Skype coaching session, 28 February 2016. 

Recordings of some previous coaching sessions can be found at: 

http://www.open-aurec.com/Skype/PaulBenson/PaulBenson.htm 

The following games were examined, the games 35 moves) and 31 moves are given with annotations and then again without annotations. 

Paul Benson. 

* * * 

Annotated game 1. 

White: B. Grachev, 2583. 
Black: A. Grigoryan, 2404. 
Event: World Junior Championship, Yerevan 2006. 
Result: 0-1 in 35 moves. 
Opening: King's Indian Defence, Fianchetto Variation, E61. 

| While the opening moves are different from the game discussed in the coaching session of 21 February, the position at move 13 with black to play is the same as last week. || 

1. d4 Nf6 
2. c4 g6 
3. Nc3 Bg7 
4. Nf3 O-O 
5. g3 c5 
6. d5 d6 
7. Bg2 e6 
8. dxe6 Bxe6 
9. Ng5 Bxc4 
10. Bxb7 Nbd7 
11. Bxa8 Qxa8 
12. O-O d5 
13. Qc2 h6 

| Black wishes to push the active g5 knight back to a square where it could become a target. The battle lines are effectively the same as last week, black has offered an exchange to remove the white light square bishop from the defence of the white king. It will be middlegame ingenuity on both sides which will determine who will win. || 

14. Nf3 Re8 

| The rook takes up an active post on the semi-open e-file. The e2 pawn is doubly defended by the queen on c2 and knight on c3, but if either of these can be deflected from their defensive duties then black will win material with, Bxe2. || 

15. Re1 

| White must place an extra defence on the targetted e2 pawn, in anticipation of a, pawn d4, push which will deflect the white c3 knight. Black to play now has all pieces developed and all except the g7 bishop are working to influence the position. A well-chosen move here by black might be all that is needed to convert a static advantage into a dynamic one. || 

15. ... d4 

| Straight to the point. In the game of the previous session black delayed this advance until move nineteen. This allowed white time to have played, pawn a4, which offers support to the c3 knight to safely move to the b5 square, from where it blocked the action of the black light square bishop which had retreated to the a6 square. The white e2 pawn is going to be the focus of attention now. || 

16. Ne4 Ba6 

| Black must avoid any move sequences involving the loss of the light square bishop. This piece is necessary for pressure on the light squares. White to play has a double attack on the black c5 pawn. Should white be thinking of winning it with, 17. Nxc5? || 

17. Nxf6+ 

| No. The black c5 pawn is poisoned. Believe it or not, there is a neat potential mating attack here for black if white should stray from the narrow path. If, 17. Nxc5 Nxc5 18. Qxc5, black unleashes, 18. ... Qxf3. So far in this analysis black has won a piece in this capture sequence and will be happy if white leaves the queen on f3 alone. Accepting the material offer leads to doom with, 19. exf3 Rxe1+ 20. Kg2 Bf1+ 21. Kg1 Bh3+ discovered mate. Told you those light squares might be problematic for white once the g2 fianchetto bishop is sacrificed for an opposing unmoved black a8 rook. || 

17. ... Nxf6 
18. Bf4 

| White is now ready to centralise the a1 rook and set about challenging the black central pawns. Once the position begins to open up for the white rooks then black will have lost the initiative. White will begin to seek piece exchanges. If pieces are traded then the exchange advantage for white will increase in value. If black avoids piece challenges with retreats, then white will simply improve his position further. Isn't it horrible being an exchange down? Black to play, think carefully here, the window of opportunity is open... || 

18. ... Rxe2 

| What on Earth is this? Black is already an exchange down but does at least have a dynamic position in compensation. Ah, I've got it. Giving up an exchange on move eleven was following the philosophy of: Initiative over material. So, perhaps giving up another exchange might double the initiative? Just what is black going to receive in return for this re-investment? White has been trying to limit the play black can generate on the light squares, in particular up the a8 - h1 diagonal. Black has rather quickly set about destroying the attempted light square blockade, but such destruction is not enough. It is only the beginning of the ultimate light square strategy. Clearly the g2 square is to be the focal point of a mating attack, but quite how to successfully line up a queen and bishop on the a8 - h1 diagonal is not immediately obvious. Remember, white is now a double exchange ahead and will clearly be happy to give one back to eliminate the black light square bishop and all the dangers associated with it. Some assistance from a couple of other tactical tools is needed to tie white up while the necessary manoeuvring can come to pass. || 

