The Everything Chess Basics Book (48 page)

All the opportunities were not taken advantage of in this game between a master and an expert. This is understandable, and quite usual. Even the world’s strongest grandmasters miss opportunities, though not as many. And when they do miss out, the opportunities are usually of a more subtle or deeper variety.

So we return to the game, where White has just played 10. Bc4.

Black to move.

10.
... b5.

After this move, White is committed to the sacrifice of a piece. The reason the continuation in the game is forced is because alternatives are so bad. To put the bishop on d3 now would be to admit the whole idea beginning with 8. dxe5 was mistaken. The bishop would be passively placed, and Black would take over the initiative.

11. Bb3 b4.

Opportunities abound in practically all chess games. Therefore be on the alert at all times. You never know when your chance will come.

Forming a Plan

There really is no longer a choice. Saving the knight will just drop the e-pawn for nothing. But White was expecting this since playing 10. Bc4. The whole idea of exchanging pawns on e5 and then queens on d8 was to soften up the f7-square so this bishop and a knight could converge on that sensitive square.

12. Nxe5!

White has voluntarily given up his knight. He will get three pawns and the initiative for it.

This piece sacrifice is very easy to evaluate. White is castled, controls the center, and is slightly ahead in development. In addition, White will get three pawns for the piece, and the combination is the most forcing continuation. It is also the only way to carry out the plan begun on the eighth move.

Whether White or Black is better after the combination is irrelevant. If White is worse, then the plan beginning on the eighth move was wrong. This logical follow-up is the only chance at this point.

Taking the Bait

12.
... bxc3.

Black did not have to capture the piece. An alternative is to simply get the pawn back by catching up in development with 12. ... Be6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Ne2 Nxe4 15. Nc4.

If Black doesn’t take the gift knight, he gets a playable game.

This is quite a reasonable alternative. But of course White has a better position, since the Black pawns are scattered. In any case, Black wants more than a reasonable alternative. He wants to win the piece.

Discovered Check

13. Nxf7.

This move sets up a discovered check. The threat is simply to capture the rook, delivering check at the same time.

13.
... Rf8 14. Nd6+ Kh8 15. bxc3.

White gets the third pawn for his sacrificed knight.

The natural culmination of White’s piece sacrifice.

Evaluation

It wasn’t too hard to foresee this position, even as far back as the eleventh move. Three pawns for the piece, a powerful, passed e-pawn, the possible check on f7 at any time, the open a3-f8 diagonal for the dark-square bishop, the central files for the rooks, and Black’s backward queenside development all point to an excellent game for White.

But Black does have an extra piece. This means White will have to be very accurate in his attack. Any little slip could give Black the advantage very easily.

15.
... Ba6.

Black continues to develop pieces. He does so with a gain of time as well, since this move threatens to win the Exchange.

White to move. What would you do?

A Slip

16. Rd1.

Where should White put the rook? Does it belong on the open d-file or does it need to back up the passed pawn from e1? White makes the wrong choice because of being overly concerned about having his rooks on e1 and a1 with a possible Black bishop coming to c3. But that will never happen if the e4-pawn marches to e5!

Correct is 16. Re1! Rooks belong behind passed pawns! After that, 16. ... Nfd7 17. Bd2 gives White a powerful center and a big advantage.

The move played is a case of the wrong rook going to the right square. After this mistake, Black takes over the initiative, sacrificing the Exchange to do so.

Everybody makes mistakes, even very strong players. When you notice that something has gone wrong, keep your head. Assess the position and make new plans. It will not help to berate yourself or become discouraged during a game.

16.
... Nbd7 17. Ba3.

The a3-bishop and f8-rook are now on the same diagonal, with only a White knight in the way.