Chess Strategy

Paul Vaitonis - Efim Geller
Saltsjobaden, 1952

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.g3 O-O 5.Bg2 c5 6.d5 d6 7.e4 Na6 8.Nf3 Nc7 9.O-O a6 10.a4 Rb8 11.a5 b5 12.axb6 Rxb6 13.Re1 Rb4 14.e5 Ng4 15.exd6 exd6 16.Ra4 Rxa4 17.Nxa4 Bd7 18.b3 Bxa4 19.bxa4 Ne5 20.Nxe5 Bxe5 21.Bd2 Qf6 22.Qb3 Re8 23.Ba5 Bd4 24.Rxe8+ Nxe8 25.Qf3 Qg5 26.Qf4 Qxf4 27.gxf4

Let’s evaluate diagram. White has pair of bishops but all of his his king-side pawns are weak (isolated, double). Also, position has semi-closed character and that is bad news for white bishops.

27…f5!

Excellent move. Black is blocking weak f4 pawn and closing c8-h3 diagonal. It is usually good idea to block opponent’s weaknesses to prevent any advance that could possibly change the situation. But don’t forget, every rule has its exceptions - always have in mind given situation. The problem with f4 pawn is constant danger of double attack by bishop and knight. If that happens, for example Bc1 and Nd3 (Nh5), white won’t be able to defend it. On the other hand, black has no reason to be afraid of weakening e6 square and placing k-side pawns on light squares, because white bishop can’t attack them in decent period.

28.Kf1 Kf7 29.Ke2 Nf6 30.Bf3

Both players are bringing their kings closer to the center. Nh5 was threatening and white was forced on Bf3.

30…Nd7 31.h3 Bb2 32.Kd2 Ba3

Black wants to trade bishops on b4. That would give him passed pawn and great c5 outpost for the knight. In that endgame, knight is clearly dominating Bf3, so white is trying to avoid it with 33.Bc7. Note that 33.Kc3 Bc1 and 33.Bc3 Bb4 were both losing.

33.Bc7 Ke7 34.a5 Nf6

There is another problem for white now. While he was avoiding bishops’ trade, his dark-squared bishop got caught into the trap. Black will use king and knight to attack it. There is no exit.

35.Kc2 Kd7 36.Bb6 Kc8 37.Kd2 Nd7 38.Bd1

Light-squared bishop will finally get some activity on a4-e8 diagonal, but it’s too late. Black is now transposing to winning opposite colored bishops endgame. Black will have passed pawn on a-file and after grabbing unprotected f4 pawn, he will create another one on the k-side. Not even opposite colored bishop can help against two distant passers.

38…Nxb6 39.axb6 Bb4+ 40.Kc1 Kb7 41.Ba4 Kxb6 42.Be8 Be1 43.Kc2 Kc7 44.Bf7 Kd8 0-1

If white goes after h7 pawn, his bishop will be trapped. 45.Bg8 Ke7 46.Bxh7 Kf7 with next Kg7. White resigned.