Chess Stars cp,[j@ f.lJI"' Technical Editor: IM Sergei Soloviov
Translation by: GM Evgeny Ermenkov
Cover design by: Kalojan Nachev
Copyright© Alexei Kornev 2014
Printed in Bulgaria by "Chess Stars" Ltd. - Sofia ISBN13: 978 954 8782 98-2 Alexei Kornev
A Practical White Repertoire with l.d4 and 2.c4
Volume 3: The Nimzo-Indian and Other Defences
Chess Stars Bibliography
Books
Dreev vs. the Benoni by Dreev, Chess Stars 2013 Complete Slav volume 2 by Sakaev, Chess Evolution 2013 The Modern Benon by Petrov, Quality Chess 2013 A Rock-Solid chess opening repertoire for black by Eingorn, Gambit 2012 A Strategic Chess Opening Repertoire for Whiteby Watson, Gambit 2012 Playing l.d4. The Indian Defences by Schandorff, Quality Chess 2012 The Strategic Nimtzo-Indian. Vol.l: A complete guide to the Rubinstein variation by I. Sokolov, New in Chess 2012 The triangle system by Scherbakov, Everyman Chess 2012 l.d4 volume 2 by Avrukh, Quality Chess 2011 The Nimzo-Indian Defence by Taimanov, Moscow 1985 The Benoni by Kondratiev & Stoliar, Moscow 1981
Electronic/Periodicals
64-Chess Review (Moscow) Chess Informant New in chess Yearbook Correspondence Database 2014 Mega Database 2014
4 Contents
Preface ...... 7
Part 1. Black tries seldom played moves after l.d4
1 l...c6; Englund Gambit l...e5; Lundin Defence l...tt:lc6...... 9 2 l...a6; Polish Defence l...b5; English Defence l...b6 ...... 19 3 Semi-Benoni l...c5 2.d5 e5 3.e4 d6; 2 ...d6 3.e4 tt:lf6 ...... 31 4 English Defence l...e6 2.c4 b6 ...... 45 5 Keres Defence l...e6 2.c4 .ib4+ 3 . .id2...... 60
Part 2. The Dutch
6 l. . .f5 2.ttlc3...... 73 7 l..e6 2.c4 ib4+ 3 . .id2 .ixd2 4.'1Wxd2f5 ; Rubinstein Variation 2 ...f 5 ...... 95 8 l...g6 2.c4 f5 ; Mujannah Formation l...c5 2.d5 f5 ...... 116 9 l...d5 2.c4 e6 3.ttlc3f5 ; 3 ...c6 4.e3 f5 ...... 123
Part 3. Black tries seldom played moves after l.d4 tt:lf6 2.c4
10 2 ... a6; Queen's Indian Accelerated 2 ... b6 ...... 142 11 Knight Tango 2 ...tt:lc6 ...... 157 12 Janowski Variation 2 ... d6 3.ttlc3.if5 ; Ukrainian Variation 3 ...e5 ...... 164 13 2 ... d6 3.4Jc3tt:lbd7 4.e 4 e5 ...... 178 14 Fajarowicz Variation 2 ...e5 3.dxe5 tt:le4 ...... 192
15 Budapest Gambit 2 ... e5 3.dxe5 4Jg4 ...... 20 0
5 Part 4. The Benoni. The Volga Gambit l...c5 2.d5 e6 3.c4 exd5 4.cxd5 d6 l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5; 3 ... e6; 3 ... b5
16 Czech Benoni l...�f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 ...... 222 17 l...c5 2.d5 e6 3.c4 exd5 4.cxd5 d6 5.e4 g6 wfo �f6; l...�f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.�c3 exd5 5.cxd5 i.d6 ...... 237 18 Pawn Storm Variation l...�f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.�c3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 ...... 246 19 Volga Gambit Ac cepted l...�f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 .....268
Part 5. The Nimzo-Indian Defence. The Rubinstein System l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 i.b44.e3
20 Rare ...... 292 21 Taimanov Variation 4 ...�c 6 ...... 304 22 Botvinnik Variation 4 ...d5 5.a3 ...... 312 23 Fischer Variation 4 ... b6 5.�e2 ...... 330 24 4 ...c5 5.�e2 ...... 355 25 Reshevsky Variation 4 ...0-0 5.�e2 ...... 376
Index of Variations ...... 396
6 PREFACE
The final volume consists of five parts.
In the first part we analyse some seldom played moves for Black. The second part of the book is devoted to the Dutch Defence. In the third part we deal with the differentdef ences for Black after l.d4 lt:'lf6 2.c4, besides 2 ...c5 and 2 ... e6. In the fourth part we analyse the Benoni Defence and the Volga Gambit. Finally, in the fifthpar t ofthe book, we deal with Black's most reliable opening - the Nimzo-Indian Defence.
In this volume, just like in the previous two, we have emphasized on reliability and rationality in our choice of systems for White. For ex ample, against the Dutch Defence we have preferred the move 2.li:Jc3, with which White reduces Black's possibilities considerably. Against the Nimzo-Indian Defence we analyse the Rubinstein System - 4.e3, followed by lt:'lge2, in which White's first task is to avoid compromising of his pawn-structure.
The author wishes to express his deepest gratitude to Margarita Schepetkova for her invaluable help in the creation of this book.
Alexei Kornev
7 Part l
Black tries seldom played moves after l.d4
followed by b7-b5, l...bS and 1... b6.
The third chapter will be de voted to the move l...cS.
In Chapters 4 and 5, we will deal with the move l...e6, mean while Chapter 4 will be devoted to the somewhat dubious move 2 ... b6 (after 2.c4). In Chapter 5, we In the first part we will discuss will analyse the more solid move some rarely played lines for Black 2 ...�b4 . on move one. The power of Black's alterna tives in the first part follows the In the first chapter, we will path of increasing popularity. If have a look at l...eS?!, l...c6, fol the move l...eS seems to be quite lowed by b7-b5 and l...l2lc6. dubious and he is immediately on the verge of disaster, then the line In chapter two, we will ana in Chapter 5-l.d4 e6 2.c4 �b4+ lyse the systems connected with creates serious problems for White the fianchetto of Black's light and it is not easy for him to obtain squared bishop; these are l...a6, an advantage in the opening at all.
8 Chapter l l.d4 e5 l.d4 c6 l.d4 tiJc6
This is White's simplest and best response.
In the first chapter of our final volume we will analyse three of the not so popular replies for Black against White's .first move 2 ...�c6 with his queen's pawn: A) 1 ... Black conceals his further e5?!, B) l ...c6 with the idea b5 plans for the moment. and C) l ...�c6. 2 .. .'�e7 3.tt:lf3 �c6 4 . .if4, or
2 . . .f6 3.e4 tt:lc6 4.tt:lf3 - see. 2 ... �c6. A) l ...e5? ! This move has been tried in After 2 ... d6 3.exd6 .ixd6 4. more than 2000 games and even tt:lf3, Black's compensation for the A. Alekhine has tested it several sacrificedpawn is insufficient, for times; nevertheless, it is quite du example: 4 ...�c6 5.tt:lc3 tt:lf6 6. bious. Later, Black will have to tt:lb5.This is an important move. continue either a pawn down, or White wishes to trade his oppo lose plenty of time to regain it fall nent's powerful bishop and to ing back considerably in develop compromise his pawn-structure, ment. so that he can maintain a posi 2.dxe5 tional advantage besides the extra
9 Chapter 1 pawn. Later, in the game Elliott - opening books stop their analyses Lampon, IECC 2009, there fol of the variation afterthe move 6. lowed 6 ...0-0 7.t'Llxd6 cxd6 8.e3 t'Llg5. This seems to me to be 1"1e8 9 . .ie2 .ig4 10.0-0± Black has somewhat premature, since fol no compensation for the pawn lowing 6 ...!c5 7.t'Llf7, there arises whatsoever, because he cannot a position from the Traksler coun organise an attack against the en ter attack, (except that without emy king. After White completes the pawn on d2). We have already the development of his queenside, mentioned this to be in White's his advantage will become deci favour, but he still needs to play sive. some· more accurate moves. 7 ... hf2+ 8.Wxf2 t'Llxe4+ 9.We3 �h4 10.g3 t'Llxg3 1l.hxg3 �xg3+, Steu er - Stummer, corr. 1992, 12."lNf3! �xf3+ 13.Wxf3 0-0 14.We4+ This is a very picturesque posi tion. White's king is leading per sonally the offensive of its army.
After3 ... d6, contrary to 2 ...d6, White can develop his bishop with tempo. 4.ig5!? �d7 5.exd6 hd6 6.t'Llc3± and once again Black has no compensation for the sacri ficed material at all, Kopylov -
3 •••Wfe7 Faika, Hamburg 2012. This is the main line for Black after which he at least regains the Following 3 ...ic5 4.t'Llc3 f6 5. sacrificedmater ial. exf6 t'Llxf6 6.ig5 d6 7.e3 h6, Dorner - Schmidt, Email 1997, Following 3 .. .f6, the simplest White maintains a clear advan possibility for White would be 4. tage after 8.hf6 �xf6 9.t'Lld5�f7 e4 and after 4 ...fxe5 5.�c4 t'Llf6 6. 10.ic4± t'Llg5, there arises a position simi lar to the Two Knights Defence, It may be interesting for Black except that White does not have a to try 3 ...t'Llge7 - he wishes to re pawn on c2 and Black does not gain his pawn after 4 ...t'Llg6, but have a pawn on f7.This difference contrary to 3 ...�e7, his queen will is in favour of White, because his not be attacked by White's pieces. bishop on c1 takes already part in 4.t'Llc3 t'Llg6 (The attempt to pre the actions, while Black's king is vent the move 5.�g5 with 4 ...h6, vulnerable. The authors of some would lead to an even greater lag
10 l.d4 e5 2.de of development for Black. 5.e4 After this energetic move, ftJg6 6.!e2 tt:lcxe5 7.tt:lxe5 tt:lxe5, Black's lag in development will be Metzenroth - Frank, Mittelfran hurting him. ken 200B, B.0-0± - Almost all But not 6 . .ic3??, since White White's pieces are perfectly mobi loses after 6 ...ib4 7.�d2 !xc3 B. lised while only Black's knight has �xc3 Wicl#! This checkmate is the been developed.) 5.!g5 ie7 6. dream of the players who try this !xe7 W!xe7 7.ttld5 WldBB. Wid2± - variation for Black. Still, only par His position is very difficult, ticipants in children's' tourna Kachar - Gansvind, Moscow ments fall in traps like this. 2000. Black's attempt to regain the pawn B ...tt:lg xe5? 9.ttlxe5 tt:lxe5 6 ....ib4 can be refutedby White with the simple resource 10.Wic3+- It is not preferable for Black to opt here for 6 ...a6 7.1'!b1 Wia3 B. 4 . .if4 tt:ld5@dB 9.e4 tt:lge710 . .ic4± - he He protects his pawn. Now, if is horribly behind in development Black wishes to regain the sacri and his king, stranded in the cen ficed material, he must begin a tre, will come soon under the at rather risky queen-sortie inside tack of White's combined forces, the enemy camp. Blatt - Cherner, Email 2003. 4 ...Wlb4 + 6 ...tt:lb4 7.tt:ld4(7 c6 ... c5 B.1'!b1 Following 4 .. .f6 5.exf6 W!xf6 Wia3 9.tt:ldb5 Wia5 10.a3 tt:la6 11. 6.Wicl±, Black will have to defend tt:le4+- with a decisive penetra a position with a pawn down, So tion to the d6-square, Florea - lozhenkin - Bocchicchio, Monte Seidel, Klinge 1993) B.1'!b1 �a3 9. catini Terme 1999. 1'!b3 �as 10.a3 tt:ld511. ttlcb5 WldB 5 . .id2 �xb2 12.e4 tt:lc7 13.!g5+- and Black suffers huge material losses, Ma ruejols - Bakkes, Guernsey 2011.
In the variation 7 ...!xc3 B. 1'!xb2 .bb2, O.Pavlov - Zalesskij, Krasnoyarsk 2011, 9.Wib1, Black's compensation for the queen is in sufficient, for example: 9 ...he5 10.ttlxe5 tt:lxe5 11.ic3 f6 12.he5 fxe5 13.�b5 tt:lf6 14.\WeS+ @dB 15.Wig5+-
11 Chapter 1
8.li:Jd5 White not only protects his eS After this move, Black will pawn, but also prepares the f2- have great problems withthe pro square for his king. Later, in the tection of his c7-pawn. game Cottegnie - Nicholls, Email 2011, there followed: 12 ...1!tfxa2 13.e3 l!tfal+ 14.�f2 ll::lg4+ 15. �gl ll::lh6 16.h3 a6 17.gc5 �a3 18.gc3 l!tfa5 19.e4 ga7 20.1!tff2 �e8 21.�h2 ll::lg8 22.l:k5 b5 23.ic4 ll::ld8 24.1!tfd4+- This is a picturesque position! Almostall Black's pieces are deployed on the last ranks, while White's pieces and pawns have occupied the cen tre completely. Black resigned in a few moves. This game is a very 8 ....ia5 instructive examples for the be ginners about the dangers of gob 8 ....bd 2+ 9.1!tfxd2 l!tfxa2 10. bling pawns early in the game, ig E1d1� d8 ll.e4 ti:lge7 12.�e2 h613. noring the development of the 0-0+-, Black lags catastrophi pieces. cally in development and his king is terribly misplaced in the centre, so he is incapable of parrying the B) l. .. c6 threat l!tff4, followed by e5-e6, Guthrie - Kaspar, Dunedin 1999.
9. gb5 .ixd2+ 10.1!tfxd2 �d8 ll.ll::lg5 ll::lh6
This move does not determine Black's plans yet. For example, he can still change his mind and transpose after 2 ...d5, or 2 ...ti:lf6 3.ti:lc3 dS, to standard theoretical 12.f4 lines.
12 l.d4 c6 2.c4 b5 3.c5
Here, we will only analyse the �eU, White has a powerfulpawn extravagant undermining of the centre, while Black's b5-pawn is enemy c4-pawn with the move 2 ... weak and he can hardly activate b5. his bishop on b7 (with c6-c5) be 2.c4 b5 cause of that, Arnaudov - Panajo This line cannot provide Black tov, Plovdiv 2011. with equality, but still White must be well prepared against it. 6 • .id3.ie7 3.c5!? Black's situation becomes even worse after 6 ...�b6 7.tt:lf3 ig4 8.ie3 d5, Moskalenko - Lake tic, Belgorod 1990, 9.e5!±. If his pawn had still been on the b7- square, White's advantage would not have been so great. Now, the vulnerability of the c6-pawn is hurting Black.
This interesting move is not so oftenplayed by White. He simply occupies space and waits what Black plans to do.
3 ...d6
Following 3 ...tt:lf 6, Bogdanovs ki - Jacimovic, Star Dojran 1996, the best for White is to continue 7.tilf3!? with 4.�c2 d6 5.cxd6 exd6 6.tt:lf3 ie7 7.e4:t,fo llowed by a2-a4, id3 This development of the and 0-0. In this variation, you knight is more natural than 7. can see the basic defect of Black's tt:le2, although even then after second move - the weakening of 7 ... 0-0 8.0-0:t Korobov - Fier, his queenside pawn-structure. Beijing 2008, Whitewould main tain better prospects. He domi 4.cxd6 exd6 5.e4 tilf6 nates in the centre, while Black's queenside pawn-structure is After 5 ...a6 6.a4! ib7 7.tilf3 somewhat compromised. tt:ld7 8.id3 tilgf6 9.0-0 ie7 10. 7 ... 0-0 8.0-0 .ig4 9.a4 b4
13 Chapter 1
10.h3 .ih5 ll.�el c!Llbd7 12. c!Llbd2;!; In the forthcoming mid dle game White can prepare a breakthrough in the centre with e4-e5, after the preliminary �d1-c2, or choose the more relia ble idea c!Lld2-fl-g3. His position would be preferable in both cases.
C) l .•. c!Llc6 Black's position is very passive following4 ... d6, since contrary to the variations which we will ana lyse later his bishop cannot occu py the cS-square. S.tt:Jf3 eS 6.dxe6 fxe6 7.�d3 tt:Jf6, Skodvin - Wran gell, Norway 1991 (7... e5 8.f5 tt:Jh4 9.0-0 tt:Jxf3+10.� xf3± White not only leads in development but has also space advantage on the king side.) 8.�e2!?± His game is much easier now. White can either ad This move is only seldom vance immediately e4-e5, or after played in the contemporary tour preliminary development of his nament practice; nevertheless, it queenside pieces and castling. He has been tried by grandmasters can do that, depending on cir like C.Bauer, A.Miles, N.Short etc. cumstances, on the kingside, or As a rule, afterit there arise posi on the queenside. tions similar to the Alekhine De fe nce (naturally on the other side 5.dxe6 of the board ...). White chases the enemy knight, while Black waits for the moment to exploit his op ponent's far-advanced pawns in order to organise counterplay. 2.d5 c!Lle53.f 4 c!Llg64.e 4 (diagram)
4 •.• e5
About 4 . ..e6 S.dxe6 - see 4 ... eS.
14 l.d4 ltJc6 2.d5 ltJe5 3/4 ltJg64.e 4 eS S.de
Now, Black is faced with a restrict considerably the move choice. He may preserve the ment of Black's knight on g6. Lat queens Cl) 5•.• fxe6 , or enter a er, White can begin an attack on slightly inferior endgame with the kingside with h4-h5.) 10.g3
C2) 5 ••• dxe6. ie3 ll.id3 b6, Kozak - Cernik, Czech Republic 2012, 12.lt:lfd2! lt:lh6 13.Wfff3 .b:d2+ 14.ixd2± -
Cl) 5 •••fxe6 His minor pieces are much more One of the drawbacks of this active than their black counter move is that now, the slightly parts. weakened shelter of Black's king may prove to be an important fac It is possible that Black's most tor. reliable line here is: 7 ...d6, al 6.lt:lfJ�c5 though even then White main He develops his bishop to an tains a slight edge. 8.lt:la4 i.b6 (It active position. is not so reliable for Black to fol About 6 ...d6 7.i.d3 - see 4 ... low here with 8 ...ib4 + 9.id2 d6. i.xd2+ 10.Wixd2lt:l8 e7 1l.g3 b6 12. 7.lt:lc3 lt:lc3 0-0 13.h4± - he will have great problems parrying White's kingside attack, Cheng - Teich mann, Canterbury 2010.) 9.lt:lxb6 axb6, Ruban - Ermenkov, Mis kolc 1990, 10.id3 e5 ll.f5 lt:l6e7 12.i.g5 h6 13.ih4t - but despite White's two-bishop advantage and a slight lead in development, Black might still resist for long.
8.f5! This is the point! After this 7 ...�h6 move Black's position crumbles.
Here, Black's knight will be 8 . ..e xf5 misplaced. He loses immediately follow 7 ...lt:lf 6. This more natural de ing 8 ...lt:lh4? Kagan - Teichmann, velopment of Black's knight Melbourne 2002, due to 9.lt:lg5! would not equalise either. 8.e5 exf5 10.Wih5+ lt:lg6 ll.exf5 lt:lxf5 lt:lg4 9.lt:le4 Wie7 (9 ...lt:le3 10 . .b:e3 12.id3 d5 13.@d1!+- and Black is ixe3 ll.g3 Wffe7 12.a3 0-0 13. helpless against lt:lh7. Wid3± Sutkovic - Kalajzic, Omis 2006. White's pawns on e5 and f4 9.�g5
15 Chapter 1
since White has occupied much more space. In addition, Black's knight is misplaced on the g6- square. White only needs to watch carefully about his f4-pawn. 6.\Wxd8+ �xd8 7.c!Llf3
9 ••. c!Lle7
The position remains very dif ficult for him after 9 ....te7 10. .txh6 gxh6 11.exf5 c!Llh4 12.c!Llxh4 hh4+ 13.g3 �e7+, Obukhov - Davidovich, Warren 2004, 14. ie2! Naturally, White should bet 7••• .ic5 ter avoid the trade of the queens, This is Black's most natural since he is better developed. 14 ... and often played move. His bish if6 15.tt'ld5 �e5 16.c!Llxf6+ �xf6 op is developed to an active posi 17.�d3± Black's king is terribly tion. misplaced and his kingside pawn About 7 ...lLlf6 8 . .id3 .ic5 9. structure has been compromised. tt'lc3 - see 7 ....tc5 .
10.hh6 7 ....id7. This move leads to a Now, his king will hardly find cramped position for Black. 8.id3 a safe shelter. f6 (8 ...id6 9.g3 tt'l8e7, Magerra
10••• gxh6 11.\Wd2 .ib4 12. mov - Eid, Dubai 2003, 10.ie3!? �d4 hc3+ 13.\Wxc3 gf8 14. f6 11.0-0 h5 12.tt'lbd2h4 13.tt'lc4± e:xf5±- Later, White managed to followed by an exchange on d6. win the game, exploiting the un After this, White will have not safe placement of Black's king, only the two-bishop advantage Grammatica - Kokorin, Email but also a superior pawn-struc 2011. ture.) 9 . .te3 tt'lh6 10.h3 tt'lf711.g 3 e5 12.f5 tt'le7 13.g4 c6 14.tt'lbd2 �c7, Grebionkin - Bezgodov,
C2) 5 .•. dxe6 Ishevsk 2005, 15.0-0-0 tt'lc8 16. This move seems to be more h4 tt'lcd617.g 5t with powerful ini reliable than 5 ...fxe6, but it does tiative for White on Black's king not promise Black equality either, side.
16 l.d4 lt:lc6 2.d5lt:le5 3/4 lt:lg6 4.e4 e5 5.de
After ...7 .ib 4+ 8.c3 ic5, Kar obviously much better prepared pov - Berlandier, Cannes 1998, for the opening of the position, White can deploy advantageously Yevseev - Vlasenko, St Peters his knight in the centre of the burg 2011.) 11.i.e4 lt:le7, Yevseev board. 9.lt:lbd2 lt:lf6 (Black loses a - Barhudarian, St Petersburg piece following9 ...lt:lxf 4?? 10.lt:lb3 2011 (11 ....txe4 12.lt:lxe4 1J.e7, Ru .id6 11.e5+-) 10.e5 lt:lg4 11.lt:le4 sev - Trevelyan, Plovdiv 2003, .ib6 12 .id3±. - White has much 13 . .ie3± and White's position is more space and his pieces are much freer.) 12.'it>e2 'it>e813-l:'�dU considerably more active. Black's minor pieces do not have enough space for manoeuvring. 8.lt:lc3.!d7 10.e5 �g4 About 8 ...lt:lf6 9 . .id3.!d7 10.e5 - see 8 ...i.d7. Following 10 ...lt:ld5 11.lt:lxd5 exd5 12 . .id2 c6 13.0-0-0± Black
9 •.!d3 has serious problems parrying the threats c2-c4, f4-f5 or lt:lf3-g5, Vlasenko - Jorayeva, St Peters burg 2012.
n.lt:le4 White's knight occupies a dominating position in the centre of the board. ll... .te3
It is possibly more reliable for Black to choose here 11... ib 6, but even then after 12.'ii>e2±, White's advantage is doubtless. After9 ...lt:l8 e7 10.'it>e2 a6 11.g3 lt:lc6, Liedl - Vitouch, Vienna 2010, 12 . .ie3 .b:e3 13.'it>xe3 'it>e7 14.h4±, White has a space advan tage, while Black's knight on g6 is misplaced.
9 ...lt:lh6 10.e5 ic6 (He only weakens his pawn-structure after 10 .. .f5 11.exf6 gxf6 12.lt:le4 ie7 13 . .id2 lt:lf7 14.0-0-0± White is
17 Chapter 1
12.g3 12 ...me7 13.h3 .bel 14. 12.h3!? .b:c1 13J'!xcl tt:lh6 14. hxg4 .ie3 15.me2 Ab6 16,ghs g3 me7 15.mf2 l:!hd8 16.tt:leg5± mf8 17,gahl± Khenkin - Mate Black does not have sufficient Adan, Don Benito 2012. White's space and his knights are mis rooks exert powerful pressure on placed, moreover that he must the h-file. Black's defence is not take care permanently about the easy at all, because his pieces are protection of his h7-pawn. discoordinated.
Conclusion Among all the schemes we have analysed in this chapter, Black's most dubious is - l...eS. In this line, as a rule, White obtains an over whelming, practically decisive advantage. His achievements are not so great after l...c6, but even then he can rely on a stable edge, because Black's queenside pawn-structure has been weakened by the move b7-b5. White has greater problems maintaining an edge after l...tt:lc6, if Black enters an endgame with the move S ...dx e6. White must follow with several precise moves in · order to emphasize Black's difficulties connected with the lack of space. On the other hand, after S ...fxe6, White has good attacking chances, exploiting the unfavourable place ment of Black's king in the centre of the board.
18 Chapter 2 l.d4 a6 l.d4 b5 l.d4 b6
square has the advantage that later he can attack White's knight on c3, but on the other hand the defects of the placement of his pawn on b5 can be seen even by a naked eye. Black loses one more tempo (in comparison to l...b6), in order to develop his bishop on b7 and what is most important - the placement of Black's pawn on b5 provides White with a target In this chapter we willan alyse on the queenside to organise ac systems in which Black fianchet tive actions there (after a2-a4). toes early his light-squared bish Despite all that, the move l...a6 is op. Allthese systems are not dan encountered even at top level. For gerous for White at all and he ob example, it is often played by the tains an advantage effortlessly (it French grandmaster C. Bauer. is accepted that you should fight 2.e4 actively for the centre in the open White makes use of the main ing ...), but he should be well pre drawback of his opponent's first pared against them. Black plays move and occupies the centre. often likethis particularly in tour naments with a shorter time-con trol. He can develop his bishop to b7 in three differentways : A) 1 . .. a6 followed by b7-b5, B) l . . . b5 and C) l . ..b6.
A) l . . . a6 Black is preparing an enlarged fianchetto. On the one hand the placement of his pawn on the b5-
19 Chapter 2
2 ...b5 es completely the initiative. 8 ... fxe4 9.V!ffh5+ <;t;>f8 10.tLlg5 tLlh6 After 2 ...c5 3.d5±, there arise 11.0-0+- Chandler - Basman, positions from Chapter 3 in which England 1985. the move a7-a6 is not the most 3 ... d5. This is the best for useful for Black. Black. 4.exd5 exd5 5.tLlc3tLlf6 ...(5 !ib4, Meier - Bauer, Biel 2012. Following 2 ... d6, the simplest Here, after 6.cxd5!? V!ffxd5 7.tLlf3 reaction for White would be 3.c4!, tLlf6 8.fi.d3 0-0 9.0-0 !J.xc3 after which the best for Black 10.bxc3± White maintains a slight would be to transpose to the but stable edge thanks to his bish King's Indian Defencewith 3 ...g6 op-pair.) 6.fi.g5 dxc4 7.!J.xc4 !ie7 (after 3 ...e5 4.d5 tLlf6 5.tLlc3 !ie7 8.tLlf3± Raetsky - Bauer, Biel 6.fi.d3 tLlbd77.tLlg e2 h5 8.h3 tLlh7 2008. The arising type of posi 9.0-0± White maintains a stable tions was analysed by us in our advantage thanks to his extra firstvo lume (the variation l.d4 d5 space and superior development, 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 e5 4.fi.xc4 exd4 Romanov - Dmitriev, Voronezh 5.exd4), but here, Black has lost a 2009) 4.tLlc3 fi.g75. fi.e2tLlf6 6.fi. g5 tempo for the not so useful move - see volume 2. a7-a6.
After 2 ...e6, White has an edge 3A:lf3.ib7 following 3.c4, About 3 ...e6 4.fi.d3 fi.b7 5.0-0 - see 3 ...fi.b 7. 4.i.d3 White not only protects his central pawn, but prepares to cas tle.
It seems too risky for him to sacrifice a pawn with 3 ...b5. 4. cxb5 axb5 5.fi.xb5 !ib76. tLlc3fib4 7.V!ffe2 f5 . Black is tryingto organ ise counterplay exploiting the de fencelessness of his opponent's pawn on g2, but falls behind con siderably in development. 8.tLlh3. White sacrifices a pawn and seiz- 4 ...e6
20 l.d4 a6 2.e4 b5 3.0,j3�b7 4.�d3 e6 5.0-0
The position is difficult for the appearance of a weak a-pawn Black after 4... ltJf 6. Following5.e 5 there. ltJd5 5.0-0
White should better choose 6.0-0!? (The consequences are not so clear after the active at tempt 6.ltJg5 e6 7.�f3 f5 8.exf6 5 ...c5 �xf6 9.hh7 �xf3 10.!g6+ Wd8 Black attacks immediately his ll.ltJxf3 , Dearing - Tiller, Eng opponent's centre. land 2010, ll ...ltJe7 12.!g5 hf3 13.gxf3 WeB 14.id3;!; and al About 5 ...ltJf6 6.e5 (6.�el!?;!;) though White has succeeded in 6 ...ltJd5 7.a 4 - see 4 ...ltJf 6. winning a pawn, but he will have great problems realising it in the He cannot equalise with 5 ... d6 endgame, because he has numer 6.�e2 (White has an interesting ous pawn-weaknesses.). 6 ...e6 7. move here which has not been a4. He wishes to exploit immedi tested in practice yet - 6.d5!?t, ately the advanced position of beginning immediately active op Black's b5-pawn. 7 ...b4 8.ltJbd2. erations in the centre. Black's de White's knight is headed for the fence will be difficult, because he c4-square. We will see this ma lags in development.) 6 ...ltJd7 7. noeuvre many more times. 8 ... a4 b4 (7... c6 8.if4 ltJgf69.h 3 ie7 ltJc69.ltJe 4 ie7 10.c4 bxc3 11.bxc3 10.ltJbd2±Wh ite dominates in the �b8 12.�bl± Tomba - De Filippis, centre and his pieces have occu Email 2009. After castling king pied more active positions, Mat side, Black's king may come un suura - Lucena, Brasilia 2005) der attack, because White's e5- 8.c3!? With this move, he not only pawn deprives Black's knight of wishes to gain access to the c3- the f6-square. So, his pieces will square for his knight, but starts have problems helping in the de active actions on the queenside. fence of his king. Black's early 8 ...bxc3 9.ltJxc3! ltJgf6 10.d5 e5. queenside activity has only led to Black lags in development and
21 Chapter 2 cannot afford to open the game in source 11.e5 exdS 12.cxd5 ixdS the centre. Now however, his 13.ixg6± - regaining the pawn bishop will be restricted by and preservingall the advantages White's pawn on dS. 11.lt:'ld2. He of his position. is preparing the transfer of his knight to the aS-square. 11 ... ie7 6 ...d6 7.a4 c4. This is an at 12.b4 0-0 13.lt:'lc4 c6 14.dxc6 ix:c6 tempt by Black to keep the posi 1S.lt:'la5± White has seized the tion closed (7... b4 8.cxb4 cxb4, initiative on the queenside and Van Wely - Zapolskis, Liepaya Black's defence there will be very 2004, 9.Wie1!?± - His b4-pawn is difficult,since his a6-pawn is vul very weak and his kingside is nerable, Kahl - Boehnke, Email absolutely undeveloped.). 8.ic2 2010. lt:'lf6 9.l'!e1 ie7 lO.axbS axbS 11. l'!xa8 ixa8 12.lt:'la3 ic6 13.d5! 6.c3 White opens advantageously the position. 13 ...exd5 14.exd5 ixdS 1S.lt:'lxb5 0-0, Bartell - Gelashvili, Philadelphia 2012. Now, he could have maintained a great advan tage with the move 16.lt:'lfd4!± and Black would have great problems with the protection of his c4- pawn. He can hardly parryWhite's threats: lt:'la3,ia4-b5 and Wie2.
6 ... tof6
It is bad for Black to play here 6 ...lt:'lc6, because his knight will come under attack with tempo. 7.d5! ltJaS 8.l'!e1 Wic7 (8 ...lt:'le7, Hoffmann - Lopatina, Bad Wies see 2008, 9.d6!? lt:'lg6 lO.eS± White's pawns on d6 and eS cramp considerably Black's posi tion). 9.b3 g6, Kuljasevic - Fer nandez, Rethymno 2012. Here, 7••• 1J.e7 White refrained from the move 10.c4!, but in vain, because after In the blitz game Kasparov - 10 ...ig7, he would have the re- Short, Leuven 2011, Black tried
22 l.d4 a6 2.e4 bS 3.1:iJj3 �b7 4.�d3 e6 5.0-0
7 ...V!ic7 and after 8.a4 c4 9.�c2 d5 later he will follow witha2-a 4 and 10.e5± there arose a favourable once again you can see the conse type of position for White from quences of the move b7-b5, the French Defence. His pieces Delchev - Chetverik, Cannes are better developed and he has a 2005. space advantage. 8.e5 Following 7 ...d5 8.e5, the posi White occupies space and tion remains closed and the frees the e4-square for his knight. pawn-structure resembles the French Defence. 8 ...1?Jd5 9.dxc5 h:c5 10. I?Jbd2
8 ...1?Jfd7 9.1?Jg5! After this en ergetic move, Black's defence is difficult. 9 ...g6 (9 ...h6?? 10.1?Jxe6! fxe6ll .Vlih5+ 23 Chapter 2 Email 2003. Later, White can ex Afterthis move there arise po ert pressure against the enemy sitions, similar to variation A, ex a6-pawn, or prepare an attack on cept that Black is not obliged im the kingside with �c2, \!;!fd3. In all mediately to play the move a7-a6. the variations Black will be faced In this way he gains time to create with a difficultdef ence. pressure against the enemy e4- pawn. This move has been tested several times by the World Cham pion number 10 B.Spassky. 2.e4 �b7 3.�d3 Naturally, White should not exchange his central pawn for the enemy flankpaw n. 3 ... tilf6 About 3 ...a6 4.tt'lf3 - see l...a6. 4.tild2 White defends his e4-pawn. In general, the knight on d2 is not so ll.exf6 tilxf6, Sadvakasov - well placed as on c3, but here, this Tatai, Saint Vincent 1999. Now, is not so important because later, White's simplest decision is: 12. he will play e4-e5 and will deploy tile4 tilxe4 13 . .b:e4 .b:e4 14. this knight on the e4-square. �xe4 0-0 15.a4± Black's posi 4 ...e6 5.tilgf3 a6 tion is worse. He has more pawn About S ...cS 6.dxc5 !xeS 7. islands (three against two for 0-0 a6 - see 5 ...a6. White). In addition, Black's king 6.0-0 may come under attack, because it is protected by only two pawns. B) 1 •••b5 6 ...c5 This is Black's most energetic response. He undermines White's centre. 24 l.d4 bS 2.e4 .ib73 . .id311Jj6 4.11Jd2 e6 S.liJgfJ 6 ...i.e7. After this indifferent actions in the centre and on the move, Black's position becomes kingside, it is useful for White to difficult. 7.e5 liJdS 8.a4 b4 9.11Je4 compromise his opponent's posi aS 10.c4 bxc3 11.bxc3 i.a6, Oll - tion on the other side of the board. Bogaerts, Groningen 1984. Now, White could have provoked a fa 10 ...b4 vourable weakening of the d6- square with the line: 12 . .ib5!? c6 It may be interesting, but still 13 . .id3! ± followed by .ia3 and insufficient for Black to equalise, penetration to the d6-square. to try 10... 11Jb4 ll ..igS, Swinkels - Serdijn, Vlissingen 2006. The 6 ...dS. This move leads to trade of the dark-squared bishops closed positions, more typical for is in favour of White, because af the French Defence. 7.e5 11Jfd7 8. ter that the vulnerability of the 11Jb3cS 9.dxc5 11Jxc5 10.11Jxc5hcS d6-square in Black's camp will be ll.c3 11Jc6, Flear - Rossi, Asti hurting him. 11 ...0-0 12.ixe7 1997. Here, White should have �xe7 13.c3 11Jxd3 14.�xd3 he4 begun active operations on the 15.�xe4 11Jc6 16J'UdU White has queenside: 12.b4 .ie7 13.a4;tBlack a very easy game against Black's has difficulties with the protec weak pawns on bS and d7. tion of his pawns on a6 and bS and Whitehas much more space. ll. .ig5 7.dxc5 White has a very good alterna He forces the enemy bishop to tive here - ll.liJfd2!?, preparing come under attack with tempo af the transfer of his knight to the ter the move 11Je4. c4-square and eventually to d6. 7 ....ixc5 8.e5 t0d5 9.t0e4 11 ... 0-0 12.11Jc4;t and due to the .ie7 10.a4 vulnerability of the d6-square Black must startdef ending, Hasan gatin - Kutuzov, Pardubice 2004. Before the start of the active 25 Chapter 2 11..• 0-0 ra and some other grandmasters. Still the move l...b6 is consid Black loses immediately after erably less popular not only than ll...f6?. Following 12.exf6 .!t:lxf6 the standard variations, but even 13.ixf6 gxf6, White inflicts a de than its "twin-brother" - the cisive tactical strike: 14 . .!t:le5! fxe5 move l...g6. This is not surpris 15.'�'h5+ �f8 16.f4 1-0 Colsaet - ing, because with the move l...g6, Fedorko, Email 2000. Black not only develops his bish op, but prepares castling king 12.%\'d2 h:g5 13• .!Dexg5 h6 side, while after l...b6, he often 14• .!De4.!Dc6 15.gaeU White has dooms his king to remain in the good prospects in the fo rthcom centre for long. Naturally, you ing middle game to exploit the should not forget that all the lines, vulnerability of the dark squares analysed in this chapter, have one in Black's camp. general defect. Black does not prevent his opponent from occu pying the centre with his pawns. C) l ...b6 2.e4 j.b73 • .id3 White is not in a hurry to play .!t:lc3, keeping the possibility to follow in some variations with c2- c4. This is the most reliable move among all we have been analysing in this chapter. Black wishes to develop his bishop on b7 as quick ly as possible, without losing tem pi for b5, which as a rule leads only to the weakening of his After3 .. .f5?, Black fails to ex queenside. It has been tried by ploit the vulnerability of the g2- World Champions like Em.Lasker square, because of 4.exf5 ixg2 and B. Spassky. Nowadays, C. 5.1.1ti'h5+ g6 6.fxg6, for example: Bauer plays often like this and 6 ...ig7 (6 ....!t:lf 6?? 7.gxh7+ .!t:lxh5 sometimes E. Bakro, H. Nakamu- 8.ig6#) 7.gxh7+ i>f8 8 . .!Df3 .!Df6 26 l.d4 b6 2.e4 .ib73 . .id3 (8 ....ixh 1? 9.lLle5 �e8 10.hxg8�+ 15.b3 0-0 16.a3:t (followed by E!xg8 11.�f5 + .if6 12 . .ih6+-) 9. b3-b4) White's queenside actions �g6 hf3 (White's rook is un are running effortlessly, on - touchable, just like before: 9 ... Spassky, Tallinn 1998 . .ixh1? 10 . .ih6! E!xh7 ll.lLlg5+-) 10.E!g1 E!xh7 11.�g3. Now, both After 3 ...e6, as a rule, Black Black's bishop and rook are under plays later lLlf6 and the game attack. ll ....ie4 12.he4 lLlxe4 13. transposes to 3 ...lLlf 6, but there �f3 + lt>g814.� xe4+-, White has are some exceptions as well. 4. regained the sacrificed material lLlc3 and now, his advantage is not so much due to his extra pawn, but Black's king is terribly weak, de prived of its pawn-shelter,Thier ry-Van den Braak, Email 2009. 3 ... g6. Black plans a double fi anchetto. 4.lLlf3.ig7 5.0-0 d6 (5 ... e6 6 . .ig5 lLle77.�d2 h6 8 . .ie3 d6 9.c4 c5 10.lLlc3± White is better developed and has occupied more 4 ...g6 5.f4 .ig7 6.lLlf3 lLle7 7. space, while Black has problems 0-0 d6 8.f5!± White's attack is with his castling due to the place very powerful, Panarin - La ment of his pawn on h6, Dreev - znicka, playchess.com 2006. McShane, playchess.com 2006) Following 4 ... d6 5.f4 lLlf6 6. 6.c4. Now, there arise positions lLlf3 c5, Tocchioni - Meijers, As more typical for the King's Indian sisi 2008, White can begin im Defence and as it is well known mediately active actions in the the b7-square is not the best for centre. 7.d5! exd5 8 . .ib5+ .ic6 9. Black's bishop in this opening, .bc6+ lLlxc6 10.exd5 lLla5 11.0-0:t since it does not control from Black lags in development, more there the important h3-c8 diago over that after the trade of the nal. 6 ... lLld7 7.lLlc3 e6 (7... e5 8.d5 bishops the light squares in his lLlgf6 9.E!b1 0-0 10.b4:t White is camp are very weak. considerably ahead of his oppo 4 ....ib4 5.lLlge2. White pre nent in actions on different sides vents the doubling of his pawns. of the board, Dj urhuus - Ong, (diagram) Sweden 2009) 8 . .ig5 lLle7 9.�d2 About 5 ...lLlf6 6.a 3 - see 3 ...lLlf6. h6 10 . .ie3g5 . This move is forced; After 5 ...c5 6.d5 lLlf6 7.0-0 otherwise, it is inconceivable how 0-0 8 . .ig5±the pin of the knight Black can castle. ll.d5 lLlg6 12. is very unpleasant for Black, lLld4 �e7 13.lLlcb5 lLlc5 14. .ic2 aS Delchev - Savenkov, Varna 2012. 27 Chapter 2 With a white knight on e2, the move S ...i.b4 is senseless, because after 6.a3! Black is forced to re treat his bishop back to his camp. 6 ...�e7 (following 6 ... .ixc3+ 7.tt:lxc3± and then �gS, the pin of the knight on f6 is very un pleasant fo r Black, Dragun - Pie tocha, Warsaw 2012) 7.e5 tt:ldS 8.tt:lxd5 hdS, Tomcik - Bucek, s ...tt:le7 6.0-0 0-0 7.a3 .bc3 Slovakia 2012. Here, White main 8.tt:lxc3;tWhite has the two-bish tains a great advantage by trans op advantage and a much easier ferring his queen to the g4-square: game. After the impulsive move 9.tt:lc3! .!b7 10.�g4± 8 ...f 5?!, Matta - Singh, Mumbai 2009, he could have increased his It seems too passive for Black advantage with 9.d5!± to choose s ...d6 6.0-0 �e7 7.f4 s ...ds 6.0-0 dxe4 7 . .be4 .be4 0-0 8.e5 tt:lfd7, Preussner - Bub 8.tt:lxe4 �e7, Jansa - Lj ubisavlje mann, Email 2009, 9.tt:le4± and vic, Smederevska Palanka 1978, thanks to his pawn on eS and the 9.tt:l2c3!± Black has great prob powerful placement of his knight lems defending against White's on the centre, White has excellent threats d4-d5 and �f3. attacking prospects. 4.ll:lc3 e6 5.c!Llge2!? 5 ...dS. This attempt by Black This move has brought to to keep the position closed cannot White excellent results both in help him. 6.e5 practical games as well as in cor respondence chess. Following6 ...tt:le4 7 . .be4dxe4 8.�e3 tt:ld7, Greet - Steffens, Pe narth 2013, 9.0-0;t Black has problems with the protection of 5 ...c5 his e4-pawn. 28 J.d4 b6 2.e4 :ib7 3.:id3Ci'Jf6 4.Ci'Jc3 e6 5.Ci'Jge2 6 ... Ci'Jg8 7.Ci'Jf4 cS 8.0-0 Ci'Jc6 sacrifices a pawn and seizes com 9.dxc5 bxcS 10.Eie1 Ci'Jge7, Lalic - pletely the initiative. Gawehns, Germany 2002. Black has lost too much time on ma 6 ...exd5 noeuvres with his knight and White can begin active opera The position remains very dif tions. ll.Ci'JbS!? Ci'Jg6 12.Ci'Jxd5! ficultfor Black even if he refrains exdS 13.�h5 �aS 14.ig5 and de from accepting the pawn-sacri spite the extra piece, Black can fice: 6 ...a6 7.0-0 Vfic7 8.Ci'Jg3± hardly parry his opponent's nu White is better developed and his merous threats against his king. pawn on dS cramps considerably 14 ...ia6 15.Ci'Jd6+ 'it>d7 16.if5+ Black's bishop on b7 and hampers 'it>c7 17.Ci'Jxf7 Eig8 18.�xh7+-, the development of his knight on Black's kingside is in ruins. b8, Kubicki - Taras, Email 2009. 6 ... Ci'Jfd7 7.Ci'Jf4. White is pre paring �g4. 7 ...ie7 8.�g4 g6 9. 7.exd5 .!Llxd5 8 • .!Llxd5 hd5 h4. Before sacrificing on e6, he 9.0-0 plans to transfer his rook to f3. 9 ... Ci'Jc6 10.Ci'Jxe6! "If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired." (A.P.Chekhov). 10 ...fxe6 11.hg6+ hxg6 12.�xg6+ 'it>f8 13.Eih3 Ci'Jxd4 14.ih6+ Eixh6 15.�xh6+ 'it>f7 16.�h7+ 'it>e8 17. �h5+ 'it>f8 18.Eig3 if6 19.�h7 'it>e8 20.0-0-0± Fass - Lloyd, Email 2009. White has more than sufficient compensation for the pawn, be cause Black lags in development. 9 ....!Llc6 Following 9 ....ib7 10.Eie1! ie7 ll.Ci'Jf4, Black cannot play 11... 0-0, since he will be immediately checkmated after 12.�h5 g6 13. Ci'Jxg6 fxg6 14.hg6 hxg6 15. �xg6+ 'it>h8 16.Eie5+- 6.d5! This is the right move. White 10• .!Llf4 .ie6 29 Chapter 2 the game Smikovski - Osipov, Omsk 2001. Here, White could have maintained a slight edge with ll.t0xe6! dxe6 12 . .if4 - In this position his bishops are very powerful. Black's defence is very difficult. 12 ....ie7 13. .ib5 V9xd1 14.gfxd1 gcs 15 . .ia6 gds 16. gxd8+ t0xd8 17. .ib5+ c;!>f8 18. a4 f5 19 . .ib8± White regains his pawn preserving all the advantag- This position was reached in es of his position. Conclusion We have just finished the analysis of the systems, connected with the early fianchetto of Black's light-squared bishop. White obtains ef fortlessly an advantage in the opening exploiting the main drawback of Black's plan. He falls behind in development and his king remains in the centre for too long. If his pawn is on b5, then he has even another problem - to protect his queenside afterWhite plays a2-a4. We must also mention that he oftensacr ificesmater ial, so White needs to know concrete opening variations and this book should be very helpfulto the readers because of that. 30 Chapter 3 l.d4 c5 which White may exchange fa vourably the light-squared bish ops. What is even more important is that the c4-square has not been occupied by a white pawn and he can transfer his knight there along the route f3-d2-c4. It will exert pressure from that square against the enemy pawns on d6 and eS and this may prove to be very im portant after White advances f2- We will devote this chapter to f4. the analysis of the move l...cS. It 2.d5 has been played back in the mid dle of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century has been often used by S.Tartakover. The World Champions A. Ale khine and M. Tal have tried it as well. Nowadays, V. Malakhov, Sh. Mamedyarov and some other grandmasters play it. Now, contrary to the classical Benoni Defence, which has been analysed in Part 4, we will analyse variations without l...tt:Jf6 2.c4. We will analyse as basic re The main feature of these posi sponses for Black the moves A) tions is that White's pawn is still 2 ...e5 and B) 2 ...d6. on c2. This may turn out to be in his favour, because his light About 2 ... tt:Jf6 3.c4, or 2 ...e6 squared bishop may go bS after 3.c4 - see Part 4. 31 Chapter 3 2 .. .f5 - see the Dutch Defence. sive on the kingside with f2-f4, as Following 2 ...g6 3.c4, there well as on the queenside with the arise positions from the Modern undermining move c2-c3. Defence, which has been analysed in our volume 2. A) 2 ...e5 It seems anti-positional for After this move the centre is Black to choose 2 ...b5? !, because blocked and the active operations he fails to maintain the control will be on the flanks. over the c4-square later and only 3.e4 creates additional weaknesses on his queenside. 3.e4 3 ...�b6 4.a4. This is a key 3 ...d6 move. Now, White wins the battle for the c4-square. 4 ...bxa4, Lon There arises a transposition to car - Radulovic, Sibenik 2008 (or the main line after3 ...lt:Jf6 4.lt:Jc 3 4 ...b4 S.lt:Jd2± followed by lt:Jc4 d6 S.ibS+ lt:Jbd7(S ....id7 6.a4 ie7 and White's knight comes with 7.lt:Jf3 - see variation Al) 6.a4 i.e7 tempo to a very favourable posi 7.lt:Jf3- see variation A2a. tion) S.lt:Jf3!? d6 6.e5 g6 7.exd6 exd6 8 . .id3 ig7 9.0-0 lt:Je7 10. Following 3 ...g6, White can l'!el±Bla ck has lost tempi for pre begin immediately the fight for mature operations on the queen the eS-square. 4.f4 .ig7 S.lt:Jf3 exf4 side and lags in development, 6.ixf4 i.xb2 7.lt:Jbd2i.xa1 8.�xa1 moreover that the pin on the e-file f6 9.lt:Jc4 h6, Holzgrewe - Tutsch is very unpleasant for him. ka, Germany 1999. Here, it seems 3 ...a6 4.a4 b4 S.lt:Jd2 lt:Jf66. id3 very good for White to play 10. d6 7.lt:Jgf3 eS 8.a5 .ie7 9.h3 0-0 lt:Jh4! and Black cannot play 10 ... 10.lt:Jc4± Khenkin - Alias Ginel, gS due to ll.lt:Jg6l'!h7 12.lt:Jd6# Santa Cruz de Ia Palma 2005. Black has no counterplay whatso It seems very bad for him to ever. White can prepare an offen- opt for 3 ...a6, since following 4. 32 l.d4 c52.d 5 e5 3.e4 d6 4.�b5+ �d7 5.a4 f4!? the move a7-a6 is not useful only help Black's development. for Black at all. 4 ...exf4 (4 ...d6 Now, if he trades the bishops on s.lDf3 exf4 6.hf4 - see 4 ...exf4) b5, this would lead to a favourable 5.lDf3 d6 6.hf4 lLJe7 7.lLJbd2lt:lg6 for White opening of the a-file. 8.�g3 �e7 9.a4 0-0 10.�d3 lt:ld7 11.ltlc4t White's knight on c4 ex erts powerfulpressur e against the enemy d6-pawn, Ratolistka - Mi lotai, Brno 1957. 4 . .tb5+ This rather unpleasant check is not so often played in the tour nament practice, but creates great problems for Black. 5 •.• .te7 Black develops his kingside pieces and is threatening to ex change advantageously the bish ops with the move �g5. It seems rather dubious for Black to choose 5 ...a6? ! in view of 6.hd7+ lt:lxd7 7.a5. Now, the pawn-advance b7-b5 will be con nected with a serious weakening Now, he must choose how to of Black's queenside pawn-struc interpose against it: with the ture. 7 ...�e7 (7... g6 8.ltld2!± fol bishop Al) 4 ....td7, which may lowed by lt:lc4) 8.lt:lf3lt:lgf6 9.lt:lc3 lead later to a favourable for bS 10.axb6 �xb6 11.ltld2 0-0 12. White exchange of the light lt:lc4± White has much more squared bishops, or with the space, while Black's pawns on a6 knight A2) 4 ••• lt:ld7, which would and d6 are very weak, Muehle lead to the fact that the bishop on bach - Kaeding, Bad Ragaz 1992. c8 may fail to enter the actions for White has accomplished the a long time. standard pan for similar positions - the transfer of his knight to the c4-square. Later, it may remain Al) 4 ..• .id75.a 4 there, or continue its journey in Naturally, White does not ex side the enemy camp ( lLJc4-a5- change on d7, since this would c6). 33 Chapter 3 After ... 5 g6, White can open Following 6 ....ig7, White has a advantageously the position in very promising exchange-sacri the centre with 6.f4. Althoughthis fice at his disposal: 7 . ./t'lf3 a6 8. move is a typical resource for him .id3 exf4 9 . .ixf4 .ixb2 10 . ./t'lbd2!? in this variation, White should be (It is also good for White to opt very careful about this pawn-ad here for 10.�a2� followed by vance, since Black's pieces gain olt'ld2-c4 and his compensation for access to the important eS-square. the sacrificed pawn is more than sufficient, Gundavaa - Bayarman dah, Arvaikheer 2012.) 10 ...ixa1 11.Wxa1 Wf6 (ll...f6 12 . ./t'lc4+-) 12. 0-0 Wxa1 13.�xa1 olt'le7 14. .ixd6 b6 15.a5± Black has an extra ex change but his defence is very dif ficult. He lags in development, his pieces have occupied passive po sitions and his pawns on cS and a6 are very weak. Now, it would not work for Black to continue with 6 ...exf4 7 . 6.olt'lf3 .ixf4 Wf6, due to 8.olt'le2!? (White Naturally, White should pre maintains a slight but stable edge vent .igS. in the endgame after 8.Wc1 .ih6 9 . .ixh6 Wh4+ 10.g3, Wxh6, Koro 6 ... ttlf6 7.ttlc3 0-0 8.ttld2 tylev - Malakhov, Moscow 1995, 11.Wxh6 olt'lxh6 12.olt'ld2;:i;) 8 ... .ih6 (It would be too risky for Black to try 8 ...Wx b2?, since his queen will be seriously endangered afterthat and he falls behind considerably in development. 9.olt'lbc3 .ig7 10. eS Wb4 1U!b1 WaS 12.0-0 dxeS 13 . .ig5 olt'lh6 14.Wd2 olt'lfS 15.g4 olt'ld6 .ixd16 . 7+ olt'lxd7 ./t'lbS17 . Wb6 18.a5 �xbS 19J3xb5 olt'lxbS 20.d6 0-0 21.Wd5+-) 9.0-0 .ixf4 10. �xf4 We7 11.olt'ld2 hbS 12.axb5 His knight is headed immedi olt'ld7 13 . ./t'lc4;:!; (followed by dou ately to the c4-outpost. bling of the rooks on the f-file) 8 . .. ttle8 9.ttlc4 g6?! White's pieces exert rather un pleasant pressure against Black's It is possible that Black's best position. move here is 9 .. .f5, but even then 34 l.d4 c52.d 5 eS 3.e4 d6 4.i.b5+ tiJd7 5.a4 after10 . .b:d7�xd7 11.0-0t White's 5.a4 prospects are preferable, since the light squares in Black's camp are very weak. 10.0-0 f5 ll.f4 White has managed to ad vance this at the right time! ll.ih6!? E:t712.f 4± ll••• a6 12.J.xd7 �xd7 Now, after a7-a6, White does not plan to capture on d7 but will retreat his bishop, having pre vented b7-b5. Once again Black will be faced with a choice - where to develop his bishop: on e7 - A2a) 5 ••• ie7, or to g7 - A2b) 5 ...g6. About S ...tiJgf6 6.tiJc3 i.e7 - This position was reached in see 5 ...ie7; 6 ...g6 - see 5 ...g6. the game Shtyrenkov - Khudya kov, Alushta 2003. Here, White's S ...tiJe7 This is an original simplest move would be 13.a5±, move but still insufficient for occupying additional space on the equality. 6.tiJf3 g6 (It is possibly queenside. Sooner or later Black more reliable for Black to contin will have to play fxe4 or exf4. ue here with 6 ... tiJg6, although Opening of the game will be in fa even then after 7.a5 a6 8.id3 fi.e7 vour of White, because he has 9.0-0 0-0 10.tiJbd2tfo llowed by more space and his pieces are tiJc4, there arises a typical posi much more active. tion for this variation with an ad vantage for White.) 7.tiJbd2 �c7 8.tiJc4± - He has much more A2) 4 ...�d7 space and his knight on c4 exerts This move seems stronger for powerful pressure against the en Black than 4 ...i.d7, because he emy d6-pawn, Gulko - Zimmer avoids the trade of the light mann, Lugano 1988. squared bishops. Still, he is too far from equalising. s ... a6. As a rule, this move 35 Chapter 3 does not lead to original posi 10.lLlc4 b6 11.h4 h6 12.h5 lLlf8, tions. In the game Goldin - Blat Nestorovic - Peovic, Novi Sad ny, Oak Bridge 2000, Black 2013. Now, White could have played too extravagantly in the made use of the circumstance that opening after 6.ie2. Here, White's Black's g7-pawn is not protected bishop is more actively placed by the king. 13.�d3! id7 14.�g3± than on d3. 6 ...b6 7.lLlc3 g6 8.h4 His defence will be very difficult, h5 9.lLlf3 ih6 10.lLld2 lLJdf6 11. because Black lags in develop lLJc4 ixc1 12.�xc1 lLlh6 13.�g5 ment and afterthe move f2-f4 his E'!a7. Black could have ended up in position is about to crumble. a very difficult position following 14.f4± because White's pieces are 8.0-0 much better prepared for the opening of the position in the cen tre. A2a) 5 ••• .!e7 6.c!Llf3 Once again White does not al low. 6 ... c!Llgf6 About 6 ...a6 7.ie2 lLJgf6 8.lLlc3 - see 6 ...lLJgf 6. 7.c!Llc3 8 ...c!Lle8 He is preparing f7-f5 and re frains from making pawn-moves on the queenside for the time be ing. 8 ...a6. This move forces the re treat of White's bishop. 9.ie2 lLle8(After 9 ...b6, he can begin his standard plan withthe transfer of his knight to the c4-square. 10. lLld2 lLJe8 ll.tt:lc4 ig5 12.hg5 7 ...0-0 �xg5, Silva - Godoy Bugueno, Black can hardly continue the Chile 1971. Here, White can ex game withoutcastli ng. ploit the vulnerability of the ene my b6-pawn with the line: 13. 7 ...a6 8.ie2 lLJf8 (8 ... 0-0 9. E'!a3!? �d8 14.�d2 E!b8 15.E!b3± 0-0 - see 7 ... 0-0) 9.tt:ld2 tt:lg6 Black's pieces are squeezed with 36 l.d4 c52.d 5 e5 3.e4 d6 4.�b5+ li:Jd7 5.a4 the protection ofthe b6-pawn and White is better prepared for the after f2-f4 he will hardly manage opening of the game in the centre to neutralise White's activity on mostly because of the powerful the kingside.) lO.aS. He occupies placement of his knight on the c4- space on the queenside. outpost, Jaworski - Mammadov, Ustron 2003. 10 ... g6. Black is preparing f7- fS . (He only weakens his queen side with 10 ...bS 11.axb6 li:Jxb6 12. li:Jd2 li:Jc7 13.li:Jb3. White's knight is headed for the aS-square. 13 ... 9 .ig5 id7 14.li:JxcS!? This is a small ... combination in the style of Black is planning to trade the J.R.Capablanca. 14 ...dxcS 1S.d6 dark-squared bishops. li:JbS 16.dxe7 Wixe7 17.li:JdS li:JxdS 18.exdS± White has a superior His position will be very diffi pawn-structure and the two-bish cult after the ambitious attempt op advantage, Arab - Oussedik, 9 ...g6 - we have already seen that Plzen 2011.) 11.li:Jd2 li:Jg7 (Natu afterf7-fS, Wh ite always counters rally, the exchange of the dark with f2-f4. 10.li:Jc4 fS (lO ....igS 11. squared bishops does not facili aS fS, Gutov - Sazonova, Khanty tate Black's defence here, because Mansiysk 2010, 12.ix:gS! WixgS 13. following 11 ...igS 12.li:Jc4i.xc1 13. exfS gxfS 14.f4± - The position is �xcl fS 14.exfS gxfS 1S.f4 e4 16. opened and Black's lag in the de li:Ja4 Elf6 17J::1a3± the vulnerability velopment of his queenside pieces of his king is an important factor becomes the decisive factor. He and his queenside pieces will would weaken the b6-square after hardly enter the actions any time 10 ...a6 11 ..bd7 .bd7, Nestorovic soon, because his knight on d7 - Manic, Belgrade 1991, 12.aS±) must defend the b6-square 11.ih6 li:Jg7 12.f4± Black's defence against the penetration of White's is problematic. 12 ...li:Jf6 13.fxeS knight, Przezdziecka - Kaniak, li:Jg4, Battey - Rzayev, Budapest Leba 2004.) 12.li:Jc4 fS 13.f4± 2011, 14 . .if4 ! gS 1S.exd6 .if6 16. 37 Chapter 3 e5+-, White's pawns are so pow A2b) 5 ... g6 6.c!Llc3 erful that Black's defence crum bles in front of them. 10.c!Llc4 hc1 11.Wfxc1 Naturally, White should cap ture with his queen, because his rook is better placed on the a-file, since it supports from there the pawn-advance a4-a5. ll... a6 After White has played tt'lc4, his bishop cannot retreat and he will have to exchange on d7. 6 ....ig7 The position is difficult for About 6 ...a6 7.ie2 ig7 8.tt'lf3 Black following 1l...l'tie7, Sosnicki tt'lgf6 9.0-0 0-0 10.li:Jd2 - see 6 ... - Markowski, Ksiaz 1998, 12.a5!? ig7. tt'lc713.f 4± Black cannot equalise if he tries to trade the dark-squared bishops. 6 ...h5 7.tt'lf3 ih6 8.tt'ld2 a6 9.ie2 b6 10.tt'lc4 Wie7 11.0-0 lt>f8, Ikonnikov - Kr. Georgiev, Toulon 2001. Here, White could have emphasized the vulnera bility of his enemy b6-pawn with the line: 12J�a3!? lt>g7 13.ixh6+ tt'lxh6 14J'!b3 l=lb815.l'tid2± Black's pieces are squeezed with the pro tection of the b6-pawn and White 12.hd7 hd7 13.a5 .ib5 14. can prepare patiently a break c!Llxb5axb5 15.c!Llb6ga6, Aranha through on the opposite side of Filho - Schutt, Santos 2011, 16. the board with f2-f4. b4 c4 17.f4;!;Black has facilitated a bit his defence by exchanging Or immediately 6 ...ih6 7. pieces; nevertheless, White has ixh6 li:Jxh6 8.Wid2 tt'lg8 9.f4 exf4, seized completely the initiative. Khenkin - Rogers, Baden 1998, Black must still lose several tempi 10.tt'lf3 tt'lgf6 11.l't!xf4 l'tfe7 12.0-0± in order to free his rook from the Black has failed to establish firm exile on the a6-square (c!Llc7-a8 or control over the e5-square with li:Jf6-d7). li:Jg4-e5 and is doomed to a pas- 38 l.d4 c52.d 5 e5 3.e4 d6 4 . .ib5+ l:iJd7 5.a4 sive defence. can hardly organise counterplay on the kingside. 7.1llf3 After 9 ... l:iJe8,Chilov - Mana gadze, Athens 1999, the simplest response for White would be lO.aS, ensuring a square for the retreat of the bishop on bS. 10 ... l:iJc711.l:iJc 4 Wffe7 12 . .ia4± 10 . .ie2b6 Black prevents a4-a5. Following 10 ...l:iJe8 11.a5 bS 12.axb6 l:iJxb6 13.l:iJc4 l:iJxc4 14. 7 •••1ll gf6 ixc4± White has an easy game against Black's weak a6-pawn. About 7 ...a6 8 . .ie2 l:iJe79. h4 - see 7 ...l:iJe7; 8 ...l:iJgf6 9.0-0 0-0 ll.lllc4 IlleS 10.l:iJd2 - see 7 ... l:iJgf6. Following 7.JiJe7, White ob tains an advantage with the ener getic move 8.h4!? Now, Black is faced with a rather unpleasant choice. He must either allow h4- h5, or play h7-h5 himself, which would lead to the weakening of the gS-square. 8 ...a6 9 . .ie2 hS lO.aS 0-0 ll.l:iJd2fS 1Vt'lc4 l:iJf6, Mirzoeva - Kotanjian, Dubai 2011 and here, White's simplest deci This position was reached in sion would be 13.f3±fo llowed by the game Lalic - Orenda, Pula .igS and the preparation of cas 1997. Here, White could have tling queenside. maintained a great advantage with a manoeuvre which has been 8.0-0 0-0 9.1lld2 a6 encountered numerous times in this chapter. 12.ga3!? gbs 13. 9 ...l:iJh5 10.l:iJc4 l:iJdf6 11.a5 a6, gb3± Black will have great prob Rodshtein - Andreikin, play lems organising counterplay be chess.com 2006, 12.i.a4± Black's cause his pieces are forced to pro b6-square is terribly weak and he tect the b6-pawn. 39 Chapter 3 B) 2 ...d6 Now, Black has a choice be tween: Bl) 4 ...e6 and B2) 4 ...g6. This move leads to more open positions than 2 ...e5. Later, Black About 4 ...e5 S . .ibS+! lt:Jbd7 will either undermine White's 6.a4 .ie77.lt:Jf 3 or 5 ....id7 6.a 4 .ie7 centre with the move e7 -e6, or 7.lt:Jf3 � see 2 ...e5. will fianchetto his bishop afterg7- g6. It seems rather dubious for 3.e4 Black to opt for 4 ...lt:Jbd7, since White occupies the centre will after 5.f4 g6 6.lt:Jf3.ig7 7.e5 dxeS his pawns preservingthe possibil 8.fxe5 lt:Jg4 9.e6 fxe6 10.dxe6 ity to follow later with c2-c4, or lt:JdeS, Wornath - Lebermann, lt:Jc3. Frankfurt 2000, 11.\Wxd8+ 'it>xd8 12 . .if4 .ixe6 13.0-0-0+ lt:Jd7 14. After 3.c4 eS 4.e4, Black can lt:Je4 'it>c8 15 . .ib5 a6 16.ixd7+ play 4 ....ie 7!? followed by .igS, ex bd7 17.lt:Jxc5 ic6 18.lt:Je6± White's changing his "bad" bishop. knight on e6 has occupied a domi nating position, while Black can 3 ... �f6 hardly coordinate his pieces. 3 ...e5 4 . .ib5 - see 2 ...e5. He cannot equalise with the line: 4 ... lt:Ja6 5.lt:Jf3 lt:Jc76.i c4 ig4 About 3 ...g6 4.c4 .ig75.lt:Jc 3 - (6 ...a6 7.a4 b6 8.0-0 g6 9.e5!± - see volume 2, Chapter 12, varia the game is opened and almost all tion B2. Black's pieces are on their initial positions, Garcia Palermo - Ve About 3 ...e6 4.c4 lt:Jf6 5.lt:Jc3 or lasquez Ojeda, Santiago de Chile 4 ...exd5 S.cxdS - see Chapter 17. 1981) 7.h3 bf3 8.\Wxf3 g6 9.\Wd3 .ig7 10.0-0 0-0, S. Savchenko - M. Ivanov, Bad Zwesten 2004, 40 l.d4 c52.d 5 d6 3.e4 lt:\f6 4.lt:\c3 u . .ig5;!;: White has more space cause his bishop is much more ac and two powerful bishops. tive than its counterpart. In addi tion, Black will end up with a Bl) 4 •.• e6 5 • .tb5+ weak pawn on d6 in numerous variations. 6 ••. Ybd7 7.lt:Jf3exd5 He fails to equalise even if he tries to keep the position closed. 7 ...i.e7 8.0-0 0-0 9.l'!e1 e5 10.a4 lt:Ja6 ll.lt:Jd2 g6 12.lt:Jc4± White has accomplished a set-up, which we already know from the varia tion with 2 ...e5 and Black obvi ously lacks space, Richter - Hen 5 ....td7 driks, Germany 2007. It is not preferable for Black to s.toxds choose here 5 ... lt:Jbd7 6.dxe6 fxe6 White's plan is aimed at ex 7.lt:Jf3 a6 8.i.c4!? (The position is ploiting the vulnerability of the rather unclear after 8.i.xd7+ enemy d6-pawn. �xd7oo, because Black's bishop pair provides him with good 8 •••.te7 counterplay, Romanishin - Zher Black cannot equalise with 8 ... ebukh, Dresden 2007.) 8 ...d5 lt:Jxe4, because after 9.0-0 lt:Jc6 9.exd5 lt:lb6 10.i.d3 exd5 11.0-0 10.l'!e1 f5 ll.lt:Jg5;!;: White regains .ie7 12.a4!;!;: He lags in develop the sacrificed pawn and main ment and can hardly neutralise tains an edge thanks to the pow the activity of White's pieces. 12 ... erful position of his knight on d5. d4 13.a5 dxc3 14.axb6 �xb6 15. 9.0-0 0-0 bxc3 0-0 16 . .if4± Despite the doubled pawn, White's position is clearly better. His pieces are very active and has an easy plan to im prove further his position with: :Se1, l'!b1,i.c4 and lt:Je5. 6 . .ixd7+!? This is the simplest move for White. After this White will have a slight but stable advantage, be- 41 Chapter 3 This position was reached in 5 ...tt:lf d7. This move seems to the game Hamilton - Noritsyn, be a bit awkward. 6.ttlf3 fi.g7 7. Guelph 2011. Here, White had fi.d3 ttla6 8.0-0 0-0 9.f5± There simply to increase the pressure arises a position from the main against the enemy d6-pawn with line (5 ...fi.g 7), but with an extra 10 • .tf4!? ttJxd5 ll.ti'xd5 ttJc6 tempo for White, since his bishop 12.c3 gfe8 13.gadt;t; and Black has come to the d3-square in one would be doomed to a long and move and not in two. passive defence. 6 . .tb5+!? This check provokes dishar B2) 4 ...g6 5.f4 mony in Black's position. This is the most principled move for White. Now, he will be 6 ...ttJfd7 permanently threatening to play This move is fo rced, because e4-e5, attacking the enemy after 6 ... tt:Jbd7, White has the knight. powerfulresour ce 7.e5± Following 6 ...id7 7.e5 tt:lg8 8. ttlf3tt:lh6 9. 0-0t White obtains an edge, since Black will have to lose plenty of time on manoeuvres with his knight on f6, Grosser - Roosen, Bruchkoebel 2002. 7 . .td3 5 ....tg7 About 5 ...tt:lbd7 6.ttlf 3 - see 4 ... tt:lbd7. Following 5 ...a6, White can begin immediately active actions in the centre, 6.e5 tt:lfd7(6 ...dxe5? 7.fxe5 tt:lg4 8.tt:lf3±Chepukaitis - Korchnoi, St Petersburg 2001) 7.�e2t White's powerful central This is a timely retreat. Now, if pawns provide him with a clear Black plays a7-a6, then White will advantage, Minero Pineda - Gar prevent the move b7-b5 with a2- cia, Bogota 1992. a4. 42 l.d4 c52.d 5 d6 3.e4 lDf6 4.lDc3 He does not wish to play a2-a4 9 .•• t0c7 before Black has played a7-a6, be cause then, Black's knight will fol 9 ...lLlb6 10.a4 .tg4 1l.a5 lLld7 low the route b8-a6-b4. 12 . .tc4 lLlb4 13.h3 hf3 14,gxf3t White has more space and the 7... 0-0 two-bishop advantage, Hebden - About 7 ... lLla6 8.lLlf3 lLlc7 9. Meetei, London 1985. 0-0 0-0 - see 7 ...0-0. 9 ... lLlb4 10.ie2. He must pre serve the powerful light-squared bishop. 10 ...lLlb6 ll.a3 lLla6 12 . Following 8 ...e6, White may .te3!? (The consequences of the enter almost by force a superior pawn-sacrifice are rather unclear endgame: 9.dxe6 fxe6, Borges - after: 12.f5 gxfS 13.exf5 hfS, Bjazevic, corr. 1983, 10.�e2!? lLlf6 Hodgson - Plaskett, Eastbourne 1l.e5 dxeS 12.1�'xd8 gxd8 13.fxe5 1990, 14.lLlh4 �g6 15.lLlf5� No lLlg4 14.�gs gf8 1S . .ie7 gfs 16. doubt, White has compensation hcS lLlxeS 17.lLlxe5 !xeS 18 . .te3t for the sacrificed pawn, but it is and Black's e6-pawn is very weak. unclear whether he can rely on more.) 12 ...lLlc7 13.a 4t (preparing After8 ...lLlf6 9.0-0, Black will a4-a5) and Black's pieces evident have problems to fightagainst his ly do not have sufficientspace for opponent's powerful centre. For manoeuvring. example: 9 ...lLlbd7 10.'tt>h1 lLlb6 ll.a4 �g4 12.a5 lLlbd7 13.h3 �xf3 10.f5! 14.1Mlxf3± White has two powerful This is the beginning of an at bishops, while Black can hardly tack. find good squares for his pieces, Skokov - Nevorotov, Omsk 2009. 9.0-0 10 . ..b5 Black is trying to organise counterplay. 43 Chapter 3 It is obviously bad for Black to The line: 10 ...li:Je5 ll.li:Jxe5 choose 10 .. J'1b8,Seb estyen - Pal dxe5, has been tested in the game kovi, Zalakaros 2003, because af Haila - Tuominen, Finland 1994. ter 11.�e1! b5 12.�h4---+ (followed Black has fortified his position in by �h6 and li:Jg5) White's attack is the centre, but the weaknesses of developing effortlessly. his pawn-structure may become a telling factor in the future. 12.�e3 Black should better refrain b6 13.�f3 li:Je8 14.a4± - He is from 10 ...li:Jf6 due to 1l.�e1!? faced with a very difficultdef ence. White is preparing the already fa miliar transfer of his queen to the 11.fxg6hxg6 h4-square. (It would not be so precise for him to opt for 1l.fxg6 fxg6 12.�el �g4± Gallagher - Forster, Luzern 1994 and afterthe exchange of the knight on f3 , Black reduces considerably his opponent's attacking potential.) ll...gxf5 (ll...b5 12.fxg6 hxg6 13. �h4 c4 14.li:Jg5 1'\e8 15.�e2± White has a powerful attack and Black must be permanently on the alert about the possible sacrifice on f6, as well as about the manoeuvre This position was reached in li:Jc3-dl-e3-g4, Meszaros - Schnei the game Emms - Minasian, Le der, Hungary 2002.) 12.exf5 ningrad 1990. 12.�el!? White li:Jcxd5 13.li:Jxd5 li:Jxd5 14.�g3. should not lose time in order to Black has won a pawn, but White's win the enemy b5-pawn. His plan attack against the enemy king is should be to attack the enemy very powerful. 14 ...c;f;>h8 15.�h4 king. 12 ...b4 13.c!Lldle6 14.c!Llg5 li:Jf6 16.li:Jg5h6 17.1'lf3 li'lg818 .�h5 f6 15.c!Df3 exd5 16.exd5 f5 �e8 19.�c4+- and Black suffers 17. �g3---+ Black can hardly parry material losses. his opponent's dangerous threats. Conclusion We have just completed the analysis of the variations afterl. d4 c5. Now, White obtains an advantage in the opening relatively easily, be cause contrary to the variations, which we willana lyse in Part 4, White's pawn is on c2 and not on the c4-square. So, he has a very dangerous plan to deploy his knight on c4 and to follow that with f2-f4. White should not forget about the possibility �b5+, afterwhich he provokes disharmony in the set-up of Black's pieces. 44 Chapter4 l.d4 e6 It is possible that White's strongest move here may be 2.e4, transposing to the French De fence, but we will not analyse it, because we think that it is not necessary to study the French De fence in order to obtain an advan tage afterl.d 4 e6. This chapter, as well as the next one, will be devoted to the move l...e6 for Black. It was played even by H.Staunton in the middle of the 19th century. Well, in response to 2.c4, he usually transposed to Queen's Gambit set-ups with 2 ...d5. At the begin ning of the 20th century A. Alekh ine and S. Tartakover played like 2 ...b6 this and some time later M. Bot This move is considered to be vinnik. Among the contemporary not so reliable in the theory of the grandmasters M. Carlsen, V. Ivan openings. Indeed, Black does not chuk, A.Morozevich, N. Vitiugov prevent his opponent from occu and many others try this move pying the centre aftere2-e4. Still, sometimes. This system is very there has been amassed plenty of flexible. Having played l...e6, theory afterit, so we devote a sep Black does not determine his fu arate chapter to this move. It has ture plans yet. been oftenplayed by British play 2.c4 ers like A. Miles, J. Speelman and 45 Chapter 4 N. Short. Accordingly, this varia lt:lc3,because then Black will reply tion has been named the English with .ib4 and White will hardly Defence in the theory of the open manage to avoid the doubling of ings. his pawns afterixc3 . The more reliable line for Black 2 ...ib4 + will be analysed in the next chapter. He often plays 1.. .e6 in order to transpose to the Dutch De fence: 2 .. .f5, which will be ana lysed in Chapter 7. 2 ...c5 3.d5 - see Chapters 17- 18. Now, we will analyse in de 2 ... lt:lf6 3.lt:lc3 - see Chapters tails: A) 4 ....lb4, B) 4 ...f5 and 20-25. C) 4 . . .li�c6. 2 ...d5 3.lt:lc3 - see volume 1. About 4 ... g6 5.lt:lc3 ig7 6.lt:lf3 d6 7.0-0 lt:ld78 . .ig5 - see Chap 3.e4 ter 2, variation C, 3 ...g6. White occupies the centre with his pawns. Later, he will have to 4 ... d6. This move leads to a watch carefully about the e4- solid but passive position for square, because Black plans to ex Black. 5.lt:lc3 lt:ld7 6.lt:lge2 lt:le7 ert pressure against it with the 7.0-0 g6 8.ie3 .ig7,Aubry - Mei moves ib7, lt:lf6 f7-for 5. jers, Rennes 2013, 9.ic2. It is es sential for White to control relia 3 ....lb7 bly the d4-square. 9 ...0-0 10. \1;Vd2;t Black's position has no The move 3 ...ib 4+, leads as a weaknesses but White's extra rule to transposition of moves: 4. space guarantees him superior id2 .ixd2+ 5.\1;Vxd2 ib7 6 . .id3, or prospects in the middle game. 5 ... lt:lh6 6.lt:lc3 0-0 7.lt:lf3 ib7 8 . .id3, or 5 ...lt:le7 6.lt:lc 3 0-0 7.lt:lf3 After 4 ...lt:lf 6, White can al ib7 8.id3 - see variation A. ready play 5.lt:lc3. (diagram) 4 . .ld3 Now, following 5 ...ib4 6.\1;Vc2, This is an important finepoint. there arises a position from Part 3 White is not in a hurry to play (l.d4 tt'lf6 2.c4 b6). 46 l.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.e4 !i.b74. !i.d3 5 . .id2 It is again very passive for Black to opt for 5 ...d6 6.li:.Jf3 li:.Jbd7 7.0-0 !i.e78. '1!tfe2 0-0 9.!i.c2±and he can hardly organise any active actions, because after c7-c5, White 5 ...hd 2+ always has the resource d4-d5 and Black's bishop on b7 will be The decision to postpone the severely restricted, Karpatchev - trade on d2 is not so good for Pierrard, Calvi 2006. Black. 5 ...li:.Jc6 6.li:.Jf3 'l!tff6 7.d5 5 ... d5. This strike against .ixd2+ 8.'1!tfxd2 li:.Jce7 9.li:.Jc3± - White's centre is not dangerous. His attempt to create pressure 6.cxd5 exd5 7.e5 li:.Je48. li:.Jge2!i.e7 against the d4-square has only led (8 ...c5 ?! 9.0-0 cxd4 10.li:.Jxd4 !i.e7, to the loss of valuable time for Savina - Charochkina, Voronezh Black, Dautov - Speelman, Lipp 2009, 1l.!i.b5+!? \tlf8 12.'1!tff3 +-) stadt 2000. 9.0-0 0-0, Boehm - Szabados, Trieste 1923, 10.li:.Jf4 li:.Jxc3 11. 5 ...'1!tfe7 6.li:.Je2 bxc3± White has good attacking prospects against the enemy king. The position is very difficult for Black after 5 ...li:.Jc6 6.li:.Jf3 d6 7.!i.c2 !i.e7 8.d5 exd5 9.exd5 li:.Jb8 10.0-0± White leads in develop ment, while Black's bishop on b7 is restricted by his own pawn on d5, Sax - Vukic, Novi Sad 1976. After 6 ... li:.Jf6, Kachiani-Ger A) 4 ....ib 4+ sinska - De Jesus, Elista 1998, Black has less space and wish the simplest reaction for White es to facilitate his defence by ex would be 7 . .ixb4!? 1!9xb4+ 8. changing a couple of minor piec li:.Jbc3± Black has lost plenty of es. time on moves with his queen. 47 Chapter 4 Naturally, he cannot play 8 ... queen and not with the knight, in �xb2?? because of 9.a3!+-, Black's order to be able later to play 4Jc3. queen will perish on the b2-square. The complications end up in 6 ...f5 favour of White after 6 .. .f5 7.exf5 Black is trying to organise .bg2 8.!'1g1 .b:d2+ 9.lt:\xd2 i.b7 counterplay against the e4- 10.fxe6±, because his pieces are square. much better mobilised. 6 ....tx d2+ 7.�xd2 4Jh6. With If he tries something else, this original flank development of White manages to complete his the knight, Black keeps the possi development and to maintain a bility to advance f7-f5. 8.4Jbc3 slight edge thanks to his extra 0-0 9.0-0 d6 (9 .. .f5, Balazs - space. Bokros, Balatonlelle 2009, 10. 6 ...4Je7 7.4Jc 3 0-0 8.4Jf3 d6 9. exfS 4Jxf5 11.d5. This is an impor 0-0 4Jd7 10.i.c2 4Jg6 ll.:B:fe1 �e7 tant move restricting the mobility 12.:B:adl;!;Mai orov - Epishin, Pfalz of Black's bishop on b7. 11 ...4Ja6 2009. 12.:B:ael;!;Wh ite's pieces are much better coordinated, while Black 6 ... 4Jh67.4Jf 3 0-0 8.4Jc3 can hardly find good squares · for his bishop on b7 and the knight on a6.) 10.f4 4Jd7 11.d5 eS 12.f5 f6 13.b4;!; White has much more space and can organise an offen sive both on the queenside as well as on the kingside, Avrukh - Speelman, Elista 1998. 6.�xd2!? 8 ...d6 9.0-0 4Jd7 10.i.c2 Vlfe7 ll.:B:fe1 :B:fd8 12.:B:adUI.S okolov Speelman, Biel 1993. 8 ... 4Jc6 9.0-0;!; (White does not need to complicate the game with 9.0-0-0oo Vyzmanavin - Miles, Ostend 1991). 8 .. .f5 9.0-0 4Jc6 10.:B:ad1 4Je7 11.d5! 'it>h8 12.dxe6 dxe6 13.4Jg5 �c8 14.exf5 exfS 15.:B:fel± White's pieces are deployed much more harmoniously, Metge - Miles, He captures on d2 with the Auckland 1992. 48 l.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.e4 .ib74 . .id3 7.c!bc3 Rijeka 2010. Now, he must re strict Black's bishop on b7 with the move ll.d5!, for example: 11 ... exd5 12.cxd5 d6 13.0-0;!; and Black will have to be permanently on the alert about White's threat lt:lf3-g5-e6. 9.exf5 �xd4 10.ti'e3 It seems worse for Black to de velop his knight to the edge of the board 7 ...lt:lh6 8.lt:lf3 0-0 9.0-0± Metge - Miles, Auckland 1992. Following 7 ...fxe4 8 . .b:e4 .b:e4 9.lt:lxe4 lt:lf6 10.lt:lc3!?, White After the exchange of the should better avoid the trade of pawns on f5 and d4, there arise the knights, because there are just complications which are in favour a few pieces lefton the board and of White. every exchange increases Black's chances of making a draw. 10 ... 10 ...c5 ll.�ge2 �xe2 12. 0-0 1l.�d1 lt:lc6 12.lt:lf3 lt:le7 13. �xe2 0-0 13.fxe6 ges 14. 0-0 c6 14.lt:le5 �b8 15.�feU All 0-0-0 gxe6 15.Wd2 White's pieces are beautifully placed in the centre and Black can hardly find a good square for his knight on e7, Almeida - Moreira, Internet 2011. 8.f3! White protects reliably the e4- square. 8 ...�c 6 8 ...fxe4 9.fxe4 0-0 10.lt:lf3c5, Savina - Hoang Thanh Trang, 15 ....ic6 49 Chapter 4 Following 15 ...�b8 16.�c2 �c6 Now, Black has a choice. He 17.'�bl�c7 18.ll:Jd5�xdS 19.cxd5 can capture on g2 Bl) 5••• .ix g2, :i!d6 20.�c3 c4 21.g4, White be or play the more modest line: B2) gins an attack on the kingside. 5 •.• �b4. The position is quite open and his long-range bishop is obviously stronger than Black's knight. 21... Bl) 5 ••. .ixg2 :i!xdS 22.:i!xd5 ll:JxdS 23.�d4 ll:Jf4 Accepting the rook-sacrifice is 24.�e4 :i!f8 25.�xh7+ B) 4 •••f5 6.�h5+ g6 7.fxg6 �g7 This move leads to very sharp The alternatives for Black lose positions. In the majority of the very quickly, for example: 7 ...ll:Jf6 variations Black has temporarily 8.g7+ ll:JxhS 9.gxh8� ll:Jf6 10.�e2 an extra rook. This was the rea �xhl ll.hg5+- son that in the pre-computer era, many players were afraid to 8.gxh7+ White's knight is in a hurry to go to the f4 -square, from where it can go both to g6 as well as to the hS-square. 9 ••. tL!f6 50 l.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.e4 i.b74. i.d3j5 S.ef As a rule, there arises transpo ll ...d6? Now, on top of all the sition following 9 ....bhl lO . .igS troubles for Black, his e6-square lt'lf6 ll.�h4 - see 9 ...ll:lf 6. In the becomes terribly weak. 12.tt:lf4 game Utnasunov - Gusev, Elista �f7, Wise - Ivanchik, Canada 2006, Black decided to follow a 1994, 13.�h3 �c8 14.d5 exd5 15. very original path with the move ig6+ �e7 16.�e3+ �d8 17.tt:le6+ 10 ...if6, but afterWh ite's precise �d7 18.tt:lxg7 �f8 19.�e6+ �c6 reaction ll.h4! tt:lc6 12.tt:lf4 �e8 20.ixf6+- White has regained 13.hxg8�+ �xg8 14.�xe8+ gxe8 the sacrificed material, maintain 15.ixf6+- Black ended up in a ing his powerful pawn on h7 as hopeless position. well as a strong attack. 10.�h4 .ixhl ll. .lg5 ll ...d5? This move, just like ll ... d6, leads to the horrible weak ening of the e6-square. 12.tt:lf4 �f7 13.tt:ld2 dxc4 14.tt:lxc4 �xd4 15.�h5+ �e7 16.�g6 if8, Pamat mat - Tan, Ledyard 2009, 17. tt:le2+- ll... c5 12.tt:lf4 tt:lc6 13.tt:ld2 tt:lxd4? (Black should better play here 13 ...cxd4 14.f3±) 14.0-0-0 ic6 (14 ... tt:lf5 15.tt:lg6+ �e8 16. ixf5 gxh7 17.�g3+-) 15.tt:lh5 tt:lf5 After this move there arises 16.ixf5 exf5 17.tt:lxf6+- Akobian the basic position of the entire - Kiewra, Wheeling 2010. variation with 5 ...ix g2. Black has temporarily an extra rook but The retreat of the bishop back White's threats are tremendously to Black's camp would not save dangerous. He is threatening with him: ll ...ib7, Lacrosse - Guetas the manoeuvre tt:le2-f4-g6(h5), or Sanchez, Cullera 2006, after 12. simply to complete his develop tt:lf4 tt:lc613.tt:ld2 tt:lb4 14 .ig6 �e7 ment (tt:ld2 and 0-0-0), bringing 15.tt:lh5 �f8 16.d5 exd5 17. his last reservesin to the battle. 0-0-0+-, Black is helpless against gel, followed by tt:lxg7and u . . . �c6 i.xf6. Besides this developing move, Black has many other possibili The other retreats of the bish ties, but unfortunately for him al op are not any better ll ...i.f3 12. most all of them lead to hopeless tt:lf4 lLlc6 13.lLld2ig4 14.ixf6 �xf6 positions fo r him. 15.�xg4 �xd4, Lower - Marshall, 51 Chapter 4 Email 1999, 16Jl:dl! �f6 17.li:Jf3 i>t7 15.li:Je5+ i>f8 16.' The counter strike in the cen tre is not good for Black 12 ...e5, because White is better developed and the opening of the position is in his favour. 13.0-0-0 e4 14. �xe4 �e4 15.li:Jxe4 E!xh7 16.' 12 ...@f7 Psakhis, Riga 1980, 17.E!d3 ' 52 J.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.e4 i.b7 4.i.d3j55.e f 13.0-0-0 �b4 Black develops his bishop with This is the only chance for tempo. This move is much more Black of saving his bishop on hl. reliable than the hazardous cap 14.J.bl J.b7 turing of the g2-pawn. 6.'\t>fl This move is forced. White loses his castling rights but pro tects his pawn on g2. His plan is connected later with exploiting the unfavourable placement of Black's bishop on b4, which White will try to trap with c4-c5 and a2- a3. This position was reached in the game Taffijn - Dehaybe, Email 2009. Here, White could have obtained a decisive advan tage with 15.ggl!, for example: 15 .•.�c6 (15 ...'Dxa2 16.'1t>d1+-) 16.J.g6 'it>f8 17.�e4+- Black has an extra rook indeed, but his posi tion is absolutely hopeless. His pieces are not developed, while on 6 ...�f6 the contrary, White's entire army This is an energetic move with takes part into the decisive attack. which Black develops quickly his pieces. B2) 5 •••.ib4 + 6 .. .'rt/h4 7.'Df3 \1;'1'h5, Estremera Panos - Rausis, Seville 2003, 8. cS!± Black will have great prob lems with his bishop on b4. Following 6 ...exf5 7.c5 bxcS 8. a3, Black will have to give back the pawn in order to bring his bishop back into his camp. 8 ...c4 (8 ...i.a5 9.dxc5 \1;1ff6, Tabernig - Burger, Linz 1999, 10.'Dd2!? (It seems also good for White to 53 Chapter 4 choose the more ambitious line: White cuts offthe retreat of his lO.�hS 'tt>f8 ll.�gS �eS 12.�d8+ opponent's bishop, just like in the 'tt>t7 13.tt:lf3 hf314.g xf3 �xeS 15. previous variations. tt:ld2±) 10 ... �xd2 ll.hd2 tt:le7 12.�h5+! After this move White 7 ...bxc5 8.a3 c4 9.hc4 transfers into a better endgame. 12 ... �t7 13.�xt7+ 'tt>xt7 14.tt:lf3 hf3 15.gxf3 dS 16.cxd6 cxd6 17. ggl± and in the arising endgame both sides have pawn-weakness es, but White's bishops are obvi ously much more active than Black's cavalry.) 9.hc4 !d6 (9 ... !aS? 10.�b3+- ia6 ll.ha6 tt:lxa6 12.�b5) 10.tt:lc3 tt:lf6 ll.tt:lf3 �e7 12.ig5. White has lost his castling rights, but this has not worsened his situation, because 9 .••�a5 his minor pieces are very active, Black wishes to deploy his while Black's king is stranded in bishop on an active position on b6 the centre. 12 ...'tt> d8, Seirawan - from where it will exert pressure Schussler, Malmo 1979, 13.tt:ld5 against the enemy d4-pawn and !xdS 14.-hdS c6 15.�b3! 'tt>c7 16. eventually against the f2-square gel �f8 17.ic4± White has two as well. powerfulbishops, while Black will hardly manage to bring his knight 9 ...ie7. This move seems to be on b8 into the actions any time too passive. 10.fxe6 0-0 ll.tt:lc3. soon. White is not after material gains and wishes to compete the devel 7.c5 opment of his pieces. ll...dxe6 (The move ll...dS restricts con siderably the prospects of the bishop on b7. 12.i.d3 cS 13.tt:lf3 tt:lc6 14.dxc5 hcS lS.igS± White's king is not well placed on fl, but this cannot compensate Black's two missing pawns, Bulski - Strzemiecki, Lazy 2012.) 12.tt:lf3 �d6 13.�e2 .idS 14.g3 tt:lc6 15. tt:lxdS exdS 16.ia2 gae8 17.'tt>g2 �d7 18.�d3± White has succeed- 54 l.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.e4 .ib7 4 . .id3j5 S.e f ed in solving the problem with his White's weakness on d4 is bal king and has now an extra pawn anced by Black's weakness on e6. and a better position, Klausen - Beltins, Email 2009. 13.�g5 Now, there arise tactical com plications on the board. 10••. 0-0 13 •.• �d6, Graf - Bunzmann, Germany 2000, 14.�d3 �bd7 lO ... exfS ll.igS dS 12.ib5+ c6 15.b4 i.b6 16.�xe6 �g4 17. 13.�e2+ �e7 14.ixf6 gxf6 15.id3 ga2! White brings cold-bloodedly �xe2+ 16.@xe2± Black has nu his rook into the protection of his merous pawn-weaknesses in his f2-square. After this, Black's at position. tack loses its momentum and there arises a favourable endgame 10 ... tt'lc6,Popovics - Wojtaszek, for White following the exchange Hungary2003, ll.fxe6± - His com of pieces. 17.•. �de5 18.dxe5 pensation for the two sacrificed gxf2+ 19.gxf2 �xd3+ 20.hd3 pawns is evidentlyinsufficient. �xf2 21 . .ic4 �xh1 22.�a4! White's knight is headed for the ll.fxe6dxe6 12.tt'lc3 @h8 cS-square in order to cover the a7- gl diagonal for his opponent's After 12 ...tt'lc6, Herraiz - Del bishop. Black's knight will nor Rio de Angelis, Madrid 2005, run away from the hl-square. White must bring his rook on hl 22•.• h6 23.�ac5 i.c6 24.@g1 into the actions via the h3-square. a5 25.b5 hc5+ 26.@xh1 gbs 13.h4!? �d6 14.@gl (It is also pos 27.�xc5 hb5 28.i.d5 gf8 29. sible for White to play here imme i.£3±and in the arising endgame, diately 14J'1h3±) 14 ...ib6 15.ie3 White managed to prove quickly E'lad8 16.E'lh3± Black has no com that his two minor pieces are pensation for the pawn, because stronger than Black's rook. 55 Chapter 4 C) 4 ...lbc6 easy game, moreover that Black lags considerably in development, Iskusnyh - Lahiri, Chennai 2004) 9.0-0 1c5, Marcos Nozar - An dersen, Email 2012. It is useful for White to provoke a weakening on Black's kingside with the line: 10.ti:lg3!? g6 1l.ti:lge2 (with the idea 12.ih6 ti:lg4 13.�g3!; the im mediate move ll.ih6, does not bring White anything real after 1l...ti:lg4) 11...0-0 12.ig5 ie7 13. f4± Blacks defence is very diffi This is Black's most reliable cult, because his pieces are rather move, because after 5 ...ti:lb4 he cramped in their movements. exchanges on d3. After this he not only facilitates his defence by 5 ...ib 4+ 6.id2 trading a piece in this somewhat cramped position, but also ob tains the two-bishop advantage. All this is not sufficient for him to equalise however (his lack of space is an essential factor and also the fact that Black has lost too much time on moves with his knight), but still his position is quite solid (at least in comparison to the move 4 .. .f5). 6 ...ix d2+ 7.�xd2 ti:lge7 (7... 5.tbe2 �f6 8.ic2 �h6 9.f4 �h4+ 10.g3 This is White's most popular �h5 1l.d5 ti:lce7 12.ti:lbc3 ti:lh6 13. move. Now, contrary to 5.ti:lf3, he 0-0-0± Black has wasted too will manage to advance later f2 -f4 many tempi on moves with his occupying even more space in the queen and his position is very dif centre. ficult,Avrukh - Bischoff, Zuerich 5 •• A:lb4 2009.) 8.0-0 0-0 9.ti:lbc3 e5 10. This is a logical move. The al d5 ti:lb41l .ib1 aS, Grefe - Kraai, ternatives fo r Black seem weaker. San Francisco 1999, 12.d6!? ti:lg6 13.dxc7 �xc7 14.b3± Whitehas an 5 ...e5. This move cramps his easy game against Black's weak position even more. 6.d5 ti:lb4 7. d7-pawn. ti:lbc3 ti:lxd3+ 8.�xd3 ti:lf6 (8 ...ti:le7 6 ...�f6 7.d5!? White occupies 9.h4 h5 10.1g5± White has an even more space. 7 ...1xd 2+ 8. 56 l.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.e4 .ib74. 1ld3j5 S. ef �xd2 t'Lle5 9.t'Llbc3 t'Llh6 10.0-0 9.\Wxd3 Wd7 10.0-0 t'Lle7, Czakon 0-0 11.f4 t'Llxd3 12.'1Wxd3;!; Black - Starostits, Gijon 2007, 11.i.g5 does not have pawn-weaknesses h6 12.he7!? he7 13.f4t - The in his camp, but lacks space and position is closed and Black's his minor pieces are misplaced, so bishops are not sufficiently active. his defence will be long and diffi Meanwhile, White has an easy cult, Jelen - Lovric, Kastav 1999. and simple plan for further opera tions: f4-f5, followed by the prep After 5 ... g6, it will be ineffec aration of the pawn-advances f5- tive for Black to exert pressure f6 or e5-e6. with his fianchettoed bishop against White's centre, because 7.Wxd3 his pieces cover quite reliably the e4 and d4-squares. 6.t'Llbc3 i.g7 7.i.e3 t'Llge7 (7... d6 8.'1Wd2 \We7 9. h3 t'Llf6 10.0-0 e5 11.d5 t'Llb412. ib1 t'Llh5 13.a3 t'Lla6 14.b4± Hauchard - Zvjaginsev, Belfort 1999. 7 ...t'Llh6? ! 8.'1Wd2 t'Llg4 9.i.g5 f6 10.i.h4 t'Llh6 11.0-0± followed by f2-f4, Chatalbashev - Efimov, Cutro 1999) 8.'1Wd2 d59.c xd5 exd5 10.e5 \Wd7(10 ...0-0? ! 11.0-0 t'Llb4 12.i.b1 c5 13.f4 cxd4 14.t'Llxd4± - Almost all Black's pieces are re 7 ...�e7 stricted by his own isolated d5- pawn, Bareev - Bauer, Aj accio 7 ...i.b4 8.0-0 t'Lle7 (After 8 ... 2007.) 11.i.h6 hh6 12.Wxh6 .ixc3, Black loses his only trump 0-0-0 13.0-0:;!; Plischki - Gon - his two-bishop advantage. 