[Event "Central London League"]   [Site "London, ENG"]   [Date "2016.06.06"]   [Round "?"]   [White "Ross, Chris"]   [Black "Walker, Nick"]   [Result "1-0"]   [ECO "C77"]   [Annotator "Chris Ross"]   [PlyCount "81"]   [EventDate "2016.06.06"]     {Chris writes:  This game is yet   another excellent example of a good knight vs. bad bishop. A slightly   unorthodox approach to the opening gives black the opportunity to strike out   ambitiously, believing that white's slow approach is possibly not   fundamentally sound.   Intriguingly though, white's subtle approach with his   pawn-structure is rather deceptive. Black seemingly obtains an advantage and   can proceed aggressively. This is somewhat of an illusion and white takes   complete control of a position that affords him no losing chances. The smooth   path to victory therein is a simple matter of technique.    Nick Walker is a   strong English player; his grade has hovered around ECF 200 for some   considerable time. It is unfortunate that the game itself does not allow his   true strength to be displayed [but similarly, bear in mind, as Chris Ross   appears to shove Black off the board with ease, that Black is no rabbit but a   player not far off master strength - NH]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4   Nf6 5. d3 {The Ruy Lopez has become rather annoying in recent years and   especially so, when Kramnik flourished the Berlin Defence to such an   exasperating extent at the end of the last century. So much Spanish theory has   been produced that a lot of strong players now use it as a drawing mechanism.   Naturally, if White wishes to push for winning opportunities, he has to take a   more unorthodox approach to the opening, not only to avoid multiple layers of   theory, but to create some new nuances in the position. With the text-move,   White creates a slower setup. He wishes to develop his pieces more gradually   and allow the central formation to be settled later. This may give Black   chances of his own to develop tension in the centre, but the d3-approach may   cause players of the Black side of the Ruy Lopez some frustration. [Note also   that there is "nothing new under the sun"; the Ruy with d3 was being played by   Anderssen 150 years ago - NH]} Bc5 {Since White has not directly challenged   the centre with c2-c3 and d2-d4, Black takes the opportunity to post his   dark-squared bishop actively outside the pawn chain. For White to challenge   this bishop, he will have to waste a tempo by playing a future d3-d4. White,   however, is actually content to do this at a later time. It may be argued then   that the temporary loss of tempo for White is balanced by the need for the   dark-squared bishop to find a new home.} 6. c3 {Solidifying the d4 square and   preparing d3-d4. The main point of the move though, is to provide the White   light-squared bishop on a4 a more feasible flight square. In many lines of the   Ruy Lopez, this bishop is driven back to b3 with a black b7-b5 pawn thrust.   White will then create a flight square with c2-c3 and after Nc6-Na5 for Black,   the bishop will hide away on c2. With the text-move, White creates that flight   square immediately, thus negating the need to waste a tempo by putting the   bishop back on b3 first. Curiously, the light-squared bishop on c2 offers   protection to the e4-pawn, thereby permitting a future d3-d4 and also,   providing support were Black to push with d7-d5. In that case, White would not   be obliged to capture on d5 with e4xd5.} d6 {Black secures the centre,   allowing the knight on c6 to move and opening up the light-squared bishop. All   very commendable, but the major draw-back is that the knight on f6 can be   pinned with Bg5, not allowing it to be unpinned by a retreat of the   dark-squared bishop. This is a committal approach and this displays Black's   intention not to get involved with slow, positional manoeuvring. A slight   psychological flaw, but an important one.} 7. Nbd2 {White delays castling as   long as possible, with the idea of positioning his pieces as quickly as   possible, due to his slow central pawn formation. Black has not castled   himself yet, so the immediate pin of the knight on f6 is not of any use. Black   could happily drive the bishop away with h7-h6 and g7-g5, as this would not   cause king-safety consequences, although it would create pawn weaknesses that   would have to be resolved later.