Mariánské Lázně Lesson 9: Attacked Pawns Do Not Have To Be Defended

THE following Berlin Wall position, which apparently was first reached 23 years ago in a Kasparov-Kramnik clash, arose in my round-nine game.

My opponent has just recaptured on g5

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Kramnik played 12...h6, which Stockfish16 and Komodo14.1 agree is best.

I preferred 12...Nd4!?, somewhat naively excepting the reply 13.Rac1?!, after which 13...Bf5 looks strong, at least at first glance, as 14.Nge4?? loses to 14...Bxe4 15.Nxe4 Ne2+ etc.

But White circumvented all this with 13.Rad1!, when 13...Nxc2? loses to 14.a3, so instead there came 13...Ne6 14.Nxe6 Bxe6, after which the apparent novelty 15.f4!? gave White at least a slight edge, according to the engines.

LESSON: some 'forcing' moves, such as attacking an undefended pawn, may not be so forcing after all.