Skype coaching session, 14 April 2019. 

The game discussed (51 moves) is given below with annotations 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. 

*  *  * 

Annotated Game. 

White: R. Lau, 2448. 
Black: J. Emms, 2489. 
Event: Politiken Cup Copenhagen 1992. 
Result: 0-1 in 51 moves. 
Opening: Scotch Game, Mieses Variation, C45. 

| Editorial. 
The opening moves here follow the coaching session of 07 April 2019 up to black move 11. 
The annotations given for that session up to black move 11 are repeated here in a separate section immediately after the Annotated Game. || 

1. e4 e5 
2. Nf3 Nc6 
3. d4 exd4 
4. Nxd4 Nf6 
5. Nxc6 bxc6 
6. e5 Qe7 
7. Qe2 Nd5 
8. c4 Nb6 
9. Nd2 a5 
10. Qe4 g6 
11. Bd3 Na4 

| If black cannot bring pressure to bear on the white c4 pawn, then perhaps this knight needs to find a different role. || 

12. O-O Nc5 

| Effectively kicking the white queen off the a8 - h1 diagonal, this permits black to move the d7 pawn without fear of losing the c6 pawn. || 

13. Qe2 

| Instead, 13. Qf3, maintains pressure on the black c6 pawn but would foul up the sensible development plan of, Nf3, releasing the c1 bishop. || 

13. ... Bg7 

| Black resists the risky, 13. ... Nxd3 14. Qxd3 Qxe5 15. Nf3, when after the e5 queen has scuttled away somewhere, black must then find a defence to white, Re1+, combined with, Bf4, or, Bg5,white would have much play for the pawn. || 

14. Nf3 Ne6 

| A, "5-Tempo", piece makes a 6th move. 
Such lavish move-spending should, according to general advice, cost black heavily. 
However white has had a few tempo-consumers, the g1 knight spent 3 moves to trade itself off on c6, and the white queen has taken 3 moves to land back on e2. 
Combine this with there being no weak points to attack in the black position and the conclusion must be that black is holding his own. 
Oh yes, and why did the black knight move a 6th time? 
Simply to prevent all the annoyances which would arise if white were allowed, 15. Bg5. 
Lastly, again that risky pawn-snatch of, 14. ... Nxd3 15. Qxd3 Bxe5 16. Nxe5 Qxe5 17. Bh6, leaves black wondering how to find safety for both the e8 king and the e5 queen. || 

15. h4 

| A deceptive move. 
This might hint that white is insisting on playing, Bg5, at some point, right? || 

15. ... O-O 
16. h5 

| This advance of the white h-pawn seems designed to take away a particular black thematic central challenge, black dare not risk, pawn f6, any more, the g6 pawn would be left hanging in fresh air. || 

16. ... d6 

| So black cannot challenge with, pawn f6, but, pawn d6, in order to eliminate the white e5 pawn is still available. || 

17. hxg6 hxg6 
18. exd6 Qxd6 

| Counter-intuitive. 
Surely doubled-pawns need cleaning up at every available opportunity? 
Perhaps so, but in this case black has a plan in mind which needs the queen both unpinned and probing at a particular square. || 

19. Rd1 

| Sending an ex-ray attack through the white d3 bishop onto the black d6 queen. 
Surely she will, in order to avoid unnecessary complications for the rest of the black forces, immediately run away? || 

19. ... Nf4 

| The general advice on x-ray attacks is to escape them as quickly as possible. 
However, if you feel your tactical abilities can work out the apparent threat is of no value, then by all means, stand firm. 

This knight sortie, incidentally it's 7th move so far, is designed to gain black the bishop pair. 
It is for white to decide whether it is the light square or dark square bishop who is to retire early. || 

20. Bxf4 

| Instead, 20. Qc2 Nxd3 21. Qxd3 Qxd3 22. Rxd3 Be6, seems to demand, 23. Nd2, and white will need to spend several tempi unravelling. 
Or, 20. Qc2 Nxd3 21. Rxd3 Qf6, and white must sort out the threat of, 22. Bf5, white is again getting a little tied up. || 

20. ... Qxf4 
21. Qe4 

| Perhaps white is trying to avoid a potential black pin of, Bg4, with a subsequent doubling of f-pawns. 
However, if black is playing for a win, then keeping the bishop pair will be of great importance, so perhaps the, Bg4, pin is not a threat. 
So white offers a queen trade in order to turn the d3 bishop from a defender into an attacker. || 

