% BOOKTITLE = Lessons with a Grandmaster
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "About this Publication"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.18"]

{SHORTLISTED FOR 2011 CHESSCAFE.COM BOOK OF THE YEAR} 1. -- {Imagine you are a
club player who has been given the opportunity to talk at length with a famous
grandmaster. How would you make the most of this opportunity? --- Club players
are unaware of the subtleties in Grandmaster chess. Great players can analyze
chess at a depth that is unfathomable to amateurs. However, having reached
such a high level can make it difficult to understand what is lacking in the
mind of the amateur. --- 'Lessons with a Grandmaster' bridges this gap between
grandmaster and amateur through a series of conversations between teacher, the
renowned Grandmaster Boris Gulko, and student Dr. Joel R. Sneed, a professor
of psychology and amateur chess player. The lessons are based on Gulko's own
battles against fellow grandmasters, and there is particular focus on strategy,
tactics and the role of psychology in chess competition.} (1. -- {UPDATE:
Since working on this book Dr. Sneed has gained 200 rating points and tied for
1st place in the Marshall Chess Club Under 2000 tournament with 4 out of 5 and
a performance rating of 2100! His rating before the book was 1613 and now his
rating is 1813. He also earned his first norm for the 1st category title.}) (1.
-- {Boris Gulko is one of the most distinguished grandmasters in the chess
world. He's a former Soviet Champion and has also won the US Championship
twice since his immigration in 1986, making him the only chess player ever to
have held both the American and Soviet championship titles. He is also one of
the few players to hold a plus score against Garry Kasparov.}) (1. -- {Dr.
Joel R. Sneed is a professor of psychology at Queens College of the City
University of New York, an amateur chess enthusiast and a student of Boris
Gulko's.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Preface"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.18"]

{The club player is unaware of the subtleties that exist in grandmaster chess
both strategically and tactically. The psychology of the chess struggle is
even less well understood. Grandmasters analyze chess at a depth that is
unfathomable to amateurs; moreover, they have extensive knowledge of chess
history and opening theory as well extraordinary endgame technique and
tactical vision. However, having reached such a high level can make it
difficult to understand what is lacking in the mind of the amateur, and
therefore, what to explain, what not to explain, what to assume, etc. The
purpose of this book is to bridge the gap between grandmaster and amateur
through a conversation between Grandmaster Boris Gulko, the only player to
hold both the USSR and US championship titles, and student Joel R. Sneed, PhD,
a professor of psychology and amateur chess player.}  *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Introduction"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "1971.??.??"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.20"]

{Joel: Could you tell me a little bit about your development as a chess player,
when you started and what that was like? --- Boris: In 1959, at the age of 12,
I entered the House of Pioneers chess club for the first time. My first
impression of the game was that it was a world of adventure, a world where
pawns become queens and the weak unexpectedly conquer the strong. One has to
apply one's mind with all one's strength and miracles will come to pass on the
board. As I gradually assimilated the logic of chess, its world began to
acquire order. Thirteen years of training later and I learned to navigate the
wild seas of complications, the calm waters of maneuvering, the labyrinths of
strategy, and the depths of the endgame. In the following 37 years, I
discovered for myself much that was new. When I lost my youth, first and
foremost, I discovered a quality in myself useful in any endeavor: the
nurturing of character. Like the acquisition of the depths of strategy, this
process is never completed. At the beginning of the journey, I was excessively
self-confident; in my mature years, I now and then underestimate myself, and
chess always corrects my self-assessment.} 1. -- {Joel: One of the things that
attract me to chess is how much you can learn about yourself through the game.
What your central conflicts are as a person, how you cope with these conflicts.
What powerful feelings you have and in what way you defend against and manage
them (sometimes) in order to keep your wits about you. The fundamentals of
psychic conflict, between love and hate (aggression), which Freud articulated
so well at the turn of the century, are right there in front of you to see (if
you choose to). --- Boris: Yes, our game teaches us the faculty of combat in a
high-stress situation. Your opponent is at a level close to yours and invests
all his energy in the game. To succeed you must understand the dynamics of the
struggle and be able to control yourself. Now, having completed my competitive
journey, I have decided to share what I have learned with you and interested
readers.} (1. -- {Joel: Can you tell us a little something about your chess
achievements? --- Boris: I had two chess careers. One in the Soviet Union 
(finished in 1979 when we applied for emigration) and the second started seven
years later after I reached the US in 1986. The highlights of my first career
are winning the Moscow Championship - 1974 and 1981. In 1975, I tied for
second with three other players (Tal, Vaganian, and Romanishin) in the USSR
Championship, and in 1977, I became co-champion.}) (1. -- {Joel: Who were your
major competitors at that time? --- Boris: Petrosian, Tal, Karpov, Polugaevsky,
Geller, and Smyslov among others. --- Joel: Wow! That's amazing. I'm always so
amazed that your "colleagues" in those years were world champions or world
champion contenders. --- Boris: Another big step for me was qualifying for the
World Championship Interzonal tournament in 1975, when I tied for first with
three others. I tied for first with Jan Timman in two international
tournaments in Yugoslavia: Sombor 1974 and Niksi? 1978. Interestingly, 27
years later I tied for first again with Jan Timman in the Malmö tournament in
Sweden. I also won the Capablanca Memorial in Cuba (1976). This was the extent
of my participation in international tournaments because I simply was not
allowed to travel by the Soviet authorities. After I immigrated to the United
States, I played in more international tournaments each year than I did my
whole life in the USSR.}) (1. -- {Joel: It sounds like you had quite a
struggle with the Soviet system. --- Boris: Well, you know, the most severe
duel of my life came not in chess but in a battle with the Soviet system. We
applied for immigration in May of 1979 but did not leave until seven years
later. During those years my opponent was the "armed wing of the Communist
party" - the KGB - which I wrote about in my book, The KGB Plays Chess. The
culmination of this "game" with the KGB was a month of daily demonstrations
with my wife Anna Akhsharumova (Gulko) when each day we were arrested. (By the
way, my wife was also a very strong chess player who won both the USSR
championship - twice - and the US championship.) Nevertheless, this campaign
won our freedom. I am certain that my experience with struggle in chess helped
in this engagement.}) (1. -- {Joel: So you lost seven years of your career?
--- Boris: Yes, from the age of 32-39, but I finally immigrated to the United
States in 1986 and started my second career in chess. In 1994, I qualified as
one of eight candidates for the match with Kasparov, along with Vishy Anand,
Nigel Short, and Vladimir Kramnik among others. I drew the match with Short
but lost on tiebreak. I was in the top 16 for the World Championship in 2000
but again was unlucky in a tiebreak. I won the US Championship in 1994 with 7
wins, 6 draws, and no losses, 11/2 points ahead of Yasser Seirawan and Larry
Christiansen, who tied for second place. In 1999, I won the US Championship
again. My other achievements included winning the US Open Championship in 1998
and 2007; I also won the World Open, American Open, and USA Masters. In
addition, I won various international tournaments including: France:
Marseilles 1986 - 1; Paris 1987 - 1; Cannes 1987 - 1-2. --- Switzerland: Biel
1987 - 1-2; Biel 1988 - 1-2; Berne 1994 - 1. --- Spain: León 1992 - 1; Las
Palmas 1996 - 1; San Sebastián 1986 - 2. --- Italy: Rome 1988 - 1-3; Reggio
Emilia 1991 - 2. --- Denmark: Copenhagen 2000 - 1-3. --- Sweden: Malmö 2001 -
1-2. --- Holland: Amsterdam 1987 - 2-4; Amsterdam 1988 - 1-3. --- Germany:
Munich 1991 - 2-5. --- Armenia: Yerevan 1994 - 3. --- USA: San Francisco 1995-
2-3. --- Canada: Montréal 1992 - 1. --- Chile: Vina del Mar 1988 - 2; Curação
2003 - 1-3, 2004 - 1-2. --- Colombia: Ibague 1997 - 1-2; Cali (continental
championship) 2001 - 2-5.}) (1. -- {Joel: Wow, that's amazing. You managed to
accomplish quite a lot and in the face of tremendous adversity. It is a real
privilege to be able to work with you. Let's tell the reader how we came to
decide to write this book. --- Boris: When I started to work with you, I found
that your attitude towards studying chess was typical for American club
players. You like others had a desire to study openings, which you thought
could inevitably bring you to victory. When we went over your games you also
focused on your openings and felt that the battle occurred there. We started
with studying openings (of course you need to know a little about it), but as
we progressed I began to focus more and more on teaching you the elements of
strategy and tactics as they occurred in high-level games. As we went through
games, it seemed that games of my own were most instructive to you. Here your
natural curiosity about psychology came through as you pressed me to explain
how and why I made one decision over another. Here the idea came to us to take
this conversation and make it available to everyone.}) (1. -- {Joel: Right, I
was especially interested in representing the average club player in the
conversation, and thought that my training in interviewing and psychotherapy
would enable me to help draw out some of the nuances that are not accessible
to the average chess player. --- Boris: But I know from my years of learning
that familiarity with good examples only doesn't make a player develop the
necessary problem solving skills. So I marked in the games we were working on
critical moments and began asking you to find the correct way. I also marked
each problem noting its level of complexity to give you a sense of what kind
of effort was required in the position. --- We started with less complicated
games and moved to more complicated. I was satisfied as from lesson to lesson
I could see an increase in your understanding of chess strategy. Of course,
you were simultaneously learning elements of tactics and the dynamics of the
chess struggle and its psychology. I found it especially interesting to
discuss with you questions of chess psychology. As professor of psychology,
you found deep connections between my practical advice and theoretical
psychology. Maybe you could tell the reader a little bit about yourself?}) (1.
-- {Joel: Of course. I am from New York City and attended NYU as an
undergraduate where I majored in psychology. I received my PhD in clinical
psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, studying change in
personality across the lifespan. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship in
statistics, I began focusing my research on geriatric depression as a
post-doctoral fellow at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric
Institute. I am now Assistant Professor of Psychology at Queens College of the
City University of New York, an adjunct Assistant Professor of Medical
Psychology at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute
in the Departments of Geriatric Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. I am
Director of the Lifespan Lab and my research is funded by the National
Institute of Mental Health. As a clinical psychologist, I have received
extensive training in the assessment and treatment of psychopathology. (If
readers would like to learn more about me or my research, they can visit <www.lifespanlab.org>.) --- Boris: Very impressive. It seems to me that your
background as a scientist may have created some additional problems for your
progress in chess. I realized this early on because your method of thinking is
too abstract. As a researcher, you want rules and general principles and to
treat chess like science, but chess is part science, part art, and part sport,
which is what makes it so fascinating. After reading some classical books in
chess instruction like Nimzowitsch's 'My System', you were armed with
knowledge about some common ideas, but under the influence of these books (and
perhaps your scientific background) you developed too dogmatic an attitude for
evaluating chess positions. This is one of the reasons I began to set problems
for you in order of difficulty to make the process of thinking and solving
chess problems more concrete. I think together we realized that it might be
useful to prepare a book of my games using the method we developed, and so we
set off on our journey.}) (1. -- {Joel: And so we did. --- Boris: Side by side
we examined my games against: Karpov, discussing the struggle for an open file;
Kasparov (two games), discussing questions about the strategy of defense;
Hübner, learning about prophylaxis; Smyslov, studying week squares; Korchnoi
and Shabalov (as White), discussing the secret of positions with only major
pieces. Throughout I tried to discuss with you the paradoxical problems
inherent in chess strategy. In my games with Gelfand and Shabalov (as Black),
it was a pawn sacrifice aimed at excluding from action one of my opponent's
pieces; in the game with Yusupov, it was the premise for counterattack; with
Hort and Adams, it was a discussion about real and phantom weaknesses; with
Browne, we examined the advantages of double pawns in the center; with Hector,
we focused on the sudden change of plans and a pawn storm for positional
purposes; with Suetin, it was about the pluses of week and isolated pawns,
which leave for your peaces a lot of open files and diagonals; with Larsen, we
concerned ourselves with the qualities of "bad" bishops; i.e. that they are
not useful in defense but they can be very valuable when you have the
initiative. The elements of chess strategy contained in these games make up a
large portion of modern chess strategy often not discussed in classical
manuals. My goal was to make this inner knowledge available to you. --- As I
indicated before, chess cannot be mastered simply by reading. As the
remarkable training success of Mark Dvoretsky has shown, the best method of
achieving mastery is the finding of solutions. Therefore, at appropriate
moments I will suggest assignments to find the right path. The assignments
will be at five levels of difficulty: (1) Uncomplicated. (2) More complicated.
(3) Moderately complicated. (4) Highly complicated. (5) Exceedingly
complicated. In each of the games, I pose problems for you and the reader to
solve, and you have been humble enough to make your thinking process known to
everyone. I recommend that the reader solve these problems and to compare with
both your and analysis and mine. They will probably see similarities with your
thinking process and my solutions are aimed to help correct the flaws in your
reasoning.}) (1. -- {Joel: Who is this book for? --- Boris: I think this book
will be extremely useful for club players who want to improve their
understanding of chess strategy and broaden their arsenal of strategic ideas
but I also think it will be interesting to professional players. When I played
competitively, I used solving problems from practical games as an excellent
tool for bringing myself to the best form, and the marked positions in the
book can be used for this purpose for players of any strength. --- Joel: Well,
I think that about does it for our introduction unless you think we have left
anything out? --- Boris: No, I don't think so, let's get started. As I said,
chess cannot be learned from reading!}) *

[Event "Malmö"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2001.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Radjabov, T."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2001.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

1. g3 ({E.Geller-K.Lerner, USSR Championship, Minsk 1979.} 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6
3. Nc3 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2 e5 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 8. Nf3 Nbd7 9. b3 Ne8
10. Bb2 f6 11. O-O-O c6 12. Ne1 Kc7 13. Nd3 Nd6 14. f4 Nf7 15. Rhf1 exf4 16.
gxf4 Re8 17. Rde1 Nf8 18. Nd1 Bd7 19. Kb1 Rad8 20. Ne3 Nd6 21. e5 fxe5 22. fxe5
Nf5 23. Nc4 Ne6 24. Bh3 Rg8 25. Nd6 Ned4 26. Bxd4 Nxd4 27. Rf7 Bf8 28. Nc5 Rg7
29. Nxd7 Rxf7 30. Nxf7 Rxd7 31. Bxd7 Kxd7 32. Rd1 Ke6 33. Rxd4 {1-0.}) 1... g6
2. Bg2 Bg7 3. d4 d6 4. e4 e5 $6 ({Boris: In a previous tournament that year
against Azmaiparashvili, Radjabov played} 4... Nf6 {. I thought that he might
have been worried about my preparation for the game. This is an interesting
psychological moment. He was young and I was experienced, and in general, more
experienced players excel in quiet positions and endgames where experience
plays a more important role than the calculation of concrete variations (which
benefits young players). Experience means I know more about chess (i.e. have
more knowledge about chess ideas because of playing more over many years).
Three months before I played Radjabov for the first time in Corus, I
transposed that game into an early endgame and won. Usually experienced
players are better in positions without queens, whereas younger players are
better in positions that require calculations. I was lucky that the present
game repeated the scenario of the first. --- Joel: That's really interesting.
It is consistent with research on the rise and fall of fluid and crystallized
intelligence across the lifespan. Fluid intelligence (e.g. problem solving)
tends to decline with age, whereas crystallized intelligence (knowledge)
remains stable or perhaps may even improve slightly.}) 5. dxe5 $1 dxe5 6. Qxd8+
Kxd8 {Exercise: What is the best way for White to develop the initiative? 
(difficulty level 5) --- Joel: This seems completely equal. This position is
nearly symmetrical, both sides have the same material; in terms of minor
pieces both have restricted bishops on the long diagonals; both sides are
undeveloped. The only difference is that White can still castle and he will be
able to connect his rooks quicker. This is a temporary advantage that needs to
be used quickly. Therefore, I would look for ways of developing my queenside
and to castle long. --- Boris: Your thoughts are generally correct but too
general. Here it is important to find a concrete way. When you have a position
with an advantage in time you have to find an object of attack. The move b2-b3
is very difficult to see, but for me it was easy to find because of the
classic game between Geller and Lerner (Minsk 1979). In a similar position 
(see 8...Nbd7 in the 1 e4 variation), Geller played b2-b3 and developed the
initiative by attacking the e5-pawn.} 7. b3 $1 Be6 ({Boris: I thought ...Nc6
was stronger, but after} 7... Nc6 8. Bb2 Nd4 9. Na3 Ne7 (9... c6) 10. O-O-O Bd7
11. f4 {White is still better.}) 8. Bb2 Nd7 9. Nd2 Ne7 {Exercise: What is the
best way to proceed? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: White's advantage is
temporary. He needs to find ways to speed up his development and cannot allow
Black time to untangle himself. White has a bad bishop as does Black. Black's
good bishop, which prevents White from using the c4-square with his knight, is
active and well placed. Therefore, 10 Bh3 accomplishes many objectives. It
speeds up White's development because 10...Bxh3 seems forced, otherwise White
will take and double Black's pawns with a lasting advantage in the endgame.
The move 10 Bh3: a) gets rid of Black's good bishop; b) allows White to use c4
for his knight; and c) rids himself of his own bad light-squared bishop. ---
Boris: Very good! This move gives White a permanent advantage. I get rid of my
bad bishop and exchange his good bishop. --- Joel: I found this move only
because I noticed that he can't really avoid the exchange.} 10. Bh3 $1 (10.
O-O-O Nc6 11. f4 {was possible too because White could play Bh3 later,
transposing to the game position.}) 10... Bxh3 ({Joel: What about} 10... f5 {
- ? --- Boris: In general, when you are worse you should avoid active moves,
especially in the endgame.} 11. Ngf3 h6 12. O-O-O {, with the idea of Rhe1
attacking the weak center pawns, would give White the advantage.}) 11. Nxh3 f6
{Joel: This prevents 12 Ng5 but it restricts Black's dark-squared bishop still
further.} 12. O-O-O Ke8 {Boris: Radjabov plays this with idea of next playing ...Kf7, connecting his rooks.} 13. f4 {Boris: When you have advantage in time 
(development), you have to create more tension and make the position more
sharp, more dynamic. Kasparov says there are three kinds of advantages: 1)
time, 2) position, and 3) material. In this position, I have a time advantage.}
Nc6 14. Nc4 Nb6 $6 {Exercise: What does White have to do? (difficulty level 1)}
({Joel: Black has just played} 14... Nb6 {and if White does nothing then Black
will obviously play 15...Nxc4 and cripple White's queenside pawn structure.
White can either take or retreat when the knight on b6 may be on less than an
ideal square. If} 15. Nxb6 axb6 {then White has to spend a tempo protecting
the a2-pawn, otherwise he would double on the d-file. Therefore, 15 Ne3 is
called for. --- Boris: Correct.}) ({Boris: It was preferable to play} 14... Rd8
$5 15. Ne3 Ne7 {and in the case of} 16. Nd5 {Black has} c6 {, which keeps the
position closed.}) 15. Ne3 $1 {Boris: My knight is heading to d5.} Rd8 16. Nd5
Nxd5 17. exd5 Ne7 ({Boris:} 17... Nb4 {was bad because of} 18. c4 Nxa2+ 19. Kb1
Nb4 20. fxe5 fxe5 21. Ng5 {and the knight will penetrate on e6 with a winning
position.}) 18. c4 c6 19. fxe5 fxe5 {Exercise: How can White develop the
initiative? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: White has a queenside pawn majority
and the better pawn structure in general as Black has an isolated pawn on e5.
White has the better bishop as Black's bishop on g7 is tied to the defense of
the e5-pawn. The knights for both White and Black seem to be on less than
ideal squares. White's rooks are connected. Therefore, White has the advantage.
Black is threatening to win the d5-pawn so White needs to either take or push.}
({If} 19... fxe5 20. -- (20. dxc6 Nxc6 {, then Black has improved the position
of his knight, which protects e5 (potentially freeing up the bishop) and
controls some important central squares. In some case, it could go to d4. In
this case, Black's knight would be better than White's knight on h3.}) ({.
Therefore,} 20. d6 {should be played.}) ({. Although White would like to
improve the position of his knight,} 20. Ng5 {runs into} Bh6 {, which is not
what White wants.} (20... --))) 20. Nf4 $1 {Exercise: What is the best defense
for Black in this position? (difficulty level 4)} ({Boris: After} 20. d6 Nf5
21. c5 Kd7 {Black has enough pieces to defend e5, the position has become
closed, and my advantage has evaporated. --- Joel: But you still have a pawn
on d6. --- Boris: Yes, but it is well blockaded and there is no obvious way to
break through.}) 20... exf4 $6 {Joel: If Black does nothing, White will play
21 Ne6. Although Black can play 21...Bh6+ and then move the rook, the knight
on e6 would most likely lead to a winning combination.} ({How should Black
defend? First, is taking the knight a possibility? Yes, but it leads to a
position in which the bishop will be much stronger than the knight on an open
board with the king stuck in the center; e.g.} 20... exf4 21. Bxg7 Rg8 22. Be5
fxg3 23. Bxg3 {. Against castling, White simply plays 21 Ne6 winning the
exchange. A king move to f7 would allow 21 Ne6 followed by Rhf1+, disrupting
the connection between Black's rooks.}) ({This leaves} 20... cxd5 {or 20...Nf5.
I don't think 20...Nf5 accomplishes much, so} 21. Ne6 Bh6+ 22. Kb1 Rc8 23. cxd5
Nf5 {followed by ...Nd6 is what I would have played.}) ({Boris: You are right
that Black must continue with 20...cxd5, but the continuation you offered is
incorrect. Let's take a look at some variations:} 20... cxd5 $1 21. Ne6 {. The
move that had to be played was} d4 $1 {. The reason is that it keeps the
position closed but it is difficult to see because our nature (human nature)
is to be greedy. Then after} ({and now your variation} 21... Bh6+ 22. Kb1 Rc8 {
misses that the e5-pawn is hanging, so I have a winning position}) 22. Rhe1 $6
({to keep the advantage White had to not be greedy as well:} 22. Nxg7+ $1 Kf7
23. Rhe1 Nc6 24. b4 $1 Rc8 25. Kb1 $1 Kxg7 26. b5 Na5 27. Rxe5 {with a big
advantage for White}) 22... Bf6 $5 23. Nxd8 Kxd8 24. Kc2 {the position has
suddenly become unclear.}) 21. Bxg7 Rg8 22. Bf6 Rf8 {Boris: Now we have equal
material but White still has an advantage in time, plus I am going to win a
pawn.} 23. Bxe7 Kxe7 24. Rhe1+ Kf6 ({Boris:} 24... Kd6 25. gxf4 {was no better,
as Black doesn't have} Rxf4 {because of} 26. dxc6+ {.}) 25. gxf4 cxd5 {
Exercise: Which recapture on d5 is correct? (difficulty level 2)} ({Joel: I
think I would just simply play 26 cxd5. In this position, White has a passed
pawn and the two rooks can combine in attack and defense. However, I think} 
25... cxd5 26. Rxd5 {is interesting because of} Rxd5 27. cxd5 {and the pawns
control e5 and e6, the black king is cut off from the passed d-pawn, and the
king cannot take the f-pawn because of Rf1+ winning. Therefore, I think 26
Rxd5 is better and that's what I would play here.}) 26. Rxd5 $1 {Boris: Very
good! 26 Rxd5 is much better than 26 cxd5. If I take with the pawn he plays ...Rd6 and ...Rc8 and his rooks are active and mine are not. I also don't have
any squares in which I can penetrate into his camp. So it is better to
exchange. 'When you have the advantage in the endgame, exchange pieces not
pawns; if you are worse, exchange pawns not pieces' (this is Fine's rule).}
Rxd5 27. cxd5 Kf5 $1 {Exercise: How should White proceed? (difficulty level 1)}
({White would easily win in the case of} 27... Rd8 28. Re5 h6 29. h4 Rd6 30.
Kd2 {and the king goes to support the d-pawn. --- Joel: Well, 28 Re7 would
give Black a passed pawn on the kingside with Black's king active and White's
king is sitting on c1. I would have played 28 Kd2 bringing the king to the
center because Black obviously cannot take the f4-pawn.}) 28. Re7 $1 {Boris:
White cannot lose time or the opportunity to penetrate to the seventh rank,
which Russians call the glutton role. --- Joel: What does that mean? --- Boris:
You are a glutton for punishment if you allow your opponent to penetrate to
the seventh rank.} ({In the case of} 28. Kd2 Rd8 {I would lose all of my
advantage. --- Joel: It is interesting that you chose the active 28 Re7. I
think this is a point where I become more afraid of my opponents threats
rather than appreciative of my own. You are the first to the seventh but I am
afraid of the passed pawn this allows.}) 28... h5 ({Boris: It was better to
play} 28... Kxf4 $1 29. Rxb7 Ke5 30. Rxh7 Rf2 {, when White needs to play
precisely.}) 29. Rxb7 Kxf4 {Exercise: What is the best way for White? 
(difficulty level 3)} ({Joel: For some reason,} 29... Kxf4 30. h4 {looks
tempting here. It stops the g-pawn and White's rook may be able to support the
passed d-pawn and protect the h-pawn at the same time.} -- ({. For example,} 
30... Kg4 31. Rb4+ {and Rd4.}) ({. Therefore, Black should respond with} 30...
Ke5 {, which looks strong. White may not be able to hold the d-pawn but he can
attack with the more active rook, so} 31. Rxa7 Kxd5 32. Rg7 Rf6 {and now White
has two connected passed pawns on the queenside and the rook behind the
backward g-pawn preventing any progress on that wing.} (32... --)) ({. Boris:
You should not play on the wing where you are weaker. After 30 h4, he would
play} 30... g5 {and he already has a passed pawn. I have to use my trumps and
play where I am stronger. In this case I have to use my d-pawn as a decoy.}))
30. d6 $1 {Joel: It seems, as you can see from the way I am thinking, I am too
concerned with my opponent's pawn majority instead of creating threats of my
own. The best way to defend is to attack! You create active threats that tie
Black down. --- Boris: Yes, I agree with you. You do not appreciate your
trumps and create active threats. From my previous analysis, I showed that if
Black could get his rook to the second rank he would have counterplay. The
move 30 d6 forces Black to worsen the position of his rook, which ties Black
down and prevents the rook from penetrating to my second rank.} Rd8 31. Rxa7
Rxd6 {Boris: Now I have only to bring my king into the game to win.} 32. a4 h4
33. a5 g5 34. Kc2 g4 35. b4 $6 {Boris: This inaccuracy gives Black an amusing
chance to escape.} ({The right way was} 35. Rh7 $1 h3 36. b4 Re6 37. Rf7+ $1
Kg5 38. Kd3 Rd6+ 39. Kc3 Re6 40. b5 Re3+ 41. Kd4 Re2 42. b6 Rxh2 43. a6 Rd2+
44. Kc3 h2 45. Rh7 g3 46. b7 {and White wins.}) 35... Ke4 $2 ({Boris: In the
case of} 35... g3 $1 36. hxg3+ hxg3 37. Rg7 {my estimation was that I would
sacrifice the rook at the appropriate moment and my two connected passed pawns
would beat the rook. However, 'Rybka' found the computer line} Kf3 38. Kc3 Rh6
$3 39. b5 Rh5 $1 40. Kc4 Rh4+ 41. Kd5 Rg4 42. Rxg4 Kxg4 43. b6 g2 44. b7 g1=Q
45. b8=Q {and Black transposes to a queen ending. According to computer
analysis, this queen ending is a draw, but for Black it is very difficult to
defend because of the poor position of his king on g4.}) 36. Rg7 Kf5 37. Kc3
Rc6+ 38. Kb3 Rc1 39. a6 h3 40. b5 Rb1+ 41. Kc4 Ra1 42. Kc5 Kf4 43. a7 {. ---
Joel: I take several important lessons from this game. The first lesson is the
importance of the time factor in quiet positions and how to keep the
initiative. As you discussed, the key is to find an object of attack, which
you found with the move 7 b3. The second lesson is the importance of playing
aggressively and not to play on the side where you are weaker. In the endgame,
you did not become overly concerned about your opponent's threats because you
realized your threats (e.g. Re7 and d5-d6) were more important and would keep
him occupied. --- Boris: I would add that not being greedy even in the endgame
is a very important lesson too. As I indicated, it was important for Black to
offer the exchange sacrifice in order to keep the position closed, but it was
equally important for White not to accept it.} 1-0

[Event "US Championship, Los Angeles"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Browne, W."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "1991.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: My opponent was six-time US champion Walter Browne. It was an
elimination tournament so I had opportunity to prepare for this game. He liked
forcing moves and liked to calculate, so my plan was to get into a positional
game without forced variations, so I chose a variation I never played before
or since.} 1. d4 d6 2. e4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. dxe5 ({Boris: If he played} 4. Nf3 {
here we would have a Philidor. He was a 1 d4 player so I predicted he would
not play 4 Nf3. --- Joel: You would have been happy playing the Philidor?
Isn't that a boring and not very dynamic defense to play? Also, in your game
with Radjabov, you proved that exchanging queens on d8 gave White the
initiative. Why would you permit your opponent to do the same? --- Boris: I
was not really prepared to play the Philidor but generally it is playable. I
have played many openings and for me it is relatively easy to play different
types of positions. My opponent, on the other hand, was very tied to his
opening choices. Very often in chess we have to play the same type of
positions with White and Black, but this position is a little different than
my game with Radjabov.}) 4... dxe5 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 6. Nf3 Bd6 7. Bc4 {Exercise:
What is the best way to proceed? (difficulty level 4)} Be6 $1 {Boris: This
position occurred in a game when I was White. I thought at the time: what
would I do if he played ...Be6!. So I took the opportunity to play it myself 
(my opponent played something else in this position and I reached an advantage
with two bishops; see B.Gulko-R.Cifuentes Parada, Novi Sad Olympiad 1990). The
idea of 7...Be6 is to spoil my pawn structure but take control of all central
squares and open the f-file. --- Compared to my game with Radjabov, it is
extremely difficult for White to find an object of attack in Black's camp. In
the game with Radjabov, I was able to attack the e5-pawn by playing Geller's
move b2-b3. Here it is not applicable.} 8. Bxe6 fxe6 9. Be3 Nc6 $1 {Boris:
This is an important move. Now the knight on f3 has to guard the d4-square and
the knight on c3 has to guard the e4-pawn. White's problem is that his knights
are playing a purely defensive role and it is difficult to find a plan to
improve the position of his knights without losing material.} 10. a3 a6 11. Ke2
Ke7 12. Rhd1 h6 13. h3 Rhf8 14. Rd3 {Exercise: What would you recommend to
play as Black here? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: Black's pawn structure is
worse but the doubled pawns control key center squares. Black has access to f4
and d4 (although these squares are protected by the dark-squared bishop),
whereas White has no access to the corresponding f5- and d5-squares in Black's
camp. White's dark-squared bishop is very important and superior to Black's,
which is playing a defensive role. Black's knight's have more potential than
White's because the doubled e-pawns restrict their mobility. White plans to
double rooks on the d-file but this can be contested by ...Rad8. --- Boris: I
agree with everything until now. White's plan is not to double on the d-file.
There is no way to dislodge my bishop and break through. The d-file is closed.
It also doesn't make sense for Black to exchange rooks because part of my
compensation for the structural weaknesses is the activity of my rooks on the
f-file.} ({Joel: I see. Well, the other factor in the position is that Black
has a semi-open f-file to work with and White has no such file. Therefore,
Black's task is get rid of the dark-squared bishop and attack f2 with his
rooks. As a result, I would play} 14. Rd3 Nh5 {followed by 15...g5. However,
if I played nothing at all, White might play Nh4 himself threatening Ng6
winning the exchange, so it makes sense to cover the h4-square with 14...g5
first.} ({Boris:} 14... g5 {is risky because White would have the opportunity
to play} 15. h4 {.})) 14... Nh5 $5 ({Boris: I played...} 14... Nh5 {...because
I thought White had to reply} 15. g3 {(covering f4). After 15 g3, I would have
returned with} Nf6 $1 {and his knight on f3 could become under-protected after
doubling on the f-file.} ({After 15 g3, if I tried to double on the f-file
right away with} 15... Rf6 $2 {, he could relocate his knight by playing} 16.
Nb1 $1 {and, after playing Nb1-d2, begin to get the upper hand by expanding on
the queenside.})) 15. Nh4 $2 {Exercise: How can Black take the initiative? 
(difficulty level 3) --- Joel: This is why I recommended 14...g5 first; now
White has the threat of 16 Ng6+ winning the exchange. The only reasonable
means of preventing this threat is to play 15...Rf6, which covers g6 and
prepares to double on the f-file. --- Boris: I hoped he would play 15 Nh4. It
was a trap and my response came as an unpleasant surprise. I think the
psychological basis for his mistake is that Browne didn't like quiet play and,
as a result, tried to turn the game into forced variations as soon as possible.
} Nd4+ $1 {Joel: Wow! Can he capture?} (15... Nd4+ {. If} 16. Bxd4 -- (16...
exd4 17. Rxd4 Nf4+ {followed by ...Be5 and Black's bishop becomes active, his
knight controls g6, and White has lost his valuable defender of the f2-square.}
) ({. Boris: No, if 16 Bxd4 then} 16... Nf4+ 17. Kf1 Nxd3 18. Be3 Nxb2 19. Ng6+
Kd7 20. Nxf8+ Rxf8 21. Rb1 Nc4 {and Black wins.} (21... --))) ({Joel: Right.
So he can't capture on d4. If White retreats to the back rank then he disrupts
the communication of his rooks. This leaves} 15... Nd4+ 16. Kd2 {. White is
not worried about} Nf4 {yet because that would lose a piece after} 17. Bxf4
exf4 {(the d4-knight hangs).}) 16. Kd2 Rf6 17. g4 {Exercise: The knight on h5
is hanging. What would you do? (difficulty level 1)} ({Joel: Black cannot play
} 17. g4 -- (17... Nf4 {because of} 18. Bxf4 Rxf4 (18... exf4 {hangs the
knight on d4}) 19. Ng6+ {winning the exchange.}) ({. Therefore,} 17... g5 {
must be played. --- Boris: Correct.})) 17... g5 18. Nf5+ $1 {Boris: I said his
best quality is playing forced variations and here he demonstrates his
accuracy. He plays the best move!} ({If} 18. gxh5 gxh4 {, I would be much
better because I have the f3-square for my rooks (attacking his pawns) or ...Rg8-g2. Anyway, this position is much more pleasant for Black.}) 18... exf5 19.
gxh5 Ke6 $1 {Boris: I avoid check and improve the position of my king.} 20.
Bxd4 exd4 21. Rxd4 {Boris: Now he has an extra pawn, but his pawns on the
kingside are weak and my bishop is very good.} Be5 22. Rc4 $6 {Boris: There
are a lot of possibilities and he is forced to choose.} (22. Rd3 $1 {was
better, protecting his third rank. Now it is under-protected and I use it at
once. After} Bxc3+ 23. Rxc3 fxe4 {Black is better but White has drawing
chances.}) 22... fxe4 23. Nxe4 {Exercise: Where does Black need to place his
rook? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: White's pawns look horribly weak on the
kingside. Black has a bishop versus a knight on an open board with pawns on
both sides (advantage bishop). White is threatening the rook as well as 24
Nc5+ followed by Nxb7 (although in this case the f2-pawn would become very
weak and Black could activate his rook via the f-file). Also, Black is
threatening 23...Bxb2 so it seems Black will regain his pawn this way or
through activity on the kingside. So I would play 23...Rf3. --- Boris: Hold on.
After 24 Nc5+, Black has 24...Kd5 winning immediately so 24 Nc5+ is not a
threat at all. Otherwise, your analysis of the position is correct. --- Joel:
I seem to be analyzing strategy and plans fairly well but messing up in
concrete variations. --- Boris: Yes, sometimes. Chess is a combination of both
tactics and strategy.} Rf3 24. Rh1 $1 {Boris: The best defense.} ({Bad was} 24.
Re1 $2 Bf4+ $1 25. Ke2 Rxh3 {and White's king closes the e-file.}) 24... Raf8
25. b3 {Exercise: Black has an active position. How does he develop the
initiative? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: White now threatens 26 Nc5+ and 27
Nxb7. However, in return, White would lose the f-pawn and Black, with his more
active rooks, would probably win the game. I think it is safe to say that if
White loses the f-pawn he will lose the game so, although 26 Nc5 comes with
check, he will likely have to come back and defend anyway. There is no time
for 27 Nxb7 (this is one of the reasons why bishops are superior to knights in
this kind of position). Therefore, I would play 25...Bd6. If White responds
with 26 Nxd6 then Black has the intermezzo 26...Rxf2+. The move 25...Bd6 also
clears the way for the king to go to e5 attacking the knight. --- Boris: His
pieces are well placed but I can destroy the coordination of White's pieces
with 25...b5!. Your mistake is that Black has the advantage because his pieces
and king are more active and Black's bishop is better than White's knight. All
of this is a dynamic advantage not a structural advantage. If you do not play
actively you will lose the advantage (rule of Steinitz). Your move is not
aggressive.} b5 {Joel: I looked at this move but it seemed to lose after 26
Rc6+ and 27 Rxa6.} 26. Rc6+ ({Boris: If} 26. Rc5 {then} Bd6 {- exactly your
move but now it is aggressive: it attacks the rook and your calculation comes
into play.}) 26... Kd5 27. Rc5+ {Exercise: Is there a decent alternative to 27.
..Kxe4 - ? (difficulty level 3)} ({Joel: Why avoid} 27. Rc5+ Kxe4 {- ? It
seems winning after} 28. Re1+ Kf4 {and Black will take the f-pawn with
decisive entry on the kingside.}) 27... Kd4 $5 {Boris: I played this move,
hoping for 28 c3, because he was in time trouble and I wanted to make things
sharp and complicated.} ({I think your estimation of} 27... Kxe4 {is too
optimistic. After} 28. Re1+ Kf4 29. Rexe5 Rxh3 ({your idea of} 29... Rxf2+ {
allows} 30. Re2 {when Black is better but White has drawing chances}) 30. Re6
Rxh5 31. Rxa6 {there is equal material and it is not clear whether Black can
win.}) 28. c3+ $6 ({Boris: He had to play} 28. Re1 $1 Bf4+ $1 ({not} 28...
Rxf2+ $2 29. Kd1 {, threatening c2-c3+ and mate}) 29. Kd1 Rd8 $1 30. c3+ Kd3
31. Rc6 Rd5 {and the position is unclear.}) 28... Kxe4 29. Re1+ Kf4 30. Rexe5 {
Joel: Why this rook? --- Boris: Because the other stays active on c5 attacking
a pawn.} Rxf2+ 31. Re2 Rd8+ $6 {Boris: This is an interesting psychological
moment. My opponent is in time shortage so I played a more complicated line,
though there was a more straightforward way. --- Joel: When you say time
shortage what do you mean? --- Boris: He had 3 or 4 minutes compared to my 20
minutes. 31...Rd8 is also winning but I wanted to cash in on my time advantage
(I thought it was a pity not to). In general, it is better to take the simpler
path.} ({Simpler was} 31... Kg3 $1 32. Rc6 Kxh3 33. Rxh6 g4 {and Black is
winning.}) 32. Ke1 Rf3 33. Re6 {Exercise: What is the simplest way for Black
to keep his advantage? (difficulty level 2)} ({Boris:} 33. Rxc7 $5 {would not
have helped much because of} Rxh3 34. Rc6 g4 35. Rf6+ Kg3 {, threatening ...Rh1 mate.}) ({Joel: I would play} 33. Re6 Rxh3 34. Rxh6 Rh1+ 35. Ke2 Rh2+ 36.
Ke1 Rdd2 {and Black is winning. --- Boris: I can tell you 33...Rxh3 is not
worse but my way is simpler. I will use my advice from the previous note now:
it is better to take the simpler path.}) 33... Rd6 $1 {Joel: What is the
rationale behind this move? Is it that it gives Black an extra tempo? ---
Boris: Now I have time to win both of his h-pawns, eliminate his counterplay,
and turn the position into technical win.} 34. Rxd6 cxd6 35. Rc6 Rxh3 36. Rxd6
Rxh5 37. Rxa6 g4 38. a4 bxa4 39. bxa4 ({Boris: Or} 39. Rxa4+ Kf3 40. Ra8 Rh1+
41. Kd2 g3 {and my pawn is unstoppable.}) 39... g3 40. Kf1 Rh1+ 41. Kg2 Rh2+
42. Kg1 h5 43. Rf6+ Kg4 44. Rf1 Ra2 45. c4 h4 {. --- Boris: White cannot stop
the plan of ...h3-h2+, ...Kh3 and ...g2 mate. --- Joel: What have I learned
from this game? Well, I think for myself, I am discovering that my
understanding of positional chess strategy and plans is not bad. I often am on
the right track but I seem to falter in positions that require concrete
calculations. There was also the recurring theme of playing actively when you
have a dynamic advantage. I think that it is really difficult for me to find
moves that keep the initiative in such situations. Would you say that this is
one your great strengths as a chess player? --- Boris: Maybe. What I think
this game shows is that doubled pawns in the center can be very useful if the
opponent does not have the opportunity to put direct pressure on them. They
are useful because they cover many squares and provide open files for rooks. I
think another important point is how to make use of an opponent's time
shortage. If you have more time, it is good to play something unexpected (e.g.
27...Kd4) to complicate the position, when he doesn't have time to re-evaluate
the position.} 0-1

