% BOOKTITLE = Lessons with a Grandmaster 2
[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"]

{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? This book is the much anticipated follow-up to the highly
acclaimed and award-nominated 'Lessons with a Grandmaster'. It bridges the gap
between great player 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.} 1. -- {This second volume
focuses on dynamic chess, developing chess imagination, the capacity to take
risks, the ability to simultaneously attack and defend, and perhaps above all,
the ability to visualize the chess board and calculate combinations in sharp
positions.} (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"]

{Boris: So we meet again to continue our study of the mystical teachings of
chess. --- Joel: Yes! Working with you on the first book had a major impact on
my playing. I added several hundred points to my rating. Immediately after
completing the book I scored 4 out of 5 with 2 draws and 3 wins at the
Marshall Chess Club under-2000 tournament in New York. I tied for first and
had a performance rating of 2100! My increased playing strength is a direct
reflection of the work we did studying your games, solving exercises, and, in
general, listening to you talk about chess. I will never forget the experience
of going over your game against Kasparov (1990); it was so clear to me how
little I understood about what was going on and how much more I need to learn
in order to unlock the hidden mysteries of this great game.} 1. -- {Boris:
Chess is a rich game indeed. In fact, we can say in general that it contains
two games in one. First, there is strategic chess based on positional
understanding, which includes prophylaxis, maneuvering, and understanding
which pieces to exchange and which to keep on the board, to name a few of the
elements we covered in the first book. Second, there is dynamic chess, which
includes developing your chess imagination, capacity to take risks, ability to
attack and defend simultaneously, and, perhaps above all, your ability to
visualize the chessboard and calculate combinations in sharp positions. --- It
is not always true even at higher levels that players excel in both. For
example, Grandmaster Ulf Andersson was a very skillful positional player but
was not so inclined toward dynamic chess. On the other, Grandmaster Viktor
Kupreichik was, in his prime, one of the most dangerous attacking players but
he did not develop a predilection for positional play. Because of this,
neither player realized their true potential in chess, despite their
extraordinary talent. --- Joel: In my case, it is clear that I overwhelmingly
prefer playing positional games, to avoid complications, to grind people down
based on positional superiority and win in the endgame. As you have pointed
out, this is a function both of individual taste (what kind of chess I like to
play) but also a lack of confidence in my tactical ability, which is why I shy
away from sharp positions.} (1. -- {Boris: Right, and in order to reach higher
levels, it is critical to try and improve your skill in both directions. We
devoted Volume One to positional play, so now we turn to dynamic chess. We'll
discuss chess imagination, risk taking, simultaneous attack and defense, and
the calculation of combinations in sharp positions as they come up in my most
spectacular games. The games I have chosen for this book are very entertaining,
some really beautiful, and many of the tasks I set will be very complicated.
Therefore, instead of rating tasks in difficulty from 1 to 5 as I did in the
first volume, I will rate the exercises from 1 to 6 to reflect the increased
level of difficulty. Only after you have tried to solve the problems will I
explain to you the secrets of the position. As you have shown, this method of
teaching produces rapid results and I am sure you (and players at your level)
will get a lot out of the book. Given the nature of the games selected,
however, I think this volume will also be useful to stronger players who have
more experience, because many of the tasks will be extremely difficult. ---
Joel: I am very excited to get started. My goal is to break the 2000 mark by
the time we finish the second volume. --- Boris: Alright then, let's get
started. I will present the games in increasing order of difficulty, as in the
first volume.}) *

[Event "Batumi"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1969.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Grigorian, L."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C12"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "1969.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Joel: Can you tell me about this game? You were quite young in 1969. ---
Boris: It was the USSR championship for young masters. All the strongest young
players participated. My opponent Levon had a twin, Karen, and both were very
gifted chess players. Very strangely, only twice in my whole career did I
promote a pawn to a knight, once against Levon and the other against Karen.} 1.
e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. Nge2 {Boris: My opponent was a big fan
of the McCutcheon Variation. Impressed by the brilliant game E.Bogoljubow-R.Réti, New York 1924, which I saw for the first time shortly before this
tournament, I decided to play the rare continuation 5 Ne2 from that game.} dxe4
6. a3 Be7 7. Bxf6 Bxf6 8. Nxe4 Be7 ({Boris: Bogoljubow-Réti continued} 8... Bd7
9. Qd3 Bc6 10. O-O-O Bxe4 11. Qxe4 Qd5 12. Qe3 $1 O-O 13. Nc3 Qa5 14. Ne4 Nd7
15. h4 Be7 16. g4 b5 17. b4 $3 Qb6 18. Nc5 $1 {and White obtained a big
advantage.}) 9. Qd3 ({Boris: A more civilized way to develop my pieces might
start with} 9. g3 {, but it is sharper to castle queenside.}) 9... b6 $1 ({
Boris: White would be a little better after} 9... O-O 10. O-O-O Nd7 11. N2c3 c5
12. d5 {, so it is preferable for Black to take care of his queenside first.})
10. O-O-O Bb7 11. N2c3 c6 $6 ({Boris:} 11... O-O {might have been more
appropriate, because} 12. d5 {would not have been dangerous for Black after} e5
{with a near equal position.}) (11... c6 {Exercise: Black prepares 12...Qc7,
13...Nd7 and 14...0-0-0. How can you prevent this plan? (difficulty level 2)
--- Joel: I would start a kingside pawn storm with} 12. h4 {. If Black takes
the pawn with} Bxh4 {, then} 13. Rxh4 $5 Qxh4 14. Nd6+ Kd7 15. Nxb7 Kc7 16. d5
{might be the start of a good attack.}) 12. Qg3 $1 ({Boris: In the case of your
} 12. h4 {,} Qc7 $1 {prepares queenside castling and allows Black to reach a
safe position. With the text I take the c7-square away from his queen and
force my opponent to castle kingside. --- Joel: One of the things I have
noticed is that I often don't consider the best responses from my opponents 
(such as 12...Qc7). How do you develop this quality? Do you have any advice?
--- Boris: In this case, it is helpful to know the ideas associated with many
kinds of positions. --- Joel: How do I go about doing that? Study different
openings all the time? --- Boris: I studied the games of many great players
like Alekhine, Capablanca and Botvinnik. These players also introduced many
great ideas in chess. So this will help with learning different types of
positions. Over the board, however, try to figure out what the logical
follow-up is to your opponent's previous move. You should do this first and
then you can figure out how to proceed adjusting your plan to prevent his
ideas.}) 12... O-O 13. h4 a5 14. Ng5 $5 h6 {Exercise: Find the best way for
White? (difficulty level 2)} ({Joel: I like} 14... h6 15. Bd3 {. If} hxg5 16.
hxg5 Bxg5+ 17. f4 {and it will be hard for Black to prevent mate down the
h-file. If} Bxf4+ {then} 18. Qxf4 {followed by Qh2. --- Boris: Your move has
merits. The only question is that, after the cold-blooded 15...Nd7, I don't
see how White can develop an attack because his queen on g3 is misplaced and
deprived of the important d3-square. I think is important to overprotect the
knight on g5 because it is White's most important attacking resource. --- Joel:
This is a good example of what I was talking about. I only considered what
would happen after 15...hxg5. --- Boris: It is logical to first consider the
most obvious response, but you need to look further at other possibilities.})
15. f4 $1 a4 $6 {Boris: Black's unusual plan was to include his a8-rook for
defense through the a5-square. Of course, he didn't even consider taking on g5
because this would be too dangerous.} ({In the case of both} 15... Nd7 16. Bc4)
({and} 15... b5 16. Qd3 {White would have reasonable attacking chances on the
kingside. Nevertheless, 15...Nd7, bringing the knight to f6 as soon as
possible, would have been a better move.}) (15... a4 {Exercise: What is
White's next attacking move? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I think} 16. Bd3 {
still needs to be played. --- Boris: As before, 16 Bd3 would restrict the
movement of White's queen. The move played in the game is much stronger. After
your 16 Bd3 Black can play} Nd7 {with a decent game.}) 16. Qd3 $1 {Boris: Now
he has to take the knight. A paradoxical maneuver. Like a pendulum, I first
played Qd3-g3 to force Black to castle kingside and now I return the queen
from g3 to d3 to force Black into taking the knight. --- Joel: Why? Why not
just play 16...g6 - ? --- Boris: Can you answer that question yourself? What
would you play after 16...g6 - ? --- Joel: I'm looking at 17 Nxe6. --- Boris:
Very good!} hxg5 17. hxg5 f5 18. g6 Bg5 $1 {Exercise: What should White play? 
(difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I considered 19 Qf3 (with the idea of Bd3
connecting the rooks), but then found 19 Qe3!, which threatens 20 fxg5 and the
e6-pawn at the same time, as well as clearing the d3-square for the bishop.
--- Boris: Very good, but I should say that in sharp positions we cannot worry
about abstract ideas like developing the bishop; instead, we need to focus on
playing dynamically and creating threats. As you can see from my play, with
each move I create a threat. This is essential in a sharp position.} 19. Qe3 $1
Bh6 20. Qxe6+ ({Boris: By playing} 20. g4 $1 fxg4 21. Qxe6+ {I could have
reduced the number of variations and forced the position in the game.}) 20...
Kh8 21. g4 fxg4 ({Boris: He had an additional defense in} 21... Rf6 {, which
was the strongest, but after} 22. Qe3 fxg4 ({worse is} 22... c5 23. dxc5 Qf8
24. g5 Bxh1 25. gxf6 bxc5 26. fxg7+ Kxg7 27. Qe5+ Qf6 28. Qc7+ Kxg6 29. Be2 $1
{with a mating attack}) 23. Ne4 Nd7 $1 ({Black would lose after both} 23...
Rxg6 24. Ng5 Qd7 25. Qe4) ({and} 23... Qe7 24. f5 $1 Rxf5 25. Rxh6+ gxh6 26.
Qxh6+ Kg8 27. Bc4+ Rd5 28. Rf1) 24. f5 Qf8 25. Bc4 Rxf5 26. Nd6 Rf6 27. Nf7+
Rxf7 28. Bxf7 Nf6 29. Qf4 Ng8 30. Kb1 {White is clearly better.}) (21... fxg4 {
Exercise: How to proceed? (difficulty level 2)} 22. -- ({. Joel: I first
examined} 22. Rxh6+ {, which looked promising, but I think it fails to} gxh6
23. g7+ Kxg7 24. Qxg4+ Kh8 $1 {followed by ...Qf6.}) ({. However,} 22. Qe5 $1 {
threatens 23 Rxh6 winning because of the pin,} Qf6 {doesn't help, and Black's
king cannot move onto a light square because of the bishop. --- Boris:
Actually, 22...Qf6 does help; in fact, it is a decent defense. White needs to
deprive Black's queen of the f6-square and include one more piece in the
attack.} (22... --))) 22. Ne4 $1 Nd7 ({Boris: Here there is no defense for
Black. For example,} 22... Qd5 23. Qe7 $1 {(threatening 24.Rxh6)}) (22... Qd7
23. Qe5 $1 {with the same threat}) ({or} 22... Ra5 23. Nd6 Qd7 24. Nf7+ Rxf7
25. gxf7 Qxe6 26. f8=Q+ Qg8 27. Rxh6+ gxh6 28. Qxh6+ Qh7 29. Qf6+ Qg7 30. Qd8+
Qg8 31. Qxb6 {and White is winning.}) 23. Nd6 Bc8 ({Boris: Nothing changes
after} 23... Rxf4 24. Kb1 $1 {and Black is defenseless.}) (23... Bc8 {Exercise:
Find the winning move. (difficulty level 3)} 24. -- ({. Joel:} 24. Bc4 {fails
to} Qf6) ({, but} 24. Nf7+ {seems good after} Rxf7 25. Qxf7 {and I don't see
how 26 Rxh6 can be prevented. --- Boris: Usually we have to find exact
tactical solutions. In this case, White's position is so strong that even
sidelines result in a winning advantage. In your line, Black can defend with
the move} Qg8 {, but after this} 26. Re1 $1 {has to be enough. Generally,
however, it is important to see tactical blows like 24 Qf7, which wins on the
spot.} (26. --))) 24. Qf7 $1 Rxf7 {Boris: Black's only defense against the
threat 25 Rxh6+, but now White wins easily.} 25. Nxf7+ Kg8 26. Nxd8 Ba6 27.
Bxa6 Rxd8 28. d5 $1 c5 29. d6 $1 Nf6 (29... Nf6 {Exercise: Find the best move.
(difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I like} 30. d7 {because after} Rxd7 31. Rxd7
Nxd7 32. Rd1 Nf8 33. Rd8 {, followed by 34 Bc4+, is winning.}) 30. Kb1 $1 {
Boris: Your variation is another way to win, but the purpose of the text is
that Black is now paralyzed because the bishop cannot move from h6. --- Joel:
Why? --- Boris: Because now he cannot take with gain of time as I would simply
play 31 Bc4+ followed by 32 Rh8+ with mate in two.} g3 31. Bc4+ Kf8 32. Rhe1 $1
Bxf4 (32... Bxf4 {Exercise: Find the winning variation. (difficulty level 2)
--- Joel: I like} 33. Re7 {because} Bxd6 34. Rf7+ Ke8 35. Re1+ {seems winning
to me. --- Boris: 33 Re7 is correct, but I wanted you to find all of the
variations because this is critical in training yourself to calculate. You
only considered one variation and not the most important one. Here you are
giving away the d6-pawn, so you have to check all of Black's defenses.}) 33.
Re7 $1 Rxd6 34. Rf7+ Ke8 35. Bb5+ Kd8 36. Rxd6+ Bxd6 37. Rxf6 Ke7 38. Rf7+ {.
--- Boris: The variations you showed demonstrate that in sharp positions your
thinking is too general. You need to calculate more concretely. For example,
you were thinking about developing your bishop to d3 when you needed to be
thinking more dynamically about creating threats. You have to remember that
when you simply develop your pieces you allow your opponent also to develop
his pieces. In any case, I was awarded the brilliancy prize for this game for
which I am very proud. Now I would like to show you my two knight promotions
against the Grigorian twins (see the following two games).} 1-0

[Event "USSR Student Championship, Vilnius"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1971.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Grigorian, K."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A55"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "1971.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. e4 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Re1
Re8 9. h3 Qc7 10. Be3 exd4 11. Bxd4 Ne5 12. Qc2 Be6 13. b3 a6 14. Ng5 Bd7 15.
f4 Ng6 16. Qd2 b5 17. cxb5 axb5 18. b4 Bd8 19. Bd1 c5 20. bxc5 dxc5 21. Bxf6
Bxf6 22. Nd5 Qd8 23. Nxf6+ Qxf6 24. Bh5 Nxf4 25. Bxf7+ Kh8 26. h4 h6 27. Bxe8
Bxe8 28. e5 Qf5 29. Nf3 Bc6 30. Rf1 Rf8 31. Rae1 Qg4 32. e6 Qg3 33. e7 Re8 34.
Re3 Kg8 {Exercise: Your task is to find a forced win for White. (difficulty
level 4)} (34... Kg8 {Joel: White is up the exchange but Black has counterplay
against White's king. Both 35 Ng5 and 35 Ne5 are forcing moves that attack
Black's queen so those are my candidate moves.} 35. -- (35. Ng5 {attacks the
queen and prevents} Nh3+ {although I am not sure it needs to be prevented.} ({
However, this move seems to leave an unclear position after} 35... Qxg2+ 36.
Qxg2 Nxg2 {, when both the rook on e3 and the knight on g5 are attacked.})) (
35. Ne5 {also attacks the queen and has the added bonus of attacking Black's
bishop on c6 in return.} -- ({. Black can reply} 35... Nh3+ 36. Kh1 {but now
three of Black's pieces are hanging so Black is lost.}) ({. Black can also
reply} 35... Qxg2+ 36. Qxg2 Nxg2 {, but} 37. Rd3 {threatens Rd8 and Nxc6 so I
don't think 35...Qxg2+ works in this case. I don't see another reply to 35 Ne5
so that's what I would play. --- Boris: You didn't see the main defense: 36...
Bxg2+ and 37...Qxe3. You have to look more deeply. Nevertheless, I think you
solved this task because, if you overlooked this defense over the board, you
would have been able to come up with the correct continuation given your
previous analysis.} (37. --)))) 35. Ne5 Nh3+ 36. Kh1 Bxg2+ 37. Qxg2 Qxe3 38.
Rf8+ $1 Rxf8 39. Qd5+ Kh7 40. exf8=N+ 1-0

[Event "Lvov"]
[Site "Leon ESP"]
[Date "1965.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko"]
[Black "Grigorian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A67"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2010.01.01"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. f4 Bg7 8. Bb5+
Nfd7 9. Bd3 O-O 10. Nf3 Na6 11. O-O Nc7 12. Be3 b5 13. e5 c4 14. Bc2 b4 15.
exd6 Ne8 16. Ne4 Ndf6 17. Nxf6+ Nxf6 18. Ne5 Ba6 19. d7 c3 20. Bd3 cxb2 21. Rb1
Bxd3 22. Qxd3 Nxd7 23. Nc6 Qc7 24. Bd4 Nb6 25. Rxb2 Qd7 26. Bxg7 Kxg7 27. Qd4+
f6 28. Rd1 h5 29. Rxb4 h4 30. h3 Nc8 31. Re1 Rf7 {Exercise: The fun starts
here. What does White play? (difficulty level 3)} ({Joel: I would play} 31...
Rf7 32. Ne5 {, when} fxe5 33. fxe5 {threatens the immediate 34 e6+ and gives
White two connected passed pawns. This is where I would normally stop, which
is why, if this were a position in one of my tournament games, I would
probably not play it because the consequences of the sacrifice are unclear.
Therefore, I want to consider what Black would play after 33 fxe5 more
thoroughly.} -- ({. One possibility is} 33... Qf5 34. e6+ Rf6 {threatening ...Qf2+ and ...Qxe1. White, however, has} 35. Rb7+ Kg8 36. Qxh4 {, restoring
material equality and threatening 37 Qh7+, while retaining the two connected
passed pawns and protecting f2.} (36. --)) ({. Black could also play} 33... Qe7
34. e6+ Rf6 35. Rf1 {(taking advantage of the pin), but Black has} Nd6 {
(blockading the pawns and keeping the rook on b4 from infiltrating on the
seventh rank). Against this plan I think White is stymied. Therefore, although
I think 32 Ne5 is what I will go with now, I wanted to demonstrate the
skepticism that would probably prevent me from playing it in a tournament game.
--- Boris: The variations you considered are correct, except that Black
doesn't threaten ...Qf2+ in the first variation because your queen on d4
protects that square. In the second line, which occurred in the game, White
should not play 24 e6+ as it gives Black's knight the d6-square. You know,
sometimes we have to trust our estimation of the position because we cannot
calculate all variations. After the sacrifice, White has two pawns for the
knight and they are very strong so the compensation is clear. --- Joel: I
essentially calculated my way out of a strong move! --- Boris: Yes.})) 32. Ne5
$1 fxe5 33. fxe5 Qe7 34. d6 Qe6 35. Qe4 ({Boris: Now White could have played} 
35. Qc4 $1 {, exchanging queens, when Black could not safely blockade the
pawns.}) 35... Qxa2 36. Re2 Qa1+ 37. Rb1 Qa6 38. Rd2 Nb6 39. e6 Re8 {Exercise:
Find a combination in which a pawn promotes to a knight. (difficulty level 1)}
({Joel: I would play} 39... Re8 40. Qd4+ {forcing} Rf6 {, when after} 41. d7
Rd8 ({if} 41... Nxd7 42. exd7 Rd8 {White is simply winning because the d8-rook
is passive and the f6-rook pinned}) 42. e7 Rxd7 43. e8=N+ {.}) 40. Qd4+ Rf6 41.
d7 Rd8 42. e7 Rxd7 43. e8=N+ {. --- Boris: You solved both tasks, but this
game shows that very often you don't trust your intuition and instead try to
come to a clear solution. This costs you both time and energy. Chess is too
complicated a game for such an approach, so you have to learn to trust
yourself more.} 1-0

[Event "Lvov"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1978.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Kochyev, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A54"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "1978.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: At the time, Kochyev was considered one of the rising stars in the
Soviet Union, but he did not become a star because he played too cautiously.
He didn't take risks, played too solidly, and made too many draws. However, it
was very hard to beat him.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 Be7
6. e3 Ng8 $5 {Boris: This is a rare move but it is solid and gives a chance
for Black to equalize.} 7. Bxe7 Nxe7 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O exd4 ({Boris: It's
better to play} 9... Nc6 {immediately as J.Hickl played against me in Munich
1990. --- Joel: Why? --- Boris: It is better not to give up the center
immediately.}) 10. Nxd4 Nc6 11. Nd5 $1 {Joel: Why did you give this an
exclamation mark? --- Boris: White's pieces are a little more active, which I
try to use to create threats; e.g. if 11...Re8? 12 Nb5.} Nxd4 12. Qxd4 a5 {
Boris: Black protects the c5-square for his knight.} ({My opponent is
obviously trying to draw by exchanging pieces but further simplifications like
} 12... Nb6 13. Bf3 Nxd5 14. cxd5 {would give White a significant advantage
because of the weakness on c7. --- Joel: Psychologically speaking, what is
your approach when your opponent plays boring chess? --- Boris: I try to find
opportunities. For example, in this game my opponent tried to exchange pieces
but I found a way to create tension in the position. I don't recommend trying
to avoid exchanging pieces artificially. Simply play the best moves and you
will have chances for the advantage somewhere.}) 13. f4 {Joel: Why did you
play this move? It looks a little ugly and I am worried about the e4-square
becoming weak. --- Boris: When you play a move like this you have to calculate
variations to make sure your opponent cannot take control of the e4-square.
But here it is clear Black cannot do that, therefore 13 f4 is sound. White's
plan is to create pressure in the center so the e- and f-pawns have to move.}
Re8 14. Bf3 Nc5 15. e4 {Boris: Now that Black threatens to play 15...Bf5,
taking control of e4, I have to play e3-e4 myself.} c6 16. Nc3 Ne6 $6 {Boris:
With this move Black starts a tactical operation which has a refutation.} ({
Better was} 16... Qb6 $5 17. Rf2 Bd7 18. Rd1 {when White has more space.}) 17.
Qd2 Qf6 ({Boris: Better, too, was} 17... Qb6+ 18. Kh1 Nc5 {.}) (17... Qf6 {
Exercise: Here White has a hidden way to a big advantage. Try to find it. 
(difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I looked at} 18. Qxd6 {but rejected it because
it gives Black too much play for the pawn. --- Boris: What pawn? Black can
simply take on f4 with the queen.} ({. Joel: Oh, I see. Well, I also looked at
} 18. e5 {but rejected it because of} dxe5 19. Ne4 Qxf4 {and Black seems fine,
maybe even better.} 20. -- ({. Play could continue} 20. Qc2 {when} Nd4 {seems
strong}) ({, or} 20. Qd3 {when} Nc5 {looks good. --- Boris: 20...Nc5 is
impossible because of} 21. Nxc5 (21. --)) ({, but you are right that 18 e5 is
wrong. After} 20. Qd3 {Black can simply play} Qh6 {with a big advantage.})) ({
. Joel: Okay, I ended up selecting} 18. Ne2 {(a positional move from the first
book!). This move defends f4 and allows White to build up his attack on the
weak d6-pawn with RaRd1. --- Boris: 18 Ne2 is positively not the best move
because Black can play} Nc5 {, attacking e4 and forcing the knight to return
to c3.})) 18. f5 $1 Nc5 {Boris: Black doesn't have many options.} (18... Qd4+
19. Qxd4 Nxd4 20. Rad1 c5 21. Nb5) ({and} 18... Nd4 19. Rad1 {are both bad.})
19. Rad1 Rd8 {Exercise: Try to find the continuation of the combination. 
(difficulty level 4)} ({Joel: I like} 19... Rd8 20. e5 {, when I analyzed two
continuations for Black:} -- (20... Qxf5 21. Bd5 {and now Black has three
logical queen moves:} -- (21... Qxe5 22. Bxf7+ Kh8 (22... Kf8 {looks like
suicide}) 23. Rde1 {and the queen is lost.}) (21... Qd7 22. Rxf7 {when Black
has to give up his queen.}) (21... Qg4 22. Bxf7+ Kh8 23. Rf4 {followed by Qd4
and White is much better. Therefore, I rejected 20...Qxf5.})) ({. Next I
considered} 20... Qxe5 {, when I like} 21. f6 $1 Qxf6 22. Bd5 {, so 20 e5 is
what I would play. --- Boris: Excellent! Your analysis of 20...Qxf5 was good
but your analysis of 20...Qxe5 was incorrect because 21 f6 does not promise a
big advantage. Black has several defenses; for example, after 21...Qxf6 22 Bd5
Black has} Bf5 {closing the f-file. Taking with the g-pawn is also good.
Finally, after 21 f6 Black has 21...Bf5 right away. All three moves give Black
a good game. The way to an advantage is less obvious.})) 20. e5 $1 Qxe5 21.
Rfe1 $1 Qf6 ({Boris: If} 21... Qxf5 22. Qxd6 Nd7 {, then... --- Joel: This is
why I wanted to play 21 f6. To prevent Black's queen from hiding behind the
f-pawn. --- Boris: But generally White's idea is to mate Black on the eighth
rank. This was the idea behind this combination. --- Joel: You saw all of that
on move 18? --- Boris: You had to see it or else White would end up worse with
Black taking control of e5. Very often we have to find the hidden way to an
advantage otherwise we will lose our advantage (Steinitz's rule). Often there
aren't second-best moves; in other words, second-best moves can transform
better positions ones that are worse. --- Exercise: White wins. (difficulty
level 4)} 23. -- ({. Joel: I looked at} 23. Qe7 {, but the continuation 
(trying to make use of the back rank weakness) wasn't convincing. For example,}
Qf6 24. Qe8+ ({the positional continuation after} 24. Qxf6 gxf6 25. Ne4 Kg7 26.
Nc5 {also didn't seem clear. I had the feeling that Black might be able to
slip away from the pressure}) 24... Rxe8 25. Rxe8+ Nf8 26. Rdd8 g6 {(forced)}
27. Rxf8+ Kg7 {. Therefore, I analyzed 23 Qc7 which I ended up selecting.}) ({
. Boris: The moves you considered were natural but to both of them Black can
defend with 23...Rf8 getting out of the pin and avoiding big trouble. The
winning solution was} 23. Na4 $1 Rf8 24. Nb6 Nxb6 25. Qxf8+ Kxf8 26. Rd8# {
mate.})) 22. Qxd6 Qxd6 23. Rxd6 Bd7 ({Boris: After} 23... Bxf5 {Exercise:
White wins. (difficulty level 1) --- Joel:} 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Re5 {winning a
piece because the d1-square is covered. --- Boris: Correct!}) 24. Re5 $1 Na6 ({
Boris: It would not have helped Black to play} 24... b6 25. Bxc6 Bxc6 26. Rxc6
Rd2 27. Re2 {.}) 25. Rxa5 Be8 ({Boris: If Black played} 25... f6 {then} 26. Nd5
$1 {is strong, with the idea of Nb6 or Ne7+ and Nxc6. --- Joel: Why can't
Black take on d5? --- Boris: Because} cxd5 27. Bxd5+ Kf8 28. Bxb7 {is winning.}
) 26. Ne4 f6 {Exercise: Find a positional move which guarantees a decisive
advantage. (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: I would play 27 c5 fixing Black's
queenside pawns on light squares and keeping b7 backward. --- Boris: Right and
I would add providing additional control to d6.} 27. c5 $1 Rdb8 28. Rd4 $1 Nc7
29. Rxa8 Rxa8 30. Rb4 Rd8 31. Rxb7 Nb5 32. a4 {. --- Boris: This game shows
that when your opponent aims to simplify the position and exchange pieces,
trying to make a draw, it is not necessary to avoid such simplification.
Sometimes it is enough to make use of the pieces that remain.} 1-0

[Event "Volgodonsk"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1981.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Sveshnikov, E."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C02"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "1981.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Joel: I remember this game from studying the French Defense with you. It is
very beautiful. I may look a lot stronger than I am because I've seen it
before - or maybe not. Nevertheless, I don't fully understand one of the
game's important maneuvers so it will be good to go over it again.} 1. e4 e6 2.
d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bd7 6. a3 c4 ({Boris: If Black doesn't want to
close the position,} 6... a5 $5) ({or} 6... Rc8 $5 {are alternatives.}) 7. Bf4
{Boris: This is an interesting novelty. White prepares to develop his
b1-knight to d2 but not block his dark-squared bishop in on c1, so now Black
has to solve new problems. --- Joel: From a psychological standpoint, how do
you go about handling that in a game or tournament situation? Do you have any
advice? --- Boris: This is a strategical position. A novelty in a strategic
position is not so terrible to encounter; it is more dangerous in a tactical
position because it means you are in your opponent's home preparation and
competing with a computer. The usual advice is to think, try and understand
the position, and try to find a plan. By definition, a novelty will appear on
the board at some point, it just depends when. Here it occurred on move seven.}
({A common move in this position at the time was} 7. g3 $5 {, when after} Na5
8. Nbd2 {the bishop will be imprisoned on c1 for a long while, so Sveshnikov's
idea makes sense.}) 7... Qb6 8. Qc2 f6 {Boris: After Black's 6th move, which
closed the queenside, this is the only opportunity he has to seek counterplay.}
9. Nbd2 $6 {Exercise: Find the best way for Black. (difficulty level 3) ---
Joel: Black needs to undermine White's protection of the e5-pawn with 9...g5 
(forcing 10 Bg3) followed by 10...g4, when White will not have enough
defenders of e5. --- Boris: Very good. Now Black has weakened White's center
and pushed White's pieces to the side of the board. With 9 Nbd2?!, White gave
Black the opportunity to take over the initiative. He had to prefer 9 exf6 or
9 h4!? instead. --- Joel: What do you like about 9 h4 - ? --- Boris: With 9 h4
White prevents ...g7-g5 and simultaneously gains space on the kingside, while
preparing to take the g6-square away from the black knight. Probably 9 h4 is
more promising than 9 exf6.} g5 $1 10. Bg3 g4 11. Nh4 fxe5 12. dxe5 Nh6 $1 ({
Boris: After} 12... Bg7 $6 {. --- Exercise: What does White have to play? 
(difficulty level 2) --- Joel:} 13. Bxc4 $1 {when, if Black takes on c4, White
takes back with the knight, hitting the queen and hopping into d6 with
advantage. The point is that Black needs to keep his dark-squared bishop in
contact with the d6-square (so 13 Bxc4 would also work against 12...Nge7?!).
But what I don't understand here is what happens if Black decides not to take
back on c4 and instead plays} Nxe5 {, when Black has traded his c4-pawn for
the white e5-pawn, which seems favorable to me (a wing pawn for a center pawn).
--- Boris: You're right that after 13 Bxc4 Black's best move is 13...Nxe5. But
we need to compare this position with the one we will come to in the game
after the next move.}) ({Also worse for Black was} 12... O-O-O $6 13. h3 Bg7
14. hxg4 Nxe5 15. Nhf3 Nxg4 16. Bxc4 $1 {and White has the advantage, J.M.Hodgson-A.Shabalov, Winnipeg 1997.}) 13. Be2 Bg7 $1 {Exercise: What does White
have to play now? (difficulty level 2)} ({Joel: Given my previous analysis, I
would play} 13... Bg7 14. Bxc4 $5 {. --- Boris: After moving the bishop to e2
it would have been very difficult to turn around and play 14 Bxc4, but it was
the only way for White to obtain a playable game. After} Nxe5 $1 ({in the case
of} 14... dxc4 $2 15. Nxc4 Qa6 16. Nd6+ Kd8 17. Qd2 Kc7 18. Bf4 {White would
have decent compensation for the piece}) 15. Be2 O-O $1 {Black's position is
preferable. Now we see the advantages of 12...Nh6 compared to 12...Bg7. In the
first case, Black has an extra tempo.}) 14. h3 $2 Bxe5 15. O-O-O Bxg3 16. fxg3
O-O-O 17. hxg4 Ne5 18. Nhf3 ({Boris:} 18. g5 Nhg4 {would have been bad for
White, who cannot protect the crucial e3- and f2-squares}) 18... Nhxg4 19. Nxe5
Nxe5 20. Nf1 ({Boris: And} 20. Rxh7 {would have been bad because of} Ba4 {and
Black wins the exchange.}) (20. Nf1 {Exercise: Find a winning maneuver. 
(difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I considered a number of possibilities, such as
...Nc6-a5-b3, but they did not seem convincing. Then I came upon the idea of}
Be8 $1 {with the plan of ...Bg6, when the light-squared bishop becomes a
monster on the b1-h7 diagonal (which makes us French Defense devotees very
happy). --- Boris: Excellent!}) 20... Be8 $1 21. Qd2 Bg6 22. Qg5 Nc6 ({Boris:
Black could not win immediately with} 22... Qb3 $2 23. Ne3 d4 $2 {because of}
24. Rxd4 Rxd4 $4 25. Qxe5 $1 {when White is winning.}) 23. Bg4 Na5 24. Nd2 Rhe8
25. Bh5 (25. Bh5 {Exercise: Find a winning combination. (difficulty level 4)  
Joel:} Bd3 $3 {(the knight can't move because of ...Nb3 mate). I don't think
White has much better than} 26. Bxe8 {, but then} Qb3 $3 {(threatening mate)}
27. Nxb3 Nxb3# {is mate again. --- Boris: Excellent!}) 25... Bd3 $1 26. Bxe8
Qb3 $1 {Boris: During this period, our effort to emigrate from the Soviet
Union was a hot topic for chess players. After 26...Qb3!, Grandmaster
Vladimirov told me: "If you play such moves they will never permit you to
emigrate!"} 27. Ba4 Qxa4 {. --- Joel: What I like so much about this game is
how you counterattack on the king's flank and generate counterplay with ...f7-f6 and ...g7-g5. It seems to be an important idea in such French Defense
positions, although it always seems to backfire when I do it. I think one can
learn quite a bit about how to handle this kind of position by studying this
game closely. --- Boris: I can add that counterattacking with ...g7-g5 in the
French has become very fashionable in the last few years, as has been
demonstrated in the games of Morozevich.} 0-1

[Event "US Championship, Long Beach"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1989.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "De Firmian, N."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E32"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "1989.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d6 7. Bg5 h6 8.
Bh4 Nbd7 9. e3 b6 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. f3 c5 12. Ne2 cxd4 $6 {Boris: This variation
is now thoroughly analyzed but it was not at that time.} ({Black can obtain a
safe position with} 12... Rc8 $1 13. b4 ({Black equalized after} 13. O-O cxd4
14. Qxd4 Ne5 {as well, in E.Bareev-A.Karpov, Cap d'Agde rapid 2002}) 13... d5
$1 {, as in V.Topalov-V.Kramnik, Monte Carlo (rapid) 2005.}) 13. exd4 Rc8 ({
Boris: After} 13... d5 14. c5 {White would have good prospects on the
queenside.}) 14. b4 $1 e5 {Boris: Black hopes to destroy White's center.} ({
The alternative is also promising for White:} 14... Ba6 $5 15. Qb3 d5 16. c5
Bxd3 17. Qxd3 bxc5 18. dxc5 Ne5 19. Qd4 $5 ({or} 19. Qc3 $5 {and White's
queenside pawns are more dangerous than Black's in the center.})) 15. O-O b5 (
15... b5 {Exercise: Black is close to fulfilling his dream of destroying
White's center. Find a way for White to take the initiative. (difficulty level
5) --- Joel: If it were Black to play, he would play 16...bxc4 winning a pawn
and obtaining a dangerous passed c-pawn. The move I would like to play is} 16.
c5 -- ({, after which} 16... dxc5 17. dxc5) ({, and} 16... d5 17. dxe5 {look
bad for Black}) ({, so he must play} 16... exd4 {(hitting the queen)} 17. Qxd4
dxc5 18. bxc5 -- ({, when} 18... Rxc5 {loses to} 19. Bxf6) ({, while} 18...
Nxc5 19. Bxb5 {followed by bringing the rooks to the open files looks playable.
So I would play 16 c5. --- Boris: Your move is correct but the idea behind it
is not. In the case of 17 Qxd4 (as you offered)} Nb3 20. Qxd8 Rfxd8 {the game
is equal because of the activity of Black's pieces. The idea behind 16 c5 is
to sacrifice a pawn for the initiative.} (20... --)))) 16. c5 $1 ({Boris:
After the quiet} 16. Qb3 bxc4 17. Bxc4 Nb6 18. dxe5 dxe5 19. Rfd1 Qc7 {the
position would be equal.}) 16... exd4 17. Nxd4 $1 dxc5 18. Nf5 $1 ({Boris:} 18.
Nxb5 {would have been much worse due to} Qb6 {and already it is White who has
to fight for equality.}) 18... c4 $6 ({Boris: Black would also have serious
problems after} 18... cxb4 $5 19. Qxb4 Rc5 $1 20. Rac1 $1 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 a6 22.
Qd6 $1 Nb6 {. --- Exercise: Find a winning move. (difficulty level 4) --- Joel:
I saw} 23. Ne7+ {which I liked very much. After} Kh8 24. Qxf6 $1 Qxd3 ({if} 
24... gxf6 25. Bxf6# {is mate}) 25. Qxb6 Qxa3 26. Re1 {, White protects e7 and
threatens Qxb7. --- Boris: You saw this beautiful combination. Very good. 18...
a6 was probably best for Black.}) 19. Bc2 Bd5 $6 ({Boris: In the case of} 19...
Re8 $5 20. Rfd1 {White would have strong pressure as well, but this was
preferable to the move played in the game.}) 20. Rad1 Be6 (20... Be6 {Exercise:
How to increase the pressure? (difficulty level 3)} 21. -- ({. Joel: First I
looked at} 21. Rxd7 {with the idea of undermining Black's kingside defenses,
but after} Qxd7 {I couldn't see a way to an advantage.}) ({. I next considered
} 21. Nd6 {but rejected it because the knight is already ideally placed on f5})
({, which led me to} 21. Rd6 {with idea of doubling on the d-file. Black
cannot play} Bxf5 22. Bxf5 Qe7 {because} 23. Rxd7 {wins, so White's dominant
knight cannot be taken. --- Boris: Very good.} (23. --))) 21. Rd6 $1 Re8 $5 ({
Boris: Black would also be in serious trouble after} 21... Rc7 $5 22. Rfd1 Bxf5
23. Bxf5 Qe8 24. -- (24. Bg3 $1 Rb7 25. Qd4 $1 c3 ({or} 25... Nb6 26. Rxf6 gxf6
27. Qg4+ Kh8 28. Bf4) 26. Qxc3 Nb6 27. Rxf6 gxf6 28. Rd4 {and White is winning.
}) ({. The immediate} 24. Qd4 $2 {would have lost the advantage after} c3 $1
25. Re1 ({the knight is untouchable:} 25. Bxd7 $2 Nxd7 26. Rxd7 Rxd7 27. Qxd7
c2 {and Black is winning}) 25... Qb8 26. Bxf6 ({no better is} 26. Bxd7 Rc4)
26... Nxf6 ({not now} 26... Rc4 {because of} 27. Rxd7 {when White is winning})
27. Rxf6 gxf6 28. Qg4+ Kh8 29. Qf4 Kg7 {and White has only a perpetual check.})
) 22. Rfd1 Rc7 {Exercise: How to increase the pressure? (difficulty level 3)
--- Joel: I could not find a move other than 22 R1d4 with the idea of swinging
the rook over to g4. --- Boris: Your suggestion is not bad, but White has a
more direct way of adding resources to the attack and this resource is the
f-pawn.} 23. f4 $1 {Joel: What is the idea of this move? --- Boris: White
wants to sacrifice his knight on g7 and play f4-f5. Now Black doesn't have a
good defense against 24 Nxg7 and 25 f5.} ({Alternatively, White could change
the move order and play} 23. Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 24. f4 Qe7 $1 25. Qg3+ $1 Kf8 26. f5
{with a big advantage.}) 23... Bxf5 24. Bxf5 Qb8 $1 ({Boris: Black would lose
after} 24... Qa8 25. Bxd7 Ne4 26. Bxe8 Nxc3 27. Rd8 Rc8 28. Bc6+ {. --- Joel:
Can you explain why 24...Qb8 is such a good move? It seems Black just loses a
piece. --- Boris: In a losing position, when you believe your opponent sees
the path to victory, it is very important psychologically to change the
character of the position and create new problems that he may not solve.
Otherwise he will just proceed with his plan. In other words, you have to do
your best to disrupt his thinking.}) 25. Bxd7 Nxd7 ({Boris:} 25... Ne4 26. Qd4
{was losing for Black.}) 26. Rxd7 Rxd7 27. Rxd7 Qxf4 {Exercise: How can White
extinguish Black's counterplay? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I would play 28
Rd8, exchanging rooks and leaving Black with only a queen. --- Boris: In such
positions when Black has two pawns for the bishop, the most desirable change
of the position would be the exchange of queens. --- Joel: Why? --- Boris: In
the line you offer it would be very difficult to combine the efforts of
White's remaining forces, because the queen's own power on the diagonals
leaves the bishop somewhat redundant. The rook and bishop form a very good
combination because their functions are different. The second drawback to your
suggestion is that you exchange a very nicely placed rook. White's next move
targets Black's most active piece, his queen.} 28. Qf3 $1 Qc1+ ({Boris:
Without queens, winning is simple:} 28... Qxf3 29. gxf3 Re3 30. Rxa7 Rxf3 31.
Ra5 $1 c3 32. Rxb5 Rf4 33. Bf2 Rc4 34. Rc5 {.}) 29. Qf1 Qe3+ 30. Bf2 Qxa3 (
30... Qxa3 {Exercise: Find a winning move. (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I
would play} 31. Bc5 f6 32. Rxa7 {. --- Boris: At the end of your variation,
Black would play} Qc3 {and the struggle continues. For the price of a pawn,
White has pushed Black's queen to the side of the board and now cannot miss
his chance to attack.}) 31. Bd4 $1 ({Boris: Black is defenseless:} 31. Bd4 f6 (
{or} 31... Rf8 32. Bc5) 32. Rxg7+ {wins. --- Joel: I really like the end of
this game. You continued to attack and fight for the initiative by sacrificing
a pawn in a superior position. I tend to become passive in such positions and
simply aim for exchanges of any kind, trying to get to the better endgame. ---
Boris: There are so many resources for defense in chess that you must find the
best moves. There is no better recipe. There are many positions where a piece
does not guarantee victory against two pawns.}) 1-0

