clless 9s -t'Mid' Special Editor: 1M Vladimir Barskiy

Technical Editor: 1M Sergey Soloviov

Translation by: GM Evgeny Ermenkov

Cover design by: Kalojan Nachev

Copyright © 2009

Printed in by " Stars" Ltd.- Sofia ISBNI3: 978 954 8782 71 5 Victor Bologan

The 's Indian

A Complete Black Repertoire

Chess Stars Bibliography

Understanding The King's Indian by M.Golubev, Publications, 2006 Openings for White According to Kramnik (la, 1b) by AKhalifman, Chess Stars 2006

Other CHESS STARS Books Repertoire books: Opening for WhiteAccording to Kramnik l.c!ilf3by A Khalifman Volume 1a: Old Indian, rare lines in the Classical Variation, 2006 Volume 1b: The Classical Variation, 2006 Volume 2: Anti-Nim-Ind,Anti-'s Indian, English, KnightTango, 2008 Volume 3: Maroczy, English (l ... cS), Modern, Dutch Volume 4: Queen's Gambit Accepted, Slav, Semi-Slav Volume 5: Queen's Gambit Declined Opening for WhiteAccording to Anand 1.e4 by A Khalifman Volume 6: The 3.tLlc3 dxe4, 3... tLlf6, 2006 Volume 7: The French Defence 3.tLlc3 Ab4, 2006 Volume 8: TheSicilian, Paulsen-Kan and rare lines, 2006 Volume 9: TheSicilian, Paulsen-Taimanov and other lines, 2007 Volume 10: The Sicilian, Sveshnikov, 2007 Volume 11; The Sicilian, Dragon, 2009 Opening for Black According to Karpov by Khalifman Current theoryand practice series: Challenging the Sicilian with 2.a3! by Bezgodov, 2004 An Expert's Guide to the 7.Bc4 Gruenfeld by Sakaev, 2006 The Sharpest Sicilian by and At. Kolev, 2007 The Safest Sicilian by Delchev and Semkov, 2nd rev.ed. 2008 TheQueen's Gambit Acceptedby Sakaev and Semkov, 3rd. rev.ed., 2008 The Easiest Sicilian by Kolev and Nedev, 2008 ThePetrosian System the Against QID by Be1iavskyand Mikhalchishin,2008 Kill K.I.D. by Semko Semkov, 2009 Games collections My One Hundred Best Games by , 2007 Bogoljubow. The Fate of a Chess Player by S. Soloviov, 2004 Shirov's100 Wmsby Soloviov 316 p., inteIViews,biography, oolour photos, 2003 Leko's 100 Winsby Soloviov 340 pages, biography, colour photos, 2003

More details at www.chess-stars.com

4 Contents

Preface ...... 7

Part 1. Minor Variations l.d4 ltJf6 2.c4 g6 3.ltJc3!g7

1 4 . .lgS...... 12 2 4.ltJf3 0-0 S . .lgS...... 17 3 4.ltJf3 0-0 S.!f4 ...... 29 4 4.e4 d6 S.!gS ...... 37 S 4.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6 . .ld3...... S6 6 4.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6 . .ie3...... 62 7 4.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6 . .igS...... 76 8 4.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6.ltJf3...... 89 9 4.e4 d6 S.ltJge2...... lOS 10 4.e4 d6 S . .id3...... 113

Part 2. AverbakhVariation 1.d4 ltJf6 2.c4 g6 3.ltJc3.lg7 4.e 4 d6 S.ie2 0-0 6.!gS

11 6 ... ltJa6...... 122 12 6 ...h6 ...... 132

Part 3. Saemisch Attack 1.d4 ltJf6 2.c4 g6 3.ltJc3.lg7 4.e 4 d6 S.f30-0

13 6.ltJge2 ...... 140 14 6 . .lgS ...... lS0 lS 6 . .ie3c5 7.dc ...... lS7 16 6.!e3 cS 7.dS; 7.ltJge2...... 167

Part 4. Four Pawns Attack l.d4 ltJf6 2.c4 g6 3.ltJc3.ig7 4.e4 d6 S.f4 0-0 6.ltJf3cS

17 7.ie2; 7.dc...... 183 18 7.dS e6 8.de; 8.ie2 ed 9.cd ig4 ...... 194 19 7.dS e6 8 . .le2ed 9.cd �e8 ...... 201

S Part5. Classical Variation l.d4 ttJf6 2.c4 g6 3.ttJc3J.g7 4.e 4 d6 S.ttJf30-0 6.�e2 eS

20 7.de; 7.0-0 ttJc6B.d e ...... 211 21 7.�e3 ttJg4 ...... 221

22 7.dS as ...... 236 23 7.0-0 ttJc6B . .te3ttJg4; B. dS ttJe79 . .tgS; 9 . .td2; 9 . .te3; 9.a4 ....245 24 7.0-0 ttJc6 B.dS ttJe79. b4 ttJhS...... 251 25 7.0-0 ttJc6 B.dS ttJe79. ttJelttJd7 ...... 26 5 26 7.0-0 ttJc6B.d S ttJe79.ttJd2 c6 ...... 2B3 27 7.0-0 ttJc6 B.dS ttJe7 9.ttJd2...... as 2BB

Part6. Systems l.d4 ttJf6 2.c4 g6 3.ttJf3 J.g74.g 3 0-0 S . .tg2 d6 6.0-0 ttJc6

2B 7.dS; 7.ttJc3 a6 without B.h3, B.dS, B.b3 ...... 29B 29 7.ttJc3 a6 B.h3 .td7...... 311 30 7.ttJc3 a6 B.dS ttJaS ...... 320 31 7.ttJc3 a6 B.b3 l3bB...... 332

Other Fianchetto Systems Double Fianchetto for White

32 l.ttJf3ttJf6 2. g3 g6 3.b3.tg74.J.b2 d6 S.d4 c5...... 339 Fianchetto without c2-c4 and ttJc3 33 l.ttJf3ttJf6 2.g3 g6 3.d4 .tg74 . .tg2 0-0 5.0-0 d6 ...... 342 King's Indian English 34 l.c4 ttJf6 2.ttJc3 g6 3.g3 .tg74 . .tg2 0-0 S.e4; 5.0-0 ...... 345

6 This book is dedicated to a remarkable man, my "life-long"coach Zigurds Lanka, who uncoveredfor me the mysteries of the King's !

PREFACE

The King'sIn dia nHous eh old

The King's Indian Defence is probably the most romantic response to l.d4. It has survived the test of time and has been played at the high­ est level even to the present day .. Black gives his opponent complete freedom ofchoice in how to control the center and just develops quietly within his King's Indian liousehold, relying on his powerful fianchet­ toed .

This position arose in the firstrecorded game (in the latest compu­ ter database) with the King's Indian Defence. It took place in Leipzig back in the year 1879 and one of the most eminent theoreticians of the 19thcentury, Louis Paulsen, was playing with Black. The Hungarian Adolf Schwarz was White and he was probably quite amazed why his opponent, despite all of the principles of playing in the opening at that time, did not fight forthe center at all. He was so happy that he pushed forward all his four central pawnsoutright ! His impressive -chain was soon attacked from both sides of the board, however, and Black seized the . Ironically, the outcome of the game was decided by a black right along the central d-file.

7 This was all just a whim of destiny, since neither Paulsen, nor Schwarz knew then that they had been playing the Four Pawns At­ tack. It is still fashionable today. The name of the variation appeared about forty years later thanks to the famous GM, - mostly due to his witty vocabulary. Right then, during the 1920s, the King's Indian Defence became a part of the opening repertoire of the future world-champion Max Euwe. The challenger for the world crown, Efim Bogoljubow, often played it too. Later, Muguel Najdorf, Andre Lilienthal and another future world-champion Vassily Smyslov all became King's Indian exponents.

The present burst of popularity is due to the period of the 40' s and 50' s of the past century, when it was thoroughly analyzed by some outstanding theoreticians and powerful practical players such as Isaak Boleslavsky, and Efim Geller. They had to face some magnificentopposition fromthe White side and it would be enough to mention here two world-champions - and Tigran Petrosian. (The latter once remarked , in the ironical style so typicalfor him, that he had fed his family thanks to the King's Indian Defence for many, many years ... I). The theory of this already very popular opening began to develop like an avalanche. It was almost refutedat times, de­ scribed as "an incorrect opening" by many, but then it would resurrect itself like Phoenix from the ashes. The poet and chess-player Evgenij Iljin even wrote a poem about it:

So many efforts and notes Were devoted to it It was buried so many times "For ever disputed ... !" Was this witchcraft

Or dark-squared magic . . . ?

Well, you need to be a romantic deep in your soul and something of a poet in order to play the King's Indian Defence well!. You have to believe in the power of your bishop on g7 and in your kingside attack to enable the triumph of spirit over matter!

We will have to interrupt this short historical and lyrical escapade; otherwise, we may not even come to the essence. The book, which you are holding in your hands, is a personal endeavour. This is not just a monograph about a popular opening; it can be called "The King's In-

8 dian Defence According to Bologan" as I am trying to explain to you how I understand and how I play this opening.

My relationship with the Kings Indian began when I was just a child, during the 1970's. My first coach, Ivan Jakovlevich Solonar, made a very reasonable decision that he should build up the opening reper­ toire of his pupils according to Fischer! The King's Indian Defence was an integral part of the armoury of the eleventh World Champion since more than 10% of his games started with it. The statistical result, as could be expected fromBobby Fischer, was absolutely terrificfor him:

66 - 40 in his favour. Meanwhile, the result of another super-cham­ pion and devoted King's Indian player is also superb:

91 - 53 in his favour, with the inclusion of some rapid chess games.

Franklyspeaking, I did not remember so well those firstlessons, be­ cause at that time the opening was not the main focus of my attention. I simply wanted to learn to play chess well. Still, the foundations re­ mained and later on the process was running smoothly. The Moldavian players were very fond of The King's Indian Defence. I was coached only for a month by 1M Nikolay Popov (presently a famous sports com­ mentator), but I remembered well how to play against the Fianchetto system.

My understanding of the King's Indian Defence was enriched im­ mensely by the concepts of the outstanding Moldavian coach Vj acheslav Andreevich Chebanenko. His ideas were entirely different from the contemporary classical axioms and he used to respect the past when, at the dawn of the appearance of the opening, players had preferred to develop the to the d7-square. His recommended schemes were a bit passive, perhaps, but they brought us excellent practical results. Some of them, for example 7 ...lLlbd7 in response to the Gligoric system, are modern even today.

Still, at present, I play the King's Indian Defence according to the Latvian GM and theoretician Zigurds Lanka. I have tried to recollect everything which he showed me at the beginning of the 90' s and after seeing the notes in the old notebooks and after having compared his variations with what I play now, I see no difference whatsoever. The main lines are all the same. Lanka's schemes proved to withstand the test of time in an amazing fashion!

9 We have already come to the subject of the concept of the book. It is understandable that one book cannot include everything which has been introduced and analyzed by numerous generations of players for a period of more than 100 years. I therefore have suggested a repertoire for Black only. I wished to follow Lanka's example and have tried to re­ veal to you the true spirit of the King's Indian Defence - to uncover for you its secrets and to show you its typical resources. The Yugoslavian "Chess Encyclopedia" devotes almost a half of Volume 5 to the K.I.D., with indexes from E60 up to E99. However, I did not feel bound by these frames, despite their size, and I have tried to explain to you when Black should direct the fight in the spirit of the or the Modem Benoni. In the finalpart of the book, I have mentioned how to furnishyour "King's Indian Household" in case White acts in the spirit of the King's Indian English, the King's Fianchetto without c2-c4 and lbc3,or the Double Fianchetto. I realized that one could never conquer infinity; nevertheless in the process of my work on the book, I wished I did just that!

The King's Indian Defence is a living entityand is in a state -ofcon­ stant development. The evaluations of its various lines change con­ stantly and sometimes quite dramatically at that. I feel I should warn my readers that the book does not contain all the answers to every question. You can go, however, with this book under your arm to your next tournament with confidence. (This is, of course, an abstract as­ sessment, since if you do accept this advice literally; there might be unwanted consequences ...).

The book is written for chess players of all levels, since the princi­ ples of the King's Indian Defence are equally applicable to the ama­ teurs as well as to the super-grandmasters.

Victor Bologan 2009

10 Partl

Minor Variations 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 J.g7

employed quite effectively by the twelfth world champion Anatolij Karpov. Fashion in general, in­ cluding chess, is veryvolatile and sometimes narrow paths turn into highways, while well-trodden roads are covered by grass ... The main systems against the King's Indian Defence, like the Classical, Saemisch, Averbakh and the Four Pawns Attack were We will begin our survey of recognized (and named!) during the King's Indian Defence with the middle of the past century. the so-called "sidelines". Their The "sidelines" were introduced name implies that they are not later and they remained in the at the focus of the modern theory shadow for a long time. The au­ and they are only seldom played thor does not plan to invent new in the contemporary tournament names of variations of the type practice, so they should not be "The Sokolov Attack", or "The that dangerous for Black. This. Karpov System" etc. I will leave might be however, a hasty and this task to the professional theo­ principally wrong assumption! reticians. I intend to suggest re­ For example, the set-up, which liable ways for Black to obtain we analyze in our chapter four, counterplay in the super-popular is regularly played and success­ schemes, as well as in the semi­ fully at that by a very aggressive forgotten lines. Some day, who White player like the Dutch GM knows 0), they may become the Ivan Sokolov, while the plan, we arena of theoretical discussions deal with in chapter six, has been even at the highest level.

11 Chapter 1 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 J.g7 4 . .ig5

variations connected with 4 ... cS; the only difference being that Black cannot play d7-dS in one move. In case of 4 ...0-0 S.ttJf3, we reach a position, which we ana­ lyze in Chapter2 (after4.ttJf3 0-0 S.igS). 5.c!Llf3 Following S:�d2, it deserves attention for Black to clarify im­ White still does not wish to mediately the situation with the clarifywhat his plans are concern­ bishop on gS by playingS ...h6. For ing his e-pawn and the knight on example: 6.if4 ttJhS 7.ie3 ttJc6 g1. It is evident that he might be B.ttJf3 eS 9.dxeS dxeS 10.0-0-0 eyeing long with his last �xd2 1l.!xd2 ie6 12.e3 0-0-0 move and he also keeps the pos­ 13.ie2 ttJf6 14.h3 ttJd7= Galinsky sibility of transferring to the Sae­ - Kosikov, Kiev 200S, or 6.ih4 misch Attack. ttJbd7 7.ttJf3 0-0 B.e3 eS 9.dxeS In chapter two, which is also dxeS lOJ�d1 geB 11.�c2 c6 12.ie2 devoted to the development of the V!Jc7 13.0-0 as 14.ttJa4 b6 1S.gd2 bishop to gS, we will deal with an­ ttJfB 16.ttJc3ifS 17.�cl ttJBd7 with other move-order, which is more a double edged position, Troi­ typical for the Smyslov variation: anescu - Hort, Venice 1969. at first 4.ttJf3 0-0 and only then After S.e4, the game trans­ S.igS. poses to the variation with S.igS, which will be analyzed in chapter

A) 4 •••d6 four.

B) 4 •••c5 In case of S.e3, Black has at his disposal another tricky idea -

A) 4 •..d6 !? S ...c6 !? (planning �aS and ig4). After this move, there arise 6.id3 (After6. ttJf3,Black equaliz-

12 1.d4 liJf62.c 4 g6 3.liJc3 ig74.ig5 es by playing 6 ...�aS 7.�d2 .tg4= gS 9.liJd2 liJdf6 1O.ie2 gxh4 Smyslov - Geller, USSR 1969, or 1l . .txhS;t

7.�a4 �xa4 8.liJxa4 h6 9.!h4 gS 7 • .tg3 liJhS8.e 3 c5 1O . .tg3 liJhS=, or 7.id3 ig4 - see Afterthe placement of White's 6 . .td3. White does not achieve dark-squared bishop has been anything much after 6.�c2 �aS clarified, Blackcan begin the fight 7.liJf3 .tg4=) 6 ...�aS 7.liJf3 ig4 for the weakened squares. 8.ih4 �hS (The exchanges are 9 . .te2 unavoidable.) 9.�b3 (9 . .tg3 .txf3 In case of 9.dS, we can recom- 1O.�xf3 �xf3 1l.gxf3=) 9 ...b6 (It mend to Black to follow the plan would be too risky for Black to of Vasily Ivanchuk, connected play 9 ....txf3 1O.�xb7.) 1O . .hf6 with the creation of a piece-coun­ .hf6 1l. .te2 �aS 12.liJd2 ixe2 terplay on the queenside: 9 ...�aS 13.'it>xe2 0-0 14.liJde4 .tg7 IS.h4 1O.�c2 liJd7 1l . .te2 liJb6 12.liJd2 hS= and the game is equal. liJxg3 13.hxg3 Ad7 14Jkl liJa4

S •••h6 IS.liJdl bS? Jussupow - Ivan- It is also possible for Black chuk, Dortmund 1998. to try here S ... O-O 6.e3 c5 (6... Black has nothing to fear after liJbd7 7 . .te2c6 8.0-0 h6 9 . .th4gS 9.dxc5, which was proved even in 10 . .tg3 liJhS l1.�c2 liJxg3 12.hxg3 the early games of Tigran Petro­ e6 13J�fdU) 7.dS with a transposi- sian: 9.dxc5 liJxg3 10.hxg3 dxcS tion to the variations with 4.liJf3. 11.�xd8 'it>xd8 12.0-0-0 Ad7 In this situation, it is not so 13 . .te2 liJc6 14.liJd2 (14J!d3 'it>e8 good for Black to play S ... c6, be- ISJ''!:hdl .te6 16.liJdS �c8 17.liJh2 cause Whitecan advance his pawn hS? Kramer - Petrosian, Leipzig to e4: 6.e4 �aS 7 . .td3 .tg4 8 . .te3;t 1960) 14 ...b6 IS.liJdbl e6 16.Af3

6 • .th4 �c8= Smyslov - Petrosian, Bled 19S9.

6 ••.gS

Or 6 ...liJbd7?! 7.h3! liJhS 8.e3 9 •••cxd4 10.liJxd4 liJxg3 11.

13 Chapter l bxg3 �c6 - Black has solved 5 ... 0-0 6.d5 completely all his opening prob­ In case of 6.liJf3,Black can fol­ lems, Anstad - S.Soloviov, Co­ low with a spectacular penhagen 1991. in the centre: 6 ... cxd4 7.exd4 dS! 8.ixf6 ixf6 9. liJxdS (or 9.cxdS liJd7 1O . .ic4 liJb6

B) 4 •••c5 1l . .tb3 ig4 12.0-0 liJc8 13.liJe4 I believe this energetic counter i.g7 14.�e1 liJd6= Allan - Nunn, strike in the centre suits best the Szirak 1987) 9 ...ig7 1O.liJc3 (After spirit of the position. the retreat 10.liJe3, White can try the sharp piece-, as well as the transition to an approxi­ mately equal endgame after: 10 ... �aS 11.�d2 �xd2 12.'it:;>xd2 �d8=, or 1O ...liJc6 1l.dS .Axb2 12.dxc6 �aS 13.'it:;>e2 �d8 14.�e1 .ic3 1S. �c1 bxc6GG) 1O ...ig4 1l.i.e2 liJc6 12.dS .ixf3 13 . .ixf3 .Axc3 14.bxc3 liJeS= M.Gurevich - Bekker­ Jensen, Antwerp1999.

Bl) 5.e3 B2) 5.d5

White does not pose any problems to Black with the line: S.�f3 cxd4 6.liJxd4 liJc6 7.liJxc6 (7.e3 0-0 8 . .!e2 d6 9.0-0 �e8 1O.M3 liJeS 1l . .!e2 .!d7 12.liJdS liJe4 13 . .!f4 e6 14.liJb4 as 1S.liJbc2 �c8? Yousefzadeh - Wu, Canada

2002) 7 ...bxc6 8.�d2 h6 9.ih4 6 •••b5 ! �b8 10.�b1 �aS 1l.e4 liJhS 12.�c1 This is just classical economy gS 13.i.g3d6 14.b3 .ie6= Dorosiev of resources. Black has played - Bojkov, Bulgaria 200S. only the strictly necessary moves in order to begin his queenside of­ fensive without doing anything in Bt) 5.e3 excess. White postpones the decision 7.cxb5 to close the centre. In the game Erofeeva - K.Koz-

14 1.d4 ttJf6 2.c4 g6 3.ttJc3.ig7 4 . .ig5 lov, played on the Internet in the 13. :Bel gb B 14.ge2 h6 15. year 2002, White tried to place .ih4 g5 16 • .ig3 lLlh5 , and Black immediately a wedge in his oppo­ has obtained an excellent position nent's position with the move 7. from the Benko Gambit, Gagarin d6!? and after7 ....ib7? B.c xbS \WaS - B. Savchenko, Moscow 2006. 9.dxe7:BeB lO.'�a4 \Wb4 11. 0-0-0, Black had serious problems. It B2) 5.d5 had been much stronger for him however to play 7 ...bxc4 !, for ex­ ample: B . .ixc4 (B.dxe7 \Wxe7 9. ttJdS \WeS�) B ....ia6 9 . .ixa6 ttJxa6 10.dxe7 (10.ttJf3!?) 1O ...\Wxe7 11. ttJf3 :BabB 12.\Wd2 h6 13 . .ixf6 \wxf6= and Black had nothing to be afraid of. 7 ...d6 In case of 7 ...a6, Whitehas the rather unpleasant resource B.d6!? and he can rely on obtaining the advantage in the opening thanks 5 ...h6 to his control over the dS-square. Now, after the long diagonal For example: B ....ib7 9.ttJf3 axbS is opened for the bishop on g7, 1O . .ixbS exd6 11.0-0 (l1.\Wxd6 it is advantageous for Black to ttJe4! 12.ttJxe4 \WaSco) 1l ...\Wb6 trade his knight for White's dark­ 12.a4 :BeB 13.\Wd3 :Be6 14 . .ic4 squared bishop .

.ia6 IS . .ixf6 .ixc4 16.\Wxc4 .ixf6 6 • .ih4 17.ttJdSt 6 ..if4 d6 7.e4 \Wb6 (It is pos­ B. lLlf3 lLlbd7 9.e4 a6 10. sible for Black to try a transition bxa6 ha6 1l.ha6 :Bx a6 12. to one of the variations of the 0-0 §ta B Nimzo-Indian Defence, but still it is insufficient for him to equalize after: 7 ... ttJhS B . .ie3 .ixc3 9.bxc3 \WaS 1O.\Wb3 ttJd7 1l . .ie2 ttJhf6 12.f3 eS 13.dxe6 fxe6 14.:Bdl \Wc7 IS.ttJh3t Chernyshov - Svidler, Voronezh 2003.) B.\Wd2 (B.\Wc2 ttJa6) B ...gS (White's bishop is again exchanged.) 9 . .ig3 ttJhS 1O . .ie2, Oral - Slekys, Olomouc 1996, 1O ...ttJf 4! 11..ixf4 gxf4 12. ttJf3 ttJd7 13.0-0 ttJeS=

15 Chapterl

6.id2 d6 7. �c1 e6 8.dxe6 .Axe6 10 ... �f4 9.e4 �c6 10.f3 �d4 1l.id3 �d7 This is more precise than 10 ... 12.f4 �h4 13.g3 �e7 14.�ce2 l':!c8 �xg3 1l.hxg3 �d7, since White 15. <.t>f2f5t S.Nikolic - Lanka, Old­ then has the possibilityto fightfor enburg 2001. the dark squares after 12.f4 gxf4

6 •••�a5 7.ti'd2 d6 8.e4 13.gxf4 a6 14.�f3, Chilingirova After8. e3, Black will gradually - Richtrova, Wuppertal 1990, prepare b5, reaching favourable 14 ...b5 15.cxb5 axb5 16.hb5 l':!b8 positions from the Benko Gam­ 17.hd7 hd7 18.0-0;!;.White will bit. For example: 8 ...a6 9.�f3 gradually parry his opponent's di­ 0-0 1O.h3 g5 1l. .ig3 �bd7 12.id3 rect threats and his control over b5 13.0-0 bxc4 14 . .Axc4, Sko­ the centre and his extra pawn morokhin - Kalashnikov, Mos­ should prevail. cow 2008, 14... �b6 15 . .ie2�a 4!+ 1l.hf4 gxf4 12.�f3 .ig4

8 •••g5 9 • .ig3 �h5 10 • .ie2 Black will annihilate the piece In case oflO.id3, Black should controlling the e5-square. not be in a hurry to exchange on 13.0-0 .bf3 14. J.xf3 .ie5= g3 and he should at first prepare Letelier - Perez Perez, Cuba the blockade of the kingside. For 1963. example: 1O ... �d7 1l.�ge2 �e5 12.l':!b1 �xg3 13.hxg3 g4 (Black prevents the move f4.) 14.a3 .id7 15.�f4 �xd3 16.�xd3 0-0-0 17. �e2 �xd2 18.<.t>xd2, , Olsen - P.Hansen, Helsingor 2008.

