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Sidhanth Pai, British U/14 and U/14 Rapid Champion, 2026
By John Knott
Last year our youngest member, Sidhanth Pai, achieved a commendable third place in the British Under-12 Championship, and was the only player out of 39 to go through the competition without loss. This year, improving on that result, Sidhanth has won the British Under-14 Championship outright, with a score of 6.5/7 in a field of 54, thus moving closer to the expectation expressed in our article of last December. Not only did Sidhanth win the Under-14 (classical games) Championship, he also won the Under-14 Rapid Championship, also with a score of 6.5/7, in a field of 49, in which he had been ranked as 7th at the start. Sidhanth also found the energy to compete in the 9-Round Swiss-style Open Championship, where in a field of 150 including five titled players, he achieved five points, including three wins, and suffered his only two losses out of the three events.
We have mentioned before Sidhanth's classical style of play, avoiding the ultra-sharp openings and gambits that many young players like to adopt. A consequence is that his games are typically quite long. In the classical Under-14 Championship they averaged 45 moves each, the longest reaching 73 moves. The full details are:
As can be seen, with a total of 23 games from the three events it was a busy ten days for Sidhanth, calling for stamina to complete the schedule. Fortunately, at school, in addition to Maths and Science, Sidhanth puts Physical Education among his favourite subjects. The first game we will look at was played in the third round of the classical event, where, by a somewhat unusual sequence, after four moves the Slav Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined was reached.
White: Sidhanth Pai
Black: Yicheng Ding
Event: British Under 14 Championship 2026, Round 3
Opening: QGD, Slav Variation
1. Nf3 d5
2. e3 Nf6
3. c4 c6
4. e3 ....
By transposition, the game now enters the so-called Slow Slav Variation, where Black's most popular response is 4....Bf5. His actual reply initiates a sub-variation known as the Schlechter Slav - named after the Austro-Hungarian master Carl Schlechter (1874-1918), who is mainly noted for drawing a World Championship match with Emanuel Lasker.
4. ... g6
5. Nc3 Bg7
6. Bd3 ....
More common is 6.Be2. It is not so important to prevent Black's light-squared bishop from reaching f5, because that normally ideal place is less attractive when there is a pawn at g6, because it reduces Black's options, especially when the bishop is challenged.
6. ... O-O
7. h3 ....
With his bishop at d3, this is now desirable, to prevent ....Bg4.
Position after 7.h3
7. ... a6
8. O-O b5
More accurate was exchanging pawns first (8....dxc5, 9.Bxc5) so as to gain a tempo against White's bishop.
9. b3 Nbd7
10. Bb2 Re8
11. exd4 ....
Again, Black shows a reluctance to exchange pawns. A double exchange at c4 followed by ....c6-c5 would have given him more space on the queenside, where White's cluster of minor pieces on the c- and b-files could become vulnerable.
11. Qc2 b4
Once more Black declines an opportunity to create some air on the queenside. One attractive line would have been 11....bxc4, 12.bxc4 with a choice of 12....a5, allowing his bishop to develop to a6, or possibly 12....e5, leading to simplification.
12. Ne2 a5
13. a3 Ba6?!
Now, with an exchange at b4 imminent, this is less attractive than it would have been earlier.
14. axb4 ....
The alternative, and somewhat better, was 14....dxc4, 15.Bxc4 Bxc4, 16.Qxc4 axb4, 17.Qxc6 Rc8, Rc8, 18.Qa6 (defending the e2-knight) Rc2, 19.Rfb1 followed by Qd3 and then driving the rook away (if necessary, by Nd2 threatening Nc4, trapping the rook); but at least Black has something for his pawn deficit.
White has spotted a tactical possibility, which unfolds shortly.
14. ... axb4
Position after 14...axb4
15. Rxa6! ....
An excellent shot in view of the forthcoming discovered attack on Black's rook, the consequences of which Sidhanth had obviously evaluated as soon as Black's bishop moved to a6.
15. ... Rxa6
16. cxd5 Ra2
17. dxc6 Nf8?!
Preferable was 17....Nb6, guarding the c-pawn's promotion square and also eyeing d5. Instead, returning the exchange by 17....Rxb2 would not have achieved anything worthwhile.
18. Bb5! ....
This threatens 19.Ba4, trapping the a2-rook, and also, at an appropriate time, the option of c6-c7 with a double attack on queen and rook.
18. ... Ra7
19. e4 ....
Position after 19.e4
Controlling the d5-square and preparing to add support to the advanced c-pawn.
19. ... Ne6
The knight comes back to life just in time to blockade the c-pawn from the square immediately in front of it, where a knight is best placed. However, a better choice would have been either 19....e6, slowing down the advance, or moving his queen to the b-file, gaining a tempo by attacking White's bishop, and allowing the e8-rook to move out of the bishop's line of fire.
20. d5 Nc7
21. Ba4 Nh5
22. Bxg7 Nxg7
23. Qc5 ....
With the absence of both dark-squared bishops, White's queen occupies a dominating position on the dark diagonals while also attacking both the a7-rook and the b4-pawn. We have looked before at the strength of double attacks (see the February 2026 article) and the need to pay careful attention to undefended pieces, both one's own and one's opponent's.
23. ... Qb8
Black is able to defend both the rook and the b-pawn for the moment, but White's advanced pawns have cramped Black's queenside, where the rooks are unable to play any useful role, allowing time for White to mobilise the rest of his army.
24. Ne5! Na6
Another double attack, but this is easily dealt with.
25. Qd4 Qc7
26. Nd7 Nb8
Position after 26...Nb8
27. Qxb4 ....
Capturing not just for the material but to create another passed pawn.
27. ... Nxd7
28. cxd7 Rb8?!
Instead, 28.Rd8 was the obvious try, although it would still be insufficient.
29. Qxe7 1 - 0
By now, Black must have been completely demoralised, and he resigned. White's next moves would likely have been Rc1 and Nd4, when Black would have to give up substantial material to avoid immediate disaster.
After Round Six of the Championship Sidhanth and one other player had 5½ points, and there were two players with five point; so there were several possible outcomes after the final round. For the last game Sidhanth was paired against his main challenger, who had also dropped only half a point. If either player won the game he would be the sole winner of the Championship, while if their game ended in a draw, it was possible that one of the players on five points would win his game, creating a three-way finish. So, to secure the Championship, Sidhanth had to win his game.
White: Sidhanth Pai
Black: Yiming Wan
Event: British Under 14 Championship 2026, Final Round
Opening: QGD, Slav Variation by transposition
1. d4 Nf6
2. Nf3 g6
3. c4 Bg7
At this stage there were several possible ways in which the game could develop. For example, 3.Nc3 0-0, 4.e4 d6 would reach the King's Indian Defence, whereas an early ...c7-c5 would lead to a Benoni-type structure or, if combined with Nc3 and e4, could even transpose to a Maroczy bind against a Sicilian Dragon. Nowadays, manoeuvring between opening systems and variations is an important way of trying to reach a position that suits you, and where you are familiar with the requirements of the position, but where your opponent may not be so comfortable. Sidhanth opted for a restrained and solid move, aimed at blunting the potential pressure from Black's fianchettoed bishop.