[Event "Yerevan"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1976.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Poutiainen, P."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B66"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "1976.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: Poutiainen was a talented player from Finland. He was their chess hope.
At this time in my career, I played him twice in the Soviet Union. Alas, the
stress of chess tournament life became too great for him and he later
committed suicide. --- Joel: Can you say a little bit about the stress of
professional chess life? --- Boris: It is very stressful. Several players have
committed suicide and some have gone crazy. Many young players with
considerable talent could not handle the stress. --- Joel: What is stressful
about it? --- Boris: All the time you have to make decisions without good
information. Usually we prefer to make important decisions with as much
information as possible, but in chess we do not have full information. We
don't know whether our next decision will be a horrible mistake. You're
constantly on the edge. This is why some people have terrible time shortage
problems. This is why Capablanca's advice is so important: if you see a good
move, make it. Players who struggle with time shortage can often make good
blitz players because they have less time to think. --- Joel: From a
psychological point of view, you are describing a problem with obsessional
thinking, which is a struggle with not being able to tolerate the unknown. In
response to the unknown they try to calculate all possibilities. It is at the
heart of things like Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which is characterized by
chronic worry, muscle tension, fatigue, restlessness and irritability.} 1. e4
c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O h6
9. Be3 Bd7 10. f4 b5 11. Bd3 Be7 12. h3 Qb8 $6 {Boris: In sharp Sicilians it
is very often the case that one inaccuracy by Black can lead to a dangerous
position.} ({In this position the correct way was demonstrated 14 years later:
} 12... Nxd4 $1 13. Bxd4 b4 14. Ne2 e5 $1 {, M.Adams-A.Shirov, Groningen 1990,
when} 15. fxe5 dxe5 16. Bxe5 $2 Qa5 17. Bxf6 Qxa2 {would be bad for White.})
13. g4 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 b4 15. Ne2 e5 16. Be3 Bc6 $6 {Boris: Black should not
have left the f5-square unprotected.} (16... a5 $1 {was better.}) 17. Ng3 Qb7 {
Exercise: Find the most aggressive move. Calculate variations. (difficulty
level 4)} (17... Qb7 {Joel: I thought for a long time on this one, maybe two
hours!} 18. -- ({. I first checked} 18. g5 {but rejected it in view of} hxg5
19. fxg5 Nxe4 20. Bxe4 Bxe4 {and Black covers the g6-square with his bishop,
so it will be difficult to open up the game.}) ({. After rejecting this
continuation, I next turned to} 18. Nf5 {, which I liked. I remember you once
telling me that Kasparov said that a knight on f5 is worth a piece. I
considered four responses by Black.} -- ({. After} 18... O-O {I liked} 19. Nxg7
Kxg7 20. f5 Nxe4 21. Bxe4 Bxe4 22. Bxh6+ Kh8 23. Bxf8 Bxf8 24. Rhg1 {with a
strong attack.}) ({. Next I looked at} 18... Kf8 {, which seemed very similar
to the previous continuation}) ({, so I moved on to} 18... g6 {, which also
looked good after} 19. Nxh6 Rxh6 20. g5 {.}) ({. Finally, I considered} 18...
Nxe4 19. Bxe4 Bxe4 20. -- (20. Rhg1 {and if} Bxf5 21. gxf5 {White has an open
g-file to attack the king. --- Boris: First, you should only spend as much
time as you would have in a real game, no more than 30 minutes on a position.
Second, after 18 Nf5, I didn't consider 18...0-0 at all because, after the
exchange of pawns on e5 (19 fxe5 dxe5), White has a choice of very attractive
sacrifices on h6 or g7, or he could just play 20 g5. Practically speaking,
castling looks very dangerous for Black, so we don't have to spend much time
calculating those variations. The same goes for 18...Kf8. The drawback of 18
Nf5 is that it leaves the e4-pawn hanging. Therefore, 18...Nxe4 and 18...Bxe4
had to be calculated accurately and in this task you didn't succeed. --- Joel:
That's very interesting how you rejected some variations based on your
intuition and immediately honed in the critical variations that need to be
calculated deeply and accurately. Very often I hear people talking about how
many moves grandmasters calculate ahead. It seems it is more important to
calculate accurately a few critical variations than long variations. --- Boris:
Yes, it is much more important to calculate the right variations than to
calculate deeply unimportant ones. This is an inefficient use of your time and
energy.}) ({. You had to calculate} 20. Nxd6+ $1 Bxd6 21. Qxd6 Bxh1 {. ---
Exercise: What to play? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: I would play 22 Bc5. I
don't think that Black has a defense after this move. --- Boris: Correct.} ({
If Black played} 21... Qe7 {(instead of 21...Bxh1) then White has to win after}
22. Qxe7+ Kxe7 23. Bc5+ Ke8 24. Rhe1 Rc8 25. Rxe4 Rxc5 26. Rxb4 {.})) ({. Your
suggestion} 20. Rhg1 {loses because of} Rc8 {.})) ({. Finally, in the case of} 
18... Bxe4 19. Bxe4 Nxe4 {, White plays} 20. Qg2 $1 Bf8 21. fxe5 dxe5 22. Rhe1
{and Black is losing.}))) 18. Nf5 $1 Bf8 19. fxe5 ({Boris: Now in the case of} 
19. g5 {there will follow a similar variation to the one we considered after
18 Nf5, with one important difference:} hxg5 20. fxg5 Nxe4 21. Bxe4 Bxe4 22.
Nxd6+ Bxd6 23. Qxd6 Qe7 $1 24. Qxe7+ Kxe7 25. Bc5+ {and, because White doesn't
have pawns on f4 and g4 anymore, Black escapes with} Ke6 {.}) 19... dxe5 (19...
dxe5 {Exercise: How to develop the initiative? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel:
I liked} 20. g5 -- ({, because after} 20... hxg5 21. Bxg5 Nxe4 22. Bxe4 Bxe4 {
23 Bxf6 (Black cannot take the rook because of the back rank mate on d8) 23...
gxf6 24 Rhg1 White has a strong attack. --- Boris: Your variation is incorrect
because, in the line you considered, 23 Bxf6 is impossible as there is no
longer any knight on that square (so that 23 Qd8+ mates at once); but more
importantly, after 20 g5 Black would not play 20...hxg5 as you suggested}) ({
, but} 20... Nxe4 {with advantage. --- Joel: What about} 21. Bxe4 Bxe4 22. gxh6
Bxh1 23. hxg7 {, winning a piece back and destroying Black's kingside? ---
Boris: Why take the rook? 22...Bxf5 is stronger. Anyway, the weak point in
Black's camp is e5 and White had to find it. That was the point of the
exercise.} (23. --))) 20. Qh2 $1 Qb8 ({Boris: After} 20... Nd7 21. Bc4 $1 Bxe4
22. Rxd7 $1 Kxd7 23. Rd1+ Kc8 24. Qxe5 {White has a decisive attack.}) (20...
Qb8 {Exercise: How to organize an attack here? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel:
Black's king is stuck in the center so White needs to open up the position.
The dark squares on the queenside are weak and White may be able to take
control of these squares with} 21. Qf2 {. This move entices Black to take on
e4 (hitting the queen) and prepares Rhe1 putting pressure on the center, which
would then be open. The move also threatens 22 Nxh6. In response to} Nxe4 22.
Bxe4 Bxe4 {, then} 23. Rhe1 {looks good for White. --- Boris: Your move
doesn't look very logical to me. From the h2-square the queen attacks the very
vulnerable e5-point in Black's camp. --- Joel: So this is yet another example
of moving a piece from a better position to a worse position. --- Boris: Right.
White's task is to open the position, which you correctly pointed out, and
here he has a very tricky way to force Black to take on e4.}) 21. Rhf1 $1 {
Boris: By threatening 22 Nxh6 White forces Black to take his center pawn.} Nxe4
22. Rfe1 $1 {Joel: Hold on, isn't this where I put the rook in the variation I
considered? --- Boris: Yes, but in your variation the white queen is placed on
the not-so-active square f2, and Black can answer your variation with 23...Qb7
(because the e5-pawn is no longer hanging), preparing ...Rc8 with an attack on
c2. In the game, I lost a tempo in order to lose my e4-pawn! --- Now Black
cannot prevent the opening of the central files.} ({In the case of} 22. Rfe1
Nc3 23. Ba7 $1 Rxa7 24. Rxe5+ Kd7 (24... Be7 25. Rxe7+ {wins the queen}) 25.
Rd5+ Bxd5 26. Qxb8 Rb7 27. Qe5 {, White is winning.}) 22... f6 23. Bf4 $1 Nc5 {
Exercise: How to continue the attack? Calculate variations. (difficulty level
4) --- Joel: I looked at 24 Nxg7 and 24 Nd6, all with the idea of bringing
White's light-squared bishop to g6. I really didn't want to lose that bishop -
just look at the light squares on Black's kingside. Anyway, neither variation
seemed to work, so I decided on 24 Bc4 and as a result there are really no
variations to calculate. --- Boris: The solution to this problem is not so
easy to see. By focusing on White's light-squared bishop, you lost sight of
the fact that White's knight on f5 is also a good piece and, in fact, it would
be a pity to sacrifice it. In order to open the position, you had to calculate
the sacrifice of a different piece. We have focused so much on opening the
center in this game and this was the time.} 24. Bxe5 $1 Nxd3+ 25. Rxd3 fxe5 26.
Rxe5+ Kf7 27. Qf4 $1 Kg8 28. Qc4+ Kh7 (28... Kh7 {Exercise: What to play? 
(difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I calculated} 29. Re6 $1 {(threatening Rxh6+
and Qf7 mate)} Be8 {(the only move)} 30. Rd7 $1 Bg6 31. Rxg6 Kxg6 32. Qe4 {and
if} Kh7 33. Ne7+ {wins. --- Boris: Very nice! I am glad you found that
combination. Your move 32 Qe4 is equally good as the move in the game and it
also ends in mate.}) 29. Re6 $1 Be8 30. Rd7 $1 Bg6 ({Boris: If} 30... Bxd7 31.
Rxh6+ gxh6 32. Qf7+ {with a beautiful epaulet mate. --- Joel: What's that? ---
Boris: The rook on h8 and pawn on h6 are like epaulets on the king's shoulders.
}) 31. Rxg6 Kxg6 32. Qe6+ Kg5 33. h4+ Kxg4 34. Nxh6+ Kg3 35. Qg4+ {. --- Joel:
I learned a lot from this game. My thinking is not very clear and I struggle
to calculate. I saw my thoughts go around in circles, which got me nowhere. It
is clear that long and deep calculations are less critical (although sometimes
necessary) than calculating short variations accurately. I learned about time
management and how quickly you dismissed obviously bad continuations (based on
intuition) and calculated the lines that needed attention. This is something I
need to develop and I think is related to trusting my skill to calculate. For
example, just knowing that castling after 18 Nf5 would be bad for Black, and
having the confidence that I would find the refutation, would save me a lot of
time.} 1-0

[Event "Marseilles"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1986.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Renet, O."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A57"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "1986.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was my first tournament after emigration, my first event as a
free man. --- Joel: What was that like? Did it affect your chess? --- Boris: I
was inspired and played with inspiration and, for chess players, it is
important to be in good spirits. I went on to win this tournament as well. ---
Joel: Your first tournament as a free man and you won. --- Boris: Yes, it
meant a lot, especially because emigration was not easy.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3.
d5 b5 4. Nf3 g6 $6 {Boris: 4...g6 permits White to play a murky variation
which creates positions that are quite different than the usual Benko Gambit.
This variation was not well known in those years and is not well researched
even now.} ({The safest way for Black is to play the Keres variation with} 4...
Bb7 $5 {, Keres actually never played the Benko but received this position by
a different move order: 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 c5 3 d5 b5 4 c4 Bb7.}) ({Instead,
Vaganian's attempt to get the usual Benko position with me by playing} 4... d6
{was inferior, as it permitted White to transpose into a favorable line after}
5. cxb5 a6 6. e3 $1 {. Now, because of the insertion of Ng1-f3 for White and ...d7-d6 for Black,
Black doesn't have counterplay with ...e7-e6, B.Gulko-R.Vaganian, Riga 1995. --- Joel: Why? --- Boris: Imagine if Black replies} e6 {
, then} 7. Nc3 exd5 8. Nxd5 Bb7 {would lead to a position in which White's
Ngf3 is positively useful and Black's ...d7-d6 is not useful.}) 5. cxb5 a6 6.
Nc3 axb5 7. d6 $5 Qa5 ({Boris: Black has different answers here but it is not
so clear which is best. For example, Black has tried} 7... b4 $6 8. Nb5 Na6 9.
e4 {(C.Horvath-B.Benev, Arnhem 1987)}) ({and} 7... exd6 8. e4 b4 9. Nb5 Ba6 10.
Bf4 {(Y.Razuvaev-I.Glek, Tashkent 1984), but White had a good position in both
cases.}) 8. e3 exd6 ({Boris: An important line is} 8... Ne4 9. Bd2 Nxd6 10.
Nxb5 Qb6 11. Bc3 $1 {with advantage for White. In the first game I saw with
this variation (E.Ubilava-V.Tseshkovsky, Barnaul 1984), White didn't play 11
Bc3 and didn't obtain an advantage.}) 9. Bxb5 d5 10. O-O Bb7 {Exercise: Find a
way to create an attack.   Calculate variations. (difficulty level 5)} ({Joel:
I liked} 10... Bb7 11. e4 $1 -- ({, and in the case of} 11... d4 {White has}
12. e5) ({, while if} 11... dxe4 {, then} 12. Re1 {looks strong.} Be7) ({.
Boris: Your intuition works better than your calculations. In the case of} 
11... d4 12. Nxd4 $1 ({after your} 12. e5 {e5 Black could play} Nh5 {and White
has to sacrifice the knight on d4 in a much worse situation}) 12... cxd4 13.
Qxd4 Bg7 ({even worse was} 13... Be7 14. Bg5 Qd8 15. Nd5 $1 Bxd5 16. exd5 h6
17. d6 $1 {and White is winning}) 14. Bg5 Nh5 15. Qd6 f6 16. Qe6+ $1 {
(depriving Black's king of the right to castle)} Kf8 ({or} 16... Kd8 17. Rfd1 {
and White wins}) 17. Qd6+ Ke8 18. Be3 {White has a powerful attack. So we can
say that 11...d4 doesn't solve Black's problems.})) 11. e4 $3 dxe4 12. Ne5 $1 (
{Boris: Your suggestion} 12. Re1 {promised less after} Be7 {. --- Joel: How
so? It looks so natural. --- Boris: Because after 12 Re1 Be7 the rook cannot
be used in the attack, so White simply loses a tempo. Sometimes bringing the
rook to e1 can be a loss of time.}) 12... Qc7 ({Boris: Black cannot develop
his king's bishop:} 12... Bg7 13. Nc4 Qc7 14. Qd6 $1) ({or} 12... Be7 13. Bc4
O-O 14. Bh6 {and White wins in both cases. Here you can see why your 12 Re1
was a waste of time. The tempo saved allows White to play 14 Bh6 winning.}) 13.
Bf4 Nh5 (13... Nh5 {Exercise: What does White have to play? (difficulty level
2)} 14. -- ({. Joel: I don't see anything good for White after} 14. Nxd7 Nxf4
15. Nxb8+ Ke7) ({, so I came up with} 14. Qb3 {, attacking f7, and if} Nxf4 15.
Qxf7+ {and White is better. --- Boris: You're right that after 14 Nxd7 Nxf4
the position is in Black's favor, but after your suggestion of 14 Qb3 Black
has 14...c4! with unclear complications.} (15. --)) ({. The best move is} 14.
Nd5 $1 {, which wins by force.})) ({Instead of 13...Nh5, as in the game, Black
could play} 13... Bd6 {. --- Exercise: Find a winning combination. (difficulty
level 1)} 14. -- ({. Joel: I liked} 14. Nxf7 Bxf4 15. Nxh8 {, when White is up
the exchange. --- Boris: Your combination allows Black to take on h2, when the
position becomes unclear. In any case, it is not a winning combination.}) ({.
The winning line is} 14. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 15. Nb5 {.} (15. --))) ({The same
combinational motif would work after} 13... Bh6 14. Bg3 $1 Nh5 15. Bxd7+ $1
Nxd7 16. Nb5 Qd8 17. Nd6+ {and White is winning.}) 14. Nd5 $1 Qd6 ({Boris:
Black also loses after both} 14... Qa5 15. Nc4) ({and} 14... Qd8 15. Nxd7 {.})
(14... Qd6 {Exercise: Calculate a forced win. (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I
see only} 15. Nxd7 Nxf4 16. Nxb8+ Kd8 {, but after} 17. Nxf4 Rxb8 {it doesn't
seem so clear to me. --- Boris: It is not easy to calculate this variation
because the knights are jumping all over the place. The move 16 Nxc5+! 
(instead of your 16 Nxb8+) is not easy to see at all, so don't be too upset.
--- Joel: Is there something special about calculations that involve knights.
--- Boris: The knight does not move linearly, so positions with multiple
knights can be very difficult to calculate. A good example is my game with
Bronstein, which we will study later (see Gulko-Bronstein).}) 15. Nxd7 $1 Nxf4
16. Nxc5+ $1 Bc6 17. Nxe4 Qe5 18. Bxc6+ Nxc6 19. Ndf6+ {. --- Boris: This game
was theoretically important because it called into question Black's 4...g6.}
1-0

[Event "US Championship, Long Beach"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1989.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Seirawan, Y."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1989.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Joel: Seirawan is a very popular figure in American chess. Can you say a
little bit about him? --- Boris: For a long time, Yasser and I were the first
two boards on the American team. --- Joel: You knew each other's games very
well. --- Boris: Yes, and our games were usually very tense. We also played a
semi-final match in 1999 that I won on the way to my second US Championship
title. --- Joel: I've listened to him relay games on the Internet Chess Club.
He seems like an extremely positional player but also someone who is very
gentle in some way. --- Boris: Yasser is very strong chess player, a special
player in American chess. He is a very nice and friendly person, which is
unusual in chess.} 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2
Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8. a3 O-O 9. b4 Be6 10. Rb1 a6 ({Boris:} 10... f6 {is now
considered to be the main line.}) 11. d3 f6 $6 {Boris: After Black spent a
tempo on 10...a6, the move 11...f6 was already not necessary because the
e5-pawn is no longer hanging.} ({More logical was} 11... Qc8) (11... f5 $5) ({
or} 11... Qd7 $5 {, trying to play more actively.}) 12. Ne4 $1 {Boris: Heading
for c5.} (12. Be3 Nd5 {did not promise much.}) 12... Ba2 $6 ({Boris: More
cautious was} 12... Nd5 $5 13. Bd2 {. --- Joel: So he played a passive move on
move 11 and now a seemingly active move on move 12, but you consider both to
be dubious. --- Boris: It is not a question of active or passive but which
squares are best for Black's pieces. It is a matter of which piece needs to be
improved. I would have improved the knight on b6, but Yasser wanted to spoil
the placement of my rook, which he makes use of later. Here it is a matter of
taste.}) 13. Rb2 Bd5 14. Nc5 Rb8 15. e4 $5 ({Boris: White tries to achieve
more than the quiet move} 15. Be3 $5 {promised.}) 15... Bf7 16. Be3 Nd7 17. Qc2
$5 ({Boris: More logical was} 17. Nb3 $5 {keeping the d7-knight on the board.
--- Joel: Why? Because it is bad piece? --- Boris: Yes, White's position would
be more flexible after all the other possibilities} -- ({; e.g.} 17... Nb6 18.
Na5 $1) ({, or} 17... Bd6 18. Nh4 {(planning 19 Nf5 or 19 f4)}) ({, or} 17...
a5 18. b5 a4 $1 19. Nbd2 ({not} 19. bxc6 $2 bxc6 {, taking advantage of the
pinned knight}) 19... Bxa3 20. Rb1 Nd4 21. Bxd4 exd4 22. Qxa4 Bc5 {.})) 17...
Nxc5 18. bxc5 Qd7 19. Rfb1 ({Boris: Preparing d3-d4 with} 19. Rd1 {could be
met by} Bh5 $1 {, controlling the d4-square.}) (19. Rfb1 {Exercise: What does
Black have to play? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: Black has a weak b-pawn and
White is threatening 20 Rxb7.} -- ({. The move} 19... Na5 {is a possibility
but it is not clear what Black will do after} 20. Bd2 Nb3 21. Rxb3 Bxb3 22.
Rxb3 b5) ({; therefore, I think the only real opportunity is to play actively
with} 19... b5 20. cxb6 Bxa3 21. bxc7 Rxb2 {and Black wins the exchange and
will round up the pawn next. --- Boris: Your answer is correct but why would
you give up two minor pieces for a rook as in your first variation? --- Joel:
I remember somewhere that sometimes that is alright. --- Boris: It is almost
never good unless the enemy king is open or you have a strong passed pawn. In
other words, you have to have something for the two minor pieces otherwise it
is simply a loss of material.} (21... --))) 19... b5 $1 20. cxb6 $1 {Joel: Why
did you give this an exclamation mark? --- Boris: Because if White doesn't
have his next move then 20 cxb6 would simply be a mistake. It is really an
exclamation mark for the next move, which you had to foresee in order to play
20 cxb6.} Bxa3 (20... Bxa3 {Exercise: What did White have prepared here? 
(difficulty level 1) --- Joel:} 21. Bc5 {looks like a possibility.} -- ({. If} 
21... Bxb2 22. bxc7 {followed by 23 Bxf8}) ({; therefore, after 21 Bc5 Black
should play} 21... Bxc5 22. Qxc5 cxb6 23. Rxb6 {and White will likely pick up
the a6-pawn as well.}) ({. Boris: You were a little quick to dismiss the first
variation. After} 21... Bxb2 22. bxc7 {Black has} Qxc7 23. Bxf8 Kxf8 24. Rxb2
Rxb2 25. Qxb2 {, when Black has an outside passed pawn and White has to fight
for a draw.} (25. --))) 21. Rb3 $1 ({Boris: White doesn't have} 21. Ra2 $2 {
because of} Nb4 $1 {. --- Joel: When I initially offered the move 19...b5 I
did not consider 21 Rb3!. --- Boris: It was not necessary. In sharp positions
it is impossible to see all options. It is enough to see the best move with
short justification.}) 21... Bd6 (21... Bd6 22. -- ({. Exercise: If White plays
} 22. R3b2 {the position would become equal after} cxb6 23. Rxb6 {, or Black
can just repeat moves with 22...Ba3. Is there another way (instead of 22 R3b2)
that White can fight for the advantage? (difficulty level 5)}) ({. Joel:
Nothing looks good. The rook doesn't have anywhere to go except} 22. Rc3 {,
but there follows} Nb4 {.}) ({. After} 22. bxc7 Rxb3 23. Rxb3 Bxb3 {White
loses the exchange. I would play 22 R3b2 and call it a day. --- Boris: To
fight for the advantage, White has to sacrifice the exchange.} (23... --))) 22.
Rc3 $1 Nb4 23. Rxc7 $1 ({Boris: Much worse was} 23. Rxb4 $2 Bxb4 24. Rxc7 Rfc8
$1 {with advantage to Black. White has to prevent Black from activating his
rooks.}) 23... Bxc7 24. Qxc7 {Boris: Instead of taking a draw, White
sacrifices the exchange and, because of the strong passed pawn on b6, has good
compensation. Black has to find the correct defense among many possibilities,
which for humans is very difficult.} Qb5 $5 {Boris: Voluntarily entering a pin
to stop the b-pawn from advancing. --- One of the advantages of the exchange
sacrifice I played is that it forced my opponent to find a narrow path among a
sea of variations, with one false step leading to ruin.} ({In addition to the
move played in the game, Black had to calculate three other moves:} 24... Qxc7
$2 25. bxc7 Rb7 {was bad because of} 26. Bh3 $1 {.}) ({Also bad was} 24... Qxd3
$2 25. Rxb4 a5 $1 26. Bf1 $1 Qd1 27. Rc4 $1 Qxf3 28. b7 Qd1 {. --- Exercise:
Can White take on b8? (difficulty level 1)} 29. -- ({. Joel: No, because of 29.
..Bxc4. --- Boris: Calculate more slowly. --- Joel: Okay, well, if} 29. Qxb8
Bxc4 {(threatening mate)} 30. Qxf8+ Kxf8 31. b8=Q+ Kf7 32. Qc7+ {followed by
33 Qxc4 winning. --- Boris: Very good. So does 29 Qxb8 win? --- Joel: No, 29...
Qxf1+ followed by 30...Bxc4+ and 31...Rxb8 wins for Black. --- Boris. Very
good.}) ({. Correct was} 29. Rc1 $1 Qd8 30. Ba7 {and White is winning.} (30. --
))) ({Returning to 24 Qxc7, Black had one other possibility:} 24... Qa4 $5 {,
but after} 25. Bh3 $1 Nxd3 26. b7 Qc4 $1 (26... Qxe4 $2 {loses to} 27. Nd2 Qd5
28. Bc8) 27. Qxc4 Bxc4 28. Ba7 {Black has to defend a worse endgame.}) (24...
Qb5 {Exercise: What does White have to play? (difficulty level 3)} 25. -- ({.
Joel: I like} 25. d4 {. If Black doesn't take then 26 d5 will give White
another passed pawn; and if Black does take,} exd4 26. Nxd4 {, White gets to
activate his pieces, in particular his light-squared bishop. However, what
happens if Black doesn't take and plays 25...Rfc8 attempting to trap the queen?
} ({I think White can play} 26. Qd6 {, attacking the knight on b4 twice, so
White's queen does not get trapped. --- Boris: Your last variation is wrong
because after 26 Qd6 Black has} Rxb6 {. Because I am down the exchange, it is
paramount for White to prevent Black from activating his rooks.})) ({. The move
} 25. Bh3 $1 {prevents} Rfc8 {and leaves Black without many good moves.})) 25.
Bh3 $1 a5 26. Ne1 Qa6 ({Boris: A similar position to the game would arise after
} 26... Rfd8 27. Bc5 {. Now you can see the purpose of White's sacrifice.
Black's rooks are extremely restricted in their movement and the b6-pawn is
very dangerous.}) 27. Ra1 $1 Rfd8 28. Bc5 $1 (28. Bc5 {Exercise: What does
Black have to do? Can he take on d3? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: No, he
can't, because} Nxd3 29. Nxd3 Qxd3 30. b7 {looks winning. If} Qxe4 {, for
example, then} 31. Bg2 {followed by 32 Ba7. --- Boris: Your answer is only
half correct. 28...Nxd3 is a mistake but not because of the variation you
considered. In your line Black has a trick, which we'll see.}) 28... Nxd3 $2 ({
Boris: Instead of 28...Nxd3, correct was} 28... Qb5 29. Be7 Re8 30. Bd7 Qxb6
31. Qxb6 Rxb6 32. Bxe8 ({weaker was} 32. Bc5 $6 Rd8 33. Bxb6 Rxd7 34. Rxa5 Bb3
$1 ({rather than} 34... Bh5 $2 35. d4 $1) 35. Ra7 Rxa7 36. Bxa7 Nc2 37. Nf3 Nb4
38. d4 {and White's chances to make use of his extra pawn are slim}) 32... Bxe8
33. Rxa5 Nc6 34. Ra8 Rb1 ({after} 34... Rb8 35. Rxb8 Nxb8 36. f4 {Black's
problems are serious}) 35. Kf1 Kf7 36. Bc5 Bd7 37. Ke2 {with an extra pawn for
White in the endgame.}) 29. Rd1 {Boris: Now Black is under a bad pin and loses.
} ({In the variation you previously considered,} 29. Nxd3 Qxd3 30. b7 {. ---
Exercise: Black has a trick. Can you find it? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel:
No, I don't see it. --- Boris: Black has} Rxb7 31. Qxb7 Qc3 {with a double
attack.}) 29... Bc4 30. Nxd3 Bxd3 31. Bf1 Rbc8 32. Bxd3 $1 Rxd3 33. Rxd3 Rxc7
34. Rd8+ {. --- Boris: In this game White's exchange sacrifice created a lot
of tension and few people can maintain their composure under such
circumstances. Yasser found several correct moves but then collapsed. It is
also interesting after the exchange sacrifice how White restricted Black's
rooks.} 1-0

[Event "Odessa"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1972.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Mamoshin, V."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E70"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "1972.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: When you create complications it is unnecessary to try to see all
possible variations because it is impossible to see all the subtleties anyway.
It is enough to see a little more than your opponent. Great players like Tal
used this technique a lot. He created messy, complicated positions, which in
the final (modern computer day) analysis were sometimes favorable to his
opponent, but he saw much more in the position. I have noticed that you try to
calculate all variations in complicated positions and, because this is
impossible, you reject interesting and favorable opportunities, run out of
time, and don't have enough energy to finish the game. It is one of the most
important issues for chess players, to find a balance between intuition and
calculation. --- Joel: Tal's approach seems also to prey on the psychology of
attack as well. You have spoken a lot about how much harder psychologically it
is to defend than attack. --- Boris: Yes, that is exactly what we will see in
this game.} 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 Nc6 4. Ne2 ({Boris:} 4. d5 Nd4 5. Ne2 c5 (
{or} 5... e5 {isn't bad for Black.})) 4... d6 5. Nbc3 Nf6 6. h3 ({Boris: The
Sämisch Variation would arise after the routine} 6. f3 {. This set-up is
similar to the Sämisch and probably not worse.}) 6... O-O 7. Be3 a6 8. g4 {
Boris: In the spirit of the Sämisch.} (8. Nc1 {is not bad either.}) 8... Rb8 9.
a4 ({Boris: A more positional approach is} 9. a3 b5 10. cxb5 axb5 11. b4 {and
White's prospects are better.}) 9... Bd7 10. d5 ({Boris:} 10. Ng3 e5 11. d5 Nd4
{is not attractive for White.}) ({Instead, a solid positional move here could
be} 10. a5 $1 {, improving White's pawn structure.}) 10... Nb4 11. Ng3 e6 12.
Be2 exd5 13. exd5 c6 14. Qd2 $6 ({Boris: Here} 14. a5 $1 {was the best move.
After the game continuation, Black can begin complications, which is exactly
what I hoped for that day. It was a great tournament for me. I won eleven
games in a row. --- Joel: So you were feeling confident and wanted to mix it
up? --- Boris: Yes. I had a lot of energy at that moment in my life.}) (14. Qd2
{Exercise: How can Black fight for the initiative here? (difficulty level 2)
--- Joel: I would play} b5 {without question. If you see a good move, make it 
(as Capablanca teaches). White's king is stuck in the center. If he castles
kingside, there are weaknesses that can be exploited, and after 14...b5 the
queenside will be open too. --- Boris: Very good! It is the most dynamic move
in the position.}) 14... b5 $1 15. axb5 axb5 16. Nxb5 cxb5 17. Qxb4 bxc4 18.
Qxd6 Rxb2 19. Bxc4 Rc2 $5 ({Boris: A normal continuation would be} 19... Bb5
20. Qxd8 Rxd8 21. Bxb5 Rxb5 22. O-O Nxd5 23. Rab1 {, but it would be
impossible to use Black's small advantage for something real.}) 20. Bb3 Rc3 21.
Rb1 (21. Rb1 {Exercise: Suggest a way to create an attack. (difficulty level 3)
} -- ({. Joel: I wanted to keep White's king in the center and the only move
that accomplished that goal was} 21... Rxe3+ {, but after} 22. fxe3 Qa5+ 23.
Kf1 Qd2 {I couldn't concretely see the way forward so I rejected it.}) ({. I
decided on} 21... Qa5 22. -- ({, because the tempting} 22. Bd2 {is nicely met
by} Re8+ 23. Ne2 Qb5 {with a double attack on b3 and e2.}) (22. O-O {seems
like an appropriate response, when I would again play} Re8 {not fearing} 23.
Bd2 {because of} Rxg3+ {. So, although 21...Qa5 doesn't keep White's king in
the center, it seems playable and sets some traps. --- Boris: Your suggestion
21...Qa5 22 0-0 Re8 is not good because White has 23 Bd4 or 23 g5 and Black's
pieces are hanging. The move 21...Rxe3+ is an intuitive sacrifice and does not
require long calculations. It is necessary to be able to estimate the position
after 23...Qd2, and in this position it is very hard for White to defend. ---
Joel: That's hard to understand. If you sacrifice the exchange and can't
calculate concretely what your threats and advantages are, it seems to me that
you can easily lose. Isn't that the time to calculate completely? --- Boris:
First of all, you can lose the game if you don't sacrifice the exchange too.
When you have a chance to attack, and you don't use it, for me that is even
more risky. People also don't like to be under attack. It creates pressure and
requires your opponent to find the only moves. In this game, my opponent first
found good defenses but later cracked under the attack. Mistakes occur more
often for the side that is being attacked. Attacking creates positive emotions
and defending creates negative emotions. --- Joel: That's an interesting point
because, as a psychologist, I can tell you that people have mixed feelings and
are often very conflicted about their aggression. Expressing aggression, even
in sublimated (acceptable) forms like chess, can evoke a mixture of positive
and negative emotions simultaneously. I know from my own games that when I am
winning (or have won material, for example) I often become quite passive and
focus on consolidation rather than attack.} (23... --)))) 21... Rxe3+ $5 ({
Boris: After the continuation} 21... Qb8 22. Qxb8 Rxb8 23. Bc2 Rxb1+ 24. Bxb1
Nxd5 25. Bd2 {Black's advantage is not large enough for victory.}) 22. fxe3
Qa5+ 23. Kf1 Qd2 24. Qc5 $1 Nxg4 $5 {Joel: I didn't see that at all! --- Boris:
Black takes control of the d4-square. In other cases White will play Qd4,
stopping Black's attack. --- Joel: So you followed your exchange sacrifice
with a positional sacrifice? --- Boris: In such positions a tempo can be worth
a piece. Taking control of d4 was of paramount importance. Now Black will play
a rook down;} ({but a normal continuation such as} 24... Rb8 25. Qd4 Bb5+ 26.
Kg1 Qxd4 27. exd4 Bd3 28. Kg2 Bxb1 29. Rxb1 Nxd5 {would bring about a drawish
endgame.}) 25. hxg4 Rc8 26. Qe7 Bb5+ 27. Kg1 Re8 (27... Re8 {Exercise: How
must White defend? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I couldn't come up with
anything other than} 28. Qxe8+ Bxe8 29. e4 Qe3+ 30. Kg2 {when material is
about even, and if White can coordinate his rooks and push his e- and d-pawns
he will be okay. --- Boris: After your 29 e4? Black has 29...Bd4+ leading to
mate in two! This is exactly what I was talking about: people under pressure,
under attack, start to panic. My opponent found the right way under pressure
this time.}) 28. Nf1 $1 {Boris: The only defense.} ({White would lose after} 
28. Qc5 Rxe3) ({or} 28. Qh4 Rxe3 {.}) 28... Qd3 29. Qc5 (29. Qc5 {Exercise:
What would you do here? (difficulty level 3)} -- ({. Joel:} 29... Qxb1 {
doesn't help Black's cause because, after} 30. Qxb5 {, he is simply down a
rook and another set of pieces has left the board.}) ({. I like rerouting the
dark-squared bishop to the queenside with} 29... Bf8 {. White can't play} 30.
Qd4 {, exchanging queens, because the rook on b1 is hanging.} ({Boris: Your
idea 29...Bf8 is a mistake because of} 30. Qc2 {, forcing the exchange of
queens, after which White would just be up a rook in an endgame.}))) 29... Rxe3
$5 {Boris: A new sacrifice but a risky one.} ({The variation you rejected,} 
29... Qxb1 $1 30. Qxb5 {, would lead after} Rxe3 31. Bc4 Qd1 {to a position
where Black has a permanent initiative for the sacrificed piece (not a rook as
you thought). Probably White will lose the g4-pawn and the opposite-colored
bishops favor the side that is attacking, which is Black. So 29...Qxb1! was
more prudent.}) 30. Nxe3 Bd4 31. Qxd4 $6 {Boris: This move is similar to your
suggestion 28 Qxe8. Nobody likes to be under attack. My opponent hoped to
extinguish my assault (decrease the tension) by a counter-sacrifice, but the
resulting position is not safe for him either.} ({An extremely interesting
position could have arisen after} 31. Qc2 $1 {.} -- ({. When I sacrificed the
second rook, I planned to play} 31... Qxe3+ $2 {, overlooking a mate after} 32.
Kg2 Bd3 {. --- Exercise: Can you find it? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: White
wins with} 33. Qc8+ Kg7 34. Rxh7+ {, when} Kxh7 35. Rh1+ {leads to mate and 34.
..Kf6 obviously loses. --- Boris: Very good.}) ({. Instead, I had to change my
plans and play} 31... Bxe3+ 32. Kg2 Qd4 33. Kh3 h5 $1 ({White successfully
defends in the line} 33... Bd7 34. Qd1 Qf4 35. Rf1 Bf2 36. Rxf2 Qxf2 37. Qg1)
34. Qc8+ Kh7 35. Rbf1 ({Black's attack is strong after} 35. gxh5 Bf4 36. hxg6+
Kg7 $1) 35... f5 $1 {. Computer analysis shows that after} 36. Qc7+ Kh6 37. g5+
$1 Bxg5 38. Qg3 Be2 39. Rhg1 Bg4+ 40. Kh2 Be3 41. Rg2 f4 {the position is a
complete mess and probably only a computer would be able to defend. For humans,
this task is really difficult.})) 31... Qxd4 32. Rh3 Bd7 33. Bd1 h5 34. Rb8+
Kg7 35. Rb7 {Boris: White's last few moves show that they were made in a
severe time shortage, because the check on move 34 was not necessary.} (35. Rb7
{Exercise: What does Black have to do? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I didn't
see anything better than} hxg4 36. Rg3 Qf4 37. Kh2 Qf2+ 38. Ng2 Bf5 {.  Boris:
In the variation you considered 37 Kg2 was probably better than 37 Kh2, but
the move I chose (35...Bc8) is much stronger because it forces White's rook
onto an unfavorable square.}) 35... Bc8 $1 36. Rc7 $2 {Boris: Getting caught
in the trap.} ({After the correct} 36. Re7 Bxg4 37. Bxg4 hxg4 38. Rg3 Kf8 $1
39. Rd7 f5 40. Kh2 {White would survive.}) 36... Bxg4 $1 37. Rc4 ({Boris:
Thanks to the tricky ...Bd7-c8 maneuver, White no longer has} 37. Bxg4 hxg4 38.
Rg3 {because of the unfortunate position of his rook on c7. Black would win
with} Qe5 {, attacking both rooks.}) 37... Qa1 38. Ra4 Qc1 39. Rc4 Qa1 40. Ra4
Qb1 41. Rxg4 hxg4 42. Rh2 (42. Rh2 {Exercise: What is the strongest move here?
(difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I came up with} Qb4 43. -- ({, when} 43. Kf1) ({
, or} 43. Kf2 {can be met by} Qf4+ {winning material.}) ({. Therefore,} 43. Rf2
{is necessary when I would play} Qf4 {anyway, threatening 44...Qg3. --- Boris:
42...Qb4 looks like a mistake after 43 Bxg4, as you give an important pawn up
and unpin his pieces. With the game continuation, I unpin the bishop but pin
the knight.} (43... --))) 42... Qb6 $1 ({Boris: This is stronger than} 42... f5
43. Rd2 Qb6 44. Rd3 f4 45. Bxg4 fxe3 46. Be2 {and White achieves a draw. After
42...Qb6 White's pieces are more restricted than in the 42...f5 variation. ---
Joel: How is this a draw? --- Boris: White threatens to play d6-d7, and a rook
and bishop are better at building a fortress than rook and knight.}) 43. Re2 ({
Boris: Of course White doesn't have} 43. Kf2 {due to} g3+ {.}) 43... f5 44. Kg2
Qd4 $1 {Boris: Paralyzing White's pieces. Now it seems that White cannot build
a fortress.} 45. Re1 Kf6 46. Bxg4 {Boris: Again White tried to release the
psychological pressure, though other moves are hardly better.} fxg4 47. Nf1
Qxd5+ 48. Kg1 Qd4+ 49. Re3 Kg5 50. Kg2 Kf4 51. Rg3 Qe4+ 52. Kg1 Qe1 53. Ra3 g3
$1 54. Ra4+ Kf3 55. Ra3+ Kg4 56. Ra2 Kh3 57. Rg2 Qe5 58. Kh1 Qe4 59. Ne3 (59.
Ne3 {Exercise: Find a mate in four. (difficulty level 3) --- Joel:} g5 $1 {
(zugzwang)} 60. Kg1 Qxe3+ 61. Kh1 Qe1+ 62. Rg1 g2# {. --- Boris: That
certainly wins, although it doesn't lead to mate in four because of 61 Kf1. In
any case, the only thing you cannot fall for in this position is the stalemate
trap.}) 59... Qb1+ {Boris: A final elegant maneuver.} ({The stalemate trap} 
59... Qxe3 60. Rxg3+ $1 {was not deeply hidden.}) 60. Rg1 g2+ 61. Nxg2 Qb7 {.
--- Boris: This game shows that taking risk and creating complications can be
not only romantic but practical too. Such play, however, requires
self-confidence and the ability to use your intuition because it is impossible
to calculate all variations exactly. --- Joel: I think I am beginning to
develop a sense of how to play more dynamically. Can you give some advice
about how to develop a taste for such play? --- Boris: So, the answer to your
question is to study this book! After a while you will develop a feeling for
sacrifices that lead to unclear positions with chances for an attack.} 0-1

