top of page
WORTHING CHESS CLUB
ARTICLES
-
Worthing's Sussex Individual County Champions
By John Knott
Congratulations go to our Russell Granat and Matthew Payne who have tied for first place in the Sussex Individual County Championship of 2024-5. This was the result of two games they played in the final round at the end of July, the pair winning one game each. To reach the final, Matthew had scored one draw and a win against Feliks Kwiatkowski of the Haywards Heath Club, and Russell had won by default against Luke Rutherford of the Brighton and Hove Club, whom he had beaten convincingly in the previous season's Championship. (See "Russell Granat - Strategic Magician" in the 2024 Articles Archive.)
The first of the two games started as a French Defence, and soon went into a hard fought endgame where there were two rooks, a bishop, and six pawns on each side. The game is instructive in several ways as it revolves around fights on opposite wings and with opposite-coloured bishops. Black's bishop soon becomes the most active piece on the board, with its power felt along the whole of the long white diagonal, giving support to an attack on White's castled king and at the same time restraining the advance of White's queenside pawn majority. At that stage there are several main themes, where White has to balance his ambitions on the queenside against his need to defend on the kingside. There are also several sub-themes related to the somewhat restricted positions of both kings and also Black's king's rook, which undertakes long-range bombardment from an almost immobile position in a narrow alleyway. It would have been easy to gloss over the intricacies with brief anodyne comments, but that would not have done justice to the fight. The notes in some places are necessarily rather lengthy, as otherwise many of the positions would have been difficult to evaluate. To somewhat ease the reader's task I have put sub-variations in the notes into italics, and have included brief explanations where I thought they would be helpful. And in an effort to avoid falling victim of Larsen's aphorism ("Long analysis wrong analysis") I have checked most of the lines to a significant depth with the powerful engines Stockfish v.17.1 and Leela Chess Zero (LcO) v.0.31.2, these being the latest versions; but there was still a need at every stage to select and explore variations, so some of the longer notes should be treated as illustrative rather than definitive.
White: Russell Granat
Black: Matthew Payne
Event: Sussex Individual County Championship 2024-5
Date: 26 July 2025
Opening: French Defence, McCutcheon Variation
1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 Nf6
The classical approach, which has recently seen a revival, maintaining tension in the centre. The main alternatives are the counter-attacking 3. ...Bb4, the Winawer Variation; and the simplifying 3. ...dxe4, the Rubinstein Variation, temporarily abandoning the centre.
4. Bg5 ...
The most popular option, the main alternative being 4.e5, known as the Steinitz Variation, in which, after the almost obligatory 4...Nfd7 (instead, 4...Ne4?! is dubious on account of a knight exchange followed by Bc4, giving White a considerable advantage) White will seek to strengthen his centre by either f2-f4 or Nce2 followed by c2-c3.
4. ... Bb4!?
For many years this move, introducing the McCutcheon Variation, fell out of favour, but it has recently seen a revival. Even so, much more frequently played is 4. ...dxe4, making the text move a good choice as a surprise weapon for a critical game. Another main option for Black is the more conservative 4. ...Be7, leading after 5.e5 Nfe7 to either 6.Bxe7 Qxe7, 7.f4 (most common) or the ultra-sharp gambit 6.h4!? (the Alekhine-Chatard Attack), when if Black accepts the pawn offer by 6.....Bxg5, 7.hxg5 Qxg5 White has the prospect of a kingside attack, gaining time from the exposed position of Black's queen.
5. e5! h6!
Already, after five moves, we reach a tricky position. Attacking White's bishop immediately is preferable to first capturing the c3-knight, when, after 5. ...Bxc3+, 6.bxc3 h6, White has a choice between 7.Bc1 Nfd7, 8.Qg4 with pressure on Black's weakened kingside; or the rather messy 7.exf6 hxg5, 8.fxg7 Rg8, 9.h4; in either case with a significant advantage to White.
6. Bd2 Bxc3
7. Bxc3 ....
Of course, not 7.exf6?, which is met by ...Bxd4. By the text move White seeks to maintain his queenside pawn structure and preserve the bishop pair, but the alternative capture with the b-pawn seems to be more promising, e.g. 7.bxc3 Ne4 (retreating the knight to either d7 or g8 would give White a strong advantage after 8.Qg4), when the traditional response has been 8.Qg4 attacking Black's kingside; but even better may be the pawn sacrifice 8.Bc1!, when 8...Nxc3, 9.Qg4 g6, 10.Ne2 Nxe2, 11.Bxe2 removes Black's only developed piece and gives White more than adequate compensation for his pawn deficit from a better development, a space advantage, the bishop pair, and a semi-open b-file.
7. ... Ne4
8. Bb4 ....
Position after 8.Bc3-b4
Controlling an important diagonal and delaying Black's ability to castle. Also playable was 8.Bd2, when ...c5 could be met by 9.Be3. Even so, that would suit Black better than capturing the bishop, e.g. 8....Nxd2, 9.Qxd2 c5, 10.f4 cxd4, 11.Nf3 when White will recapture the pawn and castle queenside with an easy development, an excellent position at d3 for his bishop, and a ready-made attack on Black's kingside.
8. .... c5!
9.Ba3 ....
Preferable was capturing the pawn, despite exchanging the dark-squared bishop; e.g. 9.Bxc5 (but not 9.dxc5? Nxf2! followed, if 10.Kxf2, by ...Qh4+ regaining the piece; and otherwise, on a White queen move, capturing the h1-rook) 9....Nxc5, 10.dxc5 Qc7, 11.Nf3 Qxc5, 12.Qd2 with an equal position. After the bishop retreat, however, Black could have secured some advantage.
9. .... cxd4
A natural-looking move, under-mining the e5-pawn, but missing the opportunity of 9. ... Nc6, when White's relatively best is to capture the pawn with his bishop, losing a move, as 10.Nf3 allows 10...cxd4, 11.Nxd4 Nxe5, with a healthy extra central pawn and the prospect of castling queenside.
10. Bb5+ ....
The straight-forward 10.Qxd4 was preferable, although Black would maintain a small edge. The text move gives Black the opportunity to exchange-off his bishop, which is blocked by his own pawns, with White's potentially strong light-squared bishop.
10. .... Nc6
Instead, ...Bd7! 11.Bxd7+ Nxd7 (11.... Kxd7!? may also be playable, but capturing with the knight looks safer), 12.Qxd4 (instead, 12.Nf3 is met by ... Qa5+, 13.Kf1 Rc8 with a clear advantage) allows 12 ....Qg5, 13.Nf3 Qxg2, 14.Ke2 Qh3, 15.Rhg1 Qh5 with the initiative, where 16.Rxg7? is met by 16...Ng5! with a winning position. After 11.Bxd7+ Black recaptures with his knight rather than the queen, so as to be able to answer 12.f3 with ...Qa5+, 13.Kf1 (if 13.Ke2 then ...Qxa3!) 13....Nd2+, 14.Kf2 Nxe5 with great advantage.
11. Bxc6+ bxc6
12. Qxd4 Qb6
An interesting alternative was 12....Qa5+ when 13.Qb4 Qc7, 14.f3 c5, 15.Qb5+ Bd7, 16.Qd3 Ng5, 17.Ne2 allows Black to castle kingside.
