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WORTHING CHESS CLUB
ARTICLES
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Are Isolated Pawns Strong or Weak?
By John Knott
After we learn the basics of chess - how the pieces move, and that they are most efficient when co-ordinated - we learn some typical opening moves and we are gradually introduced to concepts such as the importance of the centre of the board, and the need to ensure king safety, and that some pawn formations are preferable to others. It is only gradually that we realise that for much of the game the pawns form a flexible skeleton which determines how the pieces can best be developed at a particular time. The 18th century French master André Philidor, then the strongest player in the world, called pawns "the soul of chess".
As we make further progress we encounter passed pawns heading towards promotion; pawn chains, where some pawns are linked on one-colour squares; doubled pawns, with one pawn standing in front of another; and isolated pawns. with no prospect of mutual defence with another pawn. Often a chain of pawns is strong, but in some circumstances it forms a weakness, such as when in the endgame it may be controlled by an opposing bishop on the opposite coloured squares. Similarly, while doubled pawns are often undesirable, particularly if isolated, on occasion they help to guard important squares while allowing friendly piece activity on an adjoining file. And a single pawn isolated from others, can often be a liability, particularly as neither it nor the square immediately in front of it can be defended by another pawn; and in the endgame, an isolated pawn often forms an attractive target for opposing pieces. But, in many phases of a game, general considerations must give way to particular features of the position. Experience shows that the side with an isolated pawn usually does best to avoid piece exchanges, and that in the middle game such a pawn often supports outposts for minor pieces and allows friendly forces to operate on the adjacent files.
A recent game played in the Club Championship between Peter Larwood and Matthew Payne featured two isolated pawns: first, a White pawn that came under attack, which was replaced by a Black pawn that was able to advance towards promotion. Peter, who lost, sportingly suggested that the game could provide a good illustration of how isolated pawns should be treated.
White: Peter Larwood
Black: Matthew Payne
Event: Worthing Club Championship
Date: 12 May 2025
Opening: London System
1.d4 Nf6
2.Bf4 g6
3.c3 Bg7
4.Nd2 d5
5.Ngf3 0-0
6.e3 Nbd7
7.Bd3 ....
​Position after 7.Bf1-d3
There are subtleties within the opening moves of the London System, although several of the moves for each side are inter-changeable. Here, Black has opted for a Grünfeld-type set-up and is aiming to challenge the centre with his c-pawn rather than his e-pawn. Often, Black will play ...d5 as his first or second move. A key matter for White is whether to play an early h2-h3, so as to be able to retreat his bishop to h2 if Black attacks it by Nf6-h5.
7. .... c5
Black prefers to challenge the centre rather than harass White's bishop. In the event of 7.... Nh5 play might continue 8.Bg5 (not allowing the bishop to be captured at f4 or g3, which would disrupt White's pawns) ...Qe8, with Black now aiming for ...e7-e5 as the bishop has moved off the h2-b8 diagonal. Instead, 8...h6, 9.Bh4 g5?! would be a mistake because of 10.Nxg5! Ngf6 (even worse would be ...hxg5, 11.Qxh5) 11.Ngf3 with a distinct advantage to White.
8.0-0 ....
Now and for several more moves there was the option of playing h2-h3.
8. .... b6
An alternative plan was to seek activity on the queenside by ...Qb6, threatening the b2-pawn with the aim of drawing the White queen away from d1, thus allowing ...Nh5 without the previously seen consequences..
9.e4?! ....
White anticipates the development of Black's bishop to b7, where it would hinder this pawn break; but the move does not turn out well, as Black saddles White with an isolated queen's pawn and exchanges several minor pieces. Additionally, Black is able to place the ideal blocking piece, a knight, immediately in front of the pawn. Preferable would have been 9.h3 or playing either the queen or rook to the e-file, maintaining White's advantage.
9. .... cxd4
This is clearer than capturing the e-pawn first, e.g. 9. ...dxe4, 10.Nxe4 Nh5, when White has three feasible moves, namely Bg5, Be3 and Bd2.
10.cxd4 ....
White would prefer to recapture with the knight, but that would allow ...Nd7-c5 with a double attack on the e4-pawn and the undefended d3-bishop, giving Black a significant advantage.
10. .... dxe4
11.Nxe4 Bb7
Position after 11. ....Bc8-b7
12.Re1 ....
Another possibility was 12.Nxf6 Nxf6, 13.Be5 when one illustrative continuation among many is 13. ... Rc8, 14.Re1 Nd7, 15.Be4 Bxe4, 16.Rxe4 Nf6, 17.Re1 where the dominant factor remains the isolated pawn.
