Look at Garry Kasparov. After he loses, invariably he wins the next game. He just kills the next guy. That's something that we have to learn to be able to do.
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[Event "Chess.net GM Invitational"]
[Site "Chess.net GM Invitat"]
[Date "1997.05.11"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Phillips, Rene"]
[Black "Schwartzman, Gabriel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2600"]
[ECO "A80"]
[TimeControl "0"]
[WhiteElo "2220"]
{ Mistakes were Made.|The London System is a queens pawn opening that
begins by 1.d4 2.Nf3 or (2.Bf4) 3.Bf4 or (Nf3). It is still a relatively
little known system and can be very lethal in the hands of the prepared
player. White will concentrate on the e5 square and focus on keeping the
center closed while attacking on the wings. } 1. d4 { A80: Dutch Defence:
Unusual white second moves.|The London System "mind set" is to think, "I
have seen this position hundreds, thousands of times!" My plans will depend
on my mood and temper. I control what lines my opponent will play because of
my greater knowledge of this System! } 1... f5 { The London System can be played
against any black defensive setup except 1...e5?! Black adopts the Dutch
Defense here. This game was played in the 1st GrandMaster Invitational
tournament sponsored by Chess.net. The prize was first place. My opponent was
the current U.S. Open Champion GM Gabriel Schwartzman. } 2. Nf3 { The time
control is rated Game/15 minutes. My foe is a noted Theoretician on the Dutch
Defense and has scored well against GM level opposition after playing 1...f5!
in response to 1.d4. The London System has been my weapon of choice with
white for 18 years! } 2... Nf6 { Interesting to note here is the strategies for both
sides, white in 2 moves attacks his opponent's king 4 square (e5) with both
knight and pawn , while black counters by attacking white's king 4 square(e4)
from the flank f-file using knight and pawn as well. } 3. Bf4 { The hallmark
London System setup. White will avoid early piece exchanges and with e5 for a
base attack on the wings. (Kingside or queenside pawn storms.) } 3... d6 { Black
declares early on that he will contest white's control of the e5 square at
some point in the game. Interesting would have been 3...d5! which is a
Stonewall Dutch Defensive System that maintains a vice grip on the e4
square. } 4. e3 { Some would quickly play h3 here to preserve the London bishop
from an impending 4... Nh5 but I like the idea of tactically tempting my
opponent into 4... Nh5 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 g5? 7. Nfd2! and black's kingside is
Swiss cheese. } 4... e6 { My opponent here is transposing normal move order in order
to tempt me into overreacting. The GM also wants to conceal his intentions as
long as possible. My asset here is that I have played the London in thousands
of rated games. The game is even here. } 5. Nbd2 { White continues with slow,
normal development, it should be noted here that 5. c4 is a much more
aggressive move here but also more expected by my opponent. My objective is
to play sound chess and make Schwartzman beat me. } 5... Nc6 { Black will build
slowly to attack e5. White's lack of c4! allows black the opportunity to
adopt this lengthy maneuver. White does not have any weaknesses; I am sure
most GM's would have played c4 by now. } 6. c3 { Never play the anticipated
move if it can be helped. 6. c4! was white's last chance at playing for a win
but c4 also fits into Schwartzman's Defensive posture. The c3 move is
unambitious but solid. I am confident that I have seen this position as many
times as Schwartzman. } 6... Qe7 { This queen maneuver is nifty as soon black will
play h6, g5, Bg7 and e5! Note the e5 scheme takes the sting out of the London
bishop at f4. The moral of this story though is that when black adopts a
posture that thwarts one bishop, the other bishop takes over. } 7. Bc4 { The
bishop at f4 is about to be thwarted by an eventual e5! The strategy here is
that if one London bishop bites on granite on the dark squares then the white
squared bishop comes into it's own. Note 7...d5 chases the bishop from c4 but
at the expense of letting the London dagger at f4 free! } 7... h6 { The threatened
g5 and Bg7 looms now. The simple 8. h3 is called for now to allow the London
bishop an escape square. } 8. h3 { This move serves the dual purpose of
allowing the bishop a retreat square at h2 and also prepares a future g4 if
black castles kingside. Note I have adopted a similar setup against the
King's Indian Defensive Systems by black against the London. } 8... e5 { The attack
in the center begins. Black is not content with playing just for equality;
the GM wants more! My strategy is working so far, the GM is coming to get me.