13. Ne2 ....
Or 13.c3 f5 (13... c5 tends to transpose), 14.exf6 gxf6, 15.f3 c5, 16.Qe3 Nd6, 17.Qxc5 when White's extra pawn and better pawn structure gives him a tangible advantage.
​
13. .... Ba6!
Black takes the opportunity of putting his bishop outside the pawn chain.
14. f3 Bxe2
15. Qxb6 axb6
16. fxe4 Bc4
17. exd5 Bxd5
18. Bd6! ....
Position after 18.Ba3-d6
White hastens to remove his bishop from its difficult situation before Black prevents this by advancing his c-pawn. In fact, it would have been worthwhile for Black to have played 17.... c5 to allow castling while keeping White's bishop restricted, even at the cost of a pawn.
18. .... Ra4
Capturing the a2-pawn with either the rook or bishop would, of course, have been a blunder, as the bishop would be trapped by b2-b3, either directly or after the exchange of rooks. A good alternative to the text move would have been 18....Kd7.
19. 0-0 h5
20. b3 Rg4
21. Rf2 Rh6
Bringing the second rook into play appears to strengthen Black's attack considerably, but the rook soon becomes confined in a small area.
22. h3 Rg3
23. c4 Be4
24. Re1 Bf5
Position after 24....Be4-f5
25. Kh2 ....
A natural move in view of the threat of Bxh3, but in fact that was not dangerous without Black's second rook being on the g-file. Instead, there was an opportunity for active play, taking advantage of the restricted position of Black's king, by 25.Rd1. This turns out better than moving the f2-rook to the d-file, which has the advantage of allowing the e1-rook to stop Black's bishop from returning to the important square e4, but has the greater disadvantage of preparing to abandon the defence of the g2-pawn. After Rd1, if Black continues with 25....Rhg6 - the h6-rook has no other reason for being where it is - White has 26.Bc7! when Black has a choice between (i) continuing to apply pressure to White's king position by 26...Be4, or (ii) avoiding loss of a queenside pawn by (iii) 26...Rxh3, or (iv) by 26...Bxh3; or (v) reacting to White's pressure along the d-file. After 25.Rd1, the immediate 25...Rd3 is considered later, at note (vi).
(i) 26....Be4, 27.Rd8+ Ke7, 28.Rdd2 when saving the b-pawn by 28....b5 allows 29.Bd8+ Kf8 (or ...Ke8), 30.Bh4 with the double threats of Bxg3 and Rd8#; and if, instead of 28....b5, Black plays, e.g. ...Ke8 or ...Bd3, White simply captures the b5-pawn,; and if 28....Rd3, then 29.Rxd3 Bxd3, 30.Bxb6. In that event, unless Black opens the long white diagonal by giving up another pawn by ...c6-c5, which would give White three connected and passed pawns, his bishop will remain out of play.
(ii) 26....b5, 27.Rd8+ Ke7, 28.Rfd2 threatening mate in two moves, which can be averted only by the heavy loss of material.
(iii) 26....Rxh3, 27.Rfd2 threatening mate in two moves ....Rd3, 28.Rxd3 Bxd3, 29.Rxd3 b5, 30.a4 with a clear win.
(iv) 26....Bxh3. This turns out to be the best try at this point. 27.Rdd2 b5, 28.Kh2 (threatening g2xh3) ....Bxg2 (Instead, retreating the bishop to f5 allows White to play Rd8+ and then double rooks on the d-file, threatening mate and forcing the loss of a piece; so Black may as well take a pawn in exchange), 29.Rxg2 R3g4. Now Black's only hope lies in his pawn majority, but his rooks are clumsily placed, and White will soon have a passed a-pawn. Play might continue 30.Rd8+ Ke7, 31.Rxg4 Rxg4, 32.c5 f5, 33.exf6+ gxf6, 34.Bb6 (preparing to capture the c6-pawn, as the immediate Rd6 and Rxc6 allows ...Kc7 winning the bishop) e5, 35.Rc8 Rh4+, 36.Kg3 Rh1, 37.Rc7+ Ke6, 38.Rxc6+ Kf5, 39.Rc8 h4+, 40.Kg2 Ra1, 41.c6 Rxa2+, 42.Kh3 Rb2, 43.Rd8 Rxb3+, 44.Kxh4 Rb2 when Black's attempt to achieve a sneaky checkmate is frustrated after 45.c7 Kf4, 46.c8(Q) Rh2+, 47.Qh3.
(v) Immediately blocking the d-file fares no better: 26....Rd3, 27.Rxd3 Bxd3, 28.Bxb6 Rg5, 29.Rd2 Be4, 30.a4 c5!? (to give at least the bishop some scope), 31.a5 Bb7, 32.Rd8+ Ke7, 33.Rb8! threatening both the bishop and winning the rook by 34.Bd8+.
(vi) Instead of 25....Rhg8, another Black try is 25....Rd3, 26.Rxd3 Bxd3. 27.Rd2 Be4, 28.Bc7 b5 (or 28....Rg6, 29.Bxb6), 29.Rd8+ Ke7, when 30.Rd4, threatens the bishop and also the deadly 31.Bd8+ followed by 32.Bg5, again wih the now familiar double attack.
25. ... Rhg6
26. Bc7 b5
27. cxb5 ....
There are some interesting and complex lines arising from 27.Rd1 and also from the apparently innocuous return 27.Bd6, where the bishop is covering an advance by Black's queenside pawns and is guarding the important a3-square to which Black's g3-rook may soon have access; but ultimately Black is able to survive.
27. ... cxb5
28. Bb6 Rd3
29. Rc1 Be4
As the e5-pawn is now undefended, 29....Rd5 was a possibility, suggesting that d6 would have been a better place for White's bishop.
30. Rc8+ Kd7
31. Rc7+ Ke8
Position after 31.Kd7-e8
32. Rfc2 ....
Instead, 32.Re2 (which White played next move) would have been the strongest, forcing Black's bishop to either d5 (blocking the d3-rook) or f5 (off the crucial long white diagonal). In response to 32.Re2, White can ignore the threat to his g2-pawn after ....Rdg3, e.g. 32.Re2 Rdg3, 33.Rxe4 Rxg2+, 34.Kh1 R2g3 (threatening 35....Rxh3 mate), 35.Rh4! R6g5, 36.Rc1, when the e5-pawn is immune because of Bc7 winning the exchange, and it is only a matter of time until White's extra piece proves to be decisive. The main point about encouraging Black's bishop to move to f5 is that after 32.Re2 Bf5, 33.Rc8+ Kd7, 34.Rec2 Black does not have ...Rxg2+ with the idea of 35.Rxg2 Kxc8, because White can capture on g2 with his king. And if Black meets 33,Rc8+ with ....Ke7, then after 34.Rec2 Bd4 (instead, 34.....Rd7 allows 35.Bc5+ with mate in two moves) 35.R2c7+ Rd7, 36.Bc5#
32. ... Rd8
And not 32. ... Rd7, because of 33.Rc8+ Ke7, 34.Bc5+ with mate in two moves.
