World Chess Championship 1948 9198366505, 9789198366501

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The World Championship in Chess 1948

Paul Keres Verendel Publishing

First published in Sweden 20 16 by Verendel Publishing Copyright© Paul Keres 1949, Jan Verendel 20 16 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photo coping, record­ ing or otherwise, without prior permission from the family of Keres. ISBN: 978-91-983665-0- 1 Sales or enquiries can be directed to Svenska Schackbutiken AB Kalltorpsgatan IBA, SE-4 16 52 Gothenburg, Sweden tel: +46-3 1-24 47 90 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.schackbutiken.se Translation: Jan Verendel Typeset: Ari Ziegler Proof reading: John Shaw Cover Design: Ari Ziegler Original title: Maailmameistri Turniir Haag-Moskva 1948 Printed in Estonia by Tallinna Raamatutriikikoja LLC

CONTENTS Introduction Regulations for the world championship tournament Results of Botvinnik Results of Euwe Results of Keres Results of Reshevsky Results of Smyslov Internal score between the participants ( 1932-1947) Internal score between the players (a&er the tournament) Tournament table Results for every cycle Opening ceremony of the tournament Overview of Opening Theory First leg: Round 1: Round 1: Round 2: Round 2: Round 3: Round 3: Round 4: Round 4: Round 5: Round 5: Second leg: Round 6: Round 6: Round 7: Round 7: Round 8: Round 8:

7 10 13 14 16 18 19 20 20 20 20 21 23

Euwe-Keres Smyslov-Reshevsky Keres-Smyslov Botvinnik-Euwe Smyslov-Botvinnik Reshevsky-Keres Botvinnik-Reshevsky Euwe-Smyslov Reshevsky-Euwe Keres-Botvinnik

39 40 54 66 75 86 94 104 111 124 132

Keres-Euwe Reshevsky-Smyslov Smyslov-Keres Euwe-Botvinnik Botvinnik-Smyslov Keres-Reshevsky

143 144 154 164 178 188 209

Round 9: Round 9: Round 10: Round 10:

Reshevsky-Botvinnik Smyslov-Euwe Euwe-Reshevsky Botvinnik-Keres

219 229 242 254

Third leg: Round 1 1: Round 1 1: Round 12: Round 12: Round 13: Round 13: Round 14: Round 14: Round 15: Round 15:

Euwe-Keres Smyslov-Reshevsky Keres-Smyslov Botvinnik-Euwe Smyslov-Botvinnik Reshevsky-Keres Botvinnik-Reshevsky Euwe-Smyslov Reshevsky-Euwe Keres-Botvinnik

26 1 262 269 276 283 29 1 299 317 328 335 340

Keres-Euwe Reshevsky-Smyslov Smyslov-Keres Euwe-Botvinnik Botvinnik-Smyslov Keres-Reshevsky Reshevsky-Botvinnik Smyslov-Euwe Euwe-Reshevsky Botvinnik-Keres

360 36 1 370 379 389 395 411 424 436 442 45 1

Euwe-Keres Smyslov-Reshevsky Keres-Smyslov Botvinnik-Euwe Smyslov-Botvinnik Reshevsky-Keres Botvinnik-Reshevsky

46 1 462 472 482 492 495 497 503

Fourth leg: Round 16: Round 16: Round 17: Round 17: Round 18: Round 18: Round 19: Round 19: Round 20: Round 20: Fifth leg: Round 2 1: Round 2 1: Round 22: Round 22: Round 23: Round 23: Round 24:

Round 24: Euwe-Smyslov Round 25: Reshevsky-Euwe Round 25: Keres-Botvinnik Index of Openings

List of symbols t !! !? ?! ? ??

Check A strong move A brilliant move An interesting move A dubious move A mistake A blunder

5 12 522 53 1 542

7

Introduction

When the World Champion Alexander Alekhine unexpectedly died in March 1 946, the chess world was for the first time faced with difficult questions: who will be the next World Champion and how and between whom should such a competition be arranged? So far such questions had always been solved easily, since no World Champion had hitherto taken his title with him to the grave, but instead had lost it to a challenger in a match. However, now the chess world faced a new situation: there was no World Champion, nor was there an organization to arrange such a competition and decide the format for it. The world championship title is in itself not very old; officially it has only existed for about 80 years. Even though the chess world before that recognized the superiority of certain masters over other contemporary players, they were still not titled 'World Champion'. Thus for example Philidor, La Bourdonnais, Staunton, Anderssen and Morphy were definitely the world's strongest players in their time, but it was only after Steinitz's win over Anderssen (in 1 866) by the score +8 -6 =0 that the former started to title himself 'World Champion'. But officially the title found approval only two decades later when in 1 886 Steinitz won a match against his most dangerous competitor Zukertort with the score +1 0 -5 =5. Steinitz defended his title successfully for 28 years and during this period he overcame the challengers Blackburne, Zukertort, Gunsberg and on two occasions the famous Russian grandmaster Chigorin. Of these matches the one with Chigorin almost turned out to be fatal for Steinitz, because with the score 9-8 in Steinitz's favour, Chigorin had very good chances to win the last game and thus draw the match. However, in a winning position Chigorin missed an elementary mate in two moves and lost the match and his prospects of winning the title. In 1 894 Steinitz's superior turned out to be the young Emanuel Lasker who defeated the old champion surprisingly easily by the result + 1 0 -5 =4 and then kept possession of the title for the following 27 years. During this period Lasker overwhelmingly defeated all his challengers by again beating Steinitz, then Marshall, Janowski and Tarrasch in matches, until he also had to admit the supremacy of youth. In a match that took place in Havana in 1 92 1 , Lasker lost almost without a fight to Capablanca, who won with the splendid result +4 -0 = 1 0.

8

The successor of Capablanca became the brilliant Russian master Alekhine, who beat him in a match in 1 927 by the score +6 -3 =25. After that Alekhine defended the title successfully on two occasions against Bogoljubow. It is true that Alekhine lost the title to Euwe in 1 935 (+9 -8 = 1 3), but two years later he regained the title with the convincing result +1 0 --4 = 1 1 , and hence kept the title until his death. As can be seen from this short overview, the fate of the world championship title had so far exclusively been decided through matches between the World Champion and his challenger, but after Alekhine's death this possibility of course disappeared. It was likewise impossible to decide the title by a match between the two strongest contenders, since determining who these two were, without some qualifying competitions, would have been impossible. For this reason the international chess federation (FIDE) , who had been entrusted with arranging the new competitions, promptly had to decide the format for a competition that would determine the title. The question arose of which players to consider as the strongest contenders for the title, and thus be invited to take part in the competition. Due to the short timeframe, arranging qualifying competitions was impossible, and therefore the candidates had to be chosen on the basis of the public opinion of the chess world. Here the FIDE congress had to solve a very delicate question, since the character of the competition did not allow the number of participants to be more than six, and in the selection process earlier as well as more recent results had to be taken into consideration. After lengthy discussions FIDE declared the following well-known grandmasters as the participants of the tournament: Botvinnik (Soviet Union) , Euwe (Netherlands) , Fine (USA) , Keres (Soviet Union) , Reshevsky (USA) and Smyslov (Soviet Union) . The selection of Smyslov as the sixth participant was an acknowledgment of the excellent achievements of the Soviet players during the years 1 945- 1 94 7. During this period the Soviet players won two matches against the teams from USA and Britain, and convincingly defeated the Prague players and took the first places in the international tournament in Groningen. The tournament that took place in The Hague and Moscow in the first half of 1 948 in fact turned out to be between five masters, because at the last moment Fine withdrew from participation. After

9

almost three months of long and tense competition, the tournament was overwhelmingly won by Botvinnik with the excellent result + 1 0 -2 = 8 and he thus crowned the recent achievements of the Soviet chess players. But Smyslov and Keres also attained good results by taking second and sharing third-fourth places. While selecting the participants for the tournament, FIDE also established settled rules for the implementation of future world championships. The world championship title will, as before, be decided through match play. But the challenger will be selected through a large number of qualifying tournaments, making sure that the truly strongest contender for the title will be selected. In order to give everyone a chance to compete for the title, all the world's players were sorted into eight geographical 'Zones' that can all send representatives to Zonal tournaments. Then the best players from every 'Zone' will take part in an 'Interzonal' tournament and the five best players will win the right to participate in the 'Candidates' tournament, together with at most the five best players from the previous Candidates tournament. The Candidates tournament will thus take place between ten players and be double-rounded, and the winner will get the chance to play a match against Botvinnik for the title of World Champion. So far a couple of Zonal tournaments have taken place, and the winners met in the Interzonal tournament in Stockholm in August 1 948. In this tournament the Soviet players again achieved splendid success by taking four of the first five places, Bronstein taking first place, Boleslavsky third, Kotov fourth and Lilienthal fifth place. This means that six of the ten places for the Candidates tournament in 1 949 have been reserved for Soviet players; thus more than half of the participants. The competition for the world title, as described above, is meant to be cyclical, and a world championship match will be played every third year. The next match is supposed to take place in 1 9 50 and be followed by Zonal tournaments in 1 95 1 , a Candidates tournament in 1 952, and another match for the world title in 1 953. The present book is completely dedicated to the world championship tournament that took place in The Hague and Moscow in the first half of 1 948, and produced the first Soviet World Champion - Mikhail

10

Botvinnik. Besides a short introduction, the main content of the book is the analysis of the 50 games played during this tournament. The thorough comments made to every game are meant not only for masters, but are also intended to be understandable by weaker players, and especial effort has been made to highlight the critical turning points in the games. Therefore the criticism presented in the comments may in some places seem to be too harsh, but it is meant to be objective, and will certainly be very useful for weaker players studying the games. During the opening stages of the games, especial emphasis has been placed on explaining the general ideas behind the specific lines played, which facilitates the understanding of the following part of the game. In the rniddlegame I have also, as far as possible, tried to avoid a forest of dry variations, in favour of explaining the hidden ideas in certain positions, which should also make it easier to study the games. In the endgames, which do not occur very often in the book, the whole idea behind the subsequent play is explained briefly before reaching the actual stage of the game, so as to give the reader an overview of the following course of events. Finally, a large number of diagrams have been added to the games, which will facilitate studying the games and help to give a better overview over the material. Regulations for the world championship tournament The arbiters of the tournament will be: main arbiter Dr. Vidmar (Yugoslavia), deputies N. Cortlever (Netherlands), A. Kotov (Soviet) and K. Reve (USA).

The following regulations will apply: The tournament will be five-rounded, meaning everyone plays five games against every other player. The participant who scores the most points will be declared the winner of the tournament and receive the title of 'World Champion'. In the event that the first place is shared between two or more participants, a new tournament will be arranged between those players within a maximum timeframe of six months after the tournament. Three rounds will be played during a week. On days with a round, play will last for five hours; when finishing adjourned games, they will last for six hours. The time control is 40 moves in two hours and 30 minutes, and then 1 6 moves per hour. The first part of the tournament

11

(two cycles) takes place in The Hague and will finish on the 27th of March. The second part (three cycles) will be played in Moscow during the period 1 Oth April until the 1 6th of May. The arbiters for the tournament will consist of one main arbiter and his three deputies, who consist of representatives from the chess associations of the Soviet Union, USA and Netherlands. The rules of play of the international chess organization (FIDE) are valid during the tournament. Every participant of the tournament has the right to pick a second for himself. The tournament will take place with the following playing schedule. In The Hague

1 st of March - Opening ceremony and drawing of lots. 2nd - Round 1 (Euwe-Keres, Smyslov-Reshevsky) 3rd - Adjourned games 4th - Round 2 (Botvinnik-Euwe, Keres-Smyslov) 6th - Adjourned games 8th - Round 3 (Smyslov-Botvinnik, Reshevsky-Keres) 9th - Round 4 (Botvinnik-Reshevsky, Euwe-Smyslov) 1 Oth - Adjourned games 1 1 th - Round 5 (Reshevsky-Euwe, Keres-Botvinnik) 1 3th - Adjourned games 1 5th - Round 6 (Keres-Euwe, Reshevsky-Smyslov) 1 6th - Round 7 (Smyslov-Keres, Euwe-Botvinnik) 1 7th - Adjourned games 1 8th - Round 8 (Botvinnik-Smyslov, Keres-Reshevsky) 20th - Adjourned games 23rd - Round 9 (Reshevsky-Botvinnik, Smyslov-Euwe) 24th - Adjourned games 25th - Round 10 (Euwe-Reshevsky, Botvinnik-Keres) 27nd - Adjourned games 5th, 7th, 1 2th, 1 4th, 1 9th, 21 st, 22nd and 26th of March were rest days.

12

In Moscow

1 Oth of April - Opening ceremony of the second part of the tournament 1 1 th - Round 1 1 (Euwe-Keres, Smyslov-Reshevsky) 1 2th - Adjourned games 1 3th - Round 12 (Botvinnik-Euwe, Keres-Smyslov) 1 4th - Adjourned games 1 5th - 1 3th round (Smyslov-Botvinnik, Reshevsky-Keres) 1 6th - Adjourned games 1 8th - 1 4th round (Botvinnik-Reshevsky, Euwe-Smyslov) 1 9th - Adjourned games 20th - 1 5th round (Keres-Botvinnik, Reshevsky-Euwe) 21 st - Adjourned games 22nd - 1 6th round (Reshevsky-Smyslov, Keres-Euwe) 23rd - Adjourned games 25th - 1 7th round (Euwe-Botvinnik, Smyslov-Keres) 26th - Adjourned games 27nd - 1 8th round (Botvinnik-Smyslov, Keres-Reshevsky) 28th - Adjourned games 3rd of May - 1 9th round (Reshevsky-Botvinnik, Smyslov-Euwe) 4th - 20th round (Botvinnik-Keres, Euwe-Reshevsky) 5th - Adjourned games 6th - 21 st round (Euwe-Keres, Smyslov-Reshevsky) 7th - Adjourned games 9th - 22nd round (Keres-Smyslov, Botvinnik-Euwe) 1 Oth - Adjourned games 1 1 th - 23rd round (Smyslov-Botvinnik, Reshevsky-Keres) 1 2th - Adjourned games 1 3th - 24th round (Botvinnik-Reshevsky, Euwe-Smyslov) 1 4th - Adjourned games 1 6th - 25th round (Keres-Botvinnik, Reshevsky-Euwe) 1 7th - Adjourned games 1 8th - End of the tournament The 1 7th, 29th and 30th of April and 1 st, 2nd, 8th and 1 5th of May were rest days.

13

Results of Botvinnik Tournaments

Place

2-3 1 926 Leningrad 3 1 926 Leningrad 2 1 927 Leningrad 5-6 1 927 5th Soviet Championship 1 1 928 Leningrad 1 1 929 Leningrad 6 1 929 6th Soviet Championship 1 1 930 Leningrad 1 1 93 1 Leningrad 2 1 9 31 7th Soviet Championship 1 931 Final in 7th Soviet Championship 1 1 1 932 Leningrad 1 1 933 Leningrad 1 -2 1 933 Leningrad 1 1 933 8th Soviet Championship 1 1 9 34 Leningrad 5-6 1 935 Hastings 1 -2 1 935 Moscow 2 1 936 Moscow 1 -2 1 936 Nottingham 1 938 Quarterfinal, 1 1 th Soviet Championship 1 3 1 938 AVRO, Netherlands 1 1 939 1 1 th Soviet Championship 5-6 1 940 1 2th Soviet Championship 1 1 941 Leningrad-Moscow 1 1 943 Svedlovorsk 1 1 943 Moscow 1 1 944 1 3th Soviet Championship 1 1 945 1 4th Soviet Championship 1 1 946 Groningen 1 1 947 Moscow 1 1 948 The Hague-Moscow

wins/losses 7-2 61/2-31/2 71/2-21/2 1 21/2-71/2 81/2-21/2 l l V2-21/2 91/2-31/2 61/2-l 1/2 1 4-3 61/2-21/2 1 31/2-31/2 1 0- 1 7-3 1 0-3 1 4-5 71/2-31/2 5-4 1 3-6 1 2-6 1 0-4 1 4-3 71/2-61/2 1 21/2-41/2 1 1 1/2-71/2 1 31/2-61/2 1 0V2-31/z 1 3V2-21/2 1 21/z-31/z 1 5-2 1 41/z-4Vz 1 1 -4 1 4-6

14

Matches

1 933 Flohr 1 937 Lowenfisch 1 940 Ragozin

6-6 6V2-61/2 8V2-31/2

Total + 363 -1 40, which gives a winning percentage of 72. 1 . Results of Euwe Tournaments

place

wins/losses

1 921 Broadstairs 1 921 Vienna 1 921 Budapest 1 921 The Hague 1 921 Amsterdam 1 922 Piestany 1 922 London 1 923 Scheveningen 1 923 Moravska' Ostrava 1 924 Hastings 1 924 Weston-super-Mare 1 924 Paris 1 925 Wiesbaden 1 926 Weston-super-Mare 1 928 The Hague 1 928 Kissingen 1 929 Karlsbad 1 930 Amsterdam 1 93 1 Hastings 1 931 Amsterdam 1 932 Hastings 1 932 Bern 1 934 Zurich 1 9 34 Leningrad

1 -2 2 6 9 1 9 11

31/2-1 1/2 71/2-31/2 51/2-51/2 2-7 51/2-1 1/2 81/2-91/2 51/2-91/2 41/2-51/2 7-5 71/2-1 1/2 71/2-1 1/2

5-6 1 1 4-6 1 1 1 3-4 5-7 2 1 1 -2 3 2-3 2-3 6

4--4

41/2-1 1/2 8-1 1 2-3 61/2--41/2 1 2-9 21/2-21/2 7-2 21/2-1 1/2 5--4 1 1 V2-31/2 1 2-3 51/2-51/2

15

1 935 Hastings 1 936 Zandvort 1 936 Amsterdam 1 936 Nottingham 1 937 Bad Nauheim 1 937 Stockholm (Olympiad) 1 938 Amsterdam 1 938 AVRO, Netherlands 1 938 Nordwijk 1 939 Hastings 1 939 Bournemouth 1 939 Soest 1 939 Amsterdam 1 940 Soest 1 940 Amsterdam 1 940 Budapest 1 946 Hastings 1 946 London 1 946 Groningen 1 946 Maastricht 1 946 Zaandam 1 947 Mar del Plata 1 947 Mar del Plata 1 947 Hilversum 1 948 The Hague-Moscow 1 948 Venice

1 -3 2 1 -2 3-5 1 1 st board 1 4-6 4 2 1 1 1 2-3 1 1 3-5 1 2 1 1 5-6 4 4-5 5 4

61/2-21/2 71/2-31/2 5-2 91/2-4V2 4--2 91/2-31/2 9-2 7-7 5-4 61/2-21/2 9-2 21/2-1/2 7-3 1 1/2-1 1/2 61/2-1/2 41/2-1/2 7-4 91/2-1 1/2 1 4-- 5 71/2-1 1/2 91/2-1 1/2 l OV2- 6V2 41/2-51/2 31/2-3V2 4-- 1 6 8-5

Matches

1 920. 1 920. 1 921 1 924 1 927 1 928 1 928 1 928

Olland Reti Maroczy Colle Alekhine Colle Bogoljubow Bogoljubow

5V2-1 1/2 1 -3 6-6 5-3 4V2-51/2 51/2-1 V2 41/2-51/2 41/2-51/2

16

1 93 1 1 93 1 1 93 1 1 932 1 932 1 934 1 935 1 937 1 939 1 939 1 940 1 942 1 943

4--2 4-- 6 4V2-1 1/2 8-8 3-1 41/2-1 V2 1 5V2-1 41/2 91/2-1 5% 71/2-21/2 61/2-7V2 5-3 61/2-31/2 8-2

Landau Capablanca Note boom Flohr Spielmann Landau Alekhine Alekhine Landau Keres Kramer Bogoljubow Van der Hoek

Total: +456 -286 which gives a winning percentage of 61 .3. Results of Keres Tournaments

place

wins/losses

1 929 1 930 1 932 1 933 1 933 1 934 1 935 1 935 1 935 1 935 1 935 1 936 1 936 1 936 1 936 1 936

2 1 1 1 3-4 2 1 -2 1 2 1 st board 2 1 1 -2 8-9 3-4 1 st board

1 31/2-41/2 8-1 9-0 1 1 1/2-1/2 5-2 7-2 61/2-21/2 23-1 5V2-Z1/2 1 2V2-61/2 61/2-1 1/2 9-1 61/2-21/2 31/2-51/2 6V2-41/2 1 51/2-4V2

Parnu Tallin n Tartu Parnu Tallinn Rakvere Tallinn Tartu Tallinn Warsaw (Olympiad) Helsinki Tallinn Bad Neuheim Dresden Zandvoort Munich (Olympiad)

17

1 937 1 937 1 937 1 937 1 937 1 937 1 937 1 937 1 937 1 938 1 938 1 938 1 939 1 939 1 939 1 939 1 940 1 941 1 945 1 946 1 947 1 947 1 947 1 948 1 948

Tallinn Margate Ostende Prague Vienna Kemeri Parnu Stockholm (Olympiad) Semmering-Baden Hastings Nordwijk AVRO, Netherlands Leningrad-Moscow Margate Buenos Aires (Olympiad) Buenos Aires 1 2th Soviet Championship Leningrad-Moscow Estonian Championship Georgian Championship 1 5th Soviet Championship Parnu Moscow The Hague-Moscow 1 6th Soviet Championship

1 1 -2 1 -3 1 1 4-- 5 2-4 1 st board 1 2 2 1 -2 1 2-1 3 1 1 st board 1 -2 4 2 1 1 1 1 6-7 3-4 6-9

71/z-1 1/z 71/z-1 Vz 6-3 1 0--1 41/z-1 1/z 1 1 Vz-51/z 41/z-21/z 1 1 --4 9-5 6Vz-2Vz 61/z-2Vz 81/z-SVz 8-9 71/z-1 1/z 1 4Vz--41/z 81/z-21/z 1 2-7 1 1 -9 1 3-2 1 8-1 1 4-- 5 91/z-3Vz 9-6 1 0Vz-9Vz 91/z-81/z

Matches

1 935 1 935 1 936 1 938 1 940

Kibbermann Friedmann Schrnidt Stahlberg Euwe

3-1 2-1 3Vz-31/z 4--4

7Vz-61/z

Total: +407 -1 63, which gives a winning percentage of 7 1 .4.

18

Results of Reshevsky Tournaments

1 922 1 924 1 927 1 93 1 1 932 1 932 1 933 1 934 1 934 1 935 1 935 1 936 1 936 1 937 1 937 1 937 1 938 1 938 1 938 1 939 1 939 1 940 1 941 1 942 1 944 1 945 1 946 1 948

New York Detroit Kalamazoo Tulsa Minneapolis Pasadena Detroit Chicago Syracuse Margate Yarmouth US Championship Nottingham Kemeri Semmering-Baden Stockholm (Olympiad) Hastings US championship AVRO, Netherlands Leningrad-Moscow New York US Championship Hamilton US Championship Boston Hollywood US Championship The Hague-Moscow

place

wins/losses

3 5 3-5 1 2 3-5 2 1 -2 1 1 1 1 3-4 1 -3 3-4 1 st board 1 1 4-6 2 2 1 2-4 1 -2 1 1 1 3-4

2-3 1 1 -5 5-3 71/2-1 V2 9-2 6-5 1 1 -2 71/2-1 1/2 1 2-2 7V2-1 1/2 1 0-1 1 1 1/2-31/2 91/2--4V2 1 2-5 1V2-61/2 91/2-61/2 7-2 1 3-3 7-7 1 0V2-61/2 1 0-1 1 3-3 7-3 1 2v2-21/2 l SV2-l l/2 1 01/2-1 1/2 1 6-2 1 01/2-91/2

Matches 1 941 1 942

Horowitz Kashdan

9V2-61/2 71/2-31/2

Total: + 288 -1 06, which gives a winning percentage of 73. 1 .

19

Results of Smyslov Tournaments 1 938 Moscow 1 939 Leningrad-Moscow 1 939 Moscow 1 940 1 2th Soviet Championship 1 941 Leningrad-Moscow 1 942 Kuibosev 1 942 Moscow 1 943 Svedlovorsk 1 943 Moscow 1 944 Moscow 1 944 1 3th Soviet Championship 1 945 1 4th Soviet Championship 1 946 Moscow 1 946 Moscow-Prague 1 946 Groningen 1 947 1 5th Soviet Championship 1 947 Warsaw 1 947 Parnu 1 947 Moscow 1 948 The Hague- Moscow

place 1 -2 1 2- 1 3 2-3 3 3 2 1 3-4 2 1 2 1 0- 1 1 3-4 3 3 3-4 2-5 4-6 3-4 2

wins/losses 1 21/2-4V2 8-9 9-4 1 3-6 1 0- 1 0 8-3 1 2-3 8-6

1 1 1/2-41/2 1 3-3 1 01/2-51/2 81/2-8V2 81/2-61/2 9-3 1 21/2-6V2 1 2-7 6-3 8-5 1 0-5 1 1 -9

Total + 201 -1 1 2, which gives a winning percentage of 64.2.

20

Internal score between the participants ( 1932-1947) 1

+-= 1. Botvinnik

2 04

3. Smyslov 4. Reshevsky 5. Keres

3

4

5

+-=

+-=

+-=

+-=

2 03

2 06

103 18

61

112

775

109 11

52

210

144

02 4

-

2. Euwe

2

+-=

6 15 01 0

-

1 65

1 00

023

112

120

026

775

414

-

Total

3 23

38

5 11 9 4

233

-

8 8

40

14 12 18

-

%

52

Internal score between the players (after the tournament) 1

+-= 1. Botvinnik

-

17 9

2. Smyslov 3. Keres 4. Reshevsky 5. Euwe

2

3

+-=

+-=

6 16

+-=

4 15

2 27

266

3 14

510

+-= 719 -

Total

5

4

166

6 26

1 45

13 4

4 45

2 27

15 0

7 116

4 45

-

-

144

195 27

%

64

1115 19

46

1176

22 19 23

52

414

1012 18

48

11 22 17

39

-

Tournament table 1

1/21/21 1/21/2

+++++

00001

1 1 1/201/2

3.Keres

01/d 00

4.Reshevsky 5.Euwe

011201/21/2

1 1/2011

11110

001/d 1/2 1121121 1/2112

+++++

1121120 V2 V2 1 11201 1/2 001 00

0112000

p

5

4

3

1/21/20112112

1.Botvinnik 2.Smyslov

2

+++++

1 lf21 112112

14

1 1 01 1

11

01121 0112

1 1121 1 1

101/2

+++++

1 1/21!21 1

101/2

01!21/200

+++++

4

Results for every cycle

1 .Botvinnik 2.Smyslov 3.Keres 4.Reshevskv S.Euwe

1 3 1/z 2 2 2 1/z 0

2 2 1/z 2 2 2 1 1/z

3 3 1 1/2 2 1/z 1 1/z 1 1/z

4 3 3 1 2 1/z 1/z

5 2 2 Vz 3 2 1/z

Points 14 11 1 0 1/z 1 0 1/z 4

Place 1 2 3rd-4th 3rd-4th 5

21

Opening ceremony of the tournament The ceremonial opening of the world championship tournament took place in the evening of March 1 st 1 948 in the Mayor's residence in The Hague. Beside the tournament participants there were also present a large number of other guests, among them the Soviet ambassador in Netherlands, Comrade Valkov. A large number of correspondents from the Soviet Union as well as from other European countries and the United States had arrived to follow the competition and continuously reported the course of this great event to the world's press. Welcoming speeches were made by Mayor Visser of The Hague, the President of the international chess federation (FIDE) Dr Rueb, and the President of the Dutch Chess Federation Zittersteyn. The leader of the Soviet delegation, Comrade Postnikov, answered by thanking the organizers for their hospitality. The greetings were followed by the drawing of lots. By alphabetical order Botvinnik was first to draw, and he got the Number 1 ; this attracted friendly applause in the auditorium. Subsequently Dr. Euwe drew next and got Number 2; after this Keres got 5, Reshevsky 4 and the last number, 3, was left to Smyslov. With this the opening ceremony had come to an end, and the players hurried home to familiarize themselves with the situation and prepare themselves for the chess battles that were to start on the next day. After the end of the first part of the tournament in Netherlands, a break for about two weeks took place. The participants in the tournament used this time to travel from The Hague to Moscow as well as to collect energy before the start of the decisive second part of the tournament. The ceremonial opening of the second part of the tournament took place in the Pillar Hall of the House of the Unions in Moscow on the 1 Oth of April. The event was opened by the chief of the sports committee, Comrade Postnikov. He was followed by speeches on behalf of the Soviet Chess Federation from master Romanovsky and the representative from the Dutch Chess Federation, Zittersteyn. That was followed by speeches by the representative from the foreman of VOKS, Comrade Kemenov, the chief arbiter of the tournament Dr. Vidmar, and on behalf of the participants, ex-world champion Dr. Euwe.

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The tournament practically finished in the 22nd round when Botvinnik, with a draw against Euwe, assured himself of first place and the title of World Champion. After Euwe had accepted Botvinnik's draw offer, the fully-packed auditorium greeted the new World Champion with such ovations that the game on the other table had to be interrupted. The new champion was warmly congratulated by the chief arbiter Vidmar, the other participants, the assistant arbiters, representatives of the Soviet chess and sports organizations, friends and acquaintances. The tributes became especially great when the new World Champion was congratulated and given a bouquet of red tulips by grandmaster Vidmar's six-year-old daughter. It took about half an hour before the spectators were able to calm themselves down, and the game on the other board could be resumed. The end of the tournament again took place in the Pillar Hall of the House of the Unions on the evening of May 1 8th. The opening speech was made by the deputy chairman of the sports committee, Comrade Postnikov; thereafter the chief arbiter Dr. Vidmar declared the technical results. After this the President of FIDE, Dr. Rueb, declared Botvinnik as World Champion. Further speeches were given by Comrade Vinogradov, then by the vice chairmen of FIDE, Louma of Czechoslovakia and Rogard of Sweden, the president of the Hungarian chess association, Florian, the representative from the Dutch chess association, Zittersteyn, and the representative of the Czechoslovakian information ministry, master Opocensky. On behalf of the participants, Euwe spoke and thanked the organizers for the excellent playing conditions and the warm welcome. The final speech was given by the new World Champion, Botvinnik, who on behalf of the whole Soviet chess community thanked the Soviet government for the excellent conditions that are given to chess players. After Botvinnik's words, Comrade Postnikov declared the world championship tournament, one of the most important chess events of the last decade, to be finished.

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Overview of Opening Theory

Mainly well recognized openings were utilized during the world championship tournament, and the players abstained from dubious opening experiments, which is fully understandable when taking into consideration the great importance of every single game. But it cannot be claimed that the tournament did not contribute anything new to opening theory. New systems of development were often employed in well-known openings. And on several occasions a general consensus was reached, which did not exist before, regarding methods of play that had been frequently utilized before. Below we try to give a short overview of the openings that were played in the tournament and the theoretical novelties that were introduced. 1. The Ruy Lopez

It is interesting to observe that the opening that was played most often during the tournament was the Ruy Lopez. It appeared in altogether thirteen games, thus in over one quarter of the games played. The greatest theoretical importance was certainly in the so-called Open Defence after the moves l.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.�gl-f3 �b8-c6 3..ifl-b5 a7-a6 4..ib5-a4 �g8-f6 5.0-0 �f6xe4 6.d2-d4 b7-b5 7..ia4-b3 d7-d5 8.d4xe5 .ic8-e6. The continuation 9.�dl-e2! has in recent times been brought into tournament practice by Keres and after the tournament seems to have become the main line of the Open Spanish. The position after 9. 'We2 appeared four times in the tournament; for the first time in the game Keres-Euwe in the 1 6th round. In that game Black, without any long thought, played 9....if8-e7. White answered this by the normal move IOJ3fl-dl and intended to again utilize the continuation 1 0 . ..ltk5 1 1 .c4 lLlxb3 1 2.axb3 with a slight advantage to White, as played in the games Keres-Alatortsev, (Leningrad 1 947) and (Keres-Alexander (London 1 947) . Euwe had prepared the whole variation in his home analysis and played 10...0-0 ll.c2-c4 b5xc4 12..lb3xc4 .ie7-c5 13..icl-e3 .lc5xe3 14.�e2xe3 �d8-b8 and hoped to equalize the position by this attack against the b2-point. However, he failed to do this, since after 15..ic4-b3 �c6-a5 16.�bl-d2 �e4xd2 17J3dlxd2! �a5xb3 18.a2xb3 White

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gained a positional advantage due to the weak d4- and cS-squares. Reshevsky tried to improve on Black's method of play in the 1 8th round against Keres by, instead of 9 ... i. e 7, playing 9...lLle4-c5 10J!fl-d 1 lLlcSxb3 1 1.a2xb3 \Wd8-c8. In this way Reshevsky intended to thwart the c2-c4 advance and after 12.J.cl-g5 h7-h6 13.J.g5-h4 J.fB-cS 14.lLlb 1-c3? he obtained a strong attack by the surprising pawn sacrifice 14...g7-g5 1S.J.h4-g3 \Wc8-b7! 16.lLlc3xdS 0-0-0. However, instead of 1 4. ltJ c3? White could have continued much more energetically by playing1 4.c2-c4! and would have attained very good attacking chances for the sacrificed pawn after 1 4 . . . dxc4 1 5.bxc4 i.xc4 1 6. '1W e4. An even more devastating blow against Reshevsky's system of defence was delivered by Smyslov in the 1 9th round game against Euwe. After 1 1 . .. '1W c8 he played 12.c2-c4! all the same, thereby making a very promising pawn sacrifice. Euwe continued with 12...d5xc4 13.b3xc4 J.e6xc4 14.\We2-e4 lLlc6-e7? and after 1S.lLlb1-a3! he was forced to give the pawn back with a hopeless position. It is naturally clear that White's attack after 1 4. '1W e4 is very strong, but nevertheless Black should instead of 14 ... ltJ e7? have tried 14 ... '1Wb7 1 5. ltJ c3 Ei:b8 with some defensive prospects. But it is still clear that the whole system of defence chosen by Black is not fully satisfactory. The last attempt to improve on the defensive system chosen by Black was made by Reshevsky in the 21 st round game against Smyslov. After 10J!fl-d1, he did not proceed with 1 0 ... ltJ xb3 1 1 .axb3 '1W c8, but instead 10...b5-b4. The idea behind this move is to prevent the c2-c4 advance and in several lines it deprives White's knight of the important c3-square. However, this system is also scarcely satisfactory and it fails to yield Black equality. Smyslov continued with the quiet 11..icl-e3 lLlcSxb3 12.a2xb3 \Wd8-c8 and by making the standard move in this line 13.c2-c4! he gained a slight positional advantage; and it is by no means impossible that White has even more energetic continuations at his disposal in this position. So for example 1 1 . i.xd5 i.xdS 1 2.c4 comes into consideration, in order to answer 1 2 ... bxc3 by 1 3. ltJ xc3 ltJ e7 1 4. iJ. e3 ltJ e6 1 5. ltJ xd5 ltJ xd5 1 6. '1W c4, even though the queen sacrifices 12 ... i.xc4 or 1 2 . . . i.xf3 yield Black certain counter-chances at this point. As a final conclusion, it can be said that the tournament participants failed to find a fully satisfactory defence against 9. '1W d1 -e2! in the Open Spanish. Therefore this move can be considered as more favourable than the previously utilized 9.c3.

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Quite interesting ideas were also employed in the common line 1 .e4 eS 2. lLl f3 lLlc6 3 ..i b5 a6 4..ia4lt:lg8-f6 5.0-0 .if8-e7 6.�fl-el b7-b5 7..ia4-b3. Here Black has a choice between the continuations 7 ... 0-0 and 7 ... d6. In the game Smyslov-Reshevsky from the first round, Black played the common 7...0-0 8.c2-c3 d7-d6 9.h2-h3 lt:lc6-a5 IO.i.b3-c2 c7-c5 ll.d2-d4 §'d8-c7 12.lt:Jbl-d2 c5xd4 13.c3xd4 lt:la5-c6, but after the system 14.lt:Jd2-b3! a6-a5 15..ic 1-e3 a5-a4 16.lt:lb3-d2 followed by �al-cl that had been worked out by the Soviet players, he failed to obtain equality. It is difficult to demonstrate in this line how Black should play after 1 2 ... cxd4 in order to obtain a satisfactory position. Hence this whole method of play initiated by this exchange should perhaps be considered as dubious for Black. Apparently Smyslov was of the same opinion when instead of 1 2 ... cxd4 he played the old variation 12...lt:Ja5-c6 13.d4xc5 d6xc5 14.lt:Jd2-fl ic8-e6 15.lt:Jfl-e3 �a8-d8 in the 4th round against Euwe. This system was for a long time considered favourable for White, but after 16.§'d 1-e2 the defence 16...g7-g6! used by Smyslov seems to yield Black quite reasonable play. In the game Smyslov-Euwe in the 9th round, Black used an interesting new system of defence when instead of 7 ... 0-0 he continued with 7...d7-d6 8.c2-c3 lt:lc6-a5 9.i.b3-c2 c7-c5 IO.d2-d4 §'d8-c7 I I.lt:lbl-d2 i.c8-b7. At first glance the variation chosen by Black looks worse than the normal line, where the moves . . . 0-0 and h2-h3 have been interposed. However, the delayed castling has in fact a certain purpose at this point. After the moves made in the game 12.lt:ld2-fl c5xd4 13.c3xd4 �a8-c8 White has slight inconvenience in protecting the bishop on c2, since 1 4 . .id3 lLlc6 1 5 ..i e3 would enable the sally 1 5 ... tLl g4 (the move h2-h3!), and 1 4. tLl e3 is not good on account of 1 4 ... lLlxe4 (the move ... 0-0!) . However, Black's whole system of defence still does not seem to be very dangerous, since besides the 1 4. ge2 move that was played in the game, 1 2.d4xe5 followed by lLld2-f1 would also yield White a good game. The encounter Keres-Euwe in the 6th round is also of theoretical importance. After 4...lt:lg8-f6 5.0-0 i.f8-e7 6.§'dl-e2 b7-b5 7.i.a4-b3 0-0 8.c2-c3 Black played the sharp thrust 8...d7-d5 9.d2-d3 d5-d4 10.c3xd4 lt:lc6xd4 I I.lt:lf3xd4 §'d8xd4 12.i.c1-e3 §'d4-d6! (In the game Keres-Lilienthal, Parnu 1 947, Black played the weaker 1 2 .. . '\W dS

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1 3. lD c3 c6? and was clearly worse.) 13.lbbl-c3 i.c8-e6! and obtained a good game after 1 4 ..ixe6 fxe6. However, after the quiet retreat 1 4 ..i c2! White's position nevertheless looks a bit more favourable. In many of the games an old defence, advocated by Steinitz, was employed (1 .e4 eS 2. ltJ f3 l2J c6 3 . .ib5 a6 4 . .i a4) 4...d7-d6 5.c2-c3 i.c8-d7 6.d2-d4 lbg8-e7. Black tries to transfer his knight to g6 and thus secure the eS-point adequately. In the game Euwe-Reshevsky (Round 1 0) White tried to thwart this by playing 7.h2-h4, but this weakening of the kingside is hardly good. Instead of 7...h7-h6 8.i.cl-e3 e5xd4 9.c3xd4 d6-d5 as was played in the game, Black could have played even more strongly by 7 . . . e5xd4 8.c3xd4 d6-d5 9.e4-e5 .id7-g4 with an excellent position, because it is no longer very easy to chase away the bishop from g4. For this reason 7.i.a4-b3 h7-h6 (8. lDg5 was threatened) 8.lbbl-d2 lbe7-g6 9.lbd2-c4 i.f8-e7 10.0-0 0-0 ll.lbc4-e3 is better, which sets Black the difficult problem of how to continue his play in a satisfactory way. After ll...i.e7-f6 12.lbe3-d5 White has a very threatening position, and although Black after 12...e5xd4 forces White to recapture by 13.lbf3xd4 owing to the threat of . . .ig4, he has not been able to relieve his position to any considerable extent. In the game Euwe­ Keres from the first round Black continued with 13..J�f8-e8, but after 14.lbd5xf6+ �d8xf6 15.f2-f3 White had a good position with the bishop pair. White, instead of easing his opponent's position by the exchange 1 4. l2J xf6+, could instead have played 1 4 . .ic2 or 1 4. :Ei: e 1 , in both cases with strong pressure. Reshevsky tried to improve on Black's defence in the game against Smyslov in the 1 1 th round by playing 12..JU8-e8 instead of 1 2 . . . e5xd4. After 13.d4xe5! this move turned out to be even worse for Black, as now 1 3 . . . dxe5 is not possible on account of 1 4. l2J xf6 attacking the bishop on d7. As 1 4 . . . ltJ gxe5 1 5. ltJ xe5 lDxe5 1 6.f4 lD c6 1 7.e5! would also yield White a strong attack, Black was not able to come up with anything better than 13....if6xe5 14.lbf3xe5 d6xe5, but after 15.�dl-f3 he was clearly worse. The game Euwe-Keres from the 1 1 th round is also of theoretical importance. Instead of the quiet 5 . . . .id7 Black employed the sharp so-called Siesta variation 5...f7-f5 6.e4xf5 i.c8xf5. The complicated attacking continuation 7.0-0 .i e7 8.d4 e4 9.d5!, as advocated by Panov,

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was unknown to Euwe; he therefore continued along the theoretical line 7.d2-d4 e5-e4 8.llJf3-g5 d6-d5 9.f2-f3 forcing Black to make the pawn sacrifice 9...e4-e3! IO.f3-f4 (fhe immediate 1 0.ixe3 h6 1 1 . lt:J h3 ixh3 1 2.gxh3 id6 yields Black a good game.) 10....if8-d6. The resulting position is very interesting and it is very difficult to demonstrate a promising continuation for White; one line is 1 1 . 'Wh5+ g6 1 2. 'W f3 'W f6 1 3 . 'Wxe3 + lt:J ge7 1 4.0-0, since now the black pieces have been deprived of the important g6-square. The continuation chosen by Euwe in the game ll.�dl-f3 �d8-f6 12.�f3xe3+ llJg8-e7 seems to only give White prospects of equality (1 3.0-0 0-0 1 4. lt:J f3 ie4 1 5. lt:J g5!) , as the actually played 13..ia4xc6+ b7xc6 14.0-0 0-0 15.llJbl-d2? quickly gave Black a decisive attack after 15...llJe7-g6 16.g2-g3 �a8-e8. In the game Keres-Reshevsky (Round 8) after 4...d7-d6 White tried the 5.c2-c4 advance, which Black answered by the dubious manoeuvre 5....ic8-g4 6.llJbi-c3 llJg8-e7. White proceeded with 7.h2-h3 .ig4xf3 8.�dlxf3 llJe7-g6 9.llJc3-d5! and gained a dangerous initiative owing to the threat of 1 0. lt:J b4. 2. Four Knights Game

In the category of open defences, the only other opening that was played besides the Spanish was the Four Knights, which was employed in the 24th round game Botvinnik-Reshevsky. After the moves l.e2e4 e7-e5 2.llJgi-f3 llJb8-c6 3.llJbl-c3 llJg8-f6 4..ifl-b5 Reshevsky refrained from Rubinstein's continuation 4 . . . lt:J d4 and after the moves 4....if8-b4 5.0-0 0-0 6.d2-d3 .ib4xc3 7.b2xc3 d7-d6 8..ic 1-g5 �d8-e7 9.�fl-el llJc6-d8 IO.d3-d4 llJd8-e6 I I..ig5-cl he chose the litde­ used continuation ll...�f8-d8 instead of the normal 1 1 . . .c5. However, Botvinnik thwarted the possibility of playing ... d6-d5 by the move 12..ib5-fl!, and after ll...llJe6-f8? 12.llJf3-h4! he achieved the better game. This game is not of any particular theoretical value. 3. French Defence

Of the semi-closed openings, the French Defence turned out to be the most popular, and was almost exclusively utilized against 1 .e4 by the World Champion Botvinnik. After l.e2-e4 e7-e6 2.d2-d4 d7-d5

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3.ttlbl-d2 Botvinnik continued with 3...c7-c5 4.e4xd5 e6xd5 and accepted an isolated pawn on dS in exchange for active piece play. In the game Euwe-Botvinnik (Round 7), as well as in their encounter in Round 1 7, the ex-world champion played S.i.fl-hS+. In the first game Botvinnik played the riskier S...tl:lb8-c6, but Euwe refrained from the most interesting continuation 6. ttJ f3 in favour of the simplifying 6.'�dl-e2+ �d8-e7 7.d4xc5 �e7xe2+ s.ttlglxe2 i.f8xc5 9.ttld2-b3 i.cS-b6 1O.i.cl-d2 and assured himself of a somewhat better endgame. Next time Botvinnik played the more solid S...i.c8-d7, although after 6.�dl-e2+ �d8-e7 7.i.bSxd7+ tl:lb8xd7 8.d4xc5 ttld7xc5 9.ttld2-b3 White also had a somewhat more favourable endgame. Moreover 9. ttJdf3! was even more energetic and would have given White prospects of a long-term advantage. In the game Keres-Botvinnikin the 1 5th round, White refrained from the simplifying check S . .ibS+ in favour of quiet development with S.ttlgl-f3 and Black answered it with the interesting S...a7-a6. After 6.d4xc5 i.fSxcS 7.ttld2-b3 i.c5-a7 the move S ... a6 had a purpose, however 6 . .i e2 ttJc6 7.0-0 ttJ f6 8. Ei:e 1 on the other hand would simply have turned it into a loss of time, and would have set Black much greater problems than in the game. In the game Reshevsky-Botvinnik in the 1 9th round, White employed the sharp line 3.ttlbl-c3 i.f8-b4 4.e4-e5 c7-c5 S.a2-a3 i.b4xc3+ 6.b2xb3 and instead of the normal 6 . . . ttJ e7 Botvinnik played 6...�d8-c7 7.�dl-g4 f7-f5. After the further continuation 8.�g4-g3 c5xd4 9.c3xd4 ttlg8-e7 IO.i.cl-d2 0-0 I I.i.fl-d3 a very interesting position arose with attacks on opposite flanks. However, White's chances on the kingside appear to be more dangerous than Black's counterattack on the queenside. Keres played even more sharply in the last-round game against Botvinnik after 3.ttlbl-c3 i.f8-b4 by employing the pawn sacrifice 4.i.cl-d2 d5xe4 S.�dl-g4! as was advocated by Alekhine. Botvinnik refrained from the main line 5 .. .'1W xd4 6.0-0-0 fS 7. '!!ffg3 .id6 8 ..i f4 .i xf4+ 9. '!!ffx f4 '!!ffcS and instead continued with S...ttlg8-f6 6.�g4xg7 �h8-g8 7.�g7-h6 tl:lb8-c6 8.0-0-0 �g8-g6 9.�h6-h4 .ib4xc3 IO.i.d2xc3 �dS-dS, but he ran into big trouble after ll.b2-b3 tl:lc6-e7 12.£2-£3!. It is however almost impossible to give a final assessment about these sharp lines without further practical experience.

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4. Sicilian Defence

Besides the French, the Sicilian Defence was the only other semi­ closed opening that was used, namely in the 1 3th round game Smyslov-Botvinnik After l.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.lLlg1-f3 lLlb8-c6 3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.lLlf3xd4 lLlg8-f6 5.lLlb1-c3 d7-d6 Smyslov tried to thwart Black's favourite development of ... g7 -g6 followed by . . . i.g7 by playing 6.i.cl-g5. This was followed by the theoretical line 6...e7-e6 7.i.fl-e2 i.f8-e7 8.0-0 0-0. Here Smyslov initiated a dubious manoeuvre on the queenside by 9.lLld4-b5, when after the continuation 9...a7-a6 10.i.g5xf6 g7xf6 1 1.lLlb5-d4 �g8-h8 Black had simply won a couple of tempos, and later proved that the opening of his king position is fully compensated by Black's bishop pair and strong central position. 5. Queen's Gambit Declined

The normal Queen's Gambit occurred rarely in the tournament, as Black was usually striving for sharper variations. In the game Smyslov­ Keres in the 1 7th round l.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 e7-e6 3.lLlb1-c3 lLlg8-f6 4.i.cl-g5 c7-c6 5.e2-e3 lLlb8-d7 was played, and White thereafter refrained from the sharp Cambridge Springs variation by the exchange 6.c4xd5 e6xd5. The game proceeded along mechanically by 7.i.fl-d3 i.f8-e7 8.lLlg1-f3 0-0 9.�d1-c2 �f8-e8 10.0-0 lLld7-f8 1 1.�a1-b 1, when Black initiated the interesting but dubious manoeuvre 1 1...lLlf8-g6 12.b2-b4 i.e7-d6 (instead of the simple 1 2. )2Je4) . However, after 13.b4-b5 Black refrained from his initial intention to play1 3 ... h6 1 4. i.xf6 �xf6 1 5.e4 ltJ f4! 1 6.e5 � e6 1 7.exd6 �g4 and continued with 13...i.c8-d7 14.b5xc6 .id7xc6? and quickly had the worse position. In the game Botvinnik-Euwe from the 22nd round, White exchanged on dS already on the 4th move and enabled Black to develop his bishop to fS with easy equality; so the game does not offer any theoretical value. The explanation is that Botvinnik was only out for a quick draw to secure the title of World Champion.Another unimportant game from a theoretical point of view is Reshevsky-Euwe from the last round where after the moves 4.e2-e3 c7-c5 5.lLlg1-f3 lLlb8-c6 6.d4xc5 .if8xc5 7.a2-a3 a known position, empty of possibilities, occurred.

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Only after the middlegame was inaccurately handled did White manage to attain a certain advantage and he finally won the game after mutual maccurac1es. .

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6. Queen's Gambit Accepted

The only game that started with this opening, Smyslov-Botvinnik from the 23rd round, is not of any special interest, since after l.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 d5xc4 3.tl)gl-f3 a7-a6 4.e2-e3 i.c8-g4 5.i.flxc4 e7-e6 White refrained from the strongest continuation 6. '1Wb3 and after 6.tl)bl-d2 tl)b8-d7 7.0-0 tl)g8-f6 enabled Black to get easy equality. 7. Slav Defence

The Slav Defence was used relatively often in the tournament and the games that began with this opening gave White a clear overall victory by S-2. It would however be wrong to make conclusions regarding the validity of the Slav Defence out of this. In many games Black chose unfavourable opening lines and on several occasions lost due to inaccurate play in the middlegame after having emerged of the opening satisfactorily. The positional line l.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 c7-c6 3.tl)gl-f3 tl)g8-f6 4.tl)bl-c3 e7-e6 5.e2-e3 tl)b8-d7 6.i.fl-d3 i.f8-b4 7.a2-a3 was played on two occasions. This was played for the first time in the Euwe-Alekhine match in 1 937. Alekhine continued with 7 ... ixc3+ and quickly ran into difficulties, hence Black in both of the tournament games played 7....ib4-a5 8JMI'dl-c2 (Apparently the simple 8.0-0 is better.) 8...'i'd8-e7 9..ic 1-d2 d5xc4 10..id3xc4 e6-e5 1 1.0-0 0-0. In the game Botvinnik-Euwe (Round 2) White now played 12J';al-el, which Black answered by 12...i.a5-c7 13.tl)c3-e4 tl)f6xe4 14.'1Mfc2xe4 and now instead of the slow 14...a5? Black could play either 1 4 ... � h8 or 14 ... id6 with a satisfactory game. Therefore Reshevsky instead of 1 2J:he 1 tried to play 12.d4-d5 in the 5th round against Euwe and after 12...c6-c5? 13.d5-d6! quickly gained a winning position, since 1 3 . . .\Wxd6 is not possible due to 1 4. lt:J b5 '1W b6 1 5.b4 winning a piece. However, instead of 1 2 ... c5? Black could have played better by either 1 2 ... lt:J b6 or 1 2 . . . ic7 with a completely satisfactory game. The correct

31

continuation for White was 1 2. i.a2! which thwarts 1 2 . . . i. c7 due to the reply 1 3. 4Jb5 and sets Black difficulties with finishing his development. For this reason the line 6 . . . i.b4 should also be considered as dubious for Black. In the game against Botvinnik in the 1 2th round Euwe thus refrained from the 6 . . . i.b4-line and chose the Meran Defence 6...d5xc4 7..id3xc4 b7-bS s ..ic4-d3 (8. i.e2 also gives rise to interesting complications.) 8...a7-a6 9.e3-e4 c6-c5 10.e4-e5 c5xd4 ll.�c3xb5 a6xb5 12.e5xf6 �d8-b6 13.f6xg7 Af8xg7. Normally 1 4. � e2 0-0 1 5.0-0 was played in this position, but Botvinnik refrained from the time­ consuming 1 4. � e2 and immediately played 14.0-0! in an attempt to take control over the e5-square as quickly as possible. Euwe continued with 14...�d7-c5 1S.i.cl-f4 .ic8-b7 16J;gf1-el ga8-d8? and after 17.gal-cl gd8-d5 18..if4-e5 got into a hopeless position. However, Black has to overcome certain difficulties in any case. 1 4 . . . 0-0 1 5J�e 1 i.b7 1 6. i. f4 i.d5, in order to after 1 7. 4Je5 be able to exchange twice on e5 and then proceed with . . .f7 -f5, seems to offer him the relatively best prospects. It seems that Black has to return to the old 1 1 ... 4Jxe5 in the Meran Defence, since the line that has been fashionable for a long time, 1 2. 4Jxe5 axb5 1 3. � f3 i.b4+ 1 4.@e2, offers him adequate defensive resources after 1 4 ... :gb8 1 5. �g3 � d6 1 6. 4J f3 �xg3 1 7.hxg3 i.d6. The opening phase also turned out to be very interesting in the game Reshevsky-Keres in the 1 3th round. Instead of 5 . . . 4Jbd7 Black immediately played s . .a7-a6 6.c4-c5 �b8-d7 7.b2-b4 a6-a5 8.b4-b5, as was also played in the Euwe-Alekhine match in 1 935. In this game Black continued with the weak 8 ... 4Je4 and after 9. 4Jxe4 dxe4 1 0. 4Jd2 f5 1 1 .f3 got into a difficult position. Hence Keres decided to immediately play the sharp 8...e6-e5. There followed 9.�dl-a4 �d8-c7 10.Acl-a3 with a very complicated position, which is impossible to assess finally just on the basis of one game. In an attempt to avoid the difficulties for Black described above, Smyslov instead of 4 .... e6 played 4...d5xc4 S.a2-a4 i.cS-fS in two games against Reshevsky. In the 6th round game Reshevsky chose the dubious line 6.�f3-e5 e7-e6 7.f2-f3 Af8-b4 8.e2-e4, whereupon there followed the well-known piece sacrifice 8....if5xe4! 9.f3xe4 �f6xe4. Reshevsky answered this by the litde known move 10.i.cl-d2, but also after this Black achieved a satisfactory position after 10...�d8xd4 .

32

ll.�c3xe4 �d4xe4+ 12.�dl-e2 i.b4xd2+ 13.'it>elxd2 �e4-d5+ 14.'it>d2-c2 �b8-a6. Therefore Reshevsky continued in a more solid way in the 1 6th round game by 6.e2-e3 e7-e6 7..iflxc4 .if8-b4 8.0-0 0-0 9.�dl-e2 i.f5-g4 10.h2-h3 .ig4xf3 ll.�e2xf3 �b8-d7 12JU1-dl (1 2. tt:'le4 would certainly have set Black bigger problems.) 12...e6-e5 and now the sharp 13.d4-d5 i.h4xc3 14.d5xc6 e5-e4. Now White played the weak 15.�8-f5? and soon ran into trouble with his queen. Instead 1 5. '1W e2 ieS 1 6.cxd7 would have assured White of a good game and the bishop pair. The game Keres-Smyslov in the second round opened with l.c2-c4 �g8-f6 2.�gl-8 c7-c6 3.�bl-c3 d7-d5 4.e2-e3 g7-g6 5.d2-d4 i.f8-g7 when White chose the simplifying exchange 6.c4xd5. Instead of the quiet 6 . . . cxd5 Smyslov now tried to stir up complications by 6...�f6xd5, but after 7.i.fl-c4 0-0 8.0-0 they turned out to be favourable only for White, especially after Black's unfortunate move 8...b7-b6?. 8. Queen's Pawn Opening

The only game that started with this opening was Botvinnik-Keres in the 20th round. The game is of great theoretical interest, because after the moves l.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.�gl-8 Black chose the old continuation 2...i.c8-f5 3.c2-c4 e7-e6. Botvinnik simplified the position by 4.c4xd5 e6xd5 5.�dl-b3 �b8-c6 6..ic 1-g5 .if8-e7 7..ig5xe7 �g8xe7 8.e2-e3 �d8-d6 and Black attained an excellent game. It is very difficult after 3 . . . e6 to see how White could obtain any noticeable advantage, since the attempt 4.'1Wb3 tt:'lc6 5.c5 also gave Black a good game after 5 . . .'1W c8 6.i f4 tt:'l f6 7. '1W a4 tt:'ld7 in Alatortsev-Holmov, Moscow 1 948. 9. Nimzo-Indian Defence

It is interesting to note that the Nimzo-Indian Defence, which about a decade ago was one of the most frequently-used openings in tournament practice, only occurred six times in the tournament. After the moves l.d2-d4 �g8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6 3.�bl-c3 i.f8-b4 the two main replies 4.e2-e3 and 4. '1Wd1 -c2 were employed. Theoretically most interesting was the game Botvinnik-Reshevsky from the 1 4th round where after 4.e2-e3 c7-c5 5.a2-a3 i.b4xc3+ 6.b2xc3 �b8-c6

33

7.i.fl-d3 0-0 8.�g1-e2 b7-b6 Black tried to exert pressure against White's pawn weakness on c4 by the moves ... ia6, ... lLJ aS and . . . !'k8. After 9.e3-e4 there followed Capablanca's recommendation 9...�f6-e8!. With this move White is deprived of the chance to carry out the e4-e5 advance with gain of tempo, and at the same time the road is opened for Black's f-pawn. Botvinnik continued by playing the passive 10.i.cl-e3 and after 10...d7-d6 1 1.0-0 �c6-a5 12.�e2-g3 i.c8-a6 13.'1Wd1-e2 '1Wd8-d7 14.f2-f4? f7-f5! he had a clearly worse position. It is clear that White can only answer Black's plan by playing actively, for example by the move 1 O.e4-e5, whereupon an interesting position with mutual chances will arise. Reshevsky also defended well against the 4.e2-e3 system in the 4th round game against Botvinnik by playing 4...d7-d5 5.a2-a3 .ib4-e7 6.�g1-f3 0-0. Here Botvinnik proceeded in too risky a way by playing 7.b2-b4. With this move the game loses its opening theoretical value, since by 7 ... a5 8.b5 cS Black could have obtained an excellent game. However, it seems that even after the best move 7.id3, Black also does not have any opening difficulties to overcome. Black handled the opening in a very original manner in the game Botvinnik-Keres in the 1 0th round when after the moves 4.e2-e3 0-0 5.a2-a3 i.b4xc3+ 6.b2xc3 he played 6...EU8-e8 and tried to carry out the ... e6-e5 advance as quickly as possible. Black's handling of the opening is by no means bad, since now White cannot very well play 7.id3 on account of 7 . . . e5 8. lLJ e2 e4 followed by . . . b6 and . . .ia6. For this reason Botvinnik chose the modest continuation 7.�g1-e2 e6-e5 8.�e2-g3 d7-d6 9.i.fl-e2. Black had already achieved something, and could for example by 9 ... c5 or 9 ... lLJ c6 obtain a completely satisfactory position. The 4.'1Wd1-c2 line was also used in three games. The game Euwe­ Reshevsky in the 20th round went 4...�b8-c6 5.�g 1-f3 (more interesting is S.e3) 5...d7-d6 6..icl-d2 0-0 7.a2-a3 .ib4xc3 8..id2xc3 a7-a5 9.e2-e3 (also 9.e4 comes into consideration) 9...'1Wd8-e7 10.i.fl-d3 (Normally 1 0.ie2 e5 1 1 .dxe5 followed by 0-0 is played here) 10...e6-e5 1 1.d4xe5 d6xe5 and now instead of 12.0-0 White had to play 1 2. lLJ g5 h6 1 3. lLJ e4, with some prospects for an initiative. After 4.'1Wd1-c2 the expected reply 4...0-0 gives rise to a more interesting game, which occurred in two games. In the game Euwe-

34

Keresin the 21 st round, White proceeded with the risky S..icl-g5 h7-h6 6..ig5-h4, which was answered by 6...c7-c5 in an attempt to exploit the removal of White's bishop from the c1 -h6 diagonal. After 7.d4xc5 �b8-a6 8.e2-e3 �a6xc5 White apparendy had nothing better than 9.a3 .lxc3 + 1 0. 'Wxc3 lLl fe4! 1 1 ..lxd8 lLlxc3 1 2 . .le7 lLlb3! 1 3 ..lxf8 hl Black would have had great difficulty in justifying his knight sally.

16...

i.d7xc6?

Surprisingly, Black abstains from the favourable opportunity to play 1 6 . . . bxc6, which would after 1 7.ie3 c S have deprived the white bishop o f the strong d4-square, and i n some lines enabled Black t o apply pressure on the b-file. It seems that Black in this case could have achieved an equal game. But now White can develop his pieces unhindered and start a dangerous advance on the kingside, against which Black has difficult in finding a satisfactory defence.

17.i.cl-e3 18.'i;Yd1-d2

�a8-d8 ttl f4-g6

Now the consequence of Black's 1 5th move becomes apparent: the knight is forced to retreat, leaving Black in a completely passive position. No better than the text-move was the retreat 1 8 ... 'Ll e6 due to 1 9.�ae1 ,

46

FIRST CYCLE

since Black would then have had greater difficulties stopping the f3-f4 advance than in the game. Black must play the following moves with the utmost care in order to avoid immediately falling into a lost position.

19 ..ie3-d4

�f6-e7

20.Elal-el White's position is superior and, by correct play, probably won. In order to achieve the win, the following kingside attack had to be well prepared, and in so doing Black's only counter-chance, which lies in the . . . d6-d5 thrust, had to be liquidated. By the text-move White prepares the f3-f4 advance, but this plan still looks premature and yields Black unnecessary counterplay on the queenside. The correct continuation, in my opinion, was to play 20.c4! . This move would have permanently deprived Black of all hopes of carrying out the liberating . . . d6-d5 thrust, and at the same time it would also thwart the possibility of ... '!Wd7 followed by ... ia4, as occurred later in the game. In addition, the very strong 21 . '1W c3 would become a threat. It appears Black would thereafter have been unable to defend himself against :!:%ae 1 , '!Wc3, ic2 and f3-f4. Another tempting possibility for White would have been the pawn sacrifice 20. f4 '!Wxe4 2 1 . f5 which after 21 . . .'Ll h4 22.:!:%f4! '!Wxg2t 23. '1Wxg2 'Ll xg2 24.:!:%g4 would have assured him of a clear advantage. However, Black can improve with 2 1 . . .'1W e2! and get the advantage.

EUWE - KERES

20 ...

47

l'Me7-d7

Black now manages to exchange off one of White's strong bishops, since White can no longer prevent the positional threat of 2 1 . . ..ib5 followed by ....ia4 or . . . d6-d5. Even though several commentators still consider White's position to be clearly better, I tend to believe that Black already has sufficient defensive resources, and that White spoilt his best chances on the previous move.

2 1 .c3-c4 If White instead tries to avoid the exchange of bishops and plays 21 .a3, then 21 ... d5! 22.e5 .ibS 23.�f2 b6 would follow, and White is already in difficulties. Neither would 21 . .ic2 .ibS 22.�f2 dS give White an advantage, and if now 23.e5, then 23 . . . c5 24 ..ixc5 tt::l xeS with sufficient counterplay for Black. Konstantinopolskis's recommendation of 21 .@h1 , to answer 21 .. ..ia4 by 22 . .ixg7! .ixb3 23.Wfxh6, also fails to cause Black any difficulties on account of 21 . . .d5. The relatively best attacking chances were offered to White by the sharp continuation 21 .f4, to answer 21 . . .ixe4 by 22 ..ixg7 @xg7 23.Wfd4t @ g8 24.�xe4. Although the position of Black's king would in this case have been somewhat weakened, the outcome of the game would have been far from clear; Black can, for example, continue with 24 ...Wff5 and obtain satisfactory defensive chances. But after the text-move Black overcomes his last difficulties and achieves complete equality.

2 1 ... 22.i.b3xa4 23.l'Md2-c3 24.f3-f4

i.c6-a4 l'Md7xa4 f7-f6

Initially Euwe had planned to sacrifice the bishop by 24 . .ixf6, but later considered this to be too risky and decided to first open up the third rank for his rook in order to support the attack. In fact, Black

48

FIRST CYCLE

now manages to prevent the sacrifice and repulses White's attacking attempts. Thus the f3-f4 advance turns out to be just a weakening of the e4-point. If White could not risk continuing along his initial plan with 24. ixf6 gxf6 25.� xf6 ctJ f8, which after 26.e5 �d7 or also 26.b3 � d7 27.� xh6 ge6 would yield Black sufficient defensive resources, and after the repulsion of White's attack perhaps even hopes of an advantage, then it was better to abstain from a future weakening of the position and simply continue with 24.b3, followed by gf2 with a roughly equal position.

24... 25.b2-b3 26.�c3-f3

� g8-h7 �a4-d7

White still hopes to create some attack, but this attempt turns out to be incorrect, and even forces him to temporarily take up a defensive position. If White did not want to defend passively against the threat of 26 . . . c5, by for example 26.\t>hl , he could have chosen the interesting double-edged attacking continuation 26.f5 ctJ eS 27.�g3 � f1 28.gf4. However, from an objective point of view this would not have given him any genuine winning chances, thus the simple continuation 26.� a5 with a roughly equal position had to be preferred.

26 ... 27.�f3-d3

b7-b5

But this retreat is bad, and gives Black the more promising game. The simple 27 _gel with an equal game had to be played.

27 ... 28.�d3xc4?

b5xc4

A mistake which yields Black a clear advantage. As Euwe said in the analysis that took place after the game, he had assessed the result of the following combination as favourable for him due to the passed pawn on the a-file. But in fact Black's attack turns out to outweigh White's passed pawn.

EUWE - KERES

49

White had to play 28.bxc4 with an almost equal game, but Black still has some hopes of an advantage due to White's pawn weaknesses. Now an interesting tactical battle takes place, which is made even sharper by the mutual time trouble.

28 ...

�e8xe4!

As a result of this small combination, Black gets a strong passed pawn on the e-file, which combined with the following attack on the king turns out to be very dangerous for White. The following moves are almost forced.

29.�elxe4 30.�c4xa6 3 l ..id4-e3

d6-d5 d5xe4 �d7-g4!

White would still be able to achieve a tenable position if he could bring his queen back into play in time. But with the text-move Black initiates a direct mating attack and threatens 32 . . . :gd3 as well as the manoeuvre . . . ttJg6-h4-f5. White is defenceless against the combined attack of three black pieces and the e-pawn.

32.�a6-c4 Attacking the pawn on e4 and in so doing, hoping to win time for the

FIRST CYCLE

so

defence. But the attacking continuation chosen by Black reveals the flaw in this plan. However there is no defence available against the abovementioned threats, since for example after 32.h3 �g3 33.� e2 Black gains a winning position by 33 . . . tt::l h4 34. @ h1 tt::l xg2.

32 ... 33 ..ie3-cl

�d8-d3!

Naturally not 33. � xe4 due to 33 ... � e2 winning a piece, but also 33.:B:e1 fS (the simplest!) followed by tt::l h4 or tt::l xf4 is hopeless for White. Black's attack quickly attains a terrible strength.

33 ...

tlJ g6-h4!

Also apparently sufficient for a win was the simple 33 . . . f5, but the pawn sacrifice offered by the text-move is more effective and leads to a forced win. White's following moves are almost forced.

34.�c4xe4t After 34.� c2 the simplest reply is 34 ... f5, threatening ... e4-e3-e2 as well as . . . :B:c3. Now an interesting combination takes place, where the main motif is the tying of the white queen to the defence of g2.

34 ... 35.�e4-b7

f6-f5 c7-c6

In time trouble, Black chooses a forcing line, which finally gives him an endgame with an extra piece for two pawns. The same outcome, but with one more pawn for Black, would have been given by the simple 35 . . . :B:c3, which threatens . . . c7 -c6 as well as . . . :B:c2, for example: 36. � d5 c6 37. � d2 :B:xc l ! .

