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1 Chapter 1 : Chess: The Game of Tension HuffPost Position and Pawn Tension in Chess by David H. Levin, published in, is a middle game manual with a list price of $ pages, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", ISBN (Note: there's a discounted price for "hurt" copies. In this article, we are going to talk about ruptures. These pawn moves are not at all easy to see, and sometimes even more difficult to play, but as every theme in chess, there are patterns that we can learn, remember and execute when the opportunity arises. In every situation a pawn can challenge an adjacent opponent pawn, which gives you the possibility of opening a file, activating a piece or creating a strong square that you can benefit from. Without further introduction let me present you a few examples of central ruptures that I hope will serve you to understand better this theme. There are some from my own practice but first, learn from the Grandmasters! White has just played Rc1 and is trying to expose the black queen on the C file. Naturally, black must move the queen away from the threat but the question is, where? He has two possible squares, b6 or d8. Note how black must keep an eye on the a5 pawn as well. I chose this position because it is highly instructive on our subject. Black could simply play Qd8, but Svidler chose 16â Qb6! This is a more active square for the queen, after all. The drawback of this move is that white can win a tempo by playing You can check the game here: The latter is the most influent in the position, therefore black must find a way to put this advantage to work, meaning to open the position. This can be done by f5 or d5 only. The first one needs preparation, as e6 would become weak and the latter has the inconvenience that white can play e4-e5 and keep the position closed. Navara thought deeper and found an extremely instructive idea, to play d6-d5 and after white plays e5 continue with d4! The resulting position returns great compensation for the material deficit. See the game here: In my game against former World Cup winner Ruslan Ponomariov European rapid championship I could have executed the same idea had I thought a bit longer. This was the position: With a massive pawn storm coming against my king the first concept that came to my mind was: However, as mentioned before, black had the stronger option of 16â d5! Page 1

2 Chapter 2 : "Position and Pawn Tension in Chess (e-book)" Enter your mobile number or address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. In order to get the strongest chess position, co-ordinate four elements: Here are 10 related concepts: A lead in development. This relates to time since a lead in development will eventually dissipate with time. Your pieces have free movement and good squares where they can be effectively posted. The bad bishop is the most notorious example of a piece without good squares because of the limitations placed on it by its own pawns. Occupation and control of the center. This is one of the oldest principles of chess and has been subject to a number of interpretations over the years. Because all of your pieces are more effective if they are in the center of the board, controlling the center usually means that you will have control of the game. Resolving the tension in the center is a precondition for an attack. If your king is liable to attack, you have a significant positional problem. Steinitz always considered the King to be a strong piece. It is also a juicy target, so beware! Weak squares can be defined as squares where your opponent can safely post his pieces. Weak squares provide an entry point into your territory and are often the precursor to an attack. Naturally, if you can exploit the weak squares of your opponent, then they will work for you. United pawns and isolated pawns. Pawn structure is a key to understanding positional chess because the characteristics of pawn structures determine the nature of the entire game. Connected pawns support one another and control squares. Isolated pawns are unsupported and are subjected to being blockaded by enemy pieces. The actual impact of an isolated pawn depends on the formation in question. Other positional concepts include the Q-side majority, open files, preponderance of material and the conversion of small advantages into a winning position. As far better writers than your author have addressed these in detail, we will now return to the creation of a personal chess playing style as a way to improve your chess strength. The Queen side Majority. The queenside pawn majority often plays an important role positional because the side that possesses it going into the end game can force a passed pawn on the far side of the board. This can be enough to win a lot of king and pawn endings, assuming you know how to play king and pawn endings, which are among the most difficult ending in all of chess. Open files are vertical lines designed for use by the rook. An open file has no pawns blocking it. Open files are often crucial during the middle game and many games have been decided by which side controls them. This particular concept is severely overrated but the Classical school fell in love with them early on, so it has become part of the positional lore. Modern authors stress that the advantage or disadvantage of the two bishops depends on the position. Personally, my opinion is that the only thing a bishop is good for is killing knights. This may seem a bit extreme but I have an itsy bitsy problem seeing knight movesâ Force tends to be the most important element. Page 2