[Event "Frunze"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1985.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Chiburdanidze, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D35"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "1985.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was my last tournament before emigration. --- Joel: You weren't
allowed to play that much chess, right? --- Boris: For seven years, from
1979-86, I was a refusnik, which means I was fighting for permission to leave
the Soviet Union. From 1979-81, I was not allowed to play any chess. After our
(me and my wife) first hunger strike we obtained permission to play in the two
official Moscow and USSR Championships. At the end of the seven year period, I
was allowed to play in two international tournaments within the borders of the
Soviet Union. This game was from the last of those two internationals. My
opponent was the long-time women's world chess champion, a brilliant tactician
and a very stubborn defender.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5
Be7 6. e3 O-O 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. Nge2 b6 $6 ({Boris: The more usual} 8... Re8 {
would have been more solid.}) 9. Ng3 g6 ({Boris: In the case of} 9... Bb7 {
White would have} 10. Nf5 {with a clear advantage, but for Black it was better
than what happened in the game.}) (9... g6 {Exercise: What should White play
here? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I would play} 10. h4 {because the knight
on g3, queen on d1, and rook on h1 support its advance and a kingside attack.
--- Boris: Very good. That's correct. White has the chance to attack and has
to try and use the opportunity.} ({Joel: This is a good example of when it is
right to stop and think instead of just playing the usual moves. For example,
in an over-the-board (tournament) game, I might have just played} 10. Qc2 {,
but the exercise forced me to stop and ask myself: "How can I take advantage
of the move that's been played?" --- Boris: Right, the move h2-h4 is very
natural, too, in connection with Black's ...g7-g6.})) 10. h4 c5 ({Boris: In
one of my games in the United States Chess League 2009, my opponent T.Bartell
played} 10... h5 11. Qc2 Kg7 {, when I responded} 12. Nge2 $1 {followed by Nf4
and obtained a big advantage. --- Joel: I see. It looks like you're planning
to sacrifice on g6. --- Boris: Yes, he almost doesn't have a defense in this
position; although he found} Re8 13. Nf4 Nf8 {, this loses the d5-pawn and
eventually the game after} 14. Bxf6+ Bxf6 15. Ncxd5 {. --- Joel: When does it
make sense to take on c5 in these types of positions? --- Boris: Here I have
started an attack on the flank and therefore need a stable center, so here it
doesn't make sense to take on c5 because that would open the center.}) 11. Qc2
({Boris: The immediate} 11. h5 $2 {was premature because of} cxd4 12. exd4 Nxh5
13. Bxe7 Qxe7+ {and White doesn't have time to take on h5.}) 11... Re8 12.
O-O-O c4 13. Be2 a6 14. Bf3 Bb7 15. h5 Ne4 ({Boris: The alternative} 15... b5
16. hxg6 hxg6 17. Rh6 Kg7 {was not attractive for Black. --- Exercise: Find a
combination. (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I don't see a combination, I would
play} 18. Rdh1 {, doubling rooks on the h-file.} ({Boris: Let me give you a
hint:} 18. Nxd5 {. --- Joel: But can't Black just take back twice on d5 and
White will be down a piece? --- Boris: Can he take twice? --- Joel: I see, if
Black takes twice, the knight vacates the f6-square allowing Nh5+. --- Boris:
Correct. White wins with 18 Nxd5! because of} Nxd5 (18... Bxd5 {comes to same
thing after} 19. Bxd5 Nxd5 20. Nh5+) 19. Nh5+ $1 Kg8 20. Rxg6+ {.})) (15... Ne4
{Exercise: Find the best way for White. (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I would
play} 16. Bxe4 {with the idea of putting pressure on the resulting e4-pawn.
--- Boris: It is a very important moment. In the case of} dxe4 17. Bxe7 ({
White doesn't have} 17. Bf4 {because of} g5) 17... Qxe7 18. hxg6 hxg6 {, Black
can defend against the attack down the h-file with ...Kg7 and ...Rh8. After}
19. Rh3 Kg7 20. Rdh1 Rh8 21. Ngxe4 b5 {, White's attack is over and Black has
some compensation for the sacrificed pawn. It is important for White that he
be able to retreat his bishop on g5 to f4 and not ease Black's position by
exchanging on e7.}) 16. hxg6 $1 hxg6 {Boris: Forced.} ({Black would lose after
} 16... Nxg5 17. gxf7+ Kxf7 18. Rxh7+ Nxh7 19. Qxh7+ Ke6 20. Qf5+ Kd6 21. Qf4+)
({or} 16... Bxg5 17. gxf7+ Kxf7 18. Rxh7+ Kg8 19. Ncxe4 dxe4 20. Qxc4+ Kxh7 21.
Qf7+ Kh8 22. Rh1+ Bh4 23. Nf5 {.}) 17. Bxe4 dxe4 18. Bf4 $1 {Boris: Here we
see the big difference that 16 hxg6! made. Without this exchange, Black would
play ...g6-g5 trapping the bishop; and because of 16 hxg6!, I was not obliged
to exchange on e7 releasing Black's position.} ({Joel: Can't he just play} 18.
Bf4 g5 {anyway? --- Boris: No, White would play} 19. Be5 f6 20. Ngxe4 {with a
winning attack.}) 18... Rc8 19. Ngxe4 Nf8 20. g4 g5 {Boris: The only defense.}
({In the case of} 20... b5 {White has} 21. g5 $1 {and Be5 leads to mate on h8.}
) 21. Be5 f6 (21... f6 {Exercise: Find the best way to continue the attack. 
(difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I considered} 22. Nxg5 Bxh1 23. Rxh1 {when} fxg5
({or} 23... fxe5 24. Qf5 {and Black cannot cover f7}) 24. Rh8+ Kf7 25. Qf5+ {
is mate. --- Boris: The variation you considered was not flawless. 25 Qf5 is
not mate because Black can defend with} Bf6 {, although 25 Rh7+ does force
mate. In your second line, after 24 Qf5 the knight on g5 is hanging, so Black
would be able to parry the attack by just taking the knight. --- White does,
however, have to play very energetically, because if White loses time and
Black gets to push his queenside pawns the position would become unclear.}) 22.
f4 $1 Bxe4 $1 23. Nxe4 fxe5 {Exercise: Which way of taking on e5 is correct? 
(difficulty level 5) --- Joel: It seems to me that neither recapture
dramatically alters the course of events as the h-file is open and the b1-h7
diagonal is also open. Therefore, I would play 24 dxe5 because it comes with
gain of time attacking the queen. --- Boris: You overlooked the same thing I
overlooked. I thought the game was over. 24 fxe5 was correct, when Black
doesn't have any defense against Qh2 and Rdf1 with mate.} 24. dxe5 $2 (24. dxe5
{Exercise: What does Black have to play? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel:} Qd3 $1
{. In the case of either} 25. Rxd3 ({or} 25. Qxd3 cxd3+) 25... cxd3 26. Qxc8
Rxc8+ {, Black keeps his extra piece. --- Boris: Very good, that's exactly
what I overlooked. Now Black can escape but the path is narrow and my opponent
has to find it.}) 24... Qd3 $1 25. Qh2 Qxe3+ 26. Rd2 (26. Rd2 {Exercise: What
is Black's correct defense? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: 26...Qxe4 is the
natural choice when Black is up two pieces and the queen covers the h7-square.
--- Boris: Here Black has many moves and it is very difficult to find the only
way to escape.} -- ({. After your} 26... Qxe4 {White wins with} 27. Qh8+ Kf7
28. f5 ({the immediate} 28. e6+ Qxe6 {doesn't promise White anything}) ({but
now after} 28. f5 {White is threatening} -- 29. e6+ Nxe6 30. Rh7+) 28... Bd8
29. Rd7+ $1 Re7 30. e6+ Ke8 31. Qh5+ {with mate in two.}) (26... gxf4 {was
also insufficient:} 27. Qh8+ Kf7 28. e6+ Nxe6 ({or} 28... Kxe6 29. Qg8+) 29.
Rh7+ Kg6 30. Rh6+ Kf7 31. Nd6+ Bxd6 32. Qf6+ {leads to mate on the next move.})
({. The only way to escape was} 26... Qxf4 $1 27. Qh8+ Kf7 28. e6+ Nxe6 29.
Rh7+ Kg6 30. Rh6+ Kf7 31. Qh7+ Ng7 ({not} 31... Kf8 $2 {because of} 32. Rg6 $1
{and wins}) 32. Qg6+ Kg8 33. Rh7 Bf8 $1 {again the only defense;} ({both} 33...
Qf7 34. Rh8+) ({and} 33... Qf8 34. Rf2 {lose}) 34. Nxg5 (34. Nf6+ Qxf6 35. Qxf6
Kxh7 {is not winning for White}) 34... -- {Exercise: Find the defense for
Black. (difficulty level 4)} ({. Joel: I decided on} 34... Qxg5 35. Qxg5 Kxh7 {
when material is about even.}) ({. Boris: After} 34... Qxg5 {there is} 35.
Rxg7+ {followed by 36 Qxg5 and White is winning.}) ({. The solution was} 34...
Qxd2+ $3 35. Kxd2 Rcd8+ (35... Bb4+ {works as well}) 36. Kc3 Re3+ {with a
perpetual because} 37. Kxc4 $2 {runs into} b5# {.}))) 26... c3 $2 27. Qh8+ Kf7
{Exercise: Find a win for White. (difficulty level 2)} 28. e6+ $1 Kxe6 ({Or} 
28... Nxe6 29. Rh7+ {and mates.}) 29. Qg8# 1-0

[Event "Polanica Zdroj"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1977.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Ivkov, B."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C91"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "1977.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Joel: I once read that Lev Psakhis said that, in order to really become a
good chess player, you had to play the Ruy Lopez. --- Boris: It is true for
some people but not for others. You have to play well the positions you play.
Kasparov never played the Ruy Lopez with Black (once he tried it against Deep
Blue and lost terribly). The King's Indian Defense is no less important, on
the other hand, because it consists of so many types of positions and ideas,
it is very rich. --- Joel: So, what you are saying is that there are some
openings that have certain structures and ideas that are really important to
know. If so, which do you think are most important for chess development? ---
Boris: It is more important to know the ideas behind the positions you play.
If you don't know the ideas in the Ruy Lopez and don't play the Ruy Lopez then
it is not a problem. At the same time, it is important to create positions
that you're opponent doesn't play and doesn't like. In this sense, this game
is interesting. My opponent Ivkov was one of the best players in the world. He
was one of eight candidates for the world championship. His main drawback was
that he suffered from time shortage problems. He was a classical player and
his main opening after 1 e4 was the Ruy Lopez, but I played an unusual system
that leads to unusual positions for the Ruy Lopez. --- Joel: I feel like the
more openings and defenses I study with different structures and plans (such
as the French, King's Indian, Nimzo-Indian, Queen's Gambit Declined, etc) the
better I become, because I feel like I know more about how to place my pieces
in different types of pawn structures. --- Boris: Of course, the more
positions and ideas you know and understand, the better player you will be.
That goes without saying.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7
6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. d4 $5 {Boris: This is my favorite line, which
will also be showcased later in the book in my game against Portisch (see Game
26). This variation leads to very sharp and unusual positions for the Ruy
Lopez.} Bg4 10. Be3 exd4 ({Boris: The sharp line beginning with} 10... d5 $5 {
was heavily researched at the time this game was played, but it lost
popularity after my game with Geller in Lvov 1978 when, after} 11. exd5 exd4 {
, I played a very important novelty:} 12. Bxd4 $1 {.} ({. The best
continuation according to theory at that time was} 12. Bg5 {, which was
refuted in J.Toth-B.Perenyi, Hungary 1977, after} Nxd5 $3 {. This move was
recognized as the best novelty in the biannual volume of 'Informant'. Black
obtained a significant advantage after} 13. Bxd5 Qxd5 14. Bxe7 Bxf3 15. Qxf3
Qxf3 16. gxf3 Rfe8 {.}) ({. My game with Geller continued} 12. Bxd4 Nxd4 13.
cxd4 Bb4 14. Nc3 a5 ({avoiding} 14... Bxc3 15. bxc3 Nxd5 16. Qd3 {when White
is better}) 15. a3 Bxc3 16. bxc3 a4 17. Ba2 Qd6 18. h3 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Qxa3 20.
Bc4 {and Black lost.})) 11. cxd4 Na5 12. Bc2 Nc4 13. Bc1 c5 14. b3 Na5 15. d5
$1 {Boris: An excellent positional idea of Bobby Fischer's. The point is to
restrict the movement of the a5-knight.} ({Instead, the natural} 15. Bb2 $6 Nc6
16. d5 Nb4 {gave Black a good position in J.R.Capablanca-E.Bogoljubow, London
1922.}) 15... Nd7 16. Nbd2 Bf6 17. Rb1 Bc3 ({Boris: In the first game 15 d5
was played, Korchnoi tried to solve the problem of his a5-knight with the move
} 17... c4 $5 {, but after} 18. h3 {White was still better in R.J.Fischer-V.Korchnoi, Stockholm Interzonal 1962.}) 18. h3 Bxf3 ({Boris: Earlier the same
year, Unzicker, the strongest German grandmaster for a long time, tried} 18...
Bh5 {against me in the Keres Memorial in Tallinn, but after} 19. g4 Bg6 20. Re3
b4 21. Nf1 c4 22. Ng3 Bf6 23. Re2 $1 cxb3 24. axb3 h6 25. Nd4 Rc8 26. Ngf5 Nc5
27. Bf4 $1 Be5 28. Be3 Re8 29. f4 Bf6 30. Bf2 Nab7 31. e5 $1 {White again
obtained a winning position.}) 19. Qxf3 b4 20. Rf1 $1 {Boris: I placed the
rook here because White prepares an attack on the kingside.} ({The quieter} 20.
Rd1 {was played by Bronstein against Smyslov at the Petropolis Interzonal 1973.
}) 20... Re8 21. Qd3 Ne5 ({Boris: The quiet} 21... Nf6 22. Bb2 Bxd2 23. Bxf6
Qxf6 24. Qxd2 {would give White the advantage because of the poor position of
Black's knight on a5.  I was not happy about how the game was proceeding -
Ivkov, who was always in time shortage, had only spent three minutes on the
first 20 or so moves - but now the game slowed down.}) (21... Ne5 {Exercise:
Where does White have to retreat his queen? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I
like} 22. Qg3 {with the idea of f2-f4, attacking Black's kingside.}) 22. Qe2 $1
({Boris: The inpatient} 22. Qg3 $2 {permits Black counterplay after} c4 23. f4
cxb3 24. axb3 Rc8 $1 25. Bd1 ({Black is winning after} 25. fxe5 Bxe5 26. Qd3
Qb6+ 27. Kh1 Rc3) 25... Bd4+ 26. Kh1 Rc3 {with a great position for Black.})
22... Qb6 23. f4 Nd3 $6 (23... Nd3 {Exercise: What does White have to do? 
(difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I looked at} 24. Bxd3 c4+ 25. Kh1 cxd3 26. Qxd3
{and White wins a pawn, so this seems fine to me. --- Boris: Ivkov offers a
very interesting pawn sacrifice, but strategically his decision is wrong.
White has to develop his play on the kingside before the knight on a5 returns
to the game. Exchanging my bishop on c1, Ivkov allows me to finish my
development and start my attack.}) ({Better was} 23... c4+ 24. Kh1 cxb3 25.
axb3 Nd7 {with a tense position.}) 24. Nf3 $1 ({Boris: After your} 24. Bxd3 c4+
25. Kh1 cxd3 26. Qxd3 {, Black has} Qb5 $1 {. --- Joel: Why not just exchange
queens on b5? --- Boris: Because after} ({Boris:} 26... Qd4 $6 {would be worse:
} 27. Qxd4 Bxd4 28. Re1 {and White is better}) 27. Qxb5 ({while after} 27. Qf3
Rac8 {Black would have good activity for the pawn}) 27... axb5 {Black plans ...Na5-b7-c5 and White won't be able to defend both the a2- and e4-pawns. Instead,
White has to allow the exchange of the not very valuable c1-bishop and prepare
to attack.}) 24... Nxc1 25. Rbxc1 c4+ 26. Kh1 cxb3 27. axb3 g6 ({Boris: The
important alternative was} 27... f6 {. --- Exercise: What does White have to
play? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel:} 28. -- (28. Qd3 {with the obvious threat
of 29 e5, plus it is good to get the queen off the e-file. --- Boris: The
logic of the position is the same after 27...f6 as it is after the game
continuation 27...g6. White has to rush to take advantage of the knight's
placement on the edge of the board. If you lose time with 28 Qd3? Black can
answer} Qb5 {when he will be able to reroute his knight to c5 via b7.}) ({.
White should play} 28. e5 $1 -- ({, and then if} 28... fxe5 {, Exercise: What
does White have to play? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: The problem with 28...
fxe5 is that it relinquishes control of the g5-square and White has perfect
conditions for the classic bishop sacrifice. In his book, 'The Art of Attack
in Chess', Vladimir Vukovic explains that White must have a queen, bishop and
knight; the bishop should be able to sacrifice itself on h7; the knight should
be able to reach g5 with tempo (check); and the queen should be able to reach
h5. If these conditions are present, and Black's knight cannot reach f6 
(impossible in this case), and neither Black's queen nor bishop can occupy the
b1-h7 diagonal, then the sacrifice is likely to be sound.} {Clearly, in the
current scenario, the conditions are met and the sacrifice} 29. Bxh7+ {must be
correct. However, when I tried to calculate this variation, since that is part
of the point of this book, I became less and less convinced of its soundness.
For example, after} Kxh7 30. Ng5+ Kg8 31. Qh5 {Black might be able to get away
with 31...Kf8. Although this walks into a discovery, Black's king might be
able to escape to the queenside (...Ke7-d8).} ({. Boris: Yes, the bishop
sacrifice is sound: 29 Bxh7+ Kxh7 30 Ng5+ Kg8} 31. Qe4 $1 {and Black is
defenseless.}) ({. This is simpler than your} 31. Qh5 {because White then has
to calculate} e4 ({not} 31... Kf8 {, as you offered, because of} 32. Qf7# {.}))
) ({. So} 28... dxe5 {is forced, when White plays} 29. Qe4 g6 30. f5 g5 31.
Nxg5 $1 Qd4 ({the alternative} 31... Bd2 $5 32. Ne6 Bxc1 33. Rxc1 Ra7 {gives
White a lot of attacking opportunities; e.g.} 34. d6 $1 Qxd6 35. Ra1 Nc6 36.
Rxa6) 32. Rfd1 {with a significant positional advantage.}))) ({Returning to
the game after the move} 27... g6 {, Exercise: What does White have to play? 
(difficulty level 4) --- Joel:} 28. e5 dxe5 29. fxe5 {and Black can't play}
Bxe5 {because of} 30. Nxe5 {, when} f6 {is impossible because the rook covers
the f6-square. --- Boris: Your idea is good, except that 30...f6 doesn't fail
because the white rook covers the f6-square - the black queen on b6 also
covers this square - but because of} 31. Nd7 {. --- Now after 28 e5 my center
is collapsing, so I have to rush to open the game up and exploit the only
drawback in Black's position, the knight on a5, before it can return to the
game via b7.}) 28. e5 $1 dxe5 29. fxe5 Qf6 ({Boris: In the case of} 29... Qd6 {
Exercise: How can White create an attack? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I
considered} 30. exd6 ({and} 30. Ng5 {and was not happy with either outcome but
decided on 30 exd6.}) ({Boris: With all of these exercises the idea is the
same: Develop the attack by taking advantage of the misplaced knight on a5. So
the maneuver} 30. Qf2 $1 {(heading for h4)} Qxd5 31. Rcd1 Qb7 32. Qh4 Qe7 33.
Ng5 {gives White a crushing attack. --- Joel: How does this take advantage of
the knight being misplaced on a5? --- Boris: If the knight were closer Black
would be able to defend; therefore, I have to rush to attack while the knight
cannot participate in the defense.})) 30. Qe3 $1 Bxe5 31. Ng5 Bb2 $1 32. Qg3
Qe5 ({Boris: White's attack is also unstoppable after} 32... Qb6 33. Rcd1 Rac8
34. Qh4 h5 35. Bb1 Rc7 36. d6 Rd7 37. Nxf7 Rxf7 38. Bxg6 {.}) 33. Qh4 Qg7 $1 ({
Boris: Black has to give up the queen because} 33... h5 34. Nxf7 Qxd5 35. Qg3 {
was hopeless: it is impossible to stop White's attack.}) 34. Rxf7 $1 ({Boris:
Stronger than} 34. Rcd1 Bf6 35. Qxh7+ Qxh7 36. Nxh7 Kxh7 37. Rxf6 Kg7 38. Rb6
Reb8 {and Black has a defendable endgame.}) 34... Qxf7 35. Nxf7 Bxc1 (35...
Bxc1 {Exercise: How to continue the assault? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I
analyzed} 36. Qxb4 -- (36... Nxb3 {(because the f7-knight is en prise)} 37.
Bxb3 Rab8 ({in the case of} 37... Kxf7 {then} 38. d6+ {has to win}) 38. Qc3 {
followed by d5-d6.}) ({. Boris: In the variation you considered, you made a
bad move for Black on the first move. 36...Nxb3 helps White bring his bishop
into the attack. Correct after 36 Qxb4 is} 36... Kxf7 37. Qxa5 Bf4 $1 {and
White's advantage has evaporated because Black has rid himself of his
troublesome knight. Again, White has to exploit the position of this knight
and add his remaining resources to the attack: the power of the d-pawn and the
bishop on c2 (via d5). --- Joel: This brings up an important point I have been
meaning to ask: How do you generate objective moves for the other side when
you analyze? I notice when I analyze I only look at my moves and consider
inferior moves from my opponent. When you analyze, I have noticed that you are
always looking for improvements in your opponents' play. It seems you look at
the position more objectively. How do you develop that quality? --- Boris: You
simply have to try. If you see that a move is bad then you have to try and
improve the play of your opponent. For example, 36...Nxb3 is clearly bad and
allows White an easy win, so is there a better defense? Also, don't use
computers when you analyze; use your brain.})) 36. d6 $1 Nb7 ({Boris: Analysis
shows that Black loses in all other lines:} 36... Kxf7 37. Qxh7+ Ke6 38. Bxg6
$1 ({worse is} 38. Qxg6+ Kd5 39. d7 Re1+ 40. Kh2 Nc6 {and Black can defend})
38... Kxd6 39. Bxe8 Rxe8 40. Qd3+ Ke7 41. Qe2+ Kf8 42. Qf1+ {and White is
winning.}) (36... Ra7 $5 37. Be4 $1 ({more convincing than} 37. Bxg6 hxg6 38.
Qh8+ Kxf7 39. Qh7+ Kf6 40. Qxa7) 37... Rxf7 38. Bd5 Re5 39. Bxf7+ Kxf7 40.
Qxh7+ Kf6 41. Qh8+ Ke6 42. Qc8+ {and Black is losing.}) (36... Nb7 {Exercise:
What is the best way for White? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel:} 37. Be4 {with
the idea of Bd5. --- Boris: Correct. After this bishop is included in the
attack, White is winning.}) 37. Be4 $1 Rab8 38. Bd5 Kg7 39. Qd4+ {. --- Joel:
What was so clear to me in this game was my inability to make use of and find
moves that take advantage of the misplaced knight on a5. --- Boris: The whole
idea of the game hinged on Fischer's idea of restricting the movement of the
knight on a5. In conjunction with this idea is creating an attack on the
kingside before the knight can come back into play and defend the king.   This
game received the brilliancy prize.} 1-0

[Event "Kishinev"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1975.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Panchenko, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1975.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. e5 f6 $1 {Joel: You give this move an
exclamation mark. Can you explain why it is so important in here and in the
French in general? --- Boris: For Black, to play passively in the French risks
receiving a losing position. Counterplay in the French is connected with
either ...c7-c5 or ...f7-f6. With the knight on c6, Black's only source of
counterplay is ...f7-f6.} ({Playing this obscure variation against Suetin at
Sochi in 1970, I obtained an inferior position after} 4... b6 5. Nf3 Bb7 6. Bb5
a6 7. Ba4 Nge7 8. Ne2 Ng6 9. h4 h5 10. c3 Qd7 11. Bg5 {. For this game
Panchenko prepared an interesting novelty.}) 5. Nf3 ({Boris: Later the move} 5.
Bb5 {became more popular.}) 5... fxe5 6. Nxe5 ({Boris: The other way of taking,
} 6. dxe5 {, had its advantages and disadvantages. I wanted to keep the d1-h5
diagonal open.}) 6... Nxe5 7. dxe5 g6 $1 8. h4 $5 {Boris: White is planning a
pawn sacrifice in an attempt to exploit the relative weakness of the black
kingside. It's a good way to create a mess.} Bg7 9. h5 $5 ({Boris: Black might
have been better prepared for the complications following} 9. f4 Nh6 10. h5 g5
$5 11. fxg5 Nf7 {. The way I chose to proceed was extremely energetic. My
style of play was particularly aggressive in those years. --- Joel: That
suggests your style of play has changed over the years. Is that true and is it
true in general for players over the course of their chess careers? --- Boris:
Yes, it's true. I achieved my best results during this period of my life,
winning or tying for first in a number of important tournaments that featured
the very best players in the world. I had a lot of energy and played very
aggressively. I found a balance between energy and common sense in this period
that enabled me to perform at my best. Later my level of energy and aggression
started to decrease, which is a natural process I think. --- Joel: That's very
interesting. I wonder if it reflects developmental changes in intelligence,
because fluid intelligence (problem solving) tends to decrease starting in
midlife, whereas crystallized intelligence (knowledge) remains stable
throughout the lifespan for the most part. I think this may explain why chess
players change their styles over time, becoming less aggressive and more
positional as they get older. --- Boris: I think it is more about aggression.
People seem to get less aggressive as they age.}) 9... Bxe5 10. Bd3 Qf6 ({
Boris: This looks better than} 10... g5 11. h6 $1 Qf6 12. Qh5+ {.}) 11. hxg6
hxg6 12. Rxh8 Qxh8 13. Bxg6+ Ke7 ({Boris: The position arising after} 13... Kd7
$5 14. Qf3 {would have been safer for Black.}) 14. Bg5+ Kd7 $1 ({Boris: After} 
14... Bf6 {, Exercise: What does White have to play? (difficulty level 5)} 15.
-- ({. Joel: I came up with the move} 15. Qd4 {, taking advantage of the pin.
I calculated} Qh1+ 16. Ke2 Qxa1 17. Qc5+ {when I think White is winning.}) ({
. Boris: The drawback of your interesting suggestion is that it gives Black a
moment to breathe. After 15 Qd4 Kd7! Black has a defense. You need to hit when
you can:} 15. Nxd5+ $1 exd5 16. Qxd5 {, when White's attack is unstoppable.
For example,} Qh1+ ({or} 16... Bg4 17. Qc5+ Ke6 18. Qc4+ Kd6 19. Qxg4 Qh1+ 20.
Ke2 Qxa1 21. Qg3+ Kd7 22. Qd3+ Ke7 23. Qe4+ Kf8 24. Qe6 {and wins}) 17. Kd2
Qxa1 18. Qc5+ $1 Ke6 19. Qc4+ Ke7 20. Qxc7+ Bd7 21. Qc5+ Kd8 ({or} 21... Ke6
22. Bf4 $1) 22. Bf4 $1 {and Black's king can choose between several beautiful
mates.})) 15. Qf3 $1 ({Exercise: After} 15. Qf3 Qh1+ {does Black have to take
White's rook? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I think Black can escape after
taking the rook:} 16. Kd2 Qxa1 17. Qf7+ Kd6 18. Qf8+ Kc6 19. Be8+ Bd7 20. Bxd7+
Kxd7 21. -- ({, and if} 21. Qxa8 Qxb2 {and Black is faster}) ({, or} 21. Qf7+
Kc6 {and Black is okay.}) ({. Boris: You're right, Black doesn't lose in this
variation and in the end White has to force a perpetual with} 21. Qxa8 Qxb2 22.
Qd8+ Kc6 23. Qe8+ {.} (23. --))) 15... Qg7 $6 ({Boris: After} 15... Qh1+ 16.
Kd2 ({similar variations follow} 16. Ke2 Qxa1 17. Qf8 Kc6) 16... Qxa1 17. Qf8
Kc6 $1 {, apart from} 18. Be8+ {(leading to your variation), other interesting
possibilities include:} (18. Qxg8 {, but White doesn't have time for this
because of} Bxc3+ 19. bxc3 b6 {with advantage to Black.}) (18. Na4 b6 19. Qe8+
Kd6 $1 ({avoiding} 19... Kb7 $2 20. Nc5+ $1 Kb8 21. Nd7+ Kb7 22. Nxe5) 20. Qd8+
{and White only has a perpetual.})) 16. Qf7+ Kc6 $1 ({Boris: This is more
stubborn than} 16... Qxf7 17. Bxf7 Nf6 18. O-O-O Bxc3 19. bxc3 Ne4 20. f4 Nxc3
({if} 20... Nxg5 21. fxg5 Ke7 22. Rf1 Bd7 23. g6 {and Black is in trouble}) 21.
Rh1 {with advantage to White.}) 17. O-O-O ({Boris: The computer line} 17. Qe8+
Bd7 18. Qxa8 Bxc3+ 19. bxc3 Qxc3+ 20. Ke2 Qxa1 21. Qxa7 {gives White the
advantage. With a more human approach, I kept the initiative too. It is
interesting in this game how both opponents are not worried about their
queenside rooks.}) 17... Qxf7 18. Bxf7 Bf6 (18... Bf6 {Exercise: What is
White's best move? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel:} 19. f4 {, because if} Bxg5 {
then, after} 20. fxg5 {, the g5-pawn controls f6 and h6, and if Black tries}
Ne7 {White wins by pushing the g-pawn. --- Boris: Very good!}) 19. f4 $1 Bd7 ({
Boris: There is no defense after} 19... Bxg5 20. fxg5 Ne7 21. g6 Nf5 22. g4 Ng7
23. Rh1 {.}) (19... Bd7 {Exercise: What does White have to play? (difficulty
level 3) --- Joel: I would play} 20. Nxd5 {and if} exd5 {then} 21. Bxd5+ {,
followed by 22 Bxg8 and 23 Rxd7. --- Boris: Correct!}) 20. Nxd5 $1 {Boris: The
same blow as we discussed after Black's 14th move.} exd5 ({Boris:} 20... Bxg5
21. Nb4+ Kb5 22. fxg5 {was even worse for Black.}) 21. Bxd5+ Kb6 22. Bxg8 Bxg5
({Boris: More complicated but no better was} 22... Bg4 23. Bxf6 Bxd1 24. Be6
Re8 25. Bd7 Rf8 26. Bg5 Be2 27. g4 {and White's bishop pair and two connected
passed pawns will overpower Black's rook.}) 23. fxg5 Rxg8 24. Rxd7 Rxg5 25. Rd2
a5 {Boris: The winning plan for White is now simple: with the black king cut
off by the enemy rook on the d-file, White's king will cross over to the
kingside to help advance the g-pawn.} ({Instead of 25...a5, Black had to take
immediate action with} 25... c5 $1 26. Kd1 Kc6 27. Ke1 Rg8 28. Kf2 Rf8+ 29. Kg1
Rg8 {. Nevertheless, White's plan is feasible after} 30. Rd3 b5 31. g3 c4 32.
Rf3 Kd5 33. Kf2 {preparing 34 Rf4 and g3-g4.}) 26. Kd1 a4 27. a3 Rb5 28. c3 Rg5
29. Ke1 Kb5 ({Boris: Now if Black attempts a frontal defense by} 29... Rg8 30.
Kf2 Rf8+ ({no better was} 30... c5 31. g3 Kb5 32. Kf3 Rf8+ 33. Ke4 Rg8 34. Kf4
Rf8+ 35. Ke5 Rg8 36. Rg2 {and White is winning}) 31. Kg1 Rg8 {, White plays}
32. Rd4 Ka5 33. g4 {and his task is not difficult.}) 30. Kf2 c5 31. Kf3 Rf5+
32. Ke4 Rf1 33. g4 Rg1 34. Kf5 Rf1+ 35. Kg6 Kc4 36. g5 Kb3 37. Rg2 b5 38. Kh5
b4 39. cxb4 cxb4 40. axb4 Kxb4 41. g6 {. --- Joel: I'm interested in how you
decided to play 8 h4! after Black's 7...g6. Was this prepared at home or
something you came up with over the board? In any case, the reason I ask is
that in tournament play, when I am confronted with the unknown, I tell myself
to get castled and just play normally and see what happens later. Here it
seems you do the complete opposite. --- Boris: Black's fourth move was a
novelty so the position was new for me, but I thought I had to play for the
initiative. Against other moves Black would have a decent position, so I
decided to take my chance at this point. The initiative is the most important
factor in chess.} 1-0

[Event "Minsk"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1985.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gorelov, S."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A92"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "1985.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This is a game from the 1st division of the USSR Championship. My
opponent was the champion of Moscow. Unfortunately, he died young and didn't
realize his potential in chess.} 1. d4 e6 2. g3 f5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O
O-O 6. c4 d5 7. Qc2 c6 8. Nbd2 b6 9. Ne5 Bb7 10. Ndf3 Ne4 11. b3 Bd6 12. Nd3 $1
({Boris: I tried this variation inspired by an excellent victory by Lev
Psakhis over A.Petrosian (USSR Championship, Riga 1985) in the following line:
} 12. Bb2 Qe7 13. Rad1 $6 a5 $1 14. Nd3 Na6 {with an excellent game for Black.
In not determining the position of the c1-bishop, White makes an improvement
by retaining the option of developing it to f4.}) 12... Nd7 ({Boris: I didn't
want to follow Psakhis in playing} 12... Qe7 {here because of} 13. Bf4 {,
forcing Black to exchange his dark-squared bishop. This is one of the
advantages for White of delaying the development of this piece.}) 13. Bb2 ({
Boris: Now if} 13. Bf4 $5 {Black would have stepped back with} Be7 {, avoiding
the exchange of bishops which would have been positionally favorable for White.
After this retreat Black would threaten the aggressive ...g7-g5.}) 13... Qe7
14. Nfe5 $1 Rac8 ({Boris: Black could not play actively with} 14... c5 $2 {
because after} 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. dxc5 bxc5 17. cxd5 exd5 18. Bxe4 fxe4 19. Nxc5
{White wins an important pawn.}) 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. c5 Bb8 17. b4 Ba6 18. a4 Qe7
$1 {Joel: Why is this such a good move? --- Boris: Predicting that the white
knight will want to return to e5, Black prevents it, as you will see in the
next note.} 19. cxb6 $6 ({Boris: Instead,} 19. Ne5 {is met by} Bxe5 20. dxe5
bxc5 21. f3 ({if} 21. bxc5 Bc4 {and the c5-pawn is vulnerable}) 21... Nxg3 $1
22. hxg3 cxb4 {and after the inevitable ...c6-c5 Black would have excellent
compensation for the piece. The immediate 19 f3 would have been more precise,
but my opponent was probably afraid that I would sacrifice the knight on g3,
although it is not clear whether that is so dangerous for White.}) 19... axb6
20. a5 bxa5 21. bxa5 Bd6 $1 {Boris: Black is ready to release his position
with ...c6-c5. With his next move, White tries to prevent it.} 22. f3 {Boris:
Black's pieces are active, but if he withdraws his knight from e4 with 22...
Nf6 White would be able to prevent ...c6-c5 by 23 Rfc1 with a solid position.}
(22. f3 {Exercise: How Black can take the initiative? (difficulty level 5) ---
Joel: I think} Nxg3 {is interesting:} 23. hxg3 Bxg3 {followed by 24...Qh4 and
Black is threatening. --- Boris: Your suggestion is interesting; but after} 24.
f4 Qh4 25. Rf3 {the position looks like it is in White's favor, because Black
doesn't have sufficient resources to develop his attack. Instead, Black can
positionally sacrifice the knight for two pawns, reaching complete domination
in the center.}) 22... c5 $3 23. fxe4 cxd4 24. Qd1 ({Boris: Other queen
retreats had serious drawbacks:} 24. Qb3 Rb8 25. Qa2 Bc4) ({or} 24. Qd2 dxe4
25. Nf4 Bb4 $1 26. Qd1 Rfd8 {with a very strong position for Black.}) 24...
dxe4 25. Nf2 ({Boris: A lot of danger awaited White after} 25. Nf4 Rfd8 $1 {,
as} ({Black should not hurry with} 25... e5 $2 26. Nd5 Qe6 27. Nb6 {, when the
white knight takes up a good position}) 26. Bxd4 {would have been bad because
of} e5 $1 27. Nd5 Qe6 28. Nb6 Bc5 29. Nxc8 Rxd4 {and Black wins.}) 25... e5 {
Boris: The result of the piece sacrifice is that the black pawns paralyze
White's minor pieces. It is extremely difficult psychologically for the
defending side to play these positions because it is not clear what White
should do. Therefore, my opponent decided to return the extra piece, obtaining
a good diagonal for his light-squared bishop.} 26. Nxe4 $6 fxe4 27. Rxf8+ $2 {
Boris: A serious inaccuracy.} ({Better was} 27. Bxe4 Rxf1+ 28. Qxf1 Rf8 29. Qh3
g6 {, when Black's position is simply more pleasant.}) 27... Rxf8 28. Qb3+ ({
Boris: The natural} 28. Bxe4 {permitted} Qf7 29. Qe1 (29. Bf3 d3 $1 {was
equally bad}) 29... Qb3 $1 30. Bc1 Bc5 $1 {with an unstoppable assault.
Instead, White gave up the pawn, putting his hopes in his passed a-pawn.})
28... Kh8 29. Bxe4 Bxe2 30. a6 (30. a6 {Exercise: How can Black keep the
initiative here? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I would play} d3 31. -- ({,
because} 31. Bxd3 Qa7+ {leads to mate. --- Boris: Correct!}) ({. This move
combines several ideas. It neutralizes White's a-pawn because of} 31. a7 Bc5+ {
; it activates Black's passed d-pawn because, as you pointed out, 31 Bxd3 Qa7+
leads to mate; and finally, it prepares the conclusive attack on the white
king.} (31... --))) 30... d3 $1 31. Qb7 d2 32. Qxe7 Bxe7 33. Bc2 Bc5+ 34. Kg2
Bf3+ 35. Kh3 Rf6 36. g4 Bf2 37. g5 Rf4 {A beautiful final position. --- Boris:
This game again shows that it is very difficult to play after a sudden change
in the character of the position and under the pressure of attack. The
positional sacrifice I played had not only chess merit but psychological
advantages as well.} 0-1

