[FEN "rnb2r2/3pppkp/p5p1/qPpQ4/P1P1n3/4PN2/4KPPP/RN3B1R b - - 0 12"]   

[Event "Part one"]  [Site "?"]  [Date "2017.12.07"]  [Round "?"]  [White "Chapter 3"]  [Black "Chess Botany - The Shrub "]  [Result "*"]  [ECO "A00"]  [PlyCount "70"]   {The "Shrub" is what Kotov called the situation in which one must calculate  not a single long variation, but a number of comparatively short ones. Here,  perhaps, the main problem is to identify all the variations worth examining.  All the calculaions we perform could prove fruitless, all our time wasted, if  we neglect to study a strong candidate move at the very outset! The  problem position that follows arose right ouut of the opening; I shall  therefore give those opening moves with brief notes.} 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. b4  Bg7 4. Bb2 O-O 5. e3 b6 6. d4 c5 7. dxc5 bxc5 8. b5 a6 9. a4 Ne4   (9... Bb7 {  Was simpler}) 10. Bxg7 Kxg7 11. Qd5 $5 {With this and his next move, Smyslov  accepts his opponent's challenge to enter irrational tactical complications}   (  11. Bd3 Qa5+ 12. Nbd2 Nxd2 13. Qxd2 axb5 14. cxb5 d5 {And White could not  expect an advantage out of the opening - Eduard Gufeld's opinion}) 11... Qa5+  12. Ke2 $5 {[pgndiagram] This was also necessary. Black has two pieces en  prise. Let us calculate the variations, so we can understand who is better in  this position and how we should play it}   (12. Nbd2 Nxd2 13. Qxd2 $5 {But in my  opinion, this would have been safer}   (13. Nxd2 axb5)) 12... Bb7 {[pgndiagram]  Was idea executed by Gufeld in the game. I am going to continue examining this  game, noting first of all that it is quite interesting, in and of itself and  also because Gufeld's further annotations also need correcting and elaboration.  }   (12... Nc3+ $2 {Is the first things that attracts our attention} 13. Nxc3  Qxc3 {[pgndiagram]} {Smyslov had prepared} 14. Rd1 $1   (14. Qxa8 $2 {Would be a  mistake} Qxa1 15. Qxb8 Qb2+ 16. Nd2 d5 $1 {Intending 17.. Bg4+ and 17... dxc4})  14... Ra7 15. Qxc5 {[pgndiagram] With an overwheming advantage (once the rook  retreats, White cna trade queens)})   (12... Nd6 $1 {[pgndiagram] The  grandmaster examined no other possibilities for Black. If in fact there were  none, we could stop calculations here. But, remembering the candidate-move  rules, we shall not jump to conclusion. There is one more combinative  resource, and this one is much stronger. Black saves his knight, while  preparing either Bb7 or axb5.} 13. Qxc5 $1 {[pgndiagram] The only move  remaining}   (13. Qxa8 Bb7 14. Qa7 Qc7 {Threatening Nc8} 15. b6 Qc8 {[pgndiagram]  White's queen falls into a trap. The only defence against Nc6 is Ne5, but then  follows} 16. Ne5 f6 17. Qxb8 Qxb8 18. Nxd7 Qd8 19. Nxf8 Kxf8 {[pgndiagram] And  Black is winning})   (13. Nfd2 {Also doesn't solve White's problem} axb5 14. Nb3   (14. cxb5 Nxb5) 14... Qb4) 13... axb5 14. cxb5 Nxb5 {[pgndiagram] Black  clearly holds the initiative, while White must fight for equality. Here, at  last, it seems, we may end our calculations. The combination I have suggested  appears stronger, and is in any case simpler than the one played by Gufeld in  the game. In order to reach with the best decision, it was necessary to  examine the whole "shrub", not just some of its branches.