Skype coaching session, 22 June 2014. 

The following game was examined, the game 47 moves) is given with annotations and then again without annotations. 

Paul Benson. 

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## Annotated game. 

White: R. Eames, 2195. 
Black: R. Panjwani, 2468. 
Event: Hastings 2013. 
Result: 0-1 in 47 moves. 
Opening: Dutch Defence, Hopton Attack, A80. 

1. d4 f5 
2. Bg5 d5 
3. e3 Nf6 

| Putting the question to white. Some players with white play, Bg5, in order to create a pin on a knight. Other players play, Bg5, with the intention to capture the knight providing it creates doubled pawns. What flavour of white do we have here? || 

4. Bxf6 

| Doubled f-pawns then. Such formations are not immediately weak, the full consequences usually only become apparent as the endgame approaches. There is of course, as Tal has hinted more than once, the middlegame to play through first. || 

4. ... exf6 
5. c4 Be6 

| This bishop seems destined to be a defensive piece for a long while. Patience is a virtue, it is unrealistic to expect all pieces to have activity in all opening systems right from the start. || 

6. Nc3 dxc4 

| Instead black could try, 6. ... c6, when the light square bishop will most definitely be playing a restricted defensive role for a long time. Capturing on c4 offers white a chance to make a significant space gain in the centre, or offers black a central target to be slowly undermined, surrounded and captured depending on your thinking. || 

7. d5 

| White pushes away the black bishop, allowing the white f1 bishop to regain the pawn. Now it becomes all about the white d5 pawn. White will over-protect it, develop behind it, and wait for the opportunity to open the game. Black must play actively, but since white is going to have the centre, black must seek wing activity. || 

7. ... Bf7 
8. Bxc4 a6 

| The beginning of queenside expansion, keeping a piece out of the b5 square, and a not-so-obvious third reason which will soon become apparent. || 

9. Nge2 c5 

| Taking advantage of the pinned white d-pawn. If the black a-pawn were back on a7, then white could capture, dxc6, when should black capture with, Bxc4, white wins an exchange with, cxb7. Now the black pawn is on a6, the a8 rook can advance to a7, and white would be a piece down. So, black now has play on both wings, but white has a passed d-pawn. Such imbalances offer opportunities for creative play. || 

10. Nf4 

| Protecting d5 again and also aiming for an invasion on e6. || 

10. ... b5 
11. Bd3 Qd7 

| Better than defending the attacked f5 pawn with, 11. ... g6. Black is trying to prevent, Ne6, which at the present would immediately cost white the strong central pawn to, Bxe6. || 

12. Qf3 

| White again takes the protection count for the d5 pawn back to 3. Over-protection is a very useful tool. If the doubly attacked d-pawn was only defended twice, then both of the white defenders are tied down to defending it. Increase the defender count to 3 pieces, and any 1 of the 3 defenders is free to move, increasing white's options by having all 3 defenders available to move, compared to having 2 pieces tied down before the over-protection began. The white queen on f3 is also placing an x-ray attack onto the black a8 rook, black must not ignore this potential threat. || 

12. ... b4 
13. Nce2 Ra7 

| Yet again black has prevented white from invading with, Ne6, which would cost white a pawn beginning with, Bxe6. || 

14. Rd1 

| The over-protection continues, the white d3 bishop plans moving to c4, when the d5 pawn will have an over-protection count of 4. || 

14. ... g6 

| Necessary now, for 2 reasons. Firstly, if the white f4 knight moves, there will be a double attack on the black f5 pawn from f3 and d3. Secondly, in order to complete queenside development the black queen must vacate the d7 square for the b8 knight. || 

15. Bc4 

| The bishop has no future on de3, the black kingside pawns are safe, so it re-locates to strengthen the d5 pawn. || 

15. ... Qd6 

| The black queen blockades the passed white d-pawn. Now that the white dark square bishop is relaxing at the side of the board, white will find it difficult to maintain the over-protection of the d5 pawn and organise a knight to kick the black queen off d6. || 

16. Ne6 

| At last white can invade on e6. Black will gain nothing from capturing, 16. ... Bxe6 17. dxe6, and the white pawn on e6 will be very difficult to surround and capture. Ah, but just what can the white knight do on e6? Not much really, except prevent black from using a number of central dark squares for the heavy pieces. || 

16. ... Nd7 
17. N2f4 Ne5 

| Black is now only 1 piece behind in development. The static nature of the position means white has not been able to take advantage of black playing 9 pawn moves while white has only played 4 pawn moves. || 

18. Qe2 g5 

| The only way to break the white tandem knights grip on the centre. Such advances need careful consideration, the black f5 pawn is always going to be a potential target now. Black is also playing on both wings with pawns, not easy to assess the long-term consequences. || 

19. Nxf8 

| A white piece moves for the 4th time to remove an unmoved black piece, black has just caught up 4 tempi. || 