3 Chapter 3 : Position and pawn tension in chess (Book, ) [theinnatdunvilla.com] "Pawn Tension" usually refers to one or both pawns in a position where getting out of the tension is difficult, like in the QGD. White keeps the tension because a) trading tends to lead to a drawn game in many cases b) he wants white to take c) retains the option to take later or push. With white pawns on d4, c4 and black on d5, c5 my thought process went like this: I take on c5, he takes back, oh no he takes on c4 instead, no I should rather take on d5, then he can take on d4, or recapture on d5 and then I lost track of which pawn captures which and why. One has to rely on some positional basis. Why take one or the other pawn? The explanation may lie in getting a better pawn structure, or creating an isolated pawn for the opponent, or hanging pawns. Another reason might be to create a weak pawn and to put pressure on it. There are cases, when one does not release the pressure in the centre, since it would favor the opponent. I would like to look at a few examples that explain some of what was just said here. White just achieved the e4 push, putting pressure on d5. Black has to react to this threat by either taking on e4 or c4. Usually, one wants to take the central pawn e4, because central pawns have more value, but in this case one has to look into more factors. The biggest one is Bb7. After which capture can Bb7 be activated? This is a typical Kings Indian structure where Black puts pressure on the e4 pawn and tries to attack on the kingside and while white would like to attack on the queenside. G3 and h3 were big concessions, therefore in this line it is unsafe to castle short. In the given position white has to figure out which pawn structure he wants to go for. Usually, a side with two bishops should prefer hanging pawns but in this case the knight gets a good position on g6 where it can jump to f4. White decides to open up the position for his two bishops. Again, there is tension in the center. White has an option of taking on d5 or c5, thus opening the diagonals for his bishops. Rc8 makes Qc2 feel uncomfortable. Black threatens to release the tension with d: The position is about equal, but white wants to release the tension in the center. Usually, one wants to keep it as long as possible, but in this case Black already has specific threats, so white had to rush. Overall, when making a decision about which pawns to trade in the centre, one has to take into consideration many aspects of the game. The first example shows how a wrong decision of what pawn to trade lead to a locked bishop on b7 and eventually to a lost game. In the second example white chose the right timing to capture on f5 and put pressure on the pawn. The third example features the right trade by white in the centre that lead to a better endgame. In the final example the calculation was the most important part. Black miscalculated and made a wrong decision on what pawn to trade. There is much more to explore in the given topic. Page 3

4 Chapter 4 : Spotting the Pawn Ruptures position and pawn tension in chess shared files: Here you can download position and pawn tension in chess shared files that we have found in our database. Of course there are some patterns that you are going to recognize during your improvement and there are also easy things. First of all, let me refer to positions cited by you. Position 1 Key is calculating, always, and this is great example. First thing you should do is asking yourself: Can I not react, keep the tension? Your e4 pawn is hanging. So now comes the question: Position 2 You mentioned all the possibilities. Why do people choose 3. If you want a draw just exchange and develop your pieces. You should know what fits your play-style. You can play exchange variation or keep tension. One thing is for sure, never play 4. As you correctly mentioned: So again, two choices here. We can play g6 and create additional holes or move our Nd7 to f8 or b6 to discover your Bc8. Once we jump anywhere same after g6 white is going to play e5. Black is too squeezed. His pieces are passive, his Queen is on h5 doing nothing. And again, after few moments we are sure we should capture on e4. Now few easy positions with patterns or principles. Whole point is in the future your plan will be something like that: Taking adventage of impossible bxa5 because of b6. Of course this must be calculated again! This is just and example of pattern. Unfortunately, this is probably impossible to paste you examples here. This comes along with experience and you will notice that for usre. Those were just few examples, hope you get my point. Page 4