Black has only good pieces left and this does not apply to White's light-squared bishop. Black can even play for a win in this posi­ tion.

16 Chapter 2 1.d4 tl)f6 2.c4 g6 3.tl)c3 J.g7 4.tl)f3 0-0

lDb6 13.lDce4 lDxe4 14.lDxe4 cxd4 1S.exd4 dS 16.lDd2 lDxc4 17.lDxc4 dxc4 18.ixc4 ifS+± Dreev - Ka­ simdzhanov, Moscow 2007; S ...dS - After this move, the game transposes to a line from the Gruenfeld Defence in which Black has no problems at all. 6.cxdS lDxdS 7.ic4 lDxc3 8.bxc3 cS 9.0-0 'lNc7 1O.lDd2 b6 11.idS lDc6 12.'lNa4 id7 13.'fia3 cxd4 S.,igS 14.cxd4 eS 1S.ib2 exd4 16.exd4 In case of the rather tentative 'fif4+± T.Mamedjarova - Maslak, move S.e3 (White fortifies his Pardubice 2007. centre and he completes his de­ S •••c5 velopment without being too am­ White has determined the bitious.) Black has at his disposal placement of his dark-squared several good plans to create coun­ bishop a bit too early and he has terplay and they are about equally thus weakened his queenside. strong: I believe that the best way for S ...d6 6.b4 (6.,ie2 lDbd7 7.0-0 Black to counter this is to attack ge8 8.'lNc2 c6 9.a3 eS 1O.dxeS immediately the enemy centre dxeS 11.e4 'lNc7 12.b4 lDf8 13.ib2 with the help of his c-pawn in or­ lDe6 14.lDdl lDf4+ Grabovets - der to open the long diagonal for Bodnaruk, Moscow 2008; 6.id3 his bishop on g7 and to try to or­ lDbd7 7.0-0 eS 8.h3 'fie7 9.'lNc2 ganize counterplay on the queen­ ge8 1O.lDgS c6 1l.b3 dS! 12.cxdS side. lDxdS 13.e4? lDb4 14.'fie2 exd4=F 6.dS Edward - Lahno, Turin 2006) We have dealt with the move 6 ... c6 7.ib2 lDbd7 8.ie2 as 9.bS 6.e3 in Chapter 1 after the move­ a4 1O.gc1 'lNaS 11.0-0 cS 12.lDd2 order 4.igS cS S.e3 0-0 6.lDf3.

17 Chapter 2

A) 6 •••d6 After this move,

B) 6 .•.h6 we reach positions with the Beno­ ni pawn-structure. The gambit idea 6 ...bS 7.cxbS About 7 ...h6 8 . .ih4 - see vari- a6, does not work well here in ation B. view of 8.e4 d6 9.lLld2(9.a 4!? h6 Whenever White's pawn is on 1O . .if4 gS 11. .icl!;)9 ...h6 10 . .if4 e6 e3, it is quite reasonable to have 11 . .te2 exdS l2.exdS axbS I3 . .hbS in mind the gambit idea, since lLlhS14 . .te3fS IS.lLlf3 lLld7 16.0-0 White's pawn on dS is weaker in l3b817.a 4 lLldf6 18.l3elgS 19 . .id2 comparison to the variations with - White has manoeuvred quite e4. So - 7 ... a6 8.lLld2 bS 9.cxbS well and he has neutralized his axbS (9 ...lLlbd7 lO.e4 e6 11.dxe6 opponent's initiative remaining fxe6 12 . .ic4 lLleS 13.0-0 h6 14. with a solid extra pawn, I.Sokolov .ih4 gS IS . .ig3 lLlxc4 16.lLlxc4 dS - Nijboer, Breda 2000. 17.exdS axbS 18.lLlxbS exdS 19. lLlcd6± Sargissian - Conquest,

A) 6 •••d6 Barcelona 2000.) 1O . .hbS .ia6 This move is quite in order, 1l.a4 lLlbd7 12.0-0 h6 13 . .ih4 since Black can counter success­ .hbS I4.axbS �xal lS.�xal gS 16. fully the immediate pawn-ad­ .tg3 lLlb6 17.e4 lLlhS;\;. Still, Black vance e2-e4, while in case of e2- does not have full e3 he can either attack the enemy for the sacrificed pawn. bishop with the move h6, or he 7 ...eS 8.lLld2 h6 9 . .ih4 lLla610. can play e6, entering positions in .id3 lLlc7 11.0-0 YGd7 12.a3 lLlh7 the spirit of the Benoni system. 13.f4 exf4 14.exf4 fS. White must be better in similar positions, since he has a space advantage and the on e6, being on the only , forces Black to protect it additionally. IS.�c2 b6 (Black cannot solve all his prob­ lems with IS ...bS 16.lLlxbS lLlxbS 17.cxbS .ib7 18.�ael lLlf6 19 . .ic4 �ae8 20 ..ixf6 .ixf6 21.�e6;\;) 16. l3ael lLlf6 17.h3 (17.g4!?) 17 ... .ib7 18.g4 bS 19.9xfS bxc4 20.liJxc4 lLlcxdS 21.�e6 lLlxc3, Speelman - 7.e3 Cramling, 1996 and About 7.e4 h6 - see variation here White had to continue with B. 22.bxc3 �ad8 23.�fel �c6 24.

7 •••e6 �h2±. Black's initiative has been

18 l.d4 tiJj6 2.c4 g6 3.tiJc3 i.g74.tiJ/J 0-0 5.i.g5c5 6.d5

neutralized, while White's threats 10 •••tiJa6 are quite serious. The best square for Black's queen knight is c7, because it at­ tacks White's d5-pawn fromthere and it helps the advance b7-b5, or b7-b6 followed by i.a6 and of the light-squared bishops. On the other hand, if it occupies the d7-square, it can go to the beautiful e5-square, but it can hardly remain there for long (as we have already mentioned, White has freed the way forward of his f-pawn) and on d7 it will 8.i.e2 then stand in the way of Black's White can try to play a little other pieces impeding even the trickier - B.tiJd2!?, in order to possibilityfor his queen to protect counter the routine reaction B ... the d6-pawn. exd5?! with 9.cxd5 tiJa6, obtain­ 11.0-0 tiJc7 12.e4 ing besides the move 1O.i.e2, the So, contrary to the main lines additional possibility 1O.i.c4!? of the Benoni system, Whitehad to For example: 1O... tiJc 7 11.0-0 h6 advance e2-e4 in two moves. The 12.i.h4 a6 13.a4 b6 14J�bl �d7 position is open, so each is 15.�e2;t Piskov - Kotsur, Muen­ very important,so Black succeeds ster 1995. Still afterB ...tiJa6 (Black in obtaining a good counterplay can play this immediately, or after thanks to theextra tempo. he includes B ...h6 9.i.h4.) 9.i.e2 exd5 10.cxd5, it all comes down to a of moves.

8 •••exd5 9.cxd5 ge8 10. tiJd2 This is a quite typical maneuver for this pawn-structure. White's knight has nothing much to do on the f3-square, therefore he wishes to redeploy it on c4, or eventu­ ally on thee4-square. Meanwhile, after the knight retreats to d2, it frees the way for the f-pawn, so 12 •••b6 that White can support the future White has some space-advan­ advance of his e-pawn. tage, therefore the exchange of an

19 Chapter 2 additional couple of pieces will be This is the essence of White's definitelyin Black's favour. idea. He has already deployed In the next game however, he one of his knights in the centre played too passively and he al­ (on e4) and he wishes to place the lowed his opponent to seize the other one on d5 creating numer­ initiative for long: 12 .. JMfe7 13.a4 ous threats. Meanwhile, after the i.d7 14.l:!a3'l;¥f8 15.l:!b3 l:!ab8, Efi­ retreat of Black's knight from c7, mov - Karl, Saint Vincent 2003, White will have the simple coun­ 16.l:!eU ter measure 19.i.b5, winning the 13.f4 exchange and maintaining all the White is threatening with the pluses of his position. Therefore, pawn-break e4-e5, followed by Black is forced to sacrifice a piece llJde4. for which he obtains three pawns

13 •••h6 and he activates all his pieces.

It will be useful for Black to 18 •.• exf4 19.dxc7 'l;¥xc7 20. repel White's bishop to the h4- �fJ .td4 21.�h1 .ta6 22.ge1 square. White might have the �g7 23.'l;¥a4 �b7 24.llJd2ge3? idea to try to open the f-file with Pedersen - McShane, Saint Vin­ f4-f5 (either immediately, or in cent 2005. some lines after e4-e5 d6xe5 and then f4-f5). In this case, after f4- f5 , Black will have the possible B) 6 •••h6 resource g6-g5, blocking the king­ Black wishes to clarify imme­ side. diately the position of his oppo­

14 • .th4'l;¥d7 15 • .bf6 nent's bishop in order to make up White provokes an immediate his mind about his further plans crisis, while his opponent is a bit depending on this. behind in development.

15 •••.bf6 16.e5 dxe5 17. llJde4 �g7 18.d6

B1) 7.J.h4 B2) 7.i.f4

20 1.d4 lfJj62.c 4 g6 3.lfJc3 Ag74.lfJ/J 0-0 S.J.gS c5 6.d5

In answer to the melancholic hc3 14.bxc3 V!Jxc3 15.gb1 lfJd7 move 7.Ad2?! Black can under­ 16.gb3 V!Jd4 17.gd3 V!Jf6 1B.0-0 mine immediately the d5-pawn lfJe5+ Bruzon - Arencibia, Santa with the move 7 ...e6 and he ob­ Clara 2005. tains a very comfortable game. The variation B.lfJd2 g5 9 . .ig3 For example: B.dxe6 (B.e3 exd5 lfJh5 1O.e3 will be analyzed later - 9.cxd5 d6 10 . .id3 lfJa6 1l.a3 lfJc7 see 10.lfJd2. 12 . .ic4b5 13.lfJxb5 lfJcxd5 14.0-0 8 ...g5 9 . .lg3 lfJb6 15 . .ie2 lfJe4t Ousatchij - Shestoperov, Lignano 2005) B ... dxe6 9.g3 lfJc6 1O.Ag2 e5 1l.J.e3 V!Je7 12.lfJd2 J.f5 13J:!c1 lfJd4+Con­ quest - Shirov, Reykjavik 1992.

B1) 7 . .ih4 d6 This is not the right moment for the sacrifice - 7 ...b5 B.cxb5 V!Ja59.lfJ d2 V!ib4 1O.e4 V!Jxb2 1Uk1 V!Jb4 12.a3 V!Jxa3 13.e5 V!Jb4 14.exf6 exf6 15.ic4 f5 16.lfJa2 geB 17.'it>f1 9 •••lfJh5 V!Jb2 1B.d6± Tomashevsky - Ko­ Black can also complete here valev, Pardubice 2006. his development with tempi: 9 ... V!Jb6 1O.V!Jc2 (10.V!Jc1 .if5) 10... .if5 1l.e4 J.g6 12.J.d3 lfJh5 13.0-0 lfJd7 and the game is equal.

10 • .id3 The sacrifice 1O.lfJxg5? would not work in view of 1O ...lfJxg3 1l.hxg3 hxg5 12.V!Jh5 J.f5 and his compensation for the piece is evi­ dently insufficient. In case of the thematic, but a bit too slow move - 10.lfJd2, Black organizes counterplay with the 8.e3 line: 1O ...lfJxg3 1l.hxg3 e6, for ex­ The careless move B.e4 ena­ ample: 12 . .id3 exd5 13.cxd5 lfJd7 bled Black to seize quickly the 14.V!Jc2 lfJe5 15 . .ih7 'it>hB 16.J.f5 initiative in the following game: V!Jf6 17.hcB gaxcB 1B.0-0 c4f± B ...V!Ja5 9.lfJd2 g5 10.J.g3 lfJxe4 Dinstuhl - Kasimdzhanov, Ger­ 1l.lfJdxe4 f5 12.lfJd2 f4 13 . .ie2 many 2000.

21 Chapter 2

After the seemingly elastic leave then his king in the centre, move 1O.'I¥fc2 (White does not de­ on el, or fl, or he can also evacu­ termine yet the placement of his ate it to the queenside.). light-squared bishop.) Black can begin immediate kingside actions and in the centre too with the move 1O ...f S. Later, there might follow: 11.!e2 (In case of 11.!d3, Black does not exchange the bish­ op on g3, but instead he should try to trap it: 11... eS 12.dxe6 he6 13.l'!dl ll'lc6 14.!e2 f4 IS.exf4 g4 16.ll'lh4 ll'lxf4 17.0-0 ll'ld4 18.�e4 dS 19.�e3 ll'lfxe2 20.ll'lxe2 l'!e8+ Lysyj - Bragin, Tula 2003.) 11... ll'lxg3 (Black fell into a simple but 1l. ll'ld2 beautiful trap in the next game: After11.0-0, Black should not 11 ...ll'ld7? 12.ll'lxgS! ll'lxg3 13.ll'le6 worry too much about his king, ll'lxe2 14.ll'lxd8 ll'lxc3 IS.ll'le6 ll'le4 since White's has aban­ 16.g4+- Speelman - Polzin, Ger­ doned the h-file. Instead, Black many 2002.) 12.hxg3 eS 13.dxe6 must play actively in the centre ll'lc614. l'!dlhe6 IS.a3 �e7 16.ll'ldS and he will exchange on g3 at the �f717.ll'ld2hdS I8.cxdS ll'le5�Bru­ most appropriate moment: 11 ...eS zon - Arencibia, Santa Clara 2005. 12.dxe6 he6 13.l'!bl ll'lc6 14.ll'ldS

10••• f5 ll'lxg3 IS.hxg3, Speelman - Na­ This is not aggression (Black is taf, Esbjerg 2001 and here the not threatening to win the bishop position will be approximately with fS-f4 anyway.), it is prophy­ equal after IS ...�d7 16.�d2 �f7 lactic, since he must cover the bl­ 17.e4 hdS 18.exdS ll'lb4. White's h7 diagonal, which leads all the knight does not have any reliable way up to the shelter of his king, squares in the centre and after particularly because with a white the unavoidable exchange of the bishop on d3, the above men­ bishop on d3, the vulnerability of tioned tactical strike lLlxgS has Black's kingside will be practically become a real threat. On the oth­ immaterial. er hand, Black does not wish to The retreat of White's knight exchange deliberately his some­ to d2 forces Black to exchange what hanging knight on hS for the on g3, opening the h-file, but af­ bishop on g3, because Whitethen ter this he should not worry any obtains the h-file and he can or­ more about tricks like ll'lxgS and ganize a powerful attack (He can their terrible consequences.

22 l.d4 11Jj6 2.c4 g6 3.11Jc3 i.g7 4.11Jj3 0-0 5.i.g5c5 6.d5

1l .•• l1Jxg3 12.hxg3 l1Ja6 In principle, Black could have started with 12 ...e6, for example: 13.Wc2 l1Ja6 14.a3 I1Jc7 15.dxe6 he6 16.0-0-0 (The vulnerabil­ ity of Black's kingside might be­ come dangerous only in a position with opposite sides castling. It is too harmless for White to follow with 16.0-0 �f6 17.e4 f4 IS.gxf4 �xf4= Henrich - Richter, Ger­ many 2000.) 16 ...�e7 17.e4 fxe4 17 •••he6 18 • .te4, Sargissian IS.l1Jdxe4 gadS 19.9del b5!? - Inarkiev, Kerner 2007 and here Black begins his counter offensive Black could have simply captured on the queenside just in time and on e5. 18 •••dxe5 19.We2 (19.0-0 now White's monarch cannot feel I1Jc620 .l1Jd5 I1Jd4+) 19 •••�c7 20. safe at all. 0-0-0 gad8 21.a3 I1Jc6 22. 13.e4 I1Jd5 I1Jd4 23.Wd3 'ti'd6. White White wishes to either open has sufficientcompensation in or­ the bl-h7 diagonal, or (in case of der to maintain the dynamic bal­ 13 .. .f4) to stabilize the situation ance thanks to his pressure along in the centre in order to complete the h-file and his control over the calmly his development and then light squares, but this is all he can to break systematically Black's brag about. kingside.

13 •••e6

This is the correct reaction B2) 7 • .tf4 - Black's bishops need space and White's pawn on d5 cramps Black's position. 14.dxe6 I1Jb4 15.i.blf4 The e6-pawn is nor running away and in principle Black wish­ es to establish a blockade on the dark squares and then to deploy his knight on d4 and the bishop on e5, or vice versa. 16.gxf4 gxf4 17.e5!? This is absolutely necessary; otherwise White's bishop on bl B2a) 7 •••l1Jb5 will look and act like a pawn. B2b) 7 •••d6

23 Chapter 2

B2a) 7 •••�h 5!? on hS will be protected by Black's It is interesting to ask White's queen). Additionally, the queen bishop where it is heading right on eB supports the pawn-break now in case it is attacked? b7-bS, which might become pos­

8 • .td2 sible, for example afterJ.fl- g2. The exchange of the dark­ squared bishops does not guar­ antee any advantage for White: B.J.eS J.xeS 9.ti)xeS d6 1O.ti)f3 eS 11.dxe6 J.xe6, Blees - Nij­ boer, Amsterdam 1996, 12.�d2 rllg7 13.ti)e4 ti)c6 14.0-0-0 'M>6 lS.�c3 rllgB 16J�xd6 gadB� 8 ...d6 9.e4 e5 White has fortified reliably his pawn-centre, therefore Black must tryto focus the fight on the flanks. He plans to proceed with 1l.�h4 the standard break for the King's This move is aimed against Indian Defence f7-fS, and his f7-fS and at the same time White knight on hS is headed for the f4- wishes to postpone his decision square. concerningthe future of his bish­ 10.g3 op on fl. For example after 11 ... White prevents the activation �eB, he can follow with 12.ie2 of Black's knight. and the knight on hS will have to

10 •••a6 retreat.

The move 1O .. .fS would not 1l •••rll h7 12 • .td3 lLlf4 work for Black, because of the Black succeeds in redeploying simple response l1.exfS. Natu­ his knight to a more active posi­ rally, he does not wish to present tion, thanks to this small tactical his opponent with an outpost on trick. e4, meanwhile after 11... i.xf5 , it is Note that Black has waited verygood for Whiteto play 12.ti)h4 patiently for the development of and after 11 ...gxf5, White's stand­ White's bishop on fl and he has ard reaction would be 12.lLlxeS, played his last move with tempo. exploiting the defencelessness of 13 • .tc2 ti)h3 14.�e2 the knight on hS. The move 10 ... Castling short has become a6 protects just in time thebS­ impossible, so White begins the square and Black plans to follow preparation of castling long. with �eB and f7-fS (After the 14 ••• ti)d715.a 4 pawn-exchange on fS , the knight In case of lS.0-0-0?! it

24 1.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.CiJc3�g7 4.CiJj3 0-0 5.j,g5c5 6.d5 would be rather unpleasant for noying for White and of course White to counter the move 15 ... Black does not wish to retreat it b5 (This is what the move 1O ...a6 fromthere. was about... ), opening files on the 21.gfl :f5! ? - Black has ful­ queenside. filledhis plan and he has obtained

15 •••gb8 16.CiJg2 CiJf6 excellent counter chances, Ghaem Black creates the rather un­ Maghami - Rathnakaran, New pleasant tactical threat CiJg4 and Delhi 2008. he also freesthe d7-square for the bishop. B2b) 7 •••d6 8.e4 17.CiJe3 .i.d7 18.b3 If now Whitemanages to com­ Whitedecides to leave his king plete calmly his development in the centre for the time being, (j,d3, 0-0 etc.), then he will have since after 18.0-0-0?! it might the advantage thanks to his extra easily come under attack. space. Therefore Black must play very energetically in order to ob­ tain good counter chances.

18 •••�h8 Black does not have enough space and there are still numer­ 8 •••e5 ! ous pieces and pawns left on the This typical sacrifice of the d6- board. Accordingly, each piece pawn is also encountered in the should mind its own maneuvers, Averbakh system. so that it does not impede the mo­ It is worse for Black to play 8 ... bilityof the other pieces. Present- b5 9.cxb5 a6 1O.CiJd2, since he 1y' Black has freed the h7-square thus enters the course of actions for his knight and after this the in the game I.Sokolov - Nijboer, pawn-break fl-f5 will become Breda 2000, which we have al­ possible. ready analyzed afterthe move or­ 19.f3CiJh7 20 .�g2 CiJ7g5 der 6 ...b5 7.cxb5 a6. The knight on h3 is quite an- On the other hand, it is always

25 Chapter 2 interesting for Black to try the �a5=. He has already completed move: S ... ttJh5 9 . .te3 e5 1O.dxe6 his development and the problem (In case White does not capture with regaining the pawns on e4 , then Black maneuvers and c4 seems to be almost a sure in the spirit of the variation B2a thing in the future. and it would not be quite clear 1l ...�b6 whether White's bishop is better This is a multi-purpose move. placed on e3, or on d2.) 1O ...he6 The queen attacks the b2-pawn, it 11.�d2 \t>h7 12J''1d1 'lMfb6 13 . .te2 protects the c5-pawn and it also ttJc6 14.0-0 l"1adS 15.b3 ttJf6 16.h3 freesthe dS-square for the rook. �a5 17.l"1c1,draw, Kanep - Nataf, Dresden 2007. 9.dxe6 he6

12.hb8 White's bishop is very unsta­ ble on d6 and it might be pinned 10.hd6 there, so he decides to get rid of it. In case of 1O.�d2, Black has Still, after thisthe powerfulKing's an excellent reply - 10 ...�a5, pro­ Indian bishop on g7 remains tecting indirectly his h6-pawn. without an opponent and Black For example: 11..te2 (1l . .txh6 obtains an excellent game despite .txh6 12.�xh6 ttJxe4 13.ttJg5 ttJxg5 being a pawn down. 14.�xg5 ttJc6=)11.. .g5 12 . .tg3 ttJc6 It would be harmless for Black 13.0-0 ttJh5 14.hd6 l"1fdS:::g Silva if White plays 12.0-0 l"1dS 13.e5 - Damaso, Portugal 1996. ttJeS14.ttJd 5?! (White should bet­

10 ••.)3e8 1l . .te2 ter continue here with 14.�d2 The loss of the second pawn ttJxd6 15.l"1ad1 .tfS 16.exd6 l"1xd6 should not be dangerous for 17.ttJd5,maintaining the balance.) Black: 11.hc5, Lengyel - Kava­ 14. hd5 15.�xd5 ttJxd6 16.l"1ad1 lek, Tel Aviv 1964, 1l ...�a5 12.b4 .tfS 17.exd6 l"1xd6 1S.�e4 l"1e6 �a6 13.l"1c1 ttJbd7 14 . .te3 (14 . .td4 19.'lMfc2 ttJc6+ Chekhov - Dydy­ hc4 15.b5 �e6+) 14 ... l"1acS 15.b5 shko, Tallinn 19S0.

