Anderson I. - Chess Visualization Course Book 1 Part 1
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Willy MartinezAnderson I. - Chess Visualization Course Book 1 Part 1
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Willy MartinezGENERAL TACTICS
BOOK 1 Part 1/2
Ian Anderson
Foreword by FIDE Master Paul Whitehead
CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
BOOK 1: GENERAL TACTICS
© Copyright 2007-2011 by Gelvert Publishing LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any
information storage or retrieval system, except for brief passages used in a review.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2007927520.
ISBN 978-0-9795940-2-1
ISBN 0-9795940-2-2
Published by:
Gelvert Publishing LLC
PO Box 116
Statesboro, GA 30459
Cover design by Georgia Pearson.
Edited by Ginny Kanter ([email protected]).
Chess fonts designed by Eric Bentzen ([email protected]);
see the Chess Alpha fonts at www.enpassant.dk. Used with permission.
Most of the analysis in this book was checked using Crafty, a
chess analysis program written by Dr. Robert Hyatt, available either
in ChessBase 7.0 (www.chessbase.com or www.chessbaseusa.com)
or as a freeware package downloadable at ftp.cis.uab.edu/pub/hyatt.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PLY TABLE ............................................................................................................................ 4
FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................... 7
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 9
SECTION 1. SERIES OF EXCHANGES ON A SINGLE SQUARE ........................................... 13
Chapter 1. Even Exchanges ............................................................................................ 15
Chapter 2. Exchanges Involving an Extra Attacker ...................................................... 21
Chapter 3. Exchanges Involving Pieces of Different Value .......................................... 27
Chapter 4. Exchanges After Penetration......................................................................... 35
Chapter 5. Exchanges Involving a Passed Pawn ............................................................ 41
SECTION 2. BEFORE AND AFTER....................................................................................... 51
Chapter 6. Preparatory Build-Up .................................................................................... 53
Chapter 7. After Effects.................................................................................................. 63
Chapter 8. Exchanging to a Won Ending ....................................................................... 73
Chapter 9. Before and After ........................................................................................... 83
SECTION 3. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD ...................................................................... 91
Chapter 10. Two Sectors of the Board (White To Play) ............................................... 93
Chapter 11. Two Sectors of the Board (Black To Play) .............................................. 103
Chapter 12. Multiple Imbalances ................................................................................. 113
Chapter 13. Expanding the Position ............................................................................. 123
SECTION 4. QUEENS UNDER ATTACK............................................................................. 133
Chapter 14. First Player To Attack the Queen.............................................................. 135
Chapter 15. Second Player To Attack the Queen ......................................................... 145
Chapter 16. Desperado Queens .................................................................................... 153
Chapter 17. Double Desperados ................................................................................... 161
Chapter 18. Pins to the Queen ...................................................................................... 167
SECTION 5. RABID PIECES AND PAWNS .......................................................................... 175
Chapter 19. Rabid Knights ........................................................................................... 177
Chapter 20. Rabid Bishops ........................................................................................... 187
Chapter 21. Rabid Pawns ............................................................................................. 197
Chapter 22. Rabid Passed Pawns.................................................................................. 205
SECTION 6. THREE SECTORS OF THE BOARD ................................................................ 215
Chapter 23. Three Sectors of the Board (White To Play) ............................................ 217
Chapter 24. Three Sectors of the Board (Black To Play) ............................................. 227
Chapter 25. Seeing Farther ........................................................................................... 235
Chapter 26. Longer Variations ..................................................................................... 245
ANSWER KEY .................................................................................................................... 257
APPENDIX 1. INDEX OF ECO CODES .............................................................................. 323
ORDER FORM .................................................................................................................... 325
PLY TABLE
The following table is to be used in conjunction with the ply depth barriers discussed on
page 11. The first column shows the chapter titles; the last column shows the total number
of exercises contained within each chapter. The top row indicates the lengths of the varia-
tions of the exercises, ranging from four to twelve half-moves (ply). A half-move is one
move made by either White or Black; a variation that is eight half-moves long (or “eight
ply”) contains four moves by White and four moves by Black. The table also shows how
many exercises at each length are contained within each chapter. Of the twenty exercises in
Chapter 1, for example, two exercises are four half-moves long, eight are six half-moves
long, another eight are eight half-moves long, and the last two are ten half-moves long.
LENGTH (HALF-MOVES): 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12+ TOTAL
SECTION 1. SERIES OF EXCHANGES ON A SINGLE SQUARE
1. EVEN EXCHANGES 2 - 8 - 8 - 2 - - 20
2. AN EXTRA ATTACKER - 4 - 12 - 4 - - - 20
3. PIECES OF DIFFERENT VALUE 2 12 12 2 - - - - - 28
4. AFTER PENETRATION - 8 4 4 4 - - - - 20
5. INVOLVING A PASSED PAWN 12 12 7 1 - - - - - 32
SECTION 2. SERIES OF EXCHANGES – BEFORE AND AFTER
6. PREPARATORY BUILD-UP - - - 8 4 8 2 4 10 36
7. AFTER EFFECTS - 2 - 6 4 16 2 2 4 36
8. EXCHANGING TO A WON ENDING - - - 4 - 4 - 4 24 36
9. BEFORE AND AFTER - - - - - 10 - 10 4 24
SECTION 3. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD
10. TWO SECTORS (WHITE) - 4 4 12 4 6 2 4 - 36
11. TWO SECTORS (BLACK) - 8 - 8 8 6 2 4 - 36
12. MULTIPLE IMBALANCES - 8 2 8 8 8 2 - - 36
13. EXPANDING THE POSITION - - - 8 - 14 2 8 - 32
SECTION 4. QUEENS UNDER ATTACK
14. FIRST PLAYER TO ATTACK - 4 2 12 2 6 1 5 - 32
15. SECOND PLAYER TO ATTACK - 2 2 10 2 6 2 4 - 28
16. DESPERADO QUEENS - 4 6 8 4 4 - 2 - 28
17. DOUBLE DESPERADOS - 4 2 6 2 4 - 2 - 20
18. PINS TO THE QUEEN - 8 - 6 2 8 2 2 - 28
SECTION 5. RABID PIECES AND PAWNS
19. RABID KNIGHTS - - 2 4 10 6 8 6 - 36
20. RABID BISHOPS - 2 4 10 4 6 2 4 - 32
21. RABID PAWNS - - 4 8 6 6 2 2 - 28
22. RABID PASSED PAWNS - 2 6 6 4 12 4 2 - 36
SECTION 6. THREE SECTORS OF THE BOARD
23. THREE SECTORS (WHITE) - 4 - 8 6 10 3 5 - 36
24. THREE SECTORS (BLACK) - 4 - 11 1 6 3 3 - 28
25. SEEING FARTHER - - - 3 - 6 1 10 12 32
26. LONGER VARIATIONS - - - - - - - - 44 44
TOTALS FOR EACH PLY: 16 92 65 165 83 156 42 83 98 800
DEDICATION
To all of the chess players in the world
who want to improve their visualization skills.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book would never have seen the Light of Day without
the constant support and invaluable assistance of Nevid Ruchkov.
I’d like to thank those who have been involved in this project since the early days – Steve
Graziano, Peter Hopkins, Ed Lilly, Rob Masri, Dennis Okola, Dave Parrish, Richard Ro-
nan, Kaitie Simms, Jason Varsoke, and Derek Womble. You guys are the greatest!
Thanks also to everyone at the local clubs for your encouragement and/or feedback during
this project – Alan, Albert, Eugene, Luther, Mark, Micah, Promotto, Randy, Sam, Tex,
Tim, Woody, and anyone else who I might have missed – Thanks!!!
Thanks also to Georgia Pearson for her inspired cover design; Ginny Kanter for editing the
main body of the book; Denis Goewert for compilation and layout; Randy Lewis for his
assistance with equipment; Rob Masri for his experienced counsel; Ed Pearson for his in-
sights and guidance; Earlene Coles for her graphics support; and Eric Bentzen for permis-
sion to use his chess fonts.
FOREWORD
When I made the leap to master I studied the classic chess books: My 60 Memorable
Games by Bobby Fischer, The Art of the Middlegame by Paul Keres and Alexander Kotov,
Tal-Botvinnik 1960 by Mikhail Tal, Think Like a Grandmaster by Kotov … and many oth-
ers. Only Think Like a Grandmaster gave some ideas of how to study chess and improve,
however.
Of course I played over all the games of the world champions, game collections of the
great players and studied the latest master games in the Chess Informant.
I played in many tournaments, which also raised the level of my game.
All of this study and play was invaluable, but I believe the most important course of train-
ing I undertook was self-motivated (no one had advised me) and difficult: I tried to simu-
late tournament conditions with studies and problems from books and magazines.
I set a clock to time myself, filled notebooks with variations, tried to visualize the final po-
sitions – Who was ahead materially? Could I work out the win? Find the checkmate?
The questions I had asked myself – How can one learn to calculate? How can one see three
(or more) moves ahead? – were answered by studying this way, and I became a stronger
player.
Ian Anderson has made an important contribution to chess literature with his Chess Visua-
lization Course, as the exercises in his book will train the “muscles” of calculation and vi-
sualization, vital (necessary!) prerequisites in making the leap to chess mastery.
Paul Whitehead
FIDE Master and USCF Life Master
INTRODUCTION
This book provides a practical and systematic approach to improving one’s chess visualiza-
tion skills. It contains 800 practical training exercises taken from real games, many played
by international masters and grandmasters in tournaments located throughout the world.
The positions in this book will stretch your vision from one to two to three sectors of the
board using variations that run from four to thirty-nine half-moves deep!
The exercises are arranged in twenty-six chapters, each of which illustrates a particular
theme. Each chapter contains on average more than thirty exercises, which provides exten-
sive coverage of each theme presented.
The exercises within each chapter are arranged by the length of the variation that you are
asked to visualize. Most of the exercises contain a series of captures or other moves that
radically alter the initial position. It’s your task to keep track of which pieces are on the
board, the positions they occupy, and the effect that they have in the position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECTIONS AND CHAPTERS
The following describes the thematic development of the sections and chapters in the book.
SECTION 1 contains five chapters featuring a series of exchanges that takes place on a sin-
gle square called the “hot spot.” This section introduces the basic skills of counting attack-
ers and defenders on a given square, keeping track of the material balance during a series
of exchanges, and visualizing the resulting position. Chapter 1 features exchanges involv-
ing the same number and types of pieces. Chapter 2 features exchanges where one side has
an extra attacker. Chapter 3 features exchanges involving pieces of different value, such as
a Rook for two minor pieces or a Queen for two Rooks. Chapter 4 features exercises in
which the penetration of a piece deep into enemy territory sets off a series of exchanges.
Chapter 5 features a series of exchanges that involves a passed pawn.
SECTION 2 continues the theme of a series of exchanges, but in these four chapters we look
at what can happen either before or after the exchanges. Chapter 6 contains exercises that
feature a preparatory build-up of the position prior to a series of exchanges. Chapter 7 fea-
tures exercises in which series of exchanges sets up a tactical device, such as a Knight fork
or Rook skewer. Chapter 8 features exercises in which a series of exchanges leads to a
won ending. Chapter 9 combines all of these themes and features exercises in which a pre-
paratory build-up is followed by a series of exchanges that either sets up to a tactical op-
portunity or leads to a won ending.
SECTION 3 contains exercises in which the play typically covers two sectors of the board.
Chapter 10 contains exercises in which it is White to play; in Chapter 11 it is Black to play.
Chapter 12 features exercises in which an uneven set of exchanges occurs in a position
where the original material balance is already uneven. Chapter 13 contains exercises in
which a player’s position expands as his pieces systematically move up the board in an or-
chestrated manner.
10 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
SECTION 4 features exercises in which each player’s Queen is attacked by a piece of lesser
value. In Chapter 14 the first player to attack the Queen gains an advantage; in Chapter 15,
the second player gains an advantage. Chapter 16 features Queen desperados in which an
attacked Queen voluntarily captures a protected enemy piece of lesser value. Chapter 17
features double desperados in which both Queens are under attack and capture an enemy
piece of lesser value. Chapter 18 features exercises in which a Queen is captured by a
piece of lesser value due to the breaking of a pin to the Queen.
SECTION 5 features exercises involving a rabid piece or pawn, that is, a piece or pawn that
captures or threatens to capture an enemy piece or pawn on three or more moves in succes-
sion. Chapter 19 features rabid Knights, Chapter 20 features rabid Bishops, and Chapter
21 features rabid pawns. Chapter 22 features rabid pawns that capture an enemy piece on
the back rank, while simultaneously promoting. Most of the exercises in this section fea-
ture two-way action in which each player is playing in his opponent’s half of the board.
SECTION 6 contains exercises in which the play covers three sectors or more of the board.
In Chapter 23, it is White to play; in Chapter 24, it is Black to play. Chapter 25 contains
exercises in which a player sees farther than his opponent by visualizing a strong move or
idea that occurs after a series of more mundane moves. Chapter 26 features exercises with
longer variations that run from twelve to nineteen half-moves and cover three or more sec-
tors of the board.
Thus there is a logical development of the six sections in that they progress from a series of
exchanges on a single square, to play that covers two sectors of the board (including posi-
tions in which each player is playing on his opponent’s half of the board), to play that cov-
ers three or more sectors of the board.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
Each exercise consists of a diagrammed position followed by a series of moves that you are
asked to visualize. Using the diagrammed position as a starting point, mentally play
through the moves given, keeping track of which pieces are on the board, the positions they
occupy, and the material balance. Visualize the final position, then answer the questions
provided. It is White to move in all exercises except those in Chapters 11 and 24.
To determine the depth and clarity of your vision for the various types of positions given,
write your answers down, either to the right of the initial diagram or on a separate sheet of
paper. Also indicate how clearly you can visualize the final position by using a simple
numeric code. Write down a “1” if you can clearly visualize all of the details of the final
position, a “2” if you can visualize most of the details of the final position, and a “3” if you
can’t visualize the changes in the final position at all.
Many of the exercises ask you to determine the material balance at the end of the moves
given. The material balance is the difference between the White and Black pieces remain-
ing on the board. For example, if White ends up with a Rook and two pawns to Black’s
Bishop and three pawns, then the material balance is a Rook for Bishop and pawn. This
can be abbreviated as “R/BP”.
INTRODUCTION || 11
Thus your answer will typically consist of two parts: a numeric code indicating how clearly
you can visualize the final position and an indication of the material balance in the final
position.
Since the chapters and sections are interrelated and follow a logical development, it’s prob-
ably best to begin with Section 1 and work through the chapters of the book in the se-
quence presented. Yet the curious can also jump ahead and look at any of the exercises or
chapters in any order that’s appealing. If you want to learn more about desperado Queens
or double desperados, then turn to Chapter 16 or 17. To learn more about rabid pieces and
pawns and two-way action, see Section 5.
PLY DEPTH BARRIERS
Once you have gone through a number of exercises in this book, you will probably notice
that there is some depth at which you are unable to clearly visualize certain variations all
the way through to the final position. Perhaps you can clearly visualize variations that are
five or six ply deep, but have difficulty clearly visualizing variations that are seven half-
moves deep. We call this ceiling the ply depth barrier. It is the depth at which your vision
breaks down and you can no longer clearly visualize the final position.
There are three ways to deal with a depth barrier – brute force, consolidation, and stret-
ching.
The brute force method consists in attempting to visualize variations that are the
same length as your depth barrier. If your depth barrier is seven half-moves, then
go through all of the seven-ply exercises in the book and attempt to visualize the
final position clearly.
Consolidation consists in attempting to visualize variations that are slightly
shorter than your depth barrier. The principle here is that if you cannot fully vi-
sualize the seven-ply exercises, for example, then it’s possible that the five- and
six-ply exercises are not quite crystal clear either. Therefore, if your barrier is at
seven half-moves, make sure that you can visualize all of the five- and six-ply
exercises clearly and confidently.
Stretching consists in attempting to visualize variations that are slightly longer
than your depth barrier. If your depth barrier is seven ply, try to visualize the
eight- and nine-ply exercises. After working on these exercises for a while, you
may find that the seven-ply exercises seem easier by comparison.
To find the exercises you need, see the ply table provided after the table of contents. It
shows how many exercises at each ply are in the book and the chapters where they can be
found.
A more traditional manner can also be used to solve the exercises. Simply cover up the
moves with a piece of paper or file card and try to find the best moves. If you use this me-
thod, note that it is White to move in all exercises except those in Chapters 11 and 24.
12 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
It was my desire to create a book that would provide the average club player with an op-
portunity to work on his chess visualization skills using graduated exercises involving in-
teresting themes that have not received in-depth coverage in the chess literature. If this
Chess Visualization Course helps even a single reader visualize variations quicker, deeper,
more clearly or more easily, then this effort will have been worthwhile.
Charlottesville, VA
April 23, 2007
SECTION 1. SERIES OF EXCHANGES
ON A SINGLE SQUARE
This section contains exercises in which a series of exchanges takes place on a single
square (the so-called “hot spot”). It includes the following chapters:
CHAPTER 1. EVEN EXCHANGES
CHAPTER 2. EXCHANGES INVOLVING AN EXTRA ATTACKER
CHAPTER 3. EXCHANGES INVOLVING PIECES OF DIFFERENT VALUE
CHAPTER 4. EXCHANGES AFTER PENETRATION
CHAPTER 5. EXCHANGES INVOLVING A PASSED PAWN
CHAPTER 1, EVEN EXCHANGES, contains exercises in which the number of attackers and
defenders on the hot spot is equal. In addition, the value of the pieces involved in the ex-
changes is the same. Thus both the quantity and quality of the pieces is the same.
CHAPTER 2, EXCHANGES INVOLVING AN EXTRA ATTACKER, contains exercises in
which the number of attackers is greater than the number of defenders, resulting in a win of
material for the stronger side. As in the previous chapter, the value of the pieces involved
in the exchanges is identical, but the number of pieces is different, ensuring that the strong-
er sides win material.
CHAPTER 3, EXCHANGES INVOLVING PIECES OF DIFFERENT VALUE, contains exercises
in which the value of the pieces involved in the exchanges is different.
CHAPTER 4, EXCHANGES AFTER PENETRATION, contains exercises in which the series of
exchanges follows not a capture, as in the previous three chapters, but the penetration of a
piece deep into enemy territory. Such penetration typically creates a dangerous threat that
forces the defender to initiate the exchanges.
CHAPTER 5, EXCHANGES INVOLVING A PASSED PAWN, contains exercises in which a se-
ries of exchanges involves the promotion of a passed pawn.
CHAPTER 1. EVEN EXCHANGES
This chapter features the easiest type of exchanges to visualize -- those that occur on a sin-
gle square (we call it the “hot spot”) and involve an even number of pieces of the same
value. The main characteristic of such positions is that the material balance remains the
same after the exchanges take place.
Such exchanges may be desirable for several reasons, such as to enter a drawn ending, to
keep the opponent from gaining an advantage (see exercises 17, 18, and 19), or to create a
favorable ending. The side that initiates the exchanges typically has a material or positional
advantage (or both) that becomes more pronounced as additional pieces come off the
board.
Typical endgame advantages include the following:
Having an extra pawn – see exercises 2, 3, and 7;
Having a passed pawn – see exercises 3, 6, and 9;
Having a queenside pawn majority – see exercises 1 and 13;
Having the better pawn structure – see exercises 4 and 7;
Being able to exploit weak enemy pawns – see exercises 18 and 20;
Having a more active King – see exercises 9 and 18; and
Having the better minor piece – see exercise 12.
The defender is usually forced to go along with the exchanges in order to prevent the loss
of material. A general guideline in such circumstances is to re-capture with the cheapest
piece available, yet special circumstances are sometimes present in the position that pre-
vent this – see exercises 3 and 10.
This chapter contains twenty exercises ranging in depth from four to ten half-moves, as
seen in the following table:
Ply: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ TOTAL
Exercises: 2 - 8 - 8 - 2 - - - 20
16 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
4 ply 4 ply
E15 C06
1. The count1 on d8 is 2-2. White has a mobile 2. White is up a pawn. The count on f7 is 2-2.
queenside pawn majority. Visualize the position Visualize the position after the moves 34 Qxf7+
after the moves 26 Rxd8+ Rxd8 27 Rxd8+ Qxf7 35 Rxf7 Kxf7. What is the material bal-
Qxd8. What is the material balance? ance?
1
The count is the number of pieces attacking and de-
fending a given square. Here the count is 2-2 because
White has two pieces attacking d8 and Black has two
pieces defending d8.
6 ply 6 ply
A13 B41
3. White is up two pawns and has an outside 4. White has the better pawn structure. The
passed pawn. The count on c8 is 3-3. Visualize count on d8 is 3-3. Visualize the position after
the position after the moves 28 Rxc8 Rxc81 29 the moves 23 Rxd8+1 Rxd8 24 Rxd8+ Qxd8 25
Rxc8+ Qxc8 30 Qxc8+ Nxc8. What is the ma- Qxd8+ Kxd8. What is the material balance?
terial balance?
1
23 Qxd8+ is also possible, since after 23…Rxd8 24
1 Rxd8+ Black must play 24…Qxd8, as White is up a
28…Nxc8 drops the Bishop on a8.
Rook after 24…Kb7 25 Rad7.
CHAPTER 1. EVEN EXCHANGES || 17
6 ply 6 ply
E95 B45
5. White is up a pawn. The count on e8 is 3-3. 6. White is up a pawn and has an outside passed
Visualize the position after the moves 26 Rxe8 pawn. The count on c7 is 3-3. Visualize the po-
Rxe8 27 Qxe8+ Qxe8 28 Rxe8+ Bxe8. What is sition after the moves 32 Bxc71 Rdxc7 33
the material balance? Rxc7+ Rxc7 34 Rxc7+ Kxc7. What is the ma-
terial balance?
1
32 Rxc7 is also possible.
6 ply 6 ply
A49 B52
7. White has an extra pawn and the better pawn 8. White is up a piece for a pawn, but his Rc7 is
structure. The count on d7 is 3-3. Visualize the under attack. The count on e7 is 3-3. Visualize
position after the moves 38 Rxd7+1 Rdxd7 39 the position after the moves 41 Rxe71 Rexe7 42
Rxd7+ Rxd7 40 Bxd7 Kxd7. What is the ma- Rxe7 Rxe7 43 Nxe7 Qxe7. What is the material
terial balance? balance?
1 1
White can also improve play his position with either White could try to improve his position with 41
38 Kg3 or 38 f5 first, since Black’s pieces are all tied Rd7, intending 42 Ba3, when Black’s only recourse
up. is to try to repeat the position with 41...Nf8 42 Rdc7
Ne6, which forces White to take on e7 before playing
Ba3.
18 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
6 ply 6 ply
C28 B30
9. The count on c6 is 3-3. White’s passed d- 10. The count on f6 is 3-3. Visualize the posi-
pawn and active King guarantee him the better tion after the moves 25 Bxf6 Rxf61 26 Rxf6
ending. Visualize the position after the moves Rxf6 27 Rxf6 gxf6. What is the material bal-
42 Rxc6 Rcxc6 43 Rxc6 Rxc6 44 dxc6+ Kxc6. ance?
What is the material balance?
1
25…gxf6 allows 26 Qh6.
8 ply 8 ply
B07 D93
11. White is up two pawns. The count on d7 is 12. The count on g5 is 4-4. Visualize the posi-
4-4. Visualize the position after the moves 25 tion after the moves 37 fxg5+ hxg5 38 hxg5+1
Nxd71 Nxd7 26 Rxd7 Rdxd7 27 Rxd7 Rxd7 28 Rxg5 39 Rxg5 Rxg5 40 Rxg5 Kxg5. What is
Bxd7 Qxd7. What is the material balance? the material balance?
1 1
Simplest is best. White could win the exchange with 38 Rxg5 is also possible.
25 Be6, but Black would get some counterplay with
25…Nxc5 26 Bxf7+ Kf8 27 Rc7 Na6 28 Rb7 Nc5.
CHAPTER 1. EVEN EXCHANGES || 19
8 ply 8 ply
B32 B01
13. The count on f6 is 4-4. Visualize the posi- 14. The count on e6 is 4-4. Visualize the posi-
tion after the moves 26 Bxf6 Rxf6 27 Rxf6 tion after the moves 23 dxe6 Bxe6 24 Bxe6
Rxf6 28 Rxf6 Qxf6 29 Qxf6 gxf6. What is the Rxe6 25 Rxe6 Qxe6 26 Qxe6 fxe6. What is the
material balance? material balance?
8 ply 8 ply
E15 B07
15. The count on d5 is 4-4. Visualize the posi- 16. The count on b5 is 5-5. Visualize the posi-
tion after the moves 9 cxd5 cxd5 10 exd5 Nxd51 tion after the moves 24 axb5 axb5 25 cxb5
11 Nxd5 Qxd52 12 Qxd5 exd5. What is the ma- Nxb5 26 Nxb5 Bxb5 27 Bxb5 Rxb5. What is
terial balance? the material balance?
1 2
Black’s Knight is passive after 10…exd5. White
has the better Queen after 11…exd5.
20 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
8 ply 8 ply
C06 C98
17. The count on e5 is 4-4. Black is threatening 18. The count on f5 is 4-4. Black is threatening
to play …e4. Visualize the position after the to play …f4. Visualize the position after the
moves 17 dxe5 Nxe5 18 Nxe5 Bxe5 19 Rxe5 moves 25 gxf5 gxf5 26 Nxf5 Nxf5 27 exf5 Bxf5
Rxe5 20 Bxe5 Qxe5. What is the material bal- 28 Bxf5 Rxf5. What is the material balance?
ance?
10 ply 10 ply
B73 E15
19. The count on d5 is 5-5. Black is threatening to 20. The count on c5 is 5-5. Visualize the posi-
play…d4. Visualize the position after the moves 23 tion after the moves 33 dxc5+ Nexc5 34 Ndxc5
exd5 cxd5 24 Bxd5 Bxd5 25 Nxd5 Nxd5 26 cxd5 Nxc5 35 Nxc5 Rxc5 36 Rxc5 Rxc5 37 Rxc5
Rxd5 27 Rxd5 Qxd5. What is the material balance? Kxc5. What is the material balance?
CHAPTER 2. EXCHANGES
INVOLVING AN EXTRA ATTACKER
This chapter features exercises in which one side (White) has an extra attacker on the hot
spot. As in the previous chapter, the value of the attackers and defenders is the same; the
only difference here is that White has an extra attacker. With an extra attacker and pieces
of the same value, the stronger side will always win material. How much depends on the
situation:
If White has an extra piece attacking an enemy piece not defended by pawns,
then White will win a piece – see exercises 23, 24, 35, and 36;
If White has an extra piece attacking a piece that is defended by a pawn, then
White will win a pawn – see exercises 22, 28 and 29; and
If White has an extra piece attacking a pawn that is defended only by pieces,
then White will win a pawn – see exercises 21, 25, 26, 27, and 37.
Including an extra pair of pawns in the series of exchanges doesn’t change anything –
see exercises 31, 32, 33, 34, 39, and 40.
This chapter contains twenty exercises ranging in depth from five to nine half-moves, as
seen in the following table:
Ply: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ TOTAL
Exercises: - 4 - 12 - 4 - - - - 20
22 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
5 ply 5 ply
C00 C06
21. White’s Rook on d6 is under attack, but 22. White is up a pawn. The count on c6 is 3-2.
White has a favorable count on e6 (4-2). Visual- Visualize the position after the moves 27 Bxc61
ize the position after the moves 38 Rdxe61 Rxe6 Bxc62 28 Nxc6 bxc6 29 Rxc6. What is the ma-
39 Rxe62 Rxe6 40 Qxe6+. What is the material terial balance?
balance?
1
27 Nxc6 and 27 Nxd7 are also possible. 2 27…bxc6
1 28 Nxc6 gives White a strong Knight versus Black’s
This pins Black’s Re7 and threatens 39 Nf7 and 40
Nh6, mate. 2 39...Rf8 gives White a choice between bad Bishop if Black doesn’t transpose back to the
40 Qd4 and 40 Rc6 with 41 Qe6+. game with 28…Bxc6 29 Rxc6.
5 ply 5 ply
D85 D50
23. The count on b8 is 3-2. Visualize the posi- 24. White is down a piece for a pawn, but has a
tion after the moves 22 Rxb81 Raxb82 23 Rxb8 3-2 advantage on c8. Visualize the position after
Rxb8 24 Bxb8. What is the material balance? the moves 29 Rxc8 Bxc8 30 Qxc8 Qxc81 31
Rxc8+. What is the material balance?
1
Taking with the cheapest piece (22 Bxb8) doesn’t
threaten anything, so Black is not forced to exchange 1
After 30...Kg7 White can either take on d8 with the
pieces. 2 22...Qe8 23 Rxa8 Rxa8 24 Qb1 also leads to better Rook ending or play 31 Qb7, threatening both
exchanges, for example, 24...a4 25 Rb8 Rxb8 26 32 Qxb5 and 32 Rc7, and if 31…Rb6 then 32 Qe4,
Qxb8 Qxb8 27 Bxb8 a3 28 Be5. intending to gang up on the b-pawn with 33 Rc5 and
34 Qd3.
CHAPTER 2. EXCHANGES INVOLVING AN EXTRA ATTACKER || 23
7 ply 7 ply
C10 A43
25. The count on e5 is 4-3. Visualize the posi- 26. White’s Knight on c4 is under attack, but
tion after the moves 27 Rxe51 Rxe52 28 Bxe5+ White has an extra attacker on d6. Visualize the
Nxe5 29 Qxe5+ Qxe5 30 Rxe5. What is the ma- position after the moves 33 Ncxd6 Nxd61 34
terial balance? Nxd6 Bxd6 35 Qxd6 Qxd62 36 Bxd6. What is
the material balance?
1
White’s threat is 28 Re6+. White can also play 27
Bxe5 or even 27 f4 f6 before exchanging on e5. 1
33...Bxd6 34 Nxd6 transposes, while moving the
2
27...Nxe5 transposes. Nf5 allows 35 Qxf7. 2 35...Qc8 can be met by 36
Qc6.
7 ply 7 ply
A13 A85
27. The count on c5 is 4-3. Visualize the posi- 28. The count on c6 is 4-3. Visualize the posi-
tion after the moves 28 Nxc5 Nxc51 29 Rxc5 tion after the moves 30 Bxc6 Rxc61 31 Rxc6
Rxc52 30 Qxc5 Qxc5 31 Rxc5. What is the ma- bxc62 32 Qxc6 Qxc6 33 Rxc6. What is the ma-
terial balance? terial balance?
1 1
28...Nd6 loses a Rook to 29 Na6+ Ka7 30 Nc7, with 30...bxc6 allows 31 Qxa5. 2 Black can also play
either 31 Nxd5 or 31 Nxb5+. If Black prevents this 31...Qxc6, intending to meet 32 Qb3 Qd7 33 Rc5
with 28...Rb6, then 29 Nb3 attacks Black's d-pawn. with 33...d4, for example, 34 Rxa5 dxe3+ with either
2
29...Qb7 can be met by 30 Nc6+ Ka8 31 Qa4. 35 Qxe3 Rc8 or 35 Kxe3 Rd8.
24 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
7 ply 7 ply
D36 E69
29. The count on e6 is 4-3. Visualize the posi- 30. The count on b5 is 5-3. Visualize the posi-
tion after the moves 27 Nxe6 Rxe61 28 Rxe6 tion after the moves 28 cxb5 axb51 29 Nxb5
Qxe6 29 Qxe6 fxe6 30 Rxe6. What is the ma- Bxb5 30 Rxb5 Rxb52 31 Qxb5. What is the ma-
terial balance? terial balance?
1 1
27…fxe6 28 Rxe6 transposes. Black can win a piece for two pawns with 28...Qxc3
29 Qxc3 Rxc3 30 bxa6, but White has compensation,
for example, 30...Ra8 31 Rb8 Rxa6 32 R1b7 Nf8 33
Rxe8 Bxe8 34 Rxe7 with 35 Nxh4. 2 30...Ra8 loses
material to 31 Rb7 Qd8 32 Bb6.
7 ply 7 ply
B25 A22
31. The count on f5 is 4-3. Visualize the posi- 32. The count on d5 is 5-4. Visualize the posi-
tion after the moves 31 exf51 gxf5 32 Bxf5 tion after the moves 32 cxd5 cxd5 33 exd5
Nxf52 33 Rxf5 Rxf5 34 Rxf5. What is the ma- Nxd51 34 Bxd5 exd52 35 Rxd5. What is the ma-
terial balance? terial balance?
1 1
This move gives White connected passed pawns on If 33...exd5, then White can either transpose with 34
the queenside and a strategically won ending. Bxd5 or add more pressure with 34 g4. 2 White gains
2
Otherwise Be4 will force a pair of Rooks off the control of the d-file regardless of how Black recap-
board, e.g., 32...b4 33 axb4 axb4 34 Be4. tures.
CHAPTER 2. EXCHANGES INVOLVING AN EXTRA ATTACKER || 25
7 ply 7 ply
B09 D24
33. White is up a pawn. The count on f6 is 4-3. 34. The count on a5 is 4-3. Visualize the posi-
Visualize the position after the moves 24 exf6 tion after the moves 25 bxa5 bxa51 26 Rxa5
exf61 25 Nxf6+2 Nxf6 26 Rxf6 Rxf63 27 Qxf6. Rxa52 27 Rxa5 Rxa5 28 Nxa5. What is the ma-
What is the material balance? terial balance?