19. ... Kxf8 
20. Ne6+ Ke7 

| The black king can remain in the centre as white has no easy way to open up the position. The new white knight on e6 will now become somewhat schizophrenic. It is performing some good dark square control, restricting the black heavy pieces. However, it does not have any retreat squares itself, and is essentially stuck where it is unless something drastic happens to the black pawn structure. || 

21. Ng7 

| Attacking the weak black f5 pawn which forces the f7 bishop into passivity. || 

21. ... Bg6 
22. f4 

| Pushing the well-placed black knight back and also fixing the kingside if white wishes . If an opportunity to play actively on the kingside is declined by white, then the only means for either player to make progress is to play on the queenside. || 

22. ... Nd7 
23. O-O 

| Instead, 23. h4, creates interesting possibilities. White has 2 threats, firstly to win a pawn by capturing twice on g5 as the black h6 pawn is pinned, and secondly to play, 24. h5, displacing the black g6 bishop and so win that weak black f5 pawn with a royal forking check. If 23. ... h6 24. hxg5 fxg5 25. fxg5 Qg3+ 26. Qf2 Qxg5 27. Rh3, with active play. Instead, 23. ... g4 24. h5 Rg8 25. hxg6 Rxg7 26. gxh7, white is about to promote and black must give up the a7 rook after, 26. Ra8 27. h8=Q Rxh8 28. Rxh8, white is winning. Perhaps black can try, 23. gxh4 24. Rxh4, which avoids immediate material loss, but the black kingside pawn structure is depressing. Lastly, there is, 23. ... h5 24. hxg5 fxg5 25. Nxh5 g4 26. Ng3 Rxh1+ 27. Nxh1 Ra8, intending to take the h-file, when black is a pawn down but will have some play for it. || 

23. ... Rg8 

| Kicking the white knight back to e6, which gives the black g6 bishop freedom to move again. || 

24. Ne6 h6 
25. Rd2 

| White is very soon going to arrive at a crossroads. Black has no sensible means to open up the position, so if white does nothing then black must be prepared to accept a draw. The position seems favourable for white, the active knight on e6 combined with the passed d5 pawn being the plusses. However, having a favourable position does not mean it is a winning one. In order to create a winning position white must also give black some activity in the process of creating open lines. || 

25. ... Bf7 
26. b3 Bg6 

| Black is shuffling, waiting for white to make the decision. Either to just sit there which means it will soon be agreed drawn, or to try something on the queenside, indicating a wish to try and make progress. || 

27. a3 a5 

| White can make it extremely difficult for black to play for a win by playing, 28. a4. || 

28. Ra1 Rga8 
29. Rda2 bxa3 

| Necessary, as if black allows, 30. axb4 cxb4, the white knight now has, Nd4, with options for activity elsewhere, so the black c5 pawn must remain where it is and restrict the white e6 knight. || 

30. Rxa3 Nb6 

| A double purpose move. Firstly, placing pressure on the white d5 pawn, and secondly, setting up a potential liberating advance of, pawn a4, at the appropriate moment. || 

31. Qd3 Kf7 

| Protecting the black g6 bishop, as white was threatening, 32. g4, to win a pawn by taking advantage of the pinned black f5 pawn. || 

32. Rd1 

| White is over-protecting the d5 pawn again, which allows the white queen, d1 rook or bishop all freedom to move. White is still playing with optimism, clearly leaving the rooks doubled on the a-file and placing pressure on the black a5 pawn was a simpler option. Perhaps white should make move 40 and think with more time on the clock as to wether or not it is worth trying for more than a draw. || 

32. ... g4 

| Closing the kingside with some interesting ideas in mind, providing white is still trying to make progress. || 

33. Ra2 h5 

| Again, just setting up some kingside possibilities, should white allow a particular tactic to occur. || 

34. Bb5 

| The over-protection shows it's value, the bishop has freedom to move. The bishop intends to invade on c6 which displaces the black a8 rook, which then allows white to gang up again on the black a5 pawn by doubling rooks on the a-file. || 

34. ... Rc8 
35. Bc4 

| Black has prevented the invasion as, 35. Bc6 Rxc6 36. dxc6 Qxd3 37. Rxd3 Kxe6, and black has won 2 minor pieces for a rook. || 

35. ... h4 
36. Qc3 

| Attacking the black a5 pawn, but perhaps just shuffling with one of the rooks up or down the file to make the time control was less committal. || 

36. ... Rca8 
37. Kf2 

| Anticipating some potential liquidation on the a-file, the white king moves toward the centre. This is fine if heavy pieces trade, but perhaps not so wise if the middlegame persists. || 

37. ... a4 
38. Rda1 

| Playing for complications. Instead, 38. bxa4 Rxa4 39. Rxa4 Rxa4, doubly attacks the white c4 bishop but this does not gain black anything. After, 40. Bb3, white can win the black c5 pawn but the white d5 pawn then becomes a target. If, 40. ... Ra8 41. Qxc5 Qxc5 42. Nxc5 Ke7, and black can further pressure the d-pawn with, Kd6, and, Ra5. Perhaps 38. bxa4 Nxa4 39. Qc2 Nb6, is an easier way for black to play, but in either case white seems to have options. || 

