Russian IM Mark Dvoretsky is one the most respected chess trainers in the world today. In his April 2015 column he presents the fourth of a six-part series dealing with positions in which Black opens the g-file after a trade of minor pieces. A new column is posted the second Tuesday of each month. Defending an Inferior Ending By Mark Dvoretsky Dvoretsky - Moiseev Moscow Championship 1973 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5.0-0 Nf6 6.e5 de 7.Nxe5 Qd8?! (7...Qc8) 8.Nc3 Nbd7 9.d4 e6 10.Bg5 Be7 (10...cd!? 11.Qxd4+/=) 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 (11...Nxd7?! 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.d5+/=) 12.dc Qxd1 It's harder for Black to defend if he keeps the queens on: 12...Bxc5 13.Bxf6 gf? … [Read more...]
Fortresses and Shadows
Fortresses and Shadows by Karsten Müller Theoretical rook endings are often difficult to defend. 162.01 Heinemann,Thies (2467) - Zelbel,Patrick (2419) BL 1415 Hamburger SK - Hansa Dortmund (6.8), 07.12.2014 The position is drawn, but Black must act actively. 39...g6?! 39...h5! 40.Kg2 Kh7 41.Kf3 f6 42.Ke3 g5= is much easier. 40.g4! White marks the f- and h-pawn as weaknesses in typical style. 40...Kg7 41.Kg2 Ra1 42.a4 Ra3 43.g5 h5 44.Ra7 Kg8 45.a5 Ra4 46.Kg3 Rg4+ 47.Kh3 Ra4 48.a6 Kg7 49.f4 Ra3+ 50.Kg2 Now only a miracle can save Black. 50...Ra2+? Black will end up on the wrong side of the reciprocal zugzwang due to this check. [After 50...Ra4 51.Kf3 Kf8 I … [Read more...]