Skype coaching session, 10 February 2019. 

The game discussed (45 moves) is given below with annotations in a couple of formats and without annotations. 

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. 

*  *  * 

editorial. 

A big thank you to Chris Ross for volunteering to host this session and for generously providing the annotations. 

Opening systems come with considerable flexibility. 
Subtle alterations in the move order can change the name. 
Here the 3rd move by black sets the scene for his entire defence as we enter the Smyslov Variation. 
The 4th black move then takes us into the realm of the Steinitz Defence. 
So how is this game to be categorised? 
Bizarrely, the choice of opening moves gives no indication of how the game should really be classified. 
It is a little later in the opening when the game settles into something no longer recognisable as a Ruy Lopez, which of course means typical strategies for both sides must then follow the plans of the new system - The Kings Indian Defence. 

Annotated Game (Regular format). 

White: C. Ross, 2224. 
Black: P. Tibbot, estimated 1950. 
Event: Northampton League, 2018-19. 
Result: 1-0 in 45 moves. 
Opening: Ruy Lopez, Smyslov Variation, C60. 

1. e4 e5 
2. Nf3 Nc6 
3. Bb5 g6 

| Black prepares to fianchetto on the king-side, hoping to strike at the white pawn centre from afar. 
Similar ideas can be seen in such openings like the Alekhine. 
More often than not though, players will interpose the move 3. ... a6 and if 4. Ba4, then, 4. ... g6 is played. 
The purpose of the interposed move is to have b7-b5 on hand, were black in need of chasing away the white light-squared bishop if pressure on the e5-pawn becomes intolerable. || 

4. O-O d6 

| White intends to expand in the centre very quickly and a potential pawn push to d4-d5 could win the pinned knight on c6. 
Black rushes to unpin the knight. || 

5. c3 

| Building up the pawn centre. 
Instead, 5. D4 is playable, but only opens up the Dragon bishop's scope on g7. 
With this build up, the Dragon bishop is somewhat blunted by the pawns. || 

5. ... Bd7 

6. Re1 

| Now the knight on c6 has support from another minor piece, white cannot inflict structural damage to the pawn chain with captures. 
Therefore, the white light-squared bishop is provided with a flight square to maintain the bishop pair. 
The e4-pawn is given a defence and black cannot initiate tactics in the centre once white plays d2-d4, as an opening up of the E-file will prove fatal for the exposed black king. || 

6. ... Bg7 
7. d4 Nge7 

| Although not critical, the alternative development of 7. ... Nf6 is more popular. 
The major downfall to the text-move is that the natural retreat square for the black queen's knight is occupied. || 

8. d5 

| Changing the whole complexion to the position. 
White now realises that the structure is being altered into a King's Indian Defence formation, but with some very important nuances. 
Importantly, the black light-squared bishop is placed on d7, where it is somewhat in the way of future black development. 
The knight on e7 is often placed on f6 in the KID, where pressure is exerted onto the e4-pawn. 
Although the freeing move of f7-f5 can be more easily played in the present structure, the black king's knight cannot provide additional pressure on e4, as it will take at least 3 moves to return to f6. || 

8. ... Nb8 
9. Bf1 

| Placing the light-squared bishop back on a secure square. 
By avoiding the exchange of light-squared bishops, black has been left with an awkwardly placed minor piece on d7, standing in the way of the natural development position for the queen's knight. 
The only two alternatives to remove the obstruction is to either un-develop it with Bc8, or play Bg4 and be forced to exchange on f3, thereby giving white the bishop pair. 
Instead, 9. a4 is definitely a possibility with the idea of exchanging on b5 with the 
pawn and making the a7-pawn backward and a potential target. 

Also, 9. Bd3 to hold up f7-f5 is a possibility, but on d3, the bishop screens the white queen's defence of the d5-pawn. 
This may be needed if white chose to play e4xf5 and black could consider taking on d5 instead of re-capturing on f5. 
From f1, the light-squared bishop provides the white king a certain degree of security and ensures that a pawn-storm by black will not be immediately devastating. || 

9. ... O-O 
10. c4 

| Since the position has resolved into a KID structure, white needs to begin operations on the queen-side to establish some kind of weakness there. 
His natural pawn-break is c4-c5, so he begins that process. 
The ultimate objective is, of course, c7. 
If white can exploit the base of the pawn chain (c7-d6-e5) then the integrity of the formation will be undermined. 