1 1
24...e6 allows 25 Qe5, with threats of 26 g4 or 26 Black can play 25…b5, as long as he answers 26
Ng5+ with 27 Nxe6. 2 The double attack on h5 and h7 Nb6 with 26…Rb8, since 26…Nxb6 loses to 27 axb6
forces Black to take on f6. 3 26…Qg7 allows White Rxa3 28 Rxa3 Rxa3 b7. 2 Other moves allow White
to double his Rooks on the f-file with 27 Raf1. to play e5, attacking Black’s pawn on c6.
7 ply 7 ply
D53 C86
35. The count on d7 is 4-3. Visualize the posi- 36. The count on e7 is 4-3. Visualize the posi-
tion after the moves 19 Bxd7 Bxd7 20 Rxd7 tion after the moves 24 Bxe7 Nxe7 25 Rxe7
Rxd71 21 Qxd7 Qxd72 22 Rxd7. What is the ma- Rxe71 26 Qxe7 Qxe72 27 Rxe7. What is the ma-
terial balance? terial balance?
1
20...Qc8 loses to 21 Rd8. 2 21...Qb8 and 21...Qa8 1
25...Ra8 lets White expand with either 26 Qe5+ or
avoid the exchange of Queens, but gives Black pas- 26 Bb3. 2 Avoiding the exchange of Queens dooms
sive pieces. Black to passivity, for example, 26...Qc8 27 Qf6+
Kg8 28 Bb3 with 29 Re7.
26 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
9 ply 9 ply
C77 E90
37. The count on f6 is 5-4. Visualize the posi- 38. The count on b5 is 5-4. Visualize the posi-
tion after the moves 26 Nxf6 Bxf6 27 Rxf61 tion after the moves 25 cxb5 axb5 26 Nxb51
Rxf6 28 Rxf6 Rxf6 29 Qxf6+2 Qxf6 30 Bxf6+. Nxb52 27 Bxb53 Bxb5 28 Rxb5 Rxb5 29 axb5.
What is the material balance? What is the material balance?
1 1
White wants to keep his Bishop on b2 in order to 26 axb5 wins a pawn. 2 26...Rxa4 gives Black at
threaten a discovered check on the long diagonal. least equality, for example 27 Nxc7 Qxc7 is fine for
2
The double attack on Black's King and Queen forces Black, as is 27 Nxd6 Rxb3 28 Qxb3 Ra1+ 29 Nd1
Black to trade Queens. Ba4. 3 Now White's a-pawn is always defended.
9 ply 9 ply
E96 B15
39. The count on d5 is 5-4. Visualize the posi- 40. The count on e5 is 5-4. Visualize the posi-
tion after the moves 41 exd5 Bxd51 42 Bxd5+ tion after the moves 22 dxe5 fxe51 23 Nxe52
cxd5 43 Rxd52 Rxd5 44 Qxd5+ Qxd5 45 Rxd5. Bxe5 24 Rxe5 Rxe53 25 Rxe5 Rxe54 26 Bxe5.
What is the material balance? What is the material balance?
1
41…cxd5 transposes. 2 The double attack on e5 and 1
The only way to take on e5. 2 The dual threat of 24
d8 (3-1 on d8) forces Black's reply. Nxd7 and Nxf7 forces Black’s next move. 3 24...Nc6
25 Rxe7 is not much better. 4 25...Rc8 can be met by
26 Qe6, for example, a) 26...Qd8 27 Nxa7; b) 26...a6
27 Nc3, intending Ne4-f6; and c) 26...Rc2 loses the
Nb8 to 27 Qe8+ Qxe8 28 Rxe8+.
CHAPTER 3. EXCHANGES INVOLVING
PIECES OF DIFFERENT VALUE
This chapter features exercises in which a series of exchanges takes place on a single
square, but here the value of the pieces involved in the exchanges of different. Typical sce-
narios include the following:
Black is defending with his Queen, but White’s Queen is not involved in the
attack – see exercises 41, 42, 59, 60, 61, 62, and 63;
White is attacking with his Queen, but Black’s Queen is not involved in the
defense – see exercises 52, 53, and 54;
White is leading with his Queen, but one of Black’s defenders is also a Queen
– see exercises 49, 50, 51, 55, 56, and 64; and
Black is defending a minor piece with other minor pieces, while White is at-
tacking with a Rook – see exercises 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 57.
One interesting sidelight occurs when the defender is unable to recapture with the cheapest
piece available, as in exercises 65, 66, and 67. In the chapter, we also see instances where
White prefers to capture with a Rook instead of a Bishop, keeping the Bishop on the board
– see exercises 60 and 67. See exercise 57 for an illustration of Black’s resources against
this idea.
This chapter contains twenty-eight exercises ranging in depth from four to seven half-
moves, as seen in the following table:
Ply: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ TOTAL
Exercises: 2 12 12 2 - - - - - - 28
28 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
4 ply 4 ply
B24 C60
41. The count on d8 is 2-2, but Black’s first de- 42. The count on e7 is 2-2, but Black is defend-
fender is his Queen. Visualize the position after ing with his Queen. Visualize the position after
the moves 27 Rxd8+ Qxd8 28 Rxd8+ Rxd8. the moves 21 Rxe7+ Qxe7 22 Rxe7+ Kxe7.
What is the material balance? What is the material balance?
5 ply 5 ply
B09 D06
43. White is up a pawn. The count on f6 is 3-2. 44. The count on d7 is 3-2. Black is defending
Black is defending with two minor pieces, while with two minor pieces, while White’s second
White’s second attacker is his Rook. Visualize attacker is his Rook. Visualize the position after
the position after the moves 17 Bxf61 Nxf6 18 the moves 22 Nxd7 Nfxd7 23 Rxd7 Nxd7 24
Rxf6 Bxf6 19 Qxf6. What is the material bal- Rxd7. What is the material balance?
ance?
1
17 Rxf6 is not as good, even though White is up a
pawn after 17...h6 18 Rf3 hxg5 19 Qxg5.
CHAPTER 3. EXCHANGES INVOLVING PIECES OF DIFFERENT VALUE || 29
5 ply 5 ply
C93 B22
45. The count on d7 is 3-2. White is leading 46. The count on c7 is 3-2. White is leading
with his Rooks, while Black is defending with a with his Rooks, while Black is defending with a
minor piece. Visualize the position after the minor piece. Visualize the position after the
moves 31 Rxd7 Nxd7 32 Rxd7 Rxd7 33 Qxd7. moves 29 Rxc7 Rxc7 30 Rxc7 Bxc7 31 Qxc7.
What is the material balance? What is the material balance?
5 ply 5 ply
B02 A13
47. White is down two pawns. The count on e7 48. The count on d7 is 3-2. Black is defending
is 3-2. Visualize the position after the moves 25 with a minor piece, while White is leading with
Rxe71 Qxe72 26 Qxe7 Nxe7 27 Rxe7. What is a Rook. Visualize the position after the moves
the material balance? 31 Rxd7 Bxd7 32 Qxd7 Qxd7 33 Rxd7. What is
the material balance?
1
25 Nxf7 wins a pawn and gives Black ways to go
wrong, e.g., 25...Kxf7 26 Rxe7+ Qxe7 27 Qxe7 wins
Black's Queen, as does 25...Nxe3 26 Ne5+. Black’s
best reply is simply 25…Re8 26 Ne5, when White is
up a pawn. 2 25...Nxe7 26 Qxe7 Qxe7 transposes,
although Black can also play 26...c4.
30 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
5 ply 5 ply
B66 B04
49. White is up two pawns, but two of his piec- 50. Black is up a pawn. The count on e8 is 3-2,
es are under attack. Visualize the position after but White is leading with his Queen. Can White
the moves 33 Qxf7+ Rxf71 34 Rxf7+ Qxf72 35 take on e8? Visualize the position after the
Rxf7+. What is the material balance? moves 28 Qxe8+ Rxe8 29 Rxe8+ Qxe8 30
Rxe8+. What is the material balance?
1
33...Kh8 allows White to protect all of his pieces
with 34 Qf6+ Kh7 35 e6 Re7 (35...Bxf1 allows 36
exd7, with the dual threat of 37 d8 and 37 Qxf1) 36
Rg1, when 36...Kxh6 loses a Rook to 37 Nf5+.
2
White is up two pawns after 34...Kxh6 Rxb7 Bxf1
and will win Black's a-pawn.
5 ply 5 ply
D01 A08
51. Both Queens are under attack. The count on 52. The count on g8 is 3-2, but White is leading
f8 is 3-2, but White is leading with his Queen. with his Queen. Can White take on g8? Visual-
Can White take on f8? Visualize the position ize the position after the moves 50 Qxg8 Rxg81
after the moves 18 Qxf8+1 Rxf8 19 Rxf8+2 Qxf8 51 Rxg8 Bxg8 52 Rxg8. What is the material
20 Bxf8. What is the material balance? balance?
1 1
Material is even after 18 Bxd8 Nxf7, for example, 50...Bxg8 51 Rxg8 transposes.
19 Bxa5 Rxa5 20 Rxf7 Rxa2. 2 Material is even after
19 Bxd8 Rxd8.
CHAPTER 3. EXCHANGES INVOLVING PIECES OF DIFFERENT VALUE || 31
5 ply 5 ply
A44 A32
53. White has an extra attacker on b8, but his 54. White is up a pawn. The count on e8 is 3-2,
second attacker is his Queen. Can White take on but White’s second attacker is his Queen. Vi-
b8? Visualize the position after the moves 22 sualize the position after the moves 26 Nxe8
Bxb8 Raxb8 23 Qxb8 Rxb8 24 Rxb8+. What is Rxe81 27 Qxe8+2 Nxe8 28 Rxe8+. What is the
the material balance? material balance?
1
26…Nxe8 leaves Black down the exchange and a
pawn. 2 27 Qc4 (or 27 Qf7) loses a piece to 27…
Rxe1.
6 ply 6 ply
A13 C46
55. The count on f8 is 3-3. White is leading 56. The count on e8 is 3-3. White is leading
with his Queen, but Black’s Queen is also in- with his Queen, but Black’s Queen is also in-
volved in the defense. Visualize the position af- volved in the defense. Visualize the position af-
ter the moves 43 Qxf8+ Rxf8 44 Rxf8+ Qxf8 45 ter the moves 19 Qxe8+ Bxe8 20 Rxe8+ Qxe8
Rxf8+ Kxf8. What is the material balance? 21 Bxe8 Rxe8. What is the material balance?
32 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
6 ply 6 ply
B06 B14
57. The count on f6 is 3-3. Black is defending 58. The count on f6 is 3-3, but White's Queen is
with minor pieces, while White’s second attack- under attack. Visualize the position after the
er is a Rook. Visualize the position after the moves 21 Bxf6+1 Rxf6 22 Qxf6+ Qxf62 23 Nxf6
moves 19 Bxf61 Nxf6 20 Rxf6 Qxf62 21 Rxf6 Kxf6. What is the material balance?
Bxf6. What is the material balance?
1
Other alternatives are 21 Qxf6+ or 21 Rxe6 Bxf3 22
1 Bxf6+ Qxf6 23 Rxf6 Bxg4 24 Rf4 Be6 25 Rxd4,
19 Rxf6 Bxf6 20 Ne4 is met by 20...Bxg5, when
Black up a piece after 21 Nxd6 Bxd2 22 Nxc8 Rxc8. when White is up the exchange and a pawn. 2 22…
2 Kg8 loses to 23 Nh6+ Kf8 24 Qxf7, mate or 24 Qh8,
White is up a piece after 20...Bxf6 21 Ne4 Qf8 22
Nxf6+ Kg7 23 Nxe8+ Qxe8. mate.
6 ply 6 ply
A12 D31
59. The count on f6 is 3-3, but two of Black’s 60. The count on f6 is 3-3, but two of Black’s
defenders are his Queen and King. Visualize the defenders are his Queen and King. Visualize the
position after the moves 29 Rxf6 Nxf6 30 position after the moves 28 Rxf61 Bxf6 29 Rxf6
Bxf6+1 Qxf62 31 Rxf6 Kxf6. What is the ma- Qxf62 30 Bxf6+ Kxf6. What is the material bal-
terial balance? ance?
1
30 Rxf6 is also good. 2 30…Kh7 can be met by 31 1
28 Bxf6 is also good, but 28 Qxg5 loses the Queen
Qg5, when White’s main threaten is 32 Qh4+ and 33 to 28…Kh8. 2 29…Qb6 30 Rxf7+ leads to mate: a)
Qxh8, mate. 30…Kh6 31 Qh3+ Kg6 31 Qh7, mate or b) 30…Kg6
31 Qe4+ Kh5 32 Rh7, mate.
CHAPTER 3. EXCHANGES INVOLVING PIECES OF DIFFERENT VALUE || 33
6 ply 6 ply
B03 C44
61. The count on e8 is 3-3, but two of Black’s 62. The count on e7 is 3-3, but two of Black’s
defenders are his Queen and King. Visualize the defenders are his Queen and King. Visualize the
position after the moves 18 Rxe8+ Rxe8 19 position after the moves 17 Rxe7+1 Nxe7 18
Rxe8+ Qxe8 20 Nxe8 Kxe81. What is the ma- Bxe7 Qxe72 19 Rxe7+ Kxe7. What is the ma-
terial balance? terial balance?
1 1
Black resigned here. 17 Bxe7 is also good. 2 18...Qg6 allows 19 Qa3,
threatening 20 Bf8+ and 21 Qe7+. Note that 20…
Kd7 is met by 21 Ne5+, winning Black’s Queen.
6 ply 6 ply
D01 D55
63. The count on f7 is 3-4, but one of Black’s 64. The count on f7 is 3-3, but Black is defend-
first defenders is his Queen. Visualize the posi- ing with his Rook, Queen and King, while
tion after the moves 27 Rxf71 Rxf7 28 Rxf7 White is attacking with his minor pieces. Vi-
Qxf7 29 Nxf7 Rxf7. What is the material bal- sualize the position after the moves 16 Nxf7
ance? Rxf71 17 Bxf7+ Qxf72 18 Qxf7+ Kxf7. What is
the material balance?
1
The threat of 28 Qg7 mate and 28 Rxe7 forces
Black to take on f7. 1
White is up a couple of pawns after 16...Rb8 17
Nd6+ Kh8 18 dxc5. 2 Otherwise White is up the ex-
change and a pawn.
34 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
6 ply 6 ply
D36 B02
65. The count on e7 is 3-3, but Black can’t re- 66. The count on e6 is 4-4, but Black can’t re-
capture with his cheapest piece. Visualize the capture with his cheapest piece. Visualize the
position after the moves 18 Nxe7 Rxe71 19 position after the moves 23 fxe6 Rxe61 24 Bxe6
Bxe7 Qxe7 20 Qxe7 Nxe7. What is the material Rxe6 25 Rxe6 fxe62. What is the material bal-
balance? ance?
1 1
18...Nxe7 loses a piece to 19 Bf6 Rg8 20 Bxe7. Taking with the pawn allows 24 Rh5, winning
Black's Queen. 2 25…Qxe6 just trades off Black’s
active Queen on h3.
7 ply 7 ply
B43 C44
67. White is down three pawns. The count on f6 68. White is up a pawn. The count on d6 is 4-3.
is 4-3. Visualize the position after the moves 26 Visualize the position after the moves 15 exd6
Nxf6 Bxf61 27 Rxf62 gxf6 28 Bxf63 Qxf64 29 Nxd61 16 Bxd6 Qxd6 17 Qxd6 Bxd6 18 Rxd6.
Rxf6. What is the material balance? What is the material balance?
1 1
26...gxf6 allows 27 Be3 and 28 Bh6, mate. Black prefers to get rid of White’s pawn while he
2
White's threat is 28 Rxf7+. Also playable is 27 Bxf6 can. After 15...Bf6 16 d7 Nc7 17 Qf5 Bg6 18 Qxc5,
gxf6 28 Rxf6. 3 White’s threat is 28 Qg7, mate. White is up three pawns and has pressure on c7. Note
4
Black can defend with 28...Re7, for example, 29 that the immediate 16 Qf5 Bg6 17 Qxc5 is less good
Bxe7 Qxe7 30 Qxd3, when material is even after ei- because of 17...Rc8.
ther 31 Qxa6 or 31 Qxh7.
CHAPTER 4. EXCHANGES AFTER PENETRATION
This chapter features exercises in which a series of exchanges follows the penetration of a
piece or pawn deep into the enemy position. Such penetration typically creates a threat that
forces the defender to remove the intruder from the board, which often sets off a series of
exchanges.
Typical ways that such penetration can be used to gain an advantage include the following:
Forcing exchanges to gain a better ending – see exercises 69, 70, and 71;
Penetrating to create threats that win material – see exercises 73, 74, and 75;
Taking advantage of Black’s Queen as a defender – see exercises 76, 77, 78,
79, 80, 82, and 85; and
Using a pawn to advantage – see exercises 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, and 88.
There are two noteworthy sub-themes seen in this chapter. First, White can often lead with
his Queen without incurring a disadvantage – see exercises 70, 71, 72, and 81, and second,
it’s important to understand the reason why Black is forced to capture White’s penetrating
piece, as explained in the footnotes to exercises 69, 70, 71, 74, 75, 85, and 88.
This chapter contains twenty exercises ranging in depth from five to eight half-moves, as
seen in the following table:
Ply: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ TOTAL
Exercises: - 8 4 4 4 - - - - - 20
36 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
5 ply 5 ply
C15 B73
69. White is up two pawns. The count will be 2- 70. White is up a piece, but two of his pieces are
2 after White occupies d8. Visualize the posi- under attack and he’s leading with his Queen.
tion after the moves 26 Rd8+1 Rxd8 27 Qxd8+ Can White play 35 Qf8? Visualize the position
Qxd8 28 Rxd8+. What is the material balance? after the moves 35 Qf8+1 Rxf8 36 Rxf8+ Qxf8
37 Bxf8. What is the material balance?
1
The attack on Black’s undefended pieces (both here
and on the next move) forces Black to recapture on 1
The threat of mate forces Black to take on f8, both
d8. here and on the next move.
5 ply 5 ply
D36 E92
71. White will have the better ending if he can 72. The count will be 2-2 after White occupies
exchange some pieces. The count will be 2-2 c8, but White is leading with his Queen. Can
after White occupies c8, but White is leading White play Qc8? Visualize the position after the
with his Queen. Can White play 36 Qc8? Vi- moves 22 Qc8 Rxc8 23 Rxc8 Qxc8 24 Nxc8.
sualize the position after the moves 36 Qc81 What is the material balance?
Rxc8 37 Rxc8+2 Qxc8 38 Nxc8. What is the
material balance?
1
The dual threat of 32 Qxa6 and 32 Qxe6 forces
Black’s reply. 2 This is the only way to avoid mate.
CHAPTER 4. EXCHANGES AFTER PENETRATION || 37
5 ply 5 ply
C69 B42
73. White is down a pawn. Visualize the posi- 74. Both Knights are under attack. Visualize the
tion after the moves 27 Nd8+ Rxd81 28 Rxd8 position after the moves 36 Nf8+ Rxf81 37 Qxf8
Rxd8 29 Rxd8. What is the material balance? Qxf8 38 Rxf8. What is the material balance?
1 1
27...Kc7 loses to 28 Rxc6+ Kb8 29 Rxb6+ Kc8 30 White is up a Rook after 36...Kh8 37 Nxe6 Qd7 38
Ne6, when White is up a piece and Black’s queenside Nxc7, when 18…Qxc7 loses more material to 39
pawns are weak. Rxe8+.
5 ply 5 ply
A52 A43
75. Black’s Rook on d7 is tied to the defense of 76. White is up a pawn. The count will be 2-2
g7. Visualize the position after the moves 36 after White occupies b8, but Black’s second de-
Be8 Rxe81 37 Qxe8 Qxe8 38 Rxe8. What is the fender is his Queen. Visualize the position after
material balance? the moves 30 Rb8 Rxb8 31 Rxb8 Qxb8 32
Bxb8. What is the material balance?
1
36…Rf7 loses to 37 Bxf7+ and 38 Qxg7, mate.
38 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
6 ply 6 ply
D15 B42
77. The count will be 2-3 after White occupies 78. The count will be 2-3 after White occupies
b8, but Black’s second defender is his Queen, d8, but Black’s second defender is his Queen,
which is trapped. Visualize the position after the which is trapped. Visualize the position after the
moves 24 Rb8 Rxb8 25 Rxb8 Qxb8 26 Bxb8 moves 20 Rd8 Rxd8 21 Rxd8+ Qxd8 22 Bxd8
Rxb8. What is the material balance? Rxd8. What is the material balance?
6 ply 6 ply
E17 A46
79. White is up the exchange and a pawn. The 80. The count will be 2-3 after White occupies
count will be 2-3 after White occupies e8, but e8, but Black’s second defender is his Queen.
Black’s second defender is his Queen. Visualize Visualize the position after the moves 38 Re8+1
the position after the moves 34 Re8+ Nxe8 35 Rxe8 39 Rxe8+ Qxe8 40 Nxe8 Kxe8. What is
Rxe8+ Qxe8 36 Nxe8 Rxe8. What is the materi- the material balance?
al balance?
1
White can also win the exchange with 38 Nxd7
Qxd7, but 38 Re8 wins material and gets Black’s
Queen off the board.
CHAPTER 4. EXCHANGES AFTER PENETRATION || 39
7 ply 7 ply
B33 E76
81. White is up a pawn, but White’s d-pawn is 82. The count will be 4-4 after White occupies
under attack. Visualize the position after the f6. Visualize the position after the moves 27
moves 22 d7 Bxd71 23 Bxd72 Raxd7 24 Qxd7 Nf61 Bxf6 28 gxf6+2 Nxf6 29 Qxf6+ Qxf6 30
Rxd7 25 Rxd7. What is the material balance? Rxf6. What is the material balance?
1 1
22...Bb7 23 Bxb7 Rxb7 loses to 24 Qd5+, while This threatens 28 Qh6, mate, but White can also
22...e4 allows 23 Qb3+ and 24 dxc8. 2 White is al- play 27 Rxe5 Qxe5 28 Qh6+ Kg8 29 Nf6, when
ready up a piece and threatens 24 Be6+ with 25 29…Nxf6 can be met by 30 gxf6. 2 The pawn fork
Qxd8, as well as 24 Qxf5. forces Black’s reply.
7 ply 7 ply
B30 B58
83. The count will be 3-3 after White plays oc- 84. White is down a pawn. The count will be 3-
cupies f6, trapping Black’s Bishop. Visualize 3 after White occupies f6, trapping Black’s Bi-
the position after the moves 27 f6 Ndxf6 28 shop. Visualize the position after the moves 28
Bxf6 Nxf6 29 Rxf6 Bxf6 30 Rxf6. What is the f6 gxf6 29 gxf6 Bxf6 30 Nxf6 Nxf6 31 Rxf6.
material balance? What is the material balance?
40 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
8 ply 8 ply
C97 A45
85. White is up two pawns. The count will be 4- 86. The count will be 3-4 after 51 g7, but White
4 after White plays g7, but Black’s third de- will be defending g7 with a pawn. Visualize the
fender is his Queen. Visualize the position after position after the moves 51 g7+ Nxg7 52 hxg7+
the moves 36 g7 Nxg71 37 Nxg7 Bxg7 38 Rdxg71 53 Rxg7 Rxg7 54 Rxg7 Kxg7. What is
Rxg7+ Qxg7 39 Rxg7+ Rxg7. What is the ma- the material balance?
terial balance?
1
52...Rgxg7 is even worse, for example, 53 Bh6 Qc7
1 (53...Rxg3 54 Qxg3 threatens mate) 54 Bxg7+ Rxg7
26…Rf7 allows 37 Qh8, mate.
55 Rxg7 (White’s threat is 56 Rg8, mate) Qxg7 56
Rxg7 Kxg7, when White is up a Queen.
8 ply 8 ply
B82 A11
87. White is down a Rook and Knight for four 88. White is down a piece for two pawns and
pawns and controls f7 with fewer pieces than controls g7 with fewer pieces than Black (3-4),
Black (3-4), but two of those defenders are a but one of those defenders is a pawn. Visualize
pawn and Bishop. Visualize the position after the position after the moves 45 g7+ Rxg7 46
the moves 34 f7+1 Rdxf7 35 exf7+ Rxf7 36 hxg7+ Rxg7 47 Rxg7 Qxg71 48 Rxg7 Kxg7.
Bxf7+ Qxf7 37 Qxf7+ Kxf7. What is the ma- What is the material balance?
terial balance?
1
Moving the Queen allows 48 Qg8, mate.
1
White can also add another attacker on f7 by play-
ing 34 exd7 Qxd7 35 Re1 Nd5 36 Rf1.
CHAPTER 5. EXCHANGES INVOLVING A PASSED PAWN
This chapter features a series of exchanges involving a passed pawn. Such exchanges either
occur after the promotion of a passed pawn or the capture of a piece that is protected by a
passed pawn. The resulting material balance depends on the number and value of the piec-
es involved in the exchanges.
There are several ways that the side with the passed pawn can gain an advantage:
If the queening square is covered by an even number of attackers and defend-
ers of the same value, then White will win a piece for a pawn – see exercises
105, 106, 107, and 108;
If Black has an extra defender, then White can give up his pawn to reach a
won ending – see exercises 89, 90, 113, and 114;
If Black’s first defender is a Rook, while White controls the queening square
with a minor piece, then White will win at least the exchange for a pawn – see
exercises 97, 98, 109, 110, 115, 116, and 117;
If Black’s cheapest defender is a Rook and White can block the Rook from the
queening square with a minor piece, then White will win at least the exchange
for a pawn – see exercises 99 and 100;
If Black is unable to take with his cheapest defender (a minor piece), but is
forced to take with a Rook instead, then White will win at least the exchange
for a pawn – see exercises 93, 94, 95, and 96;
If White has connected passed pawns on the 7th rank, then White will win at
least a piece for two pawns – see exercises 91, 92, 101, 102, 103, and 104; and
If Black is defending with his Queen, while White’s Queen is not involved in
the exchanges, then White will win Black’s Queen – see exercises 119 and
120.
This chapter contains thirty-two exercises ranging in depth from four to seven half-moves,
as seen in the following table:
Ply: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ TOTAL
Exercises: 12 12 7 1 - - - - - - 32
42 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
4 ply 4 ply
D13 A57
89. The count will be 1-2 on d8 if White pushes 90. The count will be 1-2 on b8 after White oc-
his pawn. White will lose his pawn but gain a cupies b8. White will lose a pawn but gain a
won ending. Visualize the position after the won ending. Visualize the position after the
move 56 d8=Q+ Rxd8 57 Rxd8 Kxd8. What is moves 56 Rb8+ Rxb8+ 57 axb8=Q+ Kxb81.
the material balance? What is the material balance? How does White
win in this position?
1
Black resigned here. Black’s pawn will queen first,
but White will queen with mate.
4 ply 4 ply
A65 D06
91. The count will be 1-2 after White pushes his 92. The count will be 1-2 after White pushes his
pawn to c8, but White is defending c8 with a pawn to d8, but White is defending with a
pawn. Visualize the position after the moves 34 pawn. Visualize the position after the moves 39
c8=Q1 Raxc8 35 dxc8=Q Rxc8. What is the ma- d8=Q+1 Rxd8 40 exd8=Q+ Qxd8. What is the
terial balance? material balance?
1 1
34 Rxf7+ or 34 Nb6 are also good, but not 34 Rxe6 39 e8=Q allows 39…h2+.
fxe6 35 Rxf8 Rxf8 36 d8=Q, which loses to 36...Rf1,
mate.
CHAPTER 5. EXCHANGES INVOLVING A PASSED PAWN || 43
4 ply 4 ply
A08 B02
93. White is up the exchange for a pawn. The 94. White is up a pawn. The count will be 1-2
count will be 1-2 after White pushes his pawn to on d8 after White pushes his pawn, but Black
d8, but Black won’t be able to take with his won’t be able to take with his cheapest piece.
cheapest piece. Visualize the position after the Visualize the position after the moves 33 d8=Q
moves 29 d8=Q Rxd81 30 Bxd8 Nxd8. What is Rxd81 34 Bxd8 Bxd8. What is the material bal-
the material balance? ance?
1 1
29...Nxd8 loses the Knight to 30 Rf8, pinning the 33…Bxd8 loses a Rook to 34 Bd6, e.g., 34…f4 35
Knight. Bxc5 fxg3 36 Bxf8.
4 ply 4 ply
A42 A40
95. White is up a pawn and can block Black’s 96. White has two pawns for the exchange and
control of the queening square. The count will can block Black’s control of the queening
be 1-3 on d8, but Black’s won’t be able to take square. The count will be 1-3 on d8, but Black’s
with his cheapest defender. The count on d8 is won’t be able to take with his cheapest defend-
1-3. Visualize the position after the moves 36 er. Visualize the position after the moves 25
Nd8 Rxd81 37 cxd8=Q+ Nxd8. What is the ma- Bd8 Rxd81 26 cxd8=Q Rxd8. What is the ma-
terial balance? terial balance?
1 1
36...Nxd8 allows 37 c8=Q. 25...Nxd8 allows 26 c8=Q.
44 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
4 ply 4 ply
A42 B88
97. White is up a pawn. The count will be 1-2 98. The count will be is 1-3 after White pushes
after White pushes his pawn to d8, but Black's his pawn to d8, but Black’s cheapest defender is
cheapest defender is a Rook. Visualize the posi- his Rook. Visualize the position after the moves
tion after the moves 38 d8=Q Raxd8 39 Nxd8 27 d8=Q Rfxd8 28 Bxd8 Rxd8. What is the ma-
Rxd8. What is the material balance? terial balance?
4 ply 4 ply
A25 A97
99. White is up a pawn and can block Black’s 100. White has three pawns for the exchange
control of the queening square. The count will and can block Black’s control of the queening
be 1-2 after White occupies b8, but Black’s square. The count will be 1-3 after White occu-
cheapest defender is a Rook. Visualize the posi- pies c8, but Black’s cheapest defender is a
tion after the moves 41 Nb8 Rxb8 42 axb8=Q Rook. Visualize the position after the moves 38
Rxb8. What is the material balance? Bc8 Rxc8 39 bxc8=Q+ Rxc8. What is the ma-
terial balance?
CHAPTER 5. EXCHANGES INVOLVING A PASSED PAWN || 45
5 ply 5 ply
A80 D20
101. The count will be 2-2 after White occupies 102. White is up two pawns. Visualize the posi-
e8. Visualize the position after the moves 45 tion after the moves 29 c8=Q1 Raxc8 30 Rxc8
e8=Q Rbxe8 46 fxe8=Q1 Rxe8 47 Rxe82. What Rxc82 31 dxc8=Q+. What is the material bal-
is the material balance? ance?
1
1
46 Rxe8 is even better. 2 Black resigned here. 29 d8=Q is also good, for example, 29...Raxd8 30
cxd8=Q Rxd8 31 Qxd8, when White is up a pair of
Rooks. 2 White is up a Queen and a Rook for a pawn
after 30...Nxf4 31 Nxf4 gxf4 32 Rxf8+ Bxf8 33
d8=Q.
5 ply 5 ply
C90 A00
103. White is down two pieces for two pawns, 104. White is down two pieces for a pawn, but
but has connected passed pawns on the 7th rank. has connected passed pawns on the 7th rank. Vi-
Visualize the position after the moves 38 d8=Q1 sualize the position after the moves 34 b8=Q1
Bxd8 39 cxd8=Q Rxd8 40 Rxd8. What is the Bxb8 35 cxb8=Q Rxb8 36 Rxb8. What is the
material balance? material balance?
1 1
White has only a Rook for two pieces after 38 c8=Q Black is up a piece and a pawn after 34 c8=Q Nxc8
Rxc8 39 dxc8=Q Bxc8. 35 bxc8=Q Rxc8.
46 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
5 ply 5 ply
D91 C11
105. The count will be 2-2 after White pushes 106. White's Rook is under attack, but the count
his pawn to d8. Visualize the position after the will be 2-2 after White pushes his pawn to c8.
moves 34 d8=Q+ Nxd8 35 Rxd8+1 Rxd8 36 Visualize the position after the moves 35 c8=Q
Bxd8. What is the material balance? Bxc8 36 Rxc8 Rxc81 37 Nxc8+. What is the ma-
terial balance?
1
This is better than 35 Bxd8, as it gets rids of Black’s
Rook on a8, the only piece that can defend Black’s b- 1
Moving the Rook doesn’t help, e.g., a) 36...Rf6 37
pawn. Nd5+ or b) 36…Rf7 37 Rc7+.
5 ply 5 ply
B38 D30
107. The count will be 2-2 on d8 after White 108. White is up a pawn. The count will be 2-2
plays 36 Re8. Visualize the position after the on c8 after White plays 38 Rc8. Visualize the
moves 36 Rc81 Rxc8 37 bxc8=Q Bxc8 38 Bxc8. position after the moves 38 Rc8 Nxc8 39
What is the material balance? dxc8=Q Rxc8 40 Bxc8. What is the material
balance?
1
The threat of 37 b8=Q forces Black’s reply.