33. Re2 Bd5
34. Rc5 Rb8
35. Rxb5 Kd7
An alternative idea was to try to reactivate the rooks by 35....Rc8 (which Black played next move), when there could follow 36.Rc5 Rxc5, 37.Bxc5 Rg5, 38.Bd6 Rf5, 39.b4 Rf1, when the rook has finally escaped, 40.a4 Ra1, 41.a5 Ra2, 42.Rxa2 Bxa2, when Black's bishop can stop the queenside pawns and Black's king can defend the f7-pawn. A sample line is 43.b5 Bc4, 44.b6 Ba6 (but not 44....Bd5?, 45.a6 when the a-pawn promotes), 45.Kg3 Bb7, 46.Kf4 Ba6 (not 46....Bxg2?, 47.a6, winning), 47.Ke4 Kd7, 48.Kd4 Kc6, 49.Bf8 g6 when, with bishops of opposite colours, there is no way for White to make further progress.
36. a4 Rc8
37. Bd4 ....
Or 37.a5 Rc3, 38.a6 Kc6, 39.Rb4 Rcg3, 40.Kg1 Rxg2+, 41.Kf1 Rxe2, 42.Kxe2 Rg2+, 43.Bf2 Kc7, 44.a7 g5, 45.Rb8 g4, 46.hxg4 hxg4, 47.Kf1 (but not 47.a8(Q) Bxa8, 48.Rxa8 g3, when Black draws) 47....g3, 48.Bb6+ Kd7, 49.Rd8+ Ke7, 50.Rxd5 Ra2, 51.Ra5 and the a-pawn promotes.
37. ... Rc1
38. a5 Rb1
39. Rb8 ....
Instead, pushing the pawn saves a move. Play could continue 39.a6 Rxb3, 40.Rxb3 Bxb3, 41.a7 Bd5, 42.Be3! (restraining Black's rook and threatening 43.Rd2 followed by capturing Black's bishop) 42....Bb7, 43.Ra2 Ba8, 44.g3 releasing White's rook from the second rank, when attempts to prevent the rook from reaching b8, supporting the a-pawn's promotion, will fail, e.g. 44....Kc7, 45.Rb2 Bb7, 46.Rc2+ Kd7, 47.Bb6 Be4 (or 47....Ba8, 48.Rc7+ Ke8, 49.Rc8+ winning the bishop), 48.Rc4 Bf3, 49.Rf4 Bc6, 50.Rxf7+ Ke8, 51.Rc7 Bd5, 52.Rc8+ etc.
39. ... Rxb3
40. Rxb3 Bxb3
Position after 40.....Bd5xb3
41. g3 ....
Aimed at restraining Black's rook by preventing ....h4 and ....Rg3. But the rook retraces its tracks. At this point, advancing the a-pawn gives White good chances, e.g. 41.a6, when
(i) 41....Rh6, 42.a7 Bd5, 43.Rb2 Rh8, when 44.Rb8 is answered by ....Rc8 with a stand-off. But instead there is 43.Rf2 f5 (not 43....Ke7, 44.Bc5+ Ke8, 45.Ra2 Ba8, 46.Rb2 Kd7, 47.Rb8 when the Black bishop will be lost, leaving White with a winning position with rook, bishop and three pawns against Black's rook and four pawns) 44.exf6 gxf6, 45.Bxf6 Rg6, 46.Be5 Be4 (preventing a potential pin) when White can try 47.g4 with a possible continuation of 47....hxg4, 48.h4 Rh6, 49.Kg3 Rh5, 50.Rf4 Bh1 (not 50....Rxe5, 51.Rxe4 Ra5, 52.Rxg4 Kd6, 53.Rg7 with a technically winning position), 51.Bc3 Rc5, 52.Bb4 Rc8, 53.Rf7+ Kc6, 54.h5 Kb6, 55.h6 Ra8, 56.Bc3 and White wins.
(ii) 41...Bd5 Restoring pressure on the g2-pawn, 42.Be3 h4, 43.a7 Ba8 (not 43....Rg3, 44.Rd2! followed by capturing the bishop with check and then promoting the a-pawn), 44.Rd2+ (instead, 44.Rb2 Rg3, 45.Rb8 Bd5 passes the advantage to Black) 44....Kc7, 45.Rc2+ Kb7, 46.Rb2+ Kc7, 47.Bb6+ Kc6, 48.Bd8 Kd5 (not 48...Bb7, 49.Rb6+ winning the bishop), 49.Rb8 Bc6, 50.a8(Q) Bxa8, 51.Rxa8 Kxe5, 52.Bxh4. Now, provided that White avoids exchanging both of his pawns he should win. Without those pawns, however, a rook plus bishop against rook ending would be extremely difficult to win. They often result in a draw.
41. ... Rh6
42. Rb2 ....
Again, advancing the a-pawn looks promising, e.g. 42.a6 Rh8, 43.Rf2 Rf8, 44.Bc5 Ra8, 45.a7 Ke8, 46.Rb2 Bd5, 47.Rb8+ Kd7, 48.g4 hxg4 (or 48....h4, 49.g5), 49.h4 Bf3, 50.Kg3 Kc7 (Threatening 51....Rxb8), 51.Bb6+ Kd7, 52.h5 Ke7 (aiming for 53....f6, 54.exf6 Kxf6) 53.Bc5+ Kd7, 54.Kf4 Kc7, 55.Bb6+ The procedure is repeated, with White gaining a tempo each time. 55....Kd7, 56.Kg5 g3, 57.Kf4 Bd5, 58.Kxg3 Ke7, 59.Bc5+ Kd7, 60.Kf4 Kc7, 61.Bb6+ Kd7, 62.Kg5 Ke7, 63.Bc5+ Kd7, Now that the king is sufficiently far advanced White can break through on the kingside. 64.Rxa8 Bxa8, 65.Bf8 Black must now use his king to control the a7-pawn while his bishop tries to deal with the h-pawn and guard his own f7-pawn. 65....Kc7, 66.Bxg7 Bf4, but at this point the defence breaks down. 67.Kf4 is the simplest way forward, asking the bishop an unsolvable problem. One of the pawns will gain promotion.
42. ... Bd5
From this central point the bishop controls the entire long diagonal.
43. Rb8 ....
Preventing Black's rook from entering the fight. The remaining moves are self-explanatory.
43. ... Kc7
44. Rf8 Kb7
45. Be3 Rh7
46. Rxf7+ Ka6
47. Ra7+ Kb5
Black resigns
Final position after 47....Ka6-b5
Despite Black's rook seemingly being stuck at h7 for ever, White still has a hard task ahead to capitalise on a small advantage. Play might have continued 48.h4 Rh8, 49.Rxg7 (Instead, 49.Bb6, first defending the a-pawn, allows 49.... g6, when 50.Rg7 is adequately answered by 50...Be4) 49....Kxa5, 50.g4 hxg4, 51.Kg3 Kb5, 52.Kxg4 Bc4, 53.Bg5 Be2+, 54.Kf4 Bd3, 55.Re7 Bf5, 56.Bf6 Rh5, when White will aim to exchange rooks by Re8-h8 and then advance his h-pawn with support from his king. Meanwhile, Black's king is far away and Black will need to give up his bishop to stop the h-pawn.
The following game was the second between these players. As Russell had won the first game, Matt had to win this one to stay in the competition. This probably explains his aggressive opening.