The opposite-wing operations have now commenced. 
The major difference in the position is the relative positioning of the light-squared bishops. 
Black's stands on an awkward square, whereas white's is securely positioned offering defence to the white king. || 

10. ... h6 

| Black secures the g5-square, preventing Ng5/Ne6 once black achieves f7-f5. 
The pawn storm on the king-side is prepared. || 

11. Nc3 f5 

| Black may have considered taking preventative measures on the queen-side before starting operations on the king-side. 
This is a very difficult balancing act to know in opposite-wing play, when to make advancements with your own strategy, or make inhibiting moves on the defending wing. 
There's no set rule to say when to push and when to prevent. 
Momentum is often the determining factor. 
Black's ultimate object is naturally the white king, so any success on that side will end the game, despite whatever positional gains white has gained on the queen-side. 
Such are the delights of the KID, 11. ... a5 12. c5 dxc5 13. Be3 as an example. || 

12. Nd2 

| Taking an idea from the Petrocian variation of the KID. 
White secures up the e4-square and removes the knight from any tempo-gaining attacks on the steed by the black advancing pawns. 
The white dark-squared bishop has no future on the c1-h6 diagonal, so blocking it in like this is of no consequence. 
With white's objective to break with c4-c5, the dark-squared bishop is needed on a3. 

Perhaps, 12. c5 Bc8 is one way in which white can tackle the position although white is well en route with his queen-side play. 
Instead, 12. c5 dxc5 13. Qb3 Nc8 14. exf5 is mixing up the position in white's favour as the black forces are all uncoordinated. 
Stealing on b7 may not be the best plan for white, 12. c5 dxc5 13. Qb3 Nc8 14. Qxb7 Nb6 15. Bc4 Kh8, the white queen doesn't look particularly content and may struggle to extract herself. || 

12. ... b6 

| Black decides to make some preventative moves on the queen-side to hold up white's play. 
Here, c4-c5 is held up, but this makes the c7-pawn a permanent backward target. 
Note, 12. ... Bc8 13. Nb3 and white's on his way to achieving c4-c5. || 

13. Rb1 

| White has to show some restraint to open up lines on the queen-side, as hasty pushes to leave a broken pawn chain. 
For example, 12. b4 only allows 12... a5 and white cannot support the pawn on b4 with a2-a3 as it will then be pinned down the A-file. 
White must build up slowly and keep the pain-chain in tact in order to create a structured break. || 

13. ... a5 

| Black prevents the immediate b2-b4. 
Now to achieve b2-b4, white will have to yield the open A-file, where black may get some counterplay. 
Since all of the penetration squares down the A-file are currently being controlled, the black queen's rook will have little influence down the file. || 

14. b3 

| White must be attentive at all times. 
Note, 14. a3 is a positional inaccuracy due to 14. ... a4 and b2-b4 cannot be achieved as black will capture on b3 en passant. 
In that sense then, white must build up the pawn break slowly, giving black a moment to re-focus his efforts on the king-side. || 

14. ... Na6 
15. a3 

| Black has now arrived at a critical moment. 
For the time-being, his queen-side preventative play has been completed. 
He needs to make a big decision on the king-side. 
Essentially, black needs to decide to whether play 15. ... f4 and then follow up with a pawn-storm. 
Alternatively, he can open things up in the centre and play with his minor pieces in the hope of brewing a king-side attack. 
There's no reasonable way in which to judge the timing of the pawn storm, and the presence of the light-squared bishop on f1 gives the impression that there is sufficient enough defence around the white king to hint at an immediate demise. || 

15. ... fxe4 

| Black judges that in this particular case, he has better opportunities for minor piece activity. 
This may be justified since the black king's knight is on e7 and can only enter into operations via the f5-square. 
Usually, this knight sits on f6 and can directly pressurise e4 from this position. 
However, the counter-argument to that is that if black chose to push with f5-f4, a subsequent g6-g5 would open up the g6-square for the knight. || 

16. b4 

| White wastes no time in re-capturing on e4, since the black doubled E-pawn is not going anywhere. 
The necessity to re-capture is not immediately required. 
A factor that can often be neglected when calculating variations. 
As the text-move indicates, white can regain the pawn on e4 at his leisure and simply continues with his own plan on the queen-side. || 

16. ... axb4 

| 16. ... e3 is a pointless effort to disrupt the white forces since 17. Rxe3 only activates the rook, which can switch along the third rank to pressurise either side of the board. 
For example, 17. ... Nf5 18. Rf3 and if the knight moves, exchanges on f8 will only ease black's counterplay down the half-open file. || 

17. axb4 Nf5 

| Black now threatens to push with e4-e3 forcing white to recapture with the f2-pawn, a distinctly undesired positional move. 
The decision to the capture on e4 now brings up an interesting question, to which knight deserves that honour. || 

18. Ncxe4 

| The c3-knight is chosen, as from c3, it does not have any immediate purpose apart from preventing the black rook penetration onto a2. 
However, from a2, the rook cannot do any further damage and can easily be chased away. 
The d2-knight is kept for Nb3 to support c4-c5 and for possible returns to f3 for king-side defensive duties, 18. Ndxe4 Qh4 for example. || 

18. ... Qe8 

| A curious choice of development. 
However, it does put the question to white to how to defend against 19. ... Ba4, since the white queen has very little squares to flee to. 
The g6-pawn is offered further support too. 
Note, 18. ... Qe7 19. Bd3 may be best. || 

19. Ba3 

| White continues his plan of forcing through c4-c5. 
IN the doing, he gives his queen the c1-square for a flight requirement. || 

