Irina MIKHAYLOVA

Thinking in Schemes.
A Strategy
of the Champions

Moscow 2012
Y,UK 794
EEK 75.58 1 M69

Reviewers:
Professors MM Bogen and E.G. Kiseleva

Mikhaylova I.V.
Thinking in Schemes. A Strategy of the Champions. -
M., RSUSS "SOYUZ", 2012, 272p.

Technical editor: A. Elkov

Translated from the Russian edition by V. Kotlovyi

In this book Irina Mikhaylova, PhD-International Grandmaster, Coach of

the Highest Qualification-studies a most important direction in the development
of strategic mastery: the method of "Thinking in Schemes". The method has been
applied by World Chess Champions w ith a great success. The book presents analyses of
about 500 examples from their practice, positions for unsupervised work and practical
recommendations.
Undoubtedly, this book will be ofhelp to those who want to perfect their play practice
as well as coaching work.

Mikhaylova Irina V.
A Textbook

Thinking in Schemes. A Strategy of the Champions

Passed for printing 11.04.2012. Format 60x90/16.

Typeface NewtonC. Press sheets 17,00.
Published by RSUSS "SOYUZ"

© Mikhaylova Irina, 2012

 FOREWORD

Many people in their youth en­

thusiastically read chess books.
Through their books the authors
frequently become somebody's first
chess teachers. Reflection on the
read material helps to develop chess
views and abilities. The formation
of my style was influenced to a great
extent by A. Alekhine's book "My
Selected Games". In many of his games reigned logic. Alexander Alekhine
was looking not for certain moves, but sought to perceive the depth of chess,
the logic of events on the board, and only then to find the best continuations
with regard to the chosen plan of game.
The book offered to you, dear reader, it seems to me, is interesting , origi­
nal and useful . It may help you to develop your own style of play. The subject
"thinking in schemes" receives such a detailed and comprehensive treat­
ment, possibly, for the first time in chess literature. Such a way of thinking
was used by many known chess players in their games with a great success.
In my view, you can develop your chess mastery by studying well-selected
examples from the creative work of the world's best chess players. The prob­
lem method of exposition favours better learning and understanding of the
material. Undoubtedly, this book will be of help to those who want to perfect
their play practice as well as coaching work.
I would like to wish the author success in her further creative work!

Vasily Smyslov, the 7111 World Chess Champion

 «There is a generally accepted division of chess players into those who
calculate variations and those who think in schemes by laying stress on the
strategic elements of chess play.»

G. Kasparov, the 13th World Chess Champion

THINKING IN SCHEMES

As the German Grandmaster pointed out that the most wide­

R. Teichmann -" one of the fin - spread mistake in the games against
est positional chess players" in the strong chess players is in trying to
words of J. -R. Capablanca-once outplay them in tactical complica­
remarked, " Chess is 99 percent tac­ tions: grandmasters calculate varia­
tics " . By now, there have been pub­ tions with lightning speed. But for­
lished many textbooks and problem mulation of strategic tasks may lead
books in which there are hundreds, to success, because the hardest thing
even thousands of examples serving even for the strongest chess players is
for the development of combina­ planning, locating the most favour­
tional vision and variations calcula­ able placement of pieces for attack
tion skills. At the same time , there is as well as for defence.
an almost total lack of the chess lit­
erature showing a sufficient number Grandmaster A. A Kotov rec­
of examples for the development of ollects: "Once, during the J"d Mos­
positional insight. But strategy, even cow International Tournament held
if it occupies only one percent, is a in 1936, several chess masters were
kind of "nucleus" surrounded with analysing the ending of a game. They
"electrons" of variations; and if this could not find any solution, but there
nucleus is missing, the "matter" of was more than enough of arguing.
chess play breaks up. Suddenly, into the tiny room where
Planning is one of the most im­ they were analysing the game walked
portant and the hardest elements of Capablanca, who loved to stroll about
chess mastery. Grandmaster A.A. while waiting/or his turn to move. On
Kotov, when speaking about the learning the cause of the dispute, the
tactics of playing in time-trouble, imposing Cuban suddenly scattered
 Thinking in Schemes 5

the pieces all over the board and then Let's hand the word over to M.M.
showed what kind of arrangement the Botvinnik: «At this moment we both
active side should try to achieve. It is became thoughtfal. What should we
not a slip of the tongue: Don Jose had do, really? If one moves the black
literally scattered the pieces without king, then White will seize the square
making any moves, but simply placed f6, if the knight moves-the white king
the pieces to their proper positions. breaks through thesquareg6. . . -Paul
And then all became clear at once: Petrovich-I remarked timidly-there
the scheme was ready and a win could is a drawn position: when the white
be easily achieved. . . Later on, I have king is on the squaref7, and the pawn
seen such a way of thinking in the play on g5, one will play We5-f5 and, af­
ofcontemporary outstanding endgame ter g5-g6, give check with the knight
masters, Rohr and Smyslov ". on e5, and there will be a draw... But
how to achieve that? The experienced
Here is yet another example, master ofendgame study Keres imme­
from the book ''Analytical and Criti­ diately put the idea into shape: 81...
cal Works" by M.M. Botvinnik: '� .. tllc6 82. Wg6tlle 7! 83. Wf7tllc6 84.
in 1969, the Beverwijk tournament. g5 (or 84. e 7tlle 7 85. We7Wf4 86.
The game Portisch-Botvinnik had 1Le6 a2) 84. . .Wf5 85. g6 tlle5!
been adjourned in a position difficult
for the Ex-champion of the World. 1. L. PORTISCH -M. BOTVINNIK,
Keres was helping Botvinnik to ana­ 1969
lyse the adjourned game. In the course Griinfeld Defence
of analysis, there was determined the 1. d4 tllf6 2. c4 g6 3. tllc3 d 5
critical position 4. tllf3 §i.g7 5. l}j!b3 c6 6. cd tlld 5
7. e4 tllb6 8. 1Le3 0-0 9. lldl §i.g4
10. 1Le2 'tJJJ/c7 11. 0-0 tll8 d7 12. h3
1Lf313.§i.f3Wh8 14. a4 tllc8 15. g3
e6 16. d5 lle8 17. de fe 18. §i.g4
tllm 19. 1Lc5 l}j!f7 20. lld3 tllb 6
21. §Lm §Lm 22. a5 tlld 7 23. 'tJJJ/b7
tll e5 24. 'tJJJ/t7 tllt7 25. f4 h5 26. §i.f3
lled8 27.llfdl e5 28.lld7 Wg7
29. fe lld7 30. lld7 lle8 31. Wg2
1Lc5 32. llc7 Ires 33. llc6 1Ld4
34. b4 lle7 35. tlld 5 llb7 36. llc7
llc7 37. tllc7 Wf6 38. tlld 5 We6
39. tllf4 Wf6 40. tlld 5 We6 41. tllf4
6 Irina Mikhaylova

Wf6 42. !Ji.di li:ld6 43. Wf3 gS We were laughing for about ten min­
44. li:le2!1i.b2 4S. We3�eS 46. !ii.c 2 utes: the solution turned out to be so
li:lc4 47. Wd3 li:ld6 48. li:lc3 !ii.a 3 simple and elegant. In fact, upon re­
49. bS !Ji.b4 SO. b6 a6 Sl. li:ldS sumption of the game there happened
!Ji.as S2. We2 li:lb7 S3. !Ji.d 3 li:lcS nothing unexpected». The game
S4. We3 !ii. el SS. g4 hg S6. hg !Ji.as was finished in a draw and Botvin­
S7. !ii.c 2 !ii.el S8. Wf3 Ji.as S9.!ii.a4 nik with Geller shared the first two
<tid6 60 . .lte8 li:lb7 61. We3 !ii.el places, while Portisch and Keres
62. !Ji.t7 li:lcS 63. Wf3 Ji.as 64.!Ji.g8 were behind by half a point.
li:\b7 6S. We2 li:lcS 66. �e3 !ii.el Evidently, the right solution was
67. Wf3 !1i.aS 68. !ii. t7 li:lb7 69. li:le3 found because Botvinnik had dis­
!ii.b6 70. li:lc4 <tlc7 71. li:lb6 <tlb6 covered a drawn game scheme. Af­
72. eS li:ld8 73. .lta2 li:lc6 74. <tle4 ter that, the analysis immediately
li:le7 7S. e6 WcS 76. WeS aS went in the right direction. With the
77.<tlf6<tld6 78. WgS �eS 79.!Ji.b3 other, purely combinational, way of
a4 80. !ii.a2 a3 81. .ltb3 (diagram M thinking, quite possibly, the solution
1) 81. . . li:lc6 82. Wg6 li:le7 83. <tlg7 would never be found or would be
li:lc6 84. gS <tlfS 8S. <tih6 li:le7 found with a major expenditure of
86. !ii.a 2 <ties 87. Wg7 �rs 88. wt7 time and effort.
li:\g6 [Y2:Y2]

WHAT IS «THINKING IN SCHEMES»?

The results of a great number of thinking chess players have received

studies on psychopedagogical prob­ less attention in spite of the fact that
lems oflearning and improvement of "the level of chess player's mastery
chess mastery are known ( V.A. Ala­ depends essentially on his strate­
tortsev, 1975, 1988; N. G. Alekseev, gic thinking". Besides, the need for
1990; B.M. Blumenfeld, 1947, creating this book has been as well
1948; M.I. Dvoretsky, 1997; AN. dictated by the impossibility to ap­
Kostyev, 1984; A.A. Kotov, 1970; ply the strategic thinking of Artifi­
N. V. Krogius, 1968, 1976; E. N. Ku­ cial Intelligence (chess software) as
chumova, 1998; V.B. Malkin, 1983; a model for training highly skilled
T.V. Petrosian, 1968; N.F. Talyzina sportsmen: The differences between
1978, M.M. Yudovich , 1982, and man and computer in decision mak­
others) . The problems of strategic ing are too big.
thinking and training of strategically From the standpoint of theory of
 Thinking in Schemes 7

stage-by-stage formation of mental chessboard to another according to

actions (P. Galperin) , each action the rules of movement for the piece.
consists of three parts: orienting, ex­ In this case, while carrying out the
ecutive and verifying-corrective. In orienting part of action, one should
this theory; the image of action and use for orientation not only the sys­
the image of action environment are tem of conditions that supports the
combined into the integrated struc­ proper move of a piece from one
tural element called " orientation square to another (the executive part
base of action" ( OBA) which serves of action) , but also use the peculi­
as a base for action control. Orienta­ arities of chess positions which de­
tion base of action is the system of termine choice of the next move.
conditions on which man actually Researches have shown that the
relies while performing an action. efficiency of orientation base de­
The orienting part of action is re­ pends essentially on the level of
lated to utilization by man of those generalisation of the knowledge
objective conditions, needed for a (cues) that is part of the base , and
successful fulfillment of the given on the completeness with which this
action, which were integrated into knowledge reflects the conditions
the content of the orientation base of objectively determining the success
action. The orienting part of action of action. In theory and methodol­
is directed to: a) Proper and rational ogy of sport, these essential cues re­
construction of the executive part of ceived the name of "main reference
action; in such cases, its content is points" (MRP) being a reflection in
formed by taking into account the sportsman's mind of examination
conditions necessary for the proper objects that need attention focusing
(and rational) construction of the while executing an action (M.M.
predetermined executive part, and Bogen) . However, it was proved by
b) Support rational selection from special studies that "in the process of
possible executions. This function decision making, not all the elements
of the orienting part of action stands of a situation are examined, but only
out clearly when analysing the ac­ those that are significant in the task
tions related to chess play. Indeed, demand context. A chess player stud­
the orienting part of action should ies not all, but only the efficient ways
support a proper choice of the next of playing a position, he takes into
move, this is the main thing. As for account activation opportunities not
the executive part of the selected ac­ for all pieces, but only for those in­
tion, it is very simple in this case: volved in a given variation" (N.V.
move a piece from one square on the Krogius) .
8 Irina Mikhaylova

This essentially differs from the fulfillment of a forthcoming or exe­

actions of a computer calculating cuting action in the strategy of chess
variations. Let's note an important play may include examples of plan­
thought of the 141h World Chess ning (strategic thinking) for certain
Champion in classical chess V.B. typical positions of pieces and their
Kramnik, the thought on the funda­ interactions (schemes).
mental difference between artificial
and natural intelligence regarding Thinking in schemes is an opera­
strategic thinking. Although com ­ tional play planning, carried out in
puter keeps a huge database of game several nearest moves, for achieving
openings, there always comes the the optimal arrangement of chess
moment when it will be necessary pieces that can serve as an orienta­
to pass from the database to one's tion base of action. The arrangement
own "thinking". Exactly then, when can serve as a base for further op­
one needs to choose a plan for fur­ erations or it may turn out to be the
ther play, the weakness of compu­ final one when the enemy gets into
ter becomes apparent. At the same a hopeless situation or Zugzwang, or
time, one should keep in view that loses any opportunity to play for a
computer suggests solutions im­ win (building a "fortress"). Concep­
mediately, if they have already been tions about the ways of advantage
loaded into its memory, thus sig­ realisation as well as about the main
nificantly outstripping the natural typical fighting techniques in these
intelligence. The situation changes positions may serve as cues (MRP)
when computer has to find a new and may be a part of OBA in their
solution: computer is enforced to generalised form.
go over the "decision tree ". Such The authorship of the notion
a task has exponential complexity. "thinking in schemes" belongs to
The speed of making the right deci­ S .V Belavents who used it for the first
sion drops sharply when calculating time in his known article "The main
a great number of variations is re­ principles of playing endgame " . As
quired. Exactly for this reason, ar­ Shereshevsky writes in his excellent
tificial intellect cannot understand book 'The strategy of endgame":
the strategic thinking and it thinks "Thinking in schemes should not be
in terms of variations, but not with confused with preparation of the main
plans or ideas. strategic plan for a game, though both
From such theoretical positions, cases have much in common... . "

the system of human conceptions To understand this issue figu­

about the goal, plan and means of ratively, let's analyse a real-life
 Thinking in Schemes 9

situation from the author's not so a mental scheme for their optimal
remote Russian past. Assume that placement, or if you use previously
we have to move furniture to a new tested successful schemes, then
apartment. For that purpose you you will cope with the task. S o , the
have been provided with a van, but general strategic plan means: move
only for a single run. If you load up furniture to the new apartment.
items at random , they will not fit Thinking in schemes-the closest
into the van , and so a single run will operational task-means: select the
not suffice. But if you think over the right plan for the arrangement of
right arrangement of items, design items.

WHEN APPLICATION OF THINKING IN SCHEMES IS POSSIBLE?

Ifwe assume as a basis the terminol­ Evidently, it will be right to apply

ogy due to Grandmaster A.A. Kotov thinking in schemes to the games of
that is set forth in his book " How to the second and the third type.
become a Grandmaster", then chess
games are ascribed to the following MERITS OF THE METHOD
types:
1) C o m b i n a ti o n a l - ta c t i c a l The most important merit of
("when the whole game is a thinking in schemes is that in many
unity of sharpest variations in positions it gives the chess players
which a sacrifice is followed who are able to use this method an
by another sacrifice, one tac­ advantage over those who rely on
tical blow meets with much the calculations. We have received evi­
same counterblow of the en­ dence of this in the examples by J.­
emy"); R. Capablanca and M.M. Botvinnik.
2) Ta c t i c a l - m a n o e u v r a b l e It is interesting that in the games of
("when there is no tactical con­ such seemingly combinational-tac­
frontation, but mostly strategic tical chess player as A.A. Alekhin
moves and rearrangements are there are many examples of thinking
carried on"); in schemes: it seems that, while per­
3) Games with change of mode fecting himself, he assigned much
("when tempest gives place to time to this problem.
calm and vice versa"). Thinking in schemes is especially
urgent in modern chess, where,
10 Irina Mikhaylova

while carrying out a plan, one has By thinking in schemes, a chess

to overcome a fierce resistance of player deflects his attention away
the opponent who seeks to interfere from specific calculations and takes
with one's plans in every way, and a detached view of a position using
where carrying out multistage plans the main reference points. This al­
is practically impossible. lows him to evaluate the position
Interaction between pieces as well more objectively as well as to reveal
as between pieces and pawns is the its new opportunities.
main thing for thinking in schemes. The moment of thinking in
Persistent training of this element schemes (or operational planning)
forms chess player's intuition and usually coincides with the critical
positional insight: he starts feeling moments of a game; finding and
the invisible connections between feeling such moments is of utmost
pieces, learning to determine their importance.
optimal positions. By this token in­ A great role is also played by
creases the efficiency of player's ori­ analogy between plans, about which
entation base of action. we have to tell separately, consider­
ing its great practical importance.

ANALOGY BETWEEN PLANS

Let 's cite AA Kotov once again: peat the known plan that occurred in
"Studying typical plans is the pursuit other games".
to which the strongest Grandmasters While solving problems in this
dedicate their time and efforts, per­ book, pay attention to the arrange­
haps not less than they do to study ment of pieces that may turn out to
variations of openings. One can im­ be typical. For example, let's take
agine how much this facilitates work notice of these two positions.
at chessboard during an important Diagram N! 2 from the game
game. When the ne111es are strained Petrosian - Euwe , Zurich 1 953.
and the brain is overloaded with solu­ White's plan is to create a passed
tion of most difficult problems during pawn on the kingside ; they imple­
a complicated chess fight, there is no ment the plan with the help of the
need to invent-it is sufficient to re- battering ram advance e4-e5.
 Thinking in Schemes 11

N!!2 2. T.PEfROSIAN M.EUWE, 1953

-

Reti Opening
1. ll:lf3 ll:lf6 2. g3 dS 3. .tg2 .tfS
4. d3 e6 S. ll:lbd2 h6 6. 0-0 .tcs
7. �el 0-0 8. e4 de 9. ll:le4 ll:le4
10. de .th7 11. b4! .te7 12. .tb2
ll:la6 13. a3 c6 14. lldl �c8 lS. c4
ll:lc7 16. �c3? ! .tf6 17. ll:leS lld8
18. .tf3 ll:le8 19. lld8 �d8 20. lld l
�c7 21.cS aS 22. .tg2 ab 23. ab
lld8 24. lld8 �d8 2S. �c2 ll:lc7
26. .tn ll:lbs 21. f4 wm 28. wn
White to move .teS? 29. .teS f6 30. .tb2 We7
31. .tc4 .tg6 32. We3 .tf7 33. g4
�c7 (diagram Ni:! 2) 34. eS! �d8
3S. ef gf 36. h4 ll:lc7 37. �c3±
ll:ldS 38. .tdS �dS 39. �f6 We8
40. �h8 'it'd7 41. �g7+- 'it'e8 42.
.tf6 �b3 43. .tc3 �dl 44. �h8
'it'd7 4S. �b8 �cl 46 . .td2 �gl
47. Wd3 �fl 48. Wc2 �a6 49. hS!
�a2 SO. Wd3 �bl Sl. We2 �e4
S2. 'it't2 �d4 S3. .te3 �b4 S4. �m
�b2 SS. Wg3 �f6 S6. �d6 'it'c8 S7.
.td4 �d8 S8. �d8 'it'd8 S9. .tg7
Wc7 60. .th6 b6 61. ch Wb6 62.
White to move 'it'h4 [1:0]

The second position , diagram NQ 3. M. BOTVINNIK M. TAL, 1961

-

3, is from the game Botvinnik-Tal, Slav Defence

Moscow 196 1. And here too , White's 1. d4 ll:lf6 2. c4 c6 3. ll:lc3 d S
task is to create another passed pawn 4. c d c d S. ll:lf3 ll:lc6 6. .tf4 .trs
or to break open avenues for the in­ 7. e3 e6 8. .tbs .tb4 9. ll:leS �as
cursion of their rooks into the back 10. .tc6 be 11. 0-0 .tc3 12. be �c3
ranks. Turn your attention to a simi­ 13. �cl �cl 14. llfcl 0-0 lS. f3 h6
lar pawn structure on the kingside 16. ll:lc6 llfe8 17. a4 ll:ld7 18. .td6
and a similar method of the problem ll:lb6 19. .tcS .td3 20. ll:la7 lla7
solution with the help of e4-eS! 21. .tb6 lla6 22. aS .tc4 23. lla3 f6
 12 Irina Mikhaylova

24. e4 Wf7 25. Wt2 :.C:.aa8 26. We3 :.C:.fd 8 21.ct::le5 f6 22.ct::lc 6 ct::lc6
:.C:.eb8 27.:.C:.ac3 :.C:.c8 28. g4 :.C:.ab8 23. .Jid5 ct::ld 4 24. .Jlc4:.C:.d6 25.'itlg2
29. h4:.C:.c6 30. h5 :.C:.bc8 ( diagram N!! wm 26. :.C:.d1 :.C:.b8 21. h3 :.C:.bd8
3) 31. e5! g6 32. hg Wg6 33. :.C:.3c2 fe 28. :.C:.a7 ct::lb5 29. :.C:.d6 :.C:.d6 30. :.C:.b7
34. de :.C:.h8 35.:.C:.h2 :.C:.cc8 36. Wd2 ct::lc 3 31.'itlf3 h6 32. g4 ct::ld 5 33. h4
.ltb3 37. a6.ltc4 38. a7 :Uh7 39.:.C:.al ct::lc 3 34. h5 ct::l d 5 35..Jid 3 ct::le7
:.C:.a8 40. .Jle3 :.C:.b7 41. :.C:.h6 Wg7 36. 'itlg3 ct::ld 5 37. f3 a5 38. .Jlg6:.C:.b6
42. :.C:.ahl :.C:.b2 [1:0] 39. :.C:.f7 'itlg8 40. :.C:.a7 wm 41. e4
ct::lb4 (diagram N!! 4) Then there
And now, let's cite a position from followed 42. e5!! - the move that is
the game Miles - Ljubojevic, Puer­ based, after all, on tactical peculiari­
to-Madrin 1980 (diagram NQ 4.) ties of the position; its main idea is to
It is a familiar structure, isn't it? take the square e5, -this is vividly
seen in the variation: 42...fe 43.:.C:.a8
'itle7 44.:.C:.g8 'itlf6 45.:.C:.m 'itlg5
N!!4
46 .Jle4 and there is no defence
•

against the manoeuvre :.C:.f7:g7-g6:h6.

In the other continuation, which ac­
tually occurred in this game, White,
naturally, created a passed pawn on
the kingside and won after the moves
42 ct::ld 5 43. :.C:.a8 We7 44. :.C:.g8 fe
•.•

45. g5 hg 46.:.C:.g7 wm 47. h6 ct::le7

48.:.C:.f7 'itle8 49. .Jlh5 'itld7 50. h7
:.C:.b8 51. Wg4 'itld6 52. 'itlg5 ct::lf5
53 .Jlg6 ct::ld 4 54 .Jle4 ct::lb3 55. :.C:.b7
• •

White to move
[1:0]

It is difficult to find the move

4. E. MILES L LJUBOJEVIC, 1980
- e4-e5 in the given example: it may
English Knight's Opening simply not come into player's mind.
1. ct::lf3 c5 2. c4 lt::lf6 3. g3 ct::lc6 But if you are familiar with the typi­
4. .Jig2 d5 5. cd ct::l d 5 6. d4 .Jif5 cal device for creating a passed pawn
7. 0-0 ct::l db4 8 .Jle3 .Jle4 9. d5 .Jid 5
• in a similar pawn structure following
10. ct::lc 3 e6 11. :.C:.cl ct::la 2 12. ct::la 2 the games by Petrosian and Botvin­
.Jla2 13. �a4 .Jid5 14. .Jlc5 .Jlc5 nik, then you surely will consider
15.:.C:.c5 �b6 16.:.C:.b5 �a6 17. �a6 the move e4-e5 and will not over­
ha 18.:.C:.c50-0 19.:.C:.fcl ct::lb4 20.:.C:.c7 look this opportunity.
 Thinking in Schemes 13

This example from the game Ca­ 10. .te6 ed 11. ct::ld 4be 12. ct::le 6�d7
pablanca-Ragozin, Moscow 1 936, 13.ct::ld 4 �g4 14. 0-0 .ta6 15.h3
diagram Af2 5, became classic. �h4 16. ct::lf3 �h5 17. llel llab8
18. �a4 .tb7 19. e4 h6 20. .te3
N!!S llfe8 21. .td4 ct::lh 7 22. .ta7 lla8
23. �b5 �b5 24. ct::lb5 lle4 25. lle4
.te4 26. ct::l d 2 .td3 27. ct::ld 6 lla7
28. ct::l6e4ct::l f829. ct::le 5.tf530. ct::lf3
ct::l e6 31. llel Wf8 32. ct::le 6 .te6
33. ct::ld 4 llb7 34. b4 .td 7 35. f4 (di­
agram Af2 5) 35...We7 36. Wf2 lla7
37. lle3 Wd6 38. lld3 We7 39. We3
lla4 40. lle3 Wd6 41. lld3 We7
42. lle3 Wd 6 43. ct::le2 g6 44. lld3
We6 45. Wd4 lla6 46. lle3 Wd 6
47. ct::le 3 f5 48. b5 lla8 49. We4.te6
50. Wb4 e5 51. be .tg8 52. ct::lb5
The scheme with the knight We6 53. lld3 g5 54. lld6 Wb7 55. fg
on d4 and the pawns on b4 and f4, hg 56. llg6 llf8 57. llg5 f4 58. ct::l d 4
which ensures control over the fifth lle8 59. llg7 Wb6 60. llg6 Wb7
rank, was frequently used by Ca­ 61. ct::lb5 llf8 62. ct::ld 6 Wb8 63. h4
pablanca, Alekhin and other chess [1:0]
players in different interpretations It is strange that there is no men -
(ct::l d 5, the pawns b5 and f5, with re­ tion of this typical scheme in any
versed colours, etc.) - you will re­ chess textbook, because, possibly,
ceive evidence of that while solving only positions with a definite pawn
positions from this book. arrangement are considered as typi­
cal. It means that one can discover
5. J.-R. CAPABLANKA­ a whole stratum of typical positions
V. RAGOZIN, 1936 based on interactions between pieces
Nimzo-Indian Defence and pawns. We hope that after read­
1. d4 lt::lf6 2. e4 e6 3. ct::le 3 .tb4 ing this book you will essentially wid­
4. �b3 ct::le6 5. e3 d5 6. ct::lf3 0-0 en your horizons and this will help
7. a3 de 8. .te4 .td6 9. .tbs e5 you in perfecting yourself further.
14 Irina Mikhaylova

THINKING IN SCHEMES AT DIFFERENT STAGES

OF THE GAME

The traditional conception came evident later that thinking in

of thinking in schemes relates schemes is possible and necessary
to endgames. S.V. Belanets had also at other stages of chess game;
in view just endgame situations of course , when there exist appro­
when he talked about thinking in priate conditions which we have
schemes for the first time. It be- already mentioned.

OPENINGS

Talking about the openings, one ing openings theory that is, perhaps,
may note that there exist entire the most rational. When one says
openings-schemes such as Volga about a chess player that he does not
Gambit, Old Indian Opening, etc. ; understand the ideas of an opening,
there are also schemes in different does not know the base games, then
variations of virtually every open - one has in view that the player does
ing, such as the Samisch Variation not know the typical positions which
of Nimzo-Indian Defence , many should be achieved in this opening
schemes in the English Opening, (variation) ; what pawn structures,
the Berlin Defence in the Spanish manoeuvres of pieces and combina­
Opening, etc. tional blows are most characteris­
It is hard to overestimate the im­ tic for this situation; he also did not
portance of studying such schemes. study the games in which these typi­
It is the schematic method of study- cal positions were exemplary played.

MIDDLEGAME

Middlegame is the most com­ ing in schemes does not provoke any
plex part of chess game, and here particular questions and is similar to
may arise most arguable moments. that of the game openings, the latter
Thinking in schemes in the middle should be discussed at greater length.
of a game can be divided into the What is meant by the combinational
traditional-planned-positional­ thinking in schemes?
and the combinational. Let's classify schemes at the mid­
And if the former type of think- dlegame stage of chess game:
 Thinking in Schemes 15

1) Base schemes. For example, 3) Final, theoretical and fantastic

when a chess player understands schemes.
that the outcome of a game is By now, many combinations
decided by sacrificing, say, the have been studied and became tech­
bishop on h6, and he prepares to niques. If a chess player sees the final
the sacrifice by the correspond­ position, say, smothered mate , and
ing rearrangement. starts to implement this idea using
2) Schemes in the process of car­ the corresponding moves and rear­
rying on a combination. Since rangements-this is also thinking
many attacks bear a systematic in schemes, because the smothered
character, it is required to in­ mate scheme guides and leads the
volve new reserves after sacrific­ actions of the chess player.
ing. Therefore, a chess player is There is another case, when the
calculating specific variations, final scheme is a fruit of chess play­
but can see the main scheme of er's creative imagination, insight.
involving pieces, say, the rook Such positions are of Zugzwang
e 1 through e4 and the bishop b2 character, and after sacrifices there
through c l. follow quiet moves.

ENDGAME

Thinking in schemes is funda­ favourable exchange , restriction

mental for endgame, since in end­ of movement of enemy's pieces,
game it is possible to carry on both tactical moments, etc.) ;
single-stage and multistage plans 2) Theoretical schemes, leading to
"where one can see through to the theoretically won and drawn po­
end " . Let's consider the following sitions;
classification of schemes: 3) Final schemes-ending schemes
1) Base, preparatory schemes, on when there emerge checkmate
implementing which a base is situations, Zugzwang, or situa­
built for further attack (here is tions where a piece is shut out
the control over important ar­ of play, or situations of hunting
eas of the chessboard as well as down a piece.
the central focusing of pieces,
16 Irina Mikhaylova

THE IDEA OF THE BOOK

As have been already marked, ples from World Champions' games

there are too few positional exercis­ as the reference model.
es in modern literature. It is the time
to fill this gap. Naturally, one should The goal of this book is not to make a
begin from the very best-World complete report on the creative work
Chess Champions! of each Champion; perhaps, this is
This book is about strategy; it something for the future. There were
includes examples of strategic play selected most vivid and practically
and more than 300 strategic posi­ valuable examples of schemes, with­
tions to solve , taken from the crea­ out including the best known, "trite",
tive work of World Champions. To positions which roam from one text­
create the database ''Thinking in book to another, exception made for
schemes", examples were selected those that became base models. This
in such a way that the conceived is a big plus that such exercises do not
schemes were not left as drafts, require unique solutions, unlike the
"behind the curtain " , but were used tactical ones that have unique solu­
in practice , to better discern their tions as a rule. You have an opportu­
goals and merits. The database nity to disagree and suggest your own
"Thinking in schemes" is efficient scheme, and then try to prove your
in the formation of strategic think­ case; but it means that you can learn
ing of chess players, essentially to understand a position deeper; you
adding to chess computer software will perfect yourself in analysis. I wish
by the usage in training some exam- you every success!

METHODICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended during the done at every 10-20 positions, that

training sessions to select examples is in 2-4 sessions depending on the
for demonstration and unsupervised level and qualification of the stu­
solution by the students beginning dents. On page 17 we show the table
from simple (endgame) to complex for evaluating the results.
(positions of middlegame character If test results are higher than
with an active counterplay by the the level of practical mastery, then
opponent). Summing up the results there are prospects in the nearest
of unsupervised solutions should be future to reach higher tournament
 Thinking in Schemes 17

success. I f the percentage of ac­ and to support the required level

cumulated points during the test is of mastery it is nessessary to renew
lower than your qualification level, your strategic weapons, otherwise
then, in our view, you should turn your tournament success will stead­
close attention to your theoreti­ ily decline.
cal background. Your opponents at
the chessboard will not stand still Here is an exemplar calculation
of the accumulated points:

The accumulated points The reached level of mastery

1 0-24 3rd Category

25- 34 2nd Category
35-49 1st Category
50- 64 Candidate Master
6 5- 74 Master
75-89 International Master
90-99 Grandmaster
100 Grandmaster of the highest rank

At session N2 1 the following ex­ sult is 7: 17 = 4 1 %, meaning that he

amples were proposed: 4 examples surely belongs to the group of the pt
from the work of M . Tal (N2 2, 3, 4 , Category. During training sessions
5) , the maximal number o f points we recommend to gather statistics of
(5+4+3+5 = 1 7) ; a student solved the testing results. And we are sure
correctly the 3rd and the 4th posi­ that your results will be visibly higher
tions and received 7 points. His re- at the end of our practical training.
 Wilhelm Steinitz
(14. 05. 1836 - 12. 08. 1 900)

INSTANCES OF THINKING IN SCHEMES IN THE GAMES

OF WILHELM STEINITZ

6. STEINITZ - BLACKBURNE, 1876 Practice attacks on the opposite

castled positions. Before starting a
detailed calculation of variations,
try to find the most aggressive ar­
rangement of White's pieces. If you
think that the white queen should be
on h6, and the bishop - on d4, then
you are absolutely right! (2 points).
In the game was: 21. @d2 a5
22. �d4 f6, trying to cover weak
black squares and to get the queen
involved in the defence.
23. @h6b4.
 Wilhelm Steinitz 19

N�1 N�9

White to move

24. g5! White's pieces and

pawns interact excellently - this N�10
move reopens the long diagonal for
the bishop.
24... fS. Or 24 . . . ll:Jge8 25.h4 �g7
26. �xg7+ ll:Jxg7 27.gfll:JhS 28. ll:JgS
ll:Jxf6 29.hS followed by attack.
25. �f6 �f7 26. ef gf (26 . . . ll:JxfS
27. �xf5 gf28.g6 loses as well) 27. g6!
�xg6 28. �xg7 �xh6+ 29. �xh6
(the fight is over) 29 ... llf6 30. llhgl+
llg6 31. �xf5 <:JJf7 32. �xg6+ hg
33. ll:JgS+ Wg8 34. Il:gel [1:0]

N�8 N�11

White to move White to move

20 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 12 N!!15

White to move Black to move

N!! l3 N!!16

White to move White to move

N!!l4

Black to move
 Wilhelm Steinitz 21

LEARNING FROM W. STEINITZ

7, STEINITZ - WEISZ, 1882 24.gf lt::l xf6 2S. lt::lxf6+ .txf6

26.�xh7+ Wf7 27 . fi..g2 llg8 (or
(diagram N2 8) The position is
27 . . . ct::l xc2 28 . .txf6 'it'xf6 29.ct::l e S!
evidently in White 's favour - he can
with the idea 30.itWh4+) 28. ct::l e5+
attack on the kingside with all his
� f8 29. '.l::rf2b5 30. ab fi..xb5 3 1. .th3
power, while Black's counterplay is
lle8 32. l:re4 (a more matter-of-fact
delayed. If you found the scheme to
way here is 32 . .txd4 cd 33.ct::l g 6+
concentrate White's forces for deci­
Wf7 34.fi..x e6+) 32 . . . .tc6 33. llxd4
sive attack by way of g3-g4-g5 , ct::l e 5-
cd 34. .ta3+ .te7 3S.fi..xe6 .txa3
g4, itWf2-h4 and .tg2-e4 , then add 4
36. ct::lg6# [1:0)
points - the 1st World Champion
continued in this way.
19. g4 '.l::rd8 20. gS fi.. e7 21. ct::lg 4 8. STEINITZ - LABATT, 1883
ct::lc 6 22. �h4 ct::ld4 23...te4.
(diagramN29)This is averysimple
example. If you heard the saying " the
N!!17
best thing about having a two-bishop
advantage is that you can exchange
one of them" , then you will easily find
the correct solution: fi..xg6! ( 1 point).
If you can also see further actions
- the king's march to d3, b4-b5 and
the transfer of the bishop to b2, then
add to your score extra 2 points. It is
interesting that while analysing this
example many 1s1category players ex­
changed on g6, vigorously moved the
king to d3 and e4, but transferring the
23.. JS. White 's attack is ir­
bishop to b2 caused complications. In
refutable. For example: 23 . . . h6 24.
the game White carried out the plan
ct::l x h6+! gh 2 5.itWxh6 f5 26 . .txd4
up to the end and won after the moves
cd 27.�xe 6++ - ; 2 3... lt::l fS 24 ..txfS
28 .txg6 fg (28 . . . hg would be futile)
.

ef 25.lt::l f6+ fi..xf6 26 .gf+- ; 2 3 . . .

29.�e2 'it'e7 30. g3 �e6 31. Wd3
g 6 24.fS ef 25.ct::l h6+ Wg7 26.lt::l xfS
.lies 32. 'it'e4 h6 33. fi..f4 fi..f6 34.bS
gf 27.�h6+ �g8 28 . .txd4 cd
'it'd7 3S. fi..cl �d6 36...ta3+ �e6
29 . .txfs+-.
37. �d3 hS 38..tb2 gS.
22 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 19

39. .txd4 (the remaining is quite 39. tZ:l f3 (trying to save the pawn
simple) 39....txd4 40. �xd4 i;;tid 6 b2, White loses the pawn e4) 39...
41. f3 g6 42. h3 g4 43. hg hg 44. f4 tll xf3+ 40.l{Wxf3 '&1xe4 41. �xe4
[1:0] tll xe4 42. :i::l:e2 tllg 5 43. �g2 tlle6
[0:1]

9. GUNSBERG - STEINITZ, 1891

10. STEINITZ - MARCO, 1896
(diagram M JO) Blac k has a great
positional advantage: White's pieces (diagram N2 11) Those who
are in passive positions, almost all studied " My System" by A. Nim­
his pawns are weak. For realisa­ zowitsch , will not overlook the ma­
tion of the advantage, one should noeuvre c4-c5 and tll e 5-c4-d6
transfer the knight on d4 (manoeu­ (3 points) . The powerful outpost
vre tll g 6-f8-e6-d4) - 3 points, the in Black's camp disarranges his
queen moves to g6, and the rook - defence and creates for White a
to a2 , - 2 points each. At the same base for the ensuing attack. This is
time, White's weak pawns b2, b3, an excellent example , confirming
e4, g3, are under the gun and one of the power of Steinitz's positional
them will be inevitably lost. Exact­ teaching.
ly this happened in the game. 34... 17. c5! f6. 17 . . . b6 1 8.'&1f3 .tb7
tllf8! 35. '&1e3 (35.tll e3 llxg l - + is ( 18 ... llb8 19 . .tbS) 19.c6± cannot
impossible) 35...'&1g6 36. :i::l:g2 tll e6 be done.
37. Il'.e2 tlld 4 38. llt2 l:l:a2-+ 18. tll c4 e5 19. tll d6 lle 7.
 Wilhelm Steinitz 23

N�20 tactical counterchances. The plan

carried out by White is technically
advanced and leaves the opponent
hopeless.
42. �d7! �xd7 43. j_xd 7 �f6
44. f3 �e7 45. j_b5 ll:ld8 46. j_el
ll:lc6 47. Wg3 ll:la5 48. j_a4.

N�21

20. f4! (beginning a decisive

attack on the kingside) 20...j_d7
21. f5. Play to restrain Black's piec­
es. It would not be such a bad idea to
play more vigorously 2 1 .j_c4+ j_e6
22.fe j_xc4 23.ll:lxc4 fe 24.ll:lxeS
threatening with �b3+.
2 1 . . .j_ c6 22. j_c4+ �h8 23. g4
b6. An attempt to prevent the move 48...j_c6 ( 48 . . . ef 49.gf ll:lc6
g4-g5 failed: 23 . . . h6 24.h4 ll:l h7 50. W f4+ - was more tenacious, but
25.gS hg 26.hg ll:lxg5 27.�xgS! futile) 49. j_xb4+ - j_xa4 50. ba
24. g5 fg 25. �xg5 h6 26. �h5 ll:l c6 51. j_c3 ef52. gf �e6 53. �f4
+ - be 27. ll:l t7+ Wh7 28. ll:lg5+ Wf6 54. j_el We6 55. Wg5 Wf7
Wh8 29. f6! gf 30. � xh6+ ll:lh7 56. a5 ll:lb8 57. j_g3 [1:0]
31. ll:lxh7 llxh 7 32. �xf6+ llg7
33. :Uxe5 [1:0)
12. STEINITZ - LIPKE, 1898
(diagram N2 13) This is a text­
11. STEINITZ - HALPRIN, 1898
book example on the topic "Weak­
(diagram N2 12) White's plan is ness of isolated pawns in endgame " ,
to exchange the queens, then f2-f3, and also a convenient opportunity
j_g3-e l , W h2-g3-f4 - 5 points. to test your techniques. Certainly,
Another possibility is j_g3-f4 fol­ you should begin with b2-b4, push­
lowed by g2-g4 and h4-h5 (after ing the black king out of his position
the forced hg) - 2 points. But at the and pinning a weak pawn on b 5. Be­
same time Black could take certain side weaknesses on b5 and d5, Black
24 Thinking in Schemes

has a weak kingside, so his position 13. COHN - STEINITZ, 1899

should be considered as lost. The
(diagram N2 14)The scheme is to
ideal arrangement of White's pieces:
rearrange Black's pieces for exerting
llc5, .tb3, tI:\d4, � f4 ( 5 points) puts
pressure on White's doubled pawns:
Black in a hopeless position and that
lld7-e7, llf8-e8, tI:le5-d7-f6,
was confirmed during the game.
'rlWc7-b6. The correct answer gives
43. b4+ ab 44. ab+ <;t>c6 45. lld3
you 3 points. It is impossible for White
.tf7 46. .tb3 lld7 47. lld4 lld6
to find a satisfactory defence. There is
48. tI:l e2 tI:la8 (in case 48 . . . tI:l a6
no wonder - his position is lost. Black
there would be 49.�g3 tI:l c7 50.lld3
carried out his plan without any trou­
tI:la6 5 1.tI:ld4+ Wb6 52. tI:l c2 tI:l c7
ble and achieved a victory.
53.Wf4 llc6 54.tI:ld4 llc l 55.�e5
21...lle7 22. c3 tI:ld7 23. Ac2
llgl 56.llc3 llxg2 57. <;t> d6 with a
tI:lf6 24. tI:lt2 'rlWb6- +
won) 49. lld l .te8 50. tI:ld4+ Wb7
51. :Ucl .td7 52. Iles tI:lc7 53. Wg3
N!!23
Ac6 54. �f4 tI:la6 55. <;t>eS! As it is
written in such cases: "The triumph
of White 's strategy " .

N!! 22

25. tI:lg4.White 's weakness can­

not be defended. A desperate coun­
terattack is futile.
25. . . 'rlWxb2 26. llxd6 tI:\xg4 27. f6
gf 28. lld3 tI:leS 29. llbl �xa2
55...tI:lxcS 56. �xd6 tI:lxb3
30. lld4 �e6 3 1 . A d l b 5 32. l{Wh5
57. tI:lxb3 Ae8 58. tI:ld 4! That is
itWa2+ 33. l{W e2 'rlWxb l (0:1]
why it is useful to study the legacy
of the classics: having an imperfect
14. MASON - STEINITZ, 1899
technique of defence the stronger
side can completely realize his plans (diagram N2 15) Black devised the
and demonstrate their power. [1:0) following scheme to strengthen the po-
 Wilhelm Steinitz 25

sition of his pieces and pawns, which allow him to seize the only open line.
led to a complete bind of the oppo­ The scheme: tll c 3-b l -d2-b3-a5,
nent's position: a7-a5, b7-b5, c5-c4, then doubling major pieces on the
tll e 6-c5. Have you found this plan? If line "c" - 4 points. Remember the
you have found it, then add 3 points. In manoeuvre tll c 3-b l and add it to
the game Steinitz persuasively showed your repertoire of strategic weapons
the power of his conception . - it can be very powerful and unex­
28... aS 29. l}j!c2 (White cannot be pected to the opponent.
active and is forced to adhere to a pas­ 20. tll b l ! g6 (20 . . . aS is bad in
sive tactics) 29 ...b5 30. tll f2 c4 3 1 . de view of 2 1 .ba :Uxa5 22. �b2+ - ) 2 1 .
be 32. :Ue2 tll c5 33. :Udel a4 34. W gl. tll d2 tll d7 2 2 . tll 2b3 :Uc8 23. tll a 5
$.a8 24. :Uxc8 l}j!xc8 25. ti.cl �b8
N!! 24 26. �c2! The goal is reached. The
invasion onto the 7th rank decides
the outcome of the fight.

N!! 25

34 ... e4! (a well-prepared break­

through) 35. ti.fl �g6 36. W hl e3
37. �xg6 hg 38. tll h3 $. h6 39. g3
g5 40. gf gf 41. llg2+ Wf7 42. tll g l
:Ug8 43. :Uxg8 :Uxg8 44. tll e2 tll d3 26...$.d8 27. tll ac6 �b7 28.
45. h3 :Ub8 46. W g2 $. g7 47. :Udl tll xd8+ :Uxd8 29. �c7 �b8
$.e5 48. Wfl llg8 (White is in an 30. $.f2! (yet another excellent ma­
absolute Zugzwang) 49. tll g l :Uxgl+ noeuvre - the bishop threatens to
50. Wxgl e2 [0:1) take a stronger position on h4) 30 ...
l}j!b6 3 1 . tll f3 l}j!xc7 32. :Uxc7+­
W e8 33. tll g5 tll f8 34. $. c5 tll d 7
15. STEINITZ - SELLMAN, 1885
35. $.d6 [ 1 :0]
(diagram N2 16) White's plan is
to transfer the knight to a5 that will
 Emmanuel Lasker
(24. 11. 1868 - 11. 01. 1941)

INSTANCES OF THINKING IN SCHEMES IN THE GAMES

OF EMMANUEL LASKER

16. BLACKBURNE - LASKER, 1892 this advantage in the same way as

the 2nd World Champion did. One
N!! 26 should start with transferring the
bishop to b6, where he is safeguard­
ing the queenside and takes under
control a weak square e3. The black
king is transferred to f6. This can be
done safely. In Steinitz's theory, two
bishops have to ensure safety of the
king on the central position. And
finally, the black knight is trans­
ferred to d5, from where he is ready
to burst into White's camp. For the
right manoeuvre of each piece is due
Black's position, with a pair of 2 points ( 6 in total).
strong bishops, is better. Try to use 24...j.d4! 25. ti:le2?! The de-
 Emmanuel Lasker 27

fence is not up to par. White had an j_f2 41. a4 c5+ 42. ':JJb 5. In case
opportunity to try and stop Black's 42. <:JJ a3 it would be possible 42 ...
plan. One should play 25.a3 with the c4 43. be ,,txg3 44. tz:lxg3 llxg3
idea tz:lb4 or simply keep the knights 45. tz:ld4 h4 46. as h3 47. a6 h2
on c3 and d3 to control the cen­ 48. a7 h l � 49. a8� � a l+- +.
tre and to prevent the manoeuvre 42 .. Si.xb3 43. a5 c4 44. ,,txc4
tz:lc6-e7-d5. ,,txc2 45. a6 j,, d l 46. tz:ld4 ,,txd4
25 . . .,,tb6 26. b3 W g7! 27. c3 47. cd j_xf3 48. d5 ,,te2 49. ,,txe2
Wf6 28. W c2 tz:le7! 29. tz:lecl I!:xe2 [0:1]
(White cannot prevent the move
tz:ldS: 29. tz:lef4 g5 ; 29. tllb 4 aS) 29 . . . N� 28
tz:ld5 30. W b2.

N� 27

White to move

N� 29

30 . . .b4! This is a combinational

method of advantage exploitation.
The white king is under attack.
31. tll xb4. White faces a hard
choice: 3 1. cb j,, d4+ 32. W a3
tz:le3- + ; 3 1 . tll e2 be+ 32. tz:lxc3
j,, d4- +.
3 1 . . .tll e3 (Black wins the ex­
change and brings his advantage up
to a win) 32. I!:el tz:lc4+ 33. ,,txc4
I!:xel 34. ,,txa6 llgl 35. g3 I!:g2+
36. <:JJ a3 llxh2 37. tll e2 llg2
38. tll c2 g5 39. j,, d 3 h5 40. ':JJb4
28 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 33

White to move White to move

Black to move Black to move

Black to move White to move

 Emmanuel Lasker 29

White to move

LEARNING FROM EMMANUEL LASKER

17. IASKER - SHOWALTER, 1893

(diagram M 28) Evidently, White

has a won position. Test your tech­
niques in this typical ending. The
first move - b3-b4, then l'll a 4-c3,
the rooks are on the line "d" , one
of them on d4, the pawn a2-a4, the
king is closer to the centre (f2-f3
and Wg l -f2). You get 4 points for
the correct answer. Le t's see what
happened in the real game.
27. b4! f5 28. l'll c3 a6 29. lld2
W e6 30. llcd l lld8 31. f3 W e5 18. LEE - LASKER, 1893
32. I!:d4 llcd7 33. Wfl .t c6 34. a4
(diagram M 29) Black has space
llb8.
advantage , besides, White has a weak
(See diagram 37)
point d3. Black's task is to pin this
The scheme is set up, White weakness and even stronger restrain
proceeds to decisive actions. the opponent. The scheme: the rook
35. b5! ab 36. ab .txb5 37. on the line "d" , the knight on e6 ,
llxd5+ W e6 38. l'll x b5 llxd5 39. the queenside pawns on c 5 and a4,
l'llc 7+ Wd6 40. l'll xd5 [ 1 :0] the kingside pawn on f5 , the king
30 Thinking in Schemes

on f7, the pawn march g6-g5-g4 is 19, LASKER - STEINITZ, 1894

possible. The mark - 7 points.
(diagram NQ 30) White's position
20 . . . llad8 21. ll:l e l .lt g5 22. Wfl
is close to a winning one - his bish­
f5 23. W e2?! (23.a4!?, preventing
op is clearly stronger than the black
Black's plan, deserved a serious at­
knight, the weakness on e6 positively
tention) 23 . . . :Ub8 24. :Uabl .ltf6
"yawns". White's plan is to put pawns
25. ll:l 3c2 Wt7 26. ll:lf3 lle8 27. ll:l d2
on c5 (opening the diagonal a2-g8 for
ll:ld8 28. ll:lb3 a4 29. ll:l d2 ll:l e6
the bishop) and f4 (pinning a weak­
30. g3 lled8 31. ll:lf3 g5 32. ll:lb4 g4
ness on e6). The bishop, naturally, is
33. ll:l e 1 c5 34. ll:l bc2.
on the diagonal a2-g8, the queen on
e3 the rooks on the lines "b" (to exert
N!! 38
pr�ssure against the pawn on b7) , "e"
or "d" (in case of possible d4-d5).
The pawn march along "a" strength­
ens the position. If Black cannot slow
the pawn down, then after a5-a6 the
pawn "c" will become a formida­
ble force. If he plays a7-a6,then the
white rook will take an excellent posi­
tion on b6. 7 points is the mark for an
accurately drawn plan.
23. c5! llc6 24. llab l ll:l h4
25. �e3 :Uc7 26. f4 ll:lg6 27 . .ltb3
34 ...f4. Black was able to carry on
:Ue7 28. a4! :Ud8 29. a5 a6 30 . .lta4
the plan, White's position becomes
l}j!h4 31. g3 �g4 32. lld2 ll:l f8
more difficult to defend. E.Lasker
33 . .ltdl! l}j! g6.
proceeds to decisive actions.
35. ll:la3? This is, perhaps, the N!! 39
decisive mistake. 35. f3 h5 36. b3 ab
37. ab was more tenacious, although
Black kept his advantage after 37 . . .
ll:lg5.
35 . . . f3+! 36. � fl e4 +-

37. ll:lxbS ed 38. ll:la3 ll:lg5 39. ll:l c4

ll:le4 40. h4 h5 41. ll:lb6 llb7
42. ll:l c4 d2 43. ll:l c2 ll:l xc3 44. Ita l
ll:lxdl 45. :Uxd 1 .ltxb2 46. lll 2 e3
.ltc3 [O: l ]
 Emmanuel Lasker 31

34. d5! ( a vigorous realisation 25 . .@.xg6. Black's pieces are

of the advantage) 34 ... llf7 35. d6 perfectly arranged, his advantage
�f6 36. lldb2+ - g5 37. l:txb7 gf becomes apparent. Black threatens
38. llxt7'*'xt7 39. gf�g7+ 40. W h l to play e5- e4, and after the record­
ti:lg6 4 1 . �xe6+ W h8 42. �e3 ::C:.g8 ed move the black knight has an op­
43 . .@. f3 ti:lh4 44. .@.d5 [ l:O] portunity to break through to e3.
25 ... hg 26. ti:ld3 ti:l c4 27. ti:l f2
ti:l e3 28. ti:ld l d 4 2 9 . l{Wd3 e4! (the
20. SCHLECHTER - !ASKER, 1895
breakthrough in the centre con­
(diagram M 31) Black is in a
cludes Black's strategic plan) 30. fe
better position. He has two oppor­
l:txe4 3 1 . ti:lxe3 fe 32. nn llf4
tunities to increase his advantage: to
33. llxf4 �xf4 34. l{Wdl c5 35. b3 a5
prepare and carry on e5-e4, or to
36. � e l a4 37. �a5 llf8 38. �el
break through to e3 with the knight.
l:tf5 39. l{W d l Wf6 40. �el W e6
In both cases this scheme will do:
41. �dl Wd5 42. h3 �e4 43. �el
double the rooks on the line " e " and
l{Wf4 44. �dl W e5 45. � e l ®f6
execute the manoeuvre ti:lf7-d6.
46. �dl ® g7 47. �el llf6 48. � d l
The mark - 3 points.
�g3 49. �d3 ll f2 50. � e 4 �f4
20. . . Il'.ae8 21. l:Idel ?! Black was
5 1 . �e7+ W h6 [O: l ]
inaccurate making the last move (it
would be better to begin with 20 ...
ti:ld6) , but White did not take advan­ 21. BLACKBURNE - LASKER, 1899
tage of the opponent's oversight. Af­
(diagram M 32) Black is in a
ter 2 1 . .@.xf5l �xf5 22. c4l lld8 23. cd
slightly better position - he has ad­
cd 24. � a5 the position equalized.
vantage in the centre. Lasker con­
21. . .lle7 22. :l:If2 ti:l d6 23. �c3
ceived and implemented a beautiful
.@.g6 24. llfe2 llfe8.
scheme, which allowed him to secure
N!! 40 his pieces in central positions and
created prerequisites for a successful
attack. The moves b6-b5, a7-a5-a4
and ti:ld7-b6 strengthen the power­
ful position of the knight on d5. The
move f7-f5 completes the scheme of
central occupation. Those who con­
ceived the same plan get 5 points.
18 . . . b5! 19. ti:ld2 lll7b6 20. a3
a5 21. llcl a4! 22. h4 (22.f4 de­
served attention) 22 .. .f5.
32 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 4l you have found this scheme - your

mastery is up to the task! The mark
- 5 points.
33. nrsi tll d7 (otherwise the
pawn h7 is lost) 34. nh5 tll f8 35. c4
W d7 36. � c3 � e6 37. tll d 5 a6 38. a4
llc6 39. a5! nd6 40. g4! llc6 41. b3
lld6 42. Wd4 W d7 43. llf5+ -

N!! 42

23 . .Jth2 � d7 24. �g3 f4

25. �d3 e5 26. c4 ( 26.lle2 followed
by llce 1 was more tenacious, still
without opening the play) 26 . . . bc
27. tll xc4 e4 (27 . . . �c6! was strong­
er and simpler) 28. �fl. There are
other opportunities: a) 28. tll xb6
llxc l 29. nxc l ed 30. tll xd7 d2; b)
28. llxe4 llxe4 29. �xe4 �b5 - + .
2 8. . . tll xc4 29. nxc4 llb8! The scheme is set up. Black suf­
30. :Uc2 W h8 3 1. llec l l{Wg4 32. f3 fers material losses.
l{Wxh4- + 33. fe llxe4 34. t!:c8+ 43... tll e6+ 44. We3 tll g7
nxc8 35. llxc8+ � h7 36. �b l tll f6 45. tll xf6+ W c6 46. llf2 ndl
37. d5 g6 38. llc7+ W h8! 39. ll c l 47. tll d 5 nb l 48. llxf7 llxb3+
ne2 40. � h l tll g4 4 1 . ncs+ �g7 49. � e4 tll e 8 50. lle7 h5 51. llxe8,
42. :Uc7+ W f6 [O: l] and White won.

22. LASKER - MARSHALL, 1907 23. TARTAKOWER - LASKER, 1909

(diagram M 33) White 's position (diagram M 34) Complicated
is close to winning. His nearest goal position. Only a chessplayer of the
is to force the opponent's pieces to highest class will be able to find the
retreat to a passive position, to take best move in this position. If you
the central squares under control cannot do this, do not worry, sim­
and to gain a foothold on them. The ply carefully analyse this instructive
scheme: nf5, tll d 5, � d4, the pawns example. The 2nd World Champion
c4, g4, it is possible a3-a4-a5. If moved the knight to d3, exchanged
 Emmanuel Lasker 33

the light-squared bishops and under 42. �b3. In case 42. �c6 Lask­
the protection of the knight arranged er would have played 42 . . . ll:lxf2
major pieces along the line "d". Re­ 43. llfxf2 lldl + 44. llfl llxfl +
member this trick of an open line 45. Wxfl lldl + 46. W f2 lld2+ with
seizure. The correct answer is worth a win.
7 points. 42 . . . g5! It is appropriate to re­
25... ll:le5! 26. j,, e 3?! White did call here a thought of Grandmaster
not unrevel the opponent's plan. A D .Bronstein about the weakness of
better chance would be 26. �f4! ll:ld3 single-colour squares - «this is the
27. �xc7 llxc7 28. lle3 ll:lxc5 29. be weakness of pieces as well as pawns
llxc5 30. j,,xb7 llb8 3 1 . j,, e4+. placed on squares of the opposite col­
26 . . . ll:l d3 27. lledl j,, b 3! 28. llfl our. Conveniently placing your pieces
j,, d5! 29. j,, xd5 llxd5 30. �e4 � d7 on weak squares, you inflict blows on
31. lla2 lle8 32. �g2 b6 33. llc2 the opponent's position». This game
lld8 34. �e4 b5! is an excellent instance of such a
N!! 43 strategy.
43. �a2 ( 43. fg lll e 5! 44. j,, c 5
lldl - + ) 43... gf 44. lle2 �g6 45.
�c2 W h7 46. �c3 llg8 (the cen­
ralized Black's pieces are easily
tranferred to the kingside for a de­
cisive attack) 47. W hl �h5 48.
lld2 fg 49. j,, xg3 llxg3 50. �c6
ll:l e5 51. �e4+ W g8 52. lldf2 llg5
53. llc2 lld8 [0:1)

35. f4 (Black was threatening 24. LASKER - TARRASCH, 1916

to develop the offensive through (diagram N2 35) White has re­
f7-f5-f4) 35 ... lle8 36. �f3 �e6 solved to win. The winning plan is
37. j_f2 lld7 38. W g2 �b3 39. �c6 to double the rooks on the line "d"
lled8 40. �c3 (if 40. llc3, then and to transfer the bishop to e6. (3
40 . . .�b2 4 1 . llc2 �xa3 42. �xb5 points). White 's advantage is so over­
�xb4) 40. . . �d5+ 41. W gl � e4! whelming that the devised scheme
With fine manoeuvres Black forced is carried out almost forcingly.
the white queen to leave the king­ 20. f5! j,, 17 21. llfdl j,, e8 22.
side , seized the long diagonal and j,, d 5! ll:lb4 (on 22 . . . b 5 wins 23. llc2)
dominated over white squares. 23. j,, e6 ll:l c6.
34 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 44 25. LASKER - CAPABLANCA, 1935

(diagram .M 36) White wins ac­
cording to the scheme: the queen on
g3, the pawn on cS, the king moves
to b6. (4 points) . The game had been
adjourned and Capablanca resigned
without resumption.
62. �g3+. The recorded move.
Confirming variations: 62 . . . �c8
6 3. � d3 llfS 64. W c 3 '.l::l: h S [ 64 . . . aS
6S. cS lldS 66. � c4 '.l::l: fS 67. f4 lldS
68. �c3+- ] 6S. �b4 llfS 66. c S
24. .txd7 llxd7 25 . .tb6+ [1:0] ll d s 67. w as '.l::l:xd4 68. � b 6 W d8
69. �g8+.te8 [69 ... W e 7 70. �g7+]
70. �gS+ � d7 [70 ...� c 8 71. qwe7]
7 1. �g7+ +- . [1-0)
Jose-Raul Capablanca
(19. 11 . 1888 - 8. 03. 1 942)

INSTANCES O F THINKING IN SCHEMES IN THE GAMES

O F JOSE-RAUL CAPABLANCA
26. CAPABIANCA - scheme is set up, White starts to
SCHIFFMAN, 1909 exploit the advantage) 19. lld3 h5
N!! 45 20. llfd 1 �hd8.

