CHESS

MIDDLEGAME
STRATEGIES
Volume 2
Opening meets Middlegame
by

Ivan Sokolov

www.thinkerspublishing.com
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First edition 2018 by Thinkers Publishing

Chess middlegame strategies. Volume 2: Opening meets middlegame

Copyright © 2018 Ivan Sokolov

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording
or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 978-94-9251-020-4
D/2018/13730/2

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

KEY TO SYMBOLS 5
PREFACE 7

CHAPTER I. SICILIAN STRATEGIES 9

1.1. Rauzer Ideas 9
Game 1. J. Klovans — M. Tal (1981) 10
Game 2. V. Anand — V. Kramnik (2000) 15
Game 3. T. Baron — Z. Kozul (2010) 20
Game 4. E. Prandstetter — Z. Kozul (1988) 29
Game 5. E. Geller — B. Larsen (1966) 35

1.2. Velimirovic Piece Sacrifice 38

Game 6. D. Velimirovic — U. Andersson (1982) 40
Game 7. D. Velimirovic — L. Gutman (1988) 48
Game 8. D. Velimirovic — M. Suba (1987) 65

1.3. Fortified Knight on e5 69

Game 9. J. Polgar — V. Topalov (2006) 70
Game 10. D. Ghizdavu — B. Spassky (1974) 78
Game 11. A. Karpov — B. Spassky (1982) 82

CHAPTER II. SPANISH PIECE SACRIFICE 87

Game 12. J. Polgar — B. Spassky (1993) 88
Game 13. H. Nakamura — V. Golod (2009) 93
Game 14. A. Rasmussen — I. Sokolov (2017) 96
Game 15. J. Polgar — I. Sokolov (2003) 109
CHAPTER III. THE CARO-KANN DOUBLED F-PAWN 121
Game 16. A. Khalifman — Y. Seirawan (1991) 122
Game 17. E. Torre — V. Kortschnoj (1978) 131

CHAPTER IV. BENONI STRATEGIES 141

4.1. Positional Exchange Sacrifice 141
Game 18. T. Petrosian — N. Rashkovsky (1976) 142

4.2. Kingside Structure Transformations 150

Game 19. E. Magerramov — G. Kasparov (1979) 151
Game 20. E. Bukic — M. Tal (1967) 166

4.3. Two Typical Sacrifices 173

Game 21. L. Le Quang — Saleh Salem (2015) 174
Game 22. V. Kortschnoj — G. Kasparov (1982) 179

CHAPTER V. CATALAN SACRIFICES 191

5.1. Knight Sacrifice on f7 191
Game 23. V. Mikhalevski — A. Rabinovich (1999) 192
Game 24. A. Giri — A. Morozevich (2012) 204

5.2. Pawn Chain Break with the b2-b3 Push 208

Game 25. B. Spassky — L. Zinn (1962) 208
Game 26. Ding Liren — W. So (2016) 222

CHAPTER VI. KNIGHT TALES 233

Game 27. A. Karpov — J. Timman (1982) 234
Game 28. A. Karpov — Z. Azmaiparashvili (1983) 241
Game 29. A. Karpov — M. Taimanov (1977) 249
Game 30. I. Sokolov — A. Miles (1989) 256
 KEY TO SYMBOLS

! a good move
? a weak move
!! an excellent move
?? a blunder
!? an interesing move
?! a dubious move
 only move
= equality
 unclear position
 with compensation for the sacrificed material
 White stands slightly better
 Black stands slightly better
 White has a serious advantage
 Black has a serious advantage
+- White has a decisive advantage
-+ Black has a decisive advantage
 with an attack
 with initiative
 with counterplay
 with the idea of
 better is
 worse is
N novelty
+ check
# mate
 PREFACE

In modern chess practice, the theory of the opening often stretches into the
middlegame, sometimes quite deeply. When players choose particular opening
variations, they are in essence deciding on the type of middlegame in which
they would like to fight their opponents.

In this second volume of my “Chess Middlegame Strategies” series I have de-

cided to focus on this connection between the opening and the middlegame.
I have selected different themes from popular openings and examined the
resulting middlegames, trying to offer a sort of user manual to guide readers
through these middlegames. I have also offered some ideas on the theory of the
different openings. The 30 games in this book cover a wide range of different
middlegame types, so I hope there is something for everyone and that study-
ing this book will enhance readers’ understanding of middlegame strategies.