})   (12... Qc3 $2 {  Pops in our head as well, but does not inspire confidence.} 13. Qxa8 {Leaves  Black badly off wherever you look}   (13. Nxc3 {Even the endgame favours White}  Nxc3+ 14. Kd2 Nxd5 15. cxd5) 13... Qb2+ 14. Nfd2 Nxd2 15. Nxd2 Qxa1 16. Qxb8 {  [pgndiagram] And White is much better here}) 13. Qxb7 Nc6 {As will shortly  become clear, the combination leads to an approximately even position} 14. Nfd2  {[pgndiagram] For the moment, Smyslov is on the rght track. Of course, he  could have also taken the second pieces, intending to transpose to the game  after 14 bxc6 Rab8 15 Nfd2!. Excessive greed with 15 Qxd7 would cost White  dearly: 15 Rfd8 and despite his enormous material advantage, White's position  is indefensible. - Gufeld I have nonetheless replaced the exclamation mark  with which a humbler evaluation - and not just because of the possible  transposition, either}   (14. bxc6 {Gufeld was correct to note that, after} Rab8  {The capture on d7 loses. But what would happen if White took the pawn on the  previous move?})   (14. Qxd7 {[pgndiagram] As it happens, this is not a bad  alternative at all} Rfd8 {[pgndiagram] All that is left to try}   (14... Nb4 {  Black has no time to save the knight; the simplest resolution is} 15. Qb7 {And  after the knight retreats, Qxe7})   (14... Qb4 {Also doesn't work} 15. Qd3 Qb2+  16. Nfd2 Nxd2 {[pgndiagram] And then, as you like it, both Qxa3 and Nxd2 work}  17. Qa3   (17. Nxd2 Qxa1 18. bxc6 Qxa4 19. c7) 17... Qxa3 18. Nxa3 Nb3 19. Rb1)   (  14... Nc3+ 15. Nxc3 Qxc3 {Leavs White on top after} 16. Qd1 $1) 15. Qxc6 Nc3+  16. Nxc3 Qxc3 17. Rd1 {[pgndiagram] Is the most natural combination. However,  seeing White has a huge material advantage, he could also try a different  defensive method, namely: by not wasting time shuffling the rook, he could  move the knight instead, thereby freeing the f3-square for his king.}   (17. Ng5  Qd3+   (17... Qxa1 18. Kf3 {Would be dubious. However Black gives perpetual  check by continuing}) 18. Kf3 Qf5+)   (17. Nh4 {[pgndiagram] Avoids the  perpetual by controlling the f5 square. This is in fact the first  recommendation of our computer. But deeper analysis shows that here too, White  cannot hope for advantage - in fact, he must proceed accurately in order to  stay out of difficulty.} Qxa1   (17... axb5 {Is inferior} 18. Ra2 Qxc4+ (18...  Qb3 {Is not mentioned by Dvoretsky - it is more advantageous not to take the  pawn} 19. Kf3 Qxa2 20. Qxb5 Rxa4 {[pgndiagram] And the position is probably  equal}) 19. Kf3 Qxa2 20. Bxb5 {[pgndiagram] And here White is much better}) 18.  Kf3 axb5 19. axb5 {[pgndiagram] And objectively, White shouldn't be better  here. But let us return to the game}) 17... Qxc4+   (17... Rxd1 $2 {[pgndiagram]  White would have had an interesting task to solve after this move} 18. Qe4 $3 {  Far from obvious. But in fact, White is perfectly justified in playing for the  win. This not only stops mate, but also prepares a queen exchange on e5} axb5   (  18... Qc1 {Is not mentioned by dvoretsky.} 19. Ng5 axb5 20. cxb5 Re1+ 21. Kf3  Qd1+ 22. Kg3 Rxa4 {[pgndiagram] And it would appear White is on top after} 23.  