Skype coaching session, 16 December 2018. 

A very full email should keep all out of trouble over the festive period! 
The two games discussed (16 and 37 moves) are given below with annotations and without annotations. 
Also included is a re-posting of the 25 October 2015 session notes (3 games) and 5 reference games to accompany the comment to white move 6 in 16 December 2018 Game 2. 

Re-structuring of the sessions now offers the option for guests to bring their own games for group discussion. 
Recordings of some previous coaching sessions can be found at: 

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

*  *  * 

Annotated game 1. 

White: M. Hemam, 2018. 
Black: J. Berardi, 1766. 
Event: FIDE Olympiad, Batumi 2018. 
Result: 1-0 in 16 moves. 
Opening: Queen's Pawn, Symmetrical Variation, D02. 

1. d4 d5 
2. Nf3 Nf6 
3. g3 Nbd7 
4. Bg2 c6 
5. O-O g6 

| Each player has been avoiding creating central tension, content to simply develop along familiar lines awaiting the other to make some commitment. || 

6. c4 

| White takes the game into a form of Catalan. 
For those wishing to keep a little more individuality about their chess, perhaps a system involving, 6. b3, with, Bb2, and Nbd2, might appeal? || 

6. ... Bg7 
7. Ne5 O-O 

| Black sensibly prefers to avoid, 7. ... Nxe5 8. dxe5, when white will probably let the e5 pawn fall in return for picking up a black pawn on the d5 square, after which white seems to have the easier task of completing development. || 

8. Nc3 Nb6 

| This seems to force white into closing the position with a couple of useful tempi gains. 
Instead black could consider, 8. ... dxc4 9. Nxc4 Nb6, releasing the c8 bishop. || 

9. c5 Nbd7 
10. f4 

| The black queen's knight sortie to b6 and back to d7 took all the tension out of the centre, so white prepares to meet black, Nxe5, with, fxe5. || 

10. ... Qc7 

| The correct way for black to challenge a white, pawn c5, closure of the queenside is with, pawn b6, this plan requires the c6 pawn be protected against a white, Nxc6, the black queen is the obvious candidate for this humble task. || 

11. b4 

| Isn't chess a funny game? 
White closes the queenside only to set about re-opening it. 
Perhaps that was a little simplistic. 
White is claiming queenside space and the only way for the pieces behind the pawns to achieve activity is to open it up again. 
The question which then confronts both players is how they can manoeuvre their pieces. 
The player with the extra space is hoping the player with restricted space will not organise the defence correctly, permitting the opposing pieces an invasion point somewhere. || 

11. ... Ne8 

| Clearly signalling an intent, but what? 
This knight has no option other to return to the f6 square, so why did it retreat at all? 
The answer has nothing to do with the knight but instead an option is now available to black which was previously unavailable, that is to advance the f7 pawn, and the most likely choice is, pawn f6, forcing the white knight to trade on d7 or retreat. 
With this interpretation of the black retreat, 11. ... Ne8, in mind, does white have any ideas of how, pawn f6, can be met? || 

12. Qb3 

| Aha, white is trying to maintain a knight on e5 by pinning the black f7 pawn, right? 
No, this will not work, black has a pawn on d5 blocking the power of the white queen on b3. 
So, we can assume that black can safely kick the white e5 knight away right? || 

12. ... f6 

| Black assumes the white e5 knight can be kicked around. 
White to play and find some inspiration. 

At this point the coaching group were set an unannounced task, to find the game continuation as far as resignation. 
Openly asking people to find such a sequence sets a false atmosphere, once they know something is to be found they jump into, "Tactical-Mode". 
Instead they were simply asked for, any ideas of how white could continue, effectively re-creating game-play. 
It was quite pleasing that the general idea was found quickly, and as the tree of analysis expanded, the real point of discussing this game was discovered. 
Perhaps if you wish to test your, "Tactical Event Horizon", skills, then try to find the game continuation, and as it happens the precise moves are not required, there are 2 ways for white to jump at one point, though the end is essentially the same. || 

13. Bxd5+ 

| If when you searched for inspiration and found, 13. Nxd5, take some credit for finding a good idea, but sadly it is not the strongest continuation available for white. 
Yes, there are ideas of picking up an exchange and a couple of pawns for 2 minor pieces, better than nothing, but sadly a great opportunity would have been missed. || 

13. ... cxd5 

| Declining with, 13. ... Kh8, allows white to escape losing a piece with, 14. Nxd7, gaining an attack tempo on the black f8 rook, such that, 14. ... Bxd7 15. Bg2, white would be a comfortable pawn up. || 

14. Nxd5 

| The black light square blockage of a protected d5 pawn has been dynamited, the skulking white queen on b3 is now powerfully glaring at the black g8 king through the d5 knight. 
And as if a potential discovered check is not enough, the white d5 knight is attacking the black c7 queen. 
What should black do? 
Stamping feet and bursting into tears is not an option. 
Perhaps diagnose something bad is about to happen and, "Punch The Random Button", one never knows how an opponent will respond to a gambling tactrick. || 

14. ... Nxc5 

| Black meets attack with counter-attack. 
This is quite a tactically rich position, a couple ways for white to capture on c5, or perhaps go for the indirect queen trade, with subsequent rook captures on the a-file. 
Doubtless other ideas such as moving the b3 queen and let black sort out some safety for the c7 queen. 
There could even be something else available for white, perhaps a surprise, "Killer-Blow", is lurking just waiting to be found, but if so, what? 
No clues other than a suggestion that all moves which force a reply should be investigated, and when under such a search, no move is so stupid as to be instantly rejected. 

Had black simply retreated with, 14. ... Qd8, white would continue with the same moves as to be revealed in the game. || 

15. Nxe7+ 

| A double check, this is a brutal weapon, the hapless king must move as both of the checking pieces cannot be captured simultaneously, and neither can both checks ever be blocked with a single defensive move. 
Curiously, the coaching group found the double check very quickly, only they all wanted to play, 15. Nxf6+, perhaps because that move removed the f6 pawn attack on the white e5 knight. 
If the next white move is not already in mind, spend as much time as one can give to find the, "Killer-Blow". 
Clue: No move is so stupid as to be rejected, especially when the only reply move from the opponent is forced. || 

15. ... Kh8 
16. Qg8+ 
Black resigns, 1-0 

| If black fails to notice, 16. ... Rxg8, then it is checkmate. 
However after the forced reply of, 16. ... Rxg8 17. Nf7+, is mate. 
If this pattern known as a smothered mate is new to you, then perhaps go over the game again, paying close attention as how the combination worked from when black played, 12. ... f6. 
The tactical tools to bear in mind from move 12 onwards are: 
#1. X-ray Attack: The power of the white queen from b3 onto the black g8 king, whether there is a black pawn on d5 or a white knight. 
#2. Double Check: When 2 attacking units both give check onto the defending king, which must make a move of some sort, no legal blocking moves are available to counter a Double Check. 
#3. Deflection: The white queen kamikaze sacrifice on g8 deflected the black rook from f8, which allowed the white e5 knight to land safely on f7 to inflict one of those joys of over-the-board chess, the smothered mate. || 

*  *  * 

## Unannotated game 1. 

White: M. Hemam, 2018. 
Black: J. Berardi, 1766. 
Event: FIDE Olympiad, Batumi 2018. 
Result: 1-0 in 16 moves. 
Opening: Queen's Pawn, Symmetrical Variation, D02. 

1. d4 d5 
2. Nf3 Nf6 
3. g3 Nbd7 
4. Bg2 c6 
5. O-O g6 
6. c4 Bg7 
7. Ne5 O-O 
8. Nc3 Nb6 
9. c5 Nbd7 
10. f4 Qc7 
11. b4 Ne8 
12. Qb3 f6 
13. Bxd5+ cxd5 
14. Nxd5 Nxc5 
15. Nxe7+ Kh8 
16. Qg8+ 
Black resigns, 1-0 

*  *  * 

## Annotated game 2. 

White: A. Spice, 2186. 
Black: M. White, 2260. 
Event: 53rd Welsh Championship, Hensol 2007. 
Result: 1-0 in 37 moves. 
Opening: Dunst Opening, D00, transposing into Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Variation, B29. 