9. da, Pardubice 2012. White has a t'Llxc3 t'Lle710.d 5 0-0 11.i.d2 t'Llg6 clear-cut plan for actions in the 12.f4 d6 13.\Wg3;!; - White not only arising position: f2-f4-f5. Black has more space, but his bishop on can hardly activate his bishop on d2 is obviously much more active b7 and the vulnerability of the than its counterpart on b7. This is dark squares on his kingside may very important in positions with become a telling factor. bishops of opposite colour partic ularly if White begins an attack 6.ti:'lbc3 �xd3+ against the enemy king on the dark squares, Gasanov - Cherny 6 ...d5. This is an interesting shov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2008.) 9. move, but still insufficient for t'Lla4!? Now, Black's bishop on b4 equality. 7.cxd5 exd5 8.e5 t'Llxd3+ will be permanently endangered. 57 Chapter 4 9 ...li:lg6 10.c5 i.c6 11.�c2 f5 12. his kingside pawns cramping the exf5 li:lh413.f 3 li:lxf5 14.a3 b5 15. enemy position even more. 9.f4 axb4 bxa4 16.d5 i.xd5 17.�xa4. li:lf6 10.d5 i.e7 1l.li:ld4�d7 12.i.d2 White maintains a slight edge, c5 13.li:lf3 a6 14.a4t Black's bish since his pawn-structure is better. ops are very passive and he must Later, in the game Kosulin - be permanently on the alert about Heesen, Email 2008, there fol White's threat e4-e5, Toth - Van lowed: 17 ...i.c6 18.�a5 a6 19.i.f4 Oosterom, Email 2009.) 9.d5. i.b5 20.�d1 0-0 21.�d2 d6 22. White restricts the enemy bishop li:lc3 e5 23.i.g5�e8 24.cxd6 li:lxd6 on b7 and frees the d4-square for 25.�d5+ 'i!lh8 26.�eU Black's his knight. 9 ...i.e7 (9... �d7 10. pawns on a6, c7 and e5 are excel li:ld4 ll.liJfe5 S g6 12.li:lh6t - Now, lent targets for the attack of Black cannot castle kingside and White's pieces. his monarch would be endan gered on the queenside, Pacheco After 7 ...g6, White can begin Asmat - Belli Pino, Peru 1997.) active actions on the kingside 10.li:ld4�d7 ll.a4 0-0 (after 11... with 8.h4 li:lf6. Black prevents h4- c5, Kramnik - Ivanchuk, Monaco h5. (It is worse for him to follow 2002, White can play simply 12. with 8 ...h6 9.h5 g5 10.f4t, be li:lf3!?;i;, preserving better pros cause the pawn on g5 is an excel pects thanks to his space advan lent target for White's attack, Pre tage) 12.a5. He begins active ac dojevic - Popchev, Zupanja 2009. tions on the queenside. 12 ...c5 13. The move 8 ...h5 weakens consid liJf3exd5 14.exd5 i.a615.�e1 �feB erably the g5-square: 9.i.g5 i.e7 16.h3 h6 17.i.f4t - It would be dif 10.�e3 d6 11.0-0-0 �d7 12.'i!lbU ficultfor Black to activate his light Gonda - Czebe, Balatonlelle squared bishop since it is restrict 2009.) 9.e5 liJhS 10.d5 d6, Smir ed by his own pawns on d5 and nov - Bocharov, Novosibirsk c4, Rodshtein - Czebe, Biel 2012. 2012, ll.i.gS!?t followed by 0-0-0. White's pieces are better devel 8.0-0 oped, but breaking Black's posi tion may prove to be a rather dif ficult task. It will not be easy for White to obtain an advantage afterthe sol id line for Black: 7 ...d6 8.0-0 li:lf6 (About 8 ...li:le7 9. d5 - see 7 ...li:le7; 8 ... i.e79. d5 li:lf6 10.li:ld4 - see 8 ... li:lf6. Following 8 ...g6, White can begin an immediate advance of 58 J.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.e4 �b7 4.�d3j55.e f s ...d6 9.d5 Wfd710.f 4 g6 It seems anti-positional for 10 ...l2lg6 1l. b3 �e7 12.�b2 �f6 Black to opt for 8 .. .f5 9.f3 g6 10. 13.l2lg3 e5 14.l2lce2 h5 15.l2lf5 h4 ,0,g5 h6 1l.�f6 Elg812 .d5± and his 16.h3 aS 17.�f3± Black's position kingside ends up horribly weak is cramped, while White's knight ened, Kachiani-Gersinska - Mu on f5 has occupied a very power se, Berlin 1999. ful position, Claridge - Bendig, It is also bad for him to con Email 2008. tinue with 8 ...d5, since the open ll.lbd4 i.g7 ing of the position is in favour of After ...11 0-0-0, in the game White because of his superior de Osbahr - Benedetto, Email 2003, velopment. 9.exd5 exd5 10.Ele1!? White began an immediate attack dxc4 1l.�xc4 �d7 12.�f4 0-0-0 against the enemy king. 12.a4 c5 13.�xf7± Ludgate - Gonzalez 13.dxc6 l2lxc6 14.�e3± Freixas, Email 2007. 12.i.e3 0-0-0 After8 ...l2lc6, Kaufman - Ma Black's monarch cannot be cak, Toronto 2011, the simplest safe on the kingside either. 12 ... for White would be to play 9. 0-0 13.f5 exf5 14.exf5 l2lxf5 15. �g3!?± and Black will have great l2lxf5 gxf5 16.Elxf5± S.Savchenko problems to bring his bishop on - Koenig, Bad Woerishofen 2003. f8 into the actions. 13.a4 exd5 14.exd5 a5 Following 8 ...g6, White can Black is trying to prevent the deprive immediately his oppo opening of files. nent of the two-bishop advantage. 15.lbcb5 �bS 16.Elabl 9.�h3 �g7 10.�h6 0-0 1l.�xg7 White is preparing the pawn lt>xg7, Kohlweyer - Gulko, Gene advance b2-b4. ve 1997 and here, he could obtain 16 .. .l:�he8 17.Wfd2 .ixd4 18. an edge restricting Black's bishop i.xd4 lbf5 19.b4 axb4 20. on b7 with the line: 12.d5! �a6 Wfxb4---+ Gerbich - Gaujens, Email 13.b3± 2011. Conclusion White obtains an advantage easily in the English Defence and this is not surprising because Black ignores one ofthe most important princi ples of playingin the opening and this is the fight forthe centre. He should comply with the fact that his position is inferior and be gin a tough defence, because the attempt to provoke tactical complica tions with the move 4 .. .f5 may lead immediately to a hopeless position for Black. Naturally, in this case White needs to know thoroughly nu merous forced theoretical variations. This chapter should be very help ful in this aspect. 59 Chapter S l.d4 e6 2.c4 .ih4+ the bishop on c8 may become "bad" and if Black tries to improve its position by rearranging his pawns on dark squares (with d7- d6 and e6-e5), then he might lose too much time while doing this. 3.�d2 This is the simplest move. White does not mind the trade of the bishops. Now, Black is faced with a This move is much more relia choice: A) 3 ...�e7, B) 3 ... a5, C) ble than 2 ...b6, which was ana 3 ...hd2 . lysed in the previouschapter. You can consider its strength having He plays only seldom 3 ...c5, in mind that it has been played because White can occupy imme several times by the present diately the centre with his pawns World Champion M. Carlsen, as 4.ix:b4cxb4 5.e4 well as by D. Andreikin, A. Gri schuk, V. Ivanchuk, N. Vitiugov as well as by many other grandmas ters. There arises on the board the Bogoljubow Defence "deferred" (without the inclusion of the moves tt:Jf3 - tt:Jf6). Black is trying to complete the development of his kingside pieces as quickly as possible and to castle. One of the 5 ...d5 6.tLld2 tt:Jc67.tt:J gf3 dxe4 drawbacks of the move 2 ...ib4 is 8.tt:Jxe4 tt:Jf6 9.Wd3 0-0 10.ie2 b6 the fact that in some variations 11.0-0± White's superior pawn- 60 l.d4 e6 2.c4 ib4+ 3.id2 structure (Black's doubled pawns Besides this move, he has on the b-file are a serious defect of many other possibilities. Still, in his position.) provides him with a all the variations White maintains stable edge and if he succeeds in a slight but stable advantage. advancing d4-d5 (afterthe prelimi narymove �ad1), then his advan 4 ...e5. This move has the draw tage may increase considerably. back that afterthe exchange on e5 5 ... tl'le7 6.tl'lf3 d5 7.tl'lbd2tl'lbc6 Black's queen comes to the centre 8.ie2 0-0 9.0-0 dxe4 10.tl'lxe4 of the board too early and White tl'lf5. Black's pressure against the gains tempi by attacking it. 5.dxe5 d4-pawn is not dangerous for .b:d2+ 6.\1;bd2 �xeS (Black's situ White, because he can continue ation is even worse following 6 ... with ll.d5! exd5 12.cxd5 tl'lce713. f6?! 7.tl'lc3 fxe5 8.tl'ld5 �d8 9.c5 d6 tl'lg6 14.ic4± and his far-ad c6 10.tl'le3 tl'lf6 ll.tl'lc4 0-0 12. vanced passed d-pawn is tremen tl'ld6±White's knight on d6 domi dously powerful, Leitao - Rodri nates over the board and he is guez Vila, Argentina 2005. threatening ic4 too, so Black's position is nearly hopeless, Kara sev - Kalinitschew, Novosibirsk A) 3 •••'l;Ye7 4.e4 1989) 7.tl'lc3 d6, Gadalinski - Cie Black has not played yet the jka, Sopot 1946, 8.tl'lf3± move tl'lf6, so White exploits this occupying immediately the cen 4 ... tl'lc6 5.tl'lf3 tl'lf6 (After the tre. strike in the centre 5 ...d5, Rowson - Kovacevic, Bled 1998, White should better react calmly: 6. id3!? dxc4 7.hc4 hd2+ 8. tl'lbxd2;!; - He is better developed and his pawns have occupied the centre.) 6.e5. White occupies ad ditional space. 6 ...tl'le4 7.a 3 tl'lxd2 8.tl'lbxd2ixd 2+ 9.'l;Yxd2 d6. Black begins the fight against his oppo nent's centre. (9 ...b6 10.id3 f6 ll.exf6 'l;Yxf6 12.ie4 ib7 13.0-0 tl'la5 14.hb7 tl'lxb7, Kahn - Sebe 4 . ..d5 styen, Hungary 2008, 15.�ac1 With this strike in the centre tl'ld6?! 16.c5±; 15 ... 0-0 16.�feU (Black exploits the juxtaposition White has a much freer game, of his queen and White's king on while Black has a serious problem the e-file.) Black creates counter with the "fianchettoed" knight on play. b7.) 10 . .id3 dxe5 ll.dxe5 a5 12. 61 Chapter S 0-0 a4 13 . .ic2 0-0 14J'Ue1fS 15. exf6 gxf6 16.�e4:t Black'skingside pawn-structure has been compro mised and he will have problems parrying his opponent's attacking threats, Burmakin - Ovetchkin, Russia 1998. 4 ...ltlf6 5 . .id3 .ixd2+ (5... d5 6.e5 ltle4, Andreev - Klimov, St Petersburg 2002, 7.he4 dxe4 8.�g4±) 6.�xd2 d6. Black accom tageous for White because his plishes the typical pawn set-up forces enter the actions easily. 7. for this variation - d6-e5, which cxdS exdS 8.ltlc3cx d4, Szeberenyi we will see still numerous more - Portisch, Hungary 2000. Here, times in this chapter. 7.ltlc3e5 8. he can transfer by force to a better ltlge2 ltlc6 9.ic2. White refrains endgame: 9.ltlxd5!? �xeS+ 10. from d4-d5, maintaining the ten �e2 �xe2+ ll.ltlxe2 ltla612. ltlxd4 sion in the centre in anticipation ltle7 13 . .ib5+ lt>f8 14.ltlc3:t and of the moment when Black will Black can hardly coordinate his capture on d4. 9 ...0-0 10.0-0 forces. ltlxd4 11.ltlxd4 exd4 12.�xd4 �e5, Epishin - Ivkov, Vancouver After 5 ...dxc4 6.hc4, there 2000, 13.�adU and thanks to the arises a position similar to the possession of extra space, White's Queen's Gambit Accepted l.d4 dS play is much easier both in the 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 ltlf6 4.e5 ltldS 5. middle game as well as in the end ic4, but contrary to that varia game. Black's position has no tion, Black's knight on g8 can weaknesses, but he has problems hardly take part in the fight for to organise counterplay, because the key d5-square. the only possible object for his at tack (White's pawn on e4) is reli ably protected. 5.e5 Now, Black will have difficul ties to develop his knight on g8. (diagram) 5 . . . tt:lc6 5 ....ix d2+ 6.�xd2 c5. Opening Following 6 ...hd2 + 7.�xd2 of the game in the centre is advan- .id7, Richardson - Eingorn, Graz 62 l.d4 e6 2.c4 .ib4+3 . .id2 1999, White can simply continue with the development of his piec es: S.tt::lc3!? .ic69. tt::lge2;!; 6 ...tt::l d7. This transfer of the knight to the b6-square seems to take too much time. 7.tt::lc3 tt::lb6 S . .ib3 .id79. �g4. Black can hard tv avoid compromising his king �ide pawn-structure. 9 .. .f5 10. VNg3 aS ll.a3 .ixc3 12.bxc3. Now, White's pawn on d4 is reliably protected. 12 ....ib5 13Jib1 tt::lc4 for White's knight looks rather 14 . .ic1 �d7 15.tt::le2 i>f7 16.tt::lf4 dubious 7 ...ixc3 ?! afterS.b xc3 b5 Cile7 17.h4 �c6 1S.0-0± - It would 9.a4 .ia6 10.axb5 ixb5, Ezat - be quite sufficientto compare the Amin, Tanta 2002. Black has an positions of the kings in order to extra pawn indeed, but his posi evaluate correctly the position, tion is very difficult, since he lags Gretarsson - Movsesian, Czech in development and his pawns on Republic 1999. a7, c7 and c4 are vulnerable. 6 ... tt::lc6, Koltanowski - Laz White can develop his initiative in ard, Paris 1929, 7.a3!? .ixd2+ S. many differentways , but possibly Wxd2 tt::lh6 9.tt::lc3 tt::lf5 10.tt::lf3 tt::lh4 the most energetic among them is 11.tt::lxh4 �xh4 12.:!'id1 0-0 13.g3 ll.tt::lg5± followed by �h5. \'Wh3 14.-ifl ! White transfers his bishop to g2, from where it will 6 ... tt::lh6 This attempt by Black exert pressure against Black's to exert pressure against the ene queenside. 14 ...�h5 15 . .ig2 :!'idS my d4-pawn does not work. 7.tt::lc3 16.�e3 .id7 17.0-0;!; - He has no tt::lf5 S.a3 .ixc3, Vescovi - Rodri counterplay at all, while White guez Vila, Sao Paulo 2006, 9. has a clear-cut plan for the im .ixc3;!; White has much more provement of his position: f2-f4 space and two powerful bishops, followed by d4-d5 or tt::le4-c5. while his d4-pawn is reliably pro tected. (diagram) 7.�xd2 dxc4 8.tl:�c3 �a5 6 . ..hd2 + Black lags so much in develop ment that his attempt to hold on After ... 6 dxc4, it seems very to his c4-pawn looks very risky. good for White to play 7.tt::lc3!?, after which Black cannot simplify Meanwhile, the move S ...tt::l h6 the position by exchanging the is not any better either. 9 . .ixc4 bishops. The trade of his bishop 0-0 IO.a3 :!'idS 11.:!'idl b6 12.�f4 63 ChapterS �b7 13.0-0 lt:la5 14.�a2± I.Soko- ter 4 ...d5? Black's queen on dB lov - Fernandez Romero, Lan- joins immediately in the fightfor zarote 2003. Black's knights, iso- the d4 and d5-squares. lated at the edge of the board, are a sorry sight. Later, White ad vanced d4-d5 and scored a quick victory. 4 ...d6 Black is deploying his pawns on d6 and e5. 9.d5 Following 4 ... lt:lc6, the sim This is the beginning of a deci plest reaction for White is 5.e3!? sive offensive in the centre. 9 ... and after5 ...lt:lf6 6.�d3 d6 7.lt:lge2 b6 10.d6 cxd6 ll.exd6 Yfd8 e5 8.0-0 0-0, there arises trans 12.lt:lb5'i!.>f8 13. tbc7gbs 14.gdl position to the variation with 4 ... �f6, Solari - Yui Pineda, Email d6. 2007, 15.�e5! �d7 16. �xc4 �xc4 17.hc4± White has re 4 ... b6. This move seems very gained the sacrificed pawn and passive, because White advances thanks to his powerful passed e2-e4 and Black has no resources pawn on d6 and the fact that to organise counterplay against Black's king has been deprived of the pawn on e4. 5.e4 �b7 6.Yfc2!? its castling rights, White's advan (This move is more reliable than tage is doubtless. 6.�d3 f5 7.d5 fxe4 8.he4 lt:lf6? and White's centre crumbles, Timoscenko - Graf, Tashkent B) 3 ...a5 1987.) 6 ...lt:lf6 7.�d3 d6 8.lt:lf3. Now, contrary to variation A, Now and later, after White plays Black protects his bishop with the lt:lf3, there arises by transposition pawn and not with the queen. the Bogoljubow Defence. Still, 4.�c3 this should not worry the readers, Here, it does not seem so good since White has managed to avoid for White to play 4.e4, because af- the main variations of this open- 64 l.d4 e6 2.c4 ib4+ 3.i..d2 ing. 8 ...tt::l bd7 9.a3. Now, White on d4 and cannot go to the g5- will have the two-bishop advan square if necessary. 6 ...tt'le7 (6 ... tage in the fo rthcoming middle tt'lf6 7.ig5 h6 8.i.h4 0-0 9.e3 c6 game. 9 ....b:c3 10 ..bc3 c5 (It 10.tt'lf3tt::l bd7 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.c4;!; seems rather awkward for Black White has two powerful bishops, to transfer his queen to a8, as it Milov - Landenbergue, Neuchat was tried in the game Mecking - el 1995) 7.cxd5 exd5 8.e3 b6 9. Suba, Bazna 2007: lO .. JEa7 11. tt'lf3 0-0 10.c4 i.a6 11.'1Wc2 c5 12. 0-0 '\WaS 12.tt'ld2c5 13.d5± - His dxc5 bxc5, Ki.Georgiev - Istra pressure on the long diagonal has tescu, Porto Carras 2011, 13.gdl!? been neutralised and Black's rook tt::ld7 14.icl i.b7 15.ie2;!; and in on a7 is a sorry sight.) 11.d5 e5 this open position White's bish 12.g3 tt'lg8 13.tt'lh4 tt'le7 14.0-0-0;!; ops may be rather unpleasant for Sarrau - Dgebuadze, Lommel Black. Meanwhile, he must be on 2012. the alert about the protection of his pawnson d5 and c5. If Black tries to follow schemes resembling the Dutch Defence, After ...4 tt'lf 6, White can again White can counter that with a try to advance 5.e4. breakthrough in the centre. 4 ...f 5 5.e4!? .bc3 (after5 ...fxe4 6.tt'lxe4 tt'lf6, Certic - Mihic, Belgrade 2003, White obtains good attack ing prospects after 7.tt'lc3!? 0-0 8.tt'lf3 hc3 9 ..bc3 tt'le4 10.id3 tt::lxc3 11.bxc3 b6 12.'1Wc2 g6 13.h4--+ followed by h4-h5) 6.ixc3 fxe4 7.'\Wg4 tt'lf6 8.'\Wxg7 ggs 9.'\WhM Black's entire kingside has been weakened as well as his dark Black cannot win a pawn, since squares, Werle - De Jong, Leeu following 5 ....b:c3 6.ixc3 tt::lxe4, warden 2009. White will play 7.'\Wg4d5 (7 ...tt::l xc3 8.'\Wxg7 @e7 9.bxc3;!; and in the 4 ...d5. This move leads to in middle game Black's unsafe king teresting developments advan is much more important than tageous for White. 5.a3 ixc3 6. White's doubled pawns, I.Sokolov bxc3. He should not be afraid of - Gofshtein, Villarrobledo 2007) the doubling of his pawns, since 8.'\Wxg7 '\Wf6 9.'\Wxf6 tt::lxf6, L'Ami he can always exchange on d5. Meshcheriakova, Benidorm 2010, Capturing with the bishop is 10.gcu White has a superior weaker, because on the c3-square pawn-structure and the two-bish it will be restricted by the pawn op advantage. 65 Chapter S Following 5 ...d6, White is not vancing e2-e4 and covers reliably obliged to wait for e6-e5, but can the d4-square. Now, Black will play 6.e5 himself, for example: have problems creating counter 6 ... dxe5 7.dxe5 .bc3 (7 ... lt:Jfd7 8. play. '\Wg4g6 9.lt:Jf3t and he has a space advantage, while Black's kingside has been weakened, Ippolito - Ibragimov, Ledyard 2008) 8.hc3 '\Wxd1 + 9J'%xd1 lt:Je4 10 . .td4 lt:Jc6 (10 ...lt:la6 11.f3 lt:JecS 12.lt:le2 .td7 13.lt:lc3t Narciso Dublan - Schla win, Dresden 2007) 11 . .td3 lt:Jxd4 12.he4 lt:JfS 13.lt:Jf3t and Black will have to fight long and hard for a draw in this endgame, be cause his bishop on c8 is very pas sive in comparison to its counter 5 ...e5 part on e4, Sarkar - lzoria, Chi cago 2006. About 5 ...lt:Jf6 6 . .td3eS 7.lt:Jge2 5 ...d5. This is Black's best -see 5 ...e5. move in this position. 6.e5 lt:Je4 (6 ...hc 3?! 7.bxc3 lt:Je4 8 . .te3!± - Following 5 .. .f5, White main His knight is endangered, because tains an edge accomplishing a set White is threatening 9.f3 lt:JgS 10. up which we will encounter nu h4, Barsov - Murey, Dieren merous times in the next part of 2000.) 7.cxd5!? This is the only our book, devoted to the Dutch way for White to fight for the Defence: .td3, '1Wc2, lt:Jge2, f3 fol opening advantage (Black has no lowed by e3-e4. 6.id3 lt:lf6 7.'\Wc2 problems after 7.lt:Jxe4 dxe4 8.a3 0-0 8.lt:Jge2 lt:Jc6 9.a3 .txc3 10. hd2+ 9.'\Wxd2 cS 10.lt:le2lt:Jc6 11. hc3 lt:Je7 (Black's alternatives �d1 a4 12.lt:Jc3 cxd4 13.lt:Jxe4 lt:Jxe5 would not change the evaluation 14.'\Wxd4 '\Wxd4 15.�xd4 lt:Jc6= - of the position: 10 ....td7, Ikon the position has been considera nikov - De Jong, Vlissingen 2011, bly simplified.). 7 ...lt:Jxd2 8.'\Wxd2 11.0-0 a4 12.�adU; 10 ...a4 11. exdS 9.a3 hc3 10.�xc3 0-0 11. 0-0 �e8 12.�ad1 lt:Je7, Shabtai - �c1 lt:Jc6 12.lt:Jf3.tfs 13 . .te2 a4 14. Soffer, Tel Aviv 1990, 13.f3t; 10 ... 0-0t - The pressure on the semi �e7, Poplavsky - Galakhov, open c-file provides White with a Odessa 2000, 11.0-0!? a4 12. slight but stable advantage. �adU) 11.f3a4 12.0-0t and White has the two-bishop advantage 5.e3!? and more space, while Black can White gives up the idea of ad- hardly find good squares for his 66 l.d4 e6 2.c4 �b4+ 3.�d2 knights, Wilder - Eingorn, Dort Black's position is even worse mund 1988. if he retreats his knight to its initial position: ll ...ttlb8 12.ttlg3 6.id3 �f6 c6 13.dxc6 bxc6 14.ttle4 ttlxe4 15. ixe4± and in comparison to the About 6 ...�c6 7.a3!? ix:c3 8. main line, Black's knight's posi Axc3 ttlf6 9.�e2 0-0 10.0-0 - tion is worse than on the g6- see 6 . ..ttlf 6. square, Arencibia Rodriguez - Gulko, Merida 2002. 7 ... ttlc68.0-0 0-0 - see 7 ...0-0. 8.0-0 12.�g3 �g6 13.ic2 c6 14. dxc6 bxc6 15.�e4 �xe4 16. ixe4;!; The position is opened and White's bishop-pair is tre mendously powerful, Chernin - Bosman, Ohrid 2009. 8 ...�e8 9.a3 .ixc3 10.. bc3 ttlc6 11.d5 - see 8 ...ttlc6. C) 3 ••. ixd2+ Black's position is rather pas This is the most reliable move sive after8 ...exd4 9.exd4 h6 10.a3 for Black. He does not waste time .bc3 ll.ttlxc3 ttlc6, Feller - Ed to protect his bishop and is trying ouard, Nimes 2009, 12.tt:\b5!?;!; - to develop quickly his pieces. he will have to defend long and hard an inferior position without 4.'1Wxd2 chances of creating active coun (diagram) terplay. 4 ...�f6 9.a3 ixc3 10.ixc3 ges 11. About 4 ...b6 5.e4 - see Chap d5 �e7 ter 4. 67 Chapter S 9.0-0 �a6 10.cxd5 ixe2 1l.'Wxe2 exdS 12.l'!acU with a rather un pleasant pressure for White on the c-file. Later, the weakening of Black's position after the move b7-b6 may become a telling fac tor. The move 4 .. .f5 will be ana lysed in the part devoted to the Dutch Defence. It is bad for Black to develop his knight to the edge of the board 4 ...lt.\h6. Later, in the game Komljenovic - Carlier, Benidorm 1992, there followed S.g3 0-0 6.�g2 d6 7.lt:lf3 lt:ld7 8.0-0 eS 9.lt:lc3 c6 lO.l'!adU and 5 ...d5 the knight on h6 is obviously Afterthis move, there arise po placed worse than on its usual po sitions more typical for the sition - on f6. Queen's Gambit and Black will have to work hard in order to Following 4 ...d6 S.lt:lc3 lt.\e7 solve the problem with his "bad" (S ... lt:lf6 6.e4, or S ...'We7 6.e4 lt:lf6 bishop on c8. 7.f4, or 5 ... lt.\d7 6.e4 eS 7.lt:lf3 lt:lgf6 8.l'!d1 - see 4 ...lt:lf 6) 6.g3 lt:ld7 Black has also tried in practice 7.�g2 l'!b8 8.lt:lf3 a6 9.0-0;:!:; and 5 ...d6 6.e4 lt:lbd7 (6 ...0-0 - see White's game is much freer, Os 5 ...0-0; 6 ...'r!ie7, Botvinnik - nos - Gurgenidze, Kutansi 1978. Budo, Leningrad 1932, 7.f4;:!:; and the threat e4-e5 is very unpleas The move 4 ... d5, after S.lt:lc3 ant for Black) 7.lt:lf3 eS, Gruenen lt:lf66.lt:lf 3, transposes to the line wald - Schauwecker, Switzerland with 4 ...lt:lf 6. Black's attempt to 1994, 8.l'!d1!? (it is also good for steer the game into original posi White to play here 8.�d3!?;:!:;) 8 ... tions with s ...tt::l c6 6.e3 lt.\ge7 7. exd4 9.lt:lxd4 0-0 10.�e2 lt:lcS lt:lf3 0-0 8.�e2 b6, did not solve ll.f3 aS 12.0-0;:!:; White has pro the problems for him in the game tected reliably his e4-pawn and Shishkin - Malaniuk, Lazy 2009. his prospects in the forthcoming 68 l.d4 e6 2.c4 :ib4+3. :id2 :ixd2+ 4. Vffxd2 ltJf6 5.ltJc3 middle game are preferable 13.ltJa4 Vffe7 14.V9e3:t White has thanks to his space advantage. managed to oust the enemy queen from its active position and has 5 ... 0-0 6.ltJf3 covered the d4-square against possible penetration. Later, he can develop his initiative with the help of the manoeuvres ltJa4-c5, or ltJa4-c3-d5. About 6 ...d5 7.V9f4 - see 5 ...d5. Black's position is rather cramped after 6 ...V9e7 7.e4:t, as well as following 6 ...b6 7.e4 :ib7 8.:id3:t Drozdova - Chernova, Kazan 2003. After 6 ...d6, White can enter a slightly better endgame with 7.e4 e5 (7 ...ltJc6 8J:'ld1 - see 6 ...ltJc6) 6 ...0-0 8.dxe5 dxeS, Van der Stricht - Van den Doel, Belgium 2012, 9. Black's possibilities are some �xd8 l'!xd8 10.ltJxe5 l'!e8 ll.f4 what reduced after the move 6 ... lf'lxe4 12.ltJxe4 f6 13.g4! fxeS 14. c6, because later, the pawn-ad f5:t White's knight is very power vance c6-c5 will be connected ful in the centre of the board, with a loss of a tempo. 7.e3 ltJbd7 while Black's bishop on c8 is re 8.:id3 dxc4 9.:ixc4 V9e7 10.e4 eS, stricted by his pawn on fS . It is Andreikin - Stupak, Chatawa worth remembering that his pawn 2010, 11.0-0!? 0-0 (White should on eS is isolated and its weakness not be afraid of ll ...bS 12.:ib3 might become a telling factor lat b4?! 13.ltJe2 ltJxe4 14.Vfic2± - he er. will regain his pawn, while Black's 6 . ..ltJc6. Now, it is difficult for queenside has been seriously White to maintain an edge. 7.e4 weakened.) 12.l'!fe1 exd4 13.V9xd4:t d6 8.l'!d1 V9e7 9.:ie2 eS 10.dxe5 followed by e4-e5. White's pawn dxeS. He should play here 11.h3!?, majority in the centre and on the preventing :ig4 (White would not kingside is much more important achieve much with ll.ltJdS,due to than Black's pawn-majority on ll...Vfid8=) ll ...Vff cS 12.0-0 :ie6 the other side of the board. 69 ChapterS 7.�f4!? bS 14.ie2 ib7, Miljkovic - Kosic, This is a modern idea, which Sarajevo 2013. Black's bishop on has been tested in games played b7 is misplaced and White only in the years 2012-2013. White is needs to prevent c6-cS. The sim in a hurry to deploy his queen to plest way for him to do that is an active position. 1S.lt'ld2!? �e7 16.ttlce4;!;, followed by ttlcS. 8.e3 a6 8 ...Eid8 9.Eic1 dxc4 10.ixc4 cS ll.dxcS ttlc6 12.0-0 �xeS, Krysa - Pineiro, Buenos Aires, 13.EifdU White's rooks have occupied the key filesfor similar positions - c and d, while Black has not solved yet the problem with his bishop on eS. 7••• �e7 About 7 ...lt'lbd7 8.e3 a6 9.Eid1 - see 7 ...a6. Following 7 ... cS, Akshat - Swayams, Bhopal 2013, the sim plest reaction for White would be 8.dxcS!? and after 8 .. .'�aS 9.Eic1 �xeS 10.e3 lt'lc6 ll.cxdS lt'lxdS12. �c4 �xc4 13.hc4 lt'lxc3 14.Eixc3 id7 1S.It>e2;!;there arises an end game which is in his favour. Or 7 ...a6 8.e3 lt'lbd7 9.Eid1 c6 This position was reached in (9 ...cS lO.cxdS exdS ll.id3 c4, Vi the game Mamedyarov - Vitiu tiugov - Rakhmanov, Khanty gov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2013. Here, Mansiysk 2013 and here, after after ll.cxd5!? exd5 White 12.ic2;t;there arises a quite famil could have obtained a very fa iar type of position in which vourable version of the Queen's Black's possible queenside coun Gambit, because in positions with terplay would not compensate his Carlsbad pawn-structure, the c6- weakness on dS.) 10.id3 dxc4 square is not the best for Black's 1l.ixc4 lt'ldS 12.�e4 ttl7f6 13.�c2 knight and his attempt to ad- 70 J.d4 e6 2.c4 §ib4+3. §id2 .ixd2+ 4.1M!xd2 ttJf6 5. ttJc3 vance c7-c5 would lead to the ap 15.gdl ttlxc5 16.J.c2 J.e6 17. pearance of an isolated pawn in 0-0;!; Black will have to defend his position. For example: 12.h3 long and hard a typical position ttJa5 13 . .id3 c5 14.dxc5 ttJb3 with an isolated queen's pawn. Conclusion Among all the lines, we have analysed in the first part of the book, L.e6,2 ...1ib4 is the most reliable system of development for Black. It is not easy for White to obtain an advantage, because Black does not have any noticeable weaknesses in his camp. Still, White has better prospects, because if Black advances d7-d5, then he will have problems with his bishop on c8 (since most of his pawns are on the same colour as the bishop). Black's plan, connected with the pawn-advance e6-e5, leads to a great lag in development for him. We have to remember that White should not be in a hurry to push d4-d5, but should maintain the ten sion in the centre, waiting for the exchange on d4. He must be also on the alert about Black's possible counterplay on the semi-open e-file. 71 Part 2 The Dutch Defence l.d4 f5 or l.d4 e6 2.c4 f5 Dutch set-ups l.d4 e6 2.c4 ib4+ 3.id2 hd2 4.�xd2 f5 l.d4 g6 2.c4 f5 l.d4 c5 2.d5 f5 l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c!Llc3f5 l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c!Llc3 c6 4.e3 f5 As a main weapon fo r White In Chapter 7, we analyse against the classical Dutch De Black's attempts to play the Dutch fence (l.d4 fS) I have chosen the Defence via the move order l.d4 most practical move 2.l2Jc3, e6 2.c4 fS , as well as the variation l.d4 e6 2.c4 .ib4 3 . .id2 .id2 4. �d2 fS . Chapters 8-9 will be devoted to Dutch set-ups reached via some other openings. In Chapter 8 we will analyse the rather dubious lines: l.d4 g6 2.c4 fS and l.dS cS 2.d5 fS . In Chapter 9, we will deal with the variations l.d4 dS 2.c4 e6 3.t"Llc3 c6 4.t"Llf3 fS and l.d4 dS 2. c4 e6 3.t"Llc3 fS . White maintains the advan which, contrary to the systems tage in the Dutch Defence, but connected with the fianchetto of there arise very complicated posi White's light-squared bishop, re tions, since there remain many duces Black's possibilities consid pieces on the board in the major erably. In this way, studying of ity of the variations. This book the opening for White is facilitat will help you to understand and ed. We deal with this in our Chap learn the intricacies of this open ter 6. ing. 72 Chapter 6 l.d4 f5 even the present World Champi on M. Carlsen has tried it several times. The main strategical idea of this defence is to prevent White from occupying the centre. The same idea is typical for the Sicil ian Defence as well. Why then the Sicilian Defence is one of the most popular openings nowa days, while the Dutch Defence is After this move there arises not? The answer to this question the Dutch Defence on the board. is quite obvious. The move l...f7- This opening has long history. It f5 weakens Black's king consider was named like this afterthe the ably. oretical analysis of the Dutch 2.ll::lc3 player E. Stein back in the year 1789. It was played regularly in the tournament practice during the first half of the 19th century. At the beginning of the 2oth cen tury M. Botvinnik made a great contribution to the development of the theory of this opening. Among the contemporary grand masters, we have to mention M. Gurevich and V. Malaniuk as its ardent adherents. At the very top level this opening is only seldom This is not the most popular encountered, but H. Nakamura move for White, but it is the most plays like this sometimes and practical. Indeed, after 2.c4, fol- 73 Chapter 6 lowed by 3.g3, Black has at his 2 ...c5. The combination of the disposal three approximately moves f5 and c5 seems a bit equally strong systems of devel strange. 3.dxc5 l2Jf64. �g5 e6 5.e4 opment. They are the Leningrad h6, Wells - Slavin, England 2012, Variation, the Ilyin-Zhenevsky's 6.�e3!? fxe4 7.l2Jge2 �e7 8.l2Jf4 System and the Stonewall System. 0-0 9.tLlg6 llf7 10.l2Jxe7+ 'fffxe7 With the move 2.ltk3, White 11.tLlb5 l2Jc6 12.tLld6±and White's reduces considerably Black's pos knight on d6 paralyses Black's po sibilities. The only drawback of sition completely. this move is that White places his knight in front of his pawn, but as Black's situation is only slight a rule, later he succeeds in ad ly better after 2 ...d6 3.e4, for ex vancing c2-c4, removing his ample 3 ...l2Jf6 (3 .. .fxe4 4.l2Jxe4 knight to b5 or to e2. His second l2Jf65.l2Jx f6+ exf6 6.�d3 l2Jc6 7.c3 possible plan includes the idea to Wffe7+ 8.l2Je2 �d7 9.0-0 0-0-0 prepare e2-e4. In this case White's 10.b4± Callas - Iwanesko, Caen pawn is even better placed on c2, 2011, followed by a2-a4-a5, b4- since it protects reliably his king b5.) 4.exf5 hf5 5.�d3 'fffd7 6.l2Jf3 afterhe castles queenside. l2Jc6 7.0-0 e5, Feoktistov - About the strength of the move Buecker, playchess.com 2006, 8. 2.tLlc3 you can judge by the fact �b5!± and the pin of the knight is that it has been played by B. Gel very unpleasant for Black. fand, A. Grischuk, G. Kasparov, R. Ponomariov, I. Sokolov and many 2 ...e6 3.e4 fxe4 (3 ...�b4 4.exf5 other grandmasters. exf5 5.�d3 d6 6.'fffh5+ g6 7.'ffff3 l2Jf68.l2Jg e2 d5 9.�g5 c6, Dmitren Following 2.tLlc3, Black has ko - S.Ivanova, Serpukhov 2004, three basic alternatives: A) 2 ... 10.'fffe3+!? �f7 11.0-0 :!'le8 12. g6, B) 2 ...d5 and C) 2 ..)!:Jf 6. 'fffh3 t2Jbd7 13.llael± Black's king is very weak, moreover that he If he tries something else, has not completed the develop White advances e2-e4 and ob ment of his pieces.) 4.l2Jxe4 l2Jf6 tains a great advantage. For ex 5.l2Jxf6+ 'fffxf6 6.l2Jf3 l2Jc6 (It is ample: 2 ...c6 3.e4 fxe4 4.l2Jxe4 worse for Black to play 6 ...�e7? !, l2Jf65.l2Jx f6 + exf6 6.�d3 g6, Huss because after 7.�g5 'ffff5 8.he7 - Kulaksizoglu, Bern 1998, 7.l2Jf3 �xe7 9.�d3± he loses his castling �g7 8.0-0 0-0 9.h4 d5 10.h5± rights, Korchnoi - Midjord, Sie and Black has great difficulties gen 1970.) 7.�g5 'ffff7 8.�d3 �e7, with the protection of the g6- Annageldyev - Afifi,Manila 1992, square, while if he plays f6-f5, 9.he7 l2Jxe710.0-0 Wh5 ll.:!'leU then the all-important e5-square Black lags in development and is completely in White's hands. White's king will be much more 74 l.d4 .f52. 4Jc3 reliably protected in the forth Following the exchange-sacri coming middle game covered by fice 4 ...4Jxh5 5J'1xh5!, Black's po three pawns, while Black's king sition is on the verge of collaps will be covered by only two pawns ing. 5 ...gxh5 6.e4 �g7 (6 ...d6 7. after castling kingside. �xh5+ lt>d78. �xf5+ e6 9.�h3 c6, Koelsch - Rulofs, Kiel 2003, 10. 4Jf3 lt>c7 ll.�e3± White has a pawn for the exchange, while A) 2 ...g6 Black lags in development and he This is not the best move for can hardly ensure a safe haven for Black, since it enables White to his king.) 7.�xh5+ lt>f8 8.�xf5+ begin an immediate offensive on lt>g8 9.4Jf3± White has over the kingside. whelming positional compensa 3.h4! tion for his minimal material defi cit, Weiss - Wojdyla, Germany 2008. The refusal to accept the sacri fice is not preferable for Black ei ther: 4 .. J''lg8 5.hxg6 hxg6 6.�g5 d5 7.e3 4Jc6 8.�b5 tt:Je4 9.4Jxe4 fxe4 10.�d2 �f5, Zakaria - Zhang, Kuala Lumpur 2007 and here ll.c4! �d7 12.Elcl± Black has suc ceeded in protecting reliably his kingside, but parrying the oppo nent's threats on the other side of Now, Black will hardly man the board may prove to be a very age to parry the threat h4-h5. difficulttask for him. 4 ...�g7 5.hxg6 hxg6 6.Elxh8+ 3 ....ig7 �xh8 7.�d2 �g7 8.�g5 \t>f79.4Jf 3 tt:Jh7 10.�h4 lt>g8 ll.e4+- fol After 3 ...4Jf 6, White has the lowed by �c4, �h6, 0-0-0 and energetic possibility - 4.h5! Elhl, Pribyl - Minich, Trnava 1990. The material is equal in deed, but White'sattack is victori ous. 4.h5 tl::lc6 After4 ...c5 5.d5 d6, Eliet - Mi ralles, Belfort 2004, White could have exploited the vulnerability of 75 Chapter 6 the e6-square in the enemy camp. would be obviously much strong In order to do that, he should er than Black's cavalry, moreover transfer one of his knights to the that his pawns on fS and e7 would gS-square and the other knight to be very weak. f4 , for example: 6.e4!? fxe4 7. ti:lxe4 ti:lf6 8.h6 .if89. ti:lg5ti:la6 10. ti:le2!± (followed by ti:lf4) and the B) 2 ...d5 penetration of White's knight to With this move Black prevents e6 is unavoidable. radically the pawn-advance e2- e4. Still, his last move has an ob 5.lilf3d6 vious drawback - the weakening of the eS-square, which is exploit AfterS ... dS, there appears an ed by White immediately. other weakness in Black's camp 3 . .if4 the eS-square. 6 . .if4 a6 7.e3 ti:lh6, Debarnot - Larsen, Las Palmas 1976 and here, it seems very good for White to transfer his queen to the h2-b8 diagonal. 8.ti:lg5! e6 9. \Wf3 .id7 10.\Wg3± 6.e4 fxe4 7.lt:lxe4 .if5 8. lt:lg3\Wd7 3 ... lt:lf6 Black can hardly continue the game without this natural devel oping move. About 3 ...e6 4.e3 ti:lf6 S.ti:lbS see variation Bl. About 3 ...a6 4.e3 ti:lf6 S . .id3 - This position was reached in see variation B2. the game Fuente - Cenal Gutier rez, Spain 1997. Here, White had In the game Zeller - Movszis simply to obtain the two-bishop zian, Dudweiler 1996, Black advantage with: 9.lt:lxf5 gxf5 played a bit too originally. 3 ....ie6 10.d5 lt:ld8 ll.h6 .if6 12.lt:lg5 4.e3 tt'lf6 S.tt'lf3 g6 6.tt'lb5! You .ixg5 13 . .ixg5± and his bishops have to pay special attention to 76 l.d4 f52. tt:\c3 d53. §;f4 lLlf6 4.e3 this move for White. He opens - The misplacement of Black's with tempo the way forward of his bishop on e6 becomes a telling c2-pawn. You will encounter this factor, Stefanova - Cmilyte, Bei resource numerous more times. jing 2011. 6 . . . lLla6 7.c4 c6 8.cxd5 ttJxdS 9. It seems more reliable for him .�.eS ggs 10.lLlc3±Bla ck has many to choose 4 ...lLld7 S. fi.d3 e6 6.lLlf3 weaknesses in his position and fi.e7 7.0-0 lLlgf6 8.h3 - see varia his pieces are not well deployed. tion B3b2. Following 3 ...c6 4.e3, 4.e3 Black played in the majority of the games the move 4 ... lLlf6 and afterS.lLlf 3 there arose transposi Now, Black has a choice be tion to variation B3. tween three basic lines: Bl) 4 ... Black's attempt to postpone e6, B2) 4 ...a6, B3) 4 ...c6. the development of his king's knight would not end well for It is too dubious for him to him. For example: 4 .. .'�b6 s.gbl choose 4 ... g6 S.h4 fi.g7 6.h5, for llid76.lLlf 3 g6, Rojo Huerta - Gar example: 6 ...ttJxh5 7.gxh5 gxhS cia Ilundain, Ponferrada 1997, 7 . 8.'Wxh5+ Wf8 9.lLlf3 c6 lO.lLlgS . &>e2!? fi.g7 8.0-0± and White has 'WeB ll.lLlxh7+ gxh7 12.'Wxh7+ a clear-cut plan for his fu rther ac Sautto - Welz, Arco 2010. tions. This is the preparation of the pawn-advance c2-c4 after About 4 ...i.e6 S.lLlf 3 g6 (S... c6 llia4. Meanwhile, Black must be 6.fi.d3 - see 4 ...c6) 6.lLlb5 - see constantly on the alert about the 3 ...fi.e6. possibility lLlg5-e6. or 4 ...g6 S.h4!? The threat h4- h5 is very unpleasant for Black. Bl) 4 ...e6 5.tiJb5 tt:\a6 5 . . . ie6 (S ...lLlf6 6.h5 gxhS 7.i.e2± It is well known that the edge Zdebskaja - Dybtseva, Evpatoria of the board is not the best place 2001) 6.h5 fi.g77.tt:\f 3 lLld78. lLlg5± for the knights in chess. 77 Chapter 6 The alternatives for Black 2010) 8 ...hc3 + 9.bxc3± - White present White with the two-bish- has two powerful bishops and ex op advantage. 5 ...�d6 6.lt:lxd6+ cellent prospects on the dark cxd6 7.lt:lf3 lt:lc6(7 ... lt:le4 8.h3 lt:lc6 squares. 9.c3 0-0 10.�e2 aS 11.0-0 a4 12. �c1 lt:le713.lt:ld2 b6 14.lt:lxe4 fxe4, Black's position is very diffi Bellatalla - Tudor, Email 2006, cult after 6 ...dxc4 7.hc4 lt:ld5 8. White should try to open the lt:le2c6 9.lt:lbc3 lt:lac7 10.�e5± - he game with his two powerful is behind in development and his bishops: 15.c4±) 8.�e2 0-0 9.0-0 pawn-structure has been compro a6, Milov - Kindermann, Biel mised, Wu Wenjin - Zhao Xue, 1995 (The character of the fight Suzhou 2001. remains more or less the same after 9 .. .'�'e7 10.c4 �d7 11.�cU It seems more reliable for Nyzhnyk - Danilenko, Odessa Black to play 6 ...�e7 7.lt:lf3 0-0 2007.) 10.�c1 Wie7 ll.c4± - The 8.a3 lt:le4 9.�c1 c6 10.lt:lc3± There position is opened and White's often arise similar positions after two bishops will be soon powerful l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.lt:lc3 f5 and we force. will analyse them thoroughly in Chapter 9. 6.c4 6 ... c6 7 ...i.e7 Following 6 ...�b4 + 7.lt:lc3 c5, White should continue with 8. About 7 ...lt:lb8 8.lt:lf3 - see a3!? (after 8.lt:lf3 lt:le4 9.�c1 Wia5 Chapter 9, variation Al. 10.Wib3, Black can obtain a very good position with the energetic Black weakens his dark squares line: 10 ...b5 !? ll.cxb5 c4 12.Wic2 with 7 ...�d6 8.hd6 Wixd6 9.lt:lf3 lt:lc7?. Rozum- Bulanov, Peterhof 0-0 10.c5 Vffc7 11.ha6 bxa6 78 l.d4 j52. tt:lc3 d5 3.�f4 tt:lf6 4.e3 12.tt:Je2± - his bishop is "bad" and Black defends reliably against his queenside pawn-structure has the threat tt:lbS, but later this been compromised, Hillarp Pers move may turn out to be a loss of son - Tozer, Copenhagen 2000. time. 5.J.d3 8.tl:lf30-0 9.a3 White is in a hurry to complete the development of his kingside and to castle there. Later, he will begin the preparation of the pawn-advance c2-c4 (after tt:lc3- e2). 5 •.. e6 About S ...cS 6.dxc5 e6 7.tt:lf3 - see S.�d3. 6.�f3 c5 White does not let the enemy If Black decides not to advance knight to the b4-square and in c7-c5, his situation would not be case of the exchange on c4 pre easy at all. 6 ...�d6 7.tt:le2 0-0 8. vents the pawn-march b7-b5-b4. c4 b6 9J'kl tt:le4lO.f;Y b3 l!th811. 9 ... tt:lc7 10.J.e2 �ce8 11.0-0 0-0± White has obtained a stable �d7 12.f;Yb3 b6 - Black's c6- advantage, Komarov - Panbuk pawn is very weak, Berg - Boe Ol chian, Varna 2010. sen, Nyborg 2001, and White could have emphasized this with 7.dxc5 .ixc5 8.0-0 the move 13.�e5± B2) 4 ••• a6 8 ... 0-0 Black can hardly continue the 79 Chapter 6 game without castling. Black's pawn had been on f7 and not on fS , then the position would 8 ...4Jc6 9.4Je2 be evaluated as equal. Here, the vulnerability of the a2-g8 diago nal makes his defence very diffi cult. About 9 ... 0-0 10.c4 or 9 ... Wle7 10.4Jed4 0-0 ll.c4 - see 8 ...0-0. Following 9 ... !d6, Alonso Ro sell - Llanes Hurtado, Spain 2012, White can follow with the thematic pawn-advance c2-c4 withoutbeing afraid of e6-e5. 10. c4!? eS ll.cxdS ttJxdS (Black's at 10 ...d4 11.exd4 tt:lxd4 12.tt:lexd4 tempt to gobble material may lead hd4 13.Wle2;t; - The weakness to a very quick demise for him af of Black's e6-pawn guarantees ter ll ...exf4 12.dxc6 fxe3 13.Wlb3 White's advantage. Later, in the bxc6 14.4Jed4± exf2+? 15J�xf2+ game Svetushkin - Zygouris, Ni and White has a crushing attack kea 2011, Black played carelessly against the enemy king stranded 13 ...hb 2?! 14.:8:ad1 ttlhS 15 . .ie3 in the centre) 12.!g5 ie7 13.he7 Wlf6 16 . .ig5 Wlc3 and here, White Wlxe7 14.e4 4Jdb4 15 . .ib1 0-0 16. could have exploited the unfa a3 :1'!:d8 17.Wlc1 fxe4 18 . .ixe4;t; vourable position of Black's bish White has a slight edge thanks to op on b2 with the line: 17.:8:b1! the weakness of the isolated ene !a3 18.:8:b3 WlaS 19.!d2 Wla4 20. my eS-pawn. ttlgS ttlf6 21.tt:lxe6 :8:e8 22.hf5± White has an extra pawn and 9.ttle2ttlc6 much more actively deployed pieces. About 9 ...Wle7 10.c4 l!Jc6 11. tt:Jed4 - see 9 ...ttlc6. It also seems good for Black to choose here 10 ... ttlb4 11.a3 4Jxd3 10.c4 12.Wlxd3 id7 13.ttled4 :8:c8 14. The character of the fight re cxdS tt:JxdS 15 . .ie5;t;, although sembles the Queen's Gambit. If even then his weakened pawn- 80 l.d4j52. ltJc3 d5 3.M4 ltJf6 4.e3 c6 5. ltJ.f3 structure (the consequence of the stein, Latschach 2011. Here, pawn-move t7-f5) is a more im White could have provoked fa portantfactor in the evaluation of vourable complications for him the position than Black's two with the line: 14.c5!? ltJxd3 15. bishop advantage. .id6�t7 16.�xd3 ib5 17.�d1 hf1 18.ltJe5 �e8 19.hf8 .b:g2 20. ll.ltJed4 .td7 ixg7 �xg7 2l.�xg2:t followed by E1c1-c3-g3. There are just a few ll ....b:d4 12.exd4 dxc4 13. pieces left on the board, but still "\k xc4:t White has two powerful White's threats against the enemy bishops while Black's e6-pawn is king are very dangerous. very weak, Komarov - Kontic, Niksic 2000. B3) 4 ... c6 12J�cl hd4 Now, just like in variation B2 Black defends against the threat After 12 ...id6 13.hd6 �xd6 ltJb5, but plays a more useful 14.cxd5 ltJxd5, Savon - Olenin, move. Orel 1999, 15.ic4:tWh ite's pawn- 5.ltJf3 structure is preferable. In the game Zatonskih - For saa, Caleta 2010, Black played 12 ...l:!ac8 , but after 13.cxd5 ltJxd5 14.ltJxf5 exf5 15.i.c4±his compen sation for the sacrificed pawnwas insufficient. 13.exd4 Here, Black has a choice where to develop his dark-squared bish op: B3a) 5 ...g6 or B3b) 5•.• e6. He should fianchetto his bish op immediately, because afterthe preliminary move 5 ...ie6 6 . .id3 g6, White can begin immediate active actions with the move 7.h4! and Black has no satisfactory de- 13 ...ltJb4, Malakhatko - Rot- fence against the threat h4-h5. 81 Chapter 6 7 ...h5, Yevseev - A.Potapov, Alushta 2002. Here, it seems very strong for White to transfer his refraining from castling kingside, queen to the h2-b8 diagonal with but this did not bring him any 8.ti:Jg5 i.g8 9.�f3 ti:Jbd7 10.�g3 dividends. 7 ...4Jbd7 8.ti:Je2 ti:Jh5 �b6 11.0-0-0± 9.c4 e6. Here, White should have 7 ...i.g7 8. h5 ti:Jbd7(If Black ac avoided the exchange of the bish cepts the exchange-sacrifice, his op with tempo 10.i.g5!?± and the position crumbles: 8 ...4Jxh5 9. vulnerability of the dark squares l!xh5 gxh5 10.ti:Jg5±) 9.ti:Jg5 i.g8 in Black's camp would be a telling 10.h6 i.f8, Sakaev - Kobalia, St factor. Petersburg 1994. Here, it is also very good for Whiteto transfer his 7 ...i.e6 8.ti:Je2 ti:Jbd7 (8 ...0-0 queen to the g3-square: 1l.�f3!? 9.ti:Jg5 - see 7 ... 0-0) 9.l!cl. White e6 12.0-0-0 i.e7 13.�g3± advances c2-c4, maintaining the 7 ... h6. This move leads to the advantage, because Black has no weakening of the g6-pawn. 8.4Je5 compensation for the weakened l!g8 9.f3 ti:Jbd7, Bareev - Oni e5-square. 9 ...0-0 (9 ...4Je 4 10. schuk, Elista 1998 and now, after c4::!;) 10.ti:Jg5 i.f7 1l.c4::!; - he is the simple line: 10.4Jxd7!? �xd7 doomed to a passive defence, Ya 1l.�d2± followed by 0-0-0, kovich - V.Pogosian, Petersburg Black will be doomed to a passive 2009. defence, because his pieces can hardly show any activity. 8.tl:Je2 tile4 Black's attempt to prevent the B3a) 5 ...g6 6 •.ld3 .lgJ 7.0-0 move c2-c4 would not work - 8 ... (diagram) i.e6,because after9.ti:Jg 5 i.f7, Ko 7••. 0-0 sic - Bui Vinh, Budapest 2007, White can still play 10.c4! without In the game Gelfand - Naka being afraid of 10 ...dxc4 ll.tilxf7± mura, Moscow 2013, Black treat ed this position rather originally, The move 8 ...h6, Kosic - Ho- 82 l.d4j52. ltJc3 d5 3.�f4 ltJf6 4.e3 c6 5. ltJf.3 ang, Hungary 2012, weakens the the kingside (he cannot play 20 ... g6-square and White can exploit g5 21.4Jh5+-). Later, Black blun this immediately with 9.�xb8!? dered and lost quickly: 20•.• h6 )'\xb8 10.4Jf4 �e8 11.4Je5± 21.�b2! 'i!?h7 22.ttJe5 ttJec5?? 23.gxc5! 1-0 9.c4 'i!?h8 B3b) 5 .•• e6 6 • .td3 This position was reached in the game Khalifman - Topalov, Las Palmas 1993. White's further Once again Black has a choice play is a very good example of where to develop his bishop: what to do in similar positions. B3bl) 6 •••.td6 or B3b2) 6 ••• 10• .te5 .te7. The exchange of the dark squared bishops is in favour of White since the majority of B3bl) 6 •.• .td6 Black's pawns are deployed on Here Black's bishop is more light squares and the bishop on actively placed than on the e7- d3 is more powerful than Black's square, but its possible exchange bishop on c8. In addition, his king would reduce considerably his at is weakened. tacking potential. In addition, 10•.• e6 ll.b4 tiJd612 • .ixg7+ Black's bishop on c8, which re 'i!?xg7 13.�b3 ttJd7 14.a4 �f6 mains on the board, is obviously 15.cxd5 exd5 16.b5 "bad", since all his central pawns White has obtained an excel are placed on squares of the same lent version of a typical position colour as the bishop. with the pawn-minority attack. 16 ... ttJe4 17.gacl �d6 18.�c2 7.0-0 0-0 gf6 19.gfdl a6 20.tLlf4± Black's defence is very difficult, because Black's attempt to advance e6- he has no active counterplay on e5 would not promise him any 83 Chapter 6 good prospects, because White is much better prepared for the opening of the position. 7 .. ."Wc7 8.ltle2lt:lbd7 9.c 4 eS 10.dxe5 lt:lxeS ll.lt:lxeS.be5 12."Wb3M4 13.4:lxf4 d4, Neverov - Grunberg, Port Erin 2002, 14.g3!? dxe3 15.l:!fe1 0-0 16.l:!xe3± (followed by l:!ae1 and c4-c5) and once again Black willhave reasons to regret that his .bd6 lt:lxd6 11.�c2 lt:ld7 12.b4 pawn is on fS and not on f7. dxc4 13 ..bc4 ltlb6 (13 ... �e7 14. i.b3±) 14.i.d3 lt:ldS 15.a3 aS 16. 8.c!ile2 bxaS l:!xaS 17.4Je5 �e7 18.�d2 l:!a7 19.a4 i.d7 20.a5 l:!fa8 21.f3± (followed by e3-e4) White has seized completely the initiative in the centre and on the kingside, David - Vezzosi, Fermo 2010. The more prudent move 9 ... �e7 was tested in the game Male tin - Mesropov, Moscow 2012: 10.�c2 lt:ld7 ll.l:!ab1 gS 12.hd6 lt:lxd6 13.l:!fc1 l:!b8. Here after 14. cxdS!? White could have obtained a very good version of the typical 8 .•. ti'e7 position with a Carlsbad pawn structure. 14 ...exd5 15.b4 g4 16. 8 ...b6 9.c4 lt:le4 10.ti'b3;!;White ltld2± (followed by lt:lf4, a4, bS) has an easy plan to double his Black's counterplay, connected rooks on the c-file, Bhat - Karls with l:!f6-h6 and �h4, is not dan son, Collado Villalba 2010. gerous for White, because he can protect reliably the h2-square Black's attempt to create ac with the move lt:lfl. tive counterplay would not be ef fective after8 ...4Je4 9.c 4 9.c4 c!ilbd7 (diagram) 9 ...g5 . This move is very risky, It is possibly better for Black because it is very difficult for here to continue with 9 ...4:le4, Black to organise an attack against transposing to the variation with White's king, while the weakening 8 ...4Je4. of the position of Black's king may become a telling factor later. 10. 10.cxd5 84 J.d4f52. li:Jc3 d5 3.�f4 li:Jf6 4.e3 c6 5. li:Jj3 and Black will be incapable of ex changing it with his knight after li:Jh5. 7 ...0-0 About 7 ... 4Je4 8.0-0 .!tld7 9. li:Je2 0-0, or 7 ... 4Jbd7 8.0-0 li:Je4 9.4Je20-0 - see 7 ...0-0. White should not be afraid of This is a timely exchange. 7 ...�b6 8.a3 0-0 9.0-0 .id7 10. White exploits the fact that Black 4Ja4 �a5, Arencibia Rodriguez - cannot play 10 ...ex d5, because of Otero Acosta, Santa Clara 2005. the loss of his f5 -pawn, while after Now, he has a very promising 10 ...cxd5 White will occupy quick pawn-sacrifice: ll.li:Jc5!? hc5 12. ly the c-file, so Black is forced to b4 hb4 13.axb4 �d8 (Black's po capture with his knight. sition is just horrible after 13 ... 10.. . �xd5 ll• .bd6 �xd6, �xb4 14J'!b1 �e7 15.Eixb7± fol Gligoric - Marie, Titograd 1965, lowed by �b1 and his knight on 12.�g3!? b6 13.e4 fxe4 14. b8 may perish without having tt:\xe4± - The vulnerability of made a single move.) 14 . .id6 Ele8 the pawns on c6 and e6 dooms 15.�b1 a6 16.c4;!;White has more Black to a long and difficult de than sufficient compensation for fence. the sacrificedpawn , since he is to tally dominant on the dark squares. B3b2) 6 ••. J.e77.h3 8.0-0 This is a very useful move. Now the bishop in f4 will be safe 8 ••. �e4 85 Chapter 6 Black cannot equalise with the Neither of then equalises, standard transfer in the Dutch though ... Defence of his light-squared bish op to the h5-square. 8 ...i.d7 9. 10 ...a5 11. .ih2g5 12.lt:Je5lt:Jx e5 lt:Je2.ie8 10.i.h2.ih5 11.lt:Jf4 .b:f3 13 . .b:e5 i.d6 14 . .b:d6 �xd6 15. 12.�xf3 �d7 13.c4 lt:Je4 14.�dlt �c2 id7 16.c5 �e7 17.£3 lt:Jf6 18. White has the two-bishop advan j::1aeU White has extra space and tage, while Black's knight will not his bishop is more active than its remain in the centre for long, be counterpart, Dizdar - Kobalia, cause White will soon oust it from Dresden 2007. there with the move f2-f3, Gel fand - Beinoras, Kallithea 2008. 10 ...�e8 1l.j::1cl �h5 12.lt:Je5 lt:Jxe5 13 . .b:e5 .id7, Neverov - 8 ... lt:Jbd7 9.lt:Je2 h6 (9 ... lt:Je4 A.Potapov, Cappelle Ia Grande 10.c4 - see 8 ...lt:Je4) 10.i.h2 g5 11. 2002, 14.f3;t - Black's knight is c4 lt:Je4 12.l'k1 j::1f7 13.lt:Je5 lt:Jxe5 forced to retreat from the centre 14 . .b:e5± Black has no resources of the board. Here, you can see to attack on the kingside and after once again the basic strategical White advances f2-f3 and e3-e4, defect of this variation for Black. his attack against the enemy king, He cannot have pawn-control deprived of any pawn-shelter, will over the e5-square, while White be very powerful, Kosic - S. can always oust the enemy knight Schmidt, Munich 2013. from the e4-square with the move f2-f3. 9.ti]e2c!L!d7 10.c 4 10 ...if6 11 . .ih2 �e7 12.�c2 g5 13.j::1ac1 �h8 14.lt:Je5 .b:e5, Mala khatko - Y.Kuzubov, St Peters burg 2011, 15.dxe5!? �g7 16.cxd5 cxd5 (16 ...exd5 17.£3 lt:Jec5 18 . .b:f5+-) 17.�c7± and the c-file is completely in White's hands. 10 ...g5 11 . .ih2 i.d6 12 ..bd6 lt:Jxd6, Pap - Grunberg, Hungary 2009, 13.j::1c1!?;t White has no pawn-weaknesses in his camp 10 ...b6 and this promises him better Besides this move, preparing prospects. Black's attempt to or the development of the bishop to ganise an attack on the h-fileonly the b7-square, Black has tried leads to the appearance of addi some other moves in practice. tional weaknesses in his camp: 86 l.d4 f52. lt.Jc3 lt.Jf6 3.1J.g5 13 ... g4 14.hxg4 fxg4 15.ltld2 \Wh4 but does not weaken the eS 16.ltlf4 l'!f6 17.g3 \WgS 18.\Wb3 l'!h6 square. 19.cxd5 exdS 20.e4± - His attack has reached its dead end and his 3.J.g5 weaknesses have remained on the White develops his bishop to board. In addition, Black lags an active position. considerably in development. ll.l'!cl J.b7 12.cxd5 exd5 l3.\Wa4;!; 3 ••• d5 This is the most popular move for Black. After White's bishop has been developed to g6, the Black's knight occupies a pow weakening of the eS-square is not erful position in the centre of the so important for Black. board, but this cannot compen sate the vulnerability of his pawn It seems rather dubious for on c6 and the passive position of him to play 3 ...ltle4, because with his bishop on b7. After the care this move Black exchanges his less move 13••• a6? ! Sargissian only active piece. 4.lt.Jxe4 fxe4 5. A.Muzychuk, Antwerp 2009, e3 cS, Shengelia - Chetverik, White can inflicta simple tactical Werther 2007 (following S ...dS strike with 14.l'!xc6! increasing 6.c4 c6, Swathi - Alka,Visak hapa his advantage. 14.•. b5 15.\Wc2 tnam 2006, White can transfer 1xc6 16.\Wxc6 ®h8 17.�xd5± his knight to c3, following this White's bishop and his two cen with \Wb3 and Black will hardly tral pawns are more powerful manage to hold on to the dS than Black's rook. square, because his lag in devel opment is considerable: 7.ltle2±) 6.�d2 \Wb6 7.0-0-0 d6 8.f3± - C) 2 •••ltlf 6 The position in the centre is Now, just like in variation B, opened and Black's lag is develop Black prevents the move e2-e4, ment is essential. 87 Chapter 6 It seems too slow for Black to fxe4 (S ...d6, Halay - Bao, Kuala opt for 3 ...li:'lc6 4.d5 li:'leS 5.li:'lf3 Lumpur 2006, 6.exf5 iJ.xfS 7.�c4 li:'lt76 . .b:f6 exf6. He has obtained li:'lc6 8.li:'lge2 W/d7 9.0-0 0-0-0 the two-bishop advantage indeed, lO.dS li:'leS 11.�b3;t fo llowed by but has lost too much time on ma li:'le2-f4 and the vulnerability of noeuvres with his queen's knight. the e6-square is hurting Black) 7.e3 cS 8.�d3 g6, Gagunashvili - 6.fxe4 dS 7.e5 li:'le4 8.li:'lxe4 dxe4 Saleh, Dubai 2011. Here, White 9.�c4 cS 10.c3 li:'lc6 11.li:'le2;t and should have played energetically: due to the vulnerability of the a2- 9.h4!? a6 10.a4 d6 (After 10 ...h5, g8 diagonal, Black will hardly Black's g6-pawn is weakened con manage to castle. In addition, the siderably. 11.0-0 d6 12.li:'le2±fol weakness of the e4-pawn may be lowed by li:'le2-f4 .) 11.h5;t - It come a telling factor for Black, would be very difficult for Black Borbjerggaard - Trabolt, Aarhus to parry his opponent's kingside 1993. activity due to his lag in develop ment. In addition, the e6-square 3 ... e6. After this move Black's is very weak in Black's position. knight is pinned and White can White's knight may go there along play immediately e2-e4. 4.e4 fxe4 the route li:'lc3-e2-f4-e6 arid if S.li:'lxe4. The arising position re Black plays g6-g5, then he would sembles the Rubinstein Variation weaken the fS-pawn. in the French Defence, but with the difference that Black has a 3 ...c6. He is preparing the de pawn on d7 and not on t7. This is velopment of his queen to the b6- no doubt in favour of White, since square. 4.f3 . White's main strate Black will have problems to com gical idea in this variation is to plete the development of his queen advance e2-e4. 4 ...W/b6 (4... d5 side pieces. 5 ...�e7 6 . .b:f6 .ixf6 5.W/d3 - see 3 ...d5) 5.W/d2 h6, 7.W/h5+!? This is a rather unpleas Arakelov - Morozov, Russia 1991 ant check, because after 7 ...g6 (It would be too risky for Black to 8.W/h6, Black's king may remain accept the pawn-sacrifice: 5 ... stranded in the centre for long. W/xb2 6.Ei:b1 W/a3 7.e4�) 6 . .b:f6 exf6 7.0-0-0 dS 8.e4 fxe4 9. fxe4± White has advanced the thematic move e2-e4, while the only developed piece in Black's position is his queen. After 3 ... g6 4.f3 iJ.g7 (itis pos sibly more reliable for Black to play here 4 ...d5 - see 3 ...d5) 5.e4 88 l.d4 .f52. tlJc3 tlJf6 3 . .ig5 It is bad for Black to opt for 8 ... 16.ttJe5± Vera Gonzalez - Coneje -�,xd4, due to 9.0-0-0 .if6 10.h4 ro, Valencia 2002. V#e7 11.t2Jxf6+ vt/xf6 12.h5 1'!f8, Ve 8 ...vt/e7 9.ttJxf6+ �xf6 10. lasco - Encarnacao, Dos Herma 0-0-0 t2Jc6 11.ttJf3 d6 12.Wfe3!? nas 2003, since after 13 . .id3± he White must strive to open the po falls behind in development con sition as quicklyas possible in or siderably. der to exploit his lead in develop 8 ...b6 9.t2Jf3 .ib7 10 . .id3 t2Ja6 ment. Therefore, he is preparing (Black's situation is even worse d4-d5. 12 ....id7 13.d5 t2Je7 14.dxe6 after 10 ... ttJc6 11.c3, for example: �xe6, Karr - Ragonese, Porto ll ...vt/e7 12.vt/f4± or 11 ... d5 12. San Giorgio 2002, 15.�d4! l'!f8 ltlxf6 + �xf6 13.0-0 0-0-0 14. 16 . .ic4 �f6 17.�e3 �f4 18.1'!heU \1ael±and his pawn on e6 is weak and the pin on the e-file is very and his bishop is "bad", Zhao - unpleasant for Black. Zierk, Saint Louis 2010.) 11.c3 V!ie7,Vera Gonzalez - B.Gonzalez, Yucatan 1999, 12.0-0!?± fol lowed by a2-a4-a5, emphasizing the unfavourable placement of Black's knight at the edge of the board. After 8 ...t2Jc6 9.t2Jf3, it is too dangerous for Black to accept the pawn-sacrifice 9 ...ttJ xd4 (9 ...�e7 10.t2Jxf6 �xf6 11.0-0-0 - see 8 ... Wfe7) 10.t2Jxd4 .ixd4 11.0-0-0 .if6 12.h4 �e7 13.t2Jxf6+ �xf6 14. 4.f3!? hS l'!g815 . .id3 Wfg7,Kn aak - Ftac This is not the most popular nik, Trnava 1980. White has a move for White. great lead in development as compensation for the sacrificed He plays much more often pawn. Naturally, he should be re 4 . .ixf6 exf6. His further plan for luctant to trade queens in similar actions is well illustrated by the situations: 16.Wfe3� game Grischuk - Svidler, Riga It seems strategically risky for 2013: 5.e3 c6 6 . .id3.ie6 7.vt/f3 g6 Black to play 8 ...dS, because after 8.ttJge2 ttJd7 9.0-0-0 vtlc7 10.h3 9.t2Jxf6+ vt/xf6 10.t2Jf3 t2Jc6 . .ib511 0-0-0 ll.g4 fxg4 12.hxg4 .ie7 .� d7 12 . .ixc6.ixc 6, White's knight 13.t2Jf4 .if7 14.1'!hM followed by has access to the wonderful eS l'!dh1and eventually e3-e4. White outpost and is much stronger maintains a stable advantage, than Black's bishop. 13.0-0-0 since Black can hardly neutralise 0-0-0 14J'lhel l'ld6 15.1'!e3 .id7 the pressure of the enemy major 89 Chapter 6 pieces on the h-file. Still, things practice 4 ...c6 S.Wd3 WaS 6.a3 are far from simple. After the (He obtains good counterplay af move 4 . .ixf6, White presents the ter White's hasty reply 6.0-0-0 opponent with the two-bishop ad bS�) 6 ... e6, Raessle - Faber, vantage and this may become an Email 2004, 7.i.d2 Wb6 8.0-0-0 important factor in the future. i.e79. e4 0-0 10.ttlh3;!;Bla ck must Therefore, the move 4.f3 is more consider now both e4-eS and i.gS, reliable for White. as well as the exchange on eS fol lowed by active actions on the e file. After 4 ...ttlbd7, White attacks the enemy fS-pawn with the move S.Wd3 and wins a tempo for the preparation of e2-e4. S ...g6 (S ...e6 6.e4;!;) 6.e4 fxe4 7.fxe4 dxe4 8. ttlxe4 i.g7, Lisanti - Rechel, Kas sel 1993, 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.ttlf3± - The weakness of the e7-pawn dooms Black to a long and diffi 4 ...�c6 cult defence. Black exerts pressure against the d4-pawn and thus, he defends After 4 ...e6 S.e4, there arises indirectly against the threat e2- the classical variation of the e4. French Defence, but with the in clusion of the moves f3 and fS . 4 ...i.e6 S.Wd2 ttlc66.0-0-0 or This is no doubt in favour of S ... h6 6.i.h4 ttlc6 7.0-0-0 - see White, because the weakening of 4 ...ttlc6. the eS-square may prove to be very costly for Black. S ...i.e7 6. Following 4 ... g6, Whiteshould exfS exfS 7.Wd2 0-0 8.ttlh3 c6 9. continue with S.Wd2 preparing 0-0-0 ttla610.'i!i b1 ttlc7 ll.i.d3;!; i.h6. S ...i.g7 6.ttlh3 i.e6 7.0-0-0 followed by i.gS-f4-eS, ttlh3-f4, ttlbd78. i.h60-0 9.i.xg7 'i!ixg7 10. �he1, Dizdar - Sedlak, Murska ttlf4i.f7 11.h4 cS 12.e3 WaS 13.hS± Sobota 2008. White is clearly ahead of his op ponent in a position with attacks It is interesting for him to try on both sides of the board, Kem 4 ...cS . About the power of this pinski - Krasenkow, Warsaw move you can judge by the fact 1997. that it has been played by such an eminent expert of the Dutch De Black tries only seldom in fence as V.Malaniuk. S.e4 90 l.d4 .f52. lt'lc3 lt'lf6 3.�g5 5 ...cxd4 6.�xd4 lt'lc6 (6 ...dxe4 Black lags considerably in de 7.�xd8+ lt>xd8 8.0-0-0+ id7 velopment, so White'scompensa 9.fxe4 fxe4 10.lt:'lge2 lt:'lc6 ll.lt:'lg3 tion fo r the pawn is more than h6 12.ie3 lt>c713.lt:'lg xe4;tWhite 's sufficient. pawn-structure is preferable) 7. 9 ...�b6 10.�e2. Now, it ib5 dxe4 8.�xd8+ lt>xd8 9.fxe4 seems too risky for Black to fxe4 10.0-0-0+ lt>c7 ll.lt:'lge2 a6 win the exchange with: 10 ...�xb 2 12.hc6 bxc6 13.if4 + lt>b7, Ma 1l.�xe5 �xa1+ 12.1t>d2 and it tj ushin - Olenin, Mariupol 2003. becomes inconceivable how he Now, after the accurate response can complete his development. 14J:'lhe1 (Whiteis not in a hurry to 12 ...id7 13.�c7 �b2 14.ib5 hb5 play 14.lt:'lg3, because Black can 15.gb1 �xb1 16.lt:'lxbl id7 17.�xb7 counter that with 14 ...ig4 �) 14 ... gd8 18.\t>cl g6 19.d6± Black has gg8 15.lt:'lg3 ig4 16.gd2;t White more than sufficient material regains his e4-pawn and his pros equivalent for the queen, but pects seem preferable in view of his pieces are not developed yet Black's numerous pawn-weak and are discoordinated. There nesses. fore, his defence will be very dif After5 ...lt'lc6, Wh ite would not ficult. achieve much with 6.ib5 due to 9 ...a6 10.�e2 �d6 1l.�e3 lt:'lf7 6 .. .fxe4, for example: 7.dxc5 d4 12.h4 h6 13.hf6 gxf6 14.h5 �e5 8.hc6+ bxc6 9.lt:'lxe4 �d5 10. 15.�xe5 lt:'lxe5 16.lt:'la4 lt:'lxf3+ 17. ixf6 gxf6 1l.lt:'le2 f5 12.lt'lf2 e5oo lt>f2 lt'le5 18.lt:'lg6 !'lg8 (18 ...lt:'lx g6 and Black's bishops are very pow 19.hxg6 h5 20.lt'lb6 !'lb8 21.i.h3 erful force, Galanov - Pirs, ICCF ih6 22.!'ladl±) 19.lt:'lb6 !'lb8 20. 2012. Therefore, in order for �h3;t and despite the two extra White to fight for the opening ad pawns, Black's defence will be vantage, he must sacrifice a pawn problematic, since his bishop on with 6.lt:'lge2!? (this idea belongs f8 is restricted by the pawns on to S.Soloviov) 6 ...dxe4 7.d5 exf3 e7, f6, h6 and bringing it into the 8.gxf3 lt:'le5 9.lt'lf4. White's knight actions may prove to be a very dif is headed for the e6-square. ficulttask. 91 Chapter 6 5.�d2 bishop against a "bad" enemy White is preparing to castle bishop. queenside. 5 ...i.e6 6.0-0-0 h6 (After 6 ... �d7, S.Volkov - Hoenick, Ger many 2000, White obtains a very good position with 7.e3!?t fol lowed by i.bS, lDge2, lDf4 and eventually lDf4-d3-eS(c5).) 7.i.h4 �d7 (The move 7 ...g5 weakens Black's kingside: 8.i.g3!? f4 9.i.f2 �d7 10.e4t followed by h2-h4) 8. e3 i.t79. i.b5 a6 10.i.xc6 �xc6 11. lDge2. White's knight is headed for the d3-square. 11 ...0-0-0 12. 5 ...e6 92 l.d4 f52. ltJc3 ltJf6 3. �g5 12.l!Jxe4 �e7 13.l!Jf4± followed by g2-g3, �h3 and l!Je6(or�e 6) and White's pieces occupy the e6- square. After ... 7 g5, Black does not let the enemy knight to the f4 -square, but weakens his kingside even more. 8.0-0-0 �e6 9.e4 fxe4 10.fxe4 �b4, Heise - Pirs, Email 2010, 11.�e2!?;!; Now, Black can hardly parry the threat �hS+, af ter which he will lose his castling After the most popular line rights. 6.0-0-0 �b4, the pin of the 7 ...�b4 8.l!Jf4 l!Je79. h4 c6 10. knight is rather unpleasant for hS. Now, Black cannot protect his White. fS-pawn with the move g7-g6. 10 ...�d6 ll.e3 �e6 12.'�f2 �f7 13. 6 •...ie7 a3 �aS. The position is closed and Black's two bishops are not so Black cannot equalise with 6 ... dangerous. White has a clear-cut h6 7.�h4 gS, Romcovici - Lilov, plan for actions against the weak Peterhof 2007, 8.�g3;!; followed enemy fS -pawn. In addition, he by h2-h4. can inflict a tactical strike. 14. ltJbS! �d8 15.l!Jd6+ �xd6 16. 7.e3 0-0 8.tLlh3.id7 9.tLl f4 �xaS. Black has no counterplay at a6 10.h4 all. 16 ...0-0 17.�d3 b6 18.�d2 cS White is threatening h4-h5- 19.c3 c4 20.�c2 bS. After Black h6. has castled, White can leave aside 10 ....id6 ll.tLlh5 tLle7 12. the plan with exerting piece-pres tLlxf6+ gxf6 sure against the enemy fS-pawn and try to open the g-file. 21. �agl± (followed by g2-g4) and Black can hardly parry the direct attack, S.Volkov - Malaniuk, Smolensk 2000. (diagram) 6.a3!? This move is played only very seldom. White prevents the devel opment of the enemy bishop to the b4-square. Now, the play is of a manoeuvring type. Black has weakened his pawn- 93 Chapter 6 structure in order to create coun 16.•• .ixc6 17.c!be2 YlYd6 18.g4 terplay in the centre, but this fxg4 19.fxg4 gac8 20.gg1 h8 proves to be insufficientfor equal 21.0-0-0;t- Black's king is vul ity. nerable and White's further ac 13• .if4 .hf4 14.exf4 c5 15. tions on the kingside (h4-h5, g4- dxc5 b6 16.c6!? g5) created great problems for White gives back his central Black in the game Papenin - Kui pawn just in time. per, Email 2010. Conclusion Afterl.d 4 f5 Vtk3,it is very difficultfor Black to create active coun terplay. If he does not play 2 ...d5 or 2 ...llJf 6, then White advances eas ily e2-e4 and obtains a considerable advantage. Following 2 ...d5, the weakening of the e5-square enables White to obtain an advantage with very simple moves. As a rule he places his pieces in the following way: .if4, e2-e3, .id3, 0-0 followed by lLle2(b5) and c2-c4. After2 ...llJf 6, White should castle queenside: .ig5, YlYd2, 0-0-0. If Black prevents the immediate pawn-advance e2-e4, then White ob tains an edge with the manoeuvre lLlgl-h3(e2)-f4 and eventually llJd3. Once again the vulnerability of the e5-square fo rces Black to adhere to a passive defence. 94 Chapter 7 l.d4 e6 2.c4 This variation was played for the first time in the year 1925 by A.Ilyin-Zhenevsky and G.Leven fish. It has not become popular, because the trade of the dark squared bishops reduces consid erably Black's active possibilities; nevertheless, it is encountered once in a while in the contempo rary tournament practice. GM I. Glek plays like this sometimes This chapter is devoted to vari and even the present World ations arising when Black enters Champion M. Carlsen has tried it the Dutch Defence beginning with in two of his games. the move l...e6. Naturally, now White does not have the possibil 5.c!bc3 c!bf6 6.g3 ity 2.tt:lc3,which was analysed in Chapter 2. Still, Black has played 1.. .e6 and thus has reduced his choice of systems of development in the Dutch set-ups. We will ana lyse his main line 2 .•.f5 in varia tion B. Before that, we will deal with A) 2 ....ib 4+, a variation in which Black exchanges the dark squared bishops before advancing f7-f5. Fianchettoing the bishop is the A) 2 ....ib4 + 3 . .id2 h:d2+ best move for White in this posi 4.Ybd2 f5 tion. His plan fo r further actions 95 Chapter 7 is quite simple. He should com attack with lt:\e4. plete the development of his king side pieces (.ig2, lt:\f3, 0-0) and prepare e2-e4 with �fel. If Black plays d7-d5, then the dark squares in his camp will be very weak, since almost all of his pawns are placed on light squares, so his bishop, remaining on the board, would be "bad". 6 ...0-0 Black has problems with the development of his bishop on c8. About 6 ... d6 7 . .tg2 0-0 8.4Jf3 lO ..• VfieBll .e3 VfihS12.lt:\ e2 gS, -see 6 ...0-0. Flohr - Menchik, Margate 1936. Here, White could have exploited 7 . .ig2 the insufficient protection of the enemy fS-pawn with 13.cxd5! cxdS 14.�acl± and the c-file is completely in his hands. After 10 ...Vfie7, White should play the solid move 11.e3;!; (Win ning the pawn with ll.cxdS exdS 12.Vfixf5 lt:\e413.Vfi h5 lt:\df6 14.Vfie5 Vfib4 15.lt:\xe4 lt:\xe4� would lead to a position in which White must either comply with a repetition of moves - Black is threatening with the move �fS chasing permanent 7 ...d6 ly the enemy queen, or must give Black is preparing e6-e5 after up his b2-pawn, Swapnil - Chak the preliminary moves Vfie7 and kravarthy, Kolkata 2012). lt:\c6. After 10 ...lt:\e4 11.�acU, there arises a position in which White's About 7 ... lt:\c6 8.lt:\f3 d6 9.�d1 play is much easier. In the game or 7 ... Vfie7 8.lt:\f3 d6 9.0-0 - see Lavis - Slavin, Lechenicher 7 ...d6. SchachServer 2010, Black failed to solve the problem with his Black plays only seldom 7 ... d5 light-squared bishop. ll ...lt:\d f6 8.lt:\f3 c6 9.0-0 lt:\bd7 10.Vfic2. 12.lt:\e5 \WeB 13.lt:\xe4 lt:\xe4 14. White removes prudently his .be4! fxe4 15.f3 exf316. �xf3 �xf3 queen from the possible enemy 17.exf3± 96 2 ... �b4+ 3.�d2 fi.xd2+ 4. Wixd2.f55. 4'Jc3 4'Jf6 6.g3 0-0 7. �g2 d6 8. 4'Jj3 10 ...'fie7 11.0-0 4'Jc6 (11 ...4'Jd7 12J'Ue1 - see 10 ...4'Jf7 ) 12.b4 eS (12 ...4'Jd8 13.E:acU) 13.b5 4'Jxd4 14.4'Jxd4 exd4 15.'fixd4;!; Kopylov - Berelowitsch, Internet 2005. Black willhave problems to com plete the development of his queenside pieces. Naturally, he loses immediately after 15 ... 'fixe2?? because of 16.E:ae1 'fig4 17.'fid5+ cj;lhS 18.'fif7!+- The line: 10 ...'fif6 11.0-0 4'Jc6 We will analyse now: AI) ••.8 leads to a difficult position for A3) ••• 4'Je4, A2) 8 •.• 4'Jc6 and 8 Black. 12.b4. This is a very un 'fie7. pleasant plan, because now, Black must be constantly on the alert Al) 8 ... 4'Je4 about the possibility b4-b5. 12 ... Black wishes to simplify his eS 13.dxe5 4'Jxe5. This move is defence by exchanging a couple of forced. (After13 ...dxe5 14.b5 4'Jd4 knights. 15.4'Jxd4 exd4, D.Gurevich - Kar 9.YHc2 tDxc3 10.%Yxc3 klins, Philadelphia 1998, White White has better development could have maintained a great ad and his game is much easier. vantage by transferring his queen to the cS-square. 16.'fia3!? E:d8 17.E:fd1 c6 18.'fic5±and his queen exerts pressure simultaneously against three black pawns - a7, c6 and b4. Black will hardly manage to complete his development without material losses.) 14.E:ac1 aS, Akobian - Altounian, Los An geles 2001. Here, White had the simple move 15.b5!? and Black would not succeed in parrying the threat c4-c5, since after 15 ...4'Jd7, lO••• tDd7 White would have the resource Here, Black's knight will not 16.'fixf6 E:xf6 17.4'Jg5!± followed be attacked after b2-b4-b5 and by �dS. can later take part in the fightfor the e4-square with 4'Jd7-f6-e4. 11.0-0 %Ye7 97 Chapter 7 ll ...'lJf6 12.'lJd2. White is bet 14.c5!?± and Black's defence will ter prepared for the fight for the be very difficult. For example af key e4-square. Opening of the ter 14 ...'lJx f3+?! White has the game in the centre 12 ...e5 is also powerful resource 15.exf3! �f6 in his favour, because he is better 16.�b3+ �fl 17.cxd6 cxd6 18.f4 developed. 13.dxe5 dxeS 14.e4 f4 �xb3 19.axb3± and the arising 15.'lJf3 fxg3 16.hxg3 'lJxe4 17.�xe5 endgame will be very difficult for 'lJd6, Polugaevsky - Makarichev, Black, since he will have problems Reykjavik 1990. Here, White to bring his bishop into the ac could have maintained a great ad tions and his pawns on a7, b7 and vantage with the energetic line: d6 will need permanent protec 18.c5! 'lJfl19.� c3 c6 20.;gad1 �f6 tion. 2l.�xf6 gxf6 22.;gfe1 .ig4 23.;gd4 .ixf3 24 . .ixf3± - His pawn-struc 13.�d2 ture is superior and he has a sta White is threatening again e2- ble space advantage, moreover e4. that in actions on both sides of the board, White's bishop is likely to 13 .. J�b8 be more powerful than Black's knight. Now, after 13 ... e5, L.Popov - Commons, Plovdiv 1982, White 12.1Uel will follow with 14.e4!± It seems more reliable for Black to choose here 13 ...d5, Bot vinnik - Nenarokov, Odessa 1929, but even then after 14.'lJf3!?± fol lowed by 'lJeS, White will have a slight but stable edge. 14.e4 fxe4 15.�xe4 12 ... �f6 This move impedes White's pawn-advance e2-e4. Following 12 ...e5 13.dxe5 'lJxeS, Garcia Gonzales - Cio caltea, Bochum 1981, White maintains a stable edge with 98 2 . .. :ib4+3. :id2 hd2+ 4. Wixd2j5 5. li:Jc3 li:Jf6 6.g3 0-0 7. il..g2 d6 B. li:Jj3 15.•• b5 16.c5 b4 17.Yl!fc2 Panos - Naumkin, Cutro 2003 c!Dxe4 18• .lxe4;!; Black's queen (14 ... Wif6,Pelletier - Gerber, Swit side has been compromised and zerland 1997, 15.li:Jg5!± followed in the middle game the rather un by :ih3 and gde1). White's over safe shelter of his king may be a whelming positional advantage is telling factor as well, Pierzak - doubtless. 15.ge2! c6 16.li:Jg5 gf6 Tamburro, Email 2010. 17J�de1 li:Jf8 18.Wic3 h6 19.li:Jf3fJ.e8 20.li:Je5±Bla ck has problems with his weak c6-pawn and with the A2) 8 .•. tLlc69.g d1 development of his bishop on e8. White prevents the move e6- e5. 10.0-0 e5 9 ••• 'We7 ll.tLld5! tlJxd5 12. cxd5 Now, after Black advances e6- tlJxd4 13.tLlxd4 exd4 14.gfe1 f4 e5, Whitewill have the possibility 15.Yl!fxd4 .ig4 16.gc1 gf7,Coll ett li:Jc3-d5 and after the trade of the - Svenn, Sweden 1996. Now, knights, he will have a plan con White can simply capture a pawn nected with exerting pressure 17.gxf4± and Black would not against Black's backward c7- have sufficient compensation for pawn. the material deficit. It seems too slow for Black to transfer his knight to the g6- A3)8 .•• Yl!fe7 9. 0-0 square, because White can ad (diagram) vance e2-e4 effortlessly. 9 ...li:Je7 9 .•. c6 10.0-0 li:Jg6 1l.gfe1 :id7 12.e4 This is the most popular move fxe4 13.tLlxe4 tlJxe4 14.gxe4. He for Black. will have an easy game against Black's weak e6-pawn in the on It looks rather dubious for him coming fight. 14 ...d5, Estremera to develop his knight to the edge 99 Chapter 7 move 10 ...e5, because after 11 . .!t'ld5Wl'd8 12.dxe5 dxe5 13J'!fd1 e4 14 . .!t'lg5Wl'd6, Leh mann - Kotainy, Senden 2010, 15.WI'c3!± the juxta position of the queen and the rook is tremendously unpleasant for Black. 10 ....id7 11.d5 .!t'ld8 12.dxe6 .!t'lxe6, Dautov - Ruban, Minsk 1988, 13 . .!t'ld4± White's bishop ex erts powerful pressureon the long of the board: 9 ... .!t'la6 10J'Ue1.!t'le4 diagonal. 11.WI'e3 .!t'lxc3 12.WI'xc3 .id7 13.b4± Dlugy - Christiansen, Estes Park to.gfel 1986. 9 ... e5. The endgame is worse for Black afterthis move. 10.dxe5 dxe5 11 . .!t'ld5 Wl'd6 12 . .!t'lxf6+ :!l:xf6 13.WI'xd6 cxd6 14.:!l:fdU and the vulnerability of the d6-pawn dooms Black to a long and diffi cult defence, Magerramov - La ketic, Cheliabinsk 1991. 9 ....!t'lc6 10.:!l:ac1 10 ... d5 This move is forced. Black should not allow e2-e4, because in that case the game will be opened in the centre quite obvi ously in favour of White due to his considerable lead in develop ment. For example: 10 ....!t'lbd7? ! 11.e4 fxe4 12 .!t'lx. e4 .!t'lxe4 13.:!l:xe4 :!l:f6 14.:!l:ael± - with powerful Following 10 ... .!t'ld8, White ad pressure on the e-file,Chepar inov vances e2-e4 and obtains a stable - Inhoven, Helsingor 2012, or advantage. 11. :!l:fe1.!t'lf7 12.e 4 .!t'lxe4 10 ...e5 ?! 11.e4! f4 12.gxf4 .!t'lh5 13. 13 . .!t'lxe4 fxe4 14.:!l:xe4± Stahlberg f5± and Black's compensation fo r - Spielmann, Stockholm 1933. the pawn is insufficient, Dlugy - Black fails to equalise with the Shirazi, Las Vegas 1993. 100 2 . . . �b4+ 3.i.d2 hd2+ 4. Wffxd2.f5S.tiJ c3 l1:Jf6 6.g3 0-0 7. i.g2d6 B. l1:Jj3 After10 ...l1:Je4 11.\Wc2dS, there 13 ...J.b7 14.lDf4 dxc4 15. arise positions similar to the vari bxc4 c5 ation with 7 ... d5. Once again, the It may look like Black is close absence of Black's dark-squared to equality, because he has solved bishop dooms him to a passive his main problem, connected with defence. 12.e3 i.d7 (12 ...l1:Jd7 13. the development of his bishop on l1:Je2cj;>h8, Anelli - Giardelli, Bue c8. This would have been true if nos Aires 1978. Here, White his pawn had been on f7 and not maintains a stable advantage with on fS . Now however, White can the move 14.l1:Jf4:t followed by exploit the vulnerability of the a2- t1:Jf4-d3, l1:Jf3-e5, f2 -f3.) 13.l1:Je2 g8 diagonal. i.e8 14.l1:Jf4 l1:Jd7 15.l1:Jd3 l1:Jdf6 16.ltJfeS:tA. Kharitonov - Ovetch kin, Moscow 1998. Later in the game, White continued quite suc cessfully with a plan to attack on the queenside: b2-b4, :!'!eel, a2- a4, l"!abl, Wffb2, ltJcS and crowned his positional advantage with a full point. ll.e3 l1:Jbd712 .b3 16.\Wb2 This is the best move for White. It is not so good for him to play the straightforward move 16.l1:Jg5, as it was done in the game Giri - Carlsen, Monte Carlo 2011. 16 ... i.xg2 17.cj;lxg2eS 18.l1:Jfe6 l1:Je419. l1:Jxe4 \Wxe6= White's play against the weakness on e6 was not suc 12 ...b6 cessful and Black equalised com This reliable move was played pletely. by M. Carlsen. Black is preparing the development of his bishop on 16 ...lDe4 17.a4 tDd6 18. b7, followed by c6-c5. gedl! 13.c!l:le2 White creates the threat d4- White transfers his knight to d5, afterwhich Black will have to the active f4 -square. consider permanently the possi- 101 Chapter 7 bility of the penetration of his op can hardly advance his queenside ponent's knight to the e6-square. pawns. White can exert powerful pressure against Black's kingside (tt'lf3-g5-e6) and if he plays h7-h6, then White will follow with h4-h5 and tt'lf3-h4-g6. Then his knight will be in the vicinity of Black's monarch endangering it. B}2 ...f5 White's pawn is untouchable, because after 18 ...tt'lx c4? there will follow 19.�a2± and Black los es after 19 ....ia6? due to 20.tt'lg5! �xgS 21.tt'lxe6 �f6 22.tt'lxf8 �xf8 23 . .id5+- 19.d5 exd5 20.cxd5 �f6 This order of moves is pre 21.�c2 �fe8 22.h4t ferred by competitors who play both the Dutch Defence and the French Defence. These are for ex ample grandmasters E. Gleizerov, A. Moskalenko, M. Ulibin ... Now, Black enters the Dutch Defence, avoiding numerous dan gerous variations (the Staunton Gambit, the scheme with 2 . .ig5, the scheme with 2.tt'lc3.). 3.�c3 This is one of the oldest moves in the Dutch Defence. It was pop There has arisen a very com ular in the middle of the 19th cen plicated position. Both sides have tury. For example, it was used nu their pluses. Still, White's posi merous times by D. Harwitz in his tional achievements seem to be match against P. Morphy (Paris much more real, because Black 1858). The move was also played 102 l.d4 e6 2.c4 j53. tt:lc3 tt:lf6 4.e3 by A. Alekhine, J.R.Capablanca, After ...3 c6, White advances D. Janowski, F. Marshall, H. Pills 4.e4 maintaining the advantage. bury, A. Rubinstein, W. Steinitz 4 ...fxe4 5.tt:lxe4;!; Sj oberg - Gre that was practically the entire bennikov, Kecskemet 1991. chess elite of those times. Pres ently, this move is played by A. Following 3 ... b6, it would be Dreev, H. Nakamura, A. Karpov, best for White to play immediate Sh. Mamedyarov . The move 3.g3 ly 4.e4 fxe4 5.tt:lxe4;!; with a very has reduced considerably the comfortable game, Shimanov - popularity of 3.tt:lc3, but Black has Chernyshov, Pardubice 2013. great problems here as well. I believe that many readers After3 ...ib4 , White's most re might like to ask the following liable move is 4.'�c2! (in the vari question - whether White can ation 4.e3 ixc3+!? 5.bxc3 tt:lf6� avoid studying the previous chap there arise positions with doubled ter and afterl. d4 f5 , to follow with pawns, which are not to every 2.c4 tt:lf6 3.tt:lc3, hoping after 3 ... body's liking, Benitah - Bricard, e6 to reach the positions from this Besancon 1999) 4 ...c5 ( 4 ...tt:lf6 variation. Unfortunately, this is 5.e3 - see variation B3; 4 ...b6 not possible, because Black has 5.e3 tt:lf6 6,id3 - see variation the move 3 ...g6 and the set-up for B3b) 5.e3 b6 6.a3 hc3+ 7.'�'xc3 White, analysed in this chapter, is tt:lf6 - see variation B3a. not so effective for him against the Leningrad Variation. 4.e3 One of the advantages of this variation for White is the fact that he has a clear-cut plan for further actions - this is id3, �c2, tt:lge2, f2-f3, taking under reliable con trol the key e4-square for the Dutch Defence. 3 ••.tiJf6 Black can hardly continue the game without this move. About 3 ...d5 - see Chapter 9, variation A. 103 Chapter 7 Black's main lines in this posi (S ...tt:lc6 6.tt:lge2 .ie7 7.0-0 0-0 tion are: Bl) 4.•• b6, B2) 4 ••. 8.f3 eS 9.a3 aS, Herraiz Hidalgo i.e7, B3) 4 ...i.b 4. - Gely Alonso, Spain 1992, 10. About 4 ...c6 S.�d3 dS 6.tt:lge2 ' 104 J.d4 e6 2.c4 j53. tt'lc3 tt'lf6 4.e3 About 6 ....ib4 7.Wffc2 - see var es a very complicated position in iation B3b. which White can rely on having the advantage. He has extra space 6 ...tt'lc6. Black's knight is not and Black can hardly organise ef so well placed here, because it im fective counterplay on the king pedes the pawn-advance c7-c5. side. 7.tt'lge2 g6 (7 ....id6 8.0-0 - see 6 ....id6) 8.0-0 .ig7 9.e4 0-0 10. It seems too passive for him to .igS h6 11..ie3 fxe4 12.tt'lxe4t opt for 6 ....ie7, because after 7. White has extra space, while tt'lge2 0-0 8.0-0 c5 (8 ... Following 6 ... tt'lh5 7.tt'lh3 Wih4+ (After7 ....id6 8.0-0 tt'lc6,Peders en - Williams, Oslo 2004, White The move 7 ...d5 leads to the could have obtained an advantage weakening of the e6-pawn after with the move 9.tt'lb5!, ousting the 8.0-0 .ig7, Gilardi - Sala, Berga enemy bishop from its active po mo 2008, 9.tt'lf4t sition. 9 ....ie7 10.d5t Black's king Following 7 ...c5 8.0-0 .ig7 9. side counterplay has reached its dS exdS lO.cxdS tt'lxdS, Salwe - dead end and he lags behind con Fritz, Duesseldorf 1908, White siderably in development.) 8.tt'lf2 could have organised a powerful tt'lc69.a 3 g6, Yakovich - Shtyren attack with the line: ll.tt'lb5! .ic6 kov, Salekhard 2007. Now, after (ll.. . .ieS 12.e4±) 12.tt'ld6+ 105 Chapter 7 @b7 2U!fdl± and despite the fact the move f3-f4 and his bishop on that Black has parried the first b7 exerts powerful pressure wave of his opponent's attack, the against the position of White's position of his king on the queen king, Alonso Rosell - Gleizerov, side is not reliable at all. White San Sebastian 2010) 8 ...Wfh 4+ 9. will soon begin a new dangerous @f1 tt:la6 10.tt:lxd6+ cxd6 ll.iJ.d2 offensive. 0-0 12.WfeU Dreev - Gorovets, Eilat 2012. White has lost his cas Black's position is rather tling rights; nevertheless, his po cramped after7 ...1J.g7 8.0-0 0-0 sition is preferable. He has two 9.e4 fxe4 (9 ... tt:Jc6 10.iJ.g5 - see powerful bishops and a superior 6 ...tt:Jc6) 10.fxe4 eS ll.dS Wfe7 12. pawn-structure, while Black's h3 c5 13.1J.g5 h6 14.1J.h4 d6 15.Wid2 knight on a6 is isolated from the gf7 16.gf3 gS 17.1J.f2± and despite actions. the fact that Black has avoided the unpleasant pin of his knight, but He fails to equalise after 7 ... he has paid a too dear price for tt:Jc6 8.0-0 0-09.a 3 tt:Je7, Sarkar that. He has a gaping weakness in - Shabalov, Arlington 2011 (9 ... his camp on the fS-square and tt:JhS, Djurkovic - Gliksman, Slo White's knights will be headed venia 1991, 10.tt:lb5!?;!;) 10.tt:lb5!;t there along the routes tt:Je2-g3-f5 and once again White obtains an or tt:Jd1-e3-f5, Avrukh - Vaisser, advantage with this move. Jerusalem 2013. 