Exploiting the fixed centre

 The concept of the 'model' game is a common tool in chess education, especially when we self study. Normally the choice of game is some Capablanca/Fischer masterpiece where the opponent makes one minor slip and then gets ruthlessly crushed. My preference is to look at games from a slightly lower level as (a) they are more understandable and (b) the defensive options are much more limited.

A good example is a recent game from the 2024 Canterbury Summer Swiss  involving FM Michael Kethro. Facing a Stonewall setup, Kethro did all the right things in (a) taking control of e5 (b) fixing the centre and (c) breaking through on the queenside. If you look at the game through the eyes on an engine, White is always better, but without an engine, it is an instructive lesson in how to break down an opponents defensive setup.

 

Kethro,Michael (2115) - Arthur,James (1816) [D30]
2024 Canterbury Summer Swiss Melbourne, Australia (6.4), 30.12.2024

1. d4 e6 2. c4 d5 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nbd2 f5 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Ne5 Bd7 9. Ndf3 Be8 10. Qc2 Ne4 11. Nd3 Bh5 12. Bf4 g5 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. Rad1 Nd7 15. Nfe5 Kg7 16. c5 Qe7 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18. Ne5 Qe7 19. Bxe4 fxe4 20. f3 exf3 21. exf3 Rf6 22. Qd2 h6 23. Rf2 Raf8 24. Rdf1 Bg6 25. b4 a6 26. Kg2 Qd8 27. h3 Qe7 28. Rh1 Be4 29. Rff1 Bg6 30. a3 Qd8 31. Rf2 Be4 32. Rhf1 Bg6 33. Kg1 Qe7 34. Kh2 Qd8 35. Rh1 Be4 36. Kg2 Qe7 37. Rff1 Bg6 38. Qe3 Bh7 39. Rf2 Bg6 40. Re1 Bf5 41. Kh2 Be4 42. Ree2 Bh7 43. Ng4 Rf5 44. Ne5 R5f6 45. Ra2 Bb1 46. Rab2 Bh7 47. Kg2 Bf5 48. Ra2 Bb1 49. Ra1 Be4 50. Rff1 Bf5 51. Rfe1 Bh7 52. Re2 Bg6 53. Rb2 Bh5 54. Rf2 Bg6 55. a4 Be4 56. Raa2 Bb1 57. Rab2 Bg6 58. b5 axb5 59. axb5 cxb5 60. Rxb5 Be8 61. Rb6 Kh8 62. Rfb2 Bc6 63. R2b3 Kg8 64. Qd3 Qe8 65. Rxb7 Bxb7 66. Rxb7 R8f7 67. Rxf7 Rxf7 68. Qg6+ Kf8 69. Qxf7+ Qxf7 70. Nxf7 Kxf7 71. f4 1-0