21. ... Qxe4 

| Black can make no gains by keeping queens on, the fight must be reduced to a handful of pieces shuffling around mutually weak queenside pawns. || 

22. Bxe4 Rb8 

| Black is able to force the queenside pawn structure into a symmetric formation of 2 isolated pawns each. 
Fine, but there is a secondary consideration of who has control of the b-file when the skirmishing stops. 
Instead, 22. ... Bxb2 23. Rab1 Bc3 24. Bxc6 Ra6 25. Bd5, leaves white with the better development and black wondering whether white, Ng5, should be prevented. 
By placing the a8 rook on b8 before starting the tactics on the white b2 pawn, black ensures a pair of rooks will be traded off, meaning the favourable ending of black bishop pair vs white bishop plus knight is a little closer. || 

23. Rab1 Rxb2 
24. Rxb2 Bxb2 
25. Bxc6 Bf5 

| The black f5 bishop controls the b1 square, if white wishes to invade on the black 7th rank, say the b7 square, then a less direct route must be found. || 

26. Rd5 Bc3 
27. Rb5 Rd8 

| At last, all pieces on both sides are in action. 
White is going to have a 7th rank rook, black in return will have an 8th rank rook. 
Which will be the better? 
This all depends on how much support each rook receives from the minor pieces. 
There will be activity across the entire width of the board, please note carefully how the minor pieces on both sides cope with their dual roles of defender and attacker. 
Firstly, pay attention as to how the opposing light square bishops enter into a pact of mutual-avoidance. 
Secondly, notice how the black dark square bishop and white knight manage to similarly ignore each other for the entire game. 
Thirdly, there will be only a single pawn move to be played from here to resignation. 
Fourthly, someone out there shall be only given a single move for the rest of the game. 
Having briefly described events, or maybe non-events, to come, perhaps you are wondering how this game became selected for a coaching session? 
This battle will be a mutual test of how to get pieces to coordinate with each other for both attacking and defending purposes. 
Bobby Fischer summed it up perfectly: "In chess it is important to know when to punch and when to duck." || 

28. Rb7 

| White gets in the first punch, should black similarly punch with, Rd1+, or duck with, Rc8, effectively giving up the fight? || 

28. ... Rd1+ 

| Fine, "Initiative Over Material", but just where is the compensation for the imminent loss of the black c7 pawn? 
Clue: Units can be indirectly defended with a tactic. || 

29. Kh2 

| Second chance to work out why black is not worried about that hanging c7 pawn. 
Clue: An important change in the position occurred when the white king escaped the black rook check. || 

29. ... Bb4 
30. g3 

| Instead, 30. Rxc7 Bd6+, skewers the white c7 rook and h2 king. || 

30. ... Bd6 

| Simultaneous attack and defence, a skulking bishop can perform 2 roles at once. 
But surely the white g3 pawn is satisfactorily neutralising the attacking prospects of the black d6 bishop? 
Not so, the white g3 pawn is a target, it only needs a little black piece coordination in the region of the white king and the chase is on. 
White of course is not just going to sit there and let the defences of the king be undermined for free. || 

31. Bd5 

| Not exactly a punch, butsimply shuffling into place to give black a good thump in a couple of moves. || 

31. ... Kg7 

| Sensibly getting out of the pin before the pressure mounts with, 32. Ng5, which would immediately win the black f7 pawn. || 