[Event "Philadelphia World Open"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1987.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Miles, A."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A48"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "1987.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was my first World Open. We were meeting in round 5 when we both
had 4 wins after 4 games. This was an important game. It was my first year in
the US and my first game against Miles. Incidentally, although we tied for
first, I also won the tiebreak game against him which gave me the World Open
title. It is not so often you beat the same person twice in a Swiss tournament.
} 1. d4 ({A.Karpov-A.Miles, London 1982.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4
Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. g4 Be6 10. O-O-O Nxd4 11. Bxd4
Qa5 12. a3 Rab8 13. h4 Rfc8 14. Nd5 Qxd2+ 15. Rxd2 Bxd5 16. exd5 a6 17. Be2 Nd7
18. f4 Nc5 19. Rh3 Rc7 20. Re3 b5 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Rd4 a5 23. b4 $1 Na4 24.
bxa5 Nc3 25. Bf1 Kf8 26. Kb2 Rbc8 27. Kb3 Rc5 28. a6 Nxd5 29. Rxd5 Rxd5 30. Rc3
Rd8 31. Rc7 Rd1 32. Bxb5 e5 33. a7 exf4 34. Rb7 Rb1+ 35. Ka4 Rxb5 36. Rxb5 f3
37. Rb8 f2 38. Rxd8+ {1-0.}) 1... Nf6 2. Nf3 {Joel: White is happy to play a
queen's pawn game? --- Boris: I was a Grünfeld player in those years so Miles
played a quieter opening to avoid the Grünfeld.} g6 3. Bg5 {Boris: This is a
very quiet approach to avoid sharp and forced lines in the Grünfeld.} Bg7 4.
Nbd2 c5 ({Boris: This move was played by Fischer and Geller. It is important
to play it before castling. For example,} 4... O-O 5. c3 d6 6. e4 c5 7. dxc5
dxc5 8. Be2 {is preferable to White. Bronstein won a couple of nice games in
this position. This is why Black must play ...c7-c5 right away because the
other way White forces Black to take back with the pawn. The relative drawback
of 4...c5 is that it allows White to exchange the dark-squared bishop.}) 5.
Bxf6 ({Joel: What about} 5. dxc5 {- ? --- Boris: The move 5 dxc5 was tried and
after} Qa5 6. c3 Qxc5 7. Bxf6 Bxf6 8. Ne4 Qb6 9. Nxf6+ Qxf6 10. Qd4 {led to a
draw in V.Topalov-B.Gulko, Seville 1992.}) 5... Bxf6 6. Ne4 Bxd4 7. Nxd4 cxd4
8. Qxd4 O-O {Joel: That sequence was more or less forced but now Black can
gain time attacking the queen with ...Nb8-c6 and then hit the knight with ...d7-d5. --- Boris: ...d7-d5 would be impossible after almost any of White's
moves because White will control the d5-square.} 9. Nc3 {Boris: He wants to
eventually go to d5 with the knight.} ({After} 9. c4 {(with idea of playing
Nc3 and Nd5)} Qa5+ 10. Qc3 Nc6 11. e3 d6 12. Qxa5 Nxa5 13. b3 {led to a draw
in V.Smyslov-B.Gulko, Rome 1988.}) ({Instead,} 9. O-O-O {was played against me
by Zurab Sturua at Pavlodar 1991, which I answered with} Qa5 $1 (9... Nc6 10.
Qd2 Qa5 11. Nc3 {keeps the queens on, which is why ...Qa5 first is more precise
}) 10. a3 Nc6 11. Qd5 Qxd5 12. Rxd5 f5 13. Ng5 {. Exercise: How can Black
fight for the initiative? (difficulty level 2) --- Boris: White has to develop
his f1-bishop so} f4 $1 {creates problems. Now, it is uncomfortable for White
to play either e2-e3 or g2-g3:} 14. g3 ({or} 14. e3 fxe3 15. fxe3) 14... fxg3
15. fxg3 {.}) 9... Nc6 10. Qd2 {Exercise: What is Black's best move and best
plan? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: White plans to castle long. Black needs
to come up with a plan that activates his bishop, which can't move, and that
threatens the safety of White's king should he castle long. He must also
determine how to play in the center. He doesn't want to put all his pawns on
light squares either (e.g. ...a7-a6 and ...b7-b5). Rather, he wants to put
pawns on dark squares (the color of the bishop that has left the board) and
reserve a queenside pawn storm should White castle long. Therefore, I would
play 10...d6. --- Boris: You're right that White's plan is to castle long and
to attack on the kingside by pushing the h-pawn. However, Black has an
opportunity to prevent this plan by initiating the exchange of queens, which
will dampen the kingside attack. Afterward, I will have a Sicilian structure
with as usual good chances in the endgame (we will return to this idea later).
After the exchange of queens, Black no longer has to worry about getting mated
in the middlegame.} Qb6 {Boris: Hitting b2 and f2. This prevents White from
castling long and prepares ...Qd4 exchanging queens.} ({If} 10... d6 {then} 11.
O-O-O Be6 12. h4 {and Black's position is vulnerable. Black is happy to
prevent this dangerous attack.}) 11. Rb1 ({Joel: Why not something simple like
} 11. b3 {- ? There is no dark-squared bishop that might make this move
dangerous. --- Boris: White doesn't want to place his pawns on the same color
as his bishop. Plus the game move might support a queenside pawn storm with
the rook better placed on b1 than a1. Generally, there is not much difference
between the two moves but 11 Rb1 allows more opportunity. --- Joel: Now White
cannot castle long. Now I like the plan of 11...d6, ...Be6, ...Rfc8, with play
on the queenside.}) 11... Qd4 $1 ({Boris: The move you offered is inferior
because of} 11... d6 12. Nd5 Qd8 13. h4 {and Black has simply lost time. ---
Joel: Wow! I didn't anticipate that you would offer an exchange queens. Can
White ignore this and play 12 e4 - ? --- Boris: No, there are too many pieces
on the board and the king will not be safe on d2 after the exchange of queens.
Moreover, the rook on d2 is more reasonable than on b1.}) 12. Rd1 Qxd2+ 13.
Rxd2 d6 14. Nd5 $6 {Joel: A nice move which prevents 14...Be6 because of 15
Nc7 and Nxe6 crippling Black's pawns. --- Boris: I would not be afraid of this.
It does not offer any advantage to White. Now arises a typical Sicilian
endgame. Because of the semi-open c-file, Black has good chances for playing
on the queenside, whereas it is difficult for White to find a creative plan.
--- Exercise: Find Black best move. (difficulty level 2)} ({Boris: It was
better for Miles to play} 14. e4 {, not losing control of the b5-square. After
the game continuation, I can take space on the queenside immediately. Miles
offered me a draw around this point in the game but I declined because I felt
I was already better.}) 14... b5 $1 15. g3 Bd7 16. Bg2 {Exercise: Find the
best move. (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: Black needs to get the rook off the
long diagonal and put it on the half-open c-file (16...Rac8). --- Boris:
You're right, Black has to move the rook from a8, but 16...Rac8 would be a
serious mistake. Black's plan is to play on the queenside and he needs both
rooks present on that side of the board. If 16...Rac8, then the rook on f8
would not have room to move.} Rab8 $1 17. O-O Rfc8 18. f4 Kf8 19. e4 Na5 {Joel:
I anticipated 19...a5, because if 19...Na5 then 20 b3 would prevent the knight
from going anywhere. But I guess the move 20 b3? would leave White's c-pawn
backward and horribly weak. --- Boris: What is the purpose of 19...a5 - ? It
deprives the knight of the valuable a5-square from where it could jump to c4.
First you must improve the placement of your pieces then your pawns. With 18
f4, my opponent took away the e5-square, and if I played 19...a5, I would
prevent my knight from getting to c4. After 19...Na5, Black threatens to play .
..Nc4 winning a pawn. Only after White plays c2-c3 (to protect the b2-pawn)
would Black play ...a7-a5 followed by ...b5-b4. The c4-square is very
sensitive for White in Sicilian endgames.} 20. c3 ({Boris: More prudent was} 
20. Ne3 Nc4 21. Nxc4 bxc4 22. c3 {and White has reasonable chances to reach a
draw.}) 20... Nc4 21. Re2 {Exercise: What is Black's best move and why? 
(difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I was thinking about 21...Bg4, attacking the
rook, or 21...a5, getting on with the minority attack. --- Boris: Which piece
is White's best? Of course the knight on d5 is White's best piece. Therefore,
Black plays 21...Be6 preparing to exchange it. I also don't have an active
role for my bishop. Finally, after the exchange on d5 and e4xd5, White's
bishop will become bad.} Be6 22. Rc1 ({Boris: The alternative was} 22. Ne3 Nxe3
23. Rxe3 b4 ({or} 23... Bxa2 24. Ra1 Bc4 25. Rxa7 Ra8 26. Rxa8 Rxa8 {and Black
is better}) 24. cxb4 Rxb4 25. b3 a5 {and Black has a clear initiative.}) ({Both
} 22. e5 dxe5 23. fxe5 Rc5) ({and} 22. f5 Bxd5 23. exd5 Ne5 {were bad.}) 22...
Bxd5 23. exd5 {Exercise: White wants to play 24 b3. Can you find a
prophylactic move that makes it unattractive? (difficulty level 3)} Rc5 $1 24.
Kf2 ({Boris: If} 24. b3 {, then} Nb6 25. Rd2 Rbc8 {and the c3-pawn is weak.})
24... a5 {Boris: Only now. Black cannot improve the position of his pieces.
Therefore, he looks for pawn breaks.} 25. Rec2 Nb6 {Boris: With this Black
combines two plans: 1) attacking d5, and 2) preparing b4} 26. a3 {Boris: This
move stops both of Black's threats tactically.} Rbc8 ({Boris:} 26... Nxd5 $2 {
was bad for Black because of the reply} 27. b4 {.}) (26... Rbc8 {Exercise: How
does White have to handle this position? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I
would play} 27. Rd1 {trying to hold onto to d5. --- Boris: So you support
Miles' decision, but it leads to a strategically losing position as we will
see.}) 27. Rd1 $2 ({Boris: It was necessary to play} 27. b4 $1 axb4 28. axb4
R5c7 29. Ke2 Ra7 {when Black is generally better, but with best play White has
chances to escape. What is really strange is that in Karpov-Miles (1982) they
reached a similar position and Karpov played the correct move b2-b4! (see 23
b4! in the 1 e4 variation), got active counterplay, and even won. One of the
most important things you can do in chess is learn from your losses, which I
learned from Capablanca's 'Chess Fundamentals'. --- So it seems that Miles did
not analyze deeply the games he lost, because he could have employed the same
strategy.}) 27... b4 $1 28. axb4 axb4 29. Rd3 {Exercise: How to proceed? 
(difficulty level 3)} ({Joel: Taking the pawn is no good:} 29. Rd3 bxc3 (29...
Na4 {puts more pressure on c3. White cannot push the pawn and Black is
threatening 30...bxc3 followed by 31...Nxc3 winning}) 30. Rcxc3 {when, because
of the pin, Black must exchange rooks and White has a defendable position. ---
Boris: Sometimes it is very hard to switch to another plan. Here, because
White is tied to defending c3, Black can switch plans and penetrate on the
a-file.}) 29... Ra5 ({Boris: The move you offered doesn't work because} 29...
Na4 $2 {will be met by} 30. Rd4 {and Black loses his advantage.}) 30. Rdd2 {
Joel: Now Black will create another weakness after executing the plan of ...b4-b3, ...Ra2, and ...Na4. --- Boris: Yes, that's the correct plan.} ({More
stubborn was} 30. Rd4 b3 31. Re2 Nc4 32. Rd1 {and White can defend, although
Black has a significant advantage.}) 30... b3 31. Rc1 Ra2 ({Boris: The
tempo-gaining move} 31... Nc4 {was worse because White has} 32. Re2 {. If you
plan to play two moves and don't know in which order to play them, start with
the move you will play no matter what. The rook only has the a2-square but the
knight can go to two squares (a4 or c4). Therefore, 31...Ra2 is more accurate.}
) 32. Bf1 {Boris: The bishop prevents 32...Nc4 but not 32...Na4.} (32. Re2 {
permits} Na4 33. Rb1 Rxc3 $1 34. bxc3 Rxe2+ 35. Kxe2 Nxc3+ {winning two pawns.}
) 32... Na4 33. Ke1 Rxb2 34. Rxb2 Nxb2 35. Rb1 Na4 36. Rxb3 Nxc3 37. Bg2 Rc5
38. Rb8+ Kg7 39. Re8 Kf6 40. g4 Nxd5 41. g5+ Ke6 {Boris: In the game, Miles
moved the bishop to h3 and jokingly said "Mate", but kept his hand on the
bishop. When I calculated this variation, which wins a second pawn, I also
hallucinated this "mate" before realizing I had ...f7-f5!} 42. Bxd5+ Rxd5 43.
Kf2 {Exercise: White has counterplay against the h-pawn. How to extinguish it?
(difficulty level 2)} h6 $1 44. gxh6 Rh5 45. Rh8 Rxh2+ 46. Kg3 Rh1 47. Kg2 Rh5
48. Kf3 Kf6 {. --- Joel: Well, obviously, the rule that sticks is the
importance of studying your games. I have been told this many times, but to
see the consequences of not following this advice in a GM like Tony Miles is
interesting. --- Boris: In addition, this game illustrates a couple of more
rules. First, the importance of improving the position of your pieces and,
only after, looking for pawn breaks. Second, the importance of maintaining the
flexibility for your pieces when executing your plan. If you maintain
flexibility, you can switch plans more easily.} 0-1

[Event "USSR Championship, Moscow"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1976.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Taimanov, M."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A48"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "1976.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was the first round of an extremely strong championship of the
USSR, featuring Karpov, Polugaevsky, Smyslov, Petrosian, Vaganian, Tal and
others. --- Joel: Wow! That's amazing. You won the following year in 1977,
right? --- Boris: Yes, I played good in this tournament too, but I got sick
and didn't play well in the end. --- Joel: Did you appreciate at the time that
you were playing in a tournament with players of such historical significance?
--- Boris: Yes, it was very interesting. Taimanov was a leading player but he
was at the end of his career and this was his last USSR championship. I think
he held the record for playing in more USSR championships than anyone else.
His advantage and disadvantage simultaneously was his optimism. Sometimes he
overestimated his position and in this game I was able to exploit this as a
drawback.} 1. Nf3 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. Nbd2 c5 5. e3 O-O 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7.
Ne4 Qb6 $1 {Boris: This is the only move that allows Black to have a decent
game.} 8. Nxf6+ Qxf6 9. c3 d6 10. Be2 b6 $1 {Boris: In this structure I know
that my bishop belongs on b7 and, therefore, I play the move 10...b6. At this
point, I don't know where my knight belongs. In general, as we discussed in
Game Three (Miles-Gulko), it is better to retain flexibility and to play moves
you know you will play anyway.} 11. O-O Bb7 12. a4 {Exercise: What is the best
way for Black to play here? (difficult level 3) --- Joel: Material is even and
Black has control of the e4-square, which White will try to get control of by
following the plan of playing his rook to e1, Nf3-d2, Qd1-c2, and Be2-d3 if
necessary. White has more space, especially on the queenside where he has just
played a2-a4 (I believe this serves to stop Black's counterplay on this side
of the board so that when White returns to the plan of playing e3-e4 Black
will not have counterplay). Neither side has an advantage in development.
Minor pieces are even, although Black controls the important a8-h1 diagonal.
What will White do if Black does nothing? If Black does nothing, White will
play 13 a5. This would give Black an isolated a-pawn if he exchanges. If Black
doesn't plan on exchanging, then he must develop the knight. However, if Black
develops the knight (say to d7), White can attack the bishop with a5-a6. If
Black develops the knight to c6, White can play d4-d5 gaining space. Therefore,
I guess in this position I would play 12...a6. --- Boris: You are correct that
White plans to advance his a-pawn, but his plan is not to play e3-e4 because
his center will become shaky. White is happy to have a solid position in the
center and attack on the queenside with a4-a5. It is not so easy to prevent
White's plan. If 12...Nbd7, White can play 13 a5, and 12...a6 immediately
allows White to attack the b6-pawn with Nf3-d2-c4. If immediately 12...Nc6, 13
d5 would be good as you suggested. But now it is a very appropriate moment to
take on d4 because if White takes with a piece, Black will take over the
center with ...e7-e5. If he takes with the c-pawn, Black can play 13...Nc6 and
White's b4- and a5-squares are weak. So White is practically forced to take
with the e-pawn, which allows me to play on the queenside, preparing a
minority attack. From this moment on, Black has chances for the initiative.}
cxd4 $1 13. exd4 ({Boris: As I said, if} 13. cxd4 {then} Nc6 {, using both the
a5- and b4-squares.}) 13... a6 $1 14. Re1 Nd7 15. Nd2 $1 {Exercise: Which rook
should go to c8? (difficulty level 1)} Rfc8 $1 {Boris: My plan is to play on
the queenside with ...b6-b5 so I need both rooks on that side of the board.}
16. Bf3 Bxf3 17. Nxf3 {Exercise: What does Black have to play? (difficulty
level 2)} e6 $1 {Boris: This is a necessary prophylactic. If I didn't play ...e7-e6, White would play d4-d5 and Nd4-c6.} ({Of course, I could have prevented
this with} 17... d5 $2 {, but that would give White's knight the e5-square.})
18. Qd2 Kg7 $1 {Boris: Now the psychological struggle starts. The position is
equal. There is a small chance for Black to play on the queenside with ...
b6-b5, but in this position it doesn't promise much because White can exchange
and play Qb3. I started to make defensive moves to give the impression that I
was on the defensive. Taimanov, because of his optimism, plays a couple of
active-looking moves but they weaken his position.} 19. h4 h6 $1 {Joel: Why
did you give this an exclamation point? --- Boris: I continue my psychological
battle. I am defending against threats that don't exist to give the opponent
the impression that he has the advantage. --- Joel: But 19...h6 seems very
natural. You neutralize the threat of h4-h5. --- Boris: But h4-h5 is not a
real threat! I could just take the h-pawn if I wanted to. However, I defend
against h4-h5 anyway. If Black is on "defense", White must be on "attack".
Because of this impression, White played an unfortunate "active" move.} 20. Re4
$2 ({Boris:} 20. Qd3 {was better, though after} Qf5 {Black has a good position.
}) 20... b5 $1 {Boris: Now I start my counterplay.} ({If I played ...b6-b5
earlier, he had Qd3. Now if he plays} 20... b5 21. Qd3 {, I could play} Qf5 {
and his position is awkward because of the unfortunate position of the rook on
e4.}) 21. Ree1 {Boris: He realizes his mistake immediately.} Qf5 {Boris: I
take control of the light squares and show that his move h2-h4 was weakening 
(because it created a weakness on g4).} 22. Qe2 Nf6 ({Boris: The knight would
be worse on b6:} 22... Nb6 $6 23. axb5 axb5 24. Nd2 Qc2 25. Qxb5 {and the
knight is hanging.}) 23. Nd2 {Exercise: How does Black proceed? (difficulty
level 2) --- Joel: I like 23...Qc2 hitting b2 and a4. Black is stronger on the
queenside and the kingside is secure. Black is better. --- Boris: Correct. And
this move also helps me exchange queens. --- Joel: Why is this good? --- Boris:
Because a minority attack is more dangerous in the endgame than in the
middlegame.} Qc2 $1 24. axb5 ({Boris: He has to play this because in the case
of the immediate} 24. Ne4 {, then} Qxe4 25. Qxe4 Nxe4 26. Rxe4 b4 $1 27. cxb4
Rc4 {and Black has a winning rook endgame.}) 24... axb5 25. Rxa8 Rxa8 26. Ne4
Qxe2 27. Rxe2 Ra1+ {Boris: Here I push his king away from the center.} 28. Kh2
Nxe4 29. Rxe4 {Exercise: What does Black have to play? (difficulty level 1)
--- Joel: This looks to me like a draw. It is an even rook and pawn ending.
Many of these positions are drawn even when one side is up a pawn. Are you
trying to push your opponent into a mistake? Did you think you were a better
endgame player? It seems to me that after Re4-e2, White protects his pawns
from the side. --- Boris: I exchange pieces I don't need and get rid of pieces
he needs for counterplay. In this position Black actually has a big advantage.
I can create several weaknesses in his camp and have opportunity to increase
the pressure. In general, this position is very difficult for White. Rook
endgame rules are relative, as are all rules in chess.} d5 $1 {Boris: Black
has to be careful.} ({If} 29... Ra2 {then} 30. d5 $1 {and White's rook will go
to b4, protecting b2 and attacking b5.}) 30. Re3 ({Boris: In the case of your
suggestion} 30. Re2 $2 {, then} b4 $1 31. cxb4 Rd1 {and Black is simply
winning.}) 30... Ra2 31. Re2 {Boris: Forced because of my check on move 27.
Without this check he could play b2-b4 with a drawish position. --- Exercise:
How does Black proceed? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I like 31...b4 because
it will create a number of weak pawns to attack. --- Boris: Yes, I finally get
to realize my plan that I started on move 12!} b4 $1 32. cxb4 Ra4 33. Rd2 Rxb4
34. Kg3 {Exercise: What is the best way for Black to play here? (difficulty
level 4)} Kf6 {Boris: Natural, but not strongest.} ({Best was} 34... Rb3+ $1
35. f3 ({we will discuss} 35. Kf4 Kf6 {in the next note}) 35... Kf6 36. Kf2 Kf5
37. g3 g5 38. hxg5 hxg5 {when I have the very dangerous threat of ...g5-g4.
After that all of his pawns would be weak and my advantage decisive.}) 35. Kf3
h5 ({Boris: Now} 35... Rb3+ 36. Ke2 (36. Kf4 g5+ 37. hxg5+ hxg5+ 38. Kg4 Kg6
39. f3 Rb4 40. Kg3 Kf5 41. Kf2 Kf4 {and the threat of ...g5-g4 will win}) 36...
Kf5 37. Kd1 Ke4 38. Kc2 Rb4 39. f3+ Ke3 40. Rd3+ Kf2 41. Rd2+ Kg3 42. b3 Kxh4
43. Kc3 Rb5 44. b4 Kg3 45. Kb3 {and White has counter chances because of the
passed pawn on b4.}) 36. Ke2 {Boris: His plan is to transfer the king to the
queenside and push his b-pawn which, instead of being a weakness, will become
an asset. In that case it would be impossible to say that Black has a better
pawn structure.} e5 $1 {Joel: I don't understand this move. It seems to weaken
your pawns and give White a target.} ({What is wrong with} 36... Kf5 {- ? ---
Boris: In the case of 36...Kf5, similar variations would arise as after 35...
Rb3+. With 36...e5, I transform my advantage from a static one to a dynamic
one. I now have a more active king and rook.}) 37. dxe5+ Kxe5 38. g3 {Exercise:
What does Black have to play? (difficulty level 4)} Ke4 $1 39. f3+ {Joel: Now
White's pawns become weak. --- Boris: Right, now all of his pawns are on the
third rank and are vulnerable to attack.} ({Instead,} 39. Rc2 Rb3 40. Rd2 ({
but he could try} 40. Rc7 $1 Rxb2+ 41. Kf1 f6 {with some drawing chances})
40... d4 {and in both cases Black has a big advantage.}) ({Or} 39. Kd1 d4 40.
Kc2 Rc4+ 41. Kb3 Rc7 42. Ka4 d3 43. b4 Rc2 {.}) 39... Ke5 40. Kd1 Rb3 41. Rf2
$6 {Exercise: What does Black have to play? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: 41..
.Kd4 threatens a decisive invasion with the king. Maybe 41 Rf2 was a mistake.
After 41...Kd4 Black threatens ...Ke3. He can counter with check, picking up
the d5-pawn, but the b-pawn will fall along with the rest of White's kingside.
--- Boris: Right.} ({Boris:} 41. Ke2 $5 d4 42. Kf2 Kd5 {was a better defense.})
41... Kd4 $1 {Boris: Here the game was postponed. I had a week to analyze this
position. My friend Mark Dvoretsky helped me with this and we spoke each
evening by phone discussing these positions. I learned a lot of interesting
things from him about rook endgames with f- and h-pawns. My final diagnosis
then was that it is winning for Black. Now endgame tablebases have found
hidden ways to a draw.} 42. g4 ({Boris: It was hopeless for White to play} 42.
Rd2+ Ke3 43. Rxd5 Rxb2 {.}) 42... Ke3 43. Re2+ Kxf3 44. gxh5 gxh5 45. Re5 Kg4
46. Rxd5 ({Boris: After} 46. Kc2 Rb5 47. Rg5+ Kxh4 48. Rf5 Kg4 49. Rxf7 h4 {
Black simply wins.}) 46... Rxb2 47. Ke1 Kxh4 ({Boris: The endgame tablebase
shows that} 47... f5 {(instead of 47...Kxh4) was not stronger, because after}
48. Kf1 f4 49. Rg5+ Kxh4 ({or} 49... Kf3 50. Kg1 Rb1+ 51. Kh2 Kf2 52. Rxh5 f3
53. Ra5) 50. Rg8 {it's a draw.}) (47... Kxh4 {. Exercise: Find the hidden way
to a draw. (difficulty level 5) --- Boris: White's next move (48 Rd7) looks
natural but, with the help of the endgame tablebase, we know it is a decisive
mistake. Instead,} 48. Rf5 $1 Rb7 49. Ra5 $3 {draws;} ({Dvoretsky and I
analyzed only} 49. Kf2 Kg4 50. Rf6 h4 51. Kg2 h3+ 52. Kg1 Kg3 {and wins}) 49...
Kg4 (49... Rb2 50. Rf5 $1) 50. Ra4+ Kg3 (50... Kg5 51. Kf2 {draws too}) 51.
Ra3+ Kg2 52. Ra2+ Kg1 53. Ke2 $1 h4 54. Kf3 Rb3+ 55. Kg4 h3 56. Ra1+ Kf2 57.
Ra2+ {is a draw.}) 48. Rd7 {Exercise: What is Black's best move? (difficulty
level 5)} ({Joel: I do not know the theory of rook endings with f- and h-pawns
well but the white king is cut off on the back rank and Black's king is much
more active. I believe there are drawing positions in this type of ending, but
I would make my opponent prove it and play} 48. Rd7 f5 {. --- Boris: The
solution I found is both beautiful and simple. If the king of the weak side is
cut off on the first rank and the opposing king is placed normally then the
strong side wins by pushing his pawns, threatening mate, and promoting his
pawn to a queen. The exception to the rule is that if the king of the strong
side is cut off on the h-file, sometimes it's a draw. Dvoretsky and I thought
that} 49. Rg7 {was a draw} -- ({, after} 49... Rb4 50. Kf2 Rf4+ 51. Ke3 Rf1 52.
Ke2 {.}) ({. Now the endgame tablebase shows that Black can release his king
from the h-file and win with} 49... Kh3 $1 50. Kf1 (50. Rg5 f4 51. Rxh5+ Kg2
52. Rg5+ Kf3 {wins for Black}) 50... h4 51. Kg1 Rb4 $1 52. Rf7 Rg4+ 53. Kf1
Rf4+ 54. Kg1 Kg3 {winning.})) 48... f6 $3 {Joel: Can you explain the subtlety
of this move? --- Boris: This is clearly winning. I found this winning move
lying awake in bed analyzing blindfold.} ({The idea behind ...f7-f6 is that my
rook would have enough squares on the f-file to run from the white king and it
would be an easy win:} 48... f6 49. Rg7 Rb5 $1 50. Kf2 Rf5+ 51. Ke3 (51. Kg2
Rg5+) 51... Kh3 52. Ke4 Rf1 {and Black is winning. --- This solution is simple
and understandable. An extensive discussion of this rook endgame can be found
in Dvoretsky's 'Endgame Manual'.}) 49. Kf1 Kg4 50. Rg7+ Kf5 51. Rh7 Kg6 52. Rh8
f5 53. Rg8+ Kf6 54. Kg1 f4 55. Kf1 Kf5 56. Kg1 h4 57. Rg7 Ke4 58. Ra7 {
Exercise: If 58 Rh7, how does Black win? (difficulty level 1)} ({Boris: After} 
58. Rh7 {Black plays} Kf3 59. Rxh4 Kg3 {attacking the rook and threatening
mate. It is this idea of threatening mate that allows Black to reach a winning
position. This is a common method in these kinds of endgames.}) 58... Kf3 59.
Ra3+ Kg4 60. Ra8 ({Boris: The theoretical line is} 60. Rc3 h3 61. Ra3 f3 62.
Ra8 Rb1+ {and either the f- or h-pawn will promote to a queen.}) 60... Kg3 61.
Rg8+ Kf3 62. Rh8 Rb1+ 63. Kh2 Kf2 {Joel: Can you explain this move? --- Boris:
I am sacrificing a pawn but reaching a theoretically winning rook and pawn
endgame.} 64. Rxh4 f3 65. Ra4 Kf1 {. Boris: Here my opponent resigned. ---
Joel: Why? --- Boris: It was really premature.} ({After} 65... Kf1 66. -- (66.
Ra8 f2 {(Black threatens to play ...Ke2 and promote the pawn)} 67. Re8 {
(blocking the king's exit)} Re1 68. Ra8 Ke2 {the pawn will promote.}) ({.
There is a famous game J.Capablanca-V.Menchik, Hastings 1929/30, in which many
mistakes were made in a similar position, but if played correctly it is
winning:} 66. Kg3 f2 67. Ra2 Rb3+ 68. Kh2 {and after} Rf3 $1 {the pawn is
unstoppable.} ({Here} 68... Ke1 $2 {was Capablanca's mistake (with reversed
colors) and Menchik could have drawn with} 69. Ra1+ Ke2 70. Kg2 {, but
Dvoretsky reminded me of all this before I resumed my game with Taimanov. ---
Joel: What was most impressive to me, what I remember most, was that you won
in a position that looked very drawn by creating weaknesses and playing with
the more active pieces (king and rook). You also transformed your advantage
from a static one into a dynamic one. I think one of the harder aspects of
chess is knowing when the position has changed or needs to change. For example,
I would never have played 36...e5!. The rook ending with f- and h-pawns was
also very instructive. It just goes to show how many resources there are in
these very intricate positions. --- Boris: I would add that the game shows (as
did my previous one with Miles) the danger of the pawn minority attack in the
endgame. The game shows a very tricky method of psychological warfare in chess.
And of course the rook ending was very interesting and instructive for me too.
I learned a lot from analyzing this ending during the adjournment, and even
more from modern endgame tablebases. --- Joel: Would you say that is a
weakness in modern chess with faster time controls? --- Boris: I would say
that in the old days our endgames were stronger because we had to analyze
endgames very deeply during adjournments.}))) 0-1

[Event "Pamplona"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Ponomariov, R."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E06"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: Ponomariov was a young star at the time with one serious problem, he
had a narrow opening repertoire and against anything that wasn't 1 e4 he
played the Tarrasch Defense. So my strategy was to get him into an unfamiliar
position because I was more experienced and had more knowledge of different
kinds of positions. I thought to myself: "anything but the Tarrasch".} 1. c4 e6
2. Nf3 c5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 d5 5. O-O Nc6 6. d4 Be7 7. dxc5 {Boris: If I were
to take on d5 it would become a classical Tarrasch.} Bxc5 8. a3 {Joel: You
played 8 a3 with the obvious threat of b2-b4. Why doesn't he just take on c4?
--- Boris: It is possible. Illescas played this against me. I played 9 Qc2,
got the pawn back, and obtained a good position.} a6 ({Joel: Why not} 8... a5 {
- ? It seems better to me because it prevents b2-b4. --- Boris: This is a
reasonable alternative. The drawback is that it weakens the b5-square. Dmitry
Schneider played 8...a5 against me (at Lubbock 2007). The game continued} 9.
cxd5 exd5 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Bg5 d4 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Nd5 Qd8 14. Ne1 {with a
pleasant position for White.}) 9. b4 Ba7 10. Bb2 O-O 11. Nbd2 Qe7 ({Boris:} 
11... d4 $2 12. Nb3 e5 13. b5 {was bad. This variation shows that he doesn't
have the option of keeping his center intact.}) 12. Qc2 Rd8 {Exercise: White
has finished development and has to choose a way to play. How do you evaluate
the position and which way would you choose? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel:
Black has a strong bishop on a7 aiming directly at White's king. His
light-squared bishop is bad though. Therefore, he will look to develop this
bishop somehow but there are tactical risks because of the bishop on g2. If
White does nothing, then Black will play ...d5xc4, ...Rb8, or ...d5-d4 (which
would give White a dangerous 3:2 queenside pawn majority). White has a space
advantage on the queenside with potential for active play. White also has a
very strong dark-squared bishop. Therefore, 13 c5 blocks Black's dark-squared
bishop and prepares to roll on the queenside. This threat is more dangerous
than Black advancing in the center because of White's e2-pawn and pieces that
control the center. Therefore, I would play 13 c5. --- Boris: White has an
advantage in development. With a dynamic advantage, you cannot miss an
opportunity to open the game.} 13. e4 $1 {Joel: Interesting!} (13. e4 {was my
very first reaction,} -- ({, but I rejected it because of} 13... d4 {, but now
I see that} 14. e5 {is strong} -- ({, because after} 14... Nd7 15. Rfe1 {White
has the makings of an attack on the kingside and the d4-pawn can be weak.}) ({
. Boris: You are correct. After} 14... Ng4 {(more active than 14...Nfd7, which
you analyzed)} 15. Qe4 f5 ({the trick} 15... Ne3 {doesn't work because of} 16.
fxe3 dxe3 17. Nb3 e2+ 18. Rf2 Rd1+ 19. Ne1 {and White is winning}) 16. exf6
Nxf6 17. Qh4 {and White is better.})) (13... dxc4 14. Nxc4 Bd7 15. e5 Nd5 16.
Nd6 {is good for White as well.})) 13... dxe4 $5 14. Nxe4 e5 15. Rad1 Bg4 $6 ({
Boris: The following variations gave Black a better chance to equalize:} 15...
Bf5 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. Qe2) ({or} 15... Nxe4 $5 16. Qxe4 f6 {.}) (15... Bg4 {
Exercise: Black's plan is to occupy the d4-square. What does White have to do?
(difficulty level 2) --- Joel: White can play} 16. c5 {here, which would lock
in the bishop and create a favorable situation for creating a passed pawn on
the queenside. This would also allow you to drop your knight in on d6, which
is positionally desirable. Black has played 15...Bg4 to reduce one of the
attackers on e5.} ({This allows White, instead of 16 c5, to play} 16. Nxf6+
Qxf6 17. Rd5 {and it is difficult for Black to maintain the pawn because of
the pin, so this is what I would play. --- Boris: My knight on f3 hangs in the
variation you offer. 15...Bg4 is about occupying the d4-square not reducing
pressure on e5. With 16 c5, I defend against 16...Nd4. More importantly, I
exclude from action the bishop on a7. Excluding an opponent's piece from
action is one of the most important strategical methods. --- Joel: It seems in
both diagrams my initial idea is strong and then I go through some analysis
and arrive at the wrong move. Can you say something or give some advice about
the thinking process and how one thinks or makes decisions in a systematic
way? --- Boris: It is not a thinking problem. You are not self-confident
enough. Sometimes you see good moves but don't trust yourself. As Capablanca
advised: if you see a good move, make it!})) 16. c5 $1 {Boris: After 16 c5
Black decided not to go on the defensive but to play actively. However, when
your position is worse, it is generally a bad idea to play actively, it only
makes matters worse. --- Joel: But you also say when you are in a bad position,
or losing, to try and muddy the waters. Can you explain what seems like a
contradiction? --- Boris: It depends on the position. All chess rules are
relative. In this position Black could build a solid defense, but sometimes
when the defense is hopeless it is better to create complications.} Nxe4 ({
Boris:} 16... Ne8 {was more tenacious. It defends against Nd6 and doesn't make
his position any worse.}) 17. Qxe4 f5 18. Qc4+ Kh8 19. h3 Bh5 {Exercise: What
does White have to do? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: The e5-pawn seems weak.}
(19... Bh5 20. -- ({. I think} 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Nxe5 Nxe5 22. Re1 {works...
but now I see} Nf3+ 23. Bxf3 Qxe1+ {and Black is better. --- Boris: Black is
winning. --- Joel: Yes.} (23... --)) (20. Rfe1 {pinning the pawn and putting
another attacker on the e5-pawn is a possibility, but what about} e4 {. This
seems strong at first but I think it is very weakening, creates targets for
White, and makes White's dark-squared bishop very strong. Therefore, I would
play 20 Rfe1. --- Boris: After your suggestion Black can just take on d1 and
play 21...e4 and White loses a piece. White's pieces are on their best squares
so he has to open the position. After improving the position of all your
pieces (they are on their best squares) we have to look for pawn moves. It is
logical because any move by a piece will make your position worse.})) 20. g4 $1
{Joel: This is very strong. I see it immediately.} fxg4 21. hxg4 Bg6 22. Qc3 $1
{Boris: White found the weakness in Black's camp. --- Joel: Can he defend with
22...e4 - ? --- Boris: After 22...e4 White would play 23 Nh4 and Black cannot
take because of mate on g7. His position would simply be losing.} Rxd1 23. Rxd1
Bb8 ({Boris: A funny mate could occur after} 23... Re8 24. Rd5 $1 Be4 ({while
in the case of} 24... Bb8 25. Qd2 {White has the d-file and a clear advantage})
25. Nxe5 Bxd5 26. Ng6+ hxg6 27. Qh3+ Kg8 28. Bxd5+ Kf8 29. Qh8# {mate.}) 24.
Qd2 Bc7 {Exercise: How does White break through? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel:
It seems to me that Black's e-pawn is too weak to hold. Nimzowitsch says first
to blockade and then destroy the isolated pawn. I think 25 Ng5 is called for,
but this loses to 25...Rad8 because the queen is overloaded. Therefore, 25 Re1,
beginning to pile up on the pawn, is what I would play. --- Boris: 25 Re1
removes the rook from a better position to a worse position. Black's most
important defender in this position is his queen so you must find a way to get
rid of her.} 25. Qg5 $1 Qe6 ({Joel: What would happen if he exchanged queens?
--- Boris: The endgame would be very favorable for White. The knight would go
to e6, Black has a terrible weaknesses on the queenside, and White has control
of the d-file. For example:} 25... Qxg5 26. Nxg5 Rd8 27. Rd5 $1 {, threatening
Ne6, and if} Rxd5 28. Bxd5 {White has the better pawn structure, better pieces,
and Black's king is very bad.}) 26. Nh4 Bc2 {Exercise: What would you play
here? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I think this helps the rook get to a
better square (e1), which helps put pressure on the weak e5-pawn. --- Boris:
Again you move the rook from a better to a worse position The e5-pawn is not
weak because it is well protected. White's advantage is in the activity of his
pieces; therefore, he cannot waste time.} ({Boris: Another possibility was} 
26... Bd8 27. Nxg6+ hxg6 28. Qd2 Qxg4 29. Qd7 Qe2 30. Qh3+ Qh5 31. Rd7 {. It
is interesting to sacrifice a pawn in order to go into an endgame, but the
final position results in my rook on the seventh rank, which is worth more
than a pawn.}) 27. Nf5 $1 {Joel: Again, a tactical shot ignoring the
opponent's threat and keeping the initiative. It reminds me of your move 20
Nf4! against Radjabov (Game One). --- Boris: Generally, we have to play chess
actively and see how we can make threats of our own before looking to defend
the threats of others.} ({After} 27. Rd2 h6 $1 28. Qh5 Bh7 {my advantage
immediately disappears in accordance with the rule of Steinitz: if you miss
your chance to attack your advantage will vanish.}) 27... Qf7 ({Boris: A
sharper line was} 27... Rg8 $5 28. Rd2 $1 (28. Bd5 $2 Qf6 {gives away the
advantage}) 28... Bd8 29. Qh5 g6 30. Qh6 Bxf5 31. Bd5 $1 {, but this would
have been good for White too.}) 28. Rd2 Bb3 $2 {Exercise: What does White have
to play? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: I am thinking about 29 Nd6, which
seems like it would give White a very dangerous, maybe even winning, passed
d-pawn. I am also thinking that Black's king is under attack and Black's
pieces are far away, so it may be time for a direct attack on the enemy king.
I think this is better than 29 Nd6, which gives away a very strong knight for
a bishop that is merely protecting the e5-pawn. I'm thinking that 29 Be4 is
also strong as it brings another attacker into the game, but will 29...h6 kick
my queen? My intuition says no, as this would be horribly weakening. I want to
keep up the attack and the initiative and take advantage of Black's misplaced
pieces. Oh well, I can't decide, so I would just play 29 Nd6. I don't think it
is bad. --- Boris: You spend too much time verbalizing and not enough time and
energy calculating. Here White has a small combination transposing the game
into a winning endgame.} ({Boris: If} 28... Bxf5 {then} 29. Qxf5 Qxf5 30. gxf5
Rd8 31. Rxd8+ {and White has a winning endgame because of the bishop pair and
weaknesses on the queenside, though this would have been better than the game.}
) 29. Qxg7+ {Joel: I didn't even consider this move.} Qxg7 30. Nxg7 Rg8 31. Nh5
Be6 ({Joel: Why can't he just play} 31... Rxg4 {- ? Probably because of} 32.
Rd7 {when Black is in real trouble. --- Boris: White wins by force after} Bd8 (
{or} 32... Bb8 33. Rxb7 {with same idea of forking the king and rook}) 33.
Rxd8+ Nxd8 34. Bxe5+ Kg8 35. Nf6+ {.}) 32. Nf6 Rg6 {Exercise: What should
White play? (difficulty level 1)} 33. Ne8 $1 {Boris: It is White's most active
move. White cannot allow Black to breathe, he must continue to attack. After
33 Ne8 White is essentially winning a piece.} Bxg4 ({Boris:} 33... Bb8 34. Bxc6
bxc6 35. Rd8 Rxg4+ 36. Kf1 Bc4+ 37. Ke1 Re4+ 38. Kd1 Re2 39. Nd6+ {was no
better.}) 34. f3 Bxf3 35. Nxc7 Rg7 36. Ne8 Rg8 37. Nd6 Nd4 38. Nf7+ Kg7 39.
Nxe5 Ne2+ 40. Kh2 Bxg2 41. Rxe2 Bd5 42. Ng4+ {. --- Joel: What I remember most
from this game is the importance of not removing your pieces from their best
squares. In order to do this, you must sometimes ignore your opponent's
threats and create threats of your own in response. --- Boris: I want to
mention a couple of technical methods. The first method of playing is
excluding your opponent's pieces from action. The second method of playing is
counter-intuitive because we generally do not consider exchanges when we are
attacking. However, exchanging your opponent's most important defensive pieces
is sometimes the best way to increase the pressure. For a great example of
this method, see the classic game Smyslov-Reshevsky, World Championship
Tournament 1948. Also, I want to repeat Steinitz's rule: missing your
opportunity to attack leads to the evaporation of your advantage.} 1-0

