It is interesting to watch how players react once they let the in
itiative slip from their grasp. In this opening White gains a spatial advan
tage, but cannot make much headway against Black's fastidious defense.
As so often happens, however, the attacker is unwilling to concede that his attack has failed and continues to pursue the dream of mate. This error of judgment can have disastrous consequences, as seen here in Hjartarson
Ljubojevlc, Belgrade 1987.
1 d4
Although the d-pawn opening is regarded as a slower buildup than the time honored 1 e4, it nonetheless is fuUy as vital.
dS.
1... Nf6
Preventing 2 e4 and leaving open most options.
2 c4 To contest dS.
2 .•• e6
Allowing the KB to develop and preparing to establish a pawn on 3 NfJ
The best square for the KN in most openings.
3... dS
Establishing pawn control of the center.
4 Nc3
The most active square, contesting dS and e4.
4... c6
Reinforcing the "anchor" on dS and creating the characteristic Slav Defense pawn formation.
S e3
Also quite feasible is S BgS, though White must then reckon with S ... dxc4 with great complications after 6 e4, bS 7 eS, h6 8 Bh4, gS 9 NxgS, hxgS 10 BxgS.
Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Eleven
s ...
Clearly the best place.
6 Bd3
Nbd7
White intends to play a later e4 to gain more central territory.
6... Be7
Also good is 6 .•• Bd6.
7 0-0
95
Now with the King safely tucked away, White is ready for action.
7... 0-0
Black wisely follows suit.
8 e4
The action intensifies with the awaited central push.
8... dxe4
Other 9 eS would follow with too much cramping effect.
9 Nxe4
White also wishes to fianchetto his QB. A reasonable alternation is 10 Bf4.
10 ... cS
Challenging the d-pawn, which controls cS and eS.
1 1 Bb2
Wisely avoiding 1 1 dxcS after which there would follow 1 1 ... Bb7! and if 12 Nd6 then 12 ... BxD 13 Qxf3, NxcS and Black wins a piece.
1 1 ... Bb7
Completing minor piece development while threatening the well posted Ne4.
12 Qe2
Reinforcing e4 while clearing the back rank for later jockeying of the Rooks.
12 ... cxd4
By removing the d-pawn Black obtains access to cS and eS.
13 Nxd4 Also possible was 13 Bxd4.
13... NcS
96 Modern Mlddlegame Lessons
Forcing some desirable simplification to reduce White's attacking potential.
14 NxcS
The obstreperous Knight must be liquidated.
14... BxcS
Also reasonable was 14 • . . bxc5 though this would split up Black's Queenside pawns.
15 Nf3
After 15 Rad1 (Indirectly protecting the Nd4 since 15 ... Bxd4 16 Bxd4, Qxd4? allows 17 Bxh7ch) Black simply continues 15 ... Qc7 and if 16 NbS then 16 ..• Qc6 is fine for Black.
15... Qc7
The best place for the Queen, clearing the d-file for a Rook.
16 Ne5
Occupying a fine forward post. The exchange 16 Bxf6, gxf6 is quite satisfactory for Black as his Kingside is easy to defend.
16... Rad8
Logically going for control of the d-file.
17 Rad1 White must contest the d-file.
Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Eleven 97
White's Middlegame Plan
White enjoys a Queenside majority of pawns, active pieces, and more Queenside and central territory. To make use of these advantages though, will prove to be no easy matter. White would not mind trading pieces and eventually creating a passed Queenside pawn, but though an endgame would give White a pleasant position (all other factors being equal. Of course, an endgame could favor Black if he gains some other advantage - like control of the open d-file), a correct defense should en
able Black to hold on.
The other area where White can consider trying to make headway is on the Kingside, since most of White's pieces aim in that direction.
However, great care must be used when initiating any side action with an open center since wing attacks pull pieces from the middle and leave that sector available for enemy counterattacks.
98 Modem Mlddlegame Lessons
Black's Middlegame Plan
Black's pieces stand on active posts and he has a position that is free from any structural weakness. Unfortunately, he has less space than the opponent so exchanges and a possible draw are all that Black can hope for if White doesn't get too impulsive. Black will first double Rooks on the d-ftle. This should force an exchange of Rooks and make Black's defen
sive task easier since fewer pieces on the board make less territory easier to live with.
17 ...
Preparing to double up Rooks.
18 Ng4
Rd6
White proceeds aggressively, though the simple 18 Bc2 is wiser.
Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Eleven 99
Opening To Middlegame
Instead of adjusting to a new situation, White's mistakes are mo
tivated by his desire to win at all costs instead of settling for simplifica
tions. The complications will revolve around back rank weaknesses - for both sides. Black stumbles in prosecuting his counterattack and must worry about the safety of his own King in the midst of the ensuing storm.