19. Rxe2 Qxf3 
20. Re7 

| So that if, 20. ... Bb7 21. Rxb7 Qxb7, and the dangers to white on the light squares are significantly reduced. Black to play must restrict any attempts by white to force the black queen back. || 

20. ... Ng4 

| A very important move. The white queen on c2 is now tied down to preventing the potential mate of, Qxf2+, followed by, Qxh2+ mate. Take some time to work out why black needs the white queen to be immobilised in this way. Clue: The answer is in the black long term strategic aim. || 

21. h3 

| White decides to kick the black knight back in order to regain mobility again for the queen. Black to move must play accurately here. Big clue: The white queen is still immobilised due to that black queen and knight mate threat. So combine this restriction with the black long term strategic aim of play on the light squares, in particular the potential threats up the long diagonal. We are searching for a surprising piece re-location which must have been a pleasure for black to play. || 

21. ... Bc4 

| Wonderful! Black is a double exchange down, has a knight attacked by the white h3 pawn, so he puts another piece en prise. Sounds like some of my skittles games as closing time approaches. Clearly the bishop is quite safe on the c4 square as, 22. Qxc4 Qxf2+ 23. Kh1 Qh2+ mate ends matters. The black c4 bishop now has now found a route onto the long diagonal. White is about to start relinquishing some of the ill-gotten goodies. || 

22. Rae1 

| Instead the greedy, 22. hxg4 Bd5, sets up a mate on the g2 square. However, white can attempt to run away with, 23. Kf1. Black simply closes the trap with, 23. ... d3, a double purpose move. The d3 pawn now attacks the white queen and removes the e2 square as a possible flight route for the white king. There are no sensible moves which prevent black from playing, Qg2+, or, Qh1+, both mate. || 

22. ... Bd5 

| White must interfere with the black a8 - h1 queen and bishop battery with a rook. One exchange is about to be regained. || 

23. R1e4 d3 

| Just another one of those quadruple purpose moves we all casually throw in now and again. The white queen support of the e4 rook is blocked - known in the trade as an interference. The d3 pawn now controls the important e2 potential flight square of the white king. It is also preventing the White queen from supporting the e4 rook again with, Qe2. Lastly, the passed d-pawn is now on the black 6th rank and must now be regarded as a candidate for promotion once circumstances permit. Not much for one humble pawn move? || 

24. Qd2 Nf6 

| Only a double purpose move this time. Having immobilised the white rook on e4, black saves the attacked g4 knight while placing another minor piece attack on the unfortunate centralised white rook. Black might be winning more back than just an exchange. || 

25. Qe3 Bxe4 

| The material regained by black is actually a whole rook. For this price it might appear as if white is grovelling out into an ending. It is not so simple. Black still has complete control of the light squares as well as having a strong passed d-pawn on the 6th rank which is going to be very difficult to stop. || 

26. Qxf3 Bxf3 
27. Rxa7 g5 
| Forcing the white bishop back to the c1 square, where an eventual advance of the black d-pawn will win material. || 

28. Bc1 Ne4 

| At last the black g7 bishop joins in the game. White has still a few tricks to try and fool black, but that is all they are, tricks. || 

29. Ra3 

| Pinning the black d3 pawn, attempting to exploit the unprotected state of the black f3 bishop. || 

29. ... c4 

| Calmly played. The black c4 pawn not only protects the d3 pawn, but denies the white rook access to the d3 square. There is no need to rush matters, a won game needs winning, and if it takes a dozen or so moves to do so, than that is precisely what you do. Instead the impatient, 29. ... d2 30. Bxd2 Nxd2, offers white some vague hopes with, 31. Rd3, regaining a piece. Black could continue with, 31. ... Bxb2 32. Rxd2 Bd4, which is winning but requires more moves than necessary. || 

30. Ra8+ Kh7 
31. Rd8 

| The white rook finally finds a means to get behind the passed black d-pawn. This is the recommended method of preventing further advancement, but here black has too much minor piece activity, in particular complete control of the d1 promotion square. Include the lack of white king influence in the centre and there should be something to be found here. || 

