 24.Rf2 e3 (24...Bxa7 25.Nxe4 Re8 26.Re1) 25.Re2 Bxe2 26.Nc6 Qh4 Black threatens at least perpetual check. 27.Ne4 (27.Qc2 Qf2+ 28.Kh1 Bxc3 29.Qxc3 Re8) 27...Re8; 22.Nxe4 Bxb5 (22...Qd7 23.a4 Rxa7 24.hxg4 Rb7 Black has good counterplay.) ] 22...Bxc3 23.bxc3 Nf6 24.a4 Nxd5 25.Qd4?! [White thinks that he is playing 'safe' by protecting the bishop on a7. It turns out that this defense is not solid, so White should have taken the pawn at e4.] [25.Qxe4 Nxc3 (25...Bxb5 26.axb5 Nxc3 27.Qd3 Rxa7! 28.Rxa7 Qb6+ 29.Kh1 Qxa7 30.Qxc3= The position is really drawish, and that is all White can expect.) ] 25...Bxb5 26.axb5 Nxc3! [The desperado knight continues to wreak havoc, and it must be captured.] 27.Qxc3 Rxa7! [This is Black's point. Now White is behind in material and must look for a way to hold the game!] 28.Qd4 [28.Rxa7 Qb6+ 29.Kh1 Qxa7 30.Qc6 Qd4 31.b6 e3-+ The situation is very sharp, but it seems that Black has the advantage.] 28...Rxa1 29.Rxa1 Re8 30.Re1 Qa5? [This time the active move throws away most of Black's advantage.] [30...d5] 31.Rxe4 Rxe4 32.Qxe4 Qxb5 33.Qa8+ Kg7 34.Qa1+ [Suddenly the White queen is on a rampage, and there is no safety for the Black king. The draw is now the correct result.][34.Qa1+ A) 34...Kh6 35.Qh8!? (35.Qf6 Qd7) 35...Qc5+ 36.Kh2 d5 37.Qf6 d4 38.Qxf7 d3 39.Qd7 Qe3 40.Qf7=; B) 34...f6 35.Qa7+ Kh6 36.Qe7=] Supplemental Games: Razuvaev,Y (2585) - Uhlmann,W (2510) [E88] Dortmund(2), 1991 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 O-O 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 c6 8.Bd3 b5 9.a3 bxc4 10.Bxc4 c5 11.Nge2 Nbd7 12.b4 Nh5 13.O-O Nf4 14.Kh1 Rb8 15.Rb1 Nb6 16.Bb5 cxb4 17.Rxb4 f5 18.Nxf4 exf4 19.Bd4 Bxd4 20.Qxd4 fxe4 21.Nxe4 Bf5 22.Bc6 Rc8 23.a4 Bxe4 24.Qxe4 Rc7 25.Qe6+ Kh8 26.a5 Re7 27.Qg4 Nd7 28.Rxf4 Nf6 29.Qh4 Re5 30.Qf2 Qxa5 31.Ra4 Qb6 32.Qxb6 axb6 33.Rd1 Rb8 34.Kg1 b5 35.Rb4 Kg7 36.Kf2 g5 37.Rdd4 Rb6 38.Rd2 h5 39.h4 gxh4 40.Rxh4 b4 41.Rhd4 b3 42.Rb2 Ra6 43.Rd3 Ra5 44.Rdxb3 Nxd5 45.Rb7+ Kf6 46.Rh7 Kg6 47.Rd7 Re6 48.Rd2 Nf6 49.R7xd6 Rxd6 50.Rxd6 h4 51.Kg1 Kf5 52.Kh2 Rc5 53.Ba4 Nh5 54.Rd8 Rc4 55.Rd5+ 1-0 Timman,J (2660) - Kasparov,G (2760) [E88] Reykjavik WC(14), 1988 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 O-O 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 c6 8.Bd3 b5 9.cxb5 cxd5 10.exd5 e4 11.Nxe4 Nxd5 12.Bg5 Qa5+ 13.Qd2 Qxd2+ 14.Bxd2 Bxb2 15.Rb1 Bg7 16.Ne2 Nd7 17.Nxd6 Nc5 18.Bc2 Be6 19.Ne4 Rac8 20.O-O Nxe4 21.Bxe4 f5 22.Bd3 Nb6 23.Nc1 Rfd8 24.Bg5 Rd7 25.Re1 Kf7 26.Be2 h6 27.Bh4 Nd5 28.Bd1 Bd4+ 29.Bf2 Bxf2+ 30.Kxf2 Nc3 31.Bb3 Bxb3 32.Rxb3 Nd1+ 33.Rxd1 Rxd1 34.Nd3 Rd2+ 35.Ke3 Rxg2 36.Ra3 Re8+ 37.Kd4 Re7 38.Ne5+ Kf6 39.Nc6 Rd7+ 40.Kc4 Rc2+ 41.Kb4 Rxh2 42.Ra6 Kg5 43.a4 h5 44.Rxa7 Rxa7 45.Nxa7 0-1 Recommended reading: The Complete King's Indian (Keene and Jacobs) The King's Indian for the Attacking Player (Burgess) Kasparov on the King's Indian (Kasparov with Keene) The Samisch King's Indian (Gallagher) FM Chuck Schulien mail to:cschess@hevanet.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- Mesler_Evans,Stephanie - Gagne,Learry M-302 IECC (1), 1996 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Bf4 [ Best is the natural 4.Nxe4. But, if you are a gambiteer, then f3 is very playable. Early committal of the bishop to f4 does not immediately support the gambit idea and now is subject to attack. 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Here, the gambit of a pawn has yielded a development lead, an important open f-file and a fluid position. FM Chuck Schulien - Fair enough, but isn't 4...e5! better, counterattacking the center?] 4...Nf6 5.Bc4 [ Another try is 5.f3 Nd5 6.Nxd5 Qxd5 7.c4 Qa5+ 8.Bd2 Qd8 9.Bc3 exf3 10.Nxf3 Bf5=+] 5...e6?! [5...Bf5 This move must be considered or 5...Bg4 . . . e6 locks in the now bad bishop and leaves the e4 pawn with little protection.] 6.f3 [6.Nge2 Bb4 7.0-0 Nbd7 8.a3 Be7 9.Qd2 leads to even play because the black e4 pawn should fall.] 6...Nd5?! [6...Bb4 7.Qd2 exf3 8.Nxf3 Qa5=+ is an example of playing with the pieces and developing with advantage.] 7.Nxd5? [7.Bxd5 exd5 8.fxe4 is better. . . you lose a tempo with Bb3 and you also have an inactive bishop.] 7...exd5 8.Bb3 Bb4+? [8...Bf5 Protects the e4 pawn and gets the bishop into the game. Game move does not serve a useful purpose and allows white to have counter play.] 9.c3 Ba5 [9...Bd6 Playing to a5 leaves your bishop out of play.] 10.Nh3?? [10.fxe4! dxe4 11.Qh5 gives white plenty of counter play and possibly the advantage.] 10...O-O [10...Bxh3 11.gxh3 Qh4+ 12.Bg3 Qxh3 is more accurate...] 11.Bg5? [ O-O or Nf2 looks better in this very difficult position.] 11...Qd6 12.O-O?? [12.Bf4 Qg6 13.Nf2 Qxg2 14.fxe4 dxe4 15.Qe2 is at least still fighting!] 12...Bxh3 13.gxh3 Bc7 [13...Qg6 wins a piece.] 14.fxe4?? Qxh2# 0-1 Don Camper 12/01/96 IECC JOTTINGS ----------------------------------------------------------------