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Why a Cramped Position is So Bad

  • FM FM_Eric_Schiller
  • | Feb 2, 2009
  • | 5061 views
  • | 16 comments

We all know that a cramped position is bad. But where is the real danger, if there aren't good attacking lines aiming at the king? The brilliant Rashid Nyezhmetdinov shows us how to crack open the shell by opening up a file and using it as an invasion path to the 7th rank.

Under pressure, Black weakens his kingside and allows White to gain a permanent advantage in space. This is especially clear after about 26 moves. The advantage is clear, but technique is needed to earn the full point.

Comments


  • 3 years ago

    EvanVonVan

    It was pretty hard to follow along!

  • 3 years ago

    benusher

    that's the stuff an heros are made of

  • 3 years ago

    minatonamikaze7

    yep that was a nice way to convert the better position :)

  • 3 years ago

    madpawn

    Reminds me of some of the dodgy positions i have been in! Thanks for posting a really excellent game.

  • 3 years ago

    Mediocris

    Nezmedtinov was a great chess player..

  • 3 years ago

    NM GreenLaser

    I assume that in this note "Theory prefers 13.Na4 with a small initiative for White." 12.Na4 was meant. The next note "12...Qc6! was established as best, as after 13...Nexc6 14.Nb6 Rb8 15.Nxc8 Rxc8 there is no way for White to make progress" indicates equality instead of White initiative. I assumed that 12.Na4 is answered by 12...Qc6, because it attacks the knight on a4, while if 12.Ne2 Qc6 hangs the e5-pawn. In the note "17. b3 ! and in Lukin - Ghizdavu, Bucharest 1968, White delayed the capture of the pawn to great effect,since 17. ..Nxd3 would have been met by 18.Ra3+ Ke8 19.Rad1 and White would trap the knight!" I can't see the knight trap. Black has 19...Bg4 20.Rd2= or 20.Nxd4= or 19...Ne5+/=.

  • 3 years ago

    dashkee94

    To ChessGod

    Yes, this is a line that I've faced many times, especially over the last few years.  A lot of Sicilian players are overwhelmed by the amount of theory available in such lines as the Dragon or the Najdorf, so they choose this line or the Lasker/Pelikan complex as an alternative.  Like all lines in the Sicilian it contains it's own poison.  If you are going to play e4, you need to get acquainted with these lines.  They aren't as scary if you have some knowledge of what it is you're supposed to do.

  • 3 years ago

    santiR

    great game again.  you gotta love that guy.

  • 3 years ago

    wetpaste

    I love Nyezhmet, hes awesome

  • 3 years ago

    ChessGod

    Thanks for posting, very instructive.  Is this line in the sicillian even played anymore?  If it is, I've never encountered or seen it.

  • 3 years ago

    Atinau

    kj53 - black has no place to move his rook, so he is going to lose it, if black want to defend the rook, he need to move his knight - but he also have no good place for his knight. so black have to choose between losing his rook or losing his knight. that's why he resigned.

  • 3 years ago

    atomichicken

    KJ53 what do you mean you don't get it? What a fantastic game from one of my favourite players, a Master of the initiative. Clearly annotated aswell.

  • 3 years ago

    KJ53

    dont get it

  • 3 years ago

    EnamouredKnight

    to me, quite odd but a very intriguing game, thx for posting...

  • 3 years ago

    woodencardboard

    haha wow, I've never seen one player cramp another for that kind of tactical compensation before. Rashid was just pushing that rook into a corner.

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