32. Ra7 

| Grand Rabbit wonders if this could be the critical moment of the game. 
The white rook was perfectly safe from tricks on b7, but on a7, a dark square, matters are not so clear. 
If white wanted a non-committal move then perhaps, 32. Kg2, protecting the f2 pawn could be tried. 
If white instead wanted a punch-move, then, 32. Ng5, getting the lazy knight into action needed analysing. 
This white knight sortie places a double-attack on the black f7 pawn, fine, but loses control of the d2 square, meaning black has a similar punching-move, 32. ... Rd2, in reply. 
Some sample lines of the complications released run: 
(A). If, 32. Ng5 Rd2 33. Bxf7 Kf6, white must lose a piece, grabbing another pawn with, 34. Bxg6 Kxg6, is the best of a bad lot, rather depressing. 
(B). Or if, 32. Ng5 Rd2 33. Nxf7 Rxf2+ 34. Kg1 Rxa2 35. Nxd6, and black has just lost a piece as the apparently protecting c7 pawn is pinned. 
(C). Or if, 32. Ng5 Rd2 33. Nxf7 Rxf2+ 34. Kg1 Bxg3, when black has the white king trapped on his back rank. 
(D). Or if, 32. Ng5 Rd2 33. Nxf7 Rxf2+ 34. Kg1 Bc5 35. Rxc7 Bb6 36. c5 Bxc7 37. Kxf2, white is a solid pawn up. 
There are more lines to be found, these give a taste of the meatier tries. 
But does black need to punch with, 32. ... Rd2, or is there a duck-move available? 

A few sample lines of the defensive reply run: 
(E). Or if, 32. Ng5 f6 33. Ne6+ Bxe6 34. Bxe6 Rd2 35. Kg2 Rxa2 36. c5 Rxf2+ 37. Kxf2 Bxc5+ 38. Kf3 Bd6, black might have 3 pawns for a rook, but cannot get any of the queenside pawns over the a2 -- g8 diagonal, white will activate the rook with, Rb8, then bring the king in on the light squares, white should win this, but black did not need to blunder the rook away with, 35. ... Rxa2. 
(F). Or if, 32. Ng5 f6 33. Ne6+ Bxe6 34. Bxe6 Rd2 35. c5 Bxc5 36. Rxc7+ Kh6 37. Rxc5 Rxf2+ 38. Kh3, white has won a piece for a pawn and must be winning, but black does not have to fall for this trick. 
(G). Or if, 32. Ng5 f6 33. Ne6+ Bxe6 34. Bxe6 Rd2 35. c5 Be5 36. Kg2 Kf8 37. Rxa5 Bd4 38. Kf3 Rxf2+ 39. Ke4, and here the analysis-tree becomes rather complex, black can choose from, Re2+, or, Bxc5, or the simpler, Be5, happy sifting everyone. 

Lastly, for those who love giving themselves glorious headaches to solve at the board, try: 
(H). Or if, 32. Ng5 a4 33. Nxf7 Rxd5 34. cxd5 Kxf7, white has rook pitted against the black bishop pair, good fun, right? || 

32. ... Rf1 

| Around about here white might begin wishing the dark square bishop was still in play. || 

33. c5 

| This gives the appearance of being a tactrick but is probably the best chance. 
Other tries will not satisfy white: 
(A). If, 33. Rxa5 Rxf2+ 34. Kg1 Bxg3, leaves white without the neat tricks found in game due to having a rook back on a7. 
(B). Or if, 33. Kg2 Rxf2+ 34. Kxf2 Bc5+ 35. Kf3 Bxa7 36. Ng5 Bb1, and white must choose between capturing the black f7 pawn, or permitting black to win the a-pawn, or advancing with, pawn c5, giving it up in order to save the a2 pawn, meaning black will be a solid pawn up in all 3 variations. || 

33. ... Rxf2+ 

| The most direct route to gaining a significant plus. 
Instead being deflected with, 33. ... Bxc5 34. Rxc7 Rxf2+ 35. Kh1 Rc2 36. Rxf7+ Kh6, black should in time pick off the white g3 pawn, but what if there is a really obscure line just waiting to be found where white manages to save it? || 

34. Kg1 Bxg3 

| The point. 
Black has stripped away all the white kingside pawns, meaning whichever white pieces choose to assist with the defence of their king must do so while hanging on air-hooks, not an easy job. 

