Chess Evaluation
Andre Lilienthal - Paul Keres
Moskow, 1941
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Qc2 Nxc3 9.Qxc3 Be4 10.Ne1 Bxg2 11.Nxg2 c6 12.d5 cxd5 13.cxd5 Na6 14.Nf4 Qc8 15.Qf3 Qc2 16.e4
With this example I will only scratch the surface of the important and extensive theory of chess evaluation. More on this topic in lessons to come.
Black is better because his Qc2 has paralyzed White’s Queen side. White will have to spend some moves (tempis) to stabilize b2 pawn before completing the development. Black can continue to increase the pressure on b2 pawn with 16…Bf6. After the only move 17. Qd3 (trading Queens was White’s intention anyway) 17…Qd3 18. Nd3 ed5 19. ed5 Rfe8 20. Be3 Nc7 Black is still slightly better, but absence of Queens makes White’s life easier.
Instead of constantly pressing on single weakness, more consistent plan of exploiting development advantage was “play over the entire board”. The main feature of development advantage is time. If Black plays normal but soft moves (Rc8 for example, Black is taking over the file!), White will catch up with Nd3-Bc1 somewhere, Qd3 or Re1-e2-Bc1 move and Black’s only advantage will evaporate. Having time (tempo) as its essence, development advantage can be defined as dynamic factor of chess evaluation.
Static factors, such are weak square, isolated or doubled pawn are mostly (but not exclusively) longer present than dynamic factors. Therefore, we can rely on static factors as long-term variable in our chess planning. Dynamic factors are calling for faster response. Your patient siege of the backward pawn will be fruitless if your opponent can launch devastating attack on your King.
Back to the game and “play over the entire board”. Of course, don’t take it literally. The main idea is to find another target while opponent’s pieces are undeveloped and/or tied defending a weakness. This new target can be e4 pawn. We have already seen that d3 square is important for White’s defence, he will try to exchange the Queens. The logical multipurpose move is 16…Nc5 - attacking e4 and controlling d3. For example 17. Re1 e5 18. Nh5 f5! and White pieces are under strong pressure. And if White tries 17. e5, the best reply is 17…d6! - open center and files can only benefit Black because of his better development, all pieces are ready for action while Ra1 and Bc1 are locked.
16…e5?
Wrong assessment that huge activity on Queen side will be sufficient. Closed center will only help White to protect and develop his Queen side. Moreover, this is great example how easy tempo can switch sides.
17. Nd3
Earns tempo by attacking e5 pawn. Note how Nc5 would have prevented this move.
17…f6 18. Ne1!
It was easy to overlook this powerful move because it breaks basic chess principles. We all “know that Knight shouldn’t be placed on the edge of the board”. That is why I am repeating that chess player should always follow the demands of concrete position. Ne1 is fulfilling important task of removing Black Queen’s pressure. The piece can be easily improved later, because with the closed center, White can afford the luxury of spending couple of moves without being punished for.
18…Qa4 19. b3 Qa5
19…Qd4 20. Nc2
20. Ng2
With Queen side finally safe and Bc1 ready to be developed, White is moving his Knight to more active squares. The Queen side pressure has gone, the center is closed and Black’s development advantage has disappeared. The position is losing its dynamic character and static factors are gaining on importance. Possibility of King side attack by combining Queen and Knight power is on White’s agenda.
20…Bc5
It is understandable that Black wants to trade the Bishop limited by its own e5-f6 pawns. Maybe it was better to keep the Bishop for the future defence of the Black King.
21. Be3 Rac8 22. Bc5 Qc5
Better than Rc5 because Queen might be needed for King side defence. It seems like Black is firmly holding the c-file but things will change soon. As first, White is preparing his pieces for attack on vulnerable g7 pawn. By combining threats on King side and fight for c-file, White will soon gain the initiative.
23. Ne3 Kh8 24. Qg4 Rf7 25. Rad1!
This move is crucial for overtaking the c-file. Idea is Rd2-c2. Immediate Rac1 would give good chances to Black after he gives Queen for two Rooks.
25…g6 26. Qe2 Nb8 27. Rd2
27…Rff8 28. Rc2 Qa3 29. Nc4 Qb4 30. Rfc1 Rfd8 31. h4 Qf8 32. Ne3 Rc2 33. Rc2
White has predicted his 37th move in the calculation, otherwise he would have played Qc2.
33…Rc8 34. Rc8! Qc8 35. Qf3 Kg7 36. Ng4 Qf8 37. h5!
With the killing threat of h6. Black is forced to take and ruin his pawn structure. White gets excellent outpost for his Knight on f5.
37…gh5 38. Ne3 d6 39. Nf5 Kg6 40. Qc3 Na6 41. Qc6 Nc5 42. f3 1-0