} O-O {Black commits his king. Again, an   indication that he is not concerned about entering into tactical complications.   Now comes the issue of the White development and the control that the Black   bishop-pair are exerting. The bishop on c5 is strongly positioned, although   white has future aspirations of playing d3-d4. Although this is now possible,   this would give White developmental difficulties due to the loose e4 pawn. Re8   would come in very quickly and with a future Bg4 for black, the d4-pawn would   become very precarious. The idea of this opening is not to slowly form the   centre and then lash out and create loose pawns. Slow control is the objective.   So, if the bishop on c5 is not to be immediately targeted with a future d3-d4,   how does white tackle that issue? Also, for consideration is the Black   light-squared bishop's arrival on g4. This will give White difficulties and   since he wishes to castle there, the knight is pinned uncomfortably against   the white queen, who has no good square to flee to in order to avoid the pin.   c2 is required for the light-squared bishop and e2 or e3 serve no purpose. e1   is a bit of a silly square and would leave the d3 pawn/square weak were black   to play d6-d5. Further contemplation gives us more guidance. The move 8. h3   would prevent the Black light-squared bishop landing on g4, but would create   significant positional weaknesses. The dark-squares around the White king-side   would be very vulnerable. g3, say, is a problem if white castled, for a   possible Black knight landing on g3 via h5 is in the offing, as the f2 pawn is   pinned against the White king. Also, if 8. h3 is played, the natural pawn   break for white is f2-f4. Both h3 and f4 create weaknesses on the dark-squares,   especially that g3 square and by the time White has played castles, Kh1 and   f2-f4, Black has probably managed to get a knight via c6-e7-g6 preventing the   pawn break. Yet another consideration. The f2 pawn is a tactical focal point.   Black may even be contemplating Ng4 to attack it. Defending f2 should be easy   enough, and especially so when White castles. Castling though, involves the   same difficulties as described above.} 8. Nf1 {Some experience in such   positions needs to be gained before embarking on such setups. After a number   of games with similar ideas, the threads and themes become familiar to a   player. As with some other systems, such as the QGD Exchange, Minority Attack   variation, a player can reroute minor pieces before castling has been   accomplished. In certain lines of the Ruy Lopez, it is commonly seen that   white plays castles, Re1, Nbd2-Nf1 and then the knight hops into g3 to target   the f5 square. The text-move here has a similar idea, and utilises the f1   square before the rook occupies it. Intriguingly though, the white steed is   not headed for g3, but instead, e3, where it effectively blocks the diagonal   of the dark-squared bishop on c5, thus limiting the dark-square weaknesses on   the white king-side. Also, the d5 square is controlled, making d6-d5 a more   challenging prospect. f5 is still targeted and critically, the g4-square is   hit to challenge a black light-squared bishop from landing there. The   secondary objective of the text move is to allow white to develop his own   dark-squared bishop. This has two viable options, via g5 pinning that knight   on f6, which cannot be unpinned by black's own dark-squared bishop, or if   needed, to e3, where an exchange of the dark-squared bishops can be forced.   Now pawn formation is becoming a very critical element of the game and again,   some experience with the 'small' pawn centre is required to fully appreciate   how this centre should be moved and utilised. It is about now, when the most   important square on the board needs to be considered. Not only the most   important, but both useful and critical to the future conduct. It is this   square, added with the positional factors described above and later, that form   the basis of this game. Knowledge of the King's Indian Defence and the use of   outposts are also helpful to analyse this position.} Ng4 {Black avoids any   pinning options by White. Also, the aforementioned f2-square is directly   attacked. Since castling for White is no longer possible, this makes sense, as   White has to make a structural concession to solve the tactic. This seemingly   involuntary structural weakness though, is, in fact, a help for White.