Only one chapter in this book, “Knight Tales”, is not related to a particular
opening. It concentrates on the middlegame theme of knights versus bishops.
Originally I had planned to present much more pure middlegame material,
but sometimes in the work process we adjust the original plan and, well... this
book is the product!

Naturally I still have this pure middlegame material in my work database and
I do not exclude the possibility that volume three may arrive around the end
of 2018. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this book and the game selection.

Ivan Sokolov
November 2017
 CHAPTER I. SICILIAN STRATEGIES

In modern chess, opening theo- 1.1. RAUZER IDEAS

ry meets the middlegame. When
choosing specific opening varia- 8 + + + +
tions, players aim for particular
types of middlegame positions in
7 + + +p+p
6 p+ zppzp +
the hope of understanding these po-
5 +p+ + +
sitions better than their opponents.
4 + +PzP +
Opening preparation will not usu- 3 + + + +
ally lead to a clear advantage for 2 PzPP+ +PzP
either side. If the computer evalu- 1 + + + +
ation of the early middlegame is a b c d e f g h
not “0.00” then it will usually be no
more than plus or minus “0.30” and Understanding this typical Sicilian
the computer will say “=”. So know- Richter-Rauzer position is a must
ing and understanding the typical for any 1.e4 player, any Sicilian play-
plans and motifs in the chosen type er and also any player keen to im-
of middlegame comes to the fore prove his or her general level. I have
and will prove crucial in over-the- focused on dynamic decisions, in
board play. positions with an undefined or mo-
bile pawn centre. Black has doubled
In this chapter I have selected f-pawns and potentially the more
a number of popular opening po- exposed king, but as compensation
sitions, hoping to help readers im- he has the advantage of the bishop
prove their understanding of such pair.
positions and ultimately become
better players. I have selected five games trying to
delve into the concepts involved in
this complex position. Different ide-
as often combine with one another
here. The material is divided into
two parts.
10 CHESS MIDDLEGAME STRATEGIES

8 r+-+kvl-tr king, then opening up the position

7 +-+-+-+- will only benefit the black bishop
6 p+lzppwQ-+ pair. In the Baron-Kozul game we
5 +pwq-+-+p
see Black dominating in a pawn-
down endgame! Endgames are gen-
4 -+-+P+-+
erally good for Black here.
3 +-sN-+-+-
2 PzPP+-+PzP

1 +K+R+L+R 1
a b c d e f g h
▷ J. Klovans
The first three games of this Sicil- ▶ M. Tal
ian subchapter examine the ideas Riga (9), 1981
related to Black having his f6-pawn
removed — in games one and three 1.e4 c5 2. f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4. xd4
even by the means of a pawn sacri-  f6 5.c3 c6 6.  g5 e6 7. d2 a6
fice — so that Black’s dark-squared 8.0–0–0 h6 9. e3  xd4 10.  xd4
bishop can take over the a1-h8 diago- b5 11.f3  b7 12. b1  e7 13.  xf6
nal. In games one and two Black has gxf6 14. d3 b6 15.f4
a mobile pawn centre, with the dark-
squared bishop well placed on the 8 r+-+k+-tr
long diagonal, and he castles queen- 7 +l+-vlp+-
side. Tal achieved this position by 6 pwq-zppzp-zp
sacrificing a pawn, while in Anand- 5 +p+-+-+-
Kramnik the material is equal.
4 -+-+PzP-+
3 +-sNL+-+-
Advice for White: exchange one of
2 PzPPwQ-+PzP
the black bishops! Black’s two bish-
ops are superior to White’s knight 1 +K+R+-+R
plus bishop but once one of the black a b c d e f g h
bishops is traded, Black’s initiative
will diminish or vanish altogether. Through a slightly unusual move or-
der we have reached a typical Rich-
Once the black king is safe (here on ter-Rauzer Sicilian pawn structure.
the queenside) Black is fine! White Opening theory is not our concern
needs to be energetic and catch the here so I will just mention that Black
black king in the centre, as in Kasp- often keeps his king in the centre in
arov-Hracek or Sengupta-Edouard. these positions. Tal decides to castle
If White cannot embarrass the black queenside.
 CHAPTER I. SICILIAN STRATEGIES 11

15...0–0–0 16.f5 18...f5!