[Event "US Championship, Durango"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Wolff, P."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C07"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "1992.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was a very important game in a very strong tournament (including
Seirawan, Benjamin, Christiansen, De Firmian, all the best American players).
My opponent took first over me by half a point as he won in the final round
and I only drew. This game was played in the middle of the tournament; we
didn't know at the time it would come down to the final round.} 1. e4 e6 2. d4
d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3 cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Nb3 Nc6 9.
Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 a6 11. Bb3 Qc7 12. Re1 Bd6 13. Nf5 Bxh2+ 14. Kh1 O-O 15.
Nxg7 Rd8 $1 {Joel: This is a highly theoretical opening. All the moves to this
point have made some sense but this one seems a bit mysterious. Can you talk
about how you came up with this move, called "Gulko's move" in John Watson's
'Play the French', and explain what is going on in this position? --- Boris:
It was well known in 1992 that 15 Nxg7 leads to advantage for White. Before
this tournament, Lev Psakhis told me by telephone that Kasparov mentioned that
Black was alright after 15...Rd8. That's all I knew; the rest was my homework.
--- Joel: Why is 15...Rd8 such a good move? What is going on? --- Boris: White
is better developed so Black needs to find a way to develop his pieces. It was
known that after 15...Kxg7 16 Qd4! White has a decisive attack. The move 15...
Rd8! not only develops, it also prevents 16 Qd4. Such a position, however,
requires exact analysis not just general ideas.} 16. Qf3 Kxg7 17. g3 ({Boris:
In later games they tried} 17. Bh6+ $5 Kg6 18. c3 Nh5 $1 {and the
complications end up leading to a draw. Alas, the most romantic positions
after thorough analysis end up as dry theory.}) 17... b5 ({Joel: Why not play} 
17... Bxg3 {since it looks like you will lose the bishop anyway? Is it that
you want to keep the g-file closed? --- Boris: Yes,} 18. Rg1 {would be very
unpleasant. After 17...b5 Black suddenly has counterplay on the long diagonal.}
) 18. Kxh2 ({Boris: White doesn't have the intermediate} 18. Bf4 {, because
after} Bb7 $1 19. Bxc7 Bxf3+ 20. Kxh2 Ng4+ 21. Kg1 Rd2 {Black has a huge
advantage.}) 18... Bb7 19. Qf4 ({Boris: And here White didn't have} 19. Bh6+ $2
Kg6 20. Qf4 {, because after} Qc5 {he simply loses.}) 19... Qc6 20. Rg1 {
Exercise: What does Black have to play? (difficulty level 2)} Rd1 $1 {Boris:
Threatening 21...Qh1+!. Now White has to take the game into an ending.} 21. Be3
$1 Rxa1 22. Qh6+ Kg8 23. Qg5+ Kf8 24. Qc5+ Ke8 $1 {Boris: Keeping White's
bishop on e3 where it will be exchanged.} 25. Qxc6+ Bxc6 26. Rxa1 Ng4+ 27. Kh3
({Boris: After} 27. Kg1 Nxe3 28. fxe3 Rd8 29. Rf1 a5 $1 {there are basically
two positions that arise where Black is winning by force:} 30. -- (30. c3 Rd3 {
and Black will win either the e-pawn or b-pawn. With the open file it is
important to have a square to penetrate.}) (30. a3 a4 31. Ba2 Be4 32. c4 Rd2
33. Rf2 Rd1+ 34. Rf1 Rxf1+ 35. Kxf1 Bd3+ 36. Ke1 bxc4 37. Kd2 f5 38. Kc3 Kd7
39. Bxc4 Bxc4 40. Kxc4 h5 {and the pawn ending is winning for Black, because
my a4-pawn controls both his a- and b-pawns. Essentially Black is a pawn up.} (
40... --))) 27... Nxe3 28. fxe3 {Joel: I think Black is better because he has
the better pawn structure (White has two isolated pawns and Black only one),
he has the better bishop, and his rook will control the only open file. ---
Boris: Yes, but which imbalance is most important? I think the most important
advantage is the open file, which I take immediately on the next move.} Rd8 29.
a4 b4 {Boris: I don't give him an open file, and I place my pawns on dark
squares so as not to impede my light-squared bishop.} 30. Bc4 {Boris: White
plans to close the open file.} ({In the case of} 30. a5 Rd2 31. Ba4 Kd7 {Black
has a big advantage because his rook is better placed (on the seventh rank,
which is every rook's dream) and more active.}) 30... a5 {Boris: This fixes
his pawns on light squares and fixes my advantage.} ({If I had played} 30...
Rd2 {right away,} 31. Bxa6 {would have given him a dangerous passed pawn. In
such positions, it is important to deprive your opponent of any counterplay.})
31. Bb5 Rc8 {Boris: Exchanging would activate his rook and give my opponent a
passed pawn so this was out of the question.} 32. Bd3 {Boris: Now we see a
transformation of one advantage to another. I don't have the open file but I
have fixed his queenside pawns on light squares.} Ke7 33. g4 $6 {Joel: Why do
you consider this move to be dubious? --- Boris: For White, the best plan
would be to bring the rook through f4 to h4, attacking my h7-pawn. In this
case, he would have decent counterplay. By playing 33 g4 he closed the fourth
rank and deprived himself of this maneuver (e.g. Ra1-f1-f4-h4). So the best
way was to play 33 b3, protecting his pawn and preparing the rook maneuver.}
Rg8 34. Kh4 {Exercise: What is the correct move and plan for Black in this
position? (difficulty level 3)} h6 $1 {Boris: White missed his opportunity to
activate his rook via the fourth rank; now Black activates his rook through
the fifth rank. For this he needs the g5-square.} 35. Rf1 ({Joel: The a5-pawn
is en prise at first glance but} 35. Rf1 Bxa4 {would be answered by} 36. Ra1 {
, recovering the pawn and activating White's rook. As I indicated earlier,
Black's advantage lies in his better pawn structure. In order to take
advantage of this Black should cut off the white king with 35...Rg5 with the
threat of ...Re5 attacking the pawn. This would force White's rook into a
passive position or force e3-e4 restricting his bishop. --- Boris: It is not
really a matter of cutting the king off. It is a matter of activating the rook
and attacking his weaknesses.}) 35... Rg5 36. b3 {Exercise: How can Black use
the method of zugzwang in this position? (difficulty level 4)} Re5 $6 {Boris:
Black plays the natural 36...Re5 which is not bad;} ({but} 36... f6 $1 {was
stronger. I didn't realize during the game that White would be in zugzwang in
this position:} 37. Rf4 Re5 38. Rc4 ({after} 38. e4 {a new zugzwang would
arise:} Kf7 39. Kg3 Kg6 40. Kh3 Kg5 41. Kg3 Ba8 {and Black is winning; e.g.}
42. Kf3 f5) 38... Bd5 39. Rc5 Rxe3 40. Rxa5 Bxb3 {and Black wins a pawn.}) 37.
Re1 {Boris: White's rook is now passive.} f6 38. Kg3 h5 39. gxh5 Rxh5 {Boris:
Now I have a more active rook and all of his pawns will be fixed on light
squares. I have the advantage, but because there is not much material on the
board it is still difficult.} 40. e4 Kd6 41. Kf4 Kc5 42. e5 $5 ({Boris:} 42.
Rg1 e5+ 43. Ke3 Rh3+ 44. Kd2 Kd4 {would be hopeless for White.}) 42... f5 43.
Bc4 Rh4+ ({Joel: Why not just play} 43... Bd5 {- ? --- Boris: In this case,
Black would lose his advantage. For example,} 44. Bxd5 Kxd5 45. Rd1+ Kc5 46.
Rd6 {and White's position is not worse.}) 44. Kg5 {Exercise: What does Black
have to do? (difficulty level 3)} Rxc4 $1 {Joel: Wow! --- Boris: In such
positions, the bishop is often better than the rook because it can attack on
one flank and simultaneously defend of the other. After the exchange sacrifice,
Black has a winning position. --- Joel: Can you say something about the
exchange sacrifice historically. It is my impression that today GMs are
willing to sacrifice the exchange without a moment's hesitation whereas in the
past they were less likely. --- Boris: Petrosian was great at playing the
exchange sacrifice. In the first game of this book, Radjabov missed his chance
to survive because he did not consider the exchange sacrifice. Generally, it
is important to feel in which situations your minor pieces are not worse than
your opponent's rooks.} 45. bxc4 Kxc4 46. Rd1 {Boris: With 46 Rd1 the position
becomes sharp. This is a good practical decision.} ({The natural-looking} 46.
Kf6 Bd5 47. Rf1 Kc3 48. Rf2 f4 $1 49. Ke7 ({after} 49. Rxf4 Kxc2 {the b-pawn
will queen easily}) 49... f3 50. Kd6 {and Black wins with a number of moves; e.g.} Kd4 {,} (50... b3) (50... Bc4 {.})) 46... Bxa4 ({Joel:} 46... Bd5 {keeps
the rook out and allows Black to play against the pawns with his king in
closed quarters. --- Boris: It would be a mistake. After} 47. Rd2 (47. Rd3 {
would prevent the mistake 47...Kc3 and also prevent Black's plan of winning
the queenside pawns}) 47... Kc3 $4 48. Rxd5 exd5 49. e6 {White wins. By
playing 46...Bd5, I would give away my chance to win.}) 47. Rd6 Bxc2 48. Rxe6
Ba4 $5 ({Boris: I considered} 48... b3 $5 {as not sufficient for winning
during the game because of} 49. Rb6 Kc3 ({but} 49... Kc5 $1 {would win after}
50. Rb8 Kd5 51. Kf6 f4 {. In the game, I didn't see 49...Kc5}) 50. e6 b2 51.
Rc6+ $1 Kd2 52. e7 {, and because the a4-e8 diagonal is closed by the rook
Black doesn't have ...Ba4 and the position is a draw.}) 49. Ra6 {Exercise:
What is the correct way for Black to win? (difficulty level 3)} Kb5 $2 {
Exercise: Can you find White's hidden draw? (difficulty level 5)} ({Boris: I
rejected} 49... b3 50. Rxa5 b2 51. Rxa4+ Kc5 52. Ra5+ Kc6 53. Ra6+ Kb7 {and
Black wins because I thought there was simpler way, but there is a hidden draw.
}) 50. Ra8 $2 ({Boris: Correct was} 50. Rh6 $1 b3 51. -- (51. e6 $1 f4 ({I
need to close the fourth rank - otherwise Black is even worse; e.g.} 51... b2
52. e7 Kc5 53. Rh1 {and if} Kb4 54. Rh4+ Kb3 55. Rxa4) 52. e7 Kc4 53. Rf6 Kc3
54. Rxf4 Bd7 55. Rf3+ Kb4 56. Rd3 Be8 57. Rd8 Bc6 58. Rc8 {and White's rook
follows Black's bishop forcing a draw.}) ({. For 18 years (until the computer
found 51 e6!) I thought this position was winning for Black because of} 51. Rh2
$2 Kb4 52. Rh4+ {and then: --- Exercise: Find the clear win for Black. 
(difficulty level 5) --- Boris:} f4 $3 {. --- Joel: Wow! Can you explain this
move? --- Boris: I have to open his king up to checks:} 53. Rxf4+ Ka3 54. e6 b2
55. e7 b1=Q 56. Rxa4+ Kxa4 57. e8=Q+ Qb5+ {winning. If my pawn was on f5 I
would be in a queen ending that is probably a draw.})) 50... b3 51. e6 Kb4 52.
Rb8+ Ka3 53. Kxf5 b2 {. --- Boris: This game received the prize for the best
game of the tournament. In 1992, it was an important game for the theory of
this variation of the French Defense. Now, it is most interesting for its
endgame. It demonstrated how important it is to use the ranks for rook
maneuvers. Wolff spoiled his position playing 33 g4 closing the fourth rank
for his rook. I used the fifth rank successfully for my rook, and this made
all the difference. After this, a very unusual zugzwang with many pieces on
the board could have arisen if Black had found the move 36...f6! over the
board. The game also shows that bishops, by being able to play on both flanks,
can be better than rooks in endgames. This was the justification for my
exchange sacrifice.} 0-1

[Event "USSR Championship, Frunze"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1981.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Kasparov, G."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A65"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "1981.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Joel: Can you put this game in context? From a historical perspective. ---
Boris: The first time I played him was 1978. I was the favorite. I was the
USSR Champion and he was a 15-year-old debutant, but he outplayed me and I
drew with a miracle. By the time we played this game, he was already the
favorite. He was winning all of the tournaments including this one (he tied
for first with Psakhis). I was out of practice because I was a refusnik. ---
Joel: What is that and why were you out of practice? --- Boris: Refusniks were
Russian Jews who applied for emigration but were refused, which is where the
term comes from. We were refusniks for seven years. For two of those years
they didn't let me play chess in any tournaments - until our first hunger
strike, and only then they allowed us to play in 2 or 3 tournaments a year, so
in 1981 I started to return to chess. --- Joel: Who is us? --- Boris: Me and
my wife. --- Joel: Was it highly publicized? --- Boris: Yes, it was a dramatic
struggle, which I document in my book, 'The KGB Plays Chess'. --- Joel: Was
Kasparov considered in 1981 the way Magnus Carlsen is today? --- Boris: Yes,
exactly. It was clear he would be the next world champion.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6
3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. f3 {Joel: Can you say something
about this move? --- Boris: I transpose the game into a variation known from
the Sämisch King's Indian. I started to play this line in the 1960s and won
some important games, one against Geller. The idea behind this move is that in
the Benoni White tries to play in the center with f2-f4 and e4-e5 because he
has an extra pawn there. Here, with the move f2-f3, White completely changes
the plan. White wants a stable position in the center and expects Black to
play on the queenside where White hopes to take advantage of weaknesses Black
creates there.} Bg7 8. Bg5 a6 9. a4 Nbd7 $6 {Exercise: How can White prove
that Black's last move was dubious? (difficulty level 2) --- Boris: This
natural move is a very serious mistake. For White, there is one problem: what
to do with the knight on g1? From e2 it can only go to c1 (obviously not ideal)
or g3 where it can get attacked by ...h5-h4. By playing 9...Nbd7, Black allows
me to transfer the knight to f2 via h3 because he blocks his light-squared
bishop. The f2-square is a very appropriate square for the knight in this
system. The theory of this system with f2-f3 and Bg5 was only starting to
develop and this was an important game as it became a very popular approach
afterward.} ({Joel: What could he have played that would have prevented your
knight maneuver? --- Boris: Black should castle and keep the knight on b8
until I develop my knight from g1. This variation was very successful for
White until Tal found the correct idea:} 9... O-O 10. Nge2 h6 11. Be3 Re8 12.
Ng3 h5 {and now Black is ready to attack the white knight with the plan of ...Nh7 and ...f7-f5. The correct plan for Black in this variation is to play on
the kingside not on the queenside. This was Tal's discovery. --- Joel: Do you
remember the game? --- Boris: Well, it was not his game. He was helping
Nakhimovskaya prepare for a game in a team competition and he showed her this
plan. Therefore, although it was first played by Nakhimovskaya, it was Tal's
plan.}) 10. Nh3 $1 h6 11. Be3 Ne5 12. Nf2 Bd7 13. Be2 g5 $1 14. Qd2 ({Boris:
An alternative plan for White is} 14. f4 $5 gxf4 15. Bxf4 Qe7 (15... O-O $5)
16. Qd2 h5 (16... Neg4 $5) 17. Bg5 $1 {.}) 14... Qe7 $6 {Exercise: How does
White have to play? (difficulty level 2)} ({Boris: It was better to play} 14...
Rb8 {and if} 15. a5 {then} b5 16. axb6 Rxb6 {, sacrificing a pawn for
questionable compensation.}) 15. a5 $1 {Boris: Black's last move allowed me to
fix his queenside and start to attack it.} Rb8 16. Na4 {Joel: After 16 Na4 he
can't move his b-pawn.} Nh5 $5 {Boris: With this move we see that Black is a
great player. He sees that his game is hopeless on the queenside so he starts
to make something happen on the kingside at all costs.} ({In the case of the
natural} 16... Bb5 $5 17. O-O $1 {I am ready to play Nh1-g3-f5 and his
position is hopeless.} (17. Nb6 Nfd7 {was inferior for White.})) 17. Nb6 Bb5
18. O-O O-O {Exercise: How does White proceed with his plan? (difficulty level
2)} 19. b4 $1 {Boris: This move is the culmination of White's queenside
strategy.} c4 $5 {Boris: With this move he tries to decoy my pieces and, in
the time it takes me to win the c-pawn, he hopes to create an attack on the
kingside.} ({In the case of} 19... Bxe2 20. Qxe2 cxb4 21. Rab1 {White would
have a big advantage in a quiet situation.}) 20. Rac1 f5 $5 21. Nxc4 Bxc4 22.
Bxc4 g4 $1 23. fxg4 $1 ({Boris:} 23. f4 $6 Nxc4 24. Rxc4 g3 $1 25. hxg3 Nxg3
26. Rfc1 fxe4 {would be wrong for White. --- Joel: Why is this wrong? ---
Boris: Because in the final position there are equal pawns and Black has
active opportunities.}) 23... fxg4 {Exercise: How can White extinguish Black's
activity on the kingside? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: White has the
advantage. He is up a pawn (although it is backward) and has the bishop pair 
(although the light-squared bishop is currently obstructed by the e4- and
d5-pawns). Black is trying to generate a kingside attack as the endgame would
be bad for him. The pawn push ...g4-g3 must be part of this plan because
exchanging would give Black a strong knight on g3, which could lead to a
mating attack with ...Qh4 and ...Rxf2. Therefore, White should prevent this
move. Also, White should aim to kill Black's counterplay and exchange pieces,
heading towards the endgame when his extra pawn and bishop pair will give him
a decisive advantage. The move 24 Nh1! accomplishes both of these goals. ---
Boris: Good! I would add that with this move I also kill the activity of his
knight on h5. This reminds me of a very deep thought of Nimzowitsch's: "when
we are attacking the best moves are very often the most beautiful, but when we
are defending the best moves very often look ugly".} 24. Nh1 $1 Qh4 ({Boris:
During the game I considered the knight sacrifice as Black's last chance, but
playing accurately White refutes the idea:} 24... Nf3+ $5 25. gxf3 gxf3 26. Ng3
Nxg3 27. hxg3 Qxe4 28. Bd3 Qg4 29. Qh2 $1 Bd4 30. Bf2 $1 {.}) 25. Be2 $1 {Joel:
Why is this such a good move? --- Boris: With this move I continue playing
against the h5-knight and simultaneously over-protect the f3-square.} g3 26.
Nxg3 {Boris: Of course White has to get rid of his knight on h1 and trade off
Black's knight on h5.} ({It would be a mistake to take with the h-pawn; for
example,} 26. hxg3 $2 Rxf1+ 27. Rxf1 Qxe4 28. Bxh5 Nc4 29. Nf2 Qxe3 {and Black
has escaped his troubles.}) 26... Nxg3 27. hxg3 Qxe4 28. Rxf8+ Rxf8 29. Bf4 $1
{Joel: Why do you give this an exclamation point? It seems to me that you are
just shutting down the kingside and consolidating your advantage. --- Boris:
After this move Black's initiative has evaporated. White has an extra pawn and
a much better position. Generally speaking, the game is won.} h5 30. Rc7 Qb1+
31. Qc1 Qg6 ({Boris: Black doesn't have} 31... Qxb4 {because of} 32. Rxg7+ Kxg7
33. Bh6+ {and White is winning.}) 32. Qc2 Qe8 33. Qe4 ({Boris: I planned a
small combination here but during the game forgot about it and made a move
that is not worse but not so spectacular. I planned} 33. Bh6 $1 Nd7 ({if} 33...
Nf7 34. Qg6 {wins}) 34. Bxg7 Kxg7 35. Bxh5 {and wins.}) 33... h4 34. gxh4 Qd8 (
{Boris: If} 34... Ng6 {then} 35. Qxe8 Rxe8 36. Bh5 {wins.}) 35. Rxb7 Qc8 ({
Boris: If} 35... Qxh4 {then} 36. Rxg7+ Kh8 37. g3 {wins.}) 36. Re7 Qd8 37. Bg5
{. --- Boris: The game shows that a bad strategy in the opening can bring
disaster even to the greatest of players. After White achieved the advantage
on the queenside, Black tried everything to get active on the kingside but,
using prophylaxis, White was able to extinguish Black's chances. --- Joel:
What I liked about the game, beside your prophylactic moves such as 24 Nh1,
was actually how Kasparov tried his best to activate on the kingside. It
demonstrates what you have often said that all great players will try to muddy
the waters rather than suffer in a hopeless position. I know for myself that I
have sat there lifeless and suffered defeat when I should have taken active
chances. --- Boris: That's correct. We will discuss this topic of muddying the
waters in much greater detail when we analyze my game against Korchnoi (Game
Sixteen).} 1-0

[Event "Bern"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Shabalov, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B10"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "1992.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

1. c4 ({V.Ivanchuk-S.Dolmatov, Manila Interzonal 1990:} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3.
Nd2 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bb5+ Nc6 6. Ngf3 cxd4 7. Qe2+ Qe7 8. Ne5 Bd7 9. Bxc6
bxc6 10. O-O Kd8 11. Nb3 f6 12. Bg5 fxg5 13. Na5 Qe8 {with a draw, although
Black is probably winning here.}) 1... c6 2. e4 e6 3. Nf3 {Boris: Because it
is clear that Black's next move will be ...d7-d5, White chooses a plan where
he can castle quickly and try to create threats on the e-file.} d5 4. cxd5 exd5
5. exd5 cxd5 6. Bb5+ Nc6 {Exercise: How should White make use of his advantage
in development? (difficulty level 3)} ({Boris: In the case of} 6... Bd7 {White
would keep a small initiative after} 7. Qb3 ({or} 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7 8. Ne5 Qc7 9.
O-O {as it was in M.Botvinnik-S.Flohr, Leningrad (11th matchgame) 1933.})) 7.
Qe2+ $1 {Boris: This is the only way to prevent Black from castling
comfortably.} ({In the case of} 7. O-O Bd6 8. Re1+ Nge7 {Black achieves
equality.}) 7... Qe7 ({Boris: After} 7... Be7 8. O-O Nf6 9. Re1 {Black's king
will be stuck in the center.}) 8. Ne5 Bd7 9. Bxc6 bxc6 ({Boris: Another
possibility was} 9... Bxc6 $5 10. O-O O-O-O {, but the position of Black's
king may not be safe.}) 10. O-O {Exercise: How can Black reduce the pressure? 
(difficulty level 3)} Kd8 $1 {Boris: The king gets stuck in the center anyway.
Now Black threatens 11...f6 winning a piece. A similar idea was introduced in
the game V.Ivanchuk-S.Dolmatov (see 10 0-0 in the 1 e4 variation).} ({After
the game continuation, it is very difficult for White to keep queens on the
board, which is important in positions where your opponent's king is stuck in
the center and vulnerable to mating attacks. In that case of other moves,
Black would be in serious trouble; e.g.} 10... Nf6 11. Re1 {(threatening Nxd7).
}) ({The attempt to trap the queen also would not work:} 10... f6 11. Qh5+ g6
12. Nxg6 hxg6 13. Qxh8 Nh6 14. d4 g5 15. b3 {with the inevitable Ba3 on the
horizon.}) (10... Kd8 {Exercise: How does White maintain the initiative? 
(difficulty level 2)} 11. -- ({. Joel: White maintains the initiative by
getting his pieces into the game with tempo or threats. The first move that
comes to mind is} 11. d4 {to free the bishop, but} f6 {wins. 11 b3 jumps out
because it comes with the threat of Ba3. Yes, I like this move a lot.}) ({.
Boris: Very good, you arrived at the correct solution} 11. b3 $1 {, but you
needed to calculate the critical line:} f6 12. Ba3 c5 (12... Qxe5 13. Qxe5 fxe5
14. Bxf8 {and Black loses two pawns}) 13. Bxc5 Qxc5 14. Nf7+ Kc7 15. Nc3 {
which is bad for Black.})) 11. b3 $1 Qe6 {Joel: My plan is to keep the
initiative and develop my pieces rapidly, ideally with threats and gain of
tempo.} (11... Qe6 12. -- (12. f4 {is interesting because it threatens 13 f5,
but after} f6 13. f5 Qxe5 {White is lost.} (13... --)) ({. However, this
analysis reveals a weakness in Black's position so that White can play} 12. d4
{(freeing the bishop, holding the knight, and preventing ...Bc5) because if} f6
{then} 13. Qf3 {is strong. Therefore, 12 d4 would be my move. --- Boris: 12 d4
is an equally good move to the one played in the game. White needs to figure
out a way to keep queens on the board and both moves do that.})) 12. Bb2 f6 13.
Qf3 Bd6 14. Nxd7 Kxd7 15. Nc3 Nh6 {Exercise: What is White's plan? Which
pieces does he want to exchange and which pieces does he want to keep on the
board? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: White's plan is to continue pressuring
Black because his king is stuck in the center of the board, and White should
keep an eye out for combinations that tear open the center at the right moment.
Black is threatening to play 16...Qf5 or 16...Qg4 in order to exchange off
queens, which will make Black's defensive task easier (hence ...Nh6). White
should keep the queens on the board in order to have a chance at a mating
attack. The central piece of Black's defense is the bishop on d6. Therefore,
White should aim to exchange it by playing 16 Na4. If Black responds with 16...
Qf5 or 16...Qg4, White can play 17 Qe3 when he will maintain control of the
dark squares (d4 and c5) and will be able to play Nc5+. --- Boris: This is the
most important lesson of the game. The only chance of an advantage for White
is the position of Black's king. Therefore, White should exchange off minor
pieces and keep queens and rooks on the board, when the king's position will
be an important factor. --- Joel: Is that a general principle? --- Boris: Yes.
With queens and rooks on the board, the king is very vulnerable. The minor
pieces give Black counterplay and provide defense, so that the position of the
king is less important. Therefore, White has to exchange minor pieces and keep
major pieces on the board.} 16. Na4 $1 Qf5 ({Boris: Black doesn't have time for
} 16... Ng4 $2 17. Rfe1 $1 Nxh2 18. Qc3 Qg4 19. Rac1 Rac8 20. Re3 $1 {and
Black's position is bad, because he cannot get the knight out without going
into a losing endgame after} d4 {.}) 17. Qc3 {Exercise: Which pieces does
Black need to exchange and which pieces must he try to keep on the board? How
should he to execute it? (difficulty level 3)} (17. Qc3 {. Joel: White is
clearly threatening to play 18 Nc5+. Black can defend passively but it is
better to play actively and make threats of his own. In this position, Black
can make threats against White's king with 17...Qf4, which forces either 18 g3
or 18 Qg3. I think the former is more likely, when Black can play 18...Qb4
trying to exchange queens again.} -- ({. Boris: In the case of a queen
exchange, Black will be alright and his king in the center will be an asset
rather than a liability. Black could execute a queen exchange by} 17... Qe5 $1
18. Qh3+ Qf5 {and White has to trade queens or agree on a draw by repetition.})
({. In your line, after} 17... Qf4 {White has} 18. Nc5+ {and Black has to play
an unfavorable middlegame. Your idea to exchange queens was correct but the
execution was inaccurate.} (18. --))) 17... Ng4 $6 18. Nc5+ Bxc5 19. Qxc5 Rhe8
20. Rac1 Re6 21. h3 $1 {Joel: Why is that such a good move? --- Boris: With
this move White fulfils his plan of exchanging minor pieces and to play the
position with just queens and rooks.} ({Boris: The attractive idea of
attacking the a7-pawn was worse:} 21. Rc4 $6 Ne5 22. Ra4 ({White would lose
after} 22. Rb4 $2 Nd3 23. Rb7+ $2 Kc8) 22... Nd3 23. Rxa7+ Rxa7 24. Qxa7+ Ke8 {
and because of the excellent position of the knight on d3, Black has good
compensation for the pawn.}) 21... Ne5 22. Bxe5 fxe5 $6 ({Boris: More stubborn
was} 22... Qxe5 23. b4 Qd6 24. Qa5 Qc7 25. Qa4 {when White has strong pressure
on Black's position.}) 23. b4 Qd3 24. Rfe1 $1 Qa6 ({Boris: Black doesn't have} 
24... a6 {because of} 25. Rxe5 {.}) 25. a4 Qb7 ({Boris:} 25... Qb6 $1 {was
better, but after} 26. b5 {White retains a big advantage in the rook endgame.
--- Joel: Why? --- Boris: Because the black pawns are hanging and White's
rooks are more active.}) 26. b5 cxb5 27. axb5 Rc8 28. Qa3 Rxc1 29. Rxc1 Ke8 30.
Rc5 Rb6 31. Qc3 d4 ({Boris: My opponent was in time pressure, but} 31... Re6
32. Rc7 Qxb5 33. Rxg7 {was also hopeless.}) 32. Rxe5+ {. --- Joel: I think the
principle of exchanging minor pieces when the opponent's king is stuck in the
middle of the board was an important lesson. Leaving minor pieces on the board
allows Black counterplay and defensive resources. --- Boris: Yes, you're right.
The main topic of this game is how to make the right exchanges. In positional
games, you have to figure out which pieces to retain and which pieces to
exchange. White understood the correct plan of exchanging minor pieces and
leaving major pieces on the board. Black lost because he did not realize the
same. His only real mistake was on move seventeen when he did not figure out
the necessity of exchanging queens.} 1-0

[Event "Copenhagen"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2000.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Hector, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2000.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: In this game I want to discuss with you the very difficult to assess
question of changing plans. Usually for players it is very difficult to stop a
plan they were working on and switch to something entirely different. Playing
in the opening c2-c4 and g2-g3, White decides that he plans to play on the
queenside with Rab1, b2-b4-b5, and so on. The variation Black plays in this
game is very solid. It is very difficult for White to execute the usual
English opening plan.} 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 ({Joel:
What about} 5. Nxe5 {- ? --- Boris: After} Qe7 6. f4 d6 7. Nd3 Bf5 {Black has
excellent compensation. Not many people playing White would be willing to
suffer like this for just a pawn.}) 5... Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bb4 7. Qb3 Bc5 8. d3 h6
{Exercise: Find an aggressive plan and how to execute it. (difficulty level 5)
--- Joel: I don't have a good sense of what White's plan needs to be in this
position. I would have thought queenside expansion with the idea of making it
difficult for Black to develop his queenside, but White blocked the b-pawn
with Qb3 so that doesn't make sense. Going after the bishop pair makes good
positional sense but it is hardly aggressive. Black's last move wasted time.
Instead of developing his pieces, he took time out to prevent Bc1-g5; however,
the position is closed so this waste of time may not matter. The one thought I
have is that Black is very likely to castle kingside because (among other
things) White's queen and light-squared bishop are aiming at b7. Therefore, it
might make sense to postpone castling in favor of creating threats against
Black's kingside. The strange move 9 Be3 suggests itself (although I think I
would not be able to convince myself to play this in a game). The idea is that
White (after 9...Bxe3 10 fxe3) creates a strong center, threatens to expand,
and opens the f-file for his rooks. White can decide where to castle later.
--- Boris: You're right that the usual plan in the English of pushing the
b-pawn with b2-b4-b5 is difficult to execute here. Black is ready to restrict
White's light-squared bishop with the move ...c7-c6; and in the case of
castling kingside, White would have to lose a tempo with Bf3-g2. All of these
considerations create the reputation for this variation that it is very safe
for Black. --- However, with his next move, White starts a new plan, a pawn
storm on the kingside, which is very unusual for the English. Interestingly,
the factor that supports this pawn storm is the bishop on f3. What would have
been the drawback of this bishop's placement in the case of 9 0-0 is now an
asset supporting a kingside pawn storm. Another factor that helps White is
Black's move 8...h6, which you justifiably criticized. After this game, the
move 8...h6, which was common before, disappeared from practice. --- What is
the purpose of White's pawn storm before Black has castled kingside? First, it
gives White the opportunity to exchange kingside rooks and, after this, the
main factor becomes which side will be able to bring the queenside rook into
action. Second, White intends to push the f6-knight from its best square. ---
After your 9 Be3, Black can exchange, which would give White doubled pawns in
the center. Doubled pawns can be good for defensive purposes because the pawns
cover many squares. However, your intention was to expand in the center, and
for this doubled pawns are not good. --- Joel: Very interesting! I did not
even consider 9 h4, probably because I was trying to think along English lines
and a kingside pawn storm is very unusual. There is a relevant psychological
concept called "functional fixedness", which is a cognitive bias that limits
us from using an object in other ways than that for which it was designed. It
is like a mental block that prevents us from using an object in a new way, a
way that is required to solve a problem. --- Boris: That's a very appropriate
psychological explanation.} 9. h4 $1 ({Boris: It would be less precise to
start White's plan with} 9. g4 {because after} d6 {the pawn is already hanging.
After 9 h4, White's plan is not so obvious and it is useful to keep your
opponent in the dark about your plans as long as possible. In this position,
White usually castled kingside but had not obtained an advantage.}) 9... c6 ({
Boris: Here} 9... d6 $2 {is bad because of} 10. Bxb7 {winning a pawn.}) 10. g4
d5 {Boris: Counterattacking in the center in response to an attack on the
flank.} ({In the case of the quiet} 10... d6 11. g5 (11. Rg1 {doesn't promise
White anything after} Qb6 12. Qxb6 Bxb6) 11... hxg5 12. hxg5 Rxh1+ 13. Bxh1 Ng4
14. Ne4 Bb6 15. Qa3 Bc7 16. Bd2 {, White would threaten 17 Bb4 attacking
Black's pawn chain.}) 11. g5 hxg5 12. hxg5 Rxh1+ 13. Bxh1 Ng4 {Exercise: What
should White play? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I think this is extremely
risky but I don't see good alternatives. I think White needs to open the
position and try to take advantage of Black's king sitting in the center.
Although Black can take on f2 with tempo, White will open up the long diagonal
for his bishop. Therefore, I would play 14 cxd5. --- Boris: Very good! Here
the check on f2 doesn't create any problems for White's king. It will be safe
on c2 and White's rook will join the battle.} 14. cxd5 $1 Bxf2+ 15. Kd1 Bb6 16.
Kc2 Bd7 17. dxc6 bxc6 $1 ({Boris: The game continuation is better than} 17...
Bxc6 18. Bxc6+ bxc6 19. Qc4 Qd7 {and now: --- Exercise: What should White
play? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I like} 20. g6 {. --- Black cannot push
or take because of 21 Qg8+ winning the rook. This will give Black five
isolated and weak pawn islands to attack. --- Boris: Very good! The correct
answer is 20 g6!.}) 18. Bd2 Be3 19. Rf1 Qe7 20. Ne4 $1 {Boris: White creates
the threat of 21 Rxf7 Qxf7 22 Nd6+.} ({Worse was} 20. g6 $6 f6 {and Black gets
rid of his weakness on f7.}) 20... Be6 $6 ({Boris: The immediate exchange was
more precise:} 20... Bxd2 21. Kxd2 Be6 22. Qa4 Rc8 {with better prospects for
White.}) 21. Qa4 Kf8 {Boris: Black has to move his king. --- Exercise: What
should White's plan be? How to execute it? (difficult level 2) --- Joel: I
would like to trade off Black's dark-squared bishop. For this I need to force
Black to take on d2. I think 22 Bf3 forces this exchange and also allows White
to make use of the open h-file. --- Boris: Your suggestion is good but for the
second reason you mentioned. Forcing the exchange of dark-squared bishops is
not White's plan.} ({Boris: Both} 21... Rc8 22. Bb4) ({and} 21... Rb8 22. Bf3
Bxd2 23. Rh1 Qb4 24. Rh8+ Ke7 25. Qxa7+ Rb7 26. Qc5+ Qxc5+ 27. Nxc5 Rb4 28.
Nxe6 Kxe6 29. Kxd2 {were bad for Black.}) 22. Bf3 $1 Bxd2 23. Rh1 $1 {Boris:
White's starts a direct attack on the king.} Nh6 ({Boris: Probably more
stubborn was} 23... Kg8 $5 24. Kxd2 Rd8 25. Bxg4 ({White could also keep a
solid advantage with} 25. b3 $5) 25... Bxg4 26. Nf6+ gxf6 27. Qxg4 fxg5 28. Rh5
f6 29. Qh3 Qg7 30. Qe6+ Kf8 31. Rh1 {and Black's king is in danger.}) 24. Kxd2
Ng8 25. Qxc6 Qb4+ ({Boris: After} 25... Rc8 26. Qd6 Bxa2 27. Ra1 Bb3 28. Rxa7 {
White would have a winning endgame.}) 26. Qc3 a5 27. Nc5 Qf4+ 28. Kd1 Re8 29.
Nxe6+ Rxe6 30. Qc5+ Re7 31. Rh8 {. --- Joel: I think the notion of functional
fixedness is quite important. As I am realizing more and more, you are able to
use rules and principles in a flexible way, whereas I tend to use them in a
fixed way, which prevents me seeing the relative value of different rules as
they interact in a given position and from solving problems in creative ways.
I think this game is an excellent example of flexible thinking. --- Boris: I
think the most interesting feature of this game was the unusual change of
plans. Instead of the usual English plan of playing on the queenside, White
played as if in an open Sicilian. White's motivation behind this plan was also
interesting. I did not intend to give mate to Black's king but to exchange
kingside rooks and achieve an advantage because of the better mobility of my
queenside rook. It is also interesting that White's king was completely safe
in the center.} 1-0

[Event "Moscow"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1972.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Suetin, A."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B60"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "1972.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: Suetin was a very good theoretician and the long-time trainer of
Petrosian. His drawback was that he was not very good at strategical play 
(relatively speaking of course). Therefore, my goal was to create a
strategically unusual position. Positions with doubled and weak pawns are an
excellent example of this, which is the theme of this game.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3
Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 Qb6 7. Nb3 ({Boris: The variation
6...Qb6 was my favorite in those days. Because of my good results with it, 6...
Qb6 started to gain popularity and other strong GMs became interested in it.
Lev Polugaevsky once came to me and said, "You play an interesting variation
with 6...Qb6. I would like to analyze it with you." Alas, the variation was
dealt a heavy blow in 1975 after my game with Yuri Balashov during the USSR
Championship in Yerevan. Although I won, the variation did not really return
to top-level chess until 14 years later. In that game, Balashov played} 7. Be3
$1 {(Vitolinsh's idea)} Qxb2 8. Ndb5 (8. Ncb5 {has been recommended but it is
bad because of} Qb4+ 9. Bd2 Qa4 $1) 8... Qb4 9. Bd2 $1 -- (9... Nxe4 {. Here
Balashov played} 10. Rb1 $2 {and after} Nxc3 11. Bxc3 Qc5 12. Qd2 Kd8 $1 13.
Be2 e5 $1 {received a losing position. Later it was found that 10 a3! wins on
the spot.}) ({. New ideas were introduced in the game S.Dolmatov-K.Spraggett 
(Hastings 1989/90) where Black played} 9... Qc5 $1 {and a draw was agreed after
} 10. Be3 ({until now, no one has checked Black's idea in the wild variation} 
10. Nc7+ Kd8 11. Nxa8 Ng4 12. Qb1 Qxf2+ 13. Kd1) 10... Qb4 11. Bd2 Qc5 {.}))
7... e6 8. Bxf6 ({Boris: In the same Hastings tournament where Spraggett
introduced his idea with 9...Qc5, Speelman played the strong} 8. Bf4 $1 Ne5 9.
Be3 Qc7 10. f4 Nc6 {against me, and White lost with the moves of his bishop
one tempo less than Black lost with the moves of his knight and queen.}) 8...
gxf6 9. Qh5 Rg8 $5 {Boris: A psychological blow! White tried to restrict the
movement of Black's rook on h8 by giving it the unenviable defensive task of
protecting the h7-pawn. Black, however, answered resolutely: "I do not care
about this pawn." In turn, Black restricts the movement of White's f1-bishop
which now needs to protect the g2-pawn. How the tables have turned. The pawn
on h7 is insignificant in these kinds of positions. Strategically, this
position has a slight similarity with the Benko Gambit where Black gives up
the a- and b-pawns to have open files for his pieces. Here Black gives up a
pawn to open the g- and h-files.} 10. Qxh7 Rg6 {Boris: Threatening to give a
"perpetual check" to White's queen via the h6- and g6-squares.} 11. Qh5 Bd7 12.
Qb5 {Boris: Suetin was an active chess player and, consistent with his style,
chose an aggressive continuation. He pushes Black's queen back and prepares 13
f4 (gaining control of the e5-square) and only then will he develop his bishop
to g2.} ({Boris: If he had reversed the order and started with} 12. g3 {Black
could play} Ne5 {, when Black's knight eyes not only the c4-square after} 13.
Bg2 ({but also g4 in the case of} 13. f4 {.})) 12... Qc7 13. Qe2 a6 14. f4 ({
Boris: And now} 14. g3 b5 15. Bg2 Ne5 16. f4 {makes the very sensitive
c4-square available for the knight.}) 14... b5 15. a3 Rb8 16. g3 ({Boris:} 16.
O-O-O b4 {promises Black significant counterplay as well.}) 16... b4 $1 17.
axb4 Nxb4 18. Qf2 {Boris: White is preparing to castle and bring his king to
safety.} ({Boris: The immediate} 18. Bg2 Qb6 $1 {wouldn't have solved this
problem because of the weakness on c2.}) 18... Bg7 19. f5 ({Boris: Avoiding} 
19. Bg2 f5 {when the bishop on g7 enters the battle.}) 19... Rh6 20. Bg2 {
Exercise: How to prevent White from finishing development? (difficulty level 2)
} (20. Bg2 {. Joel: I looked at three moves.} -- (20... Nd3+ {does not prevent
White from castling after} 21. cxd3 Rxb3 22. O-O {. Actually, Black has helped
White complete development and strengthen his center.} (22. --)) ({. The move} 
20... Nxc2+ {seems to just lose a piece}) ({, but} 20... Qc4 {is interesting.
If White responds with} 21. Na5 {, Black has} Qd4 $1 {. --- Boris: Very good!
This is exactly what happened in the game. I'm glad you saw this maneuver.}))
20... Qc4 $1 {Boris: Castling is still impossible. Suetin put his hopes on the
next move.} 21. Na5 Qd4 $1 22. Rc1 ({Boris: Now} 22. O-O {permits} Nxc2 {.})
22... Qxf2+ ({Joel: What about} 22... Qe5 {- ? --- Boris: It is bad because
White has only one move and it is a very good one: 23 Nc4, when Black's only
move is 23...Qc5 and his position is much worse than in the game. Strangely
enough, after the game continuation, Black has doubled and weak pawns, whereas
White has a healthy pawn formation yet his position is worse. --- Joel: Let me
rephrase my question. I think what I am asking is how do you know when and
when not to exchange pieces? How did you know to exchange queens rather than
to try and keep queens on the board? --- Boris: In this case it is actually
very simple. First, Black cannot really avoid exchanging queens (other moves
are worse). Second, Black regains a pawn. Three, the bishop pair often grows
in strength in the endgame. Finally, White's king is well protected whereas
Black's king is more vulnerable, so there is no reason to play a middlegame
with queens on the board.}) 23. Kxf2 exf5 24. exf5 {Boris: Inept.} (24. Nc4
fxe4 25. Nxd6+ Ke7 26. Ndxe4 {was better, although after} f5 {and ...Bd4+ next
move, Black would have an active position.}) 24... Bxf5 25. Nc6 Nxc6 26. Bxc6+
Kd8 27. Ba4 {Boris: Suetin hoped to profit from Black's disfigured pawn
structure. Suddenly with my next move Black starts the attack. --- Exercise:
Find the most aggressive move. (difficulty level 3)} ({Joel: I stared at this
position for quite a long time and could not come up with anything
"aggressive". I was trying to use the fact that White's bishop has abandoned
control of the h1-a8 diagonal. I looked at} 27. Ba4 d5 {with the idea that} 28.
Nxd5 Be4 29. Rcd1 {Be4 forks the knight and the rook, but after 28 Rcd1, I
think Black's position is falling apart. The only other move I could come up
with was 27...Be6 with the threat of 28...Rxb2. --- Boris: This position is
interesting because all of Black's pawns are weak and doubled. Because of the
open files and diagonals created by these weak and doubled pawns, however,
Black probably has a decisive advantage. It is interesting that you noticed
that White's bishop left the long diagonal but you couldn't find a way to use
it. The way to use it is to return it to its starting position. --- Joel:
Perhaps I missed this move because the bishop retreats? I have noticed that
when the position demands retreating or moving backwards these moves are
harder to see. The move seems so obvious once you say "White's bishop has left
the long diagonal". There is really only one move that can make use of that.
--- Boris: Yes, it is a rule of chess perception that retreats and backward
moves are harder to see.}) 27... Bc8 $1 {Boris: All of Black's attacking moves
in this game have a very modest appearance. Black creates a threat to the
h2-pawn after 28...Bb7.} ({Boris: Worse was} 27... Rxb2 28. Bb3 {and 29 Na4.})
28. Rcd1 {Exercise: What is the best move? (difficulty level 2)} f5 $1 {Boris:
The move 28...f5! makes use of the rook on h6 for defense as well as attack.
It also has the added benefit that Black's dark-squared bishop comes to life.}
29. Rhe1 {Boris: Still trying to fight for the initiative.} ({Boris: In the
case of} 29. Bb3 Bb7 30. Nd5 Bxb2 {he simply would lose the pawn.}) (29. Rhe1 {
Exercise: Again, can you find a move that both attacks and defends? 
(difficulty level 2) --- Joel: White threatens 30 Re8+ with dire consequences.
I looked at several moves but none were satisfying. For example,} Rxh2+ 30. Kg1
Rh8 31. Rxd6+ {and it is Black who is in trouble. 29...Rxb2 allows 30 Re8+
followed by 31 Nd5+ perhaps. 29...Be6 allows 30 Rxd6+. Finally, I came upon 29.
..Be5 defending d6 and attacking White's kingside and "played it immediately",
only to realize that it loses on the spot. I calculated a lot but couldn't
find anything. --- Boris: You did not solve the problem because it is a very
complicated psychological moment. Having the two bishops, we usually try to
keep them, but as Bronstein said, one of the advantages of having the bishop
pair is that you can exchange one of the bishops at the appropriate moment.
After the game continuation - actually the most natural move, but
psychologically difficult to come up with - White's initiative evaporates.})
29... Bd7 $1 {Boris: After this move, which simultaneously attacks and defends,
White's position suddenly falls to pieces.} 30. Bxd7 Kxd7 31. Nd5 Rxh2+ 32. Kg1
{Exercise: How to handle Black's rooks? (difficulty level 1)} ({Joel:} 32. Kg1
Rxc2 {is natural but allows} 33. Re7+ {. Therefore, Black should play 32...
Rbh8. --- Boris: Very good! After this move White's rooks cannot leave the
first rank for long and Suetin soon finds himself in zugzwang.}) 32... Rbh8 $1
33. Re7+ Kd8 34. Ree1 Be5 35. Nf4 {Exercise: Find the best way. (difficulty
level 2)} ({Joel: I like} 35. Nf4 Rh1+ {, getting rid of some pieces. After}
36. Kf2 Rxe1 37. Rxe1 (37. Kxe1 {allows further exchanges}) 37... Rh2+ {all of
White's pawns are vulnerable. --- Boris: I don't like the move 35...Rh1+
because it diminishes Black's advantage (although it is still probably winning)
. White's position is completely hopeless and Black can demonstrate that with
a simple king move. After the game continuation, Black doesn't have any
reasonable moves. --- Joel: Aren't we taught to simplify and go into winning
endgames if we can. It is the easiest way, no? You decide to keep pieces on
the board. --- Boris: I don't think exchanging pieces is the easiest way here.
Generally, the best move is better than all the rest. In your line, White can
play} 38. Kf3 Rxc2 39. Ra1 {, and in spite of two extra pawns, you have to
play accurately to win. It is still a struggle. After 35...Kc8, my opponent
can resign. He is essentially in zugzwang. If your opponent is in zugzwang,
don't help him out if it. Let him make his position worse.}) 35... Kc8 $1 {
Boris: One more modest attacking move! Now White loses another pawn.} 36. Ne2
Bxb2 37. c3 a5 $1 38. Rb1 a4 39. Rxb2 Rh1+ 40. Kf2 R8h2+ 41. Kf3 Rxe1 {. ---
Joel: I think there are two important lessons for me in this game. The first
is in trying to solve the position after White's 29 Rhe1, I calculated a lot
but couldn't find anything. After some time, I came across 29...Be5 and
"played it" instantly, not giving it the same consideration as I did the other
moves. Perhaps I was tired and just decided to play something. I think this is
a common problem and I have recognized it in my tournament games. The other
lesson is how you handled the endgame. In winning positions, I tend to become
passive, trying all the time to exchange pieces and go into an endgame. I know
that is not a bad idea in general but what you have shown is that some
exchanges are better than others. --- Boris: I'm glad you are taking from this
game such valuable lessons. What I think this game illustrates is that chess
rules are relative. Doubled and weak pawns can be useful because they leave
open diagonals and files and this game demonstrates that very clearly. Also,
the rule of exchanging pieces when you have the advantage is also relative. I
would recommend not to exchange your better pieces for those of your
opponent's that are worse and so reduce your advantage. When you have two
rooks that are paralyzing the opponent, why exchange them? Because Black has
doubled pawns on the f-file, this structural advantage could allow White to
fight for a draw.} 0-1