8.0-0 c5 About 8 ...tt:Jc6 9.a3 - see 7 ... tt:Jc6. 8 ... Wfe8. This move leads to a difficultposition for Black. 9.tt:lb5 tt:Ja610. tt:lxd6cxd6 ll.id2± Cohn - Caro, Berlin (m/5) 1906. After 8 ... a6 9.a3;t(followed by b2-b4) White seizes the initiative on the queenside, Cohn - Caro, Berlin (m/7) 1906. 7 ... 0-0 9.d5;t After 7 ... tt:Jh5, White should (diagram) continue with 8.tt:lb5!? (8.0-0 This position was reached in Wfh4 9.f4 tt:lf6oo Black has forced the game Janowski - Von Popiel, 106 J.d4 e6 2.c4 f53. �c3 �f6 4.e3 S ...dS 6.�c2 - see variation B, 4 ...d5. 5 ... b6 6.�ge2 ib7 7.f3 - see variation Bl. 6.�ge2 d6 6 ... d5 7.�c2 c6 8.f3 - see Chapter 9, variation B. Monte Carlo 1902. White was 7.'�c2 quite consistent in implementing White arranges his pieces ac the plan connected with the re cording to the already familiar striction of the activity of Black's set-up. bishop on b7 and after the care less move 9 ...Y9e8? White could have simply won a pawn with 10.�b5 Y9e7 ll.dxe6 dxe6 12. �xd6 Y9xd6 13 . .ixf5± B2) 4 ....!e7 Black's bishop is not so active here as on b4. 5 . .!d3 7 ...�c6 Black develops his knight to an active position, creating in the process the threat tt:Jb4. About 7 ....!d7 8.a3!? tt:Jc6 9. i.d2 - see 7 ...4Jc6. After 7 ... c5 8.d5! tt:Ja6 9.a3 exdS lO.cxdS;tthere arises a weak ness on the e6-square in Black's 5 ...0-0 position, Khodos - Bondarevsky, Rostov on Don 1961. S ... d6 6.4Jge2 0-0 7.�c2 - see 5 ... 0-0. 7 ...g6 8.0-0 eS 9.f3 i.e6, Bla- 107 Chapter 7 gojevic - Tchernyi, Golden Sands and now, he will have to defend 2013, 10.e4! f4 1l.lt'ld5t White has passively, since after the exchange more space and his queenside ini on e4, White has a clear-cut plan tiative develops faster than for actions against the weak pawn Black's counterplay on the other on e6. side of the board. The character of the fight re 8.a3 mains more or less the same after 8 ...g6 9.f3t A.Lein - Kyhle, Gmunden 2007. 9 . .id2ti'c8 Black is preparing e6-e5. 10.f3 e5 8 ....td7 8 ...�d7 9.f3 eS 10 . .td2t Inkiov - Yedidia, Paris 1996. White should not be afraid of the threat e5-e4. Depending on circum stances, later he will castle either on the kingside, or on the queen 11.0-0!? side, while Black will hardly finda reasonable plan for his further ac This move seems more reliable tions. than 11.0-0-0 a6 12.h3 bS!? Black sacrifices a pawn and or 8. .. �e8 9.0-0 .td7,Stephan - ganises counterplay on the a and Rabineau, Avoine 2009 (The b-files. 13.cxb5 axbS 14 ..bb5 , Sei seemingly active move for Black rawan - Short, Tilburg 1990, 14 ... 9 ...�h 5, after 10.f3 .td7, Pinot - �b7+! (followed by �fb8) and de Capitaine, Bretagne 2006, can be spite the extra pawn, White will countered by White with ll.dS!± have problems neutralising and Black's queen on hS is mis Black's pressure. placed, because it will be attacked with tempo after lt'le2-f4.) 10.e4t ll •.. a5 12.gacl g6 13.�d5t Black has failed to prevent e3-e4 Black can hardly find an active 108 l.d4 e6 2.c4 .f53. tiJc3 tiJj6 4.e3 �b4 5.'�c2 plan for his further actions and B3a) 5 •..c5 6.a3 must adhere to waiting tactics. After this move, White will Meanwhile, White can improve have two bishops. He lags a bit in patiently his position. development, but this should not worry him since the position is B3) 4 ••.�b4 closed. This is an active move after which there arises on the board 6•.. hc3 + 7.§'xc3 b6 a n interesting hybrid betweenthe Nimzo-Indian Defence and the 7 ...d6 8.b4 tiJc6 9.tiJf3 0-0 10. Dutch Defence. Black controls re �e2 tiJe4 ll.�b2 b6 12.0-0t I iably the e4-square, because now, White has the two-bishop advan contrary to the Nimzo-Indian De tage and can exchange the power fence, his f-pawn participates in ful enemy knight with tiJf3-d2 the the fightfor it. moment he pleases, Antoshin - 5.§'c2 Uusi, Vilnius 1960. White should not allow the doubling of his pawns. 8.�d3 �b7 9.f3 Now, as main lines for Black, White not only restricts the we will analyse B3a) 5 ..•c5, enemy bishop on b7, but also B3b) 5 ..•b6, B3c) 5 ••• 0-0. takes the e4-square under con trol. Now, Black's pieces have no 5 ... d6 6.�d3 �d7. Here, after access to it. e6-e5, Black's f5 -pawn will be protected. 7.tiJge2 e5 8.f3 .bc3+ 9 ...0-0 9.�xc3 tiJc6 10.0-0t (followed by b2-b4-b5, �cl-b2) and thanks to 9 ... d6 10.tiJh3 �e7 11.0-0 the two-bishop advantage White's tiJbd7 12.b4 0-0 13.�b3 g6 14. prospects are preferable, Matros bxc5 dxc5 15.�b2t - The dark - Lalic, Southend 2002. squares are obviously weak in 109 Chapter 7 Black's camp (this is the conse sure on the a1-h8 diagonal, quence of the moves fS and g6), Malakhatko - Williams, Marseille Cheparinov - Szabo, Albena 2011. 2006. After9 ...tlJhS, White can parry ll.b4 the threat of a check on h4 with White begins a pawn-offensive 10.tlJh3�h4+ 11.tlJf2 0-0 (11 ...d6 on the queenside. 12.0-0:;!;) 12.0-0 cxd4 13.exd4 Now, Black must consider the ttJc6, Yakovich - Moskalenko, following plan for his opponent: Terrassa 1999 and here, he had to dxcS followed by b4-b5, a3-a4-a5. play 14.ie3;!;, protecting his d4- pawn. lO.tLle2 ll... cxd4 Black is trying to create coun terplay on the c-file, exploiting the juxtaposition of the rook and lO ...tLlc6 the queen. Following lO ...aS , Romanko - Black has an interesting pawn Stepovaia, Suzdal 2010, White sacrificehere, but it is insufficient must continue with 11.b3;!;, pre for equality 11 ...cxb4 12.axb4 bS. venting a5-a4. White has the following powerful argument against it: 13.d5! ttJe7 10 .. .'�e711 .b4 d6 12.bxc5 dxcS 14.dxe6 dxe6, Chiburdanidze - 13.0-0 tLlbd7 14.a4 �ae8 15.a5± Lalic, Pula 1997 and here simply White has seized completely the 15.cxb5± and Black's compensa initiative on the queenside, Sorin tion is not good enough. - Ginzburg, Villa Gesell 1998 After ...11 �e7, White realises 10 ... d6 11.0-0 ttJbd7 12.b3 successfully the above mentioned ttJhS 13 . .ib2;!; Black can hardly plan: 12.dxc5! bxcS 13.b5 tLld8 14. neutralise his opponent's pres- 0-0 tLlf7 1S . .ib2 d6 16.a4± Shu- 110 l.d4 e6 2.c4 f53Jijc 3 I1Jf6 4.e3 i.b4 5. WJ c2 miakina - Manakova, Kstovo 6.i.d3 1998. 12.exd4 �k8 6 ••. i.b7 About 6 ...0-0 7.11Jge2ib7 8.f3 13.Wib2!? -see 6 ...ib7. This is the most precise move. White not only removes his queen The line: 6 ...hc3 + 7.W!xc3 from the X-ray with Black's rook, ib7 cannot equalise for Black, but also preserves his control over because after 8.f3 0-0 9.11Je2 cS the eS-square. 10.0-0 W!e7 1l.b3 d6 12.ib2;1; there arises a standard position After the careless move 13. for this variation, with the differ Wid2, Yakovich - Iljushin, Samara ence that White has not lost a 2000, Black could have created tempo for the move a2-a3, Ryskin counterplay by sacrificing two - Gleizerov, Wisla 1992. pawns - 13 ...e5 !? 14 ..bf5 e4? and despite the material advan 7.f3 tage White will have problems neutralising his opponent's initia tive. 13 .•• d6 14.0-0;t White has two bishops and a much freer game. B3b) 5 ..•b6 Black is planning to develop his bishop to the long diagonal. 7••• 0-0 111 Chapter 7 7 ...ll:lc6 8.ll:lge2 0-0 (8 .. .'�Ve7 14.@xf2 exf5 15.2"1xg7± White has 9.0-0 .bc3 10.'1'�xc3:t Slipak - succeeded in exchanging all the Claverie, Buenos Aires 2002) active pieces of his opponent and 9.0-0 id6 (it is too passive for Black lags considerably in devel Black to opt for 9 ...ixc3 10. opment in this endgame.) 10.0-0 'Wxc3:t)10.a 3 aS 11.ll:lb5ie7 12.b3 hc3, Sargissian - Iljushin, Anta ll:la7 13.ll:lbc3 ll:lc8 14.id2:t and lya 2004. Now, White could have Black's pieces are not harmoni played here simply 11.ll:lxc3:t,pre ously deployed, Lautier - Vaisser, serving the elasticity of his pawn Marseille 2001. structure. As a rule, the move 7 ...c5 leads to positions which we have al ready analysed. 8.a3 iaS. There arise original positions after this move (8 ...ixc3 + 9.'Wxc3 - see variation B3a). 9.ll:lge2 ll:lc6 10. 0-0 0-0 1U1b1 'We7 12.id2 l"\ac8 13.2"1fd1 g6, Herzog - Ortiz, Lech enicher SchachServer 2011 and here, the best way for White to emphasize the vulnerability of the dark squares in his opponent's camp is the move 14.ie1!?:t fol lowed by ih4. 8 ...c5 It is not good for Black to trade About 8 ...ll:lc6 9.0-0 - see 7 ... voluntarily his bishop with 7 ... ll:lc6. ixc3+ 8.'Wxc3 'We7(8 ...0-0 9.ll:le2 - see 6 ...ixc3) 9.ll:le2:tand White Following 8 ... d6 9.0-0 ll:lbd7, managed to save a tempo for the Weber - Klueglich, Wingst 2003, move a2-a3, Jaracz - Neiksans, White could have exploited the Pardubice 2003. insufficientprotec tion of the ene my f5-pawn with the move 10. White should not be afraid of d5!± 7 ...ll:lh5 8.ll:lge2 'Wh4+ 9.g3 'We7 (Following 9 ...ixc3 +, Khurtsidze It does not look logical for - Matveeva, Ulcinj 1997, White Black to play 8 ...id 6, because his can play 10.ll:lxc3!?:t, since it bishop could have occupied that would not work for Black to fol square in one move. 9.id2 c5 low with 10 ...ll:lxg3 ?! due to 11. 10.d5 ll:la611.a 3 ll:lc7 12.dxe6 dxe6 1!fif2 f4 12.2"1g1! ll:lf5 13.ixf5 1!fixf2+ 13.0-0-0 1!fie8 14.e4 fxe4 15.ll:lxe4 112 l.d4 e6 2.c4 f53. 4Jc3 ltJf6 4.e3 i.b4 5. W!c2 ,b:e4 16.ix:e4 4Jxe4 17.W/xe4;:!;and Black's e6-pawn is veryweak, M. Socko - Hoang Thanh Trang, Dresden 2008. 8 ...W/e7 9.0-0 .bc3 10.4Jxc3 d6 11 . .id2 cS 12.dS 4Ja6 13.a3;:!; (followed by e3-e4) White has more space, while Black's knight is misplaced at the edge of the board, Malakhatko - Frey, Dei- zisau 2009. 6 ...d6 9.a3 cxd4 About 6 ...b6 7.4Jge2 .ib7 8.f3 - see variation B3b. About 9 ....bc3 + 10.W/xc3 - see variation B3a. It does not seem consistent for Black to choose 6 ...dS 7.4Jge2 c6 10.axb4 dxc3 11.W/xc3 a5 8.f3 a6 (or 8 ....id6) 9 . .id2 .id6 12.bxa5 gxa5 13,gxa5 bxa5 and there has arisen a position 14.0-0;!; which will be analysed in Chapter 9, but with an extra tempo for White, since Black has lost time on manoeuvres with his bishop. It does not seem good for him to opt for 6 ....ixc3 - Black pre sents voluntarily his opponent with the two-bishop advantage. 7.W/xc3 4Je4 (7 ... d6 8.4Je2 W/e7 9.0-0 cS, Rodriguez - Rubinetti, Argentina 1989, 10.b4;:!;, White begins active actions on the The position has been opened queenside) 8.W/c2 4Jc6 9.a3 eS 10. and White's bishops have become dS 4Je7 11..be4 fxe4, Shalimov very powerful, moreover that Sitnikov, Alushta 2008, 12.W/xe4;:!; Black's aS-pawn is very weak, and Black does not have sufficient Malakhatko - Cavaletto, Zuerich compensation for the pawn. 2010. 6 ...cS 7.a3 ixc3+ 8.W/xc3 d6 9.4Je2eS lO.dxeS dxeS 11.0-0 aS B3c) 5 ... 0-0 6 . .id3 12.b3 4Jc6 13.i.b2 W/e7 14.4Jg3 113 Chapter ? lt:Jg4 15.h3 lt:Jh6 16.f4;t; Black has failed to parry the activity of White's bishops, Taimanov - Ko pylov, Leningrad 1955. This position was tested in two games by M.Botvinnik. Both of them ended in a draw, but White had the advantage afterthe open ing in both of them. 8 ...hc3 + 7•.• c5 In the game Taimanov - Bot Before developing his knight vinnik, Moscow 1952, there fol to the c6-square, Black advances lowed 8 ...ia5 9.d5 exdS lO.cxdS his pawn. lt:Jg4 1l.lt:Jf4 lt:JeS 12.ie2 \We7 13. 0-0;!; and Black had to be con He has also tried the immedi- stantly on the alert about the pos ate move 7 ...lt:Jc6 8.0-0 ixc3 9. sible penetration of the enemy \Wxc3 aS (9 ...e5 10.b4;t;) 10.b3 eS knight to the e6-square. ll.ia3 (1l.ib2!?;t;) ll ...l'!e8 12.d5 lt:Je7 13.f4!;t;and White clears the 9.lt:Jxc3 c!bc6 10.dxc5 dxc5 long diagonal for the actions of ll.b3 .td7 12 . .!b2 .!DeS 13 . .te2 his dark-squared bishop, Yako i.c6, Bronstein - Botvinnik, Mos vich - Gleizerov, Stockholm 2001. cow 1951. 7 ...\Wd7 8. i.d2 eS 9.f3;t;- Now, the move e5-e4 has been prevent ed for a long time and in order to free his queen from the protection of the fS -pawn, Black will have to play g7-g6, which will weaken the position of his king, Wiedenkeller - Karlsson, Stockholm 1993. 8.a3 114 l.d4 e6 2.c4 j53. 4Jc3 liJf6 4.e3 :!b4 5. Wffc2 White has the two-bishop ad ise the pressure of the enemy vantage and his dark-squared bishop on c6 against the g2- bishop is particularly powerful square. The simplest way to do since it has no opponent. The only that is 14.l"!d1 Wffe7 15.0-0 c!Og6 thing White must do is to neutral- 16.£3;!; Conclusion In the variation l.d4 e6 2.c4 :!b4 3.:!d2 :!xd2 4.Wffxd2 f5 , White maintains a slight but stable advantage by fianchettoing his bishop (g2-g3, :!fl-g2) followed by liJc3, liJf3, 0-0, !!fel, after which Black must either comply with the enemy pawn-advance e2-e4, which would lead to the opening of the e-file and pressure of White's pieces against the e6-square, or Black will have to play d5, which would lead to the weakening of the dark squares in his camp. In the variation l.d4 e6 2.c4 f5 , White deploys his pieces according to the following scheme: e2-e3, :!d3, liJge2, Wffc2 and f2-f3, taking under reliable control the key e4-square for the Dutch Defence. If Black de velops his bishop on b7, then it will be restricted considerably by White's pawn on f3 . If Black plays :!b4, then he will have to exchange sooner or later this bishop for the enemy knight on c3, which will pre sent White with the two-bishop advantage. 115 Chapter S l.d4 g6 2.c4 f5 l.d4 c5 2.d5 f5 This chapter will be devoted to theless, it has a very serious draw Black's two not so successful at back. tempts to enter Dutch set-ups. 3.h4! These are the variations A) l.d4 This is the point! Now, Black g6 2.c4 f5 and B) l.d4 c5 2.d5 will have great problems to de f5. fend his kingside, because he can not parry the threat h4-h5 with A) l.d4 g6 2.c4 f5 out considerable positional con cessions. Black began the game as in the Modern Defence and then tries to He has a choice between two transpose to the Leningrad Varia possibilities: Al) 3 ....ig7 and tion of the Dutch Defence, having A2) 3 ...l�f 6. avoided the variation l.d5 f5 2. lt:Jc3, which has been analysed in About 3 ...c5 4.h5 !J.g7 5.d5 - Chapter 6. see 3 ...JJ.g7. This line has been tested in al most 2000 games and has been After 3 ...h6, White can play played by grandmasters like J. immediately 4.e4!, for example Elvest and V. Tseshkovsky; never- 4 ...d6 (but not 4 ...fxe 4?, because 116 l.d4 g6 2.c4 f53.h4 after s.�g4 d6 6.�xg6+ lt>d7 7. 5.d5 tt:lc3 �e8 8.�xe4+- White re mains with an extra pawn and an overwhelming positional advan tage) s.�d3 ttlf6 6.tt:lc3± The vul nerability of Black's g6-pawn is an important factor in this posi tion, Toth - Rigo, Eger 2002. Al) 3 •••ig7 4.h5 Now, Black must be perma nently on the alert about the move hxg6, opening the h-file, as well as about the possibility h5-h6. 5 ...�a5 + 4 ... c5 Black is trying to create active It is also possible for Black to counterplay on the long diagonal. play immediately 5 ...�b 6, but even then his counterplay is not About 4 ...tt:lc6 5.ttlf 3 d6 6.ttlc3 dangerous for White. 6.ttlc3 gS - see 4 ...d6. (Black weakens considerably his dark squares with the line: 6 ... White obtains a great advan hc3+ 7.bxc3 �f6 8.ttlf3, Paehtz tage after4 ...tt:lf6 S.h6 �f8 6.tt:lc3± - Danner, Budapest 1991 and Black has lost two tempi on ma here, after capturing of the pawn noeuvres with his bishop and his 8 ...�xc3 + and 9.�d2 �g7 10.g3 position is very bad, V.Popov - tt:lf611 .�c3 d6 12.h6 �f8 13.ttlg5± Ditiatev, Novaya Ladoga 2002. leads to a very difficult position for Black. He can hardly neutral Following 4 ... d6 5.ttlf3 ttlc66. ise the pressure of the enemy ttlc3 eS7.� g5 �d7 S.ds tt:ld89.e 4 dark-squared bishop as well as tt:lf7, Lipinsky - Danner, Buda the threat of the penetration to pest 1997, White has at his dis the e6-square.) 7.�c2 �f6, Con posal a very promising pawn-sac quest - Berg, Saint Vincent 2000. rifice - lO.cS!, opening the diago White can maintain the advan nal for his light-squared bishop. tage in many different ways, but 10 ...dxc5 11.�b5 c6 12.dxc6 bxc6 the simplest is the plan with cas 13.�c4 �xd1+ 14.l'!xdl± Black has tling queenside as quickly as pos problems defending this end sible: 8.�d2 tt:la6 9.a3 d6 10. game, since he lags in develop 0-0-0± followed by the prepara ment and his doubled c-pawns tion of the pawn-advance e2-e4. are very weak, while White's piec es are tremendously active. 6.id2 �b6 7.ic3!? 117 Chapter B After this pawn-sacrifice, of everything! He sacrifices a Black has great problems. pawn and if necessary the ex change as well and breaks his op 7••• hc3 + 8.1Llxc3 Yfxb2 ponent's defence on the kingside. 4 ••• 1Llxh5 This is at least a principled move. Black gobbles material. 4 ...ig7 5.h6 - see 3 ...ig7. If he plays something else, he willhave to defend a position with material equality. 4 ...l'�g8 5.hxg6 hxg6 6.1Llc3 b6 7.ltJf3 ib7 8.�f4± Black will have difficulties to complete his development and to evacuate his king away from the 9J:lh3! centre, Bisguier - Monickaraj, This is a very precise move af New York 2004. ter which Black's problems be come even more difficult. After 4 . ..gx h5, White will re gain his pawn after a while and 9 •••Yfb6 10.d6 gxh5 ll.e4± Black will have no compensation and Black's position crumbles, for his kingside pawn-weakness Dymek - Kostanjsek, Email 2009. es. 5.ltJc3 ig7 6 . .ig5 0-0 (6 ...d6, Knaak - Wesseln, Germany 1990, 7.hf6 hf6 8.e3 h4 9.�h5+ i>f8 A2) 3 ••• 1tlf6 10.0-0-0 e6 ll.ltJf3± followed by Black wishes to prevent h4-h5. ltJh4 and Black's king is endan gered) 7.e3 d6 8.ltJh3 c6 9.ltJf4± (followed by ltJh5),Dao Thien Hai - Petran, Hungary 1995. 4.h5! White plays this move despite 118 l.d4 c5 2.d5j53.e 4 5J:�xh5! This move is energetic and strong. 5 .••gxh5 6.e4 the game S.Atalik - Skembris, Kastoria 1996. Black's defence is difficult, because his king is vul nerable, his pieces are not devel oped and every mistake may lead 6 ••• d6 to his immediate demise. For ex Black is preparing the evacua ample, after what happened in tion of his king to the queenside. the game ll ...e5?! 12.%'fg3 .!Lld7 White could have maintained a It will be even more vulnerable great advantage with the move on the kingside: 6 ...ig7 7.�xh5+ 13.c5!± - the position is opened <±>fB 8.�xf5+ <±>g89.lt:lf 3 lt:lc6 10. and Black's problems become �h5 d6 (10 ... lt:lxd4?? ll.lt:lxd4 even greater. ixd4 12.�d5+) ll.lt:lc3 id7 12.ie3 �eB, Schnepp - Miton, Biel 1997 (12 ...ie8 13.�h4±) 13.�h4± Nat B) l.d4 c5 2.d5 f5 urally, White should avoid the trade of the queens. In the arising position, his compensation for the minimal material deficit is more than sufficient.Wh ite has a pawn for the exchange, a power fulcentre and a superior develop ment, while Black will have prob lems for long with the safety of his king. 7.�xh5+ <±>d7 8.�xf5+ e6 9.�h3 c6 10 • .!Llf3�c7 11• .!Llc3:t After this move there arises on (diagram) the board a strange hybrid be This position was reached in tween the Modern Benoni De- 119 Chapter S fence and the Dutch Defence. This White wishes to play ltJg3 and line is seldom played in the con ltJgxe4. temporary tournament practice and is usually aimed at surprising The move 5.g4 became popu the opponent and reaching rather lar after the game Seirawan - original positions. This scheme Mamedyarov, Ningbo 2011: 5 ...h6 has been tried by J. Elvest, Sh. 6.h3 d6 7.ltJge2 eS 8.ttJg3 .ie7 9. Mamedyarov, K. Sakaev, A. Sha .ig2 ltJa6 10.ttJcxe4;t; and having balov, V. Tukmakov and some established complete control over other grandmasters. It has a seri the e4-square, White scored a con ous positional defect however. vincing victory. Still, the move 3.e4! 5.g4 seems to be too risky, be This is an energetic pawn cause it weakens considerably break in the centre. Here, contra White's kingside pawn-structure. ry to the Staunton Gambit, White will regain easily his pawn since Black does not have the possibili ty d7-d5. 3 ...fxe4 4.�c3 �f6 After 4 ...g6 5.ltJxe4 .ig7, Mi shuchkov - Beznosikov, Odintso vo 2011, 6.ltJf3±there arise posi tions analogous to the main line with the difference that White does not need to lose tempi in or der to regain his e4-pawn (ttJgl 5 ...g6 e2-g3xe4). Black prepares the develop ment of his bishop on g7. Following 5 ...1Mfb6 6.ttJg3 g6, before capturing on e4, it is better for White to castle. 7 . .ie2!? (After the hasty move 7.ltJgxe4 ltJxe4 8. ltJxe4 Wfb4+ 9.ttJc3 .ig7� Black obtained good counterplay in the game F.Portisch - Okhotnik, Zal akaros 2003.). 7 ....ig7 8.0-0 d6 9.ltJgxe4± - The weakness of the e6-square and the backward e7- 5.�ge2!? pawn are serious defects of Black's This is the simplest move. position. 120 l.d4 c52.d 5j53.e 4 5 ...d6 6.llJg3 llJbd7 7.llJgxe4 6.�g3 d6 llJxe48. llJxe4�b 6, Farago - Dan Black can hardly continue the ner, Budapest 1998, 9.c3!? This game without this move. is the most precise move for White. He not only neutralises The move 6 ....ig7 as a rule his opponent's tactical threat leads to transposition 7.llJgxe4 (�b4+ ), but also covers the long llJxe4 8.llJxe4 0-0 (8 ...d6 9.h4 - diagonal in case Black fian see 6 ...d6) 9.h4 d6 10.h5 - see 6 ... chettoes his dark-squared bish d6. op. 9 ...llJe5 10.a4 a6 ll.f4 llJf7 12 . .id3g6 13.h4;t - He can hard 7.�gxe4 �xe4 8.�xe4 �g7 ly defend against the threat h4- 9.h4 h5. Afterthe move 5 ...e5, as it was played in the game Danner - Tu Hoang Thong, Elista 1998, White could have reacted resolutely with the move 6.d6!? There might fol low: 6 ...�b6 7 . .ig5 �xd6 (7... hd6 8.hf6 gxf6 9.llJd5+-) 8. �xd6 hd6 9.llJb5 .ie7 (9 ...'i>e7 10.llJg3+-) 10.llJc7+lt?d8 ll.llJ xa8 b6 12.llJc3 .ib7 13.llJxb6 axb6 14 . .ic4± and after this accurate move Black is incapable of playing (White prevents d7-d5), Black's actively in the centre, so White compensation for the exchange is can begin immediate active ac insufficient. tions on the kingside. 5 ...�a5 6 . .id2 �b6. Black's 9 ...0-0 counterplay against the b2-pawn is doomed to failure. 7.llJg3 g6 9 ....if5 10.llJg3 0-0 ll.llJxf5 (7 ...�x b2? 8.gb1 �a3 9.llJb5+-) gxf5 12 . .id3 ge5+, Dinenis - 8.a4 .ig7 9.a5 �c7 10.llJb5 �d8 Makepeace, Swansea 2006 and 11.d6! llJa6 12 . .ic4 e6, Ornstein - here, the cold-blooded move 13. Backelin, Borlange 1995 and here @fl!± emphasizes best the defects after 13.0-0 0-0 14.�e2± White of Black's position. He must not regains his pawn. Black's position only defend against h4-h5, but is cramped, his knight on a6 is also be on the alert not to lose his misplaced and he must lose plen rook. ty of time to bring his bishop on c8 into the actions. 10.h5 �f5 ll.�g3 �d7 121 Chapter S �xf5gxf5 Black's compensation for the exchange is insufficientafter 14 ... E!xfS 15.id3 E!xdS 16.ic4 �fS 17. .ixdS+ tt:lxd5 18.�b3± It also seems good for White to play here 15.h6!? ieS 16.E!h5± 12.c3!? 15 . ..{4 16 . .id2± After12.h xg6, Naumkin - An Black's position would not be dreoli, Castel di Sangro 2010, 12 ... so bad if his knight had the possi .bg6;tWhite's edge would not be bility to come to the eS-square. so great, because he cannot ob Now, White has a great advan tain the two-bishop advantage. tage, because he has two powerful bishops while Black's king is vul 12 . . . �a6 13.J.e3 �c7 14. nerable. Conclusion We have just analysed Black's attempts to reach a position of the Dutch type out of the Modern Defence l.d4 g6 2.c4 fS or out of the Modern Benoni Defence - l.d4 cS 2.d5 fS . These lines are not consid ered quite correct, since they lead to difficultpositions for Black. In the first variation White has the powerful idea h2-h4-h5, after which Black can hardly defend his kingside. This is due to the negative consequences of the moves fS and g6, which have led to the weakening of the h5-e8 diagonal. In the second line, White has a powerful temporary pawn-sacrifice 3.e2-e4. He will soon regain this pawn with tt:le2-g3xe4 and Black will be left with a backward pawn on e7. If he castles kingside, then the position of his king will be weakened by the absence of the pawn on f7. This will enable White to begin active actions on the kingside with the pawn-march h2-h4. 122 Chapter 9 l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 contemporary grandmasters only A. Minasian plays like this once in a while. Presently, if somebody wishes to build a Stonewall, he begins as a rule with the moves fS , e6, ti::lf6, postponing the move d7- d5. In the final chapter of our book, devoted to the Dutch schemes, we will analyse varia tions in which Black advances f7- f5 in Queen's set-ups. At first we will deal with the rather dubious move A) 3 ...f5, which enables White to develop his bishop to the f4-square and The point is that now White later we will analyse the elastic has the possibility to play: move B) 3 ...c6, afterwh ich Black 4 . .if4 ! waits at first for his opponent to White develops his bishop to play 4.e3 and only then advances an active position and creates se f7-f5. rious problems for Black. Now, no matter where he will develop his dark-squared bishop, he will A) 3 ...f5? ! have difficultiesin the opening. If This move was played at the Black develops the bishop to d6, end of the 19th century, but it then sooner or later there will be never became popular in the an advantageous trade for White grandmaster practice. Amongthe of the bishops and he will remain 123 Chapter 9 with a "good" bishop against a "bad" bishop for Black, since the majority of his pawns are placed on light squares. If Black develops his bishop to e7, then he can hard ly fightfor the e5-square. 4 ...�f6 Black is not likely to continue the game without this move. About 4 ...c6 5.e3 lt'lf6 (5 ...i.d6 6.lt'lf3 - see 4 ...id6) 6.lt'lf3 - see As a rule, there arises trans 4 ...lt'lf6. position after 5 ...id6 6.lt'lf3 0-0 (6 ...c6 7.id3 - see 5 ...c6. In the Black has tried in practice to game Sakaev - Radulski, Vrnjac continue without lt'lf6, for exam ka Banja 1996, Black chose 6 ... ple 4 ...id6 5.e3 c6 (5 ...lt'lf6 6.lt'lf3 .hf4 7.exf4 0-0 8.ie2 b6 9.0-0 - see 4 ...lt'lf 6) 6.lt'lf3 lt'le7 (6 ...lt'lf6 ib7 10. �cU, but in the forth 7.id3 or 6 ...ixf4 7.exf4 lt'lf6 coming middle game White's 8.id3 0-0 9.0-0 - see variation chances seemed preferable, be Al) 7.id3 lt'lg6 (7... 0-0 8.0-0 cause Black's e6-pawn was very lt'lg6 9.hd6 �xd6 10.�c2 - see weak.) 7.�d3 lt'lc6. There arise 7 ... lt'lg6) 8.hd6 �xd6 9.0-0 0-0 very original positions after this 10.�c2 a6 llJUcl± Babula - Blat move (7... c6 8.0-0 - see variation ny, Prague 2007. There arises an Al). 8.0-0 id7, Vyzmanavin - advantageous position for White, Padevsky, Gelsenkirchen 1991, because he has a clear-cut plan 9.cxd5!? exd5 10.�b3 tt:la51l .�c2 for queenside actions: �ab1, b2- hf4 12.exf4 g6 13.�fel± - fol b4, a2-a4, and b4-b5. Black has lowed by tt:lf3-e5. White's knight no counterplay, because his on e5 will dominate the board, knight on g6 is misplaced and his while aftertt:le4, Wh ite will always attempt to begin active operations manage to oust the enemy knight with the move f5 -f4 will be coun away from the centre with the tered by White with e3-e4. move f2-f3. 5.e3 (diagram) Al) 5 ...c6 6.�f3 Now, Black must choose where (diagram) to develop his bishop on f8 . He 6 •.•.id6 may place it on e7 - A2) 5 •.•.ie7 or to d6, usually afterthe prelimi About 6 ...ie7 7.id3 - see vari nary move Al) 5 ...c6. ation A2. 124 l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.tt'lc3j54. fJ.j4 tt'lf6 5.e3 bxc3± followed by tt'lf3-e5, f2-f3 and c3-c4, Shulman - Muham mad, Philadelphia 2004. 6 ... tt'lbd7 7.id3 tt'le4 8.1M/c2 tt'ldf6. It may be possible that Black's best decision here is 8 ... ie7, transposing to variation A2. (Black played too riskily in the game Shishkin - Sopur, Police 2007: 8 ....ib4 9.0-0 gS?! 10.he4 gxf4 11.id3 fxe3 12Jlae1 0-0 13. After ...6 tt'le4, White has at his l"lxe3 tt'lf6 14.tt'le5± White man disposal the energetic resource 7. aged to neutralise his opponent's tt'leS!? and in order to parry the initiative with rather simple threat 1M/h5, Black must place an moves. Now, Black has no com other pawn on a light square. 7 ... pensation for the compromised g6 8.tt'lxe4 dxe4 9.c5! White cre shelter of his king and his back ates the rather unpleasant threats ward e-pawn.) 9.0-0 ie7 10.h3 tt'le5-c4 and tt'ld6or id6. 9 .. .'�a5+ 0-0 11.tt'le5. This is one of the 10.'�d2 1M/xd2+ 11.c;!;>xd2± White main ideas for White in this varia controls the d6 and eS-squares, tion and we will see it again nu Kukov - Scholvin, Latschach merous times. He not only occu 2011. pies the central square with his knight but prepares f2-f3 too. 11 ... It is useless for Black to play gS. This attack on the flankis ab 6 ...ib4 , because he can reap no solutely harmless for White. 12. dividends out of the pin of the en ih2 1M/e8, Sideif Sade - S.Guliev, emy knight. 7.id3 0-0 (It would Baku 1997, 13.cxd5 exdS 14.f3 be rather dubious fo r Black to tt'lxc3 15.bxc3 .id6 16.l"lab1 1M/e7 give up the centre 7 ...dxc4 8.hc4 17.c;!;>hl± - Later, White will pre tt'ldS 9.1Mib3 1M/a5 10.0-0 tt'ld7 11. pare c3-c4 or e3-e4. After the tt'leStt'lxeS 12.he5± Slugin - Pe opening of the game, he will try to rekhodkin, Dagomys 2010. Black organise an attack against the en has no compensation for the weak emy king, because its shelter is eS-square on which White's bish somewhat weakened by the pawn op is perfectly placed. Naturally, advance g7-g5. Black's attempt to win a pawn with 12 ...hc3 13.bxc3 1M/xc3?? af 7 . .id3 ter 14 . .bd5+- would lead to the White is developing his bishop loss of a piece.) 8.0-0 tt'le49. 1M/b3 and is preparing to castle king aS 10J''!ac1 c;!;>h8 11.c5 hc3 12. side. 125 Chapter 9 7... 0-0 9 ...dxc4 10.hc4 .!DdS ll.g3 .!Dd7 12.:1!el± Black has a weak About 7 ... .!De4 8.0-0 0-0 9. ness on e6 as well as a "bad" bish hd6, or 7 ...hf4 8.exf4 0-0 9. op, Svetushkin - Krapivin, Mos 0-0, or 7 ..:fic7 8.hd6 'fixd6 9. cow 2007. 0-0 0-0 10.'ffc2 - see 7 ... 0-0. It is not preferable for him to opt for 9 ... .!De4 10.ge1 .!Dd7 n.gc1 8.0-0 @h8 12.g3 .!Ddf6 13 . .!De5 'ffb6 14. ixe4 fxe41s. gc2 'ffd8 16.f3± and once again White'sknight on eS is obviously more powerfulth an the bishop on c8, Shishkin - Ruszc zycki, Koszalin 2008. The evaluation of the position remains the same after 9 ...id7 10.ge1 .!De4 1l. .!De5ie8 12.f3 .!Dxc3 13.bxc3± Korobov - Karjakin, Kramatorsk 2001. After8 .. .'fffc7 8 •.. .!De4 This is Black's main line. He occupies a central square with his knight. 8 ...\1Ne7 9.ixd6 'ffxd6 - see 8 ... 'ffc7. Black plays only seldom 8 ... ixf4 9.exf4, after which White has an easy game against his White'ssimplest reaction would opponent's backward e6-pawn. be 9.hd6 'ffxd6 10.'ffc2 .!De4 11. gab1 aS 12.a3 id7, Potkin - Ak baev, Khanty-Mansiysk 2013 and here 13.c5!? 'ffc7 14 . .!Da4 ie8 15 . .!Db6 ga7 16.he4 fxe4 17 .!De. 5± and on top of all Black's troubles, his rook on a7 is a sorry sight. It is also good for White to opt here for 9.g3!? Schlechter - John, Barmen 1905 and despite the fact 126 l.d4 d52.c 4 e6 3.lt:lc3j54. ij4 lt:Jj6 5.e3 that more than 100 years have In the game Ryzhov - Anzhi passed since that game was rov, Smolensk 2001, the careless played, the ideas of Carl Schlech move 10 ...lt:Jd 7? cost a pawn for ter seem to be quite applicable Black following ll.cxd5 exd5 (11 ... nowadays as well. 9 ...lt:Je4 10.'Wb3 cxd5 12.lt:Jb5 Y«e7 13.�acl±) 12. \t>h8 1l.�acl hf4 12.exf4 'Wf7 13. ixe4 fxe4 13.lt:Jxe4± lt:Je5 'We7 14.he4 fxe4 15.f3 exf3 16.�ce1 'Wc7 17.'Wa3 \t>g8 18.�xf3 lt:Ja6 19.b3± Later, Black failed to cope with the problems of his po sition. 19 ...'Wd8 20.c5 lt:Jc72l .'Wb2 id7 22.'Wc2'We7 23. �ef1 �ae8 24. g4 ic8 25.�h3 g6 26.b4 'Wf6 27. �hf3 �e7 28.a4 a6 29.lt:Jd1 �g7 30.lt:le3'We7 3l .g5. It is worth no ticing how skilfully Schlechter fixed all his opponent's pawns on light squares. After that, Black's bishop resembled a big pawn. 11.c!Lle2 31...id7 32.lt:l3g4 ie8 33.lt:Jh6+ White is preparing the transfer \t>h8 34.'We2 'Wd8 35.lt:Jeg4 id7 of his knight to the f4-square. 36.'We5 lt:Je8 37.�h3 'Wc7 38.lt:Jf6 ll ... c!Lld7 12.c!Llf4 c!Lldf6 13.c5 'Wxe5 39.fxe5 �e7 40.�hf3 lt:Jxf6 Y«e7 14.c!Lle5 4l.�xf6 �xf6 42.exf6 �e8 43.lt:Jf7+ He is completely dominant on \t>g8 44.lt:Je5+- White's advan the dark squares. tage has become decisive. 44 ... 14 ••• \t>gS 15 • .ixe4 fxe4 16. �d8 45.\t>g2 \t>f8 46.h4 ie8 47. f3 V«c7 17.gf2 i.d7 18.gafl exf3 \t>f3 if7 48.\t>f4 \t>e8 49.�b1 \t>f8 50.b5 1-0 9.hd6 V«xd6 The character of the fight re mains the same after 9 ...lt:Jxd6, Kekki - Moskalenko, Helsinki 1992, 10.Y«b3!?t 10.Y«b3 White connects his rooks and creates in the process tactical 19.gxf3! White is preparing threats on the a2-g8 diagonal. active actions on the semi-open g 10 .•.c.t>h8 file and Black's knight has been 127 Chapter 9 deprived of the e4-square after for Black to choose 8 ...cxd5 9.lt'lb5 White's last move. 19..• !!ae8 0-0 10.lt'lg5± White's cavalry will 20.!!g2± Black has no counter create great problems for Black, play at all and later he failed to Zagorskis - S.Guliev, Frunze solve the problem with his "bad" 1989.) 9.lt'lxd5 cxdS 10.0-0 '\1;Yb6 bishop on d7, Carolei - Llagaria ll.'\1;Yc2 0-0 12J'Ucl± White has Vidal, Email 2010. complete control over the only open file, Podolchenko - A.Po tapov, Minsk 2007. A2) 5 •••.ie7 This move leads to a sharper game, because with it Black avoids A2a) 7••. c!i)e4 8.Yfc2 the trade of the bishops. White is not in a hurry to cas 6.c!i)£J c6 tle kingside. 8 ••• c!i)d7 About 6 ...0-0 7.i.d3 c6 - see 6 ...c6. 8.,.0-0 9.g4 - see 7 ...0-0. 7• .id3 9.g4!? This is White's main idea in this variation. He exploits the ex posed position of Black's fS -pawn in order to open the g-file. Now, Black has a choice. He may castle A2b) 7.•. 0-0, or may leave his king in the centre by playing A2a) 7••. c!i)e4. 9 ••• c!i)xc3 It is worse fo r Black to play here 7 ...c!i)bd7, because in this var It is bad for Black to play 9 ... iation the bishop on c8 loses con fxg4, because after 10.i.xe4 gxf3 trol over the fS -square. White can ll.i.xh7± his king will be seriously exploit this circumstance with 8. endangered, Meyer - Borngaess cxdS! lt'lxdS (It is not preferable er, Germany 1990. 128 l.d4 d52.c 4 e6 3.�c3j54. 1if4 �!6 5.e3 It is not preferable for him to fleetsthe enemy bishop from the opt for the solid line: 9 ...g6 10. attack against the fS-pawn. cxdS exdS ll.gxfS gxfS 12J3gl �df6 13.�e5± Black's king is Black loses immediately after stranded in the centre, while 10 ...fxg4 ll.hh7 Elxh7 (ll...gxf3 White has almost completed the 12.\Wg6+ 'it>f8 13.Eigl i.f6 14. development of his pieces, has oc i.d6+- and in order not to be cupied the g-file and his knight is checkmated, Black will have to very powerful in the centre of the part with his queen.) 12.\Wg6+ board, Lazarev - Malyshev, Bu 'it>f8 13.\Wxh7 gxf3 14.Eigl i.f6 15. dapest 1990. \Wh8+ 'it>t7 16.Eixg7+- and Black suffers huge material losses, Black's counterplay, connect Ovetchkin - Bochkarev, Samara ed with the pin of the knight, is 2012. not dangerous for White, because Black's queenside pieces are not 11 . .b:c4fxg4 12.�d2 �f6 developed yet. 9 ...\WaS lO.gxfS exfS ll.cxdS cxdS (ll ...�x c3 12. bxc3 \WxdS 13.'it>e2! �f6 14.�e5± - and due to the lag in develop ment, Black is incapable of ex ploiting the placement of White's king in the centre of the board, Cuenca Jimenez - San tos, La Roda 2010) 12.0-0 a6 13. Eifel �df6 14.�e2 i.d7 15.i.c7\Wa4 16. �eS \Wxc2 17.Eixc2±White has occupied the c-file, while Black has a pawn on dS and his knight 13.h3. White opens files for on e4 will be soon ousted from an attack. 13 ...gxh3 , Shulman - the centre after the move f2 -f3, Sevillano, Las Vegas 2008, 14 . Khenkin - Stoliar, Stockholm .ie5! Before capturing the h3- 1998. pawn, White must deprive his op ponent of the tactical possibility 10.bxc3 e6-e5. 14 ....id7 15.l:�xh3 c5 16. Now, Black can hardly neu dxc5 �a5 17.�e4± White's piec tralise the enemy pressure against es are much more active in the his fS-pawn. arising complicated position. In addition, Black has great prob 10 ...dxc4 lems to find a safe haven for his He gives up the centre, but de- king. 129 Chapter 9 A2b) 7••• 0-0 8.Wic2 of new pawn-weaknesses in his camp (Meanwhile, it is not prefer able for Black to opt for 9 ...ltJc7 10.0-0 �d7 ll.l'!acl±, because his knight is misplaced on the c7- square, Gorelov - Bronstein, Moscow 1981.). 10.�xc4 b5 11.�e2 b4 12.axb4 ttJxb4 13.�b3 ttJfd5 (13 ... ttJbd5 14.�e5±) 14.�e5 a5 15. 0-0 �a6 16.ha6 l'!xa6 17.ttJa4± Black's pawns on a5, c6 and e6 are an excellent target for White's pieces, Lytchak - Malakhov, Tal 8 •••tt:le 4 linn 1997 8 ...@h8 9.h3 ttJe4 10.0-0 �d7 Black cannot equalise with the (following 10 ...�f6 , Javakhishvili standard transfer for the Dutch - Mamedjarova, Khanty-Mansi set-ups of his bishop to the e8- ysk 2010, White can begin imme square. 8 ...�d7 9.ltJe5 �e8 (9 ... diately active actions on the ltJa610 .a3 ttJc7, Sherbakov - Gra queenside: 11.b4±) ll.ltJe5± fol barczyk, Koszalin 1997, ll.h3!?± lowed by f2-f3, removing Black's - depriving Black of the possibil knight away from the centre, ity to exchange the powerfulbish Averkin - Rakhimov, Krasnodar op with the move ltJh5. It would 1997. be sufficient to evaluate the posi tion in favour of White if you Black fails to get rid of his compare the placement of the "bad" bishop after 8 ...b6 9.0-0 knights on e5 and c7.) 10.g4 fxg4 �a6, Moradiabadi - Moreto, (10 ...dxc4 ll.hc4±; 10... ttJe4 11. Spain 2006, because White can gxf5 exf5 12.cxd5 ttJxc313 .bxc3+ counter this with 10.cxd5! �xd3 Raetsky - Shumiakina, Pardubice 11.�xd3 cxd5 12.ltJb5 ltJe8 13. 1992) ll.h3!� White opens files l'!acl± following this with dou and his attack becomes tremen bling of his major pieces on the c dously powerful, Iljin - Gevorg file. yan, Alushta 2010. 8 ... ttJa6. This development of 9.g4!? the knight to the edge of the board We are already familiar with leads to difficult positions for this resource for White. Black. 9.a3 dxc4. He is trying to (diagram) organise active counterplay, but 9 •••Wfa5 this only leads to the appearance Black has a great choice of 130 l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3. tt:\c3 j54. �f4 tt:\f6 5.e3 0-0 �xc3 14.bxc3 dxc4 1S.�xc4+ @h8 16.a4;tWhite has two power ful bishops and afterthe exchange on g3, he may develop a powerful attack on the h-file (@g2, �h1), Daus - Contreras Poblete, Lech enicher SchachServer 2009. Black loses a pawn after 9 .. . tt:ld7 lO.gxfS exfS (following 10 .. . tt:ldf6 11.fxe6he6, Lingnau - Be possibilities here, but neither of relowitsch, Berkel 2003, 12.h4!?± them promises him an easy game. Black's compensation for his ma terial deficit is insufficient) 11. After 9 .. .fxg4 10.�xe4 dxe4 cxdS tt:\xc3 12.bxc3 cxdS 13.�xfS± 11.tt:leS tt:ld7 12.0-0-0 tt:\xeS 13. Wirig - Piankov, La Fere 2009. �xeS �d7 14J�dg1 �f6 1S.�xg4 heS 16.dxeS± Black loses his e4- It is not good for Black to opt pawn, Sequera Paolini - Psakhis, for 9 ...�b4 10.gxfS exfS, Narciso Elista 1998. Dublan - Simon Padros, Barcelo na 200S. Now, White can enter 9 ... tt:ld6 lO.cxdS cxdS, Korot almost by force a better endgame kj evich - T.Fischer, Germany with the line: 11.�b3!? �aS 12. 2011, 11.0-0-0!? tt:\c612.a 3;t(fol 0-0! hc3 13.bxc3 �xc3 14.he4 lowed by gxfS) and White's play �xb3 1S.hdS+ cxdS 16.axb3 on the g-file is much more dan dxc4 17.bxc4± (followed by d4-dS, gerous than Black's queenside tt:lf3-d4, �fb1) Black will have counterplay. great problems neutralising the pressure of White's pieces. After9 ...�d6, White's simplest response would be 10.�g3!? Now, After 9 ... tt:\xc3 10.bxc3 �d6 the exchange on g3 would lead to (10 ...dxc4 11.�xc4 bS 12.�b3 @h8, the opening of the h-file, which Levin - Sotsky, St Petersburg would be in favour of White. 10 ... 2013, 13.gxfS exfS 14.tt:leS±) 11. �b4 (but not 10 ...f xg4 11.he4 �g3 g6 12.tt:leS �xeS 13.heS± - dxe4 12.�xd6 �xd6 13.tt:leS± the dark squares in Black's camp White regains his pawn and Black are catastrophically weak, Shar will have great problems with the ma - Kalyan Kumar, Mumbai protection of his g4-pawn and the 2003. development of the bishop on c8, Gustafsson - Sanduleac, Mallorca After the prophylactic move 2004) 11.gxfS exfS 12.�b3 �aS 13. 9 ...@h8, White should not be in a 131 Chapter 9 hurry to open the g-file, but can play instead 10J1gl. pawn-structure and a powerful attack on the g-file, Malakhatko Firman, Warsaw 2006. Following 10 ... b6 11.gxf5 exf5 It is not preferable for Black 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.�e5± Black can to continue with 10 ...tt:Jc 7, because hardly neutralise the pressure of after 11.gxf5 dxc4 (11 ...exf5 12. White's pieces on the g-file, Lau hc7 \Wxc7 13.cxd5± Cuenca Ji ber - Izrailev, Germany 2007. menez - Ruiz Sanchez, Jaen 2011) It is not preferable for Black to 12.he4 exfS 13.�xc6 bxc6 14. opt for 10 ...�f6 11.g5 �e7 12.g6± lt:JeS± Black's two-bishops and Tan - Hoang Thi Bao, Philippines the weakening of White's king 2010. side are not sufficient to com 10 ...\Wa5 11.'it>e2. This is the pensate Black's sacrificedpawn . best square for White's king. 11 ... White is noticeably better after lt:Jd712.g xf5 exf5 13.cxd5 cxd5 (if 10 ...tt:J xc3 11.bxc3 .td6 (11 ...dxc4 13 ...tt:Jx c3+, then 14.\Wxc3 �b4 15. 12.hc4 bS 13.�d3 WfdS 14.e4± Wl'b3 cxd5 16.!'1acl± followed by Lagowski - Bleis, Warsaw 2005) !'1c7, Surjadnji - Ustianovich, 12.hd6 \Wxd6 13.!'1gl± Black can Kharkov 2000) 14.lt:Jb5 tt:Jdf6 15. hardly parry his opponent's at lt:Jc7!'1b8 16.lt:Ja 6 !'1a817.\W c7 \Wxc7 tack, since his minor pieces are 18.lt:Jxc7 !'1b8 19.lt:Jxd5+- Matla misplaced, Raetsky - A.Potapov, kov - Melnikov, St Petersburg Miass 2007. 2012. It is possible that Black's best reply here may be 10 ...\WaS 11. 9 ...tt:Ja6. This flank develop 'it>e2 with a transfer to the main ment of the knight is encountered line. oftenin practice. 10.a3 (diagram) White prevents the move tt:Jb4. (diagram) Black has a very difficult position 10 ... �a6 after 10 ...lt:Jd6 11.c5 lt:Je4 12.gxf5 exfS 13.ha6 bxa6 14.0-0-0 aS About 10 ...'it>h8 11.!'1hg1 - see 15.!'1dgl± White has a superior 9 ...'it>h8. 132 l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.�c3j54. if4 �f6 5.e3 ll ...dxc4 12.ixc4 bS (12... lt:Jxc3+ 13.bxc3 - see ll ...lt:Jc3) 13. b4 �b6 14 . .ib3 lt:Jxc3+ 15.�xc3 fxg4 16.lt:Je5 lt:Jc7, Poluljahov - Chigvintsev, Smolensk 2000, 17. h3!± - Files will be opened on the kingside and White's attack is likely to be victorious. 12.bxc3 �c7 The endgame is worse for 12 ...dxc4 13.ixc4 bS 14.lt:Je5!± Black after 10 ...lt:Jd7 ll.gxf5 lt:Jxc3+ On top of all Black's troubles, he 12.�xc3 �xc3 13.bxc3 exfS 14. must worry now about his weak cxdS cxdS 15.c4± Yermolinsky - ness on c6, Spyrou - Limbourg, Privman, Ledyard 2009. Ruhrgebiet 2004. But not 14 ... bxc4? due to 15.lt:Jxc6+- and White should not be afraid of White regains his piece ending up the tactical sortie 10 ...ia3 , as it withan extra pawn. was played in the game Shari yazdanov - Radjabov, Biel 2000. 11. gxfS! ixb2 12.lt:Jxe4 dxe4 13. ixe4 hal 14.f6! �hS (Black is checkmated by force after 14 ... ic3 15.ixh7+ c;!;>h8 16.fxg7+ c;!;>xg7 17.�g6+ c;!;>h8 18.ie5+-) 15.fxg7 l"lfl 16.l"lgl± and despite the fact that Black has an extra rook, his position is almost hopeless since all White's pieces partici pate in the attack, while Black's bishop will perish on the cl 13.c5! square. The position is closed and Black fails to create counterplay ll.a3 �xc3+ in the centre and on the queen side. White's hands are free to or Following ll... id7 12.l"lhgl ganise an attack on the g-file. .ie8 13.gxf5 exfS 14.cxd5 cxdS, 13 ...�e8 14.�e5 .tf6, Grana Sher - Speck, Switzerland 1992, dos Gomez - Pablo Marin, Cala White can maintain a great ad Galdana 2001. Here after 15. vantage with the simple move 15. gbgl± Black has no counterplay Wfb3!± whatsoever, while White's attack 133 Chapter 9 on the g-fileis running effortless M. Krasenkow, V. Malakhov, P. ly. Tregubov ... Now, contrary to variation A, White's dark-squared bishop will B) 3 ...c6 !? be placed more passively and he will need to play very precisely in order to obtain even a slight edge. About 4 ...tt'lf6 - see volume 1. Sometimes Black may begin with 4 ...tt'ld7 and White should counter that with the accurate move 5.i.d3 (It is not so good for him to play 5.tt'lf3 f5 and now, White cannot follow the set-up i.d3+tt'lge2, since his knight has This order of moves is very gone to the f3-square too early. popular lately. This is a very flex Later, in the game Aronian - Mo ible system of development for rozevich, Moscow 2012, there fol Black. He chooses it in two cases lowed 6.i.d3tt'lh6 7.b3 id6 8.ib2 - either as a transfer to the Meran 0-0 9.0-0 �f6 10.1Mic2 tt'lf7oo) 5 ... Variation of the Slav Defence (he f5 (5... tt'lgf6 6.tt'lf3 - see volume 1. plays in that case 4 ...tt'lf 6), avoid 5 ...dxc4 6.i.xc4 b5 7.id3 a6 8.tt'lf3 ing the exchange variation in the c5, Peralta - Giri, Istanbul 2012. process (l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5) Now, after 9.a4 b4 10.tt'le4 i.b7 as well as the variation l.d4 d5 11.0-0 tt'lgf6, there arises trans 2.c4 c6 3.tt'lf3tt'lf6 4.e3, or tries to position to the Meran Variation, obtain a hybrid of Slav and Dutch analysed by us in volume 1.) 6.1Mlc2 set-ups after f7-f5. It is under tt'lgf6 7.tt'lge2;t Oms Pallisse - standable that we will be only in Hurtado Rueda, Seville 2000. terested in the possible transfer to This is a position from the main the Dutch set-ups, since the line, but in a bad version for Meran Variation has been ana Black, because he has played too lysed already in volume 1. early tt'ld7and must watch perma nently about White's possible 4.e3 f5 threat - cxd5 cxd5, tt'lb5. This move was played by Z. Tarrasch back in the year 1895 Black begins sometimes with ro.zzy. Among the contemporary the move 4 ...i.d6, againstwhich it grandmasters it is preferred by E. would be best again for White to Bareev, A. Grischuk, V. lvanchuk, play 5.i.d3! f5 - see 4 .. .f5 (after 134 l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.li'lc3 c6 4.e3.f55 . .id3 s .. . tt:Jd7 6.e4± there arises a very bastian 2011, White played hastily favourable version for him of the 9.e4?! and after 9 ...fxe4 10.fxe4, Slav Defence). Black made a draw by a perpetual check with a simple combination: 10 ....tx h2+ 11.1!/xh2 �h4+ 12.1!/g1 li.Jg4 13J!xf8+ li.Jxf8 14 . .if4 �f2+ 15.1!/h1�h 4+.). 6.c!ilge2 �d6 This is the best square for Black's bishop from which it con trols the e5-square and can sup port the attack of his pieces on the kingside. 5.�d3 It is not so active for him to This is the beginning of a plan, choose 6 ....ie7 7.f3 0-0 8.�c2 b6 connected with the fight for the (8 ... 1!/h8 9.0-0±) 9.0-0 c5 10. e4-square. White wishes to play cxd5 'i:Jxd5 ll.'i:Jxd5 exd5 12.dxc5 li.Jge2, f2-f3, �c2 and eventually .ixc5 13.'i:Jf4± White maintains a e3-e4. stable advantage thanks to Black's This set-up is very unpleasant weak isolated d5-pawn, Mohr - for Black, because he is deprived Lutz, Berlin West 1989. of the typical plan for the Dutch Defence including the move li.Jf6- 7.f3 0-08. '\!{fc2 e4 followed by a preparation of a kingside attack. 5••• tilf6 This is a natural developing move, but Black places sometimes this knight at the edge of the board too. 5 ....id6 6.li.Jge2 tt:Jh6 (6 ...li.Jf6 7.f3 - see 5 ...li.Jf 6) 7.f3 0-0 8.0-0 li'ld79.h3 !± - With this accurate move White emphasizes the mis In this position Black has a placement of his opponent's great choice of possibilities. knight on h6. Now Black can 8 ••• c!ila6 hardly prevent e3-e4 (in the game Before exchanging on c4, Mamedyarov - Riveiro, San Se- Black wishes to provoke a2-a3, in 135 Chapter 9 order later to exploit this move as His attempt to create active a target for his future queenside counterplay on the queenside counterplay. with 9 ...dxc4 10 . .ixc4 b5 ll.i.b3 b4 12.lt:'la4 i.a6,Gavri lov - Gleize Following 8 .. .'1Wc7 9.cxd5 rov, St Petersburg 1993, would lt:'lxd5, Korchnoi - Nikolic, Sara lead to a difficult position for jevo 1998, the simplest move for Black after 13.!!e1!± (followed by White would be 10.a3 !?t, pre lt:'lc5 or lt:'lf4) and his pawns on c6 venting the threat lt:'lb4. Black will and e6 are vulnerable. have problems countering White's 9 ...i.d7 10 .i.d2 i.e8ll .e4. It is plan to advance e3-e4. quite obvious that White is much better prepared for the opening of He should not be afraid of the game in the centre. ll ...fxe4 Black's knight-sortie to the edge 12.fxe4dxc4 . This is the only pos of the board. 8 ...4Jh5 9.0-0 'rfif6, sibility for Black to obtain an ac Ree - Bachofner, Amsterdam ceptable position (He loses imme 2001, 10.g3!?t followed by e3- diately after 12 ...e5? S.Atalik - e4. Sanduleac, Mallorca 2004, fol lowing 13.c5! i.c7 14.exd5 cxd5 15. 8 ...-rfie7. Black plays · some i.g5+- Black is incapable of par times this waiting move. 9.0-0 rying simultaneously the threats i.h7 and lt:'ld5.) 13.i.xc4t White has a stable advantage thanks to the weakness of Black's pawn on e6, Wassin - Gunajew, Goa 2006. In the variation 8 ... i.d7 9.0-0 WeB lO.i.d2 'rfih5 ll.lt:'lf4 Wh6 12. 4Jce2 g5 13.lt:'lh3t Colom Andres - Vives Font, Barcelona 2001, White can counter g5-g4 with After 9 ...'it>h8, White can oc lt:'lh3-f4. Black's attempt to organ cupy space on the queenside with ise an attack has only led to the 10.c5 i.c7 ll.b4 lt:'lh5 12.!!b1 e5 13. weakening of his kingside pawn dxe5 .ixe5 14.f4 fi.c7 15.lt:'ld4t - He structure. has extra space and his knight is verypowe rful in the centre of the 8 ...4Jbd7 9.0-0 g6 10.fi.d2 b6, board, while Black lags in devel Mohota - Sriram, Raipur 2002 opment and is incapable of ex (It seems premature for Black to ploiting the weakness of the pawn opt for 10 ...dxc4 ll . .ixc4 lt:'lb6 12. on e3, Romanko - Hoang Thanh i.b3Wg7 13.e4± Obukhov - Kiros Trang, Tbilisi 2011. ki, Skopje 1993.). Now, White can 136 l.d4 dS 2.c4 e6 3.lt:lc3 c6 4.e3j55. Jid3 accomplish a favourable pawn �xd3 �eS 18.f4 �e4oo and the break in the centre with 11.cxd5!? dominance over the e4-square exdS 12.lt:lf4 �e7 13.e4!± provides Black with good com pensation for the sacrificedpawn , After8 ...a6, White can occupy Koneru - Girya, Eilat 2012.). 16 ... immediately additional space on lt:Jxd3 17.�xd3 �eS 18.JJ.f4 �xfS the queenside. 9.c5 Jic7 10.!J.d2. 19.�xf5 !J.xfS 20.Jixc7 Ei:xc7 21. This is an important moment. He lt:Jxd4 !J.d3 22.lt:Jb6 Ei:f8 23.Ei:f2:t is not in a hurry to castle. Later, White can make his opponent suf depending on circumstances, fer for long in this endgame play White'sking may go to the queen ing against his "bad" bishop. side, or to the kingside. 10 ...lt:lbd7 (It is not so precise for Black to It would be premature for play here 10 ...�e7 11.0-0-0 eS Black to try counterplay in the 12.dxe5 fixeS 13.lt:Ja4 Jie6 14. spirit of the Meran Variation of lt:Jd4± Bukavshin - Geller, Mos the Slav Defence - 8 ...dxc4 9. cow 2011. He has great problems. Jixc4 bS (about 9 ... h8 10.0-0 - Black cannot exchange on d4, be see 8 ... h8) 10.Jib3 h8 11.e4 cause then his dark squares would be catastrophically weak. Without this exchange however, he cannot parry simultaneously White's two threats lt:JxfS and lt:Ja4-b6, after which Black will have to play Ei:a7 and this rook will be isolated from the actions for long.) 11.0-0 �e8 (Black weakens his c6-pawn with the line: 11 ...b6 12.cxb6 lt:Jxb6, Zmarzly - Warchol, Murzasichle After 11 .. .fxe4 12.lt:Jxe4:t the 2011, 13.Ei:acU followed by weakness of the d4-pawn is not so lt:Jc3-a4-e2 or lt:Je2-f4, lt:Jc3-e2.) important as the vulnerability of 12.h3 Ei:t713.e 4 (It is also good for Black's pawns on c6 and e6, Bhat White to play here at first 13. - Rombaldoni, Reykjavik 2009. b4!?:t) 13 ... e5. The juxtaposition It may be interesting for Black of the pawns in the centre is in fa to try the recommendation of R. vour of White, since all his pieces Scherbakov - 11 ...e5 !? It is insuf have been developed. 14.exf5 ficientfor equality because White exd4 15.lt:Ja4 lt:JeS 16.Ei:ae1! This is has the energetic resource 12. an accurate move after which i.gS:tand his chances are prefera Black will be doomed to defend ble in the oncoming sharp fight, passively (It is weaker for White since Black will have problems to opt for 16.lt:Jxd4?! lt:lxd3 17. with the development of his 137 Chapter 9 queenside pieces. 12 ... exd4 13. 0-0-0! dxc3 14.e5 cxb2+ 15. 'it>bl± White will regain his piece and Black can hardly neutralise the activity of his opponent's piec es. 1l...b4 12.e5!? This is the sim plest move. After this White ob tains a slight but stable edge. 12 ... bxc3 13.bxc3 (White has not test 10 ... b5 ll.id3 li:Ja6 12.a3 b4 ed in practice yet a very promising 13.li:Ja4 'Wc7 14.g3t White has a pawn-sacrifice - 13.exd6!? cxb2 superb pawn-structure, Jankow 14.'Wxb2 'Wxd6 15.if4� and he has iak - Maitre, Email 2011. two powerful bishops for the min 10 ...'We7 ll.id2 li:Jbd7 12.ib3 imal material deficit,while Black's b5, Melkumyan - S.Zhigalko, pawns are very weak.) 13 ...ic7 14. Konya 2011. The position is of a exf6 'Wxf6 15.0-0t This position Meran type, but once against his was reached in the game Lobron pawn on f5 would have been bet - Sveshnikov, Budapest 1996. ter placed on t7.Wh ite can main White has a clear cut plan to im tain an advantage in different prove his position with ie3, c2- ways, but possibly his most relia c4, :gad1, :gfel. Black's c6-pawn is ble line is 13.a3 !? :gbs 14.li:Jf4 li:Jb6 weak and his pawn on f5 would 15.li:Jd3t and the knight on d3 im have been much better placed on pedes Black's freeing pawn t7... breaks e6-e5 or c6-c5. 10 ...e5 1l.dxe5 ixe5, Lugovoi It seems more reliable for - Yudin, St Petersburg 2005. Black to choose 8 ...1t>h8 - before Now, White obtains a stable capturing on c4 he removes pru advantage with 12.id2 li:Jbd7 13. dently his king away from the a2- f4 id6 14.a3 'We7 15.li:Jd4 li:Jb6 g8 diagonal. 9.0-0 dxc4 (Follow 16.ia2 g6 17.:gaeU Black's cas ing 9 ...a6 10.c5, White obtains a tling position has been consider considerable advantage with ac ably weakened by the move g7- tive actions on the queenside. g6, so he can hardly parry his 10 ...ic7 ll.id2 li:Jbd7 12.b4 b6 13. opponent's break in the centre li:Ja4 bxc5 14.bxc5± Kramnik - e3-e4 and he must also watch Tregubov, France 2002. Black has for the possible transfer of weakened his b6-square with the White's bishop to the a1-h8 diag move a7-a6 and later White can onal. exploit this by penetrating to this square afterthe preliminary move Black has an interesting plan :gabl.) 10.ixc4 beginning with the move 8 ...b6. 138 l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.lbc3 c6 4.e3j55. 1J..d3 Now, contrary to the variation 9.a3 with 8 ... a6, White does not have the possibility c4-c5. This plan is analysed as the main line for Black in a book which was pub lished in the year 2012 by R. Scherbakov - "The Triangle Sys tem". Still, even then White can rely on obtaining an opening edge after the prophylactic line: 9.0-0 a6 10.Wh1!? (It would not be so convincing for him to choose 10. �d2 'fffc7 11.h3 cS!ooBauer - Gri schuk, Enghien les Bains 2001. 9 ...dxc4 Black managed to advance c6-c5 and outplayed his opponent in the It seems rather inconsistent subsequent fight.) 10 ...'fff c7 11.e4. for Black to try 9 ...Wh8 10.c5 �c7 This is a very promising pawn 11.0-0t, since his knight on a6 is sacrificeafter which White's piec evidently misplaced, Shtyrenkov es become tremendously active. - Gevorgyan, Alushta 2010, as ll ... dxe4 12.fxe4 hh2. Now, the well as 9 ... l2Jc7 10.c5 .ie7 ll.b4 idea behind White's move 10 be �d7, Hermann - Maierhofer, comes evident. Black captures on Austria 1997, 12.0-0t White has h2 without a check and White much more space and later can manages to play exfS. 13.exf5 l2Jg4 prepare b4-b5 (after a2-a4), as 14.f6! This pawn-sacrifice is rath well as e3-e4. er non-obvious and is of a purely computer type! 14 ...gxf6 (White 10.hc4 b5 U . .ia2g;,hs has powerful initiative after 14 ... This prophylactic was neces l2Jxf6?! 15.l2Je4 �d6 16.l2Jxf6 + gxf6 sary, because the pawn on fS was 17 . .ih6 �t7 18.l2Jf4±) 15.l2Jdl. It is hanging. essential for him to get rid of the actively placed black knight on In the game Savina - Mana g4. 15 ...f5 16.l2Je3There may fol- kova, Moscow 2009, there fol low 16 ...h5 17.d5 cxdS 18.cxd5 lowed ll ...l2Jd5 12.e4 l2Jxc3 13.bxc3 'fffxc2 19.�xc2 �eS 20.�b3 �e8 21. Wh8 14.0-0 eS and here, White l2Jc4�. The queens have been ex could have obtained a stable ad changed but Black has great prob vantage with the move 15 . .ie3t. lems neutralising his opponent's He has a stable pawn-centre, initiative, because his queenside while Black's knight is terribly pieces are still on their initial misplaced at the edge of the squares. board. 139 Chapter 9 12.0-0 b4 This is a logical continuation of Black's opening strategy. It also seems good for him to try 12 ...�e7 13.b4 lj'jc7, Pushin - S.Volkov, Moscow 2011. He is threatening to play a7-a5 creating counterplay on the queenside. Still, White obtains an advantage in the opening with the line: 14. e4!? fxe415.lj'jx e4 lj'jxe4 16.�xe4;!; This position was reached in followed by id2, l:!ae1 and even the game David - Feller, Paris tually - ib1, provoking weak 2010. White has a slight edge nesses in his opponent's castling mostly due to the unfavourable position. placement of Black's knight on a6. 18.l"!abl! cxd4 19.c!Llxd4 13.c!Lla4 'ti'c7 14.g3 l"!xbl 20.l"!xbl .ixa3 21.�d3 c!Llc7 22.l"!b3 .id6 23.c!Llc6 '!Wd7 It is also interesting for White 24.c!Llxa7 c!Llcd5 25.c!Llxc8 '\Wxc8 to play here 14.h3!?;!; and contrary 26.c!Llc3 c!Llxc3 27.hc3;!;The po to 14 g3, he does not need to con sition has been simplifiedconsid sider later the consequences of erably but thanks to his powerful the bishop-sacrificeon g3. bishop-pair and the weakness on e6 White can still play for a win 14 •••l"!b8 15 • .id2'ti'e7 16 • .ic4 for a long time, while Black is bxa3 17.bxa3 c5 doomed to a passive defence. Conclusion In the variation l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.lj'jc3 f5 , White has no problems to maintain an opening advantage, because he can develop his dark squared bishop to an active position. Later, he oftenimplem ents a plan connected withundermining Black's f5 -pawn with the move g2-g4, fol lowed by l"!g1 and an attack on the g-file. In principle, his king remains in the centre of the board (l!?e2). In the variation l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.lj'jc3 c6 4.e3 f5 , White's achieve ments are not so great. Still, he can again obtain a slight but stable edge following this set-up: id3, lj'jge2, f2-f3. Later, he can prepare either a break in the centre (e3-e4), or an attack on the queenside with (c4-c5, b2-b4, a2-a4 and b4-b5). 140 Part 3 Black tries seldom played moves after l.d4 �f6 2.c4 wicz Variation), while in Chapter 15, we will deal with Black's main line - 3 ...tt:lg4. Among the variations, ana lysed in Part 3, the most danger ous for White may be l.d4 tt:lf6 2. c4 d6, because against that, he must not only obtain an advan tage in the opening, but also not to allow Black to enter the King's Indian Defence, having avoided In the third part of our book, the Averbakh System (for exam we will analyse some rarely played ple 3.tt:Jf3g6). moves for Black on his second Against the other possibilities move. for Black, White has no problems Chapter 10 will be devoted to to maintain an advantage in the 2 ...a6 and 2 ...b6. In Chapter 11 we opening, because the moves 2 ... will deal with the so-called a6, 2 ...b6 and 2 ...tt:Jc6 have a seri Knight'sTango - 2 ...tt:Jc6. ous drawback - Black presents In Chapters 12-13, we will ana his opponent with the possibility lyse some variations of the Old to occupy the centre with his Indian Defence (l.d4 tt:lf6 2.c4 pawns. In the Budapest Gambit d6). In Chapters 14-15 we will Black regains the sacrificed pawn deal with the Budapest Gambit - indeed, but his position is without (l.d4 tt:lf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5). Chapter good prospects since White has a 14 will be devoted to the rarely much freer game and very often played move 3 ...tt:Je 4 (the Fajaro- the two-bishop advantage as well. 141 Chapter lO l.d4 tllf6 2.c4 a6 l.d4 tllf6 2.c4 b6 In this chapter we will analyse 3.c!bc3 two very rarely played moves for White simply develops his Black: A) 2 ...a6 and B) 2 ...b6. pieces ignoring Black's possible diversion on the flank. 3 ...c5 A) 2 ...a6 This is the logical continuation of Black's idea. He has an original move here, but still insufficientfor equality - 3 ...b5. White should better avoid accepting the sacrifice. 4.e4 b4 5. tt:ld5 tt:lxe4 (5 ... tt:Jxd5 6.cxd5±) 6.'Wf3 (We can recommend a promising pawn-sacrifice to the fans of sharp complicated posi tions: 6.i.f4!? d6 7.id3 tt:lf6 8. tt:Jxf6+ exf6 9.'Wf3 ga7 10.tt:le2� - This move is not tested so of White is clearly ahead in develop ten in the tournament practice; ment and later, he can exploit the nevertheless, we will devote to it weakening of Black's queenside several pages, since White must pawn-structure with the move play very precisely in order to ob a2-a3.) 6 ...c6 7.'Wxe4 cxd5 8. tain an advantage. It has been 'Wxd5. White has regained his tried numerous times by D. Gu pawn and preserved a better posi revich and sometimes it has been tion. 8 ...tt:lc6 9.'We4 d5 10.cxd5 f5 tested also by B. Gurgenidze, H. 1l.'We3 'Wxd5 12.tt:lf3 g6 13.b3 .ig7 Nakamura, V. Malakhov ... Black's 14.i.b2 i.b7 15 . .ic4 'We4, Vaga main idea is to play c7-c5, fol nian - Gurgenidze, Ordzhoni lowed by b7-b5 and to try to seize kidze 1978, 16. 0-0 'Wxe3 17.fxe3;t the initiative by a pawn-sacrifice. and Black's compromised pawn- 142 l.d4 (jjf6 2.c4 a6 3. (jjc3 structure will be a very important 4 •••b5 factor in this endgame (you can This is a pawn-sacrifice in the see the consequences of the moves spirit of the Volga Gambit, which b7-b5-b4 and f7-f5). will be analysed in the next part of the book. It seems just bad for Black to 5.e4 opt for 3 ... e6, because there arises White does not accept the the Nimzo-Indian Defence after gambit pawn and is ready to sac that, except that instead of the rifice material himself in order to move .ib4, he has played the not seize the initiative. so useful move a7-a6. 4.e4 d5 (It 5 ...b4 6.c!lJa4 is bad for Black to choose here 4 ... c5 5.d5 exd5 6.cxd5 d6 and there arises a bad version for him of the Modern Benoni.) 5.e5 liJe4 6.cxd5 exd5 7 . .id3 f58. liJge2±Black lags considerably in development and White can oust the enemy knight away from the centre at any mo ment with the move f2-f3, Stohl - Cicak, Czech Republic 2001. bkw 4.d5 6 .•. c!lJxe4 This is a principled move for Black, but a bit too risky. After6 .. .'fffc7 7 . .id3 d6, Farago - M.Ivanov, Deizisau 2002, 8. f4 !? g6 9.liJf3;j; Black can hardly parry the threat e4-e5. It seems more reliable for him to continue with 6 ...d6 !? and nat urally, White's lead in develop This position arises oftenafter ment is obvious, but you should another move-order l.d4 liJf6 2.c4 not forget that his knight on a4 is c5 3.d5 a6 4.liJc3 and among the misplaced. 7 . .id3 e5. Black is try grandmasters we have mentioned ing to close the position. Natural above, we will add V. Milov who ly, White would not like this. 8.f4 usually reaches this position after .ig4 (8 ...exf4 9.hf4 c!lJbd710.liJf 3 this particularmov e-order. .ie7 11.0-0 (jjg4 12.a3 bxa3 13. 143 Chapter 10 Elxa3:t - He has played the un centre. 11...ha4 12.b3 dxe5 (It dermining move a2-a3, weaken would be too risky for Black to opt ing Black's queenside pawn for 12 ...hb3 13.'1Wxb3 dxe5 14. structure and so, White's pros l2Jxe5± and his lag in development pects in the forthcoming compli becomes an important factor. In cated fightare preferable, Albrecht addition, Black has no pawns in - Bj arnehag, Berlin 2012) 9.ie2 the centre, which is also bad for id7 10.l2Jf3 him.) 13.bxa4 l2Jbd7 14.'1Wc2 �e7 15.0-0 0-0 16.l2Jh4 g6 17.ih6:t White has more space and can prepare an offensive on the king side and the semi open f-file will be helpful. Black is incapable of exploiting the weakened queen side pawn-structure of his oppo nent, because White can easily protect his weakness on a4 with his bishop from dl. Following 10 ...l2Jxe4, White can continue with a very promis 7 . .ld3 ing positional piece-sacrifice: 11. This is the main idea of this id3 l2Jf6 12.l2Jxc5! dxc5 13.fxe5, variation. Now, White's knight for example: 13 ...l2Jg8 14.0-0 ie7 not only will capture the enemy 15.'1We1 g6 16.'1Wf2 (It is also very c5-pawn, but will leave the edge of strong for him to play here 16. the board being centralised. '!Wg3 with the idea l2Jg5.) 16 .. .f5 7 ... �f6 8.�xc5 17.Ele1+- This is a picturesque situation! White has only a pawn for the piece, but his positional advantage is so great that the computer evaluates his position as winning. We have to mention the unfortunate placement of Black's knights, which have no moves, as well as White's power ful pawn-tandem e5 and d5, which can advance at any mo ment crushing completely Black's resistance. 8 ...e6 10 ...'\Wa5 , Belozerov - Lopez Martinez, Moscow 2005, ll.fxe5. The alternatives for Black are White begins active actions in the not any better: 144 l.d4 lt:lf6 2.c4 a6 3.lt:lc3 8 ...g6? ! 9.i.e3 i.g7 10.lt:la4± (followed by lt:la4-b6), Levitt - Teske, Polanica Zdroj 1988. 8 ... a5, Neunhoeffer - Budde, Germany 1983, 9.lt:le4! lt:lxe4 10. i.xe4. Black has problems to com plete the development of his king side pieces, since it is bad for him to opt for 10 ...g6 due to 1l.'Wd4± 8 ...e5, Hausner - Berchtenb 13.lt:ld6+-, while following 10 ... reiter, Austria 2012, 9.lt:le4 lt:lxe4 d6 1l.'Wa4+ lt:lbd7,Vo lodin - Ber 10.i.xe4 i.c5 (10 ... d6? 1l.'Wa4+ chtenbreiter, Pardubice 2012, lt:ld7 12.'Wxb4+-) 1l.d6. White White should not be in a hurry to should not allow his opponent to capture on b4 and should develop play d7-d6, because after that his pieces at first: 12.lt:lxf6 + 'Wxf6 Black's position would be quite 13.lt:lf3 i.e7 14.0-0 h6 15.ge1 0-0 acceptable. Now, he will hardly 16.'Wxb4± Black has no compen manage to coordinate his pieces. sation for the pawn. 11...lt:lc6 12.lt:lf3 i.b7 13.0-0 'Wb8 14.ge1 i.xd6 (14 ...'Wxd6 15.'Wxd6 n . .tg5 .ixd5 12.'We2 i.xd6 16.lt:lxe5i.xe5 17.i.xc6 i.xc6 White has long lasting initia 18.gxe5+ 'it>d8 19.i.e3± Black will tive fo r the sacrificedpawn . have difficulties with the protec 12 ..•i.e6 13.f4 d5 14.lt)xf6 + tion of his d4-pawn.) 15.i.e3 i.e7 Now, almost all Black's pawns 16.i.b6 f6 17.c5± He has an extra will be weak. pawn, but his position is prob 14 •.•gxf6 15 • .th4 �e7 16. lematic. White's pieces are obvi c!ilf3 .th6 17.'We3 c!ilc6 18.0-0 ously more active and if Black 0-0 19.gae1 gfc8 20.c!ild2! castles kingside, White will begin White's knight has been re an immediate attack there with stricted by the enemy f6-pawn, so lt:lh4 and 'Wh5. he is transferring it to a more ac tive position. 9.lt:le4exd5 10.cxd5 20 ••• Wd8 21.c!ilb3 .tg7 22. (diagram) c!ilc5± 10 ••..tb7 White's pieces are very active. Black loses immediately with Black can hardly protect his nu 10 ...tt:Jxd5? ll .'We2i.e7 12.i.c4 lt:lf6 merous pawn-weaknesses. 145 Chapter 10 B) 2 ...b6 cupy the centre. 4.e4 This is in a way Queen's Indian Defence "deferred" without the 4 ....tb7 inclusion of the moves lt:Jf3 - e6) and it was very popular during the The more prudent move 4 ...d6 20ies of the 20ieth century. It was leads to a very difficult position often played by A. Alekhine, E. for Black. 5.�d3 �b7 6.lt:Jge2. This Gruenfeld, R. Reti and other lead is the best square for White's ing players of those times. Nowa knight, since it does not impede days, it has been used by Valljeho the pawn-advance f2 -f4. 6 ...c5 Pons, I. Sokolov and many other (6 ...lt:Jbd7 7.0-0 �e7 8.h3 0-0 9. grandmasters. lt:Jg3 �c810.f 4 c5 11.d5 e5 12.lt:Jf5± Still, this line is not played so White's knight on f5 is very pow often, because White has found erful and Black's pieces evidently reliable ways to obtain an advan lack space, Garcia Palermo - Epi tage. He wins the fightfor the key tacio, Sao Paulo 1997.) 7.d5 exd5 squares in similar positions - e4 8.cxd5 �e7 9.lt:Jg3 0-0 10. 0-0 and d5. lt:Je8 1l.f4± Bagirov - Glisic, Novi 3.t0c3 Sad 1988 (1l.lt:Jf5!?±). There has White develops his knight and arisen a position with a pawn takes control over the e4 and d5- structure typical for the Modern squares. Now, Black's main move Benoni, but in a very bad version here is - B2) 3 •••.tb7, but before for Black. His dark-squared bish that we will have a look at the less op would be better placed on g7 popular move Bl) 3 ...e6 . and not on e7 and he has lost too many tempi in vain on fianchetto Bl) 3 •••e6 ing of his light-squared bishop. The defect of this move is quite obvious even to the naked eye. After4 ...�b4 , White has an al Black enables his opponent to oc- most forced variation leading to 146 l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 b6 3.tLlc3 his advantage. 5.e5 ! tt:le4 6.\Wg4 also prevents in some variations tt:Jxc3 7.a3 i.f8 8.i.g5! This is the the doubling of his pawns if Black point. Now, Black is fo rced to part plays ib4 and i.xc3. with his g7-pawn. 8 ...i.e7 (8.. .f6?? 9.exf6 gxf6 10.1!tfh5+ �e7 11. i.xf6+-) 9.i.xe7 'l!tfxe7 (Black will not save the day with 9 ...� xe7 ei ther, since White can counter that with 10.1!tfg5+ �e8 ll.'l!tfxg7± and Black loses a pawn anyway, but even in a worse version for him, Henrichs - Rebber, Senden 2000) 10.1!tfxg7 'l!tff8 ll.'l!tfxf8+ l'!xf8 12.bxc3 i.b7 13.f4 f6 14.tt:lf3 i.xf3 (14 ...fxe5 ?! 15.fxe5 �e7 16. il.d3 1'!f7 17.0-0± and Black has no 5 ...ib4 compensation for the pawn, De los Santos Serrano - Heidtmann, 5 ...c5 6.d5 d6 7.il.e2i.e7 8.tt:Jf3 Email 2002) 15.gxf3 c5 16.�e2. 0-0 9.0-0 a6, Arlt - Vasiljev, This is a quiet move. (Besides Leverkusen 2005 and here, White this, White has at his disposal a can increase his advantage with sharp pawn-sacrifice: 16.d5! fxe5 10.dxe6! fxe6 ll.tt:lg5 ic8 12.e5 17.fxe5 l'!f5 18.1'!g1!? !!xeS+ 19. dxe5 13.1'!d1 'l!tfc7 14.i.g4± Black �f2± and he obtains an over loses his e6-pawn and White will whelming position for the sacri have the edge thanks to his supe ficed pawn. It is an endgame, but rior pawn-structure. Black's defence is very difficult, because his pieces are not devel 5 ...d6 6.tt:lf3 tt:Jbd7 (6 ...i.e7 oped.) 16 ...tt:Jc6 17.�e3± White 7.ie2 0-0 8.0-0 a6 9.a3 tt:Jfd7 10. has numerous pawn-weaknesses l'!d1 1'!e8 11.b4± Black's pieces are in his camp and this complicates deployed on the last three ranks considerably the realisation of his and are a sorry sight, S.Atalik - extra pawn, but the evaluation of Urban, Bad Wiessee 2003.) 7.il.e2 the position is doubtless. Black g6. Now, the position resembles will have to fight long and hard the King's Indian Defence. 8.0-0 for a draw, Konstantinov - Buj i.g79.i. e3 0-0 10.1'!ad1 h6 11.d5!? dak, Internet 2009. White restricts the enemy bishop on b7. 1l...exd5 12.exd5 l'!e8 5.'11fc2 13.tt:ld4 tt:lc5 14.il.f3± - He has This is the best square for much more space, Alonso Rosell White's queen. From here, it not - Camacho Collados, La Massana only protects the e4-pawn, but 2013. 147 Chapter 10 6 . .id3 eS 8.dxe5 lDg4 9.ig5 lDd4 10.ixd8 lDxc2+ ll . .bc2 1"ixd8 12.h3 lDh6 13.lDd4 0-0 14.0-0-0 ixc3 15. 6 ...c5 bxc3± and despite the fact that White's pawn-structure has cer The move 6 .. .'�e7has not been tain weaknesses, Black has no analysed thoroughly, but it looks compensation for the sacrificed like after7.lDge2 .b c3+ 8.bxc3 d6 material, Salvermoser - Schmit 9.0-0 lDbd7 10.f4;!; White's two tdiel, Austria 2004. bishop advantage and his power 7 ...d5 8.cxd5 exdS 9.e5 lDe4 fulpaw n-centre compensate com 10.0-0 ixc3 1l.bxc3 lDaS 12.1"ie1 pletely the weakening of his 0-0 13.c4± - The position is queenside pawn-structure, Litvi opened and this is in favour of nenko - Jung, Email 2012. White, because he has two power fulbishops , Vette} - Cordes, Ger Black only compromises his many 1999. position afterthe active line: 6 ... 7 ... d6 8.0-0 ixc3 9.'�'xc3± dS 7.cxd5 exdS 8.e5, for example: White has avoided the doubling of 8 ...lDe4 9.lDge2 cS 10.0-0 .ixc3 his pawns and Black is incapable ll.bxc3 h6 12.ia3± Black is forced of countering his opponent's pow to part with his powerful dark erful centre, Kotanjian - Ayyad, squared bishop and also he lags Al Ain 2012. considerably in development, Csi bor - Liptak, Hungary 1996. It seems quite purposeful for Black to play 6 ...ixc3 +, at least White should not be afraid of because he doubles his oppo 6 ... lDc6, since Black cannot or nent's pawns. 7.bxc3 d6 (It seems ganize counterplay against the more reliable for him to opt for d4-pawn. 7.lDf3 7 ...c5 , although even then after (diagram) 8.lLlf3 d6 9.0-0 lDbd7 10.a4 Vfic7 It seems rather dubious for 11.1"ie1h6 12.a5;!;White's two bish Black to sacrifice a pawn here 7 ... ops, his dominance over the cen- 148 l.d4 ltJf6 2.c4 b6 3. ltJc3 tre and the active possibilities must lose even more time for the on the queenside compensate retreat of his knight, Kahn - Bors, fully his doubled pawns on the c Budapest 1996). file, DaoTh ien Hai - Granda Zu 8 ... e5 9.tt:lf3 tt:lbd7 10.0-0�e7 niga, Moscow 1994.) There has 11.tt:lh4 0-0-0 12.tt:lf5± White is arisen on the board a favourable dominant in the centre and his version for White of the classical pieces are more active, Bryzgalin variation of the Nimzo-Indian - Koganov, ICC 2009. Defence. 8.f4. He is planning tt:lf3 8 ...tt:lc6 9.tt:lf3 tt:ld7 (9 ... �e7 10. and eS. (It is also good for White 0-0 0-0-0, Neuman - Babula, to try here 8.tt:le2. One of the Czech Republic 1999, 11.e5!? tt:ld7 games of M.Euwe is considered to 12.ia3±) 10.0-0 �e7, Korchnoi be a perfect example of how to Chernyshov, Warsaw 2002, 11. play this position with White. 8 ... eS!?± followed by ia3, after tt:lbd7 9.0-0 o-o 10.f4 h6 n.es which the vulnerability of the a3- tt:le8 12.tt:lg3.He has accomplished f8 diagonal will be hurting Black. the standard set-up of his pieces His pieces have been obviously for this variation and begins ac deprived of space for manoeu tive operations. 12 ...c5 13.�e2 vres. �h4 14.f5 cxd4 15J'U4 �d8 16. cxd4 dxeS 17.dxe5 tt:lc7 18J�g4. 7.d5 This joining of White's rook into White restricts considerably the attack is decisive. 18 ...�e7 his opponent's bishop on b7. Now, 19.gxg7+ 1-0 Euwe - Colle, Am he must only complete his devel sterdam 1928) opment keeping the enemy pieces in isolation. Following 8 ... tt:lbd79.tt:lf 3, the simplest reply for Black would be 9 ...e5 and there arises transposi tion to the variation with 8 ...e5 (It 7 ...d6 seems too dubious for Black to opt for 9 ...�e7 10.e5± White occu About 7 ...exd5 8.exd5 0-0 pies even more space, while Black 9.tt:lge2 bS 10.b3 - see 7 ...b5. 149 Chapter 10 It is also possible for Black to 12.\tJfl 0-0, Wiley - Alienkin, Bel play 7 .. .'Wie7 8.lt:lge2.bc3 + (8 ...d6 gium 2008, 13.g3± followed by \tJg2. 9.0-0 hc3 10.lt:lxc3e5 11.f4± and 8 ...0-0 9.lt:lge2 bxc4 10.bxc4 his pieces are cramped, Helle lt:lg4 11.0-0 lt:le5 12.f4 i.xc3 13. gaard - B.Pedersen, Gistrup 2009) lt:lxc3 lt:lxd3 14.�xd3 lt:la6 15.a3± 9.�xc3 d6 10.0-0 lt:lbd7 11.lt:lg3 Black's bishop has been severely 0-0-0 12.h3 h5 13.a3 h4 14.lt:le2 restricted by White's pawns on d5 �dg8 15.b4 g5 16.f3± - Now, Black's and c4 and Black's knight is hor kingside activity has reached its ribly misplace at the edge of the dead end, because the move g5-g4 board, Lehikoinen - Molander, is impossible, De Carlos Arregui Helsinki 2002. - Davidov, Email 2007. The character of the fight re mains the same after 8 ...exd5 , It is also bad for Black to since following 9.exd5 0-0 10. choose here 7 ...exd5 8.exd5 i.xc3+ lt:lge2 d6 11.0-0 bxc4 12.bxc4 (8 ...b5 9.b3 - see 7 ...b5) 9.�xc3 lt:lbd7, Rubinstein - Janowski, 0-0 10.lt:le2 d6 11.0-0 lt:lbd7 12. Marienbad 1925, 13.i.g5± White's b3 �e8 13.lt:lg3± followed by i.b2 minor pieces are deployed con and lt:lf5, Rodriguez - Maubrises, siderably more actively. Email 2005. White has · much 8 ...bxc4 9.bxc4 exd5 10.exd5 more space and his battery 0-0 11.lt:lge2 d6 12.i.f4 h6 13. queen+bishop on the long diago 0-0± and once again, White's mi nal is likely to create great prob nor pieces are much more active, lems for his opponent. S.lvanov - Novikov, St Peters burg 2003. White should better counter 7 ...b5 with the solid move 8.b3, s.tt:lge2 keeping the enemy bishop in its Now, Black cannot double the cage on the b7-square. enemy pawns afteri.xc3 . 8 ..•lt:lbd7 9.a3 .ixc3+ 10. lt:lxc3 Black will not facilitate his de fence with the line: 8 ...d6 9.lt:lf3 exd5 10.exd5 bxc4 11.bxc4 \We7+ 150 l.d4 lt:lf6 2.c4 b6 3.lt:lc3 10 ••.tbe5 13 ...�e8 14.h5 .!Llf8 15.h6 g6 16.0-0± Black has no space for It is not preferable for him to manoeuvring and the dark squares opt for 10 ...0-0 11.0-0 Ele8 12.f4 on his kingside have been weak exd5 13.exd5 lt:lf8 14.i.d2±Schlos ened, I.Sokolov - Slobodjan, Ger ser - Hagarova, Pardubice 2001. many 2003. Following 10 .. .'��e7 11.0-0 0-0 12.i.d2e5 13.Elae1 lt:lh514.g3 Elfe8 B2) 3 •.•ib7 4.�c2 15.i.c1 i.c8 16.f4± White begins immediate active operations on the kingside, Jacimovic - Walsh, Heraklio 1997. It is possible that Black's best defence here may be 10 ...e5 11. 0-0 0-0, Silman - Formanek, Philadelphia 1989, 12.b4t and White's bishops are not so dan gerous in this closed position. ll.ie2 lt:lg612. f4 0-0 4 ...d5 Now, White will play actively. He will occupy the centre, while Black will exert piece-pressure against it. About 4 ...e6 5.e4 - see varia tion Bl. It is obviously bad for Black to opt for 4 ...c5 5.d5 and it becomes unclear why he has lost time to fi anchetto his bishop. 5 ...e5 (about 13.h4 5 ...e6 6.e4 - see variation Bl, 5 ... This is an interesting idea. c5) 6.e4 d6 7.g3 i.e7 8.i.g2 i.c8 White wishes to cramp the enemy 9.f4 a6 10.lt:lf3± Smyslov - Ma position even more by advancing tanovic, Biel 1976. Black has lost his h-pawn. Still, it is also possi too much time on manoeuvres ble for him to play the academic with his bishop. White has extra move 13.0-0!?±, preserving all space and better developed piec the advantages of his position. es. 151 Chapter 10 4 ...d6. After this move Black position begins the resemble the obtains a solid but rather passive Gruenfeld Defence. 8.lt'lf3 !J.g7 9. position. S.e4 eS (S ...lt'lbd7 6.lt'lf3 fibS+. This is a very useful check. eS 7.dS - see S ... eS) 6.dS lt'lbd77. Its idea is to provoke disharmony lt'lf3 JJ.e7 8.iJ.e2 0-0 9.0-0 cS, in Black's set-up. 9 ... lt'ld7. Now, Monin - Kengis, Pinsk 1986 (Fol his knight cannot be developed to lowing 9 ...lt'le8, Black can hardly c6 (it is possible for Black to play obtain counterplay on the king here 9 ...c6 10.iJ.e2 0-0 11.0-0 cS side. 10.!:1b1 g6 11.iJ.h6 lt'lg7 12.\Wd2 12.dSt). 10.0-0 0-0 11.i.f4 a6 aS 13.lt'le1 fS 14.exfS gxfS 1S.f4 12.iJ.d3tand in the arising typical lt'lcS 16.fxeS dxeS. Black's pawns Gtuenfeld middle game, White on eS and fS are excellent targets has the advantage, because Black for attack of White's pieces. 17. can hardly attack his opponent's lt'ld3lt'lxd3 18.!J.xd3 \Wd7,Van der pawn centre, Quinteros - Plani Stricht - Cekro, Aalst 200S, 19. nec, Yugoslavia 1973. 'i!?h1!? iJ.f6 20.g4± with powerful initiative on the kingside.) Here, .Following 7 ...e6 8.lt'lf3, there White had to continue with 10. arises on the board a position re a3t followed by b2-b4, beginning sembling the Petrosian System in active actions on the queenside. the Queen's Indian Defence (l.d4 lt'lf6 2.c4 e6 3.lt'lf3 b6 4.a3 JJ.b7 S. 5.cxd5 lt'lxd5 6.e4 ttlxc3 7. lt'lc3 dS 6.cxdS lt'lxdS 7.\Wc2 lt'lc3 bxc3 8.bxc3 JJ.e7 9.e4). Black can try to enter that po sition after the moves 8 ....ie7 9. 7 .••e5 a3. White however, has a stronger Black sacrifices a pawn, but move than a2-a3 and this is - 9. White should better not accept i.bS+. It is useful for him to pro this gift. voke c7-c6. 9 ...c6 10 . .id3 (diagram) It may be also interesting for About 10 ... 0-0 11.0-0 cS - see Black to try 7 ...g6, after which the 10... cS. 1S2 l.d4 l:iJ.f6 2.c4 b6 3. 4Jc3 .ie4± Black can hardly complete his development without material losses.) 14.c4 .if6 15.!'1bl± and White's protected passed pawn in the centre provides him with bet ter chances, Kruppa - Simonian, Kiev 2007. Therefore, Black should better exchange at first 11 ...cxd 4, al 10 ...tt'ld7 11.0-0 Wffc7 (11 ...0-0 though even then after 12.cxd4 12.c4t) 12.c4 !'1d8 13 . .ib2 0-0 14. 0-0 13 . .ib2 4Jc6 14.Wffe2 !'1c8(14 ... eS g6 15 . .ie4t Black's position is 4Jb4 15. .ib5 !'1c8 16.!'1fc1 !'1xc1+ cramped and he cannot advance 17.!'1xcl 4Jxa218.!'1 a1 4Jb4 19.!'1xa7 the freeing move c6-c5, since Wffb8, Johansson - Mira, Beijing White will counter that with d4- 2008, 20.!'1a4t - his pawn on b6 d5, Verlinsky - Freiman, Odessa will remain very weak) 15.!'1fd1 1929. 4Jb4 16 . .ib1 .ia6 17.Wffd2 4Jc6 18. After 10 ....ia6 11.ha6 tt'lxa6 dSt he will hardly manage to neu 12.0-0 0-0, Biriukov - Abergel, tralise the activity of White's piec St Petersburg 2009, 13.Wffe2 Wffc8 es in the centre and on the king 14.if4t Black's pieces remain side, Roghani - Vakhidov, Dubai very passive, therefore he will 2004. have great problems fighting against White's pawn-centre. 10 ...c5 11.0-0 Let's go back to 7 ...e6 8.tt'lf3. After the careless move 11 ... It seems premature for Black 0-0, White can begin immediate to choose here 8 ...c5, because af active actions with the already fa ter 9 . .ib5+ ic6, Kasparov - Wei miliar motive 12.d5!, for example: der, Cagnes sur Mer 1977, White 12 ...exd5 13.exd5 h6 (13 ...Wff xd5 obtains a great advantage with 14.hh7+ \tlh8, Bozinovic - Sti the simple line: 10.hc6+ 4Jxc6 pic, Zadar 1999, 15.!'1e1 WffhS 16. 