19. ... b5 

| The secondary reason for 18. ... Qe8 is now revealed. 
Black has found a tactic to break open the white pawn-chain. 
Naturally, captures on b5 would only leave the white b4-pawn weak and vulnerable. || 

20. c5 

| White continues with his strategic objective, despite the tactics that black has instigated. 
Being deflected from the planned strategy will only support in unbalancing the position. || 

20. ... Nxc5 

| Black has found a tactic to exploit the undefended nature of the a3-bishop. 
This tactic also frees up the knight on a6 and reduces black's passivity. || 

21. bxc5 

| Accepting the exchange of minor pieces. 
White reckons that the dark-squared bishop is not superior to the black knight. 
In any case, white needs to regain the lost pawn. || 

21. ... Rxa3 
22. c6 Bc8 
23. Qc1 

| Again, the immediate re-capture on b5 is not necessary. 
The b5-pawn is not going anywhere. 
White can complete his development by manoeuvring his queen to a better square, gaining tempo on the loose black rook in the doing. || 

23. ... Ra5 

| Defending the loose b5 pawn is ineffectual, as the rook can only be chased away with yet more gain of tempo. 
Instead, 23. ... Ra8 24. Bxb5 Nd4 25. Bc4 Is the best way for black to play. || 

24. Qc3 Ra8 
25. Bxb5 Nd4 
26. Bd3 

| It is not clear as to where the light-squared bishop belongs. 
From d3, it at least boosts the outposted knight and offers additional defence to it. 
This may not be strictly necessary. 
Instead, 26. Bc4 Qe7 is a possible continuation. || 

26. ... Qf7 
27. Ra1 

| Since white has now obtained a significant positional plus and the c7-pawn, a permanent target for the end-game, he can go about exchanging pieces. 
Any Q/K/R end-game will only be winning for white due to the c7-target. 
Black must avoid most of the exchanges and hope that a king-side attack is possible or gain of material in some way. 
The challenge of the A-file will exchange at least one pair of rooks. 
Black cannot back off from the A-file, as Ra7 will only penetrate onto the 7th rank and the c7-pawn will soon come under tremendous pressure. || 

27. ... Bf5 
28. Rxa8 Rxa8 
29. Rb1 

| Instead, 29. Ra1 is possible, but the direct occupation of the B-file gives black problems to solve, as Rb7 is a distinct possibility. 
On b7, the rook would be defended by the c6-pawn, securing it in place. || 

29. ... Kh7 

| Directly attacking the d5-pawn now since any pin along the a2-h7 diagonal is not possible. 
IN that regard then, white has to defend the pawn. || 

30. Qc4 Bc8 

| With the awkward placement of the queen and white light-squared bishop, black decides to attempt to exploit the f1-a6 diagonal. 
White is in danger of overloading and hampering his own minor pieces. || 

31. Rb7 

| Psychologically, a stunning blow. 
The path for Ba6 is immediately blocked and white simply gets on with his plan of targeting the c7-pawn. 
Instead, 31. Bf1 is the secure way to avoid material loss, but the text-move has the sole objective of shocking black into a defensive reaction. 
White demonstrates that the exchange is of little importance for him and that he had the fundamental belief that he will be able to convert the b7-pawn were black to accept the exchange. || 

31. ... Bf8 

| The d6-pawn needed defence. 
The b7-rook is pinning the c7-pawn against the black queen, allowing Nxd6 tactics. 
Instead, 31. ... Bxb7 32. cxb7 Rb8 and white will transfer a knight via c4/a5/c6, even if Qa6 is needed to defend the b7-pawn and material will inevitably be lost for black. || 

32. Bf1 

| Strictly not necessary, but played with the idea of gaining valuable time on the clock. 
The securing of the light-squared bishop ensures that it is not a tactical liability. || 

32. ... Bf5 

| Having decided that the exchange on b7 is too hot to snatch, black decides to reactivate his light-squared bishop. 
Black has the intent of rustling up some king-side pressure. 
Instead, 32. ... Bxb7 33. cxb7 Rb8 34. Qa6 and white begins the knight march to c6. || 

33. h3 

| White provides a flight-square for his king to avoid back-rankers. 
G2-g4 may also be playable to ensnare an un-expecting light-squared bishop on f5. || 

33. ... Rc8 

| Black defends his C-pawn to allow the queen some flexibility. 
Passive, but there is no other way in which the c7-pawn can be defended. || 

34. Nc3 

| White is in no rush to convert his positional advantages. 
Here, the central knight is being exchanged for his counterpart. 
The knight on c3 could head for b5 to exchange the dominating knight on d4. 
Also, e2 is covered, preventing any sneaky Ne2+ tactics by black, however remote that threat actually 
is. 
Instead, 34. Qb4 Bxe4 35. Nxe4 Qf4 and black is starting to be annoying. || 

34. ... h5 

| g2-g4 winning the light-squared bishop had to be prevented, since the knight on e4 has vacated. 
Black also expands in the hope of creating some tension around the white king's position. 
Instead, 34. ... Ra8 35. Nb5 Nxb5 36. Qxb5 and white is beginning to liquidate down to that desired end-game. || 

