Want a surefire way to improve at chess?
We all do! No doubt about that. And one of the best ways to get better at chess is to study instructively annotated chess games...those that were played by a master against a master.
Playing through master chess games that are annotated with a lot of explanatory text is an excellent way see how the experts of our beloved royal game think and play through the opening, middlegame, and endgame. YES, it's a complete lesson. The only downside is that you cannot ask questions.
That's EXACTLY what I'm going to give you in this series - annotated master games (for your entertainment and chess improvement) PLUS MORE!
Instead of just providing annotations, I will also be asking you along the way - to predict the next move, why the obvious looking move wasn't played, what are the intentions behind the text move, and more.
This is active learning folks. Something that a GM and psychologist I look up to - Igor Smirnov, highly recommends. Simply playing through and reading the notes on a well-played GM is good...BUT not enough. To get the most out of it, you should get yourself wet. Be active and participate!
A few notes before we get to the REAL meat of this series:
1. Use an actual chess board. I find that I improve my OTB chess MORE when I use actual chess boards for training rather than a virutal one.
2. Treat this as if it's a REAL and tournament game. In tournaments, the "Touch Move" rule applies. You are NOT allowed to touch pieces when analyzing. This is an excellent way to hone your chess vision and to prime you up for REAL and competitive chess games.
3. Record the moves.
4. Right after playing through the game, write down notes especially why you picked a move which is different from the text. Writing down your analysis, while it is still fresh in your head, and checking it against the computer's analysis will help you pinpoint the errors of your thought process.
Also, I want to note that the commentaries to these games are NOT filled with variations. No, I don't want this to confuse chess players especially those who are still beginners. I want these to help them improve at chess by providing insight as to what is going on the game and only providing variations when necessary.
Dolmatov - Kasparov
Played in Leningrad, our first game showcases Kasparov - arguably the strongest chess player in the world, going up against a world-famous chess trainer and coach Dolmatov. Set up the board now and take up Kasparov's (Black) position. Get ready for battle!
1.e4 c6Kasparov plays the Caro Kann Defense. In general, Caro Kann Defense is trotted out by chess players who want to have a game that is less tactical and more startegic...one that requires a lot of maneuvering. Passive, BUT Black's position would be hard to break, and it's NOT unusual at all for players to decide to split the point when playing this opening.
HOWEVER, Kasparov will show you that even the most peaceful of openings can be lethal and lead to lively attacking games.
2.d3
A little slow. Playing 2.d4 is way better. When your opponent gives the opportunity to dominate the center, often more than NOT, go for it.
QUESTION: Now that white has left d4-square unoccupied and uncontrolled (well, temporarily), what should you play? Think like Kasparov...think aggressively! Emulating the playstyle of the great players will surely help you improve in chess.
Stop Right There And Think About It
2...e5
Kasparov immediately grabs his share of the center.
3.g3 g6
Both sides plan to fianchetto their kingside Bishops - Black on g7 and White on g6.
4.d4
Making another pawn move. Dolmatov has taken 2 moves to put his pawn on d4. This can't be right! Or maybe, Dolmatov has something prepared behind it...maybe his idea is to REALLY tempt Kasparov play ...e7-e5 (which you don't usually play early in the Caro Kann) and play d4 to create tension.
In any case, Dolmatov has lost time with 4.d4. What would you play if you were Kaspy?
Stop Right There And Think About It
4...Nf6!
Kasparov doesn't waste any time! Instead of capturing the pawn with 4...exd4 5.Qxd4, which brings the Queen to a powerful post and threatens the rook on h8 (giving Dolmatov the initiative), he plays 4...Nf6 ignores the threat on his foot soldier on e5 and develops a piece to make a threat of his own.
5.Nc3
On 5.dxe5, Black plays 5...Qa5+ 6.Bd2 Qxe5 7.Nc3 d5 (which continues to attack White's center) 8.f4 Qe7 9.e5 Nfd7 10.Nf3 f6. This position is quite equal...BUT Black has some initiative thanks to this attack on the e5-pawn.
With the text move, White has defended e4 and developed a piece. How does Kasparov increase the pressure?
Stop Right There And Think About It
5...Qa5
Kasparov brings out the omnipresent Queen - this pins the Knight on c3 and threatens 6...Nxe4. See? Kasparov tries to stir up threats while developing. You may be thinking, why NOT 5...Bb4? Here's why: 6.dxe5 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 Nxe4 8.Qd4 f5 9.f3 Ng5 10.Bc4 and White has the edge with his 2 Bishops, better development, and Black's inability to castle.
