Play on both flanks
To keep the continuity with the 2nd video lesson and More on Flexibility, we will examine another game of Anatoly Karpov. This time he started fight for open a-file and then suddenly struck on the other flank to win the game.
Anatoly Karpov - Wolfgang Unziker
After the Ruy Lopez was played in the opening, both players are fighting for the open a-file. For now, Nb7 and Bc2 are bad pieces being blocked by their own pawns, but Black has bigger problem. Nb7 is obstructing Black from doubling/tripling heavy pieces on the a-file. On the other hand, White can simply move Bd3 and proceed with Qd2-Ra1-Rea1.
19. Qd2 Rfc8
Other possibility was 19… Rfb8 with Qc8.
20. Bd3 g6 21. Ng3 Bf8 22. Ra2 c4 23. Bb1
Bishop on b1 is not a slightest problem. White can continue Qb2-Bc2-Rea1.
23… Qd8
Also possible was Nd8 but White still gets a-file 23… Nd8 24. Re2 Rxa2 (24… Qb7 25. Ra5 Rxa5 26. bxa5 b4 27. cxb4 c3 28. Qa2 and White pawn is very fast) 25. Qa2 Qb7 26. Qa1! Ra8 27. Ra2
24. Ba7!
Unusual and very nice solution! Bishop is shortening file for Black pieces and covers it until White doubles Rooks. Black has to regroup and support Ra8 after the file gets open again. This is pretty much limiting Black’s mobility and ties his pieces on passive position. Let’s see how Karpov made use of this advantage.
24… Ne8 25. Bc2 Nc7 26. Rea1 Qe7 27. Bb1 Be8
After achieving current maximum on the queenside, Karpov is directing his attention to the other flank, preparing f4 and grabbing more space.
28. Ne2 Nd8 29. Nh2 Bg7 30. f4 f6 31. f5 g5
Another phase is completed. Next on Karpov’s agenda is exchanging his worst piece - Bb1. After that, light squares in Black’s camp will be awfully weak. Here we see connection with flexibility, Karpov is changing plans according to the position’s demands.
32. Bc2! Bf7 33. Ng3 Nb7 34. Bd1! h6?!
This unnecessary weakening is only speeding up the disaster. White will make good use of g6 square later.
35. Bh5 Qe8 36. Qd1 Nd8 37. Ra3 Kf8 38. R1a2 Kg8 39. Ng4! Kf8
39… Bxh5 40. Nxh5 Qxh5 41. Nxf6 wins Queen.
40. Ne3 Kg8 41. Bxf7 Nxf7 42. Qh5 Nd8
42… Nh8 stops Qg6 but after 43. Ng4 Qxh5 44. Nxh5 Kf7 45. Bb6 Rxa3 46. Rxa3 Ra8 47. Rxa8 Nxa8 48. Bd8 and Black is in nasty zugzwang.
43. Qg6! Kf8 44. Nh5 and Unziker resigned 1-0
Tom Chivers said,
Wrote on April 16, 2007 @ 9:14 pm
In the introduction to “Secrets of Spectacular Chess”, an excellent book if you don’t know it, Nunn analyzes the position after 24.Ba7!! (his exclams), and said this game convinced him for the first time “that strategic ideas could have a beauty all of their own” - as opposed to tactics, his preference.
His analysis has an additional emphasis to yours. Whilst he talks about the a-file plan, he also includes the slightly more abstract point that a space advantage such as white’s is only useful if white can avoid exchanges. 24.Ba7 helps accomplish this.
He also gives 30…f6 a ?! saying the exchange on f4 was the best try.
Goran Urosevic said,
Wrote on April 16, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
Thanks Tom, that’s really important remark about the space advantage! Unfortunately, I never had a chance to read Nunn’s books, ordering a book online from Serbia is real pain.
I have Karpov’s book “Selected Games 1969-1977″, but it’s in Russian and I can’t read the text. Let me ask someone for help.
Tom Chivers said,
Wrote on April 17, 2007 @ 9:03 am
The book isn’t by Nunn - he just wrote the introduction. It’s by Levitt & Friedgood. It’s a really fascinating book though - slightly academic, but basically stuffed full of dazzling delights that they explain very well. I picked up mine cheaply via amazon. Also, here is a secret, it’s the source for most of the best puzzles I’ve blogged. The guy who does the chessvibes.com weekly endgame studies has also featured a few from the book, this is probably just an overlap, but it ought give you a sense of the quality. I keep thinking I might do a PDF of my favourite positions from it, to share on the web; if I do I’ll let you know.
Goran Urosevic said,
Wrote on April 17, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
If my translation is correct - Karpov: 30…exf4 is not cheerful either, 31.Nxf4 (31…Bh6 32.Nxg6). Black is forced to yield and wait.
In general, Soviet annotations are very interesting, they employ many battle/warrior expressions.
Tom Chivers said,
Wrote on April 17, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
Interesting. I’ve always found Karpov’s annotations, translated into English, quite elusive. Perhaps English doesn’t capture their spirit well.
Btw, Nunn says ..exf4 is still clear advantage white, but at least black gets a tiny amount of activity, and that instead after f4-f5, a breakthrough becomes inevitable on one side of the board or the other.