11.0-0 cxd4 12.cxd4 !'1c8 13 . .ib2 153 Chapter 10 i.e7 14.d5!± - exploiting Black's op his pieces as quickly as possi delay of his castling. ble. After 8.dxe5 ltld7 9.ltlf3 �e7 His position remains very dif 10.i.b5 0-0-0oo there arises a ficult after 8 ...ltld7, since Black's very complicated position in knight is passive on this square. which White's extra pawn is abso 9.i.d3i.e7 (After 9 ...c5, White has lutely immaterial, Bacrot - Ed a powerful resource at his dispos ouard, Villandry 2012. al - 10.d5! exd5 11.exd5 .hd5 12. 0-0 i.e7 13J'�dl±Bla ck has an ex 8 ...exd4 9 . .ic4 tra pawn indeed, but his defence This bishop will be perfectly is difficult due to the pin on the placed on this diagonal, exerting d-file, for example: 13 ...hf 3?! pressure against the f7-square. 14.gxf3a6 15.i.f4 ga7 16.�a4 0-0 White is ready to sacrificea pawn. 17.i.b5+- and he loses material.) 10.0-0 0-0 (10 ... c5 1l.d5!;!::) 11. i.f4 c5 12.d5! This pawn-break is already familiar to us. 12 ... exd5 13.exd5 i.xd5 14.hh7+ 'tt>h8 15. i.f5 i.xf3 16.gxf3 i.g5 17.i.d6 i.e7 18.i.g3 ltlf6 19.gfe1 ggs 20.gadl± - The material is equal indeed, but Black's position is very diffi cult. His king is vulnerable, while White's pieces control the entire board, Rohde - Comp Socrates Exp, Boston 1993. 9 •..ltlc6 9 ...d3. It is possible that this may be Black's best decision. He gives back immediately his extra pawn, but deflects the enemy bishop from the attack against the f7-square. 10.i.xd3 i.e7 (10 ...ltld7 11.0-0 i.c5, Iskusnyh - Sowray, Dresden 2007, 12.i.f4 0-0 13. gad1 �e7 14.gfe1 ltlf6 15.ltld4t White's piece-activity more than compensates the defects of his 8.ltlf3! pawn-structure.) 11.0-0 0-0 12. This is the right move for e5 h6 13.gd1!?± The juxtaposition White! He must strive to devel- of the rook and the queen on the 154 l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 b6 3.tLlc3 d-fileis very unpleasant for Black ll . .b:d3.ic5 12.e5 (White maintains a slight edge af The pressure on the b1-h7 di ter 13.�e4 he4 14.vt/xe4 tLla6 15. agonal is very unpleasant for tLld4;!; I.Sokolov - Van Kerkhof, Black. Vienna 2013). 12 ••.h6 Following 9 ...�e7, Gladyszev - Following 12 ...tLle 7, Graf - Jo Erwich, Witley 2001, White hansson, Email 2009, Whitemain should not be in a hurry to regain tains an edge with 13.�b5+!? c6 his pawn. 10.0-0! tLlc6 (10 ...dxc3 . 14.Ei:d1 vt/c7 15.�d3± and in order Black should better avoid gob to evaluate the position correctly, bling pawns. ll.Ei:dl. White's piec it would be sufficient at least to es are tremendously active. 11 ... compare the power of the bishops vt/c8 12.vt/xc3 0-0 13.�b2 �f6 14. on d3 and b7. e5 �e7 15.e6 f6 16.tLlh4 g6 17. Ei:d7+- and Black's position is de fe nceless.) 11.Ei:d1 0-0 12.cxd4± White's powerful pawn-centre provides him with a stable advan tage. 10.0-0 13.e6! White sacrifices a pawn and deprives the enemy king of its castling rights. 13 .•.fxe6 14 • .ig6+ �f8 15 • .if4± Black's defence is very diffi cult, because his rook on h8 is 10 •••d3 likely to remain isolated from the actions for long. Now, Black should again re 15 •••.id6 16.�ad1 YlYe7 17. frain from 10 ...dxc3 , in view of .ig3 hg3 18.fxg3! White opens 11.�g5! f6 12.Ei:ad1 vt/e7 13.vt/xc3 the f-file for attack. 18 ••.�g8 , and after 13 ...fxg5? White wins Giannetto - Fernandez, Email with the simple tactical strike - 2007, 19. 155 Chapter 10 i.d5 23.ges .tt7 24.'�e4 ges lDg6+-, Black suffers material 25.lDc6 ge6 26.gxe6 he6 27. losses, since White will counter lDe5 'ti'd5 28.Ybd5 hd5 29. 29 .. J�h7 with30.E! f8 # Conclusion The move 2 ...a6 is not a frequent guest in the contemporary tourna ment practice and quite deservedly so. White can obtain a considerable advantage. In the main line he exchanges his central e4-pawn for his opponent's cS-pawn and obtains powerful initiative, because Black lags considerably in development. In the variation with 2 ...b6, White's achievements are not so great. This move was oftenplayed by the World Champion number four - A Alekhine. Still, White's edge after4. \Wc2, followed by e2-e4, is doubt less. He occupies the centre with his pawns and although Black exerts some piece-pressure against it, this is insufficientfor him to maintain equality. 156 Chapter 11 l.d4 �f6 2.c4 �c6 tournament practice. Among the grandmasters playing it, we can mention C. Bauer, V. Bologan, A. Ermolinsky, H. Nakamura. 3.li)c3 This move is simple and strong. White is not provoked to punish his opponent immediately by attacking his knight with the move d4-d5 and is not worried by the possibility e7-e5. This chapter will be devoted to Now, Black has at his disposal an opening named "Knight's Tan two basic possibilities. The most go". In it, contrary to the majority popular and logical move here is of the other openings, he is not B) 3 ... e5, but before we start its fighting for thecentre , but at first analysis, we will deal with the less develops his cavalry. This open ambitious move A) 3 ...e6. ing shares the similar ideas with the Alekhine Defence. Black pro About 3 ... d6 4.d5 - see Chap vokes his opponent to chase his ter 12. knights with his pawns and plans 3 . ..d5 4.cxd5 - see volume 1, later to exploit the exposed posi Chapter 3, variation C. tion of White's pawns. Still, the move 2 ...tt:lc6 has a serious posi tional defect. The role of the cen A) 3 ... e6 4.e4 tre in the game of chess is very White continues to occupy the important and ignoring that, par centre with his pawns. ticularly when you play with (diagram) Black, is very risky. 4 ....ib4 This opening is not so fre Black exerts pressure against quently used in the contemporary his opponent's centre. 157 Chapter 11 Black's king is vulnerable (This is because of the absence of the pawn on t7.)and later, White can prepare an attack on the kingside (f2-f4-f5), or choose the more re liable move 14.�e1!? ;!; followed by tLlf4-e6. 5.e5 c!De46. 'i;Yc2d5 6 ...tLlxc3 7.bxc3 i.e7 (7... After ...4 e5, White should bet tLlxd4?? 8.�d3+-; 7 ...i.a5 8.tLlf3 ter open the position with the �e7 9.i.d3d6 10.0-0 i.d7 ll.i.a3± line: S.dxeS!? tLlxeS 6.f4 tLlc6 7.e5 - The pressure on the a3-f8 diag tLlg8 8.tLlf3 d6 9.i.e2;!; and he is onal is very unpleasant for Black, clearly ahead of his opponent in Zinovjev - Iljin, Alushta 2010.) development, Amini - Mzalnia, 8.i.d3 h6, Gygli - Heilimo, Mu Bojnord 2012. nich 1936, 9.�e2!± followed by �g4 and powerful pressure It seems very bad for Black to against the g7-square. opt here for 4 ...d6 5.tLlf3 i.e7 6. i.e2 0-0 7.0-0 �e88. i.e3± - His 7.c!Df3 position is horribly cramped and White is completely dominant in the centre, P.Smirnov - Mikhal chenko, Tomsk 2013. 4 ...d5. This move looks rather inconsistent for Black. S.eS. Later, this pawn will cramp Black's posi tion considerably. 5 ...tLle4 6.cxd5 exdS 7.i.b5 i.b4 8.tLlge20-0 (It is not preferable for him to choose 8 ...i.f 5, Stirb - Manolache, Tim isoara 2006, 9.0-0 0-0 10.tLlxe4 White has occupied plenty of i.xe4 ll.tLlg3± and after the re space. He is not afraid of the dou treat of Black's light-squared bling of his pawns on the c-file, bishop, White will begin an offen because he can always get rid of sive on the kingside with f2-f4- his doubled pawns by simply ex f5 .) 9.0-0 tLlxc3 10.bxc3 i.e7 11. changing on dS. �c2 f6 12.exf6 i.xf6 13.i.d3g6, Ju - T.Kosintseva, Sochi 2009. 7 ...f6 158 l.d4 ll'lf6 2.c4 ll'lc6 3.ll'lc3 Black wishes to get rid of the 9 ....txc3 + 10.bxc3 pawn on e5 which cramps his po White's pawn on d4 is reliably sition considerably. protected now. About 7 .. .f5 8.exf6 - see 7 .. .f6. Following 7 ... ll'lxc3, Black will be forced to waste some more time for the retreat of his bishop and this is detrimental to his chances. 8.bxc3 !ie7 9./id3 h6 (9 ...dxc4 10./ixc4 0-0 11.0-0 ll'la5 12./id3 h6, V.Terentjev - Yaksin, Izhevsk 2010, 13.W/e2+- followed by W/e4. Here, you can see the de fects of the weakened shelter of 10 ...0-0 his king after the move h7-h6. If Black defends against the check Black's position is very diffi mate with the move g7-g6, then cult after10 ...h6 11./id3 ll'ld6 12.c5 he will lose his h6-pawn.) 10.0-0 ll'lf7 13.0-0 e5 14.dxe5 ll'lfxe5 15. 0-0 11.W/e2 ll'la5 12.cxd5 exd5 13. ll'lxe5 ll'lxe5 16./ib5+! c6 17.f4 ll'lg4 fi.c2± and Black will have great 18 . .id3 W/e7 19./ig6± and his king problems to parry the threat W/d3, has lost its castling rights and again because of the move h7-h6, may come under attack later, which has weakened his king, Kuosmanen - Pesonen, Email Shvedchikov - Petrov, Moscow 2011, as well as following10 ... ll'ld6 1995. 11./ig5 W/f7 12./id3 dxc4 13./ixh7 ll'lf5 14./ixf5 exf5 15.0-0 /ie6 16. After 7 ... /ia5, Gossell - Fer j:'1fel± and later fi.f4 and ll'lg5 and nandez, Lindsborg 2004, White Black's monarch will have prob can simply ignore that move and lems to findreliable shelter on the continue calmly with his develop kingside, Quesada Perez - Olive ment: 8./ie2!? ll'lb4 9.W/b3± - It ra Medrano, Camaguey 1999. has become unclear what Black has achieved with the manoeu ll . .id3 vres fi.b4-a5 and ll'lc6-b4. White eyes Black's most active piece. 8.exf6 �xf6 9.a3 White is forced to lose a tempo ll ...ll'la 5 in order to force the exchange on c3, but this does not compromise After ...11 b6 12.0-0 !ib7, F. his position. Gonzalez - Ogaard, Oslo 2012, 159 Chapter 11 13.a4!? h6 14 . .ia3 l'!fe8 15.l'!fel± 4.d5 White remains with two powerful bishops, while Black's e6-pawn is very weak. 12.0-0 b6 13.�e5 �h4 4 ...�e7 This is Black's most popular response. 4 ...tt:Ja5. This retreat of the 14.cxd5!? knight to the edge of the board seems very bad. 5.e4 .ib4 6.'1Wc2 This move is stronger than b6 7 . .id30-0 8.a3 .ixc3+ 9.'1Wxc3;!; 14.a4 .iaM Ivanchuk - Aronian, White has more space and the Warsaw 2003, although White two-bishop advantage, Pacher - maintains the edge even then, but Detko, Slovakia 2007. the possible exchange of the light squared bishops is in favour of 4 ...tt:Jd4. This knight will not Black. remain in the centre for long. 5.e3 tt:lf5 6.tt:lf3 d6 7.e4 tt:le7. Black has 14 ...exd5 15.a4± followed by lost too much time on manoeu .ia3 and l'!ael and the powerful vres with his knight. 8.c5! tt:Jg69 . position of his knight on e5, com .ib5± White accomplishes the fa bined with his two-bishop advan vourable trade of the light-squared tage, provide White with a clear bishops for similar positions, Yu edge. nusov - Frink, Istanbul 2012. B) 3 ...e5 4 ...tt:Jb8. Strangely enough, This is the strongest move for this retreat of the knight to its ini Black. He provokes the move d4- tial square is not so bad. 5.tt:lf3! It d5 and later, would try to develop is good for White to provoke the his bishop to c5, or to b4, with the move d7-d6, so that Black's bish idea to organize counterplay on op should remain closed inside the dark squares. his own camp. 5 ...d6 6.e4 160 l.d4 l?Jf6 2.c4 tt:lc6 3.4Jc3 to the g6-square, or weaken his position with the move h7-hS. 6 ...ie7 7.h3 0-0 8.ie3 aS 9.id3 tt:la6 10.a3 b6 ll.b4 axb4 12.axb4 id7 13J'!b1 h6 14.0-0;!; White exploits the tempi, pre sented by Black, and begins an of fensive on the queenside, while 5 ...h5 Black's counterplay on the oppo site side of the board is obviously Black can play the move S ... too slow, Pracejus - Ohtake, tt:leg8, which seems rather origi Email 2000. nal, but still insufficientto main After 6 ...4Jbd7 7.ie2 ie7 8. tain the equality. This is in fact 0-0 0-0 9.a3 aS 10.'\Wc2 tt:lcS 11. the only position in the chess the ie3 tt:la6 12.h3 tt:ld713 J:l:abl± fol ory in which after five moves lowed by b2-b4 and c4-cS, White Black will have his queen's knight seizes completely the initiative on on g8 and not the king's knight. the queenside, Macchiagodena - 6.e3. In this variation, White of Aminta, Email 2006. ten refrains from the move e2-e4 6 ...g6 7.il.d3 ig7 8.ie3 aS 9. in favour of the more modest 0-0 tt:la6 10.a3 0-0 ll.ic2 h6 move e2-e3, because from there 12.h3 tt:lhS 13.�d2;!; Mjasoedov - his pawn controls the d4 and f4- Gubanov, Simferopol 2004. The squares, impeding Black's coun arising position resembles the terplay on the dark squares. 6 ... King's Indian Defence, except hS. This is a very important deci that Black has lost several tempi. sion, leading to the weakening of After �ab1, followed by b2-b4, the gS-square (It is possible that White's prospects seem prefera Black should better choose here ble. 6 ...d6 !? 7.4Jf3 ie7 8.ie2;!;, pre serving a cramped but still quite 5.h4!? defensible position.). 7.l?Jf3 tt:lg4 This move is not played so of 8.4JgS ie7 9.f3 tt:l4h6 10.�c2 ten, but still, it is very unpleasant .bgS ll.hxgS �xgS 12.l?JbS± Black for Black. Now, he must either re has an extra pawn, but his posi frain from transferring his knight tion remains very difficult. 12 ... 161 Chapter 11 Wd8 13.d6 c6 14.lDc7 E!:b8 15.e4 tion of the knight on e4 provides �g3+ 16.�f2 �xf2+ 17.Wxf2 g6, White with a stable advantage. Turov - Arnaudov, Dieren 2011, 18.c5 b6 19.ie3 bxc5 20.b3+-, 6.j.g5 lLlg6 Black's pieces are practically com pletely stalemated. Following 6 ...d6 7.e4 tDd7,De gtiarev - Ernst, Groningen 2006, After ...5 d6 6.e4 g6 (It is bad 8.ie2 g6 9.lDf3± Black lags in de for Black to play 6 ... lDg6, Bareev velopment due to the lost tempi in - Riff, Aj accio 2007, because of the beginning of the game on ma 7.h5± and he cannot follow with noeuvres withhis knights. 7 ...lDf4? 8.g 3 and he will be forced to give up his two knights for 7.e3 White's rook and a pawn.) 7.ie2. There has arisen a very favourable version for White of the King's In dian Defence. 7 ... h5. This move leads to the weakening of the g5- square (It is not preferable for Black to opt for 7 ...ig7 8.h5± fol lowed by g2-g4.). 8.lDf3 ig7 9. lDg5 0-0 (9 ...c5 10.f3 a6 11.ie3 id7 12.a3 0-0 13.�d2 E!:b8 14.b4 b6 15.0-0± and due to the weak ness on g5, Black can hardly or ganize counterplay on the king 7 ...j.e7 side, Estremera Panos - Todorce vic, Zaragoza 1995.) 10.f3 c6 11. It is not preferable for Black ie3 a6 12.�d2;t White exploits to play 7 ...ib4 8.lDge2 lDf8 9. his space advantage and can pre lDg3lD8 h7 10.lDxh5 lDxg5 11.hxg5 pare active actions on the queen tDxh5 12.E!:xh5 hc3+ 13.bxc3 side, Hoffman - Todorcevic, Pon E!:xh5 14.�xh5± and in the game ferrada 1992. Girya - I.Vasilevich, Tyumen 2012, White managed to realise Black plays sometimes 5 ...lDf5 his extra pawn. and White's best reaction against that would be 6.�d3, for example: 8.j.d3 d6 6 ... g6 7.lDf3 lDg4 (7 ... d6 8.h5±) 8.h5 ic5 9.e3 d6, Goldin - Vlas Following 8 ...tDf 8, White has sov, St Petersburg 1994, 10.id2 the resource 9.�a4!?± and Black 0-0 11.lDe4 ib6 12.hxg6 fxg6 will hardly succeed in advancing 13.lDfg5± and the powerful posi- d7-d6. 162 l.d4 ti:lf6 2.c4 ti:lc6 3.ti:lc3 9.c!Df3c!l)f8 He cannot equalise with 9 ... ti:lg4 10.'�c2 ti:lf8, Richter - Vidit, Paris 2010, ll . .be7 �xe7 12.ti:lg5t White has much more space and can play later f2-f3, ousting his opponent's knight from its active position. 10.c!Dd2 c!Dg4 ll.he7 �xe7 12.ti'e2f5 13.f3c!Df 6 14.0-0-0;!; with a temporary pawn-sacrifice. (diagram) 16.c5 dxc5 17.c!Dc4 c!Dg6 18. Black's position is cramped dxc6 bxc6 19.c!Da5 ti'c720. c!Db3 and he lags in development too. 0-0 21.c!Dxc5 lt?h7 22.J.c4± 14 ..•c6? ! (It seems more reliable White has regained the sacrificed for him to continue with 14 ...a6 !?, material and has better prospects but even then after 15.\t?bU thanks to the powerful position White's prospects seem prefera of his knight on c5 and the vul ble in the forthcoming complicat nerability of Black's pawn on c6, ed middle game.) 15.e4 f4 . White Ivanchuk - Bauer, Cap d'Agde opens advantageously the game 2012. Conclusion As can be expected, such early "dancing" of Black's knights cannot bring him equality. White occupies space with simple moves and ob tains the advantage. Black's main problems are caused by his knight on c6, since he can hardly finda good place for it. The best square for this knight is no doubt the g6-square, but White plays h2-h4 fo rcing his op ponent to weaken the g5-square. Its vulnerability will hurt Black deep into the middle game. Still, we should not forget that White often re frains from the move e2-e4 and plays the more modest move e2-e3, taking the d4 and f4-squares under control, impeding Black's counter play on the dark squares. 163 Chapter 12 l.d4 lDf6 2.c4 d6 (indeed, mostly in games with a shorter time-control). It has been tested also by E. Bacrot, L. Fressi net, B. Jobava, P. Svidler and many other grandmasters. 3.lDc3 This is a good move. White de velops his pieces and prepares e2- e4 ignoring his opponent's possi ble counterplay, connected with e7-e5. After this move there arises the Indian Defence on the board Now, Black's most logical (naturally, if Black does not trans move is B) 3 .•. e5, or the prelimi pose later to the King's Indian De nary move 3 ...lt:lbd7 followed by fence with g7-g6). This move was e7-e5 (We will devote to this move very popular during the 50ies of the next chapter .). Before that the past century. At that period, however, we will deal with A) 3 ..• the players who liked the King's .if5. Indian Defence used that tricky order of moves in order to avoid After ... 3 tt:lc6, White should the Saemisch System. The same play immediately 4.d5!?, without thing applies to the Averbakh Sys waiting for e7-e5. 4 ...lt:le5 5.e4 g6, tem as well. White cannot prevent This is the best for Black. (It the pawn-advance e7-e5 with the seems weaker for him to try 5 ...e6 move 3.lt:lf3, because after that 6.f4 lt:lg6 7.dxe6 fxe6 8.lLlf3 fd.e7 Black may play 3 ...g6. The move 9.fd.d3 0-0 10.0-0± Albrecht - 2 ...d6 is not so popular, but still, it Holler, Wuerttemberg 1992, as has been encountered in the well as 5 ...c6 6.f4 lt:lg67.fd.d3 �b6 grandmaster practice as well. S. 8.lt:lf3 fd.g4 9.h3 fd.xf3 10.�xf3± Movsesian plays often like this Ivanisevic - Masic, Belgrade 164 l.d4 ll:\f6 2.c4 d6 3.ll:\c3 2006 and in both variations White's game is noticeably freer.). Here, White's simplest decision would be 6.i.e2 1J.g7 and there arises a favourable version of the King's Indian Defence - see vol ume 2, Chapter 6. 3 ...c6 4.e4 e5 (About 4 ... ll:\bd7 5.i.e3 - see Chapter 13, while fol lowing 4 ...g6 5.i.e2 i.g7 6.i.g5, there arises transposition to the 4.g3! King's Indian Defence - see vol This is White's most precise ume 2, Chapter 6.) 5.d5. White move. White prepares the flank occupies space. 5 ...i.e7 6.f3 0-0 development of his bishop and (6 ... ll:lbd77.i. e3 0-0 - see Chap from where it will control the key ter 13, variation C) 7.i.e3 a6 8. e4-square for this variation. \Wd2 b5. Black begins active ac tions on the queenside, but as it is Unfortunately for him, the well known - pawns do not go other possibility to prepare the back in chess (8 ...cxd5 9.cxd5 b5 pawn-advance e2-e4 would not 10.i.d3 lLlbd7 11.lLlge2-s ee Chap work for White, because after 4. ter 13, variation C). 9.Eld1 b4, Sa f3, Black has a tactical possibility, kaev - Svidler, Tivat 1995 (follow which provides him with a very ing 9 ...bxc4 10.hc4 c5 ll.ll:\ge2 good game - 4 ...e5 5.d5 and here ll:lbd7 12.lLlg3± White maintains 5 ...e4 !, after which White is an edge, since he has more space, obliged to play 6.\Wd4oo In the moreover that the vulnerability of fo rthcoming complicated fight Black's pawn on a6 may tell in the the chances are mutual, since future, Sakaev - Jansa, Pardubice White will have difficulties with 1997). Now, White has a slight but the development of his pieces stable advantage after 10.lLla4!? (ll:\g1), moreover that his queen c5 ll.lLlxc5 dxc5 12.d6±, regaining has been developed a bit too ear his piece. Black's c5-pawn is weak. ly. After6.g4, Black has an exqui site combination which leads to A) 3 •••J.f5 a perpetual check - 6 ...ll:\x g4! This is not the best move for 7.fxg4 \Wh4+ 8.'it>d2 e3+! Now, Black, since he fails to prevent the White's king cannot be evacuated move e2-e4, so he will have to lose to the queenside. 9.'it>xe3 Wg5+ a tempo later for the retreat of his 10.'it>f2 , draw, Malakhov - Svidler, bishop. St Petersburg 2005. 165 Chapter 12 ing powerfulpressur e on the long diagonal. You should not forget that he dominates in the centre too.) 9.�c2 lLld7 10.ig2 ie7 11. lLlf3 0-0 12.0-0 c5 13.dxc5 lLlxc5 14.l"\dUTratar - Sutkovic, Zupan ja 2008. The position in the cen tre has been opened. This is no doubt in favour of White, since the power of his two bishops in creases in open positions as it is 4 ...e5 well known. This is the most natural move for Black. He advances e7-e5, in Naturally, Black cannot equal creasing the pressure against the ise with 4 ...g6, because after 5. d4-square. ig2 he cannot prevent e2-e4. About 4 ...c6 5.ig2 lLlbd7 (5 ... e5 6.lLlf3 - see 4 ...e5; 5 ...g6 6.e4 - see 4 ... g6) 6.lLlf3 e5 7.0-0 '- see 4 ...e5. Unfortunately for Black, he cannot provoke the favourable for him exchange of the knights after 4 ... lLle4, since White can counter that with the powerful resource 5 ...�c8 6.e4 ig4 7.f3 ie6 8. 5.�d3! This is the point. Now lLlge2 c6 9.b3 ih3 10.0-0 ixg2 White exchanges his knight on c3 ll.lf1xg2 ig7 12.e5!? This is an en for the enemy bishop on f5 after ergetic move. (It is also good for which his two powerful bishops White to play the more prudent guarantee his advantage in all the line: 12.ie3 0-0 13.�d2::t and he variations. 5 ...d5 6.cxd5 lLlxc3 7. maintains an edge in the forth �xf5 lLlxd5 8.a3 e6 (8 ...lLlc6 9.lLlf3 coming middle game thanks to g6 10.�d3 ig7 ll.ig2 lLlb6 12. his dominance in the centre and 0-0 0-0 13.l"\dU Khenkin- Scal his space advantage, Khenkin - cione, Saint Vincent 2002. White Lobron, Bad Wiessee 1998.) 12 ... has protected reliably his d4- dxe5 13.dxe5 lLlfd7 14.f4::tWh ite's pawn against the attacks of the e5-pawn cramps considerably enemy pieces. In the forthcoming Black's pieces (the knight on d7 fight White's light-squared bish and the bishop on g7). If Black op will play a decisive role exert- places his knight on c5, then 166 l.d4 tt:lf6 2.c4 d6 3. tt:lc3 White can attack it with his bish op from e3 or a3. Black has no pawn- weaknesses in his position; nevertheless, White's advantage is doubtless. It is obviously bad for Black to play s ...tt:lc6, because after that White wins tempi attacking not only the bishop on fS, but the en emy knight as well. 6.d5 tt:lb8 7. e4:tAfter the retreat of the bishop, there arises a position with the knight cannot go to c6 to exert development of the bishop to g2 pressure against the d4-square. in the King's Indian Defence, but with the loss of two tempi for It seems more ambitious for Black (two on knight moves Black to play here S ...tt:lc6, but tt:lb8-c6-b8 and one for the re even then after the simple move treat of the bishop from the fS 6.tt:'lf3!? White maintains the square.). opening advantage. After s ... c6 6.e4 .ie6 7.�e2, Black is incapable of exerting pressure against White'spowe rful pawn-centre. 7 ...�b6 8.tt:lf3 .ig7 9.0-0 0-0 10.h3 h6. In the game Gaprindashvili - Hickl, Biel 1988, White opened advantageously the game in the centre with: 1l.d5 .id7 12.e5 dxeS 13.tt:lxe5 cxdS 14. cxdS± and in the arising standard position with an isolated pawn, he 6 ...g6 7 . .ig5 .ig7 8.dxe5 dxeS had the advantage thanks to his 9.�xd8+ (It is also good for White better developed pieces. to choose here 9.�b3!?:t,preserv ing a slight edge in the middle 5 . .ig2 game.) 9 .. J�xd8, Perun - Dol White exploits the defence zhikova, Kiev 2004, 10 . .ixf6 .ixf6 lessness of the b7-pawn and de 1l.tt:'ld5:t and thanks to the double velops his bishop with tempo to attack, White wins a pawn,but his an active position. edge will be minimal, since Black's (diagram) bishops are very powerful. 5 ...c6 6 ...�d7 7.0-0 .ie7 (Black is Black restricts the pressure of behind in development anyway, White's bishop, but now his so he has no time for prophylac- 167 Chapter 12 tics. 7 ...h6, Lugovoi - Jusic, Neum tage would be considerable. He 2002. Here, White could have ob only needs to make two moves in tained a great advantage with the order to evacuate his king away line: 8.dxe5! dxe5 9.'1Wa4± fol from the centre: tt:lf3 and 0-0. lowed by �d1 and Black can hard ly neutralise White's piece-pres sure due to his considerable lag in development.). 8.d5. White at The character of the fight is tacks the enemy knight and wins not changed after 6 ... \Wc7, be tempi in order to organise his of cause White can obtain a comfort fensive on the queenside. 8 ...tt:Jb4 able position playing like in the 9.tt:lh4. The two-bishop advantage main line: 7.0-0 h6 8.tt:lh4 ih7 is always useful. 9 ...a5 10.a3 tt:la6 9.e4 ie7 10.tt:lf5± Black cannot ll.tt:lxf5 \Wxf5 12.\Wa4+ tt:Jd7 13.e4 put up with the knight on f5 for \Wh5 14.b4± White has seized long, so afterixf5 White will ob completely the initiative on the tain the two-bishop advantage. queenside, while Black's knights are horribly misplaced. One of 7.0-0 them is at the edge of the board and the defencelessness of the other does not allow him to castle, Zhao - V.Smirnov, Tuggeranong 2007. It would not work for Black to play 5 ... exd4, because in that case White can calmly collect the ex change with 6 . .bb7! dxc3 7 ..ba8 c2. (It is understandable that Black's pawn on c2 is not support ed by the rest of Black's forces and 7 ...h6 cannot create any serious prob This is necessary prophylactic lems for White, but even after7 ... on order to prevent the exchange c6, Mozetic - Kovacevic, Tivat of the bishop. 1995, White can obtain an advan tage by sending his queen to Following 7 ...ie7, White can help the isolated bishop. 8.\Wa4± provoke an advantageous trade of Black's compensation for the ex his knight for the enemy bishop change is insufficient.) 8.\Wd4 c6, with the move 8.tt:lh4! Grinev - Kislinsky, Kiev 2007. (diagram) Here, White had to play 9.\Wxa7±, Now, Black ends up in a diffi after which his material advan- cult position after 8 ...�g4 9.h3 168 l.d4 tDj6 2.c4 d6 3.fijc3 8.tbh4 ih5 (His defence would not be fa cilitated after an opening of the game in the centre with 9 ...ex d4, because White's pieces are better developed. 10.hxg4 dxc3 ll.g5 White is preparing to occupy ttJh5 12.ltJf5 ttJe5, Christiansen - the centre with e2-e4. Shirazi, New York 1989. Here, af ter energetic centralization of his 8 ...ih7 9.e4 ie7 queen 13.�d4!+- White could have obtained a decisive advan Black would not facilitate his tage, because Black's knight on h5 defence if he gives up the centre would be horribly misplaced at with 9 ...exd4, because after 10. the edge of the board. He has no �xd4 ie7 ll.ltJf5 ixf5 12.exf5 satisfactory defence against g3- 0-0 13.if4t; White would have g4.) 10.d5 c5 1l.�b3 b6 12.ltJf5± not only the two bishop advan Black has succeeded in avoiding tage, but would attack the weak the exchange of his light-squared enemy d6-pawn, Ulibin - Biel bishop; nevertheless, his position czyk, Berlin 1994. is very difficult. White's knight is very powerfulon f5 and he is per 10.ie3 0-0 ll.lilf5 fectly prepared to develop his ini tiative in the centre and on the Or 11...�e8 12.d5 c5 13.a3 hf5 kingside with e2-e4, f2-f4 and 14.exf5t; Ugarteburu - Ayala, eventually g2-g4. Palencia 1999. It is possible that Black's best chance may be 8 ...ig 6, although ll ....txf51 2.exf5 even then after 9.d5 :1k8, Koneru (diagram) - Krasenkow, Wijk aan Zee 2008, 12 ...exd4 White would maintain an edge This exchange is not bad at all, following 10.�a4!? ttJc5 1l.�a3 a5 despite the fact that White has the 12.ie3t; and his pieces would ex two-bishop advantage and the ert powerful pressure against opening of the position is in his Black's queenside. favour. The point is that Black ob- 169 Chapter 12 ing fight, Ligterink - Miles, Lon don 1981. B) 3 ...e5 This is Black's most logical move. He advances immediately e7-e5, after which White cannot enter positions of the King's Indi an t)rpe. tains control over two important squares for his knights - cS and eS. Black's defence would not be any easier after the super-solid move 12 ... l'!e8, Espig - Vorotni kov, Germany 1998. Following 13.d5 cS 14.'1We2 '\Wc7 15.i.d2 a6 16.a4 lLlh717.h4:t Bl ack willhard ly manage to parry White's king side offensive, since his pieces lack space. 4.dxe5!? This seemingly unpretentious 13 . .bd4'\Wa5 14.'1Wc2 gfe8 exchange is full of venom. White is not tryingto obtain a great ad It is obviously bad for Black to vantage in the middle game, but play 14 ...d5? !, because after 15. prefers to maintain a slight but cxdS tt:lxdS16. tt:lxd5cxdS 17.'\Wb3± stable edge in the endgame. It is White's bishops are very active, often used bya strong positional while Black's dS-pawn is very player like V. Epishin and before weak, Ionescu - Nisipeanu, Bu that it was tried by D. Bronstein, charest 1994. V. Smyslov, B. Spassky ... It is worth mentioning that af 15.gabl gadS 16.b4:t White ter an exchange like this, White has begun a pawn-offensive on can rely on obtaining an advan the queenside with his last move tage only with a pawn on e2. If his and despite the weakening of his pawn had been on the e4-square, pawn-structure (the doubled only Black might think about hav pawns on the f-file), his prospects ing an edge due to the permanent seem preferable in the forthcom- weakness of the d4-square. 170 l.d4 'tJf6 2.c4 d6 3. 'tJc3 e5 4.de de 5. VfixdB @xdB 6. 'tJfJ 4 •••dxe5 5.Vfffxd8+ c.fixd8 6. hd5 10.ixf6+ gxf6 ll.cxd5 !tJe7 Cjjf3 12.0-0-0::t White's pawn-struc ture is preferable.) 8.0-0-0+ @e8 9.e3 ie6 (9 ...i.g 4?! 10.ie2 !tJd7 ll.ixe7 @xe7 12.!tJd5+ @d8 13.�d2± followed by �he1, Legky - Okhotnik, Douai 1993. Black can hardly coordinate his pieces, because his king is horribly mis placed in the centre of the board, despite its being an endgame.) 10.ie2 !tJg4 ll.ixe7 @xe7, Villega - Ravina, Spain 2011, 12.�hfl �hd8 13.ctJg5 f5 14.!tJxe6 �xd1+ It is understandable that 15.�xd1 @xe6 16.!tJe4::t Black has White's basic hopes are based on great difficultiesto neutralise the his lead in development, moreo activity of White's pieces. ver that the placement of Black's king on d8, despite the exchange of queens, may prove to be very Bl) 6 ...'tJfd7 bad for him, since there are still This move looks a bit ugly too many pieces lefton the board. since Black's knight retreats, just like a crab. Still, the move is con Now, Black must choose how nected with a quite reasonable to protect his e5-pawn: Bl) 6 ... idea - to protect the pawn on e5 'tJfd7 or B2) 6 ••• !tJbd7. with the move f7-f6, which will re strict noticeably White's knight 6 ...id6 7.ie3 c6 8.0-0-0 @e7 on f3 (Black takes the g5-square 9.!tJg5 ie6 10.!tJxe6 @xe6 ll.g3 under control.). In spite of all, !tJa6 12.ih3+ @e7, Skembris - At White obtains effortlessly an ad tard, Budva 1981. Here, White vantage thanks to Black's lag in could have isolated the enemy development. knight on a6 from the actions 7.g4!? with 13.a3!? There might follow: This is a very original move. 13 ...ic5 14.ig5 �hd8 15.!tJe4 ib6 Black will have to play f7-f6 soon 16. b4± and White has not only the er or later, so White prepares an two-bishop advantage, but also attack against the pawn on f6 actively placed pieces. with the move g4-g5. After the exchange on f6, his rook will be Following 6 ...!tJc6 7.ig5 ie7 very active on the open g-file and (7... ie6 8.!tJd5 ib4+, Popovics his bishop will be developed on Mazes, Hungary 2008, 9.!tJd2 h3. 171 Chapter 12 queenside. ll... We8 (Black cannot equalise with ll... tt:lb6, because after 12.b3± White's c4-pawn is reliably protected and Black's knight on b6 is very passive.) 12. �h3 tt.Jdc5 13.�xc8. The exchange of the light-squared bishops is in favour of White, because the pawns on eS and f6 are placed on dark-squares and Black's dark squared bishop may turn out to 7 ...c6 be "bad" in the endgame. 13 ... This move is no doubt much l"i:xc8 14.a3! White is preparing more flexiblethan 7 .. .f6. b2-b4, after which Black's pieces will be deprived of the important The straightforward attempt cS-square. 14 ...b6 15.b4 tt:le6 16. 7 .. .£6 after 8.g5! leads to a posi tt:le4. ctffl 17.0-0-0!? This is the tion in which White has a slight most precise move for White. (He edge and a clear-cut plan for his preserves a slight edge even after further actions. 17.l"i:d1: 17... l"i:d8 18.l"i:xd8 tt:lxd8 19.tt:lh4 tt:lb8 20.f4 tt:ld7 21.fxe5 fxe5 22.�g5 tt:lb7 23.fi:fl+ e8 24.tt:lf5 aS 25.b5 cxbS 26.cxb5± White's pieces are more actively deployed, but Black preserves some chances of saving the game, because there are just a few pawns left on the board, Ugge - David, ICCF 1999.) 17... tt.Jb8 (B lack loses immediately after 17... l"i:d8? in Following 8 .. .f5, White's best view of 18.fi:xd8 tt:lxd8 19.l"i:d1and reaction would be 9.�d2 tt:lc6 10. he cannot prevent the penetra 0-0-0± - Black will have difficul tion of the enemy rook to the ties to complete the development d7-square, because after 19... We7 of his queenside pieces, because White has the resource 20. his central pawn on eS needs per tt:lxe5+-) 18.tt:lh4 l"i:c7 b219.W . manent protection. This is the main idea behind 8 ...c6 9.gxf6 gxf6 10.l"i:g1 tt:la6 White's castling queenside. Now, 11.�e3. White not only develops aftera7-a5 , he will manage to pro his bishop to an active position, tect his queenside pawns with the taking the cS-square under con move Wb3. 19 ...l"i:d7 20.tt:lf5 l"i:xd1 trol, but also prepares castling 21.l"i:xdH White has a considera- 172 l.d4 l?Jf6 2.c4 d6 8.li:Jc3 e5 4.de de 5. 'flxdB �xdB 6.11:Jf3 ble positional advantage in this 13.gxf6 l?Jxf6�) ll ...li:Jxc5 12 . .te3 endgame. His knights on f5 and l?Jba6 13.l"i:gl. White should not e4 are very powerful and most of let the enemy bishop to occupy Black's pawns are placed on the the g4-square. 13 ....td7 14.0-0-0 same colour of squares as his l"i:ad8 15.b3 b6 16.h4;i;; White has bishop. the two-bishop advantage, while Black's knight on a6 is misplaced. 8.g5 White plays this move in spite 9 . .td2 ges of all! This is a solid move after which obtaining an advantage with White is not a simple task. 9 ...a5 . This move does not equalise for Black, because White manages to play a3 and b4. 10.a3 .td6 ll.l?Je4 .tc7 12.ic3 �e7 13. l"i:g1!? (13.h4, Christiansen - Mur shed, New York 1989, 13 ...h6 !?) 13 ...l?Ja 6 14.b4 l"i:d8 15.ih3 axb4 16.axb4;i;; White's pieces are very active, while Black's knight is mis 8 ....tb4 placed on the a6-square. This is an active move. Black is threatening now to double his op ponent's pawns, so White should not play .te3and must occupy the more modest position on d2 with his bishop. Following 8 ...� c7, White ob tains a slight advantage after 9 . .td2, for example: 9 ....tc5 10.li:Je4 l"i:e8 11.l?Jxc5!? This is the sim plest. Now, White will have at least the two-bishop advantage. to.gdt (It is not so clear after 11.0-0-0, because of ll ....tf8 , Black avoids White should not waste a tem prudently the trade of his bishop. po for the move 10.a3, because in 12 . .tc3, Solinski - Gemein, Ger this variation Black's bishop often many 1995. Here, he could have goes to the f8-square anyway. 10 ... created counterplay with 12 .. .f5 if8= Zuev - S.Salov, Bmo 1994. 173 Chapter 12 10 •.•a5 11.h4 7.�gl!? This is the beginning of a very original plan. 11 •.. �c7 12.h5 ti)a6 White wishes to implement the plan with the advance of his g pawn, analogously to the previous 13.h6!? variation, despite the placement This is the idea of the advance of Black's knight on the f6-square. of this flankpa wn. White fixesthe enemy pawn on h7 and now, 7 ...h6 Black must control permanently Besides this move, he has the f6-square; otherwise, White's many other possibilities. knight will be headed along the route e4-f6-h7. 7 ... h5. One of the drawbacks of 13 ...g6 14.a3 .i£8 15 . .th3 this move is that Black weakens ti)ac5 16 . .te3 ti)b6 17. .h:c8 the gS-square and White's knight �axeS 18.ti)d2 �cd8 19.ti)ce4 is immediately headed there. 8. ti)xe4 20.hb6+ �xb6 21. tt:lgS 'it>e89. tt:lb5.td 6, Jussupow ti)xe4 �xdl+ 22.�xdl �d8+ Bronstein, Moscow 1981, 10.g3!? 23. �c2 �e7 24.e3± White He plans to develop his bishop on maintains a slight edge despite the long diagonal. 10 ...h4 1l. .tg2 the numerous exchanges, because 'it>e7 12 . .td2 hxg3 13.hxg3 a6 14. his centralised knight is obviously tt:Jxd6 cxd6. White has a superior stronger than Black's bishop. pawn-structure and two powerful bishops. He only needs to open maximally the position. 15.f4!;t B2) 6 ••.ti)bd7 and Black has great problems in Afterthis natural move White this endgame. must play very energetically, be cause if Black succeeds in com After 7... b6 8.g4 .tb7, the best pleting his development, White's move for White is 9 . .tg2!?, im slight edge may evaporate. peding the exchange of the 174 l.d4 tiJf6 2.c4 d6 3.tiJc3 e5 4.de de 5. WfxdB rJlxdB6. ttJ.f3 knights for Black (It seems too for his king. Still, White has suffi hasty for White to play 9.g5, be cient resources to maintain his cause of 9 ...ttJe4 10.tiJxe4 he4= opening advantage. 8.g4 h6 9.h4 and having simplified the posi tion by trading the knights, Black has nothing to be afraid of in the future, Eljanov - Prokopchuk, Moscow 1999). 9 ...Eib8 . He must lose time in order to protect his bishop (Black loses immediately after 9 ...ttJe4? 10.tiJg5+-, as well as following 9 ...ttJx g4? 10.tiJg5+-) lO.gS. Now is the right time for White to oust the enemy knight to 9 ...e4. This is Black's best a passive position. 10 ...tiJe8 ll.b3 move. 10.tiJd4tiJeS 1l.g5 hxgS 12 . .icS 12 . .ib2 tiJd6 13.tiJa4 .ib4+ hxg5 tiJe8, Karasev - Dvoretzky, 14.rJlfl f6 15.gxf6 gxf6 16 . .ih3;t Minsk 1976, 13.b3;t The queens and in the arising complicated have been exchanged; neverthe endgame, White has the initia less, Black's king is not safe on dB. tive, because Black will have great White must only develop his problems to defend against the dark-squared bishop and castle penetration of the enemy rook to queenside after which Black will the penultimate rank. have great problems with the safety of his king. White should not be afraid of It is not so good for him to play the pin of the knight: 7 ....ib4 8 . 9 ....ib4 , because the defenceless .id2 Eie8, Glavas - Dizdarevic, ness of this bishop may be an im Sarajevo 1998, 9.Eid1 c6 10.g4 h6 portant factor in the oncoming ll.g5 hxg5 12.tiJxg5 rJle7 13.a3 hc3 battle. 10 . .id2 Eie8 ll.Eid1 rJlc7, 14.hc3;!; Despite some weaken Kachiani_Gersinska - Remmler, ing of White's pawn-structure (his Badenweiler 1990. Here, White h2-pawn), the position should be could have begun decisive ac evaluated in his favour. He has tions: 12.tiJb5+! cxb5 13.hb4 the two-bishop advantage (his bxc4 14.g5 ttJe4 (14 ...hxg5? 15. dark-squared bishop is particu ttJxg5+-) 15.gxh6 gxh6 16.Eig7± larly strong, since it has no oppo Black's extra pawn is absolutely nent) and Black still needs time to immaterial. White's pieces are complete his development. tremendously active, while Black will have great problems to com 7 ...c6. This is a reliable move. plete the development of his king Black takes the d5-square under side and to avoid the material control and frees the c7-square losses. 175 Chapter 12 8.g4 e4 lead to hopeless compromising of After this move, there arise his kingside pawn-structure. 11. complications which are in favour �f4 ! White does not lose a tempo of White. for regaining of his pawn and tries 8 ...c6 9.h4 - see 7 ...c6. instead to develop his pieces as quickly as possible. ll ...c6 12. 0-0-0 @e8 13.tt:le4 �e7 14.tt:ld6+ bd6 15.bd6 tt:Je5 16.exf3 .ie6, Rowson - Turner, Sunningdale 2008, 17.c5 tt:Jxf3 18J'!g3 tt:Je5 19. f4 ·tt:Jd7 20.b3± Black has an extra doubled pawn, but it is complete ly useless, while White's powerful bishops control the entire board. It is also worth remembering that Black's king has lost its castling rights and its placement in the 9.g5 centre of the board does not beau This is the beginning of active tifyhis position either. actions. ll.exf3 c6 It is also good for White to play here simply 9.tt:ld4!?, for exam After1l.. . .ie6 12 . .if4!? @c8 13. ple: 9 ...�b 4, Epishin - Romani 0-0-0 tt:Jh5 14 . .ie3t, despite the shin, Bratto 2002 (White obtains weakening of White's kingside more than sufficient compensa pawn-structure, his chances are tion for the sacrificed pawn after preferable since Black can hardly 9 ...tt:Je5 10.g5 hxg5 11.bg5 tt:Jxc4 coordinate his pieces. 12.0-0-0� Black lags considera bly in development) 10.�d2 tt:lb6 12.i.e3i.e6 13.0-0-0+ @c7 11.tt:lxe4 tt:Jxe4 12.�xb4 c5. Unfor 14.i.f4+ @c8 15.c!Lle4t tunately for him this move does not win a piece, since White has the resource 13.�g2t and in the oncoming fight his prospects are preferable due to his considerable lead in development. 9 •••exf3 10.gx f6 c!Llxf6 This is the best move for Black. It is obviouslyweaker for him to choose 10 ...gxf6, which would 176 l.d4 I1:Jf6 2.c4 d6 3.11:Jc3 e5 4.de de 5. WixdB @xdB 6.11:Jj3 Afterthis move, Black is forced 20 •••hb3 to exchange on e4 in order to neu tralise the activity of his opponent's It is possibly more precise for pieces and this will correct the de Black to play here 20 ...b6;!; , but fects of White's pawn-structure. even then White maintains a 15 ...�xe4 16.f:xe4 g6 17. slight edge since his pieces are i.e5 1ag8 18.f4 i.c5 19.1ag3 1ae8 more active. 20.i.h3 21.1axh3 1ad8 Black must sacrifice his h6- pawn now, because after 21...h5 22J�hd3± White will penetrate decisively with his rook to the d7- square. 22.1axh6 1axdl+ 23.<.!?xdl± Rowson - M.lvanov, Verona 2006. Conclusion We have just finished the analysis of the variations in the Indian Defence connected with 3 ...i.f5 and 3 ...e5. After3 ...if5 4.g3, White ob tains easily an advantage in the opening, because he establishes effort lessly control over the key e4-square and practically renders Black's third move senseless. Later, White often obtains the two-bishop ad vantage after 11:Jgl-f3-h4 (followed by 11:Jf5 or 11:Jxg6) and thanks to the more active placement of his pieces, his prospects in the forthcoming middle game are preferable. White's task is more complicated after3 ... e5, but even then he can rely on having an edge in the arising endgame thanks to his lead in development. The most important feature of White's planis the pawn advance g2-g4-g5, as a rule, with the support of his rook on gl. Later, his light-squared bishop is developed to h3 (or g2), his knight occupies an excellent position on the e4-square and White castles queenside af ter the preliminary moves i.e3 or i.d2. 177 Chapter 13 l.d4 tlJf6 2.c4 d6 3.tlJc3 tlJbd7 opening repertoire includes the King's Indian Defence, for exam ple grandmasters V. Akopian, V. Bologan, S. Movsesian ... 4.e4 White occupies the centre with his pawns just like in the King's Indian Defence. 4 ...e5 Now, contrary to 3 ...e5, after Black accomplishes this the 3 ... ltJbd7there arise more compli matic pawn-advance for this vari cated positions, because White ation. cannot transfer to a slightly better endgame with 4.dxe5. About 4 ...g6 S.ie2 ig7 6.ig5 Therefore, he will have to en - see volume 2, Chapter 6. ter a complex middle game, which resembles the King's Indian De 4 ...c6 S.ie3 eS 6.d5 ie7 7.f3- fence, because of the pawn-struc see variation C. ture, except that Black can devel op his dark-squared bishop both 4 ... c5 5.d5 g6 (S ... eS 6.ie2 - to g7 as well as to e7. see Chapter 16, variation A) 6.i.e2 The remarkable Russian ig7 7.ig5 0-0 8.'�d2 - there player Mikhail Chigorin used to arises transposition to a favoura play like this at the beginning of ble for White variation of the the last century and sometimes King's Indian Defence (see vol even Capablanca tried this varia ume 2, Chapter 11). tion. Presently, as a rule, this order 5.d5 of moves is used by players whose White is occupying space. 178 l.d4 t'iJf6 2.c4 d6 3.t'iJc3 t'iJbd7 4.e4 e5 5.d5 with c7-c6, which with a knight on d7 will be hardly possible due to the vulnerability of the d6-pawn. 6 . .ie3 White is preparing to castle queenside. 6 ....ig7 7.f3 Before playing Wd2, White takes the g4-square under con trol, depriving his opponent of the possibility to attack his bishop Now, the actions are focused and protecting his e4-pawn once on the flanks and Black must again. This is useful, since Black make up his mind where he will can always attack it again with the develop his dark-squared bishop. move t'iJc5. In this position we will analyse A) 7 ...0-0 5 ...g6, B) 5 ..•t'iJc 5 and C) 5 ... ie7. He can hardly continue the game without castling, for exam There do not arise original po- ple: 7 ...t'iJh5 8.Wd2 f5 9.0-0-0 sitions after 5 ...a5 6.ie3 ie7 (6 .. . t'iJdf6 (9 ... 0-0 10.id3 - see 7 ... t'iJc5 7.£3 - see 5 ...t'iJc 5) 7.£3 or 5 .. . 0-0) 10.exf5 gxf5 ll.id3 0-0 12. c6 6.ie3 ie7 7.£3 - see 5 ...ie7. t'iJh3 and there arises transposi tion to the variation with 7 ...0-0. A) 5 ...g6 After this move, there arises a 8.�d2 position from the King's Indian Defence, but not from the Aver bakh System, which we have ana lysed in our previous volume, but from the Saemisch System. White does not need to regret this, since at first,these two systems are very similar from the point of view of strategy and secondly, in the Sae misch system the plan with e7-e5 is only seldom played in the last twenty years (Black prefers to un dermine his opponent's centre 8 ... t'iJh5 from the other side with c7-c5.), Black must advance f7-f5 or even if he plays e7-e5, then af sooner or later, so he must retreat ter d4-d5, Black opens the c-file his knight. This is an active move, 179 Chapter 13 because from this square the 9 ...f S. This is a thematic pawn knight may go later to f4. advance. 10.exfS. This is a stand ard exchange for this variation. 8 ...tt:le8. This move seems lO ...gxfS more passive. 9.id3. White de velops his bishop to an active po sition before deploying his knight on e2. Now, Black cannot play fS -f4, because this will weaken the b1- h7 diagonal and particularly the e4-square. He must only wait and 9 ...tt:lcS 10.ic2 fS (about 10 ... see how White will undermine his aS ll.tt:lge2 fS 12.exfS gxfS 13. pawns, with g2-g4 or with f3-f4. 0-0-0 - see 9 ...fS) ll.exfS ixfS. 11.tt:lge2tt:lcS 12.ic2 aS 13.0-0-0. Black is trying to play actively, but White is preparing a kingside just like in the many variations of offensive. (It is also good for him the King's Indian Defence the to continue with 13.0-0!? fol trade of the light-squared bishops lowed by a pawn-onslaught on the will be obviously in favour of queenside, for example: 13 ...tt:lf6 White. 12.0-0-0 a6 13.tt:lge2 bS 14.b3 Wie7 1S.!:1ae1 Wif7 16.a3;tfol 14.b4. This is a typical move for lowed by b3-b4 and c4-cS, Chris the Saemisch System. In it White tiansen - Lopez Michelone, Yu often organises a pawn-offensive catan 1999. White's queenside in on the queenside without being itiative seems more effective than afraid of weakening his king, Black's counterplay on the oppo since he has more pieces on this site side of the board.) 13 ...id7 side of the board than his oppo 14.h4! (This move is more accu nent (Black can hardly bring to rate than 14.tt:lg3, because after the queenside his bishop on g7 14 ...Wih4? Black's queen on h4 and the knight on e8.). 14 ...tt:la 4 impedes considerably the devel 15.tt:lxa4 bxa4 16.ixa4;t Black opment of White's kingside initia does not have sufficient compen tive, Kahe - Lau, Blankenburg sation for the sacrificed pawn, 2009.) 14 ...'it>h8 (After ...14 a4 1S. Vyzmanavin - Cazorla Alvesa, hS a3 16.b3 bS 17.h6 ih8 18.cxbS± Zaragoza 1993. Black is a pawn down and his king 180 l.d4 li:Jf6 2.c4 d6 3.li:Jc3 li:Jbd7 4.e4 e5 5.d5 is very weak, Botvinnik - Diez del fight for the initiative, but after Corral, Palma de Mallorca 1967.) 13 ...b5 ?! 14.cxb5 axbS 15.hb5± 15.li:Jg3 Wfe7 (15 .. .f4 16.hc5 dxcS he failed to obtain compensation 17.Wid3± - The light squares in for the sacrificed pawn and lost Black's camp are vulnerable and quickly. he is incapable of organising counterplay, because his bishop is 10.i.d3 restricted by his own pawn on eS.) Before developing his knight 16.h5±. White's kingside offensive on e2, White develops his bishop is developing effortlessly. His on the b1-h7 diagonal. king is completely safe on the queenside, because Black cannot create any counterplay there. White's knight on c3 and the pawn on c4 prevent reliably the pawn-break b7-b5. 9.0-0-0 10 ...li:Jc5 This is the main move for Black, which leads to a compli cated fight. He ousts the enemy bishop to c2 in order to weaken his control over the bS-square. It seems rather dubious for 9 ...f5 Black to play 10 ...a6, since White can open the g-file after this. 11. White can counter 9 ...a6 with exfS gxfS 12.hf5!? l"lxfS 13.g4 l"lf7 the move 10.li:Jh3!?, so that after 14.gxh5 Wfh4 15.h6 .if8 16.li:Jh3! t7-f5 he can occupy with his White sacrifices a piece and be knight the e6-square (li:Jh3-g5- gins a decisive attack. 16 ...Wfxh3 e6). 10 ...Wfe7 1U'1g1 fS 12.exf5 gxfS 17.l"ldg1+ l!lh8 18.l"lg3 WihS 19. 13 . .ie2, S.Atalik - Nevednichy, l"lhg1 li:Jf6 20.Wig2+- Nizky - Mo Romania 1993. Black is faced with stowik, Email 2011. a difficult defence, because his king may come under attack after Following 10 ...f4 ll..if2 a6 12. g2-g4. In the game, he decided to li:Jge2.if6 13.Wbl .ih4 14. .igl 'We7 181 Chapter 13 15.lt:JcUthere arises a very favour vance h4-h5 at an opportune able position for White, Mastro moment in order to organise a vasilis - Banikas, Thessaloniki crushing attack against Black's 1996. He has more space and king. Black can hardly prevent the opening of the queenside after The move 10 ...lt:Jd f6 does not b2-b4, lt:Jcl-b3 and c4-c5. look aesthetic, because Black's knights only hamper each other's It does not seem good for movements. ll.exf5 ! This re Black to try 10 ...fxe4, because af source is already familiar to us. ter 1l.lt:Jxe4, White establishes a piece-control over the e4-square and this is a great achievement for him in the King'sIndian Defence. In order to understand this, it would be enough to compare the power of the knight on e4 and the bishop on g7, restricted by Black's own pawn on e5. 1l...lt:Jf4 12.if1!? This is the simplest move; 12 ... lt:Jf6 13.lt:Jc3.The retreat ofWh ite's It seems like a positional con pieces is only temporary. Black's cession for Black to play 11.. .ixf5, knight on f4 will be soon ousted because the exchange of the light from there and White's cavalry squared bishops is in favour of will have a complete control over White. 12.lt:Jge2 (It is also good for the e4-square. 13 ...a5 (13 ...a6 14. him to play 12.ixf5!? gxf5 13. g3 lt:J4h5 15.<±>b1 �e8 16.lt:Jh3 :1'1b8 lt:Jh3!±, followed by lt:Jg5-e6.) 12 ... 17.c5 lt:Jd7 18.cxd6 cxd6, Tataev ixd3 13.�xd3± - The vulnerabil Pohl Kuemmel, Wuerzburg 1991, ity of the light squares in Black's 19.lt:Jg5!? �e7 20.lt:Je6 :1'1xf3 2l.ie2 camp is quite obvious, moreover :1'1f722.lt:Je 4± - Winning a pawnis that White's bishop on e3 is much just a small consolation for Black, stronger than its opponent. since White's knights on e4 and 1l...gxf5 12.lt:Jh3.Th is knight is e6 paralyse completely the enemy headed for the e6-square. 12 ... forces.) 14.g3 lt:J4h5 15.lt:Jh3 ih8 id7 (Black's defence is not any 16.g4 lt:Jg7 17.lt:Jg5 �e7 18.h4± easier after12 ...c6, because White Soza de Ia Carrera - T.Carlsen, can counter this with 13.�c2! and corr. 2003. Black's position is al in order not to lose his d6-pawn, most hopeless. White's pawns on Black is forced to play 13 ...c5 14. d5, f3 and g4 have deprived lt:Jg5± followed by lt:Je6 and after Black's knights of nearly all the exchange on e6, the pawn on squares. White only needs to ad- d6, as well as the f5-pawn will be 182 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 d6 3.CiJc3 CiJbd7 4.e4 e5 5.d5 hopelessly weak in Black's camp, ll ...a5 . This move leads to a Hernandez Onna - De la Roche, solid but passive position for Medellin 1972.) 13.CiJg5 Wfe7 14. Black. 12.CiJge2 .td7 (12 ...b6 13. lt>b1c5 15J:!hg1! White is prepar exf5 i.xf5 14.CiJg3 .txc2 15.Wfxc2 ing the decisive opening of the Wfh4 16.CiJge4 CiJxe417.W! xe4 W!xe4 kingside with the move g2-g4. 18.CiJxe4t - There has arisen a 15 ...a6 16.g4 fxg4 17.fxg4 CiJxg4 classical endgame with a "good" 18.CiJxh7 and here, White has a bishop on e3 against a "bad" bish strong attack in a position with op on g7, because practically all material equality. 18 .. J:!f3 . 19.tg5 Black's pawns are placed against Wff7 20J'!dfl CiJf2 21.CiJf6+ CiJxf6 the rules - that is on the same col 22.Elxf2 e4 23.Elxf3 exf3 24.Wff4± our of squares as his bishop, Hor Black's defence is very difficult, vath - Haak, Vlissingen 1997.) because almost all White's pieces 13.exf5 gxf5 14.h3! White is pre are taking part in the attack and paring the pawn-advance g2-g4. Black's king has almost no pawn shelter at all, Trumpf - Hansen, Email 2010. ll. .ic2 Black's defence will not be easier at all if he allows g2-g4. 14 ...CiJa6 15.g4 f4 16 . .tf2 CiJg3 17. E!hg1 CiJxe2+ 18.Wfxe2 CiJb4 19 . .te4 a4 20.a3 CiJa6 21.h4 lt>h8 22.g5 .tf5 23.h5 .txe4 24.CiJxe4± White's knight has occupied a dominant ll... a6 position in the centre of the board, Black wishes to play b7-b5. His while Black's pieces are very pas main task is to organise an attack sive, so White's kingside attack against the enemy king even at should lead to a very quick check the price of sacrificinga pawn. mate, Starostits - Prevenios, Email 2006. The move 11... fxe4 enables 14 ...f 4. This move leads to the White to establish immediately a weakening of the b1-h7 diagonal. complete control over the key e4- 15.bc5 dxc5 16.CiJe4b6 17.CiJ2c3± square. 12.bc5 dxc5 13.CiJxe4± White maintains a great advan- 183 Chapter 13 tage thanks to his control over the e4-square, Seifert - Zovko, Budva 2003. This prophylactic move (White protects his a2-pawn) seems more reliable than 12.lt:Jge2, as it was played in the famous game Tim man - Kasparov, Linares 1992: 12 ...b5 13.b4 lt:Jd714.c xb5 axb5? and in the subsequent fight,Black managed to score a quick victory. This move is obviously strong er than 19.lt:Jcl, because after 19 ...�c4 20.�b3 hb3 2l.lt:Jxb3 �b6 22.1l�c2 1'!fb8 23.@a2 lt:Jf4 24.lt:Jcl c4t there arose a position in which the activity of Black's pieces compensated with an in terest his minimal material defi cit, Wang Yue - Cheparinov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2007. 12 ...b5 After 19 ...lt:Jf 4, White should Still, Black advances b7-b5, continue with 20.lt:Ja4! and in or despite the loss of a pawn, since der to avoid the exchange of the he has no other active plan. queens Black must play 20 ...�d3 21.hd3 �xa4 22.1'!cl 1'!fb8 23. 13.cxb5 axb5 14.c!lJxb5 J.a6 1'!c3. White has succeeded in trad 15.c!lJc3 ing a couple of minor pieces and Black has counterplay on the a has decreased his opponent's and b-filesagainst the enemy king pressure. His prospects seem on the queenside. White's king preferable in the incoming fight, will not be safe there, but Black because Black is a pawn down and will hardly be able to bring his has weaknesses on the c-file. His dark-squared bishop into the at pawn on fS would have been much tack. better on the f7-squaretoo . 15 •••ti'b8 16.c!lJge2 ti'b4 17. 20.hxg3 J.c4 21.d6 cxd6 hc5 dxc5 18.a3 ti'a5 22.c!lJd5 "ti'xd2 23.gxd2 hd5 184 l.d4 Ci'Jf6 2.c4 d6 3.fiJc3 Ci'Jbd7 4.e4 e5 5.d5 24J:!xd5 fxe4 25 .ixe4:t. cupy the e4-square, Demianjuk - White has given back some Dedyukhin, Moscow 2013. material in order to simplify the position and has a considerable 7 . .ie3.ie7 advantage in this endgame, be Now, contrary to the previous cause his bishop is much stronger variation, Black develops his than its counterpart, moreover knight to the e7-square. He has that Black's d6-pawn is very weak. the idea to trade the bishops from the gS-square in the forthcoming fight. After this, he may exploit B) 5 ... Ci'Jc5 the vulnerability of the dark Black develops immediately squares in his opponent's camp. his knight to an active position Therefore, White must watch per and White cannot develop his manently about this positional bishop on d3. threat and possibly to prevent it. 6.f3 About 7 ...Ci'Jfd7 8.Wd2 i.e7 9.0-0-0 - see 7 ...i.e7. 8.�d2 White prepares castling queenside and increases his con trol over the gS-square. 6 ...a5 Black will have to play this move sooner or later, because White will be permanently threat ening b2-b4. For example: 6 ...i.e7 7.i.e3 0-0 8.Wd2 Ci'Je89. b4 Ci'Ja6 10.a3 fS 8 ...0-0 1l.exf5 i.xfS 12.Ci'Jge2 Ci'Jb813.Ci'Jg 3 i.g6 14.i.d3 i.xd3 15.Wxd3 i.gS After 8 ... Ci'Jfd7 9.0-0-0 c6 16.i.f2 Ci'Jd7 17.Ci'Jge4± Black has 10.<±>b1 a4 ll.Ci'Jge2 WaS, Moor - lost too many tempi on manoeu Vogt, Switzerland 2012, White vres of his knight and White has maintains a stable advantage with managed in the meantime to oc- 12.g4!?:t followed by Ci'Jg3-Ci'Jf5 . 185 Chapter 13 Black would not equalise with '&xeS 13.h4 0-0 14.g4 '&a6 15. 8 ... tt'lh5 9.0-0-0 h6 10.g3 a4 tt'lb5 a3 16.tt'lxa3 EJ:fc8 17.tt'le2± ll.ih3;t White gets rid of his and Black had no compensation "bad" bishop, Elsness - Shulman, for the pawn in the game Postny Stockholm 1998. Black cannot - Kozul, Sibenik 2009. play ie7-g5, since White will 9 ... tt'lfd7 10.g3. This is a stand counter this simply with f3-f4. ard resource in similar positions. White wishes to counter the 8 ...c6 9.tt'lge2 a4 (9 ...li:lfd7 move ig5 with f4, avoiding the 10.tt'lg3t) 10.tt'lc1 0-0 11.li:ld3 trade of the bishops. 10 ...a4 tt'lfd7 12.ie2 '&a5 13.0-0 tt'lxd3 (10 ...0-0 11.h4. Now, Black will 14.ixd3 tt'lc5 15.ic2t White's not have the possibility ig5. 11 ... space advantage guarantees his tt'lb6 12.f4. After Black has re better prospects, Straka - M. duced his control over the e5- Ivanov, Teplice 2010. square (his knight has abandoned the d7-square) this move is much Black has also tried in practice stronger. 12 ...exf4 13.gxf4 ig4 14. the move 8 ... h6, because he wish ie2 ixe2 15.'&xe2 '&d7 16.tt'lf3 es to trade the dark-squared bish tt'lba4 17.tt'lxa4 '&xa4 18.ixc5! ops as quickly as possible without This is White's simplest move. losing time to castle. 9.0-0-0 He exchanges the active enemy knight and now, Black is helpless against White's powerful pawn centre. 18 ...dxc5 19.@b1 EJ:fe8 20.EJ:hg1 EJ:a6 21.e5 if8 22.f5± and White's pawn-avalanche will crush everything on its way forward, Petursson - Knaak, Thessaloniki 1988.) 11. @b1 0-0 12.h4. He not only prevents ig5, but begins active kingside opera 9 ... tt'lh7.This knight will not be tions. 12 ...c6. Black prepares a so active here, as on the d7- queen-sortie to the aS-square af square. 10.g3. White not only pre ter which White must be on the vents the exchange of the dark alert about his opponent's possi squared bishops, but prepares the ble counterplay on the dark development of his bishop to h3. squares. 13.g4 '&a5 14.tt'lge2 tt'lb6 10 ... a4 11.ih3. Naturally, this ex 15.tt'lg3 cxd5 16.tt'lxd5 tt'lxd5 17. change is in favour of White, be cxd5 '&xd2 18.EJ:xd2t and White cause all his pawns are placed on has much more space in this end the same squares as this bishop. game, Moiseenko - Kozul, War There followed ll ...b6 12.ixc8 saw 2005. 186 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 d6 3.4Jc3 tiJbd7 4.e4 e5 5.d5 9.0-0-0 seizes the initiative on the king side. It seems a bit too slow for Black to play ll .. J''!e8, with the idea to send the knight along the route h7-f8-g6. 12.h4. This is an energetic move. 12 ...4Jf8 (12... �xh4? 13.�xh6±) 13.g5 h5 14.�h3 4Jfd7 15.4Jge2t Petursson - Mala niuk, Moscow 1987. White has avoided the trade of the knights and has advanced his kingside pawns. Black's position is solid 9 ... tt:\e8 indeed, but White's prospects are still preferable. It is obviously bad for Black to 1l...�g5. This is a purposeful advance his rook pawn 9 ... a4, be move. Now, White cannot prevent cause after 10.4Jge2 a3 11.b3 �d7 the trade of the dark-squared 12.\tlb1'\WeB 13.g4 c6 14.4Jg3 cxd5 bishops. 12.h4! This is the right 15.cxd5± his pawn-advances on move! He must use every possi the queenside have only led to the bility to deploy a pawn on a dark formation of additional weak square; otherwise, the vulnerabil nesses, Iskusnyh - Kovalev, Vla ity of the dark squares may be divostok 1995. come a telling factor. 12 ...�xe3 13.�xe3 �d7 14.4Jge2 tLla4 15. The move 9 ...h6 seems quite 4Jxa4 �xa4 16J'ld2t White has logical. Black prepares the ex much more space and can begin change of the dark-squared bish active actions on the kingside ops. 10.\tlb1 tt:\h7 11.g4 (preparing g4-g5), as well as on the queenside (c4-c5). After Black's imprecise move 16 ... '\Wb8?! White seized immediately the initiative on the kingside: 17.g5! h5 18.f4! exf4 19.4Jxf4± Petursson - Westerinen, Espoo 1989. 10.g4 He is preventing f7-f5. White is forced to weaken his dark squares, since he cannot play 10.g3!? f5 11.exf5 �xf5 12.h4 1l.g3 in view of 11...f5 and Black a4 (The move 12 ... h6 only creates 187 Chapter 13 a target for White's attack on the 14 ...i.d7 15.i.d3 l2Jxd316.� xd3 kingside. 13.g4 i.h7 14.g5� - his :1!f7 17.c5:t Zhu Chen - Hort, Co offensive has become quite real, penhagen 1997. White has seized Sakaev - Chernov, Krynica 1997) completely the initiative. Black's 13.g4 i.d7, Postny - Casper, Ger bishop-pair is irrelevant, since many 2010, 14.Wblt White has the position is closed. more space, but despite the fact that his position is preferable, he 15 • .id3! must be very careful,since he lags in development a bit and has a 15.i.e2 i.d7 16.:1!ge1 i.xe3 17. backward pawn on f3. �xe3 fS� - He has managed to advance f7-f5 and can be optimis 10 .••.ih4 tic about the future, Miton - Pro Black should not allow h2-h4. votorov, Briansk 1995. 10 ... a4 ll.h4 i.d7 12.g5 a3 15 ••. a4 16.ttlge2 a3 17.b3:t 13.b3 f6 14.i.h3 i.xh3 15.l2Jxh3 White's prospects are prefera fxgS16.l2Jx g5± Dimitrov - Gavrij ble despite his weakened dark ski, Email 2009. White has much squares. If Black plays f6-f5, more space and has excellent White will have an attack on the prospects to organise an attack on opened g-file. Therefore, he may the g-file. The e6-square is very prepare patiently a breakthrough weak in Black's position too. on the queenside with b2-b4, fol lowed by c4-c5. ll.c!bge2 g6 12.ttlg3 ttlg7 C) 5 •••.ie7 Here, just like in variation B, Black develops his bishop on the d8-h4 diagonal, but without the preliminary move lLJcS. 6 • .ie3 13.ggl White prevents his opponent's pawn-advance f7-f5 with all his forces. 13 •••f6 14.Wbl .ig5 188 l.d4 Ci'Jf6 2.c4 d6 3.Ci'Jc3 Ci'Jbd7 4.e4 e5 5.d5 6 •••0-0 difficult position without any chances of creating counterplay. About 6 ... c6 7.f3 0-0 8.Wd2 - see 6 ... 0-0. 7 ...Ci'Je8. This move is solid but somewhat passive. 8.Wd2 About 6 ... Ci'JcS 7.f3aS 8.Wd2 - see S ...Ci'JcS. 6 ... aS 7.f3 h6 (7 ... 0-0 8.Wd2 Ci'JcS 9.0-0-0 - see variation B; following 7 ...Ci'JhS, White can de fend against the move igS with 8.Ci'Jh3!?:t) 8.Ci'Jge2Ci'Jh7 9.i f2 Ci'JcS, Zaltsman - Zapata, New York 1989. Now, White should contin ue with 10.Ci'Jg3;!;, impeding the Black cannot equalise with the pawn-advance fl-fS. plan of advancing fl-fS. After8 ... g6 9.0-0-0 fS lO.exfS gxfS 11.id3 Black cannot equalise by Ci'Jdf6 12.Ci'Jge2;!;,ther e arises a po transferring his knight to the g6- sition similar to variation A, ex square: 6 ...Ci'Jf8 7.f3 Ci'Jg6 8.Wd2 cept that Black's bishop is not so 0-0 9.0-0-0 c6 10.Ci'Jge2 Ci'Jd7 well placed on e7 as on g7, Peturs 11.r;!;>b1 Ci'Jb6 12.Ci'Jg3;!; and he can son - Kouksov, New York 1992. hardly create any meaningful 8. ..h6 9.Ci'Jh3.White is transfer counterplay, Balogh - Meister, ring his knight to f2, so that it does Slovakia 1994. not stand in the way of the devel opment of the bishop on fl. 9 ...Ci'Jc 5 7.f3Ci'Jh5 10.Ci'Jf2 igS, Rahmani - Franzen, Sousse 1996. Black has succeeded About 7 ... aS 8.Wd2 Ci'JcS 9. in exchanging the dark-squared 0-0-0 - see variation B. bishop indeed, but White's pros pects are still preferable in the Black obtains a very passive forthcoming endgame. 11.ixgS position after 7 ...cS 8.Wd2 Ci'Je89. WxgS 12.WxgS hxgS 13.h4! gxh4 id3 g6 10.Ci'Jge2 Ci'Jg7 ll.g4 ih4+ 14.�xh4 id7 1S.r;!;>d2 aS 16.Ci'Jd3 12.r;!;>d1f6 13.r;!;>c2 igS 14.h4 ixe3 Ci'Jxd317.hd3 Ci'Jf6 18.ic2! This is 1S.Wxe3 a6 16.Ci'Jg3 �fl 17.a3 Ci'Jf8 an important manoeuvre. White 18.hS gS 19.b4 b6 20.�hbl± fol wishes to get rid of his "bad" bish lowed by a doubling of the rooks op. 18 ...g6 19.ia4 ha4 20.Ci'Jxa4;!; on the b-file, Miles - Rubinetti, - He has much more space, while Buenos Aires 1979. Black will Black is deprived of counterplay have to defend long and hard this and doomed to a passive defence. 189 Chapter 13 It is also possible for Black to Black's knight on b6 is misplaced, opt here for 7 ... c6, preparing restricted by White's pawn on b3, counterplay on the queenside. Razuvaev - Cherniaev, Gausdal 8.�d2 1993.) 9 ...cxd5 10.cxd5 b5. This is an active move, but is a bit risky, since pawns do not go back, as it is well known. ll.lt:\ge2 lt:\b6 (11 ... �b7 12.0-0 �b8 13.b4 �d8 14.a4 bxa4 1S.lt:\xa4 �c8 16.�fb1 lt:\b6, Bielicki - loseliani, Germany 2000, 17.lt:\cS!± followed by lt:\cS b3-aS-c6. This is where you can see the drawbacks of Black's tenth move.) 12.0-0 �d7 13.b3!? White About S ... cxdS 9.cxdS a6 10. restricts the enemy knight and �d3 - see 8 ... a6. prepares a4. 13 ...�b8 14.�fc1 �b7 8 ... �c7 9.�d3 lt:\cS 10.�c2 aS 1S.a4 b4 16.lt:\d1 aS 17.lt:\g3± fol U.lt:\ge2. Black's position is solid lowed by �e2 and �bS. After the indeed, but is very passive, since trade of the light-squared bish he can hardly obtain any counter ops, White's advantage will be play. 1l...�d7 12.0-0 cxdS 13.exdS come quite real. �fc8 14.cJihl. White is preparing f4 (He obtains an advantage too 8.V9d2 with 14.lt:\g3!?± or 14.a4!?±). 14 ... g6 1S.f4 exf4 16.hf4 �f8, Ria zantsev - Vorobiov, Moscow 2006, 17.h3!? He takes the g4- square under control. 17... lt:\hS 18.�h2 fS 19.lt:\d4± White has a clear-cut plan against the weak enemy d6-pawn, moreover that Black's castling position has been weakened by the move f7-fS and his king is unsafe. 8 ...a6 9.�d3 (It is also good for White to play here 9.lt:\h3!?, 8 ...g6 transferring the knight to the f2- square. 9 ...cxdS 10.cxdS bS ll.lt:\f2 8 ...a6 9 . .id3!? (Black can lt:\b6 12.b3 �d7 13.�e2 lt:\e8 14.a3 counter 9.0-0-0 with 9 ...c5 !? fS 15.exf5 hfS 16.0-0 lt:\f6 17. 10.cJib1 b5! 11.cxb5 �aS) 9 ...lt:\f 4 lt:\fe4 �b8 18.�acU White domi 10.�c2 lt:\b6 ll.b3 h6 12.g3 lt:\g6 nates over the e4-square, while 13.h4± White has managed to 190 l.d4 11Jf6 2.c4 d6 3.11Jc3 11Jbd7 4.e4 e5 5.d5 squeeze considerably his oppo nent's pieces, Bojchev - Lazarov, Albena 2010. Black fails to trade the bishops after 8 ...h6 9.11Jh3 11Jc5 10.g3!?:t (It seems too extravagant for White to play 10.g4, because after 10 ...ih 4+ 1l.i>d1 11Jf6oo the posi tion is with mutual chances, Vais ser - Apicella, Besancon 1999). ll.gxf5!? 9.0-0-0 11Jg7 Black's attempt to block the The position is not so clear af queenside fails. After 9 ...a6 10. ter 1l.exf5 gxf5 12.11Jge2 11Jb6� i>b1 c511 .ih6 11Jg712 .g4;t White since Black creates counterplay, seizes completely the initiative. Rustemov - Zhelnin, Moscow 1998. Later, in the game Razuvaev - Saltaev, Tiraspol 1994, Black ll •.•gxf5 12.i>b1 1:!{6 13. switched to a completely passive 11Jge21:!g6 14.1:!g1f4 15.�:f2 �c5 defence with 12 .. .f6?!, but after 16.�c1 1:!xg1 17.hgU White has 13.h4 l:'lf7 14.11Jge2 l:'lb8 15.11Jc1 11Jf8 more space and an easy plan for 16.ie3 11Je8 17.h5± White man queenside actions (b2-b4 and c4- aged to convert his great position c5). Black's counterplay on the al advantage into a fullpoint. kingside is useless, because White's king is on the other side 10.g4 f5 of the board. Conclusion In the variation with 3 ... 11Jbd7 White has much more space, there fo re he obtains an advantage in the opening no matter whether Black develops his bishop on g7, or on e7. If Black deploys it on g7, White must watch carefully about his opponent's plan, connected with 11Jc5, a6, b5, because Black obtains initiative for the sacrificed pawn. White must play very carefullyand should strive to simplifythe position and enter a better endgame without holding on to extra material. If Black develops his bishop on e7, White should try to prevent if possible the exchange of the dark squared bishops (g3 and f4), but even if Black succeeds in trading the bishops, White will still be better thanks to his extra space. 191 Chapter 14 l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e5 this opening is encountered sometimes in the contemporary tournament practice too. It is used by N. Short and Sh. Mame dyarov, but only in games with a shorter time-control. 3.dxe5 �e4 The next chapter will be de voted to Black's basic move here - 3 ... ltJg4.Now, we will analyse a This chapter and the next one seldom played possibility, which will be devoted to the Budapest is classified in the chess theory as Gambit. This opening was played the Fayarovich Variation. for the first time in the game M. This move is rather dubious, Adler - G. Maroczy in the year because Black will have great 1896 in Budapest (this was how problems to regain the sacrificed the opening was named ... ). This pawn and all his hopes will be move was played oftenby R. Reti, connected with tactical tricks like as well as by World Champion �h4 and .ib4, which can be par number four A.Alekhine, but it ried easily by White. In addition, was not popular for a long time in the position of Black's knight on the tournament practice, since e4 may prove to be unstable, be White found reliable ways of ob cause the placement of White's taining a stable advantage. Well, pawn on e5 does not allow Black there is not a direct refutation of to defend his knight with moves this opening, but Black obtains like f7-f5or d7-d5. too passive positions and the idea of playing a gambit in order to de 4.a3 fend during the rest of the game This is White's simplest move. cannot be attractive at all. Still, He defends against .ib4 and de- 192 l.d4 tt'lf6 2.c4 eS 3.de tt'le4 4.a3 spite the fact that Black has a Black would remain a pawn down great choice of possibilities in this with a compromised pawn-struc position, they all lead to very bad ture on his kingside. or even hopeless positions for him. A) 4 ... �c6 This is his most natural move. He develops his knight and at tacks White's e5-pawn. 5.�f3 d6 Black wishes to open the posi tion. 5 ...a5 6.�c2 d5 (6 ...tt'lc 5 7.tt'lc3 .ie7 8 . .ie3 0-0, Hermesmann - Schulz, Hamburg 1999, 9.Eid1 b6 As main lines for Black, we will 10.g3 i.b7 ll.tt'ld5 tt'le6 12.h4 h6 analyse here: A) 4 .. .li�c6,B) 4 ... 13.ih3± White not only has an ex �h4, C) 4 ...d6 and D) 4 ...b6. tra pawn, but also a very powerful knight on d5. Black's position is Black has tried sometimes nearly hopeless.) 7.e3 ie6 8.tt'lc3 4 ....ic5 as well, but after 5.e3 f5 tt'lxc3 9.�xc3 dxc4 10 . .ixc4 ixc4 6.tt'ld2± White exchanges Black's 1l.�xc4 ie7 12 . .id2±(followed by only active piece - his knight ic3) White has protected reliably on e4 and he has no compensa his e5-pawn and after 0-0 can tion for the pawn whatsoever, begin the realisation of his mate Che - Maidana Guerra, Email rial advantage, Geisler - Debert 2001. shaeuser, Germany 1988. It does not seem good for 6.�c2 Black to opt for 4 ...a5 - he is a pawn down and must play more actively in order to create some problems for his opponent. 5.�c2 tt'lc5 (5 ...d5 6.exd6 .if5 7.tt'lc3 tt'lxd68.e 4± Stewart - Will, Oban 1995) 6.tt'lf3 tt'lc6 7.tt'lc3 d6 8 . .ig5 f6 9.exf6 gxf6, Hermesmann - Roes, Dortmund 1987. Here, the most precise retreat of White's bishop would be 10 . .ie3± and 193 Chapter 14 This is the point! White ousts the h1-square, Di Marino - Garcia the enemy knight away from the Cortes, Email 2007. centre. 7 ...ltlg3 B.e4 lt:lxh1 (B ....ixe4 9.lt:lxe4 lt:lxh1 10 . .ig5 .ie7 ll . .ixe7 6 ...d5 '\Wxe7 12.exd6 cxd6 13.0-0-0 0-0 This move does not seem logi 14 . .id3± Black loses his knight on cal, but the alternatives are not h1 and in the middle game White's any better for Black. two minor pieces will be stronger than Black's rook and pawns, Van 6 ...ltlc 5 7.b4 ltle6B.e xd6 .bd6 Bommel - Boisgard, Email 2001) 9 . .ib2 0-0 10.ltlbd2b6 ll.e3 .ib7 9.exf5 ltlxe5 (after9 ... dxe5 10 . .ie3 12 . .id3 h6 13.0-0± White has lt:ld4 11.'\We4 lt:lxf3+12. gxf3 c6 13. completed his development and f4 f6 14.fxe5 fxe515 . .ie2+- Black has an extra pawn and a very good loses again his knight on h1 and position, Raijmaekers - Alberts, White's two minor pieces will be Email 2009. obviously more powerful than Black's rook, V.Georgiev - Olgag, White should not be afraid of Izmir 2006) 10.'\We4c6 1l. .ie3 .ie7 the threat of Black's knight going 12.ltlxe5 dxe5 13.g3+- Simchen somewhere after 6 ....if5, because Beutel, corr. 19B7. he can counter that calmly with the move 7.ltlc3. 7.e3 7 ...ltlxc3 B.'\Wxf5 ltla4 9 . .if4± White has an extra pawn and the two-bishop advantage. 7.•• .tg4 7 ...ltlxf2 B.'\Wxf5 lt:lxh19. g3 \WeB 10.'\WxcB+ �xcB ll . .ih3 �dB 12. 7 ....ie6 B.lt:lbd2 lt:lxd2 9.ixd2 lt:ld5.ie7 13.e6± and despite the dxc4 10 . .ixc4 .ixc4 ll.'\Wxc4 '\We7 fact that White is an exchange 12 . .ic3+-, Black is a pawn down down at the moment, but Black's and has problems with the mobi position is very difficult, since his lization of his forces, Fokin - Bel knight will hardly go away from tugov, Orsk 2000. 194 l.d4 lt:lj6 2.c4 e5 3.de lt:Je4 4.a3 8.cxd5 Ylrxd5 9 . .ic4 Ylra5+ leads to a lost position, but still 10.b4 keeps his chances of offering White can obtain an advan some resistance. The move 21 •.• tage in numerous ways in this po �c6 enables White to finish the sition, but this is the most con game off with a direct attack crete and accurate. against the enemy king. 22.Ylre6+ lt>h7 23.�e4 gbg8 24.�fg5+ 10 ..•.ixb4 + lt>h8 25.�g6+- Black loses too after 10... ltlx b4 1l.�xe4 .bf3 12.gxf3 ltlc2+ 13. B) 4 ••.�h4 'it>e2 ltlxa1 14.�xb7 �d8 15.i.b5+ There is just one positive side 'it>e7 16.i.d2+- Noiroux - Wate of this move for Black - he creates let, Charleroi 2011. the threat of a checkmate in one ... ll.axb4 �xa1 5.g3 �h5 This position was reached in Black has failed to checkmate the game Flear - Leygue, Saint his opponent and now, he will be Affrique 2002. Here, White could trying at least to regain his sacri have obtained a decisive advan ficedpawn on eS. tage. 12 • .ib2! �xb4 13 • .ixf'7+! This illustrates the in-correct Now, Black's king loses its cas ness of his opening strategy, be tling rights and will come under cause he could have played 3 ... the attack of White's pieces. 13 .•• ltlg4 and regained his pawn in a 'it>f8 14.Ybe4 Ylrxb2 15.0-0 much better version. 'it>xf7 16.§'xg4 h6 17.�c4+ lt>g6 6 • .ig2 �xeS 18.�e4+ lt>f7 19.e6+ lt>g8 20. The pawn has been regained, e7 ges 21.�bd2. Here, Black but Black has lost too much time should better give up his knight on manoeuvres with his queen. (21...�f6), which, of course, also 7.�f3 195 Chapter 14 (lO ...lt:lhS 11.lt:le4 W/xc4 12.lt:ld6+ .ixd6 13.ix:d6+-) 1U'lc1 W/a6 12. lt:lcbS+- with the decisive pene tration of the knight to the c7- square. 7 ...W/f6 8.W/c2 lUeS 9.lt:lc3 lt:le6 10.0-0 lt:lc6 ll.lt:ldS W/d8 12.b4± White'sknight is very powerful in the centre of the board, while Black lags considerably in devel- 7 ...V!Je7 opment, Yrjola - Fossan, Gausdal We will have a look at some 1988. other possible retreats of Black's queen. 7 ... W/h58.lt:ld 4 lt:lf6 9.i.f4 lt:la6 10.lt:lc3 i.e7 ll.h4 c6 12.i.f3 W/cS 7 ... W/a5+ 8.lt:lfd2!? White is not 13.lt:la4 W/aS+ 14.b4, Gil - Gonza in a hurry to develop his knight on ga Grego, Chessfriend.com 2005, b1, because it will be better placed 14 ... W/d8 1S.lt:lf5+- and once again on c3. 8 ...lt:lf6 9.lt:lc3 i.e7 10.0-0 Black's position is hopeless due to d6 ll.lt:lde4± He is clearly ahead the numerous moves of his queen of his opponent in development early in the opening. and the roaming of Black's queen is not over yet. After b2-b4, he 8.0-0 d6 9.lt:ld4c6 will lose even more time on use less moves with his queen all over the board. 7 ...W/c5 . The attack against the pawn on c4 cannot provide Black with an acceptable position be cause he lags considerably in de velopment. 8.lt:ld4 lt:lf6 (8 ...lt:ld6 9.i.d5! lt:lxc4 10.lt:lb3 W/bS 11.lt:lc3 W/a6 12.'1Wd4 lt:ld6 13.V!Je5+ i.e7 14.W/xg7+- and Black's position crumbles like a pile of cards) 9. This position was reached in lt:lc3. Withthis great lead in devel the game Kutirov - Kurajica, opment White does not need to Strumica 1995. White has a great worry about the fate of his c4- lead in development and he only pawn. 9 ...c6 (9 ...W/xc4 10.i.f4 c6 needs to find an object for attack 1U'lc1 - see 9 ...c6) 10.i.f4 W/xc4 in Black's position. In this partie- 196 l.d4 Ei'if6 2.c4 e5 3.de tt:le4 4.a3 ular case this should be the pawn After ...5 tt:lc 5, White manages on d6. 10.�c2! t0f6 lU!dl g6 to complete his development, 12 . .if4± Black must play very preserving his material advan carefully in order to complete his tage. 6. exd6 .ixd67.ft:lf 3 aS 8.�g5 development and to hold on to his f6, Saric - Kamberovic, Neum d6-pawn. 2012, 9 . .ie3!? 0-0 10.tt:lc3 �e6 ll.�dl 'W.e7 12.g3± followed by �g2 and 0-0. Black cannot cap C) 4 •..d6 ture - 12 ...hc 4?, since he would Black continues to play in a lose a piece following 13.hc5 gambit style. hc5 14.tt:le4+- 5.�c2!? 6.t0c3 This is the most principled move for White. Now, just like in the variation with the inclusion of the moves tt:lc6 - ft:Jf3, White's main idea is to exploit the unstable position of 6 .••t0g3 the enemy knight on e4. Now, once again Black's 5 ....if5 knight-sortie for the enemy rook is doomed to fail. 6 ...ft:Jxf2 7.'W.xf5 5 ...d5 6.e3 �f5 (about 6 ...tt:lc6 tt:lxhl8.ft:Jf 3 �e7, Bluebaum - Lu 7.ft:lf3 - see variation A). Here, eck, Dortmund 2005, 9.exd6 cxd6 White can play simply 7.ft:Jc3 and 10.g3+- Black does not have a good move with his knight. 7 ...ft:Jg3 8.e4! Black loses after 6 ...'W.h4 7.g3 ft:Jxe4 (8 ... ft:Jxhl9. exf5± White will \Wg4 8.f3 tt:Jxc3, Abbott - Alberts, capture sooner or later the enemy Email 2009. Here, after the ex knight on hl.) 9 . .id3.ic5 10.tt:lxe4 quisite move - 9.e4! White could dxe4 ll.he4± and Black has no have obtained a decisive material compensation for the pawn. advantage: 9 ...�xe4 10.'\Wxc3+- 197 Chapter 14 6 ... d5 7.cxd5 tt:lxc3 8.'Wxf5 5 ....ib7 6.g 3! tt:lxd5 9.e6 f6 10.e4+-, White has This is White's strongest move, an extra pawn and an overwhelm although it is not encountered so ing positional advantage, Roeder often in practice. He is not in a - Stefanova, Groningen 1996. hurry to exchange the knight and wishes to develop his kingside 7.e4 tt:lxh1 8.exf5 dxe5 9. pieces as quickly as possible . .ie3 c6, Schriewer - Medger, Germany 2009. Naturally, White 6 ....ic5 can maintain an advantage in many different ways, but the most Following 6 ...ie7 7.ig2± precise is 10.tt:lf3! .ie7 ll.id3 Black has no compensation for tt:ld7 12.0-0-0+- the pawn at all, Fodor - Morselli, Arco 2010. D) 4 ...b6 7.e3 a5 8 . .ig2 'We7 9.0-0 Black wishes to defend his tt:lc6. knight on e4 with his bishop. 10.tt:lfd2 5.tt:lf3! White should occupy this This is the simplest move for square with this particular knight. White. The knight on b1 will go to the d5- square via c3. He has an excellent position and does not need to enter the 10 ...tt:lxd2 ll.hd2 0-0 12. tactical complications after5.'W d5 tt:lc3 \Wxe5 13.tt:ld5± ib7! 6.'Wxb7 tt:lc6 7.tt:lc3 tt:lc5 8. Black has regained his pawn ig5 f6 9.exf6 gxf6 10.ixf6 'Wxf6 indeed, but his position is very 11.\Wxa8+ \!7f7oo Young - Morin, difficult, since his pieces are dis Email 2005. coordinated, while White's knight 198 l.d4 l7Jf6 2.c4 e5 3.de l7Je4 4.a3 is dominating in the centre of the 13 ...1d6 14.f4 Wf5 15.e4 We6 board. 16.1c3 1a6 17.e5 1c5+ 18.�h1 1xc4 19.f5!+- Laghetti - Jong, Email 2011. 14. .ic3 �f5 15.13el �d8 16. e4 �g5 17.e5± Teeriaho - Des truels Moreno, Email 2012. Tar rasch said once - "If one of your pieces is "bad", your entire posi tion is bad ...". Now, almost all of Black's pieces are misplaced. His only active piece - the bishop on c5 will be soon ousted from there 13 .. J�fc8 with the pawn-advance b2-b4. Conclusion In the Fayarovich Variation White obtains effortlessly a great open ing advantage, since Black either fails to regain his sacrificedpawn , or its recapturing leads to a fatal lag in development fo r him. Naturally, White should know well some concrete variations, because he might have problems to find the right way in the numerous tactical possibili ties over the board. 199 Chapter 15 l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 �g4 Black provokes 5.e3, after which White's bishop cannot come to the f4-square. 5 ... tt:lc6 6.i.e2 0-0 7.tt:lc3 l"le8 8.0-0 tt:lgxe5 9.tt:lxe5 tt:lxe5 10.b3 a5 11.ib2 l"la6;tand in the arising complicated position White's prospects are preferable but his task is not easy at all. After the transfer of Black's rook to the kingside (l"lh6),his threats should not be underestimated, R.Mame We begin our analysis of dov - Mamedyarov, Moscow Black's main line in the Budapest 2011. Gambit. Now, contrary to the al ready analysed 3 ...tt:le 4, his last move is more reliable. Black's knight on g4 is not only threaten ing the f2-square, but he wishes at firstto regain his sacrificedpawn . Therefore, as a rule, Black re stores quickly the material bal ance. Still, this does not mean that he equalises. 