6.Bg2 d6 7.Nge2 Bg7 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.Qd6
Both sides are bringing their pieces out for action...preparing for the aggressive 'negotiations' later. White's ninth move looks impressive - posting the Queen deep into the enemy territory and preventing Kasparov from castling. HOWEVER, Kaspy - the great chess player he is, has found a flaw.
What would you play? Hint: Check what the White Queen left undefended.
Stop Right There And Think About It
9...Na6! 10.O-O Be6 11.Rd1 Nb4
This takes advantage of the fact that White has left the c2-pawn undefended.
12.Be3 Nxc2 13.b4 Nxb4 14.Bc5 Bf8
By ditchng 2 pawns, White has placed his pieces on active positions. HOWEVER, it turns out that Black is more than up to the task...ready to neutralize the threats and ready to counter-attack when the opportunity arises.
15.Qxe5
White threatens the Knight on f6 with his last move, which is pinned on the h8 Rook. How should Black proceed?
Stop Right There And Think About It
15...Ng4!Kasparov decides to sacrifice the exchange in exchange for a very dangerous, or should I say winning initiative! Playing it safe with 15...Bxc5 doesn't quite cut it - 16.Qxf6 O-O 17.Nf4 Rae8 18.Nh5 gxh5 19.Qg5+ Kh8 20.Qf6+ Kg8 21.Qg5+ and White saves himself with a draw by repetition.
16.Qxh8 Qxc5
I'm pretty sure that pawn on f2 is praying and sweating! :)
17.Rf1
If White played 17.Kh1 instead, then we have the smothered mate! 17...Nxf2+ 18.Kg1 Nh3+ 19.Kh1 Qg1+ 20.Rxg1 Nf2 checkmate!
17...O-O-O
Even though Black is an exchange down, he is MORE than compensated for by his active pieces. PLUS, the fact that White cannot bring his Queen to the defense makes Black's initiative even more threatening.
18.Qxh7
Trying to bring the Queen while grabbing a pawn. Otherwise, Black would play ...h7-h5 followed with ...Bh6 trapping the Queen. White is already on the ropes. How do you intensify the pressure?
Stop Right There And Think About It
18...Nd3!
Now that f-pawn is really feeling the heat! Kasparov is relentless in bringing more and more pieces to attack White's weakest point.
19.Nd1
Again, White is forced to defend the f2-pawn and he has. HOWEVER, you can tell, just with a glance at the position that he's about to break. Pile up more pressure and make sure this time, you crush him!
Stop Right There And Think About It
19...Qe5!
Fantastic! If you have guessed this move and the ideas behind, then you are well on your way to being a classy and attacking player. Black, with his last move, doesn't just attack the Rook on h1 (which forces White to defend yet again). He also vacates the c5-square for the Bishop, which in turn vacates the h8-square for the Rook.
Not bad for a single move heh!
Watching Kasparov perfectly coordinate his pieces for the attack is a pleasure. It's games like this, games that are tactical and rich with ideas, that you should play through. I cannot see how you can't improve in chess if you study annotated chess master games like on the regular.
20.Rb1 Bc5
As intended with his earier move.
21.h3
You are almost there. Black is about to apply the finishing touches. Should you play ...Rd8-h8 right away? Or is there a better move to be found?
Stop Right There And Think About It
21...Ngxf2
While 21...Rh8 should be good enough, 22.Qxh8+ Qxh8 23.hxg4 Gives White two rooks for the queen. The text move doesn't just grab a pawn, it also pins one of White's pieces.
22.Nxf2
Make Dolmatov RESIGN!
22...Rh8 0-1
White throws in the towel - Black wins the Queen and the raging attack continues. Play could go like this: 23.Qxh8+ Qxh8 24.Rbd1 Nxf2 25.Rxf2 Qf6! 26.Nf4 Bxf2+ 27.Kxf2 g5.
Continue to study instructive games like this and you will surely get better at chess. Remember, instead of just reading through the game and its notes, be active and participate. Try to guess the winning side's move and when you miss the correct answer, have an objective look at the situation and ask yourself: "Why did I miss it?"
A chess improvement course that is oozing with games like for you to study is the Grandmaster's Secrets created by GM Igor Smirnov. In this chess video course by Smirnov, he shows you...
- How to think properly
- How to train like the PROs do
- How to be in good shape for tournaments and how to prepare
And best of all, it comes with a lot of training materials - annotated chess games, weekly tasks, and he even tells you how to go about the training materials to get maximum benefit!
If you seriously want to improve in chess, it's one of those courses that you should check out. GM Igor Smirnov, who happens to be a psychologist and chess coach as well, sure knows his thing. He shows his class in the Grandmaster's Secrets.
Improve in chess NOW and check out the GM Smirnov's Grandmaster's Secrets RIGHT HERE
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