Pandolfini - Chess Movies 2: the Means and Ends

The Pandolfini Chess Library 2011
Russell Enterprises, Inc.
Milford, CT USA Chess Movies 2 The Means and Ends by Bruce Pandolfini ISBN: 978-1-888690-73-6 Copyright 2011 Bruce Pandolfini All Rights Reserved No part of this book may be used, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any manner or form whatsoever or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Published by:
Russell Enterprises, Inc.
P.O. Box 3131
Milford, CT 06460 USA http://www.russell-enterprises.com Cover design by Janel Lowrance Introduction: Chess Movies In the first book of the Chess Movies series, the opening was featured. The material consisted of games finishing in nine moves or fewer. The games hinged on traps or surprising ways to exploit blunders and inexact moves. In this second offering of the series, the focus is on the endgame.

Like in Chess Movies1: Quick Tricks, all the examples in Chess Movies2: The Means and Ends are drawn from actual play. But theres more to it. Arranged in chronological order from 1789 to 2007, the endings contained herein are not merely the conclusions of real games. Each illustration terminates in a position that is checkmate or on the verge of checkmate. Additionally intriguing are the players responsible for the victories. For the most part the games have been played by the best players in the world, often against each other.

Here we can relive the final moves of some of the most exciting battles of all time. Indeed, among the inclusions are positions drawn from classic world championship matches. They underscore a great truth: that even the very best players can fall for checkmate. We can watch, for instance, how Alekhine cornered Capablanca in a hopeless pin (example 18) or the way Smyslov set up Botvinnik, luring him into a devilish snare where checkmate could not be averted (example 27). Although such examples, some drawn from rapid contests, often revolve around tactical play, we still get to see strategic endgame principles put to good use. Whether the win is achieved by a rook on the seventh rank, the better positioned king, the advance of a dangerous passed pawn, or the constrictive power of a more centralized queen, most of the wins accomplished herein are brought about by the timely interplay of strategy and tactics.

But judge for yourself, and while youre at it, sit back and enjoy the show. Bruce Pandolfini New York, NY April 2011

When up a piece, normally the winning strategy would be to simplify. This is easy enough, assuming White can stop the lusting d-pawn. Lets assume that White cant stop the advancing pawn. What then? Well, if you cant stop them, or join them, maybe you can mate them.

Yes, having reached the above position, thats apparently what Philidor had in mind, either that or an opera score he was working on. 1.f6! So, Philidor was thinking about chess. The biggest threat is mate at g7. 1...gxf6 This capture temporarily stops the mate. 2.exf6 Once again theres a mate threat at g7. 2...Rd4+ If 3.Kxd4??, then the pawn promotes with check, 3...d1/Q+. 3.Ke5 White is looking for a way to escape the checks. 3...Rd5+ Again, the rook shouldnt be captured. 4.Kf4 White sees an end to these annoying checks. 4.Kf4 White sees an end to these annoying checks.

The king will hide at g2 or h2. 4...Rd4+ Black is still hoping. 5.Kg3 But not 5.Kf3??, when the pawn queens with check. 5...Rg4+! A last ditch try: taking the rook allows Black to queen with check. 6.Kh3 Any check leads to the rooks capture. (10)

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