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indirectly tied up, since any move on the part of White's Rook could be answered by either . . . N-R5 or . . . N-K4, and also the coun­ terattack against Black's RP is

40 . . . K-K6 would be an­ swered by 41 N-Bl, giving White some counterchances. 41 N-B3 42 K-N2 43 K-N3 K-N6 N-K4 N-B5

Black now wins the QNP and probably the RP.

44 Resigns

Just one variation to show how close together a win and a draw

are : 44 R-R2, NxP; 45 N-K2.

( a ) 45 . . . NxP??; 46 N-Bl eh (b) 45 . . . R-Q7?; 46 N-Bl eh, K-B7; 47 RxR eh, KxR; 48 N­ N3 eh, with drawing chances.

( c ) 45 . . . KxP?; 46 N-Bl, R­ Q8; 47 RxN, RxN; 48 RxP, with drawing chances.

( d ) 45 . . . R-Q21, which wins easily, for Black has paralyzed the counterattack on the KR file, and White can no longer prevent the loss of his QRP ( 46 N-Bl eh, K­ R6 ) , after which Black has a plus of three passed Pawns on the Q side.

In this game the principal differ­ ence between the amateur and the master lies in the degree to which each handles the position imme­ diately after the opening. The ama­ teur fails to make plans of his own, does not realize what the master's plans are, and does not meet the master's plans in the right way.

Game 15

The theory of the Caro-Kann Defense Planning the middle game

Exploiting the loose piece

Sharply calculated tactics in order to maintain the lead Weakening the hostile King position

Planning the middle game

Deflecting a piece from a critical open line

In almost every chess game there comes a time when one phase of the game is over, when another is about to begin, when there are no pressing tactical problems, and when the player must ask himself, "What shall I do next? In which direction should the game go now?" Such a point might be called a moment of decision, a time when some plan must be decided upon, a plan that is often purely strategical, sometimes also tactical.

By decision we mean the formulation of a general plan of continuing the play. The decision is usually made at a time when things are relatively quiet, with no pieces en prise, no enemy threats, no tense tactical situa­ tions that claim priority.

Sometimes it is possible to formulate a plan for the entire game, but usually a decision is taken for only a given phase of the game, say for from five to ten moves.

Once a player has decided that the moment of decision has come, he must study the position carefully from all angles. He must evaluate his own strengths and weaknesses and those of his opponent and must weigh the details of the position, such as Pawn distribution, location of the opponent's King, existence of open and half-open files, etc.

At the base of the plan will be one or more general ideas-aims toward which to strive. Only by establishing aims can a player go forward in a meaningful manner. Those who fail to make a plan wander aimlessly

from move to move, or depend on purely tactical opportunities of the moment to gain their advantage. Not that a plan should be unalterable, once it is made. What one's opponent does and the tactical requirements of the moment must always make a player ready to reconsider, to modify, to change entirely, if circumstances warrant. But to have objectives and a plan to attain them is important.

Sometimes the position is such that a single plan imposes itself-no other continuation is as logical. Other times-and these are, of course, the more complicated cases-several possible plans may be feasible, and in that case the plan finally adopted will depend somewhat on the com­ parative merit of the various possibilities, somewhat on the temperament of the player-whether, for instance, he prefers an attacking game in­ volving risks and sacrifices or a positional solution that will crush his opponent more slowly, but more surely.

Caro-Kann Defense Master White 1 P-K4 Amateur Black After 1 P-K4, Black has a num­ ber of choices. He can

( a ) also occupy the center with 1 . . . P-K4 ( preliminary to many openings ) ;

( b ) after suitable preparation play for . . . P-Q4 ( French, Caro-Kann ) ;

( c ) disturb White's KP by 1 . . . N-KB3 ( Alekhine Defense ) ; ( d ) start independent counterac­

tion on the Q side and in the center by 1 . . . P-QB4 ( Sicil­ ian ) ;

( e ) do nothing at all about White's occupation of the center

( fianchetto ) .

1 . . . P-QB3 The Caro-Kann opening. Black prepares to hit at White's center by . . . P-Q4.

