The following is an actual tournament game between players rated in the 1300-1500 range. The mistakes by both sides are typical of this category, thus making it highly instructive since the vast majority of tournament (and non-tournament!) players fall victim to these same misconceptions.

Please annotate the whole game to the best of your abilities. Listing the imbalances and plans that both sides should make use of is both fun and conducive to your chess growth, so take your time and enjoy the process. Of course, the game didn’t end after 25…h5, but I am quite interested to see how you judge this “final” position.

A fully annotated version of this game will be posted in 7-10 days. However, if some of you would like to send me your own notes before that time, a few of the more interesting observations might make their way into the final product.

1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Nf6 5.Bg2 Be7 6.0–0 0–0 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5 9.Nxc6 dxc6 10.Bg5 Be7 11.Ne4 Nxe4 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Bxe4 f5 14.Bg2 e5 15.Qb3 Be6 16.Qc3 Qc7 17.Rfd1 Rad8 18.b3 Rd6 19.c5 Rdd8 20.a4 e4 21.b4 Bd5 22.f3 Qe7 23.f4 Qf7 24.e3 Qg6 25.Bf1 h5.

Good luck!

SOLUTION

Here are my notes to the game. When I offered readers a chance to share their insights into this battle, only one replied! That gentleman was Kibleur Christophe, a 2047 rated player who resides in France. His comments will be prefaced by “KC” and will go before my own “JS”, giving me a chance to talk about the position and, at the same time, to allude to KC’s annotations.

J Passman-N Estrella, Los Angeles 2002

1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Nf6 5.Bg2 Be7

JS: It is silly to speak in terms of “systems” or “theory” in regard to this game, since neither player knew the opening, nor were they aware of the various transpositional possibilities into the QGD, Tarrasch Defense. As absurd as this might sound, this ignorance is perfectly okay. Far more important than memorization (at this level) is a basic appreciation for pawn structure, space, weak squares, and certain key setups (like the Hedgehog).

6.0–0 0–0

JS: Black happily develops, but more in line with his previous moves is 6…d5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.d4 with a QGD, Semi Tarrasch. In a way, the problems Black faces in this opening is due to a lack of repertoire economy: he should try and make his replies to 1.Nf3 and the English (1.c4) mirror his defense to 1.d4 as closely as possible. This cuts down on study time and allows him to lead the game into positions that are, at the very least, somewhat familiar in structure. Two examples of this philosophy would be a KID player (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6. He would answer everything but 1.e4 with 1…Nf6, 2…g6, and 3…Bg7) and a Slav/Caro-Kann player (1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6/1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5. He would answer everything, including 1.e4, with 1…d5 and 2…c6 or 1…c6 and 2…d5.)

7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4

JS: Suddenly Black isn’t sure how to complete his development since 8…b6 or 8…d6 leaves c6 inadequately defended.

IMBALANCES: White has a space advantage in the center and his pieces (the g2-Bishop in particular) enjoy greater activity than their Black counterparts. Black’s d-pawn and the d6-square are potentially weak, while White has no weaknesses in his camp (the c-pawn can be firmly defended by b2-b3).

In a perfect world White would like to secure his c-pawn by b2-b3 and place a Rook on the d-file, thus targeting the d-pawn as a permanent problem (remember: you note the negatives of the enemy position and then develop your pieces on squares that allow them to take advantage of these flaws). Because of this, Black needs to figure out what to do with his d-pawn--should he push it to d5 (allowing an isolated d-pawn to be created after cxd5) or get it to d6, making sure it’s firmly defended on that square?

8…Bc5?!

White to play. Can he punish Black’s eighth move?

JS: Frustrated, Black decides to lash out and threaten the Knight on d4, his idea being that a move of the d4-Knight will take the heat off his own beast on c6. Unfortunately, he still has no idea what pawn structure he is after, nor does he have a clue how he will follow up any of White’s more critical replies.

He really should have tried either 8…d5, with transposition to a slightly off-kilter QGD, Tarrasch Defense (In the Tarrasch proper, White usually forces Black to capture on d4 by playing Bg5. Here he didn’t have to waste time enticing Black to make that trade.), or 8…a6, with a slightly inaccurate Hedgehog (the Q-Knight is better placed on d7 in the Hedgehog).

9.Nxc6?!