26 l.d4 0,f6 2.c4 g6 3.0,c3 i.g74.0,j3 0-0 5.i.g5c5 6.d 5

White's only serious alterna­ Neishtadt - Nesis, corr. 1984. tive to the move in the text is 12. 12 ...�axb8 13.�c2 �h5 eS, but then Black has a sufficient It is not acceptable for White counterplay by attacking the eS­ to let the enemy knight to the f4- pawn. 12 ...0,fd7 (Black can even square, so he needs to weaken his capture a pawn: 12 .. .'�xb2!? 13. kingside. :gc1 0,fd7 14.0-0 0,c6 lS.0,dS 14.g3 0,dxeS 16.0,c7 :ged8 17.0,xa8:gxd6 18.'�xd6 �xe2 19.0,xeS i.xeS 20. �d1 �xa2. Black is in fact two ex­ changes down, but he has two pawns and White'sknight on a8 is out of the actions, so Black's pros­ pects are superior.) 13.0,bS (13.0-0 0,c6 14.0,a4 �aS lS.a3 0,cxeS 16.0,xeS 0,xeS 17.b4 cxb4 18.axb4 �d8 19.:gc1 0,c6 20.0,cS i.c8 21.i.f3 0,d4 22.i.g3 �b6 23. 0,e4,Alburt - Hebden, Hastings 1984, 23 ...�xb4 !? 24.0,d6:ge7, or 14 ...hc3 24 ...0,xf3 2S.�xf3 :ge7 26.0,bS White's knight on c3 was not �aS?) 13 ... 0,c6 14.i.c7 (14.0-0 threatening to go to dS in the next :gac8 1S.�d2 0,dxeS 16.0,xeS 0,xeS few moves, so maybe Black did 17.i.xeSi.xeS+ Grigorov - Maslak, not need to exchange it. Instead, Internet 2006; White can capture he could have played for example the exchange with the move 14. 14 ...i.h3 !? Meanwhile, Black has 0,c7, but he fails to keep it: 14 ... an excellent game after the move 0,dxeS lS.0,xeS 0,xeS 16.0,xa8 in the text as well. :gxa8 17.i.xeS i.xeS 18.0-0 i.xb2 15.bxc3 - 18 ...:gd8 !? 19.�c2 �xb2 20. In case of lS.�xc3, Black re­ �xb2 i.xb2 21.:gab1 :gd2 and gains his pawn by force and he Black's counterplay is quite suffi­ equalizes: lS ...i.h3 16.eS i.g2 17. cient - 19.:gb1 i.fS 20.�d2 i.xb1 :ggli.xf3 18.i.xf3 19.m�d6 fl�xeS 21.fub1 i.c3 22.fub6 i.xd2 23.fub7 20.�xeS :gxeS 21.mg2 (21.:ge1:gxe1 :ge8 24.mfl as= Yatneva - Ersho­ 22.mxe1 0,g7=) 21...0,g7 22.:gge1 va, Serpuhov 2003.) 14 ...�a6 lS. fuel 23.fue1 mfB24.:ge3 b6= Tuk­ 0-0 :gec8 16.�b3 (16.b3 0,dxeS makov - Gufeld, Moscow 1983. 17.0,xeS 0,xeS 18.�d2 �c6 19.i.xeS 15... i.g4 i.xeS 20.i.f3 �b6=) 16 ...0,dxeS Black frees the e6-square for 17.0,xeS 0,xeS 18.i.xeS i.xeS 19. his queen in order to regain his :gfe1 �b6 20.i.f3 i.g721. 0,c3:gd 8= sacrificedpawn.

27 Chapter 2

16.h3 Whitecan hold the pawn with the move 16.tLld2as well, but this move seems too risky. After 16 ... h:e2 17.'�xe2 'lWe6 18.f31!bd8 19. 1!hfl 'lWh3 20.1!f2 f5 21.1!e1 fxe4 22.fxe4 1!e6 23.�d1 tLlf6 24.e5 tLlg4 25.1!fe2 'lWh5, in the game Agzamov- Chekhov, Telavi 1982, the opponents agreed to a draw. The computer programme Rybka however, asserts that Black had been better .... 18••• b5 !f±. The game Yermo­

16 •••.hf'3 17• .hf'3 'lWe6 18. Hnsky - Kindermann, Groningen 0-0-0 1997, followed later with 19.9he1 18.�fl tLlf6 19.1!e1 \1;\1xc4 20. b4?! 20.e5 'lWa621.1! d7 tLlf622 .1!d3 �g2 b5 21.e5 tLld7 22.1!e4 \1;\1e6 \1;\1a3 23.'lWb2 'lWa6 24.1!e2 tLlh7 23.1!he1 h5 24.'lWd2 c4 25.\1;\1h6 25 . .id5 and White obtained the tLlc5f± Goriatchkin - Kurnosov, advantage. It was much stronger

Orsk 2001. for Black to have played 19 ••. 18.0-0 'lWxh3 19.1!fe1 tLlf6 bxc4 !, opening files against the 20. .ig2 'lWh5 21.f3 \1;\1g5 22.\1;\1f2 enemy king immediately. After

\1;\1e5 23.1!e3 b5f± Muse - Nowak, 20 • .bh5 gxh5 21.h4 'lWa6 the Poznan 1986. position would be double edged.

28 Chapter 3 1.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 g6 3.tLlc3 i.g7 4.tLlf3 0-0

Black's attempt to wait for A) 6.h3 White's bishop to come to f4 and B) 6.%Yd2 then to chase it will not be suc­ C) 6.e3 cessful:4 ...d6 S.M4 ltJhS 6.i.gS h6 7 . .te3. The pawn-move 6.e4 does not seem to combine well together with the development of the bish­ op on f4 : 6 ...i.g4 7 . .te2ltJfd7 8.0-0 .txf3 9.hf3eS 1O.J.e3ltJc 6=

A) 6.h3 Whitewishes to save his dark­ squared bishop from its being exchanged and he ensures the h2- square for its retreat. This move is a bit too slow however. 6 ...c5 5.J.f4 In general, if Black wishes to In principle, White's ideal set­ obtain equality in this system he up would look like this - pawns on must almost always go for the e3, d4 and c4, knights on f3 and pawn-break c7-c5. c3, bishops on e2 and f4 , queen The plans with c7-c6 and b7- on c2 and his king's rook on dl, b6 seem to be too slow, for exam­ so that Black willhave great prob­ ple: lems advancing both c5 as well as 6 ...c6 7.e3 a6 8.J.e2 (Black can eS, while Whitecould increase his counter 8.a4 with the typical reply pressure on the queenside with 8 ... aS. His pawn has reached the b4 and c5. as-square in two moves indeed,

5 •••d6 but he obtains an excellent posi­ After S ...dS, there arises one tion mostly because of his control of the variations of the Gruenfeld over the b4-square. 9.i.e2 ltJa6 - Defence. 9 ...ltJf d7!? - 10.0-0 ltJd7 ll.ti'd2

29 Chapter 3 eS 12 . .!h2 Yffe7 13JUd1 geS 14.if1 Al)7.dxc5 llJb4 lS.gac1 e4 16.llJe1 llJf600 Al­ A2) 7.d5 burt - Kristiansen, Reykjavik A3) 7.e3 19S6.) S ...bS. This plan is not so dangerous for White however, Al) 7.dxc5 dxc5 8.Yffxd8 since it does not solve Black's gxd8 9.itJb5 main problem - to fight for the This attack on the flankcan be centre. 9.0-0 (9.itJd2 ib7 lO.O-O easily parried by Black. itJbd7 1l.ig3 llJb6 12.�b3 llJfd7 9 .•• tLle8 10 .J.e5tLlc 6=i=Black's 13.a4;!; Zacurdajev - V.Onischuk, pieces are better mobilized and Narva 2006) 9 ...itJbd7 lO.gel geS therefore his chances are better in 1l.ih2 �aS 12.itJd2 ib7 13.cS dS this symmetrical position. 14.a3 eS lS.b4 YffdS 16.itJb3;!; Ser­ geev - Folk, Usti nad Orlici A2) 7.d5 2006; Now, Black has again the per­ 6 ...b6 7.e3 cS S.dS bS. This is fect possibilityto enter the Volga something like the Benko Gambit Gambit with the ridiculously in a rather slow version. In the looking moves for White like if4 next game Black failed to obtain and h3. complete equality: 9.cxbS a6 lO.a4 7 •••b5 8.cxb5 YffaS 1l.llJd2 ib7 12.e4 Yffb4 13. In case of S.itJxbS, it is very Yffb3 llJbd7 14.J.e2 axbS lS.ixbS strong for Black to play S ...itJe 4!, ia6 16.0-0 gtbS 17.Yffc2 ixbS opening the diagonal for the lS.axbS;!; Drozdovskij - Kasim­ bishop on g7 and cutting off the dzhanov, Aj accio 2006. ways of retreat of the knight on bS. After 9.iel, Iljin - Novikov, Moscow 200S, 9 ...a6 lO.itJa3 �aS 1ViJd2 fS 12.e3 f4 , Black's initia­ tive is very powerful. 8 ...a6

White has three possibilities with his pawn on d4 - to go the side, to go forward and to keep it there.

30 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.CiJc3�g7 4.CiJj3 0-0 5.�f4 d6

9.bxa6 behind in development, he has After this straightforward numerous weaknesses and his ex­ move Black's game is easy and tra pawnis meaningless. quite understandable. His queen 9 ...�a5 10.�d2 ha6 11.g4 goes to as, the bishop goes to a6, This move seems to be too slow his queen's knight to d7 and his and artificial. rooks occupy the a and b-files. White should better follow White will be faced with a rather with 11.e3, complying with the unpleasant defence in the middle loss of his castling rights. game as well as in the majority of 1l •••.tc4! the endgames. Black attacks immediately It would be trickier for White White's pawn on d5, which has to play 9.e3, trying to win several run away fromthe pack. tempi in order to develop his piec­ 12.l:'!dl �4 es. Black must then capture on bS Black's initiative is developing only after careful preparation, for quite effortlessly. White saves his example: 9 ...CiJbd7 10.�d3 Wfa5 pawn on a2, but he must weaken 11.Wfb3 l:'!b8 12.0-0 axb5 (This his flank. is the right moment, because if 13.a3 %Yb3 14.e3 CiJbd7-F F. White recaptures on b5, his piec­ Portisch - Kozma, 1992. es will be pinned.) 13.CiJxb5 (In Black's next move will be l:'!fb8 case White does not recapture, and White's pawns will start fall­ he will have problems again, be­ ing like ripe apples. cause Black will have a powerful initiative in a position with mate­ rial equality.) 13 ...�a6 14.a4 CiJb6 A3) 7.e3 15.e4 c4! 16.hc4 CiJxe4+. White's extra pawn is absolutely immate­ rial, his pieces are hanging and his pawns on d5 and b2 are weak. Black can counter 9.a4 with 9 ...�a5, creating the threats axb5 and CiJe4. After 1O.�d2 axb5 11. CiJxb5Wfb6 12.CiJc3 (This is a smart resource for White, but Black is not fo rced to capture on b2, iso­ lating his queen fromthe actions.) 12 ...�a6 (but not 12 ... Wfxb2? 13. l:'!b1 �a3 14.�c2 and 15.�c1) 13. 7 •••cxd4 Wfc2 CiJbd7+. The end is more or Denis Yevseev demonstrated less similar - White is noticeably an interesting plan of quick un-

31 Chapter 3 dermining of White's centre: 7 ... on f6 and later on d5, therefore �a5!? B.i.d3 cxd4 9.exd4 e5!? Black should not mind the loss of This move has become possible a tempo. because of the placement of 9.a3 Black's queen on a5 and also White's attempt to occupy ad­ due to the fact that White'sking is ditional space on the queenside still in the centre. 1O.i.d2 (White is not dangerous for Black, be­ loses after 1O.dxe5 dxe5 11.ttJxe5? cause White cannot stabilize his l:!eB.) 10 ...exd4 1l.ttJxd4 l:!eB 12. position in view of his lag in de­ ttJce2 �6 13.0-0. White has velopment: 9.eS b6 1O.b4, Horak managed to complete his devel­ - Hadraba, Decin 1997, 1O ...ttJe 4 opment somehow, but his pieces 1l.l:!c1 bxc5 12.bxeS ttJc6 13 . .tb5 are rather uncomfortably piled up ttJxd4 14.ttJxd4 �a5 15.i.c6 ttJxc3 in the centre. 13 ...ttJc6 14.i.e3. If 16.�d2 ,txd4 17.�xd4 ttJe4 18.�d1 White exchanges on c6, Black will .b6!t get rid of his only weakness cover­ This is why White has played ing the d5-square. Whitedoes not 9.a3 in the firstplace - in order to wish to retreat his night from the prepare eS and b4. d4-square either, since Black's In case of 9 . .te2 ttJc6 10.0-0 knight will continue with its dxc4 1l.,txc4, White's bishop maneuver with tempo (14.ttJb3 comes to c4 in two moves and ttJe5). Black succeed in finding a Black manages to mobilize his tactical solution to the move in forces for a successfulfight against the text: 14 ...ttJg4! 15.hxg4 ttJxd4+ his opponent's . For Zacurdajev - Yevseev, St. Peters­ example: 11...ttJa5 12 . .td3 .ie6 burg 2006. 13.l:!c1 l:!cB 14.i.e5 ttJc4 15.�e2 8.exd4 d5 ttJxe516.d xe5 ttJd5 17.ttJxd5 �xd5 1B.b3 �a5= Gonzalez - Ortega, Linares 199B.

9 •••tOc6 lO .c5 tOe4 11• .ie2

Now, contrary to the variation with i.g5, White cannot capture

32 l.d4 tiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.tiJc3 i.g74.tiJj3 0-0 5.i,{4 d6

White has taken preventive ing 1l... lOxe4 .) 1l... i.a6� Welling measures against the undermin­ - Hebden, Caleta 2005. ing move b7-b6, but instead of 7 ...�6 8.ti'xh6 cxd4 this, now he is faced with a power­ 9.lOxd4 lOc6 fulcounter strike in the centre. The position is of the semi­

1l •••lOxd4 ! 12.lOxd4 eS 13. open type and Black is consider­ �e3 exd4 14.hd4 lOxc3 IS. ably ahead in development, since bxc3 ti'gS+ White has lost too much time ex­ White can hardly complete his changing the dark-squared bish­ development without consider­ ops. He has no chances of creat­ able material or positional con­ ing real threats against the king cessions. on g8, so he should better think about maintaining the equality. 10.ti'd2 lOxd4 11.ti'xd4 .te6 B) 6.ti'd2

12.e3

6 .•.cS White should not be eager to The inclusion of the move play 12.e4, when only the light­ 6 ...a6 looks a bit slow: 7 . .th6 c5 squared bishops are left on the 8.hg7 @xg7 9.g3 lOc6 1O.i.g2 board. Instead, he wishes to bring i.g4 1l.dxc5 dxc5 12.ti'e3 tiJd4 his bishop to the f3-square aftera 13.0-0-0 hf3 14 . .hf3 ti'c7 15.g4 while and to exert positional pres­ @g8 16.h4 �ad8 17.h5:tWu Wen­ sure on the queenside. Black how­ jin - Li Shilong, 2006. ever succeeds in reducing the ten­ 7.i.h6 sion in the centre and he equalizes We can recommend to Black to completely. counter 7.d5 with motives of the 12 •• :\WaS 13 • .te2 �Uc8 14. theme of the Benko Gambit: 7 ... 0-0, - , b5 8.cxb5 a6 9.e4 axb5 1O.hb5 China 2006, 14 •••dS! lS.cxdS ti'a5 1l.i.e2 (Black was threaten- lOxdS=

33 Chapter 3

e) 6.e3 c5 and his pieces are harmoniously Thechase afterWhite's bishop deployed.) 1O.�fxd1 j,fS 11.ttJeS - 6 ...ttJh S 7.j,gS h6 8.j,h4 gS - ttJxeS 12.heS �ad8 13 . .if3 �d7= would not lead to success in view Finegold - Scholseth, Saint John of 9.ttJd2 ttJf6 1O.j,g3. Black weak­ 1988. ened his kingside deliberately and he did not obtain any compensa­ el) 7.d5 tion for this and accordingly this White reduces the tension had to be quite bad for his pros­ in the centre prematurely and pects in the subsequent fight. For Black obtains excellent counter­ example: 10 ...ttJc 6 (10 ...cS 11.dS play thanks to his offensive on the ttJbd7, Evdokimov - Khismatul­ flanks. lin, Serpuhov 2003, 12.�d3!?;!;) 7 . . . �b6 11.h4 g4 12.hS eS 13.dS ttJe714.e4 ttJh7 1S.�4 j,f6 16.hf6 ttJxf6 17.j,e2 �h8 18.ttJf1;!; Benjamin - Rao, Chicago 1986.

8.gbl 8JWb3 �xb3 9.axb3 ttJa610 .e4 ttJb4 11.0-0-0?! ttJg4 12.j,g3 fS 13.h3 fxe4 14.ttJxe4 ttJh6 (14 ... el) 7.d5 ttJf6!?) 1S . .id3 ttJfS 16.j,h2 j,d7

e2) 7 • .te2 17.�he1 bS'tAnastasian - Kruppa, St. Petersburg 1993.

About 7.h3 - see variation 8 •••e5 ! A3. This is a spectacular move, Itwould be harmless for Black but Black could have continued if White plays 7.dxcS dxcS 8.j,e2 even simpler with 8 ...�aS 9.j,d3 ttJc6 9.0-0 �xd1 (Black is not (9.�d2 j,g4 1O . .ie2 �a6 11.0-0 forced to exchange queens and hf3 12.gxf3 ttJbd7=) 9 ... ttJhS he should not have any problems 10.0-0 ttJxf4 11.exf4 j,g4= in the endgame either. There are 9.j,g5 no weaknesses in his position It would be too riskyfor White

34 l.d4 0,f6 2.c4 g6 3.0,c3 i.g74.0,./3 0-0 5.i.f4 d6 to grab a pawn, because after extra space, so these pluses and 9.dxe6 .he6 1O.�xd6 0,c6 11.�d1 minuses are approximately bal­ i.f5, Black would have a huge lead ancing each other. in development and a very power­ 16.f4 f5= ful initiative. Now, Black only needs to bring 9 ...i.f5 10.J.d3 his knight to f6, having played be­ fo re this rJlh8 (so that he does not his f5-pawn, because of the pin) in order to be completely happy about his position.

C2) 7.J.e2

10 •••e4 !? The straightforward exchange of the light-squared bishops does not guarantee complete equal­ ity for Black: 10 ....hd3 11.�xd3 0,bd7 12.0,d2 gae8 13.a3 a6 14.f3

V!!c7 15.J.h4 0,h5 16.g4 (16.0-0 f5) 7 •••�h5 16 ...e4 !?, Ivanchuk - Radjabov, We will see soon that follow­ Sochi 2008, 17.0,cxe4 f5 18.gxh5 ing the inclusion of the moves 6 ... fxe4 19.fxe4 0,e5 20.V!!e2 gxh5 c5 7.J.e2, the chase after White's 21.J.g5 gO 22.J.f4;!; bishop should be crowned with 1l . .hf6 exf3 12.hg7 fxg2 success. 13.gg1 .hd3 14.�xd3 rJlxg7 It is not so good for Black to 15.�g2 0,d7 play 7 ...0,c6, because after 8.d5, The forced play has ended and he will need to retreat with his the position has been simplified knight to the edge of the board considerably. White's king is vis­ - 8 ...�a 5 and this will be exactly ibly more endangered than its the case illustrating the correct­ counterpart and in addition he ness of the famous principle of Dr. must worry about the e5-square Tarrasch concerning the knight at in the nearest future. Meanwhile, the edge of the board. For exam­ White has preserved a very pow­ ple: 9.gc1 J.d7 1O.0-0 lLlh51l .J.g5 erful pawn-centre and he has h6 12 . .!h4 f5 13.lLld2 lLlf6 14.a3

35 Chapter 3 b6 15.b4;!; Klauser - Zueger, Len­ Black can play even more ag­ zerheide 2006 and Black's knight gressively - 10 ...f5, but White can will have to go to the patheticb7- react quite calmly to this 1l.dxc5 square. ltJxg3 12.hxg3 dxc5 13.Wc2 ltJc6 In case of 7 ...cxd4 8.exd4 d5 14J�d1 'fMe8 (14 ...'fMa5) 15.a3 Wfl 9.cS, Black fails to break his op­ 16.0-0 .le6 17.ltJd5 l:!ad8= Golod ponent's position. For example: - Bologan, Romania 1994. 9 ...ltJe4 10.0-0 ltJc6 1l.h3 (After 1l.ltJxd4 White has castled short, Black's This move forces Black to ex­ possible strikes against his centre change on g3. of the typeltJxd4 and e5 are not so In case of 1l.exd4, Black has dangerous for White any more.) interesting additional possibili­ 1l ... .tf5 12.'fMa4, Milos - Lee, Sao ties like ll ....lfS, or 1l ...ltJc6 .

Paulo 2007 (12J!e1 l:!c8) 12 ... 1l •••ltJxg3 12.hxg3 .td7!

8 • .lg5 h6 9 • .lh4g5 10 • .lg3 In case White's knight retreats - 1O.ltJg1, Black has the important intermediate move 10 ...cxd4 ! (at­ tacking the knight on c3). If now 1l.exd4, then Black plays another move with tempo 1l ...ltJf4+ and this provides him with a power­ ful initiative, Nielsen - Burgess, Denmark 1992.

12 •••ltJc6 It looks a bit dangerous for Black to have given his opponent an open file against his king in­ deed, but just because of this he must play actively in the centre. Meanwhile, his dark-squared bishop is a quite reliable defender of his king. 13.'fMd2 'fMa5 14.gdl .td7 15. ltJd5 'i'xd2 16.�d2 gae8= Ar­

10 ••• cxd4 duman - David, Leon 2001.

36 Chapter 4 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 Jog7 4.e4 d6 5.J.g5

A) 5 •••�bd7? !, This is not a good move for Black, because White can simply enter quite advantageously the Saemisch variation. This is the most precise and principled move and it creates numerous problems for Black. Meanwhile, I would like to warn the readers who would not agree with the evaluations of the This move looks rather simple author and would like to try S ... and straightforward, but it re­ lLlbd7 in practice anyway that quires fromBlack a good opening even after the simple developing preparation and a precise play. move 6.lLlf3, Black's task would The idea behind the move for be very difficult as well. The main White is to either provoke h6 and drawback of his set-up is that he then to transpose into a favour­ has committed his queen's knight able line from the Saemisch At­ to the d7-square a bit too early. tack, or to consolidate the bishop It is rather passively placed there on gS after�d2 and this would be and Black would be incapable of in principle rather unpleasant for exerting any pressure against his Black. You will soon notice in our opponent's pawn-centre. book that Ivan Sokolov is one of 6 ...c6 its main exponents and he is fa­ The other possible attempt to mous for being a very aggressive create counterplay on the queen­ Whiteplayer. side would not be effective either: 6 ...cS 7.dS 0-0 S.�d2 a6 (After

A) 5 •••�bd7 S ...l'!eS, White 's centre is so pow­

B) 5 •••h6 erful that he can begin an imme­

C) 5 ••• 0-0 diate offensive on the kingside

37 Chapter 4 with 9 . .th6 �8 10.h4!? .!Dh5 first place - to avoid sacrificing 11.l3h3t. He has covered the g3- a pawn.) 10.l3dl �a5 11.a3 l3b8 square and he can follow this with 12 . .te2 bxc4 (It is much more fa­ g2-g4 continuing with the pawn­ vourable for Black to exchange onslaught.) 9 . .!Dh3 (Black has here after White has played a2- demonstrated his wish to organ­ a3: his b-pawn is vulnerable on ize a queenside counterplay even­ this semi-open fileboth on b2 and tually sacrificing a pawn, there­ b4. It would be best for White to fore White should take care of his place it on b3, under the protec­ rapid development.) 9 ...b5 lO. tion of the a2-pawn, but this is cxb5 �a5 11 . .!Df2 (This waiting can already impossible.) 13.,txc4 c5 be quite typical sometimes - nei­ 14 . .te3ttJb6 15 . .ta2 .te6 16.d5 .!d7 ther side wishes to waste a tempo 17.0-0 .!Da4== Ibragimov - Yur­ capturing a pawn.) 11.. . .!Db6 12. taev, Calcutta 2000.

.!Dfdl axb5 13 . .!Dxb5t. White has 7 •••a6 8.0-0-0 �a5 9 • .th6 regrouped his forces quite favour­ 0-0 ably and Black's compensation for After 9 ....txh6 lO.�xh6 b5 11. the sacrificed pawn is insuffi­ �bl l3b8 12.�d2, White parries cient. his opponent's threats quite easily and he maintains the advantages of his position. He dominates in the centre and on the kingside and he has plenty of space for piece maneuvering. 10.h4 b5 11.�bl b4?! It would be a bit better for Black to play 11 ...l3b 8; since it is not reasonable for him to deliberately the queenside, be­ cause he is in fact stronger there.

12 • .!Dce2 .bh6 13.�xh6 c5

7.�d2 14 • .!Dh3 White plans to evacuate his White demonstrates his quite king to the queenside and then to straightforward intention to begin a massive kingside offen­ the enemy king. sive. 14 •••cxd4 15 • .!Dg5 .!Dc5 16. It would be too slow for him .!Dxd4± - Black's defence seems to play 7 . .!Dh3 a6 8 . .!Df2, ena­ to be very difficultagainst White's bling Black to create counterplay simple but dangerous threats, 8 ...0-0 9.�d2 b5 (This is why Rajkovic - Dokimakis, Iraklion Black has played a6 and c6 in the 1994.