Grand Rabbit wonders if the tactically-tempting, 34. ... Rxf3, was worth a shot? 
The ideas calculated using an aging bio-organic processing unit run: 
(A). If, 34. ... Rxf3 35. Bxf3 Bxc5+ 36. Kg2 Bxa7, when black has won a knight and 2 pawns, this will not happen. 
(B). Or if, 34. ... Rxf3 35. cxd6 Rxg3+ 36. Kf2 Rd3 37. dxc7 Rxd5, and white is simply a bishop and pawn down for no tangible compensation, note how the black f5 bishop backwardly guards the c8 promotion square. 
(C). Or if, 34. ... Rxf3 35. cxd6 Rxg3+ 36. Kf2 Rd3 37. Rxa5 cxd6, black is a very comfortable 2 pawns up and winning. 
(D). Or if, 34. ... Rxf3 35. cxd6 Rxg3+ 36. Kf2 Rd3 37. Bxf7 Kxf7 38. Rxc7+ Kf6 39. Ra7 Rd2+ 40. Ke3 Rxa2 41. d7 Ke7, and the white passed d-pawn is doomed, the extra black material decides. 
(E). Or if, 34. ... Rxf3 35. cxd6 Rxg3+ 36. Kf2 Rd3 37. Bxf7 Kxf7 38. Rxc7+ Kf6 39. Rc5 Rxd6 40. Rxa5 Rd3, black is a bishop up, just some careful technique required to convert to a win. 
(F). Or if, 34. ... Rxf3 35. cxd6 Rxg3+ 36. Kf2 Rd3 37. Bxf7 Kxf7 38. dxc7 Rd2+, very inadvisable, 39. Ke3 Rxa2 40. c8=Q+, white has a decisive material advantage, this wont happen. 
(G). Or if, 34. ... Rxf3 35. cxd6 Rxg3+ 36. Kf2 Rd3 37. Bb3 cxd6 38. Rxf7+ Kh6 39. Ra7, white will win the black a5 pawn leaving black a pawn up, but black has a better variation available. 
(H). Or if, 34. ... Rxf3 35. cxd6 Rxg3+ 36. Kf2 Rd3 37. Bb3 Rxd6 38. Rxc7 Be6, the white tactics are stifled out, black has 2 extra kingside passed pawns and this time white will not round up the black a5 pawn, an easy win. 

So, if all of the above bio-produced analysis is sound, then, 34. ... Rxf3, might have given white a little shock. 
Still, with, 34. ... Bxg3, black must surely have it all under control, no little shocks available for white here, are there? || 

35. Rxc7 

| A neat reply which gives white some activity, the black g3 bishop was overloaded, trying to protect both the c7 pawn and the f2 rook, it cannot do both. 
Instead, 35. Rxa5, would leave black with a pair of connected passed pawns ready to roll, white should not survive this. 
Black is now at an important crossroad, the choices are: 
(A). Keep rooks on the board, this allows both players to have piece activity in the region of the opposing king. 
(B). Eliminate the rooks, entering an endgame where black has an extra pawn plus the bishop pair against white bishop and knight. 
It is not possible to calculate the full ramifications of either choice. 
Instinct must be applied as to which choice will give the greater opportunities. || 

35. ... Rc2 

| No simplifications. 
Black keeps the tension in the position, even though this means some inconvenience to his own king. 
Compare the kingside defences. 
The white king has a knight on f3, a bishop on d5, and neither can be supported anymore with a pawn, they are hanging in fresh air. 
The black king has a mutual light-square defensive set-up of f5 bishop and g6 pawn, these are fairly solid. 
The white king is presently restricted to the white back rank, the black king will almost certainly be immediately hit with, Rxf7+, but can escape to the h6 square, with possible options of advancing, depending on how white handles the kingside. 
In essence, in terms of piece activity, black could be a king up, unless white feels this must be prevented. 

Instead of the game move, had black tried for tactics, they would have backfired, the idea runs: 
(A). If, 35. ... Rxf3 36. Bxf3 Bxc7, and black would have won a piece, dream on, this isn't going to happen. 
(B). Or if, 35. ... Rxf3 36. Rxf7+ Kh6 37. Bxf3, and white has won a rook, could it get worse? 
(C). Or if, 35. ... Rxf3 36. Rxf7+ Kg8 37. Rxf5+ Kg7 38. Rxf3, and white has won a bishop and rook. || 

A tricky idea was suggested during the coaching session, which with players possibly short of time as move 40 approaches, could have caused a little disquiet. 
What about a sneaky mating threat with, 35. ... Bh3, intending, 36. ... Rf1+ mate. 
The simplest way to meet this seems to be, 36. Rxf7+ Kh6 37. Kh1, vacating the g1 square for a backward knight retreat to block a black, Rf1+. 
The white f3 knight is doubly-defended from d5 and f7, so a possible black, Bg2+, gains nothing. 
If black keep pushing for mate, 37. Rf1+ 38. Ng1 Bf2 39. Kh2, the white king escapes the pin while hitting the black h3 bishop, white is safe. 
So if, 35. ... Bh3, does not catch white out, the sensible plan is to eliminate the white c-pawn then start re-grouping to focus all attention on the white king. || 

