Invisible Chess Moves
Page 10
5. Ng3-f5 Qd6-f8
6. Qd1-f3?!
A) White is better after 6.Nf4!?, see:
A1) 6…g6 7.Rxe6+ (7…Kd8 8.Rxf6 Nxf6 9.d5±) 7…fxe6 8.Nxg6 Qb4 9.a3±;
A2) 6…Kd8!?;
A3) 6…0-0-0 7.Bxe6 fxe6 8.Ng6 Qb4 9.a3 Qxb2 10.Nfe7+ Kc7 11.Nxh8.
B) Or 6.Ne5!? Nd5 7.Bxd5 cxd5 8.Nxd7 Kxd7 9.Ne3 Kc7 10.c4 dxc4 11.Qf3 Rd8 12.Nxc4 Kb8 13.Rac1 Ka8 14.Re3 Rd5 15.Ra3 Qd8 16.Nb6+ Kb8 17.Qg3+ e5 18.Nxd5 1-0 Jones-Pedersen, Copenhagen 2005.
6. … 0-0-0=
And Black eventually won the game.
Rabinovich,Alexander
Tsuboi,Edson Kenji
Sao Paulo 2007 (4)
Black has a big lead in development, in spite of his several hanging pieces. White would like to castle as soon as possible, of course. Had he shown less respect for positional principles, he would have played
1. Bd2-c1!!
Bishop backwards, with the king in the centre!
1.Nh3? Nc6= was played in the game, which was ultimately drawn.
1. … Nd4-c6
2. Ng1-f3+−
F – Residual image
This is a classical calculation problem, but still we might regard it as another ‘technical’ problem. To fight against the image of a piece that has left a certain square (and the problem of removing it virtually in our head) is a difficulty that is similar to the fight against a positional principle.
Thanks to Luc Winants, who reviewed the French version of our book for La libre Belgique (8/11/2009), we have managed to find the protagonists (and the real position) of this game.
Jadoul,Michel
Rooze,Jan
Hoei ch-BEL 1984 (10)
In this position, White has the initiative and supremacy in the centre. We can characterize his advantage by comparing the respective positions of the knights. The first player has installed his two steeds in the best possible positions. On the other hand, the black ones on the sixth rank restrain the possibility of their own pieces. Somehow Black’s position looks solid, were it not for the vulnerability of the e6 knight. Can you see the combination that is possible here, with White to move?
1. Ne5xf7! Kg8xf7
2. Qd1-b3 Qd8-b6
Black cannot defend e6 any further, but he will be able to get rid of one attacker, by exchanging queens.
3. Bf3-d1
This retreat wins the e6 knight. The manoeuvre 2.Qd1-b3 followed by the retreat Bf3-d1xb3 is very subtle. There are two difficulties:
- The action is moved from one wing to the other, because the f3 bishop was originally pointing at the queenside.
- The support of the queen is assured via the crucial d1-square. The difficulty to see such moves is linked with the well-known phenomenon of the ‘residual image’. During calculation, it is sometimes hard to use squares originally occupied by another piece because the image of the starting position sometimes stays in the mind as if printed there. When you consider the very natural sacrifice on f7 and examine the possible defence …Qb6, it is hard to foresee that the bishop on f3 will be able to ‘recharge’ the attack via d1 when this square is originally occupied.
Another example on the same theme in the following game.
Zubarev,Alexander
Lechtynsky,Jiri
Pardubice Open 2006 (6)
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3. Bf1-b5 a7-a6
4. Bb5-a4 Ng8-f6
5. 0-0 Bf8-e7
6. Rf1-e1 b7-b5
7. Ba4-b3 d7-d6
8. a2-a4 Bc8-b7
9. d2-d3 0-0
10. Nb1-d2 Nc6-b8
11. c2-c3 Nb8-d7
12. d3-d4 c7-c5
13. Bb3-c2 Qd8-c7
14. d4-d5 c5-c4
15. Nd2-f1 Nd7-c5
16. h2-h3 Rf8-e8
17. Nf1-g3 Nf6-d7
18. Ng3-f5 Be7-f8
19. Nf3-h2 f7-f6
20. Re1-e3 g7-g6
21. Re3-g3 Kg8-f7?
21…Kh8 would have been better, though 22.Nh4 looks threatening, for example if 22…Nb6 (apparently, 22…Bg7 23.Qg4 Nf8 still holds) 23.Nxg6+! hxg6 24.Rxg6 Qh7 25.Rxf6 Bg7 26.Rf5±.