35. Nde4 Qe7 

| Intending to bring the black queen to the king-side. 
Instead, 35. ... Be7 36. Ng3 and white continues to consolidate his position. || 

36. Bd3 

| Wanting to exchange the black light-squared bishop for his counterpart instead of a knight. 
Instead, 36. Ng3 Ra8 37. Nxf5 gxf5 gives black some play with his pawns and open G-file. || 

36. ... Qh4 
37. Ng3 

| White must not be complacent. 
He has a big positional advantage, but black can whip up some very dangerous tactics if white is unwary. 
White has to be mindful of Bxh3 tactics, with Qxh3 and Nf3+ ideas. 
By the text-move, the e4-square is provided for his own light-squared bishop, which would prevent Nf3+ and also facilitates return to g2, supporting in the defence of the white king. || 

37. ... Bxd3 
38. Qxd3 Kg7 

| Black's choices are becoming dramatically reduced now. 
With the exchange of the light-squared bishop, any potential tactical attack is somewhat thwarted. 
Black seeks to cling on now and hope that white cannot find a way to breech the perimeter. || 

39. Ra7 

| As discussed earlier, a potential white rook lift into a7 would give black tremendous difficulties to resolve. 
Now, white resorts back to this concept and in the doing, opens up the white queen's entry into the queen-side. 
White has Qa6 at an opportune moment now, gaining valuable tempo on the loose rook on c8 and permitting ideas such as Ra8 to exchange more material. 
White's completion of his game strategy is very near now. || 

39. ... Qd8 

| Desperately scrambling backwards to defend the c7-pawn and preventing any rook exchange. || 

40. Nge4 

| With the black king-side attack repelled, this knight returns to the outpost on e4, with a potential of Ng5/Ne6 to exert that bit more pressure on the c7-pawn. || 

40. ... Rb8 

| Black has so few options here, that it is no surprise that he seeks activity. 
Passivity was his best resort though. 
Exchanging rooks would not help, 40. ... Ra8 41. Rxa8 Qxa8 42. Qb1 And Qb7 and other such ideas are arriving quickly. || 

41. Qa6 

| The clamp on the black queen-side is just about concluded now. 
Can black keep it all together or not. || 

41. ... Qc8 

| Having sustained a great deal of pressure throughout the entire game, black's collapse is not so shocking. 
A continual struggle to find a defence is tiring on anybody. 
White could play in several manners here, even exchanging the queens and heading for a prolonged, but ultimately won end-game. 
However, tactics prevail here and the c7-pawn, the singular objective of the white strategy, now succumbs. 
A truly fitting climax to a well-crafted strategy by white. || 

42. Qa5 Be7 

| Black attempts to close up the second rank and to cling on. 
Sadly, it just is not happening for him. || 

43. Rxc7 Qd8 

| Hoping that white would not notice that his rook is pinned against his queen! 
Instead, 43. ... Qf8 44. Qa7 Nf5 45. Nxd6 Nxd6 46. Rxe7+ Kh8 and white has crashed through. || 

44. Qa7 Kf8 

| Trying to clear the second rank and unpin the bishop. 
This only leads to a swift demise. 
Instead, 44. ... Nf5 45. Ng3 Ra8 46. Nxf5+ Is similar to the game. || 

45. Rxe7 

| The black queen is overloaded. 
Recapturing on e7 only leaves the rook on b8 loose. 
An instructive demonstration of how momentum in an opposite-wing strategy is so essential to accomplish success. || 

Black resigns, 1-0 

| Opening references. 

A. 
9. a4 O-O 10. b4 Bg4 11. Be2 Nd7 12. a5 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 f5 
14. c4 fxe4 15. Bxe4 Nf5 16. Nc3 a6 17. Ba3 b6 18. axb6 cxb6 
19. c5 bxc5 20. bxc5 Nxc5 21. Bxc5 dxc5 22. d6 Rb8 23. Rxa6 Kh 8 
Salinnikov,D (2484)-Ozgibcev,A (2418)/Novokuznetsk 1999/EXT 2001/1/2-1/2 (56) ). 

B. 
11... b6 12. a3 g5 13. b4 a5 14. Rb1 axb4 15. axb4 f5 
16. c5 bxc5 17. bxc5 fxe4 18. Nxe4 Bg4 19. Be2 Na6 20. cxd6 cxd6 
21. Ba3 Nf5 1/2-1/2 
Kraus,F (2136)-Trombik,K (2227)/Moravia 2003/EXT 2006) || 

*  *  * 

## Annotated Game (Fritz PGN format). 



[Event "Northampton League"] 
[Date "2018-19"] 
[White "Ross, Chris"] 
[Black "Tibbot, Peter"] 
[Result "1-0"] 
[WhiteElo "2224"] 
[ECO "C60"] 
[PlyCount "89"] 

{Black Elo estimated as 1950.} 

1. e4 e5 
2. Nf3 Nc6 
3. Bb5 g6 

{Black prepares to fianchetto on the king-side, hoping to strike at the 
white pawn centre from afar. Similar ideas can be seen in such openings like 
the Alekhine. 