CHAPTER 5. EXCHANGES INVOLVING A PASSED PAWN || 47
5 ply 5 ply
E67 B07
109. White is down the exchange for a pawn. 110. The count will be 2-2 after White pushes
The count will be 2-2 after White pushes his his pawn to d8, but Black’s cheapest defender is
pawn to a8, and Black’s cheapest defender is a a Rook. Visualize the position after the moves
Rook. Visualize the position after the moves 27 33 d8=Q Raxd8 34 Rxd81 Rxd8 35 Nxd8. What
a8=Q Rxa8 28 Rxa8 Rxa8 29 Bxa8. What is the is the material balance?
material balance?
1
This move ensures that another pair of Rooks comes
off of the board.
5 ply 5 ply
B92 B28
111. The count will be 3-3 on f8 after White 112. White is up a piece and a pawn. The count
plays 33 Rf8+, but Black's last defender is his will be 3-3 after White plays 37 Rf8+, but
King. Visualize the position after the moves 33 Black’s last defender is his King. Visualize the
Rf8+ Rxf8 34 exf8=R+ Rxf8 35 Rxf8. What is position after the moves 37 Rf8+ Rxf81 38
Black's only move in this position? gxf8=Q+ Rxf82 39 Rxf8+. What is the material
balance?
1
37...Kxg7 allows 38 Rg4+, with mate next move.
2
38 Rxf8+ is also possible, since Black gets mated
after 38...Kxg7 39 Rxc8 e2 40 Qg4+, for example,
40...Kh6 41 Rc6+ or 40…Kf7 41 Rf8, mate.
48 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
6 ply 6 ply
A07 C34
113. White is up two pawns. The count will be 114. White is up two pawns. The count will be
2-3 on f8 after 34 Rf8+, but the value of the 2-3 on e8 after 46 Re8+, but the value of the
pieces is the same. Visualize the position after pieces is the same. Visualize the position after
the moves 45 Rf8+ Rxf8 46 gxf8=Q+ Nxf8 47 the moves 46 Re8+ Rxe8 47 dxe8=Q+ Qxe8 48
Bxf8 Kxf8. What is the material balance? Qxe8+ Kxe8. What is the material balance?
6 ply 6 ply
D24 D94
115. The count will be 2-3 after White occupies 116. White is down the exchange for a pawn.
e8, but Black’s cheapest defender is his Rook. The count will be 2-3 after White occupies e8,
Visualize the position after the moves 36 Re8+ but Black’s cheapest defender is a Rook. Vi-
Rxe8 37 dxe8=Q+ Rxe8 38 Bxe8 Kxe8. What is sualize the position after the moves 32 Re8+
the material balance? Rxe81 33 fxe8=Q+ Rxe8 34 Bxe8 Kxe8. What
is the material balance?
1
32…Kg8 lets the pawn to queen.
CHAPTER 5. EXCHANGES INVOLVING A PASSED PAWN || 49
6 ply 6 ply
D15 D80
117. The count will be 2-4 after White pushes 118. White’s Rook on d1 is under attack. The
his pawn to c8, but Black's cheapest defender is count will be 2-3 after White pushes his pawn to
his Rook. Visualize the position after the moves d8, but Black’s cheapest defender is his Rook.
41 c8=Q Rxc8 42 Nxc8 Rxc8 43 Rxc8+ Qxc8. Visualize the position after the moves 18 d8=Q
What is the material balance? Raxd8 19 Rxd8 Rxd8 20 Bxd8 Qxd8. What is
the material balance?
6 ply 7 ply
B06 B01
119. White is down the exchange and a pawn. 120. The count will be 3-4 after White occupies
The count will be 2-4 on f8 after White pushes d8, but Black is defending with his Queen. Vi-
his pawn, but Black's second defender is his sualize the position after the moves 26 Rd81
Queen. Visualize the position after the moves Nxd8 27 exd8=Q Rxd8 28 Rxd8+ Qxd8 29
27 f8=Q+ Rxf8 28 Rxf8 Qxf81 29 Bxf8+ Rxf8. Bxd8 Rxd8. What is the material balance?
What is the material balance?
1
The threat of 27 Rxc8 forces Black to take on d8.
1
28...Qd7 loses to 29 Qc3+ Kh7 30 Qh8, mate.
SECTION 2. BEFORE AND AFTER
The exercises in this section are similar to those in Section 1, in that they involve a series
of exchanges on a single square, but this section focuses on what occurs both before and
after the series of exchanges.
This section contains the following chapters:
CHAPTER 6. PREPARATORY BUILD-UP
CHAPTER 7. AFTER EFFECTS
CHAPTER 8. EXCHANGING TO A WON ENDING
CHAPTER 9. BEFORE AND AFTER
CHAPTER 6, PREPARATORY BUILD-UP, contains exercises that illustrate how to build up a
position prior to initiating a series of exchanges.
CHAPTER 7, AFTER EFFECTS, contains exercises in which a series of exchanges is fol-
lowed by some tactical device that typically results in the win of material or checkmate.
CHAPTER 8, EXCHANGING TO A WON ENDING, contains exercises in which a series of
exchanges leads to a won ending.
CHAPTER 9, BEFORE AND AFTER, features exercises in which a preparatory build-up is
followed by a series of exchanges, which in turn is followed by either a tactical device or
an exchange of pieces that leads to a won ending.
CHAPTER 6. PREPARATORY BUILD-UP
This chapter features exercises that illustrate how to build up a position prior to a series of
exchanges. The following themes are seen in the preparatory build-up of a position:
Piling on – see exercises 130, 135, 136, 137, 143, 146, 151, 154, 155, and 156;
Removing a defender – see exercises 122, 134, 138, 151, and 156;
Overworked piece – see exercises 129, 133, and 134;
Zugzwang – see exercise 145; and
Sacrificing material to open lines – see exercises 123, 124, 131, and 141.
An important sub-theme seen in these exercises involves ignoring your opponent’s threats
– see exercises 125, 126, and 144. Other sub-themes seen include situations in which
White is leading with his Queen (see exercise 126) and situations in which two of Black’s
defenders are his King and Queen (see exercises 132 and 141).
The following is a breakdown of the exercises based on the chapters presented in Section
1:
Even Exchanges – see exercises 130, 153, and 154;
Extra Attacker – see exercises 123, 124, 135, 136, 137, 138, 143, 144, 145,
146, 151, 155, and 156;
Pieces of Different Value – see exercises 122, 126, 129, and 141;
Penetration – see exercises 125, 132, 133, 147, and 148; and
Passed Pawn – see exercises 121, 127, 128, 139, 140, 142, 149, 150, and 152.
This chapter contains thirty-six exercises ranging in depth from seven to fifteen half-
moves, as seen in the following table:
Ply: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ TOTAL
Exercises: - - - 8 4 8 2 4 2 8 36
54 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
7 ply 7 ply
B13 A55
121. White has a Queen for a Rook and a 122. The count on d7 is 3-3, but White can re-
Knight. Visualize the position after the moves move Black’s Knight on f6. Visualize the posi-
28 d7 Ne6 29 d8=Q Nxd8 30 Rxd8 Rxd8 31 tion after the moves 31 g5 Ng81 32 Rxd7 Bxd7
Qxd8+1. What is the material balance? 33 Qxd7 Qxd7 34 Rxd7. What is the material
balance?
1
Black resigned here.
1
White wins a pawn after 31...Rxd6 32 Qxd6 Qxd6
33 Rxd6 Ng8 34 Rxc6.
7 ply 7 ply
C01 D50
123. The count on d7 is 1-2, but that soon 124. The count on c8 is 3-2. Visualize the posi-
changes. Visualize the position after the moves tion after the moves 28 Bxb5 cxb51 29 Rxc8
22 Nxd5 cxd5 23 Qxd5+ Kh8 24 Bxd7 Bxd7 25 Bxc8 30 Qxc8 Qxc8 31 Rxc8+. What is the ma-
Qxd7. What is the material balance? terial balance?
1
Not taking the Bishop loses a second pawn to 29
Bxa4.
CHAPTER 6. PREPARATORY BUILD-UP || 55
7 ply 7 ply
A43 D16
125. White’s Bishop on h6 is under attack, but 126. White is up a pawn, but his Bishop is un-
Black’s back rank is weak. Visualize the posi- der attack. Visualize the position after the
tion after the moves 30 Rbc41 Nxh62 31 Rc8 moves 26 Bxe41 Qxe4 27 Bxb8 Raxb82 28 Qxb8
Rxc8 32 Rxc8+ Qxc8 33 Nxc8. What is the ma- Rxb8 29 Rxb8+. What is the material balance?
terial balance?
1
The immediate 26 Bxb8 gives Black at least a draw
1 after 26…Qxf2+ 27 Kh1 Qf3+ 28 Kg1 Qf2+.
30 Be3 wastes a tempo that Black can take advan-
2
tage of with 30…Nxe3 31 fxe3 e4, attacking White’s White is up a piece after 27...Qxc4 28 Qxc4 Rxc4
Rook on c3 and preventing 32 Rbc4. 2 30...Qa7 drops 29 d6 and has a strong passed pawn.
the Rook on e8.
7 ply 7 ply
C55 C71
127. White is down a Rook and a pawn, and his 128. White is up a pawn and has a favorable
Queen is under attack, but he can gain the ad- count on e8. Visualize the position after the
vantage on e8. Visualize the position after the moves 33 e7 Bf7 34 e8=Q+ Rxe8 35 Rxe8+
moves 30 Bxg7+ Rxg7 31 e8=Q+ Rxe8 32 Bxe8 36 Bxe8. What is the material balance?
Rxe8+ Qxe81 33 Qxe8+. What is the material
balance?
1
Forced, since 32…Rg8 allows 33 Qxg8, mate.
56 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
8 ply 8 ply
A42 C00
129. Visualize the position after the moves 31 130. White is up a pawn. Black’s King is tied to
Nxb51 Bxb5 32 Bxb5 Rxb5 33 Rxc8 Qxc8 34 the defense of his Knight on g6. Visualize the
Rxc8 Rxc8. What is the material balance? position after the moves 49 Ne6+ Kh7 50 Nxf4
Qe8 51 Qxg6+ Qxg6 52 Nxg6 Kxg6. What is
1
White can also win a pawn with 31 Bxh4. the material balance?
8 ply 8 ply
A43 A06
131. Visualize the position after the moves 21 132. Visualize the position after the moves 35
Rxh6 gxh6 22 g7 Bxg71 23 Bxg72 Qxg7 24 g6 Nd61 36 g7+ Rxg7 37 Rxg7 Qxg7 38 Rxg7
Rxg7+ Kxg7. What is the material balance? Kxg7. What is the material balance?
1 1
22...Be7 23 Qxh6 threatens 24 Qh8+ Kf7 25 35...Nh6 36 g7+ is similar; after 35...hxg6 36 Rxg6
g8=Q+. 2 White's threat is 23 Qxh6, but 23 Rxg7 is threatens 37 Qh5+.
also good.
CHAPTER 6. PREPARATORY BUILD-UP || 57
9 ply 9 ply
D36 B21
133. White sacrifices a piece to gain access to 134. Black is up a pawn, but his d-pawn is
g6 and f7. Visualize the position after the moves overworked. Visualize the position after the
25 Bxh7 Nxh7 26 Qg6+ Kh8 27 Rf7 Bxf7 28 moves 17 Nxe5 fxe5 18 Bxe6+ Kh81 19 Bxd7
Rxf7 Qxf7 29 Qxf7. What is the material bal- Bxd7 20 Qxd7 Qxd7 21 Rxd7. What is the ma-
ance? terial balance?
1
18…dxe6 allows 19 Qxc6, with a double attack on
Black’s Queen and Rook.
9 ply 9 ply
A03 A38
135. White's pawn on c3 is under attack, but 136. Visualize the position after the moves 27
Black's Bishop on e8 can't move. Visualize the Qb3 b61 28 Nxb6 Bxb62 29 Rxb63 Rxb6 30
position after the moves 28 Qg31 Kh8 29 Qe3 Qxb6 Qxb64 31 Rxb6. What is the material bal-
h6 30 Rxe8+ Rxe8 31 Qxe8+ Qxe8 32 Rxe8+. ance?
What is the material balance?
1
Shifting the point of contact to b6 allows Black to
1 trade his passive Bd8 for White’s strong Nd5.
This defends the Pc3 and threatens 29 Nxf6+.
2
Otherwise the Knight just goes back to d5. 3 The
double attack on Black's Queen and Rook forces
Black to capture on b6. 4 Black can also play 30…
Qc5 or 30…Qd7.
58 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
9 ply 9 ply
B93 D06
137. Visualize the position after the moves 29 138. White is down a pawn. The count on c7 is
Bxg51 Bd82 30 Bxf6+ Rxf6 31 Rxf6 Qxf6 32 3-3, but White can remove a defender. Visualize
Qxf6+ Bxf6 33 Rxf6. What is the material bal- the position after the moves 21 f41 Bd6 22 Bf5
ance? Rb8 23 Bxc7 Bxc7 24 Qxc7 Qxc7 25 Rxc7.
What is the material balance?
1
Taking on f6 immediately with 29 Rxf6 Qxf6 30
Qxf6+ Rxf6 31 Rxf6 allows 31...Nxe4 32 Bxe4 1
So that White’s b-pawn isn’t hanging after the
Rxd2, when material is even. 2 29...fxg5 allows 30 Queen moves.
Rxh7+ Qxh7 31 Qxf8+ Qg8 32 Qxg8, mate.
9 ply 9 ply
A90 C02
139. White is up two pawns. Visualize the posi- 140. White is down a pawn, but has a strong
tion after the moves 38 a7 Bxg21 39 Kxg2 Qg42 passed pawn on e7. Visualize the position after
40 Rb8+ Bxb8 41 axb8=Q+ Rxb8 42 Qxb8+. the moves 45 Rf3 Ne61 46 Qxd5 Kh7 47 Rf8
What is the material balance? Nxf82 48 exf8=Q Rxf8 49 Bxf8. What is the
material balance?
1
38...Be5 drops a piece to 39 Rb8+ Rxb8 40 axb8+
Bxb8 41 Qxb8+. 2 39...Qc8 40 Rb1 Rf8 can be met 1
45...Qf7 drops a piece to 46 Rxf4. 2 47...Nc5 loses to
by 41 Ba5, when Black’s Bishop can't move because 48 Qg8, mate. If Black does nothing, e.g., 47...h5
of mate on g7. then White wins the Ne6 with 48 Rxe8 Qxe8 49
Qxe6.
CHAPTER 6. PREPARATORY BUILD-UP || 59
10 ply 10 ply
B03 C46
141. Visualize the position after the moves 16 142. White is up two pawns. Visualize the posi-
Rfe11 Kf82 17 Nxd6 Qd73 18 Rxe8+ Rxe8 19 tion after the moves 49 Qe6 Qxe61 50 dxe6 Ne5
Rxe8+ Qxe8 20 Nxe8 Kxe84. What is the ma- 51 e7 Ra8 52 Nd8 Rxd82 53 exd8=Q+ Bxd8.
terial balance? What is the material balance?
1
White's threat is 17 Nxf6+. 2 16...Rf8 is better, get- 1
Avoiding the exchange of Queens with 49...Qf8 al-
ting out of the line of fire. 3 The only response to the lows 50 Ne7+, when 50…Kg7 gives White a mate in
dual threat of Rxe8+ and Nxf5. 17…Qxd3 allows a three: 51 Qf6+ Kh6 52 Nf5+ Kh5 53 Qh4.
back rank mate. 4 Black resigned here. 2
52…Bxd8 allows e8=Q+.
11 ply 11 ply
E56 D40
143. Visualize the position after the moves 18 144. White's Bishop on c3 is under attack, but
Bxf5 exf5 19 Rfd1 Nb81 20 Ne5 b6 21 Nxd7 Black’s Bishop on d7 will become pinned. Vi-
Nxd7 22 Qxd7 Qxd72 23 Rxd7. What is the ma- sualize the position after the moves 29 Qxd51
terial balance? Rxc3 30 Ra7 Rd8 31 Rd1 c4 32 Rxd7 Rxd7 33
Qxd7 Qxd7 34 Rxd7. What is the material bal-
1
White is up a Queen and pawn for a Rook and Bi- ance?
shop after 19...Bc8 20 Qg3+, with 21 Rxd8. The ac-
tual game continued 19...a5 20 b5 Nb8 21 Ne5 b6 22 1
Passive play, such as 29 Qd2, allows Black to keep
Rac1 Qe8 23 Nxd7, when White is up a pawn (1-0, an advantage with 29...Qg5, threatening both
48). 2 After 22...Qf6 23 Rac1 Rfd8 24 Qc7, White is 30...Bxh3 and 30...d4.
still threatening to exchange material.
60 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
11 ply 11 ply
B88 B42
145. The count on f6 is even (5-5), but White 146. White’s Rook on c2 is under attack, but
can force a Black defender to move away with Black’s Knight on d7 is pinned. Visualize the
zugzwang. Visualize the position after the position after the moves 37 Rd2 Qa7 38 Rcd1
moves 29 b4 h5 30 c3 Kh7 31 gxf6 Bxf6 32 Bc6 39 Qf7 Bg71 40 Rxd7 Bxd7 41 Rxd7 Rxd7
Rxf6 Rxf6 33 Rxf6 Rxf6 34 Bxf61. What is the 42 Qxd7. What is the material balance?
material balance?
1
39...Rd8 allows 40 Qg8, mate.
1
Black resigned here.
12 ply 12 ply
E91 A48
147. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position 148. Visualize the position after the moves 23
after the moves 51 f6+ Kd71 52 Ng52 Ke83 53 Rd6 Qe81 24 Rad1 Be6 25 Nc6 h52 26 Rd8
Bh5+ Kf8 54 f7 Nxf7 55 Bxf7 Bxf7 56 Nxf7 Qxd8 27 Rxd8 Rfxd8 28 Nxd8 Rxd8. What is
Kxf7. What is the material balance? the material balance?
1 1
51...Kf7 drops the d-pawn for free after 52 Bh5+ 23...Qe7 24 Rad1 Rfd8 can be met by 25 Nc6, while
Kf8 53 Nxd6. 2 Another idea is 52 Bg4+, intending to 23...Qf5 24 Bg4 removes a defender from d7, e.g.,
meet 52...Kc7 with 53 Ng5 and 54 Be6. 3 52...Nf7 24...Nxg4 25 hxg4 Qxg4 26 Qxd7, when White is up
allows 53 Bg4+ Kd8 54 Be6, for example, 54...Ke8 a piece for a pawn. 2 The count is now 3-3 on d8, but
55 Bxf7+ Bxf7 56 Nxf7 Kxf7 57 Kf5, with a won Black is defending with his Queen.
ending.
CHAPTER 6. PREPARATORY BUILD-UP || 61
13 ply 13 ply
C61 E97
149. White is up three pawns. Visualize the po- 150. Visualize the position after the moves 33
sition after the moves 46 a5 Kh51 47 a6 Nh4+ c7 Rb7 34 Rxb7 Bxb7 35 Bd7 Re71 36 Bxe5+2
48 Kf2 Rdd7 49 Bb8 Nf5 50 a7 Rxa7 51 Rxa7 dxe5 37 c8=Q Bxc8 38 Qxc8 Qxc8 39 Bxc8.
Rxa7 52 Bxa7. What is the material balance? What is the material balance?
1 1
46...Ra7 47 a6 Rdd7 can be met by 48 Rab1 and 49 35...Bc8 36 Bxe6 Bxe6 loses the exchange and more
Rb7. after 37 Bxe5+ dxe5 38 Rd8. 2 36 Rxd6 is also good,
as is 36 c8=Q Bxc8 37 Bxc8.
13 ply 14 ply
D07 B22
151. White is down a pawn, but has a pin on d7. 152. Visualize the position after the moves 20
Visualize the position after the moves 23 Bg5 Bd3 f5 21 a6 Bf61 22 a7+ Kb7 23 Bxe42 fxe4 24
Rae8 24 Re1 Ndc8 25 Bxf5+ Kd61 26 Re6+ a8=Q+ Rxa8 25 Rxa8 Rxa8 26 Nxa8 Kxa8.
Kc52 27 Bxe7+ Nxe73 28 Rexe7 Rxe7 29 Rxe7. What is the material balance?
What is the material balance?
1
21...Ka7 22 Nc4+ Ka8 23 a7 Kb7 24 Nb6 is similar
1 2
25...Kd8 loses a piece to 26 Bxc8. Other moves to the game. 2 White can also play 23 a8=Q+ imme-
also lose a piece, e.g., 26...Kd7 allows the double diately, since ...Nxc3 can be met by Bxf5.
check 27 Rexe7+, while 26…Kc7 abandons the Ne7.
3
After 27...Kb5 White can consolidate with 28 Bg5,
for example, 28…Reg8 29 Rxg8 Rxg8 30 f4.
62 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
14 ply 14 ply
A00 A49
153. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position 154. White is up a pawn, but his pawn on a4 is
after the moves 21 Nxb7 Kxb7 22 b5 axb51 23 attacked. Visualize the position after the moves
axb5 Qd7 24 Qa42 Ra8 25 Bxc6+ Rxc6 26 34 e5 Rc71 35 a5 b62 36 axb6 axb6 37 Bc63 Ra7
bxc6+ Qxc6 27 Qxc6+ Kxc6. What is the ma- 38 Rxd7+ Rdxd7 39 Rxd7+ Rxd7 40 Bxd7
terial balance? Kxd7. What is the material balance?
1
22...Ka7 23 Bxc6 a5 keeps the a-file closed. 2 Better 1
34...Rxa4 loses a piece after 35 Bxb7 Rxf4 36 Bc6.
2
is 24 bxc6+ Rxc6 25 Ra1 with 26 Qa4. Black can't mark time, as White will play f4-f5,
with e6 to follow. 3 37 f5 is also good.
15 ply 15 ply
D53 B23
155. Visualize the position after the moves 15 156. Black’s Bishop on e7 is defended three
Rad1 Nxd41 16 Rxd4 Rc7 17 Rfd1 Bc8 18 Qd2 times and can be defended once more, but it’s
Re8 19 Bxd7 Bxd7 20 Rxd7 Rxd7 21 Qxd7 still weak. Visualize the position after the
Qxd7 22 Rxd7. What is the material balance? moves 15 Rf7 g6 16 Bg5 Rb8 17 Re1 Re8 18
Qe6+ Kc7 19 Bxe7 Nxe7 20 Rxe7+ Rxe71 21
1
This just helps White pile up on Black’s pinned Qxe7 Qxe72 22 Rxe7. What is the material bal-
Knight on d7. Alternatives: a) 15...a6 drops a pawn ance?
to 16 Nxc6 Bxc6 17 Bxa6; b) 15...Nb4 loses a piece
to 16 Qa4, with a double attack on b4 and d7; c) per- 1
20...Kb6 drops another Rook. 2 21...Qd7 is better.
haps best is 15...Ncb8 16 f4 a6, challenging White’s
Bishop, although White retains the better position.
CHAPTER 7. AFTER EFFECTS
This chapter features exercises in which a series of exchanges is followed by some tactic
that is present in the position after the series of exchanges occurs. The following tactical
themes are seen in the chapter:
Pins – see exercises 158, 172, 191, and 192;
Double attacks – see exercises 159, 163, 167, 168, 170, 171, 176, 177, 179,
and 180;
Forks – see exercises 166, 169, 186, and 188;
Skewers – see exercises 173, 175, 178, 181, 182, and 185;
Removing a defender – see exercises 160, 161, 163, 165, and 167;
Overworked pieces or pawns – see exercises 162 and 175;
Desperados – see exercise 190; and
Mates – see exercises 183, 184, and 187.
The following is a breakdown of the exercises based on the chapters presented in Section
1:
Even Exchanges – see exercises 158, 161, 163, 176, 179, 182, and 186;
Extra Attacker – see exercise 190;
Pieces of Different Value – see exercises 159, 160, 162, 165, 166, 167, 168,
169, 171, 172, 174, 177, 178, 180, 183, 184, 185, 187, 188, 191, and 192;
Penetration – see exercises 164, 170, 173, 175, 181, and 189; and
Passed Pawn – see exercises 157, 164, 173, 174, 189.
The sub-theme of leading with one’s Queen is present in exercises 168, 188, and 192.
This chapter contains thirty-six exercises ranging in depth from five to fourteen half-
moves, as seen in the following table:
Ply: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ TOTAL
Exercises: - 2 - 6 4 16 2 2 - 4 36
64 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
5 ply 5 ply
D45 C00
157. White has a Rook and three pawns for two 158. The count on b4 is 2-2 and 1-1 on b5. Vi-
Bishops, but Black is threatening both 39… sualize the position after the moves 14 axb4
Bxd7 and 39…Qc1+. Visualize the position af- Qxb4 15 Qxb4 cxb4. How does White win ma-
ter the moves 39 d8=Q+1 Bxd8 40 Rxd8+ Qxd8 terial in this position?
41 Qxe6. What is the material balance?
1
39 Qxe6 lets Black equalize after 39...Qc1+ 40 Kh2
Qxd2.
7 ply 7 ply
C07 A63
159. White is down a pawn. The count on b6 is 160. White is up the exchange for a pawn. The
3-2, but one of Black’s defenders is a pawn. count on f8 is 3-3; the count on f6 is 1-2, but
Note also that the count on c6 is 1-1, so Black’s White can eliminate both of Black’s defenders.
Bc6 is potentially weak. Visualize the position Visualize the position after the moves 46 Rxf8+
after the moves 20 Bxb6 axb6 21 Qxb6+ Qxb6 Rxf8 47 Rxf8+ Qxf8 48 Qxf8+ Kxf8. How can
22 Rxb6+ Ka71. How does White win material White win material here?
here?
1
22…Kc7 doesn’t change anything.
CHAPTER 7. AFTER EFFECTS || 65
7 ply 7 ply
B08 B38
161. Black has just given up a piece for two 162. The count is 3-3 on f6, 2-2 on d6. Black is
pawns on g2 and h3. Visualize the position after defending both with the same pawn. Visualize
the moves 35 Rxf8+ Bxf8 36 Qxf8+ Qxf8 37 the position after the moves 31 Nxf6 Rxf61 32
Bxf8 Rh51 38 Be72. What is the material bal- Rxf6 Qxf62 33 Qxf6+ exf6 34 Rxd6. What is the
ance? material balance?
1
37…Kxf8 38 Kxh3 loses an extra exchange. 2 Black 1
White is up a pawn after 31…exf6 32 Rxd6. 2 Black
resigned here. can keep the Queens on the board with 32 exf6.
7 ply 7 ply
B05 A31
163. The count on c6 is 2-2, but the Nc6 de- 164. The count will be 2-3 on e8 after White
fends Black’s Bd4. Visualize the position after plays 37 Re8+, but White can clear the 8th rank
the moves 30 Rxc6 Rxc6 31 Bxc61 Qxc6. How for his a-pawn. Visualize the position after the
can White win material in this position? moves 37 Re8+ Qxe8 38 Qxe8+ Rxe8 39
Rxe8+ Kxe8 40 a8=Q+ Rd81 41 Qb72. What is
1
Black resigned here. the material balance?
1
40…Ke7 41 Qb8 or 41 Qg8 b2 42 Qxh7+ Kd8 43
Qg8+ Kc7 44 Qxg6 stops Black's b-pawn. 2 Black
resigned here.
66 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
8 ply 8 ply
A84 D38
165. White is down a pawn. The count on f6 is 166. The count on e6 is 3-2, but one of Black’s
3-4, but Black’s Queen is overworked. Visual- defenders is a pawn. Yet after exchanging twice
ize the position after the moves 30 Nxf6 Nxf6 on e6, White will have a Knight fork. What is
31 Rxf6 Qxf61 32 Qxf6+ Rxf6 33 Rxa2 Rxd6. the material balance after the moves 19 Bxe6
What is the material balance? fxe6 20 Qxe6+1 Qxe62 21 Nxe6 Rfc8 22 Nxc7
Rxc7?
1
31...Ra1+ loses to 32 Rf1+ Kg8 33 Qxa1, while
31...Qb7 allows 32 Rxf8+ Kxf8 33 Rxa2. 1
20 Nxe6 gives Black a mate in three: 20...Qxf2+ 21
Kd1 Qf1+ 22 Kd2 Rf2, mate. 1 Otherwise Black is
down two pawns.
8 ply 8 ply
D87 D94
167. White is down a pawn. The count on e6 is 168. White is up a pawn. The count on c8 is 3-
3-2, 2-2 on c6. Visualize the position after the 2, but White’s second attacker is his Queen. Yet
moves 22 Nxe61 fxe62 23 Bxe6+ Bxe6 24 Black’s undefended Knight on b8 is vulnerable.
Qxe6+ Qf7 25 Qxc6 Qxa2. What is the material Visualize the position after the moves 29 Bxc8
balance? Rxc8 30 Qxc8 Rxc8 31 Rxc8+ Kg7 32 Rxb8
Qxd5. What is the material balance?
1
22 Bxc6 Bxc6 23 Rxc6 allows 22…Rxd1, mate,
while 22 Bxc6 Bxc6 23 Nxe6 transposes to the game.
22 Bxe6 is bad because White’s Queen is under at-
tack after 22…fxe6 and doesn’t have time to play 23
Nxe6. 2 22...Bxe6 23 Bxe6 transposes.
CHAPTER 7. AFTER EFFECTS || 67
9 ply 9 ply
B93 D11
169. White is down a pawn, but has pressure on 170. Visualize the position after the moves 30
f7. Visualize the position after the moves 34 Rf8+ Rxf8 31 Rxf8+ Qxf8 32 Bxf8 Kxf8 33
Rxf7 Rxf7 35 Rxf71 Qxf7 36 Qxf7+ Kxf7. How Qd8+ Kg7 34 Qxd51. What is the material bal-
does White win material in this position? ance?
1 1
This is better than 35 Qxe4, when material is even. Note that Black can't play 34...Rxd4 here because it
drops the Bishop to 35 Qxe5+.
9 ply 9 ply
E97 B86
171. White is down a pawn, but has pressure on 172. White is down a pawn. Visualize the posi-
c7 and along the a1-h8 diagonal. The count on tion after the moves 16 Nxf6+ Bxf6 17 Rxf6
c7 is 3-3, but watch the count on f6 as well. Vi- Qxf61 18 Qxf6 gxf6 19 Bxf8 Kxf8 20 Rxd5.
sualize the position after the moves 28 Nxc7 What is the material balance?
Bxc7 29 Rxc7 Rxc7 30 Rxc7 Qxc7. How does
1
White win some of his material back and gain 17...gxf6 leads to mate after 18 Qg4+, while 17…
the better position? gxh6 18 Rd3 threatens 19 Rg3+.
68 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
9 ply 9 ply
E60 D41
173. White is up a solid protected passed pawn 174. White first gives up the exchange, then a
on d6. Visualize the position after the moves 37 Queen for a Rook in order to promote his
Rc8 Rxc81 38 Qxc8+ Qxc82 39 Rxc8+ Kf7. passed pawn. Visualize the position after the
How does White win material in this position? moves 25 Bxd6 Bxd6 26 Rxd6 Rxd6 27 Qxd6
Qxd6 28 c7 g61 29 c8=Q+. What is the material
1
The only move. 2 38…Kf7 39 Qxb8 Nxb8 40 Rc7 is balance?
similar to the game.
1
White is up a piece for a pawn after 28…Ra8 29
c8=Q+ Rxc8 30 Rxc8+ Qf8 31 Rxf8+ Kxf8.
9 ply 9 ply
D02 B26
175. White is up the exchange. Visualize the 176. The count on f6 is 3-3, but note that
position after the moves 29 Rc81 Rxc8 30 Black’s Bishop on c6 is attacked as many times
Qxc8+ Qxc8 31 Rxc8+ Kh7 32 Ra8 Bb6 33 as it is defended, so it is potentially weak. Vi-
Rxa6. What is the material balance? sualize the position after the moves 39 gxf6+
Rxf6 40 Rxf6 Qxf6 41 Qxf6+ Kxf6. How does
1
White is threatening both 30 Nxe4 and 30 Rxe8 White win material here?
Nxe8 31 Qc8 Qxc8 32 Rxc8 Kf8 33 Nxe4. The im-
mediate 29 Nxe4 is also possible.
CHAPTER 7. AFTER EFFECTS || 69
9 ply 9 ply
D27 B08
177. The count on f7 is 3-3, but Black’s Bb7 is 178. The count on d6 is 3-3, but Black’s Knight
weak. Visualize the position after the moves 18 on a6 is weak. Visualize the position after the
Nxf7 Rxf7 19 Qxf7+ Qxf7 20 Bxf7+ Kxf7. moves 18 exd6 exd6 19 Nxd6 Nxd6 20 Bxd6
How does White win material here? Qxd6. How does White win material in this po-
sition?
9 ply 9 ply
C67 B42
179. White is down two pawns. The count on e7 180. The count on f6 is 3-3. Black is defending
is 3-3. Visualize the position after the moves 15 with a pawn. Note also that Black’s Bb7 is po-
Nxe7+ Bxe7 16 Bxe7 Rxe7 17 Rxe71 Qxe7. tentially weak. Visualize the position after the
How can White win material in this position? moves 23 Bxf6 gxf6 24 Rxf6+ Qxf61 25 Rxf6+
Kxf6 26 Qe7+2 Kf5 27 Qxb73. What is the ma-
1
Black resigned here. terial balance?
1
24...Kg8 loses to 25 Qe6+ Kg7 26 Qf7, mate.
2
Black resigned here. 3 27 Qg7, attacking three pieces
at once, is not as good, as Black can defend every-
thing with 27…Rd1+ 28 Kf2 Rb8.