36.�b7xc6 37.�c6-d5

EUWE - KERES

51

Now White has to play 38. '1Wd2 as in the game, or once more move the queen along the h 1 -a8 diagonal when 38 . . . Ek2 wins. The loss of a piece is unavoidable in any case.

A better move order to reach the game position was 38.h3 '1Wg3 39. '1W d2 �xc1 40.'1W e2, but of course it would not change the outcome of the game.

38 ... gc5xcl! The point of the combination! As can easily be seen, White cannot capture the rook in any way, and now has to play the endgame a piece down. The following inaccuracies, which fortunately do not change the outcome of the game, were caused by severe mutual time trouble.

39.h2-h3? Here 39.\W £2 had to be played, although Black would also then have retained an easily won position after 39 ... �c3. Black could have answered the text-move by 39 ... tt:J f3t winning the queen.

39 ... 40.\Wd2-e2

\Wg4-g3?

52

FIRST CYCLE

After 40. '1W f2 Black wins easily by 40 . . .'1Wxf2t followed by ... Ek2t. Now Black wins another pawn and achieves a simply won endgame. The following part of the game is no longer of any real interest.

40 ... 41 .�flxcl 42. ® gl-h2

\Wg3xf4 \Wf4xclt

I n this position the game was adjourned and Black sealed his move. Achieving the win no longer involves any difficulties, and Black only has to continue carefully, so that White's queenside pawns will not become too dangerous.

42 ... 43. h2-gl

\Wc1-f4t

After 43.g3 the simplest reply is 43 ... '1Wd6.

43 ... 44.\We2-c2 45.a2-a4 46. ® gl-h2 47. ® b2-gl

� h4-g6 � g6-e7 \Wf4-d4t \Wd4-e5t � e7-d5

Now White's pawns have been stopped (48.a5 l2J b4) and Black can start to carry out the second part of his plan: to create a mating net around White's king.

48.\Wc2-dl 49.\Wdl -c2

� d5-c3 ® b7-g6

Freeing the queen from the defence of the fS-pawn. so. ® gl-hl

S l . bl-h2 52.\W c2-c6t 53.\Wc6-c5

\We5-elt � c3-e2 ® g6-h7 � e2-g3

EUWE - KERES

54.�c5-d6 55. � h2-gl

53

t/J g3-fl t h6-h5

56.�d6-f4 and at the same moment, White lost on time; after

56.)L\ e3t 57. � h2 h4 there is no longer any defence against the threat of tLl e3-f1 t-g3t followed by mate on h1 . An interesting game where, after a difficult opening, I managed to grab the initiative by a tactical manoeuvre, and create a promising position where I was able to carry out an excellent mating attack.

FIRST CYCLE

54

Game No 2. The Ruy Lopez V.

Smyslov

S. Reshevsky

The Hague, 2nd March 1948 l.e2-e4 2.�gl-f3 3 ..ifl-b5 4..ib5-a4 5.0-0

e7-e5 �b8-c6 a7-a6 �g8-f6 .if8-e7

This closed system of development in the Spanish Defence was for a long time Black's most popular line. But in recent years new attacking possibilities have been discovered for White. Hence the closed variation was used rarely in the tournament, in only four games. On the basis of this, the conclusion cannot of course be made that the defence 5 . . .ie7 is insufficient, or that Black would get into difficulties by using it. At most, it can only be claimed that in some fashionable lines, recent tournament practice has given Black difficult problems.

6J3fl-el The other main continuation for White in this position is 6.Wie2, which was used in the game Keres-Euwe in the second cycle. Further explanation about this move will be given in the analysis of that game.

6 ... 7 ..ia4-b3

b7-b5 0-0

Earlier 7 . . . d6 was exclusively played, in order to answer 8.a4 with 8 ... ig4 or simply 8 . . .id7. But the text-move is also playable and usually gives rise to the same position as the continuation 7 ... d6, as this pawn advance will often occur on the next move. White cannot take advantage of Black castling in order to carry out 8.a4, since Black would answer this with 8 ... ib7, and in several lines threaten to carry out the . . . d7-d5 thrust.

SMYSLOV - RESHEVSKY

8.c2-c3

55

d7-d6

According to the latest theoretical investigations in the Marshall Attack, 8 . . . d5 9.exd5 lt:l xdS 1 0.lt:lxe5 lt:lxeS 1 1 .�xe5 is in White's favour after 1 1 . . .lt:l f6 1 2. d4 id6 1 3. �e2! as well as in the line 1 1 . . .c6 1 2.d4 id6 1 3.�e1 \Wh4 1 4.g3.

9.h2-h3 This loss of time in order to prevent the pin . . .ig4 is common, but in no way necessary. White can very well also play the immediate 9.d4 ig4 and now either 1 O.dS, 1 O.ie3 or also 1 O.h3. This normally gives rise to sharp unclear lines where theory has not yet reached a consensus, and this gives excellent possibilities of searching for new systems of development. Also possible is the modest 9.d3, against which Black does not have as easy a task in finding satisfactory play as is usually believed.

9 ...

�c6-a5

This system of development was used by Chigorin. It has maintained its popularity up to this day, although the latest investigations have posed new and difficult problems for Black. Therefore the simple 9 . . .ie6 seems like the safest way to achieve equality. After the exchange

FIRST CYCLE

56

1 O.ixe6 fxe6 practical experience has shown that Black's doubled pawns in the centre turn out to be strong, and also 1 O.d4 ixb3 1 1 .'1Wxb3 is not a continuation that Black has to fear. On the other hand, the exchange 9 . . ie6 simplifies the position to some extent, and increases the risk of a draw. Hence those seeking a fighting game more often tend to utilize the sharper continuation 9 ... ltJa5. .

10 ..ib3-c2 l l .d2-d4 12.�bl-d2

c7-c5 YMd8-c7 c5xd4

Chigorin exclusively continued with 1 2 . . . . ltJ c6 and considered the pawn sacrifice 1 3.ltJ f1 cxd4 1 4.cxd4 ltJxd4 or also 1 4 . . . exd4 to be in Black's favour. Black does in fact get good play after this, and even some hopes of an advantage, since White has great difficulties in recapturing the sacrificed pawn. For this reason 1 2 . . . ltJ c6 was for several decades answered by 1 3.d5 ltJ d8 1 4.a4. This gives White chances of an attack on the kingside, while Black obtains counterplay on the queenside. To prevent this, new ways of attacking were finally invented for White in the simplifying line 1 3.dxe5 dxeS 1 4.ltJ f1 , where practical experience has shown (see among others, the game Euwe-Smyslov from the first cycle) that White achieves very good play thanks to the weak points dS and fS. To thwart these possibilities, grandmaster Flohr invented the text­ move, which turned into the most popular continuation for Black during the last decade. With this exchange, Black indeed eliminates the possibility of a simplifying continuation involving an exchange on eS, but he also opens up the c-file, which White is normally able to take control of before Black. Due to the closed character of the position, this has no decisive importance and Black can, in my opinion, achieve equality here if he stays away from early attacks on the queenside, which normally only result in the weakening of his own position.

13.c3xd4 14. �d2-b3

�a5-c6

After 1 4.ltJ f1 Black wins a pawn, as shown in the previous comment,

SMYSLOV - RESHEVSKY

57

by 1 4 . . . ltJxd4 or 1 4 . . . exd4, and 1 4. dS ltJb4 1 S.ib 1 aS 1 6.a3 ltJa6 1 7.b4 id7 is nothing for Black to fear. Besides the text-move, which is considered to be the strongest for White at the moment, 1 4.a3 is also a good continuation, because after 1 4 . . . exd4, 1 5.ltJb3 wins the pawn back with the better game. A better reply for Black is therefore 1 4 . . . id7, but also here 1 5.ltJb3 Ei:fc8 1 6.id3 gives White the more favourable position, according to Pachman. As this line shows, White later develops his knight to b3 all the same, hence the immediate 1 4.ltJb3 seems to be more natural.

14...

a6-a5

Practice has shown that this early attack on the queenside is not justified, and usually only ends up weakening Black's pawn structure. The attempt 1 4 ... Ei:d8, to be able to carry out an eventual ... d6-d5 thrust, is also not recommended for Black due to 1 5.id2 (Smyslov-Keres, 1 941). Therefore the simplest reply seems to be 1 4 ...id7, with which Black first tries to complete his development and only later initiate counterplay on the queenside. It is clear that in this case White would also achieve a small spatial plus, but it should not have any decisive importance.

1 5 ..icl-e3 16.ti:Jh3-d2

a5-a4

FIRST CYCLE

58

Now the thought behind 1 4.tt:lb3 becomes apparent. White has been able to develop his queen's bishop to the defence of the d4-pawn, and at the same time clear the cl -square for a rook. In the meantime, Black only advanced his a-pawn and thereby weakened the bS-square, which he has great difficulties in defending later on. It is clear that if Black is unable to stir up tactical complications, he will soon be positionally lost.

16 ...

.ic8-d7

It is evident that after the active preparation of an attack by the advance of the a-pawn, such a quiet developing move cannot be the best continuation. White now gains time to finish his development, is first to take control of the c-file, and gains an advantage. Black had to continue actively if he wanted to justify the manoeuvre . . . a6-a5-a4. But which options did he have to do this? So far the continuations 16 ... lt:Jb4 and 16 ... a3 have been tried in practice, and according to experience so far, they both yield White an edge. After 16 ... a3 1 7.bxa3 l'!xa3 White plays the strong 1 8.�c1 ! and gets an advantage. Neither would 1 6 . . . tt:lb4 1 7.i.b 1 a3 1 8.�b3! yield Black equality, for example 1 8 . . .�a5 1 9. �xa3 �xa3 20.bxa3 l'!xa3 21 .dxe5 dxeS 22.tt:lxe5 ie6 23.tt:l df3! and White maintains the extra pawn (Boleslavsky-Ragozin, 1 5th Soviet Championship, 1 947) . Nevertheless, it is possible that stronger continuations for Black

SMYSLOV - RESHEVSKY

59

can be found in these sharp lines, which would justify the manoeuvre ... a6-a5-a4. But until they are found, we must assess the system of development chosen by Black as unsuccessful.

17J�al-cl 18 ..ic2-b l

�:U8-c8 Yfc7-b8

Black retreats the queen to a square from where it protects the weaknesses on bS and eS, and thus enables the following knight manoeuvre. Romanovsky recommends 1 8 ... '&d8 at this point, but White would answer this with the simple 1 9.lt:Jf1 , and Black would have great difficulties creating counterplay, as the knight is tied to the defence of the eS-pawn.

19.ttld2-fl 20J�clxc8t 21 ..ie3-g5

ttlc6-a5 .id7xc8 h7-h6

This weakening of the kingside was not necessary, but in any case Black has difficulties due to the threat of lt:J f1 -e3-d5. After 21 . . . .ie6, then 22.lt:Je3 would follow all the same, threatening lt:JdS, and also Romanovsky's recommendation 21 . ..lt:Jc4 22.b3 axb3 23.axb3 lt:Jb6 24.lt:Je3 leaves White with the clearly better game. Perhaps the simple 21 . . .Ei:a7 was slightly better, to answer 22.lt:Je3 with 22 . . . lt:Jc4.

22 ..ig5-h4

ttla5-c6

22 . . . lt:Jc4 would also have the same drawbacks as on the previous move. With the text-move, Black tries to relieve his position by exchanges, but it was better to do this without the weakening move 21 ... h6. In any case, White maintains the better game and good attacking chances.

23.ttlfl -e3

ttlc6xd4?

Black's position was difficult, but the text-exchange does not ease it at all. Rather the opposite, as White now gets the chance to bring his bishop on b 1 into play, and gains a very strong attack.

60

FIRST CYCLE

Also insufficient for Black was 23 ... exd4, as White does not have to take on d4, but can instead play the stronger 24.lt:Jd5!. Romanovsky recommends 23 . . .1MI'b7 24.dxe5 dxeS 25.lt:Jd5 ie6 for Black, with some defensive chances, which is certainly better than the text-exchange. But the simplest defence seems to be 23 . . . lt:J e8, liquidating the annoying pin on the kingside. This move would have been even stronger without the weakening . . . h 7 -h6. Among other things, it would have deprived White of the possibility of retreating the bishop to g3. With such a careful defence, Black could perhaps still have held the position, but now White gets the chance to start a decisive attack.

24)tJf3xd4

e5xd4

25.YNdlxd4? It is interesting to observe that White did not notice the obvious attacking continuation 25.lt:Jd5!, which would have secured him a big advantage. For example: 25 ... lt:Jxd5 (After 25 ...1MI'a7 White does not need to capture on f6 at once, and can instead strengthen his attack in a decisive manner by 26.1Mfd3!.) 26.exd5 if8 27.1Mfc2! Black has great difficulties in repelling White's attack. If 27 . . . g6, then 28.Eie8 1Mfb7 (or 28 ... d3 29.Wc3!) 29.1Mfc6! and Black is lost, and almost in zugzwang, since 29 ... Wxc6 30.dxc6 ib7 loses a piece after 31 .Eixa8 followed by ie4. The author of the variation,

SMYSLOV - RESHEVSKY

61

Romanovsky, also offers another possibility, namely 27 . . . d3 28.V9xd3 g6 29.V9g3 followed by if6 and h3-h4, with a decisive attack. Finally, after 27.V9c2! Black can also try 27 . . . f5, but his position would still be impossible to defend after 28.!%e8 d3 (28 . . . V9b7 29.V9c6) 29.V9xd3 Wff c7 30.g4!. The text-move is not so bad, and White retains an advantage, but it does enable Black to organize a more efficient defence.

25 ... 26.YMd4-d3

YMb8-a7 .ic8-e6!

Black was unable to defend the b-pawn, because among other things White was threatening the strong 27.e5 dxeS 28.ixf6 followed by V9h7t and ltldS with a winning position. The text-move not only thwarts this threat, but also neutralizes the other possibility 27.tLld5 lt:lxdS 28.exd5 ixh4! and Black equalizes. White can indeed win a pawn by 27.V9xb5, but after 27 . . . !%b8 28.V9e2 V9d4 29. tLl d 1 he has to take on a laborious defence; Black can continue either with 29 . . . a3 30.b3 id8 or the immediate 29 . . . id8, and obtain a permanent initiative for the pawn.

27 ..ih4-g3? With this retreat, White gives away all his advantage, since Black can now start to develop strong counterplay on the queenside. Naturally 27.e5 dxeS 28.ixf6 ixf6 29.V9h7t '.i? f8 would now not have given anything, unlike the line given in the earlier note. But instead, very strong was to further strengthen the position by taking control of the c-file with 27 .!%c1 , since Black cannot answer this with 27 . . . !%c8 due to 28.!%xc8t ixc8 29.e5 dxeS 30.ixf6 winning a piece. After 27 .!%c1 Black would hardly have been able to equalize the position, which now, with some effort, he is able to do.

27 ... 28.tLle3-d5?

YMa7-c5

With this exchange, White eliminates his best-placed piece and at the same time gives himself a pawn weakness on dS, which later requires

FIRST CYCLE

62

permanent protection. After 28J'l:d 1 White would still have maintained a good game, although without any special hopes of an advantage .

28 ... 29.e4xd5 30.gel-dl

.ie6xd5 ga8-a7

The pawn weakness on dS is already making itself felt: Black simply threatened to play 30 ... 'Wxd5.

30 .... 3 1 ..ig3-h4 White plays the second half of the game without a well-thought out plan, and now even gets into difficulties. In order to thwart the threat of 31 . . .'Wxd5, it was necessary to play 3 1 .if4, also enabling gel in some lines. If thereafter 3 1 . . .'Wb4, then 32.ie3 and Black cannot capture on b2 due to 33.id4; however the continuation 31 ...'Wc4 yields Black a roughly equal game.

3 1 . ..

g7-g6

Black could already have assured himself of a draw by 3 1 . . .'Wxd5, for example 32.ixf6 'Wxd3 33.ixd3 ixf6 34.ixb5 ixb2, but the text-move

SMYSLOV - RESHEVSKY

63

seems to be even stronger. Now it is not Black, but rather White who must start fighting for a draw.

32.a2-a3 White cannot do anything to protect the dS-pawn, so he therefore clears the a2-square for his bishop in order to create attacking chances against the g6- and f1-points. Weaker in any case was 32 ..ixf6 ixf6, which would have given Black the preferable position despite the opposite­ coloured bishops.

32 ...

V!fc5xd5

In time trouble, Black forces a draw, as he did not have time to accurately assess the complications occurring after 32 . . . lt:Jxd5. In actual fact, 33 ..ixe7 lt:Jxe7 as well as 33.V!fxd5 .ixh4 would give Black the better prospects. But 33.ig3 would create great complications, and should assure White of enough counterplay for a draw. However, the strongest continuation for Black was to offer the positional exchange 32 ... lt:Jh5, since after 33.ixe7 j:%xe7 the endgame is clearly better for Black.

33 ..ih4xf6 34..iblxd3

V!fd5xd3 .ie7xf6

FIRST CYCLE

64

35 ..id3xb5 36J�dl-d3

.if6xb2

Black would also retain the extra pawn after 36.ixa4 ixa3. But despite this, the endgame is a draw.

36 ... 37..ib5xa4 38 ..ia4-b3

�k7-c5 �c5-a5 .ib2xa3

Here Black could have retained the extra pawn with 38 . . . [1xa3, but of course this would not have changed the final outcome of the game.

39.�d3-f3 40 ..ib3xd5 41 .�f3xa3 Draw.

d6-d5 �a5xd5

65

Cycle 1 Round 2 1 Keres-Smyslov 0 1 Botvinnik - Euwe 0 Free: Reshevsky

The games in the second round developed very interestingly and both ended with decisive outcomes. In the game Keres-Smyslov Black played inaccurately in an opening similar to the Griinfeld Defence and soon found himself in difficulties. But with skilful play, and not without help from White, he created strong counterplay in the centre. In order to liquidate the menacing danger, White chose a very interesting path: he sacrificed his entire centre and started a strong attack against the black king. In a complicated position, Smyslov did not find the correct defence, lost material, and was soon forced to resign. Botvinnik and Euwe played a difficult positional line in the Queen's Gambit where White, after some interesting complications, offered a pawn sacrifice in the centre. Euwe should unquestionably have declined the offer, but nevertheless he decided to take the pawn, and thereafter faced a strong combined attack from White's bishops, rook and queen. With the best defence, Euwe would probably have been able to hold his position, but he continued weakly and even before the adjournment of the game he had to resign. Tournament position after the second round: Keres 2, Botvinnik 1 , Reshevsky V2, Smyslov V2 and Euwe 0.

FIRST CYCLE

66

No 3. Slav Defence P.

Keres

V.

Smyslov

The Hague, 4th March 1948 l.c2-c4 2.�gl-f3

�g8-f6 c7-c6

Smyslov usually chose the Griinfeld Defence m the tournament. But in this game he chose the Slav Defence, apparently taking into consideration that this was the early stages of the tournament, and therefore trying to play totally solid openings. But in fact the game soon takes on the character of a Griinfeld Defence.

3.�bl-c3 4.e2-e3

d7-d5

In recent times White has achieved good results with the common exchange variation 4.cxd5 cxdS S.d4. The text-move gives rise to theoretically less studied positions, but hardly offers White better prospects than 4.cxd5.

4... 5.d2-d4 6.c4xd5

g7-g6 .lf8-g7

After some turns, the game has reached the famous Schlechter variation in the Slav Defence where White usually proceeds with 6.i.d3 0-0 7.0-0. The text-exchange is a novelty, and a psychologically well justified one. Smyslov's predilection for the Griinfeld Defence is widely known, and therefore one could expect him to capture with the knight. But in this position, White has a certain advantage compared with the Griinfeld Defence due to Black's time-wasting move ... c6, hence White plays the opening with an extra tempo.

6 ...

�f6xd5

KERES - SMYSLOV

67

Smyslov takes the first chance to steer the game into what for him are familiar tracks, and by so doing he justifies White's previous exchange. From an objective point of view, 6 . . . cxd5 is stronger, since the attacking attempt 7.ibSt id7 8.'\Wb3 looks harmless due to the simple reply 8 . . . 0-0. White should proceed with 7 .id3 0-0 8.0-0 followed by an eventual lt:JeS and have the somewhat more comfortable position due to Black's inactive bishop on g7.

7 ..ifl-c4 8.0-0

0-0

8 ...

b7-b6?

This move, which deprives Black's knight of its natural retreating square, is a mistake and gives White the better game. A natural continuation was: 8 . . . lt:Jb6 (After 8 ... lt:Jxc3 9.bxc3 cS Black has lost a valuable tempo with the manoeuvre . . . c7-c6-c5, and White therefore obtains the better position after 1 0.a4 followed by ia3.) 9.ib3 ig4 (Better than 9 . . . lt:J 8d7 1 0.e4 eS 1 1 .ie3) 1 0.h3 ixf3 1 1 .'&xf3 lt:J 8d7 Followed by ... e7-e5, which would give Black a satisfactory position, although White's bishop pair offers him some hope of an advantage.

9.Wfdl-b3

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68

This forces Black to exchange on c3, but for this purpose 9.e4 was even stronger. After 9 ... lt:Jxc3 1 0.bxc3 ia6 1 1 .ixa6 lt:Jxa6 1 2.'?;Va4 White would obtain a much freer position where, depending on circumstances, he would have the opportunity to develop his bishop to either a3 or to the c1 -h6 diagonal. But the text-move is also good, and assures White of an opening advantage.

� d5xc3

9 ...

Almost forced, since 9 . . . lt:Jc7 1 0.lt:Je5 ie6 1 1 .f4 would yield White a strong attack.

.ic8-a6

1 0.b2xc3

5 4 3

a

c

e

g

Black must exchange this bishop, since otherwise White would be able to initiate a strong kingside attack, for example 1 0 . . . i.b7 1 1 .lt:Je5 or 1 0 . . . lt:Jd7 1 1 .lt:Jg5 followed by f2-f4.

l l ..icl-a3 This continuation is certainly not best, since the bishop stands unfavourably on a3 after either . . . c6-c5 advance or after . . . b7-b5 followed by ... a7-a5. It was therefore better to play either 1 1 .a4, with attacking chances on

KERES - SMYSLOV

69

the queenside, or 1 1 .e4 and a further development of the bishop on the c1 -h6 diagonal.

1 1 ... 12.Wfb3xc4

.la6xc4 �U'8-e8

Black wants to play 1 3 . . . Wfd5 and for this reason protects his e-pawn. Instead Bronstein advocates 1 2 ... c5 1 3.dxc5 Vfic7, however this line is anything but satisfactory for Black. After 1 4.Vfff e 4 bxcS White of course does not need to give up the queen for two rooks by 1 5.Vfffx a8 tt:Jc6 but can play the stronger 1 5.Ei:ab 1 ! with a clear advantage. Furthermore 1 4.Vfffd 5 also seems to be sufficient to secure White's advantage. The execution of the . . . c6-c5 advance in this position seems on the whole to be unfavourable for Black. For example, after the preparatory 1 2 ... Vfff c 7 White could proceed with 1 3.tt:Jd2, again preventing ... c6c5. Black is however forced to undertake something to enable the development of the queen's knight.

13.e3-e4

b6-h5

Black is already forced into such weakening manoeuvres, since by other means it would not be possible for him to develop his knight. If for example 1 3 . . . Vfffc 7 or 1 3 ... Vfic8, then 1 4.e5 would follow, with the threat of 1 5.tt:Jg5, or also the immediate 1 4.tt:Jg5 followed by e4-e5.

14.Wfc4-h3 1 5.c3-c4!

�b8-d7

Thwarting Black's knight from reaching c4, which would yield Black good counterplay. For example, 1 5.tt:Jg5 e6 1 6.f4 tt:Jb6 1 7.e5 tt:J c4 followed by ... V!idS. With the text-move, White liquidates this support point.

1 5 ...

ga8-b8

Certainly not the best reply, as White could now simply play 1 6.cxb5 cxbS 1 7 .Ei:acl with a clearly better position.

70

FIRST CYCLE

Also 1 5 . . . bxc4 1 6.Wxc4 would give White a clear advantage due to the weak c-pawn. Therefore the sharp thrust 1 5 ... c5 offered the best practical chances. White could answer this with either 1 6.l'!ad1 cxd4 1 7.lt:lxd4 bxc4 1 8.Wxc4 with a somewhat freer but hardly much better position, or 1 6.cxb5 cxd4 1 7.l'!ac1 . In the latter line, White would achieve a small positional advantage due to his mobile extra pawn on the queenside, while it is easy to blockade Black's extra pawn in the centre.

16J�al-dl

Wd8-a5

If 1 6 . . . bxc4 1 7.Wxc4 and first now 1 7 . . . Wa5, then simply 1 8.l'!d3 and Black is still in trouble due to the weak c-pawn. With the text-move, Black threatens 1 7 . . . bxc4, and if 1 7.cxb5, then 1 7 . . . l'!xb5 followed by . . . c6-c5 with equality. It may seem as though Black is over the worst, but now a sharp tactical struggle takes place, where Black is punished for his previous play being positionally inadequate.

17.c4-c5! White had to calculate the outcome of this move very accurately, since Black now gets the opportunity to demolish the white pawn centre with the . . . e7-e5 thrust. The outcome of the game depends on whether Black is able to carry out this advance without being punished.

KERES - SMYSLOV

17 ... 18 ..ia3-b2

71

b5-b4

An inaccuracy, which however was very difficult to foresee at this point, taking into consideration the complexity of the following combinations. It later becomes clear that the bishop would support the following attack better from the cl -square, from where it protects the important gS-square.

18 ...

e7-e5

With this move, Black has carried out the strategically important thrust in the centre, and now White faces the problem of how to justify his previous play. An exchange at eS would yield Black a good game due to of the weakness on cS, but on the other hand 1 9 . . . exd4 is threatened and the pawn on cS would fall all the same. However, White had already foreseen these difficulties while playing c4-c5 on his 1 7th move, and now proceeds in sacrificial style by giving up all the protection of his centre pawns in an attempt to break the defensive wall surrounding Black's king.

19.ltlf3-g5!

ge8-e7

After 1 9 ... E:f8 White would not continue with 20.WI'h3 h6 21 .WI'xd7 hxgS nor with 20.tt:lxh7 xh 7 21 .WI'h3t g8 22.WI'xd7 exd4, in both cases with quite good play for Black. But instead, as in the game, with 20.f4! exd4 2 1 . f5. In this case Black would lack the defensive resource 21 ...WI'xc5 that occurs in the game due to 22.tt:lxf7, which now threatens mate in three by 23.tt:l h6t followed by Wl'g8t.

20.fl-f4! The idea behind White's attacking plan! With a double pawn sacrifice, White starts to exert strong pressure on the f-file, and especially on the f7-point, whose defence causes Black great difficulties. Even though later analysis proved that Black has sufficient defensive resources against this attack, White's strategy should be considered to be fully justified.

FIRST CYCLE

72

First of all, the attack ensures White at least equality. Secondly, after the acceptance of the pawn sacrifices, the complexity of the variations that occur makes it very difficult for Black to find the right defence.

20 ... 2 1 .f4-f5

e5xd4

2 1 . ..

ttld7xc5?

The decisive mistake, after which White's attack breaks through. White was threatening to play 22.ltlxf7 or 22.fxg6, against which Black has a variety of defences. But most of them are insufficient, as for example 21 . . . E!:f8 22.fxg6 hxg6 23.�h3 or 21 . . .if6 22.fxg6! hxg6 23.E!:xf6 ltlxf6 24.ixd4, but also 21 . ..gxf5 22.E!:xf5, or 2 1 . . .ltl e5 22.f6 would yield White a winning attack. However, Black had the interesting defensive resource 21 . . .�xc5! in reserve, which would offer him quite sufficient defensive chances. If thereafter 22.E!:c 1 , then 22 . . .�d6 defends the g6-point and thwarts all direct threats; and if 22.ltlxf7, then there would follow 22 . . . d3t 23.cj;Jh1 �c2! and now a position occurs where White, curiously enough, does not have a winning continuation. A number of masters, including Simagin and Bronstein, have analyzed this position thoroughly without finding a winning continuation for White. For example, 24.ltlh6t cj;Jh8 25.�xc2 dxc2 26.E!:xd7 E!:xd7 27.f6

KERES - SMYSLOV

73

would indeed give White a winning position, but instead of capturing immediately, Black plays 26 ... c1 ='W! thwarting White's whole plan. In general, the continuation 24.lb h6t c;i?h8 25.f6 lbxf6 26.l:!xf6 'Wxb3 27 .axb3 E:xe4 is considered to be the best available for White, but even here a winning idea cannot be seen; if for example 28.E:df1 , then 28 ... E:ee8 and it appears White is unable to strengthen his attack. Furthermore, after 21 ... 'Wxc5 White can try the interesting attacking continuation 22.e5 which seems to give him excellent chances. If for example 22 ... lbxe5, then 23.ixd4, if 22 ... ixe5 then 23.fxg6; but if Black plays 22 ... d3t 23.c;i?h1 ixeS, then 24.E:xd3 ixb2 25.fxg6! wins. However, also after 22.e5 Black has a sufficient defence, namely the queen sacrifice 22 . . .'Wxe5! 23.ixd4 'Wxd4t! 24.E:xd4 ixd4t 2S.c;i?h1 lb f6 and Black has a good game, with a rook, bishop and two pawns for the queen. From the lines above, it becomes apparent why on the 1 8th move White should have retreated the bishop to c1 instead of b2. In that case the gS-knight would have been protected and after 21 ... 'Wxc5 White could simply have played 22.fxg6 with a winning position. But all these possibilities are much easier to find in a subsequent analysis, rather than over-the-board during the game. Thus no great criticism should be made of White or Black's play.

22.�h3-h3

h7-h5

After 22 . . . h6, 23. f6 wins, for example 23 . . . hxg5 24. fxg7 c;i?xg7 25.ixd4t, or also 23 . . .ixf6 24.E:xf6 hxgS 25.ixd4 .

23.f5-f6

.ig7-h6

This move loses without a fight, but Black no longer had any satisfactory defence. If for example 23 ... tbxe4, then 24.fxe7 followed by 'Wd7 wins, and if 23 . . . E:e5, then simply 24.tbxt7!. The most stubborn defence was offered by 23 ... tbe6, but even so, White wins after the continuation 24.tbxe6 E:xe6 25.fxg7, since 25 . . . c5 loses to 26.E:xt7! c;i?xt7 27 .E:f1 t c;i?e 7 28.E:f8.

24.f6xe7

.ih6xg5

FIRST CYCLE

74

25.�h3-f3! Instead after the immediate 25.'&g3, Black would still be able to defend himself by 25 . . . ie3t 26.'it>h1 E:e8. But now he has problems in defending the f7 -point.

25 ...

f'7-f6

If instead 25 . . .\Wxa2, then 26.'1Wg3 ie3t 27.'&xe3 '&xb2 28.\Wf4 wins; Black also loses in exactly the same way after 25 ... ie3t 26.'it>h1 '1Wxa2 27.\Wxe3 \Wxb2 28.\Wf4. Black no longer has any defence.

26 ..1b2xd4 27.h2-h4

ll'lc5-d7

Black resigned. After 27 . . . ixh4, 28.\Wf4 wins another piece. A very interesting game, which I consider my best achievement in the tournament.

B01VINNIK - EUWE

No 4.

75

Semi-Slav Defence

M. Botvinnik

M. Euwe

The Hague, 4th March 1948 l .d2-d4 2.c2-c4

d7-d5 e7-e6

Previously Euwe mainly utilized the Slav Defence by 2 . . . c6, or chose to play 1 ...tLlf6 on the first move and continued with either the Nimzo­ Indian or Griinfeld Defences. But in this tournament the ex-World Champion gave up his previous repertoire in favour of different, more experimental, opening systems. As the current and several following games show, such a strategy is not especially suited to Euwe's playing style, and only brought trouble for himself.

�g8-f6 c7-c6 The continuation considered theoretically strongest is 4 . . . c5 S.cxdS tLlxdS and after 6.e3 it leads to a position that Botvinnik very much enjoys playing, and it has brought him excellent results. Hence Euwe's desire to avoid these lines is fully understandable and, in my opinion, also correct. Moreover, it was unlikely that Botvinnik would use the system S ..igS dxc4 6.e4 bS 7 .eS h6, where theory, it's true, has not reached a final consensus, but which he likes to play with Black.

5.e2-e3

�b8-d7

Here S ... a6 6.c5 lLlbd7 7.b4 aS 8.b5 eS leads to very sharp play, as in the game Reshevsky-Keres from the third cycle. In addition, a transition into the Stonewall Defence by S . . . tt:Je4 6 . .id3 fS is possible and is a quite satisfactory continuation for Black after the closing in of White's cl -bishop by the move e2-e3.

6 ..ifl-d3

.if8-b4

FIRST CYCLE

76

This defence, which attracted broader attention after the Euwe-Alekhine match in 1937, is fully playable for Black, although not without certain risks. In my opinion, Euwe made the wrong decision here when choosing such a heavy positional line. Because more open and positionally clear positions suit his playing style better, of approximately the same kind as the ones that Capablanca once preferred to play. Therefore I believe the most suitable continuation for Euwe's playing style was a transition to the Meran Defence by 6 ... dxc4 7 .ixc4 b5 8.id3 a6, as occurred in the game between the same players in the third cycle. Even though Black has had bad experiences in the Meran Defence in recent tournaments, I still do not believe that this opening is as bad as its current reputation.

7.a2-a3 White has to make this move at once, since for example after 7.0-0 0-0 8.a3 Black could favourably transpose to the Chigorin Defence with 8 ... id6 9.e4 dxc4 10.ixc4 e5. The exchange on c3, which was played in a similar position by Alekhine in his match against Euwe, is definitively favourable for White. Since, in addition to having the bishop pair, he also has good chances of attacking Black's centre with the double c­ pawns. In their game, Euwe soon gained an advantage, and Alekhine only managed to escape after a difficult endgame a pawn down .

7 ...

.ib4-a5

B01VINNIK - EUWE

77

8.fidl-c2 It is difficult to justify this move, since White is not doing anything to prevent Black's strategical plan of ... dxc4 followed by ... e6-e5. It was better to simply play 8.0-0, when Black would have had great difficulties in executing his opening idea. If 8 ... V9e7 White can proceed with 9.lt.Je5 followed by f4, and after 8 ...ic7 9.e4 the continuation 9 ... dxc4 1O.ixc4 eS is not good because of the simple exchange on eS. In the game Kottnauer-Kotov, Moscow 1947, White immediately played 8.b4 ic7 9.ib2 0-0 10.V9c2, but this was only beneficial to Black's plans, and after 1O ... dxc4 11.ixc4 eS Black had a good game.

8 ...

fid8-e7

Now nothing can be done to stop the ... e6-e5 advance, since 9.lt.Je5 would not do, because of 9 ... lt.Jxe5 10.dxe5 lt.Jg4 11.f4 dxc4 12.ixc4 lt.JxeS! followed by ... V9h4t. After the removal of the queen from d1, the lt.JeS leap is no longer very strong, since after an exchange, the strong g4-square has been made available for Black's knight.

9 ..icl -d2

d5xc4

One drawback of the opening system chosen by Black is the fact that he is forced to carry out the manoeuvre ... dxc4 followed by ... e6-e5 before White has played e3-e4. This gives White the opportunity to maintain the tension in the centre for a long time. If Black, for example, would play 9 ... 0-0 10.0-0, he should still transpose to the game continuation with 10 ... dxc4, since the preparatory move 10 ... ic7, as advocated by Romanovsky, would yield White an edge after 11.cxd5 exdS 12.lt.Jb5!, threatening ib4.

10 ..id3xc4

e6-e5

Black has been able to carry out his opening idea, but despite this, he has not been completely freed from the difficulties related to developing the bishop from c8. Thanks to the fact that his pawn still stands on e3, White can maintain the tension in the centre, and strengthen his

FIRST CYCLE

78

position further. Black, on the other hand, is forced to be the one who releases the tension in the centre, if he wants to develop his bishop from c8.

1 1 .0-0

0-0

12J�al-el White places his rooks in attacking positions, where they will later support the advance of the e- and f-pawns. For this reason, it is clear that the queen's rook had to be played to e1, and not the king's rook, which will later be needed on the f-file. Although White achieves splendid success with the text-manoeuvre, it is still not the strongest continuation and, on the contrary, gives Black the chance to equalize the position completely. It is apparent that Black's main strategical plan is the ... eS-e4 advance, as the ... exd4 exchange would open up the e-file and give White a clear advantage. This advance is however not possible at the moment due to the simple reply lt:J xe4, as Black's bishop on aS is unprotected. Therefore one could expect Black to want to move the aS-bishop, most naturally to the c7 -square. White had to thwart this, and it was possible with the positionally­ useful retreat 12.�a2!. Now 12 ... �c7 is no longer possible due to the reply 13.lt:JbS, and secondly Black has to consider the threat of 13.lt:JdS.

BOTVINNIK - EUWE

79

If for example 12 ... i.b6, then 13J1ae1! and Black has run out of reasonable moves. It seems that White could have maintained an opening advantage with 12.i.a2!, but the edge gradually vanishes after the hasty text-move .

12 ...

.ia5-c7

Now Black already threatens ... e5-e4, which White has to prevent.

13.tik3-e4 Instead of this exchange, which eases Black's position, 13.id3 came into consideration. For example: 13 ... !!e8 14.dxe5 lLlxeS 15.lLlxe5 followed by f2-f4 and e3-e4. But also in this case Black would get a tenable position after 15 .. .'1Wxe5 16.f4 �hS, since he would no longer experience any problems in developing his pieces.

13 ... 14.Yfc2xe4

tL!f6xe4 a7-a5

An unnecessary loss of time, since the "threat" of 15.i.b4 was nothing Black needed to thwart. Here he could have played the simple 14 ... �h8, with the plan .. .£7-fS. If now 15.ib4, then 15 ... c5 16.dxc5 aS (also 16 ... fS followed by ... lLlxcS comes in consideration) and the complications arising after 17 .c6 axb4 18.cxd7 i.xd7 are not dangerous for Black. With the bishop standing on c4, after 14 ... �h8 White cannot play 15.dxe5 lLlxeS 16.ltJd4 because of 16 ... f5. Makogonov recommends 14 ... id6 15.ic3 exd4 16.�xd4 lLl f6 with a roughly equal game. Among other things, 14 ... lLl f6 15.�h4 e4 16.lLle5 ie6 is also possible, and there appears to be no way for White to obtain an advantage. The text-move, although an unnecessary waste of time, still yields Black sufficient defensive resources.

1 5 ..ic4-a2 After 15.ic3 there would follow 15 ... ltJ f6 16.�h4 e4 17.lLle5 ie6, and

FIRST CYCLE

80

White must either exchange the bishop or retreat it to e2. However, after the text-move, in this variation White would be able to place the bishop on the strong b1-square.

1 5 ...

ttld7-f6

With the bishop standing on a2, the reply 15 ... cj;lh8 would be less satisfactory for Black than on the previous move. White would not answer it by 16.ic3 f5 17.Wfc2 e4 18.lt:ld2 lt:l f6 with a good game for Black, but instead 16.dxe5 lt:lxe5 17.lt:ld4 with some prospects of an advantage. If Black, for example, proceeds with 17 ... c5, then not 18.lt:l f5? ixf5 19.Wfxf5 Wfd6!, nor 18.lt:lb5 f5 19.Wic2 lt:l f3t! followed by ... ixh2t and Black has assured himself of at least a draw, but instead White should choose the sharp 18.f4!. This move is very awkward for Black, since after 18 ... cxd4 19.exd4 f5 20.Wic2 ib6 21.ic3, as well as after 18 ... lt:lg6 19.Wfxe7 lt:lxe7 20.lt:lb5, White obtains a slight edge. Perhaps even stronger continuations for Black can be found in the complicated variations given above, but the text-move is in any case simpler and by no means jeopardizes Black's position.

16.'ilYe4-h4 17.ttlf3-e5!

e5-e4

A fine pawn sacrifice; if it is accepted, it would yield White excellent

B01VINNIK - EUWE

81

diagonals for his bishops, together with the open f-file for the rooks, and assure him of a very strong attack. Naturally White had to plan this sacrifice a couple of moves in advance, since in the present position he no longer had any choice; after 1 7.ltJg5 h6 1 8.ltJh3 '1Wd6 Black would instead have had the more favourable position .

17 ...

.tc7xe5?

It is amazing that a player of Euwe's strength could assess the resulting position so inaccurately. Without having to go especially deeply into the position, it should be apparent that the following concentrated attack against Black's king is worth at least the sacrificed pawn, probably even more. Even if it would be too brave to claim that Black's position is lost after accepting the sacrifice, one can however certainly claim that from now on until the end of the game he has to fight with difficulties and is unable to restore complete equality, even with the best defence. Such a desperate attempt would have been justified only if Black lacked better defensive resources. But as a matter of fact, Black possessed a fully satisfactory position and simply had to complete the development of his queenside with the moves 1 7 ...ie6 1 8.ib 1 idS. Many commentators consider this position as favourable for White, but it is difficult to prove this in any concrete way. For example: 1 9.ic3 E!fe8 20.f3 bS (or also 20 ... ixe5 21 .dxe5 ltJd7) and Black threatens to initiate good counterplay on the queenside, or 1 9. f4 E!ae8 20.g4 ltJd7 followed by ... f7-f6. The immediate 1 9. f3 would not be dangerous for Black either, since here also he does not have to accept the pawn sacrifice, and can instead simply proceed with 1 9 ... E!fe8, and if 20. fxe4, then 20 ... ttJxe4.

18.d4xe5 19 ..td2-c3

Wfe7xe5 Wfe5-e7

Naturally not 1 9 ... '\WhS? 20.ixf6 winning a piece.

20.f2-f3

�f6-d5

A further opening of lines by 20 ... exf3 was of course too dangerous

FIRST CYCLE

82

for Black. For example: 2 1 .ib1 ! h6 22.l:!xf3 lt:J dS 23.l:!g3! and White WlnS. But 20 ... ie6 came into serious consideration, and if 21 .ib 1 , then 21 ... lt:Jd5 22.Wxe4 fS followed by ... lt:Jxc3, and Black has escaped from the worst. Hence White has to answer 20 ...ie6 by 21 .fxe4 ixa2 22.l:!xf6 with a variety of attacking possibilities, which however do not give any clear outcome. For example: 22 ... l:!fe8 (After 22 ... ie6 White should not play 23.l:!g6 due to 23... f6!, but instead 23.Wg3, threatening 24.Wxg7t) 23.Wg3 (If 23.l:!ef1 then simply 23 ...Wxe4. But now this capture would be answered by 24.l:!e6! winning.) 23 ...Wf8 And Black has been able to create a sturdy defensive position, among other things threatening 24 ... l:!e6. Even though the position investigated above posed Black a difficult defensive task, it was perhaps still preferable to the endgame that arises after the text-move, where Black lacks any kind of active counterplay.

2 1 .�h4xe7 22.f3xe4

�d5xe7

22 ...

b7-b6?

The decisive mistake, which leaves all open lines in White's hands, and makes Black's future defensive task hopeless.

BOTVINNIK - EUWE

83

Also bad was 22 ... �e6 because of 23.ixe6 fxe6 24.�xf8t \t>xf8 25.�f1 t \t>g8 26.�d1 and White's rook penetrates the 7th rank. The continuation 22 ... tt'lg6 23.�d1 �g4 24.�d6 would also have given Black a hopelessly passive position. But the immediate 22 ...�g4 would have offered quite good chances of saving the game. It could have been followed by 23.�f4 �hS 24.g4 �g6 25.h4 hS 26.\t>h2 \t>h7 27.�g1 f6 and Black has just barely managed to defend all the attacked points; hence in this line, instead of 25.h4, White should play the more modest-looking 25.�d1 �ad8 26.�xd8 �xd8 27.�xa5 with an extra pawn, but even in this case Black would achieve some counterplay after 27 ... �d1 t followed by ... �cl . But the pawn sacrifice made by Botvinnik apparently threw Euwe so off-balance that after accepting it, he defended himself very weakly.

23.�el-dl

�e7-g6

Probably Euwe initially planned to play 23 ... �a7 at this point, but only now saw that this is not possible due to 24.�xf7!. Black's position is however already lost, since 23 ...�e6 24.�xe6 fxe6 25.�d7 would also yield White a won endgame.

24J:Ml-d6 25JU1-f2 26.e4-e5

.ic8-a6 .ia6-b5

Even stronger than 26.�d7 tt'lh8 27.e5, which Black would answer with 27 ... cS followed by ... �ad8 with some counterplay.

26 ...

�g6-e7

Black hopes to play ... tt'ldS and close the a2-g8 diagonal at the cost of a pawn, but White's following move deprives him of this possibility. But no better was 26 ... �ae8 27.e6 fxe6 28.�d7 �xf2 29.�xg7t \t>f8 30.\t>x£2.

27 .e3-e4!

c6-c5

84

FIRST CYCLE

Hoping for 28.!!xb6 ic6, but White does not even give his opponent this chance.

28.e5-e6 29J�d6xb6

t7-f6 .ib5-c6

This enables a beautiful finishing combination, but Black's position was of course lost in any case.

30J�b6xc6! 3 1 .e6-e7t 32 ..ia2-d5

�e7xc6 EH'8-t7 Black resigned.

After 32 .. .Ek8 33.e8=Wft �xe8 34.ixc6 followed by 35.id5, White retains an extra piece.

85

Cycle 1 Round 3 1/2

Smyslov-Botvinnik 1f2 1 Reshevsky-Keres 0 Free: Euwe

The third round brought the first loss for the leader of the tournament. In the game Reshevsky-Keres, White chose an original opening, which however soon transposed into the King's Indian Defence. By planless play in the middlegame, Black gave his opponent the opportunity to develop a dangerous initiative on the queenside that resulted in the creation of an unpleasant positional weakness on b6. By combining an attack on the queenside and in the centre, Reshevsky set up a number of dangerous threats to Black, which he was unable to thwart in time­ trouble. Before the inevitable mate, Keres resigned. Smyslov and Botvinnik played the Gri.infeld Defence, where White emerged with the somewhat freer position. In the middlegame Smyslov achieved real hopes of an advantage, thanks to Botvinnik's unfavourably­ placed pieces on the queenside. But he thereafter continued inexactly and enabled Black to occupy the strong support point d5 with a knight. Later Smyslov did indeed win a pawn as a result of Black's careless play, but the strong position of Black's knight, together with the great activity of his other pieces, ensured Botvinnik had sufficient counterplay. After the adjournment of the game, a draw quickly occurred. After the third round Keres is still in the lead with 2 points. He is followed by Botvinnik and Reshevsky 1 1/z, Smyslov 1 and Euwe 0.

FIRST CYCLE

86

No 5. Grii.nfeld Defence V.

Smyslov

M. Botvinnik

The Hague, 8th and lOth March 1948 l .d2-d4 2.c2-c4

�g8-f6 g7-g6

In recent times Botvinnik has used the Griinfeld Defence quite rarely, and usually answers 1 .d4 with either the Dutch, 1 . . . e6 followed by . . . fS, or with a normal Queen's Gambit 1 ... d5 2.c4 e6 followed by ... c6. Smyslov, on the other hand, utilizes the Griinfeld Defence at every possible occasion, and is familiar with this opening down to its smallest detail. As Botvinnik still chose to play this opening with Black, one can believe he had some novelties in reserve. But the following part of the game proceeds along normal known paths, where White, as usual in the line chosen by Black, gets the somewhat more favourable position.

3.�bl-c3 4.�gl-f3 5.Y*fdl-b3

d7-d5 .if8-g7

The move '&b3 has also been played at move 4, but then Black gets a good game by 4 ... dxc4 5.'&xc4 ie6 6.'&bSt lt:Jc6!. The system of development chosen by White has in recent times become highly fashionable, and we can see it in almost every game that begins with the Griinfeld Defence. Hence the theoretical investigations in this line are very extensive and enable a rather objective assessment of the variation.

5 ...

c7-c6

The old continuation, which gives White the more comfortable game without any risk. Usually 5 ... dxc4 6.'&xc4 0-0 7.e4 is played here, when Smyslov always uses the system of development with 7 ... ig4 8.ie3 lt:J fd7 and tries to carry out the ... e7-e5 advance. More detailed

SMYSLOV - BOTVINNIK

87

explanations of this line will be given in the games Botvinnik-Smyslov from the second cycle and Keres-Smyslov from the third cycle.

6.c4xd5

tl:}f6xd5

After 6 ... cxd5 7.!g5 Black ends up with a painfully passive setup, and can at best only hope for equality, and even this only after a very accurate defence (Botvinnik-Flohr, AVRO 1 938) . The text-move leads to a livelier game where White, thanks to his strong pawn centre, retains the better position.

7.e2-e4

tl:}d5-b6

.A transition into the "main line" of the Griinfeld Defence by 7 ... lLlxc3 8.bxc3 cS, but with the extra tempo 'Wd1 -b3 for White, is of course too risky for Black.

8 ..icl-e3 8.ie2 is also possible, with the intention of castling as early as possible, since the capture 8 ...ixd4 is very risky due to 9.ih6. In the game Keres-Dubinin, Leningrad 1 947, Black instead played 8 ... ie6 9.'Wc2 ig4, but this continuation is also not dangerous for White. Instead of the dubious pawn sacrifice 1 0.ie3 ixf3 1 1 .gxf3 ixd4, as played in the game, White could have chosen the stronger 1 0.lLle5, with a good position.

8 ... 9.Wfb3-c2

.ic8-e6 .ie6-c4

In the game Smyslov-Lilienthal, Leningrad 1 947, Black first played 9 ... 0-0 1 0J:!d1 and only now 1 0 ... ic4, but was also unable to achieve complete equality. The system of development chosen by Botvinnik in this game is hardly any better; apparently the whole opening line is unfavourable for Black.

10 ..ifl-e2

FIRST CYCLE

88

Smyslov also played in the same way against Lilienthal in the abovementioned game. However the simple exchange 1 O ..ixc4 tlJxc4 1 1 .if4 looks better, because the capture on d4 is then obviously impossible, and Black sooner or later will have to lose time by retreating the knight from c4.

10 ...

tbb8-a6

Lilienthal developed his knight to d7, which seems more natural. As the future course of the game shows, the black knight stands very unfavourably on a6, and there is no good way to bring it into the game.

1 1 .0-0

0-0

Apparently Botvinnik abstained from castling earlier in fear of White castling queenside, since Black's kingside would not have been well enough protected against the coming attack. But after White has castled kingside, it is completely safe for Black to castle.

12J�fl-d1

�d8-d6

1 3.b2-b3 White has emerged from the opening with an advantage, and his future task is to prevent Black from freeing himself from his cramped

SMYSLOV - BOTVINNIK

89

position. This freeing would only be possible with the execution of a pawn advance, most likely ... £7-fS, when Black, among other things, would assure himself of the nice support point d5. The execution of the ... c6-c5 or ... e 7 -e5 thrusts is, on the other hand, significantly more difficult, and the resulting effect would also be smaller. Hence White has to mainly concentrate on thwarting the ... £7 -f5 thrust. For this purpose, it would be useful, just in case, to place one of the rooks on the e l -square. It was therefore better to play gadl on the 1 2th move followed by a later gfel . As the regrouping of the rooks in the current position would involve an unnecessary waste of time, the attacking attempt against the black kingside by 1 3.�c1 also came in consideration, threatening �h6 as well as an eventual �f4. The text-move is not bad either, but it confirms that White is still not completely clear regarding his further plans. And in such positions an especially well-thought-out plan for further play is necessary in order to increase White's small positional advantage.

13 ... 14.ttlc3xe2

i.c4xe2 ga8-c8

The immediate 1 4 ... f5 would have been very risky in view of �e3-f4-e5. With the text-move, Black takes up a waiting game.

1 5 ..ie3-f4 With this bishop manoeuvre, White only chases the black queen to a better position, and enables Black to win time to prepare the central thrusts. It was therefore better to simply play 1 5.gac1 with a further strengthening of White's position.

1 5 ... 16. i.f4-e5

�d6-e6 f7-f6

Of course not 1 6 ... �xe5 1 7.dxe5 with a clear advantage to White.

17. i.e5-g3 18.ttle2-f4

Yfe6-f7

90

FIRST CYCLE

Thwarting 1 8 ... f5 1 9.4Jg5 as well as 1 8 ... e5 1 9.dxe5 due to a subsequent 4Jd3. Black's position is still cramped, but as a result of White's bishop manoeuvre, he has been able to create the positional threats of ... e 7 -eS or ... f6-f5, which after corresponding preparation can turn out to be very awkward for White.

18 ... 19. tl) f4-d3

.ig7-h6 f6-f5!

Now this thrust is almost forced, since White threatened to play 20.4Jc5 with a big advantage. Although Black now gains the strong dS-point for the knight, and obtains some counterplay, White still stands better thanks to his more favourably-placed pieces.

20.ttld3-c5? With this exchange, which eliminates Black's worst-placed piece and removes White's last pawn from the centre, White throws away all his advantage. It was essential to simply play 20.exf5 (20.!!e1 is also a good continuation) 20 .. .'�xf5 21 .!!e 1 ltJdS 22.!!e5 followed by !!ae l , and White retains his advantage. In the game, Black now achieves sufficient counterplay.

20 ... 2 1 .�c2xe4

f5xe4

No better was 21 .4Je5 '.WdS 22.4Jxb7 cS! 23.4Jxc5 ltJxcS 24.dxc5 !!xcS with an equal game. Slightly more promising, on the other hand, was 21 .4Jxe4, which would keep more pieces on the board, and leave Black's problem with the a6-knight unsolved.

2 1 . .. 22.d4xc5

ttla6xc5 ttlb6-d5

This strong support point for the knight now compensates for White's pressure against the weak e-pawn. In addition, Black also has possibilities for counterplay on the f-file. The position can already be assessed as approximately equal.

SMYSLOV - BOTVINNIK

23J�dl-el 24..lg3-e5

91

:ac8-e8 .lh6-f4

But now Black feels too brave, and he starts to experiment, which in the end costs him a pawn. The bishop stands unfavourably at f4, and therefore 24 ... �g7 had to be played, with an equal game.

25 ..le5-h2!

�f7-f5

25 ... e5 could also have been answered by 26.'1Wc4 followed by �e2.

26.�e4-c4

e7-e5

Even though it is clear that this pawn will sooner or later be lost, this advance is essential for Black in order to create some kind of counterplay. In the case of a passive defence, White would simply double his rooks on the e-file, and also threaten to start a kingside attack. Black ended up in difficulties only because he transferred his bishop to the unfavourable f4-square, while in the meantime its white counterpart took control of the strong diagonal aimed in the direction of Black's king.

27.:Sel-e4?

FIRST CYCLE

92

White places his rook on an unfortunate square, where Black later gets the opportunity to attack it with gain of tempo. After 27 _:ge2! White would, on the other hand, have achieved good winning chances, since the simple 28.:gae1 winning a pawn is threatened, and the attacking attempt 27 ... e4 is not sufficient for Black after 28J:l:ae1 exf3 29J:l:xe8. Black would simply lose a pawn, and it is very doubtful if he could manage to achieve sufficient counter-chances in the endgame.

27 ... 28J�al-el

'!Wf5-f7 ttld5-f6!

Naturally Black uses the first possible opportunity to force the exchange of queens, at the cost of a pawn, especially as White's pieces will thereafter end up uncomfortably tied up. The ensuing endgame no longer offers any winning chances, despite White's extra pawn.

29.'!Wc4xf7t 30J�e4-e2 3 1 .b3-b4

:gf8xf7 ttlf6-d7

Of course not 31 .ixe5? :gfe7 winning.

3 1 . .. 32.a2-a3 33.a3xb4

a7-a5 a5xb4 :gf7-e7!

Black immediately gives up the pawn. As compensation, White's pieces will be tied up and Black will get counterplay on the light squares .

34.g2-g3 35.ttlf3xe5

.if4-h6

Naturally not 35.ixe5? ig7 and Black wins .

35 ... 36.fl-f4

.lh6-g7 ttld7-f6

SMYSLOV - BOTVINNIK

93

The knight now returns to dS, and White loses his last hopes of winning. The following part of the game is easily understood.

37.i>gl-f2 38J�e2-e4 39J�e4-e3 40J3e3-b3

�f6-d5 � d5-f6 �f6-d5 g6-g5

Creating another weakness in White's position in the shape of f4.

41 .i>f2-f3 42J��el-e4 43J�e4-e2 44J�e2-e4 45J�e4-e2 Draw.

ges-£8 �d5-f6 �f6-d5 �d5-f6 �f6-d5

FIRST CYCLE

94

No 6. King's Indian Defence S. Reshevsky

P.

Keres

The Hague, 8th March 1948 l .ttlgl-f3 2.c2-c4 3.d2-d3!

ttlg8-f6 b7-b6

An interesting opening idea. After 3.d4 or 3.g3 a Queen's Indian opening would occur where Black does not face any major difficulties. With the text-move, White exploits the fact that the move ... b7-b6 does not fit together well with the continuation ... e7-e5, and therefore White will carry out the e2-e4 advance. This manoeuvre of course does not yet give White an opening advantage, mainly due to the tempo lost on d2d3-d4. But Black is faced with a totally new kind of opening problem, which is not at all easy to solve at the board with a limited amount of time.

3 ...

g7-g6

With this move, Black heads for the King's Indian Defence, where his extra tempo ... b7-b6 does not have any significant importance. Therefore simpler was 3 ... c5 4.e4 lLlc6 5.lLlc3 e6 and in the case of a d3-d4 advance, Black would achieve strong pressure against White's centre.

4.e2-e4

d7-d6

If 4 ... �g7 then S.eS lLlg4 6.d4 followed by h2-h3 could become awkward.

5.ttlb 1-c3 6.d3-d4

.if8-g7

This advance, though a loss of tempo, is sooner or later forced if White

RESHEVSKY - KERES

95

wants to take up the battle for the centre. The game has now clearly transposed into the King's Indian Defence with the extra move ... b7-b6 for Black, which, as mentioned above, does not offer him any major benefits.

6... 7..tfl-e2 8.�d1-c2 9.d4xe5

0-0 .ic8-b7 e7-e5

Black's extra tempo in developing the bishop to b 7 at least has the effect that White, in contrast to the normal King's Indian Defence, immediately has to resolve the tension in the centre. Black threatened 9 ... exd4, and 9.d5 ltlbd7 followed by ... ltlhS would have given rise to a position where Black seems to have the more favourable prospects. With the text-exchange, White also does not get an edge, since if Black wants, he can create an almost symmetrical pawn structure in the centre that would yield complete equality.

9 ... 10 ..tcl-e3

d6xe5

Of course not 1 0.ltlxe5 ltlxe4 and the advantage would tilt in Black's favour.

10 ...

�:U8-e8

From now on, Black starts to play inexactly and finally finds himself in insuperable difficulties. 1 0 ... c5 1 U!d1 'Wc8 1 2. ltld5 ltlc6 was sufficient for equality, but if Black wanted to choose the plan utilized in the game, he immediately had to proceed with 1 0 ... ltlbd7 and only after 1 U!d1 play .. J'!e8; but if White instead plays 1 1 .0-0 Black gains time to carry out the manoeuvre 1 1 ...c6 1 2.l:!fd1 'Wc7 winning a valuable tempo compared to the game continuation.

1 1 .0-0

�b8-d7

FIRST CYCLE

96

Also here Black could have proceeded with 1 1 ...c5 followed by ... lt:lb8c6-d4 if he wished, with a roughly equal game. With the text-move, Black is aiming for more, and hopes to utilize the weakness of the d4-point with the manoeuvre ... ltld7-f8-e6. But when taking into consideration that White is somewhat ahead in development, and that Black himself also has some weaknesses on the queenside, he cannot have any great hope of success with the execution of his plan.

12J�fl-dl 13.h2-h4!

c7-c6

White has completed his development and with the text-move initiates an attack against Black's queenside. This constitutes the only positionally-reasonable continuation here.

13 ...

�d8-e7?

Once again an unnecessary loss of time, because in order to carry out the manoeuvre ... lt:J d7-f8-e6, the black queen has to protect the e5-pawn from the c7-square. Correct was therefore the immediate 1 3 ... �c7, with the intention ... ltld7-f8-e6. Then Black of course had no reason to worry about the 1 4.c5 thrust, as in addition to 1 4 ... lt:lg4 it could also be answered with the simple 1 4 ... b5 1 5.a4 a6, and White's hopes of an attack on the queenside have vanished.

RESHEVSKY - KERES

97

But during the game I did not like the move 1 3 ... '&c7 due to the possibility of 1 4.b5, since after 1 4 ... cxb5 1 5.tt:lxb5 White gets access to the strong d6-point. But instead of 14 ... cxb5 Black can simply play 1 4 ... tt:l f8 with a very good game, because the exchange 1 5.bxc6 '&xc6 would bring trouble only to White.

14J�al-bl Now 1 4.b5? cxb5 1 5.cxb5 �ac8 would of course be favourable for Black.

14 ... 1 5.a2-a4

�d7-f8 V!!e7-c7

Protecting the pawn on e5 in order to enable ... tt:le6. For this purpose 1 5 ... tt:lg4 was not good due to 1 6.id2, as 1 6 ... tt:l e6 would now have been answered by 1 7.h3. However 1 5 ... tt:lh5 also came into consideration, or also 1 5 ... tt:l 6d7 as this knight is needed for the protection of Black's queenside.

16.b4-b5

ge8-d8

Due to the earlier losses of time, Black is no longer able to carry out his main plan of 1 6 ... tt:le6, because this would be answered by 1 7.bxc6 ixc6 1 8.tt:ld5 ixd5 1 9.exd5 tt:lc5 20.a5 and White has the better game thanks to his bishop pair and attacking chances on the queenside. With the text-move, Black tries to simplify the position somewhat by exchanges on the cl-file.

17J�dlxd8 18.a4-a5 White could of course not play bxc6 followed by tt:ld5, neither here nor on the previous move, as Black in this case could simply capture twice on d5. With the text-move, White threatens to win immediately with the continuation axb6 followed by bxc6.

FIRST CYCLE

98

1 8 ...

�f6-g4

Black decides to try to solve the problems in the position by tactical means, however this is not the most successful decision when we take the approaching time-trouble into consideration. Therefore, perhaps simpler was 1 8 ... c5 1 9.l2Jd5 �xdS 20.cxd5 lLl e8 followed by ... l2Jd6 and Black has achieved a defensive position without weaknesses, and White has great difficulties obtaining any real advantage. After the text-move the position becomes very complicated.

19.a5xb6 20 ..ie3-g5

a7xb6 f'7-f6?

A mistake that shuts Black's bishop completely out of the game, and weakens the important a2-g8 diagonal. 20 ... �f6 21 .bxc6 �xc6 had to be played, and it is not certain that White can manage to utilize the weakness of the b6-pawn in order to obtain an advantage. For example: 22.�xf6 lLlxf6 with pressure against the e4-pawn and threatening ... l2J f8-e6-d4, or 22.id2 ie7 and in any case Black has the possibility to protect the b6-pawn by ... icS. After the inaccurate text-move Black is worse .

21 .b5xc6 22 ..ig5-d2

.ib7xc6 f6-6

Black now has to continue aggressively, since for instance 22 ... l2J e6 would yield W�te a clear advantage after 23.'Wb3. For example: 23 ... lLl c5 24.'Wxb6 'Wxb6 25.1"�xb6 lLlxe4 26.E:xc6 lLlxd2 27.lLlxd2 E:xd2 28.ixg4 fS And now 29.h3! fxg4 30.hxg4 followed by lLle4 would secure White a won endgame.

23 ..id2-g5 Naturally not 23.exf5 e4. But if the immediate 23.h3, then simply 23 ... fxe4 24.lLlxe4 l2J f6 and Black has for the moment escaped from the worst.

RESHEVSKY - KERES

23 ...

99

EM8-e8

Here 23 ...if6 was bad due to 24.h3 ixgS 25.hxg4 followed by gxfS winning a pawn. The text-move is necessary to be able to answer 24.exf5 with 24 ... e4.

24.h2-h3

24...

f5xe4

In time-trouble, Black does not have time to calculate all the complicated lines in the position and therefore chooses a simple continuation, but it is clearly better for White. Unfavourable was, for example, 24 ... lt'l e6 due to the simple reply 25.exf5 or also 25.lt'ld5 ixdS 26.exd5 lt'lxgS 27.lt'lxg5 followed by lt'l e6, and after the retreat 24 ... lt'l f6 White can boldly play 25.exf5. The best practical chances were offered by 24... lt'l h6, since the pawn grab 2S.ixh6 ixh6 26.exf5 would give Black a dangerous attack after 26 ... e4 27.lt'ld4 e3. Hence White should play 2S.ie3, with the intention to answer 25 ... lt'ld7 or 25 ... E!:b8 with 26.ixh6 followed by exfS. But also in this case Black would be able to create some counterplay at the cost of a pawn. For example, 25 ... lt'l d7 26.ixh6 (or 26.'1Wb3 lt'lcS!) 26 ... ixh6 27.exf5 e4 28.lt'ld4 e3! and Black's attack could become quite dangerous.

100

FIRST CYCLE

.ic6xe4 Also possible was 25 ... lt:J h6, in order after 26.ixh6 to play 26 ... ixe4. But with the text-move Black wins a couple of tempos for the defence.

26.'lWc2xe4 27.'lWe4-e3 28.'1We3-h3 29 ..1g5-e3

�g4-f6 �f8-d7 ge8-h8

Naturally not 29.cSt \t>h8 and in the end White would only achieve the exchange of the c4- and b6-pawns, which would free Black from all his problems.

29 ... 30.'1Wh3-c2

�d7-c5 gb8-a8

Black managed to counter White's first wave of attack, and achieve a position which should be possible to hold. But Black's weak b-pawn and White's bishop pair assure White a lasting initiative, and deprive Black of the possibility of active counterplay. When also taking into consideration that the players now faced serious time-trouble, the following aimless manoeuvring, especially from Black's side, is somewhat understandable.

3 1 .�f3-g5 With this sally the knight only goes astray. The simple 31 .lt:Jd2 followed by an eventual lt:Jb3 seems to be stronger.

3 1 . .. 32.h3-h4

ga8-e8 e5-e4

This move, which limits the scope of White's light-squared bishop and increases the scope of Black's bishop, is sooner or later forced. The pawn on e4 is so well protected that Black need not fear losing it is now.

RESHEVSKY - KERES

101

The rook is very unfortunately placed on d8 and later causes Black great difficulties. 33 ... if8 was a fairly good reply to White's subsequent knight manoeuvre, to be able to answer 34.ltJ f4 with 34 ...id6. In addition Black could also in this case eventually carry out the useful regrouping ... ltJcd7 followed by ...icS, and thus be released from the trouble of defending the b6-pawn.

gd8-d6 Due to the threat of 3S.ixc5 followed by ltJ e6, Black no longer has time to prevent the white knight from invading on dS. But better than the text-move was 34 ... �e8, and if now 35.ltJdS, then 35 ... ltJxd5 36.cxd5 ieS and Black threatens the awkward ...ie5-f4-e5.

35.h4-h5 typical bluff in time trouble, which Black however falls for. The immediate 35.ltJd5 ltJxdS 36.cxd5 was better, which Black answers by 36 ...ie5. If White now goes for the pawn grab 37.ixc5 'IWxcS 38.'1Wxe4, then 38 . . .'1Wd4 would follow, and the opposite-coloured bishop endgame is drawish. White should therefore, for example, play 37.ig4 with a better position, but it's not without some chances for Black. A

35 ...

g6-g5?

FIRST CYCLE

102

This advance not only loses a pawn, but it also weakens the black kingside decisively, so that White, in addition to everything else, also gets a strong attack against the king. 35 ... gxh5 was the correct continuation. This would have left White with an unpleasant choice. If now 36.lUd5 lUxdS 37.cxd5, then 37 ...ih6 38.ixc5 \WxcS 39.\Wxe4 :gf6 or also 37 ... ie5 and it is very doubtful whether White retains any significant edge; if however 36.lUxh5 lUxhS 37.ixh5, then 37 ... lUd3 or again 37 ... ih6 and Black has a completely satisfactory position. Now, White wins easily.

36.tt:Jf4-d5 37.c4xd5 38.J.e3xc5!

�f6xd5 h7-h6

Winning a pawn and assuring White of a strong attack against the king. The presence of opposite-coloured bishops is only in White's favour, as it facilitates the conduct of his attack.