31. ... Bxb2 

| A deflection of the overloaded white c1 bishop. || 

32. Bxb2 

| Instead, 32. Be3 Bc3, followed by the advance, pawn d2, costing white the e3 bishop with black, Bxd2. The three black minor pieces and the passed c4 pawn will cope very comfortably with the white rook and outside passed a2 pawn. || 

32. ... d2 
33. a4 d1=Q+ 
34. Rxd1 Bxd1 

| How fitting that it is the light square bishop which has been responsible for capturing the entire white "regiment of rooks". || 

35. a5 c3 
White resigns, 0-1 

| After, 36. Bc1 Bf3, the black bishop is covering the potential promotion a8 square. Play might continue with, 37. a6 Nc5 38. a7 Nb3 39. Be3 c2, and promotion next move will cost white the e3 bishop. A more amusing finish could have been, 36. a6 cxb2 37. a7 b1=Q 38. a8=Q Bf3+ 39. Kh2 Qh1+ mate. || 

* * * 

## Unannotated game 1. 

White: B. Grachev, 2583. 
Black: A. Grigoryan, 2404. 
Event: World Junior Championship, Yerevan 2006. 
Result: 0-1 in 35 moves. 
Opening: King's Indian Defence, Fianchetto Variation, E61. 

1. d4 Nf6 
2. c4 g6 
3. Nc3 Bg7 
4. Nf3 O-O 
5. g3 c5 
6. d5 d6 
7. Bg2 e6 
8. dxe6 Bxe6 
9. Ng5 Bxc4 
10. Bxb7 Nbd7 
11. Bxa8 Qxa8 
12. O-O d5 
13. Qc2 h6 
14. Nf3 Re8 
15. Re1 d4 
16. Ne4 Ba6 
17. Nxf6+ Nxf6 
18. Bf4 Rxe2 
19. Rxe2 Qxf3 
20. Re7 Ng4 
21. h3 Bc4 
22. Rae1 Bd5 
23. R1e4 d3 
24. Qd2 Nf6 
25. Qe3 Bxe4 
26. Qxf3 Bxf3 
27. Rxa7 g5 
28. Bc1 Ne4 
29. Ra3 c4 
30. Ra8+ Kh7 
31. Rd8 Bxb2 
32. Bxb2 d2 
33. a4 d1=Q+ 
34. Rxd1 Bxd1 
35. a5 c3 
White resigns, 0-1 

* * * 

## Annotated game 2. 

White: J. Donner. 
Black: C. Bielicki. 
Event: Capablanca Memorial 1964. 
Result: 1-0 in 31 moves. 
Opening: King's Indian Defence, Fianchetto Variation, E64. 

| While the opening moves are different from the game just given, the position at move 15 with black to play is the same as above. || 

1. d4 Nf6 
2. c4 g6 
3. g3 Bg7 
4. Bg2 O-O 
5. Nc3 d6 
6. Nf3 c5 
7. d5 e5 
8. dxe6 Bxe6 
9. Ng5 Bxc4 
10. Bxb7 Nbd7 
11. Bxa8 Qxa8 
12. O-O d5 
13. Qc2 Re8 
14. Re1 h6 
15. Nf3 Ba6 

| This game was played 42 years before the above game where play continued with the much more direct, 15. ... d4 16. Ne4 Ba6 17. Nxf6+ Nxf6 18. Bf4 Rxe2 19. Rxe2 Qxf3, with a very strong initiative for black. || 

16. a4 

| Despite appearances, this is actually a double purpose move. Firstly, it establishes an outpost of the b5 square for the c3 knight in anticipation of a black, pawn d4, central push. A knight on b5 will block the activity of a black bishop on the a6 - f1 diagonal. The second gain for white with this pawn advance will be revealed when the black kingside attack is beginning to flow. Perhaps a little thought on what the second gain could be might assist in recognising as early as possible some of the middlegame opportunities just sitting in a position waiting to be discovered? || 

16. ... Qc6 
17. Nb5 

| White decides to block off the a6 - f1 diagonal before being forced to do so. || 

17. ... Bb7 

| Black is clearly not interested in trading, 17. ... Bxb5 18. axb5 Qxb5 19. Rxa7, as white has not only rid himself of the potentially dangerous black light square bishop but gained a 7th rank rook into the process. || 