1. Nc3 c5 
2. Nf3 

| Nice development. 
These 2 useful moves for white will get a couple of responses from black, after which white can choose which type of game to aim for, advance a central pawn or sit out on the fight with a fianchetto. || 

2. ... Nf6 
3. e4 

| Transposition into a Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Variation, already given quite a good examination in previous coaching sessions. 
So why isn't white starting with, 1. e4, instead of this apparent shadow-boxing? 
Possibly because there are so many opportunities for black to get drawn into something unfamiliar, and perhaps experience suggests the unfamiliar leads to enjoyable games. || 

3. ... Nc6 

| Equally popular is, 4. ... d6, thereafter less popular than the game choice is, 4. ... d5, and, 4. ... e6. || 

4. e5 

| A relative sideline, as is, 4. Bc4, and, 4. g3. 
The mainline is either, 4. Bb5, or, 4. d4. || 

4. ... Ng4 

| Amazingly, 4. ... Ng8, is known and scores reasonably well considering black is surrendering 2 tempi in the opening. || 

5. Qe2 

| Forced if white chooses not to lose the doubly-attacked e5 pawn. || 

5. ... Qc7 

| Instead, 5. ... d6, or, 5. ... f6, are the other choices, the latter continuing with, 6. exf6 Nxf6, with a fair fight in prospect for both sides. || 

6. Nb5 

| Equally popular here is, 6. Nd5, consult the re-posting of the 15 October 2015 session notes, given again here below game 2. 
Both variations are sharp, this is not a system to be taken on without prior study, certain ideas need to be known before sitting down at the board. 
Having given this warning, is the system any good for white? 
Wrong question. 
The system is tricky for both players, tactics are always just round the corner, usual advice, home study is required before entering this particular web. || 

6. ... Qb8 
7. d4 

| Necessary. 
White must get another supporter to the strong point pawn on e5 as quickly as possible. || 

7. ... a6 

| Limited database reports 5 other games here, all playing, 7. ... cxd4 8. Bf4 f6. 
The coaching group had difficulties in finding a satisfactory plan for white here, please find those 5 games in a separate section much further down this email, and then judge for yourself. || 

8. h3 

| A common theme in this variation, kick the black g4 knight with, pawn h3, at the earliest possible moment. || 

8. ... Ngxe5 

| Black resorts to tactics, both players had a knight en prise so a desperado capture like this can be played. 
Other choices for black run: 
(A). If, 8. ... axb5 9. hxg4, an interesting pawn-formation imbalance has arisen, both players are probably forced to castle kingside, but if black castles first, white might place the king on f1 to take advantage of the semi-open h-file. 
(B). Or if, 8. ... Nxf2 9. Qxf2 axb5 10. Bxb5, white has plans of, O-O, and look for pressure up the f-file. 
(C). Or if, 8. ... Nh6 9. Na3, and white should just about have time to get in, Bf4, over-supporting the e5 pawn, though black can make a, cxd4, pawn grab, though this is almost certainly only a temporary gain. 
(D). Or if, 8. ... Nh6 9. Nd6+ exd6 10. exd6+ Kd8 11. dxc5, black has tremendous difficulties in completing development, but does white really have enough for the knight in the long term? || 

9. dxe5 axb5 
10. Bf4 

| White over-protects the strong point of the e5 pawn. 
This process now has 3 units defending a pawn which is only doubly-attacked, surely a waste of manpower, right? 
Not at all. 
When white had only the e2 queen and f3 knight defending the e5 pawn, neither unit could give up their protective role without risking loss of the e-pawn. 
Now there are 3 defenders then all 3 units are free to move. 
So, when playing, 10. Bf4, 2 previously tied white units became free to move. || 

10. ... e6 

| Since there is not yet any chance of white throwing in a tactical, pawn e6, due to the unprotected f4 bishop, perhaps black could have kept some booty with, 10. ... b4, leaving white to justify the loss of a pawn. || 

11. Qxb5 

| As material equality is re-established one cannot resist the feeling that white has won the opening skirmishing. 
Providing white can keep hold of the e5 pawn there will be a cramping effect on the black centre. 
Combine this with the black queen being, albeit temporarily, somewhat out of play compared to the white queen, plus the white rooks having obvious central development squares while the black rooks do not have clear destinations, it should be clear as the middlegame begins white has easy moves to play while black must tread carefully. || 

11. ... b6 
12. Qb3 

| A doubler. 
Firstly, the white a2 pawn is protected, the a1 rook is now free to move. 
Secondly, when a unit moves it vacates a square for someone else, the white f1 bishop can develop on b5 if desired. || 

12. ... f6 

| FIDE Master puzzles Grand Rabbit. 
Sure, the Sicilian Defence is quite often played as it were an Attac, but there must be limits. 
White is ahead in development with better prospects of a hasty completion. 
Black will struggle for quite a while before harmonious coordination can be achieved. 
So, why is a titled player getting stuck in with such a double-edged challenge when there are simple piece development moves being rejected? 
One can but speculate, perhaps personal ambition by black demands this game be decisive, a draw might be not enough in terms of the tournament position. 
If this is the case then perhaps, pawn f6, is as good as any other method of playing for a win, no matter the cost. 
But even Grand Rabbit over the decades has come to learn that playing for a win is easiest done by playing for middlegame imbalance which cannot be deflected into an equal-looking endgame. 
This can often mean giving the opponent a slightly superior position, leaving them to decide whether to keep what they have or start to take steps to convert it to a full point. 
It is when the latter choice is selected that the player with the inferior game can start to feel the hairs on the back of the neck begin to rise. 
The Chinese pictogram for crisis is a combination of, "Danger With Opportunity". 
If you need to play for a win, then, "Crisis", is the name of the game. 
Give the opponent reasons to come at you, and be ready to strike out when the, "Window Of Opportunity", opens, but be very aware that your chance might only come once, miss it and you might just be worse with little chance of escape. 

What else was available to black if, pawn f6, is to be rejected? 
Perhaps a plan of, Bb7, Qc7, Rd8, giving the d7 pawn some protection before setting about castling kingside. 
Or maybe, pawn d5, putting the question to white over the centre, permitting black to close it with a French Defence pawn formation, or open it up with an, exd6, en passant capture. || 

13. Bb5 Bb7 
14. O-O 

| This move did not receive much applause from the coaching group. 
Almost all, with the exception of the host, wanted white to play, 14. O-O-O, placing a rook immediately on the semi-open d-file, anticipating a rook lift with, Rd2, then doubling with, Rhd1. 
It is true that castling long does achieve quicker development, and had the host been half his present age, then O-O-O, would have probably been flashed out after at least 30 seconds thought. 
However as the sands of time have trickled the little concept of long-term king-safety has slowly become installed. 
On the queenside there is no immediate danger to the white king, however can one say that will be the case at move 40 or so? 
On g1 the white king can only become exposed if black is prepared to start to open the kingside, rather risky as his own king seems to have no obvious haven yet. 
In essence, going queenside with the white king carries some risk, probably small, but nevertheless there is some risk to white. 
However going kingside throws a gauntlet down at black, the only way to get an attack on the white king can be achieved by creating weaknesses in the black camp. || 

14. ... Be7 
15. Rad1 g5 

| As the pictogram says, "Crisis - Danger With Opportunity." 
The only question here for black is, what is the ratio of, "Danger And Opportunity"? || 

16. Bc1 

| The alternate retreat, 16. Bg3 invites, 16. ... f5, after which black has gone some way to stabilise the centre while keeping great chances of a reasonably risk-free kingside attack once the king hides on h8, with rooks placed on the f-file or g-file as felt appropriate. || 

16. ... f5 

| And how does that pictogram ratio of, "Danger And Opportunity", look now for black? || 

17. Bxg5 Rg8 

| Aha, black intends to keep the king in the middle while the split queenside and kingside forces attempt to coordinate not with each other, but instead focus their attentions on the white king from their separate sides of the board. 
All very good as far as it goes, but there is one of those regular coaching session Fischerisms floating in the air. 