4. e3 O-O
5. Be1 c5
6. O-O ....
More active was 6.d5 followed by Nc3. Castling at this point gives Black a freer hand in the centre
6. ... d5
This is liable to transpose into lines where pawns are exchanged first. Black has reached a comfortable equality.
7. Nc3 dxc4
Also good was capturing the d-pawn.
8. Bxc4 cxd4
9. exd4 ....
Position after 9.exd4
The outcome of the exchanges is that White now has an isolated but mobile central pawn and has more control over the centre of the board, while Black retains flexibility over the development of his pieces.
9. ... Bg4
Undermining the support of the d4-pawn, which can be further attacked by Black's queen's knight and the fianchettoed bishop.
10. Be2 ....
Safety first, but perhaps not strictly necessary, as capturing the knight does not lead to an advantage for Black if White plays accurately, e.g. 10.Re1 Bxf3, 11.Qxf3 Nc6 (not 11....Qxd4?!, 12.Qxb7 Ng4, 13.Bxf7!+ Kh8 (worse would be ...Rxf7, 14.Be3 with an overwhelming position) 14.Be3 Qe5, 15.Qxa8 Qxh2+, 16.Kf1 Nxe3+, 17.fxe3 Rxf7+, 18.Ke2 when Black's counterplay will soon fizzle out, leaving White the exchange up and with somewhat better pawns) 12.d5 Nd4, 13.Qd1 Nf5 with approximate equality, where White has an isolated queen's pawn which may turn out to be strong or weak, and the bishop pair in an open position. But the potential complications after 11....Qxd4 show that Sidhanth's choice was more practical.
10. ... Nc6
Black now has a slight edge. He has a clear plan and a specific target, White's isolated queen's pawn, which he is hitting from several directions.
11. Be3 Nd5
12. Nxd5 Qxd5
13. h3 Bf5
14. Qa4 ....
Allowing a rook to be added to the defence of the d-pawn.
Position after 14.Qa4
14. ... Qd6
This seems to be a wasted move. Presumably Black's idea was to next play ....Qb4, aiming to exchange queens. But this is easily prevented. It would be more logical to move one of the rooks to d8.
15. a3 a6
Again, with the idea of dislodging White's queen.
16. Rfd1 e6
Sensibly controlling the square in front of the isolated pawn.
17. Rac1 ....
White's development is now complete, and play continues to be focused on the isolated queen's pawn. A good plan for Black would be to redeploy his knight via e7 to the blockading square d5. Now that White is operating on the c-file, Black's actual response is inferior. The king's rook would now be better at c8, leaving the a8-rook defending the a-pawn, thus allowing the advance ...b7-b5 at an appropriate time.
17. ... Rfd8
18. Qb3 ....
Eyeing Black's b-pawn, which is now justified because in the event of Qxb7 the queen will not be trapped after ....Rd8-b8, as the c1-rook would support the capture of Black's knight.
18. ... b5
More useful would have been 18....Be4, followed by Bd5, securing a more active and safer place for the bishop.
Position after 18. ..b5
19. Bg5! ....
With several ideas in mind.
19. ... Rdc8
This reaction was Black's weakest response. He would have been relatively better off after either 19....Ne7, 20.Bxe7 Qxe7, 21.Qe3 (when 21....Qf8 aiming for ....Bh6 can be answered by 22.Ne5, allowing f2-f4 next move), or 19....f6, 20.Bf4 Qxf4, 21.Rxc6, although White maintains an edge in both lines.
20. Qe3 ....
This was the main idea behind White's 19th move, seeking control of the dark squares on the kingside and the centre, and also threatening to trap the f5-bishop by g2-g4, which practically forces Black's reply.
20. ... h5
21. Bf4 ....
This is a natural-looking follow-up, which turns out well because Black reacts badly. An alternative was 21.Rc5 Ne7, 22.b4 Nd5, 23.Qc1 (or Qd2) when Nf3-h4 (followed by f2-f3 if the bishop moves to e4) looks like an attractive idea.
21. ... Qd7?
Position after 21. ..Qd7
A mistake, not easy to spot, as now the queen's position allows White to win the f5-bishop, as shown in the next note. Best was the not so obvious retreat 21....Qf8, likely to lead to a drawn position after 22.Ne5 Nxe5, 23.Bxe5 Rxc1, etc, with numerous exchanges.
22. Ne5 ....
Unfortunately missing the opportunity to win the g4-bishop by 22.g4 hxg4, 23.hxg4 Bxg4, and only now 24.Ne5! gaining a tempo from the attack on Black's queen, which is not neutralised by capturing the knight because the threat will be replaced by the d1-rook. Play would likely continue 24....Nxe5, 25.dxe5 Rxc1, 26.Qxc1 Rc8, 27.Rxd7 Rxc1+, 28.Bxc1 Bxe2, 29.f4 when there is still some fight left, but White has a clear advantage of rook for bishop and pawn, and will probably win one of Black's queenside pawns.
22. ... Nxe5
23. dxe5 Rxc1
24. Qxc1 ....
The difference from the sequence in the last note is that after Black's queen moves, his light-squared bishop is not under attack. But Black does not escape entirely, because his queen chooses a poor retreat.
24. ... Qc8?
Best would have been 24....Qb7, from where the queen will support the emergence of the f5-bishop, which is not prevented by 25.f3 because of ....Rc8 followed by ....Bc2 and then either ....Ba4, or ....Bb3 and then ....d5, as appropriate.
25. Qe3 ....
White correctly avoids the exchange of queens, which would have led to an equal position. Black continues to be concerned about the fate of his light-squared bishop, which is now threatened by White's g-pawn moving to g4.
25. ... h4
26. Bf3 Rb8
27. Qa7! b4?!
Missing the main point of White's move, but even the relatively best move, 27....Qf8, defending the f7-pawn, would not be sufficient as it would entail the loss of the a-pawn. Another try, 27....g5, allowing the light-squared bishop to retreat to g6, would involve shedding the g- and h-pawns.
28. Rd7 ....
Position after 28.Rd7
In two moves White has seized control of the vital seventh rank. Material is exactly equal, and the pawn structure is symmetrical, but the activity of White's pieces gives him a winning position.
28. ... g5
It is now too late for this idea. And with Black's b-pawn loose, even 28....Qf8 fails to 29.Rxf7 Qxf7, 30.Qxb8+ Qf8, 31.Qxb4 Qxb4, 32.axb4 Bd3 (avoiding the immediate loss of the a-pawn), when one possible continuation would be 33.g3 g5, 34.Bxg5 Bxe5, 35.Bxh4 Bxb2, when 36.Bd8 will prevent the exchange of the queenside pawns, after which White will be able to advance his kingside pawns.
29. Rxf7 Bh8
With his bishops covering g7 and h7, Black may have believed that he had escaped the worst. If so, White's next move will have come as a surprise.
30. Rxf5! gxf4
1 - 0
Nothing else would be of the slightest use. It is only now that Black realised, first, that he could not capture the rook because of 31.Bd5+ leading to mate; and secondly, that the move he has just played allows mate in one move, so he immediately resigned.
So, congratulations to Sidhanth on an excellent performance in the two Under-14 events, and a very creditable result in the Major Open with its gruelling nine rounds.