38 ...

b6xc5

Somewhat better was 38 ... \WxcS 39.\Wxe4 :gf6, which at least initially would keep White's rook out of the attack.

39.'1Wc2xe4

J.g7-d4?

The last mistake, in severe time-trouble; it loses on the spot. But even after the better defences 39 ... :gf6 or 39 ... :gd8, White would gain a decisive attack after 40.id3. Black's position was hopeless after his unfortunate 35th move.

40.'\We4-e8t 41.�bl-b8

i>g8-g7 Black resigned.

An interesting and difficult fighting game, whose general impression is unfortunately tainted by inaccuracies made in time-trouble. Reshevsky utilized well Black's excessively slow middlegame strategy, and conducted the attack on the queenside excellently.

103

Cycle 1 Round 4 1 Botvinnik-Reshevsky 0 0 Euwe-Smyslov 1 Free: Keres

The games in the fourth round turned out to be very interesting. Botvinnik and Reshevsky handled the Nimzo-Indian Defence in a very unconventional way. They spent a lot of time on the opening and already found themselves in time trouble in the early rniddlegame. Reshevsky came out of the opening with a clear advantage, and increased it even more in the rniddlegame, due to his opponent's inaccurate play. It looked as if Botvinnik would inevitably lose the game, but then he offered Reshevsky, who was in severe time trouble, a very dangerous pawn sacrifice that made the position extremely messy. The move 28.g4 apparently came as a surprise for Reshevsky, since despite spending a relatively long time thinking, he did not find the continuation that would have assured him of an edge. Instead he made two gross blunders, one after the other, and exceeded the time limit as early as move 32, in a hopeless position. With this important win, Botvinnik took the lead in the tournament and kept this position firmly until the end. Euwe and Smyslov played a well-known theory line in the Spanish Defence for almost twenty moves, and as usual White retained a slight initiative. It is however not certain that this initiative would have secured White an edge if Smyslov had not continued rather carelessly in the rniddlegame, and enabled White to take control of the important dS­ square. When Smyslov also lost the eS-pawn, Euwe had a clearly winning position. In his desire to finish the game off effectively, the ex-world champion first correctly sacrificed a knight, but thereafter instead of strengthening his attack decisively with 34.'1Wg4, he incorrectly sacrificed the other knight. Smyslov accepted both sacrifices, coldly parried all his opponent's threats, and finally won due to his material advantage. Tournament position after the 4th round: Botvinnik 21/2, Keres 2, Smyslov 2, Reshevsky l 1/2 and Euwe 0.

FIRST CYCLE

104

No 7. Nimzo-Indian Defence M. Botvinnik

S. Reshevsky

The Hague, 9th March 1948 l .d2-d4 2.c2-c4 3.ll)bl-c3 4.e2-e3

ll)g8-f6 e7-e6 .if8-b4

Against the Nimzo-Indian Defence, Botvinnik exclusively uses this modest continuation, recommended by grandmaster Rubinstein. He has worked out this system very well, both practically and theoretically. With this variation, White gets a solid position without any risk and he can, in case of inaccurate play from Black, quickly get an advantage. But the system of development chosen by Reshevsky in this game is one of the most favourable for Black, and enables him to equalize.

4... 5.a2-a3

d7-d5 .ih4-e7

After the exchange 5 ... ixc3t 6.bxc3 cS 7.cxd5 exdS 8.id3, followed by tLle2, a position occurs that Botvinnik knows well, and which has brought him excellent results. As Reshevsky himself is fond of using this system as White, it is understandable that he chooses another continuation. It seems to me that the bishop retreat is positionally more justified than the exchange on c3. In the position that has now occurred, which is similar to the Queen's Gambit, White has shut in his dark-squared bishop, so the extra tempo a2-a3 is of little importance.

0-0 Another system of development is 6 ... b6 7.id3 ib7, preventing the e3e4 advance. But castling is also an acceptable continuation for Black.

BOTVINNIK - RESHEVSKY

105

7.h2-b4 This advance, whose intention seems to be to thwart ... c7 -c5, is premature, and gives Black a chance to obtain good counterplay. Instead a natural continuation was 7 .id3, because White had absolutely no reason to fear the reply 7 ... c5 8.0-0. Black can however play 7 ... b6 followed by ... ib7, and choose the system of development recommended in the previous note.

7 ...

�b8-d7

It is surprising that Reshevsky abstains from the favourable opportunity for 7 ... a5 8.b5 c5, which would have given him excellent counterplay on the queenside. The system of defence chosen by Black in the game, with the moves ... ttlbd7 and ... c6, is too passive and yields White the more favourable game.

8 ..icl-b2

c7-c6

Now 8 ... a5 would be riskier due to 9.c5. But after the text-move the 9 .c5 advance would not have given White anything, since Black would play 9 ... Wlc7 and sooner or later carry out ... e6-e5 with an equal game.

9 ..ifl-d3

d5xc4

This exchange is premature and gives White the freer position. Black immediately had to play 9 ...id6 (perhaps even 5 ...id6 was an option?) since the continuation 1 0.c5 ic7 followed by ...Wle7 and ... e6-e5 would yield him an excellent game. If White plays 1 0.0-0, then 1 0 ... 'fle7 would follow all the same, and in some lines Black threatens to carry out the ... e6-e5 thrust without having to give up the centre by the exchange ... dxc4. If White however plays e3-e4 on the 1 Oth or 1 1 th move, then of course ... dxc4 followed by ... e6-e5 .

lO ..id3xc4

.ie7-d6

FIRST CYCLE

106

l l .tLlc3-e2? With this move White initially prevents 1 1 ... e5, but it removes an important defensive piece from the queenside, and offers Black the opportunity to initiate a dangerous initiative on this flank. The correct continuation was the simple 1 1 .0-0 eS 1 2.Wc2 and if now 1 2 ... exd4 1 3.exd4 tt:lb6, then 1 4.ia2 and White has still retained some advantage in development. White could not hope for anything more from the opening after the time-losing manoeuvre 7.b4 followed by ib2.

1 1 ...

a7-a5!

Black grabs the initiative and gets the better game due to the weak light squares in White's position. It is instructive to observe how Reshevsky uses the hidden possibilities in the position.

12.b4-b5 13 ..ic4-d3 14..id3xb5 15.Yfdl-b3

tLld7-b6 c6xb5 .ic8-d7

BOTVINNIK - RESHEVSKY

107

This move, which gives Black the opportunity to win a tempo by ... a4, is also not particularly successful. Better was the immediate 1 5.'\Wd3, as 15 . tLla4 1 6.ic1 is not dangerous for White. ..

1 5 ... 16.YMb3-d3

a5-a4 gaS-aS

In addition to excellent development, Black has achieved a position where he has good prospects of utilizing the weak light squares on White's queenside. Especially the protection of the c4-square causes White great difficulties in the subsequent phase of the game.

17 )!j e2-c3 White tries to defend the bS-point, since after the exchange 1 7 .ixd7 '.Wxd7 Black would be threatening the very unpleasant 1 8 ... W/b5, and also after 1 8.ic3 l'!bS 1 9.0-0 l'!c8 Black would take control of the c4square and get the better game. In addition, after 1 8.ic3 Black could instead go for the endgame with 1 8 ... W/b5, which is quite favourable for him after 1 9.W/b1 W/xb 1 t 20.l'!xb1 l'!a6.

17 ...

YMd8-e8

With this move Black finally conquers the bS-square, although at the cost of a tempo. Grandmaster Flohr's suggestion of 1 7 ... tLl fd5 also came into consideration, although White can answer it by simply playing 1 8.0-0.

18 ..ib5xd7 19.0-0

YMe8xd7

1 9.e4 would also be answered by 1 9 ... l'!c8, since 20.e5 will not do because of 20 ... ixe5. The text-move is better.

19 ...

g£8-cS

1 08

FIRST CYCLE

20.e3-e4? White's attempt, starting on the 1 7th move, to protect the weaknesses on the queenside did not achieve its aim, as Black took control of the important c4-point and now stands clearly better. But the action in the centre initiated by the text-move worsens the situation even more, since after the opening of the centre, Black's pieces gain an even broader field of action. It was time to take up a long-term stubborn defence by 20.ttld2. It seems that this would have enabled White to defend his vulnerable position sufficiently. Also better than the text-move was 20.E!fb1 ttlc4 21 .ic1 , which also initially protects all the threatened points.

20 ... 2 1 ..ib2-cl

tbb6-c4 e6-e5!

Black opens up the whole centre, and considerably increases the activity of his pieces. White's best practical chance now was to play 22.d5 in an attempt to keep the centre closed, but it would of course no longer have given him a satisfactory position.

22J�fl-dl 23.YlYd3xd4 24J�al -a2

e5xd4 YlYd7-e6 h7-h6

BOTVINNIK - RESHEVSKY

109

Both players were already in time trouble (!) and as a result many inaccuracies occur in the following phase of the game. The text­ move which, just in case, deprives the white pieces of the gS-square, is a beneficial move for time trouble, and is also positionally not bad. Also White must continue playing a waiting game, since he lacks any possibilities to create active counterplay.

25.h2-h3 26.�c3-d5!

ga5-a6

With his previous move Black protected the bishop on d6 and was threatening to play 26 ... ttJe5 with a decisive advantage. White cannot do much against this threat, as all his pieces are tied to each other's defence, and lack permanent points of protection. With the text-move, White sacrifices a pawn, hoping to confuse his time-troubled opponent in the upcorning complications. In this position who could have believed that after the next seven moves it will be Black who is forced to resign!

26 ... 27J�a2-e2 28.g2-g4

�f6xe4 f7-f5

White has to proceed in va banque style, because peaceful further play is of course hopeless. Now 29.gxf5 is threatened, winning a piece.

FIRST CYCLE

110

28 ...

.id6-c5??

Black could not find a suitable continuation in time trouble, and throws away all his advantage, and even jeopardizes his own position. The simplest way for Black to assure himself of an advantage was by 28 ... lt'lg5! with the following possibilities: 1 : 29.lt'lxg5 '&xe2 30.lt'l f6t gxf6 31 .'&d5t Wh8 32.lt'lt7t Wh7 33.'&xf5t Wg7 34.i.xh6t Wxt7 and the black king escapes from the checks, or also 33.lt'lg5t fxg5 34.'&t7t Wh8 35.'&f6t Wg8 36.'&g6t Wf8 with the same result. 2: 29.E:xe6 lt'l xf3t 30.Wg2 lt'lxd4 31 .E:xd4 fxg4 and Black has a sound extra pawn for the endgame. 3: 29.'&d3 lt'lxf3t 30.'&xf3 fxg4 and Black again has an extra pawn. Of the possibilities given above, line 2 offered White the relatively best prospects, but even in this position Black's advantage is obvious, and the endgame is hopeless for White if his opponent plays accurately.

29.g4xf5

�e6xf5??

Black's position was good, but not so strong that it could withstand two huge blunders in a row. The text-move simply loses a piece, when it is time for Black to resign. Even though the previous mistake spoiled Black's advantage, his position was still good enough to maintain equality. Therefore 29 ...i.xd4 30.fxe6 i.xf2t 31 .E:xf2 (31 .Wg2 E:xe6) 31 ...lt'lxf2 had to be played, and after 32.Wxf2 E:xe6, as well as after 32.E:e1 lt'l d3, Black obtains a position that he could no longer lose.

30.�d4xe4

�f5xh3

Or 30 ... E:g6t 31 .Wh2 id6t 32.i.f4.

3 1 .�f3-h2 32.�d5-f4

�k8-c6

And Black exceeded the time limit eight (!) moves before the time control. But the position is in any case resignable.

EUWE - SMYSLOV

111

No 8. The Ruy Lopez M. Euwe

V.

Smyslov

The Hague, 9th and 1Oth March 1948 l .e2-e4 2)i:Jgl-f'3 3 ..ifl-b5 4..ib5-a4

e7-e5 ttlb8-c6 a7-a6 ttlg8-f6

While some other participants in the tournament gave up this move, which is considered the main continuation, in favour of the more double-edged line 4 ... d6, Smyslov consistently chooses his favourite system of 4 ... tt:J f6 followed by ... ie7. Such a strategy, which we can see almost exceptionally in Smyslov, is double-edged: from one perspective, a player gets to know the lines he plays thoroughly, and can thus save a lot of time in the opening phase. But on the other hand, the knowledge of a player's favourite systems considerably facilitates his opponent's choice of opening, and preparation for the game. It is of course difficult to say which of these factors is the more important, but practical experience has shown that a player benefits more from a diversification of openings.

5.0-0

.if8-e7

Smyslov never utilizes the Open defence 5 ... tt:Jxe4, and in this game his choice is also justified by the fact that Euwe is one of the greatest experts on that opening system.

6J�fl -el 7..ia4-b3 8.c2-c3 9.h2-h3

b7-b5 0-0 d7-d6 ttlc6-a5

Detailed explanations about this line were already given in the notes to the game Smyslov-Reshevsky in the first cycle, and that is why we are

112

FIRST CYCLE

not going to repeat them here. In addition to what has already been said, attention can also be drawn to an interesting system of development which Smyslov has often used, namely 9 ... .1t:ld7 1 0.d4 if6. With this set-up, Black comfortably protects the e5-point, and at the same time increases the pressure against the d4-pawn, which somewhat disrupts the future development of White's pieces. As practical experience has shown that Black gets a fully satisfactory game with this system, and Smyslov himself is one of the inventors and developers of this line, one could expect that he would utilize it in his tournament games.

10. i.b3-c2 l l .d2-d4 12.�bl-d2

c7-c5 YlYd8-c7 �a5-c6

The possibilities occurring after 1 2 ... cxd4 1 3.cxd4 .lt:lc6 were explained in the notes to the game Smyslov-Reshevsky (first cycle) . The text-move represents the oldest defence in this line and was for a long time the only one in use, until new and dangerous attacking possibilities were invented for White in the simple exchange variation 1 3.dxe5. In fact, many masters even gave up the text-move due to this simple exchange, since in the position that occurs after the exchange, Black has great difficulties organizing any active counterplay, while White can calmly prepare for the assault against the black king's position and the d5- and f5-squares. Euwe himself advocates 12 ...ib 7 here, and claims that 1 3.d5 is not dangerous for Black. White of course does not need to carry out the d4-d5 advance, and can instead proceed with 1 3 . .1t:lf1 , with the intention of utilizing the weakness of the f5-point. The handling of this kind of position will be explained in the game Smyslov-Euwe in the second cycle.

13.d4xc5 The pawn sacrifice 1 3 . .1t:lf1 cxd4 is dubious, hence 1 3.d5 .lt:ld8 1 4.a4 l:!b8 was almost exclusively played for several decades, when White tried to get an edge by a kingside attack. But with an almost, or totally,

EUWE - SMYSLOV

113

blocked queenside, White does not have any great hope of successfully conducting tlie attack. Therefore the text-exchange, whereby White assures himself of a long-term initiative and some attacking chances, has been preferred in recent times.

13 ... 14.tbd2-fl

d6xc5

14...

.ic8-e6

The active continuation 1 4 ... :Bd8 1 5.Wfe2 lt'lh5 also deserves attention. With this, Black achieves counterplay by taking control of the f4point. After the text-move White gets time to develop his knight to e3, when Black's f6-knight remains tied to the defence of the d5-point, and is no longer able to carry out the manoeuvre ... lt'l f6-h5-f4.

1 5.tbfl-e3 16.�dl-e2

ga8-d8 g7-g6

A good move that deprives the white knight of the fS-square, and thwarts any possible combinations involving the move lt'ld5, for example: 1 6 ... lt'lh5? 1 7.lt'ld5 ixd5 1 8.exd5 :Bxd5 1 9.ixh7t

17.tbf3-g5

.ie6-c8

FIRST CYCLE

114

This retreat was not necessary, because an exchange on e6 would have deprived White's knight of the fS- and dS-squares, and given the black knight a strong outpost on f4. Therefore the immediate 1 7 ... lLlh5 came into consideration. If thereafter 1 8.ltJd5, then 1 8 ...i.xd5 1 9.exd5 ixgS followed by 1''!xd 5. If however 1 8.lLl f5, then Black, besides 1 8 ... if6, can also play the immediate 1 8 ... ltJf4. Or after 1 8.lLlxe6 fxe6 1 9.g3 a sharp position would occur where Black's prospects should not be worse.

18 ..icl -d2 White cannot hope for an edge by peaceful development and subsequent exchanges on the cl-file. Here an attack against Black's somewhat weakened queenside had to be initiated by 1 8.a4. With this move White would moreover have assured the open a-file for his rook. After 1 8 ... c4 there could follow 1 9.axb5 axbS 20.b3 and White's attack on the queenside has become very awkward.

18 ...

i>g8-g7

The combination 1 8 ... ltJd4 1 9.cxd4 cxd4 would yield White a clear advantage after 20.E!:ac1 dxe3 2 1 .ixe3 followed by ib3. Better was the immediate 1 8 ... c4, threatening an eventual ... lLld4.

19J�al-dl

EUWE - SMYSLOV

115

Also here, 1 9.a4 was stronger, although this move would no longer have been connected with a direct threat. After the text-move Black does not really have anything to fear.

19 ...

h7-h6

Here 1 9 ... tLld4 20.cxd4 cxd4 would be a mistake due to the simple reply 21 .tLl f1 Wxc2 22.tLl e6t! winning an exchange, but also the text-move later turns out to be an unpleasant weakening of Black's kingside. It was better to simply play 1 9 ... c4.

20.li:)g5-f3 2 1 .a2-a4

.ic8-e6

The same position also occurred in the game Bronstein-Alatortsev, Moscow 1 948. In that game White abstained from activity on the queenside, and played 21 .ib 1 and later attacked with his pawns on the kingside. Black answered this by doubling his rooks on the cl-file, and thereby obtained an equal game. It seems that White cannot achieve anything here just by attacking on the kingside, and in order to achieve any considerable success, Black also needs to face problems on the queenside. Hence the continuation chosen by Euwe is good in all aspects, even though it would have been even better on the 1 8th move.

FIRST CYCLE

116

2 1 ...

�c7-b8

It is cur1ous that Smyslov still does not make the natural move 2 1 ...c4, which first of all would protect the bS-pawn, and secondly clear the important cS-square for the black pieces. Apparently Black thereafter feared the sacrifice 22.axb5 axbS 23.ltJd5, but this is in fact not dangerous for him at all. For example: 23 . . . ixd5! (After 23 ... ltJxd5 24.exd5 the continuations 24 ... ixd5 25.ltJxe5 ltJxeS 26.�xeSt �xeS 27J'!xe5 if6 28J'!xd5 followed by ixh6t, as well as 24 ... l'!xd5 25.ixh6t @xh6 26.l'!xd5 followed by �d2t, give White an advantage.) 24.exd5 l'!xdS and Black has won a pawn; thereafter the combination 25.ixh6t @xh6 26.l'!xd5 ltJxdS 27.�d2t ltl f4 28.ltlxe5 is not correct on account of 28 . . .ig5. The text-move is still not a direct mistake, but later causes Black difficulties as White now wins another tempo to prepare the ltJdS sally. It is around this point that the main focus of the game takes place.

22 ..id2-cl

gdsxdl?

This series of exchanges in itself is not bad for Black, but its execution now is premature. First Black had to protect the bS-pawn sufficiently, so that he would later be able to recapture with his queen on d8, and thus retain control of the dS-point. For this purpose 22 ... c4 came into consideration, but this move is also premature and would yield White an edge after 23.axb5 axbS 24.ltJd5!, for example: 24 ... ixd5 25.exd5 ltJxdS 26.ie4! and Black cannot avoid the loss of a piece. The same goes for 25 ... l'!xd5 26.l'!xd5 ltJxdS 27 .ie4 l'!d8 28.l'!d 1 ; better for Black is therefore 24 ... ltJxd5 25.exd5 ixdS, but also after 26.ltJxe5 ltJxeS 27.�xeSt �xeS 28.l'!xe5 White wins at least a pawn, and obtains winning chances. Thus in order to prepare the following exchanges, Black first had to thwart the ltJdS sally by the move 22 ... l'!fe8, then play ... c5-c4 and only afterwards exchange on d1 . After the premature text-exchange, White takes control of the important support point dS, and gains the upper hand.

23J�elxdl 24,gdlxd8

gf8-d8 .ie7xd8

EUWE - SMYSLOV

117

Forced, as 24... Wfxd8 is not possible because of the unprotected bS­ pawn, and after 24... lLlxd8 there would also follow 25.lLld5! with even greater effect.

25.a4xb5

a6xb5

26)i�e3-d5! Finally White takes control of this square with his knight, and obtains the better game. The value of Black's position now depends on whether he can capture on dS without punishment.

FIRST CYCLE

118

26 ...

�f6-g8

After this retreat the dominating position of the dS-knight secures White a stable positional advantage. But the capture on dS would also not have given Black better prospects. For example: 1 : 26 ... lt:J xd5 27.exd5 ixdS 28.ixh6t g8 (After 28 ... xh6 29.�d2t followed by WfxdS, White stands clearly better, and also 28 ... h7 29.if8!, threatening 30.Wfd2, is untenable for Black.) 29.lt:Jg5 And White stands much better. Among other things, he is threatening the unpleasant h3h4-h5. 2: 26 ... i.xd5 27.exd5 lt:JxdS 28.ie4 and White wins the pawn back with an advantage, for example: 28 ... lt:Jde7 29.Wfe3, or 28 ... lt:J ce7 29.i.xd5 lt:J xdS 30.lt:Jxe5 with a variety of threats.

27 ..icl-e3 28.b2-h3!

c5-c4 �c6-a5?

With this mistake Black loses an important central pawn, and faces a strong kingside attack. Relatively best was 28 ... cxb3 29.ixb3, which also leaves White with the more favourable position, for example: 29 ... lt:J f6 30.lt:Jxf6 ixb3 31 .lt:Jg4 with the double threat on h6 and eS, or 29 ... lt:J a5 30.ia2, again threatening 31 .lt:Jxe5.

29.�f3xe5! 30 ..ic2-h l

c4xh3 Wfh8-h7

Naturally not 30 ... �xe5 31 .i.d4, but also after the text-move, White's attack develops very powerfully, despite Black's strong passed pawn. Of course also bad was 30 ... f6 due to 31 .lt:Jxg6!, but perhaps the exchange 30 ...ixd5 31 .exd5 if6 offered somewhat better defensive chances than the game continuation, which soon leads to a very sharp position.

31 ..ie3-d4 32.�d5-f4

®g7-h7 .ie6-c4

EUWE - SMYSLOV

119

33.c!tJ e5xg6! A beautiful sacrifice that demolishes the pawn wall protecting the black king; its acceptance is almost forced (33 ...�xe2? 34.l2J f8 mate!) . But despite this, it does not assure White o f such an easy win a s was generally believed after the end of the game. Black's ruined position later contains surprisingly tough defensive resources, which are mainly based on the strong passed pawn on b3. It is by no means easy for White to prove the correctness of his sacrifice. It is therefore an open question whether it was not easier to play 33.'Wg4 l2J f6 34.'Wg3 instead of the text-move, and only then threaten to sacrifice on g6. Naturally the capture 34 ... l2J xe4 35.'We3 is too risky for Black, but Averbakh's recommendation of 34 ... l2J c6! 35.l2Jexg6 l2Jxd4 36.l2J f8t �h8 37.cxd4 'Wa7 seems to yield Black dangerous counterplay. In order to prevent this, White must answer 34 ... tt:lc6 with the calm 35.tt:lxc6 'Wxc6 36.h4, increasing the pressure on the kingside. Conducting Black's defence would thereafter be very difficult, since there is nothing to be done against the threatening advance h4-h5. For example: 36 ... tt:lxe4 37.'Wf3 fS 38.h5 gS 39.tt:lg6, and even an eventual g2-g4, with a decisive attack.

33 ... 34.�f4xg6??

f7xg6

FIRST CYCLE

1 20

But this next sacrifice is a gross blunder, as White does not achieve an attack that compensates for two pieces. Instead it was of course necessary to proceed with 34.'\Wg4, 8 7

>

6

�

5 4

:::3

"' ... . "'

� s:>:>

3

\1Ci

2

3

1-t s:>:>

which seems to yield White a winning attack. Euwe himself later gave the following lines as possible defensive tries: 1 : 34 ... '\W£7 35.e5 liJ e7 36.e6 'We8 37.liJh5 followed by liJ f6t or liJg7 and wins. 2: 34 ... liJ e7 35.e5 i£7 36.h4 'Wc6 37.e6 ie8 38.h5 and wins. 3: 34 ... if7 35.e5 igS 36.e6 ie8 (Or 36 ...ixf4 37.'\Wxf4 which, among other things, also threatens 38.'\WeS.) 37.liJxg6 ixg6 38.'\WfS! 'Wg7 39.'\W£7! 'Wxf7 40.exf7 ixb 1 41 .f8=liJ mate! The lines are beautiful, but unfortunately not the strongest for Black. For example, in line 2 after 34.'\Wg4 liJ e7 35.e5 i£7 36.h4 Black can, instead of Euwe's move 36 ... '\Wc6, play more strongly with 36 ... liJc6!. Master Averbakh later gave the following possible continuation: 37.h5 liJ xd4 38.hxg6t ixg6 39.ixg6t liJxg6 40.'\Wxg6t �h8 41 .cxd4 when the occurring endgame should be winning for White, even if Black is not without some drawing chances. Let's briefly investigate some of the possible variations that could follow. It can quickly be seen that 41 ...'\Wg7 or 41 ...'\Wh7 will not do for Black due to 42.'\We8t followed by 'WxbS, and also not 41 ...'1Wb6 due to 42.liJe6. After 41 ...ig5 there would however follow 42.liJd3 'WdS 43.e6 'Wxd4 44.e7! or the interesting line 42 ... '\Wa8 43.e6 b2 44.liJ e5! 'Wa1 t 45.�h2 if4t 46.g3 ixeS 47.e7 winning. The most dangerous reply for White therefore seems to be 41 ...b2, but also after this 42.'\Wxh6t �g8 43.'\Wg6t �h8 (After 43 ... '\Wg7 there

EUWE - SMYSLOV

1 21

can follow 44.�e8t �f8 4S.�xb5 �xf4 46.�xb2, but also after 44.�b 1 followed by lbd3 White should win.) 44.lbe6 (Here 44.�b 1 �fl 4S.lbd3 would be weaker due to the awkward pin 4S ... �f5!.) 44 ...�h7 4S.�e8t 'Wg8 46.�xb5 �xe6 47.�xb2 would lead to an ending that should be winning for White without too much trouble. These lines illustrate the difficulties White would have had to fight against if Black found the best defence, before White would have been able to obtain a winning position. Hence the continuation 33.�g4 must be considered as objectively best. But when taking in consideration the huge psychological effect of a sacrifice on the defender, and the great variety of different possibilities, one must say Euwe was right when he reckoned Black's position to be practically lost after 33.lbxg6.

34 ...

�h7xg6

Apparently Euwe did not notice that now after 3S.�g4t @f7 36.�g7t @e8 the black queen on b 7 as well as the knight on g8 are protected.

35.e4-e5t? Another mistake, which loses without any kind of fight. 3S.�f3! ie6 36.�f8 still offered some saving chances, for example 36 ... @h7! 37.�xd8 lbc6 and White now has two options: 1 : 38.�d5 �d7 39.�xb5 lbxd4 40.�xd7t ixd7 41 .cxd4 and White

FIRST CYCLE

1 22

has indeed three pawns for a piece, but after 41 ...tLl e7 he has difficulties in saving the endgame due to Black's strong passed pawn. 2: 38.if6! ifS (A better defence against the threat of 39.eSt cannot be found.) 39.�d6 !g6 40. f4 tLlxf6 41 .�xf6 And White has some attack for the piece.

35 ... 36.�e2-h5t

i>g6-f7 i>f7-f8

White's attack has come to an end, since after 37.icSt ie7 38.�fSt �e8 Black's king escapes from the checks. Of course, Black's two extra pieces now win easily.

37.fl-f4 38.VNh5-f5t 39.VNf5-h7t 40 .id4xb6t 41 .'it>gl -h2 42.VNh7-f5 •

.id8-b6 'it>f8-e7 'it>e7-d8 VNb7xb6t VNb6-e3 �a5-c6

White resigned. Euwe played this game very well until a certain point, but thereafter he made quite unexplainable mistakes, and lost without a fight. Unfortunately the present game was not Euwe's only failure of this type in this tournament. Probably the main reason for the ex-world champion's unsuccessful performance can be found in a dip of form caused by tiredness.

1 23

Cycle 1 Round 5 1 Reshevsky-Euwe 0 0 Keres-Botvinnik 1 Free: Smyslov The encounter between the two leaders of the tournament, Keres and Botvinnik, was in some respects a disappointment. In the opening White already closed the pawn structure in the centre, and thereby made all the further battle into a manoeuvring game. Botvinnik continued consistently, and after an unnecessary weakening of the c 1 -h6 diagonal by White, he obtained a slight advantage. This naturally had no decisive importance due to the closed character of the position. But as White continued to play without a well thought-out plan, Black achieved an annoying pin on this diagonal, and as a result finally won a pawn. Black's subsequent victory was already simple, especially when White did not utilize the only defensive resource - ig2 on the 44th move. With this win, Botvinnik consolidated his leading position considerably. The game Reshevsky-Euwe turned out to be interesting, but with many mistakes. The opening was the same as the game Botvinnik­ Euwe from Round 2, but on the 1 2th move Reshevsky played the novelty d4-d5. This advance is in fact not very dangerous for Black, but it threw Euwe completely off-balance, and in addition to getting a worse position, he also lost a pawn. After this, Reshevsky could win by a direct attack against the king, but he chose a quieter approach that was also sufficient. But by a careless advance of his passed pawn, he gave Euwe the chance to win this pawn, and almost obtain equality. But a gross blunder before the adjournment gave Reshevsky the opportunity to exchange queens and transpose into a won endgame. During the adjournment, Euwe resigned without resuming the game. Tournament position after the 5th round, (end of the first cycle): Botvinnik 3%, Reshevsky 21/z, Keres and Smyslov 2, and Euwe 0. It must be said that Euwe definitely did not play as badly as his results indicate. But the bad luck that followed him in some games apparently deprived the ex-world champion of his self-confidence, so Euwe later continued performing considerably below his normal playing strength.

1 24

FIRST CYCLE

No 9. Slav Defence S. Reshevsky

M. Euwe

The Hague, 1 1th March 1948 l .d2-d4 2.c2-c4 3.�g1-f3 4.�b 1-c3 5.e2-e3

d7-d5 e7-e6 �g8-f6 c7-c6

The line 5 . .ig5 dxc4 6.e4 b5 cannot be so strong for Black that White should abstain from the natural developing move 5 ..ig5. The text-move is of course not bad either, but it makes it easier for Black to equalize than after the bishop development to g5.

5 ... 6 ..ifl-d3

�b8-d7 .if8-b4

Euwe again chooses the same line as against Botvinnik in the first cycle, even though he only achieved bad experiences from 6 ... .ib4 in that game.

7.a2-a3 8.ti'd1-c2 9 ..ic1-d2 10 ..id3xc4 1 1 .0-0 12.d4-d5

.ib4-a5 ti'd8-e7 d5xc4 e6-e5 0-0

Up to this point the game had proceeded exacdy in the same way as Botvinnik-Euwe from the first cycle, where we also gave more detailed explanations about the previous moves. Here Botvinnik played 1 2.�ae 1 , but did not achieve an advantage. The continuation chosen by Reshevsky is also hardly sufficient to assure White of an edge. Better prospects for White, as the notes to the previously-mentioned

RESHEVSKY - EUWE

1 25

game point out, would be given by 1 2.i.a2!, threatening 1 3.ltJd5.

12 ...

c6-c5?

After the very first new move by White, Black replies with a decisive mistake. The text-move is really bad, since later White's strong cl-pawn prevents Black developing his pieces; the pawn penetrates into Black's position like a wedge. Instead Black had several continuations at his disposal that could have offered him an approximately equal game, for example: a) 1 2 ... ixc3 1 3.ixc3 cxdS 1 4.ib4 ltJcS 1 S.ixd5 ltJxdS 1 6.ixc5 V!fc7 and Black has nothing special to fear, even though White's position is somewhat freer. b) 1 2 ... ltJb6 1 3.ia2 ixc3 1 4.ixc3 ltJbxdS 1 S.ixe5 ig4 with a good position for Black, despite White's bishop pair. c) 1 2 ... i.c7 1 3.dxc6 (1 3 ... e4 was threatened, and after 1 3.e4, then 1 3 ... ltJb6 is an awkward reply.) 1 3 ... bxc6 1 4.ltJe4 With a sharp position, where Black does not lack chances for counterplay.

13.d5-d6!

1 26

FIRST CYCLE

This pawn, which Black cannot capture due to 1 4.lt:Jb5 Wfb6 1 5.b4 winning a piece, now considerably hinders Black's development, and assures White has a positional advantage sufficient for a win.

13 ... 14J�a1-d1

Y!Ye7-d8 ga8-b8

Preparing the ... b7-b5 advance, in order to later be able to develop the bishop to b 7. The d6-pawn already has a disruptive effect on Black's development.

�f6xd5 Now Black loses a pawn almost by force, but also 1 5 ... b5 1 6.lt:Je7t \f;>h8 1 7 .ixaS followed by ia2 would yield White an advantage and attacking chances. Black's position was already lost after the mistake he made on the 1 2th move.

1 6 ..id2xa5 17.gdlxd5

Y!Yd8xa5 e5-e4

Black could not of course go for a pawn grab on the previous move by 1 6 ... lt:Jxe3 1 7.fxe3 Y!YxaS, since 1 8.lt:Jg5 would then win on the spot. Nor would 1 7 ... Eie8 1 8.lt:Jg5 or 1 7 ... b5 1 8.id3 ib7 1 9.lt:Jxe5! have been better than the text-move.

But not 1 8.Wfxe4 due to lt:J f6.

18 ... 19 ..ic4-a2

b7-b5 Y!Ya5-b6

Black could not play 1 9 ... c4 immediately due to the reply 20.ixc4, and 1 9 ... ib7 would after 20.Eif5 lt:J f6 21 .Eixc5 yield White a clearly winning position. The text-move prepares the ... c5-c4 advance.

RESHEVSKY - EUWE

127

20.li�g5xe4 It is true that with this move White wins a pawn, but it gives Black time to consolidate his position and organize an efficient resistance. The position of the black king is so weakly protected that it openly invited White to proceed in attacking style. In fact the attacking continuation 20J�f5! would also have given White a clear advantage, for example: 20 ... c4 (Or 20 ... tt:l f6 21 .�xc5 '&xd6 22.ttlxf7 and wins.) 21 .'&xe4 '&xd6 22.�xb5 tt:l f6 23.'&xc4 !a6 (Perhaps somewhat better is 23 ... �xb5 24.'&xb5 ia6 25.tt:lxf7 �x£7, but also in that case after either 26.ixf7t �xf7 27.'&b3t followed by �d1 , or also 26.'&b3 !xfl 27.'&xf7t c;t>h8 28.'&xa7 White achieves a position where the win should not be too problematic.) 24.'&xf7t! (Weaker is 24.ttlxf7 ixbS.) 24 ... �xf7 25.tt:lxf7 '&c7 26.�xb8t '&xb8 27.�d1 ! Black now loses back the queen and will be three pawns down in the endgame .

20 ... 2 1 J�d5-d2

.ic8-b7

A little better seems the exchanging combination 21 .ttlxc5 ixdS 22.ttlxd7 (But not 22.ib 1 ie4! 23.'&xe4 tt:l f6.) 22 ... '&xd6 23.ib1 '&g6 24.e4 and White retains his extra pawn. The attacking attempt 21 .ttlg5 would not, on the other hand, have

128

FIRST CYCLE

given anything, since Black would not answer it with 21 ... lt:J f6 22.�f5 h6 23.lt:Jxf7!, but instead simply play 21 ... g6, and White's pieces are forced to retreat. After the missed opportunity on the 20th move, White has to refrain from an attack against the king, and start the laborious process of realizing his extra pawn.

2 1 . .. 22 ..ia2-b l 23.�c2-c3

c5-c4 g7-g6 �ffi-e8

After the exchange of the blockading knight on d7, White's passed pawn becomes very dangerous. For this reason 23 ... !xe4 24.!xe4 �fe8, and an eventual attack on the queen side by ... a7 -aS, seems to be better. However, if Black wanted to allow the following exchange, it was more appropriate to first play 23 ...Wc6, and only after 24.f3 or 24. f4 proceed with 24 ... �fe8. White would subsequently get an annoying weakness on e3, and would sooner or later be forced to carry out the e3-e4 advance, which he is not obligated to do in the game.

24.�e4-f6t 25.�c3xf6 26.e3-e4?

�d7xf6 �b6-c6

An anti-positional advance, completely shutting the b 1 -bishop out of the game and also weakening the dark squares in the centre. This gives Black the chance to organize effective counterplay. It was necessary to temporarily take up a defensive position with the move 26.Wg5, and at the same time open up the road for the d6-d7 advance. With the text-move, White perhaps hoped to proceed with f2-f4f5 or a later e4-e5, but Black's following counterplay at least initially thwarts these hopes.

26 ... 27.�f6-f4 28JU1-dl

�e8-e6 gb8-d8 a7-a5

In order to avoid the following complications, 28 ... �d7 also came into

RESHEVSKY - EUWE

129

consideration, with the intention of playing . . .�cS. In this way, Black would have blocked all White's centre. The attacking attempt on the queenside initiated with the text-move, which Black could always have started at a later point, is not very dangerous for White.

29.h2-h4

h7-h5

Also here Black could play 29 ... �d7, since 30.h5 is not dangerous due to 30 ... gxh5. The text-move is an unnecessary weakening of Black's kingside.

30.d6-d7? A mistake, whereby White loses his strong passed pawn in exchange for only very unclear attacking chances. Even though White did not have an easy task to realize his material advantage, there was no need to create such risky complications. Correct was 30.�d4, threatening to carry out the manoeuvre �d2 followed by f2-f4 and e4-e5. By a slow strengthening of the position, White could finally have converted his material advantage into a win, but after the hasty text-move the position becomes almost equal.

30 ... 3 1 .g2-g4

ge6-e7

FIRST CYCLE

1 30

Apparently, when making his previous move, White did not notice that after 3 U�d6, as well as after 3 1 .�d6, Black can simply play 3 1 ..J�exd7. The text-move is the only way to stir up some complications in exchange for the cl-pawn that will be lost.

3 1 ... 32.g4xh5 33J�Mlxd2 34.Ylff4xd2

�e7xd7 �d7xd2 �d8xd2 g6xh5?

With this capture, Black loses important time, since he is unable to protect the pawn on hS in any case. Instead, it would have been very strong to play 34 ... �f6, which would attack the pawns on b2 and h4, and tie the white queen to the defence of the b2-point. It is unlikely that White would have been able to win the endgame, because the active position of the black pieces fully compensates for the pawn minus.

35.Ylfd2-g5t

35 ...

Ylfc6-g6??

Exchanging queens is equivalent to resigning, since the black king remains tied to the defence of the kingside pawns, while its white counterpart can wander unhindered into the queenside via f2-e3-d4-c5 and then win all Black's pawns.

RESHEVSKY - EUWE

131

It was of course essential to try 35 .. .ci>f8 36.�xh5 �d6!, because the endgame after 37.�xb5 �dl t 38.ci>h2 �d4! offers Black good saving chances.

36.�g5xg6t 37.f2-f4

f7xg6

In this way Black is deprived of the counter-chance ... g6-g5, and there is no longer any defence against the manoeuvre 'kt>g1 -f2-e3-d4; the endgame is hopeless.

37 ... 38.a3xb4 39.xc3 with an easily won endgame. After the text-move, White retains a pawn on the queenside and wins even more easily.

40.b2-b3 41. c4 gS (fhe only counter-chance!) 45.fxg5 'kt>eS 46.'kt>xb4 d4 47.g6 ie6 48.g7 ig8 49.'kt>a5 followed by b3-b4 winning easily.

FIRST CYCLE

132

No 10. Irregular Opening P.

M. Botvinnik

Keres

The Hague, 1 1th and 13th March 1948 l .c2-c4 2.g2-g3 3 ..ifl-g2

e7-e6 d7-d5 d5-d4

If Black wants to carry out this thrust, then he must do it immediately, and later have the opportunity to develop his knight to e7. After 3 ... ltJ f6 White can, for example, transpose to the Catalan system by 4.d4. And 3 ... c5 4.cxd5 followed by lLl f3 and d2-d4 would give a position from the Tarrasch Defence. The text-move gives rise to a sharp fighting game where White has difficulty proving an advantage.

4.b2-b4 White could also have chosen a very interesting system of development by the move 4.f4 and at the same time temporarily thwarted the ... e6-e5 advance.

4 ...

c7-c5

Normally 4 ... a5 S.bS eS is played in such positions, and later the cS­ point is utilized by the pieces. But the text-move is also playable.

5.b4-b5 After an exchange on cS, it's true that Black's support point d4 would be weakened, but the cS-square is cleared for Black's pieces. Nevertheless, after S.bxcS eS 6.e3 tLlc6 7.tLle2 ixcS 8.0-0 it seems that White's position offers better prospects than after the text-move, thanks to the excellent diagonal of the g2-bishop. Thus the later part of the game is less interesting than it could have been.

KERBS - B01VINNIK

5 ... 6.d2-d3

133

e6-e5

It was better to immediately play 6.e3 followed by lt'l e2 and 0-0, since the ... d4-d3 advance is not dangerous to White. The text-move turns out to be an unnecessary waste of time if White later intends to carry out the manoeuvre mentioned above.

6 ... 7.e2-e4?

.if8-d6

With this advance, White closes the excellent diagonal for the light­ squared bishop, and deprives himself of opportunities for active counterplay, as the execution of the f2-f4 advance is bound up with great difficulties. Naturally 7.e3 followed by lt'l e2 had to be played, and would have given White a fully satisfactory game.

7 ...

�d8-c7

Black unnecessarily places the queen in a passive position, because the f2-f4 thrust was not possible in any case due to the later check on h4. Definitively stronger was the immediate 7 ... h5, and if 8.h4, then ... lt'lb8-d7-f8 followed by a further advance of the kingside pawns. By closing the centre, White deprived himself of the opportunity for active counterplay, and that is why Black can allow himself such sallies as ... h7-h5.

s.c!i�gl-e2

h7-h5!

A good move that discourages White from playing 9.f4 due to the reply 9 ... h4. White's reply is almost forced, since otherwise Black can develop a dangerous initiative on the kingside using the ... h5-h4 thrust.

9.h2-h4 10.0-0

tlJg8-h6 .ic8-g4

FIRST CYCLE

134

l l .f2-f3 By this move, White closes the diagonal for his g2-bishop even more. At the same time it weakens the e3-point, which has great importance after the execution of Black's plan to play .. .£7-fS. Therefore waiting tactics with 1 1 .lLld2 and an eventual lLld2-f3-h2 seem to be better. With the white pawn standing on f2, the execution of the ... f1-f5 thrust would have been highly risky for Black.

1 1 ... 12.f3-f4

.ig4-e6

This advance is sooner or later forced due to permanently overhanging threat of .. .£7-fS, even though White could still have waited with its execution. Romanovsky considers the move 1 2.a4 to be very strong for White, expecting Black to castle queenside. But first of all Black is by no means forced to castle queenside and, secondly, after 1 2.a4 he has the good reply 1 2 ... a5!. It threatens to close the queenside and only then play ... 0-0-0. White should then reply 1 3.bxa6 bxa6, but would thereby only give Black a good opportunity to develop the knight to c6 and then on to a strong outpost on b4 .

12 ...

.ie6-g4

KERES - BOTVINNIK

135

After 12 ... exf4 1 3.i.xf4 White would stand well, and the immediate 1 2 ... tLld7 will not work due to 1 3.f5. The pin created by the text-move is a bit awkward for White.

13.f4-f5 It is also not easy to agree with this advance, although Black's queen on c7 and bishop on d6 are now temporarily badly placed. By closing the position, White deprives himself of the chance to achieve an attack or ever take control of the once important dS-point. Better prospects were therefore offered by 1 3. fxe5 i.xeS 1 4.i.f4 tt:Jd7 1 5.tLld2 and White threatens to later take control over the dS-square by i.xeS followed by tLle2-f4-d5. Naturally the eS-square is given to Black, but it was exactly such play with mutual chances that would have given rise to an interesting fighting game.

13 ... 14.�bl-d2

�b8-d7 g7-g6

This move is necessary as White was threatening to play tLld2-f3-h2 followed by ixh6 and tLlxg4, or tLlxg4 without the exchange on h6. Black cannot delay, since if White also gets the chance to play tt:J £3, then after ... g7-g6 the awkward ixh6 followed by tLlgS can follow. After the text-move the f-file opens up. But neither player can initially exploit it, as all the points of penetration are protected. However, more important is the opening of the c1 -h6 diagonal. It now forces White to take good care that the e3-square in his camp will not become too vulnerable.

1 5.f5xg6 16.�d2-f3

f7xg6 .id6-e7

Protecting the gS-square is necessary, since for instance after the immediate 1 6 ... 0-0-0 there would follow 1 7.ixh6 !hh6 1 8.tLlg5 with a very good game for White.

17JU1-f2

FIRST CYCLE

136

A good move that protects the knight on e2 and clears the f1 -square for the queen, which is important in some lines. Very risky, on the other hand, was 1 7.ig5 ixf3 1 8.1hf3 ixgS 1 9.hxg5 CiJ f7 20.'Wd2 'Wd8 2Uhf1 , since subsequendy White only achieves very problematic attacking chances in return for the sacrificed pawn.

17...

Wfc7-d6

The idea behind White's previous move would be clearer after 1 7 ... 0-0-0 1 8.ixh6 1:!xh6 1 9.'Wd2 1:!hh8 20.!1Jg5, because now the knight on e2 would have been protected and after 20 ...ixg5 it would have enabled a recapture with the queen. With the text-move, Black takes up a waiting position, and is hoping for a mistake from his opponent. But stronger seems to be 1 7 ... !1Jf7, in order to carry out the ... g6-g5 advance after some preparations.

1 8 ..iclxh6? This exchange did not even come in consideration here, because subsequendy White cannot use the open f-file in order to penetrate with his pieces into Black's position. N ow the c 1 -h6 diagonal is weakened decisively and especially the e3-point is a positional weakness. But it was not easy for White to find a suitable plan for his future play, since the position is very closed and his pieces lack necessary points of support. For this reason it was better to follow the example of Black's last move, and take up a waiting game by playing 1 8.id2, with the intention to either double rooks on the f-file or play an eventual 'Wc1 followed by tt:lgS. The position would in this case have remained roughly equal. Also better than the text-exchange was for example 1 8.!1Jg5, while 1 8.i.g5 ixf3 1 9 .i.xe 7 'W xe 7 on the other hand would have given Black the more favourable position.

18 ... 19.Wfd1-d2 20.t!Jf3-g5

ghsxh6 gh6-h8 c!ll d7-f6

KERES BOTVINNIK -

2 U�al-el 22.�g5-B

1 37

�d6-b6 �f6-d7

Not only 23.tt'lxe5 was threatened, but also 23.'1!9g5.

ghs-£8 Black cannot hope for an edge by this exchange, because now he loses the opportunity to bring his king to the kingside. And this is the precondition for initiating activity on the queenside. Better was therefore 23 ...if6 followed by an eventual ... 0-0. In this way, Black would have revealed the flaw in White's plan initiated on the 21 st move. After the text-move, White should not really have anything more to fear.

24JU2xf8t? In the emerging time-trouble, White starts to play very weakly and after only a few moves finds himself in a lost position. The text-exchange is of course bad, because Black's main threat was precisely to play the bishop to h6, and in the execution of this manoeuvre White now yields him an important tempo. Correct was naturally 24.�ef1 , and if 24 ... 0-0-0, then 25.if3! and White is freed from the awkward pressure from the black pieces on the kingside.

FIRST CYCLE

138

24 ... 25.a2-a4?

.ie7xf8

When making the previous exchange, White initially planned to proceed with 25.if3, but in time-trouble he did not notice the simple reply 25 ... ltJ f6 which would immediately have given Black an edge. The text­ move is very bad and allows Black the annoying pin ... ih6 without any preparation - this finally decides the outcome of the game in Black's favour. Here White had to play 25.ltJf3, and if thereafter 25 ... 0-0-0, with the intention to play ...1g7 followed by .. J:!h8 and ...ih6, then 26.ltJh2 ie6 27.1'!f1 1g7 28.�g5 followed by g3-g4 and White obtains counterplay on the kingside.

25 ...

.if8-h6

26.a4-a5 White's position is already clearly worse and the loss of the gS-pawn is inevitable sooner or later. Romanovsky's recommendation of 26.�h1 does not change anything significantly, because Black plays 26 ... �f6 27.1'!f1 �e7 28.ltJg1 ltJ f8 followed by ... ltJ e6 all the same, with approximately the same position as in the game.

KERBS - BOTVINNIK

26 ... 27)t)e2-cl

139

%Yb6-f6

In severe time-trouble, White fails to find a suitable plan and later loses the gS-pawn in very unfavourable circumstances. But it is difficult to recommend a satisfactory continuation for White here, since the pin on gS together with the threat of ... ltJd7-f8-e6 paralyzes all White's attempts to create any kind of active counterplay.

27 ...

0-0-0

Simpler was the immediate 27 ... ltJd7 -f8-e6, because now White manages to initially thwart this manoeuvre. But Black is in no hurry, so nothing unpleasant will happen to him as a result of this small inaccuracy.

28)tkl-b3

gds-£8

White continues with planless play, due to time-trouble. Much stronger was 29.E:f1 Vfff e 7 30.Vfic1 and if 30 ... E:xf1 t, then 3 1 .Vfff x f1 and the open f-file yields White good counterplay. Generally speaking, an exchange of rooks at this point would only have been beneficial for White, because the black rook controls the strong open file, whereas its white counterpart lacks any field of action.

140

FIRST CYCLE

29 ... 30.�d2-cl 3 1 J�al -a2 32.�cl-a3

�f6-e7 Ci!;>c8-b8 �U8-f7

The unfavourable position of White's rook on a2 makes this move good for nothing, and enables Black to win the important gS-pawn. But no good defence was available against the threat of ... tt'ld7-f8-e6 .

32 ... 33.h4xg5

.ih6xg5 .ig4-dl !

Threatening ... �xb3 followed by ... WfxgS, winning the gS-pawn. White still tries to set some positional traps, which however do not give any result due to Black's calm later play.

34.�a3-cl 35J�a2-b2

.idlxb3 .ib3-dl

After 35 ... ixc4 36.Wfxc4 or 35 ...ia4 36Jh2 ixbS 37.cxb5 White would obtain good counterplay on the c4-g8 diagonal. Instead of the text­ move, Black could also simply have continued with 35 ... tt'l f8 36J:hb3 tt'l e6 with the same result.

36.�clxdl 37.�dl-el 38.Ci!;>gl -h2 39 ..ig2-h3 40.�el-dl

�e7xg5 �d7-f8 �g5-f6 �f8-h7

Somewhat better was to play 40.b6 a6 and only then 41 .Wfd1 , when White would have prevented the possibilities that occurred in the game. But of course Black should win in any case with his extra pawn.

40 ... 41 .b5-b6

�h7-g5 h5-h4!

KERES BOTVINNIK -

141

Naturally 41 ...a6 would also have won, since after 42.'Wa4 there would simply follow 42 ... '\We7, and White is forced to sooner or later retreat with his queen. But the text-move is even stronger, and it was made possible only because White did not carry out the b5-b6 thrust at the right moment in time-trouble.

42.'i1Ydl-g4 43.Wh2xg3

h4xg3t EH7-fB?

An inaccuracy that again yields White genuine defensive chances. The simple exchange 43 ... lt:lxh3 would have won on the spot. If now 44.'it>xh3, then 44 ...'\Wfl t with a mating attack, and if 44.'Wxh3, then 44... '\Wf4t 45.'it>g2 gS! and White's almost stalemated pieces are no longer able to repel Black's attack.

44.b6xa7t? Much better defensive chances were offered by 44.i.g2 lt:J e6 4S.@h2. For example, 45 ... 'Wf4t 46.'Wxf4 lt:lxf4 47.if1 �h8t 48.'it>g1 ! and even though White's position at first glance seem to be very bad, Black has by no means an easy task to find a continuation that will strengthen his attack decisively. With the text-exchange, White plays for a small trap, which only offers minimal hopes of success.

FIRST CYCLE

142

44 45.a5-a6 ••.

b8xa7 ti)g5xh3

White's trap lay in the variation 45 ... �xa6? 46.1:!a2t �b6 47.E:b2t �a7 (Perhaps even 47 ... �a5 is possible?) 48.E:xb7t �xb7 49.�d7t and surprisingly Black is unable to escape from the perpetual checks. But after the text-move, White may as well resign.

46.�g4xh3 Also hopeless is 46.E:xb7t �xa6, or 46.�xh3 �f1 t.

46 ... 47.g3-g2 48.g2-h2 49.E:b2xf2 50.h2-hl 5 1 .hl-g2 52. g2-gl

�f6-f4t �f4-fl t �f8-flt �flxflt �fl-el t �el -e2t

Or 52.�h1 �hS, also with an exchange of queens.

52 53.�h3xe3 54.a6xb7 55.gl -g2 56. g2-f3 57.f3xe3 58. e3-d2 .••

White resigned.

�e2-e3t d4xe3 a7xb7 b7-b6 b6-a5 a5-b4 g6-g5

143

Cycle 2

2

Round 6 Keres-Euwe 1/z 1/z Reshevsky-Smyslov 1/z Free: Botvinnik 1/z

With the sixth round, the second cycle of the tournament began, and the same pairs as in the first round met again. Only with colours reversed. The Slav Defence in the Reshevsky-Smyslov game took a sharp turn right from the start. After Smyslov chose a complicated variation with a piece sacrifice, the scales finally began to tilt in Black's favour. But with an unmotivated exchange of queens, Black gave away all his advantage, and even came in difficulties, because in the endgame Reshevsky's extra piece turned out to be worth more than Black's three pawns. Only after some inaccuracies from White did Smyslov again manage to equalize the position, and force a drawish endgame. The Keres-Euwe encounter developed in the same way as the game Keres-Lilienthal from the Parnu tournament in 1 947. But after the opening, Euwe made an important improvement for Black's play in this system. In the rniddlegame White tried to play for an advantage at all costs. But thereby he even ended up in difficulties, and finally sacrificed a pawn in return for a strong passed pawn on the e-file. The game still promised to be interesting, but in time-trouble Euwe offered a draw, which White agreed to after brief thought. The tournament position after the 6th round: Botvinnik 3 Vz, Reshevsky 3, Keres and Smyslov 21/z and Euwe Vz.

SECOND CYCLE

144

No 1 1 . The Ruy Lopez P.

M. Euwe

Keres

The Hague, 1 5th March 1948 l .e2-e4

e7-e5

On earlier occasions, for example in his first match with Alekhine in 1 935, Euwe often utilized the French Defence, but did not achieve satisfactory results with it. Hence he later returned to the open games, and has almost exclusively been using them in recent tournaments.

2.�gl-f3 3.i.fl -b5 4.i.b5-a4 5.0-0

�b8-c6 a7-a6 �g8-f6 i.f8-e7

It is interesting to note that in this tournament Euwe uses the Closed system in the Spanish, as in earlier games he almost exclusively played the Open line with S . ..l2Jxe4. Sharp principled discussions about the value of this variation have been going on for several decades, and a final consensus has not yet been made. Euwe is one of the more prominent figures among the supporters of the Open variation, and when he now abandons his favourite opening, the reason can perhaps be sought in a re-evaluation of the opening. 5 ... lLl xe4 seems to offer Black much more difficult problems than the other continuations utilized at this point, and so this move can be considered as relatively unfavourable for Black. As the games Keres-Euwe and Smyslov-Euwe from later rounds also demonstrate, returning to his old favourite line did not enrich Euwe with any pleasant expenences.

6.�dl-e2 The normal continuation 6J3:e1 seems to create greater difficulties for Black. But the text-move has the benefit that the occurring lines have

KERES - EUWE

145

been less played, and are thus generally less well known. White now threatens to play 7.fi.xc6 followed by lt:l xeS and thereby forces Black to protect his e-pawn.

6 ... 7 .la4-b3 .

b7-b5 0-0

Also possible is of course 7 ... d6 8.c3 0-0, but with the text-move Black still keeps open the possibility of the direct ... d7 -dS thrust. White cannot benefit from the delay of ... d7 -d6, since the attacking attempt 8.a4 on the queenside gives Black a fully satisfactory position after 8 ...fi.b7.

8.c2-c3

d7-d5

This sharp thrust is double-edged. It finally gives rise to a position where Black can indeed easily develop his pieces, but where he has to overcome some difficulties in defending his centre. It is of course not possible to give a final assessment of this move without further practical experimentation. But based on experience so far, the normal 8 ... d6 9.d4 fi.g4 seems to yield Black a position with easier problems to solve than the very unclear text-move.

9.d2-d3

SECOND CYCLE

146

Before this line was invented, 9.exd5 ttJ xdS 1 0.ttJxe5 ttJ f4 1 1 .'We4 ttJ xeS was exclusively played here, and after 1 2.'Wxe5 or 1 2.'Wxf4 as well as 1 2.'Wxa8, Black gained a strong attack. Later the stronger continuation 1 2.d4! was invented for White in this position. In fact it yields him the somewhat better chances, even though Black obtains decent prospects of later equalizing after 1 2 ... .ib7. Black however has a more troublesome reply after 9.exd5, which I invented a few years ago, namely the temporary piece sacrifice 9 ... .ig4!. This continuation gives White very unpleasant problems, since now besides ... e5-e4 also the simple ... ttJ xdS is threatened, and the complications arising after 1 O.dxc6 e4 can only be in Black's favour. Besides the quiet text-move, White could also very well play 9.d4, which would immediately have released the tension in the centre. Black answers this most simply by 9 ... ltJxe4 1 0.dxe5 .ie6, with a transition to a normal position in the Open defence.

9 ...

d5-d4

In addition to this advance, Black can also choose other continuations, which however likewise fail to free him from all difficulties. For example, the exchange 9 . . . dxe4 1 0.dxe4 gives White a better position with good attacking chances, and after 9 ....ie6 White can favourably win a pawn with the continuation 1 O.exdS followed by ttJ xeS. Also not quite fully satisfactory is 9 ....ig4 1 0.h3, even though White's bishop pair after 1 0 ... .ixf3 1 1 .'Wxf3 d4 does not have any special importance. After the text-move White also retains a slight advantage.

10.c3xd4 This exchange, which was advocated by Alekhine, seems to be the strongest continuation for White, since after the preparatory 1 O.h3 Black obtains a good game after 1 O ... .ie6.

10 ...

�c6xd4

1 O ... exd4 also deserves attention, because it takes time for White to prepare the f2-f4 advance, and 1 1 .e5 ttJ dS 1 2.'We4 .ie6 does not

KERES - EUWE

147

seem dangerous for Black. In the event of quiet play after this, Black can proceed either with ...ie6 or ... ltJ aS followed by ... c7 -cS, with counterplay on the queenside. The attacking attempt 1 O ...ig4 is not correct, since after 1 1 .dxe5 no promising continuation for Black can be seen. For example: 1 1 ...ttJxe5 12.d4 ixf3 1 3.gxf3 Wxd4 1 4.gd1 , or 1 1 ...ltJd4 1 2.We3 ixf3 1 3.exf6 ixf6 1 4.ltJc3!, or finally 1 1 ...ftJd7 1 2.ie3 ttJ dxeS 1 3.id5 and White has the better prospects in all lines.

l l .�f3xd4

1Yd8xd4

Now 1 1 ...exd4 1 2.f4 would of course yield White a dangerous initiative.

12.Acl-e3

1Yd4-d6

In the Parnu tournament in 1 947, Lilienthal played 1 2 ... Wd8 1 3.ttJc3 c6? against me, and quickly landed in a lost position. However, the queen retreat to d8 is not as bad as one might tend to believe based on this game, because instead of 1 3 ... c6? Black could have played 1 3 ... ie6! and had about the same type of counterplay as Euwe obtained in the game. But 1 2 ... Wd6 is perhaps even more accurate, because now in some lines Black has the opportunity to immediately attack White's weak pawn on d3 with ... gd8.

J.c8-e6! Black must neutralize the influence of the strong b3-bishop, as otherwise White would obtain strong pressure due to his control of the open c-file and the dS-square.

14.J.b3xe6? With this exchange, White throws away his small opening advantage, which could have been maintained by 1 4.ic2. With this move, White would protect the d3-pawn sufficiently, and after the preparatory h2h3 be threatening to exert strong pressure in the centre by f2-f4. Black

SECOND CYCLE

148

would thereafter find it very difficult, if it's possible at all, to obtain enough strategic counterplay to balance the position.

14 ...

t7xe6

Black deprives White's pieces of the support points dS and fS, and at the same time opens up the f-file for counterplay against the kingside. Naturally also possible was 1 4 ... �xe6, but then 1 5. f4 exf4 1 6.�xf4 would have given White some attacking chances on the half-open f-file. After the text-move the position is roughly equal.

15.f2-f4? This thrust is premature and gives Black a comfortable game. 1 5.a4, as advocated by Boleslavsky, is also not very dangerous. Black can, for example, answer it by 1 5 ... �b4, and White has achieved nothing on the queenside. The correct continuation was 1 5.�ad 1 cS 1 6. f4, which would have deprived Black's bishop of the opportunity to later enter the game influentially via cS. In this line White could hope to obtain some initiative, whereas after the text-move he has to accept a quick equalizing of the position.

1 5 ... 16 ..ie3xf4 17 ..if4-g3

e5xf4 e6-e5

The attack on the eS-point, as intended by this move, does not lead to anything. Hence 1 7 . .igS or 1 7 . .ie3 was better.

ga8-d8 'f!fd6-e6! Opening up the path for the bishop to come to cS, and simultaneously attacking the a2-pawn, in some lines using the threat of ... b5-b4. White's best try now was to play 1 9.b3, but instead he still tries to create an attack, and finally ends up in difficulties himself.

KERES - EUWE

19JUI-f5 20.®gl-hl

14 9

.ie7-c5t .ic5-d4

Black's bishop now stands excellently and the pressure against White's queenside assures him of at least equal chances. Now White had to look for a way to simplify the position in order to maintain equality. But instead he chose a more complicated path that finally enables Black to gain the upper hand.

2I ..ig3-h4 22J3dl-cl ?

�d8-d7

White fails to find a suitable attacking plan, and therefore takes up a waiting position, hoping for a mistake from his adversary. Instead of the text-move, it was necessary to play 22.�df1 �df7 23 . .ixf6 �xf6 24.�xf6 �xf6 25.�xf6 '!Wxf6 26.lLld5 '!WgS 27.'1Wc2 with a draw as the likely outcome.

22 ... 23.a2-a3

�d7-f7

In some lines Black was threatening to play the awkward ... b5-b4, but after the text-move a new weakness on b3 appears in White's position. But it was already difficult to recommend a better continuation for

SECOND CYCLE

150

White, since the exchange 23.ixf6 �hf6 24Jhf6 �xf6 would now yield Black a clear advantage.

23 ...

.i.d4xc3?

Black should definitely not exchange off such a strong bishop without at least getting a marked advantage in return. But in fact White now does not have any difficulties in obtaining equality. Hence Black had to retain his strong bishop and play 23 ... g6. It would have forced the continuation 24.�xf6 �xf6 2S.ixf6 �xf6. After this, White does not have anything better than 26.�f1 , but the resulting endgame is definitively favourable for Black, as the bishop on d4 is considerably stronger than White's knight. On the other hand, the immediate 23 ... W/b3 was premature, White could answer it by 24.ixf6 �xf6 25.�xf6 �xf6 27.lt:ld5! �f2 27.W/g4 with good counterplay.

24.b2xc3 But not 24.�xc3 lLld5! 25.�xf7 and now 25 ... W/xf7 26.�c1 lLl f4 as well as 25 ... �xf7 26.exd5 W/g4! would give Black the better position.

24 ...

tLlf6-d7

No better is the immediate 24 ... W/b3 25.�xe5 lLlg4 26.�f5 W/xa3 27.�cf1 or also 25 ... W/xa3 26.W/el lLlg4 27.�f5! and White has good counterplay. But after the loss of time that is bound up with the text-move, Black no longer has any hopes for an advantage.

25J�f5xf7 26 ..i.h4-g3? This pawn sacrifice is not justified, and again unduly jeopardizes White's position. The simple 26.W/c2 had to be played, with complete equality.

26 ... 27.d3-d4

'iNe6-b3

KERES - EUWE

151

White is no longer able to protect the a3-pawn, and this thrust in the centre represents his only counter-chance. Black has to defend himself very accurately against the following attack.

27 ... 28.f9e2-dl

f9b3xa3 �d7-f6!

After 28 ...'Wd6 29.'Wb3 or 28 ... 'We7 29.dxe5 tt:'lxeS 30.'Wd5 White would obtain sufficient counterplay for a draw. With the text-move, Black brings his knight effectively into play, and gets a dangerous attack.

29J�kl-al Perhaps the immediate 29.dxe5 was stronger, for example: 29 ... :9:d7 30.'W f1 tt:'lxe4 3 1 .e6!, or 29 ... tt:'lxe4 30.e6 E!:f8! (After 30 ... :9:f6 there follows 3 1 .'Wd8t E!:f8 32.E!:d1 !) 3 1 .:9:a1 and the e-pawn gives White dangerous counterplay. With the text-move, White wants to get more out of the position, and sets his opponent a clever trap. But in the end, he is the one who ends up with a worse position than in the abovementioned line.

29 ...

f9a3-f8!

But not 29 ...'Wxc3? 30.dxe5 and White has an attack that at least assures

SECOND CYCLE

1 52

him a draw, for example: 30 . .J�d7 3 1 .�f1 ltJxe4 32.e6 �e7 33.�xa6, or also 30 . . . ltJ xe4 3 1 .e6 �f6 (3 1 ...�f8 32.e7 �e8 33.�dSt followed by �fl .) 32.�d8t �f8 33.�d1 And the threat of e6-e7 forces Black to take a draw by perpetual check. With the text-move, Black creates an indirect mating threat on fl , and thus deprives White of the possibility of defending the e4-pawn.

30.d4xe5 3 1 .ifdl-d3

�f6xe4

White is in an odd zugzwang position. He cannot use the e-pawn for the attack without weakening his position decisively. The text-move does indeed protect the c-pawn (3 1 ...ltJxc3 32.e6) , but is still not threatening anything, as the continuation h2-h3 would enable Black to carry out the winning simplifying combination ... �fl t!. However, Black also finds it quite difficult to strengthen his position. Creating significant threats is not at all easy due to White's strong e-pawn, and in case of completely passive further play, White eventually threatens to free himself by �e 1 , h2-h3 followed by @h2.

3 1 ...

�e4-c5

It's true that by removing the strong knight, Black loses his attack. But on the other hand White's e-pawn becomes blocked and Black assures

KERES - EUWE

153

himself against eventual surprises based on possible thrusts by this pawn. After the game Euwe thought that 3 1 ..J�f5, with the threat of winning the e-pawn by an exchange on g3, would have won. The rook endgame occurring after 32.e6 ltJxg3t 33.hxg3 �hSt 34.@g1 '\WeSt 35.'\Wd4 �dS 36.'\WxcS �xcS 37.�xa6 @f8 indeed offers Black good winning chances, but White has a stronger continuation at his disposal, namely 32.'\WdSt (32.h3? �f1t!) 32 ... @h8 33.@g1 !. Now 34.'\Wxe4 is threatened, and the endgame after 33 ... ltJ xg3 34.hxg3 as well as after 33 ... '\WcSt 34.'\WxcS ltJxcS 35.e6! ltJxe6 36.�xa6 does not offer Black any winning chances; if however 33 ... ltJxc3, then 34.'\Wd3 and now the black knight is suddenly unfavourably placed and White's e-pawn threatens to advance with decisive effect. From this it becomes clear that 31 ... �f5 was not much better than the text-move, and would by no means have assured Black of a win.

32.�d3-e2 33.h2-h3

lLl c5-e6

After the execution of this move, White no longer has anything to really fear, since it is very difficult for Black to make use of his weakened queenside majority.

33 ...

�f8-c8

Somewhat better was 33 ... '\WaS, with the intention of bringing the queen to c6.