White: Matthew Payne
Black: Russell Granat
Event: Sussex Individual County Championship 2024-5
Date: 31 July 2025
Opening: Caro-Kann Defence, Fantasy Variation
1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5
These moves constitute the Caro-Kann Defence, which has some similarities to the French Defence save that the pawn formation is asymmetrical and, by playing c6 instead of e6, Black avoids blocking his light-squared bishop, but at the expense of slowing down his kingside development. It may also in some lines involve the loss of a tempo if Black later needs to challenge White's centre by c6-c5. White has a number of popular ways to proceed, including 3.Nc3 (the Classical System, with an exchange on e4 followed by 4....Bf5; and also the Modern System with either 4....Nf6 or 4....Nd7 followed by 5...Ngf6); 3.exd5 (the Exchange System, possibly leading, after 3.exd5 cxd5, 4.c4 to the Panov Attack); and 3.e5, blocking the centre (the Advance Variation). In this crucial game Matt selects a little-played move which has the reputation of leading to sharp positions.
3. f3!? ...
The so-called Fantasy Variation, keeping the tension and seeking to maintain a double-pawn centre. The move sometimes involves a gambit.
3. ... dxe4
4. fxe4 e5
5. Nf3 exd4!?
Safer is 5....Bg4 (or 5....Be6) as White, by his next move, sets up the basis for a strong attack with the potential use of the semi-open f-file, allowing his king's rook to add to the pressure against Black's vulnerable f7-pawn.
6. Bc4! Nf6
Position after 6....Ng8-f6
7. Ng5!? ....
This virtually forces the exchange of bishops. Preferable was 7. 0-0, when 8.Ng5 becomes a strong threat.
7. ... Be6
8. Bxe6 fxe6
9. 0-0 ....
Relatively best, along with 9.c3 e5, 10.Qb3. Instead, capturing the e6-pawn would lead to moves such as 9.Nxe6 Qe7, 10.Nxd4 Qxd4+, 11.Qe2 Qxe2+, 12,Nxe2 Na6 (heading for b4), 13.a3 Bc5, 14.Bb6 15.c4 0-0, 16.c5 Bc7, 17.0-0 Nd5, 18.Rxf8+ Rxf8, 19.Nbc3 Be5, 20.Bd2 Rd8, 21.Ra2 Nac7 when Black has at least equality.
9. ... e5
10. c3 Na6
Also good was 10.... Qb6.
11. Qb3 Qd7
12. cxd4 ....
Position after 12. c3xd4
12. .... h6?!
Black had emerged from the opening able to achieve a slight advantage by capturing the d4-pawn with his queen, but understandably did not want White's queen and knight to continue dominating the f7 and e6 squares. Necessary and good was 12....Qxd4+, 13.Kh1 (not 13.Be3 Qxe3+!, 14.Qxe3 Bc5, with a significant advantage for Black) 13....Qd7, 14.Be3 Bc5, 15.Na3 Bxe3, 16.Qxe3 0-0 with a slight edge to Black, based on his extra pawn.
13. Ne6 exd4
14 .e5! ....
White is now gaining benefit from the open file resulting from his third move, adding to pressure on Black's king position.
14. ... Ng4?
Position after 14....Ng4
Attacking the e5-pawn and also eyeing the e3- and f2-squares. This would be an important feature after an exchange of knights on c5, which would put Black's bishop on the a7-g1 diagonal; but the move gives White the opportunity for a considerable advantage. Necessary was 14....Nd5, closing down the White queen's action on the diagonal. White's best response would have been 15.Qh3, maintaining his knight, with an approximately level position. Play would probably continue with 15....g6, preventing a fatal check by White's queen, 16.Qg4 Ne7 stabilising the position, and preparing to dislodge White's knight by ....Nc5.
15. Bf4 ....
A natural idea, trying to preserve his advanced e-pawn, but missing the opportunity to challenge Black's knight by 15.h3, when Black's main choices would be between:
(i) 15....Nxe5 (attacking the bishop and preparing ...Nac5), 16.Bf4 Nd3, 17.Nxf8 Nac5, 18.Nxd7 Nxb3, 19.axb3 Kxd7, 20.Bg3, and when the dust settles, Black's additional pawns are not adequate compensation for White's bishop on the open board where Black's king is without shelter and there is an immediate vulnerability on the d-file.
(ii) Also inadequate would be 15....d3!?, an enterprising move with several objectives, mainly centred around the a7-g1 diagonal. But the brutal capture 16.hxg4 proves to be too strong, e.g. 16....Nc5, 17.Nxc5 Bxc5+, 18.Kh2 (not 18.Rh1 when Black can seize the initiative with 18....h5! when White has only a narrow path in order to survive, e.g. 19.g5 Qg4, 20.Qxd3 Rd8, 21.Qg6+ Kd7, 22.Bf4 Rhf8, 23.Nd2 Rxf4, 24.Rxf4 Qxf4, 25.Nf3 Kc8 with about equal prospects) 18....Qxg4, 19.Qf7+ Kd8, 20.Rf4 Qd1, 21.Rf1 Qg4, 22.Qf3 Qh4+, 23.Qh3 Qxh3 24.Kxh3, when White's extra piece outweighs Black's extra pawns.
15. ... Nc5
Quite naturally, Black wishes to remove White's troublesome knight. However, first advancing the d-pawn to unblock the a7-g1 diagonal, an idea seen above, seems to be more promising, e.g. 15....d3, when White would do well to complete his development with 16.Nc3 (16.Kh1 is likely to transpose), leading to 16....Nc5, 17.Nxc5 Bxc5+, 18.Kh1 Nf2+, 19.Rxf2 Bxf2, 20.Ne4 Rf8 (instead, moving or defending the bishop would meet with the devastating 21.Nd6+), 21.e6 Qd4, 22.Qxb7 reaching a messy position where White is likely to recover the exchange, as 22...Rd8 is answered by 23.e7, and instead, 22. ...Rxf4, 23.Qxa8+ Ke7 (not 23....Qd8, 24.Qxc6+ Kf8 (or Ke7), 25.Nxf2 winning), 24.Qxb7+ Kxe6, 25.Rc1! Rxe4, 26.Rxc6+ when Black will soon need to give up his queen to avoid mate, leaving White with a moderate advantage.
16. Nxc5 Bxc5
17. Qc2! ....
Position after 17.Qb3-c2
A multi-purpose move, attacking the bishop, defending the critical f2-square, and eyeing the weak g6-square.
17. ... 0-0
Now that White's queen has moved off the a2-g8 diagonal Black takes the opportunity to castle, putting his king in relative safety and mobilising a rook onto the open file. But this is at the cost of losing his bishop. Was there a feasible alternative? The most likely candidate was 17....g5, which could lead to 18.Bg3 (this turns out better for White than capturing the c5-bishop) 18.... Qd5, 19.Qg6+ Kd8 (or 19....Kd7, 20.Qg7+ Be7, 21.e6+ Qxe6, 22.Qxd4+ Bd6, 23.Re1 when something will be lost) 20.e6 Re8, 21.Rf5 when Black is able to save his bishop only at great cost, as 21.Qc4 meets with 22.Nd2 while, instead, 21....d3+, 22.Kh1 Qd4, 23.Nc3 and White brings more troops onto the battlefield, with the a1-rook soon to follow, while Black's a8-rook remains idle.
