Lesson 7: Demolition of closed center
Lecture by UMBC Chess Coach
Igor Epshteyn
In closed positions an opportunity sometimes arises for one side
to demolish his opponent's strong center by sacrificing a piece. Such
opportunities can create an abrupt, radical change in the course of
the game and a fascinating imbalance of material, time, and space.
In return for such a piece sacrifice, the sacrificing side
typically receives compensation or advantage in the form of
a mobile pawn center,
control of key central squares,
and a space advantage. Such a mobile center can greatly enhance
the value of minor pieces-especially that of bishops.
Also, rooks standing behind mobile pawns can support their advance.
Games 1 and 2 instructively show examples in which Black
successfully sacrifices a knight in return for a strong, mobile
center and active pieces.
Game 1:
Geller-Eingorn (Riga, 1985, 52nd USSR Championship)
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 d6
8. c3 0-0
9. h3 Bb7
10. d4 Re8
11. Nbd2 Bf8
12. Bc2 g6
13. d5 Ne7
14. Nf1 Bg7
15. b3 Nxe4
16. Bxe4 f5
17. Bc2 e4
18. Nd4 Nxd5
19. Ne2 Nxc3
20. Nxc3 Bxc3
21. Rb1 c5
22. Bb2 Bxb2
23. Rxb2 d5
24. Qc1 d4
25. Bd1 Qd6
26. Rc2 Rac8
27. Qg5 Qe5
28. h4 f4
29. Bg4 Qxg5
30. hxg5 Rc7
31. Rd1 d3
32. Rc3 Re5
33. f3 e3
34. Rcxd3 e2
35. Re1 exf1Q
36. Kxf1 Rxg5
37. Kf2 Kg7
38. Rd7 Rxd7
39. Bxd7 Kf7
40. a4 Bd5
41. Bc8 Bxb3
42. a5 c4
43. Bxa6 c3
44. Bb7 b4
45. Ra1 Bd5
46. Bxd5
0-1
Game 2:
Unzicker-Tal (Hamburg, 1960)
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 0-0
8. c3 d6
9. h3 Nb8
10. d4 Nbd7
11. Nbd2 Bb7
12. Bc2 Re8
13. Nf1 Bf8
14. Ng3 g6
15. b3 Bg7
16. d5 Nb6
17. Qe2 c6
18. c4 cxd5
19. cxd5 Nfxd5
20. exd5 e4
21. Nxe4 Bxa1
22. Bg5 f6
23. Be3 Nxd5
24. Rxa1 Nxe3
25. Qxe3 Bxe4
26. Bxe4 d5
0-1
Homework 1:
Polgar-Spassky (Budapest, 1993)
White: Kg1, Qd1, Ra1, Re1, Bc1, Bc2, Nf3, Ng3,
a2, b3, c3, d5, e4, f2, g2, h3.
Black (to move): Kg8, Qd8, Ra8, Re8, Bb7, Bg7, Nd7, Nf6,
a6, b5, c7, d6, e5, f7, g6, h7.
Homework 2:
Bareev-Kasparov (Linares, 1992)
White (to move): Ke1, Qd2, Ra1, Rh1, Be2, Be3, Nc3, Nh3,
a2, b2, d5, e4, f3, g3, h5.
Black: Kg8, Qa5, Ra8, Rf8, Bd7, Bg7, Nc5, Nf6,
a4, b7, d6, e5, f7, g5, h6.
Homework 3:
Karpov-Tivjakov (Linares, 1995)
White: Kg1, Qe3, Rd1, Re1, Bg2, Nc3,
a3, b4, d4, e5, f4, g3, h2.
Black: Kg8, Qb6, Re8, Rf8, Be7, Nc6,
a7, c4, d5, e6, f7, g6, h7.
Question: Calculate the consequences after Nd5.