The Turton Theme

    The fields of problems and of practical games are far removed from each other. Problems are artificial constructions in the form of of a puzzle. The problem has no element of psychology and the idea of a fight is absent. Though they still exist, in our modern world fans to this art form has shrunk in favor of tactical problems taken from actual play. 

    It’s rare when themes from the world of problems occur in practical play, but it does happen. One such instance is the Turton theme which is a kind of doubling (usually involving a Queen and Bishop) in which one piece moves along a line allowing a second to move onto the same line in front of it...this second piece then moves in the opposite direction to the first. Is that clear?! Perhaps a three mover by Otto Wurzbueg will make it clear. I have set it up HERE. 

    The following brevity illustrates the Turton Theme which is one of the earliest and simplest plans which also often occurs in practical play. A Bishop withdraws over a critical square which is to be occupied by the Queen. Thus type of maneuver is frequently sen in the Queen’s Gambit. 

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Andre Lilienthal–Leonid Shamkovic1–0D30Semi-Finals USSR Chp, BakuBaku URS1951Stockfish 17

D43: Semi-Slav 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 c6 4.f3 f6 5.g5 h6 6.xf6 xf6 7.b3 d7 8.e4 dxe4 9.xe4 f4 10.d3 e7 11.0-0 0-0 12.fe1 b6 12...d8 This defense is well analyzed and this is the usual continuation. 13.ad1 b6 14.b1 b7 15.c5 c7 White has the more active position. Rajkovic,D (2485)-Kosic,D (2515) Budva 1996 12...c7 13.c2 d8 14.ad1 b6 15.h4 b7 16.e3 c5 is equal. Galperin,P (2383)-Nomin Erdene,D (2386) Novi Sad 2019 13.c2 Although white's advantage is minimla, this is the first phase of the Turton Theme. b7 14.d3 This completes the regrouping of the pieces for the attack. After Shamkovich's careless next move allows the final phase of the attack. c7 Black quick collapse after this is quite stunning. 14...fd8 was called for. 15.g3 f8 16.e5 g6 17.e2 f6 18.e4 xe5 19.g3 xf3 20.xf3 xd4 Kobylkin,E (2444)-Paramonov,D (2362) Alushta 2004. White is better and in the game he went on to win. 15.g3 f6 At first glance black has covered h7 and his position looks safe, but white already has a decisive advantage. 16.e5 fd8 17.h5 With the exception of the Rs *which aren't needed) all of white's pieces are poised for the final attact. f8 17...xh5 allows mate in 2. 18.h7+ f8 19.h8# 18.g3 Althoigh immediate 18.Nxg7 would also win this is the strongest move on the board. e8 18...xh5 19.g6+ wins the Q. 19.xg7 Black resigned. As before the N cannot be taken. 19.xg7 d6 19...xg7 20.g6+ wins the Q. 20.xe6+ fxe6 21.f4+ g7 22.e3 This Rook lift finishes the game without difficulty. For example... g8 23.xh6 xe5 24.dxe5 g7 25.xe6+ f7 26.h6 d7 27.g3+ g7 28.e6 etc. 1–0

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