5 Chapter 5 : Chess - Wikipedia Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Position and Pawn Tension in Chess at theinnatdunvilla.com Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. International Chess Grandmaster Chess: But last games are often full of tension, the pressure rises and blunders are made. Could Kamsky hold onto his lead? Things were looking up for Kamsky already in the first game when he defeated Leinier Dominguez Perez. In the last round Dominguez beat Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria and won the first prize after Kamsky faltered and lost to Fabiano Caruana, an American who plays for Italy. This is a life-time achievement for Dominguez Perez. Many grandmasters have played several events in a row and seemed tired. The top-rated American Hikaru Nakamura also struggled. The Game of Tension When two thinkers clash, the tension is obvious. Poor decisions a mistakes creep in. But there is also tension on the board, reflected in the interaction of the pieces. According to the former world champion Mikhail Botvinnik, chess is a game of exchanges. What is left on the chessboard is as important as what is taken off. The more pieces on the board, the more difficult it becomes to handle the tension. Pawn play matters in the openings. Masters handle the pawn tension better than the amateurs, knowing how to keep the pawns on the board longer, when to block them and at what moment to get rid of them. Releasing the tension too soon may create problems. Morozevich does not pay much attention to these chess rules. He goes his own way and we often find that he is on the right track. The American got space, lots of freedom, and was able to win a nice miniature. Morozevich concentrates before the start of the game against Kamsky. Morozevich goes for a complete release of the tension. The old masters such as Mikhail Chigorin or Akiba Rubinstein knew something about keeping the tension in the center. Chigorin did it with Qc7 although in the inaugural game against Oldrich Duras, Nuremberg, he continued with the bizarre Rubinstein reacted better against Ossip Bernstein, Ostend, with Nbd2 Nc6 and showed how to live in tight settings with his horses and other pieces once the pawn center was closed and white got more space: Qe2 Ra8 and black equalized. Surrendering the center is against common sense, but Morozevich prefers to do things his way. Instead of the pawns, his active pieces may control the middle of the board. A kingside assault could be the price he has to pay, but for the moment it is not threatening. Nf5 In general, the threatening knight on f5 can be best neutralized by placing the dark bishop on the square f8, according to the legendary David Bronstein. Bf8, Morozevich seeks counterplay along the c-file. Bf8 the game Ivanchuk-Mueller, Mainz, went Bb3 and now instead of Something like this would be an ideal break for black. Qf3 is more tricky and can be best met by Re6, for example Bg3 Nc4, although after Nd4 the black kingside has a few holes. Qg3 g6 is a sufficient defense. Nc4 The computers suggest Qd4 and white has a clear advantage; but after Nxb2 By taking the pawn, Morozevich loosens up the white pieces on the c-file. Unfortunately, he does it when Kamsky is about to close in on the black king. Bh4 before playing Nxb2, although after Rad1 white has a dream position and is ready to cash in. Bb3 The bishop leaves the c-file and Kamsky points another piece towards the black king. But ask some computers and the view changes quickly. Amazingly, white can reach a winning position with an elegant knight leap The combination exploits the weakness of the back rank. Bxd5 In an obscure correspondence game, black took the bait and white quickly obtained a winning position: Rad1 Now after Rd3 By lifting the rook to the third rank, white is ready to increase the fire power with Morozevich finds a tricky defense against Rg3, but Kamsky destroys him differently. The only way to stay in the game was: Bc5 and the bishop pair gives white only a slight edge. Shattering the kingdom, the knight pseudo-sacrifice is the most precise way to victory. Rg3 black survives with either Ne2 and white should win. Bxd8 Rxd8 After Note that in the replay windows below you can click either on the arrows under the diagram or on the notation to follow the game. Page 5

6 Chapter 6 : What to do with the pawn center? - theinnatdunvilla.com Pawn Tension Oftentimes positions with lots of pawn tension create interesting possibilities. In this one, the tension has been maintained for a few moves, and both sides must decide whether they want to keep it or release it. The core of this DVD are twenty games from top class players. The average rating from the players is an impressive white and black. The only game that shows a significant rating difference between the players is game 6 Davies vs Adams The Philidor structure is associated with a static, strong point dark square defense. In this DVD Collin describes how the Philidor structure can generate dynamic middle game positions starting from apparently unrelated openings. For example, openings such as the Sicilian, the Pirc and the