38. ... Nxd5 

| Since move 7 white has been over-protecting the d5 pawn, in the hope it will be part of a plan to squeeze black, which has not happened. Perhaps white is trying to trade one advantage for another. || 

39. Bxd5 

| The tactics do not work for white. If, 39. Rd2, hoping to win the pinned black knight, there would follow, 39. ... Nxc3 40. Rxd6 Ne4+, forking the white king and rook, black wins a whole rook. || 

39. ... Qxd5 

| The black queen, who has been blockading the white d5 pawn since move 15, finally gets some activity. || 

40. Nxc5 

| So, white has allowed black to remove the cramping d5 pawn, and in return the white knight now has options. However, in the process the black queen has also been given options and should the black g6 bishop ever manage to get over to the queenside, it will be very difficult to challenge. Moreover, the black rooks can also centralise, which might lead to the conclusion white should not have began queenside activities. || 

40. ... Rc7 
41. b4 h3 

| Ouch! When white had the cramping d5 pawn such a possibility could not occur. The active black queen threatens to win at least 2 white kingside pawns beginning with, Qxg2+. || 

42. Kg1 

| If, 42. gxh3 Qf3+, the black queen invades to find out how white will respond. If,43. Ke1 Qh1+, and the white h-pawns will be consumed. Instead, 43. Kg1 gxh3, when white must find something to remedy the black threat of, Rg8. || 

42. ... Rd8 

| The black rook does not need to defend the a4 pawn, the white a2 rook must defend the threat of mate with, Qxg2+. || 

43. Rc2 hxg2 
44. Rxg2 Ke7 

| Stepping aside to allow the always previously defending bishop on g6 to transfer to the queenside. || 

45. Rc1 Be8 

| Threatening to form a battery with the black queen on the long diagonal, a very powerful piece configuration. || 

46. b5 

| Well, that is definitely one way to stop, Bc6. It also contains some danger for black. || 

46. ... Bxb5 
47. Qb4 

| White is attacking the unprotected black bishop and also threatening some material-winning discovered checks by the white knight. Perhaps white has been correct to open up the queenside after all. || 

47. ... Qd1+ 
White resigns, 0-1 

| White recognises it is over. If, 48. Qe1 Qxe1+ 49. Rxe1 Rxc5, black has won a piece and is easily winning. Instead, 48. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 49. Kf2 Rf1+ 50. Kg3 Rf3+ 51. Kh4 Rh3+ is mate. The black bishop on the light squares had just too much control, a dramatic turn around from having to shuffle with sadness between f7 and g6 for so long. The black light square bishop had the patience to wait until the middlegame was past move 40 before it found some activity. The white knight on e6 did not have the same patience, and when it transferred to c5 the black heavy pieces came to life as well. 

Note that on move 4 white played, Bxf6, doubling the black f-pawns, with the intention they would be exploitable weaknesses in the endgame. Here, that doubled f6 pawn is an important factor in the mating net, by preventing the white king from running away to the g5 square. || 

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## Unannotated game. 

White: R. Eames, 2195. 
Black: R. Panjwani, 2468. 
Event: Hastings 2013. 
Result: 0-1 in 47 moves. 
Opening: Dutch Defence, Hopton Attack, A80. 

1. d4 f5 
2. Bg5 d5 
3. e3 Nf6 
4. Bxf6 exf6 
5. c4 Be6 
6. Nc3 dxc4 
7. d5 Bf7 
8. Bxc4 a6 
9. Nge2 c5 
10. Nf4 b5 
11. Bd3 Qd7 
12. Qf3 b4 
13. Nce2 Ra7 
14. Rd1 g6 
15. Bc4 Qd6 
16. Ne6 Nd7 
17. N2f4 Ne5 
18. Qe2 g5 
19. Nxf8 Kxf8 
20. Ne6+ Ke7 
21. Ng7 Bg6 
22. f4 Nd7 
23. O-O Rg8 
24. Ne6 h6 
25. Rd2 Bf7 
26. b3 Bg6 
27. a3 a5 
28. Ra1 Rga8 
29. Rda2 bxa3 
30. Rxa3 Nb6 
31. Qd3 Kf7 
32. Rd1 g4 
33. Ra2 h5 
34. Bb5 Rc8 
35. Bc4 h4 
36. Qc3 Rca8 
37. Kf2 a4 
38. Rda1 Nxd5 
39. Bxd5 Qxd5 
40. Nxc5 Rc7 
41. b4 h3 
42. Kg1 Rd8 
43. Rc2 hxg2 
44. Rxg2 Ke7 
45. Rc1 Be8 
46. b5 Bxb5 
47. Qb4 Qd1+ 
White resigns, 0-1 

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