38 l.d4 0,f6 2.c4 g6 3.0,c3�g7 4.e4 d6 5.�g5

B) S ••.h6 suffer in the end because of this. Meanwhile, he will also need to retreat soon his knight from the g4-square, since it is vulnerable there.

B1) 7 •••eS

B2) 7 •••cS

Bl) 7 •••eS S.dS f5

It was considered for a while that Black could not only win a tempo with this move, but he could equalize easily. This is not quite true, however. White can gradually compensate for the lost time and his set-up turns out to be rather sound in the long run. Still, the original analysis of the author shows that Black can reach a quite 9.exfS playable position. White pushed aggressively his

6 . .ie3 g-pawn in the following game, It is not good for White to play but he failed to reap any great 6.�h4, because of 6 ...c5 7.d5 '\1;I[a5 dividends out of this: 9.�e2 0,f6 8.�d3 0,bd7 9.f4 b5!t and after 1O.exf5 hi5 11.g4?! (We will show the retreat of his bishop to the h4- you later in our notes to the move square, it cannot come back any 9 ...gxf5 , that it is stronger for more to d2, or c1 in order to join in White to continue with 1l.0,f3!, the protection of the queenside. this position arises after the

6 •••tLlg 4 move-order 9.exf5 hi5 10.�e2! It is only a transposition 0,f6 11.0,f3.) 1l ...�d7 12.'\1;I[c2 e4 of moves after 6 ...e5 7.d5 0,g4 (Black wishes to trade his e-pawn 8.�cl. for his opponent's g-pawn in order

7 . .tc1 to open the diagonal for his dark­ The escapade of White's bish­ squares bishop.) 13.g5 (It would op to g5 and back was not exactly not be so attractive for White to a loss of time. Black has weak­ opt for 13.0,xe4 0,xg4, but still it ened his kingside and he will deserved attention to try 13.h3,

39 Chapter 4

preserving the control over the 1l ••• �.'l:xh5 12.�xh5 i>f8 13. fS-square.) 13 ...hxgS 14.hgS f4 .tfS lS.�d2 tilbd7 16.h4 tileS. It In one of his firstgames in this becomes obvious that Black has line, GM Ivan Sokolov tried to seized the initiative. There fol­ provoke the pawn-advance fS-f4, lowed: 17.tLlh3 �d7 18.tilf4 tilh7 so that he could establish a firm 19.0-0-0 tilxgS 20.hxgS �e7 21. control over the e4-square, but he �xh8 .bh8 22.tilbS a6 23.tild4 failed to pose any serious prob­ �xgS 24.tLlfe6 �xd2 25. i>xd2 i>t7 lems to his opponent: 13.tilge2 26.�h1 �g8 27.�h7 j,g7 28.tilxc7 '.We8 14.tilg3 tila6 15.0-0 j,d7 �h8 29J'!xh8 .bh8+ I.Sokolov - 16.h4 i>g8 17.�b1 i>h7 18.tLlbS Volokitin, Silivri20 03. gf8 19.�xe8 �axe8 20.tilxa7 j,a4

9 .••gxf5 21.j,d2 j,c2 22.gbc1 Ad3 23.gfe1 In case of 9 ...i.xf5, White e4, draw, I.Sokolov - Ivanchuk, fails to use effectively the weak­ Linares 1995. ening of the e4-outpost: 1O.j,d3 This move 13.f4 looks more 0-0 11.i.xf5 (After 11.tilf3?! e4 up to the point, since White tries 12.tilxe4�e8 13.tilfd2 �h4! He has to reduce the scope of action of great problems to worry about.) Black's bishop on c8. 11 ... gxfS 12.h3 tilf6 13.tilf3 tila6 14.0-0 tileS lS ..te3 tilfe4 16.tilxe4 tilxe4 17.�c2 as and White's edge is only symbolic. He should tryto act smarter in­ stead: 1O.j,e2! tLlf6 11.tilf3(threat­ ening 12.tilh4) 11 ...gS. Now, after White has provoked the move g6- gS, he should set about exploiting the e4-square: 12.j,d3 '.Wd7 (12 ... e4?! 13.tild4) 13.0-0 tila614.�e1 0-0-0 lS.hiS �xf5 16.tLlbS i>b8 17.j,e3 b6 18.a4± Opinca - 13 •••�e8 Shcherbina, Ilyichevsk 2006. Black's main task now is to

10.j,e2tilf6 1l• .lh5 ensure the safety of his king. His White's too academic play in prospects in the endgame seem order to weaken and then occupy quite promising thanks to his the e4-outpost would not be suc­ powerful bishops and excellent cessful: 11.h3 as 12.g4 tLla6 13.gxfS pawn centre, while in the mid­ i.xf514 . .tg4 �d7=. Here however, dle game, he might come under a despite Black's impressive centre, crushing attack. his king is a bit unsafe. His alternative is 13 ...e4 14.

40 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.CiJc3�g7 4.e4 d6 5.�g5

CiJge2�e8 15.�xe8?! (Whiteshould Black's knight is doubtlessly better preserve the queens on the placed beautifullyhere, but it does board with: 15.�h3!;!;) 15 ...�xe8 not have any bright prospects and 16.i.e3 l:!g8 17.0-0 CiJa6 18.i.d4 White can always exchange it if he i.d7 19.1:!adl CiJc5 20.l:!d2 �f7 21. so wishes. hg7 l:!xg722.CiJd 4 a5 23.CiJdl a4f± 19.9d2 gg8 20• .td4 Banikas- Fedorov, Dresden 2008. This is an excellent example 14.�h3 on the theme of advantageous Naturally, White should avoid and disadvantageous exchanges. the trade of queens. Black's bishop on g7 is verygood,

14 •••CiJa6 15.CiJge2CiJb4 16.0-0 so White should better get rid of it, depriving his opponent of his two-bishop advantage in the process.

20••• a6 21.CiJdl h:d4 22. CiJxd4 �f6 White is threatening to play 23.CiJe3, wining the f5-pawn, so Black must force his opponent to occupy the e3-square with his queen. 23.�e3 .td724.CiJ f2 White's knight has found an­

16••• e4 other quite useful square and If Black plays something else, again the forthcoming exchange he should worry about the possi­ is favourable for him. ble exchange sacrifice on f5 after 24 •••CiJxf2 25.g fxf2;!; fxe5. It might be equally unpleas­ ant for him if White plays for a positional pressure with CiJg3. Generally speaking, Black should keep thef-file closed. 17.�e3 The move 17.l:!bl,which White played in the following game turned out to be just a loss of time: 17... i.d7 18.i.e3 l:!g8 19.i.d4 �g6 20.hg7 l:!xg7 21.a3 CiJd3 22.CiJc1 CiJc5= Psakhis - Nijboer, Vlissin­ gen 2000. White enjoys the typical ad­

17 •••�g6 18.gadl CiJd3 vantage of a knightagainst a bish-

41 Chapter 4

op, so he has the edge, Nikolaidis B2a) 9 •••eS

- Netzer, France 2004. B2b) 9 •••lLlf6

B2) 7 •••cS B2a) 9 •••eS 10.dxe6 It is worse for White to play 1O.lLlb5, in view of 1O ...lLlf6 (at­ tacking the e4-pawn) 11.f3 hh3 12.gxh3 lLlh5ooand Black succeeds in establishing a blockade on the dark squares.

10 •••.txe6 1l• .ie2 White's hasty attempt to get rid of the bishop on d4 with Il.lLlb5, turns out again to be wrong: 11 ... lLlc6 12.lLlxd4 lLlxd4 13.lLlf4 �h4 14.g3 �f6 15 . .ie2 lLle5+

8.dS 1l •••�h4 12.0-0 lLlc6 13. The transfer into an endgame lLldS 0-0-0 with the line: B.dxc5 dxc5 9.�xdB Black can try to continue the �xdB, does not create any serious game with a "centralized" king, problems for Black, but he still but this might be dangerous, for needs to play accurately in order example: 13 ...�d7 14 . .if4 lLlge5 to obtain a good game, for exam­ 15 . .ig3 �dB 16.�b3 E:bB 17.lLlhf4 ple: 10.h3 (1O.f4 lLlc6 11.h3 hc3 h5 IB.h3 h4 19 . .ih2 etc. The situ­ 12.bxc3 lLlf6=) lO ...hc3 11.bxc3 ation in the centre is absolutely lLle5 12.f4 lLled7 13 . .ie3 b6 14. unpredictable, but still White is 0-0-0 .ib7 15 . .id3 lLlc6 16.lLlf3 better, because of his safer king. �c7 17.f5 g5 IB . .if2 f6 19 . .ig3 14.i.f4 lLlce5= Kovacevic - Mrva, Steinb­ It is worse for White to opt runn 2005. for 14.lLldf4 lLlge5 15.lLlxe6 fxe6 8 ....td4 9.lLlh3 16.�hl g5 17.f4 gxf4 1B.lLlxf4 E:dfB Black has two active pieces 19 . .id2. Black was dominant in at the moment, but they seem to the centre in the game I.Sokolov have reached their maximal po­ - Solleveld, Netherlands 2001. tential. White has a solid centre Here, he had better occupy sim­ and a space advantage, so he must ply the g-file, generating numer­ complete calmly his development ous threats with 19 ...E:hgB+ and repel gradually his opponent's 14 •••gS pieces. Black's task is to maintain In case of 14 ...lLlf6, White has by all means the position as sharp the powerful argument 15 . .ig3 as possible. �xe4 16 . .if3 (It is only a repeti-

42 l.d4 liJf6 2.c4 g6 3. �c3!i.g7 4.e4 d6 S.!i.g5 tion of moves after 16.!i.d3 �g4 neously in the process - against 17 . .te2 �e4.) 16 ...�fS 17.�hf4 gS the e4-pawn and the knight on 18.�e2 .teS 19.�e3 �g6 20.i.xc6 h3. bxc6 21.�a4t and White's initia­ 10.�d3 tive for the sacrificedpawn is very In case of 1O.f3 ixh3 1l.gxh3 dangerous. �b6, Black protects his bishop on 15 . .tg3�h5 16.gblt d4 just in time and he succeeds in blockading the position. For ex­ ample: 12.�bS a6 13.�xd4 cxd4 14.b3 eS!?

10 •••�bd 7!? This move has not been tried in practice yet. In one of the games, Black acted in the spirit of the Benoni Defence and he transferred his knight to c7 - 1O ...�a6 1l.a3 �c7. It remained idle on this square though and it also precluded the Black's counterplay has placement of his queen to b6: reached its dead end, while White 12.�e2 eS 13.�xd4 cxd4 14. .te2 can continue calmly with his as IS.f4 ixh3 16.gxh3 �a6. queenside offensive. Black's knight-maneuvers at the edge of the board are not impres­ sive at all. Meanwhile, White has B2b) 9 ...�f6 succeeded in the completion of his development and he is ready to open the position: 17.0-0 �c5 18.�f3 �cxe4 19 . .tdl �b6 20.fxeS dxeS 21..tc2± Ibragimov - Kazh­ galeyev, Nice 2000. We should also mention here that the dis­ covered 21...d3 is harmless, because of 22 . .te3. 1l.f4 �b6 12.�b5 g5!oo (diagram) This original position is quite interesting and it deserves a Black follows his opponent's thorough analysis, nevertheless example and he retreats his piec­ the first impression is that Black es, creating two threats simulta- should not be worse at all thanks

43 Chapter 4

White's pieces are not well coor­ dinated and his queenside needs additional protection. Black has defended his e7-pawn with his last move, since White's only rea­ sonable plan is connected with the central break e4-e5. 13.0-0 gab8 14.e5 �d7 15.gae1 �c7 16.ge2 �b6 (Black has regrouped suc­ cessfullyhis forces and he exerts pressure against the d5-pawn.) to his control over the dark 17.b3 c4 18.gd1, draw, Svetly - squares in the centre. Pribyl, Czech Republic 2003. Black's other standard plan

C) 5 ••• 0-0 includes the undermining move 8 ...e6, for example: 9.dxe6 fxe6 1O.i.d3 �c6 11.�ge2 �g4!? (This is the beginning of a quite origi­ nal maneuver. Black could have played instead routinely 11 ...i.d7, followed by �d4.) 12.h3 �h6 13. 0-0 �f7 14 . .th4 �d4 15.gad1 .td7 16 . .tf2 gac8 17. .te3, Belozerov - Pokazanjev, Novokuznetsk 2008 and here, instead of the verybad exchange on e2, Black had better complete what he had begun, by 6.Yfd2 playing 17... �d8 with the idea to About 6 . .te2 �a6, or 6 ...h6 - follow with �dc6. White should see Chapters 11-12. avoid being squeezed and he will About 6.f3- see Chapter 14. have to sacrifice a pawn with the Asfor 6.�f3 - see Chapter 20, line: 18.f5 exfS 19.�g3oo with a 6 . .tg5. double edged position.

The overly ambitious move 6 ••• c5 7.d5 b5! 6.f4 enables Black to begin imme­ This classic resource exploits diate actions in the centre and on the fact that White's knight on c3 the queenside with6 ...cS 7.d5 'lWa5 must protect the e4-pawn He is 8.'lWd2b5 9.cxb5 a6 1O.bxa6 ha6 forced to capture on b5 with his 11.ha6 �xa6 12.�f3 gfe8. As a pawn and this enables Black to result, he has obtained an excel­ seize the initiative on the queen­ lent version of the Benko Gambit. side.

44 1.d4 CfJf6 2.c4 g6 3.CfJc3�g7 4.e4 d6 5.Ag5

8.cxb5 a6 a development of his knight to the White has a wide choice of e2-square 1l.CfJge2 �b6 12.0-0 possibilities here. We should be l:!tbB13.l:!a bU) 1l... c4 12.0-0 �c5 acquainted with them thoroughly, 13.'\!!![ CfJd3 e2 14.CfJel �b 6, I.Sokolov in order to understand better the - Stellwagen, Hoogeveen 2004. plans of both sides in this typical In this position, White can take pawn-structure for the King's In­ the pawn: 15.CfJxd3 cxd3 16.'\!!![xd3 dian (pawns on d5 and e4 against '\!!![xb2 17.l:!abl �a3 IB.l:!b3 �a5 Black pawns on c5 and d6). 19.J.xf6! J.xf6 20.a3;!; 10.�d3 After 1O.CfJf3, Black can make another useful move 1O ...CfJbd7. In principle, he can also capture the pawn, because after 1O ...J.xa6 1l.J.xa6 '\!!![xa6, White loses his castling rights, while the trade of the queens (12.�e2) is in favour of Black, since he plays CfJbd7and l:!tbB and he exerts a powerful queenside pressure.

10 •.. �bd7 11.�13 ha6 12. Cl) 9.bxa6 0-0 �Ub8 C2) 9.a4 C3) 9.�13 C4) 9.13

Cl) 9.bxa6 Now, the game develops in the spirit of the Benko Gambit. 9 ...�a5 Before Black captures on a6, he should better wait for White's bishop on f1 to make a move and thanks to this wina tempo for the development of his queenside ini­ l3.ha6 tiative. In case White refrains from After the immediate 9 ...J.xa6 castling and he plays for example 1O . .b:a6 CfJxa6, White enters a 13.l:!abl, then Black can exploit favourable version of the Benko the overburdening of the queen Gambit. For example, 1l.CfJf3(It is on d2, starting the hunt for his also interesting for him to choose opponent's dark-squared bishop

45 Chapter 4 by playing 13 ...h6!? There might follow 14.�h4 hd3 15.'�xd3 g5 16 . .ig3 lLlh5and Black has a good counterplay.

13 •••lb:a6 14.ti'c2 This move is quite purposeful. White frees the d2-square for his knight and in addition, his bishop may come back later to protect the queenside. White cannot cre­ ate serious problems for his oppo­ nent with 14J'!abl, because of 14 ... 19 ••• l3:ba8 20.a4 cxb3 21.

�ab6 15.b3 h6! 16.hf6 hf6 17. l3:xb3 �c4 - Black is a pawn lLla4, Khanukov - Winter, Wies­ downindeed, but he has an excel­ baden 2001, 17... �b4� and Black's lent position. compensation for the sacrificed pawn isquite sufficient.

14 •••h6 15 • .id2 �g4 C2) 9.a4 Black increases his control over the e5-square with this move and over the entire dark-squares complex as well. The juxtaposi­ tion of the bishop and the queen does not worry him, since the knight on c3 does not have any dangerous square to go to. 16.l3:fel In case of 16.b3, Black can sac­ rifice temporarily a second pawn and he obtains an excellent posi­ tion withthe line: 16 ...c4 ! 17.bxc4 White does not wish to lose a �c8 18.ti'b3 lLlde5 19.lLlxe5 lLlxe5� tempo for a move with his bishop

16 •.•�ge5 17.� /ill{e5 18.b3 on fl just yet and he makes a use­ (diagram) ful defensive move instead. This

18 •••c4 ! plan can be regularly encountered Black saves the day again with in the Benko Gambit schemes. the same idea. It is essential for 9 •••ti'a5 10.J.d3 him not to allow his opponent to After 1O.f3the game transpos­ consolidate his queenside. es to variation C4. 19.13:abl In case of 1O.lLlf3, Black fol­ 19.1Lla4 ti'b5 20.�abl �c8= lows with a typical combination:

46 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.CiJc3 i.g74.e4 d6 5.i.g5

10 ...axbS 1l.hbS CiJxe4! 12.CiJxe4 This is another typical resource �xbS 13.axbS �xal 14.@e2 �xhl for Black in the pawn-structure of IS.he7 �e8 16.�gS h6 17.CiJf6 the Benko Gambit. He undermines i.xf6 18.�xf6 �b1+ the support of his opponent's dS­ After 1O.�a3 �b4, he re­ pawn and he opens the f-file. gains his pawn by force: 1l.i.d3 axbS 12.axbS �xa3 13.bxa3 �xa3 C3) 9.�£J 14.CiJge2 �al (Black equalizes with 14 ...CiJbd7, but he can already try to seize the initiative.) IS.CiJdl CiJbd7 16.0-0 CiJeS 17.CiJec3 h6 18.i.h4 CiJxd3 19.�xd3 �a3oo Mi­ lov - Lanka, Austria 2005. 10 ... axb5 11.CiJxb5 �xd2 It is useless for Black to opt for 1l ...c4 12.i.c2. 12.i.xd2 CiJa613.�£J �d 7 This maneuver of the knight is just typical. Black prevents the pawn-break e4-eS and he also 9 •••�a5 10.b6 opens the way for the march of In case of 1O.bxa6 ha6 II. his f- pawn. ha6 �xa6 12.�e2, Black organ­ 14.i.c3 �b4 izes his counterplay according to This move demonstrates the the same scheme as in the varia­ drawbacks of White's move nine, tion we have just analyzed: 12 ... since Black's knight is perfectly h6 13.i.f4 CiJfd7 14.CiJd2 �xe2 15. placed on b4 eyeing the dS-pawn. @xe2 fS ! (You are familiar with 15.@e2 this resource, aren't you?!) 16.h3 fxe4 17.i.e3 Holland - Hebden, London 1987 17... CiJf6 18.CiJc4 CiJa6 19.�hdl CiJc7 20.a3 �fb8 2I.�d2 CiJbS- Black has obviously a pow­ erfulinitiative. White gives back his extra pawn with the move in the text, but he keeps the a-filecl osed.

10 ••.�bd7 11.i.d3 White achieves nothing much with 1l.i.e2CiJxb6 12.0-0 CiJa4= 1l... CiJxb6 12.0-0 i.g4

15 •••f5!f± White's pawn on a6 is still alive

47 Chapter 4

and Black cannot exchange the Moscow 1983, 16 ••• gfeS. Bala­ dark-squared bishops. He must shov retreated his bishop imme­ findanother task for his bishop. diately to d7 (in order to try to 13.�h4 trade it via the bS-square), but Black's position is again pref­ he could have postponed this for erable. a while. White must retreat his Whitecreates no real problems knight in order to bring it back for his opponent with the passive to action and therefore he must line: 13.�el .td7 14)lJc2ttJa 4= lose time to repel the enemy bish­ It is unfavourable for him to op from g4. 17.h3 .td7 IS . .td2 allow the exchange of Black's (After 18.a4, Black has a strong bishop on g4: 13.VNf4 .ixf314JW xf3 reply - 18 ...e6 and he will cre­ c4 IS . .tc2 (After.IS .te2 VNb4 16. ate counterplay along the e-file. !!abl !!fc8+, his position is again Now, he trades the light-squared preferable.) IS ...!!ab8 16.!!fdl bishops and he equalizes.) IS ... tlJbd7 17.!!abl ttJeS 18.VNe2 !!b7 fla3 19.�f3 .tb5= - After the and Black exerts powerful pres­ exchange of two couples of light sure on the queenside. pieces, White's slight material ad­ vantage becomes irrelevant.

C4) 9.f3 After this move, the game transposes definitelyinto the Sae­ misch system.

13 •••tlJa4! This is also a typical resource. Until a certain moment, the ex­ changes on the queenside are favourable for Black, since he en­ larges the scope of action of his long-range pieces, including his 9 •••fla5 10.a4 queen, his rooks and his King's As a rule, White should not Indian bishop. be in a hurry to capture 1O.bxa6, 14.�xa4 VNxa4 15.b3 VNb4 for example: 1O ... tlJbd7 1l.tlJbS 16.VNc2, Jussupow - Balashov, (This is a typicalattempt to enter

48 1.d4 GiJf6 2.c4 g6 3. GiJc3J.g7 4.e4 d6 S.J.gS an endgame with an extra pawn.) force his opponent to capture on 11 ..:�xd2 12.@xd2 ba6 13.GiJh3 a6 and then the knight goes to the (The most comfortable f3-square important c4-square via e5, or for White's knight has been occu­ b6. For example: 12.bxa6 (After pied by a pawn, but he must de­ 12.GiJh3 gb8 13.GiJg5 axb5 14.h4 velop his kingside somehow. The ge8 15.h5 GiJf8 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.J.d3 following exemplary variations c4 18.i.e2 b4 19.GiJd1 c3, White's show that after White's alterna­ hastyattack reaches its dead end tives, Black obtains a good posi­ and Black increases the pressure tion in this complex endgame: effortlessly, Vasvari - Farkas, 13.GiJc3 gfb8 14.@c2 c4 15.GiJh3 Hungary 2000.) 12 ...GiJe5 13:�d2 GiJc5 16.GiJf2 GiJd3!t; 13.a4 GiJb6 ba6 14.f4 GiJc4 15.bc4 hc4 16. 14.J.e2 gab8 15.b3 GiJfxd5 16.exd5 gd1 e6 17.dxe6 fxe618. GiJge2 d5:: hal 17.he7 GiJxd5 18.hd6 gbd8 and Black has an excellent game 19.hf8 c;!,>xf8 20.GiJh3 J.f6GG) 13 ... for the sacrificed pawn, Bae - gfb8 14.a4 h6 15.hf6, Kelecevic P.H.Nielsen, Gausdal 1999.