36. Rxf7+ Kh6 
37. Bb3 

| White cannot keep the c-pawn and forces black to capture it. 
Instead, 37. c6 Rc5 38. Bb3 Rxc6, is effectively the same as game. || 

37. ... Rxc5 
38. Kg2 

| A tripler. 
Firstly, the white f3 knight is defended. 
Secondly, the black g3 bishop is kicked out of the white kingside, right? 
Thirdly, by advancing the white king is virtually guaranteeing himself there will be no back rank mating threats, fine, but is there safety to be found by moving further up the board? || 

38. ... Bd6 

| A doubler. 
Firstly, despite being pushed back, the black dark square bishop still controls squares in the region of the white king. 
Secondly, the f8 square is now controlled preventing any white activity involving the plan, Rf8 - Rh8+, driving the black king towards the centre, black definitely prefers to have the king hiding on h6. 
From here to the end of the game, take very careful note of how the black bishops park themselves on, "Adjacent Diagonals", a necessary formation when trying to restrict an opposing king. || 

39. Rf6 Bc7 
40. Kf2 

| Not quite zugzwang, but a clear pronouncement across the board that white cannot make progress and must sit and wait for black to put a plan into operation. || 

40. ... Rc3 

| Activating the rook in the region where it matters, the white kingside. 
Whether the target is the white king or the f3 knight is at the moment uncertain. 
Black will simply keep shuffling around while white does similar, until white has to move an, "Optimally-Placed", unit into an inferior location. || 

41. Rf8 

| White keeps the rook on the f-file in anticipation of the black f5 bishop transferring to e4. || 

41. ... Bb6+ 

| Forcing the white king to make an awkward decision, advance, step sideways, or retreat. 
And while on the subject, the black king must be wary of advancing, a possible self-doom could have been, 41. ... Kh5 42. Rh8+ Kg4 43. Rh4+ mate. 
Blunders are ever-present, constant vigilance is required at all times, especially when there is the scent of blood in the air. || 

42. Kg3 

| The white king must keep in contact with the white f3 knight as, 42. Kf1 Rxf3+, drops a piece. 
Instead, 42. Kg2 Be4, and the pinned white f3 knight is feeling uncomfortable, the white king would then be strongly advised to play, Kg3, anticipating a further advance of, Kg4, to escape the black c3 rook pin along the 3rd rank. || 

42. ... Bc5 

| Black claims the f8 square, the white rook is beginning to run short of safe f-file options. 
What would happen if the white rook could not find any safe squares on the f-file? 
The f3 knight might have to make a move, which would dramatically increase the powers of the black pieces massing around the white king. 
The black plan should now be clear, keep shuffling the pieces until the white f3 knight is forced to move. || 

43. Rf7 Be4 

| A doubler. 
Firstly, there is now a double-attack on the white f3 knight, the white f3 rook dare not depart from the f-file. 
Secondly, the black bishops again take up the, "Adjacent Diagonals", formation, this pattern on an open board creates an wall over which the white king cannot climb. || 

44. Kg4 

| Question: Is this a case of punching or ducking? 
Punching: The black king is a little short of defensive assistance, there is now a possible white mate in 2 to be neutralised. 
Ducking: The white king has definitely escaped the pin along the 3rd rank but might be advancing into a totally different set of dangers. 
Black to play and find a move which significantly increases the pressure on the white king. 
Clue: All, "Adjacent Diagonals", formations are equal, but some are more equal than others. || 

44. ... Bd6 

| A quadrupler. 
Firstly, the f8 square is still controlled by black, the restriction of mobility of the white rook on the f-file continues. 
Secondly, the mobility of the white king is further restricted as the black dark square bishop creates a much more powerful, "Adjacent Diagonals", formation. 
Thirdly, that lurking non-forcing white threat of mate in 2 has been prevented by a black material-winning counter-threat should white go for it. 
Fourthly, black now has a material-winning threat which can only be prevented by white displacing a piece to a much less favourable location. 
Quite a few gains from just a single move, such can be the power of a pair bishops on, "Adjacent Diagonals". 
And while on the subject, a queen and bishop can also coordinate to make gains from such a formation. || 

45. Be6 

| Necessary to avoid immediate disaster. 
Instead rook-shuffling loses as follows: 
(A). If, 45. Rf6 Bf5+ 46. Kh4 Rxf3 47. Rxd6 Rh3+ mate. 
(B). Or if, 45. Rf6 Bf5+ 46. Rxf5 gxf5+ 47. Kxf5 Rxf3+, black is a whole rook up. 