12. .... Nxe4
13.Bxe4 Bxe4
14.Rxe4 Nf6
15.Re2 Nd5
Position after 15. ...Nf6-d5
​A classic demonstration of how to create an opposing isolated pawn and how to restrain it. The knight arrives on its ideal square with two gains of tempo.
16.Be5 ....
Offering the exchange of bishops, which would allow White to recapture with his d-pawn, thus removing the now weak isolated pawn. Black, of course, declines.
16. .... f6.
17.Bg3 Bh6
Gaining control of an important diagonal. This was also possible at the previous move, which would have avoided a weakness at e6 that White later exploits.
18.Qb3! ....
Applying pressure along the diagonal weakened by Black's 16th move. Despite White's isolated pawn he has an equal position and should soon be able to co-ordinate his pieces.
18. .... Kh8
19.Rae1 Qd7
20.Re6! ....
Position after 20.Re2-e6!
Occupying the weakened e6-square, from where Black will have difficulty in dislodging the rook Additionally, White is threatening to move his bishop to d6, disrupting Black's defence of his knight. If, e.g., 20. ....Rac8 (intending ...Rc6) then 21.Bd6!. Rc6, 22.Qxd5 Rxd6, 23.Rxd6 Qxd6, 24.Qb7! winning a pawn.
20. .... Qb7
21.h3 ....
A safety move, avoiding a later possible bank-rank mate, and also preparing the redeployment of the knight. But this is not as active as would have been 21.h4, intending 22.h5, e.g. 21.h4 Rac8. 22.h5 when ...gxh5 is answered with 23.Nh4 with equality, while, instead, 22. ...g5 is well met by 23.Ne5! when Bg7 is answered with 24.Nc6! with a strong advantage.
21. .... Rac8
22.Nh2 Bd2
23.Rd1 Bf4
Position after 23....Bd2-f4
24.Ree1 ....
The dynamics of the position were better met by 24.Rde1, intending to follow with Qf3.
24. .... Rfd8
25.Bxf4 Nxf4
The position is still level but White must deal with the threat of mate.
26.Nf3 ....
This avoids mate but is purely a blocking move. More active was 26.Qg3, attacking Black's knight. If the knight retreats to d5, then 27.Ng4 has the dual purpose of supporting the advance of the h-pawn in conjunction with the queen and also allowing a move to e3 or e5 depending on developments.
26. .... g5
Position after 26....g6-g5
27.Qe3 ....
Again, more active was 27.Qf7, and while the threat of mate in two moves is easily met by either ....Rd7 or ....Nd5/g6, Black's attention will be diverted to defence.
27. .... e6?!
A tactical slip. Probably ...Ng6 was necessary
28.Kh2 ....
White's plan is to defend the h3-pawn and then drive away the troublesome knight by g2-g3. However, Black's last move allowed 28.h3-h4! when a likely continuation would be 28, ...h6, 29.g3 Rg8, 30.Qe4 Qxe4, 31.Rxe4 f5, 32.Re5 gxh4, 33.Nxh4 Rd6, 34.Kf1 Ng6, 35.Nxg6 Rxg6, 36.d5 exd5, 37.Rdxd5 when White's pieces are better placed, although a draw is highly likely.
Position after 37.Rd1xd5 in variation
28. .... Rc2
Position after 28.....Rc8-c2
29.Rd2?! ....
Now was the time for the planned g2-g3, driving back the Black knight, after which a possible continuation was 29. ...Nd5, 31.Qb3 Qc6 (not ...Rxf2+?, losing the exchange after 32.Kg1) 32.Kg1, again with a level position (but not 31.Rxe6? Rxf2+, 32.Kg1 Qxe6, 33.Kxf2 Qxf3, when Black is winning).
29. .... Rxd2
30.Qxd2 e5!
Played when White is unable to capture the pawn because of the pin on the d-file.
31.Qc2 exd4
We now have a Black isolated pawn. Will it reach the first rank
32.Qf5! ....
An active response.
32. .... Kg7
33.g3 Ng6
Position after 33....Nf4-g6
34.Re6? ....
Active, and threatening to win outright. But the threat is easily met. Instead, 34.Rd1 regains material as 34....d3 is well answered by 35.Rxd3 Nd7, 36.Qb5 a6, 37.Qb3 and White has successfully recaptured the pawn. And 34....Ne7 is met by 35.Qg4 h5, 36.Qxh5 d3, 37.Nxg5 fxg5, 38.Qxg5+ with perpetual check or better, e.g. ... Kf7, 39.Qh5+ Kf8, 40.Qh6+ Kg8 (not ...Ng6??, 41.Qh7+ winning the queen), 41.Qg5+, etc; while the tricky 34. ...Nf4 is answered with 35.Re1 when (i) ....Ng6 (not ....Qxf3??, 36.Rf7+ with mate in two moves), 36.Rd1 Ne7, when either 37.Qd3 Nc6, 38.Qe4 Qd7, 39.Rc1 Ne5, 40.Nxg5! or 37.Qg4 with a continuation similar to above, in either case with equality; or (ii) 35....Rd5; 36.Qe4 Ng6; 37.Rd1 f5, 38.Qc2 Qd7, 39.Rxd4 Rxd4, 40. Qc3 simplifying to equality.