Note: there have been no piece trades thus far. } 9. Bh2 { The bishop retreat
is called for as I don't want to open the game by 9. dxe5 as that falls into
black's hands. I leave black the option of trading on d4. } 9... g5 { Black is
declaring his hostile intentions and one would think this would set the stage
for a quick knockout of the player of the white pieces. Is black's position
aggressive or overextended? } 10. Qe2 { I have always liked this move as it
keeps the foe guessing as to which side I will castle on. The queen on e2
also aids in a potential playing of e4. The Empress at e2 also opposes her
counterpart on e7. } 10... e4 { Black shifts gears and now seizes e4 but at the cost
of allowing the London bishop to breathe again. The dark squares are
abandoned by black to gain a vice grip on e4. The white monarch will now seek
refuge away from black's aggression. } 11. Ng1 { White welcomes the opportunity
to reposition the Mustang which will later aid in the lever attack on f3.
Levers are pawns which attack pawn chains. Note black's chain at d5 and f5. } 11... Be6 { Black want's to exchange his bishop for it's white counterpart and
castle queenside. White will not exchange pieces which would aid in black's
Defense. Maneuvering is paramount in this battle as have not even exchanged a
pawn to this point! } 12. O-O-O { White castles away from black's aggression
and will attack black's pawn chain in the center with the lever f3. I thought
black would castle here and be content with an even game but, I am no GM. } 12... d5 { The chain lengthens as the white squared bishop is squeezed out of the c4
square. Black gains space on the white squares but increases the range of the
London bishop at h2. Formally the London bishop bit on granite at d6, but now
it's scope is increased. } 13. Bb3 { White could play 13.Bb5 but that is
probably what black expected and what is wrong with Bb3 with the idea of
attacking with levers c4 and f3? The bishop can still play to a4 later and
pin the knight. Play the moves that give you the most options! } 13... a5 { Black is
seizing space on both sides of the board. The problem is this aggression is
premature as the Monarch is still homeless. } 14. Ba4 { This move temporarily
prevents a4 and pins the knight on c6. White will also soon mobilize his
attack on the black pawn chain. The best place to attack a pawn chain is at
it's base. The base of black's chain is f5 and d5. } 14... Kf7 { Self-made castle.
The castle walls are rotten and provide little shelter for the black monarch.
Note the patience of White here as he slowly amasses his forces. } 15. Nb3 { The knight eyes the c5 square as the immediate 15... b6 is prevented by 16.
Bc6+. White has the initiative here. } 15... Na7 { Black concedes the c5 square to
white temporarily and prepares b6. Here, my Crafty computer scores +.39 for
white which means white has a slight advantage. } 16. Nc5 { The steed pounces
onto the palace lawn. White's dominance is starting to show. Black can run
the horse out by playing b6 but at the cost of making more holes in his
position. } 16... c6 { I expected 16... b6 but black keeps me guessing. Black is
threatening b5 followed by b4. } 17. Be5 { The London bishop leaps into action!
The bishop now restricts the knight on f6 as a move by it would lose the rook
on h8. } 17... b6 { Black plays b6 instead of the immediate b5. This allows me the
chance to error by playing 18. Nb3 which loses a piece after 18... b5! Good
players conceal their intentions and lay subtle traps for their opponents to
error. Threats consume energy and some players weaken during long games. } 18. Nxe6 { The knight has done his job and we have our first exchange 18 moves
into the game! White doesn't mind trading the powerful steed for the big pawn
at e6 because the black bishop would have aided black in the defense against
the impending lever thrusts by white at c4 and g4. } 18... Qxe6 { Black is no longer
attacking but defending and the pawns are beginning to require more attention
than they are worth. White has a lasting initiative here. } 19. g4 { The lever!