The possible non-forcing white mate in 2 idea was, 45. Ng5, threatening, 46. Rh7+ mate. 
Black refutes this non-forcing optimism with, 45. Ng5 Rg3+ 46. Kh4 Rxg5, and black has won a piece. 
Other white knight moves seem to produce mates for black: 
(A). If, 45. Nh4 Rg3+ mate. 
(B). Or if, 45. Nd2 Rg3+ 46. Kh4 g5+ mate. 
Bobby Fischer was not joking when he commented: "Tactics flow from a positionally superior game." || 

45. ... Re3 

| This might look like a cheap tactic, but there is hidden depth behind this x-ray attack. 
Remember the general black plan, gang up on the white f3 knight, then try to kick the black rook off the f-file? 
Well, black is about to claim a previously untouchable diagonal, which is going to leave the white f-file rook without any direct protection. 
Meantime, white to play needs to avoid the simple black material-winning threat, 46. ... Bxf3 47. Rxf3 Rxe6, when black will have snatched a bishop. || 

46. Bc8 

| This saves the white light square bishop, but the important a2 - g8 diagonal has just been abandoned, the white rook on the f-file is about to become extremely uncomfortable. || 

46. ... Bd5 

| This might appear to be trying to win the white a2 pawn, nothing could be further from the truth. 
The white f3 knight is still doubly-attacked which means the white rook must remain on the f-file. 
Fine, but as black has just claimed control of the f7 square, the white rook no longer controls the black 2nd rank, the black h6 king will soon have a very important threat. 

47. Rf6 Bc7 

| The black dark square bishop must remain on the b8 - h2 diagonal to restrict the mobility of the white g4 king. 
White to play has serious problems, black is threatening, 48. ... Kg7, finally kicking the white rook off the f-file, after which the white f3 knight would be lost. 
So the only way for white to avoid material loss is to move the targeted f3 knight, but safe squares are in very short supply. || 

48. Nd2 

| A fairly central knight has 8 squares available to it, but disaster awaits white on all but a single move. 
(A). If, 48. Nd4 Re4+ 49. Kh3 Rxd4, though, 49. ... Rh4+ mate, looks good. 
(B). Or if, 48. Ne5 Bxe5. 
(C). Or if, 48. Ng5 Rg3+ 49. Kh4 Rxg5. 
(D). Or if, 48. Nh4 Rg3+ mate. 
(E). Or if, 48. Nh2 Bxh2. 
(F). Or if, 48. Ng1 Rg3+ 49. Kh4 Rxg1. 
(G). Or if, 48. Ne1 Rxe1. 
Now the white knight no longer blocks the white 3rd rank, black has, "Adjacent Diagonals", bishops on an open board, something must be here for black, just a case of searching, but take care, white has a cute trick involving the white f6 rook and black h6 king available. || 

48. ... Rg3+ 

| An important prod on the white king, it must be pushed to h4 where it becomes vulnerable to a dark square, Bd8, skewer. || 

49. Kh4 Rd3 

| Black rejects the immediate skewer but prefers to leave the threat hanging in the air while attacking the loose white d2 knight. 
Instead after the hasty, 49. ... Bd8 50. Kxg3 Bxf6 51. Nb3 a4 52. Nc1 Bg5 53. Ne2 Bxa2, each black pawn will cost white a piece, we assume an International Master knows how to checkmate with a bishop pair, but why waste time and effort? 
White now has 2 material-losing threats to deal with, the direct, Rxd2, and the indirect, Bd8. 
Fine, but surely white simply retreats the f6 rook to f2, escaping the skewer while protecting the d2 knight, right? 
If only matters were so simple, the rook on f6 is performing an important task, pinning the black g6 pawn. 
White to play has a tactrick available, it is the last chance to confuse matters, one never knows what response a surprise move might provoke. || 