4 . .if4 ! This is White's most reliable move. Now, Black can hardly ob Following 4.i.f4 , Black must tain meaningful counterplay. choose his further course of ac tions. He may weaken a bit his White's other popular move kingside pawn-structure with B) 4.tt:lf3 leads to more complicated 4 ...g5 complicating the position, positions. With the move 4 ...i.c5 , or play the calmer move C) 4 ... 200 l.d4 l?Jf6 2.c4 e5 3.de l?Jg4 4.�4 l?Jc6, but before that, we will pay variation C: 5 ...0Jc6 6. l?Jgf3,or 5 ... attention to the variation A) 4... Wfe76.l?Jg f3 l?Jc67.e3, or 5 ...f6 ?! 6 . .ib4. l?Jgf3l?Jc6 7. exf6 - see 4 ... 0Jc6. About 4 .. .f6 5.l?Jf3 l?Jc6 6.exf6 6.exd6 �f6 - see 4 ...0Jc6. This is the essence of Black's idea. Now, White'sbishop and his It is bad for Black to opt for 4 ... b2-pawn are simultaneously un ic5 because of 5.e3 and he has an der attack. immediate problem due to the de fencelessness of his knight on g4. 7.l?Jh3 5 ...d6. This move is forced (I was It is not recommended to de really amazed when I found in the velop the knight at the edge of the chess base numerous games in board in the opening, but here which after 5 ...0Jc 6?? 6.Wfxg4+ this move has concrete justifica Black lost his knight.). 6.exd6 tion. From the h3-square, White's cxd6 7.l?Jc3 0-0 8.ie2 l?Jf6 9.l?Jf3 knight not only protects the bish j:'!e8 10.0-0± White has not only op but also the f2-square. an extra pawn, but also a superior pawn-structure, Van Wely - Miezis, Kuppenheim 2005. A) 4 ....ib4 + 5.l?Jd2 7 ...0Jxf2 Black inflicts this strike in spite of all and the game becomes sharp and tactical. Following 7 ...Wfxb 2 8.j:'!b1 Wfa3 5 ...d6 9.j:'!b3 Wfa5 10.dxc7 l?Jc6, Gleizerov This is a very dubious pawn - Rytova, Berlin 1996, 11.g3± sacrifice. Whiteonly needs to complete his development with .ig2 and 0-0. After Black's alternatives, there Black has no compensation for usually arises transposition to the sacrificedma terial. 201 Chapter 15 s.c;t>xf2 hh3 9.g3 to a difficult defence.). Now, In the arising position, Black White obtains a clear advantage can hardly parry the threat dxc7, after the energetic move 11.e5!?, because his bishop on h3 is hang for example: ll ...iJ.. cS+ 12.\t>g2 'WfS ing. 13.h4 cxd6 14.exd6 0-0 15.lt:Jb3 !J..c6+ 16.1t>h2 !J..xh1 17.!J..h3 'Wf6 18.\t>xh1 lt:Ja6 19.d7± - his d7- pawn is very powerful and Black must fight long and hard for a draw. 10.e3 9 . . . .tc5+ He wishes to improve his posi tion with this intermediate check. 9 ...hf1 10.dxc7 lt:Ja6(10 ...lt:Jc6 1U''!xfl 0-0 12.lt:Je4 'Wxb2 13. 'WdS± White has an extra pawn and his passed c7-pawn is very 10 ... .tf5 powerful force, Paessler - Rawl ings, Email 2002.) 1U!xf1 0-0 Following 10 ...g5 ll.!J.xh3 gxf4 12.lt:Je4 'Wb6+ 13.e3 lt:Jxc7 14.'Wd4 12.c;t>g2! fxe3, Shumilov - Malien lt:Je6 15.'Wxb6 axb6 16.a3 !J..e7 17. ko, Kiev 2006, White could have !J..d6 lt:JgS 18.lt:Jxg5 hd6 19J'1fdl± obtained a decisive advantage White has all the chances of real with the line: 13.:Bf1 ! 'Wxd6 14. ising his extra pawn, Williams - 'WhS 'Wxd2+ 1S.It>h1 :Bf8 16.:Bad1 Jong, Email 2008. 'Wc2 17.'Wxc5 'We4+ 18.!J..g2 Wffe7 19.'Wxe7+ lt>xe720. !J..xb7+- 9 ...!J.. f5 10.e4 !J..d7, Sage - Fis ter, Email 2006 (It is possibly 10 ... !J..xf1 ll.tt:le4 Wffxb2+ 12. stronger for Black to play here lt>xfl cxd6 13.!J..xd6 !J..b6 14.c5 !J..d8 lO ...gS ll.exfS gxf4, although even 15.:Bb1 Wffxa2 16.c;t>g1 lt:Jc6 17.:Bxb7± then after 12.dxc7!? tt:lc6 13.lt:Je4 White's bishop on d6 and his rook 'Wxb2+ 14.!J..e2 'WeS 15.!J..f3 0-0 on b7 are so powerfulthat Black's 16J"!b1 'Wxc7 17.'Wc1!± his king is position is very difficultto defend, vulnerable and Black is doomed moreover that his king is strand- 202 l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e5 3.de �g4 4.�4 ed in the centre for long, Matisson Black prepares to fianchetto - Fister, Email 2006. his dark-squared bishop with this move. After that there will arise ll.dxc7 �d7 12.h4 %!fxb2 positions similar to the King's In 13.�g1 'fYb6 14.%!fb3± dian Defence, but the exposed po sition of his pawn on gS will be a telling factor in the future. 5 . .ig3 It is not so clear for White to play 5.�d2 with the idea to place the bishop on c3 and to parry the pressure of the enemy bishop on the long diagonal. One of the drawbacks of this plan is that it is too slow. 5 ...tt:lxe5 6.�c3 tt:lbc6 7. Black's compensation for the e3 d6 8.ttlf3 �g7 9.tt:lxe5 tt:lxeS pawn is insufficient. 10.�e2 0-0 11.0-0 Wfe7oo Eljanov 14••• J.b4 15.c5! White ex - Mamedyarov, Moscow 2008. ploits the lack of coordination of the enemy pieces and manages to 5 .•• J.g7 6.�f3 �c6 7.�c3 capture the g7-pawn. �gxe5 8.�xe5 �xeS 9.e3 15 ... �xc5 16.%!fb2 hd2 17. %!fxg7 �f8 18.�d1 �e4 19.%!fe5+ %!fe6 20.%!fb5+ �e7 21.�h2 .ic3 22 • .ic4 %!fg6 23.h5 %!ff6 24.g4 a6 25.%!fxb7 1-0 Sage - Fister, Email 2005. B) 4 ••. g5!? 9 •.. d6 It seems not so precise for Black to play 9 ... 0-0, since fol lowing 10.h4 he must weaken his pawn-structure even more. 10 ... d6 (He loses a pawn after 10 ...g4 203 Chapter 15 ll . .be5 .ixe5 12.�xg4+ �h8 13. 10.c5!? .id3±Vl adimirov - Sazhinov, No White creates another pawn vokuznetsk 2007.) ll.hxg5 �xg5 weakness for his opponent. 12 . .if4 �g4 13.tt:ld5± Gorshkov Sokolovsky, Voronezh 2009. 9 ...h5 10.h4 g4 11.�c2. White prepares to castle queenside so that he can exploit in the forth coming battle Black's weaknesses on the kingside with f2-f3 or f2- f4 ). ll ...d6 12.0-0-0 10 ...0-0 10 ... dxc5. This exchange of queens is not good for Black. 11. �xd8+ �xd8 12.0-0-0+ .id7 13 . .ie2. He has an extra pawn in this endgame indeed, but his defence 12 ... b6. This move is too slow. will be very difficult, because his 13.f4! gxf3 14.gxf3 .ib7 15 . .ig2 king in the centre on dB impedes E:g8 (15 ...a6 16 . .be5 .ixe5 17. him to connect his rooks. 13 ...E:e8 tt:le4±) 16.tt:ld5 c6 17.tt:lf4± Black (13 ...�e8 14.E:d5 tt:lg6 15.E:xc5± has postponed castling for too White has regained his pawn and long, his king is unsafe in the cen Black's c7 and g5-pawns are un tre of the board and his pawns on der attack, Suvrajit - Kahn, Buda d6 and h5 are weak, Evans - Sal pest 1998.) 14.h4 g4, Cordes - vador Marques, Email 2010. Bartsch, Germany 1996. Now, the 12 ....ie6 13.c5 0-0 14.f4! White simplest reaction for White would seizes completely the initiative. be to double his rooks on the d 14 ...tt:lc4 15 . .bc4 .ixc4 16.e4 b5 file: 15.E:d2! �c8 16.E:hd1 .ie6 17. 17.E:he1 E:e8 18.e5:J; - He exerts tt:le4and his pieces are very active. powerful pressure against the d6- 17 ...c4 18.tt:lg5 h5 19.tt:lxe6 fxe6 square and Black's two-bishop 20 . .be5 .be5 21.E:d7 b5 22.f3 advantage is immaterial in this gxf3 23 . .bf3 E:b8 24 .bh. 5± White position, because his bishop on g7 has regained the sacrificed pawn is severely restricted by White's and is clearly better thanks to his pawn on e5, Rodriguez Rey - Fels, more active rooks and his power Email 2006. ful passed h-pawn. 204 l.d4 tt'lf6 2.c4 e5 3.de tt'lg4 4 . .ij4 It does not seem too reliable 13 ...h6 14.hxg5 hxgS, Heini for Black to choose 10 ....ie6, be maki - Rei, Tampere 1996, 15. cause after ll.cxd6 cxd6 12 . .ib5+ �d2 l=lc8 16.l=ldU Black must be 'it>f8, his king would remain on the alert about his weak d6- stranded in the centre, Steadman pawn as well as about White's - Bennett, Auckland 2008, 13.f4 possible attack on the h-file. tt:Jg4 14.�d2 gxf4 15 . .ixf4 .ieS 16.0-0± and his king needs per 14.�d2 g4 15.0-0 �Ud8 manent protection. ll.cxd6 cxd6 12• .ie2 .ie6 This position was reached in the game Prohaszka - Rosenthal, Winterthur 2008. White could 13.h4 have tried here a very promising Black has two pawn-weak pawn-sacrifice: 16.t0d5! hd5 nesses (d6 and gS), but White 17.�xd5 �xb2 18.�fel �b6 must play very energetically, since 19J�abl �c6 20.�b3 b6 21. Black's pieces have occupied ac �eel 'l;Yd722 • .ia6� After this im tive positions. portant move, Black cannot facili tate his defence by exchanging the If White plays too academi rooks on the c-file. White has cally, he may lose his opening ad more than sufficient compensa vantage altogether. 13.0-0 l=lc8 tion for the sacrificed material. 14.l=lc1 �b6 15.�d2 �as 16.e4 His bishops are more active, while tt:Jc4 17 . .ixc4 l=lxc4 18.l=lfd1 l=lfc8� Black will have to defend passive Chrestani - Ohtake, Email 2007. ly, since not only his pawns on d6 and g4 are weak, but his castling position has been compromised. The character of the fight re mains more or less the same after C) 4 ••. ttJc6 13 ...g4 14.0-0t This is the best move for Black. 205 Chapter 15 He not only develops a piece, but Email 2008. Black's two bishops also attacks the enemy e5-pawn. are powerful, but still his com 5.tilf3 pensation for the pawn is absent. White should only be careful not to allow his pawns to be doubled on the c-file. 13.2"\cl!± 5 ...i.b4 + Before playing 'ffe7, Black de velops his bishop. The other possible develop ment of the bishop seems worse We will analyse now Cl) 6 ... s ....tcs , because after 6.e3 'ffe7 f6 and C2) 6 ••• 'ffe7. 7.tilc3± he cannot play 7 ...tt:Jgx e5?? Black does not obtain suffi due to 8.tt:Jxe5 tt:Jxe5 9.tt:Jd5 .ib4+ cient compensation after 6 ...d6 10.We2+- Wimmer - Bau, Email 7.exd6 'fff6 (7... .bd6 8.hd6 2010. 'ffxd6 9.e3±) 8.e3 'ffxb2 9.dxc7± Braun - Feistenauer, Goetzis It looks rather dubious for 1996. Black to opt here for 5 .. .f6, be cause after6. exf6 'ffxf6 7.'ffd2, his Cl) 6 ...f6 temporary initiative does not This move was popular at the compensate the sacrificed pawn. beginning of the development of 7 ....tb4 8.tt:Jc3 d6 (after 8 ....txc3 the popularity of the theory of the 9.bxc3 d6 10.c5 0-0 ll.e3 dxc5 Budapest Gambit during the 12 . .ixc7 .ie6 13 . .ie2 l'!ac8 14 . .ig3 20ies of the past century. Black l'!f7 15.0-0± White has an extra gives up the idea to regain his e5- pawn and the two-bishop advan pawn and relies on an active tage) 9.e3 .ie6 10 . .ie2!? This is piece-play. Contemporary theory the simplest. White is trying to however considers this line as un develop his pieces as quickly as satisfactory for Black, since White possible. 10 ...tt:Jge5 ll.he5 tt:Jxe5 obtains an advantage effortlessly 12.tt:Jxe5 'fixeS, Tseng - Seia, in the opening. 206 l.d4 liJf6 2.c4 e5 3.de liJg4 4.�f4 liJc6 5. liJ.f3 �b4+ 6.liJbd2 7.exf6 'ti'xf6 8.e3 12.i.e2'ti'e7 13 .J.g3 d6 This is the simplest. White is not keeping the extra material, After ...13 a5, White has an but is trying to develop his king interesting pawn-sacrifice at his side pieces as quickly as possible disposal - 14.c5!± Cabrera - Schen and castle. ning, Email 2008. 14 ...'\&xcS 15. 8 •••'ti'xb2 9.a3!? gbs '1Wa3 16.0-0 ix:d217.'1Wxd2 ges 18.liJgS liJf6 19.�c4+- and due to his great lag in development, Black's pieces are incapable in as sisting in the defence of his king. He obtains a stable advantage afterthis move. Its main idea is to reduce the pressure of Black's pieces against the knight on d2. 9 •••J.c3 to.gbl 'ti'xa3 11.hc7 This position was reached in White has accomplished a very the game Kilgus- Chulis, Vienna favourable exchange of his a3- 2003. Here, it seems very strong pawn for the enemy c7-pawn. He for White to continue with 14.c5!, has a considerable positional ad creating the threat 'Wb3. 14••. .ie5 vantage thanks to his superior 15.liJxe5 �gxe5 16.cxd6 'ti'xd6 pawn-structure (two pawn is 17.0-0± White's bishops are very lands against three for his oppo powerful in the arising open posi nent), as well as a safer king. After tion. Black's passed pawns on the White castles kingside, his king queenside are much rather a lia will be protected by four pawns, bility than an asset, since they are while Black's monarch will be de an excellent target for attack of fe nded by only two pawns. White's pieces. 11•.• 0-0 C2) 6 •. . 'ti'e77.e3 Or ll ... 'We7 12.'Wc2�b4 13.�g3 Besides this move, White plays liJf614.� d3± followed by 0-0 and here sometimes 7.a3, but I do not liJe4. like this move so much, because 207 Chapter 15 at first,he loses a tempo attacking Still, we have to notice that in the enemy bishop and after 7.e3, a practical game White's advan followed by .ie2 and 0-0, Black tage cannot be converted so easily oftenexch anges voluntarily on d2 into a full point, because Black and secondly, some not strong has no pawn weaknesses in his players also read books, so White position. might get checkmated after 7 ... llJgxeS 8.axb4?? llJd3# Now, we will analyse as main lines for him: C2a) 9 •.•hd 2, 7 .•.tt:Jgxe5 C2b) 9 .•.a5 , C2c) 9 ...b6, C2d) 9 ...d6 and C2e) 9 ...0-0. About 7 ...0-0 8 . .ie2 llJgxeS 9.llJxe5 llJxeS 10.0-0 - see varia Black has often repeated in tion C2e. practice the mistake - 9 ... llJg6?, which after 10.hc7 d6 11.�a4+ 8.t0xe5 t0xe5 9 •.l e2 �d7 12.�xb4 �xc7 13.llJe4+ We have reached the basic po leads to a decisive material ad sition of the variation with 4 . .if4 vantage for White, Collado Bar in the Budapest Gambit. It is bas - Rosa Ramirez, Mostoles much easier to play with White, 2012. because he has a very easy plan. After 0-0, Black's bishop will be It is very bad for Black to play misplaced on b4 and is likely to be here 9 ...g5, which only leads to an exchanged on d2. Then, White's additional weakening of his king two bishops will be more power side. 10. .lg3 hS (10 ...b6 11.0-0 ful than Black's minor pieces on hd2 12.'1Wxd2 .ib7, Lorscheid - the board. White's main task Lapshun, Budapest 2007, 13.�c3 would be to open the game on the d6 14.£4± - and the position will queenside (c4-c5 either immedi be opened, which will be no doubt ately, or after the preliminary in favour of White, because he has moves a2-a3 and b2-b4). the two-bishop advantage and 208 l.d4 t?Jf6 2.c4 e53.d e t?Jg4 4.1i.j4 t?Jc6 5.t?Jj3 1i.b4+ 6.t?Jbd2 some lead in development too) Following 11 ...1i.d7, it seems 11.h4 g4 12.0-0± Zakaria - Her very strong fo r White to sacrifice nandez, SchachServer 2011. a pawn with: 12.c5! dxcS 13.%\'dS f?Jc6 14Jifcl± - he regains his pawn and obtains a great advan tage thanks to his powerful bish C2a) 9 ....ix d2+ op-pair. This move is often played in the tournament practice, but it White will continue in the cannot be recommended to Black. same way after11 ...1i.e6 12.c5!± He loses after it the possibility to organise counterplay and will be 11... t?Jg 6. It is not logical for fo rced to defend passively. The Black to remove his knight volun players who study for the first tarily from the centre. 12.1i.g30-0 time the Budapest Gambit for (The character of the fight re White should pay great attention mains the same after the inclu to this variation, since in it White's sion of the moves 12 ...h5 13.h3±) plan to advance c4-c5 will be il 13.b4 1i.e6 14J''ifd1 E:fd8 15.%\'c3 lustrated perfectly. l"iac8, Babu - Chatterjee, Kolkata 1994. White has deployed perfect 10.%\'xd2 d6 ly his pieces and now, he can be gin active operations on the 10 ... 0-0 11.0-0 d6 12.b4 - see queenside with 16.c5± 10 ...d6. 12.b4 11.0-0 Now, White is perfectly pre pared to advance c4-c5. There arises an analogous po sition, but with the inclusion of the moves a7-a5 - a2-a3, in varia tion C2e. 11 ... 0-0 11 ... b6 12.1i.xe5 - see variation C2c, 11 ...d6. 209 Chapter 15 12 ..• b6 13 .•• .ib7 14.cxd6 cxd6 15. Black is trying to prevent the gfd1 gfd8 16.a4 gac8 17.a5± opening of the game on the Black's d6-pawn is weak as well as queenside. his queenside pawns, Ovseje vitsch - Faulhaber, Gau Alge After the alternatives, White sheim 2011. advances effortlessly c4-c5. 12 .. .£6 13.�c3 .id7 (13 ....ie6 C2b) 9 ..• a5!? 14.c5! dxc5 15.bxc5 .if7 16.a4 E!fd8 17.E!fd1 b6 18.h3± Lednev - Ne pustil, Email 2008) 14 . .ig3 E!ae8 15.E!ac1 .ie6 16.a3 .if7 17.c5± Mikhalevski - Miezis, Dieren 1997. 12 ....ie6 13.c5! E!ad8 14.cxd6 E!xd6 15.�b2 f6 16.he5 fxe5 17. �xeS± and Black has no compen sation for the pawn, Taylor - Dunn, Email 2011. This is a very interesting move. 12 ...E!d8 13 .�c3 f6 14.E!fd1 .if5 Black wishes to impede the devel 15.E!d2 .ig6 16.E!ad1 .if7 17.a3 �e6 opment of White's queenside ini 18.c5± Bluvshtein - Miezis, Mal tiative. If he plays a2-a3, then lorca 2004. Black will simply exchange on d2 and follow this with a5-a4. White 12 ...E!e8 13.E!fd1 tt'lg6. .ig3 14 will not be able to play b2-b4, be .if5 (14... a5?! 15.c5 dxc5 16.bxc5 cause of the capturing en passant . .if5 17 . .if3± Stohl - Manolov, El enite 1992) 15.�c3 tt'lf8 16.E!acU 10.0-0 d6 followed by c4-c5. In all these variations, Black is About 10 ...0-0 ll.a3 - see var doomed to a long and laborious iation C2e1. defence. n.ti)e4!? 13.c5! This is one of the few moves In spite of all White accom afterwhich White can rely on ob plishes this thematic pawn-break, taining an advantage in the open since Black cannot play 13 ...dxc5 ing. 14.�d5 .ig4 15.£3± and he suffers material losses. It seems very interesting for 210 l.d4 l:iJf6 2.c4 e5 3.de l:iJg44. i.j4 l:iJc6 5.tiJj3i.b4 + 6.tiJbd2 him to try a pawn-sacrificehere - It is worse for Black to play 1l.a3 .ixd2 12.W/xd2 a4 and now now 12 ...f 5. With this move he not 13.c5!? The computer programmes only weakens his king, but ena evaluate this possibility as very bles his opponent to transfer his promising, but things are far from knight to the d5-outpost. 13.l:iJc3 simple. 13 ...dxc5 14.W/d5 l:iJg6 0-0 14.l:iJd5:t 15 . .ib5+ 'it>f8 16 . .ig3 c6 17.W/d2 'it>g8 18.i.d6 W/d8 19.i.c4 b5 20. 13.a3 .!Llxf4 .ie2 c4 2U'lfd1 h6 22.\Wc3 'it>h7 23 . .if3 l'!a6 24. .ie5 W/f8 25 . .id6 Black should better capture W/d8, draw, Hrubaru - Pavlikov, the enemy bishop, because after Email 2010. No doubt, White has 13 ...ic5 White can avoid its ex sufficient compensation for the change withthe move 14 . .ig3 and pawn, but only futuretournament there might follow: 14 ...i.a7 15. practice will show whether he can tiJc3 c6 16.l'!ad1 tiJe5 17.l'!d2 .ie6 rely on something real after13.c 5. 18.l'!fd1 Eifd8 19.l:iJa4:t and he will Maybe his play can be improved have an easy game attacking after 17.W/d1, followed by .ba4. Black's d6-pawn. Now, White at least restores the material balance and can fightfor 14.exf4 .ic5 15.lafe U the advantage thanks to his two powerful bishops. ll•.• .!Llg6 12 .\Wc2!? There has arisen the key posi tion of this variation. Black has a bishop-pair, but White's pros pects are preferable thanks to his Now, contrary to the majority superior development and the of the positions in this variation, powerful position of his knight on Black will have the two-bishop e4. advantage and not White. 15 ....if5 16 . .id3 g{e8 17.g3 .ib6 18)i)g5 �xel+ 19.gxel 6 12 .•. 0-0 !axel+ 20.'it>g2 .ig 211 Chapter 15 Following 20 ....ixd3 2l.�xd3 10... .ib7. In this variation it is g6 22.lt:le4± Black will have great not easy at all for White to main problems to protect his king tain an advantage. 11.lt:Jb3 (The against the attacking tandem of point is that he obtains a slight White's pieces. As it is well known edge following ll.lt:Jf3 lt:Jxf3 + 12. - queen and knight combine their hf3 hf3 13.�xf3 0-0 14.�b7;!;, actions perfectly. but it is insufficient to win the 21.�c3 game. 14 .. J::Ifc8 15J::Ifd1 .icS 16.a3 Now, Black is almost helpless aS 17.b4 Eiab8 18.�d5 axb4 19. against the threat f4 -f5. axb4 hb4 20.�xd7 �xd7 2l.Eixd7 21 ...ge7 22.f5 f6 23.fxg6 Eib7 22.e4 .icS 23.g4 <.t>f8 24.<.t>g2 fxg5 24.gxh7+ <.t>h8 25.b4 gf8 · <.t>e8 25.Eid3 h6 26.<.t>f3 c6. Black 26.c5± White's queen seems has equalised completely after an stronger than the enemy rooks, accurate play and the opponents because Black's king is vulnerable agreed to a draw here, Novak - and his bishop is severely restrict Soentges, Email 1998.) ed by the pawn on cS, Svartbo - Rodrigues, Email 2007. C2c) 9 •••b6 Black prepares the fianchetto of his light-squared bishop, but his last move has obvious draw backs. White obtains targets for attack on the queenside. ll ... aS 12.a3 .icS 13.lt:Jxc5 bxcS 14.b4 f6 15.bxc5 �xc5 16.�d4 �e7 10.0-0 17.Eiab1 ic6 18.c5;!;Wh ite's queen side initiative has become quite real, Solozhenkin - Plesec, Paris 1993. It seems too passive for Black to choose ll ...a6 12.Eic1 id6, Var ga - Kahn, Hungary 2000 and here, White could have continued with the thematic move 13.c5! bxcS 14.�c2t followed by lt:JcS, Eifd1 and Black's pawns on a6, c7 and d7 are excellent targets for White's pieces. 10•. . .b.:d2 11 ... 0-0 12.a3 .id6 (After 12 ... 212 l.d4 ljjf6 2.c4 eS 3.de ljjg4 4.fJ.j4 /,jjc6 S./,jjj3 .ib4+ 6./,jjbd2 .ic5 13./,jjxc5 bxc5 14.b4 �abB 15. bxc5 W/xc5 16.W/d4 W/c617.f 3 /,jjg6 1B . .ig3:tWh ite's queenside initia tive is running effortlessly and he has the two-bishop advantage as well, Delgado - Martinez, Spain 1992.) 13./,jjd4 /,jjg6 14.hd6 W/xd6. Denderski - Nurkiewicz, Krakow 2004. After 15./,jjb5!:t Black will hardly manage to protect his c7 and d7-pawns. It is possible that his most 11. W/xd2 J.b7 reliable possibility may be 12 ... 0-0, although even then after Following ll ...d6, White can 13.W/c3 �feB (13 ...d6 14.cxd6 cxd6 implement his standard plan with 15.�acl± and Black's d6-pawn is the support of his two powerful weak, Ilgner - Sahlender, Oster bishops, advancing b2-b4 and c4- roenfeld 1996) 14.�fd1 .ic6 15.b4:t c5, or he can try to exploit the White maintains the advantage temporary weakness of the hl-aB with his standard queenside diagonal and play 12.he5!?, for play. example: 12 ...dxe5 (12 ...'\Wxe5 13. .if3 �bB 14 . .ic6+ .id7 15.hd7+ 13.'�a5 /,jjg6 14.J.g3 d6 15 . 'it>xd7 16.�fdU and in this end b4 cxb4 16.lUd10-0 17 .�ac1 game with major pieces Black's king, in the centre of the board, does not beautify his position at all) 13 . .if3 �bB 14 . .ic6+ .id7 15. W/d5 hc6 16.W/xc6+ W/d7 17.W/e4 W/e7 1B.�ad1 0-0 19.�d5 �feB 20. �fd1 �bdB 2l.g3:t White main tains a stable advantage dominat ing on the only open file. (diagram) 12.c5! After this standard break through, Black will have great Now, Black cannot hold on to problems to parry the pressure of his c7-pawn, because after 17•.• his opponent's pieces. gac8? White has the resource 18.J.g4+- and Black will have to 12 .•. bxc5 part with the exchange. 213 Chapter 15 C2d) 9 ...d6 White wishes to clarify imme Black often connects this move diately the futureof the bishop on with 0-0 and this transposes to b4. variation C2e. Now, we will ana lyse only the possibilities which ll ....txd2 may lead to original positions. Following ll ...�cS , White 10.0-0 maintains an advantage by trans ferring his knight to dS. 12.lt.Je4 �b6 13.lt.Jc3 c6, Kratz - Miethke, Email 1999, 14.lt.Je4:t Black has managed to cover the dS-square, but his d6 is vulnerable now. 12.�xd2 10 ... .id7 10 ....bd2 1l.�xd2 - see varia tion C2a. lO ... aS 1l.lt.Je4 - see variation C2b. 12 ...f6 10 ...0-0 ll.lt.Jb3 - see varia He is fortifying his knight on tion C2e. eS. It is just bad for Black to play It is bad for Black to opt fo r 10 ...�e6, due to 1l.�a4+ lt.Jc6 12. 12 ...0-0, due to 13.c5! �c6 (13 ... �f3 .b:d213 . .b:c6+ �d7 14 . .b:d7+ dxc5??14 . .b:e5+-) 14.cxd6 cxd6 �xd7 15.'�c2! �aS, Krizsany - 15J:'1fdl± and he has no compen Mueller, Basel 1999, 16.b4 �b6 sation for his weak d6-pawn, (16 ....b:b4? 17.�e4+ �e7 18. Ekstroem - Klauser, Samnaun �xb7+-) 17.�c3± and he cannot 2008. defend simultaneously against �g7 and c4-c5. 12 ...�c6 13.b4 0-0 14.a4 b6 15.a5 l"1fe8 16.�g3:t White has a ll.a3 clear-cut plan for queenside ac- 214 l.d4 liJf6 2.c4 eS 3.de liJg4 4.�f4 liJc6 5. liJf3 �b4+ 6.liJbd2 tions. He wishes to double his 17.�c2 .b:e2 18.�xe2 <;!rbs 19. rooks on the a-file and prepare !!acU and Black's monarch is the penetration to the a7-square rather unsafe, contrary to its afterthe preliminary exchange on counterpart. b6, Amezqueta - Tauber, Email 2011. 14• .ih5+ liJf7 15.c5 i.b5 16. �fd1 d5 17.e4! 12 ...liJg6 13 .�g3 hS 14.h3 �gS White is opening the game in (14 ...h4 15.�h2 �c6 16.b4 �gS the centre. 17.f3;t and Black's activity has 17... i.a4 reached its dead end, Mareco - Rodi, Sao Paulo 2009) 1S.�f3 �c6 16.b:c6+ bxc6 17.�c3 h4 18.ih2 liJf8 19.c5± Black can hardly pro tect his pawn-weaknesses on the queenside due to his lag in devel opment, Zakhartsov - Ilandzis, Prague 2010. 13.b4 This position was reached in the game Ivanchuk - Epishin, Terrassa 1991. Now, White has a very pleasant choice. He may cap ture on dS, obtaining more than sufficient compensation for the exchange, or play the simpler and more reliable line: 18.�el!? dxe4 19.�xe4 �xe4 20.�e1 �xd2 2U"�xe4+ <;!rd822 .hd2;t and in the arising endgame White can play for a winfor a long time 13 ...0-0-0 14.a4;t White's without any risk thanks to his prospects seems preferable in a two-bishop advantage. position with attacks on the dif ferent flanksof the board. C2e) 9 ...0-0 After ...13 hS, White can open This is Black's best try. He immediately the c-file: 14.c5!? makes a natural move (he will dxcS 15J�fc1 0-0-0 16J'!xc5 i.bS have to castle sooner or later ... ) 215 Chapter 15 and conceals his future plans for the time being. 10.0-0 ll... Ei:e8 12.a3 .ic5 13.lt:lxc5 dxc5 14.�b3 b6, C.Horvath - Chatalbashev, Elista 1998, 15. Ei:fd1.ib7 16 . .ig3t Black's position is solid but White has in fact an extra pawn on the kingside. He Now, Black has numerous al can realise it without any risk at ternatives. We will analyse his ba all. sic moves C2el) 10 ...a5 and ll ...b6 12.a3 .ic5 13.lt:lxc5 bxc5 C2e2) 10 . .. �g6, but before that, 14.b4 lt:ld7 (14... cxb4 15.axb4 .ib7 we will pay attention to some oth 16.�c2t White has a superior er possibilities for him. pawn-structure and a powerful bishop-pair, Vallepin - Lalle About 10 ....b:d2 11.�xd2 - see mand, Elancourt 2004) 15 . .ig4 variation C2a. Ei:e8 (15 ...a5 16 . .b:d7 .b:d7 17. bxc5t Black has some chances of 10 ... Ei:e8 11.lt:lf3!? d6 12.a3 .ic5 saving the draw due to the pres (Black loses a piece after 12 ... ence of bishops of opposite col .ia5?? 13 . .b:e5 dxe5 14.b4+ ours on the board, but he is still a Vandervorst - Meghriche, Bet pawn down, Karpov - Short, Lin hune 1998.) 13.b4 lt:lxf3+14 . .b:f3 ares 1992) 16.Ei:cUand once again .ib6 15.Ei:cl aS, Ovod - Anokhin, White has two bishops and a bet Moscow 1996, 16.�c2 axb4 17. ter pawn-structure, Ivanchuk - axb4t White's bishops are point Short, Monte Carlo 1993. ed at the enemy's queenside and after c4-c5, Black defence will be very difficult. C2el) 10 ...a5 With this move, Black is trying After ...10 d6, White should to impede White's queenside play 11.lt:lb3, cutting offthe possi pawn-offensive (b2-b4). His ble retreat of the enemy bishop on hopes are not going to be realised, b4. though ... 216 l.d4 l:jjf6 2.c4 e5 3.de (jjg4 4.1J.f4 (jjc6 5.{jjf3 �b4+ 6.(jjbd2 ll.a3 ing an overwhelming advantage. 13.b4 ll... .hd2 This move is forced, because 13 ...f6 after ll ....icS, White will play 12. Black can hardly neutralise b4! seizing the initiative with this White's activity on the queenside pawn-sacrifice. 12 ...axb4 (12 ... even if he tries something else . .ia7 13.c5;!; Black's bishop is mis White advances c4-c5 in almost placed on a7.) 13.axb4 Eixa1 14. all the variations preserving an \&xa1 (jjg6 15.1J.h6! This is the advantage. point! Black's pawn-structure will be in ruins after this move. 15 ... 13 ...(jj g6 14 . .ig3 axb4 15.axb4 gxh6 16.bxc5 \&xeS 17.{jje4 \&eS .id7, Stohl - Forintos, Hungary 18.\&xeS (jjxeS 19.f4 fS 20.(jjc3 2001, 16.b5!? {jjeS 17.c5 !± (jjg6 2l.(jjbS dS 22.(jjxc7 dxc4 23 . .ixc4± White has regained the 13 ...Eie8 14.Eifc1 axb4 15.axb4 sacrificed pawn and has good Eixa1 16.EixaU Vitiugov - Lanin, winning chances in this endgame, St Petersburg 2006. because of Black's numerous pawn-weaknesses, Saule - Ham 13 ...Eid8 14.\&c3 b6 (14 .. .f6 ilton, Email 2007. 15.c5;!;) 15.c5;!;Hor vath - Salmen suu, Budapest 1999. 12.ti'xd2 d6 The character of the fight re 12 ...a4. Black's attempt to pre mains the same after 13 ...axb4 vent b2-b4 would not work be 14.axb4 Eixa1 15.EixaU followed by cause of 13.c5!± and he cannot c4-c5, Gyimesi - Nevednichy, play 13 ...\&xcS ?, since after 14. Nagykanizsa 2003. Eiac1\&a5 15.\&xa5 Eixa5 16.Eixc7+ White regains his pawn maintain- Black cannot prevent c4-c5, 217 Chapter 15 because after 13 ...b6, White will play 14.c5 anyway, for example: 14 ... bxc5 15.bxc5 .ia6 16.ha6 !'lxa6 17.cxd6 cxd6 18.!'lfcl h6 19. !'laba and his superior pawn structure will guarantee his stable advantage, Schandorff - Schnei der, Germany 2006. 14.bxa5 'it>h815.� tbU Mala niuk - Marjanovic, Cetinje 1993. ll•.• .id6 About 1l.. . .ixd2 12.'Wxd2 - see variation C2a. It would be too risky for Black to play ll .. .fS, Kasimdzhanov - Zhang Pengxiang, Yerevan 1999, 12.!'lc1!? f4 13.exf4 tt:lxf4 14 . .if3± and the lag of development of his queenside pieces will be a cause of permanent worries. White has an extra pawn, despite its being doubled. His 12• .ixd6 'Wxd6 pressure on the b-file creates difficulties for Black to develop his bishop on c8 and he will hard ly manage to regain the pawn on aS, since White can protect it with his bishop (after e3-e4 and i.f4- d2). C2e2) 10 .. .tilg6 This is an interesting move. Black removes his knight from Now, White will find it hard to the centre in order to play i.d6 maintain an edge, since Black has and to trade the bishops. no weaknesses in his position. Still, White leadsin development ll• .ig3 and has extra space, so he can ere- 218 l.d4 !1:Jj6 2.c4 e5 3.de !1:Jg4 4.�f4 !1:Jc6 5.!1:Jj3 �b4+ 6.!1:Jbd2 ate numerous problems for Black. for it) 16.'Wxe5 �xeS 17.f4 !1:Jg6 18.!1:Jb5 �b7 19.�fdl± Black can 13.�e4 hardly defend his queenside with We are already familiar with out serious positional conces this transfer of the knight to the sions, Shneider - Porper, Berlin dS-square. 1994. It seems more reliable for him to choose 14 ...d6, but even then after 15.'Wd2 �d7 16.!1:Jd5t (fol lowed by f2-f4, �d3, e2-e4) White seizes completely the initiative, Maiorov - Kutynec, Pardubice 2007. 13 ...'Wxd1 14.�fxd1 �e8 15. !1:Jc3t Galyas - Pg, Budapest 2003. The position has been sim plified; nevertheless, Black has 13 ...We7 great difficulties to parry White's threat !1:Jd5 (or !1:Jb5). Naturally, There arises almost the same Black can play c7-c6, but then he position after the move 13 .. .'�e5, will have a backward d7-pawn but Black's beautifully placed and also great difficultieswith the queen in the centre of the board development of his bishop on c8. may come under attack after f2- f4 . 14.!1:Jc3 14.flk3d6 15.�d5 'Wd8 16. �d4 Now, White can counter 14 ... b6 with 15.'Wd5 �b8 (following 15 ...i.a6, Stohl - Blatny, Prague 1996, he can simply capture the 16 ....ie6 pawn 16.'Wxd7± and Black does not have sufficient compensation After 16 ... �e8 17.�adlt, White 219 Chapter 15 is better thanks to his wonderfully placed knight. One of the peculiarities of this position is that it is not good for Black to play 16 ...c6? !, because af ter 17.l!Jc3 �e7 18.�adl± White has a clear-cut plan to exploit the vulnerability of his opponent's d6-pawn, Gustafsson - Lam precht, Hamburg 1997. Black's defence will be difficult. 17,gacl �d7 18.f4 His d6-pawn is weak, while (diagram) White's bishop has occupied com He is occupying space on the fortably the weakened dS-square kingside. 18 ...c5 19.\Wd2 hd5 and his e3-pawn covers the d4- 20.\WxdS gfe8 21.gc3 l!Je7 square against the penetration of 22.�d2 gadS 23• .ifJ l!Jf5 24. Black's knight, Ingersol - Bela gdl �e7 25.J.d5 \Wd7 26,gd3t noff,Sch achServer 2010. Conclusion After Black's best line in the Budapest Gambit - 3 ... l!Jg4, he has many different possibilities, but White obtains an advantage in the opening against all of them. As a rule, if Black tries to play actively, White's advantage increases, like for example in the variation A) 4 ... .ib4followed by 5 ...d6. White only needs to know some concrete var iations. The same can be said about the line with B) 4 ...g5 , although here, White's achievements are not so great, but Black's pawn-weak nesses make White's task in the middle game rather simple. The best line for Black is C) 4 ...l!Jc6, in which he regains the sacri ficedpawn and follows passive tactics. White does not need to worry, because he has a clear-cut plan for queenside actions (b2-b4 and c4- c5). In addition, in the majority of the variations, he has the two-bishop advantage. 220 Part 4 The Benoni. The Volga Gambit l.d4 ti)f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 obtaining active counterplay. Later, we will deal with a more contemporary line for Black - the Modern Benoni System in which he creates active counterplay by undermining White's centre with the move 3 ...e6. In Chapter 17, we will see the possibilities for Black to avoid the main theoretical variations, and this is the line in which he post In this part of the book we will pones the development of his analyse how to obtain an edge knight on f6 (l.d4 c5 2.d5 e6 3.c4 with White after l.d4 ti)f6 2.c4 exd5 4.cxd5 d6 5.tt:Jc3 g6 6.e4 c5 3.d5, when there arise very .ig7), as well as the extravagant complicated positions with a variation: l.d4 tt:Jf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 space advantage for him. Mean 4.tt:Jc3 exd5 5.cxd5 .id6. while, Black will try to organise In Chapter 18, we will analyse active counterplay. the main position of the Modern His most radical response - Benoni System (l.d4 tt:Jf6 2.c4 c5 the Volga Gambit, in which he 3.d5 e6 4.tt:Jc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 sacrificesa pawn on his next move g6). As a main weapon for White I - 3 ...b5, will be dealt with in have chosen his most principled Chapter 19. and aggressive possibility - the Chapters 16-18 will be devoted Pawn Storm Variation (7.f4 fol to the Benoni Defence. lowed by .ib5+ ). This variation is At first,we will analyse the so very unpleasant for Black, be called Czech Benoni (3 ...e5 - cause he must be permanently on Chapter 16), in which Black ob the alert about the threat e4-e5, tains a solid but rather passive since the centre is in White's position without many chances of hands. 221 Chapter 16 l.d4 tL!f6 2.c 4 c5 3.d5 of some player, or after the city where it was played for the first time. It received its name because of the book which appeared out of print back in the year 1825 in Frankfurt am Mein by A. Reinga num "Ben-Oni, or the Pawn-Sac rifice Defense in Chess". The move 3 ...eS is only seldom played in the tournament prac tice. Among the contemporary 3... e5 grandmasters it is played regu Whenever Black plays like larly only by L. Nisipeanu and this, he is doomed as a rule to a sometimes L. Aronian and mostly passive defence, because he is in in games with a shorter time-con capable of undermining his oppo trol. Before we begin the analysis nent's centre (he does not have of the main lines of the Benoni the possibility e7-e6). White has a Defence, we will deal in short space advantage and thanks to it with some other possibilities for can either prepare a queenside of Black. fensive (b2-b4), or an attack on the kingside (f2-f4). Still, it is not About 3 ...a6 4.tt:lc3 - see Chap easy for him in practice to break ter 10, variation A. Black's position easily, because it has no pawn weaknesses. White If Black fianchettoes his dark must play very carefully not to squared bishop, then there arises overstep the possible risk while transposition to the Averbakh storming his opponent's fortress. System of the King's Indian De This opening, contrary to fe nce, which was analysed by us many other opening systems, was in our volume 2. 3 ...g6 4.tt:lc3 .tg7 not named after the fa mily name (4 ...d6 5.e4 - see 3 ...d6) 5.e4 d6 222 l.d4 lt:lf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e5 4.lt:lc3 (5 ...0-0 6.�e2 - see volume 2, loss of two tempi on manoeuvres Chapter 5) 6 . .ie2 - see volume 2, with his knight. 6.e4 d6 7.lLle2 g6 Chapter 6, variation B. 8.lLlc3 .ig7 9 . .ie2 0-0 10.0-0 e6 11.a3 lLla6 12.lLlb3 \Wb6 13 . .ig5 3 ...d6 4.lLlc3 g6 ( 4 ...e6 5.e4 - lLlc7 14J'l:ad1 exd5 15.cxd5± see Chapter 17, variation B; 4 ...e5 (followed by lLld2-c4) and Black's 5.e4 - see 3 ...e5) 5.e4 �g7 (5 ...e5 d6-pawn is weak and his queen 6 . .ie2 - see variation B; 5 ... e6 - is misplaced on b6, Shipov - see Chapter 17, variation B. After Todorov, Cappelle Ia Grande 5 ...b5 6.cxb5, there arises a very 1994. favourable version of the Volga 5 ... lLld6 6.b3. This is the most Gambit for White) 6 . .ie2 - see precise move for White. Now, volume 2, Chapter 6, variation B. Black cannot develop his bishop on g7. 6 ...f5 (6 ...b5 7 . .ib2 bxc4 We will also pay attention to 8.bxc4 lLla6 9.a3± followed by e2- the rather dubious move for Black e4, .id3, lLle2, 0-0, f2-f4, e4-e5, 3 ...lLle4. It has been played in Yakimenko - Popchev, Sunny more than 600 games, also at Beach 2013) 7 . .ib2 e6 8.lLlgf3 grandmaster level, but is quite exd5 9.cxd5 lLla6,Ishee - Pickard, suspicious. Black fails to create Dallas 1996. Here, White could threats on the a5-e1 diagonal and have obtained a decisive advan later, this knight will be forced to tage with the move 10.a3!, pre retreat which would lead to a con venting lLlb4. 10 ...b5 ll.lLlh4+ siderable lag of development for and Black loses his f5-pawn. Black. 4.\Wc2 \Wa5+ 5.lLld2 4.tt:'lc3 White is developing his pieces preparing the pawn-advance e2- e4. It is bad for him to opt for 5 .. .f5, because of 6.g4!? d6 7.f3± and Black loses a pawn, Kluss - Thurner, Wuerzburg 1991. 5 ... lLlf6. White's knight is not so well placed on d2 as on c3, but this cannot compensate Black's 4 ... d6 223 Chapter 16 4 ...�d6. The only plus of this White postpones the develop move is that it was tried once by ment of his knight on gl, preserv M. Carlsen. 5.tLlb5 fi.c7 6.ttJxc7+ ing the possibility to continue �xc7 7.f3 d6 8.e4 0-0, Radjabov with active actions on the king - Carlsen, Monte Carlo 2007. side with h2-h4 or f2-f4. White has the two-bishop advan 6 ...1e7 tage and a lead in development. After the precise move 9.tLle2!?± About 6 ...g6 7 . .ig5 - see varia (followed by tiJc3 and id3) Black tion B. will hardly manage to prepare the pawn-breaks b7-b5 or f7-f5 and 7.h4!? willbe forced to defend passively. 5.e4 After this move, there arises on the board the main position of this variation. This is a very good move, al though it is not the most popular for White. Black's position is cramped in the centre and White wishes to occupy even more space on the kingside, by a pawn-offen We will analyse now A) 5 ... sive, in order to deprive Black's ttlbd7, B) 5 ...g6 and C) 5 ...1e7. pieces of the possibility to ma The inclusion of the moves 5 ... noeuvre freely. a6 6.a4, either now, or on the next move, would not change the char 7 ...h5 acter of the fight. Black prevents the further oc cupation of space by his oppo nent, but weakens the g5-square. A) 5 ...ttlbd7 With this move Black does not After 7... g6, Erdos - McShane, determine yet the placement of Germany 2010, it seems very his dark-squared bishop. strong for White to play 8.h5!?t 6.1e2 Now, Black must be permanently 224 l.d4 lt:Jf6 2.c4 c53. d5 e5 4.lt:Jc3 d6 5.e4 on the alert about the positional Black closes the queenside and threat h5xg6. He cannot capture dooms himself to a long defence on h5 himself, because this would without any good prospects. Now, lead to a catastrophic weakening the problem is whether Whitewill of his kingside pawn-structure. manage to break his opponent's position on the kingside. Following 7 ...lt:Jf 8, Vanek - M. 10.�h3 �f8 ll.id2 �g4 12. Ivanov, Teplice 2007, White has �c2 g6 13.0-0-0 if6 14.f3 the powerful resource 8.'Wd3!? �h6 15.�f2 ig7 16.�b1 b6 and the threat 'Wg3 is very un 17.�b5± and later, White suc pleasant for Black. After 8 ...lt:Jg6, ceeded in opening the position on White willreply with 9.h5 lt:Jf4 10. the kingside with the move f3-f4 .bf4 exf4 11.g3! (This is stronger winning the game, Epishin - Re than ll.lt:Jh3, because after 11 ... tera, Tilburg 2007. lt:Jd712.lt:Jx f4 0-0;!;,Wh ite's game is not easy at all, despite the extra B) 5 ...g6 pawn, since his dark squares have Black plans to fianchetto his been weakened.) ll ...fxg3 12. bishop. 'Wxg3. It is essential for White to 6.ie2 capture with his queen in order to White develops his pieces just have a pawn on the f-file. Later, like in the Averbakh System in the he will have the possibility to play King's Indian Defence. f2-f4, depriving Black's pieces of the important e5-square. 12 ...0-0 13.f4 �e8 14.lt:Jf3 if8 15.lt:Jd2V9e7 16.0-0-0± Black's pieces do not have sufficient space,wh ile White has excellent attacking prospects on the g-file. 8.g3 a6 9.a4 a5 6 ...a6 Black is not in a hurry to play ig7. About 6 ...ig7 7.i.e3 - see vol ume 2, Chapter 6, variation B. Black's attempt to trade the dark-squared bishops with the 225 Chapter 16 move 6 ... h5 leads to a very diffi and Black's pawn on h4 is too far cult position for him since he lags away from the rest of his forces considerably in development. 7. and may turn into a target for at l2Jf3 �h6 (7 ...�g4 8.l2Jg5± White tack. provokes the favourable exchange 7 ...�e7 8.�e3. White is defend of the light-squared bishops.) ing against the threat l2Jxd5. 8 ...a6 8.�xh6 Elxh6 9.Wd2 Elh8 10.0-0 9.a4 Elb8, Speelman - Zilberman, l2Jh7 (10 ...�g4 11.l2Jg5 he2 12. London 1991. Now, he obtains a Wxe2 l2Jh7 13.l2Jxh7 Elxh7 14.f4 great advantage after 10.l2Jf3 (It l2Jd7 15.l2Jb5 Wb8 16.fxe5 l2Jxe5 would be premature for White to 17.Eif6 r;k;e7 18.Eiaf1+- Shulman play 10.g4?! due to 10 ...h5+!. ) Andrianov, Los Angeles 2002) 10 ... 0-0 1l.�h6! This powerful 11.l2Jel. He is freeing the way for manoeuvre has been recommend ward of his f-pawn. ll ...l2Jd7 12. ed by B.Avrukh. Its idea is to pro l2Jb5(12 .f4!?±) 12 ...r;k;e7 13.l2Jd3a6 voke Black's rook to occupy the 14.l2Jc3 r;f;;f8 , Taboas - Gonzalez e8-square and to deprive him lat Rodriguez, Pontevedra 2004, 15. er of the possibility - l2Je8 and f4± followed by the doubling of �g5 (after the retreat of White's the rooks on the f-file. Black is knight - l2Jf3-d2) forcing the fa faced with a very difficultdef ence. vourable exchange for Black of the dark-squared bishops. 11 ... 6 ...l2Jbd7 7. �g5 E\e8 12.l2Jd2�f8 13.�e3 �g7 14.g4 h6 15.h4 l2Jh7 16.Wc2± White has succeeded in avoiding the ex change of pieces and advancing h2-h4 and g2-g4. Black's position is very difficult, because he can not findgood squares for his piec es due to the lack of space. 7 . .ig5h6 8.ie3 The character of the fight re mains the same after the inclu sion of the moves 7 ...a6 8.a4 �e7 9.�e3 - see 7 ...�e7. After7 ...�g7, White's simplest reaction would be 8.h3 h6 9.�e3 -see 7 ...h6. 7 ... h6 8.�e3 �e7 9.Wd2 h5 10.h3 h4, Petkov - Rodriguez Cordon, La Roda 2007, ll.l2Jf3± 226 l.d4 tt'lf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.tt'lc3 d6 5.e4 8 ....ig7 Black must play 16 ...tt'lxd5 17.exd5 ifS 18.Wfc1+-, but his two pawns The move 8 ...hS leads to the are not sufficient to compensate serious weakening of the gS the missing knight. square. 9.tt'lf3 h4?! 10.ig5. In the game Kramnik - Piket, Zuerich 13.c!LlfJWd8 14.0-0 0-0 2001, Black decided to give up his h4-pawn in order to compli cate the position, but failed to ob tain sufficient compensation for it. 10 ...ie7 ll . .b:h4 .ig4 12.ix:f6 ixf6 13.tt'ld2ic8 14.ig4± 9.h3 White takes the g4-square un der control and prepares Wd2. 9 •• .ti:)bd7 10.Wfd2 �b8 ll.a4 This position was reached in the game D'Israel - Marques, Sao Paulo 2004. After 15.a5± there would arise a very difficult posi tion for Black, since he obviously lacks space and afterthe weaken ing of the gS-square he will hardly manage to organize effective kingside counterplay. White can continue effortlessly his queen side offensivewith Ei:b1and b2-b4. This move prevents Black's C) 5 ....ie7 counterplay on the queenside. In the game Trusis - Casden, USA 1997, Black played 12 ... Wb4 and White could have countered that simply with 13.tt'lf3± without being afraid of 13 ...tt'lb 6? 14.a5 tt'lxc4 15.ixc4 W/xc4 16.Wfc2. Now, in order not to lose his queen, 227 Chapter 16 This is Black's main line and it but he has tried in practice to is typical for the classical Benoni. postpone castling, or even not to Now, contrary to the move g7-g6, castle at all in this position. We Black develops his dark-squared will pay attention to some of his bishop in one move and not in alternatives: two. During the 40ies of the past century it was oftenpl ayed by the There do not arise original po theoretician V. Panov (the same sitions after the inclusion of the master after which the Panov at moves 6 ...a6 7.a4 and only then tack in the Caro-Kann Defence 7 ... 0-0 8 . .ig2- there arises trans has been named). For some time position to 6 ... 0-0. this variation used to be named the Panov Defence, but this did 6 ...b5 ?! This pawn-sacrifice in not last for long. Presently, you the spirit of the Volga Gambit can see it sometimes as the Czech does not seem good here, because Benoni since the Czech players Black's bishop on e7 is not so ac have contributed greatly to the tive as on g7. 7.cxb5 a6 8.lt:Jf3 0-0 development of its theory. 9.bxa6 lt:Je8 10.lt:Jd2 lt:Jxa6ll.lt:Jc 4 6.g3!? f5 , Vranesic - Jansa, Siegen 1970, This move is simple and strong. 12 . .ig2!? lt:Jf6 13.0-0 fxe4 14. White not only prepares the fian tt:Jxe4 .if5 15.'We2 lt:Jb4 16.lt:Jxf6 + chetto of his bishop, but also .ixf6 17 . .ie4 .ixe4 18.'Wxe4 tt:Jxa2 plans later f2-f4, after which the 19 . .id2±Bl ack has managed to re exchange e5xf4 will not be good gain his pawn, but his position is for Black because White will sim very bad from the point of view of ply recapture g3xf4, with a firm positional play. His d6-pawn is control over the key e5-square. weak as well as his light squares and he has problems defending against White's manoeuvre 'We4-g4-e6. The seemingly active move 6 ... h5 weakens the g5-square and White can emphasize that with the move 7.h4. (diagram) Now, Black must choose a route for his knight. After 7 ...tt:Jbd7 8.lt:Jh3 g6 9.f3, 6 .. . 0-0 he can hardly organize any coun It looks like Black cannot con terplay. 9 ...a6 (9 ...lt:Jh7 10 . .ie3 a6 tinue the game withoutthis move, ll.'Wd2 tt:Jdf6 12 . .ie2± White has 228 l.d4 Ci:Jf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e5 4Jijc3 d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.g3 oust the enemy bishop from its active position seems rather dubi ous 9 ... Ci:Jd7 10.Ci:Jf3 gS, Nikolic - Braga, Thessaloniki 1988. Here, White had the possibility to con tinue with a promising piece-sac rifice for two pawns: ll.Ci:JxgS! hgS 12.ixd6± and Black will have great problems to evacuate much more space. Later he pre his king away from the centre.) pared and advanced f3 -f4-f5 and 10.Ci:Jf3 bS. In the game Moskalen won the game, Browne - Fine ko - Damaso, Andorra 2006, gold, Las Vegas 1994) 10.a3. White did not accept the pawn White is preparing active actions sacrifice and in vain, because af on the queenside. 10 ...b6 ll.ie3 ter ll.cxbS a6 12.a4::t Black's com @f8 12.b4 <±>g7 13.id3 �b8 14. pensation for it would be insuffi �d2 �c7 15.�cl± and once again cient. Black obviously lacks space, Chatalbashev - Petrov, Sunny 6 ...Ci:Jbd7 7.ig2 Beach 2013. He cannot obtain an accepta ble position after 7 ...Ci:Ja 6 either. 8.a3 Ci:Jc7 9.b4 b6 10.bxc5 bxcS 11.�b1 0-0 12.ie2 Ci:Jce8 13.Ci:Jf3::t Delchev - Ramiro Ovejero, Tar ragona 2007. White has a clear cut plan for actions on the queen side and can prepare penetration of his pieces into his opponent's camp (�d1-a4-c6 or ie2-d3-c2- Now, the best move for Black a4-c6). Black's chances of organ is 7 ...0-0, transposing to the izing counterplay on the kingside main lines. His attempts to play are just minimal. originally would not end well for him. He has tried the transfer of his 7 ... h5 8.Ci:Jf3 a6 (following 8 ... knight to c7 - 6 ...Ci:Ja 6 7.ig2 Ci:Jc7, Ci:Jf8, White can prevent the ap but this has the drawback that the pearance of the knight on g6 with control over the eS-square is 9.Ci:Jh4 g6, Moskalenko - Hristo weakened. White can exploit this dorescu, Benidorm 2007, 10. circumstance with the energetic 0-0±) 9.a4 Ci:Jf8 lO.aS �b8 11.0-0 move 8.f4, for example: 8 ...exf4 bS 12.axb6 �xb6 13.Ci:Ja4!%b 4, Ria 9.hf4 0-0 (Black's attempt to zantsev - I. Sokolov, Rijeka 2010. 229 Chapter 16 Here, White has at his disposal a Cl) 7 ... ttJa6 very promising piece-sacrifice: Black transfers his knight to c7 14.�xc5! dxcS 15.�xe5 l='1b6 16. and plans later to create counter �c6± Black's king is terribly mis play with the pawn-advance b7- placed in the centre. White has for b5. the piece two central pawns and if he succeeds in advancing them 8.tljge2 ttJc79.0-0 Black will be in a great trouble. After7 ... lLlf8 8.�f3 �g6, White can maintain the advantage in many different ways, for example: 9.�d2!?, preparing the transfer of his knight to the e3-square. Black is deprived of any counterplay. In addition, he lags considerably in development. 9 ...h5 lO.�fl �f8 1l.�e3 g6 12.f4 �6d7 13.0-0± Be liavsky - Miladinovic, Rogaska Slatina 2009. 7 . .ig2 9 ... a6 10.a4 b6 ll.f4 �d7 12. \Wd3l='1b8 13.b3t White is well pre pared to counter b6-b5 and has the advantage thanks to his lead in development and extra space. Still, Black's position is very solid. In the game Kunin - Mishin, Moscow 2008, after theimpulsi ve move 13 ...f 5? 14.exf5 exf4 15 . .txf4 �eS 16 . .txe5 dxeS 17.g4+- White had not only an extra pawn, but a winning position too. Now, Black must choose be tween three basic possibilities: 10.a4 b6 Cl) 7 ...tba 6, C2) 7 . . .tbe8 and C3) 7 ...ttJbd7. He should not be afraid of the There do not arise original po transfer of Black's knight to the sitions after the inclusion of the b4-square. 10 ...�a 6 ll.f4 �d7 12. moves 7 ...a6 8.a4, because it all ie3 �b4 13.\Wd2 if6 14.f5 a6 15. transposes to the variations we b3 �b6, Sonntag - Braga, Cadiz analyse below. 1991, 16.h4t Black's queenside 230 l.d4 l:i'Jf6 2.c4 c53. d5 e5 4.ti:, c3 d6 5.e4 i.e7 6.g3 0-0 7 .i.g2 counterplay has reached its dead end and now he is fo rced to de fe nd passively. After 10 ...a6 11.a5 b5 12.axb6 �xb6 13.l:i'Ja4 �b7 14.�d2 �d7 15.�c3 l:i'Jfe8 16.f4± Black has a weakness on a6 and later, White can play on the kingside, or pre pare the pawn-advance b2-b4, Gulko - Mar, San Mateo 1989. 8 .•• .ig5 ll. .id2 a6 This move seems a bit dubi ous, since Black fails to accom plish the advantageous exchange of the dark-squared bishops. About 8 ...l:i'Jd7 9.0-0 or 8 ...g6 9.�h6 l:i'Jg7 10.�d2 ttld7 11.0-0 - see 7 ...ttlbd7. It is strategically risky for him to opt for 8 .. .f5 9.0-0 fxe4 10. ttlxe4. Now, the important e4- square is completely in White's This position was reached in hands. 10 ...�f5 ll.ltl2c3 ttld7 12.f4 the game Grabarczyk - Gasik, Po h6 13.�e2 exf4 14.hf4± - His lanczyk 2000. Following 12.b3 pieces are much more actively de b5 13.ti'c2 the best for Black ployed, while Black's d6-pawn is would be to close the queenside very weak, Prohaszka - Volosin, with 13 ••. b4, because only White Hungary 2010. can break there. 14.tildl a5 15. tilcl�e8 16.tild3;tBlack is fo rced 8 ...ttlc 7. Black often refrains to defend passively. The problem from active operations on the is whether White will manage to kingside and tries in this way to break on the kingside. advance b7-b5. 9.0-0 �d7 10.a4. White prevents his opponent's C2) 7 .•• tile8 plans. 10 ...l:i'Jba6. Now, Black is With this move Black prepares transferring his knight to the b4- t7-f5, as well as �e7-g5. square. (It does not seem logical for him to play 10 ...f5 , because his knight is already on the queen- 231 Chapter 16 side. 1l.f4 �f6, Hillarp Persson - 12.1Wd3 lLld7 13.lLlg3;t:;Wh ite main Shchekachev, Salou 2005, 12. tains a stable advantage thanks to exfS!? bfS 13.lLle4;t:; followed by his extra space, moreover that the lLlxf6 - the position is opened and exchange of Black's central e White's two bishops will be tre pawn for White's flank g-pawn is mendously effective.) 1l.�e3 lLlb4 obviously in favour of White, 12.1Wd2 b6(12 ...a6 13.b3 Ei:b8 14.f4 Kaspi - Axelrod, Israel 2008. �f6 15.f5;t:; Black has no counter play at all, Medvegy - Bezold, ll. Black has tried to place on c7 his other knight with 8 ...lLla6, but even then he can only dream about organizing an active play. ll ...f5 9.0-0 lLlac7 10.�e3 �d7 1l.a4 lLla6 12.f4 �f6 13.'1Wd2 lLlb4 14.f5 a6 After ll... lLld7 12.0-0 g6 13. 15.h4 bS 16.b3 bxc4 17.bxc4 Ei:b8 ie3;t:; White's pawn-majority in 18.@h2 �e7 19.�h3 f6 20.g4 g6 the centre guarantees his advan 21.lLlg3;t:; White's kingside offen tage, Hoang Thanh Trang - Csom, sive is very dangerous, Gyimesi- Budapest 1997. Skembris, Bolzano 2000. 12.0-0 fxe4 9.f4 He should not exchange the Following 12 ...if6, Hoang dark-squared bishops because he Thanh Trang - Csom, Budapest has extra space and the trade of 1997, 13.lLlxf5 bfS 14.exf5 hc3 pieces is in favour of Black, more 15.bxc3;t:; White's bishops are over that his bishop on gS is "bad". much stronger than his oppo nent's cavalry. 9 ... exf4 10.gxf4 .ih4+ Black runs away with his bish 13.�cxe4 op with tempo under the attack. Black lags in development and his e6-square is weak. White's Following 10 ...if6 11.0-0 ig4 knight can go there at any mo- 232 l.d4 ltJf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 eS 4JiJc3 d6 5.e4 �e7 6.g3 0-0 7. �g2 ment along the route e4-g5-e6, so Following 15 ...h6? Zakhare Black is faced with a difficult de vich - Gubajdullin, Belgorod fence. It is understandable that 2008, White wins immediately the vulnerability of the pawn on with the line: 16.f5! hg3 17.tiJxg3 f4 is not important at all. tiJeS 18.fxg6 gxfl+ 19.Wxfl tiJxg6 20.Wd3 Wg5 21.gf1 tiJg7 22.Wf3 13 •••g6 We7 23.Wf6 Wxf6 24.gxf6 tiJfB 25.gxd6+- After 13... tiJd7, Renet - Partos, France 1993, White can play sim 16.tiJg5 tiJg7 17.Wd3± (fol ply 14.tiJg5! and following 14 ... lowed by gael and the penetra .bg5 15.fxg5± he obtains the two tion of White's knight to e6 or bishop advantage getting rid in Wc3) and Black can hardly parry the process of his isolated f4- the attack on the long diagonal. pawn. 14.b3 C3) 7 ... tiJbd7 White prepares the develop Afterthis move, Black as a rule ment of his bishop to the long di is preparing active actions on the agonal. kingside: tiJe8,g7-g6 , tiJg7and f7- f5 . 14 ...tiJ d7 15 • .ib2 8A:lge2 He is not in a hurry to begin active actions before the comple tion of his development. It was good for White however to play immediately 15.f5!?± 8 ...a6 8 ... tiJe8 9.0-0 g6 10 . .ih6. White develops his bishop with tempo. 10 ... tiJg7 ll.Wd2 tiJf6. This 15 ...c!l:ld f6 is a standard manoeuvre for simi After this move Black can still lar positions. White's bishop on resist for long. h6 is too active and Black wishes 233 Chapter 16 to oust it from there with �h8 10 ...g6 and lt:lg8 (following ll ...f S 12.f4;!; White is better prepared for the 10 ... �h8 ll.f4 exf4 12.gxf4 g6 opening of the game in the cen 13.b3 fS, Lysyj - Ehlvest, Moscow tre). 12.h3. He is defending 2007. Here, White maintains a against lt:lg4. 12 ...�h8 13J�ael. stable advantage with the line: Whiteis bringing his last reserves. 14.exf5!? l'l:xfS 15.lt:le4 l'l:f8 16. 13 ...lt:lg8 14.ie3 fS 15.f4. Black's lt:l2g3 lt:lg7 17.ib2 if6 18.lt:lxf6. defence is very difficult, because He exchanges the important ene White has extra space and can my bishop. 18 ...lt:lxf6 19.""'d2;!; manoeuvre very easily. 15 ...if6 (15 ...exf4, Zakhartsov - Srbis, 10 ...l'l:b8 ll.id2 b6 (ll...g6 Split 2013, 16.lt:lxf4±) 16.fxe5 12.a5 lt:lg7 13.lt:la4 h5 14.b4;!;White ixeS 17.if4 ixf4 18.lt:lxf4 fxe4 has succeeded in breaking on 19.g4. White restricts the enemy the queenside, Avrukh - Paehtz, knight on g7. 19 ...e3 20.l'l:xe3 id7 Bonnevoie 1998) 12.lt:lc1 lt:lc7 13. 21.lt:le4+- Sasikiran - Satyaprag ""'e2 if6, Korchnoi - Udovcic, yan, Kolkata 2009. The material Leningrad 1957, 14.lt:ld3;!; - He is equal indeed, but Black's posi has extra space and can prepare tion is hopeless, since he is inca an offensive on the queenside pable of countering the activity of (b2-b4), as well as on the kingside White's pieces. There followed (f2-f4). later: 21...'�c7 22.l'l:ef3 l'l:fe8 23. lt:lgS l'l:e724. lt:lf7+ l'l:xt7 25.lt:lxg6+ After 10 ... b6, White should hxg6 26.l'l:xt7 1-0 better play the waiting move 11. h3!? g6 12.ih6 lt:lg7 13.""'d2 l'l:a7 9.a4 lt:le8 14.�h2 �h8 15.l'l:ael;!;, maintain About 9 ...b6 10.0-0 lt:le8ll .h3 ing a stable advantage, Kornev - - see 9 ...lt:le8. Sergienko, Voronezh 2012. 10.0-0 ll . .ih6 lt:lg7 12.'f9d2 234 l.d4 Ci:Jf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e5 4.Ci:Jc3 d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.g3 0-0 7. .ig2 12 .. .tlJf6 14 ...Ci:Jd7 15.Ci:Jc1 f5 16.Ci:Jd3 Ci:Jf6 17.<.t>h2 fxe4 18.Ci:Jxe4 Ci:Jxe4 (18 ... The character of the fight re .if5 19.f3 .ixe4 20.fxe4± - The mains the same after 12 .. J'l:b8 13. vulnerability of the light squares h3 Ci:Jf6 14.b3 Ci:Jfe8 15.f4± Za in Black's camp is hurting him, kharevich - Melkonyan, Kaluga Pytel - Segal, Nice 1974.) 19.he4 2003. .if5 (following 19 ....if6 20.g4!? a5 The immediate move 12 .. .f5 2l.f4± White begins active actions also leads to a difficult position on the kingside, Becker - Clem for Black. 13.f4 .if6 (It is not pref ens, Groningen 2008) 20 . .ig2t erable for him to opt for 13 ...exf4 White's position seems to be 14.Ci:Jxf4 Ci:Je5, lotov - Chatalba much more pleasant. Later, in the shev, Sofia 2004, due to 15.Ci:Je6! game Lahiri - Kryakvin, Paracin .ixe6 16.dxe6± followed by Ci:Jd5 2010, Black decided to begin and Black's position begins to rather premature actions on the crumble.) 14J'l:ae1 �a5 15.�c2 queenside and that only increased 1:'1b8, Trikaliotis - Dimitrijevic, White's advantage. 20 ...b5 ?! 21. Kallithea 1976. He has great prob axb5 axb5 22.1:'1xa8 �xa8 23. lems defending, while White can Ci:Jxe5! This is the point. 23 ....if6 either increase his pressure (23 ...dxe5 24.d6 �d8 25.dxe7 against Black's position even �xe7 26.cxb5+-) 24.Ci:Jc6 bxc4 more with the move 16 . .ih3!?±, or 25 . .if4± Black has succeeded in begin immediate active opera avoiding material losses, but his tions with 16.exf5 gxf5 17.g4± position is obviously worse due to the weakness of his d6-pawn and 13.h3 <.t>h8 14 . .ie3 the dominating position of White's knight on c6. 15.f4 if6 Black cannot facilitate his de fence with 15 ...exf4 16.gxf4 a5, Steckner - Fernandez Aguado, Germany 2005, 17.1:'1f2±, as well as with 15 .. .f6, Umansky - Kostic, Bayern 2006, 16.a5!?± - He has no counterplay, while White can play actively on the kingside (1:'1f2, 1:'1af1), or on the queenside 14 ...tlJg8 (Ci:Jc3-a4-b6, b2-b4). This is a thematic move, but 16J�f2 Black has also tried in practice White is preparing the dou- 235 Chapter 16 bling of his rooks. 16 •••b6 17,gafl ga7 18.b3 �e7 19.f5 He is occupying even more space. 19 .. ,gb7 20.g4 .th4 (diagram) This position was reached in the game Kornev - Uryupin, Ga garin 2009. Here, White could two minor pieces are stronger have continued with a simple than his opponent's rook and combination: 21.f6! hf2 + (21... pawns, because there are no open lLlxf6 22.1'!xf6 .hf6 23.1'!xf6±) 22. files on the board and Black's gxf2 ltJxf6 23,gxf6± and White's rooks have no scope of action. Conclusion Black obtains as a rule a solid but cramped position in the classical Benoni. If he develops his bishop to g7, then White deploys his pieces analo gously to the Averbakh System of the King's Indian Defence (ie2, igS and eventually h2-h4 and g2-g4 cramping Black's position even more). If he develops his bishop to the e7-square, then White should de ploy his pieces according to the following scheme: g2-g3, ig2, lLlge2, 0-0, h2-h3, ie3, �d2, f2-f4, :!'!aelseizing firmly the initiative. 236 Chapter 17 l.d4 c5 2.d5 e6 l.d4 liJf6 2.c 4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.liJc 3 exd5 5.exd5 J.d6 This chapter will be devoted to 3 ••.exd5 some not so popular variations in Now and on the next move 3 ... the Benoni Defence. At first we l/jf6 leads either to variation B, or will analyse the variation A) 1 ... to the main lines of the Modern c5 2.d5 e6 3.c4, in which Black, Benoni, which will be analysed in just like in the Modern Benoni, the next chapter. undermines the enemy centre with the move e7-e6, but does not The variation 3 ...b5 4.cxb5 l/jf6 develop his knight to an active po 5.l/jc3 will be dealt with in the chap sition on the f6-square, but pre ter devoted to the Volga Gambit. fers the more modest develop ment - l/je7.The n, we will analyse There do not arise original po the line: B) l. . .tl)f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 sitions after 3 ...d6 4.l/jc3 g6 ( 4 ... e6 4)l:\c3 exd5 5.cxd5, in which exdS S.cxdS g6 6.e4 1lg77.f 4 - see Black chooses instead of the main 3 ...ex d5; 4 ...l/jf6 5.e4 - see varia- line s ...d6, the extravagant devel tion B; 4 ... l/je7 5.e4 exdS 6.cxd5 opment of the bishop - 5 ...J.d6. - see 3 ...exd5) 5.e4 1lg7 6.1le2 - see volume 2, Chapter 12, varia tion B. A) l ...c5 2.d5 e6 3.c4 4.cxd5 d6 Black's position is cramped in deed, but he has good chances of creating counterplay. In order to do that he usually develops his bishop to the long diagonal. After 0-0 and �e8 his rook will exert pressure on the e-file. About 4 ...1ld6 S.l/jc3 ljjf6 6.e4 - see variation B. 237 Chapter 17 4 ...ttJf6 5.ltJc3 d6 (5 ....td6 6.e4 - see variation B; 5 ... a6 6.e4 d6 7.f4 - see Chapter 18) 6.e4 - see Chapter 18. It seems rather dubious for Black to opt for 4 .. .f5 5.ltJc3 ttJf6 6.g3 g6 7.ig2 d6 8.ltJh3! White's knight is headed for the weakened e6-square. 8 ... ttJa6 9.0-0 ig7 10. if4 ttJc7, Kock - Hresc, Latschach 2001. Black transfers his knight About 5 ... li:Jf6 6.ttJc3 or 5 ... a6 to c7 and covers the weakness on 6.f4 ttJf6 7.li:Jc3 - see Chapter 18. e6. Now, White maintains a clear advantage with the line: 1l.�a4+!? 5 ...ie7 6.ttJc3 id7 12.�b3 ic8 13.e4 fxe4 14. ltJg5 0-0 15.ttJgxe4± Black will have great problems with his weak pawn on d6. In the game Dreev - Volokitin, Moscow 2004, Black decided to postpone the move: 4 ... g6 5.e4 .tg7 (5 ...d6 6.ttJc3 - see 4 ...d6) 6. li:Jc3 li:Ja6 (It was preferable for Black to play 6 ...d6 transposing 6 ...a6 7.a4 if6 8.id3. White to the usual variations.), but af protects reliably the key e4-pawn. ter 7.d6!± he would have been 8 ...li:Je7 9.li:Jge2. This knight is sorry about this, since he would headed for the g3-square. 9 ...li:Jg6 hardly parry the threat ixa6, 10.ltJg3 0-0 11.0-0 li:Jd7 12.ie3 li:Jc3-d5-c7. ggb8 (12 ...gge8 13.f4 �b6 14.�d2;!:; Ersahin - Tissir, Izmir 2011) 13.f4 5.e4 �c7 14.ggcaWhite has a consid White occupies the centre. erable space advantage, while (diagram) Black's pieces are cramped. His 5 ...g6 knight on g6 is not so active as on f6, because it does not control the This is the most natural move central e4 and d5-squares, Dreev for Black. - Bozinovic,Sibenik 2009. In similar positions he cannot Black can also play immedi find a better place for his bishop ately 6 ...if6 7.id3 ttJe7 8.ltJge2 than the g7-square. o-o 9.0-0 li:lg6 10.ttJg3 gge811.f 4;!:; 238 l.d4 c52.d 5 e6 3.c4 ed 4.cd d6 5.e4 White has a powerful pawn-cen more space and later may contin tre and Black can hardly exert any ue with active actions on the pressure against it, Bertrand - queenside (;gb1, b2-b4), as well as Efimov, France20 08. on the kingside (f2-f4). Following S ... tt:le7 6.tt:lc3 tt:\g6, 6.c!i:lc3 J.g7 White should better take care prudently about his e4-pawn. 7. After 6 ...a6 7.f4!? ig7, there tt:\ge2!? ie7 8.tt:\g3 arises the variation 6 ...ig7 (It would not work for Black to play 7 ...b5 8.e5 dxeS 9.fxe5 b4 10.tt:\e4 \Wh4+, since White has the re source 11.tt:lf2±) 7.f4 White deploys his pieces anal ogously to the main line, which we will analyse in the next chap ter. It would be premature for Black to choose 8 ...ig5 , due to 9. ibS+ Wf8 (9 ...id7 10.tt:lf5±) 10. 0-0± Burmakin - Kolar, Bled 1995. 8 ... 0-0 9.id3 ih4 (9 ... a6 10. a4 if6 11.0-0 - see 5 ... ie7) 10. 0-0 ixg3 11.hxg3 tt:ld7, Pavlidis Zelcic, Rijeka 2010. White has two powerful bishops and he only needs to restrict the active possibilities of Black's cavalry. The simplest way to do that is: 7 ••.c!oe7 12.ie3 tt:lf6 13.ie2 ;ge8 14.f3 a6 15.a4 id7 16.g4;!;and Black's posi 7 ... tt:\f6 8.ib5 - see Chapter tion is solid indeed, but very pas 18. sive. Following 8 ...a6 9.a4 igS 10. It is not good for Black to de ie2 0-0 11.0-0 if4, Alonso velop his knight to the edge of the Rosell - Narciso Dublan, El Sau board: 7 ...tt:\h6 8.tt:\f3 0-0 9.id3 zal 2010, Whitemaintains a slight ig4 10.0-0;!; the knight on h6 is but stable edge with 12.tt:\h5!? misplaced, since it does not exert ixc1 13.\WxcU - he has much pressure against White's centre. 239 Chapter 17 It looks too dubious for 9 . .ie2 Black to opt for 7 ...�h4+ 8.g3 �e7 9.e5! dxeS 10.d6 �e6 11. .ih3 fS 12.lL\f3 exf4+ 13.'it>f2 fxg3+ 14. hxg3± and despite his two extra pawns Black's position is almost hopeless, because he lags consid erably in development, his king is stranded in the centre and he can hardly defend against White's threats Eie1 or tt.Jc3-b5-c7, Peralta - Reinaldo Castineira, Barcelona 2008. 9 ....ig4 After 7 ...a6, White should play 8.tt.Jf3(following 8.a4 tt.Jf6! the in Following 9 ...a6 10.a4 tt.Jd7 clusion of the moves a6 and a4 (1Q ....ig4 11.0-0 - see 9 ...�g4) prevents White from the possibil 11.0-0 fS (11 ...�c7 12 . .ie3±)Wh ite ity to play �b5+, like in the main can accomplish a pawn-break in line of the Modern Benoni). 8 ... the centre: 12.e5 dxe5 13.tt.Jg5tt.Jb6 �g4 (8 ...tt.Je7 9.a4 0-0 10.�e2 14.a5 h6, Manolache - Slovine �g4 11.0-0 - see 7 ...tt.Je7; it seems anu, Sovata 2000, 15.d6!± Black's too risky for Black to choose 8 ... defence will be very difficult be bS 9.e5! tt.Je7 10.a4 b4 11.tt.Je4dxeS cause both his knights are hang 12.fxe5 0-0 13.�c4± and White's ing and White is threatening the powerful pawn-centre is ready to rather unpleasant check from the crush Black's position, Inkiov - b3-square. Palleja, Saint Affrique 2008) 9. �e2 �xf3 (9 ...tt.Jd7 10.0-0 tt.Je7 11. After 9 ...tt.Jd7, White's most a4 0-0 12.'it>h1 - see 7 ...tt.Je 7) 10. precise move is 10.a4!?± Lan �xf3 tt.Je7 11.0-0 0-0 12.'it>h1 tt.Jd7 chava - Slingerland, Rotterdam 13.a4± - The misplaced knight on 2000 and here, it would not e7 impedes Black's active actions work fo r Black to choose 10 .. .f5 against the enemy e4-pawn, Krut 11.e5! dxeS 12.tt.Jg5±, since he ti - Lengyel, Salgotarjan 1998. cannot play tt.Jb6, because White will counter that with a4-a5. 10.0-0 a6 About 8 ... �g4 9.�e2 tt.Jd7 10. 0-0 0-0 11.'it>h1 a6 12.a4 - see About 10 ...tt.Jd7 11.'it>h1 a6 12. 8 ... 0-0. a4 - see 10 ...a6. 240 l.d4 Ci'Jj6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4.Ci'Jc3 ll.a4 transferred his knight to the cen Naturally, White should not tre of the board - 15 ...Ci'J f5 ! 16 . .if2 allow his opponent to play b7-b5. Ci'Jd4+ ll ...Ci'Jd7 12.c;t>hl 13 ... lUe8 14.h3 hf3 15. This is a very useful move. hf3;t and once again the posi White should remove his king tion is quite typical for the entire from the possible checks in the fu variation. White dominates in the ture on the a7-g1 diagonal. centre, he has more space and two bishops, while Black has prob 12 ...'iltc7 lems with his knight on e7. About 12 ....b:f3 13 . .b:f3 - see 7 ...a6. B) l ...Ci'Jf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 After 12 .. J'!:e8 13.a5 h6 14.h3 4.Ci'Jc3 .b:f3 15 . .ixf3t, there arises a standard position for this varia tion with a slight but stable ad vantage for White, Peev - M. Petrov, Plovdiv 2006. 4 ...exd5 4 ...d6 5.e4 .ie7 (5 ...exd5 6. cxd5 - see Chapter 18) 6.f4 exd5 7.cxd5 - see Chapter 18. 13.a5!? White occupies space on the 4 ... g6 5.e4 .ig7 (5 ... exd5 6. queenside. cxd5 d6 7.f4 - see Chapter 18; 5 ... d6 6 . .ie2 .ig7 7 . .ig5 0-0 8.\Wd2 - In the game Bouaziz - Larsen, see volume 2, Chapter 11, varia Sousse 1967 he played less accu tion D) 6.e5 Ci'Jg8 7.Ci'Jf3± Black's rately 13 . .ie3 Elae8 14.h3 .b:f3 15. knight has been ousted and White .b:f3 and exploiting the defence has a great advantage, Kaliberda lessness of the bishop on e3, Black - Guzenko, Peterhof 2009. 241 Chapter 17 5.cxd5 .Ad6 the unfavourable placement of This move has not been played White's king in the centre of the so often as 5 ... d6, but still, it has board. been tested by V. Gashimov, V. Epishin, S. Karjakin, N. Miesis ... It is bad for Black to play 6 ... The basic advantage of this i.c7?! due to 7.d6! and he can move, in comparison to 5 ...d6, is hardly avoid material losses. 7 ... that it has not been analysed thor i.a5 8.e5 lile4 (8 ...lilg8 9 . .ic4+ oughly, so if White is reluctant to followed by 1!Nd5) 9.1!Ng4 0-0 (9 ... enter theoretical disputes, then lilxc3 10.1!Nxg7 lile4+ 11.\t>d1 +-) Black can equalise easily. You 10 .. 1!Nxe4 lilc6 1l.lilf3+- Cheng - must treat this move quite seri Akshat,Nor th Geelong 2011. ously if you do not wish to be sur prised by it. There often arise 6 ...1!9e7 7.i. d3 quite irrational positions after it and White oftenwi ns material but falls behind considerably in de velopment. 6.e4! This is the most principled move, because White wishes to exploit with it the basic defect of Black's move 5. White willplay f2- f4 on the next move creating the threat e4-e5. 7 ...0-0. This move is too slow. 8.lilf3 i.c7 (8 ...c4 9.hc4 lilxe4 10.0-0 lilxc3 1l.bxc3± Sivic - Miezis, Nova Gorica 2010. The position is opened and Black's lag in development becomes a telling factor. Now, you can see the basic defect of the move 5 ...i.d6 - Black's bishop has been placed in front of the d7-pawn and this im pedes the development of his queenside pieces.) 9.0-0 d6, Gry ciuk - Stark, Dos Hermanas 6 ... 0-0 2004, 10.lilb5!? a6 ll.lilxc7 1!9xc7 This is Black's most popular 12.h3± White has extra space and response. He wishes to place his the two-bishop advantage. rook on the e-file as quickly as It seems stronger for Black to possible and to try to exploit play 7 ...c4 !?, but even then White 242 l.d4 11Jf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4.1:i'Jc3 ed 5.cd i.d6 6.e4 maintains the advantage, al piece, because he cannot afford though Black preserves chances to let the opponent to play e4-e5. of creating counterplay. 8.i.c2 8.1:i'Jxe4ges .ic5 9.1:i'Jf3 d6 10.h3 0-0 11.0-0:t White has a piece for a pawn, Mochalov - S.Savchenko, Kiev but his game is very difficult, be 1995. cause the pin on the e-file is very unpleasant for him. Following 6 ....ie5 , White has a 9.\We2 very promising pawn-sacrifice (eventually even two pawns) - 7.1:i'Jf3! hc3+ 8.bxc3 l:i'Jxe4 9.i.d3 l:i'Jf6, Hodysh - Schwab, Vienna 2003 (9 ...1:i'Jx c3 10.\Wb3+-) 10. \We2+ \We7 11.\Wxe7+ Wxe7 12.0-0. White's lead in development and his two powerful bishops provide him with more than sufficient compensation for the sacrificed material. Now, it would be too dangerous for Black to accept the sacrifice of the second pawn. 12 ... 9 . ..�f8 l:i'Jxd5 (It is preferable for him Black removes his bishop from to play 12 ...d6 13.!:1e1+ Wd7 14.c4 the e-file and creates the threat h6 15.i.b2�, although even then f7-f5. Black's defence will be very diffi cult.) 13.!:1e1+ Wf8 14.1:i'Jg5 h6 15. The immediate move 9 ...f5 is l:i'Jxf7 Wxf7 16.i.c4 d6 17.hd5+ worse, because after 10.1:i'Jxd6 Wf6 18.c4. White's second bishop l':1xe2+ 11.i.xe2 \Wf8 12.1:i'Jxc8\Wxc8 joins in the attack against the en 13.1:i'Jf3± White's rook and two emy king. 18 ...1:i'Jc6 19.i.b2+ l:i'Jd4 minor pieces are obviously 20J�ad1 l':if8 21.!:1xd4 cxd4 22. stronger than Black's queen, Ga hd4+ Wg6 23.!:1e7± and despite gunashvili - Sutherland, Sydney the extra exchange Black's posi 2008. tion is very difficult, because White's pieces totally dominate Following 9 ...i.c7, White should the board. better begin the immediate evac uation of his pieces away from the 7.f4 e-file. 10.Wd1 d6 (10... f5 11.d6 Now, there arise sharp compli 1'!xe412.d xc7 \Wxc7 13.\Wf2:t - His cations. minor piece is stronger than 7 •••11'Jxe4 Black's two pawns, but White Black is forced to sacrifice a must play accurately in order to 243 Chapter 17 avoid the attack against his king.) 10 .. .f5? 11.gxf5 d6 12.ih3+ 11.�f3:t Saidashev - Hempel, Hillarp Persson - Almeida Quin Email 2007. tana, Banyoles 2006. It may be interesting for Black After 10 ...lt:Ja6, White's best to try the not so well analysed response would be 11..id2±, pre line: 9 ... lt:Ja6 10.id2 �e7 (It is venting lt:Jb4. weaker for him to opt for 10 .. .f5 11.lt:Jxd6 l'!xe2+ 12.he2± and He should not be afraid of 10 ... White's rook and two minor piec b6, since he can simply give back es are obviously stronger than his dS-pawn, completing his de Black's queen and pawns, moreo velopment and removing his king ver that his queenside pieces are from the centre. 11.lt:Jh3 ib7 12. not developed, Ovsejevitsch - .ig2 hdS 13.0-0 ixe4 (13... lt:Jc6, Wagner, Ditzingen 2009.) 11. Hamad - Stupak, Beirut 2011, lt:Jxd6 �h4+ 12.g3 l'!xe2+ 13.ixe2 14.lt:Jhg5! h6 15.�d3+-, As a re �f6 14.lt:Jb5 �xb2 15.ic3 �c2 16. sult of the tactical fine point, lt:Jf3 lt:Jc7 17.lt:Jxc7 �xc3+ 18.1:!ff2 White has got rid of the pin and l'!b8 19.l'!heU Black has managed Black's two pawns will be obvi to win the b2-pawn, but White ously insufficient to compensate has completed his development in the missing piece.) 14.he4 dS, the meantime and evacuated his Fajs - Beltins, Email 2006. Now, king away from the centre. His White in his turn sacrificesa piece prospects seem preferable in the and begins a decisive onslaught: arising endgame with a rather 15.ixh7+ l:!!xh7 16.�d3+ l:!!g8 17. non-standard material ratio. lt:JgS g6 18.�h3 .ig7 19.f5 gxfS 20.�h7+ l:!!f8 21.�xf5 1-0 10.g4 Whiteprevents f7-f5. ll.ltlh3hg4 12.�xg4 �e4+ 10 ...d6 This position was reached in 244 l.d4 l'iJf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4.CiJc3 ed 5.cd il.d6 6.e4 the game Nielsen - Karjakin, Bei ficed piece. He cannot exploit the jing 2011. Here, White's simplest vulnerability of White's king, be decision would be 13. c;f;l:f2± and cause he has difficulties to bring Black does not have sufficientma into the actions his rook on a8 terial compensation for the sacri- and his minor pieces. Conclusion We have just completed the analysis of variations in the Benoni De fe nce in which Black develops his knight on e7, or plays 5 ...il.d 6. In the first case, White obtains a stable advantage mostly because Black cannot exert pressure on the e-file, since contrary to its usual position on f6, Black's knight on e7 not only does not exert any pres sure against the enemy e4-pawn, but closes the scope of action of his rook on e8. In the second case White must play very energetically in order to exploit the defects of the move 5 ...il.d6 - he must advance immediately f2 -f4 and e2-e4, creating the threat e4-e5, afterwhich Black is practi cally forced to sacrifice his knight 7 ... CiJxe4. Afterthat, there arise very complicated positions on the board, but still White's material advan tage guarantees his better chances. 245 Chapter 18 l.d4 �f6 2.c 4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.�c 3 exd5 5.c xd5 d6 ity. It would be fair to say however that the fans of Modern Benoni do not strive to equalise, but wish instead to obtain a double-edged position even if it is worse. Black wishes to confuse and to outplay his opponent in tactical complica tions. This opening has been a part of the opening repertoire of such masters of combinational play like G. Kasparov, M. Tal, V. We begin the analysis of the Topalov ... main line for Black in the Modern 6.e4 Benoni. It was suggested by F. White occupies the centre with Marshall in the year 1927 and his pawns. since then became the main varia tion of this opening. Now, contra ry to the classical Benoni, Black is trying to play actively starting from the firstmov es. This is easily understandable because there are strategical defects in his position - his weak d6-pawn and White's pawn majority in the centre. Black connects his plan with pressure on the semi-open e-file, the activ ity of his dark-squared bishop on the long diagonal and the advance 6 ...g6 of his pawn-majority on the This is Black's main line, be queenside. Still, all this proves to cause he cannot find a better be insufficientto maintain equal- square for his bishop than g7. 246 l.d4 tt:Jf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4.tt:Jc3 ed S.cd d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Still, he has tried in practice Following 7 ....ig4 , White has a the less active move 6 ....ie7. Here, very unpleasant check 8.�a4+! Black's bishop is placed obviously tt:Jfd79. g3± Black's defence is very worse, because it impedes the difficult and after the careless possible pressure of his rook move 9 ....ie7? 10.h3 .ihS 11.g4+ against the enemy e4-pawn. 7.f4 he lost his bishop and the game, 0-0 8 . .ie2 �e8 9.tt:Jf3 .if8 10.'�c2 Mecking - Rodriguez Vila, Cam tt:Jbd7 11.0-0 a6 12.a4 g6. Black pinas 2011. thus accepts that his move 6 was a 7 ...�e7 8.tt:Jf3 .ig4 9 . .ie2tt:Jb d7 mistake. 13 . .id2 .ig7 14.�ae1 �b8 10.0-0, Flear - Giffard, Paris 15.\t>hl± Mroczek - Grochowski, 1988. Black can hardly fighteffec Email 2010. Black has lost two tively against his opponent's cen tempi for manoeuvres of his bish tre, because he lags considerably op and has enabled his opponent in development. After 10 ...tt:Jx e4 to complete his development. 11.�e1! 0-0-0 12.h3 hf3 13 . .ixf3 Now, Black can hardly exert any fS 14.tt:Jxe4 fxe4 15.�xe4 �f7 16. pressure against his opponent's .id2± White's bishops became centre. In addition, he must be tremendously powerful. Black constantly on the alert about the must be constantly on the alert possible pawn-break e4-e5. about the possibilities .id2-a5 and .if3-g4-e6. It is also bad for Black to 7 ..:� c7 8.tt:Jf3 ig4 9 . .ie2 .ixf3 choose 6 ...a6 7.f4! Now, there aris 10.hf3 g6 11.0-0 tt:Jfd7 12.�e1 f6 es a position similar to the main 13 . .ig4± with an overwhelming variation, except that he has played advantage for White, E. L'Ami - the not so usefulmove a7-a6. Saligo, Maastricht 2007. 7.f4!? Black should better avoid 7 ... bS, because after8.e 5± he cannot play 8 ...b4? due to the loss of a piece. 9.exf6 bxc3 10.'�e2+ lt>d7 11.fxg7 1-0 Lalic - Laurent, Metz This is the most unpleasant 2007. plan for Black. He must watch 247 Chapter 18 now at any moment about the It is not preferable fo r Black to possible pawn-break in the centre choose 7 ...�e7 8.tt:lf3 �g7 (8 ... e4-e5. About the strength of the tt:lxe4?? 9.�a4+-; 8 ...i.g4 9.�e2 system with 7.f4 you can judge by tt:lbd7 lO.eS! White begins active the fact that many fans of the operations. lO ...dxeS ll.tt:lbS �d8 Benoni Defence prefer to enter 12.d6± lsigkeit - Welti, Email this opening via the following 2006) 9.i.b5+ tt:lfd7 10.0-0 0-0 move-order: l.d4 tt:lf62.c 4 e6 and 11.Eie1 a6 12.�fl bS 13.e5 ! dxeS only after 3.tt:lf3 or 3.g3 - 3 ...c5, 14.d6 �d8 15.fxe5± and White has avoiding this variation. squeezed his opponent's pieces by 7 •••fi.g 7 advancing his central pawns, Gar This is the best move for Black. za - Glavina, Aragon 2007. After 7 ...a6 8.e5±, White at 8.fi.b5+ tacks immediately his opponent's knight in the centre. It is bad for Black to opt for 7 ... tt:lbd7, because after 8.tt:lf3, he is incapable of preventing e4-e5. 8 ... �g7 9.e5 dxeS 10.fxe5 tt:lg4 ll.e6± Geller - Kondratiev, Leningrad 1959. After 7 ... tt:lfd7 8.tt:lf3 a6 9.a4 �g7 10.�d3 0-0 11.0-0± there arises a position from the main White provokes disharmony variation, but with an extra tempo in his opponent's camp with this for White, because his bishop has check. If Black interposes withhis come to the d3-square in one bishop A) 8 ....!d7 or plays B) move and not in two. 8 ... ttJbd7, then he will deprive his knight on f6 of a square for re It is also bad for Black to treat and will enable White to choose 7 ...�g4 8.�b3 �e7, Nemet break in the centre e4-e5. There - Komljenovic, Zuerich 1989. fo re, it is considered most reliable Here, White could have accom for Black to continue with C) 8 ... plished a pawn-break in the cen ttJfd7, but with this move his tre with: 9.e5! dxeS 10.d6 �d7 knight retreats from its active po 11.�b5 tt:lc612 .fxe5±and his pow sition. erful pawns e5+d6 guarantee his The move 8.�b5 was the main overwhelming positional advan weapon of G. Kasparov and this tage. was a definite proof of quality. It 248 l.d4 ti:Jf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4.tiJc3 ed 5.cd d6 6.e4 g6 7f 4 1J.g78 .1J.b5+ has also been used by E. Bareev, Following 9 ...1!9e7, Black has L. van Wely, N. Vitiugov, D. Yako great problems to obtain a defen venko and many other grandmas sible position. 10.' A) 8 .••.td7 tt:Jxd6+- followed by 1!9e4, Koma This is not the best move for rov - Levers, Bethune 1993.) 11. Black. d6 ' 10.fxe5 tL!h5 10 ...' 9 ••.dxe5 Cortijo - Alfageme, Valladolid 1992. Black can also retreat immedi ately withhis knight to the edge of ll.tL!f3 0-0 the board. 9 ... ti:Jh5 10.ti:Jf3 0-0 (10 ... dxe5 11.fxe5 - see 9 ... dxe5) ll ...ixb5 12.ti:Jxb5± ll ..bd7 1!9xd7 12.0-0 ti:Ja613. ti:Je4 dxe5 14.fxe5 Elae8 15.Eie1! Mar 12.hd7 tL!xd7 ques - Del Bosco, Sao Paulo 1997. Black's defence does not be He can hardly counter now the come easier after 12 ...1!9xd7 13. powerfulcentralization of White's 0-0 ti:Ja6 14.1!9a4! 1!9xa4 15.ti:Jxa4 pieces. Maybe Black should better f5 , Skembris - Alexakis, Greece give up the exchange immediately 1981, 16.d6± and although he has 15 ...1J.xe5 16.ti:Jxe5 Elxe5 17.ti:Jf6+ succeeded in avoiding the loss of a tt:Jxf6 18.Eixe5±, but even then, piece, Black is practically helpless due to the open character of the against White's two connected position, White's rook will be ob passed pawns. viously stronger than Black's knight and pawns. 