More often than not though, players will interpose the move 3... a6 and if 
4. Ba4, then, 4... g6 is played. The purpose of the interposed move is to 
have b7-b5 on hand, were black in need of chasing away the white 
light-squared bishop if pressure on the e5-pawn becomes intolerable.} 

4. O-O d6 

{White intends to expand in the centre very quickly and a potential pawn 
push to d4-d5 could win the pinned knight on c6. Black rushes to unpin the 
knight.} 

5. c3 

{Building up the pawn centre. 5. D4 is playable, but only opens up the 
Dragon bishop's scope on g7. With this build up, the Dragon bishop is 
somewhat blunted by the pawns.} 

5... Bd7 
6. Re1 

{Now the knight on c6 has support from another minor piece, white cannot 
inflict structural damage to the pawn chain with captures. Therefore, the 
white light-squared bishop is provided with a flight square to maintain the 
bishop pair. The e4-pawn is given a defence and black cannot initiate 
tactics in the centre once white plays d2-d4, as an opening up of the E-file 
will prove fatal for the exposed black king.} 

6... Bg7 
7. d4 Nge7 

{Although not critical, the alternative development of 7... Nf6 is more 
popular. 
The major downfall to the text-move is that the natural retreat square for 
the black queen's knight is occupied.} 

8. d5 

{Changing the whole complexion to the position. White now realises that the 
structure is being altered into a King's Indian Defence formation, but with 
some very important nuances. Importantly, the black light-squared bishop is 
placed on d7, where it is somewhat in the way of future black development. 
The knight on e7 is often placed on f6 in the KID, where pressure is exerted 
onto the e4-pawn. Although the freeing move of f7-f5 can be more easily 
played in the present structure, the black king's knight cannot provide 
additional pressure on e4, as it will take at least 3 moves to return to 
f6.} 

8... Nb8 
9. Bf1 

{Placing the light-squared bishop back on a secure square. By avoiding the 
exchange of light-squared bishops, black has been left with an awkwardly 
placed minor piece on d7, standing in the way of the natural development 
position for the queen's knight. The only two alternatives to remove the 
obstruction is to either un-develop it with Bc8, or play Bg4 and be forced 
to exchange on f3, thereby giving white the bishop pair. 

9. a4 is definitely a possibility with the idea of exchanging on b5 with the 
pawn and making the a7-pawn backward and a potential target. 

9. Bd3 to hold up f7-f5 is also a possibility, but on d3, the bishop screens 
the white queen's defence of the d5-pawn. This may be needed if white chose 
to play e4xf5 and black could consider taking on d5 instead of re-capturing 
on f5. 

From f1, the light-squared bishop provides the white king a certain degree 
of security and ensures that a pawn-storm by black will not be immediately 
devastating.} 

9... O-O 
10. c4 

{Since the position has resolved into a KID structure, white needs to begin 
operations on the queen-side to establish some kind of weakness there. His 
natural pawn-break is c4-c5, so he begins that process. The ultimate 
objective is, of course, c7. If white can exploit the base of the pawn chain 
(c7-d6-e5) then the integrity of the formation will be undermined. 

The opposite-wing operations have now commenced. The major difference in the 
position is the relative positioning of the light-squared bishops. Black's 
stands on an awkward square, whereas white's is securely positioned offering 
defence to the white king.} 

10... h6 



{Black secures the g5-square, preventing Ng5/Ne6 once black achieves f7-f5. 
The pawn storm on the king-side is prepared.} 

11. Nc3 f5 

{Black may have considered taking preventative measures on the queen-side 
before starting operations on the king-side. This is a very difficult 
balancing act to know in opposite-wing play, when to make advancements with 
your own strategy, or make inhibiting moves on the defending wing. There's 
no set rule to say when to push and when to prevent. Momentum is often the 
determining factor. Black's ultimate object is naturally the white king, so 
any success on that side will end the game, despite whatever positional 
gains white has gained on the queen-side. Such are the delights of the KID. 

11... a5 12. c5 dxc5 13. Be3 as an example.} 

12. Nd2 

{Taking an idea from the Petrocian variation of the KID. White secures up 
the e4-square and removes the knight from any tempo-gaining attacks on the 
steed by the black advancing pawns. The white dark-squared bishop has no 
future on the c1-h6 diagonal, so blocking it in like this is of no 
consequence. With white's objective to break with c4-c5, the dark-squared 
bishop is needed on a3. 

12. c5 Bc8 is one way in which white can tackle the position although white 
is well en route with his queen-side play. 

12. c5 dxc5 13. Qb3 Nc8 14. exf5 is mixing up the position in white's favour 
as the black forces are all uncoordinated. 