Ruy Lopez particularly the Breyer variation give black the chance to reach complex and dynamic Philidor structures. The potential buyer needs to be aware that the 20 model games do not contain a single Philidor opening in the traditional sense following the move sequence 1. Collins explains in detail how black can fight the iron grip of the Ruy Lopez with active piece play. A key factor for black to play the Philidor structure is to concede a structural weakness to obtain dynamic piece play. How the second player can do that? It requires some counter intuitive decisions and a good dose of positional evaluation. The author does a great job walking the audience through sophisticate positional evaluations. A thematic knight sac on d4 woke up white in the already cited game Davies-Adams. Next the DVD cover more complex structures and ends with the discussion of a very dynamic structure, e4 vs isolated black pawn on d6. What is under the hood? In addition to the model games this DVD also has a supplemental database with games distributed as follows Philidor games C41, Ruy Lopez C60,65,77,78,88, 95,96,97, 13 Italian games and various openings Out of the games 69 games are annotated by several masters like Huzman 17 games, Ftacnick 4 games and Marin 3 games. First, the club player gets around games to keep working on his own 69 annotated games plus 21 games with some sort of annotation. Second, Collins does a good job annotating a single game in a small chuck of time around 15 minutes which allows busy players to go over the material during work breaks or commuting. Who will benefit the most from this DVD? Players that use the Breyer variation against the Ruy Lopez. The Breyer is the horsepower in two popular repertoire books Kaufman repertoire book in Black and White and Marin repertoire book beating the open games. The DVD covers the pawn distribution with white pawns on e5 and d4 versus black pawn on e6 and d5 with an open c file. Collins dissects the plans and tactic associated with the advance French structure in twenty short videos that covers 26 master games some clips discuss more than one game when relevant. In addition to the master database, the DVD has a supplemental database with over twelve hundred games. The Open C file plays a significant role in the French structure as a route to simplify and get a draw or as a way to penetrate the enemy camp and win the game. The rating difference, the tournament situation and the fighting spirits of the players determines how the c file will be use in a chess game with a French advance structure. A similar situation arises at important team competitions such as the Bundesliga or the Olympiad. In a chess team match between players with similar ratings a player with Black can use the c file to force simplifications or to reach an opposite color bishop endgame like in the game Adams â Laznicka, V, Istanbul OL Finally, if both players are in combative mood, both, will fight for the control of the c file to penetrate the enemy position and win the game. The e5 pawn grants white a space advantage in the French advance structure and to a great extent influences the plans available to white in the middle and endgame. It is important to highlight how Collins relates piece trades on the g6 square and the following pawn recapture to the flexibility of black kingside pawn structure. The author also suggest what type of position, pawn breaks and endgames black should be aiming for attenuate the strength of the White pawn on e5. Black show be aware of his space limitations and that well timed exchanges will maintain he balance deep into the endgame. The white d4 pawn vs blacks pawns on d5 and e6 is a structure analyzed in great detail in this DVD. The structure d4 vs e6-d5 arises, normally from the French Tarrash variation, after black plays the c5 and f6 pawn breaks. As a consequence of the pawn breaks black light square bishop become bad, a factor that creates a major strategic imbalance. Collins states that black should play dynamically and white needs to aim to a static middle game or endgame to highlight black positional weaknesses. In the same Page 6

7 line of thought Collins points out that if black is not able to provide support for his e6 pawn this may hinder black standard f6 pawn break. What I like about this DVD? The cohesion of the material. This make the games instructive for class payers. The author introduces advance positional concepts in a systematic way. For example, black can use the c file to exchange pieces and get a draw simple concept or to create a material imbalance advance concept to reduce white winning chances. The way Collins selected and presented the games allows class players to increase their positional understanding in a methodical form. How Collins relates positional elements in the French advance structure with the consequences in the course of a chess game. For example, a solid pawn structure tames the strength of the bishop pair without risk. In contrast, spending time to trade a bad bishop can give the opponent an initiative that wins the game. Collins points out to the audience other chess players and other