70 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
9 ply 9 ply
C01 A81
181. The count on e8 is 3-2. Visualize the posi- 182. Black has just played e7-e5. The count on
tion after the moves 28 Re8+ Rxe8 29 Rxe8+ e6 is 4-4 (after taking en passant). Visualize the
Rxe8 30 Qxe8+ Bf8. How can White win in this position after the moves 24 dxe6 Bxe6 25 Nxe6
position? Rfxe61 26 Rxe6 Rxe6 27 Rxe62 Qxe6. How can
White win here?
1
Alternatives: a) 25...Kh8 loses to 26 Ng5; b) White
is up a Queen after 25...Qd7 26 Nc5 bxc5 27 Rxe8+
Kg7 28 R1e7+ Qxe7 29 Rxe7. 2 Black resigned here.
9 ply 9 ply
A08 B19
183. Visualize the position after the moves 42 184. Visualize the position after the moves 27
Rxh7+ Qxh7+ 43 Rxh7+ Kxh7. How does Rc8+ Rxc8 28 bxc8=Q+ Kxc8 29 Qxa6+ Kd81
White mate in three in this position? 30 Nc6+2 Kc73. How does White mate in one?
1
29...Kc7 30 Rc1+ Kd8 31 Nc6+ transposes to the
game. 2 Black resigned here. 3 30...Ke8 31 Qc8+ Rd8
32 Qxd8 is mate.
CHAPTER 7. AFTER EFFECTS || 71
10 ply 10 ply
B34 A00
185. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position 186. The count on c6 is 3-3. Visualize the posi-
after the moves 44 Nxd7 Nxd7 45 Rxd7 Rxd7 tion after the moves 12 Bxc6+ Bxc6 13 Nxc6
46 Be8 Kc6 47 Kc2 Kd6 48 Bxd7 Kxd7. What Qxc6 14 Qxc6+ Rxc6. How can White win ma-
is the material balance? terial in this position?
11 ply 11 ply
B22 A17
187. White has a piece for three pawns. The 188. The count on c8 is 3-2, but White's second
count on c6 is 3-2. Visualize the position after attacker is his Queen. Visualize the position af-
the moves 20 Bxc6 Bxc6 21 Rxc6+ bxc6 22 ter the moves 24 Rxc8 Rxc8 25 Qxc8+ Nxc8 26
Qxc6+ Kb8 23 0-01 Qb6 24 Rb1 Qxb1+ 25 Rxc8+ Kh7. How can White win material in this
Nxb1. What is the material balance? position?
1
White’s threat is 24 Rb1+, winning Black's Queen.
72 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
13 ply 13 ply
A39 B85
189. White is up the exchange and has a passed 190. Black has just played 18...f7-f5. Visualize
a-pawn. Visualize the position after the moves the position after the moves 19 exf6 Nxf6 20
36 Rc8 Bxc81 37 Qxc8 Qxc8 38 Bxc8 Nc7 39 Nxf6+ Bxf6 21 Rxf6 Rxf6 22 Bxf6 Qxg2+1 23
Bb7 b4 40 a72 Ke8 41 a8=Q+ Nxa8 42 Bxa8. Qxg2 Bxg2+ 24 Kxg2 gxf62 25 Rd1. What is
What is the material balance? the material balance?
1 1
36...Qa7 loses to 37 Ra8, for example, 37…Qc5 38 This is the best way to meet the dual threat of 23
Bc6 wins Black’s Knight on e8 or 37…Qb6 38 Qc6, Qxg7 mate and 23 Bxd8. 1 24…Rxd3 can be met by
with a double attack on e8 and b6. 2 Black resigned 25 Bg5, preventing 25…Rd2+.
here.
13 ply 14 ply
A04 A26
191. The count on d5 is even (6-6), but White 192. The count is 3-2 on e8, but White’s second
can get a pin along the h1-a8 diagonal. Visual- attacker is his Queen. Visualize the position af-
ize the position after the moves 23 cxd5 exd5 24 ter the moves 25 Rxe8+ Bxe8 26 Qxe8+ Rxe8
Nxd51 Nxd5 25 exd5 Bxd52 26 Rxd5 Rxd5 27 27 Rxe8+ Bf8 28 Ne61 Kg8 29 Bxc6 h5 30
Rxd5 Rxd5 28 Ne3 Qc8 29 Nxd5. What is the Rxf8+ Qxf8 31 Nxf8 Kxf8. What is the material
material balance? balance?
1 1
This is better than 24 exd5 Bb7, when White’s Black resigned here.
Knight on c3 and Bishop on b2 are passive. 2 Black is
down a pawn after 25...Bb7 and the exchange after
25… Rxd5 26 Bxd5 Rxd5.
CHAPTER 8. EXCHANGING TO A WON ENDING
This chapter features exercises that illustrate how to use a series of exchanges to create a
favorable ending. The following themes are seen in this chapter:
Freeing up a passed pawn – see exercises 193, 196, 200, and 201;
Creating a passed pawn by winning a weak pawn – see exercises 195, 197,
198, and 199;
Ignoring your opponent’s threat – see exercises 193 and 197;
Consolidation – see exercises 194, 202, 206, 208, and 214;
Pawn break leads to penetration – see exercises 204, 205, 207, and 217;
Outside passed pawn used as a decoy – see exercises 203, 209, and 220;
Zugzwang wins a critical pawn – see exercises 211, 212, 213, 219, 221, and
223; and
Mates involving a passed pawn – see exercises 222, 225, 226, 227, and 228.
The following is a breakdown of the exercises based on the chapters presented in Section
1:
Even Exchanges – see exercises 194, 197, 198, 199, 208, 222, 224, 225, and
226;
Extra Attacker – none;
Pieces of Different Value – see exercises 196, 200, 202, 203, 204, 205, 207,
211, 216, 218, 219, 221, and 224;
Penetration – see exercises 193, 215, and 220; and
Passed Pawn – see exercises 195, 206, 209, 210, 213, 214, 217, 227, and 228.
This chapter contains thirty-six exercises ranging in depth from seven to thirty nine half-
moves, as seen in the following table:
Ply: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ TOTAL
Exercises: - - - 4 - 4 - 4 - 24 36
74 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
7 ply 7 ply
A39 A45
193. White is up the exchange, but his Rook is 194. White is up a pawn, but Black’s h-pawn
under attack. White is able to force a series of could become dangerous. Visualize the position
exchanges that frees up his d-pawn. Visualize after the moves 40 Nxd7 Rxd7 41 Rxd7 Kxd7
the position after the moves 36 Rf8+ Nxf8 37 42 Nf6+ Kc6 43 Nxh5. What is the material
Rxf8+ Qxf8 38 Bxf81 Kxf8 39 d72. What is the balance?
material balance?
1
Black resigned here. 2 White’s pawn will queen.
7 ply 7 ply
A46 A70
195. White is up three pawns and can create a 196. White gives back his extra material in or-
passed e-pawn. Visualize the position after the der to promote his passed pawn. Visualize the
moves 57 d8=Q+ Rxd8 58 Rxd8 Kxd8 59 Bd3 position after the moves 42 Qxe8+1 Rxe8 43
Ne8 60 Bxf5. What is the material balance? Rxe8+ Qxe82 44 Rxe8+ Kxe8 45 a63. What is
the material balance?
1
42 Rxe8+ is also good. 2 43...Kg7 is met by 44
Rg8+, when Black is forced to play 44...Qxg8.
3
Black resigned here as White’s pawn will queen.
CHAPTER 8. EXCHANGING TO A WON ENDING || 75
9 ply 9 ply
B15 E90
197. White’s Bishop is under attack, but Black’s 198. Black’s d-pawn is weak. Visualize the po-
b-pawn is weak. Visualize the position after the sition after the moves 33 Nxg7 Rxg7 34 Rxg7
moves 31 Rxf7 Rxf7 32 Rxf7 Qxf7 33 Qxf7+ Rxg7 35 Rxg7 Kxg7 36 Ne4 Kg6 37 Nxd6.
Kxf7 34 Bc7 Ke6 35 Bxb6. What is the material What is the material balance?
balance?
9 ply 9 ply
D17 B47
199. White is up a pawn and can create a pro- 200. White can give up a piece to promote one
tected passed pawn. Visualize the position after of his queenside pawns. Visualize the position
the moves 42 Rxf8+ Rxf8 43 Rxf8+ Kxf8 44 after the moves 43 Qxf7+ Qxf7 44 Bxf7+ Kxf7
Qc8+1 Kg7 45 Qxb7+ Kh6 46 a6. What is the 45 a5 Bf1 46 axb61 Bxb5 47 b72. What is the
material balance? material balance?
1 1
The immediate 44 Qxb7 defends the e-pawn, but Black resigned here, but White had to be careful, as
loses the a-pawn to 44...Qd2+ and 45...Qxa5. The 46 a6 loses to 46...Bxb5 47 a7 Bc6, when Black’s
only way to keep both pawns is to take on b7 with Bishop stops the pawn. 2 White’s pawn will queen.
check.
76 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
11 ply 11 ply
D02 B12
201. White forces a series of exchanges that 202. White is up the exchange and a pawn. Vi-
frees up his b-pawn. Visualize the position after sualize the position after the moves 48 Rxf7+
the moves 42 Qxg7+ Qxg7 43 Rxg7+ Kxg7 44 Rxf7 49 Rxf7+ Kxf7 50 Kf2 Ke7 51 Ke3 Kd61
b7 d41 45 b8=Q Rxc32 46 Qe5+ Kf7 47 Qxd4. 52 Ke42 Kd7 53 Kxe5. What is the material bal-
What is the material balance? ance?
1 1
44...Rxc3 45 b8=Q Rc4 drops the a-pawn to 46 51...Kd7 52 Ke4 Kd6 is met by 53 h3, when Black
Qb7+ Kf6 47 Qxa6. 2 45...dxc3 loses the Rook to 46 has to give way. 2 Black resigned here.
Qb7+.
11 ply 11 ply
C01 D10
203. White can give back the exchange to win 204. White can give up his extra material to
Black’s weak queenside pawns. Visualize the break through on the kingside. Visualize the po-
position after the moves 47 Rxd7+1 Qxd7 48 sition after the moves 52 Rxe8+ Rxe8 53 Rxe8+
Qxd7+ Kxd7 49 Kd32 Ke6 50 Ke4 Kf6 51 g5+3 Qxe8 54 Qxe8+ Kxe8 55 Kh21 g52 56 g4 fxg4
Kxg5 52 Ke5. What is the material balance? 57 Kg3. What is the material balance?
1
47 g5 also wins. 2 White can also play on the queen- 1
55 g4 immediately also wins, as does saving the b-
side directly, for example, 49 Kc3 Ke6 50 b4 Ke5 51 pawn with 55 Kf1 Kd7 56 Ke2 Kc6 57 Kd3 Kb5 58
b5 cxb5 52 cxb5 kf4 53 a4 Kxg4 54 a5 Kf5 55 b6, Kc3, as was played in the game (1-0, 60). 2 55...Kd7
when Black's King is outside the box. 3 Black re- 56 Kh3 g5 57 g4 is similar.
signed here. 51 Kf4 a6 52 g5+ Kg6 53 Ke5 is similar.
CHAPTER 8. EXCHANGING TO A WON ENDING || 77
13 ply 13 ply
E12 E94
205. Black’s pawns are weak. Visualize the po- 206. White has three pawns for the exchange.
sition after the moves 48 Rxd7+ Qxd7 49 Visualize the position after the moves 56
Qxd7+ Kxd7 50 Kh3 Ke61 51 g42 Ke5 52 f4+ d8=Q+ Rxd8 57 Bxd8+ Kxd8 58 e5 Kc7 59 Kf3
Kf6 53 gxf5 Kxf5 54 Kh4. What is the material Kxc6 60 Ke4 Kc51 61 Kf5 Kd5 62 Kf62. What
balance? is the material balance?
1 1
50...h5, securing g4, isn’t an option since the h- White also wins after 60...Kd7 61 Kf5. 2 Black re-
pawn falls to 51 Kh4 Ke6 52 Kxh5. 2 Also good is 51 signed here.
Kh4 Kf6 Kh5 Kg7 with 53 f3 or 53 f4. Black re-
signed here.
13 ply 13 ply
B50 E14
207. White’s outside passed pawn serves as a 208. White uses his extra pawns to set up an
decoy to lure Black’s King away from the king- impenetrable barrier. Visualize the position after
side. Visualize the position after the moves 47 the moves 41 Qxf7+ Qxf7 42 Bxf7 Kxf7 43 d5
Rxf7+ Qxf7 48 Rxf7+ Kxf7 49 g41 Ke6 50 Kg3 Kf6 44 f4 Kf5 45 Kf31 Kf6 46 Kg4 Kf7 47 f52.
Ke5 51 gxh5 gxh5 52 b5 Kd5 53 Kf4. What is What is the material balance?
the material balance?
1
Black resigned here. 2 Regardless of what Black
1 does, White will gain connected passed pawns on the
Black resigned here. White can also play 49 b5 Ke6
50 b6 Kd6 51 g4, for example, 51...Kc6 52 Kg3 kingside.
Kxb6 53 gxh5 gxh5 54 Kf4.
78 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
15 ply 15 ply
A07 B06
209. White is up two pawns. Visualize the posi- 210. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position
tion after the moves 45 Rf8+ Rxf81 46 gxf8=Q+ after the moves 64 d7+ Nxd7+ 65 cxd7+ Kxd7
Nxf8 47 Bxf8 Kxf8 48 Kg2 Kg7 49 Kg3 b52 50 66 Kxf51 e3 67 Ne5+ Ke7 68 Kg62 Ke6 69 Nf3
Kg4 Kf6 51 h5 c5 52 a33. What is the material Kd53 70 Kf5 Kd6 71 Kf6. What is the material
balance? balance?
1 1
45...Nxf8 46 gxf8=Q+ doesn't change anything. Black resigned here. 2 68 g6 with Kg5 is also good.
2 3
49...Kg6 50 Kg4 Kf6 51 h5 is also hopeless. White's pawn queens after 69...Ke7 70 Kh7.
3
Black resigned here. 52 b3 and 52 h6 also win.
15 ply 15 ply
A53 B56
211. White has several ways to win. Visualize 212. White can win back his piece and create a
the position after the moves 44 Rxg7+ Qxg7 45 zugzwang. Visualize the position after the
Qxg7+ Kxg7 46 Kc31 Kf6 47 Kd4 Kf5 48 c52 moves 43 c6 Nxc6+ 44 bxc6 bxc6 45 Ka61 h62
Kf6 49 Ke4 Kg5 50 Ke5 Kg6 51 Kxf4. What is 46 g4 g6 47 h4 g5 48 h5 c5 49 Kb5 Kb7 50
the material balance? Kxc5. What is the material balance?
1 1
White can also play on the queenside -- 46 Kb4 b6 Black will soon run out of pawn moves on the king-
47 c5 b5 48 Ka5 also wins. 2 Black resigned here. 48 side, forcing him to move either his King or pawn on
Kc5 is also good. the queenside. 2 45...g6 46 h4 is similar to the game
continuation, while 45...h5 can be met by 46 h4 and
45...g5 by 46 g4.
CHAPTER 8. EXCHANGING TO A WON ENDING || 79
17 ply 17 ply
D07 E32
213. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position 214. White is up two pawns. Visualize the posi-
after the moves 55 d7 Rxd7 56 Rxd7 Kxd7 57 tion after the moves 40 d8=Q+ Rxd8 41 Rxd8
Kd5 Ke7 58 Kc61 Ke82 59 Kd6 Kf7 60 Kd7 Kf8 Kxd8 42 Kb11 g5 43 Kc2 g4 44 Kd2 h4 45 Kd2
61 Ke6 Kg7 62 Ke7 Kg8 63 Kxf6. What is the g3 46 hxg3 h3 47 Kf2 h2 48 Kg2. What is the
material balance? material balance?
1
Black resigned here. 2 58...Kf7 59 Kd7 Kg7 60 Ke7 1
White has to be careful, as 42 b4 loses to 42…g5,
transposes. for example, 43 Kb2 g4 44 Kc2 h4 45 Kd2 g3 46
hxg3 h3 and Black’s pawn queens. Black resigned
after 42 Kb1.
17 ply 17 ply
B09 E99
215. The count on f8 is 4-3. White is up the ex- 216. White gives up his Queen for three pieces,
change. Visualize the position after the moves but gains an unstoppable passed pawn. What is
29 Rf8+ Rxf8 30 Qxf8+ Qxf8 31 Rxf8+ Kg7 32 the material balance after the moves 29 Rxc8
Ra81 Nf6 33 Rxa7+ Kg8 34 a5 Ne4 35 Be3 Bc4 Nxc8 30 Qxc8 Rxc8 31 Rxc8+ Kg7 32 Rxb8
36 a6 Bxa62 37 Rxa6. What is the material bal- Kh61 33 Rxb7 Bg7 34 a62 Qd8 35 a7 h43 36 Rb8
ance? Qc7 37 a8=Q?
1
Black resigned here. 2 36...Nd6 is worse, e.g., 37 1
32...Bd8 33 Rxb7+ with 34 a6 and 32...gxh2 33 Bf2
Ra8+ Kg7 38 a7 Nb5, when White is up a Queen for doesn’t change anything. 2 Black resigned here. 3 35...
a Knight after 39 Rg8+ Bxg8 40 a8=Q. Qa8 drops the Queen to 36 Rb8.
80 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
19 ply 19 ply
C64 A55
217. Visualize the position after the moves 51 218. How far will Black’s g-pawn advance dur-
Rf8+ Bxf8 52 gxf8=Q+ Rxf8 53 Bxf8 Kxf81 54 ing the time it takes White to queen his a-pawn?
a42 bxa4 55 Kc3 Ke7 56 Kc43 Kd6 57 g6 Ke6 Visualize the position after the moves 51 Qxf7+
58 Kxc5 Kf6 59 d4 Kxg6 60 Kc6. What is the Qxf7 52 Nxf7 Kxf7 53 Ka5 Ke6 54 Kxa6 Kf5
material balance? 55 Kb5 Kxg5 56 a41 Kf4 57 a5 g5 58 a6 g4 59
a7 g3 60 a8=Q. What is the material balance?
1
Black's King has to watch White's g-pawn. 2 This
ensures access to c4, e.g., 54...b4 55 Kb3 Kf7 56 Kc4 1
Black resigned here.
also wins. White can also defend his g-pawn with 54
Ke2 Kf7 53 Ke3 Kg6 53 Kf4. 3 Black resigned here.
19 ply 19 ply
E04 B06
219. White can give back his material, win 220. White is up two pawns. Visualize the posi-
Black’s g-pawn, then queen his last remaining tion after the moves 52 Rg7+ Rxg7+ 53 hxg7
pawn. Visualize the position after the moves 48 Kxg7 54 f6+1 Kf72 55 Kf5 Kf8 56 Ke6 Ke8 57
Rxf7+ Rxf7 49 Bxf7 Kxf7 50 Kd51 Ke7 51 Ke5 Kd6 Kf7 58 Kc7 Kxf6 59 Kb7 Ke7 60 Kxa7
Kf7 52 Kd6 Kf8 53 Ke6 Kg7 54 Ke7 Kg8 55 Kd7 61 Kb7. What is the material balance?
Kf6 Kh7 56 Kf7 Kh8 57 Kxg6. What is the ma-
1
terial balance? Black resigned here. 2 54...Kf8 55 Kf5 Kf7 56 Ke5
Kf8 57 Kd6 is similar.
1
Black resigned here. 50 Ke5 can be met by 50…
Ke7, when White can’t make progress.
CHAPTER 8. EXCHANGING TO A WON ENDING || 81
21 ply 27 ply
E38 B85
221. White can give back his piece to gain a 222. How does White mate in five moves after
won ending. Visualize the position after the the moves 48 Rxd8+ Rxd8 49 Nxd8 Kxd8 50
moves 46 Qxf7+ Qxf7 47 Bxf7+ Kxf7 48 Kc41 Kd4 Kc81 51 Kc4 Kd82 52 Kb5 Kc7 53 Kc5
Ke7 49 Kxb4 Kd62 50 g43 Kc6 51 Kc4 Kd6 52 Kc8 54 Kd6 Kd8 55 c7+ Kc8 56 Kc63?
Kb5 Ke6 53 Kc6 Ke7 54 Kd5 Kf6 55 Kd6 Kf7
1
56 Kxe5. What is the material balance? 50…Kc7 51 Kc5 gives White the opposition. 2 51...
Kb8 transposes after 52 Kb5 Kc8 (52...Kc7 53 Kc5)
1
Black resigned here. 2 49...g4 50 Kc5 Ke6 51 Kc6 53 Kb6 Kb8 54 c7+ Kc8 55 Kc6. 3 Black is in zug-
doesn’t change much. 3 50 Kb5 g4 51 Kb6 also wins. zwang. The actual game continued 56 Ke7 Kxc7 57
Kxf7 Kc6 58 Kxe6 (1-0, 72).
27 ply 29 ply
E00 C30
223. Visualize the moves 67 Rh7+ Qxh7 68 224. Black’s King has to watch White’s c-pawn,
Rxh7+ Kxh7 69 Ke51 Kh6 70 Ke62 Kg7 71 f4 so White is free to break through on the king-
Kh7 72 Kf7 Kh6 73 Kg83 g5 74 hxg5+4 Kg6 75 side. Visualize the moves 39 Qxe8+ Rxe81 40
Kh8 h45 76 gxh4 Kh5. How does White win Rxe8+ Qxe82 41 Rxe8+ Kxe8 42 Kc2 Kf7 43
here? Kd23 Ke7 44 Ke2 Ke8 45 Kf3 Kf7 46 Kg3 Ke7
47 Kh4 Ke8 48 Kh5 Kf7 49 c6 Ke7 50 Kg6
1
69 Kg5 Kg7 70 f3 Kf7 71 Kh6 Kf6 72 f4 Kf7 73 Kd6 51 Kxg7 Kxc6 52 Kxf6 Kd6. How does
Kh7 Kf6 74 Kg8 is similar to the game. 2 70 Kf6 Kh7 White wins here?
71 f4 Kh6 72 Kf7 Kh7 73 Ke6 Kg7 74 Ke7 Kh7 75
Kf7 transposes. 3 Black resigned here. 4 74 fxg5+ also 1
39...Qxe8 40 Rxe7 Qc6 41 Re8+ is similar. 2 40...
wins. 5 75...Kf7 loses to 76 Kh7, when White's g- Kc7 loses a Rook to 41 R1e7+. 3 Black resigned here.
pawn queens.
82 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
33 ply 33 ply
C36 A24
225. How does White mate in three after the 226. How does White mate in four after the
moves 26 Bxe7+ Rdxe7 27 Rxe7 Rxe7 28 Rxe7 moves 41 Rxf8 Rxf8 42 Qxf8+ Qxf8 43 Rxf8
Kxe7 29 Kg3 Ke6 30 Kxg4 Kf61 31 h4 Kf7 32 Kxf8 44 Kf21 Kf7 45 Kg3 Kg62 46 Kg4 a3 47
Kg5 Kg7 33 g4 a62 34 h5 gxh5 35 gxh5 a5 36 Kh4 Kg7 48 Kh5 Kh7 49 g6+ Kg7 50 Kg5 Kg8
h6+ Kh7 37 a4 Kg8 38 Kg6 Kh8 39 h7?3 51 Kf6 Kf8 52 g7+ Kg8 53 Kg6?3
1 1
In the game Black chose 30…Kd5 31 Kg5 Kxd4 32 White takes the distant opposition, but could also
Kxg6 (1-0). 2 33...b6 loses to 34 d5, when White have played 44 Kg2 or 44 Kh2. Black resigned here.
gains a passed c-pawn. 3 Hint: What is Black’s only 2
45...Kg7 46 a3 Kg6 47 Kg4 is similar. 3 Hint: What
legal move? is Black’s only legal move?
35 ply 39 ply
A42 A48
227. How does White mate in four after the 228. How does White mate in five moves after
moves 38 Rc81 Rxc8 39 bxc8=Q+ Nxc8 40 64 Rd8+ Rxd8 65 exd8=R+ Kxd8 66 a6 Kc8 67
Bxc8+ Kxc8 41 e4 dxe4 42 Kf2 Kd7 43 Ke3 Ka5 Kc7 68 a7 Kb7 69 a8=R Kxa8 70 Kb6
Kd6 44 Kxe4 Ke6 45 d5+ Kf6 46 g42 Ke7 47 Kb81 71 Kxc6 Kc8 72 Kxc52 Kc7 73 Kd53 Kd7
Ke5 Kd7 48 d6 Kd8 49 Ke6 Ke8 50 d7+ Kd8 74 c54 Kc7 75 c6 Kc85 76 Kd6 Kd8 77 c7+
51 Kd6?3 Kc8?
1 1
White’s threat of 39 b8=Q forces Black to trade on White’s pawn will queen first and with check after
c8. 2 Black resigned here. 3 Hint: What is Black’s on- 70...g5. 2 72 Kd6 is also possible. 3 Black resigned
ly legal move? here. 4 Also good is 74 Ke5 Ke7 75 c5 Kd7 76 Kf6,
winning. 5 White's pawn will queen after 75...Kd8 76
Kd6 Kc8 77 c7 Kb7 78 Kd7.
CHAPTER 9. BEFORE AND AFTER
This chapter is a composite of the previous three chapters in that these exercises feature a
preparatory build-up that is followed by either a tactical device or an exchange of pieces
that leads to a won ending.
Typical preparatory themes seen prior to the series of exchanges include the following:
Opening lines with a pawn move or capture – see exercises 229, 235, 249, and
251;
Sacrificing material to open lines – see exercises 242 and 243;
Piling on – see exercises 232, 236, 239, and 245;
Removing a defender – see exercises 230, 231, and 246; and
Cutting lines of communications – see exercises 233 and 247.
Sub-themes include situations in which White is leading with his Queen (exercise 229) and
situations where White ignores his opponent’s threats (exercises 233, 235, 236, and 250).
Tactical themes that occur after the exchanges include the following:
Double attacks – see exercise 231;
Forks – see exercises 237, 247, and 249;
Skewers – see exercises 235, 248, and 250;
Removing a defender – see exercises 240 and 244; and
Overworked pieces and pawns – see exercises 229, 232, 238, and 239.
The following is a breakdown of the exercises based on the chapters presented in Section
1:
Even Exchanges – see exercises 229, 231, 236, 242, 245, 246, 251, and 252;
An Extra Attacker – see exercises 230, 233, and 243;
Pieces of Different Value – see exercises 239, 240, and 244;
Penetration – see exercises 231, 238, and 241; and
Passed Pawn – see exercises 234, 237, 238, 248, 249, and 250.
This chapter contains twenty-four exercises ranging in depth from nine to fifteen half-
moves, as seen in the following table:
Ply: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ TOTAL
Exercises: - - - - - 10 - 10 - 4 24
84 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
9 ply 9 ply
A30 B01
229. Visualize the position after the moves 29 230. The count on b8 is 3-3, but not for long.
exd5 exd5 30 Qxe8+ Rxe8 31 Rxe8+ Qxe8 32 Visualize the position after the moves 27 Rb7
Rxe8+ Kxe8 33 cxd5. What is the material bal- Qa4 28 Rxb8 Raxb8 29 Rxb8 Rxb8 30 Bxb8
ance? Bxd4 31 Bd6. What is the material balance?
9 ply 9 ply
B17 A12
231. White is up two pawns. Visualize the posi- 232. Visualize the position after the moves 25
tion after the moves 36 Qf7 Qg41 37 Re8+ Rxe8 Bh3 Ke81 26 Bxd7+ Rxd7 27 Qxd7+ Qxd7 28
38 Rxe8+ Rxe8 39 Qxe8+ Kh7 40 Qxa4. What Rxd7 Kxd7 29 Bxe5. What is the material bal-
is the material balance? ance?
1 1
Exchanging Queens with 37…Qxf7 38 Rxf7 de- Best is 25...f6, overprotecting the pawn on e5, in-
prives Black of all chances of counterplay. With tending to meet 26 Bxd7 with 26...Nb8.
36…Qg4, Black is hoping to take advantage of the
weak light squares around White’s King, in particular
d1 and b3, but White’s 40th move dispels this notion.
CHAPTER 9. BEFORE AND AFTER || 85
9 ply 9 ply
C35 B80
233. White is up the exchange, but his Rook is 234. White has two pawns for a piece, but his
under attack. Visualize the position after the Rook is under attack. Visualize the position af-
moves 30 c51 Qc8 31 c6 Nxf1 32 Rb7 Qxb7 33 ter the moves 54 Rc3 Bxa61 55 Rc8+ Rxc8 56
cxb7+ Kxb7 34 Qxf1. What is the material bal- bxc8=Q+ Kxc8 57 h7 Bb7 58 h8=Q+. What is
ance? the material balance?
1 1
White is threatening mate in one. Also good is 30 This takes the Bishop off of the b1-h7 diagonal and
Rfb1, intending to meet 30...Qg4 with 31 Qe4, pro- allows White to exchange down to a won ending.
tecting g2 and threatening 32 d6+ Ka7 33 Qb7, mate. Protecting the f-pawn with 54...Be4 is better.
9 ply 9 ply
D45 E04
235. Visualize the position after the moves 54 236. White is up three pawns, but his d- and h-
d5 Bxc3 55 dxc6+ Bxc6 56 Bxc6+ Kxc61 57 pawns are under attack. Visualize the position
Qg2+2 Kxc5 58 Qxa8. What is the material bal- after the moves 41 Rd8 Ra71 42 Bf5 Rbb7 43
ance? Rxd7 Rxd7 44 Bxd7 Rxd7 45 Rd5. What is the
material balance?
1
Taking the Bishop loses the Queen. Material is even
after 56...Kc8, when both Bishops and both Queens 1
41...Rxd6 loses a piece to 42 Rxd7, while 41...Nf6
are under mutual attack. White can choose between a 42 d7 threatens 43 Rh8+ Kg5 44 d8=Q.
Queen ending (57 Qxc3 Qxc6) or one with Bishops
of opposite color (57 Bxa8 Bxb2). 2 Black resigned
here.
86 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
9 ply 9 ply
C06 E66
237. White has two minor pieces and a pawn for 238. Visualize the position after the moves 39
a Rook. Visualize the position after the moves Bxe5 Rxe5 40 Qf8+ Rxf8 41 gxf8=Q+ Qxf8 42
41 Bh7 Kf7 42 g8=Q+ Rxg8 43 Bxg8+ Kxg8 Rxf8+ Kxf8 43 Rxe5. What is the material bal-
44 Nf6+1 Kf7 45 Nxd5. What is the material ance?
balance?
1
Black resigned here.
11 ply 11 ply
D07 B34
239. White is up the exchange for two pawns, 240. White's Bishop on c4 is under attack, but
but Black's Knight on d7 is pinned. The count Black’s Knight on f7 is weak. Visualize the po-
on d7 is 2-2. Both White and Black can add sition after the moves 40 Bxa6 Rxa6 41 Rxd7
another attacker (White’s Rook on a1 and Qxd7 42 Rxd7 Kxd7 43 Bf81 Rh7 44 Qg6 Rh8
Black’s Rook on a7), but then Black’s back 45 Qxf7+. What is the material balance?
rank becomes weak. Visualize the position after
1
the moves 33 Rd2 c5 34 Rad1 c6 35 Bxd7 Rxd7 Black resigned here.
36 Rxd7 Bxd7 37 Rxd7. Why can’t Black play
37... Qxd7?
CHAPTER 9. BEFORE AND AFTER || 87
11 ply 11 ply
A34 A26
241. Black’s Rook on f6 is out of play and his 242. The count on c8 is 3-3. Visualize the posi-
queenside pawns are weak. Visualize the posi- tion after the moves 30 Nxd61 cxd6 31 Rxc8+
tion after the moves 34 Rc7 Qa8 35 Qc3 g61 36 Rxc8 32 Qxc8+ Qxc8 33 Rxc8+ Bxc8 34 gxf4
Rc8 Rxc8 37 Qxc8 Qxc8 38 Rxc82 gxh5 39 exf4 35 Bxd6. What is the material balance?
Bxa6. What is the material balance?
1
30 gxf4 is also possible, but White takes the oppor-
1 tunity to get Black’s dangerous-looking pieces away
Black's pawns are weak after 35...a5 b5 or 35...b5
36 Qc6. 2 Black’s a-pawn is defenseless. from his King.
11 ply 11 ply
A54 B35
243. Visualize the position after the moves 25 244. Visualize the position after the moves 33
Nxg6 fxg61 26 Rxf8 Qxf8 27 Qxf8 Rxf8 28 Ng4 Nxg41 34 Rxf7+ Rxf7 35 Rxf7+ Qxf7 36
Rxf8 Bxa2 29 Rb8 b6 30 Bxc6. What is the ma- Bxf7 Rf82 37 Qxg4 Rxf7 38 cxd6. What is the
terial balance? material balance?
1 1
White is up the exchange and a pawn after 25...Kg8 33…Rf8 loses to 34 Qf6+ Kg8 35 Nh6, mate.
2
26 Nxf8 Qxf8, while 25…Re8 allows 26 Ne5+ Kg8 36...Kxf7 drops the Rook on d8. White is up a
27 Nxf7, forking d8 and h6. Queen and pawn for Rook and Knight after 36…Nf6
37 cxd6 Rxd6 (37...Kxf7 38 e5 gives White con-
nected passed pawns in the center) 38 Bd5.