18. Nxa7 

| This might seem to be a little greedy, only time will tell. Black has chosen to transfer the pressure from the a6 - f1 diagonal to the a8 - h1 diagonal. White captures an apparently free pawn and while doing so disrupts the potentially dangerous black queen and bishop long diagonal battery. || 

18. ... Qe6 

| Isn't having flexibility within strategy wonderful? The black queen now has aspirations of invading onto the h3 light square with two ideas in mind. Firstly, "Plan A": Yet again black will attempt to give checkmate on the abandoned g2 fianchetto square, providing the long diagonal can be forced open. It is not particularly clear yet as to how this could be organised. Or secondly, "Plan B": Place a knight on the g4 square, remove the white f3 knight defender of the h2 pawn, and follow up with, Qxh2+, and then, Qxf2+ mate. Simple when you describe it like this. Not so easy when you are called upon to turn it into reality. || 

19. Nb5 

| Is white offering black a possibility of repetition of moves here? The idea is, 19. ... Qc6 20. Na7 Qe6 21. Nb5 Qc6, 22. Na7 Qe6, with a draw offer hanging unspoken in the air? Unlikely. This position is too rich in possibilities for both sides. After, 19. ... Qc6, it is much more likely that white will continue with, 20. b4, placing pressure on the black pawn centre. Clearly black will not capture with, 20. ... cxb4, as a queen trade is undesirable when an exchange down. || 

19. ... d4 

| Ah, black is going for, "Plan B", as described in the comment to move 18. ... Qe6, above. That is, open up the long diagonal, place a knight on g4, exchange off the defending white f3 knight, and ultimately mating on f2 with the queen via the h2 square. This might seem rather like a magician's stage trick to some people, and as such will require a little distraction while the sleight of hand is attempted. || 

20. Nc7 

| And here is the distraction designed to fool white - another passive offer of an exchange. Initiative over material strikes again? || 

20. ... Qh3 

| Well come on white, you know what black is planning. Just how do you intend to guard against the slow juggernaut about to crush your kingside? Take some time here before deciding whether or not to swallow that dainty delicate delicacy being dangled under the nose of the move-hungry horse on the c7 square. || 

21. Nxe8 

| The wandering white queenside knight has now consumed six out of twenty-one game moves, and perhaps still has more in mind? Meanwhile, those counting the material cost of all this will be pointing out that white now has an advantage of two rooks plus a pawn for the black light square bishop. In terms of using a pawn to calculate material advantage, that is 8 points. There had better be some initiative in return for this imbalance. || 

21. ... Ne5 

| Let the tactics begin. Instead, 21. ... Ng4, and white must play, 22. e4, an attempt to block the long diagonal which protects the f3 knight from a black, Bxf3, liquidation. If black then tries to open up the long diagonal again with, 22. ... dxe3 23. Rxe3, so as to meet a potential, 23. ... Bxf3, with, 24. Rxf3, then there is no mating attack anymore. Both the white f3 rook and c2 queen guard the f2 pawn. The white king has a flight route if black follows up with, 24. ... Qxh2+ 25. Kf1 Qh1+ 26. Ke2. 

So after, 21. ... Ng4 22. e4 dxe3 23. Rxe3, black can try to regain some material with, 23. ... Nxe3 24. fxe3, and now the white queen is guarding the vulnerable h2 pawn from the c2 square. Black can reduce the material deficit to an exchange plus a pawn with, 24. ... Bxf3, but white has the outside passed a4 pawn ready to sprint for promotion, supported by the unmoved white a1 rook. 

Does white have to be so generous with the e1 rook in the above line? How about, 21. ... Ng4 22. e4 dxe3 23. fxe3, which allows, 23. ... Bxf3, regaining a piece, but keeping the material imbalance as two exchanges plus a pawn. White still has to complete development and find some coordination but black cannot mount strong pressure against the white kingside anymore. || 

22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 

| Black has 3 active minor pieces, a dangerously placed queen on the h3 square, and an initiative which must be quickly challenged. White has two rooks, two minor pieces but little coordination as well as being under pressure. There is an important defensive idea to be found by white here, take some time now. || 

23. Ra3 

| The second purpose of the white move, 16. a4, is finally revealed. A rook can advance up an edge-file to develop and offer sideways defensive support to the centre. Moves like this do not immediately spring to mind and can easily be overlooked when under pressure. || 

