Solitaire Chess / Instruction
A Typical Sicilian Sacrifice
Against the Sicilian Dragon, Fischer famously gave his winning method: “Pry open the KR-file, sac, sac ... mate!” Such dramatic measures may not
be appropriate in the Najdorf, but sac opportunities do sometimes arise. By BRUCE PANDOLFINI
IN THE SICILIAN DEFENSE (1. e4 c5), Black hopes that a central pawn majority can eventually offset White’s edge in space and initiative. Helping to fuel that attack for White are a number of possible sacri- fices, including some sacrifices that give up minor pieces. White for example, if conditions are right, may have a minor piece sacrifice at e6, f5, d5, or b5. The following game played by Dragoljub Velimirovic versus R. K. Al Kazzaz at the Nice Olympiad of 1974 illustrates one such theme. That game began:
Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation (B99) Dragoljub Velimirovic R. K. Al Kazzaz
Nice ol (Men’s) prel (3), 06.06.1974
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Be7 8. Qf3 Qc7
This was prepared by White’s previous
move. Black knew it was coming and has already removed his queen from the queen- file.
9. … Nbd7 Black develops while strengthening his
grip on e5, where White may push his e- pawn.**
10. Bd3 Par Score 5 This further builds White’s game and
readies bringing the king-rook to the e- file. Accept full credit for the other main alternative 10. g2-g4.
10. … b5 With this move, Black makes room for
the queen-bishop at b7, and, in some instances, follows with ... b5-b4, dislodging the c3-knight.**
11. Rhe1 Par Score 5 This development was prepared by the
prior move and in turn supports an even- tual e4-e5. Deduct 1 point for the im m e diate 11. e5. It’s answered by 11. ... Bb7 12. Qg3 dxe5, winning a pawn.
11. … Bb7 Once again, this was set up by his last Now make sure you have the above posi-
tion set up on your chessboard. As you play through the remaining moves in this game, use a piece of paper to cover the article, exposing White’s next move only after trying to guess it. If you guess cor- rectly, give yourself the par score. Sometimes points are also rewarded for second-best moves, and there may be bonus points—or deductions—for other moves and variations. Note that **means that the note to Black’s move is over and White’s move is on the next line.**
9. 0-0-0 44 June 2014 | Chess Life Par Score 5
move. At the moment, 11. ... b4 seems premature. Add 1 bonus point if you had in your arsenal 12. Nd5!, a dangerous knight sacrifice.**
12. Qg3 Par Score 5 Here also 12. Nd5 suggests itself (accept
only 3 points part credit), though it is not yet necessary to play so riskily. The text unpins the king-pawn, readying its advance to e5.
12. … 0-0-0 Kazzaz sensibly extricates his king from
the center, which is what Fischer played against Spassky (Game 15, Reykjavik 1972). An alternative would be 12. ... b4 13. Nd5, with chances for both sides.**
13. Bxb5 Par Score 7 Velimirovic’s bombshell, detonated in
the present game. Spassky played 13. Bxf6, which is also good, and worth 4 points part credit.
13. … 14. Ndxb5 axb5
Otherwise, Black is down a pawn for nothing.**
Par Score 4 White gathers up a second pawn, opens
the d-file for his rook, and attacks the queen. Plus, there’s more.
14. 15. … e5 Qb6
Black saves the queen, while guarding his queen-pawn.**
Par Score 6 White plays on the semi-pin of the f6-
knight to bring his own knight to d6. Thus, if 15. ... dxe5, then 16. fxe5 Nd5 17. Bxe7 Nxe7 18. Nd6+ Kb8 19. Nxf7. Add 2 bonus points if you saw up to here when playing 15. e5. After the further moves 19. ... Rhf8 20. Nxd8 Rxd8 21. Qxg7, White has a rook and four pawns for two minor pieces, and Black’s game is disorganized.
15. … d5 Black does what he can to keep the
position closed, even if it means returning the piece. Add 1 bonus point if you exam- ined 15. ... h6 16. exf6 hxg5 17. fxe7, and again the white knight penetrates to d6.**
16. f5 Par Score 7 Genius at work! Velimirovic keeps striv-
ing to open up the center, figuring that the hanging piece won’t run away. The main idea is the threat 17. exf6 gxf6 18. fxe6 fxe6 19. Rxe6! Qxe6 and White has a choice of either 20. Qc7 mate or 20. Na7 mate.
16. … Nh5
This offers a different way to trade dark- square bishops. On 16. ... Ng8, there
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