N!! 46

This is a textbook position. It is

easy to find a scheme: the knight on
f5, the pawn on c4 , the rook on the 21. Iih3 d5 22. iiJxe7 IIxe7
line "d" (2 points). Let's see how 23. ed cd 24. cd Iie2 25. Ilxh5 llxb2
the game developed. 26. llh7 � d7 27. h4 �d6 28. h5 llb4
15. iiJ e2 I:Id8 1 6. c4 Ild7 29. g3 llb2 30. l:th8 I:Ie7 31. Ild8+
17. iiJ g3 �d8 18. iiJfS �c 7 (The �c 7 32. d6+ �xd8 33. de+ �xe7
36 Thinking in Schemes

34. h6 l:l:b5 35. g4 llc5 36. l:l: d8 N� 48

[1:0)
Do you like the way in which Ca­
pablanca exploited his advantage? If
you don't, then intuition did not fail
you, and you can take extra points
for the found mistakes. And now
the answer: 1) Black resigned pre­
maturely. The fight would have been
continued after 36 ... llcl+ 37.Wg2
llc2+ 38.Wg3 l:l:c3+ 39.�h4 :J::l: c l
- 1 point; 2) 3 1 . ..WcS would lead
to a draw, since White has no oppor­
tunity to prevent the move lle7-e2 N� 49
- 1 point; 3) White proceeded to
material gains too early. Instead
of 2 1.llh3? one should move the
king to f3. In this case Black was in
Zugzwang losing either the pawn h5
(after the bishop retreats to f8, there
follows lllg3) , or the pawn d6 (when
the rook or the king retreats). Pawn
moves were quickly exhausted. White
should merely play a2-a4 in reply to
a7-a6, preventing b7-b5 - 2 points. White to move

N� 47 N� so

White to move White to move

 Jose-Raul Capablanca 37

N� 5 1 N� 54

White to move White to move

N� 52 N� 55

N� 53 N� 56

Black to move Black to move

38 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 60

White to move

N!! 6l

Black t o move White to move

Black to move White to move

 Jose-Raul Capablanca 39

N� 63 N� 66

White to move

N� 64 N� 67

White to move White to move

N� 65 N� 68

White to move White to move

40 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 69 N!! 7 0

White to move White to move

LEARNING FROM J.-R. CAPABLANCA

27. CAPABLANCA - CARTER, 1909 28. �g7+! (a foreseen blow

(diagram N2 47) While sketch­ which Black could not prevent) 28...
ing the plan of attack (ctJfS , ll h l) llxg7 29. hg+ W g8 30. ll h8# [ 1 :0]
you should see the final beautiful
scheme - 3 points. 28. CAPABLANCA - BLANCO, 1913
24. l2lf5 '.i::te6 25. llhl h6 26. gh (diagram N2 48) The pawn ar­
Af6 27. � g4 llg8.Al1 Black's moves ray is familiar from example NQ 30.
are forced. This leads to a similar scheme: the
rook on the line "e " , the bishop on
N!! 7 1 the diagonal a2-g8 , c3 - c4-c5, it is
possible to play f2-f4 , b2 -b4-b5 (2
points).
15. '.i::t fe l C2id6 16. lle2 Ad7
17. llae l lle8 18. c4 l2lf7 (diagram
N9 49) 1 9. d5! This is an unexpected
continuation (2 points more) , al­
though you are already familiar with
this idea from the same example NQ
17. But there the breakthrough was
carefully prepared and became, in
 Jose-Raul Capablanca 41

essence, decisive. Here this dynam­ All is ready for the final blow.
ic solution, although does not win 32. hg hg 33. llxe6!
immediately, is more vigorous and [ 1 :0)
stronger than the phlegmatic c4-
c5. We add, as Capablanca point­ 29. CAPABIANCA -JANOWSKY, 1913
ed out, that it would be weaker to (diagramM 51) A typical "Span­
play 19. tZ:lxd7 �xd7 20. i.xf5 tZ:\ g5 ish" endgame. White, with his better
2 1 . IJJWg4 llxf5 22. h4 h 5 23. �xf5 ef pawn structure, has an advantage.
24. Il'.xe8+ � h7 25. hg IJJW xd4. The plan of increasing the advan -
19 . . . tZ:lxe5 20. llxe5 g6 21. � h4 tage is in centering the king - �e3,
� g7 22. �d4 c5 23. �c3 b6 24. de blockading the queenside by a4-a5,
i.c8. (diagram M 50) The right plan preparing and executing g4-g5
in this position is in transferring the aimed at taking the passed pawn on
bishop to d5 (2 points) . Although the line " e " . The mark - 3 po ints.
White loses the pawn e6, the oppo­ 32. �e3 lld7 33. a5 Il'.e6 (still, it
nent's pieces get under a pin. The would be better 33 ...llxf5, although af­
next and the last stage is to transfer ter 34.gfWhite would have advantage)
the queen to h6 and to do the pawn 34. llbfl Il'.de7 35. g5 fg 36. llxg5.
march h2-h4-h5 (2 points more) .
25. i. e2! i.xe6 26. Ji,f3 <:bt7 N� 73
27. i.d5 �d6 28. IJJW e 3! Il'.e7. In case
28 . . .f4 decides 29. � h3 h5 30. � h4
lle7 3 1. IJJWg 5 <:bg7 32. h4 �d7 33. g3
fg 34. f4 followed by f4-f5.
29. �h6 � g8 30. h4 a6 31. h5
f4.

N� 72

In what follows, the 3rd WOrld

Champion confidently realises his
advantage.
36 . . . Il'.h6 37. llg3 llhe6 (other­
wise d3-d4) 38. h4 g6 39. llg5 h6?!
(it was more tenacious to adhere to a
passive tactics) 40. Il'.g4 Il'.g7 41. d4
42 Thinking in Schemes

Wb8 42 . l:U'8+ Wb7 43. eS (White al­ 17. tZ:idS �c5 18. c4! (prevent­
ready has a decisive advantage) 43 . . . ing possible exchange sacrifice and
g5 44. W e4 llee7 45. h g hg 46. :.C:.f5 dooming Black to inactivity) 18 ...
'it' c8 47. llgxg5 llh7 48. llhS W d7 t2l g5 19. '.l::!:f2 ! tZ:i e6 20. �c3 lld7
49. :C:xh7 11xh7 50. :i::!:IB llh4+ 2 1 . lldl! White is attentive. It was
51. Wd3 llh3+ 52. W d2 c5 53. be weaker 2 1.lld2? in view of 2 1 .. .
'.l::!: a3 54. d5 [ 1 :0] '.l:1xd5J 22.ed �xe3+ 23. W h l t2lc5
with a defensible position.
30. CAPABIANCA - JANOWSKY, 2 1...'it'b7 22. d4 �d6 23. llc2
1914 ed 24. ed t2lf4 25. c5 (winning a
(diagram M 52) White's plan is piece) 25 ... ctJxdS 26. ed �xd5
to attack on the queenside according 27. c6+ Wb8 28. cd �xd7 29. dS
to the scheme: llal-b l , b2-b4, a2- '.l:1e8 30. d6 cd 31. �c6 [1:0]
a4, b4-b5, which, after exchanging
the pawn c6, will provide a stronger 31. NIMZOWITSCH - CAPABIANCA,
position on d5 for the knight. The 1914
mark - 2 points. Using this scheme, (diagram M 53) The position
H.Mecking won one of the games in on the diagram is a precursor of the
the match against Korchnoi in 1974. modern Volga Gambit. Black in­
11. :.C:.bl! f6 12. b4 tZ:it7 13. a4 tends to put the rooks on open lines
.txf3 ( 1 3. . ..te6 would not be done "a" and "b" , transfer the knight to
due to 14.b5 cb 15.ab a5 16.b6, and c4 and, using the active arrangement
Black is in a bad condition) 14. :.C:.xf3 of these pieces as well as the power
b6? The last mistake. 14. . .b5 was more of the bishop g7, to organise pres­
tenacious, followed by Wb7 and :.C:.a8. sure on White's queenside. Those
15. b5! ch 16. ab a5. who found this plan get 2 points,
and those who are familiar with this
N� 74 known example - an additional
point for their erudition.
15 . . . �e6! 16. f3 t2l d7 17 . .lid2 .
17 . .tf4 was more tenacious, and if
17 . . . tZ:ieS, then 18 ..txe5. Black, it
is true, could have transferred the
knight to c4 and through the square
b6.
17 . . . t2le5 18. itWe2 tZ:i c4 19. llabl
lla8.
 Jose-Raul Capablanca 43

N!! 7S 39. � gl �cs+ 40. W h2 dS 41. llh4

:i::l: xa7 [0:1)

32. CAPABIANCA CHAJES, 1918

-

(diagram M 54) This is an exam­

ple appealing in its clarity and logic.
Despite ofan extra pawn and an active
arrangement, it is impossible to break
up the opponent's defence with the
help of pieces only. If one plays h4-
h5, then after 35 ...gh 36.gh Black will
get counterplay with the move 36 ...
20. a4? Leads to material loss­ �h3. The winning plan is to transfer
es, although after the better 20.b3 the king to g3, where he prevents acti­
Black, playing 20 ... li:lxd2 2 1.�xd2 vation of the black queen, and h4-h5.
:i::l: a 3!, recover the pawn a2. We heartfully congratulate those who
20 . . .li:lxd2 2 1 . �xd2 �c4! found this plan! The mark - 4 points.
Here the queen is in a most active 3S. We2 W g8 36. �fl wrs
position, besides, the move b2-b3 37. � g2 �g8 38. W g3 Wf8 39. hS.
strengthening White 's queenside is
not allowed. N!! 76
22. llfd l lleb8! After this strong
move Black wins the pawn b2, and
then will be the turn for the pawn a4.
So, 22 ... j,, xc3 2 3.�xc 3 �xc3 24.bc
:i::l:xa4 is weaker, and in rook end­
game White has chances for a draw.
23. �e3(23.�d3� c 5+ 24. � h l
llb4 25.l"ll e 2 i s a little better) 23 . . .
'.l::l: b4! 24. �gS j,, d4+ 2 S . W h l llab8
26. llxd4 (27 . . . j,, xc3 was threaten­
ing) 26 . . . �xd4 27. lldl � c4 28. h4
llxb2 29. �d2 �cs 30. llel? (leads 39 ... gh (after 39 ...gS decides 40.
to a pawn loss) 30 . . . �hS! 31. llal �f5) 40. gh �e7 (or 40. . . �g8 41.
(3 1.�f2 llxc2! is also bad) 3 1 . . . �g4+-) 41. �rs �g8. 41...lld8 was
�xh4+ 32. �gl �hS 33. a S lla8 more tenacious, in response Capa­
34. a6 �cs+ 3S. � h l �c4 36. a7 blanca was going to advance the king
�cS 37. eS �xeS 38. ll a4 �hS+ or play 42.l"ll h4, attacking point g6.
44 Thinking in Schemes

42. :Ud7! �xe5+ 43. � g4 �f6 Black's weakness on the queenside)

44. ct::l xe5 �g7+ 45. �f4 [ 1:0) 22 . . . :Ub8 23. �xa6 :Uxb2 24. :Ub3
:Uxc2 25. :Uabl h6 26. ct::l g6+. The
33. CAPABLANCA - THOMAS, 1919 knight changed his intentions. Now
(diagram N2 55) While analysing he is more attracted to the square
this example one recalls a saying by g6.
the great Cuban chessplayer: «Expe­ 26 . . . ct::l xg6 27. fg :Ue7 28. :Ub8
rience is the best teacher!». Probably, (Black falls in view of the 8th rank
moving f4-f5, Capablanca remem­ weakness) 28 . . . :Ue8 29. �a8 [1:0]
bered his game with E.Lasker at the
tournamentin St. -Petersburgh, 1 9 1 4. 34. WINTER - CAPABLANCA, 1919
The knight, when transferred to e6, (diagram N2 56) This is a known
causes a lot of troubles to Black that textbook example on the topic
more than compensate for the weak­ «Lockout of pieces». Test yourself:
ness of the pawn e4 and the square The right plan is to transfer the king
e5. One should also determine a bet­ to e6, the rook from f8 to b8, then
ter position for the queen. This is the c7-c6, b7-b5 and c5-c4, opening the
square b3, from which she can use her play and exploiting the «additional»
full power attacking the opponent on bishop, since his counterpart is an
both sides. The mark - 2 points. eternal <<prisoner» encaged on the
19. f5! l}j!m 20. l}j!b3! �h8 21. kingside. The mark - 2 points and
Ci::l f4 ct::l e5 (22.ct::l g6 was threatening). 1 point for erudition to those who
knows this game.
N� 77 17 . . . �t7 18. :Uhl � e6 19. h4
:Utb8 20. hg hg 2 1 . b3 c6 22. :Ua2 b5
23. ti.hat c4!

N� 78

22. l}j!xb7 (not so much with the

goal to have a material advantage,
but rather with the idea to create
 Jose-Raul Capablanca 45

All was played without a hitch. 36. LASKER - CAPABLANCA, 1921

24. ab cb3 25. cb llxb5 26. :C: a4 (diagram NQ 58) The goal of the
ttxb3 27. d4 llb5 28. ttc4 llb4 following exercise is to learn how to
29. ttxc6 llxd4 [0: 1 ) win neatly in winning positions. If
you found the plan with f7-f6, the
35. CAPABLANCA - GERMANN, king transfer to d6 and carrying out
1920 e6-e5, then the topic is assimilatedl
(diagram NQ 57) This is an easy You get the highest mark - 2 points.
warm-up example. White, attacking 57 .. .f6 58. tte3 W t7 59. lld3 '3;; e7
the pawn a6 , forces the advancement 60. I!e3 Wd6 61. lld3 ttf2+ 62. Wel
a6-a5, then transfers the knight to ttg2 63. Wfl lla2 64. tte3 e5.
c4, the rook on the line «a» , pushes
out the black rook from the 5th rank N� 80
and wins the pawn a5. Black can do
nothing to oppose this plan. The
mark - 2 points.
30. llc6 a5 31. lll d2 W g7
32. lll c4 �d8 33. e4 tt d4 34. f3 I!'.d7
35. lla6.

N� 79

The creation of a passed pawn

quickly decides the game.
65. ttd3 ed 66. llxd4 '3;; c5
67. lldl d4 68. llcl+ Wd5 [0:1)

37. ATKINS - CAPABLANCA, 1922

(diagram NQ 59) Let's once more
practice a play against an isolated
The desired position is set up. pawn. The scheme Wd5, ttb8, b6-
Then follows the realisation stage. b5 will give an opportunity to cre­
35 . . . W f6 36. lll xa5 $.xa5 ate in White 's position yet another
37. ttxa5 lld4 38. :C:b 5 e 5 39. a 5 W e6 weakness (the pawn b2) and in­
40. a6 ll.d6 4 1 . a7 lla6 42. :C:b6+ crease Black's advantage. The mark
[1:0) - 2 points.
46 Thinking in Schemes

41. . . � d6 42. �c3 � d5 43. llal 38, CAPABIANCA - GOLMAYO, 1929

g6 44. f3 llb8 45. lla3 bS 46. ab (diagram N2 60) Active arrange­
llxb5 47. j_f2. ment of White's pieces, weakness on
c6, a «bad» black bishop - these ad­
N� 81 vantages are sufficient for a win. The
plan of strengthening the position
is in transferring bishop to a4. On
the way, White must prevent Black's
counterplay, connected with d5-d4
(for this, the queen temporarily will
move on c 3) , as well as foresee how
to act if Black places his queen on
e6, and bishop on e8 (the queen re­
turns to b6). For the correct solution
4 points are due.
44. j,, e2! h5 45. \{WaS! (if 45. j,, d l
47 ... ll:lb4 (with the idea to i s immediate , then d5-d4!) 45 . . . l{W e8
transfer the knight to d3) 48. b 3. 46. \{We3 W h7 47. j,, d l j_f7 48. j,, a4
White decides to get rid of a weak �e6 49. �as � h6 50. �b6.
pawn , but now Black has anoth­
er advantage - a remote passed N� 82
pawn.
48. . . eb 49. �xb3 ll:l e6+ 50. � e3
:Ubl - + The following stage of the
plan realisation is an instructive les­
son from the great chessplayer. We
advise you to try and guess the final
Black's moves - it will be interesting
and useful.
51. lla4 Itel+ 52. W d2 llc4
53. Ital a4 54. lla3 ll:la7 55. Ital
ll:lbS 56. :Ubl � e6 57. � d3 lle3+
58. � d2llb359. :Ucl+ � b760. lle2 50 . . . \{Wd7. The scheme is set up
a3 61. j,, g3 ll:lxd4 62. lle7+ Wb6 and it appears that Black's hopes
63. lle4 WbS 64. lle8 ll:l e6 65. ll a8 for a successful defence collapsed
llb2+ 66. W e3 llxg2 67. j_f2 ll:lb4 - against 50 . . . j,, e B follows 5 1.j,, b 3
[0: 1) with the irrefutable threat 52.j,, x d5.
51. be be 52. llxe6 [ 1 :0)
 Jose-Raul Capablanca 47

39. CAPABLANCA - YATES, 1929 32 ..tf7+ � c6 33. .txe8+ �xe8

(diagram M 61) With the help 34.�d6+ �b7 35. IJJW e7++ - .
of a forced variation, a favourable 29 . .td5+ W f8 30. �f4! :Uxe5
scheme of attack on the long diago­ 3 1. IJJW h 6+ W e 8 32. f7+ ( 32 . . . W e7
nal is achieved: �b2, tiJd5, g3-g4- 33.llc7+ .ll d7 34.f8�+ �xf8
g5 (2 points). 35.lld7+ ) . [ 1:0]
16. f4 liJ c6 17 . .txg7 Wxg7
18. IJJW b2+ f6 19. g4! liJb4 20. g5. 40. CAPABLANCA - BRINKMANN,
1929
N!! 83 (diagram M 62) The main thing
while solving this example is to find a
prospective target for an attack. If you
determined that this target is the pawn
b7, then to devise a scheme is easy. By
way of 22..ll d7 an exchange is forced
and the white rook penetrates the 7th
rank. The rook will be supported by
another rook (lladl) , then follows
liJWb3 and the rebound of the bishop
from b6. The mark - 2 points.
22 . .td7 liJxd7 23. llxd7 llf6
Weakness of point f6 destroys 24. lladl lle6 25. �b3 .tf6 26. e4.
Black. The main thing in such positions
20...liJxd5 21. cd! (creating for - do not hurry. It is important to
Black yet another weakness on the line deprive the opponent of any oppor­
"c") 21...llc8 22. e4! (a pawn break­ tunity for counterplay.
through in the centre is in preapration) 26 . . . h6 27 . .t c5.
22... c6?! makes it easier for White to N!! 84
reach a win, although other continu­
ations would not have saved him. For
example: 22 . . . � f7 23.gf �xf6 24.eS
or 22 .. Jlf8 23.gf+ and 24.eS.
23. de llxc6 24. gf+ �t7 (24...
�xf6 25.QWxf6+ �xf6 26.eS+ win­
ning a rook, is prohibited) 25. e5llxcl
26. llxc l de 27. fe liJWb8 28. IJJW d4 .tf5.
If 28 ....te6, then possibly 29.:Uc6
b5 30.llxe6! Wxe6 3 1 ..ll dS+ � d7
48 Thinking in Schemes

The pawn b7 is lost, and the 42. CAPABLANCA - RAVINSKI, 1935

fight is finished. (diagram NQ 64) This is an ex­
27 . . . W h7 28. ll:xb7 l}j! c8 ample of a careful preparation of an
29. lldd7 [1:0] attack in the absence of counterplay
by the opponent. To devise a scheme
41. CAPABLANCA - MICHELL, 1929 for preparation g4-g5 is simple:
(diagram NQ 63) This is a text­ h2-h4, g3-g4, the rook on the line
book position. After exchange on c6, "g" , the knight on f3 - 1 point. But
the white rook strives for d6. Then where to put the white king? On the
White will play W h4-g3 and carry square a3l For this manoeuvre with
out f4-f5, after that Black's defence the king - additional 2 points.
will collapse. If Black will not allow 34. llgl tZ:l h7 35. h4 �t7 36.
the white rook on d6, by placing his 'it' h3 'it'f8 37. g4 'it' e7 38. l}j!dl llab7
rook on e6, then White will occupy 39. tZ:lb5:Uh8 40. :Uag3 �e8 41. W g2
the 7th rank and will win after Wh4- 'it' d7 42. W f2 �e7 43. 'it' e l 'it'c8
g3 and f4-f5. For the complete and 44. 'it' d2 lld7 45. 'it'cl lldd8 46. 'it'bl
correct answer - 2 points. lldg8 47. 'it' a2 l}j!d8 48. 'it'a3 'it'b7
52. be be 53. llb8 lle7 54. llc8 49. ll lg2 �e7 50. tZ:lc3. The knight
lle6 55. llc7+ W g8 56. W g3! (while is on the way to f3 - the last stage of
solving problems students often for­ preparation for g4-g5.
get about this move, trying to speed N� 86
up f4-f5) 56 ... wrs.
N� 85

50 . . . �d7 51. tZ:le2 g5 (a desper­

ate try to change the course of events)
And now all is ready for a deci­ 52. fg llxg6 53. l}j!fl ll hg8 54. l}j!f3
sive breakthrough. l}j!g7 55. �f5 W c7 56. tZ:lc3 l}j!f7
57. f5! gf 58. Wf4 :U.e7 59. :Uxc6 57. �f3 �g7 (diagram NQ 65) The
h4 60. :U h6 :Ug7 61. :Uxh4 [ 1 :0] situation has changed. White iden-
 Jose-Raul Capablanca 49

tified a new winning scheme: lll f5 , lll xe5 lll xd6 81. Wb3 lll xe4 82. lll c 6
�b5. Turn your attention to the W f4 83. lll xa5 We3 84. Wc2 [1:0]
fact that White did not play b2-b 3 ,
leaving this square for his queen to 43. CAPABIANCA - THOMAS, 1935
manoeuvre. For the correct solution (diagram M 66) It is clear that the
- 3 points. And what if the pawn is target of White's attack is the pawn
on b 3? Then White has yet another c5. To see the scheme of the siege
scheme: �h5 and lll f5 followed by is not very hard: �a5, lll a4, lll d 3,
g4-g5 (additional 2 points) . the pawn b3 (2 points). But to carry
58. lll d l �t7 59. lll e3 �e8 on this plan easily and freely, in the
60. Q:lf5 �f8 61. �b3 llh8 (if 6 1. . . manner of the 3rd World Champion,
�e8, preventing the white queen the highest mastery is required.
from seizing b5, then 62.h5, and the 15. �a5! lll d 7 16. b3 llfd8 17.
pawn h6 is lost) 62. �b5 � e8. l:i:adl llac8 18. lll fl! Excellent ma­
noeuvre! The knight gets to a4, creat­
N� 87 ing threats in the centre on the way.
18 ... a6 19. lll e 3lll b8 (if l9 ... �f8,
not allowing the knight to seize d5,
then 20.lld2 with a decisive doubling
of the rooks) 20. lll d5! �f8 21. lll b6
llc7 22. lll a4 (the first knight has
finished his route, now the second
one is to move) 22 ... l:i:dc8 23. lll e5!
i.xg2 24. Wxg2 Q:lf5 25. Q:i d3

63. lll xd6! This is a foreseen

blow. Black has one pawn less and is
in a worse position. Capablanca eas­
ily leads the game to a win.
63 ... �xb5 64. Q:ixb5+ Wd7 65.
lll c 3 llhg8 66. lll d l h5 67. lll e 3 lll f8
68. I!gl We8 69. ll 3g2 wt7 70. gh
l:l::g2 7 1 . llxg2 llxg2 72. lll xg2 Wg7
73. lll e 3 Wh6 74. lll g4+ Wxh5 75.
Q:lxf6+ Wxh4 76. d6 lll e 6 77. lll d7
lll d8 78. lll :b6 Wg5 79. Q:id7 lll b7 80. 25 ...�d6? simplifies White's
50 Thinking in Schemes

task. 25 ... h5 is correct, after that 30. f4 ef (otherwise f4-f5)

White would possibly double the 31. �xf4 rJ;; d 7 32. �xd6 [ 1:0]
rooks on the open line " d " , increas­
ing pressure. 45. CAPABLANCA - RAGOZIN, 1936
26 . .!iJ dxc5! � c6+ (it is im possi­ (diagram NQ 68) This is a his­
ble to capture o n c 5 in view of check­ torical position. It is cited in the
mate on the 8th rank) 27. Wgl h5 article by Belavents "The main
28 . .!i:id3 h4 29 . .!i:ie5! �b7 30. �b6 principles of endgame play " as an
(stripping Black from last hopes con­ instance of thinking in schemes. "
nected with the threats to the white White 's plan is to prevent the a d­
king) 30. . . hg 31. hg � a8 32. Ild8+ vancement of the pawn "c " (after
l:l:xd8 33. l{Wxc7 llf8 34 . .!i:i b6 [ 1 :0] which the pawn "b " could h ave
turned weak) and in taking con­
44. CAPABLANCA - MENCHU(, trol over the whole board up to the
1935 5th rank. This is done by a dvanc­
(diagram NQ 67) White has a dom­ ing the king to e3, the knight to d4,
inating position. It seems that one can the pawns to b4 and /4. After such a
win at will. But to win neatly in win­ position is reached, White will strive
ningpositionsself-possession and high for the advancement ofpawns on the
mastery is required. Compare your queenside '', - J.-R. Capablanca.
plans with the plan of the Ex-Cham­ We present this known position in
pion of the world, who won literally in view ofits great practical value (this
five moves. The scheme: .!i:ih4, �h2, will be convincingly shown further
llfl, f3-f4 - 2 points. in the text) . The knight on d4 and
27 . .!l:ih4 l{We7 28. �h2 .!l:i c7 the pawns on b4 and f4 (the knight
29. !lfl rJ;; e8. on d5 and the pawns on b5 and f5)
provide the maximal control over
N� 89 the centre. Possibly, Capablanca
saw this idea in a game by Lasker
(see N2 2 1 Blackburne-Lasker) .
The mark - 5 points (those who re­
called this example get 2 points) .
33 . .!i:i d4 llb7 34. b4 � d7 35.
f4 rJ;; e7 36. Wf2 lla7 37. llc3 W d6
38. lld3 We7 39 . rJ;; e3lla4 40. l:l:c3
rJ;; d6 4 1 . l:l:d3 W e7 42. llc3 rJ;; d6.
 Jose-Raul Capablanca 51

N� 90 on a good defensive manoeuvre

tll e7-g6-e5) 25 ... � f8 26. h4! � g8
27. h5 Il:d8 28. Il:f3 Il:f8 29. b4 W h7
30. Il:c3 tll c6.
N� 9 1

43. tll e 2 g6 44. Il:d3+ W e6

45. � d4 :Ua6 46. :U e3+ � d6
47. tll c3 f5 48. b5 :U a8 49. � c4
j,, e6+ 50. Wb4 c5+ 51. be j,, g8
52. tll b 5+ Wxc6 53. Il:d3 g5 A n excellent base for decisive
54. Il:d6+ Wb7 55. fg hg 56. Il:g6 Il:f8 actions is set up.
57. llxg5 f4 58. tll d4 :Uc8 59. llg7+ 31. tll f5 :Ue8? 3 1 . . .tll e7 was
�b6 60. llg6+ �b7 6 1 . tZ:l b5 :Uf8 a better defence, after that White
62. tll d6+ Wb8 63. h4 [ 1 :0] would possibly return the knight to
d4 and in reply to 32 . . . tll c 6 would
46. CAPABLANCA - MENCHU{, play 33.tll x c6 with a big advantage.
1939 Now Black loses a pawn.
(diagram 69) There is no siege 32. � g4 g6 33. hg+ fg34. tll xh6!
of an isolated pawn here. White �xg4 35. tll xg4 Il:xe2 36. tll f6+
uses a weak square in the centre to W h6 37. tll xd5 Il:b2 38. tZ:l e3
regroup his forces for an attack on a5 39. ba tll xa5 40. tll g4+ �g5
the kingside. The scheme: � f4, 4 1 . � h3 b6 42. llf3 :Ub 1 43. llf7
tll d 4, Il:c3, the pawns b4 and h5 Il:hl+ 44. Wg2 Il:c l 45. tll e 5 tll c4
(h2-h4-h5!). The mark - 4 points. 46. f4+ Wh6 47. tll g4+ Wh5 [ l :OJ
And now let's recall the basic ex­
ample NQ 45 Capablanca-Ragozin. 47. CAPABLANCA - TEICHMANN,
Are they similar? They are , but here 1913
the queen acts instead of the pawn (diagram Af2 70) Yet another
on f4. opportunity to practice a typical
24. b3 :Uc8 25. :Ue3! (depriving ending. White 's advantage is with­
Black of any opportunity to carry out any doubt. Beside an isolated
52 Thinking in Schemes

pawn Black has serious complica­ having created a passed pawn o n the
tions, due to the pinned knight, line "h".
that can be eliminated by sacrific ­ 29. llc2! llc8 30. llxc8 $.xc8
ing a pawn. So, it would not be right 3 1 . Wf2. The king strives for d4,
to engage in lingering m anoeuvres from where he is ready to move to­
and rearrangements - White has a wards either the pawn a6 or the king­
concrete and clear plan: f2-f3 fol ­ side (if the black king moves to c6).
lowed b y Wgl-f2-g3-f4-e5! (4 If Black plays a7-a5-a4 and pro­
points). tects the pawn b5 by the bishop from
23. f3! h6 (Black had discerned d7, White will create a passed pawn
the opponent's conception and im­ on the line "h" , draw the black king
mediately gave up a pawn) 24. $.xh6 away and win the pawn d5.
tt::l d 7 25. h4 tt::l c 5 26. $.f4 tt::l e6 31...d4 32. ed W d5 33. W e3
27. tt::l xe6 Wxe6 (27 . . . fe was worse, $.e6 34. W d3 W c6 35. a3 $.c4+
since in this case the white bishop 36. W e3 $.e6 37. $. h6. This is the
was on e5) 28. lld2 llh8 Capablan­ last and decisive manoeuvre. White
ca points out that a better defence is going to put the bishop on g7, play
for Black would be the rearrange­ W e 3-f4 and create a passed pawn
ment b5-b4, a6-a5 and $.b7-a6 , by way of g2-g4 and h4-h5.
although in this case White won , 37 . . . W d5 38. $.g7 [ 1 :0)
 Alexander Alekhine
(31 . 1 0. 1 892 - 24. 03. 1 946)

INSTANCES OF THINKING IN SCHEMES IN THE GAMES

OF ALEXANDER ALEKHINE

48. LOEWENFISCH - ALEKHINE, noeuvre .ll e 7-d8-b6. The correct

1912 answer is worth 2 points.
22 ... @h7! 23. @e4 lZ'if7 24. lZ'ifl
N2 92 lZ'ih6 25. lZ'i e3 �g8 ( on occasion, a
plan with g5-g4 is also possible)
26. @g2 .ll d8! 27. a4 aS 28. b4 ab
29. cb .ll b6.

N2 93

The target of Black's attack is

evident - it is the pawn f5 . So, the
scheme is not hard: � h7 , lZ'ih6.
White is forced to play lZ'ie3 to de­
fend his pawn. Then follows the ma-
54 Thinking in Schemes

30. tll c 4l White defends ingen­ N!! 95

iously by creating opposing threats.
A great precision is required from
Black.
30 . . ..t d4 31. .tb2 ll ac8
32. :Uacl !:l:xc4 33. llxc4 .txb2
34. itWc2 ! (it seems that White has
all in order - after the bishop's re­
treat, there follows 35.'.l::l: c 7) 34 . . .
l£:\xf5! Alekhin has calculated all the
details. Black turns to a counterat­
tackjust in time.
35. llc7 (if 35. �xb2, then 35 . . .
tbh4+ 3 6 . � h2 � d 3 37.llc3 �xd5
38.f3 l£:\xf3+ , and Black wins) 35...
itWg6 36. llc8 g4! 37. !:l:xg8+ Wxg8
38. �xb2 gh+ 39. �xh3 (a beauti­
ful variation was possible after 39.
W fl itWg2+ 40. �e2 'tWe4+ 41. � fl
itWxe l+l 42. �xe l h2, and the pawn
is unstoppable) 39 . . . itWg4+ 40. W h2
lll h4 41. f4 l£:\f3+ 42. � hl � h3+
43. � h2 �xh2# [0: 1 ]

Black to move

Black to move
 .Alexander .Alekhine 55

N� 98 N� 101

Black to move White to move

N� 99 N� 102

White to move White to move

N� 100 N� 103

White to move Black to move

56 Thinking in Schemes

N� 104 N� 107

Black to move White to move

N� 105 N� 108

Black to move White to move

N� 106 N� 109

Black to move White to move

 Alexander Alekhine 57

N!! 113

White to move

White to move

Black to move Black to move

58 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 116 N!! 1 19

Black to move

N!! 1 17 N!! 120

Black to move White to move

N!! 118 N!! 12 1

White to move White to move

 Alexander Alekhine 59

N!! 122 N!! 123

White to move

LEARNING FROM ALEXANDER ALEKHINE

49. NIMZOWITSCH ALEKHINE,

- .!i:l d6 27. :J::l: g5 .!i:lfe8 28. lldgl '.l::l:f6
1912 29. f4 g6 30. @ c l �h7 3 1 . c3 �f7
(diagram N9 94) Black has a 32. @bl � e7 33. ® a2 '.l::l:f8 34 . .!i:lb5
forced rearrangement of pieces to .!i:lxb5 35. ab .!i:l c7 36. �a7 �d6!
attack the opponent's king: c5-c4, White resigned due to the varia­
.!i:lc6-e7 , �b6-b4 and lld6-b6. If tion 37.llxg6 lt::l xb5 38.'.l::l:g7+ ® c 6
you found it, you get 3 points. 39.�xa5 lla6. [0: 1)
17 . . . c4! 18. �g6 .!i:l e7 19. llhgl
�b4 20. ® d2 llb6 (diagram M 95) 50. POST ALEKHINE, 1914
-

What is the Black's threat? The an­ (diagram M 96) If we now put a
swer is worth 2 points: 2 1. . . .!i:lxg6 black pawn on g4, and the rook on
22.llxg6 �xb2 23.llb l �xc3+!! the first rank, then the white king
24.®xc3 .!i:l e4x. will be in a troublesome situation. If
2 1 . f3 (White has defended this scheme came to you, you get 3
himself from a mate , but another points. But to execute the conceived
trouble is waiting for him) 21.. .llh6 plan, Black's king should be trans­
22. ii.f7 .!i:lf5 23. �h2 �e7 (the ferred to "his" flank to support a
bishop is lost, the game is decided) pawn offensive there - 2 points.
24. .!i:lb5 (24.�g6 .!i:lxh4! 25.�xh4 3 1 . . .® d7 32. ®f3 f6 33. ®f4
.!i:le4+ , winning the queen) 24 . . . '.l::l: e8 34. lld2+ @ e7 35. lt::l d 4 g6
�xf7 25 . .!i:l a7+ @ d7 26. �b8 36 . .!i:l c6+ ®f7 37. '.l::l: d7+ @ e6
60 Thinking in Schemes

38. :Ud2 (in case 38.l:l:g7 , Black h3+ 6 5.�fl h2 with a win) 63. . . �f4
would continue 38 ... gS+ 39.Wf3 64. lle4+ �f3 65. �xh4 Ad8+
W d6 40.lZJd4 .ll xd4 4 1.cd f5 with 66. � h5 l:l:h2+ [0:1)
an advantage) 38 . . . gS+ 39. Wf3 f5
40. lZJb4 g4+! 41. �g2 (certainly, 51. TARRASCH - ALEKHINE, 1914
not 4 1. � f4? W f6 , and Black wins) (diagram N9 97) The position of
41. . . �t7! 42. lZJxa6 lle l. the white king is weakened, and this
gives Black an opportunity to organ­
N2 124 ise an attack. The scheme: lZJ c6-a5,
exchanging the light-squared bish­
ops, then the black rook moves to
a5 through d5, the queen joins the
attack through the square f8. The
mark - 3 points.
16 . . . lZJaS! 17. si.xb7 lZJ xb7
18. '.l::l: a dl '.l::l: d5 19. c4 lla5 20. lZJg2?
(it was necessary to get the rook in­
volved in the defence with the ma­
noeuvre lldl-d3-b3) 20 ... l:l:d8!
2 1 . lZJ e3 (21 .lld3 was already late in
The scheme is set up, and Black view of 2 1 . . .�f8 with the threat 22 ...
commences the final attack. l:l:xd4J) 21.. .�f8.
43. h4 wg6 44 . .Qj b4 f4! 45. gf
llgl+ 46. W h2 g3+ 47. W h3 .ll f2 N2 125
(with a threat 48 . . . llhl+ 49.�g2
l:l:h2+ 50. � f3 g2 5 1.�x:f2 g l� + ,
winning exchange) 48. � g4 :C: h l
49. f5+ �f6 50. lZJd5+ W e5 51. �f3
�xf5 52. lZJxc7 l:l:xh4 (two doubled
passed pawns assure Black's victory)
53. lZJxb5llf4+! (clearing the way for
the pawn "h") 54. W g2 h5 55. ll d8
h4 56. :C:f8+ Wg5 57. l:l:g8+ W h5
58. llh8+ �g6 59. lle8 .ll cS! (the
black rook strives for the square f2)
60. lle2 �rs 61. b4 .ll b6 62. � h3 22. c5 (trying to prevent the
llf2! (ends the struggle) 63. lZJ d6+ black queen from finishing her ma­
(if 63.:C:xf2 , then 63 . . .gf 64.Wg2 noeuvre) 22 . . . bc 23. d5 c4! (after this
 Alexander Alekhine 61

strong move the queen, all the same, won) 34 .. .f6 35 . .tel g3. This is an
breaks into the opponent's camp) important moment: In the positions
24. tll xc4 �b4+ 25. W a l �c3+ with a big advantage and with a clear
26. tll b2 lld6! (yet another piece plan for strengthening your position,
with a decisive powerjoins the attack) it is important not to "sell cheap " ,
27. �c4 '.l::l: da6! 28. de fe 29. Wbl not to b e lured b y a small material
'.l::l:xa2 30. l{Wxa2 :.C:.xa2 3 1 . Wxa2 exchange, but strive for a complete
�xc2 32. Itel �d2 33. Wbl bind, without giving the opponent
tll d6 34. llc2 �b4 35. '.l::l: d l tllb S any chance for counterplay.
36. lld8+ Wb7 37. llcd2 eS (37 . . . 36. l¥V a6 l¥Vc6. Easily winning
a 5 was stronger) 38. fe fe 39. W ei the struggle for the most important
tll d4 40. lld3 �el+ 41. '.l::l: d l �e4 diagonal ( 37 . . . I!aS threatens).
42. lld3 l{Whl + 43. '.l::l: d l �xh2 37. � a3 b5 38. l¥Vb2 �b6+
44. Wbl �xg3 45. ll d3 �el+ 39. W h l ll d l 40. :.C:.cl!
46. W a2 h5 47. '.l::l: e8 l{W a5+ 48. Wbl
�el+ 49. W a2 �e4 50. '.l::l: c3 tll b S N!! 126
51. llcS �b4! The threat 52 . . . tll c 3+
is irrefutable. [0:1]

52. EVENSON ALEKHINE, 1916

-

(diagram M 98) The plan for

realisation of Black's big advantage
is in preparation and carrying on a
pawn attack on the kingside. The
initial scheme is simple: g7-g5 ,
.tf6-e5, h7-h5 and g5- g4. So the
mark is not high - 2 points. But if
you can foresee further actions - the 40 ... l{We3 (the resolution is
seizure of the diagonal g l -a7 by way near) 41. Ital .tc7 42. �a2 llxa l
of pushing the white bishop away 43. �xa l �e2 44. llgl .tb6 45. �a6
with the help of g4-g3, you will get Vj'e3 46. '.l::l: fl �d3 47. Vj'xb6 �xfl+
additional 3 points. 48. �gl �e2. The ending is cited
29 ...gS 30. h3 .tes 31. �al hS from " Chess Assistant". In the books
32. aS (trying to initiate a counter­ about Alekhine one can find an­
play) 32 . . . g4! 33. ab ab 34 . .t h4 (af­ other ending of this game: 41...llxal
ter 34.hg Alekhine was going to play 42.�xal �e2 43.'.S.gl lldl 44.�a8+
34 . . . hg 3 5.fg �xg4 3 6. .txb6 :.C:.d2 W g7 45.�a7+ Wg6 46.�e7 �xel
37 .llxd2 '.l::l: xd2 38 . .tf2 f3, and Black 47.�e8+ W g5 48.�g8+ 'it'h4. [0:1]
62 Thinking in Schemes

53. ALEKHINE - TEICHMANN, 1921 vigorous way) 37 . . . tll xe4 (37 ...
(diagram N2 99) 18. �f5! "The gh 38.llfxf6 Wg8 39.�g3++ - ).
initial move of the rearrangement which 38. :Uxe4 tll xd5 39. �cl! Black
upon completion will give White a won resigned due to variation 39 . . . gh
game. The M.shop e3 should now be 40.�xd5 �xd5 4 1.�xh6+ Wg8
transferred to g3, from where he will be 42.llg4+ Wf7 43.�xf6+. [ 1:0)
exerlingpressure on thepawn c 7, and the
latter will be even more weakened by the 54 ALEKHINE - TEICHMANN, 1921
inevitable opening ofthe line «c" by way (diagram M 100) White has ad­
of d3-d4. After implementing this plan, vantage despite the lack of a pawn
Black will be doomed to an absolute in­ and the limitation of the material
activity': - A Alekhine. We would like remaining on the board. His plan is
to add that ifyou find this plan, you will to blockade the pawn e 5 which re­
get 5 points. strains the black bishop (W e4) , to
18 . . . W h8 19. �f2! lld8 20. �g3 transfer the rook to the 7th rank and
tll de5 21. d4. to advance the pawns on the queen­
side. The mark - 3 points.
N!! 127 27. Wd3! Wg8? (the modern
chessplayer of even a modest qualifi­
cation would play here, certainly, 27 ...
e4+, preventing a blockade) 28. We4
(nowWhite'spositioniswon) 28...:Ub8
(and even with a better defence Black
cannot be saved: 28 . . .:Ufl 29.Wd5!
W f7 30.:Ua7) 29. b4 Wfl 30. b5 W e6
31. c4 Wd7 32. :Ua7 �d6.

N!! 128

21.. .cd 22. cd tll c6 23. d5 tll ce5

24. h4! �c5+ 25. W h2 f6 (forced
weakening) 26. llcl �d6 27. :Uc6
�e7 28. :Uc3 �d6 29. :Uc6 �e7
30. :Uc3 �d6 31. :Uc6 �e7 32. :Ue6
�d7 33. h5 tll e7 34. �h3 tll f7
(35.�e5 or 35.h6 was threatening)
35. �f4 h6 36. �c3! tll d6 37. �xh6!
(White uses his advantage in a most
 AlexanderAlekhine 63

33. Wd5! ( 33.c5? llxb5 34.cd 48. ll c7+ Wd8 49 . l:l:c6! llb7
Wxd6 is weaker) 33 . . . e4 34. b6 llf8 50. Ilxe6 [ 1 :0]
(after 34. . . .txh2 decided 35.c5 W c8
36.Wc6 cb 37.llxg7) 35. c5 llf5+ 56. ALEKHINE - KOENIG, 1922
36. W c4 [ 1 :0) (diagram M 102) Test your at­
tacking skills. White has a typical at­
55. ALEKHINE -EUWE, 1922 tacking scheme: h2-h4 followed by
(diagram M 101) White has, llhl-h3-g3 (2 points) .
certainly, a won position - he 12. h4! (this move creates a defi­
has an active rook and a hand­ nite threat: 1 3.<i:lg5, 14..th7+ and
some knight against the helpless 1 5..tg8l) 12 . c5 13. l:l:h3 (here the at­
..

black bishop. The game finishing tack 13. <i:lg5 cannot be done in view
scheme , which is worth 4 points, is of 1 3. . . cd 14. .th7+ Wh8 15 ..tgB d3l)
in transferring the king to e4, the 13. . . Wh8 (if 1 3. . .f5 , then 14.ef .tf6
knight to b5 and in pawn moves 1 5.<i:lg5 with an irrefutable attack).
b2-b3 and g4-g5.
36. b3 W c7 37. W d3 lld7+ N� 130
38. W e2 llt7 39. <i:l c3 l:l:e7 40. g5 hg
41. hg <;t> c6 42. Wd3 lld7+ 43. �e4
llc7 44. <i:lb5 l:l:e7 45. f3.

N� 129

14 . .txh6! f5 ( 14 . . .gh 1 5.
�d2+- ) 15. ef .txf6 16. si.g5 cd
17. <iJ e5! <iJ c6 18. l¥V e2 g6 19. si.xg6
W g7 20 . .t h6+! Wg8 2 1 . <i:lxc6
.txc6 22. �xe6+ W h8 23 . .txf8
45 . . . W d7 (Black 1s in Zug­ �xf8 24. �xc6 [1:0]
zwang: 45 . . . ll.d7 46.l:l:e8 ; 45 . . . Wb7
46. <i:l d6+ W c 6 47. <i:l e 8) 46. llb8 57. TARRASCH - ALEKHINE, 1923
W c6 47. l:l:c8+ W d 7 (47 . . . Wb7 (diagram M 1 03) I f you have
loses after 48.<i:l d6+ W a7 49.llg8) already found the target to attack
64 Thinking in Schemes

(in this case , the pawn c2) , to de­ $.g5. Forcing the transition into a
vise a scheme will be easy: d5-d4, won endgame (it threatens 36 . . . $.e7
driving away the bishop and re­ followed by d3).
straining the white knight, then 36. � e5+ �xe5 37. li:lxeS $.f4
doubling major pieces on the line 38. li:l c4 d3 39. lldl llc3 40. li:lxaS
«c " - 3 po in ts. W f6! 41. h4 W e5 42. Wg2 W d4
18 . . . d4! 19. $.d2 ll ac8 20. llel 43. W f3 $.c7 44. li:l c4 llxb3
llc7 21. b3 (White is trying to trans­ 45. li:le3 llc3 46. llbl $.a5 47. li:ldl
fer the knight to c4, but Black pre­ lla3 48. li:l e3 llxa4 49. g5 lla3
vents this) 2 1 . . .llfc8 22. llcl. 50. llgl b3 51. llg4+ W c5 52 . llc4+
Wb5 53. llc8 llal! (but not 53 . . . b2?
N!! 131 54.llbB+ $. b6 55.llxb6+) 54. llb8+
$.b6 [0: 1]

58. WOLF ALEKHINE, 1923

-

(diagram M 104) This is a repeti­

tion of the topic " Lockout of pieces"
(example N2 24). The Black's plan:
transfer the bishop to e7 , play a7-a5
- and then the bishop b2 cannot
break free. Then put the king on f7
and undermine g7-g6, opening the
play on the kingside, where Black
22 ... �fS! 23. lle4 li:l d5 (the has a material advantage. But where
knight strives for c3) 24. li:lb2 li:l c3 the black rook should be placed?
25. $.xc3 (a forced exchange , since Evidently, on d8 to limit activity of
after 25.ll4e l �d3 26.li:ld3 lll a2 the white king - it is clear that he
the pawn c2 is immediately lost) will take a convenient position on
25 . . . llxc3 26. �e2 $. h6! (all the the square e4. For the correct an­
same, winning a pawn) 27. g4 �f6 swer you get 3 points.
28. lle8+ llxe8 29. �xe8+ W g7 24 . . . $.d8! 25. W e4 $.e7 26. llfl
30. llfl llxc2 31. li:ld3 �f3 (an exact lld8 27. llcl a5 28. $.a3 b6. The
realization of the advantage - Black white bishop is "sealed" . One can
has to prevent this defensive scheme: turn to the actions on the kingside.
�e4, the pawn f4) 32. li:l eS ( 32. 29. g4 Wfl 30. h4 g6 31. llfl
�e5+ Wg8 would not do 3 3.�xd4 h5!
in view of 33 ... lld2 - +) 32 . . . �dS
33.li:ld7 � d6 34. lldl $. e3! 35. llfl
 Alexander Alekhine 65

N!! 132 to this, Black would have continued

to strengthen his position with the
manoeuvre Il:e8-g8-g4.
25 . . . h4!

N!! 133

After this move the opening of

the play is inevitable and White's
defence breaks down.
32. fg+ �xg6 33. gh+ �t7!
(the king strives for e 6) 34. h6 �e6
35. llgl ll h8 36. llg6 .tf8 [0: 1] Black's advantage has been ma­
terialised. The line «h» is opened up
59. MIESES ALEKHINE, 1925
- to his obvious benefit.
(diagram M 105) Black's plan is 26. �d3 hg 27. hg llh2 28. Cjj h4
to seize white squares in the centre (if 28.llg l , then 28 . . . llgS 29.::C:.bb l
and on the queenside , and to take .txg3! 30.fg llxg3-+) 28 . . . .txg3
hold there. With this goal in mind, he 29. C'fjf3 Il'.g2 30. Cjj el Il:gl! 31. lle2
plays a7-a6, b7-b5 and f6-f5 , moves .td6 32. llcl llh8 33. C'fjf3 ::C:.xc l
the king on c6, and the knight on d5. 3 4. .txcl llh3 [0:1]
Then Black should try to open lines
on the kingside by way of h7-h5-h4. 60. THOMAS ALEKHINE, 1925
-

The plan, which Alekhin was able to (diagram M 106) This is a clas­
fulfill completely, is worth 5 points. sical example of how to exploit the
17 ... a6! 18. Il'.bl b5! 19. a5 Cjj e7 weakness of the doubled pawns
20. �fl (an attempt to prevent Black's c 3+d4 in endgame. If you know it,
plan by way of 20.d5 leads to Black's add 2 points for erudition. Those
clear advantage after 20 ... h5 2 1.de+ fe who are not familiar with this exam­
22.c4 be 23. Cjj xc4 Cjj d 5 24..td2 Il'.ab8) ple will probably find a great pleasure
20. . . �c6! 21. llb2 Cjj d S 22. �el h5 in creating this beautiful scheme: the
23. C'jj g2 Il:ae8 24. .te3 f5 25. �d2 king on d5, the rook on a5 and a4, the
25.�fl was more tenacious. In reply bishop on d6, the pawns on a6 and f6.
66 Thinking in Schemes

The scheme being set up, there fol­ advantage and his pieces are more
lows the blow e6-e5! ( remember the active. The scheme of strengthen­
thought of D. Bronstein about ex­ ing the position is in transferring
ploiting the weakness of single-col­ the king to d4 and in advancing the
our squares and example N2 34). The pawns on the queenside. Yet another
mark - 3 points and a point more for resource is to force the move f6-f5
the correct first move. and attack in the centre by way of
37 . . . .t d6! (forcing the move e2-e4 ( 3 points) .
g2-g3 that will weaken White's po­ 30. W e 3 f5 3 1. .tf3 W f6
sition on the kingside) 38. g3 W f8 32. W d4 llh7 33. h4 llg7 34. a4 llf7
39. Wg2 W e7 40. W f2 W d7 4 1. W e2 35. as a6?!
W c6 42. lla2 llca4 43. llba l W d5
44. Wd3 ll6a5 45 . .tel a6 46 . .tb2 N!! 135
h5 (forcing yet another weakening)
47. h4 f6! 48 . .t e l .

N!! 134

It would be better to adhere to

a passive tactics, for example 3 5 ...
lle7. In this case White could con­
tinue 3 6.e4! fe 37 ..txe4 Wg7 38.g4
48 ... e5! (the final blow in Black's hg 39.llg3 with an advantage.
strategic plan , destroying the op­ 36. c6! b5 37. ab lll xb6 38. lla3
ponent's defence) 49. fe fe 50 . .tb2 We7 39. llxa6 (more precisely
(after 50.de .txeS 5 1..tf4 .txf4 52.gf 39.e3, without giving Black any
We6! Black also wins) 50 ...ed 51. cd counterchance) 39 . . . f4 40. g4 hg
b4 52. ab llxa2 53. ha llxb2 [0:1] 41. i.xg4 f3 42. i.xf3 llf4+ 43 . .te4
llxh4 44. ll a7 W d8 45. ll a3 llh2.
61. ALEKHINE - RETI, 1926 We suggest that you find yet another
(diagram .NQ 107) The King's scheme in the case of a more tena­
Indian endgame. White has space cious 45 . . . W e7. The answer: after a
 Alexander Alekhine 67

forced prelude 46.llg3 W f7 47.Wd3 19. tt::l f5! (after the forced ex­
llh6 48.�f3 one should continue change, the white bishop will be
e2-e4, � f3-g4-e6, and finally, stronger than the black knight) 19 ...
llf3. Those who found this plan will �xf5 20. �xrs \{We7 21. � c2 lleg8
receive a high mark - 5 points. 22. g3 \{Wd7 23. llt2 l)J/J e7. Black
46. lle3 ll h5 47. llg3 g5 was able to strengthen his kingside.
48. �f3 llh4+ 49. e4 ll h2 50. llxg5 What is next? The correct answer is
llb2 51. llg8+ W e7 52. llg7+ W d8 worth 3 points. You could have got
53. W c3 tt::l a4+ 54. W c4 tt::l b6+ more points, but you are already
55. Wb5 lld2 . Which plan will lead familiar with this plan. Do you re­
to a victory faster ? Certainly, it is the member example N� 42? Before
exchange sacrifice on b6 - 1 point. starting decisive actions, you should
56. llg8+ W e7 57. llb8 llc2 transfer the king to a safe place - the
58. llxb6 [ 1 :0) queenside.
24. Wfl! lld8 25. lld2 b6
62. ALEKHINE YATES, 1926
- 26. \{Wd5 llgg8 27. l)J/Jf5 a5 28. W e l
(diagram NQ 108) If you correct­ l)J/Je6 2 9 . \{Wh5 \{We7 30. W d l llg7
ly determined the direction of attack 3 1 . wct cz:im 32. �rs lle8 33. g4
- the kingside, then the scheme will tt::l g6 34. a3 \{W d8 35. �c2 \{Wc8
not appear to you as too complicat­ 36. Wbl tt::l e7 37. h3 tt::l g6 38. l)J/Jh6
ed: �d3, \{Wh5, f2-f4, llfl-f3-h3. l)J/Jd8 39. Wa2 tt::l e7 40. Wal tt::l g6
You get 3 points for the correct an­ 41. � a4 lleg8 42. �dl \{We7
swer. 43. �c2 cz:im 44. lld5 tt::l g6 45. llf5
14. �d3 W h8 15. tt::l d4 llg8 lle8 46. g5! (the final stage of
16. \{Wh5 !{Wm 17. f4 lle8 18. llf3 White's strategic plan begins) 46 ...
llg7. fg 47. llxg5 l)J/Jm! 48. llh5! (in case
48.f5 White would lose advantage:
N� 136 48 . . . tt::l e5l 49.f6 llg6 50.l)J/Jxf8+ llxf8
5 1.�xg6 fgl) 48. . . l)J/Jg8 49. W a2! tt::l m
50. l{Wf6 tt::l d7 51. l{Wd4 f6 52. �rs
l)J/Jm 53. llh6 llge7 54. llh5 tt::l c 5
55. llc2! llg7 56.llg2! llee7 ( 56 ...
llg2? 57. llxh7+ Wg8 58.\{Wd5+ - )
57. ll g4! a4 58. llh6! llgt7 59. llgg6
tt::l b3 60. \{Wc3 d5? (60 . . .lle8 would
be better, but still futile ; for example
6 1 .e4 l{W e7 62.llxf6 llxf6 63.llxf6
l)J/Jg7 64.J:l'.f7l l)J/Jxc 3 65.llxh7+ Wg8
68 Thinking in Schemes

66.bc) 61. cd lle8 62. e4! i& c5 27. f5! We did itl The white
63. llxh7+ �xh7 64. llxf6+ <:JJ g7 pawns moved forward sweeping
65. llg6+ 'it'f8 66. � h8+ 'tl e7 away everything on the way.
67. lle6+ 'it'd7 68. i&xe8# [1:0] 27 . . . !:l:xe4 (or 27 . . . IJJ xg4
28.!&f4+ - ) 28. IJJ xe4 !JJ xe4 29. �f4
63. ALEKHINE - BRINKMANN, 1927 g5 30. �fl d5 31. c4 �h6 32. f6 lle8
(diagram N2 109) White has ad­ 33. cd j,, xd5 34. �f5 [ 1 :0]
vantage. His task is to prepare and
carry on a kingside pawnstorm. The 64. KEVITZ AND PINKUS -

scheme: doubling the rooks on the ALEKHINE, 1929

line "e" , manoeuvre �f3-f4-h6 (diagram M 110) Black's advan­
(if the opponent allows) and then tage is evident. White has no chance
f2-f4-f5. By the way, the pin j,, d4 - to be active. This allows Black to
�h6 is familiar to us - recall exam - carry on his plan without any trou­
ple N� 6. The plan is worth 3 points. ble; the plan is to double the rooks
19. lle3 IJJ g7 20. �f4 �h4! on the line " e " and to transfer the
(a good defensive move, slowing light-squared bishop to the diago­
down the execution of White's plan) nal c8-h3 (2 points). If you are able
21. lldel !:l:ae8 22. b3! There is one to devise a plan for further actions
characteristic moment: White takes (namely, transferring the king to the
his time and thoroughly prepares the queenside and executing the king­
offensive. A tempting 22.!JJ dS was fu­ side pawnstorm) , you will get addi­
tile - 22 . . _j,, xd5 23.ed llxe3 24.ll.xe3 tional 3 points.
llxe 3 25.�xe3 'tl f8J followed by 22 . . .lle7 23. W hl !:l:ae8 24. j,, gl
IJJ e 8) 22 . . . a5 23. a4 b6 24. Wb2 j,, c8 (to win the pawn e4 after 24. . .
!:l'.8e7 25. �h2! IJJ e8 26. f4 !JJ f6. IJJ xe4 is disadvantageous due to a per­
petual check) 25. llf3 Slg4 26. llfe3
N� 137 �h5. 26 . . .�h7 was possible, fol­
lowed by Slg4-h5-g6 that would al­
low to win the pawn e4, but the plan
chosen by Alekhine was stronger.
27. 'it' g2 .flh3+ 28. W h l �g4
29. j_f2 a5 30. j,, g l a4! (depriving
White of the opportunity IJJ d2-
b 3) 31. j_f2 lle5 32. Slgl ll8e7
33. j_f2 Wf7! 34. j,, g l 'it' e8 35. j_f2
W d8 36 . .tlgl 'it' c8 37. j_f2 'tlb7
38. j,, g l 'tl a6 39. j,, f2 �h5 40. j,, gl
 Alexander Alekhine 69

.@.g4 41. � g2 �h3+ 42. �hl g6 2 1 . .@. h6?! (a doubtful exchange

43 . .@.t2. - the black bishop is not ac­
tive enough, but weakening black
N!! 138 squares in White's camp is essential)
2 1 . . .ct::l c7 22. llfl f6 (the threat g6-
g5 compels White to make the situa­
tion clear) 23 . .@.xg7 �xg7 24. � h l
f5. This is a call to begin a pawn at­
tack on the kingside.

N!! 139

43 ... f5! is well prepared and

quickly decides the game 44. ef gf
45. llxe5 de 46. � e3 (46.llxeS is
impossible due to the variation:
46 ... llxeS 47.�xeS .@.fJ+l 48.Ci::l xf3
�fl+ 49. ct::l g l Ci::l d 3) 46 . .. e4 47. d6 cd
48 . .@.gl f4! White resigned in view of
the variation 49.gf .@.f3+. [0:1 ] 25. Ci::l g2 f4. Creating a pawn
wedge is now a very popular plan
65. ROSSELLI - ALEKHINE, 1931 for the King's Indian Defence. One
(diagram NQ 111) This is a criti­ cannot take the pawn f4, because a
cal moment in the game. Black can piece is lost after �h6.
gain preponderance in the centre 26. g4 g5 27. � gl h5 (the open­
and ascertain his advantage. This ing and seizure of the line "h" is on
is done with the help of the ma­ the agenda now; Black can break
noeuvre e7-e 5 and ct::l b 4-c6-d4 (2 into his enemy camp on this line)
points) . Ifyou can sketch further ac­ 28. h3 �h6 29. ct::l el �f7 30. llf2
tions (preparation and carrying out hg 31. hg llh8 32. llh2 �g7 33. lld l
f7-f5 - to do this you should play llxh2 34. �xh2 llh8 35. �g2. Find
lld8-f8 and Ci::l f6-e8) , then you get a simplistic scheme to exploit the
additional 2 points. open line. If this is llh4, �h6, llh3
16 . . . e5! 17 . .@.cl ct::l c6 18. �t2 and llg3 , you get an additional
Ci::l d4 19 . .@. e3 llf8! 20. �d2 ct::l e8 point.
70 Thinking in Schemes

35 . . . :.C: h4! 36. :.C:xd4 (a despeate 27 . . .:.C:ag8 28 . .tfl f4 29. ct:Jf3

sacrifice) 36 . . . ed 37. ct:Je2 d3! (not �h5 30. :.C:b2 ctJ c4 31. :.C:ba2 ct:J e3 32.
allowing for the blockading 38. ctJd3) ct:Jel ctJg4! (a winning manoeuvre)
38. ct:Jxd3 � al+ 39. ct:Jecl ct:J e6 33. �xf4 :.C:t7. White resigned due
40. �b2 �xb2 41. ct:Jxb2 :.C:h3 [0: 1 ] to the loss of his queen after 34.�g3
:.C:xfl+ 35.Wxfl ctJxh2+. [0:1]
66. STAHLBERG ALEKHINE,
-

1931 67. ALEKHINE - GROB, 1932

(diagram M 112) Black finds an (diagram M 113) To find the
excellent rearrangement of forces, brilliant regrouping of forces under­
combining the defence with the taken by the 4th World Chess Cham -
preparation for attacking actions. pion is far from trivial. If you man­
Have you managed this task? The aged this task and found the plan
scheme :.C:f7, �e8, :.C:g7 and g6-g5 with �dl-b l , a2-a3 and � b l -a2
is worth 4 points. - you have excellent prospects] The
20 ... :.C:t7! 21. �b4 �e8 22. ctJg3 correct solution is worth 7 points.
:.C:g7 23. ct:J fl (possibly, it would be 13. �bl! (in this way White
better to set about the prophylaxis by gets rid of the pin and repels the
playing 23.:.C:fl and 24.�b 1 , trying to threat f7-f5-f4) 13 . . .f5 14. a3 W h8
prevent the move g5) 23 . . . g5! 24. fg. 15. �a2 ! ct:J db4. Black is trying to
complicate the struggle. Simple con­
N!! 140 tinuations would also lead to White's
preponderance. For example, 1 5 ...
ctJb6 1 6 . .te6l and later d4-d5.
16. ab ct:Jxb4 17. �bl f4 18. ct:J e5
.tf5 ( 1 8 . . . .th5 19.�e4l) 19. �dl fe
20. fe ct:Jd5 21. ct:Jc6! ct:J xe3 22. ct:J xd8
ct:Jxdl 23. ct:Jc6.tg5 24. :.C:fxdl! (miss­
es the natural advantage 24.:.C:axdl?
in view of 24 ... .te3+l 25.W hl .txd2
26.:.C:xd2 .te4l) 24... .te3+ 25. Whl
.tg4 26. ct:Jfl .txdl 27. :.C:xdl .tf4
28 . .td5! :.C:ae8 29 . .tf3 (not allow­
24. . . �h5! 25. �b2 �xg5 26. ing for the rook's break to the second
�fl W h8 27. ct:J d2. The target of rank) 29 . . .:.C:f6 30. Wgl g6 31. :.C:al
the attack is point g2. Please devise a g5 32. h3 .te3+ 33. ct:Jxe3 :.C:xe3
scheme. The correct answer - :.C:ag8 , 34. :.C:xa6 :.C:b3 35. .td5! (transition
f5-f4, ctJb6-c4-e 3 - 1 point. to the decisive counterattack) 35...
 Alexander Alekhine 71

llxb2 36. '.l::l: a8+ W g7 37. llg8+ W h6 25. Ae2! lll c8 26. cd cd 27. it.xf8
38. lll e 5 'Wh5 39. Ilg7 ® h4 40. ® h2 lll xf8 28. llc5 lll a7 29. lll d 3 W g7
h641. it.t3lld242 . :.C:.g6g443. llxg4+ 30. t!.hcl llc8 31. ll:c8 it.:c8
'Wh5 44. llg3+ Wh4 45. lll g6+ :.C:.xg6 32. Vj' c3 � h7. What to do next? You
46. llxg6 b4 47. llg4+ ®h5 48. W g3 get an additional point for the ma­
lld3 49. llg7+ I!:xf3+ 50. Wxf3 noeuvre �c3-cS-b6 and lll d 3-cS.
[1:0] 33. �c5 llg7 34. �b6! Vj'e7
35. lll c5 g5 36. hg hg 37. lll e 1. This
68. ALEKHINE - MIKENAS, 1933 is an accurate defence. If 37 . . . f4,
then 38.Si.g4l, but if 37 . . . g4, then
N2 141 38.lll ed3 with the later lll f4.
37 . . . lll g6 38. lll ed3 f4 39. :.C:.hl +
W g8 40. it.g4+ - fg 41. fg lll h4+
42. gh gh 43. lll f2 '.l::l:t7 44. lll xe6
� h7 45. �d6 [ 1:0]

69. KASHDAN WITH CONSULTANTS

- ALEKHINE WITH CONSULTANTS
1933
(diagram M 115) This is a typical
textbook position. Despite the mate­
rial equality, Black wins easily: he has
White's plan for the nearest a remote passed pawn and the clear
moves is to prevent the opponent's advantage of his knight over the "bad"
activity on the kingside by way bishop. The winning plan: transfer the
of g2-g3, Wgl-g2, llfl-h l and king to eS, the knight to cS or f6 and
lll e 2-f4, and by further actions on exchange the pawn "g" with the pawn
the queenside with the initial phase e4, after that the pawn dS is also lost,
determined by the moves b2-b3 and and Black's pieces penetrate White's
c2-c4. The mark - 3 points. camp. The mark - 2 points.
18. g3! ll h8 19. �g2 Wg8 38 . . . � f6 39. Si.di. In case
20. :Uhl �t7 2 1 . lll f4 llg8 22. b3! 39.Wf4 it could be 39 . . . gS+ 40.®g3
lll h7 23. c4 it. d7 24. llacl it.f8 lll d7 4 1.Wg4 lll c S 42.a4 WeS
(diagram M 114) Find a scheme 43.WxgS lll xe4+ 44.Wg6 WxdS
for strengthening White's position 4S. W f7 lll f2 46.W e7 ®cs followed
on the queenside. If you suggest by advancement of the pawn "d".
2S.it.d3-e2 with the later lll f4-d3 , 39 . . . lll d3 40. W f3 � e5 41. We3
then you get additional 2 points. lll c5 42. Si. f3 g5 43. .thl lll d7 (it
72 Thinking in Schemes

was possible to play immediately sary to occupy the line "h" in order
43 . . . g4) 44 . .@.g2 li:Jf6 45 . .@.f3. to prevent the activation of the white
rook through the square h3 after f5-f4
N!! 142 and the pawn exchange) 44. lle3 llh8
45. lle2 f4 46. gf gf 47. � c2 llh2!