23. ... Ng4 

| It is becoming critical for white, the black initiative on the kingside is now very strong. The main threat is to eliminate the white f3 knight, capture, Qxh2+, and finally, Qxf2+ mate. When material ahead there will be opportunities to return some of it to release pressure. The white king needs a flight plan, but the white e2 pawn and e1 rook prevent movement across the board to escape. White has been receiving all the game, it is now time to return some of the favours. || 

24. e4 

| Nothing less than a sextuple purpose move! The e4 pawn temporarily blocks the long diagonal and so protects the white f3 knight from the start of the proposed black mating sequence. The advance of the e-pawn has permitted the white e1 rook to advance up the e-file if needed. The queen on c2 now guards the f2 pawn and so halts the black attempted mate on the f2 square. The white queen may now move to the e2 square to offer further protection to the f3 knight. From a posting on the e2 square the white queen can then move to the f1 square to challenge the dangerous black queen. Lastly, the white king now has a flight route into the queenside using the f1 and e2 squares if necessary. || 

24. ... dxe3 

| If black is to make any progress then the position must open up, but in turn white will receive activity and find opportunities to return material. || 

25. Rexe3 Bd4 

| Black cannot further increase the pressure against the white king and can only threaten to regain small amounts of material. || 

26. Qe2 

| Intending, 27. Qf1, repulsing the black queen from the h3 square, ending all threats. || 

26. ... Nxh2 

| The last trick. Black still has a potential mate threat on the g2 square should the white f3 knight make a move. Here we have a chess concept yet to find a name. The knight is not pinned in the true sense of the word, as there is no white material beyond the white f3 knight under a potential attack from the black b7 bishop. Perhaps instead the white f3 knight is: "Pinned-down"? A "pinned-down" piece being one which dare not move as it must remain static to block a threat. Now white brings another piece into play intending to keep seeking to exchange off active black pieces. || 

27. Rad3 Bd5 

| Blackis running out of steam, there are no concrete threats anymore. White will now start to return material, and with 2 rooks advantage for a minor piece there are many options available. Initiative over material is a concept most definitely worthy of inclusion in your thinking, but learning where the limits lie will be a process of trial and error. || 

28. Rxd4 cxd4 


| White now only needs to eliminate threats against the g2 square and the fight is over. || 

29. Re4 Nxf3+ 
30. Qxf3 

| The material imbalance is now only a rook, and that is pinned to the white queen. If black can only place another attack on the white e5 rook then material equality might be established and an opposite colour bishop ending will ensure a draw. || 

30. ... Qc8 

| The last desperate try. White might overlook the attack against the unprotected c1 bishop. Instead the tempting, 30. ... f5, does not win the white e5 rook for free. White can reply with, 31. Re8+ Kf7 32. Qxd5+ Kxe8 33. Qxd4, clearly winning. || 

31. Bd2 
Black resigns, 1-0 

| White could also have played, 31. Bxh6, and remain a piece up in the ending. After, 31. Bd2, black might try, 31. ... Qa8, but simply, 32. Re8+ Qxe8 33. Qxd5 Qe2 33. Qxd4, white is again winning easily. || 

* * * 

## Unannotated game 2. 

White: J. Donner. 
Black: C. Bielicki. 
Event: Capablanca Memorial 1964. 
Result: 1-0 in 31 moves. 
Opening: King's Indian Defence, Fianchetto Variation, E64. 

1. d4 Nf6 
2. c4 g6 
3. g3 Bg7 
4. Bg2 O-O 
5. Nc3 d6 
6. Nf3 c5 
7. d5 e5 
8. dxe6 Bxe6 
9. Ng5 Bxc4 
10. Bxb7 Nbd7 
11. Bxa8 Qxa8 
12. O-O d5 
13. Qc2 Re8 
14. Re1 h6 
15. Nf3 Ba6 
16. a4 Qc6 
17. Nb5 Bb7 
18. Nxa7 Qe6 
19. Nb5 d4 
20. Nc7 Qh3 
21. Nxe8 Ne5 
22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 
23. Ra3 Ng4 
24. e4 dxe3 
25. Rexe3 Bd4 
26. Qe2 Nxh2 
27. Rad3 Bd5 
28. Rxd4 cxd4 
29. Re4 Nxf3+ 
30. Qxf3 Qc8 
31. Bd2 
Black resigns, 1-0 

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