50. Bf5 

| A doubler. 
Firstly, the black d3 rook is attacked. 
Secondly the pinned black g6 pawn is now doubly-attacked. 
But hang on there, what about the unprotected white d2 knight? 
Instead, 50. Rf2, runs into a different skewer of, 50. ... Bg3+, and white loses a whole rook, though, 50. Rf2 Rg3+ 51. Kh4 g5+ mate, looks good. 
Black to play and work out just why white threw in the apparently material-losing, 50. Bf5. || 

50. ... Rd4+ 

| Thoughtlessness receives the following reward, 50. ... Rxd2 51. Rxg6+ Kh7 52. Rg2+ Kh6 53. Rxd2, when black is an exchange down and struggling to hold a draw. 
The black rook check is designed to force the white king backward onto his 3rd rank, but why? || 

51. Kh3 

| Instead, 51. Bg4 Bd8, costs white a whole rook, slightly better than, 51. Bg4 Rxd2, only winning a knight. || 

51. ... Kg5 
White resigns, 0-1 

| White has all 4 remaining units en prise, a couple of finishes run: 
(A). If, 52. Rf7 Rh4+ mate. 
(B). Or if, 52. Rxg6+ Kxf5 53. Rg7 Rd3+ 54. Kh4 Bd8+ 55. Kh5 Rh3+ mate. 
Notice how leading up to the final mating positions, the black bishop pair are still coordinating on those, "Adjacent Diagonals", to restrict the flight options of the white king. || 

*  *  * 

## Repeat Annotations From 07 April 2019 Coaching Notes. 

1. e4 e5 
2. Nf3 Nc6 
3. d4 exd4 
4. Nxd4 Nf6 

| Only slightly less popular than, 4. ... Bc5. 
Black is willing to permit doubling of the c-pawns, anticipating that a later central break of, pawn d5, will be easier to achieve. || 

5. Nxc6 

| The Mieses Variation. 
Instead, 5. Nc3, is the Scotch Game Four Knights, which has a slightly higher ratio of draws compared to the Mieses Variation according to database statistics. || 

5. ... bxc6 

| A tripler. 
Firstly, black is preparing the central break of, pawn d5. 
Secondly, the c8 bishop has options of either, Bb7, or, Ba6, according to how white plays. 
Thirdly, the a8 rook may find activity up the now semi-open b-file. 
Instead, 5. ... dxc6, permits, 6. Qxd8+, when white has the more favourable pawn structure for the endgame. || 

6. e5 

| By far the most popular choice here, white pushes the black f6 knight over to the queenside. 
Instead, 6. Bd3, or, 6. Qe2, or, 6. Nd2, or, 6. Nc3, are less ambitious than advancing with, pawn e5, but do not think they are of lesser value, black still has those 3 pawn islands to protect as the late middlegame morphs into the endgame. 
So, does this imply black has a lost ending on the horizon? 
No, but it does mean black will need to be more careful than white as the amount of material remaining in play diminishes. || 

6. ... Qe7 

| Again by far the most popular choice. 
Instead, 6. ... Nd5, and, 6. ... Ne4, avoid the minor development congestion of placing the queen on e7. || 

7. Qe2 

| No one seems to play anything else here. 
Both queens radiate their x-rays at each other through the white e5 pawn, the pin on the white e-pawn is broken, the black f6 knight is again under attack. || 

7. ... Nd5 
8. c4 

| More, "Mainlining". 
White is claiming some space with pawns which will be supported by pieces until black decides on which way to break out. 
Sufficiently-tested here are, 8. Nd2, and, 8. h4, which are worth a try once the necessary home-study has been done. 
A rather, "Obvious", centrally-supportive pawn move appears only once in the limited database referenced for the coaching sessions. 
Take a look at: J. Mieses - L. Forgacs, Ostend B 1907. 
8. f4 f6 9. c4 Ba6 10. b3 fxe5 11. fxe5 O-O-O 12. Bb2 Qg5 
13. Nd2 Bb4 14. Bd4 Rde8 15. a3 Rxe5 16. Bxe5 Bxd2+ 17. Kd1 Bc3 
18. Rc1 Bxe5 19. Qf2 Ne3+ 20. Ke2 Bd4 21. Qf3 Bb7 22. Qg3 Qe7 
23. Kd3 c5 24. Kd2 Nf5 25. Qh3 Be3+ 0-1. 
Perhaps, 8. f4, is just a little slow, black took a tremendous lead in development and unsurprisingly tactics emerged. || 

