Benefits of Space
David Bronstein - Yrjo Rantanen
Tallinn, 1975
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 Nbd7 7. Qc2 c6 8. Bf4 b6 9. Nbd2 Bb7 10. e4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Qxe4 Nf6 13. Qe2 c5 14. Rad1 cxd4 15. Nxd4 Qc8 16. b3 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Qb7+ 18. Qf3 Qxf3+ 19. Kxf3 Rfc8
Last Black’s move was somehow forced because Rd8 would run into Nc6. On 19…Rac8, white would have annoying 20.Nb5.
White has space advantage, better placed pieces and the only open d-file. Common scheme “would require” fast doubling of Rooks over the d-file. But then what? Black is firmly controlling all of the entry squares.
20. g4!
Bronstein decided to take the advantage of the perfectly placed Kf3 and seize more space on the Kingside. At the same time he’s removing protector of the d7 square. Just then, Rooks will be ready to penetrate.
20…a6
Nb5 can be unpleasant at some moment. Black is also cleaning a7 for his Rook and prepares counterplay with b5.
21. g5 Ne8 22. a4 Ra7 23. h4
Releasing Bf4 off guarding duty.
23…Rb7
Dreaming about counterplay on the Queenside. Psychologically, it is very hard to play this position with Black pieces. Both passive defence and search for counterplay are not promising much.
White is now doubling his Rooks.
24. Rd3 Rc5 25. Re1 Rd7?
Now White takes control of the d-file by using tactical motif.
26. Red1! g6
26…e5 27. Nf5 Rd3 28. Rd3 Kf8 29. Be3 with next Rd7 wins very fast.
27. Ne2! Rxd3+ 28. Rxd3 b5
This attempt will be refuted by creating passed pawn to deflect Black Rook. White will then use all of his pieces to attack shaky Ne8 and Be7.
29. cxb5 axb5 30. Rd7 Kf8 31. a5 Rc6 32. Rb7 b4 33. Rb8 Bc5 34. Ng3 and Black resigned because he is losing material after Ne4.