Black could also hit at the center immediately by 1 . . . P-Q4 ( the Center Counter Game ) , but not without some disadvantage to him­ self. Or he can interpose a prepara- tory move ( 1 . . . P-K3 [French Defense] or 1 . . . P-QB3 [Caro- Kann] ) . The Caro-Kann has the advantage over the French of not shutting in the QB after 2 . . . P­

Q4. It has the disadvantage of tak­ ing from the Black QN its natural square QB3 and of losing a tempo for development. By development is to be understood one of the fol­ lowing types of moves : ( a ) bring­ ing out a pieee; ( b ) castling; ( c ) making a Pawn move that opens a line for a Bishop. Thus 1 . . . P­

K3 is a tempo for development, but 1 . . . P-QB3 is not.

2 N-QB3

White usually replies 2 P-Q4. With this traditional reply, he takes possession of the center squares .

He occupies his own Q4 and K4 squares with Pawns and gains con­ trol of the QB, Q, K, and KB squares on the 5th rank.

The more recent variation, 2 N­ QB3, is based on the idea that White does not need to occupy his Q4 square at this moment and that by deferring this move he gets a considerable development of pieces, which allows him more activity at an earlier stage of the game and in some cases a very important tempo ( see comment after 4 NxP ) .

2 . . . P-Q4

Black contests White's attempt to occupy the center.

3 N-B3

This continuation is more flexible than the classical line, which could still be reached by 3 P-Q4. As will be shown after Black's 4th move, the text continuation pre­ vents the Black Bishop from devel­ oping to . . . KB4, as it does in an important branch of the classi­ cal line.

If Black should now reply 3 . . . P-Q5, then 4 N-K2, P-QB4; 5 P-Q3, followed by 6 P-KN3, etc.

This gives the King's Indian Re­ versed, with two tempi plus for White : ( a ) because he is White; ( b ) because of the loss of tempo caused by playing . . . P-QB3- QB4.

Black now looks for a suitable continuation. He reasons : ( a ) 3 . . . N-B3 is possible but not easy after 4 P-K5, N-K5; ( b ) 3 . . . B­ N5 is satisfactory; after 4 P-KR3 ( not 4 . . . B-R4; 5 P-KN4, B-N3; 6 PxP, PxP; 7 P-KR4!, P-KR3; 8 N-K5, etc.-very instructive, but) 4 . . . BxN; 5 QxB, and White has the Two Bishops, but this is not an open game where the Two Bishops are most effective; chances are even; ( c ) 3 . . . P-K3 blocks the QB; ( d ) 3 . . . PxP breaks the tension but brings the White QN into a better position. In general, amateurs do not like unsolved situa­ tions on the board. Therefore, our amateur chooses

3 . . .

4 NxP PxP Now, what shall Black play? In the classical line ( 1 P-K4, P­ QB3; 2 P-Q4, P-Q4; 3 N-QB3, PxP; 4 NxP ) , Black often contin­ ues effectively with 4 . . . B-B4 and then 5 N-N3, B-N3; 6 P­ KR4, P-KR3; 7 N-B3, N-Q21, preventing 8 N-K5.

But in the text, 4 . . . B-B4 would be bad at this point, be­ cause White has already developed his KN, which would not yet have been developed in the above classi­ cal line. The text would then con­ tinue : 5 N-N3, B-N3; 6 P-KR4,

P-KR3; 7 N-K5 ( impossible in the classical line ) , B-R2; 8 Q-R5, P-KN3; 9 B-B4!, threatening mate. White has tremendous develop­ ment, the Black Bishop is useless on KR2, and White has other threats that will further disrupt the Black position. This line should be compared with the above classical line.

Theory gives, among other moves, 4 . . . B-N5, which would be followed by 5 P-KR3, BxN.

Theory also gives the text con­ tinuation :

4 . . . N-Q2 This is Salo Flohr's idea, and a good one. Black will next play 5 . . . KN-B3, thus preventing White from doubling the Black Pawns by NxN eh. The problem of the un­ developed QB will be solved with a timely . . . P-QB4, . . . P-QN3, and . . . B-QN2.

5 B-B4

Or 5 P-Q4, followed by 6 B­ Q3.

With the text, Black's KB2 is particularly vulnerable, and if Black does not play . . . P-K3, he may get into trouble sooner or later on his KB2 or K3; e.g., 5 . . . P­ QN3??; 6 BxP eh, KxB; 7 KN-N5 eh, K-Kl; 8 N-K6, winning the Queen. The move 5 . . . N-N3 might lead to trouble as follows : 6 BxP eh, KxP; 7 N-K5 eh, K-Kl; 8 Q-R5 eh, P-N3; 9 NxP and (a) 9 . . . PxN; 10 QxR, or ( b ) 9 . ..