88 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
11 ply 11 ply
E92 B01
245. White has a queenside pawn majority and 246. White is up two pawns and can get rid of
can enter a won ending by exchanging pieces. all of Black’s pieces. Visualize the position after
Visualize the position after the moves 53 Be61 the moves 41 Bxf5 exf51 42 Rg6 Kh7 43 Rxg7+
Qg6 54 Bxf7+ Qxf7 55 Qxf7+ Kxf7 56 b5 Nd3 Rxg7 44 Bxg7 Kxg72 45 c4 Kg6 46 f4. What is
57 a6 bxa6 58 bxa6. What is the material bal- the material balance?
ance?
1
41...Nxf5 drops the e-pawn. 2 Black resigned here.
1
White can also play 53 Qxb7, intending to meet
53...Qg5 with 54 Qc8+ Kg7 55 Qc2.
11 ply 11 ply
D43 E90
247. White has two Knights for a Rook, but his 248. Visualize the position after the moves 41
d-pawn is under attack. Visualize the position Rc61 Kf82 42 Rc8 Rxc8 43 dxc8=Q+ Qxc8 44
after the moves 48 Nfe51 Rc7 49 Nc62 Rxc6 50 Rd8+ Qxd8 45 Qxd8+ Re8 46 Qd6+. What is
dxc6 Qxc6 51 Qxf7+3 Kxf7 52 Ne5+ Ke6 53 the material balance?
Nxc6. What is the material balance?
1
White threatens 42 Qxd8+ Qxd8 43 Rc8. 2 This pre-
1 vents 42 Qxd8+ Qxd8 43 Rc8, since Black can now
The pressure on f7 keeps Black’s Rook tied to the
7th rank. 2 White’s threat is 50 Qxh6 Kg8 51 Nf6, defend his Queen with 43...Ke8.
mate. 3 Black resigned here.
CHAPTER 9. BEFORE AND AFTER || 89
13 ply 13 ply
B07 B09
249. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position 250. Visualize the position after the moves 24
after the moves 24 f7 Be71 25 Bxe7 Qxe7 26 Ne4 b41 25 Nd6 Bf62 26 Nxc8 bxa33 27 Rd8
d8=Q+ Rxd8 27 Rxd8+ Qxd8 28 f8=Q2 Qxf83 Rxd8 28 exd8=Q+ Bxd8 29 Re8+ Kg7 30
29 Nd7+ Kc7 30 Nxf8. What is the material Rxd8. What is the material balance?
balance?
1
24...Rb8 25 Nd6 doesn't change anything. 2 25...
1 bxa3 allows 26 Nxc8, when Black can't play 26...
24...Qxg5 loses the Queen to 25 d8=Q+ Qxd8 26
Rxd8+. 2 Black resigned here. 3 28...Rd6 29 Qxd8+ Rxc8 because of 27 Rd8+. 3 White is up two Rooks
Rxd8 doesn't change anything. for a Bishop and pawn after 26...Rxc8 27 e8=Q+
Rxe8 28 Rxe8+ Kg7 29 Bc1.
15 ply 15 ply
B06 A55
251. White is up a pawn, while Black’s King is 252. White's Bishops and Rook dominate
tied to the defense of his Rd7. Visualize the po- Black's Queen, which allows White to create
sition after the moves 43 f5+ gxf5 44 Nf4+ Ke7 some pins and enter a won ending. Visualize the
45 Rxd7+ Rxd7 46 Rxd7+ Kxd7 47 Nxh5 Be4 position after the moves 42 Bg5 Qf8 43 Be6
48 Nf6+ Ke6 49 Nxe4 fxe4 50 Kf4. What is the Bf7 44 Bh6 Qg8 45 Bxf7 Rxf7 46 Rxf7 Qxf71
material balance? 47 Qxg7+ Qxg7 48 Bxg7+ Kxg7 49 b5. What is
the material balance and how does White win in
this position?
1
Black resigned here.
SECTION 3. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD
This section contains exercises in which the play typically occurs over two sectors of the
board. It includes the following chapters:
CHAPTER 10. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD (WHITE TO PLAY)
CHAPTER 11. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD (BLACK TO PLAY)
CHAPTER 12. MULTIPLE IMBALANCES
CHAPTER 13. EXPANDING THE POSITION
CHAPTER 10, TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD (WHITE TO PLAY), contains exercises in
which the activity covers two sectors of the chess board with White to play.
CHAPTER 11, TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD (BLACK TO PLAY), contains exercises in
which the activity covers two sectors of the chess board with Black to play.
CHAPTER 12, MULTIPLE IMBALANCES, contains exercises involving the exchange of
pieces of different value in positions where the material balance is already uneven.
CHAPTER 13, EXPANDING THE POSITION, contains exercises in which a number of White
pieces move up the board in concert to create or convert an advantage.
CHAPTER 10. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD
(WHITE TO PLAY)
This chapter contains exercises in which the activity takes place over two or more sectors
of the board. For the purposes of this chapter, we divide the board into five separate sec-
tors:
The kingside (which includes the squares within the f1-h8 rectangle);
The queenside (which includes the squares within the a1-c8 rectangle);
The center (the squares d4, d5, e4, and e5); and
The deep center – one for White (the squares within the d6-e8 rectangle) and
one for Black (the squares within the d3-e1 rectangle).
The following are the most common two-sector combinations seen in this chapter:
Queenside and center – see exercises 255, 262, 264, 267, 269, 271, and 279;
Kingside and center – see exercises 261, 263, 266, 270, and 274;
Kingside and the deep center – see exercises 268 and 273; and
Kingside and queenside – see exercises 256, 257, and 265.
Exercises in which the activity spills over into a third sector of the board by one square are
also included in this chapter (as opposed to Chapter 23), as they do not significantly in-
crease the difficulty of the visualization exercise.
This chapter contains thirty-six exercises ranging in depth from five to eleven half-moves,
as seen in the following table:
Ply: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ TOTAL
Exercises: - 4 4 12 4 6 2 4 - - 36
94 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
5 ply 5 ply
E05 C13
253. White is down a pawn. Visualize the posi- 254. Visualize the position after the moves 10
tion after the moves 40 Qh7+ Qxh7 41 Bxh7+ Bxe7 Qxe7 11 Nxd5 Qd81 12 Nf6+. What is the
Kxh7 42 gxf4. What is the material balance? material balance?
1
White is up a piece and a pawn after 11...exd5 12
Qxc8+ Qd8 13 Qxc5.
5 ply 5 ply
B20 C96
255. Visualize the position after the moves 21 256. Visualize the position after the moves 17
Nxe6 Qxe6 22 Bxc3 Qf7 23 Be51. What is the axb5 Bxg51 18 bxc62 Qxc63 19 Nxg5. What is
material balance? the material balance?
1 1
White can defend his Bc3 with 23 Bxb5, but then Moving the Knight drops the Be7 and Rf8. 2 Two of
his Queen is overworked: 23…f4 24 Qh3 Bxg2 25 Black’s pieces are under attack. 3 Black decides to
Kxg2 Qd5+ with 26…Qxb5. keep his light-squared Bishop. He could also have
kept his dark-squared Bishop with 18...Bf4 19 cxd7
Qxd7.
CHAPTER 10. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD (WHITE TO PLAY) || 95
6 ply 6 ply
C11 C90
257. Visualize the position after the moves 16 258. Visualize the position after the moves 24
Nxf5 Bb4 17 c3 Bxc3 18 bxc3 exf5. What is the Bc6 Nxc61 25 Nxc6 Qe8 26 Nxe7+ Bxe7. What
material balance? is the material balance?
1
24…Ra7 drops the Nb8.
6 ply 6 ply
C70 C02
259. Visualize the position after the moves 10 260. Black’s Queen is overworked. Visualize
d5 Bxe31 11 dxc62 Bxf2+ 12 Rxf2 Bxc6. What the position after the moves 23 Rxc61 Qxc6 24
is the material balance? f5 Bg52 25 fxe6 fxe6. What is the material bal-
ance?
1
Better is moving the Knight to a5, b8, or d8. 2 Two
1
of Black’s pieces are under attack. 23 f5 Bxf5 24 Rxc6 is also possible. 2 24…Bd7 25
f6+ wins Black’s Bishop on e7.
96 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
7 ply 7 ply
A04 E69
261. White is down a pawn. Visualize the posi- 262. Visualize the position after the moves 27
tion after the moves 19 Nxf6 exf6 20 Rd8+ Kg7 Bb7 Rxb71 28 Nxb7 Qxb7 29 Rxe6 fxe6 30
21 Bxf6+ Kxf6 22 Rxh8. What is the material Rxd7. What is the material balance?
balance?
1
27…Qd8 is also playable, e.g., 28 Nc6 Qf6.
7 ply 7 ply
A07 B06
263. Visualize the position after the moves 42 264. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position
Bxf5 gxf5 43 Rxf6+1 Kxf6 44 Bd4+ Ke6 45 after the moves 29 Nc3 Rc81 30 Qxb6+2 Kxb6
Bxc3. What is the material balance? 31 Nd5+ Kb7 32 Nxe7. What is the material
balance?
1
Black resigned here.
1
Better is 29...Bf8, for example, 30 b4 a5 or 30 Nb1
Qc5, trying to create an ending with Rooks and Bi-
shops of opposite color, as this would give Black the
best chance to draw a pawn-down position. 2 Black
resigned here.
CHAPTER 10. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD (WHITE TO PLAY) || 97
7 ply 7 ply
C02 A41
265. Visualize the position after the moves 19 266. Visualize the position after the moves 19
Qxf6 gxf6 20 Nxf6+ Kd8 21 Bb6+1 Qc7 22 Qh5 Bd4+1 20 Be3+ Kg7 21 Qg4+2 Kf7 22
Rxc7. What is the material balance? Bxd4. What is the material balance?
1 1
21 Bb6+ wins an extra piece compared to 21 Nxd7 White has the better position after 19...Nxh6 20
Kxd7. Black resigned here. Be4+ Kg8 (20...Kg7 21 Qg6+ Kf8 22 Qxh6+ loses a
tempo) 21 Qxh6 Qe7 22 Rf1. Here 21 Qg6+ doesn’t
allow White to take on h6 with tempo because of
21...Bg7. 2 Black resigned here.
7 ply 7 ply
A07 C06
267. Visualize the position after the moves 22 268. Black’s Bishop on d7 is unprotected. Vi-
Nd51 Ndc52 23 Nxc7 Qd7 24 Nxa6 Nxa6 25 sualize the position after the moves 35 hxg6
Nxb63. What is the material balance? hxg6 36 Bxg6 Kxg61 37 Ne5+ Kg5 38 Nxd7.
What is the material balance?
1
The threat is 23 Nxc7, winning Black’s trapped
Queen and attacking Black’s Bishop on a6. 2 This 1
The actual game continued 36…Nc4 37 b3 Kxg6 38
move saves the Queen by blocking the a3-f8 diagonal bxc4 dxc4 39 Nxe5 Kf6 40 Nxd7, when White's extra
and also defends the Ba6, but 22…Rc8 is relatively piece was able to stop Black's passed pawn (1-0, 47).
best. 3 Black resigned here.
98 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
7 ply 7 ply
C06 B07
269. The count on e6 is 2-3, but that soon 270. Watch the 6th rank. Black’s Bishop on e6
changes. Visualize the position after the moves will soon be weak. Visualize the position after
22 Nxc6 Bxc61 23 Rxe7 Rxe7 24 Rxe6 Rxe6 25 the moves 14 hxg6 fxg6 15 g5 Nh51 16 Rxh5
Nxe6. What is the material balance? gxh5 17 Qxe6+. What is the material balance?
1 1
After 22...bxc6, White can either play 23 Rxa7 or 23 The actual game continued 15...Bxa2 16 gxf6 Nxf6
Nd3 with 24 Nc5/24 Ne5. 17 dxe5 dxe5 18 b3 Qc5 when 19 Bc4+ Kh8 20 Rd7
gives White a 3-2 advantage on h7 (1-0).
7 ply 7 ply
E63 E67
271. Black is weak along the a4-e8 diagonal. 272. White’s Pe4 is under attack, but Black is
Visualize the position after the moves 28 Qd4+ vulnerable along the h2-b8 diagonal. Visualize
Kg8 29 Ba41 Qc8 30 Bxe8 Rxe8 31 Qxd62. the position after the moves 13 Nxe5 Nfxe41 14
What is the material balance? Nxe4 Nxe42 15 Nd3 Nxg33 16 fxg3. What is the
material balance?
1 2
Black resigned here. 31 Rxe8 is also good for
1
White. 13...Qxe5 loses the exchange to 14 Bf4. 2 14...Bxe5
loses a piece to 15 Nxc5. 3 The attack on White’s
Queen gives Black time to save his Rb8. Other
Knight moves lose the Rook, for example, 15…Nf6
16 Bf4 or 15...Nd6 16 c5 with 17 Bf4.
CHAPTER 10. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD (WHITE TO PLAY) || 99
8 ply 8 ply
D10 C11
273. Visualize the position after the moves 12 274. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position
Bxg6 hxg6 13 Qxh8+ Bxh8 14 Rxh8+ Ke7 15 after the moves 21 Rxe4 Rxc5 22 Rxe6 fxe6 23
Rxd8 Kxd8. What is the material balance? Nxe61 Rcf5 24 Nxf8 Kxf8. What is the material
balance?
1
Black resigned here.
8 ply 8 ply
B81 A24
275. White is down a piece for a pawn. Visual- 276. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position
ize the position after the moves 29 Bc6 Rxf51 30 after the moves 31 Qd41 Bxb52 32 Rxd8 Raxd8
Rxc82 Rxc8 31 Bxd7 Rcc5 32 Bxf5 Rxf5. What 33 Qxd8 Rxd8 34 Rxd8 Bxc4. What is the ma-
is the material balance? terial balance?
1 1
29…Rb8 30 Ba7 Rg8 (worse is 30...Rd8 31 Bxb8 White’s main threat is 32 Nc7 Qxc7 33 Qxf6.
2
Nxb8 32 Rxg7, when White is up the exchange and 31...Rxa2 allows 32 Nc7, for example, 32…Re7 33
threatens 33 Rg8+) 31 Bxb8 Nxb8 32 Bd5 wins Qxf6+ or 32…Qe7 33 Rxd7 Nxd7 34 Nxe8+ Qxe8
Black's Rook on g8. 2 Material is even after 30 Bxd7 35 Qxd7+, when White is up a piece.
Bxd7 31 Rd7 Rg8, but White has the much better
position.
100 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
9 ply 9 ply
B90 D10
277. Visualize the position after the moves 19 278. Visualize the position after the moves 6 e41
R1d3 Nf61 20 Rc3 Nxd5 21 Rxc4 bxc4 22 exd5 dxe42 7 Bb5 Nc6 8 d5 e6 9 dxc6 bxc6 10 Ba4.
cxb3 23 axb3. What is the material balance? What is the material balance?
1 1
Black can also play 19...Qc7 and 19...b4. This is better than taking the d-pawn. 2 6…Bxe4 7
Nxe4 dxe4 8 Bb5 is similar to the game.
9 ply 9 ply
A13 B08
279. Black is weak along the f-file. Visualize 280. Visualize the position after the moves 19
the position after the moves 22 Ref11 Rh62 23 g4 hxg4 20 hxg4 Bxg4 21 Bxe4 d51 22 Nh2
Nxe4 Nxe43 24 Rxf7+ Qxf7 25 Rxf7+ Kxf7 26 Bh32 23 Bg2. What is the material balance?
Qxe4. What is the material balance?
1
Black is down a piece for a pawn after 21...f5 22
1
22 Ref1 not only hits Black's Knight on f6, but also Nh2 fxe4 23 Nxg4. 2 22...Be2 is met by 23 Re1; the
the pawn behind it. Black resigned here. 2 White has a actual game continued 22...Qd7 23 Bg2 Bh3 24 Bxh3
Queen, Bishop and two pawns for two Rooks after Qxh3 25 Bf4, attacking Black’s Rook on b8 and in-
22...Be8 23 Rxf6 Qxf6 24 Rxf6 Kxf6 25 Nxe4+ Ke7 tending 26 Qe3, hitting both Black's pawn on e7 and
26 Nxg5. 3 White is up two pawns after 23...Qxe4 24 the Queen on h3 (1-0, 30).
Qxe4 Nxe4 25 Rxf7+ and 26 Rxd7.
CHAPTER 10. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD (WHITE TO PLAY) || 101
9 ply 9 ply
D26 B80
281. White’s pawn c4 is under attack. Visualize 282. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position
the position after the moves 37 Ne7+ Kf81 38 after the moves 15 Ndb5 Bxa6 16 Nxd6+ Bxd6
Nf52 Rxc4 39 Rb8+3 Kf7 40 Nd6+ Ke6 41 17 Qxa6+ Qb71 18 Qxb7+ Kxb7 19 Rxd6. What
Nxc4. What is the material balance? is the material balance?
1 1
37...Kh8 38 Nd5 Rxc4 loses to 39 Nxf6 and 30 Rh7, White is up two pawns after 17...Kb8 18 Nb6 Qb7
mate. 2 This move attacks Black’s h-pawn and indi- 19 Qxb7+ Kxb7 20 Nxd6+ and will also win the ex-
rectly defends White’s c-pawn. 3 Black resigned here. change after 20...Kc7 21 Nxf7.
10 ply 10 ply
B08 A85
283. Visualize the position after the moves 9 284. Each player has a piece under attack. Vi-
dxe5 dxe5 10 Qxd8 Rxd8 11 Rxd8+ Nxd8 12 sualize the position after the moves 23 Qxb7
Nxe5 Nxe4 13 Nxe4 Bxe5. What is the material gxf3 24 Rc8 Rxg2+ 25 Kh1 Rxc8 26 Rxc8
balance? Qxc8 27 Qxc8+ Nf8. What is the material bal-
ance?
102 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
11 ply 11 ply
B00 C99
285. White's Knight on b5 is under attack, but 286. Visualize the position after the moves 36
Black’s King is vulnerable. Visualize the posi- Qd5 Re71 37 Rxe7 Kxe7 38 Nf5+ Kf8 39 Qxf7+
tion after the moves 14 Nxg6 fxg6 15 Qf7+ Kd8 Kxf7 40 Nd6+ Ke6 41 Nxc8. What is the ma-
16 Qxf8+ Rxf8 17 Rxf8+ Ke7 18 Rxb8 Rxb81 terial balance?
19 Nd6. What is the material balance?
1
36…Qe8 loses a pawn to 37 Qc5+ Kg8 38 Rb7.
1
Black resigned here.
11 ply 11 ply
B32 B87
287. Visualize the position after the moves 19 288. Visualize the position after the moves 11
Ng51 Bf62 20 Bxf5 Bxg53 21 fxg54 Rxf5 22 Rxf5 e5 Bb7 12 exf6 Bxf3 13 fxe7 Bxd11 14 Nxe6
exf5 23 Qd5+ Kh8 24 Qxa8. What is the ma- Qxe72 15 Bxe7 Rc83 16 Rxd14. What is the ma-
terial balance? terial balance?
1
White’s threat is 20 Bxf5 Rxf5 21 Qxd4. 2 This 1
White has three pieces for the Queen after 13...Re8
blocks the Rook’s defense of f5. Black’s position is 14 Nxf3. 2 Best. 14...fxe6 allows mate in two: 15
more solid after either 19...Qb6 or 19...Bc5. Bxe6+ Rf7 (16...Kh8 17 exf8=Q, mate) 16 e8=Q,
3
20…exf5 drops the Ra8 to 21 Qd5+. 4 Black re- mate, while after 14...Qc8 15 exf8=Q+ Qxf8 16 Nxf8
signed here. White is up two pieces. 3 15...Re8 can be met by ei-
ther 16 Nc7 or 16 Bxd6. 4 Black resigned here.
CHAPTER 11. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD
(BLACK TO PLAY)
This chapter contains exercises in which the activity takes place over two or more sectors
of the board, but with Black to move. The diagrams are set up with White at the bottom of
the board in order to give you the opportunity to practice visualizing positions in which
your opponent is the aggressor and most of the action takes place on your side of the board.
The following are the most common two-sector combinations seen in this chapter:
Queenside and center – see exercises 294, 296, 298, 299, 305, and 310;
Kingside and center – see exercises 290, 291, 292, 302, 303, 308, 309, and
313; and
Kingside and queenside – see exercises 300, 301, 306, and 312.
Exercises in which the activity spills over into a third sector of the board by one square are
also included in this chapter (as opposed to Chapter 24), as they do not significantly in-
crease the difficulty of the visualization exercise.
The diagrams in this chapter were intentionally set up with White at the bottom of the
board in order to give you the opportunity to practice visualizing moves from the defend-
er’s point of view.
This chapter contains thirty-six exercises ranging in depth from five to eleven half-moves,
as seen in the following table:
Ply: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ TOTAL
Exercises: - 8 - 8 8 6 2 4 - - 36
104 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
5 ply 5 ply
E90 A46
289. Visualize the position after the moves 290. The count is 2-2 on d2 and 1-1 on f2, but
17...Qxc3 18 Bxd41 Qxd2 19 Rxd2 exd4. What White’s King is defending both. Visualize the
is the material balance? position after the moves 35...Rxd2 36 Rxd2
Rxd2 37 Kxd2 Bxf2. What is the material bal-
1
18 Qxc3 loses a piece to Ne2+ 19 Kh1 Nxc3. ance?
5 ply 5 ply
B73 C44
291. White has just played 13 Be3-h6. Visualize 292. Black is up a pawn. White is threatening
the position after the moves 13...Nxd4 14 Bxg7 19 d5, but his Bd2 is weak. Visualize the posi-
Nxe2+ 15 Qxe2 Kxg71. What is the material tion after the moves 18...Nxd4 19 cxd4 Qxd4+
balance? 20 Kh1 Qxd2. What is the material balance?
1
White resigned here.
CHAPTER 11. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD (BLACK TO PLAY) || 105
5 ply 5 ply
B25 B73
293. Visualize the position after the moves 294. Black’s Queen is under attack. Visualize
12...dxe4 13 Ne51 Nxe5 14 fxe5 Bxd3. What is the position after the moves 11...Bxd41 12 Nxb6
the material balance? Bxe3+ 13 Kh12 Bxb6. What is the material bal-
ance?
1
13 dxe4 loses a piece to 13...Qxd1 14 Rfxd1 Bxe2.
1
11...Qxb2 12 Rfb1 traps Black's Queen, but Black
can get a Rook, Knight, and two pawns for it after
12...Qxd4 13 Bxd4 Bxd4+ 14 Kf1 Nxh2+ 15 Ke1
Bxa1 16 Rxa1 Ng4. 2 Material is even after 13 Qxe3
Nxe3 14 Nxa8 Nxf1 15 Rxf1.
5 ply 5 ply
B20 A65
295. Black is up a pawn. The count on f5 is 2-2, 296. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position
but Black can clear the 5th rank. Visualize the after the moves 22...Rxc31 23 bxc32 Qxc3 24
position after the moves 15...Nxd3 16 Qxd3 Rb13 Qxe34. What is the material balance?
dxe4 17 Qxe41 Bxf52. What is the material bal-
1
ance? 22...Bxc3 23 bxc3 Qxc3 wins the pawn back, but
gains nothing more. The actual game continued
1
In the actual game White played 17 Nh6+ gxh6 18 22...Rfe8 (1-0, 30). 2 Black has two pieces for a Rook
Rxf8+ Kxf8 19 Nxe4 (0-1), when Black is up a piece after 23 Bd2 Qxb2 24 Bxc3 Qxc3. 3 Black is up a
and pawn and can hold his e-pawn with 19…Qe5. piece after 24 Bb6 Qxa1 25 Qxa1 Bxa1. 4 25 Rxb7
2
18 Qxd4 loses the Queen to 18…Bc5. can be met by 25...Bd4 26 Qf1 Bb5.
106 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
7 ply 7 ply
D02 D08
297. Watch the d-file. Visualize the position af- 298. Black's Knight is under attack. Visualize
ter the moves 9...Nxd2 10 Qxd2 Bxe5 11 dxe5 the position after the moves 16...Nxc4 17 Nxc4
dxc4 12 Rfd1 cxd31. What is the material bal- axb5 18 Ne5 bxa4 19 Nxd7 Rxd71. What is the
ance? material balance?
1 1
12...Qxd3 loses to 13 Qc1, when Black's Queen is White resigned here.
trapped.
7 ply 7 ply
A36 A04
299. Visualize the position after the moves 300. Visualize the position after the moves
11...Nxe4 12 Nxc6 Nxc3 13 bxc3 Qc71 14 Nxb8 17...exf41 18 Bxf4 Nxf3+ 19 Bxf3 Bxf3 20 Rxf3
Qxb8. What is the material balance? Bxb2. What is the material balance?
1 1
White is up a Rook for a pawn after 13...bxc6 14 17...Nxf3 and 17...Bxf3 both transpose.
Rxb8.
CHAPTER 11. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD (BLACK TO PLAY) || 107
7 ply 7 ply
A04 D31
301. Visualize the position after the moves 302. Visualize the position after the moves
11...bxc3 12 f61 Bxf6 13 Rxf6 cxb2 14 Bxb2 20...Nexf2 21 Qd21 Nxd3 22 Nxg42 Nxf4+ 23
Rxb2. What is the material balance? Rxf4 fxg4. What is the material balance?
1 1
White is down a pawn after 12 bxc3 Bxc3 13 Rb1 21 Rxf2 loses the Queen to 21...Nxe3, but now the
Bd4+ 14 Kh1. threat of 22 Rxf2 is on. 21 Nxg4 Nxg4 concedes the
pawn. 2 White is down a pawn after 22 Qxd3 and has
a weak pawn on e3.
7 ply 7 ply
B28 D11
303. Visualize the position after the moves 304. Black’s Bishops are strong. Visualize the
17...Rxe4 18 Rxe4 dxe4 19 g4 exf3 20 Qxf3 position after the moves 22...Bh3+ 23 Ke11 Bg2
Bg61. What is the material balance? 24 Rg1 Bxh22 25 Rxg23 Rxg2. What is the ma-
terial balance?
1
The actual game continued 20...Qc7 21 gxh5 Qxc4
22 h6 Qe4 23 Qc3 Qg6+ (0-1). 1
23 Kf2 loses a pawn to 23…Rg2+ 24 Ke1 (24 Kf1?
Rxh2+ 25 Kg1 Rg8 is mate) Rxh2, when White still
has to contend with Black’s passed h-pawn. 2 White
resigned here. 3 25 Kf2 Bxg1+ 26 Rxg1 h3 is just as
bad for White.
108 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
8 ply 8 ply
E72 A57
305. Visualize the position after the moves 306. Visualize the position after the moves
8...exd4 9 Nxd4 Nxd4 10 Qxd4 Nxe4 11 Qd31 15...Bxh2+ 16 Nxh2 Nxh2 17 Nxc51 Nxf1 18
Nxc3 12 bxc3. What is the material balance? Nxb7 Qg5 19 Rxf1. What is the material bal-
ance?
1
11 Qxe4 loses the Queen to 11...Re8.
1
Black is up a pawn after 17 Kxh2 Qh4+ 18 Kg1
Rxe4.
8 ply 8 ply
A41 B40
307. Black is down a pawn. The count on e3 is 308. Visualize the position after the moves
3-3, but Black can add his Bishop to the a7-g1 11...Ng3 12 fxg3 Be3 13 Qxe31 Nc2+ 14 Kf2
diagonal. Visualize the position after the moves Nxe3 15 Bxe3. What is the material balance?
17...Nfxe3 18 fxe3 Nxe3 19 Qxe3 Bd4 20 Nc2
1
Bxe3+ 21 Bxe3. What is the material balance? 13 Qd1 allows mate in two: 13...Qxg3+ 14 Kf1 Qf2,
mate.
CHAPTER 11. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD (BLACK TO PLAY) || 109
8 ply 8 ply
E00 B75
309. Black is down a pawn and wants to win 310. Black is down a pawn. Visualize the posi-
White's Queen by playing Bg3. Visualize the tion after the moves 16...Nxe4 17 fxe4 Bxe4 18
position after the moves 21...Ng3 22 hxg3 Rhe1 Rxc2+ 19 Qxc21 Bxc2 20 Kxc2. What is
Nd3+1 23 Bxd3 Bxg3 24 Ke22 Bxf2 25 Nxf2. the material balance?
What is the material balance?
1
19 Nxc2 allows 19…Qxb2, mate.
1
22...Bxg3 23 Bxc5 Bxf2+ 24 Kxf2 is similar to the
game. 2 24 Qxg3 Qxg3+ drops the Nh3.
8 ply 8 ply
D04 E34
311. Visualize the position after the moves 312. Black is up a pawn. Visualize the position
11...cxd4 12 exd41 Nxe5 13 dxe5 Qxc3 14 exf6 after the moves 15...Ba6 16 Rxa51 Bxf1 17
gxf62 15 Nf3. What is the material balance? Rxa8 Bxg2 18 Rg1 Bxf3 19 Ra72. What is the
material balance?
1
12 Bxd4 drops the Ne5. 2 14...Qxf6 lets White re-
gain his pawn with 15 Qb5+ and 16 Qxb7, which 1
Relatively best is 16 Bxa6 Rxa6 17 0-0, although
isn’t possible with the Queen on c3, since White is White is still down a pawn. 2 In the game White gave
tied to the defense of his Knight. up his Rook with 19 Bf4 Nxa8 and resigned after 20
Rxg7 Qa5 (0-1).
110 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
9 ply 9 ply
C06 C76
313. White’s f-pawn is weak. Visualize the po- 314. Visualize the position after the moves
sition after the moves 13...e5 14 dxe51 Ng4 15 13...f5 14 exf5 gxf5 15 Nxf51 Rxf5 16 Qxg4
Be32 Nxe3 16 fxe3 Qxe3+ 17 Kh1 Nxe5. What Rxf2 17 Qd12 Rxg2. What is the material bal-
is the material balance? ance?
1
White can’t allow 14…e4. 2 Alternatives: a) 15 Rf1 1
15 Nh5 is better. 2 17 Qe4 allows 17…Bf5, with a
allows 15…Ncxe5, with the dual threat of 16...Nxd3 double attack on White’s Bishop on c2.
and 16...Rxf3; b) 15 Qc2 may be best, although Black
gets an attack after 15…Qxf2+ 16 Kh1 Rxf3.
9 ply 9 ply
C34 D02
315. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position 316. Visualize the position after the moves
after the moves 16...Rxe1 17 Nxe1 Nxd4 18 16...Bxf3 17 Bxf3 fxe5 18 Bc31 exf4 19 Bxg7
cxd41 Qxd4+ 19 Kf1 Rxe1+ 20 Kxe1 Bxd32. fxe3+ 20 Ke2 Nxg72. What is the material bal-
What is the material balance? ance?
1
Material is even after 18 Kf1 Nc6. 2 Black threatens 1
18 fxe5 and 18 Bxe5 Bxe5 19 fxe5 Qe6 both give
21...Qe3+ or 21...Bg5 and 22...Qg1, mate. Black a target on e5 and an open f-file, while 18
Bxa7 drops the exchange to 18…e4 19 Be2 Bxa1.
2
21 Kxe3 gives Black an attack after 21...Nf5+ 22
Kf2 Qd6.
CHAPTER 11. TWO SECTORS OF THE BOARD (BLACK TO PLAY) || 111
9 ply 9 ply
D46 D02
317. Visualize the position after the moves 318. Visualize the position after the moves
16...h4 17 Bxc81 Raxc8 18 Qf52 hxg3 19 Qxg4 16...Ndxe5 17 dxe5 Nxe5 18 Be2 d4 19 0-0
gxf2+ 20 Kh13 Qxe3. What is the material bal- dxc3 20 bxc3 Qxc3. What is the material bal-
ance? ance?
1
17 Bxg4 loses a pawn to 17…hxg3 18 Bxc8 gxh2+
19 Kh1 Raxc8. 2 White is down two pawns after 18
h3 Nxe3 19 fxe3 Qxe3+ 20 Kh1 hxg3. 3 White can’t
take the pawn -- 20 Rxf2 drops the Ra1, while 20
Kxf2 Qxe3 is mate.
10 ply 10 ply
E81 C40
319. The count on e2 is 2-2. Visualize the posi- 320. Visualize the position after the moves
tion after the moves 30...Bh4+1 31 g3 Rxe2+ 32 14...Bxf3 15 Rxf3 Nxd4 16 Rh31 Qxh3 17 gxh32
Rxe2 Rxe2+ 33 Kxe2 Nxg3+ 34 Kf2 Nxf1+ 35 Nf3+ 18 Kg2 Nxd2 19 Bxd2. What is the ma-
Kxf1. What is the material balance? terial balance?
1 1
30...Bd4+ gives Black little after 31 Nxd4 cxd4 32 16 Qxd4 loses the Queen to 16...Bxh2+, while 16
b4, but 30…Bxb2 is possible, intending to target Rff1 leaves Black up a pawn. 2 In the actual game
White’s pawn on c4. White lost his Queen after 17 Qxd4 Qxh2+ (0-1) 18
Kf1 (18 Kf2 doesn’t change anything) 18...Bc5 19
Qxc5 Ne4+.