34. .... Qf7
35.Nd2 Nf8
36.Rc6 Rd5
37.Qf3 ....
Position after 37.Qf5-f3
37. .... f5
Also good was 37....Ng6, when 38.Ne4 can be answered by ...Ne5! as the tactics appear to work in Black's favour, e.g. 39.Qxf6+ Qxf6, 40.Rxf6 d3. 41.Rf5 d2, 42.Nxd2 Kg6!, 43.g4 Rxd2, 44.Rxe5 Rxf2+, 45.Kg3 Rxb2.
Position after 45....Rf2xb2 in variation
In considering whether to play 37. ...Ng6 Black would need to have formed an intuitive view about this position. In it, Black's hopes rely on his extra queenside pawn. From here, a possible continuation would be 46.a4 Ra2, 47.Re4 Ra3+, 48.Kg2 Kf6, 49.Rc4 Ke5, 50.Rc7 Rxa4, 51.Re7+ Kd5, 52.Rh7 b5, 53.Rh5 b4, 54.Rxg5+ Kc4, 55.Rg7 b3, 56.Rc7+ Kd3, 57.g5 b2, 58.Rb7 Kc3, 59.g6 Ra6, 60.g7 Rg6+, 61.Kf3 Rxg7 winning. There are, of course, many other possibilities, but these moves appear to be among the best for each side.
38.b3 Qd7
Instead, 38. ....Ng6, bringing the offside knight back into action, would have allowed 30.Rc7 to be met by ...Rd7.
Position after 38....Qf7-d7
39.Rc1 ....
More resilient was 39.Rc7! Qxc7, 40.Qxd5 Qc5, 41.Qd8! Ne6, 42.Qe8! and White can maintain sufficient threats to draw.
39. .... Ng6
40.Nc4 ....
Again, Rc7 offered salvation.
40. .... b5
41.Nd2 Ne5
42.Qe2 Qd6
43.Kg2 Rc5
44.Rxc5 Qxc5
45.Nf3 d3!
0-1
Final position, after 45....d4-d3!
White resigned, as after 46.Qxe5+ Qxe5, 47.Nxe5 d2, the pawn promotes next move. Even the best try, with 46.Qb2, pinning Black's knight, is adequately met by ...Qd5, returning the compliments, e.g. 47.Kf1 Kf6, 48.Qxe5+ Qxe5, 49.Nxe5 Kxe5, 50.Ke1 Ke4, 51.Kd2 Kf3, 52.Kxd3 Kxf2 and it is easy to see that Black will soon promote one of his kingside pawns.
What can be learnt about isolated pawns? They call for special treatment, both by the owner and the opponent. A player with an isolated pawn will need to adopt a flexible approach. Depending on the overall situation he may need to devote extra attention to defending the pawn; or he may need to be alert to tactical opportunities for advancing it as a battering ram or using it to support outposts for his pieces (often knights, whose capture may achieve a realignment of the pawn structure); or he may need to sacrifice it after putting his opponent to some trouble to attack it, using its capture as a diversion to allow activity elsewhere on the board.
A player opposing an isolated pawn, particularly where it is also a passed pawn, will need to take measures to prevent its further advance, when blocking its path with a knight is usually the ideal method. Often, towards the endgame as minor pieces are exchanged, if a player with an isolated pawn has his pieces tied down to its defence, his opponent may need to create a second weakness elsewhere on the board by taking advantage of his greater mobility. The passive defence of a weak pawn, or any other weakness, will rarely be successful when the opponent has sufficient resources to mount an operation elsewhere. So active defence, taking opportunities for counter-attack, is likely to prove the most effective.
In a battle, when a soldier has to take precautions against return fire from an enemy, he is forced to use time and energy to avoid injury. It is exactly the same on a chessboard. When an attacker sees that his opponent is developing counterplay he will be distracted from his own operations. In the game examined, after the loss of his centre pawn White started to develop counterplay. There were some not very obvious opportunities to press that further, which would have neutralised Black's pressure with what was then his own isolated passed pawn. But with those opportunities missed, the isolated passed pawn proved to be unstoppable.
JK / 13.06.25
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Russell Granat Simultaneous Chess Match Report
11/04/2025
On Monday 7th April, a splendid turnout of 20 Challengers came to play a Simultaneous Chess Match against Worthing Chess Club Champion Russell Granat.