KN-B3; 10 NxN eh, PxN; 1 1 NxR eh. Even after 5 . . . N-KB3,

White has the possibility of starting an attack by 6 KN-N5, P-K3; 7 NxBP, KxN; 8 N-N5 eh. It is not certain that the White attack will succeed, but with his King in a vulnerable position, Black will surely have certain problems to solve.

So White's B-B4 more or less forces Black to shut in his QB by playing 5 . . . 6 0-0 7 N-N3 P-K3 KN-B3 Before making this move, White had to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. For: the exchange of Knights favors Black, since ex­ changes favor the side controlling the least territory. Against: the move loses a tempo, since the Knight is certainly not better posted on KN3 than on K4.

7 . . . B-K2 8 P-Q4

The right move at the right time. White develops this important Pawn, occupies the center, gains control over his QB5 and K5 squares, and liberates his QB. Up to this time it was important to bring a number of pieces into the struggle. Now it is time to occupy the center. A good example of modern thinking.

8 . . . 0-0 9 Q-K2

The White Queen brings pres­ sure to bear on the K file, guards her own 2nd rank, vacates the lst

rank for free movement of the Rooks, and cedes the Q square to the Rook.

9 . . . P-QB4 Black has moved his QBP a sec­ ond time, but the loss of time could not be avoided. The initial 1 . . . P-QB3 was necessary to control Black's Q4 square; now 9 . . . P­ QB4 is important in order to neu­ tralize the White center.

A tempo in the middle game is, in general, less important than in the opening, and if the broken dou­ ble-move has two different aspects, it should be considered. It must be kept in mind also that this move forces the opponent in a special way, and one could imagine that under certain circumstances this might result in the win rather than in the loss of tempo. Let us try to illustrate this concept.

From the initial position, play 1 P-Q4, P-Q4; 2 P-QB4, N-QB3; 3 N-QB3, P-K4; 4 PxQP, NxP. White now has the move. Compare the following continuations : ( a ) 5 P-K4; ( b ) 5 P-K3, N-B4; 6 P­ K4, N-Q5. The position after ( a ) is exactly the same a s after ( b ) , with one essential difference in the situation : after ( a ) Black has the move, but after ( b ) White has the move. Therefore, we must conclude that in ( a ) , where White has played P-K4 in one move, he has

lost a tempo, whereas in ( b ) , where White has played P-K3-K4 in two moves, he has won a tempo.

10 R-Ql

The Rook can exercise great pres­ sure on the Q file, the more so be­ cause the Black Queen is still on that file.

10 . . . P-QN3

According to the Flohr plan mentioned after Black's 4th move. White's development is prac­ tically completed. The middle game has been reached. One of the most difficult points in a chess game is here. Sometimes White can base his next move on a well-formulated long-range plan; other times he must choose his move on the basis of general principles. But in any case, he must mentally go through a number of steps to find the best move or at least a playable move. First he asks, "Does Black have any tactical threats?" In the posi­ tion at hand, Black has nothing more than 1 1 . . . PxP. Second he asks, "What is Black's probable strategy?" It appears that Black will continue his development with . . . B-N2 and . . . Q-B2. Third, he asks, "What are the apparently best moves for me, and where will they lead?" In this position he con­ siders the following possibilities :

149 ( a ) 11 B-B4, B-N2; 12 PxP,

BxP; 13 N-K5, Q-K2. This seems to lead to a satisfactory game for Black.

( b ) 1 1 B-KN5, trying to bring pressure against Black's Q2 in view of the possibility BxN, BxB, in order to rob the QN of its protection by the Black KN. An example : 1 1 . . . B­

N2; 12 PxP, PxP; 13 N-K5, and Black is in great difficulty. White threatens 14 BxN and 15 NxN. After 13 . . . Q-B2, White wins a piece all the same by 14 NxN, and 13 . . . Q-Kl is met by 14 B-N5 or by 14 NxN, NxN; 15 BxPI, a sham sacrifice that wins a Pawn ( 15 . . . PxB; 16 QxP eh, etc. ) In order to relieve the pressure, Black does best to play 1 1 . . . P-KR3, after which 12 BxN, BxB; 13 PxP, PxP; 14 B-N5, Q-K2 seems to overcome the difficulties.