112 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
11 ply 11 ply
B26 E43
321. Visualize the position after the moves 322. Visualize the position after the moves
16...bxc3 17 bxc3 Nxc3 18 Qxc3 cxd4 19 Nxd4 16...Ne5 17 dxe5 Rxd3 18 exf6 Rxd11 19 fxe7
Nxd4 20 Bxd4 Qxc3 21 Bxc3 Bxc3. What is the Rxe1+ 20 Kf2 Rxe32 21 Kxe3 Re83. What is the
material balance? material balance?
1
18...Qxf6 19 Bxd3 gives White a Rook and two mi-
nor pieces for a Queen and pawn. 2 Moving the Rook
elsewhere gives White time to play 21 Bb5.
3
White resigned here.
11 ply 11 ply
A16 A50
323. The count is 3-2 on h6. Visualize the posi- 324. Visualize the position after the moves
tion after the moves 14...f5 15 Nxh6 f4 16 gxf4 15...Nxe3 16 Kxe3 cxd4+ 17 Nxd41 Rxd4 18
exf4 17 Ng4 fxe3 18 fxe3 Bxg41 19 hxg4 Qxg4. Bh7+ Kxh7 19 Qxd4 Rd82 20 Qxd83 Qxd8.
What is the material balance? What is the material balance?
1 1
18...Ng3 is also good for Black. Black is up a pawn after 17 Kf2 dxc3 18 Rxc3.
2
White resigned here. 3 20 Qa4 allows 20…Qc5+ 21
Ke2 Ba6+ 22 Ke1 Qe3+ 23 Ne2 Qxe2, mate.
CHAPTER 12. MULTIPLE IMBALANCES
This chapter contains exercises that feature two or more sets of imbalances: a series of ex-
changes involving pieces of different value occurs in a position where the material balance
is already unbalanced. Thus in the initial position one side might be up the exchange, two
pieces for a Rook, a Queen for two Rooks, and so on. A series of uneven exchanges then
takes place, such as the exchange of a piece for one or more pawns, a Rook for one or more
minor pieces, a Queen for a Rook and Bishop, and so on.
The following specific situations occur in these exercises:
One side is up (down) the exchange, then wins (loses) a piece – see exercises
325, 328, 333, and 349;
One side is up (down) a piece, then loses (wins) the exchange – see exercises
332 and 346;
One side is up (down) the exchange, then wins (loses) two pieces for a Rook –
see exercises 326, 335, 342, 348, and 351;
One side is down the exchange, then wins a Rook – see exercise 337;
One side is down a piece, then wins a Queen for two pieces – see exercise
360.
For exercises that involve three difference types of imbalances, see exercises 329, 343,
353, and 356.
This chapter contains thirty-six exercises ranging in depth from five to ten half-moves, as
seen in the following table:
Ply: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ TOTAL
Exercises: - 8 2 8 8 8 2 - - - 36
114 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
5 ply 5 ply
B07 A17
325. White is up the exchange. Visualize the 326. White has a Rook and two pawns for two
position after the moves 20 Qd8+ Qxd8 21 pieces. Visualize the position after the moves 21
Rxd8+1 Bf8 22 Rxc8. What is the material bal- Rf51 Nh72 22 Rxf7 Kxf7 23 Qxh7+. What is the
ance? material balance?
1 1
Black resigned here. White threatens 22 Rg4, mate. 2 21...Nf8, intending
to cover the check with 22…Ng6, drops the Nf6.
5 ply 5 ply
A49 A46
327. White is up a piece for two pawns, but his 328. The count is 4-3 on e8. White is up the ex-
Knight on d5 is trapped. Visualize the position change and a pawn. Visualize the position after
after the moves 15 Bxd4 exd51 16 Bxg7 Kxg7 the moves 43 Re8 Nxe8 44 dxe8=Q+ Rxe8 45
17 Qxd5. What is the material balance? Bxe8+. What is the material balance?
1
15...Bxd4+ 16 Qxd4 exd5 17 Qxd5 is similar, ex-
cept that Black’s King is on g8 instead of g7.
CHAPTER 12. MULTIPLE IMBALANCES || 115
5 ply 5 ply
C65 D05
329. White is down a piece for two pawns, but 330. White is down two pieces for three pawns,
has a passed pawn. Visualize the position after but is able to win Black’s Queen. Visualize the
the moves 40 c7 Nb4 41 c8=Q1 Nxc2 42 Qxc2. position after the moves 24 Nxe6+ Nxe6 25
What is the material balance? Rxe6 Qxe61 26 Qxe6. What is the material bal-
ance?
1
41 Rc4 is saves the Rook, but White prefers to sim-
plify. 1
25...Qd7 26 Qxf8+ Kc7 27 Qf4+ Kd8 28 Rd6 is
even worse.
5 ply 5 ply
B79 D44
331. White has a piece for four pawns. Visual- 332. White is down a piece for two pawns. Vi-
ize the position after the moves 19 Bxf7+ Kxf71 sualize the position after the moves 19 Nb5
20 Rxh7+ Ke8 21 Qxe4. What is the material Qxb51 20 exd8=Q+ Kxd8 21 Kxg2. What is the
balance? material balance?
1 1
19...Kf8 20 Rxh7 threatens mate in a variety of The threat is 20 Nxa7+, winning Black’s Queen.
ways (Qg7, Qh8, and Bh6). 19...Kb7 loses to 20 exd8=N+.
116 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
6 ply 6 ply
E59 A09
333. White is up a piece for two pawns. Visual- 334. White has a piece for three pawns. Visual-
ize the position after the moves 24 Bxf7+ Kh81 ize the position after the moves 21 Rxf7+ Bxf7
25 Bxe8 Qg4+ 26 Kh22 Rxe8. What is the ma- 22 Rxf7+ Qxf71 23 Nxf7 Kxf7. What is the ma-
terial balance? terial balance?
1 1
24...Kxf7 25 Ng5+ wins Black's Queen, as does Alternatives: a) 22...Ke6 23 Bf5 is mate; b) 22...Kd8
24…Kf8 25 Bxc5 Kxf7 26 Ng5+. 2 26 Kh1 Ne4 can be met by 23 Nxb7+ Kc8 24 Nd6+ Kd8 25 Bf5
threatens 27...Ng3+. (threatening 26 Rd7, mate), when 25...Nb8 loses to
26 Qa4.
7 ply 7 ply
C42 B05
335. White is up the exchange. Visualize the 336. White has a Rook and two pawns for two
position after the moves 15 Nxg5 Bxd1 16 bxc3 Knights. Visualize the position after the moves
Bxc3 17 Raxd1 Bxe1 18 Rxe1. What is the ma- 37 Rd7 Rc5 38 Rff7 Nge7 39 Rfxe7 Nxe7 40
terial balance? Rxe7. What is the material balance?
CHAPTER 12. MULTIPLE IMBALANCES || 117
7 ply 7 ply
A04 E32
337. White is down the exchange and a pawn, 338. White has a Queen for two Rooks, but
but has a passed pawn. Visualize the position Black's Rooks are weak. Visualize the position
after the moves 46 Qxg6 hxg6 47 e7 Ra8 48 after the moves 41 Qg8+1 Ke7 42 Qh7+ Kxf62
e8=Q+ Rxe8 49 Nxe8. What is the material bal- 43 Ne4+ Ke5 44 Nxc5. What is the material
ance? balance?
1
41 Nce4 loses to 41...Ne3+ and 42...Rc1, mate.
2
42...Kd6 43 Nfe4+ is similar.
7 ply 7 ply
D36 D41
339. White is down two pieces for three pawns 340. White has a Rook for two pieces. Visualize
and his Queen is under attack. Visualize the po- the position after the moves 32 Rg8+ Qxg81 33
sition after the moves 28 Qf6+ Bf7 29 Qxf7+ Qxf6+ Kh7 34 Qxe7+ Nf72 35 Qxb7. What is
Qxf7 30 gxf71 Kxf7 31 cxd4. What is the ma- the material balance?
terial balance?
1
Better for Black is 32...Kh7 33 Rxf8 Rxe6 34 fxe5,
1 although White is up the exchange and threatens 35
Black resigned here.
Rxf7+. 2 34...Kh8 is met by 35 Qxe5+ Kh7 36 Qf6,
threatening 37 Re7+.
118 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
7 ply 7 ply
B86 B01
341. White has a Rook for a Knight and two 342. White has two pieces for a Rook. Visualize
pawns. Visualize the position after the moves 27 the position after the moves 19 Bxf7+ Rxf7 20
fxg6 fxg6 28 Rxg6+ hxg6 29 Qxg6+ Kf81 30 Qxf7+ Qxf7 21 Nxf7 Kxf71 22 dxe52. What is
Bxf62. What is the material balance? the material balance?
1 1
29...Kh8 is met by 30 Rf4, with the threat of 31 In the actual game, Black played 21…Bxd4 and lost
Rh4+, mating. 2 30 Rxf6 Bxf6 31 Bxf6 gives Black at his Rd8 (1-0). 2 White isn't worried about 22... Rd1+,
least a perpetual with 31...Qf1+ 32 Kb2 Qe2+ 33 Ka3 as the pin can easily be broken by b3 and Bb2.
Qa6+
8 ply 8 ply
B42 C23
343. White is down a piece for a pawn, but has 344. White is up two pieces for two pawns. Vi-
pressure along the f-file. Visualize the position sualize the position after the moves 14 Bxf7+
after the moves 25 Rxf6 Kxf6 26 Rf1+ Kg7 27 Kxf7 15 Qxg6+ Kf8 16 Qxd6+ Ke8 17 Qxe5+.
Rxf7+ Qxf7 28 exf7 Kxf7. What is the material What is the material balance?
balance?
CHAPTER 12. MULTIPLE IMBALANCES || 119
8 ply 8 ply
B57 D11
345. White is down a piece for two pawns and 346. White is up a piece and a pawn, but two of
two of his pieces are under attack. Visualize the his pieces are under attack. Visualize the posi-
position after the moves 20 Rad1 Qe5 21 Nef6+ tion after the moves 21 Nxf6+ Qxf6 22 Bxe4
Bxf6 22 Nxf6+ Qxf6 23 Qxf6 Nc5. What is the Qxa1+ 23 Ke21 Qxh1 24 Bxf5 Qxg2. What is
material balance? the material balance?
1
23 Qd1 loses a piece to 23…Qxd1 24 Kxd1 Bxe4,
although White remains up a pawn.
8 ply 8 ply
B17 E67
347. White is down a piece for two pawns. Vi- 348. White is down the exchange. Visualize the
sualize the position after the moves 18 Qxf7+ position after the moves 30 Nxh7 Kxh71 31
Qxf7 19 Bxf7+ Kxf7 20 Nxd6+1 Kf8 21 Nxe82 Bxf72 Rg8 32 Bxg8+ Kxg8 33 Qxg6+ Bg7.
Nxe8. What is the material balance? What is the material balance?
1 2 1
Black resigned here. 21 Rxe8 Nxe8 22 Nxb7 is 30…Rxd5 is met by 31 Nxf6+ and 32 Nxd5.
2
also good for White. White threatens 32 Qxg6+ Kh8 33 Qh6, mate.
120 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
8 ply 8 ply
A00 B51
349. White has a piece for three pawns. Visual- 350. White is down a Rook and two pawns for a
ize the position after the moves 24 Bxg4+ Rxg4 Queen. Visualize the position after the moves
25 Nxc5 Bxc5 26 Nxb71 Bb62 27 Nxd83 Qxd8. 37 Nxf7 Nxf7 38 Nd6 Qg61 39 Rxf7+ Qxf72 40
What is the material balance? Nxf7 Kxf7. What is the material balance?
1
White is forking Black's Bishop and Rook. 2 White 1
38...Rh7 loses the Knight to 39 Re8+ Kg7 40
is up a Queen for a Rook and pawn after 26...Qxb7 Rxf7+, and then the Queen to 40...Kg6 41 Rg8+ Kh5
27 Rxb7 Kxb7 28 Rxf6. 3 Black resigned here. 42 Rf5+. 2 39...Kg8 allows 40 Re8, mate.
9 ply 9 ply
A43 B78
351. White is up the exchange. Visualize the 352. White has a piece for three pawns, but four
position after the moves 30 Qxg5 Qxa1+ 31 of his pieces are under attack. Visualize the po-
Ke2 Qxh1 32 Qxf6+ Kg8 33 Qd8+1 Kg7 34 sition after the moves 33 Qxf6+ Ke8 34 Qd8+
Qxb6. What is the material balance? Kf7 35 Qxd7+ Kg61 36 Qxe6+ Kxg5 37 Qxg8+.
What is the material balance?
1
Black resigned here.
1
35...Kf8 loses to either 36 Nxe6, mate or 36 Rf1,
mate.
CHAPTER 12. MULTIPLE IMBALANCES || 121
9 ply 9 ply
A42 B06
353. White has three pawns for the exchange. 354. White is down a piece for two pawns. Vi-
Visualize the position after the moves 28 Nxe8 sualize the position after the moves 29 Bg61
Rxe81 29 Qxe8+ Nxe8 30 Rh3+2 Kg8 31 Rg3 Nd7 30 Bh62 Nf63 31 exf6 Qxf6 32 Qh8+ Ke7
Qxg3 32 fxg3. What is the material balance? 33 Qxg7+. What is the material balance?
1 1
This is better than 28...Nxe8 29 Rh3+ Kg8 30 Rg3. Black resigned here. 2 This pins Black’s Bishop and
2
Black resigned here. threatens 31 Qh8, mate. 3 Black intends to meet 31
Qh8 with 31…Ng8.
9 ply 9 ply
C00 D79
355. White is up a piece for two pawns, but will 356. White has a Rook and pawn for two minor
lose his d-pawn if his Bh6 retreats. Visualize the pieces. Visualize the position after the moves 22
position after the moves 24 Bxg6 fxg61 25 Qxg6 Bh31 Qxd5 23 Rxd5 Nf82 24 Rxc83 Rxd54 25
Qf82 26 Qxg7+3 Qxg7 27 Rxg7+ Kh8 28 Rxb7. Be6+ Kh8 26 Bxd5. What is the material bal-
What is the material balance? ance?
1
24...gxh6 loses the Queen to 25 Bf5+. 2 25...Re7 1
White’s threat is 23 Be6. 2 23...Be5 is met by 24
loses to 26 Bxg7, with the threat of 27 Bf6+ and 28 Rxa7, maintaining the pin and gaining connected
Qg8, mate. 3 Black resigned here. passed pawns on the queenside. 3 Black resigned
here, as White’s Rook on d5 is indirectly defended.
Also possible is 24 Rxd8. 4 24...Rxc8 25 Bxc8 is sim-
ilar.
122 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
9 ply 9 ply
D43 E25
357. White has a Rook and Knight for a Queen. 358. White is down the exchange, but has a
Visualize the position after the moves 37 Rh8+1 passed pawn. Visualize the position after the
Kg7 38 Rxd8 Qxd8 39 Nc6 Qxd62 40 Rxd6 moves 37 Nd6 Rxd4 38 e7 Rxg4+ 39 Kh1 Ra4
Bxd6 41 Nxa7. What is the material balance? 40 e8=Q Rxe8 41 Nxe8+. What is the material
balance?
1
This is better than the immediate 36 Nc6, which al-
lows 37...Qa4, when White has nothing better than a
draw, e.g., 38 Rh8+ Kg7 39 Rh7+. 2 39...Qd7 40
Nxb4 gains another piece and threatens 41 Na6-c5.
10 ply 10 ply
B05 D53
359. White is up a Queen and pawn for a Rook 360. White is down a piece for a pawn. Visual-
and Knight. Visualize the position after the ize the position after the moves 15 Qh4+ Kg6
moves 28 Rxe6 Rxe6 29 Qxd5 Kf7 30 f41 Rd82 16 Qh7+ Kf6 17 Nce4+ fxe4 18 Nxe4+ Kf7 19
31 f5 Rdxd6 32 fxe6+ Rxe6. What is the ma- Nxd6+ cxd6. What is the material balance?
terial balance?
1
Black resigned here. 2 30...f5 loses to 31 Qxf5+ Rf6
32 Qxh7+ Ke6 33 Qe7+ Kd5 34 d7.
CHAPTER 13. EXPANDING THE POSITION
This chapter contains exercises in which a number of White pieces move up the board in
concert to create or convert an advantage. Aaron Nimzovich talked about the passed
pawn’s “lust to expand”, but such expansion applies to all of the pieces, not just the passed
pawn. This chapter shows how multiple pieces can march up the board in unison to create
or convert an advantage.
Typical methods utilized during expansion include the following:
Freeing a square – see exercises 363, 371, and 392;
Clearing a line – see exercises 365, 367, and 378; and
Exchanging pieces to open up a line – see exercises 361 and 377.
The following exercises illustrate how to create and/or utilize a strong piece:
Knight – see exercises 372, 376, and 387;
Bishop – see exercises 364, 375, 380, 384, and 388;
Rook – see exercises 362, 366, 368, 373, 379, and 386;
Queen – see exercises 369, 370, and 374; and
Queen and Knight – see exercises 389 and 391.
The following exercises prompt you to find a mate:
Mate in one – see exercises 366 and 367;
Mate in two – see exercises 369, 370, 371, and 386; and
Mate in three – see exercises 372, 373, and 385.
This chapter contains thirty-two exercises ranging in depth from seven to eleven half-
moves, as seen in the following table:
Ply: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ TOTAL
Exercises: - - - 8 - 14 2 8 - - 32
124 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
7 ply 7 ply
C10 D30
361. White can get his Rook to d7. Visualize the 362. White is up a pawn, but two of his pieces
position after the moves 16 Bxb7 Qxb71 17 are under attack. Visualize the position after the
dxc5 Bxc5 18 Rd7 Qc8 19 Rfd1. What is the moves 24 Qxc8 Rxc8 25 Rd8+ Rxd8 26 Rxd8+
material balance? Be81 27 Rxb8. What is the material balance?
1 1
This deflects Black’s Queen from c5 and allows White is up a pawn after 26...Qxd8 27 Nf7+ Kg8 28
White to play 18 Rd7 with tempo. Nxd8.
7 ply 7 ply
C30 D30
363. White is up a pawn and can rearrange his 364. White is down a pawn. Visualize the posi-
pieces on c4 and f1. Visualize the position after tion after the moves 26 Bf4 Qa51 27 Bb32 Qd83
the moves 21 Nd61 Bxd6 22 Bc4+ Be6 23 Rf1 28 Bd6+ Qxd6 29 cxd6. What is the material
Qxf1+2 24 Bxf1. What is the material balance? balance?
1 1
This move frees c4 for the Bishop, while White’s 26...Qd8 27 Bb3 is similar. 2 Black is in a mating
next move frees f1 for the Rook. 2 23...Qe5 loses to net and resigned here. 3 27...Nd5 cuts off the a2-g8
24 Qe8+ Kh7 25 Bd3+ Bf5 26 Bxf5, when Black has diagonal, but also loses to 28 Bd6+, for example, a)
to give up his Queen to avoid mate. 28...Kf7 29 Qe7+ Kg6 30 Rg1+, followed by either
31 Qe5 or 31 Qg5, mate, or b) 28...Kg8 29 Re8+ Kf7
30 Rf8+ Kg6 31 Bc2+ Bf5 32 Bxf5, mate.
CHAPTER 13. EXPANDING THE POSITION || 125
7 ply 7 ply
C78 C30
365. White is up two pawns. Visualize the posi- 366. White is down the exchange but has a win-
tion after the moves 27 Nd71 Qxd72 28 Qxg5+ ning position. How does White mate after the
Kf7 29 Qf6+ Kg83 30 Qxe6+. What is the ma- moves 29 Qd41 Ra8 30 Rg4 Qf62 31 Rg8+3
terial balance? Ke7?
1 1
Black resigned here. 27 Qxg5+ can be met by White unpins his Rook, while at the same time at-
27…Rg7, winning White’s g-pawn. 2 27...Rxd7 loses tacking Black’s Rook on a7. 2 30...Qe7 allows 31
a Bishop and Rook to 28 Qxg5+ Kf7 29 Qg7+ Ke8 Rg8, mate; 30...Qd8 allows 31 Qg7+ Ke8 32 Qf7,
30 Rxe6+ Kd8 31 Qxf8+. 3 29...Ke8 is met by 30 mate. 3 Black resigned here.
Rxe6+.
7 ply 7 ply
C11 E62
367. Visualize the position after the moves 15 368. White is up the exchange and can grab the
Nf7 Kxf71 16 Qxe6+ Kg62 17 g43 Be4. How 7th rank. Visualize the position after the moves
does White mate in one in this position? 30 Re71 b52 31 Rd1 Qf6 32 Rdd7 Ne53. How
does White win in this position?4
1
15...Qc8 is met by 16 Qxe6. 2 16...Kxe6 loses to 17
Ng5, mate, After 16...Kf8 17 Ng5, the only way to 1
30 Rc1 Nxe5 31 Rxc6 Nxc6 wins a Queen for Rook
prevent mate on f7 is by playing 17…Ne5 18 dxe5 and Knight, but Black’s position is solid.
Bd5 19 cxd5 Qxd5, but this loses the Queen to 20 2
Overprotecting the Knight allows Black’s Queen to
Nxh7+ Nxh7 21 Qxd5. 3 This takes away h5 and move. 3 32...Qxb2 33 Qxb2 Nxb2 34 Rxf7 Nxa4 35
threatens 18 Bxf5, mate. Rg7+ also wins. 4 Hint: Black’s Queen is over-
worked.
126 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
9 ply 9 ply
C49 A40
369. Capablanca wins this symmetrical position. 370. White is up two pawns. Visualize the posi-
Visualize the position after the moves 12 Bxf6 tion after the moves 11 cxd7+ Kd8 12 Qd5 Rb81
Bxf31 13 Ne7+ Kh8 14 Bxg7+ Kxg7. How does 13 Qxf7 Be72. How does White mate in two
White mate in two here? here?
1 1
12...Nxf3+ 13 gxf3 Bh3 is met by 14 Qg5. 12...Qb8 is met by 13 Qxf7 Be7 14 Nd5, threatening
both 15 Qxe7+ and 15 Qe8+. 2 13...Qc5 14 Nd5 cov-
ers c7 and threatens 15 Qe8, mating.
9 ply 9 ply
B51 B40
371. Visualize the position after the moves 21 372. Visualize the position after the moves after
Nxc6 Kxc6 22 Bd4 Qb8 23 Qa4+1 Kb72. How the moves 26 Re7 Qxe71 27 Nxf52 Qf83. How
does White mate in two? does White mate in three here?
1 2 1
Black resigned here. 23...Qb5 24 Na3+ wins the Moving the Queen drops the Bf5 for free. 2 Black
Queen. resigned here. 3 Alternatives: a) 27...Rg5 28 Nxe7
gives White a Queen and Knight for a Rook; b)
27...Qd8 28 Rxh7+ Kxh7 29 Qh5 is mate.
CHAPTER 13. EXPANDING THE POSITION || 127
9 ply 9 ply
D45 B10
373. White is up the exchange and two pawns. 374. White is up the exchange. Visualize the
Visualize the position after the moves 40 Rd7 position after the moves 18 Bg5 h6 19 Rfb1
Nxd71 41 Rxd72 Qg5. How does White mate in Kc71 20 Rb7+ Qxb7 21 Rxb7+ Kxb7 22 Qb5+.
three? What is the material balance?
1 1
41...Qxd7 42 exd7 Rd8 loses to 43 Qd5, for exam- 19...hxg5 20 Rb8+ Qxb8 21 Rxb8+ Nc8 22 Qa6
ple, 43...Kc7 44 Qxb7+ Kd6 45 Qd5+ and now a) leads to mate.
45...Kc7 46 Qc6+ Kb8 47 Qb7, mate, or b) 45…Ke7
46 Qe6+ Kf8 47 Bd5, with mate to follow.
2
Black resigned here.
9 ply 9 ply
D37 C00
375. Visualize the position after the moves 19 376. White’s Bishop on b5 is under attack. Vi-
Rxe8 Qxe8 20 Nxd5 cxd5 21 Bxb5 Qc8 22 Qa4 sualize the position after the moves 17 Bxc6
Ndf6 23 Be5. What is the material balance? bxc6 18 Rxd7 Bxd7 19 Nf6+ Kd8 20 Rd1 Kc8
21 Rxd71. What is the material balance?
1
Here 21…Bxf2 is answered by 22 Qxe6.
128 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
9 ply 9 ply
C60 C77
377. Visualize the position after the moves 21 378. Visualize the position after the moves 20
Nc6+ Kf7 22 Nxb8 Rxb8 23 Rxd6 cxd61 24 Rxd7 Qxd7 21 Bxg7 Nxg7 22 Qg41 Bf6 23
Qxa7+2 Qe7 25 Qxb8. What is the material bal- Nh6+ Kh8 24 Qxd7. What is the material bal-
ance? ance?
1 1
White is up a Rook if Black doesn’t take on d6. Black resigned here.
2
Black resigned here.
9 ply 9 ply
A44 C37
379. White is down a pawn. Visualize the posi- 380. White is down two pawns. Visualize the
tion after the moves 19 Qxf8 Rxf8 20 Rxf8+ position after the moves 17 Bxg5 Be6 18 Rxf7
Qd8 21 Nxd6+ Kc7 22 Rxd81 Kxd8 23 Nxb7+. Bxf71 19 Bf62 Qxe4+ 20 Qxe4 Bxf6 21 Qxb7.
What is the material balance? What is the material balance?
1 1
22...Kxd6 loses to 23 Rxd7, mate. 18...Rxf7 leaves Black a pawn down after 19 Bxe6
Kf8 20 Qxf7+ Qxf7 21 Bxf7 Kxf7 22 Kxh2. 2 Black
resigned here.
CHAPTER 13. EXPANDING THE POSITION || 129
9 ply 9 ply
A07 C84
381. Visualize the position after the moves 15 382. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position
Nxc6 Qxc6 16 cxd5 Nc5 17 Qc3 Qd61 18 Bxc5 after the moves 30 Rxc2 Rxc2 31 Qe71 Be8 32
Qxc5 19 Qxf62. What is the material balance? Bxf7+ Bxf72 33 Rxd8+3 Qxd8 34 Qxd8+. What
is the material balance?
1
17…Qc7 undefends the Nf6. 2 White threatens both
20 Qxh8 and 20 Qe5+, winning the Rb8. Black re- 1
The threat is 32 Qxf7+ Kh8 33 Qg8+, with a smo-
signed here. thered mate. 2 32...Kh8 loses to 33 Qf8+. 3 Black re-
signed here.
10 ply 10 ply
C18 E14
383. White is up a pawn. Visualize the position 384. Visualize the position after the moves 17
after the moves 25 dxc5 Nxc5 26 Rd1+ Ke71 27 Qxc7 Rxc7 18 Be5 Rd7 19 Nd41 Nxd4 20
Bxc5+ bxc5 28 Rxe6+2 Kf83 29 Rxe8+4 Kxe8. Bxd42 Bc83 21 Bxd7 Nxd74. What is the materi-
What is the material balance? al balance?
1 1
26...Rd7 27 Bxc5 bxc5 28 Rxd7 Qxd7 29 Rxf7 Qe8 White’s threat is 20 Nxe6. 2 White's Bishops domi-
(defending the Rook against 30 Qf6+) 30 Qa8, mate. nate Black's Rook. 20 Bxd7 is also possible, when
2
Black resigned here. 3 Taking on e6 is met by 29 White is up the exchange after 20...Ne2+ 21 Kh1 Ba6
Qf6, mate. 4 White can also play 29 Qf6, for example, 22 Bb5. 3 20...Rc7 21 Be5 also wins material.
4
29…Qxe6 30 Qxh8+ Ke7 31 Qd8, mate, or 29...Rg8 In the game Black lost his a-pawn after 21...Bxd7
30 Rxe8+ Kxe8 31 Qd8, mate. 22 Rb7 Rd8 23 Rxa7 (1-0, 24).
130 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
11 ply 11 ply
E17 C21
385. Visualize the position after the moves 19 386. White is down two pawns. Visualize the
Bxg71 Kxg7 20 Qh6+ Kg8 21 e5 Qc72. How position after the moves 21 Bxb7 Rxb7 22 Bxf6
does White mate in three? Qxf61 23 Re8+ Nf8 24 Nh6+ Qxh6. How does
White mate in two?
1 2
Black resigned here. 21...Rd5 allows the same
mate. 1
22...gxf6 23 Qh6 Qf8 is met by 24 Re8 with 25
Qg7, mate.
11 ply 11 ply
E32 C34
387. White has two Rooks for a Queen and 388. White is up the exchange, but his Queen
pawn. Visualize the position after the moves 29 and g-pawn are under attack. Visualize the posi-
gxh6 gxh6 30 Rxd7 Qxd7 31 Rb8+ Kg7 32 tion after the moves 16 Bxf4 Kg81 17 Bxd6
Rg8+1 Kxg8 33 Nf6+ Kg7 34 Nxd7. What is the cxd6 18 Qb3+2 d5 19 Bf7+ Kh8 20 Bxd53 Qd6
material balance? 21 Bxe4. What is the material balance?
1 1
Black resigned here. Best. 16...Bxd3 loses to 17 Bxd6+ Kg8 18 Rf8,
mate. 16...Bxf4 leaves White is up at least a Rook
and a pawn after 17 Rxf4 and 18 Qxe4. 2 Black re-
signed here. 3 This move attacks Black's Queen and
threatens 21 Rf8, mate.
CHAPTER 13. EXPANDING THE POSITION || 131
11 ply 11 ply
A39 E94
389. White has a piece for two pawns, but his c- 390. Visualize the position after the moves 20
pawn is under attack. Visualize the position af- Qa71 Qxa7 21 Nxa7 Bb7 22 Bb52 Bf83 23 Bc6
ter the moves 29 Qb2+ Kg8 30 Qf61 bxc4 31 Ba64 24 b5 Bxb5 25 Nxb5. What is the material
Rxe8+ Rxe8 32 Rxe8+ Bxe8 33 Ne7+2 Qxe7 34 balance?
Qxe7. What is the material balance?
1
White threatens 21 Qxb8 Nxb8 winning either the
1
30 Re7, hitting g7, is even better, e.g., 30 Re7 Rxe7 b- or d-pawn. 2 White's threat is 23 Bc6 Ba6 b5.
3
31 Rxe7 Qxe7 32 Nxe7+ Kf8 33 Bxc6 with 34 Qf6, 22...Nb8 23 Bc6 Bxc6 24 dxc6 also wins. 4 White's
mate. 2 Black resigned here. pawn can't be stopped after 23...Bxc6 24 dxc6.
11 ply 11 ply
B17 B01
391. White is down the exchange. Visualize the 392. White is up the exchange. Visualize the
position after the moves 17 Qh5 Qxe51 18 position after the moves 31 Rd8+ Rxd8 32
Qg6+2 Kh8 19 Qh6+ Kg8 20 Nh53 f5 21 Nf6+ cxd8=Q+ Qxd81 33 Rd1 Qa8 34 Bh42 e43 35
Qxf6 22 Qxf6. What is the material balance? Rd8+ Qxd8 36 Bxd8. What is the material bal-
ance?
1
17...Rxe5 is better, as this hangs the f-pawn. 17...
Be6 allows 18 Qh6 Bxc4 19 Nh5, threatening both 20 1
White has given up his passed pawn to reach this
Qg7 and 20 Nf6. 2 18 Qxf7+ Kh8 19 Qg6 can be met position. 2 Black resigned here. 34 Qa5 is worse, as it
by 19…Be6. 3 The threat is 21 Qg7, mate and 21 allows Black to add a cheap defender to d8 and take
Nxf6+. Black resigned here. h5 away from White with 34...Bf6. 3 Other moves are
similar.
Answer Key Book 1
Part 01
ANSWER KEY
SECTION 1. SERIES OF pawns and has ex-
EXCHANGES ON A changed down to a won
SINGLE SQUARE. ending. The final
moves were 31 Nc4
Kf8 32 Kf1 (1-0).
CHAPTER 1. EVEN
EXCHANGES.
4. Reutsky-
Chistjakova, Chigorin
1. Nikolic-Seirawan, Memorial Open, St.
Wijk aan Zee, 1995. Petersburg, Russia, White is still up a pawn Material is even, but
2001. and has a won ending White has a won end-
(1-0, 40). ing, e.g., 45 e5 Kd7 46
7. Radjabov-Catalino
e6+ Ke7 47 Ke5 Ke8
48 Kf6, etc, or 45 Ke5
Sadorra, World Youth Kd7 46 Kf6. In the ac-
Chess Festival (Boys tual game Capablanca
10), Cala Galdana, chose 45 Kg6 and won
Spain, 1996. after 45…Kd6 46 Kxh6
Ke5 47 Kxg5 Kxe4 48
Material is even. The Kf6 (1-0).
game continued 28 c5 White has a won end-
bxc5 29 Qxc5+ Kg8 30 ing because of his bet- 10. Shirov-Sveshnikov,
Bf3 (1-0, 61).
ter pawn structure. The Tallinn Rapid, 2000.
game continued 26 Kf1
2. Muller-Wolfangel, Kc7 27 Ke2 Kb6 28
French Team Cham- Kd3 Kb5 29 Kc3, when
pionship, France, 2001. Black’s King will have
to give way (1-0, 41). White is up a pawn and
has a won ending (1-0,
46).