- Mantovani, Switzerland 1996 10 •.•GiJbd7 (White should not be so greedy and he had better give back his extra pawn preserving the dark­ squared bishop: 15.i.e3 GiJe8 16. c;!,>c2 GiJe5 17.GiJf2 bb5 18.bb5 GiJc7=) 15 ...hf6 16.gb1 GiJb6 17.b3 i.c8 18.GiJf2 c4!t - White was too busy keeping what he had ac­ quired so laboriously, but Black seized firmly the initiative in the process. We must also analyze the logi­ cal move 1O.J.h6. The exchange This is an important position, of the powerful bishop on h6 is in which Black has a wide variety doubtlessly in favour of White, of plans for further actions. but he loses precious time and he is behind in development already. C4a) Iv!£Jdl In answer to this, we can recom­ C4b) IV!£Jge2 mend to Black 1O ...i.xh6 (He C4c) 1l.ga3 should deflect White's strongest C4d) 1l.�h3 piece away from the queenside, which will soon need additional C4a) ll.�dl §'d8!? protection.) 1V.wxh6 GiJbd7. Black Black's queen was not so well wishes to place his rook on b8 and placed on c7 and after the move

49 Chapter 4 in the text, his pawn is protected Notice this manoeuvre. Black's afterthe knight on f6 moves. This queen increases the pressure trade of queens is bad for him against the a5-pawn and opens now, since he cannot create any the way for the rook on fS. pressure along the a and b-files 16.�a4 �b8 17.ttJe2ttJh5 18. (White will support firmly his ttJc4 ttJe5gg outpost on b5.) and the otherplan After Black manages to trade - to bring the knight from d7 to the knight on c4, his queenside b4 and to push e7-e6 is too diffi­ counterplay would be very dan­ cult to accomplish. gerous. 12.a5 White is reluctant to give up C4b) 1l.ttJge2 the a-file: 12Jk1 axb5 13.axb5 ttJb6 (Nimzowitsch understood long ago that the knight was an excellent blocker of passed pawns. Here it supports the attackagainst the d5-pawn.) 14.j,d3 e6 15.dxe6 (White must play this, otherwise his weak d5-pawn is bound to fall soon.) 15 ...he6 16.ttJe2 W'd7 17.0-0 c4 (Black's game is easy and White should play accurately to maintain the balance.) 18.j,b1

W'xb5 19.ttJdc3 W'a5 20.j,e3 l'UdS 1l ••.ttJb6 12. ttJcl 21.ttJf4 ttJa4= After 12.ttJg3, White's knight

12 •.. axb5 13.hb5 j,a6 14. is too far from the basic field of ha6 �xa6 15.ttJe3 actions and this enables Black to provoke an immediate crisis. 12 ... axb5 13.hb5 j,a6. This exchange is quite useful. Black needs to re­ duce the number of light pieces and to open files. 14.�b1 hb5 15.axb5, Rogers - Socko, Saint Vincent 2001, 15 ...ttJfd7 16.0-0 ttJc4 17.W'e2 ttJxb2. This tactical strike has long become a simple technical resource. 1S.Eixb2 hc3 19.Eibb1 EifeS+ 12.Eia2!? looks attractive, leav­ 15 ...W'a8 ing the rook on the a-file on a

50 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.tiJc3 il.g74.e4 d6 5.il.g5 protected square, so that White He can follow the same idea in can capture later on b5 with his another fashion: 15 ...gfe8 16.0-0 pawn. 12 ...liJc 4 13.�c2. He must liJfd7(but not 16 ... e6 17.dxe6 E1xe6 play carefully, because of his con­ 18.gfb1 liJfd7 19.�dl;!; Dreev - I. siderable lag in development. (In Sokolov, Nussloch 1996) 17.b3 case of 13. �d3, Black follows with il.d4 18.il.e3 hc3 19.1iJxc3 �xa1 13 ...�b4 14.li>f2 axb5 15.liJxb5 20.gxa1 gxa1 21.li>f2 gea8°o gxa4=F) 13 ...h6 14.il.c1 il.d7 15.b3. White overlooks an elegant tacti­ cal strike. (After the routine line: 15.liJf4 liJe5 16.liJd3,Black equaliz­ es easily: 16 ...liJxd3 17.hd3 axb5 18.hb5 hb5 19.axb5 �b4=) 15 ... liJxd5! This is a beautifulresource and if you see it, you must play it! (Meanwhile, it would be also good for Black to maintain the tension with 15 ...liJe5 !?) 16.bxc4 (The least of evils for Whiteseems to be 16.exd5 il.f5 17.�d1 hc3 18.liJxc3 16.gbl �xc3 19.1i>f2 liJe5 20.bxa6 gfb8�) In case of 16.gd1, Black has a 16 ...liJb4 17.�d2 liJxa2 18.liJxa2 typical combination, which we �xa4 19.1iJec3. White had a hard are already familiar with: 16 ... task completing his develop­ tt'lc4 17.�e2 liJxb2! 18.�xb2 �xa2 ment, but the knight on a2 is a 19.�xa2 hc3 20.�d2 hd2 21. sorry sight. 19 ...�a5 20.il.b2 axb5 li>xd2 f6 22.�6 ga2 23.li>e3 21.cxb5 gfb8 22.�c4 hb5+ Lut­ gfa8+ sko - Kornev, Kstovo 1994. Black can counter 16.0-0!? 12 ...axb5 with 16... il.d4 17.li>h1 hc3 18. Whitemust capture on b5 with �xc3 �xb5, with the idea ga2. a piece now. 16 ....id4 17. .ih6 13 . .b:b5il.a6 14.�la2 The following variations show If White can refrain from that White has already lost his capturing on a6, he should bet­ control over the position and he ter do it: 14.ha6 �xa6 15.liJ1e2 fails to consolidate. For exam­ tt'lc4 16.�c2 h6 17.il.c1, Delaune - ple: 17.b3 f5 18.il.e3 (18.he7 fxe4 Kaufman, Washington 1997, 17 ... 19.fxe4gf2 20.�xf2 hf2 21.li>xf2 gfb8� c4 22.il.g5 �a7+) 18 ...fxe4 19.fxe4 14 ....Axb5 15.a xb5 �h5 (19.hd4 cxd4 20.�xd4 exf3=F) Black must activate his King's 19 ...il.e5 t. White cannot castle Indian bishop. and his queenside is in ruins. He

51 Chapter 4 suffers all this just for a pathetic doubled extra pawn.

C4c1) lI ••• tOeS

C4c2) lI •••tOb6

17•• J�fd8 ! C4c1) lI •••tOeS This rook is perfectly placed Black prevents the develop­ here. Later it will be useful in the ment of White's knight on g1 preparation of d5. The move 17 ... and he provokes f3-f4, which l:Ue8 is not so good, for exam­ will compromise his opponent's ple: 18.b3 e6 19.dxe6 fxe6 (19 ... pawn-centre. �e6?! 20.J.e3 he3 21.�xe3 d5 12.J.e2!? 22.b4t Ivanchuk - Kasparov, If White plays 12.f4?!, then he Linares 1997.) 20. .te3 e5 21.0-0 will need to give back the extra d5 22.exd5 lDxd5 (22 ..J�ed8 23. pawn: 12 ...lDe d7 13.lDf3�b4 (We d6 �d6 24.<.tIh1 lDd5 25.b4 �a3 are familiar with this maneuver.) 26.hd4 cxd4 27.lDxd5 �xd5 28. 14 . .td3 h6 15 . .th4 axb5 16.axb5 b6 �b5 29.lDc1�b6 30.lDd3 �c3 �xa3 17.bxa3 �xa3+

31.�e2t) 23.hd4 exd4 24.b4 12 •••b 6 13.J.e3 �d8 25.bxc5 dxc3 26.lDxc3 lDxc3 In case of 13.J.xf6 .txf6 14.f4 27.�xc3 �g5 28.�c4 rJJg7 29.f4t. lDd7 15.lDf3 �b4 16.0-0 .tg7, White's pawns might turn out to Black's compensation for the be quite dangerous. pawn is sufficient, while af­ 18.b3 e6 19.dxe6 fxe6 20. ter 13.hh6 hh6 14.�xh6 �b4 .te3 eS 21.0-0 dS+ - Black has 15.�c1 c4 16.bxa6 �xa6 17.�d2 won a tempo in comparison to the .td7 18.�a2 �b8� Whitehas con­ previous line. siderable problems to develop his kingside

C4c) IU�a3 13 •••rJJ b7 Gelfand tried this interesting Black fails to solve all his prob­ idea, which is in fact typical for lems with 13 ....td7 14.bxa6 �fb8 similar positions. 15.lDh3�b4 16.tOd1 lDc4 17.�xb4

52 l.d4 0,f6 2.c4 g6 3.0,c3i.g7 4.e 4 d6 5.i.g5 cxb4 18J:'gal;!;. White has closed 12.WI'c2 one of the open files and now he Now, Black can be positionally has excellent prospects. squeezed, so the value of every 14.0,b3 hh3 15.gxh3 axb5 move increases considerably.

16.axb5 Wl'b4 12 •.•axb5 White is better after 12 ...e6 13.i.d2,or 12 ...ttJbd7 13.i.d2. 13.i.xb5 White achieves nothing much after13.a xb5 Wl'b4.

13 •••i.d7 Black's pieces should not ham­ per the movements of his queen, since after 13 ...i.a6 14.i.d2, he comes under a positional bind.

17.0,a2! This is an important tactical nuance. The naive move 17J:'ga6, can be countered by Black with a standard plan for counterplay: 17 ...0,c 4 18.hc4 Wl'xc4 19.WI'e2 Wl'b4 20.0-0 0,d7 2Ulfa1 l:'lxa6 22.bxa6 hc3 23.bxc3 Wl'xc3 24. l:'la2 l:'la8=

17 •••WI'xb5 IS.i.xb5 0,xf3 19. It>e2 0,xd2 20.It> xd2 0,xe4 21. 14.tLlge2!? It>c2g abS 22J�b3;!:: White has also played here 14.i.d2 0,e8 15.ttJge2ttJc 7 (forcing White to clarifyhis intentions con­

C4c2) 1l ••.tLlb6 cerning the bishop on b5) 16.hd7 0,xd7 17.ttJb5ttJxb5 18.ha5 ttJxa3, Gelfand - Ivanchuk, Monte Carlo 2007, 19.bxa3 l:'lxa5 20.lt>f2 l:'lfa8 21.0,c3 hc3 22.WI'xc3 l:'lxa423.l:'l a1 c4 and Black is not worse at all.

14 •••i.xb5 15.axb5 Wl'b4 16. �b3 §'c4! It is bad for Black to opt for 16 ...'lWa5 17.0-0 0,c4 18.ttJd1 0,e5

53 Chapter 4

(18 ...tiJb6 19.tiJec3 c4 20J�a3 �b4 21.fu:aB l3xaB 22.tiJe3 e6 23. l3dU) 19.tiJe3 Wfb6 20.f4 tiJed7 21.tiJc4 �b7;t;, or 16 ...l3a1 17.�f2 �xb3 18.�xb3 l3xh1 19.tiJa4 tiJbd7 20.b6±

11••• �b6 Black should not be in a hurry to exchange on b5: 11 ... axb5 12.,ixb5 .ia6 13.0-0 l3tbB 14.Wfc2t He can try here a spectacu­ lar line: 11 ...c4 12.tiJf2 (12.hc4 lbe5 13 . .ie2 .ixh3 14.gxh3 axb5 15.0-0 bxa4 16.fu:a4 Wfb6 17. .ie3 I will supply you here with a Vlb3 1BJ3fa1 l3xa4 19.13xa4 l3bB�; long exemplary variation, in 12J3a3 lbc5 13.hc4 �b4 14 . .ie2 which you will see Black's possi­ lbb3 15.�d3 .ixh3 16.gxh3 lbd4 ble main ideas. 17. 0-0 h6 18. 17.�f2 lbd7 1B.bxa6 lbe5 19.�d2 .te3 �fd7 19.9dl ga7 20.�g3. lbxe2 20.�xe2 lbc4�) 12 ...�b4 White's knight is headed for the 13.l3a3 (In case of 13.b6, Black has d2-square in order to attack the typical move for the Benko

Black's queen. 20••• .td4! 21.�f1 Gambit 13 ...a5.) 13 ...axb5 14.axb5 �e5 22.�hl g5 23.gbl (23.h3 f5 l3xa3 15.bxa3 �xa3 16.,ixc4,

24.exf5 tiJxd5+t) 23 •••gfa8 24. Nikolaidis - Sofronie, Istanbul �d2 Vld3 25.�xd3 �xd3 26. 2002. Black must continue here �e2 he3 27.�d3 hd2 28. with 16... h6 !? 17 . .te3 lbg4! 1B . .id4 �d2 ga4 29.�gl gb4 30.�c3 lbge5 19 . .ie2 Wfb4 20.,ixe5 (this gaS 31.�f2�a 8+ AfterBlack re­ is forced) 20 ...lbxe5 21.lba2 �b1. gains his pawn, he has good win­ After this important intermedi­ ning chances. ate move, White loses his b5- pawn and this leads to a draw­ ish position: 22.lbd1.id7 23.0-0 C4d) 11.�h3 Wfb3 24.lbh4 lbc4 25.,ixc4 �xc4 'Themaneuver h3-f2 of White's 26.lbc6 �xb5 27.lbxe7�h7= king-knight is promising more l2.�f2 than the straightforward move 'The capture 12.bxa6 cannot 11.�ge2. be good for White, as we have

54 l.d4 tDf6 2.c4 g6 3.tDc3 i.g74.e4 d6 5.i.g5 already seen. For example: 12 ... 13 . .b:b5 .ta6 14.gc1 ha6 13.tDbS i.b7 14.WxaS gxaS White achieves little with 14. IS.tDc3 gfa8 16.i.d2 c4 17.gbl ga3 tDc4 15.hc4 hc4GG tDfd7 18.b4 cxb3 19.9xb3, Droz­ 14 •••.b:b5 15.axb5 dovskij - Urban, Dresden 2007, 19 ...i.a6 20.ha6 gSxa6 21.@e2 tDcS 22.gb4 tDbxa4 23.tDxa4gxa4 24.ghbl i.eS+

15 .•.h6 !? This is the right time to ques­ tion White's bishop about its in­ tentions.

12 •••axb5 Black can also play the stand­ Black can always open a sec­ ard 15 ...tDa 4 16.tDfdl gtb8 17.h4 ond front with 12 ...e6 !?, but he tDxc3 18.tDxc3 Wb4 and if White must play very precisely, be­ plays too actively 19.94, as he did cause he has already sacrificed in the game Stefansson - Djurh­ a pawn. For example: 13.dxe6 uus, Reykjavik 1997, then Black he6 14.bxa6 (Black is quite OK sacrifices another pawn with 19 ... after 14.i.h6 hh6 IS.Wxh6 Wb4 tDd7 20.he7 tDe5 and he seizes 16.aS axbS 17.tDd3 Wb3 18.ga3 the initiative for long. Wfc2 19.tDxbS tDc4 20.gc3 Wfa4 16 . .b:h6 21.tDc7, Lapcevic - Antic, Bar After the exchange of the 200S, 21...tDxb2 22.tDxa8 tDxd3 knight 16.hf6 hf6 17.tDg4, 23J�xd3 c4 24.gxd6 WfxaS 2S.Wfd2 Black can sacrifice bravely one c3 26.We3 gxa8) 14 ...tDc 4 1S.hc4 more pawn - 17 ...i.d4 !+, creating hc4 16.tDbS! (This typical re­ numerous threats. source puts in doubt Black's move 16 .••tDc 4 17.Wg5 tDh718.Wfh4 twelve.) 16 ...Wxd2 17.@xd2 gxa6 .tf6 19.Wh3 tDxb2 20.f4 hc3 18.ghc1 hb5 19.axb5 gb6 20.ga6 21.Wfxc3 Wxc3 22J�xc3 gtb8= gxb5 21.gxd6 gxb2 22.gc2 gxc2 - Black regains his b-pawn and 23.@xc2;!; he equalizes.

55 Chapter 5 1.d4 tL)f6 2.c4 g6 3.tL)c3 Jog7 4.e4 d6 5.h3

Meanwhile, he has lost a tempo for h3, therefore Black's plan is obvious - he must attack the d4- square. It would be too straightfor­ ward for White to play 6.g4, he must develop his pieces after all. In answer to this, Black should better begin his standard queen­ side counterplay: 6 ...cS 7.d5 e6 8.lt)ge2 exd5 9.exd5 (White lags This is a useful prophylactic considerably in development and move. an asymmetrical position is too First, White takes the g4- risky for him: 9.cxd5 b5 1O.lt)g3 square under control and Black b4 11.lt)ce2 �e8 12 . .ig2 lt)fd7 13.a3 would not have the possibilityIt)g 4 It)a6 14.0-0 �b8 and Black had in answer to .!e3, after It)f3. The the initiative in the game Karolyi basic idea of the move is different, - V.RajIich, Budapest 2001.) 9 ... however. White usually advances It)bd7 1O.lt)g3 �e8+ 1l. .!e2 It)f8 g2-g4, following various set-ups 12 . .!e3 a6 13.mfl b5 14.b3 b4 15. of his pieces and begins a plan of It)a4 It)e4 16.lt)xe4 �xe4 17.�bl squeezing the enemy on the king­ .!d7 with excellent prospects for side. These are the advantages of Black, Castillo - Estrada, Mar del the move 5.h3, while its drawback Plata 1954. is obvious too. White makes four In fact, in response to 6.g4, pawn-moves out of his first five Black has another attractive plan, and the development of his pieces connected with an offensive on suffers because of this. the dark squares on the kingside:

5 ••. 0-0 6.J.d3 6 ...e5 7.d5 lt)e88. lt)ge2.!f6 9 . .!h6 White does not protect his It)g7 1O.�d2 .!h4 1l.�gl as 12.lt)g3 pawn on d4 with a bishop on d3. f6 13 . .!e3 It)a6 14 . .id3 .!d7 15.

56 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.CiJc3 ig74.e4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.i.d3

0-0-0 CiJc5 16.ic2 a4+t Tosic - A) 6 •••e5 Ilincic, Novi Sad 1995. This straightforward move is The move 6.CiJge2 is not flex­ quite possible. ible either, since White's plans 7.d5 became clear. He will have to play 7.CiJge2 CiJc6 - see variation B g4 and CiJg3 in order to complete 6 ...CiJc6. the development of his kingside. 7 •••a5 8.CiJge2 Black can counter this with an B.igS CiJa6 9.CiJge2 c6 - see interesting plan suggested by the variation Al. famous German GM and theore­ 8 •••CiJa6 tician Wolfgang Uhlmann: 6 ...eS 7.dS a6!? We should mention that the knight on e2 has covered the diagonal of the bishop on f1 and Black can prepare quickly b7-bS. Naturally, he can continue with the more abstract plan - as, CiJa6- c5 etc. avoiding for a while a di­ rect confrontation. S.g4 bS 9.gS CiJhS 10.cxbS axbS 11.CiJxbS fS 12.CiJbc3 CiJa6 13J3g1 CiJcS 14.f3 fxe4 1S.CiJxe4 CiJxe4 16. fxe4 �d7 17.a4 CiJf4 1SJ3a3 c6� Al) 9 . .ig5 with an excellent compensation A2) 9.g4 for the sacrificed pawn, Kataly­ mov - Uhlmann, Bad Liebenzell Al) 9.ig5 1996. In case of 9.ie3, Black should adhere to his basic plan with 9 ...c6 (After 9 ...CiJd7 1O.g4, there might arise a transposition to variation A2.) 10.0-0 cxdS 1l.cxdS CiJcS 12 . .ic2 .id7 13.a3. In case of the prophylactic move 13.a4, Black's knight obtains an eternal outpost on b4. Now, he can enlarge the field of actions. 13 ...a4 14.�d2 CiJeS 1SJ3ae1 �aS 16.CiJc1 fS . This is a standard situation. Black at­ tacks his opponent's powerful

A) 6 •..e5 centre from both sides and he ob­

B) 6 ••• CiJc6 tains an excellent game. 17.exfS

57 Chapter S gxfS 18.f4 e4= Kovalenko - Kos­ 14 ••.gfc8 lS.J.e3 ea6 16. tin, Kaluga 2007. V!re2 White increases his control 9 •••c6 The set-up .ld3, lLlge2, h3 is over the bS-square. After 16.b3 aimed basically against Black's bS= Black solves effortlessly all routine pawn-break V-fS. He his opening problems. has great problems organizing it (White always has the resource g2-g4 up his sleeve.), therefore he should better play on the queen­ side.

10 • • d2 J.d7 11.0-0 1l.dxc6 bxc6 12. .tc2 .te6 13. �dl h6 14 . .txh6 .txh6 IS.�xh6 hc4 16.0-0, Nogueiras - Santa, Merida 200S, 16 ...�e7oo with a double-edged position.

11 •••�cS 12 • .lc2 cxdS It is essential for Black to cap­ 16 ... �e8 17.f4 f5 18.�bS, ture on dS, prior to the move .b6, Bareev - Gelfand, Linares 1994. in order to be able to play b7-bS in Black must follow here with 18 •.• answer to c4xdS. e4 19.�d4 �d3 20.b3 bS!+ 13.exdS After 13.cxdS, Black has al­ ready prepared 13 ...bS; it is A2) 9.g4 not advisable for White to play 13.tLlxdS?tLlfx e4+

13 ••••b6 14.�g3 Black's plans are not imped­ ed by the line: 14 . .te3 �a6 IS.b3 bS, or 14.�abl, Soln - Ivanisevic, Lj ubljana200 4, 14 ...• a6 IS.b3 bS 16.cxbS .lxbS17.tLlx bS .xbS= White's attempt to begin king­ side actions with 14.mhl �ae8 IS. f4 (It is better for him to opt for IS . .te3 .a6 16.b3 bS 17.hcS dxcS

18.cxbS hbS=) can be countered 9 .•. �d7 by Black with IS ...e4 16.fS .ixfS He wishes to establish control 17.� gxfS 18.tLld4 e3 19.he3 over the dark squares on the king­ tLlfe4=t side and this has become possi-

S8 l.d4 tiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.tiJc3 i.g74.e 4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.i.d3 ble due to the absence of White's squared bishops after for exam­ knight on f3 . ple: 12.'lWd2 tiJxd3 13.'lWxd3 i.h6 In case of 9 ...hS, White should with a comfortable game. better ignore this threat and 1l •••'I§'h4 12.'I§'d2 llJb4 continue his development with Naturally, it does not work for 1O.i.gShxg4 11.hxg4 i.xg4 12.'lWd2 Black to play 12 ...i.xg4, in view of l"!e8 (After 12 ...tiJcS 13.0-0-0 13.i.gS 'lWhS 14.tiJg3. i.hS 14.l"!dgl, he creates a power­ 13. 0-0-0 ful kingside pressure.) 13.0-0-0 White cannot capture his op­ tiJcS 14.l"!dgl 'lWd7IS. tiJg3 i.f3 16. ponent's queen after13.i. gS tiJxc2 l"!h4. White's attack might be­ 14.mfli.h6 and Black's position is come dangerous in the long run, quite acceptable. The same hap­ for example: 16 ...tiJg4 17.i.e2 pens in case of 13.i.bli.f6. i.xe2 18.'lWxe2 f6 19.i.d2 tiJxf2 13 •.•b6 20.tiJhS!� Gottsmann - Punzen­ berger, Austria 1999. The gambit play 9 ... c6 1O.tiJg3 cxdS (1O ...tiJd 7!?) 1l.cxdS tiJcS 12.i.e2 bS, can hardly be justifi­ able: 13.i.xbS i.a6 14.i.xa6 l"!xa6 IS.i.e3± Anand - Borras, Spain 2007. Finally, White has only a slight advantage after ...9 tiJcS 1O.i.c2 hS 11.i.gS hxg4 12.hxg4 i.xg4 13.'lWd2 'lWc8 (or ... 13 a4 14.l"!h4 'lWd7 IS. 0-0-0 tiJh7 14.mb1 16.i.h6 i.f6 17.l"!h2) 14.'lWe3 i.xe2 The all-powerful PC program IS.'lWxe2� "Rybka" asserts that after 14.i.gS 10.i.e3 'lWxf2 IS.l"!dfl 'lWg2, Black's queen After 1O.tiJg3 tiJdcS 1 l.i.bl, is safe and White has nothing Korotkjevich - Oertel, Germany better than repeating moves with 2004, 1l ...i.f6, Black improves 16.l"!fgl 'lWf3 17.l"!fl. gradually his blockade on the 14 .•.llJxe2 15.'lWxe2 f5 flank: 12.i.h6l"!e8 13.'lWd2i.d7 14. This undermining move is 0-0 i.h4 IS.l"!el f6 !, followed by played just in time; otherwise, i.gSand equality. White would have established a

10 ..•llJd e5 1l.i.e2 positional bind on the kingside. In answer to 1l.tiJg3, it is also 16.exf5 gxf5 17.llJg3 f4 18. good for Black to play 11...'lWh4, be5 fxg3 19.fxg3 'l§'xg3 20. with the idea to trade the dark- llJe4'l§'f4 21.i.f2 i.d7=

S9 Chapter 5

after 8 . .le3 exd4 9.c!l)xd4 �e8 is B) 6 •••�c6 advantageous to Black.

8 •••li)d 4 After the passive line: 8 ...c!l)e7 9.g4 c6 10.c!l)g3 cxdS 1l.cxdS a6 12 . .le3 bS 13.b4;!;, White ends up with a slight, but stable edge, Perovic - Ivanovic, 1999.

