Books: Chess and Checkers: The Way to Mastership

E >> Edward Lasker >> Chess and Checkers: The Way to Mastership

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All the same, the advance of the Queen's Knight in the center is
one of the most important maneuvers in King's Pawn openings when
it is properly prepared, and its consequences need thorough
discussion.

The proper preparation consists in first fixing the object at
which the Knight aims. This--from White's, the attacker's point
of view--is the Knight f6. The developing move B-g5 serves this
purpose in the most natural way, and a position arises similar to
the one shown in Diagram 43 where Black prevented any further
accumulation of white forces on f6 by B-e6. In the present case
this move is of doubtful value as White, by P-d4, can force Black
to give up his center-Pawn.

+---------------------------------------+
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| #P | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | ^B | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | #B | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| ^P | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
+---------------------------------------+
a b c d e f g h

DIAGRAM 46.

If Black is ready to admit that Kt-d5 is a disagreeable threat he
will either exchange the Knight for his Bishop b4 or he will play
Kt-e7 in order to take White's Knight should he go to d5.
Ordinarily Black plays first Bxc3 and then Kt-e7. The reason is
that this maneuver enables Black to get his Queen's Knight over
to the King's wing while White's Bishop b5 is rather out of
action, so that Black has a good chance to enter the battle on
the King's wing with one piece more than White. Of course, White
can get his Bishop into play again by placing him on c4. But he
has to spend a move in doing so, which does not add to the
completion of the development.

In the position of Diagram 46 Black would not take any steps to
prevent Kt-d5 unless a threat is involved in this move which
cannot be counteracted by the most natural continuation, which is
the development of the Bishop c8. Indeed, there seems to be no
reason why Black should not answer (1) B-g5 with B-g4 and (2) Kt-
d5 with Kt-d4; for the Knight f6, who after Kt-d5 is attacked
twice, is defended twice, and there is no possibility for White
to attack the Knight again. On the other hand, the attack on the
Bishop b4 is balanced by the attack on the Bishop b5, and if
White were to withdraw his Bishop to c4 Black could withdraw his
to c5.

However, in the position resulting after these moves (Diagram 47)
White gets the upper hand because he is one move ahead in the
attack on the opposing King's Knight. The danger of the
concentration of two pieces on this Knight lies in the fact that
Black is obliged to retake with the g-Pawn in case White
exchanges on f6 and that thereby the squares f6 and h6 lose their
natural protection.

+---------------------------------------+
8 | #R | | | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | #P | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #B | ^Kt| #P | | ^B | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^B | #Kt| ^P | | #B | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^P | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
+---------------------------------------+
a b c d e f g h

DIAGRAM 47.

Thus weak points are created of which White may find an
opportunity to make use in a manner similar to the one
illustrated by the discussion of Diagrams 26 and 29. On the other
hand, Black gains an open file for his Rooks as soon as the g-
Pawn is out of the way, and the exchange on f6 should therefore
not be made until preparations for the occupation of the
resulting weak spots are completed. The following variations will
throw some light on this rather complex problem.

Supposing White wants to try the immediate exchange on f6, hoping
that somehow or other he will be able to take advantage of the
weakness resulting on f6 and h6. In exchanging he can give up
either his Knight d5 or his Bishop g5. In both cases there are
promising possibilities for attack, but Black, with correct play,
can sufficiently defend himself and even get the better.

If White plays (1) Ktxf6 he has to lose a move before he can
bring up other pieces to help in the attack, for after Pxf6 he
must first move the Bishop g5. The only good square for the
Bishop is h4 from where he maintains the pin on f6 which would
become very dangerous for Black if he could not prevent White's
Queen from entering on h6 or render the double threat on f6
ineffective in some other way. The logical continuation for Black
is to answer (2) B-h4 with K-h8 in order to occupy the g-file
with his Rook as soon as possible. Indeed, this is at the same
time the best defense against White's threat, for if White now
plays (3) Q-d2; Black replies Ktxf3+; (4) Pxf3, Bxf3; and he is
the first to take advantage of the open g-file as his King has
already made room for the Rook.

