Chess: Thoughts upon a position: 4. Jussupow or Yusupov

October 23, 2006

Thoughts upon a position: 4. Jussupow or Yusupov

I advise the readers of Greek chess magazine “Chess for all” to be careful when they download games for their chess database from various locations. There is always a chance that names of the players are not spelled correctly, or, as in the case of the ex-Soviet (now German) GM, their name is adopted to the language of their new citizenship.

“Training for the tournament player” is a book written by Mark Dvoretsky and Artur Yusupov, and today’s position is taken from this book. The game dates back to 1883 between Zukertort and Blackburn and the position appeared after White’s move 17.Rae1

								8
								7
								6
								5
								4
								3
								2
								1
a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Yusupov spends more than a page to explain the above position and provide not just a move (that Blackburn didn’t play) but a whole plan to support his idea. I ask you to post your own thoughts. Assess the position, make a plan and take part in our discussion.

And have fun…

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Posted by Michalis Kaloumenos at October 23, 2006 08:01 PM

Comments

I have two Dvoretsky/Yussupov books. IMHO, they are excellent, but probably not to everybody's taste. Anyway, I would recommend them to any engaged player.

Very nice position. Once again, an excellent choice of you, Michalis!

Posted by: Thomas Stahl at October 24, 2006 01:09 AM

17 Rae1 is aimed (I think) to support e4, in order to obtain after some pawn exchanges the perfect center d4+e4. If black does not exchange pawns the tension in the center is created to the benefit (I think) of the White.

If I were black I would probably play 17 ... Rc7 planning to double rooks on the c file.

I don't know the actual result of the game, but at this point I like White better.

Abraços.

Posted by: Sobral at October 24, 2006 03:15 PM

Just checked the database. Nice game, indeed.

It was very interesting to analyse the position, make up my mind and then check on the "real stuff".

Enjoy !

Posted by: Sobral at October 24, 2006 03:25 PM

Doubling rooks for black on the c-file does not seem to be very constructive as there are no penetrating squares (covered by white's two bishops). Perhaps black should try to play on the queenside, which seems to be where he has the most potential. One idea is a5 (immediately threatening Ba6 to trade off the white's dangerous light-squared bishop), followed by Qb4 with the idea of a4 should white not trade queens. Once the a-file is opened, black has an additional file to penetrate with his rooks.

Posted by: Albert at October 24, 2006 07:39 PM

I also was looking at a5 to exchange the light square bishop. then using the c file. owning the file is nice, but you must be able to USE it! so the light square bishop must go. also the pawn at a5 would support the queen at b4 if black should wish to exchange.

Posted by: Jeffrey at October 24, 2006 08:21 PM