JK / 12.08.26
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Tactics in the Middlegame
By John Knott
This column has already drawn attention to the achievements of our youngest member, Sidhanth Pai, who gained a well-deserved third place in the British Under-12 Championship 2025, being the only competitor to go through the competition without loss. Since then, when time permits, Sidhanth has been playing for the Club's first and second teams in the Sussex Chess League; where out of a total of eight appearances, of which six were for the first team, he scored four wins and two draws. Of his two losses, Sidhanth was out-graded in the first game by 50 points and in the second by more than 300 points, as the opponent in that game had the rating of a strong International Master. Viewed in light of that information, Sidhanth's performance in League matches was exemplary.
One of Sidhanth's recent League games caught the eye of our Club Secretary, on account of a clever tactic that led directly to a win. This was the game.
White: James Mansson
Black: Sidhanth Pai
Event: Sussex League, Worthing 1 v Horsham 1
Date: 23 March 2026
Opening: Queen's Gambit Declined, Orthodox Defence, Rauzer variation
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e6
3. Nc3 d5
White's third move showed that he did not object to meeting the Nimzo-Indian Defence (3....Bb4) but Sidhanth preferred the QGD, a common position in which the players have now reached by a non-standard sequence of moves.
4. Bg5 ....
This defines the Rauzer variation, named after the Ukranian chess master and theoretician Vsevolod Rauzer (1908-1941). More common is 4.Nf3, in reply to which Black has at least half a dozen recognised lines. As in many opening systems there are, of course, possibilities for transposition.
4. ... Be7
5. e3 O - O
6. Nf3 Nbd7
7. Qb3 ....
Position after 7.Qd1-b3
Now, Black's main choice is between the solid 7....c6 and the active 7....c5. Sidhanth opts for an exchange of pawns, aiming, after bringing White's bishop to c4, then to play ...a6 and ...b5, gaining a tempo on the bishop and allowing for the development of his own bishop on the long diagonal.
7. ... dxc4
8. Bxc4 a6
9. a4 ....
Frustrating Black's plan, so Sidhanth now aims to complete his development in a different way, while also harassing White's pieces.
9. ... c5
10. O - O cxd4
11. exd4 ....
By capturing with the pawn instead of the knight, White avoids a symmetrical pawn structure and accepts an isolated queen's pawn. This may have short-term advantages but can become a liability in an endgame.
11. ... Nb6
12. Bd3 Nbd5
13. a5 h6
14. Bd2 ....
Position after 14.Bg5-d2
14. ... Nb4
Forcing another retreat while repositioning the knight to c6, where it will attack White's isolated queen's pawn. An alternative plan was to leave the knight at d5, where it was an ideal blocker of the queen's pawn, and from where it would also guard the weakened b6-square.
15. Bb1 Nc6
16. Rd1 ....
Position after 16.Rf1-d1
16. ... Nxa5
The straight-forward win of a pawn. Also possible was to capture the more important d-pawn, as the potential discovered attack on Black's queen was not a serious threat, e.g. 16.... Nxd4, 17.Nxd4 Qxd4, 18.Bxh6?! (better would be 18.Be3) Qh4, 19.Be3 Ng4, with the initiative.
17. Qc2 Nc6
18. Ne4 ....
With the transparent threat of capturing on f6 followed by Qh7 mate. But this is easily prevented.
18. ... Nxe4
19. Qxe4 f5
20. Qe2 Bf6
21. Bc3 Ne7
22. Bb4 Re8
23. Ne5 Nd5
See note to Black's 14th move. This is the ideal way to block an isolated pawn.
Position after 23. ... Ne7-d5
24. Bd2 Bd7
25. Qh5?! ....
This was tempting, aggressively aiming to exploit the weakened squares around Black's king, with a knight and two bishops in support, and the possibility of a rook moving to the kingside via a3 or d3. But the knight can be captured and the crucial b1-h7 diagonal is blocked, although it could possibly be opened after g2-g4. Does Black have sufficient defensive resources? We shall see.
25. ... Rf8
26. g4? ....
It was better to capture the d7 bishop first, as that can (and does) defend the weakened white squares.
26. ... Be8
27. Qh3 Bg5
28. f4? ....
If the pawn had more support this could have been worth playing. But the move just loses another pawn for no benefit.
28. ... Bxf4
29. Bxf4 Nxf4
30. Qf3 fxg4
Position after 30. ... fxg4
31. Qe4 ....
Threatening mate, and avoiding 31.Qxg4? Bh5! when Black wins immediately.
31. ... Nh3+!
32. Kg2 Ng5
Defending h7 and gaining a tempo by attacking White's queen. Now Black goes on the attack.
33. Qxg4 Qd5+
34. Kg3 Bc6
Position after 34.....Be8-c6
Threatening ...Qg2+ with mate in two moves. Note that the White king has only one move available.
35. Rd2 Qb3+
Contrasted with White's earlier two-piece attack, Black has four pieces coordinating pressure around White's king, in particular on the f3-square. In fact, there is only one square adjoining the White king that is not under direct attack.
36. Kh4 ....
The king seems to be relatively safe here, but White now receives a severe shock. Somewhat better would have been 36.Bd3.
36. ... Rf4!!
Position after 36....Rf8-f4
Well spotted by Sidhanth. The key feature is that White's king is severely restricted and the offered sacrifice cannot be accepted because it would remove White's queen from the defence of the h3-square. White's reply, making a counter-threat, is relatively the best, but it fails because Black can capture White's queen with check.
37. Ra3 Rxg4+
38. Kxg4 Qd5
With the major exchange and two pawn deficit White could now resign, but by momentum he continues for a few moves.
39. h4 Nf7
40. Nxc6 bxc6
41. Re3 Rf8
42. Be4 Qd6
43. Rc3 Nd8
A dual-purpose move, defending the c6-pawn and activating Black's rook.
Position after 43....Nf7-d8
44. Re2 Qxd4
45. Rd3 Qf6
46. Rf3 Qe7
47. Rd3 e5
0 - 1
Final position, after 47.e6-e5
Supporting a rook move to f4 and allowing the knight to return to the fight via e6. White had had enough, and resigned.
Sidhanth has a classical style of play, using mainline openings rather than off-beat lines or gambits, but he also clearly has a good eye for tactics. How does a typical club player develop at chess tactics? If you search for advice on the Internet you are likely to find many quotations and mis-quotations attributed to famous players, about the role that tactics play in chess games. You will also find advice to study chess puzzles, and to watch chess videos and read books devoted to tactics. Many of the recommended videos and books are targeted at beginners, and you may find that many of the puzzles on chess websites are either too basic or too complicated. And there is something artificial in attempting to solve numerous puzzles in isolation, particularly if they are grouped in themes, as no such labels are attached to positions that you will encounter in your own games.
So what should you do? The answer to that question will depend on who you ask. To my mind, a good way of seeing reliable tactics in action is to play through games of strong players when they are facing weaker opponents. Such games can be found in simultaneous displays among other places. They are often more instructive than typical tournament games, with grandmasters battling against other grandmasters, where often the real action is hidden in the notes because attacking plans are foiled. To overcome this drawback for club players, many years ago Max Euwe (1901-1981) who, as many of you will know, became World Champion in the 1930s, wrote a book titled Chess Master vs Chess Amateur. The original editions have long been unavailable, but Dover Chess has issued a reprint in paperback. New and secondhand copies are available from several sources including Amazon and, particularly for used copies, ABE Books (www.abebooks.co.uk). Euwe's idea was to present games in a way in which ordinary players could more easily understand how to improve, by seeing how inappropriate moves and plans could be punished.
