Chess Strategy

Vladimir Makagonov - Mikhail Botvinnik
Russia, 1943

While I was active, all of my students, no matter what strength, had to see this example. The most important feature in white’s position is weakness of entire complex of light squares. One of the possible strategies in exploiting the weakness is exchange. Particularly, exchanging pieces that are defenders of the weak complex.

In the given position, white is still somehow covering light squares - with Queen and Bishop. The natural plan would be to trade off light bishops. But looking closer, we can notice wonderful e4 outpost for the Nc5. The only problem are two defenders - Nc3 and Bc2. Therefore, first remove the Nc3:

13… Bxc3! 14. bxc3 Bf5!

And now Bishops. Exchanges are forced as white can’t avoid them. When thinking about combinations that include trade of one or more pairs of pieces, we should always correctly evaluate the arising positions in regard of pieces’ relative value. Relative value is connected with piece’s “influence” and potential (possibilities). In our game, white will have queen and dark-squared bishop fighting against queen and knight on outpost e4. Notice that Ne4 is on “permanent” outpost ie. white can’t push it away with the piece of same or lesser value. We didn’t take rooks into this account, since all of them are on starting positions.

15. Bxf5 Qxf5 16. g4!?

Interesting attempt. White is closing some of the “holes” and the weakness of his light squares is less explicit. But g4 has important drawback, white’s pawn structure becomes more vulnerable and white king will be exposed.

Black is now flexibly switching his operation to suite new situation. It is important to understand that once you make a plan, you don’t have to stick with it no matter what. Plan always has to be in accordance with requirements of position and you have to be ready to change it with every next move, if necessary.

16… Qe6 17. Ba3 Ne4 18. Kf3 h5!

Consequence of g4! Black is targeting white king’s shelter. Notice that greedy 18… Nxc3 would be bad in view of 19. Qb3! (double attack on b7 and Nc3) and after 19… Nb5 20. Bb2! white has strong initiative for pawn, threats are both a4 and e5. Increasing the pressure is much better than grabbing material here.

19. h3 f6!

Best way to attack pawn chain is to strike on both ends if possible. White is lost as it is impossible to hold the position.

20. c4 hxg4 21. hxg4 Rxh1 22. Qxh1 0-0-0 23. Rd1 fxe5 and black won soon.

Read also “Complex of Squares”.