Clue: We are entering, "Tactical Event Horizon", territory again, let your imagination run free... || 

18. Rxd7 

| Relevant Fischerism: "Tactics flow from a positionally superior game." 
The apparently safe black centre is being dynamited. 
Whatever dreams black had regarding the white g2 pawn must be put on hold, there are some severe problems in the black camp now. || 

18. ... Kxd7 

| Black might as well take the offered material. 
Declining taking the d7 rook only produces a variety of headaches as the following sample lines show: 
(A). If, 18. ... Kf7 19. Bxc6 Bxc6 20. Rxe7+, black has lost a piece and white has, Qxe6, next move, there should be a mate there. 
(B). Or if, 18. ... Rg7 19. Qxe6, when white is threatening to remove the defence of the e7 bishop with, Bxc6, after which the triply-attacked black e7 bishop falls to, Rxe7+, mate seems inevitable. 
(C). Or if. 18. ... Rg6, 19. Bxc6 Bxc6 20. Rxe7+, black has again lost a piece and white can follow with, Rxe6, black has no compensation, it is lost. 

Black also has to work out the consequences of capturing with, 18. ... Bxg5, some ideas run: 
(A). If, 18. ... Bxg5 19. Qxe6+ Kf8 20. Qf7+ mate. 
(B). Or if, 18. ... Bxg5 19. Qxe6+ Be7 20. Bxc6 Bxc6 21. Qxe7+ mate. 
(C). Or if, 18. ... Bxg5 19. Qxe6+ Be7 20. Bxc6 Rg7 21. Rxb7+ Kf8 22. Rxb8+, and white has won queen and bishop for a rook. 
(D). Or if, 18. ... Bxg5 19. Qxe6+ Ne7 20. Rxe7+, a double check with a queen mate on d7 or f7 next move. 

And for completeness, there is also, 18. ... Rxg5, to work out, some lines run: 
(A). If, 18. ... Rxg5 19. Qxe6 Rg7 20. Bxc6 Bxc6 21. Qxc6 Kf8, and while white has snaffled 3 pawns along the way, perhaps there could be something even better? 
(B). Or if, 18. ... Rxg5 19. Qxe6 Rg7 20. Rxb7 Qc8 21. Bxc6+ Kf8 22. Qxc8 Rxc8 23. Bd5, and white would be apiece and 3 pawns up. 
(C). Or if, 18. ... Rxg5 19. Qxe6 Rg7 20. Rxb7 Qxb7 21. Bxc6+ Qxc6 22. Qxc6+ Kf7 23. Qxa8, and amazingly white would be a queen and 3 pawns up. 
(D). Or if, 18. ... Rxg5 19. Qxe6 Rg6 20. Rxe7+, with a queen mate on either d7 or f7 to follow. 
(E). Or if, 18. ... Rxg5 19. Qxe6 Bc8 20. Rxe7+ Kd8 21. Re8+ Kc7 22. Qxc6+ mate. || 

19. Rd1+ Kc7 

| A doubler. 
Firstly, on the 2nd rank the black king allows the b8 queen to protect the g8 rook. 
Secondly, the c6 knight is given another and necessary defence. 
Retreating back to e8 only leaves the black king in a horrible pin from the white b5 bishop, some sample lines run: 
(A). If, 19. ... Ke8 20. Qxe6 Rg7 21. Bf6 Rf7 22. Bxc6+ Bxc6 23. Qxc6+ Kf8 24. Ng5, and white would be winning an exchange back, meaning white would have emerged 3 pawns up in the, Rxd7, combination, and though the a2 pawn is loose, is, Rxa2, viable? 
(B). Or if, 19. ... Ke8 20. Qxe6 Rf8 21. Bxc6 Bxc6 22. Qxe7+ mate. 
(C). Or if, 19. ... Ke8 20. Qxe6 Kf8 21. Bh6 Ke8 22. Qxg8+ Bf8 23. Qxf8+ mate. 
(D). Or if, 19. ... Ke8 20. Qxe6 Kf8 21. Bh6+ Rg7 22. Bxg7+ Kxg7 23. Bxc6 Bxc6 24. Qxe7+, and all 4 black king moves allow either, Qf6+, or, Qe6+, picking up the loose black c6 bishop, white would have won a piece plus those extra pawns. || 

20. Bxe7 

| With the elimination of the e7 bishop black is now permanently weak on the dark squares, in particular the threat of, Bd6+, winning the black c8 queen must be evaded. || 

20. ... Qe8 

| About the only move to avoid immediate disaster, but sifting the wheat from the chaff is far from easy, consider the following lines: 
(A). If, 20. ... Nxe7 21. Rd7+ Kc8 22. Rxe7 Rg6 23. Re8+ Kc7 24. Rxb8 Kxb8 25. Nh4 Rh6 26. g3 Kc7, the white queen and extra pawns should eventually outplay the pair of black rooks, though could take some technique, but black can improve on this. 
(B). Or if, 20. ... Nxe7 21. Rd7+ Kc8 22. Rxe7 Bd5 23. c4 Bc6, and the white initiative has evaporated, white is still a rook down, clearly an improvement for white is required. 
(C) Or if, 20. ... Nxe7 21. Rd7+ Kc8 22. Qxe6, leaving black to sort out all the horrors of the white d7 rook moving in various directions giving discovered check, 22. ... Bc6 23. Rd6+ Kc7 24. Qxe7+ Kc8 25. Rxc6+ mates next move. 
(D) Or if, 20. ... Nxe7 21. Rd7+ Kc8 22. Qxe6 Bc6 23. Rd6+ Kb7 24. Qxe7+ Qc7 25. Bxc6+ Kb8 26. Qxc7+ Kxc7 28. Bxa8 Rxa8 29. a3, white is a piece and 3 pawns up. 
(E). Or if, 20. ... Nxe7 21. Rd7+ Kc8 22. Qxe6 Re8 23. Rxe7+ Kd8 24. Qd7+ mate. 
(F). Or if, 20. ... Nxe7 21. Rd7+ Kc8 22. Qxe6 Qc7 23. Rxe7+ Kd8 24. Rxc7 Kxc7 25. Qf7+ Kb8 26. Qxg8+, white has queen and piece with 3 extra pawns. 
(G). Or if, 20. ... Nxe7 21. Rd7+ Kc8 22. Qxe6 Rg6 23. Qxe7 Rg8 24. Qe6, massive discovered threats again, and if, 24. ... Rg6 25. Qe8+ mate. 
(H). Or if, 20. ... Nd4 21. Rxd4 cxd4 22. Bd6+ Kc8 23. Qxe6+ Kd8 25. Qd7+ mate. 
(I). Or if, 20. ... Nd4 21. Rxd4 cxd4 22. Bd6+ Kd8 23. Bxb8 Rxb8 24. Qxe6 Rg7 25. Qd6+ Kc8 26. Qf8+ Kc7 27. Qxg7+ Kc8 28. Qd7+ mate. 
(J). Or if, 20. ... Nd4 21. Rxd4 Bxf3 22. Rd7+ Kc8 23. Qxf3 Ra7 24. Qc6+ Rc7 25. Qxe6 Rg6 26. Rxc7+ (double check) Kxc7 27. Qd7+ mate. 

There will be other defensive tries for black scattered in the above lines, doubtless Fritz and friends could list them all past move 35, suffice it to say that aging bio-organic Grand Rabbit reckons the lines where white invades with, Qxe6, with threats of double checks are just crushing. || 

21. Bd6+ Kc8 
22. Bxc6 

| The black c6 knight could create a few problems if, Nd4, were permitted, the simplest means to avoid this is to trade it off, providing of course there are no tactical snags as a consequence. || 

22. ... Bxc6 

| Forced, some far less favourable options run: 
(A). If, 22. ... Qxc6 23. Qxe6+ Qd7 24. Qxg8+ Qd8 25. Qxd8+ Kxd8 26. Bxc5+ Kc7 27. Bd6+ Kc8 28. a3, white is a piece and 4 pawns up. 
(B). Or if, 22. ... Qxc6 23. Qxe6+ Kd8 24. Qxg8+, white is a piece and 3 pawns up with more to follow, black has no chance of a mate on g2,it's over, but has white something better in this line? 
(C). Or if, 22. ... Qxc6 23. Qxe6+ Kd8 24. Bb8+ Qd5 25. Rxd5+ Bxd5+ 26. Qxd5+, and both the black a8 and g8 rooks hang, massive material plus for white here. || 

23. Qxb6 

| Not only does black lose the b6 pawn, the white queen is now very active on the queenside, and there is the tempo-snatching threat of, Qc7+ mate, to be prevented, with the imminent fall of the black c5 pawn in the air. 
Still, the optimists will point to the black g8 rook probing at the white g2 pawn with a possible mate-threat battery once black gets in, Qg6. || 

23. ... Rg7 
24. Qxc5 

| A trebler. 
Firstly, another black pawn disappears, white now has the luxury of a completely winning endgame should the attack somehow fizzle out. 
Secondly, the black c6 bishop is pinned, white does not have to worry about an immediate, Bxf3, threat of snaffling a piece. 
Thirdly, the black c6 bishop needs a protection from someone, another black tempo is given over to defending rather than attacking. || 

24. ... Ra6 

| Instead, 24. ... Kb7 25. Rd3, protects the white f3 knight while threatening, Rb3+, when the combined white forces of queen, rook and bishop should smash through on the dark squares. || 

25. Rd3 f4 

| Black anticipates white might soon play, pawn g3, effectively ruling out any tactics against the g2 pawn, and so prevents the defensive advance from happening at all. || 

26. Rb3 Qg6 

| At last, black has a concrete threat, Qxg2+ mate, which must be neutralised. 
White in the game is to play, there are a couple of obvious ways to stop the mate on g2, but perhaps there is a more prosaic method available? || 

27. Rb8+ 

| If this appears to just be a check thrown in for the sake of it, before settling down to negating the threatened mate on g2, then please think again, there is quite a deep concept to be found in this move. 