N!! 143

45 . . . g4 46 . .@.e2 (if 46 . .@.g2 ,

then a win is achived after 46 . . . li:JhS
and 47. . . li:Jf4) 46 . . .li:Jxe4 47 . .@.xg4
li:Jc3 48 . .@.f3 li:Jxd5+ 49. � d2 � d4 White's position is hopeless.
50. a3 li:J c3 51. .@.c6 a4! 52. � c2 d5 The following is quite simple.
53. ha W c4! [0:1] 48. Wb3 llh3+ 49. Wb2 lld3!
(securing an unrestrained queening
70. NAEGELI - ALEKHINE, 1934 ofa black pawn) 50. llc2 f3 51. � a2
(diagram N2 116) Black has a e3 52. fe+ �xe3 [0:1]
big advantage - his pieces are in an
active position, one black pawn pins 71. AHUES ALEKHINE, 1936
-

two opponent's pawns on the queen­ (diagram N2 117) Have you been
side, and on the kingside Black's able to see the attacking scheme in
pawns are ready to make a move and this position? If so, then you get 4
create a passed pawn. The winning points. The first move is 1 5 . . ..@.xg3.
scheme: W d4, the pawn-roller h7- "After this exchange, Whites pawn ar­
h6, g6-g5 , f5-f4 aimed at taking rangement on the kingside cannot pre­
all squares on the third rank from vent thefollowing attacking setup: li:Jg4
the white rook, opening the file and and "Wlf5 (or VJ!ih5) ': - AAlekhine.
the invasion of the rook into White's To execute this plan, it is nessessary
camp. The mark - 2 points. to have a firm position in the centre,
39. . . �d4! 40. llb3 h6 41. lle3 g5 which is achived by the manoeuvre
42. hg hg 43. llb3 llc8! (it is nesses- li:Jc6-e7-d5 and b7-b5.
 Alexander Alekhine 73

15 . . ..@.xg3! 16. hg ii::l e7! 17. b4 the moves 0 h4 and ..@. h3 create pres­
�d7 18. ii::l c 2 ii::l edS 19. ii::l a3 bS! sure on the pawn f5 and provoke the
(not allowing White to transfer move g7-g6. Then White plays f2-f3
his knight through c4 to e5) 20. ab and drives the knight e4 back. Af­
ab 21. �e2 c6 22. ii::l c2 �f5. All is ter this, the unstable position of the
done according to the plan. White knight f6 will allow White to create
cannot play 23.f3 in view of 2 3 . . . ef, different combinational opportuni­
and the knight c2 is under attack. ties. Certainly, it is easy to sketch this
23. llfcl h6 24. lla5 ll ac8 plan when the record of the game is
25. ii::l a l ii::l g4 26. Wfl. known - the position hides too many
tactical opportunities, but the main
N!! 144 idea of the above plan allows to act
significantly more purposefully and
judiciously. The mark - 5 points.
15. ii::l h4! One point is due for
this move and the foreseen variation
1 5 . . . ii::l xd5 16.llxd5! .@.xd5 17.�d4.
15 ...�d7 16. .@.h3 g6 17. f3 ii::l c5.

N!! 145

26 . . .lle6! (if the rook joins the

offensive, then Black's attack be­
comes irrefutable) 27. llxb5 llf6
28. llbc5 ii::l xf2 29. W e i (29.Wgl
ii::l g4+ - would also be futile) 29 . . .
ii::l d3+ 30. W d l �fl+ 3 1 . .@. e l llf2!
[0: 1)

72. ALEKHINE ALEXANDER,

- 18. � gS! Creating a lot of
1936 threats: 19 . .@.xf6, 19 . .@.xf5 , 1 9.ii::l xf5.
(diagram M 118) White's main If 1 9 . . . ii::l xd5 , then 20.ii::l xg6.
idea in this position is to create the 18 �g7 19. b4 ii::l cd7 20. e4!
•••

conditions which allow the bishop This sound move (let's recall again
b2, who has no counterpart, to show the thought by D. Bronstein about the
his power. This is done in this way: weakness of single-colour squares)
74 Thinking in Schemes

required an accurate calculation. 25 . . . li:la5! black pieces are look­

20 ... li:lxe4 2 1 . �cl! li:lef6 22. ing for the ways to penetrate the en­
.txfS! W h8 (one cannot play 22 . . .gf, emy camp. The knight is heading to
since after 23.li:lxfS �h8 24.li:lh6+ the square " e 3 " .
Wg7 2 5.�gS#) 23 . .t e6 .ta6 24. 26. b3 (26.�xdS i s bad fo r White
:Ufe 1 lll e5 25. f4! (clearing up the di­ in view of 26 ...:Uxe2 27.:Uxe2 :Uxe2
agonal for the bishop) 25 ... li:ld3 26. 28.�xa5 li:lg3 29.:Uf3 �e4!) 26...li:lc4!
:Uxd3 .txd3 27. g4! [ 1:0] The known saying immediately came
to my mind: "If it's prohibited, but one
73. WINTER ALEKHINE, 1936
- is dying for it, then it's allowed!"
(diagram N2 119) There is only 27 . .tel (27.bc �a4+ 28.W c l
one open file on the chessboard. The .ta3+ 29.Wbl :Ub6+ 30.W a l �c2
plan of its seizure is classical: after with the mate in two moves) 27 ...
the preparatory moves h5-h4 and li:l ce3+ 28 . .txe3 li:lxe3+ 29. li:lxe3
li:le7-f5, there follows the forma­ :Uxe3 30. �fl �b5! (winning a
tion of major pieces according to the pawn) 31. li:lcl :Uxc332. :Uxe7.txe7
scheme: the rook is ahead, the queen 33. �el W d7! 34. f5 :Ue3! (White's
is behind. Certainly, this example will position is hopeless) 35. �fl g5
not be complicated to you (2 points) . 36. :Ue 1 :Ue4 37. :Uxe4 de 38. W d2
Those who know this plan get an ad­ .td6 39. W c2 .tf4 [0: 1]
ditional point for erudition.
17 . . . h4! (securing a safe posi­ 74. ALEKHINE -EUWE, 1937
tion for the knight) 18. li:l 3e2 li:lf5 (diagram N2 120) White has
19. li:lf3 f6 20. li:lh2 :Ude8 2 1 . .td2 advantage - his pieces are actively
:Ue6 22. li:l g4 :Uhe8 23. :Udel :U8e7 arranged, Black is behind in devel­
24. W d l �e8 25. �f3. opment. The scheme which White
sets up - the king on e 3 , the knight
N� 146 on d4, the rook on the line " c " , the
pawns b4 and f4 - is simply a copy
of the known plan by Capablanca in
his game with Ragozin (example N!
45). It is aimed at securing control
over the entire board, including the
5th rank. The mark - 3 points.
14. :Uacl :Ub8 15. a3 .td7 16. f4
f6 17 . .te4! (not allowing for 17 . . . e 5
due to 18.fe fe 1 9.li:lf3, with a won
pawn) 17 . . . .te8 18. b4! :Ud7.
 Alexander Alekhine 75

N!! 147 75. ALEKHINE GOLOMBEK,

-

1938
(diagram M 121) This example
should test your combinational vi­
sion and it is, in a sense , the repeti­
tion of the learned material. Black's
pawn structure is familiar from ex­
amples N! 30 and N! 48. One of the
techniques to struggle against such a
pawn structure is the dynamic d4-
d5. If you discerned the scheme of
the "smothered" mate in the vari­
The drawn scheme allows White ation 19.d5J ed 20.�xd5+J Vj'xd5
to go into the offensive. 2 1.lld l followed by 22.�a2+, then
19. f5! tlJ c7 (certainly, Black you get 4 points.
was not happy with the variation 19. d5!tlJ e7 20. de�xe621. lld l
19 . . . ef 20.�xf5 :l:!:d5 2 1 .j,, x h7) �e5 22. j,, xb7! h6 (one cannot play
20. fe tlJxe6 2 1 . tlJxe6 W xe6 22 . . . llxdl + 23.Il:xdl llxb7 due to
22. j,, xh7 (White won a pawn , but 24.Il:d8#) 23. tlJxe6 �xe6 24. Wic7
to make use of it is not easy, since (now White has an extra pawn
Black's pieces became more ac­ and a better position) 24 . . . :C:xdl +
tive) 22 .. .f5 23. llc5! g6 24. j,, g8+ 25. llxdl l:!:e8 26. �f3 a6 27. :.C:.d6
Wf6 25. l:i:hcl lle7+ 26. Wf2 �e5 28. '*'c4+ W h7 29. l:!:xa6 lld8
�c6 27. j,, d 5 l:!:be8 28. llel j,, :d5 30. Vj'f7 lldl+ 31. W g2 [ 1 :0]
29. llxd5 g5 30. lld6+ � e5? makes
it an easier task for White. 30 . . . W f7 76. ALEKHINE TSVETKOV, 1939
-

was more tenacious. (diagram M 122) This is a typi­

31. :.C:.ed l g4 32. ll ld5+ � e4 cal ending with two isolated pawns
33. lld4+ W e5 34. W e3! lle6 ( 34. . . on the same side. Similar endings
f4+ 35.W d3J fg 36.l:i:4d5+ W f4 often occur in the Sicilian Defence
37.llf6#) 35. ll4d5+ Wf6+ 36. Wf4 systems with " c4 " . White 's win­
(the game is decided now) 36... � g6 ning plan is to transfer the king to
37. llxe6+ llxe6 38. lle5 lla6 (if d3 to defend the pawn c4, the rook
38 . . .llf6, then 39.e4J fe 40.Wxg4 to a5, the knight to b5. The plan is
llf2 4 1.h4 with a win) 39. llxf5 not evident, so the mark is high - 7
l:!:xa3 40. llb5! b6 41. Wxg4. 4 1 . . . points.
ll e 3 i s responded with 42.:C:g5+ 38. W e4 W e7 39. W d3 W d7
W h6 43.b5J l:!:xe2 44.h4. [ 1 :0) 40. tiJ b3 tlJ a4 41. tiJ d2 W c6 42. b3
76 Thinking in Schemes

ct::l b6 43. ct::l e4 Ci::l d7 44. lla5 1Le7 77. ENEVOLDSEN ALEKHINE, 1939
-

45. ct::l e3! llb7 46. ct::l b5 �b6. (diagram N2 123) Black has a
clear advantage on the queenside,
N!! 148 but White still holds the field. If you
find the hidden manoeuvre which
includes the move c7-c6 and the
transfer of the queen on the kingside
through d8 to h4 to create the second
weakness, then you will get 3 points.
28 . . . e6! 29. f4 ef 30. llxf4 llal
31. de? White did not discern the
opponent's intentions, thus sim­
plifying the implementation of his
plan. 3 1 .ll fl was better.
3 1 . . .ct::l xe6 32. Ci::l d 5 � d8 33.
47. b4. Having arranged the 1Le3 �h4+ 34. 1L h3.
pieces in the best way, White com­
mences energetic attacking ac­ N!! 149
tions.
47 . . . a6 48. ct::l e3 � e7 49. llxa6
(here is the first material exchange)
49 . . . eb 50. ct::l b5+ W d8 51. ab 1Lxb4
52. llxe6 1Le5 53. §i.d2!
Creating the threat 54.iL aS+
§i.b6 55.llxb6 llxb6 56.W d4! with
a decisive simplification of the
play.
53 . . . ct::l f8 54. lle6 ct::l d7 55. � e4!
(the king's raid ends the game) 55 . . .
W e7 56. W d5 §i. g l 57. 1Lb4+ W d8 Black's attack is irrefutable.
58. W e6 [1:0] 34 . . . ct::l e5 35. 1Lxe5 de 36. �fl
:Uhl+ 37. �xhl �xh3+ [0: 1]
 Max Euwe
(20. 05. 1901 - 26. 11 . 1981)

INSTANCES OF THINKING IN SCHEMES IN THE GAMES

OF MAX EUWE

78. TARRASCH - EUWE, 1922 20. �c2. White should be careful.

Indian defence For example, 20.�hd l ? was a los­
1. d4 lZ:l f6 2. c4 d6 3. lZ:l f3 lZ:l bd7 ing move , naturally, in view of 20 . . .
4. lZ:l c3 e5 5. e4 g6 6. � e3 �g7 7. de Uxd3+ 2 1 .�xd3 lZ:lxe4+ 22.Wc2
de 8. h3 c6 9. � d2 �e7 10. 0-0-0 0xf2.
0-0 11. � d6 � xd6 12. � xd6 '.!:! e8 20 ... � xd2 (neutralising White's
13. �g5. This is one of the first pressure on the line "d") 21. 0 xd2
examples of a typical " King's In­ 0 e6 22. g3 a5! 23. 0f3.
dian" endgame with a " hole" on
d4. The routes of black pieces are N:! 150
now well known: � g7-f8-c5(b4) ,
lZ:l d7-c5(f8)-e6-d4, the pawns
a7-a5(a5-a4) , on occasion c6-c5.
It is possible to manoeuvre the rook
through a6 to b6 or into the centre.
13 . . .�f8! 14. � d 2 ( 14. �xf6
� g7 - + is not allowed) 14. . . Wg7
15. � d3 � b4! 16. Wc2 lZ:lc5 17. a3
� xc3 18. �xf6+ (otherwise a pawn
is lost) 18 . . . Wxf6 19 . Wxc3 � d8
78 Thinking in Schemes

To sharply strengthen his po­ N� 152

sition, Black should make three
moves: c6-c5, I!:a8-a6 and ll:Je6-
d4. The finders of this plan get 2
points.
23 ... cS! 24 . ..@.. a4 :U a6! 25. :Udl
ll:Jd4.

N� 151

White to move

N� 153

Black holds point d4. He has a

won game.
26. ll:Jxd4?! 26. ll:J g l was better,
to which Black would respond g6-
g5 , W f6-e7 and I!:a6-h6 (f6) . White to move
26 ... ed+ 27. W d3..@.. xh3 28 . ..@.. b S
I!:d6 29. I!:hl ..@.. g2 30. I!:xh7 I!:e6 N� 154
31. llh4 gS 32. :Uh6+ � es 33. f4+
gf 34. llhS+ � d6 35. gf (35.:ll d S+
W e7 36. I!:d7+ W f6 - + was futile)
35... ..@.. xe4+ 36. W d2 ll g6 37. llh2
llg2+ 38. :Uxg2 ..@.. xg2 39. � e2 ..@.. c6
[0: 1 ]

White to move
 Max Euwe 79

N!! 155 N!! 158

Black to move White to move

N!! 156 N!! 159

Black to move White to move

N!! 157 N!! 160

White to move White to move

80 Thinking in Schemes

N� 161

White to move

LEARNING FROM MAX EUWE

79. EUWE CARLS, 1928

- N� 162
(diagram M 152) The weak
kingside and the passive arrange­
ment of black pieces allows White to
set up the scheme �f6, lld6 , .1i.d5
in a combinational way, having the
opponent's main forces cut from
the kingside and thus unable to help
their lord. The mark - 4 points.
2 1 . :Uxd6! ed 22. �xf6 :Uf8.
Black cannot defend the pawn d6
due to variations: 22 . . . ll d7 23 . .1i.d5!
W h7 24. .1i.xf7 or 22 . . . I!:a6 23 . .1i.d5 25. g4. This is an instance of the
� IB 24.lld3 , and White wins. exemplary interaction of pieces and
23. :Uxd6 �cS is the only move. pawns in the attack. Black cannot
In response to 2 3 . . . �b4, 24 . .1i.xh5 stand such a powerful onslaught.
decided! It would be unsound to play the
24. .fi.dS W h7. thoughtless2 5 . .1i.xf7I!:xf7 26. �xg6+
� h8 27.lld8+ :Uf8 28.lld5 �xf2+
or 27.�h6+ �g8, and Black won.
 Max Euwe 81

25 ... � a3 (25 ... hg? 26.h5+ - ) White pieces have an extremely

26. gh � cl+ 27. � h2 �h6 28. fortunate combination of their at­
.txt7! (the decisive blow) 28... �g7 tacking and defensive functions.
29. hg+ � h8 30. �g5. Black re­ 41.. .l:l:h8 (a forced outcome fol­
signed due to variation 30 . . . llfxf7 lows) 42. �f6+ �xf6 43. ef+ W g8
3 1 .� h5+ Wg8 32.gf�xf7 3 3.llg6+ 44. llxh8+ Wxh8 45 . .te4 W g8
� f8 34.�h8+ W e7 35.l:l:g7. [ 1:0] 46. d5 [1:0]

80. EUWE FLOHR, 1933

- 81. EUWE KAN, 1934
-

(diagram M 153) Certainly, White (diagram M 154) The position

has a winning position. One should of the black king is weakened, and
choose the most accurate realisation, White has a scheme for an attacking
activating his pieces and keeping the arrangement of pieces: .t b l , �c2,
king, whose position is a little bit weak­ lll h5. The mark - 3 points.
ened, in safety. The Dutch Champion 22 . .tbl! li:l7b6?! Black doesn' t
solved this problem in a simple and el­ feel the danger. It was necessary
egant way. By playing e2-e4, he forced to play 22 . . . l:l:d8 and 23 . . . li:lf8,
the exchange on e4 and activated his strengthening the kingside.
bishop. The rook traversed to the line 23. li:l h5 �d6 24. l:l:e5!
"h" along the second rank, and the at­
tempts to counterplay on the line "f' N� 164
were repelled by moving the bishop
back to d3. If you were going to play as
Euwe did, you get 3 points.
37. e4 de 38. .txe4.td7 39. llc2!
�t7 40 . .td3! .te8 41. 1:1h2.

N� 163

24 .. .f5 is forced. Black would

have immediately lost, if other con­
tinuations were played. For example:
24. . . li:l e7 2 5.:C:xg5+ hg 26.�xg5+
li:lg6 27.�h6 or 24 . . . l:l:e8 25.Ilxg5+
hg 26.�xg5+ W f8 27.�g7+ W e7
82 Thinking in Schemes

28.�h4+ W d7 29.�f5+ lle6 30. 32 . . . 11Jd4! 33. !IJfl (in case of the
�xf7+ 11J e7 3 1.tiJf6+. passive defence, Black would have
25. �xf5 \{Wxa3 26. �el! 11Jf6 27. advanced the queenside pawns) 33 ...
�e6+ Wh8 28. 11Jxf6 llxf6 29. d5 W e4 34. W d2 11Jf5 35. 11J g3+ 11Jxg3
�d7 30. h4 �d6 31. \{Wd4 llf4 32. 36. hg Wf3. Accomplished! Mate­
� e3! (leads to a quick win) 32 ... �xe6 rial losses are inevitable, White's
33. de nm 34. e7 lle8 35. lle6 [1:0] position is hopeless.
37. W d3 W xg3 38. f5 h539. � h6
82. JOHNER - EUWE, 1934 h4 40. f6 �d8 41. e6 fe 42. fl �e7
(diagram M 155) This is a typical 43. m� �xm 44. �xm h3 45. �xc5
endgame for the open variation of the e5! [0:1]
Spanish game. Black has a big advan­
tage: his pieces are more active than
White's pieces, the black king has an 83. SLIWA - EUWE, 1962
excellent passage in the centre and, (diagram N2 156) Black has ad­
finally, the white pawn e5 is weak and vantage. Ile increases pressure ac­
can be the target for an attack. The cording to the scheme: the knight
scheme: g7-g5 and W d7-c6-d5 is exchange on d2, his knight's inva­
simple and efficient (2 points). sion to b3, transfer the rook to c5.
28 . . .g5l 29. f3 W c6 30. g3 W d5 The mark - 5 points.
3 1 . f4 gf 32. gf. White had defended 23 . . . �xd2! (beginning the plan
the pawn e5, but at a high price - the aimed at putting the pawn c4 under
bishop e3 became "bad" , White's seige) 24. llxd2 11Ja5! 25. llc2 11Jb3
squares and the pawn f4 turned weak. 26. f3 lla5! 27. �dl (if 27. f4, then
The next task for Black - the king's 27 . . . ef 28. llxf4 lle5 29. 11Jf3 11Jc5)
breakthrough into the enemy camp. 27 . . . llc5.

N� 165 N� 166
 Max Euwe 83

28. tll d 3 (White finds the best break to d6, and the bishop could
way out, still keeping material bal­ move to d4) 36. c5 .$.d5 37. a3 lld8.
ance) 28. . . llxc4 29. l:t.xc4 �xc4
30. tll xe5 Vj'e6 (Black still has N!! 167
advantage, since he is well-pre­
pared for the queenside pawn at­
tack) 3 1 . tll d3 c5 32. tll f4 �c4
33. Wg2 b5 34. tll d 5 Wf8 35. llf2
35. � d3 �xd3 36. ed c4; 35. f4 f5
36. tll e3 �e6 37. e5 W e7 38. tll c2
Vj'd5+ 39. Wgl �e4- +) 35 . . . �cl
36. �xcl tll xcl 37. e3?! (makes
it an easier task for Black) 37 ... d3!
38. lld2 c4 39. wn tll b3 40. lldl
tll c 5 41. tll b4 g5 42. g4 (42 ... g4 was
threatening) 42 . . . h5 43. h3 ( 43. gh g4 38. :i::l: xe6! decides. The black
44. Wg2 lld6 45. tll d 5 gf+ 46. Wxf3 rook cannot stop the passed pawn
f5l -+ ) 43 . . . hg 44. hg l:i:d6 45. e5 supported by White's king and bish­
lle6 46. f4 f6! 47. ef llxe3 48. fg op.
tll e4 49. W g2 l:l:g3+ 50. W h2 llxg4 38 . . .ii.xe6 39. Wxe6 l:l:a8 40. c6
51. tll xd3 cd 52. :.C:.xd3 nxg5 53. b3 lle8+ 41. W d7 Wfl 42. c7 [ 1:0]
tll xf6 54. lld4 llg4 55. l:i:d8+ W e7
56. llb8 b4! depriving White of the 85. EUWE - VIDMAR, 1946
last hope. [0:1] (diagram M 158) White has
strong pressure on the line "f" , but
84. EUWE - LANDAU, 1939 Black's position seems to be suffi­
(diagram M 157) Test your skills ciently firm. But after the four strong
in this ending with opposite-colour moves: �g2-f2, tll e 2-c3-a4 and
bishops. The most accurate way is: b2-b4 - Black's position falls to
the bishop on d6 , the rook on f6 , the pieces as a card-castle. The finders
king on e5 - 2 points. If you also of this plan get 3 points.
can see the opportunity to sacri­ 3 1 . �f2! b6 (32. .$.xc5 was
fice exchange on e6 at a convenient threatening) 32. tll c3! (White pulls
moment, you will get an additional black pawns forward as with a mag­
point. net) 32 . . . c6 (the decisive weakening,
32. ii.d6+ Wf7 33. W e5 W g7 but Black cannot allow the knight to
34. llf4 l:l:e8 35. llf6 b5 (in case 3 5 . . . get to d5) 33. tll a4 Wb7 ( 34.tll xb6+
ii.d7 36 . .$.c5 the white king would was threatening) 34. b4!
84 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 168 87. EUWE - KRAMER, 1952

(diagram N9 160) The outcome
of this game is decided by the weak­
ness of the diagonal a l -h8. White 's
purposeful strategy - f2-f4, the
exchange f4xe5 (after the forced
f7-f6) and li:Je4xd6, followed by
l{Wc2-e4 - allows him to seize this
important strategic main-road. The
helpless position of the black knight
is an essential factor. The mark - 3
points.
The final knock-out blow. 19. f4! f6 20. li:Jxd6 �xd6 2 1 . fe
34. . . g4 35. h4 ch 36. li:Jxb6 fe 22. � e4J llxfl +. 22 . . . l:l:.fe8 would
li:Jxb6 37. i.xb6 \{We6 38. j,, a5 i.d8 be hardly better. An exemplar vari­
39. llt7+ Wc8 40. �a7 [ 1:0] ation: 23.:l::l:. ad l Ilad8 24.�h4 li:JbS
25.:Uf7J �xf7 26.�xh7+ � f6
86. EUWE - ELISKASES, 1947 27.llfl+ �gs 28.h4+ Wg4 29.qwh6
(diagram N9 159) This is a warm­ �e7 30.l{Wxg6+ <;t>h4 3 1.l:l:.f3 with
up example. Black's dominance the unavoidable mate. The variation
over the open line and his weakness is optional, but revealing.
on the kingside makes White's ad­ 23. l:l:.xfl.
vantage overwhelming. Certainly,
you have easily found the finishing N!! 169
scheme g2-g4 and li:J f3-h4-f5 - 1
point.
22. g4! l{Wg6 23. li:J h4 qwg5
24. li:Jf5 (now Black has a hard
choice: What should be given up?)
24 . . . h5 (the following is clear with­
out any comments) 25. li:Je7+ Wf8
26. li:Jxc8 l:l:.xc8 27. l{Wxg5 fg 28. gh
W g7 29. l:l:.f3 e4 30. llf5 b4 31. :C:d7
� h6 32. lldxt7 Wxh5 33. l:l:.g7 be
34. llfxg5+ W h6 35. l:l:.5g6+ W h5
36. llg3 w h6 37. be i. xf2 38. llg8 23 . . . l:l:.d8 (if 2 3 . . . lle8, then
[1:0) 24. \{Wf3 , and Black is in a bad condi­
tion) 24. j,, xe5. The goal is reached.
 Max Euwe 85

Black cannot repel threats on the big Ni:! 170

diagonal.
24. . .�xd5 25. \{Wf4 tt::l c 6
26. $.al lle8 27. h4 \{We6 28. llf3
tt::l e 5 29. llg3 \{W d6. Find the deci­
sive rearrangement here (the queen
on the big diagonal, the rook on g5) ,
and you will get an additional point.
30. �a4 lld8 3 1 . \{Wb3+ �d5
32. \{Wc3 lle8 33. :Ug5 \{W d l+
34. W h2 [1:0)

88. EUWE - STAHLBERG, 1954 25. llh3! (White accurately

(diagram M 161) The 5th World calculated the subsequent compli­
Champion relies on the experience cations) 25 . . . :Uxd4 26. tt::l xt7! llf4
of the 6th. The plan - e4-e5, trans­ (26 . . . �xf7 27.llhS++ - ) 27. tt::l xd8
ferring the knight to d6, the queen llxf2 28. li:Jxe6 \{Wb6 29. llb3! (ex­
to f2, the rook along the third rank actly this move it would be nesses­
followed by attack on the kingside sary to foresee) 29 . . . :Ue2+ 30. :Uxb6
- was applied by M .Botvinnik two :Uxel + 31. Wf2 :Uxe5 32. :Uxb7
years earlier. The mark - 3 points. llxe6 33. llxa7 (White easily leads to
20. e5! tt::l d7 2 1. l{Wf2 tt::l � a win the resulting endgame with an
22. tt::l e4 :Ud5 23. tt::l d 6 :Ud8 (Black extra pawn) 33 . . . :Ue5 34. :Ua3 :Ub5
had not decided to sacrifice the ex­ 35. :Ub3 :Ua5 36. a3 W f7 37. :Ue3
change on d6 - a hard struggle for a Wf6 38. b4 ll a6 39. W e2 g5 40. g4
draw was still ahead, and was trying ll a4 41. W d2 c5 42. be llxg4 43. c6
to create counterplay by attacking ll h4 44. h3 llh8 45. c7 llc8 46. llc3
the pawn d4) 24. :Ud3 li:J e6! W e6 47. W e3 W d7 48. W d4 [ 1 :0)
 Mikhail Botvinnik
(17. 08. 1911 - 5. 05. 1995)

INSTANCES OF TH INKING IN SCH EMES IN THE GAMES

OF MIKHAIL B01VINNIK

89. 801VINNIK - GOTTHILF, 1930 tacking the main weakness of the

opponent. The mark - 3 points.
N2 17 1 32. l{j'd6 .tl:ld5 33 . .i c4! Wg7
(Black has no other moves) 34. i. b3
W h7 35. k a4 W g7.

N2 172

The undivided rule over the open

file and the weakness of black pawns
on the queenside is a sufficient ad­
vantage for White to win. The fast­
est way to success leads through the 36. '.S.a8! Keeping precision till the
manoeuvre °iVdl -d6, pinning black end. The premature 36.kxc6?? leads
pieces, and .i a6-c4-b3-a4, at- to the loss of pieces after 36 ...Ilxc6.
 Mikhail Botvinnik 87

36 . . . � :d6 ( 37 . .txc6�xd6 38.cd N� 175

llxc6 39.d7 was threatening) 37. cd
l:td7 38. .txc6 llxd6 39 . .txd5 ed.
Black resigned in view of variations:
40.llxa7 d4 4 1 . W fl
1) 41 ...l:te6 42.bS d3 43.lld7
l:te5 44.a4 ll e4 45.aS '.a.es 46.I!:xd3
l:txb5 47. lla3 +- ;
2) 4 1 . ..d3 42. W e l lle6+
43.�dll l:te2 44.lld7 llxf2 45.llxd3
llxh2 46. l:tb3+- (Botvinnik's vari­
ations) . [1:0] White to move

M! 173 N� 176

White to move

N� 174

White to move Black to move

88 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 178 N!! 181

White to move

N!! 179 N!! 182

White to move White to move

N!! 180 N!! 183

Black to move
 Mikhail Botvinnik 89

N� 184 N!! 187

Black to move White to move

N!! 185 N!! 188

White to move White to move

N!! 186 N!! 189

White to move Black to move

90 Thinking in Schemes

N� 190 N� 193

White to move

N� 19 1 N� 194

White to move

N� 192 N� 195

White to move
 Mikhail Botvinnik 91

N2 196

White to move

LEARNING FROM MIKHAIL BOTVINNIK

90. BOlVINNIK - FLOHR, 1936 N2 197

(diagram N9 1 73) White 's plan is
to transfer the knight to d6 and then
to open the line "b" after b3-b4.
tl'ic3-b 1 is the first move in this
planl - suggested by W Steinitz (ex­
ample N� 15). Those who managed
to solve this problem get 3 points.
34. tl'ibl! �f8 35. tl'i a3 .t d8
36. tl'i c4 i.c7 37. tl'id6 :C:b8
38. llbl. If you could see and ap­
praised the sacrifice of the knight
on b7 as promising, you get addi­ 40 . . .i.xd6 is a forced exchange,
tional 2 points. after which White has an advanced
38 . . . '&ld8 39. b4 ab 40. llxb4. protected passed pawn. In the en­
suing struggle, despite some inac-
92 Thinking in Schemes

curacies, White was able to lead the ished) 51. llJfl <:Jd d7 52. W h4 <:Jd d8
game to a win. 53. <:Jdxh5 (the second stage is done)
41. ed 't{W a5 42. ttdb3 lle8 53... W e7 54. W g4 <:Jd e6 55. W g3
43. � e2 �a8 44. tte3 <:Jdf'l <:Jd d7 56. Cl:i h3 <:Jdd8 57. l£Jf4 W d7
45. � c4?! b5! 46. �c2 :C:.xd6? 58. Cl:i h5 <:Jd e6 59. Cl:ig7+ <:Jdd7
(46 . . . ba was correct) 47. cd c5+ 60. tl:if5 <:Jd c8 (the end of the third
48. W h3 ch 49. �c7+ W g8 50. d7 stage) 61. Cl:id6+ <:Jd b8 62. Cl:if5 W c8
n� 51. � d6 h6 52. \Jj'xe6+ <:J;; h7 63. <:Jdf4 Wb8 64. <:Jd e5 <:Jd c8 65. W e6
53. �e8 b3 (53 . . . �d8 54.�xf8 <:Jdb8 66. W d7 <:Jd a8 67. l£Jg3 Wb8
"¥Vxf8 55.tte8 �ti 56.d8't{W � hS+ 68. tl:ifl <:Jd a8 69. W c8. The final
57.<:Jdg2 would not go through, and position.
White wins) 54. �xa8 ttxa8 55. ab
ttd8 56. llxb3 llxd7 57. b6. Black N!! 198
resigned. After the forced 57 . . . llb7
White easily wins, moving the king
to the pawn b6. [ 1 :0)

91. BOTVINNIK - THOMAS, 1936

(diagram N9 1 74) This is a
study with the task " White to
move and win " . A.Alekhine ex­
plains how this should be done:
"l. White forces the a dvancement
of the pawn "h ". 2. Th e white king
takes the pawn "h ". 3. Wh ite moves [ 1 :0)
his knight to f5 to support the march
of his king. 4. The knight retreats to 92. BOTVI NNIK - KAN, 1939
fl and then White drives the black (diagram N9 1 75) The position
king into a stalemate p osition,forc­ on the diagram is one of the stra­
ing Black to play f3-f2. The pawn tegic revelations of M. Botvinnik.
on this square is captured and this By now this plan has become typi­
is the end. " S trictly speaking, cal. After l£J d2-e4, the exchange
there are four tasks in this exam ­ of the knights is forced , then the
ple , according to A.Alekhine. S o , bishop is transferred to d5 , where
the total score i s 8 points (2 points he presents a great power. The mark
for each stage). - 3 points.
48. Cl:ih5 W d8 49. Cl:if6 h6 16. Cl:i e4! �d8 17. tl:ixf6+ ( 17.
50. Cl:ig4 h5 (the first stage is fin- Cl:ixc5 �b6 was disadvantageous)
 Mikhail Botvinnik 93

17 ... �xf6 18. �e4 :Ub8 19. :Uad l b6 �xa8 (38 . . . �c2 39.:Uxa2 �xa2
20. h3 � a6 21. � dS. 40.�e7 was also losing) 39. �xa8
llxa8 40. �xeS �c6 41. �c7 [ 1:0]
N!! 199
93. POGREBISSKY -
BOTVINNIK, 1939
(diagram M 1 76) Black's plan is
to force the move g2-g3 by exert­
ing pressure on the pawn f4. After
this, the major pieces are tranferred
to the line "h" and then the line is
open with the move h5-h4. The
mark - 3 points.
25 . . . :Uhf8! 26. � d l !JJ e7 27. g3
(the first part of the plan succeeded)
2 1 . . .bS! (the right strategy is to 27 . . . llh8 28. �c2 h4 29. '\t' g2 !JJ fS
act vigorously) 22. cb llxb5? is a 30. �xfS (makes it an easier task
serious mistake sharply weakening for Black, since it weakens white
Black's position. It would be better squares) 30 . . .:UxfS 31. �e2 :Utb5
to decide on the variation 22 . . . �xb5 32. :Uhl.
23.c4 �c6! 24.�e4 �xd5 25.llxd5 ,
and despite a n extra white pawn, N!! 200
Black would have a fair counterplay
on the line "b".
23. c4 llb6 24. llbl lld8 (24 ...
llfb8 would be a little better)
25. llxb6 ab 26. e4! � c8. Find a
winning scheme. The answer: �a7,
:Ub l , a3-a4-a5. The mark - 2
points.
27. �a4 (it is an important
manoeuvre - the queen penetrates
Black's camp) 27 . . . � d7 28. �a7
�e8 29. llbl lld6 30. a4 W h7 32 . . . eS! Unexpected, beautiful
3 1 . aS ha 32. �xaS lla6 33. �xcS and efficient! The black bishop en­
(White has a winning position) 33 . . . ters the play with a decisive effect.
:Ua2 34. � e 3 � a6 35. :Ub8 � a4 33. de �rs 34. :Uagl hg 35. wn
36. W h2 :Ua3 37. � cS :Ua2 38. :Ua8 llxh2 36. llxh2 llxh2 [O: 1]
94 Thinking in Schemes

94. BO NDAREVSKY - 95. BOTVINNIK -

BOTVINNIK, 1941 ZAGORIANSKI, 1943
(diagram M 1 77) Black, with the (diagram M 1 78) This is an exam­
original manoeuvre �d8-g8-h7 ple of a great practical importance.
followed by g6-g5, threatening to The topic: "Weakness of an isolated
attack on the kingside , forces the pawn" . The scheme: tl:le5 and the
exchange of the queens and then exchange of knights, then the queen
wins the struggle for the centre. If is transferred to an active position in
you have found this manoeuvre, you the centre, the rook on d4, the bish­
get 4 points. op on f3. Then follows the kingside
14... �g8! lS . .t d2 �h7 pawn offensive. The mark - 3 points,
16 . .tb4 gS 17. �xh7 ttxh7 18. ef and an extra point for erudition if you
( 1 8.hg fe 19.lZJxeS+ CZJxe S 20.llxeS know this example .
.tc7 2 l.tte2 e5 also gives a big ad­ 19. tl:l eS! lZJxeS 20. �xeS �cS
vantage to Black) 18... gf 19. hg eS 2 1 . .tf3 b6 22. �b2 ttc8 23. �es
20. gf�xf6. llcd8 24. ttd4 aS.

N!! 201 N!! 202

21. .td6 lle8 22. tl:lh4 llg8 2S. g4! (this pawn offensive is
23. <;t> h2 (23. � fl was a bit bet­ aimed at creating yet another weak­
ter) 23 ....trs 24. lle2 d3 2S. :Ud2 ness on the opponent's kingside) 2S ...
(if 25.cd, then 25 ... .txd3 26.lld2 �c6 26. gS hg 27. �xgS f6 (doubling
.te4 27.tll c l <i:l d4) 2S . . . dc 26. f4 major pieces on the line "h" was
.te3 27 . .txeS+ tl:lxeS 28. fe+ �e7 threatening) 28. �g6 .tt7 29. �g3
29. It.fl cl�. White resigned, since fS?! (weakening black squares even
after 30.ttxc 1 there would follow more) 30. �gS �e6 31. W h l �eS
30 . . Jlxh4+. [0:1] 32. llgl llf8 33. �h6 ttb8 34. llh4
 Mikhail Botvinnik 95

Wf8 35. �h8+ .@.g8 36. llf4 (the N!! 203

pawn f5 is now White's target) 36 ...
:Ubb7 37. llg5 :Ut7 38 . �h5 �al+
39. Wg2 g640. �xg6 .@. h7 41. �d6+
:Ufe7 42. �d8+ [ 1:0)

96. BOTVINNIK -
KONSTANTINOPOLSKY, 1943
(diagram NQ 179) This is a typi­
cal position on the topic: ''A knight
against a "bad" bishop". The most
advantageous scheme for White is:
the king on d4, the knight on c3, the White pieces and pawns are
pawns on a4 and b4. The position ready for decisive actions.
of the rook depends on the circum­ 36. b5! ab 37. ab cb 38. tt::l xb5 llgl
stances. The mark - 3 poin ts. 39. tt::l c3 \tlfl 40. llb2 llfl 41. tt::l e 2!
23. Wf2 Wfl 24. :Udl! The pawn :Uel 42. \tl e5 (if 42 ... \tle7 then White
"d" has to be blocked! It would be er­ will win with 43.c6 d4 44.llb7+ \tl d8
roneous to go 24.:Ue 1 immediately, 45.W d6! :Uxe2 46.:Ub8+ .@.c847.c7+)
in view of 24 . . .:Uxe l 2 5.Wxe l d4 42. . . d4 43. \tlxd4 \tl g6 44. tt::l c3
26.tt::l e2 We6 27.tt::l d4 \tl d5, and the W h5 45. lle2 :Uxe2 46. tt::l xe2 \tlg4
worst things for Black are in the past. 47. W e5 .@.c8 48. tt::l d4 h5 49. tt::l xf5
24. . . :Ue8 25. :Ud2! h6 26. :Ue2 .@.d7 50. tt::l g7 .@.a4 51. f5 W g5
(this move here is fine - Black is 52. tt::l e6+ [1:0)
not in time to play d5-d4) 26...:Ub8
27. W e3 :Ub3 28. \tld4 (the king has 97. LILIENTHAL - BOTVINNIK, 1945
a dominating position in the centre, (diagram NQ 180) This is an in­
now one should activate the queenside structive position. Despite White's
pawns) 28 ... Wf6 29. tt::l a2 :Ub8 (if29 ... seemingly active position, it is stra­
a5, then 30.tt::l c l :Ub8 3 1 .b 3) 30. b4 g5 tegically hopeless. Black's plan:
31. g3 gf32. gf a6 33. tt::l c 3 llg8 34. a4 .@.d6-b4:c3, tt::l f6-e4 with the en­
llg4 35. :Uf2 .@.e6. The breakthrough suing attack on the queenside. If the
b4-b5 and the move 35 .....@.eS were white queen captures on c3, then
not preventive enough. For exam­ this means a pawn offensive , but if
ple, 36.b5! ab 37.ab cb 38.tt::l xd5+ the pawn captures, then this means
We6 39.:Ue2+ W f7 40.:Uxe8! Wxe8 swaying the rooks over the sixth rank
41.tt::l f6+ \tl e7 42.tt::l xg4 fg 43.f5 h5 to the files " a" and "b " . The mark
44.c6, and White wins. - 4 points.
96 Thinking in Schemes

18 ... .tb4! 19. �c2 lld6 20. lle2 to capture the bishop: .tf6-e7, f5-
.fi.xc3 2 1. be lll e 4 22. Wal ll a6 f4 and �c7-d6 (2 points) .
23. itWcl lld8 24. :C:c2 '.l::t dd6 25. lll g4 22 . . . .te7! 23. �cl f4 24. lll hS
(an attempt to exchange his han­ �d6.
some but useless knight with Black's
"beast of burden") 25 . . . llg6 26. h3 N!! 205
h5! (denying to trade the knights)
27. lll e 5 llgb6 28. li:lf3 itWa3!

N!! 204

25 . .tg7 (one has to trade

two pieces for a rook) 25 . . . llxg7
26. lll xg7 Wxg7 27 . .tbl Si.cs
28. itWc2 '.l::t h8 29. �e2 .fi.f6 30. �h5
The pawn c3 cannot be defend­ .fi.d7 31. .tc2 e4! (overtaking the
ed. initiative) 32 . .txe4 �e5 33. �f3
29. lll gS. In case 29.li:leS Black '.l::t e 8 34 . .fi.d3 itWxel + 35. llxel
should continue 29 . . . llb3� (but not llxe 1 + 36 . .t fl lll e4 37. � :f4 lll xc3
29 ... lll xc3 30.�xa3 '.l::t xa3 3 1.lldc l 38. �g3+ Wt7 [0:1]
'.l::tb b3 32.li:l d7+ )j;; c7 33. lll c5)
30.itWxa3 '.l::t axa3. 99. BOTVINNIK - KOTTNAUER, 1946
29 . . . lll xc3 30. �xa3 llxa3 (diagram M 182) This is yet an­
31. lldc l 8b5 32. lll xf7 llxe3 other example on the topic: ''A knight
33. lll e 5 W c7 34. g4 lll xd4 35. lld2 against a "bad" bishop". White's
8e2 36. !:t e l lll c3 37. ll c l [0: 1] task is to create a passed pawn on
the queenside and penetrate the en­
98. RATNER - BOTVINNIK, 1945 emy camp with the white rook. The
(diagram M 181) Have you no­ scheme: a3-a4, the king on c3, the
ticed that White's too brave dark­ rook breaks into Black's rear ranks ei­
squared bishop could fall in danger? ther on the line " h " , or on the line "b"
If so, then it is easy to find a scheme (after b3-b4) . The mark - 3 points.
 Mikhail Botvinnik 97

4S. a4! We7 49. llhl W d6 :i::l: a7 39. Si.fl a4! leads to creation
50. llhS i.. f5 51. Iles W c7 52. W c3 of yet another weakness in White's
Wb6 53. b4 ab+ 54. Wxb4 llt7 camp.
55. llaS.
N!! 207
N:? 206

40. ha :i::!: xa4 41. llb2 ct:J c3

Black resigned, since in re­ 42. llel '.l::!: h 7 43. llal ®t7 44. i.. e l
sponse to 55 ... i.. g6 follows 56.f5 ct:Jb5 4 5. .fi.e2 CLi :d4 46. i.. d l c5! (a
Si.h5 57.a5+ W c7 58.lla7+ Wb8 brilliant sacrifice , leading to a quick
59.'.l::!:xf7 Si.xf7 60. CLi e6 g5 6 1.Wc5 win) 47. i.. xa4 ct:Jxf3+ ! 4S. Wf2
i.. e 8 62.Wb6 .fi.d7 63.a6. [ 1:0] Si.xg4 49. i.. d l CLie5 50. i.. xg4
ct:J xg4+ 51. W gl '.l::!:xh5 52. llg2
100. LUNDIN - BOTVINNIK, 1946 i.. f6! [0:1]
(diagram M 183) Black has a win­
ning position due to weakness of the 101. STEINER - BOTVINNIK, 1946
central pawns and a passive arrange­ (diagram M 184) Black has an
ment of white pieces. One should opportunity for a systematic prepa­
sketch a plan to realise the advantage. ration of attacking actions on the
The plan is to advance b5-b4 and kingside. The scheme of the concen -
then to transfer the knight to b5 or to tration of forces: Wg8-h8, .fi.c8-d7,
c3, opening up the line «a» by way of CLi e8-g7-f5 , the rooks are doubled on
a5-a4. The mark - 3 points. the line «g». The mark - 2 points.
30 . . . b4! 31. Itel '.l::!: c 7 32. lle5 17 . . . W hS lS. @ hl . White is
ct:Jb5 33. ® h2 Si.cs 34. h4 h6 35. hg forced to adhere to a passive tactics.
hg 36. W gl Si.d7 (the bishop moved If, for example, 18.e3, then 18 . . . :i::l:g S
to d7 to free the rook for actions on 1 9.W h l llxg2 20.Wxg2 �g4+ with
the line "a") 37. I!:ce2 @f8 38. llc2 an immediate win.
98 Thinking in Schemes

18 . . . ct::l g7 19. �cl .@.d7 20. a3 31. Ci::l d3 :Ud8 32. ct::l e5 .@.e8
:Ut7 2 1 . b4 llg8 22. llgl Ci::l f5 33. h3 h5 34. �f2 :Ua6 35 . .@.f3 :Ua5
23. Ci::l d l llfg7! 36. llgl g6 37. g4.

N� 208 N� 209

The concentration of forces is 37 . . . hg 38. hg fg 39. ct::l xg4

finished. It is very hard for White ct::l xg4+ 40. :Uxg4 .@.t7 41. ct::l c4 :Ua4.
to find the moves that allow him to Black resigned, in view of 42.Ci::l e S
hold the position. White 's choice , to .@.e8 4 3 . .@.e4, and the pawn g 6 is
take the pawn f4, leads to a forced lost. [1:0]
defeat.
24. �xf4 llg4 25. �d2 ct::l h4!
103. BOTVINNIK - KERESZ, 1952
26. ct::l e3 Ci::l xf3 27. ef :Uh4 28. Ci::l fl
.@.g5. In response to the queen's (diagram NQ 186) It was a pattern
retreat, one should play 29 ... .@. f4. for Euwe (see example N! 88) and
[0: 1) many other chessplayers who stud­
ied this game and applied Botvin -
nik's plan. The plan is to play e4-e5,
102. BOTVINNIK - GEREBEN, 1952
ct::l c 3-e4-d6 and to transfer the rook
(diagram NQ 185) White's big ad­ on the third rank, and the queen
vantage can be seen with the naked through the square h4 to the kingside.
eye. The plan of strengthening the The mark - 3 points, plus 1 point for
position is to transfer the knight b4 erudition if you know this game.
to e5 and to prepare and carry on a 22. e5! Ci::l d5 23. ct::l e4 ct::l �
breakthrough on the kingside by way 24. Ci::l d6 �c7 25 .@.e4 ct::l e6. In such
•

of h2-h 3 , � g l -f2, .@.g2-f3 , :Uc l­ positions, one should decide on the

gl and g3-g4. The mark - 2 points. exchange sacrifice on d6 with the
 Mikhail Botvinnik 99

hope to hold the position. Certainly, rangement : lle3, llb5, li:la4, �c3,
it is mentally hard to deprive oneself with one of the black pawns lost.
of any chance to win but, with tight The mark - 4 points.
lips, to fight for a draw. Delaying or 25. b6! li:le8 26. llel li:l g7
refusing this decision leads to an al­ 27. lle3 �m 28. llb5 '.l::l: a8 29. li:l a4
most certain sorry result. �t7 30. �c3.
26. �h4 g6 27 . .txd5! cd
28. Itel! (depriving Black of the op­ N� 2 1 1
portunity for an exchange sacrifice)
28 . . . �d7 29. llc3 llm.

N� 210

Material losses are inevitable.

30 . . . h5 31. llxa5 llb8 32. lll b2
� h7 33. �b3 li:l g8 34. li:l d3 li:l h6
35. ll e l lZ:\g4 36. � a4 �e7 37. � c2
30. li:lfS! llfe8, hoping to give nm 38. lla7 lZ:l e8 39 . .txg4 hg
up the exchange in a much worse 40. �b5 lZ:lf6 41. a4 � g8 42. � a5!,
way now. But White is relentless. a strong preventive move repelling
31. li:l h6+! �m 32. �r6 the hidden threat 42 . . . �h7 followed
li:lg7 33. llcf3 llc8 (a spectacu­ by g6-g5 and an attack by the pawn
lar 34.�xf7+! was threatening) 34. e4. But now, in response to 42 . . . �h7
li:lxt7 lle6 35. � g5 lll f5 36. li:lh6 there will follow 43.'*'d2.
�g7 37. g4 [1:0] 42 . . . �d8 43. li:lb2 l£Jd7 44. li:l d l
li:lf6 (if 44. . . �xb6, then 45.�xb6
li:l xb6 46.l£Je3 or 44 ... li:l xb6 45.li:le3
104. BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV, 1957
with transition to a winning end­
(diagram M 187) White 's win­ game) 45. �b5 � e7 46. a5 �h7
ning plan in this position is to move 47. � d3 '.l::l: t7 48. �b2 lZ:lh5 49. llgl
b5-b6 , creating the opponent's sec­ g5 50. hgllhm 5t. �d2 '.l::l: f4 52. li:lc3
ond weakness, and to do the rear- li:lxg3 53. llxg3 �h2 54. �el, pre-
1 00 Thinking in Schemes

venting the last threat - 54. . . �xg3. 38. .@.d4 :Ueb8 39. ll:lc3 :Ub3 40. h4
[1:0) :U8b7 41. :Ua8+. " Game in the style of
Capablanca" , - M.Botvinnik [1:0]
105. BOTVINNIK - SMYSLOV, 1957
106. AARON - BOTVINNIK, 1960
(diagram N2 188) White's plan is
to provoke the move c5-c4. This is (diagram N2 189) The square d3
done by way of26.ll:lf2 with the threat is the only weakness in White's po­
27.ll:ld3. Then one should blockade sition, but it seems that all the ap­
black pawns with the move .@.c3, fol­ proaches to this square are reliably
lowed by doubling the rooks on the sealed off. If you can see an oppor­
line "a" and creating threats on the tunity for the knight to get to this
big diagonal. The mark - 5 points. key square (ll:la4-c5-d3) and you
26. ll:lf2! c4 (in response to 26 . . . know what to do next (to organize a
�d 6 White would play 2 7 .:Ufc l with pawn offensive in the centre and on
the idea to play 28.llxc4!+ - after the kingside) , you get 4 points.
27 . . . ll:l c4) 27. ab ab 28. �d2 ll ac8 27 . . .ll:l c5! 28. W e2 (it appears
29. llfcl lle8 30 .@.c3 :Uc7 31. W h l
• that the black knight is invulnerable
:Ub7 32. :Ua2 h 5 33. ti.cal. - White loses an important pawn
after 28.bc :Uxc5) 28. . . ll:ld3 29. :Ubl
N!! 212 W d6 30. a4 g5 31. lld2 llbc8 32. b5
llb8 33. ll:lb3 (White repeats the trick
performed by Black, but Black is in
time to strengthen the knight, mak­
ing the exchange disadvantageous)
33. . . e5 34. ll:lcl e4! 35. Wdl f4!

N!! 213

White is prepared to play 34.:Ua8

with decisive threats on the big di­
agonal, so Black is trying to compli­
cate the struggle.
33 ... b4 34. .@.xb4 �b6 35 . .@.c3
�e3 36. ll:ldl �xd2 37. :Uxd2 ll:ld3
 Mikhail Botvinnik 101

The position is exceedingly sim­ N� 214

ilar to example N2 68, white pieces
become cramped.
36. lle2 g4! 37. fe t3! 38. lla2
de (the pawn storm brought excel­
lent results - the space advantage
became overwhelming) 39. g3 WcS
40. tt:lxd3+ (it was impossible to toler­
ate the knight any longer, but the tm
protected passed pawns formed as a re­
sult of the exchange quickly decide the
outcome of the fight) 40 ed 41. llab2
•••

'.i::t.cb7 42. Wel a6 43. '.i::t. a l ab 44. aS 29. ab i.xb4 30. ed ed 31. lle3
lla7 45. a6 '.i::t.b646. llba2 lle6 47. �t2 '.i::t. c 2. White resigned, since he loses
h5 48. h4 gh 49. '.i::t.h l llaxa6 50. llxa6 either the pawn b2, or a piece in
:l::t.xa6 51. llxh3 :C:h6 52. Wxf3 b4 the variation 32.lle8+ Wf7 33.lla8
53. ch+ Wxb4 54. e4 c3 [0:1] � e l . [0: 1]

107. TARNOWSKI - BOTVINNIK, 108. BOTVINNIK - TAL, 1961

1960
(diagram M 191) The position
(diagram M 190) Black's task is to of the bishop on d5 is spectacular
take hold of the open line and pen­ but inefficient. The bishop on d3
etrate White's camp. This is achieved would be much more useful. After
by the manoeuvre .. Jlc4, lijVaS-b6- this transfer, one should play f2-f4,
c6, llc4-c l(c2) , lijVc6-c4. It would llfl - h l and e4-e5. The mark - 4
be also useful to advance the pawn points.
"a" up to the square a4 to pin white 35. � c4! c5 36. b5 i.f6 37. f4 d3
pawns. The mark - 2 points. (no attempt to activate the bishop
19 . . .llc4 20. lldl lijVb6 2 1. lld2 can help) 38. '.i::t. xd3 llxd3 39. i.xd3
lijVc6 22. e3 a5 23. i.g3 '.i::t. c l 24. f3 �d4 40. e5 g6 41. ll hl W g7.
f6 25. i.t2 lijVc4 26. �d3 (in case of (See diagram 215)
the capture on c4, both 26 . . . dc and 42. �e4 b6 43. i. c4. Black re­
26 . . .bc would be sound) 26 . . . a4. signed. In response to 43 ... lijV d7,
(See diagram 214) decides 44.lijVc6, but in case of 43 . . .
27. e4 �xd3 28. '.i::t. xd3 b4! is a � e 7, a beautiful variation is possible:
timely move. 28 . . . llc2 was weaker in 44.g5 llc8 45.fS gf 46.'.i::t. x h7+� Wxh7
view of 29.b4. 47.lijVh4+ Wg7 48.�h6n [ 1 :0]
102 Thinking in Schemes

N� 2 1 5 36 . . . .;ib3 37. a6 .;ic4 38. a7 ll h7

39. llal :Ua8 40 . .;i e3 (White has
two winning threats: I!a l-b l -b8
and I!a l -h l) 40 ... llb7 41. llxh6+
� g7 42. :Uahl llb2+ [ 1:0)

110. BOTVINNIK - DONNER, 1963

(diagram M 193) White's plan is
to create an outpost on c6 by way of
e2-e4, driving away the cetralized
opponent's knight, then b4-b5 and
tll d4-c6. The knight on c6 will help
109. BOTVINNIK - TAL, 1961
to organize a decisive offensive.
(diagram N2 192) White's plan: 19. e4 tll 5f6 20. b5! a6 2 1. tll c 6
play h4-h5, e4-e5, exchange on f6 .;i f8 22. a4 ab 23. ab llxa l 24. llxa l
and, advancing the pawns "r' and I!a8.
"g" , either create a passed pawn, or N� 217
penetrate the enemy camp with the
rooks along the opened lines.
30. h5 llbc8 31. e5 g6 (leads
to creation of a weakness on h6)
32. hg+ �xg6 33. ll 3c2 fe 34. de
llh8 35. llh2 :Ucc8 36. � d2, vacat­
ing the square e3 for the bishop.

N� 216

25. I!dl! (the main events will

develop in the centre) 25 . . .tll e8
26. tll c4 tll cS 27. e5! :Uc8 (in re­
sponse to 27 . . . tll c 7, with the idea to
transfer the knight to d5 , Botvinnik
prepared 28.I!d7! tll xd7 29. tll e7+!,
winning the queen) 28. I!al I!c7
29. :Ua7 (a winning move) 29 . . .�xa7
30. tll xa7 :Uxa7 31. tll xb6 [1:0)
 Mikhail Botvinnik 103

111. B01VINNIK - CZERNIAK, 1967 N� 219

(diagram M 194) The pawn cS is
a convenient target for attack. The
scheme: �c2, llJ a4, the rook on b6.
The mark - 2 points.
20. �c2 f5 21. llJ a4 �d6 22.
llabl fe 23. llxt8+ .txt8 24. llb6 �d7.

N� 218

27. �xh7+! [1:0]

1 13. B01VINNIK - AVERBAKH, 1956

(diagram M 196) White's plan is
connected to the attack on the point
g7 - the bishop b2 is very strong.
With this goal in mind, he has to play
h2-h3, g2-g4, ll h l -g l , llel-e3-g3
and g4xfS. The mark - 4 points.
25. llJxc5 I!xc5 (if 2S ... �d8,
17. h3� c5 18. g4llJ e4 19. llJxc6
then 26.llJe6 �xdS 27.cd I!xc2
�xc6 20. llgl! llf7 2 1 . lle3 �cs
28.d6 llJc6 29.d7 .te7 30.�fll with
22. gf ef 23 . .txe4 fe 24. �c3.
a win) 26 . .txc5 �c7 27. �f2 lLif5
28. I!c6 �b7 29 . .txf8 e3 30. �el N� 220
llJd4 3 1 . .tc5 [ l:O]

112. B01VINNIK - PADEVSKY, 1968

(diagram M 195) This is a com­
binational scheme in the style of Ca­
pablanca (see example N! 36). After
2S.llfS the knight is forced to retreat
to g6, then fg and �h7+! - 2 points.
25. llf5 llJ g6 (in case 2S . . .
llJf3+, 26 . .txf3 ef 27. � gS was
Point g7 cannot be defended.
winning) 26. fg :Uad8.
Black resigned. [ l:O]
 Vasily Smyslov
(born 24. 03. 1921)

INSTANCES OF THINKING I N SCHEMES I N THE GAMES

OF VASILY SMYSLOV

114. RAGOZIN - SMYSLOV, 1943 32 . . . \t>t7 33. l:tes g6 34. � cs

tlJ dS 35. b4 bS (pinning a weak
N� 221 pawn) 36. �e3 l"t d l 37. W h4 c6
38. �c5 l"t d3.