18. Qxc5 g5
19. Qc4+ Kh8
The main alternatives were:
(i) 19....Qf7 when a sample line is 20.e6 Qe7, 21.h3 Rae8, 22.hxg4 gxf4, 23.Qxd4 Qxe6, 24.Nc3 Qxg4, 25.Rf3 when White's extra piece will soon make its presence felt.
(ii) 19....Qd5, 20.Qxd5 cxd5, 21.h3 Ne3, 22.Bxe3 dxe3, 23.Na3 Rac8!, 24.Rxf8+ Kxf9, 25.Kf1 Ke7, 26.Ke2 Ke6 (somewhat better than 26....d4, 25.Kd3, when if 25....Rd8 then 26.Nc2 Rc8, 27.Ke4 d3, 28.Nd4+ and 29.....Kxe3), 27.Kxe3 Kxe5, 28.Re1 d4+, 29.Kd3+ and after the d4-pawn falls Black will have no compensation for White's knight.
20. e6 Qg7
Maintaining a defence of the d4-pawn and continuing to guard the 7th rank. Instead, 20....Qd5 invited the exchange of queens. Play might continue with 21.Qxd5 cxd5, 22.h3 Rxf4, 23.Rxf4 gxf4, 24.hxg4 Re8, 25.Nd2 Rxe6, 26.Rf1 Re2, 27.Rf2 Re1+, 28.Kh2 d3, 29.Nf3 Re2, 30.Rxe2 dxe2, 31.Kg1 d4, 32.Kf2 d3, 33.Ne5 and the Black pawns will fall (but not 33.Ne1?? d2, when Black draws).
21. Bd6 b5
There are no saving moves, so this is as good as any, and it contains a trap.
22. Rxf8+ Rxf8
Position after 22....Ra8xf8
23. Qe2 ....
If White tried to win the exchange by 23.Bxf8? he would have had an unpleasant surprise after 23....Qe5! when, in addition to White's queen still being under attack, Black is threatening 24....Qh2+ and also 24....Qe3+. White cannot deal with all the threats, e.g. 24. Qd3 (If 24.Qc1 then, when Black's queen reaches h1 with check, White's queen will be lost) 24....Qxh2+, 25.Kf1 Qh1+, 26.Ke2 Qxg2+, 27.Kd1 Ne3+, 28.Kc1 Qg1+, 29.Kd2 Qd1#.
23. ... d3
Instead, 23....h5 would have supported the knight but would have allowed 24.h3 d3, 25.Qxd3 Qxb2, 26.hxg4 Qf2+, 27.Kh2 (or 27.Kh1 Qe1+, 28.Kh2 Rf1 29.Qc3+ Qxc3, 30.Nxc3 Rxa1, 31.Nxb5 when the knight is immune from capture on account of Be5+) 27....Qh4+, 28.Qh3 and the last feint tactical hope has disappeared.
24. Qxg4
Black resigned
A fantasy continuation, matching the opening variation's name, would have been 24...Qxb2, 25.Bxf8 Qxa1, 26.h3 d2, 27.e7 Qxb1+, 28.Kh2 d1(Q)
Position after 28....d2-d1(Q) in variation
Unfortunately, even two queens would not have been enough. Play would have continued 29.Qxd1 Qxd1, 30.e8(Q) with an easy win.
Both games had complex features and were hard fought, so it is not surprising that there are places where play might have been improved. That happens in virtually every game, even those of world champions, and does not detract from sporting performances. After all, games played "perfectly" by both sides will theoretically all end in a draw, and most of those will be rather boring. These two games certainly were not.
The outcome of the match was a tie, with each player winning one game. As both players belong to our Club they decided not to have a play-off, but instead agreed to share the title. This completes a highly satisfactory season for the Club, with our First team winning Division 1 in the Sussex League and our Second team winning Division 3. For more information and photographs, see:
https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/worthing-chess-club-wins-the-treble-5265759
JK/16.08.25
-
Club Consultation Game
By John Knott
In order to introduce some variety and give members a new experience, Chris Jones and Russell Granat organised a consultation game - a new idea for the Club - which was played on 16th June and proved to be a success. In other initiatives, Russell gave a simultaneous display earlier in the year, and Chris will soon be hosting a tactical training session. The Club is receptive to ideas for other events that may interest members. One possibility might be a correspondence game against another Club, with moves being made weekly, based on a majority view at Club meetings.
In the consultation game Chris and Russell had boards set up at opposite ends of the room, and were each joined by four other players (named below). A decision as to which moves to make was left to the supporting players, with Chris and Russell offering gentle hints to encourage their respective teams to concentrate on important issues. As moves were made they were duplicated on a master board in the centre of the room. Fortunately, Mark Cox kept a record of the moves.
White: Chris Jones, with Mark Cox, Phil Crompton, Amit Talreja and Peter Whent
Black: Russell Granat, with Mike Barrow, Dave Bradley, Colin Brown and Chris Thomas
Event: Consultation Game. Time limit: 1 hour.
Date: 16 June 2025
Opening: Caro-Kann Defence (Elo B17)
1.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
Claiming a share of the centre. A key difference between the Caro-Kann Defence and the French Defence (1...e6 and 2...d5), in which, also, a pawn at d5 is supported by another, is that Black's light-squared bishop is not blocked. From this simple position after just two moves, the main options for White are (i) 3.e5 with a relatively closed position; (ii) 3.Nc3, the traditional approach, maintaining the tension, which White actually played; and (iii) 3.exd5, possibly leading to the sharp Panov-Botvinnik Attack 4.c4, usually leaving White with an isolated queen's pawn. So even at this stage, decisions are being made which will have an important bearing on how the game develops.
3.Nc3 dxe4
Almost always played, as ...Nf6 or ...g6 are both well met by 4.e5. while 3...e6 transposes to a poor variation of the French Defence, where Black will later need to waste a move to develop his b8-knight to c6, its best square, and to challenge White's d-pawn, by ...c6-c5.
4.Nxe4 Nd7
A major decision point. The traditional line, 4...Bf5, introducing the Capablanca System, is normally met by 5.Ng3 Bg6, 6.h4 h6, 7.Nf3 Nd7 (to prevent 8.Ne5 followed by Bc4 with pressure), after which the light-squared bishops are usually exchanged, either immediately by 8.Bd3 or after 8.h5 Bh7, 9.Bd3. The text move, the so-called Modern Variation, intending to follow with ...Ngf6, challenging White's e4-knight, is a cautious approach pioneered by Nimzowitsch and adopted by World Champions Smyslov and Karpov. It avoids the disruption of the kingside pawns if White captures on f6, as in that event Black can recapture with his queen's knight.
5.Nf3 ....
A sharp line would have been 5.Ng5!? with a potentially dangerous sacrificial attack, with which the computer Deep Blue defeated Kasparov in their 1997 match.
5. .... Ngf6
White now have three possibilities: (i) capturing on f6; (ii) avoiding a capture by moving their e4-knight, usually to g3; or (iii) defending the knight. White opted for the last choice, but an identical position could result from capturing.
6.Bd3 Nxe4
By this exchange Black ease their position, as White have built up a space advantage.