Oh yes, 27. Ne1, definitely stops the immediate black kingside ambitions, and while, 27. Nh4, seems to do the job as well, it is far trickier to work through. || 

27. ... Kd7 

| And with white to play, there is a really clever means of stopping that mate on g2. 
Clue: The theme of several recent coaching games is: "Tactical Event Horizon", so get calculating as far as the, "Horizon", stretches for you. || 

28. Rb7+ 

| And if this startling idea did not occur to you, perhaps take some time chasing down the 3 mating lines. 
Taking, 28. Rb7+, to be the first move of each sequence, then depending on the stubbornness of the defence, there are mates in 4, 6, and, 8 moves to be found, start gazing into the, "Horizon". || 

28. ... Ke8 

| The 3 mates run: 
(A). If, 28. Rb7+ Bxb7 29. Qc7+ Ke8 30. Qb8+ Kf7 31. Qf8+ mate, but black let the quickest mate happen here. 
(B). Or if, 28. Rb7+ Bxb7 29. Qc7+ Ke8 30. Qb8+ Kd7 31. Qxb7+ Ke8 32. Qc8+ Kf7 33. Qf8+ mate, a slightly longer process but not the longest line. 
(C). Or if, 28. Rb7+ Bxb7 29. Qc7+ Ke8 30. Qb8+ Kd7 31. Qxb7+ Kd8 32. Qb8+ Kd7 33. Qc7+ Ke8 34. Qc8+ Kf7 35. Qf8+ mate, which forced white to take the most time. 
A couple of concepts to consider in how these mating lines worked. 
Firstly, the accepted offer of the white rook on b7 permits the white queen to invade on c7 which is followed by the white queen finding her way to f8 for mate in varying sequence lengths, depending on how black chooses to defend. 
Secondly, pay attention to the mating pattern once the white queen makes her way to f8 where of the 8 squares surrounding the black king, 6 should be covered by her majesty, while the flight squares located a knight's jump from her, e6, and, g6, are occupied by black units. || 

29. Rxg7 Qxg7 

| Now that the black queen and rook battery against g2 is dismantled, then next white must ensure the black queen and c6 bishop cannot successfully combine on the light squares in the white kingside. 
The key word in the previous sentence is, "Successfully", which strongly hints white might just be able to permit the black queen and bishop some kingside activity, but this will need very careful calculation. || 

30. Kh2 

| The white king escapes the pin up the g-file, any thoughts by black of, Bxf3, can now be safely met with, gxf3. || 

30. ... Qb7 

| With no joy available on the kingside, the black queen switches queenside to both protect the a6 rook and c6 bishop while setting up some ideas of action around the white king. 
White in the game to play can take matters very easily, or place head in hands and start seriously calculating the consequences of a committal advance. || 

31. Nd4 

| A much simpler life could have been had with, 31. Ne1, protecting g2 and ruling out any black, Bxf3, annoyances. 
The centralising white knight game move is a direct attempt to finish matters off in the middlegame. 
But as the phrase which might well pay this game seems to be, "Tactical Event Horizon", moves like this should now be expected rather than come as a pleasant surprise. || 

31. ... Bxg2 

| With further ideas of either, Bf1, or, Bh1, both setting up a crude threat of, Qg2+ mate. 
Instead calling off the attack with, 31. ... Bd7, seems not to be on the black radar, thoughts of defending seem to have been absent all game, so why start now? || 

32. Nxe6 

| A comparison of the fighting armies might assist here. 
White forces: 4 attacking units clustered in the region of the black king, coordination level good, several plans available, lastly a cut-and-run option regarding the black attack if felt necessary. 
Black units: 1 attacking unit in the region of the white king, coordination somewhat limited, single plan only, still playing for that decisive result, it had better work. || 

32. ... Bh1 

| Setting up a mate of, Qg2+, such an attack is simply asking white, have you noticed what is happening? 
Instead, 32. ... Bf1 33. Nxf4, the knight backwardly defends the g2 square, white would now have 5 pawns compensation for the exchange, there could then follow, 34. e6, permitting the white queen access across the white 5th rank to the kingside, where the combined white 4 attacking units should achieve a decisive material advantage. || 

33. Nc7+ 

| White does some, well actually quite a lot of, analysis, with the final decision being to go for it. 
Hardly surprising, as on general grounds alone of 4 white attacking units against the defensive support of the black queen shivering on b7, should lead one to conclude it should work, the only question is how. 
Note how on c7, a dark square, the white knight combines excellently with the d6 dark square bishop, just a little paradox of chess. 
"Common Sense", might suggest on a dark square the white knight would restrict the movement of the dark square bishop, and to a very small extent this is true. 
No, placing the knight on dark squares controls light squares while the dark square bishop controls, ummm, dark squares. 
So the small price of dark square bishop mobility restriction here yields a massive reward of black king confinement. 

In this precise position please pay particular attention to the e-file. 
The c7 knight controls the, e8, and, e6, squares, while the d6 bishop controls the, e7, and, e5, squares, though here e5 is occupied with a white pawn, but had it not been there, then the e5 square would have been under control of the bishop. 
This white minor piece arrangement has effectively created a, "Force-Field", more often encountered in Star Trek and similar. 
The black king must decide which way to slip, and once the decision is made to flick queenside or kingside, the, "Force-Field", from e8 - e5 will severely restrict the mobility of the black king. 
Conclusion: The white c7 knight and d6 bishop are now combining to assist the weaving of a mating net around the black king, according to his choice. 
Oh and finally, the white knight on c7 cuts off any defensive assistance the black b7 queen could have offered as the noose lowers onto the black king. 
And did someone say finally there? 
Surely if circumstances permit, white has the option of, Nxa6, available as well, providing nothing important is going on elsewhere across the board. || 

33. ... Kf7 

| Heading queenside fails proven with the following powerful demonstrations of coordination: 
(A). If, 33. ... Kd7 34. e6+ Kd8 35. e7+ Kd7 36. e8=Q+ mate. 
(B). Or if, 33. ... Kd7 34. e6+ Kc8 35. Nxa6+ Kd8 36. e7+ Ke8 37. Nc7+ Kf7 38. Qf5+ Kg7 39. Qg5+, followed by, 40. e8=Q+ mate. 
(C). Or if, 33. ... Kd7 34. e6+ Kc8 35. Nxa6+ Kd8 36. e7+ Kd7 37. Qc7+ Qxc7 38. Nxc7, with, e8+Q+ next move. 
(D). Or if, 33. ... Kd7 34. e6+ Kc8 35. Nxa6+ Kd8 36. e7+ Kd7 37. Qc7+ Ke8 38. Qd8+ Kf7 39. e8=Q+, white will quickly mate black. || 

