New in chess

New in Chess is one of the world’s leading chess magazines. At one time or another, every contemporary champion and leading grandmaster has contributed to it. Of particular interest are the regular columns by the English grandmasters Nigel Short and Matthew Sadler. The group also publishes many high-quality books. In Chess for Hawks, Cyrus Lakdawala regales us with a number of inspirational examples, including several from his own games. The title suggests a certain predatory attitude is necessary in striving for victory, but the prime message conveyed is: never give up, even if you only have the tiniest of edges. Persistence is everything. The always reliable Steve Giddins has compiled the most instructive games he can find from the magazine for The New in Chess book of Chess Improvement, and arranged the expert commentary in thematic chapters. It is not a book for neophytes, but experienced players will find it a treasure trove of useful information.
 
Finally, the Dutch grandmaster Jan Timman in Timman’s Titans recounts his games with every world champion he has encountered. This autobiographical approach from a player who for decades has competed at the major chess contests offers a unique insight into chess life at the top. This week’s game is taken from his book.
 
Timman-Spassky: Hilversum 1983; English Defence
 
1 c4 b6 2 d4 Bb7 3 d5 e6 4 a3 g6 At the time, Spassky had a partiality for this dubious double fianchetto. 5 e4 Bg7 6 Nf3 Na6 7 Nc3 Nc5 8 Qc2 exd5 9 cxd5 Nf6 10 Bc4 0-0 11 0-0 c6 12 d6 The right way to maintain the opening advantage. Although White cannot permanently block the long diagonal of Black’s queen’s bishop with his push, he does gain territory with it, and, after some preparation, he can play for an attack. 12 … Ne6 13 e5 Nd5 14 Ne4 a5 15 Re1 Re8 (see diagram 1) 16 h4 The signal for the attack.