( c ) 1 1 N-K5 is also a strong try. It threatens to strengthen the pressure by 12 N-B6 and ex­ changing the Black KB. Some of the obvious answers do not seem to work:

( 1 ) 1 1 . . . B-N2; 12 PxP, PxP ( or l2 . . . BxBP ) ; l3 B-QN5, and wins;

( 2 ) 1 1 . . . Q-B2 seems good. But 12 NxP! ( one of the goals of White's last move ) , KxN ( 12 . . . RxN; 13 QxP, and White wins the Rook ) ; 13 QxP eh, K­ Kl ( 13 . . . K-N3; 14 Q-B5 mate) ; 14 N-B5 is awkward for Black, because mate is

threatened : 14 N-QNl ; 15 B-N5 eh, K-Ql; 16 PxP dis eh, etc.

( 3 ) A little better would be to exchange Knights : 1 1 . . . NxN; 12 PxN, N-Q2 ( 12 . . . N- Q4; 13 N-B5 is troublesome for Black) ; 13 N-K4, Q-B2; 14 N-Q6, BxN, and both after 15 RxB and after 15 PxB, White has maintained pressure that is certainly comparable with the pressure Whiti: ob­ tained in the game.

( 4) Perhaps Black' s best answer after 1 1 N-K5 would be : 1 1 . . . B-Q3, after which ( a ) 12 NxP does not seem to work : 12 . . . RxN; 13 QxP, Q-K2 ( ex­ change and two Pawns for a piece, but Black has a good development then ) ; ( b ) 12 PxP does not work either : 12

. . . BxN and ( c ) 12 NxN,

BxKN consolidates the Black game ( 13 PxP, BxP; 14 B­ KN5, B-K2 ) .

( d ) 1 1 PxP, which seems the most favorable of all, for it brings into play the pressure of the Rook on the Q file, im­ mediately creating tactical pos­ sibilities that are not otherwise available:

1 1 PxP BxP

Here 1 1 . . . PxP would not have been too bad, since Black's KB would then have continued to pro­ tect Black's KB3 square. In many types of games Black' s KB renders greater defensive service at its K2 than offensive service at its QB4.

It will appear in the game that Black needs protection of his KB3. The fact that after 11 . . . PxP Black has two isolated Pawns does not count, as practice has shown­ which is rather curious.

12 N-K5

The strength of White's previous 1 1 PxP now becomes clearer. It opened the Q file and allowed White to take advantage of his greater control of space, and espe­ cially of the pinned Black QN.

12 . . . Q-B2 Black must break the pin imme­ diately or court disaster. After the plausible 12 . . . B-N2, for in­ stance, 13 B-QN5 is very power­ ful.

Since Black must move his Queen, he chooses the best square to which to move it. At QB2 the Black Queen protects its QB3 from invasion by the White Knight, at­ tacks the White Knight at its K5, and guards its QN2 square in order to answer a possible Q-B3 by B-N2.

13 B-B4

The Black Queen is again sub­ mitted to an indirect attack that embodies the double threat ( a ) 14 NxN and ( b ) 14 N-N6.

Note that 13 NxP, RxN; 14 QxP would not have accomplished much after 14 . . . N-B l .

13

14 BxN NxN Q-K2

White had many possibilities of hitting the Black position, and it was Black's problem to reduce them to a minimum. In several respects he has done a good job, and only one vulnerable spot remains-his KB3, which we shall see from the continuation.

The present position is very im­ portant in the game at hand and very instructive in methods of chess analysis. Let us consider it.

If White allows him time, Black will play . . . B-N2, contest White's control of the open Q file with his KR- or QR-Ql, and what will White have? Possibly nothing more than equality. His advantage will have evaporated. He must, there­ fore, look for some way of taking advantage of his superior develop­ ment before Black can catch up with him. How can he do it?

In all positions where one side has superior development, it is im­ portant for that player to investigate carefully some means of capitaliz­ ing on that superior development before the opponent completes or evens up his development.

In the position at hand Black's Rook is loose, that is, unprotected. A loose piece is always a sign to

look for a possible combination. Even if the loose piece can be pro­ tected, this will consume time, which gives the attacking player one extra move.