34. Qc4+ 

| Clearly, 34. Nxa6 Qg2+ mate, should not be allowed. || 

34. ... Kg6 

| Pay careful attention now as the white c4 queen, back on light square duty, is accompanied with the d6 bishop, mastering the dark squares, to chase the defenceless black king down. 
Instead, 34. ... Kg7, might have tempted white into a time-consuming search for a mating net with either, 35. Ne8+, or, Ne6+, in both instances black could reply with, 35. ... Kh8, forcing white to retreat with, 36. Qf1, defending that annoying mate threat on g2, but white can do much better than this. 
No, after, 34. ... Kg7, there is, 35. Qf1, not really a retreat but a powerful attack. 
The black h1 bishop is doubly-attacked and only singly-defended, as is the black a6 rook, but the rook is immune from capture while there is a possibility of mate on g2. 
A few sample winning lines for white run: 
(A). If, 34. ... Kg7 35. Qf1 Bg2 36. Qxg2+ Qxg2+ 37. Kxg2 Rxa2 38. e6, this advancing e-pawn will cost black a rook. 
(B). Or if, 34. ... Kg7 35. Qf1 Bc6 36. Qxa6, black would be a piece and 4 pawns down with no mating possibilities. 
(C). Or if, 34. ... Kg7 35. Qf1 Rxa2 36. Qxh1 Qxb2 37. Qe4, black cannot make obvious progress without capturing on c2, and a queen trade effectively means white will safely promote the passed e-pawn, costing black a rook. 
In the game the black king however boldly advanced to g6, it is white to play and chase the black king into a variety of mates. || 

35. Qg8+ Kf5 

| Hiding on the h-file fails as follows: 
(A). If, 35. ... Kh6 36. Bf8+ Kh5 37. Qg4+ mate. 
(B). Or if, 35. ... Kh5 36. Qg4+ Kh6 37. Bf8+ mate. 
Note how the white queen works the light squares while the dark square bishop dances the dark squares, isn't being an exchange down good? || 

36. Qxh7+ 

| This is not just a pawn-grab for the sake of it, the black king is not being allowed to run away into the centre via the e4 square. || 

36. ... Kg5 

| And please notice the status of the black king, it has zero flight squares, which means that old, "Beginner's Phrase": "always check, it might be mate", could actually have a grain of truth in it. || 

37. Be7+ mate 
1-0 

| A good demonstration of how queen and opposite colour-complex bishop can set up cross-diagonals close to an opposing king to force mate, here assisted with the black f4 pawn and white h3 pawn playing differing roles in the mate. 
Another, "Always check, it might be mate.", proof is available with, 37. Ne6+ mate, however all other white queen checks fail, so perhaps the theory depends more on luck than judgement. || 

*  *  * 

## Unannotated game 2. 

White: A. Spice, 2186. 
Black: M. White, 2260. 
Event: 53rd Welsh Championship, Hensol 2007. 
Result: 1-0 in 37 moves. 
Opening: Dunst Opening, D00, transposing into Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Variation, B29. 

1. Nc3 c5 
2. Nf3 Nf6 
3. e4 Nc6 
4. e5 Ng4 
5. Qe2 Qc7 
6. Nb5 Qb8 
7. d4 a6 
8. h3 Ngxe5 
9. dxe5 axb5 
10. Bf4 e6 
11. Qxb5 b6 
12. Qb3 f6 
13. Bb5 Bb7 
14. O-O Be7 
15. Rad1 g5 
16. Bc1 f5 
17. Bxg5 Rg8 
18. Rxd7 Kxd7 
19. Rd1+ Kc7 
20. Bxe7 Qe8 
21. Bd6+ Kc8 
22. Bxc6 Bxc6 
23. Qxb6 Rg7 
24. Qxc5 Ra6 
25. Rd3 f4 
26. Rb3 Qg6 
27. Rb8+ Kd7 
28. Rb7+ Ke8 
29. Rxg7 Qxg7 
30. Kh2 Qb7 
31. Nd4 Bxg2 
32. Nxe6 Bh1 
33. Nc7+ Kf7 
34. Qc4+ Kg6 
35. Qg8+ Kf5 
36. Qxh7+ Kg5 
37. Be7+ mate 
1-0 

*  *  * 

## Re-posting of 25 October 2015 session notes (3 games). 

Skype coaching session, 25 October 2015. 

The following 3 games were examined, the games 13 moves, 15 moves and 22 moves are given with annotations and then again without annotations. 

Note: The recording of this session is incomplete. Unfortunately the conclusion of game 2 and all of game 3 are not available. 

Paul Benson. 

*  *  * 

## Annotated game 1, 25 October 2015. 

White: S. Vratonjic. 
Black: S. Zelenika. 
Event: Yugoslavia 1975. 
Result: 1-0 in 13 moves. 
Opening: Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Closed Variation, B30. 

1. e4 c5 
2. Nf3 Nc6 
3. Nc3 Nf6 

| A transposition into the Nimzowitsch Closed Variation. Also playable for black are, 3. ... d6, 3. ... e6, or, 3. ... g6. || 

4. e5 

| White chooses a line which might gain space for a few moves. The black king's knight is displaced from fighting over the e4 and d5 squares into fighting solely for the e5 square. Instead, 4. d4, transposing back into mainlines is fine for white. There is also, 4. Bb5, to be investigated. || 

4. ... Ng4 

| Doubly attacking the white advanced e5 pawn. The discussion now is whether the e5 pawn has claimed central space or has become over-extended. The debate should be settled in the middlegame but there are always exceptions. || 

5. Qe2 

| The only move to save the e5 pawn. Take some time here, black can further increase the pressure on e5, but does it create complications in favour of white or black? || 

5. ... Qc7 

| Going for it. As will be seen later in Game 3, challenging with, 5. ... d6, is a more solid alternative. White to play has 2 ways to attempt to break the black grip on the e5 pawn. Take some time here. || 

6. Nd5 

| Gaining a tempo against the black queen. This will be shown to be important over the next few moves. The same idea can arise from, 6. Nb5, with a different set of complications to follow as the white knight on b5 influences different squares. || 

6. ... Qb8 

| Keeping pressure on the white e5 pawn, which from here appears to be surrounded and therefore potentially lost. Better start thinking hard about what white should do here. || 

7. d4 

| This is a potential pawn sacrifice designed to free the white c1 bishop which can develop and protect the e5 pawn. || 

7. ... e6 

| (Long comment containing 4 games). 
Instead, 7. ... cxd4 8. Bf4 e6 9. h3, offers mixed results, 2 white wins and 2 black wins as follows: 

(A). 9. ... exd5 10. hxg4 Bb4+ 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O-O Re8 13. Nf3 d6 14. Qd3 g6 15. Ng5 Bxg4 
16. Nxh7 dxe5 17. Bg5 e4 18. Nf6+ Kf8 19. Rh8+ Kg7 20. Rh7+ Kf8 
21. Nxg4 f5 22. Bh6+, 1-0 in J. Bauma (2258) - J Janacek (2150), Czechia 2001. 

(B). 9. ... Nh6 10. Bxh6 exd5 11. Bf4 Bb4+ 12. Bd2 Be7 13. O-O-O O-O 14. Bf4 d6 15. exd6 Bxd6 
16. Bxd6 Qxd6 17. Nxd4 Be6 18. Kb1 Rfe8 19. Qd2 Rac8 20. Bb5 a6 
21. Ba4 Nxd4 22. Bxe8 Nxc2 23. Ba4 Nb4 24. Rc1 Nc6 25. Rhd1 h6 
26. g4 b5 27. Bb3 Rd8 28. Qc3 Rc8 29. Qc5 Qe5 30. Qe3 Qd6 
31. Qc5 Qe5 32. Re1 Qf6 33. Qb6 Ne7 34. Rxc8+ Nxc8 35. Qc5 Nb6 
36. f4 Nc4 37. Bxc4 dxc4 38. f5 Bd7 39. a3 Bc6 40. Ka2 a5 
41. Rd1 Be8 42. Qc7, 1-0 in D. Georgiev - V. Spasov, Bulgarian Ch 1988. 

(C). 9. ... Nb4 10. Nxb4 Bxb4+ 11. Kd1 Nf6 12. Bd2 Bxd2 13. Qxd2 Nd5 14. Qxd4 b5 15. Bd3 f6 
16. Qh4 a6 17. Re1 Bb7 18. Qh5+ Kf8 19. Qh4 Qd8 20. Qd4 Qb6 
21. Qh4 Qd8 22. Qd4 Rc8 23. exf6 Qxf6 24. Ne5 Ke7 25. c3 d6 
26. Nf3 Nf4 27. Be4 Qxd4+ 28. Nxd4 Bxe4 29. Rxe4 e5 30. Kd2 Kf6 
31. Ne2 g5 32. g3 Nxh3 33. Rh1 Kf5 34. Ke3 g4 35. Rd1 Rhd8 
36. Rd5 h5 37. a4 Ke6 38. Rd1 d5 39. Rb4 Rf8 40. axb5 Nxf2 
41. Ra1 Rf3+ 42. Kd2 axb5 43. Ra6+ Kf5 44. Rxb5 Ne4+ 45. Ke1 Rd8 
46. Rbb6 Re3 47. Rh6 Nxg3 48. Kf2 Rxe2+ 49. Kxg3 Re3+ 50. Kf2 Rh3 
51. b4 Rc8, 0-1 in D. Frolov (2340) - A. Skvortsov (2335), Arkhangelsk 1996. 