White challenges Black to push The logical 18...d5, which is also the
...e6-e5 and surrender the d5-square, first choice of the computer en-
a transaction which in this line is gines, leads to a balanced game after
often less beneficial for White than 19.exd5  xd5 20.  he1. White threat-
may initially appear the case. Tal ens 21. f4.
decides to keep his pawn structure
flexible. (20.  hf1 also looks about equal)

16... b8 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.e2 20...  g5 21.g3 e5 22.c3 with un-
clear play. White will exchange the
8 -mk-tr-+-tr light-squared bishops, making the
7 +l+-vl-+- black king potentially vulnerable.
6 pwq-zppzp-zp
5 +p+-+-+-
19.exf5 e5
4 -+-+P+-+
For the small price of just one pawn,
3 +-+L+-+-
Black has gained a rolling pawn
2 PzPPwQN+PzP
centre and opened the h8-a1 diago-
1 +K+R+-+R nal for his dark-squared bishop. In
a b c d e f g h such positions, for the defensive side
(in this case White) it is clever to ex-
White plan’s is clear. He wants to change one of the opponent’s bishops
jump e2-  f4, hitting e6 and hop- as quickly as possible, as Anand did
ing to provoke ...e6-e5. Then he would against Kramnik in our next game.
aim to dominate the light squares,
while the black bishop e7 would be 20. g3
badly placed in such a scenario. Tal
decides to sacrifice a pawn in order The f6-square is a perfect spot for
to activate his dark-squared bishop Black’s bishop that is now on e7, so
and get his central pawns rolling White hopes to prevent that move
forward. In a matter of just a couple by placing his knight on h5.
of moves Black is to unleash the dy-
namic power of his bishop pair and 20...h5!
his central rolling pawns, obtaining
a winning attack. Tal’s method is White here underestimates the dan-
highly instructive and can be used ger, losing a couple of important
in a number of similar positions. tempi to grab the irrelevant h-pawn.
12 CHESS MIDDLEGAME STRATEGIES

8 -mk-tr-+-tr [25.  f1  df8 (25...d4?! 26.  xe4!

7 +l+-vl-+-  xe4 27.f4+)]
6 pwq-zp-+-+
5 +p+-zpP+p
25...  hg8
4 -+-+-+-+
(25...  df8 26.  g4)
3 +-+L+-sN-
2 PzPPwQ-+PzP
26. xh4  xg2 Black definitely has
1 +K+R+-+R enough for his minimal material
a b c d e f g h deficit, however the position is start-
ing to simplify and a draw is becom-
21. e4? ing the likely result.

As mentioned earlier, White needed 21...d5 22.  f3 h4 23. h5 e4 24. e2

to exchange one of Black’s bishops,
reducing the power of the enemy’s 8 -mk-tr-+-tr
initiative. For example: 21.  he1! 7 +l+-vl-+-
h4 22.e4 d5 23. g5 Black is now 6 pwq-+-+-+
forced to part with his bishop pair: 5 +p+p+P+N
23...  xg5
4 -+-+p+-zp
3 +-+-+-+-
(23...e4?! does keep the bishop pair,
2 PzPPwQL+PzP
but also sacrifices an exchange:
24.  f7  hg8 25.  xd8  xd8 1 +K+R+-+R
26.  f1  f6 27. h6 and Black does a b c d e f g h
not have enough compensation for
the sacrificed material.) 24...d4!

24. xg5 e4 Black is getting a huge number

8 -mk-tr-+-tr of tempi for the price of that little
7+l+-+-+- pawn on h4!
6 pwq-+-+-+
5 +p+p+PwQ- 25. f4+ d6 26. xh4 e5
4 -+-+p+-zp
3 +-+L+-+-
2 PzPP+-+PzP
It seems both sides got what they
1 +K+RtR-+-
wanted. White has collected his
a b c d e f g h pawn and is now two pawns up,
Black has advanced his central
25. e2 pawns and placed his dark-squared
 CHAPTER I. SICILIAN STRATEGIES 13

bishop on a perfect position. By rook on h1 are all perfectly mis-

grabbing the h-pawn White has placed)
placed his knight totally out of play
and it will take quite some time and 28...d3! 29.cxd3 a5! 30. d2
effort for the knight on h5 to enter
the fray. White’s king has been left (30.e1 exd3 31.  xd3  xb2–+)
without defenders. The attackers-
defenders ratio favours Black, who 30...e3 31. e1 d4! and Black wins
is ready to push ...d3 opening the h8- with a mating attack. Again, pay at-
a1 diagonal for his queen-and-bish- tention to the misplaced knight on
op battery to deliver a deadly blow. h5.