7.Bxe4 Nf6
8.Bd3 ....
The same position would have been reached, with one move less by each side, after 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6, 7.Bd3. The drawback to the sequence as played is that White commits his f1-bishop early, when he might later prefer to develop it elsewhere. For example, in the sequence in this note, White could defend their d-pawn by 7.c3, giving them the flexibility of playing h2-h3, driving away Black's bishop from g4, where it will prove to be rather troublesome, or unpinning by Bf1-e2 without losing a tempo.
8. .... Bg4
By this move, developing their light-squared bishop before playing ..e7-e6, Black establish equality. (See note to move 2 with reference to the French Defence.) Black now threaten to capture the knight and either win the d4-pawn or severely disrupt White's kingside pawns.
Position after 8....Bc8-g4
9.c3 e6
10.O-O Bd6
11.h3 Bh5
12.Be2 ....
See note to White's 8th move. This has cost an extra tempo.
12. .... Nd5
13.Ne5 Bxe5
The other main choice was 13....Bxe2, 14.Qxe2 Bxe5, 15.Qxe5 0-0, 16.Bd2 with a level position.
14.Bxe5 ....
Somewhat better for White than 14.dxe5 Bxe2, 15.Qxe2 Qc7.
14. .... Bc7
It was probably difficult to decide where to put the bishop, although forcing the exchange by ...Bf4 would clearly have been bad, e.g. 14. ...Bf4? 15.c4! Bxc1, 16.cxr5 Bg5, 17.dxe6 g6, 18.Bg4 h5 (18. ...f5? 19.Bxf5! is even worse) 19.exf7+ Kxf7, 20.Qb3+ with a large advantage. But the squares f6, d6 and c7 all looked like plausible locations. Black chose the last one, probably already intending to castle queenside.
15.Re1 Qd7
16.Bf3 ....
White probably saw Black's last move as a prelude to queenside castling, and therefore retreat their bishop to a more useful position than at h5, where it would likely become a target.
16. .... O-O-O!?
Accepting some risk in the hope of generating a kingside attack. Castling on the other wing was somewhat safer, despite the temporary absence of supporting minor pieces.
Position after 16....0-0-0!?
17.Bd2 ....
A prime consideration with opposite-side castling is to attack first and fast, as every tempo can be of vital importance. It is likely that Black will play moves such as ...h5 , ...f6, and ...g5; so a subtle plan for White would have been to move their queen to c2, where it would perform several functions, including (i) defending the c3-pawn, thus allowing the advance of the b-pawn; (ii) stepping away from Black's pressure down the d-file, and instead applying pressure towards Black's king along the c-file; (iii) offering lateral defence along the second rank; and (iv) giving the option of meeting ...f6 in the sequence just mentioned with Qc2-g6, temporarily blocking the g-pawn advance and gaining more time for White's own attack. Alternatively, White could immediately launch their queenside pawns by 17.a2-a4, which would be likely to have a greater visual impact on the opponents, and thus would be a greater distracting factor, than the preparatory Bd2 as played.
17. .... h5
18.b4 ....
It was possible to capture the h-pawn, and I understand that this was discussed and rejected by the White team. In principle (there are, of course, some exceptions) it is not a good policy to open lines for your opponent. Play might have continued 18.Bxh5 Qd6 (possibly not the strongest, but certainly the most attention grabbing), 19.g3 g6, 20.Bf3 (retreating to g4, to defend the h3-pawn, merely gives Black a tempo after ...f5) Rxh3, 21.Bg2 Rh5 (not 21. ...Rxg3?, 22.fxg3 Qxg3, 23.Qf3 Qh2+, 24.Kf1 and Black's attack fizzles out), when White have survived the first wave. But they are likely to be next faced with moves such as the advance of the f7-pawn, the redeployment of Black's knight via f6 to g4, and the doubling of rooks on the h-file; so it would have taken strong nerves to capture the h5-pawn at move 18. What was for serious consideration, however, was playing h3-h4 to block the potential further advance of Black's h-pawn and to hinder the advance of their g-pawn.
18. .... Nf4?
Black understandably wish to bring more pieces to bear on White's king position, but this move is premature and has the drawback of opening up the f3-bishop's reach while blocking their own bishop. Instead, 18....Qd6 was now Black's best continuation, likely leading to 19.b5 c5 with approximately level chances. Black would not need to fear 19.c3-c4, as the knight could be well re-deployed via e7 and f5, supporting action against White's king.
19.Bxf4 ....
The knight looked threatening, with possibilities of a future sacrifice at g2 or h3, or a move at some time to d3; so capturing it was certainly something to consider. But where there is opposite-side castling, a defensive move needs to be weighed against the possible benefit of an attacking move. Here, pressing on with the queenside attack by 19.b5! would have proved to be more effective. What is Black to do in face of the threat to rip open their king's shelter? They have three main courses of action: (i) capturing the pawn, (ii) by-passing the pawn by advancing their c-pawn; or (iii) ignoring the threat and pressing on with their own attack.
Position after 19.b4-b5! in variation
(i) 19. ...cxb5, gives White two attractive options. The more forcing is 20.Bxb7+ Kxb7 (if ...Kb8, White can simply return the bishop to f3), 21.Bxf4 Bxf4 (...Rc8 is met by 22.a4), 22.Qf3+ recovering the piece with a large advantage owing to the exposed position of the Black king. Also effective, although less forcing than capturing on b7, would be 20.a4.
(ii) 19. ...c5, 20.Qa4, when Kb8 is answered by 21.Bxf4 Bxf4, 22.dxc5 with an overwhelming position. 20.Bxb7+, as above, is also good. Note that from c6 the bishop still guards White's g2-pawn
(iii) 19. ...Qd6, 20.bxc6 (this is the most forcing move, but 20.Qa4 is also good) bxc6, 21.Bxf4 Qxf4, 22.Bxc6, when the Black king's pawn cover has disappeared, giving White a clear advantage, although there is still much play left.
19. .... Bxf4
Position after 19....Bc7xf4
20.Qa4 ....
With Black's queenside pawns still intact (in contrast to the situation in Note (ii) to White's 19th move), the queen is not best placed here, and the threat of capturing the a7-pawn is easily met. More active was 20.b5 cxb5, 21.a4! when one line among many would be ...b4 (...g5 would be an alternative), 22.a5 Kb8, 23.g3 Bd6, 24.a6 Rc8 (...h4 could transpose), 25.cxb4 Rc3, 26.Bxb7 h4, 27.Qd2 when the apparently crushing ...Bxb4, threatening a discovery on White's queen, is answered by 28.Reb1! when ...Rxg3+ fails spectacularly to 29.Bg2, and Black's position has fallen to pieces.
20. .... Kb8
When I was watching Black's board at this point, Chris Thomas suggested 20....Bb8 with the plan of a later ...Qc7/d6. This in fact would have been a good response to White's queen sortie, but he was out-voted. Play might have continued 20....Bb8, 21.Rab1 a6, 22.Qb3 (aiming for a2-a4 and b4-b5) when Black could continue with either ...Qd6 or mobilise their kingside pawns by ...g5 followed by ...g4. In both cases, White's advantage is much reduced.
21.Rab1 a6
22.Qc2 g5!