(D). 9. ... Nb4 10. hxg4 Nxd5 11. Bd2 d6 12. exd6 Qxd6 13. Nxd4 Bd7 14. O-O-O Qb6 15. c3 O-O-O 
16. Nf3 f6 17. g5 e5 18. gxf6 gxf6 19. g3 Bc5 20. Bh6 Nxc3 
21. bxc3 Ba3+ 22. Kd2 Ba4+ 23. Nd4 Bxd1 24. Bh3+ Kb8 25. Qxd1 exd4 
26. c4 Qb4+, 0-1 in S. Zigangirova (2314) - N. Umudova (2176), Turin 2006. || 

8. h3 

| Setting off some complications, the black g4 knight is now a desperado. || 

8. ... Ngxe5 

| With each player having a knight attacked there could be possibilities of, 8. ... Nxf2 9. Kxf2 exd5 10. Bf4, to be calculated. These seem favourable to white. If black had tried, 8. ... Nh6, offering white a chance to wreck the kingside pawn formation with, 9. Bxh6 gxh6, then, 10. Nf6+, must be good for white. || 

9. Nxe5 Nxe5 

| White to play and complicate. || 

10. Bf4 

| Pinning the black e5 knight. Of course, there was nothing wrong with, 10. dxe5. The development of the c1 bishop to f4 creates some tricks which black must find and attempt to neutralise. || 

10. ... d6 

| Instead regaining material immediately with, 10. ... exd5, runs straight into, 11. Bxe5, and black loses much material to the threats of a discovered check up the e-file when the e5 bishop moves. If, 11. d6 12 Bxd6+, and then, 13. Bxb8, white wins. || 

11. dxe5 exd5 

| Instead, 11. ... dxe5 12. Bxe5, attacks the black queen which can be blocked with, 12. ... Bd6, but then 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. Nc3, and white is a piece up. || 

12. exd6+ 

| The e-file is opened with a discovered check which creates powerful tactical opportunities for white. || 

12. ... Kd8 

| If, 12. ... Be6, then white wins the black queen with, 13. d7+, an attack from the white f4 bishop has been revealed. Check those checks. Instead if the black king flees with, 12. ... Kd7 13. Qb5+, gives black 2 choices. If, 13. ... Kd8 14. Qxc5, black is almost paralysed as well as being a pawn down. Or if, 13. ... Ke6 14. Qe8+ Kf5 15. Qe5+ Kg6 16. Qg5+ mate is nice. In the game it is now white to play and surprise black. || 

13. d7 

| Black to play and not surprise white. || 

Black resigns, 1-0 

| The pawn advance is a triple purpose move. It attacks the black c8 bishop, it reveals an attack from the white f4 bishop onto the black b8 queen, and it supports the entry of the white queen on the e8 square. Not bad, eh? Black has no answer to all 3 threats. If, 13. ... Bxd7 14. Bxb8, white wins. Or if, 13. ... Qxf4 14. Qe8+, is the strongest move when, 14. ... Kc7 15. d8=Q+ Kb8 16. Qxc8+ mate ends matters. Note how white resisted from capturing the black c8 bishop with the d7 pawn, instead preferring to invade with the queen to support the d7 pawn promotion. || 

*  *  * 

## Annotated game 2, 25 October 2015. 

White: C. Landenbergue, 2213. 
Black: S. Jakob, 2249. 
Event: Switzerland 2001. 
Result: 1-0 in 15 moves. 
Opening: Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Closed Variation, B30. 

1. e4 c5 
2. Nf3 Nc6 

| The change in move order of development of the black knights alters the ECO to B30. It is the next black move which turns the game into a Nimzowitsch Closed Variation. || 

3. Nc3 Nf6 
4. e5 Ng4 
5. Qe2 Qc7 
6. Nd5 Qd8 

| Mysterious? Black rationalises that 2 queen tempi can be cancelled out when black plays, pawn e6, to push back the white d5 knight. Well, that is the theory. White to play and fight for the initiative. || 

7. d4 

| The d-pawn is offered to accelerate development, in particular white wishes to have the c1 bishop on the f4 square to make the e5 pawn a strong point. || 

7. ... cxd4 

| This is opening up the f8 - a3 diagonal, black is not really attempting to win and hold onto a pawn. || 

8. Bf4 e6 

| Ouch! The centrally located white knight has no safe flight squares. Furthermore, the previous white move, Bf4, took away the only retreat option. How can white avoid losing a piece? || 

9. h3 

| Threat is met with counter-threat. Fine, but if black simply moves the knight then yet again the white e5 knight is without a safe move, isn't it? || 

9. ... exd5 

| Instead, 9. ... Nh6 10. Bxh6, and the f4 square becomes free for the white d5 knight. Black would then have to choose whether to have doubled h-pawns or tripled d-pawns. Perhaps the value of, 6. ... Qd8, instead of the previously well-explored, 6. ... Qb8, is now being questioned. Black has spent 2 moves to have the queen back at home while the white knight stood firm when attacked, this means white has saved a tempo. || 

10. hxg4 

| Ah, a semi-open h-file. This makes kingside castling for black rather dangerous. So, just where is the black king to find safety? Castling queenside would involve a plan of, pawn b6, Bb7, and, Qe7. Black would create difficulties by trying to develop the c8 bishop by first advancing, pawn d6, as white will have, exd6+, due to the queen on e2. Perhaps the retreat, 6. ... Qb8, is to be preferred? || 

10. ... Bb4+ 

| An annoying development tempo against white who was just about to castle queenside and proceed to work on the various black d-pawns. || 

11. Kd1 a6 
12. Ng5 

| Simple and effective. The black h7 pawn is the target. || 

12. ... d3 

| Difficult positions can affect the way a player thinks. The book Chess For Tigers by Simon Webb recommends diagnosing a difficult position early and trying to do something about it. This usually involves some random element to try and catch the opponent off guard. Black seems to be following this idea. The principle is good, but here it is tactically flawed. It is now only up to white to refute what could be regarded as desperation. || 

13. Qxd3 Nxe5 

| This is the random element black hopes will save matters. In strategic terms any sensible method which eliminates the cramping white e5 pawn is worthy of consideration. However, here white already has a lead in development while black is engaging in tactics. It would be a very unusual position when such strategy works. || 

14. Qd4 

| White does not comply. Clearly, 14. Bxe5 Qxg5, would take some of the pressure off black. Instead, 14. Qxd5 Qe7 15. Qxe5 Qxe5 16. Bxe5 f6 17. Nxh7 fxe5 18. Nf6+ gxf6 19. Rxh8+, white is an exchange up and will eventually win. The game move is designed to shorten the struggle. The white queen on d4 attacks both the black b4 bishop and e5 knight. Black must have a good answer in mind or it is virtually over. || 

14. ... f6 

| Apparently there was not a good answer here for black. This suggests the random element beginning with, 12. ... d3, had no real substance. It only needs white to avoid carelessness and black will be lost. || 

15. Nxh7 
Black resigns, 1-0 

| Black cannot defend against all the white threats. If, 15. ... Nc6 16. Qxg7 Ke7, the black queen protects the h8 rook but, 17. Qf6+ Ke8 18. Qxh8+, is an easy white win. Or if, 15. ... g5 16. Bxe5, will suffice. After, 16. ... fxe5 17. Qxe5+ Kf7 18. Qxd5+, and the black king and unprotected b4 bishop are a problem. If now, 18. ... Kg7 19. Qd4+, and the black king cannot find a safe square from which it can keep an attack on the white h7 knight. For instance, 19. ... Kg8 20. Bc4+ d5 21. Bxd5+ Be6 22. Bxe6+, is mate. Or if, 19. ... Kg6 20. Bd3+ Kf7 21. Qxb4, white is a piece up and winning. || 

*  *  * 

## Annotated game 3, 25 October 2015. 

White: A. Stambulian, 2402. 
Black: A. Goloshchapov, 2526. 
Event: Chigorin Memorial 2000. 
Result: 0-1 in 22 moves. 
Opening: Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Closed Variation, B30. 