It would be dangerous for Black to play (3) ..., Bxf3 instead of
Ktxf3. For White would continue (4) Q-h6 and the only way for
Black to prevent the disaster threatened on f6 is to give back
the piece he just won: (4) ..., Kt-e2+; (5) K-h1, Bxg2+; (6)
Kxg2, R4-g8+; (7) K-h1, R-g6; or (6) ..., Kt-f4+; (7) K- h1, Kt-
g6. In either case Black's defense is very difficult.

The play outlined in the last variation suggests a better method
for White to institute the attack in the position of Diagram 47.
This is the preparatory move (1) Q-d2. (1) Bxf6 is obviously not
as good, as Black can soon drive away the Knight d5 by P-c6,
relieving f6 of all pressure.

In answer to (1) Q-d2, which threatens (2) Bxf6, (3) Q-h6, (4)
Ktxf6 and (5) Qxh7 mate, Black has three replies, namely: Bxf3 or
Ktxf3 or P-c6.

That (1) ..., Bxf3 is not sufficient can easily be seen. White
continues (2) Bxf6, Q-d7; (3) Kt-e7+/-, and Black must give up the
Queen for the Knight as (3) ..., K-h8 would be followed by (4)
Bxg7+, (5) Q-g5+ and (6) Q-f6 mate. It is interesting to note
that it is just the one move which White is ahead in the
development that gives him the win. If he tried to checkmate
Black by (3) Q-g5, P-g6; (4) Q-h6 he would be checkmated himself
by (4) ..., Kt-e2+ followed by Bxg2+ and Q-g4+, etc.

(2) ..., Pxf6 would not be of avail either. The consequence would
be: (3) Q-h6, Kt-e2+; (4) K-h1, Bxg2+; (5) Kxg2, Kt-f4+; (6)
Ktxf4, Pxf4; (7) K-h1, K-h8; (8) R-g1, R-g8; (9) Rxg8+, Qxg8;
(10) R-g1 and the mate can only be averted by the sacrifice of
the Queen for the Rook.

The second defense which Black could try is (1) ..., Ktxf3+; (2)
Pxf3, Bxf3. Now (3) Bxf6, Pxf6; (4) Q-h6 would be fatal for White
as Black plays K-h8 and there is no protection against the threat
R-g8+. But White can again make a preparatory move which secures
for him the victory. This is (3) P-h3, with the view to make room
for the Rook by K-h2. The only way to counter White's threat is
now P-c6. However, after (4) Ktxf6+, Pxf6; (5) B-h4, K-h8; (6) K-
h2, R-g8; (7) R-g1, Q-e7; (8) R-g3 Black is unable to stave off
defeat any longer. Whatever he plays, White succeeds in attacking
f6 for the second time while Black has no second protection at
his disposal. For instance, (8) ..., B-h5; (9) Q-h6, B-g6; (10)
R-f3--or (8) ..., Rxg3; (9) Pxg3 and (10) Rf1.

The most interesting line of defense is the third one mentioned,
that is (1) ..., P-c6. After (2) Ktxf6+, Pxf6; (3) B-h4 a
situation arises similar to the one discussed in the line of play
commencing with (1) Ktxf6+, but with the big difference that
White is now one move ahead in the attack. This is the move Q-d2
in answer to which Black was forced to make the move P-c6 which
does not improve the constellation of the Black pieces in any
way.

This one move is sufficient to secure for White an easy victory.
After (3) ..., Bxf3; (4) Q-h6, Kt-e2+; (5) K-h1, Bxg2+; (6) Kxg2,
Kt-f4+; (7) K-h1, Kt-g6 the position of Diagram 48 is reached in
which White can force the mate, or win Black's Queen in a most
ingenious manner. If White tried to win by (8) R-g1, threatening
mate in four moves through Rxg6, Qxg6, Q-h6 and R-g1 Black could
sufficiently defend himself with (8) ..., P-d5, unpinning the
Pawn f7 and enabling B-e7, which would supply the much needed
protection for the square f6. However, White can frustrate
Black's intention by playing (8) P-d4!! If Black takes with the
Pawn, (9) P-e5 follows forcing Pd6xe5 after which Black cannot
any more intercept the diagonal of the Bishop c4 so that there
remains no defense against (10) R-g1.