[Event "Somerset, USA"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1986.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Chesney, B."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C16"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "1986.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was my first tournament in the United States. I arrived just two
weeks before and was not familiar with American chess. --- Joel: And you
started playing chess immediately? --- Boris: I was invited to play in the US
Open. --- Joel: What do you mean by "not familiar with American chess"? ---
Boris: In different countries, people play chess differently. For example, in
Armenia, people play in the tradition of Petrosian, and in Hungary, there is a
lot of emphasis on theory. Players in the United States have their own style.
--- Joel: How would you describe that style? --- Boris: It is difficult to say
because so many strong players are immigrants and bring with them the style of
their home country like me. In general, there is less emphasis on opening
theory and endgames, but there is a lot of emphasis of middlegame play
characterized by a fighting spirit. --- Joel: I remember you telling me about
Americans offering draws in winning positions because of status. Is that part
of the style? --- Boris: American club players respect strong players more
than similar players in the Soviet Union. Players in the Soviet Union dreamed
of beating strong players, whereas American club players dream of making a
draw. --- Joel: I find myself intimidated by players who are higher rated. Any
advice about how to play against higher rated players? I have tried to not
look at my opponents' rating, but I am not sure that helps much. --- Boris:
Generally it is useful to know the rating of your opponent. I don't think it
is a chess problem but a problem of self-confidence. To improve in
self-confidence you have to remember what Capablanca said: self-confidence
improves with continuous victories. So try to win! Also, it is important to
forget about the result and focus on the process and try to enjoy the game.
Don't think about the outcome, try to play more interesting games, do not
avoid risk, and try to create interesting positions on the board. --- Joel:
That's exactly what the sports psychologists say.} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4
4. e5 b6 5. Qg4 Bf8 6. a4 Nc6 $1 ({Boris: The idea of this variation for Black,
which was created by Nimzowitsch, is to exchange light-squared bishops by
playing ...Ba6. With his last move, White prevents it, because after} 6... Ba6
{White has} 7. Nb5 {and Black cannot play} c6 $2 {because of} 8. Nd6+ {.
However, 6 a4 has both advantages and disadvantages, and one of the
disadvantages is that it weakens the b4-square. As a result, Black changed his
opening plan to take advantage of this newly created weakness. Now he wants to
play a King's Indian Defense with reversed flanks.}) 7. Nh3 {Boris: White's
knight can be transferred through f4 to h5, creating pressure on Black's
kingside.} ({Here the moves} 7. h4) ({and} 7. Nf3 {have been tried}) ({while} 
7. Bb5 $5 Bb7 ({here Black has again to change plans with} 7... Bd7 {, as in A.Beliavsky-T.V.Petrosian, Moscow 1981, which continued} 8. Bg5 Nge7 9. Nf3 h6
10. Qh3 Nb4 11. Rc1 a6 12. Be2 c5 {and Black obtained an excellent position})
8. a5 {an interesting attempt would have been.}) 7... Qd7 8. Bb5 ({Boris:
Obviously not} 8. Nf4 $2 Nxd4 {.}) 8... a6 9. Bxc6 Qxc6 10. O-O $6 {Boris:
White's play would make sense if he continued with the plan of restricting the
c8-bishop.} ({Necessary was} 10. a5 $5 h5 {with an unclear struggle.}) 10... a5
$1 {Boris: Now the bishop will make it to a6 and Black has an excellent game.}
11. Nf4 Ba6 12. Re1 O-O-O ({Boris:} 12... Nh6 $5 13. Qd1 Nf5 {deserved
attention, but I did not want to reveal my plans too early.}) (12... O-O-O {
Exercise: What White should play? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I would play}
13. Nh5 {. --- Boris: Yes, in these kinds of positions h5 is the most
desirable square for the knight and White had to occupy this square
immediately.}) 13. Be3 Nh6 14. Qh5 ({Boris: In the case of} 14. Qd1 Bb4 {Black
is okay. In the game, White's queen also retreats, but with the added
advantage of having Black's pawn on g6, which significantly weakens the dark
squares in his camp.}) (14. Qh5 {Exercise: Black's knight is tied to the
protection of the f7-pawn. Should Black play 14...g6 to release the knight? Is
this a good move? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: It doesn't look like a
terrible move, although it makes counterplay on the kingside more difficult
because the f7-pawn and f6-square become permanently weak. --- Boris:} g6 {is
a serious positional mistake because it seriously weakens the dark squares in
Black's camp.} ({Black had to realize that the f7-pawn doesn't have any value
for him and play} 14... Bb4 $1 {. --- Joel: Does it make any difference that
Black has a dark-squared bishop that can protect the dark squares? For example,
14...g6 kicks the queen, the knight can go to f5, and the bishop to h6 or g7.
--- Boris: That is a defensive strategy you describe. It would be much better
to play for the initiative.})) 14... g6 $2 ({Boris: As explained in the
previous note, much better was} 14... Bb4 $1 15. Nd3 ({if} 15. Nfe2 Nf5 $1 16.
Qxf7 Bxe2 17. Rxe2 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Rdf8 19. Qh5 Qxc3 {with an excellent position}
) 15... Bxc3 16. bxc3 Nf5 {and Black is okay. He should be happy to rid
himself of the f7-pawn, in return for which he destroys White's queenside and
obtains the f-file for his rook.}) 15. Qd1 $1 Nf5 ({Boris: Now} 15... Bb4 {is
not good, because after} 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Bxh6 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Qxc3 19. Re3 Qc6
20. Rf3 {White's rook will be placed on f6 like a thorn in Black's side.}) 16.
Nce2 $1 h5 17. c3 g5 18. Nd3 Qc4 19. Nec1 Be7 20. Qd2 Nxe3 21. Nc5 $6 ({Boris:
For White,} 21. fxe3 $1 Qc6 22. b4 Bc4 {was preferable with a tense position.})
(21. Nc5 {Exercise: Now it is inevitable that White will win the queen. How
can Black reach a reach a safe position with good possibilities of
counterplay? (difficulty level 6) --- Joel: I don't see anything. It seems
like White is just going to play b2-b3, winning the queen. --- Boris: Yes, so
what is the best way to trade it? Black has to avoid aiming to get as much
material as possible for the queen and instead focus on trying to eliminate
White's active possibilities, because the queen is extremely powerful in open
play. Therefore,} bxc5 $6 {would be dubious because of} 22. b3 Qf1+ 23. Rxf1
Nxf1 24. Qc2 cxd4 25. cxd4 Kd7 26. Nd3 {and White has the advantage.}) 21...
Bxc5 $5 ({Boris: The computer offers another interesting idea of sacrificing
the queen for two bishops:} 21... Ng4 $5 22. b3 Qxc5 23. dxc5 Bxc5 {and Black
has serious threats.}) 22. b3 Be7 $1 ({Boris: Possible is} 22... Qf1+ $5 23.
Rxf1 Nxf1 24. Qc2 Be7 25. Nd3 {, but by saving the b3-pawn, as opposed to in
the game, White would have active queenside options.}) 23. bxc4 Nxc4 24. Qc2 g4
$1 25. Nd3 Rdg8 {Boris: When sacrificing the queen for two bishops and a pawn,
Black had this position in mind. Without the b-pawn, White doesn't have any
opportunities on the queenside, while playing on the kingside would compromise
the safety of his king. Therefore, White doesn't have a positive plan. ---
Exercise: Black's knight on c4 is very well placed. Should White exchange
knights? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: Having a material advantage, I would
try to exchange knights, of course. --- Boris: The computer also believes that,
but it is a serious mistake. Black's pieces are very well placed, except that
the c4-knight is obstructing the a6-bishop. This is a case of having an
"extra" piece where both pieces need to use the same square. --- Joel: So
exchanging knights falls into Black's plans and activates his light-squared
bishop? --- Boris: Yes. So after...} 26. Nb2 $6 Nxb2 27. Qxb2 h4 {Boris: ...only Black has active possibilities now.} ({Nevertheless, blocking the c3-pawn
with} 27... Bc4 $5 {was safer for Black.}) 28. Qc2 ({Boris: It made some sense
to try to change the character of the position by playing} 28. c4 $5 dxc4 $1 {.
} ({Joel: Why not} 28... Bxc4 {- ? --- Boris: 28...Bxc4 is worse because after}
29. Rec1 {White plans} -- 30. Rxc4 dxc4 31. Rc1 {.})) 28... Rh5 29. Rab1 Bc4 $1
({Boris: White was ready after} 29... Rf5 $6 {, say, to block off the very
dangerous bishop with} 30. Rb5 $1 {.}) 30. Re3 Bg5 31. Rd3 $1 Bh6 {Boris: Of
course Black doesn't exchange his excellent bishop for one of White's useless
rooks. Now we have a unique position in which two bishops and a pawn are worth
more than a queen.} 32. Rf1 Rf5 $1 33. g3 {Exercise: How does Black develop
his attack? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I don't see anything constructive;
maybe 33...Rf3 is an idea. --- Boris: The rook on d3 is completely useless and
you exchange your very active, well-placed rook for a useless piece. What has
to be Black's plan of attack? --- Joel: Maybe to play 33...Rh5 - ? --- Boris:
So as to attack down the h-file, right? --- Joel: Yes. --- Boris: Excellent -
except I think it is more logical to do so with the rook on g8 because the
f5-rook is very nicely placed already. After 33 g3 White determined the
direction of my attack, it must be down the h-file.} ({In other cases, Black
would have good opportunities too:} 33. h3 Rfg5 $1 {and the attack would
develop on the g-file.}) (33. f3 Kb7 34. fxg4 $2 Be3+ {and White gets mated.})
({After} 33. Rdd1 {, I planned} h3 ({but} 33... g3 {was probably better}) 34.
g3 Rf3 {, threatening ...Rg5-f5, during the game.}) 33... Rh8 $1 34. Rfd1 Rh5
35. Qe2 hxg3 36. fxg3 (36. fxg3 {Exercise: How can Black continue the attack? 
(difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I like} Be3+ {, but I am not sure about the
rook endgame after} 37. Rxe3 Bxe2 38. Rxe2 {. --- Boris: Very good. The
variation you chose, however, is the least critical because it is simply
winning for Black. Why would White give up his queen in this way and transpose
into a rook endgame a pawn down? Moreover, why would you be afraid of that?})
36... Be3+ $3 37. Qxe3 ({Boris: White would not escape after} 37. Kh1 {because
of} Rxh2+ 38. Qxh2 Rxh2+ 39. Kxh2 Bg5 $1 {(Black's light-squared bishop is
more valuable than his dark-squared bishop because of White's weak a4-pawn)}
40. R3d2 Bxd2 41. Rxd2 Bb3 42. Rf2 Bxa4 43. Rxf7 Bc2 {and Black wins on the
queenside.}) 37... Rxh2 (37... Rxh2 {Exercise: How does White have to defend? 
(difficulty level 6)} 38. -- ({. Joel: I think} 38. Qg5 {is the only move. ---
Boris: What does Black have to do after 38 Qg5 - ? --- Joel:} Rh1+ {. ---
Boris: That is not best.} ({The white rooks have become useful so Black must
take on d3. --- Joel: Oh, I see, so} 38... Bxd3 39. Rxd3 Rh1+ 40. Kf2 R8h2+ 41.
Ke3 Re1+ 42. Kf4 Re4# {. --- Boris: Good. The game finished exactly this way.})
) ({. If instead} 38. Qf4 {then} Rh1+ 39. Kf2 R8h2+ 40. Ke3 Rxd1 41. Rxd1 Re2#
{is also mate}) ({, but what would happen after} 38. Rf1 {- ? --- Exercise:
How does Black win? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: Well, I would start with}
Rh1+ {obviously. --- Boris: No, that is not correct. The king will escape from
the box.} ({. How can you prevent the king from escaping via f2? --- Joel: I
think he is in zugzwang after} 38... R8h5 {. --- Boris: Correct! White is
completely defenseless against} 39. -- Rh1+ 40. Kf2 Rf5+ {winning. White's
only defense was the paradoxical 38 Qd2, giving up the queen for the rook.}) ({
. After} 38... Rd2 39. Rxd2 Kd7 {Black is better because the bishop and two
pawns are stronger than the rook, and the pawn on a4 is very weak. Black's
position is not necessarily winning, however, and this is much better than
receiving mate.} (39... --)))) 38. Qg5 Bxd3 39. Rxd3 ({Boris:} 39. Rd2 {would
lose after} Rh1+ 40. Kf2 Rf1+ 41. Kg2 Rf5 {.}) 39... Rh1+ 40. Kf2 R8h2+ 41. Ke3
Re1+ {. --- Boris: In this game I built a position in which two bishops and a
pawn fought successfully against a queen. --- Joel: You did this by closing
down the queenside, right? --- Boris: It wasn't closed but he didn't have play
on that wing. What this game demonstrates is that two bishops and a pawn can
match a queen if the side without the queen has a safe king.} 0-1

[Event "Reykjavik"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Salov, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D94"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "1991.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was the final tournament in a series of World Cup events, which
were the best tournaments in the world at that time. I only played in one
because of my late arrival from the Soviet Union. My opponent was one of the
strongest players in the world at the time; he was USSR champion and played in
the candidates matches at least two cycles in a row. For some unknown reason,
however, he stopped participating in tournaments at a young age.} 1. Nf3 d5 2.
c4 c6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nc3 g6 5. d4 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O b6 {Boris: It is more
common to develop the bishop on g4, either at once or after taking on c4.} 8.
cxd5 cxd5 9. Ne5 $1 {Boris: Immediately taking an active position in the
center, and White hopes to use the relative weakness of the c6-square as well.}
Bb7 {Joel: Why does he develop his bishop to b7? It seems restricted by the
pawn on d5. --- Boris: Black has to take care of the c6-square. Salov tries to
create a complicated strategical position, hoping to outplay his opponent.
This is a typical strategy among the strongest players.} 10. Bd2 Nfd7 $1 {
Boris: This is the correct way of getting rid of the knight on e5.} ({In the
case of the natural} 10... Nc6 11. f4 {, exchanging on e5 would be in White's
favor. --- Joel: How does 10...Nfd7 solve that problem? Can't you just play
f2-f4 anyway? --- Boris: That's exactly what I played. To answer your question,
the difference is that Black can play ...f7-f6 kicking the knight.}) 11. f4 f6
12. Nf3 Rf7 13. Bd3 {Boris: White had a choice of plans.} ({It was possible to
play on the queenside with} 13. a4 $5 e6 14. a5 {, but I preferred to create
play on the kingside.}) 13... Nf8 14. f5 $6 ({Boris: The classical approach
would be} 14. g4 $5 e6 15. g5 $1 {, obtaining control over the e5-square. With
the move in the game, White weakens Black's kingside but exchanges his active
f-pawn for Black's inactive g-pawn. Now Black will have a pawn advantage in
the center. After the game, I was critical of my move, but now I think it is
not so bad. We have a very complicated strategic struggle where it is
difficult to weigh up the pros and cons of the changing of the position.})
14... gxf5 $1 15. Bxf5 e6 ({Boris:} 15... Ba6 $5 {deserved attention when,
after} 16. Rf2 e6 {, White's bishop is deprived of the cozy square d3. The
drawback of this move for Black is that it would be easier for White to play
e3-e4.}) 16. Bd3 Nc6 $6 ({Boris:} 16... Ba6 $5 {deserved attention here too.
Obviously Black is not striving for equality but is trying to create a more
complicated game.}) 17. Ne2 $1 {Joel: Why do you award this move an
exclamation mark? --- Boris: It is the continuation of the plan I started on
move 14. The knight heads for h5, preparing to attack Black's kingside.} Qd6
18. Ng3 Ng6 19. Nh5 Bh8 $6 ({Boris:} 19... Bf8 {was safer, keeping the
h8-square for the king.}) 20. Qe2 $5 ({Boris:} 20. Qc2 {also made sense,
forcing Black either to play one of the knights to e7 or to define his pawn
structure with ...f6-f5.}) 20... Raf8 21. a3 $5 e5 22. dxe5 $6 {Boris: White
starts his long-awaited attack, but with best defense it would lead only to a
draw.} ({For this reason,} 22. Bf5 $5 {might have promised more.}) ({Also
strong was} 22. Bb5 $5 e4 23. Ne1 f5 24. g3 {with a significant advantage for
White.}) 22... fxe5 23. Ng5 Rxf1+ 24. Rxf1 Bc8 $2 {Boris: Now White has a long
and beautiful winning combination.} (24... h6 $1 25. Rxf8+ Nxf8 {was correct.
--- Exercise: How should White continue the attack? To which square should
White retreat his knight? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel:} 26. Nf3 {loses} ({,
and} 26. Nh3 {seems passive. --- Boris: Actually, after} e4 {Black is better.})
({. Joel: So this only leaves} 26. Ne4 $3 {. --- Boris: Correct.} dxe4 27. Bc4+
Kh7 {.} 28. -- ({. Joel: And now} 28. Qf2 {- ? --- Boris: 28 Qf2 looks logical
but there is an important difference between 28 Qf2 and 28 Qf1. In the case of
28 Qf2, Black has} Nd8 {, protecting the f7-square, and White doesn't have} 29.
Bb4 {because of} Qd1+ {.}) ({. So} 28. Qf1 $1 {is correct, and after} Qe7 29.
Qf5+ Ng6 30. Be1 $3 {, Black can draw with either} Qf8 $1 ({or} 30... Nd8 31.
Bg8+ Kxg8 32. Qxg6+ Bg7 33. Bh4 Qf7) 31. Qd7+ Qe7 32. Qf5 Qf8 {.}))) 25. Rxf8+
Qxf8 ({Boris: 25...Qxf8 is forced, because after} 25... Nxf8 26. Qf3 Nd8 27.
Bb4 Qh6 {, Exercise: Find a mate in two. (difficulty level 1) --- Joel:} 28.
Qxf8+ Qxf8 29. Bxh7# {mate. --- Boris: Correct.}) ({Returning to the game with
} 25... Qxf8 {, Exercise: Find a forced win for White. (difficulty level 5)
--- Joel: I am not sure what I would do. --- Boris: Remember I said that the
bishop on h8 restricts Black's king? --- Joel: Yes. --- Boris: Generally any
check would lead to mate since the king has no squares, so from which
direction can White check the king? --- Joel: Obviously not f3 or g4, so
Qd1-b3 but that's too slow. --- Boris: Right, so? --- Joel: How about} 26. Bc4
{- ? --- Boris: That's an idea and a good one. If Black takes he gets mated,
so his only defense is what? --- Joel:} Nce7 {. --- Boris: And how do you
increase the pressure? --- Joel:} 27. Bb4 {of course. --- Boris: In that case
Black has the excellent move 27...Qf5, threatening the knight on g5 and ...Qb1+; instead, 27 e4 keeps the advantage. However, White has a better way of
attacking the d-pawn. --- Joel: I don't see it. --- Boris: You attacked d5
from c4 but can't you also attack d5 from e4? --- Joel: I guess so.}) 26. Be4
$1 Nce7 ({Boris: Black doesn't have} 26... Qd8 {because of} 27. Qf3 $1 {.}) 27.
Bb4 $1 Bb7 {Boris: Again the only move.} (27... Qe8 28. Bxe7 {would have been
bad.}) (27... Bb7 {Exercise: Find the continuation of the combination
involving a rare zigzag maneuver. (difficulty level 3) --- Joel:} 28. Qg4 {
because White can mate on e6. --- Boris: Correct.}) 28. Qg4 Qc8 {Boris: The
only defense.} ({If Black plays} 28... Bc8 {how does White win? --- Joel:} 29.
Bxe7 {. --- Boris: And if} Bxg4 {- ? --- Joel:} 30. Bxd5+ {. --- Boris:
Correct. White mates in three.}) 29. Qf3 Qf8 ({Boris: Other moves were no
better:} 29... Qc1+ 30. Kf2 Qxb2+ 31. Kg3) ({or} 29... Qe8 30. Qh3 Qc6 31. Nf6+
Qxf6 32. Qxh7+ Kf8 33. Bxg6 Bg7 34. Bf7 $1 {and White wins in both variations.}
) 30. Qh3 Qc8 (30... Qc8 {Exercise: What was the point of White's zigzag
maneuver? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel:} 31. Nf6+ {. --- Boris: Correct.}) 31.
Nf6+ $1 Kg7 32. Qxh7+ Kxf6 33. Bxe7+ Nxe7 34. Qh6+ Ng6 35. Qxg6+ Ke7 (35... Ke7
{Exercise: Which check is correct? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: I honestly
don't see it. The only thing I can think of is that I would like to have the
f7-square for the knight so I would play} 36. Qh7+ {, but I don't see what
happens after} Kd6 37. Nf7+ Kc5 {. --- Boris: White has} 38. b4+ {and Black
loses his queen or gets mated.}) 36. Qh7+ Kd6 37. Nf7+ Kc7 38. Bf5 $1 {. ---
Boris: This game received the brilliancy prize. The zigzag combination that
occurred is really unusual.} 1-0

[Event "Sochi"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1985.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Lputian, S."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E20"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "1985.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was one of my last tournaments in the Soviet Union. My opponent
was one of the strongest Armenian grandmasters at the time.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6
3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Nc6 8. Re1 Nd5 $5 ({Boris:
In my game with Tal (USSR Championship, Leningrad 1977), he played} 8... Rb8 9.
a3 Be7 10. Qa4 b5 $5 11. Nxb5 a6 12. Nc3 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Qxd4 14. Be3 Qe5 15.
Qxc4 Rxb2 16. Bd4 Qf5 17. Qxc7 {, Exercise: Black's position looks horrible,
the bishop on e7 doesn't have any squares, but he has a sudden defense, can
you find it? (difficulty level 4) --- Boris: This is a candidate move exercise
not an exercise in calculation. --- Joel: What's the difference? --- Boris:
Sometimes you have to calculate long lines and the solution lies at the end.
At other times, however, you only have to find the first move, but it is
difficult to find.} -- ({. Joel: What about} 17... Nd7 {- ? --- Boris: That
would probably lose to} 18. Nd5 {, attacking the rook and the bishop on e7. I
can give you a hint. Another great player, Bobby Fischer, when his pieces were
attacked in the same way as in this game, tried not to move the piece but to
attack his opponent's pieces.}) ({. Joel:} 17... Rd2 {attacks the bishop. ---
Boris: And what does White play after this? --- Joel:} 18. Be3 {. --- Boris:
And then? --- Joel: Can't you return the rook to the seventh rank with 18...
Rd7 - ? --- Boris: Yes! Exactly. This was a very sudden move.} ({Instead of 18
Be3, I played} 18. Qxe7 {and offered my opponent a draw, which he accepted.
After the surprising 17...Rd2 the position became equal.}))) 9. Qc2 Be7 $5 10.
Ne4 {Boris: White tries to force Black to play ...b7-b5, after which his
queenside will be compromised.} ({In the case of the immediate} 10. a3 Na5 {
(threatening ...Nb3) Black doesn't have any problems.}) 10... b5 ({Boris:
Yusupov played an important improvement against me in this position at Linares
in 1990:} 10... Ndb4 $1 11. Qxc4 Qd5 12. Qxd5 exd5 13. Nc3 Nc2 14. Bf4 Be6 $1
15. Nb5 Bd8 $1 16. Nxc7 Bxc7 17. Bxc7 Rac8 18. Bf4 Bg4 19. e3 Rfd8 {with a big
advantage to Black, although White escaped the loss by a miracle.}) 11. a3 Na5
$6 {Boris: After this move White has dangerous opportunities.} ({Safer for
Black was} 11... h6 $5 12. b3 {, when White has compensation for the pawn}) ({
or} 11... f5 $5 {with an unclear position. --- Exercise: What does White have
to play? Calculate variations. (difficulty level 4) --- Boris: Black has a
good extra pawn but his pieces are a bit far away from the kingside, so White
can think about starting to create threats in that sector of the board. How
would you do that? --- Joel:} 12. Neg5 {. --- Boris: But now you have to
calculate variations. If you don't have a follow-up then this move would
simply lose time. The advantage of 12 Neg5 will become clear in the following
complications.}) 12. Neg5 $1 f5 ({Boris: What if Black played} 12... Nf6 {- ?
--- Joel:} 13. e4 $1 {of course. --- Boris: And if Black plays} Nb3 {- ? ---
Joel: I would play} 14. e5 $1 {. --- Boris: And after} Nxa1 {. White has the
quiet move} 15. Qb1 {, winning both knights.}) ({Another move is} 12... g6 {.
What would you play then? --- Joel: I would play} 13. e4 {. --- Boris: And
after} Nb3 {- ? --- Joel: I'm not sure. --- Boris: White has} 14. exd5 Nxa1 15.
Qe4 {with an irrational position; e.g.} Bb7 16. Qh4 h5 17. dxe6 fxe6 18. Qh3 {
with an attack. --- Joel: So you have to sacrifice the exchange? --- Boris:
Right, but for the exchange I get significant compensation.}) 13. e4 Nb3 (13...
Nb3 {Exercise: What does White have to play? (difficulty level 4) --- Boris:
Again, try to calculate variations. --- Joel: I don't know; the only thing I
see is} 14. exd5 Nxa1 15. Qe2 {. --- Boris: Correct. But White has to see what
to do after} Nb3 {.}) 14. exd5 $1 Nxa1 15. Qe2 Nb3 (15... Nb3 {Exercise: What
did White have to have prepared here? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I didn't
have it prepared but I would play} 16. Nxe6 {. --- Boris: And after} Nxc1 {- ?
--- Joel: I would play} 17. Qe5 {(threatening mate)} Bxe6 18. Qxe6+ Kh8 19. Ne5
{. --- Boris: But Black has} Nd3 {and White will probably not be able to stop
the d-pawn. --- Joel: You mean after} 20. Nxd3 cxd3 21. Qxe7 Qxe7 22. Rxe7 d2 {
. --- Boris: Right. So obvious moves don't work in this position. What you
have to realize is that the knight on b3 is out of play and the dark-squared
bishop is essential to White's attack, so if White can keep his bishop and
leave Black's knight on b3 out of play he will better. --- Joel: So 16 Bf4.
--- Boris: Correct.}) 16. Bf4 $1 Bxg5 $2 ({Boris: The alternative} 16... Nxd4 {
would not have helped either after} 17. Nxd4 Bxg5 18. Bxg5 Qxg5 19. dxe6 Rb8
20. e7 Re8 21. Bc6 Qg6 22. Bxe8 Qxe8 23. Nxb5 {.}) ({The only defense was} 
16... e5 $1 17. dxe5 $5 h6 18. d6 $1 cxd6 19. exd6 Bxd6 20. Ne6 Qb6 21. Nxf8 {
and White has a significant advantage.}) (16... Bxg5 {Exercise: Which piece
has to take on g5? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I like the idea of} 17. Nxg5
{with 18 Qh5 to follow. Plus this opens the h1-a8 diagonal, which is important
because the rook on a8 is hanging. --- Boris: Correct.}) 17. Nxg5 $1 ({Boris:
Much weaker was} 17. Bxg5 $2 Qd6 18. dxe6 Bb7 {and the position is unclear.})
17... exd5 18. Qh5 $1 h6 (18... h6 {Exercise: If you didn't see the winning
line after 18...h6 when you played 17 Nxg5 then this move could have simply
been a mistake. What did White have planned? (difficulty level 3) --- Boris: I
will give you a hint: you have to create mate threats. --- Joel: I would play}
19. Qg6 hxg5 {. --- Boris: And now can you create another mating threat? ---
Joel:} 20. Be5 {. --- Boris: Correct. The difficulty in finding this
combination is that White closes the e-file, only to open it again on the next
move.}) 19. Qg6 hxg5 20. Be5 $1 (20. Be5 -- ({. Boris: What happens if Black
defends with} 20... Qd7 {- ? --- Joel: White has} 21. Bxd5+ {because, if the
queen takes on d5, it's mate on g7. --- Boris: Correct.}) ({. And if Black
defends with} 20... Rf7 {- ? --- Joel:} 21. Bxg7 {, because if} Rxg7 {then} 22.
Re8+ Qxe8 23. Qxe8+ Kh7 24. Bxd5 {. --- Boris: That also wins,} ({but} 24. Qh5+
{is simpler. Therefore, my opponent resigned. --- Boris: As we discussed above,
Yusupov's improvement on move 10 has rendered this line too risky for White.
--- Joel: What I thought was interesting was that, in going over this game
twice, both times I favored 16 Nxe6, essentially not appreciating or
understanding the importance of the dark-squared bishop in the attack on the
king. --- Boris: I don't think it is so much a question of the importance of
the dark-squared bishop as it is not understanding the importance of allowing
Black to exchange off his unemployed knight. The difficulty in finding 16 Bf4
is that White loses a tempo in an extremely sharp position. Sometimes, however,
in chess as in music, it is important to change the tempo. Kasparov, in his
best years, was extremely good at changing tempo in mid-attack (see, for
example, his 31st move in the 16th game of his 1986 World Championship match
with Karpov).}))) 1-0

[Event "Kiev"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1969.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Bronstein, D."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C10"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "1969.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Joel: Can you tell me about playing Bronstein? My understanding is that he
should have been world champion. --- Boris: Yes, he was very close to becoming
World Champion in 1951. At the time we played, I was a young master and he was
still one of the best in the world. The first time we played, I won a
beautiful game, which prevented him from winning the 1968 Moscow Championship 
(instead he tied for first with Petrosian). Our second - the current -
encounter was played with the memory of the first fresh in mind.} 1. e4 e6 2.
d4 d5 3. Nc3 b6 $5 4. Nf3 ({Boris: The simplest reaction to Black's unusual
third move would be} 4. exd5 exd5 5. Nf3 {, and it is not easy for Black to
make use of ...b7-b6. I planned to take on d5 on the next move when the bishop
would already be on b7.}) 4... Nf6 $1 5. e5 ({Boris: Now in the case of} 5.
exd5 $5 {it would be possible to play} Nxd5 {. A few years after this game, I
met Bronstein on a walk in the forest at a state-sponsored chess training
retreat for the Moscow team and he told me (discussing this game) that} 6. Ne5
$1 {would be very strong for White in this position; but after} Bb4 ({instead
of} 6... Bb7 7. Qh5 g6 8. Qf3 f6 ({or if} 8... Qe7 $2 {then} 9. Bg5) 9. Nxd5 {
and White has an initiative}) 7. Bb5+ Bd7 8. Qf3 Qf6 9. Nxd7 Nxd7 {the
position looks equal.}) 5... Ng8 $1 {Boris: Another unexpected move. From this
square, the knight has better prospects than d7 where I thought it would go.
Now I decided to play simple developing moves, resigning myself to the fact
that I would not be able to predict his next moves.} 6. Bd3 Ba6 7. Bxa6 Nxa6 {
Joel: Black has gotten rid of the terrible French bishop. --- Boris: Yes, but
he has also lost time in the opening. There are always trade-offs.} 8. Ne2 Qd7
9. O-O c5 10. c3 Ne7 11. Ng3 Nc6 12. dxc5 $5 bxc5 ({Boris:} 12... Nxc5 {would
have been worse for Black because of} 13. b4 {, when the knight doesn't have
any good retreat squares.}) 13. Qe2 Nc7 14. Rd1 Be7 15. Ne4 ({Boris: White
might be slightly better after the typical} 15. c4 {, because Black's
dark-squared bishop is restricted by the c5-pawn. With my next move, however,
I create a tactical threat.}) 15... O-O 16. Be3 c4 $1 (16... c4 {Exercise: Did
Black overlook} 17. Qxc4 {- ? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: I don't think he
overlooked 17 Qxc4 because the queen and knight on e4 would be under attack
after} Qe8 {. --- Boris: Correct!}) 17. Nc5 Qc8 18. b4 cxb3 19. axb3 a5 20. c4
Rb8 $5 ({Boris: We both thought that} 20... Rd8 $1 {would not be sufficient
because of} 21. Na4 Rb8 22. Nb6 $2 Qa6 {.}) 21. Rac1 {Joel: Can you explain
this move? It seems Black has a vulnerable a-pawn that you can attack. ---
Boris: But White has much more in the way of targets on the c-file.} Rd8 22.
cxd5 Nxd5 23. Bg5 Bxg5 ({Boris: I anticipated} 23... h6 24. Bxe7 Ndxe7 {with
approximate equality. Instead of this, Black provoked wild complications. This
kind of decision is typical of great players who try to create complicated
positions in order to outplay their opponent.}) 24. Nxg5 h6 25. Nge4 $1 {Boris:
White sacrifices a pawn.} (25. Nf3 {was not attractive for me because of} Nf4
26. Qe4 Rxd1+ 27. Rxd1 Rb4 {and Black is slightly better.}) 25... Nxe5 (25...
Nxe5 {Exercise: Can White win the exchange with} 26. Na6 {- ? --- What would
you play here? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I am looking at} Nf4 {. ---
Boris: That is the only move. In any other case Black simply loses the
exchange. What does White play after 26...Nf4 - ? Does he have to move the
queen out of the attack? --- Joel: I think so, yes.} 27. Rxd8+ {doesn't help
his cause. --- Boris: Right, so he has to move the queen without losing the
knight on a6. From which square can he accomplish this? --- Joel: From f1. ---
Boris: Correct.} (27. Qf1 {is one forced move. Now what does Black have to do?
--- Joel:} Rxd1 {. --- Boris: And now White? If he takes with the queen then
he will obviously lose the knight, so... --- Joel:} 28. Rxc8+ Rxc8 29. Qxd1 {
. --- Boris: Right, and if Black doesn't have a blow then he can resign. Can
you see it? --- Joel: Yes,} Rc1 {because Black has 30...Nf2+. --- Boris: Right.
During the post-mortem, someone asked me why I didn't take the exchange and I
replied, "It doesn't win the exchange because Black has at his disposal a
beautiful variation." Bronstein added skeptically: "The beauty of this
variation is quite relative."})) 26. Nd3 $1 Nc6 27. Ne5 Rb6 28. Nc4 Qa6 $1 {
Boris: The best answer.} ({I hoped for} 28... Ra6 29. Ncd6 Qa8 30. Qh5 -- (
30... Rd7 {Exercise: What does White have to play here? (difficulty level 1)
--- Joel: I like} 31. Rxd5 exd5 32. Nf6+ gxf6 33. Qg4+ {, picking up the rook.
--- Boris: Correct and White has a huge advantage.}) ({. If Black plays} 30...
Ra7 {(instead of 30...Rd7), White's attack is strong too after} 31. Rxd5 exd5
32. Nf6+ gxf6 33. Nf5 Ne7 34. Nxh6+ Kg7 35. Rc3 {.} (35. --))) 29. Nc5 Qb5 (
29... Qb5 {Exercise: What does White have to play? (difficulty level 2) ---
Joel: I would play} 30. Nxe6 fxe6 31. Qxe6+ {followed by 32 Rxd5. --- Boris:
30 Nxe6 is correct, but things are much more complicated than you assume.}) 30.
Nxe6 $1 (30. Nxe6 {Exercise: Now what does Black have to play? (difficulty
level 6) --- Joel: As I said,} fxe6 31. Qxe6+ {followed by 32 Rxd5. --- Boris:
Your move 30...fxe6 is correct but you had to determine candidate moves for
Black and choose the continuation. Here Black has a choice in 30...fxe6 or 30...Re8. The complications are so mind boggling that even Bronstein made the
wrong choice.}) 30... Re8 $6 {Boris: After the game move White has a big
advantage.} ({To achieve equality, Black had to find a fantastic variation
starting with} 30... fxe6 $1 31. Qxe6+ Kh8 32. -- (32. Nxb6 {. --- Exercise:
Can Black save his position? (difficulty level 5)} -- ({. Joel: Can't he just
play} 32... Nxb6 {- ? For example, if} 33. Rxd8+ Nxd8 {hits the queen. ---
Boris: White has} 34. Qd6 {and you lose your knight. So can Black save
himself? --- Joel: I don't think so.}) ({. Boris: In desperate positions when
we don't have normal moves we have to try something wild. Does anything come
to mind? --- Joel:} 32... Nf4 {- ? --- Boris: That can be met by} 33. Qc4 {and
Black is losing. Anything else?}) ({. Joel: I don't know; maybe} 32... Nc3 {-
? --- Boris: Correct! With this fantastic move Black escapes. Play could
continue} 33. Re1 ({the position is drawish after} 33. Rxd8+ Nxd8 34. Qd6 Ne2+
35. Kh1 Nxc1 36. Qxd8+ Kh7 37. h3 Nxb3 38. Nd7 {too}) 33... Nd4 $1 34. Qc4 (34.
Qe7 Nce2+ 35. Kh1 Qxb6 36. Rxe2 {is also a draw}) 34... Nce2+ 35. Kf1 Qxb6 36.
Rxe2 Nxe2 37. Kxe2 Qg6 38. Kf1 Qh5 {and Black regains the pawn with an equal
position.})) ({. Boris: In the case of} 32. Rxd5 {, which you offered earlier,
Black can respond with} Qxd5 33. Qxd5 Rxd5 34. Nxb6 Rd3 {and, after the
inevitable ...Nd4, Black will win back the b3-pawn with some advantage.})) (
30... Re8 {Exercise: What did White have to play? (difficulty level 4) ---
Joel:} 31. Qh5 {and if} Rxe6 ({or} 31... fxe6 32. Qxe8+) 32. Qxd5 {. --- Boris:
That second line would be a mistake because Black can draw with} Re1+ ({or} 
32... Qxd5 33. Rxd5 Rxb3 {, but White wins with 32 Nxb6.})) 31. Qh5 $1 (31. Qh5
{Exercise: What does Black have to play? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I
don't see how Black can save himself. The knight is hanging, the rook is
hanging, and White's knight on e6 is untouchable. --- Boris: In a desperate
position you have to consider desperate moves. Try to find moves that attack
targets in White's camp. Do you see any active moves? --- Joel: That's why I
was looking at} Nf6 {, it attacks the queen, but it loses to} 32. Qxb5 Rxb5 33.
Nc7 {. --- Boris: So maybe this knight can find a more active square. --- Joel:
I guess 31...Nc3. --- Boris: Correct. After this it is not obvious that Black
is losing.}) 31... Nc3 $1 {Boris: A very beautiful move. Blow for blow!} 32.
Nxg7 $2 {Boris: Calculations demanded a queen exchange, but aesthetically the
move in the game was more attractive. Alas, it gives up the advantage.} ({
Meanwhile, in the case of} 32. Qxb5 $1 Rxb5 33. Nc7 Nxd1 ({even worse is} 33...
Ne2+ 34. Kf1 Nxc1 35. Rxc1 Reb8 36. Nxb5 Rxb5 37. Nd6 Rb6 38. Nc8 Ra6 39. Rxc6
{and wins}) 34. Nxe8 Rd5 35. Kf1 Nb4 36. Ncd6 $1 ({if} 36. Nxa5 {then} Nxf2)
36... Nb2 37. Rc8 Kh7 38. Rc7 {, White would have an extra pawn and winning
position.}) 32... Qxh5 ({Boris: The move} 32... Nxd1 $2 {sets a cheap trap.
--- Exercise: What does White play? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel:} 33. Nxe8 {
, because after} Qxh5 34. Nf6+ {and 35 Nxh5 the rook on b6 and the knight on
d1 are hanging. --- Boris: Correct. 33 Nxe8! and the queen is protected
because of the fork on f6. This trap is not for Bronstein.}) 33. Nxh5 Nxd1 34.
Nf6+ Kf8 35. Nxe8 Rxb3 36. Nf6 $1 {Boris: Now already Black has some advantage
and White has to be careful.} ({In the case of} 36. Rxd1 Kxe8 {Black's
advantage would increase.}) 36... Rc3 37. Rxc3 $1 ({Boris: And now the
position with rooks after} 37. Rxd1 Rxc4 {could be dangerous for White. ---
Joel: Why is it dangerous for White? Because of the outside passed pawn? ---
Boris: Yes, but without rooks it is a draw. --- Joel: Why is that? --- Boris:
Because to achieve the draw it is sufficient for White to exchange his pawns
and two knights for Black's three pawns.}) 37... Nxc3 38. Nd7+ Ke7 39. Nc5 {
Boris: Here the energy of the four knights has been drained and they simply
play out an exotic dance.} a4 40. Kf1 Nd4 41. Ke1 Ne6 42. Nd3 Nb5 43. Nb4 a3
44. Kd2 Nc5 45. f4 {. --- Boris: In this game, Bronstein demonstrated the
strategy of great players when they face less experienced opponents. They try
to create unbalanced positions where the outcome depends on calculations and
fantasy. I was glad that in this game I was equal to my opponent.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1976.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Schmidt, Wl"]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E66"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "1976.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This game, with the leading Polish grandmaster of those years, comes
from an international tournament in which the strongest young Soviet
grandmasters competed, including Romanishin and Vaganian. Half a year before 
(also in Yerevan) I tied for second place in the Soviet Championship with
Romanishin, Vaganian and Tal. So this tournament was like was like a re-run.} 
1. Nf3 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. d4 Nf6 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 a6 8. d5
Na5 9. Nd2 c5 10. Qc2 e5 ({Boris:} 10... Rb8 {is the main theoretical move,
intending to follow up with 11...b5.}) 11. e4 ({Boris:} 11. b3 {is more
popular here, which was played in the famous 10th game of the
Petrosian-Spassky World Championship match in Moscow 1966.}) 11... Nh5 ({Boris:
The typical move in this variation (played by Spassky too) is} 11... Ng4 {,
when} 12. b3 Rb8 13. Bb2 f5 14. exf5 gxf5 15. h3 Nf6 16. f4 e4 17. Nd1 {gave
Schmidt a pleasant position in his game against H.Camara at the Nice Chess
Olympiad in 1974. After 11...Nh5 my knight is more active than it would be on
g4 or h6.}) 12. b3 ({Boris:} 12. a3 {was not dangerous for Black after} Bh6 $1
({in the case of} 12... b6 13. b4 Nb7 14. Rb1 {White is better}) 13. Qd3 Qc7 {
, preventing b2-b4. --- Joel: I don't see how. --- Boris: Because if} 14. b4 {
, then} Bxd2 15. Bxd2 cxb4 16. axb4 Qxc4 {.}) 12... f5 13. exf5 gxf5 14. Bb2
Rb8 15. Rae1 ({Boris: After} 15. f4 exf4 16. gxf4 Bd4+ 17. Kh1 b5 {Black's
position would become very active.}) 15... b5 16. Nd1 Rb7 $1 17. Bc3 ({Boris:
Here} 17. f4 {would have been even worse than in the previous note, because of}
exf4 18. gxf4 bxc4 19. bxc4 Rxb2 $1 20. Nxb2 Bd4+ 21. Kh1 Qh4 {and Black has
the advantage.}) 17... b4 18. Bb2 Qg5 $1 19. f3 Bh6 20. Rf2 Re7 21. Kh1 $6 ({
Boris: It was better to prepare to defend with} 21. Nf1 {.}) 21... Kf7 $1 {
Boris: Including the f8-rook in the game and the king!} ({Here it was already
possible to play} 21... Nxg3+ 22. hxg3 Qxg3 23. Nf1 Qh4+ 24. Kg1 {, but Black
has to attack without two pieces - the one sacrificed and the outsider on a5.})
22. Rfe2 ({Boris:} 22. Nf1 {was still safer.}) (22. Rfe2 {Exercise: How does
Black proceed? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: My intuition tells me} Nxg3+ {
but I am not sure how to follow it up, because after} 23. hxg3 Qxg3 24. Nf1 {
he covers the entry points for Black's queen, and the rook on e2 protects the
bishop on g2. For this reason I doubt I would play it. --- Boris: You are
correct in your estimation of the position. I did sacrifice on g3 and the
resulting position is unclear. The logic of the sacrifice is that White didn't
play aggressively but at the same time didn't make any serious mistakes, so
this isn't a winning sacrifice in the sense the word is commonly used. The
sacrifice, however, is the logical continuation of Black's play, and if Black
doesn't sacrifice, his position could become worse (White now threatens f3-f4).
So with this sacrifice I created problems for White and, in order not to lose,
he has to play extremely creatively.}) 22... Nxg3+ $1 23. hxg3 Qxg3 24. Nf1
Qh4+ 25. Kg1 Rg8 26. Nf2 $6 ({Boris:} 26. Nde3 {was preferable, when I intended
} Kf6 $1 {, defending f5 and preparing ...Reg7 with a complicated struggle.}) (
26. Nf2 {Exercise: How should Black develop his attack? (difficulty level 3)
--- Joel: I think I would play} Kf8 {, with the idea of maybe sacrificing the
rook on g2 and then playing ...Reg7+. --- Boris: That's logical but you lose a
tempo in the attack. For example, after 26...Kf8 White will play} 27. Nd3 {and
the g2-square will be protected by the rook. If you change the move order,
however, and sacrifice the rook first you gain a vital tempo in the attack.
--- Joel: I see, because now the king (instead of a piece) will be on g2, so
White cannot get away with the same defensive operation. The king will block
his pieces from protecting him. --- Boris: Right!}) 26... Rxg2+ $1 27. Kxg2 Kf8
28. Ne3 $1 {Boris: The correct way.} ({White would lose after} 28. Ng3 Rg7 29.
Nfh1 Bf4 {.}) 28... Rg7+ 29. Kf1 Qh2 ({Boris:} 29... Bxe3 $5 30. Rxe3 f4 {was
very interesting. --- Exercise: What does White have to do? (difficulty level
5)} 31. -- ({. Joel: I would play 31 Re4 with the idea of walking my king to
d3 and then activating my rooks on the open files. --- Boris: After} 31. Re4 $2
Bh3+ 32. Ke2 Qxf2+ $1 33. Kxf2 Rg2+ 34. Kf1 Rxc2+ {White is losing.}) ({.
Instead, he has himself to sacrifice and continue with} 31. Bxe5 $1 Bh3+ {.
--- Exercise: Now what should White do? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: Well,}
32. Nxh3 {loses the queen after} Qxh3+ {and 33...Rg2+, so I guess 32 Ke2 is the
only other move since White is in check. ---} ({Boris: Your suggestion is bad
because of} 32... Qf2+ $1 33. Kxf2 Rg2+ 34. Kf1 Rxc2 35. Kg1 Rg2+ 36. Kh1 fxe3
{and White's position is critical; e.g.} 37. Bxd6+ Kf7 38. Bxc5 Rxa2 39. Rxe3
Rb2 40. Bxb4 Nxc4 {wins.}) (32... Qxh3+ 33. Ke2 dxe5 $1 34. Rxe5 $1 Rg2+ 35.
Kd1 Rxc2 36. Re8+ Kg7 37. R8e7+ Kg6 38. R1e6+ {with perpetual check.}))) (29...
Qh2 {Exercise: Black has created deadly threats. What should White do? 
(difficulty level 5) --- Joel: You are threatening mate in one move. The only
move I see for White that blocks the g-file is} 30. Nfg4 {. --- Boris: That
wouldn't solve anything. Black would play 30...Qh3+ take the knight and you
have the same problems as before. You are right that you have to block the
g-file, but you also have to play something that creates a counterattack.} ({
Joel: The only other way to block the g-file is with the other knight (} 30.
Neg4 {). --- Boris: What happens after that? --- Joel:} fxg4 31. Nxg4 {
attacking the queen. --- Boris: But then Black will play} Qh3+ {with a mating
attack. The problem is that in such situations we cannot be afraid to take
risks; i.e. in positions that are already very risky. As I read in the book
for beginners by Boris Weinstein, "If you ride on a tiger the most dangerous
thing is to stop." Here, White had to sacrifice two pieces in order to create
counterplay. In chess, the initiative as a rule is the most important factor.})
) 30. Rd2 {Boris: But this loses.} ({The escape route was deeply hidden:} 30.
Neg4 $1 fxg4 31. Bxe5 $1 ({White loses after} 31. Nxg4 Qh3+ 32. Kg1 Be3+ 33.
Rxe3 Bxg4) 31... dxe5 32. Rxe5 {(now White threatens mate!)} Bd7 33. Qe4 $1 Rf7
34. Re7 $1 g3 35. Rxf7+ Kxf7 36. Qxh7+ $1 Kf8 37. Qh8+ {with perpetual check.})
30... Rg1+ 31. Ke2 Rxe1+ ({Boris:} 31... Bxe3 $1 {was more brutal, winning
immediately.}) 32. Kxe1 Bxe3 33. Nd1 Bxd2+ 34. Qxd2 Qxd2+ 35. Kxd2 f4 $1 {.
--- Boris: Planning ...Bf5-b1 after which the knight on a5 will finally enter
the game. --- Joel: It is not everyday that you can outplay your opponent with
your knight completely offside on a5 and sacrifice your other knight on the
opposite side of the board. --- Boris: Actually, after the game one
experienced master asked, "What role did your knight play in your attack?" Of
course, I had no answer. I think the message to take home from this game is
that in desperate situations we cannot be afraid of taking risks, because
nothing is riskier than losing! My opponent had a deeply hidden draw that he
had to find by taking extensive risks; instead, he fell under the pressure of
the attack as so often happens.} 0-1