John Young managed to achieve a Win.
Drawing Games were successfully negotiated by Dave Wallis and Paul O'Brien.
So the Final Tally for Russell is :- 17 Wins, 2 Draws and 1 Loss.
One of these particular games to take interest was the Draw achieved by Dave Wallis.
This game was full of Exchanges and Tactics on both sides with neither Player giving way.
White: Russell Granat
Black: Dave Wallis
Event: Russell Granat Simultaneous Match, 7th April 2025
Opening: C47: Petroff Defence, Four Knights Game
Result: 1/2 - 1/2
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nc3 Nc6
4. d3 Be7
5. Nd5 d6
An Exchange follows on the e7 Square....
Position after 5.... d6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. c3 O-O
8. Be2 Ng6
9. O-O d5
10. Qc2 c6
11. Rd1 h6
12. d4 Nxe4
Tension builds in the Centre until a series of Exchanges erupts....
Position after 12....Nxe4
13. Nxe5 Qf6
14. f3 Ng5
15. Ng4 Bxg4
16. fxg4 Nf4
What follows is a series of Close Threats, Dangerous Pins and Equal Exchanges...
Position after 16....Nf4
17. Rf1 Nxe2+
White pins the Knight against the Queen, but Black has enough Tempo to effectively respond.
18. Qxe2 Rae8
Mutual Threats against Both Queens so they collectively evade.
19. Qd3 Qe6
20. Bxg5 hxg5
No meaningful advantage is held by either side. A Draw is agreed.
​
1/2 - 1/2
Final Position after 20....hxg5
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Chessboard Geometry
The appearance of Chessboards and the powers of Chess pieces were originally different from those we are familiar with today, having gradually evolved over the years.
At first, Boards were of uniform colour, and the movement of several of the pieces was very limited. For example, the Queen could move only one square diagonally and the Bishop was limited to diagonal moves two Squares at a time but could jump over intervening pieces.
Chequered Boards, at first mostly red and white rather than black and white, and now with a range of colours, were being used in at least the 11th century and became more common as time went on.
Later, when the powers of the pieces were extended, particularly those of the Queen and Bishop, the game benefited from having a chequered board as it facilitated the accurate movement of those pieces along Diagonals.
Nowadays, when we start learning to play Chess, we gradually become familiar with the Algebraic Notation System - a great improvement on the earlier Descriptive Notation - and we come to associate typical piece movements with particular Squares.
For example, we discover that the f1-Knight is sometimes developed to e2 but usually goes to f3, from where it may later move to d4, e5, g5 or even (as in the King's Indian Defence) to e1 or d2; while the f1-Bishop is commonly developed to e2, d3, c4, b5 or in Fianchetto formation at g2.
With knowledge of that nature we are gradually building a mental picture of the Chessboard in a way somewhat similar to how we gradually form mental maps of buildings we visit and towns in which we live; and we become able to mentally visualise movements on the Board.
In that task, it is of considerable help if we are fully familiar with the colours of the Squares as this helps in the visualisation, particularly with diagonal moves.
It is not necessary, or desirable, to try to form a photographic image of the board or pieces, as that takes too much processing power.
The information can be held mostly in an abstract way.
For example, with my Bishop at c4, it is sufficient for me to know that from that Square, one of my pieces is firing along the a2-g8 Diagonal and the f1-a6 Diagonal.
That, in essence, is how Blindfold Chess is played, and how we are able to think about and discuss chess moves away from the Board.
The more familiar we are with the Board in association with the pieces, the easier it becomes for us to analyse positions and plan manoeuvres.
The following diagram is from a Worthing Club game of more than 50 years ago, when the Club met in a room at the Dome Cinema.
The game started in the Tarrasch Variation of the French Defence.
It shows the position at Move 40 with Black to move, where White has a Knight and pawn for Black's Bishop.
Black has built up strong pressure against White's g2-pawn, and now adds his Bishops to the attack.
40. ... Be4
41. Ng5 ...
Attacking both Rook and Bishop, and cutting Black's line of communication.
The best response would have been 41....Rxg2+, leading to 42.Rxg2 Bxg2, 43.Qxg2 Qc7, 44.Qg3 fxg5, 45.fxg5 Qxg3+, 46.Kxg3 Rxg5 with a level position.
However, Black gave up the exchange.
41. ... Rxg5
42. fxg5 Qxg5
43. Re1 f5
44. Re3 Qh6
45. Rg3 Rd8
46. d5! ...
The pawn is now attacked three times but Black cannot afford to take it as the move has opened the long diagonal leading to Black's King, creating the threat of Qd4+ with mate to follow.
Black promptly closes the diagonal.