8. ... Nb6 

| The more popular choice here is, 8. ... Ba6, pinning the white c4 pawn and so saving the black d5 knight, but should white immediately move the e2 queen, then black would have to play, Nb6, anyway. 
This little shuffling with the move-order does no particular good, but does no harm either, and might confuse someone learning the Scotch Game into making a mistake. 
With only a handful of examples to study, perhaps, 8. ... Qb4+, could be a surprise weapon for black. || 

9. Nd2 

| Another second choice in the database popularity charts. 
Instead, 9. Nc3, has a much greater fanbase. 
Again there is an example of a fairly, "Obvious", developing move only occurring once in the limited database. 
J. van der Wiel (2375) - A. McCarthy, Groningen 1978, gives us a nice lesson on black queens and white b2 pawns. 
9. Bf4 Qb4+ 10. Nd2 Ba6 11. Qe4 Qxb2 12. Rb1 Qxa2 13. Be2 Na4 
14. e6 Nc5 15. exd7+ Kxd7 16. Bg4+ Ne6 17. O-O Bd6 18. Ra1 1-0. 
A shocker, the battle appeared to be focusing on the black king, but actually it was the black queen who was being targeted. || 

9. ... a5 

| At last, we reach a point where 3 moves have almost the same popularity. 
Instead, 9. ... Bb7, or, 9. ... Qe6, are the other main choices here. 
Considerably less popular and in need of further testing are, 9. ... Ba6, 9. ... d5, 9. ... d6. || 

10. Qe4 

| This is one way of sorting out the congestion in the white camp. 
The other choices are, 10. g3, more popular and more successful, and, 10. b3, similarly popular but less successful. || 

10. ... g6 

| Only 10 games on the limited database now, so plenty of opportunity for home-study to find improvements. 
Instead, 10. ... d5, is the thematic central break, but perhaps this can be postponed for a few moves? 
So, 10. ... Ba6, and, 10. ... Qe6, have been tried, more testing of the game move and other choices are needed before a recommendation can be made. || 

11. Bd3 Bg7 

*  *  * 

## Unannotated Game. 

White: R. Lau, 2448. 
Black: J. Emms, 2489. 
Event: Politiken Cup Copenhagen 1992. 
Result: 0-1 in 51 moves. 
Opening: Scotch Game, Mieses Variation, C45. 

1. e4 e5 
2. Nf3 Nc6 
3. d4 exd4 
4. Nxd4 Nf6 
5. Nxc6 bxc6 
6. e5 Qe7 
7. Qe2 Nd5 
8. c4 Nb6 
9. Nd2 a5 
10. Qe4 g6 
11. Bd3 Na4 
12. O-O Nc5 
13. Qe2 Bg7 
14. Nf3 Ne6 
15. h4 O-O 
16. h5 d6 
17. hxg6 hxg6 
18. exd6 Qxd6 
19. Rd1 Nf4 
20. Bxf4 Qxf4 
21. Qe4 Qxe4 
22. Bxe4 Rb8 
23. Rab1 Rxb2 
24. Rxb2 Bxb2 
25. Bxc6 Bf5 
26. Rd5 Bc3 
27. Rb5 Rd8 
28. Rb7 Rd1+ 
29. Kh2 Bb4 
30. g3 Bd6 
31. Bd5 Kg7 
32. Ra7 Rf1 
33. c5 Rxf2+ 
34. Kg1 Bxg3 
35. Rxc7 Rc2 xx
36. Rxf7+ Kh6 
37. Bb3 Rxc5 
38. Kg2 Bd6 
39. Rf6 Bc7 
40. Kf2 Rc3 
41. Rf8 Bb6+ 
42. Kg3 Bc5 
43. Rf7 Be4 
44. Kg4 Bd6 
45. Be6 Re3 
46. Bc8 Bd5 
47. Rf6 Bc7 
48. Nd2 Rg3+ 
49. Kh4 Rd3 
50. Bf5 Rd4+ 
51. Kh3 Kg5 
White resigns, 0-1 

*  *  *