authors and sources to keep learning the French advance structure. What I feel was missing from the material? I believe that the audience can benefit for in inclusion of two classic games in clip 16 and for a longer, summary type conclusion clip. This defensive idea was created by the German player Wolfgang Uhlmann between and Uhlmann cited the first game and annotated the second game in his classic book Winning with the French published in Germany in by Thomas Beyer Verlags and later translated to English by Basfort in The conclusion clip was too short. The audience will profit from a good summary at the end of the DVD. I think that Collins missed the opportunity to finish the DVD strong. Who will benefit from this book in my opinion? Players in transition from the French to the Caro Kan. Advance players looking for a well selected master database on the Advance French structure. Ramirez explains the early traps and move orders that can be problematic for black when dealing with the anti Benko sidelines. This is important at club level for two reasons. First, most white club players use a sideline expecting black to fall in one of many opening traps. Second, white can use move orders to trick black into unfavorable positions or away from their repertoires. The DVD is structured around fifteen model games and nine theoretical sections. This is different from the previous DVD that combined the theoretical discussion and the model games. The games are explained around the suggested repertoire ideas and positional themes such as the bishop pair dominant positional feature in this DVD, transpositions to favorable pawn structures Benoni, Hedgehog, IQP or Maroczy bind and playing around a dominant white knight on c4. It is instructive how Ramirez explains that Black can tolerate a white knight on c4 if the rest of the white pieces cannot participate in the attack against d6. Many club players believe that in Benoni type structures white is winning as soon as a white knight lands on c4, Ramirez shows that things are not that simple and that if black plays with energy the knight on c4 is just a visually attractive piece. Out of all side lines the Trompowsky, the 1. If White decides to sacrifice material like in the game Stefanova â Mamedyarov Corus, the solid system recommend by Ramirez will diffuse White initiative and consolidate the extra pawns. Ramirez also makes a good discussion about the dynamic differences between c5 and e6 systems by Black against the Trompowsky. Nf3 line is one of white clever move orders against the Indian defenses. Ramirez explains the pros and cons of this line against the Gruenfeld and Kings Indian but the emphasis is on what choice is better for a Gambit Benko player. The author recommends 2â c5 in the spirit of the Benko gambit and after 3. It is important to mention that Ramirez does not recommend an early Ne4 by black because his results in this variations are mix. The answer is that the positions are so difficult that a player Edouard, Romain playing at the Olympiad against a player was losing the game out of the opening! Later, a miracle happen and the game ended in a draw. The chapters on the English are very impressive. The author provides black with several choices against the English, cunning move orders and couple of theoretical novelties. Turns out that the resulting positions are clearly in black favor after 19â Rc1. Ramirez 19â Bd5 came in second place. I asked myself the question what move has a better practical value? The computer generated Rc1 or the human generated Bd5? I run the Chessbase online database expecting at least one game with either 19â Rc1 or 19â Bd5. Unfortunately, the search yielded a negative result. I decided to refine the search with similar position plus Karjakin as black and the game Caruana versus Karjaking, Dubai appeared on my screen. Players looking to fight the Anti â Benko set ups with variations that retain Benko type structure and dynamics. Any player that answer 1. Nimzo Indian and Gruenfeld players have to be willing to learn structures outside their comfort zone. Players interested in model games with the Bishop pair as driving strategic motif. This DVD is at the same standard Page 7

8 than its predecessor and it is also recommended! Marin is a long time Leningrad practitioner with both colors and has an extensive number of Chessbase articles included in this DVD covering different systems over the past years. The value of this DVD is exceptional not only because of its content but also because the author is an accomplish chess author and player. In addition to the material cover in the presentations the DVD is supplemented with nine training positions to solve and seventy two master games some of them annotated to wrap up a very instructive and original work. In most openings except gambits only pawn structure and mobility are only important The Ideas behind the Chess Openings Third Edition, page 4. Second, the relationship between the style of some Leningrad players and the typical methods the use to win and finally, how black can win with the Dutch Leningrad attacking on the Queenside in addition to the standard kingside slaughter. In many circles the Dutch is considered as an improved Kings Indian. Marin shows when black reaches a favorable or unfavorable transposition to the Kings Indian with a series of instructive games. During the presentation the author also points out some technical patterns in the games of diehard Leningrad players like Malaniuk. Page 8