N!! 222

A scheme by Capablanca is good

for realization of an extra pawn: the
king on f7, the knight on d5, the
pawns on b5 and c6, the rook on d3. The scheme is set up, further
The mark - 3 points. It is interesting material losses for White are inevi­
that Ragozin was the loser again. table.
 Vasily Smyslov 1 05

39. g4 fg 40. �xg4 llxa3 41. f5 N� 225

gf+ 42. �xf5 '.t1.h3 43. lle2 llh5+
44. � g4tI:\f6+ 45. � g3 a546. I!:e7+
� g6 47. lle6 �f5 48. l:1.xc6 tI:le4+
(at the cost of a pawn, Black ac­
tivated his pieces) 49. �f3 ll h3+
50. �g2 llc3 51. llb6 tI:lxc5 52. ha
(52.'.t1.xb 5 was also losing in view
of 52 . . . ab) 52 . . . llb3 53. a6 tI:\ d7
54. llb7 �e6 55. a7 ll a3 56. �fl
� d6 [0:1)

M! 223 N� 226

White to move White to move

N� 224 N� 227

White to move White to move

1 06 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 228 N!! 231

Black to move Black to move

N!! 229 N!! 232

White to move

N!! 230 N!! 233

White to move Black to move

 Vasily Smyslov 107

N!:? 234 N!! 237

Black to move

N!! 235 N!! 238

Black to move

N2 236 N!! 239

White to move White to move

1 08 Thinking in Schemes

N� 240 N� 243

White to move

N� 241 N� 244

N� 242 N� 245

Black to move
 Vasily Smyslov 109

N2 246 N2 249

White to move

N!:? 247 N2 250

White to move Black to move

N2 248 N2 251

White to move White to move

1 10 Thinking in Schemes

N� 252 N� 255

N� 253 N� 256

Black to move

N� 254 N� 257

White to move White to move

 Vasily Smyslov 111

N!! 258 N!! 261

White to move

N!! 259 N!! 262

White to move Black to move

N!! 260 N!! 263

White to move White to move

1 12 Thinking in Schemes

LEARNING FROM VASILY SMYSLOV

115. SMYSLOV - KAN, 1945 becomes clear) 43. . . g5+ 44. Wf3
.th5+ 45. We3 g4 46. llxe6+ W g5
(diagram N2 223) This is a typical
47. '.l:ld6 llf8 48. llf6 [1:0)
French endgame where Black has a
"bad" light-squared bishop. White's
1 16. SMYSLOV-AIATORTSEV, 1946
plan is to activate the king by way
of Wg2-f3-e3, then l:l'.d4-b4 and (diagram N2 224) In this position,
�e3-d4, winning a pawn. The one should start from a short tacti­
mark - 2 points. cal prelude llb8l ( 1 point) , which
36. �f3 � g7 37. W e3 f6 (oth­ allows White to organize a " dead"
erwise Black will give up without bind on the big diagonal. The sub­
struggle) 38. '.l::!: b4 fe 39. fe � h6. sequent scheme of strengthening the
position: g2-g4, in response to the
N� 264 forced h7-h6 follows h2-h4, forc­
ing g6 -g5, then h4:g5, h6:g5 , fol­
lowed by '.l::!: f3-f5 , �g7-g6, .t fl ­
d3. The mark - 3 points.
28. llb8! �xb8 29. �xd4 qwds
30. �c3 '.l::!: e8 31. g4! h6 32. h4 g5
33. hg hg 34. :i::tr5 �g6 35. it.d3.

N� 265

40. '.l::!: f4! The position has

changed and White redirects the at­
tack. The straightforward 40.�d4
'.l::!: c 8 4 1..txb5 was weaker in view of
4 1 . . .it.xb5 42.'.l::!:x b5 llc4+ 43.<;2Je3
�g5 with counterplay.
40 . . . llc8 41. llt7 '.l::!: d8 42. �f4
.te8 43. lle7 (beside threatening the
pawn e6, White intends to play43.g3- 35 . . . ll:l e4. All Black's moves
g4, so Black is not in time to play were forced. He is in dire straits.
d5-d4, and the outcome of the game 36. qw c4 ll:ld6 37. '.l::!: xf7+ [ 1 :0]
 Vasily Smyslov 113

117. PETROSIAN - SMYSLOV, 1949 N� 267

(diagram M 225) Black has a
neat rearrangement of pieces lead­
ing to a quick win: lld5-e5-e4,
.tf4-e3 and then the king marches
to the square c3. Those who found
this plan are awarded with 3 points.
43 ... lle5 44 . .te2 .t e3! 45 . .tdl
Wf6 46 . .t e2 :C:e4.

N� 266
After opening the lines, the ac­
tive white pieces enter the play with
big force.
40... ef 41. 't>JJlxe7 llxe7 42. :.C:xf4
llee8 43. :C:gf2. Black resigned,
since after 43 . . . .te7 44. .tb2+ Wg8
45 . .tg7 llxf4 46Jlxf4 there is no
defence against 47 . .td7. [ 1:0]

119. SMYSLOV - SIMAGIN, 1951

[0: 1)
(diagram M 227) The scheme
devised by the 7th World Champion
118. SMYSLOV - LIUBLINSKY, 1950 in this game, - f2-f4, g2-g4-g5,
.te2-f3, t2l c3-e4, exchanging
(diagram M 226) White's plan is
the dark-square bishops - allowed
to transfer the king to the queenside,
White to take control over the cen­
opening the play in the centre. The
tre and created good conditions for
planned moves are: llg2-g4, W h l­
active actions on the kingside. The
g2-fl-e l -d l, llg l-fl , f3-f4. The
mark - 4 points.
mark - 5 points.
18. f4! t2l df6 19 . .tf3t2l c7 20. g4!
33. :C:g4 t2id8 34. W g2! W g8
(capture of the pawn 20 . .txb7 gave
35. wn w h8 36. w e l llf7 37. W d l
Black counter-chances after 20 . . .
:c: m 38. ll4g2 :c: n 3 9 . :c: n IIm
d5) 20 ... b 5 21. g5 t2ife8 2 2 . h4 b4
(Black has no opportunity to change
23. t2i e4 .txb2 24. 't>JJixb2.
the situation) 40. f4!
1 14 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 268 :C:xe3) 42 ... Wc8 (42 ... :C:f5+ 43.W d6

lt::l e 8+ 44.Wc6 We7 45. :C:b7+ Wf8
46.lt::l xe6+ �g8 47. lle7+ - or 42...
We7 43.e4 :C:f2 44. llb7 W d8 45.� d6
:C:d2+ 46. ®c6+ - ) 43. �d6 llt2
44. W c6! llc2 45. :C:b7 lt::l e8 46. lla7
W b8 47. :C:e7 [1:0]

120. EVANS - SMYSLOV, 1952

(diagram M 228) Black's task is
to exchange the active dark-square
white bishop and to encircle the
White has a strong attacking po­ weak central pawn d5. The scheme:
sition. li:l e5-d7, the bishops exchange,
24. . . d525. li:lf2!1{Wg726. �xg7+ :C:c8-c 5, li:l d7-f6 - 3 points.
li:lxg7 27. l':i:lg4 li:lf5 28. Wf2 (ex­ 24... li::l d 7 25. fi.. xg7 ®xg7 26.
changing the queens would scarcely fi.. g4 :C:c5 27. :C:fel li:l f6 28. fi.. f3.
simplify Black's position) 28 . . . dc.
28 ... li::l xh4 29.li:lf6+ ® g7 30.:C:hl N!! 269
was bad, but if 28 ... d4, then 29.e4
li:ld6 30.Wg3 with the ensuing at­
tack on the line " h " .
2 9 . b e a5 30. li::l f6+! Wg7 3 1.
li:ld7 :.C:f7 32. lt::l xc5 llxd 1 3 3. :C:xdl
li:lxh4 34. ctJ d7! li:l xf3 35. Wxf3
li:ld5 36. li:lc5! (White cannot ac­
cept transition into a rook ending)
36. . . li:l c7 37. W e4! the white king is
about to penetrate the enemy camp.
37 . . . :C:f5 is prohibited now in view
of 38. lld7+ llf7 39. :C:xc7 :C:xc7 40. 28 ...e6! The pawn d5 is lost.
li:lxe6+. 29.�b2 ed 30.b4 :C:b 5 3 1.:C:d4 was a
37... h6 38. :C:d6 hg 39. fg Wf8 better way out for White.
40. :C:c6 ® e8 41. W e5! Wd8 42. llb6! 29. �b4 ed 30. l{Wxb7? :C: c7!
(the king's invasion onto d6, which Though White won back a pawn,
would be inefficient just a moment but at a high cost - the queen was
before, is now in preparation: 42. �d6 caught in a trap. [0: 1)
lt::l e 8+ 43.�e6 lle7+ and 44 ...
 Vasily Smyslov 1 15

121. SMYSLOV - RABAR, 1952 122. SMYSLOV - KERESZ, 1952

(diagram N2 229) White's (diagram N2 230) White's plan is
scheme: l}j! f4-e5-a5, e4-e5, the connected to the pawn offensive on the
rook on the line "d" , ctJg3-e4. The queenside. The plan includes the moves
mark - 5 points. b2-b4-b5, �dl-b3, a3-a4, .@.cl­
2 1 . l}j!e5+ �f6 22. �a5! An a3, a4-a5. The mark - 3 points.
excellent position for the queen in 9. b4 tZJ bd7 10. l}j!b3 ..@., b7 11. 0-0
such situations: let's recall, for ex­ lle8 12. b5! .@.d6 13. h3 (eliminating
ample, the 34th game of the match an opportunity for the known combi­
Alekhine - Capablanca. nation with a sacrifice of the bishop on
22 . . . tt:J c8 (Black would not ac­ h2) 13 ... tt:Jts 14. a4 0e4 15. 0xe4 de
cept the variation 22 . . . �xb2 23.llb l 16. .@.c4 l}j!f6 17 . .@.a3 llad8 18. a5!
l}j!d4 24.�xa7±) 23. e5 '<Wf4 24. llc4
N!! 271
l}j!f7 25. lld4 b6 26. �d2 c5 27. lld7
lle7 28. lldl b5 29. tt:J e4.

N!! 270

On implementing his plan,

White gained an evident advantage
on the queenside.
18... tt:Jg6 19. ab ab 20. .@.xd6
White's major pieces seized the cd 21. .@.d5! .@.xd5 22. �xd5 l}j!e6
open line, the knight dominates in 23. tt:Jc3 CZJ� (23 ...llc8 24.'<Wxe6
the centre. Black's position is criti­ llxe6 25. tt:Jd5 llb8 26.lla6 lead to a
cal. pawn loss) 24. l}j!xe6 fe (24...llxe6
29 . . . tt:Jb6 30. lld6 c4 31. .@.c2 25.0 d5 ctJd7 26.llfc l±) 25. 0xe4
h6 32. '<Wd4 tt:J d5? And the oversight d5 26. ctJg5 e5 27. de d4 28. ed llxd4
caps it all. In case 32 . . . W h7 it could 29. lla7! (29.f4 was prohibited in
be 33.h4 tt:J d5 34.h5 lZJ f4 35.hg+ view of 29 . . . h6) 29 ... lld5 30. f4 llxb5
tt:Jxg6 36.ll e l followed by 37.lle3. 31. 0e4 llb8 32. 0d6 lla5 33. llxa5
33. llxd5. Black resigned. [1:0) ha 34. f5! 0d7 35. e6 0f6 36. g4 h6
116 Thinking in Schemes

37. ti.al lld8 38. Cl:ic4 l:tc8 39. Cl:ie5 31. llxe4 (White has no satisfac­
llc5 40. Cl:ig6 l:t.b5 41. l:t.cl Ilb8 tory defence yet) 31...Uj'h2+ 32. �fl
42. llc4 I:!:a8 43. lla4 Cl:id5 44. Cl:ie5 j.g3+ 33. �f3j.e5 34. �f2 lle6 35.
Cl:ic3 45. llc4 Cl:ib5 46. Cl:i d7 Cl:id6 l:t.xe5 Uj'xe5 36. W e2 lled6 [0:1]
47. t!.a4 Cl:ie8. A picturesque position.
Now the white king enters the play. 124. TAIMANOV - SMYSLOV, 1953
48. Wf2 Cl:if6 49. Cl:i e5 wf8 (diagram M 232) Black pieces
50. �f3 Cl:id5 51. Cl:ic6 g6 52. Ild4 are actively arranged. Besides, White
l:t.c8 53. llxd5 llxc6 54. llxa5 gf has hopelessly weak black squares
55. gf W e7 56. l:t.a7+ [ 1:0] on the kingside. V. Smyslov neatly
uses this occasion with the ensu­
123. MILEV - SMYSLOV, 1953 ing regrouping of pieces: �h4-g5,
(diagram M 231) The assessment j_f4-b8, Uj'g5-e5. The finders of
of the position clearly favours Black. this regrouping get 3 points.
White has weak black squares on 28 . . . �g5! 29. a5 j.b8 30. �a6
the kingside , a passive bishop , and Uj'e5 31. �fl.
the weak pawn f6. The move 26 . . .
c5-c4 gives Black more space and N!! 273
prepares a base for the manoeuvres
�c7-c5-e5 or �c7-c5-g5-g3. 3
points for the correct answer.
26 . . . c4! 27. ab ab 28. ll adl Uj' c5
29. llfl �g5! 30. l:t.d4 (if 30.�f2 ,
then 30 . . . h 4 3 1.l:t.d4 j. c S 32.Ilxd8
l:t.xd8 33.lle 1 lle8 with the idea 34. . .
l:t.e6) 30 . . . �g3!

M� 272

31.. .Cl:ib3! (a vigorous com­

pletion of the attack) 32. Cl:id5 (if
32.Cl:ic6, then 32 . . . Cl:id2+ 33.l:t.xd2
�xa l + and wins) 32 . . . Cl:i d2+
33. l:t.xd2 Uj'xal+ 34. We2 �e5+
35. � d l �al+ 36. W e2 ll e8+
37. Cl:i e3 l:t.cl (Black has both the
exchange and the opportunity for
an attack) 38. j.d5 llel+ 39. �f3
 Vasily Smyslov 1 17

�e5 40. tll n �f4+ 41. Wg2 llxn 35.ef Cll d5 , threatening with 36 . . .
42. lle2 l:rxe2 43. �xe2 Itel 44. tll e 3) 3 4. . . Cll g4 35 . .t e l de 36 . tll f5
�e8+ W h7 45. it.xt7 � h2+ [0:1] it. :f5 37. ef l:rxg2! (here is the final
blow) 38. l:rc8+ W h7 39. d4 llxh2+
125. KERESZ - SMYSLOV, 1959 40. Wgl Si.xd4+ [0:1]
(diagram M 233) In this position,
the 7th World Champion found a 126. OLAFSSON - SMYSLOV, 1959
scheme for strengthening his pieces: (diagram M 234) The advantage
b6-b 5 , llf8-c8, it. e7-d8-b6. If of Black, who commands the second
you have found this plan too , you rank, is almost winning. He should
get 3 points. find a manoeuvre to strengthen his
23 . . .b5! (this small move has position: h6-h5, forcing a weaken­
many benefits: the pawn b4 is ing move g4-g5, and then transfer­
pinned, the square c4 is taken under ring the knight tll f6-h7-f8-e6-d4
control, there is enough space for - let's recall example N2 4l The
the bishop's manoeuvre) 24. tll c2 mark - 5 points.
l:ra2 25. tll b3 llc8 26. tll cd4 it.d8! 34 . . . h5! 35. g5 (35 . . . hg 36.hg
27. I!xc8 it.xc8 28. !:rel it.d7 Cll xg4 was threatening) 35 . . . tll h7
29. W hl �a8 30. it.h4 Ji.b6. 36. llc3 �bl+ 37 . ..tn ( 37.�fl is
prohibited in view of 37 . . . llxg2+l
N!! 274 38.Wxg2 �b2 , winning a rook) 37 ...
tll f8! 38. � e3 tll e6 39. h4.

Black has a big advantage as a re­

sult of these ace-high manoeuvres.
31. �dl (3 1 . it.xf6 gf is harm­
less for Black) 31...�a4 32. it.el 39 . . .�dl (White cannot avoid big
h6 33. it.c3 e5! (opening attack) material losses) 40. �e5+ Wh7 41. f5
34. fe (if 34.Cll f5 , then 34. . . it.xf5 l:rbl. White resigned due to varia-
1 18 Thinking in Schemes

tion 42.fg+ fg 43.�f6 �g4+ 44.<;t> h l 38. Ilxc4 �hl+! 39. W g3 h5

�:xh4+ 4S.Wgl WxgS+. [0:1) [0:1)

127. GLIGORIC - SMYSLOV, 1959 128. SMYSLOV - HORT, 1960

(diagram N2 235) The rearrange­ (diagram N2 236) White's scheme
ment of black pieces for an attack is to organise an outpost on d6 after
along the weakened big diagonal be­ the double exchange on eS, then f2-
gins from a spectacular blow ll:JdS­ f4, e4-eS, ll:Jg3-e4-d6. The mark
e3, then ll:Je3-c4 and �c7-c6. The - 2 points.
mark - 3 points. 19. de t£:\xe5 20. ll:Jxe5 Ilxe5
34... ll:J e3! (such strategically 21. f4 Ile7 22. e5 :Ud8 23. Wc3 ll:Jd5
sound moves with tactical "filling" 24. Wb3. If now 24 .. .fS, prevent­
adorn chess games) 35. l:r fal (cer­ ing the knight ' s manoeuvre, then, as
tainly, 3S.�xe3 Wc6 36.dS llxdSl V.Smyslov pointed out, 2S.ef �xf6
is harmful for White) 35 ... ll:J c4 26.Wd3 cs 27.�xg6+ �xg6 28 ..txg6
36. ll:Jg3 (to 36.Ilxc4 W xc4 37.I!:xaS ll:Je3 29.l:rfel l:rd2 30.Ilc2 Ilxc2 (30...
Black has a strong rejoinder: 37 .. . ll:Jxc2 3 1.l:rxe7 llxg2+ 32.�fl .tf3
.te7l with the idea 38 . . . .t h4) 36 . . . 33.fSJ) 3 1..txc2 �f8 32. Ile2± .
.te7 37. ll:Jfl?! (White cannot find 24... h5 25. ll:Je4 �h6 26. Ilcdl
a better defence: 37.�e2l .tdS nm 27. ll:Jd6! �h7. 27 ...ll:Jxf4 is pro­
38.ll:Jfl Ila8 39.ll:Je3 ll:J xe3 40.�xe3 hibited in view of28.�e3 gS 29.ll:JfS .
.tc6 4 1.c4 .txa4 42.l:rxa4 � c6
43.�xb3 We4 with mutual oppor­ N!! 277
tunities) 37. . . � c6.

N!! 276

The knight reached the desti­

nation point and White immedi­
ately begins to storm the opponent's
There is no defence. kingside.
 Vasily Smyslov 1 19

28. f5! .@.a6. 28 ... � e 3+ is also .@.hS 27.li:JxdS! would be dull)

futile, for example 29.�xe3 li:Jxe3 24. li:Jxe4 de 25. h5 .@.h7 26. g5 hg
30.fg+ fg (30 .. .'�g7 3 1.lld3 li:J xfl 27. li:Jxg5 .@.xg5 (if 27 . . . li:Jxd4, then
32.li:JfS+ Wxg6 33.li:Jxe7+ Wg5 28.li:Jxh7 li:J f3+ 29.l}j!xf3!) 28. �xg5
34.h4++ - ) 3 1 .:UxIB li:Jxdl 32.:Uf6. f6 (but here the capture of a pawn
29. :Ufel li:Jf4 30. �f3 :Ud8 31. 28 . . . li:J xd4 is impossible in view of
li:Jxt7! (the final blow) 3 1.. .llxdl 32. 29.�e3 li:Jac6 30 . ..@.bS) 29 . .@.c4+
llxdl .@.e2 33. fg+ li:Jxg6 34.li:Jxh6 [ 1 :0]
.@.xf3 35. gf Wxh6 36. lld6 [1:0]
130. PETROSIAN - SMYSLOV, 1961
129. SMYSLOV - SPASSKI, 1960 (diagram Af2 238) This is a tech­
(diagram Af2 237) White concen­ nical position to test yourself. The
trates powerful forces for an attack scheme of realization of an extra
on the kingside according to the pawn: :Ud4-a4-a3 , the king goes
scheme: g2-g4, .@.f4-g3 , �d2-f4 to the centre, pawns are advancing
and h3-h4. The mark - 4 points. g7-g5 , h6-h5, b 6-b5-b4, a7-a5,
18. g4! .@.g6 19 . .@.g3 h6 20. l}j!f4 then the rook is transferred to b5,
(the queen is transferred with tempo supporting the creation of a passed
to the attacking position) 20 . . . :Ue7 pawn. The mark - 3 points.
2 1. .@.fl! (easing the opponent's 31.. .:Ua4 32. :Ue2 'ftt f7 33. f3 b5
pressure along the open line) 2 1 . . . 34. Wf2 Wf6 35. W g3 g5 36. h3 h5
llae8 2 2 . llxe7 llxe7 2 3 . h4! 37. W g2 h4 38. Wf2 ll a3 39. W g2
b4 40. 'ftt f2 a5 41. 'ftt g2 :Uc3.
N� 278
N� 279

23 . . .lle4 (Black sacrifices ex­

change , since , for example , 23 . . . White resigned without waiting
.@.e4 24.gS .@.xf3 25.gf .@.xd l 26.fe for :Uc3-c5-b5, etc. [0: 1]
1 20 Thinking in Schemes

131. SMYSLOV - HAAG, 1963 bishop is transferred to d3 to support

(diagram N2 239) In Black's posi­ the pawn "h") 31. . .llf3 32. llg2 $.e8
tion, the point e5, the pawn e6 and the 33. $.d3 ll:l e8 34. h7 ll:l d6 35. llxe6
king.side pawns are weak. White must $.d7 36. ll:l e5 llfl + (36 ... llxd3 37.
prevent the move g6-g5 and strength­ ll:lxd7+ W c8 38.cd+ - ) 37. $.xfl
en pressure on the opponent's weak­ $.xe6 38. $.d3 ll:le4 39. $.xe4 de 40.
nesses. The scheme: h2-h4, $.g2- llh2 (the following is simple) 40 ...
h3, the rooks on the line "e", ll:l c3- $.f5 41. W d2 e5 42. de W e7 43. W e3
dl -e3(f2)-g4. The mark 4 points. llxh7 44. llxh7+ $.xh7 45. ll:lt7
18. h4! W b8 19. $.h3 $.e8 $.g6 46. ll:lxg5 Wc6 47. ll:lxe4 W d5
20. lld3! (doubling of the rooks is 48. c4+ W e5 49. ll:l d2 $.e8 50. g4 a5
in preparation and the square dl 51. ll:lf3+ Wf6 52. Wf4 a4 53. g5+
is vacated to allow for the knight's W e7 54.ll:ld4 $.g6 55. ba $.d3 56. e6
manoeuvre) 20. . . ll:l e7 2 1 . ll:l d l be 57. e5 [1:0)
ll:lf5 22. ll:l e5 g5 (this advancement
brings no relief to Black - the op­ 132. SMYSLOV PACHMAN, 1967
-

ponent creates a passed pawn on (diagram N2 240) White 's plan:

the line "h") 23. fg hg 24. h5! ll:l d6 seize the point d5 and organise an
25. ll:le3 llh8 26. ll:l 3g4 llf5 27. h6. attack on the kingside. The scheme:
$.h4xf6 , ll:l fl -e 3-d5 , f4-f5. The
N!! 280 mark - 3 points.
26. ll:l e3 lle8 27. $. xf6! $.xf6
28. ll:l d5 $.g7 29. f5!
N!! 281

An accurately implemented plan

allowed White to achieve a decisive
advantage.
27 ... ll:le4 28. $.g2 ll:lf2 29. lld2 As a result, White has an excellent
ll:lxg4 30. ll:lxg4 $.d7 31. $.fl! attacking position. By the way, the
(again an excellent manoeuvre - the pin ll:l d5 and the pawn f5 are part of
 Vasily Smyslov 121

the known formation by Capablanca The trap has snapped. White re­
(C£:\d4 - the pawns b4 and f4) aimed signs. [O: 1)
at controlling the maximal number
of squares in the enemy camp. 134. HUEBNER - SMYSLOV, 1969
29 ... �e5 30. I!:fl gf3 1. efWh7 32. (diagram M 242) In this ending,
Whl llc6 33. �h5 ll� 34. lleel �d8. Black has an opportunity to strength­
In response to 34... I!:cS V.Smyslov en the position of his pieces accord­
points out this beautiful variation: ing to the scheme: Wg8-h7, lla8-
35.llxeSl de 36.Q:lf6+ Wg7 37. Q:Jg4 g8-g4, d5-d4, �c4-d5, possibly
llh8 38.f6+ � f8 39. Q:Jxe5 llc740.lld1 � h7-g6-f5. The mark - 4 points.
We8 41.Q:lxf7l I!:xf7 42. �xe5+ �f8 33 . . . W h7! 34. b4 I!:g8 35. �e7
43.�cS+l �cs 44.lld8#. llg4 36. �g5 d4 37. llhl �d5
35. f6 llc5 36. t!.e4! Black re­ 38. ll h2 �g6 39. b5.
signed, since after 36 . . . llxdS follows
37.llh4 �xf6 38.t!.xf6. [1:0] N� 283

133. BILEK SMYSLOV, 1968

-

(diagram M 241) The white

queen is in a dangerous situation.
Black's task is to weave a net to cap­
ture the opponent's most powerful
piece. The scheme: I!: e7-c7, forc­
ing a4-a5 , then llb2-b5, llb5-c5
and :Uc5-c6.
36 . . . llc7 37. a5 I!:b5 38. llal
I!:bc5.
As a result of a fine play the
N� 282 black rook and the white bishop are
now "off-side" and cannot defend
the queenside pawns.
39 . . . I!:g3 (the rook starts hunt­
ing for white pawns) 40. �xh4 llb3
41. W e2 �c4+ 42. � d l I!:xb5 (the
pawn a5 is now to move) 43. �e 1
llbl+ 44. � d2 llal 45. f5+ disen­
tangling the rook. But now enters
the black king, joining the attack on
his white colleague.
122 Thinking in Schemes

45 ... Wxf5 46. '.'a.xh5+ W e4 47. 1 36. SMYSLOV - RESHEVSKY, 1970

llh7 :Uxa5 48. '.'a.xt7 '.'a.a2+ 49. W cl (diagram M 244) This is a typical
b5 50 . .td2 @ d3 51. llf2 Ji.d5 52. g4 position which can come of the Si­
b4 53. g5 llc2+ [0: 1) cilian Defence and " an iron hand"
positions of the English Opening.
135. SMYSLOV - STEIN, 1969 So, if you cannot devise the required
(diagram M 243) White has a win­ scheme accurately, try to under­
ning endgame. One should find the stand and remember the actions
most accurate and technical way of of an outstanding master of posi­
achieving a win. This way is in creat­ tional play, the 7'h World Champion
ing a pair of connected passed pawns V. Smyslov. So, White 's plan is to
in the centre. The scheme: g2-g4, strengthen his position, to pressure
after the forced hg, the king captures on the weak pawn d6 and to pre­
on g4, the bishop is transferred to pare active actions on the kingside.
the diagonal h2-b8 and the way for The moves Ji.g2-h3-f5, b2-b3,
white pawns is cleared with the move h4-h5, �e2-g4, lld l-d3-f3 serve
h4-h5. The mark - 4 points. this goal, and finally, td:Jc3-d5. The
42. g4 hg 43. Wxg4! .fi. d l 44. mark 7 points.
Wf4 @t7 45 . .td4 W f8 46. W e3 23 . .fi. h3 :C:c7 24. '.'a.d3 .tb7
Wf7 47 . .te5 W e6 48 . .t g3! Wf6 25. b3 .fi.c6 26. :Ucd l .tf8 27. �e3
(in case 48 . . . W d7 White won after �b7 28. Wh2 W h8 29. h5! (one of
49.h5! gh 50.f4 c5 5 1.bc Wc6 52. the key moves of the plan, which al­
W d4 @b5 53.f5) 49 . .tf4 We6 50. lows white pieces to take hold of ac­
h5! gh 51. .tg3. tive positions) 29 . . . @ g8 30 . .tf5 �b8
31. �f3 '.'a.e7 32. �g4 VJ!ic7 33. llf3
N2 284
'.'a.ee8 34. '.'a.cl '.'a.e7 35. td:J d5!

N2 285

White pawns have an open way

to queening. Black resigned. [ 1 :0]
 Vasily Smyslov 123

The invasion, having been pre­ forcing e4-e5, then back li:l c 5-e6
pared so carefully and for so long and, finally, Ub5-d5-dl. The mark
time, comes to life at the required - 5 points.
moment. Black has been forced to 2S . . . li:lcS! 26. eS (26. li:l a3 is not
exchange on d5 , and now White has allowed, since after 26 ... Uxb2 27.
an opportunity to attack on the di­ �xc 5 Uxa2 28.We2 b6 29.�e7 W f7 ,
agonal b l-h7. But before removing the knight is lost) 2 6. . . li:l e6 27. �f2
the white knight from the board, look I!dS 28. �g3 (28 . . . b5 was threaten­
at the position once again. We see a ing) 28 . . . lldl+ 29. We2 llbl.
variation of Capablanca's scheme!
3S . . . �xdS 36. ed e4 (an almost N!! 286
forced sacrifice) 37. �xe4 lleS
38. �d3 llde8 39. W g2 l)J!/e7 (an
attempt to win back a pawn by way
of 3 9 . . . llg5 would lead to disaster
after 40.�h3 llee5 4 1 .�f5 llxd5
42.cd l)J!/xc l 43.�e6!) 40. nrs llel
41. llxe l �xel 42. I!f3! (vacating
the square f5 for the queen) 42 . . .
�e7 43. �rs g6 44. h g r6 4S. �xr6
�g7 46. l)J!/f7+ W h8 47. l)J!/xe7
llxe7 48. llr4 W g8 49. llh4 Ires
so. wn hS st. llr4 lle8 s2. �rs White cannot avoid material
�r6 s3. � d7 nrs S4. nrs h4 ss. gh losses. The remaining is easy.
�xh4. Find a winning scheme for 30. b3 bS 31. li:l aS cS 32. li:lc6
2 points. The answer: the bishop is llal 33. W d2 llxa2 34. �fl Wf7
transferred to f7, the rook retreats to 3S. wet Ual+ 36. W b2 Uhl
f3, and the king goes to e6. 37. �g3 llgl 38. li:lb8 aS 39. li:lc6
S6. �e6+ W g7 S7. �f7 Uh8 Uxg2 40. li:lxaS li:l d4 41. W c3
S8. W g4 �r6 S9. Uf3! llhl 60. wrs li:l e2+ [0:1)
llel 61. lle3 llfl 62. W e6 �d4
63. Wxd6 [ 1 :0) 138. SMYSLOV KURAJICA, 1970
-

(diagram M 246) 7 points is the

137. HUEBNER SMYSLOV, 1970
- award for the plan carried out by
(diagram M 245) Black should White. It is connected to an attack
activate the rook to realise the ex­ on the kingside and includes the
change. This is done with a precisely moves: Wgl-h l , h2-h4, �g2-h3,
calculated manoeuvre: li:l e6-c5 , Ufl -g l-g2 , Ud l-gl and g3-g4.
124 Thinking in Schemes

18. � hl! �t7 19. h4 fi.d8 20. ideal positions. The white king's
fi. h3 fi.c7 21. l:Igl! l{We7 22. fi.b2. march �g2-f3-e4-d5 ends the
Preparing for active actions, White struggle, then fi. f6-e5-b8 with ma­
does not forget about preventive terial gains. You have certainly found
measures (e6-e5 was threatening) . this manoeuvre and get 3 points.
22 . . . i.d8 23. I!g2 ll a7 24. Ildgl 3 1 . � g2 �f8 32. �f3 ct::l g7
�e8 25. g4! 33. � e4 ct::l e8 34. fi.e5.

Ni:! 287 Ni:! 288

25.. .f4 (not allowing for a disas­ 34 . . . a5 without waiting for the
trous opening of the file "g") 26. �d3 planned finish, but White is on
g5 27. hg hg 28. :C:.h2! (beginning a new alert.
regrouping of forces directed to the sei­ 35. llxb6 a4 36. �d5 ab 37. ab
zure of the line "h") 28 .. .'�g7 29. fi.fl lla2 38. :C:.b8 [1:0]
�g6 30. l{Wxg6+ �xg6 31. �g2 llg8
32. I:i:ghl �fl 33. Ilh7+ :C:.g7 34. llh8 140. SMYSLOV PEEV, 1973
-

�e7 (if34 ...:C:.g8, then 35.ll lh7+ �f8 (diagram N9 248) In this position,
36.ct::l e S ct::lxe5 37.Ilxg8+ with a win) White has many benefits: two bish­
35. e3! (the bishop should take his ops, a strong pawn centre, and the
place on d3) 35 .. .fe 36. fe :C:.c7 37. fi. d3 open file "f'. His task is to arrange
e5 38. de ct::l ts 39. e6! We8 40. fi.xg7 his forces correctly to exploit these
llxg7 41. ct::i d4 i.f6 42. no c1:01 benefits. The scheme: �dl-fl , d3-
d4, �fl-d3, l:Ib l-fl , g3-g4 with
139. SMYSLOV - DAMJANOVIC, the ensuing preparation and carrying
1973 out g4-g5. The mark - 3 points.
(diagram N9 247) White has a 20. �fl! ct::l f8 21. d4 ct::l ed7
winning position. His pieces are in 22. �d3 ct::l h7 23. :C:bfl t!.f8 24. g4.
 Vasily Smyslov 125

N� 289 unexpected moves. White 's defence

breaks down.
39. W c4 ct:\f5 40 . .@.d4 e3
41. W d3 llg2 42. llbl lld2+ [0:1)

142. SOLMUNDARSON - SMYSLOV,

1974
(diagram N2 250) Black's position
is strategically winning. Since the op­
ponent has no counterplay, Black can
build up his advantage throughout the
chessboard. But while his plan on the
White pieces are ready for deci­ queenside is evident - a7-a5-a4, on
sive actions. the kingside, the manoeuvre �h5-
24... :C:be8 25. .@.d2 ct:\ g5 26. h4! h4-g3 and transferring the king to h4
ct:lh7 (it is clear that capture on e4 requires both mastery and self-reli­
is impossible) 27. �g3 �e6 28. e5! ance. The mark - 4 points.
l}j!xc4 (28 ... de is bad in view of 32 . . . l}j!h4! 33 .@.e2 a5 34. W a2
•

29 . .@.d5 l}j!d6 30.:C:xf? W h8 3 1 .g5l hg .@.e6 35. Wbl Wf6 36. Wc2 h6 37.
32.hg�g6 3 3.�h3 c6 34 ..@.e6J) 29. ed Wbl .@.rJ 38. :C:dl .@. h5 39 . .@.fl .@.rJ
c6 30. g5 hg 31. hg :C:e2 32. ll lf2 40 .@.e2 .@.e6 41. llhl a4 42. W c2
•

llxf2 33. llxf2 lle8 34. �f3 ct:\ h� W g6! 43. Wbl (if 43.b3 , then 43 ...
(34 . . .ct:lb8 35.d5 �xd5 36.l}j!xd5 l}j!g3 44.�xg3 fg 45. .@.fl ab+ 46.
cd 37 ..@.xd5 :C:f8 38.:C:e2 :C:d8 3 9.g6 Wxb3 b5 47.a4 g2 48 ..@.xg2 .@.xc4+
ct:\f6 40 ...@.xf?+ W f8 41..@.f4 ct:lbd7 49.W c2 ba, and Black wins) 43...
42.llh2 was useless, and White wins) l}j!g3 44. l}j!fl W h5 45. Wc2 W h4.
35. l}j!xc61}j!d3 36. �f3 1}j!g6 37 . .@. h3
l}j!bl+ 38. .@.fl �xa2 39. c4. If 3 9 ... N� 290
f6, then 40.�d5+ ct:l e6 4 1.gf. [1:0)

141. GHEORGHIU - SMYSLOV, 1973

(diagram N2 249) You are to real­
ise material advantage. Are you up to
this task? If you find the scheme: We6
and ct:\f5 followed by e4-e3, then you
are, and you will get 3 points.
37 . . . W e6 38. :C:xb7 ct:l h6!, the
powe r of a knight shows itself in such
126 Thinking in Schemes

46. b3 (trying to counterplay, The scheme is set up. Black

but in vain) 46... bS 47. ba (47.cb pieces are pinned down defending
ab+ 48. W b l c4 49. .ltxc4 .txc4 his weaknesses, but White has re­
SO.\{Wxc4 IJiWg2- + ) 47 ...ba 48 . .td3 sources to increase pressure.
h5 49. Wbl l{Wf2 50. l{Wxfl+ .txf2 34. . .llbc8 35. l:la2 (this rook can
51. llh2 W g3 [0:1) be used to prepare forb3-b4as well as
for actions on the kingside) 35 ... .lte7
143. SMYSLOV - MATANOVIC, 1976
36. l:1b2 Cl:ih� 37 . .tf3 Cl:ih7 38. Wfl!
(diagram M 251) Black has weak
rs 39. gf gr 40. llg2+ wr6 41. .lt hS!
pawns a6 and cS. The planned scheme
fe 42. Cl:if2 Cl:idf8 43. Cl:ixe4+. Ma­
to attack the weaknesses: the rook on
tanovic gave up due to mate in
aS, the knights on a4 and d3, the bish­
three after 43 ... WfS 44.llf2+ Wxe4
op on e3. The mark - 3 points. By the
4S.® e2 and 46.Cl:ic3# [1:0]
way, this arrangement of white pieces
is very similar to that in example N9 43 144. SMYSLOV - LARSEN, 1979
Capablanca-Thomas. (diagram M 252) The target of
18. lla3 is a temporary retreat. attack by white pieces is the weak­
The move b2-b3, strengthening ness on b4, which appeared after
white pawns, is in preparation. a2-a3 and a3xb4. The continuation
18....td6 19. Cl:iel h5 20. h3 0-0 of the scheme: the rook on a4, the
21. Cl:id3 Cl:ib6 22. b3 .ltb7 23. .te3 bishop on d2, the knight on d3, the
1:1fc8 24. llaS Cl:ibd7 25. llfal .tc7 pawn on b3. The mark - 3 points.
26. ll5a2 .td6 27. .ltf3 llc7 28. l:laS 15. a3! f6 16. Cl:id3 Wt7 (if there
.tc8 29 . .tdl g6 30. ®g2 Wg7 was an exchange on a3, then it would
31. ti: la3 .tb7 32. g4!, playing all over be hard to defend the pawn on cS af­
the chessboard. It threatens 33.g4-gS. ter transferring the rook to bS) 17. ab
32 ... hg 33. hg Cl:i h7 34. Cl:i a4. ch 18. 1:1a4 Cl:i d7 19. b3 g5 20 . .ltd2.
N� 291 N� 292
 Vasily Smyslov 127

The pawn b4 is doomed, but N!! 293

realisation of the advantage is not
easy.
20 . . .ll ab8 21. .t:xb4 .txb4 (in
response to 2 1. . .ct::l b 6 , White pre­
pared 22.lla2 ct::l xc4 23 . .txe7 ct::l xa5
24.llxa5 We7 25.ct::l c5! with ad­
vantage) 22. llxb4 llb6 23. lla4 eS
24. b4 e4 25. cS! llbS 26. ct::l cl ct::l eS
27. ct::l a2 fS 28. ct::l c3 llbb8 29. lldS!
Wf6 30. ct::l b3 ct::l c7 31. lld6+ wn
32. ct::l d 4. Now, evidently, Black is in
dire straits. 32 . . . gS! (weakening Black's
32 . . . e3 33. lt::l xfS ef 34. Wxt2 squares) 33. W g3 .tn 34. llel
a6 35. ct::l e4 lle8 36. ct::l xgS+ W g8 .tg6! 35. fg fg 36. eS lle7 (now the
37. e4 aS 38. llxaS ll:xb4. 38 . . . ct::l c4 target of attack becomes the pawn
is impossible due to 39.lld7 ct::l xa5 e 5) 37. h4 gh+ 38. Wxh4 llae8
40.ct::l h 6+ with mate. 39. e6, hoping to find a safe har­
39. lla2 llc4 40. ct::l h6+ W g7 bour in a "bishop against knight"
41. ll a7! llc2+ 42. W fl llxcS ( 42 . . . endgame. If 39.llde2 , then 39 . . . llfB
llc8 43. llxc7+ llxc7 44.lt::l f5+ W f8 40.Wg3 .td3 4 1 .llf2 llxf2 42.Wxf2
45.lld8# was also losing) 43. ct::l e6+ llf7+ 43.Wgl llxfl+ 44.llxfl .txfl
llxe6 44. llxe6 ct::l f7 45. lle7 [ 1 :0) 45.Wxfl Wg6 - + .
3 9. . . llxe6 40. llxe6 llxe6
145. BUKAL SMYSLOV, 1980
- 41. .te2 lle3 42 . .tdl .trs 43. W gS
(diagram NQ 253) This is a typi­ llxc3 44. be ct::l e4+ 45. WxfS ct::l xd2
cal King's Indian endgame. The 46 . .txa4 (46.c5 was more tena­
weakness on d4 determines Black's cious, although in this case, too,
advantage. His further actions: Black wins after 46 . . . ct::l b 3 47.We5
ct::l d4-b3, .t c8-e6, .t g7-f8-c5, ct::l x c5) 46... ct::l xc4 47. W e6 ct::l xa3
exchanging the bishops and taking 48. W d6 ( 48.Wd7 ct::l b 5 49.c4 ct::l c 3
the full control over the centre. The 50 . .tc2 h 5 5 1.Wc7 h4 52 . .t f5 W f6
mark - 2 points. 53 . .th3 b 5! is also futile) 48 . . . ct::l bS+
24. . . ct::l b 3 25. llc2 .t e6 26 . .tfl 49. W d7 ct::l xc3 50 . .tc2 hS [0: 1)
.tm 27. f4 f6 28. W g2 W g7 29. llt2
ef 30. gf .tcS 31. .t xcS ct::l xcS 146. SMYSLOV LANGEWEG, 1981
-

32. llfd2. (diagram NQ 254) It is possible

to find the required arrangement of
128 Thinking in Schemes

white pieces, if you correctly recog­ 2 1 . . .W b4! 22. :Ucl c5! (22 . . . d4
nise a soft spot in the enemy camp was worse in view of 23.a3+ Wb3 24.
- the pawn f6. The scheme: b2-b3, ll:lb5) 23. e3 d4 24. ed cd 25. a3+ (if
.tf4-c l -b2 , the rook on the line "f' , 25.ll:le2, then 25 ... lldS 26.llal ll:l d5
g2-g4-g5. The mark - 5 points. with advantage) 25 ... W b3 26. ll:ldl.
30. .tel! (a brilliant manoeu­
vre!) 30. . . ll:lt7 31. b3 llab8 32 . .tb2 N!! 294
ll:lfe5 33. a4 a6 34. .te2 Wt7 ( 34. . . b5
35.ab ab 36.ll:lb4 .ta8 37.ll:l cd5 was
somewhat more tenacious, with a
big advantage for White) 35. g4 Wg7
36. a5 lld8 37. llf2 llbc8 38. lldfl.
The pawn f6 is lost for nothing. [ 1:0]

147. SMYSLOV - TIMMAN, 1981

(diagram NQ 255) This is a revi­
sion example. The scheme of attack:
.txg7, �d4, forcing f7-f6, followed
by g2-g4-g5 - is known from ex­ 26 . . . .tc4 (with the intention to
ample NQ 39 Capablanca-Yates. break through to the second rank af­
The mark - 2 points. ter llh8-e8-e2) 27. ll:lf2 ll:l d5! (here
20 . .txg7 Wxg7 2 1 . �d4+ f6 27 . . . lleS was weaker due to varia­
22. g4! .te6 23. ll:lxf6! llxf6 24. g5 tion 28 . .tfl .txfl 29.llxfl W xb2
(Black's defeat is inevitable) 24 . . . 30.ll:ld3+ Wxa3 3 1 .:Ua l+ Wb3
.tf5 25. llad l b5 26. ch ab 27. gf+ 32.llb l+) 28. ll:l e4 ll:le3 29. ll:l c5+
�xf6 28. �xf6+ Wxf6 29. llxd6+ W a2! 30 . .t h3 .tb3 31. .td7 ll:l c4+
ll:le6 30. llb6 llc5 31. Itel [1:0] 32. W d3. White exceeded the time­
limit, but after 32 . . . ll:le5+ 33.Wxd4
148. BROWNE - SMYSLOV, 1982 ll:lxd7 34. ll:l xd7 :Ud8 35.:Uc7 .te6
(diagram NQ 256) This is an in­ he would lose a piece. [0:1)
teresting situation where the ac­
tive black king plays the main role, 149. SMYSLOV - VAN DER WIEL,
though there are many pieces on the 1986
chessboard. The scheme of strength­ (diagram NQ 257) The weak­
ening the position: W c 5-b4, c7-c5, ness of point d6 in Black's camp is
d5-d4, attacking the pawn a2, and, evident. Finding the plan ll:l e5-c4,
after a2-a3 , the black king will break e4-e5 and ll:lc4-d6 should not be
to b 3. The mark - 5 points. complicated - 2 points.
 Vasily Smyslov 129

2 1 . ct::l c4 .@.e8 22. e5 lld7 23. a4 150. SMYSLOV - ERNST, 1987

�b4 24. Ci::l d 6. (diagram N2 258) This is a typi­
cal situation. The analysis of similar
N!! 295 positions is very useful. The white
knight is stronger than the black
bishop, but will it be sufficient to
win? It is clear that in this game
Black played not in the best way and
allowed the opponent to carry on
his plan - to organise attack on the
kingside - without any trouble. The
scheme: h2-h3 , Ci::l f3-h2-g4, the
rook is transferred to g3 along the
third rank, f2-f4-f5-f6. The mark
- 4 points.
24. . .llxd6. This is a manly deci­ 17. h3! llc8 18. Ci::l h2 .@.a4?!
sion. Black could have possibly es­ 18 . . . llc4 was clearly stronger. But in
caped, if he had another opponent no case the bishop should have been
in this game. The realization stage is withdrawn from the kingside. In this
very instructive. case, the right plan for White was to
25. ed �xd6 26. QWc5! �xc5 transfer the knight to e3.
27. de W f8 28 . .@. e2 W e7 29 . .@. c4 19. llbcl .@.b5 20. ct::l g4 .@. c4
Ci::l d5 30. lld4 (preparing the king­ 2 1 . llc3 b5 22. llg3 W h8 23. f4
side pawn offensive) 30 . . . Ci::l f6 aS (if 23 . . . �h4, then 24.W h2 h5
3 1 . a5! (not allowing for 3 1. . .Ci::l d7 25.ct::l e3 �xf4 26.ct::l xc4, and White
32. b4 a5) 3 1 . . . a6 32. llel lld8 wins) 24. rs b4 25. f6!
33. llxd8 Wxd8 34. f4 W e7 35. W f2
Ci::l d7 36. b 4 Ci::l f6 37. W f3 h5 38. g3! N!! 296
Ci::l d5 39. h3 W d7 40. g4 hg+ 4 1 . hg
W c7 42 . .@.xd5 cd 43. f5! (the rook
needs open lines) 43 . . . gf 44. gf .@. d7
45. f6 .@.a4 46. W f4? (losing the
opportunity 46.llxe6!) 46 . . . W d7
47. W e5 .@.c2 48. llgl W c6 (if
48 . . . .@.g6 , then 49.llxg6 fg 50.bS!)
49. llg7 d4 50. Wxd4 e5+ 51. W c3
[ 1 :0)
1 30 Thinking in Schemes

25 . . . :Ug8 (White 's threats are 33 . . .�d1+ 34. ti.el �a435. �d2
already irrefutable) 26. �f4! j_xa2 :Ub3 36. j_c3 � c4 37. �t2 j_e4
(if 26 . . .gf, then 27.ll:l h6, and in re­ 38. :Uxt7! (the sacrifice exchange
sponse to 26 . . .:Uc7 follows 27.e6 fe gives White an opportunity for a
28.:Uxe6 with the attack) 27. e6 fe stronger attack) 38. . . d4 39. �xd4
28. ll:le5 [ 1:0) �xt7 40. �xe4+ Wh8 41. f5! �d5
42. �xd5 cd 43. :Ue6! (the queens
151. SMYSLOV IVANCHUK, 1988
- exchange did not improve Black's
(diagram NQ 259) position) 43. . . :Ud8 (if 43 . . . W h7,
White has positional advantage. then 44.:Ud6, but in response to 43...
His plan is to exert oblique pressure :Uxc3 44.bc :Uc8 follows 45.c6 with a
after transferring the queen to c3, a win) 44. :Uxh6+ W g8 45. :Uh4 :Uc8
bishop to d4 and further f2-f4-f5. 46. llg4 :Uxc5 47. :Uxg7+ wm 48. f6
The mark - 4 points. :Ucxc3 49. be :Uxc3 50. :Ud7 :Uxa3
29. �c3! (preventing 29 . . . d4) 51. :Uxd5 Wf7 52. :Ud6 [ l:O]
29 . . . �a4 30. j_e5!, the bishop
trades a beautiful position for a more 152. SMYSLOV - MARTINOVIC, 1989
useful one. One can recall a simi­ (diagram NQ 260) Despite the
lar situation from example N! 108 absence of the queens on the board,
Botvinnik-Tal, where the bishop White has a forceful attack according
was transferred from d5 to d3. to the scheme : :Udl-d3-h3, j_e2-
30. . .:Uae8 31. j_d4 :Ub8 32. d3, :Ufl-e l-e3. If you identified the
:U le3! a5 33. f4! same plan, then you get 2 points.
2 1 . :Ud3 j_d5 (2 1 . . .j_a6 is bad
N!! 297 in view of 22.llh3) 22. :Uh3 W h7
23. ti.el.

N!! 298

White is ready for an offensive.

It threatens 34.fS.
 Vasily Smyslov 131

23 . . .e 5 ( a desperate try to (27 . . . � c7 was more prudent ) 28. f4!

change situation) 24. de ct::l c4 �f5 (in response to 28 . . . $.f6, it was
25. $.xc4 $.xc4. Black resigned expected 29.fe W f5 30.llfl+ W xe4
without waiting for 26.lle4 followed 3 1.ef llf7 32.Ci::l b4) 29. g4+ ! , build­
by 27.:Uxh6+. [ 1 :0) ing up a mate-threatening scheme.
If you find out the conception of the
153. SMYSLOV - OLL, 1993 Ex-champion of the World, you will
(diagram NQ 261) There is a get additional 2 points.
weakness in Black's position - the 29 . . . Wxe4 30. Ci::l f2 + Wxf4
isolated pawn e5. The pawn should 31. ti.gt! It threatens 32.$.d2#,
be blocked and then attacked. The but in response to 3 1 . . .e4 follows
scheme: lldl-e l , $.d2-c3, h4-h5. 32.Ci::l h3#. [1:0]
The mark - 2 points.
18. :Udel :Uad8 19. $.c3 Ci::l d7 154. LEHMANN - SMYSLOV, 1967
20. :Ue2 :Ue7 21. h5! (forcing a weak­ (diagram NQ 262) The white king
ening of white squares and a favour­ is in a dangerous position. Black
able exchange of bishops) 2 1 . . .$.xe4 finds a beautiful scheme of a mate­
22. llxe4 gh (if 22 . . . g5 , then 23.f4 threatening attack: llc8-h8, l}j! c5-
gf 24.gf :Ude8 25.:Uhe l � d6 26.fe+ g5-g4l The mark - 4 points.
$.xe5 27.ct::l xe5 ct::l x e5 28.$.d2 :Ue6 44 . . . :Uh8! 45. :Ufe2 (in response
29.$.f4+ - ) 23. llxh5. to 45.f4, it was prepared 45 . . .g5
46.�xd6 �f5+l 47.ef g4+ 48.Wh4
N� 299 Ci::l xf5+ 49.�g5 f6#) 45 . . .�g5.

N� 300

White increased his advantage

with seemingly simple moves.
23 ...:Ude824. :Uh1$.f625. � d l ! 46. :Uxe3 (saves from a mate, but
$.g5 26. � e2 � d6 2 7 . :U d l � e6 cannot change the outcome) 46 ...
1 32 Thinking in Schemes

�xe3 47. �xd6 �xf3 48. �e5+ 33. ll d l llf6 34. :Ud5! �t2
�f6 49. �xf6+ �xf6 50. ct::l c4 35. h5! b6 36. � d3 a6 37. c4 :Uc6
llxc4! is a technically advanced so­ 38. a4 �el.
lution. The endgame is easily won.
51. be :Uc8 52. llf2+ �e7 N� 301
53. llc2 � d6 54. g4 hg+ 55. �xg4
W c5 56. W f4 a4 57. W e3 b3 58. llf2
llb8 [0:1)

155. SMYSLOV - RUDNEY, 1938

(diagram N2 263) Black has
weak kingside pawns, the white
knight takes a dominating position
in the centre. White 's plan is to take
control over the 5th rank by way of
transferring the rook on d5 and the
pawn on h5. After this, one can start 39. b5! (beautiful scheme!)
the realization of pawn advantage 39 .. .ab 40. ab lle6 41. Il:d6 llxd6+
on the queenside by way of c3-c4, 42. Ci::l xd6 � g7 (in response to 42 ...
a2-a4, etc. f6, 43.Ci::l f5 � h7 44.c5 be 45.b6 �a5
46.b7 �c7 47.Wc4 won) 43. c5
[ 1 :0]
 Mikhail Tai
(9. 1 1 . 1 936 - 28. 06. 1 992)

INSTANCES OF THINKING IN SCHEMES IN THE GAMES

OF MIKHAIL TAL

156. TAL - TESCHNER, 1960 ing li:J f8-h7, then �g4-g6 , forcing
Black to play �e7-g7, and '.a.fl -f7 .
N!! 302
•
The mark - 3 points.
31. '.a.fl ti:Jh7 (32.'.a.f6 was threat­
ening) 32. �g6! �g7 33. '.a.t7 �xg6
34. hg li:JgS 35. li:JxgS hg .

N!
. ! 303

An excellent arrangement of
white pieces allows to evaluate this
position as winning. The way to a
win goes through simplifications
and transition to rook endgame. White strived for this position.
White 's moves are: '.a. e l -fl , fore- His king penetrates Black 's camp,
1 34 Thinking in Schemes

and the rook is back just in time to N!! 306

stop the opponent's passed pawn.
36. Wf3 W g8 37. 'it' g4! White
consistently executes his plan with­
out being distracted by trifles (the
pawn a7) .
37 . . .lle8 38. Wxg5 e4 39. Wf6
e3 40. ll g7+ Wf8 41. l:l:h7 W g8
42. llhl llf8+ 43. 'it' e7 llt2
44. Wxd6 l:l:d2 45. W c7 e2 46. l:l:el
[1:0]
White to move

N!! 304 N!! 307

White to move White to move

N!! 305 N!! 308

White to move Black to move

 Mikhail Tal 1 35

N!:! 309 N!:! 3l2

White to move White to move

Black to move White to move

White to move White to move

136 Thinking in Schemes

N!:! 315 N!:! 318

Black to move

White to move Black to move

White to move White to move

 Mikhail Tal 1 37

N!! 32 1 N!! 322

Black to move White to move

LEARNING FROM MIKHAIL TAL

157. TAL - DARGA, 1960 34. std5 l:tf4 35. g3 lla4? (mak­
(diagram M 304) The lmight pin ing a mistake in a difficult situa­
on d7 decides. Try to play as Tal did, tion) 36. �xb7! llal+ 37. Wg2 W c7
and you will earn 5 points. White's 38. lla6. Black has overlooked this
rearrangement: ll e l- e6-d6 and move. Now his pieces are pinned and
llfl-dl. Brilliant! cannot defend the kingside pawns.
25. :i::I e 6! l:tbb8. There is no 38... llbl 39. std5 l:txb2 40.
other way in view. If 25 . . . �c8, then ll a7+ ti:l b7 41. Wf3 W b8 42. :lla 6
26.l:td6 ti:lc5 27.stxf7+. ® c7 43. IIa8 ti:l c5 44. lla7+ (work­
26. lld6 llbd8 27. IIdl! [ 1 :0] ing on the "take your time! " princi­
ple) 44 ... ti:lb7 45. h4 W b8 46. lla6
158. TAL - NAJDORF, 1961 W c7 47. lla8 :Ub5 48. c4 llb3+
(diagram M 305) This is a typi­ 49. W g4! [1:0]
cal "Sicilian" endgame. The plan
of strengthening the position is in 159. TAL - VASIUKOV, 1964
transferring the rook to b6. This is (diagram N!� 306) It is easy to no­
done by way of b3-b4, l:tdl -d5 , tice the mate-threatening scheme
b4-b5 and after ab - l:l'.d5xb5-b6. �g5-:ll d 8. One should find the ex­
The mark - 4 points. act order of moves. If you come to
29. b4! wrT 30. lld5 W e8 31. b5 grips with this task, you will earn 3
ab 32. :l:Ixb5 l:trT 33. llb6 �d7 points.
138 Thinking i n Schemes

53. :Ud8+! (if there immediately white rook from the square f8)
follows 53.�d8? , then 53 . . . :Ue4) 36. :Ua8?! 36.l}j!a8 was more tena­
53. . . W e7 54. :Ud3 �e2 55. �d8+ cious, andif36 . . . :Uxa5, then 37.�d4,
W e8 56. :Ud2 :Ue3 57. �g5 �d3 but in response to 36 . . . ll:ld5, it could
58. f5! [ 1 :0) be 37.:Uh8+ Wg6 38.�e8+ l}j!xe8
39.:Uxe8 :Uxa5 40.:Ue5 ll:lxe3+
160. TAL - ZHURAVLEV N., 1965 4 1.:Uxe3 with a chance for a draw.
(diagram Af2 307) Test your at­ 36 . . . ll:l dS! 37. :Uf8 f4!
tacking abilities. The lack of the
dark-squared bishop is fatal for N� 323
Black. A brilliant master of attack,
M.Tal quickly proves this. The
scheme: b2-b3 , a2-a4-a5 , �c3-
b2 with the idea �c2-c3 and f4-f5.
The mark - 4 points.
24. h3! :Ufe8 25. a4! l}j! h6 (25 . . . f6
is impossible in view of 26.�e 1 l}j!h6
27.ll:lxe6 :Uxe6 28.a5 ll:l a8 29.l}j! c4
ll:lc7 30.f5) 26. a5 ll:l c8 27. �h2
l}j!f8, trying to defend himself with
the help of28 . . . �c5+. Find the var­
iation finishing the game, and you 38. llxf4. If 38.gf, then 38 ...
will get an additional point. ll:lxe3+ - +. White's position imme­
28. f5! gf 29. ef �d5 30. �xd5 diately becomes hopeless.
cd 3 1. �g2! �cs+ 32. � d4 [ 1 :0] 38 . . . ll:lxf4+ 39. � xf4 :Uxa5
40. h4 l}j!d5+ [0:1)
161. HORT - TAL, 1966
(diagram Af2 308) The scheme of 162. TAL - JOHANSSON, 1966
interaction ofthe knight and the pawn (diagram Af2 309) White has a
"r' is known. So, finding the correct good plan to restrict the opponent's
plan iseasy. Theknightshouldbeon d5, opportunities. It begins with the move
and the pawn will advance when c4-c5, then ll:lf3-e5, �d3-e4 (after
needed. You get 2 points for the cor­ the queen's retreat) , then continues
rect solution. with advancing the flank pawns on
32 . . . ll:lf6 33. b4 :Uh3 34. a5 ha both flanks with the goal to weaken
35. ha :Ua3 (by manoeuvring along Black's arrangement, then the rook
the third rank and attacking white is transferred to the 3rd rank to attack
pawns, Black hopes to deflect the the point f7 . The mark - 5 points.
 Mikhail Tal 1 39

18. c5! '.l::l: d8 19. tll e5g6 20. lladl 163. BAGIROV TAL, 1970
-

!i:lh7 2 1 . '&1e3 't;J!Jg7 22 . .t e4 :C:c8 (diagram NJ 310) Black's advan­

23. llfe l tll f6 24 . .Jtf3 !i:ld5 25. 't;J!Jd2 tage is evident: he has pawn advantage
'.l::l: d8 26. a4 llc7 27. h4 h5 28. llbl on the queenside, and white pawns in
tll e 7 29. '&1f4 llcc8 30. llbd l ..lta6 the centre are blockaded and depreci­
31. ..lte4 !i:ld5 32. � d2 �f6 33. g3 ated. It is evident that the pawn d4 will
tll e 7 34. lle3 !i:lf5 35. llf3 .tb7. soon become the target of attack and
will be lost. It is important for Black to
N� 324 choose a convenient moment to cap­
ture this pawn, thus preventing coun­
terplay. The scheme: the rooks on a4
and d8, the knight on b5, the pawn on
a6. The mark - 3 points.
30 . . . tll c3 31. tll e3 '.l::l: b4 (at this
moment, Black could have won
the pawn d4 by way of 3 l . ..:C:xd4
32.tlxd4 tll e 2+ 33. ® fl !i:l xd4, but
after 34.'.l::l: d l tll c6 35. lld7 White has
counterplay) 32. lld2 '.l::l: d8 33. llc2
tll b 5 34. a3 ll a4 (Black has advan­
Having arranged his pieces into tage even after 34 . . . llb3 35. h5 \t' f8
a beautiful and sound formation, 36. ® fl \t' e7 37. a4 !i:lxd4 38. llc7+
White can begin decisive actions. It '.l::l: d7 39. llxd7+ ®xd7) 35. '.l::l:b2 a6
is interesting that he did not strive to N� 325
gain a footing on the square d6 - the
knight on e5 is placed sufficiently
well. Besides, with the knight on d6,
Black could carry on the exchange
sacrifice. With the knight on e 5 , he
has not got such an opportunity.
36. a5 ba (if 36 ... b5, then 37.a6!,
locking the black bishop out) 37. b5!
is a dynamical solution. Black's de­
fence begins to "go to pieces".
37. . . cb 38. .txb7 llxc5 39. �el
'.l::l: c7 40 . .te4 b4 41. tll c6 lld6 All weaknesses of White are un­
42. tll xa5 '.l::l:xd4 43. tll c6 llc4 der attack. Defending himself be­
44 . .txf5 [ 1:0] comes still harder.
140 Thinking in Schemes

36. tll c2 h5 37. g3 ll d7 38. lldl �b7 40. � h2 �18? (40 .. .fS! 4 1 . ef
llc4 39. 'it' g2 wm 40. lld3 We7 :i::l:b 8) 41. �xg5 f5 42. �h5 l}jlb2+
41. lld2 � d8 42. :.C:b4? (the game 43. � hl [ 1:0)
ends after this blunder, while after
42.f4 White could have tenaciously 165. TAL HULAK, 1974
-

resisted) 42 . . . ti:lxa3! 43. llxc4 lt::l xc4 (diagram M 312) This is a typi­
44. lld3 li::l xe5 45. llc3 lll c 6 46. llc4 cal scheme to seize and exploit weak
W c7 [0: 1) central squares: .txf6, .tdS, lt::l e4 and
then f2-f4! The mark - 3 points.
164. TAL - SAIDY, 1971 22 . .txf6! .txf6 23 . .td5+! �g7
(diagram M 311) The outpost on 24. lll e 4 lldd8 25. W g2 .t d7 26. f4!
d6 should be retained at any cost! The
rook capture is forced after �c2-d2 N!! 327
and then a conversion of advantages
takes place: White has time to play
e4-e5 and to solidify the power­
ful pawn wedge, which literally cuts
Black's position in two. Then, evi­
dently, lll c 3-e4 followed by lll e 4-c5
or g4-g5. The mark - 3 points.
31. �d2! li::l xd6 32. ed l}jld7
33. e5 .tb7 34. 8e4.