The attack on the base of the black pawn chain begins. The walls protecting
the Monarch are the pawns at c6, d5, e4, and f5. Notice how the black king
sits inside this triangle. White hurls bombs at the palace foundation. } 19... b5 { The GM will not calmly accept his fate but attempts to complicate the game
thru tactics. Definition: The "in between move" is a move that surprisingly
is played before responding to a threat of loss of material. It is a move
that can be played before a normal or routine response. For example, the
white bishop is attacked. Does white have to move it immediately or is there
an "in between move"? You try to find the move here. What is it? } 20. gxf5 { POW! Tactics are strategic maneuvers designed to exploit weaknesses in the
opponents position such as a weakened king position, weakened pawns, isolated
and unprotected pieces, exposed king or queen. Black can't take the bishop
until he answers the attack on his queen. The "in between move" is the lever
that blows the pawn base at f5 to pieces. } 20... Qxf5 { The queen is drawn out of
the castle and into the battle. The monarch is helpless to aid in the battle
and watches as south wing of the palace wall comes tumbling down. } 21. Bc2 { The bishop coils like a spring to c2 where it becomes a laser beam x-raying
through the e4 pawn to the queen on f5. } 21... b4 { Black continues to press on
allowing white the chance to error. White should not exchange on b4 by
playing cxb4 opening a rook file against his king. White instead can activate
another lever and attack the black pawn chain. Do you see how? What is
white's move here? } 22. c4 { White according to Crafty 14.5 has a significant
advantage here of +1.89 which is the equivalent of being up by almost 2
pawns! } 22... Bg7 { Black moves the bishop for the first time and we are on the 22nd
move! The game is strategically won for white and now he need only avoid
traps and complications to seal this upset. } 23. f3 { Levers! Note the palace
base on the north wall is now at e4 where previously it was at f5. The walls
are being attacked on both flanks i.e.(c4 and e4). } 23... Kg6 { The monarch panics
and seeks shelter away from the crumbling wall. Maybe he envisions a future
Rhf8. } 24. Rf1 { The rook rushes to the battle and x-rays the black queen.
White is the only one throwing punches here and the fight is now one-sided.
Black can't play exf3 attacking the white queen because the "in-between move"
Bxf5+ wins the game. } 24... Qe6 { There is panic in the camp and it's every man for
himself! The queen moves out of the x-ray attack of the rook but now the
bishop at c2 x-rays the black king. Note how white has minimized unwanted
exchanges. } 25. fxe4 { KABOOM! Did you hear that!? The explosives are going
off now and the palace gates come tumbling down. The lever tears down the
wall and opens the firing lane for the tank at f1. } 25... Nxe4 { Tactics loom in
this position as the Monarch is exposed and in the line of fire. 25... dxe4
loses horribly to 26. Qg2 or 26. Rxf6! followed by 27. Bxe4+. Now the horse
is tied down at e4 and cannot move. It's what we call pinned. } 26. Nf3 { The
mustang is well rested and springs into action with a vengeance! White is
hoping for 26... Bxe5? when the mustang goes to e5 with check and devastating
results. } 26... Rhf8 { The black pieces attempt to reorganize and participate in the
battle but it is too late. Tactics are moves designed to exploit weaknesses
in the opponent's position. The weaknesses here are black's exposed king and
lack of piece coordination. } ( { Black quickly loses with the exchange of
bishops: } 26... Bxe5 27. Nxe5+ Kg7 28. Rf7+ Kg8 29. Bxe4 dxe4 30. Rhf1 Qxh3 31. Qf2 Qc8 32. Rg7+ Kxg7 33. Qf7# ) 27. Bxg7 { The bishop has performed it's
function and now gives itself for one of the Monarchs last remaining
protectors. Note how all of white's pieces participate in th attack. (bishop
on c2, queen on e2, knight at f3, rooks on f1 and h1). In contrast note
black's queen's rook and knight are out of play. } 27... Kxg7 { The black Monarch is
in the line of fire and there is no where to hide as there is little left to
the castle walls. } 28. Ne5 { It has been said that a knight anchored in the
opponent's territory can divide the enemy's position and cause confusion in
the enemy troops. Note how white avoids exchanging rooks by Rfxf8 which would
ease black's defense. } 28... Rf6 { Black should exchange hereby playing 28... Rxf1+.
The reason he doesn't is because black still wants to muddy the waters and
give me a chance to error. What!? Someone is asking, "Why didn't he play
28...Ng3?" The reason is a good tactical problem for you to solve. What would
be white's response to 28...Ng3? Hint - The queen moves to an attacking
position. } ( { Solution: } 28... Ng3 29. Qd3 Rxf1+ 30. Rxf1 Nxf1 31. Qh7+ Kf8 32. Bf5 Qg8 33. Ng6+ Ke8 34. Qxg8# ) 29. Bxe4 { White methodically begins the
elimination process of removing the monarch's last faithful protectors. Note
the fact that white shunned exchanges until the moment when such exchanges
would net him an advantage. } 29... dxe4 { 29...Rxf1 was an "in between move" that
would have eased black's defense slightly. The rule is, "when in cramped
positions or in strategically lost positions seek piece exchanges." The
direct opposite holds for the person who commands more space and has better
development. Black is still playing for complications and is allowing white
the opportunity to falter. } 30. Rxf6 { This removes another defender and white
can move up another tank to f1 by 31. Rf1 before black can follow suit
because after 30. Rf1, black will have to move the piece he recaptures with
on f6. The game is overwhelming for white now and players have resigned in
less complicated positions. } 30... Qxf6 { Black has one lone protector of the
monarch and now white will attack the faithful queen with a tempo. The
capture with the monarch by 30... Kxf6 would yield a similar position after
the tank moves to the f-file by 31. Rf1. } 31. Rf1 { This is known as a tempo.