Draw. White of course accepted Black's draw offer. In fact Black would stand somewhat better in the endgame after the exchange of queens on a6. But White is not obligated to capture on a6 immediately, but can first play his king to h2, place the queen centrally on dS, and thereafter take up a waiting position. In case of such a tactic, Black would hardly be able to realize his extra pawn without seriously jeopardizing his own position.

SECOND CYCLE

154

No 12. Slav Defence S. Reshevsky

V.

Smyslov

The Hague, 1 5th March 1948 l .c2-c4 2.lLlbl-c3

ll::l g8-f6 d7-d5

This move is playable for Black and after 3.cxd5 tt:l xd5 normally gives rise to a position similar to the Griinfeld . Defence. Here Reshevsky refrains from this method of play, and chooses a quiet continuation where Black's choice between various kinds of system of development is wider than after the exchange on d5.

3.d2-d4

c7-c6

Smyslov avoids playing the Griinfeld Defence by 3 ... g6 and instead utilizes the Slav Defence. With this opening he bet Reshevsky in the radio match between the Soviet and American teams. Smyslov knows both openings equally well, and in recent tournaments they have constituted his favourite repertoire.

4.ll::l gl-f3 In recent times the continuation 4.e3 has been used more frequently. In this way White avoids the following sharp and, for Black, apparently by no means unfavourable continuations. However the simplifying variation 4.cxd5 also deserves attention, when Black will not find it as easy to achieve equality as one might believe at first glance.

4 ...

d5xc4

Certainly simpler than 4 ... e6, which makes Black's defence more complicated than in the game after 5.e3 as well as 5 ..ig5. Smyslov has now obtained his favourite position, which he has investigated thoroughly in his home analysis, and where he normally displays exceptional inventiveness.

RESHEVSKY - SMYSLOV

155

5.a2-a4 In the radio match-game Reshevsky choose the continuation S.e3 bS 6.a4 b4, but did not get anything from the opening, and later he was worse. The text-move is more common and gives Black more difficult problems.

5 ...

i.c8-f5

This move was often used earlier, and not without success. But in recent times the quiet developing move 6.e3 has been preferred almost without exception. White then wins back the sacrificed pawn and gets the better prospects. But for this game Reshevsky has brought out an old variation from the past, with which he hopes to surprise his opponent. But in fact the situation turns out to be the opposite. Soon Reshevsky is the one who finds himself in difficulties and has to look for ways to save the game.

6 ...

e7-e6

The fashionable line for a long time was 6 ... ltJbd7 7.ltJxc4 Vf1c7 8.g3 eS 9.dxe5 ltJxeS 1 0.i.f4 ltJ fd7 1 1 .i.g2 f6 1 2.0-0 gds 1 3.V!Jc1 i.e6, which disappeared from tournament practice after a game in the Euwe­ Alekhine match in 1 937, where Euwe played the novelty-of-the-match 1 4.ltJ e4! and quickly gained an edge. The text-move was also used in several games of the same match, and the general conclusion was that Black thereafter gets a fully satisfactory game.

7.fl-f3 7.i.g5 would also be answered by 7 ...i.b4, and if now 8.ltJxc4 then, as in the 1 937 match game Alekhine-Euwe, 8 ... V!Jd5 9.i.xf6 Vf1xc4 with a good game for Black.

7... 8.e2-e4

i.f8-b4

SECOND CYCLE

1 56

Theory considers this move as unfavourable for White, as with the following piece sacrifice Black gets sufficient material compensation, and also a dangerous attack. Nor would 8.i.g5 h6! give White prospects of an opening advantage. Instead 8.ttJxc4 was the standard move, and would have given rise to an interesting position, rich in possibilities .

8 ... 9.f3xe4

.if5xe4! lLlf6xe4

10 ..icl-d2 Reshevsky's "novelty", which however has long been known to theory, and fails to save the variation for White. The normal continuation 1 0.'1Wf3 '.Wxd4 1 1 .'1Wxf7t \t>d8 is not much better, as in the game Vidmar-Mikenas, Prague 1 93 1 , where 1 2.i.gSt! gave rise to an approximately equal game. But after text-move it is also not at all certain that White must end up worse.

10 ...

�d8xd4

The main idea behind White's previous move lies in the vanatlon 1 0 ... \Wh4t 1 1 .g3 ttJxg3 1 2.hxg3 '.Wxh1 , because 1 3.'1Wg4! secures him a strong attack. Black of course does not have to choose such a risky way of playing, when the simple text-move yields him an excellent position.

RESHEVSKY - SMYSLOV

l l .ltl c3xe4

157

Y;Yd4xe4t

Better than 1 1 ...ixd2t 1 2.lt:'lxd2 �xe5t 1 3.ie2 and Black soon gets into difficulties. After the text-move, however, the white king becomes very exposed.

12.Y;Ydi-e2 13.�elxd2

i.b4xd2t Y;Ye4-d5t

Naturally not 1 3 ...�xe2t 1 4.ixe2 and Black loses back a pawn, when White's active pieces would assure him an edge. Now Black maintains a dangerous attack.

14.�d2-c2

ltl b8-a6

ISJ�al-dl White sacrifices yet another pawn, but without being able to exchange queens. Hence the simple 1 5.lt:'lxc4 looks better. If 1 5 .... 0-0-0, then White plays 1 6.�e3, completing his development and threatening to generate a dangerous attack on the king. If however 1 5 ... 0-0, White's attacking chanc � s on the kingside are by no means particularly worse than Black's on the queenside. 1 5.�e3 was weaker due to the reply 1 5 ... lt:'lb4t, since after 1 6.�c1 �d8 it is not possible to play 1 7.ixc4 on account of 17 ...�xg2.

SECOND CYCLE

158

1 5 ... 16.�e5xc4 17.b2-b3

V9d5-a5 VNa5xa4t

17 ...

VNa4-a2t?

A mistake that forces Black to exchange queens. After that, White gets the better game despite the material deficit, due to his active p1eces. The correct continuation was 1 7 ... ttJ b4t 1 8.�c3 ttJ dSt 1 9.�b2 (But not 1 9.!hd5 due to 1 9 ... Wa1 t.) 1 9 ... Wb4. However, also in this case it would be too brave to claim a decisive advantage for Black. White could, for example, proceed with 20.We5 0-0 2 1 .h4 and obtain a position where Black should not underestimate White's attacking chances on the kingside.

18.�c2-c3 19.i.flxe2

f9a2xe2 �e8-e7

Despite the fact that Black has as many as four pawns for the piece, he still stands worse. Because advancing the pawns is very �fficult in this position. White, on the other hand, has strong threats on the queenside and soon wins back the material. Afterwards, his main problem will be to retain the important b-pawn.

RESHEVSKY - SMYSLOV

15 9

20.�c4-a5 Also very strong was 20.ctJd6!, forcing Black to play 20 ... b5 (20 ... ctJc5 21 .b4) and thus weaken his queenside. White would then proceed with 21 .i.f3, for example: 21 ..J:hd8 22.ctJb7 E!:xd1 23.E!:xd1 and Black loses at least a pawn. But the text-move is also good, and secures White a dangerous initiative.

20 ...

�a6-c5

Threatening ctJ c5-e4t-f2 and thus winning a tempo for the defence of the b 7 -pawn.

21 ..ie2-f3

�h8-c8

Nothing better can be seen, because after 21 ...Ei:ab8 22.b4 the threat of ixc6 becomes awkward for Black. With the text-move, Black once more protects the c6-point and gives up a pawn, hoping to later exchange White's last pawn on the queenside.

22.b3-b4

23.�c3-b3?

�c5-a6

1 60

SECOND CYCLE

Naturally not 23.ltJ xb7 ltJxb4! 24.ltJ d6 lLl dSt 2S.ixd5 @xd6, but stronger than the text-move was 23.!h1 !, threatening ltJxc6t. For example: 23 . . . gab8 24.ltJ xc6t bxc6 25.gxa6 cS 26.gxa7t @f8 27.b5! gxbS 28.gf1 with a winning position for White. After the text-move Black gets time to adequately defend his position.

23 ... 24J:�dl-al

�a8-b8 f7-f5?

Black can no longer repair his position on the queenside (24 ... lLl c7 2S.ixc6) and therefore commences counterplay on the kingside, where he has to eliminate White's last pawns. However, the text-move weakens the e6-pawn and thus gives White the opportunity to win a pawn on the queenside without giving Black the opportunity to exchange the b4-pawn. The correct continuation here was 24 ... gc7. It would have threatened an eventual ... gbc8 followed by ... ltJb8, and at the same time, just in case, also have kept an eye on the a7-pawn.

Reshevsky plays the rniddlegame very unimaginatively and enables Black to equalize the position without any greater effort. Neither would 25.ltJxc6t bxc6 26.gxa6 cS have given anything, but the move 25.ghe 1 ! was suggesting itself. Subsequently Black has no suitable continuation,

RESHEVSKY - SMYSLOV

1 61

since after 25 ... l2Jc7, then 26 . .ixc6 wins, and also 25 ... @f6 26.l2Jxc6 bxc6 27.!ha6 gives White a winning position as the ... c6-c5 advance is no longer possible. After the text-move, Smyslov finally obtains complet.e equality.

25 ... 26.tlJa5xc6

rtle7-f6

White no longer had anything better, as Black was already threatening the manoeuvre ... l2J a6-c7-d5. The exchange combination played in the game gives rise to a drawish endgame.

26 ... 27.�alxa6

b7xc6 c6-c5

Eliminating White's last queenside pawn, after which the draw is inevitable. The following endgame no longer offers any special interest.

28.�cl-c4 29.�c4xb4 30.�a6xa7

�b8xb4t c5xb4 h7-h6

Black does not bother himself with defending the b4-pawn since, with his king cut off, White cannot in any case thwart the exchange of the last pawns on the kingside. In fact, Black only needs to exchange the g-pawn, because White's bishop does not have the same colour as the promotion square of the h-pawn, and is therefore unable to win, together with the h-pawn, against the king alone.

3 1 .�a7-a6 32. rtlb3xb4 33J�a6-c6

rtlf6-e5 g7-g5

After this the draw is obvious, but otherwise the white king is unable to cross the c-file.

162

SECOND CYCLE

33 ... 34.i.f3xc6

�c8xc6 �e5-d4!

The simplest path to the draw. Black temporarily sacrifices a pawn, but attacks White's pawns with his king and forces the necessary exchange to reach a draw.

35.i.c6-d7 36.i.d7xe6 37.i.e6-d5 38.�b4-c5 39.�c5-d4

�d4-e3 �e3-f.2 g5-g4 �f.2-gl

Or 39.h3 gxh3 40.gxh3 ciflh2 41 .h4 ciflg3.

39 ... 40.�d4-e5 41 .�e5xf5 42.�f5-g5 43.i.d5-c6 44.g2xh3 Draw.

�glxh2 �h2-g3 h6-h5 h5-h4 h4-h3 g4xh3

1 63

Cyde 2 Round 7 0 Smyslov-Keres 1 Euwe-Botvinnik 1/2 Free: Reshevsky

1/2

The most interesting encounter of the seventh round was definitely the game Smyslov-Keres. Black played a very difficult positional line in the Catalan Defence. The whole middlegame circled around the issue of whether White would be able to carry out the e2-e4 advance, and thereby get an advantage. Black however managed to defend himself successfully, and after a careless pawn sacrifice by White, he even got an advantage. Although White eventually managed to carry out the e2e4 thrust that had been hanging in the air for a long time, this no longer possessed its former strength. And at the time of the adjournment, Black had a solid extra pawn. The realization of the advantage was however not at all simple, due to White's strong bishop pair in an open position. Hence Black decided to solve the problem by an interesting piece sacrifice. Also here, as well as in the first cycle, Smyslov seemed to have satisfactory defensive resources at his disposal. But he tried to maintain the extra piece at all costs. Instead he lost many pawns and in the ensuing endgame had to resign. The game Euwe-Botvinnik opened with the French Defence. Despite an early exchange of queens, White gained an initiative that he maintained firmly until the late middlegame. But then by not accepting a slightly better endgame, Euwe finally gave away the last hopes of an advantage. An equal endgame occurred where the players quickly agreed a draw. After the 7th round, the standings were as follows: Botvinnik 4, Keres 31/z, Reshevsky 3, Smyslov 21/z, and Euwe 1 .

SECOND CYCLE

1 64

No 13. Catalan Opening V.

Smyslov

P.

Keres

The Hague, 16th and 17th March 1948 1 .d2-d4 2.c2-c4 3.g2-g3

tLlg8-f6 e7-e6

Smyslov is such a great fan of the Gri.infeld Defence that he even prefers to play similar positions as White. If White wants to avoid the Nimzo-Indian Defence (3.ltk3 ib4) then the Catalan Defence with 3.g3 is one of the most suitable ways to do so. White's bishop subsequently stands very well on g2, and exerts unpleasant pressure against Black's queenside, forcing Black to play very accurately in order not to end up worse.

3 ...

d7-d5

The most common reply, but also 3 ...ib4t 4.id2 ixd2t S.Wfxd2 d6, followed by ... e6-e5, is an acceptable system of development for Black.

4..ifl-g2

d5xc4

Normally such an exchange, giving up the centre, is not recommended for Black in the Queen's Gambit. But at this point it constitutes one of the best continuations for Black. In this case White cannot win back the c4-pawn by normal developing moves, and instead has to lose time for this by inefficient queen manoeuvres, thus giving Black time to complete his development. But White nevertheless gets control over the centre, and Black must take good care that this will not assert itself. Another fully satisfactory line for Black is to complete development by 4 ...ie7 S.ltJ f3 0-0 6.0-0 ltJbd7, however this would leave White with the freer position.

SMYSLOV - KERES

1 65

Not recommended, on the other hand, is playing the 6 ... c5 advance instead of 6 ... ctJbd7, which would after 7.cxd5 ctJ xdS 8.e4 ctJ f6 9.ctJc3 give White the better game. Generally speaking, the execution of the ... c7-c5 thrust is risky for Black in this opening, because it increases the scope for White's g2-bishop, and Black can get into big trouble with the development of his queenside.

s.%Ydl-a4t 5.ctJ f3 can be answered by 5 ... c6, and White has great difficulties in recapturing the sacrificed pawn. In the game Bondarevsky-Keres, Moscow 1 947, there followed 6.ctJe5 .ib4t 7.ctJc3 ctJ dS 8 ..id2, and Black could have played the quiet 8 ... b5 with an extra pawn.

5 ...

i.c8-d7

The normal continuation here is 5 ... ctJbd7. If thereafter 6.ctJ d2, then 6 ... c6 7.%Yxc4 e5 followed by ....id6 and ... 0-0. If however 6.ctJ f3, then 6 ... a6 7.1Mfxc4 b5 followed by ....ib7 and ... c7-c5 with a good game for Black. The text-move is sharper and gives rise to a position that is very difficult to handle.

6.%Ya4xc4 7)l:!gi-f3

i.d7-c6

White is of course unwilling to exchange off his strong bishop, and the continuation 7 . f3, as suggested by some theoreticians, gives Black a good game after 7 ... 1Mid5 as well as after the simple 7 ... ctJ bd7.

7...

tl:!b8-d7

After 7 ... .id5 White does not play 8.1Mfc2 ctJ c6 when Black exerts pressure against the d4-pawn (as in Flohr-Fine, AVRO 1 938) . Instead White plays 8.1Mia4t followed by ctJ c3, and in this way the move 7 ... .id5 loses its main purpose.

s.tl:!bi-c3

SECOND CYCLE

1 66

8...

ltld7-b6

Black's objective is to keep the e4-square under his control in order to thwart e2-e4. And it is precisely around this advance that the next twenty moves of the game will circle. In the game Kotov-Romanovsky, Moscow 1 944, Black tried the idea 8 ....ie7 9.0-0 0-0 1 0.�d3 ltJdS, but White could answer this by 1 1 .e4! ltJxc3 1 2.bxc3 ltJcS 1 3.�e3 ltJxe4 1 4.ltJe5 and get an edge. But the continuation 8 ... ltJ d5 also deserves attention; Black is trying to exchange the c3-knight without giving up the bishop pair.

9.'i'c4-d3

.tf8-b4

The battle for the e4-point continues. If White was able to carry out the e2-e4 thrust, he would get a clear positional advantage.

10.0-0 t l .:afl-dl

0-0

1 1 ..ig5 would simply be answered by 1 1 ...h6 12 ..ixf6 �xf6 1 3.e4 E!:fd8, and Black's bishop pair compensates for White's spatial advantage.

1 1 ...

h7-h6

This loss of time is unnecessary, and instead Black could immediately

SMYSLOV - KERES

1 67

have played 1 1 . ..'We7. During the game I did not like the reply 1 2 . .ig5, but even with an extra tempo for White, the variation 1 2 ... h6 1 3 . .ixf6 '1Wxf6 1 4.e4 :gfd8 is fully acceptable for Black. The text-move is also playable and increases Black's control over the e4-square.

12.i.cl-d2 As White cannot subsequently capture on c3 with the bishop in any case, the immediate 1 2.a3 .ixc3 1 3.'Wxc3 was simpler.

12 ... 13.a2-a3 14.\Wd3xc3

\Wd8-e7 i.b4xc3

After 1 4 . .ixc3 Black would obtain an excellent posttlon with the continuation 1 4 ....ie4 followed by ... 'Ll bd5 or ... :gfd8. Black could also answer the text-move well by 1 4.)iJe4 1 5.'Wc2 'Ll xd2 1 6.:gxd2 f5. This was perhaps even slightly stronger than the complicated game continuation.

14... 15 ..id2-e1

Black has initially won the battle over the e4-point, but now he fails to find a suitable plan for his future play, and starts a boring manoeuvring

1 68

SECOND CYCLE

phase. The later "threat" of ... c7 -cS, as planned with the text-move, is easy to thwart and the black rook subsequently stands unfavourably on c8. 1 5 . . . a5 looks better, with the intention of fixing the weak light squares on the queenside by ... a5-a4.

16.i.g2-fl An interesting idea. White is trying to carry out the manoeuvre f2f3 and e2-e4, without thereby being forced to exchange bishops. It is clear that the execution of this manoeuvre requires much time, but as Black in the meantime is unable to create any active play, White's plan involves almost no risk.

16 ... 17.b2-b4

i.c6-d5

Naturally White does not allow his opponent to carry out the liberating thrust c7-c5. Now the unpleasant 1 8.ltJ e5, followed by f3 and e4, is threatened.

17 ... 18.t!H3-h4

�b6-d7

White cannot carry out his plan in any other way, since after 1 8.ltJd2 the liberating ... e6-e5 thrust would follow. Now after 1 8 ... e5, 1 9.ltJ f5 would be very awkward for Black. Hence Black must look for other ways to parry the threat of f3 followed by e4.

1 8 ... 19.'i' c3-c2 20.fl-f3

�f6-e4 �e4-d6 g7-g5

If 20 ... f5 immediately, then 21 .ltJg6 Vff f6 22. ltJ f4 and White's knight gets to the strong d3-post with the gain of a tempo. But with the text-move Black considerably weakens his king position, which is something he has to suffer for during the rest of the game.

2 1 .�h4-g2

f7-f5

SMYSLOV - KERES

1 69

22.i.el-fl Black has, with the greatest of efforts, just been able to prevent e2e4. But this was only temporary, since subsequently White can also concentrate the fire of the knight, bishop and rook against the e4square, and still force through this strategically important advance. The practical execution of the abovementioned plan is however not at all simple, because it requires much time and in the meantime enables Black to generate counterplay on the queenside. For example, Lovenfish's suggestion of 22.ic3 could be answered by 22 ... b6, threatening an eventual ... c7-c5. And 22.ltJ e3, as advocated by Romanovsky, likewise gives Black counterplay after 22 ... 'Wg7: an eventual ... f5-f4 is threatened to permanently thwart the e2-e4 advance. With the text-move White does defend himself against the possibility of ... c7 -cS, but now Black later gets counter-chances on the queenside with the ... a7-a5 thrust.

22 ... 23.tDg2-el

tD d7-f6 a7-a5

After the placement of White's bishop on f2, Black has no prospects of an attack on the kingside, as White has now concentrated the majority of his pieces on this flank. Instead the action began on the queenside

1 70

SECOND CYCLE

by the text-move constitutes annoying counterplay, and directs White's focus away from the preparation of his main plan e2-e4. The game now becomes especially interesting, and the excitement is raised even more by the fact that both players at this point had relatively little time left for the following moves.

24.tLlel-d3 25 ..ifl-g2

�c8-a8

2S.bxaS !haS 26.ie 1 , followed by ib4, looks better for White. In this way White would activate his inactive bishop and simultaneously defend the a3-pawn sufficiently against Black's assaults. Black could immediately have answered the text-move by 2S ... axb4 and thus avoided the possibility given above.

�a8-a7 'i;Ye7-h7! A good move. Black increases his control of the e4-square and at the same time pins the white pawn on e4, in the event that White plays ctJcS followed by e2-e4 and an exchange of the f-pawns would take place. A critical position has now occurred where White has to prove that his previous strategic plan to carry out the e2-e4 thrust was justified.

27.b4-b5? This pawn sacrifice is not justified by anything, and gives Black at least an extra pawn as compensation for the difficult position. It seems that the objectively best plan for White in this position was to, at least initially, abstain from the execution of the e2-e4 advance and proceed according to the earlier mentioned plan by 27. bxaS !haS 28.f!:ec1 followed by if2-e1 -b4. This plan would of course also contain some drawbacks - for example, the weakening of the kingside and especially the e3-square. But the text-sacrifice gives White nothing, and otherwise Black threatens to get strong counterplay on the a-file by exchanging on b4. The position is very interesting and definitively deserves to be studied more closely.

SMYSLOV - KERES

27 ... 28.\Wc2-c5 29.a3-a4

1 71

�d6xb5 c7-c6 �f6-d7

Perhaps White hoped to win a piece here, and did not notice this move, which was Black's only defensive resource. Black now retains the extra pawn.

30.\Wc5-c2

�b5-d6

3 1 .�d3-e5? The position that has occurred is almost identical with the one after Black's 26th move, only Black's knight now stands on d7 instead of f6. White had to utilize this circumstance to carry out the e2-e4 advance by the move 3 1 .lt:lc5!. This would have given him prospects of equality, for example: 3 1 ...lt:l f6 32.e4 fxe4 33.fxe4 b6 34.El:ac1 bxcS 35.exd5 �xc2 36.El:xc2 exdS 37.El:xc5. Black would certainly stand slightly better here, and can for example get a favourable endgame via the continuation 37 .. J:k8 38.El:e6 lt:l fe4 39.ixe4 lt:l xe4 40.El:cxc6 El:xc6 41 .El:xc6 El:b7, although White has good drawing chances. This variation is naturally not forced, but no continuation can be seen that would considerably strengthen the given line for either White or Black. So, for example, after 3 1 .lt:lc5 Black cannot very well play 3 1 ...f4

SECOND CYCLE

1 72

due to the reply 32.�xh7t \t>xh7 33.gxf4, since after 33 ....gxf4 34.ih4 would at least win an exchange. Likewise after 3 1 .ttJc5 'Ll f6 32.e4 fxe4 33.fxe4 b6 the attempt 34.�e2 does not give White anything, because 34 ... bxc5 35.exd5 exdS 36.�e6t �f7 37.dxc5 'Ll de4 secures Black a clear advantage. The text-move, on the other hand, does not cause Black any difficulties, but rather gives him some valuable time to consolidate his position.

3 1 . ..

ltl d7-f6

Also here 3 1 ...f4 32.�xh7t, followed by gxf4, was unfavourable for Black. With the text-move Black once more protects the e4-point and now stands clearly better.

32J�al-cl 33.ltle5-d3

ga7-a8

White admits the incorrectness of his 3 1 st move. The knight once more aims for cS, but now Black is able to prevent it.

33 ... Black could of course also play 33 ... b6, but the following combination carried out by White is not dangerous. Rather the opposite - it releases the unpleasant tension in the centre.

34.ltl d3-c5 35.e2-e4

b7-b6

White hopes to utilize his opponent's time-trouble in the following complications, but does not achieve the desired aim. Therefore it was perhaps better to simply play 35.'Llb3, threatening ttJ d2 followed by e2-e4. This would sooner or later have forced Black to carry cut the ... f5-f4 advance. Nor would 35.'Lld3 have been bad, because even after passive play from White, Black would have had great difficulty in finding a suitable plan to realize his advantage.

SMYSLOV - KERES

35 ...

1 73

f5xe4

36.lLJ c5xe4 It is difficult to say whether the endgame after 36.fxe4 bxcS 37.exd5 V:f!xc2 38.:!:hc2 exdS (After 38 ... cxd5 39.dxc5! tt:l de4 40.id4 White's bishops, in combination with the passed pawn on the c-file, are very strong.) 39.�xc5 offered White better prospects of a draw; Black would proceed with 39.)2Jde4 40.�xc6 �dc8 and have the better endgame due to the unfavourable position of White's f2-bishop.

36 ... 37.Y*fc2-e2 38.lLJ e4-c3 39.Y*fe2-b2

Y*fh7-g6 �b8-b7 i.d5-c4 b6-b5

Finally Black tries to realize his advantage on the queenside. But during time-trouble he has placed his pieces unfavourably, so that White once more obtains dangerous counterplay. It was however difficult for Black to convert his edge by other means, as White was threatening the very troublesome 40.tt:l e4.

40.a4xb5 4I.lLlc3-e4!

c6xb5

1 74

SECOND CYCLE

White's adjournment move, which causes Black the greatest difficulties. 42.'Llxd6 followed by �xc4 is now threatened, winning a piece, and will also, for instance, follow after 41 ...�f7. Moreover an eventual '1Wa3 or 'Ll c5 is also threatened, and that is why the following exchange is virtually forced. Among other things, the attempt 41 .f4 would not have given White anything due to the reply 41 ... �f7, and Black would have secured the important g4-square for his knight.

41 ... 42.f3xe4

�d6xe4 �f6-g4!

After thorough home analysis, Black came to the conclusion that the sacrificial combination initiated by the text-move offers him the best practical winning chances. For instance, 42 ... �f7 would not lead to anything due to the reply 43.d5! exd5 44.exd5, because after 44 ... 'Ll xd5 45.�ed1 the white pieces would exert a tremendous firepower, which is not compensated even by Black's extra pawns. Many commentators claim 42 ... �bd7 was the simplest road to victory, but in my opinion this statement is not correct. Here White would also proceed with 43.d5! exd5 44.!b6 and create very sharp complications, where it is not at all clear that Black's extra pawns will prevail over White's well-coordinated pieces. With the text-move, Black embarks upon a surprising combination, which it is very difficult for White to find a correct defence against.

SMYSLOV - KERES

43J�klxc4

1 75

'i'g6-h5!

Smyslov probably did not notice this sacrifice in his home analysis and expected 43 . ..lt::l xf2 immediately. Because after the text-move he spent more than half of his time on the clock without finding a satisfactory defence. Naturally 43 . ..lt::l x f2 at this point is much weaker, and would after 44.!:k3 ttJg4 45.h3 give White an excellent position.

44J�c4-c2? After long thought, Smyslov decides to hang onto the extra piece, but this is the decisive mistake and quickly assures Black a winning attack. Also bad was of course 44.h3 ttJxf2, and as White cannot take on f2 due to the loss of an exchange, he has no satisfactory defence against the double threat of ... ttJd3 and ... ttJ xh3t. However, Black's combination does not seem to be sufficient for a win after the only correct reply 44.h2-h4!. It would lead to very complicated variations, where accurate analysis is almost impossible to give. Black would of course play 44 ... ttJ xf2, when the following variations are an approximation of the possibilities: a) 45.Wfb3 (After 45J:k3 there follows 45 ... ttJ d 1 , and 45J�c6 is answered by ... ttJ d3. 4S.@xf2 �f7t followed by ...bxc4 of course also loses.) 45 ... bxc4! (Weaker is 45 ... ttJd3 46.�£1 , as in line 2) 46.Wfxb7 gxh4 and Black has the better chances, since accepting the sacrifice here or later by @xf2 would yield Black a decisive attack after ... �f8t. b) 45.�£1 ! ttJdl (After Lovenfish's recommendation 45 ... ttJ d3 46.Wfb3 �f7 White naturally does not play 47.Wfxb5? due to ... �xfl t followed by ... Wff3, but he would instead play 47.�c6! and even gain an advantage.) 46.Wfb3 bxc4 (After 46 ... ttJ e3 White has the saving resource 47.�c8!.) 47.Wfxb7 ttJ e3 And although Black has retained the extra pawn, White's counterplay still seems to be sufficient to balance the position due to Black's exposed king. Even though all the above possibilities were practically impossible to foresee, Smyslov certainly had to choose the continuation 44.h4 all the same. Because after the text-move he quickly ends up in a hopeless position.

SECOND CYCLE

1 76

44 ... 45.i>gl-fl 46J�el-e2

f;Yh5xh2t gb7-f7

Forced, since a double exchange on f2 followed by .. .!H8(t) was threatened.

46 ...

f;Yh2xg3

47.f;Yb2-c3 With this move White enables his opponent to win a couple of tempos and, after some exchanges, transpose to an easily won endgame. But also in the case of the best defence, White could only prolong the game, but no longer save it. So, for example, after Romanovsky's recommendation 47.e5 there should follow not the line Lovenfish recommended 47 . ..'thf2 48.�xf2 'Wd3t 49.�g1 �xf2 50.�xf2 �xd4, which would yield White some counterplay after 5 1 .'Wa2, but the simpler 47 ... a4 and White faces the same problems as before the text­ move. If, for example, 48.d5, then 48 ... a3 and an eventual ... �df8 wins. If however 48.Ek3, then 48 ... 'Wf4 and Black's attack must seal the fate of the game relatively quickly. A similar position as in the last line can also occur if White, instead of the game continuation 47.'Wc3, tries 47.�c3. Black answers this by

SMYSLOV - KERES

1 77

47 ... Wd6, and threatens ... Wxd4 as well as ... !!df8, and gets a winning attack. But after the text-move 47.'Wc3, Black's task is very simple.

47

••.

'!Wg3xc3

Naturally 47 ... ltJxf2 48.'Wxg3 ltJxe4t 49.'Wf3 !!xf3t followed by ... ltJg3t would also have been possible, but the text-move is easier.

48J�c2xc3 49J�c3-c2

�d8-f8 lL!g4xf2

But not 49 ... a4 first, due to SO.ih3.

50J!e2xf2 5 1 .�c2xf2 52. ci>flx£2

�f7xf2t �f8xf2t a5-a4

The exchanging combination enabled Black to use his strong passed pawn on the a-file. White is able to capture it, but only at the cost of his two central pawns. The resulting endgame with a bishop against four pawns is completely hopeless for White.

53 ..ig2-h3 54.d4-d5

ci>g8-f7 e6xd5

Also 54 ... a3 SS.ixe6t @f6 would have won. White is no longer able to stop the a-pawn.

55 ..ih3-d7 56 ..id7-c6 57 ..ic6xb5 White resigned.

ci>f7-f6 d5xe4 a4-a3

A very complicated and interesting fighting game, where both sides constantly had to solve difficult problems. The mistakes that were made are understandable and do not disturb the general impression very much, but rather help in making certain phases of the game more interesting.

SECOND CYCLE

1 78

No 14. French Defence M. Euwe

M. Botvinnik

The Hague, 16th March 1948 l .e2-e4

e7-e6

In recent tournaments Botvinnik has almost exclusively been employing the French Defence against 1 .e4. Only sometimes for a change has he chosen to play 1 ... e5, however during the earlier years of his career the Sicilian Defence constituted his favourite weapon.

2.d2-d4 3Jl:lbl-d2

d7-d5

Botvinnik has achieved so many splendid victories in the 3.tt'lc3 .ib4 variation that Euwe refrains from using it, and instead chooses the more modest, but instead less risky, text-move.

3 ...

c7-c5

The other possible system of defence, 3 ... tt'l f6, normally gives Black a cramped position after 4.e5 tt'l fd7 S . .id3 cS 6.c3 and White is able to develop a strong initiative. The drawback of the text-move is that Black must now accept an isolated pawn on dS, but as compensation he gets good development and some attacking chances. A very interesting position now occurs that normally give rise to tactical games.

4.e4xd5 After 4.tt'lgf3, as advocated by Alekhine, Black can play 4 ... tt'l f6. Now after S.exdS he can capture with the knight on dS and obtain a fully satisfactory position. The text-move is therefore more logical.

4 ...

e6xd5

The capture 4 .. .'\WxdS would give Black a difficult defence. White

EUWE - BOTVINNIK

1 79

would answer it with the temporary pawn sacrifice S.tt:Jgf3! cxd4 6 . .ic4 followed by ttJ b3 and obtain a much freer position and good attacking chances.

s.i.fl-hst This check has in my opinion no purpose, and only leads to future simplifications of the position, making a draw a more likely outcome. According to Euwe's own words, he did not want to take any risks in this game, therefore he decided not to fear simplifications and also not fear a draw. The normal continuation S.tt:Jgf3 gives rise to a more interesting game.

s ...

tLlb8-c6

With this move Black tries to create complications, which however can only bring trouble to himself. The best reply to White's simplifying continuation was S ... .id7, and thus Black forces further exchanges and would quickly give the game a drawish character.

6.Widl-e2t With this move Euwe shows that he is not aiming for anything more than a draw, and hence the opening stage loses much of its interest. Here 6.tt:Jgf3 had to be played, which gives an interesting position rich in possibilities, with the somewhat better prospects for White. After 6 ... \We7t White does not have to agree to the exchange of queens by 7.'1We2, but can very well play 7 ..ie2 followed by 0-0, with a good game. If Black however plays 6 ... .id6, then after 7.0-0 tt:Jge7 8.dxc5 .ixcS 9.'2Jb3 White also gets the somewhat better game due to the control over the d4-square.

6 ... 7.d4xc5 8.tLlglxe2 9.tLld2-b3 10.i.cl-d2

Wid8-e7 Wfe7xe2t i.f8xc5 i.c5-b6

SECOND CYCLE

180

Despite the previous exchanges, White's position can still be considered as somewhat better due to his complete control over the d4-square. But it is hardly sufficient in order to achieve any tangible edge. With the text-move White tries to take control of the cS-square. If possible White also wants to exchange off the bishop on b6, thus weakening the dark squares in Black's camp even more. The immediate 1 O ..ie3 would not, on the other hand, have been dangerous for Black, and would after 1 0 ... .ixe3 1 1 ..ixc6t bxc6 1 2. fxe3 lLl f6 have given him good counterplay.

10...

tLlg8-e7

After 1 O ....id7 then 1 1 ..ic3 was a little troublesome, but nevertheless it would have offered Black better prospects than the text-move, which enables White to increase his slight advantage. Subsequently Black has to overcome certain difficulties before he is able to completely equalize the position.

l l .i.d2-b4 Not a bad continuation, but one cannot understand why Euwe rejected 1 1 ..ia5! .ixaS 1 2.lLlxa5. It would have eliminated Black's important bishop and given White a small but clear positional advantage. After the text-move Black's defence is much easier.

EUWE - BOTVINNIK

1 1 ... 12 ..ib4-c5!

181

a7-a6 .ib6-c7

12 ... axb5 1 3.i.xb6, as well as 12 ... i.xc5 1 3.i.xc6t followed by ctJxcS, gave White an edge. With the text-move Black at least retains the bishop pair.

13 ..ib5xc6t If 1 3.i.d3 then Black gets rid of his bad bishop, which constitutes his main positional drawback, by 1 3 ... i.f5. The text-exchange therefore gives better prospects.

13 ... 14.0-0-0 1 5.�e2-d4

�e7xc6 .ic8-e6 0-0-0

It is curious that Botvinnik allows his c6- and dS-pawns to be blocked, which gives him trouble later. A natural continuation was 1 5 ... ctJxd4, which after 1 6.i.xd4 0-0 as well as after 1 6.ctJxd4 or 1 6.!hd4 0-0-0 would yield Black an approximately equal game.

16.�d4xc6 17.�d1-d4!

b7xc6

Stronger than 1 7.i.d4, when Black would simply reply 1 7 ... :9:de8 because the capture on g7 is not dangerous on account of ... !:!:hg8 followed by ... !:!:xg2. With the text-move White places the rook firmly in the centre and by !:!:a4 threatens to generate an attack against the weak a6-pawn.

17 ... 18. g2-g3

®c8-d7

Protecting the g2-point and threatening 1 9.:9:a4 !:!:a8 20.i.d4 with the double threat on g7 and cS.

SECOND CYCLE

1 82

18 ... 19J�d4-a4 20J��hl-el 2 1 .i.c5-e3

f7-f6 gd8-a8 gh8-e8

Here 2 1 .i.f8 :gxf8 22.ltJ cSt @d6 23.ltJxe6 does not give White anything, because Black can then play either 23 ... :gfe8 24.ltJxc7 :gxelt 2S.@d2 @xc7 26.@xe1 cS with an equal rook endgame, or also 23 ... :gae8 24.ltJxf8 :gxe l t 2S.@d2 :ge8 26.ltJxh7 and White's knight has ended up in such a bad position that he can no longer have any prospects of wmrung.

2 1 . ..

i.c7-d6

22.i.e3-f4 As White is unable to force his opponent to exchange the bishop in any case, the manoeuvre began by the text-move turns out to be just a loss of time. The strongest continuation appears to be the simple 22.ltJcSt i.xcS 23.i.xc5. With this White, despite the opposite-coloured bishops, would have retained a small edge. Instead of this White begins aimless manoeuvring that finally leads to the loss of all his advantage, and gives rise to a hopelessly drawish endgame.

EUWE - BOTVINNIK

22 ...

1 83

.ld6-f8

After 22 ...ixf4 23.!hf4 �d6 24.!h4 Black cannot very well play 24 ... cS due to the possibility of 25J�a5, which is why he would then have to accept an unfavourable endgame. With the text-move Black threatens 23 ... c5 and thus forces White to take back his previous move.

23.J.f4-e3 24J!el-dl 25J!dl-d4

.le6-f5 i>d7-c7

The threat of 26.!h5 followed by !!da4 that is bound up with this move is easily parried by Black, and after this the white rooks end up in a relatively uncertain position. Also bad was 2S.ic5, which enables the black rook to penetrate on e2. But 25.c4, in an attempt to utilize the somewhat uncertain position of the black king, offered White the relatively best chances. However, Black has already overcome the greatest difficulties and in any case White could not hope for any significant edge.

25 ...

i.f5-e4

Also possible of course was 25 ... !!e4, but with the text-move Black threatens to play 26 ... c5 and thus forces White to proceed with the plan he began on the previous move.

26J!a4-a5 White could have set his opponent some traps by the move 26.if4t. If thereafter 26 ... �b6?, then 27 .!!db4t! leads to mate; likewise unacceptable for Black is 26 ... �b7 27.tt:l aSt �b6 28.!!db4t! ixb4 29.!!xb4t �xaS 30.!!b 7 and White's threats become too strong. Also after 26 ...id6 27.ixd6t followed by 28.!!a5 White would have a favourable endgame, but the simple 26 ... �c8 or also 26 ... �d7 do not offer White any significant edge compared with the game continuation.

SECOND CYCLE

1 84

26...

.ie4-g2!

Black transfers his bishop to the f1 -a6 diagonal and finally protects the weak a6-pawn. White now has nothing better than to quickly enforce equality. Because in the case of further aimless manoeuvring, Black's bishop pair could finally start to exert a meaningful influence.

27.� b3-c5 Now White even offers this exchange himself, which he could have forced on the 22nd move. However, now Black is no longer forced to accept it.

27 ...

.tg2-fl

Protecting the a6-pawn and in some lines threatening the strong ...ibS. For example: 28.�da4? ibS 29.lt:J xa6t @b7 30.lt:J cSt ixcS 3 1 .�xa8 ixe3t and Black has won a piece. Instead of the text-move the attacking attempt 27 ... @b6 was of course faulty and after 28.�b4t! @xaS 29.�b7 ixcS 30.ixc5 would have given White a mating attack.

With this move White admits that his attack has come to an end, and that he now has to focus on maintaining equality. Instead of the text­ move White could also have tried 28.if4t, since 28 ... @b6? would after 29.lt:J d7t @b7! 30.lt:Jxf8 �xf8 3 1 .�b4t lead Black to the brink of defeat. Black would however proceed with 28 ... @c8 and one cannot see what White has achieved by his check.

28 ...

�e8-e4

Otherwise 29.�da4 could become troublesome. With the text-move Black forces his adversary to exchange a rook and thus breaks the back of White's attack.

29.�d4-a4

�e4xa4

EUWE BOTVINNIK -

30J�a5xa4 3 1 .c2xd3

185

J.flxd3 c6-c5

After this liberating thrust the endgame is completely equal and the draw could already have been agreed here. White's subsequent attempts to obtain an edge of course do not lead to anything.

32.b2-h3

d5-d4

Otherwise White could still have gained some chances by d3-d4.

33.i.e3-d2 34.®cl-dl 35.a2-a3 36J�a4-a5t

®c7-h6 �a8-e8 ®b6-h5

It was better, especially already on the previous move, to play Ei:a4c4 and an eventual b3-b4, with some chances in the rook endgame. After the execution of the plan began with the text-move, White's rook becomes shut out from the game.

36 ... 37.h3-h4 38.b4xc5t

®b5-h6 �e8-e5 i.f8xc5

SECOND CYCLE

1 86

39.£2-£4

�e5-e8

Black avoids the final trap 39 ... �e3? 40.�xc5 'i!fxcS 41 ..ixe3 dxe3 42.'i!fe2 'i!fd4 43.g4! and the pawn endgame is won for White. Now on the other hand the draw is obvious.

40.�a5-a4 Draw.

@b6-b5

1 87

Cyde 2 Round 8 Botvinnik-Smyslov lfz lfz Keres-Reshevsky 1/z Free: Euwe

1/z

Botvinnik and Smyslov again played the Gri.infeld Defence, where White introduced an interesting novelty in the opening. This however did not give him an advantage. Rather the opposite: Black achieved dangerous pressure against the d4-square. But when Smyslov refrained from capturing this pawn on the 1 4th move, he ended up with a cramped position. He then freed himself by sacrificing an exchange for two pawns. An interesting endgame arose where Black initially spoiled his whole defensive position by the thoughtless 40 ... f5? advance. But he subsequently put up very stubborn resistance. Botvinnik indeed kept winning chances the whole time, but did not utilize them well enough, and enabled his adversary to get a draw after a long and careful defence. The game Keres-Reshevsky opened with the Spanish, and took a very interesting turn right from the first moves, and forced both players to face fresh problems. In order to solve these problems both players used so much time on the clock that annoying time-trouble arose after just the first twenty moves. After earlier not having utilized several chances to increase his slight advantage, White accepted his opponent's draw offer on the 24th move, even though the position allowed further play. Tournament position after the 8th round: Botvinnik 41/z, Keres 4, Reshevsky 31/z, Smyslov 3 and Euwe 1 .

SECOND CYCLE

1 88

No 15. Griinfeld Defence M.

Botvinnik

V.

Smyslov

The Hague, 18th and 20th March 1948 l .d2-d4 2.c2-c4

�g8-f6 g7-g6

Botvinnik now allows the same Griinfeld Defence that he himself played with Black against Smyslov in the first cycle. It is interesting to note that in reply Smyslov chooses the same line up until move five, although Botvinnik had a relatively unfavourable position in the previous game. But Smyslov has investigated the Griinfeld Defence extensively. Thus he has a certain edge over his opponent in the opening phase.

d7-d5 Several grandmasters, among them especially Boleslavsky, like to play the King's Indian Defence by 3 ... d6 and later ... e7-e5, while Smyslov almost always chooses the Griinfeld Defence. It is hard to tell which of these defences is preferable, as with correct play White obtains the better position in both cases.

Among other things the well-known line 4.if4 ig7 5.e3 deserves attention, and after 5 ... 0-0 White can win a pawn by the continuation 6.cxd5 ctJxdS 7.ctJxd5 '1Wxd5 8.ixc7. Black can in this case either play for an attack by 8 ... ctJ c6, which White answers best by 9.ctJe2!, or also by the more modest 8 ... ctJ a6. In the latter case, after 9.ixa6 '1Wxg2 1 0.'1Wf3 White gets an endgame where he has some hopes of an advantage. Also 4.'1Wb3 dxc4 5.\Wxc4 ie6 6.\WbSt ctJc6 gives rise to a sharp game. And White cannot very well go for a pawn grab in any line, since Black's edge in development would in this case threaten to secure him a decisive advantage. The text-move has in recent times turned out to be the most frequently-used continuation.

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

4 ... s.Y;Ydi-b3

1 89

.if8-g7

Now this move is totally fine, since the line 5 ... dxc4 followed by ... ie6 involves a doubtful pawn sacrifice that can well be accepted. In earlier times 5.Wa4t was also often played here, when 5 ... c6 could be met by 6.cxd5 tt::l xdS 7.e4, but Black answers this more simply by 5 ... id7 6.�b3 and now either 6 ...ic6 or 6 ... dxc4, with a tenable game.

5 ...

d5xc4

In the Smyslov-Botvinnik game from the first cycle, Black played 5 ... c6, but after 6.cxd5 tt::l xdS 7.e4 he got into difficulties. The text-move gives rise to approximately the same position, but here Black tries to do without the defensive move ... c7 -c6, and in some lines he might develop his knight via c6.

6.Y;Yb3xc4

0-0

Smyslov was greatly involved in the development and practical testing of the defensive system characterized by this, and especially the next, move. And he can be considered one of today's greatest experts on this position. Earlier 6 ... ie6 7.Wb5t tt::l c6 was often played here. White can answer this by either 8.e4 or 8.Wxb7, because Black only obtains very dubious attacking chances in return for the sacrificed pawn .

7.e2-e4

.ic8-g4

A variation developed by Smyslov, whose main idea is to attack the d4-pawn. For this purpose Black threatens an eventual exchange of the f3-knight, which is protecting this point, and to develop his queen's knight to c6. This is the reason why he initially abstained from the move ... c7-c6. Among other possible systems of development at this point, the manoeuvre recommended by the Dutchmen, 7 ... tt::l a6 followed ... c7-c5, deserves particular attention. This continuation gives rise to a sharp game. But as there is still no broader practical experience, it is too early to give a final evaluation regarding the value of this line.

SECOND CYCLE

1 90

Not recommended for Black is the continuation 7 ... c6 8.i.e2 bS (better is 8 ... tt:lbd7) 9.�b3 �aS, since after 1 0.i.d2 b4 1 1 .tt:la4 tt:lxe4 1 2.i.xb4 White gained an advantage in the game Flohr-Lilienthal, Parnu 1 947. Also weak is the reply 7 ... b6 due to 8.e5!, which after 8 ... i.a6 enables the favourable queen sacrifice 9.exf6. And if Black plays 8 ... tt:l fd7 or 8 ... tt:l e8, then 9.�d5! would give White a clearly better position. s ..icl-e3

After 8.tt:le5 i.e6 9.d5 i.c8 Black gets counterplay by ... e7-e6 or ... c7c6 in return for the lost tempos. For example: 1 O.i.e2 e6 1 1 .i.f4 exdS 1 2.exd5 tt:le8 followed by ... tt:l d6 with a good game for Black (Kotov­ Lilienthal, Parnu 1 947) . With the text-move White increases his control of d4 and prepares for a future Ei:d 1 , thus obstructing the execution of Black's liberating thrusts ... e 7 -eS or ... c7 -cS.

8 ...

lLlf6-d7

Stronger than 8 ... tt:l c6, which was played in the game between the same players at the Groningen tournament of 1 946. White continued with 9.d5 i.xf3 1 0.gxf3 tt:leS 1 1 .�e2 c6 1 2.f4 followed by i.g2 and gained a clear advantage. With the text-move Black prepares to develop the knight to c6, as well as preparing the central thrust ... e7-e5.

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

1 91

9.ltW3-d2 This is Botvinnik's novelty, which however does not cause Black any greater difficulties. More promising continuations are certainly 9 ..ie2 ft:Jb6 1 0.�d3 .ixf3 1 1 .gxf3 e6 1 2.h4 and a later 0-0-0, as in the game Kotov-Smyslov, Parnu 1 947, or also 9 .�b3 ttJ b6 1 o.gd 1 , as in the game Keres-Smyslov from the third cycle. After the text-move White experiences some difficulties in protecting the d4-pawn.

9 ... 10.�c4-d3

ttld7-b6 c7-c6

A good enough move; Black, just in case, thwarts the d4-d5 advance (after the retreat of the bishop to e6) . But Makagonov's recommendation to play 1 O ... fS seems to be even stronger, as it also threatens to win a piece by 1 1 ... f4. If thereafter 1 1 .f3, to avoid giving up the dS-square to Black, then according to Makogonov 1 1 ...fxe4 1 2. fxe4 tLl c6 offers good counterplay in the centre.

l l .f2-f3 12J�al-dl 13.a2-a3

j,g4-e6 ttlb8-a6 �d8-d7

White is already in some difficulties due to the unfavourable position of his d2-knight. Black threatens to once more attack the d4-pawn by

1 92

SECOND CYCLE

1 4 ... !hd8, and after that White would lack suitable defensive means to defend this pawn. Now White decides to offer a temporary pawn sacrifice, however it does not significantly improve his position.

14.�d3-c2

�a6-c7

Black apparently let himself be scared for no reason, and abstained from the capture on d4. This would however have given him a good game in all lines. For example: 1 4 ... .txd4 1 5.lt:Jdb1 (Weaker is 1 5.lt:Jb3 .txb3 followed by ... eS, and Black does not have to fear the exchange 1 S ..txa6 bxa6, either here or later.) 1 5 ... c5 1 6.lt:Jb5 !%fc8 And after 1 7.lt:Jxd4 cxd4 1 8.lt:Jc3 .tc4 Black gets good counterplay on the queenside. And if White, instead of 1 5.lt:Jdb 1 , proceeds in real sacrificial style by 1 S . .txd4 '1Wxd4 1 6.lt:Jc4, then Black's simplest reply is 1 6 ...'1Wf6 1 7.lt:Ja5 .tc8 when he keeps his extra pawn and has a solid position. The text-move is likewise playable, only Black is thereafter forced to fight against more spatial difficulties than after the capture on d4 .

.ie6-c4 Instead of the bishop exchange, Makogonov advocates 1 5 ... !%ad8 1 6.lt:Jc5 '1Wc8 as the exchange on e6 would only strengthen Black's pressure against the d4-square. But White would play 1 7 ..te2 followed by 0-0, as Makogonov also shows, and retain a clear spatial advantage. For this reason the exchanging strategy chosen by Black is fully justified and in my opinion is the best tool to relieve Black's somewhat cramped position.

16..ifl -e2 The win of a tempo by 1 6.lt:J c5 '1Wc8 is only temporary, since Black subsequently plays ... lt:J d7 or ... lt:J e6 and forces the knight to retreat, if White is not willing to allow further exchanges .

16 ... 17.�c2xe2 1 8.0-0

.ic4xe2 ga8-d8 �d7-e6

B01VINNIK - SMYSLOV

193

Now Black even forces White to win a tempo by tt:'l cS, apparently assessing this knight location to be in his favour. This loss of tempo has in fact no greater practical importance. Because of his cramped position, Black has difficulty in finding a suitable aggressive plan anyway, and the extra tempo does not yield White any special edge either.

19.�b3-c5 It is not possible to keep the knight permanently on cS, and soon White has to either retreat the knight or exchange it off. Hence the leap 1 9.tt:'la5! better met the requirements of the position, practically forcing Black to play 1 9 ... '\WcS. The white knight would then stand excellently on aS and White could generate strong pressure on the queenside by the manoeuvre 20J�d2 followed by gfc l , '1Wf2 and an eventual d4-d5 or b2-b4-b5. Black would in this case have had great difficulty in creating active counterplay, while after the text-move he is able to place his pieces much more favourably.

19 ... 20.ctt> g l-hl

�e6-c8 �b6-d7

The 20 ... e5 thrust would be very risky due to the simple reply 21 .dxe5 ixeS 22.f4,when White gets a mobile pawn mass on the kingside, and thus good attacking chances. With the text-move Black continues with the simplifying strategy initiated on the 1 5th move, which White of course tries to avoid.

1 94

SECOND CYCLE

2 1 .�c5-b3 22.f;Ye2-c4

b7-b6

In order to create some manoeuvring space for his pieces, Black had to somewhat weaken his queenside on the previous move. And that is where White now directs his attack. But the text-move is hardly the strongest, because the queen stands unfavourably on c4 and sooner or later has to retreat all the same. Stronger was the immediate 22.Ek1 followed by an eventual �c2 and �fc l . This would have given White strong pressure on the c-file, and not allowed Black to free himself so easily.

22 ... 23.f3-f4

f;Yc8-b7

This advance is also an unnecessary deviation from White's main plan, which requires increasing the pressure on the c-file. In addition, it also considerably weakens the e4-square. The correct continuation was the immediate 23.�c1 .

23 ... 24J�dl-cl

e7-e6 �d7-f6

Black decides to later depend on a passive defence, but such a tactic cannot be successful in a cramped position. More promising was therefore the sharp thrust 24 ... f5, when Black utilizes White's inaccuracy on the 23rd move and assures himself of control of the important central dS-square. A sharp positional battle would then take place, where Black in my opinion has good prospects of valid counterplay.

25 ..ie3-gl

�d8-c8

The black c-pawn required protection sooner or later, and White was in some lines threatening the unpleasant e4-e5 followed by l2J e4, attacking the c6- and d6-points. This threat is thwarted by the text-move, because now 26.e5 would simply be answered by 26 ... tt'J fd5 27.l2J e4 tt'J e8. On the other hand, the black rook now stands insecurely on c8 due to the eventual sally of White's knight to d6. Later in the game, this knight move to d6 will cost Black an exchange.

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

1 95

26J�cl-c2

White has spent too much time on the first part of the game, and now plays quickly but inexacdy. Instead of the text-move it was better to immediately admit the fault on the 22nd move and play 26.Vff e 2, with approximately the same opportunities as occur in the game.

26 ...

�f8-d8

It is curious that Black does not use the favourable opportunity to further simplify the position by 26 ... Vff a 6, which would have forced White to exchange queens. After 27.Vffx a6 ltJ xa6 28.!Hc1 White would indeed have retained slight pressure, but Black should not have any special difficulties in defending his position. With the queens still on the board, Black has much more difficulty organizing a defence.

27.Vffc4-e2 Naturally White now avoids all possible simplifications after ... Vff a 6, and threatens to strengthen the pressure against the weak pawn on c6 by E!:fc1 . In order to avoid this, Black decides to offer a pawn sacrifice. Unfortunately, White is not forced to accept it, and by declining, further strengthens White's central position.

SECOND CYCLE

1 96

27...

lflc7-b5

Black cannot create any counterplay in any other way.

28.e4-e5! The idea behind Black's pawn sacrifice was lying in the vanatlon 28.lDxb5 cxbS 29.!hc8 !hc8 30.e5 ltJ dS 3 1 .�xb5 �c2 with more than enough counterplay for the sacrificed material. If White in this line would decline to win the pawn and after the exchange 28.lDxb5 cxbS try to utilize the extra pawn in the centre, then he would likewise end up in difficulties due to the active placement of the black pieces and the c-file that is under Black's control. With the text-move, White does indeed decline winning material, but he practically forces his opponent to exchange on c3 and thus strengthen White's already powerful centre even more.

28 ...

lflb5xc3

After 28 ... lD d5 29.lDe4 White not only threatens 30.a4 followed by lD d6, but he also threatens to generate strong positional pressure on the c-file. With the text-exchange Black does close this file, but he has to accept other kinds of positional drawbacks.

29.b2xc3 30.c3-c4 3 1 .lflb3-d2

lflf6-d5 lfld5-e7

White tries to get his knight to e4 as soon as possible, but the immediate execution of this manoeuvre enables Black to obtain an endgame with good drawing chances by an almost forced exchange sacrifice. Therefore a slow strengthening of the position by, for example, 3 1 .if2 seems to be better, in order to eventually exchange Black's strong knight.

3 1 . .. 32.lfl d2-e4

lfle7-f5

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

32 ...

1 97

t/Jf5xd4

With this combination Black loses an exchange for two pawns, but simplifies the position and obtains excellent drawing chances. Another tenable continuation for Black was Makogonov's recommendation 32 ... '\Wa6 33.�d1 hS. Black would in this case maintain the strong knight on fS, but White's spatial advantage would still assure him of the freer game. Bad was, among other things, 32 ... �xd4 33.�xd4 ltJxd4 34.ltJd6 followed by '1Wf2 with an edge for White.

33 ..iglxd4 34. tiJ e4-d6 35.e5xd6 36J;c2-d2

�d8xd4 �d4xd6 c6-c5 �c8-d8

Here Makogonov advocates 36 ... �d4, to answer 37.'1Wf3 by 37 ... '\Wd7 38.g4 �c6 39.f5 exfS 40.gxf5 �xd6. But the text-move is no worse, as the further analysis shows. It is clear that White is no longer able to defend the d6-pawn, after which Black, with two pawns and a strong bishop on d4, has sufficient compensation for the exchange.

�b7xf3?

1 98

SECOND CYCLE

The exchange of queens is bad, and puts Black in a very difficult position; in the resulting endgame he lacks an adequate defence against the threat of a3-a4-a5. Instead, 37 ... 'Wd7 was a fully satisfactory continuation and would have given Black a perfectly reasonable position. Makogonov thereafter recommends 38.g4 .id4 39.f5, but this continuation considerably weakens the position of White's own king and after 39 ... exf5 40.gxf5 'Wxd6 41 .fxg6 fxg6 yields Black a fully adequate game. Also not dangerous is 38.gfd 1 .id4 39.gxd4 cxd4 40.gxd4 gc8 when Black should not have any great difficulties in drawing the endgame .

38JU1xf3 39.g2-g3

.ig7-d4

Much stronger was 39.g4!. White would then have maintained attacking chances on both flanks. Black could strongly answer the text-move by 39 ... h5!, and soon after ... gxd6, and obtain much better defensive chances than in the game continuation.

39 ... 40.�hl-g2

�d8xd6

Also here 40.g4 had to be played. The loss of tempo bound up with this move is not of particular importance in this position.

B01VINNIK - SMYSLOV

40 ...

1 99

f7-f5?

positional blunder that puts Black in a hopeless position. With the text-move Black is not helping to defend anything on the queenside, but rather giving White the opportunity to break through on the kingside by weakening the e6- and g6-pawns and clearing the 7th rank. After the text-move, Black's position can already be considered lost. But it was possible to put up a stubborn defence by playing 40 ... hS !. This would deprive White of all hopes of a breakthrough on the kingside. For example: 41 .h3? f8 42.a4 aS! 43.g4 hxg4 44.hxg4 e7 and Black has more or less secured a draw, as the white rook cannot penetrate along the h-file. White's only hope after 40 ... h5 would therefore be a breakthrough on the queenside by 41 .a4! . Black cannot well answer this by 41 ...a5, since after 42J�'!:b3 followed by !'!:d2-d1 -b1 his king would be one move short of being able to defend the b6-pawn. After 41 ... f8 White would proceed with 42.a5 and would thus force the breakthrough on the queenside, since the capture 42 ... bxa5 would be answered by 43.!'!:a3 !'!:b6 44.!'!:c2! with an edge for White. And even though White in this case would still maintain good winning chances, Black's defence would have been much easier than in the game. Because in that case he would only have to thwart an attack on the queenside, instead of on both flanks as in the game. An illustration of Black's defensive resources is given, after 40 ... h5 41 .a4, by the following possible continuation: 41 ...g7 42.a5 bxaS 43.!'!:a3 !'!:b6 44.!'!:c2 f6 45.!'!:xa5 fS 46.!'!:xa7 f6 And if White would be able to win this position at all, then it would only be after very great difficulties. A

41.a3-a4 42.gf3-b3

®g8-f7

Also possible and time-saving was the immediate 42.a5 bxaS 43.!'!:a3, and White wins the pawn back with a clear advantage. The preparatory text-move is unnecessary.

42 ...

®f7-f6

SECOND CYCLE

200

43J�d2-a2? White should not allow the queenside to be completely closed, because his chances of opening up lines on the kingside are not that favourable. In the event of a total closing of the position, White's material edge becomes illu sory and the draw is inevitable. 43.a5 bxaS 44.�a3 �b6 45.�c2! had to be played, when White wins the pawn back and Black is no longer able to create such a stubborn defensive position as in the notes to Black's 40th move above. After the text-move, Black is again able to organize an effective defence, which makes the outcome of the game completely open.

43 ...

a7-a5!

The correct reply. It is true that with this move, Black ties himself to a permanently passive defence, but it deprives White of all chances on the queenside, and forces him to decide the game by a breakthrough on the kingside. But the game continuation shows that Black in this case has sufficient defensive resources at his disposal. Among other things, the active advance 43 ... g5 44.a5 bxaS was possible. If now 45.�xa5, then 45 ... gxf4 46.gxf4 �d7 47.�ba3 �g7t 48.�f3 �g1 and Black has obtained sufficient counterplay. And if White would play 45.fxgSt �xgS 46.�xa5, then 46 ... e5 could follow, also with various kinds of counter-chances for Black. But closing the position with the text-move seems to offer Black safer drawing prospects than the active line given above, where White still has some hopes of realizing his extra exchange.

44J�a2-d2

®f6-e7

45.�d 1 , followed by 46.�db 1 winning a pawn, was threatened.

4S.®g2-f3 Here the game was adjourned and Black sealed his move.

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

45 ...

201

�e7-d7?

Black's position was difficult. His rook is tied to the defence of the b6pawn, and Black's king must also stay close enough to the b-pawn to be able to defend it in case White doubles rooks on the b-file. At the same time, Black's king also has to be ready to thwart the penetration of White's rooks on the kingside, as it is clear that White will sooner or later be able to open up a file on this flank. Because both these threatened points are located too far away from each other, it is clear that Black's king will not be fully capable of satisfactorily fulfilling both tasks. Thus, the opening of a file on the kingside forces Black to abandon his previous passive waiting tactics. The conclusion is that the main task for Black's defence in this position is to prevent the opening of files on the kingside, and if this is not possible, try to prevent White's rooks from using these files. In order to fulfil this complicated task, Black at this point had to set up a deeply-calculated and far-reaching defensive plan. Even at a superficial glance, it is clear that completely closing the pawn structure on the kingside is not possible, and that White will sooner or later be able to carry out the g3-g4 thrust. Due to the position of the fS-pawn, this advance leads to the complete opening of the e­ or g-files. Thus Black's further task will be to prevent White's rooks penetrating on one of these open files. In addition, Black must also

202

SECOND CYCLE

take good care that White will not be able to open up more than just one file on the kingside. When taking the above into account, Black's most promising continuation was to play 45 ... h5!, and after 46.h3 @e8 47.g4 proceed with 47 ... h4! and in this way keep the kingside as closed as possible. White would in this case have had great difficulties in realizing his advantage, and it is almost analytically impossible to prove if White's edge would be sufficient for a win or not. Let's briefly take a look at some of the main possibilities. According to Botvinnik's own analysis, White wins in the following way: 48J�d1 @d7 49.gxf5 gxfS (After 49 ... exf5 Botvinnik gives SO.E!:e l , but also here S O ...if6 5 1 .E!:be3 gS! yields Black drawing chances.) SO.E!:d2 @e7 5 1 .E!:g2 @f7 52.E!:d3 ieS 53.E!:dd2! id4 54.E!:g1 ieS SS.E!:dd l ! id4 56.E!:d3 ieS 57.E!:gd1 ! id4 58.E!:b3 Followed by E!:dbl and the b6-pawn falls. Without trying to go into the details of this analysis, or deciding whether the win of the b6-pawn also assures White of the win of the game, attention should be directed towards some of Black's defensive possibilities that Botvinnik has not considered in his analysis given above. The main improvement for Black seems to be possible on the 52nd move (or also later) by replacing the purposeless manoeuvre ... id4-e5-d4 with 52 ... E!:d8!. White can in this case, it's true, win the b6-pawn by the continuation 53.E!:b2 E!:b8 54.E!:b 1 @f6 55.E!:db3, but this is answered by 55 ... E!:g8 56.E!:xb6 E!:g3t followed by ... E!:xh3, and it is unlikely that White still has any genuine winning chances in this position. If Black possessed sufficient defensive resources to hold the position in the above variations, then after the text-move his position becomes very difficult. White is now able to open up a line on the kingside, and retains attacking chances with the h-pawn. The advance of this pawn would inevitably lead to the opening of new lines, and thus markedly increase White's advantage.

46.g3-g4

h7-h6

After 46 ... fxg4t 47.@xg4 Black's position would hardly be tenable due to the threat of

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

203

h2-h4-h5. And White was also threatening to play 47.g5 followed by h2-h4-h5 with a clearly winning position. But the text-move is also a new weakening.

47J�d2-g2 The simple exchange 47.gxf5 exfS (or 47 ... gxf5 48.�g2) 48.�e2! also deserved attention. Black then has problems stopping White's rooks penetrating along the e-file. However, the text-move is also fully playable.

47 48J�b3-d3 ••.

�d7-e7 �e7-f7

49.h2-h4? White places his pawn on a dark square, which later allows his opponent counter-chances by attacking this pawn. Instead it was possible to exploit Black's helpless position with the following manoeuvre: 49.�b2 rJle7 SO.�b1 rJld7 5 1 .h3 (White could of course also have carried out this manoeuvre earlier, for instance on the 47th move.) 5 1 ...rJld8 52.rJle2 rJld7 53.�db3 rJlc7 54.�g3 rJld7 (Bishop moves would be answered by 55.�d1 .) 55.h4! And no satisfactory defence can be seen for Black against the threat of 56.h5. This manoeuvre recommended by master

SECOND CYCLE

204

Makogonov seems to be forcing, and is certainly one of the simplest ways for White to increase his advantage.

49 ...

f5xg4t

Forced, since White was threatening SO.hS, opening new lines.

50J!g2xg4 5 1 .�g4-g2

h6-h5 �d6-d8

Now White has to permanently take into consideration the annoying threat of 52 ...i.f6. The endgame occurring after the exchange of rooks would be hopelessly drawish, because the white rook would not be able to penetrate into Black's position.

52.�g2-d2 53.�d2-g2 54.�g2-d2

�f7-e8 �e8-f7 �f7-e8

White repeats moves to gain time on the clock.

55.�f3-e2 Black can answer the natural-looking continuation 55.�e4 by 55 ...i.f6! 56.lhd8t i.xd8 with a drawish endgame, since the winning attempt 57.@e5 @e7 58.gxd8? @xd8 59.@xe6 fails to 59 ... b5!. However, after 5S.@e4 i.f6 if White plays 56.gd6, then 56 ... i.e7 follows, and White cannot capture the pawn because of the undefended rook on d2.

55 ...

�e8-e7

Naturally not 55 ...i.f6 due to the reply 56.gd6.

The passive defence 56 ... gd6 would after 57.gb1 give rise to a position that we already investigated in the earlier note, and which is hardly

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

205

tenable for Black. With the text-move, Black goes for a counterattack and carries out a regrouping of his pieces to more active positions, thus markedly increasing his drawing chances .

57JM1-fl

.id4-f6

a result of White's inaccurate 49th move, Black now gets counter­ chances thanks to the weak h-pawn. The exchange of the b6-pawn for the one on h4 would significantly facilitate Black's defence.

As

58J�d3-b3 59J�b3xb6

J.f6xh4 J.h4-g3

Black's position is still very difficult. The text-move is necessary to prevent the threat of 60.gb5, however now Black's bishop ends up in a very unfavourable position.

60J�b6-h7t

rlfe7-f6

Naturally not 60 ... rlfd6? 61 .gd 1 t rlfc6 62.gdb 1 followed by mate.

61.�b7-b5 Very tempting, but also not totally clear in its outcome, was the variation 6 1 .rll f3 h4 62.rlfg4 gd8 63.gb5 gd4 64.gxc5 ge4. For example: 65.gxa5 gxc4 66.ga8 gS! 67.a5 ga4 68.a6 gxf4 and Black is able to defend himself, since 69.a7 is answered by 69 . . . rlfe5. The outcome of the game is likewise unclear in the variation 65.gf3! gd4 (After 65 ... e5 66.gxe5 gxeS 67.fxeSt rlfxeS the move 68.gd3! assures White's an advantage.) 66.gxa5 (Or 66.gc6 ge4!) 66 . . . gxc4 67.ga6 Since Black would not play 67 . . . g5? 68.ge3!, but instead 67 ... ge4! threatening 68 . . . g5. With the text-move White immediately initiates an attack against the queenside pawns, but now Black's bishop comes into play, and after that White's winning chances become very problematic.

