Chess Strategy

I like this game because it’s a nice short sample of important strategies - pawn structure transformation, weak pawns, proper exchange and power of Bishop’s pair.

Vassily Smyslov - Mikhail Tal
Bled, 1959

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Be3 Qc7 10. a4 Be6 11. a5 Qc6 12. Bf3 Nbd7

Both players were aiming for this position. Tal didn’t use the earlier opportunity to play b7-b6 and prevent White’s a5, because Nd7 is firmly controlling b6 square and it’s impossible to attack b7 pawn. Pawn a5 is good blocker but at the same time it can be responsibility (as seen in Hort-Fischer last week). With Black Queen and dark-squared Bishop around, White pieces might be tied defending a5.

13. Nd5

This is good time for Nd5, before Black puts his Rook on c8 pressing against c2 pawn.

13… Bxd5 14. exd5 Qb5

After the transformation of pawn structure (e4 goes to d5), plans have naturally changed. Instead of playing on d-file against d6 pawn, White wants to squeeze the opponent by advancing his queenside majority. At the same time, Black will go for kingside space gain with f5-e4. As we will see, White’s position proved to be more flexible.

14… Qc7 was also normal, but then White has immediate 15. Ra4 and c4, quickly forming the avalanche. 14… Qb5 with next Rc8 should prevent c4 for long enough so that Black can prepare his own advance on kingside.

15. Qd3!!

Paradoxical but logical solution as this is the only way to fight for c4. White is not worried about the doubled pawns because he can overtake the c-file thanks to the “doubling outpost c3″. Black has no possibility of doubling the Rooks and he will lose the c-file. At the same time, d3 pawn can be barrier for some later f5-e4 advance.

15… Rfc8

Tal is trying to delay the exchange. The exchange on b5 is good for him because, even if his pawns are doubled, c4 is stopped and the Rooks and Bishop will have excellent counterplay against now weak a5 and c2. So many things to care about when conducting the exchange…

16. Rfc1 Qxd3

No more delay, Smyslov was ready to push c4. Interesting possibility for counterplay was suggested by Suetin 16…e4 17. Bxe4 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 Bf6 and even if pawn down, Black pieces will gain on activity.

17. cxd3 g6 18. Rc3 Rxc3

Black has to trade and close the c-file even if it connects White’s pawns again. Still, now b7 becomes significant weakness.

19. bxc3 Rc8 20. c4

Smyslov has to allow another transformation because 20. Rc1 Bd8 21. c4 b6! helps Black to get rid of his worst weakness.

20… e4 21. dxe4 Rxc4 22. Nd2 Rc2 23. Bd1 Rc3

Nevertheless, White’s pair of Bishops will prove to be too strong.

24. Kf1 Nc5 24. Bd4 Rd3 26. Bxc5 dxc5

Tal goes for desperate exchange sacrifice trying to ruin White’s mobile center. 26… Rxd2 27. Be3 Rb2 28. f3 with pair of Bishops and weak b7 White is winning.

27. Ke2 Rxd2 28. Kxd2 Nxe4 29. Kc2 and White went on to win.