JS: White caves in to his opponent’s obvious attack (in other words, he was bullied into doing something he didn’t want to do) without considering whether the resulting pawn structure helps his opponent or himself. Since pulling Black’s b-pawn towards the center (after 9…bxc6), or the d-pawn off the unpleasant d-file (after 9…dxc6) isn’t a particularly wise idea, White should have chosen either 9.Ndb5 or 9.Nb3, in both cases trying to punish Black for moving his Bishop twice in the opening. Let’s take a closer look: 9.Nb3 brings the Knight to safety with gain of tempo and assures a plus for White after 9…Bb4 10.Qc2 when Rd1 leaves Black’s d-pawn under pressure. Most interesting, though, is the very aggressive 9.Ndb5 d6 (9…a6 10.Nd6 Qc7 11.Nce4 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 [Telling Black that his Bishop had no business going to c5 in the first place!] 12…Be7 13.Bf4 is much better for White) 10.Bf4 (Hunting down Black’s dark-squared Bishop by 10.Na4 is a simpler way to assure an edge, and again punishes the Bishop’s placement on c5.) 10…e5 (I guess 10…Ne5 is possible, though 11.Na4 doesn’t look pleasant for the second player, and 11.Bxe5 dxe5 12.Qxd8 Rxd8 13.Rfd1 is also no fun for Black.) 11.Bg5 h6 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Na3 Bxa3 13.bxa3 Be6 14.Nd5 is in White’s favor.

9...dxc6

White to play. Does the first player have anything here at all?

KC: I would prefer 9…bxc6 as it strengthens the center and opens the b-file. Now the position is rather equal.

JS: This capture (taking the “weak” d-pawn off the d-file and placing it on c6 where it blocks the g2-Bishop’s diagonal) leads to a colorless position where White only has a minimal edge. Taking towards the center by 9...bxc6 would likely appeal to more players (it leads to sharper play), but 10.Qc2 followed by 11.Rd1 still leaves Black under some pressure.

IMBALANCES: After 9…dxc6 White has two ideas: domination of the d-file and/or conquest of the d6-square. This means that moves like Qc2 followed by Rd1, or Bg5 followed by Ne4 should be seriously considered by the first player.

Black needs to activate his c8-Bishop. Thus, …e6-e5 followed by …Be6 is what he’s angling for.

QUESTION: Is 10.e4 (hoping for 11.e5) a good idea for White? NO! After 10…e5 White has “succeeded” in blocking his g2-Bishop, taking the e4-square away from his Knight, and creating a gaping hole on d4. In other words, 10.e4 is a self-destructive monstrosity.

10.Bg5

JS: Also possible is 10.Qxd8 (This move envisions Bg5 Be7 occurring. The exchange of Queens will deprive the e7-Bishop of protection.) 10…Rxd8 11.Bg5 e5 (11…Be7 12.Ne4 might transpose) 12.Ne4 Be7 13.f4 with an annoying initiative. An example: 13…Kf8 (13…Nxe4 14.Bxe7 Re8 15.Bxe4 Rxe7 16.f5 with a bind) 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.f5 Rd4 16.b3 Ke7 17.g4 and White’s Knight rules the game.

Yet another option is 10.Qc2 when 10…Qe7 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Ne4 Qg6 14.Rad1 e5 15.Qb3 still leaves Black hunting for equality.

10...Be7

KC: The Bishop retreat isn’t necessary. Black must seek a way to activate the other one. Thus, 10…e5 was interesting, not fearing the resulting doubled f-pawns as it leaves Black with compensation in the form of a powerful center and the Bishop pair.

JS: Our guest annotator (a brave soul who is willing to put up his views up for all to see and criticize) is right about wanting to activate the c8-Bishop (and I like the fact that he isn’t concerned about doubled pawns), but he has failed to appreciate White’s chances along the d-file and against d6. In general, I find most players have real trouble handling quiet positions where clear-cut threats are non-existent. In the present case White has far more play than KC realized.

11.Ne4?

JS: White wasn’t aware of his potential along the d-file (and on d6) and instead caves in again, trading pieces and ending his final hopes for some sort of advantage. 11.Qxd8 Rxd8 12.Ne4 (12.Rfd1!?) still gave White the better of what play exists.

11...Nxe4 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Bxe4 f5 14.Bg2 e5

JS: It’s obvious that Black’s game is now very comfortable.

15.Qb3 Be6 16.Qc3

JS: I like this maneuver. White’s Queen is placed on a safe square where it guards the c-pawn and stares ravenously at Black’s pawn on e5.