46. ... e5
White continues to advance his pawn, luring Black's Rook away from the Back Rank.
47. d6 Rxd6
48. Qb6! ...
Position after 48. Qb6
48. ... Qxd2
Capturing the Rook and preparing to block a Back Rank Check by using his Queen and Rook Battery.
Has White blundered?
49. Qb8+ Rd8
Black has secured the 8th rank, but ....
50. Qxe5#
The Queen unexpectedly changes course to a different square on the vulnerable long diagonal.
Final position after Qxe5#
In manoeuvres such as occurred towards the end of the game, players are helped by having a Board with chequered Squares, which assist the visualisation of potential moves, particularly with pieces that move along diagonals.
JK / 03.03.25
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Dithering Bishops
In the Teams section of this website you will find a report on our first team's tough match against Brighton & Hove 1, which took place on 24th February. Here is an analysis of Russell's game, which secured our only win.
White: Russell Granat (2223)
Black: Mikolaj Rogacewicz (2174)
Event: Worthing 1 v Brighton & Hove 1, 24th February 2025
Opening: C16: French Defence, Winawer, Advance Variation
1.e4 e6
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 Bb4
4.e5 ...
So far, surprisingly orthodox play from Russell, but after the next pair of moves the game goes off the beaten track, where he prefers to be.
4. ... b6
This has a much lower following than the more usual 4....c5 or 4....Ne7. Black is aiming to exchange the light-squared Bishops, because with the central pawn structure his bishop is normally blocked in, whereas White's is normally very active. But the manoeuvre takes four moves compared with one for White, and is therefore not often played: b7-b6, Bc8-a6, Nxa6 (capturing White's Bishop), and Na6-b8.
5. Bd2 ...
To avoid disruption of the Queenside pawns. If occurring a move earlier this would have recreated Alekhine's unintentional gambit played against Flohr at the Nottingham Tournament, 1936.
Position after 5.Bd2
5. ... Qd7
If, instead, the immediate 5....Ba6, 6.Bxa6 Nxa6, then after 7.Qg4 Black does not have the option of defending the g7-pawn by playing f6 - a typical way of attacking White's pawn centre in the French Defence.
6. a3 Bf8
Preferable was capturing the Knight, even though it would not disrupt White's pawns.
The outcome of the Bishop's excursion is that White has gained two useful moves.
​
7. Nge2 ...
With the idea of an early f2-f4. But the drawback of developing the Knight to e2, rather than to f3 (where it also defends the e5-pawn), is that Black could now reply with ...Ba6, making it awkward for White to complete development and preserve the right to castle, unless he were to fianchetto the Bishop, where it would be rather passive. Occasionally White's light-squared Bishop can be deployed to h3 in conjunction with pawns at f4 and g4, a Knight at g3 and a Rook at f1, when the advance f4-f5 would have massive support - provided Black does nothing to disrupt such a plan. Meanwhile, Black would have his own plans, including applying pressure against d4 and e5. Something similar to that idea for White occurs later in the game.
​
7. ... c5
This is logical, but ....Ba6 first would have been better.
​
8. b4!? ...
Played by Russell instinctively, entailing a pawn sacrifice to achieve a freer game.
A main alternative was 8.Ng1 (aiming for f3) when ....cxd4?! (better would be ....Ba6) is well met by 9.Bb5 Nc6, 10.Nce2 Nge7, 11.Nf3 a6, 12.Bxc6 Nxc6, 13.Nexd4 Nxd4, 14.Nxd4 Bc5, 15.c3, with the idea of Bd2-f4 and 0-0, giving White a comfortable position with a strong central Knight to balance Black's Bishop pair.
8. ... cxb4?!
Black opts for material gain, leaving White's pawn centre intact. It does not turn out well for Black. A main alternative was 8....Nc6.
​
9. axb4 Bxb4
10. Nf4! ...
Now White is back on top.
10. ... Nc6
11. Nb5 ...
Position after 11. Nb5
11. ... Bf8?
The Bishop appears to be attached to a piece of elastic. Equally bad was 11.... Bxd2+, 12.Qxd2 Kf8, 13.Nd6 Nf6, 14.Bb5 Ne4, 15.Nxe4 dxe4, 16.c4 Qc7, 17.Bxc6 Qxc6, 18.0-0 when the greedy ....Qxc4 would have led to disaster after 19.Rfc1 b5, 20.d5!.
Black's best response would have been 11....Be7.
12. Be2 ...
More energetic would have been 12.c4!, striking in the centre while Black's King is stranded there; e.g. 12....dxc4, 13.Bxc4 Nxd4, 14.Qa4! with a large advantage. After the text move White remains slightly better.
​
12. ... Bb7
13. c3 a6
14. Na3 Nge7
15. Nh5! ...
Tying down Black's f- and g-pawns because of the potential fork at f6.