This is the most precise move for Black. He provokes an imme­ diate contlictin thecentre. 7.li)ge2 It is only a transposition of moves after 7.c!l)f3 eS 8.dS c!l)d4 9.c!l)xd4. White can hardly afford leaving his opponent with a cen­ tralized knight. In case of 9.ie3 9 • .le3 c!l)hS!?, or 9 . .!gS c5, Black has a Whitefails to win a pawn with comfortable game. It is again a the direct approach: 9.c!l)xd4 exd4 transposition after 7 . .!e3 eS 8.dS 1O.c!l)e2 �e8 1l:�c2, Guigonis - (If 8.c!l)f3?!exd4 9.c!l)xd4�e8, then Degraeve Montpellier 1997, (but the move h3 turns out to be not not 1l . .!gS h6) 1l ...c!l)d7+ - Black's only useless, but harmful as well, prospects are preferable in view of since Whitewill probably need to his control over the dark squares protect his e4-pawn with f3 and in the centre. then his kingsidewill be in ruins. White must consider very It is also not advisable for White carefullythe possibilityof leaving to opt for 7.dS, since besides 7 ... his opponent with a centralized c!l)d4 8.ie3 eS, transposing to a knight in the centre on d4: 9 . variation, which we will analyze .lgS?! cS 1O.'�d2 a6 11.c!l)xd4exd4 later, Black has the additional at­ 12.c!l)e2, Fuellgrabe - Happel, tractive possibility- 8 ...c5 !? Ruhrgebiet 2000, and here Black

7 •••e5 8.dS had better think about seizing the White must play this move. initiative: 12 ...bS ! 13.cxbS axbS As I have alreadymentioned, the 14.hf6 (14.hbS? .!lJxe4=F) 14 ... reduction of tension in the centre �xf6 IS.hbS �e7 16.f3gb8 17.a4

60 l.d4 'tJf6 2.c4 g6 3. 'tJc3j.g7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.j.d3 fS and his compensation for the 1l.dxc6 llJxe2! pawn is more than sufficient. Black does not have a fullcom­

9 •••'tJh5 10.J.bl pensation for the pawn after 11 ... White should not let his oppo­ bxc6 12.llJxd4exd4 13.hd4 hd4 nent consolidate on the d4-square 14.%Vxd4 llJf4 1S.g3 llJe6 16.'l;Ye3 with cS, for example: 1O.'l;Yd2 cS! �bB I7.b3t 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.i.h6 hh6 13. %Vxh6 'tJe614J'�dl 'l;Yf6+ Gerusel ­ Bilek, Bad Pyrmont 1970. White might be checkmated in a beautifulfashion after 1O.g4? %Vh4! 11.gxhS 'tJf3 12.@f1 'l;Yxh3 13.fOc:h3 hh3#

10 •••c5 !? This is exactly how Black should play! This move has be­ come possible thanks to the inter­ mediate capture on e2. Black's alternative is 10 ...f S!? 12.'tJxe2 11.'tJxd4 f4 (After the long semi­ White must play prudently forced line: 11 ...exd4 12.hd4 'l;YgS here. It is too risky for him to 13.hg7 %Vxg2 14.J.xfB 'l;Yxhl 15. opt for 12.cxb7 llJxc3 13.bxaB'l;Y @d2 'l;Yxd1 16.'tJxdl @xfB 17.exfS llJxd1 14.@xd1 llJg3! 1S.fxg3 i.g4 J.xfS IB.J.xfS gxfS 19.'tJe3, there 16.hxg4 'l;YxaB=F, as well as 12.c7 arises an endgame with a minimal 'l;Yxc7 13.llJdS %VaS 14.i.d2 'l;YcS edge for White.) 12.'tJe6 (White's 1S.%Vxe2 (White comes on the knight cannot go back: 12.'tJc2? verge of losing after 1S.i.e3 llJd4 %VgS! 13.g4 fxe3 14.'tJxe3 'l;Yh4 15. 16.b4 'l;Yxc4 17.i.d3 'tJc2 1B.@d2 %Ve2 'tJf4=F; it would be a disaster 'l;YxdS! 19.exdS llJxal.) 1S ... llJf4!+, for him to continue with 13.j.cl and Black brings additional wood %Vxg2 14Jm hh3 IS.'l;Yd3 'l;Yh2! into the raging fire.

16.@dl J.xf1 17.'l;Yxf1 'tJg3, or 14. 12 •••bxc6 13. 0-0 �b8 14. @d2 'l;Yxf2 1S.'l;Ye2 'l;Yxe2 16.llJxe2 'l;Yd2j.e6 15.b3 ti'c7= f3-+)12 ...he6 13.i.d2i.d7f! fol­ Black has a pawn majority in lowed by the prophylactic moves the centre, but he can hardly ex­ c6 and as on the queenside and ploit this effectively, so the objec­ preparing a pawn-onslaught on tive evaluation of the position is the kingside. equality.

61 Chapter 6 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 J.g7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 0 - 0 6.i.e3

after7.d xeS dxeS 8.VNxdB (He has no problems either with queens present on the board: B.�c2 lLlbd79.lLlf3 c6 1O.i.e2VNc7 11.0-0 !!eB12 .lLld2 i.fB 13.!!ac1 as 14.g4 lLlcS� Russ - Moroder, Seefeld 200B.) B ...!!x dB, for example: 9.lLlf3 lLlc6 1O.i.e2 lLld4 1l.i.d1 cS 12.0-0 i.e613 .b3 !!acB, Heinatz - Pinter, Bern 2004.

7 . . . �a6 This is a very reasonable set­ In case the game develops up. It is a part of the opening calmly like: 7 ... lLlbd7 B.lLlf3 lLlc5 repertoire of world champion 9.lLld2 as, White can realize his number 12 - Anatolij Karpov. plan of establishing a positional bind on the queenside and he

A) 6 •••e5 ends up with a stable advantage. B) 6 ...�a6 1O.g4 c6 1l.ie2 lLleB 12.lLlb3 lLld7

C) 6 •••c5 13.a4 fS 14.gxfS gxfS lS.exfS lLldf6 16.i.d3 hB, Riazantsev - Svi­

A) 6 •••e5 dler, Sochi 200B and here White This is what the order of moves should take some measures withan early J.e3is aimed to cope against e4: 17.lLld2 cxdS 1B.cxdS with. e4 19.1Lldxe4 lLlxe4 20.he4 i.xfS 7.d5 21.i.xfS !!xfS 22.�d3. He has an White can exploit later the extra pawn at the end of this line. circumstance that he has not de­ It is not advisable for Black veloped his knight on f3 yet. (The to be in a hurry to play t7-fS, be­ positions arising after 7.lLlf3,will cause of 7 ...lLlfd7 B.g4 fS 9.exfS be analyzed in our chapter B.). gxfS 1O.gxfS , Karpov - Hansch, Black is OK in the endgame Germany (simul) 2007, 1O ...lLlc S

62 l.d4 !c'f6 2.c4 g6 3.!c'c3Ag7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.Ae3 ll.!C,ge2 (You see now that White can avoid complications and con­ has kept his knight on gl quite tinue with his development in or­ sensibly, because it will be very der to make use later of the posi­ troublesome for the opponent of tional weaknesses of his opponent the g3-square.) ll... hiS 12.!C,g3 on the queenside, for example: Ag6 13.h4±. White's initiative 9.dxc6 !c'xc6 1O.!c'f3.White avoids against Black's compromised capturing on d6 and he develops kingside can turn soon into a dan­ simply his knight, controlling gerous attack. the central d4-square. 1O ...dxcS In comparison to the variation ll.hcS �eB 12.Ab5 Ad7 13.0-0 we have just analyzed, Black can­ !c'd4. The position has not been not change much if he retreats his stabilized yet and Black must try king's knight to another square - to find some tricks here. 14.hd7 7 ...!c'eB 8.1lNd2 (It is also good for !c'xd7 IS.!c'xd4 !c'xc5 16.!c'dbS AfB White to try the straightforward 17.!c'dS �cB IB.1lNf3 �c6 19J�adl line: B.g4 fS 9.gxfS gxfS 1O.exfS 1lNh4 20.�feU Izoria - Fedorov, hiS ll.!C,ge2 1lNh4 12.!C,g3 Ag6 Moscow 2006.) 9.cxd6 cxd6 (In 13.�g4 1lNxg4 14.hxg4 !c'd7 IS. the next game the Ukrainian GM 0-0-0 !c'ef6 16J�h4 !c'cS 17.gS± Evgenij Miroshnichenko tried to Zablotsky - Bogachkov, Kazan play in a gambit style 9 ...�xd6 2007.) B .. .fS 9.f3 !c'd7 10.0-0-0 1O.!c'f3 c6 ll.dxc6 1lNe7. The ex­ a6 (It is stronger for Black to play world champion avoided accept­ 1O .. .f4, building up a on ing the giftand soon he started ex­ the kingside, since if he sacrifices ploiting his opponent's positional a pawn, he fails to create any real weaknesses: 12.Ac4! bxc6 13.0-0 threats against the enemy king just !c'cS I4.�c2 !c'fd7 15.!c'a4± Karpov yet.) ll.g4 fxe4 12.fxe4bS l3.cxbS - Miroshnichenko, Sochi 200S.) axbS 14.hbS Aa6 IS.ha6 �xa6 1O.!c'f3!c'c S (Black can go the cS­ 16.g5± Gorovets - Mokriy, Minsk square with his other knight, but 2006. he fails to build up a impenetrable The line: 7 ...c6 B.!c'f3as 9.!c'd2 fortress on the queenside anyway: !C,a6,leads to positions, which we 1O ...!c'd 7 ll.�c1 !c'dcS 12.ha6 have analyzed in our Chapter B. !c'xa6 13.1lNb3 !c'b4 14.0-0 Ad7 (after the move-order 6.!c'f3 eS IS.a3 !c'd3 16.l:k2 a4 17.�c4 !c'f4 7.dS as B.Ae3 !c'a6 9.!c'd2c6) . IB.hi4 exf4 19.1lNb4±) ll.hcs In case of 7 ...aS, White has dxcS 12.AbS a4, Khenkin - Man­ prepared B.cS, with the idea of ca, Reggio Emilia 2006, 13.0-0 exploiting later the premature a3 14.b3± weakening of the bS-square. B .. . 8.g4 !c'a6(The direct counter strike B .. . In case of B.1lNc2 (in order to c6 is interesting indeed, but White counter B ... !c'cS with 9.b4) Black

63 Chapter 6 plays 8 ...ltlh5, followed by fl-fS, blotsky - Chuprov, Krasnoyarsk while against 9.g4, he has the re­ 2007.) 1l.�d2 (White is reluctant source 9 ...tBf 4. to play 1l.f3,while his bishop is on About B.�d3 lLleS, or B.lLlf3 g2 and after 1l.gS lLlh7 12.h4 f6, lLlh5 - see variation C3 (6 ...lLla6). Black opens advantageously the

S ..•lLlc 5 f-file, therefore White decides to sacrificea pawn) 1l ...hxg4 12.lLlg3 c6 13.0-0-0 cxdS 14.cxdS a4 lS.hxg4 lLlxg4 16.heS dxcS 17.f3 .tf6 ! (This is an important inter­ mediate move after which Black seizes the initiative indefinitely.) 1B.'it>b1 i.gS 19.�e2 lLle3=t Zablot­ sky- Fedorov, Voronezh 2007.

9 ••• a5 10.lLlge2 c6 1l.tLlg3 i.d7 Black is preparing patiently the undermining pawn-break 9.Vc2 b7-bS, since after the transfer of White should protect his e4- White's knight to g3, Black's plan pawn with his queen, leaving his with t7-fS, would not work, so he light-squared bishop aside for the has nothing else to do. time being. It can be developed 12.J.e2 cxd5 13.cxd5 a4 later to e2 in order to protect the This is a typical resource, g4-pawn and it prevents the un­ Black enlarges the field of actions dermining move b7-bS from the on the queenside and he freesthe fl.-square. as-square for his queen. It is not advisable for White 14.�dl to opt for 9.i.g2 in view of 9 ... White's queen, runs away from a5 (This prophylactic is neces­ the open file, on which the enemy sary, otherwise White will repel rook will soon appear and it sup­ the knight with the move b2-b4.) ports the g-pawn in case Black 1O.lLlge2 h5 (It is also good for tries the counter strike h3-h4-hS.

Black to continue with 1O ...c6 14 ...�a5 15 • .td2 1l.lLlg3 cxdS 12.cxdS a4 13.�d2 (diagram)

�aS 14.0-0 bS. He has realized his 15 •••ti'b6 plan and he has seized the initia­ The following spectacular line tive on the queenside. lS.�ac1 i.a6 for Black would not work: lS ...a3 16.�fd1 �fcB 17.f3 lLlfd7 1B . .tfl. b4 16.b3 i.h6!?, in view of 17.hh6 19.1Llb1 hfl 20.'it>xfl .tf6 21.�e2 �xc3 1B . .td2 �b2 (Black would i.h422 .lLlh1a3 23.bxa3 bxa3+ Za- not change much with lB ...�d4

64 l.d4 0,f6 2.c4 g6 3.0,c3 �g7 4.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6.�e3

superior after this, mostly thanks to his space advantage.

B) 6 ...li'Ja 6!?

19.f30,d 3 20.hd3 �xd3 21.i.gS) 19.f3 l'!fc8 20.0-0 0,e8 21.l'!f2;!;. White has coped with his oppo­ nent's ill-prepared assault and he has stabilized the position. 16.gb1 gfeS 17.c,t>f1 Afterthis move, Black exploits It is sensible for Whiteto evac­ in principle the plan connected uate his king away from the cen­ with e7-eS, but he preserves the tre, while he should better leave possibilityc7 -c5 just in case. his rook on the h-file, where it might be handy in the future. It B1) 7.g4 will not work for him to play im­ B2) 7.li'Jf3 mediately 17.h4?, because of 17 ... B3) 7.i.d3 0,xg4! 18.hg4 0,d3 19.�e2 (19. Black should better counter �f1 �f2#) 19 ... hg4 etc. 7.0,ge2with 7 ...cS. Here after8. g4,

17 •••�dS 1S.h4 gabS 19.f3 there arises a transposition to line b5 C1. In case White closes the cen­ White has failed to occupy the tre with 8.dS, then Black contin­ bS-square and Black succeeds in ues with the standard pawn-break creating counterplay. 8 ...e6 and he obtains a good coun­ 20.l'!c1 b4 21.li'Jb1 �6 terplay, for example: 9.0,g3 hS 22.�g2 i.b5 23.�f1 he2 24. 1O.i.e2 exdS 1l.exdS �b6 12J�'d2 �xe2 li'JeS, Dinstuhl - Sieglen, h4 13.0,ge4 0,xe4 14.0,xe4 �xb2 Bad Godesberg 1991, 25.i.e3;!;. 1S.�xb2 hb2 16.l'!d1 i.fS 17.0,xd6 White's knight on b1 will join the i.c2 18.�d2 hd1 19.l'!xd1 b6=i= Rai­ actions soon (via d2 to c4), after cevic - Lentze, Cattolica 1989. which Black's counterplay on the queenside will reach its dead end. B1) 7.g4!? e5 White's prospects in the centre This is a typical case. It is usu­ and on the kingside are evidently ally reasonable for Black to open

6S Chapter 6 the queenside in answer to the 19.\Wd2 .if6 20.lLlb4 lLl8c7 2U�cd1 compromising of White's king­ E:fd8= Romero Holmes - Illescas, side. Pamplona 2003.) 14 ....ic6 15.lLlg3 8.�ge2 lLle6 16.\Wd2 \Wa5 (Black would White fails to block the posi­ not change anything with 16 ...lLlf4 tion effectively: 8.d5 e6 9 . .ig2 17.E:fd1.) 17.E:fd1 E:fe8 18.b4!± exd5 10.cxd5, Mateo - Moreno, 10 • .ig2 lLle5 1l.\We2.ie6 Madrid 2007 and here the move It is sensible for Black to pro­ 10 ...b5 !t would lead to complica­ voke the weakening move b2-b3. tions favourable for Black. His not afraid of the exchange of

8 •••cxd4 9.�xd4 the e6, since White cannot attack In case of 9 . .ixd4 \Wa5 1O.lLlg3, the e6-pawn effectively andthe d5 Sulava - Cebalo, Asti 1998, Black square will be reliably covered. transfers with tempo his knight 12.b3 lLlc5 13. 0-0 lLlc6 on a6 to its perfect square - c6 Black should strive for ex­ and he establishes control of the changing pieces in order to neu­ dark squares in centre: 1O ...lLlb8 ! tralize his opponent's space ad­ 1l.\Wd2 lLlc6 12 . .ie3 lLld7+ vantage. 14.gadl Va5 15.lLld5 .txd5

16.exd5 lLlxd4 17• .txd4 .txd4 18.gxd4 �Ue8oo Black's king only looks help­ less, while in fact his queen and knight can quickly offera helping hand. White can hardly attack ef­ fectively the e7-pawn and the as­ sault with thef2-pawn is too risky. In that case, Black's knight can occupy the e5-outpost. He also can employ a plan connected with

9 •••lLld 7!? b5. We can evaluate the prospects Thisis a new idea. of both sides as approximately After9 ....id7 1O . .ig2 !k8 1l.b3 equal. lLlc5 12.0-0 a6 13.lk1 e5?! Black has his weaknesses just like his opponent. Still, the vulnerability B2) 7.lLlf3 on d6 creates certainproblems for (diagram) him. For example: 14.lLlde2 (This 7 ...e5 is more reasonable for Whitethan The preparatory move 7 ...'?Ne8 14.lLlc2 .ic6 15.f3 lLle6 16.\Wd2 includes a loss of time and that lLle8 17.lLld5 .ixd5 18.\Wxd5 \We7 would be very important even in

66 l.d4 Cfjf6 2.c4 g6 3.Cfjc3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6.ie3

B2a) 8.d5 lOh5 Black wishes to prepare f7-fS.

a closed position: 8.ie2 eS 9.dxeS dxeS 1O.cS (White occupies addi­ tional space and he emphasises the awkward placement of the 9.lOh2 knight on a6. 1O ...CfjhS 11.0-0 Cfjf4 White is eyeing the knight of 12.j,xa6 (Black's bishop-pair can­ hS preventing the accomplish­ not compensate fully his numer­ ment of Black's plan for the time ous pawn weaknesses.) 12 ...bxa6 being. 13J3e1 �b8 14.b3 Cfje6 lS.'iMSib7 In general, it is essential for 16JMfc4 @h8, Krush - Efimenko, White to choose the right square 200S, 17.�adlt for the retreat of his knight. Sta­ tistically speaking, he plays more B2a) 8.d5 often Cfjh2, maybe in order to jus­ B2b) 8.dxe5 tify the move h2-h3. Meanwhile, even after the more natural re­ In case White allows the ex­ treat 9.Cfjd2, Black builds up his change on d4, then Black equal­ counterplay according to the same izes easily, since he leads in devel­ scheme with9 ...�e8. opment anyway and he has open 1) After10. ie2, Black's knight filesfor his pieces. runs away from the attack: 10 ... 8.id3 exd4 9.hd4 Cfjb4 10. Cfjf4 11.�h2 fS 12.f3 �e7 13.if2 0-0 �e8 11.�e1 cS 12.ie3 �b6 CfjcS� Kursova - Kochyev, St. Pe­ 13.�e2 i.e6 14.�c1 �ad8 lS.b3 tersburg 1997. Cfjxd3 16.�xd3 a6� Kantsler - 2) 1O.Cfjb3 fS 11.exfS gxfS 12. Yurtaev, Frunze 1985. ie2 Cfjf6 13.f4 exf4 14.i.xf4 CfjhS 8.ie2 exd4 9.Cfjxd4 �e8 10.f3 lS.ih2 f4 16.0-0 �e3 17.�f2 c6 11.�d2 Cfjc7 12.0-0-0 dS 13. Cfjg3� Izeta - Milos, Pamplona igS dxe4 14.fxe4 Cfje6 lS.Cfjxe6 1991. �xd2+ 16.�d2 he6� Schmitz - 3) 1O.g3 fS 11.exfS gxfS 12.ie2 van Der Veen, Dieren 2003. Cfjf6 13.�gl (13.igS, Krogius -

67 Chapter 6

Salo, Jyvaskyla 1991, 13 ...�g6 !? Kasparov, Svendborg 1990 and 14.h4 h6 lS.hS!? �f7 - after IS... here if we trust the PC programme �xgS?! 16.lLlf3 �g4 17J:'1h4,Black's "Rybka", Black can force a per­ compensation for the queen is in­ petual with17 ... .ih6 1B ..txh6 �d7 sufficient - 16 . .ie3oo) 13 ...�hB 19 . .txfB E:xiB .20 .if3 �h3 21.�xf2 14.lLlb3 �g6 lS.f4 lLle4+tAkesson �xf3. Kasparov chose something - Hellers, Naestved 19BB. else 17... e4, but the game ended in It is too slow for White to a draw anyway after a sharp play play 9.lLlg1, for example: 9 ...�eB not devoid of mistakes.

1O . .ie2 lLlf4 . 1l.if3 fS 12.g3 fxe4 12 •••exf4 13.fxg6 �xg6t 13.ixe4 .ifS 14J�h2 lLlb4 1S.f3 lLlhS 16.a3 lLla6 17.g4 he4 1B.lLlxe4 lLlf6 and Black's chances are at least equal, Andonov - Korobov, Sautron 2003. Finally, White can leave his knight of f3 , but Black can still continue with the same plan. 9.a3 �eB 1O.b4 fS 11.E:c1 f4 12 . .id2 cS 13.dxc6 bxc6 14 . .id3 �hB lS.�e2 lLlc7 16.bS cS 17.lLldS lLle6 1B.a4 .if6 19.aS .idB 20.a6 gS 21.�d1 lLlf6+tBewersdorff - Timoshenko, Black has two wonderful bish­ Mainz 1995. ops, an active queen and White

9 •••'leeS 10•.ie2 fS ll.exfS has great problems castling. In Black is better after 1l . .txhS the game Akopian - Hernandez, gxhS 12.lLlf3 fxe4 13.lLld2 �g6 Linares 1996, the opponent's 14.�e2 .ifS 1S.0-0-0 lLlb4 16.E:dgl agreed to a draw. c6, Anastasian - Neverov, Minsk 14.�f1 .ifS IS.lLlf3 .if6 16. 1990. lLld4 .ixd4 17.�xd4 lLlb4 1S.�kl

11.0-0 lLlf6 12.exfS gxfS 13.f4 gaeS 19 • .ig4 lLlc2 20• .ixf5 exf4 14 ..txf4 lLlcS lS.lLlbS �e7 16. �xf5 21.�d2 lLle3 22.�gl lLlxc4 lLld4 lLlfe4 17.lLlhf3 .id7 1B.E:e1 23.'lec2 'lehS. Possibly, Black,s as+tGrunberg - Nevednichy, Ro­ play can be improved and in the mania 1994. final position he could have tried

1l••• lLlf 4 12 • .txf4 to play on for a win. White wins a pawn, but Black seizes the initiative 12.0-0. For B2b) S.dxeS example: 12 ....txfS 13.E:e1 �f7 This attempt to occupy space 14.lLlf1 .txh3 lS.gxh3 lLlxh3 16. on the queenside is not dangerous �g2 lLlxf2 17.�b1, C.Hansen - for Black.

6B l.d4 I1Jf6 2.c4 g6 3.11Jc3i.g7 4.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6.i.e3

S •••dxeS 9.c5 l':!d6f4 19.i.d2gS 20.\Wc3! (20.l':!cl The next line seems harmless g4 21.hxg4 .b:g4 22.l':!c3 h8 23. for Black: 9.\Wxd8 l':!xd8 1O.a3 b6 l':!cd3 Wlfl 24.Wlc3 WlhS 2S.a4 l3g8 1l.b4 J.b7 12.cS bxcS 13.bxcS l1Jb8 26. f1 l1Jc7�Karpov - Istratescu, 14.l1Jd2 I1Jc6 lS.l':!b1 l3ab8 16.l1JbS Bucharest 200S.) 20 ...g4 21.hxg4 I1Jd4+ Nikolic - Ilincic, Yugosla­ hg4 22.l3dU via 1993, or 9.a3 c6 10.J.e2 I1JhS Black provoked interesting 11.Wlc2 I1Jf4= complications with 1l ...J.d7 12. Wlb3 \We8 13.i.c4 I1Jxe4?! Still af­ ter 14.l3xd7! I1Jxc3 lS.l3xf7 I1Jd3 16 . .b:d3 l':!xf7 17.bxc3 a4 18.Wlc4 h8 19.i.e4 c6 20.h4± the evalu­ ation of the position has become perfectly clear. White had a great advantage in the game Karpov - Golubev, Odessa 2008.

12.a3 I1Jc6 •13.te2 J.d7 14. "l'c2 gfdS 1S. 0-0 i.e6 16.i.bS l1Ja7 White's game is simple and

B2b1) 9 •••l1Jb4 natural. He succeeds gradually in

B2b2) 9 •••b6 squeezing his opponent.

B2b3) 9 •••Wlxd1 17.i.a4 i.c4 1S.gfe1 c6 19.

i.b3 J.e6 20• .ix:e6 "l'xe6 21.