Other sources, even more concentrated on tactics, are some of the games of Alekhine, Tal, Kasparov, Nakamura, Morosevich, and other players with a sharp style, particularly in short games. One way of locating these if you do not have a database of games, is on the website www.chessgames.com, which can be accessed at no charge and without any registration. There, on the website's home page, all that needs to be done is, on the line that says "Player", select "White" in the first box, then choose a name from the drop-down menu in the second box, or type a name; and against "Number of moves" select "No more than" and then enter on the right, 25; and against "Result" select "White wins". All other boxes can be left blank. Then, at the end of the selection area, click on "Find chess games". That command will take you to a list of the player's quick wins, often in simultaneous events, where tactics will predominate. For most players, this will be much more productive than ploughing through top-level games between grandmasters.
In addition, it will be useful to find one or two books devoted to tactics. These will generally be more useful than videos, as you will be able to pace yourself and can easily go back over material. Two books that I would recommend are Chess Tactics from Scratch by Martin Weteschnik (2nd edition, Quality Chess), and The 100 Tactical Patterns You Must Know - Workbook, by Frank Erwich (New in Chess, 2024). Among a vast number of books on the topic, these stand out for clarity of exposition, enlightened presentation, and thoroughness. They are both "reader friendly", but both call for devoted application to the task of learning. Weteschnik's book is a better place to start. Erwich's book (which has an introductory companion volume titled 100 Tactical Patterns You Must Know) is more concentrated, and will provide challenges for any player. Once you have worked through such a book, then go through it again. And again. Knowledge needs reinforcing.
JK / 17.04.26
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Double Attacks in Chess
By John Knott
In military campaigns a pincer movement, involving attacking an enemy army in two places simultaneously, often with the idea of surrounding it, has an approximate equivalent in chess, where it is known as a double attack. Reuben Fine (1914-1993), one of the strongest players in the world during the 1930s and 1940s, and who was phenomenally successful in ten-seconds-a-move simultaneous games played blindfold, stressed the importance of double attacks as a strategy to gain an advantage in chess. A double attack can take many forms and can use either one piece, when it is usually termed a fork; or two (or possibly more) pieces, when it includes one or more discovered attacks. It could, theoretically, use up to five pieces (an example is given later), but that would be highly improbable in a game.
The most common form of double attack is a fork, which can be achieved by any of the pieces including pawns and even the king, but is most frequently carried out by a knight. This happens when a piece is moved to a square from which it attacks two or more pieces directly. The move may include a check by the moving piece, or by a piece which the move uncovers (when the manoeuvre is called a discovered check). A recent fine example of forks, illustrating the power of the knight and bishop, occurred in Dave Graham's last game for the Club, in the match against Hastings and St Leonards. In the game, the following position was reached:
D. Graham v F. Rayner
Position after 17....exd5
Dave had earlier sacrificed the exchange for the initiative, and in particular for pressure on the long white diagonal. Play continued 18.Nf5!, which created three sets of double attacks. First, there are now two pieces attacking Black's pawn at d5, which White's light-squared bishop pins against the Black queen and the rook in the corner. (Note that, in the event of, for example, 18....Bf6, 19.Bxd5, White has to consider the effect of a possible cross-pin by 19....Rf8-d8). Secondly, from f5 the knight is attacking Black's bishop and also the vulnerable g7-pawn, defended only by Black's king. The significance of the pressure on the g7-pawn is that White's queen can easily add to the attack from either d4 or, in some circumstances, g4. Thirdly, White's knight is adding force to the attack by the rook on Black's bishop, which is defended only by Black's queen. That is a lot to achieve with one move.
In the game, Black played 18....Bb4, attacking White's rook. The principle of counter-attacking is often a good one, but the fact that not only Black's bishop but also the g7-pawn were under attack suggests that Black's best response would have been 18....Bf6, which would also have guarded the d4-square from invasion by White's queen. White correctly ignored the attack on his rook and played the powerful 19.Qd4, threatening mate in one move. This is even stronger than 19.Qg4 Bc3, 20.Bxd5, which also wins, by reason of a potential knight fork at e7.
D. Graham v F. Rayner
Position after 19.Qd4!
The move 19.Qd4 also forms a double attack because, as it happens, from d4 the White queen is also attacking Black's bishop. By chance, the bishop is defended by Black's queen; but otherwise, and in different circumstances, that threat could have been a key reason for White's move. Black recognised that the threat of mate was so powerful that he resigned. There are only two moves that could slow down the threat: (A) 19....f6, blocking White's queen, and (B) 19....Bc3, acting on the long black diagonal. But both of these would have been only temporary measures.
In the event of 19....f6, play would have continued 20.Bxd5+. This is a powerful fork, and another example of a double attack, as the bishop is also threatening Black's queen, which was drawn to the b7-square when White sacrificed the exchange a few moves earlier. Now, whether Black captures the bishop (which will be replaced by White's queen, creating yet another double attack); or moves his king to h8; or blocks the check with his rook; Black will not survive for long, as readers can work out for themselves.
And if Black, instead of playing f7-f6 were to move 19....Bc3, play would have continued 20.Qxc3 f6, 21.Bxd5!+ (yes - it is another double attack) when this time Black could capture the bishop by ....Qxd5 only to fall victim to a double attack by White's knight, 22.Ne7+. After that, Black would be left with a pieces deficit of a rook against White's queen and bishop.
D. Graham v F. Rayner
Position after 22.Ne7+
in possible continuation
The complete game, with notes by the winner, appears in the Teams section of this website, after Russell's Pre-Christmas Report 2025 on our First Team's performance in the Sussex League.
Another recent example of a devastating double attack by a Club member occurred in the Under-12 section of the 2025 British Championships, in a fine game played by Sidhanth Pai. The game started as a closed Sicilian Defence, where Sidhanth had the Black pieces. The following diagram shows that after thirty moves Black had an extra pawn and had outplayed his opponent, allowing the centralised knight, and rook on the second rank, to dominate the position. The opponent, faced with an attack on his b3-pawn, has unwisely just moved his rook from d1 to b1. In doing so, the opponent failed to consider the geometry of the position, and left himself open to a double attack. Can you see what he missed?
C. Samuel v S. Pai
Position after 31.R(d1)-b1
Here, there are not many pieces left on the board, so the key features should stand out. Sidhanth spotted that if the Black rook and the White bishop were missing, he would be able to win another pawn. Accordingly, he played 31....Rxg2! when, after 32.Kxg2, he had available a double attack by 32....Bxe4+ followed by capturing White's rook on b1. You can find the whole game in the article Our Future British Champion? earlier in this section.
So far, we have seen several examples of double attacks by knights and bishops, and one by a queen. Another example of a double attack, this time by a pawn, is described in some comments on the Vienna Opening at the end of the recent article about Russell's win in the team match against Crowborough. It occurs in this position:
Position after 3.Bc4 in the Vienna Opening
Here, Black has the possibility of capturing the e-pawn with his knight when, in the event of White capturing the knight (there is another option, as described in that article), he can recover a piece by the move d7-d5, forking White's knight and bishop. Double attacks by rooks and kings are also possible, although these are less common and occur mainly in the endgame.