16…Qc7 17.Rfd1 Rad8 18.b3

JS: There isn’t much to work with here. White has a bit more space on the queenside while Black enjoys more central territory. How can either side make use of this state of affairs? White can play for even more queenside space by c4-c5 and b3-b4 (though this might hand the d5-square to Black), but that doesn’t seem too impressive. Black can try for a kingside attack by …f5-f4, but this gives White access to the e4-square, while …e5-e4 (intending to meet e2-e3 with …Be6-f7-h5 followed by d-file domination) also fails to achieve anything concrete after Qe1 and the subsequent trade of Rooks.

18…Rd6

KC: Black wants to take control of the d-file but it was preferable to play 18…c5 before, not fearing the weakening of the d5 square, as after 19.Bd5 Bxd5 20.cxd5 Black has 20…Rf6 with the idea of ganging up on the d5-pawn by…Qe7, and …Rfd6.

JS: Black tries to goad White into giving up the d5-square by c4-c5. Other tries, though, also didn’t promise much (as explained in my previous note).

Concerning KC’s comment, I can’t say that I like the look of 18…c5 (though he’s impressed me again since his notes have shown little fear of doubled pawns or a passed pawn, and this tells us that he’s able to think for himself and not be trapped by the basic rules that we were forced to ingest as beginners) because the pawn on c6 effectively blunts the g2-Bishop. Why push it and bring that piece back into active life? His idea of ganging up on the d-pawn after 19.Bd5 Bxd5 20.cxd5 Rf6 isn’t as easy as it sounds due to the weakness of the Black pawns on c5 and e5.

Nevertheless, I would prefer exchanging one Rook first by 19.Bd5 Bxd5 20.Rxd5 Rxd5 21.cxd5 when 21…Qd6 22.Qc4 (guarding the pawn and preventing a quick …b7-b5) and 23.Rd1 leaves White with all the chances. In general, the owner of a passed pawn prefers a Queen and Rook vs. a Queen and Rook (though Q + 2 Rooks vs. Q + 2 Rooks is also good) since that mix has the capability of escorting the pawn down the board while simultaneously keeping the defender’s King away from the center (a Queen and Rook is just too imposing to a poor King!).

19.c5

KC: An interesting but compromising move, but it’s the only one that keeps the d file for White.

JS: Actually, White is quite happy making this move. The first player isn’t too concerned with d5 (since …Bd5 only blocks the d-file), and KC isn’t noticing the real point behind White fixing Black’s pawns on light-squares. The strategy behind this is explained in detail in my next note (Okay, perhaps White just pushed this pawn to attack Black’s Rook! But there IS a deeper point to it, whether he saw it or not.).

19…Rdd8 20.a4 e4 21.b4

Black to play. Does White know what he’s doing?

KC: What is White’s plan? This move gives Black the c4-square. Preferable was 21.f3 to activate the bishop.

JS: Black appears to have the upper hand due to his hold on d5 and block against the g2-Bishop, but there isn’t much he can really do; White’s solid position and lack of weaknesses keep things balanced.

As for KC’s bid for freedom by 21.f3, this is an error that weakens the White King after 21.f3 exf3 22.Bxf3 (22.exf3 f4 is even worse) 22…f4. And, since KC asked about White’s plan, I think an answer is in order. By placing his pawns on dark-squares, this creates many favorable endgame possibilities by freezing Black’s queenside pawns on light-squares, where they will be vulnerable to White’s Bishop. Of course, gaining space in that area, and getting the pawns away from the watchful eye of Black’s Bishop also can’t hurt (and a well-timed b4-b5 advance might easily drum up queenside counterplay).

21…Bd5

KC: I can’t see the logic in Black’s decision. He made three moves to gain control of the d-file and now changes his plan, trying to attack the White king with threats like 22…f4. Simpler was 21…Rd7, as White has nothing better than to oppose Black’s Rooks along the d file. Play may continue 22.Qc2 Rfd8 and Black is a little better.

JS: KC’s suggestion of 21…Rd7 makes good sense, but I don’t think it should cause White undue concern. I would answer this with 22.Rxd7 Qxd7 23.a5 (threatening 24.a6) 23…a6 and now 24.g4!? (not the only move, of course) is pretty interesting.

22.f3?!

KC: This is the only counterplay White can create; it doesn’t seem that White has many bullets left to fire after 18.c5.

JS: White gives Black a chance to drum up some heat. Instead, 22.Rd4 followed by 23.Rad1, perhaps with a later e2-e3 followed by Bg2-f1-c4 gave the first player an easy life.

22…Qe7?!

JS: Black misses his (albeit small) chance. Instead, 22…exf3 23.Bxf3 (23.exf3 f4 is very good for Black) 23…f4 stirs things up a bit, though 24.e4! keeps everything under control. Then 24…fxe3 25.Bxd5+ cxd5 26.Qxe3 Rfe8 hopes to make use of the passed d-pawn and slightly exposed position of the White King, though ultimately I don’t think Black can drum up realistic winning chances.