61. ..

rlff6-f5?

206

SECOND CYCLE

With this move, Black again jeopardizes his position. Instead 6 1 . ..�g7 62.!hc5 ixf4 63.!ha5 h4! would have given Black good chances to equalize, since Black's passed pawns on the kingside constitute a dangerous weapon.

62.gb5xc5t 63.gc5-e5t

�f5-e4

After 63.gxa5 ixf4 Black would stand excellently.

63 ... 64J�fl-dlt

�e4-d4

Or 64.lhe6 gxf4! 65J�xg6 gxfl 66.�xf1 h4 and Black gets a draw.

64... 65J�e5-e4t

�d4xc4

It is curious that no forced win can be seen for White in the line 65.gc1 t �b3! (65 ... �d4? 66.gec5, or 65 ... �b4 66.gbSt) 66.gbst �a2!. Black's king miraculously escapes the mating threats.

65 ... 66.�e2-B

�c4-c5

If 66.gc1 t �dS 67.�e3, then Black has the troublesome 67 ...if2t! in reserve.

66 ... 67.gdl-h l

h5-h4 �c5-d6

Also possible was the immediate 67 ... gf5, since the endgame after 68.gbst �d6 69.gxf5 (Or 69.gbe5 �d7!) 69 ... exf5! looks tenable for Black. White could simply play 68.�g4 with approximately the same position as occurs in the game. 67.gc 1 t would, of course, have been answered by 67 ... �d5!.

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

68J&bl-b6t 69.®f3-g4

207

®d6-d7

Or 69Jl:bxe6 �xf4t. After 69.�d4t Black of course would not play 69 ... cj;Je7? 70.�b7t followed by cj;lg4, but 69 ... mc7! 70.�xe6 gS with a draw.

69 ...

�U'8 -f5

70Jl:e4-d4t? With this move White finally throws away his winning chances. It was essential to exploit the tied-up position of Black's pieces, and make the waiting move 70.�a6!. Black would then have had great difficulty in finding an adequate reply. King moves or rook moves on the 5th rank would be answered by 7 1 .�bxe6; rook moves on the f-file would drop the aS-pawn; and after 70 ...if2 there follows 7 1 .�bxe6. Black is thus left with only two moves, 70 ...ih2 and 70 ... e5, which however also fail to offer him satisfactory defensive chances. For example: 70 ...ih2 7 1 .�exe6! �xf4t n.cj;Jh3 followed by �xg6 and, due to the mating threat, Black also loses the aS-pawn. Or 70 ... e5 7 1 . fxe5 �xeS 72.�xe5 ixeS 73.mxh4 and, after the loss of the g-pawn, the endgame is probably lost for Black.

SECOND CYCLE

208

70...

'it>d7-e7

Now, after the development of the rook to fS, Black can calmly move his king to f6, because the white rook is tied to the defence of the f4pawn.

71 J�b6-h7t 72.�h7-h5

®e7-f6 e6-e5!

Also possible of course was 72 .. :Jle7 or 72 ... i.f2, but the text-move eliminates the pawns on the kingside, and is the easiest way for Black to secure a draw.

73.�d4-d6t 74.�h5xa5

f6-g7

According to Botvinnik, 74. fxe5 would have won, but this claim hardly seems to be correct. Black continues with 74 .. .!U4t 7S.cj;Jh3 �xa4 and gets strong counterplay. For example: 76.�d7t (or 76.�dd5 �e4! 77.!ha5 gS) 76 ... cj;Jh6 77.e6 gS with a draw. White had already spoilt his last winning chances on the 70th move.

74... 75. ®g4-h3 76.�a5-a6 77.�d6xg6 78.�g6-h6t 79.�h6-g6t

� U5xf4t ®g7-h6 ®b6-h5 �f4xa4 h5-g5 'it>g5-h5

Draw. A very interesting and complicated game. Even though both sides made several mistakes during the game, Smyslov's stubborn defence should still be highlighted. In a worse position, he withstood the pressure from his strong opponent for about 40 moves, and finally obtained a draw.

KERES - RESHEVSKY

209

No 16. The Ruy Lopez P.

Keres

S. Reshevsky

The Hague, March 18th 1948. l .e2-e4 2.�gl-f3 3.i.fl-b5 4.i.b5-a4

e7-e5 �b8-c6 a7-a6 d7-d6

Usually Reshevsky employs the closed setup of the Spanish Defence by 4 . ..lt'l f6 5.0-0 ie7, as for example in the game against Smyslov in the first cycle. But in that game Black had such a bad position after the opening that Reshevsky decided to choose another system of development for the present game.

5.c2-c4 In the other games in the tournament starting with this defence, White played S.c3 without exception, which of course is also a good continuation. The text-move is the recommendation of Grandmaster Duras, and its idea is to take complete control of the dS-square, and at the same time White also prevents ... b7-b5. The drawback of the move is of course the weakening of the d4-square, but practical experience shows that it is very difficult for Black to utilize this weakness. It is interesting to note that in no game in this tournament did White use the exchange variation S.ixc6t bxc6 6.d4 f6 7.ie3, which is considered one of the strongest continuations by theory, and gives rise to a double-edged game with mutual chances.

5 ...

i.c8-g4

After this move Black is practically already obligated to make the subsequent exchange on f3, leaving White with the bishop pair. The idea behind eliminating the knight on f3 is to increase the control over the d4-square. But as Black in any case is unable to maintain

SECOND CYCLE

21 0

control of this square, the plan initiated by the text-move must be considered as unsuccessful. More natural was the normal continuation 5 ... .id7 6.tt::l c3 g6 7.d4 exd4 8.lt:Jxd4 .ig7 1 0 . .ie3 tt::l ge7, when it is true that White has a small spatial advantage, but Black's position does not contain any weaknesses, and is well developed.

The immediate 6.h3 .ixf3 7.'lWxf3 is also possible, but it would only be a reversed move order to the game.

6 ...

ll)g8-e7

The development of the knight through e7 to g6 is part of the system of development chosen by Black. After 6 ... tt::l f6 White would also proceed with 7.h3 .ixf3 8.�xf3, with a good game .

7.h2-h3

.ig4xf3

Naturally not 7 ....ih5 as the bishop would be badly placed on this square. It would deprive the knight of the opportunity to develop to g6, and yield White chances to generate an attack by g2-g4. With the text-move Black continues the strategy of controlling the d4square, but he does not obtain the anticipated results. The objectively best reply was 7 ....id7, even though White, compared with the normal variation, has gained the useful tempo h2-h3.

8.\Wdlx£3

ll)e7-g6

Black continues with his plan of development, but by active play White reveals the flaw in this method of play. Bronstein recommends 8 ... tt::l c8, but such manoeuvring by the knight in the opening phase can hardly be tenable for Black. White can, for example, proceed with 9.�g3, and Black then has problems with the development of his kingside; 9 ... g6, among other continuations, also enables White to commence an attack by h3-h4. After 9 ... tt::l b 6 White would simply exchange on c6 and thereafter play d2-d3, leaving Black with the same difficulties as before.

KERBS - RESHEVSKY

211

9.tLl c3-d5! In a game against Sokolsky in the Moscow tournament in 1 947, I played the quiet 9.d3 followed by ie3. Black then gained an adequate position by the manoeuvre ...if8-e7-g5. The main purpose of the text-move is to prevent the normal developing move 9 ... ie7, because it would be answered by 1 0.lt:lb4! '1Wd7 1 1 .lt:lxc6 bxc6, and now not 1 2.'1Wb3 0-0 1 3.'1Wb7 lt:l f4 with counter- chances for Black, but simply 1 2.d3 and Black stands very uncomfortably due to the pin on c6.

9 ...

�a8-b8

A good defensive move; Black threatens in several lines to free the knight from the troublesome pin by playing ... b7-b5.

lO.tLl d5-b4 Preventing 1 0 ... b5 and again forcing Black's knight to retreat; and after 1 0 ...'1Wd7 1 1 .lt:lxc6 bxc6 1 2.d3 Black would again stand very uncomfortably owing to the pin on the c6-pawn. Appealing, but unsatisfactory, for White was the attacking attempt on the queenside by 1 0.b4, with the threat of 1 1 .b5 followed by lt:lxc7t. Black would answer it by 1 0 ... b5 1 1 .cxb5 axbS and now after

SECOND CYCLE

212

1 2.'Wc3 not 1 2 ... 'Wd7 1 3.i.b3 with an edge for White, but 1 2 ... lt:id4!; after 1 3.lt:ixc7t @d7 1 4.lt:ixb5 lt:ixbS 1 5.'Wc4 'Wb6 1 6.'Wxf7t i.e7 the occurring complications are favourable only for Black.

10 ...

li)g6-e7

This retreat shows that Black's handling of the opening has not been the best. White has obtained a clearly better position, and now had to think in the first place about completing his development. Instead of this, White commences a dubious manoeuvre that finally results in the loss of all his advantage.

l l .li) b4-c2 8 7 6 5

It cannot of course be said that this move is a mistake or particularly bad, but it is apparendy an irrational method of exploiting the advantage obtained in the opening. In my opinion the simple developing move 1 1 .d3 was very strong. Black has difficulties with his development and has hardly anything better than 1 1 ... b5. White would answer this by 1 2.lt:ixc6 lt:i xc6 1 3.cxb5 axbS 1 4.i.b3 'Wd7 1 S.i.e3 and stand clearly better with his bishop pair. This would also be the case if Black by 1 5 ... lt:i d4 decided to create a game with opposite-coloured bishops.

1 1 ...

�d8-d7

KERES - RESHEVSKY

213

Black's position is still difficult enough, since he has great trouble in freeing himself from the unpleasant pin on c6, and without this, the completion of his development is made difficult. For example, bad was 1 1 ...b5 1 2.cxb5 axbS 1 3 . .ib3 and Black lacks suitable means to defend the f7-point. However, also possible was 1 1 ...4Jc8; White would answer it by 1 2.b4! and thus retain his strong bishop on a4.

12.d2-d3? Curiously, now it is White who becomes the passive side! Here active further play was required, because if Black would be able to regroup his pieces he would obtain an equal game. The immediate 1 2.d4 was possible, but not particularly strong in view of the reply 1 2 ... b5 1 3.cxb5 axbS 1 4 ..ib3 4Jg6, since after 1 4 ..ie3 Black has the troublesome reply 1 4 ... 4J a5. However, very strong was 1 2.b4! as recommended by Bronstein. White would then have retained his strong light-squared bishop and, for example, after 1 2 ... 4J c8 he would be able to carry out the positionally­ important d2-d4 advance by playing 1 3 ..ib2. It cannot be seen how Black could have developed his position satisfactorily after 1 2.b4!, but now this is somehow possible.

12 ...

tlJe7-c8

SECOND CYCLE

214

With this move Black primarily threatens to exchange the bishop with 1 3 ... ltJb6 followed by ... ltJ aS.

13 ..icl-d2 White still fails to find the correct plan. It is true that the text-move thwarts Black's threat, but it loses an important tempo as later White must play b2-b4 anyway. Correct was therefore the immediate 1 3.b4!, and if Black continues according to Bronstein's recommendation 1 3 ....ie7 1 4 . .ib2 .if6, then simply 1 5.0-0 and White would retain the clearly better position. On the contrary, the exchange 1 3 ..ixc6 bxc6 1 4.d4, as recommended by Bronstein, does not give White anything in particular. Black would reply 1 4 ... .ie7 and have sufficient counterplay after the exchange 1 5.dxe5 dxeS.

13 ...

J.f8-e7

Better was 1 3 ... ltJb6, and if 1 4 ..ib3 then 1 4 ... �e7, enabling either ... g6 and ... .ig7, or ... ltJb6-d7-c5. But White could answer it better by 1 4 . .ixc6 and retain the freer game with some attacking chances.

Naturally the immediate 1 4.b4 was also possible, but the text-move is not bad either. Bronstein recommends 1 4.d4 at this point, but Black would answer this by 1 4 ... ltJb6 1 5 . .ixc6 �xc6 1 6.b3 0-0 and get an adequate game. It seems that White does not have anything to gain by advancing the cl-pawn in this position, and that it only weakens his centre.

14... 1 5J�a1-cl?

.ie7-f6

A move whose purpose is difficult to explain. By playing 1 5.b4! and 0-0 followed by a subsequent f2-f4 advance, White could still have gained a clear advantage. But now Black thwarts the strong continuation b2-b4,

KERES - RESHEVSKY

21 5

and forces White to either allow further exchanges or retreat his pieces to less favourable positions.

1 5 ... 16..ia4-b3?

lt:l c8-b6!

It is obvious that the black knight that controls the d4-square is more valuable than White's passive bishop. Thus 1 6.i.xc6 had to be played. White would then have retained his somewhat freer position, and have attacking prospects by a later f2-f4. After the text-move, Black obtains equality.

16...

�d7-d8!

Clearing the route for the black knight to come to cS via d7. From cS the knight would attack the b3- and d3-points, and through e6 it threatens to increase Black's control over White's weakest point, d4.

17.0-0 1 8.a2-a3

lt:lb6-d7

Here Bronstein advocates 1 8. f4, but after 1 8 ... exf4 1 9.Wfxf4 ltJcS the defence of the d3-pawn is very unpleasant for White. Partly correcting the previous mistakes came into consideration by the continuation 1 8.i.a4 ltJ cS 1 9.i.xc6t bxc6 20.b3 followed by an eventual f2-f4. But because of the time lost, White does not have any prospects of an advantage.

18 ... 19 ..ih3-a2

lt:ld7-c5 0-0

Now Black has also finished his development, and the position is completely equal. The closed character of the position restricts the scope of White's bishop pair.

20.b2-b4 21 ..id2-e3

lt:l c5-e6

SECOND CYCLE

21 6

2 1 ...

ttle6-f4!

Black's king's knight shows extreme activity in this game - of the 21 moves played, it has made nine. The text-move is made possible only because of White's mistake on the 1 5th move, which placed the rook on the unfavourable cl -square. Bad for Black was 21 ...4.kd4 22.lLl xd4 ltJxd4 23.ixd4 exd4, because White would then proceed with 24.c5 followed by f4, and obtain an edge despite the opposite-coloured bishops.

22.YBg3-f3 After 22.ixf4 exf4 White of course cannot play 23.'t&xf4 because of 23 ...ig5, and 23.'t&f3 ltJeS 24.'t&dl cS gives rise to an approximately equal game. With the text-move White makes a temporary pawn sacrifice, but it likewise fails to give him an advantage.

22 ... 23J3cl-b l

ttlf4xd3 ttld3-f4

Forced, since 24.g3 was threatened, cutting off the retreat of Black's knight.

24.b4-b5

KERES - RESHEVSKY

21 7

Draw. Both players were already in severe time-trouble, therefore White accepted Reshevsky's draw offer. The final position of course cannot be said to be drawish. Although it is equal, there are still many pieces on the board, and the battle could only have begun. There could, for example, have followed: 24 ... ltJ e7 25.ixf4 exf4 26.'1Wxf4 ltJg6, and even if the white pieces have a bit more manoeuvring space, Black's position does not contain any weaknesses or other objects of attack.

SECOND CYCLE

21 8

Cyde 2 Round 9 1/z

Reshevsky-Botvinnik 1/z 1 Smyslov-Euwe 0 Free: Keres

Reshevsky and Botvinnik played a little-used line in the Dutch Defence. White lost time by unnecessary knight manoeuvres, and enabled his opponent to grab the initiative. When he also later on refrained from securing his position properly, Reshevsky faced a dangerous attack, which Black however did not continue in the strongest way. An important loss of a tempo took the main strength out of Black's attack, which the following exchange sacrifice could not make up for. After having declined a draw offer from Black, it was Reshevsky's turn to get the advantage. But he likewise spoilt it in the time trouble, and the game ended with a draw by perpetual check. The game between Smyslov and Euwe proceeded peacefully for a long time. All the heavy pieces were exchanged off, and the game steered into an ending with a closed pawn structure and a minimal spatial advantage for White. The position was definitively tenable for Black, but Euwe did not detect in time the dangers that threatened him. He continued carelessly, and as a result ran into difficulties. When he continued to play inexactly, Black soon found himself in insurmountable difficulties, as his pieces were almost completely out of moves. After having lost a pawn, Euwe finally made a desperate piece sacrifice, but this of course no longer changed the outcome, and on the 70th move Smyslov scored his second win against the ex-world champion in this tournament. Before the last round of the second cycle, Botvinnik is still in the lead with 5 points. After him there follows Keres, Reshevsky and Smyslov with 4 points, and Euwe with 1 point.

RESHEVSKY - BOTVINNIK

21 9

No 17. Dutch Defence S. Reshevsky

M. Botvinnik

The Hague, March 23rd 1948 l .d2-d4

e7-e6

The Indian defence systems starting with 1 .. .tt::l f6 do not seem to be to Botvinnik's taste, and he instead prefers to play against them as White. As Black, he either takes the game into the French Defence or, depending on his opponent's plans, chooses either the Dutch or Queen's Pawn Opening. The text-move leaves all these options open for Black, and has thus turned out to be Botvinnik's favourite move against 1 .d4.

2.c2-c4 3.g2-g3 4..ifl-g2

f7-f5 �g8-f6 .if8-e7

Another system of development that has been used by Black at this point is the exchange of bishops by 4 ... ib4t s.id2 ixd2t 6.'1Wxd2 0-0 7.tt::l c3. But in my opinion there is not much to recommend this for Black. It is necessary for Black to retain this bishop if he wants to choose the pawn structure f5, e6, d5 and c6 by playing a subsequent ... d7-d5. However, if Black intends to play ... d7-d6 it is true that the exchange of bishops is playable. But in that case White is usually able to successfully utilize the time won by this exchange. The text-move, keeping the option of both systems open for Black, is definitively more elastic.

A rule of thumb in the Dutch Defence is that this knight manoeuvre is good for White only when Black has already chosen the Stonewall set-up by ... d7-d5. If White however develops the knight to h3 before Black has moved the cl-pawn, the system of development with ... d7 -d6

SECOND CYCLE

220

is considered to be more favourable than ... d7 -dS. As Black here still has the possibility to proceed with ... d7-d6, s.t2J f3 is usually played in this position. s ...

6.0-0

0-0 d7-d6

Now, as already mentioned, 6 ... d5 would be less favourable for Black because of the reply 7.l2J f4. White's knight would stand very well on f4, and by attacking the e6-pawn it is obstructing the development of Black's queenside. But after the text-move White always has to take the ... e6-e5 thrust into account, which would place White's knight on the edge of the board in an almost stalemate situation.

f;Yd8-e8 The immediate 7 ... e5 would be premature due to 8.dxe5 dxeS 9.�xd8 followed by 1 0.e4. After the exchange 1 0 ... fxe4 there follows 1 1 .l2Jg5 winning the pawn back, with a simplified but slightly favourable position for White. With the text-move, Black now threatens 8 ... e5.

8.e2-e4 This thrust is premature and gives Black good counterplay. 8.t2J f4 offered White better prospects, so as to answer 8 ... e5 by 9.dxe5 dxeS 1 0.t2J fd5 followed by e2-e4. And after 8 ... c6 there would follow 9.t2Jd3. This move would initially prevent the ... e6-e5 advance, and also switch the knight to a good central post. Moreover after 8 ... c6, then 9 .e4 would also have been much stronger than in the game. However, if after 8.t2J f4 Black plays 8 ...i.d8, then 9.e4 e5 1 0.dxe5 dxeS 1 1 .t2J fd5 would likewise assure White of a somewhat more favourable position (Lowenfisch-Rjumin, Leningrad 1 934) . Hence Black should initially abstain from ... e6-e5, and instead play the sharp 8 ... g5 9.t2Jd3 �g6 with an unclear position.

8 ... 9.lt:lh3-f4

f5xe4

RESHEVSKY - BOTVINNIK

221

9.tt:Jxe4 would be answered by 9 ... e5 1 0.tt:Jhg5 tt:J c6 with an excellent game for Black.

9 ...

c7-c6

Again 9 ... e5 1 0.dxe5 dxeS 1 1 .tlJ fd5 was favourable for White. With the text-move Black protects the dS-square and is finally ready to play ... e6e5. This advance will yield him good piece play as compensation for the weak e-pawn.

IO)t� c3xe4 I I ..ig2xe4 12.ll::l f4-g2

ll::l f6xe4 e6-e5

White apparently thinks that Black cannot capture on d4 because of the pawn weakness on d6. But he underestimates his opponent's possibilities of generating counterplay by utilizing the loose position of the white pieces. With the text-move, White loses his last prospects for an advantage, which would still have remained after 1 2.dxe5 dxeS 1 3.tlJd3.

12 ... 13.ll::l g2-e3

ll::l b8-d7

SECOND CYCLE

222

Black would now answer 1 3.dxe5 by 1 3 . ..ltJxe5 and be threatening the troublesome ... ig4. If 1 4.f4, then 1 4.)L:lg4, and the threat of 1 5.JWh5 again causes White much trouble. On the other hand, Black was threatening 1 3.)2J f6 as the bishop on e4 lacks a good retreating square. It is true that with the text-move White clears the g2-square for his . bishop, but the knight on e3 restricts the development of the bishop on cl . On the whole, the knight is not particularly well placed on e3 and this enables Black to subsequently grab the initiative. It seems that Black has already overcome the opening difficulties, and obtained a position where it is rather White who has to think about equalizing.

13 ...

e5xd4!

Botvinnik correctly decides to open up the centre and accept the weakness on d6. In the ensuing middlegame the white pieces are unfavourably placed, and in addition White has problems with the development of his queen's bishop. Romanovsky's 1 3.)2J f6 1 4.ig2 e4 is weaker. White would then play 1 5.d5! followed by ic1 -d2-c3 and get excellent development and attacking chances against the e4-pawn.

14J��dlxd4

tiJd7-e5

After 1 4 ... if6 1 5.�d3 Black has no time to play . ..lt::l c S as he must first protect the pawn on h7. The text-move threatens 1 5 ... lLl f3t, and if 1 5.�d1 , then 1 5 ... ih3 followed by .. ."�fl. Thus White is practically forced to make the following weakening. Because if 1 5.c5 ih3 then 1 6.cxd6? if6 as well as 1 6J�d1 if6! or 1 6.El:e1 El:d8 would yield him the worse game.

1 5.f2-f4 16. tlJ e3xg4 17J;fl-el

tlJe5-g4 i.c8xg4

Reshevsky refrains from the equalizing continuation 1 7.�d3 WhS 1 8.if3, when Black would hardly be able to utilize White's weak kingside. With the text-move, White initially prevents the 1 7 ... �h5 sally due to the 1 8.idSt resource, but this is only a temporarily solution.

RESHEVSKY - BOTVINNIK

17 ... 1S."d4-d3

223

i.e7-f6!

Accepting the pawn sacrifice by 1 8.'Wxd6 would after 1 8 ... E:d8 1 9.'Wa3 (1 9.ixh7t? @xh7 20.E:xe8 E:fxe8 and Black wins) 1 9 ... 'Wh5 yield Black a powerful attack, and White would hardly be able to find satisfactory moves.

1S ... 19.i.cl-d2 20J:�a1-b1 ?

"eS-hS �US-eS

A serious mistake, which simply loses a valuable tempo and enables Black to develop a strong attack on the e-file. The pawn on b2 did not require protection either here or on the previous move, due to the possibility of E:abl followed by E:xb7. Hence White instead should have used the time to neutralize Black's increasing pressure on the e-file. The simplest way to equality was with the exchange 20.ic3 ixc3 21 .'Wxc3, since after Romanovsky's recommendation 21 ...E:e6 White gets a good game by 22.E:e3 E:ae8 23.E:ae 1 . Also completely acceptable was Flohr's recommendation to play 20.E:e3 followed by E:ael . This wins an important tempo for the defence of the b2-pawn compared to the game continuation.

SECOND CYCLE

224

20...

:ae8-e7?

Black is not using the chances he is offered, and immediately makes up for White's mistake by an own inaccuracy of his own. As Botvinnik recommended after the game, it was much stronger to play 20 .. J�e6, when Black prevents the following bishop manoeuvre. After this, White would have had difficulty finding an adequate defence, as on 21 .�e3 �ae8 22.�be 1 there follows 22 ... �xb2, and if now 23.�b 1 , then 23 ... �xe4! 24.�xe4 �xe4 25.�xe4 �fS 26.�e1 �d4t and Black wins. White should therefore play the preparatory 21 .b4 �ae8 22.�bc1 , with the intention to proceed with �e3 followed by �eeL But after that Black would again find time to strengthen his position further by, for example, 22 ... @h8 and threaten an eventual ... d6-d5 or ... c6-c5. It is clear that after 20 ... �e6 White would have been left in an uncomfortable defensive position; now however he gets the chance to free himself from all difficulties.

2 t .i.d2-b4 Instead of this, White could also have played 21 .�e3 �ae8 22.�be1 , since now 22 ... �xb2 is harmless on account of 23.�xh7t, and White would thus have time to defend the b2-pawn on the following move. The idea to win a pawn, beginning with the text-move, makes the position very tense, but despite the apparent danger, White retains sufficient defensive resources at his disposal.

2 1 . ..

:aa8-e8

The pawn sacrifice is practically forced, as after 21 ...�d8 there could still follow 22.�xd6 and White is able to secure the position of the d6bishop by c4-c5.

22.Ab4xd6

:ae7-e6

Apparendy Black had initially intended to play 22 ... �xe4 23.�xe4 �xe4 24.�xe4 �fS 25.�e 1 ? �d4t followed by mate, but now he saw that White has the stronger 25.�e3! at his disposal, and if 25 ... �xb 1 ?

RESHEVSKY - B01VINNIK

225

(25 ...id4 would still have given a tenable position) then 26.�e6t �fl 27.�c8t followed by mate.

23.:ael-e3 Romanovsky's recommendation 23.c5 ifS 24.ie5 would have led to equality. For example: 24 ...ixe5 25.ixf5 id4t 26.Wf1 and no valid continuation of Black's attack can be seen; or 24 ... ixe4 25J�l:xe4 ixeS 26.�be1 . With the text-move White is aiming for more, but it succeeds only as a result of Black's risky later play.

23

•••

:ae6xd6

It is true that the exchange sacrifice is tempting, but it brings difficulties only to Black. 23 ...if5 had to be played, since 24.El:be 1 loses a piece after a general exchange on e4 followed by �h5-dltxd6. Flohr and Romanovsky believe that Black even obtains an edge with this move, but this is not the case. After 24.ie5 Black cannot continue with 24 ...ixe5 2S.ixf5 Ei:d6 as suggested by Flohr and Romanovsky, because White now plays 26.ixh7t! Wh8 27.El:xe5! and Black then has to try to save himself in the rook endgame after 27 ... El:xe5 28.�xd6 El:e2 29.�d8t g l-fl?

.lf6-d4

Both players were already in time-trouble, and therefore they play the last part of the game inexactly. The correct continuation was to play 28.Wfb3, after which nothing better than 28 ... gd8 29.�g2 ixe3 30.Wfxe3 Wfxe3 3 1 .gxe3 gdzt 32.�f1 can be seen. And then the endgame after 32 ... gxb2 33.ixc6 is anything but shimmering for Black. After the text-move the position again becomes equal.

RESHEVSKY BOTVINNIK -

28 ...

227

Ad4xe3t

After the game, the first opinion was that Black could have won by 28 .. .'Wa5 as White lacks an adequate defence against 29 .. .'Wd2t. But it was later found that this continuation even gives White an edge if he proceeds with 29.if3!. Now 29 .. .'Wd2t 30.�e2 ixe3t 3 V�g2 is clearly better for White, and also 29 ... �e8 30.ixg4 �xe3 (Or 30 ... '?9d2t 3 1 .�e2 ixe3t 32.�g2) 3 1 .�xe3 '?9d2t 32.�f1 ! '?9xe3 33.'?9c8t �f7 34.'?9d7t 'it>f8 35.'?9d6t �f7 36.�g2 gives White a winning position according to Flohr. Also weak was 28 ... �d8; White would answer it by 29.'?9b3 and after 29 ... ixe3t 30.'?9xe3 �d2t 3 1 .�g1 reach the endgame mentioned in the previous note.

29J�elxe3

�c5-d4?

This winning attempt again gives Black the worse game. Necessary was 29 ... �d8 30.'?9b3 �d2t and ... �d 1 t with a perpetual check.

30.�b7-b3? Here 30.if3! would have given White excellent winning chances. After 30 ... �e8 3 1 .'?9b3 �xe3 32.'?9xe3 '?9xb2t 33.'?9e2 '?9d4t 34.�g2 ixf3t 35.�xf3 White would have an extra pawn in the queen endgame and

SECOND CYCLE

228

excellent winning chances. In addition to the open position of Black's king, he also has several weak pawns.

30 ... 3 1 .�£'2-gl 32.�gl-f'2 33.�£'2-gl

�d4-d2t �d2-cl t �cl-d2t �d2-cl t

Draw. A s can easily b e seen, White cannot escape the perpetual checks and nor would Black's winning attempts lead to anything substantial. If, for example, 33 .. J�d8, then 34.if3, and if 33 ...ie2, then besides 34.!he2 �xe2 3S.ixc6 White can also play 34.h4 �e1 t 3S.@h2 �f2t 36.@h3 hS 37.cSt followed by �xe2 and �e6, and Black's open king position assures White of at least a perpetual check. A very interesting and complicated fighting game. The general impression is only marred by some serious mistakes made in time­ trouble.

229

SMYSLOV - EUWE

No 18. The Ruy Lopez V.

Smyslov

M Euwe

The Hague, 23rd and 24th March 1948 l .e2-e4 2.ltlg1-f3 3.J.fl-h5 4 ..th5-a4 5.0-0

e7-e5 tl:!b8-c6 a7-a6 tl:!g8-f6 i.f8-e7

Euwe achieved good play with this defence in his game against Keres in the second cycle, and decides to repeat it again. In addition Euwe has, as later becomes clear, a new system of development prepared. Normally Euwe plays the Open Defence 5 ... tt:'lxe4, which he returns to a few rounds later.

6J�fl-e1 The question whether 6.'We2 or the text-move is best for White has not been finally answered yet, despite long practical experience. The text-move is more frequently used and the occurring lines are more broadly known, thus 6.'We2 is a good option for those who like to create unclear positions right from the opening.

6 ... 7.i.a4-h3

h7-h5 d7-d6

Also possible is 7 ... 0-0, but normally both continuations give rise to the same position and therefore only constitute reversal of moves.

8.c2-c3

tl:!c6-a5

Generally 8 ... 0-0 is considered stronger, because White normally answers it by playing 9.h3 when 9 ... tt:'l a5 and ... c5 follows, as in the game; and in that case castling is a more useful developing move than h2-h3 is for White.

SECOND CYCLE

230

But in this game Euwe utilizes a new plan of development, and in order to carry this out the g4-square must be free to use for Black's pieces. For this reason he plays 8 ... tt:J a5 and immediately commences play on the queenside.

9.i.b3-c2 10.d2-d4

c7-c5

Now White no longer has to lose time on the preparatory move 1 0.h3, since 1 o . . i.g4 will not do because of 1 1 .dxe5. .

10 ... l l .�b l-d2

f;Yd8-c7

Very strong is the zwischenzug 1 1 .a4, in order after 1 1 ...b4 1 2.cxb4 cxb4 to only then play 1 3.ltJbd2.

1 1 ...

i.c8-b7

Here Euwe's new system of development starts. But on the basis of this game it should not be particularly stronger than the normal line. 1 1 ...lLlc6 is often played here, which White can answer in the best way by 1 2.a4 gb8 1 3.axb5 axbS 1 4.dxc5 dxcS 1 5.ltJf1 and obtain good attacking chances.

SMYSLOV - EUWE

231

12.ttld2-fl 1 2.dxe5 dxeS 1 3. ctJ f1 also came into consideration, because by developing the bishop to b 7, the fS-square in Black's camp loses its protection, and White threatens to place one of his knights there.

12 ... 13.c3xd4 14J�e1-e2

c5xd4 �a8-c8

The idea behind Black's system of development is to answer the normal move 1 4. id3 with 1 4 ... ctJ c6 1 5.i e3 ctJ g4. White then cannot play 1 4. ctJ e3 due to 1 4 ... ctJ xe4, which after the insertion of the moves 8 .. 0-0 9.h3 would not have been possible due to the ctJ e3-f5 sally. Without going any deeper into the above lines and assuming that 1 4.id3 enables Black to get sufficient counterplay after 1 4 ... ctJ c6, Black's system of defence should still be considered dubious, because on the 1 2th move White could obtain a good game by simply playing dxeS followed by ctJ f1 . .

14 ... 1 5.ttlfl-g3 16.b2-b3

0-0 �f8-e8

The development of the bishop to b2 is fairly good in this position, as from there it exerts pressure against Black's centre, and Black cannot make immediate use of the weakened f4-square as the knight on g3 deprives the black knight of the important hS-square.

16 ... 17.J.cl-b2

J.e7-f8 g7-g6

This move is not bad, but it is not necessary at the moment, as White was not yet threatening ctJ fS. It was much more important for Black to bring his knight on aS back into the game by playing 1 7 ... ctJ c6, with the intention of eventually directing this knight towards the f4-square.

232

SECOND CYCLE

Naturally White does not allow Black's bishop to get to h6, and on g7 it is by no means standing better than on f8; in addition, the g6-pawn deprives Black's knight of a route to f4, and thus decreases Black's chances of counterplay. We will see that the move 1 7 ... g6 will turn out to be one of the reasons behind Black's subsequent difficulties .

18 ... 19J�al-cl

.if8-g7 �f6-d7

It is interesting to observe that Black still stubbornly refrains from playing 1 9. )Ll c6, placing this move last on his list of priorities. This is, of course, not of the greatest importance, since in a closed position various kinds of time-consuming manoeuvres are usually possible.

20J�e2-el

�a5-c6

Many commentators condemn this move, and instead advocate 20 ...�b6. Naturally this move is also playable, but in an equal position, where the main theme is to manoeuvre with the pieces in one's own camp, a single move is usually not of any particular importance; it is possible to play either in this or that way, without significantly disturbing the balance of the position.

2 1 ..ic2-b l

�c7-h6

SMYSLOV - EUWE

233

22.d4-d5 This thrust is sooner or later forced. Black was already exerting uncomfortable pressure on the d4-pawn, and the exchange 22.dxe5 lDdxeS would yield Black an excellent game. However, after the text­ move the draw should sooner or later be an unavoidable result, unless either side wants to take some risky winning attempt.

22 ... 23 ..ib2-c3!

ttlc6-e7

Preventing ... b5-b4 as well as ... a6-a5, whereby Black could have generated counterplay on the queenside .

23 ... 24.h2-h4

.ih7-a8 h7-h5

This move is unnecessary and deprives Black's knight of its last square from which to reach f4. It was better to play 24 ... ctJ f6, threatening ... ctJg4 followed by ....ih6. With this manoeuvre Black would have made White's previous move look like an unnecessary weakening.

2S ..ic3-a5 26.ttlg3-fl

'i'b6-b8 �c8xcl

White's only attacking idea in this position is a subsequent transfer of the knight to the b4-square. And Black was naturally not obligated to be helpful with the execution of this plan, as he is with the text-move. 26 ... ctJ f6 was still very good, in order to create some kind of active counterplay. Black finally loses this game only because he relies on the stability of his position, and refrains from looking for any kind of counter-chances.

27.�elxcl 28.tilf3-el 29.'i'd2-g5 30.'i'g5-e3

�e8-c8 tild7-c5 flxgl 47J�e2-e4

ghlxglt Y;Yh2xglt g6xh5 i>h8-h7

Simpler than 47 . . . ga8 48.f4, w hich would perhaps still have given White some chances.

48..ielxa5 49.ge4-b4 50..ia5-b6 51.a4-a5 52.gb4-e4 53.i>gl-fl 54.ge4-c4 55.i>fl-g3 56..ib6-d8 57..id8-b6

g£8-b8 gb8-a8 i>h7-g6 i>g6-f5 ga8-a6 �e6-f4 c6-c5 �f4-d5 ga6-a8 Draw.

During the course of this game, White had chances of an almost forced win at several occasions, but was not able to utilize them well enough. The game illustrates well Euwe's bad form during the tournament, which practically made the five-player tournament into an internal affair between four of them.

SECOND CYCLE

254

No 20. Nimzo-Indian Defence M. Botvinnik

P.

Keres

The Hague, 25th March 1948 l.d2-d4 2.c2-c4 3.ltlbl-c3 4.e2-e3

ltlg8-f6 e7-e6 i.fB-b4

Botvinnik exclusively employs this modest way, which grandmaster Rubinstein recommended, of playing against the Nimzo-Indian Defence, and he has achieved very good results with this line. The advantage with this system of development is that White abstains from unnecessary complications in favour of a solid position where Black is forced to play quite accurately and carefully to keep the balance.

4...

0-0

Here Black has a wide variety of systems of development that give rise to very different types of positions. The text-move is one of the more elastic, and Black keeps the choice open regarding his further plan of campatgn.

5.a2-a3 6.b2xc3

.ib4xc3t �fB-eS

6 . . . d5 7.cxd5 exdS 8.i.d3 followed by tbe2 is a standard continuation, and thus generally known. Therefore Black tries to develop along new paths. Also interesting is the idea to play 6 . . . c5 followed by . . . b6, . . . tbc6, . . . i.a6 . . . and tbe8, which was utilized by Reshevsky against Botvinnik some rounds later. With this method of play, Black commences an attack against White's pawn weakness on c4 and at the same time . . . tbe8 protects his kingside against eventual attacks.

BOTVINNIK - KERBS

255

White can no longer utilize the normal system of development by 7.id3, as it would be met by 7 ... e5 8.tLle2 e4 9 ..ic2 b6 and Black gains strong pressure against the c4-pawn. With the text-move White chooses another move order, but it likewise fails to bring him any success.

7... s.ttle2-g3

e6-e5 d7-d6

Another interesting continuation for Black was 8 . . . d5, in an attempt to open the position and utilize his small edge in development. Also 8 . . . e4 9.ie2 b 6 followed b y . . ..ib7 and taking control over the e4-point merited consideration.

9.Afl-e2 This restrained bishop development is likewise forced; 9 .id3 would enable Black to win a tempo by 9 . . . e4. Owing to the modest development of White's pieces, Black hardly has any opening problems. .

9...

ttlb8-d7

256

SECOND CYCLE

Without any kind of need, Black chooses a relatively passive way of development and thus lets his adversary get away from many problems. The normal continuation 9 . . . c5 1 0.0-0 tt:l c6 exerts pressure against the d4-pawn and thus obstruct the e3-e4 advance. Also 9 . . . tt:l c6 1 0.0-0 tt:l aS deserved attention, when Black plans to take action against the c4-pawn.

10.0-0

c7-c5

Suddenly Black shows activity again, and tries to generate a risky attack against the c4-pawn. This opens up the position and thus noticeably increases the power of White's bishop pair. If Black did not want to play 1 0 . . . e4 (1 1 .f3 b6 1 2.fxe4 ib7) at this point and thus eliminate the tension in the centre, then he could proceed with either 1 0 ... b6 or 1 0 . . . tt:l f8. This would yield him a solid position without weaknesses where White would not find it so easy to utilize his pawn centre.

ll.fl-f3

c5xd4?

With this exchange Black hopes to gain sufficient counterplay against the c4-pawn, but this plan is inaccurate and puts Black in great difficulties when the position opens up. After the natural move 1 1 ...tt:l f8 Black's position would be thoroughly good, because the e3-e4 advance would always be risky for White owing to the reply . . . tt:l e6, taking control of the squares f4 and d4.

12.c3xd4

ttld7-b6?

Black proceeds with his inaccurate plan and quickly becomes worse. The correct continuation was still 1 2 . . . tt:l f8, and despite the previous exchange it would have given Black a satisfactory position. 1 2 . . . b6 would also have been much stronger than the text-move. It is surprising that Black places his knight on b6, where it is very badly placed and subsequently does not let Black coordinate his pieces.

13.J.c1-b2

e5xd4

BOTVINNIK - KERES

257

Black has nothing better, since White simply threatened to play e3-e4 followed by f3-f4 with a strong attack. For example: 1 3 . . .i.e6 1 4.d5 i.c8 1 5.f4 and Black's position is on the brink of collapse.

14.e3-e4! Naturally not 1 4.exd4 dS and Black suddenly has an excellent position; Black would also be given some counterplay after 1 4.�xd4 tt:J a4 1 5.i.c1 Wi'b6 as well as after 1 4.i.xd4 dS 1 5.c5 tt:J c4. After the strong text-move, Black's position is already very difficult and it is unlikely that he still has the possibility to equalize, even in the case of the best defence .

14... 15J;a1-cl

.ic8-e6

Naturally not 1 5.�xd4 tt:J a4 1 6.i.c1 �b6 and Black can defend himself quite well in the endgame. The text-move opens up the a l -square for the bishop, so that White no longer has to calculate about the threat of .)Da4.

15...

ge8-e7?

It is amazing how many weak moves Black is able to make in such a short time span. With the text-move he later intends to play . . . tt:J e8, but this whole idea is completely useless.

258

SECOND CYCLE

It was necessary to proceed along the paths of the initial plan and play 1 5 . . . !:k 8 1 6.'1W xd4 and now not 1 6 . . . !:k6 1 7. f4 Vfic7? 1 8.ltJh5!, but 1 6 . . . ltJ a4 1 7.i.a1 ltJcS and Black has at least placed one of his pieces in a favourable position. In this case Black would still have prospects of defending his battered position; however, now White's attack achieves a dangerous strength.

�d8-c7?? With this move Black crowns his series of mistakes and loses the game within a few moves. The initially planned 1 6 . . . ltJe8 was also bad in view of the manoeuvre 1 7.ltJh5 f6 1 8.ltJ f4 and White takes control over the important dS-square, but 1 6 . . . ltJ a4 (Also 1 6 . . . !:k7 1 7.:!:Hd 1 Vfffc 8 comes into consideration.) 1 7.i.a1 ltJcS still offered Black chances of a stubborn resistance. With the text-move Black intends to play an eventual . . .VficS, but he completely forgets about the possibility of 1 7 .c4-c5 and now ends up in a lost position.

17.c4-c5! Naturally White utilizes the chance to open up new lines with gain of tempo. Black now falls under a mating attack.

17... 18J&clxc5

d6xc5 �c7-f4?

Black could still put up some resistance by 1 8 . . .Vfid8, since the endgame after 1 9.Vfixd8t �xd8 20.i.xf6 gxf6 21 .ltJh5 �d2 gives him adequate counterplay and on 1 9.Vfie3 there could follow 1 9 ... ltJ fd7 and Black's defensive resources are by no means over yet. After the text-move Black loses by force.

19.�b2-cl

�f4-b8

Or 1 9 . . . �d7 20.Vfib4 Vfib8 21 .i.b5 �d8 22.i.g5 and Black can resign.

BOTVINNIK KERES -

20J��c5-g5

259

�b6-d7

Losing on the spot, but 20 . . . tt:le8 21 .tt:lh5 f6 22.tt:lxf6t tt:lxf6 23.'1Wxf6 could only prolong the final result, and no longer change it.

21.�g5xg7t! This beautiful sacrifice, which is easily seen, is the simplest road to victory. Black can no longer escape from the mating net.

21... 22.�g3-h5t

®g8xg7 ®g7-g6

Or 22 . . . �h8 23 ..igS, or also 22 . . . � f8 23.tt:lxf6, and Black has no defence.

23.'1Wd4-e3 23.f4 would also have won, but the text-move is quicker.

Black resigned. Definitively my weakest game in the tournament. However, Botvinnik vigorously utilized the chances he was offered, and convincingly demonstrated the power of the bishop pair in an open position.

26 1

Cycle3

3

Round 11 0 Euwe-Keres 1 1 Smyslov-Reshevsky 0 Free: Botvinnik

The game Euwe-Keres opened with the so-called Siesta Variation and took a very sharp turn right from the start when Black sacrificed a pawn to get an attack. Theory, as well as Euwe himself, considered the line to be in White's favour. But after some inaccuracies by Euwe, Black obtained a very strong attack against the king and demolished the enemy position with a piece sacrifice on the 1 9th move. After inevitable material losses, Euwe resigned on the 26th move. Smyslov and Reshevsky also played the Spanish Opening and Reshevsky tried to improve on Black's play in the Euwe-Keres game from the first round. However, this did not work out well; rather the opposite, as it was White who quickly obtained a marked positional advantage. After some inaccuracies by Black, Smyslov had the chance to offer a surprising exchange of queens on the 26th move that assured him of the subsequent win of a pawn, and a very good endgame. Although Reshevsky put up a stubborn defence, he was forced to resign on the 52nd move. Tournament table after the 1 1 th round: Botvinnik 6, Keres and Smysov 5, Reshevsky 41/z and Euwe 1 Vz

THIRD CYCLE

262

No 21. The Ruy Lopez M.Euwe

P.

Keres

Moscow, April 11th 1948 l.e2-e4 2.tLlg1-f3 3.i.fl-b5 4.i.b5-a4 5.c2-c3

e7-e5 tLlb8-c6 a7-a6 d7-d6

This position also occurred in the game between the same players in the first cycle; then Black continued with 5 . . . id7 6.d4 t£Jge7. Euwe obtained a good game with this variation in that game, as well as in a later encounter against Reshevsky, and he had probably also prepared the same line thoroughly for the present game. Hence Black decides to choose another way of developing. It is interesting to note that in no game in the tournament was the continuation considered strongest by theory used: S.ixc6t bxc6 6.d4. This normally gives rise to a complicated position, rich in possibilities for both sides.

5...

f7-f5

A vigorous continuation that was introduced into theory two decades ago by Capablanca and goes by the name "Siesta Variation". Normally such an early attacking attempt from Black is rather suspect, but here, when White has made the unnecessary non-developing move 5.c3, this continuation comes into serious consideration and yields Black quite good prospects.

6.e4xf5 Theory considers this simple capture to be the strongest continuation for White. If the immediate 6.d4, then 6 . . . fxe4 7.tiJg5 exd4 with a good game for Black. At this point White can also play the sacrifice 7.t£Jxe5,

EUWE - KERES

263

and its acceptance would, after some complications, steer the play into an approximately equal endgame.

6... 7.d2-d4

i.c8xf5

Theory reckons this advance is the strongest continuation for White at this point, but also very interesting is Panov's recommendation 7.0-0. After 7 ... id3 White plays 8.�e1 followed by �e3 and d2-d4, since apparently Black is unable to maintain the dominating position of the bishop on d3. In the game Panov-Lowenfisch, Moscow 1 948, Black played 7 . . .ie7 8.d4 e4 and hoped to get a normal theoretical position after 9.tt::l g 5, however White proceeded more energetically by playing 9.d5! and gained strong pressure after 9 . . . exf3 1 0.dxc6 bS 1 1 .ib3 fxg2 1 2.1:!e 1 . Panov's idea is worthy o f consideration and could become a threat to the whole variation chosen by Black. But before making a final assessment regarding the move 7.0-0, further practical use in some tournament games has to be awaited.

7... s.ti:H3-g5

e5-e4

Now 8.d5 exf3 9.dxc6 bS is considerably weaker for White as Black threatens to capture on g2, destroying White's possibility of castling.

8...

d6-d5

Now the main line of the Siesta Variation has occurred. 8 . . . h6 or 8 . . .tt::l f6 are weaker than the text-move and can be met very strongly by 9.�b3. And according to theory 8 ... ie7 9.0-0 ixgS 1 0.�hSt also gives White an edge.

9.f2-f3

e4-e3

The position occurring after 9.f3 was for a long time considered to be favourable for White, since 9 . . . exf3 1 0.0-0! gives him a very strong

THIRD CYCLE

264

attack; the interesting pawn sacrifice bound up with the text-move has also been known to theory for long time, and is also considered to be in White's favour. But as a consequence of the present game, this assessment still has to be proved in practice. Another possible continuation that came into consideration was 9 . . . h6 1 0. fxe4 hxgS 1 1 .exf5 id6, which also gives rise to a very tense and unclear position. Theory considers it to be favourable for White, but in practice Black has dangerous attacking chances.

10.f3-f4 This is certainly more promising than the immediate capture 1 O.ixe3, which gives Black an excellent position after 1 0 . . . h6 1 1 .'2Jh3 ixh3 1 2.gxh3 id6.

10...

i.fB-d6

Black's main objective in this position is not protecting the e-pawn, which is not possible to hold in any case, but to keep White's knight away from the important e5-square. The text-move initially wins a tempo as White is forced to protect his f-pawn.

ll.�dl-f3?

EUWE - KERES

265

This move cannot be considered adequate. First of all, White loses valuable time with it, and secondly the queen deprives the knight of the important f3-square from where it could transfer to e5. The present game reveals that with this queen move White has no prospect of refuting the pawn sacrifice offered by Black on the 9th move. Definitively better than the text-move was 1 1 .'WhSt and only after 1 1...g6 to play 1 2.'Wf3 'Wf6 1 3.'Wxe3t ti'Jge7 1 4.0-0, since now the important g6-square is not available for Black's pieces. If Black instead plays 1 1. . .1g6 1 2.'Wf3 'Wf6, then there follows 1 3.'Wxe3t ti'Jge7 1 4.'We6, with a good game for White. It is very difficult to give a final assessment regarding this line before further practical experimentation has been done. But it seems to be one of the few methods of play that might offer White prospects of an opening advantage. Other possible continuations at this point also do not give a clear result. The most important ones are 1 1 .0-0 and 1 1 .1xe3. Let's investigate some of the possibilities occurring after these moves. a) 1xf4 1 2.:gxf4 'Wxg5 1 3.1xe3 ti'Jge7 and Black's better development giv es him an equal game despite White's bishop pair. b) 1xe3 We7 1 2.'We2 ti'J f6 (After 1 2 . . .1d3? 1 3.'Wxd31xf4 there follows 14.ttJf7 ! and wins, and also 1 2 . . 1g4 . 1 3.'Wxg4 'Wxe3t 1 4.'We2 gives White an edge.) 1 3.ti'J f3 1g4 1 4.h3 ti'JhS 1 5.@f2 (1 5.hxg4 ti'Jg3 loses an exchange.) 1 5 . . .1xf4! (Better than the continuation recommended by Aronin, which was 1 5 . . .ti'Jxf4 1 6.1xf4 'Wxe2t 1 7.@xe2 1xf3t 1 8.@xf3 0-0 19.g3 g5 with an approximately equal game.) 1 6.1 xf4 (After 1 6.hxg4 ttJg3 White has to sacrifice the queen by 1 7.1xf4 to avoid the worst consequences.) 1 6 . . . 'Wxe2t 1 7.@xe2 ti'Jxf4t. And if either side is about to get an edge, it can only be Black who has such prospects. These possibilities are naturally not the last word in this line, but they ill ustrate well the difficulties that White has to face when executing his plans. In any case, Black gets good counterplay for the pawn, and in many lines can even hope for an advantage.

11... 12.�f3xe3t

�d8-f6

Of course bad was 1 2.'Wxd5 1xf4 followed by . . .ti'Jge7, and Black's e3pawn turns into a decisive force. Capturing with the queen is sooner

THIRD CYCLE

266

or later forced, because after 1 2.ixe3 White's previous move would be poindess and would give Black an edge after 1 2 . . . h6, while 1 2.0-0 ljj ge7 would nevertheless force White to clear the f3-square for the knight by playing 1 3.'Wxe3 due to the threat of . . . h7-h6.

12...

�g8-e7

As compensation for the pawn, Black now has an excellendy-developed position and it is clear that White, even with best play, does not have any genuine prospects of exploiting his extra pawn. Rather the opposite: it is White who has to play very accurately to avoid speedily becoming worse.

13.i.a4xc6t? This exchange is undoubtedly weak. Firsdy it improves Black's central position, and secondly it weakens the light squares in White's position, which enables Black to generate a strong attack. 1 3.0-0 had to be played. (If 1 3.tjj d2 0-0 1 4.ljj gf3 then 1 4 . . .ig6 is a strong reply.) 1 3 . . . 0-0 And now not 1 4.tjj d2 ljj g6 1 5.g3 h6 followed . . .ih3 with a strong attack for Black, but 1 4.ljj f3 ie4. In this position 1 S.tjj e 5? is naturally a bad mistake due to 1 5 . . . ixe5 followed by . . . 'Wg6 winning a piece, and also Aronin's recommendation 1 S.tjj b d2 ixf4 1 6.'We2 yields Black the clearly better game after 1 6 . . . if5. But the simple 1 S.ljj gS! causes Black more difficulties, and it is possible that Black has objectively no better continuation than 1 5 . . .if5 1 6.ljj f3 ie4 with a draw.

13... 14.0-0

b7xc6

Or 1 4.ljj f3 0-0, and now 1 5.0-0 gives rise to the game continuation; if instead 1 S.tjj e 5, then 1 5 . . .ixb 1 followed by . . .ixe5 and . . . 'Wf6-g6xg2 with a clear advantage.

14... 15.�b1-d2?

0-0

EUWE - KERES

267

A mistake that finally leaves White in a lost position. It was essential to play 1 5.lt:'l f3 at this point, since 1 5 . . . ie4 1 6.lt:'lg5 does not seem to lead Black forward. But the move 1 5.lt:'l f3 is not as strong here as it would have been without the exchange on c6. Now Black can proceed with 1 5 ...ixb 1 1 6J3:xb 1 Wlg6 1 7.id2 El:xf4 when he stands slightly better owing to the weak light squares in White's position. After the text-move a speedy catastrophe follows; White is no longer able to close the e-file in time, and this enables the black rooks to decisively penetrate into White's position.

15... 16.g2-g3

ti)e7-g6 ga8-e8

Stronger than 1 6 . . . h6 followed by . . .ih3, since now 1 7.Wi f3 is not possible on account of 1 7 . . . h6 winning a piece.

17.YHe3-fl

1f5-d3

Also sufficient for a win was 1 7 . . . h6 1 8.lt:'lgf3 ixf4!, but the combination commenced by the text-move is simpler.

18,gfl-el 19.YNflxel

THIRD CYCLE

268

19...

.id6xf4!

This temporary sacrifice is immediately decisive because White's undeveloped position cannot withstand the subsequent attack. However Black had to avoid the other sacrificial possibility 1 9 . ..ltJxf4 20.gxf4 �xf4 which would have given White a winning position after 21 .�e6t followed by ctJ df3, and Black is forced to exchange queens. After the text-move, however, 20.�e6t �xe6 21 .ctJxe6 would be followed by 2 1 . . .ie3t 22.mh1 gflt!.

20.g3xf4 21.tLld2-B

tLlg6xf4

After 2 1 .ctJgf3 there follows 2 1 . . .�g6t with decisive effect, and 21 .Wh4 is answered by 2 1 . . . ctJ e2t followed by . . . ie4t. If 21 .h4, then simply 2 1 . . .h6.

21... 22.®gl-g2

tLlf4-e2t h7-h6

Winning back the sacrificed piece with a lasting attack; White's position is hopeless.

23.\Wel-d2 24.\Wd2-e3 25..icl-d2

\W£6-£5 h6xg5 .id3-e4

White resigned. A theoretically-interesting game where Black improved on a sharp gambit variation that had been tossed aside by theory. Only further practical experimentation can give a final answer regarding whether the improvements made by Black in this game are so effective that th::y can again make the whole line playable.

SMYSLOV - RESHEVSKY

269

No 22. The Ruy Lopez V.

Smyslov

S. Reshevsky

Moscow, 11th and 12th April 1948 l.e2-e4 2.�g1-f3 3..ifl-b5 4..ih5-a4

e7-e5 �b8-c6 a7-a6 d7-d6

Reshevsky again chooses the same defence as he did in the games against Keres and Euwe in the second cycle, although this did not enrich him with any pleasant experiences in those games. And he is no luckier in the present game.

5.c2-c3 6.d2-d4 7..ia4-h3 8.�bl-d2 9.�d2-c4 10.0-0 11.�c4-e3

�g8-e7 .ic8-d7 h7-h6 �e7-g6 .if8-e7 0-0 .ie7-f6

Better is 1 1 . . J:!e8 intending to answer 1 2.ttJd5 with 1 2 . . . if8.

12.�e3-d5

�f8-e8

So far the game had the same pattern as the Euwe-Keres game in the first cycle, where more detailed explanations about the whole opening variation can be found. In that game Black played 1 2 . . . exd4 1 3.ttJxd4 !!e8 and obtained a satisfactory position. In this game Reshevsky tries to improve on Black' s method of play. But in actual fact 1 2. J:!e8 is much weaker and gives White an excellent attack and the bishop pair, while Black is not getting any compensation in return.

THIRD CYCLE

270

8 7 6 5 4 3 2

a

c

e

g

13.d4xe5! It was precisely because of this threat that Black was forced to exchange on d4, since now the capture by the pawn is impossible on account of 'Ll xf6t and the bishop in d7 is en prise. Black must thus capture on e5 with a piece, but this also has drawbacks .

13...

.if6xe5

Al most forced, because 1 3 . . . 'Llgxe5 1 4.'Llxe5 'Ll xeS 1 5.f4 'Ll c6 1 6.e5! followed by '!MhS gives White a very strong attack. Now however White secures the powerful bishop pair and retains his dominating knight on dS.

14.tlJf3xe5 15J�Ydl-f3

d6xe5 .id7-e6?

The beginning of a faulty plan; after the exchange of the second bishop for a knight, White gains a clear positional advantage. Although Black's position was no longer fully satisfactory after the inaccuracy on the 1 2th move, it was still possible to obtain a tolerable position by the continuation 1 5 . . . 'Ll a5 1 6.i.c2 c6 1 7.'Lle3 i.e6 1 8Jl:d1 '!Mc7. Even though White in this case definitely has the better position,

SMYSLOV - RESHEVSKY

27 1

my opinion is that Black still has quite good defensive resources at his disposal.

16JU1-dl

.ie6xd5

This exchange is sooner or later forced. For instance, after 1 6 . . .'1Wc8 1 7Y!Jg3 Black would lack any kind of counterplay. Now White maintains a clear positional plus, because in an open position the bishop pair is a very powerful force.

17J�dlxd5 After 1 7.exd5 e4 Black would get some counterplay, but the text-move forces him into a completely passive defence for a long time.

17... 18.�f3-f5!

�d8-e7 �g6-f8

The only adequate reply against the threat of 1 9 .:gd7, because 1 8 . . . :gad8 fails to 1 9 ,:gxd8 followed by ixh6, and 1 8 .. .'We6 also loses immediately to 1 9.:gd7.

19.i.cl-e3 20J:�al-dl 21.g2-g3

�f8-e6 ge8-d8 gd8-d6

Black' s position is very difficult and he lacks any counterplay. The knights are tied to the defence of the eS- and cS-points, the rook must protect d7, and the exchange on dS will never be possible. If Black, for instance, would play 2 1 . . .Wfe8, then 22.:gxd8 :gxd8 23.:gxd8 tt:J exd8 24.'�'c8 Wfe7 2S.id5 is possible. With the text-move Black at least tries to eliminate the threat of penetration on d7, but now he gets a fresh weakness on d6.

22.gd5xd6 23.�f5-g4

c7xd6 ®g8-h8?

THIRD CYCLE

272

Removing the king from the battlefield will later cost Black dearly. Correct was 23 . . . W f8. With this move, Black would also thwart the threat of 24.ixh6, and it would at the same time protect his queen and f7-pawn.

24..ie3-b6

tL'lc6-b8?

A bad tactical mi stake that loses a pawn by force and yields Black a hopeless endgame. White was simply threatening to win the pawn on d6 by playing 25.�d2 followed by 'Wdl , and 24 . . . �c8 25.�d2 ltJb8 26.'Wd1 �c6 was also not an adequate way to meet this threat because of 27.ia7 followed by idS. Thus 24 . . . lLl c7 had to be played, when Black could still put up a stubborn defence. But even in this case White's advantage would have been beyond doubt.

25..ib3xe6

f7xe6

26.�g4-h4! With this excellent move, White uses the temporary weakness of his opponent's back rank and wins the d6-pawn by force. And this signifies the end of the game.

26...

�e7-d7

SMYSLOV - RESHEVSKY

273

It is true that 26 .. .'�xh4 27.gxh4 would weaken White's pawn structure, but in this case Black would not have the possibility for such active counterplay as in the game.

27.'i'h4-d8t 28.Ab6xd8

'i'd7xd8 ttlb8-d7

28 ... ltJc6 29.ib6 would be completely hopeless.

29.Ad8-c7 30J�dlxd6

ttld7-c5

The loss of the d6-pawn means the end of the game. Although Reshevsky subsequently puts up stubborn resistance, his position is so ruined that it has no hope of success.

30...

�a8-c8

After 30 . . . tt:l xe4 or 30 . . . tt:l a4 there follows 3 1 .E:xe6 and ixe5.

31.J.c7-b6

ttlc5-a4

Or 3 1 . . .ltJ xe4 32.E:xe6 and White's task is even simpler.

32.�d6xe6 33.�e6xe5

ttla4xb2 ttlb2-c4

After 33 . . . E:xc3 then 34.id4 wins, as the pawn on g7 falls. With the text-move Black tries to save himself in the rook endgame, but this is just as hopeless for him as any other alternative.

34.�e5-e6 35.�e6xb6 36.�b6xb7

ttlc4xb6 �c8xc3 �c3-c2

Black wins a pawn back, but White's passed pawn in the centre speedily decides.

THIRD CYCLE

274

8 7

5 4 3

37.h2-h4 38.�gl-g2 39.h4-h5 40J�b7-a7

gc2xa2 a6-a5 a5-a4

Even simpler was 40.gb8t h 7 41 .ga8, but White's position can already be won in several ways.

40... 41.g3-g4 42.�g2-g3 43.�g3-0 44.�0-e3 45.£2-0 46.�e3-f4

�h8-g8 a4-a3 ga2-e2 �e2-a2 �g8-f8 ga2-al a3-a2

Otherwise there would simply follow 47.\t> fS and f3-f4.

47.e4-e5 48.�f4-f5 49.ga7xa2 SO.�f5-g6 51.ga2-a8t 52.ga8-a7t

�f8-g8 gal-fl gnxat �g8-f8 �f8-e7 Black resigned.

275

Cycle3 Round 12 1/2 Keres-Smyslov 1/2 1 Botvinnik-Euwe 0 Free: Reshevsky

In the Botvinnik-Euwe game the Meran variation in the Slav Defence was employed. Apparently Euwe had studied this line thoroughly at home, but in this game he had no chance to show his home preparation. Already at move 14 Botvinnik chose a new continuation and thus threw his opponent off balance. Subsequently Euwe defended weakly, and enabled his adversary to decide the game with a striking knight sacrifice on the 22nd move. Euwe prolonged his hopeless resistance until the 36th move before he resigned. Against Keres, Smyslov played the Griinfeld Defence, which normally yields White the freer game. On the 1 1 th move White refrained from using the strongest continuation and continued the game so poorly that Black easily obtained an equal endgame. When Smyslov recklessly captured White's a-pawn, he landed in a dangerous position, from where he however escaped unpunished. The game was adjourned in an equal bishop endgame and ended in a draw without resuming. After the 1 2th round the participants have the following number of points: Botvinnik 7, Keres and Smyslov S1/2, Reshevsky 41/2 and Euwe 11/2.

THIRD CYCLE

276

No 23. Griinfeld Defence P.

Keres

V.

Smyslov

Moscow, April 13th 1948 l.d2-d4 2.c2-c4 3.�bl-c3

�g8-f6 g7-g6 d7-d5

Smyslov again chooses his favourite opening, the Griinfeld Defence, where he has long experience, and he has worked out his own system of development. More detailed explanations about the following moves have been given in the comments to the game Botvinnik-Smyslov from the second cycle.

4.�gl-f3 5.�dl-b3 6.�b3xc4 7.e2-e4 8..icl-e3 9.�c4-b3

.if8-g7 d5xc4 0-0 .ic8-g4 �f6-d7

In the abovementioned game, Botvinnik continued with 9.ltJd2, but did not obtain anything after 9 . . . ltJb6 1 0.'1Wd3 c6 1 1 .f3 ie6. Kotov recommends 9.ie2 ltJb6 1 0.'1Wd3 and an eventual 0-0-0. This certainly offers White attacking chances, but also makes the position very tense. 9.El:d1 has also been played at this point, and after 9 . . . ltJb6 1 0.'1Wb3 it leads to the game continuation, and in addition Black can also try 9 . . . ltJ c6. Besides 9 .El:d 1, the text-move deserves more attention, since Black is now forced to play 9 . . . ltJb6 and so he misses out on the possibility to play the continuation (after 9.El:d1 .) 9 . . . tt:l c6 1 0.ie2 ltJb6 which forces White's queen to cS.

9... lOJ�al-dl

�d7-b6

KERBS - SMYSLOV

277

In his games against Smyslov in the third and fifth cycle, Euwe played 1 O.a4 aS 1 1 .d5. But the weakening of the b4-square is hardly in White's favour; in the game from the fifth cycle, Black played 1 1 . . .�xf3 followed by ...�d6 and obtained a good game. The text-move is certainly more promising for White.

10...

e7-e5

A novelty used for the first time in this game. Perhaps this move offers somewhat better prospects than the normal continuation 1 0 . . . lt:J c6 1 1 .d5 lt:JeS 1 2.�e2, but it still fails to completely equalize the position. It seems that the opening will turn out in White's favour anyway, as Black's piece-play is unable to sufficiently compensate for White's strong pawn centre.

ll.d4xe5 Before the game I had analyzed this post tton briefly on several occasions, and I had come to the conclusion that White could get an edge after 1 1 .�e2!, for example: 1 1 . . .�xf3 1 2.dxe5, or 1 1 . ..exd4 1 2.lt:Jxd4 or 1 2.�xd4. But, curiously enough, I paid no attention to this continuation during the game, and only considered the possibilities 1 1 .dxe5 and 1 1 .d5. Of these, 1 1 .d5 is perhaps the more interesting. It keeps the position more closed and, for the time being, keeps Black's

THIRD CYCLE

278

g7-bishop out of the game. But it is scarcely stronger than the text­ move. Incidentally, the move 1 1 ..ie2 was successfully employed in the game Bondarevsky-Flohr in the recently-ended Stockholm 1 948 tournament. After 1 1 . . .exd4 1 2 ..ixd4 .ixd4 1 3.lLlxd4 .ixe2 1 4.lt:J dxe2, followed by a later f2-f4, White obtained an excellent position.

11... 12.i.fl-e2 13.i.e3-g5?

lLlb8-d7 �d8-e7

With this move White is playing for the trap 1 3 . . . 'Wc5 1 4.lt:Jd5, but in so doing he forgets about his own main strategic plan. 1 3.h3 had to be played, and would have secured White an edge after 1 3 . . ..ixf3 1 4 . .ixf3 lLl xeS 1 5 . .ie2 as well as after 1 3 . . . .ie6 1 4.lt:Jd5. Also better than the text-move was 1 3. lt:J d4 .ixe2 1 4.lt:J dxe2 followed by a later f2-f4.

13...

�e7-e8

After this quiet retreat, White's "attack" has come to an end, and it has only resulted in a badly-placed bishop on gS.

14.0-0 Also here, 1 4.h3 was better, since after 1 4 . . . .ie6 1 5.'Wa3 the unpleasant

KERES - SMYSLOV

279

1 6.�e7 is threatened, and the exchange 1 4 . . .�xf3 1 5.�xf3 tlJxe5 1 6.� e2 also leaves White with a slightly better game. However, Black can play 14 ...�xf3 1 5.�xf3 WfxeS 1 6.�e3 ttJ cS followed by an eventual . . . ttJ e6 with a satisfactory game. Hence 1 4.ttJd4 was a move worthy of consideration. White would retain the tension in the position and have some attacking prospects on the kingside. But after the text-move the position simplifies completely.

14... 15.�c3-d5

�d7xe5

Now 1 5.ttJd4 would have been weak in view of 1 5 . . . c5!, for example: 1 6.ttJdb5? �xe2 1 7.tlJxe2 c4 1 8.Vifb4 ttJ d3 or 1 8 . . . a5 with an edge for Black. The text-move forces massive exchanges and makes the position absolutely equal.

15... 16.e4xd5 17.1e2x0

�b6xd5 �e5x0t 1g4xf3

The simplest drawing continuation was 1 7 . . . Wfe5, but the text-move is also good.