[Event "Vina del Mar"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1988.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Panno, O."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C19"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "1988.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Nf3 b6 8. Ng5
{Boris: In the years after immigration, I was in correspondence with Korchnoi,
and in one of the letters he wrote, he mentioned that 8 Ng5 (which was played
by Andrei Sokolov in the decisive game of the candidates match against Artur
Yusupov) refutes this variation. I didn't analyze the line because in these
years I stopped playing 1 e4. After this game, I realized that, among the many
opportunities for White's eighth move, 8 Ng5 is far from the best. --- Joel:
There is a lot of theory in the French. How did you decide to play 2 e4 in
this game? --- Boris: I played the French as Black, so if you understand the
ideas you can play it without preparing concrete variations. --- Joel: What
was the context of this game? --- Boris: It was a double round robin
tournament of four grandmasters in Chile, including Ljubojevic, Panno, Morovic
(the brightest young Chilean player at the time) and myself.} h6 9. Qh5 g6 ({
Boris: It was risky to play} 9... O-O 10. Nf3 f5 {because White has the
dangerous plan of g2-g4. --- Joel: Why is this dangerous? Doesn't it weaken
White as much as Black? --- Boris: White will have a weak pawn on f2 but Black
will have a weak king, which is more important.}) 10. Qh3 Kf8 ({Boris: Yusupov
played} 10... Qc7 {. Panno chooses a safe plan and obtains a solid position.})
11. Bd3 Kg7 12. Nf3 Ba6 13. dxc5 ({Boris: I didn't like} 13. O-O Bxd3 {because
Black has ...c5-c4 at some point, obtaining control of the light squares.})
13... Qc7 ({Boris: Of course it was possible to play} 13... bxc5 {, but Black
wanted to have an open file against White's weak pawns.}) 14. O-O Qxc5 15. Bd2
{Exercise: What does Black have to do? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: Material
is even. White has a strong pawn on e5, which supports a kingside attack
because the black knight cannot occupy f6. White has nicely posted pieces all
aiming at the kingside and Black is behind in development. I would say White
has the advantage. If Black does nothing what will White play? I ask this
question in order to determine what Black needs to defend against. In this
position, candidate moves for White are 16 Nd4 (blocking the queen, creating
potential threats against e6, and setting up f2-f4), 16 Kh1 (preparing f2-f4
by getting out of the pin), and 16 Qh4 (threatening Qf6+). Therefore, it makes
sense to me for Black to play 15...g5 with the idea of ...Ng6 and ...Qe7. ---
Boris: 15...g5 is simply a bad move because it weakens Black's kingside too
much. For example, White has 16 Qg4 followed by h2-h4 and Black's kingside
will be destroyed. White has weak pawns but a strong dark-squared bishop. The
real task for Black here is to determine which piece should occupy the weak
c4-square. In my opinion, my opponent solved this problem incorrectly because
he decided to bring his knight to c4, after which Black's pieces begin to
interfere with each other (the knight restricts the bishop).} Nec6 $6 ({Boris:
After Black plays the correct} 15... Bc4 $1 {and develops the knight on b8 to
d7, the position would be approximately equal.}) 16. Qh4 Qe7 17. Qf4 Na5 {
Boris: By playing 17...Na5, it looks like Black overestimated his position,
hoping to take advantage of White's weak pawns.} (17... Bxd3 18. cxd3 Nd7 {was
better, when the position is close to equal.}) (17... Na5 {Exercise: What is
the best way for White? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: Black controls the
c4-square and intends 18...Nc4. However, by moving the knight away from the
kingside, Black weakens control over f5 and g6; therefore I would play} 18. g4
{. --- Boris: White's chances for an advantage are connected to his strong
dark-squared bishop. His first task then is to save this bishop from being
exchanged. The black knight, although it will be placed beautifully on c4 will
also be badly placed, so it is to White's advantage to lure the knight to c4.
If I had played 18 g4? (or any other move practically) Black can reply} Bxd3
19. cxd3 Nb3 20. Ra2 Nxd2 {, when White's position will be worse because of
the weak pawns.}) 18. Be3 $1 Nc4 $6 {Boris: Black follows White's provocation,
but the knight on c4 is poorly placed} 19. Bc1 $1 {Joel: I was thinking on the
previous move about 18 Rae1 so that the bishop could come back to c1 and not
block in the rook. --- Boris: But in this case the a3-pawn might hang in some
lines and I am not sure the queen's rook is needed on e1. In this case, the
rook on f1 will not have any prospects. This is a matter of the coordination
of your pieces. It is important to give work to all of them.} Nd7 20. Re1 {
Boris: A prophylactic move against ...f7-f6.} ({Boris: In the case of} 20. a4 {
, the move} f6 {would be a reasonable continuation because it would release
the pressure on the kingside and activate Black's pieces.}) 20... Rac8 21. a4
Qd8 {Boris: Black is still dreaming about creating pressure on White's pawns
with ...Qc7.} ({Boris: More reasonable was} 21... Nc5 22. Nd4 Na5 $1 {and
Black can defend.}) 22. Nd4 Nc5 23. Qg3 Nxd3 {Boris: Black exchanges his
valuable knight on c5 for White's light-squared bishop. Now Black regrets not
having made use of the opportunity on move 18 to exchange his useless bishop
on a6 for White's light-squared bishop.} ({Exercise:} 23... Na5 {was now too
late. Can you see why? (difficulty level 1)} 24. -- ({. Joel: After 23...Na5,
I would play} 24. Nb5 {heading to d6, and if Black plays} Nab7 {defending the
d6-square, then} 25. Ba3 {.} (25. --)) ({. Boris: You missed a tactic. When
the combination flows from the logic of the game, or as part of a planned
combination, then we often find the critical moves more easily than if they
come out of the blue. After} 24. Nxe6+ {is winning.})) 24. cxd3 Na5 25. Bd2 Nc6
{Exercise: What does White have to do here? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: I
would play 26 Nb5 heading to d6. If Black takes on b5 then the a-pawn becomes
very weak, whereas White's c-pawn is defended by the bishop. --- Boris: Your
consideration is correct. Because of the threat of penetrating on d6 Black has
to take the knight and White's pawn structure is improved.} 26. Nb5 $1 Bxb5 27.
axb5 Na5 {Exercise: Which plan does White have to follow and how does he
execute it? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I missed 27...Na5 in my previous
analysis. Although the knight is out of play on the edge of the board, it
blocks the a-file and threatens ...Nb3. I guess I would play 28 Ra3, defending
b3 and setting up c3-c4.} 28. Reb1 $1 {Joel: A great move. It combines
prophylaxis with attack because it deprives the knight of the b3-square and
prepares Rb4, when the rook can join in the kingside attack. --- Boris: Yes,
you're correct. White's plan is to attack on the kingside, and to accomplish
this goal White has to transfer his rooks to the kingside along the fourth
rank.} Rc5 29. Rb4 ({Boris:} 29. Ra4 {was more precise. --- Joel: Why is this
more precise? --- Boris: Because when one of the rooks transfers to h4, the
other will be more useful on b1 guarding b3.}) 29... Qc7 30. Qf4 ({Boris: Most
straightforward was} 30. Qh4 {, with the trap} Qd8 $2 {and then: --- Exercise:
White to play and win. (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: I would play} 31. Bxh6+ {
.}) 30... Qe7 31. h4 Rc7 32. Qg3 Kh7 33. Qf3 Kg7 {Boris: Black is in a passive
position and White, short on time, can allow himself not to hurry.} ({The
attempt to change the character of the position with} 33... d4 {was bad
because of} 34. c4 {, planning Rbb1.}) 34. Qf4 Qd8 35. Qg4 Kh7 36. h5 Rg8 ({
Boris:} 36... g5 {was bad for Black because of} 37. f4 {, when Black's
kingside will be destroyed.}) 37. hxg6+ Rxg6 38. Qh3 Qf8 {Exercise: How does
White develop his attack? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: The problem is that
the rook on b4 cannot immediately join in the kingside attack because of 40...
Nb3. Therefore, White needs something creative. What about 39 g4 - ? White's
pieces are in their best possible positions so I look for pawn breaks. However,
the king is exposed now and the g-pawn is pinned anyway so maybe this is
simply bad. --- Boris: You're right, 39 g4 is bad, but the main reason it is
bad is because it obstructs the activity of the rooks on the fourth rank.
White has to position his second rook so that it can jump to the kingside at a
moment's notice.} 39. Raa4 $1 Qg7 ({Boris: Black's last chance to muddy the
waters was} 39... d4 $5 40. cxd4 $1 (40. c4 Qg7 41. Rb1 Qxe5 {was not so good})
40... Rc2 41. Be3 Qa8 42. d5 Qxd5 43. Rg4 {and White is winning.}) 40. Rh4 Nb3
{Exercise: What should White play? (difficulty level 1)} ({Joel: I think Black
was counting on} 40... Nb3 {, but it seems to me that White can simply play}
41. Bxh6 $1 {showing the strength of White's rook lift on move 39. --- Boris:
You're right. This also shows that it is easier to find the solution to a
problem (combination) when the tactical blow flows from the logic of the game.}
) 41. Bxh6 Rxh6 42. Rxh6+ Qxh6 43. Rh4 Qxh4 44. Qxh4+ Kg7 45. Qf6+ Kh7 46. g4
Nc5 47. Qd8 Rd7 48. Qe8 $1 {Boris: White has to be careful because sometimes a
rook and knight can create a fortress against the queen.} ({Boris: Less exact
was} 48. Qc8 d4 $1 {and White still has to find a way to win. --- Now Black
doesn't have 48...d4 because after} 49. cxd4 {Black cannot take back as the
f7-pawn hangs.}) 48... Rc7 {Exercise: How does White win? (difficulty level 2)}
({Joel:} 48... Rc7 49. d4 $1 Ne4 50. Qc6 $3 {seems really strong (Black cannot
take because the pawn will queen)} Re7 {(forced)} 51. c4 $1 {and White breaks
through. --- Boris: Correct!}) 49. d4 Ne4 50. Qc6 Re7 51. c4 Nc3 52. Qd6 Rb7 ({
Boris: In the case of} 52... Re8 {Black would lose after} 53. Qd7 Rf8 54. Qe7
Kg7 55. Qg5+ Kh7 56. Qe3 Ne4 57. f3 {and the knight is trapped.}) 53. Qa3 Ne4 (
{No better was} 53... Ne2+ 54. Kf1 Nxd4 55. Qd3+ {, winning the knight.}) 54.
f3 Ng5 55. c5 bxc5 56. dxc5 Kg7 57. c6 {. --- Joel: What leaves a lasting
impression on me from this game is the importance of combining attack and
defense. The rook maneuvers were excellent examples of this, as they prevented
Black's knight from playing an active role by depriving it of the b3-square
and simultaneously prepared a decisive kingside attack. Also, the difference
between finding tactical blows when the moves flow from the logic of the game
versus when they come out of the blue was a very interesting point. --- Boris:
I would add that the game demonstrates the relative value of the pieces. For
White, it was critical to save the dark-squared bishop, which played a
decisive role in the kingside attack. Also, it demonstrates the use of the
ranks for the rooks in the middlegame (as opposed to files). Black lost mainly
because he overestimated the importance of the weakness of White's pawns,
instead of trying to equalize on moves 15 and 17.} 1-0

[Event "US Championship, Salt Lake City"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1999.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Seirawan, Y."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E20"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: The 1999 US Championship had an unusual system that consisted of two
round robins. The players that came in first and second place in each round
robin decided the championship in matches. It is not a very fair system
because the results of the previous stages don't matter. My first match with
Seirawan in the semi-final I considered as the final, because the final match
with Serper was relatively easy (I won by 21/2 to 1/2). This was the first
game of the match consisting of four games.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4.
g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. Nf3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 Nbd7 ({Boris:} 7... Nc6 {is more popular,
planning ...Na5 to attack the c4-pawn. 7...Nbd7 is not so active and White can
comfortably place his pieces.}) 8. Qd3 e5 9. Nd2 {Joel: This is an interesting
knight maneuver. Ivan Sokolov talks about it in his book 'Winning Chess
Middlegames' in the context of the Hübner Variation. He says that White needs
to stay as flexible as possible, keeping the central tension as long as he can,
until the moment when a central blockade will be to his advantage. I find the
whole issue of pawn structures in the middlegame of these Nimzo-Indian
positions to be some of the hardest to understand in chess. --- Boris: In this
position, it is critical for White to control the e4-square. If Black managed
to push his pawn to e4, he would solve all of his problems. Black tries to do
this and I prevent it, ultimately with the move e2-e4 myself. --- Joel: The
knight maneuver is more about controlling e4 than flexibility? --- Boris:
Both! By keeping control of the e4-square I have flexibility in my pawn
structure and my plans.} Re8 10. O-O Qe7 11. e4 b6 12. Re1 $1 {Boris: An
important move. I threaten to move my knight from d2 to e3 via f1 with
excellent outposts on d5 and f5. With his next move Black tries to prevent
this plan.} Ba6 ({Boris: Black didn't have time for} 12... a5 $6 13. Nf1 $1 Ba6
14. Ne3 {with a very comfortable position for White.}) (12... Ba6 {Exercise:
What did Black have prepared against White's plan of 13 Nf1 - ? Are Black's
tactical opportunities after 13 Nf1 dangerous for White? What is a good
alternative plan to 13 Nf1 - ? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: White has a
space advantage and the bishop pair, whereas Black has inflicted doubled pawns
on White which will be the focus of Black's play, at least on the queenside.
White's long-term plan is to attack on the kingside and in some cases this
will involve sacrificing the c4-pawn for a kingside attack. Fixing the pawn
structure with} 13. d5 {would be horrible because it would give Black the
blockading square c5.} ({. I think any plan for White must involve f2-f4 so I
would play} 13. f4 {. If} exf4 14. e5 {wins the exchange at the cost of
weakening the kingside. I think I would be afraid to play it myself but it
seems like the right choice. --- Boris: Interesting. I didn't think about 13
f4 at all because my pieces are not prepared to play on the kingside.
Tactically, it also doesn't work;} ({if} 14. gxf4 Nh5 {and his pieces are much
better placed and better developed}) 14... fxg3 {with advantage to Black,
because the white king is completely stripped of all cover and the e-pawn is
pinned.})) 13. a4 $1 ({Boris: Black tried to prevent 13 Nf1 with 12...Ba6
because after} 13. Nf1 $5 exd4 14. cxd4 d5 {White loses a pawn. Now, however,
analyzing with a computer I see that after} 15. e5 Bxc4 16. Qc2 {White would
have great compensation for the pawn. --- Joel: In what way? --- Boris: I have
very well placed pieces, two active bishops, and my knight can jump to e3 or
my bishop to g5. White's position is simply excellent. Instead, I played 13 a4
which is typical in this position, trying to gain the initiative on the
queenside.}) 13... c5 14. d5 $1 {Joel: You have decided that the time is right
to close the center and begin your kingside attack. --- Boris: I don't have
any chance of a kingside attack. My chances are on the a-file.} ({If I play} 
14. a5 {immediately, Black would open the position and get sufficient
counterplay; e.g.} exd4 15. cxd4 cxd4 16. Qxd4 Qe5 17. Bb2 Nc5 18. f4 Qxd4+ 19.
Bxd4 Bb7 {with equality.}) 14... Nf8 15. Nf1 ({Joel: I like} 15. a5 {here. Can
you explain why you didn't play this obvious move? --- Boris: Black cannot
prevent a4-a5 so I first improve the position of my pieces. If 15 a5?! then}
Reb8 {and I cannot increase the pressure on the queenside because my minor
pieces are not available for support. Black would then play ...b6-b5 and it is
not White who will have the advantage on the a-file but Black who will have
the advantage on the b-file. In general, it is important to improve the
position of your pieces and only then to play with pawns.}) 15... Ng6 {
Exercise: What is the best way for White to proceed? (difficulty level 4)} ({
Joel: Black is preparing to play against} 15... Ng6 16. f4 {. However, 15...
Ng6 allows White to play 16 Ne3 with the plan of jumping to f5. So I would
play 16 Ne3. --- Boris: 16 f4 is a dubious plan here as we discussed, and
those reasons still hold. White's best plan is to play on the a-file with
a4-a5. This plan is not so dangerous unless my minor pieces can be used.
Therefore, my next moves are to get rid of pieces that can't be used and to
retain the pieces that I can use.}) 16. Bh3 $1 {Joel: Very nice! White takes
control of the h3-b8 diagonal, preparing Ne3-f5. --- Boris: Not to prepare
Ne3-f5 but to exchange bishops. It is generally one of the most important
elements of positional chess to determine which pieces need to be exchanged
and which need to stay on the board. In Tal's book about his world
championship match with Botvinnik (1960), he tells a story about discussing
the following position from the ninth game. --- Tal tried to prove his
estimation of the position with wild variations when suddenly Botvinnik said,
"First I thought the position was more pleasant for White but later I found
the correct plan, it is necessary to exchange rooks and keep queens on the
board." According to Tal, after some thought, he realized that Botvinnik's
estimation was completely correct. This shows not only the importance of
figuring out which pieces to keep and which pieces to exchange, but also that
there are very different ways of thinking about chess positions.} ({Returning
my game,} 16. f4 $2 {would be a big mistake due to} exf4 17. gxf4 Nh5 18. Qf3
Qh4 {with advantage to Black.}) ({The natural transfer of the knight to f5,
which you offered, would also not be good for White, because of} 16. Ne3 Bc8
17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 e4 19. Qc2 Ne5 {and Black is fine.}) 16... Bc8 17. Bxc8
Raxc8 {Exercise: How does White have to execute his plan here? (difficulty
level 3)} ({Joel: This move allows} 17... Raxc8 18. a5 {and, if Black does not
take, then 19 axb6 gives Black a backward pawn on b6. --- Boris: For White it
is of paramount importance to get rid of the dark-squared bishop because it
will not be of any use in the play on the a-file.}) 18. Bg5 $5 ({Boris: Here} 
18. Ne3 $6 {would be wrong because I would retain a bishop I don't need for my
plan.}) 18... h6 19. Bxf6 {Joel: Knights are better than bishops in this
closed position. Here it may even be more specific than that: the knight of f6
was better than the bishop on c1. Black's other knight does not have many good
squares either. --- Boris: Correct.} Qxf6 20. a5 {Joel: Now White has a
definite advantage on the queenside, in my opinion. --- Boris: Yes.} Nf8 {Joel:
Black plans 21...Nd7 where it will protect b6. To get counterplay, Black will
engineer the ...f7-f5 break. I would go ahead with 21 Rfb1. --- Boris: You're
right about the knight, but after 20...Nf8 I can just take the a-file so I
don't need to play 21 Rfb1. The plan of ...f7-f5 would not be realistic here
because he doesn't have the time or resources to prepare it. I am breaking
through on the queenside and he has to use all of his energy for defense.} ({
Boris: Being more active would have given him better chances to escape:} 20...
bxa5 $5 21. Rxa5 Rb8 22. Rxa7 Rb2 23. Re2 Reb8 24. Rxb2 Rxb2 25. Qe3 {and this
position is better for Black than the one in the game.}) 21. axb6 axb6 22. Ra6
({Boris:} 22. Ra7 Ra8 23. Rea1 Rxa7 24. Rxa7 {was approximately equally good.})
22... Ra8 23. Rea1 Rxa6 24. Rxa6 Rb8 {Joel: Black seems horribly passive now.
--- Boris: Yes.} 25. Kg2 $1 {Joel: Slowly improving your position. There is no
need to hurry. --- Boris: It is really more concrete than that.} ({Boris:
White has to be careful not to give Black counterplay after} 25. Ne3 $2 Qf3 {.}
) 25... Qe7 26. Qb1 {Boris: Not allowing him to kick my annoying rook out of
its dominating position.} Qb7 27. Qb5 Nd7 28. Qa4 Nf6 29. Ra7 Qc8 30. f3 g6 31.
Ne3 h5 {Exercise: How does White have to proceed? (difficulty level 2) ---
Joel: With his last move, Black keeps the white knight out of the kingside as
the g4- and f5-squares are protected. It is difficult to see a way forward. It
seems Black will be able to defend only one weakness. White needs to come up
with a way to create a second weakness that he can take advantage of. Well,
until then I would pile up on b6 with 32 Nc2. --- Boris: White is clearly
better because I have the only open file. I need to find a way to penetrate
into his camp and tie down his pieces even more.} 32. Qc6 $1 {Joel: Once I saw
this move it made perfect sense: if he exchanges you will get a passed pawn.
--- Boris: A protected passed pawn because White's knight will jump to d5 and
will have to be exchanged. The knight has to stay on e3 because it prevents
Black's counterplay on the kingside.} ({In the case of} 32. Nc2 {, which you
offered, there would follow} h4 {and White doesn't have} 33. g4 $2 {because of}
Nxe4 $1 {.}) 32... Qd8 33. h4 Rc8 34. Qb7 Qf8 35. Nd1 $5 ({Joel: Again not
hurrying. Of course, I would have just taken the pawn. --- Boris: You're right,
White could just take the pawn:} 35. Qxb6 $5 Rb8 36. Qc7 Rb2+ (36... Rc8 37.
Qb7 Rb8 38. Qc6) 37. Kf1 Rb1+ 38. Kf2 Rb2+ 39. Ke1 {and White has a big
advantage. This position would be similar to the game. --- Joel: This makes me
more nervous than the game though. His rook is active and he can go after your
kingside with} Rb1+ 40. Kd2 Rg1 {. --- Boris: But then} 41. Rb7 {wins on the
spot. When only one rook has activity, and it is not supported by other pieces,
it cannot be dangerous.}) 35... Rb8 36. Qc6 Rc8 37. Qb7 Rb8 38. Qc6 Rc8 {Joel:
These moves look like there were made just before the time control. --- Boris:
Yes, I was just trying to find the best way, perhaps with my hand instead of
my head.} 39. Qxb6 Rb8 40. Qc7 {Joel: And now the purpose of 35 Nd1 becomes
clear: to control the b2-square.} Rc8 41. Qb7 Rb8 42. Qc7 Rc8 43. Qa5 {
Exercise: Black is under pressure. Should he offer to exchange queens? 
(difficulty level 4)} Qd8 $6 {Boris: He makes my task much easier. Anyone
under pressure for a long time is prone to mistakes. All of those moves I
previously made were the psychological roots of his mistake. Capablanca once
told Botvinnik that: when you have a better position, and your opponent is
passive, don't rush; keep the position and your opponent will self-destruct.
This happened in the game. If White, in the previous stage of the game,
increased his advantage by getting rid of unnecessary pieces, Black here makes
his position more difficult by offering an unfavorable exchange of queens.} (
43... Rb8 44. Nf2 {was a better option for Black. White is better but it is
not so easy to break through.}) 44. Qxd8+ Rxd8 {Exercise: Which plan increases
White's advantage? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: Now you have transposed into
an ending with one extra pawn and it is doubled. It seems this would be quite
difficult to win. --- Boris: Now White has a big advantage. Without queens it
is easier to improve my position without worrying about counterplay. 45 Kf2 is
the first stage of the winning plan. The king will go to c2 and Black will not
be able to use the b-file. The second stage will consist of improving the
position of my knight.} 45. Kf2 $1 Kf8 46. Ke2 Rd7 {Boris: Black offers to
exchange rooks.} 47. Ra6 {Boris: Of course a rook exchange would not be equal
because White's rook is much better than Black's rook.} Ke7 48. Kd2 Rb7 49. Kc2
Ne8 ({Boris: If} 49... Nd7 $5 50. Ne3 Nb6 {, White will begin action on the
kingside with} 51. g4 {.}) 50. Ne3 Nf6 {Exercise: Which maneuver will increase
White's advantage? (difficulty level 2)} ({Joel: With Black's last move, he
controls the kingside and prevents f3-f4 because the e4-pawn would fall. Still,
I can't see the way through for White. --- Boris: f3-f4 is not dangerous, but
g3-g4 is dangerous and} 50... Nf6 {prevents it. With} 51. Nf1 {, White starts
the second stage of his winning plan by bringing the knight to b5 via d2-b1-a3,
or to a5 via d2-b3.}) 51. Nf1 $1 Nd7 52. Nd2 Nb8 53. Ra1 $1 ({Boris:} 53. Ra8 {
would be a mistake due to} Nd7 {and White does not have} 54. Nb3 $2 {because of
} Nb6 {.}) 53... Kd8 {Exercise: What is the third stage of White's winning
plan? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: Black has expelled White. Is it possible
to switch over to the kingside? I am thinking about playing 54 f4 now that the
knight has vacated the kingside. This would finally generate a second weakness.
--- Boris: You're right, it is time to play on the kingside, but I think 54 g4
is preferable to 54 f4. After Black defends the queenside by bringing his king,
rook, and knight there, it becomes possible for White to open a second front
on the kingside with 54 g4. This is the third stage of winning plan.} 54. g4 $1
({Boris: With his last moves, Black has defended against the white knight's
invasion of the queenside; for example,} 54. Nb3 Kc7 55. Ra8 Rb6 {with idea of}
56. Na5 $2 Ra6 {and the position is equal.}) ({If} 54. f4 {, as you suggest,
then Black can play} Nd7 {and the black knight has potential to attack e4.})
54... hxg4 55. fxg4 Ke7 56. Nb3 Kf6 {Exercise: Now that Black's king has to
return to the kingside, how should White proceed? (difficulty level 3) ---
Joel: I would play the mysterious 57 Rg1 here, setting up h4-h5. --- Boris:
Now that Black has returned with his king to protect the kingside, I go back
to the under-protected queenside.} ({Boris: The desperate} 56... f5 {would be
bad because after} 57. exf5 gxf5 58. g5 {White is winning.}) 57. Ra8 $1 ({
Boris: After your recommendation} 57. Rg1 {, then h4-h5 is not a threat
because Black has ...Kg5 and White's pawns are under attack and not dangerous.}
) 57... Nd7 58. Na5 Rb8 {Exercise: White to play and win. (difficulty level 3)}
({Joel: But doesn't} 58... Rb8 {allow} 59. Rxb8 Nxb8 60. Nb7 Ke7 61. h5 {,
when White has an outside passed pawn and Black will have a hard time trying
to prevent it from promoting without losing the d6-pawn and the game. ---
Boris: But in your variation Black has time to return the knight to f6 holding
up White's pawn. Your idea was right but the execution was inaccurate.}) 59.
g5+ $1 {Joel: Nice intermezzo! White forces the black king away from the
protection of d6.} Kg7 60. Rxb8 Nxb8 61. Nb7 f5 {Exercise: What is the precise
way to win here? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I would play 62 exf5 followed
by 63 Nxd6, when Black's e- and f-pawns can be blockaded. --- Boris: Your
variation allows 63...Kg6 when White's pawns are blockaded. The precise way to
finish the game is to deprive the king of the g6-square.} 62. exf5 gxf5 63. h5
$1 f4 64. Nxd6 Nd7 65. Kd3 {. --- Boris: I think the most important lesson
from this game is that in chess there are no equal exchanges. Each exchange
improves or worsens your position. The game also demonstrates the importance
of controlling the only open file. Also, in the endgame, when your opponent is
passive and has to defend on one side of the board, it is important to switch
the attack to the other side of the board. --- Joel: Why is that? --- Boris:
Because with passive pieces he cannot be in two places at the same time,
whereas the side with the active pieces can be in two places at once.} 1-0

[Event "Biel"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1987.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Huebner, R."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D46"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "1987.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was the penultimate round of the Biel tournament. For me it was
very important to win to keep my position as leader. After I won this game, I
went into the last round with a one point lead, needing only a draw to take
clear first, which I did. The main topic of this game is prophylaxis, which is
how White was able to win.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7
6. Bd3 Bb4 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2 Qe7 9. a3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 ({Boris: Interesting was} 
10. Bxh7+ $5 Nxh7 11. axb4 Qxb4 12. e4 {with good compensation for the pawn.})
10... Bd6 11. h3 $5 {Boris: This was the start of a series of prophylactic
moves.} ({Boris: If I had played} 11. e4 {Black would have answered} e5 {with
a good game. --- Joel: But Black plays 11...e5 anyway. What is the difference
between having your pawn on e3 or e4 in this position? --- Boris: This is a
very interesting and important question, but I think it will be easier to
explain in a few moves.}) 11... e5 12. Ba2 {Boris: The second prophylactic
move. The bishop retreats from a square where it cannot be attacked by a
knight on b6.} b6 ({Boris: Now it is not so easy for Black to make a move. If} 
12... exd4 13. exd4 {and White is ready to play Re1, Bg5, and Ne5 with a very
strong position.}) ({And} 12... e4 13. Ng5 {is bad for Black. Here, if my pawn
were on h2 instead of h3, Black would have ...Bxh2+, ...Ng4+ and ...Qxg5; and
if my bishop were on c4, he would have ...Nb6 and ...Bf5, defending the pawn.
So with 11 h3 and 12 Ba2, I prevented 12...e4. This is why I preferred
prophylactic moves over 11 e4.}) 13. Re1 {Exercise: Where does Black have to
develop his light-squared bishop: on b7 or a6? (difficulty level 3)} ({Joel:
We have reached a position with a common structure for the quiet lines of the
Slav/Semi-Slav Defense in which Black has engineered the move ...e6-e5. This
is a double-edged move and favors the side that has a lead in development 
(time advantage). In this case, it seems both sides are developed equally,
although White now has put his rook on the e-file anticipating ...e4xd4.
Although this would gain time on the queen, and perhaps give White the
initiative, Black would inflict White with an IQP, which conveys some
long-term advantages. However, if Black plays} 13. Re1 exd4 14. exd4 Qd8 {
White will play} 15. Bg5 {followed by Rad1 and Bb1 and Black will have to be
careful not to get mated on the kingside. I don't think Black wants to play
this way. I think Black should develop with ...Bb7 or ...Re8. In this
situation I would probably play 13...Bb7, just completing my development.})
13... Ba6 $1 {Boris: You tend to make general observations when in this
position you needed to calculate concrete variations and find the difference.
--- Joel: Is that something in general you notice with players my level? ---
Boris: Chess players need to make both positional considerations and calculate
variations, but in the right proportion. Your analysis very often is too
general and you don't try to find specific finesses in the position based on
calculations. You didn't solve this problem because you tried to solve it with
generalities not concrete calculations which, by the way, is the most
important part of chess. Generally after 12...b6 the move you offered is
natural, but in a critical variation White can catch Black's queen in the
center of the board.} ({Joel: How do you go about improving this tendency of
mine? --- Boris: Try to find concrete solutions to problems. Put the position
on the board and calculate variations. You had to find} 13... Bb7 $2 14. e4
exd4 15. Nxd4 Qe5 $2 {(this double attack is an important resource for Black
in this position, otherwise he would have a passive position)} 16. f4 $1 Qxd4+
({in the case of} 16... Qh5 17. e5 Bc5 18. Be3 {Black would be much worse}) 17.
Be3 {and the queen is trapped. The move Hübner played prevents this idea, as
with the bishop on a6 he would now have} Qd3 {.}) 14. e4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Qe5 16.
Nf3 Qh5 {Exercise: How should White proceed? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I
would play 17 Bg5, threatening to take the knight, which would force Black to
take back with the g-pawn otherwise e4-e5 would win a piece. This is also a
developing move and prepares Rad1 followed (perhaps) by Bb1 threatening mate
in some instances. --- Boris: My impression is that Black is very close to
obtaining a very nice game, but White has a clever way of transposing from an
unclear middlegame to a better endgame. The move you suggested, 17 Bg5,
doesn't offer White any advantage after 17...Ne5.} 17. Qd1 $1 ({Boris:} 17. Be3
{doesn't promise anything either after} Ne5 18. Nxe5 Bxe5 {.}) 17... Be5 {
Boris: The only move. Otherwise White would play e4-e5.} 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 ({Boris:
Black has to go into an endgame because} 18... Qxe5 19. f4 {is much better for
White.}) 19. Qxh5 Nxh5 {Exercise: Should White start with 20 b4 or 20 Rd1 - ? 
(difficulty level 2) --- Joel: White has obtained the bishop pair which can be
an advantage, especially in the endgame. His play should be consistent with
maximizing this advantage, which includes opening up the position to improve
their scope. In the first place, Black is threatening 20...Nd3 immediately
eliminating one of the bishops. In order to retain the bishop pair and control
the only open file, White should play 20 Rd1 followed Be3. --- Boris: Your
suggestion is correct. Black has two ideas: 20...Bc4, exchanging the
light-squared bishops, or 20...Nd3. White has to determine what is more
unpleasant. White's next is a prophylactic move so that 20...Nd3 comes without
tempo. If 20 b4 then Black can play 20...Bc4 exchanging bishops and equalizing.
20 Rd1 is a Karpov-style move (i.e. moving a piece before it is attacked).} 20.
Rd1 $1 Nd3 21. b4 Rad8 ({Boris: Black cannot comfortably get rid of the bishop
pair because of} 21... Nxc1 $6 22. Raxc1 Rfd8 {and then: --- Exercise: How
should White play to maintain the initiative? (difficulty level 3) --- Boris:
White cannot waste time. The immediate} 23. b5 $1 {is correct, when after} Bxb5
({if} 23... cxb5 24. Nd5 {and White is winning}) 24. Nxb5 cxb5 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8
26. Rc7 {White has a big advantage.}) 22. Bg5 Rd7 {Exercise: What should White
play? (difficulty level 2)} 23. Rd2 $1 {Boris: Continuing the theme of
prophylaxis White prevents Black from dominating the d-file.} ({The other way,
} 23. a4 $5 h6 24. Be3 Rfd8 25. b5 Bb7 26. bxc6 Bxc6 {, leads only to equality
after} 27. Bd5 ({or} 27. Nd5 $5 Nb4) 27... Nb4 {.}) 23... h6 24. Be3 Rfd8 25.
Rad1 Nf6 {Exercise: How should White continue? (difficulty level 4)} ({Joel:
In this position I would like to get rid of Black's knight, but I am also
thinking about tactics because there is a potential pin on the d-file.
Therefore, I am looking at moves like} 25... Nf6 26. b5 {or 26 f4 (with the
threat of e4-e5). 26 f4 seems weakening, but 26 b5 is interesting because after
} cxb5 {the bishop is blocked and White can play} 27. Nd5 {.} -- ({. If} 27...
Nxe4 {then} 28. Rxd3) ({, and if} 27... Nxd5 {then} 28. Bxd5 {wins.}) ({. If
Black retreats the knight, for example,} 27... Ne5 {then} 28. f4 {looks strong,
but} Nxe4 {hits the rook and the knight on d5 is hanging so I don't think this
works. Therefore, White should play 26 f4 first, taking the e5-square away
from Black.} (28... --))) 26. Bb3 $1 ({Boris: Your suggested pawn sacrifice} 
26. b5 {is not so good because after} Bxb5 {I don't see any benefit.}) ({Your
other suggestion of} 26. f4 {is met by} Nb2 $1 27. Rxd7 Rxd7 28. Rxd7 Nxd7 {
and Black will reach an equal position because inevitably he will play 29...
Bc4 exchanging bishops.}) ({The same applies to the straightforward} 26. Bb1 {
, as after} Nb2 $1 27. Rxd7 Rxd7 28. Rxd7 Nxd7 {can exchange bishops with 29...
Bd3. In this position, White has to prevent by prophylaxis the trick of 26...
Nb2 by defending the rook on d1.}) 26... Ne5 27. f4 Rxd2 28. Rxd2 Rxd2 29. Bxd2
Nd3 $1 ({Boris: In the case of} 29... Nc4 30. Bc1 {White would be clearly
better. He has the bishop pair and more space.}) 30. g4 $1 {Boris: Prophylaxis
against the unpleasant threat of 30...Nh5.} Ne8 $1 {Exercise: What does White
have to play? Is it time to attack the c6-pawn? (difficulty level 4)} 31. Bc2
$1 ({Boris: It looks like White might be able to create big problems for Black
with the move} 31. Ba4 $6 {, but in this case Black has} Nd6 $1 32. Bxc6 Nc4
33. Nb1 Nxd2 34. Nxd2 Nxf4 {with equality. Now, after 31 Bc2, White threatens
32 b5, so this forces Black to play 31...Bc4.}) 31... Bc4 {Exercise: What
should White do? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: White has managed to keep his
bishop pair. White has a kingside pawn majority and Black a queenside majority.
The bishop pair is an advantage in this situation because there are pawns on
both sides of the board. However, Black has a very strong and centrally posted
knight that prevents White's king from joining the fight, and 32 Bxd3 would
lead to an opposite-colored bishop ending, which is likely drawn. Black is not
necessarily threatening anything right now and I imagine he would like to
bring his e8-knight back into the game with ...Nf6 or ...Nd6. Therefore, 32 e5
looks strong, taking these squares away from the knight and making the
e4-square available for White's knight. This would also prepare Ne4-f2 trying
to exchange off the d3-knight. So I think 32 e5 is best. --- Boris: You see
you try to solve these problems through generalities when concrete
calculations are called for. I don't think that 32 e5 is good because after 32.
..Nc7 Black would threaten ...Ne6 (with active play) or ...c6-c5 (improving
his pawn structure).} 32. Ba4 $1 {Boris: Now that Black's bishop prevents the
knight on e8 from reaching the c4-square, this is very strong.} b5 {Boris: A
big achievement for White. Black's pawn structure on the queenside now has a
lot of weaknesses and his pawn majority is not significant.} 33. Bc2 Nc7 34.
Be3 a6 35. Kh2 f6 36. Kg3 Ne6 37. h4 g5 $6 {Exercise: How can White cement his
advantage? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: Black is currently threatening to
win the f4-pawn, which means that White must think about either pushing it,
when the e5-square would become a great outpost for the knight, or taking the
d3-knight, which would lead to an opposite-colored bishop ending. It is
possible that the additional factor of king position is now important and that
White might be able to activate the king if he exchanges on d3. The problem is
that he will not be able to use the e4-square because of Black's bishop. Hold
on, hold on. I am thinking about this all wrong. White has a pawn majority on
the kingside. He needs to push his pawns and create a passed pawn that will
tie Black down, when White's pieces can attack Black's queenside. Therefore,
he must take on d3 because the d3-knight controls f4 and e5. --- Boris: Very
good! Bronstein once wrote that the advantage of the two bishops is that it is
easy at the appropriate moment to exchange one of them.} 38. Bxd3 $1 Bxd3 $6 ({
Boris:} 38... gxh4+ $5 {was preferable, but White would maintain the advantage
nevertheless after} 39. Kxh4 Bxd3 40. f5 Ng5 41. Bxg5 hxg5+ 42. Kh5 Kg7 43. e5
$1 {.}) 39. hxg5 hxg5 40. f5 $1 Nc7 ({Boris: In the case of} 40... Nf8 {White
would immediately play} 41. e5 {. It is difficult to believe that Black is
losing, given the opposite-colored bishops and equal material, but in fact
Black is lost because of the backward c-pawn. In this position White is
practically up a pawn.}) 41. Bb6 Ne8 ({Boris:} 41... Na8 42. Bd8 {would be
easily winning because the knight cannot leave the corner.}) 42. Bc5 Kf7 43.
Kf3 Nc7 44. Bd6 Na8 ({Boris: I was checking to see whether Hübner would play} 
44... Ne8 {, when} 45. Bg3 Ke7 46. e5 {would be easily winning. Remember, when
your opponent doesn't have active opportunities he will often self-destruct on
his own, so there is no need to rush.}) 45. Bc5 Nc7 46. Ke3 Bf1 47. Nd1 $1 {
Boris: The g4-pawn needs support.} Ke8 48. Kd4 Kd7 49. Bb6 Ne8 ({Boris: If} 
49... Kd6 {, White would win by} 50. Bxc7+ Kxc7 51. e5 {.}) (49... Ne8 {
Exercise: What is more appropriate: 50 e5 or 50 Ne3 - ? (difficulty level 3)}
50. -- ({. Joel: White is going to use the dark squares. He will play his
knight to e3 to protect g4. I would like to take the d6-square away from the
knight with} 50. e5 {because it will have a hard time returning to the game,
and if} fxe5+ {, White's king is centrally posted and White has a passed
f-pawn.}) ({. Boris: Very good. But again your consideration is not concrete
enough.} 50. Ne3 {looks very natural because it attacks the bishop, but the
knight can move either to e3 or f2 so I prefer to play 50 e5 first and then
decide where the knight belongs. This retains maximum flexibility. It is
essential as well to keep the e3-square available for the bishop. In the case
of} Be2 51. e5 fxe5+ 52. Kxe5 Ke7 {Black builds a defense.} (52... --))) 50. e5
$1 fxe5+ ({Boris: Black would lose after} 50... Be2 51. Nf2 $1 (51. Ne3 $2 {
would be bad, as then} fxe5+ 52. Kxe5 Ke7 {transposes to the previous note})
51... Bf3 ({now after} 51... fxe5+ 52. Kxe5 Ke7 {White wins with} 53. Be3 $1 {
- this is the reason 50 e5 was correct: as previously mentioned, White had to
reserve the e3-square for the bishop}) 52. Bc5 Be2 53. Ne4 $1 Bxg4 ({White
would win as well after} 53... fxe5+ 54. Kxe5 Bxg4 55. f6 Bh5 56. Nxg5) 54.
exf6 Bh5 55. Ke5 Nc7 {(vacating the e8-square for the king, otherwise Nxg5 is
coming and the f6-pawn is unstoppable)} 56. Nxg5 Ke8 57. Ne6 $1 Kd7 58. Nxc7
Kxc7 59. Ke6 {and White is winning.}) 51. Kxe5 Be2 52. Nf2 $1 Nd6 53. Kf6 Nc4
54. Bc5 a5 55. Kg7 $1 {Boris: Not the only way to win, but the shortest way.}
axb4 56. axb4 Ne5 57. Bd4 $1 Nf3 58. Bc3 c5 $1 59. bxc5 Kc6 60. f6 Bc4 61. Nd3
$1 b4 62. Ne5+ Nxe5 (62... Kxc5 63. Bxb4+ Kxb4 64. Nxf3 {was also winning.})
63. Bxe5 Kxc5 64. f7 Bxf7 65. Kxf7 Kd5 66. Bb2 {. --- Joel: In several of the
games we have studied you have taken very strong players into simplified
positions only to outplay them. Were you considered at the time to have great
technique, to be very strong in the endgame, or simply to excel in these kind
of positions? My understanding was that you preferred complicated, messy,
tactical games so this comes as a surprise to me. --- Boris: In this game, the
logic of the struggle demanded simplification of the position. Strong players
have to be ready to play all kinds of chess. I think the main topic of this
game is prophylaxis, which prevented his counterplay and permitted me to
maintain my opening advantage the entire game. --- Joel: Your comments about
being too general I think are very important for me. In addition to general
considerations, I will make sure to support them with concrete calculations as
much as possible. For me this is the great lesson I learned from this game.} ({
Boris: In the final position, if} 66. Bb2 Ke4 67. Kg6 Kf4 68. Kh5 {and White
wins.}) 1-0

