Lesson 3: The flank attack

If the centre and kingside are secure, a direct attack becomes too risky. Maybe a weakness can be found on the flank. If this is the case, an indirect attack can be aimed on the weakness in the enemy line. Both players threaten a flank in the example.

[ Kd6 increases the restriction. The black rook threatens to move to the h-file. The pointe is 37. Nc5 b6 ! 38. Nxd3 Nxd3+ 39. Kd2 Nxc1 40. Kxc1 Ke5 -+ ]

37. Ke2 Nd3 38. Rc3 Nf4+ 39. Kf3 Kf6 40. Nc5 Rc7 41. h4 ? The last move under time pressure is a serious mistake.

[The subtle variation 41. Ke3 ! h5 42. f3 !draws. After b6 43. Na4 Rxc3+ 44. Nxc3 Ke5 45. a3 Ng2+ square f2 can be used by the king. 46. Kf2 ! The black knight cannot start making troubles. ]

e5 42. hxg5+ Kxg5 43. Rc4 Now the terrible effect of Korchnoi's blunder becomes apparent. The g- and h-files can be used by black pieces. Black starts an irresistible flank attack. b5 ?!An immediate advance of the h-pawn is stronger. 44. Rc1 b4 45. Rc4 a5 46. Na4 Rf7 ! The rook is not exchanged but will support the h-pawn. 47. Ke3 Ng2+ 48. Ke2 Nf4+ 49. Ke3 White has no proper defence. h5 ! 50. Rc5 Ng2+ 51. Ke2 h4 !Only the advanced pawn is important. 52. Rxe5+ Kg4 53. Re8

[ 53. Rxa5 is useless. ]

Nf4+ 54. Ke3 h3 55. f3+ Kh4 The h-pawn cannot be stopped. The attacker does not seek the confrontation in an indirect attack, but avoids the strongholds. The saying: "Many battles are decided by marching", characterises this strategy. 0-1