At last, the counter pawn-storm.
23.Qe4? ....
Position after 23.Qc2-e4?
It is difficult to understand what White hoped to achieve by this move, which places the queen in a vulnerable situation. If the aim was simply to slow down ...g5-g4 (because that would leave Black's bishop undefended) then White will have been disappointed by Black's next two moves. A natural response to Black's last move would have been 23.g3 Bc7, 24.a4, when the race continues.
23. .... Rde8
Clearly with the intention of harassing the White queen by ...f7-f5 without allowing capture of the e6-pawn. But in the double pawn race this is rather slow. Black could have taken advantage of the queen's move with 23....Bd2! attacking the e1-rook and also the pawn at c3. Play might have continued 24.Red1 Bxc3, 25.Qe5+ Qd6, 26.Qxg5 Bxd4, 27.a4 Rhg8, 28.Qc1 when Black have a choice between...e5 and the ultra-sharp ...Rg3!? Note that after the latter move, 29.Rxd4 is not advisable, as on ...Qxd4 the f-pawn is still pinned.
24.g3 ....
Understandably, White does not want the bishop sitting there forever. An alternative approach would have been 24.b5, likely leading to ...axb5, 25.a4 f5, 26.Qe2 when Black would need to choose between trying to slow down White's attack with ....b4 (which is best met by 27.g3); or continuing their kingside pawn rush with 26...g4, when, after 27.axb5, a narrow path for both sides is 27....cxb5 (but not the tempting ....gxf3? when White wins, e.g. 28.Qxf3 Bc7, 29.bxc6 Qd6, 30.Rxb7+ Kc8, 31.g3 Rhg8, 32.Ra1 Kd8 - there is no time for capturing the g3-pawn - 33.Raa7 with a crushing position), 28.Bxb7 Kxb7, 29.Rxb5+ reaching a difficult position where White is close to delivering a knockout blow but the Black king may be able to escape to behind the shelter of his own pawns.
24. .... f5!
25.Qe2 Bc7
Again the possibility arises for White to capture the h5-pawn, trying to de-fang Black's attack, and again a general distrust of opening files for an opponent prevailed.
26.b5 axb5
With the White bishop bearing down the long diagonal this capture seems the more natural, but in fact capturing with the c-pawn was preferable, e.g. 26....cxb5, 27.a4 g4, 28.hxg4 hxg4, 29.Bg2 e5, 30.axb5 exd4, 31.Qd1 Rxe1+, 32.Qxe1 axb5, 33.cxd4 f4, 34.gxf4 Bxf4, 35.Qa5 g3, 36.Qxb5 gxf2+, 37.Kxf2 Qxd4+, 38.Ke2 b6 (but not ...Qe3+??, 39.Kf1 and the White team wins, although it would take too long to demonstrate that here), 39.Qxb6+ when the two armies are so reduced that a draw is inevitable.
27.a4 g4
Black are obliged to press on strongly.
28.Bg2 ....
It was better to exchange pawns first, e.g. 28.hxg4 hxg4, 29.Bg2 as, although the h-file is now open, the bishop will prove to be a strong defender.
28. .... f4!
29.gxf4 ....
A natural reaction, but it would have been too dangerous for Black to capture the bishop (after ...f4-f3), e.g. 29.axb5! f3, 30.Qe4 fxg2?? (....Kc8 was necessary, allowing 31.bxc6 bxc6, and then 32.Bf1/h1, with a small edge for White), 31.bxc6 Qd5, 32.Rxb7+ Kc8, 33.Ra1 Kd8, 34.Ra8+ Ke7, 35.Rxe8+ Kxe8 (or 35....Rxd6, 36.Qh7+ Kf6, 37.Rxc7 with mate within a few moves), 36.Qg6+ Kd8, 37.Qf6+ gaining a large material advantage.
29. .... Rhg8
Instead, ...gxh3 would have prevented White from keeping the files closed.
30.h4! g3
31.axb5 ....
Correctly resuming their own attack.
Position after 31.axb5
31. .... gxf2+
32.Qxf2 cxb5
The other main option was 32. ...Ref8, 33.bxc6 Qxc6, 34.Qa2! which might proceed ...Rg6, 35.Ra1 Kc8, 36.Qc2 Rfg8, 37.Re2 Bxf4, 38.Kf1 Qb5 (or multiple exchanges on g2), 39.c4 Qd7, 40.Qb2 with a form of dynamic equilibrium.
33.Qe3? ....
Presumably this move was intended to allow for additional support for the f4-pawn by Rf1, while also meanwhile discouraging the e8-rook from moving off the e-file. But it leaves the pinned g2-bishop defended only by the king, and it places the queen in potential danger in a direct line with Black's rook. At this crucial moment in the game White needed to keep Black occupied by making forcing moves. Therefore either 33.Qf1 or Qe2, attacking the b5-pawn, or Qf3, attacking the b7-pawn, was preferable. Also preferable to the moved played would have been 33.c4, which could be met by either (i) ....b4, 34.Rxb4 Ba5!, with a small edge to Black (and where 35.Rxb7+ would be a blunder); or by (ii) 33....Rxg2+!?, 34.Qxg2 Qxd4+, 35.Kh1 (but not 35.Kf1 Rf8, 36.Rb2 Bb6, 37.Rf2 Qxc4+, 38.Kg1 Qxf4 when Black is winning; and also not by 35,Qf2 Rg9+, 36.Kf1 Qd3+ with mate to follow) ...Qxc4, with equal chances.
33. .... Bd6
As well as allowing the Black queen to defend the important b7-pawn, this has the hidden purpose of preparing to block the b-file. But even so, 33....Rg4 would have been more forceful, increasing the attack to the f4-pawn and preparing (at a suitable moment) for doubling rooks on the g-file.
34.Rb2 ....
Serving the dual purposes of allowing the doubling of rooks on the b-file while also supporting the pinned bishop at g2. But the significance of Black's 33rd move has not been taken into account. With mutual attacks in progress, priorities are liable to change move by move. It was now more important to pay attention to the f4-pawn.
34. .... Rg4!
An aggressive and multi-purpose move, taking advantage of the White queen's position.
35.Reb1 ....
Consistent, but as it turns out, for no benefit, and now weakening the pressure on the d6-pawn, freeing Black's e8-rook from defensive duties.
Position after 35.Re1-b1
35. .... b4!
The hidden purpose of Black's 33rd move. Also good was 35....Reg8, when 36.Rf1 Qc6, 37.Qf3 Bxf4, 38.Qxc6 Be3+, 39.Kh2 Rxh4+, 40.Bh3 bxc6 leaves White in a perilous situation. The tide has turned and White, faced with the prospect of passive defence, embark on an enterprising but desperate sacrificial attack. It fails because the apparent support given by the g2-bishop is illusory as the bishop is pinned.
36.Rxb4?! ....
Now, an attempt to defend the f4-pawn would also fail as Black can attack it four times but, as the pawn is on a dark square, the White team have only three potential defenders.
36. .... BxB4
37.Rxb4 Re7??
Their advantage slips away. Did Black overlook the effect of White's bishop being pinned? A surprising oversight by a team that had fought back well to obtain a winning position. There were several good moves available, including ...Qc6 which could lead to 38.Rb2 (38.Qe5+ transposes) Reg8, 39.Qe5+ Kc8 and White have not solved the problem of their pinned bishop.