Stealing on b7 may not be the best plan for white. 
12. c5 dxc5 13. Qb3 Nc8 14. Qxb7 Nb6 15. Bc4 Kh8 
And the white queen doesn't look particularly content and may struggle to 
extract herself.} 

12... b6 

{Black decides to make some preventative moves on the queen-side to hold up 
white's play. Here, c4-c5 is held up, but this makes the c7-pawn a permanent 
backward target. 

12... Bc8 13. Nb3 and white's on his way to achieving c4-c5.} 

13. Rb1 

{White has to show some restraint to open up lines on the queen-side, as 
hasty pushes to leave a broken pawn chain. 
12. b4 only allows 12... a5 and white cannot support the pawn on b4 with 
a2-a3 as it will then be pinned down the A-file. 
White must build up slowly and keep the pain-chain in tact in order to 
create a structured break.} 

13... a5 

{Black prevents the immediate b2-b4. To achieve b2-b4, white will have to 
yield the open A-file, where black may get some counterplay. Since all of 
the penetration squares down the A-file are currently being controlled, the 
black queen's rook will have little influence down the file.} 

14. b3 

{White must be attentive at all times. 
14. a3 is a positional inaccuracy due to 14... a4 and b2-b4 cannot be 
achieved as black will capture on b3 en passant. In that sense then, white 
must build up the pawn break slowly, giving black a moment to re-focus his 
efforts on the king-side.} 

14... Na6 
15. a3 

{Black has now arrived at a critical moment. For the time-being, his 
queen-side preventative play has been completed. He needs to make a big 
decision on the king-side. 

Essentially, black needs to decide to whether play 15... f4 and then follow 
up with a pawn-storm. Alternatively, he can open things up in the centre and 
play with his minor pieces in the hope of brewing a king-side attack. 

There's no reasonable way in which to judge the timing of the pawn storm, 
and the presence of the light-squared bishop on f1 gives the impression that 
there is sufficient enough defence around the white king to hint at an 
immediate demise.} 

15... fxe4 

{Black judges that in this particular case, he has better opportunities for 
minor piece activity. 
This may be justified since the black king's knight is on e7 and can only 
enter into operations via the f5-square. Usually, this knight sits on f6 and 
can directly pressurise e4 from this position. However, the counter-argument 
to that is that if black chose to push with f5-f4, a subsequent g6-g5 would 
open up the g6-square for the knight.} 

16. b4 

{White wastes no time in re-capturing on e4, since the black doubled E-pawn 
is not going anywhere. The necessity to re-capture is not immediately 
required. A factor that can often be neglected when calculating variations. 
As the text-move indicates, white can regain the pawn on e4 at his leisure 
and simply continues with his own plan on the queen-side.} 

16... axb4 

{16... e3 is a pointless effort to disrupt the white forces since 17. Rxe3 
only activates the rook, which can switch along the third rank to pressurise 
either side of the board. 

For example, 17... Nf5 18. Rf3 and if the knight moves, exchanges on f8 will 
only ease black's counterplay down the half-open file.} 

17. axb4 Nf5 

{Black now threatens to push with e4-e3 forcing white to recapture with the 
f2-pawn, a distinctly undesired positional move. The decision to the capture 
on e4 now brings up an interesting question, to which knight deserves that 
honour.} 

18. Ncxe4 

{The c3-knight is chosen, as from c3, it does not have any immediate purpose 
apart from preventing the black rook penetration onto a2. However, from a2, 
the rook cannot do any further damage and can easily be chased away. 

The d2-knight is kept for Nb3 to support c4-c5 and for possible returns to 
f3 for king-side defensive duties. 
18. Ndxe4 Qh4 for example.} 

18... Qe8 

{A curious choice of development. However, it does put the question to white 
to how to defend against 19... Ba4, since the white queen has very little 
squares to flee to. The g6-pawn is offered further support too. 
18... Qe7 19. Bd3 may be best.} 

19. Ba3 

{White continues his plan of forcing through c4-c5. IN the doing, he gives 
his queen the c1-square for a flight requirement.} 

19... b5 

{The secondary reason for 18... Qe8 is now revealed. Black has found a 
tactic to break open the white pawn-chain. Naturally, captures on b5 would 
only leave the white b4-pawn weak and vulnerable.} 

20. c5 

{White continues with his strategic objective, despite the tactics that 
black has instigated. Being deflected from the planned strategy will only 
support in unbalancing the position.} 

20... Nxc5 

{Black has found a tactic to exploit the undefended nature of the a3-bishop. 
This tactic also frees up the knight on a6 and reduces black's passivity.} 

21. bxc5 

{Accepting the exchange of minor pieces. White reckons that the dark-squared 
bishop is not superior to the black knight. In any case, white needs to 
regain the lost pawn.} 

21... Rxa3 
22. c6 Bc8 
23. Qc1 

{Again, the immediate re-capture on b5 is not necessary. The b5-pawn is not 
going anywhere. White can complete his development by manoeuvring his queen 
to a better square, gaining tempo on the loose black rook in the doing.} 

23... Ra5 

{Defending the loose b5 pawn is ineffectual, as the rook can only be chased 
away with yet more gain of tempo. 