23.f4

KC: This move weakens the light squares and doesn’t do anything to improve White’s position. White must be conscious that the only way to activate the g2-Bishop is now to place it on the a2-g8 diagonal, but this can’t be done without playing e3, which gives Black the opportunity to place his “bad Bishop” behind his pawn chain on d3 (see Silman’s 3 rules of the “bad Bishop”).

JS: Placing the Black Bishop on d3 is easier said than done. The fact is, White’s 23.f4 is an excellent move that stops any nonsense based on …f5-f4 and takes the e5-square away from Black’s Queen. It also fixes more enemy pawns on light-colored squares

23…Qf7

KC: The threat is now Bb3 gaining the d file.

JS: My “guest” gave this move an exclamation point. Though the d-file IS important, there are other, more subtle things going on (i.e., these things are space, the battle of good vs. bad Bishop, killing active counterplay before it begins, White’s lack of important weaknesses, and White’s ability to recycle his Bishop by e2-e3 and Bg2-f1-c4). By focusing on this one thing (the d-file) to the exclusion of all the other important bits and pieces, Black has begun to lose sight of what’s going on and, before he knows what hit him, White ends up with a very nice position.

24.e3 Qg6

KC: Black’s 23…Qf7 threatened …Bb3 and White failed to parry this. It’s funny how so many players always turn their heads in the direction of the opponent’s King, even when it has nothing to do with the position.

Instead of 24…Qg6, Black should have tried 24…Bb3, though he was most likely afraid of 25.Bf1!, a good defensive move that is in accordance with White’s plan of activating his Bishop.

Placing the Bishop on d3 by 24…Bc4 is also interesting, but after 25.Bf1 Bxf1 26.Kxf1 the position is equal: 26…Qh5 27.Qc4+ Kh8 28.Qe2, =.

JS: An interesting blind spot: 25.Bf1 loses on the spot to 25…Bxd1 26.Bc4 Rd5. White should answer 24…Bb3 with 25.Rxd8 Rxd8 26.Bf1! Be6 27.Be2, =.

It seems to me that KC’s suggestion of 24…Bc4 is best. This time his analysis holds up nicely, though Black should probably deviate after 25.Bf1 Bxf1 26.Kxf1 with 26…Rd5, trying to win the battle for the d-file. However, even then 27.Rd4 Rxd4 28.Qxd4 Qb3 29.Qd2 holds, since 29…a5 doesn’t give Black enough mojo to take White down.

25.Bf1 h5

White to play. Is Black better?

KC: White’s King is safe, but that doesn’t stop Black from trying to attack with one piece! Now I think that 26.Rd4 gives White the advantage; he has solved his problems and can easily take control of the d-file by following up with Rad1.

JS: We’ve finally reached the end position. In the actual game White panicked (it’s amazing how many players freak out when their opponent even glances in their King’s direction!), began a massive retreat by Qe1, and ultimately managed to lose.

Is White in trouble? Actually, I prefer his position! Why? Let’s look at all three parts of the board:

1) White has more queenside space (meaning only he has chances there) and Black’s pawns there are stuck on light-colored squares. This doesn’t amount to anything now, but if a Bishop endgame occurs, this could prove very unpleasant for the second player.
2) The center is a road to nowhere for Black. White though, has chances to dominate the d-file by Rd4, Rad1, and Bg2-f1-c4.
3) Contrary to a first glance, Black has absolutely nothing on the kingside. In fact, in many lines it’s White who can create chances in that sector (also don’t forget that Black’s pawns there are stuck on light-squares, giving White the same nice Bishop-ending prospects that were mentioned earlier). Here’s a good example: 26.Be2 (keeping Black’s Queen off the g4- and f3-squares, and also allowing the Rooks to rush over to h1 or g1) 26…h4 27.Kf2 Qh7 28.Rh1 (even better than 28.Rg1 [intending g3-g4] 28…hxg3+ 29.hxg3 Qh2+ 30.Rg2 Qh3 31.Rag1 Be6 32.Qc1 Qh6 33.Rh1 Qf6 34.Rgh2) 28…Rd7 29.Rag1 Rfd8 30.g4 and Black is in serious trouble. I should add that the most accurate move of all might be 26.Rd2!, simply intending to double on the d-file and simultaneously meeting 26…h4 with 27.Rg2! when White is in charge on the kingside.