Active Defense

I am FM Daniel Sanz Wawer, a Polish-Spanish chess player and coach. Today, I wanted to show a very interesting example of an active defense. The position which I am going to show comes from my game which was played during the Summer in a tournament in Spain. My opponent was a very talented junior with a strong attacking playing style.

Here, I am white and obviously am under pressure. All the black pieces are attacking my king (the plan is Rg3 and h3). Also, my queen is too far away and my e2 rook is tied to the defense of the g2 pawn. In terms of material, I am a pawn down. That’s why I played 36. d5!? According to the engine, it’s not the best move, but in my opinion, in a time scramble it is a good practical choice. The point of that move it’s closing the deadly a8-h1 diagonal and attacking e6. The weakness of that move is opening the a7-g1 diagonal. After that, the game continued with the natural 36… Qa7+ 37. Rf2 (only move).

Here, black played 37…Rf3!!?. Why did I give 2 exclamation marks and a question mark? Objectively, it’s a strong move and provides a beautiful combination, but brings a lot of complications. More direct and almost decisive was the boring move 37…e5! 

The natural 37… Rhg3? would be a mistake because of 38 dxe6+ Kf6 39 Qd5! h3 40 e7! with wild complications, and according to the engine, an equal position. 

It’s important to notice that the rook on f3 is perfectly placed- it cannot be captured neither by the pawn or rook, it’s putting strong pressure on the white rook on f2, and is controlling the c3 square, which will result crucial in the very near future. The game continued 38 dxe6+ Kf6! 38… Ke7? would allow again complications after 39. Re2 h3 40. Qxf5 with an again equal position, according to the engine. 

39. Re2 h3 40 e7! White continues pushing his passed pawn which is just to promote even under terrible threats! 

Here we have the crucial and most dramatic moment of the game. Black fell into the trap and played 40… Rxf2?? I probably had a good result in this game because there was no additional time after move 40. Why did black not go for the most obvious 40… Rxg2+! ? 

After 41 Kh1, miraculously, it looks like White holds, and even can win! 41… Rgxf2? 42 e8=N+! gives White a strong attack! 42 Re6+ is interesting, but leads only to a perpetual after 42… Kg7 43 e8=N+! Kf8 44 Qxf5+ Qf7 45 Rf6 Rf1+ 46 Kh2 R1f2+ with a draw. Coming back to the main line after 42… Kg6 43 Re6+ Kh7 44 Qxf5 the black king is unable to escape mate. So, how black can win after 40… Rxg2! 41 Kh1 ? 

Here, black would be able to win only after the spectacular 41… Rh2+!!. 42 Kxh2 (after 42 Kg1 black doesn’t go for the perpetual with Rg2+ but plays 42… Qxf2+ 43 Rxf2 Rhxf2! [after 43… Rfxf2 white saves a draw with a perpetual check after Qc3+] 44 e8=N+ Kg6 45 Qxa6! [the threat was Rg2+ and Rf1#] 45… h2+ 46 Kh1 Rg3! 47 Qxd6+ Kh5! and the black king will escape the checks and win after Rg1+) Going back to the main line, 42…Rxf2+ 43 Rxf2 Qxf2+ 44 Kxh3 Qf3+ 45 Kh2 Qxf4+ 46 Kg2 Kxe7 47 Qxa6 Qd2+ and it results in a winning queen endgame for black with 2 pawns up. 

So what actually happened? After 40…Rf2, the c3 square is not anymore under control and I have the winning 41 Qc3+! Of course not 41 Rxf2?? h2+ 42 Kxh2 Qxf2 43 Qc3+ Kg6 0-1. 

The game concluded 41… Kg6 42 Qg3+ Kf6 (if 42… Kf7 43 Qxg8+ 1-0) 43 Qh4+ Kf7 44 Qh7+ Kf6 45 Qh6 Kf7 46 Qe6+ 1-0 and black resigned. This time luck was with me!