23... Ra8 24. Bxb5 Nd4 25. Bc4 Is the best way for black to play.} 

24. Qc3 Ra8 
25. Bxb5 Nd4 
26. Bd3 

{It is not clear as to where the light-squared bishop belongs. From d3, it at 
least boosts the outposted knight and offers additional defence to it. This 
may not be strictly necessary. 

26. Bc4 Qe7 is a possible continuation.} 

26... Qf7 
27. Ra1 

{Since white has now obtained a significant positional plus and the c7-pawn 
a permanent target for the end-game, he can go about exchanging pieces. Any 
Q/K/R end-game will only be winning for white due to the c7-target. Black 
must avoid most of the exchanges and hope that a king-side attack is 
possible or gain of material in some way. The challenge of the A-file will 
exchange at least one pair of rooks. Black cannot back off from the A-file, 
as Ra7 will only penetrate onto the 7th rank and the c7-pawn will soon come 
under tremendous pressure.} 

27... Bf5 
28. Rxa8 Rxa8 
29. Rb1 

{29. Ra1 is possible, but the direct occupation of the B-file gives black 
problems to solve, as Rb7 is a distinct possibility. On b7, the rook would 
be defended by the c6-pawn, securing it in place.} 

29... Kh7 

{Directly attacking the d5-pawn now since any pin along the a2-h7 diagonal 
is not possible. IN that regard then, white has to defend the pawn.} 

30. Qc4 Bc8 

{With the awkward placement of the queen and white light-squared bishop, 
black decides to attempt to exploit the f1-a6 diagonal. White is in danger 
of overloading and hampering his own minor pieces.} 

31. Rb7 

{Psychologically, a stunning blow. The path for Ba6 is immediately blocked 
and white simply gets on with his plan of targeting the c7-pawn. 

31. Bf1 is the secure way to avoid material loss, but the text-move has the 
sole objective of shocking black into a defensive reaction. White 
demonstrates that the exchange is of little importance for him and that he 
had the fundamental belief that he will be able to convert the b7-pawn were 
black to accept the exchange.} 

31... Bf8 

{The d6-pawn needed defence. The b7-rook is pinning the c7-pawn against the 
black queen, allowing Nxd6 tactics. 

31... Bxb7 32. cxb7 Rb8 and white will transfer a knight via c4/a5/c6, even 
if Qa6 is needed to defend the b7-pawn and material will inevitably be lost 
for black.} 

32. Bf1 

{Strictly not necessary, but played with the idea of gaining valuable time 
on the clock. The securing of the light-squared bishop ensures that it is 
not a tactical liability.} 

32... Bf5 

{Having decided that the exchange on b7 is too hot to snatch, black decides 
to reactivate his light-squared bishop. Black has the intent of rustling up 
some king-side pressure. 

32... Bxb7 33. cxb7 Rb8 34. Qa6 and white begins the knight march to c6.} 

33. h3 

{White provides a flight-square for his king to avoid back-rankers. G2-g4 
may also be playable to ensnare an un-expecting light-squared bishop on f5.} 

33... Rc8 

{Black defends his C-pawn to allow the queen some flexibility. Passive, but 
there is no other way in which the c7-pawn can be defended.} 

34. Nc3 

{White is in no rush to convert his positional advantages. Here, the central 
knight is being exchanged for his counterpart. The knight on c3 could head 
for b5 to exchange the dominating knight on d4. Also, e2 is covered, 
preventing any sneaky Ne2+ tactics by black, however remote that threat actually 
is. 

34. Qb4 Bxe4 35. Nxe4 Qf4 and black is starting to be annoying.} 

34... h5 

{g2-g4 winning the light-squared bishop had to be prevented, since the 
knight on e4 has vacated. Black also expands in the hope of creating some 
tension around the white king's position. 

34... Ra8 35. Nb5 Nxb5 36. Qxb5 and white is beginning to liquidate down to 
that desired end-game.} 

35. Nde4 Qe7 

{Intending to bring the black queen to the king-side. 

35... Be7 36. Ng3 and white continues to consolidate his position.} 

36. Bd3 

{Wanting to exchange the black light-squared bishop for his counterpart 
instead of a knight. 

36. Ng3 Ra8 37. Nxf5 gxf5 gives black some play with his pawns and open 
G-file.} 

36... Qh4 
37. Ng3 

{White must not be complacent. He has a big positional advantage, but black 
can whip up some very dangerous tactics if white is unwary. 
White has to be mindful of Bxh3 tactics, with Qxh3 and Nf3+ ideas. 
By the text-move, the e4-square is provided for his own light-squared 
bishop, which would prevent Nf3+ and also facilitates return to g2, 
supporting in the defence of the white king.} 

37... Bxd3 
38. Qxd3 Kg7 

{Black's choices are becoming dramatically reduced now. With the exchange of 
the light-squared bishop, any potential tactical attack is somewhat 
thwarted. Black seeks to cling on now and hope that white cannot find a way 
to breech the perimeter.} 