15. ... b5
16. Nc2 Nc8
Position after 16. ... Nc8
Black is cramped, with too many pieces in too little room, because of his earlier indecision with both Bishops. His Knight is heading for the protected outpost c4.
17. O-O Nb6
18. f4 O-O-O
Understandably, Black does not like the look of the advancing f-pawn. Instead of the text move, 18...Ne7 is adequately met by Be2-d3.
19. f5 Rg8
Presumably anticipating pawn captures at e6 followed by ...Be7, allowing Black to advance his g-pawn. Relatively better would have been continuing with the planned ...Nc4.
20. Bg4 ...
Also good was 20.fxe6 fxe6, 21.Be1!, a multi-purpose move, anticipating a Black Knight appearing at c4, freeing the Queen, defending the c3-pawn, and creating the option of development at h4. 21.... Nc4, 22.Qd3! with the dual points of threatening the h7-pawn and also preparing the manoeuvres Qd3-h3 together with Be2-g4 (a theme actually played) and, if necessary, Nh5-f4, applying more pressure to the e6-pawn.
Meanwhile, Black will have difficulty dealing with the attack on his h7-pawn without weakening his position.​
20. ... Kb8
Getting out of the line of fire and making room for the b7-Bishop, to help defend the e6-pawn.
21. Qf3 Re8
22. Qh3 Nc4
23. Bc1 Bc8
Position after 23....Bc8
24. fxe6 ...
A good alternative was 24.Ne3 when relatively best for Black seems to be ...N4xe5, giving up a piece for the e- and d-pawns and at last giving his pieces some air.
Instead, if (in reply to Ne3) Black tries 24. ...Nxe3 then White, after 25.Bxe3, will win the race to control the dark squares on the queenside, e.g. 25....Be7, 26.Bc1 Bd8, 27.Ba3 Na5, 28.Bd6+ Ka7, 29.fxe6 fxe6, 30.Nf4 Nc4, 31.Bc5+ Bb6, 32.Nd3 with an overwhelming position.
​
24. ... fxe6
25. Nf4 g6
26. Nd3 h5
Position after 26....h5
At last Black is fighting back.
27. Bf3 ...
More advantageous would have been a retreat to e2, as at f3 the Bishop is blocking the action of the rook on the f-file and that of the queen on the third rank; and it also provides Black with a target for his g-pawn.
Additionally, from e2 (to where it later moves) the Bishop could in the future be called on to capture the Black Knight at c4, or, if that has meanwhile moved, to put pressure on the pawns at b5 and a6.​
27. ... Qd8
White now has only a small edge.
28. g4?! ...
A typical unexpected move by Russell, who had in mind that it gave his Queen a flight square at g2 and prevented the unrestricted advance of Black's g-pawn.
Instead, moving the Bishop to e2 would still have been a good idea, for the same reasons as before.
The text move weakens White's King position directly opposite Black's heavy artillery.
28. ... Be7!
Black, who has retained his extra pawn and is becoming more active, now has the advantage.
29. Qg2 ...
Switching targets to the d5-pawn and getting off the line of the c8-Bishop, which could become a factor if, after further preparation, the d5-pawn is captured.
29. ... Ref8
30. Ne3 Nxe3
31. Bxe3 Na5
Position after 31....Na5
The reserve cavalry hurries to resume guard on the c4-square.
From this point of the game Black was very low on time and was relying on move increments.
32. Bh6 Rf7
33. Be2 Rxf1+
Black understandably, both because of time shortage, and also because he has been cramped for so long, now seeks further simplification.
A better course, however, was to move the challenged rook to the h-file with gain of time from the attack on White's Bishop, then capture the g4-pawn (to prevent White blocking the file by advancing it) whereupon he has the potential to double Rooks on the h-file and cause some mischief.
34. Bxf1 ...
Capturing this way seems to allow the Queen to transfer rapidly to the Queenside, but Black could have discouraged that by next capturing the g4-pawn.
34. ... Nc4
35. Bc1 ...
Position after 35. ​Bc1
35. ... Bg5?
Again, a typical reaction by a player in time trouble.
But White correctly avoids capturing the Bishop and concentrates on probing Black's King position.
Black had several moves that maintained his theoretical advantage (ignoring the state of his clock), including 35...hxg4, 35.Qxg4 g5.
36. Nb4! ...
With the dual threats at c6 and a6. Black is easily able to parry these, but White gains the necessary tempo to disrupt the a6-c4-e6 barrier around Black's King.