+---------------------------------------+
8 | #R | | | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | | | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | #P | | #P | #Kt| ^Q |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #B | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^B | | ^P | | | ^B |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | | ^R | | ^K |
+---------------------------------------+
a b c d e f g h

DIAGRAM 48.

If, on the other hand, Black takes the Pawn d4 with his Bishop,
White continues with (9) P-c3, B-c5; (10) Ra1- d1, again
preventing the interception of the Bishop c4 and threatening R-
g1. The consequence could then be: (10) ..., K-h8; (11) R-g1, Q-
e7; (12) R-d3, R-g8; (13) R-h3, Ktxh4; (14) Qxh7+ and (15) Rxh4
mate, or: (13) ..., R-g7; (14) R-f3, Ra8-g8; (15) Bxf6, Q-d7;
(16) R-h3 and the mate on h7 can only be avoided by the sacrifice
of the Queen for the Rook.

The foregoing variations show conclusively that the position of
Diagram 47 is lost for Black. The attack which White obtains
after creating a weakness on f6 by the removal of the Pawn g7
cannot be effectively countered. The question arises, whether
Black was at fault when disregarding White's threat to place his
Knight on d5 and developing his Queen's Bishop or whether he had
a chance to improve on one of the two following moves which led
to the position of Diagram 47. Indeed, it lies near to try the
same attack which White threatens to initiate by Q-d2 one move
earlier by playing Q-d7 instead of B-c5. The fact, however, that
this Bishop is not cooperating with the pieces on the King's wing
makes a big difference and the most Black can obtain is
apparently a draw. The continuation could be: (1) Ktxf6+, Pxf6;
(2) Bxf6, P-h6; (3) P-c3, Ktxf3+, (4) Pxf3, B-h5; (5) K-h1, K-h7;
(6) R-g1, R-g8; (7) R-g3. If Black's Bishop were on c5 instead of
b4, White could not play R-g3 on account of Bxf2. He would have
to make the preparatory move Q-e2 and he would be lost after R-
g6, just in the same manner which was demonstrated in one of the
above variations with attack and defense reversed. As it is Black
cannot enter on h3 with his Queen without exchanging Rooks and so
he is unable to take advantage of the weakness on f3. After (7)
..., R-g6, (8) B-h4, B-a5 or c5, (9) P-d4 and Q-d3 the game
probably ends in a draw as it is unlikely that White can realize
an advantage from the doubled Pawn which he is ahead.

To the beginner the lines of play discussed in connection with
Diagrams 47 and 48 will have appeared rather complicated. This
they are, indeed, even for the experienced player; but it is by
no means necessary to memorize any of the variations. The
important thing to realize is the fact that in a position where
both players have castled on the King's side, a dangerous
weakness is created if the g-Pawn is forced to move, and if
pressure can be brought to bear upon the two squares which
through the move of the g-Pawn have lost their protection;
moreover, that a method to create such a weakness is the pinning
of the hostile King's Knight and the advance of the Queen's
Knight in the center.

Another important point that the variations discussed will bring
out to the observant reader is the order in which the different
pieces take their turn in the battle. First come the minor
pieces, then the Queen and then the Rooks. This, of course, is
not a rule that has to be adhered to under all circumstances, but
in most games it is a good rule to follow. The reason is obvious.
The Rooks have no opportunity of making themselves useful until a
file has been opened, while the Queen often finds an occasion to
enter the battlefield on a diagonal. Only in such games can the
Rooks be made to work at a comparatively early stage of the game,
in which the players have not castled on the same sides of the
board. For then the advance of the Pawns in front of the Rooks
does not create weakness which endangers their own King.

