In the previous episode we discussed structures that are typical for Ruy Lopez positions. The tension that arises when a white pawn is on d4 and Black has pawns on c5 and e5 (as in the Chigorin variation) usually gives White three options: 1) White closes the position by moving his pawn d5 2) White releases the tension by exchanging on e5 or c5 3) White maintains the tension and continues manoeuvring.
Since Black always has to take into account these types of positions, Black often tries to clarify the situation in the center to know where he stands.
The Estonian Grandmaster Paul Keres liked to play this position with Black and was a great expert of this structure, and when he prepared for the Candidates Tournament in Curacao 1962 he devised a method to increase the pressure on d4 as much as possible. He played 11...Nd7 instead of the usual 11...Qc7, with the idea to follow up with ...Bf6 and possibly ...Qb6.
Keres had some success with his new system but in his game against Bobby Fischer - who liked to play the main lines of the Ruy Lopez with White - things went badly wrong for Keres.
In the diagram position below, it is White to move. How did Fischer force Black to give up material or to allow a winning attack?
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