} 9. Ne3   {Reaching the square as planned. The attack on the f2 square is blocked and   the d5-square is controlled. Again, black has to justify his ambitious play by   tactics, otherwise, his pieces will be driven backward with loss of tempi.} f5   {Actively played. This is a seemingly aggressive approach to the position, but   it adds dynamics to the position that Black will find difficult to solve at a   later point. The tactical justification is that if White captures on g4, then   a recapture of 10... fxg4 will attack the knight on f3 and open up the rook's   line to the f2-square. It is important to note though, that this move opens up   the a2-g8 diagonal, a clear line of fire down to the black king. As can be   seen in similar lines of the English opening, white has forking possibilities   with Qb3+ and Qxb7, which may prove embarrassing for the knight on c6. Since   black has intentionally advanced with 8... Ng4, the forward momentum is   logical enough, but more cautious is 9... h6 or 9... Be6 or even 9... b5 to   rid himself of the b7-pawn problem.} 10. exf5 {White is apparently willing to   open up lines, despite his obvious lack of development. This capture is   essential though, since White cannot permit f5-f4 completely clamping down on   the king-side, where an inevitable king-side pawn-storm will occur. White will   never be able to drive the Black minor pieces back and indeed the position   would resemble a King's Indian Defence where the Black dark-squared bishop is   actually better placed on the g1-a7 diagonal instead of being buried away on   g7. The key point to realise though is that the giving up of the White e-pawn   is not a central pawn loss. For, as the tactics will prove, White will soon   emerge with a new one!} Bxf5 11. O-O {White has now completed his king-safety.   Unravelling now will commence. The immediate issue for Black is the   light-squared bishop, for its capture is threatened. It was not possible to   take this on the previous move, since the f2-square is weak and Bxf2+ could be   an annoying zwischenzug. Even 11... Nxf2 may have been possible. Other   considerations for Black are for White to capture on g4, if the light-squared   bishop runs away to d7 or e6, followed by Qb3+ and Qxb7 leaving the knight on   c6 loosely placed. As becomes apparent, Black is now obliged to exchange a   couple of minor pieces, easing White's seemingly cramped position and opening   up lines.} Nxe3 12. Bxe3 Bxe3 13. fxe3 Kh8 {A very critical point of the game   has now been reached. White has released his pieces and ensured that the   dangerously positioned advanced Black minor pieces are removed from his half   of the board. Things are beginning to become clear. The text-move by Black   removes any of the Qb3+/Qxb7 tactics. White has reacquired an e-pawn and   central control. White has to consider the tactical tricks that Black has at   his disposal. Bg4 is a distinct possibility for Black, putting a very awkward   pin on the knight on f3. White cannot escape this easily with a handy check on   b3 by the White queen. Another annoying positional move for Black here is   e5-e4, disrupting the White pawn formation, since captures may leave White   with an isolated e-pawn, which may prove very difficult to defend. The final   two elements critical here are: 1. What type of end-game does white desire? 2.   What is the most important square on the board? Answering these two key   positional questions and thinking about the tactical tricks at Black's   disposal, how White now decides to continue with this strategy is of absolute,   quintessential importance. [So pause here and ask yourself - what is the most   important square in this position? - NH]} 14. d4 $1 {Aesthetically, this may   seem a surprising choice to challenge the centre, but the move in itself ticks   all of the boxes considered above. The realisation that it is, actually, the   f4-square that is the most important square on the board now helps shape the   play. White has to control that square to prevent tactics happening down the   f-file. The f-file is open and Black can very quickly double if not triple   down it. Keeping control of f4, will limit the squares available for Black to   load up his heavy pieces on the open file. f4 is taken away from him, leaving   only f6 effectively as a possible springboard square. f7 is possible, but may   be hit with Bb3 by White. Another key to the position is the end-game that   White is ultimately aiming for. He has an excellent opportunity to steer the   game into a 'good knight vs. bad bishop' structure. Since the White   light-squared bishop is already in a position to exchange itself for the Black   knight, it is only sensible to position the white pawns on dark squares,   offering the occasions for that desired ending. Tactically, White is   threatening to capture on c6 and then e5, completely shattering the Black   pawn-formation, leaving weaknesses everywhere, and the e5-pawn loose.