N!! 326
26 . . . ef?! Certainly, it was not
worth opening the long diagonal.
Now follows a vigorous attack by
analogy with examples Ng 39 Ca­
pablanca-Yates and Ng 147 S mys­
lov-Timman.
27. 8xf6 llxf6 28. �b2 lldt8
29. Ilxf4.tc6 30. :.C:el l}jlf731. .txc6
be 32. llefl �e6 33. b4! (the transi­
tion into a winning pawn endgame
is in preparation) 33 . . . g5 34. llxf6
34. . . c5! (a better defence) llxf6 35. a4 Wf7 36. �xf6+ l}jlxf6
35. lll xc5 .txg2+ 36. �xg2 l}jl c8 37. Ilxf6+ �xf6 38. a5 'it'e6 39. b5
37. lll e4 :i::l: d 7 38. g5 hg 39. llgl W d7 40. b6 h6 41. Wf3 [ 1 :0]
 Mikhail Tal 141

166. TAL - KOCHYEV, 1977 tra pawn, the second - the pawn f7.
(diagram M 313) It is easy to feel White's plan is to transfer the king
for and encircle the main weakness to as to support the passed pawn bS,
in Black's position, the pawn aS, if the rook - to f3 to attack the pawn
one remembers example NQ 3S Ca­ f7. The mark - 2 points.
pablanca-Germann. The scheme: 49. ll aS W c8 50. � c3 llb8
ll:ld4-b3, the move d6-dS is forced 51. Wb4 � b7 52. lla3 llh8 53. :i::l:f3
in view of the threat lll d2-c4, then llh7 54. � as :i::l: h4 55. b3.
ll:lb3-cSxb7, ll:l d2-b3 , l:k l-cS.
The mark - 3 points. N� 329
23. ll:l4b3! d5 24. ll:l cS :C:a7
25. llcl de 26. de � b8 27. ll:lxb7!
�xb7 28. llc5 ll:l d7 29. llbS+ W c8
30. li:lc4.

N� 328

55 . . . :i::l:f4, otherwise S6.bS-b6

with an immediate win. All the same,
Black's position is still hopeless.
56. :i::l: xf4 ef57. b6 ll:l e8 58. �b5
ll:l g7 59. � d7 f3 60 . .ltg4 lll h5
61. �xf3 ll:lf4 62 . .ltg4 li:ld3 63. f3
The outcome is clear. [ 1 :0]
30 . . . :i::l: c7 31. W d4 f6 32. :.C:.xaS
eS+ 33. fe fe+ 34. ll:lxeS llc2 168. PETROSIAN A. TAL, 1981
-

3S. ll:lxd7 Wxd7 36. l:l'.a7+ We6 (diagram M 315) This is an in­
37. llxg7 :i::l:xb2 38. g4 hS 39. gh b3 stance showing the advantage of a
40. h6 [ 1:0] knight over a bishop. The scheme:
the queen on f6 , the knight on d6,
167. TAL - GLIGORIC, 1978 and it remains to advance the queen­
(diagram M 314) Black's position side pawns. The mark - 2 points.
has two weaknesses: the first - the 33 . . . �f6 34. �b5 li:ld6 35 . .ltc6
queenside, where White has an ex- c4.
142 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 330 25.ef+ tll xf6 with good chances for

a draw.
24. f4 :i::l: d 8 (possibly, it would
be better for Black to play 24 ... d6!?
25.ed+ tll xd6 26.c5 ..txd3 27.cd+
� xd6 28.llxc7 llxc7 29.:i::l: d l with
chances for a draw due to a strong
bishop) 25 . ..te4 lldc8.

N!! 33 1

In the ensuing vivid "skirmish" ,

M.Tal is in his element and does his
best.
36. be t£\xc4 37. � c5 t£\e5!
38. �xa5 l{Wg5! (threatening with
39 ... tll f3+ or 39 . . . tll xc6) 39. l{Wa6
t£\f3+ 40. Wfl tll xe1 41. �xc8�cl,
confirming the rule - the queen and
a knight are stronger than the queen
and a bishop. The white king is un­ White pieces are perfectly pre­
der a mate-threatening attack. pared for the offensive.
42. �b7 tll f3+ 43. W e2 tll d4+ 26. c5! be 27. be f5 28 . ..tf3 g6
44. W d3 �c3+ 45. W e4 tll f5! [0: 1 ] 29. W f2 :i::l:b 8 30. c6! d6 3 1. ed+
Cll xd6 32. :i::l: e l .ltc8 33 . ..td5
169. TAL ANDERSSON, 1983
- Cll e4+ 34. ..txe4 fe 35. llxe4 � f6
(diagram M 136) White's plan is 36. lle5 a6 37. llec5 :i::l: b l 38. tll f3
to double the rooks on the line " c " , :i::l:b 3 39. ll 5c 3 :Uxc3 40. :i::l:xc3 W e7
then to advance the pawns " e " and 41. l£le5 [ 1:0]
"f" with the goal of increasing space
advantage. The mark - 2 points. 170. TAL HANSEN K., 1985
-

20. :i::l: c2 Wf8?! (20 . . . d5 was (diagram M 31 7) White's advan­

worth attention) 2 1 . :i::l: fcl W e7 tage can be increased by transferring
22. e4 llec8 23. e5! l£le8? is a seri­ the knight to a more active position.
ous mistake leading Black to a very The scheme: g4-g5 , t£\f3-h2-g4.
difficult situation. 23 . . . Cll g4 would After this, the opportunities are
be correct, for example, 24.f4 f6! open for the advancement e4-e5
 Mikhail Tal 143

and for the knight ' s thrusts to f6 or 62 . . . c463. bcb3+!! is a counterin­

h6. The mark - 3 points. tuitive solution, which can be found,
23. g5! .te7 24. h4 nc8 25. tll h2! perhaps, only by the method of exclu­
.tm 26. tt:lg4 lle6 27. c3 1Jii e7 28. e5. sion. Ifyou are convinced that the po­
sition must be winning, but all "nor­
N2 332 mal" continuations lead to a draw,
then an insight can come to you.
64. �b2 (after capture on b3, the
pawn "c" was pinned and couldn ' t
have immediately advanced) 64... Wd3
65. cS+ Wd2 66. c6 �el 67. c7 Wxf2
(the pawn f2 fell and White should
resign) 68. .tc4 .tg4 69 . .td3 �gl
70. .txg6 t2 71. .txh5 fl� [0:1]

172. ERNST - TAL, 1987

(diagram M 319) It seems that in
28. . . .tg7 (28 . . . de 29. nd7 �b4 this position black pieces can take
30. 1Jii f3 1Jii f4+ 3 1. 1Jii xf4 ef 32. tt:l f6+ the required squares without any
Wg7 33. nxb7) 29. tt:l f6+ .txf6 30. ef help, but one should not interfere!
1Jii e8 31. llxd6 llxd6 32. 1Jii xd6 h5?! The knight will move from f6 to d6,
32 ... �e3+ would be better. Black' s the white knight, in response, will
position is now quickly worsening. move to e3, then the black rooks will
33. �e7 �c6 34. b4 b5 35. :.C:.d7 double on the line "c'' , the king will
�c4 36. W c2 a6 37. 1Jii e5 I!:m move to e7 in the centre, the line "c"
38. �d4 �e2+ 39. �bl �el+ will be open after b6-b5, and the
40. W a2 �e6+ 41. � d5 [ 1:0] black rook will break into the enemy
camp. The mark - 3 points. But what
171. PINTER - TAL, 1985 about White? He is forced to wait for
(diagram M 318) Only a strong the developments passively and rely
desire to make the king break through on the solidity of his position.
to the pawn f2 will help you to find the 39 ... tt:le8 40. tll d l tt:ld6 41. tt:le3
right breakthrough scheme: c5-c4, b5 42. ab ab 43. .tfl nc5 44. Wf2
after b3: c4, b4-b3 and, in response lldc7 45. nb4 rJ;; g7 46. lldl �f6
to winning a pawn or the king's re­ 47. llbd4 nc3 48. llb4 .tc8 (the
treat to b2 - a cold-blooded march pawn d5 is reliably protected, and the
of the king �d4-d3-d2-e lxf2. The bishop is transferred to d7 to reliably
bonus for this idea is 5 points. defend weakness on b5) 49. na1 .td7
144 Thinking in Schemes

SO. �e2 � e7 SL �fl ll cl S2. llxcl �e8!?) 20. �b2 � f8 2 1 . f;JJ g3 �b8
llxcl S3. �e2 llal S4. �d2 lla2 + . 22. f;JJ e4. The move 22.f5 is also
worth attention: it is forcing Black
N!! 333 to sacrifice the exchange after 22 ...
llxe5!?, since 22 . . . f;JJ xe5 is bad in
view of 23.fe! f;JJ xd3 24.ef+ � h8
25.llxd3 , and White has a winning
position.
22 ...�b6 23. c4 � e7 24. llf3
lld8.

N!! 334

Black has executed his plan and

achieved a lot. But White could
continue defending tenaciously af­
ter 55.� e l � d8 56.lld4 llb2 57.b4.
The erroneous move in the text leads
to an immediate defeat.
SS. f;JJ c 2? e3+! S6. W d l
(56. � d3 f;JJ e4 57. f;JJ xe3 lld2 # ;
5 6 . � c l f;JJ e4 57. �xb5 �xb5 White's perfectly arranged
58. llxb5 llxc2+ 59. W xc2 e2) S6 . . . pieces are ready to pounce upon the
f;JJ e4 S7. f;JJ :e3 W d6 (57 . . . lla l+ black king.
58.Wc2 lle l 59.Wd3 f;JJ xg3 was also 2S. ed! �xd6 (25 . . . cd 26. f5
acceptable) S8. lld4 � cS S9. f;JJ c2 f;JJ e5 27. fe+ - ) 26. f;JJ gS llg6
f;JJ c3+ [0: 1] 27. �rs f;JJ f6 28. �xf6 gf 29. f;JJ e 4
W g7 30. llg3 �e7 3 1 . llxd8 �xd8
173. TAL - PORTISCH, 1988 32. lld3 �as 33. lld2 �e7. What is
(diagram N2 320) White has an the plan for the further attack? You
opportunity to arrange his pieces will get 1 point, if you propose h2-
perfectly and to completely con­ h4-h5, followed by lld2-d3.
trol the centre with the help of the 34. h4! hS 3S. �xhS f5 36. �xfS
scheme: e4-e 5, c2-c4, �a3-b2, �xh4 37. �es+ �f6 38. f;JJ xf6 llxf6
f;JJ e 2-g3-e4. The mark - 4 points. 39. lld3 �b6 40. fS! [ 1:0)
18. eS! �h4 19. llfl �e7 ( 1 9 . . .
 Mikhail Tal 145

174. OSNOS - TAL, 1969 175. TAL - SOLOVIOV, 1970

(diagram M 321) Black's advan­ (diagram M 322) To break
tage can be increased by arranging through the opponent's defence,
pieces according to the scheme: White should involve the pawn " f ' .
the rooks on b4 and b8, the bishop This can b e achieved only b y forc­
on d4, the pawn on a4. You earn 3 ing through e4-e5. For a successful
points for the correct solution. preparation of the breakthrough, the
29 . . .lleb8 30. W h2 .td4 (not king should be placed on d3 , and the
allowing for f2-f4 with a tempo) rook - on e 1. The mark - 5 points.
31. lld2 a5! 32 . .tfl (32. :Uxa5 45. �cl! lld7, going to jump
llxb2 33. :i::l: xb2 llxb2 34. li:l d l out with the queen to e 5. Certainly,
:i::l: d2 3 5 . ll:le3 ii.xe3 3 6 . fe c4- +) White does not allow for this.
32 ... llb4 33. Ji.d3 h5 34. W g2 a4 46. :i::l: hl! wm 47. f4 llc7
35. llc2 cJ;; g7 36. ll:ldl � h6 37. h4 48. � d2 lld7 49. cJ;; d3 :i::l: c7 (an un­
llb3 38. :i::l: d 2 :i::l: 3b4 39. llc2 ll.8b6 fortunate necessity) 50. :i::l: e l W g8.
40 .t c4.
.

N!! 336
N!! 335

All is ready. . .
40 . . . f5! White resigned. There 5 1 . e5! d e 52. fe fe 53. llhl.
is no defence in view to counter the Black resigned expecting 53 . . . cJ;; f8
numerous threats by Black. An ex­ 54.�h8+ llg8 55.f6 �d6 56.�h6+.
emplar variation: 41.f3 fe 42.fe .tg7 [ 1 :0]
43 . .td3 llb3 44.Ji.c4 .te5. [0:1]
 Tigran Petrosian
(1 7. 06 . 1 929 - 1 3. 08. 1 984)

INSTANCES OF THINKING IN S CHEMES IN THE GAM ES

OF TIGRAN PETROSIAN

176. PETROSIAN - a4, opening the line "a". Later he ,

BONDAREVSKY, 1950 evidently, will double the rooks on
.N� 337 the open line and will elicit a7-a6,
then e2-e3 followed by il.g2-f1 will
be possible. Those who did not miss
this chance , get 2 points.
14. a4! ba 15 . .a:xa4 .\t f6 16 . .ltb2
a6 (it is safe for White to play 1 6. . . e5
17. de lZ:J fxe5 1 8 . .a:fa1 lZ:Jxd3 19. ed
il. xb2 20. �xb2 lZ:Jxc5 2 1 . ;g:xa7± ,
T. Petrosian) 17. lZ:Jfe5 (still prevent­
ing Black from playing in the centre ,
just to be safe) 17 . . . lZ:J fxeS 18. de
k e7 19. f4 .a:bs 20 . .a:ra1 .a:bs 2 1 . b4
White has a chance to create a h5 22. il.c3.
weak black pawn with the move a2-
 Tigran Petrosian 147

N!:? 338 N� 339

White to move
Now is the turn for the knight to
be transferred to d4 and e2-e3, fol­ N� 340
lowed by i.. g2-fl . Black is trying to
take at least some counterplay.
22 . . . h4 23. e3 lll b 8 24. lll el ,
:i::l:b7 (24 . . . hg, followed by g7-g5 ,
was better) 25. gh .txh4 26. li:lf3
.td8 27. h4! �h5 28 . .tel i.. d7
29. �f2 'J;; fl ? (29 . . . i.. c 8±) 30 . .tfl
(Black has a lost position after los­
ing the pawn a6) 30 ... llh8 31. .txa6
lll xa6 32. :i::l:xa6 .te7 33. lla7 llhb8
34. llxb7 llxb7 35. li:ld4 'Wh8 White to move
36. 'Wg3 �b8 37. h5 lh7 38. llcl
(38. llxa7? �xa7 39. 'Wg6+ 'J;; f8 N� 341
40. lll xe6+ i.. xe6 4 1. �xe6 � a l
42. �c8+ � f7 43. �xf5+ 'J;; g 8=)
38 ... �g8 39. �g6+ �f8 40. b5 �fl
41. be .t c8. Black resigned due to
42. �xf7+ Wxf7 43. lll b5 ll a8 44.
li:ld6+. [1:0)

Black to move
148 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 345

White to move

N!! 346

White to move White to move

N!! 344 N!! 347

White to move White to move

 Tigran Petrosian 149

N� 351

White to move

White to move White to move

White to move
1 50 Thinking in Schemes

N� 354 N� 356

White to move

N� 355 N� 357

Black to move White to move

LEARNING FROM TIGRAN PETROSIAN

177. PETROSIAN - EUWE, 1953 position N!! 3, 109 Botvinnik - Tal.

(diagram N2 339) What plan In that position White pinned the
should be carried on by White? The pawn f6 with the move g4 and then
moves .$.fl-c4 and <;t> f2-e3 (one rammed it by means of e4-e5. Pos­
point each) are beyond doubt, but sibly, Botvinnik turned his atten­
what is next? It resembles the ar­ tion to this plan while analysing
rangement of the kingside black the game. S o , you have additional
pawns in one of the analysed ex­ 3 points for the moves g3-g4 and
amples, isn ' t it? Certainly, this is e4-e5.
 Tigran Petrosian 151

31. .@.c4 .@.g6 32. W e3 .@. f7 33. the exchange .@.glxc5 (2 points) ,
g4�c7 34. e5! �d8 35. ef+ gf36. h4! then you have to foresee a way to at­
tlJc7 (36 . . . �g8!?) 37. �c3±. tack the newly formed weak pawn.
The right plan includes the ma­
N� 358 noeuvres tlJe2-c l -b3 ( 1 point) and
�d2-g2-g l - 3 points.
20 . .@.xc5! de 2 1 . tlJ cl (but not
2 1. tlJa4?! .@.f2) 2 1 . . .�e7 22. tfJb3
.@.d7 (not allowing for 23.tlJa4)
23. �g2+ W h8

37... tfJd5+ (the opposite-colour

bishops cannot save Black, though
37 ... tlJe8 or 37 ...�h8 '<'GUld not be
better) 38. .@.xd5 �xd5 39. �xf6+
We8 40. �h8+ Wd7 41. �g7+­
We8 (41...�b3+ 42. .@.c3 We8 43.
h5!+ - ) 42. .@.f6 �b3+ 43. .@.c3 (the
bishop defends the king from a per­ 24. �gl! tlJ e8 (24 ... llab8
petual check) 43...�dl 44. �h8+ 25. �xc5 �xc5 26. tlJ xc5 llb6 was
Wd7 45. �b8 �cl+ 46 .@.d2 �gl+
• better) 25. �xc5 tfJ d6 26. llcl!
47. Wd3 �fl+ 48. Wc2 �a6 (if 48... (capturing the pawn 26.�xc7 would
�c4+, then 49.Wb2 �d4+ 50..@.c3 give Black a dangerous counter­
�tL+ 51.Wa3) 49. h5! �a2+ 50. Wd3 play after 26 . . . llfc8 27.�a5 .@.f2)
�bl+ 51. We2 �e4+ 52. Wf2 �d4+ 26 ...�e8 27 . .@.h3 a5 28. tlJxa5
53. .@.e3�xb454. �t8 �b2+ 55. Wg3 .@.f2 29. �xf2 llxa5 30. llhgl .@.g6
�f6 56. �d6+ Wc8 57. � d4 �d8 58. 31. �fl llb8 32. llc2 tfJt7 33. h4
�xd8+ Wxd8 59. �g7 W c7 60. �xh6 tfJ d6 34 . .@.d3 llb4 35. llgcl lld4
b6 61. ch+ Wxb6 62. Wh4 [l:OJ 36. �fl �d8 37. tlJ e2? llda4?
(Black could have a powerful attack
178. PETROSIAN GLIGORIC, 1953
- after 37 . . . :Uxe4! 38.fe tlJxe4 39.�el
(diagram N2 340) If you decided �xd5) 38. tlJ c3 lld4 39. b3 �b8
to carry on the plan connected with 40. h5 �xh5 41. �h4 [ 1:0)
152 Thinking in Schemes

179. SLIWA - PETROSIAN, 1955 N� 360

(diagram N9 341) If you think in a
nonstandard way, then you can find
a forcing rearrangement of forces
to win a pawn: li:l d4xe2, a6-a5 and
� a7-a6. The mark - 3 points.
22 ... li:lxe2! 23. �xe2 a5!
24. llfcl (curiously enough, 24. . .
�a6 cannot b e repelled) 2 4. . . �a6
25. �c2 .txc4 26. bcllxb1 27. llxbl
li:lxc4. The remaining is simple (for
Petrosian).
28 . .tcl a4 29. h3 a3 30. li:ld3 81. ef (a difficult, but forced so­
h5 31. Il:b3 li:lb2 32. li:lxb2 �fl+ lution - White has no sound moves)
33. � h2 ab 34 . .txb2 llxa2 8 1 . . .gf 82 . .tdl llg7 83 . .tc2 ll3g5
35. llb8+ � h7 36. e5 Il:xb2! ( 3 6... 84 . ..ltd3 W d7 85 . ..ltc2 � e6 86 . ..ltd3
.txe5+?? 37 . .txe5) [0:1] llg3 87. .tc2 llg8 88 . .td3 (after
88 . ..ltb 1 Black would continue 88 . . .
180. SEFC - PETROSIAN, 1957 :i::l: d 8 followed b y d6-d5 , thus open­
(diagram M 342) The scheme ing the line for the rooks) 88... e4
of strengthening Black's position: 89. fe li:lxd3 90. llxf5 li:l c5 9 1. :.C:fd5
the king on c5, the rooks on g3 and llxb3 92. :i::l:xd6+ � e7 93. Il'.6d4 :i::l: c3
g5 , the knight on f4, the pawn on f5. 94. e5 b3 95. :C:xh4 Il:cl + 96. �fl
The mark - 5 points. b2 [0:1)
64. . . � c7 65. lledl W c6 66. llel
W c5 67. lle3 f5 68. Wfl I!h5! 181. PETROSIAN - KOZMA, 1958
69. Wfl llg5 70. �fl :i::l: g3 71. �fl (diagram M 343) White 's task
llf7 72. Wf2 llf8 73. �fl llh8 is to exploit pawn advantage on
74. �fl Il:h5 75. � fl? (75. �gl the kingside. To do this, the king is
:i::l: hg5 76. � h2, hoping for de­ transferred to f3, the bishop to d5,
fence) 75 . . . llhg5 76. Il:fl ? 76 . .tbl the knight to e4, then playing h2-h3
li:le6 77. Il:ed3 li:l f4 78. lld5+ and g3-g4. The mark - 7 points.
li:lxd5 79. :i::l:x d5+ � c6 80 was more 26. � d2 ! ..ltf8 27 . .td5 lle7
tenacious. lld2. But, by withdraw­ 28. li:l e4 li:l a6 2 9 . � e3 li:l c7 ?
ing the king to c7 and then playing (29 . . . c 4 30.bc li:l c 5 3 1 .lld4 li:lxe4
li:le6-f4, Black won. would be a better oppo rtunity for
76 ... W c6 77. lld2 � c7 78. :.C:fl Black, with c hances for a draw)
li:le6 79. :i::l: ee2 li:lf4 80. lld2 � c6! 30. �f3.
 Tigran Petrosian 153

N!:? 361 182. PETROSIAN - ROSSETTO, 1958

(diagram NJ 344) This is a typical
position in the Queen 's Gambit. To
pressure the weak pawn c6 is insuf­
ficient. It is nessessary to create an­
other weakness on the kingside. This
is an exemplary scheme: Wg2, �f3,
then h2-h3 and g3-g4. The mark
- 3 points.
28. llcl llb6 29. h3� g7 30.� g2
�a3 31. llal �b2 32. g4! hg 33. hg
llb7 34. ncl itWb5 (in case 34. . . nb6
White has already done with the White could also play 35.�f3, and
required placement of pieces and is in case 34 . . . llc7 - 35.nb 1 followed
now ready to move pawns, but the by I!b8) 35. �f3 f6.
opponent, with the ensuing errone­
ous exchange, makes it easier to im - N!! 363
plement the conceived plan.
30 . . . ll:lxd5? 3 1 . llxd5+ - llde8
32. llel ne6 33. lle2 b5 34. h3 a5
35. g4.

N:? 362

36. g5! An elegant final blow.

There is no defence.
36 . . . ll:lf5 37. gf+ �xf6 38.
nxc6+ �e7 39. �f4 [ 1 :0]

183. PETROSIAN - BANNIK, 1958

35 . . . hg+ 36. hg il. e7 37. f5 (diagram NJ 345) White can stre­
ne5 ( 37 . . . llf8 was more tenacious) ngthen the position of his pieces in this
38. llxe5 de 39. lld2 llf8 40. :.C:d7 way: the king on e4, the rook on the
llf7 4 1 . nxe7J [ 1:0] line "d'' , the knight on f5, the pawns
1 54 Thinking in Schemes

on a4 and e3. The mark - 4 points. 184. PETROSIAN - GIPSLIS, 1958

28. :C:d3 :C:c6 29. lld5 818 30. (diagram .M 346) The black
8g3 8e6 31. 8f5+ We8 32. e3 8c7 knight is off play, the king's posi­
(32 . . .8 d8 was better) 33. :C:dl 8e6 tion is weakened. White centralises
34. <ti d3 :C:c7 35. <tie4 llc6 36.8d6+ his pieces: lld5, �d4, .td3 and ex­
<tie7 37. tt::lf5+ W e8 38. 8d6+ (White ecutes a lightning attack. The quick­
can relax now) 38...W e7 39. tt::l f5+ witted can add 1 point, since the ex­
We8 40. a4 8d8 41. tt::l h6 tt::l e6 ample is not very complicated.
42. tt::l g8 818 43. lld2! Wt7 (43 . . . 8d7 34. �d4! :C:c8 35 . .lt d3 b5.
44. <ti f5 W d8 45. e4 <ties 46. f3 <;t> dS
47. Ilxd7+! Wxd7 48. 8xf6++-) N� 365
44. tt::l h6+ <ti e8 45. tt::l f5 <i:le6.

In this position Black needs a

good advice.
36 . .txg6! fg 37. lld7 �f8 38.
46. lld6! (after exchanging the �d5+ ® h8 39. �e5+ Wg8 40.
rook, Black cannot prevent the �e6+ W h8 (41. � :g6+ - ) [ 1 :0]
white king from penetrating his
camp through the square f5 or d5) 185. PETROSIAN - SUETIN, 1958
46. . . llxd6 47. 8xd6+ W d7 48. tt::l b5 (diagram .M 347) ''White's plan is
tt::l g7 (if 48 . . . 8 f8 , then 49.Wf5 We7 simple: he strengthens his position by
50.tll c 3 tt::l d7 5 1 .8d5+ W fl 52.e4 transfening the bishop to c3 and the
h6 53.f3! , and Black is in Zugzwang) rook to el, and then threatens with the
49. h6 tt::l e8 50. <ti d5 f5 51. ® xe5 fg unpleasant manoeuvre 8 e4-g3-h5 '�
52. tt::l c3 <ti e7 53. tt::l e4 W t7 54. Wf5 T. Petrosian. If you have thought in
g3 55. fg g4 56. 8g5+ W g8 57. �e6 the same way, add extra 2 points.
8c7+ 58. W d7 8a6 59. e4 tt::l b4 28 . .ltd2 ! llfd8 29 . .tc3 a4
60. e5 8 d3 61. e6 [ 1:0] 30. llel±.
 Tigran Petrosian 155

N2 366 b5 and � d l -b3 , attacking the pawn

d5, as well as doubling the rooks on
the line " c " , with pressure against
the pawn c7. The mark - 4 points.
14. bS! �d6 lS. �b3 ll:l e7 16.
llfcl � h8 17. lle2 h6 18. llacl e6.
N2 367

30...llac8 31. llb7! (one should

not exchange an active rook) 31...
lldS ( 3 1...llb8 32. llxg7+ Wxg7 33 .
.@.xe5+) 32. llb6 .@.f7 (material losses
are inevitable: 32... .@.d7 33. llxh6!;
32 ... lle8 33. ll:ld6) 33. ll:ld6 lld8 34.
ll:lf5! (the pawn h6 is more important,
19. ll:l a4, beginning the second
since without it the pawn g5 will also be
stage of the plan. The knight strives
lost) 34...Wh7 3S. llb7 ll8d7 36. llxd7
for c 5 , the queen - for a4.
llxd7 37. ll:lxg,7 Wxg,7 38. llxeS Wg6
19 . . . llab8 20. g3 W h7 2 1. ll:leS
39. llxbS+ - lldl+ 40. Wf2 llcl
llfd8 leads to the loss of a pawn.
41. llb6+ Wh7 42. g4! llhl 43. h3
White would have a big advan­
.@.dS (43 ...llxh3? 44. Wg2 llh4
tage even after 2 1. . .b6 22. ll:ld3
45 . .@.el) 44. lld6 lldl 4S. lld7+ Wg8
cb 23. �xb5 I!fc8 24. llxc8 llxc8
46. We3 .@.b3 47. llg7+ Wt8 48. llg6
25. llxc8 ll:lxc8 26. ll:l f4.
.@.e2 49. llxh6 lld3+ 50. We2 lldS
22. be be 23. �a4 �f6 24. W g2
Sl. h4 gh S2. llxh4 Wf7 S3. f4 .@.dl+
ll a8 2S. ll:lb7! lle8 26. ll:laS. White
S4. We3 Wg6 SS. gS .@.hS S6. .@.f6llc5
pieces act extremely purposefully.
S7. Wd4 llbS 58. W e4 .@.dl S9. f5+
The pawn c6 is doomed, and Black
Wf7 60. .@.es .@.e2+ 61. �f4 [1:0]
has nothing else to do but to rush to
186. PETROSIAN - KROGIUS, 1959 a desperate counterattack.
(diagram NQ 348) The goal of 26 . . . gS27. h3�f528. ll:lxe6�e4
the ensuing rearrangement of white 29. Ires fS 30. �e2 ll:lxe6 3 1 . llxe6
pieces is to elicit the move c7-c6 f4 32. ef gf 33. g4 .@.xd4 34. �d2
and make the pawn c6 a target for .@.g7 3S. llel �a4 36. �xdS llxe l
attack. This is done by means ofb4- 37. ll:lxel I!f8 38. ll:lf3. All threats
156 Thinking in Schemes

to Black have been eliminated. The 189. PETROSIAN - SMYSLOV, 1961

outcome is clear. (diagram N2 351) The position
38 . . . W h8 39. llc7 a6 40. l}j!b7 of the black king is shaky. The main
llg8 41. ll:l h4 [1:0] "object of attention" for white piec­
es is the point e6. The key moves in
187. PETROSIAN - LUTIKOV, 1959
White's attacking scheme are $.d3-
(diagram N2 349) White strength­
c4, e3-e4 and lldl-e l . The mark
ens his position according to the
- 4 points.
scheme: f2-f3 , ll:l d2-c4, $. h4-
22. $.c4 llxdl + 23. llxdl W t7
e l-c3. The mark - 4 points.
24. e4 �f4 2 5 . It e l ! �g4.
29. f3! llt7?! (it was nessessary to
play 29 . . . hS) 30. ll:ldc4llb4?! 31. $.el
N!! 369
llb7 32. $.c3 h5 (too late) 33. ef gf
34. gf e4 35. Wh2 ef 36. llxf3 $.d4
37. l}j!d3 $.f6 38. llgl W h7 39. $.xf6
llxf6 40. l}j!c3 �ts 41. llg6 llt7 [ l:O]
188. PETROSIAN - PACHMAN, 1961
(diagram N2 350) This example
is to develop your imagination. After
an unexpected elegant sacrifice there
should follow a quiet move, and the
black king is caught in a mate-threat­
ening net. The mark - 3 points.
19. l}j!xf6+ Wxf6 20. $.e5+ 26. ef (play is opened up and
'\t' g5 2 1 . $.g7. Black's position breaks down)
26 . . . l}j!xc4 27. fg+ W e8 (27 . . .
N!! 368
W xg6 2 8 . llxe6+ W f7 29. llx­
c6+- ) 28. g7 e5 29. �xh5+ W d7
30. lldl+ $. d6 3 1 . $.xe5 ll:ld4
32. ll:l xd4 [ 1 :0]

1 90. PETROSIAN - SCHWEBER,

1962
(diagram N2 352) This is a text­
book example on the topic "Block­
ade". After the exchange $.xc5, the
queenside black pawns are blocked
Checkmate is inevitable. [ 1 :0] with the move ll:lc4, and the black
 Tigran Petrosian 157

knight cannot reach the square d6, ( 43 . . . lld8 44. b6 �e7 45. b7 b3
since the square e8 is raked by the 46. �g3+ - ) [ 1 :0)
white bishop from b5. What else one
can foresee? Evidently, the second 191. PETROSIAN - BOTVINNIK,
knight should be kept on g3, and the 1963
rooks should be doubled on the line (diagram N2 353) White 's task
"c" . The mark - 3 points. is to activate the rook and break
17. j,, xc5! de 18. j,, b 5! j,, b7 through into the enemy camp. The
19. ll:le2 ll:l e8 20. j,, xe8! llxe8 scheme: a4-a5xb6 and the manoeu­
2 1. ll:lc4 j,, a6 22. �b3 �f6? (22 . . . vre llg l-al-a8-c8-c6. The mark
f6 and 23 . . . j_f8 was more tenacious) - 3 points.
23. llcl j_f8 24. ll:l g3 j,, c8 (24 . . . 39. a5! lld7 (39 . . . b5 is impos­
�f425. w f2 j,, xc4 26. llxc4�d2+? sible , because a pawn will be lost
27. ll:l e2+ - ) 25. 0-0 lld8 26. � g2 after 40.llcl llc8 4 1 .j,, e 3) 40. ab ab
Ua7 27. llf2 � h7 28. llfc2. 41. llal � g7 42. lla6 llb7 43. lla8
Wf6 44. llc8 ll:l e5 45. W e3 ll:ld7
N!! 370 46. llc6+ Wf7.

N!! 371

28 . . .� a6? Certainly, White has

a winning position, but why to blun­
der away a pawn? The remaining White pieces are now showing
needs no explanation. their full power. This is the right mo­
29. ll:lxe5 llc7 30. ll:l c4 j_g7 ment for decisive actions.
3 1 . �d3 W g8 32. lld2 lle7 33. e5 47. e5 ll:lf8 48. llf6+! (not al­
j,, xe5 34. ll:lxe5 llxe5 35. �xa6 lowing the black knight to get to
j,, xa6 36. llxc5 j_ c8 37. llxa5 f5 e6) 48 . . . W g7 49. W e4 b5 50. llc6
38. gf j,, xf5 39. ll:lxf5 llxf5 40. llb5 �f7 51. llxc5 ll:le6 52. lld5 � e7
Udf8 41. d6 llxb5 42. ab �f7 43. d7 53. j,, e 3 llb8 54. lld6 b4 55. lla6
158 Thinking in Schemes

:UbS S6. :Ua7+ � e8 S7. f4 �f8 evident weaknesses on b3 and d4.

S8. fS [1:0) The winning arrangement of black
pieces: the king on h4, the knight
192. BOBOTSOV - PETROSIAN, on f5, the pawns on f4 and g5. After
1968 this, White is in Zugzwang. 5 points
(diagram N2 354) Black pieces to those who found the solution.
dominate the centre and the king­ 41...<�gS 42. W g3 f4+ 43. W g2
side, and the mobility of the white W h4 44. W h2 gS 4S. W g2 W hS
queen is limited. Upon a closer view, 46. W h2 tll c6 47. tll e2 tll e7 48. W g2
it turns out that the mobility is lim­ tll fS 49. � h2 � h4.
ited to such an extent that it is now
possible to catch the most powerful N!! 373
white piece. The mark - 3 points.
38 . . .:U h7 39. �es � c8! 40. �f4
:Uf8 41. �es ti.rs.

N!! 372

SO. � g2 (or 50.�a l tll e 3

5 1.�b2 tll c 2, and we arrive at the
real-game position) SO... tll e3+
SL W h2 tll c2 [0: 1)

This is a unique position: The 194. PETROSIAN - BELIAVSKY,

white queen has been caught in the 1975
centre of the board! [0:1 ) (diagram N2 356) White's win­
ning scheme becomes clear after a
sequence of preliminary exchanges.
193. LANGEWEG - PETROSIAN,
The mark - 3 points.
1973
3S. lldcl � b7 (if 35 ... �d6, then
(diagram N2 355) This position 36.e5 �d5 37.�e4+ - ) 36. llxc7
is characteristic for the French De­ :Uxc7 37. :Uxc7 �xc7 38. eS � g7
fence. White has a "bad" bishop and 39. �gS �t7 40. g4.
 Tigran Petrosian 159

N� 374 white rook will take the square f6

and the other - d7. The mark - 3
points.
32. �f3! g6 33. I!:2d5 (threaten­
ing with 34.lld7) 33 . . . :Uf8 34. llf6
�e7 35. :Ud7 �e8

N� 375

The scheme is set up. Black is in

a hopeless position.
40 ... �f3 41. �xg6+ �f8 42. gh
[1:0]

195. PETROSIAN - KORCHNOI, 1977

(diagram N2 357) The scheme
for a decisive blow emerges after the All is ready for a decisive blow.
move �f3, forcing g7-g6, then one 36. I!:xg6! �es 37. �xhS# [ 1 :0]
 Boris Spasski
(born 30. 01 . 1937)

INSTANCES OF THINKING IN SCHEM ES IN THE GAMES

OF BORIS SPASSKI

196. SPASSKI - BRONSTEIN, 1961 while calculating combinations.

One such example is presented here.
N!! 376 Beginning the attack with sacrificing
a knight , B. Spasski clearly saw the
routes for white pieces to join the at­
tack on the black king: gel-e3-G,
�al -dl , ..@. g2-fl -c4. If you were
able to devise the same scheme of
attack, add 5 points.
20. li::l xt7! 'J;Jxf'l (the black king
cannot stand, almost alone , against
overwhelming forces of the enemy
arriving at the battle-field on sched­
ule) 2 1 . a:e3 'J;Jg8 22 .@. fl! An ex­
.

In many cases, it is useful and cellent manoeuvre! The bishop not

desirable to think in schemes even only threatens to enter the play, but
 Boris Spasski 161

also defends the white king from N!! 379

mate on the first rank and allows a
stronger piece - the rook a 1 - to join
the attack with a decisive effect.
22 . . .tld7 23. �e8+ � g7 24. tlf3
qwcs 25. tldl! hS.

N!! 377

White to move

N!! 380

26. tlxd7+ ltixd7 27. tlf7+ �h6

28. �h8+ W gS 29. h4+ [ 1 :0]

N!! 378

N!! 38 1

White to move

White to move
1 62 Thinking in Schemes

M? 382 N� 385

Ulhite to move Ulhite to move

N� 383

Ulhite to move Ulhite to move

N� 384 N� 387

Black to move Ulhite to move

 Boris Spasski 163

N!! 388 N!! 39 1

White to move

N!! 389 N!! 392

Black to move Black to move

N!! 390 N!! 393

White to move White to move

1 64 Thinking in Schemes

N2 394 N2 396

White to move

N2 395 N2 397

Black to move

LEARNING FROM BORIS SPASSKI

197. SPASSKI MATANOVIC, 1962

- queen on f2, the rooks on g 1 and fl.
(diagram N2 378) This is a typical The mark - 4 points.
" French " position where White has 20. � d4 ..td7 2 1 . ..t d 3 llab8
a big space advantage and Black has 2 2 . a4! This is an important mo­
a "bad" bishop. White pieces can ment. Before regrouping his forces
easily find the most com fortable po­ on the kingside , White took pre­
sitions: the knight on d4, the pawn ventive measures on the other side
on f4, g4 and h5, the king on h2, the with the goal to deprive the oppo-
 Boris Spasski 1 65

nent of every possible counterplay. the line "d" ; 3) transfer the queen
22 . . . ct::l f8 23. f4 :U ec8 24. � h2 to g3 and then play f4-f5. The mark
�e8 25. g4 ct::l g6 26. �fl l)J!/e7 - 5 points.
27. h5 ct::l f8 28. llgl f6 29. :Uae l! 25. ct::l e2! .ta4 26. :Ucl :Ufd8
27. ct::l c3 .tc6 28. :Ucdl h6 29. l)J!/e3
N� 398 :Ub8 30. :Ue2 :Ubc8 31. :Ud4! (the
rook is perfectly placed for both the
attack and the defence) 3 1 . . . .tb7
32. :Ued2 l)J!/e7 33. l)J!/g3 �f8 34. f5.

N� 399

Now there is no need to pay at­

tention to the pawn a4 - White is
ready to attack.
29 . . ..txa4 30. �g3 .te8 3 1 . ef
�xf6 32. :Ue5 �t7 33. g5! l)J!/xh5+
34. � g2 hg (was forced due to the Everything was done without a
threats 35.g6 and 35.:Uhl) 35. fgl)J!/t7 hitch. The pawn d6 cannot be de­
36. :Ufl �e7 ( 36 ... �h5 37. g6 � h6 fended. The game proceeds to the
38. llg5 and 39.llhl +- ) 37. g6 :Uc4 realisation stage, which White ex­
38. :Uh5 :Uxd4 39. :Uxf8+! [1:0] ecutes confidently and accurately.
Train yourself in guessing the moves
198. SPASSKI AVERBAKH, 1963
- by the Ex-Champion of the World
(diagram NQ 379) This is a typical and test your techniques.
" Spanish" position. Black has three 34 .. ll:e8 35. :Uxd61)J!/e536. �xe5
weak pawns and he lacks any coun­ :Uxe5 37. :U2d4 a5 38. :Ub6 .ta8 39.
terplay opportunity; all this deter­ :Ua6 � e8 40. �fl �f841. �e3 :Uec5
mines White 's advantage. The main 42. :Ud7 .tc6 43. :Uda7 a4 44. �d4
blow is aimed at the pawn d6. The .te8 45. :Ub6 h5 46. g4 h4 47. :Ubb7
plan of rearrangement for the at­ :U5c6 48. ct::l d5 (White's domination
tack has three stages: 1) transfer the is overwhelming) 48 ... :Ud8 49. g5
knight to c3; 2) double the rooks on :Ucd6 50. �xc4 :Uc6+ 51. � d4 :Uc2
166 Thinking in Schemes

S2. �es l:tc4 S3. g6 f6+ S4. li:Jxf6! 29. li:J d5 (29.it.dS would do as
gf+ SS. �xf6 l:tc6+ 56. �gS [1:0) well) 29 ... li:JxdS 30. ii.xd5 llxc l 3 1 .
llxc 1 �e7 32. it.xg7 �xg7 33. � c3+
199. SPASSKI - KERESZ, 1965 (more accurately: 33.�d4+ �g8
(diagram N2 380) Once again we 34. llc8 li:J e6 35.it.xe6 �xe6
have a «Spanish» position. This is a 36.llxe8+ \{Wxe8 37.�xd6, with a
pawn structure similar to that from winning ending) 33 . . . �g8 34. f4
the example Spasski - Averbakh. li:J e6 35. g3 li:Jg7?! (35 . . .\{W a7 was
But there are too many pieces on the more tenacious) 36. \{W c7 \{Wf6 (36 . . .
chessboard. White's task is to immo­ li:J hS 37. � b 6 �f6 3 8 . Il:c2+ - )
bilise black pieces, to pin the weak­ 37. :ll c 2 llf8 38. �b6 g5 39. fg
ness on d6 and to seize both the point \{Wxg5 40. �xa6 �es 41. \{Wxb5 li:Je6
d5 and the line «C». The first move of 42. �n � g7 43. �rs �xrs [ 1 :01
the plan is b3-b4! - "patented" by
M.Chigorin, then follow the moves 200. SPASSKI - PARMA, 1966
f2-f3, Ac2-b3, the rook on the line (diagram N2 381) This is a pawn
«C» or «d». The mark - 5 points. structure known from the King's
23. b4! �e7 24. f3 (relieving the Indian Defence. This game is one
bishop from the defence by the pawn of the patterns showing how to play
e4) 24 . . . �f8 2S. it.b3 li:J d8 26. :ll a dl such positions for White. The plan
l:tc6 27. llcl (the variation 27. � h2 is to regroup his forces according to
li:Je6 28. li:Jd5 li:J d7 29. l:tc l llec8 the scheme: the bishop on d4, the
30. it.xg7 �xg7 3 1. 'tWb2+ <;t>g8 knight on e 3 , followed by prepara­
32. llxc6 l:txc6 33. llc l , invading tion for g2-g4. The mark - 3 points.
the enemy camp, was also worth at­ 2 1 . it.d4 cS (this pseudo-active
tention) 27 . . . �e7 28. � h2 �d7. move creates a weakness on d6 for
Black, and White changes the di­
N!! 400 rection of attack, rearranging for an
attack on the emerged target) 22. de
it.xd4 23. li:Jxd4 li:Jxc6 24. \{Wc3 �e7
2S. li:J c2! (the knight moves along
the same route) 2S ... l:tad8 26. Ilfd2
�e6 27. li:J e3 li:J e7 28. �b4!
(See diagram 401)
After a loss of the pawn d6, the
fight quickly ends.
28 . . . li:Jg6 29. :Uxd6 �e7 30. g3
l:tf6 31. cS llfxd6 32. l:txd6 [ 1:0]
 Boris Spasski 1 67

N� 402

201. SPASSKI - PETROSIAN, 1966 202. SPASSKI - DONNER, 1966

(diagram M 382) A strong bishop (diagram M 383) This is the
and shattered queenside pawns al­ scheme preparing White for an of­
low to evaluate this ending as lost fensive: transfer the knight to d6,
for Black. The most exact way to a double the rooks on the line «d» ,
win is in exchanging a pair of rooks, strengthen the pawn e5 with the
which takes from Black every chance move f2-f4. The mark - 5 points.
to counterplay, and indeed it will be 23. tLlgS h6 24. CLie4 Wtc7 (the
harder to defend his weak pawns. pawn e5 was certainly immune)
Then White, having developed the 25. li:ld6 l:i:d8 26. lldl �b6 27. llhd4
bishop on the long diagonal, will l:i:f8 28. Whl �cs 29. f4 tLlb6.
make it impossible to defend the pawn
a7 and will capture it. (3 points) . N� 403
18. llb3! llxb3 19. ab l:i:a8 20.
l:i:c4! CLie8 (if 20 . . . tiJ d5,then 2 1.llc5)
21. ll a4 tiJd6 22. g3! @f8 (22 ... a5
23. b4; 22 ... tLl cS 23. llc4) 23. �g2.
(See diagram 402)
It remains for White merely to
demonstrate his techniques.
23 ...l:i:c8 24. llxa7 @ e7 25. Wd2
h6 26. c4 g5 27. hg hg 28. W c3 W d7
29. b4 llh8 30. b5 ll h2 31. �c6+
W d8. White wins after 32.c5 , but
not after 32.b6? in view of 32 . . . cb From this position , white pieces
33.lld7+ W c 8 34.llxd6 W c7. [ 1:0) are easily transferred to the kingside,
1 68 Thinking in Schemes

where the black king is anxiously to d5 , the knight to b3, the bishop to
waiting for them. d6, the pawn «f» moves forward.
30. tZ:le4 l}j!a3 31. l}j!g4 be (31... 31. j_cl tZ:lb6 32. tZ:lhl It is hard
tZ:lxc4 leads to the same result, but to comment on White's actions
against 3 1...W h7 it v.ould be stronger - his pieces are severely limited in
to play 32.:Ud8) 32. tZ:\f6+! Wh8 33. their movements. Now he is trying
:Ud8 :Uc7 34. � g6! gf 35. �xf6+ [1:0] to break through with the knight to
b4 or e5. 32 . . . tZ:l c4 33. tZ:lf2 tZ:la5
203. KUIPERS - SPASSKI, 1967 34. tZ:\fd3 tZ:lb3 35. j_e3 a5 But b4 is
(diagram N2 384) There is a famil­ already taboo] 36. g3 W d5 37. tZ:le5
iar outline of Capablanca's scheme on j_e4+ 38. Wf2 j_d6 39. tZ:lt7 j_c7
the chessboard. Black's plan is to cen­ 40. tZ:lf3 losing a piece , but White's
tralise the king, to blockade the queen­ position is hopeless. 40... f4 [0:1]
side pawns (j_g6-b l , a7-a5-a4) and to
launch attack of the pawn majority on 204. SPASSKI - DONNER, 1970
the kingside (h7-h6 and f6-f5-f4). (diagram N2 385) Black has a
25 . . . wt7 26. j_d2 W e6 27. Wf2 hopelessly weak pawn e6. The 10th
j_bl! (forcing a weakening move a2- World Champion needed just four
a3 and lifting the bishop to an active moves to capture the pawn: :Uh l - e l ,
position before advancing the king­ j_h3-fl-c4 and f4-f5. How many
side pawns) 28. a3 h6! 29. tZ:l e l j_f8 moves do you need? If you need the
30. Wf3 rs. same number of moves, then you
will get additional 4 points.
N� 404 20. :Uhel l}j!f7 21. j_fl! (re­
member this manoeuvre) 21.. .:Ud6
22. j_c4 :Uad8 23. f5.

N� 405

This is Capablanca's scheme in

its pure form! The base for the follow­
ing is created. The king is transferred
 Boris Spasski 1 69

23 .. Jlxd4 24. fe llxd l+ ?! (24... 39 . . . lld8 40. fe ll:lf6+ 41. � c2

�e7 25. �a3 llxdl+ 26. llxdl [ 1 :0)
llxdl+ 27. Wxdl c5 28. �xa7 ll:lxe6
29. �b6 Wf7 30. W c l h6 3 1 . j,, xe6+
�xe6 32. �xb7+±) 25. ll xdl llxdl+ 206. SPASSKI - YANOFSKY, 1970
26. �xdl. Black resigned - against (diagram N2 387) This is a lesson
26 ... �e7 decides 27.�d8. [1:0] on the technique. Train yourself in
realisation of an extra pawn. Try to
205. SPASSK.I - GHEORGHIU, 1970 do this in the same persuasive way
(diagram N2 386) The pawn e5 as the lQth World Champion did.
should be the target of White 's at­ To begin with, one should create a
tack. The bishop will take his place «striking juggernaut» in the centre.
on the diagonal a l-h8, the king will The scheme: llc6, ll:l d5 , We4, the
strive for e4, but there is a need for pawn on e5. The mark - 2 points.
an additional resource to under­ 32. llc6 llb7 33. ll:lf4 b5
mine f3-f4. Therefore, one should 34. ll:l d5 j,, d8 35. e4 llb8 36. e5
begin with the move e2-e3. We value W g8 37. W e4 wrs.
White's plan at 3 points.
31. e3!fe32. j,,xe3llh733. � d3c5 N� 407
34. j,, d2! �f6 35. j,, c3 � e6 36. �e3!
llh8 (36 ... llh6 was more tenacious,
though after 37.f4 ef+ 38.Wxf4 White
has a significant advantage) 37. �e4!
(37.f4? ef+ 38.�xf4 llIB+ 39.�e4
llf2 was erroneous, and Black is safe)
37...ll:lf6+ 38. W d3 ll:ld7 39. f4.

N� 406

Then the pawn "f" moves for­

ward, the rook is transferred to the
7th rank, and the pawns make a
breakthrough. Spasski used his ad­
vantage in a similar way in the game
against Averbakh (example N2 198) .
38. f4 � e8 39. f5 � d7 40. lla6
a4 41. e6+ � e8 42. lla7 [ 1 :0)
170 Thinking in Schemes

207. BOEHM - SPASSKI, 1975 is the best way for Black to regroup
(diagram N2 388) The Ex-Cham­ his forces to activate the knight d8?
pion of the World needed just a Answer: � d7 -c7 , .@.e6-d7, ct::l d8-e6.
few moves to break down a seem­ The mark - 3 points.
ingly firm position of White. The 18 . . . VJ9c7 19. ct::l c l .@.d7 20. ct::l b3
key moves were ctJd7-e5, f7-f5 and ct::l e6 2 1. ct::l c2 �b6 22 . .@.a3 �d8
�e7-h7. The mark - 3 points. 23. llbl (23. h3!?).
22 . . . ct::l e5 23. gf gf 24. llhgl f5!
25. W c2 b6 26. � a3 � h7. N2 409

N2 408

23...g4! 24. ct::l a5 c5 25. ct::l c6

�f6 26. llb7 .@.c8 27. llxa7 (White
The point e4 cannot be held. won a pawn, but Black was able to
White has nothing else to do, except transfer pieces to the kingside) 27 ...
to give an attempt at complicating ct::l g5 28. VJ9e2 W h8 29. .@.cl ct::l h3+!
the game, but Black plays accurately 30 .@.xh3 (30. W h l ct::l d4 3 1. ct::l 6xd4
•

and in cold blood. cd 32. f4!) 30 . . . gh 31. VJif3?! (31. �h5

27 . .@.xc5 de 28. �xc5 fe 29. was better) 31...llt7 32. ct::l e 3 llets
�d6+ VJ9c7 30. �f6 lle8 31. llg7 33. ct::l d5 VJig6 34. llxt7 �xt7
.@.d7 32. fe f3 33 .@.fl W b7 (it is in­
• 35 .@.e3? (35.VJ9e4! was the only op­
•

teresting to observe how Black, while portunity) 35...�e8! 36. ct::l a7 ct::l d4
repelling threats, was finishing his 37. VJidl ct::l f3 +38. Whl .@.g4 39. �cl
development) 34. c5 �xc5 35 . .@.b5 �t7! 40. ct::l b5 ct::l d2! (a winning move)
llad8 36 . .@.xd7 llxd7 37. llxd7+ 41. f4 lt::l xfl 42. VJixfl �h5 43. ct::l dc3
ct::l xd7 38. VJ9t7 VJ9e7 [0: 1 ) ef 44 .@.xf4 lle8 45 .@.d2 .@.e2 [0:1)
• •

208. HUEBNER - SPASSKI, 1979 209. SPASSKI - LJUBOJEVIC, 1979

(diagram N2 389) Question: What (diagram N2 390) In this seem-
 Boris Spasski 171

ingly equalised ending, White over­ 27. Sl. a3 lll b7 28. nhdt Sl.f8
takes the initiative by transferring the 29. ll ld2 W h8 (still, 29 . . . aS and 30 ...
bishop to d6, weakening the pawn a4 was better, hoping for a chance)
b5, and opening the line «a» after a2- 30. lll c4 nd8 31. l}jl dl.
a4 and a4xb5. The mark - 3 points.
22. j_c5! nhc8 23. $. d6 llb7 N!! 4 1 l
24. a4! lll d8 25. ab ab 26. W d2.

The arrangement o f white pieces

is impressive. Poor little black pawn�
31...llbc8 32. lll xd6 li:lxd6
26 ... f6 27. d4 lll t7 28. j_b4 fe 33. j_xd6 j_xd6 34. llxd6 llxd6
29. fe lll h6 30. lla5 lll f5 (now the 35. :Uxd6 h6 36. Il'.xa6 lld8 37. �f3
white king moves forward) 31. <;t> d3 nc8 38. �d3 lld8 39. l}jle4 f5 (39 ...
g6 32. j_c5 ncb8 33. lla6 llc8 �c3 40. ll a s+- ) 40. �xf5 �c3
34. W e4 llcc7 35. �f4 h6 36. W e4 41. :Uxh6+! gh 42. l{Wf6+ �h7
g5 37. llbal llc8 38. nxe6! (conclu­ 43. �e7+ [1:0]
sively ruining Black's defence) 38. . .
llxc5 39. W xf5 nxc3 40 . llxh6 �c7 211. TIMMAN - SPASSKI, 1983
41. llh7+ Wb6 42. llxb7+ Wxb7 43. (diagram M 392) The open file
e6 Wc7 44. lla7+ Wb6 45. na8 [1:0] "b " , the bishop on the big diagonal,
the queen on e6 . . . All this is so fa­
210. SPASSKI - LUTIKOV, 1979 miliar from the example Nimzow­
(diagram N9 391) In a typical po­ itsch-Capablanca. The scheme is
sition with a «hole» at d5, the attack easy to compose: double the rooks
by the pawn d6 decides according to on the line "b " and transfer the
the simple scheme: j_ a 3 , lll c4, ma­ knight to c4. The mark - 2 points.
jor pieces on the line «d». The mark 18 . . . llb7 19. Wal neb8 20. llbl
- 2 points. lll c6 2 1. f4.
172 Thinking in Schemes

N� 412 30. :Ud2 :Uc8 31. :Ucdl � e8

32. j,, h 4 :Uf8 33. � e3 :Ua8 34. :Ud6
llc8 35. Wf4.

N� 413

2 1 . . .j,, d4 (2 1 . . .ll:laS 22. fS \{WeS

23. fg hg 24. \{Wd3 :Uxb2 25. :Uxb2
�xc3 26. j,, c l ll:lb3+ 27. � b l
ll:ld2+ 28. W a l \{Wxd3 29. cd j,, xb2+
was worth attention) 22. \{Wd3 aS If now one plays 35 ... llc7 , then
(Black prepares another, also very 36.ll 6d2 llc8 37.llgl+ - .
forceful, scheme of attack) 23. \{Wh3 35 . . . fS 36. � eS (the noose is
fS 24. :Uhel ll:lb4! (a beautiful tightening) 36 . . . fe 37. fe :Ug8 38. h3!
knock-out blow) 25. ab ab 26. ll:l a4 llg7 39. nn nn 40. j,, f6 ll h7
lla7 27. �b3 c4 28. \{Wa2 llba8 41. lld3 llt7 42. llgl+ - dS 43. cd
29. ef :Uxa4 [0:1] � d7 44. :Uc3 [ 1 :0)

212. SPASSKI - GREENFELD, 1988 213. SPASSKI - FISCHER, 1992

(diagram NQ 393) Despite the (diagram NQ 394) Black is in a
material balance and availability of very difficult position: White has
opposite-coloured bishops on the space advantage and two bishops.
chessboard, Black's position is lost. The winning plan is to execute a
His pieces have been forced to take long king's march to the pawn a6.
passive defensive positions, the sac­ It should be supported by the light­
rifice exchange on d7 or c6 is con - squared bishop (j_ b 1-c2-a4-d7).
stantly threatening. White's scheme The mark - 3 points.
- the rooks on d2 and d6, the bishop 36. W f3 W f8 37. W e2 ll:l h8 ( 37 ...
on h4, the king on f4 - puts Black We7 could not be done in view of
into the position which is close to 38.ll:lxfS+ gf 39.j,, xfS) 38.W d l W e7
Zugzwang. Those who found this ar­ 39. � c2 j,, d4 40. �b3 j_f2 ( 40 ...
rangement, get 3 points. � d7 4 1 . j,, c 3 j,, xc3 42. � xc3 � e 7
 Boris Spasski 173

43. ti:lxf5+ gf 44. $.xf5+ - ) 41. ti:lhl to secure the control over the centre
.1i. h4 (4 1...$.d4 42. .1i.c3+ - ) 42. by means of e6-e5 and to activate
W a4 ti:l c7 43. W a5 W d7 44. W b6 the bishops $.e8-f7 and $. e7-d8-
W c8 45 . .1i.c2 ti:lt7 46. $.a4 Wb8 47. a5. The mark - 5 points.
$.d7 ti:ld8 48. $.c3! 19 . . . e5 20 . .1i.e3 $.t7 2 1 . ti:lel
$.d8! 22. llabl $.a5! This is signifi­
N!! 4l4 cantly stronger than 22 . . . $.b6. By
exchanging the knight, Black con­
solidates at the point b3 and cuts off
the pawn b5.
23. llxc8+ :C:xc8 24. $.c2.