5. Pachman-
Smailbegovic, Saraje-
vo, Yugoslavia, 1961. 8. Burlai-Solom-
chenko, Ukrainian Material is even (1-0,
Team Championship, 83).
Simferopol, Ukraine,
1991. 11. Gagunashvili-
White is still up a pawn Azmaiparashvili, Izmir,
(1-0, 39). Turkey, 2002.
3. Keene-Orpinas, Ha-
vana Olympiad, 1966.
White is still up a
pawn, but Black has
the two Bishops (1-0,
61).
White is still up a piece
6. Garcia-Lopez, Pan (1-0, 58).
American Champion- White is still up two
ship, Havana, Cuba, 9. Capablanca- pawns (½-½, 80).
1963. Farrugia, Panama Si-
White is still up two mul, 1933. 12. Dreev-Chekhov,
258 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
USSR Championship, 11th Chicago Open, AN EXTRA ATTACKER.
Moscow, 1991. 2002.
21. Koskela-Sanli,
Women’s Olympiad,
Elista, Russia, 1998.
Material is even. The
game continued 29
Material is even. The Material is even (1-0, Ng5 Qe7 30 Rg1 cxb4
final moves were 41 39). 31 Qg4 Rcf8 32 Ne6
Ka5 Kg4 42 Bxa6 bxa6 Rxf2+ 33 Bxf2 Rxf2+
43 Kxa6 e5 44 b5 16. Rowson- 34 Kh1 Rf7 35 cxb4 White is up a pawn
(1-0). Dunnington, London, Nd8 36 Rac1 Nxe6 37 (1-0, 57).
England, 1997. Qxe6 Kh8 (1-0).
13. Erwic-Cornette, 22. Trepp-Boehm,
EYCC, Boys 16, Hal- 19. Alapin-Chajes, NRW Juniors Cham-
kidiki, Greece, 2001. Karlsbad, Czechoslo- pionship, Suedlohn,
vakia, 1911. Germany, 1981.
Material is even (1-0,
37).
Material is even, but 17. Rogoff-Kent, US
White has the better Championship (Under Material is even (½-½, White is up two pawns
pawn structure (1-0, 18), 1971. 53). (1-0, 42).
41), e.g., White can
play 30 Bf1, intending 20. Renet-Ikonnikov, 23. Parr-Webb, Sutton
to meet 30…Bb5 with EU Cup, Group 6, Open, Sutton, England,
31 a4. Clichy, France, 1993. 1997.
14. L'Ami-Peek, Dutch
Open, Netherlands,
2002.
Material is even, but
White has the better
pawn structure (1-0,
52).
Material is even. The White is up a piece.
18. Keres-Van Schel- game ended with the
The game ended with
tinga, Wijk aan Zee, moves 38 Ke2 g4 39 f4 the moves 24...a4 25 d6
1969. f5 40 Kd2 h6 41 Ke2 Qf6 26 Ng5 (1-0).
Material is even, but d4 42 Kd3 (½-½, 42).
Black's pawn structure 24. Gomez-Birriel,
has been weakened CHAPTER 2. Women Olympiad,
(1-0, 67). EXCHANGES INVOLVING Dubai, United Arab
15. Goldin-Yudasin, Emirates, 1986.
ANSWER KEY || 259
White is up a pawn 31. Hug-Saeed. Thes-
(1-0, 64). salonica Olympiad,
Thessalonica, Greece,
28. Daniuszewski- 1984.
Romanovsky, All-
Russian Tournament,
1909.
White is up a pawn White is up a pawn.
(1-0. 43). The game continued
28…Na7 29 c4 (29 e5
25. Spasov-Trifunov, Nb5 gives Black coun-
Bulgarian Team White is up a pawn terplay) f6 30 f4 (1-0,
Championship, 1991. (1-0, 41). 44).
White is up a pawn 32. Mazurkiewicz- 35. McKay-Kingston,
(1-0, 59). Rolf, Recklinghausen Australian Junior
Open, Recklinghausen, Championship Hervey
29. Schaefer- Germany, 1994. Bay, Australia, 1999.
Wengenroth, Koblenz
Open, Koblenz, Ger-
many, 1990.
White is up a pawn
(1-0, 45).
26. Puljek Salai-
Macek, Croatian
Women’s Champion- White is up a pawn White is up a piece
ship, Pula, 1996. (1-0, 50). (1-0, 27).
White is up a pawn 33. Gonzalez Fernan- 36. Plaskett-Ferguson,
(1-0, 68). Riopedre Sierra, Astu- Hastings Challengers,
ria (Group B), Spain, 1996.
30. O'Kelly-Green, 1996.
BCF Championship,
1970.
White is up a pawn
(1-0, 46),
27. Bru-Fant, Gausdal,
Norway, 2001. White is up a piece and
White is up two pawns a pawn (1-0, 41).
(1-0, 57).
White is up a pawn and 37. Alexandria-
has the two Bishops. 34. Harestad-Stigar, Jackson, Women’s
The final moves were Norwegian Champion- Olympiad, Medellin,
31...Qc4 32 Qd7 Qc7 ship, Norway, 1981. Columbia, 1974.
33 Qxc7 Rxc7 34 Rb8
1-0).
260 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
43. Tseshkovsky-Peev, 46. Jonkman-
European Team Cham- Stellwagen, Hoogo-
pionship, Moscow, vens-C Open, Wijk aan
1977. Zee, Netherlands,
1999.
White is up a pawn and White is up a pawn
has a strategically won (1-0, 40).
ending (1-0, 48).
CHAPTER 3.
38. Palermo-Schweber, EXCHANGES INVOLVING White is up two pieces
Argentina Champion- PIECES OF DIFFERENT for a Rook (1-0, 24). White has two pieces
ship Mar del Plata, Ar- VALUE. for a Rook (1-0, 38).
gentina, 1968. 44. Alvarez Garcia-
41. Scheidt-Goergen, Castano Bobes, Astu- 47. Ibraev-Vescovi,
ria-A, Asturia, Spain, World Youth Cham-
Seniors World Cham- 1996. pionship (Under 18
pionship, Bad Lieben- Boys), Guarapuava,
zell, Germany, 1996.
Brazil, 1995.
White is up a pawn (0-
1, 77).
39. Ho-Hua Lefong, White has two pieces
for a Rook (1-0, 42).
Canadian Junior
White is up a Queen
Championship, 1996. White has the two Bi-
for a Rook. (1-0, 29)
45. Bellin-Jackson, shops for a Rook and
Guernsey Open, two pawns (1-0, 39).
42. Hrivna-Hebelka, Guernsey Channel Isl-
Czech Republic, 1979. ands, 1989. 48. Kaspret-
Baumgartner, Austrian
Championship, 1989.
White is up a pawn
(1-0, 59) .
40. Potkin-Vorobiov,
White is up a Queen
Chigorin Memorial, St. White has two pieces
and Knight for two
Petersburg, Russia, for a Rook (1-0, 46).
Rooks (1-0, 40).
2000. White has two Bishops
for a Rook (1-0, 45).
ANSWER KEY || 261
49. McDonald-Csom, ship, Moscow, 1957. 55. Biehler- Bishops (1-0, 37).
Budapest FS07 GM Rosenberger, Oberliga
Budapest, Hungary, South, Germany, 1995- 58. Tarakanov-
1995. 96. Terchanian, Russia
Cup, Tomsk, Russia,
1998.
White has a Rook and
Knight for his Queen,
but is in no danger of
White is up three losing. The game con- Material is even, Ma-
pawns, although he tinued 52...Qf7 53 Rg6 terial is even, but
will lose his Pawn on h5 54 Nh2 Bf8 55 Nf1 White's better King White is up the ex-
h6 (1-0, 55). Qh7 (Black was going gives him the better change (1-0, 33).
to lose his h-pawn, so ending after 46 b5 axb5
50. Shirov-Agdestein, he tries to mix things 47 Kb4 (1-0, 61). 59. Casadei-Ho, Kolta-
Bergen-Radisson SAS up) 56 Rxf6 Be7 57 nowski Memorial, San
Match (Rapid), Bergen, Rh6 Qg8 58 Rg6 Qh7 56. Simet-Gombocz, Francisco, 2000.
Norway, 2001. 59 Bg5 (1-0, 80). Wattens Open, Wat-
tens, Austria, 1994.
53. Dziubinsk-
Rudnicki, Polish Boys
Championship (Under
16), 2001.
White has a Queen and
White is up a piece for Bishop for two Rooks
a pawn and has the two Material is even, but (1-0, 39).
Bishops (1-0, 56). White has the better
pawn structure and the 60. Kaminik-Zifroni,
51. Meulner-Krenz, better minor piece after Rishon Le Ziyyon YM-
Nuremberg Open, Nu- White has two Rooks 22 Bf4 d5 23 Re1 (1-0, IM, Rishon Le Ziyyon,
remberg, Germany, for the Queen (1-0, 36). 65). Israel, 1995.
1987.
54. Dzindzihashvili- 57. Gilea-Ionita, Tro-
Lombardy, New York feul Techirghiol, Tech-
Open, 1987. irghiol, Romania, 2006.
White has a Queen and
White is up a piece and Knight for two Rooks
has the two Bishops and a pawn (1-0, 41).
(1-0, 28).
White has two Rooks White has a Queen and 61. Hedenstroem-
52. Gurgenidze-Kha- and a pawn for the Knight for two Rooks, Naeckholm, SoLett
sin, USSR Champion- Queen (1-0, 56). but Black has the two Open, Skelleftea, Swe-
262 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
den, 1999. 64. Burn-Maroczy, 70. Leussen-Neumann,
Paris, France, 1900. Hilversum, Nether-
lands, 1903.
White is up a Queen
White is up a Queen for a Rook and two
and pawn for a Knight. White has a Rook and pawns. The final
pawn for two pieces moves were 29...d2 30 White is up a piece
62. Megias Gonzalez- (1-0, 42). Qxd6+ Kg7 31 Rf1 (1-0, 39).
Sanchez, World Ama- Re1 32 Qg3+ Kh8 33
teur Championship, 65. Alekhine-Kashdan, Rxe1 Rc1 34 Qe5+ 71. Rodriguez Gon-
Pamplona, Spain, 2001. Pasadena, California, (1-0). zales-Ortega, Paname-
1932. rican, Havana, Cuba,
68. Paris-Auge, St. 1966.
Chely d'Aubrac,
France, 2001.
White has a Queen and
Knight for two Rooks, White is up the ex-
and Black has the two change (1-0, 60). White is still up a
Bishops (1-0, 29). pawn. The game ended
66. Sollid-Snellingen, White is up a piece and with the moves
63. Soares-Borges, Norway Open Cham- a pawn (1-0, 22). 38...Kf7 39 Kb2 Kg6
Paulisto Champion- pionship, Gausdal, 40 Kc3 Bb1 41 a4 Kf5
ship, Americana, Bra- Norway, 1999. CHAPTER 4. 42 Kd4 Bc2 43 a5
zil, 2000. EXCHANGES AFTER Bxb3 44 a6 (1-0).
PENETRATION.
72. Lautier-Rueppel,
Bad Zwesten, Germa-
69. Sikora-Krupica, ny, 1999.
Moravian Open Cham-
pionship, 1994.
White is up the ex-
White has a Queen and change (1-0, 42).
pawn for Rook and
Knight. The remaining 67. Todorovic-
moves were 30 Na5 Szeberenyi, FSGM
Rc7 31 Qd3 Nf8 32 Nov, Budapest, Hun- Material is even, but
Qa6 (1-0). gary, 2002. White is still up two White has the two Bi-
pawns (1-0, 39). shops and a target on
d6. The remaining
moves were 24...Bf8
25 Bb6 Ne8 26 Kf2
ANSWER KEY || 263
Nc7 27 Rc1 Na8 28 White is up the ex- Amsterdam Match,
Ba5 Kg7 29 a4 h6 30 change (1-0, 55). Netherlands, 1933.
b5 axb5 31 axb5 Nh8
32 b6 Rd7 33 Rc7 76. Kuczaj-Day, Alber-
(1-0). ta Open, Alberta, Can-
ada, 1997.
73. Balogh-Pilgaard,
FSGM Nov, Budapest,
Hungary, 2002.
White is up a piece for
a pawn (1-0, 41).
White is up a Queen
and a pawn for a Rook 83. Skripchenko-Flear,
and a Bishop. Black French Team Cham-
resigned after 37 Qxc7 pionship, France, 2004.
White is up a Queen axb4 38 axb4 (1-0).
and a pawn for a Rook
(1-0, 35). 80. Torre-Dus Khoti-
White is up the ex- mirsky, Moscow, 1925.
change for a pawn and 77. Van Wely-Dreev,
will win one of Blacks European Blitz Cham-
Kingside pawns: pionship, Bosnia and
29...fxg2 30 Rg8 Be4 Herzegovina, 2000.
31 Rxg7+ (1-0, 55).
White has two pieces
74. Gouliev- for a Rook and a pawn
Malakhatko, Marseille (1-0, 36).
Open, Marseille, White is up a Queen 84. Marian-Huber, Pas-
France, 2004. for a Rook and a Bi- sau, Germany, 1997.
shop (1-0, 55).
White is up a Queen 81. Egger-Enhbat, Ma-
for a Rook and a Bi- nila Olympiad, Philip-
shop, but Black has the pines, 1992.
Bishop pair (1-0, 49).
78. Krivoborodov-
White is up the ex- Barnett, WYb16, Bel-
White is up a piece for
change (1-0, 46). fort, France, 2005. two pawns and has the
75. Shulman-Getz, two Bishops (1-0, 44).
World Open, Philadel-
phia, USA, 2002. 85. Colon-Benkner,
White has two Rooks Moscow Olympiad
for a Queen (1-0, 57). (Preliminary Round),
1956.
82. Van der Zalm-De
Graaf, HZ Open, Vlis-
White is up a Queen singen, Netherlands,
for a Rook and Knight 2001.
(1-0, 48).
79. Spielmann-Landau.
264 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
pieces (0-1, 50). White is up two Rook
88. Norris-Rutherford, for two pieces and two
Scottish Champion- pawns (1-0, 55).
ship, 2000.
94. Hoang Xuan Thanh
Khiet-Dang Bich Ngoc,
Vietnamese Women's
Championship, Hue,
Vietnam, 2005.
White is up a Queen, Black is up a pawn, but
Bishop and pawn for White wins the ending.
two Rooks. Note that
Black’s Rooks are ac- 91. Hadlich-Van Rie-
tive on their open files White is up a Queen sen, Pinneberg, Ger-
(for example 40 Qxd6 for a Knight. Black re- many, 1999.
loses a Bishop to signed after 49 Bh5.
40…Rxf1+), but the
weakness of Black’s CHAPTER 5.
King becomes apparent EXCHANGES INVOLVING White is up the ex-
as soon as White im- A PASSED PAWN. change, but Black has
proves the position of the two Bishops (1-0,
his worst piece with 40 89. Koutsin-Meduna, 47).
Bg4 (1-0). Seefeld Open, Seefeld,
95. Ward-Speelman,
Austria, 1999. White is up a Rook for Redbus Knockout,
86. Testa-Colombo,
two pawns (1-0, 37).
Imperia Open, Imperia, Southend, England,
Italy, 1989. 2000.
92. Halkias-Raptis,
Aegina, Greece, 1996.
Material is even, but
White has a won end-
ing. The game contin-
White is up a piece for ued 58 Kd3 Kd7 (58... White is up the ex-
two pawns and has the Ke7 59 Ke4 Kf7 60 change and now wins
two Bishops (1-0, 79). Kxf4 Kf6 61 g5+ White is up a Rook for Black's h-pawn (1-0,
two pawns and now 40).
hxg5+ 62 Kg4 wins, won Black’s Queen
87. Frech-Rohrer, e.g., 62...Ke6 63 Kxg5 with 41 Be7+ (1-0).
Bayern VLS, Germany, Kf7 64 Kf5 Ke7 65 96. Avrukh-Tofan,
1996. Kg6 Kf8 66 h6) 59 Ke4 93. Wolff-Spangen- 20th ECC, Izmir, Tur-
Ke7 60 Kxf4 Ke6 61 key, 2004.
berg, Argentina, 1997.
Ke4 Kf6 62 Kd5 g6 63
hxg6 Kxg6 64 f4 Kf6
65 Kd6 (1-0).
90. Bonin-Pixton, NY
State Championship,
NY, 1999.
White has a Rook and
two pawns for two White is up a pawn
ANSWER KEY || 265
(1-0, 33). White is up the ex- 107. Galliamova-
change (½-½, 71). Arakhamia Grant,
97. Camara-Pelikan, Women's Interzonal,
Mar del Plata, Argenti- 104. Sokolsky-Nei, Azov, USSR, 1990.
na, 1961. USSR Championship
(Semifinals), Vilnius,
USSR, 1955.
White is up two pawns
(1-0, 58).
101. Leal-Miguel, Pan
American Champion-
White is up a piece for
White is up the ex- ship, 1997. a pawn. Black played
change (1-0, 76). 38...e5 here, then re-
White is up the ex- signed (1-0).
98. Sax-Timman, Phil- change for a pawn (1-0,
lips & Drew, London, 69). 108. Maksimovic-
England, 1980. Bratimirova, Bulgarian
105. De Boer-Hofman, Women's Team Cham-
Groningen Open, Gro- pionship, Sunny Beach,
ningen, Netherlands, Bulgaria, 2006.
1990.
White is up two Rooks
for a pawn.
102. Puigsubira-
Gascon, Andorra
White is up the ex- Championship, 2000.
change for a pawn (1-0,
54).
White is up a piece.
99. Schunk-Knaak, White is up a piece. Black resigned. here.
Bundesliga, Hamburg, Black resigned after
Germany, 2005-06. 36...Be4 37 Bxb6 (1-0). 109. Miralles-Mercier,
French Championship,
106. Videki-Herndl, 1990.
Austrian Team Cham-
White is up a Queen pionship, 1998-99.
and Rook (1-0, 32).
103. Michna-Seidel,
Sebnitz, Germany,
1998.
White is up the ex-
change (1-0, 52).
White is up a piece and
100. Lynge-Mortensen, has the two Bishops.
Roskilde Open, White is up a piece. Black resigned after
Roskilde, Denmark, The game ended 29...f5 30 Bc1 (1-0).
1998. 37...Ke6 38 Nb6 f4 39
Nxa4 (1-0).
266 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
110. Horvath-Ozsvath, 113. Kilic-Schuler, 119. Bertrand-Petitpas,
Hungarian Team Ch, German Championship 2003.
1993-94. (Under 20), Hamburg,
Germany, 1999.
Material is even (½-½,
41).
White is up a Queen
White is up a Rook for 117. Gagunashvili- for a Rook and two
a pawn (1-0, 45). White is up a pawn Nakamura, Turin pawns (1-0, 40).
(1-0, 52). Olympiad, Turin, Italy,
111. Ricbour-Chiquet, 2006. 120. Klundt-Schueller,
French Junior Team 114. Sekmen-Kaya, Bundesliga, Germany,
Championship, 1999. Turkish Championship, 1998-99.
Turkey, 2004.
White is up the ex-
change for a pawn, but
Black's only move is to Black has the two Bi- White is up a Queen
resign, as he's in White has given up a shops (1-0, 63). for a Rook and pawn
checkmate (1-0). pawn to create a won (1-0, 33).
ending (1-0, 53). 118. Rothbart-Botterill,
112. Stenner-Weck, Islington Open, Isling- SECTION 2. BEFORE
Bargteheide Open, 115. Yrjola-Geenen, ton, England, 1972. AND AFTER.
Bargteheide, Germany, European Team Cham-
1989. pionship, 1999. CHAPTER 6.
PREPARATORY BUILD-
UP.
121. Tseitlin, Mark-
Lukic, Hartberg Open,
Austria, 1991.
White is up the ex-
change for a pawn.
White is up a Rook and White is up the ex- Black’s two Bishops
a Bishop. Black re-
change for a pawn (1-0, won’t be able to defend
signed after 39...Kg7 42). his queenside pawns
40 Bc3 (1-0). (1-0, 26). The game
116. Bern-Rice, Gaus- continued 21 Rb1,
dal, Norway, 1993. intending to meet 21...
Bxf3 with 22 Qb8,
forcing the exchange of White is up a Queen
Queens before taking for a Rook and pawn.
on f3.
ANSWER KEY || 267
lovakia, 1963.
122. Egartner-Svacina,
Imperia Open, Imperia,
Italy, 2000.
White has a Queen for White has a Queen for
a Rook and Bishop and White is up a piece two Rooks (1-0, 30).
threatens both 34 Qe8+ (1-0, 40).
and 34 Nxd6 (1-0, 46). 132. Djosic-
White has two pieces 129. Postny-Van Mil, Nesovanovic, 18th
for a Rook (1-0, 47). 126. Popche-Kolev, Tel Aviv, Israel, 2001. Belgrade Trophy, Ob-
Bulgarian Champion- renovac, Serbia and
123. Johnsen- ship, 1985. Montenegro, 2005.
Ingolfsdottir, Reykja-
vik Open, Reykjavik,
Iceland, 2004.
White has a Queen for
two Rooks with outside
White has two Rooks connected passed
White is up a Queen
and a pawn for the pawns (1-0, 64). for a Rook and pawn
Queen. The game (1-0, 42).
White is up two pawns ended with the moves 130. Koskela-Sanli,
(1-0, 65). 29...Kh7 30 Rbb1 Women's Olympiad, 133. Gyimesi-Vasilev,
Qxc4 31 d6 Qc6 32 Elista, Russia, 1998. XXXV World Junior
124. Gomez-Birriel, Rd1 Qd7 33 Rxa5 Championship, Medel-
Women’s Olympiad, (1-0). lin, Colombia, 1996.
Dubai, United Arab
Emirates, 1986. 127. Katalymov-
Kaminsky, Spartakiad
Championship, Sochi,
USSR, 1969.
White is up two pawns
and has a won ending.
The final moves were White has a Queen and
53 Ke2 Kf5 54 Ke3 h5 pawn for two Rooks
White is up a pawn 55 Kd4 h4 56 Kd5 a6 (1-0, 37).
(1-0, 43). 57 c4 (1-0).
134. Herbold-Balkova,
125. Kolaro-Peshtov, White is up a Queen 131. Vukovic- Alpress Cup, Frydek
Bulgarian Champion- for a Rook, Knight, and Dutreeuw, Belgian Mistek, Czech Repub-
ship, 1969. Pawn (1-0, 37). Team Championship, lic, 2005.
Antwerp, Belgium,
128. Nowak-Blatny, 1997.
Telnice/Usti, Czechos-
268 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
White is up a pawn White is up two pawns White is up a piece for White is up a pawn and
(1-0, 43). (1-0, 41). a pawn (1-0, 57). has the better develop-
ment and pawn struc-
135. Lopez Malde- 138. Laue-Hollmann, 141. Hedenstroem- ture.
Calvo Cobas, Vila de Badenweiler Open, Naeckholm, SoLett
Padron Open, Spain, Badenweiler, Germany, Open, Skelleftea, Swe- 144. Vaganian-Gipslis,
2000. 1995. den, 1999. USSR Championship
(Semi-Finals), Frunze,
USSR, 1973.
White is up a piece White is up back his White is up a Queen
(1-0, 42). pawn and created a and pawn for a Knight.
strong Rook on the 7th White is up a pawn and
136. Jarnuczak- rank (1-0, 33). 142. Hall-Day, Elista has a won ending (1-0,
Sausmikat, Pinneberg Olympiad, Elista, Rus- 46).
Open Championship, 139. Van der Stric- sia, 1998.
Pinneberg, Germany, Leenhouts, Belgium 145. Paoli-Gereben,
1993. Team Championship, Arlesheim, Switzer-
2004-5. land, 1961.
White is up the ex-
change and a pawn and
White is up a pawn and now won Black’s b-
exposed Black's weak- White is up a piece and pawn after 54 Ra1 Bf6 White is up a piece.
ness on d6 (1-0, 46). a pawn (1-0, 50). 55 Ra8+ (1-0).
146. Alexandrov-
137. Ligterink- 140. Cubas-Rodriguez, 143. Ogaard-Kraidman, Gusev, Tula, Russia,
Lederman, Le Havre, VI Mario Covas, San- Nice Olympiad (Finals, 2001.
France, 1977. tos, Brazil, 2006. Group B), Nice,
France, 1974.
ANSWER KEY || 269
White is up the ex-
change for a pawn.
Black resigned after the
moves 27 Ra1+ Kb8 28
Re1 (1-0).
153. Allison-Stubbs,
Austrian Championship
(Reserve), Cooma,
White has two pieces White is up a Rook and Austria, 1973. White wins a piece
for a Rook and the Bi- two pawns. with 19 Bxd7 (1-0, 27).
shop pair. White re-
signed after 42...Qb8 150. Ruban-Tuzan, So- 156. Tejaswini-Roy,
43 Qxc8+ (1-0). chi, USSR, 1990. World Youth Girls 10,
Greece, 2004.
147. Valerga-Peralta,
Zonal, Santiago, Chile,
1995.
White is up the ex-
change and a pawn
(1-0, 42).
White is up a piece for
a pawn (1-0, 51). 154. Radjabov-
White is up a piece
Catalino Sadorra,
World Youth Chess (1-0, 32).
151. Hahn-Finke, Festival (Boys 10), Ca-
Material is even, but Sueder Sommer Open, la Galdana, Spain, CHAPTER 7. AFTER
White has a won end- Recklinghausen, Ger- 1996. EFFECTS.
ing. The final moves many, 2000.
were 57 Kf5 Ke7 58 157. Heyken-
Kg6 Ke8 59 Kf6 (1-0). Lagumina, Lugano,
Switzerland, 1989.
148. Bosque Ortega-
Bueno, Itau Cup, Sao
Paulo, Brazil, 2003.
White is still up a pawn
White is up a piece and has a won ending.
(1-0, 48).
The final moves were
152. Rusanov-Ballo, 41 f5 Ke7 42 Kg3 g5
43 Kf3 Kd7 44 Ke4 White is up two pawns
St. Petersburg, Russia, Ke7 45 Kd5 Kd7 46 (1-0, 62).
1999. e6+ (1-0).
White is up a Queen 158. Brien-Trelawney,
for a Rook and Knight, 155. McKay-Kingston, London, 1851.
but all of Black's
queenside pawns are Australia Junior
Championship, Hervey
weak (1-0, 32). Bay, Australia, 1999.
149. Tsanas-Stoukas,
Greek Team Cham-
pionship, 1998.
270 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
White is up two pieces White has two Rooks
for a pawn. and a Knight for a
Queen (1-0, 43).
162. Gheorghiu-Benko,
Orense, Spain, 1973. 169. Karaklajic-
Bogdanovic, Yugosla-
vian Championship,
Yugoslavia, 1955.
White can win a piece White has a Bishop for
with 17 Bxb5 (1-0, 40). two pawns (1-0, 59).
159. Segal-Khlgatian, 166. Barsov-Kalesis,
European Junior Patras Open, Patras,
Championships, 1994. White is up a pawn Greece, 2001.
(1-0, 58).
163. Kolesnik-Raudive, White can win material
MK Cafe Cup-B, Kos- with 37 Nxd6+ Ke6 38
zalin, Poland, 1999. Nxe4, leaving him is
up a pawn (1-0, 53).
170. Porat-Okkes, Es-
sent Open, Hoogeveen,
23 Rxc6 wins back the White has a Rook and Netherlands, 2004.
piece, leaving White up two pawns for two
pieces (1-0, 52).
a pawn (1-0, 36).
160. Zhukhovitsky- 167. Cramling-Bofill
Alatortsev, USSR White can win Black’s Mas, Spain, 1988.
(Semi-finals), 1940. Bd4 with 32 Qd8+ Kh7
33 Qxd4.
164. Kengis-Sasu Duc-
soara, 3rd Rohde Open, White is up a Queen
Sautron, France, 2003. and a pawn for a Rook
and a Bishop (1-0, 48).
171. De Boer-Stuart,
Material is even (1-0, Correspondence, K/23,
White can win a piece 54). Netherlands, 1994.
with 49 Bxf6 (1-0, 65).
168. Vovk-Andrzejew-
161. Espig-Schmidt, ska, European Youth,
Bundesliga, 1991-92. Greece, 1999.
White is up a Queen
for a Rook.
165. Galojan-
Muzychuk, European
Women's Champion- After 31 Bxe5 Qf7 32
ship, Chisinau, Moldo- Bxf6, White is down
va, 2005. the exchange for a
pawn, but has con-
ANSWER KEY || 271
nected passed pawns 40… Ra6 41 Rxd7+. 177. Bliek-Tiggelman, 180. Golovey-Lukina,
supported by his two Vlissingen HZ Open, USSR Team Cham-
Bishops, while Black is 174. Ruether-Seibel, Vlissingen, Nether- pionship, 1967.
poorly developed. The NBG Open, Weilburg, lands, 2001.
game continued 32... Germany, 1995.
Kg8 33 Qd4 Bd7 34 e5
(1-0) and now: a) 34...
Rc8 35 h3; b) 34...Rf8
35 Bc4 Qe8 36 e6 Bc8
37 Bh8 Qe7 38 d6,
when Black's Queen
can't leave the 7th rank
because of mate on g7; White has a Queen and
c) 34…Qf8 35 e6 Be8 White can win a piece two pawns for two
36 d6 Bc6 37 Bc4 Qe8 White has a Bishop for with 21 Rd7+ Kg8 22 Rooks.
38 e7+ when Black is a pawn (1-0, 41). Rxb7, leaving him up
forced to give up his the exchange and a 181. Mousavia-
Queen to stop mate. 175. Gonzalez Mateos- pawn (1-0, 30). Subramanian, Asian
Bellod Thomas, Pablo Championship (Under
172. Arias Santana- Gorbea Memorial, Ma- 178. Smyslov-Levy, 20), Tehran, Iran, 2001.
Rodriguez, Costa Rican drid, Spain, 2002. Capablanca Memorial,
Championship, Costa 1973.
Rica, 2004.
White can win with 31
White is up the ex- Bb4 (1-0), when Black
change and a pawn and White can win Black’s must play 31…Qxb4
Material is even, but will win Black’s f- and Na6 with 21 Re6 Qd7 32 axb4, giving White
White has the better b-pawns as well (1-0, 22 Rxa6, after which a Queen and pawn for a
pawn structure (1-0, 36). White is up a pawn. Bishop.
43).
176. Jurkovic- 179. Moller-Giersing, 182. Schmidt-
173. Mohana- Bakalarz, Ceske Bude- Copenhagen, 1899. Rutkowska, Simul,
Artemieva, World jovice Open, Czech Koszalin, Poland,
Youth (Girls 10), 2004. Republic, 1995. 1997.
White can win Black’s
Ra8 with 18 Qd5+ Kh8
White wins with 40 White can win Black’s 19 Qxa8, when he is up White can win Black’s
Rc7 (1-0), e.g., 40… Bc6 with 42 e5+ (1-0) a Rook for two pawns. Queen with 28 Bd5,
Rxc7 41 dxc7, when dxe5 43 Bxc6. when White will be up
the pawn queens or a Queen for a Knight.
272 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
183. Koshy-Vijaya- White is up a piece.
lakshmi, 39th BPCL
Championship of India, CHAPTER 8.
Nagpur, India, 2002. EXCHANGING TO A WON
ENDING.
193. Grigore-Senetia,
Cupa Martisor Open,
White wins a piece White is up a piece for Bucharest, Romania,
with 15 e5 Nd5 16 a pawn. 2002.
exd6 Rxd6 (1-0, 34).
190. Rahman-Baki,
White mates in three 187. Oehlerich-Ellen- Asian Team Ch., 1987.
with 44 Qc7+ Kg6 broek, Danish Junior
(44...Kg8 45 Qg7 is Championship, 1979.
mate). 45 Qg7+ (1-0)
Kf5 46 Qg5, mate.
184. Szelag-Kamien-
White is up a Queen
iecki, Polish Team for a Rook and Bishop,
Championship, 1999. but Black can't stop
White's passed pawn.
White is up a piece for
a pawn (1-0, 30).
White has a Queen and 194. Atea-Tamer, Cai-
two pieces for two 191. Allen-Leroy, ro, Egypt, 2003.
Rooks and two pawns FS10 IM-A, Budapest,
(1-0, 30). Hungary, 1994.
188. Makarichev-
White mates with 31 Govashelishvili, USSR
Ba5 (1-0). Junior Spartakiad,
1967.
185. Radulski-
Tsvetkov, Bulgarian White is up two pawns
Championship, 2001. (1-0, 47).
White is up a piece and
has the two Bishops 195. Kmoc-Vajda,
(1-0, 35). Szolnok, Hungary,
1932.
192. Kosten-Lilley,
White can win material British Championship,
with 27 Rh8+ (1-0) England, 1999.
Kxh8 28 Nxf7+ Kg8
White is up a pawn 29 Nxd6, when White
(1-0, 53). is up a piece and a
pawn.
186. Stojadinovic-Stus,
Baunatal Open, Bau- 189. Nepomniachtchi- White is still up three
natal, Germany, 1998. Babijczuk, World pawns (1-0, 62).
Youth, Heraklio,
Greece, 2002.
ANSWER KEY || 273
196. Atalik-Pruess, 199. Cebalo-Atalik, 202. Kojima-
East Bay Chess Club Slovakian Team Jacobusse, Turin
GM, Berkley, USA, Championship, Bled, Olympiad, Turin, Italy,
2005. Slovakia, 1999. 2006.
Material is even, but
White has a won game,
e.g., 54…Kg6 55 e4 h5
56 f5+ Kf6 57 Kxh5,
Material is even, but White is up two pawns White is up two pawns. etc.