White to move.
Several multiple attacks are available.
This fantasy position illustrates some of the many ways in which double and multiple attacks occur.
How many can you identify?
Among the most powerful double attacks are those that involve a check, because that is something that the opponent must deal with, leaving him less flexibility in coping with the other consequences of a move. In a double attack a direct check may be given by the piece that has moved, or there may be a discovered check, given by a piece that the moving piece has uncovered. In principle, to respond to a check a player may, depending on the exact position, have three choices: capturing the attacking piece; blocking the attack by interposing a piece; or moving the king. Of course, in many positions, not all of these options are available. And where check is given by a knight, it is not possible to interpose a piece; which is one of the reasons why knight checks can be so effective. The most dangerous form of double attack is where the moving piece and an uncovered piece each give check. In that situation, a double check forces the opposing king to move, as it is not possible to respond with any other type of move.
This brief survey of double attacks, occurring in a wide range of situations, should alert you to their potential power and usefulness, and may help you to make use of them for your benefit while avoiding those planned by an opponent.
JK / 10.02.26
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Dynamics of King Pawn Openings
By John Knott
Attitudes towards individual chess openings tend to change over the years, often as the result of particular lines being adopted by well-known players, as for example Kramnik's successful reliance on the Berlin Defence to the Ruy Lopez (also known as the Spanish Game) in his match against Kasparov in the year 2000. Previously, after 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bb5, in modern times Black nearly always continued with 3.... a6, but Kramnik resurrected 3.... Nf6. The move had been analysed extensively in the mid-1800s and was used in the late Victorian era by Zukertort, Lasker and Tarrasch among others, but it had subsequently been considered to lead to a hopelessly passive position.
Berlin Defence, after 3....Nf6
Nowadays, however, the Berlin Defence has been adopted by many top grandmasters including Carlsen and, as a result of tournament praxis and computer analysis, is regarded as a sound way of meeting the Ruy Lopez. It is particularly suited to players who prefer a solid and slower type of game or who are meeting a very strong opponent. (See, for example, our 2024 article Russell Granat: Strategic Magician, for Russell's successful adoption of the Berlin Defence in a game against GM Michael Adams, many times British Champion and at one time rated third in the world.)
In replying to 1.e4 with the symmetrical ...e5, a player with the Black pieces must be prepared to meet not just the Ruy Lopez but also a host of other lines. These include the Scotch Game; systems where White's king's bishop is developed to c4, as in the Italian Game; and also several swash-buckling openings from the Romantic era including the Centre Gambit, the Danish Gambit, and the Vienna Gambit. Moreover, there is also the venerable King's Gambit, known from at least the 15th century, with its multitude of exotic variations including the Kieseritzky Gambit, the Muzio Gambit and the Ghulam-Kassim Gambit. Such adventurous lines are not often played nowadays because, with improved defensive techniques, opponents are not as cooperative as they were in former days. Nevertheless, enterprising players sometimes employ them in selected encounters, particularly in rapid or blitz games, when they are likely to have surprise value.
Among other ways of meeting White's opening move 1.e4, currently the most popular is the Sicilian Defence, initiated by 1.... c5. There is a vast amount of theory on the Sicilian Defence, and whole books have been written on sub-variations of the main lines. The Sicilian has many faces, but probably the most common position reached early in this Defence is after the moves 1.e4 c5, 2.Nf3 d6, 3.d4 cxd4, 4.Nxd4 Nf6, 5.Nc3 (see diagram), when Black has a choice between four main systems, namely (A) 5....a6 (the Najdorf), (B) 5....Nc6 (the Classical), (C) 5....e6 (the Scheveningen), and (D) 5....g6 (the Dragon). Also possible is the quite rare 5....e5, which may transpose into the Sveshnikov or the Kalashnikov variations. After 5.... e5, the Venice Attack starts with 6.Bb5+.
A common position in the Sicilian Defence after 5.N(b1)-c3
There are also many early variants and deviations for both sides, including a number of so-called anti-Sicilian lines of which perhaps the Rossolimo Attack (reached after 2.... Nc6, 3.Bb5) is now the most prominent. The Sicilian is the prime counter-attacking response to 1.e4, often leading to tactical opportunities for both sides, and for that reason attracts some players but does not suit players looking for a quieter and more strategic type of game.
Those players will probably be happier with either the French Defence or the Caro-Kann Defence, which can both be regarded as strong-point defences in which Black seeks to maintain a central pawn on the fifth rank. There are also less strategically sound, and therefore riskier, responses such as the Pirc Defence (1.... d6 and 2.... Nf6), the Modern Defence (1.... g6), the Scandinavian Defence (1.... d5), the Nimzowitsch Defence (1.... Nc6), and the highly provocative Alekhine's Defence (1.... Nf6), all of which may either continue in an individual way or transpose into more regular systems. The main reason for adopting any of these defences is because they are much less seen, so that a player who has devoted particular study to one of them has prospects of confusing an unprepared opponent and reaching a playable, and possibly advantageous, position.
The French Defence opens with the moves 1.e4 e6 and almost always continues with 2.d4 d5. After these moves it can be seen that White's position is more open in that he can immediately develop either bishop, whereas Black's queen's bishop is blocked by the pawn at e6. There are numerous ways in which the line may continue, a common theme being White's attempt to keep Black's position somewhat cramped, usually by advancing the e-pawn to e5; while Black will seek to counter-attack White's centre by an early ...c7-c5 and by applying further pressure against the d4-pawn in various ways. Black will also be alert for any way in which he can develop his queen's bishop, which often plays a passive role until well into the middle-game.
In the French Defence, after the initial two moves, play will generally continue with either (A) 3.exd5 (the Exchange Variation), which offers White little as on the recapture Black's queen's bishop is freed and the pawn structure is symmetrical; or (B) 3.Nc3 (the Main Line), in which Black will usually reply with 3.... Bb4 (Winawer Variation), pinning the defender of the e4-pawn, or 3.... Nf6 (Classical Variation), or by exchanging pawns; or (C) 3.Nd2 (Tarrasch Variation) avoiding a possible pin on the knight; or (D) 3.e5 (Advance Variation), often involving a later advance of the f2-pawn to f4, whereby White seeks to cramp Black's position with the hope of developing a kingside attack.
In many of the lines of the French Defence, Black is handicapped for a long time by being unable to develop his queen's bishop effectively. In contrast, the Caro-Kann is a defence where Black attempts to overcome that drawback by supporting a pawn at d5 not with his e-pawn but with his c-pawn; the standard opening moves being 1.e4 c6, 2.d4 d5. Although this position does not look greatly different from the position after two moves in the French Defence, in fact the difference between them is quite significant. The most obvious difference is that Black's queen's bishop is not blocked by a pawn at e6. Admittedly, Black's king's bishop is not yet free to move, but that can easily be remedied, either by moving the e7-pawn after the queen's bishop is developed or at g7 in a fianchetto structure. Meanwhile, however, Black will not have the option of pinning White's queen's knight if it is developed to c3. Another crucial difference is that if White exchanges pawns at d5, the resulting pawn structure, unlike in the corresponding position in the French Defence, will not be symmetrical. And if Black decides to attack the d4-pawn by a later ...c5, that will entail a loss of a tempo as his c-pawn will already have moved once.