The following middle game from a match of two masters furnishes
an example. After White's seventh move the position of Diagram 49
was reached, in which Black continued with P-b5 with the view to
playing B-g4 and Kt-d4. White replied (8) B-b3, B-g4; (9) Kt-e2.
Better would surely have been B-e3, which develops a new piece.
To allow the exchange of f3 which forces the g-Pawn out is
dangerous because Black may castle on the Queen's side and storm
with the Pawns of his King's wing.

+---------------------------------------+
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #Kt| #P | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #B | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | ^B | | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| ^P | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
+---------------------------------------+
a b c d e f g h

DIAGRAM 49.

From Black's next move, Q-d7, it is indeed apparent that he has
decided on a maneuver of this kind. The game continued: (10) P-
c3, Bxf3; (11) Pxf3, Q-h3; (12) Kt-g3, P-h5; (13) B-e3. He cannot
play R-e1 on account of Bxf2+ followed by Qxh2+ and Qxg3. (13)
..., P-h4; (14) Kt-h1, R-h6 and wins, for if White takes the
Rook, Pxh6 opens the g-file and the other Rook occupies it with
deadly effect.

In the last example it was easy for the Rooks to take an active
part in the battle because a file was open which enabled them to
bear down on the opposing King.

+---------------------------------------+
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #P | | #P | #Kt| #P | #B | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #Kt| | #P | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | | | | ^B | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^B | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| ^P | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | ^Q | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | ^K | ^R | | | | ^R |
+---------------------------------------+
a b c d e f g h

DIAGRAM 50.

In the majority of cases no open file is available on the wing
and the attack with the Rooks is then much more difficult. There
is little use in advancing the Pawns on the wing on which the
hostile King has castled unless one of them can be exchanged so
that a line is opened which the Rooks can occupy. As a rule such
an exchange is only possible in case one of the Pawns in front of
the King has moved. In the position of Diagram 50 for instance,
White is able to open the h-file by advancing the h-Pawn and
exchanging it against Black's g-Pawn, while Black, who would like
to use his Rooks in an attack on the Queen's wing, has little
hope to open a file on that side of the board. If Black's g-Pawn
were still on his original square, the advance of White's h-Pawn
would be of no avail. Black would simply wait until the Pawn has
advanced to h6 and then he would play P-g6 so that White's own
Pawn would block the h-file for the Rook. In the above position,
which occurred in one of six simultaneous games played by the
author in a blindfold-exhibition, the attack developed as
follows:

(1) P-h4 P-b5
(2) B-b3 Kt-a5
(3) P-h5 Ktxb3
(4) Pa2xb3 Q-a5

Black has succeeded in opening a line also, but he cannot get his
Rooks working in it. His last move threatens mate in two moves by
Q-a1; Kt-b1, Bxb2; but White simply defends himself first against
this threat and then proceeds with his attack on the King's wing
which is irresistible.

(5) K-b1 Kt-c6
(6) Pxg6 Pf7xg6
(7) B-h6 R-f7
(8) Bxg7 Rxg7

With this exchange White has weakened the defense around Black's
King who has now only the Rook and himself to rely on for
protection.

(9) Kt-g5 P-d5

Black opens the seventh rank in the hope that it will enable his
Queen's Rook or his Queen to come to assistance. But so great is
the advantage afforded White by the open h-file that he can
sacrifice his Knight to break through Black's chain of defense
and force the mate before Black has a chance to touch his Queen
or his Rook.

(10) Ktxh7 Rxh7

If Q-c7 or Ra8-a7, White continues (11) Q-h6! Rxh7?; (12) Qxg6+,
K-h8; (13) Q-e8+, K-g7; (14) Rxh7+, Kxh7; (15) R-h1+, etc.