[Event "Groningen"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Beliavsky, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This game was from the qualification tournament for the candidate
matches. The winner of the candidate matches would earn the right to challenge
Kasparov for the world championship. Eight players from this tournament played
in candidates matches, which Anand won (I lost my match with Short in the
playoffs). Beliavsky and I started very well and were leaders in the
qualification tournament. Beliavsky's attitude towards the opening during that
time was that he only played the Queen's Gambit Declined and he was quite a
specialist, so I tried to create something new and not very theoretical as
early as move three.} 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. b3 a5 4. e3 a4 $5 {Boris: Black
tried to play aggressively and to use my third move against me; i.e. to fight
for the initiative.} 5. bxa4 $5 {Boris: This is an unusual reaction from White.
} ({Boris: The normal method would be to play} 5. Bb2 axb3 6. axb3 Rxa1 7. Bxa1
Nc6 8. Be2 Nb4 {and, because of the very good position of the black knight,
the position is equal. What I played is a positional sacrifice. It is clear
that Black will regain the pawn, but while he is busy doing this White hopes
to create chances on the other side of the board.}) 5... Nd7 6. Nc3 $6 {Boris:
This is a small inaccuracy.} ({Boris: To play in the center I had to exchange
on d5 and it was better to play it immediately:} 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Nc3 {, not
giving Black the option to take on d5 with the knight.}) 6... c6 {Boris: Black
doesn't take advantage of White's inaccuracy.} ({Boris: Better was} 6... Ngf6
$5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 {and Black exchanges the knight on c3, which guards the
a4-pawn.}) 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Be2 Nc5 9. O-O Qa5 10. Qc2 Nxa4 ({Boris:} 10... Nf6
{cannot be recommended because of} 11. Ba3 $5 Nxa4 12. Bxf8 Kxf8 (12... Nxc3
13. Bxg7 Nxe2+ 14. Kh1 {would not be good for Black}) 13. Nxa4 Qxa4 14. Qc5+
Kg8 15. Qe7 {with a clear advantage to White.}) (10... Nxa4 {Exercise: What
will be White's plan and how to execute it? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I
think the critical factor is that White has a lead in development, a time
advantage. Therefore, he must figure out a way to keep the initiative (i.e.
find an object of attack) and prevent Black from catching up in development.
The move} 11. e4 {suggests itself because it threatens to open up the game
with the black king in the center. Black can answer by either} dxe4 ({or
ignore the e-pawn and get on with his development with} 11... Nf6 {. Both
moves open the e-file, which creates initiative. --- Boris: Very good! Your
considerations are correct.})) 11. e4 $1 dxe4 {Exercise: Which piece must
recapture on e4? (difficulty level 4)} ({Joel: White has a choice of
recaptures: 12 Qxe4+ or 12 Nxe4. I prefer} 11... dxe4 12. Nxe4 {because it
creates problems for Black's development.} -- ({. For example,} 12... Nf6 {
allows} 13. Nxf6+ {which ruins Black's kingside pawn structure}) ({, and} 12...
Ne7 {blocks the dark-squared bishop and allows} 13. Nd6+ {, which is probably
winning. 12 Nxe4 also keeps Black's knight out on the rim. 12 Qxe4+ creates an
initial problem but it seems like it helps Black develop (he can play 12...Be7
followed by ...Nf6, ...Qc7, ...0-0, and then bring the knight back in the game
with tempo). --- Boris: Your consideration is absolutely correct, though very
often chess players are inclined to check the king. To find the correct move
White had to calculate very long variations and my intuition led me to this
reflexive move, which was wrong.} (13. --))) 12. Qxe4+ $2 ({Boris: Correct was
} 12. Nxe4 $1 {and Black doesn't have a way to finish development comfortably:}
Bf5 ({or} 12... Be7 13. d4 Nf6 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6 15. Bd3 h6 16. Re1+ {with
advantage to White}) 13. d4 O-O-O 14. Bf4 Nf6 15. Bd3 {and the black king is
in danger. --- Joel: I didn't consider the moves 12...Be7 or 12...Bf5, but
found the correct continuation. --- Boris: You considered moves that were
really bad, but your intuition found you the correct move. To consider all the
variations, all the possible moves, is too much.}) 12... Be7 13. Bc4 Nc5 14.
Qe5 ({Boris:} 14. Qe3 {was insufficient for keeping the initiative.} -- ({. I
calculated something like} 14... b5 $6 15. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 16. Ne5+ Ke8 ({or} 
16... Kf8 17. Nxc6 Qb6 18. Nxe7 Nxe7 19. Qf3+ {winning}) 17. Qf3 Nf6 18. d4 Ne6
19. Nxc6 Bb7 20. Re1 Nxd4 21. Rxe7+ Kf8 22. Qxf6+ $1 gxf6 23. Bh6+ {mating}) ({
; but Black can play} 14... Be6 $1 15. Ne5 {(Exercise: What does Black have to
do? (difficulty level 4)) and then:} -- ({. Boris: Not} 15... Nf6 $2 16. d4 {
with advantage to White}) ({, but} 15... Nh6 $1 {and now White doesn't have}
16. d4 $2 {because of} Nf5 17. Qd2 Rd8 $1 {.} (17... --)))) 14... Be6 15. Bxe6
Nxe6 16. Rb1 Qxe5 17. Nxe5 {Exercise: What does Black have to do? (difficulty
level 4)} (17. Nxe5 {Joel: Black needs to complete his development and defend
the b-pawn but I don't see a way of doing it.} -- (17... Nd8 {defends the pawn
and prepares ...Nf6 but Black will run into trouble on the e-file; e.g.} 18.
Re1 Nf6 19. Nc4 {prevents Black from castling and threatens Nd6+.}) ({. The
combination of the open b-file, the rook on b1, and a2-a4-a5-a6 make} 17...
O-O-O {very unappealing, not to mention} 18. Nxf7 {winning the exchange.}) (
17... Nf6 {drops the b-pawn and doesn't allow Black to castle anyway because
the bishop on e7 is hanging.}) ({. Something simple like} 17... Rb8 {loses to}
18. Nxc6 {.}) ({. I think Black has to give up the hope of short castling, try
to keep the position closed, and castle by hand. If we return to} 17... Nd8 18.
Re1 {Black can play} Kf8 $1 {holding everything (for now). So I think 17...Nd8
is what I would play. --- Boris: Here starts the battle of two pawns: a2 and
b7. If White has the opportunity to play a2-a4 the b7-pawn will become weak,
and if Black is able to play ...b7-b5 then the a2-pawn will become weak. It is
because of this that your suggestion leaves something to be desired. After 17...Nd8 White could play} 19. Nd7+ Ke8 20. Nb6 Ra5 21. a4 $1 {achieving a
positional advantage.} (21. --))) 17... Bf6 $2 ({Boris: Black had to play the
ugly-looking} 17... f6 $1 18. Nf3 b5 $1 (18... O-O-O 19. Re1 Nf4 20. d4 Nd3 {
was sufficient for equality}) 19. Re1 Kf7 20. d4 b4 21. d5 Nc7 $1 {and Black
realizes chances that White gave him after 5 bxa4.}) 18. f4 $1 Nd8 ({Boris: Of
course, the knight on d8 is not attractive but alternatives are even worse:} 
18... Nxf4 $2 19. Rxf4 Bxe5 20. Re4 f6 21. d4 {winning}) ({or} 18... Bxe5 19.
fxe5 b5 20. a4 $1 bxa4 21. Ne4 {with a strong attack.}) (18... Nd8 {Exercise:
How does White cement his positional advantage? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel:
So Black plays ...Nd8 after all. How should White proceed? The king is still
sitting in the center and the b7-pawn, while defended, is vulnerable to attack.
I am looking at two knight moves:} 19. Ne4 ({and} 19. Nc4 {. Both threaten
Nd6+ but I think 19 Nc4 is stronger because it does not block the e-file.} -- (
{. After, for example,} 19... Bxc3 20. Re1+ Ne7 21. dxc3 {the a2-pawn is
hanging, but Black cannot castle and White is threatening Nd6+. Black cannot
respond with} Kd7 {because of} 22. Nb6+ {winning the rook. --- Boris: In this
position, Black has enough time to finish development. As I indicated before,
the battle is between the a2- and b7-pawns so here I played a2-a4, which
cements b7 as a long-term positional weakness. --- Joel: It seems there are
times when I misjudge the changing nature of the advantage. For example,
before I correctly understood that the advantage was temporary and White
needed to play for the initiative. Here, I am operating as though that were
still the case, when it seems the advantage has transformed to a long-term
positional one.}) ({. Boris: Very good! You are absolutely correct. To find
the correct solution you had to calculate variations. After 19 Nc4 (which you
suggested) White's initiative would evaporate after} 19... Bd4+ 20. Kh1 b5 {,
when it is White's a2-pawn that has become weak.} (20... --)))) 19. a4 $1 {
Boris: Now White's a-pawn is better than Black's b-pawn.} Be7 ({Boris: Black
recognized his mistake with 17...Bf6 and returns to the plan of playing ...
f7-f6, which I suggested in the notes. He would lose in the case of} 19... Ne7
20. Ba3 O-O 21. Ne4 Re8 22. Nd6 Rf8 23. Nd7 {.}) 20. Re1 $1 f6 21. Nc4 Kf7 22.
Ne4 Nh6 23. a5 $1 {Boris: One more nail in the coffin of the b7-pawn.} Rf8 (
23... Rf8 {Exercise: Which maneuver increases White's advantage? (difficulty
level 4) --- Joel: I seem to be drawn to} 24. Ned6+ {and can't find anything
wrong with it. I am worried that it exchanges off too many pieces, but if my
calculations (at least in one variation) are correct then White gets both
rooks on the seventh rank. For example,} Bxd6 25. Nxd6+ Kg8 (25... Kg6 {may be
possible}) 26. Nxb7 {(holding the a5-pawn and threatening Ba3)} Nxb7 27. Rxb7
Rxa5 28. Rbe7 {when I think Black is in trouble (at least he is in the glutton
role!). --- Boris: But if we continue your line} Nf5 29. Rc7 Ra1 30. g4 Rxc1
31. Kf2 Rc2 {, it is doubtful that White can win this position. However, White
can zigzag his rook to the seventh rank (without exchanging the unfortunate
bishop on e7, which you allowed), making Black's position hopeless. One of the
main reasons why Black's position is bad is because the bishop on e7 is bad.})
24. Rb3 $1 Kg8 25. Rd3 Ne6 26. Rd7 ({Boris:} 26. Nf2 $5 Nxf4 27. Rxe7 Nxd3 28.
Nxd3 Rf7 29. Rxf7 Nxf7 30. Nc5 {, was also attractive, but here White would
have more technical difficulties.}) 26... Bc5+ 27. Kf1 Rab8 {Boris: Again
Beliavsky plays the most stubborn defense.} ({Worse was} 27... Ng4 28. g3 $1) (
{or} 27... Rf7 28. Rxf7 Kxf7 29. Nxc5 Nxc5 30. Ba3 Nd3 31. Re7+ {and White is
winning.}) 28. g3 Bb4 29. Ned6 $1 Nc5 ({Boris: Black would lose after} 29...
Bxd6 30. Nxd6 Nc5 31. Rc7 Rfd8 32. Ree7 Rxd6 33. Rxg7+ Kf8 34. Ba3 Rd5 35. d4
$1 {.}) 30. Rc7 Na6 31. Rxb7 {Boris: Finishing the duel of the a2- and
b7-pawns in White's favor.} Rxb7 32. Nxb7 Nf5 33. Ba3 Bxa3 34. Nxa3 Rb8 35. Rb1
Kf8 36. Rb6 Nd4 37. Nc4 Ke7 38. Kf2 Ra8 39. Rb1 Rb8 40. Rb6 Ra8 41. Ke3 Nc2+
42. Ke4 Ncb4 43. d4 $1 {Boris: One hundred years ago Bogoljubow wrote a book
"1 d2-d4 and White is winning". I can write the book "43 d2-d4 and White is
winning" with only one, but very convincing, example.} Re8 44. Nc5 Kf8+ 45. Kf3
Nxc5 46. dxc5 Nc2 47. a6 Nd4+ 48. Kg4 h5+ 49. Kxh5 Kg8 ({Boris: Black's last
trap was} 49... Ke7 $5 50. a7 Rh8+ 51. Kg6 $2 (51. Kg4 {would win}) 51... Rh6+
52. Kxg7 Nf5+ {with perpetual check.}) 50. a7 Kh7 51. Rb8 Re2 52. Rb2 ({Boris:
} 52. a8=Q {was not bad either.}) 52... Re8 53. Ra2 f5 54. Kh4 {. --- Joel:
The main lesson for me in this game was the tale of the two pawns, fixing a
pawn weakness, and sensing the transformation of the advantage and shifting
plans accordingly. --- Boris: The most interesting aspect of this game was the
relative value of the initiative and pawn weaknesses. Beliavsky and I did not
evaluate this correctly all the time. He overestimated the value of the
initiative compared to the value of pawn weakness on move 17, permitting me to
play 19 a4, when he ran into a difficult position.} 1-0

[Event "Hastings"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1989.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Yusupov, A."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D86"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "1989.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 O-O 8.
Ne2 Nc6 9. O-O b6 10. Bg5 Bb7 11. Qd2 Qd6 {Boris: This move was introduced by
Korchnoi many years ago. I realized later that the best square for the queen
was d7. Svidler played it against Kramnik at Tilburg in 1998, with the
insignificant difference that White's bishop was on e3 rather than g5.} 12.
Rad1 $5 ({Exercise: What would follow after} 12. e5 {- ? (difficulty level 2)
--- Joel: First I looked at 12...Nxe5 but then noticed that the queen is
protected by the bishop. Therefore, I would play 12...Qa3 with idea of ...Na5,
...c7-c5, and ...Rad8. --- Boris: 12 e5 has a tactical refutation that was
overlooked by Ftacnik too:} Nxe5 $1 {(L.Ftacnik-B.Gulko, Biel 1988)} 13. dxe5
Qc6 {. This trap is the only advantage of 11...Qd6 over 11...Qd7.}) 12... Na5
13. Bd3 c5 14. d5 e6 $1 ({Boris: This move is much better than 14...c4, because
} 14... c4 15. Bc2 e6 16. dxe6 Qxe6 17. Nd4 $5 {gives the knight an excellent
square. With the pawn on c5 he would not have the d4-square for the knight,
which is why I permitted him to support the d5-pawn with 15 c4.}) 15. c4 Ba6
16. Qc2 ({Boris: White could not play to maintain two central pawns with} 16.
Rc1 {, because after} exd5 17. cxd5 $6 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 f5 $1 19. f3 (19. Nf4 fxe4
20. Qxe4 Rae8 21. Ne6 Rf5 {is not good for White}) 19... fxe4 20. fxe4 Nc6 $1 {
the black knight will the occupy e5-square with good perspectives.}) 16... exd5
17. exd5 Qd7 $1 {Boris: Black fixes the disadvantages associated with his
earlier 11...Qd6 and vacates the d6-square for the knight. --- Joel: Can you
say something about acknowledging mistakes and what to do about them in a
game? --- Boris: When I played 17...Qd7 I wasn't thinking about fixing my
mistake. I was trying to find the best move in the position and to defend
against the threat of Qa4. 17...Qd7 prepares ...Nb7-d6. --- Joel: What this
suggests to me is that you do not get hung up on mistakes. --- Boris: Yes,
when we play the game we try to find the best move whether or not we have made
a mistake before. You cannot punish yourself or dwell on your mistakes, as it
will prevent you from finding future opportunities. You must treat each move
objectively and try to find the best move in the position. The game
continuation avoids 17...Rae8? 18 Bd2 and White is better because he can
exchange on a5, destroying Black's queenside, and if 18...Nb7 then 19 Qa4 is
winning.} 18. Ng3 {Exercise: What does Black have to play? (difficulty level 3)
} ({Joel: I think White is better. He has a very strong passed d-pawn. Black
must come to grips with this pawn immediately. I think it needs to be
undermined with ...b6-b5. However, if} 18. Ng3 b5 {immediately, White would
exchange off pawns and bishops and the d-pawn, supported by the rook on d1 and
bishop on g5, will push forward. This will put Black in a very uncomfortable
position. Therefore, I think first 18...Nb7 followed by ...Nd6 and then ...b6-b5. --- Boris: You're right that 18...b5 is bad, but for the simple reason
that White has} 19. cxb5 Bxb5 20. Qxc5 {winning.}) 18... Rae8 $1 ({Boris: The
move you offered is consistent with the overall plan but it allows White a
very strong knight sacrifice:} 18... Nb7 $6 19. Nf5 $5 gxf5 20. Bxf5 Qd6 21.
Bxh7+ Kh8 22. Rd3 {with a very strong attack.}) 19. Bd2 ({Boris: Now the
knight sacrifice is not dangerous because Black has ...Ba6-c8, controlling the
h3-square where White's rook needs to go; e.g.} 19. Nf5 $2 gxf5 20. Bxf5 Qd6
21. Bxh7+ Kh8 22. Rd3 Bc8 {.}) ({White is not promised much either by} 19. Rfe1
Rxe1+ 20. Rxe1 Re8 {with equality.}) 19... Nb7 20. Ne4 Nd6 ({Boris: Black has
to exchange knights because} 20... f5 21. Ng5 Nd8 22. h4 {gives White a
lasting initiative.}) 21. Nxd6 Qxd6 22. Qa4 $6 {Boris: My opponent evaluated
the position too optimistically and decided to take the a7 pawn. However, the
queen on a7 will be excluded from the game, allowing Black a strong and sudden
kingside counterattack.} ({Better was} 22. Rfe1 Bc8 {with an equal position.})
22... Bc8 23. Qxa7 {Exercise: How can Black use the time White will need to
return his queen to his advantage? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: Black can
gain time on the queen, but he must take away the retreat square that allows
White to hold the pawn by playing 23...Bd7 (controlling a4), followed by ...Rea8 and ...Rxa2.} Be5 $1 ({Boris: The move you offered} 23... Bd7 {would be
good, if it were not for} 24. Rb1 b5 25. Be3 $1 {, attacking c5, and White is
much better.}) 24. h3 $6 ({Boris: Other possibilities include: If White tries
to win the exchange with} 24. Bh6 $2 {then Black wins with} Bxh2+ 25. Kh1 Bf4
26. Bxf8 Qxf8 27. Kg1 Qh6 28. g3 Bg4 {.}) ({If he tries to block with} 24. g3
$2 {then} Bh3 25. Bh6 Qf6 {and Black has an extremely strong attack because ...Qf3 is threatened, and if White tries to prevent it with} 26. f4 {then} Bd4+
27. Kh1 Ra8 28. Qb7 Rxa2 {is winning.}) (24. h4 $5 {was interesting but very
un-human.}) (24. f4 $1 {was White's strongest move. The position after} Bd4+
25. Kh1 {is good for computer analysis. Black can choose between} b5 {,} (25...
Bd7) ({or Rybka's} 25... Bg4 {, when in all cases the positions are very
unclear.})) (24. h3 {Exercise: What does Black have to do? (difficulty level 4)
} -- ({. Joel: The queen is out of play and White has just given Black a
target on h3. I'm thinking about sacrificing on h3 either now or after ...Bh2+
to take advantage of White's pieces being offside. If} 24... Bxh3 25. gxh3 Bh2+
26. Kh1 Re5 {(with the threat of ...Rh5) then White cannot cover the h5-square
with the bishop because the e2-square is covered. This looks like a strong
attack. Can White regroup and defend? Yes,} 27. f4 {(hitting the rook and
threatening Kxh2 defends)} Bxf4 28. Bxf4 {pinning the rook wins. Therefore, 24.
..Bxh3 is dubious and 24...Bd7 should be played with the idea of regaining the
a-pawn.}) ({. Boris: You're right that 24...Bxh3 doesn't work. It is necessary
to find a way to attack the king, which} 24... Bd4 $1 {accomplishes. Now Black
creates the threat of} 25. -- Bxh3 26. gxh3 Qg3+ {. With 24...Bd4! White
really does not have time to bring the queen back for defense.} (26... --)))
24... Bd4 $3 {Joel: Why did you play 23...Be5 and then 24...Bd4 - ? --- Boris:
After provoking the weakness on h3, Black is ready to sacrifice on h3 and give
check on g3. In order to accomplish this, I need to pin the f2-pawn.} 25. Kh1 (
{Boris: If White plays} 25. Qa3 {my plan was} Bxh3 26. Bxg6 (26. gxh3 Qg3+ 27.
Kh1 Qxh3+ 28. Kg1 Be5 {is a typical mating pattern that Korchnoi exploited to
win against Karpov in one of their match games - 1974 match, game 21}) 26...
Bxg2 $1 27. Bxh7+ Kxh7 28. Kxg2 Rg8+ 29. Kh1 ({Rybka shows that} 29. Kf3 $1 Rg6
30. Qd3 Kg7 31. Bf4 Qf6 {was also insufficient for defense}) 29... Re3 $1 30.
Bxe3 Qg6 31. Qd3 f5 {with a beautiful mate.}) (25. Kh1 {Exercise: How can
Black develop the initiative? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: What is the
drawback of 25 Kh1 - ? It seems like a good prophylactic move. It seems to me
that the queen must enter the kingside in some forceful way. The rook cannot
do it because the only square available (e5) would lead to Bf4 pinning the
rook. The only squares available for the queen are f6 and e5. I like} Qf6 {
because it holds the pawn on b6 a move longer and provides a route to h4 where,
with the bishop, she will attack f2 and threaten ...Bxh3. --- Boris: Yes. I
would add that the other square available to the queen is f3, after the
sacrifice on h3.}) 25... Qf6 $1 26. Be3 ({Boris: If White tries} 26. Qc7 {
Black wins with} Be5 27. Qc6 Qh4 {and there is no defense against 28...Bxh3.})
({If White plays} 26. f4 {, then} Bg4 $1 27. Rde1 Qh4 {again has the strong
threat of ...Bxh3.}) ({The correct but very difficult move was} 26. Kh2 {, and
the only way to keep up the initiative is} Bg4 $3 ({the tempting} 26... Bxh3 {
fails to} 27. Kxh3 $1 Re5 28. Rde1 Rh5+ 29. Kg3 {, when the white king is
surprisingly invulnerable; e.g.} Qh4+ 30. Kf3 f5 31. Ke2 Qg4+ 32. f3 Qxg2+ 33.
Kd1 Rh2 34. Bc1 $1 {and White defends}) 27. Rb1 ({if} 27. hxg4 Qh4+ 28. Kg1 Be5
29. g3 Bxg3 {and Black is winning}) 27... b5 $1 28. Rxb5 Be2 {with a strong
initiative for Black. You can easily find this line if you are Rybka. Let's
return to human chess.}) (26. Be3 {Exercise: What would you play with Black? 
(difficulty level 2) --- Joel: White plays another nice preventative move,
this time blocking the dark-squared bishop. This is so important he is willing
to incur an isolated and backward e-pawn for it. The question is whether to
accept or continue with the attack. I think 26...Qh4 is strong because it
threatens ...Bxh3. For example, after} Qh4 27. Bxd4 Bxh3 {Black is threatening
a discovered check on the king (guaranteeing a draw) as well as recapturing
the bishop on d4. --- Boris: It looks like your suggestion is enough for
equality but Black doesn't need to prepare the sacrifice on h3.}) 26... Bxh3 $1
27. Bxd4 cxd4 $1 ({Boris: Black avoids the perpetual with} 27... Bxg2+ 28. Kxg2
Qg5+ {, as he already has a decisive advantage.}) 28. d6 ({Boris: If} 28. gxh3
Qf3+ 29. Kh2 Re5 30. Rg1 {, then} Rfe8 $1 {and Black is winning. --- Joel:
Why? That's not immediately obvious. --- Boris: Because of the following
forced continuation:} 31. Qd7 Qxf2+ 32. Rg2 Qf4+ 33. Kh1 Re1+ 34. Rxe1 Rxe1+
35. Rg1 Qf3+ 36. Kh2 Qxd3 37. Rxe1 Qd2+ {, when Black will take the rook with
check and the d-pawn will be unstoppable.}) 28... Re5 29. f4 (29. f4 {Exercise:
What should Black play? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: The variation I am
considering is} Bxg2+ 30. Kxg2 Ra5 {(hitting the queen)} 31. Qb7 {(trying to
come to the aid of the king)} Rxa2+ {, and here we have three variations:} 32.
Rf2 (32. Rf2 Rxf2+ 33. Kxf2 Qxf4+ 34. Qf3 Qxd6 {with four pawns for the piece}
(34... --)) (32. Kg1 Qh4 {and mate cannot be prevented without giving up a lot
of material}) ({; and} 32. Kh3 $1 {and Black has a hard time getting at the
enemy king, for example,} Qe6+ 33. Kg3 Qe3+ 34. Rf3 {and White is safe.
Therefore, I would have to consider 29...Rh5. --- Boris: You didn't consider
all of the candidate moves. Unfortunately after 30...Ra5 in your first line
White has 31 Qe7 and Black is forced to trade queens. Against your suggestion
29...Rh5, White has 30 Qe7 as well. It is critical to control the e7-square,
which is why 29...Re3 is the only move.})) 29... Re3 $1 30. Qb7 Qh4 31. Kg1 (
31. Kg1 {Exercise: How does Black win? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: It is
tempting to simply take the pawn with} Bxg2 {, but after} 32. Qxg2 Rg3 {White
may still have chances because of the d-pawn, although I like Black. Actually,
I don't think White can hold the d6-pawn, so this is winning. --- Boris:
Correct.}) 31... Bxg2 $1 32. Qxg2 Rg3 33. Be4 Rxg2+ 34. Bxg2 Qf6 35. d7 Qd6 36.
f5 Qxd7 37. Bd5 Qe7 38. Rf3 Qe5 39. Rdf1 g5 40. f6 Re8 41. Kh1 g4 42. Rf5 Qe3
43. Rh5 Re5 44. Rh2 d3 45. Bxf7+ Kxf7 46. Rxh7+ Kg6 47. f7 Kxh7 48. f8=Q Qh3+ {
. --- Boris: This game was really sharp. The main idea was that, with the
white queen offside, Black had to find the hidden way to create an attack and
play with a lot of energy. He could not lose a single tempo because then
White's queen could return to defend, when he would simply be a pawn up. This
proves Tarrasch's rule that one badly placed piece ruins the whole game (in
this case the white queen on a7). --- Joel: I was struck by the long and
complicated calculations I made after 29 f4. After a lot of work, I rejected
29...Bxg2+ and simply, without calculating, chose the move 29...Rh5. I think
this is a good example of what Kotov was talking about in 'Think Like a
Grandmaster'. You can't calculate for one variation and then choose another
impulsively. You have to check each candidate move. --- Boris: I would add
that you also have to figure out all candidate moves before calculating.} 0-1

[Event "Amsterdam"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1989.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Korchnoi, V."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A48"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1989.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was a double round robin tournament that included six
grandmasters. In the first part of the tournament, I beat Korchnoi in a
typical Catalan in which one inaccuracy in the opening for Black was fatal. He
came to this game with a "do or die" attitude.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c3 {
Boris: In our two previous games against each other when Korchnoi was White, I
played the Grünfeld, which was my main defense to 1 d4 in those years. In both
games Black obtained good positions, so in this he decided to avoid the
Grünfeld. --- Joel: What was it like playing Korchnoi? I remember you telling
me that you enjoyed playing Kasparov because you enjoyed sharp tactical chess
as did he, but had a harder time playing Karpov who had a very prophylactic
style. --- Boris: Korchnoi liked complications and liked to complicate
positions. All games with him were interesting and not very smooth. When there
is a complicated struggle, both sides have a chance to make a mistake. There
is always a lot of tension and the games were eventful. This game is a good
example. --- Joel: What was your score against him? --- Boris: I have a small
plus. --- Joel: Which players were toughest for you to play against? --- Boris:
Tal and Petrosian.} Bg7 4. Bf4 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Nbd2 Bf5 $5 {Boris: White shows
that he wants to play e2-e4 so Black prevents it with the very provocative 6...
Bf5.} ({Instead,} 6... Nbd7 {would be a usual King's Indian move}) ({while
after} 6... c5 {, as Korchnoi himself played against Bronstein at Budapest in
1961, there would follow} 7. dxc5 dxc5 8. e4 {with a minimal advantage to
White in a quiet position.}) 7. g4 $1 Bd7 $6 {Boris: After this move Black's
bishop deprives the c8-knight of its best square.} ({Also bad was} 7... Be4 $6
8. Nxe4 Nxe4 9. Qc2 {with advantage to White.}) (7... Bc8 $1 {was best,
followed by 8...Nbd7. --- Joel: It is not obvious to me what you would have
gained by retreating the bishop to its home square. --- Boris: By pushing
g2-g4 (provoked by ...Bf5), White weakens his position. To make use of this
weakening, Black needs to open the position. With the knight on d7, Black
would have a choice of either ...c7-c5 or ...e7-e5. With the knight on c6 (the
only option after the text move) ...c7-c5 is impossible; therefore, it is
harder for Black to open the position and take advantage of this weakening.
--- Joel: It also fits nicely with the importance of maintaining your options.
--- Boris: Yes.}) 8. Bg2 Nc6 {Exercise: What should White play? (difficulty
level 5) --- Joel: I think Black is threatening 9...Nd5, hitting the bishop
and threatening 10...e5. Therefore, White should play 9 Qb3, controlling the
e4-square and threatening Qxb7. Now I see that 9 Qb3 runs into 9...Na5.
Perhaps a better way is simply to retreat the bishop with 9 Bh2. This takes
the sting out of 9...Nd5 and also allows White to play 10 e4 in response, when
White has a strong, mobile pawn center and a sizeable space advantage. ---
Boris: Very good. You found Black's idea and a way to prevent it. The move
Korchnoi played is more natural but has the same idea. It is a nice
prophylactic move against 9...Nd5. Why 9 Bg3 is more precise than 9 Bh2 we
will see in the next annotation.} 9. Bg3 $1 ({Boris: The natural} 9. Qc2 {was
worse due to} Nd5 $1 10. Bg3 e5 11. dxe5 dxe5 {, and now} 12. Nxe5 $2 {would
be bad because of} Ne3 $1 13. fxe3 Bxe5 {with advantage to Black.}) 9... Qe8 $2
{Boris: After White's brilliant prophylactic move, Black very soon runs out of
good moves.} ({Boris: But} 9... h5 $5 {would have been an interesting option,
when} 10. g5 Nd5 11. e4 Nb6 {results in an unclear position. Instead, White
could play 10 Qc2!? with the idea of castling queenside and sacrificing a pawn.
Here we also see why Korchnoi's 9 Bg3 is better than the move you offered (9
Bh2). On h2, the bishop is misplaced because White would like to have an open
h-file for his rooks.}) 10. Qc2 e5 11. dxe5 dxe5 $6 ({Boris: It was better for
Black to play} 11... Nxe5 $5 12. Nxe5 dxe5 13. Bxb7 Rb8 14. Bg2 Bc6 {when
Black has some, if not sufficient, compensation for the pawn.}) (11... dxe5 {
Exercise: What is the best way for White? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: Black
has the positional threat of playing 12...e4 followed by ...e4-e3, when he
will saddle White with doubled e-pawns on an open file. Therefore, White
should play} 12. e4 {, preventing this plan and restricting the activity of
Black's dark-squared bishop. --- Boris: 12 e4 would not promise White any
advantage. After 12 e4, Black has time to harmonize his position with} Qe6 {
(preventing Nd2-c4) and ...Nf6-e8-d6. In addition, both of White's bishops
will be restricted. Most importantly, following 12 Nc4 White wins a pawn and
Black doesn't have compensation. Therefore, 12 Nc4! is the right solution.})
12. Nc4 $1 Nd5 {Boris: Now Black's best hope is to create complications.} ({In
the case of} 12... e4 13. Nfd2 {Black would lose the pawn in a quiet position.
Although it is not ideal to lose a pawn in the first place, it is worse to do
so in a quiet position. Black's task now is to create complications at all
cost. --- Joel: What do you mean? --- Boris: Black has to create a situation
in which the opponent must find "only" moves on a narrow road to keep his
advantage, as opposed to a wide road when any reasonable move keeps the
advantage.}) 13. Nfxe5 $1 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 ({Boris: White avoids the trap} 14.
Bxd5 $2 Bc6 15. Ne3 Nc4 {and Black is at least not worse.}) (14. Bxe5 {
Exercise: Black lost the pawn without compensation. How can he muddy the
waters? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I am thinking about} Ba4 {. The queen
has a limited number of squares available to her. If} 15. b3 {, White weakens
his queenside, which is where the white king will likely end up. Black can
then play 15...Bc6 threatening ...Nd5-b4.} ({If instead White responds by
moving his queen then Black can gain counterplay by attacking her. For example,
if} 15. Qd2) ({or} 15. Qd3 {, then} Rd8 16. Bxd5 c6 17. Bxf7+ Qxf7 {,
attacking both the queen and f2 (White's king also stays stuck in the center).}
)) 14... Ne3 $1 ({Boris: After your suggestion} 14... Ba4 15. b3 Bc6 {White
would play} 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 {, when the position is relatively calm and White is
simply up a pawn. The move I played in the game (14...Ne3) created more
problems for White, problems that even a player as great as Korchnoi didn't
solve.}) 15. Nxe3 Qxe5 16. Bxb7 $1 Rab8 (16... Rab8 {Exercise: Calculate
variations and find the best way for White. (difficulty level 5)} 17. -- ({.
Joel: If} 17. Bg2 {, then Black has} Rxb2 $1 18. Qxb2 Qxc3+ 19. Qxc3 Bxc3+ {
followed by 20...Bxa1, when material is even but Black has the bishop pair on
an open board with a passed c-pawn.} (19... --)) ({. The same can be said for} 
17. Bf3 {.}) ({. If} 17. Rd1 Rxb7 18. Rxd7 {, then} Rfb8 {and White's
queenside is under tremendous pressure. If White responds with} 19. Rd2 {
holding the b-pawn, Black has} Bh6 {(pinning the knight) and White is under
pressure. These are the main variations I see for White.}) ({. Boris: Your
analysis of 17 Bg2 or 17 Bf3 was correct, but your estimation of the position
after} 17. Rd1 {was wrong because after} Rxb7 18. Rxd7 Rfb8 {White has two
extra pawns, so returning one with} 19. b3 Qxc3+ 20. Qxc3 Bxc3+ 21. Kd1 {will
allow White to transpose to a winning endgame with an extra pawn. But your
estimation that 17 Rad1 was not sufficient was correct. Korchnoi had to choose
between the game continuation or 17 0-0-0. The choice was difficult because,
with an open b-file, queenside castling looks risky. --- Joel: I think that is
why I didn't even consider it.})) 17. Rd1 $6 ({Boris: Calculating variations
deeply, White had to come to the conclusion that Black's initiative would
evaporate and White would have a big advantage after} 17. O-O-O $1 Be6 18. Bd5
Bh6 (18... c6 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Nc4 Qf4+ 21. Nd2 Qxf2 22. Qe4 {was also
insufficient}) 19. Kb1 $1 {- the key move and a difficult one to find. ---
Joel: Why is this the key move? --- Boris: Because in all other cases Black
would have reasonable counterplay.} ({. For example,} 19. Qe4 Qxe4 20. Bxe4
Bxa2 21. Rd7 Bf4 {with sufficient counterplay. --- Joel: Why is it sufficient?
--- Boris: Because Black has the two bishops, they are active, and the
position can open up to their advantage.}) ({. In the case of} 19. Bxe6 fxe6 $1
20. Kb1 Rxf2 {Black regains the sacrificed pawns}) ({, while if} 19. Bb3 Bxb3
20. axb3 Bxe3+ 21. fxe3 Qxe3+ 22. Kb1 Qb6 $1 23. b4 a5 {and Black has
excellent counterplay. --- Joel: What is so excellent about it? --- Boris:
Here White still has an extra pawn but Black's rooks will be very active on
the open queenside files, and at the same time Black's king is completely safe.
}) ({. Returning to} 19. Kb1 $1 {, after} Bxe3 20. Bxe6 -- (20... Bxf2 21. Bb3
{White has an extra pawn and a good position.}) ({. Opposite-colored bishops
generally increases drawing chances, but here, because of White's strong
pressure on f7 and the lack of perspectives for Black's bishop, it is better
to play} 20... Qxe6 21. fxe3 Qxe3 {, which is more stubborn. --- Joel: Is this
an example of opposite-colored bishops in the middlegame providing attacking
chances because they control different color complexes? --- Boris: Yes.} (21...
--)))) 17... Be6 18. Bd5 Bh6 19. Bxe6 ({Boris:} 19. Nc4 $2 {would be a huge
mistake, as} Qxd5 {would win nearly all of White's pieces.}) 19... Qxe6 ({
Boris: The exchange sacrifice} 19... fxe6 20. Rd3 $1 ({not} 20. Nc4 $2 Qf4) ({
or} 20. Ng2 $2 Rxf2 21. Kxf2 Rf8+ 22. Kg1 Be3+) 20... Rxf2 {would not yield
enough compensation after} 21. Kxf2 Rf8+ 22. Ke1 Bxe3 23. Kd1 {.}) 20. b3 ({
Boris: In the case of} 20. Nd5 $6 Rfd8 $1 21. Nb4 Rxd1+ 22. Qxd1 c5 23. Nd3
Qxa2 {Black would have real counterplay.}) 20... Bxe3 21. fxe3 Qxe3 22. Rd3 Qe7
23. O-O {Exercise: Find the best way to create counterplay for Black. 
(difficulty level 3)} ({Joel: I like} 23. O-O f5 {because it opens up the
position to attack White's king, which is under-defended on the kingside. ---
Boris: At this moment I had only four minutes to make seventeen moves, but for
me it was easy to play because I knew the general rules for playing this type
of position with major pieces. The main factor, as in my game with Shabalov 
(Game Eight), is the position of the kings. This position is simultaneously an
endgame and a middlegame. Black has to play as if he is in a middlegame 
(attacking the king) with an eye always on transpositions to the endgame. Here,
Black activates his rook and threatens ...Re5 or ...h7-h5. After this, Black
has sufficient counterplay for the pawn. The move you offer, 23...f5, weakens
the kingside and, more importantly, does not facilitate the activation of the
rook on b8. For example,} 24. gxf5 Qg5+ 25. Kh2 Rxf5 26. Rg3 Qxg3+ 27. Kxg3
Rxf1 28. Qe4 {and because Black's pawns are weak, he has to defend very
carefully which would be very difficult, especially in time trouble. Instead
of defending a difficult position, the move 23...Rb5 makes chances mutual.})
23... Rb5 $1 24. Qd2 h5 25. Rf2 Re5 26. Rg2 Re8 27. Rd7 Qe6 $1 ({Boris: Simply
worse were} 27... Qh4 $2 28. Qf4 Rf5 29. Qg3) ({or} 27... Qc5+ 28. Qd4 {, with
advantage for White in both cases.}) 28. Rd8 $1 {Joel: Why do you give this an
exclamation point? --- Boris: Generally the rook on d7 is not doing anything,
it is misplaced.} ({Korchnoi cannot take on c7 (} 28. Rxc7 $2 Qb6+ {) and,
therefore, gets rid of his misplaced piece. At the same time he eliminates my
counterplay on the e-file.}) 28... Rxd8 $1 {Joel: Why did you give this an
exclamation point too? --- Boris: Because by accepting the exchange of rooks,
I decoy the queen from defending the king.} 29. Qxd8+ Kg7 30. Qxc7 ({Boris:
After} 30. Qd2 hxg4 31. hxg4 Re4 {Black has a good game because of the
weakness of White's king.}) 30... Rxe2 31. Rxe2 Qxe2 {Joel: Endings with
queens are very difficult for me. It seems that the slightest weakness in the
king's position results in a perpetual check. Here you are even down material 
(although White's king admittedly is wide open). Nevertheless, you have no
pieces left. How did you decide to go into this ending and, I imagine, with
confidence? --- Boris: I didn't have time for confidence but I thought I had a
perpetual check.} 32. Qxa7 ({Boris: After} 32. gxh5 Qe1+ {Black has perpetual
check.}) 32... Qe1+ 33. Kg2 Qe4+ (33... Qe4+ {. Exercise: What would you play
in the case of} 34. Kg3 {- ? (difficulty level 3) --- Boris: Black would gain
the advantage after} h4+ $1 {. If White's king retreats, Black will win the
h3-pawn and his h4-pawn will become dangerous, and if White takes on h4 it
will lead to mate; e.g.} 35. Kxh4 $4 Qe1+ 36. Kg5 Qe5+ 37. Kh4 Kh6 {.}) 34. Kf2
Qc2+ 35. Kf3 Qd1+ 36. Ke4 $2 ({Boris: White missed the appropriate moment to
agree on the draw with the safe} 36. Kf2 {.}) ({The move} 36. Kf4 {transposes
to the next note after} Qf1+ {.}) 36... Qh1+ 37. Ke5 $2 ({Boris: In this
position White would have to play precisely to make a draw:} 37. Kf4 $1 Qf1+
38. Ke4 $1 ({again bad was} 38. Kg3 $2 h4+ $1 {.})) 37... Qxh3 {Exercise:
Calculate and evaluate 38 gxh5. (difficulty level 4)} ({Joel: I cannot
calculate these kinds of positions. I always lose or draw by perpetual check.
There are too many possibilities. --- Boris: Korchnoi was also short on time
but realized that} 37... Qxh3 38. gxh5 $2 {loses because of} Qf5+ 39. Kd6 Qe6+
40. Kc7 Qe7+ 41. Kb8 Qxa7+ 42. Kxa7 g5 $1 {and Black's g-pawn will promote
with check. To learn these positions, you have to train with studies using
similar material. After you solve several of these endgame studies, it will be
easier for you to find the correct solution during the game.}) 38. Qd4 $1 hxg4
39. Kd6+ $2 {Boris: After so many sudden changes Korchnoi lost his orientation.
} ({White could save some chances for the draw with} 39. Kf4+ Kh7 40. Qf2 {,
though after} f5 {Black is probably winning.}) 39... Kg8 40. Ke7 Qh4+ ({Boris:
After} 40... Qh4+ 41. Ke8 ({or} 41. Kd7 Qg5) 41... Qe1+ 42. Kd7 g3 {, the
g-pawn will queen. --- Boris: What can this game teach? Korchnoi's
sophisticated opening play, especially the brilliant prophylactic move 9 Bg3,
gave him a big advantage through move 12. The next stage of the game was
interesting because of how Black tried to muddy the waters. The crucial moment
was on move 17 when White needed deep calculation and evaluation to choose
between two alternatives. He chose wrong. After this there was a very
instructive middlegame/endgame struggle with major pieces, where White's extra
pawn was balanced by the vulnerability of White's king. The queen endgame
suddenly became bad for White because of the unfortunate position of his king.
It is rare for three connected passed pawns on the queenside not to have any
importance in the outcome. --- Joel: Can you give some advice about how to
play queen endgames with many possibilities for checks and perpetuals? ---
Boris: As I said before, analyzing queen endgame studies will teach you the
typical methods of playing in such situations. The critical issue is the
relative safety of the kings and the quality of the pawns. One advanced pawn
can outweigh several not-so-advanced pawns.}) 0-1