18.�b3x0

�e8-d7

Now 1 8 . . .Vife5 was bad in view of 1 9.� f4 Vifxb2 20.� xc7, because White's d-pawn would then become very strong. Also bad was 1 8 . . .� xb2 because of 1 9 .:r:�� b 1 . 1 8 . . .Vif a4 also came into consideration; White could answer this most easily by 1 9.Vif f4 and thus make Black' s attacking attempt harmless.

19J�d1-d2 2o.:an-c1 21.g2-g3 22.@g1-g2 23.:ad2-e2

:af8-e8 .ig7-e5 a7-a5 a5-a4

THIRD CYCLE

280

Now an exchange of rooks on the e-file will soon take place, and the game takes on a hopelessly drawish character. But it is difficult to demonstrate a better plan for White at this point, since 23.h4 is answered by 23 . . . h5, and if now 24.Ek4, then 24 .. .'1Wb5 is a troublesome reply. It is true that Black has a pawn weakness on c7, but it is very difficult to attack and, besides this, White has no other reason to hope for an advantage.

23...

.ie5-d6

23 . . . �b5 would not have been any better, because after 24.lke1 Black cannot play 24 ...ixb2 in any case on account of 25J�e7. The offer to exchange pieces on the e-file is fully logical and relieves Black's somewhat cramped position.

24J�cl-el 25J�elxe2 26J!e2xe8t 27..ig5-f6

�e8xe2 �a8-e8 Y;Yd7xe8 .id6-f8

Kotov states that 27 . . . c6 28.ic3 fS is the simplest drawing continuation, since White has difficulty avoiding the exchange of queens. The text­ move again stirs up some complications.

KERES - SMYSLOV

28. d5-d6 29J�'Oxb7 30. i.f6-c3

28 1

c7xd6 �e8-e6 �e6xa2

Smyslov unnecessarily complicates the position in time-trouble, and is eventually the one to get into difficulties. Simpler was 30 . . . d5 with complete equality.

3l.�b7-e4

f7-f5

If 31 . . .ig7 32.'1Wa8t if8 then 33.id2 could become troublesome. The text-move is simpler.

32.�e4-d4 33.�d4-h8

®g8-f7 ®f7-e8?

After this, only White has winning chances. 33 . . . h6! 34.\Wh 7t @e8 had to be played, and if now 35.\Wxg6t, then 35 . . .\Wt7 forces an exchange of queens that gives rise to an equal endgame.

Kotov's recommendation to play 34.ig7 \Wt7 3 5.ih6 was also good

THIRD CYCLE

282

here and would after 3S . . . @e7 36.ixf8t followed by '1Wxh7t, as well as after 3S . . . g5 36.ixf8 '1Wxf8 37.'\Wxh?, have given White the slightly better endgame owing to his more active queen and safer king position. But the text-move is not bad either.

34...

�a2-f'7

Kotov's recommendation to play 34 . . . '\We6 would also not have led to complete equality, since after 3S.h4 White still maintains a small edge due to Black's exposed king position.

35.�h7-h4 With this move, White surrenders the last of his advantage. Instead 35.'\Wh8 would have kept Black's pieces in a relatively tied-up position. After the text-move the position is equal again.

35... 36.i>g2-gl 37.i>gl-g2 38.f2-f3

�f'7-d5t �d5-dlt �dl-d5t

White had initially planned to play 38.@h3, but this move would also have been answered by 38 . . . '\WbS, when White again has to retreat with his king. It was easier for White to reconcile himself with a draw after the text-move, since the endgame after the exchange of queens does not offer him any winning chances whatsoever.

38... 39.�h4-d4 40.�d4-f2 41.i>g2xf2 42.i>f2-e3 Draw.

�d5-b5 �b5-e2t �e2xf2t i>e8-f'7 i>f'7-e6

The endgame offers neither side any genuine winning chances.

BOTVINNIK - EUWE

283

No 24. The Semi-Slav Defence M. Botvinnik

M.Euwe

Moscow, April 13th 1948 I.d2-d4 2.ttlgl-B 3.c2-c4 4.ttlbl-c3 5.e2-e3 6.i.fl-d3

d7-d5 ttlg8-f6 e7-e6 c7-c6 ttlb8-d7 d5xc4

Euwe also chose the same opening in the first-cycle game against Botvinnik, but then continued with 6 . . .ib4. The complicated Meran Variation that begins with the text-move is certainly more suited to Euwe's playing style than the difficult positional batde that occurs after 6 .. ib4. .

7.i.d3xc4 s.i.c4-d3

b7-b5

8.ib3 b4 9.tt'l e2 ia6 1 0.0-0 is also very interesting. But Botvinnik has prepared a new way of playing in the main line, and decides to introduce it into practice in this game. In recent times the retreat 8.ie2 has also often been employed here, and it also gives rise to an interesting position with mutual chances.

8...

a7-a6

After 8 ... b4 9.tt'l e4 White gets an advantage. The text-move gives rise to the main line of the Meran Variation.

9.e3-e4 10.e4-e5

c6-c5

THIRD CYCLE

284

10...

c5xd4

After 1 0 . ..l2Jg4 the continuations 1 1 .lLlg5 cxd4 1 2.�xg4 lLl xeS 1 3.�g3 or 1 1 ..if4 cxd4 1 2. lLl e4 both give rise to very complicated games that have not yet been finally mapped out by theory.

ll.�c3xb5

a6xb5

Now 1 1 ...lLlg4 is weaker in view of 1 2.�a4. Instead of the text-move, the continuation 1 1 ...lLlxe5 1 2.lLlxe5 axbS was employed for a long time, but this line was then made out-of-fashion by Stahlberg's move 1 3.�f3. But in actual fact White cannot hope for any particular edge with this continuation, since Black plays 1 3 . . ..ib4t 1 4.@e2 E!:b8 1 5.�g3 �d6 1 6. lLl f3 �xg3 1 7.hxg3 .id6 and obtains an approximately equal endgame (Szabo-Stahlberg, Stockholm 1 948.) Several improvements to strengthen White's attack have in recent times been found in the line that occurs after the text-move. And practical experience also shows that Black has to reconcile himself to a difficult defence, and prospects for a draw at best. Hence greater attention should be directed towards the old line 1 1 ...lLlxe5, which so far has given Black adequate results.

12.e5xf6 13.f6xg7

�d8-b6

BOTVINNIK - EUWE

285

It is essential for White to demolish Black's king position, although it yields Black an extra tempo. Therefore the text-move is markedly stronger than the other continuations 1 3.0-0 and 1 3.'We2 that are sometimes used at this point.

13...

i.f8xg7

14.0-0 1 4.'We2 0-0 1 5.0-0 is also often played, and if now 1 5 . ..ltk5, then the sacrifice 1 6.ixh 7t yields White a winning attack. But in this game Botvinnik abstains from the time-consuming move 'W e2, and immediately tries to take control of the eS-square by the moves E:e1 and if4. In so doing White enables Black to exchange off the strong bishop on d3, but as compensation he obtains a marked lead in development. The idea chosen by Botvinnik is in any case very interesting and definitely deserves further practical experimentation.

14...

�d7-c5

The exchange of the strong knight for the bishop on d3 does not seem to be the best plan in this position. It loses a lot of time for Black, and eventually he is still unable to secure a safe haven for his king by castling. The knight was excellently placed on d7; from this post it

THIRD CYCLE

286

kept an eye on the eS-square, and would after an eventual . . . 0-0 have defended against the sacrifice ixh 7t, and thus it should have stayed in place. The normal continuation was to play 1 4 . . . 0-0 1 5J�e 1 ib 7 1 6.if4 idS, and if now 1 7.ctJ e5, then 1 7 . . . 'Llxe5 1 8.ixe5 ixeS 1 9Jh e 5 fS with an adequate game. After the text-move Black falls behind in development and soon gets into difficulties.

15.i.cl-f4 White cannot retain his d3-bishop in any case, therefore he tries to take control of the eS-point as quickly as possible, to exploit his advantage in development.

15...

.ic8-b7

Naturally Black could no longer castle because of the rapidly decisive sacrifice 1 6.ixh7t. But the position of Black's king in the centre is also very insecure, and turns out to be the main reason behind Black's subsequent difficulties. The drawbacks of the move 1 4 . . . 'Llc5 are already making themselves felt.

16JU1-e1 After 1 6.ie5 there would follow 1 6 . . . ixe5 1 7.'Llxe5 ctJ xd3 1 8.'1Wxd3 f6 followed by . . . 0-0 and Black has escaped the worst consequences. With the text-move White tries to strengthen his position even more before he finally takes control over the eS-square.

16...

ga8-d8?

Euwe is probably right when he considers this move to be already the decisive mistake, since later no fully adequate continuation can be seen for Black. First of all, Black loses a valuable tempo with the text-move. Secondly, the rook is unfavourably placed on d8, and deprives Black of several good defensive resources. The correct continuation was the simplifying exchange 1 6 ... 'Llxd3

BOTVINNIK - EUWE

287

17.Wxd3 ixf3 1 8.Wxf3 0-0, as advocated by Euwe himself. After this, no path to a significant advantage for White can be seen. The move 1 9.Wg3, as was recommended by Euwe, can be answered by 1 9 . . . f6, and although there are many pawn weaknesses in Black's camp, he still has powerful counter-chances based on his cl-pawn.

17J:l:al-cl!

�d8-d5

If now 1 7 . . . ixf3 1 8.Wxf3, then 1 8 . . . 0-0 will not do due to 1 9.ixh7t followed by WfhSt, and after 1 8 . . .tt::l xd3 1 9.Wfxd3 Black again cannot castle on account of ic7. With the text-move Black has finally made enough preparations so that he intends to play 1 8 . . . 0-0, but now White takes decisive action.

18.i.f4-e5!

i.g7xe5

The brave continuation 1 8 . . . 0-0 1 9.tt::l g5 h6 would have been the best practical chance, and if now 20.ih7t @h8 2 1 .Wfh5, then 21 . . .Wfd8. The sacrifice 1 9.ixh7t @xh7 20.tt::l g5t @g6 was also tenable for Black. After the text-move Black will never be able to castle.

�d5xe5 1 9 ... 0-0 could, among other things, be answered by 20.tt::l g 5!, and

288

THIRD CYCLE

1 9 . . J:!:g8 would after 20Jhd5 i.xdS 21 .i.xh7 gg7 22.'Wxd4 yield Black a hopeless endgame. But the simple 20.gxd5 followed by 'Ll xd4 was threatened.

20.�f3xe5

�c5xd3

This loses on the spot, but Black had no satisfactory defence at his disposal. However, 20 . . . gg8 offered the relatively best prospects. Black intends to answer 21 .g3 by 21 . . .ggs and is threatening to make an eventual exchange sacrifice on eS. But instead White would proceed with 21 .if1 when Black remains in difficulties.

21.�dlxd3

f7-f6

If White were now forced to retreat with his knight, Black would obtain a quite reasonable position. But instead there follows a decisive combination, which is based on the exposed position of the black king. But Black no longer had any satisfactory defence, for example: 21 . . .gg8 22.'Wxh7 !, or 21 . . .0-0 22.'Lld7. In both cases White gets an easily winning attack.

22.�d3-g3!

BOTVINNIK - EUWE

289

Black is no longer able to protect the g7 -square. The following moves are almost forced.

22... 23.�g3-g7 24J�cl-c7

f6xe5 �h8-f8 �b6xc7

The text-move is just as hopeless as 24 .. .'.Wd6 25.!hb7 d3 26.!h 7 '1Wd8 27.'1Wxh7. The end is no longer interesting.

25.�g7xc7 26.�c7xe5 27.�e5-e3

.ib7-d5 d4-d3 .id5-c4

Instead of the d3-pawn, Black decides to give up a piece, but it naturally does not alter the outcome of the game.

28.b2-b3 29.£2-8 Also possible was the immediate 29.bxc4, but White is in no hurry.

29... 30.�e3-d2 31.b3xc4 32.c;!?gl-f2

�f7-d7 e6-e5 b5xc4 c;!?es-f7

Or 32 ... c3 33.'1Wxc3 d2 34.'1Wc8t followed by '1Wxd7t and @e2.

33.c;!?f2-e3 34.�d2-b4 35.c;!?e3-d2 36.a2-a4 Black resigned.

c;!?f7-e6 �d7-c7 �c7-c6

290

Cycle3 Round 13 0 Smyslov-Botvinnik 1 0 Reshevsky-Keres 1 Free: Euwe

The game Smyslov-Botvinnik opened with the Sicilian Defence and White, for some reason, refrained from his usual favourite system of 2.lDc3. Instead he chose a more complicated continuation, which he however did not handle well at all. When Smyslov failed to get an advantage after the opening, he tried to force a breakthrough in the centre. But this only weakened his own position and enabled Black's two bishops to develop very strong firepower. White's pieces were gradually forced to take up defensive positions and Black soon controlled almost the whole board. After the loss of an exchange, Smyslov's further resistance was pointless, and he resigned the adjourned position without resuming the game. The game Reshevsky-Keres started a couple of days later due to an illness for Reshevsky. White was doing well after a complicated opening and after an oversight by Black a pretty combination enabled him to win a pawn. But later White got into time-trouble, and allowed his opponent to create a tenable defensive position on the light squares, so the chances were equal despite White's pawn plus. After the adjournment of the game, Reshevsky completely unjustifiably continued playing for a win. In so doing, he did not pay attention to Black's original combination that trapped White's rook in the middle of the board. White lost an exchange but could still put up stubborn resistance. But his second period of time-trouble meant Reshevsky was unable to see all the details of the position; he came under an attack, lost a bishop, and then resigned. After the end of the 1 3th round the tournament table is as follows: Botvinnik 8, Keres 6 1/2, Smyslov S 1/2, Reshevsky 41/2 and Euwe 1 112.

SMYSLOV - BOTVINNIK

29 1

No 25. Sicilian Defence V.

Smyslov

M. Botvinnik

Moscow, 15th April 1948 l.e2-e4

c7-c5

Years ago Botvinnik's favourite opening was the Sicili an Defence. But long ago he switched over to the French Defence, and he occasionally also utilizes open defences with 1 . . . e5. Smyslov naturally only considered these possibili ties, especially as Botvinnik has not employed the Sicilian Defence in tournament play more than a couple of times over the last few years. Botvinnik's choice of opening in this game is therefore psychologically well justified, and as the further course of the game shows, he threw his opponent completely off-balance right from the start.

The first surprise. Normally Smyslov only plays 2.ltk 3 and 3.g3, but here he refrains from this, probably fearing a novelty. Black's opening strategy already shows its first results.

2... 3.d2-d4 4.�f3xd4 s.�hl-c3 6..icl-g5

�b8-c6 c5xd4 �g8-f6 d7-d6

The intention of this system is to prevent Black from choosing the so-called Dragon Variation 6 . . . g6 followed by . . . ig7, since the black bishop usually turns out to be very strong on g 7. But, on the other hand, the white bishop is not particularly well placed on gS and in quite a few variations it presents Black with an object of attack. As usual in the Sicili an Defence, the game now becomes very tense and requires accurate handling by both sides.

THIRD CYCLE

292

6... 7.i.fl-e2

e7-e6

An interesting attacking attempt at this point is to play 7.lt:Jxc6 bxc6 8.e5, and answer 8 . . . dxe5 by 9.\Wf3 with some attacking chances for the sacrificed pawn. But Black can give the pawn back and get a good game by 9 . . .Ae7, or also play 8 . . .\WaS, and in both cases take the sting out of White's attack. Also the system 7.'1Wd2 Ae7 8.0-0-0 developed by Rauzer gives rise to a very sharp game, but usually the position of White's king turns out to be too insecure. The quiet text-move is good in every way and assures White of a comfortable game with some attacking chances .

7... 8.0-0

.if8-e7 0-0

In the Parnu tournament in 1 947 Boleslavsky played 8 . . . a6 against me, fearing the sally 9.lt:Jdb5. But in this game Botvinnik shows that this sally is not dangerous, and that Black therefore can save a valuable tempo.

It is very difficult to assess the usefulness of this move. White loses two tempos and gives Black the bishop pair in exchange for weakening the

SMYSLOV - BOTVINNIK

293

position of Black's king. But White lacks genuine prospects of quickly utilizing this weakening. It therefore seems as though the plan initiated with the text-move is positionally unsatisfactory, and that White instead should have tried to strengthen his central position. For example, with the continuation 9. � h1 followed by f2-f4.

9...

a7-a6

9 .. .'��V a5 also deserved attention, since after 1 0.ixf6 ixf6 the capture on d6 is not dangerous for Black. But the text-move is more forceful.

10..ig5xf6

g7xf6

The best proof of the ineffectiveness of the manoeuvre commenced by White's 9th move is the fact that Black could also play 1 O . . . ixf6 1 1 .lt:Jxd6 Wff c 7, when White can at best obtain equality. But capturing with the pawn is also good, because it wins another tempo for Black.

ll.llJ b5-d4 12.®gl-hl 13.f2-f4

®g8-h8 �ffi-g8 .ic8-d7

The opening phase of the game has ended and both sides have to find a suitable plan of campaign for the middlegame. For Black this is easy and goes along the usual scheme in the Sicilian Defence: . . .Ek8 and ... b7-b5. White, on the other hand, has greater problems in solving his task. However, he has to come up with some active plan, since in the event of passive play by White, Black would eventually gain a clear advantage on the queenside.

14..ie2-f3? Now White only prevents the . . . b7-b5 advance for one move, which Black uses to complete his development. It was necessary, as already mentioned, to find some kind of active plan for the further course of the game, and utilize Black's weakened pawn structure in the centre. S uitable for this purpose was the 1 4.f4-f5! thrust, as it fixes Black's

THIRD CYCLE

294

pawns on the f-file and generates an attack against the e6-point. For example, if 1 4 . . .tt::l e 5, then 1 S.i.h5, threatening to play i.x£7 and tt::l c 3e2-f4. This continuation would at least have given White's position some kind of character, whilst instead Black can now prepare, calmly and undisturbed, an attack on the queenside.

14...

�a8-c8

A bad positional mistake. White deprives himself of all prospects in the centre and gives Black the choice to either execute the . . . d6-d5 or . . . e6e5 advance. Even though White lost a valuable tempo with his previous move, the attacking attempt 1 5.f5 still came into consideration, and would undoubtedly have given White better prospects than the faulty exchange played in the game. Also better than the text-move was the quiet 1 S.tt::l c e2.

15...

b7xc6

White now has to accept a hopelessly passive game, and has to wait and see if Black is able to find ways to increase his advantage. After the opening phase, Smyslov played very planlessly and now continues in the same style.

SMYSLOV - BOTVINNIK

16.ttlc3-e2

295

d6-d5

Black of course uses the first opportunity to widen the scope of action for his bishops by threatening . . . dxe4 followed by . . . f6-f5 and . . . c6-c5. Both bishops would then be playing with full effect. It was not possible to delay the text-move any further, since in that case White would play c2-c4 and obtain a quite satisfactory position.

17.f4-f5? It is true that with this move White prevents the manoeuvre 1 7 . . . dxe4 followed by . . . f6-f5, as would have followed after, for example, 1 7.c4. But the text-move creates fresh positional weaknesses in his camp. Now the h2-b8 diagonal is cleared for Black's bishop and, even more importantly, the eS-square is cleared for Black's pieces. Black soon obtains a decisive advantage. 1 7.Wd3 would still have given some prospects of successful resistance, even though after 1 7 . . . dxe4 1 8.ixe4 fS 1 9.E:ad 1 E:c7 20.if3 Wc8, followed by ... cS, Black also retains an edge.

17... 18.c2-c4 19.�dl-d4 20.�d4xc4

�d8-c7 d5xc4 c6-c5 .ie7-d6

Black's bishops now suddenly stand excellently, and attack the enemy position just as well as they defend their own. White's position should already be considered as strategically lost .

21.g2-g3 22.�c4-c2

.id7-b5 e6xf5!

In addition to his strong bishops, Black also opens up the e-file and quickly obtains an overwhelming attack.

23.e4xf5

296

THIRD CYCLE

Boleslavsky considers this to be the decisive mistake, and claims that with 23.a4 White could have achieved equality. But this opinion seems to be too optimistic, because Black can, for example, play 23 . . .ic6 24.exf5 EkeS with approximately the same opportunities as in the game. It is clear that here White can only hope for some tactical chances, as positionally he is clearly worse.

gc8-e8

After this inaccuracy White loses immediately. But also in the case of the best defence, 24.a4, intending after 24 . . . ixe2 2S.ixe2 ixg3 to put up stubborn resistance by 26.if3, Black could instead achieve a clearly better position after the simple retreat 24 . . .ic6. Naturally White could have resisted more stoutly with these continuations, but they were clearly no longer adequate to save the game.

24... 25..i.f3-g2 Perhaps White had initially planned to play 25.ltJ c3 at this point, but then 2S . . . ic6 26.ig2 ixg3! wins, as was pointed out by Flohr. But the text­ move is also hopeless, since now White's pieces end up stalemated.

25... 26)t)e2-gl 27.�c2-d2 28.gfl-f3

�c7-e7 .i.b5-d3 c5-c4 gg8-e8

Black can even allow himself to exchange queens, since after 29 .:B:xe3 'Wxe3 30.'Wxe3 :B:xe3 White loses at least a pawn, and it is the valuable one at b2 that will be lost. But without the queen exchange the end will come even faster.

29.gal-dl 30.b2-b3

i.d6-c5 ge3-el!

SMYSLOV - BOTVINNIK

297

Now a catastrophe follows on the first rank. Note the tremendous power developed by Black's bishops!

3l.b3xc4 32..ig2-fl

.id3xc4

There was no longer an adequate defence against the threat of 32 . . . ixg 1 . Now White loses an exchange.

32... 33.f;Yd2xdl Here 33 .. ."\Wel would also have won easily. After the text-move 34.'\WxdSt �xd8 3S.ixc4 will not do because of 35 . . . '\Wd4 winning a piece .

34.f;Ydl-c2 35.f;Yc2-c3 36.f;Yc3-d3

.ic4-d5 Ac5-d4 f;Ye7-e3

The simplest road to victory; White could well have resigned now.

37.f;Yd3xe3 38..ifl-g2 39..ig2xB

Ad4xe3 .id5xB �d8-d2

298

THIRD CYCLE

40.ttlgl-e2 White resigned. Botvinnik utilized his chances excellently, and once again demonstrated the power of the bishop pair in an open position. Smyslov, on the other hand, played the whole game below his normal capability and at times demonstrated very planless play.

RESHEVSKY - KERES

299

No 26. Slav Defence S. Reshevsky

P.

Keres

Moscow, 19th and 21st April 1948 l.d2-d4

d7-d5

Here I usually play 1 . . . ttJ f6, and in many lines this move enables a transposition to a normal Queen's Gambit. But this time I decided to employ a method of play with unclear value that has not been investigated in detail by theory.

2.c2-c4 3.ltlgl-f3 4.ltlbl-c3

c7-c6 ltlg8-f6

For the player who is looking for complications, the exchange 4.cxd5 is very unpleasant. With this move White would give the game a quiet character and in the almost-symmetrical position he retains an edge owing to his extra tempo. But such simplified positions are not to Reshevsky's taste, and therefore he exclusively plays the sharper text­ move.

4...

e7-e6

According to many masters 4 . . . dxc4 is the simplest way for Black to solve the opening problems, but this is of course a matter of taste. The text-move is, in any event, also adequate and usually gives rise to interesting and complicated positions.

5.e2-e3 Recent practical experience considers S.igS dxc4 6.e4 b5 to be in White's favour. But this line contains so many finesses and good opportunities for various kinds of innovations that Reshevsky rightfully refrains from it in such an important game.

THIRD CYCLE

300

5...

a7-a6

This move became generally known after the 1 935 Alekhine-Euwe match. Alekhine employed it in two games, but without any particular success. Despite being uncertain regarding some aspects of this variation, I decided to employ it in the present game. In doing so I hoped that my opponent would not be completely familiar with all its subtleties. The methods of play that occur after 5.)2Jbd7 6 ..id3 were explained in the games Botvinnik-Euwe and Reshevsky-Euwe from the first cycle, and the game Botvinnik-Euwe from the third cycle.

6.c4-c5 Theory considers this to be the strongest continuation and it undoubtedly creates a game richer in opportunities than after, for instance, 6 . .id3 b 5 7.cxd5 cxd5.

6...

lL!b8-d7

In one of the match games with Euwe, Alekhine immediately played 6 . . . b6 7.cxb6 4J bd7, but after 8.4Ja4 tt:J xb6 9 ..id2 he became worse and finally lost the game. The text-move is certainly more elastic and, besides . . . b7-b6, it also prepares the . . . e6-e5 thrust.

7.b2-b4

a6-a5

Alekhine also played in this way in another game against Euwe in the 1 935 match, but the idea commenced with the text-move is very risky. A safer way to play is 7 . . . g6 followed by . . . .ig7 and . . . 0-0, preparing the . . . e6-e5 advance.

8.b4-b5

e6-e5

This move was the idea behind Black's opening experiment. Black has now been able to carry out the liberating . . . e6-e5 advance, and achieves equilibrium in the centre, since White cannot very well capture on e5

RESHEVSKY - KERES

30 1

due to the weakness of the cS-pawn. But White has obtained a clear advantage on the queenside and he also generates an attack there during the following moves. Incidentally, in the abovementioned game Alekhine played 8 . ..lD e4 against Euwe, but after 9.lLlxe4 dxe4 1 0. t2J d2 fS 1 1 . f3 he was soon worse, and he lost the game.

9.�dl-a4! 10..icl-a3

�d8-c7

It is very difficult to estimate the value of this move. The bishop, it's true, protects the cS-pawn against various kinds of possible surprises, but it is also shut out of the game. But the good aspect of the move is that it immediately forces Black to resolve the tension in the centre, as 1 1 .bxc6 bxc6 1 2.dxe5 is threatened.

10...

e5-e4

The exchange 1 O . . . exd4 1 1 .exd4 also has its drawbacks. Although Black gets some counterplay against the d4 and f4-squares, it also opens the route for White's dark-squared bishop to get out via c l , and Black can also later experience difficulties on the e-file. The text-move seems to be positionally better motivated; it is only Black's later planless play that finally places him in difficulties.

THIRD CYCLE

302

ll.�f3-d2

11...

J.f8-e7

This is the first step away from the right track. It is clear that White's only positionally dangerous threat is the later breakthrough f2-f3, and for this reason Black had to develop his bishop to g7 or h6. Hence the correct continuation was 1 1 . . . g6 followed by . . . ih6 and . . . 0-0, with the plan to later carry out the . . . f7-f5 advance.

12..ifl-e2

h7-h5

The only purpose of this move is to prevent 1 3.0-0, which would now be answered by 1 3 . . . ltJg4 with an attack against the white king. But as White has no intention whatsoever of castling kingside, this advance only constitutes a loss of time, and weakens Black's position. Better was the quiet 1 2 . . . 0-0 followed by . . . Ei:e8 and . . . ltJ f8. In this way Black would at least be able to complete his development properly.

13.b5-b6 14.h2-h3

ffc7-d8

White's previous move was necessary preparation for 0-0-0, as if played immediately it would have allowed 1 4 . . . ltJg4 1 5.Ei:df1 fS 1 6.h3 ltJgf6 and the control over the e4-point has been strengthened.

RESHEVSKY - KERES

303

However, much better than the text-move was 1 4. f3 ! exf3 1 5.gxf3 followed by 0-0-0, and White has a positionally overwhelming position owing to his mobile centre and open g-file.

14... 15.0-0-0

�d7-f8 �f8-e6?

Black is not paying attention to White's following combination, and now ends up in a lost position. 1 4 . . . lt:J g6 1 5. f3 exf3 1 6.gxf3 0-0 had to be played, and even though White stands somewhat better, Black is not without good defensive resources.

16.�d2xe4! A surprising sacrifice that is completely correct. After lengthy thought, Black decided to reject the sacrifice. If he had accepted, then an advance with the cl-pawn would have secured White a decisive attack.

16...

�f6xe4

No better is 1 6 . . . dxe4 1 7.d5 lt:J xdS 1 8.!!xd5 id7 1 9.!!d2 and Black's position has been hopelessly weakened.

17.�c3xe4

h5-h4

304

THIRD CYCLE

After 1 7 . . . dxe4 1 8.dS no adequate defence can be seen for Black. For example: 1 8 . . . ixcS 1 9.dxc6! ixa3t 20.�c2 and if now 20 . . . �xb6, then 21 .cxb7t and the bishop on a3 will be captured with check. In the position occurring after 20 . . . id6 21 .c7t! �d7 22.ibS White also gets a decisive advantage, since three pieces do not constitute sufficient compensation for the queen in this position. With the text-move Black abstains from any kind of counter-chances in return for the lost pawn, and continues the game normally, as if nothing has happened.

18.tDe4-d2 Kmoch recommends 1 8.g4 at this point, and only after 1 8 . . . 0-0 to retreat with the knight to d2. But this continuation is scarcely stronger, since Black plays 1 8 . . . hxg3 1 9.tDxg3 g6 followed by . . . ih4, and perhaps White has even more difficulties in exploiting his extra pawn than in the game.

18... 19J�hl-gl

0-0 �U8-e8

White naturally intends to play g2-g3, but this would now be answered by 20 . . . hxg3 2 1 .:B:xg3 ih4 followed by . . .tt::l f4 or 21 . fxg3 igS with good counterplay for Black. White must thus still make several preparatory moves before he is able to execute an advance of the kingside pawns.

20.J\e2-d3 2l.i.a3-b2 22.ffa4-c2

i.e7-f8 tDe6-g5 a5-a4

Black advances this pawn further, and he hopes to eventually transfer his rook into the game via aS and bS. The pawn in no way stands worse on a4 than it was doing on aS, where White could attack it by ic3 and tt:J b3.

23.a2-a3 24J�dl-el

ffd8-e7 tDg5-e4

RESHEVSKY - KERES

305

White was threatening to play 25.e3-e4, therefore the text-move is more or less forced. If now 25.'Llxe4 dxe4 26.ic4, then 26 . . .ie6 and Black obtains an adequate game owing to his control of the dS-square and the unfavourable position of White's bishop on b2. The attempt 25.tLl b 1 fS 26.f3 'Llg3 is also not especially more dangerous for Black than the game continuation, since capturing the a4-pawn would only drag White away from more important tasks.

25.ttld2-fl Another good continuation was 25.f3, which however after 25 . . . 'Ll g3 26.ctJ f1 ctJhS would give rise to approximately the same position as in the game.

25... 26.f2-0

�e7-g5 ttle4-f6

After 26 . . . ctJg3 27.f4 Black's queen has to give up the defence of the g3-knight, and the weak pawn on g3 would sooner or later be lost.

It was simpler to immediately play 27.ib2-c3-d2. But both players were already in time-trouble, and hence the following manoeuvres should not be judged with the same yardstick as normal thought-out tournament play.

27... 28..ib2-c3

ttlf6-h5 .ic8-d7

Of course not 28 . . . ixh3 29.f4 winning a piece. Black has initially obtained a quite good defensive position, since the e3-e4 advance would weaken the f4-square, and f3-f4 would weaken the e4-square, and finally the execution of g2-g4 is bound up with certain difficulties.

29.0-£4 Here e3-e4 was positionally required, and in order to execute this

306

THIRD CYCLE

advance, White had to prepare the defence of the f4-square. Correct was therefore 29.�f2 followed by .id2. In this way White would soon have obtained a clear advantage. The text-move is also tactically incorrect for the reason that a change in the pawn structure in time-trouble is very risky, and can easily turn out to be positionally unfavourable.

"g5-h6 "h6-f6 More stubborn was 30 . . ..ie7, which would initially have prevented g2g4 and kept the retreat route via f6 open for the knight.

31.i>bl-b2

i.d7-f5

A typical bluff in time-trouble, which here succeeds surprisingly well. But nothing better can be found for Black, since if the time-trouble ended without a significant change in the position, then the loss would be inevitable.

The bluff succeeded and, owing to his control over the e4-square, Black now gets such strong counterplay that White's win comes into question. Instead White had two ways to increase his advantage. Namely,

RESHEVSKY - KERBS

307

32.i.e2! and Black is almost forced to give up one more pawn (32 . . .i.g6 33.i.g4, or 32 . . . g6 33.i.xh5 followed by g4) . And secondly, 32.i.xf5 WfxfS 33.�xh4. In the latter line Black intended to make his time­ troubled opponent face the very unpleasant sacrifice 33 . . .�d3 34.�xh5 i.xcS 35.dxc5 d4 36.i.xd4 �b3t followed by . . .�xa3t, with counter­ chances on account of the strong passed pawn on the a-file. But White can play the stronger 36.i.b4 when his two extra pieces would decide the outcome of the game.

32...

i.f5-e4

Black does not exchange immediately on d3 so as to deprive his adversary of the opportunity to, in some variations, carry out the e3-e4 thrust. Now White's only chance consists of the g2-g4 advance, but against this Black now possesses adequate defensive tools. It is doubtful if White, after the weak 32nd move, is still able to win the game.

33.g2-g4 34.�flxg3 35J!glxg3 36.YMc2xd3 37J�el-gl 38J!gl-fl

h4xg3 �h5xg3 i.e4xd3 ge8-e4 ga8-e8

The previous few moves took place in extremely severe time-trouble. Both sides tried to make as neutral moves as possible, to avoid accidentally spoiling their position.

38... 39.gfl-gl

YMf6-h4 ge8-e6

But not 39. J'he3 40.gxe3 �f2t 41 .i.d2 and Black loses a rook. Now however 40 . . . gxe3 is threatened.

It was better to immediately play 40.i.d2 and protect the e3-pawn. The queen is unfavourably placed on d2, and soon has to return to d3.

THIRD CYCLE

308

40...

f7-f5

The last move before the time control, and with this Black weakens his position and yields his adversary fresh winning chances. Instead after 40 . . . E!:g6! Black would have stood excellently, and it is unlikely that White would have any genuine prospects of making use of his extra pawn. The game was adjourned in this position and Black now had to look for a way to defend the position in his home analysis.

41.�d2-d3 The best sealed move. If instead, for example, 41 .'1Wg2, then 41 . . .'1We7 42.id2 El:xf4! 43.exf4 El:e2 and Black obtains enough of an attack to get a draw. White has to clear the d2-square for his bishop, so that it can take over the defence of the e3-pawn.

41...

�h4-h5!

Black's defensive plan consists of playing . . . g7-g6 followed by . . .if8-e7h4 and ... rJlfl, to create an impregnable fortress. After lengthy analysis I came to the conclusion that White lacks sufficient attacking resources against this defensive set-up, and that Black, even in the case of best play by White, has excellent drawing chances.

RESHEVSKY - KERES

42..ic3-d2 43J:�g3-g5

309

g7-g6

White does not have time to go for the pawn grab on a4, since in this case Black would obtain excellent counterplay with the exchange sacrifice on e3. For example: 43.'1Wc2 �f1 44.!Bg2 (or 44.'Wxa4 ixcS 4S.'Wa7 'We2) 44 . . . 'Wf3 45.'Wxa4 E:xe3! 46.ixe3 E:xe3 and Black no longer has anything in particular to fear. Hence White tries to get an attack going on the kingside at any cost. In fact, it looks like his only winning chance. Lowenfisch recommends 43.ic1 �f1 44.'Wd1 , but this would be followed by 44 . . . 'Wxd1 45.E:xd1 ie7 and the endgame seems to be drawish, as White lacks the opportunity to penetrate into the enemy camp with his rooks. For example: 46.E:dg1 ih4 47.E:3g2 E: f6 48.�c3 E:e8 and Black is able to protect his a-pawn in time. The pawn sacrifice 46.h4 ixh4 47.E:h3 if6, followed by . . .ig7, would also not yield anything, as White's rooks are unable to penetrate into Black's position.

43... 44J�gl-g3

�h5xh3

44.E:xg6t E:xg6 45.E:xg6t �f1 46.E:g1 would be answered by 46 . . . E:xf4. Hence White tries to force the black queen into a more unfavourable position, but in so doing he falls into an interesting trap.

44...

�h3-h2

With this capture, White already agrees to a draw, which he is now forced to look for in any case. 45.E:g2 'Wh3 46.E:Sg3 'WhS 47.'Wf1 also came into consideration, trying to use the open h-file for an attack. But in the event of correct defence, Black should also be able to find sufficient defensive resources. For example, he can immediately retreat with the queen to h 7 on the 46th move, and thereafter proceed with . . . �f1, . . .ig7 and . . . 'Wg8. Now very interesting complications take place.

310

THIRD CYCLE

45... 46J��g3xg6t 47J3g6-g5?

ge6xg6 ®g8-f7

After this normal retreat, White surprisingly loses an exchange, and ends up in a very difficult endgame with just small drawing chances. It was necessary to continue with 47.gxc6! bxc6 48.b7 ge8 49.�xfSt when White gets a draw. For example: 49 . . . ®g7 SO.�d7t �g8 5 1 .�c3 and Black scarcely has anything better than 5 1 . . .�e2 52.�xe8 �c4t 53.�b2 �b3t followed by . . . �xa3t and . . . �a3-b3txb7.

i.f8-e7! i.e7-f6! Now the idea behind Black's defence becomes apparent: the rook is trapped and White loses an exchange, and is forced to be the one who is fighting for a draw. In addition, time-trouble again started to disturb White.

49.®b2-c3 so.gf5xf6t

Wh2-h3

Stronger than SO.ges ixeS 5 1 .fxe5, when Black wins an important tempo by 5 1 .. .�h1 and retains the pawn on a4. The text-move offers White much better drawing chances.

RESHEVSKY - KERES

31 1

50... 51.�d3-c2

51...

�h3-fl!

If 5 1 . . .Ei:xf4, then 52.'1Wxa4, and White obtains strong counterplay owing to the threat of 52.'1Wa8. With the text-move, Black instead gives up one more pawn in the hope of getting a strong attack against the white king in return. Insufficient for a win was 5 1 . ..Ei:xe3t 52.i.xe3 '1Wxe3t 53.'1Wd3, and the endgame is drawish no matter whether Black decides to exchange queens or not.

�fl-alt Also possible was 52 . . . Ei:e8; in this way Black could try to prevent new complications from arising later. But in any case, the position would have been approximately the same as later can occur in the game.

53.ct!?c3-c2 54.�a4-b3

ge4-e8

Naturally not 54.'1Wa7 Ei:h8 and White still cannot capture on b7.

54...

THIRD CYCLE

312

After 54 . . J::! h 8 55.'�c3 �a2t 56.�b2 �c4t 57.�c3 �f1 58.�d3 �f3 a position would occur that later could also have come up in the game. This line perhaps contained the benefit that it spares Black the effort of investigating the subsequent complicated endgame variations.

55 .id2-cl .

All the commentators gave this move a question mark, and consider it

to be White's decisive mistake. Instead they recommend 55.�b2, with a draw. However, this claim seems to be too brave, because after 55.�b2 Black also retains winning chances that are not particularly worse than those further on in the game. Firstly Black can, after 55.�b2, play 55 . . .�£1 56.�b3 Ei:h8 57.�d3 �f3 with the same position as in the notes to Black's 54th move, which offers excellent winning chances. It is likely that, with limited time on the clock and even more threatening time-trouble coming up, Black would have chosen this continuation in the game. Secondly, after 55.�b2 Black can also play 55 . . .�xa3 56.�xa3 Ei:xa3. Lowenfisch then gives the excellent drawing continuation: 57.e4 dxe4 58.d5! cxdS 59.c6! Ei:a6 60 . .ia5 Ei:a8 6 1 ..ic3t � fS 62 . .ie5 Ei:c8 63 . .ic7! And now Black has nothing better than going for a draw by the continuation 63 . . . bxc6 64.b7 Ei:g8. However, this line is not forced, and Black can improve his play by answering 57.e4 by 57 . . . Ei:a2t!. If now 58.�c3, then 58 . . . dxe4 59.d5

RESHEVSKY - KERES

313

cxdS 60.c6 d4t! and Black wins. For this reason White has t o play either 58.i>c1 or 58.i>d1 , whereupon 58 . . . �a8! follows. White then has to proceed with 59.exd5 (since the endgame after 59.eSt i>fS followed by . . . i>e4 is apparently lost) . Black answers this by 59 ... cxd5 and now an endgame has arisen that is extremely difficult to assess, even after lengthy analysis. However, this is what will determine the final value of S S ."Wb2, since if White is able to draw here, then the position occurring after SS . . . "Wf1 would offer him clearly better defensive resources than the game continuation. Therefore let's try to go deeper into this position. White has, in principle, two different continuations at his disposal: namely, with or without the pawn sacrifice c5-c6. Let's start by looking at the first possibility. After 60.c6 bxc6 Black is threatening 6 1 . . . �a6, hence the continuation 61 .ib4 �a6 62.ic5 �aS 63.i>d2 �bS is almost forced. Furthermore it is clear that White will not be able to hold the f-pawn, and that it will be captured by the black king. Approximately the following position will occur: White - i>d3, icS, Pawns on d4 and b6; Black - i> f4, �bS, Pawns on c6 and dS. Black will by no means find it as easy to press home the win as it may look at first glance. But the win is possible to achieve by the following manoeuvre. First of all, Black plays his king to b 7 and threatens . . . �xb6. In order to draw the pawn endgame after the sacrifice on b6, White has to be able to take near or distant opposition with his king on the squares b4 or b2. Therefore his king is tied to the squares c 1 , c2 and c3. With White's king standing on c1 or c3, Black accordingly plays . . . �b3 or ... B:b 1 and brings his rook to b 7, after first having brought his king to a6. In order to thwart the sacrifice . . . �xb6, White has to keep his king close to the squares b2 and b4, most preferably on the a4-square. As White now cannot play his king to b4, on account of the reply ... B:xb6t, he has to give Black's king access to the bS-square by, for example, moving to b3. Now Black again plays the rook to the third rank, and thus forces the white king further backwards, and then proceeds with . . . i>c4 followed by . . . �h2t. Now it is no longer difficult to convince oneself that, no matter the placement of White's king, Black can always achieve a position where White will finally end up without reasonable moves, and be forced to give up the pawn on b6.

3 14

THIRD CYCLE

To demonstrate the above-mentioned ideas in practice, we will offer one possible line, which is not pretending to any particular accuracy, but only illustrates the described winning method: 64.cj;>d3 cj{ fs 6S.cj;>e3 �b3t 66.cj;>d2 cj{xf4 67.cj;>c2 �bS 68.cj;>d3 cj{ fs 69.cj;>c2 cj;>e6 70.cj;>c3 cj;>d7 7 1 .cj;>c2 cj;>c8 72.cj;>c3 cj;>b7 73.cj;>c2 cj;>a6 74.cj;>c3 �b1 7S.cj;>c2 �g1 76.cj;>b3 �g7 77.cj;>b4 �b7 78.cj;>a4 �b8 79.cj;>b3 cj;>bs 80.cj;>c3 �g8 8 1 .cj;>b3 �g3t 82.cj;>c2 cj;>c4 and now either 83.cj;>d2 �g2t 84.cj;>e3 �b2 8S.cj{f4 cj;>bs 86.cj;>es cj;>a6 87.cj;>d6 cj;>b7, or 83.cj;>b2 �g2t 84.cj;>a3 �d2 85.Ad6 �d3t 86. cj;>a4 �b3 87 .AcS �b 1 88. cj;>a3 cj;>c3 89. cj;>a2 �bS, or finally 83. cj;>d2 �g2t 84. cj;>c1 cj;>c3 85. cj;>d 1 �b2 86. cj;>c1 �bS 87. cj;>d 1 cj;>d3 88. cj;>e 1 �b2 89.cj{f1 cj;>e3 in any event with a simple win for Black. These explanations should be enough to prove the faultiness of the 60.c6 breakthrough. Hence only 60.cj;>c2 remains, which however is answered by 60 . . . �c8 6 1 .cj;>d3 cj{fs 62.Ac1 �c6 63.Ad2 �h6 64.Ac1 �h3t 65.Ae3 �g3 and White is now forced to give Black's king access to the e4-square. Further accurate analysis is very difficult, but testing some variations shows that White's bishop is extremely helpless in this position, and hardly able to prevent Black from soon achieving a decisive advantage. From the possibilities given above it becomes clear that the continuation 55.'11Mb 2, as advocated by all the commentators, was no better than the text-move. It in fact enabled Black to win in two ways. For this reason, awarding 55.Ac 1 , as played in the game, with a question mark is in my opinion not justified. After the text-move Black finds it by no means easier to press home the win than in the lines given above.

RESHEVSKY - KERES

55... 56.e3-e4?

315

ga8-h8

Only this move, the last one before the end o f time-trouble, i s the mistake that significantly facilitates Black's win. White could have put up a much more stubborn defence by 56 ..id2. For example: 56 . . . :gh1 57.�b2 �dl t 58.@c3, or 56 . . . :gh2 57.'�d3 �fl t 58.'it>c2, and in neither case i s i t possible t o see a quick forced victory for Black. The win is achievable only after lengthy manoeuvring, resulting in White's pieces being, bit by bit, forced into worse positions. But a closer analysis of these possibilities would lead us too far away, and would not offer the reader anything of particular interest.

56...

gh8-hl

Simpler than 56 . . . :gh2t 57 . .id2. Black now wins easily.

57.e4-e5t 58.'*'b3-e3

i>f6-e7

Or 58.ie3 �dl t and White loses the bishop.

58... 59.i>c2-c3 The threat of 60 . . . �c4 mate now decides quickly.

60.'*'e3-d3 6I.i>c3-b3 62.f4-f5 63.i>b3-a4

'*'a2-alt '*'alxcl '*'cl-b2t gh2-h8

White resigned. Full of mistakes, but a very interesting and exciting struggle.

316

Cycle3 Round 14 0 Botvinnik-Reshevsky 1 1 Euwe-Smyslov 0 Free: Keres

The key game in the fourteenth round was the one between Botvinnik and Reshevsky. Black again chose the Nimzo-Indian Defence, and this time utilized a system that was recommended by ex-world champion Capablanca. Botvinnik should have answered this by energetic play in the centre, but instead he allowed the centre to be closed, and was later worse due to a weakness on the queenside. Black however did not make use of his advantage in the most accurate way, and on the 26th and 34th moves White had the chance to put up a stubborn defence. But after not utilizing these possibilities, Botvinnik fell under a devastating pin on the cl-file, lost material, and was forced to resign. This was Botvinnik's first loss in the tournament. In the game Euwe-Smyslov White tried to improve on the variation played in the game Keres-Smyslov (Round 1 2), but he only succeeded due to Black's inaccurate reply. With an ill-fated queen sally to the kingside, Smyslov enabled White to occupy all the central squares, and obtain a decisive positional advantage. After winning an exchange, Euwe had the chance to finish off the game with a pretty queen sacrifice, but even without this, White's extra exchange in the endgame was sufficient to secure the win. Thus Euwe scored his first victory in the tournament. Tournament table after the 1 4th round: Botvinnik 8, Keres 61/2, Reshevsky 51/2, Smyslov 51/2, and Euwe 21/2.

BOTVINNIK - RESHEVSKY

317

No 27. Nimzo-Indian Defence M. Botvinnik

S. Reshevsky

Moscow, 18th April 1948 l.d2-d4 2.c2-c4 3.lLlbl-c3 4.e2-e3

ll::l g8-f6 e7-e6 J.f8-b4 c7-c5

In the game between the same players in the first cycle, Reshevsky continued with 4 . . . d5 S .a3 ie7 and, after some inaccuracies by White, got the better game. But apparently Black was still not convinced of the soundness of this defensive system, and here he chooses a new line, whose main goal is to restrict the scope of White's bishop pair.

5.a2-a3 Grandmaster Rubinstein, the inventor of the move 4.e3, usually played S.tt'lge2 at this point, and only later continued with a2-a3 and, in the event of an exchange, recaptured on c3 with the knight. But this continuation is scarcely dangerous for Black, and he can choose between several satisfactory systems of defence. For example, S . . . d6 6.a3 iaS and a later . . . e6-e5.

s...

i.b4xc3t

The retreat S . . .iaS also deserves consideration, as after 6.dxc5 ixc3t 7.bxc3 tt'l a6 Black gets a good game owing to the strong support point on cS. After 6.id3 Black can, for example, play 6 . . . d6 followed by ... eS.

6.b2xc3 7.i.fl-d3 8.ll::l gl-e2

ll::l b8-c6 0-0 b7-b6

THIRD CYCLE

318

Black's defensive plan is clear. He tries to keep the position as closed as possible, thus restricting the scope of White's bishop pair. At the same time he intends to attack the c4-pawn by . . . ttJ aS, . . . ia6 and . . . E!:c8. It is clear that defending this pawn is, in the long run, impossible for White, and he is therefore forced to quickly generate counterplay on the kingside to try to stir up threats that will disrupt Black's plan. The game now takes on a very sharp character, and it is the player who most skilfully carries out his plan of campaign who will get the advantage.

9.e3-e4 White reacts correctly by immediately commencing an advance in the centre and on the kingside. Now the very awkward 1 O.igS is threatened, which would force Black to weaken the position of his king. But Black comes up with an interesting reply to this threat.

9...

ttJf6-e8!

A very strong move, which was invented by ex-world champion Capablanca. He employed it in almost the same position in the Karlsbad tournament in 1 929 against Johner, only with the additional moves 0-0 and . . . ia6 made. The knight is excellently placed on e8 from where it protects the g7 -point and threatens to strengthen the pressure against the c4-pawn via the d6-square. At the same time it deprives White of

B01VINNIK - RESHEVSKY

319

the chance to carry out the e4-e5 advance with gain of tempo.

10..icl-e3 White deprives Black's knight of the d6-square, from where it could have supported the assault against the c4 pawn. But the sharp continuation 1 O.eS also comes into consideration. In this way White would try to open up the position at any cost, and create more scope for his bishops. In the game Lilienthal-Najdorf, Stockholm 1 948, White played 1 0.0-0 d6 and only now 1 1 .e5. Black should have answered this by 1 1 ... �a6, continuing his attack against the pawn on c4. It seems that the move 10.0-0 is not necessary at this point, and that White instead can use this tempo to prepare the attack with, for example, 1 0.e5 �a6 1 1 .'1Wc2.

10... 11.0-0

d7-d6 lLlc6-a5

In the abovementioned game Johner-Capablanca, the same position occurred after a reversed move order, only with the move . . . �a6 instead of the knight text-move. Johner continued weakly by playing 1 2.'1Wa4? lt:J aS 1 3.!Ud1 '1Wc7 1 4.�ac1 and after 1 4 . . .'1Wc6 he was forced to exchange queens. This naturally gave Black a clearly better endgame. Botvinnik defends the c4-pawn in a more rational way and also retains chances of a kingside attack.

12.lLle2-g3 13.�d1-e2 14.f2-f4?

Ac8-a6 �d8-d7

After this, Black is able to close the centre completely, keeping White's bishops passive while Black maintains his attack against the c4-pawn. The correct continuation here was to play 1 4.e5!, which would have given rise to a tense game with mutual chances. However, after the faulty text-move the scales clearly tilt in Black's favour.

14...

f7-f5!

THIRD CYCLE

320

Now the centre is permanently closed and White lacks any kind of counterplay. The question subsequently is only about whether Black will be able to realize his positional advantage or not.

15.gal-el Again a loss of a tempo, because the threat of 1 6.d5 is easy to ward off. Incidentally the immediate 1 5.d5 g6 1 6.dxe6 'Mixe6 1 7.exf5 gxfS yields nothing. Black wins the pawn on c4 and White would only be left with very problematic attacking chances. Better was the immediate 1 5.�ad1 or 1 5.�fe 1 , which would have saved White some valuable time.

g7-g6

1 6.d5 CiJg7 only favours Black, thus White now embarks on preparing the e4-e5 advance. But Black also has a satisfactory defence in reserve against this.

16...

'i'd7-f7

Black should not be unduly hasty with the attack against the c4-pawn. The immediate 1 6 . . . 'M/a4 would have given White the chance to open files in the centre by 1 7.d5 ! . i.e.: 1 7 . . ..ixc4 1 8.dxe6 .ixe6 1 9.exf5 and White has good attacking chances as compensation for the pawn.

BOTVINNIK - RESHEVSKY

32 1

17.e4-e5 This advance is sooner or later forced, since after further passive play, Black would step up the pressure against the c4-pawn by . . .Ek8, and force White to play d4-d5 or e4-e5 all the same.

ga8-c8

After 1 8.exd6 ltJ xd6 1 9.dxc5 bxcS White loses the c4-pawn without adequate compensation. With the text-move, White sets a small trap for his opponent, namely: 1 8 . . . cxd4 1 9.ixd4! ixc4 20.exd6 ltJ xd6 21 .'\WeS!, which however is too easy to see through.

18...

d6xe5!

Finally clarifying the situation in the centre, since now 1 9. fxe5 will not do due to the reply 1 9 . . . cxd4 followed by . . . ixc4. And after 1 9.dxe5 all of White's minor pieces would be unfavourably placed and possess no support points in the centre, while Black on the other hand can further increase his pressure against the c4-point. White's position should already be considered as strategically lost, even though he still retains some practical counter-chances.

19.d4xe5

!ile8-g7

322

THIRD CYCLE

20.�g3-fl 2l..ie3-fl

�U8-d8 �g7-h5!

Played at the right moment, since White now faces an unpleasant task to defend the f4-pawn. The move 22.ie3 would deprive the knight of its best square, and 22.g3 would weaken the h1 -a8 diagonal. The game continuation 22.ig3 however places the bishop in an unfavourable position.

22..ifl-g3 23.�fl-e3 24.�e2-a2

�f7-e8 �e8-a4 �h5xg3

If the immediate 24 . . . '?Nb3 25.'?Nxb3 lLl xb3 was tried, then the reply 26.ih4 is unpleasant for Black. However 24 . . . g5 also came into consideration, since 25.fxg5 f4 does not yield White a sufficient attack for the piece, and otherwise protecting the f4-pawn involves much inconvenience. But the text-exchange is also quite good for Black, especially when taking the upcorning time-trouble into consideration.

25.h2xg3

h7-h5

It is true that now Black stamps out the opportunity for counterplay on the kingside by g3-g4, but he also allows his queen to be chased away

BOTVINNIK - RESHEVSKY

323

from its dominating post on the queenside. The correct continuation was to play 25 . . .'1Wb3 ! 26.'1Wxb3 ttJ xb3, and if now 27.g4, then simply 27 .. . fxg4 28.ttJ xg4 ttJ a5 with a clearly better endgame for Black.

26..id3-e2? Instead it was necessary to utilize the opportunity to play 26.ic2!, since the line 26 . . . ixc4 27.ixa4 ixa2 28.id7 �b8 29.c4 will not do for Black. Hence Black should proceed with 26 ...'1Wc6, but then 27.a4 would follow, and White has been able to somewhat consolidate his position on the queenside, although Black still retains an edge. After the text-move, Black soon forces a won endgame.

26 ... 27.'it>gl-f2

'it>g8-f7 �a4-b3!

The exchange of queens deprives White of any opportunity for desperate attacks on the kingside by g3-g4, and enables Black to build up decisive pressure against the c4-pawn and on the cl-file. In the following endgame White has only practical counter-chances caused by time-trouble.

28.�a2xb3 29 ..ie2-d3

�a5xb3

THIRD CYCLE

324

After 29.lLl f1 tLl aS 30.tLle3 Black also plays 29 . . . rJ1e7 and thereafter exchanges both rooks on the cl-file; then he plays the king to h6 and carries out the . . . g6-g5 advance, brings the king to g6, and decides the game by . . . h5-h4. White can do nothing to counter this plan, as his pieces are tied to the defence of the pawn on c4, and his king must cover the threat of . . . tLl a5-b3-d2-e4.

29... 30.�fl-e2 31.EM1-d2

�f7-e7 tl:lb3-a5

White plays for the following trap, which offers quite good prospects of success when taking Black's time-trouble into account.

31...

�c8-c7?

Now White gets the opportunity to stir up highly intricate complications that almost free him from his bad position. It was correct to play 3 1 ...@£7 and only after that .J3:c8-c7-d7. Moreover, this shows that Black's 29th move was unnecessary, and that instead 29 . . . tLl a5 would have saved a couple of tempos.

32.g2-g4! White is forced to create complications. In the case of passive play, Black could double his rooks on the cl-file and then play . . . tLlb3 followed by . . .ib 7, and at a favourable moment carry out the exchanging combination . . . lLl c l t and . . .!hd3. After the text-move Black has considerable difficulties in exploiting his advantage.

32...

�c7-d7

It is hard to tell whether instead 32 . . . hxg4 33.gh1 would have offered Black better winning chances, since the counterplay of the white rooks along the open h-file would turn out to be very troublesome for Black. In any case, worse was 32 . . . fxg4 33.ixg6 with adequate drawing chances.

BOTVINNIK - RESHEVSKY

325

33.g4xf5 Now 33.E!:dd1 would be answered by 33 . . . fxg4 34 . .ixg6 lD xc4 35.E!:xd7t E1xd7 36.lDxc4 .ixc4t 37.�e3 � f8! with a winning endgame. The text­ exchange gives Black a pawn weakness on h5 which later considerably complicates the win.

33...

g6xf5

Here the continuation 33 . . . .ixc4 34.l2Jxc4? lD xc4 35.fxe6 E!:d5, winning an exchange, was very tempting. But instead of 34.l2J xc4? White would naturally play 34. f6t followed by E!:ed1 and suddenly obtain a good game.

34J�el-dl? A bad mistake, which later almost stalemates White's pieces, and makes Black's task very simple. The correct continuation was 34.:9:dd 1 ! threatening to generate a troublesome attack against Black's weak h-pawn by E!:h 1 . Some of the difficulties for Black in this case are illustrated by the following possible lines. If, for example, 34 . . . l2Jb3, then 35.E!:h1 �f7 36 . .ic2! and now the reply 36 ... liJ d2 will not do on account of 37.:9:xh5; if Black however plays 34 . . . �f7 35.E!:h1 �g6, then not the hasty 36.g4 hxg4 37.:9:h4 lD xc4!

THIRD CYCLE

326

38.!%dh1 !%xd3!, but instead the quiet 36.!%hg1 ctJg7 37.!%h1 and it is very hard to see how Black can make further progress. The endgame after 37 . . . ltJb3 38.ic2! ltJ d2 39.!%xh5 ltJ xc4 40.!%xd7t !%xd7 41 .ltJxc4 ixc4t 42.@e3 is in any case not favourable for Black, and it is also not possible to see other concrete ways to make use of Black's advantage.

34...

h5-h4

Now White has no waiting moves left, since every move by a piece would at least cost the pawn on c4. The end is therefore no longer interesting.

35.�e2-el Here Reshevsky gives the long variation 35.!%h1 ltJb3 36.!%dd1 @t7 37.!%hg1 ? ib7 and finally proves a win for Black, but instead of 37.!%hg1 ? White can play more strongly with 37.ic2! and this probably saves the game. But the whole line is naturally a big mistake, since after 35.!%h1 Black wins on the spot by 3S . . .ixc4!.

35... 36.tLle3-d5t

tLla5-b3

Hoping to surprise his adversary in time-trouble, but the position is already too simple for this to work. The game is of course lost in any case.

36... 37..id3xf5 38J�dlxd2 39..if5xd7 40J�d2-f2 4l.gf2-f3 42.�el-e2

e6xd5 tLlb3xd2 d5xc4 gd8xd7 �e7-e6 gd7-d3 and

White Resigned without waiting for Black's reply.

BOTVINNIK - RESHEVSKY

327

Reshevsky played the opening and middlegame excellently, but again allowed himself to make several inaccuracies in time-trouble. Overall, severe time-trouble occurred surprisingly often in this tournament, where many unfortunate mistakes were made that often spoiled the fruit of all the previous hard work.

THIRD CYCLE

328

No 28. Griinfeld Defence M.Euwe

V.

Smyslov

Moscow, 18th April 1948 l.d2-d4 Until now Euwe had only played 1 .e4 in the tournament, although not with any particular success. But in the present game he chooses an opening with a closed character. In so doing, Euwe was taking into consideration that Smyslov usually plays an odd line in the Griinfeld Defence, which Euwe considered to be favourable for White.

1... 2.c2-c4 3.�bl-c3 4.�gl-f3 5JWdt-b3 6.�b3xc4 7.e2-e4 8..icl-e3 9.�c4-b3 10.a2-a4

�g8-f6 g7-g6 d7-d5 i.f8-g7 d5xc4 0-0 i.c8-g4 �f6-d7 �d7-b6

Until this point the game had proceeded in the same way as the game Keres-Smyslov from the third cycle, where White played 1 OJ�d 1 . In that game we can also find more detailed explanations about the opening moves made so far. The text-move is a novelty invented by Euwe. But in my opinion it is scarcely stronger than the normal 1 0.Ei:d1 , since the weakening of the b4-square later makes itself felt in a very disruptive way.

10...

a7-a5

Naturally not 1 0 . . ..ixf3 1 1 .gxf3 .ixd4 1 2 . .ixd4 followed by 1 3.a5.

EUWE - SMYSLOV

329

11.d4-d5 This advance merely weakens White's centre and opens up an excellent diagonal for Black's bishop. Better was 1 1 .�d 1 .

11...

�b8-a6?

In the game from the fifth cycle between the same players, Smyslov continued much more strongly by 1 1 . . .ixf3 1 2.gxf3 '1Wd6, and obtained a fully satisfactory game owing to the threat of 1 3 ... '1Wb4. After the text­ move, White avoids the weakening his pawn structure on the kingside and thus assures himself of the better prospects.

12.J.fl-e2

e7-e6

Black only loses time by this exchange, which does nothing to facilitate his position. Hence the immediate 1 2 . . . '1Wd6, to utilize the weak b4square to generate counterplay, was stronger.

13.h2-h3 14.i.e2xf3 15.e4xd5

i.g4xf3 e6xd5 §'d8-h4?

White already had an indisputable advantage owing to his bishop pair

THIRD CYCLE

330

and excellent attacking chances on the queenside. In addition, the text­ move loses another couple of tempos for no reason. It enables White to considerably increase his advantage, so that Black is subsequently deprived of any kind of adequate counterplay. The idea behind the text­ move, to play the queen to b4, is generally correct, but Black executes it in an inaccurate way. 1 5 . . . '1!9e7 or 1 5 . . . '1!9d6, followed by 1 6 . . .'1!9b4, had to be played, but after the text-move Black can easily prevent this sally.

16. tLl c3-e4!

An excellent move, which primarily threatens to win the queen by 1 7.ig5, and soon forces Black's pieces to retreat. After this move White's position can already be considered as positionally winning.

16...

:ga8-e8

Black apparently did not want to move the rook from f8 for fear of leaving the f7 -point without protection. But in fact there was no reason for this. After the text-move the rook on f8 is very unfavourably placed, and in several lines it allows White the useful additional threat of playing icS.

17.g2-g3

Y«h4-d8

EUWE - SMYSLOV

33 1

After 1 7 . . Y!ie7 1 8.d6 'We6 White can avoid the exchange of queens by simply playing 1 9.'Wb5, but also 1 9.'Wxe6 !he6 20.dxc7 would secure him a marked advantage in the endgame.

18.d5-d6

ttlb6-c8

Euwe believes that 1 8 . . . lLl b4 would have been more active, but then White also obtains a clearly winning position after 1 9.dxc7 'Wxc7 (1 9 ... 'Wd3 20.'Wxd3 lLl xd3t 2Ute2) 20.Ek1 followed by 0-0, as his pieces control the whole board.

19.d6xc7 20.0-0

f;Yd8xc7

White has a clearly winning position, because almost all of Black's pieces are inactive and are incapable of taking control of the important central squares. White's victory is now only a matter of time.

ge8-e6 f;Yc7-e5 After 21 ...'We7 22.lLlg5 the pawn on b7 falls all the same, since the combination 22 .. J:he3 23.'Wxe3 'Wxe3 24. fxe3 i.h6 25.h4 f6 will not work because of 26.i.dSt.

22.f;Yb3xb7

ttlc8-e7

Or 22 ...'Wxb2 23.'Wxc8 !hc8 24J3xc8t i.f8 25.i.h6 and wins.

23.ttle4-g5! Winning material, because 23 . . . Ei:d6 loses a whole rook after 24.i.f4, and the intermediate moves 23 . . . Ei:b8 24.'Wa7 would also not change matters significantly.

23... 24..ie3-f4

332

THIRD CYCLE

Forced, since otherwise the knight on e7 would fall.

25.g3xf4

�e5xf4

Or 25 . . . 'Wf6 26.�fe 1 ltJ f5 27.�c6 and the knight falls all the same .

26.�b7xe7

.ig7-f6

After 26 . . .i.h6, then 27.ltJxf7 speedily decides.

27.�e7-e3? Up to this point Euwe had played the game in excellent fashion, but now he misses the worthy finishing combination 27.'Wxf7t! �xf7 28.�c8t i.d8 29.�xd8t �f8 30.ltJ e6 which would immediately have forced Black to resign. But White's position is already so strong that the text-move also assures him of an easy win.

27... 28.f2xe3 29J�cl-c3 30JU1-dl 31.b2-b3 32J�dl-d5

�f4xe3 .if6xg5 f7-f5 lila6-c5 E!fB-e8

EUWE - SMYSLOV

333

The simplest road to victory. White gives up his e-pawn, but in return wins Black's a-pawn and gains a quickly decisive advantage on the queenside.

32... 33.�gl-g2 34J:�d5-d7

.ig5xe3t lL!c5-a6

Naturally not 34.�xa5 due to 34 . . .id2 .

34 35J!d7-a7 36J!a7xa5 37J!a5-b5 38J!c3-c7t 39J!c7-d7 40J!b5-b6t 41.h3-h4t 42J!b6xb4t •••

.ie3-f4 lL!a6-b4 �g8-g7 .if4-d2 �g7-f6 .id2-el �f6-g5 �g5-f4

Black resigned. Euwe's only win in the tournament, but nevertheless an excellent achievement. After his weak handling of the opening, Smyslov was unable to consolidate his position and he lost without any serious resistance.

334

Cycle3 Round 15 Reshevsky-Euwe 1/2 0 Keres-Botvinnik 1 Free: Smyslov

1/2

The key game in the last round of the third cycle was Keres­ Botvinnik. White made a last attempt to catch up with the leader of the tournament. A French Opening gave rise to a tense middlegame where White maintained a slight initiative, and finally forced a position with a strong knight against Black's inefficient bishop. But when trying to make use of his advantage, White continued weakly and enabled Black to open the position; later White also lost a pawn. The following time­ trouble was rich in mutual inaccuracies until the game finally reached an approximately equal endgame. But a few moves before the time control, White made another mistake and thereafter had to adjourn in a rook endgame a pawn down, with only poor chances to save the game. However, when resuming the game, Botvinnik did not choose the strongest continuation, and White was once again able to equalize. But the second batch of time-trouble finally ruined White's position completely. Black activated his rook and forced White's counterpart to take up a passive defence, and Black steadily won the endgame after it had been adjourned one more time. The game Reshevsky-Euwe proceeded quietly. Euwe exited an irregular opening with a good game, and even obtained pressure against White's weak cl-pawn. However, he later enabled White to exchange off this weakness when an equal endgame arose. The game ended in a draw. With the win in the 1 5th round, Botvinnik finally consolidated his lead in the tournament. With only eight games left to play he was now all of 21/z points ahead of his closest rival. Thus, first place in the tournament had practically already been decided. After the 1 5th round the tournament position is the following: Botvinnik 9, Keres 61/z, Reshevsky 6, Smyslov 51/z and Euwe 3.

RESHEVSKY - EUWE

335

No 29. Irregular opening M.Euwe

S. Reshevsky Moscow, 20th April 1948 l.c2-c4

e7-e6

In recent times Euwe has preferred the normal Queen's Gambit ahead of all kinds of Indian systems, and also in the present game he tries to obtain a well-known position. Reshevsky, on the other hand, taking the tournament position into consideration, tried to play for a win at all costs. Thus he subsequently stirred up unusual complications, which however do not turn out in his favour

2JLlgl-f3 3.g2-g3

d7-d5

As the game Keres-Botvinnik from the first cycle also showed, when White has not played d2-d4 he must constantly take the . . . d5-d4 advance into consideration when developing the bishop to g2. It yields Black an adequate game, and therefore the simple 3.d4 came into consideration, with a transition to a normal Queen's Gambit.

3...

d5-d4

Also in this position this thrust is quite good and gives rise to an interesting game rich in possibilities. After 3 . . . ttJ f6 the move 4.d4 can give rise to a normal position in the Catalan opening.