38.Qe2?? ....
As happens surprisingly often, a blunder by one side is matched by one from the opponent. White had the opportunity to play 38.Qe5+ when Black's only reply that did not lose outright was ...Ka7 (instead, ...Kc8 loses the queen or leads to mate after 39.Rc4+; while 38....Qc7 fails to 39.Rxb7+; and 38....Ka8 loses to 39.Rb5 threatening 40.Ra5#, when an attempt to avoid it by 39....Qc7, allows 40.Ra5+ Kb8, 41.Qh8+ Qc8, 42.Ra8+ winning the Black queen). After 38....Ka7 White can force a draw after 39.Qa5+. Instead, an attempt to win by 39.Rb5 now fails to the surprising ...Qc6!, when in answer to 40.Ra5+ Black has ....Kb6, and then on 41.Rb5+ can either move back to a7 or try ....Qxb5!, leading to 42.Qxd6+ Ka7, 43.Qxe7 when ...Qd5, adding to the attack on White's bishop while guarding all the Black pawns, puts the onus on White. If White were then to play Qa3+ and Qb2, defending the bishop and aiming to unpin by moving the king, the Black rook would be able to capture a pawn with check whichever way the king moved. So White's best course would probably be to take the draw that was available earlier.
After 38.Qe5+ Ka7, 39.Rb5 an attempt by Black to simplify to a pawn ending would fail, e.g. 39....Qxb5, 40.Qxb5 Reg7, 41.Qa5+ Kb8, 42.Qe5+ Ka7, 43.Qe4 b5 (and certainly not ...b6, 44.Qa8#), 44.d5 exd5, 45.Qxd5 Kb6, 46.Qc6+ Ka5, 47.f5 b4, 48.cxb4+ Kxb4, 49.f6 R7g6, 50.Qf3! Rf8, 51.f7 Rf8, 52.Qf6 followed by 53.Qe7, etc.
38. .... Reg7
0 - 1
At this point the White team viewed their position as lost, and accordingly resigned. Mark mentioned that the White team took longer than Black in making moves, and were always behind on remaining time; and that at one point Black had twice as much time left as White's, which was mostly used up after 30. h4. But for that shortage of time, the White team might have played on for a draw, as their position is not as bad as it may at first seem.
Final position, after 38....Re7-g7
From the diagrammed position White's only hope lies in the following sequence:
39.Qe5+ ....
Given that the White team showed a predilection for queen moves - although the sorties to a4 and e4 proved to be ineffective - it is rather surprising that this forcing move was overlooked. All other tries lead to disaster, e.g. 39.Kf1, now threatening to win Black's queen by capturing b7 with check, fails to ...Rxg2, 40.Qe5+ Qc7, when on 41.Rxb7+? the king captures the rook; and, instead, 39.Rb2 is met by ...Rxg2+ 40.Qxg2 Rxg2+, 41.Rxg2 Qc7 immediately picking up a pawn with a clearly winning position.
39. .... Ka8
The simplest. The difference between the queen's move to e5 here, as compared to at a move earlier, is that the Black team, having doubled their rooks on the g-file, can answer non-checking moves with ...Rxg2+ and then move the rook from g2 to the a-file or wherever else it would be useful, leaving them with an extra rook.
40.Qa5+ Kb8
41.Qe5+ etc. with a draw.
If, in this possible extension of the game, Black were to play 39....Kc8, aiming to hide the king on the other side of the board, he can also secure a draw, and attempts by White to win are fraught with danger, e.g. 39....Kc8, 40.Rc4+ Kd8, 41.Qb8+ Ke7, 42.Rc7 Rxg2+, 43.Kf1 Rg1+, 44.Ke2 R7g2+, with perpetual check, which White can seek to avoid only by running their king beyond their pawns, when a surprise awaits.
Position after 44.R7g2+ in variation
​And now the White king must shuffle around in a small area, leading to perpetual check, because if he tries to escape he will lose in one of two ways. Meanwhile, the Black queen remains immobile, as capturing White's rook would pass the initiative to White, and their queen would prove to be very powerful on the lightly populated board.
The first danger for the White king would appear if he moves onto the e4 square, as he would then be liable to be mated, e.g. 45.Ke3 Rg3, 46.Ke4?? Re1#.
Secondly, if the king tries to hide on the queenside, this is what will happen: 45.Kd3 Rg3+, 46.Kc4?? Rxc3+, 47.Kxc3 Rc1+ followed by ...Qxc7. A similar fate awaits after 46.Kc2 Rxc3+, 47.Kxc3 Rc1+; and if, instead, 47.Rxc3 then the Black queen is unpinned. A sample line is 47....Qa4+, 48.Kd3 Rg3+, 49.Kd2 Qa2+, 50.Rc2 Rg2+, 51.Ke3 Qb3+, 52.Ke4 Qxc2+ with mate next move - and without the White queen being able to intervene at any stage.
What conclusions can be drawn from the game? Clearly there are liable to be inconsistencies in the play of each side, resulting from the fact that there can be different ideas from five players at each move. In that context, and given that this was a new experience and that time was necessarily quite short, there was a remarkable degree of consistency in the moves, no doubt owing to gentle guidance from the team captains. Yes - each side made mistakes, but that is to be expected from this type of competition, particularly as several of the newer members were participating. It will have given them a better understanding of what a player should be considering at various stages of a game.
It was especially fortunate that there was opposite side castling, as that is always liable to produce an exciting game where dynamics dominate and where it is important to ensure that every move is efficient. In such games, the need to prioritise attack, but not forget entirely about defence, means that the value and effect of each move must be weighed carefully. And although the game started with the Caro-Kann Defence, which is generally regarded as solid and perhaps somewhat dull, it soon developed into an interesting struggle. Perhaps, in any future consultation games, the teams should be encouraged to castle on opposite sides.
While this game was in progress, Peter Larwood gathered three other players together for a two-team non-consultation game. Peter and Ben Glyn-Jones formed one team. Their opponents were Marcus Whiting and Jackson Hunter. The procedure was for the members of each team to play alternately, but without any discussion. In that situation a team member needs to fathom what his colleague is intending, and then play consistently, because otherwise a game would resemble the antics of a pantomime horse with a head at each end of the body.
Peter reports that in the first game, which his side won, Ben instigated pressure and a pin on the opponents' white queenside squares, resulting in the win of an unguarded bishop. In the second game, with Marcus and Jackson playing an English Opening, fortunes were reversed. Peter's side became passive and lost two pawns, and then matters got worse.
Peter's event was a successful initiative on his part and, like the consultation game, could be repeated from time to time. A particular point about a non-consultation game is that it is played quietly and so would not disturb competitive matches. Many Club members are keen - one might say some are very keen - to concentrate only on ladder games and other Club competitions. But there is also a place for less competitive encounters, such as we experienced on the night of the three games reported here.
JK / 19.06.25
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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.
​
(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.
​
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
​
Worthing's Sussex Individual County Championship
Club Consultation Game
Are Isolated Pawns Strong or Weak?
Russell Granat Simultaneous Chess Match Report
Chessboard Geometry
Dithering Bishops
Menu
bottom of page