Epic Chess Strategy: Making Multi-Step Middlegame Plans

In chess, having a precisely crafted middlegame plan is absolutely crucial. An effective strategy is more than just individual moves; it's a carefully coordinated sequence of moves through which you eventually reach your positional goals. Today, we examine Efim Geller’s positional masterpiece that illustrates this principle at its best. Let’s see how he executes a multi-step plan to completely squeeze his opponent and get a dominating position.
Geller vs Najdorf, Zurich 1953
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. O-O Nbd7 9. f4 Qc7 10. f5 Bc4 11. a4 Rc8 12. Be3 Be7 13. a5 h5 14. Bxc4 Qxc4 15. Ra4 Qc7 16. h3 h4 17. Rf2 b5 18. axb6 Nxb6 19. Bxb6 Qxb6 20. Qe2 Ra8 21. Kh2 O-O 22. Rf1 Ra7 23. Rfa1 Rfa8 24. R1a2 Bd8 25. Na5 Rc8 26. Nc4 Qc6 27. Ne3 a5 28. Rc4 Qa6 29. b3 Bb6 30. Rxc8+ Qxc8 31. Ned5 Nxd5 32. Nxd5 Qc5 33. Ra1 Qf2 34. Qxf2 Bxf2 35. Rf1 Bd4 36. c3 Bc5 37. g4 hxg3+ 38. Kxg3 Rb7 39. Rb1 f6 40. Kf3 Kf7 41. Ke2 Rb8 42. b4 g6 43. Kd3 gxf5 44. exf5 axb4 45. cxb4 Bd4 46. Rc1 Kg7 47. Rc7+ Kh6 48. Ke4 Kg5 49. Rh7 Bf2 50. Rg7+ Kh4 51. Kf3 Be1 52. Kg2 Rf8 53. b5 Ba5 54. b6 Bxb6 55. Nxb6 Rb8 56. Rg4+ Kh5 57. Nd5 1-0

[@andrewibrahim9346]

Just recently came across your channel. You’re the only one on KZbin that actually explains all of the threats and ideas, which makes it very easy to follow and learn. Excellent work.

[@sridharanganesan]

I love this channel.... complete commentary in terms of threats, counter threats, plans of each of the players, ideas etc...... wonderful to watch and learn.....kudos

[@zogzog1063]

Excellent commentary. I learned a lot.

[@danielauto3767]

I love this channel. The in depth analysis are excellent!

[@amosdraak3536]

Shocking that on the 43rd move Geller missed such a tactic. When a piece is “hanging,” the one who can capture should keep in mind that when the position changes, it may be possible to capture it at that point. Many puzzles and famous games show that capturing with a pawn like that and moving it closer to promotion, especially when assisted by a knight, works quite well in many instances. Plus coupled with the fact that White’s superiority was based off of that central knight, which would be useless if it didn’t move to somewhere to attack, truly surprises me. Of course, when your position is so strong and you have an easy, logical plan to employ, and your opponent is under pressure, it’s easy to continue as you were. This reminds me of the 10th game of the Botvinnik-Bronstein match as excellently covered on this channel, with Botvinnik not breaking through but instead sticking with another plan of pressuring his opponent’s weak king. I highly recommend both the game and match to any newcomers. Good day

[@ashoksafaya5397]

Have already watched a game with the same reasoning for backward d6 pawn, will check later, thanks.

[@ashoksafaya5397]

Nice analysis of middle game strategy planning, thanks.

[@chesswisdom]

My pleasure.

[@danno1800]

You teach chess BRILLIANTLY! I have Subscribed…much appreciated.

[@chesswisdom]

Thank you!

[@f3dor0vsergey]

very instructive game, thank you

[@chesswisdom]

My pleasure

[@00prth]

banger video as always

[@SIMONWilliams-yx3kv]

Geller was a TREMENDOUS Chessplayer. He was one of the few Chessplayers who had a positive score against Fischer. You can tell by his play in this battle he had FULL Mastery of positional play.

[@Thriall]

Thanks mentor!

[@chesswisdom]

Thanks for watching!