B2b1) 9 ••• l1Jb4 �dS gxdS 22."I'a4± Radjabov This is the sharpest line for - Milov, Warsaw 200S. Black with queens present on the board. White's prospects look B2b2) 9 •••b6 !? somewhat preferable, since he Black's enemy number one is can cope with his lag in develop­ White'scS-pawn and he wishes to ment, preserving his pressure on get rid of it outright. the centre and on the queenside. 10.cxb6 10.Wla4aS 1Uld1Wle7 After 10.\Wa4 I1JxcS 1l.hcS In response to 1l ...\We8, White bxcS 12.l':!d1 \We7, Black's game is has the powerfulresource 12.i.bS! quite acceptable, Kukov - Spa­ c6 13.J.e2 I1JhS14 .a3 I1Ja6 1S.WlxaS SOY, Plovdiv 2008. His queenside I1Jf4(Black's compensation for the pawn-structure has been compro­ pawn is insufficient, but he can mised, but he has an extra pawn still create problems for White's and open files and diagonals for king.) 16.0-0 I1Jxe217. l1Jxe2fS 18. his rooks and bishops.

69 Chapter 6

Markus - Kotronias, Vrnjacka Banja 2006.

B3) 7 . .td3

10 ••Jbdl 11.lhdl axb6 12 .

.tc4 .tb7 13 • .td3 �fe8 14.a3

.tf8 IS • .tbS c6 16 • .te2 tLJc5= Karpov - Kasimdzhanov, Spain 2007. Black has realised his plan with precision and he has equal­ 7 •••eS ized. There are just a few games The following game shows that with the move 9 ...b6 and only is still sensible for Black to wait a further tournament practice will bit with determining the pawn­ show its defects if at all. structure in the centre: 7 ...�e8 8.lLlge2 (8.lLlf3!?) 8 ...e5 (Here, when White's king's knight can­

B2b3) 9 •..�xdl not go along the route f3-g5-e6, Black has a more straightfor­ the plan with e7-e5, followed by ward way to equality, connected f7-f5 is quite sensible.) 9.d5 lLlhS with a trade of queens and then 1O.�d2 fS 11.exf5 gxfS 12 . .tgS e4 knights. 13 . .tc2 lLlb4 14.g3 f4? Lutsko - 10.�xdl tLJb4 11.�d2 Golubev, Odessa 2008. 1l. .tc4? lLlc2+ 12.@e2 lLlxe3 8.dS tLJc5 13.fxe3 lLld7 14.b4 c6 15J%hfl .tf6 In case of 8 ...lLld7, White must 16.lLld2 .te7 17 . .td3 a5 18.a3 b6=F prevent f7-fS with 9.g4 (Black Crouch - Tkachiev, London 1994. should not be afraid of 9.a3 fS

1l ••• .te612.a 3 tLJa2 1O.b4 lLlf6 1l.lLlf3 cS 12J'!b1,draw, Black exploits the fact thathis Khenkin - Efimenko, Subotica opponent's e4-pawn needs pro­ 2008.) 9 ...lLld c5 1O . .tc2 fS 1l.a3 tection and he provokes a favour­ (White exploits the fact that able exchange. Black's knight on a6 is misplaced 13.tLJxa2 ha2 14 . .td3 �fd8 at the moment and he cannot play IS. 0-0 �xd3 16.�xd3 .tc4 17. a7-aS.) 1l ...fxe4 12.he4 �b8 (M­ lLlxeS hd3 18.tLJxd3 tLJxe4= ter 12 ...lLlxe4 13.lLlxe4 b6 14.b4,

70 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 g6 3. CiJc3 ig7 4.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6.i.e3

Black will have great problems to 1l ...f5 12.exf5 i.xf5, Bets - bring his knight into the actions, Fedoseev, Peterhof2007, 13.i.xf5 for example: 14 ...ib7 15.CiJe2 c6 gxf5 14.g4 (White establishes 16.dxc6 hc6 17.CiJ2c3 CiJc7 1S.0-0 control over the e4-square after d5 19.cxd5 hd5 20.CiJxd5 �xd5 this important resource.) 14 ... 2UkU) 13.b4 CiJxe4 14.CiJxe4 b5 fxg4 15.hxg4 CiJf4 16.he5 dxe5 (This looks smart, but it is still 17.tlJg3�. Black cannot threaten insufficient for equality.) 15.cxb5 seriously the enemy king, while Ei:xb5 16.CiJe2 CiJbS 17.CiJ2c3 Ei:b7 his bishop might be endangered lS.0-0 �h4 19.@g2 ih6 20.�d2� afterone of White's knights occu­ Miroshnichenko - Lutsko, Minsk pies the e4-square. Black should 2007. possibly play here 17 ...e4, giving 9.i.e2 a5 10.�d2 back a pawn deliberately, with 1O.g4 id7 11.CiJge2 CiJeS 12.�d2 the idea to place the bishop of d4. f5 13.gxf5 gxf5 14.exf5 �h4 15. White can however, deprive his b3 hf5 16.i.xf5 Ei:xf5 17.CiJg3 opponent of this resource starting Ei:f7 lS.0-0-0 @hSf± Potapov - with 17.CiJe4. Schepetkova, Vladimir20 0S. This is a precise move aimed C) 6 ...e5 !? at 1O ...c6, which now White can counter with 11.dxc6 bxc6 12. 0-0-0 and Black can hardly pro­ tect his d-pawn. The fight would be very interesting after 10.CiJge2 c6 1l.a3 cxd5 12.cxd5 i.d7 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 CiJa6 15.Ei:b1 CiJh5 16.�d2 Ei:cS 17.g3 Ei:c4 lS.tLld1 f5 19.id3 Ei:c8°o Gerusel - Becke­ meier, Germany 19S3. 10 ...CiJh5 11.CiJge2

Black plays analogously to the Averbakh system, which we will deal with in the second part of our book. The difference is that here White has a pawn on h3, instead of a bishop on e2, while Black's pawn is not on h6.

C1) 7.tlJf3 C2) 7.dxe5

71 Chapter 6

But not 7.eS, in view of 7 ...ltJeB served queens here with 14.'lWd2, B.dxc5 ,beS+ maintaining the typical for the In case of 7.dS, Black can sac­ Maroczy system slight edge. rifice a pawn: 7 ...bS (7... e6 !?) 8.ltJxd4 b6! 8.cxbS a6 9.bxa6 ltJbd7 10.'lWd2 This is the right move for 'lWaS. The following game shows Black with the idea of developing that the Benko Gambit is quite ap­ the bishop to the long diagonal, plicable here for Black (Whitehas emphasizing that the move h3 has played some not so useful moves been premature. In case he choses like h3 and i.e3.) 1Uk1 ,ba6 something else, then White ob­ 12.,ba6 'lWxa6 13.b3 ltJeS 14J:;:d1 tains an excellent version of the c4 lS.ltJge2 ltJd3 16.f1 ltJb4+Za­ Maroczy system for example: B ... blotsky - Kryakvin, Krasnoyarsk lLlc6 9.i.e2 lLlxd4 1O.,bd4 i.d7 2007. 11.0-0 i.c6 12.'lWd3 as 13J':'1ad1 lLld7 14.,bg7 xg7 lS.'lWd4 gB el) 7.ltJf3 16.f4 'IWb6 17.'lWxb6 lLlxb6 (The ex­ White plans to transfer the changes have facilitated Black's game to the Maroczy system of defence, but White maintains his the . space advantage and he is bet­ 7,..cxd4 ter in the endgame.) 1B.b3 fEfdB Black has also tried in prac­ 19.f2 lLld7 20.e3 lLlcS 21.g4t tice 7 ...'lWaS , but I do not think Lysyj - Kokarev, Novokuznetsk this is reasonable. For example: 200B. B.i.d3 (In case ofB.'lWd2 ltJc69.d S, 9.i.d3 Black's knight is deployed in the 9.g3 i.b7 1O.i.g2 lLlbd7 11.0-0 centre in a typical fashion - 9 ... fEbB 12.'lWc2 a6 13.b3 e6 14.fEad1 ltJd4!It is not good now for White 'lWe7 lS.i.c1 fEfcB 16.a4 lLlcSf± to play 1O.ltJxd4 cxd4 11.,bd4 Khairullin - Shomoev, Zvenigo­ ltJxe4! 12.ltJxe4 'lWxd2 13.ltJxd2 rod 200B. ,bd4,or 11.'lWxd4? ltJxe4! 12.'lWxe4 9,..i.b7 10.0-0 ltJbd7 11.f3 ,bc3, while after 1O.,bd4 cxd4 Black was threatening lLlcS, 1l.lLlbS 'lWxd2 12.lLlxd2 lLld7 13. with a double attack against d3 lLlb3 lLlcS 14.lLlxcS dxcS lS.i.d3 and e4. a6 16.lLla3 eS+ Meynard - Nataf, 1l,..1''k812.i.e2 ltJhS 13.'lWel, France 2006, Black ended up Skembris - Nikolaidis, Gly­ with an advantage.) B ...lLlfd7 (8. .. fada 1995, 13,..i.eS. White fails cxd4 9.lLlxd4 lLlc6 10.0-0 i.d7;!;) to protect all his dark-squared 9.0-0 lLlc6 1O.i.e2 cxd4 l1.lLlxd4 weaknesses and his move h2-h3 lLlxd4 12.,bd4 ,bd4 13.'lWxd4 has contributed to this, for exam­ 'lWb6, Karpov - Efimenko, Sochi ple 14.f4? ltJxf4 IS.fExf4 M4 200B. White should have pre- 16.M4 eS=F

72 l.d4 CBf6 2.c4 g6 3.l1Jc3 j,g7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.j.e3

C2) 7.dxeS

not so easy for him to get rid of the pawn-wedge on e5, for exam­

7 •••Va5 8.j,d3 ple: 1O .. .f6 11.CBf3CBc6 12.0-0 fxe5 Black organizes a very dan­ 13.fxe5 CBc7 14.CBd5 CBxd5 15.cxd5 gerous attack, which more than CBxe5 16.CBxe5 13xf1 17.Vxf1 .txe5 compensates his sacrificed ex­ 1B.d6, with a powerful initiative change after B.cxd6 CBxe4 9.dxe7 for White, Miroshnichenko - hc3 1O.bxc3 YNxc3 1l.j.d2 CBxd2 Grigore, Romania 2007.) l1.CBf3 12.exfBV 'iflxfB 13.YNc1 YNa5!+ .te612 .YNe213dB 13.0-0CBc 7. This

8 .••dxc5 knight is not well placed here and It deserves attention for Black the bishop on g7 is also out of ac­ to play the gambit move B .. J'1dB!? tions. 14.a3 CBd4 15.hd4 cxd4 In the game Cramling - Forster, 16.b4 Vb6 17.c5. White contin­ Horgen 1995, White decided not ues to build up a positional bind. to accept the sacrificeand this en­ (The hasty line: 17.CBa4 Vc6 1B.b5 abled Black to develop his forces YNeB 19 . .te4, enabled Black to ac­ comfortably: 9 . .td2 YNc7 1O.YNe2 complish the undermining pawn­ dxc51l .e5 CBfd7 12.f4 CBb6 13.CBf3 break 19 ...a6 and after 20.13ab1 CBc614. 0-0 .te6= axb5 21.cxb5 CBd5+ his pieces 9.e5 were so active that he seized the Black has here three possible initiative, Akopian - Khalifman, retreats of this knight and two of Linares 1995; it was also impre­ them are quite acceptable - CBfd7 cise for White to play 17.CBe4f6 .) and CBh5. 17 ...YNc6 1B.CBb5;!; (diagram)

C2a) 9 ... CBh5 C2a) 9 •.•CBh5 10.g4

C2b) 9 •..CBfd7 The first impression is that Black is losing his knight of h5. The passive line: 9 ...CBeB 1O.f 4 Still, he has a tactical trick justify­ CBc6 is not good for Black. (It is ing this play.

73 Chapter 6

10 ••.l� d8! Black has a combination at his Is it bad for him to opt for 10 ... disposal: 12 ...tDd4! (After 12... tDf8 heS?! 1l.gxhS hc3 12.bxc3 �xc3 13.0-0 tDe614.tDd S± White main­ 13.@e2 �d8 14.�c1 �f6 1S.�b3.id7 tains some positional pressure.) 16 . .ie4 tDc6 17.tDf3 tDd4 18.hd4 13.tDxd4(Just like always, it is too cxd4 19.@fU - White has parried risky for White to leave his op­ his opponent's attack, maintain­ ponent's knight on d4 - 13.�f1?! ing his material advantage. tDb614 .0-0-0 .ifS 1S.hiS tDxfS 1l.tDf3 16.l"ixd8+ �xd8 17 . .if2 �b4 18.g4 After 1l.gxhS .ifS, Black re­ and Black was soon victorious af­ gains his piece thanks to the pin. ter a series of simple, but beauti­

1l •••tDc 6 12.0-0! tDxe5 13. ful tactical strikes: tDxc4 19.�e2 tDxe5 tDxb2 20.�xb2 �xf4+ 21.tDd2 GM Fressinet recommended �xf2 22.gxfS heS; White re­ here 13.tDdS!?, but then the line: signed, Burkhalter - Boger, corr. 13 ...tDxd3 14.1Wxd3 tDf6 1S . .id2 1994.) 13 ...tDxeS 14.fxeS cxd4 �xdS! 16.cxdS �d8oo would lead 1S . .id2 dxc3. In the game, Miro­ to a position with a mutual chanc­ shnichenko - Markos, Plovdiv es. 2008, the adversaries agreed to

13 ••• ,ixe5 14.tDd5 tDg7 a draw at this moment, but after Black's knight is headed for 16.hc3 �b6+ Black's prospects the d4-square along this some­ would have been somewhat bet­ what unusual route. The more ter. routine retreat 14 ...tDf6, would enable White to obtain an advan­ tage: 1S.tDxe7@h 8!? (but not 1S ... @g7 16.1We2 �c7 17.f4!t Fressinet - Golod, Biel 2006) 16 . .igS (16. 1We2 �c7 17.tDxc8 �axc8=) 16 ... .ie6 17.�f3 tDg8 18.tDxg8 �xg8 19.�ae1 .ig720. b3 �ae8 21.�e2± 15.tDxe7 @h8 16.�b3 tDe6

17• .ie4tDd 4 18.,ixd4 ,ixd4oo Black can look to the future optimistically, because of his cen­ tralized bishop and White's com­ 1l ..•tDc6 promised king's fortress. Here, Black can try to solve his problems in a tactical fashion:

C2b) 9 ••• tDfd7 10.f4 gd8 11...tDxeS!? 12.tDxeS heS 13.fxeS 1l.tDf3 .ifS 14.0-0 (After 14.�f3 hd3 In case of 1l.�e2 tDc6 12.tDf3, 1S.�xb7 hc4 16.�xa8? .idS-+

74 l.d4 I1Jf6 2.c4 g6 3.11Jc3 i.g74.e4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.i.e3

White's queen is trapped.) 14 ... roshnichenko - Markos, Plovdiv .ixd3 (White wishes to deploy 200B. his knight on the d5-outpost in 12 ••• l1Jb4 the next few moves, therefore it Black begin his fight for the deserves attention for Black to d5-square. try the exchange-sacrifice: 14 ... 13.�d5 �b6 14.�xe7 l'!xd3 15.�e2 l'!xc3 16.bxc3 .te6. The pin along the d-file is Still after 17.l'!ab1 �c7 1B.l'!f4 I1Jd7 doubtlessly very dangerous, but 19.�f3 l'!bB 20.l'!h4± he fails to White has an attractive tactical equalize completely, Romero Hol­ trick up his sleeve. mes - Guseinov, Calvia 2004.) 14 ...�f8 15.�xc8 l'!xd3 16. 15.e6 (This is a useful intermedi­ .td2 ate move, thanks to which White This is the essence of White's compromises the position of the idea, since now he can counter enemy king.) 15 ...f5 (It is too risky 16 ...l'!xcB with 17. .ixb4, regaining for Black to capture the pawn, be­ his piece. cause there would be too many open files in the vicinity of his king on gB.) 16.l1Jd5 l'!xd5 17.cxd5 .hfl 18.�xf1 l1Ja6 19.94 (Natu­ rally, Whitehas some other active possibilities, because the situa­ tion of the enemy king seems per­ ilous. It is not easy to checkmate it however.) 19 ...l1Jc 7 20.l'!d1�xa2 21..ixc5oo. The first impression is that Black should be able to hold this position.

12.0-0 16 •••l'!x d2! 17.�xd2 gxc8+ The line: 12.�e2 I1Jd4! trans­ Black has a slight material ad­ poses to what he have just ana­ vantage and it is even more im­ lyzed (in our notes to White's portant that Whitehas no objects move eleven.) as in the game Mi- to attack.

75 Chapter 7 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 J.g7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 0 -0 6.J.g5

that the plan with 7.�ge2 (with the idea g4 and ltlg3) is too slow, since Black manages to create a powerful queenside counterplay: 7 ...eS 8.dS c6 9.g4 cxdS 1O.cxdS id7 1l.ltlg3 %Vb6 12.%Vd2 ltlcS 13 . .te2as 14 . .ie3:!3fc8 1S.:!3c1a4 16.f3 %VaS17. g;,f2 bS (It is evident that Black is much ahead of his oppo­ nent, without too much of an ef­ fort. His initiative is developing There were times when this effortlessly.) 18.g;,g2 b4 19.ltld1a3 line was considered to be prob­ 20.b3 ltlxb3! (White's rooks are lematic for Black. Contrary to not coordinated and therefore, the Saemisch Attack, White pre­ this combination on the theme of serves the possibility to develop a pawn-break becomes possible.) his knight to the f3-square. The 21.axb3 :!'!xc1 22.%Vxc1 a2 23.1Wa1 only drawback of this setup, is ltlxdS (Thisis the point.) 24.exdS that the e4-pawn is not protected e4 2S.ltlb2, Gyimesi - J.Ivanov, sufficiently. Andorra 2001 and here the quick­ est way for Black to victorywound A) 6 ...�a6 be 2S ...1WxdS 26.ltlxe4 1Wxb3 27. B) 6 ...�bd7 ic1 %Vc2 28.ltld2 ic3-+ - and

C) 6 •••c5 White is completely stalemated and even his two extra pieces are

A) 6 ••• �a6 not enough to save the day.

Al)7 • .id3 Al) 7 • .id3 eS S.dS A2) 7.�f3

Ala) S••• 1WeS

The following game shows Alb) S •••c6

76 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.CiJc3 j,g74.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6.j,gS

Ala) 8 •••1Ye8 CiJxb6 19.CiJxb6 axb6 20.1Yxb6 l3a6 21.Yfb2 CiJe8� Sergienko - Efi­ menko, St. Petersburg 2004) 14 ... �e7 1S.CiJd1 CiJab8 16.CiJf2 l3f7 and in the next game White was too greedy to win the exchange and he ended up in a very unpleas­ ant position: 17.cS dxc5 18.d6 cxd6 19.j,c4 CiJb6 20.hf7+ @xf7 21.Yfc2 j,e6+ Janssen - Reinder­ man, Hilversum 2008.

9 •••c6 Black can hardly avoid this The plan with f7-fS is not effec­ move. tive in this pawn-structure. Black Naturally, he can organize the should seek his chances on the undermining move b7-bS, leav­ queenside, opening the c-fileafter ing the c-pawn on its square, but c7 -c6, but in this case, his queen after 9 ...j,d7 1O.CiJge2 CiJcS 1l.j,c2 is placed better on the d8-square. as 12.1e3 bS 13.cxbS hbS 14.0-0 It can go fromthere to as, or b6. l3b8 1S.l3b1 j,a6 16.a3 Yfe7 17.b4 Meanwhile, the move in the axb4 18.axb4 CiJcd7 19.j,d3;!; the text has its advantages as well: backward c7-pawn will be a long Black has freed his knight on f6 term weakness in Black's posi­ and also his queen on e8 can sup­ tion, Ungureanu - Balla, Roma­ port the pawn-advance b7-bS. nia 2007. 9.g4 lO.CiJge2 cxd5 This is a prophylactic move This move is considered the against CiJhS-f4 and f7-fS. best for Black. He wishes to see White plays here quite often what pawn White will recapture 9.CiJge2 - he develops his knight with and only after that, he will taking control once again over decide what to do with his queen's the f4-square. Then Black should knight. After the symmetrical play flexibly maneuvering his capture (ll.cxdS) the knight will king's knight back, instead of for­ go to cS and Black will continue ward: 9 ...CiJd 7 1O.a3 fS 1l.b4 (1l.f3 with his pawn-offensive a7-aS-a4 CiJac5 12.1c2 fxe4 13.fxe4 as 14.b4 and b7-bS. If Whiteplay's 1l.exdS, axb4 1S.axb4 l3xa1 16.�xa1 CiJa6� then Black will leave his knight Kazhgaleyev - Sande, Lisbon on a6 and he will be threatening 2000.) 1l .. .f4 12.f3 j.f6 13.hf6 CiJ b4 followed by the exchange of l3xf6 14.�a4 (14.�3 @h8 1S.@d2 the important white light-squared cS 16.bS CiJc7 17.CiJa4 �d8 18.b6 bishop.

77 Chapter 7

In the next game Black tried to lS.VlJf3 VlJdS 16.lLlge2 .!d7 put this evaluation to the test by 17.lLla2 playing it first lO ...lLlcS and only White's actions are not im­ after 1l . .tc2 - 1l ...cxdS 12.exdS pressive at all. Small wonder that e4!? This is a very interesting idea, Black position is excellent. since both White's flanks have 17 •••gcS 1S.lLlec3 h6 19 • .!h4 been compromised and it will be gS 20• .lg3 lLlb3 21 • .b:b3 axb3 very dangerous for him to try to 22.�b4 hS+t Beliavsky - Kozul, win his enemy's e4-pawn, while Portoroz 1997. his king remains in the centre.

Still, White succeeded in obtain­ Alb) S ••.c6 ing the advantage: 13.lLlbS VlJe7 14.VlJd2 .!d7 1S.lLlbc3 gfe8 16.�fl a6 17.a4 gac8 18.lLlg3VlJd8 19.�g2 VlJb620.a S VlJb4±Romanov - Kha­ lifman, Moscow 2008, but in case of 20.•. VlJc 7!? the situation would have remained double-edged.

1l.cxdS lLlcS 12 • .lc2as 13.a3 a4 14.lLlg3

This looks like a more logical move. Black can always play VlJe8 after all! 9.�ge2 cxdS 10.cxdS 1O.lLlxdS lLlcS 11.0-0 lLle6 12. lLlxf6+ .!xf6 13 . .!e3 .!gS 14.VlJd2 be3 1S.VlJxe3 .td7 16.gad1 .!c6 17 . .tc2 VlJe7 18.gd2 as 19.9fd1 gfd8 20.lLlc3 lLld4 21. .!a4 VlJe6,

14 •••bS draw, Stocek - Smirin, Goteborg This is why Black needed his 200S. queen on the e8-square. Still, 1O.exdS h6 1l ..!e3 lLld 7 12.0-0 this is not quite exact, since the fS 13.f4 e4 14. .!b1 lLlb6 1S.b3 lLlcS pawn-move would have been pos­ 16 . .tc2 .!d7 17.'!d4 as 18.bg7 sible with the queen on d8 as well. �xg7 19.VlJd4+ VlJf6+tKazhgaleyev White can hardly afford to open - , Hyderabad the b-file and the diagonal a6-fl 200S. with his knight still on e1. 10 ...�c S ll.J.c2 as 12.0-0

78 1.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 g6 3. CiJc3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6.i.gS

About 12.a3 a4 13.0-0 i.d7 - i.e8, draw, Kasparov - Kramnik, see 12.0-0. Las Palmas 1996.

12 •.•i.d7 13.a3 a4

A2) 7.tLlfJ

In this position, White has tried in practice numerous moves, but he has failed to create any se­ 7 ••.e5 S.d5 rious problems for his opponent: The transfer into an endgame 14.CiJcl?! h6 15.i.e3 �a5 16J'1bl with 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.�xd8 l=!xd8 - l=!fc8°o Yermolinsky - Manion, see Chapter 8, line A2b.