} (14. e4   {appears to be the more "natural" response, driving the Black light-squared   bishop away and ensuring that Black cannot play e5-e4 himself, shattering the   White pawn structure. First, 14. e4 just encourages black to play} Bg4 {, when   the pin on the knight is very awkward. White cannot develop his queen to a   suitable square without White's pawn formation being compromised by exchanges.   The White queen can sit on e2, but will take another move to get to e3 to   unpin. Even then, when on e3, it is not entirely clear how White can unravel   his pieces. The point is that if the White queen wanders away from the   knight's protection on f3, exchanges will take place, even if it involves a   rook swap, but ultimately, White will be left with a backward f3-pawn. For   example} 15. Qe1 Bxf3 16. Rxf3 Rxf3 17. gxf3 {That in itself is not entirely   fatal, but more critical, is that the f4-square becomes a huge outpost for   black, since the dark-squared bishops have been exchanged.}) 14... e4 $2 {   Black's first major critical positional inaccuracy. It hardly looks   significant, but this simple pawn push creates tremendous difficulties for   Black, who is now going to be on the back-foot for some time to come. Black   soon compounds this inaccuracy and plunges himself into an irretrievable   position.} ({Black's only real option was to play} 14... exd4 {when} 15. exd4 {   would iron out the white pawn formation and clarify things considerably for   him. White would follow up by playing Qd2, controlling then the f4 square with   his only piece that can control it effectively and then double rooks on f1 and   f2, or play Rae1 and begin operations down the e-file. White can keep the   option of playing Bb3 or Bc2 to exchange the light-squared bishop. However, on   a4, it causes black grave difficulties, for moves like Qd7 or Rae8 allow d4-d5   ideas, winning material and if Black hassles the bishop with b7-b5, White can   play Bb3, when Bd5 could be awkward for him. The White d4-pawn clamps the   Black knight down very effectively, taking away the e5 square and not allowing   Ne7/Ng6 as a possibility, which certainly would have been possible had white   played 14. e4.}) 15. Nd2 {The White knight retreat appears meek, but is in   fact, very useful. The knight exerts pressure on the isolated e4-pawn and   protects the f1-square, which may prove a point of penetration were exchanges   to occur down it. White can increase the pressure on the e4-pawn with Bc2 and   Qb1 at his will.} Qg5 {This apparently aggressive move only prompts White to   continue with his game plan. Black's artificial king-side attacking threats   are of no concern to white, for his positional superiority soon outweighs any   weaknesses in his king-side.} 16. Rf4 {Occupying the most important square on   the board and blocking the attack on the e3 pawn. As mentioned before, it was   essential to control the f4 square, as that could have been used by black to   double or triple along that file. It is now White's, and White now has the f4,   f2 and f1 squares to build up heavy forces along the f-file. Black only has   the f6 square, since f7 can be targeted with Bb3. It is of great usefulness   that the text-move gains a vital tempo by attacking the loose e4-pawn. Black   does not have time to reroute his knight via e7 to d5/g6, since White can   simply steal on e4 and a rook on e4 will adequately defend the e3-pawn from   the front. 16... Bh3 for black does nothing at all, since the white queen can   swing to f1 quickly enough. Captures on f4 by black achieve nothing, for white   will recapture with the pawn, gaining time on the black queen, which must   retreat to g6 or head into g4, when White can, once again, steal the loose   e4-pawn. Note in all of this, how weak the Black back-rank is. With the Black   king hiding on h8 away from attacks along the a2-g8 diagonal, he has actually   created himself more difficulties on the back-rank, increasing pressure down   the open f-file. Black has a massive decision to make now; in fact, a   game-saving one. e4 is directly attacked.