36. ... Bb7
Position after 36. ​Bb7
37. Bxc4 ...
The main alternative, 37.Nxa6+ could plausibly lead to mutual threats of perpetual check, e.g. 37....Bxa6, 38.Rxa6 Bxc1, 39.Bxc4 Qh4, 40.Bf1 Rf8, 41.Qe2 Kc7, 42.Ra7+ Kb6, 43.Rb7+ Kxb7, 44.Qxb5+ Kc8, 45.Qc6+ Kb8, 46.Qd6+ Kb7, 47.Qxf8 Qxg4+, 48.Bg2 Be3+, 49.Kh1 Bf4, 50.Qb4+ and so on.
37. ... dxc4
Gaining an attack on White's Queen and apparently establishing control of the long diagonal. But it is an illusion. Black's only path to survival was a very narrow one: 37....Bxc1!, 38.Nxa6+ Bxa6, 39.Rxa6 Qh4! (but not ....bxc4, 40.Qa2 when mate will follow in a few moves), 40.Bxb5 Rf8 when, e.g., 41.Rb6+ Kc7, 42.Rc6+ Kb7, 43.Qg3 Qg5, 44.Rxe6 h4, 45.Qg2 Qe3+, 46.Kh1 Qe1+, 47.Qg1 Qe4+, 48.Qg2 Qe1+ with a draw by repetition, as White cannot afford to interpose his Bishop. (And not the hasty 48....Rf1+, because the White Bishop controls its home square.)
38. Nc6+ Bxc6
39. Qxc6 Bxc1
40. Rxc1 ...
Instead, the tempting 40.Rxa6 fails to ....Be3+, 41.Kg2 Qd5+, 42.Qxd5 exd5, 43.Rb6+ Kc7, 44.Rxb5 Rd8, when Black's extra piece will be decisive.
40. ... Rg7
Position after 40. ​Rg7
41. Rf1 1 - 0
At this point, from the pressure on the Board and on the clock, Black lost on time.
However, White's last move, apparently both active and restraining, would, in the absence of the time forfeit, have allowed Black to continue with 41.Rb7! when some sample lines are:
​
(A) 42.Rf6 Qb6, 43.Qxb6 Rxb6, 44.d5 Kc7, 45.d6+ Kd7, 46.Rxg6 b4, 47.cxb4,
when (i) 47. ....Rxc6, 48.Rg7+ Kd8, 49.Rg8+ Kd7, 50.Rg7+ Kc8, 51.Rg8+ Kd7 with a draw.
or (ii) 47. ....hxg4, 48.Rg7+ Ke8, 49.Rg8+ Kd7, 50.Rxg4 Rxb4, 51.h4 Rb5, 52.Rg7+ drawn.
​
(B) 42.Qxa6 b4, 43.Qxe6 bxc3, 44.Qxc4 c2, 45.Qxc2 Qxd4+, 46.Kh1 Qd5+, 47.Qg2 Qxg2+, 48.Kxg2 with a theoretical draw.
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(C) 42.Qxe6 b4, 43.Qxc4 b3, 44.Qxc4 b3, 45.Rb1 Qg5, 46.Qd6+ Kc8, 47.Qc6+ Kb8, 48.Qf3 Qc1+, 49.Qf1 Qe3+, 50.f2 Qe4, 51.Qf8+ Kc7, 52.Qf7+ etc, with a draw.
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After Black's 40th move the most promising continuation would seem to be 41.Qxa6 when Black needs to defend his b-pawn with ...Rb7 (but not by ...Qd5 which allows 42.Rf1 which is now a killing blow), whereupon after 42.Qxe6 one feasible continuation among others would be ...b4, 43.Qf6 Qxf6, 44.exf6 Rf7, 45.g5 b3, 46.Kf2 Kc7, 47.Ke3 Kd6, 48.h4 Rf8, 49.Ra1, when White maintains an edge, although there is still plenty of play.
​
One often hears players - but of course, not members of our Club, and certainly not Russell's opponent - explaining away a loss as being due to shortage of time.
​
In that situation it is as well to bear in mind Alekhine's comment:
"The fact that a player is very short of time is, to my mind, as little to be considered as an excuse as, for instance, the statement of the law-breaker that he was drunk at the moment he committed the crime." [Chess Life, Vol. 16-18, 1961. p. 113 ]
​
JK / 28.02.25
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Battle on Board One
After the AGM at the beginning of September the first main event of the new season was a friendly match between the Chairman's team and the Secretary's team; contrasted with the cricketing tradition of Gentlemen versus Players.
The individual and overall results are reported on later by Chris Jones. Here, we look at the complex fight on the top board between Russell Granat (for the Secretary) and Max Bennett (for the Chairman).
White: Russell Granat
Black: Max Bennett
Event: Chairman's Team v Secretary's Team, 16 September, 2024
Opening: C00: French Defence - Steiner variation
1.e4 e6
2.c4 d5
3.cxd5 exd5
4.e5 ....