N!! 415

Black is in Zugzwang, his defeat

is inevitable.
48 ... ti:l a8+ 49. Wxa6 ti:l c7+ 50.
Wb6 ti:la8+ 51. Wa5 W b7 52. Wb5
ti:lc7+ 53. Wa4 ti:la8 54. Wb3 (the
king accomplished a successful «ex­
cursion» and safely returned «home») 24 ... $.xd2! 25 . .1i.xd2 ti:l c5 26. f3
54 ... Wc7 55. $.e8 Wc8 56. $.f6 ti:lc7 .1i.c4+ 27. Wfl $.b3. Black's plan
57. $.xg6! hg 58. .1i.xd8 [ 1:0] has completely succeeded. White
loses an important pawn.
28 . .1i.xb3+ ti:lxb3 29. $.b4
214. GURGENIDZE - SPASSKI,
ti:lxb5 30. '.l::l: d l ti:l 3d4 3 1 . g3 g5 32.
1975
f4 gf 33. gf ef 34. lld2 ti:lc6 35. Wf3
(diagram M 395) In this position, ti:lxb4 36. ab a3 37. :i::l: a2 !:!'.cl
Black has many small advantages: 38. ti:l c2 llxc2! [0:1]
pawn advantage in the centre, more
fortunate arrangement of minor
215. GLIGORIC - SPASSKI, 1964
pieces, in particular, the knights; the
pawns a3 and b5 can turn weak. The (diagram M 396) In this ap­
plan for strengthening the position is proximately equal situation, Black
174 Thinking in Schemes

strengthens his position according cided) 42. W e2 � c4+ 43. W d l

to the scheme: c6-c5 , � d7-b5- llxb2 44. llf8+ W e4 45. llf4+ W d5
c4, Wg7-f6-f5 , lla8-b8. The mark 46. llf6 � d3 47. g3 lla2 48. �cl
- 4 points. �f5 (the last preparations before the
24. . . c5 25. Ci::l f3 White cannot offensive) 49. llb6 llg2 50. �f4 We4
unravel the opponent's intentions. 51. �d6 d3 52. llb4+ 'it' d5 53. �f4
Otherwise, he would have moved �g4+ 54. Wei llc2+ 55. 'it'bl �rs
the knight back to c2 with the idea 56. llb5+ 'it' e4 57. �d6 'it'f3 [0: 1)
to transfer him to e3.
25 . . . �b5 26. lldl �c4 27.
216. KORCHNOI - SPASSKI, 1999
f4?! (27. ct::l e 5 was better) 27 . . . Wf6
28. h4 (28. Ci::l d2) 28 . . . w rs 29. �cl (diagram Af2 397) This is an excel­
llb8 30. Itel h6 31. Ci::l h2 h5 32. Ci::l f3 lent example of the theme: "Weak­
llb7. ness of an isolated pawn in endgame".
Black's plan - f7-f6, Wg8-f7, lld8-
N!! 4l6 d7, ct::l e6-d8-c6 ande7-e5 -brought
him a victory, and those who planned
the same rearrangement get 4 points.
22 . . . f6 23. �g3 'it't7 24. h3
a6 (a useful move in such posi­
tions) 25. llb4 ll8d7 26. W e2 Ci::l d8!
27. llc4 ct::l c6 28. b4 e5.

33. ct::l g5. Black pieces took very

strong positions. Exchanging the
knights is also to Black's benefit.
As a matter of fact, he has an extra
pawn. The opposite-coloured bish­
ops cannot help in this situation.
33 . . . ct::l xg5 34. hg d4 35. cd cd
36. Wf2 llt7 37. '\t' g3 llb7 38. lle8
�e6 39. Wf3 �d5+ 40. W f2 llc7 Black's plan has completely suc­
41. �d2 llc2 (after the invasion to ceeded - the pawn d4 is encircled
the second rank, the game is de- and will be lost.
 Boris Spasski 175

29. h5 li:l a5! This is stronger than ation) 36. :.C:xa6 :.C:d2+ 37. Wfl :.C:a2
29 . . . ab 30. ab :.C:xb5 ( 30 ... li:l xd4+) 38. :.C:c6 li:ld2+ 39. W gl ( 39. W e2
3 1 . de :.C:xdl 32. Wxd l fe. li:lb3+ 40. W fl :.C:xa4 41. :.C:c7+ Wg8
30. :.C:b4 e4 31. lll el .tm 32. 42. :.C:c8 Wg7 43. :.C:c7+ W h6 44. :.C:t7
:.C:hhl :.C:xd4 (Black has an extra pawn .tg7+) 39 ... :.C:al - + 40. f4 ef 41. :.C:c2
and a better position). 33. :.C:xd4 .th4! (wins a piece) 42. Wf2 li:l e4+
:.C:xd4 34. ha ha 35. :.C:h6 li:lc4! (the 43. W e3 li:lxg3 44. :.C:c7+ W e6
white king is now in a dangerous situ- 45. lll c2 .td6 [0:1)
 Robert Fisher
(9. 03 . 1943 - 1 7.01 .2008)

INSTANCES OF THINKING IN SCHEMES IN THE GAMES

OF ROBERT FISCHER

2 17. FISCHER - OIAFSSON, 1959 64. Ilc3! � e7 65. �fl Ilg8

66. �g3 @ g5?! (only 66 . . . @ f7
N2 4 18 could give a chance for a success­
ful defence) 67. � h5! Ild8 68. Ilc5
�g6 69 . @ g3 Ild3.

N2 419

It is important to observe that

the pawn e5 is the most vulnerable
weak ness in Black ' s position. Then
one can find the scheme: Il c5 , � h5. This is the only move, since oth­
The mark - 4 points. erwis e there wou ld follow 70.f3-f4.
 Robert Fisher 1 77

But now White has an opportunity N� 422

for a cavalry raid into the enemy rear
ranks to catch the pawn c7.
70. tZ:\ g7! �f6 7 1 . tZ:l e8+ W e7
72. tZ:lxc7. After losing the pawn c7,
the resistance is futile. Fisher quick­
ly drives the game to a win.
72 . . .�d6 73. tZ:la6 tZ:l e7 74. c7
tZ:lc8 75. llcl lld2 76. l:!:hl lla2
77. lldl+ We7 78. tZ:lb4 [1:0)

White to move

N!:? 420 N� 423

White to move White to move

N� 42 1 N� 424

White to move Black to move

178 Thinking in Schemes

N!.? 425 N!! 428

White to move Black to move

N!! 426 N!! 429

White to move

N!! 427 N!! 430

White to move White to move

 Robert Fisher 179

N� 431 N� 434

White to move White to move

N� 432 N� 435

Black to move

N� 433 N� 436

White to move
1 80 Thinking in Schemes

N� 437 N� 439

White to move White to move

N� 438 N� 440

White to move White to move

LEARNING FROM ROBERT FISCHER

218. FISCHER - ROSSETIO, 1959 3 3...a S 34. a4 h6 35. h3 g5 36. g4

(diagram NQ 420) White has a big fg [ 1 :0]
advantage. He can drive Black into
Zugzwang. If you find this opportu­ 219. FISCHER - UNZICKER, 1959
nity, then you will get 3 points. (diagram NQ 421) The white rook
31. llbb7 I!xc7 32. de I!c8 will inevitably break to the 7th rank
33. Ab3! Black can move only and will limit Black's ability to ma­
pawns, but these moves are quickly noeuvre. At this moment, the bishop
exhausted . . . enters the play. So, by combining
 Robert Fisher 181

lla7 and .te2, White can decisively li:lxe4 43. �xe5++ - ) 42. �d3 �b6
strengthen his position. The mark - 3 43. �c4 qwc6 44. .td3 �b6 45. b4 cb
points. Still, you should determine the 46. ch (a passed pawn is now created)
exact order of moves. Against 33.lla7 46. . . li:lg4 47. �c5 �xc5 48. be Wf7
one has 33 . . .�d6, therefore 33 ..t d l l 49. f4 �e7 50. �f3 li:lf6 51. .tb5
33 . .tdl! li:lf6 (33 . . . �xe4 W e6 52. St.c4+ � e7 53. c6! li:le8
34 . .t f3qwf4 3 5. �xf4ef36 . .tc6+- ) ( 53 .. ef 54.gf li:l e8 was a better de­
34. lla7 �d6 35 . .t e2! fence, though White would also win
in this case: 55.e5 li:l c7 56.�e4 li:le8
57 ..tg8 � ffi 58 . .txh7 Wg7 59 . .txg6
Wxg6 60.f5+) 54. fe h6 55. W e3 li:l c7
56. �d4 h5 57. W e3! g5 58. .te2
h4 59. gh gh 60. .tc4 li:le8 61. Wf4
W d8 62. � g4 � c7 63 . .tf7 li:\g7
64. �xh4 Wxc6 65. Wg5 [1:0]

220. FISCHER - ROSSETTO, 1960

(diagram NJ 422) White has the
following plan: by playing h2-h4,
elicit the move h7-h 5 , and then ei­
35 ... lle7. Fisher points out the ther win the pawn h5, or exchange
following variations, characteristic to it, having prepared and played g2-
Black's difficulties: 35 ... b4? 36. lla6 g4. The mark - 3 points.
li:lxe4 37. qwh4 �d5 38 . .tf3 �d3 23. h4! h5 One would rather
39. lla7 ; 35 . . .li:lxe4? 36. �h6 lle7 not play in this way, but one should.
37. �f8#; 35 . . . �b6 36. llf7 li:\g8 Otherwise , White will play h4-h5,
37. �h4 h6 38. �g4 lld8 39 . .txb5l; either winning a pawn , or isolating
35... llb8 36. llf7 li:\g8 37. lld7 �f6 the black rook.
38. �e3 qwc6 39. lld5+ - . 24. llf5 llh6 25. llf3 llg6
36. llxe7 �xe7 37 . .txb5. A 26. Wf2 b6 27. llf5 llh6 28 . .tc4!
pawn is won, but there is still a long (before transferring the king to h3
way to the victory. White's task is to and playing g2-g4, White set a cun­
create a passed pawn and to prevent ning trap, with which the oppo­
perpetual check. nent is caught) 28 . . . li:lc5 29. �f3!
37. . . � g7 38. .te2 �c7 39. �e3 l£:\b7 30 . .txf7! li:ld6 31. llxh5
qwa540. g3�a3 (40 . . .qwc7wasbetter) l£:\xf7 32. Wg4! (this is the point of
41. � g2 �a5 (41 . . .qwxb3 42. �xc5 White's conception: if the rooks are
182 Thinking in Schemes

exchanged, the black knight will not the defence. The task is in determin­
be able to stop the passed pawn «h») ing the initial plan of actions. Fisher
32 . . . llg6+ 33. �f5 t!'.xg2 34. llh7 solved this problem in the following
(the remaining is clear) 34 . . . llf2+ way: the queen goes to b7, the knight
35. �g6 t!:xc2 36. llxf7+ � c6 to d7, the king-rook to b8, the pawn
37. a3 t!'.g2+ 38. � xf6 lla2 39. a7-a5 and, as chance offers, �b7-
�xe5 llxa3 40. t!.f6+ � c5 41. llfl b4. If you read A Nimzowitsch,
t!:xe3 42. Itel+ �b4 43. t!'.hl a5 44. then you will find this plan and get
h5 [1:0] 3 points.
14 . . . Vj'b7! 15. �a3 lt:J d7 16.
221. FISCHER - DARGA, 1960 lt:Jel a5 17. lt:J d3 c4! (this move,
(diagram M 423) The rearrange­ though it weakens the square d4, but
ment .ta3-c l-f4 and l{j'b l -b 5 de­ it pins the pawn b2 in return, was
cides the outcome of the struggle in also recommended by the author
this position. The mark - 4 points. of the book " My System") 18. lt:Jf4
27 . .tel! �el+ (and against lltb8.
27 ... lt:JeS White would have played as
it was done in the real game) 28. llfl N!! 443
�xc3 29. i.f4+ �b7 30. �b5!

N!! 442

19. t!'.abl? Black has a better

play. Here White should continue
with 1 9. lt:Jxe6 fe 20. i.g4! lla6
[ 1 :0] 2 1 . b 3! cb 22. ab �xb3 23. �e7, hav­
ing chances for a successful defence.
222. BERTOK - FISCHER, 1962 19 . . . i.f5! 20. llbdl lt:Jf6 2 1 . t!'.d2
(diagram M 424) This is a typical g5! 22. lt:Jxd5. This is a failed attempt
position with "hanging" pawns. In to break free from the clutch. In the
this case , Black has no problem in case of the submissive 22. lt:JhS lt:Je4
 Robert Fisher 183

23.llc2 �b4 White has no pieces to N� 444

move.
22 . . . tZ:lxdS 23 . .t.xc4 .t.e6
24. Ilfdl? tZ:lxe3! (winning an ex­
tra pawn and conclusively taking
from White any chance for recov­
ery) 25. �xe3 .t.xc4 26. h4 lle8
27. �g3 W!ie7 28. b3 .t. e6 29. f4 g4
30. h5 �cs+ 31. llf2 .t.rs [O: l ]

223. FISCHER - BARClA, 1962

(diagram NQ 425) Transfer the
White pieces have occupied an
rook to b5, centralise the king and
ideal position. It is now the turn for
undermine the moves a3-a4-a5
material gains.
- these are the stages of the plan
40. . . c:J;; c8 41. ab f6? (41. ..tZ:lxb6
exemplarily carried out by the 1 1th
42. We5 W c7 43. llc5+ Wd7 44.
Champion of the World. The finders
.t.xb7 lld2 was more tenacious) 42.
of this plan get 5 points.
We3 tZ:lxb6 43. .t.g8 W c7 (43 . . . h6
28. :.C:d4! (Black has 28 ... tZ:la4
44. .t. h7; 43 ... h5 44. .t.f7) 44. llcS+
against 28.tl:d6) 28...llc7 29. h3 rs.
Wb8 45 . .t.xh7 tZ:l d5+ 46. Wf3 tZ:l e7
Although this move creates new weak­
47. h4! is just in time. The bishop
nesses, Black is forced to play actively.
breaks free from the confinement.
In the case ofa passive play; White \\OUld
The outcome is determined.
quickly achieve a decisive advantage:
47 ... b6 48. :Ub5 W b7 49. h5
29 ...We7 30. llb4 tZ:ld7 3 1 . .t.d5 We8
W a6 50. c4 gh 51. .t.xf5 lld4 52. b3
32. �fl We7 33. W e2 We8 34. Wd2
tZ:l c6 ( 52 . . . tZ:\xf5 53. llxf5 ll d3+
�e7 35. llc4 tZ:lc5 36. b4.
54. c:J;; e4 llxb3 55. llxf6 is also los­
30. llb4 tZ:l d7 31. Wfl W e7
ing) 53. c:J;; e3 lld8 54. .t.e4 tZ:laS
32. W e2 W d8 33. llbS! g6 34. W e3
55 . .t. c2 h4 56. llh5 lle8+ 57. Wd2
W c8 (while Black was busy with
llg8 58. tl:xh4 b5 59. llf4 be 60. be
freeing the rook from defending
llxg2 61. tl::f6+ W a7 62. W c3 llg4
the pawn b7, the white king took a
63. f4 tZ:lb7 64. W b4 [1:0]
convenient position) 35. Wd4 Wb8
36. W d5 (36 . .t.d5 was more ac­ 224. FISCHER - BOLBOCHAN, 1962
curate, eliciting the move 36 . . . f6) (diagram NQ 426) This is a textbook
36 . . . llc6 37. W d4 :C:e6 38. a4 c:J;; c7 example on the topic: ''.A permanent
39. a5! (clearing up the way to the knight against a bad bishop". Strong
pawn b7) 39 . . .tl:d6+ 40 . .t.dS. chessplayers automatically win such
1 84 Thinking in Schemes

positions. Test yourself guessing the a7 , eliminating the queenside pawns.

moves made by the American cham - Black is trying to escape ...
pion. The initial scheme consists of 3 1 . . . h6 32. gh l}j!xh6 33. hS $. gS
the moves: $.xb6 - eliminating the last 34. hg! fg (34. . . $.xf4 35. gf+ llxf7
defender, Ci::l d 5 - taking the support 36. llxf7�xf7 37. llh5+- ) 3S. l}j!b3!
point, and f3-f4 - vacating the third llxf4 (35 . . . � h8 36. ct::l xg6+ l}j!xg6
rank for the rook's manoeuvres. The 37. llxg5 l}j!xg5 38. l}j!h3++ - )
mark - 2 points. 36. lleS+ wm 37. llxe8+ [ 1 :0]
19. $.xb6! l}j!xb6 20. Ci::l dS+­
225. FISCHER - RESHEVSKY, 1962
l}j! d8 2 1 . f4! (certainly, one cannot
(diagram N2 427) This is a typical
play 2 1 .ct::l xe7+? �xe7 22.�xd6??
"Sicilian" endgame with a clear ad­
llfd8 - + ) 2 1 . . .ef 22. �xf4 l}j!d7
vantage for White. This pawn struc­
23. �fS! (white pieces, one by one,
ture is similar to that from example
occupy dominating squares in the
N! 1 58 Tai- N ajdorf. This is White's
centre) 23 .. Jlcd8 24. lla3!
plan: g4-g5, � e l -e2 , $.c 1-e3,
N� 445 c 3-c4, b3-b4 followed by b4-b5 or
c4-c5. The mark - 3 points.
22. gS (pinning the pawn h7 and
cramping the black bishop) 22 ... $.e7
23. W e2 llam 24. $.e3 llc8 25. b4.
This is an important moment. Fisher
plays "according to Tai" , but it would
be more accurate to play 25.c3-c4l ,
taking from Black the opportunity
that occured in the game, and only
then to continue with b3-b4.
24 . . . l}j!a7 25. llc3. White has N� 446
a rich choice. He could win in the
endgame after 25.ct::l x e7+ �xe7
26.llxa6 llfe8 27.a4, but prefers
winning in the middlegame.
25 ... g6 26. �g4 �d7 27. l}j!f3
l}j!e6 28. llc7 (white pieces rule over
the entire chessboard) 28 . . .llde8
29. Ci::l f4 �es 30. lldS l}j! h8 31. a3!,
demonstrating an absolute domi­
nance. White is ready to play 32.llc7-
 Robert Fisher 1 85

2S . . .bS!? 26. lldd l. The rook 26 . . . hS 27 . .te3 W h7 28. f3

has nothing to do on d5 now. White's W g6 29. a4 WfS 30. W e2 (diagram
plan is to double the rooks on the file M 429)
"a" or " h " . Think about what to do next.
2 6. . . W e6 27. llal ll c 6 28. llh3 The plan - g7-g5, f7-f5-f4 (after the
.ltf8 29. l:l'.ah l I!c7 30. ll h4! (forc­ king's retreat and return to f5) and
ing Black to reply) 30 . . . dS 31. llal! g5-g4 - is worth additional 2 points.
is a fine intermediate move. If there 30 ... gS 31. Wf2 tI:l d8 32 . .td2
immediately follows 3 1.ed+ Wxd5 Wg6 33. We3 tI:le6 34. Wd3 wrs
32.lldl+ We6 33.lld8, then 33 . . . 3S. .te3 f6 36. We2 Wg6 37. W d3 rs
.ltg7l 38. W e2 f4 39 . .tf2 tI:l g7 40. h3 tI:lfS
31...llc6 32. ed+! WxdS 33. 41. Wd3 g4!? (and in this version,
I!dl+ We6 34. lld8 WfS (here the breakthrough g5-g4 poses hard
34... .ltg7 is already impossible) 3S. problems to White) 42. hg hg 43. fg
lla8 lle6 36. I!h3! .lt g7 (36 ... Wg4 tI:l h6 44 . .liel? (only 44. k h4 tI:\xg4
37. llf3 .ltg7 38. :Uxh8 kxh8 39. llf8 45 . .td8 kept a hope for a draw) 44...
ii.. g7 40. llf7+ - ) 37. I!xh8 ii..xh8 8xg4 4S. ii.. d2 wrs 46. .ltel 8f6
38. llxh7 lle8 39. llt7+ W g4 (39 . . . 47. .t h4 tI:lhS 48 . .tel W g4 49. � e2
We4 40. f3+ <;ti d 5 4 1 . Wd3+ - ) tI:\ g3+ 50. Wd3 (White's affairs are
40. f3+ Wg3. Find the strongest con­ not better after 50. �f2 W f5 5 1. Wf3
tinuation to get an additional point. tI:le4 52. ii.. h4 tI:ld2+ 53. We2 8 c4
41. W d3? (41.Wfl , with the 54. b3 8 a5 55. b4 tI:lc6- +) SO. . . tI:lfS
idea 42 . .t f2+) 4 1 . . .e4+ 42. fe lld8+ Sl. .tf2 tI:lh4 S2. aS tI:lxg2 (having
43 . .td4 W g4 44. an .lies ( 44... lost the pawn g2 , White is finished)
Wxg5 45. llgl+ W f4 46. I!xg6+ - ) S3. W c3 Wf3 S4. .tgl We2 SS . .th2
4S. We3 .ltc7 46. l:l'. gl+ WhS f3 S6 . .tg3 tI:le3 [0: 1)
47. Wf3 lld7 48. eS l:l'.t7+ 49. We4
llfS 50. e6 .1i. d8 Sl. .tf6 .ltxf6 S2. gf 227. FISCHER - SMYSLOV, 1965
llxf6 S3. W eS I1f2 S4. ll e l [ 1:0) (diagram M 430) Transferring
the king to e2 , the knight to d3 , fol­
226. SAIDY - FISCHER, 1963 lowed by c3-c4, is worth 4 points. If
(diagram M 428) The endgame you try to go deeply into the position
evaluation is in favour of Black. His and find out the idea ke3-c l -b2,
knight is stronger than the white after c3-c4 b5xc4, tI:l d2xc4, then
bishop cramped by the pawn d4. If you will get additional 3 points.
you begin to play this ending cor­ 32. Wg2 tI:lbd7 33. W fl ll c 8.
rectly (h7-h5, Wg8-h7-g6-f5) , 33 . . . tI:l e8 was stronger, with the idea
then you will get 3 points. 34. . . tI:l c7 and 35 . . Jla8. Fisher was
186 Thinking i n Schemes

going to play 34.l2ib3! CLic7 35.lla7 W d8 38. llc6 :Uc7 39. l:l:d3+ W c8
lla8 36.l2ia5 tLlbS 37.l:l:xa8 CLixa8 40. llxc7+ Wxc7 41. l:l:d7+ W c6
38.$.a7 W d7 39.l2ib7±. 42. l:l:xt7 c4 43. t2id7 $.c5 44 .!l:lxc5
•

34. CLiel! CLie8 35. t2id3 CLi c7 Wxc5 45. l:l:c7+ Wd5 46. b4! Against
36. c4! be 37. CLixc4 (White strived 46 . . . cb would follow 47.W d3. [1:0]
for this position: the pawn e5 is under
threat) 37. . . CLib5 38. lla6 Wf6 (38 ... 229. PORTISCH - FISCHER, 1966
l2ib8 39. lla8 CLic7 40. t2ixd6 Wxd6 (diagram M 432) This is an ex­
41. $.c5++ - is also futile) 39. $.cl! ample on the topic: "Realisation of
(yetanotherace-highmanoeuvre) 39 ... material advantage in case of unusual
$.b8 40. $.b2 (the threat f2-f4 forces balance of forces". Black's plan is to
Black to undertake desperate actions) activate the pawn mass on the kingside
40. . . c5 41. l2ib6! l2ixb6 42. llxb6 c4 with the goal to weaken the opponent's
43. CLic5 c3. Black resigned due to pawn formation and to bind white
variation 44. $.c l t2id4 45. t2id7+ pieces with the necessity of countering
cJ;; e 7 46. CLixb8 l2ib3 47. llb7+ Wd8 the advancement of black pawns. The
48. lld7+ We8 49. llxg7! [ 1:0] scheme: form the pawn-chain h6, g5,
f4, move the queen to d5, the knight to
228. FISCHER - DURAO, 1966 c4. The mark - 5 points.
(diagram M 431) Transferring the 2 1. . .h6! 22. :Ue2 (the move 22.h4
rook to b3, the knight to e4, the king weakened the kingside too much and
to e2, and placing pawns on f4 and g4 Black could exploit this by means of
gives White an opportunity to signifi­ 22 . . . e5! 2 3.fi.. xe5 .!l:lxe5 24.f4 .!l:lf3+!
cantly strengthen his position, and for 25.gf Vj'a4) 22 . . .g5 23. $.e5 �d8
you an opportunity to get 4 points. 24. l:l:fel wt7 25. h3 f4 26. W h2 a6
24. Ila3! llc7 25. llb3 llc6 26. 27. l:l:e4 �d5!
CLi e4 $.ts 27. W e2 fi.. e7 28. f4 Wf8?
the king would rather stay at "home". N� 447
The march into the centre gives White
additional tactical opportunities.
29. g4! W e8 30. llfl lld5
31. :C:.f3! (yet another resource for
strengthening the position) 3 1 . . .
l:l:d8 32. Ilh3 fi.. f8 33 . .!l:lxa5!, an el­
egant and unexpected blow. If 33 . . .
ba, then 34 ..!l:l f6+ with checkmate.
33 .. Jlc7 34. CLi c4 l:l:a7 35. l2ixb6
l2ixb6 36. l:l:xb6 l:l:da8 37. l2if6+
 Robert Fisher 1 87

Black strived for exactly this po­ e5, and you will get 1 point. 3 1 .llxeS
sition. White cannot repel Black's c 6! and 32. .. CZ\ d7, or 32 . . .f6.
numerous threats. 31. 1i.. c4 c6 32. lld2 CZ\ d4
28. h4 (28. ll4e2 f3! 29. gf CZ\d2) 33. Wfl f5! (having seized the point
28 ... CZ\ e3! (winning exchange) d4, Black begins an offensive) 34. b4
29. ll lxe3 (29. f3 � d2 30. llg l b5! 35. 1i.. g8 fe!, without giving the
� f2 - + ) 29 . . . fe 30. llxe3 �xa2 31. opponent any breathing spell. The
I!f3+ W e8 32. 1i.. g7 �c4 33. hg hg move in the game lead to new weak­
34. a�+ W d7 35. lla8 W c6 [0:1] nesses for White.
36. fe ( 36. be e3 37. lld3 ef
230. LARSEN - FISCHER, 1967 38. Wxf2 lla8 39. 1i.. a2 b4 was for
(diagram NQ 433) " King's Indian Black's benefit) 36 . . . CZ\ d7 37. lld3
endgame" . M.Euwe and V.Smyslov lla6! 38. llc3 c5! 39. g4? (but 39.bc
have already given us lessons on this b4! was still better) 39 ... c4- + 40. gh
topic. Therefore , the manoeuvre gh 41. 1i.. d 5 CZ\f6 42. llg3 CZ\xd5
CZ\d6-b7, followed by 1i.. f8-c5, then 43. ed llf6 44. W g2 CZ\f5 45. llh3
by exchanging the bishops and taking llg6+ 46. Wf3 CZ\d4+ 47. W e3
control over the key square d4, should (47. W e4 W d6 48. llh2 llg3) 47 ...
not lead to complications (3 points). llg2 48. llhl W d6 49. CZ\e4+ Wxd5
25 . . . CZ\b7! 26. CZ\f2 1i.. c 5! 27. 50. CZ\ c3+ W e6 51. llcl llh2 52. a4
1i.. xc5 CZ\ bxc5 28. lld 1. llh3+ 53. Wf2 CZ\ b3 54. W g2 CZ\x:
cl 55. Wxh3 ha 56. CZ\xa4 CZ\e2
N!! 448 57. b5 c3 58. b6 c2 59. CZ\ c5+ W d 5
60. CZ\ b3 (60. CZ\d3 CZ\ f4+) 60 . . . W c6
61. W g2 Wxb6 [0:1]

231. FISCHER - MYAGMARSUREN,

1967
(diagram NQ 434) The finders of a
"scheme-based" combination get 3
points. (The scheme consists of the
maneuver 1i.. h 3-g2 coupled with
�g5-h6xh7) .
28... h5! (cutting the white knight 29. 1i.. g2! de (29 . . . �f8 30. hg fg
from the point d5) 29. lld5 (29. CZ\d3 3 1 . 1i.. e4 dc 32. 1i..xg6 c l�+ 33. llxc l
was better) 29 ... Wf6 30. h4 W e7! llxc l+ 34. Wh2+ - ) 30. �h6 ��
Find why one must not take the pawn 31. �xh7+!
188 Thinking in Schemes

20 . .txa5 llxb3 2 1 . .t d2 ll a8!

(the second rook proceeds along
the beaten track) 22. a4 ll a6 23. a5
� h7 24. :i::l: e dl b6 25 . .tel (25. ab
:i::l: axb6 26. lldb l was slightly better)
25 . . . ba 26. ti:l a4 llxd3! 27 . .txd3
.txd3 (it is evident that this sacri­
fice exchange is temporary -black
pieces are extremely active) 28. � a2
ti:lb4! 29. '*'a3 ti:l c2 30. �b2 ti:lxa l
3 1. Ilxal ti:lxa4 32. :i::l: xa4 '*'e4
33 . .txa5 (33 . .td2 llb6 ; 33. llal
Black resigned in view of a most .txc4) 33 ... :i::l: xa5 34. llxa5 "&el+
convincing variation: 3 1 . . . �xh7 35. � h2 '*'xa5 36. "&:d4 [0: 1 ]
32.hg+ Wxg6 33 . .te4# [ 1:0]
233. FISCHER - PAN NO, 1970
232. SAIDY - FISCHER, 1969
(diagram M 436) This is a scheme­
(diagram M 435) The plan of
based combination. White pieces are
strengthening Black's position is a
consolidated according to the scheme:
typical "King's Indian" and it consists
�h6, ti:lg5, .te4, the pawn h5. The
of transferring the knight to c5 and the
blows are delivered to the points h7
rook to b6. The mark - 3 points.
and g6. The mark - 4 points.
16 . . . ti:l d7! 17. llel ti:lc5 18 . .tfl
27. lZ:\gS lZ:\f8 28. .te4! �e7 (the
lla6!, the manoeuvre tried by the
bishop is invulnerable) 29. ti:lxh7!
American Champion (see example
lll xh7 30. hgfg31. .txg6ll\g532.ti:lh5!
N2 228 Fisher - Durao) .
Cll f3+ 33. Wg2 ti:lh4+ 34.� g3 ti:lxg6
19 . .td2 llb6.
35. ti:lf6+ wt7 36. l¥Vh7+ [1:0)
N� 450
2Yt. FISCHER - UNZICKER, 1970
(diagram M 437) White's plan is
to create a powerful attacking for­
mation on the kingside by means
of f4-f5, .te3-f4, lla l-e l , g2-g4,
'*'d3-g3 , ti:l d4-f3. The mark - 4
points.
14. f5! (E. Lasker's idea) 14 . . .

�e7 (the variation 1 4. . . W h8 15. ti:l f3

 Robert Fisher 189

b6 16 . .t d4 c5 17 . .tc3 .tb7 appears 235. FISCHER - TAIMANOV, 1971

to be better) 15 . .tf4! .txf4 ( 1 5 . . . (diagram NJ 438) This is a known
.t d7 and 16 ... llae8 was stronger, position which is presented here
continuing struggle for the point e 5) merely because it is extremely instruc­
16. llxf4 .td7 17. llel �cS 18. c3 tive. The winning method shown by
llae8 19. g4! �d6 20. �g3 :C:e7 the outstanding chessplayer should
2 1. Cl\ f3 cS. be comprehended and added to one's
armoury. It consists of transferring the
N� 451 bishop to the diagonal h5-e8, and
the king to a6; after that Black is in
Zugzwang, and then White, sacrificing
the bishop on g6 and eliminating the
queenside pawns, wins the endgame
with pawns against the knight. The
mark - 7 points. (2 points for erudi­
tion to those who know this example).
46. .te8 W dS 47 . .tt7+ W d6 48.
Wc4 �c6 49 . .te8+ Wb7 50. �bS
Cll c8 51. .tc6+ W c7 52 . .t dS! Cll e7
53 . .tt7 Wb7 54. .tb3! (the black
All is ready for a breakthrough king should be dislodged from the big
in the centre. diagonal) 54. . . W a7 55 . .tdl �b7
22. eS! fe 23. Il:.fe4 .t c6 24. 56. .tf3+ Wc7 57. 'it'a6 (the king
llxeS :.C:.fe8 25. 11xe7 llxe7 26. Cll e S! has arrived at the destination point)
(White 's advantage has crystallized: 57 . . .Cll g8 58 . .tdS Cll e7 59 . .tc4
he has an extra pawn along with an Cll c6 60 . .tt7 Cll e7 61. .te8! W d8.
active arrangement of pieces) 26 . . . h6
27. h4 .t d7 28. �f4 \{Wf6 29. :.C:.e2! N� 452
.tc8 30. �c4+ W h7 3 1 . Cl\ g6 :.C:.xe2
32. �xe2 .td7 33. �e7! (forc­
ing the transition into a winning
ending) 33 ... �xe7 34. Cll xe7 gS
35. hg hg 36. Ci:l dS! (an accurately
calculated final manoeuvre) 36 . . .
.t c6 37. Cll xc7 .tf3 38. Cll e 8 Wh6
39. tll f6 Wg7 40. w f2 .t d 1 41. Cll d 7!
c4 (41 . . . .txg4 42. f6+ Wg8 43. f7+)
42. W g3 [ 1:0]
190 Thinking in Schemes

Now is the time for decisive ac­ 30 . .txe4 fS 31. .tc2 .txdS
tions. 32. ab ab 33. lla7! Wf6 34. tt::l bd2
62 . .txg6! tt::l xg6 63. W:xb6 W d7 :Uxa7 3S. :Uxa7 lla8 36. g4! (still,
64. WxcS tt::l e7 6S. b4 ab 66. ch tt::l c8 White has better chances!) 36 . . . hg
67. aS tt::l d6 68. bS tt::l e4+ 69. W b6 37. hg llxa7 38. �xa7 f4 39 . .txf4!
'it' c8 70. 'it' c6 'it'b8 71. b6 [1:0) (regaining the piece, White gets a
stronger attack) 39 . . . ef 40. tt::l h4!
.tt7 41. �d4+ W e6 42. tt::l fS! .t�
236. FISCHER - SPASSKI, 1992
43. �xf4 W d7 44. tt::l d4 �el+
(diagram N2 439) Black is in a 4S. W g2 .tdS+ 46 . .t e4 .txe4+
passive but seemingly firm posi­ 47. tt::l xe4 .te7 48. tt::l xbS tZ:l �
tion. A brilliant idea, conceived by 49. tt::l bxd6 tt::l e6 SO. �es [1:0]
the American Champion, proves
that the situation is not so good for 237. FISCHER - SPASSKI, 1972
Black. The maneuver tt::l g 3-fl-d2- (diagram N2 440) White's posi­
b 1 , with the ensuing clearance of the tion is strategically winning. His
line "a" and then tt::l b l-a3, resulted plan is to place pawns on e5 and
in winning the most important pawn f4, the bishop on c4, the queen on
b5. The mark - 10 points. h3 and to execute the breakthrough
27. tt::l fl! .te7 28. tt::l ld2 W g7 f4-f5. The mark - 4 points.
29. tt::l b l. 2 1 . f4! �e7 22. eS llb8 23 . .tc4
W h8 24. �h3! tt::l � 2S. b3 aS.
N� 4S3
N� 4S4

29 . . . tt::l xe4! V. Spasski is at his

best. He finds an opportunity to 26. fS! (white pieces are per­
make the situation red-hot up to the fectly arranged for an attack) 26 ...
limit and to take counter-chances. ef 27. llxfS tt::l h7 28. llcfl (but, cer-
 Robert Fisher 191

tainly, not 28.I:l'.f7? lZJg5- +) 28 . . . 36. Si. d3! � e8 37. \{W e4! (threat­
\{Wd8 2 9 . �g3 lle7 30. h4! (com­ ening with 38.t!:f8+�) 37 ...lZJf6
pletely binding the black knight) 30 ... 38. llxf6! (a simple but spectacu­
I:l'.bb7 31. e6 llbc7 32. �e5! \{We8 lar sacrifice ends the fight) 38. . . gf
33. a4 \{Wd8 34. ll lf2 �e8 35. ll2f3 39. llxf6 � g8 40. �c4 � h8 41. �f4
�d8. It is the turn for a new, decisive [ 1 :0]
rearrangement ( 1 point) .
 Anatoly Karpov
(born 23. 05. 1 951 )

INSTANCES OF THINKING IN SCHEMES IN THE GAMES

OF ANATOLY KARPOV

238. KARPOV MECKING, 1971

- 33. ll lh3! j.,d4. Meckinggets no
points. . . All the same , Black would
N2 455 lose even after a better defence: 33 . . .
�xg4 34. l:!: h l l:!:g8 35. j.,xg8 llxg8
36. llfl .
34. llg7. Checkmate is inevita­
ble. [ 1:0]
Ni! 456

Black is in a lamentable situa­

tion. ''At this point, a "deadly " idea
came to my mind ': - A. Karpov.
You get 2 points for discovering this
idea. White to move
 Anatoly Karpov 193

N2 457 N2 460

White to move White to move

N2 458 N2 461

Black to move White to move

N2 459 N2 462

White to move Black to move

1 94 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 463 N!! 466

White to move

N!! 464 N!! 467

White to move

N!! 465 N!! 468

White to move Black to move

 Anatoly Karpov 195

M? 469 N2 472

White to move White to move

N2 470

White to move White to move

White to move White to move

196 Thinking in Schemes

N� 475 N� 477

White to move White to move

N� 476 N� 478

What are your actions in the case 44.. ab+?

.

LEARNING FROM ANATOLY KARPOV

239. KARPOV - GLIGORIC, 1972 are the main thoughts about this po­
(diagram M 456) "White has sition: 1) Black has only one obvious
an evident space advantage and the weakness - the pawn c5; an attack
subsequent positional advantages. on the weakness should be organised
To increase them, Wh ite h as to find quickly - this will allow to cramp the
a clear plan of rearrangement. Here opponent's pieces; 2) the best place
 Anatoly Karpov 197

for the king is on f3 - here he will N� 479

not be checked, he supports the de­
fence of the bishop g4, opens up the
diagonal gl-a 7for the queen -bishop
battery, and the second rank - for
the rooks manoeuvre; 3) White has
to stmggle for the line "h " and for
developing the initiative on the king­
side. At a convenient moment, he can
undertake actions on the opposite
wing and can transfer there the brunt
of the struggle, exploiting the better
mobility of his forces ", - A. Karpov. 47 . . . llh4 48. llxa3 Jlgh8 49.
Th e plan is evaluated at 9 points and :Ubl llb8 50. �el! llxg4 ( 50 . . . llhh8
this value should have possibly been 5 1. �a5+ Wc8 52. f6l gf 53. ct::l x­
divided into three pans - such a c 5+ - ) 51. Wxg4 j,, c8 52. �as+
plan can hardly be devised at once [ 1 :0]
by "a mere mortal "!
42. �gl! ct::l b6 43. llh2 �e7? 240. KARPOV - ANDERSSON, 1973
To discern White 's conception was (diagram N2 457) Black's queen­
beyond the scope of even such side is weakened and white pieces
an outstanding Grandmaster as are conveniently positioned there
S. Gligoric , and he made a mistake. for the preparation of a pawn at­
43 . . . a5 , urgently strengthening the tack. The bishop is transferred to
queenside, was correct. a6, the queen to a4. The mark - 5
44. ct::l b 3! (taking this opportu­ points.
nity from Black) 44. . . W c7 45. Wf3! 19. j,, b7! llc7 20. j,, a6 llc6
Ci::l d7 46. a3! ha 47. lla2! The main 2 1 . �b3 �b8 22. �a4. An impor­
events will develop on the queenside tant feature of this position is that
where White will quickly consoli­ the black knight, having no strong­
date big forces and will pounce upon holds, cannot help to defend other
the black king. black pieces. If 22 . . . ct::l c 7 , then
23.llxd7.
22 . . . llc7 23. �bS Ci::l f6 24. f3!
(not allowing the knight to enter the
play) 24. . . dS.
198 Thinking in Schemes

N� 480 alone cannot compensate for the

drawbacks in the placement of oth­
er white pieces) 27 . . . .@.d8! 28. g4!
(trying to support the knight) 28 ...
f6 29. W g2 W f7 30. Itel .@.b6
31. llec2 llxc2 32. llxc2 W e6 33. a4
a5 34. .@.a3.

Trying to break free , White was

ready to play 25.e4.
25. c5! (beginning a decisive of­
fensive with the overwhelming forces)
25 . . . hS 26. a4 lle8 27. cb ab 28. a5
llxcl 29. llxcl �e5 An attempt to
counter-attack fails. But also the
endgame, after 29 ... ba 30.�xb8,
promised nothing good to Black. 34 . . . llb8!, the rook is the only
30. �xb6+ - d4 3 1 . W hl �e3 black piece acting below his capac­
32. llfl e5 33 . .@.d3 h4 34. gh �f4 ity. The move played in the game
35. llgl �xh4 36. a6 (a victorious prepares for him an opportunity for
pawn march ends the game) 36 . . . g6 activation after the planned b7-b5.
37. a7 W g7 38 . .@.xg6! [ 1 :0] 35. llc4 .@.d4 36. f4!, an active
defence. Now 36 ... b 5 is not fright­
241. SPASSKI - KARPOV, 1974 ening in view of 37.ab llxb5 38.f5+
(diagram N2 458) The endgame Wd5 39.ct::l c 3+!
is in Black's favour due to the weak 36. . . g6 37. ct::l g3 ef (it is disad­
pawn d6. He finds an excellent re­ vantageous for Black to allow for
arrangement of forces and increas­ 38.f5) 38. llxd4 fg 39. Wxg3 llc8
es his advantage: the rook goes to 40. lld3 g5!, pinning yet another
c8, the bishop is transferred to b6 weak pawn. Black acts according to
through d8 , the pawn to f6 , and the WSteinitz's theory by accumulating
king to e6. The mark - 5 poin ts. small advantages.
26 . . . llc8! 27. ct::l e4 (the knight 41. .@.b2 b6 42 . .@.d4. 42. llc3!?
e4 is perfectly positioned, but he llxc3+ 43 . .@.xc 3 ct::l c 5 was worth at-
 Anatoly Karpov 199

tention (43 ... W xd6 44. b4) 44. Wf3 N!! 482
ct::l x b3 45. d7+ .
42 . . . llc6 43. $. c3 llc5 ( 43 . . .
llxd6 44. llxd6+ W xd6 45. b4=
was not successful) 44. W g2 llc8
45. W g3 ct::l e5 (White has perfectly
defended himself and Black tries
to use the last chance - transition
into a rook ending) 46. $.xe5 fe
47. b4?, the mistake that lead to a
lost game. One should struggle for
a draw by means of 47. W f3 lld8
48.b4. 29. ct::l h2! A powerful sweeping
47 ... e4! (White overlooked play all over the board. Now is the
this intermediate move) 48. lld4 turn for actions on the kingside.
(48. llb3 W xd6 49. ba ba 50. W f2 29 . . . $.g7 30. f4. Maybe it was
W d5 5 1. We3 llc5 52. lla3 We5 worth risking 30 . . . ef, as Black got into
53. llb3 lld5 54. llc3 lld3+ - +) such a dreary situation in the game.
48. . . W eS 49. lldl ab 50. llbl llc3+ 30 . . . f6 31. f5 g5 ( 3 1 . . .gfl? 32. ef
51. Wt2 lld3 52. d7 llxd7 53. llxb4 ct::l f7) 32. $.c2!, the bishop strives
lld6 54. W e3 lld3+ [0: 1 ] for h5 to challenge his black op­
ponent. In case of the bishops ex­
242. KARPOV - UNZICKER, 1974 change, White would dominate over
(diagram N2 459) The idea of the white squares.
plan that was carried out by Karpov 32 ...$.t7 33. ct::l g3 ct::l b7 34. $.dl
in this game (to block the open line h6? (it is incomprehencible, how such
with a piece and to regroup his forc­ a move could be made by the experi­
es under the protection of the piece) enced Grandmaster?) 35. $.h5 l)J/J e8
we have already seen in a game by E. 36. �dl ct::l d8 37. lla3 Wf8 38. ll la2
Lasker (Tartakower - Lasker) . The W g8 39. ct::l g4! Wf8 40. ct::l e3 Wg8
mark - 3 points ( 1 point for erudi­ 41. $.xt7+ ct::l xt7 42. l)J/JhS ct::l d8 (42 ...
tion to those who know this exam - ct::l h 8 43. ct::l g4 �xh5 44. ct::l xh5 Wf7
pie) . 45. $.b6 llxa3 46. llxa3 lla8 47. llxa8
24. $.a7! (to know this move is ct::l xa8 48. $.dB+ - ) 43. �g6! Wt8
a point of honour of every learned 44. ct::l h5 [1:0]
chessplayer!) 24 . . . ct::l e 8 25. $.c2
ct::l c7 26. lleal l)J/Je7 27. $.bl $.e8 243. KARPOV - DEBARNO, 1977
28. ct::l e2 ct::l d8. (diagram N2 460) This is a rep-
200 Thinking in Schemes

etition of the theme "Weakness of on c3) 22 . . .:Ucd6 23. :Urdl :U6d7

an isolated pawn in endgame" . The 24. :U ld2 �bS 2S. �dl b6 26. g3!
white rook strives forc6 ora5, and the (after the bishop retreats to g2, the
king for d4. The mark - 3 points. white queen will have an oppor­
Sl. :Ub4! :Ue7 S2. llbS :Uc7 (the tunity to jump out to h5) 26 . . . �f8
rook should not be allowed to get to 27. �g2 �e7 28. �hS! a6. In re­
c6, but now the white king has enough sponse to the threat e 3-e4, Black
room for manoeuvre) S3. We3 wr6 weakens the queenside pawns and
S4. Wd4 gS SS. hg+ hg 56. :UaS We6 gives White an opportunity to devise
S7. b3 'it'r6 S8. :Ual li:ld7! (repelling a substitute plan. Which one? The
the threat 58.:Uhl in view of 58 ... li:lcS, answer is worth 2 points: � h5-d l ,
and 59.:Uh6+ We7 60.llh7+ Wd6 �c3-d4, lld3-b3.
61.:Uxc7 li:le6+ givesnothingto White) 29. h3 �c6 30. Wh2 a5 31. r4
S9. :Ua5 li:lb6 60. g4! We6. Question: (White is still following the original
What is White's further plan? The an­ plan) 31...r6 (31.. .fS 32. �g6 �IB 33.
swer: To create a passed pawn on the �es, with the idea g3-g4±) 32. �dl
line "c". The mark - 2 points. �bS (32 ... :Ud6 was more tenacious,
61. c4! de 62. be :Ud7+ 63. W c3 then White would have combined the
:Ug7 64. �rs+ wr6 6S. 'it' d4 :Ue7 threats on both sides to achieve a win)
66. cS! (the remaining was accu­ 33. g4 gS 34. Whl (34.fS, but not im­
rately calculated by the l 21h Cham­ mediately, in view of 34...�f7 35.e4
pion of the World) 66 . . . lleS 67. �e4 d4!) 34...�c6 3S. f5 �fl 36. e4.
li:ld7 68. :Ua6+ :Ue6 69. :Uxe6+!
Wxe6 70. �rs+ W e7 7 1 . c6 [ 1 :0) N!! 483

244. KARPOV -SPASSKI, 1979

(diagram M 461) To find an idea
for White 's plan in this strategi­
cally winning position will be much
easier, if you remember the example
Botvinnik - Zagorianski. The stages
of the plan: doubling or tripling ma­
jor pieces on the line " d" and starting
the kingside pawn offensive aimed
at the creation of another weakness.
The mark - 3 points. The pawn d5 is lost.
22. :Ud3! (at the same time pre­ 36 . . . W g7 37. ed � c7 38. :Ue2
venting possible exchange sacrifice bS? (forcing the outcome) 39. :Uxe7!
 Anatoly Karpov 201

:Uxe7 40. d6 � c4 (40 . . . �d7 41 . de The arrangement of pieces

�xd3 42. ed�) 4 1 . b3l (4 1 . :Ud4? sought by Black is reached. White
�e2 42. de �xd l+) [ 1 :0] has numerous weaknesses, his pieces
occupy miserable positions. He will
245. SPASSKI - KARPOV, 1979 soon part with some material.
(diagram N2 462) This is an in - 30. j,, a2 ( 30. j,, c 2 ll:le5 3 1 . :Ud2
stance of the highest mastery. Black ll:lxc4) 30 ... :Ucl! 31. ll:lf3 ( 3 1 . j,, b 3
literally "drives" the enemy into the ll:le5 32. :Ue3 W f6- + ) 3 1 . . .j,, xf3!
conceived scheme with the help of a (leaving for White only a passive
forced variation. Those who found the bishop) 32. :Uxf3 ll:l e5 33. :Ue3 Wf6
arrangement of black pieces - We7, 34. j,, b3 a5 (Zugzwang) 35. j,, a4
:Uel(3) with the rooks exchange and ll:lxc4 36. :Ue8 :Uxc3 37. :Uc8 ll:le3
a temporary sacrifice of the pawn d6 38. j,, bS c4 39. W gl :Uc2 40. j,, c6
- will get 5 points. This is an excellent c3 41. j_f3 g5 42. g4 f4 [0:1]
position to test one's positional insight
and calculation techniques. 246. KARPOV - QUINTEROS, 1980
25 ... :Ue3! 26. ll:lgl (26. :Uxd6 (diagram N2 463) A " King's In­
:Uxd6 27. :Uxd6 j,, xf3 28. gfll:\e5 29. f4 dian" endgame can favour White
ll:lf3+ 30. Wg2 :Uxc3 3 1. :Ud5 ll:ld4 tool This is one such case. The black
32. :Uxc5 :Ub3 33. :Ud5 :Ub2+- +) knight is far from the square d4, but
26 ... wm! 27. :Uxd6 :Uxd6 28. :Uxd6 the weakness of the square d6 is es­
We7. Black pieces act in an extremely sential. The scheme: move b5-b6
consistent manner. The white rook to pin the weakness of the pawn b7,
doesn't have any square on the 6th then transfer the knight to c4, with
rank and is forced to get out. the prospective routes to a5 or d6.
29. :Ud3 ti.el. The mark - 4 points.
31. b6! a6 32. ll:lbl! (gladly re­
N� 484 membering Steinitz and Botvinnikl)
32 . . . ll:lg7 33. ll:ld2 ll:l e6 34. b4 :Ud8
35. ll:l c4.
(See diagram 485)
35 . . . :Ud4 (an attempt to break
free is refuted) 36. ll:ld6 :Uxb4 ( 36 ...
ll:l d8 37. :Ub2) 37. ll:lxb7 :Ub5 38. h4
h5 ( 38 ... ll:l xc5 39. ll:lxc5 :Uxc5
40. :Ub2+ - ) 39. Wf2 W d7? (39 . . . f6
was better) 40. ll:ld6 :Uxc5 ( 40 . . . :Ub4
4 1 . ll:lxf?) 41. :Ub2 [ 1 :0]
202 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 485 248. KARPOV - PORTISCH, 1982

(diagram M 465) White's posi­
tion is clearly better. His plan is to
use the weakening of white squares
in the enemy camp and to carry on
an offensive on the queenside. The
scheme which makes white pieces
ready for actions: the bishop on g4,
the rook on e4, the pawns on b4 and
c4. The mark - 3 points.
23 . .tg4 llb8 24. llel �cs 25.
lle4 llf8 26. b4 � c7 27. c4 � h8.
247. KARPOV - NUNN, 1982
N!! 487
(diagram M 464) Rearrangement
"under the fire of the enemy". The
scheme: �g4, llg6 , �gS. The mark
- 5 points.
46. �g4! (repelling the threat
46 ... llxd5 47.cd llc3, White prepares
an irrefutable attack on the king) 46 ...
Wh7 47. llg6 l{Wf8 48. �gS!

N!! 486

28. cS! (a well-prepared and de­

cisive breakthrough) 28. . . dc 29. d6!
�d8 30. be f3 (an attempt to change
the dull course of events) 31. l{WdS
fg 32. llxeS �f6 33. llfS �al+
34. �xg2 .tf6 35. d7 1*'xa5 36. llxb7
llxb7 37. �xb7 1*'d8 38. c6+ - a5
39. c7 l{Wxd7 40. :C:f4 [1:0)
249. KARPOV - ANDERSSON, 1988
One can refute the threats 49.llh6 (diagram M 466) White has
only at the cost of material losses. space advantage and an opportunity
48... �xfS+ 49. l{WxfS :.C:xfS to place his pieces to active posi­
50. :C:xg7+ Wxg7 51. llxfS [ 1:0) tions. The best square for the knight
 Anatoly Karpov 203

is c5 , the rook moves from a l to d3 30... h5 31. j,, h3 We8 32. llc7
along the shortest route through a3. tll a8 (Black has no stomach to en­
The mark - 3 points. dure the torments and he decides
19. tll b3! f6 20. ll a3! j,, e6 21. to speed up the events) 33. llxb7
tll c 5 j_f7 22. lld3 llae8. llxb7 34. tll xb7 tll b6 35. tll d6+!
W e7 36. tll xf7 tll xa4!? (36 . . .Wxf?
N!! 488 37. b3+ - ) 37. tll h8! tll xb2 38. e5
a4 39. tll g6+ We8 40. j,, e6 tll d3
41. j,, g8!+ - fe (4 1 . . .tll b 4 42. e6 tll d 5
43. j_f7+ W d8 44. e7+ tll xe7 45. tll x­
e7+ - ) 42. tll xe5 tll b4 43. tll c4 h4
44. j,, h7 hg 45. hg W e7 46. j,, e4 Wf6
47. g4 W e6 48. Wf2 tll d5 49. Wt3
tll b4 50. g5 c5 51. fS+ W e7 52. We3
wts 53. Wd2 'it'e7 54. 'it'c3 [1:0)
250. TIMMAN KARPOV, 1988
-

(diagram NQ 467) The white king

showed an excessive activity and now
23. j,, h3. Yet another white
is in a dangerous situation. An accu­
piece improves his position. Black's
rate rearrangement of black pieces -
mischief is that he has no active plan
W f6, llg7, tll t7 - made his position
and he has been forced to wait pas­
hopeless. The mark - 3 points.
sively for further developments.
40 . . . tll b 7! 41. Ital tll d6 42.
23 ... tll c8. 23 . . . j,,g6 is bad in view
tll b l llg7 43. tll a3 Wf6 44. llgl (if
of 24.llb3. At the same time, White
44.tll c2 , then 44 ... h5 45.gh llg2,
was going to develop the initiative by
and Black wins) 44. . . tll f7 45. W h3.
means of24.lld4, followed by 25.b4.
24. j,, d7 (preventing the move 24... N!! 489
b6) 24...lld8 25. llcdl is the scheme
familiar from the game Karpov - Un­
zicker. White consolidates his forces
under the protection of the bishop.
25... tll b6(aforcedmove) 26. j,, g4
llxd3 27. llxd3 wm 28. lld8+ lle8
29. lld4! (intending to play 30.b2-
b4) 29 . . .llb8 30. lld7! Exquisite!
After invading the 7th rank, White's
advantage becomes decisive.
204 Thinking in Schemes

45 . . . h5. Material losses are in - of more tenacious continuations,

evitable. White resigned [0:1] Black would have strengthened his
position, combining the attack with
251. TIMMAN - KARPOV, 1990 the central pawn d4 and the threats
(diagram N2 468) Black is going to the pawn h 5 on the kingside.
to realise an extra pawn. At the be­ 32. b3? [32. \{We2 ; 32. \{W d l ]
ginning , the knight is transferred to 3 2 . . . cS! (it unexpectedly shows that
f5 where he occupies an ideal posi­ White has a weak first rank) 33. \{We2
tion, protecting the kingside and at­ cd 34. �d2 d3! White is in dire
tacking the weak pawn d4. The king straits. The Ex-World Champion
is transferred onto e7 in the centre, vigorously ends the fight.
where he is positioned actively and 35. l}j! dl. 35. \{Wxd3 \{Wal+
sufficiently reliably. The mark - 4 36. l}j!fl � h2+ ; 35. l{W fl ct::l g 3!
points. 36. l}j!e l (36. fg �c5+) 36 . . . ct::l e2+
27 . . . ct::l c6! 28. �e8. The bishop 37. w n l}j! h4 38. f4 ct::l g3+ ; 35. l{W e l
endgame after 28. h5 ct::l e7 29. b3 Ci::l d4 36. � a 6 \{Wh4- + .
ct::l xg6 30. hg \{WfS 3 1. \{WxfS ef 3 5...l}j!h4 36. g3 ct::l xg3! If 37. fg,
32. �d2 'it' f8! ( 32 . . . �b4 33. �f4+) then 37 ...l}j!xg3+ 38. Wfl \{Wh3+ 39.
33. �xa5 W e7 is also for Black's Wgl � c s+ with checkmate. [0:1)
benefit.
28 . . . ct::l e7 29. �d7 Ci::l f5 30. h5 252. KARPOV - KASPAROV, 1990
Wfl 31. �c8 W e7. (diagram N2 469) White, occu­
pying the only open file, has a stra­
N� 490 tegically won position. His plan is to
dislodge the black rook from the line
" c " , the bishop from the diagonal
h2-b8, and to execute the advance­
ment d5-d6. The mark - 4 points.
29. �a5! �d6 30. \{Wc3 lle8.
To exchange on c6 is clearly disad­
vantageous for Black. For example:
30 . . . llxc6 3 1 . de l}j!c8 32. c7 W f7
33. g3 We8 34. \{Wc6+ W f8 35. f4
Wg7 36. Wg2 Wf8 37. l}j!dS+ - .
31. a3! (White prepares a deci­
Black increases the pressure sive rearrangement at a slow pace)
and White, succumbing to the pres­ 3 1 . . . W g7 32. g3 �e5 33. l}j!cS h5
sure, makes a fatal mistake. In case 34. �c7! �al 35. �f4 (now all
 Anatoly Karpov 205

is simple) 35 . . . �d7 36. llc7 �d8 �f3.@.c344. ll d7+) 43. �f3 (the king
37. d6+ - . is now in his place) 43... a4 44. lld7 +
ll8e7 (exchanging the rooks makes
N� 49 1 it easier for White to realise his ad­
vantage, but 44. . .�g6 45.ll:ld3 is also
unacceptable for Black) 45. llxe7+
llxe7 46. ll:l d3 ab 47. ab.

