Checkmate Simplified – Endgame Techniques to Elevate Your Play

Hello guys!

On this occasion I would like to share you one of most memorable top-level encounters that demonstrates the benefits of deep preparation by Fabiano Caruana, who managed to ”break the Berlin wall”. He came up with a fresh attacking setup that confused his strong opponent. White managed to prove, that he has great attacking prospects on the kingside, while Black’s attack is questionable. Who cares that Black’s position is good according to engine?!

Your task during the preparation is choosing an opening line (or original idea) that perfectly suits your playing style, when opponent’s decisions making is challenging. I hope that this study will assist you in building a proper strategy of preparation for your upcoming games!

(60967) Caruana,F. (2794) – Nakamura,Hi (2790) [C65]
FIDE Candidates 2016, Moscow RUS (8.2), 20.03.2016
[Roiz,M]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 [Berlin is considered as one of most solid weapons
against 1.e4 since 2000, when Vladimir Kramnik used it to neutralize Kasparov’s
exceptional opening preparation and win the World Championship match.]

4.d3 [This move is equally common as the main 4.0–0, and it says by itself – Black rarely faces difficulties in the endgame nowadays.]

4…Bc5 [The most active way of development.]

5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nbd2 0–0

[A well-known tabia. I was seen in hundreds of high-level games, when results are satisfactory for Black. Fabiano comes up with a fresh attacking setup that manages to confuse such a strong opponents as Hikaru.]

7.Qe2!? [This move order was rather rare.]

[7.Nc4 Nd7 8.0–0 is the usual scenario. This position was tested in many high- level games.]

7…Re8 8.Nc4 Nd7 9.Bd2!? [A relatively fresh idea. White intents to castle long hoping to create an attack on the queenside.]

9…Bd6 [9…b5 10.Na5 (10.Ne3!? Bf8 11.h4 Nc5 12.g4 Ne6 leads to a long
struggle, when Black’s knight has access to d4 and f4 squares.) 10…Qf6 11.a4
Bb6 could have offered Black a reasonable counterplay, but not every player is
ready to commit his pawn structure like this.; A radical way to strengthen e5 and
free the knight is 9…f6!? , but then White gets a clear target on the kingside. A
possible scenario is 10.g4 Nf8 11.Rg1 Ne6 12.g5 According to engine this position
is acceptable for Black, but this is exactly what you need: then you look at the
position you should first of all use your intuition. If you like it – enter it because your
opponent will not be equipped (hopefully:)) with engine during the game!]

10.0–0–0 [The kings are hosted on opposite sides. This situation often offers
interesting uncompromising struggle!]

10…b5 [Nakamura immediately starts counterplay on the queenside.]

11.Ne3 [The knight moves towards f5.]

11…a5 [11…Nf6 turns ineffective because after 12.h4 a5 13.Rdg1! b4 14.g4 White’s attack is still lasting fast.]

12.Nf5 a4 [Both sides are pushing the pawns.]

[12…Nf6 doesn’t really prevent 13.g4! , because after 13…Nxg4 14.Rdg1 Bxf5 15.exf5 All White’s pieces are joining the attack. Please, note: you should be able to sacrifice a pawn or 2 in order to quickly open files against opponent’s king!]

13.Bg5!? [An interesting idea! Black is provoked to play f7–f6 that will assist White in making progress on the kingside!]

13…f6 14.Be3 [White can use the f6–pawn is a hook!]

14…Nc5 [14…Nf8 15.g4 Ng6!? was an alternative option, when g6–knight makes Black’s setup more solid.]

15.g4 Be6 16.Kb1 [Fabiano has time to play this prohylactic move. White just defends a2.]

16…b4 17.g5!

[The race has begun! There is no way back.]

17…b3? [This is the most natural follow-up, but it isn’t the best!]

[17…a3 18.b3 Bxf5 19.exf5 e4 would be a good idea: vulnerability of c3–spot
provides Black interesting counterplay!]

18.Rhg1! [A calm response! Fabiano reasonably assumes, that White’s king will be safe after both ..bxc2 or bxa2.]

[Weaker was 18.a3 bxc2+ 19.Qxc2 Bb3!]

18…bxa2+ [18…bxc2+ 19.Qxc2 leads to heavy material losses as the knight is
hanging.]

19.Ka1 Bxf5 20.exf5 a3 [This only assists White in securing his king.]

[20…Kh8! should have been played, but also then after 21.Nd2 fxg5 22.Ne4 Black is in big trouble – it is hard to withstand direct attack.]

21.b3 Na6 [The knight is going to b4, but it doesn’t bother Fabiano.]

22.c3! [The simplest reply – Black’s attack comes to an end!]

22…Bf8? [22…Be7 is a better defense, though 23.d4 e4 24.Ne5! fxe5 25.dxe5 makes it possible for White to decide the game in a style.]

23.Nd2! [White’s knight enters centre with a big effect.]

23…fxg5 [it’s too late for 23…Be7 White can play 24.gxf6 Bxf6 25.Ne4 Kh8 26.Bg5+– with decisive threats.]

24.Rxg5 Nc5 25.Rg3! [A decent move! White combines attack with defensive
measures.]

25…e4 [A desperate attempt to complicate matters.]

[25…Qxd3 is strongly met by 26.Qxd3 Nxd3 27.Ne4 Nf4 (or 27…Red8 28.Bg5!+– with a double attack.) 28.Nf6+ Kf7 29.Nxe8+–]

26.Bxc5 [The simplest solution.]

[There is also nothing wrong with 26.dxe4 Qd3 27.Qxd3 Nxd3 28.f4+–]

26…Bxc5 27.Nxe4 Bd6 28.Rh3 Be5 29.d4 Bf6 30.Rg1 [All White’s pieces are very active.]

30…Rb8 31.Kxa2! Bh4 32.Rg4 Qd5 33.c4 [Black loses a piece, so he resigns.]

1–0

Checkmate Simplified - Endgame Techniques to Elevate Your Play

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