8 -mk-tr-+-tr 27... c5–+

7 +l+-+-+-
6 pwq-+-+-+ Sensing that his opponent has no
5 +p+-vlP+N
counter-play Tal takes his time in
finishing things off. The threat is
4 -+-zpp+-wQ
28...d3 29.cxd3 b4.
3 +-+-+-+-
2 PzPP+L+PzP
The immediate 27...d3 28.cxd3 d4
1 +K+R+-+R
8 -mk-tr-+-tr
a b c d e f g h 7 +l+-+-+-
6 p+-+-+-+
27.  hf1?! 5 +p+-vlP+N
4 -+-wqp+-wQ
3 +-+P+-+-
White keeps neglecting his king 2 PzP-+L+PzP
position and gives Black a relative- 1 +K+R+R+-
ly easy kill. However, Black has too a b c d e f g h
many attacking motifs and White
simply does not have a good de- was also winning as after 29.  d2
fence. For example, 27. e7, trying Black has plenty of time to bring
to bring the queen to the aid of its his remaining forces into the at-
king, does not help either: 27...  he8 tack: 29... c8 30.  fd1 d5 31.a3 c7
28. b4 32.dxe4

(28. a3 d3! 29.cxd3 f2! 30.  g4 (32.f6  hc8 33.dxe4 xd2–+)
 xd3 31.  xd3 exd3–+ and Black
wins in a few moves while white’s 32...  xe4+ 33. a1
knight on h5, bishop on g4 and
14 CHESS MIDDLEGAME STRATEGIES

(33. a2  d5+–+) 8 -mkr+-+-tr

7 +l+-+-+-
6 -+-+-+-+
33... c1+–+. 5 zp-+-vlP+N
4 -zp-wq-+-+
28. c1 3 +R+Pzp-+-
2 PzP-+L+PzP
28. f2 1 +K+-wQR+-
a b c d e f g h
8 -mk-tr-+-tr
7 +l+-+-+-
6 p+-+-+-+ 34.a3
5 +pwq-vlP+N
4 -+-zpp+-+
(or 34.  f3  xh5! Black keeps his
3 +-+-+-+-
2 PzPP+LwQPzP
bishops pair! 35.  xh5  d5 36.e2
1 +K+R+R+-
a4–+)
a b c d e f g h
34... d5 35. d1 and now Black has
loses to 28...e3! 29. e1. Black proba- enough time to bring his rook into
bly has several ways to win this, but the attack and decide the battle. 35...
the following line nicely illustrates  h7–+ Black’s queen-bishop battery
the domination of the black bishop is still operating at full force. 36.f6
pair and White’s helplessness. Pushing the f-pawn is White only
counter-play. 36...  hc7 37.f7  xb3
(29.  h4 d3! 30.  xd3  xd3 38. xb3 c2 39. xc2  xc2 40.f8 +
31.  xd3 — or 31.cxd3  c8 — 31...  c8 41. xc8+  xc8 42.  c1+ d8
 xh5 32.xh5 d4–+) 43. c2 b3 44. c3 h4–+.

29...d3 30.cxd3 28...d3!

(30.  xd3  xd3 31.  xd3 and the The queen-bishop battery decides.
greedy knight on h5 comes to
a sticky end: 31...  xh5–+) 8 -mk-tr-+-tr
7 +l+-+-+-
30...  c8 31.  c1 d4 32.  c3 b4 6 p+-+-+-+
33.  b3 a5! The full triumph of 5 +pwq-vlP+N
Black’s strategy that started with
4 -+-+p+-wQ
18...f5! and made maximum use of
3 +-+p+-+-
the h8-a1 diagonal. Not having any
2 PzPP+L+PzP
counter-play, White is tied to an
electric chair waiting for the execu- 1 +KtR-+R+-
tion! a b c d e f g h
 CHAPTER I. SICILIAN STRATEGIES 15

29.cxd3 d4 30. c3 b4 31.  b3 d5 12.e5!?

0–1
Direct and radical! We will see
a similar decision in Geller-Larsen
2 later in this chapter.

▷ V. Anand 12...d5 13. b1

▶ V. Kramnik
Wijk aan Zee (4), 2000 This feels a bit timid...