22. Qd1-h5!! g6xh5
It’s too late for 22…Kg8 because of 23.Rxg6+ hxg6 24.Qxg6+ Kh8 25.Ng4 (or 25.Bh6+−) with the idea Ngh6, or first Qh5, with mate.
23. Bc2-d1!
Using the vacated square to give mate on the other side of the board.
23. … Bb7xd5
24. e4xd5 1-0
The only remaining try for Black is 24…Bg7 25.Rxg7+ Kf8, but then comes 26.Bh6, threatening both Rg3 and Bh5. Mate is unavoidable.
Here’s another case of a residual image, with two pieces going to the same square several times.
Can you find the best move, which was missed by two strong grandmasters?
The comments in quotes are by Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in New In Chess Magazine 2009/6.
Morozevich,Alexander
Vachier-Lagrave,Maxime
Biel 2009 (8)
1. Bh3-e6+!
1.g6+, played in the game, was good enough for a clear advantage.
1. … Kf7xe6
1…Qxe6 2.Nd8+ Ke7 3.Nxe6 Kxe6 (3…Nxd1 4.Rxd1!+−) 4.Qxe3+− and ‘given the lack of coordination of the black pieces there is little doubt about the outcome.’
2. Qd3-g6+ Nd7-f6
3. g5xf6 g7xf6
4. Qg6-e8+ Ke6-f5
5. Nc6-d4+!
Backward knight move one.
5. … Kf5-f4
6. Nd4-e2+
Backward knight move two, forcing a switchback by the king.
6. … Kf4-f5
‘Here I thought that I’d get away with a draw, but…’ 6…Kxf3 7.Qc6+!+−.
7. Rd1-d4!!+−
‘The move that I had missed, and Morozevich probably too. The double threats of 8.Ng3, mate, and 8.Rf4+ exf4 9.Qe4, mate, are too strong.’
There’s a second solution: 7.Ng3+!! Kf4 8.Nh5+ (this fourth knight’s move from c6 to h5 is also a nice reminder of a study theme) 8…Kf5 9.Rd4 leads to the same result.
EXERCISE 1
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‘My Kingdom for a Horse’
Shereshevsky,Mikhail
Buslaev,Alexander
Tbilisi 1973
White lost this game. It would have been enough to find one move in order to win it. Do you see which one?
Solution
Solution 1
*
Shereshevsky,Mikhail
Buslaev,Alexander
Tbilisi 1973
White played 1.Ng5, a standard position for the knight. For the win, it was enough to send the knight into the corner, the worst possible place from where it has only two moves available.
But who minds, if one of them is an unstoppable checkmate?
Effectively,
1. Nf7-h8!
Mating on the next move, on g6.
Why was 1.Nh8 an invisible move?
- It is difficult to take into account the possibility of a mate when you have only one piece in the attack (but against two useless defenders).
- The move 1.Nh8, sending the knight into the corner, is antipositional. And its point is a ‘backward attacking move’ (see Chapter 4), and a backward knight move (see Chapter 1).
Back
EXERCISE 2
**
The Art of (Not) Playing Pawns
Ilyin Zhenevsky,Alexander
Abramian,Suren
Leningrad 1938
Black has three pawns against two, but his monarch is far away. As Black, shall we move forward immediately, or exchange a pawn and play for a draw?
Solution
Solution 2
**
Ilyin Zhenevsky,Alexander
Abramian,Suren
Leningrad 1938
Black wins by sacrificing a pawn in order to be able to approach with the king. The surprising solution is:
1. g4-g3!!
In the game, the tempting 1…f3+?? was refuted by the simple 2.Kf2! (
2…fxg2 3.hxg4 h3 4.g5 and White queens. Also good enough for a draw was 2.gxf3 g3. Now let’s assume that White does not move, the black king comes and takes f3, then the white king moves to f1, or g1 or h1. Should Black play …g3-g2, then White can even hide on h2, Kf2 being stalemate) 2…gxh3 3.gxh3 and Black can only draw, as he will lose all his pawns.
2. Ke2-f3 Kb6-c5
3. Kf3xf4
Or 3.Kg4 Kd4 4.Kxh4 Ke3 5.Kg4 f3 6.Kxg3 f2−+.
