The Shereshevsky Method to Improve in Chess by Mikhail Shereshevsky

Author:Mikhail Shereshevsky
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New in Chess

Emanuel Lasker

José Raul Capablanca

Havana 1921

The black pawn structure consists of one large mass, whilst White has two weaknesses, at b3 and d4. However, the distance between the two weaknesses is minimal, so the stronger side is unlikely to be able to exploit them directly.

But as well as static weaknesses, the position of the pieces also has great significance. All of the white pieces are very passive, and his king is a long way from the centre of the action, which is the weaknesses on b3 and d4. If we imagine that in the diagram, the kings were on d3 and d6 respectively, then the game would end in a draw. Therefore Black needs to maintain his initiative the whole time and not allow the white king to come up to defend.

In other words, Black needs to play concretely, or ‘hurry’.

35…♖b6!

The aim of this is to worsen the opponent’s position.

36.♖d3

Forced. After 36.♖b2 or 36.♘c1 there follows 36…♖b4, winning a pawn.

36…♖a6!

Creating the new threat 37…♖a1+, locking the white king out of play for a long time. If Black had not interpolated his previous move, then White would now have the strong reply 37.♖b2 with counterplay.

37.g4 hxg3 38.fxg3

Completely bad is 38.♘xg3?? ♖a1+ 39.♔g2 ♘d6, and White now has four weak pawns.

38…♖a2 39.♘c3 ♖c2!

With the threat of 40…♘xd4.

40.♘d1 ♘e7!

The black knight transfers to c6 to attack the opponent’s weaknesses. White’s position is deteriorating with every move.

41.♘e3

41.b4 is bad because of the manoeuvre …♖c2-c1+-b1.

41…♖c1+!

After the natural 41…♖b2 there could follow both 42.♘d1, with a continuation analogous to the game, and also 42.♖c3!? ♖d2 43.♘c2 ♘f5 44.b4 ♘xd4 45.♘xd4 ♖xd4 46.♖b3 with chances of a draw. It makes no sense for Black to give his opponent any additional possibilities.

42.♔f2 ♘c6 43.♘d1 ♖b1! 44.♔e2?

An oversight. White will inevitably lose the b3-pawn, but he should try to do so with an exchange of rooks, since in a knight ending, the small quantity of material will cause Black definite technical problems in realising his advantage.

Correct was 44.♔e1!, defending the knight (44.♔e3? ♘b4), and on 44…♘a5 – 45.♔d2 ♖xb3 46.♖xb3, with chances of saving the game.

44…♖xb3! 45.♔e3 ♖b4

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