13.g4 249 Chapter 18 9.e5 dxe5 10.fxe5 tL!h5 11. e6 YlYh4+ Black loses his knight, but ob tains counterplay. It is obviously weaker for him to opt for ll ...fxe6 12.dxe6 0-0 13.tLlf3! White defends against YlYh4. 13 ....id4 (13 .. J'!xf3 14. Wxf3+-) 14.exd7 .ixd7 15 . .ig5 WeB+ 16 . .ie2+- Simoncini - Ca- Black's unfortunate knight ruso, carr. 1989. perishes at the edge of the board. 13 •..tL!xe5 14.gxh5 tL!xf3+ 15.Wxf3 geS+ 16.�dl ges 17. h6± - He does not have sufficient compensation for the piece, but White still needs to play accurate ly because his king is in the centre of the board, Dobosz - Iglesias, France 2010. B) 8 ..• tL!bd7 12.g3! Now, there arises by force an endgame which is better for White and it is with a non-standard ma terial ratio. White does not need to enter the complications after 12. �d2, because after that Black's threats become very dangerous. For example: 12 .. .fxe6 13.dxe6 0-0 14. exd7 .ixd7 15 . .ixd7 gf2+! This move does not equalise 16.tLlge2 l'!d8 17.Wb3+ c4! 18.Wb5 fo r Black, but it leads to very �h8+ and White's king is under complicated positions in which the attack of the enemy pieces White must demonstrate excel in the centre of the board, J. lent knowledge of forced varia Ivanov - Cheparinov, Seville tions. 2004. 250 l.d4 0Jf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4.0Jc3 ed 5.cd d6 6.e4 g6 7:f4 f;.g7B .fi.b5+ 12 ...lL!x g3 13.hxg3 ti'xhl numerous but perfectly coordi 14 . .ie3 nated. White defends his knight on e1 and is preparing to castle queen It seems too risky for Black to side. play 14 ...0-0, since he sacrifices too much material with that. 15. exd7 fi.xd7 16.fi.xd7 �fe8 17.. be8 �xeS 18.�e2! This is the most precise move for White. 18... fi.d4 (Black's most resilient defence here is 18 ...fi.h6, but even then af ter 19.\!ifl �xe3 20.�g2 �xg2+ 2l.l!ixg2 fi.g7 22.�dl± he has no compensation for the sacrificed material.) 19.0-0-0 �xe3 20.�d2 �h5 21.0Jge2+- Draba - Zorzop ulos, Email 2000. 14 ....b:c3 + This is Black's most resilient 15.bxc3 a6 defence. This is the most accurate move for Black. It is worse for him to opt for 14 .. .'�g2due to 15.exd7+ .bd7 16. It is not so good for him to fi.xd7+ l!ixd7 17.�a4+! White re continue with 15 ...�e4 because of moves his queen with tempo. 17... 16.exd7+ ! fi.xd7 17.�d3 �xd3 18. \!idS(17 ... \!icS 18. 0-0-0± Hentze fi.xd3. There has arisen a similar - Manuel, Email 2006) 18.0-0-0. endgame like in the main varia He has ensured the safety of his tion (White has two pieces for a monarch and now begins a deci rook and two pawns.), but White sive attack against the enemy has succeeded in preserving both king. 18 ...fi.xc3 19.bxc3 �xg3 20. his bishops, which are perfectly �d3 �d6 21.0Jf3. White brings his coordinated. 18 ...b6 19.fi.g5 0-0 last reserves into the battle. 21...f6 (19 ...f 6. Black sacrifices a pawn, 22.0Jd2b6 23.0Je4�d7 (23 ...�e5 but fails to activate his rook any 24.d6+-) 24.�a6 �e7 25.0Jxf6 way. 20.fi.xf6 0-0 2l.fi.e7 �feB �xf6 26.�b7 1-0 Soucha - Hla 22.d6± Gazi - Nichols, Email vac, ICCF 2005. Black had an ex 2010.) 20.fi.f6 �feB+ 2l.l!if2 b5 tra exchange and two pawns, but 22.0Jf3 �ab8 23.0Je5 fi.h3 24. had to resign, because he was in 0Jc6± White's minor pieces are capable of coordinating his pieces very active and his passed pawn is and offering resistance against close to the square of promotion, White's forces, which were not so Sage - Simeonov, Email 2011. 251 Chapter 18 16.exd7+ hd7 17.hd7+ 'i!tcB 28.tt:lxc5 !U3+ 29.'i!?d4± Rain �xd7 - Flude, Email 2011. It is worth noticing the perfect coordination of White's king, his two minor pieces and his passed pawn. 21.�f2 Here, contrary to Ei:ae8, the move 2l.'i!?d2 is not so effective, because Black can play 2l...c4, followed by Ei:ad8,or ganizing cer tain counterplay. 18.Yfg4+ 21••• ge4 It is advantageous for White to provoke t7-f5, because in many 2l...c4?! 22.if4 Ei:e423.tt:ld2 + variations he will manage to oc- Chueca Forcen - Schuermans, cupy the weakened eS-square Calvia 2010. withhis knight. 22.hc5 18 .•.f5 19.�f3�x£3 20. tt:lxf3 There has arisen a transition to an endgame and although there are numerous situations in which a rook and two pawns (and some times even with one ...) fightquite successfullywith two minor piec es, but here Black will need to fight long and hard for a draw. White's pieces are perfectly coor dinated. He must avoid the ex change of the rooks in the oncom ing fight, since after that the ac 22 •••gcs tivity of his pieces would not be so Black ousts the enemy bishop, effective. since it impeded his king to come closer to the dS-pawn. 20••• ghe8 After 22... Ei:ae8 , the activity of 20 ...gae 8?! 2l.'i!?d2 ge4 22.if4 Black's rooks is harmless for Ei:he8 23.tt:lg5 !l:e2+ 24.'i!?d3 hS White. 23.tt:lg5 Ei:e2+ 24.'i!?f3 gc2 25.a4 gel 26.!l:a2!? Ei:fl 27.tt:le6 (24... E:d2 25.tt:lxh7! Now, White's 252 J.d4 liJf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4.liJc3 ed 5.cd d6 6.e4 g6 7j4 �g7 8.�b5+ knight comes to f6 or to f8 captur b4-square, where Black may send ing the enemy pawn in the pro his knight along the route b8-a6- cess. 25 .. .l==1 d3+ 26.f2± Hous b4 and prevents \Wh4, which ieaux - Vuilleumier, France would lead to a situation in which 2009) 25.�b4 h6 26.liJh7 l':lee2 afterg2 -g3 and 0-0, White's king 27.liJf8+ d8 28.liJxg6 b6 29.liJf4 willnot be so well protected by his l':lf2+ 30.e3 aS 31.�f8 l':lxa2 pawns. Well, now Black has at his 32.1':le1! We have already men disposal a plan with an immediate tioned that White should better pawn-advance on the queenside avoid the trade of the rooks. 32 ... with a7-a6 and b7-b5. a4 33.d4 a3 34.c4 l':lf3 35.�b4 l':lxg3 36.liJe6± Once again White has succeeded in coordinating his pieces and despite the fact that Black also had a passed pawn in the game Summerscale - Snape, Coulsdon 2010, White managed to promote his passed d-pawn faster. 23 • .i.d4 d6 24,gd1 xd5 25.liJg5 geeS 26.lbxb7;!; White has succeeded in regaining one of We will analyse it in the varia his pawns and in the subsequent tion with C2) 9 ... a6, but before fight proved that his knight and that we will deal with C1) 9 ... bishop are stronger than Black's 0-0. rook and pawns, Schoen - Blokh, carr. 1995. About 9 ... liJa6 10.0-0 liJc7 11. �d3 0-0 12.h1 - see variation C1b. C) 8 ...�fd7 This is Black's main line. Now, it will not be so easy for White to provoke an immediate conflict C1) 9 ... 0-0 with the move e4-e5. This is not Black's most ener 9.�f3!? getic move, but it is very good. He This is an interesting move, refrains from occupying addition which is not the most popular. It al space on the queenside. has been tried by A. Dreev, V. Mi 10.0-0 lov, N. Vitiugov ... Now, Black must choose be Now, contrary to the main line tween C1a) 10 ...a6 or C1b) 10 ... 9.a4, White does not weaken the �a6. 253 Chapter 18 It is bad for him to play 10... tt:lf6?! because of ll.eS± It is quite dubious for Black to opt for lO .. .fS?!, because that leads to the weakening of the e6- square. ll.exfS !'1xf5 12.id3 !'1f8 13.tt:lg5± The attempt to capture a pawn 10 ...\WaS would not end well fo r Black at all. ll.ie2!? ixc3 12.bxc3 ous. Now, he has a choice again \Wxc3 13.!'1bl� (followed by ib2) between: Clal) ll . ..tt:lf6 or - he will pay very dearly for the Cla2) 11••• '1Wc7. weakening of the dark squares. About ll ...bS 12.'t!lhl or 11 ... Black should better avoid 10 ... !'1e8 12.'t!lhl!? b5 13.a3 - see varia ttJb6, Georgescu - Ardelean, tion C2. Mamaia 2013, ll.a4!? ig4 12.h3 ixf3 13.\Wxf3 a6 14.id3;t - his knight is misplaced on the b6- Clal) ll. . . .!ilf6 square. Now, White can advance It is easy to see that with this a4-a5 with tempo. move Black loses in fact a tempo. White's bishop has come to d3 in After 10... !'1e8, White's most two moves, while Black's knight precise reaction would be ll.'t!lhl has come to f6 in three moves. and following ll...a6 12.id3 bS Still, it is not easy at all for White 13.a3, there arise positions from to obtain a considerable advantage. the variation with 9 ...a6. 12.a4 Cla) 10 ...a6 Now, we will analyse varia tions in which Black plays early a7-a6, but refrains from the im mediate move b7-b5. ll.id3 (diagram) Here, White's bishop is placed more reliably and protects the e4- pawn. Black's counterplay, con nected with c5-c4 is not danger- This is the simplest move for 254 l.d4 l:iJf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4.CiJc3 ed 5.cd d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 fJ.g7B .fJ.b5+ White, because he is dominant in moment, Stone - Findlay, Toron the centre and has much more to 1985. space and can squeeze Black even more on the queenside with the 13.h3 h£J 14.\Wxf3 �bd7 move a4-a5. 15.a5 12 ...i.g4 Black lacks space and the ex change of a couple of minor pieces would be in his favour. In addi tion, after the disappearance of the knight on f3, it will be much more difficult for White to ad vance e4-e5. It is not so accurate for Black to play 12 .. J::1e8, because after 13.h3!? the move fJ.g4 will be al ready impossible and later, Now, Black's attempts to or Black's pieces will obviously lack ganize counterplay on the queen space. 13 ...CiJb d7 (13 ...c4 14.fJ.c2 side with the move b7-b5 would CiJbd7 15.fJ.e3 Wffc7 16.fJ.d4 CiJc5 lead after axb6 to the appearance 17.1"\e1fJ.d7 18.Wffd2± White is per of a weakness on a6. fectly prepared for e4-e5, Shere shevski - Sarbay, Minsk 1980) 15 ...b5 14J::Ie1 Wffc7 15.fJ.c4. We will en Still, Black must play this counter this resource numerous move!. more times. White prevents c5-c4 and is threatening at an oppor Slowing down of the active ac tune moment to play e4-e5 and tions on the queenside will not after dxe5 - d5-d6, breaking end well for Black. For example: through in the centre. 15 ...fJ.f8 15 ...1::1 e8 16.fJ.e3 1::1c8 17.fJ.c2h6 18. (15 ...b5 16.axb5 CiJb6 17.fJ.fl± 1::1fd1 Wffc7 19.fJ.f2 1::1b8 20.1::1a2 lt>h7 Black does not have compensa and here, White obtains a great tion for the sacrificedpawn , Kur positional advantage with the piewski - Brewczynski, Mazowsze transfer of his knight to the c4- 2010) 16.b3 b6 17J::Ia2. White is square. 21.CiJb1 1t>g8 22.CiJd2±Ma preparing the transfer of his rook lysh - Leshchyshak, Email 2011. to the e2-square. 17... fJ.b7 18. 1::1ae2± Black has no counterplay 15 ... Wffc7 16.fJ.c4. White pre at all and must only wait for the vents c5-c4. 16 ...h6 (16 ...1::1 fe 8 17. moment White will break through lt>h2! ?;t;) 17.fJ.d2 1::1fe 8, Edelsvard in the centre at the best possible - Malmdin, Sweden 1969, 18. 255 Chapter 18 Wh2!?± - He removes prudently Cla2) ll ...�c7 his king away from the gl-a7 di He is preparing the pawn-ad agonal. In the arising complicated vance c5-c4. middle game, White's prospects 12.a4 seem preferable due to his advan tage in the centre and the two powerful bishops. Black has reli able control over the eS-square and it will not be easy for Whiteto break his opponent's defence. 16.axb6 �xb6 17.Wh2 lLlc8 12... c4 This is the logical continuation of Black's plan. It is not so good for him to play 12 ...'2lf6, Turova - Zimina, St Pe tersburg 2000, because of the al ready well familiar motive 13. This position was reached in �c4!, for example, 13 ... �g4 14.e5± the game Gibney - Dubuc, Email White has accomplished a break 2005. Black's pawns on a6 and d6 through in the centre. Black's at are weak, but he still has good tempt to win a pawn would not counterplay thanks to the active work after 14 ...�xf 3?! 15.l'i:xf3! position of the bishop on g7 and dxeS 16.d6+- White's weak b2-pawn. With his last move, Black has created the After 12 ... b6 it is again very threat to transfer his knight to the strong for White to play 13.�c4!± bS-square (lLle8-c7-b5) and even tually to d4. Now, White should Following 12 ...l'i:e8, it seems continue with 18.i.c4 lLlc7 19. very good for White to play the �d3;!;and he has prevents Black's prophylactic move 13.�b3. possibility lLlbS. Later, White will (diagram) play l'i:a2 and b2-b3, with which 13 ...c4 !? This is the only way he will neutralise the pressure of for Black to create active counter Black's bishop on the long diago play even at the price of a pawn. nal. 14.�xc4 �xc4 15.hc4 '2lc5 16.e5t 256 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4.CiJc3 ed 5.cd d6 6.e4 g6 7f 4 fJ.g7 8.il.b5+ (following 15... fJ.f8 , White can simply capture on c4: 16.'119e2 fJ.g4 17.\19xc4± - remaining with an ex tra pawn and a very good position, Porat - Z.Mamedjarova, Porto Carras 2011) 16.CfJd2! Once again the weakness of the c4-pawn leads to Black's demise. 16 ...CiJd3 17.fJ.xd3cxd3 18.'119f3CiJd7 19.'119xd3± He has some initiative, but it is in sufficientto compensate the miss 14.ie3 ig4 15.id4 ixf3 ing pawn. 16.gxf3 ttlbd7 The alternatives are very bad Black completes the develop for Black, for example: 13 ...CiJf6 ment of his pieces. 14.e5 dxeS 15.fxe5± Mecking - Goncalves, Campinas 2011, or It seems less precise for him 13 ... b6 14.fJ.c4! fJ.xc3 15.\19xc3 �xe4, to opt for 16 ....bd4+ 17.\19xd4 Yuneev - Bakalarz, Miedzybro \19b6 (it is preferable for Black to dzie 1991, 16.b3+- (followed by choose 17... CiJbd7 18.\19xc4 - see fJ.b2) and White's attack is decisive. 16 ...CiJb d7) 18.CiJe2!? CiJbd7 19.�c3 �ae8 20.�xc4± Krueger - Herzog, 13.ic2 Internet 2003. 17.hg7 �xg7 18.'119d4+ 13 ..•ttlc5 Black is preparing fJ.g4. 18 •••f6 It is worse for him to opt for 13 ...�e8 14.fJ.e3 CiJcS 15.fJ.d4. 18 ...�g8 19.Wxc4 \19b6. Black Whitewi shes to exchange Black's is tryingto create counterplay on active bishop. 15 ...fJ.h 6, Ovod - the dark squares (19 ...b5 ?! 20. Gritsayeva, St Petersburg 2009 Wd4±) 20.l''lf2 :!l:ac8 21.:1'l:bl tLlf6 257 Chapter 18 22.'\!�fd4 lt:Jg4 23.Eid2 lt:Jd724. '�'xb6 Black is preparing the transfer lt:Jxb6, Basin - Kapengut, Minsk of his knight to the c7-square, 1985. White has succeeded in solving in the process the prob neutralising Bl ack's activity and lem with the development of his has all the chances of realising his knight on b8, because its usual extra pawn in the forthcoming d7-square has been occupied by endgame. Here, White's most his other knight. precise move would be 25 . .!b3±, ll.<;f.>ht!? preventing lt:Jc4. This is a thematic move for White. He must remove immedi 19.�xc4 �b6 20.gf2 gac8 ately his king away from the g1-a7 21.�d4 (2l.Eib1! ?:t) 21 .•. �xb2 diagonal. 22.gbl lt:Jb3, Bermudez Vives - Gonzalez Bernal, Costa Rica 1997. ll ...lt:Jc 7 12 • .id3 This tactical resource is the only way for Black to defend effective ly. Now, White's most precise re action is 23.�a7! �xbl+ 24. hbl lt:Jbc5. Black was basing his hopes on this move, since White's queen would not manage to run away from the a7-square. 25.gb2 gas 26.gxb7 gxa7 27.gxa7;!; Now, White can try for long to re alise his extra pawn in this end game, although Black's counter play (Eib8-b2) should not be un t2 •••gbs derestimated. Black is preparing b7-b5. It is worse for him to opt for Clb) lO •• .tL1a6 12 ...lt:Jf 6, in view of 13.f5!? This pawn-break, together 258 l.d4 4:Jj6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4.4:Jc3 ed S.cd d6 6.e4 g6 7j4 il.g7B .il.b5+ with e4-e5, is one of the basic 13.a4 a6 strategical resources for White in It is bad fo r Black to play here this variation. He is preparing the 13 ...4:Jf 6, because of the already development of his bishop to gS familiar motive 14.�c4! a6 15.e5 or f4 . Naturally, this line includes 4:Jfe8, Sliwa - Forintos, Tel Aviv certain risk and this is the weak 1964, 16.a5± and his pieces are ening of the eS-square, so it is terribly squeezed. usually played when Black cannot exploit the eS-outpost. 13 ...b5, Mellano - Giaccio, Buenos Aires 1992 (It would be too precarious for Black to try 13... gxf5 14.ig5� and White has powerful initiative for the sacrificed pawn) 14.fxg6 fxg6 15.e5 dxeS 16.d6. He has bro ken through in the centre and Black can hardly manage to coor dinate his pieces. 16 ...4:Jce8 17. ie3 c4 18.ie4 4:Jxe419 .\WdS+ �h8 20.\WxaB± - His compensation 14.f5! for the exchange is insufficient. This is the beginning of active actions. White wishes to play igS The move 12 ...a6 oftenleads to and either to exchange the dark transposition of moves: 13.a4 b6 squared bishops after ig7-f6, or (Black's best here is 13 ...Eib8 14.f5 to provoke f7-f6. - see 12 ...E1b8 .) 14.f5 'LJeS (14 ... E1e8 15.ig5 if6 16.ixf6 \Wxf6 17. 14 ...b5 '1Wd2± Temirbaev - Agapov, USSR It is understandable that Black 1986. The exchange of the dark is trying to organize counterplay squared bishops has led to the on the queenside. compromising of Black's king po sition. He can hardly parry the After 14 ...4:Je5, Likavsky - Ma threats: \Wh6, 'LJgS followed by slik, Slovakia 2010, the simplest fxg6.). 15.ig5 f6 . This move weak line fo r White would be 15.4:Jxe5 ens the e6-square and reduces the ixeS 16.if4!? ixf4 17J'l:xf4;t and mobility of the bishop on g7. here, he may either triple his ma 16.4:Jxe5 dxe5 17.ie3± - The bish jor pieces on the f-file, or transfer op on g7 is passive and in view of his queen to h6, followed by f5-f6 the threats b2-b4, a4-a5, Black or E1h4. Black cannot exploit the fails to transfer his knight to the weakening of the eS-square, since blocking d6-square, Milov - Su his knight on c7 can hardly go lic, Mainz 2004. there. 259 Chapter 18 15.axb5 ltle2 fxe4 (It is possible that Black's best move here is 19 ... lt:le5, although even then after 20.lt:lxf5 ixf5 2l.E1xf5± White re gains his pawn and maintains the advantage thanks to the weakness on f6 and Black's misplaced bish op on g7.) 20.ixe4� followed by lt:lg3(ltlf4) and lt:lh5. White's at tack is running effortlessly. It seems more solid for Black to choose 17... lt:le5 18.lt:lxe5 fxe5 19.'1Wd2 b4 20.ltle2± Balashov - 15 ...c!l:lx b5 Shmatkov, Moscow 2010, but even then White has excellent 15 ...axb5 16.ig5 f6 (It does not chances of exploiting his pawn seem so reliable for Black to play majority on the queenside. Black's 16 ...if6 17.ixf6 lt:lxf6, Rawlings extra pawn on the other side of H.lvanov, Chessfriend.com 2005. the board is practically irrelevant, Now, White can begin an offen since he can hardly advance c5- sive against the enemy king: 18. c4. '!Well? b4 19.ltldl gxf5 20.ltle3 ! White's pieces are very active, 16 . .tg5 while Black's king shelter has been weakened. His attempt to win a piece would not work: 20.. .f xe4? 21.'1Wg3+ 'it>h8 22.ltlg5 exd3 23. '\Wh4 lt:lce8 24.E1xf6 ltlxf6 25.E1fl E1a8 26.E1xf6 E1al+ 27.ltlfl +-) 17.ie3 16... f6 Black has a very good alterna tive here - 16 ...if6 17.lt:lxb5 axb5 Now, it would be too risky for 18.'1Wd2 c4 19.ic2 b4 (19 ...ixg5 Black to accept the pawn-sacrifice 20.ltlxg5 ltle5, Kratz - Meyer, 17. . . gxf5 due to 18.lt:lh4! b4 19. Email 2007, 21.tt:lf3 !?± White not 260 l.d4 l1:Jf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4. l1:Jc3 ed S.cd d6 6.e4 g6 7f 4 1J.g7 B. iJ.b5+ only exchanges his opponent's cated battle, because the pawns powerful knight, but also pre- on a6 and d6 are weak in Black's pares \Wh6.) 20.1J.xf6 \Wxf6 21.l1:Jd4 camp and his bishop on g7 is mis gS 22.l1:Jc6;!; White's knight on c6 placed. In addition, White can ex is very powerful and Black's ploit the vulnerability of the e6- pawns on c4 and b4 are excellent square (l1:Jc3-e2-f4-e6). targets for attack, Zaichik - Ta- borov, Tallinn 1976. C2) 9 . ..a6 After 16 ...\Wc7, White's sim plest reaction would be 17.\Wd2!?;!; followed by �h6. Following 16 ...l1:Jx c3 17.bxc3 \Wc7 18.\Wd2 l'l:a8 19.�h6± White does not have a weakness on b2 any more and can attack on the kingside without any risk at all. 17. .tf4 l1:Je5 It is worse for Black to choose This is the most logical plan 17... \We7 because of 18.fxg6 hxg6 for Black. If White does not pre 19.l1:Jh4± Vedrunes - Milgram, vent the move b7-b5, then Black France 1992. should better occupy immediately space on the queenside. 18.h3;tSpas sky - Savon, Mos cow 1971. 10 . .id3b5 About 10 ... 0-0 11.0-0 - see variation Cla. 11.0-0 0-0 12.'it>hl Now, just like in variation Cl, White removes his king away from the dangerous diagonal. (diagram) 12 ...ges This is the most popular move for Black. He occupies the semi White's prospects seem pref open file with his rook and does erable in the oncoming compli- not reveal yet his future plans. 261 Chapter 18 Following 12 ...b4 13.tt:'la4, it will be very difficult for Black to advance in the future c5-c4. About 12 ...�b7 13.�e3 Vfffc7 14. El:cl - see 12 ... Vfffc7. 13 ...f5 14.exf5 gxf5, Wieden 12 ...Vfff c7, Zheleznaykov - Myl keller - lngbrandt, Norrkoeping nikov, St Petersburg 2012, 13.�e3 1988, 15.tt:lg5± �b7 14.El:c1c4 15.�c2 tt:lc5 16.�d4± After ...13 EJ:e8, Koerholz - Ra White has occupied firmlythe d4- gozin, Germany 1993, White can square and is threatening the follow with the energetic break pawn-advance e4-e5. through in the centre. 14.e5! dxe5 15.�c4 exf4 16.d6� and he will After 12 .. J'l:a7, he maintains capture on f4 on his next move an edge transferring his bishop and his active pieces and the along the route c1-e3-f2 and even powerful passed d6-pawn will tually �f2-h4. 13.�e3 EJ:e8 14.�f2;l; be more than sufficient to com Happel - Pigusov, Reykjavik pensate his minimal material def 1994. icit. 13 ...tt:'lb6 14.tt:Jxb6 Vfffxb6 15. It is not good for Black to play tt:'ld2 Vfffd8 16.tt:'lc4± Milov - Uritz 12 ...tt:'lf 6, because White can fol ky, Israel 1994. Now, you can see low with 13.e5! dxe5 14.fxe5 tt:lg4 the defects of Black's move 12. (Unfortunately fo r Black, he can White has complete control over not play 14 ...tt:lx d5 due to 15.�e4 the c4-square and this nullifies tt:Jxc3 16.Vfffxd8 EJ:xd8 17.�xa8± completely Black's pawn-majority and his compensation for the ex on the queenside. change is evidently insufficient.) 15.�g5± White's pieces are very active and this, in combination If he wishes to realise an im with the pawn-tandem e5+d5, mediate offensive on the queen provides him with long lasting side, Black should begin with the initiative, Matisson - Decallonne, move 12 ...c4. After13.� c2, he has France 1987. a choice. 262 l.d4 li'Jf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4.li'Jc3 ed S.cd d6 6.e4 g6 7j4 §J.g7 B.�b5+ After 14 ...li'Jf6 15 . .ie3 Ci'Jbd7 Iotov - Racherbaeumer, Bad Wo� erishofen 2009, White can begin immediate active actions against Black's weak c4-pawn: 16.Ci'Jd2!?t 14 ...li'Jb6 15.f5. This is a the matic move. Now, it is particular ly strong, because with his previ ous move Black has weakened his Following 13 ...Ci'Jc5, White control over the e5-square. 15 ... should occupy immediately the Ci'Jxa4 16 ..ba4 gxf5 17.exf5 .bf5, d4-square with his pieces. 14.ie3 Iotov - Lupulescu, Albena 2010, Ci'Jbd7 (14 ...'\Wc7 15 . .id4±) 15.id4 18.Ci'Je5! ie4 (It is even worse for f6 16.b4 cxb3 17.axb3t Heberla - Black to opt for 18 ...he5 19.�xf5± Szoen, Polanica Zdroj 2008. and his king's position has been White has exchanged the enemy weakened, so White has excellent c4-pawn and reduced considera attacking chances. In addition, he bly his opponent's queenside ac can regain his sacrificed pawn in tivity. In the forthcoming fight, many variations with the move Black will have great problems to '\Wg4xc4, preservingall the advan protect the numerous weaknesses tages of his position.) 19.Ci'Jxc4t of his position and particularly White has regained his pawn and the c6 and e6-squares, where thanks to his superior pawn White's knight may try to go. structure preserves a slight but 13 ...b4. Black ousts immedi stable edge. ately White's knight. 14.li'Ja4 There arises a complicated but favourable position for White af ter 12 ...Ci'Jb6 13.f 5 After14 ... a5, Rafayevych - Lub be, Wismar 2009, White should better continue with 15 . .ie3t fol lowed by .id4. Black's queenside Following 13 ...b4, White pawn-structure is much rather a should better retreat with his liability than strength. knight to the edge of the board 263 Chapter 18 14.tt:la4!?;!;,because from there he 14 ...'We8 15.'Wd2 f6 16 . .if4± can exchange it for the enemy Black has succeeded in fo rtifying knight on b6 (It is worse for White his position in the centre and on to play 14.tt:le2,because there, the the kingside, but has paid a high knight will be very passive and price for that. His bishop on g7 is will be much weaker than its passive and his e6-square is very counterpart on b6.). 14 ...tt:J8 d7 15. weak, Chueca Forcen - Juan Mas, igS if6 16.tt:Jxb6 tt:Jxb6 17.'Wd2 Calvia 2011. ixgS 18.tt:Jxg5. White's pieces ex It is not preferable for Black to ert powerful pressure on the king choose 14 ...'Wc7 15.'Wd2 b4 16. side, while Black can hardly ex tt:ld1!Th is is the right move! White ploit the weakness of the eS plans later to bring his knight into square. 18 ...h6 19.tt:lh3 <;!;>h7, Car the attack against the enemy king doso Garcia - Amila, Email 2003. with the manoeuvre tt:ld1-e3-g4. With his move 18, Black has bro 16 ...a5 17.i.h6 tt:Jf6 18.'\&gS tt:Jbd7 ken a well familiar rule in chess 19.tt:le3± - The concentration of "Do not advance pawns where White's pieces on the kingside is you are weaker!" and here, White threatening, Alekseev - Morozov, could have obtained a decisive ad corr. 1985. vantage with a piece-sacrifice. 20. 14 .. .f6. This move leads to a tt:Jf4! gS 21.tt:le6! fxe6 22.fxe6 1'!a7 passive position for Black. 15.ie3 23.1'!xf8 'Wxf8 24.e5+ <;!;>g7 25.1'!f1 tt:JeS 16.tt:Jxe5 fxeS 17.'Wd2 b4 18. 'WeB 26.exd6. White's central tt:ld1 gxfS 19.exf5 ib7, Szabo - pawns are so powerful that Black Borocz, Balatonbereny 1996. has nothing better than to give Now, White can seize the initia back the piece after which White tive with a temporary pawn-sacri willha ve a crushing attack against fice: 20.tt:lf2! ixdS 21.ie4 ixe4 the enemy king in a position with 22.tt:lxe4 dS 23.tt:Jxc5 tt:Jc4 24.'We2 material equality. 26... ixe6 27. tt:Jxe3 25.'Wxe3'Wb6 26.1'! ad1 1'!ad8 dxe6 'Wxe6 28.'Wf2 tt:Jd729.h4+- 27.'Wc1!± followed by tt:le6. Black 13 ... tt:l8d7. Now, after 14.ig5, cannot exploit the power of his White obtains good attacking passed pawns in the forthcoming prospects. fight, because his king's shelter has been considerably weakened. 14 ...if6 15.if4 'We7 16.'Wd2 ib7 17.1'!ae1 1'!ac8 18.tt:ldl. Once again White transfers his knight to the e3-square. 18 ...1'!fe8 19.'Wf2 b4 20.tt:le3± (followed by tt:lg4) and Black will hardly parry his opponent's threats, Glek - Ani kaev, Minsk 1983. 264 l.d4 l:iJf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4. l:iJc3 ed 5.cd d6 6.e4 g6 7f4 �g7 B . .ib5+ 13.a3!? not been analysed thoroughly yet. From this square, Black's rook protects the t7-pawn and later may go to e7, increasing in the process the pressure against the enemy e4-pawn. 14.fS l:iJeS 1S . .igS if6 16.hf6 �xf6 17.1:iJxeS �xeS 18.�d2± White has an easy plan to improve his position: :B:f3, :B:af1, :B:g3, but still, it will not be simple for him to break Black's position, Glushenkov - Zoll, Email 2011. This is another prophylactic 13... ib7 14.fS l:iJf6 (14 ... 1:iJeS1S. move. White postpones f4 -fS, but igS �c7, Caprio - Melone, Arvier prevents Black's counterplay, 2010, 16.1:iJxeS !!xeS 17.�f3±) 1S. connected with cS-c4 and bS-b4. igS l:iJbd716 .�cl :B:c8 17.�f4 �b6 13 ...c4 18.:B:ae1 c4 19.ic2± Black can Black prepares 14 ...1:iJc S with hardly create counterplay on the this move, but weakens the im queenside (after a6-aS, with the portant d4-square. idea bS-b4, White will play a2- a4), Ibarra Padron - Walsh, But not 13 ...1:iJf 6, because of Email 2008. 14.eS! dxeS 1S.fxeS l:iJxdS 16 . .ie4 l:iJxc3 17.'�xd8 :B:xd8 18.ha8± and Black's compensation for the exchange is insufficient. 14 ... �b6 1S.�e1 l:iJcS 16.ie3± - The pin on the g1-a7 diagonal is After the other possibilities very unpleasant for Black, Nguy White, as a rule, advances f4-fS en Chi Minh - La Bella, Cappelle and obtains an advantage. For ex la Grande 2011. ample: 13 ... 1:iJb6 14.fS l:iJ8d7 1S . .igS.if6 16.�d2 l:iJeS 17 . .ixf6 �xf6 18.1:iJxeS �xeS (18 ...:B:xeS 19.fxg6 �xg6 20.:B:f3±) 19.:B:f3!?± followed by :B:afl. White's pressure on the kingside is more important than Black's dominance over the eS square. It may be interesting for him to try 13 ...:B:a7, a move which has 26S Chapter 18 15.f5�bd7 16 . .ig5 17 ...lt:leS? 18.lt:lxeS !!xeS 19.fxg6 White develops his bishop .ixgS 20.gxf7+ 'it>f8 21.\WhS .id7 with tempo. 22.\Wxh7.if6 23.1'! f4 +- Vitiugov Maze, Moscow 2009. 16 ....if6 Following 17 ...1'!b8 18 .\Wd2 aS, Following 16 ...\Wc7, White can Perelshteyn - Bluvshtein, Toron obtain excellent attacking pros to 2011, White's simplest reaction pects by transferring his queen to would be 19.lt:Jd4!?;!;, creating the the h4-square. l7.\Wel!!b8 18.\Wh4 rather unpleasant threat to pene b4 19.axb4 !!xb4 20.lt:ldl. This trate · with the knight to the c6- knight is going via an already fa square. miliar route to the g4-square. 20 ... lt:lb3 2l.!!a3 aS 22.l2Je3!±De It seems too risky for Black to makov - Manaenkov, Email 2010. play 17... gxfS, because this move weakens considerably the shelter After16 ...\Wb 6, Belous - Seme of his king. 18.exfS 'it>h8 19.\Wd2 niuk, Vladivostok 2012, it is again .ib7 20.1'!ael !!g8 21.\Wf4 \Wf8 22. good for White to play 17.'�el!?;!; !!f2 .ieS23. lt:JxeSdxeS 24.1'!xeS! f6 2S.!!e3 fxgS 26.hxgS \Wg7 27.f6 17.h4 \WxgS, Botsari - J .Polgar, Eretria White's pawn is joining in the 2011, 28.f7!!!g7 29.1'!e8+ lt:lf8 30. fightfor the dark squares. It is un \Wd6\Wh4 + 3l.Wgl \Wxf2 + 32.'it>xf2 derstandable that the weakening !!xf7+ 33.Wgl !!xeS 34.\WxcS 'it>g8 of his king's shelter is not impor 3S.Wd4 l'!el+ 36.Wh2 !!efl 37. tant, since only White can attack .ie4±Wh ite has a powerful passed on the kingside. d-pawn and Black will have great problems neutralising the power of White's attacking tandem queen and knight. It is bad for Black to opt for 17 ...!!a7, Hossain - Praveen Ku mar, Bhubaneswar 2011, because of 18.lt:Jd4!? .ixgS 19.lt:lc6\Wc7 20. hxgS !!b7 21.\Wel± followed by \Wh4, threatening Wh6 and f6, or l'!fl-f3-h3. 17... h g5 18.hxg5 �e5 19.�xe5 gxe5 20.Wfg4 .id7 2l,gf4;!; - It is very Black loses immediately after difficultfor Black to neutralise the 266 l.d4 CUJ6 2.c4 c53.d 5 e6 4.CiJc3 ed 5.cd d6 6.e4 g6 7f 4 �g7 B . .ib5+ activity of White's pieces and par of the knight (!%afl, vtifh4, CiJdl-e3- ticularly the well-familiar transfer g4), Dreev - Maze, Reykjavik 2010. Conclusion In the Modern Benoni System, there arise, as a rule, complicated asymmetrical positions. Still, thanks to his powerful pawn-centre and the permanent threat of the pawn-break e4-e5, White's prospects are preferable. Among all possible defences for Black on move 8, the best for him seems to be 8 ... CiJfd7. Against the other possibilities, White obtains an advantage effort lessly: after8 ....id7 9. eS White attacks the enemy knight and occupies the centre with tempo and obtains the advantage; following 8 . ..tubd7 9.e5, there arises practically by force an end game with a non-standard material ratio in which White's pieces prove to be stronger than Black's rook and pawn (sometimes even two pawns ...). After8 ... tufd7, there arise positions which are not easy to play at all. Black attacks on the queenside: a7-a6, b7-b5, c5-c4, CiJd7-c5). White plays at first some prophylactic moves - cj;>hl,a2-a3 and then begins an offensive on the kingside: f4-f5 and .igS,trying to provoke the exchange of the important defender of Black's king - the bishop on g7. The players for White should pay great attention to the transfer of the knight to the kingside in order to enhance the power of the attack CiJc3-dl-f2-g4. In general, playing with Black is much more difficult, because every imprecise move may lead to an immediate disaster for him. 267 Chapter 19 l.d4 ltJf6 2.c 4 c5 3.d5 b5 and more often tends to punish Black for his frivolity in the open ing. Naturally, we cannot say that White obtains immediately a win ning position, but after an accu rate play, he neutralises gradually Black's threats and forces him to begin defending. Still, the Volga Gambit has been tried, and still is not only in games with a shorter time-control, by such great play In this chapter we will analyse ers like V. Anand, V. Bologan, M. the Volga Gambit. Carlsen, F. Caruana, V. Ivanchuk, At first, it was named the Vol G. Kasparov, V. Topalov and ga Gambit after in the year 1946, many others. in the magazine "Chess in the 4.cxb5 USSR", there was published an This is White's most princi article by the chess player from pled and strongest move. He fol Kuibishev (the city on Volga riv lows the traditional wisdom "If er) B.Argunov with an analysis of they give you - take!". this opening. We will analyse now A) 4 ...e6 The main idea of this gambit is and B) 4 ...a6 . that after the pawn-sacrifice (b7- b5 followed by a7-a6) Black opens About 4 ...i.b7 5.tLlc3 e6 6.e4 - the a and b-filesfor his rooks and see variation A. later, they will exert pressure 4 ...g6 5.tLlc3i.g7 6. e4 d6 7.i.e2 against White's pawns on a2 and 0-0 8.i.g5 or 7 ...a6 8.a4 0-0 9. b2. The activity of Black's bishop i.g5 - see volume 2, Chapter 11, on the long diagonal may create variation B. great problems for White as well. 4 ...d6 5.tLlc3 a6 (5 ...g6 6.e4 Still, a pawn is a pawn and in i.g7 7.i.e2 - see 4 ...g6) 6.e4 g6 our computer century White more 7.bxa6 - see 4 ...a6. 268 l.d4 ttJf6 2.c4 cS3.d 5 bS 4.cb A) 4 •.•e6 This move resembles the Blu menfeld Gambit (l.d4 lLlf62 c4 e6 3 tt:Jf3c5 4.d5 b5), but contrary to it White has not lost a tempo for the move tt:Jf3 and manages to hold the d5-square. 5.tt:Jc3 7 . ..a6 Black exchanges the enemy b5-pawn and wishes to develop his knight on b8. It seems too risky for him to play 7 ... tt:Jxe4?! 8.�c4! 5 •..exd5 About 5 ...a6 6.bxa6 - see vari ation Bl. It is bad for Black to choose 5 ... �b7, because his counterplay against the enemy d5-pawn is futile and his bishop on b7 will Black loses now after 8 ...tt:Jd6, remain very passive in the fu Mitenkov - Kravtsov, Moscow ture. 6.e4 exd5 7.exd5 d6 8.tt:Jf3 1995 9.�f4 ! tt:Jxc4 10.tt:Jc7+ 1le7 �e7 9.�c4 tt:Jbd7 10.0-0 0-0 11. 1l.�e2+ @f6 12.lLle8+- l'!e1 l'!e8 12.'�d3 tt:Jb6 13.b3 �d7 He suffers material losses fol 14.a4± - with an extra pawn fo r lowing 8 ...�d6 9.�g4 0-0 10.�h6 White, Rohde - Simpson, Los An g6 11.hf8+- Prosch - Rindler, geles 1989. Neumuenster 2002. 8 ...�e7 9.tt:Jf3 tt:Jd6 10.�b3 6.c!bxd5.tb7 7.e4 0-0, Skomorokhin - Fedoseev, With this energetic move Nizhnij Novgorod 1998, ll.if4± White continues the fight for the and Black can hardly defend d5-square and is ready to sacrifice against his opponent's numerous material. threats. For example, he loses im- 269 Chapter 19 mediately with ll ... t'LlxbS? due to remains with an extra pawn and a 12.�e2+- winning position. Black has no compensation for 8.bxa6 t0xa69.J. c4 the pawn following 7 ...t'Llx d5 8. He not only fortifiesthe knight exdS, for example: 8 ...d6 9.t'Lle2!? on dS, but also eyes the f7-square. White transfers his knight to the c3-square and from there it will protect simultaneously the pawns on bS and dS. 9 ....ie7 10.t'Llc3 0-0 ll..ie2 t'Lld7(ll... a6 12.0-0 axbS 13. .ixb5 t'Lla6 14J''1el± White has com pleted his development and pre servedhis material advantage, Jah nel - Boidman, Wiesbaden 2012) 12.0-0 9 ...t0b4 9 ...t'Llx d5 lO.exdS .id6 ll.t'Llf3 �e7+ 12 . .ie3 �e4 13.�cl± fol lowed by 0-0, Mendez Ataria - Rego, Paraguay 2012. White has excellent chances of realising his extra pawn. He must only watch This position was defended 4 carefully about his weak pawn on times by D.Werner. Black scored dS - �d2(c2), �fdl. 1112 points out of these 4 games, but White was clearly better after 10.t0xb4 cxb4 ll.Wfb3 Wfe7 the opening in all the games. 12 ... 12.t0e2t0xe4 �e8 (Black only weakens the e6- square with 12 .. .f5 13.�c2± Chet verik - Werner, Budapest 2005, or 12 ....if6, Kaufman - Werner, Balatonlelle 2006, 13 . .if4± White exerts immediate pressure against the weak enemy d6-pawn.) 13 . .if4 t'Llb6 (13 ...t'Llf8 14.�c2±) 14 . .if3 .if6, Citak - Werner, Budapest 2007, 15.a4!? t'Llc4 16.�c2 .ieS 17. .ixe5 t'LlxeS 18 . .ie2± and White 270 l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 b5 4.cb a6 5.ba This position was reached in the game Gleizerov - Capece, Ti cino 1993. Black has regained his pawn indeed, but his numerous pawn-weaknesses preclude him from equalising. 13 . .ie3 �d6 14 . .id5 h:d5 15.'il¥xd5 'il¥e4 16. �f4± - After the trade of the queens, there will arise on the board an endgame in which White will have an easy play against Black's weak pawns on b4 and d7. lowed by tt:lf3, l'!e1 and Black would not have compensation for the pawn.) 8./J.gS !J.e7 9.tt:lxe7 B) 4 ...a6 Wffxe7. White has an extra pawn This is Black's main line in the and two powerful bishops. He Volga Gambit. only needs to complete his devel 5.bxa6 opment. 10.tt:lf3 h6 ll.!J.h4 0-0 Now, White will have an extra 12.e3 d5 13.!J.e2 l'!d8 14.0-0 g5 pawn, but Black will not need to 15./J.g3 tt:le4 16.tt:ld2tt:lx g3 17.hxg3 lose time for the development of !J.fS 18.a3 tt:lc7 19.Wffcl c4 20.b3 his queen's rook and his bishop cxb3 21.ttlxb3± Slivka - Rooms, will exert powerful pressure on Email 2012. the a6-f1 diagonal. We will analyse now Bl) 5 ... 7.�xd5 exd5 8.'il¥xd5 �c6 e6, B2) 5 ...g6 and B3) 5 ... 9.�f3 h:a6. White develops his kingside pieces and is threatening tt:le5 in Bl) 5 ...e6 the process. Here, just like in variation A, Black wishes to fight for the d5- square. 6.�c3 (diagram) 6 ...�x d5 6 ...exd5 7.�xd5 tt:la6 (After7 ... ha6 8.e4 hf1 9.@xf1 !J.e7, Rota ru - Turko, Email 2010, the sim plest line for White would be: 10. tt:lc3!? d6 ll.g3 0-0 12.@g2± fol- 9 ....ie7 271 Chapter 19 Black is preparing to castle 13.e3 kingside. After ... 9 E1xa6 10.e4 tt:Jb4 11. �b3 E1b6 12.!c4± White creates powerful pressure against the fl square, Bertin - Hamar, corr. 1976. Following 9 ...!xa6 10.!d2 ie7, White's simplest decision would be 11.e3!? !xf1 12.\t>xflt and the loss of the castling rights is not dangerous for him. He needs to simplify the position 13 ....if6 having extra material. 12 ...0-0 Black bases his hopes on ex 13.g3 �b6 14.E1b1 !f6 15.\t>g2tt:Je7 erting pressure against White's 16.�xd7 E1xa2 17.E1hd1 E1xb2 18. queenside. E1xb2 �xb2 19.E1c1 �b6 20.e4 E1d8 14 . .ic4 .ixa6 15 . .b:a6 �xa6 21.E1b1 E1xd7 22.E1xb6 tt:lg6 23.E1c6 16.'it>e2 c4 17.E1dl�b8 18.'it>d2 ie7 24.ie3 f6 25.ixc5± and in White's king is in a hurry to the game Reichert - Masek, Email help in the protection of his 2011, White managed to realise queenside pawns. his extra pawn. We have to men tion that the rook endgame with 3 pawns against 4 pawns on the same flank is with very strong drawish tendencies. The presence of minor pieces however, compli cates considerably the defence of the weaker side. 10.�e5 0-0 After 10 ... tt:Jxe5 11.�xa8+ Black has no compensation for 18 ....b:b2 the sacrificedmater ial. After18 ...1t>f8 19.1t>c2± the b2- ll.�xc6 dxc6 12.Ybd8 pawn is reliably protected, Sa �xd8 hovic - Rogers, Nis 1985. White has simplifiedthe posi tion and there has arisen an end 19 . .b:b2 E1xb2+ 20.'it>c3�b8 game. 21.a4± Black has succeeded in 272 l.d4 c!i\f6 2.c4 c53.d 5 b5 4.cb a6 5.ba regaining his pawn indeed, but This move is stronger than 8 ... his defence in this endgame will .ixa6 9 . .ixa6 tt'lxa6 (9 .. J'!xa6 10. be verydifficult. His pawns on c4 0-0) 10.0-0 - see variation B3a. and c6 are weak, while White has Black waits for his opponent to a powerful passed a-pawn and waste a tempo for the develop what is most important his king is ment of the bishop on f1 and will much more active which is a great reply with ha6 only then. achievement in the endgame, Rensen - Emonot, Email 1998. 9 . .ie2 B2) 5 •••g6 9 ....b:a6 Now is the right time. This move often transposes to About 9 ...tt'lbd7 10.0-0 .ixa6 variation B3. Here, we will ana ll.h3 - see 9 ...ia6. lyse only the variations in which Black does not capture immedi 9 .. .'�a5 10.0-0 .ixa6 1Ul:e1 or ately on a6. 10 ...tt'lbd7 1l.:r!e1 .ixa6 12.h3 - see 6.c!l:lc3 9 ...ia6. White is preparing e2-e4. 6 ..•.ig7 It seems passive for Black to capture with his knight 9 ...tt'lxa6, About 6 ....ixa6 7.e4 - see vari because after thatWh ite's bishop ation B3. on e2 will be more active than Black's bishop on c8. 10.0-0 �b6 7.e4 d6 (10 ...tt'lc7 ll . .if4 ig4. Sooner or later, Black will come to the con 7 ... 0-0 8.tt'lf3 d6 9 . .ie2 - see clusion that the exchange of the 7 ...d6. light-squared bishops is obligato ry. 12.tt'ld2.ix e2 13.'1Wxe2 �b8 14. :r!ab1 tt'ld7 15.�c4;t Taborov - Ko- 273 Chapter 19 sikov, Kiev 2004. Black has lost move. His plans include the too many tempi in comparison to moves 'WaS and �fb8, afterwhich the main lines. This has enabled his pieces will occupy the typical White to complete his develop positions for the Volga Gambit. ment and to redeploy his knight to an active position.) 11.tt'ld2tt:Jd7 About 10 ...'WaS 11.�e1 tt:Jbd7 12.tt'lc4 'Wa7 13.igS �e8 14.'Wd2± 12.h3 - see 10 ...tt:Jbd7. - The passive position of the bish op on c8, which practically has no It seems less consistent for moves and only impedes the mo Black to play 10 ...he 2. In this bility of the rest of his pieces, only variation, as a rule Black waits for confirmsthat the move 9 ...tt'la6 is the moment when White will have quite dubious, Savina - Belous, no useful moves and will need to Serpukhov 2009. exchange on a6 himself. ll.'Wxe2 tt'la6, Obodchuk - Egorov, Mos Following 9 ...'Wb6 10.0-0 ig4 cow 2007. Here, White had to 11.tt'ld2 ixe2 12.'Wxe2 tt:Jbd7 13. continue with 12.�dl!?, preparing tt:lc4 'Wc7, Shariyazdanov - Nisip the typical pawn-break for this eanu, Siofok 1996, White obtains variation - e4-eS. 12 ...tt'ld7 13.i f4 a great advantage by a transfer of 'Wb6 14.�abl tt'lc71S.e S± - He has his knight to the c6-square: 14. an extra pawn and more actively tt:lbS! 'Wb81S. tt:la5 �xa6 16.tt'lc6± placed pieces. 10.0-0 10 ...'Wc7. Black's queen is not After White has lost a tempo so actively placed here as on aS. for the development of his bishop, 11.�e1 tt:Jbd7 12.�b1 (In the game capturing on a6 will not be so ef Taimanov - Bronstein, Zuerich fe ctive. 19S3, after 12.ixa6 �xa6 13.'We2 �fa8 14.h3 tt'lb6 1S.igS tt'le8 16. id2 tt:la4� Black managed to re gain his pawn and later he even scored a full point. This game was commented by D.Bronstein in the book devoted to the Candidates tournament in 19S3 and was a very good example of what could happen to White if he underesti mated the activity of Black's piec es in the Volga Gambit.) 12 ...�fb8 13.ixa6 �xa6 14.'\We2 Wb7 1S.b3 10 ... c!ilbd7 tt:Je8 16.ib2t White has devel This is Black's most popular oped his bishop on the long diag- 274 l.d4 lt:lf6 2.c4 c53.d5 bS 4.cb a6 S.ba onal and has managed to neutral ise almost completely the activity of Black's pieces, Morley - Pre venios, Email 2010. 10 ...ltlfd7 11.:B:e1!? This move will be very useful when White advances e4-e5. 1l...'�b6 (11 ... ltlb6 12 . .if4 ltlc4 13.'�b3 ltla5 14. �c2± The manoeuvres of Black's knight have only led to the loss of valuable time fo r him, Morris ll . . .'�a5 - Akshat, Canberra 2011.) 12.�c2 lt:le513.ltlx e5 .ixe5, Kiss - Simon, It is not so good for Black to Aggtelek 1998, 14.a4::t Black's play here 11 ...�b 8, Bartel - Deszc pieces are actively placed indeed, zynski, Ustron 2006, because his but this is not sufficient to com rook will be better placed there. pensate fully the sacrificed 12.:B:b1!?::t pawn. Following 11 ...�c7 12.:B:e1 :B:fb8 10... �b6 11.h3 ltlfd7(11 ...ltlbd7 13.�c2 ltle8 14 . .ig5 �f8 15.'�d2::t 12.:B:e1 - see 10 ...ltlb d7) 12.:B:e1 White succeeds in completing the :B:c8, Gligoric - Udovcic, Sombor development of his pieces and 1957 (12 ...ltle5 13.ltlxe5 .ixe5 14. squeezes the enemy forces with a4 .ixe2 15.:B:xe2 ltla6, M.Marin - the protection of the e7-pawn, Salmensuu, Koszalin 1999, 16 . S.Savchenko - Labensky, Alushta .ig5!? :B:fe8 17.�d2::t - The ex 2000. change of two couples of minor pieces is much rather in favour of After 11... ltlb6 12.a4 ltlfd7 White, since he has an extra 13.ltlb5, it seems too dubious for pawn.) 13.a4!?;!;and in the arising Black to continue with the plan typical Volga Gambit middle including the move 13 ...c4, since game White's prospects seem this weakens the d4-square. 14. preferable because of the extra ltlbd4. White exploits this imme pawn. diately sending his knight to the c6-square. 14 ...ltlc 5 15.a5 ltlbd7 ll.h3 16.ltlc6± White has an extra pawn This is not only a leeway for and his knight on c6 exerts pow the king, but also prophylactic erful pressure against Black's po against the possible manoeuvre sition, Jussupow - Vitolinsh, ltlg4-e5. Frunze 1979. 275 Chapter 19 11 ...�b6 12.1'�e1 the centre, Flear - Gregory, Saint Affrique 2000) 17.l!Jxb5 �xb5 18. if4 c4 19.Eic2±Black has no com pensation for the pawn, Pachman - Bellon Lopez, Haifa 1976. It is weaker for him to opt for 12 ...l!Je8 13.ig5 f6 14.id2 ixe2 15.Eixe2± White has provoked the Now, Black can play immedi weakening f7-f6 and thus has fa ately 12 ... l!Je8. This is a typical cilitated considerably the realisa manoeuvre for the Volga Gambit tion of his extra pawn, Loureiro - - his knight is going to bS via the Camara, Sao Paulo 1983. c7-square. 13 ..ba6 Elxa6 (13 ... �xa6 14.ig5 ixc3 15.bxc3 f6 16. It is also possible for Black to ih6t and although Black has pre try here 12 ... l!Jb6 13.ig5± Lukacs vented e4-e5, he has been de - Szell, Szekszard 1994. prived of the powerful bishop on g7, Gonzalez Garcia - Szmetan, 13.ha6 Dos Hermanas 2003) 14.Eie2. Now is the right time, since This is a very good square for the White has no more useful rook. From there it not only pre moves. pares e4-e5, but also frees the 13 ...�xa6 14.�c2 bishop on c1 from the protection of the b2-pawn. 14 ...l!Jc7 15.ig5t - There has arisen a typical posi tion for the Volga Gambit in which Black exerts pressure on the a and b-files, while White has an extra pawn, Schelle - Schatz, Germany 1997. Black can also play at first12 ... Elfb8 13.Eib1and only then to send his knight along the route e8-c7- b5. 13 ... l!Je8 14.id2 l!Jc7 15.b3 .be2 16.Eixe2 l!Jb5 (Black can also From this square, White's play in the centre with 16 ...e6, al queen not only protects the b2- though even then after 17.dxe6 pawn, but also the knight on c3, fxe618.Ei cU White's pieces would which will be useful if he advanc be better prepared for playing in es b2-b3. 276 l.d4 ltJf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 b5 4.cb a6 5.ba 14 .. .tbb6 Following 14 ...l2Je8 15.�f4 \Wc4, Ghitescu - Ghizdavu, Bu charest 1973, White obtains an advantage ousting immediately the enemy queen from its active position: 16.lLld2± 15 . .if4 �a4 16.�xa4 Wxa4 17.b3 t!fa6 18 . .id2± better place for this bishop than the long diagonal. About 6 ...d6 7.e4 �xfl 8.Wxfl g6 9.g3 or 8 ...l2Jbd7 9.g3 g6 10. Wg2 �g7 1l.l2Jf3 - see 6 ...g6. 6 ...\WaS 7.�d2 \Wb6. The attack against the b2-pawn cannot be dangerous for White, because Black's kingside pieces are not de veloped yet. (Following 7 ...d6, This position was reached in White's simplest reaction would the game Hjartarson - Lagerman, be 8.l2Je4!? \Wb6 9.l2Jxf6 + exf6 10. Reykjavik 2010. Black's compen �c3± - He lags in development a sation for the pawn is insufficient. bit, but has an extra pawn and a White's later plan includes the superior pawn-structure, Dautov move �c3, neutralising his oppo - Meszaros, Muenster 1990.) 8. nent's pressure on the long diago \Wb3. White would not mind a nal and transferring his knight to transfer into an endgame. He is the c4-square (l2Jf3-d2�c4), after even ready to let his pawns be which he will not only manage to doubled in order to do that. 8 ... advance his queenside pawns, but \Wxb3 (but not 8 ...\Wc7 9.lLlf3 g6 will also prepare e4-e5, opening 10.e4 hf1 11.Wxfl± followed by the game in the centre. g2-g3, Wg2 and Black will have to pay for the loss of tempi on ma B3) 5 ..•ha6 6.�c3 noeuvres with his queen.) 9.axb3 (diagram) .ib7 10J:'1xa8 ha8 ll.e4 e6, Lalic 6 ...g6 - Fang, Saint John 1988. Black's Here, just like in the Modern compensation for the sacrificed Benoni Defence, there will be no pawn is insufficient. The only 277 Chapter 19 thing White must do is watch carefully about the d5-square. 12 . .if4 ! d6 13 . .ic4 exd5 14.exd5 tt'lbd7 15.tt'lf3 tt'lb6. It looks like Black has managed to complicate the issue, but after 16.ib5+ <;t>d8 17.tt'lg5±his position remains very difficult. 7.e4 White occupies the centre without being afraid of the loss of 8 ...gxa6 his castling rights. Black has also captured on a6 with his knight. 8 ...tt'lxa6 9.tt'lf3 ig7 10.0-0 0-0 ll.�e2. From this square, White's queen sup ports the pawn-advance e4-e5, defends the b2-pawn and will protect the knight if it is trans fe rred to the c4-square. Naturally, now Black's most reasonable and strongest move is B3b) 7 ••• .ixfl,but before that we will analyse B3a) 7 •••d6. B3a) 7 •..d6 After ll ...�a5, White can ac This move is only seldom complish the pawn-break in the played in practice and this is not centre immediately: 12.e5!? dxe5 surprising, since Black reaches a 13.tt'lxe5;J; (followed by tt'lc4 or worsened version of the variation tt'lc6) and he not only has an extra B2. pawn, but exerts pressure too 8.ha6 against the weakness on e7. Now, contrary to variation B2, After ll ...�b 6, White can White can capture on a6 directly, transfer his knight to c4 with tem without the preliminary move po. 12.tt'ld2 tt'lc7 13.tt'lc4 �a6, Rap .ie2. tis - Mezentsev, Reno 2003, 14. 278 l.d4 tt'lf6 2.c4 cS3.d 5 b5 4.cb a6 5.ba i.gS!?± - He has a material ad reduced considerably the tactical vantage and a much freer game possibilities of his opponent. too. ll ...tt'ld7 12.i. f4 . White is again Following 12 ...�a8 , White can threatening e4-e5. 12 ...tt'lb6 (12 ... exploit the fact that Black does �b8 13.l'Ue1 �b4 14.Eiabl± Goetz not exert pressure against the b2- - Franz, Bayern 1998) 13.Eifd1 pawn and complete the develop tt'lc7 14.e5± - He has broken ment of his pieces with: 13.i.g5!? through in the centre and Black's gb8 14.�d2 gb4 15.gabU pieces are deflected from their queenside actions, S.lvanov - 13.�c2 gbs, Gosciniak - Sznapik, Slupsk 1992. Sowa, Wisla 2000, 14.gbl 12 ...�b6 8 •••d6 After 12 ...�b8 13J�e2 �b7 14. After ...8 i.g7, White can oust i.gS h6 15.i.e3 Elb6 16.b3 Elb4, the enemy knight from the centre Ornstein - Bellon Lopez, Sweden with 9.e5 tt'lg8 10.tt'lf3± followed 2003, White maintains his edge by g2-g3, @g2, Dobos - Mohacsi, with 17.i.d2gas 18.EicU - Having Szekszard 1995. accomplished the development of his queenside pieces, White has 9.g3 279 Chapter 19 He is preparing an artificial There are some exceptions as castling. well. 11. .. 'Llg4 This transfer of the 9 ....ig7 knight seems premature, because Black will fail to preserve it in the About 9 ...'Llbd7 10.i>g2 ig7 centre of the board. 12.'Lld2 'LlgeS ll.'Llf3 - see 9 ...ig7. (after 12 ...'Llgf6 13.'\l!ife2± Black simply loses two tempi) 13.'\l!ife2 10.i>g2 'Llb6. He defends against f2-f4. (Black weakens considerably his kingside with 13 ...g5, Romanova - Reimche, Germany 2003, 14. 'Llc4±) 14.a4! White is preparing a4-a5 and now Black's knights will come under attack by White's pawns. 14 ... 0-0 (Here, it seems again too risky for Black to opt for 14 ...g5, Pecurica - Meribanov, Prague 2012, 1S.'Llf3!? 'Llxf3 16. '\l!ifxf3± White has an extra pawn and excellent attacking prospects 10 ... 0-0 on the kingside.) 15.a5 'Llc8 16.f4 'Lld7 17.'Llc4± - Having squeezed The line 10 ... 'Llbd7 11.'Llf3, as a the enemy knights, White has rule, transposes to the main vari seized completely the initiative, ation. Ulibin - Skytte, Stockholm 1998. After the other possibilities for Black, White will play a2-a4 with the ideas to transpose to the main variations. 11..J:la7 12.a4 '\l!ifa8 13. :r'le1 0-0 14.'Llb5 :r'lb7 1S.id2 'Llg4 16.ic3 ixc3 17.bxc3± Gurevich - De Vreugt, Groningen 1997. After the exchange of the dark-squared bishops, Black has no compensa tion at all. White's e4-pawn is not 11...0-0 12.a4, or ll..J"la6 only extra, but it is a passed pawn 12.a4!? 0-0 13.'\l!ifc2, or 11...'Llb6 too. 12.a4!? 0-0 13.'\l!ife2, or 11. ..'\l!ifaS 12.a4!? 0-0 13.id2, or 11...'\l!ifb6 ll..!LJ£J .!Dbd7 12.a4!? 0-0 13.'\l!ife2 - see 10... After this move, there arises 0-0. on the board the main theoretical 280 l.d4 tt:\f6 2.c4 c53.d 5 b5 4.cb a6 S.ba position of this variation. Still, be After 11...'Wb6, White's most fo re we begin its analysis, we will practical move seems to be 12. deal in short with Black's alterna 'We2!?, with the idea to transpose tives. to the main variation. 12 ... tt:lbd7 (12 ...'Wa6, Krush - Alburt, Rock ll ...tt:lf d7. He opens the way ville USA 2013, 13.E1e1 tt:lbd7 14. for his bishop, but impedes the a4;!;) 13.a4 - see ll ...tt:\bd7. development of his knight on b8. Now, it can go only to the edge of the board. 12.if4 'Wb6 (12 ... tt:\a6 13.'We2 'Wb6 - see 11...tt:\a6) 13. 'We2 tt:\a6 14.e5!? White sacrifices his b2-pawn and begins immedi ate active actions in the centre seizing completely the initiative. 14 ... dxe5 15.tt:\xe5 tt:\xe5 16.he5 he5 17.'Wxe5 'Wxb2 18.E1abl 'Wc2, Arvola - Holm, Sandefjord 2012. Here, his most precise move is 19.a3!, afterwhich Black's knight 12.a4!? is totally isolated from the ac It is amazing but this strong tions. For example: 19 ...E1a7 20. and logical move has remained E1hc1 'Wf5 21.'Wxf5 gxf5 22.E1b6 for long in the shadow of the tt:\c723.E1 c6± (followed by E1c5 and moves 12.h3 and 12.E1e1, but dur a3-a4) and White has all the ing the last several years the move chances of realising his extra 12.a4 is becoming more and more pawn in this endgame. popular and has brought White numerous wins. Following ll... tt:\a6, White The point is that the moves must choose again the plan in 12.h3 and 12.E1e1 are useless for cluding the preparation of the White from the point of view of pawn-advance e4-e5, since Black's playing on the queenside, while knight cannot prevent it. 12.if4 with 12.a4 he demonstrates im 'Wb6 13.'We2 E1fb8, Camara - mediately his intentions to play Hook, Siegen 1970 (13 ...tt:\h5 14. on that side of the board. His ig5 h6 15.ie3 E1fb8 16.E1abl± plans include 'We2(c2), followed White has completed the develop by tt:lb5, id2-c3, tt:\f3-d2-c4, after ment of his queenside pieces, which Black will have no play on while Black's knight on h5 is mis the a and b-files (Black's rooks placed, Donchenko - Carow, will be restricted by the pawn on Saarbruecken 2013.) 14.e5!? tt:\h5 a4 and the knight on b5.), or any 15.ic1 dxe5 16.tt:\xe5;!; pressure on the long diagonal. 281 Chapter 19 Meanwhile, you should not forget strong point of the move 12.a4 - that White's passed a-pawn White's rook on a1 has entered makes immediately two steps on the action very quickly and now, it his road to promotion. not only protects his king but takes part in the attack as well. Black's attempt to occupy the e5-square with his knight fails. 12 ...'Llg4 13.�e2 �aS (after 13 ... 'Llge5 14.'Lld2±,as well as follow ing "13 ...�b6 14.'Lld2± Black's knight will be sent back into his own camp, Thorfinnsson - Ro driguez Guerrero, England 2012) 14.'Lld2 'Llgf6. This is a signal to retreat (Black's attempt to win a Now, we willan alyse the main pawn . loses a piece for him after lines for Black: B3bl) 12 ... �a5, 14 ...hc3 15.bxc3 �xc3? 16.l'!a3+-) B3b2) 12 ...ga6 and B3b3) 12 ... 15.'Llc4 �a6 16.'Llb5 'Llb6 17.'Llxb6 �b6. �xb6, Sarkar - Chiang, Rockville 2013, 18.i.d2!?± (followed by 12 ...'Lle8 13.�e2 �b6 14.i.g5f6 i.c3) and Black can hardly organ 15.i.f4± White has managed to ize any counterplay in the nearest provoke f7-f6 and thus he has in future and he is a pawn down just creased his advantage, Sochacki like before. - Meskovs, Prague 2012. 12 ...'Llb6. This counterplay is 12 ...�c7 13.�c2 l'!fb8 14.i.d2 not dangerous for White and after �b7 15.'Llb5 l'!a6 16.i.c3 e6, Mer 13.�e2 Black's knight will hardly his - Sergeev, Amsterdam 2012, come to the c4-square. 17.dxe6!? fxe6 18.l'!he1 d5 19.hf6 hf6 20.l'!ad1 d4 21.�c4± Black's central pawns have been reliably blocked. 12 ...�b8 13.�c2 �b7 14.l'!a3 l'!a6 15.l'!e1 e6, A.Vovk - Cuenca Jimenez, La Massana 2013, 16. dxe6!? f:xe6 17.'Llb5 d5 18.exd5 exd5 19.'Llg5± White's pieces are very active. Following 19 ...d4 +?! Following 13 ...�c8 14.i.d2 20.l'!f3 ! You can see another �a6, Paunovic - Marinkovic, 282 l.d4 tt'lf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 b5 4.cb a6 S.ba Vrnjacka Banja 2012, White could have continued with 15.tt'lb5! pre venting the access to the c4- square to the enemy pieces. 15 ... 1':ltb8 16.b3 tt'le8 17.1':lael± and Black has no compensation for the pawn at all. After ...13 �d7, White can con tinue with 14.a5!? I would like to mention that the move a4-a5 is a very important decision fo r White, because this pawn goes too 13 ...�b4 far from the rest of his forces and Black is attacking the pawns might be won by Black. 14 ...1':ltb8 on b2 and e4. 15.1':la2 tt'lc8, Colon Garcia - Ca brera, Barcelona 2013, 16.e5!?± It is obviously bad for him to White has seized completely the choose 13 ...�b 6, because in that initiative. case there arises a position from 13 ...tt'le8 14.ig5 .bc3 15.bxc3 the variation with 12 ...�b 6, but 1':lxa4 16.1':lxa4 tt'lxa4, Lenderman with an extra tempo for White. - Martinez Alcantara, Cocha 14.�e2 �b3 15.1':lhb1 tt'lb6 16.a5 bamba 2013. Black has managed tt'lc4 17.1':la4 tt'lxd2 18.tt'lxd2±- He to regain his pawn, but his has managed to oust Black's position remains very difficult, queen from its active position, since his knights have no good Lysyj - Pakhomov, Uljanovsk squares. After White's precise 2012. reaction 17.1':la1! tt'lb6 18.�h6 tt'lg7 19.1':la7± (followed by �bS) After 13 ...1':ltb8 14.tt'lb5 �d8 Black is doomed to a passive de (14 ...�b6 15.�c2 tt'le8, Andersen fence. - Zaragatski, Dortmund 2012, White could have simply ad vanced b2-b4: 16.1':lab1!? tt'lc7 17. B3bl) 12 ...�a5 tt'lxc7 �xc7 18.b4±) 15.�c2 tt'le8 This is not the best square fo r (15 ... tt'lb6 16.b3 �d7 17.1':lhe1 1':lb7 Black's queen. 18.ic3± White has an extra pawn 13 . .id2 and a positional advantage as Now, it is fo rced to retreat. well, Pacher - Antoniewski, Slo We have already mentioned vakia 2012) 16.�c3 tt'lc7 17.tt'lxc7 that White's plan includes the �xc7 18.hg7 'it>xg7 19.tt'ld4 !!b7 move �c3, after the preliminary 20.tt'lb5± Levin - Collutiis, Ortisei move tt'lbS. 2013. 283 Chapter 19 13 ...'1Wa6. Th is is an attempt to Email 2009. exploit the weakness of the fl-a6 diagonal. 14.�c2. White defends 14.�e2! against the possible penetration This is the best for White - he to the d3-square. defends his e4-pawn. Now, if Black undermines the enemy centre, the position would remain inferior for him after 14 .. . 14 ...�fb8 e6 15.dxe6 fxe6 16J:'1he1 dS (16 ... �c6 17.4Jg5 dS 18.exd5 lt:JxdS 19. Black cannot capture on b2, �e4 Eiae8 20.4Jxd5 exd5 2l.�xe8 because this would lead to the loss Eixe8 22.Eixe8+ lt:Jf8 23.Eiae1 h6 of his queen (14 ...�x b2?? 15. 24.4Jf3 �xa4 25.if4± - in the Eihb1). game Tauber - Romizin, Email 2006, White's two rooks proved The raids of Black's cavalry to be stronger than Black's queen) cannot be dangerous for White. 17.4Jg5 d4 18.4Jb5 Eiac8, Docx - For example: 14 ...4Jg4 15.Ei hb1 Claesen, Antwerp 2013, 19.�c4! lt:Jb616.4Jg1 !? fS (16 ... 4Je517.b3±) Eic6 20.f4± - After this precise 17.exf5 gxfS 18.a5 EixaS 19.Eixa5 move, Black cannot oust White's �xaS 20.�xe7± Cattani - Gerola, queen from the e5-square. Email 2009. White has managed It is not preferable for Black to parry his opponent's initiative. to choose here 14 ...Eifc8 15.4Jb5 Now, Black is a pawn down and c4 16.ic3 lt:JcS 17.4Jd2 �b7 18.f3 his king is endangered. �d7 19.id4 lt:Jxa4 20.4Jc3 lt:Jxc3 2l.Eixa8 Eixa8 22.�xc3 �bS 23. Or 14 ...4Jb6 15.Eihc1 Eifb816.b 3 4Jxc4± - The pawn-shelter of 4Jbd7 (16 ...�xb3? 17.Eicb1 �c4 White's king has been weakened a 18.Eixb6+-) 17.Eiab1�b7 18.4Jb5± bit with the move f2-f3, but this is and again White has succeeded in small consolation for Black, since ousting the enemy pieces from he has no compensation for the their active positions, Degterev - sacrificedpawn , Lennartz - Hess, Luminaria, Email 2006. 284 l.d4 4Jf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cb a6 5.ba 15.b3 aS-square followed by under With this move White is mining White's central pawn on threatening to trap the enemy d5 with the move e7-e6. Now, queen. this plan is not so effective as after 12.h3; nevertheless, White must play very carefullyand accu rately. 15 ... Y!rb6 The evaluation of the position remains the same after the other 13.Wic2 possible retreat of Black's queen White protects his e4-pawn 15 ...Y!rb7 16J:'lab1 4:\e8 17.4:\bS 4Jc7 and prepares 4Jb5. 18.4Jxc7 Wfxc7 19.a5 Elb7 20.b4 cxb4 2l.Elxb4 Elxb4 22. .b:b4 Wfb7 13 ...Wfa8 14.13a3!? 23.i.d2± Jambrich - Rosen, This is an important move. Email 2010. White's rook enters the actions on the third rank. Following 15... 4:\eB 16.4:\bS Wfxb3 17.Elhb1 Wfc2 18.4:le1+ He must play very carefully in Black does not obtain sufficient this variation and if he does not - compensation for his queen. then see what might happen to him - Moiseenko - Dubov, Khan 16.c!i)b5 c!i)e8 17J3abl Y!ra6 ty-Mansiysk 2013: 14.4:\bS Elc8 18.Y!rc4 13b7 19.13hel± White has 15.i.d2 c4oo Here, White decided an extra pawn and very active to transfer his knight to the c6- pieces, Dobrica - B.lvanov, Email square, but overlooked a tactical 2011. strike. 16.4Jfd4? 4Jxd5! 17.exd5 .b:d4 18.4Jxd4 Wfxd5+Wh ite ends up a pawn down, because he fails B3b2) 12 ... 13a6 to keep the extra piece. Black will With this move Black prepares counter 19.4Jf3 with 19 ... 4:\eS 20. the transfer of his queen to the Wfd14Jx f3 21.Wixf3 Wfxd2. 285 Chapter 19 2l.if4 �aS 22.�xe6± - The posi tion has been simplified andBlack will have to fight long and hard for a draw. After 14 ...�b8 15.lt:lb5 lt:\e8, Plischki - Haba, Plzen 2012, White can go back to the standard plan for similar positions with 16.�d2!?± followed by �c3, lt:lf3-d2-c4. 14.•• e6 This is a logical move for 15.dxe6 fxe6 16.gel d5 Black, begun with his previous move. 16 ...lt:\g 4 17.lt:\b5 �b7 18 . .if4 dS 19.exd5 exdS, Leitao - Leon Hoy He has also tried the prelimi os, Istanbul 2012, 20.h3! lt:lgf6 nary line: 14 .. J�c8 15J�d1 e6 16. 2l.�e7 �fa8 22.lt:ld6 �a7 23. dxe6 fxe6 17.if4 if8 (After17 ... d5 lt:lgS+-, White has a crushing at 18.exd5 exdS, White's pieces tack and a material advantage. become tremendously active. 19. lt:lbS �c6 20J�e1 .if8 21.lt:lg5 c4 17.exd5 exd5 18.tt:lb5Wfb7 22.�e6 �b7 23.�f3 �xe6 24. lt:\xe6± Romm - Arreaga, Email 2009) 18.�aal. White'srook must retreat, because it may come un der attack in the futureby Black's bishop on f8 after d6-d5 and c5- c4. 18 ...d5 19.exd5 exdS 20.lt:lb5 �b7 2l.b3± - The pawns on cS+dS seem to be stronger that the pawns on a4+ b3, but this is still insufficient to compensate the missing material for Black, Dutra - Rook, Internet 2010. This is a position from the game Timoscenko - Vaisser, Ri 14 ...c4. This move looks very jeka 2011. Here, White had to play dangerous. 15 . .ie3. White is pre very energetically - 19.tt:lg5!, try paring lt:\f3-d4-c6. 15 ...e6 16.dxe6 ing to exploit the vulnerability of fxe6, Gajewski - Beukema, Lim the c6-square in the enemy camp. burg 2012, 17.b4! cxb3 18.�xb3 19 •••tt:lg4 20.f4. White should 'it>h8 19.�e1 lt:\xe4 20.lt:lxe4 �xe4 not let Black's knight to the eS- 286 l.d4 ttJf6 2.c4 c53.d 5 b5 4.cb a6 5.ba square. 20 ...gcs 21.ge6 gxe6 l2Jg5± - opening of the game in 22.ll:lxe6± White has an extra the centre has turned out to be in pawn and his king is safe from favour of White, because Black's eventual attacks by Black. pawns on d6 and e6 are excellent targets for attack for White's piec es, Klimakovs - Cullen, Email B2b3) 12 ... '!Wb6 2010) 15.b3 l2Je8 16.l"i:abl±Bl ack's This is the best move for Black. rooks on the a-file are passive re Now, just like in the variation stricted by White's a4-pawn, Za with 12 ...1Wa5, he is preparing tonskih - Alburt, Rockville 2013. l"\fb8, but his queen willnot be at tacked with tempo after�d2 . After 13... e6 14.dxe6 fxe6 15. l"\d1d5, Jayakumar - Leon Hoyos, 13.\We2 Las Vegas 2013, the best move for White would be 16.a5! (the position is not so clear after 16. exd5 l2Jxd5 17.l2Jxd5 exd5 18.l"i:xd5 1Wc6f! and despite the two extra pawns, it would not be easy for White to neutralise Black's initiative) 16 ...\Wc6 (16 ...l"\xa5 17. l"i:xa5 Wxa5 18.exd5 exd5 19. l2Jxd5± White has an extra pawn and excellent attacking prospects: We6, l2Jg5) 17.\Wb5± Black's posi tion is very difficult, because it t3 ...gfbs would not work for him to play Black's alternatives are weak- 17 ...1Wxb5 18.l2Jxb5 l2Jxe4 19. er. l2Jc7+- andhe must either give up the exchange, or allow the move About 13 ...1Wb4 14.�d2! - see l2Jxe6. 12 ...1Wa5. 14.i.d2 It is useless for him to opt for The pressure against the b2- 13 ...l2Jg 4 14.l2Jd2! l2Jgf6 15.l2Jc4± - pawn squeezes White's actions. Black has simply lost two tempi, Thorfinnsson - Rodriguez Guer It would not work for him rero, England 2012. to play in the standard fashion 14.l2Jb5 l2Je8 15 . .ig5 (but not 15 . Following 13 ...l"\a6 14.�d2 .id2 due to the loss of the b2- l"i:fa8 (14 ...\Wb7 15.l2Jb5 l"i:fa8 16.b3 pawn) and here, the position e6 17.dxe6 fxe6 18.l"\ae1 l"i:b6 19. remains very complicated after 287 Chapter 19 15 ... h6!? 16 . .be7 El:b7� - and de The endgame is preferable for spite White's two extra pawns, the White after 15 ...�a6 16.�xa6 position is completely unclear, El:xa6 17.a5;t Ulibin - Beletic, Tri since his bishop on e7 is endan este 2013. gered, Diermair - Milanovic, Bad Gleichenberg 2013. 16.lildl! He is preparing a4-a5. 16 ...�a6 It is worse for Black to opt for 16 ... �b7 17 . .ic3 El:a6, Brynell - Asian, Germany 2012 and here, White maintains a considerable advantage after 18.�c2± followed by lild1-e3-c4. 17.�xa6 gxa6 18.a5 f5 After this move White's centre 14 ...c!ile8 crumbles, but thanks to his pow Black is preparing /1jc7, after erful passed pawn he preserves which White would not be able to better prospects. play tjjbS. Once again, it is impossible for Black to follow with 14 ...�x b2?? 15.EJ:hb1 �c2 16./1je1+- After14 ...�b 3, White's best re action would be 15.a5 !?:t,prevent ing tjjb6 (15.El:hb1 tjjb6� Munkh gal - Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Manila 2013). It seems rather dubious for 19.exf5 c!ilxd5 20.fxg6 hxg6 Black to opt for 14 ...�a6 15./1jb5 21.ga4! Nakamura - Bologan, tjjb6 16.b3± - he has played rath Biel 2012. There followed later: er indifferently and White has 21 •••lilb4 22.lile3gbs 23.b3 e6 managed to deploy his knight (23 ...El:axa5 ? 24./1jd5!±) 24 • .b:b4 on b5, Michael - Taylor, Email gxb4 25.gxb4 cxb4 26.gcl 2012. lilc5 (after 26... .ic3 , White has good chances of realising his extra 15.ghbl �c7 pawn: 27.�d1 .if6 28.El:c4 El:xa5 288 l.d4 coj6 2.c4 c53.d 5 b5 4.cb a6 5.ba 29Jlxb4±) 27.l;c4 .ic3 28.�dl pawn: 31...COb7 32J''lb3 coxaS 33. �xb3 29.�xc3 bxc3 30.l;xc3 1:'1a3 1:'1a7 34.COgS eS 3S.coe4± and �c5 31.l;a3 e5 (Unfortunately the d-pawn is lost.) 32.�d2± and for Black, he cannot regain his White won the game later. Conclusion As a main weapon for White in the Volga Gambit, we have chosen the variation 12.a4, because Black's defence is very difficultafter it. If he plays passively, White obtains the advantage implementing the following plan: �e2(c2), cobS,id 2-c3, cof3-d2-c4. If Black tries to undermine the enemy dS-pawn (1:'1a6, �a8, e7-e6) White must play actively, attacking Black's weak d6 and e6-pawns (CObSand COgS).In this situation, it is very important that White's rook joins in the actions via the third rank (1:'1al-a3-f3 ). It is not so easy for White to obtain an edge afterBlack's best move 12 ...�b 6. Here, White must rely on his passed a-pawn (�e2, id2, 1:'1hdl, codl, a4-aS) and in the middle game, as well as in the endgame, his prospects seem preferable. 289 Part S The Nimzo-Indian Defenc e l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 i.b4 problems to organise later an at tack against Black's king. His choice seems quite reasonable also due to the fact that contrary to the majority of the other open ings for Black afterl.d 4, he has no "bad" .pieces. He exchanges usu ally his dark-squared bishop for the knight on c3 and his bishop on c8 is developed either to b7, or remains well placed on the c8-h3 This opening was named af diagonal afterd7-d6 and e6-e5. ter the outstanding chess theo retician Aron Nimzowitsch, who How should White fight for played like this about one hun the advantage? I believe that he dred years ago. In the contem should forget about obtaining a porary tournament practice this great advantage right at the be defence is a part of the opening ginning of the game and be pre repertoire of almost all the grand pared for a long and tough fight, masters of top class. It has been relying mostly on his two-bishop encountered in nearly all World advantage and having extra space. championship matches played In addition, White must be very lately. careful, since Black usually leads in development. What is the reason of the pop ularity of the move 3 ...�b4? The As a main opening weapon for point is that this opening has a White against this defence we will very sound positional basis. Black analyse the Rubinstein System exerts pressure against his op - 4.e3. Akiba Rubinstein was a ponent's centre (mostly against remarkable master of positional the d5 and e4-squares), castles play and in this system White quickly and White will have great tries to deploy harmoniously his 290 J.d4 tt:lf6 2.c4 e6 3.tt"Jc3 �b4 4.e3 pieces and to get rid of the pin and quite successfully at that. of his knight after tt:lge2 and a2- Still, at the beginning of the BOies a3. It is very important that he of the past century it went out avoids the doubling of his pawns of fashion and the system with in the process. One of the draw 4.'11Nc2 was encountered more and backs of this system however is more often in the tournament that White's bishop on cl remains practice. closed inside his own camp. Among the contemporary grandmasters the move 4.e3 is The Rubinstein System is a regularly used by B. Gelfand, V. part of the opening repertoire of Ivanchuk, F. Caruana, H. Naka almost all the World Champions. mura, V. Topalov... Sometimes M. Botvinnik,T. Petrosian and G. even the actual World Champion Kasparov played often like this M. Carlsen plays like this. 291 Chapter 20 l.d4 ttlf6 2.c 4 e6 3.ttlc 3 .ib4 4.e3 4 ... 0-0 S.tt:lge2 (see Chapter 2S). 5.i.d3 Before playing tt:lge2, White develops his bishop to an active position. 5 •..d6 Black is preparing e6-eS. Following S ...dS 6.tt:lge2 tt:lbd7 7.a3 dxc4 8.hc4 �d6, Kesik - Fleischer, Germany 199S, White Black's basic lines will be ana can prevent the enemy pawn lysed in the next five chapters. break e6-eS in a radical way with Here, we will deal with some not 9.f4!? cS 10.e4±, creating the so popular variations: A) 4 ...c6, threat e4-eS and seizing com B) 4 ... d6, C) 4 .. .tbe4 and D) pletely the initiative. 4 ...hc3 . 6.c!bge2 e5 A) 4 •..c6 This move was played during After ... 6 tt:lbd7 ack Bl obtains the SOies of the past century by a very passive position. 7.0-0 master Puc, but failed to attract eS 8.a3 �aS 9.tt:lg3 0-0 10.b4. followers in the tournament prac White begins active actions on tice. the queenside. 10 ... �c7 11.dS cxdS Black frees the c7-square for 12.cxdS aS 13.�d2 axb4 14.axb4 the retreat of his bishop (�b4-aS l'!xa1 1S.WI'xaU followed by l'!c1, c7), but does not exert pressure e3-e4, tt:lbS, Gligoric - Smedere against his opponent's centre. vac, Yugoslavia 1973. This idea is much more effective after the inclusion of the moves 7.0-0 292 l.d4 lt:Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.lt:Jc3 i.b44.e 3 12.�adl �e7 13.�g3 �f8 14.d5;!; White has more space, while Black's bishop is very pas sive on c7, Taimanov - Golombek, Moscow 1956. B) 4 ...d6 This move is a bit passive, be cause Black does not exert pres sure against his opponent's cen 7 ...0-0 tre. 5.�ge2 About 7 ... tt:Jbd78.a 3 - see 6 ... This is the simplest move for tt:Jbd7. White, because now Black cannot double his opponent's pawns. 8.a3 White occupies space and prepares the development of his bishop to the b2-square. 8 ...J.a5 9.�c2 �e8 10.b4 ic7 11.ib2 �bd7 Black's defence would not be any easier if he gives up the centre: ll ... exd4 12.lt:Jxd4 tt:Jbd7 13.�ad1 tt:JeS 14.ie2;t White's pieces are more actively placed and Black's d6-pawn needs permanent pro 5 ...0-0 tection, Likavsky - Vukovic, Zala About S ... cS 6.a3 - see Chap karos 2001. ter 24, variation B. White should not be afraid of the enemy knight-sortie S ... tt:Je4 6.�c2 fS 7.g3;t followed by ig2, 0-0, completing his development and maintaining the advantage, Mejia - Pertierra, Parla 2010. It may be interesting for Black to try here 5 ...c6 !?, after which there arises a position just like 293 Chapter 20 in variation A, but with the dif After8 ... �e7 9.0-0 .if5, White ference that White's knight on e2 can begin immediately the fight prevents the development of his for the e4-square: 10.f3 ltlc6 bishop to the d3-square, but even ll.ltld5 ltlxd5 12.cxd5 ltlb8 13.e4± then after6.a 3 .ia57.ltlg 3 h5, Ber followed by .ie3, l'!c1, Euwe - tok - Puc, Lj ubljana 1955, 8 . .id3!? Yanofsky, Groningen 1946. White h4 9.ltlge2h3 10.g3;tBlack's pawn has more space, two powerful on h3 is too far away from the rest bishops and good prospects to at of his forces and is much rather a tack the weak enemy c7-pawn. liability than strength. 9.0-0 ltlbd7 6.a3 Now, Black cannot avoid the It is not good for Black to de exchange and White obtains the velop his bishop - 9 ....if5 due to two-bishop advantage. 10.f3± 6 .•..txc3 + 7.ltlxc3 e5 8.i.e2 He should better avoid 9 ... He is preparing to castle king exd4 10.exd4, because the open side. ing of the position is in favour of White who has two bishops. 10 ... ltle4 ll.ltlxe4 l'!xe4 12 . .id3± Vai tonis - Berner, Winnipeg 1953. s ...ges 8 ...ltlc6 9.d5. White is occu pying space. 9 ...ltle7 10.e4 ltle8 10.Yl¥c2!? 11..ie3. He plans to castle queen This is a very reliable move. side, because after 11.0-0 his White is not in a hurry to force king may come under attack. 11 ... the issue. f5 12.f3 ltlf6 13.�d2 a6 14.0-0-0 .id715.c 5± followed by 'it>b1, l''k1 It is also possible fo r him to and actions on the c-file, Ludgate choose the sharper line: 10.f4 - Franklin, Blackpool 1971. exd4 ll.exd4 d5 12.f5;t followed 294 l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.4Jc3 .tb44.e 3 by .if4, Milov - Dizdarevic, Stru squares. Therefore, White must ga 1995. play very accurately. 5.Wc2 10 .•. h6 ll.h3 tl:Jf8 12.dxe5 gxe5 Or 12 ...dxe5 ?! 13.gd1 �e7 14.tl:Jd5 li:Jxd5 15.cxd5± and then .id2, gael. 13.e4;!; 5 ...f5 This is the strongest move for Black. He is reluctant to give up the key e4-square without a fight. It is bad for him to opt for 5 ... d5, because after 6 . .id3 tl:Jxc3 (6 .. .f5 7.4Jge2 - see 5 .. .f5) 7.bxc3 Now, White's bishop on c1, .id6 8.4Jf3 h6 9.0-0± Black lags which has been idle, enters the considerably in development and actions. He has a stable advantage White can always get rid of his thanks to his extra space and his doubled pawns by exchanging bishops may become very power on d5, Werle - Meijers, Germany ful in the future. Black has some 2011. counterplay against the enemy d4-pawn, but this is insufficient Following 5 ...4Jx c3 6.bxc3, fo r equality. Black doubles the enemy pawns, but must lose time to retreat with his bishop. 6 ....ta5 (6 ....te7 7 . .id3 C) 4 ... tLle4 d6 8.4Je2 b6 9.0-0 .ia6 10.f4 c6 This move contradicts one of 11.li:Jg3 g6 12.e4± - The vulner the basic principles of playing in ability of White's c4-pawn cannot the opening - not to play a second compensate for Black the absence time with an already developed of a pawn-centre and his lag in piece. Black bases his hopes on development, Sasikiran - Lev tactical tricks connected with his itt, Kolkata 1997) 7 . .id3 d6 (7 ... pressure against the c3 and f2- h6 8.tt:le2 d6 9.0-0 - see 7 ...d6) 295 Chapter 20 8.tt:le2 h6 9.0-0 0-0 (9... lt:Jd7 prospects on the weakened dark 10.e4 e5 ll.f4± followed by ie3, squares. Black's knight will not lt:Jg3,�f 3, �afl, lt:Jf5) 10.e4 c5 ll.f4 remain for long in the centre of lt:Jc6 12.d5 lt:Jb8 13.f5 exf5 14.exf5. the board, because it willbe oust White has powerful initiative and ed afterf2 -f3. Black cannot exploit the weak ness of his opponent's queen It is not good for him to choose side pawn-structure, because he 6 ...tt:Jx c3 7.bxc3. Black doubles is forced to defend. 14 ...lt:Jd7 (It the enemy pawns, but gives up would be a disaster for Black to without a fight the important e4- play 14 .. .f6? 15.lt:Jf4± and White's square. 7 ...ie7 8.e4 g6 9.lt:Jf3± - knight will penetrate to the e6- He is behind in development and square, Korobov - Fier, Beijing his kingside has been compro 2008.) 15.if4 l!fff6 16.�acU fol mised, Ovsejevitsch - Spiess, Gau lowed by lt:Jg3-e4 (h5), sending Algesheim 2011. Black's queen away and opening the way forward of the pawn on 6 ...ixc3 + 7.bxc3 0-0 8.lt:Jh3. f5. It would be too dangerous for White to accept the pawn-sac 6 . .id3 rifice, because Black will have White develops his pieces and strong counterplay on the light continues the fight for the e4- squares. 8 ...b6 9.0-0 lt:Jc6 10.ia3 square. �e8 ll.f3 lt:Jf6, Li Ruofan - Tolen tino, Manila 2007. White has re moved the enemy knight from the centre and will maintain a great advantage after the pawn-break 12.e4!± It may be interesting for Black to try the brave pawn-sacrifice 6 ...b6 !?, but White should better refrain from accepting it 7.lt:Jh3!? (Following 7.ixe4 fxe4 8.1!ffxe4 0-0 9.lt:Jf3 9 ...d5 10.1!ffd3 ia6� 6 ...0-0 despite the extra pawn, White's game is much more difficult, Es 6 ... d5?! 7.lt:Jge2 0-0 8.cxd5 tremera Panos - Belezky, Palma exd5 9.0-0 Wh8 10.1!ffb3 .bc3 de Mallorca 2008; or 9.1!ffxa8 ll.bxc3 c6 12.c4± Najdorf - Quin lt:Jc6� followed by l!fff6, ia6.) 7 ... teros, Sao Paulo 1978. White has l!ffh4 8.0-0 lt:Jxc3 9.bxc3 ib7 10. two powerful bishops and good f4 ! (Capturing of the bishop leads 296 l.d4 ti:lf6 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 ib4 4.e3 to a perpetual check: 10.cxb4 9.�xc3 �xc3 10.tbc3 ixg2 11.'it>xg2 �g4+ 12.\t>hl �f3=) There has arisen a position 10 ...ie7 ll.e4t White has won which is typical for numerous the fight for the e4-square, while variations of the Nimzo-Indian Black lags in the development of Defence. White has two bishops his pieces. and good prospects on the queen side, so he is clearly better. 7.�ge2 10 ... j,b7ll.f3 d6 White is trying to develop his pieces as quickly as possible. He should better refrain from capturing the pawn: 7.ixe4 fxe4 8.�xe4 dS� 7 ...b6 Black is preparing the devel opment of his bishop to b7. About 7 ...d5 8.cxd5 - see 6 ... dS. 12.b3 8.0-0 White is preparing the devel Now, the knight on c3 is not opment of his bishop to the b2- pinned and White is threatening square. Black will have problems ti:Jxe4. to neutralise its pressure on the long diagonal. 12 ... �d7 13.j,b2 'l;Yg5 14. gael gf6 It seems less precise for Black to opt for 14 ...ti:Jf 6, Khairul - Sa dorra, Kuala Lumpur 2007, be cause in that case White can break through in the centre immediately with lS.dS!? eS (lS ...exdS 16.cxd5 ti:JxdS 17.ic4 'it>h8 18.ixd5 hdS 19.�xc7± and in the arising mid 8 ....ixc3 dle game with bishops of oppo site colours White's prospects Or 8 ...ti:Jxc3, Nikolaidis - Ro are clearly preferable. His bishop zentalis, Vrachati 2011, 9.bxc3 takes part in the attack, while .id6 10.e4t Black's bishop is restricted by the 297 Chapter 20 pawn on f3 .) 16.f4± White opens advantageously the long diagonal. 15.d5 .!i)cS 16 . .ic2;t Eriksson - Lindberg, Sweden 2008. There do not arise original po sitions after5 ... 0-0 6 . .id3, for ex ample: 6 ...d6 7.e4 - see 5 ...d6, or 6 ...c5 7.ltJe2- see 5 ...c5 . 5 ....!i)c6. Black is preparing White is not afraid of Black's e6-e5. 6 . .id3 e5 7.l2Je2 d6 (7 ...e4 counterplay on the kingside, since 8 . .ic2 l2Ja5 9 . .!i)g3 l2Jxc4 10 . .!i)xe4 he can protect the g2-square with l2Jxe4 11.he4 d5 12 . .id3 0-0 the moves 1"lf2 or �d2. Black's 13.0-0;!; - The exchange of the main problem is that his minor pawns is no doubt in favour of piece do not participate in the at White, since he has got rid of tack. His bishop is restricted by his weakness on c4, Recoulat - the pawn on d5 and his knight on Bronstein, Acasusso 1994.) 8.e4 c5 will be soon ousted from there h6 (8 .. .'�e7 9.f3 b6 10.0-0 l2Ja5 afterthe move b3-b4. 11.f4!± followed by l2Jg3 and Black fails to create counterplay against D) 4 ....ixc3 + the pawn on c4, Edzgveradze - This is the most dangerous Gurgenidze, Tbilisi 1996) 9.0-0 move for White among all the 0-0 10.f4 �e7, Salamanca - Ku possibilities which we analyse in rajica, Linares 1995, 1l.fxe5!? this chapter. dxe5 12.d5 l2Jb8 13.l2Jg3;!; White's 5.bxc3 kingside initiative compensates (diagram) with an interest the weaknesses Now, Black has a choice. He of his pawn-structure. can develop his bishop with Dl) 5 ...b6 to the b7-square, or leave it 5 .. :�e7. Black is trying to ad on c8 for the time being and begin vance e7-e5 as quickly as pos the deployment of his pawns on sible. 6 . .id3 e5 7.ltJe2 d6 8.0-0 the dark squares D2) 5 ...d6 (fol 0-0 9.ltJg3 c5 10.f3 l2Jc6 ll.d5 lowed by c5 and e5). l2Ja5 12.e4;!;Wh ite has extra space, 298 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.CiJc3 §Lb4 4.e3 hc3 5.bc two bishops and good prospects e3-e4 and the development of his on the kingside and this more bishop to the active position - than compensates his weakened §LgS. queenside, Hoffman - Carbajal, Mar del Plata 1988. 