[Event "Manila Olympiad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Shabalov, A."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C01"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "1992.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was the last Olympiad where Shabalov played for his native
country Latvia. After this, he moved to the USA and became one of America's
strongest players. He is a very sharp player and games against him are always
very interesting and exciting.} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Nf6 5.
Bd3 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Bg5 ({Boris: The move} 7. h3 $5 {deserves attention
because it restricts Black's light-squared bishop. After the game continuation,
Black easily finishes development and doesn't have any problems.}) 7... Bg4 8.
Nbd2 Nbd7 9. c3 c5 $5 ({Joel: You decide that it would be profitable to play
an isolated queen pawn position. Can you explain the pros and cons in the
position that allowed you to make this decision? --- Boris: Here Black could
reach an absolutely equal but boring position with} 9... h6 $5 10. Bh4 Nh5 11.
Bxe7 Qxe7 12. h3 Nf4 $1 {.}) ({Instead, Black tried to complicate. In this
particular position, Black doesn't have to worry about the isolated pawn
because in the case of} 9... c5 10. dxc5 Nxc5 11. Bc2 Nce4 {he has a lot of
active possibilities.}) 10. h3 Bh5 11. Qc2 c4 12. Bf5 Bg6 13. Rae1 Re8 14. Ne5
Nxe5 15. Rxe5 ({Boris: The continuation} 15. dxe5 {didn't promise anything
after} Nd7 16. Bxe7 Rxe7 17. e6 ({or} 17. Bxg6 fxg6 $1 18. Nf3 Nc5 {,
intending to sink the knight into d3}) 17... Bxf5 18. Qxf5 Nc5 {and a knight
on d3 would give Black a great position.}) 15... Bd6 $1 16. f4 $6 {Boris:
Playing against Shabalov you don't have to worry about quiet draws.} ({After} 
16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Rxe8+ Qxe8 18. Nf3 Qf8 {an equal drawish position would
arise. With his last move White creates complications, as you might expect
from Shabalov.}) (16. f4 {Exercise: What you would play as Black? (difficulty
level 5) --- Joel: I stared at this position for 45 minutes. It doesn't seem
like anything allows Black to avoid structural weaknesses on his kingside.
Therefore, I decided that Black must seek activation in exchange. I decided on}
Qc7 {. My idea is that, although this allows White to double Black's kingside
pawns, White must concede the e-file and the bishop pair. With the bishop on
g6, I think my kingside will be safe. Also, the open g-file may come in handy
in an attack on White's king. --- Boris: Your intuition was correct, but with
this move Black sacrifices a central pawn. --- Joel: Yeah, I didn't see that.
--- Boris: (laughing) Yes, that is your trouble. In return for this central
pawn, White's rook will end up isolated on the queenside and Black will be
able to use the e-file. Black should not abandon the open e-file for the
semi-open g-file as you proposed. The g-file is simply not important in this
position.}) 16... Qc7 $1 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Rxd5 Qc6 ({The hasty} 18... Re2 $2 {
would have been bad because of} 19. Qd1 Rae8 20. Bg4 {and White is winning}) (
18... Qc6 {Exercise: What does White have to do? (difficulty level 5)} 19. -- (
{. Joel: I think White has to give up the exchange with} 19. Rxd6 Qxd6 20. Nxc4
{, when White has two pawns for the exchange. The only square he can move his
rook to is a5 and here it will be out of play.}) ({. I believe Black can get
immediate and strong counterplay after} 19. Ra5 {with} Re2 {(pinning the
knight and threatening mate)} 20. Rf2 Rae8 {(I am not worried about} 21. Rxa7 {
because of} Bxf4 {) and White can't exchange off rooks because of mate. Here
Black's threats against White's king and the pinned knight make up for the
material deficit.}) ({. Boris: You're right; the rook on a5 will be misplaced.
The line you offer, 19 Rxd6 Qxd6 20 Nxc4, gave White the most chances to
survive, but to struggle for the draw (after 20...Qd5) is not in Shabalov's
character.} 19. Be4 $5 {was the move I was afraid of during the game. After 19
Be4 there would arise wild complications. Now with the help of Rybka we can
figure out that after} Qxd5 (19... Rxe4 $2 20. Nxe4 Qxd5 21. f5 $1 {was bad
for Black}) 20. f5 Qb5 ({worse was} 20... Bxf5 21. Rxf5 Qe6 22. Rh5 {with a
kingside attack}) 21. fxg6 hxg6 22. Bxg6 Re2 23. Rxf6 Qg5 {, Black is better.})
) 19. Ne4 $6 {Joel: Wow! I didn't anticipate this at all.} (19. Ne4 {Exercise:
Why is this dubious? (difficulty level 3)} -- ({. Joel: The move 19 Ne4 is
very creative and why it is dubious escapes me. Both} 19... Bxf5 20. Nxf6+ Kg7
21. Qxf5) ({, and} 19... Qxd5 20. Nxf6+ {are bad for Black.}) ({. Maybe} 19...
Rxe4 20. Qxe4 Re8 {and White loses a piece. --- Boris: No, White has} 21. Qf3 {
and the rook and bishop are protected.}) ({. Joel: Right, in that case, I like
} 19... Bc7 {. This allows the queen to protect to f6-square, gets the bishop
out of the way of being captured, and on c7 the bishop covers the only safe
square for White's rook. Then} 20. Rc5 Bxf5 21. Rxc6 Bxe4 22. -- (22. Rxc7 Bxc2
{and Black is better. So I would play 19...Bc7.}) ({. Boris: You missed} 22.
Qxe4 Rxe4 23. Rxc7 {when White is up a pawn. 19...Bc7 would be a mistake.} (23.
--))) ({. The only good continuation for Black was} 19... Be7 $1 {, keeping
control of f6. So 19 Ne4 is dubious because now White cannot sacrifice the
exchange and on a5 the rook will be out of play. Anyway, it is a very useful
exercise to calculate as you did and to compare your analysis with mine or the
computer.})) 19... Be7 $1 20. Ra5 b6 ({Boris: Much less promising for Black was
} 20... Bd8 $6 21. Rc5 Bxf5 22. Rxc6 Bxe4 23. Re1 $1 Bxc6 24. Rxe8+ Bxe8 25.
Qf5 {with an unclear position.}) 21. Bxg6 hxg6 22. Ra6 f5 ({Boris: I rejected} 
22... Qb7 $5 {because of} 23. f5 Qxa6 (23... g5 $2 24. Ra3 {would have been in
White's favor}) 24. fxg6 {with an attack for the price of the rook. Now Rybka
can find a defense, but in a practical game it doesn't make sense to go into
unnecessary complications when a clear path is in sight. --- Joel: Only when
you are worse do you try to complicate? --- Boris: Of course. The chances of
making a mistake increase the more complicated the position is.}) 23. Nd2 $1 ({
Boris:} 23. Ng5 Qb7 24. Qa4 b5 25. Qa5 {would be much simpler for Black, who
now has} Bxg5 26. fxg5 Re2 27. Rf2 Rxf2 28. Kxf2 Re8 29. Rxa7 Qe4 {and wins.})
23... Qb7 24. Qa4 b5 25. Qa5 Bd8 26. Qa3 Re2 27. Nf3 $5 ({Boris: A similar
position would arise after} 27. Rf2 Re1+ 28. Kh2 ({or if} 28. Rf1 Rxf1+ 29.
Kxf1 Bb6 30. Nf3 Qe4 {with strong pressure for Black}) 28... Bh4 29. Rf1 Re2
30. Nf3 Be7 {.}) 27... Be7 ({Boris:} 27... Bb6 $2 28. Rf2 Rxf2 29. Kxf2 Qe4 30.
g3 Re8 31. Ne5 g5 {would have been too self-confident, due to} 32. Rxb6 $1 axb6
33. Qa7 {and White has strong counterplay.}) 28. Qa5 Rxb2 29. Re1 Kg7 30. Re5
Bd8 31. Qa3 Rb1+ 32. Kh2 {Boris: In exchange for his b-pawn, White has
activated his pieces. Now the question becomes who will be first to create
threats?} (32. Kh2 {Exercise: What does Black have to do? (difficulty level 4)}
-- ({. Joel: I like} 32... Bb6 {, locking in the rook and making it difficult
for White to return his rook and queen back into the game. If White tried to
get rid of the rook on b1 by} 33. Re1 {, Black could play} Rxe1 34. Nxe1 Re8 {
, taking over the e-file.}) ({. Boris: I think both} 32... Bc7 $2 33. Qe7 Qxa6
34. Ng5 Qf6 35. Ne6+ (35. --)) ({, and your} 32... Bb6 33. Re7 Qd5 34. Ng5 {
would give White the advantage.}) ({. Black has to isolate White's queen by
closing the a3-f8 diagonal, which is why I chose} 32... b4 $1 {.})) 32... b4 $1
33. cxb4 ({Boris:} 33. Qa4 {would not have helped because of} Rb2 $1 34. d5 Bc7
35. Qd7 Qxa6 36. Ng5 Rf8 {and the game will be decided by Black's attack on
the g2-square.}) 33... Bc7 34. d5 ({Boris: White would lose after} 34. Re2
Bxf4+ 35. g3 Bc1 {, when either the f3-knight or a6-rook will be hanging.})
34... Bxe5 35. Nxe5 {Exercise: What does Black have to do? (difficulty level 4)
} ({Joel: My instinct is to play} 35. Nxe5 Rxb4 {, regaining the pawn,
protecting c4, and consolidating the position.} ({. However, in this position
I like} 35... c3 {because the queen is overloaded. If} 36. Qxc3 Qxa6 {, when
the only variation that I can think of that is interesting is} 37. Ng4+ {, but
then} f6 {is winning.}) ({. Boris: If} 35... Qxb4 $2 36. Qg3 $1) ({, or} 35...
Qxd5 $2 36. Qg3 {when Black has problems defending the g6-square.}) ({. In
your first suggestion,} 35... Rxb4 {White has the strong} 36. Rd6 {, planning
Rd7 with a strong attack. --- Joel: I see now that, while I chose the right
move for material reasons, there is a deeper, positional idea, which I only
came to when I saw your variations. The move 35...c3 blocks the queen from the
g3-square thereby depriving White of any counterplay. --- Boris: You're right,
35...c3 is best because it closes off communication for the queen.} (36. --)))
35... c3 $1 36. Nd3 ({Boris: In the case of} 36. Rc6 Qxb4 37. Qxb4 Rxb4 {White
would lose the endgame.}) 36... Rc8 37. Qa5 Qc7 38. Qb5 Qc4 39. Qb7 Qc7 40.
Qxc7 ({Boris: For White it doesn't make sense to repeat moves, but he has one
trap:} 40. Qb5 Qc4 41. Qb7 Rc7 42. Qb8 {and now: --- Exercise: Which piece
does Black have to take? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: It seems to me that
both pieces are hanging so I would start with} Qxd3 {.} ({. Boris: Correct is} 
42... Qxa6 43. Qxc7 Qxd3 {and Black is winning.}) ({. Amusingly, after your
suggestion} 42... Qxd3 $2 43. Rxg6+ $1 fxg6 (43... Kxg6 44. Qg8+ Kf6 45. Qd8+ {
is a perpetual too}) 44. Qxc7+ Kh6 45. Qe5 $1 {and a perpetual is inevitable.})
) 40... Rxc7 41. d6 (41. d6 {Exercise: Where does the black rook have to go? 
(difficulty level 1) --- Joel: I like} Rc4 {with the idea of bringing the rook
behind the passed pawn with gain of time. If} 42. Rxa7 c2 43. Ne5 c1=Q 44.
Rxf7+ Kg8 {and Black wins. --- Boris: Absolutely correct! It is important to
keep the rook behind the passed pawn; that's a general rule which is important
to keep in mind.}) 41... Rc4 42. Rxa7 c2 {. --- Joel: I think the most
important lesson from this game was the use of pawn sacrifices to obstruct the
coordination of the enemy pieces. --- Boris: I agree. Isolating the pieces of
your opponent is one of the most important methods of strategic play. The
interesting variations that followed those pawn sacrifices made the positions
very complicated, but Black was clearly better.} 0-1

[Event "USSR Championship, Riga"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1985.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Kupreichik, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E84"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "1985.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was my last championship of the Soviet Union. My opponent was one
of the most dangerous attacking players in those years.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3.
Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 a6 6. Be3 O-O 7. Qd2 Nc6 8. Nge2 Rb8 9. Rb1 Bd7 ({Boris:
The main theoretical line is} 9... b5 10. cxb5 axb5 11. b4 e5 12. d5 Ne7 {.})
10. b4 Qc8 $5 11. b5 $5 Na5 12. Nf4 $1 {Boris: From f4 the knight can reach d5.
} ({The move} 12. Ng3 {had fewer prospects after} b6 {(planning ...c7-c6) and
the knight on g3 is misplaced.}) 12... c6 $6 ({Boris:} 12... b6 {was not as
risky as 12...c6, but White would still have a very strong position after} 13.
Rc1 $1 c6 14. bxc6 Nxc6 ({even worse was} 14... Qxc6 $6 15. Ncd5 Rfe8 16. c5 $1
{with a big advantage}) 15. Nfd5 {.}) ({Exercise: How to exploit the drawbacks
of} 12... c6 {- ? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: The critical drawback in
Black's position is the poorly placed knight on a5. The drawback of the move
12...c6 is that it left the knight without a retreat square. How to take
advantage of this? The candidate moves I would consider would be: 13 Na4, 13
Nd5, and 13 b6:} 13. -- (13. Na4 Nxc4 14. Bxc4 axb5 15. Bxf7+ Rxf7 16. Nb6 Qc7
17. Nxd7 Qxd7 {and Black has a nice-looking queenside pawn majority.}) (13.
Ncd5 cxd5 14. Qxa5 dxc4 15. bxa6 {and Black can play either} b5 {(the a6-pawn
will be weak)} ({or} 15... bxa6 16. Rxb8 Qxb8 {and White cannot capture either
pawn because of ...Qb1+. This variation takes advantage of White's weakness;
he has not completed development.})) (13. b6 c5 14. d5 {and it is hard to see
how Black holds onto his knight. Therefore, I would play 13 b6.}) ({. Boris:
It is very good that among the three moves you chose two of the best moves to
evaluate, but your analysis has some mistakes. In the line} 13. Na4 Nxc4 ({so
after 13 Na4 Black has to play} 13... axb5 {with unclear consequences}) 14.
Bxc4 axb5 {White can play} 15. Nb6 {keeping the extra piece because of} Qc7 16.
Nxd7 {.}) ({. The move} 13. Ncd5 {is really not good: after} cxd5 14. Qxa5 {
the simplest is} dxe4 {with advantage for Black. --- Joel: What did you think
of my new approach? --- Boris: It is very good and only this way will you
improve your calculations.})) 13. b6 $1 ({Boris: Interesting was} 13. e5 $5 Ne8
14. b6 dxe5 $1 15. dxe5 Be6 16. Ncd5 $1 cxd5 17. cxd5 Bf5 $1 18. Rc1 Qd8 {with
an unclear position. But the move 13 b6 is more logical. --- Joel: Why? ---
Boris: It is not in my interest to open the game when my king is still in the
center.}) 13... e5 ({Boris: Another attempt to muddy the waters was} 13... g5
$1 14. Nh3 Be6 15. Bxg5 $5 Nxc4 16. Bxc4 Bxc4 17. Bh6 {with some advantage for
White.}) 14. dxe5 {Boris: Now wild complications can begin. White's task was
to find - among many opportunities leading to irrational positions - a way to
a rational position that could be evaluated as clearly good. --- Joel: What do
you mean by rational versus irrational? --- Boris: A rational position is one
that does not require calculating a myriad of possibilities which is only
possible if you are Rybka.} ({The sharpest option was} 14. Nd1 $5 exf4 15. Bxf4
Re8 $1 16. Nf2 (16. Qxa5 Nxe4 $1 17. fxe4 Rxe4+ 18. Be3 Bxd4 {was also unclear}
) 16... d5 $1 ({after} 16... Nxc4 17. Bxc4 {White is better}) 17. Bxb8 dxe4 18.
Be5 exf3 19. Qxa5 (19. gxf3 Bf5 20. Rd1 Nd7 21. f4 f6 {is unclear as well})
19... Ng4 $1 {- this is a small part of the possibilities that existed for
both sides.}) 14... dxe5 {Exercise: Find the way to a positional advantage. 
(difficulty level 5)} ({Joel: The drawbacks in Black's position are the knight
on a5, the weak d6-square, Black's restricted dark-squared bishop on g7, and
the light-squared bishop on d7 does not have much scope. The move I would
consider in this situation would be} 14... dxe5 15. Na4 -- ({; e.g.} 15... exf4
16. Bxf4 Ra8 17. Qxa5 {and White has won a pawn}) ({, or} 15... c5 16. Qxa5
exf4 ({or if} 16... Bxa4 17. Qxa4 exf4 18. Bxf4) 17. Bxf4 Ra8 18. Nxc5 {and
White seems better in both cases. --- Boris: You're right about the knight on
a5, it is really a drawback. But I don't see any way for White to use the
weakness of the d6-square, and the bishop on d7 has a decent diagonal. It is
most interesting that you mentioned that the dark-squared bishop is restricted
by the e5-pawn. This factor regarding the restriction of the g7-bishop could
be considered as the key to this position. The move you offer is interesting;
the drawback is that the position becomes open and White has not completed
development, even though it is difficult for Black to exploit this. However,
in the game White found a way to obtain a very pleasant position without
giving any real counterplay to Black.})) 15. Nxg6 $1 ({Boris: At the time I
also considered} 15. Nd1 exf4 16. Bxf4 Re8 17. Nf2 ({if} 17. Qxa5 Nxe4 $1 {and
the position again becomes wild}) 17... Nxc4 18. Bxc4 Ra8 {and the position is
approximately equal.}) 15... hxg6 16. Na4 Nxc4 17. Bxc4 Be6 ({Joel: The
b6-pawn creates a cramping effect on Black's position, which means that
exchanging on e6 is out of the question since White would like to keep as many
pieces on the board as possible (this way it is more difficult for Black to
maneuver). Therefore, White needs to protect the bishop on c4 and he would
also like to take over of the d-file. The moves I would consider in this
position would be 18 Qe2 or 18 Qc2.} 17... Be6 18. -- ({. Both accomplish the
same goals; e.g. if Black responds to} 18. Qe2 {with} Qd7 {then} 19. Rd1 {
forces her to retreat to the back rank again.} (19. --)) ({. However,} 18. Qc2
{has the added benefit of over-protecting the c5-square, which the knight or
bishop will want to occupy. Therefore, I would play 18 Qc2. --- Boris:
Generally, your solution is correct. White's task is to prevent Black's queen
from escaping from her prison on c8. Both 18 Qc2 and 18 Qe2 are the best moves,
but there are some tactical errors with your analysis; e.g. if Black ever
plays ...Qc8-d7 then Na4-c5 is winning.})) 18. Qc2 Rd8 ({Boris: Because
Black's position is worse he had to consider ways to muddy the water, such as} 
18... Nd5 $5 19. Bc5 (19. exd5 cxd5 20. Bd3 Qxc2 21. Bxc2 d4 22. Bg5 Bxa2 {was
not so clear either}) 19... Re8 (19... Nf4 20. Bxf8 {does not give Black
enough compensation for the exchange}) 20. exd5 cxd5 21. Bd3 Qc6 22. O-O Rbc8 {
and White has to be vigilant.}) 19. O-O Bxc4 ({Boris: Now if} 19... Nd5 20.
exd5 cxd5 21. Bb3 Qxc2 22. Bxc2 d4 {, there is} 23. Bg5 f6 24. Bd2 {and
Black's compensation for the piece would be insufficient. Practically speaking,
when the game develops in an unfavorable direction for you, sacrifices in
order to change the character of the position often make sense. Boris Spassky
was a specialist in this regard. --- Joel: Can you give an example or a
specific game in which he used this technique to good effect? --- Boris: There
are many great games, but Y.Averbakh-B.Spassky, USSR Championship (playoff),
Leningrad 1956, stands out as one of the best.}) 20. Qxc4 Ne8 $1 {Exercise:
What is the best way? (difficulty level 3)} ({Joel: After} 20... Ne8 {Black's
position is cramped and the dark-squared bishop is restricted. The d-file is
open and Black currently occupies it. Black's queen and queen's rook have very
few moves, so allowing exchanges with something like 21 Rfd1 doesn't seem
right. Black intends to play 21...Nd6, although I don't see what he will gain
from this just yet. The candidate moves I would consider would be 21 Nc5 and
21 Bg5:} 21. -- (21. Bg5 {comes with gain of time but seems to help Black
untangle himself. For example,} Rd6 22. Be7 Rd7 {and now White cannot play} 23.
Nc5 {because the bishop hangs,} ({so he has to play} 23. Bc5 {but then Black
can begin to untangle himself. In addition, the a4-knight is deprived of its
best square.})) (21. Nc5 {seems strong. I remember reading in Dvoretsky and
Yusupov's 'Positional Play' that if time is not of the essence then improving
your worst placed piece is probably the best move, or at least you cannot go
wrong with such a move. Here, the knight on a4 is on the rim and is begging to
go to c5 (talk to your pieces, right?).}) ({. Boris: There are some small
inaccuracies in your analysis. After} 21. Bg5 {Black has} Rd4 {and Black will
win time to improve the position of his pieces. Among your candidate moves, 21
Nc5 was really the best, but in the game continuation White uses a very
important method, which Korchnoi used against me on his 13th move in Game
Sixteen. In this particular case, we know Black is going to play ...Ne8-d6
with gain of time. Therefore, anticipating this, White first hides the queen
and then uses the drawbacks of Black's maneuver to his advantage. Playing more
than once with Karpov, I found that this method of thinking was typical for
him. --- Joel: Yes, I remember a wonderful example of this in 'Positional
Play', where in a crushing position Karpov still took time out to prevent
Black's counterplay (A.Karpov-J.Timman, Montreal 1979) and Dvoretsky writes (p.69): "Excuse me, but what idea can Black still have?"})) 21. Qb3 $1 ({Boris:
The simple} 21. Rbd1 {was worse than the move in the game, as after} Nd6 22.
Qb3 Nb5 {Black would have reasonable counter chances.}) 21... Nd6 22. Bg5 $1
Re8 23. Rbd1 $1 {Boris: White has to allow Black to stick his knight on d4.} ({
If he tries to prevent it with} 23. Nc3 {, then} Qe6 $1 {would release Black
from his problems.}) 23... Nb5 24. Nc5 Nd4 25. Qc4 Bf8 $1 26. Be3 $1 Rd8 $1 {
Boris: Because of White's maneuver on moves 21-23, White controls the d-file
and Black's knight cannot survive on d4 for long.} ({Insisting on keeping the
knight on d4 with} 26... Bg7 {would immediately give White a decisive
advantage with} 27. f4) ({and} 26... Ne6 27. Nd7 {was also bad. By sacrificing
a pawn with 26...Rd8! Black plays more stubbornly.}) 27. Bxd4 exd4 28. Rxd4
Rxd4 29. Qxd4 Bxc5 $1 {Boris: Again the best defense.} ({After} 29... Qd8 30.
Qxd8 $1 ({worse was} 30. Nd7 Bc5 $1) 30... Rxd8 31. Nxb7 Rb8 32. Na5 Rxb6 33.
Nc4 {Black's position would be hopeless.}) 30. Qxc5 Qd7 31. f4 $1 {Boris: With
this move White combines using his extra pawn and the necessity of including
his rook in the game.} ({Inferior was} 31. h4 $6 Rd8 32. h5 (32. Qg5 $5 Qd4+
33. Kh2 Qxb6 34. h5 Rd6 35. e5 Qd8 $1 {was not dangerous for Black either})
32... gxh5 ({the rook endgame after} 32... Qd4+ 33. Qxd4 Rxd4 34. hxg6 fxg6 35.
Rb1 {is bad for Black}) 33. Qxh5 Qd4+ 34. Kh2 Qxb6 35. f4 Qb5 $1 {and Black
can survive because White's rook on f1 is hanging.}) 31... Rd8 32. f5 gxf5 $1 (
{Boris: Rightly avoiding} 32... Qd4+ 33. Qxd4 Rxd4 34. fxg6 fxg6 35. e5 Re4 36.
Rd1 $1 {and White wins the b7-pawn and the game.}) 33. Qxf5 Qxf5 34. exf5 Rd5
$1 ({Boris: Worse for Black was} 34... Rd2 35. a4 Ra2 36. Rd1 {and again White
wins the b7-pawn. After the text a very interesting rook endgame arises.
Because of his active rook, Black regains the pawn he sacrificed on move 26.
But in the time Black needs to regain this pawn, White creates dangerous
threats.}) 35. g4 Rb5 36. Rd1 Rxb6 37. Kf2 Rb2+ $6 ({Boris:} 37... c5 $5 {was
perhaps better, but it was probably not enough after} 38. Rd7 {.}) 38. Kg3 Rxa2
39. Rd8+ Kg7 40. Rd7 b5 ({Boris: Giving up the b-pawn wouldn't have saved the
game either:} 40... Kf6 41. Rxb7 a5 ({or} 41... c5 42. Rc7) 42. Rc7 Rc2 43. Ra7
Rc5 44. Kh4 {and White is winning.}) 41. g5 Kg8 ({Boris: An alternative was} 
41... Kf8 42. f6 Re2 43. h4 b4 44. h5 b3 45. Rd8+ (45. g6 {would win as well})
45... Re8 {and then: --- Exercise: What to play? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel:
Black is a pawn up and has a passed pawn on b3 that is difficult to contend
with. However, his king is vulnerable on the back rank so White should look
for ways to take advantage of this weakness. The moves I considered were: 46
Rxe8+ and 46 h6:} 46. -- (46. Rxe8+ Kxe8 47. g6 {and now there are two
possibilities:} -- (47... b2 48. g7 b1=Q 49. g8=Q+ Kd7 50. Qxf7+ {and White is
winning.}) (47... fxg6 48. h6 Kf7 ({if} 48... b2 {then} 49. h7 b1=Q 50. h8=Q+
Kd7 51. Qg7+) 49. h7 b2 50. h8=Q b1=Q 51. Qg7+ Ke6 52. Qe7+ {followed by f6-f7
and White is better because he has the further advanced pawn in a queen ending.
})) (46. h6 Rxd8 47. h7 Rd3+ 48. Kg4 Rd4+ {and if White plays} 49. Kh5 {then}
Rd1 {saves the game, or if the white king tries to approach the rook he will
get behind the h-pawn.}) ({. Boris: The analysis you made was useful for you,
and White keeps an edge in the lines you analyzed with 46 Rxe8, but you
miscalculated the} 46. h6 $1 {variation. After} Rxd8 47. h7 Rd3+ 48. Kg4 Rd4+
49. Kh5 $1 {Black doesn't have} Rd1 {because} 50. h8=Q# {is checkmate (you
forgot that the black king was on f8). Nevertheless, in trying to solve these
positions, you improve your ability to calculate.})) 42. h4 b4 {Exercise: Find
the best way. (difficulty level 5)} (42... b4 43. -- ({. Joel: I would play} 
43. Kg4 {. I can't find anything wrong with this move and White will have to
play it anyway to create mate threats against Black's king (e.g. Kg4-h5). ---
Boris: The position is very sharp. Black has an extra pawn and three connected
passed pawns. Although White's pawns are more dangerous, it is necessary to
play actively. Playing with the king loses important time and, to win, White
would have to find a narrow, study-like path which would not be easy if you
are not Rybka. For example:} a5 44. Kh5 Re2 45. Kh6 Re8 46. g6 Rf8 $1 47. f6 $1
b3 48. Re7 $3 a4 ({or} 48... b2 49. Rb7 a4 50. Rxb2 a3 51. Rb7 Ra8 52. Rxf7 a2
53. Rg7+ Kf8 54. Kh7 {and White wins}) 49. gxf7+ Rxf7 50. Kg6 $3 Rxf6+ 51. Kxf6
b2 52. Rg7+ $1 Kh8 53. Rb7 a3 54. Kg6 {and Black cannot prevent mate.}) ({.
The move White played also did not miss the win but made it more difficult.
The shortest and simplest way to win was} 43. Rd8+ $1 Kg7 ({Black doesn't have
} 43... Kh7 {because of} 44. g6+ fxg6 45. f6 {and the pawn is unstoppable}) 44.
h5 {and Black can resign.})) 43. h5 Ra1 $1 44. Rd8+ Kh7 $1 45. Kf4 ({Boris: Now
} 45. g6+ $2 {doesn't win. After} fxg6 46. hxg6+ Kg7 47. Rd7+ Kf6 {the
position is a draw.}) 45... f6 $1 46. g6+ Kh6 47. Rh8+ ({Boris: Simpler was} 
47. Rd7 Rf1+ 48. Ke3 Rg1 49. Rh7+ Kg5 50. g7 Kxf5 51. h6 b3 52. Rh8 b2 53. Rb8
{and White is winning.}) 47... Kg7 48. Rh7+ Kg8 49. h6 Rh1 ({Boris: Black
could have tried} 49... Rf1+ {, but after} 50. Kg4 Rg1+ 51. Kf3 Rf1+ 52. Ke2
Rxf5 53. Rf7 Re5+ 54. Kd3 Re8 55. h7+ Kh8 56. g7+ Kxh7 57. Rf8 {White's last
pawn brings him victory.}) 50. Rg7+ Kh8 51. Rh7+ Kg8 52. Rg7+ Kh8 53. Rf7 Rh4+
54. Kf3 Rxh6 55. Rxf6 Rh1 56. Rf8+ Kg7 57. Rf7+ Kg8 58. Rb7 a5 59. Kf4 c5 60.
f6 {. --- Joel: As with all the games, accurate calculation is required. I
messed up several continuations with faulty analysis, but I am pleased with
the systematic way I am going about analyzing positions now. Having seen
several of your games, one thing I notice is that, instead of getting
concerned with Black's threats (far advanced queenside passed pawns), you are
always looking for ways to create threats using your own trumps; e.g. creating
mate threats against Black's vulnerable king. --- There was also something
interesting I noticed. When Black initiated his ...Nd6-b5-d4 maneuver with the
move 20...Ne8 I did not see beyond his intended ...Nd6 until I began
calculating variations. Only after I began calculating variations did I
realize his plan, which compelled me to go back and evaluate the position once
more. --- Boris: For me the most interesting moments in this game were how
White found a way to transform a completely irrational position into a
strategic position with a clear advantage. I recommend that you take note of
White's 21st move, playing against your opponent's anticipated next move. On
move 31, White found the correct plan in a complicated queen and rook endgame:
to use his extra pawn and include his rook in the game. It was also a very
interesting rook endgame, where White exchanged two pawns on the queenside for
extra tempi in order to create decisive threats on the kingside.} 1-0

[Event "Niksic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1978.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Hort, V."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A36"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1978.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was the only significant international tournament I played abroad
in my days as a Soviet player. --- Joel: This was because you were not allowed
to play, right? --- Boris: Yes, and after I became a refusnik (applied for
emigration) in 1979, I was not allowed to travel abroad at all for seven years.
In 1978, however, I was the USSR Champion and the authorities allowed me to
travel to this tournament in Yugoslavia. It was a successful tournament for me.
I tied for first with Jan Timman. Many of the best players in the world were
there. It was what they would now call a super-tournament. --- Joel: Who else
played? --- Boris: Portisch, Ljubojevic, Andersson, Vaganian, these were the
top players in those years. Hort was one of the best as well. I was the leader
and he did his best to play a complicated game to catch up to me.} 1. c4 c5 2.
Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. b3 e6 6. Bb2 Nge7 7. Qc1 $5 ({Boris: More
challenging than} 7. Na4 {, which was played in V.Smyslov-M.Tal, Moscow 1964.
After} Bxb2 8. Nxb2 O-O 9. e3 d5 {Black achieved a good game.}) 7... d6 8. f4
$1 {A new and very interesting plan in this position. White hopes to exchange
dark-squared bishops and create threats on the a1-h8 diagonal.} ({Smyslov tried
} 8. h4 {against Ivkov (Palma de Mallorca 1967), but without much success.})
8... O-O 9. Ne4 e5 10. fxe5 Nxe5 11. Nf3 f5 12. Nf2 N7c6 13. Nxe5 dxe5 $5 {
Boris: The move I played is sharp. I agree to have a lot of weak pawns but
hope to have a dynamic advantage instead.} ({Boris: A quiet approach would
have been} 13... Nxe5 14. Nh3 {with the idea of bringing the knight to d5 via
f4, which Black cannot prevent (} g5 $2 15. Bd5+ Kh8 16. d4 $1 cxd4 17. Qxg5 {
is good for White). If I had played 13...Nxe5, the game would become a quiet,
maneuvering struggle, which was more in Hort's style. --- Joel: So you are
trying to unbalance your opponent both in terms of chess and psychology. ---
Boris: Yes, but I also preferred sharper chess than Hort and enjoyed
complicated positions.}) 14. Bd5+ Kh8 15. Bxc6 $1 bxc6 16. Nd3 Qe7 17. Qc3 $6 {
Boris: Because White did not take the black e-pawn on move 19, the move 17 Qc3
looks like a waste of time.} ({Instead,} 17. Ba3 Rd8 18. Bxc5 Qe8 {would give
Black excellent compensation for the pawn. --- Joel: How so? --- Boris: I have
active pawns, White's pieces are misplaced, I have two bishops and am
threatening to play, after} 19. O-O ({if White defends against this threat with
} 19. Rb1 {, Black would develop the initiative by playing} f4) 19... e4 20.
Nf4 Qe5 {winning the exchange.}) ({It was probably better for White to play} 
17. Bc3 $5 {, trying to create pressure on e5, though after} f4 $1 18. Qb2 f3
$1 {the e5-pawn is untouchable because of} 19. Bxe5 $2 f2+ {.}) 17... a5 $1 {
Boris: Preventing White's positional threat of Qc3-a5.} 18. a4 $6 ({Boris:} 18.
O-O {was safer.}) 18... Bf6 $1 19. Qc2 $6 {Boris: White recognized that 17 Qc3
was inaccurate.} ({During the game, I thought that} 19. Nxe5 $5 {was bad
because of} Bb7 20. O-O -- (20... Rae8 $2 {, but then: --- Exercise: What
should White play? (difficulty level 2) --- Boris: White has} 21. Ng4 $3 {,
and after} Bxc3 22. Bxc3+ {Black has to return the queen with} Qg7 {,} ({since
} 22... Kg8 $4 23. Nh6# {is mate.})) ({. Therefore, Black should continue with
} 20... Kg8 21. -- (21. e3 Rae8 22. d4 cxd4 23. exd4 c5 24. Rae1 cxd4 25. Qxd4
Qc7 {with a very strong attack.}) ({. The computer found a better defense for
White in} 21. Rf3 $1 Rae8 22. Re3 Qc7) ({, or} 21. Qe3 Rae8 {, but Black still
has a good game.} (21... --)))) (19. Qc2 {Exercise: Black has to take care of
his bishops. How? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: The drawback of White's
position is that the king is still in the center; therefore, opening up the
game would favor Black. Also, the drawback to White's last move is that he has
telegraphed that he intends to castle queenside, which makes sense. Therefore,
I am thinking about the move} f4 $1 {but after} 20. gxf4 {I am having trouble
calculating how Black should proceed. I decided on} e4 {with the idea of
keeping the white king in the center after} 21. Nf2 e3 22. dxe3 Qxe3 23. Bxf6+
Rxf6 {. I was not afraid of the continuation} 24. Qb2 {(pinning the rook)
because the g4-square is covered by the bishop, which prevents Nf2-g4. ---
Boris: Black has to activate his bishops, but playing 20...e4 would be a
terrible positional mistake because the bishop on c8 would be horribly
restricted. Black's main task is to find a role for his light-squared bishop
because it is unopposed. I think the psychology of your mistake is that you
did not put a white pawn on f4 (after 20 gxf4) in your mind and instead had
the white pawn on g3 as it was in the initial position. Because you didn't
update the image in your mind when you started calculating later moves, you
missed 21 Ne5 in response to 20...e4. This can only be corrected by training
in calculations.}) 19... f4 $1 20. gxf4 exf4 21. Bxf6+ ({Boris: Another
possibility was} 21. Nxf4 {, and then: --- Exercise: What should Black do? 
(difficulty level 1)} -- ({. Joel: White's king is still stuck in the center
and the drawback of this move is that it exposes White's queen to attack.
Therefore, I would play} 21... Bf5 {.} 22. -- ({. If} 22. Bxf6+ $2 Qxf6 {and
the knight and rook are hanging}) ({, and} 22. Nd3 Bxd3 {wins since White
cannot recapture with the e-pawn (because of the pin) or with the queen 
(because the bishop on b2 is hanging).}) ({. If} 22. d3 {then maybe the simple}
Bd4 {gives Black the advantage because the knight is hanging and the e-pawn is
backward. --- Boris: There are several flaws in your technique of calculation.
You have to be more organized in figuring out what the candidate moves are and
then consider them one at a time. Also, the same problem occurred as in your
previous analysis. You did not update the image in your mind. The move 21...
Bf5 closed the f-file, and therefore, the knight on f4 is not hanging. To get
rid of these flaws, it might be good to try to analyze positions blindfold or
even play blindfold games. This will train you in the visualization of your
pieces as you calculate variations. --- Joel: How can I do that? --- Boris:
Take diagrams and analyze them blindfold. This will improve your ability to
manipulate pieces in your mind. --- Joel: How do you play blindfold chess? ---
Boris: With your friend walking through the park. --- Joel: Do you write the
moves down? --- Boris: You can but it is not necessary. Interestingly, many
strong players - Ivanchuk, Shirov, Gelfand, Svidler, and among American
players, Alexander Ivanov - don't look at the board when they calculate. They
look to the side or at the ceiling.} (22... --))) ({. Here the correct move is
} 21... Bd4 $1 {. Your analysis shows that you have a feeling for the position
and found the correct way but inserted unnecessary moves. You found the move
22...Bd4 (against 22 d3) but you had to play this right away, keeping the
f-file open, which would give Black a tremendous attack.}) ({. Whereas after} 
21... Bf5 {White has} 22. Bxf6+ Qxf6 23. Qc3 {equalizing.})) 21... Qxf6 22. Qc3
Qxc3 23. dxc3 {Exercise: What to do? (difficulty level 2)} ({Joel: I would play
} 23. dxc3 f3 {with the idea of opening up the position against the king, and
to take advantage of having the bishop versus the knight and better
coordinated rooks (right now White's rooks are not connected).} 24. -- ({. If
White replies} 24. exf3 {then} Rxf3 {attacks the knight, the pawn on c3 (as
well as b3), sets up ...Bc8-g4, and ...Rae8 or ...Rad8.}) ({. If White does
not take and instead plays} 24. O-O {then} Bf5 {attacks the knight and
prepares ...fxe2. If 24 e3 then Black has a passed pawn on the third rank and
White a weak e3-pawn. --- Boris: Here is the same problem. When you calculate
you don't see the position that arises after a few moves. After 23...f3 you
calculated 24 0-0 Bf5, but White has the simple} 25. Rxf3 {and Black cannot
recapture on f3 because the bishop on f5 has closed the f-file. Returning to
the diagram, Black has to figure out the right target to attack and it has to
be the e2-pawn, so 23...Bg4 is the strongest move.} (25. --))) 23... Bg4 $1 24.
Rg1 Bh5 25. Kd2 ({Boris: If White played} 25. Nxc5 {Black's attack on the
e2-pawn would be successful:} Rae8 26. Rg2 ({or} 26. Ra2 Bxe2 $1 27. Rxe2 f3 $1
28. Ne6 Rf6 {with advantage}) 26... f3 27. Rf2 Rxe2+ 28. Rxe2 fxe2 29. Kd2 Rd8+
30. Nd3 g5 $1 {(threatening ...Bg6) and White is in trouble.}) (25. Kd2 {
Exercise: How to develop the initiative? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: Again,
I like the move} f3 {. With the king stuck in the center of the board I want
to open the game up. --- Boris: Again, in this position Black has to figure
out the main weakness in White's position. Now it is not the e2-pawn but the
knight on d3 that is protected by the e2-pawn. --- Joel: Why is the e2-pawn
not the main weakness anymore? --- Boris: Because now it can be easily
defended.}) 25... Rad8 $1 26. Rae1 ({Boris: In the case of} 26. Raf1 {Black
would demonstrate that the d3-knight is under-protected by playing} Bxe2 $1 27.
Kxe2 Rfe8+ 28. Kd2 Re3 {winning.}) (26. Rae1 {Exercise: How to proceed? 
(difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I seem to be stuck on the move ...f4-f3 but
here I think it is really strong. After} f3 {how can White respond?} 27. -- ({
. If} 27. e3 {then} f2 {wins.}) ({. If} 27. exf3 {then} Rxf3 {threatens the
knight, and either} 28. Re3 ({or} 28. Rg3 {seems to lose to me because of 28...
Rf2+ winning the h-pawn. --- Boris: Your variation is almost correct, except
that after 28 Rg3? Black has} Rdxd3+ {winning.}))) 26... f3 $1 27. exf3 Rxf3
28. Re3 Rf2+ 29. Ke1 {Boris: For a long time White defended with the best
moves.} ({After} 29. Kc1 Rxh2 30. Nxc5 Rdd2 31. Re7 Rb2 $1 {Black would win
quickly.}) 29... Rc2 30. Rg5 Rxc3 31. Kd2 Rxb3 32. Kc2 Ra3 33. Rge5 $1 {Boris:
Again, White's only move.} ({If} 33. Rxc5 g5 $1 {and White would not have a
defense against 34...Bg6.}) 33... Rxa4 34. Rxc5 {Exercise: What does Black
have to do? (difficulty level 4)} (34. Rxc5 {Joel: The bishop on h5 does not
seem to be playing a very important role, whereas Black's rooks appear to be
well placed. I think improving the placement of Black's worst placed piece is
a top priority. Therefore, I like the move 34...Bg4, threatening ...Bf5.} -- ({
. Boris:} 34... Bg4 {is not the best move because it allows White to activate
his pieces with} 35. Ne5 {.}) ({. Instead,} 34... Ra2+ 35. Kb3 Re2 36. Rg3 Rb8+
{was clearly winning. --- However, at this moment in the game, my opponent,
who defended for a long time finding "only" moves, had a severe time shortage
- and this, as often happens in such situations, caused Black to blunder. ---
Joel: Can you say why, if your opponent is short of time, it brought you to
blunder? Why do you think this often happens? --- Boris: Chess players will
very often play quickly in their opponent's time trouble. My advice is that
when your opponent is in time trouble and you have the advantage, do not try
to use the time trouble! Play as before, or even more slowly.} (36... --)))
34... Ra3 $6 35. Rxc6 Bg4 $2 ({Boris:} 35... Ra2+ 36. Kb3 Re2 ({or} 36... Rxh2
{was still an easy win.})) 36. c5 $1 Ra4 {Boris: After overlooking 36 c5,
Black turned to another strategy against opponents that are in time trouble, i.e. playing sudden or unexpected moves - but Black didn't need to do this.} ({
The conservative} 36... Bf5 $1 37. Rd6 Rc8 38. c6 a4 {would win without
problems. It looks like it was more important for Black to exploit White's
time shortage than to win the game.}) 37. Ne5 $2 ({Boris: White didn't find} 
37. Rd6 $1 Rxd6 38. cxd6 Rd4 39. Ne5 Bf5+ 40. Kc3 Rd1 41. Kc4 Kg7 42. Kc5 Kf6
43. Kc6 {and it is doubtful that Black can win here.}) 37... Bf5+ 38. Kc1 ({
Boris:} 38. Kb3 Rb4+ 39. Kc3 Rd1 40. Nd3 {did not help because of} Ra4 $1 41.
Rd6 Kg7 42. c6 Ra3+ 43. Kc4 Rd2 {and Black wins.}) 38... Ra1+ 39. Kb2 Rdd1 40.
Nf7+ $2 {Boris: White's last time-trouble mistake;} ({but his position was
again hopeless:} 40. Nc4 Rab1+ 41. Kc3 a4 42. Rb6 Rbc1+ 43. Kb4 Rc2 44. Nd6
Rd4+ 45. Ka3 ({or} 45. Kb5 Bd7+ 46. Ka6 Rxc5 47. Rb8+ Kg7 48. Re7+ Kf6 49. Rxd7
Rc6+ 50. Rb6 Rxb6+ 51. Kxb6 Ke6) 45... Rxc5 46. Rb7 Rd3+ 47. Rxd3 Bxd3 {and
Black is winning.}) 40... Kg7 41. Rc7 Rdb1+ 42. Kc3 {. --- Joel: What you have
pointed out is that not only are my calculations weak but there are specific
problems about how I calculate, including that my calculations are not well
organized (I have to analyze one candidate move at a time) and I often fail to
update the image in my mind, leading to erroneous calculations. I imagine this
is a problem with most players my level and may be the single most important
area in which to improve. I think you were able to detect this because I am
taking more seriously the suggestion to train in calculations, so I tried
harder to calculate these variations, which immediately brought to light these
problems. I hope others reading this book will take your advice. --- Boris: I
agree with you in your estimation of your problems. What I can say about the
game is that it was an interesting conflict between weak pawns and active
pieces. In the game, Black followed Josif Dorfman's excellent advice to play
extremely aggressively in positions where you have pawn weaknesses. In this
case, the weaknesses in your position can become advantages (e.g. doubled
pawns provide extra open files). --- Joel: Would you say my problem is a
general one for others my playing strength? --- Boris: No. Others have their
own problems. They may be the same but also very different. For example, they
may calculate more accurately than you, but cannot evaluate positions
correctly. You often find the right moves because of your feel for the
position but your calculations are off. Chess is rich enough for players to
have weaknesses in many different areas.} 0-1