[Event "Amsterdam"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1988.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Van der Sterren, P."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D35"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "1988.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This game comes from a tournament in which I tied for first on points
with Lobron and Gelfand and won first place on tie-breaks. --- Joel: Can you
tell me about your opponent? --- Boris: He was a very solid player with a
narrow opening repertoire, but he knew those positions extremely well. For
example, after 1 d4 he only played the Queen's Gambit Declined. The highlight
of his career was qualifying for the candidates matches for the world
championship title in 1994. After this he decided not to pursue his career in
chess.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 O-O 7. Bd3
c6 8. Nge2 Nbd7 9. Ng3 $5 {Joel: Isn't the plan normally to play Qc2, castle
kingside, f2-f3 and eventually e2-e4? --- Boris: Yes, there are two plans, one
with kingside castling and the other with queenside castling. Here I chose a
rare continuation played by Alekhine in the 32nd game of his match against
Capablanca. The knight wants to jump to f5; the drawback is that if White
castles queenside, as I do (and Alekhine did), the knight blocks the g-pawn.}
h6 ({Boris: In A.Alekhine-J.R.Capablanca, Buenos Aires 1927, Capablanca played
} 9... Ne8 $6 {, but after} 10. h4 {White obtained the better game.}) 10. h4
Nb6 $1 {Boris: Of course the immediate capture of the bishop on g5 is bad for
Black. Although it is very difficult for Black to avoid succumbing to the
temptation of taking the material, it is also difficult for White, who on
every move must concern himself with hanging the piece. --- Joel: In other
words, you have constantly to make sure that your opponent can't take the
material and get away with it. --- Boris: Right.} 11. Qc2 ({Boris: White could
not move his queen along the other diagonal, because after} 11. Qf3 Bg4 12. Qf4
hxg5 13. hxg5 Bd6 {Black wins.}) 11... Re8 12. O-O-O hxg5 $5 {Boris: Humans
cannot resist the offer of material for very long, but now White gets a
significant attack.} (12... Bd6 $5 {would have been safer, threatening to
destroy White's pawn structure by taking on g3.}) 13. hxg5 Ne4 (13... Ne4 {
Exercise: How does White develop his attack? (difficulty level 4)} 14. -- ({.
Joel: I think I would play} 14. Qe2 {. --- Boris: That would be a serious
mistake because Black would exchange on g3 and take on g5. --- Joel: My plan
was} Nxc3 15. Rh8+ $1 Kxh8 16. Qh5+ Kg8 17. Qh7+ {and mate to follow. ---
Boris: Correct, but 14...Nxc3 would be a terrible mistake. We have analyzed
two of my games where I castle queenside and attack on the kingside. In both
games the most important asset was the pawn on g5; without it Black can
neutralize my attack down the h-file by bringing his bishop to h6 (...Bg5-h6).
--- Joel: So we have to eliminate threats to the g-pawn.}) ({. How about} 14.
Bxe4 dxe4 15. Ncxe4 {- ? --- Boris: But in this case Black can still take on
g5. --- Joel: The only way to save the g-pawn is to play f2-f4 after taking on
e4. --- Boris: That's exactly what was played in the game. --- Joel: But can't
Black take en passant? --- Boris: That would be a mistake because of mate on
h7, but in any case (with some reluctance) you have arrived at the right plan.
--- Joel: That's very generous of you.} (15. --))) 14. Bxe4 ({Boris: The
attempt} 14. g6 $6 {would be wrong because of} f5 $1 {, when Black's kingside
would become solid as a rock after ...Bf6.}) 14... dxe4 15. f4 $1 Nd5 (15...
Nd5 {Exercise: How does White develop his attack? (difficulty level 4) ---
Boris: White has to get his queen to the h-file, and therefore turns to new
sacrifices. --- Joel: I am looking at} 16. Qxe4 {. --- Boris: After 16 Qxe4?
Black has} g6 {and White's attack is over. White's best is the move I played
in the game, which permits the queen to transfer to the kingside.}) 16. Ngxe4
$1 Nxe3 17. Qf2 $1 {Joel: That makes a lot of sense; you're heading to h4. ---
Boris: Right, but at the cost of a rook!} ({An alternative way would have been
} 17. Qe2 $5 Ng4 18. Rh4 $1 Nh6 19. Rdh1 {with a very complicated position.})
17... Nxd1 18. Qh4 f5 (18... f5 {Exercise: How does White proceed? (difficulty
level 4) --- Joel: I am trying to calculate} 19. Qh7+ {but it seems the king
can escape. --- Boris: Right. In such positions you have to keep your sights
fixed firmly on the goal, which in this case is mate. So you have keep the
king on g8, prevent it from escaping, and bring your pawn to g6 with a mating
structure. ---} ({Joel: So in that case} 19. Qh5 {. --- Boris: Correct. Don't
think about how many pieces you are down, keep your eyes on the prize!})) 19.
Qh5 $1 ({Boris: By process of elimination the only option is} 19. Qh5 fxe4 {,
when play would continue} 20. g6 Bh4 21. Rxh4 Qxh4 {, reaching a position that
is very difficult to evaluate.} ({. Black has a large material advantage so it
is natural that he might try to win, but} 21... Kf8 $5 {would be more
reasonable for him, forcing White to take a draw by repetition after} 22. Qc5+
Kg8 23. Qh5 {.}) ({. Instead, after the main line} 21... Qxh4 22. Qxh4 Nxc3 23.
bxc3 $1 ({White should not rush into} 23. Qh7+ $2 {, which allows the king to
escape with} Kf8 24. Qh8+ Ke7 25. Qxg7+ Kd6 26. bxc3 Bg4 {and Black is better})
23... e3 24. Kd1 Be6 25. g4 $1 Bxa2 26. f5 {, White will win the g7-pawn and
his passed pawns on the kingside will be very dangerous. To make a final
estimation in this position is really difficult. --- Joel: Why? --- Boris:
Because there are several different factors that are significant, including
uneven material, passed pawns, and the unsafe position of the black king, so
it is not easy to weigh all of them up. After the game I analyzed the position
with Van der Sterren for two hours, until he stopped and said: "If I remain
under attack any longer I will have a heart attack!"})) 19... Kf8 $2 (19... Kf8
{Exercise: How should White proceed? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I like} 20.
Qg6 {. --- Boris: Correct.}) ({Black would lose after} 19... Be6 20. Qh8+ Kf7
21. g6+ $1 Kxg6 22. Qh5#) ({or} 19... Nxc3 20. g6 Bh4 21. Qh7+ Kf8 22. Qh8+ Ke7
23. Qxg7+ Ke6 24. Qf7# {.}) 20. Qg6 $1 Kg8 (20... Kg8 {Exercise: What should
White do now? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I think} 21. Rh7 {is hard to
defend against. --- Boris: Right.}) 21. Rh7 $1 Qxd4 {Joel: I missed that. ---
Boris: Well, if you missed it, and it was played in a game, how would you
respond? How can you create a threat of mate in one? --- Joel: 22 Qh5. ---
Boris: Correct.} 22. Qh5 $1 Qe3+ 23. Kc2 {. --- Boris: One of the rare aspects
of this attack is that it was executed without a single check on Black's king.
Now we have seen that 19...Kf8, 19...Be6 and 19...Nxc3 all lose by force,
let's return to the position after 19 Qh5 (see 19...fxe4 in the 19 Qh5
variation)} 1-0

[Event "Volgodonsk"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1981.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Rashkovsky, N."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E62"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "1981.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This game occurred in a very dramatic situation during the last round.
This is one of the first tournaments I played after applying for emigration.
For two years they didn't allow me to play in any tournaments, and then only
in a limited number: the USSR Championship and the Moscow Championship. This
was the first division of the USSR Championship and the top three from this
tournament would go on to play in the highest division. My opponent was a
strong grandmaster who was never permitted to play in any tournament outside
the USSR. I don't know what crime he committed against the KGB. Both
Rashkovsky and I could have tied for first by making two draws in the final
two rounds. However, he was promised by the Soviet authorities that he would
be allowed to travel to Rumania to an international tournament if he prevented
me from advancing. To secure his place in the highest division he took risks
in the previous round and lost. His only hope of qualifying now was to beat me.
This was the circumstance surrounding this very dramatic game. --- Joel: So
how do you play against someone who needs a win and you only need a draw? ---
Boris: I was very impressed with Spassky in this regard in the last game of
his 1965 match with Keres. Spassky played a King's Indian Defense, played very
sharply, and played for a win. So I, too, played a King's Indian Defense in
this game and played for the win not the draw. My logic is that if you play
for a draw there are only two results, a draw or a loss, but if you play for a
win, there are three possible results: a win, draw, or loss. So based on
probability I would play for the win.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O
5. Bg2 d6 6. Nc3 c6 7. O-O a5 {Boris: The start of an unusual plan I decided
to implement in this game. Black intends to bring the b8-knight to c7 via a6,
in order to prepare ...b7-b5.} 8. b3 ({Boris: It would be more difficult for
Black to implement his plan if White played the straightforward} 8. e4 {.})
8... Bf5 9. Nh4 {Boris: White plays in the most aggressive way too.} ({He
avoids the simplifications that would follow after} 9. Bb2 Ne4 {.}) 9... Bd7
10. Bb2 Na6 11. Qd2 Rb8 12. Rad1 b5 13. cxb5 cxb5 14. e4 b4 $1 15. Ne2 {Boris:
On e2 the white knight is awkwardly placed.} ({White's other option was} 15.
Na4 $5 {. --- Joel: Why is it awkwardly placed on e2? --- Boris: Because it
doesn't have any prospects of finding a good square. I was once invited by my
friend Mark Dvoretsky (who went with his pupil Yusupov to the junior world
championships) to substitute for him at Botvinnik's school of chess, and I
remember him saying, while he was analyzing a game from the 14-year-old Garry
Kasparov, that a knight on e2 in the King's Indian is always placed badly 
(although he meant the knight from g1, not b1 as in this game).}) 15... Bb5 16.
Rfe1 e6 $1 {Boris: After this move it became clear that Black's opening
experiment was very successful and that he has a good game. All his minor
pieces are well placed.} ({Worse was} 16... Nd7 $6 17. d5 $1 {, when White has
the unpleasant threat of Nd4-c6. Now if, at any time, White decides to push
d4-d5 Black can respond ...e6-e5, controlling the d4-square and restricting
the knight on e2. Nevertheless, Rashkovsky finds an active plan.}) 17. e5 $1
Nd5 18. Bxd5 $1 exd5 19. Ng2 Nc7 20. Nef4 {Boris: White hopes to attack the
d5-pawn, but the downside of this plan (if he wins the pawn) is that Black
will be able to use the a8-h1 diagonal to his advantage. The question is
whether winning the d5-pawn is in fact profitable for White.} Qd7 21. Ne3 Rfd8
$1 {Boris: Now Black demonstrates that he does not want to protect d5.} ({In
the case of} 21... Bc6 22. Rc1 {White's position becomes preferable. Therefore,
it is important that I don't protect the pawn. It is a paradoxical situation
because White attacks my pawn but it may not be good for him to take it,
whereas for me it is not good to try and protect it.}) 22. f3 $1 ({Boris:
White cleverly postpones taking the d5-pawn because in, the case of} 22. Nfxd5
Nxd5 23. Nxd5 dxe5 24. -- (24. dxe5 Qe6 25. Re4 Rd7 26. f4 Rbd8 27. Rd4 Bc6 28.
Ne3 f6 $1 {, Black has a promising initiative for the pawn.}) ({. The violent
attempt to take the initiative by sacrificing the exchange with} 24. Rxe5 {was
no good either after} Qd6 $1 25. Qf4 Kf8 $1 {. --- Joel: Can you explain this
move? --- Boris: I escape any potential checks with the knight and White's
position becomes bad.} ({The greedy} 25... Bxe5 {is worse, as} 26. dxe5 Qe6 27.
Nf6+ Kg7 28. Nh5+ {leads to a draw.}))) 22... h5 {Boris: A prophylactic move
against White's knight trying to reach the vulnerable f6-square;} ({for
example, after} 22... Ba6 23. Ng4 {.}) 23. Ne2 $1 {Boris: White changes his
plan and prepares f3-f4-f5. This is the first critical moment of the game.
Until now both sides have played logically. Black now has to find the right
path in this very complicated strategic position.} (23. Ne2 {Exercise: How
should Black improve his position? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I would play}
Ne6 {, intending ...Ng5, when both the h3- and f3-squares are under attack and
the black queen is ready to jump into the mix with ...Qh3. I'm not worried
about the d5-pawn, based your previous explanation. --- Boris: Very good!
Black's priority in this position is to activate his knight. Psychologically
it is very difficult to understand that, because the knight protects the pawn
on d5.}) 23... Ba6 $6 ({Boris: In the case of} 23... Ne6 $1 24. f4 (24. Nxd5 {
is bad because of} dxe5 25. dxe5 Qb7 {and the knight on d5 cannot escape from
the pin}) 24... Qa7 $1 {- Joel: What is the idea behind this move? --- Boris:
Black is playing against the king on g1 and taking advantage of the pin -} 25.
Kg2 ({not} 25. f5 $2 Ng5 26. Kg2 Ne4 27. Qc1 dxe5 28. dxe5 Rbc8 {and Black is
winning}) 25... dxe5 26. dxe5 d4 $1 27. Nxd4 Bf8 {(heading to c5)} 28. f5 Nxd4
29. Bxd4 Bc5 30. Nc2 Bc6+ 31. Kh3 Bf3 {and Black has a big advantage. With the
game continuation, I was prepared to sacrifice the d5-pawn and transfer the
bishop to b7, but it loses a tempo and the estimation of the position changes
from better for Black to highly unclear.}) 24. f4 dxe5 25. dxe5 {Boris: The
correct way to recapture.} ({In the case of} 25. fxe5 Bxe2 $1 {Black would
have a positional advantage. --- Joel: That's pretty ironic. You achieve a
positional advantage by taking White's awkwardly placed knight on e2 with a
strong bishop which controls the a6-f1 diagonal. --- Boris: Yes, but now in
this position White's knight has a very good square on f4 and Black's bishop
doesn't have good prospects because the long diagonal is blocked by the pawn
on d5. --- Joel: So it is not a good bishop then? --- Boris: No. Good and bad
pieces are temporary qualities, not permanent ones. They need to be reassessed.
}) ({Returning to the game after} 25. dxe5 {, Exercise: What does Black have
to do here? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I'm not sure. --- Boris: What would
be White's next move in this position? --- Joel: I would play 26 Nd4,
blockading the isolated d-pawn. --- Boris: And what would be the assessment of
the position after that? White would be better, right? --- Joel: Yes. ---
Boris: So White has a serious positional threat and Black has to take
immediate action to change the character of the position. --- Joel: That would
mean} Bxe2 {. --- Boris: That would be reasonable, except that Black's
position would then become worse, because all of White's pieces are well
placed and the pawn structure is better for him. Is there another way you can
avoid a blockaded pawn and passive pieces? --- Joel: I know that in isolated
queen's pawn positions the side with the IQP often sacrifices it to unleash
the latent dynamism of his pieces, which then have more mobility.} ({So perhaps
} 25... d4 {, but I suggest that based on principle not calculation. --- Boris:
Yes! Here it is very important for me to open the position for my pieces, in
particular my light-squared bishop, which will be unopposed on the long
diagonal. For Black it is better not to have this pawn on the board at all.}))
25... d4 $1 26. Nxd4 ({Boris: Black would have compensation for the pawn after
} 26. Qxd4 Qe7 {as well. --- Joel: In what way? For example, what if White
plays something like} 27. Qe4 {- ? --- Boris: I think Black would take on d1
first (White has to recapture with the knight because otherwise the knight on
e2 is hanging) and then he would play ...Bb7, hitting the queen. Black's plan
would then be to put his queen in front of the bishop and White's king would
be in a lot of danger.}) 26... Ne6 $5 {Boris: Before starting complications
Black has to get rid of his unemployed knight and tries to make up for his
inaccuracy on move 23.} ({In the case of} 26... Bb7 $6 27. Qe2 Qh3 28. Qf1 {
White would consolidate his position with an extra pawn.}) 27. f5 $1 Nxd4 ({
Boris: Worse was} 27... Ng5 28. h4 $1 Qxd4 29. Qxd4 Nf3+ 30. Kf2 Nxd4 31. Bxd4
{and again White has a good extra pawn.}) 28. Qxd4 Qc6 (28... Qc6 {Exercise:
What does White have to do here? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I would play}
29. Nd5 {.} ({I was looking at} 29. Qxd8+ {but I am worried about the rooks
not being able to defend White's king. The move 29 Nd5 threatens a fork and
allows the queen a move to get off the d-file. --- Boris: For White it is
difficult to play this position because he has to choose between several
possibilities, which are both difficult to calculate and evaluate. You were
right that it is not easy to estimate the unusual material balance, but White
had to realize that playing a position with both queens on the board is very
hard because of the weakness of the long diagonal. My opponent decided not to
exchange his queen for the rooks and found himself under a dangerous attack.
He had to choose between the two moves you mentioned, analysis of which shows
that the position is approximately equal.})) 29. Rc1 $2 ({Boris: Your
suggestion of} 29. Nd5 $5 {would end in a threefold repetition after} Kh8 $1
30. Ne7 Qc7 ({the endgame after} 30... Qc2 31. Rc1 Qd2 32. Qxd2 Rxd2 33. Ba1
Bb7 {is unclear}) 31. Nd5 {.}) ({Your alternative} 29. Qxd8+ $5 {is the most
dangerous continuation:} Rxd8 30. Rxd8+ Bf8 (30... Kh7 {is bad for Black:} 31.
Rd6 Qc8 32. Rc1 Qb7 33. fxg6+ fxg6 34. Bd4 $1 Qe4 35. Rc7 Bb7 36. Rdd7 {and
White is winning as his king will escape the checks}) 31. -- {, and now:} (31.
fxg6 {is the main line, when play would continue} fxg6 32. Nd5 Qc5+ 33. Re3 Bc8
$1 34. Kf2 Qc2+ 35. Re2 Qf5+ 36. Kg2 Bb7 37. h4 g5 $1 38. Kh2 ({after} 38. hxg5
$2 Qxg5 39. Rd7 h4 {White is defenseless}) 38... Bxd5 39. Rxd5 gxh4 40. gxh4
Bh6 {and Black's initiative is sufficient for the draw, but no more than that.}
) ({. White has two other options that are worth examining:} 31. e6 fxe6 32.
fxg6 Bb7 33. Nd5 $1 {. --- Exercise: What should Black play here? (difficulty
level 3)} -- ({. Joel: What's wrong with} 33... exd5 {- ? --- Boris: White
plays} 34. Bd4 $1 {and, with the long diagonal closed, is winning, because
Black cannot adequately meet the threats of g6-g7 or Rf1. In the case of} Qc7 {
White has} 35. Rxf8+ Kxf8 36. g7+ {etc.}) ({. Instead, Black should play} 33...
Qc5+ $1 34. Ne3 Qc6 {with a draw by repetition.} (34... --))) (31. Red1 Qf3 32.
Bd4 Bb7 33. Bc5 Qh1+ 34. Kf2 Qxh2+ 35. Ke1 Bf3 $1 36. Rxf8+ Kg7 37. f6+ Kh6 38.
Nf5+ {and now: --- Exercise: What does Black have to do? (difficulty level 2)
--- Joel: Can't you play} Kg5 {- ? --- Boris: Yes! 38...Kg5! and Black is
winning.} ({It would be wrong to take the knight:} 38... gxf5 39. Rh8+ ({but
not} 39. Be3+ $2 f4 {and the black king will escape on the light squares})
39... Kg6 40. Rg8+ Kh6 41. Be3+ {with mate to follow.}))) 29... Qb7 30. Qf4 Rd2
31. Rc2 Rbd8 32. Bc1 (32. Rec1 {Exercise: How should Black proceed? 
(difficulty level 3)} -- ({. Joel: I would play} 32... Bh6 {, deflecting
White's queen and allowing 33...Qf3 with mate to follow. --- Boris: You found
the right idea but White can defend after} 33. Qxh6 Qf3 34. Qf4 {. --- Can you
look again and try to implement the same idea?}) ({. Joel:} 32... g5 {. ---
Boris: Yes, you achieve the same results without losing your bishop:} 33. Qxg5
Qf3 34. Qf4 Rd1+ 35. Nf1 Qxf4 36. gxf4 Bxf1 {and Black has an extra bishop.} (
36... --))) 32... Rxc2 33. Nxc2 Qc6 $1 34. Nd4 {Exercise: What does Black have
to do? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: Rook takes knight should win. --- Boris:
Correct. Black utilizes the main idea of his plan, the weakness of the long
diagonal.} ({After 33...Qc6 White was defenseless; e.g.} 34. Ne3 Bb7 35. Kf2 g5
36. Qxg5 Qf3+ 37. Kg1 Qh1+ 38. Kf2 Qxh2+ 39. Kf1 Ba6+ 40. Nc4 Rd3 41. Be3 Bb7 {
winning.}) 34... Rxd4 35. Qxd4 Bb7 36. Kf2 Qf3+ 37. Kg1 Qg2# {. --- Boris: A
typical struggle for the USSR Championship: a fierce battle with mind-bending
complications and plenty of adventure.} 0-1

[Event "USSR Championship, Riga"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1985.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Chernin, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1985.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was the last round of my last Soviet Championship. My opponent
was the leader of the tournament and only needed a draw to become champion. I
wanted to finish my participation in the USSR Championships on a high note,
decided to give him a fight, and played the game with inspiration.} 1. d4 d5 2.
c4 c6 3. Bf4 $5 Nf6 $6 ({Boris: This line with 3 Bf4 occurred to me in my
preparation. Alas, White can hardly prove an advantage if Black plays} 3...
dxc4 $5 4. e3 b5 {, holding on to the extra pawn. Therefore, this variation is
only playable using a certain move order: 1 c4 Nf6 2 d4 c6 3 Bf4, being ready
to answer 3...d5 with 4 e3, when c4 is protected. I have played this move
order several times and it also arose in one of the games in the 1994
Gelfand-Kramnik match played in India.}) 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 Qb6 {Joel: I see
this move a lot in various Slav positions and Queen's Pawn games. Can you say
when it is favorable or not to exchange queens, doubling the opponent's or
your own pawns? --- Boris: I can tell you that the edge is with the side who
has the doubled pawns. --- Joel: Why? --- Boris: Because the open a-file,
along with the opportunity to push the front b-pawn, outweighs the
disadvantages of the fact that they are doubled. But as I said, it was my last
game in the Soviet Championships and I wanted to go out fighting. I wanted to
play more than an endgame.} 6. Qd2 Ne4 $5 {Boris: This is interesting. After
the exchange Black will have a pawn on e4, cramping the natural development of
my kingside knight.} ({White would have a pleasant position after} 6... dxc4 7.
Bxc4 Ne4 8. Qe2 $1 ({but not} 8. Nxe4 $2 Bxe4 {, threatening ...e7-e5.})) 7.
Nxe4 dxe4 8. c5 $1 ({Boris: If} 8. Ne2 $5 Nd7 9. Nc3 e5 $5 10. dxe5 Nc5 {Black
can fight for the initiative.}) 8... Qd8 9. Bc4 Nd7 10. Ne2 e5 $5 ({Boris: It
was possible to play} 10... e6 $5 {as well, and after} 11. b4 (11. O-O $2 Nxc5
{would be a blunder}) 11... Be7 ({rather than} 11... a5 12. bxa5 {, when the
b7-pawn would become weak}) 12. O-O $6 g5 $5 13. Bg3 h5 {Black has chances to
attack. Chernin chooses a more direct approach.}) 11. Bg3 $5 ({Boris:} 11. dxe5
Nxc5 12. Nd4 Be6 13. Nxe6 Qxd2+ 14. Kxd2 Nxe6 {would be equal.}) 11... exd4 ({
Boris: Black could keep the tension by playing} 11... Be7 $5 12. b4 a5 {.}) 12.
Nxd4 $1 {Joel: Can you explain why you give this an exclamation mark? It seems
pretty natural. You attack the bishop and can then play b2-b4 protecting the
c5-pawn? --- Boris: You will see that after b2-b4 White nevertheless loses the
pawn. I had to accept that after this move I was going to sacrifice a pawn,
when the nature of the game becomes very sharp.} ({A more quiet way would have
been} 12. exd4 Be7 {with a complicated struggle.}) 12... Bg6 13. b4 a5 14. O-O
$1 {Joel: That's not what I expected. I would have taken on a5, exchanged
queens and then castled, with the idea of bringing my king's rook to the
semi-open b-file. --- Boris: But Black would just take on c5 and be better. It
is preferable to be in a middlegame where you sacrifice a pawn for something
than in an endgame where you have sacrificed the pawn for nothing. White's
advantage is in development and he needs to exploit the fact that Black has
not yet castled.} axb4 15. Qxb4 Qc8 $5 {Boris: Chernin decides to avoid the
main line that White prepared.} ({In the case of} 15... Nxc5 $5 {, Exercise:
What did White have prepared? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: Nothing is
jumping out at me. --- Boris: Here is an exercise in intuition and fantasy.
--- Joel: I am not sure if White can get hurt too badly if he allows a
discovery on the queen, so perhaps ignoring the threat and playing 16 Rfd1
makes sense? --- Boris: White cannot waste time and must break through with
the sudden sacrifice} 16. Nb5 $1 ({after your suggestion} 16. Rfd1 {, then} Qa5
17. Qb2 Qa3 $5 ({or Black could play} 17... Be7 $5 18. Nb3 Bf6 19. Qxf6 gxf6
20. Nxa5 Rxa5 {and White still has to prove that he has compensation for the
pawn}) 18. Qb6 Qa5 $1 {could lead to a draw by repetition}) 16... -- (16...
cxb5 17. Bxb5+ Nd7 18. Qd4 Be7 ({not} 18... Ra5 $2 19. Qe5+ Be7 20. Bxd7+) 19.
Rad1 $1 ({worse is} 19. Qxg7 $2 Bf6 20. Bxd7+ Kxd7 21. Rad1+ Ke6 22. Qh6 Qb6)
19... O-O (19... Bf5 20. Qxg7 Bf6 21. Qh6 {is also extremely dangerous for
Black}) 20. Qxd7 $1 {with a clear advantage for White.}) ({. Another
possibility in the above variation is} 16... Rc8 {. --- Exercise: What would
you play here? (difficulty level 4)} 17. -- ({. Joel: I want to play} 17. Nd6+
Bxd6 18. Rfd1 Nd3 19. Qxd6 Qxd6 20. Bxd6 {, preventing Black from castling and
obtaining the bishop pair.}) ({. Boris: In your variation Black has a solid
extra pawn in the endgame, but White can win with a funny knight jump:} 17. Na7
$1 Ra8 18. Rad1 Qf6 19. Nb5 $1 {with a decisive attack.} (19. --)))) 16. Rfd1
Bxc5 17. Qc3 $1 Be7 ({Boris: Black cannot stop White's attack with} 17... Ra3
18. Bb3 O-O {because of} 19. Nc2 {(attacking the rook)} Ra8 20. Rxd7 {and the
bishop on c5 is hanging.}) (17... Be7 {Exercise: What should White play? 
(difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I like} 18. Ne6 {, although I am not sure after}
fxe6 19. Bxe6 Bf6 20. Qb4 Bxa1 {, as it looks like Black will get a lot of
material for the queen. --- Boris: Your variation is good for White, because
after the immediate 21 Qd6 Black has to resign. The crucial line is 18 Ne6 Bf6
which we will consider in the game.}) 18. Ne6 Bf6 19. Qd2 $6 ({Boris:} 19. Qb4
$1 {was more dangerous, leaving the d-file open for White's rook. After} Ne5 (
19... fxe6 {is even worse, when} 20. Bxe6 {transposes to the previous note})
20. Bxe5 fxe6 21. Bxf6 gxf6 22. Rd2 $1 {(not permitting Black to castle)} Kf7
23. Rad1 {and Black is defenseless.}) 19... Ne5 {Exercise: What does White
have to play? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: So far I don't feel I have
developed a systematic way of solving these kind of problems. I find myself
just staring at the board looking for sacrifices. I remember you giving me a
hierarchy starting with "Can I checkmate the enemy king?" but part of my
problem is knowing the conditions when this is possible. I've been looking
through some books that I have found helpful, such as Jeremy Silman's 'How to
Reassess Your Chess' and Vladimir Vukovic's 'The Art of Attack in Chess', and
have added what seem to be the conditions for such an attack to your hierarchy.
How about this...? --- In trying to make a decision at the board, ask yourself
the following questions: 1) Can I checkmate the enemy king? --- a) Is the
enemy king weak? Uncastled? Has it lost the right to castle? Can I deprive the
enemy king of the right to castle? If castled, are there vulnerable points to
attack? Is the pawn cover in front of the king damaged? --- b) Do I have more
pieces in the vicinity of the enemy king or that can get to the enemy king
quickly? Are important defensive forces unable to come to the enemy king's
defense? --- 2) Can I make a direct threat against the enemy that wins
material? --- a) Are there any undefended, insufficiently defended, or
awkwardly placed pieces? --- b) Are there restricted pieces or pieces that can
be dominated? --- If yes to any of the above, are there any pins, forks, or
checks (Smyslov's three fundamental chess tactics) that you can make use of to
accomplish your goal? If so, these form the basis of your candidate moves,
which need to be checked (calculated). --- If not, ask yourself the following
questions: 3) Can I bring more pieces into action? --- 4) Can I improve the
placement of my pieces? (If your pieces are optimally placed, look for pawn
moves.) --- If not, finish development, castle. --- What do you think? ---
Boris: Very good. The only thing I would add is that when you are on the
attack the most important thing is to maintain the initiative. Clearly, you
will maintain the initiative with points 1 and 2 but not with 3 ("Can I bring
more pieces into action?"). I think you need to add "or take the initiative".
You cannot waste time when you are attacking. You have to find a forced way to
establish your will. --- In the present example, White has burned his bridges
in initiating his attack; if he doesn't find the most aggressive move, he will
simply lose. In this example, I don't think you can mate the king or make a
direct threat of mate, but can you make a threat that wins material? We've
seen this move before. --- Joel: What about 20 Qd6 - ? --- Boris: Correct!} 20.
Qd6 $1 fxe6 21. Bxe5 ({Joel: I would have taken on e6 first threatening the
queen, no? --- Boris: No, it doesn't work:} 21. Bxe6 Qd8 22. Bxe5 Qxd6 23. Bxd6
Bxa1 {and Black is winning.}) 21... Bf5 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. Rd4 b5 {Boris: Now
White's bishop will reposition itself to attack along the h5-e8 diagonal.} ({
For Black's other defense,} 23... Kf7 {, I planned} 24. Rad1 Re8 25. Qf4 Bg6 (
25... Ke7 $1 {is more stubborn, although} 26. Qh6 Rg8 27. Rd6 b5 28. Bxe6 $1
Bxe6 29. Qxh7+ Kf8 30. Qxe4 {still gives White a dangerous attack}) 26. Rd7+
Re7 {and now: --- Exercise: White is winning. (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: I
would play} 27. Bxe6+ {. --- Boris: Correct.}) 24. Be2 $1 c5 $2 {Boris: Black
cracks under the strain. Now White's task is easy.} ({Black had to defend with
} 24... Kf7 $1 {, when} 25. Qc5 $1 e5 26. Rd6 {keeps up the pressure.}) 25.
Bxb5+ Kf7 26. Rdd1 Ra7 ({Boris: When Black sacrificed the pawn he perhaps
hoped that} 26... Rd8 {would reduce the pressure, but after} 27. Bd7 $1 Qb7 28.
Rab1 Qa7 29. h3 $1 {Black's position is hopeless.}) 27. Rac1 Rc7 28. a4 c4 29.
Ba6 Qb8 30. Bxc4 Rhc8 31. Rb1 Qa7 32. Ba6 Re8 33. h3 Ree7 34. Bb5 $1 {Boris:
Preventing ...Red7.} Kg7 35. Qg3+ Bg6 36. Rd8 e5 37. h4 Kh6 38. Rd6 Rf7 39.
Rbd1 Qc5 (39... Qc5 {Exercise: Try to find a forced win for White. (difficulty
level 4) --- Joel: I see two candidate moves: 40 Be8 and 40 h5.} 40. -- ({.
After} 40. h5 Bxh5 ({but I don't see a forced win after} 40... Kxh5) 41. Qh4 {
wins}) ({, so I would prefer} 40. Be8 {which seems clearer to me.})) 40. Be8 ({
Boris: 40 Be8 is what I played and is also winning, but} 40. h5 $1 {wins on
the spot:} Kxh5 ({you're right about} 40... Bxh5 41. Qh4 {and Black cannot
save his bishop}) 41. R6d5 $1 {(pinning the e5-pawn)} Qc3 42. Qh2+ Kg5 43. Qf4+
Kh5 44. Be2# {.}) 40... Rf8 41. Bxg6 hxg6 42. Qg4 {. --- Boris: My opponent
resigned immediately after the game was adjourned. His position is losing
because I have an extra pawn and a serious threat against Black's weak king.
Given all this he correctly estimated that his position is hopeless. --- The
most interesting events in this game happened between moves 12 and 20. White
didn't miss his chance to take the initiative and, once taken, did not
relinquish it. This game nicely demonstrates Steinitz's rule: "When you have
the chance to attack you must take it."} 1-0