(11) Rxh7 Kxh7
(12) R-h1+ K-g7
(13) Q-h6+ K-f7
(14) Q-h7+ K-f6
(15) Q-h8+ K-e7
(16) R-h7+ K-d6
(17) Q-f8+ K-e5
(18) P-f4+ K-d4
(19) Q-f6+ K-e3
(20) R-h3+ K-d2
(21) Q-h4

and Black resigns as there is no defense against Q-f2.

Diagram 51 shows a similar example, the only difference being
that it is not the advance of the Black Knight's Pawn but that of
the Rook's Pawn which gives White an opportunity of opening a
file for his Rooks. He will accomplish this by advancing his
Knight's Pawn to g5 and exchanging him against Black's Rook's
Pawn. If he does not want to play P-g4 on the first move, because
Black could take the Pawn with his Knight, he can prepare the
advance by R-g1. But he need not really fear the loss of the
Pawn, because in taking him Black would himself open the g-file
for White's Rook and White is sure to obtain an overwhelming
attack. It would, of course, be futile for Black to try and stop
the advance of White's g-Pawn by P-g5, as White would then simply
open the Rook's file by P-h4 and Pxg5, quite apart from the fact
that he could sacrifice his Bishop e3 for two Pawns, thereby
depriving Black's King of all protection.

+---------------------------------------+
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | #Kt| #B | #P | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | | | #Kt| | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| ^B | ^B | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | ^Q | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | ^K | ^R | | | | ^R |
+---------------------------------------+
a b c d e f g h

DIAGRAM 51.

The play might proceed like this: (1) P-g4, P-g5; (2) Bxg5, Pxg5;
(3) Qxg5+, K-h8; (4) Q-h6+, K-g8; (5) P-g5, Kt-e4; (6) Ktxe4,
Pxe4; (7) P-g6, Pxg6; (8) Qxg6+, K-h8; (9) R-g1, etc.

Ordinarily both players castle on the same side of the board so
that neither of them can advance his Pawns in an attack against
the opposing King without weakening his own King's position. Only
if a player holds more territory and has a greater number of
pieces on the King's wing than the opponent he can embark on an
attack which involves an advance of the Pawns in front of his
King. Diagram 52 offers a typical example.

+---------------------------------------+
8 | #R | | | | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | #Q | #B | #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | | #P | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #Kt| | #P | ^P | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | #P | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | ^B |^Kt | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^B | | | ^P | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | ^R | ^Kt| ^K | |
+---------------------------------------+
a b c d e f g h

DIAGRAM 52.

Black has a preponderance on the Queen's side, while White has
more mobility for his pieces on the King's side. Considering that
Black cannot easily throw his men over to the King's wing, White
can risk to loosen his Pawns on this wing without fearing that
Black will be able to obtain a foothold on the weak points which
are necessarily created by the advance of the Pawns in White's
camp.

White will start the attack with (1) P-g4 and (2) Kt-g3. Then he
threatens to occupy the dominating square f5 with his Knight, and
Black has hardly any other move than P-g6; for if he permits Kt-
f5 with the view to exchanging the Knight with his Bishop, he
opens the g-file for White's Rooks. P-g6 on the other hand
enables White to open the h-file by advancing the h-Pawn after
the necessary preparations such as K-g2, R-h1, P-g5, etc.

In the vast majority of games files for the Rooks are not opened
on the side but in the center of the board, as was explained in
the discussion of the openings. The many advantages arising from
the control of a center-file by the Rooks will be more fully
analyzed in the illustrative games. Generally speaking it is
easier to get the two Rooks into cooperation in the center than
on the side of the board. This cooperation--usually effected by
doubling in one file--is naturally very important and it is the
main reason why it is desirable to castle as early as possible.
Between the Rooks of a player who is prevented from castling
there are, so to speak, no natural lines of communication and it
takes so long to create artificial ones that in most cases the
opponent can, in the meantime, force a victory through the
combined efforts of his Rooks. Diagram 53 gives an example.

+---------------------------------------+
8 | | #Q | | | #K | #B | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #P | | #B | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #R | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^Q | | | ^B | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | | ^R | ^K | |
+---------------------------------------+
a b c d e f g h

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