9 Chapter 7 : Download Position and pawn tension in chess files - TraDownload Chess: The Game of Tension. Masters handle the pawn tension better than the amateurs, knowing how to keep the pawns on the board longer, when to block them and at what moment to get rid of. His books are available for purchase at the club as well as at Everyman Chess. Strong players routinely use these principles to guide their analysis and assessments so an understanding of this list is essential to the developing club player. Opening If ahead in development then open up the position trade central pawns or create confrontation; if behind in development then freeze the central pawn structure and avoid confrontation. Let your opponent break the central pawn tension unless you have something concrete to gain from it. In a closed game, quality instead of quantity development; pay close attention to the pawn structure. Endgame Outside passed pawns favor inside passed pawns. Rooks should be placed on open files and should not defend laterally. In the endgame they should be stationed behind passed pawns yours or your opponents. Try to own fewer pawn islands than your opponent. In an ending with two rooks versus rook and a pair of minor pieces, the side with the minor pieces should keep rooks on the board. Queen a pawn as fast as you can. A knight ending is the closest thing to a pure king and pawn ending. A bishop is of greater value than a knight in queening races because a bishop can perform both defensive and offensive duties, while the knight is capable of only one or the other. Pawn Structure If you have a passed pawn and your opponent does not, exchange for an endgame. Pawn captures towards the center. Avoid creating holes in your position. If attacking on the wing then close the center. If defending, then open the center or seek counterplay in the center. When playing against an isolated pawn trade pieces and centralize. General Centralize pieces and redeploy unemployed pieces. If ahead in material, swap pieces but not pawns. If behind in material, swap pawns not pieces and complicate. A knight on the rim is dim. In a winning position avoid unnecessary complications. When losing take wild chances and complicate at every opportunity. Masters focus on gradually improving their positions to convert. When your opponent is tied down or in a bind and is just waiting: In a winning position if the opportunity arises to simplify and retain equally or better winning chances, then make the simplification. Avoid unnecessary retreats or decentralizations in an open position. Engage the opponent in confrontation when he is unprepared for it. The player who holds a temporary advantage must create confrontation or attack, otherwise the advantage is lost. When attacking avoid swapping or retreating pieces. Maintaining a lead in development is more important than keeping the two bishops. Space If cramped then trade pieces; if you have a space advantage then avoid exchanges unless they favor you. If you are cramped and have a freeing break, then play it. Avoid opening the position on the wing where your opponent has more space. The player with less space only rarely gets an attack going. Minor Piece Imbalance In a closed position knights tend to favor bishops; in an open position bishops tend to favor knights. If in possession of the bishop pair when your opponent is not then avoid exchanging bishops. Open the game and play for an asymmetrical fluid pawn structure i. If in possession of only one bishop then place your pawns on the opposite color. If position is closed when in possession of the two bishops, open up the position to give them more space. Opposite colored bishops favor the attacker. When strong on one color then play on that color. Page 9

10 Chapter 8 : "Position and Pawn Tension in Chess" Nbd2 Bf8 a4 { The critical move, but it is very tactical and requires lots of preparation.} 12 exd4 cxd4 Nb4 { leads to very complex positions which were thoroughly explored in the Kasparov - Karpov matches.[vm] Black exposes the centre and relies on piece activity for chances -- rather a hypermodern approach.