Using checks in effective manner

Chess Checks

One of the deadliest weapons in chess is to unleash checks and discovered checks in tandem, which virtually helps in clinching a game. However such positions or opportunities are not witnessed frequently. In such positions, it becomes easier to grab material as the opponent’s pieces are virtually paralysed and moving the King might be the only option available to him at most times.

In the game which follows, a delightful position arises whereby Black gives checks and discovered checks alternately. In between he has time to capture material and also get his pieces to the best squares for attack.

White: Yakov Meister (2430) – Black: Simon Webb (2415)
Poliot-Wasa, 1991
Nimzo-Indian Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4
The Nimzo-Indian defence, one of the more popular defences against the Queen’s Gambit
4.f3 c5 5.d5 d6 6.e4 exd5 7.cxd5 Nh5
White can also look at 7...0–0 or 7...b5
8.Be3
White has lot of promising continuation ideas like 8.Bb5+ or 8.g4
8. ..f5 9.exf5 0–0
If 9...Bxf5 10.g4
10.Qd2. White’s King side is undeveloped and the king is still standing on the original square
10. ..Qh4+ 11.Bf2 Qe7+ 12.Nge2 Nd7 13.g4 Ne5
A good move!
14.Qe3 Bxc3+ 15.bxc3
If 15.Qxc3 Nf4 16.0–0–0 (16.Nxf4 Nd3+ 17.Kd2 Nxf2 18.Rg1 Qg5 19.Qe3 Bxf5) 16...Nxe2+ 17.Bxe2 Nxg4 18.fxg4 Qxe2 and White appears better
15...Qf7. Black can save the knight with 15. ..Nf6 but he decides to sacrifice it
16.gxh5. White decides to accept the knight. If 16.0–0–0 Nf6 17.Nf4 Nexg4 18.fxg4 Nxg4 19.Qg3 Nxf2 20.Qxf2 Qxf5, it is better for Black
16...Qxd5 17.Bg2 Nd3+
White faces the heat now as his King is still in the centre.
18.Kf1 Bxf5 19.Ng3 Nf4
An interesting move! Black could have enhanced his advantage with 19. ..Rae8 20.Qd2 Bh3  21.Bxh3 Qxh3
20.Nxf5
If 20.Qxf4 Bd3+ and Black is better
20...Qc4+ 21.Kg1

21. ..Ne2+ A delightful set up where Black unleashes check and discovered check in tandem!
22.Kf1 Nxc3+ 23.Kg1 Ne2+ 24.Kf1 Nd4+ 25.Kg1 Rxf5
Black has sacrificed a piece but has plenty of compensation for it with White’s vulnerable uncastled King and the rook virtually imprisoned
26.Re1 Re5 27.Qd2 Rxe1+ 28.Bxe1
White has a bishop pair but all his pieces are virtually crippled. The rook has no way and opportunity to join the action
28. ..Re8 29.h4. An effort to vacate the square for the King and somehow bring the rook into play
29. ..Re2. Piling on the misery!
30.Qd1 Qe6. Not exactly the shortest way to victory. Black should have played 30...Qxa2 31.Rh2 Rb2
31.Bf2 Qxa2 32.Qf1
White’s pieces are miserably placed
32. ..Rb2. Vacating the square for the knight
33.Be1. He should have exchanged the dangerous knight with 33.Bxd4, though it still does not help his cause
33. ..Ne2+ 34.Kh2 Nf4 35.Rg1 b5
Black has four passed pawns on the queenside
36.Bg3 Rxg2+. Correct move is 36...Ne2
37.Rxg2 Nxg2 38.Qxg2 Qxg2+ 39.Kxg2 d5 40.Kf2. Better is 40.Bd6
40...Kf7 41.Ke3. If 41.Bd6 c4 42.Ke3 a5 43.Bc7 a4 44.Bd6
41...Ke6 42.Kd3 a5 43.Bf2 d4 44.Be1 a4
White resigned as 44...a4 45.Kc2 Kd5 46.Bd2 a3 47.Kb3 b4 48.Bc1 d3 49.f4 c4+ 50.Kxb4 a2 51.Bb2 d2  0–1
Diagram 2
White to play and win
1.Ng6+ hxg6 2.hxg3 checkmate.