1. e4 c5 
2. Nf3 Nc6 

| The change in move order of development of the black knights alters the ECO to B30. It is the next black move which turns the game into a Nimzowitsch Closed Variation. || 

3. Nc3 Nf6 
4. e5 Ng4 
5. Qe2 d6 

| The advanced white e5 pawn is now challenged in a different manner. || 

6. exd6 

| Everyone seems to make this capture. The only way to defend the e5 pawn is, 6. d4 cxd4 7. Bf4, when white has given up a pawn for a development tempo, no one seems to like this idea and is probably why it remains untested. || 

6. ... e6 

| Now white will not have any fun up the e-file. || 

7. Ne4 

| The alternative is, 6. Qc4, when black can choose between, 6. ... Nf6, or, 6. ... e5. || 
7. ... Bxd6 
8. Qc4 

| A double purpose move. The double attack on the black c5 pawn should be obvious. It also sets up an x-ray attack through the e4 knight. The idea is, Nxd6+, and capturing the undefended black g4 knight, black has a simple answer. || 

8. ... Nf6 
9. d3 

| The black c5 pawn is just waiting to be captured. White could also consider the plan, pawn g3, Bg2, O-O, which would mean the battle will take place in the centre / queenside. || 

9. ... O-O 
10. Bg5 

| The c5 pawn? Generally speaking, if this bishop develops here then either be prepared to exchange it off or expect the opponent to seek a means of removing it. || 

10. ... Be7 
11. Bxf6 

| Ahem! The c5 pawn? White is prepared to give up the dark square bishop to remove the best black minor piece available to defend the kingside. || 

11. ... Bxf6 

| Now black has an unchallengeable dark square bishop pointing into the white queenside. || 

12. O-O-O 

| Black to play must find a plan of development. Take some time here, a good principle is either about to be revealed or broken. || 

12. ... e5 

| Puzzling. Having just received the gift of a bishop on the long dark square diagonal, black chooses to block it. Why? So the c8 bishop can be developed is the first thought. However, it is deeper than this. Blac anticipates the loss of the c5 pawn and has devised a means of getting a pawn back if white is to complete development with prospects of kingside activity. These Grand Masters know a bit about chess. || 

13. Nxc5 

| At last. White has been deliberately resisting this. There were no immediate refutations to making this capture on previous moves. White was simply not wishing to find out how much play black might generate in return. So, why capture now? White needed to break the clamp on the d4 square. Now we can settle down to discover if a traditional Sicilian strategy, i.e. play up the semi-open c-file, will yield fruit for black. || 

13. ... Qc7 
14. d4 

| White needs to get the f1 bishop into play so the d3 square must be vacated, even if it costs a pawn. || 

14. ... exd4 
15. Ne4 Be7 
16. Bd3 Be6 

| Some positions are favourable to knights while some favour bishops. The white knights are ready to advance, if they could, while the black bishops are quite happy to skulk just where they are. Excluding the black d4 pawn, the centre is devoid of pawns, such an open game is reputed to favour bishops. Only one way to find out. White must be careful on the next move. || 

17. Qa4 

| White might have tried, 17. Qb5, intending to swing the queen over to the kingside with, Qh5, next move. Black would be advised not to let the queen take an aggressive posting and so simply, 17. ... g6, stops this. The black g-pawn would provide white with a point of attack, perhaps advancing the h2 pawn to open lines, but this is rather slow, and without the queen to assist, is not going to lead anywhere. || 

17. ... Rac8 

| Every now and again Grand Master confuses Grand Rabbit. Surely the f8 rook should be sent over to the queenside? Perhaps black is keeping options of advancing the f-pawn, kick the white knight out of the e4 square, and lift the f8 rook to the f6 square from where it can swing queenside. || 

18. Kb1 

| The preparation is complete. Black to play and get the attack started. || 

18. ... Nb4 

| Hitting the white a2 pawn. It also Places a triple attack on the c2 pawn, but surely this is triply defended? Yes, but defenders can be removed or deflected. Just watch what happens. || 

19. a3 

| Attempting to limit the power of the black e6 bishop with, 19. b3, creates a different set of problems. Simply, 
19. ... Bd7, and the white queen has severe problems. Clearly, 20. Bb5 Bxb5 21. Qxb5 Qxc2+ 22. Ka1 Qxa2+ mate, is not going to happen. So after, 19. b3 Bd7, white must also avoid, 20. Qxa7 Nxd3 21. cxd3 Qc2+ 22. Ka1 Ra8, and the only way to avoid mate is to lose a rook with, 23. Rc1 Qxc1+ 24. Rxc1 Rxa7. 
This means after, 19. b3 Bd7, white must play, 20. Qa3, but now, 20. ... Nxd3, the white queen is attacked from the black e7 bishop, black is winning at least a rook here. || 

19. ... Nxd3 

| The black knight removes one of the three defenders of the c2 pawn. || 

20. cxd3 

| Unfortunately capturing with, 20. Rxd3, allows black a trick to win material which will be explained after the next black move. Black has a strong move here, take some time now. || 

20. ... b5 

| This vigorous pawn offer has been available to black for a few moves. Timing of such sacrifices is important. The white queen is defending the c2 square. Should she be deflected from the a4 square then black will be able to invade with, Qc2+. At the moment there is a white pawn on the d3 square. Imagine that pawn back on c2 and the white d1 rook sitting on the d3 square. This is how it would be had white recaptured, 20. Rxd3. Play could have continued, 20. ... b5 21. Qxb5 Qxc2+ 22 Ka1, and the weakness of the white back rank would have been revealed with, 22. ... Qc1+ 23. Rxc1 Rxc1+ mate. || 
21. Qxb5 

| The white queen must keep guard of the b3 square. If, 21. Qa6 Qc2+ 22. Ka1 Qb3, and the only way to prevent mate on the a2 square is to give up the queen with, 23. Qxe6, a hopeless cause. Instead, 23. Kb1 Qa2+ is mate, black controls the c-file with the c8 rook. It seems the black Sicilian c-file strategy can yield fruit. || 

21. ... Qc2+ 
22. Ka1 

| Black to play needs to find a means to land the queen on the b3 square. Take some time here. || 

22. ... a6 
White resigns, 0-1 

| Yet again the white queen is being deflected. If, 22. Qxa6 Qb3, and the only way to prevent mate on a2 is to give up the queen with, 23. Qxe6. White can stay on the b-file to prevent black from playing, Qb3, with, 23. Qb6, but black for the third time deflects the white queen with, 23. ... Rc6 24. Qb7. Why the need for this deflection? The black queen is in need of both the a4 and a5 squares. Black can now continue with, 24. ... Bxa3, when, 25. bxa3 Qa2+ mate, will not happen. White must over-protect the b2 pawn with, 25. Rb1, but now comes the point of the deflections. Black plays, 25. ... Qa4, with threats of a discovered checkmate. White can postpone matters with, 26. b3, but the black queen has the a5 square available and, 26. ... Qa5, leaves white with no defences. If then, 27. b4 Bxb4+ 28. Kb2 Qa2+ mate ends matters. Instead, 27. Rb2 Bxb2+ 28. Kxb2 Qc3+ 29. Kb1 Qc2+ 30. Ka1 Bxb3, and white can only give up material to postpone the inevitable for a move or so. || 

*  *  * 

## Unannotated game 1, 25 October 2015. 

White: S. Vratonjic. 
Black: S. Zelenika. 
Event: Yugoslavia 1975. 
Result: 1-0 in 13 moves. 
Opening: Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Closed Variation, B30. 

1. e4 c5 
2. Nf3 Nc6 
3. Nc3 Nf6 
4. e5 Ng4 
5. Qe2 Qc7 
6. Nd5 Qb8 
7. d4 e6 
8. h3 Ngxe5 
9. Nxe5 Nxe5 
10. Bf4 d6 
11. dxe5 exd5 
12. exd6+ Kd8 
13. d7 
Black resigns, 1-0 

*  *  * 

## Unannotated game 2, 25 October 2015. 

White: C. Landenbergue, 2213. 
Black: S. Jakob, 2249. 
Event: Switzerland 2001. 
Result: 1-0 in 15 moves. 
Opening: Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Closed Variation, B30. 