French Defence after 2....d5
Caro-Kann Defence after 2....d5
From what can be regarded as the basic starting position in the Caro-Kann Defence (there are second move deviations for both sides, but they are of minor significance) play will generally continue in one of the following ways: (A) 3.Nc3 (the Main Line, where 3.Nd2, not blocking the c-pawn, is an alternative) 3.... dxe4 (other moves tend to transpose into an unfavourable variation of the French Defence), 4.Nxe4 and now (i) 4.... Nf6, or (ii) 4.... Nd7 followed by 5.... Ngf6 (a slower version, but avoiding possible disruption of the kingside pawns), or (iii) 4.... Bf5, 5.Ng3 Bg6. Another important option is the Advance Variation (B) 3.e5, currently popular despite the fact that it does not restrict Black's queen's bishop, as in the French Defence, and leads usually to the logical 3.... Bf5 or the paradoxical 3.... c5, attacking the d4-pawn despite loss of a tempo. There is also (C) 3.f3, a minor line, known as the Fantasy Variation, keeping the tension and seeking to maintain a double-pawn centre, sometimes involving a gambit, which can lead to some very sharp positions. (See, for example, the second game, Payne v Granat, in our 2025 article Worthing's Sussex Individual County Champions). Finally, there is the Exchange Variation, (D) 3.exd5 cxd5, when White has the choice between (i) 4.Bd3, preventing the immediate ....Bf5, and probably intending a later c2-c3, Ng1-f3-e5, and f2-f4; and (ii) 4.c4 initiating the so-called Panov-Botvinnik Attack, where White accepts the likelihood of an isolated queen's pawn in order to mobilise rapidly with chances for a kingside attack.
This was the line that featured in a recent Club game, leading to some dramatic action. The players should probably remain anonymous.
Event: Club Friendly Game
Date: 15 December 2025
Opening: Caro-Kann, Panov-Botvinnik Attack (ECO B13)
1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5
3. exd5 cxd5
4. c4 ....
Panov-Botvinnik Attack after 4.c4
The key move of the Panov-Botvinnik Attack. White seeks rapid development, good central control, and the opportunity for a kingside attack. Black's main response is 4.... Nf6, defending his d5-pawn while developing a piece. Less frequently played, but quite solid, is 4.... e6, in the style of the French Defence.
4. ... dxc4
Black gives away a tempo. If this capture were to be made after White had developed his f1-bishop to e2, or more likely d3, then the recapture would have cost White another move.
5. Bxc4 Nc6
Attacking the isolated pawn. A good idea in principle, but not in this position. Again, ...Nf6 or ....e6 was to be preferred.
6. d5! Ne5
7. Bb3 Qd6?
Supporting the e5-knight and blocking the d5-pawn. But the queen is an unsuitable blockader because she is too important for such a task and can be dislodged by any lower-value piece. Probably best would be to fianchetto the king's bishop followed by ...Ng8-f6 and castling.
Position after 7....Q(d8)-d6
8. Nc3 ....
A multi-purpose move, not just adding further support to the advanced pawn but also being able to attack the Black queen in the near future, and starting to clear the path of the a1-rook to occupy the open c-file.
8. ... Bf5
9. Ba4+ Bd7
10. Bxd7+ ....
The simplest.
10. ... Nxd7
11. Nge2 g6
12. O-O Bg7
13. Bf4 Be5
14. Nb5 Qb8
Relatively best was 14.... Qb6 when Stockfish suggests the critical continuation is 15.Bxe5 Nxe5, 16.Nec3 a6, 17.Re1 Rd8, 18.Rxe5 axb5, 19.d6 Qxd6, 20.Qxd6 Rxd6, 21.Rxb5 Rd7, 22.Rd1 (+2.78 /40). There are, of course, other moves for Black, but they also turn out badly.
Position after 14....Q(d6)-b8
15. Bxe5 ....
Again, simplest, but Stockfish suggests that even stronger would have been 15.d6 exd6, 16.Rc1 Ngf6, 17.Nc7+ Ke7, 18.Qd2 with various options.
15. ... Nxe5
Instead, recapturing with the queen would have given some hope to the a8-rook.
16. Qa4 ....
Setting up a discovered check. Also good was 16.Rac1, as played next move.
16. ... Nd7
17. Rac1 Kf8
18. Nc7 Nb6
19. Qd4 Nf6
20. d6! ....
Position after 20.d6
The isolated pawn has proved to be a valiant warrior, now threatening the devastating capture of the e7-pawn. Black's relatively best response would have been 20.... Qd8, when 21.dxe7+ Qxe7, 22.Nxa8 Nxa8, 23.Rc8+ Kg7, 24.Rxh8 Kxh8, 25.Qxa7 leaves White with an easily winning endgame.
20. ... exd6
This hastens the end.
21. Qxf6 Rg8
22. Nd4! Nd7
23. Nde6#
1 - 0
Final position
The Caro-Kann was for a long time viewed by many players as an overly safe and stodgy defence, likely to lead to a dull game. This examination of the Panov-Botvinnik Attack shows that that is not always a valid appraisal. There are also sharp lines available to Black, and the Caro-Kann is nowadays generally viewed more favourably. The Chess Opening Explorer on the website of 365chess.com ranks the Caro-Kann as the fourth most frequently played response to 1.e4, after the Sicilian (1....c5), the Classical (1....e5) and the French (1....e6). The statistically most successful lines for White in the Caro-Kann are the Advance Variation (3.e5) and the Fantasy Variation (3.f3).
The game shown above illustrates the potential benefit of an isolated queen's pawn. It took only a few inaccuracies by Black - in particular the too early development of the queen, and some further loss of time - for the White forces to establish a commanding position. But an isolated pawn, which can also arise in several other openings, particularly in various lines in the Queen's Gambit, can also be a liability, especially in the endgame. See, for example, the game Larwood v. Payne with detailed comments in our 2025 article Are Isolated Pawns Strong or Weak? The short answer to that question is that they can be either, depending on the disposition of the remaining pieces. Understanding how to use an isolated pawn, or play against one, calls for some study.
JK / 08.01.26
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Tactics in the Opening
By John Knott
Contrasted with winning the First Division of the Sussex Chess League in the 2024-5 season, our First Team had a disappointing start to the current season, losing to Brighton and Hove 1 by 1:3, and to Bexhill 1 by 1½:2½. However, the situation has now improved by our 3:1 win against Crowborough, achieved by two wins and two draws. On Board 2, team captain Russell Granat was in good form, and won his game convincingly in 30 moves. Subsequently, our First Team drew 2:2 against Hastings 1, in an away match. So, although we have gained only three points from four matches, it is fair to say that we have so far not been able to field our strongest team for any match.
This is Russell's fine win in the match against Crowborough.
White: Russell Granat
Black: David W. Fryer
Event: Sussex League: Worthing 1 v Crowborough
Date: 1 December 2025
Opening: Four Knights, by transposition (ECO C47)
1. e4 Nf6
2. Nc3 e5
3. Nf3 Nc6
By an unusual route, starting with Alekhine's Defence and moving on to the Vienna Opening, we have now reached the starting position of the Four Knights Game, an opening noted for its high drawing chances, as indicated by Stockfish's evaluation of +0.03 at
44-ply..
