Chess Strategy

Wolfgang Uhlmann - Andrei Lukin
Leningrad 1984

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 5.Qe3+ Nge7 6.Nd5 Ne5 7.Qc3 c6 8.Ne3 N7g6 9.Nf3 Nxf3+ 10.exf3 Be7 11.Qc2 O-O 12.Bd3 d5 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.O-O Be6 15.Rd1 Rc8 16.Qa4 Qb6 17.f4 Rfd8 18.f5 Bd7 19.Qb3 Nf4 20.Qxb6 axb6 21.Bf1 Bc6 22.Nc2 Ba4 23.b3 Rxc2 24.Bxf4 Be8 25.Bd3 Rcc8 26.Rac1 Bc6 27.Rc2 d4 28.f3 Bc5 29.Kf2 Re8 30.Re1 Rxe1 31.Kxe1 Bb4+ 32.Kf2 Bc3 33.Bd2 Bxd2 34.Rxd2 Kf8 35.f6 h6 36.fxg7+ Kxg7 37.a4 Rd8 38.Bc4 Kf6 39.Ke2 Re8+ 40.Kd3 Rd8 41.Re2 Rd6

This is good moment to evaluate the position and find the best plan for the incoming endgame. White is pawn ahead and all black pawns are weak being separated in 4 islands. But how to win? Black is covering all entry squares on e-file. Since White has material advantage, maybe it would be good idea to trade of some pieces. While considering trades, always have in mind higher levels of this endgame - rook, bishop or pawn endgames. Pawn endgame must be winning for white because he has extra pawn and potentional distant passed pawn (on b-file). However, before going to pawn endgame, we have to play rook or bishop endgame for awhile. Which of these two will give better chances to white? Rook endings, even with material advantage, are always somewhat double-edged. Opponent’s rook can give us big headaches once it becomes active. Bishop endgames are “safer” for stronger side because opponent has limited counter-activity options. Having in mind good position of white king, the above evaluation helps us to determinate correct plan - trade of rooks and transposition to bishop’s endgame. First, white wants to limit black king and bring his rook on the more active 5th rank (Re5).

42.f4 Kf5

Should white allow trade of f4 and f7 pawns? No. Black pawn is weaker (isolated) and can be good target in the future. On the other side, f4 pawn is part of the potentially strong pawn chain and it also gives nice outpost for rook on e5. Therefore g3.

43.g3 f6 44.Be6+

Little tactics in the service of strategy! White still wants to trade the rooks, but first of all, black king should be bounced back to the less active square. While still following your basic plan, always try to get the maximum out of current position. Now 44… Rxe6 is losing because of 45.g4+! and white wins the exchange.

44… Kg6 45.g4 Bf3 46.Bf5+ Kf7

Black king is forced to get out of the center. Now white is proceeding with his original plan - rooks trade. Since e-file is well covered, white will use c-file to enter into the black’s camp.

47.Rc2 Bd1

Closing c-file with 47… Bc6 won’t help because white wins another pawn after 48.Rc4

48.Rc7+ Kg8 49.Rb7!

Tactics again! If 49… Bxb3 white has 50.a5! (50…ba5 51.Rxb3) with next a6-a7 and black can’t stop the promotion.

49… h5 50.gxh5 Bxh5 51.Rd7!

Finally, after some preparation, white is suggesting rook’s trade. Black resigned here because he’s losing another pawn on d4 and incoming endgame is lost even with the rooks on the board. Note new-created positional factors - passed h-pawn and weak position of black’s king which can be easily caught into the mating net.