} d5 $2 {After which, Black is simply   lost. He naturally wished to defend his loose e4-pawn, but this offers no   resistance to White's plans. White's game from now on is very easy and simple   to execute. The avoidance of blundering tactically is his only concern.} (16...   Rae8 {is not possible due to} 17. d5 {and if offered the chance, white will   simply play Qe2, Raf1 and Qf2 and the tremendous pressure down the f-file will   soon tell.}) (16... Bg6 {is Black's only way to continue to put up any kind of   fight in this game. White would have several ways to continue, which include   capturing on c6 and even supporting the rook on f4 with g2-g3. White can build   slowly with Qf1, Qf2, Rf1 etc. Despite it being very easy for white to play,   black is not entirely out of the game. With the text-move, there is no hope   for him.}) 17. Bxc6 {Played without any hesitation at all. White now enters   into the good knight vs. bad bishop structure with absolute confidence. The   pawn formation is ideal. White has two pawn islands and his only weakness, e3,   is easily covered and supports in fact, the outpost on f4. Black has 3   pawn-islands, but doubled and isolated units on a6, c6 and the c5-outpost   screams out for a knight to occupy it.} bxc6 18. Qe2 {The white queen belongs   on a dark-square, since those bishops have been exchanged, but she is   temporarily required to pressurise the loose pawn on a6, which will inevitably   collapse.) 18... Rf6 19. Raf1 Raf8 20. Nb3 {The white knight begins his   journey to the outpost. The a6-pawn is running absolutely nowhere. There is no   haste at all to steal it. There is no salvation for the pawn, so white can   take as much time as he likes to snaffle it. White must keep a cautionary eye   on his king-side, as he must not permit himself to be hacked up or swindled by   a dirty tactic. Complete calm and control is required at all times.} Rf6 {   Black's only hope in the position is to try for tactical swindles. White's   sheer positional dominance will ensure that none of these will bear any fruit.   [Yet according to Fritz the position is only +/- 0.9 or thereabout - NH]} 19.   Raf1 Raf8 20. Nb3 {The white knight begins his journey to the outpost. The   a6-pawn is running absolutely nowhere. There is no haste at all to steal it.   There is no salvation for the pawn, so white can take as much time as he likes   to snaffle it.  White must keep a cautionary eye on his king-side, as he must   not permit himself to be hacked up or swindled by a dirty tactic. Complete   calm and control is required at all times.} Bg4 {Black's only hope in the   position is to try for tactical swindles. White's sheer positional dominance   will ensure that none of these will bear any fruit.} 21. Rxf6 (21. Qxg4 Qxg4   22. Rxg4 Rxf1# {"is not very clever", remarks Chris laconically}) 21... gxf6 {   Yet another pawn weakness for white to play with. Happily, this pawn shift to   the f-file means that any pawn advances for black are easier to handle. Had   the pawn been kept on the g-file, attacks with h7-h5-h4 and g7-g5-g4 might   have to be contemplated. As it is, any threat down the g-file can be easily   avoided.} 22. Qf2 {It is all about keeping control. The queen exerts pressure   on f6, ensuring that the black rook cannot switch to the queen-side or even   onto g8 for tactical tricks.} Kg7 23. Nc5 Bc8 24. b4 {Further paralysing Black.   Again, White is in no hurry to cash in on his positional superiority. He can   advance his queen-side pawns before converting his advantage.} Rf7 25. a4 f5   26. Qe2 (26. a5 {is possible but not necessary. It may prove to be desirable   in any future ending to break with b4-b5, even if the a6-pawn has been   snatched.}) (26. Kh1 {is an even calmer way to play the position, although I   deemed this rather unnecessary.}) 26... Rf6 {Black desperately seeks tactics   along the 6th rank. If White steals on a6 then tactics may become possible for   him. Again, White has to remain calm at all times.} ({Thus Chris Ross' note.   