3. … Kc5-d4
The arrival of the king guarantees the win of the g2 pawn, and with it, the game.
4. Kf4-f3
4.Kg4 Ke3 5.Kxh4 Kf2 6.Kg4 Kxg2 7.h4 Kf2 is the same.
4. Kd4-d3
5. Kf3-g4 Kd3-e3
6. Kg4xh4 Ke3-f2
7. Kh4-g4 Kf2xg2
8. h3-h4 Kg2-f2−+
Why was 1…g3 an invisible move?
- The move is anti-positional, because it loses the dynamism of the pawn structure. The basic principle, explained in Kmoch’s Pawn Power, is to first move the ‘candidate’ pawn (the one that has no enemy pawn on its file), the basic rule being ‘candidate forward!’, as was played in the game.
- In the main variation, the arrival of the black king from a faraway square is surprisingly efficient.
- In the game variation, the correct defence (as was actually played in the game) was not easy to spot.
Back
EXERCISE 3
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Hanging Pawns and Fragile Pieces
Inarkiev,Ernesto
Moen,Andreas
Kallithea tt 2008 (7)
In this central structure, the two black pawns on c5 and d5 frequently constitute an element of weakness. White can demonstrate that certain black pieces too lack protection. How?
Solution
Solution 3
**
Inarkiev,Ernesto
Moen,Andreas
Kallithea tt 2008 (7)
White could have won material by the ‘invisible move’
1. Bg2-h3!!
A small bomb in an apparently calm, ‘technical’ position.
In the game, White played the positional 1.Rfd1 with a small advantage.
1. … Qc8xh3
2. Qb3xb7+−
Attacking two pieces.
2. … Qh3-e6
2…Bd6!? leads to some complications, the trap being:
A) 3.Qxf7+ enables White to keep a winning edge after 3…Kh8 4.Nxd5 Bxe5 5.Bxe5 Rf8 6.Qb7± Rab8 7.Qxa7 Ra8 8.Qe7 Rfe8 8…Rae8 9.Bxf6 Rxe7 10.Bxe7±. 9.Qb7 Rab8 10.Nxf6! Rxb7 11.Nxe8 Qh5 11…Re7 12.Nd6!. 12.Nd6Rd7 13.Bf4±;
B) 3.Qxa6? Bxe5 4.Bxe5? Ng4 and mate.
3. Ne5-c6
Winning the exchange.
3. … Be7-f8
4. Nc6xd8
With a decisive advantage.
Why was 1.Bh3 an invisible move?
- The quiet-looking position does not call for immediate action.
- It is anti-positional to give up the beautiful fianchetto bishop.
Back
EXERCISE 4
**
Never Look Back (They Say…)
Bacrot,Etienne
Relange,Eloi
France tt 2006 (6)
The brave little knight faces the entire black army on its own. Can you figure out Black’s next move?
Solution
Solution 4
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Here’s the complete game:
Bacrot,Etienne
Relange,Eloi
France tt 2006 (6)
1. e2-e4 c7-c5
2. Ng1-e2 d7-d6
3. g2-g3 d6-d5!?
4. Nb1-c3?! d5-d4
5. Nc3-d5?
5. … g7-g5!
Trapping the reckless knight.
6. d2-d3 h7-h6!
Not immediately 6…e6? because of 7.Bxg5 Qxg5 8.Nc7+ and if anyone, White is better.
7. Bf1-g2 e7-e6
And Black won quickly.
Why was 5…g5 an invisible move?
- The move …g7-g5 is hard to conceive of, because it may saddle Black with a permanent weakness.
- A central knight trapped as early as move 5 is something of a surprise.
- The move that allows Black to trap it is a quiet move.
Back
EXERCISE 5
**
The Right File
White to play and mate in three. There are many ways of mating in four, but the shortest road is atypical.
Solution
Solution 5
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The solution is the strange
1. Rg2-c2!
Preventing the black king’s escape via the c-file (see line B after the next move).
1. … b6-b5
A) 1…Ka8 2.Kc7 Ka7 3.Ra2#;
B) 1…Kb8 2.Kxb6 Ka8 3.Rc8#;
C) 1…Ka6 2.Ra2#.