N� 492

37... g538. d7. White actsin asim­

ple and reliable manner. Grandmas­
ter R. Holmov pointed out a beauti­
ful variation: 38 . .@.xg5 fg 39. �xg5+
�f8 40. d7 �xc7 4 1 . � h6+ .@.g7
42. �xg7+! Wxg7 43. dell:l+! Black's decision to quit the game
38. . . llm 39 . .@.d2 .@. es 40. llb7 demonstrates the power of White's
Black resigned: 40 . . . h4 4 1 . .@.a5! setup. [1:0)
�xa5 42. �xe7+ � g6 (42 ... llf7
43. �xf7++ - ) 43. � h7+! Wxh7 254. KARPOV - ANDERSSON, 1991
44. d8�++ - . [1:0] (diagram N2 471) White has rich
opportunities on the kingside. But
253. KARPOV - GUREVICH M., 1991 before starting pugnacious actions
(diagram N2 470) Black is in there, it would be useful to seal the
a dreary position. His bishop has queenside, depriving the enemy of
no target to shoot, and the dou­ every counterplay. White's plan -
bled pawns are weak and will soon 3 1 .llal and 32.a4 - is worth 2 points.
become a target for white pieces. 31. llal �c7 32. a4! ha? (the
White's main idea is to transfer the pawn a5 is surely doomed) 33. llxa3
king to f3 and the knight to d3. The �b7 34. .@.c3 ll:lc7.
mark - 2 points. (See diagram 493)
39. ll:lh4! lle5 40. � g2! .@.f6 41. 35 . .@.xa5+ - ll:lb5 36. lla4
ll:lf3 ll5e6 42. ll:lel! a5 (42 ... b4 43. [ 1 :0)
206 Thinking in Schemes

48. Wf5 g5. If 48 . . . We7 then

49. Wg6 (49. We5?! ct:l c6+ 50. 'it'd5
ct:lb4+ 51. 'it' c5 ct:ld3+) 49 ... wf8
50. .tfl b4 5 1. W f5 ct:l c6 52. We4.
49. W g6 We7 50. Wxh6 Wf6
51. .td7! ® e7 ( 5 1 . . .b4 52. h4
gh 53. gh We7 54. h5! Wxd7
55. Wg7+ - ) 52 . .txb5! This is the
shortest way to a win. The knight
cannot deal with three pawns.
52 ... ct:lxb5 53. Wxg5 'it' t7
54. W h6! ct:l d4 55. g4 ct:lf3 56. h3
255. KARPOV - POLGAR Z., 1992
Wf6 57. b4 [ 1:0]
(diagram M 472) This position is
one of those where a bishop is strong­
256. KARPOV - LAUTIER, 1992
er than a knight: The position has an
(diagram M 473)
open character, fighting takes place
This is a textbook position on the
on both wings. Black's weaknesses
topic "Bad bishop" . Here, the black
aggravate his problems. White's plan
bishop is actually a tall pawn, there­
is to exchange the weak pawn e6 and
fore, White has a winning position de­
to break with the king to one of the
spite a one-point material deficiency.
flanks. The mark - 3 points.
The winning plan is to place the king
44 . .tm (forcing the black king
on g5, the bishop on e4, the pawns on
to retreat) 44 . . . Wd7 45. f5! (just in
f3 and g4. This inevitably leads to the
time: Blackcannotmove e6-e5 now)
creation of a passed pawn on the line
45 . . . W d6 46. fe Wxe6 47. .t h3+
"h" wich will decide the outcome of
W d6 (47 . . . W e7 48. W d5).
the struggle. The mark - 3 points.
Ne! 494 33. ®f4 ® f8 34. W g5 w e7
35 . .te4 .t a8 36. f3 .tb7 (36 . . . c 5
37 . .txa8 cb 38 . .t c 6 b3 39 . .ta4 b2
40 . .tc2) 37. g4 .ta8.
(See diagram 495)
38. gh gh 39. f4 .tb7 40 . .tf3
.ta8 41. 'it'xh5 [ 1 :0]

257. KARPOV - SALOV, 1993

(diagram M 474) White has a
high storm rate on the kingside. The
 Anatoly Karpov 207

Black lays down his arms due to

the evident transfer of the rook to
the line " h " : 33 . . . hg 34. ll h4 [ 1:0)

258. KARPOV - YUSUPOV, 1993

(diagram M 475) The knight's
advantage over a "bad " bishop,
an opportunity to create a passed
pawn on the kingside (h4-h5) and
to open the play on the queenside
(�b l-c2-c3, llfl-al and b2-b4) ,
all this allows us to evaluate the end­
attack develops according to the
game as won for White. If you think
scheme with the inclusion of pieces
in the same way, you get 3 points.
lll e4-g5 , i.g2-e4. 3 1 . lll g5 . Pos­
40. h5!+ - 40... lla8 41. � c2
sibly, a "deadly" idea came again
� g7 42. W c3 ll a6 43. llal :.C:ha8
to A.Karpov's mind, as it was in the
44. b4 (diagram M 476).
game with E.Mecking, ( 4 points) .
44 ... Wf8. What are your actions in
3 1 . . .lll g6. Black will also feel
case 44... ab+? The answer: 45.�xb4,
bad during other continuations.
then 46.�b3 and the manoeuvre
Here is one such continuation: 3 1 . . .
lll c6-b4-d3-f2xg4 - 1 point.
i.e7 32. lll f7+ .!i:lxf7 3 3. lhf7 .t f8
45. b5! It was also possible to play
34. i. e4 �g8 3 5 . i.xh7+ �xh7
45. ba ba 46. llb l llc8 (46 . . . �e8
36. llgl+ - .
47. h6) 47. llb5 llaa8 48. �b3.
32. lll t7+ W g8 33. �xg6! +-
45 ... ll6a7 46. h6 .th8. The
events could have developed in an in -
N� 496
terestingwayafter 46 ... �g8. The Ex­
Champion of the Wbrld was going to
continue 47.h7+ � h8 48.llah l llb7
49.llh6! i.g7 50.f6 .txh6 5 1.:.C:xh6
lle8 52.lll e7 llxe7 53.fe llb8 54.c5!!
be 55.b6 cb 56.llxd6, and White wins.
After 52 ...llbb8, there would be "the
game with a single goal" : 53.lll e 7-f5,
then lll f5-e3xg4, and the king starts
moving to the pawn g5.
47. f6! (opening the line "f")
Fantastic!! 47 . . . .txf6 48. llfl i.h8 49. lll xa7
208 Thinking in Schemes

:Uxa7 50. :Uh5 W e7 5 1 . :Uxg5 :Ua8 Black succeded in implement­

52. h7 f6 53. :Ug8 :Uf8 54. c5! (clear­ ing his plans and already has two
ing the way into the enemy camp for extra pawns. But now is White 's
the white king) 54. . . dc 55. W c4 Wfl turn.
56. d6 cd 57. :Uxf8+ [ 1:0) 45. :Ua8+ W h7 46. :Ua7 (the
immediate 46.tt::l x h6 was also
259. KARPOV - KRAMNIK, 1996 possible , for example , 46 . . . :Ue3
(diagram NQ 477) In the posi­ 47.:Uxa6 :Ue6 48.:Ua7 , gaining ad­
tions with doubled pawns, a knight vantage) 46 . . . W g8 47. tt::l xh6+ Wf8
is often stronger than a bishop. This 48. :Uxt7+ W e8 49. W g6! (but not
is one such case. Exploiting the 49.:Uxf6? $.c3!, with a counter­
drawbacks of the opponent's pawn play) 49 . . . $.c3 (Black would have
structure, White was able to con­ an unexpected mate after 49 . . . $.e7
veniently position the king on h 5 , 50. tt::l f5 $.dB 5 1 . tt::l d6#) 50. tt::l f5
the knight on f5 , to place a pawn b4 51. :Ub7! (White proceeds with
on f4 and, in concert with the ac­ the attack with a great mastery) 5 1 . . .
tive rook on a7, to organize an at­ :Ua2 (the fight would end i n a spec­
tack on the black king, eliminating tacular way after 5 1 . . .b3 52. tt::l d6+
the kingside pawns on the way. The W d8 53. Wf7 b2 54. W e6) 52. h4
mark - 7 points. a5 53. h5 a4 54. h6 (the white pawn
40. tt::l e 7!± :Uc3+ (Black can­ " h " turns out to be more dangerous
not prevent the planned rearrange­ than doubled black pawns) 54 . . . :Uh2
ment of white pieces and seeks for­ 55. h7 cJ;;; d8 (Black would also lose
tune in a counter-attack) 41. W g4 in the variation 55 . . . a3 56. tt::l d6+
:Uxa3 42. f4 $.c3 43. cJ;;; h5! $.:xb4 W d8 57. W f5 a2 58. We6 :Ue2+
44. tt::l f5+ W g8. 59. Wd5 :Ud2+ 60. W c6) 56. tt::l h4
f5 57. :Uxb4! :Uh3 58. :Uxa4 :Uxg3 +
N� 497 59. Wxf5. The highest mastery!
[ 1 :0)

260. KARPOV - ROMANISHIN,

1996
(diagram NQ 478) What is the
main feature of this position? The
black queen is in a dangerous situa­
tion, as was spotted by the 12th World
Champion. A trap for the strongest
piece of the enemy is prepared with
 Anatoly Karpov 209

fine manoeuvres in combination N� 498

with other threats. The main idea is
in the manoeuvre ll:lg2-e l -d3-f2,
as well as in h2-h4 and g3-g4. The
mark - 4 points.
29. ll:l e l ! llb7 (an attempt
to help the queen by way of 29 . . .
j,, f6 failed i n view of 30.ll:lxd7
I!xb3 3 1 .ll:lxf6+ - ) 30. ll:l d3 \{Wh5
31. ll:lxd7 :Uxd7 (a relatively bet­
ter way out would be 3 1. . .llxb3
32. \{Wxb3 \{Wxg5 3 3. �b8 � e7
34. \{Wc8 j,, h6 35. ll:lb8 l{Wf8 , al­ 32 . . . \{Wxf3 (the last opportu­
though after 36.ll:lxa6 White has a nity to save the queen, but not the
clear advantage) 32. h4. game , would be 32 . . .fS 33. ll:l f2 ll:lf6
34. ef gf 35. llb8+ W f7 36. �xf5)
33. ll:lf2! [ 1 :0]
 Garry Kasparov
(born 1 3. 04. 1 963)

INSTANCES OF THINKING IN SCHEMES IN THE GAMES

OF GARRY KASPAROV

261. KASPAROV - GEORGADZE, and b2-b4. The mark - 4 points.

1979 24. a5 ll:lf8 25 . .@. d2 � ec8
26. lll fl lll g4?! (now the black queen
NQ 499 is immobilised, as it is forced to de ­
fend the knight, and this obligation,
certainly, makes the defence harder)
27. lll a4 .@. d8 28. � eel �ab8 29. b4.

NQ 500

Black pieces are short of space.

They are crowde d on the kingside.
Exploiting this drawback, White
starts preparations for an attack
on the opposite wing . The scheme:
a4-a5 , lll c3-a4, .@.c l -d2 , � e l - c l The decisive offensive .
 Garry Kasparov 21 1

29 ... cb 30. .txb4 h5 (30 ... b5 3 1. N!! 503

ab .txb6 32. c5 de 33 . .txc5 .txc5 34.
C2ixc5 llxc5 35. llxc5 :i::l:b2 36. C2ie3l
l2ixf2 37. llc2+ - was bad) 31. C2lb6
.txb6 32. ab (on opening the file "c",
the pawn b6 will provide White with
the most important outpost on c7) 32...
't>/i/e7 33. '*'a3 lld8 (33 ...'.a.c5 was more
tenacious, although after 34. .txc5 de
35. ctJe3 C2ixe3 36. 't>/i/xe3 ctJd7 37. d6l
White had real chances to win) 34. f3
C2ih6 35. c5 de 36. .txcS �f6 37. Wg2 White to move
:i::l:e8 38. .te3 C2id7 39. :i::l: abl �e7 (40.
'*'xe7 llxe7 41. :i::l:c7+ - ) [1:0] N!! 504
M! SOl

Black to move
White to move
M? 502

White to move Black to move

212 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 506 N!! 509

White to move

N!! 507

Black to move

N!! 508

White to move White to move

 Garry Kasparov 213

N!:? 512 N!! 5l5

Black to move

N!! 513 N!! 516

White to move

N2 5 14

White to move White to move

214 Thinking in Schemes

N2 518

Black to move

LEARNING FROM GARRY KASPAROV

262. KASPAROV - BUTNORIUS, 24 . . . �h6 (24 . . . lll c 7 25. :l:l.g3

1979 �h726. :l:l.g5g627. \{Wa4b5 28. �xa7
(diagram M 501) 19. lll f5!, trans­ li:l d5 29. \{Wxd7 li::l xf4 30. �xb5+ - )
ferring the knight to d6 with a tempo 25. �fl lll c7 26. :Ucf3.
( 1 9 . . . ef20.\{Wxd5 is clearly in White's
favour) . We have observed a similar N2 519
trick in the game Aaron-Botvin­
nik. After transferring the knight to
d6, White positions the major pieces
on the line "f" and will cramp the
bishop by way of e3-e4. The mark
- 7 points.
19 .. ltae820. li:l d6 lle7 2 1. llf4!
(yet another vigorous move: apart
from the consolidation ofmajor piec­
es on the line "P' , a threat to capture
the queen arises after 22.llg4 �h6
23 . .tf4 QWh5 24.:l:l.xg7+) 2 1 . ..h5 26 .. .f5 (if 26 ...\{Wg6, then 27.
22. e4 .ta8 23 . .t h4 ll d7 24. llc3! .tf6J is the strongest response) 27.
white pieces join the attack one by ef6 :Uxd6 (27 ... e5 28. QWc4+ W h7
one. It is hard for Black to find ac­ 29.fg ef 30. li::l f5 :l:l.dl+ 3 1 . llfl
ceptable responses. :Uxfl+ 32. �xfl �e6 33. gflll + )
 Garry Kasparov 215

28. t7+ Wh7 29. 1Le7 e5 30. 1Lxf8 b3, f4, or li:l ce4 and h5-h6. He
ef 31. 1Lxd6 �xd6 32. �d3 l!JJJ e7 chose the second variation.
33. �c4 W h6 34. llxf4 (itwould have 20. li:l ce4 fg (20 . . . li:l fd7 2 1 . f4
been simpler to play 34.f8l!JJJ l!JJJxf8 li:l f7 22. g6+ - ) 2 1 . 1Lxg5 l!JJJb 6 22. h6
35.�xc7+ - ) 34... li:l e6 35. l!JJJ c8 li:lf7 23. hg li:l d7 24. li:l f6+ li:lxf6
�d6 36. l!JJJ h8+ Wg6 37. f8li:l+ li:lxf8 25. 1Lxf6 l!JJJ b5 (Black was forced to
38. �xf8 l!JJJ d l+ 39. W f2 �d2+ expend time in doing this move due
40. W g3 l!JJJ e l+ 41. W h3 1Lb7 [ 1:0] to the threat b2-b4) 26. llhl §i.b6
27. l!JJJf3 (White 's " storm rate" is
263. KASPAROV - CSOM, 1 980 near 100%) 27 . . . li:leS 28. li:lfS li:lt7
(diagram N2 502) Black pieces are 29. llxh7 Wxh7 30. llhl+ W g8
cramped and the bishop c5 is cut off 31. llh8+ li:lxh8 32. ghl!JJJ + w t7
on the kingside. This allows White 33. l!JJJfhS# [ 1 :0]
to start a pawn offensive against the
black king. The scheme: g3-g4, 264. KASPAROV - MARTINOVIC,
li:le2-g3 , g4-g5, h3-h4-h5. The 1980
mark - 4 points. (diagram N2 503) White has a
14. g4! 1Le4 (in case 14 . . . 1Lg6 good regrouping plan to start ac­
15. li:lg3 li:le5 1 6. g5 li:l fd7 17. li:lce4 tive actions on the queenside:
White continues the attack by means a2-a4, li:l f3-d2 , f2-f3 , 1Lh4-f2 ,
of h3-h4-h5) 15. li:lg3 §i.xg2 li:l c4-e 3 , c 3-c4. The mark - 5
16. Wxg2 li:lf8 17. g5 li:l 6d7 18. h4 points.
li:le5 19. h5. 16. a4 � e6 17. li:lfd2 li:l h5 18. f3
1Lf6 ( 1 8 . . . 1L f8 was better, allowing
N!! 520 to control the queenside) 19. 1Lf2
§i.g5 20. li:le3 li:l df6 2 1. c4.

N!! 52 1

19 . . .f6. White has rich opportu­

nities to continue the attack: li:l ce4,
216 Thinking i n Schemes

There appear several threats: N� 522

CLld5, a5, c5.
21.. .c6 22. C£lb3 C£l d7 23. c5!
(such a pawn wedge is very dan­
gerous to Black in " King's Indian"
positions) 23 . . . b5 24. l:l'.ed l 1l.. e7
25. C£lc4! Let's recall: "If it's pro­
hibited, but one is dying for it. . . "
The knight moves onto a stronger
position d6.
25.. Jlc7 26. C£ld6 l:l'.b8 27. ab ch
28. C£lxb7. A conversion of advan­
tage. The weakness of the pawn a6 24. . . C£l d3 Black achieved the re­
decides. quired arrangement ofpieces without
28 ... llbxb7. What is the further any trouble. His subsequent goal is to
improvement? The answer: 29.�a2 elicit weaknesses in White's camp.
followed by the queens exchange af­ 25. a3 (25 . . . C£lb4 was threaten­
ter 30.C£la5 - 2 points. ing) 25 ... C£l c5 26. h4 h5 27. ll e 3
29. �a2 C£l b8 30. C£l a5 �xa2 g5! (provides a decisive invasion of
31. :Uxa2 lla7 32. c6 l:l'.a8 33. llc2 black pieces to the file " d") 28. hg fg
1i.. xb4 34. ll d8+ '{f; g7 35. 1i.. b6 29. l:l'.e2 C£l b3 30. Wbl Wf6. [0: 1]
1i.. xa5 36. 1i.. xa5 llxc6 37. :C:.xb8
llxb8 38. llxc6 b4 39. il.. c 7 [ 1:0] 266. TEMPONE - KASPAROV, 1980
(diagram M 505) Black's plan
265. DANAILOV - KASPAROV, 1980 is connected with the exchange of
(diagram M 504) We know from the bishop g2 (C£lg6-h4) , with the
the lessons given by Euwe , Smys­ destruction of White 's pawn centre
lov and Fischer how to play similar (b7-b5) and with the lifting of the
" King's Indian" endings, which are bishop to the long diagonal (1i.. c8-
beneficial for Black. Practice again. b7) . The mark - 5 points.
So, Black's scheme is: a5-a4, 1i.. f6- 28 . . . l£l h4 29. llgl b5 30. C£le5
d8-a5, lla8-d8 , f7-f6, � f8-e7. be 31. Vj'xc4 1i.. b 7.
The mark - 3 points. (See diagram 523)
17 . . . 1i.. d8! 18. g3 a4 19 . '{f; c2 Black pieces gained a great pow-
1i.. a5 20. lle3 ll ad8 2 1 . :Uxd8 er.
l:l'.xd8 22. 1i.. h3 f6 23. lle2 '{f; e7 32. d6+ � h7 33. 1i.. xb7 l{Wxb7+
24. 1l.. g2 . 34. �c6 l{Wxc6+ 35. C£lxc6 C£le4
36. llgfl (in case 3 6.llge 1 , Kasparov
 Garry Kasparov 217

N!:? 523 N� 524

pointed out the following winning ment of the position. Protected by

variation: 36. :C:ge l llc8l 37. d7 the powerful and invincible knight
llxc6 38. d8'rlW llxd8 3 9. llxd8 in the centre , Black can organize a
:C:c2l 40. li:l d4 llg2l 4 1 . :C:xe4 fe) pawn storm against White's castling.
36 . . . llxd6 37. llxd6 li:l xd6 38. fg hg He can also profit from the queens
39. lldl lle8 40. li:l ed4l:l'.e3 41. W gl exchange, since White has a hope­
li:le4 42. :c'.bl :c'.d3 (and the finishing less endgame. The scheme: g6-g5,
stroke - transfer the rook to the sec­ e7-e6, W f6-e7, g5-g4-g3. The
ond rank) 43. a4 lld2 [0:1) mark - 5 poin ts.
28 . . . gS 29. lld5 e6 30. hg+ hg
267. KASPAROV VUKIC, 1980
- 31. lldl We7 (the most fortunate
(diagram N9 506) Test your reac­ position for the king) 32. 'rlWc2 llb8
tion and positional insight. If you 33. �a4 g4 34. �a3 �c5 35. �c3
immediately find 36.slxf6 gf 37.lldl l g3.
with the transition to a winning pawn
endgame, since Black cannot prevent N� 525
the creation of passed pawns on both
wings, then you will get both 3 points
and moral satisfaction.
36. J.xf6 gf 37. lldl.
(See diagram 524)
[1:0]

268. SPIRIDONOV - KASPAROV, 1980

(diagram N9 507) The power of
minor pieces determines the assess-
218 Thinking in Schemes

36. llfl. It remains to find a (a desperate attempt to complicate

winning variation, and Black suc­ the play, which is easily countered)
cessfully copes with the task. Now 24. �xf6+ .!i:lxf6 25 . .!i:l gf5 .!i:l h5
you can test yourself. 26. ®t2 �xf5 27 . .!i:lxf5 8f4 28. g3
36... gf+ 37. llxt2 llbl+ 38. �fl .!i:l h3+ 29. ® e2 llxg3 30 . .!i:lxg3
�e3 39. �xe3 fe 40. llc2 .!i:lxc4 [0:1] �g7 31. llgl! llg8 32. �d2! [ 1 :0]

269. KASPAROV - ANDERSSON, 1981 271. LJUBOJEVIC - KASPAROV, 1983

(diagram N!! 508)The 13th World (diagram M 510) Black executes
Champion sacrificed a piece and a lightning smashing attack, in­
now attacks the king of the Swedish volving his pieces according to the
Grandmaster. Since Black's forces scheme: g6-g5, .!i:le7-g6 , �g7-h6,
are disengaged, White has an op­ :l::l'. a 7-g7. Those who found this ar­
portunity to execute a systematic rangement get 5 points.
attack, gradually involving fresh re­ 20. . . g5 2 1 . hg .!i:l g6! (this trick
serves. The scheme of involving the is worth remembering) 22. gh �xh6
pieces: �b2-c l -h 6 , :l::l'. d l-d4-g4. 23 . .!i:lfl :l::l'. g7 24. llf2 �e3 25. b3
The mark - 3 points. .!i:lf4 (26. ii.xf4 �xf2+ 27. ®xf2
26. �cl! d5 27. ll d4J (this is :l::l:xf4 28 . .!i:le2 �h4+) [0: 1]
much stronger than 27. �xh6+ llxh6
28. �xh6+ ®g8 29. :tld4 �f8J) 27 ...
272. KASPAROV - ANDERSSON, 1985
.!i:ld6 28. llg4 .!i:lt7 29. ii.xh6+ (here
this is timely and decides) 29 ...® e8 (diagram M 511) The weak­
30. � g7. This gives the pawn " h " an ness on b7 and the advantage of the
opportunity to end the game [1:0] bishop over the knight determine
White's big advantage. He has an
opportunity to increase advantage
270. KASPAROV - BELIAVSKY, 1983
by activating his pieces: the rooks are
(diagram M 509) White's plan positioned on b5 and b6, the bishop
is to place the knights on e3 and g3 , on d5 , the pawn h reaches h5 and
with the ensuing occupation of the creates the weakness on g6, which
point f5 that will give him a decisive is the target for the white king. The
advantage. The mark - 3 points. mark - 5 points.
18. ii.h4! ® h8 19 . .!i:le2 llg8 34. h4! 'i;J t7 35. h5 ® g7 36. 'i;J g2
20. c3 .!i:l a6 2 1 . .!i:lg3 �f8 ( 2 1 . ..�f8 lle7 37. :l::l'.b6 llt7 38. ii. d5 :C:fd7
22 . .!i:ldfl �e7 was slightlymore tena­ 39. ll lb5 lle7 40. 'i;; g3 :l::l'. ed7 41. hg
cious) 22 . .!i:l dfl .!i:l h7 23 . .!i:l e3 �f6 hg 42. ®f4 llc2. An attempt to
 Garry Kasparov 219

counterplay. Otherwise Black would N� 527

fall without any struggle.
43. W gS!
N� 526

23. .@.xg3 (exchanging the dark­

squared bishop is a big concession, but
White can no longer tolerate the knight
g3) 23 ... fg 24 .@.f3 :Uac8 25. ct::l e2
•

White's attack is much more

l}j! g6 26. ti.cl (trying to weaken the
dangerous.
forthcoming Black's attack by mak­
43 .. Jlxfl 44. :Uxg6+ W f8 45.
ing exchanges) 26. . . :Uxcl+ 27. �xcl
.@.b3 Ci::l f7 + 46. Wf6 f4 47. e4 :Ub2
(27.:Uxc l was disadvantageous in view
48. eS f3 49. e6 f2 50. .@. c4 [ 1 :0]
of 27. . ..@.xh3) 27. . . :Uc8 28. l}j!e3 �f6
273. GHEORGHIU - KASPAROV, 1988 29. �d2 ti.cs 30. ct::l c l .@.f4 31. l}j!b4
(diagram N2 512) It is appropriate .@.bS. The last black piece joins the at­
to apply here a known blockading tack. Things are really bad for White.
trick. It originated in the game Ko­ 32. ct::l b 3 .@.d3+ 33. W a l :Uc2
tov-Gligoric (Zuerich , 1 9 53). Black 34. :Ubl ( 34. Ci::l d4 .@.d2 35. �a4
plays f5-f4, then the bishop takes b5- +) 34. . . ..@.eS 35. Ci::l c l .@.xb2+!
the square e5 and creates threats (and here is the final blow) 36. �xb2
on the long diagonal. At the same l}j!xb2+ (37. :Uxb2 :Uxc l+ 38. ti.b l
time, his pieces develop a great ac­ :Uxb l#). [0:1]
tivity, while white pieces, restrained
by their own pawn e4, sharply lose 274. KASPAROV - CAMPORA, 1988
power. The mark - 3 points, plus 2 (diagram N2 513) White identi­
points for the erudites. fied the plan of a piece-and-pawn
l 7 . . .f4! 18 .@.f2 ..@. g4! (forcing
• attack on the kingside. Its prepara­
the weakening move h2-h3) 19. h3 tion includes the moves Ci::l f4-g2,
.@.d7 20. 0-0-0 .@.eS 2 1 . Wbl �f6 ll h l -g l , :Ud l -fl , ctJg3-h5, f3-
22 . .@.e2 ct::l g3. f4-f5. The mark - 6 points.
220 Thinking in Schemes

20. ct::l g2! (without giving Black chess strategy, he regroups major
exchanges and, at the same time, pieces according to the scheme: the
not allowing for a blockade with the rook is ahead, the queen is behind,
move ct::l g 6-h4) 20 . . . Ci::l d7 2 1 . ll hgl the move g2-g4 weakens the posi­
llee8 22. :Udfl! Ci::l gf8 23. ct::l e 3 (the tion of the black king and increases
immediate 23.ctJh5 was also sound) White's advantage. If you were going
23 . . . W h8 24. CiJ h5 g6. to act in the same way, add 4 points
to your total score.
N!! 528 28. �f3! $.g7 29. lle4! $.f8
30. �e2 �c7 31. $.g5 :Uc8 32. g4!
hg 33. $.f6?! (33. hg! �xa5 34. $.f6
�c7! 35. f3 $.g7 36. $.xg7 Wxg7
37. lle7 �a5 38. �e6 llf8 39. �xd6
� a l+ 40. Wg2 �b2 4 1 . �e5+
Wg8 42. �e4± Kasparov) 33 . . . gh
34. �g4 lla8?! (34. . . $.g7! 35. lle7
$.xf6 36. llxc7 llxc7=) 35. �xh3.
35. �g5! $.g7 36. llh4 lle8 ( 36 . . .
�d7 37. $.xg7 Wxg7 38. �h6+
W f6 39. llf4+ We5 40. �g5+ f5
25. f4! gh 26. f5 h4 27. fe fe 4 1 . f3!+ - ) 37. $.xg7 Ile 1+ 38. W h2
28. g5! lle7 (28 ... ct::l g 6 29. $.xg6 hg Wxg7 39. �h6+ W f6 40. llf4+ W e 5
30. �f2 :Ue7 3 1 . ct::l g4 :Uh7 32. Ci::l h6 4 1 . :Uf3! f5 42. �xg6+ - Averbakh.
:UIB 33. �c2) 29. ct::l g4ll g7 30. Ci::l h6! 35 . . . $.g7 36. $.xg7 (36. :Ue7!
�b6 31. g6! (opening new line for an �c8 37. �xc8+ llxc8 38. $.xg7
attack) 31.. .hg ( 3 1 . . .�xd4 32. llg4!) Wxg7 39. lld7 lle8 40. W fl llh8
32. Ci::l t7+ W g8 33. �h6! This is a 4 1 . llxd6 llh l+ 42. W e2 Ite l
mate- threatening scheme in the style 43. W d2 :Ufl 44. :Uxa6 llxf2+
of Karpov (see Karpov-Salov) . 45. W e U :Uxc2 46. d6 W f6 47. :Ua8
33 . . .ll h7 (33 . . .llxf7 34. $.xg6 We6 48. a6 lla2 49. a7 W d7
llxfl+ 35. llxfl Ci::l f6 36. $.f7+!) 50. llf8+ - Kasparov) 36 . . . Wxg7
34. ll xg6+ ct::l xg6 35. �xg6+ llg7 37. llh4 llg8! 38. :Uh7+ Wf8
36. �h6 [ 1:0) 39. �g4?! (39. Wg2 was better)
39 . . . W e8. Black exceeded the time­
275. KASPAROV - SHORT, 1993 limit. [ 1 :0]
(diagram NQ 514) The position
of White, who seized the only open 276. KAMSKY - KASPAROV, 1994
file , is better. Following the rules of (diagram M 515) The keen eye of
 Garry Kasparov 221

the 1 3th World Champion spotted an �b5-c6, �g8-f7 , h7-h5-h4. The

opportunity to throw a mate-threat­ mark - 4 points.
ening net onto the white king. If you 3 1 . . . g5! 32. llcel �c6 33. lle2
do not miss this opportunity, then Wfl 34. $.cl llg8 35. $. e3 llc3
you will get 3 points. 36. $.d2 :Uxc2 37. $.xb4 :Uxe2
33 . . . h5+! 34. �xh5 :Ua8! 38. �xe2 h5!
35. W g4 llh8 36. g3 llh2.
N!! 530
N!! 529

The loss of the pawn e4, and

37. llhl. The events were of a therefore White's defeat, is inevita­
forcing character and lead to a loss ble.
of a white piece. The outcome is de­ 39. ll:lxh5 ll:lxe4 40. �f3 g4
cided. 41. �g2 :Uh8 [0:1]
37 . . . ll8xh338. llxh2llxh2 39. gf
llg2+ 40. W h3 ll:lxf4+ 41. W h4 278. KASPAROV - MERIBANOV, 1986
W e5 42. llb7 W d4 43. llxt7 W e3. (diagram N2 517) This " King's
The white king has no chance to Indian" endgame is hard for Black.
break out of the mate -threatening His pieces are suffocating due to the
net. [0:1] lack of space. White implements his
winning plan without any obstacle:
277. ANAND - KASPAROV, 1997 transfer the knight to c6, g4-g5,
(diagram N2 516) Black has a $.c8-d7 , exchange ll:l c 6xe7 and
strategically won position after 3 1. . . c4-c5. The mark - 4 points.
g6-g5. Later he has an opportunity 33. ll:l a7! $.e7 34. ll:l c6 ll:l g8
to exert pressure upon the typical (the bishop cannot retreat to f8 in
for the Sicilian Defence weakness­ view of ll:l c6-d8-e6+ - ) 35. g5! hg
es, the pawns c2 and e4, by way of 36. hg � h7 37. $.d7 ll:l g7 38. ll:lxe7!
222 Thinking in Schemes

(a conversion of advantage: the de­ N� 531

fender of the pawn c7 is eliminated)
38. . . ll:lxe7 39. e5 be 40. be W g8
41. e6. There is no defence against
.@.e3-a7-b8xc7. [ 1 :0)

279. TIMMAN - KASPAROV, 1988

(diagram NQ 518) It is evident that
Black should play f7-fS (according
to Capablanca) , put the rook on the
line "d" , pull the king closer to the
centre (2 points). One should care­
fully observe how the outstanding The preceeding seven moves
modern chessplayer carried on this have sharply changed the position.
plan. Black achieved the required ar­
21.. .f5 22 . .@.d3 (it is very hard, rangement of pieces, but White not
psychologically, to decide on the only failed to improve his position,
exchange of the bishop , but this but on the contrary, his pieces were
was the only chance) 22 . . . ll:lb6 (the pushed away to inconvenient posi­
first in a series of seemingly simple tions. No wonder that Black has a
but very strong moves facilitating forcing way to material gains.
for Black to achieve the required 28 . . . .@.d4+! 29 . .@.f2 (29. W h l
setup) 23. ll:lel. This ugly move g S 30 . .@.g3 f4 would not work) 2 9 ...
is forced. For example, 23. llbc l .@.xf2 + 30. W xf2 ll:l e3 31. ..@. b3 .@.xb3
llcd8 24. ll:lf4 .@.f7 2S. h4 .@.es was 32. llxb3 ll:ldl+ 33. llxdl llxdl
also losing. 34. ll:ld3 lld2+ 35. W e3 llxg2. This
23 . . . llfd8 24. .@.g5 lld7 25. llel is a slight mistake. 3S . . . :Uxa2 36. b6
Wf7 26. .@.e2 h6 27 . .@. h4 ll:l d5 (the ab 37 was stronger. llxb6 lle8+
black knight returns to the centre 38. W f4 llxg2 39. ll:leS+ Wg7 - +.
with a triumph) 28 . .@. d i (28. b6 ab 36. lla3 lle8+ 37. W d4 lle7
29 . .@.bS was a better chance) . 38. ll:l e5+ Wf6 39. ll:le6 lld7+
40. W e4 lle2+ 41. W b4 llxh2
42. lla6 W g5 43. a4 h5 44. llxa7
llxa7 45. ll:lxa7. It could be possible
to play 4S . . . h4 46. b6 llb2+ 47. was
llxb6 48. W xb6 h3- + [0: 1)
Alexander Khal ifman
(born 1 8. 01 . 1 966.)

INSTANCES OF THINKING IN SCHEMES IN THE GAMES

OF ALEXANDER KHALIFMAN

280. ARI.ANDI - KHALIFMAN, 1985 ment on the kingside , is worth 7

points.
M� 532 21 . . .€\h3! 2 2 . €l d3 Wxg7 23 .
W e l l:. d8 (preventing 24. €l f2)
2 4 . €\ e 5 g5! 25. €\ g4 h5 26. €\ e3
g4.

N!! 533

Black finds a wonderful oppor­

tunity to immobilise white pieces.
The plan €\g5-h3 , followed by
l:.e8 - d8 and the pawn advance -
224 Thinking in Schemes

27 . .i.e2 tll f4! (while White is N!! 536

laboriously trying to complete the
development, Black consolidates his
pieces in the centre) 28. :i::l: g l lld4!
29. it.fl tll g6 30 . .i.e2 tll f4 31. it.fl
Sl.e4 32. a3 e5! Nimzowitsch would
have been glad to look at this posi­
tion. White is forced to go in for the
weakening.
33. g3 tll d3+ 34. il.xd3 llxd3
35. tll d l .i.f3 36. tll c 3 e4 37. tll d 5
e3! What a brilliant ending! [0:1] White to move

N!! 534 N!! 537

White to move

N!! 535 N!! 538

White to move White to move

 Alexander Khalifman 225

N!! 539 N!! 542

White to move White to move

N!! 540 N!! 543

White to move

N!! 541 N!! 544

White to move White to move

226 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 545 N!! 546

Black to move White to move

N!! 547

White to move

LEARNING FROM ALEXANDER KHALIFMAN

281. KHAIJFMAN NENASHEV, 1987

- ( 37 ... Cl:ie7 38.llg3+ w n 39.llg7+
(diagram M 534) Making use of a W e8 40.°&1g6+l Cl:ixg6 41 .llxc7+ - )
convenient moment (the knight on c5 38.llg3+ :i::l:g7 39.llxg7+ (39.b4
"got hung up"), one can sacrifice on h6 Cl:ib6l; 39.lldd3 :C:al+ 40.Wh2 e4l)
and execute a systematic attack involv­ 39 . . .�xg7 40.�xg7+ Wxg74 1.lld7+
ing the rook (through e3 and g3) and W h6 42.'.l::l:xb7 :i::l: a2 43. �d3+- ; 35 .. .
the pawn "h". The mark - 5 pain ts. �a7 36.°&1xh6+ ®g8 37.b4l ; 35 . . .
34�xh6! gh 35 � e3 Cl:id7 35 .. .
. �e7 36.°&1xh6+ Wg8 37. lle3 :l:l:f7
�g7 36.'&lxc5 :i::l:g8 37.�e4+ - ; 35 .. . 38.IldS+l (pointed out by A. Khalif­
Cl:ib7 36.�xh6+ Wg8 37.lle3 :l:l:t7 man). The main theme in all these
 Alexander Khalifman 227

complicated concrete variations is 283. KHALIFMAN - ROZENTALIS,

the inclusion in the attack of the rook 1988
on the third rank. (diagram N9 536) If one transfers
36.�xh6+ �g8 37.�g6+ � h8 the knight to d6 and the rook to f3,
38.I!.e3! tlJ e7 39.�h6+ �g8 40. then the point fl will "crackle at the
llg3+ W f7 41.�g7+ � e8 42.h6!+­ seams". The mark - 3 points.
'.l::l: f7 43.h7 (the pawn " h " helps to 36. tlJ h4 �c8 37. lld3! :i::l: e4
finish the fight victoriously) 43 . . . 38. :Uf3+- f6 39. tJJ f5 �d7 40. tiJd6
:i::l:xg7 44. llxg7 [ 1 :0] Ii.el.

282. KHALIFMAN - KHUZMAN, 1987 N� 549

(diagram NQ 535) Black's dou­
bled pawns cut off his pieces from
the defence of the king. Therefore
White can have a great advantage in
this part of the chessboard. The de­
cisive blow is against the points h7
and g7. The scheme: :i::l: f l -f3, tiJd4-
f5, llg3-g4. The mark - 5 points.
25. :i::l:tT3 ! � d6 (one cannot
take the piece: 25 . . . :i::l: xd4 26.�h6
:i::l:g 8 27.llxg8+ �xg8 28.'.l::l:g 3++ - )
26.tiJf5 i.xf5 27.efl �d4 28.llg4 41. �xf6! gf 42. :i::l:xf6+ � g7
�c5 (28 . . . :i::l:g 8 29.�xf7 llxg4 30. hg 43. Ilt7+. Still, Black falls at the
i.c5 3 1 .tiJ e2+ - ). point fl: 43 . . . �xf7 44. �xf7 :i::l: e 5
45. c4J [ 1:0]
N� 548

284. KHALIFMAN - SPASOV, 1990

(diagram NQ 537) White's task is
to penetrate the enemy camp with
the bishop, and to transfer the knight
to c6. The mark - 3 points.
41. tJJ a7! Wf6 42. �f2 tlJ g6
(42 . . . W fl 43. :i::l: c7 tlJg6 44. tlJc8
� f6 45. i.d7 i.f8 46. � e6 tlJ h4
47. Ilfl+±) 43. � d7! tlJh4 44. � e2
:i::l: a8 45. �e6 Ii.d8 46. tlJc6 :i::l: e8.
228 Thinking in Schemes

N2 550 20 . . . l?Jd6 2 1 . l?J h6+! gh 22. �g4+

.fi.g7 23. Si.xf6 0i f5 24. .txd8+ - ;
20 . . . g6 2 1 . l?J h6+ .fi.xh6 (2 1...
Wg7 22. �h4+ - ) 22. �xh6 l?Jg7
23. f5+ -

N2 551

A victory is not far away - black

pieces are very cramped.
47. lld7! .tf8 48. :i::l:t7+ W g6
49. lla7 Wf6 50. .fi.d7+ - lle7 51.
l?Jxe7 .txe7 52. Wfl .fi. d8 53. lla6
W e7 54. Si.CS .fi.c7 55. W e2 l?J g2
56. lla7 <;t> d8 57. l:t a8+ W e7 21. llxe8! llxe8 22. l?J h6+ gh
58. llg8 [ 1 :0) (in the variation 22 . . . <;t> hS 23. �xf7
.te7 24. �g8+ , White had a beauti­
285. KHALIFMAN - SEIRAWAN, ful win) 23. �g4+ [ 1 :0]
1991
(diagram M 538) White has
286. KHALIFMAN - TOPALOV, 1994
space advantage , which allows him
to concentrate his forces for an at­ (diagram M 539) Three pawns
tack on the black king according to for a bishop is an insufficient com­
the scheme: b2-b3, .t c l-b2, �f3- pensation in this position. The black
h5, the bishop or the knight on f5 , king is in a cage, the pawns cannot
the rook on the line "e" . The mark move. White plays for Zugzwang.
- 4 points. His plan is to conclusively seal the
15. b3! .tf8 16 . .tb2 l?Jc7 black king and to organize a trium­
17 . .tf5! (seizing the square f5 for phant march of his king. The mark
the knight) 17 . . . .fi.xfS 18. l?Jxf5lled8 - 3 points.
19. llael l?J e8 20. �h5 �a5. White 30. f3! g5 3 1 . h5 (the meaning of
has perfectly positioned his pieces. the move 30.f3 is now elucidated: to
Black is in a hard position; this is protect the pawn h5 from an attack
proved by the following variations: by the black bishop) 31.. .g4 32. f4.
 Alexander Khalifman 229

N� 552 N� 553

White has several winning plans. 26. lledl ! (strengthening the

The most convincing, perhaps, is to position in cold blood) 26 . . . �b8
move the king to e7 and the bishop to (26 . . . cb 27. b 6+ - ; 26 ... d5 27 . .@.xc5
e8. Black will be forced to play Wg8, d4 28. b6+ - ) 27. be d5 28. ed ed
then the white rook goes to the 8th 29. llxd5+ - �e8 30. c7 �f7 3 1 . b6!
line, and there is no defence against �xd5 32. b7 [ 1 :0]
.@.xf7 - additional 2 points. [ 1:0)
288. KHALIFMAN - SERPER, 1994
287. KHALIFMAN - ERMENKOV,
(diagram 541) We suggest you
1994
to take pleasure in observing a bril­
(diagram N2 540) If you find out liant combination by the 2nd World
the idea connected to the intuitively Champion (FIDE) , and, at the same
clear sacrifice of the queen, begin­ time, to earn the bonus 5 points.
ning with the move 24.b4, you will 28. llxb7+! Wxh7 29. llxc7+!
get 10 points. A brilliant conception �xc7 30. �xa7+ � c8 31. d6! This is
by a most talented chessplayer! a fantastic position: Having two extra
24. b4!± llxc6 25. de (it is rooks, Black cannot escape a mate!
hardly possible to calculate all vari­ (See diagram 554)
ations here, one should simply feel [ 1 :0)
that white pawns are unstoppable)
25. . . e6. 25 . . . cb 26. b 6+ - ; 25 . . . �b6 289. KHALIFMAN - ROMANISHIN,
26. c4! (26. be de 27. lled l e6±) 1996
26 . . .llaS 27. Ita l ! llxal 28. llxa l e6 (diagram N2 542) It is high time
29. :Ua6 �c7 30. be de 3 1 . .@.xc5+ ­ to carry on the manoeuvre which
A Khalifman. we have in our armoury. One gets 5
230 Thinking in Schemes

N!! 554 34. Si.t2 tll d6? (34. . .l>Ji/d6 35. �x­
a6+ - ) 35. Cll b l. It is interesting that
the knight's return to the square b l
forces Black to give up. [1:0]

290. LPUTIAN - KHALIFMAN, 1990

(diagram .NQ 543)
Which piece is stronger in this
endgame, the knight or the bishop?
Try to prove that in this position the
knight is stronger, as was proved by
Alexander Khalifman. (5 points) . To
points for the plan with the moves do this, you have to find out the right
llb 1-cl and Cll d2-b 1-c3-b5. pawn arrangement on the queenside
24. :C:bcl! h5 25. tll b l! tll e8 (a5 and a6) and the rook transfer to
26. tll c3 W!le7 27. tll b5. c3, having in view, due to the threat
a5-a4, to force the white bishop to
N!! 555 retreat to a passive position.
31...a5! (with the idea to take the
opportunity a5-a4) 32.:C:d2 (in case
32.iLb5 a6 33.iLa4 lld l ! , the white
bishop would be off play, and Black
would freely strengthen his position,
transferring the king into the centre)
32 ...a6! (limiting the opportunities
for the bishop) 33.h4 llgl+ 34.�t2
llhl 35.�g3 Il:gl+ 36.�t2 :C:cl!
(the threat a5-a4 becomes urgent)
37.iL e2 llc3 38.iLdl. The question
27 ... a6?! It is hard to tolerate of which minor piece is stronger
such a strong knight, but one has to. does not pose itself.
27 ...iLb7 was better. The move in the (See diagram 556)
game seriously weakens the queen­ 38 ...tll d5! The following stage
side and allows White to carry on the of the plan - to force e3-e4, to pin
plan with the breakthrough c4-c5. the central white pawns and to pass
28. tll c3 ha 29. �xa5! iL f5 30. e4 into a minor-piece ending, where
Si.g6 3 1. c5!dc (3 1 . . .� a7 32. tll b 5+-) the black king will be stronger than
32. iLxcS l>Ji/c7 33. �a3!+ - tll d 7 his white opponent.
 Alexander Khalifman 231

N!! 556 the bishop to g3 , the rook to e l , and

the knight to d3) 2 1 . .. c6 22 ...liel!
(transferring the bishop is, certainly,
the key element of White's plan)
22 ... �e7 23.Si.f2! (a hasty 23 . ..ltg3
was countered with the blow 23 ...
f4!) 23... W h8 24.tt::l d 3! (the knight
is ready to get across to a stronger
position on c 5) 24...�g5 25.llfe l
:i::l: fe8 26.Si.g3! �e7.

N!! 557
39.e4 lll b4 40.lld4 e5! 41.lld2
lld3! 42. W e2 (42 .llxd3 lll xd3+
43.We2 tt::l f4+ was even worse) 42 ...
:i::l:xd2+ 43.Wxd2 W d6 44.Ae2 W c5
45.Ac4 (against 45.W c 3 Khalif­
man was going to continue 45 . . .
l2lc6! 46.Ac4 tt::l d4 47.Si.xf7 tt::l xf3
48.Si.xg6 tt::l x h4 49.Ah 5 tt::l g2 50 ..Ji f3
tt::l f4 5 1..Jig4 lll g6 52.Af5 tt::l f8 53.g6
Wb5 with a winning position) 45 ...
a4! 46..Jixf7 a3 47.Wcl tt::l d3+
48.Wbl tt::l el 49.Wa2 W b4 50.f4 27.e4! (a perfectly prepared of­
ef 51...lt xg6 ( 5 1 .e5 f3 52.Ac4 W c 5 , fensive in the centre is timely and
and the pawn "f" decides) 51...tt::l f3 powerful enough) 27 ... fe 28.fe tt::l b6
52.e5 tt::l xe5 53 ...lt e4 f3 54.h5 fl 29.tt::l c5 tt::l f7 30.a5 lll c8 3 1.d5!
55...ltg2 tt::l t7 56.h6 tt::l xh6! [0: 1) (black pieces are repelled to passive
positions, so White opens the play,
291. KHALIFMAN - BAIASHOV, gaining a decisive advantage) 31. ..
1990 cd 32.ed e5 33.tt::l e6 lld7 34 ...lt xe5
(diagram N9 544) Those who find tt::l xe5 35.llxe5+ - tt::l d6 36.llce l
out the right plan and the most pur­ �f6 37.�d3 llf7 38.h3 h6 39.tt::l g5!
poseful arrangement of white pieces, (forcing a beneficial simplification
will be awarded with 8 points. of the position) 39 ... �fl 40.Wh2
2 1 .f3! (a plan with e 3-e4 sug­ hg 41.:C:xe8+ tt::l xe8 42.llxe8+ :i::l:f8
gests itself, but to instill it with the 43.llxf8+ �xf8 44.d6 [ 1 :0)
necessary power, one should transfer
232 Thinking in Schemes

292. RIVAS PASTOR - KHALIFMAN, 28 ... llxd2! 29 ..txd2 .tb3

1993 30.lla3 .t xc2 31.c4 .trs 32 ..tcl.
32.b4 was more tenacious. Now
(diagram M 545) Black's posi­
Black has a decisive advantage.
tional advantage is unquestionable.
32 ... lle8 33.b4 ch 34.llb3
What sacrifice is typical in similar
�c5 35 ..t d2 llxe5 36 ..t xb4 VJ!ic7
positions?
37.�dl �xc4+ 38.W gl t1:d5
20 ... li:l ef4! Those who pointed
[0:1)
out this opportunity earn 2 points.
But you can earn significantly more,
293. KHALIFMAN - SCHERBAKOV,
if you show the way of strengthening
1995
Black's position after accepting the
(diagram M 546)
sacrifice.
To find the correct solution for
21 .gf ef22 ..tcl h3 23 ..thl .te6!
the given position, one should deep­
Exactlysol Black rejects the attempts
ly penetrate into the secret of the
to force the game (for example, with
current position and find an unob­
the help of 23 . . . �g5+) and, using
vious solution which is worth a high
the impotence of white pieces, qui­
score - 10 points.
etly increases pressure , developing
20.li:lb6! A few would want to
the bishop and doubling the rooks
exchange such a handsome knight,
on the line "d" - 6 points.
but exactly this exchange, depriving
24.li:ld2 ll ad8 25.�fl lld7
Black of any opportunity to coun­
26.I!el lled8 27.eS l:l':d5 28.tl.a4.
terplay with the help of f7-f5, is the
An attempt to show activity meets a
optimal solution. Later, White is go­
tactical refutation.
ing to prepare and open the play by
way of f2-f4 (g2-g3 , .tfl-g2) and
N!! 558
b3-b4 (.tb2-c3 , a2-a3 , b3-b4) ,
and to exploit the advantage of two
bishops.
20 ...t1:b8 2 1 .li:lxc8 llxc8 22.
llacl � h4 23.g3 � h5 24..tg2 t1:h6
25.h3 llf6 26.VJ!ie2 �h6 (perhaps, it
was worth to exchange the queens,
though this would not solve all the
problems of this position - White
could still carry on the intended
plan) 27 ..tc3 li:l ed4 28.�e3 VJ!ih5
29.f4.
 Alexander Khalifman 233

N� 559 N� 560

29 ... ef?!, facilitating White's White has executed his plan. 29 ...
task. 29 . . . :Ue6 was better, in an ef- llxg2+ 30.�fl �e7 3 1.lld7 �f8
fort to preserve the closed character 32.lld8 �e7 33.ll ld7 �e6 34.lld6
of the position. In this case, White �e7 35.Il:8d7 � f8 36."W/xf6+.
would have undertaken a pawn storm 29 ...�c8 30.g3 Wg7 31.Il:ldS h6.
on the kingside.
N� 561
30.gf�cS 31.� hl ! (timely pre­
ventive measures: 3 1.llcdl ?! ct::l c2!)
3 1 . .. Il:h6 32.fS! Il:e8 33.$.al f6
34.�d3 [1:0]

291. KHAIJFMAN POLGARIO., 1999.

-

(diagram NQ 547) Find a pre­

cise and clear way of strengthening
White's position. The scheme of the
strengthening consists oftranseferring
the queen to h4, exchanging the bish­
ops j,, e2-g4 and doubling the rooks 32.Il:xeS! Il:d8 33.Il:edS Il:xd6
on the file "d". Those who found this 34.Il:xd6 Il:g6 35.�f4 (White 's ma­
arrangement of pieces, get 5 points. te rial and positional advantage allows
22.h3! 0-0 23.�g3+ � h8 24. him to confidently carry on the re­
�h4 "W/e7 25.j,, g4Il:g8 (the variation alization of the achieved advantage)
25 . . . Il:cd8 26.Il:d5 j,, xd5 27.j,, fS is 35 ...a4 36.ba "W/xc4 37.Il:d8 "W/c3
intriguing, and White wins) 26.Il:d3 38.Wg2 "W/b4 39.Il:a8 h5 40."W/b8
llgS 27 ,j,, xe6 �xe6 28.:Ubdl llcg8 �xe4+ 41.�h2 llgS 42.�h8+ � g6
29.lld6! 43.:Ugs+ �rs 44.�h7+ [ 1 :01
 Vladimir Kramnik
(born 25. 06. 1 975. )

INSTANCES O F THINKING IN SCHEMES I N THE GAMES

O F VLADIM I R KRAMNIK

295. STURUA KRAMNIK, 1992

- 16 . . .LZ'lfd7 17. tiJ h4 !.iJ e6 18.
tiJ df3 f6 1 9. !iJ f5 kf8 20. g e3?!
N2 562 w t7 (here one could win exchange:
20 . . . g6 2 1 . b2J Sh4 fil. h6 22. g4 �lxe3
23. \�xe3 g5 24. tiJ f5 fil.g6) 2 1 . �iWel
g6 22. tiJ 5h4 c5!

N2 563

The optimal regrouping of forces

in this position is !.iJ f6-d7, f7-f6,
�. d6-f8, �. h5-f7, !.iJc5-e6, followed
by c6-c5 . The mark - 4 points.
 Vladimir Kramnik 235

23 . ..tfl. Look again at example N!! 566

N� 264 Kasparov - Martinovic. It is
similar, isn' t it?
23 . . . t£J d4 24. � d 1 llad8
25. ti:ixd4 ed 26. llel �e6 27. ti:if3
ti:ie5 28 . ..td3 ti:ixd3! (this exchange
leads to the goal in the quickest way)
29. �xd3 (29. cd � e 6 would not
do) 29 . . . a4 30. ti:i d2 ..t h6 31. W h2
lle8 32. llacl ..t e4! (forcingly wins)
33. be be 34. ti:i xe4 ..txcl 35. ti:ixe5
�xe2 36. �f3 ..txb2 [0: 1 )

N!:? 564 N!! 567

White to move

N!! 565 N!! 568

White to move White to move

236 Thinking in Schemes

N� 569 N� 572

White to move

N� 570 N� 573

Black to move

N� 571 N� 574

White to move White to move

 Vladimir Kramnik 237

N� 575 N� 576

White to move White to move

N� 577

Black to move

LEARNING FROM VLADIMIR KRAMNIK

296. PORTISCH - KRAMNIK, 1993 24 . . . b4! 25. �b2 llJ c3. "The
(diagram N2 564) To create an square c3 is an idealpostfor the black
outpost on the square c3 (b5-b4) , knight ", - V. Kramnik.
followed by the advancement of the 26. I!xc8 I!xc8 27. W hl W h7!
pawn "a" - this is the plan which An accurate execution of the plan.
gives Black a chance to win, and you It would be weaker to immediately
get 3 bonus points. play 27 . . . a5?! 28. a3! llJ a4 29. :Uxc8+
238 Thinking in Schemes

�xc8 30. �b3 � c l + 3 1 . � h2 297. KRAMNIK - SERPER, 1993

�xa3 32. �d5!, with a counterplay. (diagram .M 565) The position of
28. llal a5 29. �b3? It would the black king is weakened and this
be better to play 29.lLid2, with some gives White an opportunity to organ­
opportunities for defence. Now ize offensive actions with the pawns
White is in a losing position. "f' and "g" , the knight (through
29 ... �xb3 30. ab g5 31. .tg3. f3) , the rook (on the second rank)
and the queen. The attack in the
N!! 578 centre with the help of e3-e4 is also
relevant. The mark - 5 points.
18. f4! lZ:id7 (in case 18 . . . CLic8
19.g4 lZ:id6, the white queen would
take a convenient position on g6)
19. CLif3 �c7. After 19 ... CLi f8 , White
changed the scheme of attack,
having in view the advancement
e3-e4-e5. For example: 19 . . . CLi f8
20. e4! g6 2 1 . e5 .tg7 22. lZ:i h4 � f7
23. g4 �b6 24. �f2.
20. g4 lLif8 21. g5! (the most en­
31...a4! This is the completion ergetic continuation) 2 1 . . . hg 22. fg
of an exactly designed and accurate­ .te7 23. e4! Not a second for relax­
ly executed plan. The creation of a ation! White becomes stronger with
passed pawn decides. every move.
32. lZ:id2 (32. ba b3 33. lZ:i d2 b2 23 ...de 24. �xe4 llad8 25. lle2
34. lle 1 CLixa4- +) 32 . . . a3 33. llcl a6 26. �g4 �a5 27. CLi e5.
(the power of black pawns is dem­
onstrated by the variation 33. CLi c4 Ni:! 579
llxc4! 34. be a2 35. c 5 b3-+ ) 33 . . .
e5! (activating the bishop) 34. d5
(34. .txe5.ltxe5 35. de lld8 36. CLi c4
ll dl + - + ) 34 ... a2 35. llal e4 36. d6
lla8 37. CLic4 lZ:ib5 38 . .te5 CLixd6!
(the final elegant blow in the style
of Capablanca) 39. llxa2 (39 . .txg7
CLixc4 40 . .td4 lZ:i d2 -+ ) 39 . . . llxa2
40 . .txd6 llxt2 41. .txb4 trn+
42. � h2 llbl [0:1)
 Vladimir Kramnik 239

Black resigned. 27 . . .:Uxd4 is re­ a plan connected with the invasion

futed with the coldblooded 28.�hS, to d6.
and Black has no defence. [ 1:0] 14. ct::l b5! �d7 15. ct::l bd6 .@.xd6
16. ct::l xd6 :Ue6 (Black decided to do
298. KORCHNOI - KRAMNIK, 1993 an exchange sacrifice, because other
(diagram M 566) The position continuations give White a clear ad­
of the white king is " open to all vantage) 17 .@.h3 .@. e6 18. �cl e4
•

winds " . If one opens the line " a " , ( 18 . . .ct::l h S 19 . .@.xe6 �xe6 20. �xc5
his situation will b e quite disturb­ lt::l xf4 2 1. gf �g4+ 22. W h l+- )
ing. Therefore, Black's plan is con­ 19 . .@.e5 :Uf8 (there follows a series
nected to the seizure of the line "a" of magnificent moves, depriving
(a7-a5xb4) , :Ua8-a4, I!f8-a8. The Black of any hope) 20. �f4 ct::l h5
mark - 2 points. If you foresee the 2 1 . .@.xe6 fe ( 2 1 .. .�xe6 22. �f5
opportunity .@.b7xf3, followed by ctJ d7 23. �xe6 fe 24. f4±) 22. � d4
ctJd7-e5 , then you will get an addi­ lt::l f6.
tional point.
21. .. a5! 22 .@.d3 ab 23. ab :Ua4
• N!! 580
24. :Ub2 :Ufa8 25. ti.di .@.xf3! (ac­
tivating the knight) 26. �xf3 ct::l e5
27. �g3 (27. �e4 f5 28. �e2 ti.a l+
29. W c2 :Uxd l 30. �xd l ct::l xc4
3 1 . .@.xc4 �xc4+ 32. W b l �e4+
33. :Uc2 �xb4+ - + ) .
Find Black's move to earn an
additional point.
27 . . .� e6! Unexpectedly, it
becomes clear that White lost:
(28. �xe5 ti.al+ 29. W c2 � a4+)
[0: 1] Now is the time to follow the
classical examples.
299. KRAMNIK - RIBLI, 1993 23. b3! .@. a8 24. f3!, cramping
(diagram M 567) It turns out the knight. (This is example N! 240
that one can deal with the classical Karpov-Andersson) .
positions in a new way. The main 24 . . . �e6 25. :Uacl lt::l fd7 (if25 ...
Black's weakness in this position is :Ud8, then 26 . .@.xf6 gf27. ct::l xc4+ - )
not "hanging" pawns alone, but the 26. be de 27 . .@.xg7 :Uxf3 28. ef�xf3
square d6 , which serves as a target 29. ct::l e4 ct::l d5 [1:0]
for white pieces. You get 7 points for
240 Thinking in Schemes

300. KRAMNIK - KAMSKY, 1993 22. llg4+ Wh8 23. �h4 �es 24. �h6
(diagram M 568) White pieces �e3+ 25. �xe3 llxe3 26. $.xt7+ - .
are obviously more active than black 20. $. xe3+ - (the remaining is
pieces. But is a temporary attribute. clear without any comments) 20 ...
Kramnik finds the plan connected �xe3+ 21. �f2 �xf2+ 22. Wxf2
with a pawn sacrifice, according to $.xf5 23. lld8 llxd8 24. llxd8 b5
which the active black bishop gets 25. $.e2 a5 26. $.t3 $.d7 27. lla8
exchanged, and White can strength­ g5 28. lla6 ll:le6 29. $.xc6 $.xc6 30.
en his position, while the opponent llxc6 b4 31. ll:le2 a4 32. llc4 ll:ld5 33.
is deprived of this opportunity. The g3 Wt8 34. ll:ld4 ll:lec7 35. ll:lc6 b3 36.
mark - 7 points. ab ab 37. ll:lb4 We7 38. ll:lxd5+ ll:lxd5
16. f4! $.xd4 17. llxd4 llxe3 39. lld4 W e6 40. lld3 h5 41. llxb3
18. llfd l . f5 42. llb8 f4 43. llh8 fg+ 44. Wxg3
ll:lf6 45. b4 W d5 46. llh6 ll:le4+
N� 581 47. Wg2 h4 48. Wf3 ll:ld2+ 49. Wg4
ll:le4 50. b5 ll:lf2+ 51. WfS [1:0]

301. KRAMNIK - LAUTIER, 1995

(diagram N! 569) Can you see
the opportunity to forcingly cre­
ate a protected passed pawn? If so,
then you get 5 points. The maneuver
$.g2-h3, followed by d4-d5-d6,
will be long remembered!
19. $.h3! (Kramnik also con­
sidered the immediate 1 9 .dS with
This is the position sought for the variation 19 . . . ed 20. $.xd5 $.e6
by White. The correctness of his 2 1. $.xe6 fe 22. llc7 b5 23. llxa7 b4,
plan is proved by the concrete vari­ but preferred the continuation in the
ations: 18 . . . lle7 1 9. ll:lbS! �b6 game) 19 . . . W e8 20. d5 $. d7 21. d6
20. ll:l d6+ - ; 18 ... a6 19. llxd7! ll:lxd7 $.d8 22. $.g2 b6 23. f4 llc8 24. Wf2
( 1 9 . . . $.xd7 20. $.xf6 gf 2 1. $.xt7+! llxcl 25. $. xcl $.b5 26. $.e4 h6
Wxf7 22. ll:l dS+ - ) 20. $.xt7+ 27. $.e3. Realization of the advan­
-
Wxf7 2 1 . ll:l dS+ lle2 22. �xe2 cd tage is not very simple - Black has
23. �e7+ Wg8 24. �e6+ (pointed no weaknesses, the position is well­
out by Kramnik) . protected. Now White intends to
18... ll:lt8 19. f5 �e7. Desperation. transfer the king to b4 to create an­
19 ... lle7 20. $.xf6 gf 2 1 . �tL $.d7 other weakness by playing a4-a5 , .
 Vladimir Kramnik 24 1

27 . . . �d7 28. We 1 .ltc6 29 . .Ji d3 ture of the pawn d5 - 30. tl:l xd5
.lt d5 30. a3 f6 3 1 . Wd2 fe 32. fe � c6 .Jixd5 3 1 . \{Wxd5 �f4 32. �g2 .Jic7
33. W c3 .ltf3 34 . .Ji c4 .t. dS 3S . .t.a6 33. :C:h l tl:f6 34. lldfl lle3J) 30...
.t.f3 36. W d4, according to the prin­ \{Wf4 31. tl:cl .Jic7 32. llfd l tl:f6
ciple "do not hurry". The king will 33. qwc2.
have enough time to get to b4.
36... .t.dS 37. a4 .Jib3 38. .JibS+ N� S82
�b7 39 . .ltd7 .ltdS 40. � c3 .Jia2
41. Wb4 .ltdS 42. h4 .Jia2 43 . .Jid2
(White strives for the following place­
ment: � c 3 , .Jia3 against �b7, .Jid5,
Black to move) 43 ... .JidS 44. .Jicl
.Jia2 4S. �c3 .JidS 46. .Jia3. The
goal is reached. Now one can execute
the manoeuvre .Jie8, d7 , .ltffi.
46 ... .Jia2 47 . .Jie8 (with the
bishop on d5, Black had defence
against.Jie8 .ltc6) 47. . . .Ji dS 48. d7
-

.ltc6 49 . .Jif8 (after the kingside Black pieces took a dominating

pawns are lost, the game is decided) position and gained a great power.
49 . . . .Jtxa4 SO . .ltxg7 � c7 SL .Jixh6 There follow most powerful blows,
.Jixd7 S2 . .ltf7 � c6 S3. hS WdS destroying the opponent's defence.
S4. .Ji g7 .Jigs ss. g4 � e4 S6. h6 33 . . . lle3! 34. �fl tl:xc3! White
.ltxh6 S7 . .Jixh6 WxeS S8. gS �rs resigned due to variation 35. be
S9. g6 W f6 60 . .lt gS+ � g7 61. W d4 .ltb5+ 36. �e 1 :C:e6+ [0:1)
.Jta4 62. � es .lt c2 63 . .Jif6+ Wf8
64. Wf4 [ 1:0] 303. KRAMNIK - DAMLJANOVIC,
1994
302. BELIAVSKY - KRAMNIK, 1997 (diagram M 571) To attack
(diagram M 5 70) Black's pawn weaknesses, White
Weakening the diagonal h2-b8 arranges pieces according to the
is fatal for White. Setting up the bat­ scheme: the knight on d4 (accord­
tery queen + bishop, supported by ing to Capablanca) , the bishop on
the rooks possessing the open file a4, the rook on a5 (or c5). The mark
" e " , quickly decides the outcome of - 4 points.
the fight. The mark - 3 points. 33. tl:l b3! g6 34. t£:\d4 t£:\b6
29 . . ..Ji d8! 30 . .Jig2 (Black had 3S . .Jic4!llb7 36. .Jib3.Jid7 37. llaS!
a beautiful win in case of the cap- (the rook is perfectly situated: apart
242 Thinking in Schemes

from other considerations, he sup­ N!! 584

ports a possible offensive in the cen -
tre e4-e5) 37 ... ct::l a 8? (a mistake
in time-trouble) 38 . .t. a4! I!c7 (if
38 . . . W d6, then 39. e5+ fe 40. fe+
W c7 41. l:l:c5 I!b6 42. li.xc6 .t.xc6
43. bS+- ) 39. llc5 ct::l b 6.