6 ....tb7 After S ... cS, the game usu About 6 ...0-0 7.CiJe2 ib7 8.f3 ally transposes to s ... d6, since - see 6 ...ib 7. Black can hardly continue the game without this move. 6.§Ld3 The move 6 ...CiJc6 has the CiJc6 (6 ...0-0 7.CiJe2 d6 8.0-0 - drawback that White can advance see 5 ...d6; 6 ...d6 7.CiJe2 - see 5 ... 7.e4 without the preliminary d6) 7.CiJe2 0-0 (7 ...d6 8.e4 - see move f2 -f3. 7 ...e5 8.f4. He has the s ... d6; 7 ...e5 8.0-0 0-0 9.e4 d6 two-bishop advantage and should lO.l'!bl- see 5 ...d6; 7 ...b6 8.e4 d6 strive to open the position. 8 ... 9.f4 - see 5 ...d6) 8.0-0 b6 9.e4 exd4 (8 ...d6 9.CiJf3;t) 9.e5 CiJg8 CiJe8. Black is planning to trans 10.cxd4 CiJxd4 ll.CiJf3!� White fer his knight to the d6-square. has more than sufficient com This manoeuvre has been tried pensation for the sacrificedpawn . in the games of J.R.Capablanca. Black's defence is very difficult, lO.eS fS , Punteri - Stella, Ceri because he lags considerably in ano Laghetto 2008. Here, White development. maintains a stable advantage with the move lU!el!?;l; 7.£3d6 Black's threat 'Wh4, aris Dl) 5 ...b6 6 . .td3 ing after 7 ...CiJh5, can be parried by White simply with the move 8.CiJh3;tAh umada - Larrain Cor tes, Santiago de Chile 2008. The other moves usually lead to transposition: 7 ... 0-0 8.CiJe2 d6 9.e4, or 7 ... CiJc68. e4 d6 9.CiJe2, or 7 ...c5 8.CiJe2d6 9.0-0 - see 7 ... d6. (diagram) White's set-up is very simple: 8 ...�c6 f2-f3, CiJe2, 0-0 followed by fur Black is preparing the stand ther occupation of the centre with ard transfer for similar positions 299 Chapter 20 to get rid of the pin of his knight. 10 •..h6 ll.i.h4 g5 12.i.f2 Wfd7 of his knight to the aS-square. 8 ...cS 9.0-0 tLlc6 10.e4 Wfc7, Janev - Bojchev, Sofia 2011, 11.igS;t White's dark-squared 13.lilc1 bishop is becoming very active. White transfers his knight to b3 in order to exchange the knight After ... 8 0-0 9.e4 cS lO.igS on aS and to reduce the enemy tLlbd7 11.0-0 Wfc7 12.Wfd2;t Black pressure against the pawn on c4. has a solid but passive position. 13 ...0-0-0 14.lilb3 Wfa4 15. He can hardly exploit the vul lilxa5 §'xa5 16.Wfb3 lilh5 17. nerability of the enemy c4-pawn, Wfb4 lilf4 18 . .ifl Wfxb4 19.cxb4;t because the knight on d7 will not White has succeeded in correcting come easily to the aS-square. the defects of his pawn-structure and his prospects are preferable 9.e4 lila5 in this endgame, Shulman - Yu dasin, St Petersburg 1998. Following 9 ...Wfe7 10.ie3 h6 11.0-0 eS 12.tLlg3;t White will have good prospects on the king D2) 5 ... d6 6.i.d3 side with tLlfS or f2-f4, Urban - Cao Sang, Dresden 2007. After9 ...eS 10.0-0 Wfe7 11.f4!± in the game Ivkov - Lombard, Bath 1973, White scored a quick victory. 10.i.g5 Now, Black will have to weak en his pawn-structure if he wishes 300 l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e6 3Jijc3 fi.b4 4.e3 hc3 5.bc White's piece set-up is analo About 7 ... 0-0 B.0-0 �c6 9.e4 gous to variation Dl: �e2, e3-e4, eS 10.!=1b1 - see 7 ...eS. 0-0. His knight is better placed on Following 7 ...�c6 B.e4 b6 e2 than on f3, since it does not (B ...eS 9.0-0 - see 7 ...e5) 9.f4 prevent f2-f4. eS 10.dS �aS 11.fxeS dxeS, Don ner - Csom, Palma de Mallorca 6 ... c5 1971, White maintains an advan tage with 12.0-0!? h6 13.�g3 �e7 Black has also tried in prac 14.�f3 :t, exerting powerful pres tice 6 ...0-0 7.e4 eS. The way for sure on the f-file. For example, White to obtain an advantage in Black cannot play 14 ... 0-0 due to this position is well familiar after 15.ixh6. the games of Rubinstein. 8.�e2 E1eB9.f 3 b6 (9 ... �bd7 10.0-0 �fB 8.e4 11.1i.e3 b6 12.'\Wd2 whB 13.�g3:t followed by �g3-fS, f3-f4, Garcia Palermo - Granda Zuniga, Rio Hondo 19B7) 10.0-0 �c6 ll.ie3 ia6 12.�g3 �aS 13.�e2 cS 14.dS WhB 1S.f4:t Rubinstein - Colle, Liege 1930. Later, White's attack proved to be much more powerful than Black's counterplay against the weak c4-pawn. The move 6 ...eS usually trans poses to the main lines. 7.e4 �e7 8 .. )[jc6 (7... 0-0 B.�e2 - see 6 ... 0-0; 7 ... c5 8.�e2 - see 6 ...cS ; 7 ...�c6 After B ...�hS, Winants - Sui B.�e2 - see 5 ... �c6) 8.�e2 �h5. skis, Heraklio 2007, White should This move looks too risky. (B ... c5 better play 9.0-0!?:t followed by 9.0-0 - see 6 ... c5) 9.0-0 gS, Graf f2-f4. - Sulskis, Yucatan 2004. The best way fo r White to exploit the weak B ...�e7 9.0-0 �c6 10.d5 �dB ness of the fS -square is 10.�g3!? ll.�g3± Black will have great dif �xg3 11.fxg3!± followed by �hS ficulties to parry White's threats and doubling of the rooks on the connected with h2-h3, f2-f4, be f-file. cause Black's knight on dB does not control the e5-square, Rausis 7.�e2 e5 - Reddmann, Hamburg 2002. 301 Chapter 20 9.0-0 mature opening of the centre for Black has led to the irrevocable weakening of his d6-pawn, Khis matullin - Provotorov, Voronezh 2010. After 10 ...0-0 1l..ie3 b6 12.d5 lt:Ja5 13.lt:lg3.ia6 14.�e2 .ic8, Ruiz Jarabo Pelayo - Rodriguez Rey, Email 2006, White can begin ac tive actions on the kingside with 15.f4±. It is worth mentioning that White's set-up is analogous to the game Rubinstein - Colle, Liege 9 ...0-0 1930. 10 ... g5. Black impedes his op It seems strategically very ponent's pawn-advance f2-f4. 11. risky fo r Black to opt for 9 ... ie3 b6 12 . .ic2 lt:Ja5 13.lt:lg3 .id7 cxd4 10.cxd4 exd4 1l.i"!b1 h6 (It would be too risky for him to 12 . .ib2 0-0 13.lt:Jxd4± White has accept the pawn-sacrifice: 13 ... regained his pawn and his dark lt:Jxc4?! 14 . .id3 lt:Jxe3 15 . .ib5+! squared bishop has become very .id7 16.hd7+ lt:Jxd7 17.fxe3± fol active, S.Hansen - Fries Nielsen, lowed by lt:Jf5. Black has an extra Copenhagen 1992. pawn indeed, but his defence will be very difficult, since all light 9 ... h6. Black is not in a hurry squares in his position are hope to castle. 10.h3. White takes the lessly weak.) 14.�e2± Black must g4-square under control and pre be permanently on the alert about pares .ie3. the threat lt:Jf5, Tasic - Leonard, Email 2008. 10 ...b6 ll.d5± After 10 ...i"!e8 ll.d5 lt:Ja5 12. lt:Jg3 b6, Sorm - Rojas Keirn, Spain 2013, Whitemaintains the advantage with 13.h3!?± followed by f2-f4. 10 ...cxd4 ll.cxd4 exd4 12 . .ib2 0-0 13.lt:Jxd4 lt:Je5 14.f4 lt:lxd3 ll.d5 �e7 12.�g3 �g6 15.�xd3 i"!e8 16.i"!ael± - The pre- 13 . .ig5 �d7 14.�f5;!; 302 J.d4 ti:Jf6 2.c4 e6 3Jijc3 �b4 4.e3 hc3 S.bc more actively deployed and after the careless move 14 .•.h6?! he had the possibility to organize a dangerous attack with a piece sacrifice. 15.hh6 gxh6 16. �h5 �d8 17.ti:Jxh6+ c;t>g7 18.ti:Jf5+ c;t>gS 19.lUe1. White is threaten ing l'!el-e3-h3, fo rcing Black to part with the extra material. 19 ••. ti:Jf6 20.V;Yh6 �xf5 21.exf5 c!Og4 22.�h5 �h4 23.�xh4 c!Oxh4 This position was reached in 24.�e4 c!Of3+ 25.gxf3 c!Of6 26. the game Mayer - Cossmann, �h4± and White already has a IECC 2013. White's pieces are material advantage. Conclusion We have just analysed some seldom played lines for Black on move fo ur in the Rubinstein System. After ...4 c6 or 4 ...d6, White obtains two bishops and has a space ad vantage. Meanwhile, Black's position is very passive and he can hardly create meaningful counterplay. After 4 ... ti:Je4, White must fight fo r the key e4-square with all his fo rces: �c2, .td3, ti:Je2,0-0 and eventually f2-f3. White should mostly be afraid of the move 4 ....txc3 , because in that case he must continue the game with doubled pawns and that is not to everybody's liking. He should arrange his pieces according to Rubin stein's plan: .td3, ti:Je2-g3, 0-0, e3-e4, .te3fo llowed by f2-f4 and c!OfS, beginning active operations on the kingside. 303 Chapter 21 l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 e6 3.ttlc3 .tb4 4.e3 ttlc6 This is White's most reliable way of fighting for the opening advantage. Before developing his knight, White places his bishop to an active position. After the "standard" move S.lt:Jge2, it would be more difficult forhim to devel op the bishop on fl . Now, Black has a choice. He may either advance the typical move for the Taimanov Variation Black develops his knight and - B) 5 .•.e5 , or refrain from it in prepares e6-e5, keeping the pos favour of A) 5 •..0-0. sibility to advance d7-d5. This variation was named af There do not arise original ter the Leningrad grandmaster positions after s ....bc3 + 6.bxc3 Mark Taimanov who contributed - see Chapter 20, variation D or greatly to the development of the S ...dS 6.lt:Jge2, for example 6 ... theory of the move 4 ...lt:Jc6 and eS 7.cxd5 - see variation B3, or played it regularly at the begin 6 ... 0-0 7.a3 - see variation A. ning of the SOies of the past cen tury. Nowadays, it is not used often in the tournament practice, A) 5 ... 0-0 6.tilge2 because it has a serious positional White develops his knight and defect. Black's knight has been prevents the possible doubling of developed in front of his pawn on his pawns afterix c3. c7 and he will have great prob (diagram) lems later to accomplish the typi 6 ...d5 cal pawn-advance for similar po Afterthis move, there arise on sitions - c7-c5. the board positions resembling 5 . .id3!? the Ragozin Defence, but with a 304 l.d4 l:iJf6 2.c4 e6 3. l:iJc3 1lb4 4.e3 l:iJc6 5.1ld3 vance e6-e5 leads to the weaken ing of the a2-g8 diagonal. 9 ...g6 10.1lb2 1i.g7 1U'1c1 dxc4 12.hc4 e5 13.�b3± - The vulner ability of the t7-pawn is hurting Black, Zamora - Larduet Desp aigne, Holguin 1991. He cannot equalise with the immediate pawn-break in the cen tre 9 ...e5, because White is better prepared for it. 10.1:iJxd5 l:iJxd5 misplaced black knight on c6 (in 11.cxd5 �xd5 12.b5 l:iJa5, Kolas the Ragozin Defence White plays inski - Zvolanek, Olomouc 1989. �a4 in order to provoke l:iJc6). Here, it would be very strong Well, the placement of the knight for him to choose 13.dxe5 �xeS on e2 may turn out to be not so 14.�c2t followed by 1lb2, while active as on the f3 -square, but on after 14 ...�xa 1?! 15.1lb2 �xf1+ the other hand White may play in 16.\t>xfl± White's queen will be some variations f2 -f4, preventing stronger than Black's two rooks, the freeing move for Black e6-e5. since Black's knight is misplaced at the edge of the board, while About 6 ...e5 7.0-0 - see vari White's pieces are very active. ation Bl. 9 ...dxc4 10.1lxc4 e5 11.�b3 �e7 12.d5 l:iJb8 13.e4 l:iJbd7, Ku 6 .. J"1e8. The idea of this move zubov - Ovetchkin, St Peters is that Black is preparing a square burg 2003, 14.1le3!? l:iJb6 15.1lb5 fo r the retreat of his bishop on b4. 1ld7 16.hd7. The exchange of 7.0-0 d5 (7... e5 8.d5 - see varia the bishops is in favour of White tion Bl) 8.a3 1lf8 9.b4 because his central pawns are placed on light squares. 16 ...�xd7 17.a4 l:iJc8 18.f3 l:iJd6 19.l"1fcU fol lowed by doubling of the rooks on the c-fileand pressure against the pawn on c7. Black's position is very passive after 6 ...d6 7.0-0. (diagram) Following 7 ...1i.xc3 , he pre Black has a solid but passive sents his opponent with the two position and his attempt to ac- bishop advantage, but contrary to ons ofthe Nimzo- complish the freeing pawn-ad- the other variati 305 Chapter 21 White forces the enemy bishop to clarifyits intentions. 7 ...dxc4 This is Black's most popular response and later, he will try to advance e6-e5. After7 ....ie7 8. 0-0;tBlack will hardly manage to push e6-e5, be Indian Defence without doubling cause his bishop on e7 does not his pawns. 8.tt:lxc3 eS 9.d5 tt:le7 support this pawn-advance. 10.�c2 tt:lg6, Kasparov - Jones, Cannes 1988. White may obtain 7 ....id6 8.c5 .ie7, Paehtz - an advantage now in numerous Reeh, Germany 1991, 9.0-0 eS ways, but the most reliable is 11. 10.f3 .ie6 ll.b4;t and White's b3!?;tfo llowed by .ib2, i"!:ae1, f2-f4. game is much easier. After 7 ...e5, White has the re source 8.tt:ld5!? and Black's bish 8.ixc4 op on b4 is endangered. 8 ...exd4 9.exd4 tt:lxdS lO.cxdS tt:le7 11.�a4 cS 12.dxc6 tt:lxc6 13.d5 �aS (It is preferable for Black to continue here with 13 ... tt:le5, but even then after 14.hh7+ 'kt>xh7 15.�xb4± he has no compensation for the pawn.) 14.�xa5 tt:lxaS 15.1"!:b1+-, Black is helpless against a2-a3 followed by b2-b4, Milov - Rodri guez, New York 1997. 7.a3 8 ...ixc3 + Black does not wish to lose time for the retreat of his bishop. 8 ....ie7 9.0-0 eS lO.dS tt:lb811. tt:lg3tt:le8 12.e4 tt:ld6 13 . .ie2;t fol lowed by .ie3, i"!:c1, exerting pres sure against the weak c7-pawn, Cebalo - Knezevic, Pula 1984. After8 ... .id6Wh ite has the re source 9.f4!?, preventing radically 306 l.d4 tiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tiJc3 12.b4 4.e3 tiJc6 5.§J.d3 the pawn-advance e6-e5. 9 ...tiJd5 tions - to transfer the knight to (It seems very bad for Black to re d6 and to undermine the enemy treat his knight to its initial posi centre with f7-f5. tion - 9 ...tiJb8 10.e4± Greenfeld ll.e4 tiJg6 - Mikhalevski, Beersheba 1997.) 10.0-0 1e7, Wohlmann - Lerner, There arise similar positions Oberwart1996, 11.1d2± Black can as in the main variation after 11... hardly organise any counterplay. tiJe8,Lafuente - Moiseenko, Bar bera del Valles 2009, 12.0-0 tiJd6 8 ...1J.a5. He prepares the 13.1J.e2f5 14.f3± transfer of his bishop to the b6- square. 9.0-0 a6 (9 ...e5 10.d5 Black should better avoid 11... tiJe7 1l.b4 1b6 12.1b2 tiJf5, Nezad c6, because he should not open - Ali, Doha 2013. Black's bishop the game when the opponent is very active on b6 and White has the two-bishop advantage. should better get rid of it immedi 12.1g5 tiJg6, Auer - Schoenthier, ately with 13.tiJa4!?± followed by Germany 2008, 13.'Wf3!?± and tiJxb6, obtaining the two-bishop later, White will manage at least advantage.) 10.b4 1b6 11.1b2 e5 to compromise his opponent's 12.tiJa4 1a7 13.tiJc5 exd4, Kekki - pawn-structure with hf6. Rantanen, Pori 1986. Now, after 14.tiJxd4!? tiJe5 15.1b3± White's 12.0-0 tiJeS pieces are considerably more ac tive. 9)i:lxc3 e5 10.d5 tiJe7 This is a position from the game Artemenko - Lalith, Chen nai 2011. 13 . .id2!? (It is less ac curate for Whiteto choose here 13. White has a bishop pair and a §J.e3 tiJd6 14.1J.d3 f5 15.f3 f4 16. 1f2 space advantage, but must play 'Wg5f! followed by tt:lh4, Elf6-g6. very precisely, because Black has The bishop on f2 prevents White a clear-cut plan for his fu rther ac- from protecting his g2-pawn.) 307 Chapter 21 13 ..•�d6 14 . .td3 f5 15.f3 8.d5 .id7 16.gcu In the arising com plicated position, White can exert pressure against the enemy c7- pawn and this provides him with long lasting initiative. Later, he can choose between �c3-a4-c5 or �e1, !Ul-f2-c2. B) 5 ..•e5 6.�ge2 8 ... lt:lb8 9.a3 �f8 10.e4 d6 ll.b4 lt:lbd7 12.f3± followed by �e3 and the preparation of a breakthrough on the queenside with c4-c5, Boleslavsky - Kaspa rian, Moscow 1952. We will analyse now Bl) Black cannot equalise with 6 ••• 0-0, B2) 6 .•. exd4 and B3) the sharp move 8 ... e4, Cvetkovic 6 •..d5 . - Planinec, Novi Travnik 1969, in view of 9.�c2 !? lt:leS 10.lt:lxe4 Bl) 6 •..0-0 7.0-0 ges lt:lxe4 ll.�e4 �h4 12.lt:lg3. The This move leads to a cramped activity of Black's pieces does not position for Black. provide him with sufficient com pensation fo r the sacrificed pawn 7 ...exd4 8.exd4 h6, Neunhoef and following 12 ...lt:lxc 4?! 13.�b3! fer - Hecht, Germany 1989. This lt:ld2 14.�d2 �xd2 15.�a4± he move is too slow (It is preferable regains his pawn indeed, but this for Black to opt for 8 ...d5 9.c5 - cannot make him happy since his see variation B2.). 9.lt:ld5!? lt:lxdS bishop on d2 might get trapped in 10.cxd5 lt:le7 ll.lt:lg3! lt:lxdS 12.a3. the enemy camp. White has more than sufficient compensation for the sacrificed 9.a3 .b:c3 10.�xc3 lt:lg6 pawn. 12 ...�e7 13.�h6! gxh6 14. ll.f4 exf4 12.exf4 c6 13.d6 !? �f3 lt:lf6 15.�f4+- and Black's �b6+ 14.�hl i1Yc5 15 . .te2 �e4 king is under a checkmating at 16.tbxe4 gxe4, Peker - Shvidler, tack. Israel 1996, 17.f5! �f8 18 . .td3 308 l.d4 0,f6 2.c4 e6 3Jijc3 �b4 4.e3 0,c6 5.�d3 ges 19.i.f4± and Black has prac After 9 ...b6, Ungureanu - Sy tically no moves. dor, Bucharest 1971, White again obtains the two-bishop advantage with 10.'\Wa4!? .bc3 11.0,xc3± B2) 6 ... exd4 7.exd4 d5 10.bxc3 h6 8.c5!? Black should not allow the en emy bishop to g5, because after that the pin of the knight on f6 would be very unpleasant for him: 10 ...�g4 , Zacurdajev - Yakovlev, St Petersburg 2002, 11.�g5±; or 10 ...b6 11.�g5 h6 12.�h4 bxc5 13.dxc5 0,e5 14.0,d4 0,g6 15.hg6 fxg6 16J\el± Geller - Taimanov, Moscow 1952; or 10 ... 0,e7, Milei ka - Tal, USSR 1953, 11.�g5! 0,g6 12.0,f4 0,xf4 13.�xf4± White has This is the only way for White a stable advantage thanks to his to fight for the opening advan- two bishops. tage. He should not enter a po- sition with an isolated pawn on 11.tLlg3 the d-file, since his knight will be better placed on f3 than on the e2- square. 8 .••0-0 About 8 ... h6 9.0-0 hc3 10.bxc3 0-0 11.0,g3 or 8 ...hc3 + 9.bxc3 h6 10.0-0 0-0 11.0,g3 - see 8 ... 0-0. 9.0-0 .b:c3 With his move eight White has ll ...b6 cut offthe possible retreats of the enemy bishop on b4 and Black Following 11 ...l"\e8, Alves - Ro is forced to exchange it, because cha, Recife 1963, 12.�f4± White White is threatening to retreat his again preserves a slight edge. knight from c3 and to follow that with a2-a3 and b2-b4. 12 . .ia3 ges 13JWf3 .ig4 309 Chapter 21 13 ....ie6 14J"1aeU Black has 8.e4 a solid but rather cramped posi tion, Gligoric - De Greif, Portoroz 1958. 14.�f4 �e7 After 14 ... l!Ja5, White should bring into the actions his queen's rook: 15.Ei:aeU 15.l:!ae1 J.e6 16.�cl bxc5 17 .hc5;t Gligoric - Pachman, Havana 1966. He can play for a 8 ...�b6 win for a long time thanks to his Black's knight will control the bishop-pair. Black's position is a4-square from here. solid indeed, but is very passive. After 8 ... l!Jf6 9.d5±, he will have to exchange his bishop on B3) 6 •••d5 c3; otherwise, he may lose it. It is bad for Black to opt for 8 ... exd4 9.exd5 1Wxd5, Arlamowski Sliwa, Lodz 1954, 10.a3 .ia5 ll.b4 dxc3 12.bxa5± and in the middle game White's piece will be strong er than Black's pawns. He should better avoid 8 ... l!Jxc3, since this move will only fortifyWh ite's centre. 9.bxc3 .id6 10.0-0 0-0 ll.i.e3 f5 (11... \t>hS 7.cxd5 �xd5 12.f4±) 12.f4 exd4 13.l!Jxd4 l!Jxd4 14 . .ixd4c5 15 . .ie5.ix e5, Rovner Following 7 .. .'1Wxd5 8.0-0 Mukhitdinov, Riga 1954, 16.i.c4+ ! Wfa5, Jelen - Tratar, Otocec 2009, White does not allow the enemy the simplest for White would be bishop to the e6-square. 16 ...\t>hS to obtain the two-bishop advan 17.fxe5± and Black's position is tage with 9.a3 .ixc3 10.l!Jxc3;t;;, tremendously difficult because of preserving better chances. the lag in the development of his 310 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tiJc3 i.b44.e 3 CiJc6 5.i.d3 queenside pieces. - Kogan, Budapest 1994. 9.d5 �e7 10.0-0 0-0 After10 ... c6, White should not exchange on c6, since this will activate the knight on e7. ll.W!'b3 i.cS 12.i.g5 h6 13.i.h4;!; followed by :Bacl, :Bfd1, Feldman - Gede vanishvili, Sydney 1995. Black will have problems to complete his development. ll.ig5 �h8 This position was reached in the game Nakamura - Ivanchuk, ll ...a6. He takes the bS-square Medias 2011. Here, the simplest under control. 12.CiJg3 h6 13 . .ie3 decision for White would be CiJd7 14.:Bc1CiJf 6 15.W!'b3 .id6 16.f3 12.�b3!? id6 13.�b5;!; (fol CiJg6 17.:Bfd1 CiJf4 18 . .ifl;t White lowed by a2-a4), beginning active has much more space, Sherbakov actions on the queenside. Conclusion The Taimanov Variation does not promise equality for Black, since he would not have the possibility to exert pressure against his oppo nent's centre with c7-c5. White either obtains the two-bishop advan tage (if Black exchanges on c3), or a space advantage and pressure against the c7-pawn on the semi-open c-file (after Black retreats with his bishop to d6 and advances e6-e5). 311 Chapter 22 l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 .ib4 4.e3 d5 Here, Black can either ex change B) 5 •...ixc3 , or retreat with his bishop A) 5 •...!e7. It is not so good for Black to play 5 ....id6 , because the bishop will be attacked with tempo on this square. 6.c5 White occupies space on the queenside. You can see as an example of how to play similar positions with White the This natural and logical move game Petrosian - Fischer, Yugo (Black is fighting for the centre.) slavia 1959: 6 ....ie7 7.ltJf3 0-0 8. has the drawback that now, White b4 ltJe4 9 . .ib2 ltJd7 10. .id3 f5 . should not worry about the possi Black's desire to preserve his ble doubling of his pawns on c3. knight on e4 is understandable, Therefore, the move 4 ...d5, which but now, he will have a weakness was popular during the middle of on e5. U.ltJe2.if6 12.0-0 Wie7 13. the past century, is not encoun ltJe5 ttJxe5 14.dxe5 .ig5 15 . .id4 tered so often in the contempo ih6 16.f3± Black's knight is oust rary tournament practice. ed from its position in the centre. If Black insists on placing 16 ...ltJg5 17.c6 b6 18.b5 a6 19. a pawn on d5, then usually he a4+- White's position is strategi plays at first4 ... 0-0 - we will an cally winning, because Black's alyse these variations in Chapter bishop on c8 is trapped inside his 25. own camp. There still followed: 5.a3 19 ...axb5 20.axb5 l'!xa1 21.Wixa1 This is White's strongest and ttJf7 22.'Wc3 Wih4 23.l'!a1 ltJg5 24. most principled move. He clari Wie1 Wih5 25.l'!a7Wig6 26.'it> h1 'Wh5 fies immediately his opponent's 27.f4 ltJe4 28.l'!xc7 g5 29.hb6 fu rther intentions. 'it>h830 . .ixe4fxe4 31..i c5 l'!g8 1-0 312 l.d4 li:Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.li:Jc3 fJ.b4 4.e3 d5 5.a3 A) 5 ....ie7 After 6 ... c5, White can reach a This is an interesting move. favourable position for him with Black loses a tempo but reaches an isolated black pawn on d5. 7. positions which are more typical dxc5 .ixc5 8.b4 fJ.e7 9.cxd5 exd5 for the Queen's Gambit. In addi 10.fJ.b2 0-0 11..ie2 .ie6 12.0-0t tion, White's bishop on c1 cannot followed by li:Jc3-b5-d4, fo rcing go to g5. Therefore, he must try to Black to defend passively, Petro obtain an advantage with the sian - Lisitsin, Riga 1954. pawn-advance b2-b4, in order to exploit the tempo presented gen After 6 ... li:Jbd7 7.b4 c6 8 . .id3, erously to him by Black. White should not be in a hurry 6.li:Jf3 to play fJ.b2, because in some This is White's most natural variations after b3-b4, it will be move. Before playing b2-b4, he better placed on the c1-h6 di develops his knight. agonal. 8 ...dxc4 (8 ... 0-0 9.0-0 - see 6 ... 0-0) 9 . .ixc4 .id6 10.fJ.b2 0-0, Barcza - Unzicker, Saltsjo baden 1952, 11.0-0 e5 12.Wc2 exd4 13.li:Jxd4 li:Jb6 14.fJ.a2t - White's pieces are deployed much more actively than their counter parts. Following 6 ...b6, White should better clarifyimmedia tely the sit uation in the centre. 7.cxd5!? exd5 (It is worse for Black to choose 7 ... 6 •..0-0 li:Jxd5, because after 8.fJ.d3 fJ.b7, Black will hardly continue the there arises the Petrosian System game without castling. in the Queen's Indian Defence, but with an extra tempo for White. About 6 ...c6 7 . .id3 li:Jbd7 8.b4 9.0-0 li:Jxc3 10.bxc3 c5 ll.e4 li:Jc6 -see 6 ...li:Jb d7. 12 . .ib2 0-0 13.d5 !± White has seized completely the initiative, It is not advisable for Black to Bareev - B.Savchenko, Dagomys play 6 ...li:Jc6, because the knight is 2009) 8.b4 c6 (8 ... 0-0 9 . .ie2 - placed in front of his own pawn see 6 ... 0-0) 9.fJ.d3 0-0 10.0-0 on c7. 7.fJ.d3 0-0 8.0-0 b6 9.cxd5 fJ.b7 11.1&b3 li:Jbd7 12.fJ.d2 - see exd5 10.\&c2 fJ.b7, Pliester - Ve 6 ... 0-0. licka, Pardubice 1996, ll.b4t fol lowed by fJ.b2, l"lacl. 7.b4 313 Chapter 22 c5, so White can develop his bish op to a more active position with out being afraid of losing his con trol over the d4-square. 8 ...b6 Black is preparing to fianchet to his bishop. After 8 ...c6 9.0-0 b6, I.Soko lov - Admiraal, playchess.com 2011, 10.e4!? dxe4 11.lt:lxe4;t 7 ••.t0bd7 Black's position is solid but very passive. 7 ...c6 8.i.d3 t0bd79.0-0 - see 7 ...t0bd7. 9.cxd5 This is a timely exchange. 7 ...b6 8.cxd5 exd5 9.i.e2 c5 Now, afterBl ack's bishop is devel 10.dxc5 bxc5 11.bxc5 i.xc5 12.0-0 oped on b7, it will be restricted by tDc6 13.�c2 t0e7 14.i.b2 if5 15. his own pawn on d5. id3 i.xd3 16.�xd3;t Blackis faced with a long and laborious defence 9 ...exd5 10.Wfb3 ib7 11.0-0 of a position with an isolated queen's pawn, Graf - Lushenkov, Cappelle Ia Grande 2009. 7 ...a5. Black plans to advance c5, but White is better prepared for the opening of the game on the queenside. 8.b5 c5 9.dxc5 i.xc5 10.i.b2 b6 (10 ...dxc4 11.ixc4 lt:lbd7, Navrotescu - Lazarev, Cre on 2011, 12.lt:la4;t) 11.cxd5 exd5 12.id3 i.b7 13.lt:la4!t White's knight is well placed at the edge of ll ...c6 the board. It attacks the enemy He is preparing the move i.d6. bishop on c5 and eyes the weak black pawn on b6, S.Atalik - Yer It is bad for Black to opt for molinsky, Stillwater 2011. 11 ...E1b 8?! due to 12.b5! White is preparing the trade of the bish 8 . .id3 ops, preventing c7-c5 in the pro Now, contrary to 7 ...b6, Black cess. 12 ...id6 13.a4 �e7 14.i.a3 will have problems to advance c7- E1fc8 15.i.xd6 �xd6 16.�bl g6 17. 314 l.d4 ftJj6 2.c4 e6 3.ftJc3 §J.b44.e 3 d5 5.a3 f1c1 'Wie7, Knaak - Mititelu, Bu It seems a bit awkward for charest 1975, 18.a5± with power Black to try 12 ... :1'1a7 13.ia3 c5, ful initiative for White on the Osnos - Bagirov, Alma-Ata 1968, queenside. 14.bxc5 bxc5 15.dxc5 ftJxc5 16. Wc2;!; andWh ite will have an easy After 11..Jle8, he continues game against Black's isolated with the standard plan for similar pawn, while his rook on a7 is mis positions: 12.a4 followed by b4- placed. b5 and ia3, exchanging Black's active bishop. 12 ...a5 13.b5 id6 14. 12 ...id6 13.ia3 We7, Brodsky ia3 ftJf8 (14 ...ha3 15.'Wffxa3 ftJe4, - Bruned, Metz 2010, 14.:1'1fcU Ruban - Podgaets, USSR 1967, Black has failed to solve all his 16.:1'1acU followed by doubling of problems in the opening. the rooks and exerting pressure against Black's weak c7-pawn) 12 . .id2 id6 15.:1'1fc1 ftJg6 16.ixd6 cxd6 17.:1'1c2 'Wffd7 18Jlac1 :1'1ac8 19.ftJe2 :1'1xc2 Or 12 ...a5, Korchnoi - Karpov, 20.:1'1xc2 :1'1c8 2l.ftJe1 :1'1xc2 22. Buenos Aires 2001, 13.:1'1acU fol 'Wffxc2;!;Bl ack's defence will be long lowed by :1'1fe1 and e3-e4. and difficultdue to his numerous pawn-weaknesses, Peralta - Pan 13.f1fe1 chanathan, Badalona 2009. Black can control the b5- square with his other pawn too. ll ...a6 12.a4 Black has consolidated his po sition reliably on the queenside and White changes his plan. He It is not good for him to play will try to open the game in the 12 ...c6, because after 13.a5 b5, his centre with e3-e4. bishop on b7 turns into a "big 13 ...a5 14.f1ac1 axb4 15. pawn". 14.:1'1e1 :1'1e8 15.e4 dxe4 16. axb4 YNb8, Geller - Bobotsov, ftJxe4± Geller - Spassov, Sochi Beverwijk 1965, 16.e4! dxe4 17. 1977. ftJxe4;!; White's pieces are much 315 Chapter 22 more actively placed, while 0-0 13.c4;!; - After Black ex Black's pawn on c6 is weak. changes on d4, there arises a very favourable standard position for White with hanging pawns. B) 5 ....h:c3 + 6.bxc3 It is interesting for Black to try 6 ...c6 with the idea for him to cap ture with his c-pawn afterthe ex change on dS and to exert pres sure on the semi-open c-file against the enemy c3-pawn. Therefore, White should better get rid of his pawn-weaknesses immediately. 7.cxd5!? cxdS 8.c4 l2Jc6 (8 ... 0-0 9.l2Jf3 b6, Karavade - Tan, Ho Chi Minh City 2012, 10.a4 i.a6 ll.i.a3 Ele8 12.EicU) Now, we will analyse: Bl) 9.l2Jf3 0-0 10.i.d3 dxc4 ll.hc4 6 ...0-0 and B2) 6 ...c5. b6 12.0-0 i.b7 13.i.d3 WidS 14. ElbU and White's bishop-pair About 6 ... b6 7.cxd5 exdS 8. guarantees his edge, Milov - La i.d3 0-0 - see variation Bl. fuente, Odense 2011. It is not good for Black to choose 6 ...dxc4 , because White Bl) 6 ...0-0 captures on c4 without losing a Now, we will analyse only the tempo. 7.hc4 cS 8.l2Jf3 Wic7 (8.. . variations in which Black is not in l2Jbd79. Wie2Wic7 10.0-0 - see 8 .. . a hurry to advance c7-c5. Wic7) 9.Wie2 b6 (It is not so precise 7.cxd5 exd5 for Black to opt for 9 ... 0-0 10. 0-0 l2Jc6 11.e4± - White has oc The other possible capture 7 ... cupied the centre with his pawn WixdS is in fact giving up the cen and his edge has increased, Erdos tre by Black. 8. f3 !? b6 9.e4 Wic6 - Horvath, Budapest 2002, while 10.c4 eS 11.d5 Wid6 12.l2Je2 l2Jbd7 after 9 ...l2Jbd7 10.0-0 0-0 ll.e4 13.i.e3 ltJcS14.l2Jc 3 i.a6 15.i.e2 c6 eS, Grachev - Bulmaga, Plovdiv 16.0-0;!;Wh ite has the two-bish 2012, he maintains a great advan op advantage and extra space, tage with 12.i.g5!± and White's Gustafsson - Hoelzl, Austria bishops are very active.) 10.0-0 2002. i.b7, Mikenas - Sokolsky, Lenin grad 1947, ll.i.d3!? l2Je4 12.i.b2 8.i.d3 316 l.d4 l:tJf6 2.c4 e6 3Jijc3 fib44.e 3 d5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc a stable advantage with 11.c4!? c6 12.a4 �e8 13.:fia3:t (followed by �b3, �ab1, �fc1) with powerful pressure on the queenside. Following 9 ...:fih 5, it is essen tial for White to prevent the trade of the light-squared bishops. The simplest way for him to do that is 10.�b3 b6 ll.l:iJf4± Cvetkovic - Dizdar, Sibenik 1986. 9 ...'�c8 10.0-0 c5 11.f3 :fif5 8 ...b6 12.e4! This is a timely pawn-break Black is preparing §ia6, in or in the centre. Now, there arise der to trade his opponent's active complications favourable for bishop. White. 12 ...dxe4 13.fxe4 :fig6, Krush - I.Sokolov, Hastings 2000 (If About 8 ...c5 9.l:iJe2 - see varia Black accepts the pawn-sacrifice, tion B2. he comes under a very dangerous attack: 13 ...:fixe4 14.�xf6! bd3 Black's attempt to organise 15.�xd3 gxf6 16.:fih6±; or 13 ... counterplay on the light squares l:iJxe4 14.�c2 �e8 15.�xf5 �xf5 fails 8 ...l:iJe4 9.l:iJe2 fif5 10.�c2 16.l:iJg3± White's two minor piec :fig6. White plays simply 11.tt:lf4± es are stronger than Black's rook (followed by l:iJxg6), Karasev - and pawns.) 14.l:iJf4!± White has a Orlov, St Petersburg 1995. mobile pawn-centre and two powerful bishops. Black is still in 8 ...1ig4 9.l:iJe2 capable of capturing on e4, for ex ample: 14 ...:fixe 4?! 15.l:iJh5! l:iJxh5 16.be4 g6 (16 ...l:iJf6 17.�xf6 gxf6 18.�h5+-) 17.:fih6 l:iJg7 18.�f3+ followed by �f6. 8 ...�e8 9.l:iJe2 About 9 ...c5 10.f3- see varia tion B2. After 9 ...�d7 10.0-0 fibS, Khairullin - Ponkratov, Khanty Mansiysk 2012, White maintains 317 Chapter 22 About 9 ...b6 10.0-0 - see 8 ... clear-cut strategical plan to pre b6. pare e3-e4: 0-0, ti:'lg3, f2-f3 fol 9 ... c5 10.0-0 - see line B2. lowed by !!a2-e2, or (if Black ex It is not good for Black to changes on d3) - ib2 and !!ael. It transfer his bishop on the route is much more difficultfor Black to c8-g4-h5-g6, because all this findgood moves. takes too much time. 9 ....ig4 10. 0-0 ih5 11.�b3 b6 12.4:'lf4 ig6 9 . . . .ia6 13.4Jxg6 hxg6 14.c4± - The posi tion is opened and White's bish About 9 ...c5 10.0-0 - see vari ops are obviously more powerful ation B2b. than Black's knights, Drummond -Tao, Sydney 1995. 9 ...!!e8 10.0-0 c5 (10 ....b6 9 ... 4Jbd7. Black prepares the 1l.f3 - see 9 ...ia6) 11.f3 - see var transfer of his knight to the g6- iation B2b. square. 10.0-0 ti:'lf8 11.f3 ti:'lg6 (ll ...c5 12.4:'lg3 cxd4 13.cxd4 a6 10.0-0 .ixd3 14.�d2 id7 15.e4 dxe4 16.fxe4 ic6 17.d5± White begins the ad Or 10 ...!!e8 11.f3 ixd3 12.�xd3 vance of his pawn-centre, Euwe - or 10 ...�c8 ll.f3 hd3 12.�xd3 - Steiner, Groningen 1946) 12.�e1 see 10 ...hd3 . c5 13.�f2 �c7 14.id2 b6 15.4:'lg3 ib7 16J!ael± and White is per ll.�xd3 fe ctly prepared to advance e3-e4, Taimanov - Abramov, Leningrad 1950. 9.ti:Je2 ll ...�c8 Black is preparing �a6 and contrary to White's actions on the centre, Black is planning active operations on the light squares. It is much easier to play this position with White. He has a About ll ...!!e8 12.f3 �c8 (12 ... 318 J.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.CiJc3 ii.b44. e3 dS 5.a3 hc3 6.bc cS 13.CiJg3 - see variation B2b) ly 15.e4! �c4 16.e5 CiJfd7 17.CiJfS± 13.CiJg3�a6 14.�c2 - see ll ...�c8. Lautier - J.Polgar, Monte Carlo 1996 and his knight is very power Black cannot equalise by ful on fS .) 15.e4 CiJc6.Now, White transferring his knight to c4, be must simply defend against cap cause White simply advances e3- turing on d4 - 16.l"l:a2± followed e4 obtaining an advantage. 11... by e4-e5, f3-f4-f5, Kezin - Bublei, CiJc6 12.f3 CiJaS 13J:�b1 l"l:e8 (13... Novosibirsk 2012. �e8 14.CiJg3�c6 15.e4± Arizmen di - Cori Tello, La Massana 2010) 14.tt:lg3 tt:lc6 15.i.b2 gac8 14.CiJg3 �e7 15.l"\e1 CiJc4 16.e4± 16.Wff2 cxd4 17.cxd4 Wl'd3 18. Uribe - Satyapragyan, Barcelona gadl Wl'g6 19.e4! 2013. White seizes the initiative af ter this pawn-break in the centre. 12.f3�a6 19 •.. tt:le7 About 12 ...l"l:e8 13.CiJg3 �a6 14.�c2 - see 12 ...�a6. Accepting the sacrifice loses for Black: 19 ...dxe4? 20.fxe4 CiJxe4 13.WI'c2 21.CiJxe4 �xe4 22.d5 CiJaS 23. White should avoid the trade ii.xg7! l!lxg7 24.�f6+ l!lg8 25. of queens, since his basic plan is l"l:f3+- connected with an attack on the kingside. 20.a4 l"l:fe8 21.i.a3;t: 13 •••c5 Black's position is very passive and he must watch permanently Following 13 ...l"\e8 14.CiJg 3 �c4 about White's possible pawn-ad (after 14 ...c5, White can break vances e4-e5 and f3 -f4-f5, Alter through in the centre immediate- man - Dizdar, Dresden 1998. 319 Chapter 22 B2) 6 ...c5 7.cxd5 ops and an easy play against Black's weak b6-pawn, Ibragimov - Friedel, Las Vegas 2007. After 8 ...b6 9.�b5+ �d7 10. �e2 cxd4 1l.c4 Vffb7 12.exd4 �c6 13.0-0 'Llbd7 14.a4t Black's posi tion is solid indeed, but very pas sive, Grachev - Ovetchkin, Olgin ka 2011. 8 ... 0-0 9.�d3 b6 (9 ...cxd4 10. cxd4 'Llc611.0-0 e5 12.dxe5 'Llxe5 13.'Llxe5 Vffxe5 14.Ei:bU - The posi tion has been opened and this is 7 ...exd5 in favour of White due to his pow erful bishop-pair, Sevilla - Rodri Black gives up the centre and guez, Madrid 2010) 10.Vffe2 this cannot provide him with equality. For example: 7 ...'Llxd5 8.c4 'Llf6 9.'Llf3 0-0 10.�d3 'Llbd7 11. 0-0 l!ffc7 12.�b2 cxd4 13.exd4 b6 14.Ei:el:±: - He has lost several tem pi on manoeuvres of his knight and White has deployed harmoni ously his fo rces. Following 10 ... �b7, White can 7 ...Vff xd5 8.'Llf3 accomplish immediately a pawn advance in the centre. 1l.e4 Vffh5 (but not ll ... 'Llxe4? 12.c4 Vffc6 13. 'Lle5 Vffd6 14.�xe4 �xe4 15.Vffxe4 Vffxd4 16.Vffxd4 cxd4 17.f4+- and Black has no compensation for the piece) 12.0-0 'Llbd7 13.Ei:el:±: White has a powerful pawn-cen tre, Li Shilong - Qashashvili, Al bena 2012. 10 ...cxd4 1l.cxd4 �b7 (Black 8 ...'Llbd7 9. �d3 b6 10.0-0 �b7 cannot equalise by exchanging 1l.Vffe2 0-0 12.Ei:e1 'Lle4 13.�b2 the bishops: 11...�a6 12.ha6 Vffa5+ Ei:ac8 14.c4 Vffh5 15.a4 a5 16.Ei:ab1 13.�d2 Vffxa6 14.Vffxa6 'Llxa6 15.We2 f5 17.Ei:edl:±: White has two bish- 'Lle4 16.Ei:hcU, because his knight 320 l.d4 tDJ6 2.c4 e6 3.tiJc3 1J.b4 4.e3 dS 5.a3 .hc3 6.bc on a6 is misplaced, Kasimdzhanov not dangerous for White however - Loeffler, Germany 1999) 12.0-0 because his dark-squared bisho� tiJbd7 13.1J.b2 gfd8 (13 ...gac8 14. becomes very active, while Black gfcU) 14.gfd1 gac8. White has the is incapable of exploiting the two-bishop advantage and neu weakness of the c3-pawn. 9.tDe2 tralised Black's pressure on the cxd4 10.exd4 0-0 11.0-0 tDc6 long diagonal with 15.tiJe1! tiJf8 12.f3h6. Black should not let the 16.f3±Jussup ow - Luther, Essen enemy bishop to the g5-square 2002. AfterWh ite has taken con (12 ... ge8 13.1J.g5± Prusikin - Kor trol over the e4-square, Black will chnoi, Switzerland 2005). 13.1J.f4 hardly create any counterplay. ge8 14.�d2± and thanks to his powerful bishops White's pros 8.�d3 pects seem preferable, I.Sokolov This is the best square for - Inkiov, Stockholm 1987. White's bishop, because it con trols the important e4-square As a rule, there arise original from there. positions only rarely after 8... tDc6 9.tDe2, for example: 9 ... 1J.g4 (9 ... 0-0 10.0-0 - see 8 ... 0-0; 9 .. . c4 10.1J.c2 0-0 11.0-0 - see 8 .. . 0-0.) 10.f3 1J.h5, Reshetnikov - Matlakov, Moscow 2012, u.gb1 gb8 12.tDf4!?± 9.tiJe2 8 ..•0-0 Black can hardly continue the game withoutcast ling. He has also tried in practice 8 ...1J.g4 9.tDe2 1J.h5 10.0-0 tiJbd7 ll.f3 1J.g6 12.tDf4± Ki.Georgiev - Mitkov, Poikovsky 2001. This is the basic position of the Black plays sometimes 8 ...�a5 variation. Now, Black has a with the idea to force his oppo choice. He may strive to obtain nent to capture with his e-pawn lively piece-play with B2a) 9 •.• after the exchange on d4. This is lilc6,or choose B2b) 9 .•.b6, pre- 321 Chapter 22 paring the development of his 10.0-o ges bishop on a6. 10 ...c4 ?! 11.ic2 !!e8(ll ... b5 12. About 9 ...cxd4 10.cxd4 b6 f3 !!e8 - see 11... !!e8) 12.f3 bS 11.0-0 or 9 .. J\e8 10.0-0 b6 (10 ... (12 .. .'fffa5 13.'fiel±) 13.lt:\g3 aS 14. lt:\c6 11.f3 - see variation B2a) e4± followed by e4-e5, f3-f4-f5, 11.£3 - see variation B2b. Fabrego - Galego, Merida 2005. Following 9 .. .'fffc7 10.f3 !!e8 10 ...\Wc7 1l.f3 !!d8 (11 ... !!e8 - 11.0-0 b6, White can continue see 10 ...!!e8) 12.\WeU followed by with a very promising pawn-sac \Wf2, id2, !!ae1, Supatashvili - rifice: 12.e4!? dxe4 13.fxe4 lt:\xe4, Dizdarevic, Moscow 1994, Csizmadia - Tompa, Hungary 2011, 14.ic4!� and all White's Now, just like on the previous pieces are very active. move, Black cannot equalise by transferring his bishop to the g6- It seems strategically very square: 10 ...ig4 11.£3 ihS 12.!!b1 risky for Black to choose 9 ...c4 b6 (12 ... !!b8 13.lt:\f4 ig6 14.lt:\xg6 10.ic2, for example: 10 ...ig4 hxg6 15.a4t Lalic - Garcia Ilun (10 ...lt:\c6 11.0-0 - see 9 ...lt:\c6) dain, Andorra 1993) 13.lt:\f4 ig6, 11.f3 ihS 12.lt:\f4 ig6 13.lt:\xg6 Reshevsky - Fischer, Los Angeles hxg6 14.0-0± - He is faced with a 1961, 14.lt:\xg6 hxg6 15.a4t long and laborious defence, since he cannot counter effectively 10 ...b6 11.lt:\g3 \Wc7 (1l...!!e8 White's plan connected with a 12.f3 or 11 ...lt:\a 5 12.f3 !!e8 13.!!a2 pawn-offensive in the centre and - see 10 ...!!e8) 12.f3 ib7 13. on the kingside, Petursson - Van !!a2!?t, preparing the transfer of Riemsdijk, Manila 1990. his rook to the kingside, Cebalo - Pilgaard, Pula 2002. Black fails to trade the bishops via the g6-square. 9 ...ig4 10.f3 ll.fJ ihS 11.!!b1 b6 12.lt:\f4 ig6 13. lt:\xg6 hxg6 14.0-0t White's two powerful bishops provide him with superior prospects, Balashov - Fedoseev, Kazan 2006. B2a) 9 .•.lL!c6 This active move has a serious drawback. Now, Black cannot ac complish the plan with the trade of the light-squared bishops. 322 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.CfJc3 1J..b4 4.e3 d5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc ll ...b6 Following ll... i.e6, it seems Now, the pawn on c5 will not purposefulfor White to follow the need additional protection any plan with CiJf4 and g2-g4. 12.�a2 more. �c8 13.CiJf4 �d7 14.g4!t Milov - Valenti, Bratto 2001. Meanwhile, Black has a great choice of possibilities, but neither ll ...id7 12.CfJg3 of them promises him an easy game. About ll ...c4 12.i.c2 - see 10 ... c4. ll ...\Wc7 12.CfJg3 id7 13.�a2 - see ll ...i.d7. ll ...CiJa 5 12.CfJg3 cxd4 13.cxd4 i.e6 14.�bU Heidenfeld - Rabi After 12 ... \Wa5 13.\Wd2 \Wa4 14. nowitz, Johannesburg 1955. �b1 CiJa5, Petrosian - Lj ubojevic, Niksic 1983, White should better ll... h6 12.�a2 i.e6 13.CiJf4 �c8 remove immediately his queen 14.g4;t followed by �g2-g5, Bra from the possible attack of the en tanov - Acs, Budapest 2000. emy knight: 15.\Wf2 !? �ac8 16.e4± Following 12 ...�c8 , White 1l...a6 12.\We1 b5 13.\Wf2 ie6 maintains an advantage by dou 14.h3 �a7 15.i.d2 \Wb6 16.�fb1 bling his rooks on the e-file and �ae7 17.a4 c4 18.i.c2i.c8 19.CiJg3± then e3-e4. 13.�e1 �c7 14.�a2 i.c8 Lilienthal - Ragozin, Moscow 15.�ae2;t Brodsky - Kalugin, So 1935. White has succeeded in pro chi 2008. voking the pawn-advance c5-c4 Or 12 ...\Wc7 13.�a2 �ac8 (13 ... and has thus reduced the pressure h6 14.�e2;t) 14.�e2 \Wb6 15.'i!rhU against his central d4-pawn. Now, and in the forthcoming compli Black is practically incapable of cated middle game White's pros countering White's plan connect pects seem preferable. Later, in ed with e3-e4. the game Vaganian - Balashov, Leningrad 1977, he managed to After 1l...�b8, Hoeksema - advance e3-e4 and to increase his Sosonko, Eindhoven 1993, it advantage: 15 ...cxd4 16.cxd4 CiJa5 seems very good for White to 17.�b2 \Wd6 18.�b4 \Wc7 19.e4± transfer his queen to the f2- square. 12.\We1!?;t 12.tt:lg3 323 Chapter 22 move, if Black chooses something else, White obtains an edge by transferring his rook to f2 (e2). 13 ... 4Ja5 14.�af2± Nguyen - Doan, Da Lat 2011. 13 ...�c8 14.�af2 �c7 15.�eU Cebalo - Kovacevic, Pula 2002. 13... g6 14.�af2 (14.�e2t) 14... 12 ...ib7 �c8 15.e4 cxd4 16.cxd4 4Jxd4, After the other moves, White Markotic - Kovacevic, Pula 1990, maintains an advantage with the 17.i.b2!?� Black has an extra standard transfer of his rook pawn, but his defence is very dif along the second rank. ficult. The dark squares are very weak in his camp. About 12 ...cxd4 13.cxd4 i.b7 14.�a2 - see 12 ...i.b7. 13 .. .'�c7 14.�af2 aS, Cebalo - Pilgaard, Pula 2002. Here, White 12 ....ie6 13.�a2 �c8 14.�e1 can advance immediately 15.e4! It ti:Ja5 15.�f2 cxd4 16.cxd4 ti:lc4 17. would be too dangerous for Black .ib1 �c6 18.\Wd3 �d6 19.�dU fol to accept the pawn-sacrifice: 15 ... lowed by e3-e4, Malaniuk, - cxd4 16.cxd4 ti:Jxd4 17.i.b2 ti:Je6 Grabber, Triesen 2010. 18.i.xf6 gxf6 19.exd5 .ixd5 20. 12 ...\Wc7 13.�a2 .ie6, Kluss - ti:Jh5± and his king will be seri Maksimenko, Lublin 1993, 14.�e2t ously endangered. 12 ...h6 13.�a2 .ib7 14.�e2 ti:Ja5 14.cxd4 15 . .ib2 �c8 16.e4t Shen - T. Kosintseva, Sochi 2009. 12 ...4Ja 5 13.�a2 ti:Jb7(13 ...i.b7 - see 12 ....ib7) 14.�e2 cxd4 15. cxd4 h5 16.4Jh1 ti:Jd6 17.4Jf2 .if5 18 . .ixf5 ti:Jxf5, Vaganian - Iva novic, Tallinn 1979 and here, it would be very strong for White to play 19.e4!?t. 13.�a2 cxd4 Now, just like on the previous 14 ...h5 324 l.d4 0.f6 2.c4 e6 3.Ci:,c3 fib44.e 3 dS 5.a3 hc3 6.bc Black wishes to oust the ene Black lead to transposition. my knight from g3 by advancing his h-pawn. 10 ...0.c6 11. 0.g3 - see 9 ...0.c6. After 14 ...Ei:c8, it seems very 10 ... cxd4 11.cxd4 1ia6 12.f3 - good for White to play 15.1ld2!?± see 10 ...ia6 . depriving Black of the counter play connected with 0.a5-c4. 10 ...ib7 1Lf3 Ei:e8 12.0.g3 - see 10 ...Ei:e8. 15,ge2 g6 16J�'elh4 17.0.hl 0.h5 18.0.f2± Black's defence is 10 ...Ei:e8 1Lf3 ib7 (ll... ia6 difficult, since besides the threat 12.0.g3 - see 10 ...ia 6; 11 ...0.c6 e3-e4, he must watch carefully 12.0.g3 - see 9 ... 0.c6)12 .0.g3 0.c6 about his weak h4-pawn, Noguei 13.Ei:a2 - see 9 ...0.c6. ras - Inkiov, Saint John 1988. ll.f3 White is waiting until his op B2b) 9 ...b6 ponent captures on d3. This move is considered to be the most precise by the contem porary theory although after 11. ixa6, White won may be one of the most famous games (Botvin nik - Capablanca, Holland 1938) in this variation. 11... 0.xa6 12 .ib2 �d7 13.a4 Ei:fe8 14.�d3 c4?! This move is too optimistic (Black could have equalised with 14 ... �b7=) 15.�c2 0.b8 16.Ei:ae1 0.c6 This plan is considered to be 17.0.g3 0.a5 18.f3 0.b319.e 4 �xa4 the best for Black and quite de 20.e5� Black has won a pawn in servedly so. He wishes to deprive deed, but is helpless to counter his opponent of the two-bishop White's powerful kingside initia advantage and also to leave him tive. 20 ...0.d7 21.�f2 g6 22.f4 f5 . with a bad bishop on cl. Still, J.R. Capablanca's desire to close White's standard plan, connected the position is understandable. with the preparation of the pawn Naturally, White is reluctant to advance e3-e4, provides him with comply with this. 23.exf6 0.xf6 a better game here as well. 24.f5! Ei:xe1 25. Ei:xe1 Ei:e8 26J"1e6! 10.0-0 .ta6 Ei:xe6 27.fxe6 c;t>g7 28.'11Nf4 �e8 The other possibilities for 29.'11Ne5 '11Ne7 325 Chapter 22 ll ...hd3 12.�xd3 lt:lc6.Th is is an imprecise move and it enables White to advance immediately e3-e4 (It is better for Black to opt for 12 .. .l:!e8 13.lt:lg3 - see 11 ... �e8). 13.e4! cxd4 (13... �d7 14. i.gS c4 15.�c2± Ibragimov - Ka cheishvili, USA 2002) 14.cxd4 dxe4 (After 14... �d7, Euwe -Van Now, there follows a remarka- den Bosch, Amsterdam 1934, it is ble combination, which is includ- very strong for White to play 15. ed in almost all the books devoted eS!? lt:le8 16.f4±) 15.fxe4 �e7 16. to tactics in chess. 30.i.a3!! �xa3 lt:lg3± and Black is incapable of 31.lt:lh5+! gxhS 32.�g5+ 'it>f8 33. countering White's mobile pawn �xf6+ 'it>g8 34.e7. This pawn is centre, Lazovic - Zelcic, Pula 1999. unstoppable. There still followed: 34 ...�c 1+ 35.'it>f2 �c2+ 36.'it>g3 12.�g3 �d3+ 37.'it>h4 �e4+ 38.'it>xh5 �e2+ 39.'it>h4 �e4+ 40.g4 �e1+ 4l.'it>h5 1-0 12 ... ixd3 The alternatives for Black are u ...ges less precise, since they enable The other possibilities for White to advance e3-e4. For ex Black lead as a rule to transposi ample: 12 ...h5 13.ha6 lt:lxa6, Li tion. ardet - Sher, Geneve 1992, 14.e4! dxe4 15.fxe4 cxd4 16.cxd4 lt:lxe4 About 1l...cxd4 12.cxd4 �e8 17.lt:lfs� and Black willha ve great (12 ...i.xd3 13.� xd3 �e8 14.lt:lg3 - problems to parry the threats see ll ...�e8) 13.lt:lg3 hd3 (13 ... against his king. �c8 14.e4 - see 1l...�e8) 14.�xd3 lt:lc6 15 . .ib2 - see ll... �e8. Or 12 ...�c8 13.e4! cxd4 14. 326 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.CiJc3 j_b44.e 3 d55.a3 hc3 6.bc cxd4 ixd3 15.�xd3 �a6 16.�e3 13 ..•CiJc6 CiJc6 17.CiJf5!± with threats which This is the best square for are not easy for Black to parry, Black's knight. Kouatly - Jacobs, London 1988. 13 ...CiJbd7. This move looks Even after 12 ... �d7, it is very very passive. 14.:1!a2 l'!c8 15.:1!e2 good for White to continue with l'!e6 16 . .ib2 hS 17.e4 h4 (17 ... cxd4 13.e4!? cxd4 14.ig5. 18.cxd4 h4 19.CiJf5 dxe4 20.fxe4± White's centre, together with his knight on fS is powerfulfo rce, Je dynak - Faibisovich, Oberwart 2007) 18.CiJf5 CiJhS 19.�d2 cxd4 20.cxd4:t Balashov - Groszpeter, Minsk 1982. Black's defence is very difficult, because his pieces are discoordinated and his king side is compromised. After the careless move 20 ...:1!ec6? White Black has an extra pawn, but obtained a decisive advantage his defence is very difficult. with a simple combination: 21. 14 ...ixd3 15.�xd3 dxe4 16. CiJe7+! �xe7 22.exd5+- fxe4 dxc3 17.�xc3 l'!c8 18.�b2 CiJe8 19.CiJf5 CiJc6 20.ih6± and About 13 ...cxd4 14.cxd4 CiJc6 White's pieces are very active. 15.ib2 - see 13 ... CiJc6. 14 ... dxc3 15.ixf6 gxf6 16.exd5 �e7 17.@h1 �e3 18.ixa6 CiJxa6 14. .ib2 19.CiJe4± and Black's king is seri White is preparing l'!ael. ously endangered, Caire - Hin terberger, Email 2008. 13.�xd3 It is imprecise for Black to play 327 Chapter 22 14 .. .'�d7due to 15.e4! and White's cxd4 �c4 18.'�d2. White's should centre advances. 15 ...dxe4 16.fxe4 not trade his queen, because he li:Je5 (16 .. .'�g4 17.e5 li:Jh5 18.'�f5 will need it in his attack. 18 ...�b3 �xf5 19.li:Jxf5± Black's knight is 19.li:Jf5± Arias - Paikidze, USA misplaced at the edge of the 2013) 16.i.c1b5 (16 ...cxd4 17.cxd4 board, Ipatov - Baron, Athens - see 14 ...cx d4) 17.e4 dxe4 18.fxe4 2012) 17.'�e2 li:Jg6,Al eksandrov �b6 19.e5 li:Jd5 20.�f3 �e6 21. Stupak, Minsk 2010. White sacri li:Je4± Black fails to preserve the fices the exchange and begins a blockade of the pawns on e5 and decisive attack. 18.�xf6 gxf6 19. d4, Hughes - Delgado Ramirez, li:JhS �e6 20.d5 �d6 2l.c4 li:Je5 ICC 2009. 22.�f2 lt>f8 23.�g3 �e8 24.�g7+ 'it>e725. �f1 1-0 14 ... cxd4 15.cxd4 li:Ja5 (15 ... h5 16.�ae1 - see 14 ...h5; 15 ...�c8 16. 14 ... c4. This move is strategi e4 dxe4 17.fxe4 li:Je5 18.�e2 li:Jc4 cally risky for Black, just like on 19.�aeU White's powerful pawn the previous moves. 15.�e2 b5 centre provides him with better (White can counter 15 ...hS with prospects.) 16.�ae1 li:Jc4 17.i.c1b5 the energetic response 16.e4! 18.e4 �b6 19.'it>h1 li:Jd7, Siman dxe4 17.fxe4 h4 18.li:Jh5 lt'lxe4 tsev - Teske, Pardubice 2013, 20. 19.�xc4 �d7 20.�f4 li:Ja5 2l.�d3± li:JfS!?t followed by e4-e5 and f3-f4. and the advance of Black's h pawn has only led to the weaken Black's plan, connected with ing of his king's position, Morrow the ousting of White's knight from - Stika, Email 2011.) 16.e4 aS the g3-square, is also insufficient (Following 16 ...�b6 17.�f2 li:Je7, for equality. 14 ...h5 15.�ae1 cxd4 Dumitrache - lonescu, Bucharest (15 ...li:Je7 16.e4t; the character of 1998, White can advance immedi the fight is not changed after 15 ... ately his pawns: 18.e5 li:Jd7 19.f4±) g6 16.e4 h4 17.li:Jh1cxd4 18.cxd4t 17.e5 b4, Gonzalez de Ia Torre - V.Georgiev - Thavandiran, Mon Cheparinov, Ortiguera 2003, 18. treal 2009) 16.cxd4 h4. It is best f4 !?± Black is faced with a very for Black to attack immediately difficult defence, since White is the enemy knight. (After 16 ...g6 threatening to advance his pawns 17.e4 h4, White can retreat his and to penetrate with his knight knight to a more active position. to the d6-square. 18.li:Je2t Korchnoi - Tolnai, Aus tria 1996. Black cannot win a It seems too optimistic for pawn, because after 18... dxe 4?! Black to transfer his knight to the 19.fxe4 li:Jxe4, White has the re c4-square, because that would source 20.li:Jf4 �e7 2l.li:Jxg6 fxg6 take too much time. 14 ...li:Ja 5 15. 22.�f4+-) 17.li:Jf5 li:Jh5 (after 17 ... �ae1 li:Jc4 (15 ...�c7 16.e4 cxd4 17. h3, Petrosian - Fridstein, Mos- 328 l.d4 li.Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.li.Jc3 1J.b4 4.e3 d5 5.a3 hc3 6.bc cow 1947, the simplest for White 15 ...li.Ja 5 16.e4 li.Jc4 17.1J.c1cxd4 would be to play 18.gxh3!?;t, (17 ...b5 18.li.Jf5t) 18.cxd4 dxe4 opening the g-file for attack) 18. 19.fxe4 li.Je5 20.\Wd2 li.Jg6 21.e5 e4 \Wf6 19.1J.c1 �ed8 20.e5 \Wg6 li.Jd522. li.Jf5± followed by the pen 2l.f4+- and the advance of etration of White's knight to the White's e and f-pawns should set d6-square, Furman - Lilienthal, tle the issue in his favour, Botvin Moscow 1949. nik - Kurajica, Hastings 1966. 15 ... \Wd7 16.e4 cxd4 17.cxd4 ts,gael �ed8 (17 ...dxe4 18.fxe4 li.Je5 19. White brings his last reserves. \We2±) 18.e5 li.Je8 419.f li.Ja5 20. f5 --+,and again White's pawns ad vanced in the game, Perez Rodri guez - Pecorelli Garcia, Cuba 1999. 16.e4 cxd4 Or 16 ...li.Je7 17. e5;t followed by f3-f4. 17.cxd4 li.Ja5 18.e5 li.Jd7 19.ge2 g6 20.f4--+, Black can 15 ...\Wc7 hardly parry his opponent's at tack on the kingside, Bareev - About 15 ...cxd4 16.cxd4 li.Ja5 Matychenkov, Nabereznye Chelny 17.e4 li.Jc4 18.1J.c1 - see 15 ...li.Ja 5. 1988. Conclusion This turned out to be a long chapter; nevertheless, White's plans are quite typical: - if Black does not exchange on c3, but retreats with his bishop to e7, then White begins active actions on the queenside afterb2-b4; - if Black exchanges on c3, then White should try to advance e3-e4: 1J.d3, li.Je2, 0-0, f2-f3, li.Jg3, followed by bringing of his queen's rook into the actions with �a1-a2-e2, or i.b2, �ael. 329 Chapter 23 l.d4 ttJf6 2.c4 e6 3.ttJc3 .ib4 4.e3 b6 knight in the centre with the moves ib7, f7-f5. 6.£3!? This is a radical solution ofthe problems. White is ready to have his pawns doubled but gains time for development. 6 •• .ll:lxc3 Black doubles his opponent's pawns, without presenting him with the two-bishop advantage. Black is preparing to develop his bishop on b7 or to a6 in order 6 ...hc3 + 7.bxc3 4Jd6. Black's to increase his control over the knight is threatening the enemy e4-square, or to attack the enemy c4-pawn from this square. 8.4Jg3 c4-pawn. 5.l!:lge2 With this move White pre vents the possible doubling of his pawns and prepares a2-a3. We will analyse now: A) 5 ... .!Lle4, B)5 •••c5, C) 5 •••.ib7, D) 5 ....ia6 . About 5 ...0-0 6.a3 - see Chap ter 25, variation A. 8 ...f 5 9.id3 0-0 10.0-0 lLlc6 ll.e4:!:: White has occupied the A) 5 ••• .!Lle4 centre with his pawns, Ingbrandt Black creates the threat to - Wedberg, Sweden 2011. double the enemy pawns and Following 8 ...ia6 9.\Wa4, eventually he can try to keep his White's queen impedes the devel- 330 l.d4 CiJj6 2.c4 e6 3.CiJc3 li.b44.e 3 b6 5.CiJge2 opment of Black's knight on b8. Black wishes to play i.a6 and 9 ... CiJb7 10.i.a3t Freeman - Jo CiJaS, attacking the enemy c4- hansen, Melbourne 1996. pawn. 8 ... CiJc69.e 4 i.a6 10.e5!? White sacrifices his weak c4-pawn and 8 ... d6 9.CiJg3 eS 10.i.e2 i.b7 seizes the initiative. 10 ...CiJx c4 11. 11.0-0::1:; followed by CiJfS, Bekker i.d3 CiJ6a5 12.0-0 i.b7 13.We2 Jensen - S.Christensen, Copen i.dS 14.CiJh5Wh4 15.f4 0-0-0 16. hagen 1999. g3 We7, Fedorowicz - Ward, Can nes 1988. Here, White had to con 8 ...i.a6 9.CiJg3 hS (9 ...CiJc6 tinue with 17.f5!? 'it>b8 18.f6 gxf6 10.i.d3 - see 8 ...CiJc6) 10.i.d3 h4 19.CiJxf6 h6 20.Eib1� followed by (after 10 ... CiJc6, Bromberger - Ei:b4, emphasizing the vulnerable Belezky, Munich 2013, 11.f4t, placement of Black's knight on c4. White's powerfulpawn-centre is a more important factor than his 7.bxc3 weakness on c4) 11.CiJfl CiJc6,Lev itt - Rayner, Swansea 2002, 12. f4 !?t followed by CiJe3, 0-0 and advancing the pawn in the centre. 9.CiJg3 The knight opens the way for ward of his bishop. 7 .../i.e7 After 7 ...i.d6 8.e4 0-0, White should continue with 9.CiJg3!?::i:; and thanks to his powerful centre his prospects are preferable. It is not so precise for him to opt for 9.e5 i.e7 10.CiJg3 d6? and the far 9 ...1i.a6 advanced eS-pawn has turned into a target fo r attack fo r Black, White should not be afraid of Potkin - Moiseenko, Khanty the advance of Black's rook pawn. Mansiysk 2013. 9 ... h5, Bekker Jensen - S.Chris tensen, Copenhagen 2001, 10. 8.e4 CiJc6 i.e2!? h4 1l.tt'lfU followed by tt:le3, 331 Chapter 23 where White's knight is may be the possible opening of the game better placed than on g3. The in the centre, the position of weakening of Black's kingside Black's king may become unsafe . may turn out to be an important factor in the fu ture. 14.tt:lh5 ggs 15.f5 White's pieces have become 10.i.d3 tt:la5 11.�e2 d6 very active. It is interesting for Black to try 15 ...hc4 16.fxe6 fxe6 17. here ll ...c6, preparing d7-d5. 12. tt:lf4 0-0-0, Bekker Jensen - e5 d5 13.exd6 '\Wxd6 14.0-0± fol Brynell, Gothenburg 2000. Here, lowed by li:le4or f3-f4-f5 and i.f4, White could have simply regained Salvermoser - Friedel, Bad Wies the sacrificed pawn: 18.tt:lxe6!;!;, see 2007. preserving all the advantages of his position. Of course not 18 ... 12.0-0 �d7 h.e6?? due to 19.i.b5+- This move is played with the idea to transfer the queen to e4. B) 5 .••c5 13.f4 This move is like a hybrid be tween the variations with 4 ...b6 and 4 ...c5 . Now, Black's pawn on c5 is protected and aftera3 he can retreat his bishop to aS. 6.a3 White is playing actively and he can even sacrificehis c4-pawn. 13 ...�a4 13 ...0-0-0 14.2"\bl.White is de White should better clarifyim fe nding against '\Wa4, since now, mediately the intentions of Black's he can counter that with l'!b4. bishop. 14 ...c5, Hedman - Tallaksen, 6 .••i.a5 Gausdal 2001, 15.l'!d1!?:tand after This is the logical continuation 332 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tiJc3 i.b4 4.e3 b6 5.CiJge2 of his plan in the opening. The exchange 7 ... hc3+ seems even less logical fo r Black now, The alternatives for Black are than on the previous move. less consistent. 8.CiJxc3 ib7 9.dxc5 bxc5, Kis - After6 ...cxd4 , White's best re Szalai, Hungary 2000. Here, sponse would be 7.axb4!? dxc3 White can begin an immediate 8.CiJxc3t and he not only has the pawn-offensive on the queenside two-bishop advantage, but his with 10.b4!?t rook has become active from its initial square exerting pressure The move 7 ...CiJc6 has the against the enemy a7-pawn. drawback that White can attack this knight. 8.d5 exd5 9.cxd5 As a rule, there do not arise hc3+ Black is forced to exchange original positions after 6 ...hc3 + his bishop now. 10.CiJxc3 CiJe5 11. 7.CiJxc3 cxd4 (7 ...i.b7 8.d5 - see e4 d6 12.ie2 0-0 13.0-0 �e8 14. variation Cl). 7 ... 0-0 - see Chap- f3 !? This is a very reliable move. ter 25, variation Al) 8.exd4 i.b7 White is not in a hurry to advance 9.i.f4t White has two powerful f4, in order not to present his op bishops, while the d6 and c7- ponent with a chance to attack the squares are very weak in Black's e4-pawn. 14 ...tve7 15.ie3 CiJg6 16. camp and he must always consid �d2 h6 17.b4± White has com er the threat CiJb5, MacDonald - pleted successfully the mobilisa Orton, Guernsey 1991. tion of his forces and Black is in capable of countering his oppo 7.�bl nent's active actions in the centre White is creating the threat and on the queenside, M.Gure b2-b4. vich - Stavrianakis, Chalkida 2009. Bl) 7 ...tve7 8. i.d2 Black can defend against that in two different ways: Bl) 7 ... tve7and B2) 7 .. .ti�a6. 333 Chapter 23 White defends his knight on 10.tt'lg3 hc3 ll.ixc3 d6 12.ie2 c3, so that afterthe retreat of the exd5 13.cxd5 h5 14.h4 0-0 15.e4;!; knight on e2, Black cannot double and he has more space and two his pawns. Meanwhile, in some bishops, Zueger - Medancic, Lu variations Black must consider gano 1989. the possible tactical threat b2-b4. Black obtains a solid but pas 8 ...�a6 sive position after8 ...hc3 9.ixc3 Black takes care against the threat b2-b4. It seems too risky for Black to play 8 ...ia6, because after 9.b4, there arise favourable complica tions for White. 9 ...cxb4 10.axb4 ixb4 1l.Ei:xb4 �xb4 12.�b5 �e7 13.tt'lc7+ md8 14.tt'lxa8 ixc4 15. tt'lc3ixf1 16.Ei:xf1 d5 17.tt'lb5 �b7, A.Onischuk - Rogozenco, Skopje White has two powerful bish 2002. Here, White should con ops and good prospects for a tinue with 18.�c1! and it would pawn-offensive on the queenside. turn out that it would be rather 9 ... 0-0 10.tt'lg3 ib7, Lugovoi difficult for Black to capture the - Csom, Hungary 1994, ll.dxc5!? enemy knight on a8. 18 ... tt'le8 19. bxc5 12.b4± tt'lac7 tt'lf6 20.f3 a6 2l.tt'lxa6 tt:Jxa6 White exploits an analogous 22.tt:Jd6 �d7 23.�a3 tt'lc7 24.mf2 resource after 9 ...ib7 10.dxc5 tt'lfe8 25.tt'lxe8 tt'lxe8 26.Ei:b1 �d6 bxc5, Jovanovic - Nestorovic, 27.ib4 �c7 28.Ei:c1+- Black has Belgrade 2005, 1l.b4!?;!; not only restored the material 9 ...d6, Lesiege - Bluvshtein, balance, but has even an extra Montreal 2003. Here, White can pawn now, but despite that his compromise his opponent's position is completely hopeless. pawn-structure with 10.dxc5 bxc5 His king is stranded in the centre ll.ixf6 gxf6 12.tt'lc3;!;and eventu and will come under the attack of ally threatening tt'le4, or tt'lb5. all his opponent's pieces, while the rook on h8 will be completely Black obtains a rather cramped incapable of assisting in the de position after 8 ... 0-0 9.d5 ia6 fence. 10.tt'lg3±. He has great problems to organise counterplay against Following 8 ...tt'lc6, White can White's centre. After the mistake occupy immediately additional 10 ...exd 5?, in the game Epishin space in the centre with 9.d5 tt'le5 Komljenovic, Cergy Pontoise 334 l.d4 ti'Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.ti'Jc3 il.b4 4.e3 b6 5.ti'Jge2 2003, White obtained a decisive 1"\xb4 '&xb4 15.ti'Jd5± and he will advantage with ll.b4 cxb4 12. have to part with his queen with axb4 ilxb4 13J"\xb4'&xb4 14.ti'Jxd5 out obtaining for it sufficient and here, Black cannot play 14 ... compensation, because it would '&d6 in view of 15.ti'Jf5 '&e6 16. not work for him to play 15 ...'&d6? ti'Jxg7c,t>xg7 17.ilc3+- due to 16 . .ib4 '&e5 17 . .ic3+- 9Ajg3 ll . .ie2 exd5 White is preparing ile2 and takes the e4-square under con After ll.. . .ixc3 12 . .ixc3 d6 13. trol. 0-0::t Black's pieces obviously lack space, Jelling - Light, Tonder 1993. 9 ....ib7 About 9 ... 0-0 10 . .ie2 .ib7 11. 12)ijxd5 c!Dxd5 13.cxd5 d5 - see 9 ....ib 7. hd2+ 14.'&xd2 gae8 15.0-0 d6 16.e4 c!Dc7 17.b4:t Black has 10.d5 facilitated his defence a bit by ex White restricts the enemy changing pieces, but White's bishop on b7. prospects are preferable. He can Now, Black will have great organise active actions in the cen problems to activate his knight on tre as well as on the kingside with a6 and his bishop on b7. .id3, !"\bel, f2 -f4, c!Df5, Ress - Hat sek, Lechenicher SchachServer 10 ...0-0 2012. Black should not weaken his control over the b4-square. 10 ... B2) 7 ...c!Da6 ti'Jc7?!, Conquest - Montoya This is Black's main response Irigoyen, Bergara 2010, ll.dxe6! in this position. Usually it is not fx e6 12.b4 cxb4 13.axb4 .ixb4 14. acceptable to place the knight at 335 Chapter 23 the edge of the board, but in this 15.li:Jxd5 lt:lxd5 16.i.xd5 i.xd5 17. case it prevents reliably b2-b4. �xd5t and in both cases White 8.g3!? obtains an advantage thanks White begins the fight for the to his superior pawn-structure, long diagonal on which two stra Arun Prasad - Romanishin, Val tegically very important squares Gardena 2012. are placed - e4 and d5. 11..J�k8. Black prevents the development of the enemy bishop to the g2-square. 12.i.e2 exd5 13.cxd5 li:Jc7 14.0-0 li:Jcxd5, Gra chev - Salgado Lopez, Moscow 2010. Here, White should have restored the material balance with 15.li:Jb5!? d6 16.li:Jxa7t and Black's d6-pawn is very weak. 9.d5 8 ...ib7 Black is trying by all means to thwart his opponent's plan. After ... 8 cxd4 9.exd4, Black ends up in a passive position. 9 ... i.b7(9 ... i.xc3 + 10.li:Jxc3 i.b7 11.d5 - see 9 ...i.b7) 10.d5 i.xc3+ 11. li:Jxc3 9 .••b5 He wishes to undermine the base under the enemy d5-pawn. 9 ... 0-0 10.i.g2 b5?! Lender man - Smith, Arlington 2013 (It is preferable for Black to play here 10 ... exd5 11.0-0 hc3 12.lt:lxc3 - see 9 ...exd5 .) ll.b4!? cxb4 12.axb4 11...0-0 12.i.g2 i;k8 (12 ...�c7 hb4 13.0-0 bxc4 14.lt:la2 .b:d5 13.b3 exd5 14.0-0 li:Je4 15.li:Jxd5t 15.li:Jxb4 ixg2 16.xg2 li:Jxb4 17. Milanovic - Ostojic, Kragujevac gxb4± White's bishop is stronger 2013) 13.b3 exd5 14.0-0 lt:lc5 than Black's three pawns. 336 l.d4 tiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tiJc3 �b4 4.e3 b6 5. tiJge2 Following 9 ...tiJe4, Black dou White plays 12.tiJxc3;!:;fo llowed by bles his opponent's pawns, but 0-0 and e3-e4. enables White to complete the de 10 ...�xc3 + 11.tiJxc3 0-0 12. velopment of his pieces. 10.�g2 0-0 !'le8 (It is more or less the .b:c3+ 11.tiJxc3 tiJxc3 12.bxc3 0-0 same after 12 ... d6, Shulman - (It is not so precise for Black to Molner, USA 2011, White should opt for 12 ...d6, because of 13. not be in a hurry to capture on b5, 1Wa4+! We7 14.0-0 tiJc7 15.e4± but should play instead at first and his king remains stranded in 13.b3!?;!:;) 13.b3 tiJc7 14.cxd5 d6 the centre, Gelfand - Aronian, 15.e4;!:; Jose Campos - M.Marin, Leon 2010.) 13.0-0 e5 14.e4 tiJc7 Manresa 1996. There has arisen a 15.f4;!:; White has two bishops and pawn-structure which is more good prospects for an attack on typical for the Modern Benoni the kingside. Black cannot exploit Defence. It is not easy for Black the vulnerability of his opponent's to create counterplay, because c4-pawn, because his knight can White's pawn on e4 is reliably hardly attack it, Yang - Naro protected. He can advance gradu ditsky, Lubbock 2011. ally his kingside pawns cramping Black's position even more. After 9 ...exd5 10.�g2, White manages to hold on to the key d5- 10 . .ig2 bxc4 square. It does not seem logical for Black to play 10 ...b4, since he re duces voluntarily the tension against the enemy d5-pawn. 11. axb4 tiJxb4 12.0-0 exd5 13.tiJf4 �a6 14.tiJcxd5 tiJfxdS, Sadilek - Shengelia, Vienna 2012, 15.�xd5! tiJxdS 16.\WxdS± - The d5-square is completely in White's hands. Following 10 ... !'lb8 1l.cxd5 b5 11.0-0 12.0-0 b4, Bluvshtein - Huber, (diagram) Toronto 2006, the simplest for 11... 0-0 White would be to continue with Black can hardly continue the 13.tiJe4!;!:;and Black's knight on a6 game without castling. and his bishop on aS are horribly isolated from the actions. It does not seem precise for He cannot equalise with 10 ... him to play 11 ...!'lb 8, because after tiJe4 11.cxd5 tiJxc3, Timman - 12.e4 0-0 13.�f4± White wins a Ikonnikov, Dieren 2009 and here tempo for the development of his 337 Chapter 23 bishop, Jovanic - Hulak, Sibenik 12 ...d6 2008. Black is defending against the possibility e4-e5. 1l...exd5 12-lt:'lxdS tt:lxdS 13 . .bdS �c8, Wojtaszek - Jaku After 12 .. J�e8 13.dxe6 �xe6, bowski, Warsaw 2012 and here the vulnerability of the dS-square 14.tt:lf4±, increasing the control may become a telling factor. over the dS-square. 14 . .ig5 h6 15 . .bf6 �xf6 16.�a4 tt:lb8 17.tt:lf4 tt:lc6 18.�xc4 .ib6 It would be too passive for 19.tt:lcd5± ·White's knight has Black to opt for 1l...e5 12.f4 0-0 occupied a dominant position in 13.e4± and White has excellent the centre of the board, Wojtaszek prospects on the kingside, while - Granda Zuniga, Burguillos he can always regain his pawn on 2010. c4 with �d1-a4xc4, Conquest - Dgebuadze, Birmingham 2006. Following 12 ...exd5 13.e5 tt:lg4 (13 ...tt:le 8?! 14.hd5! hdS 15. Following ll ....bc3 12.tt:lxc3 �xdS± White is threatening �c4, exdS (12 ... 0-0 13.e4 d6 14.dxe6 while Black's knight is misplaced fxe6, Raicevic - Vujosevic, Novi at the edge of the board.) 14 . .ixd5 Sad 2000, 15.�a4!? dS 16 . .ig5� .ic6 15.f4 tt:lc7 16. .ixc6 dxc6 17. White has more than sufficient �xd8 �axd8 18.h3 tt:lh6 19.f5:t compensation for the pawn, since Black has an extra pawn indeed, all his pieces are very active.) but the vulnerability of his pawn 13.tt:lxd5tt:lx dS 14 . .bd5 �b6 15.e4 structure and his misplaced 0-0 16 . .if4:t - He has succeeded knight on h6 make us evaluate in keeping his control over the dS this position in favour of White, square, Girya - Kazimova, Chen Nisipeanu - Andreev, Pardubice nai 2011. 2012. 12.e4 13. .ig5 338 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.CiJc3 ilb4 4.e3 b6 5. CiJge2 ilb7 6.a3 White pins the enemy knight and increases his control over the d5-square. 16 ....!b 6 (16 ...1ld8 17.CiJf4 �e5 18.1"!fd1 CiJc7, Nisipeanu - Kunin, Bad Wiessee 2011, 19. �xc4;t) 17.CiJf4 �e5, Damaso - 13 ...h6 Gomez Esteban, Leon 1997. Here, Black gets rid of the pin imme it seems very good for White to diately. transfer his knight to the c3- square: 18.CiJfd5 CiJc7 19.�e3 13 ...exd5 14.CiJxd5 hd5 15. !Ud8 20.!Udl �e7 21.:gd2;t fol hf6 �xf6 16.�xd5 �e6 (16 ... lowed by :1!bd1, �c4, CiJf5(CiJcd5). 1"!ab8 17.�xc4;!;) 17.�c6 CiJc7 18. Black will have to defend long and CiJf4 �e5 19.1"!fd1 1"!ab8 20.�a4 hard an inferior position. ib6 2l.�xc4;!;Wh ite has regained his pawn and can exploit the vul nerability of the enemy d6-pawn C) 5 ....!b7 in the forthcoming battle, S.Po This is the natural develop pov - Savic, Mataruska Banja ment of Black's bishop. 2007. 6.a3 White eliminates immediately After 13 ...CiJc7 14.CiJf4 1"!b8 the pin. 15.�a4 ib6, Schandorff - Car stensen, Denmark 2012, White can force the enemy knight to oc cupy an unfavourable position: 16.CiJh5!? CiJce8 17.dxe6 fxe6 18. :1!bd1�e7 19.�xc4;!; White has re gained his pawn preserving his superior pawn-structure. 14 . .bf6 �xf6 15.dxe6 �xe6 16.�a4 339 Chapter 23 Now, Black is faced with a drawback that after 8.li:lxe4 ixe4 choice. He can either exchange 9.\l,l!g4, Black's bishop must aban his bishop Cl) 6 ...hc3 , or re don the long diagonal. 9 ...ig6 treat it: C2) 6 ....id6, C3) 6 ....ie7. 10.id2:t White has the two-bish op advantage, Pavlovic - Dab rowska, Cappelle la Grande 1995. Cl) 6 ....ixc3 + This is an indifferent move af ter which Black obtains a solid Cla) 7 ... d5 8.cxd5 but passive position. Its main de White should better clarify the fect is that after it White com situation in the centre immedi pletes easily the development of ately, so that later Black does not his kingside pieces. have the possibility to open the 7.�xc3 diagonal for his bishop with the move dxc4. s . . . exd5 After ...8 Ci:lx d5 9.ib5+ Ci:ld7 10.0-0 0-0 11.\l,l!e2 Ci:l7f6 12.f3:t (followed by e3-e4), White not only has the two-bishop advan tage, but he also dominates in the centre, Quintana Fernandez - Vega Viejo, Gijon 1994. We willan alyse now Cla) 7... 9.b4 d5 and Clb) 7 ...0-0. About 7 ...c5 8.d5 exd5 9.cxd5 0-0 10.ie2 - see Chapter 25, var iation Al. As a rule, there do not arise original positions after 7 ...d6 8. id3 Ci:lbd7(The exchange ofthe g pawns is in favour of White: 8 ... 1xg2 9.Elg1 1b7 lO.Elxg?:t Kezin Kuznetsov, Novosibirsk 2008.) 9.0-0 0-0 10.e4 - see 7 ...0-0. This is a useful move which impedes the pawn-advance c7-c5 The move 7 ...Ci:le 4 has the for Black. 340 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.CiJc3 §J.b4 4.e3 b6 5. �ge2 §J.b76.a 3 9 ...0-0 10.i.d3 �bd7 mi - Akshaya, Chennai 2011, 13. �b3!?;t followed by §J..a3 and dou After10 ...CiJe 4 11.�c2 CiJxc3 12. bling of the rooks on the c-file. �xc3 CiJd7 13.§J..b2 CiJf6 14.0-0 CiJe4 15.�c2 f5 16J::1ac1 �f7 17.b5 12.bxc5 a6 18.a4;t White has good pros White opens the file for his pects to attack Black's weak c7- rook. pawn, Shirov - Bardell Rosell, Terrassa 1996. 12 ...bxc5 13J��bl i.c6 Following 10 ... c5 11.bxc5 bxc5 After 13 ...�b8 14.a4 c4 15.§J..c2 12.0-0 cxd4 (12 ... CiJbd7 13.�b1 - §J..c6 16.§J..a3± White has two pow see 10 ...CiJb d7) 13.exd4 CiJe4 14. erful bishops and good prospects �b3± the position is opened and to play against the weak enemy this is in favour of White, since he d5-pawn, Moehring - Lehmann, has two powerful bishops, Lenic Strausberg 1971. - Babula, Austria 2012. 14.dxc5 11.0-0 White creates an isolated pawn for his opponent, but it is also good for him to play 14.a4!?;t with the idea to develop the bish op to the a3-square. 14 ... �xc5 15.i.e2;!; ll ...c5 Black cannot fo rtifyhis knights in the centre, because White has always the move f2-f3: ll... CiJe4 12.�b3 CiJdf6 13.f3;t Pelletier - Jenni, Zuerich 2004. Black's weakness on d5 needs permanent protection and you Following ll ... �e8, White can should not fo rget that Whitehas the v - begin a pawn-offensive on the two-bishop advantage, Volko queenside: 12.a4 a6, Mahalaksh- Ogunmefun, Dos Hermanas 2003. 341 Chapter 23 Clb) 7 ...0-0 liJbd7 (9 ...e5 10.d5 �e7 ll.e4± - Black conceals his intentions His pieces obviously lack space.) in the centre for the moment. 10.e4 e5 11.d5 a5 (after 11...h6 8 . .!d3! 12.b4 c5 13.dxc6 .ixc6 14.i.e3± Black manages to activate his bishop on b7, but pays a dear price for that - his d6-pawn be comes very weak, Sundararajan - Lalith, Forni di Sopra 2012) 12. l'!b1 liJc5 13 . .ic2 ic8 14.b4± White has ousted the enemy knight from the c5-square, Pimonenko - Po tapov, Kaluga 2003. 9.d5 This is the most active square for White's bishop. 8 ...c5 It would be too risky for Black to accept the pawn-sacrifice: 8 ... .ixg2 9Jl:g1 .ib7 10.e4. The power of White's attack can be illustrat ed by the following variation: 10 ... liJe811 .�h5 g6 12.e5 liJg7 13.�h6 f6 . Here, there followed the deci sive rook-sacrifice - 14.l'!xg6+ White not only occupies space, Loureiro - Nagashima, Santos but also restricts the enemy bish 1998. op on b7. 9 ...exd5 8 ...d5 9.cxd5 liJxd5 (9 ...exd5 10.b4 - see variation Cla) 10.0-0 Black cannot facilitate his de liJxc3 ll.bxc3 c5, Zherebukh - fe nce with the undermining Manik, Warsaw 2009, 12.a4! ?::!: pawn-break 9 ...b5 10.0-0, for ex (followed by �e2, a4-a5) and ample: 10 ...bxc4 ll . .ixc4 exd5 White preserves very good pros (ll. .. l'!e8 12.e4± White has pro pects in the centre and on the tected reliably his d5-pawn.) 12. queenside. liJxd5 liJc6,Bo tvinnik - Bronstein, Moscow 1951, 13.b4! liJe5 14 . .ib2± After 8 ...d6 9.0-0, Black ob Black's position is difficult, since tains a very passive position. 9 ... it would not work for him to 342 l.d4 ttJf6 2.c4 e6 3. ttJc3 il..b4 4.e3 b6 5. ttJge2 il..b7 6.a3 play 14 ...ttJx c4? because of 15. 7.�c2!? ttJxf6 + gxf6 16.�g4+ Wh8 17. �xc4+- White regains the sacri ficed piece, while Black's castling position has been hopelessly com promised. 10.cxd5 d6 11.0-0 This is not a popular move, but it is very strong. White takes the e4-square under control. 7 .••c5 Following 7 ...0-0, Yang - Pe ll ... ges (ll ... il..a6 12.il..xa6 relshteyn, Saint Louis 2011, White ttJxa6 13.e4 h6, Plachetka - obtains an edge by occupying ad Pachta, Austria 2006, 14.if4!?;!; ditional space: 8.e4!? e5 9.d5;!;fo l Blacks d6-pawn will be a cause of lowed by ttJe2-g3, id3, 0-0 and permanent worries for him.) b2-b4. 12.e4 ttJbd7 13.�g5 a6 14.a4 h6 15.�h4;t White has two pow 8.d5 erful bishops and extra space, so White exploits the fact that Black can hardly obtain any coun Black cannot win a pawn and oc terplay, because his opponent's cupies space. e4-pawn is reliably protected, 8 ...exd5 Lombardy - Lj ubojevic, Orense 1975. 8 ... 0-0 9.ttJb5. It is better to exchange the enemy bishop, be cause it can occupy an active posi tion on the e5-square later. 9 ... C2) 6 •••�d6 ttJe8 10.ttJxd6 ttJxd6 11.ttJc3 exd5 This is an original retreat of 12.cxd5;!;Gilber t - Soldano, Email Black's bishop, but it has the 2012. Black's queenside pieces drawback that now, he would not have occupies passive positions. have the possibility to advance Naturally, White should be care d7-d5. ful about the protection of his d5- 343 Chapter 23 pawn. The best way to do that is - ie2, 0-0 and Eidl. 9.cxd5 7.d5 Now, White must solve the problem how to develop his king side pieces, because his knight on e2 impedes the development of 9 •. ."�e7 his bishop on fl. The best set-up of his pieces here would be tt:lg3, Black loses after 9 ...tt:Jxd5?? ie2, but before that he would due to 10.tt:lxd5ixd5 11.'1Wd3+- need to restrict Black's bishop on b7. 9 ... 0-0 10.tt:lb5! \We7 ll.tt:lxd6 �xd6 12.e4 \We7 13.f3 d6 14.'it>f2 7 ... 0-0 ia6 15.tt:lg3 g6 16.ha6 tt:lxa6 17. This is a natural move. h4 Elfc8 18.h5--+ with a powerful attack on the h-file, Kuhne - Lu The moves 7 ...b5 and 7 ...d6 kasevicius, ICCF 2013. usually transpose to 7 ...0-0, for example: 7 ...b5 8.dxe6 fxe6 9. 10.lilg3 tt:Jxb5 0-0 10.tt:lg3, or 7 ...d6 8. White is threatening tt:lf5 and tt:lg3 0-09. e4, or 8 ...c6 9.e4 tt:la6 wins a tempo fo r the protection of 10.i.e2 0-0 11.0-0, or 10 ...tt:lc7 his d5-pawn. ll.dxc6 hc6 12.0-0 0-0 13.if4 10 •••g6 ll.i.c4 0-0 12.e4 - see 7 ... 0-0. a6, Arizmendi Martinez - ltur rizaga Bonelli, Erts La Massana Following 7 ... e5 8.tt:lg3 g6 2012, 13.i.g5!± - The pin of the 9.id3 d6 10.f4 tt:Jbd7 11.f5± White knight on f6 is very unpleasant for preserves a great space advan Black. tage, Reshevsky - Kramer, New York 1951. C3) 6 •...ie7 The bishop is better placed 7 ... a5. Black is preparing tt:Ja6- here than on d6. c5 followed by a5-a4. 8.e4 e5 344 l.d4 tiJj6 2.c4 e6 3.tiJc3 i.b44. e3 b6 5. tiJge2 i.b76.a 3 (8 ...0-0 9.tiJg3 - see 7 ...0-0) 9.tiJg3 0-0 10.i.d3± Black's bish op on b7 is very passive and does not control the f5 -square where White's knight may go at any mo ment, Lilienthal - Kotov, Moscow 1945. 7 ... exd5. Black is planning to organise counterplay on the e-file. 8.cxd5 0-0 9.tiJg3 8 ...a5 9.e4 tiJa6 10.i.e2 d6 11.0-0 c6 (ll...�e8 12.�b1!?t fol lowed by b2-b4, restricting the enemy knight on a6) 12.i.e3 tiJc5, Vidal - Mihailovs, Montcada 2010 and here, White needed to oust the enemy knight with the move 13.b4 !± 8 ...b5. This is an interesting 9 ...i.d6 10.i.c4 �e8 11.0-0 c6 move, but still insufficient for 12.tiJf5 i.f8 13.e4 cxd5 14.exd5± equality. 9.dxe6 fxe6 10.tiJxb5 c5 Black lags in development and (after 10... tiJa6 11.f 3 �b8, Furman White'sknight on e5 is veryactive, - Ragozin, Moscow 1948, 12.i.e2± Ulko - Novichkov, Moscow 1998. Black's compensation for the 9 ... �e8 10.i.e2 i.f8 11.0-0 c6. pawn is not good enough) 11.f3 Black undermines the enemy d5- d5, Grigorian - Kupreichik, Mos pawn, because it cramps his posi cow 1976, 12.cxd5 exd5 13.i.e2± tion considerably (after 11...c5 followed by 0-0, tiJf5. 12.e4± Black's bishop on b7 is re stricted by his own pawn on d5). 8 ...�e8 9.i.e2 12.i.f3 tiJa6 13.b4 tiJc7, Beliavsky - G.Kuzmin, Moscow 1973, 14. dxc6 dxc6 15.i.b2± White'sbishop on f3 is much more active than its counterpart on b7. 8.tiJg3 (diagram) 8 ...d6 345 Chapter 23 About 9 ... exd5 10.cxd5 - see much more active than their black 7 ...exd5 . counterparts, Yrjola - Gavrikov, 9 ... d6 10.0-0 �f8 11.e4 - see Turku 1988. 9 ...�f8 . After 9... �d6, it is essential for 10 . .ie2 exd5 White not to allow �e5 - 10.f4!?t 9 ...� f8 10.e4 d6 11.0-0 li:Jbd7 About 10 ...cxd5 11.cxd5 exd5 (ll ...c6 12.dxe6 1'\xe6, Supatashvi 12.exd5 - see 10 ...exd5 . li - lonescu, Elista 1998, 13.�e3:l: followed by �c2) 12.�e3 c6 13. 10 ...ti:Jbd7 11.0-0 a6 (11...1'\e8 dxe6 fxe6 14.f4:l: Black has less 12.dxe6 fxe6 13.�e3 �f8 14.f4 - space and his e6 and d6-pawns see 8 ...1'\e8) 12.�f4 cxd5 13.cxd5 are weak, Dumitrache - Cioara, e5 14.�e3:l: White has very good Bucharest 2003. prospects on the c-file, Kaminik Peters, Hamburg 1992. 9.e4 Black cannot equalise by a transfer of his knight to the c7- square. 10 ... ti:Ja6 11.0-0 li:Jc7 12. dxc6 �xc6 13.�f4 �d7, Cebalo - Vucinic, Novi Sad 1985 and here after 14.�d3!?:l: followed by 1'1fd1, White exerts powerful pressure on the d6-pawn. If Black plays e6- e5, White will obtain an excellent outpost for the penetration of his knight - ti:Jd5. 9 ...c6 ll.exd5 cxd5 12.cxd5 Black undermines the enemy d5-pawn. Following 9 ...c5 10.�e2 1'1e8 11. 0-0:l:, White has the advantage thanks to his extra space, Gabriel - Hertneck, Germany 2008. 9 ... ti:Jbd7 10.�e2 1'1e8 (10 ...c6 11.0-0 - see 9 ...c6) 11.0-0 a6 (ll...�f8 12.�e3 or 1l...c6 12.dxe6 fxe6 13.�e3 �f8 14.f4 - see 8 ... 1'\e8) 12.�e3:t White's pieces are 12 ...l'!e8 346 l.d4 C!Jf6 2.c4 e6 3. C!Jc3 1J..b4 4.e3 b6 5. C!Jge2 1J..a6 6. C!Jg3 12 ...C!Ja6 13.0-0 C!Jc7 14.1J..f3 6.�g3 �d7 15J'ie1 l"ife8 16.�d4 1J..f8 17. White not only protects his c4- .igS l"ixe1+ 18.l"ixe1 l"ie8 19.l"idU pawn, but prepares e3-e4 too. Soler - Fernandez, Cienfuegos Now however, Black can double 1975. White has protected reliably his opponent's pawns again after his dS-pawn. Black has great .ixc3. problems to find good squares for his pieces, since he lacks space. 13.0-0 �bd7 13 ...a6 14 . .if4± 14.�f5§J..f8 15.1J..f4 As his main possibilities, we will analyse: Dl) 6 ...c5 , D2) 6 ... h5, D3) 6 ... 0-0 and D4) 6 ... ixc3. 6 ...d5?? 7.�a4+- 6 ....ib7 7 . .id2 0-0, Soffer - Lerner, Herzliya 2009, 8.a3!? .ixc3 9 . .ixc3±White has a bishop 15 ...C!Je5 16 . .ib5± - The light pair and a free game. squares are very weak in Black's camp, Moiseenko - Klimov, Mos Following 6 ...C!Jc6 7.e4 eS (It is cow 2007. preferable for Black to choose here 7 ... 0-0 8 . .id3 - see 6 ...0-0. ) 16 . .ib5;!; White's pieces are White can oust the enemy knight much more active, M.Gurevich - from the f6-square: 8.dxe5 C!JxeS Khalifman, Minsk 1987. 9.f4 C!Jc6 10.e5± Furman - Tsesh kovsky, USSR 1971. D) 5 ....ia6 Black wishes to exploit the drawbacks of the move C!Jge2 Dl) 6 ...c5 (White's bishop on f1 does not Black undermines immediate- protect his c4-pawn any more.). ly White's pawn-centre. 347 Chapter 23 7.d5 0-0 tt'le5,shv la ili - Alterman, Formia 1994, 13.'1Wa4t) 12.0-0 tt'lbd7, Bareev - Wilder, Belgrade 1988, after13.f 4t Black cannot at tack effectively the enemy c4- pawn, because his knight cannot occupy the e5-square. 8 ...B:e8 9.f3 d6 10 . .1e2 exd5 11.cxd5 .1xe2 (The character of the position remains more or less the same after 11 ....1x c3+ 12.bxc3 .1xe2 13.tt'lxe2t Mchedlishvili - Istratescu, Ohrid 2001.) 12.tt'lgxe2 He occupies space. White b5 13.0-0 a6 14.a4t Black's should not be afraid of the possi queenside activity on the queen ble loss of his castling rights, since side (b6-b5) has turned out to be the position is of a closed type. in favour of White, Korchnoi - 7 ...exd5 Short, Madrid 1995. After 7 ....b:c3 + 8.bxc3 0-0 9. 8.cxd5 i.xf1 9.'itxfl e4 B:e810.f 3 d6 11.�f4 e5 12 . .1e3t Colin - Inkiov, Marseille 2006 White has very good prospects on the kingside. Black can hardly ex ploit the weakness of his oppo nent's c4-pawn. 7 ...0-0 8.e4 9 .•.0-0 About 9 ....b:c3 10.bxc3 0-0 (10 ... d6 11.e4 0-0 12 . .1f4 - see 9 ... 0-0) 11.e4 d6 12. .1f4 - see 9 ...0-0. About 8 ...exd5 9.cxd5 .ixfl 10.e4 hc3 lO.'tt>xfl - see 7 ...exd5 . 8 ...d6 9 . .1e2 exd5 10.exd5 About 10 ...d6 11..1f4 B:e8 12.f3 .bc3+ ll.bxc3 l'l:e8 (ll ...tt'lfd7 12. .1xc3 13.bxc3 - see 10 ...�c3 . 348 l.d4 ti:Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.ti:Jc3 �b4 4.e3 b6 5. ti:Jge2 �a6 6.ti:Jg3 Following 10 ...l'!e8 ll.f3 .bc3 After 14 . .bd6 \1;1ff6 15.�xb8 12.bxc3 d6, Jaracz - Hertneck, l'!axb8 16.\1;'1'c2 ti:Je5�Blac k obtains Dresden 2012, White can begin good compensation for the pawn, immediately active actions: 13. Lautier - Leitao, New Delhi/Te ti:Jf5! g6 14.ti:Jh6+ \tlg7 15.h4 ti:Jh5 heran 2000. 16.Wf2!± followed by g2-g4, h4- h5. 14... ti:Je5 15.V9a4 gf8 Black is defending against the ll.bxc3 d6 12.i.f4 ges threat ti:Jxd6. 16.he5 dxe5 17.d6 g6 18. It seems too passive for Black ti:Je7+ Wg7 19,gdl;!;Wh ite's pow to play 12 ...ti:Je8, because of 13.h4 ! erful passed d-pawn squeezes ti:Jd7, Moreno Ruiz - lgarza, Col considerably Black's position. lado Villalba 2003, 14.h5± and White has powerful initiative on the kingside. D2) 6 ... h5 13.f3ti:Jfd7 This is an active move. Black wishes to advance h5-h4 and to 13 ...ti:Jbd7? ! This is a rather oust the enemy knight from the dubious pawn-sacrifice. 14 . .bd6 g3-square. He weakens his king ti:Jxe4 15.ti:Jxe4 l'!xe4 16.fxe4 \1;1ff6+ side however ... 17.\1;1ff3 \1;'1'xd6 18.g3± and Black's 7.h4 compensation for the sacrificed White must play this move material is insufficient, Hoi - and should not allow h5-h4. Utasi, Jurmala 1985. 7 ...hc3 + 14.ti:Jf5! Now, there arise positions, This is the best. White does similar to variation D4, but with not need to accept the pawn-sac the inclusion of the moves h4 - rifice. h5. 349 Chapter 23 After 7 ...