Qe5+ Kg8 24. h3 {But an extent of his edge is doubtful}) 19. Qe5+ Qxe5 20. Nxe5  Rc1 21. axb5 {[pgndiagram] And only White can play for the win}) 18. Ke1 Rxd1+  19. Kxd1 Qxa4+ {[pgndiagram] Black has perpetual check, but not more}) 14...  Ra7 15. bxc6 $1 {[pgndiagram]}   (15. Qxa7 {Is weaker} Nxa7 16. Nxe4 axb5 17.  cxb5 Nxb5) 15... Rxb7 16. cxb7 {[pgndiagram] The material balance favors White  (rook, bishop and knight for the queen); however, considering the unfortunate  placement of White's pieces, Black has full counterplay.} Qb4 $6 ({Gufeld  rejected the variation} 16... Nd6 17. g3 Nxb7 18. Bg2 Nd6 19. Rc1 Rb8 {  [pgndiagram] "Leading to equality, in favor of sharper continuation" ,  Although the computer prefers White's chances here}) 17. Nxe4 $2 {Smyslov  overestimates his position, sacrificing the exchange in order to hold on to  the b7-pawn. Now the advantage goes over to Black}   (17. Ra2 {White should have  contented himself with the careful move, to which there are several good  replies} Qxb7 $1 {[pgndiagram] Is the most natural} 18. f3 {White should be  obliged to choose this move}   (18. Nxe4 Qxb1 19. Nc3 Qc1 20. Kd3 {[pgndiagram]  In Gufeld's opinion, this continuation would allow White to consolidate his  position with tempo, and ward off the attack. But in fact after} d5 $1 21. cxd5  c4+ 22. Kd4 e5+ $1 23. dxe6 Rd8+ {[pgndiagram] Black's attack slams home})  18... Nd6 19. Kf2 {Maintaining equality (or even superior position - VN)})  17... Qb2+ 18. Nbd2 Qxa1 19. Nxc5 Rb8 20. g3 Qa3 {[pgndiagram]}   (20... d6 {  Would be terrible} 21. Bg2 Qa2 22. Nd7) 21. Nxd7 $2   (21. Nd3 Rxb7 22. Bg2 {  Would last longer. The knight on d7, cut off from White's other pieces, is in  grave danger. I present the finish of the game with only light notes (based on  Gufeld's commentary)}) 21... Rxb7 22. Bh3 Qd6 23. c5 Qd5 24. f3 Rb2 {  [pgndiagram]}   (24... Rxd7 25. Bxd7 Qxd7 26. Rc1 {Gives White drawing chances})  25. Rd1 e6 26. c6   (26. Nb6 Qxc5) 26... Qc4+ 27. Ke1 Qd3 {[pgndiagram]} 28. Bf1  Qxe3+ 29. Be2 a5 {Black prevents the knight's rescue by a4-a5 and Nb6} 30. f4  f6 31. c7 Rc2 32. Kf1 Rxc7 33. Nc4 Rxc4 34. Bxc4 Qf3+ 35. Ke1 Qc3+ {  [pgndiagram] In practice, quite often we find position with an obvious  advantage that can be maintained in any of several variations, but in all of  them, the realization of the advantage is very difficult, sometimes altogether  impossible. At the same time, the plethora of possibilities conceals just  one that would allow us to convert our advantage forcibly into a point in the  tournament crosstable. The problem lies in being able to sense that a solution  does exist, to concentrate our attention on finding it, and to back our way  through the "shrubbery" that has overgrown the position} *

   [FEN "8/5pk1/q4np1/8/3N4/5RKP/1r3P2/3Q4 b - - 0 59"]   

