Shape the English to Your Needs

Lapoc Chess Board, Issue #109 -- GOTM #79

The English Opening is an interesting idea with a Hypermodern feel. It offers play of a different nature from the QPG. White refrains from pushing his central pawns early and plays 1.c4 instead. He stakes an early claim on d5 and proceeds to control the light squares in the center.

Control of the long light square diagonal is his next objective and he achieves this by fianchettoing his light-square Bishop. Pawns on d3 and c4 and a Knight on c3 give him a vice-like grip on those central light squares.

It is a large opening family accounting for entries A10-39 in the ECO Index. Black has many possible replies. The main ones are 1...c5 (Symmetrical English) and 1.e5 (Reversed Sicilian). 1...f5, 1...g6, 1....e6 and 1...c6 are all tested regularly.

The English Opening is divided into 3 main branches. The Symmetrical Branch, the Reversed Sicilian Branch and the rest. Let's start with a look at a couple of the most important lines from the rest.

This month's game features a Symmetrical English. The Estonian, Paul Keres has White and Vasilly Smyslov of Russia has Black.

Shape the English to Your Needs

Keres,Paul - Smyslov,Vassily V [A34]

GotM #79 Zürich, 1953
[Connaughton, Ken]

1.c4

English Opening

1...Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 c5

Transposing to the Symmetrical Variation

4.e3 Be7 5.b3 0-0 6.Bb2 b6 7.d4 cxd4 8.exd4 d5 9.Bd3

Game position after 9.Bd3

White's pieces taking up nice posts and Black will be able to do likewise.

9...Nc6 10.0-0 Bb7

Taking the long diagonal.

11.Rc1 Rc8 12.Re1 Nb4 13.Bf1

Game position after 13.Bf1

Choosing to defend g2 rather than attack the Black Kingside.

(13.Bb1)

13...Ne4 14.a3 Nxc3 15.Rxc3 Nc6 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.Rxe5 Bf6

Game position after 17...Bf6

Preparing to pressurize d4.

18.Rh5 g6 19.Rch3?!

Sacrificing a Rook for a strong attack.

(19.Rhh3; 19.Rg3)

19...dxc4

(19...gxh5 20.Qxh5 Re8 21.Qxh7+ Kf8=/+)

20.Rxh7 c3 21.Qc1 Qxd4!

Crucially defending h8 and eliminating mating threats.

(21...cxb2?? 22.Qh6 b1Q 23.Rg7+ Bxg7 24.Qh7#)

22.Qh6 Rfd8

Giving the King a flight square on f8. Note how Black's defensive moves also increase his offensive power.

(22...cxb2?? 23.Rh8+ Bxh8 24.Qh7#)

23.Bc1 Bg7 24.Qg5 Qf6 25.Qg4 c2

Game position after 25...c2

This counterplay will be vital in flipping the script. If White loses control of d1 and the back rank it will be lights out.

26.Be2 Rd4 27.f4

(27.Qg3 Rd1+ 28.Bf1 Rxc1-+)

27...Rd1+ 28.Bxd1 Qd4+

And now since d1 belongs to Black, White resigns.

(28...Qd4+ 29.Re3 cxd1Q+ 30.Qxd1 Qxd1+ 31.Kf2 Rc2+ 32.Bd2 (32.Kg3 Rxg2+ 33.Kh4 Qg4#) 32...Rxd2+ 33.Re2 Qxe2+ 34.Kg3 Rd3+ 35.Kh4 Bf6#)

0-1

Keres,Paul - Smyslov,Vassily V [A34]

P.S.
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See you next month.

Ken

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