1.e4 c5 2. f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4. xd4 a) 13.f5 looks more consequent,
 f6 5.c3 c6 6.  g5 e6 7. d2 a6 leading to a dynamic balance: 13...
8.0–0–0  xd4 9. xd4 e7 10.f4 fxe5 14. xe5
b5 11.  xf6 gxf6 8 r+lwqk+-tr
7 +-+-vlp+p
8 r+lwqk+-tr 6 p+-+p+-+
5 +p+pwQP+-
7 +-+-vlp+p 4 -+-+-+-+
6 p+-zppzp-+ 3 +-sN-+-+-
5 +p+-+-+- 2 PzPP+-+PzP

4 -+-wQPzP-+ 1 +-mKR+L+R
a b c d e f g h
3 +-sN-+-+-
2 PzPP+-+PzP
14...0–0 (Black cannot play 14...
1 +-mKR+L+R  f6 15. g3  b7 because White
a b c d e f g h did not waste time on 13. b1 and
is now faster: 16.fxe6 fxe6 17.  e2)
A typical Richter-Rauzer pawn 15. e4 f6 16. g3+  h8 17.fxe6
structure. Once upon a time, this  xe6.
was a pet-line of Kramnik when
playing Black. Understanding the b) Improving the bishop with
dynamics of these positions helps 13.  e2 before opening the cen-
players to understand other similar tre is probably a critical idea for
Sicilian positions. White is ahead in assessing this position: 13...  b7
development and eager to open files 14.f5! fxe5 15. xe5  f6 16. g3.
towards the black king. To execute Now with the white bishop already
this strategy White often has to be developed on e2, Black cannot al-
ready to sacrifice material. Black is low fxe6 so easily as in Kramnik’s
banking on his bishop pair, should game, as  h5+ will be coming.
the position open up.
16 CHESS MIDDLEGAME STRATEGIES

8 r+-wqk+-tr 21.a3! A surprisingly calm move,

7 +l+-+p+p eliminating the ... b4 threat. The
6 p+-+pvl-+
5 +p+p+P+-
black monarch cannot find shelter,
4 -+-+-+-+
while White develops a winning
3 +-sN-+-wQ- attack. Computer engines sup-
2 PzPP+L+PzP port this evaluation. It is interest-
1 +-mKR+-+R ing that even without knights on
a b c d e f g h the board Black still does not have
a suitable defence! 21...h5 22.  hf1
16...  b8 17.  h3! Keeping the e5 23. d3 g5 24. d7+-  xg2
queens on the board is here 25. de1 e7 26.  f5 h4 (26...  h3
a consequent decision, involving 27. e8+  xe8 28.fxe8 +  xe8
a piece sacrifice. For such deci- 29.  xg5+-) 27.  fe5  d8 28. c7
sions a player needs a brave heart  xd3 29.cxd3 1–0 Sengupta,D
and a good feeling for the initia- (2558)-Edouard,R (2636) Hastings
tive, or superb preparation! (17. 2011.
fxe6 leads to an ending that is fine
for Black: 17... xg3 18.exf7+ f8 13...  b7
19.hxg3 d4 20. b1  xg2=) Now
17...d4 effectively forces White As in Sengupta-Edouard above,
to sacrifice a piece. [After 17...b4 Black is in a hurry to catch up in
Black probably did not like 18. a4 development.
(The piece sacrifice played in the
game, 18.fxe6, is now less effective 13...b4 actually chases the white
for White because the d-file is not knight away to a good square:
open: 18...f4+ 19. b1 bxc3) 18... 14.e2 a5 15. g3 f5 16. h5
 c6 19.c5 and White has good 8 r+lwqk+-tr
attacking prospects.] 18.fxe6! f4+ 7 +-+-vlp+p
19. b1 dxc3 20.exf7+ f8 6 -+-+p+-+
5 zp-+pzPp+N
8 r+-+-mk-tr 4 -zp-wQ-zP-+
7 +l+-+P+p 3 +-+-+-+-
6 p+-+-vl-+
2 PzPP+-+PzP
5 +p+-+-+-
1 +K+R+L+R
4 -+-+-wq-+
a b c d e f g h
3 +-zp-+-+Q
2 PzPP+L+PzP
1 +K+R+-+R
A white knight is almost always
a b c d e f g h well placed on h5 in those positions!
Kasparov,G (2785)-Hracek,Z (2625),
Yerevan 1996, continued 16...  b8