rules, tactics, strategies and history

Castling and the Middle Game - Example I

The following middle game from a match of two masters furnishes an example. After White's seventh move the position below 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 its King's wing.

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a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

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.

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a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

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