Russell's preferred line against the French Defence, getting off the beaten track as soon as possible, which he also played successfully in his Sussex Individual Championship game against Luke Rutherford earlier in the year.
Here, Luke had played 4...Bf5. Another idea would be the prophylactic 4...d4, preventing White from occupying that square with a pawn. In the present game Max sought control of the Centre in another way.
4. .... c5
5.f4?! ....
A more conventional way of proceeding would be 5.Bb5+ Nc6, 6.Ne2 Ne7 (or 6....Bd7), 7.d4. Instead, the text move concedes a greater control of the Centre to Black while also weakening White's kingside.
5. .... Nh6
6.Nf3 Qa5?!
Temporarily preventing White playing d4, and also Bb5+, but at the cost of delaying proper development. At this stage Russell regarded his position as poor, and foresaw difficulty in activating his pieces.
7.Nc3 d4
Energetic, but losing control of the central white squares.
8.Ne4 Nc6
9.Bc4 ....
Russell is developing his pieces effectively and has re-established equality, but there are some tactics ahead.
9. .... Nb4!?
Position after 9. .... Nb4!?
Tempting, with its threats of ...b5, or ...d3, or ...Bf5, with the idea of a knight fork at c2, and when White's d2-pawn cannot move without allowing a powerful double check.
10.a3
Strong, and virtually forced.
10. .... Bf5
Position after 10....Bf5
The logical follow-up, which wins material but eases White's position.
11.axb4!
The only other feasible response was 11.Nfg5, with a likely continuation of 11....d3, 12.0-0 0-0-0, 13.Rb1, with a double-edged position where White's central pieces are not too stable, and Black's pawn at d3 may prove to be troublesome. But not 11.d3?? Nxd3+, 12.Kf1 Nxc1, 13.Ng3 b5!, when Black is clearly winning.
11. .... Qxa1
12.d3 ....
At last the d-pawn moves.
12. .... Bd7?
Aimed at freeing the Black Queen, which is at present trapped on the first rank; but it does not turn out well. An alternative, and apparently somewhat better method, would be 12. ....cxb4, 13.0-0 (preferable to capturing the d4-pawn) 13. ....Qa5, 14.h3 Be6, 15.g4 Bxc4, 16.dxc4 0-0-0, 17.Qd3 when White maintains an edge despite being the exchange and a pawn down.
13.0-0 ....
Also good was 13.bxc5 Be7, 14.0-0 0-0, 15.Nxd4.
13. .... a5?!
More consistent was 13. ....Qa4, 14.Qe2 Be6, allowing the Black Queen to at least see the battlefield.
14.bxc5 Bc6
Position after 14....Bc6
15.Qe2 ....
A sharp alternative was 15.e6 0-0-0 (worse would be 15. ....Qa4, 16.exf7+ Nxf7, 17.b3 Qb4, 18.Bd2 Qa3, 19.Bxf7+! Kxf7, 20.Ne5+ Ke7, 21.Nc4 Qa2, 22.Qh5 with an overwhelming position for White) 16.Ne5 Qa4, 17.Bb3 Qb5, 18.Bc4 Qa4, 19.b3 Qb4, 20.Bd2 Qa3, 21.Nxc6 bxc6, 22.exf7 when White has better development, more mobility, a safer king, with which the bishop pair and extra pawns combine to more than compensate for loss of the exchange.
15. .... Bxc5
A bold and drastic measure in a difficult position. Another way of preventing Nd6+ would be to capture the knight, but after 15...Bxe4, 16.Qxe4 the white queen will prove to be too powerful. And if 15.... 0-0-0, then 16.Nd6+ Bxd6, 17.cxd6 Nf5, 18.g4 when Black is in an equally bad situation.
16.Nxc5 Nf5
17.g4 b6
18.Ne4 ....
White was spoilt for choice. 18.e6 and 18.Nb3 were also excellent options.
18.... Nh6
19.Nxd4 ....
Also good was 19.Nd6+ Kd8, 20.Nxd4.
19.... Bxe4
20.Bb5+! ....
A Zwischenzug, which prevents castling.
20.... Kf8
21.Qxe4
Here, Black resigned.
1-0
Final position, after 21.Qxe4
By now Max had understandably had enough. His pieces are scattered around the edge of the Board and are totally ineffective - a drastic consequence of the Black Queen's early excursion, material hunting, and confinement in the corner. The Queen, being powerful, and the Knight, complementing her movement and being an agile and tricky warrior, can combine in devastating attacks. But when they are deployed at the expense of activation of the rest of the army, and they do not achieve rapid success, then they are likely to be beaten back with loss of time or otherwise neutralised, as in this game.
JK / 18.09.24
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