Well into his old age, Vassily Smyslov was still an active and brilliant master of the game. The following is an example of his ability to increase his pieces' power by forcing a change in the pawn structure. The Modern Defense often requires an eye for such strategies as it wants an open board for the fianchettoed bishop, but invites a closed game by using pieces to control the center.
Game 2: Singh-Smyslov: How to Open the Game
Well into his old age, Vassily Smyslov was still an active and brilliant master of the game. The following is an example of his ability to increase his pieces' power by forcing a change in the pawn structure. The Modern Defense often requires an eye for such strategies as it wants an open board for the fianchettoed bishop, but invites a closed game by using pieces to control the center.