4. d3 ....
The most common options are 4.Bb5, to which Rubinstein's ...Nd4 is considered to be the best response; and 4.d4, which after ...exd4, 5.Nxd4 may transpose into the Scotch Four Knights. The text move appears solid but is liable to hand the initiative to Black.
4. ... h6
More active was 4....d5, 5.exd5 Nxd5, when Black is somewhat better.
5. Be2 Bc5?!
Again, ...d5 would have been the more natural move, possibly leading to 6.exd5 Nxd5, 7.0-0 Nxc3; 8.bxc3 Bd6 with equality. (An Internet blitz game, discovered by Keith Homeyard, had gone 7... Be6, 8.Ne4?! (better was 8.d4) Be7, 9.Re1 0-0, 10.h3 f5, 0-1 (29) Kovacevic (2113) v Demin (2430) Chess.com INT blitz 2022.)
Position after 17.B(e3)xN(d4)
Position after 5..... Bc5?!
6. O-O ....
Instead, 6.Nxe5! - a key idea in a reversed position in the Vienna Opening (for which, see note at the end of the game) - 6.... Nxe5, 7.d4 Bd6, 8.f4 Nc6, 9.e5 Bb4, 10.exf6 Qxf6, 11.d5 Ne7, 12.0-0 (KFH) gives an advantage to White. In this line, an ultra sharp try by Black, 6.... Bxf2+, backfires after 7.Kxf2 Nxe5, 8.Rf1 0-0, 9.Kg1 d5, 10.d4 Ng6, 11.e5 (KFH) when White has a space advantage, the bishop pair, and has recovered the initiative.
6. ... d6
If instead 6.... 0-0, then 7.Nxe5! (the same idea as in the previous note) Nxe5, 8.d4 Bd6, 9.f4 Nc6, 10.e5 Bd7, 11.d5 Nxd5, 12.Nxd5 Bc5+? (better was 12.Re8) when although Stockfish gives an evaluation of +2.87/40, the high-level game Aronian (2732) v Gukesh (2687) Saint Louis Blitz 2025 (discovered by KFH) was drawn at move 64.
7. Na4 a6
Trying to sneak the bishop away to a7. More realistic was 7.... Bb6, when a capture would open the a-file for Black.
8. Nxc5 dxc5
9. b3 ....
In order to activate the dark-squared bishop on a useful diagonal where there will already be a target. Another idea was 9.c3, taking d4 away from Black's knight, while also giving more scope to White's queen, including a secure place off the d-file at c2.
9. ... Be6
10. Bb2 ....
Position after 10.Bc1-b2
10. ... Qd6
The alternative method of defending the e5-pawn also leaves White with the better position after 10.... Nd7, 11.Nxe5 Ncxe5, 12.f4! Nc6, 13.f5 0-0, 14.c3, when he will soon recover the piece.
11. Nxe5! Nxe5
12. f4 Neg4
13. e5 Qb6
14. exf6 Ne3?
Tempting, but Black should have settled for the retreat to f6. After the text move he has a strategically lost game.
Position after 14.Ng4-e3
15. Qd2 Nxf1
16. fxg7! Rg8
17. Rxf1 Bf5
Understandably, Black does not want the f4-pawn to advance with tempo to f6. The main alternatives, 17....0-0-0 and 17.... c4+, are not significantly better.
18. Qe3+ Kd7
19. Qe5! Qe6
20. Qxc5 ....
Also good was 20.Qxe6+ fxe6, 21.Bh5 (or 21.g4).
20. ... Rae8
21. Bf3 c6
22. Qa7 Qe3+
23. Qxe3 Rxe3
24. Kf2 Ree8
25. g4 Bh7
26. f5 Kd6
27. Be4 Re5
Black is happy to give back the exchange in order to capture the menacing g7-pawn.
28. Ke3 Rxg7
29. Bxe5+ Kxe5
30. f6 ....
Final position, after 30.f6!
This wins the Black bishop. Black can pick up the g4-pawn with his rook, but this would not affect the outcome. Black resigns. 1-0
Positions with similar features to those occurring after move six in this game can occur in several other openings, in particular in one variation of the Vienna Opening, where it is reached after the moves: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nc3 Nf6, 3.Bc4. Here, White has other possibilities, such as 3.f4!? in the style of Rudolf Spielmann, or the sedate 3.g3 favoured by Smyslov; but 3.Bc4 replicates the tactical possibility that occurred in Russell's game.
Position after 3.Bc4 in the Vienna
Here, a key plan for Black is 3,,,, Nxe4!?, when if 4.Nxe4?! d5, he recovers the piece with the better position. This was the reason why Alekhine stopped playing the Vienna.
However, a very sharp continuation for White after 3....Nxe4 is 4.Qh5, attacking the knight and also threatening mate, leading to 4.... Nd6, temporarily dealing with both threats and also attacking White's bishop.
Now, White has to decide whether to capture the e5-pawn, which is likely to lead to 5.Qxe5+ Qe7, 6.Qxe7+ Bxe7, 7.Be2 when in a symmetrical pawn structure he has a small edge by reason of the awkward placement of Black's d6-knight.
The alternative is to embark on a potentially wild line with 5.Bb3 when ... Nc6 (guarding the e5-pawn) allows 6.Nb5 g6, 7.Qf3 f5, 8.Qd5 Qf6, 9.Nxd7+ Kd8, 10.Nxa8 b6 - a line not for the feint-hearted, which has acquired the name Frankenstein-Dracula Variation.
However, after 5.Bb3 Black may instad try 5.... Be7, allowing 6.Qxe5, when probably 6.... 0-0 gives approximate equality. Nowadays the Vienna Opening is rarely seen - which, of course, may be a good reason for playing it, if you are well prepared for the complications.
JK / 10.12.25
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Our Future British Champion?
By John Knott
One of our young members, Sidhanth Pai, who joined the Club in 2024, achieved a remarkable result in this year's British Under-12 Championship held in August at St George's Hall, Liverpool. He was competing in a field of 39 players under a Swiss pairing system over seven rounds, playing one game a day. Sidhanth scored three wins and four draws, producing five points out of a possible seven, securing third place behind two players who scored 5½ points. However, Sidhanth was the only player to go through the whole competition without loss.
After achieving draws in the first two rounds, Sidhanth next had the black pieces in a king-pawn opening.
White: Claude Samuel
Black: Sidhanth Pai
Event: British Under-12 Championship 2025, Round 3
Date: 5 August 2025
Opening: Closed Sicilian Defence
1. e4 c5
2. Nc3 e6
3. Nf3 a6
4. g3 b5
5. Bg2 Bb7
6. d3 ....
White, by his 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th moves, has adopted a slow but solid development, having passed on several opportunities to open the position with d2-d4. Somewhat inconsistently, by putting his king's knight on f3, he has also blocked the possibility of playing f2-f4.
This has given Black a free hand to gain space on the queenside. White's pawn structure resembles that in the King's Indian Attack, but in that opening the queen's knight is more usefully developed to d2, from where it often proceeds to f1, h2 and g4, to participate in an attack on Black's king, if Black castles kingside.