[dr] Chess is awful. On the other hand, Hikaru Nakamura is a player who naturally navigates games which look as if they originated from a different starting position than the usual. The first game ended without a winner. Nakamura no-doubt also revelled in the chance to sacrifice his h-pawn on move 1: Four other players Giri, Svidler, Dominguez and Topalov all went after this pawn during the day. For Svidler, the gift was short lived after In the third game of the day, Svidler grabbed a point back and the fourth game ended in a draw. Shankland vs Vachier-Lagrave Sam Shankland is slowly making his way into the elite echelons after a breakthrough year. His opponent is Maxim Vachier-Lagrave. After the two rapid chess games both ended level, the Frenchman won both blitz games. Peter Svidler later described the thrill of being able to discuss chess with the great chess legend Garry Kasparov before and after the rounds. Kasparov and Svidler analyse the starting position Photo: In over six hours of video, he gives a first hand account of crucial events from recent chess history, you can improve your chess understanding and enjoy explanations and comments from a unique and outstanding personality on and off the chess board. Topalov won the third rapid chess game although there was a minor incident when he did not correctly promote a pawn before pressing the clock. However, Kasparov was clearly lost, and did not claim a time penalty, but instead resigned the game. Topalov illegally promotes to a pawn. Rb2 forced Kasparov to resign. Topalov, so far, has had the better of his old rival Photo: Dominguez In the match between Aronian and Dominguez, the Armenian was also able to extend his lead. He won his two white games on the second day and drew the black games. Dominguez declined the rook but then went down in the ensuing attack. Dominguez and Aronian talk it over Photo: Playing without opening theory certainly seems to agree with So, while Giri has had bigger problems adapting. Shankland won the third rapid chess game and the fourth blitz game. In the third blitz game, Shankland showed his defensive skills in a rook-and-bishop-against-rook endgame which he handled with relative ease even with no time on the clock. Team USA discussing strategy Photo: Qze4 Rxe4 leaves him with a winning endgame. Nakamura instead went for Kh3 and now Black is on top. Ne5 Qd1 is mate in eight for Svidler. All games for download. Page 10

11 Chapter 9 : Kasparov struggles in Chess return ChessBase Black threatens to release the tension with d:c4 and possibly B:f3, destroying the pawn structure around white's king. The position is about equal, but white wants to release the tension in the center. Nov 4, The tension builds Four of the top five matches finished drawn in Round 7 of the Batumi Olympiad, allowing the USA to catch leaders Poland and Azerbaijan with just four rounds to go. Russia continued to struggle and could only scrape a draw, but India, France, Spain and England all won to move within two points of the leaders, while Armenia are poised just one point back. David Llada, official website Round 7 of the Batumi Olympiad had an embarrassment of riches when it came to commentary. None other than World Champion Magnus Carlsen joined Pepe Cuenca on the Spanish show for 90 minutes of insightful commentary read some quotes from that appearance here: Meanwhile the English show was taken over by not just one but all three of the Polgar sisters! The first three draws were swift, with only Duda-Mamedyarov threatening to break the deadlock. When Mamedyarov got in the 28â c5! The result was a small triumph for the 11th seeded Polish team. That made it 5 games with White, 5 wins for Wesley at this Olympiad! Magnus could breathe easily for one more day! Wei Yi-Eljanov had a very interesting opening, with He would eventually play Sure enough, when things got critical, time was a major issue: The World Champion assessed it as hopeless for White long-term, but Wei Yi, and with him China, managed to survive after Eljanov stumbled at the end. Li Chao-Korobov had a similar storyline. The choice to play the youngster was less than obvious, but Jorden was unable to make an extra pawn count in 67 moves. Jorden van Foreest has lost two games in Batumi, but came close to being the hero in Round 7 photo: The veteran is struggling in Batumi, with 3 losses in this last 4 games. Closing the gap The drawn matches at the top were a big chance for other teams to move into medal contention, and many seized it! Nd6 is a knockout blow over a dozen players have had the pleasure of playing before. France also moved up with a 3: That Najdorf encounter was perhaps the game of the round, full of fantastic sacrifices either played or possible on the board: Maxime here decided to launch an all-out assault on the white king with 23â Nxa4!!? There were later chances for Peter to consolidate an advantage, but instead the game reached a position where Black, now a rook down for two pawns, seemed to need to force a perpetual check: But noâ Maxime had spotted the manoeuvre 41â Bf6! Russian woes continue The one big team not to take the chance to improve its position was 2nd seeds Russia, who came up against a Serbian team that on paper they should have brushed aside. As the commentators put it: The 2nd seeds followed the standard approach perhaps that needs a rethink? Dmitry had no choice but to throw everything towards the black king There was to be no happy ending for Jakovenko, however, as Marko went on to win the game. Or to put it another way The consolation for Russia was that Vladimir Kramnik did win in the end: Grabbing a pawn is tempting â even Magnus Carlsen tried it in commentary â but 43â Qxa3? As Magnus put it: The standings at the top with four rounds to go look as follows: Page 11