2. Kc6-c7 Ka7-a6
2…Ka8 3.Ra2#.
3. Rc2-a2#
Why is 1.Rc2 an invisible move?
- The rook moves to the only obstructed file (by its own king).
- The move does not threaten anything, but makes use of zugzwang.
Back
EXERCISE 6
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Queens and Knights
Pucher,Olivier
Brih,Said
France tt 2004 (5)
Both players would like to invade the enemy fortress. While preventing White’s intrusion, Black is threatening to invade via h3 and f3. How can White repel the attack and grab the advantage?
Solution
Solution 6
***
Pucher,Olivier
Brih,Said
France tt 2004 (5)
1. g3-g4!
1.Ng4!? was played in the game: 1…f6 Not 1…Qxg4?? 2.Nxe7+. 2.f3
1. … Nh5-g7?
Now for the second invisible move:
2. Qb2-f6!+−
The best move for Black was 1…e6! after which the same spectacular 2.Qf6! gives White a good advantage: 2…exd5 3.Qxg5 d4 4.Nd5 f6 5.Qh4±.
Why was 1.g4 an invisible move?
- The move g3-g4 creates weaknesses in the white camp.
- It is justified by the clever 2.Qf6!, a nearly ‘quiet’ move that deliberately puts the queen en prise.
- There is another attractive move (1.Ng4!?) and it is difficult to consider another move on the same square (see ‘Residual image’, page 135)
Back
Footnotes
1 ‘I can’t possibly do that to my pawns’ said an IM, analysing a daring suggestion of Paco Vallejo Pons in the form of a weakening pawn move. ‘Never mind’, replied Vallejo, ‘Your pawns will be in order for the start of the next game!’
2 ‘Who is your favourite player?’ the strong GM Jan Gustafsson was once asked in New In Chess Magazine 2009/2: ‘Rybka 3, alas…’
3 ‘A knight on b3 or b6 is always misplaced!’ Siegbert Tarrasch.
Chapter 4 – Invisible moves for
psychological reasons
It frequently happens that the artistic or scientific aspect of a chess game is overshadowed by the sporting aspect. Here, psychological factors start to play an important role. The players may be influenced by the importance of the game, as is demonstrated by the relatively frequent blunders during World Championship matches. Some mistakes are also explained by tiredness of the contestants, but the main reason for mutual blindness lies in an anticipation of the probable result.
A – Anticipation of the probable result
A chess game develops gradually. After a player gets the upper hand, he keeps it for hours, often already celebrating the expected win in advance. On the other hand, the player who is a victim of constant pressure throughout the game will anticipate a probable loss, and accept his fate more easily.
Here is a famous example where the psychological dimension started to play its part long before the game started. The opponent’s reputation, his rating, and previous encounters between the players are also relevant factors. In 1919, Jose Raul Capablanca was in the middle of a p
eriod of invincibility that would last for eight years, until his defeat at the hands of Richard Reti during the 1924 New York tournament. His self-confidence, his charisma, even his nicknames (‘The Chess Machine’, ‘The Invincible’), gave him a great advantage over his opponents, even before the game started. Later, players like Tal and Fischer would also be known for their ability to frighten their opponents, most of whom were unable to display their usual strength in a game and would frequently lose quickly, making unusual blunders.
Capablanca,Jose Raul
Thomas,George Alan
Hastings 1919 (4)
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3. Bf1-b5 d7-d6
4. Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6
5. d2-d4 Bf8-e7
6. 0-0 Bc8-d7
7. Rf1-e1 Nc6xd4
8. Nf3xd4 e5xd4
9. Qd1xd4 Bd7xb5
10. Nc3xb5 a7-a6
11. Nb5-c3 0-0
12. Bc1-g5 Nf6-d7
13. Bg5xe7 Qd8xe7
14. Nc3-d5 Qe7-d8
15. Re1-e3 Nd7-e5
16. Re3-g3 f7-f6
17. f2-f4 Ne5-c6
18. Qd4-c3 Rf8-f7
19. f4-f5 Qd8-f8
20. Qc3-b3 Kg8-h8
21. Nd5-f4 Nc6-e5
22. Qb3xb7 Ra8-b8
23. Qb7xa6 Rb8xb2
24. Rg3-b3 Rb2xc2
25. Ra1-b1 h7-h6
26. Nf4-g6+ Ne5xg6