[Event "USSR Championship, Leningrad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1977.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Smyslov, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A25"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "1977.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Joel: Was this the year you won the USSR Championship? --- Boris: Yes. ---
Joel: How did you feel playing Smyslov? --- Boris: In 1977 Smyslov was 56. I
thought he was an old man and my strategy was to make the game a dynamic
struggle and outplay him tactically. Of course when I was 56 myself I didn't
consider myself old or as someone who could be outplayed tactically. Perhaps I
was too self-confident back then.} 1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 {
Joel: You end up in a reversed Closed Sicilian? --- Boris: Yes, and Smyslov's
games in this opening are classics. --- Joel: Why did you go into it then? ---
Boris: This opening gives rise to very complicated positions and, as I said, I
hoped to use my best qualities (in those years I was very good at dynamic play
filled with tactical chances) and to outplay him in a sharp struggle.} 5. e3 d6
6. Nge2 Nge7 7. Rb1 a5 8. d3 Be6 9. Nd5 Qd7 10. a3 ({Boris: It is safer to
postpone castling, as after} 10. O-O {Black can try to create an attack
against the white king with} h5 $5 {.}) 10... O-O ({Boris: Black doesn't have
time to fix White's queenside with} 10... a4 $2 {because of} 11. Nec3 {.}) 11.
O-O Kh8 (11... Kh8 {Exercise: Is} 12. b4 {is appropriate? (difficulty level 3)
--- Joel: White has more space on the queenside, his pieces are nicely posted
for queenside expansion, and 12 b4 seems completely natural. Black's plan in
the position is to play ...f7-f5 or ...Bh3, exchanging off White's important
light-squared bishop. If} axb4 13. axb4 -- (13... Bh3 14. Bxh3 Qxh3 15. Nxc7 {
and White is winning.}) ({. If} 13... f5 14. b5 {(so Black cannot play ...
c7-c6 to kick the knight without opening the b-file for White's rooks)} Nd8 {
(covering the b7-pawn)} 15. f4 {(preventing Black's ...f5-f4) and White is
doing fine.}) ({. Boris: Your considerations are correct on one level, but
more deeply I don't agree. One of the most important factors in estimating a
position is the prospective of the minor pieces. Do they have good squares
onto which they can be transferred? If I had played 12 b4, Smyslov could have
replied 12...axb4 13 axb4 and now, typical for his style,} 13... Bxd5 $1 14.
cxd5 Na7 {and Black's knight has a cozy square on b5 which, together with the
a-file and the possibility of ...c7-c6, would give Black a good game. --- Joel:
What style are you referring to? --- Boris: Smyslov was a great master of
finding good squares for his pieces, harmonizing his position, and changing
the position quietly in his favor. He was not so inclined towards sharp
variations. This variation shows his style very nicely. --- Joel: So the fact
that the black knight gets a terrific outpost on b5 essentially makes this
variation bad for White? --- Boris: Yes, though bad may be too strong a word.
White just doesn't have any advantage. It is better to avoid giving Black such
opportunities.} (14... --))) 12. Bd2 $1 f5 13. f4 Bg8 {Exercise: What is Black
preparing? What should White do? (difficulty level 3)} (13... Bg8 {Joel: Black
is preparing to evict the knight from the d5-square with 14...Nxd5 15 cxd5 Ne7.
To prepare this, he retreats the bishop so that 14...Nxd5 doesn't lose a piece.
What should White do? I am thinking about three candidate moves:} 14. -- (14.
Nec3 {(reinforcing the d5-knight)}) (14. Bc3 {(challenging Black's
dark-squared bishop)}) ({, and} 14. e4 {(preventing Black's kingside expansion)
.}) ({. I like the move} 14. Nec3 {because it makes evicting the knight from
d5 harder (without giving up the bishop pair). If} Nxd5 {(following his plan),
then} 15. Nxd5 {and Black cannot play} Ne7 {without losing a pawn because of}
16. Nxe7 Qxe7 17. Bxb7 {. --- Boris: In such complicated positions there is
not one strategic way. It is nice that you understood Black's plan, but I
didn't play 14 Nec3 because it allowed Black to get rid of his poorly placed
knight on e7. --- Joel: Interesting; I wasn't thinking about Black getting rid
of his bad pieces but about White keeping his good pieces. --- Boris: White
has more space and it is easier for him to maneuver his pieces. Therefore,
unless exchanges bring him additional advantages, White has to avoid exchanges.
}) ({. In your variation,} 14. Nec3 Nxd5 15. Nxd5 {, Black has} Nd8 {followed
by ...Ne6 and, after this, preparing ...c7-c6.} (15... --))) 14. Qa4 $1 {Boris:
By threatening to increase the pressure with 15 Qb5, White forces Black to
take on d5.} Nxd5 15. cxd5 Nb8 16. Qc2 $1 {Boris: Now that I have forced Black
to play his knight back to b8, I hope to take advantage of its poor placement.}
({Joel: That makes sense and explains why you didn't trade queens, but why did
you play 16 Qc2 - ? What about} 16. Qb3 {- ? --- Boris: 16 Qb3 would have been
bad in all senses because I have to be able to play b2-b4 or to put pressure
on c7 down the c-file. There are also tactical reasons why it is bad. It allows
} Na6 {and if} 17. Qxb7 {then} Nc5 {and Black is better.}) 16... c6 17. Nc3 Rc8
{Exercise: What is the best way for White to proceed? (difficulty level 4)} 18.
dxc6 $1 ({Boris: Here I thought for 20 minutes and could not find a way to
keep my advantages:} 18. Na4 $6 Qd8 $1 {followed by ...Nd7 didn't promise
anything.}) ({At last I discovered the paradoxical} 18. dxc6 $1 {. For me,
this was the most difficult move of the game. First, I forced the knight back
to b8 and now I permit the knight to return with} Nxc6 {. But the most
important factor is that with this exchange I fixed the a4-, b5-, and
d5-squares as weaknesses for Black. I would add that the exchange of
positional advantages is one of the most difficult aspects of positional
playing; i.e. giving up one positional advantage in exchange for another
positional advantage.} ({Joel: What about} 18... bxc6 {- ? I know that this
deprives the knight of getting back into the game, but it also deprives White
of the important d5-square. --- Boris: In the case of 18...bxc6 I planned to
play} 19. e4 {, initiating action on the kingside and taking advantage of
Black's misplaced knight and rooks. The main idea is that opening up the
position favors White because of Black's poorly placed knight and rook on c8.}
({Now I think that} 19. fxe5 Bxe5 20. Na4 {, followed by Bc3, was probably
even better.}))) 18... Nxc6 19. Qa4 $1 Rab8 $1 ({Boris: In the case of} 19...
Rd8 {White has} 20. Nd5 {with a clear advantage. After Smyslov's move, Black
has the resource ...b7-b5.}) (19... Rab8 {Exercise: What is White's plan and
how to initiate it? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: White's plan must be to
control the light squares in Black's camp and restrain Black's queenside, i.e.
keep him bottled up. I considered a number of candidate moves, including 20 b4,
20 Nd5, 20 Qb5 and 20 Nb5.} 20. -- ({. I rejected} 20. Nb5 {because of} Na7 {
, taking advantage of the fact that the knight is pinned.} (20... --)) ({. I
also rejected} 20. Nd5 {because of} b5 21. Qd1 b4 22. axb4 Nxb4 $1 {.}) ({.
The move} 20. b4 {was interesting, but after} axb4 21. axb4 b5 $1 {the queen
must retreat and Black has freed his game.}) ({. The move} 20. Qb5 {, however,
does not suffer from any of these drawbacks and prevents Black from playing ...b7-b5. Therefore, I chose 20 Qb5. --- Boris: With his previous moves White
created weaknesses on the light squares d5 and b5, and so his plan must be 
(according to Nimzowitsch) to blockade these squares. The blockading of these
squares will spread paralysis to all of Black's position. Among the moves you
considered, only one fixed these weaknesses and prevented ...d6-d5 or ...b7-b5,
which would solve Black's problems. In the variations you considered there
were also small tactical inaccuracies, but your general conclusion was correct.
})) 20. Qb5 Be6 21. Nd5 Qf7 22. Rbc1 Re8 {Exercise: What is White's plan and
how to execute it? (difficulty level 4)} (22... Re8 {Joel: I considered 23 Rc2
and 23 Bxa5.} 23. -- ({. The move} 23. Rc2 {is in the service of doubling
rooks on the open c-file.} -- ({. After} 23... Bd7 {White has} 24. Qb6) ({,
but after} 23... exf4 $1 {White has to take with his g-pawn (weakening his
kingside), because taking with the knight looks bad; e.g.} 24. Nxf4 Bb3 25.
Rcc1 Bxb2 {. Therefore, I rejected this move.} (25... --))) ({. The move} 23.
Bxa5 {, however, looks good. For example,} Nxa5 24. Qxa5 exf4 25. gxf4 Bxb2 26.
Rc7 Qf8 ({or} 26... Qg8) {, followed by} 27. Rb1 {.}) ({. Boris: The move} 23.
Rc2 {is not good positionally and, as usually happens in that case, is not
good tactically either. With the knight on c6 and the pawn on b7, the c-file
is not open; therefore, what is the use of doubling your rooks on a non-open
file? Another reason I don't like this plan with 23 Rc2 is because the rook on
f1 is nicely placed and ready for action. Also, in the variation you
considered, after 25...Bxb2 White has 26 Rb1 winning a bishop. The final
drawback of the move 23 Rc2 is that it permits} e4 $1 24. dxe4 fxe4 25. Bxe4
Bd7 $1 {with the double threat of 26...Rxe4 or 26...Nd4. --- The solution you
came to (23 Bxa5) is a good one, and is one of two good ways to proceed. It is
a matter of style. Usually I prefer bishops to knights so I didn't want to
exchange my bishop for his knight. I also try to keep positions more, rather
than less, complicated and so didn't want to simplify. My plan is to transfer
the knight from d5 to c4, attacking both the a5- and d6-pawns. Because Black
didn't have a good defense against this plan (the exchange of bishops on c4
leads to a fatal weakening of the light squares in his camp), he started
action on the kingside as a last resort. In fact he is forced to start this
action, even though it was also in my interest. Often, chess players worry
about their nicely placed pieces too much, forgetting that the pieces are part
of a team. It looks like the white knight is ideally placed on d5, but to work
as part of a team it has to be placed on the less beautiful c4-square. --- A
great example of the right attitude towards beautifully placed knights is the
most famous move played in the Fischer-Petrosian match (game 7), Buenos Aires
1971 (see the following game).})) 23. Nb6 $1 exf4 {Exercise: How should White
recapture? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I would play 24 gxf4, because
otherwise Black would get counterplay down the e-file (in the case of 24 exf4).
--- Boris: The move 24 exf4 does not even deserve consideration because it
permits 24...Nd4. The move 24 gxf4 is possible; however, because White's
position is more active, it is in his interest to provoke action on the
kingside. Therefore, I played 24 Rxf4. --- Joel: How does 24 Rxf4 provoke
kingside action? --- Boris: 24 Rxf4 provokes 24...g5. Since kingside action
was in my interest, I provoked it. It doesn't always make sense to prevent
your opponent's plans if you see that those plans are in your favor.} 24. Rxf4
g5 25. Rff1 Qg6 26. Nc4 Bxc4 27. Rxc4 f4 {Exercise: What is the best way for
White to use Black's activity against him? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I
would play 28 Be4 in a heartbeat. I wouldn't even think about it. Its merits
are too obvious. --- Boris: Now your intuition is correct. Very often the
first move our intuition offers us is the best. The move 28 Be4 really
represents the triumph of White's strategy. White created weaknesses on the
light squares in the opening, forced Black to exchange his light-squared
bishop, and now White's light-squared bishop becomes the most significant
piece in the position.} 28. Be4 Qh5 29. exf4 {Exercise: Try to find a way for
Black to muddy the waters. (difficulty level 3)} Qe2 ({Boris: This loses, so
maybe it makes sense to try} 29... d5 $5 30. Qxd5 $1 (30. Bxd5 $2 {would be
very bad due to} Re2 31. Rf2 Rxf2 32. Kxf2 Nd4 {with a tremendous attack for
Black}) 30... Rbd8 31. Qxg5 Bd4+ 32. Rxd4 $1 ({after} 32. Kh1 Qe2 {White would
lose his advantage}) 32... Qxg5 33. fxg5 Nxd4 34. Bxa5 {with a winning
position for White.}) 30. Rf2 Qd1+ 31. Kg2 gxf4 32. Bxf4 Nd4 33. Qg5 Ne2 34.
Rc7 Rg8 35. Qf5 $1 {. --- Boris: The final exploitation of the light square
weaknesses in Black's camp. --- Joel: What I am learning is that I have good
intuition, which I should trust, but I need to focus on sharpening my
calculations and trying to be more accurate. --- Boris: You are correct. You
showed good intuition in solving the problems from this game but you need to
sharpen your technique of calculation, and for this you need to train by
calculating sharp positions. --- Joel: I have spent quite a bit of time
solving puzzle books, but this seems different. --- Boris: Yes, this is
different. It is not so much about solving combinations (White to move and win
or mate books). You need to train to calculate long variations in practical
games. The best method is to study the games of grandmasters and try to
calculate variations in sharp positions and check your analysis against their
analysis. A second method is to solve studies. In general, it is good to
combine both methods. --- As for the game, the first part consisted of a
complicated strategic struggle. White's 18 dxc6! demonstrates the
transformation of one kind of positional advantage into another (weak squares).
This topic is the most important lesson of the game. --- Joel: That's
interesting. I thought the most important lesson was how to exploit the
weakness of the light squares you created with 18 dxc6. --- Boris: The move 18
dxc6 was the only difficult one for me to find. The rest of the game was
relatively simple. Using the weakness of Black's light squares I forced
Smyslov into a desperate kingside counterattack. I refuted his counterattack
using (again) the weakness of the light squares.} 1-0

[Event "Candidates match (game 7), Buenos Aires"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1971.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Fischer, R."]
[Black "Petrosian, T."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B42"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1971.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. O-O d5 8.
c4 Nf6 9. cxd5 cxd5 10. exd5 exd5 11. Nc3 Be7 12. Qa4+ Qd7 13. Re1 Qxa4 14.
Nxa4 Be6 15. Be3 O-O 16. Bc5 Rfe8 17. Bxe7 Rxe7 18. b4 Kf8 19. Nc5 Bc8 20. f3
Rea7 21. Re5 Bd7 {.   In this position, Fischer played} 22. Nxd7+ $3 {,
exchanging his nice knight for Petrosian's bad bishop, and received a
technically winning position. --- Joel: Why is this technically winning? ---
Boris: After this exchange Fischer takes control of the open c-file, and this
consideration is more important than the superiority of the knight on c5 over
the bishop on d7. In positions with a superior pawn structure, the exchange of
pieces increases your advantage. The game ended quickly:} Rxd7 23. Rc1 Rd6 24.
Rc7 Nd7 25. Re2 g6 26. Kf2 h5 27. f4 h4 28. Kf3 f5 29. Ke3 d4+ 30. Kd2 Nb6 31.
Ree7 Nd5 32. Rf7+ Ke8 33. Rb7 Nxb4 34. Bc4 1-0

[Event "Groningen"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1990.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Adams, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C91"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "1990.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was the last round of a tournament in which I was not very
successful. Mickey had to make a draw with me to take clear first. I wanted to
improve my spirit, though, because in a week I had to start a new tournament
in Reggio Emilia, which was a successful tournament for me. --- I like very
much to play this variation of the Ruy Lopez (without the move h2-h3) against
players who are very classical in their style, because it leads to very
unbalanced positions. I was successful using this variation against Portisch,
Geller, and Ivkov as well.} 1. e4 {Joel: I was surprised to see you play 1 e4,
having seen so many flank openings or d2-d4 openings from you. --- Boris: I
played 1 e4 very often before emigration. After emigration, I only played 1 e4
if I expected 1...e5. I stopped playing 1 e4 because of the forced variations
of the Sveshnikov Sicilian and the Petroff Defense. --- Joel: Do you think it
is important (critical) for class players to learn all the openings (the Ruy
Lopez in particular)? I read that your friend Lev Psakhis said it was
important to know these fundamental positions in order to improve your chess
game. --- Boris: I would recommend players who are not so experienced to start
with one opening and add additional openings when they get bored. If you play
too many in the beginning it will be too difficult and overwhelming. I don't
think it is more important to know the Ruy Lopez compared to some other
opening such as the French, for example. GMs Uhlmann and Vaganian have played
the French their whole life, and as White played 1 d4, so this suggests to me
it is not obligatory. Chess is very rich with many different types of
positions and you have to know the positions that you play.} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3.
Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4 ({Boris: This move
avoids the Marshall counterattack (} 8. c3 d5 {) but also doesn't allow White
to play the classical Ruy Lopez (with h2-h3). However, it is exactly the
variation that I like to play.}) 8... d6 9. c3 Bg4 10. Be3 exd4 ({Boris: In
those years the game continuation was the main line. Later on, Romanishin
popularized another variation beginning with the move} 10... Bh5 {. Ten days
after my game with Adams, I played Romanishin in Reggio Emilia and the
following forced variation occurred:} 11. h3 Bg6 12. Nbd2 Nxe4 $6 {(Black had
to avoid this)} 13. Bd5 Nxd2 14. Bxd2 Qd7 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Bxc6 Qxc6 17. Nxe5
Qd6 18. Bf4 Qf6 19. Bg3 Rfe8 20. Nxg6 hxg6 21. Bxc7 {and White won a pawn and
eventually the game.}) 11. cxd4 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. dxc5 dxc5 14. Nbd2 Nd7 15.
Bf4 $1 {Boris: White has to take control of the important e5-square.} Re8 16.
e5 $5 Nf8 17. Be4 Rc8 {Boris: Black has to take control of the c6-square,
preparing to bring his knight back into the game.} ({Worse was} 17... Ra7 18.
Qc2 {because now he doesn't have} Nc6 {harassing my queen.}) 18. Nf1 $1 ({
Boris: My friend Lev Psakhis was impressed with my game and tried to repeat it
at the chess Olympiad. He deviated here from my game by playing} 18. Qc2 {,
but after} Nc6 19. Rad1 Nd4 20. Qb1 Qb6 {Black obtained an excellent position
in L.Psakhis-J.Cooper, Manila Olympiad 1992. Using the position of Black's
bishop on g4, White wants his knight to reach the e3-square with tempo, en
route to the sensitive d5- or f5-squares.}) 18... Ne6 19. Bg3 Nd4 ({Boris:
White would have a very active position if Black decided to transpose to an
endgame:} 19... Qxd1 20. Raxd1 Nd4 21. Ne3 Nxf3+ 22. gxf3 Be6 23. f4 $1 Nc6 24.
b3 {and White will follow with f4-f5.}) 20. Ne3 Bh5 21. Nf5 $1 {Boris: Playing
aggressively; the knight heads for d6.} Bxf3 22. gxf3 Nac6 ({Boris: Mickey
Adams is a chess player with a classical style, but in this position it was
preferable to play} 22... Nc4 $1 23. b3 Nd2 $1 {with unclear consequences.})
23. Rc1 $1 Qd7 24. Nd6 Bxd6 25. exd6 Ne6 ({Boris: After} 25... c4 26. b3 {
White's position would be preferable.}) (25... Ne6 {Exercise: Black's position
looks as solid as a rock; how can White cause Black's construction to tremor? 
(difficulty level 3)} 26. -- ({. Joel: My first thought is} 26. Bf5 {, pinning
the knight and threatening 27 Rxc5. However,} Ncd4 {looks strong as it attacks
the bishop, supports the pinned knight, and permits the rook on c8 to guard
the c5-pawn. The next two moves I am looking at are 26 f4 and 26 Qd3.}) ({. I
think I would first play} 26. Qd3 {, which may induce Black into weakening his
kingside with either} h6 (26... g6 {, when pushing f3-f4 becomes a more
important threat. --- Boris: Black's plan is to play 26...Ncd4, restricting
White's queen, so White has to place the queen in an active position before
Black can restrict her movement.}) ({Your offer 26 Qd3 permits} 26... c4 {or
26...h6 and White has to solve the same problem.}))) 26. Qd5 $1 g6 {Joel: It
is very interesting that in response to your move Black plays what I expected
against my suggestion (26 Qd3). Can you explain 26...g6 - ? What is its
purpose? --- Boris: After Black rejected 26...Ncd4, which was his plan, he
decided to restrict White's bishop on e4 and maintain a solid position.} ({The
move} 26... Ncd4 {gives White the opportunity to play} 27. Qb7 {, exchanging
Black's queen which blocks the d-pawn, and activates White's bishop.}) 27. Qd2
$1 {Boris: Continuing to shake Black's position. The white queen repositions
herself in an effort to take advantage of the dark square weaknesses created
by the move 26...g6.} Kg7 {Boris: Again my opponent plays the most solid
continuation.} ({Interesting complications could have arisen after} 27... Ned4
$1 28. Kg2 Ne5 29. b4 ({not bad either was} 29. Rxc5 Rxc5 30. Qxd4 Rc4 31. Qd5
Nc6 32. Rd1 {with enough compensation for the exchange}) 29... Qxd6 30. Bb7 {
with an intricate position.}) 28. Kg2 $1 ({Boris: In the case of} 28. Bd5 {
Black would maintain equilibrium with} f6 $1 {, covering the important
e5-square;} ({whereas the tempting} 28... Ned4 $2 29. Rxe8 Rxe8 30. Rxc5 Qh3
31. Qd1 $1 Ne2+ 32. Kh1 Ncd4 33. Rc7 {would be good for White.})) 28... f6 $1 {
Boris: Black covers important dark squares.} ({The immediate} 28... Ncd4 $2 {
was bad because of} 29. b4 $1 {.}) (28... f6 {Exercise: What should White
play? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: My intuition is telling me that White
should aim to weaken Black's kingside. How can he accomplish that? I think the
move} 29. h4 {makes a lot of sense (perhaps together with f3-f4 at some point).
The idea obviously is to chip away at Black's kingside, create a further
weakening, and perhaps swing the rooks over to the h-file if possible. 29 h4
also stops ...Ne6-g5 which attacks f3 and threatens ...Qh3+. --- Boris: Black
again is ready to play} Ncd4 {with a good position and your suggestion doesn't
prevent it. But with his last move, Black reduced his protection of the
e6-knight and, together with it, the e-file. White can use it by suddenly
exchanging his light-squared bishop.}) 29. Bxc6 $1 Rxc6 30. Re2 Rcc8 ({Boris:} 
30... f5 {was unattractive for Black because of} 31. Be5+ Kg8 32. Qd5 {with a
very unpleasant pin.}) 31. Rce1 c4 32. h4 h5 (32... h5 {Exercise: Black's
position has become a house of cards. How can White bring it down? (difficulty
level 5)} 33. -- ({. Joel: The natural move in this position is} 33. f4 {, but
the problem is that White's dark-squared bishop might end up being completely
shut in after} f5 {.} (33... --)) ({. The knight on e6, however, is only
defended two times and} 33. Qd5 {forces Black to play} Nc7 {, when} 34. Qb7 {
pins the knight and threatens the pawn on a6.}) ({. Boris: Here we have an
extremely rare case of zugzwang in the middlegame so the solution the problem
is the waiting move} 33. a3 $1 {. Now Black has to worsen his position. After
your suggestion, 33 Qd5, Black can play 33...Kf7 when it is not easy for White
to find a move that improves his position.})) 33. a3 $3 ({Boris: In the case of
} 33. Qa5 {Black has a good defense in} Rc6 {.}) 33... Rcd8 ({Boris: Black
didn't have} 33... Ra8 {because of} 34. Qd5 Kf7 35. Rxe6 {and White is winning}
) ({while} 33... Kf7 {would now lose to} 34. Qh6 Rh8 {and then: --- Exercise:
Find the winning combination for White. (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I would
play} 35. Rxe6 $1 {. After} Rxh6 (35... Qxe6 36. Rxe6 Rxh6 37. Re7+ {transposes
}) 36. Re7+ Qxe7 37. Rxe7+ Kf8 38. d7 Rd8 39. Bd6 {and I think White wins. ---
Boris: Your solution is correct. I would add} Rh8 40. f4 f5 41. Kf3 a5 42. Ke3
{and Black is defenseless.}) 34. Qa5 $1 {Joel: Why do you give this move an
exclamation point? --- Boris: After 33 a3 Black had to make his position worse,
which he did with 33...Rcd8. Now Black cannot defend the a6-pawn with ...Rc6.}
Kf7 ({Another defense of the a6-pawn was} 34... Ra8 {, but this permits a
forced win for White. --- Exercise: Can you find it? (difficulty level 4) ---
Joel: I like} 35. Rxe6 Rxe6 36. Rxe6 Qxe6 37. Qc7+ {. I stopped here as I
cannot see Black stopping the d-pawn without giving up the rook, when White
will be up a piece. --- Boris: Your intuition was correct, but you have to see
the answer to Black's best defense:} Kh6 38. d7 Qe7 39. Qc8 Qd8 40. Qxa8 Qxa8
41. Bc7 {and White wins. --- Joel: Clever! I didn't see that maneuver at all.})
35. Qxa6 f5 (35... f5 {Exercise: In order to prevent ...f5-f4, White has to
move the king. To which square? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I am not sure I
like moving the king at all.} 36. Kh3 {walks into a discovered check} (36. Kh2
{takes away the only retreat square for the bishop. In some variations Black
can play ...Nf4+ or ...Nd4 and then ...Nxf3+.}) ({. Therefore, I would have
preferred to get out of the way of any of this and play} 36. Kf1 {(adding
support to the e1-rook). Truthfully, I would probably try to prevent ...f5-f4
with a piece move such as 36 Be5 rather than moving the king.}) ({. Boris:
Playing} 36. Be5 {would close the e-file for your rooks, which create
dangerous threats. After 36 Be5, Black has} Nc5 37. Qb6 Nd3 {and it is White
who is losing. The whole position hinges on White maintaining domination of
the e-file. By moving the king, you are ready after ...f5-f4 to take on f4 and
give check on e7 with the rook, but this combination only works with the king
on h2.}) ({. In other cases:} 36. Kg1 $2 f4 37. Bxf4 Nxf4 38. Re7+ Kf6 39. Rxd7
Rxe1+ {wins for Black}) ({, or} 36. Kf1 $2 f4 37. Bxf4 Nxf4 38. Re7+ Rxe7 39.
Rxe7+ Qxe7 40. dxe7 Rd1# {mate.}) ({. Only with} 36. Kh2 {does White prevent}
f4 {. --- Joel: I didn't see this combination. --- Boris: We spoke about this.
It is impossible to win against a strong grandmaster without at some stage
having to solve tactical problems; that is, you cannot win on strategy alone.}
(36... --))) 36. Kh2 $1 g5 37. hxg5 Kg6 ({Boris: The attempt} 37... h4 {
doesn't work since White clearly wins with} 38. Bf4 $1 Kg6 39. Qb6 $1 Nxf4 40.
Rxe8 Rxe8 41. Rxe8 {and Black cannot take back because of} Qxe8 42. d7+ {.}) (
37... Kg6 {Exercise: How to break through Black's defense? (difficulty level 3)
--- Joel: I can't seem to break through in the most obvious ways, e.g.} 38.
Rxe6+ {or something like that.} ({Black seems to be tied down so perhaps it
makes sense to create threats on the other wing with} 38. a4 {, when White
will be able to take advantage of the open position better than Black whose
major pieces are stuck blockading the d6-pawn. --- Boris: With the moves 36...
g5 and 37...Kg6, Black resumed the threat of ...f5-f4. So your move 38 a4
would permit Black to escape all his problems by playing} f4 {.}) ({White has
to prevent the move ...f5-f4 tactically by playing} 38. Qb6 $1 {.})) 38. Qb6 $1
f4 (38... f4 {Exercise: What would you do? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: I
think White has to play} 39. Rxe6+ {,} ({since} 39. Bxf4 {leads to mate after}
Nxf4 {(threatening 40...Qh3+ and mate next move).}) (39. Rxe6+ {wins though,
because after} Rxe6 40. Rxe6+ Qxe6 41. Qxd8 fxg3+ 42. Kxg3 {White has a strong
passed pawn and there is no immediate way for Black's queen to get at White's
king. --- Boris: You're right. 38...Ra8 was also completely hopeless after 39
Re5, attacking the b-pawn, and preparing 40 Qe3 attacking the knight.})) 39.
Rxe6+ $1 Rxe6 40. Rxe6+ Qxe6 41. Qxd8 fxg3+ 42. Kxg3 Qe5+ 43. Kg2 {. --- Joel:
I think what I am seeing over and over again is your ability to use principles
in a flexible way (for example, giving up your strong light-squared bishop for
Black's knight) as opposed to rigidly applying rules as I do. --- Boris: This
game is interesting because, with quiet queen maneuvers on moves 26 and 27,
White shook the foundation of Black's very solid position. From an aesthetic
point of view, there was a very unusual zugzwang in the middlegame after
White's 33 a3!!. The last part of the game proved again that playing against a
strong player you cannot get by on strategy alone, you must solve tactical
problems precisely. Your point about flexibility is well taken as the game
also shows the importance of transforming one advantage into another advantage.
Alekhine wrote in an article devoted to his match with Capablanca that, after
the 1924 New York tournament, he realized the nature of Capablanca's advantage
over him. He realized that Capablanca was not afraid to lose his advantage
during the game and, because of this, his playing was more flexible.} 1-0

[Event "Dos Hermanas"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Karpov, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{This was the first game we prepared and we had not yet arrived at the best
method of working. At this point, we were relying more on the method of
explaining the ideas, and the diagrams were not yet set as tasks for solving.
But now we invite the readers to solve the positions in the diagrams for
themselves. --- Boris: This game occurred at the time when I was preparing for
my match against Nigel Short to see who would play Kasparov for the world
championship title. --- Joel: Were you nervous playing Karpov? --- Boris: I
like challenges, I like to struggle and fight against the best. That's very
exciting to me. Also, I grew up (as did my generation in the USSR) believing
that, generally, reputations were not to be trusted. Of course, it is hard to
be a fake in chess (compared to politics) because if you are weak you will
simply lose. Perhaps some of this general belief persisted in the world of
chess. The idea of not trusting reputations contrasted sharply with what I
experienced when I first came to the United States. I found chess players to
be much more polite; e.g. offering a draw to a higher rated player in better
positions. We would never do that; we would want to beat them, even make them
suffer.} 1. e4 {Joel: Why did you decide to open with 1 e4 - ? --- Boris: In
my preparation for the match against Short, who played mostly 1 e4, I noticed
that Karpov had played a dubious line with Black against Timman and Ivanchuk
in the Advance Variation and I was hoping he would play the same against me.
Additionally, I prepared an important novelty in the main line of the
variation I played in the game.} c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. h4 {Boris: Tal
introduced this move against Botvinnik in the 1962 revenge match for the World
Championship. Obviously, if Black now plays 4...e6 he will lose the bishop.} h5
({Boris: In their match Botvinnik played} 4... h6 {several times, leading to a
favorable pawn structure for White; e.g. with pawns on h5, g4, and f4, which
is White's dream. But then Botvinnik found 4...h5 in the middle of the match.
Theory considers this to be the best answer.}) 5. c4 {Joel: We are taught not
to move too many pawns in the opening. I know there is quite a bit of opening
theory here, but can you explain why you can play like this? --- Boris: All
chess rules are relative. Enforcing one rule violates another. This is a
closed position that cannot open quickly. Here it is more important to obtain
the best possible pawn structure. Here I am following Philidor's rule of
developing the pieces behind pawns. In this closed position, it works.} e6 6.
Nc3 Be7 $1 {Joel: Why do you give an exclamation point to a move that seems so
natural and obvious to make? You don't give those away for free. --- Boris:
Karpov thought for a long time and looked at me. I believe he must have sensed
I had something prepared against the line he had played in his games against
Timman and Ivanchuk, so he played the main theoretical line with 6...Be7. He
was right.} ({Against} 6... Nd7 {, the move he previously played, I had
prepared a novelty for my match with Short:} 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3
Ne7 10. Bg5 f6 11. exf6 gxf6 12. Bd2 Kf7 13. Nge2 Ng6 14. g3 Bd6 15. Nb5 Bb8
16. Bb4 a6 17. Nbc3 $1 ({rather than} 17. Nd6+ Bxd6 18. Bxd6 Qb6 19. Ba3 Qa5+
$1 {, as previously played in V.Ivanchuk-A.Karpov, Tilburg rapid 1993. In the
morning of our game, I prepared another novelty against 6...Be7. --- In the
decisive game of his sensational victory at Wijk aan Zee (2011), Nakamura
played 6...Ne7 against Nepomniachtchi and won. This line was obscure in the
years of my game with Karpov.})) 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Bd3 $5 {Boris: This was an
important novelty that I prepared the morning of our game.} ({Joel: Can you
explain this move? Aren't you exchanging off Black's "bad" bishop for your
"good" bishop? --- Boris: If} 8. Nf3 {then Black can pin and eventually
exchange his light-squared bishop for my knight in a position in which knights
are more valuable.}) ({Joel: So why not play} 8. Bb5+ {and exchange off his
knight? --- Boris: I repeat, all rules are relative. First we find good moves
and then explain why it is good. It is not simply that knights are better than
bishops in this position, but that my knight on g1 is a more important piece
than his light-squared bishop on f5. As long as that piece exists, I cannot
play Ng1-f3. This would be a grave strategic error.}) 8... Bxd3 9. Qxd3 {Boris:
Now my queen is actively placed, looking at both sides of the board, and the
only square available to his king's knight is h6.} Nc6 ({Boris:} 9... Bxh4 {
doesn't win a pawn because White has} 10. Qb5+ Nd7 (10... Nc6 $2 11. Rxh4 $1)
11. Qxb7 {.}) 10. Nf3 (10. Nf3 {Exercise: How does Black have to proceed? 
(difficulty level 5) --- Boris: This is a very interesting moment. Karpov
thought for a very long time. He realized that if} Nh6 {then} 11. Bxh6 Rxh6 {
would leave his rook misplaced on h6. This would give me the advantage on the
queenside where I would have two rooks to his one. This was the strategic idea
behind my novelty. After a long think, he played: 10...Nb4!?}) 10... Nb4 $5 ({
Boris: Anand demonstrated the correct way for Black to proceed against Short
at Wijk aan Zee 2005. That game continued} 10... Rc8 $1 11. g3 (11. a3 $5 {,
preventing ...Bb4, could be an improvement}) 11... Bb4 $1 {(as I said earlier,
knights are often better than bishops in such positions)} 12. Bd2 Nge7 13. a3
Bxc3 14. Bxc3 Nf5 {with equality.}) 11. Qe2 Rc8 12. O-O {Joel: Doesn't this
just give him the h4-pawn? --- Boris: Taking the pawn was interesting, but I
don't think he liked the unclear position that would have resulted.} ({
Objectively speaking it is better to have an unclear position than a worse
position, so} 12. O-O Bxh4 $5 13. Qb5+ Nc6 14. Qxb7 (14. Nxh4 Qxh4 15. Qxb7
Nge7) 14... Be7 15. Be3 {was preferable. Psychologically speaking, you want
your opponent to be as uncomfortable as possible, so I didn't anticipate that
he would take my pawn.}) 12... Nc6 {Joel: What has Black achieved with his
knight excursion? --- Boris: Karpov was very good at prophylaxis and
destroying his opponent's plans. The queen is best placed on d3 so he disrupts
my ideal set-up and forces me to put my queen on an inferior square. My queen
returns to d3 later, so in reality he did not lose a tempo; he was just
disturbing my thinking process.} 13. g3 Qd7 {Exercise: Where should White
develop his bishop: d2 or e3? (difficulty level 3)} 14. Bd2 $1 {Boris: This is
a very important prophylactic move.} ({If I had played} 14. Be3 $6 {it would
have allowed him to exchange off the dark-squared bishop and develop his
knight to e7; e.g.} Bb4 $1 15. Rac1 Nge7 {with equality.}) ({After} 14. Bd2 $1
{I prevent} Bb4 {because} 15. Nb5 $1 {would follow.}) 14... Nh6 15. Bxh6 $1 {
Joel: I know we have talked a lot about the threat of taking the knight if it
moved to h6, but what aspect of the move is most important? Displacing his
rook, getting rid of your "bad bishop", or preventing him from castling? ---
Boris: The most important element is disturbing the coordination of his rooks.
Now I have the direct plan of taking over the c-file. I have the more pleasant
position with a clear-cut plan, whereas he must come up with something quite
sophisticated.} Rxh6 16. Rac1 Kf8 17. Na4 {Boris: Now my knight is heading to
c5 or my queen to b5 with a lot of pressure on the queenside. --- Exercise:
How can Black prevent 18 Qb5 - ? (difficult level 3)} ({Playing} 17. a3 {would
have allowed him to relieve the pressure by} Na5 18. Qb5 Qxb5 19. Nxb5 Nc6 {.})
17... Rc7 $1 {Boris: This is an excellent prophylactic move because 18 Qb5?
would now be met by 18...Nxe5 winning. Therefore, I have to prepare my
queenside breakthrough slowly. Karpov, along with Petrosian, was the best at
preventing his opponent's plans.} 18. Rc3 Rg6 {Boris: Karpov plans to activate
his rook on the g-file.} 19. Rfc1 Rg4 $1 20. Qd3 {Boris: So I have returned to
d3, returning the tempo he used on 10...Nb4. However, I return with the threat
of Qh7, which he has to prevent.} Kg8 21. a3 {Boris: Getting ready to expand
on the queenside.} f6 22. Nc5 Bxc5 23. Rxc5 Qf7 $1 {Joel: Why is this such a
good move? --- Boris: Because the queen is headed to g6, the only place Black
can get a breath of fresh air and threaten to generate counterplay.} 24. b4 a6
25. Qc3 $6 {Boris: My last move allowed Black to escape his difficulties. ---
Exercise: What is a tactical way for Black to avoid the difficulties of his
position? (difficulty level 4)} (25. Kg2 {was better, simply improving my
position.}) 25... Rd7 $2 {Boris: White's plan is a3-a4 and b4-b5. It is
typical of Karpov to avoid threats before they arise;} ({but in here he could
have played} 25... Qg6 $1 26. a4 b6 $3 27. Rxc6 Rxc6 28. Qxc6 Rxg3+ {with a
perpetual check, but he failed to see it over the board. --- Joel: Perhaps
this was due to playing up until now in such an oppressive position? It looks
like you won the psychological and strategic war. Was he broken and this
subsequently prevented him from seeing his opportunity? There is interesting
research on this issue, showing that depressed patients are more realistic in
their judgments about the probability of winning chance games than their
non-depressed, overly optimistic counterparts. They call it depressive realism.
--- Boris: Yes, a very interesting observation and maybe that is what happened
in the game.}) 26. a4 Ne7 $6 {Joel: But this appears to be a strong
prophylactic move, taking the sting out of b5 so that it does not come with
gain of time. The knight on e7 also controls the c8-square, preventing White
from infiltrating on the back rank. Black would welcome a trade of his passive
rook on d7 with your active rook on c3. Why do you consider it dubious? ---
Boris: Karpov always plays against the next move, which he believed to be
b4-b5, but here I had something stronger, something that saps the energy from
the g4-rook. --- Exercise: How can White accomplish this? (difficulty level 3)}
27. Nh2 $1 {Boris: Now the rook will be poorly placed and is running out of
good squares. My opponent is deprived of any counterplay because that was
entirely connected to the activity of his rook on g4. Strategically the game
is won. Now White must complete his strategic victory by tactical means.} Rg6 (
{Boris:} 27... Re4 $2 {would be a mistake because of} 28. f3 Re2 29. Qd3 Ra2
30. Rc8+ {.}) 28. Qd3 {Joel: What is the idea behind this move? --- Boris:
It's a prophylactic move, giving the rook room to retreat.} ({Had I played} 28.
b5 $6 axb5 29. axb5 fxe5 30. dxe5 b6 {I would have been forced to exchange my
active rook with his passive rook with} 31. Rc7 {, which would have allowed
Black to get active following} Rxc7 32. Qxc7 Qf4 $1 {.}) 28... Nf5 {Boris:
Black's only hope is counterplay on the kingside.} 29. Rc8+ Kh7 30. Kh1 {Boris:
Prophylaxis again. I have a huge strategic advantage so I make a safe move,
but maybe it was too slow because Black could now return with 30...Ne7!.
However, Black was in severe time shortage at this moment, having only 3 or 4
minutes left to reach the time control, whereas I had about half an hour or so.
} Nh6 $2 {Exercise: What should White do now? (difficulty level 2)} 31. R1c2 $2
({Boris: Here the sudden} 31. g4 $1 {wins on the spot.} -- ({. If} 31... hxg4
32. h5) ({, or} 31... Nxg4 32. Nxg4 hxg4 33. h5 {wins the rook.}) ({. Therefore
} 31... f5 {was forced, but after} 32. g5 Ng4 33. Kg2 {the rook on g6 is
trapped. He is essentially a rook down. --- Joel: How would you execute that
win? --- Boris: I would play f2-f3, exchange off his knight, play R1c3, Qc2 
(to take full control of the c-file) and then Rc7, exchanging off all of his
pieces except the rook on g6.} (33. --))) 31... Nf5 32. b5 {Boris: Depriving
Black of the c6-square.} axb5 33. axb5 Qe7 34. R2c5 ({Boris: There was a
shorter way in} 34. Nf3 $5 Rg4 35. Re2 $1 {, when the e6-pawn would be
defenseless. But I took the advice that Capablanca gave Botvinnik: don't hurry
in a better position; just keep the position and your opponent will lose the
game himself.} ({The point of} 35. R2c5 {is to prevent Karpov's idea of ...Qb4.
})) 34... b6 {Joel: Why did Karpov play this move? --- Boris: He can't wait
anymore or he will suffocate. Black has run out of useful moves. In a bad
position it is imperative that you create a mess, create complications, even
if they are not sound. This is better than a quiet death. Karpov understands
this better than almost anyone, having been on the other side of the death
squeeze so often.} 35. R5c6 Ra7 36. Nf3 {Boris: This frees the queen from the
defense of d4 and gives my king room in case of ...Ra1+.} Ra3 {Joel: His
pieces have become very active. My attention seems to be shifting to his
possibilities as opposed to yours. --- Boris: After a strategic victory you
have to find the correct tactical solution and always be on the look-out for
combinations. Here Karpov didn't have time to calculate, but still he played
in a way that made it most complicated for me.} ({Exchanging queens would lead
to a hopeless ending in which the imprisonment of Black's rook on the g-file
would decide the game:} 36... Qa3 $5 37. Qxa3 Rxa3 38. Kg2 Ne7 ({or} 38... Rxf3
39. Kxf3 Nxd4+ 40. Kg2 Nxc6 41. bxc6 Rg4 42. f4) 39. Rc3 Ra2 40. Rc2 $1 Rxc2 ({
or} 40... Ra5 41. Re8 Nf5 42. Rcc8) 41. Rxc2 Rg4 42. Rc6 $1 {and White wins.})
37. Qd1 {Boris: Threatening to discover an attack on the h5-pawn, which Karpov
prevents.} Rg4 38. exf6 {Boris: At this point in the game I was running low on
time, too, and didn't have time to calculate. So I played in the safest way;} (
{but} 38. R6c7 $1 {wins instantly; for example,} Qb4 39. exf6 {and Black's
kingside is crumbling. One humorous finish might be} Qb2 40. Ng5+ $1 Kg6 41. f7
Qxf2 42. f8=N+ Kh6 43. Nf7# {mate.}) 38... Qxf6 39. Ng5+ Rxg5 40. hxg5 Qxg5 41.
Rxe6 h4 {Exercise: Find the winning combination for White. (difficulty level 4)
--- Joel: With rook, knight, and queen all staring at your king, and the
h-pawn ready to pry open the kingside, I'm getting pretty nervous. Although
your major pieces are nicely posted, there doesn't appear to be an obvious
attack. --- Boris: You are absolutely correct. If at this point I start to
defend as you imply, I would lose instantly. Instead, I start my mating attack.
My threats are more serious than his, but it requires concrete calculation.}
42. Ree8 ({Boris: Trying to keep the kingside closed - in other words,
defending - loses:} 42. g4 $2 Qf4 {and Black's threat of ...Rh3+ cannot be
stopped. --- Joel: How easy it is for the game to change. One slip and all of
your hard work is thrown away. --- Boris: You must remain vigilant until the
end. If your opponent has the will to struggle, he will complicate the
position and you must refute him tactically, which your superior position 
(assuming you are winning) will allow you to do.}) 42... hxg3 43. Rh8+ Kg6 44.
f4 $1 Ne3 45. Rc6+ Kf7 ({Boris:} 45... Kf5 {would lead to the loss of the
queen, e.g.} 46. Rf8+ Ke4 47. Qb1+ {.} ({During the post mortem, Karpov said:
"but you would have had} 47. Re6+ {and mate is much, much better than winning
the queen."})) 46. fxg5 Nxd1 47. g6+ $1 Ke7 48. Kg2 $1 {Boris: With my 42nd
move I calculated until this point. This move activates my king for the
ensuing endgame. Here I am prepared to walk my king up the center of the board,
not afraid of any discovered checks.} ({While} 48. Rg8 $6 {is probably still
winning, e.g.} Ne3 49. Rxg7+ Kd8 50. Rc1 {,} ({something as innocent as} 50.
Rgc7 $2 Ra2 {would demand that White then finds} 51. Rc2 $3 Nxc2 52. Rxc2 $1 {
and wins.})) 48... Ne3+ 49. Kxg3 Nf5+ 50. Kf4 Nxd4 51. Rxb6 Ne6+ 52. Ke5 Re3+
53. Kxd5 Re1 54. Rxe6+ ({Boris: Transposing to a winning king and pawn endgame
after} 54. Rxe6+ Rxe6 55. Re8+ Kxe8 56. Kxe6 {. --- Joel: I have taken a
number of important themes from this great game. First, it demonstrated the
importance of preventing your opponent's plan; e.g. 14 Bd2 prevented 14...Bb4
because 15 Nb5 would follow. Second, the game showed the importance of piece
coordination. Essentially, the entire strategy of the game was based on
disrupting the communication of Karpov's rooks, which allowed White to
dominate the c-file. Third, the game also demonstrated the necessity of
following a strategic victory with tactics. I was impressed with how
tactically alert you had to be up until the very end. Fourth, it illustrated
the importance of not rushing in a winning position. Inevitably, the player in
the losing position will self-destruct, allowing for a quick tactical finish.
This again stresses the importance of remaining tactically vigilant at all
times. --- Perhaps one of the more subtle points I took away from this game
was that all rules are relative. I have heard this before, of course, but to
see it applied was highly instructive. In this game, which featured a closed
position, all knights were not better than all bishops, but the knight on g1
was better than the bishop on f5.}) 1-0