But Fritz throws up the idea of} 26... f4 {which when all is said appears   thematic - hitting the pawn chain at the base, opening the diagonal for the c8   bishop, advancing down the f-file. And this seems to require some very clever   finesses by White (suggested by Fritz) to eke out an advantage in the endgame:}   27. Qf2 $1 (27. Rxf4 Rxf4 28. exf4 Qxf4 {holds for Black- for if White tries   to get greedy by} 29. Nxa6 Bxa6 30. Qxa6 Qc1+ 31. Kf2 Qxc3 {and if anyone is   winning the queen ending, it is Black}) 27... f3 28. Qg3 Qxg3 29. hxg3 fxg2 30.   Rxf7+ Kxf7 31. Kxg2 h5 $1 (31... Kg6 32. g4 $1 Kf6 33. Kg3 Kg5 34. a5 h6 35. c4   $1 dxc4 (35... h5 36. b5 $1 axb5 37. cxb5 cxb5 38. a6) 36. Nxe4+ Kg6 37. Kf4 {   when White appears to have the better endgame but there is an awful lot of   work still to do})) 27. Rf4 {Once again, occupying the most important square   of the middle-game. The e3-pawn is defended and the rook is air-lifted to   prevent Black from advancing f5-f4 once the White queen has temporarily   wandered away to the queen-side. Also, White can play h2-h4 if he so wishes,   play g2-g3 if Black launches his h-pawn and Qf2/Qh4 is a possibility now.} Rh6   {The significance of this move is that Black no longer has the move Rf7 to   cover any checks along the 7th rank. This is important, for White can now   engage in some tactics to convert his positional superiority.} 28. Nxa6 Be6 ({   The point is that if} 28... Bxa6 29. Qxa6 c5 {gaining time on the white queen,}   30. Qc8 {or 30 Qb7 will attack d5 and threaten c7 or even to penetrate onto d7,   attacking the black king from the side and there is no black rook to block a   check on f7. The white queen will then deliver lethal threats from behind.})   29. Nc5 Bf7 (29... Kf7 30. a5 {and White's outside passed pawn begins its   march.}) 30. Qf2 {Again, White must remain calm. He has successfully snatched   the a6-pawn, leaving himself with a tremendous passed pawn, which can run home   at will. White must avoid getting mated or losing significant material on the   king-side though.  The text-move threatens a queen exchange with 31. Qg3 and   avoids Black's ideas of 31... Bh5 followed by possible sneaky ideas with ...   Bf3.  Usefully with the text-move, the f5-pawn is attacked, offering yet   another avenue of penetration.} Qh5 31. h3 Qd1+ 32. Kh2 Bg6 {The final stage   is to finish this off and force a resignation. Black has attempted to blockade   all avenues of penetration. Advancing the outside pawn is useful but not   necessary. It is important not to allow that to drop off in a tactical battle.   It is well defended and can advance at any time once tactics have been   resolved.  There is only one avenue now of penetration and this is duly taken.}   33. Qg3 {The h2-b8 diagonal is the only way for the White queen to penetrate   behind the Black forces. Also, e5 is a handy central pivot to spring an attack.   In the process, the White king is further shielded from snap attacks.} Rh5 {   Defending the f5-pawn since this was directly attacked, the light-squared   bishop on g6 being pinned against the king.} 34. Rf2 {Defending the second   rank and opening up the diagonal for the White queen. It will soon be over.}   Qe1 35. Qe5+ Kh6 {Some calculation is required here but it is inevitable that   the white queen and knight will combine to deliver the coup de grace.} (35...   Kg8 36. Ne6 Rxh3+ 37. Kxh3 Qxe3+ 38. g3 Qh6+ 39. Kg2 Bf7 40. Nxc7 {is simple   enough}) 36. Ne6 {Not a spectacular conclusion but easily enough to spot. The   Black king is entombed and it is not surprising that such a tactic is evident.   Black can now only go desperate.} Rxh3+ 37. Kxh3 Qxf2 {A quick calculation and   decision. White can spend time on the clock to find the tactical finish, which   must be there, or go for a simple direct positional win, which means more   moves, but they are very easy to find. I chose the latter, as I saw no point   in prolonging my efforts to calculate. A long journey home meant the easy win.   If a player has time and no reason to rush, it would be worth the calculation   and effort to find the finish.} 38. Qf4+ {Forcing a queen-exchange and an easy   end-game} (38. Qg7+ Kh5 39. Qf6 Qxe3+ 40. g3 Kh6 41. Kh4 {is the clever   tactical way to play. Although I saw most of this in a quick review, I did not   see all the way to mate. Hence the choice to take the easy guaranteed route.})   38... Qxf4 39. Nxf4 Be8 {Black must scramble back to stop the advance of the   White a-pawn.} 40. a5 c5 41. dxc5 {And after another two or three desperate   moves, Black resigned} 1-0