White's pawn will (1-0, 50).
queen. 203. Morchiladze- 206. Stepanov-Lutz,
200. Kucera- Grigoryan, BCSA Bischwiller Open,
197. Brendel-Norberg, Stripunsky, Ceske Bu- Open, Batumi, Geor- Bischwiller, France,
32nd Rilton Cup, dejovice, Czech Re- gia, 2003. 1999.
Stockholm, Sweden, public, 1996.
2002.
Material is even, but White is up a pawn;
White is down a piece White has a won end- Black can’t stop
White is up a pawn and for two pawns, but will ing. White’s e-pawn.
has a won ending (1-0, soon have a new
42). Queen. 204. Lipnowski-Abreu 207. Jossien-Vincent,
Cordero, CAN&QC French Championship
198. Bjornsso- 201. Gillen-McKeown, Open, Montreal, Cana- Accession, Bescanon,
Petermann, VISA Target Recruitment da, 2002. France, 1999.
Grand Prix, Reykjavik, Masters, Belfast, Irel-
Iceland, 1998. and, 2001.
White is still up two White is up a pawn.
pawns and has a won
White is up a pawn. White is up a Queen ending. 208. Belezky-Bruned,
The game ended and a pawn for a Rook XXII Open, Collado
37...Kg5 38 Nb7 (1-0). (1-0, 48). 205. Czebe-Cerneanu, Villalba, Spain, 2005.
FS 9 IM A, Budapest,
Hungary, 1995.
274 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
218. Toledo-
Camposano, Makati
City, Philippines, 1995.
Black’s King has to White has a won end- The h-pawn is dead.
give way. ing.
215. Jansa-Micheli,
209. Kilic-Schuler, 212. Berczes-Garnier, Italy, 1973. White is up a Queen
German Championship FSELOA August, Bu- for a pawn.
(Under 20), 1999. dapest, Hungary, 2000.
219. Jussupow-
Boensch, Bundesliga,
Germany, 2001.
White is up a Rook.
White is up a pawn and White is up a pawn and 216. Federau-Heim,
has a won ending. will win Black's king- Bundesliga, Germany,
side pawns (1-0, 52). 1987-88.
210. Abu Sufian- White is up a pawn.
Vinoth, 7th UI&UL 213. Vourtsa-
GM, Dhaka, Bangla- Goutioudi, Greek Team 220. Sulskis-Bologan,
desh, 2005. Championship, Halki- New York Open, 2000.
diki, Greece, 2002.
White is up a Rook,
two pieces, and a pawn
and has the Bishops.
Black can’t stop 217. Madsen-Kremer, White's pawn will
White’s g-pawn. White is up a pawn and Helsinki Olympiad, queen.
has a won ending. 1952.
211. Zhukova- 221. Makarov-Alifer-
Kovalevskaya, Euro- 214. Moen-Acs, 33rd enko, Ukraine, 2005.
pean Women's Cham- Rilton Cup, Stockholm,
pionship, Batumi, Sweden, 2003.
Georgia, 2000.
White is up a pawn and
his d-pawn will queen.
ANSWER KEY || 275
White is up two pawns. 225. Santasiere-Levin, Waikiki Open, Hawaii, a pawn and has the two
US Championship, 1997. Bishops. Black re-
222. Brueggler-Knobel, New York, 1946. signed after 31...Qa1+
Zurich Open, 1991. 32 Qd1 Qb2 33 Qe2
Qc1+ 34 Kh2 h6 35
Qe8+ Kh7 36 Be4+
(1-0).
231. Vinicio-Correa,
Imperatriz, Brazil,
2003.
White mates in five:
White is up two pawns 78...f4 79 gxf4 g5 80
White mates in five: and now mates in hxg5 h4 81 g6 h3 82 g7
56…h4 57 gxh4 g5 58 three: 39...b6 40 cxb6 h2 83 g8=Q, mate.
hxg5 f6 59 exf6 e5 60 c5 41 b7 cxd4 42
f7 e4 61 f8=Q, mate. b8=Q, mate. CHAPTER 9. BEFORE
AND AFTER.
223. Ulibin-De Jong, 226. Karlsson-Smirin,
Leeuwarden, Nether- Rilton Cup, Stockholm, 229. Seirawan-
lands, 1997. Sweden, 1988. Polugaevsky, Mar del White is up three
Plata, Argentina, 1982. pawns (1-0, 42).
232. Bareev-Van Wely,
Russian Blitz Internet
Cup Superfinals, ches-
sassistantclub.com,
2004.
White wins with 77 Material is even, but
Kh7 Kxh4 78 g6 Kg4 White now mates in White is up a pawn
79 g7 Kxf4 80 g8=Q, four: 53…d5 54 cxd5 (1-0, 44). 33...Kd7 (in-
etc. Also good is 77 c4 55 d6 c3 56 d7 c2
tending 34...Kd6 and
Kg7, Kg4 78 Kf6, etc. 57 d8=Q, mate. 35...Bxd5) can be met
by 34 Nc4, when
224. Schlechter- 227. Dobos-Farkas, 34...Nxb3 35 Nxb6+
Schwarz, Kolisch Me- 19th Spring Fest, Bu- Kd6 36 Nc4+ saves the White is up a pawn
morial, Vienna, Aus- dapest, Hungary, 2003. pawn, since 36…Kc5 (1-0, 74).
tria, 1899-1900. loses to 37 d6.
233. Afanasjev-
230. Dembo-Sikorova, Panchenko, Kaissa
Women's Olympiad, Open, Kharkov,
Ukraine, 2002.
Bled, Slovenia, 2002.
White has a mate in
White plays 53 Kg7, four: 51...h5 52 gxh5
when Black can't stop g4 53 h6 g3 54 h7 g2
White’s f-pawn from 55 h8=Q, mate.
queening.
228. Miles-Hummel, White is up a piece for White is up a Queen
276 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
for a Rook and pawn Tarasov, USSR Cham-
(1-0, 34). pionship (Semifinals),
Sverdlovsk, USSR,
234. Soria-Maidanik, 1957.
Buenos Aires, Argenti-
na, 2003.
White is up a piece and White has a Queen and
a pawn. Bishop for two Rooks
and now has a forced
238. Kunte-Rahman, mate after 45...Kc8 46
Commonwealth Cham- Bd6 (1-0), threatening White is up the ex-
pionship, Mumbai, In- mate on c7 or 45...Kd8 change and a pawn.
White is up a Queen dia, 2003. 46 Bd6. Black resigned after
for a Bishop and pawn 30...Be6 31 d5 (1-0).
(1-0, 66). 241. Marciano-Bauer,
French Championship 244. Berlinsky-Dobier-
235. Galicek-Hasek, (Semi-Finals), Besan- zin, World Blind
Pilsen-Lobzy, Czech con, France, 1999. Championship, 1986.
Republic, 2003.
White is up the ex-
change (1-0, 54).
239. Blackburn-
Walden Jones, Wales
Championship, Cardiff, Material is even, but White has a Queen and
White is up a Queen Wales, 1998. Black's Rook is out of two pawns to Black's
for a Bishop and pawn. play and there's nothing Rook and Bishop. The
left to defend his game continued
236. Peek-Dogge, queenside pawns (1-0, 38…Rf1+ 39 Kh2 Rf7
Dutch Open, 2002. 55). 40 e5 (1-0).
242. Schaefer- 245. Karavade-
Guennewig, Schoeneck Aghabekian, World
Open, Schoeneck, Junior Girls, Yerevan,
White is up a Rook for Germany, 1988. Armenia, 2006.
two pawns. Black re-
signed here, as he can't
play 37...Qxd7 because
White has preserved of 38 Qb8+, mate.
his d-pawn and remains
up three pawns (1-0, 240. Guseinov-
46). Manescu, European
Youth Championship
237. Mirabile-Katz, US (Boys, 14), Greece, White is up a pawn White is up a pawn and
Amateur Team East, 1999. (1-0, 61). will soon gain a new
Parsipanny, USA, Queen (1-0).
2002. 243. Polugaevsky-
ANSWER KEY || 277
246. Srebrnic- Championship, Vilnius, (1-0, 15).
Krumpak, 10th Ljubl- Lithuania, 1999.
jana Open, Ljubljana, 255. Voitsekhovsky-
Slovenia, 1999. Chudinovskih, Russian
Team Championship,
Podolsk, Russia, 1993.
Material is even, but
Black’s King is outside
White is up a Queen the box, so White will
for a pawn. gain a new Queen, e.g.,
White can pick off 49…Kf7 50 b6, etc.
Black’s b-pawn, since 250. Zumsande-Reich,
Black's King has to German Internet Blitz SECTION 3. TWO White is up a pawn
stay near White's g- Candidates Champion- SECTORS OF THE (1-0, 32).
pawn. ship, playchess.com, BOARD.
2005. 256. Rozmbersky-
247. Burnett-Almeida CHAPTER 10. TWO Koubkova, Plzen Open
Saenz, Spring NAm (Jr), 1995.
SECTORS OF THE
GMB, Schaumburg,
USA, 2006. B OARD (WHITE TO
PLAY).
253. Zaja-Costantini,
Reggio Emilia, Italy,
2002.
White has a Rook for a
pawn. Black's play on
the queenside is neutra- White is up a piece and
lized after 30...Bxa2 31 consolidated the posi-
White is up a piece. Rd3 (1-0, 40). tion after 19...Qh6 20
Qc1 Qh4 21 Kg2 h5 22
248. Dao Thien Hai- 251. Gashimov- Nf3 Qf6 23 N1h2
Ponomariov, FIDE Kopczynski, 5th Am- (1-0).
World Championship plico AIG Life, War-
Knock Out, New Delhi, saw, Poland, 2005. White is up the ex- 257. Leonhardt-Burn,
India, 2000. change and a pawn Ostende, Belgium,
(1-0, 45). 1905.
254. Marinic Kragic-
Rakic, Epetium Open,
Stobrec, Croatia, 2006.
White is up a pawn
White is up a Queen (1-0, 55).
for a Rook and pawn Material is even (1-0,
(1-0, 67). 252. Mohamed-Hamed, 35).
GM B, Cairo, Egypt,
249. Pavlovicius- 1997. 258. Milovanovic-
Abromaitis, Lithuanian White is up a pawn Jakubovics, Tuzla,
278 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
1991. 261. Smyslov-Adorjan,
Amsterdam IBM,
1971.
White is up a piece and White is up two pawns
pawn. and has the Bishop
White is up the ex- pair.
change and won after White has a Rook and 265. Marzik-Erler, Ob-
27 Bxf4 gxf4 28 Nxe5 pawn for two pieces. erliga Wuert, Wuert- 268. Doric-Nedimovic,
dxe5 29 d6 Bf6 30 The game ended quick- temberg, Germany, Nova Gorica, 1997.
Qd5+ Be6 31 d7 Bxd5 ly: 22...Kg7 23 Rd8 1990-91, 1990.
32 dxe8=Q+ Rxe8 33 Nc7 24 Re1 (1-0).
exd5 (1-0, 44).
262. Janocha-Bobras,
259. Metger-Varain, Polish Team Cham-
8th DSB Kongress, pionship, Krynica, Pol-
Kiel, Germany, 1893. and, 1997.
White is up a pawn,
White is up a piece and e.g., 38...Nf5 39 Nc5
pawn, and threatens 23 Nxd4 40 Nxa6.
Rcc1, mate. If Black
attacks White’s Bishop 269. Peptan-Sedlakova,
with 23…Nd5, then 23 Czechoslovakia, 1992.
Rd1 pins the Knight
White is up a piece for Material is even (1-0, and threatens 24 Rxh7+
two pawns (1-0, 23). 40). and 25 Rxh8, mate.
260. Cozianu- 263. Vogel-Kulovana, 266. Belmonte-Medak,
Navrotescu, Romanian Znojmo Open, Cze- World Championship
Team Championship, choslovakia, 2005. (Under 20), Calicut,
1994. India, 1998.
White is up a pawn
(1-0, 40).
270. Voloshin-Frindt,
Slovakian Team
Championship, 1994.
White is up a piece.
White has two pieces White is up a piece.
for a Rook and a pawn. 264. Mehmeti-
The game ended with Zakharchenko, Caissa 267. Franklin-Cook,
the moves 26 Qd1 Rh6 IM April, Kecskemet, BCF Championship,
27 Bd2 Bxd2 28 Qxd2 Hungary, 2005. 1962.
Rf6 (1-0).
ANSWER KEY || 279
White is up two pieces
for a Rook.
271. Morovic Fernan-
dez-Ady, Lloyds Bank
Open, London, 1985.
White is up two pawns. White is up a Queen White is up a piece for
and a Pawn for two a pawn.
275. Polgar-Anand, Rooks. The game con-
Dos Hermanas, 1999. tinued 23...f5 24 f4 281. Cavusoglu-Yildiz,
exf4 25 Qxf4 Rf8 26 Turkish Women's
gxf5 Rf7 27 Bd4 Raf8 Championship, 2004.
White is up the ex- 28 Qe4 Bf6 29 Bxf6
change and two pawns. Rxf6 30 Qe2 (1-0, 54).
272. Wolfsteiner- 278. Marshall-
Wolshofer, Augsburg Tennenwurzel, New
Open, 1995. York, 1911.
Material is even. Black
resigned after 33 Rd1
Kg8 34 Qg2 (1-0). White is up a Rook for
White can play either a pawn.
35 Qxe4 or 35 Rd8+
Kf7 36 Qd2, with mul- 282. Fazulyanov-
tiple threats. Bodnaruk, St. Peters-
burg, Russia, 2002.
White is up a piece for 276. Karlsson- White is up a piece for
a pawn, but Black has Mortensen, Randers two pawns (1-0, 24).
time to get out of the Zonal (Group B),
Bf4 skewer (1-0, 25). Randers, Denmark, 279. Kasparov-
1982. Rozentalis, European
273. Suter-Spielmann, Team Championship,
3rd Hilton Open, Basle, Debrecen, 1992.
Switzerland, 2001.
White is up two pawns
(1-0, 51).
283. Tissir-Hidalgo
Begines, Dos Herma-
White is up the ex-
nas, Spain, 2004.
change (1-0, 47).
White is up a Queen
White is up a piece 277. Lakos-Kiss, Hun- and two pawns for two
(1-0, 17). garian Women’s Rooks and has the two
Championship, Budap- Bishops.
274. Baklan-Bosch, est, 1995.
Andorra Open, 2001. 280. Engelb-Skaaning,
Gausdal, Norway,
2000.
280 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
Material is even (1-0, 287. Susnik-Simic,
26). Slovenian Champion- 290. Gregory-
ship, Vrhnika, Slove- Nimzovich, St. Peters-
284. Burn-Marco, 12th nia, 1995. burg, 1913.
DSB Congress, Mu-
nich, Germany, 1900.
White is up two pawns
(0-1, 26).
294. Donovan-Mednis,
White wins Black's Black has two Bishops Marshall Chess Club
Rook on a8. for a Rook (0-1, 70). Championship, New
White is up a Queen York, 1955-56.
for a Rook and pawn 288. Cheng-Cao, US 291. Mitric-Bojovic,
(1-0, 44). Masters, Henderson- Sozina Open, Bar, Ser-
ville, USA, 2006. bia and Montenegro,
285. Hamdouchi- 2006.
Vescovi, Rapidplay
(Group A), Cap
D'Agde, France, 1998.
Black has three pieces
for the Queen (0-1, 29).
White is up three piec- 295. Alekhine-Kalinsh,
es for a Rook and has Black is up a piece. Riga Simul, Riga, Lat-
the two Bishops. via, 1935.
292. Balla-Gruenfeld,
White is up a piece. CHAPTER 11. TWO Bad Pistyan, Czech
SECTORS OF THE Republic, 1922.
286. Abayasekera- BOARD (BLACK TO
Estrada, World Team
PLAY).
Championship (Under
26, Finals B), Caracas,
289. Rantanen-
1976.
Johannsson, Amster-
dam Olympiad (Pre-
Black is up a piece and
lim), Amsterdam,
a pawn.
Netherlands, 1954.
Black is up three 296. Kuligowski-
pawns and has the two Sznapik, Warsaw Cup,
Bishops (0-1, 21). 1980.
293. Rebold-Ramirez,
White is up a piece. US Championship,
Black resigned after the Ventura, California,
moves 41...Kd5 42 1971.
Nb6+ Kd4 43 Na4 g6
Black is up a piece
44 Kg3 (1-0).
(0-1, 24).
ANSWER KEY || 281
a pawn (1-0, 31). 303. Klein-Gligoric,
Santa Fe, Argentina,
300. Shakalkar-Parma, 1960.
Tel Aviv Olympiad,
Tel Aviv, Israel, 1964.
Black is up two Bi- White is up two Bi-
shops for a Rook and shops for a Rook (1-0,
threatens 25…Bd4. 31).
Black is up a piece for
297. Wolpert-Muhring, a pawn. 307. Siegel-Habibi, FS
Johannesburg, South Black is up a pawn (0- GM Feb, Budapest,
Africa, 1955. 1, 30). 304. Banikas- Hungary, 1997.
Kasparov, Patras, 2001.
301. Calvo Mingue-
Parma, World Cham-
pionship (Under 20),
Finals (Group A), The
Hague, Netherlands,
1961.
Black is up a piece and Black has a Queen for
a pawn (0-1, 14) Black is up the ex- three pieces; White has
change and has an ad- the Bishop pair (1-0,
298. O'Hanlon-Kostic, vanced passed a-pawn. 47).
Nice, France, 1930. White’s two Bishops
are passive. 308. Nogueira-De Mel-
lo Sales, Brazilian
Black is up two pawns 305. Perez Perez- Championship, Teresi-
(0-1, 25). Belkadi, Havana na, Brazil, 2000.
Olympiad (Prelim), La
302. Cruz Bulnes- Habana, Cuba, 1966.
Gudmundsson, Buenos
Aires Olympiad, Bu-
enos Aires, Argentina,
Black is up two pawns. 1939.
299. Fye Chan-
Choong, Skopje Olym-
piad (Finals), 1972. Black has a Queen for
three pieces; White has
Black is up a pawn and the Bishop pair (1-0,
has great pieces after 27).
12...Bf5 13 Qd2 Re8+
14 Kf1 Qf6 (0-1, 20). 309. Afanasiev-
Black is up a piece and Ubiennykh, Russian
a pawn (0-1, 25). 306. Konstantinou- Cup, Tomsk, Russia,
Shahtahtinsky, Ano 2001.
Liosia Open, 1997.
White is up a Rook for
282 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
without compensation,
but eventually won the
Rook ending (1-0, 67).
312. Regen-Keltz,
Ventnor City, USA,
1945.
Black has a Queen for Black has a piece and a Black has three pawns
three pieces; White has pawn and the Bishop for the piece (0-1, 24).
the Bishop pair (1-0, pair for a Rook. The
33). game continued 21 Bf4 319. Huebner-Timman,
(21 Qf3 Bg5 threatens Bad Lauterberg, 1977.
310. Sakharov- 22…Qg1+ 23 Qf1
Vasiukov, USSR Black has two pieces Qxf1, mate) Qe4+
Championship, Kiev, and a pawn for a Rook. (0-1), when White los-
USSR, 1964. es a Rook to 22 Kd2
313. Coast-Gray, Qxf4+ 23 Kxd3 Qd4+
Weymouth Open, 24 Ke2 Qxb2+ 25 Kd3
1965. Qxa1.
316. Santasiere-Adams, Black is up a pawn
USA, 1945. (0-1, 50).
320. Te Kolste-
Black has a Queen and Spielmann, Baden-
two pawns for a Rook Baden, 1925.
and two pieces with the
Bishop pair. The game Black is up a pawn and
continued 20...Rb8 21 has the Bishop pair (0-
b3 Rc8+ 22 Kb1 Rc3 1, 24).
23 Bf3 Qb4 24 Nc2 Black is up three
(Black has the better 314. Lukic-Matanovic, pawns (0-1, 25).
position after 24 Bd5 Yugoslavia Champion-
Rxe3 25 Rxe3 Bxd4 26 ship, Sarajevo, Yugos- 317. Shapiro-
Rxe7 Qc3 27 Re2) lavia, 1958. Dashkevich, USSR
24...Rxc2 (0-1) 25 Championship, 1955. Black has the exchange
Kxc2 Qc3+ 26 Kb1 and a pawn to White’s
Qb2 is mate. Bishop pair.
321. Gumprich-Behle,
311. Fucak-Dizdar, West German Cham-
Zadar Open, 1999.
pionship, 1957.
Black is up a pawn
(0-1, 28). Black is up two pawns
(0-1, 25).
315. Milner Barry-
Haygarth, BCF Cham- 318. Troeger-Szabo,
pionship, York, Eng- European Team Cham-
White has lost a pawn land, 1959. pionship, 1965.
ANSWER KEY || 283
Black is up a pawn and 325. Wawrzaszek- Material is even (1-0, 331. Stonehouse-Lynn,
has the two Bishops Baxter, January OCF 29). New Zealand Cham-
(0-1, 28). FIDE Open, Oklahoma pionship, Auckland,
City, USA, 2006. 328. Zahariou- New Zealand, 1977.
322. Barda-Keres, Papasrirou, 9th Open,
Moscow Olympiad Nikea, Greece, 2001.
(Preliminary Round),
Moscow, USSR, 1956.
White is up a Rook.
White is up a piece for
two pawns (1-0, 25).
326. Thorsteins- White is up a Rook.
Vidarsson, Gardaboer, Black resigned after 332. Fernandez-Santos,
Black is up the ex- Iceland, 1996. 45...Kg7 46 Bxg6 6th Comunic CXSP,
change. Kxg6 (1-0). Sao Paulo, Brazil,
2004.
323. Damele- 329. Wang Pin-
Palmiotto, Reggio Emi- Alejandro, University
lia, Italy, 1964-65. Women's Tournament,
Leon, Spain, 1996.
White has three pawns
for a piece and will win
more material with Rf1 White is up a the ex-
change and a pawn
and/or Qg6, e.g.,
23...Kf8 24 Rf1+ Nf6 (1-0, 37).
Black is up a piece for 25 Qg6 wins, as Black
a pawn (0-1, 21). can't defend his Knight White is up a Queen 333. Panno-Rossetto,
a second time, or 23... and pawn for a Rook Rio de Janeiro Zonal,
324. Leepin-Mross, Ke8 24 Qg6+ (1-0), (1-0, 52). Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
Germany, 1941. when White mates after 1957.
24…Ke7 25 Qe6+ Kf8 330. Analysis of
26 Rf1+ Kg7 27 Rf7+ Plassmann-Helmig,
Kh8 28 Qh6+ Kg8 29 Muenster Open, Muen-
Qg7. ster, Germany, 1989.
327. Nikolic-
Todorovic, Yugoslav
Championship, 1988.
Black has a Queen, Bi- White is up a Rook for
shop, and pawn for two a pawn (1-0, 35).
Rooks.
334. Baci-Zilic, Croa-
CHAPTER 12. INITIAL White has a Queen and tian Team Champion-
four pawns for a Rook ship, Porec, Croatia,
BALANCE.
and two Bishops. 1998.
284 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
343. Becerra Rivero-
Bischoff, Capablanca
Memorial (Elite), Ha-
vana, Cuba, 1998.
White has a Queen and White has a piece for White is up the ex-
Bishop with the Bishop two pawns. Black re- change and a pawn
pair for two Rooks and signed after the moves (1-0, 37).
two pawns (1-0, 29). 49...d5 50 cxd5 c4 51
d6 (1-0). 341. Kersten- White has a Queen and
335. Najjar-Aboud, Schaffarczyk, Bad pawn for two Rooks
Lebanese Champion- 338. Mohamed- Zwesten Open, Germa- (1-0, 30).
ship, Beruit, Lebanon, Timoshenko, GM B, ny, 1999.
2003. Cairo, Egypt, 1997. 344. Johansen-
Andreasen, Denmark
Open, 1993.
Material is even, but
White is up a piece White has a Queen for the threat of 31 Qxg7+
(1-0, 20). a Rook and Bishop. and 32 Qxe7, mate,
The final moves were wins Black's Queen, White is up a piece and
336. Bidwell-Gelman, 44...Kd5 45 Nb7 for example, a) two pawns (1-0, 20).
Eastern Open, 1998. Bxb2+ 46 Kc2 (1-0). 30...Rc7 (1-0) 31
Bxe7+ Kxe7 32 Rf7+ 345. Fischer-Benko,
339. Kamsky-Shirov, Ke8 33 Qg8, mate, or Candidates Tourna-
Dortmund, Germany, b) 30...Bc5 31 Be7+ ment, Bled, Yugosla-
1992. Kxe7 32 Rf7+, etc. via, 1959.
342. Batelkova-
Dvorakova, Czech
Women's Champion-
ship, Ostrava, Czech
White is up two pawns Republic, 1997.
and will soon win
Black's d-pawn (1-0,
45).
White is up two pawns. White is up a Queen
337. Jovanic-Kos, Bled for two pieces and two
Open, Bled, Slovenia, 340. Flesch-Kovacs, pawns (1-0, 27).
2000. Hungarian Champion-
ship, Budapest, Hun- 346. Giemsa-Schmidt,
gary, 1969. Bundesliga, Germany,
White is up a piece and 2000-01.
a pawn.
ANSWER KEY || 285
White is up a Rook for 353. Kumaran-
two pawns. Hennigan, BCF Cham-
pionship, 1992.
350. Kasparov-Polgar,
Ju, Eurotel Trophy,
Prague, Czech Repub-
lic, 2002.
White has two Bishops White is up the ex-
for a Rook (1-0, 38). change and a pawn.
347. Lamb-Hansen, US White is up three 357. Alonso-Ortiz, Cu-
Open, 1967. pawns. ban Championship,
Group B, Santa Clara,
354. Volkmann- Cuba, 2005.
White is up two pawns Schlosser, Austrian
(1-0, 51). Team Championship,
1997-98.
351. Guindy-Larsen,
Lyngby Team Match,
Lyngby, Denmark,
1996.
White is up two Rooks
and two pawns for two
Knights. White is up a piece
(1-0, 46).
348. Tal-Kupreichik,
USSR Championship, White is up a piece and 358. Raceanu-Vasiesiu,
Moscow, USSR, 1969. a pawn and has the two Romanian Team
Bishops. Championship, 2001.
White is up a piece. 355. Kochetkov-
Shushpanov, inAU-
352. Vouldis-Tiviakov, TOmarket Open,
European Team Cham- Minsk, Belarus, 2005.
pionship, Plovdiv, Bul-
garia, 2003.
White has three pawns
for the piece (1-0, 41). White has a piece for
three pawns (1-0, 52).
349. Badea-Diulger,
Winter Cup, Bucharest, 359. Savon-Alburt,
Romania, 2006. Odessa, USSR, 1976.
White is up a piece and
a pawn.
White is up a Rook and
Bishop for a pawn and 356. Quinteros-
soon mates. Rollansky, Mar del
Plata Open, Mar del
Plata, Argentina, 1967.
286 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
White is up a Queen White has a Rook, White will be up a
for a Rook. Knight, and pawn for Rook after 33 Rxe5
his Queen. White was (1-0), since taking back
360. Sepp-Jambor, able to further expand with 33…Qxe5 loses to
Augsburg Open, Augs- his position after 34 Qxf7+, with mate
burg, Germany, 1995. 27...Kg8 28 Bd4 h6 next move.
(28...Qc7 29 Rxe8,
mate) 29 f4 Kh7 30 369. Capablanca-NN,
Bc5 Qh4 31 h3 Bb5 32 New York, 1918.
Rh8+ (1-0). White is up three
pawns.
363. Tartakower- 366. Fedorov-
Schlechter, St. Peters-
burg, Russia, 1909. Fyllingen, Aars get2net
Cup GM Tournament,
White has a Queen and Aars, Denmark, 1999.
two pawns for three
pieces (1-0, 33).
White mates in two
CHAPTER 13. with 15 Qg5+ Kh8 16
Qf6, mate.
EXPANDING THE
POSITION.
370. Analysis of Para-
361. Engels-Koch, White has a Queen and masivam-Tariq, 1st
German Champion- pawn for a Rook and WinTV Open, Chen-
Knight (1-0, 32). 32 Qc5 is mate. nai, India, 2004.
ship, 1938.
364. Alekhine-Ilija,
367. Alekhine-Feldt,
Exhibition, Buenos
Simul, Odessa, Russia,
Aires, Argentina, 1926. 1916.
Material is even, but White mates in two
White has absolute with 14 Qe8+ Rxe8 15
control of the d-file dxe8=Q, mate. In the
(1-0, 70). actual game, with
White can win Black's 18 Nh4 is mate. Black’s Queen on d8
362. Grigoryan-Jessel, Queen by playing 28 and Knight on c5,
Bd6+, when the threat 368. Savon-Zaitsev, White played 11 c7+,
World Junior Cham- Furman Memorial, St.
pionship, Yerevan, of mate forces Black to winning Black’s Queen
play 28...Qxd6 29 Petersburg, Russia, (1-0, 15).
Armenia, 2006. 1995.
cxd6.
371. Kasparov-Peturs-
365. Alekhine-Steiner, son, Chess@iceland-A
Pasadena, USA, 1932. Iceland, 2000.
ANSWER KEY || 287
374. Tischbierek- 376. Al Hadarani-Abu
Moussa, North Ameri- Nasi, 16th Asian Cities,
can Open, Las Vegas, Beirut, Lebanon, 2000.
USA, 2003.
White mates in two White is up two pieces
with 24 Nd6+ Bxd6 25 with the Bishop pair.
Qc6, mate. Also possi-
ble is 24 Na5+ with White has given up a 380. Alekhine-
either 24…Kc8 25 White has a Queen for Rook for two pieces Mikulka, USSR, 1928.
Qxe8, mate or 24... a Rook and Bishop and (1-0, 29).
Bxa5 25 Qc6, mate. has a dominant posi-
tion. The game ended 377. Fischer-Shipman,
372. Capablanca- with the moves Manhattan Blitz, New
Morris, NY, 1911. 22...Kc7 23 Qb6+ Kd7 York, 1971.
24 Qb7+ (White can
mate in three with 24
c6+ Nxc6 25 Qb7+
Ke8 26 Qxc6, mate)
White has a Queen for
24...Ke8 25 Qa8+ Kd7 a Rook and Bishop
26 c6+ (1-0) Kc7 with the Bishop pair.
(26...Nxc6 27 Qb7+
Ke8 28 Qxc6, mate) 27
Qb7+ Kd8 28 Qd7, 381. Fischer-Lapiken,
White mates in three: mate. White is up a Rook and US Open, 1956.
28 Rxh7+ Kxh7 29 a pawn.
Qh5+ Qh6 30 Qxh6, 375. Galyas-Lukaso-
mate. 378. Szymczak-
vics, Spring Festival,
Cornelisse, 3rd ACT,
Budapest, Hungary,
373. Sriram-Gogte, 2001. Amsterdam, Nether-
Commonwealth Cham- lands, 2006.
pionship, India, 2004.
White is up two pawns
and will win one of
Black's Rooks.
382. Fischer-Sharp,
White two connected Canadian Open, Mon-
passed pawns for his White is up a Queen treal, Canada, 1956.
White mates in three: piece and a dominant and pawn for a piece.
42 Rxb7+ Ka8 43 position. In the game
Rxb6+ Rc6 44 Bxc6, 379. Soln-Kock, Faa-
Black played 23...Ne4,
mate. when White wins after kersee Open, Lat-
24 Bd7 Nc3 25 Bxc8 schach, Austria, 2001.
(1-0) 25...Nxa4 26 Be6.
288 || CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
White is up a Queen Nf6+ Bxf6 23 exf6 White is up a Queen
and two pawns for a with 24 Qg7, mate. for piece and pawn and
Rook. threatens mate.
386. Alekhine-
383. Fischer-Hook, Freeman, New York,
Siegen Olympiad, 1924.
1970.
White is up a Queen
for two pawns.
390. Lima-Arias, Cali,
Colombia, 2001.
White mates in two: 25
White is up a Queen Rxf8+ Kxf8 26 Qd8,
and two pawns for a mate.
Rook and now wins
another Rook with 30 387. Thorfinnsson-
Qf6 (theatening 31 Ulfarsson, Reykjavik,
Rd8/Qd8, mate) Rd7 Iceland, 2001.
31 Rxd7 Kxd7 32
Qxh8. White is up a piece.
Black resigned after
384. Kasparov-Short, 25...Nc5 26 f3 (1-0).
Brussels Blitz, Brus-
sels, Belgium, 1987. 391. Suchane-Volf,
Czech Army Cham-
pionship, Prague, 1965.
White is up a piece for
a pawn.
388. Herskovic-Posta,
Czech Open Junior
Championship, Svetla,
White is up the ex- Czech Republic, 1994.
change, but Black has
the Bishop pair. White is up a Queen
for a Rook and pawn.
385. Stoltz-Reilly,
392. Al Zendani-Al
Consultation Game, Subaihi, 1st Yemen
Nice, France, 1931.
Open, Sanaa, 2002.
White is up a Rook and
two pawns.
389. Jakovljevic-
Devcic, Zagreb Open,
Zagreb, Croatia, 2006.
White mates with 22
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