[Event "Amsterdam"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1988.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Gelfand, B."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "1988.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 dxc4 7. O-O $5 Nc6 8.
e3 Na5 $5 9. e4 $1 {Boris: The day after this game I had a walk with Korchnoi
and he asked me whether it was true that I played e2-e3 and then on the next
move e3-e4. I said yes and reminded him that he did the same against Gipslis
in 1966. It is unusual, but in some situations it is appropriate. --- Joel:
Why is it appropriate? --- Boris: After 8...Na5 he intends to play ...c7-c5.
Also, having removed his knight from c6, it no longer has any influence on the
center squares. In order to fight for the initiative White has to play
actively in the center. We can't follow rules strictly. There are too many
rules and sometimes they contradict each other. Only after we find the right
way can we formulate which rule was correct. --- Joel: I think that is the
biggest lesson from the book, in my opinion. I think the biggest difference
between weak and strong players is their ability to apply rules in a flexible
way. In each game in this book I think you violate some general rule because
of the positional demands on the board. --- Boris: Right, that's my point. Try
to be flexible. Part of positional play is to find the element of the position
that is makes it unique and determines how to proceed. If you are able to
identify this aspect of the position then you will be able to apply the
"rules" of chess in a flexible way. Very often rules that apply to one
position do not apply to a similar position.} c6 ({Boris: After} 9... c5 {
White has the typical} 10. d5 exd5 11. e5 {with chances for the initiative.})
10. Qc2 b5 11. Rd1 Bb7 12. Bg5 $1 h6 $6 ({Boris: It was better to play} 12...
Nd7 $1 {.}) (12... h6 {Exercise: What to play? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel:
I first looked at} 13. e5 {, but after} ({I am thinking instead that} 13. Bxf6
{is maybe the way to go, followed by} -- 14. e5 {with the idea of playing Ne4})
13... hxg5 14. exf6 Bxf6 {White is down two pawns, has a weak isolated d-pawn,
and has lost the important possibility of playing e4-e5. --- Boris: Your
suggestion doesn't promise anything for White, but Gelfand too didn't foresee
my idea in the actual game.}) 13. e5 $1 Nd7 ({Boris: Black reasonably avoids} 
13... hxg5 $2 14. Nxg5 ({you're right that} 14. exf6 Bxf6 {is bad for White})
14... g6 15. exf6 Bxf6 16. h4 $1 Bxg5 17. hxg5 Qxg5 18. Ne4 {and Black's
position is very dangerous because of the misplaced knight on a5 and the
weakened dark squares around the king.}) ({The natural} 13... Nd5 $2 {would
leave the c5-square unprotected and White would be much better after} 14. Bxe7
Qxe7 15. Ne4 {.}) 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 {Exercise: Try to find the main drawback in
Black's position. What to play? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: The main
drawback in Black's position is the weakness of the d6-square so I would play
15 Ne4, heading to d6. --- Boris: The main idea for Black is to play ...c6-c5,
which would solve all his problems. However, White can use the main drawback
of Black's position (the poor placement of the knight on a5) to prevent this
plan. It is this aspect of the position that is unique and, therefore, White
should not apply rules in a general way but in a specific way, adapting to the
positional demands on the board.} 15. Qd2 $1 ({Boris: The natural} 15. Ne4 $2 {
that you suggested allows} c5 {, giving Black a good game.}) 15... b4 {Boris:
Unsatisfied with the development of the game, Black tries for complications.} (
{The quiet} 15... Qd8 $5 {would permit White to prevent ...c6-c5 by} 16. Qe3 $1
{, after which the invasion of the c3-knight via e4 on Black's weak dark
squares would give White a tremendous position.} ({Again not} 16. Ne4 {because
Black has} c5 {. Your idea of Nc3-e4 is right, but only after White has
prevented Black's counterplay with ...c6-c5.})) 16. Ne4 Ba6 {Exercise: Find a
tactical solution. Calculate variations. (difficulty level 5) --- Joel:
Unfortunately, I don't understand Black's last move. Since I don't understand
his threat it is hard to find a tactical solution. A tactical solution to
what? My first thought is that Black is threatening 17...c3 with the idea of ...Nc4-b6-d5, but this seems to just lose a pawn and leave the pawn on c6
dreadfully weak. I don't see any other immediate threat, so I would just play
17 Nd6. --- Boris: It is a really intricate position. White has a tactical way
to reach an advantage. The move you offered is not bad, but Black could play
17...Rab8 with a reasonable position. The position in the diagram allows White
to initiate a very complicated combination, which is very difficult to
calculate until the end. In such situations, when you cannot calculate to the
end, you have to trust your intuition.} 17. Nc5 $1 c3 ({Boris: Gelfand avoided
the main line of the combination which was} 17... Nxc5 18. Qxb4 $1 Nab7 19. Nd2
$1 Rfe8 (19... Rab8 20. Ne4 {is in White's favor}) 20. Bxc6 $1 Nd3 (20... Rec8
21. Bg2 Qc7 22. dxc5 Qxc5 23. Qc3 {is very good for White}) 21. Qa4 $1 Nxb2 22.
Qxa6 Nxd1 23. Rxd1 c3 (23... Reb8 24. Nxc4 {and Black is completely paralyzed})
24. Ne4 c2 25. Rc1 {and White has a big advantage. --- Joel: Did you calculate
all that during the game? --- Boris: Not completely; but as I said, when you
see such an opportunity you have to use your intuition. --- Joel: How much of
that did you calculate? --- Boris: I can't remember; it was 22 years ago. But
in general you have to calculate until you can estimate the outcome.}) 18. bxc3
Nc4 19. Qe1 Nxc5 20. dxc5 Qxc5 ({Boris: In the case of} 20... Nb2 {, I planned}
21. cxb4 ({the immediate} 21. Rd6 {was good as well}) 21... Nxd1 22. Rxd1 {and,
after the inevitable Rd6 and Nd4, Black would lose the c6-pawn and find
himself in a dangerous position.}) (20... bxc3 21. Qxc3 Qxc5 22. Bf1 $1 {was
also bad for Black because he cannot unpin his knight.}) 21. cxb4 Qb6 {
Exercise: Find the drawback in Black's position. What to play? (difficulty
level 4) --- Joel: The drawback in Black's position is the c6-pawn. Winning
this pawn would give White a winning queenside majority. It seems to me that
22 Qc3 is a natural move, with the idea of playing Nf3-d4 and Rac1. --- Boris:
You are partly correct. The main problem for Black is the vulnerable position
of his knight on c4 so, after the move you offer, Black is in big trouble
because he cannot safely protect the knight. --- Joel: So it is not about the
c6-pawn? --- Boris: No, but your intuition led you to the right move. --- Joel:
That is very kind of you.} 22. Qc3 $1 f6 $5 {Boris: Black played the most
stubborn defense, transposing the position to an endgame a pawn down but with
drawing chances.} ({Solving the problem of the c6-pawn by playing} 22... c5 {
would lose because of the unfortunate knight on c4:} 23. Rdb1 $1 {(the knight
on c4 is condemned)} cxb4 24. Rxb4 Qc5 25. Nd2 Rac8 26. Nxc4 Bxc4 27. Rc1 {.})
23. exf6 Rxf6 24. Rd4 Raf8 25. Rxc4 {Boris: The simplest solution.} ({After} 
25. Rad1 c5 26. Rxc4 Bxc4 27. Qxc4 Qxb4 {the position is more difficult to
evaluate.}) 25... Bxc4 26. Qxc4 Rxf3 27. Bxf3 Rxf3 28. Qxe6+ Rf7 29. Qe1 c5 30.
bxc5 Qxc5 31. Rc1 Qd5 32. Qe2 Kh7 33. Rc3 Qf5 34. h4 Rb7 35. Qd3 Rb5 36. Qxf5+
Rxf5 {Exercise: What is the best way forward? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I
would play 37 a4 with the idea of putting my rook behind the a-pawn and
simultaneously protecting my kingside pawns.} 37. Ra3 $1 {Boris: The rook
endgame which arises has to be winning because pawns are on both sides of the
board, but it is not easy. For White, it is important to keep his rook in the
most active position.} ({In the case of} 37. Kg2 $6 Ra5 {White's rook would be
burdened by having to protect the a-pawn. After the game continuation, this
burden falls on Black. Your suggestion is wrong. The rook only has to be
behind the pawn when it is a passed pawn.}) ({After} 37. a4 Ra5 38. Ra3 Rc5 39.
Kg2 a5 40. Kf3 Rc4 {the white rook cannot leave its prison on a3 and the
position has become drawish.}) 37... a5 38. Kf1 Re5 39. Kg2 Kg6 40. Re3 Rc5 41.
Re6+ {Exercise: What does Black have to play? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel:
My intuition tells me 41...Kf7, but it is hard to see what is wrong with 41...
Kf5, which is the natural move. --- Boris: Your feeling was correct. It is
rare in the endgame when moving your king towards the center is a mistake.} Kf7
$1 ({Boris: After} 41... Kf5 42. Ra6 h5 43. a3 $1 g6 44. Kf1 Re5 45. a4 Rc5 46.
Ke2 {Black's king cannot move because he has to defend g6. If Black tries} g5 {
White will win with} 47. Rh6 Kg4 48. Rg6 {. Black has to wait, so White will
bring his king to d4 or his rook to b5 and win a second pawn. --- Joel: How
does bringing the king to d4 win a second pawn? --- Boris: Because Black's
rook runs out of squares and must abandon the protection of his a5-pawn. For
example, if in this position the white king were on d4, Black's only move to
continue protecting a5 would be ...Re5 which allows White to play Rxg6!.}) 42.
Ra6 {Boris: As I mentioned in my comments to move 37, it is now Black's rook
that is passively protecting his pawn, whereas White's rook is active.
Nevertheless, Black still has chances for defense. The game is not over!} Ke7
43. a4 Rf5 44. f3 Rc5 45. Kf2 {Joel: Why not 45...Rc2+ now? Can you say
something about how to play these positions? It seems to me that I am often
quite afraid of Black getting counterplay against my kingside pawns if I go
over to the queenside to assist in promoting the a-pawn. --- Boris: In the
endgame we have to calculate much more accurately than in the middlegame,
where you can trust your intuition. Here we have to calculate until we reach a
clear conclusion.} Re5 $1 ({Boris: Against the move you offered,} 45... Rc2+ {
, White plays} 46. Ke3 Rc3+ 47. Ke2 $1 Rc2+ 48. Kd3 Rf2 49. Ke3 {and Black
loses the a-pawn.}) 46. Rc6 {Boris: Black defends cleverly. White cannot
activate his king without removing the rook from its active post on a6.} Kf7
47. Rc4 Kf6 48. Re4 $2 {Boris: White continues maneuvering and misses a direct
win.} ({White had to start using his extra pawn on the kingside with} 48. f4 $1
Rd5 49. Ke3 Kf5 50. Rc7 {and then:} -- (50... g5 51. hxg5 hxg5 52. fxg5 Kxg5 (
52... Re5+ 53. Kd3 Kxg5 54. Kd4 {would lose as well}) 53. Ke4 Rd1 54. Rc5+ Kg4
55. Rxa5 Kxg3 56. Rc5 {and Black is losing because his king is cut off and
cannot assist in preventing White's a-pawn from queening.}) ({. The other line
} 50... g6 51. Rf7+ Ke6 (51... Kg4 52. Rf6 Kxg3 53. Rxg6+ Kxh4 54. Rxh6+ Kg4
55. Rg6+ Kh5 56. Rg8 {with an easy win}) 52. Rh7 h5 53. Rc7 Kf5 54. Rc6 {is
winning for the same reasons 41...Kf5 was losing in the previous exercise:
Black's king cannot move and the rook cannot stay on the fifth rank.})) 48...
Rc5 49. Rf4+ Ke6 50. Ke3 Rc3+ $2 {Boris: This is a mistake.} ({The correct} 
50... g5 $1 {would give Black the chance to fight for a draw.}) (50... Rc3+ {
Exercise: Where does the white king have to go? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel:
White's rook is perfectly placed. I would like to bring my king over to the
queenside to win the a5-pawn and escort the a-pawn home. If} 51. Kd4 (51. Kd4
Ra3 52. Kc5 Rb3 {and it is not clear to me how to make progress.}) ({. However,
} 51. Kd2 $1 {creates problems for Black. If} Ra3 52. Kc2 {the black rook runs
out of squares, and if} Re3 53. Re4+ {leads to a winning king and pawn endgame.
Also, playing 51 Kd2 and approaching the queenside via the second rank will
take away the a1-a3 squares from Black's rook, which means he will have to
give way and White will be able to approach the a5-pawn. --- Boris: Very good!
Your variation is not precise but your feeling for the position helped you
find the right move. The main factor in this situation is the position of the
white rook on f4.} (53. --))) 51. Kd2 $1 {Boris: Again, the right way in this
position is not to move the king toward the center.} ({In the case of} 51. Kd4
Ra3 52. Kc5 {then} g5 $1 {would give Black drawing chances.} ({Your suggestion
} 52... Rb3 {would give White a winning position after} 53. h5 $1 {.})) 51...
Rc5 ({Boris: Here Gelfand realized that} 51... Ra3 52. h5 $1 {(preserving the
safety of the rook on f4)} Ke5 53. Kc2 Ke6 54. g4 $1 Ke7 ({it is important to
know the type of position that arises after} 54... Ke5 55. Rf5+ Kd4 56. Rxa5
Rxf3 57. Ra6 {and White wins simply by moving the rook to g6, where it will
support his own pawns on g4 and eventually a6 and attacks g7}) 55. Kb2 Rd3 56.
Rf5 Ke8 ({or} 56... Ke6 57. Rxa5 Rxf3 58. Ra6+ {and again the rook goes to g6
with an easy win}) 57. f4 Rg3 58. g5 {winning a second pawn.}) 52. Kd3 g5 53.
Re4+ Kf6 54. Rc4 Rd5+ 55. Ke4 Re5+ 56. Kd4 Re6 {Boris: Black's rook has to
leave the fifth rank which means the end of resistance.} ({Black doesn't have} 
56... gxh4 {because of} 57. Rc6+ Kf5 58. g4+ {winning the rook.}) 57. hxg5+
hxg5 58. Rc5 Rb6 59. Rb5 {Boris: It looks like I didn't want to finish a well
played game.} ({Of course} 59. Rxa5 {was possible.}) 59... Rd6+ 60. Rd5 Rb6 61.
Rb5 $6 Ra6 62. Kc5 Kf5 63. Rb6 Ra8 64. g4+ Kf4 65. Rf6+ Kg3 66. Kb5 Kf2 67. Rf5
{. --- Joel: What jumps out at me again is the flexible use of rules. Also, I
liked very much the idea that you have to calculate more accurately in the
endgame. I really noticed how inaccurately I calculate concrete variations.
--- Boris: Yes, developing your ability to calculate will of course improve
your chess considerably. The first part of this game illustrates the rule of
Tarrasch: if one piece is badly placed (in this case the knight on a5) the
whole game is bad. Using the bad position of the black knight, White was able
to prevent ...c6-c5. Trying to overcome his problems, Gelfand wisely
transposed to an endgame a pawn down. Here I had to concern myself with the
activity of my rook. Because of my 37th move, White was able to have an active
rook. What was unusual for this endgame were the two instances in which moving
the king towards the center would have been a mistake. For studying the
endgame, it is very important to remember the position that could have arisen
if Gelfand had played 51...Ra3, when White's rook would have performed triple
duty on g6 (defending two of my pawns and attacking one of his).} 1-0

[Event "Hastings"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1988.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Larsen, B."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E00"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1988.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: Larsen was one of my favorite players. He was very interesting
strategically and was usually able to find, during the game, ways to create
tremendous pressure. This game was typical for him. --- Joel: What was his
reputation as a player during his best years. --- Boris: He played first board
and Fischer second board in the USSR vs. The World match in 1970, which gives
you a sense of his playing strength and what his peers thought of him. He lost
some of his self-confidence after his match with Fischer (in 1971) when he
lost 6-0. For someone who thrived in complicated and unusual positions, you
have to be very self-confident.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Bxd2+ {
Boris: Larsen prepared an unusual strategic set-up for this tournament.} ({
Usually in this opening Black plays} 4... Qe7 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Bxd2+ 7. Nbxd2
d6 8. O-O e5 9. d5 {, when his knight has to return to b8. In the variation
Larsen prepared, the e7-square is available to the knight.}) 5. Qxd2 O-O 6. Bg2
({Boris: I decided to try Larsen's set-up some years later but my opponent
demonstrated that, playing cleverly, White can prevent it:} 6. Nf3 d6 7. Nc3
Nc6 8. Rd1 {and the move ...e6-e5 is impossible because of the pin on the
d-file, A.Chernin-B.Gulko, Beersheba 1993.}) 6... d6 7. Nf3 Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9.
Nc3 e5 10. O-O a5 11. e4 Nd7 12. Nh4 Ng6 ({Boris: Worse was} 12... Nc5 13. f4 {
when White starts to push on the kingside.}) 13. Nxg6 $5 ({Boris: Keeping
pieces on the board with} 13. Nf5 $5 Nc5 14. Ne3 {was also possible. In the
game, I preferred to compromise Black's kingside pawn structure. --- Joel: How
did you plan to use this imbalance? --- Boris: The two moves we are
considering have different strengths and weaknesses. I chose to compromise his
kingside pawn formation, but when you have more space keeping the pieces on
the board also has merit. --- Joel: What was your plan though? I mean, you
made a decision, and I am sure you had a plan associated with your decision.
--- Boris: After taking on g6, I made his kingside more vulnerable to attack
by pushing my f-pawn. In this case, the g6-pawn is the hook for White's
kingside pawn storm, which will be seen in the game.}) 13... hxg6 14. f4 Nc5
15. f5 Bd7 $5 ({Boris: This move is better than} 15... g5 $6 16. Rf2 Bd7 17.
Raf1 f6 18. Bf3 Be8 19. h4 gxh4 20. gxh4 {and White is ready to attack on the
g-file. Larsen's decision is typical for him. By not clarifying the position
he makes it more difficult to develop a plan of attack.}) 16. h4 $1 Qe7 17.
Rae1 $6 {Boris: An unnecessary prophylactic.} ({I tried to avoid} 17. Rf2 $1
gxf5 18. exf5 e4 19. Re1 Qf6 20. Nxe4 Nxe4 21. Rxe4 Rfe8 {, considering that
Black has good compensation for the pawn, but after} 22. Qg5 $1 Rxe4 23. Bxe4
Qe5 24. f6 $1 {White would be much better. So the move 17 Rae1 loses an
important tempo.}) 17... Rfb8 $1 18. Nb5 $1 ({Boris: After wasting a tempo on
move 17, White is not happy with} 18. Rf2 b5 $1 19. fxg6 fxg6 20. cxb5 Bxb5 21.
Nxb5 Rxb5 22. Ref1 a4 {, when Black has clear counterplay against the b2-pawn.
With the game continuation White prevents Black's counterplay with ...b7-b5,
but at the cost of creating a target of attack for Black on b5.}) 18... Bxb5
19. cxb5 a4 20. Rf2 gxf5 21. Rxf5 $5 ({Boris: Again, I have to make a
difficult choice, but the game continuation offers White more chances than} 21.
exf5 Qf6 $1 ({Black would be mated after} 21... e4 22. f6 Qe5 23. g4 gxf6 24.
Rf5 Qg3 25. Qh6 $1 Qxe1+ 26. Kh2 {and Black doesn't have a defense against 27
Rh5 with mate to follow}) 22. Kh2 Kh7 $1 ({too passive was} 22... Re8 23. Be4 {
and White's g-pawn will soon march forward}) 23. Kh3 Rh8 24. g4 Kg8 25. g5 Qe7
26. f6 Qd7+ 27. Kg3 g6 28. Bf1 Re8 {and Black's prospects are even preferable
after ...e5-e4 and ...Re8-e5.}) 21... Rf8 {Boris: Here Larsen had to make a
difficult decision regarding the type of pawn structure he wanted on the
kingside. It looks like he already decided to push the f-pawn;} ({but perhaps} 
21... g6 $1 {was better. --- Joel: Why? --- Boris: Because the light squares
around Black's king become too weak after ...f7-f6, which gives White
dangerous opportunities for attack. The move 21...g6 did not have this
drawback.}) 22. Ref1 f6 $6 ({Boris: Here} 22... g6 $5 {was still preferable.
Having pawns on the light squares would have restricted the prospects of
White's light-squared bishop.}) 23. h5 $1 Qe8 24. Qe2 $1 ({Boris: Too timid was
} 24. Qb4 $5 b6 25. R1f3 Ra5 26. Bf1 Kh7 {and Black builds a safe fortress.
Instead, White sacrificed a pawn and started to attack.}) 24... Ra5 25. Qg4 Kh7
(25... Kh7 {Exercise: How does White develop the initiative? (difficulty level
3) --- Joel: White has more pieces on the kingside and, therefore, should play
on that side where the imbalances favor him. The most obvious way to do that
is with} 26. h6 {. Then, since White threatens mate, Black has two options:} --
(26... gxh6 27. Rxf6 Rxf6 28. Rxf6 Nd7 ({if} 28... Qg8 29. Rxh6+) 29. Qf5+ Kg7
30. Re6 Qf7 {and it seems Black is okay}) ({; or} 26... g6 27. Rxf6 Rxf6 28.
Rxf6 Qg8 {and I think Black is okay again. Therefore, the move 26 h6 doesn't
seem to work, but I don't see even another move on the board that could be
characterized as developing the initiative for White.}) ({. Boris: It is not
the kind of position that you can calculate until the end, but you are right
that 26 h6 is the only move that develops the initiative. In the lines you
analyzed, White has a decisive advantage; for example,} 26... gxh6 27. Rxf6
Rxf6 28. Rxf6 Nd7 29. Re6 Qf7 30. Qh4 {and Black can resign}) ({, or} 26... g6
27. Rxf6 Rxf6 28. Rxf6 Qg8 29. Qf3 Kxh6 30. Rf8 Qg7 31. g4 {with a mating
attack. It looks like you underestimate the potential of White's attack. It is
possible to estimate this without much calculation because White has an extra
rook in the attack (Black's a5-rook is not helping). In such situations try
not to calculate too much and instead use your intuition. The lines are too
long and the advantages of 26 h6 are too obvious.  Joel: Most of the games in
this book you have recommended that I calculate more and here you are telling
me to stop calculating! --- Boris: One of the most difficult decisions a chess
player has to make is when to calculate and when to use intuition. If you try
to calculate in a position when you have to use your judgment, you will spend
too much time and will not receive an exact answer. However, if in a position
that you have to calculate, you rely on common sense, then you can miss a
narrow path to victory or a draw. --- Joel: How do you know when to calculate
and when to use your intuition? --- Boris: You have to trust yourself and your
experience. Of course, this ability is a function of your self-confidence.
According to Capablanca, the recipe for building adequate self-confidence is
to win all of your games. This advice is good even if you do not improve your
self-confidence.})) 26. h6 $1 Qg6 27. Qh4 $2 {Boris: This is exactly when I
made a mistake, trusting my intuition instead of calculating precisely.} ({The
correct way was} 27. hxg7 $1 Kxg7 28. Qe2 $1 Qxg3 ({and in the case of} 28...
Raa8 29. g4 Rf7 30. g5 Raf8 31. Qe3 {Black would also be under heavy pressure})
29. R1f3 Qg4 30. Qe1 $1 {, attacking the rook on a5 and threatening Rg3. White
is winning.}) 27... Rxb5 $6 ({Boris: We both overestimated White's attack in
the line} 27... gxh6 $1 28. Bf3 $6 (28. Bh3 Kg7 {was no better}) ({but White
could preserve drawing chances with} 28. Rxf6 $1 Rxf6 29. Rxf6 Qg5 30. Qxg5
hxg5 31. b6 cxb6 32. Rxd6 Rb5 33. b3 axb3 34. axb3 Rxb3 35. Kh2) 28... Rg8 $1 (
{after the natural-looking} 28... Rxb5 $2 {White is winning:} 29. Bh5 Qg7 30.
Rxf6 Rxf6 31. Rxf6 Qg5 32. Rf7+ Kg8 33. Qh3 $1 Qe3+ 34. Rf2 Nxe4 35. Qc8+ Kh7
36. Qf5+ Kh8 37. Qf8+ Kh7 38. Bg6+ $1 Kxg6 39. Qf7+ Kg5 40. Qf5#) 29. Kh2 Rxb5
30. Bh5 Rxb2+ 31. Kh3 Qg7 32. Bf7 $5 Qxf7 33. Rxf6 Rxg3+ $1 34. Kxg3 Qg7+ 35.
Qg4 Rg2+ {and Black is winning in the end. It is hard to imagine a human
calculating all this when winning and losing hangs in the balance.}) 28. Bh3 (
28. Bh3 {Exercise: How does Black have to defend? (difficulty level 5) ---
Joel: White is threatening to play 29 Rh5 followed by 30 hxg7+ or 30 Bf5
winning. I think Black needs to create complications with} Nxe4 $1 29. Qxe4
Qxg3+ {(the drawback of White's 28th move is that Black can capture on g3 with
check)} 30. Qg2 Qxg2+ 31. Bxg2 Rxb2 {and Black gets three pawns for the piece
and is threatening the a2- and h6-pawns. --- Boris: To find the right defense
here is really difficult. In the line you offered, after 29...Qxg3 30 Bg2 
(instead of Qg2) White has a bishop for two pawns and the initiative, so I
would evaluate it that as winning for White.}) 28... Kg8 $2 ({Boris:} 28...
Rxb2 $2 {allows the threat} 29. Rh5 {which you evaluated correctly as winning
for White.}) ({Instead, Black had a decent defense by including his other rook
in the game along the fourth rank with} 28... Rb4 $5 29. Rxe5 dxe5 30. Bf5 Qxf5
31. Rxf5 Rxe4 32. hxg7+ Kxg7 33. g4 Nd3 {and it is already appropriate for
White to force the draw with} 34. Rg5+ {.}) ({However, computer analysis shows
that the paradoxical} 28... Kh8 $3 {would allow Black to turn the tables
around. The critical line is} 29. Rg5 $5 Qxg5 $1 ({not} 29... fxg5 $2 30. Rxf8+
Kh7 31. Qg4 Rxb2 32. hxg7 Kxg7 33. Qc8 {and White wins}) 30. Qxg5 fxg5 31.
Rxf8+ Kh7 32. Bf5+ g6 33. Rf7+ Kxh6 34. Rf6 Rxb2 35. Rxg6+ Kh7 $1 ({rather than
} 35... Kh5 36. Rg8 g4 37. Bxg4+ Kh6 38. Bf5 Rxa2 39. g4 a3 40. g5+ Kh5 41. g6
Kh6 42. Rh8+ Kg7 43. Rh7+ Kg8 44. Rxc7 Rb2 45. Rc8+ {and White gives perpetual}
) 36. Rxd6+ Kg7 37. Rg6+ Kf8 38. Rh6 Na6 $3 {, opening an escape route for the
king to c5, and Black is winning.}) 29. Rh5 Nxe4 ({Boris: Black would lose
after} 29... Qxe4 30. Be6+ Kh8 31. hxg7+ Kxg7 32. Rg5+ fxg5 33. Qxg5+ Kh7 34.
Bg8+ $1 Rxg8 35. Qh5+ Kg7 36. Rf7# {mate.}) (29... Nxe4 {Exercise: What does
White have to do? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: Black is threatening to
liquidate (and win material) with 30...Qxg3+. If} 30. Be6+ {(which is tempting)
then} Kh8 31. -- (31. hxg7+ Kxg7 {and it seems Black has escaped his troubles.}
) ({. If after 30...Kh8 White plays} 31. Bf5 {, Black has} Qxg3+ 32. Qxg3 Nxg3
{which forks all of White's pieces. Therefore, it doesn't seem that 30 Be6+
works, but I can't see anything else as other moves make 30...Rxb2 an
important threat. Perhaps 30 Rf3 or 30 Rc1 but these don't feel right for the
situation. White is playing down two pawns.} (32... --)) ({. Boris: Your first
intention was correct, but you didn't see the second move in the variation.
White would have a winning position after} 31. g4 $1 {, since Black doesn't
have a reasonable defense against 32 Bf5. Although you didn't see the second
move of the winning line, I didn't consider the first, so you are excused!}))
30. Rf3 $2 (30. Rf3 {Exercise: What is the correct defense for Black? 
(difficulty level 5)} -- ({. Joel: I like} 30... Ng5 {, bringing
reinforcements to the kingside and getting ready to exchange off White's
valuable light-squared bishop (or win the exchange) with check. White has the
interesting response} 31. Rxg5 $5 {, but I think Black ends up on top after}
fxg5 ({if} 31... Qxg5 32. Qxg5 fxg5 33. Rxf8+ Kxf8 34. h7 {wins for White}) 32.
h7+ Qxh7 33. Rxf8+ Kxf8 {and White cannot take on g5 because the bishop on h3
is hanging.}) ({. Boris: Again, you made you a mistake in your calculation,
because in the final position the queen on h7 is en prise. Black had a very
narrow path to escape. He had to play} 30... Nd2 $1 31. -- (31. Be6+ Kh8 32.
hxg7+ Kxg7 33. Rf2 Qb1+ 34. Kg2 Qe4+ 35. Kh2 Qxh4+ 36. Rxh4 Rxb2 37. Rg4+ Kh6
38. Rh4+ {with a draw by perpetual check.}) ({. More complicated lines follow} 
31. Rf2 $5 {, but after} Qb1+ $1 ({not} 31... Ne4 $2 32. Be6+ Kh8 33. hxg7+
Kxg7 34. Bf5 Qxg3+ 35. Qxg3+ Nxg3 36. Rh7+ Kg8 37. Rg2 {and Black will be mated
}) 32. Kh2 Nf3+ $1 ({Black will suffer a quick and familiar mate after} 32...
Rxb2 $2 33. Be6+ Kh8 34. hxg7+ Kxg7 35. Rg5+ fxg5 36. Qxg5+ Kh7 37. Bg8+ $1 Kh8
38. Qh6+) 33. Rxf3 Rxb2+ 34. Bg2 Qc2 35. Qh3 g6 36. Rh4 f5 {it is already
Black who is better.}))) 30... Rxb2 $2 31. Be6+ $1 Kh8 ({Boris:} 31... Rf7 {
wouldn't have helped after} 32. Bxf7+ Kxf7 ({or} 32... Qxf7 33. Qg4) 33. h7 Nd2
34. Rff5 {and White is winning.}) 32. Bf5 Rb1+ 33. Kg2 Rb2+ 34. Kh3 Qxg3+ ({
Boris: No better was} 34... Ng5+ 35. Rxg5 Qxg5 36. hxg7+ Kxg7 37. Qh7#) ({or} 
34... Qxh5 35. Qxh5 Ng5+ 36. Kg4 Rb4+ 37. Rf4 exf4 38. gxf4 Rg8 39. Qg6 {and
Black is defenseless.}) 35. Qxg3 Nxg3 36. hxg7+ {. --- Joel: What I
appreciated most about this game was actually how Larsen was a moving target,
which made it more difficult for you to formulate and execute your plan. With
a fixed pawn structure, it is easier to formulate and execute plans of attack.
--- Boris: Among the many strategic ideas of this game, I would highlight the
great skill with which Black created counterplay on the queenside. Another
thing that made this game special was that White's light-squared bishop was
bad according to classical theory. However, in real life, it was very good.
Because my pawns were on light squares in a closed position, his pawns were on
dark squares, making the light squares in his camp weak. Because I possessed
the initiative my light-squared bishop was useful in that it could exploit the
light square weaknesses in his camp. If had to defend, my bishop would have
been really bad, because it would have defended the same squares as my pawns
and the dark squares in my camp would have been weak. --- The last thing about
this game is that it is very important to figure out when to spend our time
and calculate and when to trust our intuition. Mistakes in this respect can be
very costly. If we try to calculate all opportunities in the game, we will not
have enough time and energy to calculate when we need it in order to find the
only way to victory or a draw.} 1-0

[Event "Linares"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1990.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Kasparov, G."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E88"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "1990.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was my fourth game with Kasparov. When you play with Garry, the
biggest problem is preparation. He was the best in the world in opening theory.
It was practically impossible to find a variation where Garry would be
unprepared. So when I prepared for this game, I worked with a new idea based
on a novelty played just before the start of this tournament by Razuvaev (who
is a close friend of mine). I checked his idea and found it to be promising,
but it was still Garry who played a novelty first. --- Joel: So he was
prepared. --- Boris: Yes. --- Joel: I didn't know that about him. I saw an
interview with him about training Carlsen and he said "I probably have the
largest database of opening theory still." --- Boris: Yes, he was ahead of
everyone in opening preparation in his generation and maybe even today.
Garry's style was very intense. He tried to create extremely complicated
positions in which no one could play well. This game was also extremely
complicated, and this is the reason why we both didn't find the best solutions
all the time.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 c6 7.
Bd3 e5 8. d5 b5 9. cxb5 ({Boris: When I came to this position I started to
think about playing} 9. a3 {. Now I think 9 a3 is best because White keeps the
position closed and has good chances to play on the queenside. A good example
of this is the game V.Ivanchuk-J.Piket, Tilburg 1989, which continued:} cxd5
10. cxd5 a6 11. Nge2 Ne8 12. O-O Nd7 13. Kh1 Kh8 14. b4 f5 15. exf5 gxf5 16. a4
{with advantage to White. For me, however, it was a pity to play 9 a3,
throwing away all of my preparation.}) 9... cxd5 10. exd5 e4 11. Nxe4 Nxd5 12.
Bg5 Qb6 $1 {Boris: 12...Qb6 is an important novelty that Garry prepared for
this game.} ({I anticipated} 12... Qa5+ {, and hoped to improve on the play of
Timman, which continued:} 13. Qd2 Qxd2+ 14. Bxd2 Bxb2 15. Rd1 $1 ({instead
Timman played} 15. Rb1 Bg7 16. Ne2 Nd7 17. Nxd6 Nc5 {and Black obtained an
active position, J.Timman-G.Kasparov, Reykjavik 1988}) 15... Nd7 16. Ne2 N7b6
17. Nxd6 {with better prospects for White, Y.Razuvaev-J.Lautier, Paris 1989.
After Garry's novelty, I had a new problem to solve. --- Joel: So you were
"out of book" at this point? --- Boris: Yes, and the problems I had to solve
were very complicated.}) 13. Qd2 Nd7 14. Bc4 N5f6 15. Nxf6+ ({Boris: I'm sure
Garry's analysis was devoted to the principled} 15. Nxd6 {. However, I didn't
have any wish to check his analysis. After my last move, Garry started to
think too. When you run into your opponent's homework, it is important to get
them out of their preparation as quickly as possible. --- Joel: So this was
psychological more than anything? --- Boris: Yes. I cannot say that I thought
it was stronger, but it was safer and when you play a position that your
opponent has analyzed and you haven't, safety is your first concern. After 15
Nxf6+, we are already equal (psychologically).}) (15. Nxf6+ {Exercise: Which
piece has to take on f6 and why? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: White is a
pawn up but his king is stuck in the center. Black would like to take
advantage of White's vulnerable king, but how? If} Bxf6 {then} 16. Bxf6 Nxf6 {
and Black controls the d5-square and threatens to play ...d6-d5, restricting
and pushing back White's bishop. Black might follow with ...Rfe8 and ...Bc8-a6
with pressure. Therefore, I would take back with the bishop. --- Boris:
Although you played as Garry did, it was wrong. I think there is quite a bit
more in this position to consider and understand. To solve this very difficult
problem, two steps were involved. First, you had to figure out the differences
between the two recaptures. The difference is that by taking with the knight,
Black allows White to play Bg5-h4-f2 and to castle kingside, where White's
king will be relatively safe. By taking with the bishop Black practically
forces White to castle queenside. --- The second step is that you have to
evaluate the resulting positions after each recapture. Although Black would
prefer to have White's king on the queenside in this position, White has good
prospects after queenside castling because Black's dangerous dark-squared
bishop is gone. Much better was 15...Nxf6!, permitting White to castle
kingside. The reason is that Black's bishop on g7 is more valuable to Black
than White's bishop on g5 is to White. The overarching principle to be applied
here is not to exchange your more valuable pieces for your opponent's less
valuable pieces. In this regard, Garry made a mistake because the right
solution was paradoxical.}) 15... Bxf6 $6 ({Boris: We can figure out that it
was more important to keep more pieces on the board than it was to prevent
White from repositioning the bishop to f2 only after extensive analysis:} 15...
Nxf6 $5 16. Ne2 Re8 {and if} 17. Bh4 d5 18. Bf2 ({it is better for White to
avoid} 18. Bd3 Bb7 $1 19. Bf2 d4 20. O-O Nd5 21. Rfc1 Ne3 22. Bg3 Bh6 {with
heavy pressure from Black}) 18... Qe6 19. Bd3 Ne4 $1 {with drawish
simplifications after} 20. fxe4 dxe4 21. Nf4 e3 ({or} 21... Qe5 22. Bc4 e3 23.
Qxe3 Qxe3+ 24. Bxe3 Rxe3+ 25. Kd2 Re4 26. Bd5 Rd4+ 27. Ke3 Rb8 28. Bc6) 22.
Bxe3 Qxe3+ 23. Qxe3 Rxe3+ 24. Kd2 Re5 25. Rhe1 Bb7 {. In both cases Black has
two bishops and does not risk losing.}) 16. Bxf6 Nxf6 17. Ne2 Re8 18. O-O-O $1
d5 (18... d5 {Exercise: Where should the bishop retreat? (difficulty level 4)
--- Joel: White needs to hold onto his pawn. I think the natural retreat} 19.
Bd3 {makes sense, but it has the disadvantage of clogging up the d-file, which
prevents White from blockading Black's d-pawn.} ({Can White justify} 19. Bb3 {
tactically?} -- ({. Yes. After} 19... Qxb5 20. Nc3 {White can regain his pawn
with 21 Nxd5 and will have a healthy 2:1 queenside pawn majority. --- Boris:
Your choice is correct, but the motivation behind the move (to win the d5-pawn)
was wrong. The right way was} Qb6 21. Qd4 $1 {, when White kills any Black
initiative and has a significant advantage.} ({If White takes the pawn as you
wanted, Black would receive a tremendous attack after} 21. Nxd5 Nxd5 22. Bxd5
Bf5 $1 {. For White, it is important not to win the pawn but to neutralize
Black's activity. Black's pawn on d5 is weak and sooner or later will be lost.}
)) ({. The reason I didn't play 19 Bb3 was because I was afraid of} 19... Rxe2
20. Qxe2 Bf5 21. Rd2 Rc8+ 22. Bc2 d4 {and Black threatens} 23. -- Rxc2+ 24.
Rxc2 d3 {. After the game, however, Garry showed that it could be refuted with
23 g4!, which I had missed.}))) 19. Bd3 $2 a6 20. bxa6 ({Boris: A different
way to play this position would have been} 20. Kb1 $5 axb5 21. Bc2 {, planning
to put the knight on d4 and the bishop on b3, protecting a2.}) 20... d4 21. Kb1
Re3 $2 {Boris: Typical for Garry, he plays the most aggressive move, but it
looks like he miscalculated.} ({Correct was} 21... Bxa6 $1 22. Bxa6 Rxa6 ({in
the case of} 22... Qxa6 $6 23. Nc1 {White's queenside is safe}) 23. Nxd4 $1 ({
better than} 23. Rhe1 $6 {, which was recommended by Ljubojevic, because after}
Ra4 {Black has heavy pressure}) 23... Rea8 24. Nc2 $5 (24. b3 {leave Black
with the initiative}) 24... Rxa2 25. Qd4 $1 Qe6 $1 (25... Qa6 26. Qd6 $1 {was
bad for Black}) 26. Rhe1 Qf5 27. Qd3 Qc5 28. Qd4 Qf5 29. Qd3 {and neither side
can avoid the repetition.}) 22. Bc4 $1 Bxa6 ({Boris:} 22... d3 $2 23. Nc1 Bxa6
24. Bxa6 Rxa6 25. Rhe1 {would not promising anything for Black.}) 23. Bxa6 Rxa6
({Boris: After} 23... Qxa6 24. Nc1 {White is much better.}) 24. Nxd4 Re8 ({
Boris: Garry's intention was to play} 24... Rea3 {, but then: --- Exercise:
What did he overlook? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: First, White must figure
out how to defend. I like} 25. Nc2 {and play would become very sharp:} Rxa2 26.
Qd8+ Qxd8 27. Rxd8+ Kg7 {, when White is a pawn up in the endgame. --- Boris:
You almost solved the position except you didn't find the last move of the
variation:} 28. Na3 $1 {, which wins for White. Without this, it would be
difficult for White to win. This is what Garry overlooked when he played 21...
Re3, and is why he retreated with 24...Re8.}) (24... Re8 {Exercise: Which move
does White have to prevent and how? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: White has
to prevent the move 25...Rea8, when the pressure on White's queenside would be
near the breaking point.} 25. -- (25. Qc3 {allows} Nd5 {, adding more pieces
to the attack.}) ({. Therefore, I like the move} 25. Nb3 {with the idea of
playing Nc1, holding the a2-pawn. I remember reading that you can't get mated
with a knight on f8 so I imagine that's true in reverse. Black can play} Rxa2
$5 26. Kxa2 Ra8+ 27. Kb1 Qxb3 {, but I don't think he has enough.} (27... --)))
25. Ne2 $1 {Boris: My understanding of this position is that it is very
important for White to restrict the movement of the knight on f6. If Black
does not include his knight in the action, his initiative will be insufficient
and White has to win because of his extra pawns. So White has to move his
knight from d4 preventing ...Nf6-d5. After the text move (25 Ne2), the knight
on f6 cannot join the other black pieces, the a2-square will be protected by
the white knight from the active position on c3 (which is preferable to your
suggestion of bringing the knight to c1) and Black's position becomes bad.} ({
The move you were afraid of, 25...Rea8, is not preventable but you are right
that White has to prepare a defense against it. I think your suggestion} 25.
Nb3 {has merits, but it is inferior to the move played in the game. I am glad
you considered the exchange sacrifice, but I would not evaluate it as clear
because White would have a permanently weak king. This is another reason I
would not play 25 Nb3. It seems you gave up on your calculations and had the
attitude that Black would have to prove that his exchange sacrifice was worth
it. However, at the moment you stopped calculating, you could not estimate the
position clearly. You have to calculate variations until you can evaluate the
resulting position.}) ({Worse than 25 Ne2 was} 25. Nc2 Rb8 26. Ne3 Rba8 {with
serious pressure for Black.}) ({The computer offers an interesting alternative
in} 25. Rc1 $5 -- (25... Qb7 $1 {(preventing 26 Rc6)} 26. Rc4 Rea8 27. Rhc1
Rxa2 28. Rc8+ Rxc8 29. Rxc8+ Qxc8 30. Kxa2 Qa6+ {and as long as Black avoids
the exchange of queens, White hardly can use his extra pawn. --- Joel: I think
a lot of people would think this position is winning for White. --- Boris:
White's king position is too weak.}) ({. Instead, in the case of the natural} 
25... Rd8 26. Rhd1 Ra4 {, then: --- Exercise: Which move does White have to
play? (difficulty level 4)} 27. -- ({. Joel: I would play} 27. Rc6 {when
either:} -- (27... Qxc6 28. Nxc6 Rxd2 29. Rxd2) ({, or} 27... Raxd4 28. Rxb6
Rxd2 29. Rxd2 Rxd2 30. Rxf6 Rxg2 31. h4 {looks better for White.}) ({. Boris:
After 27 Rc6, Black has the queen retreat} 27... Qa7 {and White has to find
the combination starting with} 28. Nf5 $3 {.} (28. --))) ({. But this
combination works immediately:} 27. Nf5 $3 Raa8 ({or} 27... Rda8 28. Rc6 $1 Qb5
29. Rxf6) 28. Qxd8+ Rxd8 29. Rxd8+ Qxd8 30. Rc8 $1 {and White wins.}))) 25...
Rb8 26. Nc3 Qb4 27. Rhe1 Rd6 28. Qc2 $6 {Boris: An inaccuracy which gives
Black additional chances.} (28. Qc1 $1 {was more precise.}) 28... Rdb6 29. Re2
Qf4 30. h3 Rc6 ({Boris: Garry and I both thought that} 30... Rxb2+ $5 31. Qxb2
Rxb2+ 32. Kxb2 {was winning for White, but it was more stubborn than the move
in the game.}) 31. Qd2 Qf5+ 32. Ka1 Rb7 33. Qh6 $1 {Boris: White starts to
create threats to Black's king.} ({Computer analysis shows a shorter way in} 
33. g4 $1 Qc5 ({after} 33... Qxf3 34. Re3 {Black suddenly loses his queen}) 34.
Qd4 {. But why rush in such a pleasant position? White will slowly improve his
position, not giving Black any chances.}) 33... Rc8 34. Red2 Qa5 35. Qe3 Kg7
36. g4 $1 Re8 37. Qd4 Rd7 38. Qf2 Rc7 39. Rd3 Ra8 40. Qd2 h6 41. Rd6 Rc4 42.
Rd4 $1 Rac8 43. Kb1 Qe5 44. f4 Qe6 45. Qe2 $1 Rxd4 46. Rxd4 Qb6 47. Qd2 Qa6 48.
Qd3 Qc6 49. a3 $1 Qg2 {Exercise: What is the best way for White? (difficulty
level 3) --- Joel: I hate these kinds of positions. White is two pawns up, but
it seems that any attempt to activate them makes White's king vulnerable.
Obviously White would like to trade queens but how? Given that White's pieces
are well placed, I think it is time for a pawn lunge with 50 f5, when 50...
gxf5 opens the g-file and weakens Black's king, while 50...g5 closes the
kingside but weakens f7 and creates some claustrophobia for Black's king.
Black must do something as he cannot allow 51 fxg6. --- Boris: It is very
important not to miss opportunities to attack your opponent. Here White plays
his first active move in the game, which immediately decides it.} 50. Rd6 $1 {
Boris: Taking action against the restricted f6-knight.} Rb8 ({Boris: The
knight can't move. If} 50... Ne8 51. Rxg6+ $1 fxg6 52. Qd7+ {wins.}) 51. Qe2
Qh1+ ({Boris: If} 51... Qxh3 52. Qe5 {wins immediately.}) 52. Ka2 Re8 53. Qd3
Re1 54. Qd4 {. --- Joel: I was really amazed by the first problem you posed. I
had a fifty-fifty chance of getting the right solution and thought I was being
clever by suggesting 15...Bxf6. I think the most natural move in that position,
the move you would play in a blitz game, would be 15...Nxf6. However, after
going over the position with you, and considering what needed to be evaluated
on a positional basis, I realized that I had absolutely no idea what was going
on. --- Boris: Yes, but you can't be upset, because Garry didn't solve the
problem either. It was a very complicated game with several turning points.
First, my choice on move 9 gave Black interesting dynamic opportunities. If I
were to play this game again, I would choose the positional 9 a3. The next
crucial moment, which you highlighted, was deciding with which piece to
recapture on move 15. Among different considerations, the most important was
the relative value of pieces. By exchanging his dark-squared bishop, Black's
position lost dynamic momentum. Realizing his advantage, White used two
important rules: 1) not to rush, and 2) not to miss active opportunities.} 1-0