4.e2-e3 But this move does not fit well into the opening system selected by White. Now in the case of an exchange on d4, he will have an unpleasant weakness on d3 and especially on the d4-square. Therefore, better was 4.ig2 followed by 0-0 and d2-d3, or also the immediate 4.e4 which would save White a valuable tempo.

THIRD CYCLE

336

4...

�b8-c6

Definitely stronger than 4 . . . c5, which White could answer with 5.exd4 cxd4 6.d3 followed by ig2 and 0-0, when White's bishop on g2 is a very powerful force. With the text move, Black tries to make d4-square into a support point for his pieces, and hopes to later attack White's backward cl-pawn.

5.e3xd4 It was certainly better to first play S.ig2, and only after bringing the king to safety by castling, then open up the centre by an exchange on d4. Playing 5.d3 followed by e4 would no longer come into consideration here, since White would lose a valuable tempo and eventually end up in a passive defence.

5... 6..ifl-g2

�c6xd4

6...

�g8-h6

An original idea that is by no means bad. Black tries to strengthen the position of his knight on d4 by playing the other knight to fS. However, the development of this knight needed to be done only via

RESHEVSKY - EUWE

337

h6, since after 6 . J i J e7 7.lt::l xd4 'Wxd4 8.d3 Black would not have the 8 . .ib4t resource at his disposal. Then after 8 . . . 'WeSt White could even play 9.�f1 and later, after lt::l c3, win another tempo by �f4 or d3-d4. .

7.0-0 8.d2-d3 9.ltlf3xd4

ltlh6-f5 .if8-e7

As a result of his inaccurate handling of the opening, White already has a relatively constricted position, as Black's centrally-placed knights completely dominate the game. Hence White decides, even at the cost of several tempos, to exchange off both Black's knights. But this also fails to equalize the position completely.

9 ... IO.ltlbl-d2 n .ltld2-f3 12.ltlf3xd4

ltlf5xd4 0-0 .ie7-f6 .if6xd4

As a result of the exchanges, Black now, instead of a knight, possesses a no-less-powerful bishop on d4, while White is still left with the weak pawn on d3. The further exchange 1 3.�e3 eS 1 4.�xd4 'Wxd4 would by no means help White's position. He therefore correctly decides to take action on the queenside, and tries to obstruct the development of Black's light-squared bishop.

13J�al-hl

e6-e5

At this point 1 3 . . . a5 also deserved serious consideration. First of all , it prevents the 1 4.b4 advance and, secondly, it opens up a favourable developing route via a6 for the queenside rook, and thus enables the bishop on c8, for the time being, to remain on its starting position. Black could then generate strong pressure on the cl-file by ... e6-e5 and .. J!a8-a6-d6, and White would have difficulty coming up with a satisfactory defence to counter this. After the text-move, White obtains some counterplay on the queenside.

THIRD CYCLE

338

14.b2-b4

14...

.lc8-f5

The exchange of the b 7 -pawn for the weakness on d3 that now takes place was certainly not in Black's interest. Even though Black's advantage after the 1 3th move was not so considerable, owing to White's counterplay on the queenside, there was nevertheless no reason to simplify the position, which inevitably leads to a speedy draw. Hence it was better to play 1 4. J�b8 in order to prepare . . . .ifS. Also the continuation 1 4 . . . a5 would have offered Black some prospects, for example: 1 5.bxa5 lha5 1 6.i.xb7 i.xb7 1 7.lhb7 �xa2 and the pressure against the f2-point could turn out to be very unpleasant for White.

15.J.g2xb7

J.f5xd3

Naturally not 1 5 . . . �b8 1 6.i.e4 and Black has simply lost a pawn. Of course White cannot play 1 6.'1Wxd3 as 16 ... i.xf2t would win his queen, however the capture on a8 is fully satisfactory.

16.J.b7xa8

.id3xfl

Perhaps Euwe miscalculated earlier and expected to win here with the continuation 1 6 . . .i.xb 1 1 7.i.d5 c6 1 8.i.xc6 i.d3, since after 1 9.�e1

RESHEVSKY - EUWE

339

ixc4 Black would stand clearly better. But instead of 1 9.Ei:e1 White plays 1 9.ig5! �d6 20.ie7! (20.c5? �g6!) 20 . . . �xe7 2 1 .�xd3 �xb4 with an approximately equal game. After the text-move 1 7.id5 is no longer possible because of 1 7 . . . ixc4, but after the exchange, White no longer has anything in particular to fear.

17JWdlxfl 18.'1Wfl-e2 19.i.c1-b2 20.i.b2xd4

'!Wd8xa8 '!Wa8-c6 g7-g6 e5xd4

Black's passed pawn now gives him a slighdy better endgame, which however is not possible to win in practice.

21.'lWe2-d3 22J:�bl-dl

'!Wc6-d6 '!Wd6xb4

This exchange is equivalent to a draw offer. If Black had any intention whatsoever of playing on, then the only possibility was 22 . . . Ei:d8. But even then, the endgame would most likely end in a draw in the event of further careful play by White.

23.'1Wd3xd4 24.®gl-g2 25.a2-a3 26.�dlxd4 Draw.

�f8-e8 '!Wb4-b6 '!Wb6xd4 �e8-e6

THIRD CYCLE

340

No 30. French Defence P.

Keres

M. Botvinnik

Moscow, 20th, 21st and 22nd April 1948 l.d2-d4

e7-e6

Botvinnik almost always chooses this modest move against 1 .d4, thus he keeps the possibility open to transpose into either the Fre n ch or Dutch Defences. As Botvinnik plays both these openings, this reply suits his playing style well.

2.e2-e4 3.�bl-d2

d7-d5

With this method of play, White usually gets a lasting initiative without any greater risk. Therefore I abstained from the sharper 3.lt:J c3, which I first employed in the final round.

3... 4.e4xd5 5.�gl-f3

c7-c5 e6xd5

In the game Euwe-Botvinnik from the second cycle, where some explanations have been given about the moves made so far, White played s.ibSt lt:J c6 6 .'1We2t Wfe7 but did not achieve any significant advantage after the exchange of queens. The text -move is certainly more interesting, and gives rise to a more tense position where immediate simplification is not possible.

5...

a7-a6

A novelty, which however seems to be more dubious for Black than the normal moves 5 . . . 4J f6 or 5 . . . 4J c6. It is true that Black in some lines prevents the troublesome check ibSt, but in so doing he loses a valuable tempo and enables White to gain a clear edge in development.

KERES - BOTVINNIK

34 1

6.d4xc5? With this exchange White gives back the tempo Black lost on his previous move, and is not getting any significant advantage besides isolating the cl-pawn. Hence normal development of the pieces by 6.i.e2 lLl c6 7.0-0 ttJ f6 8.:9:e 1 looks stronger, when Black has to overcome much greater difficulties than in the game.

6... 7.�d2-b3 8..icl-g5

.if8xc5 .ic5-a7

Again weak, since after Black's natural reply, White is forced into a time-consuming knight manoeuvre that deprives him of any prospects of gaining a genuine advantage. If White wanted to employ the system of development utilized in the game, then it would have been better to immediately play 8.i.e2 lLl f6 9.l2l fd4 followed by i.e3, also keeping the possibility open of playing 0-0-0.

8...

�g8-f6

9 ... ixf2t followed by . . . lt:J e4t was threatened, and after the natural defence 9 .i.d3 the pin after 9 . . . 0-0 1 0.0-0 i.g4 would be very troublesome for White. With the text-move White places his knight on a strong central post, and poses Black relatively big problems.

9... 10..ifl-e2

0-0 Vfd8-d6

Black naturally wants to free himself from the troublesome pin as fast as possible, and in addition he carries this out with gain of tempo due to the threat of . . . lt:J e4. But owing to his 9th move, White has the good retreat square e3 in reserve for his bishop.

11.0-0

�f6-e4

342

THIRD CYCLE

12.i.g5-e3

�b8-c6

With this move Black is not threatening so much to play 1 3 ...ib8, which White could answer quite well with g2-g3, but rather 13 . ..lt'le5, centralizing both knights and threatening to make an eventual sally to c4. White's following exchange is thus more or less forced, but nevertheless it secures him an excellent game.

13.�d4xc6!

i.a7xe3!

With this small tactic Black saves himself from things getting even worse, since after 1 3 . . . bxc6 1 4.ixa7 gxa7 1 5.c4 White would stand somewhat better. Now White gets a pawn weakness on e3 in his camp, which compensates Black for the weak central squares on d4 and cS.

14.flxe3 After 1 4.\Wxd5 the continuation 1 4 . . . tt:lxf2! 1 5.\Wxd6 ltJ e4t 1 6.@h1 ltJxd6 1 7.ltJ e7t, followed by tt:l xc8 and id3, gives rise to an approximately equal position. The text-move, on the other hand, retains the tension in the position and still offers White a slight initiative.

14... 15.i.e2-d3?

b7xc6

KERES - BOTVINNIK

343

White has prospects of getting an attack on the kingside, but the bishop is unfavourably placed on d3, and enables Black to carry out the . . . c6c5 advance with gain of tempo due to the double threat. In addition, Black's knight is much more unpleasandy placed on f6 for White than it is on e4. Instead 1 5.c4 was much stronger, with the main threat being to play 1 6.'1!9d4 followed by c4-c5. This would have secured White a long-term initiative, whereas now after the text-move Black equalizes without any greater effort. Another good continuation for White was 1 5.!!f4.

15...

tl:le4-f6

Naturally not 1 5 . . . f5? 1 6 ..ixe4 fxe4 1 7.!!xf8t followed by '1Mfd4 with a clear edge for White. But with the text-move Black threatens to play 1 5 ... c5 and also in a number of lines to play . . . ttJ g4, creating some difficulties for White.

16.'1Mfdl-el

tl:lf6-g4

According to Boleslavsky, this move is a mistake that once again puts Black in difficulties. But as a matter of fact, the lines that occur in the game are so complicated that it is very difficult to say whether Black's attack is sufficient to balance the position or not. In any case, a very lively middlegame now takes place where both sides operate with a number of hidden threats and manoeuvres. Instead of the text-move, Boleslavsky advocates 1 6 . . . !!e8, and believes that it would yield Black an edge. However, this opinion is far too optimistic, since 1 6 . . . !!e8 would also give rise to complicated variations that are very difficult to finally assess: White can, for instance, play 1 7.'1Wh4, and if now 1 7 . . . !!xe3, then 1 8.!!xf6! '1Mfxf6 1 9.'1Wxh7t @ f8 20.'1!9h8t @e7 2 1 .!!f1 and White has a dangerous attack as compensation for the sacrificed exchange; if Black however plays 1 7 . . . h6, then there follows 1 8.'1Wf4 whereupon White at least is not standing worse. The most dangerous reply after 1 7.'1Wh4 thus seems to be 1 7 . . . c5, which White answers most easily by 1 8.c4 in order to after 1 8 ... !!xe3 again proceed along the lines given above by playing 1 9.!!xf6!.

THIRD CYCLE

344

But if Black would immediately play 1 6 . . . c5, then besides 1 7.c4 there could also follow 1 7.Wl'h4 h6 (1 7 . . . :;:!e8 leads to the variation given above) 1 8. lt:l xc5 Wl'xc5 1 9.:;:!xf6 gxf6 20.Wi'xh6, and White's continuing attack assures him of at least a draw.

17.Y;Yel-h4

f7-f5

After 1 7 . . . h6 White would not play 1 8.e4, as suggested by Boleslavsky, because after 1 8 . . . d4 Black would have an excellent game due to his control of the e5-square, but instead 1 8.:;:!f4 followed by 1 8 ... g5? 1 9.:;:!xg4 or 1 8 . . . lt:l xe3 1 9.Wl'g3 g5 20.:;:!xf7. With the text-move Black in some lines threatens the unpleasant . . . :;:!f8-f6-h6.

18.:;:!fl-f4! Indirectly defending the pawn on e3, since now 1 8 . . . lt:lxe3 would be answered by 1 9.:;:!e1 lt:lg4 20.:;:!xg4, and 1 9.:;:!xg4 is now threatened in several lines.

18...

�g4-e5

After 1 8 . . . h6 White has the simple reply 1 9 .Wfg3 which, besides other things, also threatens 20.:;:!xg4.

KERES - BOTVINNIK

345

On the other hand, intriguing complications could have occurred after

1 8 . . . !!£6. The safest reply is certainly 1 9.WI'g3 (1 9 . . . !!h6 20.h3, or 1 9 . . . !!g6 20.�xg4) , but also very interesting is 1 9.h3 lt::l xe3. If now 20.!!e 1 ?, then 20 ... g5! 21 .WI'xgSt !!g6 22.Wi'h4 lt::l xg2 and Black wins. White must therefore play differently, for example 20.!!f3 which seems to yield him the better game. It is true that with the text-move Black avoids all these complications, but now his attack has also come to an end, and White threatens to obtain a marked positional advantage by utilizing the weakness of the central dark squares.

19.�h4-g3

�a8-a7

Of course not 1 9 . . . lt::l g6 20.!!xf5 and White retains the extra pawn.

20.�al-fl 21.ltlb3-d4! Now Black is practically forced to capture on d3, because it is no longer possible to protect the fS-pawn by other means. But after this exchange the central dark squares become even weaker, which gives White a clear positional advantage. It now becomes clear that, instead of the hazardous 1 6 . . . lt::l g4, it would have been better for Black to try to equalize by 1 6 . . . !!e8, which he is no longer able to do in the game.

21... 22.c2xd3 23.ltld4-f3

ltle5xd3 c6-c5

Initially White had planned to play 23.lt::l b3 at this point, which would also have given him a clear positional advantage after a subsequent d3d4. But, at the last moment, White for some reason decided to retreat the knight in the other direction. After an excellent middlegame White, under the influence of slight time-pressure, starts to play weaker and weaker. Finally he loses all his advantage, and is even the one who gets into difficulties.

THIRD CYCLE

346

23...

'ilYd6-b6

The main drawback of White's previous move was the fact that it removed White's last piece from the queenside and left it completely without protection, and it is there that Black now directs his attack. Removing the queen from d6 is necessary, since 23 . . . f!:e7 would after 24.f!:xf5 'Wxg3 25.f!:xf8t @xf8 26.hxg3 f!:xe3 27.@£2! have given White a clearly better endgame, and also 23 . . . f!:e8 24.f!:e4 'Wd8 25.f!:xe8t 'Wxe8 26.ltJe5 followed by d3-d4 is favourable for White.

24JU4-h4 An important gain of tempo. After 24.b3 Black can play 24 . . . c4 and thus eliminate the tension in the centre.

24...

h7-h6

25.ltH3-e5? Now White has serious difficulties defending his queenside pawns. In addition, White has to consider his rook on h4, as it is not taking part in the game. The correct continuation was instead to play 25.'We5!, centralizing the queen and simultaneously protecting the pawn on b2. In so doing, White could have secured his advantage, while after the text-move, on the other hand, Black gets some awkward threats.

KERES - B01VINNIK

347

25... 26.d3-d4? A bad mistake, which not only loses a pawn but in addition enables Black to create a number of tactical threats. In time-trouble White was unable to fully assess the complications occurring after 26.b3 gS. But in actual fact they would by no means have been dangerous for him; after 27J:ghf4 followed by �4f2 Black would only have achieved an unnecessary weakening of his own king position, without getting anything in return. After the weak text-move the scales quickly tilt in Black's favour.

26...

c5xd4

After 26 . . . '1Wxb2 White can play 27.dxc5, since 27 . . . f4 fails to 28.�hxf4 '!WxeS 29.�xf6.

But not 27 .exd4 f4! and neither rook can take on f4 because of 28 ... '1Wxd4t!. After the text-move White can simply answer 27 . . . f4 by playing 28.�dxf4.

27... 28J�d4xd5?

YlYb6xb2

This capture should immediately have placed White in a lost position. Here 28.a4 had to be played; White would then, despite the minus pawn, have obtained quite decent counterplay. But in time-trouble both sides play very inaccurately.

28...

.ic8-e6?

Also not totally clear in its outcome was the capture 28 . . . '1Wxa2, since after 29.�c5! White would get very dangerous counterplay owing to the threat of 30.�c7. However, 28 ... f4! 29.exf4 �xf4 would have won on the spot. If now

348

THIRD CYCLE

30J:hf4, then naturally 30 . . .�c 1 t 3 1 .@f2 :B:xf4t 32.lt:l f3 ie6; and if 30.�xf4 :B:xf4 3 1 .:B:xf4, then 3 1 . . .ib7 32.:B:d8t @h7 and White cannot prevent further material losses. Finally 30.lt:l f3 �xa2 also leads to a clear win for Black, as he has a better position and a strong extra pawn. Instead White could also try 29.�e1 (29.�£2? fxe3) , but in this case Black can, for instance, obtain a winning position with the continuation 29 . . . fxe3 30.:B:xf6 :B:xf6 3 1 .:B:d8t @h7, since 32.:B:xc8 �xeS or 32.lL'l d3 �b6 or 32.lL'l c4 �f2t 33.�xf2 exf2t, followed by . . .ib7, are all insufficient to save White. Besides this, after 29.�e1 Black could also continue with 29 . . . �xa2, and retain a better position and an extra pawn.

29.gd5-d4? During the course of the game, White was so occupied with investigating the consequences of 28 . . . f4! that, in time-trouble, he was unable to react directly to the weaker move made in the game. Here 29.:B:d7! ixd7 30.lL'lxd7 �xa2 3 1 .lL'lxf8, followed by �eS, had to be played, and it is unlikely that Black would be able to win the resulting endgame. However, if Black would instead answer 29.:B:d7 by playing 29 . . . g5, then there would follow 30.:B:d4 with the threat of 3 1 .h4, assuring White of counterplay rich in possibilities, as 30 . . . f4 is not dangerous on account of 3 1 .:B:dxf4.

KERES - BOTVINNIK

29...

349

®g8-h7?

Now Black had to play 29 . . . Wfxa2 if he wanted to retain any prospects of an advantage. White should in this case either play 30.ctJd7 �xd7 31 .l:l:xd7 and have some drawing chances in the following endgame, or 30.h4 followed by a later Wff4, strengthening his grip on the central dark squares. After the text-move the position becomes equal.

30.�e5-d7 Once again White was taken by surprise by Black's previous move, and makes the first move that comes to his mind. Apparently simpler was 30.Wff2, retaining the pawn without exchanging the knight. However, 30.h4! looks stronger, with the intention of playing 3 1 .!!f2. If thereafter 30 . . . f4, then 3 1 .!!fxf4 !!xf4 (3 1 ...Wfa1 t 32.@h2 !!xf4 33.!!xf4) 32.Wfg6t @h8 33.!!xf4 with a sure draw; if however 30 . . .Wfxa2, then 3 1 .!!c 1 ! and White's attack more than compensates for the sacrificed pawn.

30... 3l.�d4xd7 32.'i«g3-f2 33J�d7-d4

i.e6xd7 �f6-g6 'i«b2-e5

White had again been able to equalize from a lost position, but he is unable to find a clear plan of campaign in time-trouble. But despite this, the position initially remains equal.

33... 34.'i«f2-f4

�f8-b8

Naturally not 34.Wfxf5? Wfxe3t 35.Wff2 !!b2! and Black wins.

34... 35.�d4-d2 36.h2-h3

'i«e5-e6 �b8-b5 �b5-e5

THIRD CYCLE

350

37.®gl-h2 Simpler was 37.!H3 !:l:f6 38.\Wd4 and Black's attack has come to end.

an

The decisive mistake, which loses a pawn and leads to an endgame where White has only problematic chances of a draw. A natural continuation, especially in time-trouble, was to play 38.!!£3 !:l:e4 39.'1!Mg3 and, although White's pieces are rather constricted at the moment, he should not have any difficulties holding the position.

38... Naturally not the immediate 38 . . . !:l:xe3 39.!:l:d6 with equality. After the text-move White's best chance was to play 39.'1!Md6, trying to obtain an exchange of queens. With the queens still on the board, Black threatens to generate a strong attack against the enemy king.

39.�f4-b8 40J�d2-d8

ge4xe3 �e6-e5t

Although the following rook endgame is winning for Black, it still requires overcoming large technical difficulties. Simpler therefore was 40 . . . f4, since 41 .!:l:h8t @g6 was by no means dangerous. Furthermore, Black always retained the possibility of offering an exchange of queens, and thus transposing to the endgame that occurs in the game.

41.�b8xe5 42,gdl-d2 At this point the game was adjourned and this was the move that White sealed. In his home analysis White convinced himself that Black has a logical strategic plan of campaign against which White has no satisfactory defence. White assessed his prospects in this endgame to

KERES

-

BOTVINNIK

351

be only o f a practical nature, i f Black perhaps did not carry out his winning plan accurately enough.

42...

g7-g5?

It is very rare for Botvinnik not to play the strongest first move after home analysis. But here Black commits a bad tactical mistake by opening up the position of his king too early. In so doing, he seriously jeopardizes his win by offering White various tactical chances. Probably Botvinnik did not find a clear winning continuation for Black in his home analysis, and resumed the game without any clear thought-out plan. This circumstance should have been fatal for him. Among other things, in his home analysis White could not see how to defend himself against an attack beginning with 42 ... f4! . After this Black threatens in several lines to play . . . f4-f3 in combination with an assault against the h-pawn, or also the manoeuvre . . . @h7-g6-h5 followed by ... g7-g5 and a subsequent . . . @h4 followed by an advance of the g-pawn. The presence of the pawns on the a-file ties White's rooks so tightly to the defence of the a-pawn that they are unable to adequately ward off Black's attack on the kingside. It is of course almost impossible to demonstrate an accurate winning variation analytically, but by executing the attack in accordance with the general lines given above, Black could in my opinion win the game without any great problems. After the text-move, naturally it cannot be claimed that Black has

THIRD CYCLE

352

spoilt his winning position. But it is at least clear that Black later has no method of play where White would not have excellent drawing chances.

43.g2-g4! Naturally White immediately utilizes the chance to exchange off one pair of pawns, which considerably helps his position. It goes without saying that Black cannot play 43 ... f4? due to 44J�2d7t, and thus he has to accept the exchange of his f-pawn. Incidentally, weaker was 43.g2d7t @g6 44.g4 on account of 44 ... ge2t, which yields Black better winning chances than the game continuation.

43 ... After 43 ... @g6 White does not need to transpose to the variation given in the previous note 44.g2d7 ge2t, as instead he has the stronger continuation 44.gg8t @f7 45.ga8 at his disposal, with various threats. The exchange 43 ... fxg4 44.hxg4 deprives the black king of the important penetration square h5, and is favourable only for White. Hence the only defence, besides the text-move, that came into consideration for Black was 43 ... ge7. But White would answer this by 44.g8d7 gxd7 45.gxd7t @g6 46.@g3 f4t 47.@f3 and obtain a position where no forced win for Black can be seen. The same situation however also arises after the text-move, so it is very difficult to decide which line offers Black better practical winning chances.

g3, and if now 53.J��h4, then 54.ga7. In any event, Black loses back a pawn, when White would not have any difficulties forcing the draw.

50.a3-a4? Even though this move still does not throw away the draw, it makes White's defence considerably more difficult. The natural move 50.ga4!

g

would have secured a simple draw. After this there was no need for White to hurry with playing h3-h4, for example 50 ... c;!;>g6 5 1 .ga5 gc3t 52.c;!;>g2 gc6 53.c;!;>g3 and Black cannot make further progress, or also 50 ...c;!;>f6 5 1 .h4 c;!;>g6 52.hxg5 hxgS 53.c;!;>g4, or finally 50 ... c;!;>f6 51 .h4 gxh4t 52.c;!;>xh4 c;!;>e6 53.c;!;>g4 and White draws easily. Boleslavsky's recommendation to play 50.h4 is, on the other hand, of much more dubious value, since Black would play 50 ... gc3t S 1 .c;!;>g4 gxh4 52.c;!;>xh4 gxa3 and retain practical winning chances due to White's king being cut off too far away from the back rank.

50 ... 5 1 .h3-h4

®g7-g6

It was also possible to proceed along the lines of the note to White's 49th move by playing 5 1 .gd5 c;!;>hS 52.a5 gc3t 53.c;!;>g2, and Black

KERES - BOTVINNIK

357

cannot make further progress as he is forced to play the retreat 53 .. .Ek6 to thwart the threat of 54.�d6. But after 54.@g3 @g6 SS.@g4 @ f6

56.cj;jlhs White would have such a strong position that Black scarcely has any more winning chances. The text-move is also still possible, but it complicates White's defence even more by clearing the route for Black's king to penetrate through hS and h4.

5 1 ... 52.h4xg5

@g6-h5 h6xg5

53.!M4-d3? The mistake that finally ruins White's position. 53.!!d5! would still have secured a draw, for example: 53 ... �c3t 54.@g2 cj;jlh4 SS.!!d6 aS 56.�d5 g4 57.�xa5 �c2t 58.@f1 ! @g3 59.�a8 and White draws. But White was unable to accurately calculate this possibility in time-trouble, and thus decided to choose the passive defence played in the game. However, in rook endgames such a tactic almost always leads to defeat.

:gc6-c4

Or 54.a5 �a4 SS.�dS �a3t 56.@g2 @h4 followed by ... g5-g4.

THIRD CYCLE

358

54 ...

a6-a5

White's rook now stands so unfavourably that it is unable to organize efficient counterplay against Black's pawns. Black wins the endgame easily by bringing his king over to the queenside. Of course, White could later have put up more stubborn resistance at some points, but his position is lost in any event.

55.®g3-h3 56.®h3-g3 57.�a3-al 58.®g3-h3

�c4-b4 �b4-f4 �f4-g4t �g4-e4

Black tries to win time to re-adjourn the game, so as to find the safest road to victory in home analysis. Nothing will happen before Black's king comes closer to the queenside.

59.�al -a3 60.®h3-g3 6 1 .®g3-f3 62.®f3-g3 63.�a3-al

®b5-g6 ®g6-f5 ®f5-e5 �e4-d4

At this point the game was adjourned for the second time. Black's win is now beyond doubt.

®e5-d5 �d4-b4 Of course not 64 .. J:ha4? 65J:%bSt ®c4 66.E!:xg5 E!:al 67.@h2! and White draws.

65.�b l-fl 66.�fl-el t

®d5-e4

66.@g4 E!:xa4 67.@xg5 E!:c4 also loses, as Black's a-pawn decides the game.

KERES - BOTVINNIK

66...

359

®e4-d4

67. ®g3-h2 Or 67.!:W :gxa4 68.:gf5 :ga1 69.@h2 g4 70.:gf4t @c3 7 1 .:gxg4 :gd1 and Black wins. White's position is hopeless. But a bit more stubborn was 67.@f3.

67 ...

:gb4xa4

Now Black can also win without the g-pawn, and he is therefore not going to waste time on its defence. There followed:

68J�el-gl 69.:gglxg5 70. h2-g2 71. ®g2-f3 72J�g5-a5

ga4-c4 a5-a4 ®d4-c3 a4-a3 ®c3-b3

White resigned. A very interesting game,

where the advantage shifted several times. It is just a pity that both sides made so many mistakes in such an interesting rook endgame that the lion's share of its details were lost on the spectators.

360

Cycle 4

4

Round 16 1 Keres-Euwe 0 ¥2 Reshevsky-Smyslov 112 Free: Botvinnik

The fourth cycle again started off with tense games. In the game Keres-Euwe, where the Spanish Defence was utilized, the ex-world champion chose his favourite variation - the Open Defence, which Keres answered with his patent move 9.'\We2. In his home analysis Euwe had prepared a long counter-manoeuvre in reply, which however eventually turned out to be favourable for White all the same, and left Black with an unemployed bishop against White's strong knight on d4. In a positionally lost situation, Euwe tried to commence counterplay, but this only gave White the chance to decide the game by a direct attack against the king. The Slav Defence played in the game Reshevsky-Smyslov gave rise to an original middlegame, where White placed his queen in an exposed position and thereby ran into difficulties. Smyslov could probably have attained some advantage in the middlegame, but did not use these possibilities in the best way, and finally forced a transition to an equal pawn endgame that quickly ended in a draw. The tournament position after the 1 6th round: Botvinnik 9, Keres 71/z, Reshevsky 61/z, Smyslov 6, and Euwe 3.

KERES - EUWE

361

No 3 1 . The Ruy Lopez P.

Keres

M. Euwe

Moscow, 22nd April 1948

l .e2-e4

e7-e5

In earlier times Euwe often used to play the French Defence and in recent tournaments he also sometimes employed the Sicilian Defence. But in this tournament the former world champion exclusively specialized in the open systems, both as White and Black. But it seems to me that Euwe's strength lies precisely in positional play and he should thus try to avoid complications as much as possible. For this reason his playing style is better suited for closed opening systems, for example the Caro­ Kann. It is curious that Euwe has almost never employed that opening, at least not in any important games.

2)i�gl-f3 3 ..lfl-b5 4..lb5-a4 5.0-0

�b8-c6 a7-a6 �g8-f6 �f6xe4

Years ago Euwe only played this Open line of the Spanish Defence, but he later refrained from this in favour of the closed method of play. But the closed lines did not yield him any positive results in this tournament, and thus he decides to return to his former favourite variation. When taking into account that Euwe is considered one of the greatest experts on the Open Spanish, this decision is fully justified from a psychological point of view. But from the chess point of view it is quite a risky experiment, because against this opening line there have in recent years been found several new systems of attack that have made it look dubious for Black.

6.d2-d4 7..la4-b3

b7-b5

FOURTH CYCLE

362

In order to avoid whatever variation Black had prepared, the complicated and little investigated continuation 7.d5 d6 8.dxc6 bxa4 9.:ge1 came into consideration. However, Black's strong pawn centre and bishop pair seem to be sufficient to thwart White's attacking attempts, when afterwards Black would gradually attain a positional edge.

7... 8.d4xe5

d7-d5

Another way to avoid the lines mapped out by theory was by playing 8.a4, which was popular some years ago. But Schlechter's recommendation 8 . ..lt:J xd4! 9.tt:Jxd4 exd4 1 0.axb5 icS then yields Black such a powerful position that White would rather play the main line .

8 ...

.ic8-e6

Now the starting position of the Open Spanish has occurred, where 9.c3 is considered the main continuation. Black then has the choice to either proceed in aggressive style by playing 9 ... ic5 or the more modest 9 ...ie7; also 9 ... tt:Jc5 has justified itself several times in practice. In order to avoid all these well-investigated possibilities, White decided to employ a less well known line in the hope that Black's home analysis there would not be as extensive as in the theoretical variations after 9.c3 that have been based on numerous games. Now an interesting middlegame takes place.

9.'1f;Ydl-e2! The main advantage of this move, which I have already utilized in important games on some occasions, is perhaps not that it is little known, but rather its great strength. White refrains from the loss of tempo bound up with retaining the b3-bishop, and intends to generate pressure against Black's central point dS by the moves :gd 1 and c2c4. Although it is still early to give a final assessment of whether this manoeuvre is particularly dangerous for Black, the practical experience of 9.�e2 presents a rather depressing picture: so far Black has not been able in any game to find a completely satisfactory system of defence that assures him of easy equality.

KERES - EUWE

9 ...

363

i.f8-e7

Normally Black plays 9 ... 'Llc5 at this point, as also occurred in the games Keres-Reshevsky, Smyslov-Euwe and Smyslov-Reshevsky, played in the later rounds. Euwe made the text-move without thinking and had apparently prepared the following method of play thoroughly at home. Instead Bronstein and Konstantinopolsky advocate 9 ... ic5, so as to answer 1 0.ie3 by playing 1 0 ...�e7. But a final assessment of this move can only be attained by practical experience. Personally I believe that this is scarcely stronger for Black than the normal 9 ...ie7 or 9 ... 'Ll c5, as played in the tournament.

lOJUl-dl

0-0

After 10 ... 'Ll c5 1 1 .c4 'Llxb3 1 2.axb3 Black has difficulties defending the d5-point; if for example 1 2 ... 0-0, White can choose between either 13.cxd5 ixd5 1 4.'Llc3 ixf3 1 5.gxf3 (Keres-Alatortsev, Leningrad 1 947) or also retaining the tension in the position by 1 3.'Ll c3 'Llb4 1 4.ie3 (Keres-Alexander, London 1 947) . If however Black tries 1 0 ... 'Lla5, then 1 1 .'Lld4 is a very strong reply, for example: 1 1 ...'Llxb3 1 2.axb3 c5? 1 3.'Llc6 followed by 'Llxe7 and f2-f3, or 1 1 ...c5 1 2.'Ll f5! ixf5 1 3.ixd5 and White gets the advantage.

364

FOURTH CYCLE

However, all these lines contain so many possibilities that have not been tried out in practice and they are rather complicated to analyse, so there is scarcely any hope that a final assessment about them can be given in the near future.

l l .c2-c4 12 ..ib3xc4

b5xc4 .ie7-c5

Euwe played the opening quickly, apparently having prepared the whole method of play in his home analysis. But the variation turns out to be unfavourable for Black, which indicates that Euwe in his preparation did not take into consideration all the possibilities White had at his disposal in this position. This is another good illu stration of the potential that is lying in the relatively new line 9.1{1Je2. Romanovsky considers this move to be a mistake and instead recommends 12 . . . lLl aS., since 13.ixa6 lLl c5 followed by . . . lLl ab3 would lead to the win of an exchange for Black. However White is naturally not going after the worthless a-pawn, but instead proceeds with 13.i. d3 lLl cS 14.ic2 and obtains an even stronger position than in the game.

1 3 ..icl-e3 14.�e2xe3

Ac5xe3 �d8-b8

This is what appears to be the chief idea behind Black's system of defence. White cannot now capture at dS as there would follow a later ... 1{1Jxb2, and after 1 5.ib3 Black can play 1 5 ... lLla5 exchanging off White's strong attacking bishop. But it seems that Black did not take into account that he has still not got rid of the main positional drawback of the Open Spanish, namely the weakness of the d4- and cS-squares. It is the weakness of these squares that subsequently yields White a clear positional advantage. The other possibility that came into consideration at this point was 1 4 ... ltJ b4, but it would not have been much stronger, since in addition to 1S.ib3 cS 1 6.lLlc3! White could also play the quiet 1 5.1{1Je2, threatening 16.a3 with a good game.

KERES - EUWE

1 5 ..ic4-b3 16Jt:lb 1-d2!

365

�c6-a5

Weak, on the other hand, was 16.ttJd4? cS! 17.ttJxe6 fxe6 18.f3 c4 and Black avoids becoming worse by tactical means. With the text-move White starts to take control over the important d4- and cS-squares and thus secures a positional advantage.

16 ... 17J:�dlxd2

�e4xd2

After 17.ttJxd2 Black can avoid the worst consequences by the combination 17 ... d4! 18.�xd4 i.xb3 19.axb3 ttJ xb3 20.ttJxb3 �xb3.

17... 18.a2xb3

� a5xb3 �f8-c8

A position has now occurred where White stands better owing to his control of the central dark squares, although Black has certain counter­ chances due to the pawn weaknesses on the b-file. But holding this type of position, where the defender is left with several lines that all lead to a slightly worse game, is very difficult in practice, and usually the defender loses.

FOURTH CYCLE

366

The same thing also happens here, and it is very difficult to claim which method of play would have offered Black the best saving chances. In the game Black decides to keep on the queens and finally loses to a kingside attack, hence many analysts have recommended that Black play 1 8 ...'Wb6 at this point, to force an exchange of queens. But the endgame after 1 9.'Wxb6 cxb6 20.tt::l d4 !Hc8 2 1 .f4 followed by @f2 is also clearly better for White, and in my opinion does not offer any worse winning chances than the game continuation.

19J�al-cl

c7-c5!

The best counter-chance for Black, although White now gets rid of a pawn weakness on the b-file. In the event of a passive defence, White would proceed with 20.l�k 5 followed by tt::l d4 and thus eliminate all counterplay on the queenside, and thereafter decide the game by an attack against the enemy king.

20.gclxc5 2 1 .�e3xc5 22.lLlf3-d4

gc8xc5 �b8xb3

22 ...

�b3-b7

After this retreat, Black is for a long time left with a passive defence where he lacks any kind of counterplay. Hence 22 ... 'Wa2, troubling

KERES - EUWE

367

White with a mating threat, would perhaps have offered him the best practical chances. But also in this case Black's position would after 23.h3 Wfblt 24.@h2 'We4 25.�e2 'Wf4t 26.g3 'Wh6 27.h4 not have been fully satisfactory, because his queenside has been left completely without protection. 22 'Wc4 also deserved attention, since after 23.'Wxc4 dxc4 Black threatens ... c4-c3 in several lines and the a-pawn would become very dangerous. White therefore intended to answer 22 ...'Wc4 by playing 23.Ek2 'WxcS 24.!hc5 �b8 25.�c2 �b4 26.�d2 and still retain a clearly better endgame. ...

23.h2-h3 24.�gl-h2 25.f2-f4

�a8-d8 g7-g6 h7-h5

Black has indeed initially defended himself against the threat of f4-f5, but in doing so he had to considerably weaken the position of his king. White now takes action on the queenside and first of all brings his rook into the play.

�b7-d7 Naturally not 26 ... 'Wxb2 27.f:ijxe6 fxe6 28.'We7 winning. With the text move Black strengthens the control over the fS-square to ward off the possible threat of f4-f5. But now there follows an attack against the a-pawn.

27.�c5-b6 28.�d3-a3

�d8-a8 �d7-a7

Black is now practically forced to offer the exchange of queens that he tried to avoid on the 22nd move.

29.�b6-b4? White overestimates his position and hopes to win by an attack against the king. However this prospect is unrealistic, and enables Black to

FOURTH CYCLE

368

gain disruptive counterplay. Correct was 29.V!lxa7 �xa7 30.@g3 with a clearly better endgame for White, which Black would scarcely be able to draw even with the best defence.

29 ...

'%Ya7-d7?

After this, everything goes back onto normal tracks, and White can proceed with his attack. However, much more troublesome for White was the continuation 29 ... �c8, which would have enabled Black to activate his heavy pieces. Naturally White would in that case after, for example, 30.V!id2 �c4 3 1 .�d3 also have retained his positional advantage, but he would initially have lost his attack, and Black would in any event have obtained much better chances of a successful defence than in the game.

30.'%Yb4-a5 Simpler was 30.V!ib6 V!la7 3 1 .V!lxa7, but instead White again tries to win by a direct attack. However, this time the attempt involves no risk.

30 ...

.ie6-f5?

The transfer of the bishop to e4 is unfavourable for Black, since it clears the way for White's e-pawn to advance, and secondly the text­ move loses at least a pawn. Here the passive defence 30 ... V!la7 would

KERES - EUWE

369

have offered Black better prospects, even though White in this event retains his marked positional edge after 3 1 .�a4. Now a speedy finish takes place.

3 1 .ga3-c3 The endgame after 3 1 ...�c8 32.'1Wxa6 �xc3 33.bxc3 is also hopeless .

.if5-e4 32 ... ie6 33.�c6 also fails to save Black, since at least one pawn would be lost. Now however Black falls under a mating attack.

33.�a5-c3

�d7-e7?

A blunder in a lost position. Black intends to answer 34.e6 by 34 ...'1Wf6, but is not paying attention to the simple reply 34.lt:J c6. However, White's attack would have been decisive even against the best defence, because it was no longer possible to prevent the penetration of the rook onto the 7th or 8th ranks.

34.�d4-c6 Black resigned.

FOURTH CYCLE

370

No 32. Slav Defence S. Reshevsky

V.

Smyslov

Moscow, 22nd April 1948 l .d2-d4 2.c2-c4

d7-d5 c7-c6

Besides the Griinfeld Defence, Smyslov is also fond of playing the Slav Defence, but only against those opponents who prefer complicated lines in this opening. He has already used this line several times against Reshevsky and here, as well as in the earlier encounters, he obtains the better game after the opening.

ll)g8-f6

In order to prevent the following capture, the continuation 4.e3 also comes into consideration. Black can however answer it by playing 4 ... i.f5 and thus get a satisfactory game. Reshevsky almost exclusively employs the text-move, which make the position more tense.

4...

d5xc4

4 ... e6 was more frequently used in the tournament, and is a continuation that also has its good and bad sides. It is true that with the text-move Black gives up the centre, but he obtains rapid development and gets good piece-play as compensation.

5.a2-a4 The gambit line S.e4 bS 6.e5 ltJdS 7.a4 does not seem to offer White adequate compensation in return for the sacrificed pawn. Because, in addition to the extra pawn, Black also controls the important central square dS. In the game Tolush-Smyslov, Leningrad 1 947, White for this reason answered 7 ...i.e6 by playing the interesting 8.ctJgS ctJxc3 9.bxc3

RESHEVSKY - SMYSLOV

371

idS 1 0.e6 and obtained a dangerous attack. Instead of the somewhat risky continuation 7 ... ie6, Black can, among other things, play the quieter 7 ... e6 and thus avoid any kind of complications.

5 ... 6.e2-e3

.tc8-f5

In the game from the second cycle between the same opponents, Reshevsky continued with 6.�e5, but after some complications was the one to get into difficulties. The text-move looks stronger. White assures himself of some prospects of an opening advantage, without much risk, by threatening to play e3-e4.

6 ...

e7-e6

Lasker's defence 6 ... � a6 7.ixc4 � b4 has long ago disappeared from tournament practice. After 8.0-0 Black has no satisfactory defence against White's threat to play Wffe2 followed by e3-e4. The text-move is more logical, because now Black develops his bishop to b4 and thus for the time being prevents White from playing the e3-e4 advance .

7..tflxc4 8.0-0

.tfB-b4 0-0

After 8 ... �bd7 in the game Kottnauer-Smyslov, Prague 1 946, there followed the pawn sacrifice 9.Wie2 ig6 1 0.e4, which secured White a dangerous attack. After 8 ... �bd7 Euwe incidentally considers the move 9."W'b3 to be very strong; in a game against Landau the continuation 9... "W'b6 1 0.e4! � xe4 1 1 .�xe4 ixe4 1 2.ixe6! fxe6 1 3.a5! assured him of a decisive advantage.

9.f;Ydl-e2 The most frequently utilized continuation, which threatens e3-e4. 9."W'b3 would now have been less dangerous because of 9 ...Wffe 7, and after 1 0.�a2 there can simply follow 1 0 ...id6 and the b7-pawn is protected.

FOURTH CYCLE

372

9 ...

i.5-g4

This move is considered to be the strongest continuation for Black in this position. In this way Black initially prevents the e3-e4 advance and brings his bishop to a more favourable square so that e3-e4 will not subsequently take place with gain of tempo. The strategically-justified advance 9 .. c5 is premature at this point owing to 1 0.'t:'Ja2 iaS 1 1 .dxc5, and it is not so easy for Black to win back the sacrificed pawn, and after 9 ... '2Je4 White can obtain excellent attacking chances by the pawn sacrifices 1 0.id3 or 1 0.g4 ig6 1 1 .'2Je5, thus obtaining excellent attacking chances. .

1 0.h2-h3 Earlier 1 0J�d1 't:'Jbd7 1 1 .e4 Wffe 7 1 2.e5 't:'JdS 1 3.'2Je4 used to be played here. Black answered it by 1 3 ... f6 whereupon he obtained a satisfactory game. The text-move is sharper and forces Black to immediately decide upon a further plan of campaign.

10 ...

.ig4xf3

Smyslov leaves White with the bishop pair and intends to carry out the ... e6-e5 advance and in this way obtain necessary counterplay in the centre. But he had not much of a choice, since after the retreat

RESHEVSKY - SMYSLOV

373

lO ... .thS 1 1 .g4 .tg6 White gets excellent attacking chances by 1 2.lt:Je5. It is difficult to say which method of play offers Black better prospects of equality.

l l .�e2xf3 12JU1-dl

tLlb8-d7

It is clear that White was unable to prevent Black's intention of playing ... e6-e5; instead he had to come up with a suitable plan to meet this advance. The text-move does not seem to be the strongest one, because the intended thrust in the centre does not offer White any particular prospects of an advantage. Kmoch's recommendation to play 1 2.4Je2 was a plan worthy of consideration, so as to meet 12 ... e5 by offering a pawn sacrifice by 1 3.lt:Jg3. Its acceptance would after 1 3 ... exd4 1 4.exd4 lt:Jb6 1 S . .td3 '1Wxd4 1 6.gd1 yield White an excellent attack. Black can however play the more careful 1 2 ... "1Wc7, with the intention of carrying out an eventual ... c6-c5. Hence the knight sally 1 2.lt:Je4! seems to cause Black the greatest difficulties. This would, among other things, also threaten the exchange on f6 and thus even more obstruct the execution of the ... e6-e5 or ... c6-c5 thrusts. In this event White could have had good prospects of retaining his small opening advantage.

12 ... 13.d4-d5

e6-e5

Instead 1 3.'\WfS would still have offered White prospects of an advantage. White's queen would be very strongly placed on fS and an exchange on d4 only strengthens White's position further. After 1 3 ..."1We7 there could follow 1 4.d5, whilst 1 3 ... '\Wc7 1 4 . .td2 followed by gacl would leave Black in an uncomfortably constricted position.

13 ...

i.b4xc3!

Almost forced, since the exchange on dS would after 1 4.lt:Jxd5 yield White a clear advantage. White now has to go for the following

374

FOURTH CYCLE

complicated method of play, because the quiet 1 4.bxc3 would after 1 4 ... e4 1 5.'1We2 cxdS yield Black a good game.

14.d5xc6

e5-e4

Forcing White's queen to a less favourable square and at the same time clearing the strong central square eS for the bishop. Black has now equalized completely.

1 5.�f3-f5? This attempt to complicate the position is advantageous only for Black, and soon brings White into difficulties. Naturally 1 5.'1We2 ieS 1 6.cxd7 had to be played; Black could for instance answer it by 1 6 ...'\W e 7 followed by ... ltJxd7 or ... !Hd8 with an approximately equal game. Incidentally this line occurred in the game Lowenfisch-Alatortsev, Moscow 1 948.

1 5 ... 16.c6xd7

�c3-e5 �d8-c7

Black has now finished his development with gain of tempo and in addition threatens to start chasing the white queen, which lacks suitable retreat squares. Having also fallen considerably behind in development, White now has to struggle hard to avoid rapidly ending up in a lost position.

RESHEVSKY - SMYSLOV

17.J.c4-b3 lS.Y;Y£5-gS

375

g7-g6 'it>g8-g7

Suddenly 1 9 ... h6 20.'1Wh4 gS is threatened, winning the queen. White only has one defence against this threat, but it involves a considerable weakening of the king's position, and markedly increases Black's attacking chances.

19.f2-f4 20.g2xf3 2t.Y;Yg5-g2

e4xf3 h7-h6 Y;Yc7-b6

With this move Black first of all makes it more difficult to win back the d7-pawn, and secondly he chases White's bishop to a more favourable position. It was certainly better to immediately play 21 ...gad8, but also 21 .)t:Jxd7 was good enough and would have secured Black strong pressure. Now White again obtains counterplay.

22.J.b3-c2 23J�al-a3!

�U'8-d8

By bringing his queen's rook into the game, White will hardly experience any more difficulties and now commences on a counterattack, threatening chiefly to play 24. f4. Hence Black has to capture on d7, but in doing so he is forced to give up all claims of an advantage. Reshevsky skilfully utilized Black's inaccuracy on the 21 st move.

23 24J�dlxd7 25.f.3-f4! •••

gd8xd7 ll:Jf6xd7 .ie5-f6

The capture 2S ... ixf4 would not do, since after 26.gb3 followed by gc3 and aS, or also 26.a5 followed by gc3, White would win a piece. Now however the b7-pawn falls and Black is the one who has to take care to retain equality.

26.ga3-b3

Y;Yb6-c5

FOURTH CYCLE

376

After 26 . . . �c6 27Ylfxc6 bxc6 28.@f2 the endgame looks somewhat better for White. Therefore Black decides to solve the problems in the position by tactical means. Now a number of interesting complications take place.

27J:�b3-b5 28J:;b5xb7

�c5-c4

The threat of 28 ... Ek8 is very troublesome for White, because he lacks the ability to simultaneously protect both his bishops. The simplifications commenced by the text-move eventually give rise to an equal endgame. However, White scarcely has anything better at his disposal. If for example 48.b3, then 48 ... �c3 49.!!xb7 c!Llf8 and owing to the threat of 50 ... !!c8 nothing better can be seen for White than allowing a perpetual check after 50.�d5 �el t 5 1 .@g2 �e2t.

28 ...

ga8-c8!

Now 28 ... c!Llf8 was weaker due to 29.!!xf7t!, since after 29 ... @xf7 30.�b7t the threat of 3 1 ..ib3 gives White a decisive advantage.

29.gb7xd7 30.�g2xc2 3 1 .J.cl-d2

'i;\'c4xc2 gc8xc2 J.f6xb2

RESHEVSKY - SMYSLOV

32. gl-fl 33. fl-e2

377

a7-a6 J.h2-cl

The pawn ending is clearly drawn. There followed:

34. e2-dl 35J�d7xd2 36. dlxd2 37.d2-e2

�c2xd2t J.clxd2 g6-g5

Naturally White cannot go for the a6-pawn with his king as Black threatened to create a passed pawn on the kingside by ... £7-fS followed by .. g5-g4. Likewise Black cannot undertake any winning attempts by 37 . .f6 38 .'j;l f3 hS, because White can secure the draw most easily by the continuation e3-e4-e5. Hence both players decide to rapidly stamp out all complications and create a position that is a dead draw. .

.

37 ... 38. e2-f3 39.e3-e4 40. f3xe4 41. e4xf4 Draw.

f7-f5 g7-f6 f5xe4t g5xf4 a6-a5

378

Cycle 4 Round 17 1 Smyslov-Keres 0 Vz Euwe-Botvinnik Vz Free: Reshevsky

The game Smyslov-Keres had crucial importance in deciding the most dangerous competitor to Botvinnik. White chose to play the Exchange Variation of the Queen's Gambit. In an attempt to play for a win at all costs, Black refrained from simplifying continuations and continued the game in a very risky way. But White answered this by more quiet play, whereupon Black ran into difficulties. In a complicated position Black also got into time trouble. This made him continue the game without a well thought-out plan; he lost several pawns and resigned the adjournment position without resuming the game. Euwe and Botvinnik played the same line in the French Defence as they did in the second cycle, and this time Botvinnik did not refrain from simplifying exchanges. Euwe maintained a slight initiative in the middlegame owing to Black's weak cl-pawn, but then inaccurately exchanged it off for his f-pawn and this also needlessly activated the enemy rook. But the position was already so simplified that Euwe subsequendy had no great problems forcing a draw. The tournament position after the 1 7th round: Botvinnik 91/z, Keres 71/z, Smyslov 7, Reshevsky 6Vz and Euwe 31/z.

SMYSLOV - KERES

379

No 33. Queen's Gambit V.

Smyslov

P.

Keres

Moscow, 25th April l948 l .d2-d4

d7-d5

Taking the tournament position into consideration, Black is not willing to employ the complicated line of the Catalan that was played between the same opponents in the second cycle. Instead he is trying to transpose the game into quieter paths. This is not a bad tactic in itself, but later Black does not continue the game in the same style and thus gets into difficulties.

2.c2-c4 3.lLlb l-c3

e7-e6 lL!g8-f6

3 ... c6 immediately White can make a promising pawn sacrifice by the continuation 4.e4 dxe4 S.tt:lxe4 i.b4t 6.i.d2!, acceptance of which would assure him of a dangerous attack. With the text-move Black chooses the Orthodox Variation of the Queen's Gambit, which has almost disappeared from recent tournament practice. If

4.i.cl-g5

c7-c6

Normally 4 ... ie7 or 4 ... tt:lbd7 are played here, initially retaining the opportunity, in some lines, to play ... c7-c5 in one move. But the text­ move also has its good sides.

S.e2-e3 Smyslov avoids the potential complications arising after S.tt:l f3 dxc4 6.e4 bS, which however seem to be perfecdy fine for White according to the latest practical experience. The text-move cuts off the retreat route to the queenside for the bishop, and in some lines enables Black to attack the knight on c3.

FOURTH CYCLE

380

5 ...

�b8-d7

Black again takes the game back to paths mapped out by theory. But in order to utilize White's previous move, the unusual S ... �b6 was worthy of consideration. It would have threatened the pawn on b2 in an attempt to win time for the . ..l2Je4 sally. Also fully reasonable of course was S ...ie7, with a transition to the normal Orthodox line.

6.c4xd5 White "irritatingly" thwarts all lines where Black would be able to create any significant complications. For example, 6.lLl f3 could be answered by 6 ...�a5, giving rise to the sharp Cambridge Springs variation. The text-exchange releases the tension in the centre and enables both sides to quietly complete their development without giving either side any genuine prospects of obtaining an opening advantage.

6 ... 7..ifl-d3

e6xd5 J.f8-e7

In the game Spielmann-Capablanca, Karlsbad 1 929, Black tried out a new system of development by playing 7 ...id6, but after 8.lLlge2 lLlf8 9.�c2 h6 1 0.ih4 White soon carried out the strong e3-e4 thrust and obtained a clear advantage. Black cannot become aggressive at too early a stage, since then White's slight edge in development could become a decisive factor in the event of a sudden opening of the position.

Theory recommends 8.�c2 here; after the text-move Black could have equalized and simplified the position by playing 8 ... lLl e4. But when seeing that White is not trying to get any special advantage out of the opening, Black decides to grab the initiative himself and for the time being refrains from all simplifying continuations.

8 ...

0-0

SMYSLOV - KERES

381

At this point a number of other moves also came into consideration, for example 8 ... lt:lf8 or 8 ... h6, or also the simplifying 8 ... lt:\h5. With the text­ move Black quietly continues with his development and tries to figure out White's following plans before commencing any counterplay.

9.'iNd1-c2

�U8-e8

While Black on the previous move could very well have chosen to play 8 ... h6, this move would now have been very risky owing to 9.h4!. White would in this case proceed with 0-0-0 followed by g2g4 and obtain a very dangerous attack against the enemy king before Black would be able to undertake anything on the queenside. With the text-move Black once again indirectly defends the e4-square and clears a good defensive square on f8 for the knight.

10.0-0 The sharper 1 0.0-0-0 is also often played, but from an objective point of view queenside castling is not well motivated. Black's kingside is completely without weaknesses and White therefore has great difficulty in generating a successful attack on this flank, whilst Black's attacking chances on the queenside are much more favourable. The text-move seems to be the strongest option, because the positional threat bound up with this move, to play E!ab 1 followed by b2b4, is much more troublesome for Black than a little-justified attacking attempt on the kingside.

10 ... 1 l .�a1-b 1

�d7-ffi

In earlier times 1 1 .lt:le5 was often played here, but after this the exchange 1 1 ...lt:lg4 1 2 ..ixe7 Wfxe7 1 3.lt:lxg4 ixg4 yields Black easy equality. The text-move, immediately threatening to generate an attack on the queenside by b2-b4, is undoubtedly more energetic and sets Black some intricate problems to solve.

1 1 ...

�ffi-g6

FOURTH CYCLE

382

With this move, Black deprives the enemy bishop of the possibility of retreating, and after ... ttJ f6-e4 forces simplifying exchanges. Black has now equalized the position.

12.b2-b4

12 ...

i.e7-d6

As on the 8th move, Black also here refrains from the simplifying 1 2 ... 4Je4 (which would perhaps have been even more beneficial after the intermediate moves 1 2 ... a6 and 1 3.a4) and after 1 3.ixe7 'Wxe7 would have assured Black of adequate counterplay on the kingside. Instead Black embarks on a more ambitious plan of campaign by threatening to play ... h 7 -h6. However, the execution of this plan is too time consuming and in the meantime enables White to considerably strengthen his pressure on the queenside.

13.b4-b5

i.c8-d7

Black had initially intended to play 1 3 ... h6, but after 1 4.ixf6 'Wxf6 1 5.e4 complications would occur that Black did not have time to calculate completely during the course of game. But it looks as though this way of playing was quite satisfactory for Black and that the continuation

SMYSLOV - KERES

383

15 ... tD f4!, which was tossed aside by Black during the game as being too complicated, would assure him of good counter-chances. For example, 16.e5 V!1e6 1 7 .exd6 V!1g4 does not give White anything as Black wins the piece back with a good game. But the text-move is not bad either, although White now has more varied possibilities at his disposal to proceed with his attack on the queenside.

14.b5xc6

i.d7xc6?

But this capture is a bad mistake. It disorganizes Black's whole defensive setup and for no reason yields White all the main trumps of the position. It was naturally correct to play 1 5 ... bxc6 here; for the time being Black would have been able to defend all his weaknesses and be threatening to generate dangerous counterplay on the kingside by ... h 7 -h6. Smyslov had intended to answer 14 ... bxc6 by playing 1 5.i.f5, but this continuation is completely harmless for Black; there could simply follow 1 5 .. .'tlMc8! 1 6.i.xd7 tt:Jxd7 and Black would have a completely satisfactory position owing to the threat of . . . h7-h6.

1 5.�c2-b3

i.d6-e7

It was difficult to defend the d5-pawn by other means, and a pawn sacrifice by, for example, 1 5 ... h6 would likewise have failed to offer Black any genuine counter-chances. Now however the main flaws of Black's previous move have been revealed: besides the weaknesses on the queenside, Black's 1 2th move also turned out to be a loss of time and the bishop had to return to its previous post.

16.i.g5xf6! Somewhat surprising, but positionally a fully justified exchange. White's bishop on g5 was badly placed and the knight on f6 is a much more important defensive piece in Black's position than the bishop on e7. After 1 6.i.b5 tt:Jd7 1 7.i.xe7 tt:Jxe7 Black would have been able to direct more pieces to the defence of the queenside, and perhaps have had somewhat better prospects of generating counterplay than after the text-exchange.

384

FOURTH CYCLE

16 ... 17.i.d3-b5 1 8J��fl-cl

i.e7xf6 �d8-d6 h7-h5

This attacking attempt on the kingside only creates fresh weaknesses in Black's camp and in addition loses valuable time. 1 8 ... l2J e7 would have offered better prospects of a successful defence, intending to eventually commence action on the kingside by ... g7 -gS. However, Black's position is in any event very constricted and it is very difficult for him to come up with a plan that could yield him active counterplay.

19.�c3-e2 20.i.b5xc6 2 1 .�b3-a4

h5-h4 b7xc6 �g6-e7

For the time being Black has been able to protect all his weaknesses on the queenside, but only temporarily. In actual fact, White controls the whole queenside and it is only a question of time before some of Black's pawn weaknesses will fall.

22J�b l-b7? But this foray is premature and eventually only gives rise to the exchange of a pair of rooks without strengthening White's position in any considerable way. It is rather the opposite: in the meantime Black is

SMYSLOV - KERES

385

able to regroup his pawns in a more favourable defensive position so it becomes very difficult for White to exploit his advantage. Much stronger was 22.'1Wa6!, which now does threaten to play 23.gb7. After this Black would scarcely have been able to avoid material losses, which in a passive position is equivalent to defeat. Perhaps after 22.'1Wa6 White feared the reply 22 ... h3, but it is not dangerous. White would simply answer it by playing 23.g3 and Black would not have achieved anything other than an additional weakness on h3.

22 ...

a7-a5

White now has much more difficulties in attacking Black's pawns on the queenside, and this makes it more difficult to find a winning plan. It looks as if Black has escaped the worst.

23.h2-h3 After 23.gcb 1 there could follow 23 ... geb8 24.gxb8t gxb8 25.gxb8t l&xb8 26.'\WxaS 'IWbl t 27.lt:le1 lt:lfS 28.Wf1 lt:ld6, and White has great difficuldy making use of his extra pawn. Almost the same position could also occur later in the game.

23 24J�cl-bl 25J�b lxh7 •••

ge8-b8 gb8xb7 c6-c5!

Black now gets rid of his main pawn weakness and almost obtains an equal game. Also possible was a further simplification of the position by playing 25 ... gb8, and if now 26.gxb8t '1Wxb8 27.'\WxaS 'IWbl t 28.lt:le 1 , then 28 ...lt:lf5 29.Wf1 lt:ld6 and the active placement of the black pieces seems to be sufficient compensation for the sacrificed pawn. But the text move is simpler.

26.gb7-b5 After 26.dxc5 'IWxcS 27.lt:lxh4? there would follow 27 . . . d4!, and now

FOURTH CYCLE

386

28.exd4 Wf dS would even lose a piece. But the attack against the aS­ pawn initiated by the text-move is also insufficient to achieve any significant edge.

26 ... 27.�e2xd4

c5xd4

27 ...

ga8-c8?

This ill-considered attacking attempt, caused by time-trouble, again leads Black into difficulties and loses at least a pawn. Black naturally had to defend the a-pawn by 27 ... Wffc 7!, after which White would have great difficulty proving his advantage due to the threat of 28 ... Wic1 t. If, for example, 28.lLlb3 then Black can play 28 ...Wffc 6 and no particularly strong attacking continuation for White can be found. Also possible was 27 ...ixd4 followed by ... Ek8.

28.�d4-b3

.if6-c3

Otherwise the aS-pawn would fall without Black being able to achieve any significant counterplay in return. Now however 29.lLlxaS would not do because of the reply 29 ... Wia6, and White's pieces on the queenside are hopelessly tied up. But the fall of the h4-pawn is also very unpleasant for Black, since now in several lines White threatens to get a strong

SMYSLOV - KERBS

387

attack on the king. Hence 28 ... Ek2 would perhaps have offered the best practical chances by at least bringing the rook to a strong square.

29.'i'a4xh4

�c8-c4

30.g2-g4! After 30.'.Wg3 '.Wxg3 3 1 .fxg3 :B:a4 Black would get an endgame with excellent drawing chances, and 30.\WhS g6 would likewise yield Black counterplay for the sacrificed pawn. The text-move opens an escape square on g2 for White's king, and thus eliminates all potential mating threats on the first rank.

30 ...

a5-a4

No better is 30 ...if6 3 1 .ttJg5! and Black scarcely has anything better than exchanging on gS, which however gives rise to approximately the same position as in the game. Black had no time to play 30 ... :B:a4 owing to the threat of 3 1 . 'UgS.

3 1 .�h3-d4 Naturally not 3 1 .ttJg5? '.Wh6! and Black wins a piece.

388

FOURTH CYCLE

3 1 ... 32. tLlf3xd4

i.c3xd4 �d6-e5?

After this loss of time, Black's position becomes hopeless; on the other hand 32.)tk6 (33.�b6? tt:l xd4!) still offered prospects of stubborn resistance. The remaining part of the game is no longer interesting.

33. tLld4-f3

�e5-d6

The attacking attempt 33 ... �c1 t 34.@g2 'We4 would lose a piece after 35.�b8t.

34J�b5-a5

�c4-c8

After the loss of the second pawn, Black might as well resign; therefore 34 ... tt:l c8 or 34 ... a3 should have been tried instead.

35.�a5xa4 36.�h4-h5 37.�h5-f5 38.�a4-a7 39.�a7-d7 40.�d7xd4

tLle7-g6 �d6-f6 �f6-c6 �c8-f8 d5-d4 �f8-a8

The time-trouble had come to an end, and with it the game.

41 .a2-a4 Black resigned.

EUWE - BOTVINNIK

389

No ·34. French Defence M. Euwe

M. Botvinnik

Moscow, 25th April 1948 l .e2-e4 2.d2-d4 3JL'� bl-d2 4.e4xd5 5 ..tfl-b5t

e7-e6 d7-d5 c7-c5 e6xd5

This position also occurred between the same opponents in the second cycle. In that game Black played 5 ... 4:'lc6 and ran into difficulties despite the simplified line chosen by Euwe. In the present game Black instead chooses to exchange off White's strong attacking bishop and thus considerably eases the conduct of the defence. Hence 5.4:'lgf3 was better, keeping the opportunity to play .ibSt at a later stage of the game.

5 ... 6.�dl -e2t

i.c8-d7

After the exchange of queens that follows this move, the position becomes so simplified that White scarcely has any good opportunities to utilize the weakness of Black's cl-pawn to get an attack going. For this reason the simple 6 . .ixd7t lt:'lxd7 7.4:'le2, followed by 0-0 with some attacking chances against Black's somewhat weakened centre, offered better chances of success.

6 ... 7.i.b5xd7t 8.d4xc5

�d8-e7 �b8xd7 �d7xc5

Despite the great simplifications, White has obtained a somewhat more favourable position, because he has complete control over the d4square and Black's pawn on dS still constitutes a positional weakness.

390

FOURTH CYCLE

In the game Kan-Bondarevsky, Tbilisi 1 937, instead of the text-move Black tried 8 .. .'�xe2t 9.ltJxe2 .ixcS, but after 1 0.tiJb3 .ib6 1 1 .tiJbd4 ttJgf6 1 2 ..ig5 followed by 0-0-0, he ran into difficulties. It seems that in this simplified variation Black gets a slight disadvantage in every case, owing to the weakness on dS; the only question is which of these lines offers Black the best practical chances to later equalize the position.

This move, which tends towards further simplifications, can by no means be approved of as it facilitates Black's task considerably. Much stronger was 9.tiJdf3!; among other things this threatens to retain the queens on the board by 1 0 ..ie3. After the exchange 9 .. .'�'xe2t 1 0.ttJxe2 White can develop his bishop to e3 unhindered, and in this way assure himself of absolute control over the important d4-square and in addition have a small edge in development. In this event Black would have to overcome at least as significant difficulties as in the variation given in the previous note.

9 ... 10.�glxe2

�e7xe2t �c5xb3

In the game Taimanov-Bondarevsky, Moscow 1 948, Black refrained from the exchange and played 1 0 ... ttJ e6, which however is scarcely

EUWE - BOTVINNIK

391

stronger than the text-move. White continued with the simple 1 1 .i.e3 lLlf6 1 2.0-0-0 and also obtained the better game owing to his absolute control over the d4-square.

1 1 .a2xb3

i.f8-c5

As a result of White's weak 9th move, Black was able to develop his bishop to a strong post, and now considerably obstructs White's planned occupation of the d4-square. But despite this, White still retains a small edge, since the chronic weakness in Black's position - the dS-pawn - has remained.

12.i.cl-d2 Here or during the next couple of moves, White had to carry out the strategically important manoeuvre tLle2-f4-d3 and, instead of the d4-square, take up a position on d3. The play against the g7 -pawn commenced by the text-move is merely a loss of time and does not offer White any genuine prospects of an advantage.

12 ... 13 ..id2-c3

�g8-e7 �e7-c6

With this Black thwarts the manoeuvre 1 4.tLlf4 followed by lLl d3, as it would be answered by 1 4 ... d4 1 S.i.d2 tLleS and the d3-square stays under Black's control. This is nevertheless a risky move, because Black is subsequently practically forced to sacrifice a pawn in return for only very problematic attacking chances. Simpler therefore was 1 3 ... 0-0, although White could again answer it by lLl f4 followed by tLld3.

14.0-0-0 By giving up the f2-pawn, White also gives up his last prospects of an advantage, which was still possible to retain with the move 1 4.E!:d 1 . After this Black is practically forced to sacrifice a pawn by playing 1 4 ... 0-0-0. This would be followed by 1 S.i.xg7 E!:hg8 1 6.i.f6 E!:d6 1 7 .i.h4 and now Black cannot well play 1 7 ... E!:xg2 due to 1 8.i.g3. Hence Black should,

FOURTH CYCLE

392

for example, play 1 7 ... �e8 in an attempt to utilize the rather insecure position of White's king. This would yield him some compensation for the sacrificed pawn, but it should scarcely be sufficient to completely equalize the position.

14...

.ic5xf2

8 7 6 5 4 3

1 5.i.c3xg7? After getting out of the opening, Euwe simply plays this game weakly. Firstly he refrained from several opportunities to consolidate his opening advantage, and besides that he now brings Black's rook into the game with gain of tempo. Naturally 1 5.�xd5 had to be played here, with an approximately equal game.

1 5 ... 16.i.g7-h6 17JM1xd5 1 8J�d5xd8t

�h8-g8 �g8xg2 �a8-d8 �c6xd8

A couple of moves earlier Black would not even have been able to dream of such a position where he has been able to exchange off the weak pawn on dS for the one on g2, and where his pieces are exerting markedly greater activity than White's. Black now threatens to place his

EUWE - BOTVINNIK

393

knight on the strong e6-square and after that try to make use of his passed pawn on the f-file.

19.®cl-d2 20 ..ih6-e3

ti:)d8-e6 ®e8-e7

Black would have retained some prospects of an advantage by playing 20 ... a6, which would have deprived White of the opportunity to later bring his rook into play via al with gain of tempo. But now the position is completely equal.