Position after 6.d3
6. .... Nc6
7. O-O Be7
8. Be3 Nf6
This gives White the chance for the energetic response 9.e5, which it might have been a good idea to discourage by, for example, 8...Qc7. However, White misses the opportunity and engages in some ineffective piece shuffling.
9. Nd2 d6
10. Re1 Qc7
11. Qe2 O-O
12. Bg5 h6
13. Be3 Rac8
14. f4 ....
At last, some sign of aggression, but White's pieces on the d- and e-files are not well placed.
14. .... Nd4
15. Qd1 Nd7
16. Ne2 Bf6
17. Bxd4 ....
The best way for White to dislodge Black's knight would have been by 17.c3. After Black's reply to the move played he retains some advantage, but would have been even better placed by recapturing with the c-pawn, when play could have continued 17.... cxd4, 18.Rc1 Qb6! further supporting the d4-pawn and applying pressure on the diagonal leading to White's king (thereby preventing the freeing move c2-c3) while also severely cramping White's position.
Position after 17.B(e3)xN(d4)
17. ... Bxd4+
18. Nxd4 cxd4
19. Rc1 Nb6
20. c3 dxc3
21. Rxc3 Qd7
22. Qb3? ....
No doubt White was intending to follow with Re1-c1, but this is easily prevented. The square b3 would have been more suitable for the knight, after an exchange of rooks at c8.
22. ... Na4
23. Rxc8 Rxc8
24. d4 Qc7
Consolidating control of the c-file, and preparing to infiltrate the White position on the second rank. White's reply may have been with a view to playing the knight to e3, to guard the c2 square, but it is too late.
25. Nf1 Qc2!
The beginning of the end. Black now has a decisive advantage.
26. Qxc2 Rxc2
27. b3 Nc3
28. a3 Ne2+
29. Kh1 Nxd4
30. Rd1 e5
31. Rb1? ....
Position after 31.Rd1-b1?
White's sense of danger has entirely left him. Geometry plays an important part in chess, and a glance at this position should start alarm bells ringing. If the Black rook and the White bishop were not in their places, the solution would be obvious. How can Black penalise White for his last move?
31. ... Rxg2!
32. Kxg2 Bxe4+
33. Kh3 ....
Centralising the king by moving it to f2 would have been better, but would not have affected the outcome.
33. ... Bxb1
34. Nd2 Bc2
35. b4 e4
36. Kg2 e3
37. Ne3 Be4!
Final position, after 37.Bc2-e4
A neat finishing move. White is a piece and two pawns down and will be unable to stop the e-pawn from promoting.
White Resigned 0 - 1
For amplification of the point made in the note to White's 31st move, see further comments and an example in the 2025 article "Chessboard Geometry" on our website. It is really important to gain as full an understanding of the board as possible. Similarly, it is much easier to navigate in a busy town if you can visualise the road layout and if you know where particular shops and restaurants can be found. On the chessboard we have the algebraic coordinate system which enables us to identify and visualise particular squares, files, ranks and diagonals.
In the next round of the tournament Sidhanth had the white pieces, and played a very sharp line against his opponent's Sicilian Defence.
White: Sidhanth Pai
Black: Yueci Li
Event: British Under-12 Championship 2025, Round 4
Date: 6 August 2025
Opening: Sicilian Defence, Scheveningen Variation, Keres Attack
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 e6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 d6
In the Sicilian Defence there is much scope for transposition. By a somewhat unusual sequence of moves, a basic position of the Scheveningen Variation has been reached. Generally, an early e7-e6, where Black keeps open the options for developing his dark-squared bishop, introduces the Paulsen / Taimanov / Kan systems. To establish pawns at d6 and e6 Black will nowadays generally prefer to develop his queen's knight early, rather than the king's knight, to avoid the very line that Sidhanth now plays.
6. g4! ....
Position after 6.g2-g4!
The start of the so-called Keres Attack, named after the Estonian Grandmaster Paul Keres, who popularised the move in the 1940s. The idea behind the move is to advance the pawn to g5, dislodging the f6-knight, which is a key kingside defender and also has an influence in the centre of the board. Black will usually respond with h7-h6 to discourage the further advance of the pawn, but Sidhanth's opponent simply continues his development.
6. ... Nc6
7. g5 Nd7
8. Be3 a6
9. Rg1 Qc7
10. Rg3! ....
A flexible move, strengthening the third rank and being able to swing rapidly to the queenside, where it is now likely that Black's king will end up. This and White's next two moves could be played in various orders.
10. ... b5
11. a3 Bb7
12. f4 O-O-O
13. Qd2 Kb8
Moving the king to the b-file is usually a sensible precaution after queenside castling, for both White and Black, and is particularly so where, as here, Black's queen is also on the c-file.
Position after 13....Kc8-b8
14. O-O-O ....
This is perfectly logical, as the king will not have sufficient cover elsewhere. Also possible was the immediate capture of the b5-pawn, which White undertakes next move. Play might have continued 14.Bxb5!? Nxd4, 15.Qxd4 Nc5, 16.Be2 e5, 17.Qc4 exf4, 18.Bxf4 Ne6, 19.Qxc7 Kxc7, 20.Be3 after which White will castle with an extra pawn and the better development.
14. ... Nb6
15. Ndxb5! axb5
Avoiding the capture by 15. ....Qd7 is liable to transpose to the game after 16.Bxb6.
16. Nxb5 Qd7
17. Bxb6 Rc8
18. Rb3! ....
Showing the merit of White's 10th move. Also strong was 18.Rd3, applying further pressure against Black's queen. Even at this stage of the game Black's (original) kingside is largely undeveloped.
18. ... Be7
19. Kb1 h6
20. Nd4 ....
Position after 20.Nb5-d4
20. ... Nxd4
21. Bxd4 Bd8
22. Ba6 Rc7
23. Bxg7! ....
Excellent. Playing on both sides of the board.
23. ... Rh7
24. gxh6! Be7
There are now several ways to finish the game. White chooses to clear the route towards the weak a7-square.
25. Bb5 Qc8
26. Bd4 Bd8
27. Qa5
Black resigned faced with early mate or severe loss of material.
1 - 0
Final position, after 27.Qd2-a5
If Black had been stubborn, play could have continued 27. ... Rc5, 28.Qb4 f6 (at last, activating the h-rook), 29.Ba6 Ba5, 30.Qa4 Qc6, 31.Qxc6 Rxc6, 32.Bxb7 Rxb7, 33.h7 Rc8, 34.Bxb7+ Kxb7, 35.Bxf6, and Black will have to give up his rook for the h-pawn.
In the next round Sidhanth also won, and then drew the remaining two games, for a final score of +3, =4, producing 5 points; a very creditable performance.
Sidhanth, whose favourite subjects at school include maths and science, was eight years old when he learnt to play chess, which attracted him as an interesting and unique game. He initially received guidance from Dave Graham, and more recently from Chris Jones. He clearly has a bright chess future ahead of him.
JK/09.12.25
Our Future British Champion?
Menu
Tactics In The Opening
Dynamics of King Pawn Openings
Double Attacks in Chess
Tactics in the Middlegame
Sidhanth Pai - British Under 14 Champion
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