1. e4 c5 
2. Nf3 Nc6 
3. Nc3 Nf6 
4. e5 Ng4 
5. Qe2 Qc7 
6. Nd5 Qd8 
7. d4 cxd4 
8. Bf4 e6 
9. h3 exd5 
10. hxg4 Bb4+ 
11. Kd1 a6 
12. Ng5 d3 
13. Qxd3 Nxe5 
14. Qd4 f6 
15. Nxh7 
Black resigns, 1-0 

*  *  * 

## Unannotated game 3, 25 October 2015. 

White: A. Stambulian, 2402. 
Black: A. Goloshchapov, 2526. 
Event: Chigorin Memorial 2000. 
Result: 0-1 in 22 moves. 
Opening: Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Closed Variation, B30. 

1. e4 c5 
2. Nf3 Nc6 
3. Nc3 Nf6 
4. e5 Ng4 
5. Qe2 d6 
6. exd6 e6 
7. Ne4 Bxd6 
8. Qc4 Nf6 
9. d3 O-O 
10. Bg5 Be7 
11. Bxf6 Bxf6 
12. O-O-O e5 
13. Nxc5 Qc7 
14. d4 exd4 
15. Ne4 Be7 
16. Bd3 Be6 
17. Qa4 Rac8 
18. Kb1 Nb4 
19. a3 Nxd3 
20. cxd3 b5 
21. Qxb5 Qc2+ 
22. Ka1 a6 
White resigns, 0-1 

*  *  * 

## Supplementary reference games to comment for white move 6 in Game 2 of 16 December 2018 session. 

B29, 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e5 Ng4 5. Qe2 Qc7 
6. Nb5 Qb8 6. d4 cxd4 7. Bf4 f6, 5 Games. 
White wins 0. 
Draws 1. 
Black wins 4. 

[Event "Amantea op"] 
[Site "Amantea"] 
[Date "1994.??.??"] 
[EventDate "?"] 
[Round "?"] 
[Result "0-1"] 
[White "Risto Nicevski"] 
[Black "Giulio Borgo"] 
[ECO "B30"] 
[WhiteElo "2335"] 
[BlackElo "2320"] 
[PlyCount "70"] 

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Ng4 5. Qe2 Qc7 
6. Nb5 Qb8 7. d4 cxd4 8. Bf4 f6 9. O-O-O Ngxe5 10. Nfxd4 a6 
11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Nc3 Nd3+ 13. Rxd3 Qxf4+ 14. Kb1 e6 15. h4 Rb8 
16. g3 Qe5 17. Re3 Qa5 18. Bh3 Bc5 19. Rd3 O-O 20. Rhd1 f5 
21. f4 d5 22. Ka1 Qb4 23. Rb1 Bd7 24. Bg2 Bd4 25. Nd1 Bf6 
26. c3 Qa5 27. Ne3 Rb5 28. Rbd1 Rfb8 29. Nc4 dxc4 30. Rxd7 Bxc3 
31. Rd8+ Rxd8 32. Rxd8+ Qxd8 33. bxc3 Qd6 34. Bf1 Kf8 35. Qc2 Rd5 0-1 

[Event "ch-UKR Women"] 
[Site "Kramatorsk UKR"] 
[Date "2001.03.03"] 
[EventDate "2001.03.26"] 
[Round "8"] 
[Result "0-1"] 
[White "Anna Zozulia"] 
[Black "Katerina Rohonyan"] 
[ECO "B30"] 
[WhiteElo "2358"] 
[BlackElo "2340"] 
[PlyCount "44"] 

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Ng4 5. Qe2 Qc7 
6. Nb5 Qb8 7. d4 cxd4 8. Bf4 f6 9. Nfxd4 Ngxe5 10. Bg3 a6 
11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Nd4 Qxb2 13. Rd1 e6 14. f4 Bb4+ 15. Kf2 Bc5 
16. c3 Qxc3 17. Qd2 Ng4+ 18. Ke2 Qa3 19. h3 Qxg3 20. hxg4 a5 
21. Rc1 Bb4 22. Qc2 Ba6+ 0-1 

[Event "7th European Individual Championship: Women"] 
[Site "Kusadasi TUR"] 
[Date "2006.04.07"] 
[EventDate "2006.04.04"] 
[Round "4"] 
[Result "0-1"] 
[White "Nelly Aginian"] 
[Black "Nargiz Umudova"] 
[ECO "B30"] 
[WhiteElo "2319"] 
[BlackElo "2145"] 
[PlyCount "104"] 

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Ng4 5. Qe2 Qc7 
6. d4 cxd4 7. Nb5 Qb8 8. Bf4 f6 9. O-O-O fxe5 10. Nfxd4 d6 
11. Bg3 g6 12. Nf3 Bh6+ 13. Kb1 O-O 14. h4 Nf6 15. Ng5 a6 
16. Nc3 b5 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. Rxd5 Bxg5 19. hxg5 Bf5 20. Rd2 Qb6 
21. Qd1 Rac8 22. Rh4 Nd4 23. Bd3 Bxd3 24. Rxd3 Nxc2 25. Qg4 Nd4 
26. Rxd4 Qc7 27. Qe6+ Kg7 28. a3 exd4 29. Rxd4 Qc1+ 30. Ka2 Qxg5 
31. Qd7 Rfd8 32. Qb7 Qf6 33. Bh4 Qf7+ 34. Kb1 e5 35. Qxf7+ Kxf7 
36. Rd3 Rd7 37. Rf3+ Kg7 38. Bg5 h6 39. Bd2 d5 40. Re3 e4 
41. Re1 g5 42. Re2 Kg6 43. Ka2 Kf5 44. Kb3 d4 45. Re1 Ke5 
46. Rh1 Rc6 47. Rh5 e3 48. fxe3 dxe3 49. Bb4 Rd3+ 50. Ka2 e2 
51. Rh1 Rd1 52. Be1 Rcc1 0-1 

[Event "37th Chess Olympiad: Women"] 
[Site "Turin ITA"] 
[Date "2006.06.03"] 
[EventDate "2006.05.21"] 
[Round "12"] 
[Result "0-1"] 
[White "Atousa Pourkashiyan"] 
[Black "Viktorija Cmilyte"] 
[ECO "B30"] 
[WhiteElo "2311"] 
[BlackElo "2470"] 
[PlyCount "84"] 

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Ng4 5. Qe2 Qc7 
6. Nb5 Qb8 7. d4 cxd4 8. Bf4 f6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 Nxe5 
11. Bg3 e6 12. O-O-O Be7 13. Qh5+ g6 14. Qh6 Kf7 15. Be2 Kg8 
16. Qe3 Qc7 17. f4 Nf7 18. f5 e5 19. fxg6 hxg6 20. Nb5 Qb6 
21. Qf3 Qc6 22. Qb3 d5 23. Nc3 d4 24. Nd5 Bd8 25. Bb5 Qc5 
26. Bc4 Rh7 27. h4 Bf5 28. h5 Rc8 29. hxg6 Bxg6 30. Rxh7 Bxh7 
31. Ne3 dxe3 32. Bxf7+ Kg7 33. Rd5 Qxc2+ 34. Qxc2 Rxc2+ 35. Kd1 e2+ 
36. Ke1 Be7 37. Rb5 Kxf7 38. Rxb7 Ke6 39. a3 Bd3 40. b4 Bd8 
41. Rxa7 Bb6 42. Rb7 Be3 0-1 

[Event "European Individual Championship (Women)"] 
[Site "Dresden GER"] 
[Date "2007.04.06"] 
[EventDate "2007.04.03"] 
[Round "4"] 
[Result "1/2-1/2"] 
[White "Eva Repkova"] 
[Black "Viktorija Cmilyte"] 
[ECO "B30"] 
[WhiteElo "2328"] 
[BlackElo "2466"] 
[PlyCount "34"] 

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Ng4 5. Qe2 Qc7 
6. Nb5 Qb8 7. d4 cxd4 8. Bf4 f6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 Nxe5 
11. Bg3 e6 12. O-O-O Be7 13. Qh5+ g6 14. Qh6 Bf8 15. Qh4 Be7 
16. Qh6 Bf8 17. Qh4 Be7 1/2-1/2 

*  *  *