[Event "Helsinki"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Sherbakov, R."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "1992.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This game had a predecessor. Fourteen years earlier, I played
Dvoretsky who used the same line. I sacrificed a pawn, obtained a good
position, and won a nice game. For fourteen years I thought this variation was
favorable for White and didn't pay attention to the development of theory.
Because of this, I had to solve new problems in this game. Both games were
annotated in Dvoretsky's classic training book, 'Positional Play'.} 1. d4 d5 2.
c4 c6 3. cxd5 {Joel: The Exchange Slav. Why did you play it? It has a
reputation of being very boring. --- Boris: I decided to play it after I
analyzed the game F.Marshall-Em.Lasker, New York 1924. If Marshall could
outplay Lasker in this opening, then I thought it could not be so simple. Also,
many very aggressive chess players have played it, including Botvinnik and
Portisch.} cxd5 4. Bf4 Qb6 $5 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Rc1 Bd7 ({Boris: Because of this
move the variation received new life. Dvoretsky played} 6... Nc6 {against me
at Vilnius in 1978, but after} 7. e3 Qxb2 8. Bd3 Bg4 9. Nge2 Bxe2 10. Bxe2 e5
11. dxe5 Bb4 12. O-O Bxc3 13. exf6 Bxf6 14. Bf3 $1 Rd8 15. Bxd5 Ne7 16. e4 $1
Nxd5 17. exd5 O-O 18. d6 Qxa2 19. d7 $1 {White obtained a big advantage.}) 7.
e3 ({Boris: It would have been cowardly to play} 7. Qd2 Nc6 8. e3 e6 {with an
approximately equal position.}) 7... Qxb2 8. Bd3 e6 9. Nge2 {Boris: The knight
on c3 needs support.} (9. Nf3 $2 Bb4 {is bad for White.}) 9... Qa3 $1 {Joel:
What did you like about this move? --- Boris: It is a prophylactic move
against Rb1. He hides the queen before it is attacked. It is a move in the
style of Karpov. --- Joel: The best chapter I ever read on prophylaxis is in
Dvoretsky's book 'Positional Play', where he discusses Karpov's game against
Timman (Montreal 1979).} 10. O-O ({Boris:} 10. Rb1 $5 {, immediately attacking
the b7-pawn, would have been an interesting alternative.}) 10... a6 $1 {Boris:
This important move, covering the crucial b5-square, brought Black great
results in several games before this one. I thought for a long time here,
trying to find a way to obtain the initiative for the pawn I sacrificed. My
next move earned two exclamation marks in Dvoretsky's book.} (10... a6 {
Exercise: Try to find it. (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: Black's king is in
the center of the board. I imagine this fact must be used to gain the
initiative. --- Boris: Correct, White is ahead in development but the position
is closed. Therefore, what should you do? --- Joel: I need to find a way to
open the position. --- Boris: Correct. --- Joel: White must play} 11. e4 $1 {
. --- Boris: The problem with 11 e4 is that Black exchanges on e4 and sticks
his knight on d5 and White has not succeeded in opening the position. --- Joel:
He has created a not-so-good IQP. --- Boris: Right.} ({White had a trap:} 11.
Rb1 b5 12. Bc7 {with the idea of catching the queen after} Be7 ({however, after
} 12... Bc6 13. Rb3 Qe7 {Black is better}) 13. Rb3 {. White has to prepare the
opening of the position and he has time for this because Black is
underdeveloped.})) 11. Be5 $1 {Boris: Acting against Black's best defensive
piece.} Be7 {Boris: Black avoids the doubling of his pawns.} ({After either} 
11... Nc6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. e4 dxe4 14. Bxe4) ({or} 11... Bc6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13.
e4 dxe4 14. Bxe4 {White will play d4-d5 with a significant initiative.}) 12. e4
Bc6 ({Boris: In the case of} 12... dxe4 13. Nxe4 Nc6 ({Black doesn't have} 
13... Nd5 {here because the g7-pawn is hanging}) 14. Rc3 Qa5 15. Nd6+ {,
Black's king will have to stay in the center.}) (12... Nc6 {is another
possibility, but after} 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. exd5 Nxd4 (14... exd5 15. Nxd5 Qd6
16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. Qb3 b5 18. Be4 {is also promising; e.g.} O-O $2 19. Qd5 {
wins material}) 15. Ne4 Nxe2+ 16. Qxe2 Be7 17. Rc7 {White has the initiative.})
13. exd5 exd5 14. Ng3 $5 {Boris: A difficult choice.} ({White could win the
pawn back after} 14. Bxf6 $5 Bxf6 15. Nf4 O-O 16. Ncxd5 ({better than} 16.
Nfxd5 Nd7 {with equality}) 16... Qd6 (16... Nd7 $2 {is a mistake because of}
17. Rc3 Qd6 18. Bxh7+ Kxh7 19. Qh5+ Kg8 20. Rh3 {winning}) (16... Bxd5 $2 {
would also be fatal after} 17. Nxd5 Qd6 18. Qf3 Nd7 19. Qf5 g6 20. Qxd7 {and
White is winning}) 17. Nxf6+ Qxf6 18. Qd2 {with a strong position. However,
White hopes to obtain more by bringing a knight to f5.}) 14... Nbd7 ({Boris:
Black cannot deprive White the f5-square with} 14... g6 $2 {. --- Exercise:
What would you play? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel: I like} 15. Nxd5 {, taking
advantage of the pin and Black's weak back rank. --- Boris: Correct.}) (14...
O-O $2 {was equally bad because after} 15. Nf5 Re8 {, Exercise: What would you
play? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I like} 16. Nxg7 $1 {. --- Boris: Correct!
} Kxg7 17. Qg4+ Kf8 18. Qg5 Nbd7 19. Qh6+ Kg8 20. Bxh7+ {wins.}) 15. Nf5 g6 $1
({Boris: Black still can't play} 15... O-O $2 {because of} 16. Nb1 {, winning
the bishop on e7.}) 16. Nb1 Qa4 {Boris: Not the toughest defense.} (16... Qa5 {
was more prudent, when I planned} 17. Nxe7 Kxe7 18. Bf4 ({according to
Dvoretsky,} 18. Qf3 Rhe8 19. Qf4 $1 {was even stronger, as recommended by
Bologan}) 18... h6 19. Nd2 Kf8 20. Nf3 Kg7 21. Ne5 {with pressure.}) ({
Returning to the game after} 16... Qa4 {, Exercise: How does White obtain an
advantage? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: This is the kind of problem that
gives me fits. My knight is hanging and I don't want to exchange queens. The
obvious move is} 17. Nd6+ {, but after} Bxd6 18. -- (18. Bxd6 Qxd1 {my attack
is not dangerous. --- Boris: Correct.}) ({. Are there any intermediate moves
after 17...Bxd6 that you can see? --- Joel:} 18. Bc2 {. --- Boris: And after}
Qb4 {, do you see another intermediate move?  Joel:} 19. a3 {. --- Boris:
Right, and now you can take on d6 and Black's king is stuck in the center with
queens on the board.} (19. --))) 17. Nd6+ Kf8 18. Qxa4 Bxa4 19. Nxb7 Nxe5 20.
dxe5 Nd7 21. f4 Ra7 ({Boris: After} 21... Kg7 22. Nc3 Bc6 23. Na5 {Black's
position would be very difficult.}) 22. Nd6 Kg7 23. Nc3 Bc6 24. Ne2 Bb5 $6 {
Boris: Black gives up a pawn, trying to reduce the pressure.} ({After} 24...
Ba4 25. Nd4 Rb8 26. Nc6 {White keeps the advantage as well.}) 25. Nxb5 axb5 26.
Bxb5 Nc5 ({Boris:} 26... Rxa2 {doesn't solve Black's problems after} 27. Nc3 {
with excellent winning chances.}) (26... Nc5 {Exercise: What does White have
to play to keep the initiative? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I like} 27. f5 {
, threatening to fork the bishop and king. I don't think this threat can be
ignored, so after} gxf5 {White can play} 28. Nd4 {threatening 29 Nxf5+. ---
Boris: Correct.}) 27. f5 $1 gxf5 ({Boris: In the case of} 27... Bg5 {White
wins by} 28. f6+ Kh6 29. Rc3 Bd2 30. Rh3+ Kg5 31. Rg3+ Kh6 32. Nd4 Rxa2 33.
Rh3+ Kg5 34. Nf3+ Kg4 35. e6 $1 {, when the twin threats of 36 Ne5+ and 36 e7
cannot be prevented at the same time.}) 28. Ng3 ({Joel: You didn't play} 28.
Nd4 {as I expected. Why? --- Boris: It's comes to the same thing. White's
knight attacks f5 from both squares.}) 28... Rb8 29. Nxf5+ Kf8 30. Nxe7 Rxb5
31. Nxd5 Kg7 ({Boris: In the case of} 31... Nd3 32. Rc8+ Kg7 33. Nf6 Nxe5 34.
Rg8+ Kh6 35. h4 $1 {Black's king is in a mating net, but after} Rxa2 {,
Exercise: What should White do? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I would play}
36. Rf5 {threatening mate. --- Boris: It is an incredible position. It shows
that sometimes chess provides us with very surprising resources for defense.
In this desperate position Black has chances to reach a draw by playing for
stalemate. Let's consider White's moves one at a time:} (36. g4 {allows Black
to draw easily by} Nf3+ 37. Rxf3 Rb1+ 38. Rf1 Rxf1+ 39. Kxf1 Rf2+ {with
stalemate.}) ({. After your} 36. Rf5 {Black can get rid of all his pieces and
again draw by stalemate:} Nf3+ 37. Rxf3 Rb1+ 38. Kh2 Rxg2+ 39. Kxg2 (39. Rxg2 {
doesn't help much after} Rh1+ 40. Kg3 Rh3+ 41. Kg4 Rxh4+ 42. Kf5 Rf4+ 43. Ke5
Rf5+ 44. Ke4 Rf4+ 45. Ke5 Rf5+) 39... Rg1+ 40. Kf2 Rf1+ 41. Ke2 Rf2+ 42. Ke3
Rxf3+ {and White has to take on f3, agreeing to a draw, or lose the knight as
well.}) ({. Only} 36. Rg5 $1 {wins, although it is not an easy win because
after} Nf3+ 37. gxf3 Rxg5+ 38. hxg5+ Kxg5 39. Ne4+ {White's pieces are
disorganized, and in order to win, he must coordinate them; for example,} Kf4
40. Rf2 Ra6 41. Nc3 h5 42. Kg2 Rg6+ 43. Kf1 h4 44. Ne2+ Ke3 45. Ng1 {and White
wins, as he simply has an extra knight now. The important maneuver in this
variation was transferring the knight to g1 where it holds up the h-pawn and
protects the f-pawn. As a result, White will be able to activate his rook by
relieving it from defensive duties and win.  Joel: That is truly an incredible
resource.})) 32. Rc4 Ra4 {Exercise: How does White have to proceed? 
(difficulty level 3)} 33. Ne3 {Boris: Now White can either stabilize the
position with two extra pawns or again create mating threats.} Rxa2 34. Nf5+
Kg6 {. Boris: Here my opponent lost on time;} ({but after} 34... Kg6 35. Rg4+ {
his king would again be in a mating net anyway.}) 1-0

[Event "Dos Hermanas"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Rivas Pastor, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A21"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Joel: Who is Rivas Pastor? --- Boris: He was a very interesting player. In
the first round of this tournament he reached a big advantage against Karpov.
It was a controversial game because after Karpov's 38th move his flag fell.
Karpov argued that, during the scramble before the time control, there was an
illogical repetition of moves and they argued for hours. I remember going to
dinner and returning to the tournament site only to find them still arguing. I
then went to walk around the city and returned to find them still arguing.
Later I saw an hysterical Rivas Pastor running from the playing hall shouting
"Okay, let it be a draw." --- Joel: There weren't any witnesses? --- Boris:
There were many and none saw this repetition. --- Joel: Wow! I guess it pays
to be world champion. --- Boris: Yes, Karpov was known for this argumentative
quality.} 1. d4 d6 2. c4 e5 3. Nf3 e4 4. Ng5 f5 5. Nc3 c6 6. Nh3 Be7 7. Bf4 g5
$1 {Boris: This is an interesting novelty.} ({In the case of} 7... Be6 8. e3 {
White would have a pleasant position.}) ({The only occasion on which 7 Bf4 was
played before this game was in L.Christiansen-J.Smejkal, Novi Sad Olympiad
1990. Actually, it was played on the board next to me. That game continued} 
7... Nf6 8. e3 O-O 9. Be2 h6 10. Qb3 Rf7 11. Bg3 g5 12. O-O-O {and White
obtained a better position.}) 8. Bd2 h6 9. e3 ({Boris: The immediate} 9. f3
exf3 $1 10. exf3 (10. gxf3 f4 {is no better}) 10... Nf6 11. Nf2 Qb6 {with a
good game for Black.}) 9... Nf6 10. f3 a6 $6 {Boris: Black prepares ...b7-b5.
It is a good positional plan except that Black is behind in development.} ({
Much safer was} 10... exf3 $5 11. gxf3 d5 $1 ({rather than} 11... c5 $6 12. d5
Nbd7 13. f4 {and White is much better}) 12. Qb3 Qb6 {with an unclear position.}
) 11. fxe4 fxe4 12. Nf2 d5 13. Qb3 b5 $5 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. Rc1 Bb7 ({Boris:
Another way was} 15... Bf5 16. Ne2 Nbd7 17. Ng3 Bg6 18. Be2 h5 $5 19. O-O h4
20. Ngh1 O-O 21. Ng4 {and the knight will jump from h1 to f2 and support his
brother on g4, giving White better chances.}) 16. Be2 Nc6 {Boris: The crucial
moment in the game. Black is ready to maneuver his knight from c6 through a5
to c4 with an excellent position. White has to find a way to use his advantage
in development or he will miss his chance.} (16... Nc6 {Exercise: Try to find
two combinational sacrifices between which White had to choose, and evaluate
which is more promising (difficulty level 6). --- Joel: I think I could be
here for a while. --- Boris: I can tell you that I spent most of the time I
had in the game on this move, more than an hour. This is probably the most
difficult calculation task in the whole book.} 17. -- ({. Joel: Well, the two
combinations I came up with were:} 17. Nxb5 {, when after} axb5 18. Bxb5 {
White has a pin he can work with}) ({, and} 17. Nxd5 {, when after} Qxd5 ({and
after} 17... Nxd5 18. Bh5+ {, when Black is weak on the light squares and will
lose the e4-pawn to boot}) 18. Bc4 bxc4 {, I prepared} 19. Qxb7 Rb8 20. Qxc6+ {
.}) ({. Boris: Both suggestions are wrong. In your first line, Black simply
plays 18...Rc8 and White doesn't have any resources to increase the pressure.
Your second suggestion is refuted by} 17. Nxd5 Qxd5 {. --- Joel: But I came up
with a brilliancy in} 18. Bc4 $1 {. --- Boris: No, you forget that in your
variation after 19...Rb8 White doesn't have 20 Qxc6 because there is a pawn on
c4 now. White's choice is between sacrificing two knights on e4, opening all
diagonals against Black's king (which happened in the game), and the even more
complicated 17 Ng4.})) 17. Ncxe4 $3 {Boris: Sometimes we have go to look to
sacrifices because the logic of the struggle demands it. Other ways are simply
not attractive.} ({The problem I had in this game is that I had two appealing
continuations. The complications after} 17. Ng4 $5 {are very interesting:} Na5
18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 19. Bh5+ Kf8 20. Qb4+ $1 (20. Qc2 {did not promise anything
after} Nc4) 20... Be7 21. Nxd5 $3 Bxb4 22. Bxb4+ Kg8 23. Ne7+ Kh7 $1 {.} ({.
Not} 23... Kg7 {. --- Exercise: I saw a win after 23...Kg7. Can you find it? 
(difficulty level 5)} 24. -- ({. Joel: I can make a direct threat against the
enemy king with} 24. O-O {, threatening 25 Rf7 mate. I just don't know about}
Rf8 {. I was thinking about} 25. Nf5+ {but I am not sure. --- Boris: The move
you offered is very promising and probably a second solution.} ({Instead of 25
Nf5+ White has} 25. Rxf8 Qxf8 26. d5 $1 {and Black has to give up the queen on
e7 to protect against Bc3+.})) ({. The move I thought about was} 24. Bd6 $1 Nc4
({or} 24... Nc6 25. Rxc6 Bxc6 26. Be5+ Kf8 27. Nxc6 Qd7 28. O-O+ Kg8 29. Rf6 $1
{and Black is defenseless}) 25. Rxc4 bxc4 26. O-O Rf8 27. Be5+ Kh7 28. Bg6# {.}
)) ({. Let's return to Black's best defense} 23... Kh7 $1 {, when White has}
24. O-O Rg8 $1 25. Rf7+ Rg7 26. Rcf1 Bd5 $1 27. Bg6+ $1 ({much worse was} 27.
Bxa5 Qxe7) ({or} 27. Nxd5 Qxd5 28. Bxa5 Ra7) 27... Kh8 28. Nxd5 Qxd5 29. Rf8+
Rxf8 30. Rxf8+ Rg8 31. Bf7 {and White is better but the outcome is not so
clear.})) 17... dxe4 18. Nxe4 Kf8 $2 {Boris: It was better to accept the
sacrifice of the second knight. Rivas explained to me after the game that,
because of the amount of time I spent thinking about my sacrifice, he wanted
to deviate from the main lines of my calculations. Generally his logic was
good. When your opponent spends a long time calculating a variation then it
makes sense to deviate, but in this situation it backfired.} ({Also bad was
another rejection of the second knight with} 18... Rf8 $2 19. O-O $1 Nxe4 20.
Bh5+ Kd7 21. Qd5+ Bd6 (21... Kc7 22. Ba5+ Kb8 23. Bxd8 Nxd8 24. Qd7) ({and} 
21... Nd6 22. Bg4+ Ke8 23. Qe6 Qc7 24. Rxf8+ Kxf8 25. Rf1+ Kg7 26. d5 $1 {were
just losing}) 22. Bg4+ Kc7 23. Ba5+ Kb8 24. Bxd8 Nxd8 25. Qxd6+ $1 Nxd6 26.
Rxf8 Ka7 27. Rc7 {with a big advantage for White.}) ({The main line had to be} 
18... Nxe4 $1 19. Bh5+ Kd7 20. Qd5+ (20. Bg4+ Ke8 21. Bh5+ {would be
fainthearted}) 20... Nd6 {.} ({. If instead} 20... Bd6 {, Exercise: How does
White win? (difficulty level 1)} 21. -- ({. Joel: First I considered} 21. Bg4+
{, but Black can play} Ke8 {and maybe use his extra pieces to block checks and
stay alive.}) ({. Next I saw that after} 21. Qf5+ {(now the bishop prevents
the king from escaping to e8) White wins easily with} Ke7 ({or} 21... Kc7 22.
Ba5+) 22. Qf7# {mate. --- Boris: Correct.})) ({. Returning to} 20... Nd6 21.
Bg4+ Ke8 22. Qe6 {, then} Qc7 $1 {is forced, since other moves obviously lose.}
(22... h5 23. Qg6+ Nf7 24. Be6 Rf8 25. O-O Qd6 26. Rxf7 Kd8 27. Rxc6 {and 28
Ba5+}) ({, or} 22... Rf8 23. Bh5+ Rf7 24. Rf1 Qd7 25. Bxf7+ Nxf7 26. Qxf7+ Kd8
27. Rf5 $1 {and Black is defenseless.}) ({. For example,} 22... Qb6 23. O-O Bc8
24. Qg6+ Kd8 {. --- Exercise: White is winning. (difficulty level 1) --- Joel:}
25. Rxc6 Qxc6 {and} 26. Ba5+ {mate. --- Boris: Correct, except that it is not
mate. The line continues} Qc7 27. Bxc7+ Kxc7 28. Qg7 Re8 29. Bh5 {and White
wins.}) ({. Returning to} 22... Qc7 $1 {, Exercise: Does White have to rush to
win back the knight with 23 d5 - ? (difficulty level 5)} 23. -- ({. Joel:} 23.
d5 {looks good to me. --- Boris: This move looks very natural because it is
not easy psychologically to play two pieces down. However, after} Kd8 $1 24.
dxc6 Bc8 25. Qe5 Rf8 {Black consolidates his position with an extra piece.}) ({
. It is of paramount importance in this position to prevent 23...Kd8, which
White accomplishes with} 23. O-O $3 {. --- Joel: How does this accomplish that
goal? --- Boris: Because in the event of} Kd8 {now, Exercise: What does White
play? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel:} 24. Ba5 {of course. --- Boris: Correct.})
({. So, after} 23. O-O $3 {Black's best defense is} a5 $1 {(Black has to
prepare ...Kd8 by taking control of the a5-square)} 24. d5 Kd8 25. dxc6 Bc8 26.
Qe5 {, but even here Black can hardly withstand White's pressure.} (26. --)))))
({Returning to the game after} 18... Kf8 {, Exercise: How does White continue
his attack? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I think I would play} 19. O-O {.
--- Boris: According to the rules of chess your suggestion is correct but, as
Boris Weinstein wrote in his book for beginners, you can't just follow rules
when you cross the street, you have to look both ways. --- Joel: What do you
mean? --- Boris: I mean that if you only follow the rules of crossing the
street, stay within the crosswalk, walk on green not on red, you can still get
hit by a car. Here, you have to calculate the consequences of your logical
move and find that it fails to 19...Nxd4! and Black wins.} ({Joel: What about} 
19. Ng3 {- ? --- Boris: That's an interesting move, but you lose time with 19
Ng3 and leave an important black defender on the board. It is important when
attacking not to lose time, and to find the most energetic and forcing moves.})
({Joel: I thought about} 19. Nxf6 {and 20 Bh5 threatening mate. --- Boris:
Correct! You exchange Black's important defender, include the bishop in the
attack, and prevent Black's king from escaping.})) 19. Nxf6 $1 Bxf6 20. Bh5 $1
Rh7 ({Boris: Other defenses are even worse:} 20... Qe7 21. Rxc6 Bxc6 22. Bb4) (
{or} 20... Qd7 21. O-O Kg7 22. Rxf6 Kxf6 23. Rf1+ {.}) 21. O-O Qd6 22. Rxf6+
Qxf6 23. Rf1 Qxf1+ 24. Kxf1 Re7 25. d5 Ne5 26. Bb4 Rd8 27. e4 Rdd7 28. Qc3 Kg7
29. Bxe7 Rxe7 30. d6 {. --- Boris: Really, this is a game of one move. The
sacrifice of the knight on e4 gave White an unstoppable attack. What this game
shows is that sometimes you have to sacrifice even when you can't calculate,
because if you don't you will lose your advantage. So the sacrifice flows from
the logic of the struggle. The position demands a risky decision. --- Joel: I
think there is an element of anxiety that prevents us from making these kinds
of sacrifices, sacrifices that you can't calculate to the end. --- Boris:
That's an interesting psychological mistake. The decision not to sacrifice is
also risky, since you will lose your chance to win; the risk just did not
involve the sacrifice of material. Missing your chances is also a loss, it is
just not as tangible as a material sacrifice. Also, people don't like to
defend, so that psychological factor is in your favor. For example, in this
game, my opponent made an immediate mistake with 18...Kf8, losing at once.} 1-0

[Event "USSR Championship, Yerevan"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1975.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Doroshkievich, V."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D90"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "1975.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This is a game from what was probably the most interesting tournament
I ever played in my life. --- Joel: Wow! That means a lot coming from you. ---
Boris: In this tournament, three young players - Vaganian, Romanishin, and
myself - reached our highest level, fighting against Petrosian, Tal, Bronstein,
Polugaevsky, Geller and others from the previous generation. There were a lot
of great games played. It was held in the capital of Armenia and both Vaganian
and Petrosian were Armenian and played very well, so the capital was ablaze
with chess. This game was played at the start of the tournament. --- Joel: Who
was your opponent? --- Boris: A Soviet master. In those years that meant a lot,
but of course he was not the most dangerous opponent I would face in this
tournament. --- Joel: How did you do? --- Boris: After a terrible finish, in
which I scored only one point in the last four games, I tied for second with
Vaganian, Tal and Romanishin, behind Petrosian, who won.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3.
Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qa4+ {Boris: In those years this check was considered to
be a way of taking the game into one of the lines of the Smyslov Variation of
the Grünfeld.} Bd7 6. Qb3 dxc4 7. Qxc4 ({Boris: As is well known,} 7. Qxb7 $2
Nc6 {is bad for White.}) 7... Bc6 $5 {Boris: I played this move trying to
create something unknown.} ({The Smyslov Variation could arise after} 7... O-O
8. e4 Bg4 {.} ({Later it was found that} 8... b5 $1 {is the best reaction for
Black, as played in R.Hübner-G.Kasparov, Brussels 1986. The merits of 8...b5!
reduces the importance of my novelty.})) 8. Ne5 ({Boris:} 8. Bf4 $5 {is one
among several promising continuations.}) 8... O-O 9. Bg5 Bd5 10. Qd3 $5 ({
Boris: Not bad either was} 10. Nxd5 Nxd5 11. Nf3 $1 Nc6 12. e3 Qd6 13. Rd1 {
with a pleasant position for White.}) 10... Nc6 11. e3 ({Boris: Interesting
complications could arise from} 11. e4 $5 Be6 (11... Bxe4 12. Nxe4 Nb4 13. Qb1
Qxd4 {is premature, as after} 14. Bxf6 exf6 15. Nf3 {White will finish his
development in time}) 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Be2 Rb8 14. Qd2 c5 15. d5 Nxe4 $1 16.
Nxe4 Rxb2 17. Qe3 Qxd5 18. O-O Bd4 19. Qf3 f6 20. Bh6 Rfb8 {and Black's
position is very active.}) ({Strongest, however, was} 11. a3 $5 {because it
covers the important b4-square. Black has a lead in development and needs to
open the position with ...c7-c5 but, with the knight on c6, it is impossible.
So, by restricting the c6-knight, 11 a3 prevents Black from opening the game.
The move actually played allows Black to achieve a good game.}) 11... Nb4 {
Boris: The first and correct step in creating complications.} ({The tempting} 
11... Bxg2 $2 12. Bxg2 Nxe5 {is answered by} 13. Qb5 $1 {and White is clearly
better.}) 12. Qd2 c5 $1 13. dxc5 Bxa2 $2 {Boris: A surprising but incorrect
combination.} ({The sane} 13... Be6 14. Nd3 Qa5 {would lead to good game for
Black.}) ({Another decent option was} 13... Qc7) (13... Bxa2 {Exercise: What
is White's best reaction to this sudden blow? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I
don't think} 14. Nxa2 {is good because Black can exchange on d2, take back on
a2, and then play ...Ne4+ forking the king and bishop. White could kill this
plan with 14 Bxf6 and perhaps follow up with 15 Nd7 with a good game. ---
Boris: You are correct!} ({During my opponent's deep reflections on the move I
realized, with horror, that my idea to exchange on d2 and make a fork on e4
can be refuted by} 14. Bxf6 $1 Qxd2+ ({after} 14... exf6 15. Nxa2 Nxa2 16. Nd3
{the black knight is caught}) ({and} 14... Bxf6 15. Nxa2 Nxa2 16. Nd7 {is no
better}) 15. Kxd2 Rfd8+ (15... Bxf6 16. Nxa2 Nxa2 17. Nd3 {is similar to the
previous line}) 16. Nd3 Bc4 ({Black wouldn't have much chance of surviving
after} 16... Nxd3 17. Bxd3 Bc4 18. Bd4 $1) 17. Bxe7 Bxd3 18. Bxd8 Rxd8 19. Bxd3
Nxd3 20. Ke2 {and White has to win. Luckily for me, my last crazy move
confused my opponent enough that he missed his chance. --- Joel: It shows the
virtue of attacking and putting people in defensive positions, even if the
sacrifice isn't sound. Am I right that Tal made a living this way? At least he
is famous for it. --- Boris: I wasn't intending to sacrifice anything but I
did create a complete mess. Chess players use the logic of positions like a
crutch to make sense of them because there are so many different variations.
When the crutch disappears, we fail because we are not computers and cannot
calculate a sea of possibilities. Generally, one of Tal's great attributes was
the ability to create positions that no one knew how to play.})) 14. Nd3 $2
Nxd3+ 15. Qxd3 ({Boris: Black would have the initiative after} 15. Bxd3 Be6 16.
O-O Nd7 $1 {, attacking c5 and threatening to jump to e5.}) 15... Be6 16. Qb5
$5 {Exercise: Black still has an advantage in development. How can he utilize
it? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: According to my hierarchy (see
Gulko-Chernin), I should look for a way to attack the king, since he has not
yet castled, but I don't see one. I don't see a way to win material either.
Therefore, can I bring another piece into action or take the initiative?
Perhaps 16...Nd5 does that by threatening ...Nxc3 and ...Bxc3+, winning the
exchange. The move ...Nxc3 will also threaten the queen on b5, so 17 Rd1
wouldn't refute my idea. --- Boris: The idea of ...Nd5 is good and was
implemented in the game a bit later on, but right now Black has a more
aggressive opportunity in the little pawn move 16...a6, attacking the queen
and pushing the a-pawn closer to the a1-square.} a6 $5 {Boris: Black starts a
new assault but now a better grounded one.} 17. Qb4 ({Boris: In the case of} 
17. Qxb7 Rb8 18. Qxa6 Rxb2 19. Rd1 Qb8 {White would not finish his development,
and Black's attack develops unimpeded.}) 17... a5 $1 18. Qa3 ({Boris: The idea
behind Black's last two moves was clear after} 18. Qb5 Nd5 $1 19. Nxd5 Qxd5 20.
Bxe7 Rfe8 21. Bd6 a4 $1 {and White doesn't have} 22. Rxa4 ({while if} 22. f3 {
then} Qb3 $1 {wins the b2-pawn and Black's a-pawn will soon touch down}) {,
because of} 22... Bxb2 $1 {and Black is winning.}) 18... Nd5 $1 {Boris: This
is exactly the move you offered for Black on move 16 but now under more
favorable circumstances. An important method of developing the initiative is
exchanging your opponent's best defensive pieces.} 19. Nxd5 ({Boris: White
should have played the position after} 19. Rd1 Bxc3+ $1 20. bxc3 Qc7 {.
Despite the fact that Black is better here, White is better off than the game.}
) 19... Qxd5 20. Bxe7 (20. Bxe7 {Exercise: White takes control of the
d8-square. What would you play with Black? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I
think the move has to be} Rfe8 {. It is the only square really.} ({If} 20...
Rfd8 {you lose your rook}) ({while if} 20... Rfb8) ({or} 20... Rfc8 {then} 21.
Bd6 {. --- Boris: The move you chose is not the most aggressive. The best move
is exactly the one White tried to prevent.})) 20... Rfd8 $1 {Joel: But Black
just loses the exchange. --- Boris: Yes, but Black has to sacrifice the
exchange to create threats. In such positions activity is more important than
material. For such a decision you have to calculate variations; in fact, Black
has to see a precise continuation on move 25 to justify this sacrifice.} 21.
Bxd8 ({Boris: The importance of pushing the pawn to a5 on moves 16 and 17 is
obvious from the variation} 21. Bd6 b5 $1 22. Rd1 Qc6 23. f3 b4 24. Qa1 a4 {
and a catastrophe is brewing on the queenside.}) 21... Rxd8 22. Qxa5 ({Boris:
The line I considered to be crucial at the time was} 22. Be2 Qd2+ 23. Kf1 Bxb2
24. Qxa5 Bxa1 25. Qxa1 Qc2 $1 {- this is the move I had to see when I
sacrificed the exchange. White is now defenseless against the threats of} 26.
-- Rd2 ({or} 26... Bc4 {.})) 22... Bxb2 23. Bc4 ({Boris: The alternative
defense,} 23. Rb1 {, was no better: --- Exercise: How does Black develop the
attack? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: Nothing seems to work because my rook
is hanging. --- Boris: Right, so you have to find active moves that don't lose
your rook. Can you find a way to attack him? --- Joel: Ah yes, the clever} b6 {
. --- Boris: Correct. And where does his queen have to go? --- Joel:} 24. Qb4 {
. --- Boris: How can you continue to harass his queen? --- Joel: I am not sure,
I can't play} bxc5 {because my bishop on b2 is hanging. --- Boris: Right, but
his queen is overloaded.} ({Can you deflect her? --- Joel: Yes, with} 24... Ba3
{. --- Boris: Correct. So after} 25. Qd4 Qa8 26. Qc3 bxc5 27. f3 Bb4 28. Rxb4
cxb4 29. Qxb4 {. --- Exercise: Try to calculate which move, 29...Rb8 or 29...Qa2, helps Black develop his attack the most. (difficulty level 4) --- Joel:
Not sure. --- Boris: You have to calculate variations.} -- ({. What would
happen if Black started with} 29... Rb8 {- ? --- Joel: White would play} 30.
Qd2 {. --- Boris: And after} Qa1+ 31. Kf2 Rb2 {pinning the queen? Does Black
win? --- Joel: No, because White can play} 32. Be2 {, attacking Black's queen,
so that if} Rxd2 {then} 33. Rxa1 {. --- Boris: Correct.}) ({. So you have
found the correct move by process of elimination:} 29... Qa2 $1 {(keeping the
king from escaping to f2)} 30. Qc3 Rc8 31. Qd2 Rc2 {and Black is winning.} (
31... --)))) ({Returning to the game after} 23. Bc4 {, Exercise: What does
Black have to play here? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I am looking at} Qxc4
24. Qxd8+ Kg7 25. Rd1 {but can't calculate the consequences after that.
Intuitively, this sacrifice make sense because the bishops look extremely
powerful, and if Black can prevent White from castling, he is in essence up
material. --- Boris: You are absolutely correct! The two bishops are more
powerful than the two rooks here. Also, you don't have to calculate variations
until the end. It is impossible. You have to feel the position and the power
of those radiating bishops against the king stuck in the center.}) 23... Qxc4
$1 24. Qxd8+ Kg7 25. Rb1 ({Boris: Another way to lose was} 25. Rd1 Bc3+ 26. Rd2
Bd5 $1 27. Qg5 Qd3 28. Qe5+ ({White gets mated after} 28. e4 Qb1+ 29. Ke2 Qxe4+
30. Kd1 Bb3+ 31. Kc1 Qa4 {as well}) 28... f6 $1 {.}) 25... Bc3+ 26. Kd1 Qa4+
27. Kc1 ({Boris:} 27. Ke2 Qc2+ 28. Kf3 Qf5+ 29. Ke2 Bc4+ {would also lead to
mate.}) (27. Kc1 {Exercise: Try to find the winning move. (difficulty level 2)
--- Joel:} Bf5 {looks good. --- Boris: Correct, and you prove that the two
bishops are stronger than two rooks.}) 27... Bf5 {. --- Boris: A game typical
of the Grünfeld. Black had a strategically risky position, but when it turns
into a tactical struggle Black's opportunities become excellent. --- Joel:
What leaves the greatest impression on me, besides sacrificing both rooks, is
the idea that, when on the attack or when you have the initiative, time is
worth more than material.} 0-1

[Event "USSR Championship, Yerevan"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1975.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Alburt, L."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D41"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "1975.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This is the second game I will discuss from this tournament, and we
will look at another one (against Geller) later on as well. It was a really
great tournament for me.} 1. c4 c5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. Nf3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5
6. Nc3 e6 ({Boris: More popular than the old fashion} 6... Nc7 {.}) 7. O-O Be7
8. d4 O-O 9. e4 Nb6 {Boris: I suppose this is the best possibility for Black
here.} ({Kramnik played} 9... Ndb4 $6 {against me at Riga in 1995, but after}
10. d5 exd5 11. exd5 Nd4 12. Nxd4 cxd4 13. a3 dxc3 14. axb4 Bxb4 15. Qd4 Bd6
16. bxc3 $1 {this was a novelty I prepared in 1976, but 19 years elapsed
before I had an opportunity to use it;} ({instead Wl.Schmidt-L.Portisch,
Buenos Aires Olympiad 1978, continued} 16. Qxc3 a5 $1 {and Black obtained a
good game}) 16... b6 17. Bf4 {and White was clearly better.}) ({Later, J.Adamski played} 9... Nxc3 10. bxc3 b6 {against me (Copenhagen 2000), when
White obtained the advantage with} 11. d5 Na5 12. Re1 exd5 13. exd5 Bf6 14. Ne5
{.}) 10. d5 exd5 11. exd5 Nb4 12. Ne1 c4 $5 {Boris: Black aspires to a
complicated struggle.} ({Praxis has proved that, in the slightly inferior
position arising after} 12... Bf6 13. Be3 Bxc3 14. bxc3 N4xd5 15. Bxc5 Re8 16.
Qd4 $1 {, Black has good chances to equalize.}) 13. a3 $5 ({Boris: Other
attempts have been tried without great success. Korchnoi played} 13. Qf3 {
against Lautier (Horgen 1994), but after} Qd6 14. a3 Na6 15. Be3 Qg6 $1 {, the
e1-knight can't move and Black is okay}) ({while in S.Matera-V.Tukmakov,
Reykjavik 1976, White continued} 13. Bf4 Bf6 14. Ne4 {, but after} N4xd5 {
simply lost the pawn. --- The logical move I played here, which decreases the
pressure on the d5-pawn, seems never to have tried again since this game.})
13... Na6 14. Bf4 Bd6 {Boris: Logically halting White's d-pawn.} ({In the case
of} 14... Nc5 $6 15. d6 Bf6 16. a4 Nb3 17. Ra3 {White is better.}) 15. Bxd6
Qxd6 16. Qd4 $1 {Boris: A crucial moment for the evaluation of this position.
If Black succeeds in bringing his knight on a6 into play via c5 he will have a
good game. As a result, White tries to stop it. It is an important aspect of
modern chess strategy to isolate one of your opponent's pieces, which
practically leaves them a piece down. --- Joel: I remember this was an
important topic in our first book.} ({Can you say how} 16. Qd4 {prevents Black
from playing} Nc5 {- ? It seems he can play it immediately. --- Boris: After}
17. Nb5 Nb3 18. Nxd6 Nxd4 19. Rd1 $1 {White would be much better.}) 16... Bf5
$1 {Boris: Touché. White has restricted Black's knight on a6 and Black, in
return, restricts White's knight on e1.} 17. Nf3 Rad8 $6 {Boris: The position
is very tense and any inaccuracy can decide the game.} ({Black would be worse
after} 17... Rfe8 18. Nd2 Nc5 19. Nb5 $1 Qd7 20. Qxc5 Rec8 21. Qd4 Qxb5 22. d6
$1 {.}) ({Instead, he had to take his chance to bring the knight on a6 back
into play immediately with} 17... Nc5 $1 18. Nb5 Qxd5 19. Nc7 Qxd4 20. Nxd4 Bd3
$1 21. Nxa8 Bxf1 22. Nxb6 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 Rd8 $1 ({after} 23... axb6 24. Rc1 {
White is better}) 24. Nc6 bxc6 25. Nxc4 {and White's advantage is minimal.})
18. Nd2 $1 ({Boris: Avoiding the annoying pin after} 18. Ne5 $6 Qf6 $1 {.})
18... Qc5 19. Qf4 $1 Bd3 20. Rfe1 Rd7 ({Exercise: White has succeeded in
preventing the a6-knight from returning to the game via c5. Now Black plans to
bring it back into action via c7 (the immediate} 20... Nc7 {failed to} 21. Nde4
{and White wins the knight), but allows White to reach a winning position with
a 12-move combination. Can you find it? (difficulty level 6) --- Joel: Of
course not! It reminds me, though, of that scene in 'Searching for Bobby
Fischer' when Bruce Pandolfini is watching his student, Josh Waitzkin, play
the final game and points out that there is a 12-move combination that wins
the game. Did you see the movie? --- Boris: Yes, on the plane. Actually, in
the book, they write about visiting us in Moscow when they came to watch the
first Karpov-Kasparov world championship match in 1984. It didn't make it into
the movie. --- Joel: Wow! Well, I would think about playing 21 Nde4. --- Boris:
That move has serious drawbacks because after} Qd4 {White's knight is pinned,
Black's knight on a6 can at last to jump to c5, and Black has a good game.})
21. Re5 $3 {Boris: The obvious point of this move is that, after 22 Nde4,
Black doesn't have 22...Qd4 because of 23 Nf6+, winning the queen (the rook
blocks the black queen off from f6). The hidden idea behind White's operation
forces Black to weaken his e6-square, which will become the decisive factor
later in the game.} f6 ({Boris: After} 21... Nc7 22. Nde4 $1 Bxe4 23. Nxe4 Qb5
{Black would lose beautifully. --- Exercise: How does White win? (difficulty
level 5) --- Joel: I am thinking about this in terms of the attacking
hierarchy, and one of the conditions for beginning a mating attack is whether
you have a preponderance of pieces in the vicinity of the opponent's king, and
whether key defenders of the king are unable to come to his rescue. I think
this position is ripe for a sacrifice, because both these conditions seems to
be present and White has very dangerous threat of Bg2-e4 with mate on h7. So I
guess I would start calculating the consequences of} 24. Nf6+ {, though I am
not sure what happens after} gxf6 {. --- Is there something I can do with my
rook to threaten mate? --- Boris: What's wrong with} 25. Be4 {- ?} -- ({. Joel:
He has} 25... fxe5 {. --- Boris: And what does White play then? --- Joel:} 26.
Qh6 {. --- Boris: No.} ({White has} 26. Qg5+ Kh8 27. Qh6 {with mate to follow.}
) ({Joel: What is wrong with} 26. Qh6 {right away? --- Boris: Black has} f5 {
, defending h7. It is important to fork f8 and h7, which the sequence 26 Qg5+
Kh8 27 Qh6 accomplishes. Black can defend against each of these threats but
not against both.})) ({. If instead} 25... Qxb2 {, what do you play? --- Joel:}
26. Qf5 Qxa1+ 27. Kg2 {and Black cannot prevent mate on h7. --- Boris: Correct!
})) 22. Re3 Nc7 (22... Nc7 {Exercise: How does White have to develop his
initiative? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I want to use the e4-square again
somehow. --- Boris: It is not good to play} 23. Nde4 {here because Black has}
Qd4 {again. With my rook on e5 Black doesn't have the d4-square for his queen,
but now he has forced my rook back with ...f7-f6. How else you can you attack
his pieces, in particular his queen? --- Joel: Ah yes, I see, 23 Nb3. ---
Boris: Right.}) 23. Nb3 $1 Qd6 ({Boris:} 23... cxb3 {wouldn't have been a big
improvement after} 24. Rxd3 Nc4 25. Na4 $1 Qb5 26. Rc1 Ne5 27. Rd4 -- ({, when
} 27... Nd3 $2 {is impossible in light of} 28. Rxd3 Qxd3 29. Rxc7 {winning.}) (
{. In the case of the alternative,} 27... Nxd5 {, Exercise: How does White
win? (difficulty level 1) --- Joel:} 28. Rxd5 Rxd5 29. Nc3 {. --- Boris: Great,
you saw that quickly; very good.} (29. --))) 24. Qxd6 Rxd6 25. Nc5 Ncxd5 26.
Nxd5 Nxd5 27. Re6 $1 {Boris: This is the point of my combination beginning
with 21 Re5. White can use the e6-square which Black weakened with ...f7-f6.}
Rfd8 ({Boris:} 27... Rdd8 28. Nxb7 Rd7 29. Nc5 Rdd8 30. Ra6 Rf7 31. Rd1 {was
bad for Black as well.}) 28. Rxd6 Rxd6 29. Nxb7 Rd7 30. Nc5 Rd6 31. Rd1 $1 {
Joel: What is the idea behind this move? --- Boris: Black's pieces are crowded
on the d-file and, utilizing the pin, I win a pawn.} Nc7 32. Bf1 {Boris: The
end of the forced line which began with 21 Re5!!, Black loses the pawn and the
game.} Nb5 33. Nxd3 cxd3 34. Bxd3 Nd4 35. Kg2 g5 36. b4 ({Boris:} 36. f4 $1 {
was more accurate, It was better not to give Black the opportunity to squeeze
my kingside, although the move I chose in the game makes my path to victory
narrower but not longer.}) 36... g4 $1 37. Bc4+ Kg7 38. a4 f5 39. Rd3 ({Boris:
Of course not} 39. b5 $2 Nxb5 {.}) 39... Kf6 40. b5 Ke5 41. Re3+ Kf6 42. a5 Nf3
$6 ({Boris: More stubborn was} 42... Rd8 43. Re1 Nf3 44. Ra1 {, though here
White must win here too.}) (42... Nf3 {Exercise: Black creates the threat of
43...Rd1. (It is because of this threat that 36 f4 was safer.) Nevertheless,
White has a way to finish the game immediately. How? (difficulty level 4) ---
Joel: This is exactly the kind of thing I need to improve on. Normally, I
would become passive and try to defend against his threats, but I need to
think about my trumps. --- Boris: Do you remember the advice of Reuben Fine?
--- Joel: No, unfortunately. --- Boris: If you are a pawn up, exchange pieces;
if you are a pawn down, exchange pawns. Here White can accomplish this
tactically. --- Joel:} 43. Re6+ Rxe6 44. Bxe6 Kxe6 45. b6 axb6 46. a6 {. ---
Boris: Correct.}) 43. Re6+ $1 Rxe6 {. --- Joel: He resigned after playing 43...
Rxe6. That's strange. --- Boris: The game was played back when moves were
sealed if the game was not completed after five hours. His move 43...Rxe6 was
sealed but, after checking during the adjournment to see if there was any way
to save the game, he decided to resign without further play. --- Joel: Oh, I
see. --- Boris: With regard to the game, the whole combination I played was
nice, but the crucial moment was keeping the knight on a6 from returning to
the game via c5. This strategic element was no less interesting than the
combinational aspect of the game. --- Joel: I think you also demonstrated the
importance of not missing your chances, which your opponent did when he did
not play 17...Nc5!. At each critical moment, you seized the opportunity and
played aggressively.} 1-0

