Lesson 7: Restriction in general

The aim of restriction is to limit the mobility of opponent as much as possible. The effect is retreat until no ground is left. The specific case of blockade has been treated. Restriction in general is the subject this time. White has a plus because the knight is stronger than the bishop.

[ Bg6 prepares the exchange. ]

48. Ng2 !!Oleg Pervakov was among the spectators. He saw a wave of surprise and enthusiasm among the public. A red headed Gary sat behind the board. hxg3+ 49. Kxg3 The white king is allowed to enter and restrict his collaegue. Ke6 ?

[Correct is Bg6 50. Nf4 Bf7 ! 51. Kh4 Ke7 52. Nxh5 Ke6 53. Nf4+ Kf5 54. Nd3 Be8 ! 55. Kg3 Bd7 56. Nc5 Bc8 Black has a horrible position but he seems to survive. ]

50. Nf4+ Kf5 51. Nxh5 Ke6 52. Nf4+ Kd6 53. Kg4 Bc2 54. Kh5 Bd1 55. Kg6 ! Ke7 The crucial position of the endgame.

[ Bxf3 56. Kxf6 +- ]

56. Nxd5+ ? This move is an error although a pawn is won by a check. Pawn d5 should not be captured immediately.

[The restriction should continue with 56. Nh5 !! Bc2+ 57. Kg7 Bd1

[The pointe is Ke6 58. Ng3 !and 58.f4. ]

58. Nxf6 Bxf3 59. Kg6 Ke6 60. Ne8 Kd7 61. Ng7 Ke7 62. Kf5 Kd6 63. Kf6 Bg2 64. Nf5+ Kd7 65. Ke5 The preparation has been completed. White will gain pawn d5 and win eventually. ]

Ke6 ?!

[ Kd6 57. Nxf6 Bxf3 White wins easily according to Geller and Mikhalchiskin. However pawn d4 is weak due to the missing pawn d5! ]

57. Nc7+ Kd7 ?A second pawn will be lost.

[Correct is Kd6 58. Nxa6 Bxf3 59. Kxf6 Kd5 60. Nc7+ Kxd4 61. Nxb5+ Kc4 62. Nd6+ Kb3 63. b5 Kxa3 ]

58. Nxa6 Bxf3 59. Kxf6 Kd6 60. Kf5 Kd5 61. Kf4 !The d-pawn is saved. Bh1 62. Ke3 Kc4 63. Nc5 Bc6 64. Nd3 Bg2

[Or Be8 65. Ne5+ Kd5 (Averbakh and Taimanov ). ]

65. Ne5+ Kc3 66. Ng6 Kc4 67. Ne7 Bb7 68. Nf5 The restriction of the black king has gone completely.

[ 68. d5 Bxd5 69. Nxd5 Kxd5 ]

Bg2 ??A blunder ends the game.

[ Kd5 69. Kd3 Ke6 70. Ng3 Bg2 and the game will be hard to win for White despite the two extra pawns. ]

69. Nd6+ Kb3 70. Nxb5 Ka4 71. Nd6 This endgame has been published without criticism mostly. Restriction appears to be difficult for world champions too, if proper analyses are made. 1-0