39. Ra7 

{As discussed earlier, a potential white rook lift into a7 would give black 
tremendous difficulties to resolve. Now, white resorts back to this concept 
and in the doing, opens up the white queen's entry into the queen-side. 
White has Qa6 at an opportune moment now, gaining valuable tempo on the 
loose rook on c8 and permitting ideas such as Ra8 to exchange more material. 
White's completion of his game strategy is very near now.} 

39... Qd8 

{Desperately scrambling backwards to defend the c7-pawn and preventing any 
rook exchange.} 

40. Nge4 

{With the black king-side attack repelled, this knight returns to the 
outpost on e4, with a potential of Ng5/Ne6 to exert that bit more pressure 
on the c7-pawn.} 

40... Rb8 

{Black has so few options here, that it is no surprise that he seeks 
activity. Passivity was his best resort though. 
Exchanging rooks would not help. 

40... Ra8 41. Rxa8 Qxa8 42. Qb1 and Qb7 and other such ideas are arriving quickly.} 

41. Qa6 

{The clamp on the black queen-side is just about concluded now. Can black 
keep it all together or not.} 

41... Qc8 

{Having sustained a great deal of pressure throughout the entire game, 
black's collapse is not so shocking. A continual struggle to find a defence 
is tiring on anybody. White could play in several manners here, even 
exchanging the queens and heading for a prolonged, but ultimately won 
end-game. However, tactics prevail here and the c7-pawn, the singular 
objective of the white strategy, now succumbs. A truly fitting climax to a 
well-crafted strategy by white.} 

42. Qa5 Be7 

{Black attempts to close up the second rank and to cling on. Sadly, it just 
is not happening for him.} 

43. Rxc7 Qd8 

{Hoping that white would not notice that his rook is pinned against his 
queen! 

43... Qf8 44. Qa7 Nf5 45. Nxd6 Nxd6 46. Rxe7+ Kh8 and white has crashed 
through.} 

44. Qa7 Kf8 

{Trying to clear the second rank and unpin the bishop. This only leads to a 
swift demise. 

44... Nf5 45. Ng3 Ra8 46. Nxf5+ Is similar to the game.} 

45. Rxe7 

{The black queen is overloaded. Recapturing on e7 only leaves the rook on b8 
loose. 
An instructive demonstration of how momentum in an opposite-wing strategy is 
so essential to accomplish success.} 

45... 1-0 

{Opening references 

A. 
9. a4 O-O 10. b4 Bg4 11. Be2 Nd7 12. a5 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 f5 
14. c4 fxe4 15. Bxe4 Nf5 16. Nc3 a6 17. Ba3 b6 18. axb6 cxb6 
19. c5 bxc5 20. bxc5 Nxc5 21. Bxc5 dxc5 22. d6 Rb8 23. Rxa6 Kh 8 
Salinnikov,D (2484)-Ozgibcev,A (2418)/Novokuznetsk 1999/EXT 2001/1/2-1/2 (56) ). 

B. 
11... b6 12. a3 g5 13. b4 a5 14. Rb1 axb4 15. axb4 f5 
16. c5 bxc5 17. bxc5 fxe4 18. Nxe4 Bg4 19. Be2 Na6 20. cxd6 cxd6 
21. Ba3 Nf5 1/2-1/2 
Kraus,F (2136)-Trombik,K (2227)/Moravia 2003/EXT 2006)} 

*  *  * 

## Unannotated Game. 

White: C. Ross, 2224. 
Black: P. Tibbot, estimated 1950. 
Event: Northampton League, 2018-19. 
Result: 1-0 in 45 moves. 
Opening: Ruy Lopez, Smyslov Variation, C60. 

1. e4 e5 
2. Nf3 Nc6 
3. Bb5 g6 
4. O-O d6 
5. c3 Bd7 
6. Re1 Bg7 
7. d4 Nge7 
8. d5 Nb8 
9. Bf1 O-O 
10. c4 h6 
11. Nc3 f5 
12. Nd2 b6 
13. Rb1 a5 
14. b3 Na6 
15. a3 fxe4 
16. b4 axb4 
17. axb4 Nf5 
18. Ncxe4 Qe8 
19. Ba3 b5 
20. c5 Nxc5 
21. bxc5 Rxa3 
22. c6 Bc8 
23. Qc1 Ra5 
24. Qc3 Ra8 
25. Bxb5 Nd4 
26. Bd3 Qf7 
27. Ra1 Bf5 
28. Rxa8 Rxa8 
29. Rb1 Kh7 
30. Qc4 Bc8 
31. Rb7 Bf8 
32. Bf1 Bf5 
33. h3 Rc8 
34. Nc3 h5 
35. Nde4 Qe7 
36. Bd3 Qh4 
37. Ng3 Bxd3 
38. Qxd3 Kg7 
39. Ra7 Qd8 
40. Nge4 Rb8 
41. Qa6 Qc8 
42. Qa5 Be7 
43. Rxc7 Qd8 
44. Qa7 Kf8 
45. Rxe7 
Black resigns, 1-0 

*  *  *