[Event "Paris"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1986.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Popovic, P."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E20"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "1986.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: After my emigration in 1986, I played my first three international
tournaments in France and won all three (after which, for some reason, I
haven't played in any international tournaments in France). This game was from
the second of those tournaments.} 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4 4. g3 O-O 5.
Bg2 d5 6. d4 dxc4 7. O-O Nc6 8. a3 ({Boris: In my game with Lputian, which we
discussed previously, I played} 8. Re1 {here (see Gulko-Lputian). Now I wanted
to play something different.}) 8... Be7 9. e4 Na5 10. Bf4 c6 $6 {Boris: This
is a serious inaccuracy.} ({Much stronger was} 10... Nb3 $1 11. Rb1 c6 12. h3
b5 {and if White moves his queen to e2, the d4-pawn will hang.}) 11. Qe2 b5 12.
Rad1 Bb7 13. Rfe1 a6 14. Ne5 Re8 {Boris: Black has to keep an eye on the
d5-square.} ({If} 14... Nd7 $6 {then} 15. d5 $1 {would be very strong. So
Black plays a prophylactic move which places the rook directly opposite the
white queen, additionally protects the e7-bishop, and makes d4-d5 more
difficult to achieve. The drawback is that the f7-square becomes weak.}) ({
Instead of the game continuation, either} 14... Nb3 $5) ({or} 14... Qb6 $5 15.
g4 Rad8 16. g5 Nd7 {would have been more active, with unclear play.}) 15. Bh3
$1 Bf8 ({Boris: Black cannot move the queen to her most natural square (b6),
because after} 15... Qb6 $2 {White has a combination. --- Exercise: Can you
find it? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: At first I was thinking about} 16. Nf3
({, and} 16. Ng4 {, with the idea of trading off Black's important kingside
defender and then playing e4-e5, but that is not in the spirit of my new
aggressive approach.}) ({. Instead, I like} 16. Nxf7 Kxf7 17. e5 {, followed
by Qh5+ and Bxe6 with a strong attack. --- Boris: Very nice! You appreciated
White's last move and also the moment to attack. Concretely the combination
would unfold as follows:} Nd5 (17... c5 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. dxc5 {wouldn't have
helped either}) 18. Qh5+ Kg8 19. Bxe6+ Kh8 20. Bf5 {and Black is defenseless.})
) 16. Qf3 Qe7 {Boris: An awkward move but the f7-square needs extra protection.
} ({In the case of} 16... Qb6 17. g4 $1 {, threatening 18 g5, it is not easy
for Black to cover f7.} ({Instead,} 17. Nxf7 $2 {would now be bad for White,
because after} Kxf7 18. e5 {Black has} c5 {.})) 17. g4 $1 Rad8 $2 ({Boris:
Black had to rush to reduce the tension with} 17... Nd7 18. Nxd7 Qxd7 19. g5
Rad8 20. Qg3 Nb3 21. d5 {with a sharp struggle. --- Joel: I don't understand
why he has to rush, nor what 17...Nd7 accomplished. --- Boris: The move 17...
Nd7 threatens to exchange White's knight on e5 and exchanges favor the
defending side.}) 18. g5 Nd7 19. Qg3 $1 Nb3 ({Boris: Now is too late for Black
to exchange knights, because after} 19... Nxe5 20. Bxe5 {it is not easy to
defend against the threats of 21 Bc7 and 21 Bf6.}) (19... Nb3 {Exercise: How
can White maintain the pressure? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: Based on what
you just said about the defending side wanting to exchange pieces, I would play
} 20. Ng4 {, keeping the pieces on the board. White seems to have a lot of
threats still in the air. --- Boris: You're right that it is important for
White to keep pieces on the board and avoid exchanges. Now it becomes clear
why it was important for Black not to miss the chance on move 17. However, the
g4-square is not the best square for the knight. Black can simply play} Kh8 {
and White's knight is misplaced. Instead, White plans a breakthrough in the
center with d4-d5 and, in the ensuing complications, it is important to keep
the rook on e1 extra protected.}) 20. Nf3 $1 b4 $6 ({Boris: The attempt to
gain some breathing room for the black queen with} 20... Rc8 {would not have
helped. White would obtain a tremendous attack after} 21. g6 $1 hxg6 22. Ng5
Nf6 23. Qh4 Qd8 24. Bg4 $1 Be7 25. Re3 Nh5 26. Bxh5 gxh5 27. Qxh5 Bxg5 28. Bxg5
f6 29. Rh3 Nxd4 {and now: --- Exercise: How does White continue his attack? 
(difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I don't see how. --- Boris: It is not easy.
When we are attacking our biggest worry is not having sufficient forces so
that the attack will fail. Which piece is not participating in White's attack?
--- Joel: The knight on c3. --- Boris: Correct. How can you include it? ---
Joel: I don't know, there don't seem to be any squares that are good. ---
Boris: You have to prepare a square for the knight's arrival. The correct move
is} 30. e5 $3 {, freeing the e4-square for the knight. --- Joel: But Black can
just play} fxg5 {. --- Boris: Yes, but after} 31. Ne4 {White has a winning
attack.}) ({Returning to the game after} 20... b4 $6 {, Exercise: What does
White have to do? (difficulty level 5)} 21. -- ({. Joel: I am looking at} 21.
Nd5 {but it doesn't seem to work tactically. I'd like to take advantage of the
black queen having so few squares available to her. --- Boris: 21 Nd5 simply
loses a piece after} cxd5 {, but it is nice that you see the drawback of the
black queen's claustrophobic situation. How can you use it?} (21... --)) ({.
Obviously, if} 21. axb4 Qxb4 {, you will relieve Black of his problems.}) ({.
Joel: I thought} 21. Bc7 {was interesting, but after} bxc3 22. e5 Rc8 {the
queen has the d8-square. --- Boris: Right; any other ideas? --- Joel: No; I
guess that's why the difficulty of this problem is level 5.}) ({. Boris: It is
strange that you didn't see the most natural move} 21. d5 {, with the threat
of 22 d6 winning the queen. Now you see why it is important to have the knight
on f3: after the exchange on d5, Black cannot simply take on e1. --- Joel: But
the queen can escape to c5? --- Boris: In that case I would take on b4,
exchange on e6, and then play Bc7 winning the exchange.})) 21. d5 $3 cxd5 ({
Boris: The attempt to close the position with} 21... e5 {would be refuted by}
22. d6 $1 exf4 23. dxe7 (23. Qxf4 $5 Qe5 24. Nxe5 Nxe5 25. axb4 {was good too})
23... fxg3 24. exd8=Q gxf2+ 25. Kxf2 Rxd8 26. axb4 {and White must win.}) 22.
exd5 Nb6 23. d6 Qd7 24. axb4 Qc8 ({Boris:} 24... Qc6 {was no better for Black
because of} 25. Ne4 {, threatening Ne5.}) (24... Qc8 {Exercise: What would you
do here? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I have a preponderance of force in the
vicinity of Black's king and there are important defensive resources that
cannot come to his rescue. --- Boris: Good; so how can you attack the king?
--- Joel: Maybe} 25. g6 {- ? --- Boris: Correct! --- Joel: Are you kidding?
That move doesn't even make sense. --- Boris. We saw this idea before in the
notes to move 20. The key idea is to free the g5-square for the knight.}) 25.
g6 $1 f6 ({Boris: In the case of} 25... hxg6 26. Ng5 Nd7 27. Qh4 Nf6 {White
had to see} 28. Bg4 $1 {and Black is defenseless against the threat of 29 Be5.}
({The immediate} 28. Be5 $2 {would have been much worse as Black then has} Nh5
{.})) 26. gxh7+ Kxh7 27. Ne4 Qd7 (27... Qd7 {Exercise: How to continue the
attack? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I'm looking at} 28. Neg5+ fxg5 29. Nxg5+
Kg8 30. Rxe6 {with a strong attack. --- Boris: When you are attacking you have
to create threats. The last move in your variation, 30 Rxe6, does not create
threats, so Black can play} Qc6 {in return, which does create threats.
Although White could play} 31. f3 {in this case, the game will continue longer.
What you missed was the more resolute 30 Qh4, when the game is essentially
over.}) 28. Neg5+ $1 fxg5 29. Nxg5+ Kg8 30. Qh4 g6 31. Be5 Bg7 32. Bxe6+ Rxe6
33. Qh7+ {. --- Boris: In this game White succeeded in breaking through
Black's solid set-up. The real drawback of Black's position was the knight on
b3. It occupied a weak square in White's camp but did not coordinate with
Black's other pieces and did not participate in the game. Chess players have a
reflex to occupy weak squares with their knights, but here the b3-square was
too far from the action. --- I was able to win two more nice games in similar
positions, one against Gelfand (that we annotated in the first book) and the
other against Lputian (that we annotated in this one), exploiting the
unfortunate position of a misplaced black knight on b3.} 1-0

[Event "Niksic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1978.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Portisch, L."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C91"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1978.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was a game from one of my best international tournaments before
emigration. I tied for first with Timman. It was an event that would now be
called a super-tournament. In our first book we annotated another game from
this tournament (against Hort). The opening I play here against Portisch I
also played in a game against Mickey Adams (Groningen 1990) which we also
annotated in the first book. It was one of my favorite lines prior to
emigration.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7.
Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. d4 Bg4 10. Be3 exd4 11. cxd4 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 ({Boris: Today
12...c5 is considered to be more precise than} 12... Nc4 {, which was played
against me by Ivkov and analyzed in earlier in this book (see Gulko-Lputian).})
13. dxc5 $5 ({Boris:} 13. h3 $5 {is the most popular move today, which has
been played by Carlsen, Shirov, and Dominguez.}) (13. Nbd2 $2 {is bad because
of} cxd4 14. Bxd4 Nc6 15. Be3 d5 16. exd5 Nxd5 $1 17. Bxh7+ Kxh7 18. Qc2+ Kg8
19. Qxc6 Bb4 $1 {and White cannot comfortably unpin his pieces, as was
demonstrated in the game V.Tseshkovsky-V.Korchnoi, Sochi 1970. --- I
introduced 13 dxc5 in a game against M.Podgaets in Vilnius in 1971. Later I
discovered that Fischer recommended it in his 'My 60 Memorable Games' as
White's only try for an advantage. --- Joel: This is one of the few times
Fischer has come up in our discussions. You were around during the time he
became champion and in some sense were on the other side. Can you tell me what
your thoughts were at the time, what you thought of him, etc? --- Boris:
Fischer was much more popular in the USSR than in the USA, because many people
in the USSR were anti-Soviet and his fight against the Soviet chess machine
was popular among those who hated Soviet propaganda (and there were many). ---
Joel: And as a chess player? Did you admire his games? Study them? --- Boris:
Of course, of course. He was a player of the golden era, but there were many:
Tal, Spassky, Botvinnik, Smyslov. It was a great period in chess when so many
geniuses played simultaneously and Fischer was one of them. --- Joel: Who do
you think was the best, and who most influenced and inspired you in chess? ---
Boris: Well, the greatest was Garry. After Lasker, he dominated chess the
longest, but chess in Garry's time was much more challenging than Lasker's
time. He demonstrated the highest level of play in all respects. He introduced
a great many new ideas and played more brilliant games than anyone else in
chess history. He also had the greatest results. --- Joel: I thought you were
most influenced by Alekhine? --- Boris: Of course. I was influenced by
different people at different times. Larsen was a big influence after I read
his book; Tal was an especially big influence because I was brought up in
chess when he was fighting for the world championship. When I was young and
aggressive, I would think that, if I did not sacrifice a piece, something was
wrong with the game. That was Tal's influence. I was not very influenced by
Fischer. He had a very different style than I did. He wanted to crush
opponents in a relatively small number of positions that he knew very well. I
like to play positions that are messy and that I don't know at all.}) 13...
dxc5 14. Nbd2 Nc6 ({Boris:} 14... Nd7 15. Bf4 $1 {occurred in my game against
Mickey Adams, which I mentioned earlier.}) 15. Rc1 Nb4 ({Boris: Podgaets played
} 15... Nd7 {against me in Vilnius. That game continued} 16. h3 Be6 17. Nb3 $1
a5 18. Bb1 Qb6 19. Ng5 Bxg5 20. Bxg5 Nce5 21. Nd2 f5 22. exf5 Bxf5 {Exercise:
White has a hidden combination here. Can you find it? (difficulty level 5) ---
Boris: This is really difficult task. I think it would be good if we start
with candidate moves. What are you considering? --- Joel:} 23. Be7 {. ---
Boris: That's a good move which gives White the advantage, but White has a
hidden combination that exploits the poor coordination of Black's pieces and
leads to a forced win.} ({The first move of this 10-move combination is} 23.
Nc4 $3 {and after} Nxc4 ({. Joel: What about} 23... bxc4 {- ? --- Boris: In
this case} 24. Bxf5 Rxf5 25. Qd5+ {forks king and rook. --- Joel: I see.}) ({
. Boris: So play continues} 23... Nxc4 24. Bxf5 Rxf5 25. Qxd7 Qg6 {, and now:
--- Exercise: Find the critical move of the combination. (difficulty level 3)
--- Joel: I'm not sure. I don't think I see it. --- Boris: Which piece is
vulnerable in Black's camp? --- Joel: The rook on a8. --- Boris: Correct. If
Black is allowed to play ...Ra8-f8 his problems will disappear. So you have to
act against that piece and prevent it from escaping the vulnerable corner on
the queenside. The way to do this is by playing 26 Bd8. With this move, White
cuts the board in half, breaking the coordination between Black's pieces on
the left and right sides of the board. After} ({the white bishop is immune in
view of} 25... Rxg5 $4 26. Re8+) 26. Bd8 $1 h6 27. b3 Na3 28. Re6 Qf7 29. Re7
Qg6 30. g4 $1 {Black will lose one of his rooks.}))) 16. Bb1 Rc8 17. h3 Be6 ({
Boris: In the case of} 17... Bh5 {White can fight for the initiative with} 18.
g4 Bg6 19. Ne5 {.}) 18. Nb3 $1 Qb6 19. Ng5 Rfd8 20. Qf3 Nd7 (20... Nd7 {
Exercise: Black's pieces occupy good squares in the center. How can White
fight for the initiative? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I would play} 21. Nxh7
{. --- Boris: And if} Kxh7 {- ? --- Joel:} 22. e5+ {. --- Boris: And if} Kg8 {
- ? --- Joel:} 23. Qh5 {. --- Boris: But after} Nf8 {White doesn't have
anything. You have to be aggressive, but not recklessly aggressive. You looked
in the right direction though. --- Joel: I didn't see 23...Nf8.} ({I only
considered} 23... g6 {, after which I prepared} 24. Bxg6 {. --- Boris: But
even here you only have a perpetual. How can you achieve the same sort of
thing, opening up the b1-h7 diagonal for the bishop, but without sacrificing
the knight? --- Joel: Play e4-e5 straight away. --- Boris: Correct.})) 21. e5
$1 g6 ({Boris:} 21... Nf8 $2 {was inferior, because after} 22. Nxe6 {Black is
forced to take back with the pawn.} Nxe6 $2 {is bad because of} 23. Qe4 {with
a double attack on h7 and b4. Actually, it involves all of the elements of
Smyslov's three fundamental chess tactics that you cite in your hierarchy - it
forks h7 (which will fall with check) and b4 (taking advantage of the fact
that the c-pawn is pinned).}) 22. Qg3 Nf8 $5 ({Boris: Black would be worse
after both} 22... Nd5 $6 23. Bd2 b4 24. Nxe6 Qxe6 25. Bd3) ({and} 22... Bd5 23.
Qh4 {.}) 23. Ne4 Bxb3 24. axb3 Ne6 25. f4 Nd4 {Exercise: What should White
play? (difficulty level 5) --- Boris: Portisch has played good classical chess.
His pieces and pawns occupy the right squares, but White has an opportunity
here to start a kingside attack with a very surprising move. Can you find it?
--- Joel: Well, I would like to play f4-f5, but in order to achieve that I
think I need to take on d4 (removing the defender). --- Boris: That would be a
great concession from you, not to mention that after Black takes back with the
pawn he threatens ...d4-d3 (discovered check). Can you see another way of
achieving your strategic f4-f5 idea? --- Joel: No, because Black can play ...Nf5 against anything I do, which is why I want to remove it from the board.
--- Boris: Well, f4-f5 is the right idea, and so much so I had to find a
tactical way to play it straight away.} 26. f5 $1 Nxf5 {Boris: When I
sacrifice something, I first check to see if he has to accept the sacrifice or
whether he can profitably decline it.} ({If he rejects the sacrifice, the
variations are very complicated:} 26... Nd5 $5 27. fxg6 ({wild complications
arise after} 27. Bxd4 $5 cxd4 28. Rxc8 Rxc8 29. e6 Ne3 30. f6 Bb4 31. Ng5 $1
Bxe1 32. exf7+ Kh8 33. Qe5 Rf8 34. Qe7 Qb8 35. Ne6 Bb4 36. Qxb4 Rxf7 37. Qxd4
Nf5 38. Bxf5 gxf5 39. Nd8 Kg8 40. Nxf7 Kxf7 41. Qd7+ Kxf6 42. Qxh7 {and White
still has some chances}) 27... fxg6 28. Bg5 {with prospects for an attack.}) (
26... Nxb3 $1 27. Rc3 Nd4 {was probably the best way for Portisch, when White
has to choose between} 28. Nf6+ ({or} 28. f6 Bf8 29. Ng5 {, continually
looking for the attack}) 28... Bxf6 29. exf6 Qxf6 30. Bg5 Qb6 31. Bxd8 Rxd8 32.
Rce3 {with better chances for White.}) 27. Nf6+ Kh8 ({Boris: After} 27... Bxf6
28. Bxf5 Bg7 29. Bxc8 Rxc8 30. Red1 {Black's position is worse}) ({or just bad
in the case of} 27... Qxf6 28. exf6 Nxg3 29. fxe7 Re8 30. Bxc5 {.}) 28. Bxf5
gxf5 (28... gxf5 {Exercise: How should White proceed in his assault? 
(difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I can't seem to find any of these combinations.
--- Boris: Here it is not a question of finding a combination but of finding
the best move. What moves did you consider? --- Joel:} 29. Qh4 {(threatening
mate) but after} Bxf6 {White's attack is over. --- Boris: Correct. Here it is
extremely important for White to keep a piece on f6. If Black manages to trade
pieces and White is forced to take back with the f-pawn, Black will bring a
rook to g8 and the attack will be over.}) 29. Bg5 $1 Rg8 (29... Rg8 {Exercise:
Find the best way to continue White's attack. (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I
like} 30. Nxh7 {. --- Boris: This move can be refuted by} Qg6 $1 {, when
White's pieces are hanging and his attack is finished. For example, after} 31.
Qh4 Qxh7 32. Qxh7+ Kxh7 33. Bxe7 Nd3 {Black is winning. It is exactly what I
told you about earlier: when you plan to sacrifice you have to check whether
your opponent must accept the sacrifice or whether he can profitably decline
it. White has to open new routes to Black's king.}) 30. e6 $1 c4+ {Boris:
Black cannot defend the a1-h8 diagonal leading to his king.} ({After} 30... Rg7
31. Nd7 $1 Qb7 32. exf7 $1 Qxd7 33. Rxe7 Qxe7 34. Bxe7 Rxg3 35. Bf6+ Rg7 36.
Re1 {White is winning.}) 31. Kh1 f4 ({Boris:} 31... Nd3 {wouldn't have helped,
because of} 32. Nxg8 Rxg8 33. exf7 Rxg5 34. Qxd3 cxd3 35. Rxe7 {and White's
pawn will queen.}) 32. Qc3 $1 Rg7 ({Boris: What would happen in the case of} 
32... Na2 {- ? --- Exercise: Can you find a refutation for Black's knight
sortie? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I am looking at} 33. Nxg8+ {. --- Boris:
And after} Nxc3 {- ? --- Joel:} 34. Nxe7 {threatening mate. --- Boris:
Correct! Black has to play} Qd4 {, when White has} 35. Nf5 Qc5 36. Bf6+ Kg8 37.
e7 $1 {threatening mate on h6 and e8.}) 33. Nh5 f6 34. Bxf6 Bxf6 35. Qxf6 Rcg8
36. Nxg7 {. --- Boris: Portisch told me after the game that he didn't find any
way to escape after the opening. I think this gloomy estimation is an
exaggeration, but generally Black's task was very difficult. Of course, the
way White had to develop the attack was not obvious either. --- Joel: These
problems you keep posing are quite difficult. I seem to be struggling with
seeing anything. It almost seems like it isn't so much about calculation as it
is about being able to find the initial idea. It seems to be more about
imagination or something. How do you develop this ability? --- Boris: It is
important not to be afraid of playing these kind of positions or to put
yourself in risky, complicated situations. It is also important, when you
finish these games, to analyze them carefully and discover the possibilities
you and your opponents missed. Beliavsky once told me that he would spend a
couple of weeks on just one of his games following a tournament. Of course, if
you work hard analyzing complicated games annotated by great players, this
will help you develop your intuition in murky positions.} 1-0

[Event "USSR Championship, Yerevan"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1975.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Geller, E."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D70"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "1975.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was my first game against Geller, who in those years was one of
the best players in the world. Strangely enough, the first three games I
played with him took place at the beginning of tournaments and he lost all
three. In some way I think I facilitated the end of his great career. --- Joel:
He was also known as one of the great attacking or dynamic players at that
time as well, right? --- Boris: He was very dynamic and very deep. A little
earlier in his career he won three games against Fischer.} 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. e3 $5 {Boris: In those years Geller was also one of the best theoreticians
in the world, and I had no desire to challenge him in the Queen's Gambit, the
opening that he used on a permanent basis. Instead, I planned to use the
archaic Zukertort system with b2-b3 and Bb2.} g6 4. c4 {Boris: After 3...g6 it
is no longer a Queen's Gambit, so I change my plans.} Bg7 5. cxd5 Nxd5 ({Boris:
Black could wait with} 5... O-O {but then I could also wait with} 6. Be2 {,
avoiding putting the knight on c3 and gaining time for e3-e4 after the
inevitable ...Nf6xd5.} ({If I were to play} 6. Nc3 {then I would voluntarily
enter a toothless variation of the Grünfeld.})) 6. Be2 $1 ({Joel: Why not play
} 6. e4 {- ? --- Boris: Generally Black cannot avoid e3-e4. It is best to
delay revealing your plans too early and 6 Be2 is needed in all cases. In the
case of 6 e4 he can play} Nb6 7. Be2 Bg4 {(already my pawn is hanging)} 8. Be3
Nc6 {and Black has a good game. Postponing e3-e4 deprives him of this
counterplay.}) 6... c5 7. e4 Nb6 8. d5 O-O 9. a4 $6 {Boris: Too hasty.} ({
After the normal} 9. Nc3 $1 e6 {, a well-known position from the English
Opening would arise with reverse colors and an extra tempo for White. White
could obtain a better chances here playing} 10. Bg5 $5 {.}) ({Returning to the
game after} 9. a4 $6 {, Exercise: White has made two pawn moves in a row. Can
Black use this to create counterplay? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: My answer
is yes, and he should do this with} f5 {. --- Boris: Very good! Generally
speaking Black's position would be very uncomfortable after a4-a5, but he
played the aggressive 9...f5 and now my center is crumbling.}) 9... f5 $1 10.
Nbd2 $1 ({Boris: In the case of} 10. a5 fxe4 11. axb6 exf3 12. Rxa7 fxe2 13.
Qxe2 Rxa7 14. bxa7 Qa5+ $1 {Black would stop the white a-pawn in its tracks.})
({Black would be better after} 10. Nc3 fxe4 11. Ng5 Bd4 $1 {as well because
the d5-pawn hangs. Instead of this, White sacrifices a pawn, obtaining some
initiative as compensation.}) 10... fxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxd5 12. O-O b6 13. Bc4 e6
14. a5 $1 {Joel: Why do you give this move an exclamation mark? --- Boris:
Because I found a way to create tension in a position that looks safe for
Black.} Na6 15. axb6 axb6 $6 {Boris: Black is not going to make any
concessions.} ({It was safer for him to destroy his pawn structure with} 15...
Qxb6 $5 16. Re1 ({after} 16. Bxd5 exd5 17. Qxd5+ Be6 {Black is better}) 16...
Nac7 17. Ra3 {with a tense position.}) 16. Neg5 Ndc7 ({Boris: In the case of
the natural} 16... Nac7 $6 17. Rxa8 Nxa8 {, Exercise: Find a tactical
opportunity for White in this position? (difficulty level 3)} 18. -- ({. Joel:
I would play} 18. Qa4 {and after} Nac7 {then} 19. Qc6 {, threatening b6 and e6.
--- Boris: You missed your golden chance. The knight on a8 is out play and you
need to find a way to exploit it. After 19 Qc6 Black simply plays} Qd7 {
defending everything.}) ({. The key move is} 18. Nxe6 $1 {. --- Joel: I looked
at 18 Nxe6 because that seemed right in principle, but I rejected it because
it brings another black piece into the game after 18...Bxe6 and simultaneously
defends the knight on a8. --- Boris: What do you play after} Bxe6 {- ? ---
Joel:} 19. Ng5 {looks strong. --- Boris: Correct! I think the way you went
about solving this problems reveals one of your biggest problems. You saw 18
Nxe6 immediately but rejected it because you didn't want to calculate the
consequences. It was only after I forced you to look at the position and
calculate that you solved the problem. You can't play chess without
calculation. It seems you have a habit of rejecting variations that require
calculation. --- Joel: It seems what you are saying is that I lack discipline
in following through with my candidate moves. --- Boris: Yes, and you have to
correct this aspect of your play. After 19 Ng5 play would continue} Ndc7 20.
Bxe6+ Nxe6 21. Nxe6 Qxd1 22. Rxd1 Re8 23. Nxg7 Kxg7 24. Rd7+ Kf6 25. Bd2 {and
White has a good endgame.} (25. --))) 17. Qe2 $1 ({Boris: Better than} 17. Qb3
$2 Qd6 18. Re1 b5 $1 {with a big advantage for Black. White appears to be
attacking e6 after 17 Qe2, but in point of fact he is preparing an assault
along the b1-h7 diagonal. If White wins the e6-pawn it would actually backfire
because, after simplifications, Black would have a significant advantage in
the endgame. Instead, I hope to utilize weaknesses Black has on the kingside 
(i.e. the e5- and g5-squares).}) 17... Qe8 18. Re1 b5 19. Bd3 $1 ({Boris: In
the case of} 19. Bxe6+ $2 Nxe6 20. Nxe6 Qxe6 21. Qxe6+ Bxe6 22. Rxe6 Nb4 {
White would simply get a bad endgame.}) 19... Bb7 20. Ne5 {Exercise: Black is
reasonably developed. He has to decide what to do with the rook on a8. Does he
bring it to the center or try to exchange it? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I
would play 20...Nb4. --- Boris: Yes, you are correct! There are two
considerations: the first is that Black has an extra pawn and, therefore,
heading for simplifications is a good plan that 20...Nb4 facilitates; the
second consideration is that Black's rook on a8 can participate in the
struggle on the d-file while White's rook on a1 is currently out of play.
Geller used the second consideration. Good chess players try not to exchange
their better pieces for pieces of their opponent's that are worse. His
understandable mistake was that, in reality, the rook on a1 has more prospects
than its counterpart on d8. --- Joel: It is difficult to see why that is so?
My only consideration was to simplify the position because Black is a pawn up.
--- Boris: It is not obvious but it will become clear later.} Rd8 $2 {Boris:
An outwardly logical move. Black brings his rook into the game, while White's
a1-rook is still not active. Paradoxically, however, the prospects of the
a1-rook are greater than those of the "active" rook on d8.} ({It was necessary
to simplify the position with} 20... Nb4 $1 21. Rxa8 -- (21... Bxa8 $1 22. Bb1
Nc6 $1 {and it is not yet clear whether White has enough compensation for the
pawn.}) ({. If Black played} 21... Qxa8 {instead of 21...Bxa8!, Exercise: What
would you play? Find a combination. (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: Well, can I
mate the king? I am not sure but the kingside is weak. --- Boris: What are
your candidate moves? --- Joel:} 22. Nxh7 {.} ({Boris: And? --- Joel:} 22. Bxg6
{.}) ({Boris: And? --- Joel:} 22. Nxg6 {.}) ({Boris: And? --- Joel:} 22. Nxe6 {
. --- Boris: You are getting colder.}) ({Joel: Oh, I see,} 22. Qh5 {. ---
Boris: And it is over. --- Joel: That was a very interesting exercise. It
shows the importance of generating candidate moves. You were essentially doing
the calculating by asking me to continue to find more candidates, but if had I
generated this reasonable list of moves, not rejected them quickly, but
systematically calculated a few moves for each I think I would have likely
come to 22 Qh5. --- Boris: Yes, and also as you work through a position and
start calculating, you often learn something and hone in on an idea that can
help you solve the problem earlier. Here, you saw the weakness of Black's
kingside and correctly began trial sacrifices with the idea of playing Qh5 and
mate. Then you realized that you could just go ahead and play it immediately,
which was the winning solution.}))) 21. Bb1 Rd4 ({Boris: After} 21... Rd5 22.
f4 {White's initiative on the kingside would continue to develop.}) (21... Rd4
{Exercise: Try to find the best move. (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I like}
22. Nxh7 {, which cannot be accepted due to mate} -- ({, so I looked at} 22...
Bxe5 {when I considered} 23. Qxe5 {intending} Kxh7 24. Qh5+ Kg8 25. Bxg6 {and
mate next. After that I couldn't really come up with an adequate defense for
Black, so that is what I would play.}) ({. Boris: The move you offered falls
for the devilish trap set by my great opponent:} 22... Rf5 $3 23. Nxg6 ({after
} 23. Bxf5 {Black has} exf5 {and both white knights are hanging}) 23... Qxg6
24. Ng5 Rxg5 $1 25. Bxg6 Rxg2+ 26. Kf1 Rxg6 {and Black is winning. The move I
played in the game avoids the trap, but I hadn't yet seen the best
continuation.})) 22. Nef3 Rd7 23. Ne5 Rd4 {Exercise: Geller repeats moves,
agreeing to a draw. So, returning to the previous exercise position, is there
a way to increase the pressure or should I accept the draw? (difficulty level
4) --- Joel: I considered Ra1-a3 back on move 22. I think it is a strong move
and brings the rook nicely into the game. I didn't see anything to calculate
though, there's nothing forced, so I rejected it. --- Boris: Your intuition
helped you find a very strong move. We are not computers and we have to trust
our intuition. Probably here Geller regretted not exchanging his a8-rook for
my a1-rook back on move 20. Now my rook on a3 is more valuable than his rook
on d4. In fact, with it now in the attack, Black can hardly solve all his
problems.} 24. Ra3 $1 Nd5 ({Boris:} 24... Qe7 25. Nxh7 {wins}) ({or if} 24...
Nb4 25. Ra7 Qb8 {then} 26. Qh5 $1 {wins.}) 25. Nef3 $1 ({Boris: After} 25. Nxh7
$5 Rf5 26. Nf3 Kxh7 27. Bxf5 gxf5 28. Nxd4 cxd4 {a difficult position to
evaluate would arise. The move in the game leads to a position that is easier
to estimate: it is bad for Black.}) 25... Nf4 ({Boris: In the case of} 25...
Rc4 26. Nxe6 Nac7 27. Nfg5 Nxe6 28. Nxe6 Nc7 29. Re3 Nxe6 30. Rxe6 Qa8 31. Re7
$1 {White's attack is unstoppable. For example,} Bxg2 32. Qe6+ Kh8 {. ---
Exercise: How does White win? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: I like} 33. Bh6 {
. --- Boris: And after} Bxh6 {- ? --- Joel:} 34. Rxh7+ {. --- Boris: Correct!})
26. Bxf4 Rdxf4 27. Nxe6 Rb4 28. Qd1 $1 ({Boris: More brutal than} 28. Nxf8 Qxe2
29. Rxe2 Kxf8 30. Rd3 {.}) 28... Bxf3 29. gxf3 Qc6 30. Nxf8 Bxf8 31. Be4 Qf6
32. Qd5+ Kh8 {Exercise: Find the best move. (difficulty level 1)} 33. Rxa6 $1 {
. --- Boris: The crucial moment in this intense game was when Geller wrongly
estimated the prospects of the two queenside rooks. The active-looking rook on
d8 was actually out of play, whereas its counterpart on a3 had great
perspectives. --- Joel: What impressed me about this game was that it
demonstrated (yet again) the importance of taking advantage of one misplaced
piece (the knight on a8) by setting an attack in motion. Essentially, your
opponent is a piece down as long as you maintain the initiative. The other
aspect of the game that impressed me was your refusing the draw offer by your
esteemed opponent. I wonder how many people would have done that?} 1-0