[Event "Part two"]  [Site "?"]  [Date "2017.12.07"]  [Round "?"]  [White "Chapter 3"]  [Black "Chess Botany - The Shrub"]  [Result "*"]  [SetUp "1"]  [FEN "8/5pk1/q4np1/8/3N4/5RKP/1r3P2/3Q4 b - - 0 59"]  [PlyCount "9"]   {[pgndiagram] This position is taken from Akopian - Psakhis, Haifa, 1995. How  does Black realize his indisputable advantage?} 59... Ne4+ $1 {[pgndiagram]  Generally, the first idea that pops into one's head in the starting position  is to play for the win of a piece by Rd2 (either immediately, or after a  preparatory 59.. Ne4). And these kinds of forcing tries should, in principle,  be where we begin our calculations. For if one of them works, then analyzing  the other variations becomes unnecessary.}   (59... Qd6+ $6 {Psakhis gave an  unnecessary check, throwing away the lion's share of his advantage} 60. Kg2 Ne4   (60... Qd5 {Would be met with the same reply}) 61. Qd3 {[pgndiagram]} Qe5 62.  Qe3   (62. Nc6 {Is also sufficient} Qg5+ 63. Kh2 Rxf2+ 64. Rxf2 Nxf2 65. Qd4+ Qf6  {[pgndiagram] Results in a drawn knight endgame. Defending such an endgame is  of course unpleasant, but White would have probably drawn it}) 62... f5   (62...  Qd5 {Is more dangerous, with the threat of Ng5.} 63. h4 {Should be White's  reply, when Black is still pushing}) 63. Ne2 Kh7 64. Qd4 {[pgndiagram] And the  game ended in a draw})   (59... Qa5 {If Black wanted to get his queen into the  attack, quicker, this would have made more sense} 60. Kg2 $1 {[pgniagram]}   (60.  Nb3 Ne4+ 61. Kg2 Qg5+ 62. Kf1 Qe5 {[pgndiagram] Looks extremely dangerous for  White}) 60... Qg5+ 61. Kh1 Rd2 62. Qc1   (62. Qa1 {Would be a huge mistake due to  } Qd5) 62... Ne4 {[pgndiagram] White's position would be critical without the  following reply} 63. Rxf7+ Kxf7   (63... Kh6 64. Nf3 Nxf2+ 65. Kh2 Ng4+ 66. Kg3  Rg2+ 67. Kxg2 Qxc1 68. hxg4 {Leads to a drawn ending}) 64. Qc4+ $3 {  [pgndiagram] And the king can't escape perpetual check, since several squares  are unreachable for him in view of the knight fork at e6})   (59... Rd2 $6 {  [pgndiagram] Leaves White with only one reply} 60. Rxf6 {And here, Black plays  the zwischenschach} Rd3+ {ensuring the win of material.However, let us not  jump to conclusions; the assessment of the position after} 61. Qf3 Rxf3+ 62.  Rxf3 {[pgndiagram] Is unclear.} Qd6+   (62... Qa1 63. Nc2 (63. Rf4 {Might be  even more resilient, not mentioned by Dvoretsky - VN}) 63... Qg1+ 64. Kf4 Qc1+  65. Ne3 Qc7+ 66. Kg4 f5+ 67. Nxf5+ gxf5+ 68. Rxf5 {[pgndiagram] The computer  database confirms that this endgame is a draw. The assessment is not self-evident  ; in a practical game, reaching this position through calculation, we  would not know how to assess it ourselves. But in any event, we would  understand that it could be drawn, so before heading in that direction, it  would make sense to look for alternatives}) 63. Rf4 {Followed by h4}) 60. Kg2  Rd2 $1 {[pgndiagram]}   (60... Qc4 61. Rf4 {Is not dangerous})   (60... Qb7 61. Nb3   (61. Nc6 {Is also possible, although Dvoretsky doesn't mention what next} Nd2  62. Rc3 Qb5 {And the computer still gives some advantage to Black}) 61... f6  62. Qd4 Rxf2+ 63. Rxf2 Nxf2+ 64. Kxf2 Qxb3 {[pgndiagram] Leads to an endgame  where, despite his pawn minus, White retains good drawing chances}) 61. Qb3 {  [pgndiagram] It might seem that, thanks to his attack on f7, White gets away  scot-free. But in fact, his troubles are not over. Black sets up  counterpressure against f2.} Qa7 $1 62. Nc2   (62. Qc4 Rxd4 63. Rxf7+ Qxf7 64.  Qxd4+ Nf6 {[pgndiagram] Leaves White a piece down}) 62... Rxf2+ 63. Kh1 Re2 {  [pgndiagram] And Black has not only an extra pawn, but a decisive attack} *