White in tum goes astray and, although a Rook ahead, finds himself on the wrong end of the mating attack that he had hoped to deliver to his oppo-nent.
18... Nxg4
Black simplifies again to reduce White's attacking units.
19 Qxg4 With a definite threat.
19... f6
Note this is possible because the Rd6 defends the e-pawn.
20 Bc2 To challenge the Stalwart Rd6.
20... Qe7
Defending f6 to free the Rf8 from that duty (the g-pawn is pinned).
21 Rxd6 Otherwise 2l. .. Rfd8 is good.
21... Bxd6
The Bishop recaptures to allow the Queen to retain guard of f6.
100
Bb2.
Modern Mlddlegame Lessons
22 Ret
Hoping to prove the e-pawn a weakness.
22... eS
Stopping the threat to e6 and building a pawn barrier against the 23 h4
Intending to use the h-pawn as a battering ram to loosen up Black's pawn structure (e.g. h5-h6 or h5 followed by Qf5 forcing h7-h6).
23... Rd8
This is questionable. White should have tried 25 Rdl, Rxdlch 26 Qxdl with even chances.
25... Qd7
Offering a Queen trade, since this would definitely end White's Kingside attacking intentions.
Play begins to assume a complex tactical character.
27 Kh2 Obviously forced.
27 ... Bd2
Preventing h5-h6 and allowing an aggressive repositioning of the Bishop via f4.
28 Be6ch
This is not so much an attacking move as a defensive one. Clearly it is Black who is in control of the initiative.
28... Kh8
Of course not 28 ... Kf8? because of 29 Ba3ch.
29 Bd5 To block the formidable Bb7.
Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Eleven 101
29 ... Bf4ch!
The most incisive. However also quite good would have been 29 ... Bxd5 30 cxdS, Bh6 with a clear advantage for Black.
30 g3
Naturally not 30 Kh3 because of 30 •.• Qh1 mate.
30... rs
Black proceeds with great vigor, typical of the Yugoslav Grand
master's style.
How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out White chose to attack the Kingside, but became a bit overzealous in his pursuit of the win. When Black began his counterplay in the middle, White should have accepted a mass trade of Rooks which would also have ended any attacking aspirations. Instead White lost touch with reality and gave up the d-file for an attack that was not really there. Since control of the center is almost always more important than control of a wing, Black soon gained a grip on the position. White's King was the one that eventually fell.
Rule to be learned: Never give up control of the center unless the reward is clearly obtainable. One must also be careful to avoid the lack of objectivity that often comes with an overpowering desire to win at any cost.
31 Qh4
Of course not 31 QxfS, Qxe2. Also, on 31 Qf3 Black has 31. .. Rxd5! 32 cxdS (The attempt 32 Qxf4 loses brilliantly to 32 ... Qhlch!!
33 Kxhl, Rdl dis.dbl.ch 34 Kh2, Rhl mate) 32 ..• Bxd5 with a quick win.
102 Modem Mlddlegame Lessons
Forced since both 32 Qxg3, Qxe2 and 32 fxg3, Qxe2ch are unac
ceptable.
32 .•• Rxd5
Black sacrifices a whole Rook to maintain an attacking posture.
However, with accurate play White will be able to defend.
33 cxd5
Giving the King a flight square at h4 and threatening 35 Qf8ch, Qg8 36 Qxg8ch with an easy win. However, as will be seen, Black has a Ba6ch 43 Kd5, Bxe2 44 BxeS, Bf3ch! wins.
35 Kh4 Forced.
35 ...
White threatened 36 Qf8 mate.
36 Re3?
h6
White also errs and this time it is fatal. Necessary was 36 Bxe5, Qblch 37 Kg3, Qg2ch 38 Kh4, Qg5ch 39 Kh3, Qxh5ch 40 Qh4!, Qf3ch 41 Qg3, Qh1ch 42 Qh2ch, Qf3ch with a draw.
36... Qxflch
Now Black's forces coordinate smoothly.
37 Rg3 Forced.
37 • . • Gaining time on the clock.
Qh2ch
walk.
Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Eleven 1 03
38 Rh3 Forced.
38 .••
Returning to the same position.
39 Rg3 Forced.
39 ...
Qf2ch
Kh7 White threatened 40 Qf8ch and 41 Qxg7 mate.
40 Kh3
Or 40 BxeS, Qh2ch 41 Rh3, QxeS.
40... Qnch
Maneuvering in for the final attack.
41 Kh4
Threatening 43 ... Qg5 mate.
43 Rg3
Now, with Bishop plus three pawns for the Rook, Black wins in a
Hoping.
104 Modem Mlddlegame Lessons