[Event "Moscow Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1968.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bronstein, D."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C08"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1968.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This was the first tournament in which I competed with grandmasters.
Petrosian was the World Champion at that time and he was playing in this
tournament, the Moscow Championship. Bronstein was the leader with two rounds
to go. --- Joel: Your opponent was one of the great players of all time,
right? --- Boris: Yes, and despite it being 16 years after his draw with
Botvinnik in the World Championship match of 1952, he was still one of the
best. Because of this game, Petrosian was able to catch him and they tied for
first place.} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bb5+ Nc6 6. Ne2 {
Boris: A novelty at the time. The idea behind putting the knight on e2 is that
Black cannot pin it with ...Bg4, and it is easier to attack (in one move) the
d5-pawn from e2. After this game, the continuation with 6 Ne2 was forgotten,
but ten years later it became popular when Karpov played it several times. ---
Joel: You voluntarily accept an isolated queen pawn (IQP). Can you say why?
--- Boris: Isolated pawns have their advantages and disadvantages. The
advantages are open files for the rooks and control of important central
squares (such as e4 and c4). I like this variation and played it very
successfully. This position was researched very deeply in the Karpov-Korchnoi
match of 1974, with Korchnoi taking the black side of the position. In the end,
Karpov was able to demonstrate some plans that made this variation unpleasant
for Black.} Qb6 $5 ({Boris: The move 6 Ne2 lost its popularity after the
brilliant game L.Yudasin-R.Vaganian, Telavi 1982, which continued} 6... Nf6 $1
7. O-O Bd6 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. Nb3 Bb6 10. Ned4 O-O $3 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bxc6 Ng4
$1 13. g3 (13. Bxa8 Qh4 14. Bf4 Bxf2+ 15. Kh1 Nxh2 $1) 13... Nxf2 14. Qxd5 Bh3
$1 15. Bxa8 Nd1+ 16. Kh1 Bxf1 {with advantage to Black. Seeing the variation
for the first time, I chose the very risky plan of castling queenside with the
idea of trying to make use of the passive position of the knight on e2.}) 7. a4
$5 Nf6 8. O-O Bg4 $5 9. h3 Bh5 10. c3 $1 ({Boris: The usual way to play in
this position would be} 10. dxc5 $5 Bxc5 11. Nb3 $1 {, but Bronstein, after a
long think, set a tricky trap that I fell for. --- Joel: Knowingly or
unknowingly? --- Boris: Unknowingly.}) 10... cxd4 $2 (10... cxd4 {Exercise:
How does White have to react here? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: My intuition
tells me g2-g4 and then Nxd4. --- Boris: Yes, that's exactly what Bronstein
played. --- Joel: That sequence seems very obvious to me. The ideas are
probably much deeper than I can appreciate. It seems to me something a 1600
player would go for in a blitz game without thinking. --- Boris: It's very
strong because he just played 10 c3 with the obvious idea of taking back on d4
with the pawn. Therefore, I took on d4 pretty quickly. --- Joel: Do you think
he played 10 c3 intending to react to the capture of the pawn with} 11. g4 {,
or do you think he realized after you played 10...cxd4 that he had a better
continuation in 11 g4 - ? --- Boris: He was a good psychologist and he clearly
played 10 c3 hoping I would take on d4. By taking the pawn I overestimated my
position.}) ({Instead of opening up the game I had to close it with} 10... c4 {
; and if White plays against the bishop on h5 with} 11. f4 -- ({, Black can 
(and must) sacrifice a piece by} 11... O-O-O $1 12. g4 Nxg4 13. hxg4 ({if} 13.
Ng3 {, Black suddenly wins with} Nxd4 $1) 13... Bxg4 {with good compensation.})
({. Joel: Why not} 11... Bxe2 {, so that Black doesn't lose a piece? --- Boris:
It is better to lose a piece and have a good position than save material and
get a bad one. After} 12. Qxe2+ {Black cannot castle and is in trouble,
despite the equal material. --- Joel: What about} Be7 {- ? --- Boris: In that
case White has the very strong} 13. b3 {, intending Ba3.})) 11. g4 $1 Bg6 ({
Boris:} 11... dxc3 12. Nxc3 Bg6 13. g5 {was bad for Black as, after the knight
moves, 14 Nxd5 gives White a decisive attack.}) 12. Nxd4 O-O-O ({Boris: Black
has to choose this extremely risky way, because} 12... a6 {would lose a piece
after} 13. Re1+ Be7 14. Qe2 $1 O-O 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. a5 $1 ({not} 16. Qxe7 $2 {
because of} Rfe8 {.})) 13. a5 $1 ({Joel: Why can't Black just take the pawn
with} 13. a5 Nxa5 {- ?} 14. -- ({. Boris: The natural} 14. Qa4 {doesn't
promise much after} a6 $1) ({, but} 14. g5 $1 {would have been very strong.
For example,} Ne4 ({or} 14... Nh5 15. Qa4 a6 16. Be2 Nc4 17. Nxc4 dxc4 18. Qd1
$1 {, winning the knight on h5}) 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. b4 Nc6 17. Qg4+ Kb8 18. Bxc6
bxc6 19. Be3 {and White wins.})) 13... Qc7 14. a6 Nxd4 15. axb7+ Kb8 {Boris:
Black uses White's advanced b-pawn for cover.} 16. cxd4 {Exercise: White is
ready to attack the last bastion of Black's king, the pawn on a7. How should
Black proceed? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I would like to attack the king
but it doesn't seem so easy. Black doesn't have a lot of pieces on that side
of the board and, against a move like ...h7-h5, White can just play g4-g5,
closing the kingside. Therefore, I think I would play the prophylactic 16...
Bc2. --- Boris: Absolutely correct! It is important to prevent White's queen
from getting to a4.} Bc2 $1 17. Qe2 h5 18. g5 $5 {Boris: The decision of a
strong grandmaster.} ({If you are a computer, you would calculate the wild
complications that follow} 18. Nf3 $1 hxg4 19. Ne5 Rxh3 20. Nc6+ Qxc6 21. Bxc6
Be4 22. f3 $1 Rg3+ 23. Kf2 Rxf3+ 24. Ke1 Bb4+ 25. Bd2 Bd3 26. Qe5+ Bd6 27. Rxf3
Bxe5 28. Rxd3 {and conclude that White is winning.}) 18... Ng4 $1 19. f4 $1 {
Exercise: Try to figure out White's plan and how to prevent it. (difficulty
level 4) --- Joel: White's plan is obviously to take the knight on g4 now that
he has played f2-f4. --- Boris: For strong players, taking the knight is
really not an option because it gives Black too much play. It is important to
limit the counterplay of your opponent. Instead, he hopes to exchange this
knight. How can he go about doing that? --- Joel: I don't really see how he
can exchange it. --- Boris: He plans Nf3-e5 and, after ...Nxe5, then f4xe5 and
Bf4, when White's kingside is safe and Black's king is defenseless. How can
you prevent this plan? --- Joel: 19...f6. --- Boris: Correct! --- Joel: What
is so interesting about this exercise is that the move is quite easy to see
once you know the plan, but being able to see White's plan is virtually
impossible. I would have never seen that idea in a million years. I would have
just kept looking for opportunities where it would be safe to take the knight.
--- Boris: You know, Bronstein does take the knight now, but I think he
shouldn't have done this. It is very difficult not to take something when the
drawbacks are not so obvious, but this is a statement about human nature. This
was demonstrated by the Trojan Horse, which allowed the Greeks to enter the
city of Troy. They didn't need this horse, but finally decided to take it, not
understanding the consequences.} f6 $1 20. hxg4 hxg4 (20... hxg4 {Exercise:
What should White play? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I want to keep the
kingside closed and was thinking about} 21. g6 {, but I see now that such a
move accomplishes very little since Black could just take on g6. --- Boris:
Yes, that would just waste a tempo. After 21 g6 it would better not to take
the pawn with} Bxg6 {, which would also lose time since the pawn doesn't play
any significant role in this position,} ({but to play} 21... Qb6 {, winning
the d4-pawn and developing the initiative. --- The goal for White is to reach
the black king, and Black's goal is of course to reach the white king. White
is ahead in creating threats because it is his move and he would like to jump
on a6 with his queen threatening mate. White also has an extra piece, but in
this position it doesn't make that much difference in terms of who will mate
first.})) 21. Ba4 $2 ({Boris: At the time of the game, I considered two moves:
} 21. Bd3 $6 {, after which I prepared} Bc5 $1 22. dxc5 Qxc5+ 23. Kg2 Rde8 24.
Ne4 Bxd3 25. Qxd3 Rxe4 {with a very unclear position due to the vulnerable
position of White's king}) ({and the stronger} 21. Ra6 $1 {, including the
rook in the game and threatening to win the c2-bishop with 22 Rc6. After} Bf5
22. Rc6 Qxb7 23. Ra6 $1 {the position looks bad for Black.}) ({Joel: Why does
the rook return to a6? --- Boris: It prepares Bc6. I wasn't afraid of} 21. Qxg4
{because strong grandmasters look for ways to attack not defend. --- Joel: How
would Black follow up? --- Boris:} Qb6 {, attacking b5 and d4, and suddenly
White is on the defensive. Bronstein played the move the computer considers
strongest, but I think they are both wrong!}) 21... Bf5 $1 {Boris: I was glad
to protect the g4-pawn because it restricts White's pieces.} 22. Qa6 (22. Qa6 {
Exercise: Now the a7-pawn looks indefensible. What would you play here? 
(difficulty level 4)} -- ({. Joel: First I looked at} 22... fxg5 {but then} 23.
Bc6 {and the game is over}) ({, so then I considered a move from one of the
previous variations,} 22... Bc5 {, which looked very interesting. White has to
take, otherwise 23...Bb6 and all is okay for Black, so after} 23. dxc5 Qxc5+
24. Kg2 {I looked at} Qe3 {and couldn't see a continuation, so I probably
wouldn't have played that myself. --- Boris: Excellent! That is the only move
available to Black in this position. I liked that you considered what would
happen if White declined the sacrifice, but you also made one of your typical
mistakes. You could not see or calculate the variation completely after 24...
Qe3, and so rejected, it or at least were inclined to reject it in favor of
something else that would have been losing. You rejected the unclear for the
clearly losing. After 24...Qe3 Black has threats that need to be addressed, so
you must play and see what happens. --- Joel: That is a very interesting point.
I think it is in our nature to prefer certainty over the unknown, but this
natural tendency has to be overcome in chess to reach higher levels.} (24... --
))) 22... Bc5 $1 23. dxc5 $1 Qxc5+ 24. Kg2 Qe3 (24... Qe3 {Exercise: What is
Black's threat if it were his move? What is White's only defense? (difficulty
level 4) --- Boris: Do you have any ideas? --- Joel: I am trying to calculate}
25. -- Rh2+ {but I am having trouble after} 26. Kxh2 {.} -- ({. I am looking at
} 26... g3+ 27. Kg2 Rh8 {when 28...Bh3 would be mate. --- Boris: But White has}
28. Qd6+ {and mates first.}) ({. What other checks do you have after 26 Kxh2 -
? --- Joel:} 26... Qh3+ 27. Kg1 {. --- Boris: And? Do you see any more checks?
--- Joel:} Qg3+ 28. Kh1 Rh8# {. --- Boris: Correct.} (28... --))) (24... Qe3 {
Boris: So how does White defend?} 25. -- ({. Joel: Well,} 25. Rh1 {loses to}
Rxh1 {. --- Boris: Yes, why exchange your very important defensive rook?} (
25... --)) ({. Joel:} 25. Nf3 {loses to} gxf3+ {. --- Boris: Right.}) ({. It
is important that you include all your pieces in both attack and defense. What
piece is not working? --- Joel: Oh, I see,} 25. Ra3 {. --- Boris: Right, this
is the only defense.})) 25. Ra3 $1 Be4+ 26. Nxe4 Qxe4+ 27. Kg3 ({Boris: White
threatens} 27. Kg3 -- 28. Qxa7+ Kxa7 29. Bc2+ {transposing to an endgame with
an extra piece, so Black's first task is to hide his queen from the
light-squared bishop.}) 27... Rh3+ 28. Kxg4 Qg2+ 29. Kf5 {Exercise: Black has
to decide whether to give perpetual check or continue the game. What would you
do? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I think I would take a perpetual since (in
fantasy) I am playing David Bronstein and a draw is a great result. Although
that's a bit of a joke, it does bring up the fact that this is 1968, it is
your first big grandmaster tournament, and you're playing Bronstein. I know
you went on to win this game, so you obviously were able to find something
that I don't see, but psychologically, how did you not simply take the
perpetual as a good result? --- Boris: A draw would have been a good result,
but a win would have been at least twice better. Generally I was
self-confident enough to look for a win. It is also a question of the
estimation of the position. If a perpetual is the only option, of course you
have to take it, but I saw more. --- Joel: I guess if you see an easy
perpetual then you should look for more, since you know you can draw. ---
Boris: Right.} ({Boris: So you have to figure out a way to reach White's king.
Do you see any? --- Joel: Nothing other than} 29. Kf5 Qe4+ {.} ({Boris: You
have to find a way to include the rook on d8 in the attack. --- Joel:} 29... d4
{loses to} 30. Qxa7+ Kxa7 31. Bc6+ {. --- Boris: True; is there another way to
include the d8-rook in the attack? --- Joel: Maybe 29...fxg5 - ? --- Boris:
Correct!})) 29... fxg5 $1 (29... fxg5 {Exercise: When you are up on material
it is generally recommended to trade pieces. Here White has} 30. Rxh3 {. Is
that the best move or is there a better alternative? (difficulty level 6)} ({
. Joel: Black is just about to play 30...Rf8+. --- Boris: Right, can you
prevent it? --- Joel: Yes, with} 30. Be8 {threatening mate. --- Boris: So what
does Black have to do? --- Joel:} Qe4+ {. --- Boris: Right, and so by playing
30 Be8 White can force Black to take a draw. What about 30 Rxh3 - ? What does
your intuition tell you? --- Joel: It is what I would play, it's the natural
move. --- Boris: It is impossible to calculate all of the possibilities during
the game and so Bronstein played according to the rules and exchanged rooks,
but 30 Be8 was stronger, forcing a draw.}) ({. The computer now states that,
by playing} 30. Re1 $5 Rxa3 31. Qa5 $5 {White can obtain an advantage. This,
however, is a variation from the fantasy world of the Matrix and the
Terminator. Humans don't think like this, so such variations are generally not
available to us. This variation illustrates Nimzowitsch's idea that the best
attacking moves are usually beautiful, whereas the best defensive moves are
usually ugly. Bronstein made a mistake here because he had a choice, which is
the most difficult aspect of chess. For example, Bronstein played 25 Ra3
immediately because he didn't have a choice.} ({In the case of} 31. bxa3 Qh3+ {
Black would win.}))) 30. Rxh3 $2 Rf8+ 31. Kg6 ({Boris: If White moves his king
in the other direction he will lose his queen; e.g.} 31. Ke5 Qe4+ 32. Kd6 Rf6+
{.}) 31... gxf4+ 32. Kh7 Qxh3+ 33. Kxg7 Qh8+ 34. Kg6 Rg8+ 35. Kf5 (35. Kf5 {
Exercise: Until now Black's moves were forced. Now he is faced with four
checks. Three of them are losing and one is winning. Can you find the winning
check? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I like} Qh7+ {because this move allows
Black to check the white king in the center of the board after} 36. Kxf4 {.
--- Boris: That is not check, it is checkmate! Yes, all other moves lose, but
35...Qh7+ wins either the king or the queen.}) 35... Qh7+ $1 36. Ke5 Qe4+ 37.
Kd6 Rg6+ 38. Kc5 Rxa6 39. Bxf4+ Kxb7 40. Bb5 Ra5 {. --- Boris: After the game
we analyzed it together for a long time. He concluded the post-mortem with one
of his typical paradoxical phrases: "It is not a pity to lose such a game, but
it is a pity not to win it." --- Joel: How did you feel after beating
Bronstein? --- Boris: The game was very exciting so I was of course pleased.
The next day I defeated the leader of the tournament, the late grandmaster,
Vladimir Liberzon. It was his only defeat of the tournament; but in the final
round I lost to Petrosian, which prevented me from qualifying for the Soviet
Championship and allowed Petrosian to catch Bronstein and tie for first.} 0-1

[Event "Groningen"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Shirov, A."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C19"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Boris: This game was from was an interzonal tournament in which I qualified
among eight players in the world to challenge Garry Kasparov for the world
title. --- Joel: So you were among the top nine players in the world? ---
Boris: I guess that is one way of putting it, yes. The most unusual thing
about this tournament, which was very successful for me, was that in two games
I agreed on a draw when I had forced wins.} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5
c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Nf3 b6 8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. Bd3 {Boris: The idea
behind 7...b6 is to exchange light-squared bishops on a6. The check and then
retreat of the bishop to d3, as played by Shirov, is the only way to avoid
this exchange. If Black is permitted to exchange light-squared bishops White
would not be able to claim any advantage out of the opening. --- Joel: So this
is one of the important strategic ideas of this opening, to exchange
light-squared bishops? --- Boris: Yes, but one of many ideas. The French is
very rich in strategic plans.} c4 {Joel: What is the idea behind this move?
You close the queenside where presumably Black has counterchances. --- Boris:
I had in mind a plan of attack on the c2-pawn. This plan, which is not very
active, was introduced by Yusupov. It is not very popular any more because, as
you indicate, you close the queenside where you need to be creating
counterchances. Because of this, I stopped playing this variation.} 10. Bf1 Ba4
11. h4 h6 12. h5 Kd7 13. g3 Qg8 {Boris: This unusual move was the reason I
tried this variation, to attack the c2-pawn with my queen on h7 and my bishop
on a4.} 14. Bf4 $5 ({Boris: Stronger than} 14. Bh3 Qh7 15. Ra2 {and it will be
difficult for White to return the a2-rook to the game. Shirov plans to protect
the c2-pawn with the rook on c1 and then bring his knight to e3, thereby
releasing his rook for active duty.}) 14... Qh7 15. Rc1 Kc7 ({Boris:} 15... Na6
$5 16. Bh3 Nc7 {deserved attention, but this is also a defensive operation.})
16. Bg2 Nd7 17. Nh2 $5 a5 $5 ({Boris:} 17... Kb7 18. Nf1 Bc6 {was safer, not
weakening Black's queenside, but it was very difficult to predict at this
moment in the game that this weakening would play any role in the struggle.})
18. Nf1 Kb7 19. Ne3 Ka7 $6 ({Boris: After White brought his knight to e3 the
bishop is no longer active on a4, therefore it would be more logical to bring
it back to c6 immediately; e.g.} 19... Bc6 $5 20. g4 f6 {with a complicated
position.}) 20. g4 f6 21. exf6 gxf6 22. O-O {Joel: Doesn't this just walk into
a kingside attack? Wouldn't it be safer to leave the king in the center? ---
Boris: He has to remove his king from the center because the e-file can
quickly become open. Right now the kingside is closed and the safest and most
reasonable option.} Rhg8 $5 ({Boris: Black could keep extra control of the
e6-square by playing} 22... Rae8 23. Qe2 Nc6 {, but White has better chances
after} 24. Rb1 {, when a sacrifice on c4 hangs in the air. Instead, Black
provokes wild complications.}) 23. Qe2 $1 Rae8 24. Nxc4 $5 (24. Nxc4 {Exercise:
Try to find out whether there any alternatives to accepting the sacrifice and
determine which alternatives, if any, are preferable. (difficulty level 6) ---
Boris: Any ideas?} -- ({. Joel: I was looking at} 24... Bb5 {but after} 25.
Qxe6 {I think White is winning. --- Boris: Yes; continuing the variation, after
} dxc4 {White has} 26. Rb1 {with a winning position.} (26. --)) ({. Is there a
way to make the move ...Bb5 work? Can you remove the weakness on e6 so that
somehow it does work? --- Joel: Maybe} 24... e5 {- ? --- Boris: Correct!}) ({
. Now which move is better: accepting the sacrifice with} 24... dxc4 {, or 24..
.e5 as I played in the game? I have to say these two moves lead to extremely
complicated positions that are impossible to calculate fully. You have to
trust your intuition. --- Joel: I like 24...e5 for the simple reason that
White must have calculated the acceptance of the sacrifice more fully than not
accepting the sacrifice, so it has more potential to throw the opponent off.
Also, the position, with multiple white pieces hanging, is more complicated in
the sense that there seems to be more ways for both sides to go wrong, which
is good. --- Boris: This is approximately how I thought. I didn't want to
follow the line prepared by my opponent. Only after examining the variation 24.
..dxc4 with the computer did I find a mistake in my calculation.})) 24... e5 $5
({Boris: Stronger was} 24... dxc4 $1 25. Qxe6 (25. Qxc4 $2 Nd5 $1 26. Bxd5 exd5
27. Qxa4 Rxg4+ 28. Bg3 f5 {would have been bad for White}) 25... Rc8 26. Rfe1
Rg7 27. -- (27. Bd6 {and here the computer shows that after} Qg8 $1 ({instead
of} 27... Ng8 $2 28. Be4 {with advantage to White, which I considered to be
the necessary continuation}) 28. Bxe7 Rxg4 {Black is winning.}) ({. White had
to go for} 27. Qd6 Nc6 {, but Black is better here too. --- Joel: Why? ---
Boris: Because he has an extra piece and counterplay on the kingside. White
simply doesn't have enough compensation for the sacrificed material.})) 25. Nb2
$1 ({Boris: Obviously} 25. dxe5 $2 Bb5 {would have been bad for White}) ({
while after} 25. Nd6 $5 exf4 26. Nxe8 Rxe8 27. Rfe1 f5 {the position is
extremely unclear.}) 25... exf4 $6 {Boris: The complications after the text
favor White.} ({Better was} 25... Bc6 $1 {with reasonable compensation for the
pawn.}) 26. Nxa4 Nf5 27. Qf3 Nh4 28. Qxf4 Nxg2 29. Qc7+ {Boris: The only way.}
(29. Kxg2 $2 {runs into} Rxg4+ 30. Qxg4 Rg8 {which is just bad for White.})
29... Ka6 (29... Ka6 {Exercise: What does White have to play? (difficulty
level 4) --- Joel: I'm not sure, because Black still has 30...Rxg4 with a lot
of threats. --- Boris: Using your hierarchy, can you make mating threats of
your own? --- Joel: Yes,} 30. Rb1 {threatens mate.} -- ({. Boris: How does
Black defend? --- Joel:} 30... Rb8 {seems like the only move. --- Boris: Black
also has 30...Re6, but how do you respond to 30...Rb8 - ? --- Joel:} 31. Rxb6+
Rxb6 32. Nc5+ {looks strong. --- Boris: Correct.}) ({. Joel: Does} 30... Re6 {
lead to the same thing? --- Boris: No, it loses on the spot to} 31. Nc5+ {.} (
31. --))) 30. Rb1 $1 Rb8 31. Rxb6+ $1 Rxb6 32. Nc5+ Nxc5 33. Qxh7 Rxg4 (33...
Rxg4 {Exercise: White has to take the knight on c5, but does he have to take
it immediately or can he play f2-f3 first, vacating the f2-square for his
king? (difficulty level 6) --- Joel: I can't even begin to calculate this
position. --- Boris: First, we must consider what would happen if White plays}
34. dxc5 {. --- Joel: Right, I think} Ne3+ {is strong. --- Boris: And what
does White play after this? --- Joel:} 35. Kh1 {.} ({. Boris: That would lead
to a repetition of moves after} 35. Kh1 Rh4+ {.}) ({. If White wants to play
for a win he has to play} 35. Kh2 {. --- Joel: But then Black has} Nxf1+ {.
--- Boris: Right, and after} 36. Kh3 {both rooks are hanging, so Black has to
play tempo moves to save his rooks. --- Joel: Right, so} Rb7 {. --- Boris: And
where does the queen go? --- Joel:} 37. Qf5 {. --- Boris: That is not forcing
enough. The rook will move and White hasn't won anything.} ({Do you see any
checks? --- Joel:} 37. Qd3+ {. --- Boris: Now can Black save his rook? ---
Joel: Yes, with} Rc4 {. --- Boris: Very good. This is a very difficult
position to calculate because it is not only about calculation but, in the end,
about the assessment of the position and, in this regard, even such a strong
tactician as Shirov was not successful. --- Joel: So I won't feel bad. ---
Boris: No, not at all. Continuing the line after 38...Rc4 we can see that this
variation was stronger than the move played in the game...}))) 34. f3 $2 ({
Boris:} 34. dxc5 $1 {was correct} -- ({, when} 34... Rb7 35. Qd3+ Ka7 36. f3 $1
Rg5 37. Kf2 {is winning for White. --- Joel: Why? --- Boris: Because Black
doesn't have any threats that can compensate for his material deficit.}) ({.
Now returning to the line we examined in the previous note,} 34... Ne3+ 35. Kh2
Nxf1+ 36. Kh3 Rb7 37. Qd3+ Rc4 {, White can continue with} 38. Qxd5 $1 Rxc3+
39. Kg2 Rc7 40. Qa8+ $1 Kb5 41. Qb8+ Kc6 42. Qb6+ Kd7 43. Qxf6 {and Black will
be in trouble after White wins the h6-pawn. --- Joel: Why? --- Boris: Because
it will be very difficult to stop White's h-pawn from promoting.} (43. --)))
34... Rg5 35. dxc5 Nf4+ $1 (35... Nf4+ {Exercise: Where does White's king need
to go? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I would play} 36. Kh2 {. It seems
natural.} ({Boris: Why wouldn't you play} 36. Kf2 {- ? --- Joel: Because of}
Re6 $1 {. --- Boris: Good. That comes with a threat of mate. What about after}
37. Rh1 {- ? It's not the only move but it is reasonable. --- Joel: I would
play} Re2+ {. --- Boris: And after} 38. Kf1 {- ? --- Joel:} Rgg2 {threatening
39...Rgf2+. --- Boris: No, that only leads to a draw because White has the
g1-square for his king.} ({Stronger is} 38... Rg3 {and Black is winning.})))
36. Kh2 $1 (36. Kh2 {Exercise: What should Black play? (difficulty level 4)} --
({. Joel: I was looking at} 36... Rg2+ {, but it doesn't seem to lead anywhere
after} 37. Kh1 {.}) ({. I was also looking at} 36... Re6 {, but White has} 37.
Rf2 {covering the second rank. --- Boris: Correct.}) ({Boris: Can you see any
other way to remove the rook from danger and bring it into the game? --- Joel:
} 36... Rb7 {. --- Boris: And where does White put his queen? --- Joel: I think
} 37. Qh8 {is the only move. --- Boris: And what does Black play? White is
threatening 38 Qxf6+ and 39 Qxf4. --- Joel:} Rbg7 {. --- Boris: Correct.} (
37... --))) 36... Rb7 37. Qh8 Rbg7 38. Qa8+ Kb5 39. c4+ $1 Kxc4 $1 ({Boris:} 
39... Ka4 $2 {would be a mistake because of} 40. Qe8+ $1 Kxa3 41. Qe3+ Kb4 42.
Rb1+ Kxc4 43. Qxf4+ {and White wins. After the text White has to play
precisely not to lose.}) 40. Qa6+ Kxc5 ({Boris: Not} 40... Kc3 $2 41. Qxa5+ (
41. Qxf6+ $2 {would completely backfire in light of} d4) 41... Kd4 42. Rd1+ Ke5
{: --- Exercise: What should White play? (difficulty level 2) --- Joel: White
can mate after} 43. Qe1+ Kf5 44. Rxd5+ Nxd5 45. Qe4# {. --- Boris: Very good!})
({Returning to the game after} 40... Kxc5 {, Exercise: What does White have to
play? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I don't know. Black is threatening mate
in one. --- Boris: Right, so from which square should he give check, c8 or a5?
--- Joel: I would play} 41. Qxa5+ {. --- Boris: In time trouble, my opponent
and I produced a series of best moves but, as often happens after reaching the
time control, we both relaxed.} ({White could have forced a draw with} 41. Qc8+
{. Instead, my opponent played as you suggested and I accepted a draw in
winning position.})) 41. Qxa5+ $2 {Boris: I thought that a perpetual check was
inevitable;} ({but after} 41. Qxa5+ Kd4 $1 42. Rd1+ Ke5 43. Qe1+ Kd6 $1 {this
is the move I missed;} ({whereas} 43... Kf5 {leads to mate after} 44. Rxd5+ {
as we previously saw}) 44. Qb4+ Ke6 45. Qb6+ Kf5 {White runs out of check and
mate to his own king cannot be avoided. --- Joel: That is a very interesting
point you make about relaxing after the time control. How do you understand
it? --- Boris: It is very common. After struggling and pushing yourself, you
let your guard down. This issue of relaxing after the time control was well
known when games were adjourned after five hours. In the 1960 Botvinnik-Tal
World Championship match, for example, Tal always forced Botvinnik to seal his
move and make an important decision after the time control, trying to
capitalize on this fact.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Baku"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1977.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Vaganian, R."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E26"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "1977.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.17"]

{Joel: Can you say something about this game and its context? --- Boris: This
was a period in my chess career when I achieved good results. The game was
from the first division of the USSR championship to determine the qualifiers
for the highest division. I qualified from this tournament and went on to win
the USSR Championship. There were many strong grandmasters in this event and
my opponent was one of the best in the world. He could play as well as anyone
and often quite brilliantly, as he did in this game, which was one of our
wildest encounters. --- Joel: Can you say something about your opponent? From
what I can tell he seems to have been someone who enjoyed exciting chess. ---
Boris: He was a rare player who can be extremely good in both irrational
positions and in complicated endgames. Most players play well in one of the
other type of game. His major drawback was that, in very important games or
matches, he did not control his nerves.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3
Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 c5 6. e3 b6 7. Ne2 Ba6 8. Ng3 Qc7 {Boris: A rare line. Black
creates direct threats to the c4-pawn. The theory of this variation has still
not been deeply researched.} 9. e4 ({Boris: Other possibilities are} 9. d5 $5
exd5 10. cxd5 Qe5 11. Bxa6 Nxa6 12. O-O Qxd5 13. Qe2 {with compensation for
the pawn}) ({and} 9. Bd2 {, when it is best for Black to turn to the common
plan of} Nc6 $5 {followed by ...Na5,} ({because after} 9... cxd4 $6 10. cxd4
Bxc4 11. Rc1 b5 12. Bxc4 bxc4 13. Qa4 {White obtains a small advantage.})) 9...
cxd4 10. cxd4 Bxc4 11. Qc2 $5 {Boris: A new attempt.} (11. e5 $6 Nd5 12. Ne4
O-O {wasn't promising for White}) ({but} 11. Bg5 $5 {deserved serious
consideration, which Boris Vladimirov played against me in the traditional
team match between Moscow and Leningrad in 1968.}) 11... d5 12. Bd3 ({Joel:
Why not} 12. e5 {immediately? --- Boris: Because after} Nfd7 {White cannot
develop his bishop to d3, as} 13. Bd3 {then runs into} Nxe5 $1 {. Vaganian
played e4-e5 when the position allowed it.}) 12... Qc6 $5 ({Boris: It was
safer to follow Lasker's recommendation and return the extra pawn after} 12...
Nbd7 $5 13. O-O (13. e5 $2 {is still bad because of} Nxe5) 13... Rc8 14. e5 Ne4
$1 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Bxc4 Qxc4 17. Qxe4 O-O {with an equal position. Instead,
I kept the extra pawn but gave White the initiative. --- Joel: I remember
Peter Svidler saying that, when someone sacrifices material against him, he
immediately looks for a way to give the material back for the initiative. ---
Boris: Yes, I agree; strong players don't usually like to give up the
initiative. It is better to play with the initiative rather play against it.})
13. e5 Nfd7 ({Boris: In this situation} 13... Ne4 $2 {would have been bad for
Black after} 14. Ne2 $1 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 f6 16. f3 Ng5 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Bxg5 fxg5
19. Rc1 {, followed by h2-h4, when White has a strong initiative.}) 14. O-O {
Boris: White obtains reasonable compensation for the pawn because Black's
knights are poorly placed and do not have good squares.} ({The caveman attack} 
14. Nh5 g6 15. Ng7+ {would fail after} Kd8 {, when Black's king will find
shelter on b7, whereas White's knight on g7 will not escape.}) 14... f5 $5 15.
a4 ({Boris: In the case of} 15. exf6 Nxf6 {Black would solve the problem of
his poorly placed knights.}) 15... O-O 16. Ba3 Rc8 17. Rfc1 Nf8 18. Nh5 Qe8 19.
Qd1 $1 Nbd7 $6 {Exercise: How should White regroup his pieces to develop his
kingside initiative? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I am thinking about
redeploying the light-squared bishop to either c2 or b1? --- Boris: You are
right that the fate of this bishop is very important, otherwise Black will
simply trade it off with an extra pawn to boot. My opponent prepared a very
sophisticated bishop maneuver involving the plan of Bc2-d1-h5, the only real
square from which it can participate in a kingside attack.} ({Joel: Why didn't
you trade off the light-squared bishop earlier? It seemed you had several
chances. --- Boris: I rejected 19...Bxd3 because I was afraid of White's
pressure down the c-file, but analysis shows that after} 19... Bxd3 $1 20. Rxc8
Qxc8 21. Qxd3 Nc6 22. Rc1 Qd7 {Black has a solid position. Now White's
pressure increases.}) 20. Bc2 $1 Rc6 21. Qf3 Rac8 22. Bd1 $1 Ng6 23. h3 Ba6 24.
Rxc6 Rxc6 25. Qe3 Qc8 $6 {Boris: This is the rare case of when control of the
only open file does not pay dividends, because Black does not have any squares
for penetration.} ({It was more important to cover the strategically important
g5-square by playing} 25... Qd8 $1 {.}) 26. Qg5 $1 Ndf8 (26... Ndf8 {Exercise:
Black prepares to correct his inaccuracy by playing 27...h6 and 28...Qd8. What
should White do? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I was thinking about either}
27. Bxf8 ({, or} 27. Be7 {. --- Boris: In the first case it is not clear after,
say, 27...Qxf8 what you gain from exchanging a very strong, well-placed bishop
for a completely impotent knight; while in the case of 27 Be7 White has} h6 {
(as planned)} 28. Qg3 Rc1 {, showing that the c-file is not completely useless
if given the opportunity.}) ({. In the analysis position, White's pieces are
ideally placed, and if White permits Black to repel his queen with 27...h6,
they will lose their energy. There is only one way to continue the assault and
that is with sacrifices. --- Joel: With} 27. Nxg7 {- ? --- Boris: And after}
Kxg7 {- ? --- Joel:} 28. h4 {of course, threatening to win the knight. ---
Boris: Correct! --- Joel: But can't Black just play} h6 {- ? --- Boris: Yes,
that is exactly what I played, but now White can infiltrate my position via f6
with gain of time.} (28... --))) 27. Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 28. h4 h6 $5 ({Boris: The
computer recommends} 28... Rc4 $6 {, but after} 29. h5 Rxd4 30. hxg6 Nxg6 31.
a5 $1 bxa5 32. Bh5 Qe8 33. Bc5 {Black's position would be shaky on both flanks.
}) 29. Qf6+ Kg8 ({Boris: Black doesn't have} 29... Kh7 $2 {because of} 30. h5 {
, winning.}) 30. Bh5 $1 {Boris: Brilliantly justifying the maneuver Vaganian
started ten moves ago.} Nh8 31. Re1 Nh7 32. Qxh6 Rc7 {Exercise: Black prepares
to defend the g-file with the rook. How does White develop his initiative
here? (difficulty level 6) --- Joel: White's pieces are ideally placed, which
leaves only pawn moves. The only one that makes sense to me is 33 g4, which
seems a little crazy. --- Boris: You're right that White's pieces cannot be
improved, but 33 g4 doesn't look good because it compromises his king. White
has to find a new field for battle, and therefore Vaganian opens up another
front on the queenside.} 33. a5 $3 ({Boris: I anticipated} 33. Re3 Rg7 34. Rc3
$5 {when I intended} Bc4 {,} ({but the computer reveals} 34... Qxc3 $1 35.
Qxe6+ Rf7 36. Bxf7+ Nxf7 37. Qe8+ Kg7 38. e6 {. I thought that White was
winning here, but I was wrong in view of the strong} Nh8 $1 39. Qd7+ Kh6 40. e7
Qe1+ 41. Kh2 Nf6 42. Qxf5 Kg7 43. Bd6 Qe4 44. Qxe4 dxe4 45. Be5 Kf7 46. Bxf6
Ng6 {and Black is winning.})) 33... Nf7 $5 ({Boris: The attempt to keep the
queenside closed with} 33... b5 $6 {permits White to develop strong pressure
on the c-file after} 34. Re3 Rg7 35. Bc5 $1 ({the rook sacrifice still doesn't
work:} 35. Rc3 $6 Qxc3 36. Qxe6+ Rf7 37. Qe8+ Kg7 38. Bxf7 Nxf7 39. e6 Nh8 {etc
}) 35... Qd7 ({Black's position is not safe after} 35... Nf7 36. Bxf7+ Kxf7 37.
Rc3 {either}) 36. Rc3 Nf7 37. Qc1 $1 {.}) 34. Qg6+ Kh8 35. axb6 axb6 36. Rb1 $1
Qg8 $5 {Boris: White swings from one wing to another, creating threats.} ({If
Black redeploys his pieces to protect the queenside then White will return his
pieces to the kingside with decisive threats; e.g.} 36... Rb7 37. Rc1 Bc4 38.
Rc3) ({or} 36... b5 37. Rb3 {. Instead, Black sacrifices an important pawn,
hoping to exchange queens.}) 37. Qxe6 Bc8 {Exercise: Figure out White's
candidate moves and choose the best one. (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: Well,
the queen is being attacked and there are three possible moves available: 38
Qxd5, 38 Qg6, and 38 Qxb6. The first loses to 38...Bb7, the second doesn't
make sense to me because I want to keep the queens on the board, so that
leaves 38 Qxb6, winning a pawn and threatening the rook. --- Boris: And what
about 38...Rb7 - ? --- Joel: I didn't see this move. This seems to lose for
White unless he sacrifices his queen, which, now that I look at it, is
actually very interesting. --- Boris: Very good! That is exactly what Vaganian
played.} 38. Qxb6 $3 ({Boris: After} 38. Qg6 Qxg6 39. Bxg6 Nd8 40. Rxb6 Ne6 {
Black's position can be defended.}) 38... Rb7 39. Qxb7 Bxb7 40. Rxb7 (40. Rxb7
{Exercise: What does Black have to do? (difficulty level 2)} -- ({. Joel: I
would play} 40... Qa8 {, threatening the rook and the bishop, and if} 41. Rxf7
{then} Qxa3 42. Bg6 Qc1+ 43. Kh2 Qf4+ 44. Kh3 Qg4+ {and White cannot escape
the checks. --- Boris: Very good! It is the only move.}) ({. You could have
arrived at this solution using the method of exclusion, because both} 40... Nd8
41. Rb8) ({, and} 40... Nh6 41. Re7 {lead to losing positions for Black.} (41.
--))) 40... Qa8 $1 41. Rxf7 Qxa3 42. e6 ({Boris: You correctly evaluated that} 
42. Bg6 {is bad for White, although in this case Black's strongest defense
would be} Nf8 $1 {.}) 42... Qc1+ $1 {Boris: The game was adjourned after 42 e6
and I analyzed this position at home. In those years, we didn't have computers,
which would have helped me tremendously in such a position. Reasonably, the
practice of adjourning games was discontinued with the introduction of strong
chess playing computer programs.} ({In this pre-computer era, I thought I
found a line that led to a draw which went} 42... Qa1+ 43. Kh2 Qxd4 44. e7 Nf6
45. Rxf6 Qe5+ 46. g3 Qxe7 47. Rxf5 d4 {. Here I thought the d4-pawn gave Black
enough counterplay, but I awoke in the middle of the night realizing that,
after 48 Bf3, White's rook will move to d5, rendering the d-pawn useless and
White's g- and h-pawns will bring him victory. As a result, I had to switch on
the light and begin analyzing again and discovered an amusing way to reach a
study-like draw.}) 43. Kh2 (43. Kh2 {Exercise: Can you find a way for Black to
escape? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: The threat of e6-e7 seems very strong.
The only thing I could come up with is 43...Qh6, but I think White can just go
ahead push the e-pawn anyway. I also considered 43...Qf4+, but after 44 Kh3
taking the f2-pawn doesn't seem to prevent White from pushing the e-pawn.} -- (
{. Boris: The move} 43... Qf4+ $2 {is an important resource that needs to be
calculated more thoroughly. After} 44. Kh3 Qxf2 45. e7 -- ({, Black has} 45...
Nf6 46. Rxf6 Qe3+ {winning the e-pawn, but after} 47. Bf3 Qxe7 48. Rxf5 {White
will have a rook, a bishop and two connected passed pawns, which is a
theoretically winning endgame. Continuing on we see that} Qe6 49. Kg4 Qg6+ 50.
Kf4 Qh6+ 51. Ke5 {is completely winning for White because the h-pawn is immune
from capture.}) ({. More precise, however, is} 45... Qe3+ $1 46. g3 Nf6 47.
Rxf6 ({in the case of} 47. Rf8+ Kg7 48. Rxf6 Qf2 $3 {Black escapes by perpetual
}) 47... Qxe7 48. Rxf5 Qe6 {and from a computer's point of view this is a draw,
but for a human it looks really dangerous for Black.})) ({. Boris: Can you
find other attempts to save the game? --- Joel: Nothing comes to mind. ---
Boris: The move that saves Black in this position is the amusing} 43... Ng5 $3
{.}) ({. Instead,} 43... Kg8 {doesn't work either after} 44. e7 Qf4+ 45. Kh3
Qg4+ 46. Bxg4 fxg4+ 47. Kxg4 Kxf7 48. Kf5 Kxe7 49. Ke5 Nf6 50. f3 {and Black
will inevitably lose the d5-pawn and the game.})) 43... Ng5 $3 44. hxg5 Qxg5
45. g4 $1 {Boris: The only move.} (45. Bf3 {didn't promise anything after} Qh6+
{.}) 45... fxg4 (45... fxg4 {Exercise: What is the most dangerous move for
Black to face? (difficulty level 5) --- Joel: I think} 46. Kg1 {is quite
strong.} -- ({. If} 46... Qc1+ {then} 47. Kg2 {and Black cannot prevent the
e-pawn from promoting}) ({, while if} 46... Qxh5 {then} 47. Rf8+ Kg7 48. e7 {
and the pawn promotes as well. --- Boris: Very good! Your move and the text
have approximately equal value.} (48. --))) 46. Kg2 $1 (46. Kg2 {Exercise:
What does Black have to do? (difficulty level 4) --- Joel: I see that} Qxh5 ({
I don't see how} 46... Qd8) ({or} 46... Kg8 {help either}) 47. Rf8+ Kg7 48. e7
{is winning for White. --- Boris: You have to find a way to get White's king
in the open.}) ({For me it was easier to find the correct way here because,
instead of 46 Kg2, I analyzed} 46. Rf8+ Kg7 47. e7 {, when} g3+ $1 {is the
only way to draw,} ({because} 47... Qxe7 48. Rf7+ {leads to a losing pawn
endgame for Black.})) 46... g3 $1 47. e7 gxf2+ 48. Kxf2 (48. Kxf2 {Exercise:
Which is the key checking square? (difficulty level 3) --- Joel: I would play}
Qd2+ {. --- Boris: 48...Qd2+? would lose to} 49. Be2 Qxd4+ 50. Kf1 Qa1+ 51. Kg2
{Here Black has to solve the problem Shirov didn't manage in the previous game:
to find the right square from which to check in order to get a perpetual.})
48... Qh4+ $1 49. Kg2 (49. Kg2 {Exercise: What would you play now? (difficulty
level 4) --- Joel: I would play} Qg5+ {.} ({Boris: Here the correct move is} 
49... Qe4+ {. It is important to give check on the e-file because White cannot
defend the king with the rook as e7 will fall.}) ({More precisely, the move} 
49... Qg5+ $2 {would lose to} 50. Kf1 Qc1+ 51. Kf2 Qd2+ 52. Be2 {. --- Joel:
What about} Qxd4+ {- ? --- Boris:} 53. Kf1 {and Black has run out of checks.}))
49... Qe4+ $1 50. Kg3 Qe1+ 51. Kg4 Qe4+ 52. Kg5 Qe3+ 53. Kh4 ({Boris: The move
} 53. Kf6 {would also lead to a perpetual after} Qxd4+ 54. Ke6 Qb6+ {. My
opponent played brilliantly and I saved the game with a miracle.}) 53... Qe1+ {
. --- Boris: Once Black found the right way to check, White acquiesced to a
draw. --- Joel: I think this game nicely illustrates the method of exclusion
which I haven't come across in the chess books I have read. If you see that
several options are clearly bad then it is necessary to choose the move that
is at least unclear, even if you cannot calculate the consequences. --- Boris:
That's right. If I'm not mistaken I believe Dvoretsky has written about this
in one of his training manuals.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Conclusion"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.23"]

{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.}  *