Definition: A tempo in chess is a move that gains time as a piece can be
developed and attack and/or defend simultaneously forcing the opponent to
respond to it with no chance of developing a piece of it's own. The net gain
for the possessor of the tempo is a "free" move. Black must move his queen
and can't get his rook over in time to counter white's rook on f1 because the
white rook moved into position and attacked in one move! Black's response is
forced. } 31... Qe6 { Black parries the threat from the rook and tries to regain the
tempo by attacking a pawn at h3. The point is if white takes the time to
defend the pawn at h3 then black has time to bring his tank into the fight by
32... Rf8. White has methodically isolated the Monarch and now gives the
snipers the signal to move into position. } 32. Rf7+ { Here white moves into
the battle and offers black the opportunity to relieve the onslaught by
giving up the queen for the rook and knight by 32... Qxf7 33. Nxf7 Kxf7.
Unfortunately with black's remaining 2 pieces out of play on the other side
of the world, the game would not last long. The monarch would be forced to
dodge heavy artillery with no cover until the pieces can rush into play. } 32... Kg8 { The only reason for this move is that now black concedes his fate and tries
to lay subtle traps here hoping for the best. Note how the king is separated
from his protectors and now material means little to white who now brings in
more snipers. } ( 32... Qxf7 33. Nxf7 Kxf7 34. Qg4 Re8 35. Qf5+ Kg8 36. Qg6+ Kf8 37. Qxh6+ Kg8 38. Qxg5+ Kf8 39. Qf6+ Kg8 40. Qg6+ Kf8 41. h4 Re7 42. h5 Rg7 43. Qxe4 a4 44. h6 Rg1+ 45. Kd2 Kg8 46. Qe7 Rg2+ 47. Kd3 Nc8 48. Qe8+ Kh7 49. Qxc8 Rg6 50. Qb7+ Kg8 51. h7+ Kh8 52. Qxb4 Kxh7 53. Qxa4 { White wins with
a large material advantage. } ) 33. Qf2 { White now commands the only open file
which permanently separates the king from his pieces. The knight is at a
lethal post and now the combination of the rook and queen on the open f-file
decide this contest. } 33... Qxh3 { The king is naked and black hoped for 34. Qf6?
34... Qxe3+ and a perpetual check. The point now is that there are no
protectors for the monarch and black is playing 2 pieces down as his rook and
knight will not see any more action this game. This is a good time for a
mating problem. It is a forced mate from this point. Can you figure it out
before playing the next move? Remember, checkmate is not a combination of
random checks but a strategic series of confining, restricting, checks
forcing the king to a position where the final check delivers mate! Hint:
this is mate in 4 moves. } 34. Rg7+ { BANG! The rook cannot be taken as 34...
Kxg7 35. Qf7+ Kh8 36 Ng6##. This combination is possible due to the
coordination of whites attackers which surround the king. The absence of
black defenders help too! } 34... Kh8 { This again set's a trap. If I get lax and
play Qf7 threatening mate, Qxe3+ for black is still a perpetual check. We
both are short on time here but GM's excel in these situations when the flags
are in the air. Note if the rook was taboo before at g7 it is even more so at
h7. } 35. Rh7+ { BOOMMMMM!!!! I can't believe it! I am about to mate the U.S.
Open Champion. He plays one last move and hopes for me to play Qf5+ I guess. } 35... Kxh7 { I have less than 20 seconds left here but it's mate in 2 moves! Can you
see it? Try to play the mate in your mind without moving the pieces. Note the
black rook on a8 did not move the entire game. } 36. Qf7+ { 1-0 GM Schwartzman
resigns here and I nab my first GM in a prize tournament even though it was
online. This game is an excellent example of the potency of the London
System. There are no quick kill lines for black when facing the London
System. The London System is a positional opening that can take plain
equality to a new level if black becomes to aggressive. I am a former
S.W.A.T. team member of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and learned
that practice makes habit. We rehearsed scenarios hundreds of times until
they became habit. Habit is what one does under pressure. I have employed the
London System in thousands of rated games against the nations best online. I
even beat World FIDE Champion Anatoly Karpov in a rated 5- minute blitz game
on Chess.net using the London System. The principles are easy to learn and
once mastered can make you a force to be reckoned with! } 1-0