2 I ..ie3xfl 22.®d2-e3

�g2xfl �f2-f5

No better was 22 . . .gg2 23.�f3 and Black's rook has to abandon the second rank all the same.

23.�hl-al 24.�al -a4 25.h2-h4

a7-a6 �f5-h5

Now White's h-pawn is protected by an active rook, and thus the position is completely level.

25 ... 26.®e3-f3 27.®f3-e3 28.®e3-f3 29.®f3-e3 Draw.

�hS-eSt �e5-f5t �f5-e5t �e5-f5t

394

Cycle 4 Round 18 1/z

Botvinnik-Smyslov 1/z 0 Keres-Reshevsky 1 Free: Euwe .

Botvinnik and Smyslov again played the Griinfeld Defence in their individual game, and this time Botvinnik employed a different system of development than in the 8th round. Smyslov played the opening originally but badly, and quickly ended up in a very passive and constricted position. The violent liberating attempt 1 9 ... f5 should immediately have offered White a clear advantage, but Botvinnik also did not play the middlegame in the best way, and after some mutual inaccuracies a rook endgame occurred with an extra pawn for Botvinnik. But in his home analysis Smyslov was able to come up with adequate defensive resources for Black, and despite lengthy winning attempts by White the game ended in a draw on the 80th move. The game Keres-Reshevsky opened with the Spanish Defence. Black chose to play the same line as in the game Keres-Euwe in the 1 6th round and had prepared an improvement for Black in his home analysis. But as a matter of fact the new system of development introduced by Reshevsky did not turn out to be better for Black, but was instead very risky. This was also later revealed in the 1 9th round game Smyslov­ Euwe where White demolished Black's position with a strong pawn sacrifice. But in the present game White could not risk making the pawn sacrifice without any previous home analysis. After not taking this chance it was instead Black who grabbed the initiative by a pawn sacrifice and pinned down all White's pieces into defensive positions. By a cold-blooded defence White was able to ward off Black's attack whereupon an approximately equal endgame occurred. But then time­ trouble arrived and caused mistakes that rapidly made White's position hopeless. The game was adjourned, but White resigned without resuming the game. After the 1 8th round the tournament position is the following: Botvinnik 1 0, Reshevsky, Keres and Smyslov 71/z and Euwe 31/z.

B01VINNIK - SMYSLOV

395

No 35. Griinfeld Defence M. Botvinnik

V.

Smyslov

Moscow, 27th and 28th April l948 l .d2-d4 2.c2-c4 3.g2-g3

�g8-f6 g7-g6

In the second-cycle game between the same opponents White chose the normal continuation 3.tt:lc3 dS 4.tt:l f3 ig7 S.'IMI'b3 dxc4 6.'1Mfxc4 0-0 7.e4 ig4 8.ie3 lt:Jfd7 and now introduced the novelty 9.lt:Jd2, but without getting any opening advantage after 9 ... tt:lb6 1 0.'1Mfd3 c6 followed by ...i.e6. With the text-move Botvinnik chooses a quiet method of play and tries to abstain from playing tt:l c3 as long as possible, waiting for Black to first carry out the ... d7 -dS advance.

3 ...

d7-d5

The same advance is also possible after 3 ...ig7 4.ig2, with approximately the same position as after the text-move. As Smyslov almost never employs the normal King's Indian Defence with ... d7-d6, then he has to execute this ... d7 -dS thrust during the time frame of the coming two moves. Otherwise White would proceed by playing 4.ig2 followed by lt:Jc3 and thus force Black to transpose into the ... d7-d6 line. In order to prepare ... d7 -dS, 3 ... c6 also came into consideration at this point, but after this White can thwart Black's plan by playing 4.d5 and gain a slight spatial advantage.

4.c4xd5 s.i.fl-g2 6.�gl -f3

�f6xd5 i.f8-g7

White has to be careful with the execution of the e2-e4 advance, because a premature e2-e4 would only weaken White's central position and yield Black attacking chances. For example: 6.e4 ttJ b4 7 .a3 tt:l 4c6

396

FOURTH CYCLE

8.d5 ltJd4 9.ltJe2 .ig4 and Black stands excellently owing to the strong knight on d4.

6 ... 7.0-0

0-0

7 ...

�d5-b6?

It is hard to grasp why Black retreats his knight from a good central position without being forced to do so. Much better was the normal theoretical continuation 7 . . . c5, with which Black initiates counter-play in the centre. If thereafter 8.dxc5, then simply 8 ... ltJ a6; if however 8.ltJ c3, Black can among other things transpose to a normal position in the Griinfeld Defence by playing 8 . . . ltJ xc3 9.bxc3. Also, after 8.e4 Black can obtain adequate counter-play by instead of 8 ... ltJb6 playing 8 . . . ltJ f6 and thus almost forcing White to weaken his centre by 9.e4-e5. After the text-move White effortlessly takes control of the whole centre and attains a clear opening advantage.

a7-a5? If Black, with an undeveloped pos1t1on, is forced to make such excursions, it is proof of a faulty opening strategy. Better than the

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

397

text-move was undoubtedly 8.)tk6, so as to answer 9.d5 by 9 ... ltJb8 and subsequently assault White's central pawn with the moves ... c6 and ... e6. However, White could have thwarted these complications by the calm 9.e3 and only after 9 ... e5 have played 1 0.d5 followed by e4 with a good game.

9 ..ic1 -f4 10.'1Wd1-cl!

c7-c6 �U'8-e8

Black naturally could not capture on d4 at this point, but the threat of 1 1 .i.h6 could also not be ignored. White has now completed his development and also been able to prevent Black from executing the freeing ... c 7 -cS or ... e 7 -eS breaks, and has thus assured himself of a clear opening advantage. Exploiting the advantage is naturally not an easy task, because the position is rather closed and Black's position has no major weaknesses. However, from a positional point of view White's position can almost be considered as winning.

1 1 JU1-d1 12.h2-h3

tLlb8-a6

White has no need to hurry or, after say 1 2.e4, allow the disturbing pin ...ig4. As Black in any case lacks suitable developing squares for his pieces and has no prospects of active counter-play, White can allow himself as much time as he wants to prepare the following decisive attack.

12 ... 13.e2-e4 14. tLlf3-e5

a5-a4 .ic8-d7 '!Wd8-c8

Black no longer has time to retain the bishop pair since, for example, after 1 4 ... i.e6 there could follow 1 5.i.h6 i.h8 1 6.f4! with a strong attack against the enemy king. The text-move also fails to improve Black's position significantly, but there were no longer any satisfactory moves. The only question is whether White will be able to consistently increase his advantage into a win or not.

FOURTH CYCLE

398

�e8-d8 Alatortsev recommends 1 5 ... ltJ c7, but this should not be sufficient to repair Black's position significandy. White could, for example, continue with 1 6 ..ih6 .ih8 1 7.'W'e3 and thereafter strengthen his position by �acl or f2-f4.

16.i.f4-g5 With this move White forces Black to weaken his pawn structure on the kingside. But in so doing he loses time and enables Black to force a simplifying exchange. Hence a simple strengthening of the position by 1 6.'W'e3! looks stronger, to answer 1 6 ... .ie8 by 1 7.h4 threatening .ih3. In the event of passive defence, White can proceed with 1 7.�ac1 and threaten to either play d4-d5 or ltJdS and also keep the opportunity to generate an attack on the kingside.

16 ...

f7-f6

Black has problems defending the e7-point, because it goes without saying that 1 6 ... �e8 is awkward for him, and 1 6 ....if8 would enable the exchange 1 7 ..ih6, weakening the position of Black's king. After the text-move Black's position is slighdy eased as a result of the exchange, but despite this White maintains a clear advantage owing to his bishop pair and spatial advantage.

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

17)!� e5xd7 1 8 ..lg5-e3

399

�c8xd7

1 8.ih6 could of course also be played, but after the closing in of Black's bishop, the text-move is also very good; especially as it is done with gain of tempo due to the threat of 1 9.lt:Jxa4.

18 ...

�g8-h8

The only chance to utilize White's inexact 1 6th move was by playing 1 8 . . . lt:Jc7, so as after 1 9.d5 to create very intricate complications with the move 1 9 ... lt:Jc4. We can see that by advancing the a-pawn in the opening Black has only created difficulties for himself, depriving the b6-knight of its natural protection.

19 ..lg2-fl Here White fails to utilize the excellent tactical chance to play 1 9.d5, since 19 ... lt:Jc4 would simply lose a pawn after 20.lt:Jxa4, for example: 20 ... cxd5 2Uhd5 "Wxa4 22.b3. As 1 9 ... "Wc7 would also not do for Black because of 20.tt:J bS, he is only left with 1 9 ... cS. White can however answer this by 20.h4 followed by .ih3 and obtain very strong pressure. Naturally the text-move also does not give up the advantage, but for the time being Black is able to ward off all the direct threats.

19 ...

f6-f5?

FOURTH CYCLE

400

Black must have made some kind of miscalculation when making this move, since he should now simply have lost a pawn without getting any compensation in return. 1 9 .. .'t&c7 had to be played to defend against the threat of 20.d5, and planning to execute ... e7-e5 or ... f6-f5 as the occas10n anses.

20.d4-d5!

c6-c5

Practically forced, because 20 .. .'\Wc7 would after 21 .lLlbS cxbS 22.Wxc7 lLl xc7 23.ixb6 gdc8 24.gac1 lLle8 2S.gxc8 gxc8 26.ixb5 yield White a won endgame. But now Black loses a pawn.

2 I .i.fl-b5? One cannot see why White did not simply pocket a pawn by 21 .ixa6 gxa6 22.ixc5? If thereafter 22 ... fxe4, then 23.d6! and Black loses at least a pawn and has a hopeless position. The text-move is also positionally good, but does not enable a direct win of material.

2 1 ...

�d7-c7

No better is 21 ...Wc8 22.igS.

22.i.e3-f4? With this unconsidered move White surrenders the greatest part of his advantage and enables Black to achieve rather substantial counter-play. The correct continuation was 22.exf5 gxfS and now not the immediate 23.Wc2 Wc8! when Black has some counter-chances owing to the threats of ... lLlb4 and ... lLl c7, but instead the quiet 23.ixa4 whereupon one cannot see what concrete counter-chances Black has gained in return for the pawn.

22 ... 23.i.f4xe5t 24.fl-f4

i.g7-e5 �c7xe5 �e5-g7

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

401

2S.'i;Ycl-e3? If White wanted to retain even the slightest piece of his former great advantage, then he had to proceed consistently here by playing 2S.ixa6 (25.e5 0, c7) 25 ... !ha6 26.e5, and Black would answer it by the counter­ thrust 26 ... g5 on the kingside. White now simply plays 27.W'e3! and retains the somewhat better position, for instance: 27 ... 0, c4 28.W'xc5 gxf4 (28 ... 0,xb2 29.gg1) 29.gxf4 gg6 30.gg1 gg8 3 1 .gxg6 followed by ggl, or also 27 ... 0,d7 28.e6 and White likewise retains an edge. After the text-move Black no longer has any difficulties in equalizing the position, and in some lines even gets a slight initiative.

25 ...

f5xe4

Also possible was the immediate 25 ... a3, and if 26.bxa3 then 26 ... fxe4, and White cannot recapture on e4 with the queen or the knight; he would however play 27.gac1 and transpose to the game continuation.

26J�al-cl Naturally not 26.W'xe4 due to the reply 26 ... a3! , which would yield Black a dangerous initiative. Also bad was 26.ixa6 gxa6 27.W'xc5, again on account of 27 ... a3.

26 ... 27.b2xa3

a4-a3!

FOURTH CYCLE

402

Or 27.b3 ltJ b4 and Black can capture with the knight on dS after 28.'1Wxe4 as well as after 28.\WxcS, because White cannot capture three times on dS as there would follow ... '1Wb2t. In addition, Black's pawn on a3 could easily become a dangerous force in these lines.

27...

lDb6-c8?

It is interesting to observe that Black does not utilize the opportunity to carry out the threat of 27 ... ltJ c7!, which had been hanging in the air all the time. This move would in fact have assured Black of easy equality, for example: 28.\WxcS (28.'1Wxe4? ltJxbS followed by ... '1Wb2t) 28 ... ttJbxd5 (Also possible is Lowenfisch's recommendation to play 28 ... ltJ cxd5, and if 29.ltJxe4, then 29 ... !!dc8 30.'1Wf2 !!xcl followed by ... !!xa3.) 29.ltJxd5 (29.ltJxe4? '1Wb2t) 29 ... ltJxd5 and White cannot play 30.!!xd5 !!xdS 3 1 .\WxdS due to ...'1Wb2t. After the passive text-move White again obtains a distinct advantage and, for a start, wins a pawn.

28.lD c3xe4 29 ..ib5xa6

lDc8-d6

After 29.ltJxd6 exd6 Black would stand excellently. The text-move eliminates the strong knight on d6, since a capture on a6 would be answered by 30.ltJxc5.

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

29 ... 30.'�e3xe4

403

t[)d6xe4

Naturally not 30.ixb7? �b2t followed by .J::l: xa3. Now an endgame takes place where White, in addition to an extra pawn, also has the better protected king position and thus obtains excellent winning chances.

30 ... 3 1 .�clxc5 32.�dl-d2

�a8xa6 �a6xa3

Lowenfisch considers this move to be imprecise and instead advocates 32.�c2 in an attempt to thwart the doubling of the rooks on the a-file. However, removing the queen from its dominating post in the centre is scarcely the strongest continuation for White at this point; Black can, for example, answer 32.�c2 by playing 32 ... �f6 or even 32 ... g5, and thus obtain easier counter-play than in the game.

32 ...

�d8-a8

Now 32 ... g5 could simply be answered by 33.f5 and Black has not been able to clear any square for penetration with his queen. The action on the a-file commenced by the text-move is however also harmless, and fails to ease Black's difficult position.

33.�e4-e6 33.�c4 also merited consideration, threatening 34.Ek8t. Black would answer this by 33 ... �f6 and achieve some counter-play. It is unlikely that the following rook exchange would reduce White's winning chances compared to the 33.�c4-line. Especially when also taking into consideration the time-pressure, which had already started to trouble both players.

33 ...

�a3-c3

After the exchange of queens by 33 ... �f6 34.�xf6t exf6 35.Ekc2

404

FOURTH CYCLE

White would possess a strong passed pawn on the d-file that should be sufficient to secure him the win, since Black is not able to attain any active counter-play. The text-move was more or less forced, as White was threatening to win another pawn by 34.Ek8t.

34J�c5xc3

Y*/g7xc3

35.Y*/e6-e5t? It is understandable that White tries to simplify the position in time­ trouble, but the ensuing rook endgame only offers him very small practical winning chances. It goes without saying that with a better protected king position, White should try to avoid the exchange of queens, and attack Black's king as well as his individual pawn weaknesses. For this reason the text-exchange is in principle wrong. After 35.!!e2! Black would have had great difficulty coming up with a satisfactory defence, for example 35 ... \Wd3 36.h4 !!d8 37.'1Wxe7 '!Wxd5 38.'1Wf6t 'kt>g8 39.!!e7! and wins, or 35 ...\Wf6 36.'1Wxf6 exf6 37.'tt> g2 and the rook endgame is scarcely tenable for Black, owing to the strong passed pawn on the d-file. The only saving chance Black has at his disposal after 35.!!e2 seem to be 35 ... \Wc4, but after 36.a4 !!d8 37.'1Wxe7 (37.!!d2 also comes into consideration) 37 ... \WxdS 38.h4 White stands much better and has excellent winning chances owing to Black's airy king position.

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

35 ... 36.f4xe5 37.�h2-g2

405

�c3xe5 �h8-g7 �g7-f7

Now a rook endgame is reached where White has the opportunity to create a passed pawn on the cl-file. However, it has a significant difference with the endgame mentioned in the note to White's 35th move. In the abovementioned endgame, White already had the passed pawn, and he did not need to move it further from the 5th rank without telling reasons; but here the passed pawn still has to be created, and when White does so, this pawn would be standing on the 6th rank, from where Black can easily attack and finally capture it with his king and rook. As White also cannot easily move his king closer to the pawns, his winning chances are very problematic.

38J�d2-f2t? With this move White loses a couple of valuable tempos and surrenders his last winning chances. It was necessary to continue in attacking style by 38.�f3! �a3t 39.�e4, and if now 39 ... �xg3, then 40.e6t � f8 41 .�f2t �e8 42.�b2. I n this variation Black would still have had great difficulties to attain the draw, and it is questionable if it would be possible even with the best defence.

38 ... 39J�f2-d2

�f7-e8

But now 39.e6 would already be too late due to 39 ... �a5, for example: 40.�d2 �d8, threatening ... �d8-c7-d6, or 40.�f7 h5 41 .�g7 � f8 42.�xg6 �xd5, in both cases with adequate counter-play for Black. But the text-move also fails to offer any genuine winning chances.

39 ...

ga8-a3

Even simpler was 39 ... �a5, threatening 40 ... e6, and if 40.e6 then 40 ... �d8.

FOURTH CYCLE

406

40J�d2-b2

40...

�a3-d3?

With this move Black unnecessarily complicates the defence and again jeopardizes his position. Instead the continuation 40 .. .!h5! would have assured a draw, and if 41 .�xb7 �xdS 42.e6, then 42 ... @f8; if however 41 .�d2, then 41 ... e6.

After 41 .�xb 7 the draw is attained by 41 ... �xd5 42.e6 @f8. Now however White again gets winning chances, since for example 41 ...�d2t 42.@f3 �xa2 43.�xb7 would yield White a winning position. Black must now defend himself very accurately in order to again equalize the position.

41. .. 42.a2-a4

�e8-d8 b7-b6!

Black has to thwart the a4-a5 advance, which would deprive him of all prospects of counter-play, for example: 42 ... @c7 43.a5 and 43 ... �e3 loses to 44.d6t cxd6 45.exd6t @xd6 46.�xb7. The text-move is a preparatory step for an eventual ... @c7 and thus forces further exchanges.

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

407

43J3b5xb6 The waiting tactic 43.@f2 @c7 gives White nothing, and if now 44.a5 bxaS 45.�xa5, then 45 ... @b6. 43.a5 bxaS 44.�xa5 likewise fails to offer White any winning chances, because Black simply plays 44 ... @e8 and one cannot see how White would be able to strengthen his position further. The text-move sets Black greater difficulties.

43 44J3b6-b8t .••

�d3xd5

Stronger than 44.e6 @c7 45.�a6 �cS and White cannot make progress.

44 ... 45J3b8-h8

@d8-d7 �d5xe5

The attempt 4 S ... hS 46.�g8 �xeS 47 .�xg6 could turn out to be dangerous for Black, for example: 47 ... �a5 48.h4! �xa4 49.�g5.

®d7-e6 Black must take good care that his opponent will not be able to create two connected passed pawns on the kingside, and therefore he rushes with his king to the support of the g-pawn. For example, dangerous was 46 ... �e2t 47.@f3 �a2 48.�g7 �a3t 49.@f2 �a2t SO.@e1 and Black is no longer able to protect the g-pawn, although it is not certain that the ensuing rook endgame would be winning for White.

47.�h7-h4 48.®g2-S

�e5-e2t �e2-a2!

Now Black's rook is standing in the right place, behind White's passed pawn, and thus the draw is more or less clear. White's following winning attempts lead to nothing.

FOURTH CYCLE

408

49J�h4-e4t 50J�e4-f4t 5 1 JU4-c4 52.�f3-g4

�e6-f6 �f6-g7 �a2-a3t e7-e5

Also possible was 52 ... @f6, but the text-move is simpler. Black can already draw in several ways.

53.�g4-h4 54.�c4-b4 55.�h4-g4 56.h3-h4

�g7-h6 �a3-al �al-a3 �h6-g7

Simpler than 56 ... @h7, when White could still make winning attempts by 57.@gS �xg3t 58.@f6.

57.h4-h5 Exchanging another pawn, but it is not possible for White to strengthen his position further by other means. Now some more interesting situations follow.

57 ... 58.�g4xh5

g6xh5t �g7-f6

Naturally not 58 ... �xg3? 59.�g4t! and White wins.

59.�h5-h4 59.@g4 @e6 also does not change the position significantly, because after 60.�b6t @dS 6 1 .�a6 e4 Black draws easily.

59 ... The simplest waiting move, as the following advance of the g-pawn is by no means dangerous for Black. 59 ... @e6 would also have drawn.

BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV

60.g3-g4t

409

el-fl As Black is wasting lots of time manoeuvring on the queenside, White decides to bring his king to safety before generating the attack.

23 ... 24.i>fl-gl 25.J.d2-g5

�c8-c4 �b8-c6 �e7-g8

With this move, Black places his knight in a stalemate position. But allowing White's bishop to get to f6 was also bound up with great risk. Since, for example, after 25 ... @g8 26.if6 � aS 27.t2J f4 Black has to reckon with various kinds of attacking continuations, for instance \,Wd3-d1 -h5. To ward off these threats Black should then play his king to f7, even though his position would thereafter scarcely have been more favourable than in the game. It is very hard to say which method of play would have offered Black the better prospects, because they both have their pros and cons.

26.�cl-el White sets up the dangerous threat of if6t followed by strong pressure against the e6-pawn. In several lines the sacrifice t2J xg6t followed by h6-h7 is also threatened. For this reason Black, just in case, protects the g6-point.

26 ... 27.c2-c3 28.� e2-f4

'!Wd7-f7 �c6-a5 �c4-c6!

White was already threatening 29.if6t, thus Black is forced to once again protect the e6-point. However, in so doing he withdraws another of his attacking pieces from the queenside and makes White's defence of this flank very simple. It now becomes clear that White's threats on the kingside are more telling than Black's counter-play on the queenside and that the scales, slowly but surely, are tilting in White's favour.

FOURTH CYCLE

432

29 .ig5-f6t? .

It is a pity that Reshevsky, at the most crucial moment of the game, makes a bad mistake. It loses a pawn without any compensation at all and ruins White's whole position. If White wanted to play based on the threat bound up with the text-move, he first had to play the preparatory 29.�ge3 tt:'l c4 30.�3e2, because after 30 ... tt:'l xa3? the continuation 3 1 .if6t! tt:'l xf6 32.exf6 would yield White a decisive attack. Hence Black must answer 29.�ge3 tt:'l c4 30.�3e2 by playing 30 ... tt:'le7 3 1 .if6t 'it>g8. In this way there would incidentally occur approximately the same position as could have occurred if Black, instead of 25 ... tt:'lg8, would have played 25 ... 'it>g8. White could have proceeded by playing 26.'\Wb 1 followed by '!Wb4 in order to secure his queenside before later continuing with the execution of his attack on the kingside by f2-f3 followed by g2-g4. It was also possible for White to generate a different promising attack by playing 29.'it>h2 followed by �h1 , 'it>g1 and ih4. This would threaten tt:'l xg6t followed by h6-h 7, and in the meantime he can also protect his queenside pawns with the move a3-a4. Black should then sooner or later play ... tt:'l e7, which in many cases would give rise to approximately the same position as in the previous line. On the present occasion White's rooks would be standing markedly more actively, and thus have made Black's defence very difficult. Lastly, the continuation 29.'1Wd2 tt:'l c4 30.'\Wcl was also worthy of consideration. In this way White would for the moment also have

SMYSLOV - EUWE

433

protected his queenside and have threatened to execute approximately the same type of attack as after 29.�h2.

29 ... 30.e5xf6

�g8xf6 �a5-c4!

Apparently Reshevsky overlooked this simple reply, which deprives White of the chance to double rooks on the e-file. The immediate 30 .. .'tl:Vxf6 was naturally bad on account of 3 1 .:B:ge3, since 3 1 ...:B:e8 will not do on account of 32.ltJxd5. White now loses the f6-pawn and gets into a lost position.

3 1 .'iNd3-b l ? Furthermore White had run into huge time-trouble, which makes him play the following part of the game very weakly. Here 3 1 .ltJh3 �xf6 32.f4! offered better prospects. It would at least have blocked Black's kingside and, despite the minus pawn, have assured White of some counter-play. However, after the weak text-move Black shuts out the white pieces from the game.

3 1 . .. 32.a3-a4

'iNf7xf6

32.'tl:Vb5 was the last chance to put up some resistance. The text-move loses without a fight.

32 33.�f4-d3 •••

g6-g5 f5-f4

It was certainly simpler to play 33 ... �xh6 with two extra pawns, but Botvinnik tries to utilize his opponent's time-trouble and plays for a mating attack.

34J!g3-h3 35J!h3-hl 36.'iNbl-dl

g5-g4 gc6-c7 'iNf6-g6?

434

FOURTH CYCLE

Black makes his win unduly difficult. After 36 ... :gg8 White would have lacked the counter-play that occurs in the game, and Black could easily have strengthened his position further. Now White again obtains counter-chances.

37J�hl-h4 38.g2-g3

f4-f3 :gc7-f7

After the closing of the pawn formation on the kingside, White had already avoided the worst consequences and was even threatening to play 39.tb f4. And it is exactly against this that the text-move is directed.

39JiJd3-f4? For the second time during this game, Reshevsky makes a completely unintelligible mistake. Because the subsequent exchange sacrifice is suggesting itself, and leads to a speedy finish. The correct continuation was 39.tbe5! tb xe5 40.:gxe5 and the excellent placement of the white pieces assures him of valid prospects of saving the game, despite Black's extra pawn.

39 ... 40.g3xf4 4l .�dl-b l

RESHEVSKY - BOTVINNIK

435

At this point the game was adjourned and Black sealed his move. White's position is hopeless, since there is no defence against the threat of ... g4-g3; if for example 41 .@f1 , then there would similarly follow 41 ... gf5, threatening ... g3 or ... ghs.

41. ..

�f4-f5!

Now the threat of 42 ... g3 decides rapidly. There followed:

42.Wfb l-d3 43.Wfd3-fl 44.®glxfl 45.Wffl-h3 46.®f2x0 47.®f3-e3

g4-g3 g3xflt �f5-g5 �g5-g2t tl:lc4-d2t �g2-g3t

White resigned. A very interesting game, which unfortunately lost much of its value owing to Reshevsky's bad mistake on the 29th move. The middlegame is an instructive example of attacks on opposite flanks. And once again the well-known truth is confirmed that an attack in the direction of the king is always more dangerous than one against other positional weaknesses, even though the latter might be much simpler to conduct.

FOURTH CYCLE

436

No 38. V.

The Ruy Lopez

Smyslov M. Euwe

Moscow, 3rd May 1948 l .e2-e4 2.ttlgl-f3 3.i.fl-b5 4.i.b5-a4 5.0-0

e7-e5 ttlb8-c6 a7-a6 ttlg8-f6 ttlf6xe4

Euwe again employs the Open variation of the Spanish Defence, despite his unpleasant experience with it against Keres a couple of rounds earlier. It is true that he uses another method of play here, the same as was tried in the game Keres-Reshevsky in the previous round, but it likewise fails to gain him any better results. It seems that the Open line of the Spanish is going through a crisis at the moment and it requires several more practical experiments before any fully adequate opening system can be worked out for Black.

6.d2-d4 7.i.a4-b3 8.d4xe5 9.�dl-e2!

b7-b5 d7-d5 i.c8-e6

I took up this move a couple of years ago mainly in order to avoid the normal widely-known variations arising after 9 .c3 and thus present Black with new problems to solve. However, current practical experience has shown that this new move proves to be very strong, and that Black has grave difficulties meeting the threatened attack against the dS-point. As can be seen from several games starting with this variation, this tournament also failed to present a satisfactory answer to the question of how Black should defend himself after the text-move.

9 ... lOJ�fl-dl

ttle4-c5 ttlc5xb3

SMYSLOV - EUWE

l l .a2xb3

437

�d8-c8

Reshevsky also utilized the same opening system in the abovementioned game against Keres. But he was only successful owing to White's further restrained play. However, before the present game Smyslov had time to analyse in detail the consequences of the following pawn sacrifice, which in fact turns out to be very strong. Hence the method of play chosen by Black should be considered as insufficient, and Black must look for other methods to dismande White's threats after 9.�e2.

12.c2-c4! Much more energetic than 1 2.i.g5 as was played in the game mentioned above, which however in the event of correct further play would also have secured White a good position. With the text-move White is offering a pawn sacrifice. As compensation he gets excellent development and attacking chances against the black king in the centre. It can be claimed as certain that the current pawn sacrifice makes the opening system chosen by Black good for nothing.

12 ...

d5xc4

The comparatively best defensive chances were offered by 1 2 ... bxc4 1 3.bxc4 lLlb4, although White retains a marked positional edge after the move 1 4.lLlc3! (intending 1 4 ... dxc4 1 5.i.g5 lLl d3 1 6.b3) . Moreover, declining the pawn sacrifice is also unacceptable for Black from the perspective that his whole system of development was directed towards preventing the c2-c4 thrust. If White is then able to execute the advance unpunished, then Black's whole system of development must be considered a failure. Also unsatisfactory of course is 1 2 ... lLlb4 1 3.cxb5 axbS 1 4.:B:xa8 �xa8 1 5.�xbSt c6 1 6.�b6 and Black does not have sufficient compensation for the pawn.

13.b3xc4 14.�e2-e4

�e6xc4

FOURTH CYCLE

438

It was exactly this position that White wanted to reach when offering the pawn sacrifice, in the hope of now exploiting the queen side weaknesses and in particular the precarious position of the enemy king. As a matter of fact Black's defence is very difficult, and he should be happy if he is able to escape from this position by returning the extra pawn and not incurring any greater positional drawbacks.

a

14...

c

e

g

�c6-e7?

As a matter of fact this defence is completely weak, and rapidly places Black in a hopeless position. Furthermore Black now also falls considerably behind in development and his king is exposed to a decisive attack. Even though Black's position was rather difficult in every case, he still had two defensive resources at his disposal that would have made White's task comparatively tricky, namely: a) 1 4 ... lL!b4 (1 4 ... \We6? 1 5.:!�d6!) 1 S.ig5 (After 1 5.lL!a3 Black can play 1 5 ... ib3 followed by ... c6.) 1 5 ...ic5 (It was no longer possible to thwart the threat of 1 6.E:d8t.) 1 6.E:d8t '1Wxd8 1 7.ixd8 E:xd8 And despite the loss of the queen, Black has substantial drawing chances. b) 1 4 ...\Wb7 1 5.lL! c3 (After 1 5.lL!d4 Black has the defensive resource 1 5 ... 0-0-0 at his disposal, and 1 S.igS lL! a5 likewise offers Black adequate defensive chances.) And now not 1 5 ...ib3 1 6.e6! fxe6 1 7.ig5 with a winning attack, but the more modest 1 5 ... E:b8. Undoubtedly White also at this point obtains good attacking chances in exchange for the pawn, but Black's defensive resources should not be underestimated.

SMYSLOV - EUWE

439

From the notes above it becomes clear that Black's position after the acceptance of the pawn sacrifice was not as hopeless as most commentators tended to believe. The real reason for the defeat is above all the anti-positional text-move. Now White's attack plays itself.

1 5 )t�bl-a3

c7-c6

Black could not very well play 1 5 ... ib3 1 6.!l:d3 ie6 1 7.l2Jxb5 ifS due to 1 8.lDxc7t and he is thus forced to return his extra pawn. However this is equivalent to losing the game. Perhaps Black could, here or later, have played somewhat better, and in this way delayed the collapse of his position. But not even the best defence could have saved him from defeat.

16.� a3xc4 17.V« e4xc4

b5xc4 V«c8-b7

After 1 7 ... �e6 White could win a pawn by 1 8.�xe6 followed by lDgS, or play the queen sacrifice 1 8.!l:xa6 �xc4 1 9.!l:xa8t lDc8 20.!l:xc8t @e7 21 .!l:c7t with a decisive attack, as demonstrated by master Makogonov. And if Black plays 1 7 ... l2J d5, then 1 8.l2Jd4 forces him to either retreat with the knight or give up the c6-pawn. Now however, Black ends up in a stalemate position.

18.e5-e6 19.!l:dl-d7 20.V«c4xb5

f7-f6 V«b7-b5

In such a position it is a pity to exchange queens, although this leads to a simple win as well. For instance 20.�g4 would have won faster.

20 ... 2 1 .�f3-d4

c6xb5 �a8-c8

22.lDxb5 was threatened. Black is no longer able to defend his queen side pawns.

440

FOURTH CYCLE

22.Acl-e3 23.galxa6 24.gd7-b7 25.� d4-f5 26.h2-h3

�e7-g6 �g6-e5 i.f8-c5 0-0

Black resigned. A theoretically valuable game, but due to Euwe's weak defence it unfortunately does not give a correct picture of the strength of Smyslov's pawn sacrifice. But as the whole system of development employed by Black is rather dubious, one can scarcely expect that this line will be utilized in tournament practice in the near future.

441

Cycle 4 Round 20 0 Euwe-Reshevsky 1 1 Botvinnik-Keres 0 Free: Smyslov

In the game Euwe-Reshevsky, the ex-world champion for the second time lost an approximately equal endgame, as he also did in the 9th round against Smyslov. Black equalized without trouble in a Nimzo­ Indian game, and after White incorrectly offered some exchanges, Black even attained a slight initiative. Again Euwe did not pay attention in time to the dangers that were threatening his position. He enabled Black to take complete control over the cl-file and almost ended up in a stalemate position. As is known, in such situations mistakes tend to come by themselves, and Euwe's resistance did not last for long; he resigned on the 42nd move when facing inevitable material losses. The game Botvinnik-Keres developed quietly, because owing to the tournament position White had no need to play hard for a win. After an original handling of the opening Black equalized without difficulty, and even obtained a slight edge in development. However, he thereafter began to force matters on the queenside and as a result caused permanent weaknesses in his position. After continuing to play inaccurately, Black enabled his opponent to increase his advantage and transpose into a knight endgame where White practically possessed an extra pawn. Consolidating the advantage caused no difficulties for Botvinnik, and on the 60th move Black had to take his fourth defeat from the leader of the tournament. Tournament position after the 20th round: Botvinnik 1 2, Reshevsky and Smyslov 8V2, Keres 7 1/2, and Euwe 3112.

FOURTH CYCLE

442

No. 39 Nimzo-Indian Defence M. Euwe

S. Reshevsky

Moscow, 4th May 1948 l .d2-d4 Euwe had started almost every game so far in the tournament by playing 1 .e4. This had led to an unsuccessful result in many games, and for this reason Euwe at the end of the tournament now returns to the closed openings. When taking Euwe's bad form in the tournament into consideration, especially in tactical battles, the decision he made must be considered as fully justified.

1 ... 2.c2-c4 3.�bl-d 4.�dl-c2

�g8-f6 e7-e6 i.f8-b4

Euwe employs an old and well-tried system of development, and refrains from the presently fashionable line 4.e3, against which Reshevsky has achieved good success so far. On several occasions he has come out of the opening with an edge against Botvinnik, who is one of the greatest experts on this variation. The lines occurring after the text-move have been extensively analysed, and often played by Euwe himself, thus he plays relatively fast and saves energy for the later phases of the game.

4...

�b8-c6

Here Black has a choice between a variety of adequate defensive systems; besides the text-move the ones that are most worthy of consideration are 4 ... d5 and 4 . . 0-0. The text-move became very fashionable about a decade ago and is apparently also sufficient to yield Black a satisfactory game. .

5.�gl-f3

EUWE - RESHEVSKY

443

In order to disrupt Black's plan of development, S.e3 comes into consideration, even though it enables Black to immediately execute the S ... eS advance; however after 6.dxe5 ltJxe5 7.id2 followed by 8.a3 White attains a far from poor game. And if after S.e3 Black tries to transpose to the game continuation by s ... d6, then White can proceed with the strong 6.ltJe2 followed by 7.a3, and thus secure his knight's position on c3.

5 ...

d7-d6

After S ... dS White can play either 6.e3 0-0 7.a3 ixc3t 8.'iNxc3 followed by id3, or also 6.ig5, in both cases with a slightly better position. Theory also considers the immediate 5 ... 0-0 to be weaker on account of 6.ig5 h6 7.ih4, since the pawn grab 7 ... g5 8.ig3 g4 9.ltJh4 ltJ xd4 1 0.'iNd2 would yield White a strong attack.

6 ..icl-d2 Now however, after 6.ig5 h6 7.ih4 gS 8.ig3 g4 Black could boldly have taken the pawn by ... ltJxd4, because without having castled White's attack is not dangerous. Instead of the text-move the immediate 6.a3 ixc3t 7.'iNxc3 came into consideration, so as not to waste too much time on eliminating Black's bishop on b4. Black can then proceed with either 7 ... a5 and a later ... VNe7 followed by ... e6-e5, or simply 7 ... 0-0 8.b4 ge8, preparing the

FOURTH CYCLE

444

... e6-e5 advance. All these lines have already occurred in master games several times, and as a general conclusion it can be said that Black must play very carefully in order to gain complete equality, as White's bishop pair can often turn out to be a dangerous force.

6 ...

0-0

Naturally the immediate 6 ... e5 could also be played, but it usually gives rise to approximately the same position as the game continuation .

7.a2-a3 8 ..id2xc3

.ib4xc3 a7-a5

It seems that this advance is a loss of time; instead Black could well have played 8 .. Y!ff e 7. If then 9.b4, there would follow 9 ... e5 and Black has still achieved his aim.

9.e2-e3 9.e4 was an interesting continuation at this point; m the game Boleslavsky-Simagin, Parnu 1 94 7, Black answered this by the pawn sacrifice 9 ... e5 1 0.dxe5 dxeS 1 1 .tt::l x e5 �e8. White should thereafter have continued with the sharp 1 2.f4 and thus have attained some prospects of an advantage. After the quiet text-move the game returns to its normal paths.

9 ... 10 .ifl-d3

�d8-e7

.

Normally 1 0.ie2 eS 1 l .dxe5 dxeS 1 2.0-0 ig4 is played here, with an approximately equal game. But the text-move is also quite good.

10 .. l l .d4xe5 .

e6-e5

Or there is also 1 l .d5 tt::l b 8 1 2.tt::l d 2, although the closing of the position is fully to Black's taste. The text-move is more aggressive.

EUWE - RESHEVSKY

1 1 ... 12.0-0

445

d6xe5

Instead of this natural move, 1 2.lLlg5! h6 1 3.lLle4 had to be played if White wanted to secure even the slightest advantage in the middlegame. After the text-move Black equalizes easily.

12 ...

�U'8-e8

Now 1 3 ... e4 is threatened, which would also follow after 1 3.lLlg5. White's position is already becoming somewhat uncomfortable.

13.i.d3-f5? After this sally, Black transposes to an endgame where he obtains the somewhat better prospects owing to White's weak c-pawn. Hence White had to simply play 1 3.i.e2, which would give rise to a normal position with the extra tempo ... Ei:e8 for Black. This would however not disturb the balance of the position in any substantial way.

13 ... 14.ffc2xf5

i.c8xf5

14 ...

ffe7-e6!

446

FOURTH CYCLE

Forcing an exchange of queens and going into an endgame where the black pieces exert markedly greater activity. White could of course have held the position in the event of a good defence, but after the failure in the early rniddlegame Euwe apparently lost interest in the further course of events, and he plays the following phase of the game markedly below his normal strength.

1 5.�f5xe6 16.b2-b4? A positional blunder. It weakens White's queenside position even more and thus increases Black's attacking chances; moreover the text-move enables the black knight to take control over the strong support point e4, from where it cannot be chased away at once. It was essential for White to at least initially keep the black knight away from the e4-square. For this purpose Konstantinopolsky's suggestion to play 1 6.lt:Jg5 �e7 1 7.f4 is not very recommendable, since 1 7 ... exf4 1 8.exf4 lt:J e4 would yield Black an advantage. However, 1 6.lt:Jd2! was fully satisfactory and would have given White a tenable game.

16 ... 17.i.c3-b2

lL!f6-e4 f7-f6!

Now Black has assured himself of the support point on e4 for his knight, shut out White's bishop from the game, and is threatening to

EUWE - RESHEVSKY

447

win the b4-pawn. It is difficult to demonstrate an adequate defence for White against this. Black's position can already be considered as positionally winning.

18.b4-b5 19JH1-dl

�c6-e7

This turns out to be just an unnecessary waste of time and increases White's difficulties, since holding the cl-file is not possible in any case due to the weakness of the c-pawn. Therefore better was the immediate 1 9.!Uc1 lt:J cS 20.!:k2, with the intention of consolidating the position by the manoeuvre ib2-c3-e1 and c;t>g1 -f1 -e2 as the occasion arises; and then proceeding with lt:Jd2 followed by f2-f3.

19 ...

ge6-d6!

A very strong reply, with which Black finally takes control over the cl­ file. The exchange 20J'hd6 cxd6 would lead to a lost position owing to the weakness of the c-pawn, for example: 21 .�d1 �c8 22.lt:Jd2 lt:J xd2t 23.�xd2 �xc4 and 24.�xd6 fails to 24 ... �c2. White's position now becomes more difficult with every move.

20. d>gl-fl

�e7-c8!

White now lacks a satisfactory defence against the threat of 21 ...lt:Jb6 and he is practically forced to give up the cl-file. The sacrifice 21 .lt:Jxe5 fxeS 22.ixe5 was possible here, as well as on the previous move, but it did not offer White sufficient counter-chances for the piece.

c7-c5 Also very strong was 21 ...lt:Jc5 22.�c2 lt:Jb6 followed by ... �ad8, and Black controls all the strategically important points. But the text-move is also good.

22 ..tb2-c3 The exchange 22.bxc6 �xc6 loses a pawn after ... lt:Jb6 followed by

FOURTH CYCLE

448

... E!:ac8, and otherwise Black threatens to decisively strengthen his pressure by ... ltJb6 followed by ... E!:ad8. The text-move however enables Black to decisively penetrate with the rooks along the d-file.

22 ...

�e4xc3!

Otherwise White retreats the bishop to el from where it exerts awkward pressure against the aS-pawn and ties down the black rook to its defence.

23J�clxc3 24.�f3-gl

e5-e4

After 24.ltJe1 White's knight is even worse placed than in the game, and Black would also continue with 24 ... ltJb6 followed by ... E!:ad8.

24... 25.�gl-e2

�c8-b6 f6-f5

Depriving White of the prospect of gaining a tempo by 26.ltJg3.

26.®fl-el 27.�c3-c2 28.� e2-g3?

�a8-d8 ®g8-f7

EUWE - RESHEVSKY

449

More passive defence from White is completely hopeless, because Black can strengthen his position even further and after some preparatory steps embark on a decisive attack on the kingside. To prevent this, White had to come up with a more active plan that would at least yield him some counter-play For instance 28.lLlc3! came into consideration, so as to answer 28 ... lLl xc4 by 29.lLlxe4, and in the event of a passive reply, threaten to play 29.g4.

28 ... 29.lilg3-fl 30.lilfl-g3

�f7-e6 :gd6-d3 g7-g5

Now Black's pawn attack on the kingside starts, which sooner or later will lead to the opening of new files. White lacks even the slightest prospect of thwarting this attack.

3 1 .lilg3-e2 32.lil e2-g3 33.lilg3-fl 34.f2-f3

lilb6-a4 �e6-e5 h7-h5

White is tired of waiting and is himself the one to open a file on the kingside, thus meeting Black's plan halfway. But the position was lost in any event.

FOURTH CYCLE

450

34...

gd3-b3 f5xe4 �a4-b2

In this way Black prevents his opponent from using the open f-file, since after 37JU7, 37.)2Jd3t followed by ... gb2(t) wins.

37.gfl-c2 38.�el -e2

�b2-d3t gd8-f8

As now becomes clear, White opened the f-file for Black. After the penetration of the second rook, White could well resign.

39.�fl-d2 40.�e2-dl 41 .gc2xb2 42.�dl -c2

g £8 -flt gb3-b2 �d3xb2 t gflxg2

White resigned. This game is an illustrative example of how an almost-equal position can be lost without any huge mistakes.

BOTVINNIK - KERES

45 1

No 40. Queen's Pawn Opening M. Botvinnik

P.

Keres

Moscow, 4th and 5th May 1948

l .d2-d4

d7-d5

I used to play 1 .)t:J f6 here, but this time I decided to employ a new type of opening system, trying to lure my opponent into virgin territory for theory right from the start. Botvinnik however refrains from all attempts to refute Black's opening experiment and chooses a quiet method of play, thus enabling Black to easily equalize the position .

.ic8-f5 This sally, which has scarcely been utilized in tournament practice so far, seems to be fully playable for Black. At least White is not able to attain any advantage against it in the current game, and it also cannot be seen where he could have played distincdy better.

3.c2-c4

e7-e6

In the game Schlechter-Perlis, Karlsbad 1 9 1 1 , Black played the weaker 3 ... c6 4.'1Wb3 '1Wb6? S.cxdS '1Wxb3 6.axb3 .ixb 1 ? and lost a pawn after 7.dxc6!, because 7 ... .ie4 fails . to 8Jha7! !ha7 9.c7. The text-move is certainly stronger.

4.c4xd5 From the point of view of opening theory this exchange is undoubtedly unsatisfactory for White, because Black now no longer has any difficulties in equalizing the position. Perhaps the quiet 4.CtJc3 is the simplest way for White to ensure a good game. Instead in the game Alatortsev-Holmov, Moscow 1 948, White played 4.'1Wb3 CtJ c6 S.cS but after 5 .. '1Wc8 6 ..if4 CtJ f6 7.'1Wa4 CtJd7 he did not obtain any advantage. .

FOURTH CYCLE

452

4... 5.�dl-b3

e6xd5

5...

tllb8-c6

Naturally the only answer that merits consideration for Black, which would also have followed after 4.\Wb3. White cannot very well capture with 6.\Wxb7, because after 6.)Db4 7.lDa3 E!:b8 8.\Wxa7 E!:a8 Black could already force a draw or else continue the attack at the cost of a sacrificed pawn.

6..icl-g5 Botvinnik contents himself with equality and therefore tries to simplify the position further. But in so doing he enables Black to gain a substantial lead in development. 6.i.d2 comes into consideration, threatening 7.\Wxb7.

6...

.if8-e7

6 ... f6 would of course be answered by 7.i.d2, and Black's weakened central position would soon make itself unpleasantly apparent. If Black however first plays 6 ... i.b4t, then 7.i.d2 would likewise follow, and in the event of an exchange on d2 White would have won a valuable tempo compared with the game continuation.

BOTVINNIK - KERES

7.Ag5xe7

453

�g8xe7

Here 7.JiJcxe7 deserved serious consideration. It would remove the unfavourably placed c6-knight and in addition enable the other knight to develop to the strong f6-square, from where it controls the e4-point. However, Black also stands excellendy after the text-move, being well ahead of his adversary in development and furthermore having overcome all his opening problems.

8.e2-e3 9.�bl-d2

Wfd8-d6 0-0

The continuation 9 ... '1Wb4 followed by . 0-0-0 was sufficient only for equality. With the text-move Black, considering his edge in development, is hoping for more. But when taking into account that White's position has no weaknesses, it is not an easy task to attain any genuine advantage. ..

lOJ�al-cl

10...

a7-a5!

Black commences dangerous activity on the queenside, threatening to advance his pawn to a3, which would secure the dominating b4-square for his knight. Hence White's reply is more or less forced.

FOURTH CYCLE

454

1l.a2-a3

�f8-c8

It was also possible to immediately play 1 1 .)Lld8, as later occurs in the game, but the text-move is also beneficial for Black, and suits well his further plan of campaign.

12..tfl-d3 13.'1�Yb3-c2 14.%Yc2xd3

a5-a4 .if5xd3 ti)c6-d8

Black transfers his only unfavourably-placed piece, the c6-knight, towards better squares and prepares the subsequent advance of the queenside pawns.

15.0-0 16.�cl-c3

ti)d8-e6

16...

b7-b5?

Black suddenly, for completely incomprehensible reasons, refrains from his strategic plan and instead with the text-move weakens his queenside disastrously. As a consequence he subsequently ends up in great difficulties due to the weakness of the cS- and b4-squares. It is true that Black as compensation gains the c4-point for his knight, but controlling this point will still require much effort, and moreover

BOTVINNIK - KERES

45 5

this single square alone is not adequate compensation for the fresh weaknesses that have been created on the queenside. White now attains a clearly better position. The course of the game so far had given Black no objective reason to execute such a desperate thrust. Because, as a matter of fact, he had at his disposal several favourable ways of continuing the game in a quiet way. One of the best continuations seems to be 1 6 ... b6 1 7.�fc1 cS, since after 1 8.dxc5 bxcS Black obtains strong pressure against the fixed pawn weakness on b2.

17.'*1d3-c2 Naturally not 1 7.�xb5 �cb8 followed by ... �xb2. With the text-move White clears the d3-square for his knight, from where it controls the important weaknesses on cS and b4.

17... 18.tZH3-e1

gc8-b8

But not 1 8.'Lle5 cS and Black suddenly frees himself from all difficulties.

18...

�e7-c8

Better prospects were offered by 1 8 ... b4 1 9.axb4 �xb4 20.'Lld3 �bS 21 .�a1 'Ll c8 followed by ... 'Llb6, and Black protects the a4-pawn sufficiently while at the same time retaining pressure against the b2pawn. But owing to the weaknesses Black has on the c-file, White would in this case also stand slightly better. With the text move Black tries to transfer his knight to c4, but the execution of this plan is too time consuming and in the meantime enables White to considerably strengthen his position.

'*!d6-e7 After this White later wins a tempo owing to the unprotected dS­ pawn, but 19 ... �d7 20.'Lld3 'Llb6 was also not thoroughly acceptable

FOURTH CYCLE

456

on account of the reply 21 .ttJb4 ttJ c4 22. ttJ f3. In this way Black has, it is true, brought his knight to c4, but White threatens to play the awkward 23.ttJe5 followed by 'IWfS, and it is hard to find an adequate defence against this. After the anti-positional 1 6th move and the missed opportunity on the 1 8th move, Black already stands clearly worse due to the weaknesses on the queenside.

20.�el-d3 2 1.�d3-b4

�c8-b6 �b8-d8

The dS-pawn needed protection and Black could not delay too long, due to the threat of 22.'1Wd3.

22.YlYc2-f5 23.�fl-cl

23

•••

Another inaccuracy by Black, which enables White, almost by force, to gain a superior endgame. Here 23 .. .!hd8 would have offered much better defensive chances, and if 24.ttJf3, then 24 ... f6. White would in this event have had substantial difficulties in strengthening his attack decisively, while Black on the other hand would in several lines threaten ... ttJ c4 with good counter-play. However, as a result of the difficult middlegame, Black had already run

BOTVINNIK - KERBS

457

into slight time-trouble (!) which causes him to play the subsequent part of the game very weakly.

24J;clxc6

ga8-d8

Black has no adequate defence of the dS-pawn, because for example after 24 .. .'1Wd7 there would follow 25.lt:Jd2-f3-e5.

In this way White weakens the enemy pawn structure on the queenside even more, and transposes into an endgame where he defacto possesses an extra pawn. However, the reduced amount of material enables Black to still put up stubborn resistance.

25... 26.�b4-c6 27.�c6xd8 28.fi6-c2

c7xb6 fie7-c7 fic7xd8 fid8-c7?

After this mistake the endgame becomes hopeless for Black. White is now able to easily create a passed pawn in the centre that will decide the outcome of the game in his favour. It was essential to proceed with 28 ... 'Wd7 29.lt:J f3 f6, and if now 30.lt:J e 1 , then 30 ... lt:J d8 3 1 .lt:Jd3 lt:J c6 and White has great difficulties to overcome before he can press home his advantage, even if this is possible at all.The following endgame no longer offers any greater interest.

29.fic2xc7 30.�d2-bl 31.�gl-fl 32.�fl-e2 33.�e2-d3 34.�bl-c3

�e6xc7 �gS-£8 �f8-e7 �e7-d6 �d6-c6 �c7-e8

The pawn sacrifice 34 ... b4 35.axb4 bS does not substantially improve Black's position, since White can proceed with 36.e4 dxe4t 37.@xe4

FOURTH CYCLE

458

followed by d5t and 'i:t>d4 with a winning position. Subsequendy Black tries to transfer his knight to c4, but this attempt fails here, as it also did in the rniddlegame.

35...

f7-f6

In order to obstruct the e3-e4 advance, 35 ... f5 also came into consideration, but this is answered by 36.lt:Jb4t 'tt>d 6 37.'tt>c 3 followed by lt:J d3, and the weakness of the b4- and e5-squares will decide the outcome of the game. The text-move is directed against White's king coming to b4; in this event Black would defend the b5-pawn by ... 'tt>c 6 and has then thwarted the check lt:Je5t.

36.f2-f3 37.lt:Ja2-h4t 38.e3-e4 39.f3xe4 40.@d3-e3 41.@e3-d3

lL!e8-c7 @c6-d6 d5xe4t lL!c7-e6 lL!e6-c7 lL!c7-e6

The last moves took place in severe time-trouble, which is also the reason for the repetition of moves. With the text-move Black gives

BOTVINNIK - KERES

459

away the dS-square to the enemy knight, but the position was lost all the same even though, for example, 41 ... \t>e6 could have slightly prolonged the resistance.

42.�b4-d5

�d6-c6

After 42 ... f5 there would of course follow the simple 43.exf5. After the text-move White could, besides the text-move, also win with 43.l2Jxf6, for example: 43 ... l2Jf4t 44.\t>e3 l2Jxg2t 45.\t>f3 l2Je1t 46.\t>e2 l2Jc2 47.dSt followed by l2Jxh7.

43.h2-h4

�e6-d8

Or 43 ... l2Jf8 44.h5, threatening h5-h6 with a simple win. With the text­ move Black tries to prevent the advance of the h-pawn and intends to answer 44.h5 by 44 ... l2Jf7, but now White wins in another way.

44.�d5-f4

�c6-d6

Or 44 ... g6 45.l2Jd5 fS 46.l2Jf6 fxe4t 47.\t>xe4 with a simple win.

45.�f4-h5 46.�d3-e3 47.d4-d5 48.�h5xg7

�d8-e6 �d6-e7 �e6-c5 �e7-d6

460

FOURTH CYCLE

49.lDg7-e6! Depriving Black of the last prospect of counter-play, which consisted of taking up a position on eS with the king. The pawn endgame after 49 ... tt::l x e6 50.dxe6 c;t>xe6 S1 .c;t>f4 is hopeless. After 49 ... c;t>es SO.ltJxcS bxcS 5 1 .g4 White also easily wins the resulting pawn endgame by playing c;t>e3-d3-c3 followed by b2-b3 and later a3-a4.

49... 50.®e3-d4 51.lDe6-g7 52.lDg7-f5t 53.'i!?d4-c3 54.g2-g4 55.g4-g5 56.h4xg5 57.®c3-b4 58.e4-e5 59.e5-e6t

lDc5-d7 lDd7-e5 lDe5-c4 'i!?d6-c7 ®c7-d7 lDc4-e5 f6xg5 lDe5-f3 lDf3xg5 h7-h5 'i!?d7-d8

Or 59 ... ltJxe6 60.dxe6t c;t>xe6 6 1 .ltJg7t followed by ltJxhS.

60.'i!?b4xb5 Black resigned.

46 1

CycleS Round21 0 Euwe-Keres 1 1/z Smyslov-Reshevsky 1/z Free: Botvinnik

The last cycle of the tournament again started off with tense games. The game Euwe-Keres opened with the Nimzo-Indian Defence and had taken an original path already after the first ten moves when Black sacrificed a pawn to attain an attack. The game held out prospects of becoming very interesting as the players castled on opposite sides. But then Black proceeded to play weakly, enabling his opponent to thwart the attack and obtain a clear advantage owing to his extra pawn and bishop pair. In a difficult position Black embarked upon a complicated continuation by offering a double piece sacrifice in exchange for a rook, which Euwe however did not accept. There followed an endgame with major pieces where the uncertain position of White's king was more telling than Black's pawn minus. In the resulting time-trouble Euwe made a bad mistake and resigned just before the inevitable mate. In the game Smyslov-Reshevsky Black tried to improve on the method of play utilized in the games Keres-Reshevsky in the 1 8th round and Smyslov-Euwe in Round 1 9. But this did not yield him the hoped-for result. Smyslov again obtained a positional advantage, but then failed to exploit it in the best way and enabled Black to transpose into a drawish endgame. Black's long-lasting winning attempts naturally remained fruitless and the draw was agreed on the 73rd move after the game had been adjourned for the second time. The tournament position after the 21 st round is the following: Botvinnik 1 2, Reshevsky and Smyslov 9, Keres 81/2 and Euwe 31/2.

FIFfH CYCLE

462

No 41. Nimzo-Indian Defence M. Euwe

P.

Keres

Moscow, 6th May 1948

l.d2-d4 As can be seen, until the end of the tournament Euwe hangs on to his closed opening systems and thus avoids the complications that are characteristic of the open games. However, in the present game the position speedily becomes much more tense and complicated than in many of the open defences.

1... 2.c2-c4 3.�b1-c3 4.�d1-c2

�g8-f6 e7-e6 .if8-b4

Again Euwe employs an old and widely recognized method of play, and abstains from the Rubinstein continuation 4.e3, which has become fashionable in recent times and played often by Botvinnik. With his next move Black refrains from the continuations that are considered to be the best, and tries to take the game into paths less well mapped out by theory. In this way he tries to lure his opponent into more complicated variations.

4... s..icl-gS

0-0

The normal continuation here is 5. ttJ f3, which Black can likewise answer by S ... cS. A couple of rounds later Reshevsky played 5.a3 ixc3t 6.'1Wxc3 against Keres, but after 6 ... b6 he also did not gain any advantage.

5... 6..ig5-h4

h7-h6 c7-c5

EUWE - KERES

463

After the bishop has been driven away from the c1 -h6 diagonal, this advance merits serious consideration. Because in several lines after ...'!WaS, White would now lack the defensive resource .id2. Apparently 6 ... d6 followed by ... e6-e5 would have been weaker. White can for example answer it by 7.ctJ f3 and achieve a position similar to the Zurich variation, which theory considers to be favourable for White.

7.d4xc5 8.e2-e3

�b8-a6

Sokolsky recommends 8.a3 .ixcS 9.e3 followed by :gd1 with pressure on the cl-file and considers the continuation 8 ... '\WaS 9 . .ixf6 gxf6 1 0.:gc1 to be good for White; however, it cannot be seen why Black should stand worse after 1 0 ....ixc3t 1 1 .'1Wxc3 '!Wxc3t 1 2.:gxc3 ctJ xcS.

8...

�a6xc5

White tries to maintain the strong knight on c3 at any cost, but with the text-move he considerably restricts the development of his other pieces and thus soon faces a strong attack. Better was 9.a3 .ixc3t 1 0.'1Wxc3, even though it seems that then Black with the move 1 0 ... ctJ fe4! can force complications that are not bad for him.

FIFfH CYCLE

464

9...

d7-d5!

With this thrust Black intends to offer a promising pawn sacrifice and at the same time prevent White from playing 1 O.a3 owing to 1 O... dxc4. Or 1 0.cxd5 'IWxdS is also not pleasant for White; hence he is forced to take more resolute measures.

10.0-0-0 In order to thwart 1 O... dxc4 the only other move that came into consideration was 1 0J�d1 , but nevertheless this is followed by 1 0 ...id7 1 1 .cxd5 Ek8 and Black gains a no less dangerous attack than in the game. After having taken measures against White's main threat of a2a3, Black now obtains a menacing initiative.

10...

Ac8-d7!

This pawn sacrifice constitutes the only logical continuation of Black's attack. A laborious defence of the dS-pawn would have given White very strong pressure.

ll.c4xd5 1 1 .a3 also came into consideration; Black would answer it by 1 1 ...a5 thus maintaining the position of his bishop on b4. If White then

EUWE - KERES

465

proceeded with 1 2.cxd5, Black can continue either 1 2 ... Ek8, as played in the game, or 1 2 ... e5, and in either case obtain an excellent attack in exchange for the sacrificed pawn. After the text-move White has problems completing his development.

1 1...

�a8-c8

If 1 2.dxe6, then simply 1 2 ... fxe6 and among other things Black also has attacking chances on the open f-file. For example: 1 3.'i:t>b 1 �b6 when one cannot see how White could complete his development.

12...

tllc5-a4?

With this unduly hasty move Black ruins his attacking chances and now even has to overcome some unpleasant problems. The correct continuation was to play 1 2 ... e5!. In this way Black would have thwarted all the threats in the centre whereupon he would have threatened to decisively strengthen his attack on the queenside. White would have experienced great difficulties with the development of his pieces, and it is unlikely that he would have been able to successfully ward off the concentrated attack of the black pieces. Incidentally Lowenfisch's recommendation to play 1 2 ... �a5 1 3.i.xf6 gxf6 was also very strong, to answer 1 4.a3 by 1 4 ... i.xa3 1 5.bxa3 lt:J a4.

FIFTH CYCLE

466

13.d5xe6! 14.Y;Yc2-b3

f7xe6

With the last moves White eliminated the biggest threat, and now stands well enough. After finishing development, he is threatening to take aim at the weaknesses in Black's camp. However, owing to his better development, Black retains enough of an attack to be able to balance the position.

14...

.ib4xc3

1 4 ... V9a5 was apparently sufficient to equalize the pos1t1on, since 1 5.ixf6 .!LieS 1 6J:hd7 .!Llxb3 1 7.!hg7t �h8 leads only to perpetual check. On the other hand it would be dangerous for White to diverge from this line, because Black's attack threatens to become very strong after the liberation of the f6-knight. With the text-move Black shows that he wants to continue playing for a win. However, this is a very risky decision and in the case of even the slightest inaccuracy would endanger his own position.

�a4xc3t An interesting continuation at this point is 1 5 ... V9e8, which however eventually turns out to be favourable for White: 1 6.ixf6 .!Llxc3t (Or 1 6 .. .l:hf6 1 7 . .!Lle4) 1 7.ixc3 ia4 1 8.V9xb7 El:xc3 (Or 1 8 ... !:!:£7 1 9.V9e4 ixd1 20.id3) 1 9.bxc3 ixd1 20.ib5 V9g6t 21 .e4 And White has an extra pawn and the better position.

16.b2xc3 17J:�d1-d4!

'i;Yd8-e8 �f6-d5?

After the unfortunate 1 2th move Black is playing somewhat joylessly, and after the weak knight move he becomes clearly worse. It was necessary to proceed with 1 7 ... �h8!, threatening 1 8 ... e6-e5. In this way Black would win several tempos for his attack and, despite the pawn deficit, it would yield him a reasonable game. The knight move loses time for Black and gives his opponent the chance to complete his

EUWE - KERES

467

development, whereupon White's extra pawn and bishop pair assure him of a clear advantage.

18.c3-c4 19..ifl-d3

�d5-b6 �b6-a4

Thus Black at least gets his knight to the strong cS-square, even though White in the meantime was able to complete his development. Black is now faced with the difficult tasks of fighting against White's strong bishop pair and trying to create threats in the direction of the enemy king.

20..id3-c2 2l.�b3-c3

�a4-c5 b7-b5

After 21 .. ..ia4 22.ghd1 Black would indeed eliminate White's bishop pair, but he would remain a pawn down in a position holding few prospects of success. With the text-move Black commences a desperate attack and tries to open up the position of White's king at any cost, so as to exploit it in the mutual time-trouble that is about to arrive.

22.�bl-al

a7-a5

Now ... b5-b4 is threatened, and after 23.'\WxaS the continuation 23 ... bxc4 24.gxc4 �hS appears to be rather unpleasant .

23.c4xb5 24.�c3-b2

.id7xb5

The capture 24.�xa5 was not as harmless for White as it may appear at first sight. Black would answer it by 24 ...�c6 and obtain dangerous counter-play owing to ...�xg2, ... lt:Jb7, ... ga8 and ... e6-e5. The textmove is safer.

24...

�e8-c6?

Black fails to find the correct plan in time-trouble, and with the text-

FIFTH CYCLE

468

move enables White to bring his bishop into play with gain of tempo. Thus the outcome of the game should be practically decided. Much better was, for example, 24 .. J!b8, so as after 25.E!g4 to have the reply 25 ... e5.

25J�d4-g4 26..ih4-f6 27J�hl-dl

�U8-f'7

27...

.ib5-d3!

gc8-c7

This move is considered to be a mistake by all the commentators, but none of them show how Black should have played instead. As a matter of fact, Black's situation was desperate, for instance 27 ... E!cd7 28.E!xd7 'Wxd7 29.E!d4 would have been completely hopeless, and otherwise White threatens to play the devastating 28.E!d8t. In this situation the complicated text-move constituted the best saving chance, especially when also taking the annoying time-trouble into consideration. It is indeed not very easy for White to find the winning line here, and it is therefore not a surprise that Euwe failed to immediately come up with the best continuation. Among other options, 27 ... lt:J d3 was no better, since then after 28.E!xd3! ixd3 29.ixd3 White could reach the line that was possible in the game; an attempt to sidestep this by playing 28 ... 'Wxc2 would after 29.E!d8t ai-b2 White resigned.

:B:c2-clt f;Yc6-c2t

FIFTH CYCLE

472

No 42. The Ruy Lopez V.

Smyslov

S. Reshevsky

Moscow, 6th and 7th May 1948 l.e2-e4 2.lt�gl-f3 3..ifl-b5 4..ib5-a4 5.0-0

e7-e5 �b8-c6 a7-a6 �g8-f6 �f6xe4

The Open variation of the Spanish Defence became popular at the end of the tournament, even though Black had not achieved any success with it in the previous games. Apparently Reshevsky had made new improvements for Black in his home analysis, compared with the games Keres-Euwe, Keres-Reshevsky and Smyslov-Euwe that had been played so far.

6.d2-d4 7..ia4-b3 8.d4xe5 9.'i;Ydl-e2!

b7-b5 d7-d5 .ic8-e6

This continuation is, in comparison to the previously almost exclusively employed 9.c3, on the way to becorning the main line of the Open Spanish. Because so far Black has in no game been able to satisfactory solve the opening problems. In the present game Black makes a new attempt in this direction, but again he is unable to achieve a convincing result.

9... lOJ!fl-dl

�e4-c5 b5-b4

In the games mentioned above, where a closer explanation of the whole opening line can also be found, 1 0 ... ltJxb3 1 1 .axb3 'Wc8 was played on two occasions, but turned out to be very dangerous for Black. With the text-move Reshevsky tries to thwart the c2-c4 advance and for the time

SMYSLOV - RESHEVSKY

473

being refrains from the exchange on b3, so as in many lines not to clear the very strong central e4-square for the white queen. But as the current game shows, this variation also fails to solve the main drawback of Black's position: the positional weaknesses on the queenside and in the centre, which White can utilize to commence a dangerous initiative.

ll..icl-e3 This simple developing move is good enough, and assures White of a pleasant position. But White has a rich variety of other more complicated lines at his disposal that should also be investigated more closely. In the first instance the "standard move" of this opening 1 1 .c4 is worthy of consideration, so as to answer 1 1 ...bxc3 by 12 ..ixd5! .ixdS 1 3.lt:Jxc3 lt:J e7 14 ..ie3 lt:Je6 1 5.lt:Jxd5 lLl xdS 1 6.'1Wc4 with a winning position for White. Hence, after 1 1 .c4 the continuation 1 1 ... d4, as advocated by Kmoch, is almost forced, and the position that has now occurred is of crucial importance for the assessment of the move 1 1 .c4. According to Kmoch 1 2 ..ie3 .ig4 1 3.h3 yields Black an advantage after 1 5 ... d3!, but White can naturally play much more strongly than 1 2 ..ie3. For instance 1 2.lt:Jbd2 .ie7 1 3.lt:Je4 lt:J xb3 1 4.axb3 comes into consideration, and White has good attacking prospects against Black's pawns weaknesses that compensate for the bishop pair. The other continuation that comes into serious consideration at this point is the piece sacrifice 1 1 ..ixd5 .ixdS 1 2.c4, as found by Byrne,

474

FIFTH CYCLE

which after 1 2 ... bxc3 1 3.lt:Jxc3 gives White the favourable position mentioned above. However, instead Black has two ways to make a queen sacrifice that gives rise to very unpredictable consequences, for instance: 1 2 ...i.xc4 1 3.�xd8t �xd8 1 4.'\W e 1 and it is possible that White's material edge will prove to be sufficient; or 1 2 ...i.xf3 1 3.�xd8t �xd8 1 4.'1Wxf3 lt:J d4 1 5.'1Wd1 lt:J db3 1 6.'1Wxd8t