N!! 583

25. d5! (a timely breakthrough

in the centre allows White to take
a protected passed pawn) 25 . . . cd
26. cd ct::l b6 (26 . . . ed 27. ct::l d4 ct::l f8
28. lt::l xf5 nxrs 29 . .th3+ - ) 27. d6
ct::l d5 28. ct::l d4 I!h� 29. W g3! (hav­
ing protected the pawn f4, White
threatens with 30 . .t.c4) 29 ... .tg4
Black exceeded the time, but he (against 29 . . . ct::l e3, it was good to play
is already in a hopeless situation: the 30 . .tc4) 30. fg+ - llxf4 31. ct::l xe6
pawn c6 is lost. [ 1 :0] I!xg4+ 32. W h2 l:l'.xh4+ 33 . .th3
[ 1 :0]
304. KRAMNIK - HERTNECK, 1995
(diagram M 572) White ' s plan is 305. KRAMNIK - SAN SEGUNDO,
connected with the pressure on the 1998
line "g" , after preparatory llh 1-gl (diagramM 573) And again, train
and g2-g3. Later, it would be possi­ yourself in a typical ending. Kram­
ble to transfer the knight to d6 or to nik needed just a few minutes (the
break through in the centre c 3-c4 game was played in a blitz match) to
and d4-d5. The mark - 3 points. play this position exemplarily. How
2 1 . l:l'.gl! I!c� (2 1.. . .tfS 22. g3 much time do you need?
fg+ 23. llxg3 llcg8 24 . .te2 g6 24.h4! White 's plan: 1) play h4
25. ct::l d2±) 22. g3 .tf5 (if 22 . . . fg+ and g4, threatening with g4-g5, in
'
then 23. llxg3 llh6 24 . .tc4+ - ) order to force Black to play g7-g5;
23. gf llt7 24. c4 Wb8. 2) exchange on g5 and create the
second weakness for Black; 3) trans-
 Vladimir Kramnik 243

fer the bishop to f5 ; 4) prepare and 25.Ci::l d l ! This move is aimed at

carry on f2-f4 and create a passed preventing Black to simplify the po­
pawn on the kingside. The mark - 8 sition, as well as to "jump out" with
points. the queen to b4, probing the stabil­
24 ... �f7 25.g4 g5 26.hg hg ity of the knight b6 and preparing
27.� g2 � e6 28..@.e2! The most for a possible attack by the pawn a4
important part of the plan. If you (j_d3-b5). Now 25 . . . llxe3 is disad­
found this transfer, then you have vantageous in view of 26.ct::l xe3 fol­
become a good chessplayer! lowed by ct::l e 3-f5 or ct::l e3-g4.
28 .. Jlh8 29.j_ d3 � d6 30..@.fS 25 ... g6?! Black is not at his best.
:Uc7 31.:Uxc7 �xc7. 25 . . . �d6 was better.
26.l}j!b4 Ci::l d7?! (26 . . . �d8)
N!! 585 27..@.bS! After exchanging the pseu­
do-bad black bishop, the pawn a4
cannot be protected.

N!! 586

32.f4! We did it! Black's defence

breaks down.
32 llg8 33.Wf3 W d6 34.fg
••.

:Uxg5 35.�f4 :Ug8 36.:Ud2 � c5

37.:Uc2+ � d6 38.:Uh2 [ 1 :0) 27 ...:Uxe3 28.ct::l xe3 Ci::l f6 (28 ...
l}j!a7 29.Ci::l xd5! ; 28 . . . ct::l b 6 29.ct::l g4!)
306. KRAMNI K - ZVIAGINTSEV, 29.$.xa4 j_xa4 30.l}j!xa4 lle8
1998 31.l}j! d l :Ue4 32.ct::l g4 ct::l xg4 33.hg
(diagram N2 574) Find a plan llf4 34.g3 :Uf6 35.l}j!b3 (35.:Ue5
for strengthening this position and lld6 36.l}j!e2+ - was more accu­
put into your "thriftbox" additional rate) 35 l}j!dS ( 35 . . . l}j!cB was more
.••

6 points, plus a moral satisfaction tenacious) 36.l}j!xb7 llb6 37.lle8+

from the fact that you can play like l}j!xe8 38.l}j!xb6 l}j!el+ 39.�g2
a World Champion! l}j!e4+ 40.� h2 � g7 41.�c7 [ 1 :0)
244 Thinking in Schemes

307. KRAMNIK - TOPALOV, 1999 �c8 32..@.xc6 �xc6 33.a6 � g7 34.

(diagram N2 575) How to rear­ :Ub4 Ci::l d6 35.�a4 �xa4 36.:Uxa4
range pieces for a breakthrough on ct::l c8 37.llb4 ct::l a7 38.ba lla8 39.c6
the queenside? The way of strength­ llaxa7 40.llcl [ 1 :0]
ening the position is in executing
the manoeuvres ctJb3-a5, a2-a4,
ct::l c 3-a2-b4 followed by ct::l a5xb7. 308. KRAMNIK - ADAMS, 2000
And white pawns should sweep away (diagram N2 576) What scheme
everything on their way. Those who for the arrangement of white pieces
found this arrangement of white do you propose? The World Cham­
pieces earn a bonus - 5 points. pion thinks that the queen should be
2 1 .ct::l aS llb8 22.a4 ct::l e4 on e5 - the maximal centralization,
23.ct::l a 2! (it was prematurely to play the pawn from d3 goes to d4 and
23.ct::l xb7 :Uxb7 24.a5 f4 2 5 . .@.xa6 pins the weakness on d5 , the pawn
:Ub8 26.ct::l xe4 de 27.c6 ct::l x c6 "a" moves to a6 , creating weak­
28.llxc6 f3 , with a counterplay) nesses on a7 and b7, then .@.g2-f3,
23 ...f6? (only 23 . . . f4 with the hope W h2-g2 and, finally, h3-h4 fol­
for a counterplay allowed Black to lowed by g3-g4-g5 , as in the game
maintain resistance) 24.ct::l b4 .@.e8 Kramnik-San Segundo. Those who
25.�c2! (25.ct::l xb7?l :Uxb7 26 . .@.xa6 find this arrangement, will get their
llxb6l 27.cb �xb6 28 . .@.b5 .@.xb5 due 5 points.
29.ab �xb5=) 25 ... g6 26.llbl llt7. 33.�eS! �d8 34.a6l Wg8 35.d4l
White has everything prepared. . . b5 36 . .@.f3l � IB 37.�g2 �g8 38.h4l
�b6, without waiting for g3-g4-
N!! 587 g5. All the same, this continuation
is futile.

N!! 588

27. ct::l xb7! :Uxb7 28.aS! ct::l c6 29.

ct::l xc6 .@.xc6 30 ..@.xa6 :Ub8 31..@.bS!
 Vladimir Kramnik 245

39.�xdS li:lxd5 40.�xdS 23.�fl li:lg5 24.'.l::l: ed3 li:le6

l{Wxa6 (in this chasing game, White 25.li:le3 li:ld4 26.li:ldS '.l::l: b3.
is quicker in reaching the goal)
41.�d7 �g6 42 .Vj' e8+ � h7 43.dS N!! 589
a5 44.ba b4 45.d6 b3 46.d7 � c6+
47.W h2 Vj'f3 48.Vj'et �d3 49.a6
[ 1:0]

309. ADAMS KRAMNIK, 2000

-

(diagram M 577) Find a decisive

rearrangement of black pieces and
get 4 points. The knight is trans­
ferred to d4 along the route li:l f6-
h7-g5 (f8) -e6-d4, and after that,
llb6-b3 decides.
20 ...li:l h7! 2 1 Jle3 �a6 22.�d3 The queen has been caught.
�d7!, vacating an important square White has nothing to do but to sign
for the knight. the act of capitulation. [0: 1)
 Viswanathan Anand
(born 1 1 . 1 2. 1 969.)

INSTANCES OF THINKING IN SCHEMES IN THE GAM ES

O F VISWANATHAN ANAND

310. ANAND - KAMSKY, 1990 3 points are yours. The maneuver

Il:fl-dl-d7 immediately decides.
N!! 590 41. Il: d 1!!+ - $.g6 ( 4 1 . . ..te4
42. f3 or 42. W fl is futile) 42. :S.dd7.

N!! 591

"Nimzowitsch's apparatus" - a
rook and a knight - will show their
full power, if one can boost them
with an additional impact. Have you 42 . . . :S.el+ (the "terminal"
spotted this resource? If so , then checks) 43. �g2 t3+ 44. � h3 [ 1 :0]
 Viswanathan Anand 247

N!:? 592 N!! 595

White to move White to move

N!! 596

White to move Black to move

N!! 594

Black to move Black to move

248 Thinking in Schemes

N� 598 N� 599

White to move White to move

N� 600

White to move

LEARNING FROM VISWANATHAN ANAND

311. ANAND - KHALIFMAN, 1993 moment and gets a winning endgame

(diagram N2 592) The Indian with a bishop and two pawns against
Grandmaster outlined the following a rook. The mark -7 points.
arrangement of pieces: the pawn on 45. h4! (with the goal to immo­
hS, the rook on e6, the bishop on dS, bilise the opponent's pawns) 45...
the king on bS. Black would be forced ,,td6 46. h5 ,,tc5 47. I!:e6! W g8
to play b7-b6. Afterthis, White sacri­ 48. ,,te4 :Ub8 49. � a4 � n 50. ,,td5
fices exchange on b6 at a convenient �f8 51. �b5 b6 52. :Uc6 :Ue8.
 Viswanathan Anand 249

N� 601 N� 602

A convenient moment has 35...llxd5 (Black decides to re­

come. gain the exchange, since if 35 ... �f?,
53. llxb6!+ - .@.xb6 54. �xb6 then 36. tll b 6 :Ua7 37. tll xc4 :Uaa8
lle2 55. c5 W e7 56 . .@.b3! (56 . .@.c4 38. tll b 6 lla7 39. tll d 5 llaa8 40. a7
llxb2! 57. c6llc2) 56 . . . W d757 . .@.c4! lld7 41. lla6!) 36. ed tZ:l c7 37. d6
Iles ( 57 . . .llxb2 58. c6++ - ) 58. f4 tll b5 38. llb4 tll xc3+ 39. W d2 tll d 5
(setting up an outpost on e6) 58 . . . 40. llb7 c3+ 41. �c2 :Uxa6 42.
:Ue7 59. f5! �c8 60. c6 � b8 llb8+. Black resigned due to variation
61. .@.e6 lla7 62. a3. ( 62 . . . ba 63. ba 42 . . .W f7 43. d7 lla2+ 44. Wb l c2+
llc7 64. a4 lla7 65. a5 llc7 66. a6 45. Wxa2 tll xe3 46. W b2+ - [1:0]
:Ua7 67 . .@.c8 �xc8 68. � xa7 � c7
69. g4+ - . Magnificent ending! 313. ILLESCAS - ANAND, 1994
[1:0] (diagram N2 594) The World
Champion found a splendid idea:
312. ANAND - YUSUPOV, 1994 transfer the knight to c6, and the
(diagram N2 593) It seems that rooks onto the line " d " . The mark
the pawn a5 is lost. But White has a - 8 points.
sacrifice exchange , after which the 29 . . . tll b8! 30. lla4. 30. cd ed
pawn "a" , supported by all white 3 1. lla4 ( 3 1 . e6 f6) 3 1. . .llc3!
pieces, becomes a formidable force 30. . . :Ud8! 31. f4 tll c6 32. :Ud3
and decides the fate of the game. :Ucd7 33. c5 f6 34. tll f3 .
For the plan with llxd8, tll a2-b4- (See diagram 603)
d5 and with the advancement of the 34 . . . d4! (now due to the threat
pawn a5, is due 5 points. 35 . . . lld5 White has been forced
32. :Uxd8! :Uxd8 33. tll b4 :Uaa8 to give up the centre) 35. ef+ gf
34. a6 tZ:l e6 35. tZ:l d5. 36. tll d2 e5 37. tll e4 (37. fe? tll xe5!)
250 Thinking in Schemes

N� 603 � e3+, and the white king cannot

hide from checks.
33 . . . �g5 34. lle2 �cl 35. be.

N� 604

37. . . lld5! 38. fe llxe5 39. ll:l d6 llxc5

40. ll:lxb7?, a mistake made in dire
straits. After 40.ll:lc4 the fight would
have been continued.
40. . . llc2+. After 4 1 . . .llbB, the White has carried out his plan
knight is lost. [0:1) and now has an indisputable advan­
tage.
314. ANAND - ADAMS, 1994 35... �bl+ 36. �c3 �cl+ 37.
(diagram M 595) White is ready W d3 �dl+ 38. W e3 ef 39. Wt2 liJWcl
to sacrifice a pawn to create a passed 40.liJWe7 �f4+ 41. W gl liJWd4+ 42.
pawn in the centre. Further efforts �h2 lld7 43. �e8+ �h7 44. �e5
should be directed to the protec­ �h4+ 45. �gl �g5 46. lle3 f6 47.
tion ( c4-c5) of the pawn d6. If this liJWg3+ - �h5 48. liJWf4 W g8 49. llxa3
plan coincides with yours, you get 3 liJWdl+ 50. Wh2 liJWh5+ 51. llh3 liJWg4
points. 52. �xg4 fg 53. llb3. There is no de­
26. lld6! llxd6 27. ed �c5 fence against 54.llxb7. [1:0)
28. lldl �xh5 29. lld2 lld8 30. b4
c5 (Black fights against the oppo­ 315. ADAMS - ANAND, 1994
nent' s plan) 3 1 . � e5 liJWg6+ 32 . f5! (diagram M 596) This is the end­
�g4 (a rook endgame promised ing typical for the open variation
nothing good for Black: 32 . . . of the Spanish game. Black plans
liJWxf5+ 3 3 . liJWxf5 e f 34. be+ - ) to have an advantageous endgame
33. Wb3, without deviating from with a knight against a bishop.
the general plan - the pawn d6 This is done with the help of an al­
must be protected! 33. �xc5 b6l 34 most forced variation; you will get 3
was weaker. �b5 �e4+ 35. � c 3 points, if you find it.
 Viswanathan Anand 25 1

19 . . ..@. d4! 20. ll'ie3 .@.xe3 3S. lld7+ � e8 36. lld8+? (36. lld3)
2 1. lla8+ lld8 22. llxd8+ �xd8 36. . . � e7 37. lld3 llxa5 38. llxe3+
23. be W e7 24. f4 fS 2S. ef+. From W d6 (Black easily wins the rook
Black's point of view, it is a pity that ending) 39. lle6+ W eS. 39 . . . W dSl
there is a capture in passing. Oth­ 40. llb6 (40. lle7 b3l) 40 ... � c4
erwise, we would have had a simple 4 1 . llb7 b3- + was more accurate.
classical textbook position. 40. lleS+ W b6 41. Itel llbS
2S . . . Wxf6. 42. Wf2 b3 43. Wf3 (43. llbl w as)
43 . . .b2 44. llbl w as 4S. W e4 W a4
N� 60S ( 46. g5 �b3 47. f6 g6 - + ) [0:1)

316. EHLVEST - ANAND, 1995

(diagram Af2 597) Black has sac­
rificed exchange and, under the
protection of the powerful knight in
the centre, can execute a systematic
attack, activating fresh reserves. The
scheme: e 5-e4, lle8-e6-g6, .@.f8-
d6, �d5-h5. The mark - 3 points.
26 . . . e4 27. ll'i e l lle6 28 . .@.e3
.@.d6 (28 . . . llg6 was more accurate,
The position sought for by Black. for example , 29. ll'i c2 .@.d6 or 29. f3
The knight is clearly stronger than �h5) 29 . .@.eS! (White almost rec­
the bishop , the pawn c3 is weak. It tifies the position) 29 . . . ..@.xeS 30. be
is impossible to say what has been llg6 31. \{We3 ( 3 1 . ll'i c2? e3 32. f3
won, but White has significant trou­ ll'i f4l cannot be done) 3 1 . . .� hS.
bles. Adams was slightly inaccurate
and Black turns his advantage to a N� 606
win.
26. f5 ll'ieS 27 . .@.e3 (27. c4 be
28 . .@.b2+ W f7 29. f6 g6 30. Ite l
lle8 cannot be done) 27 . . . ll'i e4
28 . .@.d4+ �f7 29 . .@.eS?! (29. lla l l)
29 . . . lle8 30 . .@.xe7 ll'i xe3 31. .@.aS
ll'idS 32. llbl? White defends him­
self not in the best way. 32. ll d l Iles
33. :Ubl ll'i f6 34. llfl+ was stronger.
32 ... b4! 33. lldl lleS 34. g4 ll'ie3
252 Thinking in Schemes

Black has a strong attacking po­ N� 607

sition and additional resources con­
nected with f7-f5-f4.
32. c4 be 33. lld2 (if 33. llxd3,
then 33 ... ed 34. llxb7 �dll
3 5 . llb8+ W h7 36. ll e 8 d2) 3 3. . .
i.c6 34. llc2 � d5 35. h3 W h7
36. 'it'hl rs (the last wave of attacks)
37. f4 ef 38. li:Jxf3 l:te6 39. �d4
�xf3 40. gf �xh3+ 41. ll h2 �xf3+
42. llg2 l:tg6. White resigned due
to variation 43.:llg l l:tg4 44.W h2
VJ.Vxg2+. [0: 1]

318. ANAND - SHIROV, 1997

317. ANAND - KASPAROV, 1995
(diagram M 599) To repel the
(diagram M 598) If you notice an threats of the desperately resisting
opportunity for exchange sacrifice opponent, the outstanding tactical
and evaluate the emerging position player Grandmaster Shirov, a high
as won for White , then you will earn mastery is required. Easily, with­
5 points. out panic , the World Champion
27. lld5! li:Jxd5? In no case one concieves and executes a defence­
should accept the sacrifice. 27 . . . hSl and-counterattack plan. Its essence
is correct. 28. ed (strong pawns in is in developing the interaction be­
the centre , supported by active piec­ tween the queen and the rooks. The
es, determine White 's decisive ad- scheme: �b l-h l-g2, �b8-f4,
vantage) 28 . . . �g6 29. c5 e4 30. �e2 llb7-b8, after this the black king
lle5. If 30 ...i.e7 , then 3 1. d6 � f6 gets under a mate-threatening at­
32. d7 :.C:.f8 33. i.c7. tack. The mark - 7 points.
(See diagram 607) 31. VJ.Vhl! (forcing the black
3 1 . �d7!, an accurately calcu­ queen to pass over to the defensive)
lated move. The white queen man­ 3 1 . . .�d8 32. �f4! (clearing a way
ages to attack (eliminating the pawn for the rook) 32 . . . llcb6 33. Ilb8!+­
b7) and to defend. llxb8 34. l:txb8 VJ.V d7 35. �g2.
31...llgS 32. llgl e3 33. d6 llg3
34. VJ.Vxb7 �e6 35. � h2! After this
strong move, repelling all the threats,
Kasparov resigned. [ 1 :0]
 Viswanathan Anand 253

N!:? 608 319. ANAND - ILLESCAS, 1997

(diagram M 600) In reality, Black
held this position for five moves.
An excellent coordination of white
pieces and pawns decided. After the
pawn breakthrough f2-f4 and e4-e5,
White consolidated his forces and
pounced upon the black king with
the knight (along the route lZ:ld2-
e4-g5) and the queen (�c8-g8).
The mark - 4 points.
37. f4!+- lZ:l d3 38. e5! de (38 ...
It is easy to win after 35 . . . .tg7 �f5 39. �xf5 gf 40. ed) 39. lZ:l e4
36. �g4+ - [ 1:0) �f5 40. lZ:l gS+ � h6 41. �g8!
lZ:lxf4+ (41...ef 42. � h7+ � :g5 43.
�xh4#) 42. gf � c2 + ( 42 . . . ef 43.
lZ:l xf7+) 43 . .ta [1:0]
 Ruslan Ponomariov
(born 1 1 . 1 o . 1 983)

INSTANCES OF THINKING IN SCHEMES IN THE GAMES

OF RUS LAN PONOMARIOV

320. PONOMARIOV - IVANCHUK, a collision of the arms created by

2002 human mind and directed by hu­
man will. How many games resulted
M� 609 in a catastrophe for White after the
breakthrough e6-e5 executed by
Black. Ruslan begins the rearrange­
ment of his pieces which should
radically prevent this advancement
or make it meaningless. White 's ma­
noeuvers are l'i:'i e l , f2-f4, perhaps,
after preparatory g2-g3 and l'i:Je l -g2.
Those who find this solution will get
3 points, those who knew of these
manoeuvres can add a bonus point
for erudition.
The fights on chessboard squares 1 7 .l'i:'i e l ! g5 18.g3 l'i:J f5 19.l'i:'ig2
resemble the fights in the real bat­ �g7 20.f4 l'i:J d6 (with the idea to
tlefields. This is, in the first place , have a counterplay after l'i:'i e4; 20 . . .
 Ruslan Ponomariov 255

gf 2 1 ..txf4) 2 1 .�e l b5 22.fg llxfl+ N� 6 1 1

23..@.xfl hg.

N� 610

White to move

N� 612

The advancement e6-e5 is again

on the agenda. White's disposition
- l'll g4, '*'e3 , .tg2(h3) , :i::i:b l , .td2 ,
allows him to restrain both attempts
by Black to have a counterplay -
breakthroughs b5-b4 and e6-e5.
24.l'll e 3 llf8 25 ..t g2 a5 26..td2
'*'g6 27.l'll g4 nrs 28.'*'e3 r:JJ g7
29.llbl W h7. There follows a break­
through on the queenside and white White to move
pieces begin a detour on the left,
penetrating the enemy camp.
30.a4 ba 31..@.cl llt7 32 ..ta3
l{Wxc2 ( 32 . . .l'll f5 was more tena­
cious) 33.llcl �rs 34..t h3! l'll e4
35.1.'ll eS! '*'f2+ 36.�xf2 llxf2
37.l'll xd7 (a short agony follows)
37 ... :C:a2 38.AcS l'll d2 39..@.g2 a3
40.l'll f8 + r:JJ h6 41.llel e5 42.de g4
43.e6 l'll t3 + 44 ..txf3 gf 45.r:JJ fl.
[ 1:0]

White to move
256 Thinking in Schemes

N!? 614 N!? 617

White to move White to move

N!? 615 N!? 618

White to move White to move

N!? 616 N!? 619

White to move White to move

 Ruslan Ponomariov 257

N!:? 620 N� 622

White to move Black to move

N:? 62 1 N� 623

Black to move Black to move

LEARNING FROM RUSLAN PONOMARIOV

321. PONOMARIOV BAREEV, 2001

- the queen, then add 4 points to your
(diagram M 611) Black pieces score. The reason to sacrifice the
menacingly stand on the line "e" , queen - White gets !:l:+i. for � , the
and the pawn "f' can b e turned into black bishop will have no good pro­
a powerful battering ram destroying spectives in the nearest future, the
the protection of the white king. If penetration of the white rook onto
you are strong in spirit and are ready the 7th rank will create a "wind­
to decisively cut this "Gordian knot" mill" and the shock troops II+�
by means of positional sacrifice of can bring Black too many troubles.
258 Thinking in Schemes

And the psychological impact of the and you determined the rearrange­
queen sacrifice may be added. ment of white pieces Ci::l d4-f3-g5,
Let's recall a song's lyrics - �d4 and f4-f5xg6 , then you get 3
"Courage can take any fortress . . . " points.
26.�xe6+ �xe6 27.:UxeS �g4 19.Ci::l f3 ! $.c6 20.ct::l gS $.e8
28.:Ue7. 2 1.�d4 :U8c6 22.fS :Uxc3! (a stand­
ard sacrifice with an attempt to
N!! 624 have a counterplay; 22 . . . ct::l eS 23.fg
ct::l xg6 24.Ci::l dS± ; 22 . . .gf 23.ef ti.es
24.ct::l ge4±) 23.bc ct::l e 5 24.fg (24.
Ci::l f3!? ; 24.�b4?! �c7) 24 ... ct::l xg6
(24. . . fg catastrophically weak­
ened the square e6) 25.Ci::l f3 :Uc5!oo
(25 . . . :Uxc3? 26.eS±) 26.:Ue3 �c7
27.:Udel e5 (White 's advancement
e4-e5 should not be allowed; 27 ...
a5? 28.eS) 28.�d2 a5 29.a4 (29.a3!?)
29 bS 30.ct::l gS (30.ab $.xb5oo) 30
••. •••

ba 31.$.a2 �b6+ 32.W al a3 33.�cl

28 ... :Uf7 29 .:Ue8+ llf8 30.:Ue7. ct::l xh4 34.:Ug3 ct::l g6 35.�xa3 ct::l h7?
The mate-threatening move f4-f3 ( 35 . . . �c6!? 36.:Uf3 h4 37.:Uefl
deprived the leader of the black army ct::l xe4 38.ct::l xe4 �xe4 39.$.xf7 $.c6)
of the feeling of danger and of objec­ 36.:Ubl �c7 37.ct::l xh7 Wxh7 38.:Uf3
tivity. White involves his last reserve Ci::l f4 (38 . . . Wg7 39.:Ubflt) 39.:Uhl
for decisive actions. Truly, when it is ct::l e 2? ( 39 . . . �c6 40.:Ue3 f6 41.g3
hard to force, it is easier to seduce! .. ct::l g2 42.:Ud3 �xe4 43.:Uxd6+ - ;
30 :Ub8?? 3 1.:Utl! $.c6 32.g3!
.•• 39 . . .$.c6 40.ti.xhS+ Ci::l x h5 41.llxf7+
The minesweepers clear up the way �xf7 42.$.xf?±; 39 . . .$.d7 40.$.xf?
for the rooks which like tanks iron ( 40.g3 $.g4) 40. . .$.g4 41.llg3 �xf7
Black's position. A horrible massacre. 42.:Uxg4± ; 39 . . . Wg7! 40.g3 ct::l e2
32 ...gS 33.:Ug7+ Wf8 34.llxf4+. 41.c4 Ci::l d4 42.:Uf2 f6.
Black resigned. A catastrophe! [ 1-0) 40.c4 Ci::l d4 41.:Ut2 W g7 42.:Ux­
hS+ - Wf8 43.�g3 W e7 44.:Uh7
322. PONOMARIOV - TIVIAKOV, W d8 45.c3 :Uxc4 (it was nesses­
2001 sary to play 45 . . . ct::l e6, attempt­
(diagram M 612) If in this ing to stabilise the position) 46.cd
Black's position you feel the entire ti.cl+ 47.Wb2 ti.di 48.�gS+ W c8
complex of weaknesses e6, f7, g6 49.�g4+ Wb8 50.�xdl . [1:0)
 Ruslan Ponomariov 259

323. PONOMARIOV - N� 625

LI WENLIANG, 2001
(diagram N2 6 1 3) This is an in­
teresting position. The knight on d4
looks handsomely, but nothing more.
If you felt this and outlined the route
tll d4-f3-e5 followed by the offensive
of the kingside white pawns g3-g4,
f2-f4 and g4-g5, then you get 2 points.
Why so few? The remaining points are
bonuses for the subtleties of the posi­
tional evaluation and for the correct
choice of the continuation. One can­ safety of the king) . The threat of the
not tolerate the white knight on e5, advancement c4-c5-c6 will force
but the bishop e5 is stronger than the Black to search for an opportunity
black knight - 1 point. to exchange the queens with the
22.tll f3 ! W a8 23.tll e S $.xe5 24. transition into a rook endgame won
$.xe5 �c6 25.llxd8+ llxd8 26.llel! for White.
(White does not need the exchange 27 .$.xf6 gf28.� e3 f5 29 .a3 lld7
on e4 yet) 26...�g2. 26 ... �c5 27.g4 (29 . . . �c6 30.�xh6 �xc4 3 1 .�e3;l;
(L f4 and g4-g5) 27 ...llcB 28.b3 lld8 - White has a dangerous passed
29.f4;!; ; 26 ... �d7 27.g4 �d2 (27 ... pawn on the line "h") 30.W al lld8
�d3+? 28.�xd3 llxd3 29.g5! tll xh5 ( 30 . . . �c6 3 1.�xh6 �xc4 32.llc l±)
(29 ... hg 30.h6! , drawing the line!) 31.llcl (L c5-c6) 31...llh8 ( 3 1 ...
30.llhl f6 3 1 .$.c7+ - ) 28.f3 �xe2 �h2?! 32.c5 �xh5 33.c6!) 32.cS!
29.llxe2 lld3 30.llf2 tll e8 3 1. Wc2 � e4 (32 . . . llc8 33.lld l;l;) 33.� d2 f4?
lld8 32.lld2 llxd2+ 33. Wxd2;!; ; 26 ... ( 33 . . . �c6 34.�d4 llc8 35.�e3;l;)
tll e 8 was a better defence. 34.gfl ( 34.�xf4 �xf4 35.gf lld8)
(See diagram 625) 3 4 ... llb8 35.�d6 �c6 36.�xc6
The ability to correctly trans­ be 37.lldl+ - llg8 38.lld7 llgl+
form a position from more advan­ 39.W a2 llhl 40.b4! (40.llxf? llxh5
tageous to technically won is a sign 4 1.llf6 llxc5 42.llxh6 llf5 43.llxe6
of the highest mastery. Strengthen­ llxf4 44.lle2±) 40 ...llxhS ( 40 . . . llh3
ing of White 's position is done ac­ 4 1.llxf? llf3 42.llf6+ - ) 41.W b3!
cording to the scheme - trading the ( LWa4-a5) 41. .. llh3+ . 4 1 . . .llf5
bishop for the knight with creation 42.W a4! llxf4 43.Wa5 Wb8 (43 ...
of weak pawns h6 and f7, f6; �e3, llxf2? 44.�b6) 44.�b6! (an absu­
llc l , a2-a3 (an escape square for lute domination!) 44. . . � c 8 45.�xc6
260 Thinking in Schemes

e5 ( 45 . . .:Uxf2 46.:Ua7) 46.:Uc7+ N!! 626

W d8 ( 46 . . . Wb8 47.Wb6+ - ) 47.:Ua7
llxf2 48.Wd6+ -
42.W a4! Wb8 43.llxt7 W c8 44.
W a5! W d8 ( 44 . . . :Uxa3+ 45. Wb6+ - )
45.a4 :Uf3 46.Wxa6. [ 1 :0)

324. PONOMARIOV - BAKLAN,

2001
(diagram M 614) This is an ex­
ample from the openings theory
for beginners and not very sophis­
ticated amateurs. It can provoke There follows a blow at the most
a mere smile on an expert's face. fortified point. The "penal battal­
The advantages of the manoeuvre , ions" are breaking through. Lo and
which gives White an opportunity behold - they do not perish at the
to bind Black's position on the first serial of Black's defence!!
queenside at the cost of minimal 20.g6!! �g4 2 1.llxh7 llxh7
material exchange , are too obvious. 22.gh � h4+ 23.W d2 �xh7 24.fi.c7
Starting with a2-a3 , if the queen (opening the hunting season for
goes to a5, then b2-b4 and ll:l c 3 - rooks) 2 4... �h6 25.fi.xb8 ll:lxb8
a4-b6. The capture on b2 will al­ 26.ll:lb6 fi.e6 27.eS! de 28.�xb7
low White to take an additional line fi.d6 29.ll:lc8 fi. d7 30.Wc3 W d8
to attack Black's queenside - by 31.ll:lxd6 �xd6 32.Wb2 �d4+
analogy with the previous varia­ 33.c3 �f2+ 34.fi.c2 ll:l c6 35.:Udl .
tion ll:l c3-a4-b6 will allow White Black resigned. The game was actu­
to dominate on the queenside , and ally decided in the opening. The re­
on occasion f2-f4 and g4-g5 with maining is just an illustration of the
space advantage on the kingside. topic " Realization of the achieved
But still, 2 points will be a moderate advantage" . [ 1 :0]
award for the correct solution of the
problem. 12.a3 �xb2 1 3.ll:l a4 �f6 325. PONOMARIOV - GREENFELD,
14.gS � d8 15.ll:lb6 llb8 16.f4 fi.e7 2001
17.�f3 e5 (it is the time for White (diagram M 615) White has ad­
to change the blocker) 18.ll:ldS ef vantage in development. The temp­
19.fi.b6 � d7. tation to double the rooks is great,
but this solution will not give the re­
quired effect. If you found the trans-
 Ruslan Ponomariov 261

fer of the king to e3 (W c l-d2-e3) , 25.lld7+ lle7 (25 . . . We6 26.llxb7

followed by .@.d5, taking the pawn Wxe5 27 .llxb4+ - ) 26.llxe7+ .@.xe7
e4, - you will get 4 points. On the 27.Wxe4+ - bS 28.W dS aS (28 . . . g6
way, you should specify the subtle­ 29.W c6 We6 30 ..@.g7 h 5 3 1.Wb6
ties of the possible exchange of the Wd5 32.Wxa6 W c6 33 . .@.d4+ - )
pawn g2 for g7. 29.W c6 a4 30.WxbS a3 31.W a4.
14.Wd2! .@.gS 15.W e3 f6 16.ef. Black resigned. [ 1:0]
16 ...@.xgS fe ( 1 6 . . . hg 1 7 . ..@.dS .@.xd5
18.llxd5 We7 19.ef+ gf 20.Wxe4 326. PONOMARIOV - PELLETIER,
llh4+ 2 1.Wd3 llxb4 22.llel+±) 2001
17.lld2 hg 18 . ..@.dS a5; 1 6.e6 We7 (diagram M 617) If you can
17.llhdl f5. catch the core of Black's position,
16 .. ..txf6 17.llddl .@.a4 ( 1 7 . . . then certainly, you will find the cor­
.@. c 3 18.a3 .@.b2 1 9 . .@.xc7 llc8 rect solution. The knight e5 is still
20 . .@.b6 .@.xa3 2 1 ..@. e6 ll a8 22.c3±) holding his position and he should
18..tb3! .@.xb3 19.ab± $. c3 ( 19 . . . 0- be exchanged, and then function the
0 20.lld7 llf7 2 1.llhd l ± ) . (diagram motifs of deflection and overloading
N! 6 1 6) of black pieces, which are unable to
It looks like Black jumps off defend the numerous weaknesses
the hook in this position, and there and to block dangerous lines. So,
would follow the exchange of the the manoeuvre ll:lb l -d2-f3 decides
pawn c7 for pawn b4, e4 for f2. But regardless of whether White takes
this is just an illusion. If you can dis­ on e5 or Black makes exchange on
cern the scheme "windmill" in this f3. The mark - 3 points.
position and can find the exact order 22.ll:ld2!! a4 23.Wbl a3 24.ll:lf3
of moves, then the correct solution ll:lxf3 25.�xf3 ab 26.llxd6 �xd6.
will bring you 3 points. Even if the One should have played 26 . . . .@.xd6
combination itself cannot be done, it 27.�b3+ Wf8 28 . ..@.gS .@.d7 , keep­
at least yields an easily won endgame. ing chances to repel the attack.
White executes the following ma­ 27.ll:lxd6+ .@.xd6 28.eS! .@.e6
noeuvres: .@.f4xc7-e5, lldl-d7, llh l ­ 29.�b7+ ll:ld7 30 .@.c4! draws the line
•

d l , lld7xf7 and lld l -d7. I n the end, in this game. Black resigned. [1:0]
Black's active pieces are exchanged,
and then the pawn e4 is lost without 327. PONOMARIOV - FRESSINET,
the exchange for the pawn f2. 1999
20 .@.xc7.@.xb42 1 ..t e50-0 (2 1 . . .
• (diagram M 618) The black
llc8 22.c3 .@.as 23.Wxe4±) 22.lld7 king is in the centre. The sacrifice
llf7 23.llhdl± lle8 24.llxt7 W xt7 of the knight on e6 suggests itself.
262 Thinking in Schemes

The black queen is forcingly driven nothing like the execution which he
to a5, but what to do next? Those suffered from White.
who found the scheme .@.d2 with
a prospective discovery lt:l d5 and 328. PONOMARIOV DREEV, 2000
-

�e2(e l) , will get 3 points. This al­ (diagram N9 619) The white
lows White to get a clear compensa­ knight on d4 occupies the dominant
tion for the material loss. hill in the centre of the chessboard.
1 1.lt:lxe6!! ( l l .lt:lxf7? �xf7 The far-ranging black bishop g6 is in
12.llxe6 �xe6 13 ..@.xe6+ � xe6 was a splendid position, but has no tar­
not so clear) 1 1...fe 12.:i::l:xe6 ltWb4 get to shoot. White pieces are danc­
13.a3 �as 14.Ad2 b4 lS.ab �rs ing on black squares. The square e4
16.ltWe2 lt:l g8 17.llaS! �f8 ( 17 . . . c5 is taken under control by the pawn
18.dc llc8 1 9.c6+ - ) 18.lt:l dS � d8 f2-f3 (recall Capablanca's princi­
( 1 8 . . . .@.xd5 1 9.Axd5 '.l::l: b8 20 . .@.c6 ples) . So far, so good, but what to
�d8 2 1 .llxa6 8gf6 22.bS+ - ) 19.bS do next? If you can find the rear­
A d6. 19 . . . ab 20.�xb5 llb8 (20 . . . rangement of white pieces on the
Axd5 2 1 .�xd5 llc8 22.lla8+ - ) queenside - a2-a4, lt:lb3-a5 , b2-b4,
2 1.lt:lxe7 8 xe7 22 . .@.gS+ - attacking the pawn b7 , then you can
20.ba .@.c6 2 1 .lt:lb4. Black re­ add 2 points to your score. Black's
signed due to 2 1 . ..Axb4 22 . .@.xb4 attempt to counterplay on the line
�xb4? 23.lle8# ; 2 1 . ..8 b8 22. «f» is easily crossed.
lt:lxc6+ (22.a7 .@.xb4 23 . .@.xb4 �xb4 18.a4! (while regrouping the
24Jhc6 lt:lxc6 (24 . . . ltWxa5 25.ab� + pieces, the exact order of moves is
llxb8 26.lla6 �b5) 25.lld5+ required) 18 ... llf8 19.f3 f6 20.lt:laS
'iti c8 26.llb5 llxa7 27.�e6+ :i::l: c7 2 1 .b4 lt:lc8 22.lle2 8 b6 23.ef
'iti d8 28.lld5+ �d6 29.llxd6+ cd :i::l:xf6 (diagram N! 620).
30.�xd6+) 22 ... lt:lxc6 23.�e4 In the resulting position Black
8ge7 24..@.gS 'iti d7 2S.Axe7 lt:lxe7 has two weak pawns - b7 and e6,
26.llxd6+ cd 27 .Ae6++- [1:0] but White has only one - c3. How
This game clearly demonstrates should White place his knights to at­
that the queen is a valuable but vul­ tack the weak points of the enemy?
nerable piece. So, from the practical Those who found the manoeuvres
point of view regarding the strug­ - lLl d4-b 3-c 5, lla 1-e 1 , 'iti d2-c l
gle for life, Black could easily cap­ (preventive), li:la5-b 3 , a4-a5 with
ture the rook e6 with the queen at the idea li:ld4 - get 4 points.
the 12th move - nothing could be 24.li:l db3 W c8 2S.li:l cS .@.f7
spoiled. It is clear that Black's posi­ 26.llael lle7 27.� cl gS 28.h3 h6
tion is lost, but all the same, this is 29.lt:l ab3 lt:l c4 30.aS! 'iti c7.
 Ruslan Ponomariov 263

NQ 627 329. SVIDLER PONOMARIOV,

-

2001
(diagram N2 621) The trick which
helps to create the arrangement
scheme for black pieces is well known
to the experts in T. Petrosian's crea­
tive work. The initial arrangement of
Black's strike forces - lle4, .tbs,
.txh2, tt.e4-h4 - cannot be tolerated
by White and will bring to its discover­
ers 3 points. Capturing the offered ex­
change sacrifice on e4 cannot satisfy
31.lll d3! The threat of block­ White immediately. The role of the
ade on black squares forces Black rooke4 - through the square f5 to h5,
to advance the pawn e6, creating a will be played by his comrade in arms.
central phalanx. But the manoeuvre 16...I!:e4! ( 1 6 ....txh2+ 17.W hl
lll b 3-d2 eliminates an important .td6 18.Vj°xd5+ �h8 19.VAVf3 .tc&xi)
protector of Black, after that the 17.g3. 17 ..txe4 fe 18.�e2 .txh2+
pawn is lost. 19.� hl ( 19.Wfl Vj°g3 20 . .te3
3 1...e5 32.lll d2 lll xd2 33.Wxd2 .th3J - +) 19 ... I!:fS 20.tt.ac l tt.hS- +
e4 34.fe de 35.llxe4 nxe4 36.:C:.xe4 17 ....tbS 18 ..tf4. 18 . .txe4 fe
.td5 37.lle2 lld6 38.g3! W c6 ( 18 . . . de 19.�e3 .td3 20.�gS±)
39.lle5 .tg2 40.h4 .to 41.lle3 gh 1 9. Vj°g4 llf5oo
42.gh b6 43.ab Wxb6 44.llf3 .t g2 18 .. ..txf4 19.gf �d6 ( 19 ...Vj°xf4
45.tt.f4 a5 46.c4! :l:lg6 47 .h5 llg5 20 . .txe4 fe 21.�xf4 llxf4 22.:C:.ab l;
48.tt.f6+ Wc7 49.:C:.g6! ab 50.lll f4! 19...:C:.xf4 20.�xdS+ llf7 2 1 .Vj°xbS
nrs 5 1 .lll xg2 llxh5 52.lll f4 llh2+ llxf2 22.tt.e8+ Wg7 23.Wx±L �xh2+
53.Wd3 b3 54.Wc3 b2 55.lll d 5+ 24.�f3+ - ) 20..txe4 fe 21.Vj°g3 (2 1.
W d7 56.tt.b6 h5 57.llxb2 :.C:hl Vj°e3 llxf44 21...I!:xf4 22.llabl
58.Il:b6 h4 59.llh6 h3 60.Wd4 h2 .td7 23.t3 (23.h3 b5 24.lle2 Vj°f6+;
61.Wc5 We8 62.lll f6+. Black re­ 23.llxb7? Il:g4- +) 23...b6 24.tt.e3
signed. The manoeuvres of Ruslan's �f6?! 24...ef 25.WtL. (25.h3 tt.g4- +)
cavalry in this game make a strong 25 ....tfS 26.lle8+ �f7 27.tt.bel .te4
impression! The slashers on horse­ 28.lla8.
back are still alive! [ 1 :0] 25.I!:fl? (25.Wg2 hSJ+ ; 25.h3J
llxf3 26.I!:xf3 �xf3 27.�xf3 ef28.h4
.tfs 29.llbS .te4 30.a4+) 25 ....tg4!
26.Vj°xg4 (26.lltL. .txf3 27.h3 h5
264 Thinking in Schemes

28.Wfl g5+: ; 26.fg !:l:xfl+ 27.Wg2 330. AVRUKH PONOMARIOV,

-

llal 28.�b8+ �f8 29.�xf8+ Wxf8 1999

30.lle2 llc l 3 1.Wg3 g5- +) 26... (diagram M 623) White 's pawn
!:l:xg4+ 27.fg �g5 28.llg3 (28.:Ue2 centre is based on the pawn e4. If
�xg4+ 29.!:l'.g2 � h5-+ ) (diagram one can undermine it and exchange
N! 622) the queens, then White will be in­
Will White be successful in build­ capable to defend his weaknesses.
ing a fortress? Nol! Those who ar­ Those who arrived at a similar con­
rived at the same answer and found clusion and found a way to execute it
the right arrangement of Black's bat­ efficiently get 4 points. Black pieces
tlefield forces get 5 points. Black ad­ move according to the following
vances the queenside pawns b6-b5, scheme - �a5-a6-c8, then f7-f5,
a7-a5, b5-b4, unpropping the pawn �c8- f8 , f5xe4 and �f8-f5.
d4, then Black's monarch is drawn 24...�a6 25..@.fl?! �c8 26.�h2
closer Wg8-g7-h6-g5-h4, the pawn f5! 27 ll'.al �f8 28.lld2 fe 29.�xe4
d4 is won with the help of a series �f5! 30.�xf5 .@.xf5 31.llel r:tlt8
of checks and with the threat to ad­ (3 l.. ..@.xc3!? 32..@.xc3 tll cxd5 33 ..t.b2
vance the pawn "e", and the advance­ !:l:a7cx::> ) 32.tll g5? 32.tll b S! tll xb5 was
ment of a pair of pawns "d" and "e" more tenacious (32... .@.xb2 33.tll xc7
should finally decide the outcome of .t.c3 34.t'l:lxa8 .@.xd2 35.ti:lxd2 !:l:xa8
the game in Black's favour. 36.a4 ti:lxd5 37 ..@.g2 e6 38.g4+ - ; 32 ...
28 ...b5 29.llt2 (29.llb l �d2 tll cxd5 33 ..@.xg7+ r:tlxg7 34.tll c 7!
30.llxb5? � e l + 3 l.�g2 �e2+ - +) tll xc7 35.llxe7+±) 33 ..@.xg7+ Wxg7
29 ... r:tl g7 30.� g2 a5 31.!:l:b2 b4 34..t.xbS llxa3 35.!:l:xe7+ W f6
32.cb ab ( 32 . . . � c l 33.llf2 ab 36.!:l:e3D tll c 8 37 ..@.c4 t'l:lb6.
34.llb3 � d l +) 33.h3 �cl 34.:.C:.gb3 32 ... h6 33.tll ge4 ti:ld7 34.b4.
� h6 35.llxb4 �dl 36.r:tlf2 (36.a4? 34 ..@.c4 tll e 5 35.:Ue3 tll xc4 36.bc
e3 37.:Ub l e2- + ) 36 ...W g5 37.:Ue2 llb3!? (36 ... llxb2 37.!:l:xb2 .@.xe4
(37.a4 � f4 38.!:l'.4b3 �xd4+ - + ) 38.llxe4 .@.xc3 39.llb7 .@.a5!?+)
3 7. . .Wf4 38.llb3 ( 38.a4 e3+ 37.t'l:lbS !:l:xe3 38.tll xc7 llxe4 39.
39.llxe3 �d2+ 40.lle2 �xb4- + ) tll xa8 .@.xb2 40.Il'.xb2 llxc4+
3 8. . .�xd4+ 39.�g2 �c4 40.:Ut2+ 34 ...cb 35.ab :Uxb4 36 ..@.g2 tll f6
r:tl g5 41.:l:!:f7 d4 42.h4+ (42.llxh7 37.tll xf6 .t.xf6 38.:Ucl? (38.tll d lD
� f4 43.llb2 e3- +) 42 ...r:tlxh4 ( 42 . . . .@.xb2 39.tll xb2 lla2 40.llee2 t'l:lb5i)
Wxg4?? 43.llg3+ r:tl h5 44.llxh7#) 38 ...tll b 5!-+ (38 ... .t.gS 39.f4
43.llxh7+ r:tlxg4 44.llg3+ r:tlf5 !:l:xf4+) 39.g4 (39.tll d l lla2 - + ;
White resigned. Black's central pair 39.f4 llxb2 40.:Uxb2 tll xc3-+ ;
of pawns is unstoppable. [0:1] 39.tll xb5 .t.xb2- +) 39 ....@.g5. [0:1]
 INDEX OF NAMES
(for the games and fragments)

MRON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 106 92, 93, 94, 9 5 , 96, 97, 98, 9 9 , 100,

ADAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 308, 309 , 3 14, 10 1 , 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107,
315 108, 109, 1 10, 1 1 1, 1 1 2, 1 1 3, 19 1 *
AHUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 7 1 BRINC KMANN . . . . . . . . . . 40, 63
AIATORTSEV . . . .. . . . . . .. . 1 16 BRONST EIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196*
ALEKHINE. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 48, 49, 50, 5 1 , BROW NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 6 1 , BUKAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 7 1 , BUTNORIUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262*
72, 73 , 74 , 7 5 , 76, 77 CAMPORA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274*
ALEXANDER . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 72 CAPABIANCA . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 25, 26, 27,
ANAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 277, 310, 3 1 1 , 28, 29 , 30, 3 1 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,
3 1 2, 3 1 3 , 3 1 4, 3 1 5, 3 16 , 3 17, 318, 38, 39 , 40, 4 1 , 42, 43, 4 4 , 4 5, 46, 47
319* CARLS . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
ANDERSSON . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 169, 240, 249, CART ER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
254, 269 , 272* C HAJES . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
ARIANDI . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 280* C OHN . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
AT KINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 37 C SOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263*
AVERBAKH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 1 1 3 , 1 98* C Z ERNIAK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 1
AVRUKH . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 1 1 DAMJANOVIC . . . . . . . . . . . . 139, 303*
BAG IROV. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 163* DANAIIDV . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 265*
BAKIAN . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 5 DARGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157, 2 2 1 *
BAIASHOV . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 29 1 * DEBARNO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243*
BANNIK . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 183* DONNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 0, 202, 204*
BARCZA . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 223* DREEV. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
BAREEV . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 2 DURA0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228*
BELIAVSKY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 194, 270, 302* EH LVEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1 6*
BERTOK . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 222* ELISKASES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
BILEK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 133 ENEVOLDSEN . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
BIACKBURNE . . . . . . . . .. . 6 , 16, 21 ERMENKOV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287*
BIANC 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 28 ERNST . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150, 172*
BOBOTSOV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 192* EUW E . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177*
BOEH M . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 207* EUW E . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 , 55, 74, 78,
BOLBOC HAN . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 224* 79 , 80, 8 1 , 82, 83, 84 , 85, 86, 87, 88
BON DAREVSKY . . . . . . .. . 94, 176* EVANS . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 20
BOTVINNIK . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 1, 3, 89, 90, 9 1 , EVENSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
266 Thinking in Schemes

FISC H ER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 3 , 2 17, 2 1 8, KARPOV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82, 238, 239,

2 1 9 , 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 240, 24 1 , 242, 243, 244 , 245, 246,
226, 227, 228, 229 , 230, 231, 232, 247, 248, 249 , 250 , 25 1 , 252, 253,
233, 234, 235, 236, 237* 254 , 255, 256, 257, 258, 259 , 260*
FlDHR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80, 90 KASHDEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
FOMINYKH A. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 57 KASPAROV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252, 26 1 , 262,
FRESSINET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 263, 264, 265 , 266, 267, 268, 269,
GEORGADZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 1 * 270, 27 1 , 272, 273, 274 , 275, 276,
GEREBEN ................... 1 02 277, 278, 279, 3 1 7*
GERMANN ................. 35 KERESZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103, 122, 1 23,
GHEORG H IU ............. 141 1 25, 199*
GHEORG H IU ............. 205, 273* KEVITZ and KHALIFMAN
GIPSLIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 84* 280, 28 1 , 282, 283, 284, 285, 286,
GLIGORIC .................. 1 27 287, 288, 289, 290, 29 1 , 292, 293,
GLIGORIC .................. 1 67 , 1 78 , 2 1 5, 3 1 1*
239* KHUZMAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282*
GOLMAY0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 KOCHYEV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166*
GOlDM B EK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 KOENIG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
GOTTH ILF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 KONSTANTINOPOLSKY
GREENFELD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 12*, 6 96
GROB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 KORC H NOl ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195, 2 1 6, 298*
GUNSBERG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 KOTTNAUER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
GUREVIC H M . ........... 253* KOZMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 1 *
GURGENIDZE . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 4 * KRAMER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
HAAG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 1 KRAMNIK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 , 295, 296,
HALP RIN .................... 11 297, 298, 299 , 300, 30 1 , 302, 303,
HAN SEN K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 70* 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309*
HERTN EC K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304* KROGIUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186*
HORT . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 1 28 KUIPERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203*
HORT . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 1 6 1* KURAJICA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
HUEBNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134, 137, 208* LABATT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
HULAK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 65* LAN DAU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
ILLESCAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 3 1 3 , 3 1 9* LANGEW EG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146, 1 93*
NANCHUK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5 1 LARSEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144, 230*
JOHAN SSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 62* LASKER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17, 18, 1 9 ,
JOHNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 20, 2 1 , 22, 2 3 , 24 , 25, 36
KAMSKY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 76 , 300, 3 1 0* LAUTIER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 , 3 0 1 *
KAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1 , 92, 1 1 5 LEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8
 267

LEHMANN .................. 1 54 P ETROSIAN T. . . .......... 2, 1 1 7 , 1 17 ,

LILIENTHAL . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 97 130, 1 7 5 , 176, 1 77 , 1 78 , 1 79 , 1 80 ,
LIPKE .......................... 1 2 18 1 , 1 8 2 , 183, 184, 1 8 5 , 186, 187,
LIUBLINSKY .............. 1 18 188, 189, 190, 1 9 1, 1 92 , 193, 194,
UUBOJEVIC ............... 4, 209, 27 1 * 195, 20 1 *
LOEW ENFISCH .......... 4 8 PINKUS ....................... 64
LPUTIAN ..................... 290* PINTER ....................... 1 7 1 *
LUNDIN ...................... 100 POGREBISSKY ........... 93
LUT IKOV..................... 187, 2 1 0 * POLGAR J.................... 294*
MARC0 ........................ 1 0 POLGAR Z................... 255*
MARSHALL.. ............... 22 PONOMARIOV............ 1 , 2, 3, 4 , 5, 6,
MART INOVIC ............. 1 52 , 264* 7, 8, 9 , 10, 1 1
MASON ........................ 1 4 PORTISCH .................. 1 , 173, 229,
MATANOVIC ............... 1 4 3 , 197* 248, 296*
M EC KING................... 238* POST ............................ 50
M ENCHIK................... 44, 46 QUINTEROS ............... 246*
M ERIBANOV .............. 278* RABAR......................... 1 2 1
MICH ELL.. .................. 4 1 RAGO ZIN .................... 5 , 45, 1 14
M IESES........................ 59 RATNER ...................... 98
M IKENAS.................... 68 RAVINSKI ................... 42
M I LES.......................... 4 RESH EVSKY ............... 136, 225*
M ILEV ......................... 123 RETl. ............................ 6 1
MYAGMARSU REN .... 23 1 * RIBLI ........................... 299*
NAEGELI .................... 70 RIVAS PASTOR............ 292*
NAJDORF .................... 1 58* ROMANISHIN ............ 260 , 289*
N ENASH EV................. 28 1* RO SSELLI .................... 65
NIM ZOW ITSC H .......... 3 1 , 49 RO SSETTO .................. 182, 2 18 , 220*
NUNN ......................... 247* ROZENTALIS .............. 283*
OLAFSSON.................. 126, 2 1 7* RUDNEV ..................... 155
OLL .............................. 1 53 SAIDY .......................... 164, 226, 232*
OSNOS ......................... 174* SALOV.......................... 257*
PAC H MAN .................. 1 32 , 188* SAN SEGUNDO .......... 305*
PADEVSKY .................. 1 12 SCHERBAKOV ............ 293*
PANN0 ........................ 233* SC H IFFMAN ............... 26,
PARMA ........................ 200* SC H LECHTER ............ 20,
PEEV ............................ 140 SC HW EBER ................ 190*
PELLETIER ................. 7 SEFC ............................ 180*
PETROSIAN A. ............ 168* SEIRAWAN .................. 285*
268 Thinking in Schemes

SELLMAN ................... 15 TAIMANOV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 24, 235*

SERPER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288, 297* TAL .............................. 3, 1 08 , 109 ,
SHIROV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 18* 1 56, 1 57, 1 58, 1 59 , 160, 16 1 , 162,
SHORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275* 1 63 , 164, 165, 166, 167, 1 68 , 169,
SHOWALTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7 170, 1 7 1 , 172, 173, 174, 175*
SIMAGIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 19 TARNOW SKI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
SLIWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83, 179* TARRASC H ................. 24, 5 1 , 57, 78
SMYSLOV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 04, 1 05 , 1 14, TARTAKOW ER . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
1 1 5, 1 1 6, 1 17 , 1 18, 1 1 9 , 1 20 , 1 2 1 , TEICH MANN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 53, 54
122, 1 23 , 1 24, 1 25 , 1 26 , 1 27 , 1 28, TEMPONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266*
129, 1 30 , 131, 132, 1 33 , 1 34, 135, T ESC HNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156*
136, 1 37, 138, 139, 140, 1 4 1 , 1 42 , THOMAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33, 43 , 60, 9 1
1 4 3 , 1 4 4 , 1 45 , 146, 1 47 , 1 48 , 149, TIM MAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147, 2 1 1 , 250,
1 50, 151, 1 52, 1 53, 1 5 4, 155, 189, 2 5 1 , 279*
227* T IVIAKOV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
SOLMUDARSSON . . . . . . 1 4 2 TOPALOV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286 , 307*
SOLOVIOV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 75* TSVET KOV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
SPASOV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284* UNZIC KER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 9, 234, 242*
SPASSKl... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 29 , 196, 197, VAN DER W IEL . . . . . . . . . . 149
198, 199, 200, 20 1 , 202, 203, 204, VASIU KOV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159*
205, 206, 207, 208 , 209, 210, 2 1 1 , VIDMAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
2 1 2, 213, 2 1 � 2 1 5, 2 1 6, 236 , 237, VUKIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267*
24 1 , 244, 245* W EISS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SPIRIDONOV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268* W EISS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
STAH LBERG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 88 W INTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 73
ST EIN .......................... 1 35 WOLF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
ST EINER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 1 YANOFSKY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 30, 206*
ST EINITZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 , 7, 8, 9 , 10, YAT ES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 , 62
1 1 , 12, 1 3, 14, 15, 19 YUSU POV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 , 3 12*
STURUA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295* ZAGORIANSKI . . . . . . . . . . . 95
SUETIN ....................... 1 85* Z H U RAVLEV H . . . . . . . . . . . 160*
SVIDLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 ZVIAG INT SEV . . . . . . . . . . . . 306*
 A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR (IN PLACE OF AN AFTERWORD)

Every manuscript has its own fate. Some are lost in time, others - in the
fire of conflagrations, or are forgotten in the archives. Those that appeared
in print are lucky. I am lucky, too, having the aids who helped this manu­
script to see the light of day. I am very grateful to my first coach Konstantin
Vinokurov as well as to my colleagues Georgy Sobolev and Artur Gabrielian
for their help during the preparation of this book.

Irina Mikhaylova, International Grandmaster,

Coach of the Highest Qualifivation, PhD in Education.
 CONTENTS

FOREWORD . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
THINKING IN SCHEMES ... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . . . .. . . . ............. .4
WHAT IS «THINKING IN SCHEMES»? . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
WHEN THINKING IN SCHEMES IS POSSIBLE? ................................... 9

ADVANTAGES OF THE METHOD .. . . ............ ...................... ... . . . ............... 9

ANALOGY BETWEEN PLANS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . 10
THINKING IN SCHEMES IN DIFFERENT STAGES
OF THE GAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . 14
OPENINGS . . ..
. . . . .. . . . .... . . . . . . . . . .. .......... . . . . .. . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ............ 14
MIDDLEGAME . ...
.......... . . .......... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . . . . . . . . ............ 14
ENDINGS . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . 15
THE IDEA OF THE BOOK . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . 15
METHODICAL RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . 16

WILHELM ST EINITZ 18
. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Wilhelm Steinitz 18 . . . . . . . . ..

Learning from Wilhelm Steinitz 21 . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .

EMMANUEL LASKER ... ..

................ 26 . . .. . . . .. . . . .......... ..... ..... . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .......

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Emmanuel Lasker 26 .......

Learning from Emmanuel Lasker.. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .

JOSE-RAUL CAPABLANCA 35
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Jose-Raul Capablanca . 35

Learning from Jose-Raul Capablanca .40 .............................................

ALEXAN DER ALEKHINE 53

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Alexander Alekhine 53 . . . ..

Learning from Alexander Alekhine .. 59 . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .......

MAX EUWE .. ..
. . . . .. . . . .... . . . .. . . . ............. . . 77 . . .. . . . .... . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Max Euwe 77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .

Learning from Max Euwe 80

. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . .

M IKHAIL BOTVINN I K 86
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . .

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Mikhail Botvinnik 86 . . . ....

Learning from Mikhail Botvinnik 91 . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . ..

 27 1

VAS I LY SMYSLOV 104

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . ..

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Vasily Smyslov 104 ..........

Learning from Vasily Smyslov 1 12 ....... . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MIKHAIL TAL 133

.......................................................................................

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Mikhail Tal. .. 133 . . . . . . . . . .. . .

Learning from Mikhail Tal ... 137

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TIGRAN PETROS IAN 146

............. . . . . . . . . . . . .......... ..... ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... .....

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games ofTigran Petrosian 146 . . . . . . ..

Learning from Tigran Petrosian 150 . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . ..

BORIS S PASSKI 1 60
. . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . ..

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Boris Spasski . 1 60 ............

Learning from Boris Spasski 164

. . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ROBERT FISC H ER 176

. . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Robert Fischer 176 ..........

Learning from Robert Fischer 180 . . . . . . . . .. .......... ..... . .. . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .......

ANATOLY KARPOV 192

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . ............... . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .......... .....

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Anatoly Karpov 192 . . .. . . . ..

Learning from Anatoly Karpov 196 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . ..

GARRY KASPAROV 210

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . ..

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Garry Kasparov 210 . . .. . . . . .

Learning from Garry Kasparov 214 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ALEXANDER KHALI FMAN 223

. . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Alexander Khalifman 223

Learning from Alexander Khalifman 226 .......... ..................... ...............

VLAD I M I R KRAMNI K 234

. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . ..

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games ofVladimir Kramnik 234 . . . ..

Learning from Vladimir Kramnik 237 . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . ..

VISWANATHAN ANAND 246

. . .......... ..... . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . .......... ..... . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games ofVisnawathan Anand 246 ...

Learning from Visnawathan Anand 248 ................................................

RUS LAN PONOMARIOV 254

. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Instances of thinking in schemes in the games of Ruslan Ponomariov 254 ...

Learning from Ruslan Ponomariov 257 ................. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .........

Index of names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. 265

A word from the author (in place of an Afterword) . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. 269