Category: Games

 [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