White now investigates the fol­ lowing line :

15 Q-B3 ( attacking Black's QR ) , B-N2; 16 BxN, BxQ; 17 BxQ, BxR; 18 BxR, and White is a piece up, for if 18 . . . RxB; 19 RxB, or if 18 . . . BxQBP; 19 BxB. White sees that he wins with this line. He therefore investigates further, for Black probably has more favorable variations. He reasons, "With 15 Q-B3, B-N2; 16 BxN, Black will have to answer 16 . . . PxB to avoid the loss of a piece. Thus White will have wrecked Black's Pawn position and laid open Black's K side."

With this idea in mind he moves 15 Q-B3

Notice that the attack on the unprotected Black QR forces Black's reply, which assures White of the continuation of the play along the lines contemplated above.

15 . . . 16 BxN

B-N2 PxB

White has now attained his stra­ tegic objective of doubling Black's KBP's and mutilating his K-side Pawn protection. The question now arises, "Was the strategy sound? Will Black's broken K side lead to a successful mating attack by White, or will Black's half-open KN file give him counterchances, espe­ cially in conjunction with his Bishop at QN2?"

White's problem is how to ex­ ploit Black's weaknesses, which consist of a weak King and a weak KBP ( 3 ) . It is of importance to combine an attack against these two weaknesses.

White sees two ways of contin­ uing the attack : ( a ) 17 Q-R5 and

( b ) 17 Q-B4. First we'll examine 17 Q-R5. A few possibilities : ( a ) 17 . . . K-Rl?; 18 B-Q3, P­ B4; 19 NxP, PxN; 20 BxP, P­ B3; 21 R-Q7, and wins; (b) 17 . . . P-B4; 18 Q-R6 leads to the game. ( c ) 17 . . . KR-Ql!; 18 Q-R6, K-Rl; 19 N-R5, R-KNl , and Black has counterchances. On comparing these variations with the continuation of the game, we come to the conclusion that 17 Q-B4 is indeed preferable.

17 Q-B

4

Maintaining pressure against the Black KBP ( 3 ) and leaving the R5 square free for the Knight.

17 . . . P-B4

The defense 17 . . . K-Rl amounts to about the same thing as the game : 18 P-N4, BxP; 19

R-Q7 ( see the game ) . Other pos­ sibilities are inferior :

( a ) 17 . . . P-K4?; 18 Q-R6 ( threatening both 19 N-B5 and 19 N-R5 ) ;

( b ) 17 . . . KR-Ql ; 18 N-R5 ( threatening 19 Q-N3 eh and mate in a few moves ) , K-Rl; 19 NxP, Q-B l ( to prevent 20 Q-R6 ) ; 20 P-KN3, and White has a plus Pawn and good at­ tacking chances. By comparing with ( c ) under Black's 16th move, we see that 17 Q-B4 ( instead of 17 Q-R5 ) has made this defense less effective.

18 Q-R6

Now White threatens the pow­ erful 19 N-R5, and 19 . . . P-B3 is not adequate because of 20 BxP eh ( 20 . . . QxB?; 21 Q-N7 mate ) . Therefore, although of interest is 18 . . . BxP eh; 19 KxB, Q-B4 eh; 20 K-Kl, QxB; 21 Q-N5 eh, K­ Rl; 22 Q-B6 eh, K-N l ; 23 R-Q4 and N-R5 soon wins, Black's next move is practically forced.

18 . . . K-Rl

So that 19 N-R5 can be an­ swered by 19 . . . R-KNl with

counterchances along the KN file. Here is another critical position. White must find a forcing reply now, and not one move later, for if given a move, Black can con­ solidate by . . . R-Ql or . . . R­ KNl .

Let u s consider the combination 19 R-Q7, QxR; 20 Q-B6 eh, K­ N l ; 21 N-R5, threatening mate. But Black can save himself by 21 . . . Q-Q5 or 21 . . . B-Q5. This explains the move that follows :

19 P-QN4!

To divert the Bishop from access to his Q5 square.

19 . . . BxP

Forced. If 19 . . . B-Q3; 20 RxB! wins as follows : 20 . . . QxR; 21 Q-B6 eh, K-N l ; 22 N-R5, and Black must sacrifice his Queen to parry the mate : 22 . . . Q-Q5; 23 QxQ, P-B3.

20 R-Q7!

White wishes to continue with 21 Q-B6 eh and 22 N-R5. Just as