�b7, White holds on White's bishops are tremen to his e4-square with the move dously active. After Black's care 8.�d3!? Later, in the game Knaak less move 13 ...cxd 4?! 14.�b5+ - Bronstein, Tallinn 1979, there �c6 15.e5 �xb5 16.exf6 g6 17. followed: 8 ...d5 9.cxd5 exd5 10. �xa8 �c7 18.�f3+-, White ob �c2 c5 11.a3 cxd4 12.axb4 dxc3 tained a decisive material advan 13.bxc3;!;Wh ite had the two-bish tage, Gligoric - Rubinetti, Palma op advantage and Black's isolated de Mallorca 1970. d5-pawn was weak. 10.e4 dxe4 ll.c�:Jxe4 c!Llxe4 8.bxc3 d5 9.Y;Yf3 12.Y;Yxe4;!; Taijan - Grefe, Ober White protects indirectly his lin 1975. If Black's pawn had been c4-pawn and prepares e3-e4. on the h7-square, the position could have been evaluated as It is also good for him to equal. With a pawn on h5, Black's choose here 9.�a3 - see variation kingside has been weakened and D4. White can rely on maintaining a slight edge. D3) 6 •..0-0 Black would not mind his op ponent occupying the centre and plans later to organise counter play by attacking it. 7.e4 9 ...c6 10.e4 dxe4 11.ttJxe4 ttJxe4 12.�xe4 ttJd7, Tarjan - Olafsson, Lone Pine 1977, 13. �g5± - It has become evident that the inclusion of the moves h5 - h4 has turned out to be in favour of White. 7 .•.c!Llc6 He is preparing e6-e5. The position is very difficult for Black after 9 ...�b7 10.�d3 c5 About 7 ...c5 8.d5 - see varia- 11.cxd5 �xd5 12.e4 �d8 13.�g5± tion Dl. 350 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.CiJc3 �b4 4.e3 b6 5. CiJge2 �a6 6.CiJg3 Black's attempt to create coun terplay on the light squares fails. 7 ...d5 8.cxd5 �xc3+ (8 ...hfl 9. lt>xfl exdS 10.e5 CiJe8 ll.CiJfS f6 12.e6 c6, Sherwin - Pachman, Portoroz 1958, 13.�f4± White's pieces are active and his pawn on e6 is very powerful.) 9.bxc3 �xf1 10.\t>xfl exd5 11.e5 CiJe4 12. �d3 f5 13.CiJe2 CiJg5. Black plans to deploy his knight on the block ing e6-square, so White should 8 ...e5 better exchange it. 14.ixg5! �xg5 Black does not obtain sufficie 15.g3 �h6 16.CiJf4± Petrosian - nt compensation for the piece Butnorius, Riga 1975. White has after 8 ...CiJxd 4?! 9.�a4 ia5 10. a powerful passed e5-pawn. His b4± knight on f4 is perfectly placed, while Black has not completed Black's attack against the c4- the development of his queenside pawn is not dangerous for White. yet. 8 ...CiJa5, Knaak - Adorjan, Szirak 1985, 9.�e2;!; 7 ...d6 8.id3 CiJc6(8 ...e5 9.0-0 hc3 10.bxc3 CiJbd7 ll.f4± fol Now, just like on move 7, the lowed by CiJf5 and White seized plan with d7-d5 is not promising completely the initiative in the for Black at all. 8 ...d5 9.cxd5 hd3 game Potkin - Maletin, Serpuk 10.�xd3 exd5 ll.e5 CiJe4 12.a3 hov 2008) 9.0-0 ixc3 10.bxc3 hc3+ 13.bxc3 f5 14.CiJe2 CiJa5 15. CiJa5 (10 ...e5 ll.ie3 CiJa5 12.�e2 h4 CiJb316.1'! b1 CiJxc1 17.1'!xc1f4 18. CiJd713.f 4± White's kingside initi �f3 �e7 (18 ... c5 19.CiJxf4± - He ative is developing effortlessly, does not have sufficient compen Donner - Andersen, Buesum sation for the pawn, Portisch - 1968) 11.�e2 c5 12.e5 dxe5 13. Shamkovich, Sarajevo 1963.) 19. dxe5 CiJd7,Potkin - Vovk, Warsaw c4 c6 20.cxd5 cxd5 21.CiJxf4± Par 2011. Here, White could have be tisch - Spassky, Moscow 1967. I gun an attack against the enemy will mention that White should king with 14.CiJh5! ± followed by not be afraid of the pin of his �g4. knight, because he can always play g2-g3. 8 . .id3 9.d5 .ixc3+ This is a logical continuation About 9 ...CiJa 5 10.�e2 �xc3+ of White's opening plan. 11.bxc3 - see 9 ... �c3. 351 Chapter 23 10.bxc3 t0a5 8 . .i.a3 The knight attacks White's c4- White exploits the basic draw pawn from this square. back of Black's move 6 - the weakening of the a3-f8 diago 10 ... tt:le7. This move does not nal. seem so active. ll.i.g5 tt:le8 12. 0-0!?:i:: followed by V9e2 andafter the retreat of the bishop - f2-f4. ll.V'9e2 c6 Or ll ...tt:le8 12 .i.a3 d6 13.0-0;!; followed by tt:lf5 and f2 -f4, Sadler - Arkell, London 1991. 12.t0f5 tOeS 13.{4;!; White has already begun active actions on the kingside, while Black's 8 ...hc4 achievements on the other side After this move White is de of the board are just minimal, prived of his two-bishop advan Spassky - Huebner, Munich tage. 1979. It is interesting but still insuf ficientfor equality for Black to in D4) 6 .••.i.xc3 + clude the moves h5 - h4. 8 ... h5 9.h4 i.xc4 10.i.xc4 dxc4 11.V'9a4+ V9d7 12.V'9xc4 tt:lc6 13.e4 0-0-0 14.V'9e2 lt>b8.After Black has cas tled queenside, the placement of the bishop on a3 is completely useless for White. Therefore, he transfers it to the weakened g5- square. 15 . .i.c1!;!;Wh ite has a pow erful pawn-centre, while Black's h5-pawn is weak, Gligoric - Speelman, Luzern 1982. Black is preparing d7-d5. The move 8 ... dxc4 was often 7.bxc3 d5 played during the 70ies of the past century. It was established About 7 ...0-0 8.e4 d6 9.i.d3 rather quickly that White had tt:lc610.0-0 - see variation D3. more than sufficient compensa- 352 l.d4 11Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.11Jc3 i.b44.e 3 b6 5.11Jge2 �a6 6.11Jg3 tion for the pawn. 9.i.e2 �d7 10. ll ...'�c6 e4 11Jc6 11.0-0 0-0-0 (11 ...11Je7 Afterthis move, there arises a 12.he7 cj:;xe7 13.�cl±, White cre slightly better endgame for White. ates the threat �a3 and Black's king is seriously endangered in ll ...h5 12.h4 - see 8 ...h5. the centre of the board, Vaisser Tseshkovsky, Novosibirsk 1971) 11... 11Jc6 12.0-0 11Ja5, Gerzhoy 12.�c2 h5 13J:'!fd1 h4 14.11Jfl i1Ja5 - Lenderman, Montreal 2010, (following 14 ... 11Jh5, White has at 13.�e2 �a4 14.i.c1 0-0 15.e4;!; his disposal the pawn-break - 15. followed by ig5. d5! 11Je5 16.dxe6 �e8 17J'�xd8+ �xd8 18.hh5 :r:!xh5 19.f4 11Jd320. 12.�xc6+ �xc6 13.c4 exf7+- and his powerful pawn on White prevents the blockade f7 provides him with a decisive of his c3-pawn with 11Jc6-a5-c4. advantage, Portisch - Fischer, Siegen 1970) 15.i.b4 �c6, Najdorf - Donner, Wijk aan Zee 1971. Here, White should simply com promise his opponent's pawn structure with 16.ha5! bxa5 17. i.f3 h3 18.g3± and Black's king is vulnerable and his extra pawn is absolutely immaterial, because all his queenside pawns are hope lessly weak. 9.hc4 dxc4 10.�a4+ 13 ...0-0-0 This is the simplest. White re gains immediately his pawn. After13 ... 11Ja514.l'!c1 l'!c815.e4 c5 16.d5;!; White's protected 10 ...�d7 11.�xc4 passed pawn on d5 provides him with a stable advantage, Spassky - Szabo, Amsterdam 1973. 13 ...e5 14.d5 11Ja5 15.l'!cl h5 (following 15 ...11Jb7 16.cj:;e2 11Jd7, in the game Lupulescu - Narodit sky, Golden Sands 2012, White transferred his knight to the weakened c6-square and obtained an edge: 17.11Jf5 g6 18.11Je7 f6 19. 11Jc6;!;) 16 . .ib2 11Jd7 17.0-0 f6 18. 353 Chapter 23 i.a3 g6 19.tt::le4 l"i:c8 20.c5;!; - After almost the same endgame as in White has managed to advance dS the main variation, Gerola - Tri and cS, his queenside initiative comi, Email 2011. has become quite threatening, Spassky - Huebner, Solingen 15.@f2 1977. White connects his rooks. 15 •.•h5 16.h4 a6 17.gabl 14.f3!? gbg8 18.4Je2 l"i:ge8 19.ghcl This is the simplest. White gd7 20.l"i:c2;!; Kurbasov wishes to play @f2, followed by Schmidt, Email 2010. l"i:ab1and l"i:hcl. It is worse for him to play with Black will need to defend a the same idea @e2, since in this slightly infe rior position in this way White cannot play any more endgame, because he is deprived tt::lg3-e2-c3. of active counterplay. White will always counter e6-e5 with d4-d5. He can combine his queenside ac tions (a2-a4-a5) with playing in After 14 ...l"i:d7 1S.@f2 l"i:hd8 the centre (the preparation of e3- 16.l"i:hc1 @b7 17.tt::le2;t,there arises e4). Conclusion After 4 ...b6 5.4Jge2, Black has numerous possibilities, but White can always rely on obtaining an advantage in the opening. Following 5 ... 4Je4, Whitecan occupy his centre with his pawns im mediately - 6.f3 and then e3-e4. Later, he should try to organise active actions on the kingside: tt::lg3-h5, followed by f3 -f4-f5. AfterS ... cS, White's main task is to fightfor the h1-a8 diagonal. This is why he fianchettoes his bishop. The battle is focused on the dS square. White obtains an advantage effortlessly after ...S i.b7 6.a3. If Black captures 6 ....bc3, then White obtains the two-bishop advantage and has a very good position. If Black's bishop retreats 6 ...ie7 or 6 ...i.d 6, White should try to reduce the mobility of the enemy bishop on b7 with the move d4-d5. Black does not have sufficient space for the manoeuvres of his pieces. In the variation with 5 ...ia6 White often manages to advance e3-e4, obtaining a great space advantage. If Black prevents this (6 ...ixc3 7. bxc3 dS), then the game, as a rule, enters a slightly better endgame for White. 354 Chapter 24 l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 e6 3.ttlc3 i.b4 4.e3 c5 A) 5 ..•tL!e 4 and B) 5 •.•d6. About 5 ...b6 - see Chapter 23, variation B. 5 ... 0-0 6.a3 - see Chapter 25. 5 ...lt:lc6 3 6.a .b:c3+ 7.lt:lxc3 cxd4 8.exd4 d5 - see variation C2a. This active move (Black at tacks immediately his opponent's A) 5 ... tL!e4 centre.) has the advantage, in Here, this move is less justi comparison to 4 ...d5, that after fied as in the previous chapter 5.a3 .b:c3 6.bxc3, White cannot (there, instead of c7-c5, Black had get rid later of his doubled pawns played b7-b6), since Black cannot by exchanging on c5. fight for the e4-square with the 5.tLlge2 move .tb7. White defends against the pos 6.'19c2 sible doubling of his pawns and prepares a2-a3. Now, Black has two main plans for his further actions: either C) 5 ...d5, occupying immediately the centre with his pawn, or D) 5 ...cxd4 , preservingthe possibil ity to retreat later his bishop to the e7-square. Before that how ever, we will pay attention to some less popular lines for Black: 355 Chapter 24 This is a multi-purpose move. 9)tJXC3 White is defending against the possibility to have his pawns dou bled and begins the fight for the e4-square. 6 ..•cxd4 Following 6 ...d5 7.a3 ia5 8. dxc5 �f6, White parries easily the sorties of the enemy pieces with 9.f3 ct:lxc3 10.'2lxc3 1xc3+ 11.�xc3 �xc3+ 12.bxc3 dxc4 (12 ...'2la6? ! 13.cxd5 exd5, Jankovic - Asis White's knight has abandoned Gargatagli, Barbera del Valles the e2-square and now, he can de 2007, 14.c4!? dxc4 15.c6 ! bxc6 velop his bishop on f1 without any 16.ixc4± and Black's queenside problems. pawns are weak, while White's two bishops are powerful fo rce.) 9 .•.1e7 13.ixc4 ct:ld7 14.c6. Now, Black has some weak pawns too. 14 ... After 9 ...1x c3+ 10.bxc3 ct:lc6 bxc6 15.a4:±: and White's bishop 11.l"1b1 0-0 12.id3 h6 13.0-0:±: pair guarantees his stable advan White's two bishops are much tage. more important than the slight weakening of his queenside pawn Black fails to keep his knight structure, Mi.Gurevich - Yuda in the centre after 6 .. .f5 7.a3 sin, Sverdlovsk 1984. ixc3+ (7... �a5 8.dxc5! ixc5 9. E1b1 ct:lxc3 10.b4 �c7 11.�xc3 if8 10.cxd5 exd5 ll.lLlxd5 ll::lc6 12.ib2± White exerts pressure 12.ll::lxe7 �xe7+ 13.ie3 ll::lxd4 against the g7 -square and Black The position has been opened. can hardly complete the develop 14.�c3 lLle6 ment of his kingside pieces.) 8. ltlxc3 ct:lxc3 9.�xc3 �f6 10.ie2:±: This retreat is more reliable and once again White has ob than 14 ...'2lf 5 15.ib5+ id7, Gli tained the two-bishop advantage, goric - Olafsson, Wijk aan Zee Barth - Lange, Germany 1997. 1971. Here, White maintains a great advantage with 16.0-0!, 7.exd4 d5 8.a3 ll::lxc3 completing his development. 16 ... ixb5 (16 ...'2lxe3 17.ixd7+ �xd7 About 8 ...1xc3 + 9.'2lxc3 ltlxc3 18.�xg7) 17.ic5 �c7 18.E1fe1+ 10.bxc3 - see 8 ...ltlc 3. Wd8 19.E1adl+ Wc8 20.l"1d5 id7 356 l.d4 liJf6 2.c4 e6 3. tiJc31J. b4 4.e3 c55. liJge2 (20... !'1e8 21.!'1xf5 !'1xe1+ 22.�xel± He has regained the sacrificed material, while Black's king has remained under attack.) 21.!'1c1 tiJe7 22.he7 �xc3 23J�xc3+ 1J.c6 24.!'1f5 f6 25.!'1g3± White has re gained the sacrificed piece and Black will have to defend a very difficultendgame, because he los es one of his kingside pawns. 8.�e2, Black ends up in a passive position. This position was reached in the game Borik - Miles, Germany 8 ... tiJc6 9.0-0 e5 (9 ...�e7 10. 1981. After 15 . .id3 0-0 16.0-0 �f3t) 10.dxc5 dxc5 ll.b4t White .id7 17J�acU Black is faced with begins active operations on the a long and laborious defence, be queenside, Ivkov - Ricetto, Nice cause in this open position 1974. White's two bishops are stronger 8 ...�e7 9.0-0 b6 (9 ...e5, Shul than Black's bishop and knight. man - Voloshin, Pardubice 1996, 10.dxc5!? dxc5 11.tiJd5 tiJxd5 12. cxd5t White has two powerful B) 5 ...d6 bishops and a passed d-pawn.) This is not the most active 10.b4 �b7, Aleksandrov - Lax move. Black defends his c5-pawn man, Abu Dhabi 2009, 11.�c2!?t and now, his bishop may retreat (followed by j'!fd1, �b2, !'1ac1) and to the aS-square if necessary. Black's position is solid but very 6.a3 passive. (diagram) 6 ....ta5 7.g3 Black has not exchanged on After 6 ...hc3 + 7.tiJxc3 0-0 c3, so White has not solved the 357 Chapter 24 problem with his bishop on fl. Swapnil - Gorbatov, Albena Therefore, he fianchettoes it in 2013.) 12.e4 a6, Shchukin - Brat order to complete the develop chenko, St Petersburg 2003, 13. ment of his kingside pieces. gbl:t followed by b2-b4. White has deprived his opponent of the plan on the queenside connected with b7-b5-b4. The move 7 ...0-0 leads to sol id but passive positions for Black. 8.i.g2 tt:lc6 9.0-0 gbs (9 ...i.d7 10.b3 V!ie7 ll.ib2 gfd8 12.tt:lf4:t and he must worry permanently about White's threat d4-d5, Gior gadze - Ilundain, Ampuriabrava 1997) 10.b3 eS (10 ...a6 1l.dxc5 7 ...d5 dxcS, Salem - Short, Caleta 2012, This is an interesting solution. 12.Vfic2!? V!ie7 13.ib2± Black can Black changes his opening strate hardly activate his bishop on c8, gy hoping that after the opening because the move e6-e5 would of the position, White's move g3 lead to the weakening of the dS will hardly be useful for him. square.) ll.dxcS dxcS 12.tt:ld5 ifS 13.ib2:t White's dominance over About 7 ... tt:lc6 8.ig2 0-0 9. the dS-square guarantees a stable 0-0 - see 7 ... 0-0. advantage for him. Afterthe care less move 13 ...tt:le4? ! he began im Following 7 ...V!ic7, Shvedov - mediate active actions on the Chepukaitis, Novgorod 1999, kingside with 14.g4! ig6 15.f4± White can play simply 8.ig2!, Bosch - Winants, Netherlands since he should not be afraid of 2001. Black's counterplay against the c4-pawn: 8 ...cxd4 9.V!ixd4 tt:lc6 Now, just like on move six, 10.Vfid2± followed by 0-0, b2-b3, White should not be afraid of 7 ... gfd1, gael. tt:le4 8.V!ic2 tt:lxc3 9.tt:lxc3 cxd4 10.exd4 tt:lc6 ll.ie3 eS 12.dxe5 Black cannot equalise with 7 ... tt:lxeS, Gligoric - Ivkov, Amster id7 8.ig2 ic6. He fo rces the dam 1971, 13.f4! He ousts Black's move d4-d5 indeed, but loses two knight away from the centre. 13 ... tempi in the process. 9.d5 exd5 tt:lc614.i g2 0-0 15.0-0:tWh ite's 10.cxd5 id7 11.0-0 0-0 (Black knight has access to the wonder cannot change the character of ful dS-square, while Black's d6- the fight with ll ... tt:la6 12.e4:t pawn is very weak. 358 J.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tiJc3�b4 4.e3 c55. tiJge2 d5 6.a3 8.dxc5 decided to complicate the game, This is the simplest, because but after 20 •.• e5 21.a5 e4 22. now there arises an endgame fa axb6 exf3+ 23.\!.>et .ih3 24. vourable for White. .id3 �xcl + 25 • .ixcl .ig2 26.�f1 8 ••.dxc4 9.Wxd8+ 'i!.>xd8 hf1 27.'i!.>xf1 axb6 28.'i!.>f2 10 • .id2 0,g4+ 29.'i!.>xf3 0,xh2+ 30.'i!.>e2 0,g4 31..ie4± White's two bish ops turned out to be more power fulthan Black's rookand two pawns. C) 5 .••d5 One of the drawbacks of this active move is the fact that as a rule, White obtains the two-bish op advantage. 6.a3 lO •..tiJ bd7 After 10... e5, Balashov - Olafs son, Moscow 1971, White has an original resource 1l.tiJg1!? ie6 12.tiJf3 tiJbd7 13.tiJg5 tiJd5 14.l'!c1 CiJxc5 15.ixc4 tiJxc3 16.CiJxe6+ CiJxe617.i xe6 fxe6 18.hc3 hc3+ 19.l'!xc3;t; - The position has been simplified considerably, but Black's pawn-structure has been Now, Black is faced with a compromised, so White has good choice: Cl) 6 .••cxd4 or C2) 6 ••• winning chances in this endgame .ixc3. with four rooks. He plays only seldom 6 ...ia5 ll.tiJcl CiJxc5 •12 .b:c4 .ib6 7.dxc5 dxc4 8.id2!? White is pro 13.f3 .id7 14.b4 CiJa4 15.0,xa4 tecting his knight on c3. Now, af ha4 16.0,d3 �c8 17.�cl 'i!.>e7 ter his knight is removed from e2, 18.0,b2 .id7 19.'i!.>e2 �hd8 20. Black will be incapable of com a4. White's game is much freer. promising his opponent's pawn He wishes to advance his queen structure. 8 ...tiJbd7 (8 ...tiJc6 9. side pawns and to acquire even tiJg3;t;) 9.tiJg3 tiJd5 10.'Wg4 �xc3 more space. Later, in the game 11.hc3 tiJxc3 12.'Wxg7 'Wf6 13. Toth - Kruse, Email 2010 Black 'Wxf6 tiJxf6 14.bxc3;t; Black's com- 359 Chapter 24 pensation for the pawn is insuffi 10 ...�c6 cient. Fedoseev - Aleksandrov, Vladivostok 2012. Following 10 ... lt:Ja6, Ricardi - Panno, Rio Hondo 1987, the sim Cl) 6 ...cxd4 7.axb4! plest reaction for White would be This is the best for White. His 11.'1Wd4!?± and on top of all the rook on a1 enters the actions and problems for Black, he must wor will exert unpleasant pressure ry about his misplaced knight at against Black's a7-pawn. the edge of the board. 7 ...dxc3 8.�xc3 0-0 10 ...�e6 11.0-0 The move 8 ... dxc4 leads to a difficult endgame for Black. 9. \Wxd8+ �xd8 10 ..bc4 �c6 11.b5 �eS 12.�e2 �e7 13.f4 lt:Jed7 14. b3± (followed by �a3) White's bishops are very powerful, while Black can hardly complete the de velopment of his pieces, Botvin nik - Smyslov, Moscow 1952. 9.cxd5 exd5 11 ... \Wb6 12.b5 lt:Jbd7 13.\Wd4!?;!; White's prospects are preferable After 9 ...�x d5 10.lt:lxd5 \WxdS both in the middle game and in 11.\WxdS exdS 12.�e2 �fS 13.0-0 the endgame, Danilov - Cioara, lt:Jc6 14.b5 lt:JeS 15J�dl± White's Brasov 2011. pieces exert powerful pressure 11...lt:lc6 12.b5 lt:Je7(f ollowing against the pawns on dS and a7, 12 ... lt:Ja5, White can begin imme Aleksandrov - Lomako,Minsk 2007. diate active actions on the king side: 13.f4! g6 14.g4!± followed by 10.�e2 f4-f5) 13.\Wa4. He is preparing to develop his knight on d1 in order to increase the pressure against the enemy dS-pawn. 13 ...\Wc7 (13 ...lt:Jf 5, Graf - Kiselev, Frunze 1988, 14.\Wf4 h6 15.E!dU) 14.E!dU Black's position is passive and he must concentrate on the protec tion of his pawns on dS and a7, R.Garcia - Heyns, Havana 1966. ll.b5 360 l.d4 I?Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.11:Jc3 �b4 4.e3 c55. 11:Jge2 d5 6.a3 White fixes the enemy weak C2) 6 ..•J.xc3 + ness on a7. We have already seen that af ll ...�e7 ter this exchange White not only obtains the two-bishop advan After ll ...I?JeS 12.1�d4 Eie8 tage, but gets rid of the difficulties 13.0-0 b6 14JM1 �b7 15.b3 �c8 connected with the development 16.�b2± - White completes the of his kingside. development of his pieces and his 7.�xc3 cxd4 dark-squared bishop is very pow erful, Gomez Esteban - Cuadras About 7 ...dxc4 8.�xc4 cxd4 9. Avellana, San Sebastian 1994. exd4 - see variation C2c. 12.0-0 8.exd4 12 ... �f5 Here, Black's best move is About 12 ...�e6 13.�a4 - see C2c) 8 ...dx c4, but it leads to po 10 ...�e6. sitions with an isolated pawn on d4. Before that however, we will Following 12 ...�f5 , Zaja - Zel analyse C2a) 8 ... �c6 and C2b) cic, Tucepi 1996, White can in 8 ...0-0. crease the pressure against the enemy dS-pawn with tempo: 13.�d4!? b6 14./"idl± C2a) 8 ... �c6 9.c5 White occupies space on the 13.�a4 �c7 (13 ...�e6 14.�f4 queenside. There arises an analo - see 10 ...�e6) 14Ji�d1 J.e6 15. gous pawn-structure in the Panov J.d2;t Black's pieces are active, attack in the Caro-Kann Defence. but this is insufficientto compen sate the weakness of his isolated 9 ... �e4 dS-pawn, Bischoff - Seuffert, Bad Black must be in a hurry, be Wiessee 2005. cause if White completes his de- 361 Chapter 24 velopment his advantage will in crease. 9 ...0-0 10.i.f4 - see 8 ...0-0. Following 9 ... b6, Kasimdzha nov - Sadvakasov, Guangzhou 2010, White's simplest line would be 10.if4!? bxcS ll.dxc5;!; and his queenside pawns, supported by his bishops, can be very powerful. Naturally, it would not work fo r It is bad fo r him to play 10 ... Black to opt for1l...e5? because of WfaS, Ghitescu - Pomar, Tel Aviv 12.ib5+- 1964, because of ll.Wfg4!± and he can hardly protect his g7-pawn. It is bad for him to choose 9 ... eS, since the opening of the game Following 10 ... 0-0 11.0-0 WfaS is in favour of White. 10.dxe5 12.lt:Jxe4 dxe4 13.i.xc6 bxc6 14. lt:JxeS 1l.if4 Wfe7 12.ie2 0-0 Ele1 fS 15.i.f4 i.a6 16.Ele3± White 13.0-0 Eld8 14.Elel± White has has good attacking chances in the completed his development and middle game (Ele3-g3, i.f4-e5), be the pin on the e-file is very un cause his bishop is considerably pleasant for Black, Prins - Mez more active that its counterpart, gailis, Stockholm 1937. Zagorskis - Wege, Berlin 1996. The drawback of the move 9 ... ll.bxc3 Wfa5 aS can be best emphasized by a transfer of White's bishop to the The character of the fight re d6-square. 10.if4 0-0 1l.i.d6 Ele8 mains the same after ll ...i.d7 12.i.b5i.d7 13.0-0± Hort - Bauert, 12.0-0 0-0, Lehmann - Sae Biel 1992. Black can hardly find misch, Kiel 1959, 13.Eib1!?;!; an active plan, because the move e6-e5 would only lead to the open ing of the game and the creation of new weaknesses in his camp. 10 • .tb5 (diagram) 10 ••.c!Dxc3 Now, Black will have counter play against the weak enemy c3- pawn. 362 J.d4 CiJj6 2.c4 e6 3. CiJc3 i.b44.e 3 c55.tiJ ge2 d5 6.a3 12.¥!\'b3 0-0 13.0-0 i.d7, Za nyan, Izhevsk 2011, 16Jk1! Wb2 gorskis - Ruzele, Bonn 1996, 17.¥!\'d2 Y!\'xa3 18.b5 CiJd7 19.Wc3 14.gbl!?;t White is defending Wxc3+ 20.gxc3± Black will have against the threat 0.xd4. His two great problems to fightagainst his powerful bishops and the freer opponent's passed c-pawn. In ad game compensate with an inter dition, in actions on the different est the vulnerability of his c3- sides of the board, White's bishop pawn. is obviously stronger than Black's knight. C2b) 8 ••.0-0 9.c5 10.i.f4 0.e4 lO . ..ges 11.�bs �d7 12.0-0;t Black's position is solid, but very passive, Khismatullin - Kravtsiv, Voronezh 2007. Black can try an interesting pawn-sacrifice here, which is still insufficient for equality: lO ...eS 11.dxe5 d4 12.exf6 Wxf6 13.0.e2 ges 14.Wd2 d3 15.�e3 dxe2 16. 9 ••• 0.c6 he2 Wg6, Neverov - Bazeev, St Petersburg 2012, 17.0-0;!; - his About 9 ...0.e4 10.0.xe4 dxe4 initiative is not enough to com 11.�f4 CiJc6 12.�d6 - see 9 ...0.c6. pensate the sacrificed material. The position is very difficult ll.CiJxe4 dxe4 for Black after 9 ...a5 10.�f4 �d7 Now, Black has some play 11.�d3± (followed by 0-0, �d6), against the enemy d4-pawn. Sherbakov - T. Ivanov, Moscow 12.i.d6ges 1999. 9 ... b6. Black's attempts to or ganise counterplay on the queen side only complicate his defence. 10.b4 bxcS (10 ...a5 11.b5±) 11. dxcS eS (after 11 ... a5 12.b5± White's connected passed pawns are very powerful) 12 . .ig5 .ib7 13.hf6 Wxf6 14.0.xd5 hdS 15. Y!\'xdSe4, Khismatullin - Harutju- 363 Chapter 24 13 . .ic4!? Black can hardly continue the This move is recommended by game without this move. For ex GM Ivan Sokolov. ample: 13 ...YU6 9 ... 0-0 10.0-0 tt:Jbd7 (10 ... lt:Jc6 11.i.e3 - see 9 ...tt:Jc6; 10 ...h6 13 ...\Wa S+. It would be too ll.ie3 and here it is bad for Black risky for Black to win a pawn here. to play ll ...b6 because of 12.'1Wf3± 14.b4 tt:lxb4 15.0-0 lt:JdS 16.'1Wb3� Barle - Marjanovic, Bled 1979) White's threats are very powerful 11.i.d3 b6 12.'1Wf3 !'1b8 13.i.f4 i.b7 and Black has great problems to 14.'1Wh3 !'1c8 1S.lt:Jb5± White's complete the development of his pieces· are tremendously active, queenside pieces. Epishin - Eriksson, Haarlem 2004. Following 13 ...i.d7 14.0-0 '1Wf6 15.!'1e1 tt:Jxd4 16.!'1xe4;!; White re 10 . .ie30-0 11.0-0 gains his pawn and maintains an edge thanks to his bishop-pair. 14 . .ib5 .id7 15.0-0 gadS 16 . .ixc6 .ixc6 17.geu White has the advantage in this compli cated middle game with bishops of opposite colours. His bishop restricts considerably the move ments of the enemy rook. C2c) 8 ...dxc4 9 . .ixc4 Now, Black has two basic plans. He can prevents the ap pearance of the enemy bishop to the gS-square with the move C2cl) 11 ...h6, or to prepare the development of his bishop on b7 with C2c2) 11 ...b6 . After ...ll lt:Je7 12 .ig5 i.d7, Zu eger - Gruen, Berlin West 1988, White's most reliable plan is to try to advance immediately d4-d5: There has arisen a position 13.ixf6!? gxf6 14.d5;!;and the vul with an isolated queen's pawn. nerability of Black's king may tell 9 ...c!Llc6 in the future. 364 l.d4 l?Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.11Jc3 �b4 4.e3 c55. 11Jge2 dS 6.a3 After ll ...l?Jd5, Wh ite's best re There do not arise original po ply would be 12.l?Jxd5!? exd5 13. sitions after 13 ...�d7 14 . .ie5, for �d3;!;and his two bishops guaran example, 14 ...l?Jg6 15.�d3 - see tee for him a slight but long last 13 ...l?Jg6 or 14 ...l?Jed5 15.�d3 - ing advantage, Thomsen - Maier, see 13 ...l?Jed5. corr. 1992. After13 ... l?Jg614 .�e5 .id7,Mi C2cl) ll ...h6 12.�el l?Je7 les - Hulak, Bad Woerishofen Black must watch very care 1985, it is very good for White fully about the possible pawn to play 15 . .id3!?, creating the threat break d4-d5. to capture on g6 and practically fo rcing the line: 15 ...l?Jx e5 16.dxe5 Following 12 ... b6 13.d5! Black's l?Jd5 17.l?Jxd5 exd5 18.�b3;!;. defence becomes very difficult. White has a better pawn-struc 13 ...l?Ja 5 14.�a2 exd5 15.l?Jxd5 ture and a more active bishop. �b7 16.l?Jc3!? This move is strong er than the exchange on f6 . Now, 14 . .ie5 Black can hardly finda good posi White's plans include the tion for his queen. 16 .. .'�c8 17. move �d3, followed by ic4-a2- �a4 �f5 18.�f4 �h5 19.�d4 �g6 b1, creating threats against the 20.�g3 �xg3 21.hxg3 l?Jd7 22. enemy king. l'!adl± White's pieces control al 14 •••i.d7 15.�d3 ic6 16.i.a2 most the entire board and Black's l?Jd7 defence will be very difficult, Dy Black is afraid of being at dyshko - Macieja, Lubniewice tacked and weakens his control 2003. over the d5-square. Following 16 ...l?Jg4, Graf - Bo shku, Katerini 1993, it is very good for White to play 17.�bU, provok ing weaknesses in the shelter of the enemy king (17... g6 18.�g3). 13.i.f4 White is preparing the transfer of his bishop to e5. 13 .• .-!L!ed5 365 Chapter24 17.tl:\xd5 .ixd5, Safin - Xu White can win a tempo (.�f4), by Jun, Jodhpur 2003, 18 • .ixd5!? attacking the enemy rook. 14.%\'h3 exd5 19.%\'b5 tilb620.b 3;!; White ttJe7, Iljushin Andersson, restricts the enemy knight and Antalya 2004, 15.�f4!? Elc8 16. maintains an edge. ttJb5;t;Black will have problems to protect his a7-pawn and to pre C2c2) u ...b6 vent the penetration of the enemy pieces on the h6-square. There arise interesting com plications after13 ...Elc8 14.Eladl. 12.%\'£3 He is developing his queen to an active position with tempo. Black should better refrain Later, it is usually transferred to from 14 ...h6, because of 15.%\'g3 the h3-square. 'it>h8 16.%\'h3± and he must be per 12 ....ib7 13 • .id3 manently on the alert about White's pieces are eyeing the White's possible sacrifice on h6, h7-square. Korchnoi - Vyzmanavin, Moscow 13 ...%\'d7 1994. Black protects his bishop and 14 ... Elc7 15.%\'h3 ttJe7 16.�g5 plans a knight-sortie. ttJg6 17.%\'g3 Eld7 18.d5! This is an interesting pawn-sacrifice with It is worse for him to try 13 ... the idea to open the position. 18 ... Ele8 14.Elad1 ttJd5 15.ttJxd5 exd5 exd5 (It is worse for Black to play 16.Elcl±. White's pieces have oc 18 ...hd5 19.�b5 Elc7 20.�xf6 cupied active positions, while gxf6 21.Eld4± followed by Elfdl. Black's bishop has been severely Whiterega ins easily the sacrificed restricted by the pawn on d5, pawn, while the weakening of V.Gaprindashvili - Enders, Old Black's monarch may turn into a enburg 2001. cause of worries for him in the fu ture.) 19.�f5 Ele7, Kasparov - It seems less precise for Black Psakhis, Murcia 1990, 20. .b:f6!? to opt for 13 ...Elb8, since later, gxf6 21.f4� White has more than 366 l.d4 f1Jj6 2.c4 e6 3.f1Jc3 �b4 4.e3 c55. f1Jge2 ds 6.a3 sufficient compensation of the pawn. Black's king is weak and his pawn-structure has been weak ened. 14.'l;Yh3 �e7 14 ...'1Jxd4? 15J"ia d1+- 14 ...g6? ! 15.�g5 f1Jh5 16.d5± Following 18 .. .f5 19.d5 ixdS Labollita - Ricardi, Buenos Aires 20.ixf5 �b7 21.hg6! hxg6 22. 2003. :t'id4t Black will have great prob lems to parry White's threats con 15. .!g5 �g6 16. .hf6 nected with :t'ih4 and not to lose a White weakens the castling pawn due to the pin after :t'ied1, position of the enemy king. Giorgadze - Ayas Fernandez, 16 ...gxf6 17,gadl Vendrell 1996. 18 ... \t>g7, Burnier - Naumkin, Arco 2012, 19.d5!? This is a stand ard pawn-break. 19 ...ixd5 20. �e4 �c6 21.hd5 exd5 22.:t'id4. Black is incapable of holding on to his extra pawn. 22 ... :t'ie8 23.:t'ied1 �e6 24.�d3 �e1+ 25.�f1 �xf1+ 26.\t>xf1 f1Je7 27.'1Jxd5 f1Jxd5 28. :t'ixd5t White has a better pawn structure and can play for a win without any risk in this endgame with four rooks. It is bad for Black to play 17... f5? 18.d5± Vaisser - Landenber The careless move 18 ...\Wc7? ! gue, Evry 2008, as well as 17 ... can be countered by White with 'it>h8? 18.d5± Bagaturov - Khets 19.hg6! hxg6 (It is more resilient uriani, Korinthos 1998. White has for Black to defend with 19 ...fxg 6, accomplished the standard pawn although even then after 20. break in the centre and obtained �xe6± he has no compensation an excellent position. for the pawn.) 20.�h6 \Wc6 21. f1Je4 and Black will have to part It is quite possible for Black to with his queen in order not to be try 17 .. J':ifd8 18J':ifel. checkmated: 21...\Wxe4 22.l"ixe4+- 367 Chapter 24 Aleksandrov - Vekshenkov, Sochi 6.exd4 2004. 18 .. .f5 19.d5 .bd5, Lugovoi - Kochyev, St Petersburg 2002, 20.�c4!? CiJe721 .�xd5 CiJxd5 22. CiJxd5 exd5 23J'!e5 d4 24J�xf5± White's prospects are preferable in this endgame with major piec es, because Black's king is very weak. 19 • .ie4.ixe4 20.gxe4 e5 Now, Black has two main re plies at his disposal: Dl) 6 .••0-0 and D2) 6 .•. d5. About 6 ...l:iJe 4 7.Wfc2 - see 5 ... l:iJe4. It is bad for Black to choose 6 ...a6 7.a3 ie7 and there arises a position similar to the main varia tion, except that instead of 0-0, he has played the not so useful 21.Wff3!Wfc8 move a6. 8.CiJf4 d6 9.�e2 CiJbd7 10.�e3;t; and Black has a solid but It would not work for Black to passive position, Volkov - Tol play 2l...f5 22.dxe5! and he loses stikh, Tomsk 1999. after 22 .. .fxe4? 23.Wff6+- Following 6 ... b6 7.a3 1J.e78.d5, 22.d5 f5, Monacell - Moura, Black must be permanently on Email 2004, 23.ga4!? Wfd7 the alert about the threat d5-d6, 24.gc4;t (followed by l'!c6) since he fails to accomplish the White's king is safer and his typical set-up for similar posi passed d5-pawn is very powerful. tions 0-0 and l'!e8. 8 ...exd5 (It seems too risky for Black to opt D) 5 ...cxd4 for 8 ....ib7 in view of 9.d6!? .if8 After this move, as a rule, 10.CiJb5 CiJa6ll.Wf d4± and the pawn Black does not exchange on c3, on d6 cramps Black's position but retreats his bishop to the e7- considerably.) 9.cxd5 .id610. CiJb5 square. Wle7 ll.g3± followed by .ig2, 0-0 368 l.d4 Ci:Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.Ci:Jc3 1J.b4 4.e3 c55. Ci:Jge2 cd 6.ed and Ci:Jxd6exc hanging Black's im About 8 ...�e8 9.�e3 d6 10.�e2 portant bishop. His d-pawn has Ci:Jbd7 11.0-0 - see 8 ...d6. remained on its initial square and impedes the development of his Black obtains a cramped posi queenside pieces, Nisipeanu - tion after 8 ...b6 9.i.e2 i.b7 10. Warakomski, Ortisei 2013. d5!?. White is restricting the ene my bishop on b7 and impeding Dl) 6 ••. 0-0 7. a3 !J.e7 the development of the knight on b8. 10 ...�e8 11.0-0 �f8 12.�e3:t About 7 ...1J.x c3+ 8.Ci:Jxc3 d5 9. Kristinsson - Bj arnason, Reykja c5 - see variation C2b. vik 1984. Dla) 8 ...d6 Black gives up the idea to play d7-d5, so he cannot rely on equal ising. 9.!J.e3 8.lt�f4!? This is the most reliable move for White which leads to a slight but stable edge for him. It seems less convincing for him to opt for 8.d5 exd5 9.cxd5, after whichBl ack's bishop obtains 9 ...Ci:Jbd7 the wonderful c5-square and in some variations, in order to fight The pawn-advance e6-e5 leads for the opening advantage White to the weakening of the d5-square, must advance his pawn to the d6- for example: 9 ...Ci:Jc6 10.�e2 e5 square. It often perishes there ll.dxe5 dxe5 12.Ci:Jfd5 �e6 (12 ... and playinga pawn down may not Ci:Jxd5 13.cxd5:t) 13.�c1 �c8 14. be to everybody's liking. 0-0:tand the powerfulposition of the knight in the centre of the Black's main move here is - board guarantees a stable advan Dlb) 8 •..d5 , but before that we tage for White, Becker - Janssen, will pay attention to Dla) 8 ••.d6. Germany 2008. 369 Chapter 24 There arise almost the same positions after the immediate move 9 ...e5 10.dxe5 dxeS 11.ltJfdS ltJxdS (ll ...ltJc6 12 . .ie2 - see 9 ... ltJc6) 12.cxd5;!;White has a power ful passed pawn in the centre, Jones - Gordon, North Shields 2012. 10. .ie2ges Black is preparing the transfer of his knight to the g6-square. 12.b4 White occupies space on the 10 ...a6 11.0-0 Wffc7 (ll.. J:'le8 queens ide. 12 . .tf3 - see 10 .. J:'le8.After ll ... b6 12 ...tlJg6 12.i.f3 E:b8 13.l'l:cUWh ite's hands are free for actions.) 12.l'l:c1 b6 12 ....id7 13.l'l:c1 b6 14.Wffb3 E:b8 (following 12 ...l'l:d8, White can 15.E:fdU - It is very difficult for again begin active actions on the Black to organise active counter queenside with 13.b4;!;) 13.b4 .ib7 play here and he is forced to wait 14.d5 eS 1S.ltJd3 l'l:ac8 16.f3 Wffb8 until White begins to advance his 17.ltJf2;!;Talla - Rozum, Pardubi queenside pawns, Niemela - ce 2013. It is not easy for Black to Raaste, Finland 2001. organise counterplay on the king side. His bishop on b7 is very pas 13.tlJxg6 hxg6 14.-ifJ;!; White sive. In addition, Black must con has a stable advantage, since he sider permanently the possibility has extra space and can begin ac of White advancing his queen tive actions on the queenside, side pawns. Lautier - Cvitan, Ohrid 2001. 11.0-0 tljf8 Dlb) 8 ...d5 9.cxd5 After ll. . . .if8, Boettger - So rokin, Dresden 2007, it is good for White to play 12.l'l:c1!? eS 13. dxeS dxeS 14.ltJfd5t Following ll ... a6, White can increase the pressure against Black's queenside with 12 . .if3t Van den Bersselaar - Grooten, Gibraltar 2006. 370 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3. CiJc3 1J.b44.e 3 c5 5. CiJge2 cd 6.ed After this move, there arise on We will deal now with Dlbl) the board positions with isolated 12 •.•.ig5 and Dlb2) 12 ..•.if6 . pawns on d4 - d5. About 12 ...g6 13.1J.e3 if6 14. 9 ...CiJx d5 E!cl- see variation Dlb2. Black wishes to facilitate his Following 12 ...c!L!x d4 13.hh7+ defence by exchanging a couple of ltlxh7 14.%hd4:t it will not be easy minor pieces. for Black to hold on to his d5- pawn. He has also tried in practice 12 ...id6 13.E!e1 g6 (13 ...hf4 9 ...exd5 10.1J.d3 CiJc6 11.0-0 1J.g4 14.ixf4 - see variation Dlbl. 13 ... 12.f3 ie6 13.ie3 id6 14.CiJxe6 'Wf6 14.c!L!xd5 'Wxd4 15.ie3 'Wh4 fxe6 15JkU White has a bishop 16.g3:t - The position has been pair, while Black's e6-pawn is opened and White maintains an very weak, Mitchell - Tran Tuan edge thanks to his more actively Minh, Budapest 2010. placed pieces, Adly - Dzagnidze, Heraklio 2004) 14.ie3 E!e8 15. lO.CiJcxd5 'Wf3ie6 16.E!ad1 'Wf6 17.1J.e2E!a d8, White exchanges this particu Jussupow - Huebner, Switz lar knight, because his other lerand 2011, 18.CiJxe6!? 'Wxe6 19. knight on f4 will be much more g3:t andWh ite has a bishop-pair. active in the forthcoming fight. 10 •••exd5 ll . .id3 c!L!c6 Black's alternatives do not Dlbl) 12 ••..ig 5 lead to original positions: Black wishes to trade the ene About 11...ig5 12.0-0 c!L!c6 my knight on f4 and thus to re 13.E!e1- see variation Dlbl. duce White's tension against the ll ... if6 12.0-0 c!L!c6 13.ie3 or d5-pawn, ensuring for his bishop ll ... g6 12.0-0 c!L!c6 13.ie3 if6 the possible development to the 14.E!c1 - see variation Dlb2. e6-square. Still, this plan has the draw 12.0-0 back that White obtains the two bishop advantage. 13.l'�elhf4 Following 13 ...g6 14.ic2 if6, there arises almost the same posi tion as in the variation with 12 ... if6, but with an extra tempo for White. 15.ie3 E!e8 16.. ia4 'Wd6 17.'Wf3:tand Black's d5-pawn is an excellent target for the attack of White's pieces, Hart - Ligterink, Amsterdam 1983. 371 Chapter 24 After 13 ...\Wd6, White's sim 15 . .ie5 plest line would be: 14.tt:le6!.be6 White is tryingto reach a posi 15.hg5± and once again he has tion with a "good" bishop on d3 the two-bishop advantage, I. against a "bad" bishop on c8. Sokolov - Epishin, Groningen 1997. It is possible that it may be even stronger for White to con 13 ... h6 14.ic2. White protects tinue here with 15.\Wh5!? g6 16. his d4-pawn and prepares the \Wh6± and it would not work for move ib3 in order to increase his Black to play 16 ...\Wxd4 ?? because pressure against the enemy d5- of 17�\Wxf8+! xf8 18.ih6+- pawn. 14 ...\Wd6 (14 ...g6 15.ib3:i:) 15.g3 E1d8(after 15 ...id 8, it seems 15.• )l:\xe5 16.l3xe5 .ie6 very good for White to continue with 16.b4±; while following 15 ... 16 ...E1d8 17.\Wd2:i: tt:le7 16.h4 if6, Hjartarson - Schussler, Neskaupstad 1984, he should better play 17.id2!±, cre ating the threat id2-b4) 16.h4 ixf4 17.ixf4± White's powerful bishop-pair provides him with a great advantage, Khalifman - Anand, New Delhi/Teheran 2000. 14.hf4 \Wf6 Black begins immediate ac tions against the enemy d4- 17.\Wd2 l3ad8 18.l3ael h6 pawn. 19JHe3± White's bishop is obvi ously more active. Later, in the It is not so precise for him to game Kramnik - Leko, Budapest opt for 14 ...ie6, because this ena 2001, there followed: 19 ....id7 bles White to activate his queen 20.h3 \Wd6 21.\Wa5 \Wb6 22. after 15.\Wh5 g6 16.\Wh6± Ka \Wxb6 axb6 23.ie2 .ie6 24.f4 cheishvili - Blauert, Wiesbaden g6 25.i.d3 .icS 26.l3e7 g7 1996. 27. .ib5 @f6 28.l3c7±. White's rook has penetrated to the penul The character of the fight re timate rank, while Black still has mains more or less the same fol not solved the problem with his lowing 14 ...\Wh4 15.\Wd2 ie6 bishop on c8. 28 ...l3d6 29.l3ec3 16.E1acU Supatashvili - Chris l3dd8 30.l3e3 l3d6 31.a4 l3dd8 tiansen, Yerevan 1996. 32.@f2 l3d6 33.g4 l3dd8 34. 372 l.d4 0,f6 2.c4 e6 3.0,c3 �b4 4.e3 c55. 0,ge2 cd 6.ed 14 ...�g7 15.�b1 0,e7 (15 ...'\Wd6 16,geu) 16J�e1 l:'le8, Timman - Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2000, 17.'\Wb3;!; White's queen exerts pressure against the dS and b7- squares and impedes the develop ment of Black's pieces. 14 ...Y!!f d6 15.-iblie6 The position is simplifiedafter 14 ...0,x d4 15.�xd4 �xd4 16.�xg6 After 15 ... gd8, Khruschiov - �xf2 + (It is worse for Black to opt Gavrilov, Moscow 2008, it seems for 16 ...hb2 due to 17.hh7± and very good for White to choose he cannot play 17 .. .'it>xh7? 18. 16.�a2!?;!;, increasing the pres Y!!fc2+ 373 Chapter 24 more pleasant and the least that pawn, or after lt'lxe6to obtain the he can do is exchange on e6, ob two-bishop advantage, Tikkanen taining the two-bishop advantage - Kockum, Gothenburg 2012. in the process, Timman - Ravi, Amsterdam 2000. 9 . .ixc4 You cannot see so often a posi D2) 6 ...d5 tion with an isolated queen's pawn and a knight on f4 for White. 7.a3!? This is White's most practical decision. He wishes to transpose 9 ...0-0 to the already analysed variations. Black will hardly continue the 7 .•.i.e7 game without this move. About 7 ...hc3 + 8.lt'lxc3 - see About 9 ...lt'lc 6 10 . .ie3 0-0 variation C2. 11.0-0 - see 9 ... 0-0. 8.c!L\f4 dxc4 9 ... a6 10.0-0 �c7 (10 ... 0-0 Now, there arises on the board ll . .ie3 - see 9 ... 0-0) ll . .ia2 0-0 a position with an isolated queen's 12.ie3 id6 13.�£3 lt'lc6 14J:'i:fd1 pawn for White. lt'le7 15.E1ac1 �b8, Speelman - Van der Wiel, Antwerp 1993. About 8 ...0-0 9.cxd5 - see Now, the best move for White is variation Dlb. the pawn-break in the centre - 16.d5!?;!;; After8 ...lt'lc6 9.cxd5 exdS (9 ... lt'lxdS 10.lt'lcxd5 exdS ll. .id3 0-0 10.0-0 c!L\c6 12.0-0 - see variation Dlb) 10 . .ie2 0-0 ll . .if3 .ie6 12.0-0 �d7 Following 10... .id6, Gomez 13 . .ie3;t; White can continue later Esteban - Anand, Oviedo 1993, it to exert pressure against the dS- seems purposeful for White to 374 l.d4 [jjj6 2.c4 e6 3. {jjcJ il.b4 4.e3 c55. {jjge2 cd 6.ed play ll.d5!? exd5 12.{jjfxd5 {jjxd5 duce Black's control over the im 13.il.xd5t and his pieces are much portant d5-square. more actively deployed. 12 ...{jj d5 Black avoids the exchange. After 10 ...a6 ll.il.e3 il.d6 12. il.a2{jj c6 13.{jjh5 {jjd5 14.1!,!Jf3 {jjxc3 The alternatives fo r him would 15.bxc3 1!,!Jh4 16.g3 1!,lJh3 17.{jjf4 not equalise either, for example: 1!,!Jf5 18.il.b1 Wf6, Hoffman - Sli 12 ...il.d7, Chiburdanidze - Oll, pak, Villa Gesell 1996, 19.We2t, Kalev 1997, 13.Elc1!?t; or 12 ...il.e7 White has removed his queen 13.d5 tt'le5 14.il.a2 {jjxd5, Predke away from the pin. Shaposhnikov, Samara 2012, 15. {jjxd5!? exd5 16.Wd4 il.f6 17. If 10 ... {jjbd7 1l.Ele1{jj b6 12.il.a2 Wxd5t Black's can hardly neutral il.d7, then, White can transfer his ise White's powerful positional knight 13.{jjd3!?t followed by pressure. {jje5. After 12 ...{jj xh5 13.Wxh5 {jje7, ll.il.e3id6 Sturua - Mchedlishvili, Panormo 1998, it is good for White to 1l...e5. The opening of the choose 14.Elad1!?t, threatening game is in favour of White. 12. the pawn-break d4-d5 at an op dxe5 {jjxe5 13.il.a2 {jjfg4 (13... portune moment. {jjeg4 14.il.cl!?t followed by h2- h3) 14.il.d2t and then {jjcd5, il.c3, 13J;cl occupying key-squares with his White is not afraid of the ex pieces, Milanovic - Laketic, Kra change on e3, because this would gujevac 2013. White can always lead to the opening of the f-file. oust his opponent's knight from 13 ...{jj xe3 14.fxe3 1!,!Jg5 15. its active position on g4 with the 1!,!Jf3;t threatening {jje4, I.Sokolov move h2-h3. - Meier, Antwerp 2010. White has seized completely the initia 12)L!h5 tive. The pawn-advance f7-f5 White wishes to trade the ene would lead to the weakening of my knight on f6 and thus to re- the e6-pawn. Conclusion In the variation 4 ...c5 there usually arise positions either with iso lated pawns on d4 - d5, or with an isolated pawn on d4. In both cases, White maintains a slight but stable advantage. In the firstcase, he must play against Black's weak light-squared bishop, which is restricted by his own pawn on d5. In the second case, White should plan active op erations on the kingside, or organise a pawn-break in the centre - d4- d5. 375 Chapter 25 l.d4 lL!f6 2.c4 e6 3.lL!c3 .ib4 4.e3 0-0 move-orders: 6 ...cxd4 7.axb4 dxc3 8.lt:lxc3 dS 9.cxd5 - see Chapter 24, variation Cl; 6 ... ixc3+ 7.lt:lxc3 cxd4 (7... b6 8.ie2 - see variation Al; 7 ...d6 8.ie2 - see Chapter 24, variation B) 8.exd4 dS 9.c5 - see Chapter 24, variation C2b. S ...bS. This pawn-sacrifice has not become popular in the tour This is the main line for Black nament practice. 6.cxb5 a6 7.lt:lf4 in the Rubinstein System which ib7 8.id2 id6, Kratochvil - we are analysing. He is not in a Wickstroem, Email 2007, 9. hurry to play d7-d5 and makes a lt:ld3!? axbS lO.lt:lxbS ie7 11.f3± useful move, depriving his oppo White lags a bit in development nent of the possibility S.a3, like in indeed, but this is not sufficientto the Botvinnik Variation. compensate Black's sacrificed 5.ttlge2 pawn. Once again, White takes care at firstabout his pawn-structure. White has no problems after In this position, Black can 5 ...lt:le 4 6.\Wc2fS 7.g3 dS, Usheni choose between the following na - Rakitskaja, St Petersburg possibilities: A) 5 ...b6, B) 5 ..• 2003, 8.ig2± followed by 0-0, j;e8and C) 5 ...d5 . f2-f3and e3-e4. About S ...d6 6.a3 - see Chap The move S ...lt:lc6 transposes ter 20, variation B. as a rule to the Taimanov Varia tion: 6.a3 hc3+ 7.ttlxc3 dS 8 . .ie2 The variations afterS ...cS 6.a3 dxc4 9.hc4 - see Chapter 21, have been analysed after other variation A. 376 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.CiJc3 1b4 4.e3 0-0 5.CiJge2 5 ...c6 !? This move is played with the idea to transfer the bish op to the c7-square. It has become popular in the last years and it brings Black excellent practical results. 6.a3 1a5 7.�c2!? White protects his knight on c3 and pre pares CiJg3 (He has played 7.b4 in the majority of the games, but I believe this is in favour of Black, because it weakens White's queenside and helps Black to About 7 ...1b7 8.1d3! - see transfer his bishop to c7.). 7 ...d5 Chapter 23, variation Clb. 8.CiJg3 CiJbd7 9.1e2 dxc4 (9 ...e5 10.0-0 exd4 11.exd4 !l:e8 12.cxd5 The move 7 ...1a6 enables 1xc3 13.bxc3 cxdS, Zakhartsov White to play 8.e4!, for example: Isajevsky, Kazan 2013, 14.1f4!:±: 8 ... d6 9.1e3 CiJbd7 10.1e2 cS 11. followed by CiJfS and active play 0-0:±:he has two bishops and ex on the weakened dark squares) tra space, Raicevic - Baretic, 10.1xc4 eS, Bekker Jensen - Fe Donji Milanovac 1979. dorchuk, Reykjavik 2013. After 11.0-0!? exd4 12.exd4 1c7 13.1a2 Following 7 ...c5 8.1e2 1b7 9. CiJb614.!l:e1:±: there may arise a po dS, there arises a position analo sition with a pawn-structure gous to the one we have analysed which we have analysed in vol in our Chapter 23, except that ume 1, when we dealt with the White's bishop is not on d3, but Queen's Gambit Accepted (varia on the e2-square. 9 ...exd5 (The tion l.d4 dS 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 eS 4. active move 9 ...b5 only worsens 1xc4 exd4 5.exd4). White's pros Black's position after10.0-0 bxc4 pects seems preferable, because 11.hc4 !l:e8 12.e4 exdS 13.exd5± his pieces are very actively de followed by 1g5, Gligoric - Raj ployed, while Black can hardly kovic, Vrnjacka Banja 1962.) 10. find a good square for his bishop cxdS !l:e8 (10 ... d6 11.0-0 !l:e8 12. on c8. f3 ! White is preparing e3-e4. 12 ... a6 13.a4 CiJbd7 14.e4 �c7 15.b3± followed by 1b2 and White has A) 5 ...b6 6.a3 two bishops and a space advan (diagram) tage, Dittmar - Bruno, Ortisei We will analyse now Al) 6 ... 2012.) 11.0-0 1a6. Black is trying .ixc3) and A2) 6 ....ie7. to facilitate his defence by ex changing pieces. 12.e4 1xe2 13. Al) 6 ...hc3 + 7.lbxc3 d5 �xe2 d6 14.1f4:±: - His d6-pawn is 377 Chapter 25 very weak, Ibragimov - Anasta 13 • .ib2a6 14.l'�adl l:'ie6,Sad sian, Ubeda 2001. ler - Anastasian, Cappelle la Grande 1991 and here after 8 • .id3 .ia6 15.f3!;tBlack will hardly manage to prevent e3-e4. About 8 ...�b7 9.cxd5 - see Chapter 23, variation Clb. A2) 6 ....ie7 9.cxd5 .ixd3 10.�xd3 exd5 Now, contrary to the scheme 11.0-0 with the retreat of the bishop to the e7�square from Chapter 23 (variation C3), Black does not control the e4-square. White can exploit immediately this circum stance. 7.e4!? ll ...l'�e8 After 11...'Llbd7, Incutto - Ro driguez Vargas, Mar del Plata 1973, it is very strong for White to play 12.b3!? preparing the devel opment of the bishop to a3. 12 ... 7 ...d6 E1e8 13.a4 c6 14.�a3 tt'lf8 15.E1acU followed by the doubling of the It is bad for Black to opt for 7 ... rooks on the c-file. d5 due to 8.cxd5 exd5 9.e5 tt'le4, Ihlenfeld - Andersen, Germany 12.b4 1988, 10.tt'lxe4 dxe4 11.'Llc3± (fol White prevents his opponent's lowed by �c4) and White has a counterplay connected with the mobile pawn-centre, while Black's pawn-advance c7-c5. e4-pawn is weak. 12 .. .lL'lbd7 His attempt to advance d7-d5, After 12 ... a6, it is very good for with the inclusion of the moves White to play 13.f3!?t followed by 7 ...�b7 8.tt'lg3 d5 (it is preferable e3-e4. for Black to choose here 8 ...d6 378 l.d4 lUf6 2.c4 e6 3.lUc3 !ib44.e 3 0-0 5.lUge2 9.!J.e2 - see 7 ...d6) fails after 9. cxdS exdS 10.eS lUe4, Caruana - Brunella, Siena 2010. Here, White could have obtained a great ad vantage with ll.lUgxe4! dxe4 12.!J.c4± 8.lUg3 J.b7 9 • .ie2 lUbd7 10.0-0 lUeSll . .ie3 .ih4 In reply to the more popular move 7.dS, Black has the resource 7 ...aS, beginning a very unpleas ant plan for White. Black wishes to transfer his knight to cS and to play aS-a4, exploiting the weak ness of the b3-square. 8.g3 lUa6 9.!J.g2 lUeS 10.b3 d6 11.0-0 a4 12.lUxa4 lUxa4 13.bxa4 lUd7 14. �c2 lUeS 1S.lUc3 id7 16J::&b1 eS This position was reached in 17J'l:b4 �c8 18.e4 lUa6 19J':&b1 lUcS the game Lugovoi - Chernyshov, 20.E&b4 lUa6 21.E&b1 lUeS 22.E&b4 Budapest 1994. Black has no lUa6 23.E&b1 lUeS, draw, Kornev - pawn-weaknesses but he can Aleksandrov, Moscow 2012. hardly find an effective plan for his fu rther actions due to the lack 7 ..•d5 of space. White must play accu rately in order not to allow the ac 7 ... d6. This move leads to a tivation of Black's pieces. The best cramped position for Black. 8.id3 way to do that is 12.%Yc2!?;!;,pro eS (8 ...cS 9.dxcS dxcS 10.�c2 tecting additionally his e4-pawn. lUc6,Graf - Mochalov, Azov 1991, 11.b3!?;t followed by ib2, 0-0, E&ad1, lUge4) 9.0-0 exd4 10.exd4 B) 5 •••ges lUc6 11.dS lUeS 12 . .ie2;!; Bilek - Black prepares the retreat of Barcza, Budapest 19S8. his bishop to f8 . 6.a3 .if8 8 . .ie2 (diagram) White should not be in a hurry 7.lUg3!? to exchange on dS, because after After this move, White has a that Black's rook and bishop are slight but stable edge. activated considerably. 379 Chapter 25 0-0 tt:Jc6 ll.' 8 . ..dxc4 Following 8 ...b6, White can al Besides this move, Black has a ready exchange on dS. 9.cxd5 great choice of possibilities but exdS 10.0-0 cS. Black is reluctant neither of them equalises. to play i.b7, because afterthat his bishop would be restricted by his About 8 ...c6 9.0-0 a6 10.e4 - pawn on dS. ll.dxcS bxcS 12.lL'lh5 see 8 ...a6. tt:JxhS 13.ixh5 ib7 14.if3 �eS, Berovski - Dobrev, Shumen 1995. 8 ... a6 9.0-0 c6 10.e4 dxc4 Now, White can continue with the ll . .bc4 bS 12.i.a2 cS 13.e5 tt:Jfd7, logical move 15.b4!?:t It would be Alvarado Ascanio - Mitkov, Al very dangerous for Black to ac bacete 1994 and here, White could cept the pawn-sacrifice 15 ...cxb4 have transferred his knight to the 16.axb4 i.xb4 17.1Mfb3 i.xc3 18. d6-square: 14.dxc5! tt:Jc6 15.tt:Jce4 1Mfxc3 tt:Jd7 19.�dl± (followed by tt:JxcS 16.lL'ld6± i.b2), because White's pieces would be tremendously active Or 8 ...g6 9.0-0 i.g7 10.1Mfc2 and despite the extra pawn Black's b6, Jaime Montalvan - Hammer, defence would be very difficult. Gibraltar 2008, ll.b4!? i.b7 12. i.b2± (followed by �fd1, �acl) and 9.0-0 White's game is much freer. 8 ...tt:Jbd7 9.0-0 a6 (9 ...dxc4 10.i.xc4 - see 8 ...dxc4) 10.b4 c6, Wade - Ivkov, Buenos Aires 1960. Here, White maintains a stable advantage after 1l.i.b2!?:t followed by ' After 8 ...c5 9.dxc5 hcS (9 ... dxc4 10.0-0 - see 8 ...dxc4) 10. 380 l.d4 l:i'Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.Ci'Jc3 1lb44.e 3 0-0 5. Ci'Jge2 d5 6.a3 9 ..•c5 12.b4 !i..e7 13.i.e2 a5 14.b5 cllbd7 15.clla4 cllb6 16.Ybd8 About 9 ...a6 10.1J.xc4 c5 11. i.xd8 17.cllxb6 .h:b6, Epishin dxc5 1lxc5 12.b4 - see 9 ... c5. Polak, Dresden 2007, 18.i.b2!? a4 19.lUdU (followed by Eiacl) After ...9 Ci'Jbd7 10.1J.xc4 c5 11. and White maintains a slight but dxc5 .bc5 12.b4 ii.e7 13.�b3;t stable advantage in this endgame. White's pieces are very active. Following 9 ...b6 10.1J.xc4 .ib7, C) 5 •.•d5 Yang - Shabalov, Philadelphia This is Black's basic and 2013, White maintains an edge strongest move - he occupies the after 11.�e2!? c5 12.dxc5 hc5 centre with his pawn. 13.b4 .if8 14.Eid1 Ci'Jbd7 15 . .ib2;t 6.a3 followed by Eiacl,occupying with White ousts the enemy bishop his rooks the key files for similar from its active position. positions c and d. 10.dxc5 i.xc5 ll.i.xc4 The position is symmetrical, but White's prospects are prefer able thanks to his superior devel opment. ll ..•a6 After 11...Ci'Jc6 12.b4 1J.f8 13. 1J.b2 b6 14.Ci'Jce4 Ci'Jxe4 15.Ci'Jxe4± White's pieces are much more ac tively placed than their counter Now, Black usually chooses parts, Bluvshtein - Baklan, Gron between two possibilities: Cl) ingen 2010. 6 •••.id6 or C2) 6 ..•i.e7. About 6 ...1J.xc3 + 7.Ci'Jxc3 Ci'Jc6 (7... b6 8.1J.d3 - see variation Al) 8 . .ie2 dxc4 9.hc4 - see Chapter 21, variation A. Cl) 6 ••.i.d6 This move has remained in the shadow of 6 ...1i.. e7 for a long time, because Black was afraid of the plan with c4-c5, but lately it has 381 Chapter 25 turned out that the plan is not so 12 ... lt:lf6 13.dxc6 bxc6 14.�c2± dangerous. and Black's c6-pawn is very weak. 7.ttlg3!? White opens to way for his It looks like a positional con bishop trying to develop his king cession for Black to play 7 ...dxc4 , side pieces as quickly as possible. because in that case White's bish The plan with 7.cxd5 is not so op goes to c4 without losing a effective with Black's bishop on tempo. 8.ixc4 cS 9.dxc5 hc5 d6, because his rook joins in the 10.0-0 lt:lbd7 (10 ...�xd 1 ll.l'!xd1 actions immediately afterl'!e8. b6 12.b4 ie7, Sedlak - Delchev, BosnjaCi 2013, 13.ib2± followed by l'!ac1 and White preserves a slight edge in the endgame) ll.b4 ie7 12.ib2 aS 13.�b3 axb4 14. axb4 l'!xa1 15.l'!xa1 lt:lb6 16.ie2± White's pieces are more actively placed, Schandorff - Hansen, Helsingor 2012. Following 7 ...lt:lbd7, White has the possibility to exchange his bishop on d6 for the enemy 7 ...c5 knight. 8.cxd5 exdS 9.lt:lf5 lt:lb6 10.lt:lxd6 �xd6 ll.id3 ie6 (11 ... About 7 ... l'!e8 8.ie2 b6 (8 ... c6 ig4 12.�c2±) 12.a4!? White wish 9.0-0 - see 7 ...c6) 9.cxd5 exdS es to oust Black's knight from the 10.0-0 - see 7 ...b6. b6-square, so that it would not be able to occupy the c4-square later. 7 ...a5, Jobava - Almasi, Wijk 12 ...l'!fe8 13.a5 lt:lc8 14.�c2 �d7 aan Zee 2006, 8.id3 cS 9.0-0 15.f3 lt:ld616.g 4! White begins ac lt:lc6. I.Sololov, in his book "The tive actions on the kingside. 16 ... Strategic Nimzo-Indian", has l'!ac8 17.g5 lt:lh5 18.ixh7+ 'kt>h8 evaluated this position as quite 19 . .id3± - He has won a pawn acceptable for Black. Still, White with an energetic play, but has has possibilities to fight for the fallen back in development a bit, opening advantage. 10.dxc5 hcS I.Sokolov - Jakovenko, Poikovs and now 11.lt:lh5!? lt:lxhS (ll... dxc4 ky 2010. 12.lt:lxf6+ �xf6 13.hh7+ 'kt>xh7 14.�h5+ 'kt>g8 15.�xc5± followed 7 ...b6 8.cxd5 exdS 9 . .ie2 l'!e8 by �xc4 and White will have an 10.0-0 c6 ll.b4 a6 12 . .ib2 lt:lbd7 extra pawn.) 12.cxd5! This is an 13.�c2 lt:lf8 (It is less reliable for important intermediate move. Black to play 13 ...b5 14 . .id3 lt:lb6 382 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.CiJc3 i.b44.e 3 0-0 5.CiJge2 d5 6.a3 15.e4 !t White has accomplished a 8. .. �e8, preparing e6-e5. 9. pawn-break in the centre and 0-0 e5, Graf - Nisipeanu, Aghia later the vulnerability of Black's Pelagia 2004 (following 9 ...CiJbd7, c6-pawn may tell, Graf - Topalov, Bitalzadeh - Nisipeanu, Sarajevo Benidorm 2003.) 14.CiJb1!? White's 2010, White can prevent Black's knight had no good prospects on counterplay in the centre with the c3-square, so White decided 10.f4!?t) 10.cxd5!? CiJxd5 ll.CiJxd5 to transfer it to f3, from where it cxd5 12.dxe5 .be5 13.�a2!?t fol could go to e5 at an opportune lowed by b2-b4, �a2-d2, empha moment. 14 .. .'�c7 15.CiJd2.ib7 16. sizing the vulnerability of Black's CiJf3t followed by �acl, CiJe5 and isolated pawn. CiJf5, Joppich - Kurgansky, Email 2011. 8.dxc5 White is preparing b2-b4 and Black has often tried in prac .ic1-b2, in order to solve the prob tice 7 ...c6 8 . .ie2. lem . with the development of his bishop on cl. 8 ...hc5 9.b4 About 8 ...e5 9.0-0 dxc4 10 . .b:c4 - see 8 ...dxc4. 8 ...dxc4 9 . .ixc4 e5 10.0-0 CiJbd7 ll. .ia2 CiJb6, Zakhartsov - Estremera Panos, Groningen 9 . ...ie7 2013, 12.dxe5 .b:e5 13.Wc2t fol lowed by a pawn-offensive on the Black has tried in practice the kingside and in the centre with f2 - other possible retreats of his bish f4 and e3-e4. op: 8 ...a5 9.0-0 �e8 10.\Wc2CiJbd7, 9 ...i.d6 10 . .ib2 a5 (10 ...CiJc6 Gual Pascual - Baches Garcia, 11.\Wc2! ?t) ll.b5 .ie5, Karsa - Lu Barcelona 2011. Black's position kacs, Budapest 1982, 12.f4!? is solid but passive. ll.e4!?t White .ixc3+ 13. .b:c3t White's dark opens the game in the centre and squared bishop is very powerful. Black willhave problems to bring his bishop on c8 into the actions. 9 ....ib6 10.CiJa4!? It is essential 383 Chapter 25 for him to oust the enemy bishop telling factor in the future. from the b6-square in order to impede Black's pawn-advance d5- After ...10 dxc4 11.bc4, there d4. 10 ....tc7 11 . .tb2 tt:Jc6(after 11 ... arises a position in which White dxc4, I.Sokolov - Meier, Mul maintains better chances, since house 2011, the best move for his pieces are better developed. White would be 12 . .txc4;!;,without 11 ...W!xd 1+ (11 ...a5 12.b5 - see the preliminary exchange on d8) lO ...aS; 11 ...tt:Jc6 12.lt:Jce4! ?;!;) 12. 12.cxd5 exdS 13 . .te2Wie7 14.0-0;!; l"!xd1 tt:Jbd7 13.lt:Jge4;!; Mueller - and White maintains a slight edge Kyas, Germany 2012. exerting pressure against Black's isolated dS-pawn, Volkov - C. 10 ...tt:Jc6 11 .Wic2 Balogh, Moscow 2007. 10 . .ib2 11... a5? 12.b5 tt:JeS 13.tt:Jxd5! exdS 14.be5± and White wins a pawn, lpatov - Kravtsiv, Wroclaw 2008. Following 11 ....td7 12.l"!d1 l"!c8, 10 ...a6 Graf - Dokutchaev, Novgorod 1999, it seems very attractive for After ...10 a5 11.b5 dxc4 12. White to play 13.cxd5!? exdS .txc4 tt:Jbd7 13.0-0 b6, Graf - Stu 14.lt:Jf5;!; rua, Moscow 1992 (Following 13 ... After 11...d4 12.l"!d1eS 13 . .te2;!; tt:JcS, White has the powerful re Black's d4-pawn is much rather a source 14.\!!!ff3 !± impeding the liability than strength, Graf - pawn-advance b7-b6. Black fails Loginov, Tashkent 1992. to equalise with 13 ... tt:Jb6,Chernin 11 ...dxc4 12.hc4 .td7 (The - Granda Zuniga, Pamplona 1991, character of the position remains 14 . .te2!?;!;) 14.lt:Ja4 .tb7 15.Wie2;!; the same after 12 ...tt:Je5 13 . .te2 followed by E!fd1, l"!acl. White's Wc7 14.l"!cl;!;Vai sser - Hauchard, pieces are noticeably more active Narbonne 1999, or 12 ...Wc7, Cher ly placed, while the vulnerability nikov - Karpov, Kuibyshev 1970, of Black's b6-pawn may become a 13 . .ie2;!;) 13.0-0 l"!c8 14 . .te2 lt:JeS 384 l.d4 [jjj6 2.c4 e6 3.[fjc3 �b4 4.e3 0-0 S. [fjge2 d5 6.a3 �e7 7.cd 15.�b3;t; (followed by l"lfdl, l"lacl) - It will be verydifficult for Black to find a good square for his queen, Moreno Trujillo - Suba, Collado Villalba 2004. ll.cxd5 exd5 There has arisen a position with an isolated queen's pawn for Black. 12.i.d3 [fjc6 13.[fjce2 White is preventing d5-d4. Now, Black has a choice be 13 ...i.d6 tween: C2a) 7 .. .ll:lxd5 or C2b) 7 ...exd5 . 13 ...l"le8 14.0-0;t; 14.0-0 i.e6 C2a) 7 ... [fjxd5 In this variation, as a rule, Black should not be trying for too much. He should strive to equal ise a slightly worse position by ex changing pieces. 8 . .id2 White wishesto be able to cap ture on c3 with his bishop in case of an exchange there. 15.f4! White takes the eS-square un der control. 15 ....ic7 16 .ic2t. - His piec es are very active, while Black can hardly exploit the weakness of the e3-pawn, Svidler - Bologan, Tromsoe 2013. s ...ll:l d7 C2) 6 ....ie7 7. cxd5 This is a very elastic move. White clarifies immediately Black does not clarify his plans the situation in the centre. yet. 385 Chapter 25 It seems too passive for him to 8 ... tt:lxc3 9 . .ixc3 b6 10.tt:lg3 opt for 8 ...c6 9.tt:lg3t .ib7 ll . .id3 tt:ld7 (ll ....ix g2? 12. 1'!g1 .ib7 13.d5!+-, White's dark 8 ...tt:lf6 9.g3 c5 (9 ...tt:lbd7 squared bishop joins with a deci 10. .ig2 - see 8 ...tt:ld 7) 10.dxc5 sive effect in the fight for the g7- .id7, Mitchell - Gormally, Scar square.) 12.Wc2 h6 (12 ...g6 13 . .ie4 borough 2013. Here, White main .ixe4 14.tt:lxe4 tt:lf6 15.tt:lxf6+ .ixf6 tains a slight but stable edge with 16.0-0t followed by 1'!ac1, 1'!fd1 ll . .ig2 .ic6 12.e4t and the c7-pawn may become very weak, J.Schmidt - Lomi After 8 ...b6, Groffen - Ligter neishvili, Plovdiv 2003) 13.0-0 ink, Netherlands 2005, 9.tt:lxd5 exd5 10.tt:lf4 .ib7 1l..id3 tt:ld7 12.0-0t Black's bishop on b7 is very passive, restricted by his own pawn on d5. He cannot equalise with 8 ... tt:lb69.W c2 tt:l8d7 (9 ....id7, Degl mann - Acs, Austria 2014, 10.tt:lf4!? c5 ll.dxc5 .ixc5 12 . .id3t followed by 0-0, 1'!fd1, 1'!ac1) 13 ...c5 14.dxc5 tt:lxc5 (Black 10.1':\d1 c5 ll.g3 tt:lf6, Epishin - loses after 14 ....ixc5? Sargissian Gashimov, Tromsoe 2007, 12. Tiviakov, Tripoli 2004, due to dxc5!? .ixc5 13 . .ig2t and White's 15.1'!ad1! WeB 16.tt:lh5 e5 17. .ib5 pieces are more active. .ic6 18 . .ic4 'it>h8 19.Wf5 .ie7 20. .ixt7 tt:lf6 2l.Wg6 tt:lxh5 22. 8 ...c5. This move only increas Wxh5+- and White has an extra es Black's difficulties. 9.dxc5 .ixc5 pawn and a winning position.) 10.g3 tt:lxc3 1l..ixc3 .id7 12.tt:ld4 15 . .ih7+ 'it>h8 16.tt:lh5t - It would e5 13.tt:lb3 .ic6 14.Wxd8 1'!xd8 15. be very difficultfor Black to neu 1'!g1 .id6 (15 ...tt:ld7 16.tt:lxc5 tt:lxc5 tralise the activity of White's piec 17 . .ixe5 .if3 18 . .ic3 1'!ac8 . 19.ie2 es. tt:ld3+ 20 . .ixd3 1'!xd3 2l.g4± and 13 ... tt:lf6 14.e4 c5 15.dxc5 bxc5 despite the presence of bishops of 16 . .ic4t and Black's c5-pawn is opposite colours in the endgame, very weak, Aronian - Anand, White has all the chances of real Mallorca 2004. ising his extra pawn.) 16.tt:la5! .ic7 17.tt:lxc6 tt:lxc6 18 . .ig2± - His 9.g3 bishops are very powerful in this White prepares the develop endgame, Navara - Berg, Herak ment of his bishop to the g2- lio 2007. square. Once again, Black has a 386 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tiJc3 ilb4 4.e3 0-0 5.tiJge2 d5 6.a3 ile7 7.cd choice between numerous possi too passive for Black to play 11 ... bilities. a6 12.�c2±) 12.dxc5 fixeS 13.�c2 ie7 14-l:Udl± - He can hardly complete the development of his queenside pieces, because White's bishop exerts rather unpleasant pressure against the b7-pawn, Harikrishna - Tiviakov, Pamplo na 200S. 10 ... e5 11.0-0 exd4 12.CiJxd4 CiJeS 13.b4 CiJec4 14.ic1 aS 1S.b5 a4, Mohota - Maletin, Delhi 2010, 16.�e2!? id6 17.CiJd5 �e8 18.CiJxb6 CiJxb6 19.ib2t White's 9 .••CiJ5 f6 pieces are very active and he only needs to bring his rooks into the It seems very bad for him to action with �ac1 and �fdl. play 9 ...CiJ7 f6 , because afterthat it would be very difficult for Black 9 ... CiJxc3. Black hopes to facili to advance c7-cS or e6-e5. 10.ig2 tate his defence by exchanging id7 11.e4 CiJxc3 12.hc3 cS 13.0-0 pieces. 10.hc3 fibS 14J'!e1t (followed by d4-dS) - White's pieces are much more harmoniously deployed, Hari krishna - Maletin, St Petersburg 2009. 9 ... CiJSb6. Black removes his knight away from the centre and prepares the freeing moves c7-c5 or e6-e5. 10.ig2 Or 10 ...b6 1l.ig2 �b8 12.0-0 cS 13.dxcS bxcS 14.�a4t and Black's queenside pawns are weak, Campos Moreno - Carls son, Calvia 2005. 10 ...cS 11.ig2 cxd4 (11 ...CiJf6 12.0-0t) 12.CiJxd4 CiJb6 (12 ...CiJf6 13.0-0 CiJdS 14.�c1 - see 12 ... CiJb6) 13.0-0 CiJdS, Volkov - To mashevsky, Sochi 2006, 14.�c1!? 10 ...cS 11.0-0 CiJf6 (It would be CiJxc3 1S.�xc3 eS 16.CiJbS �xd1 387 Chapter 25 17.l'!xdU Black's two-bishop ad- terpart, Ponomariov - Kramnik, vantage is absolutely immaterial Wijk aan Zee 2003. here, since he can hardly com- plete the development of his 10 . .ig2 queenside pieces without materi al losses. Following 9 ...b6 10.tt:Jxd5 exd5, Black obtains a solid but passive position. ll . .ig2 lO ... eS Or 10 ...c6 11.�c2 e5 12.l=!d1 exd4 13.tt:Jxd4t and in the middle After ll ....ib7, White can get game, White can advance suc rid of his "bad" bishop immedi cessfully his e and f-pawns, Graf ately: 12 . .ib4!? tt:Jf6 13.0-0 l'!e8 -Xu Jun, Bled 2002. 14.l'!c1 c6 15.be7 l'!xe7 16.l'!e1 �d6 17.lt:Jf4 .ic8 18.�a4t - He has 10 ...c5 11.0-0 cxd4 (ll ...tt:Jb6 a clear-cut plan for his further ac 12.dxc5 hc5 13.�c2 - see 9 ... tions connected with exerting tt:J5b6) 12.tt:Jxd4 e5 13.4Jf3 l=!b8 pressure against the weak enemy 14.�e2 b5 15.l=!fdU - and White's c6-pawn, Carlsen - Anand, Mos rooks are much better deployed in cow 2013. the fightfor the central files,Graf ll ... tt:Jf6 12.0-0 tt:Je4 (12 ....ib7 - Arutinian, Dresden 2009. 13 . .ib4 - see 1l...�b7; 12 ...�f5 13. �b4 aS 14.�xe7 �xe7 15.l=!cU 11.0-0 exd4 Martinovic - Papp, Chur 2010) 13.l'!c1 �b7 14.�c2 l'!c8 15.l=!fd1 ll ...c6 12.�c2 exd4 13.4Jxd4 .id6 16.ib4! Once again, White tt:Jb6 14.l'!adU Black can hardly gets rid of his "bad" bishop. 16 ... neutralise his opponent's pres �f6 17.4Jc3 tt:Jxc3 18.�xc3 c6 sure. Later, in the game Malakhov 19.hd6 �xd6 20.b4t with good - Nielsen, Istanbul 2003, there prospects on the queenside, followed: 14 ...�c5 15.tt:Je4 .b:d4 moreover that White's bishop is 16.�b4 l'!e8 17.l'!xd4± and White much more active than its coun- had two powerful bishops and his 388 l.d4 l1Jf6 2.c4 e6 3Jijc3 �b4 4.e3 0-0 5. l1Jge2 d5 6.a3 �e7 7.cd knight was ready to penetrate to Gambit (which was analysed by the d6-square. us in our first volume) except that White's bishop on f1 is not so ac tive now. Therefore, the plan with the pawn-minority attack is not Or 12 ...c5 13.l1Jf3!± and White so effective here. does not let the enemy knight to 8.�f4!? the e5-square. 13.�c2 c5 13 ... c6 14.h3 !'le8, Garcia Pa lermo - Suba, Dortmund 1985, 15.l1Ja4!?± followed by l1Jc5. White's plan is: �d3-c2, 0-0, f2-f3, e3-e4. 8 ...c6 This is Black's most popular response. He fails to equalise after 8 ... 14.�f5 .bf5 15.�xf5 �xd2 l1Jc69. �e2 �f5 (following 9 ...l:iJa 5 16.�xe5 �d6 17.�f5 �xb2 10.0-0 c6, it is very good for 18,gfcl gadS, Aronian - Gel White to play ll.e4!± and ex fand, Merida 2005, 19.gabl!? ploiting the misplacement of the �xa3 20.hb7;!; White's pros enemy knight at the edge of pects seem preferable despite the the board, White accomplished absence of a pawn, because quickly the thematic pawn-break Black's a7 and c5-pawns may be in the centre, Sarno - Genocchio, come an easy prey for White's Arvier 2013) 10.g4! �e6, Botvin pieces. nik - Taimanov, Moscow 1952, ll.g5! l:iJd712.ltl xe6 fxe613 .�g4± C2b) 7 ... exd5 Later, we will analyse varia Now, there arises a pawn tions in which Black wishes to structure analogous to the ex continue the game without the change variation of the Queen's move c7-c6. 389 Chapter 25 Following 8 .. .1''1 e8 9 . .id3 .id6 terparts. After 10 ...i.d6, it is very (9 ...a5 10.0-0 - see 8 ...a5 ; after good for White to play 11.1Mlf3t 9 ...c5 10.0-0 cxd4 11.exd4 4:lc6 with powerful pressure against 12 . .ie3 i.d6 13.h3 i.b8 14.'11-Jff3t the d5-pawn.) 11.0-0 4Jbd7 12. Black's d5-pawn needs additional '11-Jfb3 4::\fS 13.e4!? This is a very protection, Repina - Ulko, Mos concrete decision - White sacri cow 2011) 10.0-0 h:f4 11.exf4 fices a pawn in order to attack 4Jc6, Sasikiran - Karjakin, Tram the t7-square. 13 ...4Jx e4 14.4Jxe4 so 2013. This is a very interesting dxe4 15.ic4 4Je6 16.4Jxe6 fxe6 idea. Black wishes to transfer his 17 . .ixe6+ Wh8 18 . .ib2t followed knight to the e7-square, followed by d4�ds, l"!ad1, l"!fe1, Botsari - by 4::\fS or .ifS . 12 . .ie3!? This is the Marie, Athens 1992. only way for White to fightfor the 9 ...ia6 10.0-0 h:d3 11.'11-Jfxd3t opening advantage. 12 ... 4Je7 13. and after the trade of the light l"!e1 .ifS 14 . .ie2t - He has man squared bishops, the weakening aged to preserve his two bishops of Black's queenside may tell. and his subsequent plan is con After 9... c6 10.0-0 .id6 White nected with the advance of his can accomplish an immediate kingside pawns. pawn-break in the centre: 11.e4!? dxe4 12.4Jxe4 4Jxe4 13.h:e4t and 8 ... b6. Black is preparing to fi Black's weak c6-pawn needs per anchetto his bishop, but it will be manent protection. misplaced on b7, because it will be restricted by his own pawn on 8 ...a5 9 . .id3 l"!e8 (9 ...4Ja 6 10. dS. 9 . .id3 0-0 l"!e8 11 . .ic2- see 9 ... l"!e8) 10. 0-0 4Ja6 (after 10 ... g6, it is very good for White to continue with 11.ic2!? .if8 12.f3t followed by e3-e4.) 11.i.c2 i.f8, Salem - De hashish, Sharjah 2013, 12.4::\hS!? c6 13.4Jxf6 + '11-Jfxf6 14.e4 dxe4 15.4Jxe4t - The position has been opened and Black's knight is mis placed at the edge of the board. About 9 ...l"!e8 10.0-0 .ib7 11. 9.i.d3 b4 - see 9 ...i.b 7. (diagram) 9 ....ib7 10.b4 l"!e8 (10 ...c6 9 ...ges 11.0-0 '11-Jfd6, Zaichik - Kengis, Katerini 1992, 12.i.d2!?t White's About 9 ...4Jbd7 10.0-0 i.d6 pieces are much more harmoni 11.f3 - see 9 ...i.d 6; 10 ...l"!e8 11.f3 ously deployed than their coun- - see variation C2b2. 390 J.d4 ti'Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.ti'Jc3 �b4 4.e3 0-0 5. ti'Jge2 d5 6.a3 �e7 7.cd since Black has difficultiesto find an active plan, Johannesson - Shyam, London 2013. lO ... aS ll.f3 .ixf4 (11 .. .!'1e8 12.�c2 - see variation C2b3) 12.exf4 b6, Siedentopf - Seres, Dresden 2013, 13J'1e1!? �a6 14. �c2;!;. White has prevented the trade of his bishop and has an easy plan to improve his position, connected with the advance of his 9 ...a5 10.0-0 ti'Ja6 (10 ...�d6 kingside pawns. ll.f3 - see 9 ... �d6; 10 ... l:'i:e8 ll.f3 - see variation C2bl) ll.f3 ti'Jc7 10.0-0 (ll ...l:'i:e8 12.�c2 - see variation C2bl) 12.�d2 cS 13.dxc5 .ixcS 14.@hU and Black's isolated dS pawn needs defending all the time, So -Van Wely, Hoogeveen 2013. 9 ...�d6 10.0-0 Now, Black has a choice be tween: C2bl) 10 . . . a5, C2b2) 10 •• )i::Jbd7 or C2b3) 10. ..!d6 . About 10... l:'i:e8 11.f3.- see vari C2bl) 10 ...a5 ation C2b3. Black is preparing active ac It seems premature for Black tions on the queenside. to play 10 ...hf4 11.exf4 ti'Jbd7, ll.fJ Richardson - Turner, England (diagram) 2010, 12.l:'i:eU,because he clarifies ll... b5 his plans too early. 10 ...ti'Jbd7 11.£3 ti'Jb6 12.�c2 The move 11...c5? loses a pawn 'fffc7 13.g3 !i:d8 14.'fffd3 �xf4 15. for Black: 12.dxc5 �xc5 13.ti'Jfxd5± exf4;t; - It is much more pleasant Ponomariov - Bacrot, Villar to play this position with White, robledo 2009. 391 Chapter 25 It is bad for Black to play 12 ... tt:lc7in view of 13.e4! dxe4 14.fxe4 c5, S.Kasparov - Devangi, Ba laguer 2008, 15.e5 ! lt:Jg4 16.e6± - He must be very careful not to lose immediately. Black does not obtain suffi cient compensation after 12 ...c5 13.dxc5 hc5 14.tt:lcxd5 tt:lxd5, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son - Pono mariov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2013, Following 1l...b6, White 15.\WxdS!?:t should better avoid the exchange 12 ...if8 13.e4 dxe4 14.fxe4 c5, of the bishops with the line: 12. Volke - Lau, Bad Neuenahr 1991, ic2 l"&a7 13.'it>h1 ia6 14.l"&eU fol 15.d5!?:t followed by '!We1-g3(f2). lowed by e3-e4, Yang - Corrales Jimenez, Wheeling 2013. 12.i.c2 After 1l...if8 12.1lNe1 g6 13. \Wf2:t White has protected his d4- pawn and Black must consider permanently the threat e3-e4, Szelenyi - Lugovoi, Harkany 1993. ll ... lLla612 .ic2 In anticipation of the develop ment of Black's bishop on a6, White retreats his bishop, be cause later he will need it very much in the preparation of the pawn-advance e3-e4. 12 ...i.a6 13.ge1 b4 14.lt:Ja4 lt:Jbd7 15.e4 The plan withthe move 12 ...b5 lt:Jf8 16.e5 ltJ6d7, Rasmussen - is not so effective here as on move J.Polgar, Istanbul 2012, 17. 11. 13.e4 b4 14.lt:Ja4 dxe4 15.fxe4± axb4!? axb4 18.i.e3 i.b5 19. White has an excellent pawn-cen '!Wd2;!; Black can hardly parry tre and a clear advantage, Dittmar White's further offensive (after - Swiercz, Caleta 2013. the retreat of his knight from the 392 l.d4 tlJf6 2.c4 e6 3.4:Jc3 i.b4 4.e3 0-0 5. 4:Jge2 d5 6.a3 i.e77. cd f4 -square - f3-f4-f5). Black's The exchange of the knights queenside counterplay looks al would facilitate considerably most harmless. Black's defence. 13 ...b6 C2b2) 10 •••4:Jbd7 In answer to 13 ... i.f8, Bekker Jensen - Olsen, Denmark 2000, White should better reply with 14.@h1!?±, removing his king away from the g1-a7 diagonal. This knight usually follows the route d7-f8-e6. ll.f3t[jf8 11... 4:Jb6 12.@h1 cS 13.a4 cxd4 14,gbl a5. Black is trying to 14.exd4 aS 15.b3 i.d7 16.i.d2t create counterplay on the queen Black's knight is misplaced on the side. 15.bxa5 gxa5 16.a4 J.d6 b6-square, Kharlov - Kharitonov, 17.<;f.>hlc5 18.J.b5ge7, I.Sokolov Moscow 1992. - Nikcevic, Sarajevo 2010, 19.e4! c!Oxd4 20.c!Oxd4 cxd4 21.Ybd4 12.b4 J.c522. �d3 d4 23.J.g5t White's Before advancing e3-e4, White pieces are actively placed, while must take care about Black's pos Black's d4-pawn may become a sibility c6-c5. target for attack. 12 ... c!Oe6 After 12 ...b6, White has the C2b3) 10 ...J.d6 powerful resource 13.b5! and Now, White should consider here, Black loses after 13 ...c5? 14. the possible exchange on f4. ttJcxdS ttJxdS 15.4:Jxd5± Marti ll.f3 novic - Palac, Marija Bistrica (diagram) 2011. ll ...b6 Black is preparing the devel 13.c!Ofe2 opment of his bishop to a6 or b7. 393 Chapter 25 the pawn-advance c6-c5 would lead to the weakening of his dS pawn, Kravchenko - Mulenko, Myrhorod 2011. After ll ...Vfff c7, it would be in teresting for White to play 12. Vfffd2!? threatening e3-e4. 12 ... bf4 13.exf4 b6, Jones - Hawkins, North Shields 2012, 14.E!e1!? E!xe1+ 15.Vfffxe1 ia6 16.ic2t White 1l...a5. Black is preventing b2- has the two-bishop advantage b4. 12.ic2 Vfffc7 (12 ... .bf4 13.exf4 and a more active position. b6 14.f5!?t followed by !f4 or igS. White's dark-squared bishop 12.b4 .ib7 has been idle for a long time on the c1-square and now, it enters 12 ...ia 6, Gonzalez Vidal - He the actions with a great effect, via Alejano, Santa Clara 2014, Youngworth - Lobo, Palo Alto 13.ba6!? tt'lxa6 14.Vfffd3 tt'lc7. 1981) 13.g3. White is defending White succeeds in advancing the against the threat g7-g5. 13 ...bf4 thematic - 15.e4t 14.exf4 ih3 15J'!e1 tt'lbd7 16.!e3 hS 17.id3 tt'lb6, Malakhov - Fe dorchuk, Sibenik 2009. Black has succeeded in preventing the ad vance of his opponent's queenside pawns, but his position remains worse, since his knights have no access to comfortable squares. 18.Vfffb3!?t, White squeezes the enemy queen with the protection of the knight on b6. After ll ... bf4 12.exf4 b6, White does not need to take care about preserving his bishop-pair. This position was reached in His main task should be to acti the game I.Sokolov - Vitiugov, vate the bishop on c1 as quickly as Poikovsky 2010. possible. 13.f5 !a6 14.ba6 tt'lxa6 Here, after 14 . .id2!? axb4 1S.Vfffd3 tt'lb8 16.!f4t Black has 15.axb4t there would have aris difficulties to find an active plan en a very complicated middle for his further actions, because game position. Still, White's 394 l.d4 ti.Jj6 2.c4 e6 3.ti.Jc3 fi.b44.e 3 0-0 5. 11.Jge2 d5 6.a3 .ie77. cd prospects seem preferable, be on the alert about the threat e3- cause Black must be permanently e4. Conclusion We have just completed the analysis of Black's main response against the Rubinstein System - 4 ...0-0. His best possibility is the move 5 ...d5. After 6.a3 id6, White should try to develop his kingside pieces as quickly as possible with 7.ti.Jg3. Still, if Black manages to advance c7 -c5, then there willarise a position with an isolated pawn for him, which is in fact favourable for White. He must only take care to prevent Black's pawn-break - d5-d4. Following 6.a3 ie7 7.cxd5 ti.Jxd5,there arises a position with a slight but stable edge for White. He must have however verygood knowledge of some theoretical variations, because his advantage is not so great and may evaporate after even a minimal imprecision. Meanwhile, Black's task is not easy at all. This is confirmed by the fact that in this variation great masters of this defence as V.Anand and V.Kramnik have lost games. Finally, after7 ...ex d5, White has a clear-cut plan for his fu rther ac tions: ti.Jf4, id3, 0-0, f2 -f3 and e3-e4. 395 Index of Variations Part 1. Black tries seldom played moves after l.d4 ...... 8 Chapter 1 1.d4 A) l. .. e5 ...... 9 B) l. ..c6 ...... 12 C1) 1...4Jc6 2.d5 4Je53.f 4 4Jg64.e 4 e5 5.de fe ...... 14 C2) 5.de de ...... 16 Chapter 2 1.d4 A) l. .. a6 ...... 19 B) l. ..b5 ...... 24 C) l. .. b6 ...... 26 Chapter 3 1.d4 c5 2.d5 2 ...b5 ...... 32 A1) 2 ...e5 3.e4 d6 4.i.b5+ i.d7 ...... 33 A2) 4.i.b5+ 4Jd7...... 35 B) 2 ...d6 3.e4 4Jf6 4.4Jc3 various ...... 40 B1) 4.4Jc3 e6 ...... 41 B2) 4.4Jc3 g6 ...... 42 Chapter 4 l.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.e4 .ib74 . .id3 various ...... 46 A) 4 ...i.b4+ ...... 47 B1) 4 .. .f5 5.ef i.xg2 ...... 50 B2) 5.ef ib4+ ...... 53 Chapter 5 l.d4 e6 2.c4 .ib4+ 3 . .id2 3 ...c5 ...... 60 A) 3 .. .'�e7 ...... 61 B) 3 ...a5 ...... 64 C) 3 ...i.xd 2+ ...... 67 396 Index of Va riations Part 2. The Dutch Defence and Dutch set-ups l.d4 ...... 72 Chapter 6 1.d4 f5 2.�c3 various ...... 74 A) 2 ...g6 ...... 75 B) 2 ...d5 3 . .if4 various ...... 76 B1) 3 . .if4 tt:lf64.e3 e6 ...... 77 B2) 4.e3 a6 ...... 79 B3) 4.e3 c6 ...... 81 C) 2 ... ltlf6 ...... 87 Chapter 7 l.d4 e6 2.c4 A) 2 ....ib 4+ 3 . .id2 .bd2+ 4.�xd2 f5 ...... 95 B) 2 .. .f5 3.tt:lc3 tt:lf64.e 3 various ...... 104 B1) 4.e3 b6 ...... 104 B2) 4.e3 .ie7 ...... 107 B3) 4.e3 .ib4 ...... 109 Chapter 8 1.d4 A1) l...g6 2.c4 f5 3.h4 .ig7 ...... 117 A2) 3.h4 tt:lf6 ...... 118 B) l. ..c5 2.d5 f5 ...... 119 Chapter 9 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 A1) 3 .. .f5 4 . .if4 tt:lf6 5.e3 c6 ...... 124 A2) 5.e3 .ie7 ...... 128 B) 3 ...c6 4.e3 f5 ...... 134 Part 3. Black tries seldom played moves after 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 ...... 141 Chapter 10 l.d4 �f6 2.c4 A) 2 ...a6 ...... 142 B1) 2 ...b6 3.ltlc3e6 ...... 146 B2) 3.ltlc3 .ib7 ...... 151 Chapter 11 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 �c6 3.�c3 A) 3 ...e6 ...... 157 B) 3 ... e5 ...... 160 397 Index of Va riations Chapter 12 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 d6 3.�c3 various ...... 164 A) 3 ...i.f5 ...... 165 B) 3 ...e5 4.de de 5.'Wxd8+ lt>xd8 6.ttlf3 various ...... 171 B1) 6.ttlf3 tt:lfd7 ...... 171 B2) 6.ttlf3ttlbd7 ...... 174 Chapter 13 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 d6 3.�c3 �bd7 4.e4 various ...... 178 A) 4 ...e5 5.d5 g6 ...... 179 B) 5.d5 ttlc5 ...... 185 C) 5.d5 i.e7...... 188 Chapter 14 l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 e5 3.de tt:le44.a 3 A) 4 ...ttlc6 ...... 193 B) 4 ...'Wh4 ...... 195 C) 4 ...d6 ...... , ...... 197 D) 4 ...b6 ...... 198 Chapter 15 l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e5 3.de tt:lg44 . .!f4 4 ...i.c5 ...... 201 A) 4 ...i.b4+ ...... 201 B) 4 ...g5 ...... 20 3 Cl) 4 ...ttlc6 5.ttlf 3 i.b4+ 6.ttlbd2f6 ...... 20 6 C2) 6.ttlbd2Wff e7 ...... 20 7 Part 4. The Benoni. The Volga Gambit 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 •..••••••.....••...... •..... 221 Chapter 16 l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3 d6 5.e4 A) 5 ...ttlbd7 ...... 224 B) 5 ...g6 ...... 225 C) 5 ...ie7 6.g3 various ...... 228 C1) 6.g3 0-0 7.ig2 ttla6 ...... 230 C2) 7.ig2 ttle8 ...... 231 C3) 7.i.g2 tt:lbd7...... 233 Chapter 17 1.d4 A) l...c5 2.d5 e6 3.c4 ed 4.cd d6 5.e4 wfo ttlf6 ...... 238 B) l...llJf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.llJc3 ed 5.cd id6 ...... 242 398 Index of Va riations Chapter 18 1.d4 c!Df62. c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.c!Dc3 ed 5.cd d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 .ig7 8 • .ib5+ A) 8 ...i.d7 ...... 249 B) 8 ...lt:\bd7 ...... 250 C1) 8 ... lt:\fd7 9.lt:\f3 0-0 ...... 253 C2) 9.lt:\f3 a6 ...... 261 Chapter 19 1.d4 c!Df6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cb A) 4 ...e6 ...... 269 B1) 4 ... a6 5.ba e6 ...... 271 B2) 5.ba g6 ...... 27 3 B3) 5.ba i.xa66.lt:\c 3 various ...... 277 B3a) 6.lt:\c3g6 7.e4 d6 ...... 278 B3b) 7.e4 i.xf1 ...... 279 Part 4. The Nimzo-Indian Defence 1.d4 c!Df62.c 4 e6 3.c!Dc3 .ib44.e 3 ..•..•••....••....•...... 290 Chapter 20 1.d4 c!Df6 2.c4 e6 3.c!Dc3 .ib4 4.e3 A) 4 ...c6 ...... 292 B) 4 ... d6 ...... 293 C) 4 ...lt:\e4 ...... 295 D) 4 ... hc3+ 5.bc various ...... 298 D1) 5.bc b6 ...... 299 D2) 5.bc d6 ...... 300 Chapter 21 1.d4 c!Df6 2.c4 e6 3.c!Dc3.ib4 4.e3 c!Dc65 . .id3 A) 5 ...0-0 ...... 304 B1) 5 ... e5 6.lt:\ge2 0-0 ...... 308 B2) 6.lt:\ge2ed ...... 309 B3) 6.lt:\ge2 d5 ...... 310 Chapter 22 1.d4 c!Df6 2.c4 e6 3.c!Dc3.ib4 4.e3 d5 5.a3 5 ....id6 ...... 312 A) 5 ....ie7 ...... 313 B) 5 ... .ixc3+ 6.bc various ...... 316 B1) 6.bc 0-0 ...... 316 B2) 6.bc c5 ...... 320 399 Index of Va riations Chapter 23 l.d4 tl:\{62.c 4 e6 3.ttlc3.tb4 4.e 3 b6 5.ttlge2 A) 5 ...tt:Je 4 ...... 330 B) 5 ...c5 6.a3 various ...... 333 B1) 6.a3 .ia57.Ei:b1 'Wff e7 .•••••.••.••••.••••••.••••••.333 B2) 7.Ei:b1tt:Ja6 ...... 335 C1) 5 ....ib7 6.a 3 .ixc3+ ...... 340 C2) 6.a3 id6 ...... 343 C3) 6.a3 .ie7 ...... 344 Dl) 5 ....ia6 6.tt:lg3 c5...... 347 D2) 6.tt:lg3 h5 ...... 349 D3) 6.tt:lg3 0-0 ...... 350 D4) 6.tt:lg3.ixc3 + ...... 352 Chapter 24 l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 e6 3.ttlc3 ib4 4.e3 c5 5.ttlge2 A) 5 ...tt:Je4 ...... 355 B) 5 ... d6 ...... 357 C1) 5 ...d5 6.a3 cd ...... 360 C2) 6.a3 .ixc3+ ...... 361 D) 5 ...cd 6.ed various ...... 368 D1) 6.ed 0-0 ...... 369 D2) 6.ed d5 ...... 37 4 Chapter 25 l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 e6 3.ttlc3.tb4 4.e3 0-0 5.ttlge2 various ...... 376 A1) 5 ...b6 6.a3 .ixc3+ ...... 37 7 A2) 6.a3 .ie7 ...... 378 B) 5 ... Ei:e8 ...... 37 9 C1) 5 ...d5 6.a3 id6 ...... 381 C2) 6.a3 .ie7...... 385 Forward Chess Most Chess Stars books are also in the interactive electronic format Forward Chess. It is a free application which presents the books as they look in print. Furthermore, it also provides a board which displays the text moves or your own analysis. Read more info rmation about Forwardchess at: http://chess-s tars.com/Forwardchess.html Here is the link to the iOS version: https://itunes.apple.comjusjapp jfo rwardchess/id543005909?mt=8 This is the Androidver sion: https: I /play .google.com/ store/ apps/ details?id =com.forwardchess You can also use Forwardchess on Windows desktops and notebooks through the Android emulation from http:/f www.bluestacks.com/ 400