Chicago 1995; S .••WeS 9.g4 14.g4 �b6 15.i.e3 l=Uc8 16.Wg2 This move is played to counter �a6? Bates - Hebden, Swansea Black's plan with CiJh5 and f7-f5, 1995; prepared with the move 8 ...1We 8. 14.whl �b6 15.l=!bl wh8 16.g4 In case of 9.i.e2, Black real­ CiJg8 17.CiJg3 1Wa6= Dreev - Fedo­ izes his idea 9 ...CiJh5 1O.g3 f6 (It is rov, Maikop 1998; reasonable to repel the bishop to 14J'1bl �e7 15.f3 l=!fc8 16.g4 less active square, although Black i.e8 17JU2 b5 18.CiJa2�b7 19.CiJb4 can also trythe immediate 1O .. .f5, h6 20.i.d2 CiJfd7 21.CiJc3 CiJb6 22. for example: 1l.exf5 gxf5 12.CiJh4 CiJca2 CiJc4 and in the game Baciu CiJf6 13.�c2 CiJc5 14.0-0-0 CiJce4 - Fedorov, Bucharest 2008, Black 15.CiJxe4 CiJxe4 16.i.e3 c6? Ivani­ seized the initiative; sevic - Hausrath, Biel 2008.) 14.�d2 �b6 15.l=!abl l=!fc8 16. 1l.g4 (White had better retreat CiJg3 (16.whl i.e8 17.i.h6 CiJfd7 with his bishop to d2. Black is 18.CiJg3 �d8 19.hg7 Wxg7 20. much better prepared for the con­ CiJdl�h4 21.CiJe3 wg8 22.CiJg4 h5 flict on the kingside and in addi­ 23.�h6 �e7 24.CiJe3 �f8= Mitite­ tion, he will have the two-bishop lu - Planinec, Bath 1973) 16 ...�d8 advantage.) 1l ...fxg5 12.gxh5 gxh5 17.i.h6hh6 18.�xh6�f8 19.�e3 13.CiJxg5 �e7 14.l=!gl �f6 15.l=!g2

79 Chapter 7 mhB 16.hhS .ih6 17.h4 ltJcS lB. - Black has always the counter b4 �f4 19.1tJe2�xh4 20.ltJf7 1'M7 strike f7-fSup his sleeve. 21 . .ixf7 .ih3+ Gyimesi - Shirov, In case Black plays only on the Moscow 2001. queenside, his might come under It also interesting for Whiteto a positional bind: 1O ...ltJd cS 1l.a3 opt for 9.ltJd2,keeping the pawn­ .id7 12.b4 ltJa4 13.ltJbS (Naturally structure on the side flexiblewith White should avoid exchanges.) the idea to counter 9 ...ltJhS with 13... ltJb6 14.�d3 mhB lS. .ie2 f6 the move 1O . .ie2. Therefore, it 16 . .id2 fS (This undermining is sensible for Black to send his move is a bit too slow, since White knight via another route: 9 ...h6 manages to find a safe square for 1O . .ie3 ltJh7 11.g4 c6 (This is a typ­ his king on c1.) 17.gxfS gxfS lB. ical situation. Wheneverit is not 0-0-0 �e7 19.1tJgSfxe4 20.ltJxe4 advantageous to open files on the .ifS 21.ltJbc3± Krasenkow - Smi­ kingside - look for your chances rin, Belgrade 1999. to the queenside!) 12J'ig1 .id7 13.h4 cxdS 14.cxdS bS lS.ltJb3 b4 16.ltJb1.ibS 17.ltJ1d2 gcB 1B . .ixa7 .ixf1 19.ltJxf1 �e7 20. .ie3 �xh4? Schuurman - Krush, 200B 9 ...�d7 Black's knight cannot go to hS and it is not advisable for him to play 9 ...h6 10 . .ie3 ltJh7? 11.�d2. There is another route for the knighthowever. 10.ggl 11.�d2 White's kinghas been strand­ It is harmless for Black if ed in the centre, so he would like White plays 1l . .ie2 f6 12 . .ie3 fS to avoid thepremature opening of (Black's pawn has come to fS in the game. The complications after two moves, having repelled the 1O.ltJd2fS ll.gxfS gxfS12 .gg1 mhB enemy bishop to e3 in the proc­ 13.exfS ltJdcS, lead to a double­ ess.) 13.gxfS gxfS 14.exfS ltJdcS edged position: 14.f6 .ixf6 lS . .ih6 lS.ltJh4 .ixfS 16.ltJxfS gxfS 17.�d2 ggB 16.gxgB �xgB 17.�hS .id7 �fB 1B.0-0-0 gf6 ! 19.9g4 .ih6 1B.0-0-0 .ieB19.� fS .ig7 20 . .ie3 (Black brings his king to safety, .ig6 21.�g4 �f7? San Segundo ­ exchanging the dark-squared Shirov, Madrid 1994. bishops.) 20.gdg1 .ixe3 21.�xe3

lO •.•mh8 �h6 22.md1 gafB? J.Ivanov - This is a useful prophylactic Akopian, Ubeda 2001.

BO l.d4 0,f6 2.c4 g6 3.0,c3 �g7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.�g5

In case of 1l.0,d2, Black suc­ knights, then Black's game is sim­ ceeds in inflicting a powerful ple and comfortable: 13.�e3 13 ... strike against the enemy centre, 0,xc3 14.'lMfxc3 0,c5 IS.hc5 dxcS employing both his knights in 16.0-0-0 'lMfe7 17.wbl a6 18.'lMfe3 the process: 1l ...fS 12.gxfS gxfS h6, with a double-edged position, 13.a3 0,f6 14.'lMfc2 0,cS 1S.�e3 Weber - Bruckel, corr. 2002. 0,fxe4 16.0,dxe4 fxe4 17.0-0-0 In case of the quite sensible 0,d3+ 18.hd3 exd3 19.'lWxd3 �fS move 12.0-0-0, Black builds up 20.'lMfd2 'lMfhS+± Trapl - van Oost­ his game according to a standard erom, corr. 1998. scheme: 12 ...�d7 13.Wbl f6 14.�e3 It is also very reasonable l'!g8 15.0,el fS 16.gxf5 gxfS 17.f3 for White to play 1l.a3 with the 'lMfe7 18.0,c2f4 19.�f2 �f6oo Joen­ idea to follow with b4, depriving gensen - Kurylo, corr. 2002. his opponent of the cS-square, 12.•• 0,a 4 13.0,b5 since he can use it for both of his After 13.�d3 0,xc3 14.'lMfxc3, knights. Therefore, Black must White maintains a slight edge, play very energetically in order to thanks to his space advantage. avoid coming under a positional Still, the exchange of a couple of bind: 1l .. .fS 12.gxfS gxfS 13.b4 knights, facilitates Black's defence 0,f6 14.�d3 0,xe4 IS.0,xe4 fxe4 and he should manage gradually 16.he4 �fS 17.0,d2 'lMfg6 18.l'!g4, to solve his problems, for exam­ Krasenkow- Andonovski, Panor­ ple: 14 ...c6 IS.'lMfa3 h6 16.�e3 cS mo 2001, 18 ...�h 6! 19.i.xfS 'lMfxfS 17.�d2 'lMfe7 18.0,g2 0,c7 19.b4 20.�h4 (20.hh6? 'lMfxf2 #) 20... 0,a6 20.b5 0,b821 .'lMfc1Wh7 22.a4 hd2 21.'lMfxd2 l'!g8= f5 Dziuba - Skalski, Lubniewice 1l ...0,dc5 12.0,h4 2002.

In reply to 12.�e2, Black can 13 •.. 0,4c5 try to exchange advantageous­ In the game Ostenstad - Maki, ly the knights (In fact, he has Haifa 1989, White was evidently an "extra" knight, since both of not reluctant to draw and he opt­ them are aiming at one and the ed for 14.0,c3 (White could have same square - cS.) - 12 ...0,a 4 still tried to obtain some advan­ and Whitehas problems avoiding tage with the move 14.f3.) In his this exchange, because Black can stead, Black could have tried to counter 13.0,bS with 13 ...0,4 cS ! play for a winwith the line: 14 ..• and if 14.'lMfc2, then 14 ...�d7. In �d7 15J�bl 0,a4 16. 0,xa4ha 4 some games, the adversaries 17.£1;!; chose this variation as a short and White's prospects are still su­ reliable way of drawing the game perior, because of his space ad­ (after 14.0,c3 0,a4 IS.0,bS 0,4cS vantage and a very powerful cen­ etc.). If White allows the trade of tre.

81 Chapter 7

B) 6 •••�bd7 bishop is away. (Meanwhile, Black can play immediately 8 ...bS, since it will not work for White to con­ tinue with 9.ttJxbS? ttJxe4.) 9.ttJf3 bS 10.cxbS �aS 1l.bxa6 J.xa6 12. J.xa6 �xa6 13.YNe2 �tb8 14.�bl ttJb6gg Hautaniemi - Kiltti, Fin­ land 1995. After7.J.d3 , Black can tryboth cS and eS.

Bl) 7 •.•e5

B2) 7 •••c5 This is a very flexible move, because later Black can use both BI) 7 •••e5 S.d5 c6 9.�ge2 the standard plan with eS, but in �c5 10 .J.c2 a5 some cases, he can also play cS. Black can reduce thetension in Meanwhile, White is dominant in the centre outright if he so wish­ the centre and he can tryto obtain es: 10 ...cxdS 1l.exdS as 12.0-0 some advantage. J.d7 13J�bl �eB 14.ttJg3 hS IS.J.e3

7 • .id3 b6 16.f4 h4 17.ttJge2 exf4 IB . .!xf4 I believe White's strongest ttJfe4 19.YNel J.f5= Kazhgaleyev - move here is 7.�f3! and after 7 ... Ju.Polgar, Spain 2007. eS (the best) B.dS, there arises 11. 0-0 a position, with we analyze in Following 1l.�d2, Black can­ variation B in the next chapter not play h6, but he should not (after the move order 6.ttJf3 eS worry about that. He should use 7.dS ttJbd7 B.J.gS). There, White the same plan for counterplay on obtains some advantaqge after thequeenside as in the main line. all. ll ...cxdS 12.exdS (12.cxdS a4 After 7. YNd2 cS B.dS a6, Black 13.0-0 J.d7 14.ttJg3 �b6 IS,l'!abl enters favourably a position from �fcB 16.a3 ttJb3 17.J.xb3 �xb3= the Benko gambit. This is because Cousigne - Relange, France 2003) White's set-upwith J.gS, �d2 and 12 ...J.d7 13.0-0 �b6 14.lt>hl (14. h3 is good against the plan with ttJg3�fc8 IS.J.e3�a6 16.�e2 ttJeB e7-eS, while he is practically not 17.f4 fS 18.ttJbS ttJc7 19.a4 ttJxbS well prepared to counter Black's 20.axbS �b6=i= Bareev - Gelfand, queenside counterplay. White Linares 1994) 14 ...ttJhS IS.J.e3 has lost a tempo for the move h3 �a6 16.b3 fS 17.f3 �ac8 IB.a4 b6+± and his importantdef ender of the Bazhin - Fedorov, Kstovo 1994. queenside - the dark- squared 11 ••• h6 12.J.e3 cxd5

82 l.d4 t'iJf6 2.c4 g6 3.t'iJc3 iLg74.e 4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.iLg5

White cuts off Black's queen away from the kingside and he freesthe d5 square for his knight making the position even sharper. Still, Black has enough resources to maintain the dynamic balance.

21 •••'i'd8 22.gbdl Ad7 23. gf3 �b3 24.'i'f2 ga6 25.J.xb3 axb3 26.Ac5 Ae600 Dziuba - Areshchenko, Dresden 2007.

13.exd5

White has another sensible B2) 7 •••e5 plan with the move 13.exd5, be­ cause then both his bishops exert a powerful pressure against Black's kingside, for example: 13 ...iLd7 14.�d2 rJih7 15.f4 �c8 16.t'iJg3 a4 17J�ac1 ga6 18.rJih2 exf4 19.hf4 t'iJe8 20.t'iJh5! (This is when the bishop on c2 turns out to be ex­ cellently placed!) 20... iLe5 21.gce1 and White had a powerful posi­ tional bind in the game Avrukh - Soln, Szeged 1994. Still, Black's play can be improved: 15 ...exf 4!? 8.d5 16.t'iJxf4 ge8, or 16.hf4 �b6 with After8.d xc5 t'iJxc59. iLc2, Urtel a double-edged position. - Kunze, Heimbach Weis 1997,

13 •••iLd7 14.a3 a4 15.rJihl 9 ...�b 6! 1O.gb1 �b4, Black wins a ge8 16.�d2 rJih7 17.f4 pawn without any sufficient com­ This move is usually good in pensation for White. case Black cannot place his knight 8 ••• �e5 9.�f3 immediately on the e5-outpost, As a rule, the exchanges are after the exchange on f4 . Here advantageous for the side, which Black's light-squared bishop occu­ has less space. In addition, White pies the important d7-square for should not present his opponent his maneuvers and also after 17 ... with the two-bishop advantage exf4 18J�xf4, White exerts power­ deliberately. Therefore, he plays ful pressure along the f-file. much more often here 9.iLe2.

17 •••�b6 18.tt�g3 gee8 19. Common sense of course is quite gabl .Ae8 20.fxe5 dxe5 21.d6 applicable here, but tournament

83 Chapter 7 practice has shown that even af­ Black has not played that move ter the simple move 9.tllf3 Black's in practice yet. task is still complex. White can In answer to 1l ... e6, it good for simply complete his development White to try both 12.dxe6 he6 and get rid later of Black's power­ 13.0-0 �c7 14.�fd1 �ad8 lS.aS;t, ful centralized knight. as well as 12.0-0 h6 13.j,e3 eS In reply to 9 . .te2, Black should 14.aS tllhS lS.�d2 @h7 16.g4 tllf6 better play in a Benko gambit 17.tlleU tllxe4?! (The attempt to style: 9 ...bS 10.cxbS a6 1l.a4 provoke crisis brings Black only (After the straightforward line: additional problems.) 18.tllxe4 fS 1l.bxa6 �aS 12.j,d2 ha6, Black 19.tllc3 f4 20.hcS dxcS 21.tlle4± can quickly seize the initiative Avrukh - Krakops, Groningen 13.�c2 �fb8 14.�b1 tllfd7 lS.f4 1995. tllc4 16.hc4 hc4 17.b3 hc3 18. It looks like Black can also play hc3 �xa2+ Pinter - Tkachiev, sharper 1l ...tll hS 12.0-0 h6 13.j,d2 Porec 1998.) 1l... �aS 12 . .td2 axbS (White cannot change much with 13.tllxbS �6 14.�c2 c4 lSJ3a3 his other possible retreat: 13 . .te3 .ta6 16 . .te3 (16.tllf3 tllxf3 17.gxf3 fS 14.exfS .txf5 lS.\Mfe2. White's �fc8 18.0-0 hbS 19.axbS �xa3 queen should protect the knight 20.bxa3 �xbS=) 16 ...�b7 17.tllf3 on f3 and it is not good for him to tllxf3 18 . .txf3, Sandstrom - Ste­ choose lS.�d2? hh3 - lS ....td7 fansson, Copenhagen 1991, 18 ... 16.�fe1 tllf4 17.hf4 �4 18.\Mfxe7 hbS 19.axbS �xbS 20.0-0 tlld7= hh3 19.9xh3 �= Beliavsky ­

9 . . . �xd3 Smirin, Belgrade 1998.) 13 ...e6 (It It also interesting for Black to is premature for Black to play 13 ... opt for 9 ...tll fd7!?, preserving for fS,in view of 14.exfS hfS lS.�e2 the time being his outpost on eS. j,d7 16.tllh4 �e8 17.�e4 @h7 18. 1 0 .�xd3 a6 11.a4 g4 tllf6 19.�c2 tllg8 20.tlle4;t - White's prospects are superior, thanks to his excellent control over the e4-outpost.) 14.dxe6 he6 lS.tlldS (1S.�ab1 tllf6 16.j,f4 �e8 17.hd6 �6�) lS .. J3e8 16. l!ad1 hdS17.exdS �d7 18.b3 bS= Mikhalevski - Smirin, Rishon Le Zion 1998.

12 • .tf4 In case of 12.0-0, Black would also follow with 12 .. .fS!

12••• f5 13.0-0 Wb6 14.gtb1 fxe4 15.�xe4 �b4 16.gc1

84 l.d4 ltJf6 2.c4 g6 3JiJc3 i.g74.e 4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.i.g5

Black is quite OK after 16.aS 9 •••lWaS 10 . .td2 bS 17.ltJgS ltJeS. The bishop is necessary forthe

16 •• :i'xb2 17:�'e6 �f7 18. protection of the flank, therefore, �ab1 f«a319.1W e3 bS!f± in this line the move i.gS turned out to be just a lost of time.

C) 6 .••cS 7.dS 10 •••�b4 Human players understood mostly because of the computers that queens sometimes would go back home only after having en­ tered the inferno ... 1l.i.d3 c4 Black could have postponed this move for a while, for example: 1l ...ltJfd7 12.ltJf3 c4 13.i.e2 �xb2 14.l".1b1 �a3 1S.�c2 axbS 16.axbS ltJb6 17.0-0 ltJBd7 1B.ltJd1 �a2 19.1".1c1 ltJcS+ Katalymov - Foygel, Black is on crossroads, wheth­ Krasnoyarsk 19BO. er to continue in a Benko gambit 12.ltJa2 style, (C1) or to follow the scheme Black has plenty of problems of the Benoni system (C2). to solve in cause of 12.i.c2!? He should better take care of his

C1) 7 •••bS safety immediately with 12 ...axbS C2) 7 ...e6 13.ltJxbS �cS and after 14.tLlf3 i.a6 1S.ltJc3 ltJbd7 16.0-0 l".1fbB, he

C1) 7 •••bS !? 8.cxbS a6 9.a4 has a standard Benko gambit type Black reaches a favourable of position.There might follow set-up of the Benko Gambit in 17.l".1b1�c7 IB.l".1el ltJcS19.e S ltJfd7 case of 9.bxa6 �aS, for example: 20.e6 fxe6 21.ltJgS, J.Eriksson - 1O.lWd2 (1O.i.d2lWb4 11.�c2 ha6 Reid, Goteborg 200S and here 12.i.xa6 ltJxa6 13.a3 �c4 14J'l:b1 Black could have played 21...eS, ltJb4! 1S.axb4 cxb4 16.ltJge2 bxc3 without being afraid of 22.tLlxh7 17.ltJxc3 l".1fcB� Rashkovsky- Gel­ xh7 23.�hS+ gB 24.�xg6 ler, Sochi 1977) 1O ...ltJbd7 11.ltJf3 (Black is better after 24.hg6 ha6 12.ha6 �xa6 13.i.h6 i.xh6 ltJf6.) 24 ...ltJfB 25.�g4 e6, with a 14.�xh6 l".1fbB 1S.l".1b1 ltJb6 16.b3 double-edged position ltJbd7 17.�e3 l".1b4 1B.l".1b2 l".1abB 12 .•.'%bb2 19.1".1e2 c4 20.0-0 cxb3 21.axb3 Black must capture this pawn, �b6 22.�xb6 l".1Bxb6, draw, Suba since the tentative move 12 ... - Schmidt, Polanica Zdroj 1976. �cS is insufficient for equality:

BS Chapter 7

13.i.e3 YNc7 14.b6 YNb7 15.i.xc4 the demarcationline, but they are lLlxe4 16.lLle2 (16.i.d4 e5! 17.i.e3 all reliably blocked for the time as 18.b4oo, or 18.lLlc3oo) 16... a5 being. Black plans to push e7- 17.0-0 lLlc5 18.lLlec3 (It is also e5, after which the bishop on b7 good for Whiteto opt for 18.lDac3 would become very active and he �xb6 19.i.b5;!;) 18 ...�xb6 19J3el;!; will be dominant in the centre.

13 • .tc3Va3 14 • .tc2 Meanwhile, he will have great After14.i xc4 lDxe4,the knight problems advancing his pawns. and the bishop come to the rescue In general, there exists a typical of the queen: 15.i.xg7 @xg7 16.lDe2 dynamic balance on theboard. (It is even worse for Whiteto play 19. 0-0 1b:a1 20.Vxa1 ga8 16.YNd4 lDf6 17.lDe2 YNxa4+) 16 ... 21.f!Yb2Va5 22.�a4 YNc5 17.YNd4 YNxd4 18.lDxd4 lDd7 White prevents the penetra­ 19.bxa6 lDb620 .i.b3ixa6=l= tion of theenemy to the a3-square,

14 •••axb5 15.�e2 which would have enabled Black White can force here a draw to activatehis forces a bit. by repetition: 15.i.b4 YNb2 16.i.c3 22 •••e6 23.dxe6 fxe600 YNa3= Disconzi da Silva - Sorin,

Buenos Aires 2005. C2) 7 •••e6 The position would have re­ mained unclear otherwise.

15 •••Vc5 16 •.td4 Vc7 17.axb5 i.b7 18.�ac3 �bd7

8 • .td3 After 8.lDf3 exd5 9.cxd5, there arises the Benoni system with the move i.g5. This variation is con­ White has a slight space ad­ sidered to be harmless for Black, vantage, but all his pieces, with for example: 9 ...h6 1O.i.e3 ge8 the exception of the bishop of d4, 1l.i.d3 (It is smarter for White to are deployed on very passive de­ play 1l.lDd2, not overburdening fensive positions. Both sides have the bishop with the protection of passed pawns, which have crossed the e4-pawn, but then Black will

86 l.d4 l'iJf6 2.c4 g6 3.l'iJc3 ig7 4.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6.igS have an extra tempo for his coun­ IB.fxg6 fxg6 19.1'iJge2 gS (Black terplay: 11...a6 12.a4 l'iJbd7 13 . .ie2 set-up looks rather risky, but his Ei:bB 14.aS, Aleksandrov - Logi­ two bishops are covering reliably nov, Minsk 200B, 14 ...bS !? IS. his king and his pawns on cS, gS axb6 'lWxb6 16.l'iJc4 'lWc7 17.if4 ifB and h4 restrict White's knights IB.'lWc2 E1b4f±) 11... a6 12.a4 l'iJbd7 considerably.) 20.E1f2 a6 21.Ei:afl (Black should strive for b7-bS and Ei:a7 22.l'iJbl g4 23.hxg4 hg4 24. here half-measures are useless: l'iJd2 hb2 2S.l'iJc3 Ei:g7 26.l'iJc4 12 ...b6 13.0-0 E1a7 14.'lWd2 �h7 hc3 27.'lWxc3 .ihSf±Ponomariov IS.Ei:fel l'iJbd7 16.Ei:abl c4 17. .ic2 - Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2007. l'iJcS IB.aS Ei:b7 19 . .id4;!;Avrukh - lO.a4 B.Socko, Szeged 1994.) 13.0-0 gS It is dangerous for White to 14 . .ic2 E1bB lS.aS bS l6.axb6 Ei:xb6 give his opponent a free hand on 17.l'iJd2 l'iJeS IB.b3 Ei:b4= Sakaev - the queenside: 1O.l'iJf3 bS 11.0-0 Andreikin, Dresden 2007. c4 12.ic2 E1eB 13.a3 as 14.l'iJd4 8 ...exd5 'lWb61S.ie3 'IWb7 16.if4(16.a4!?b4 17.l'iJcbS hbS lB.ctJxbS E1a6oo)16 ... C2a) 9.cxd5 l'iJa6 17.'lWf3 (17.hd6 b4) 17... b4 C2b) 9.exd5 IB.axb4 axb4 19.ctJce2 b3 20.ibl l'iJcS21.E1 xaB 'lWxaB+Sakaev - Mu­ C2a) 9.cxd5 eller, Germany 2007. There arises now an asymmet­ lO ... lt:la6 rical pawn-structure and as a rule, Black's knight is headed for a it implies more aggression. wonderful square - b4.

9 ••..id7! ? 1l.lt:lf3 lt:lb4 It is quite understandable where Black must seek his chanc­ es. The point is how to do this in the right fashion. The move in the text seems to be too direct, but its reliability has been proved time and again. has treated this position in another fashion and he is considered to be a su­ per-expert of the Benoni system:

9 .•.Ei:eB 1O.l'iJge2 l'iJbd7 11.0-0 h6 12.ie3 l'iJeS 13.a4 (in case of 12.ibl 13 . .ic2, Black can play 13 ...l'iJc 4 The retreat 12.ie2 has its 14.ic1 bS!?) 13 ...l'iJxd3 14.'lWxd3 drawbacks as well, since after b6 IS.l'iJg3 l'iJh7 16.f4 hS 17.fS h4 12 ...h6 13.if4 'lWe7 14.l'iJd2 Ei:feB

B7 Chapter 7

15.0-0, Black has a very promis­ This move seems risky, but ing piece-sacrifice: IS ...tLlfxd S!? White has nothing else to do. 16.exdS Axc3 17.bxc3 tLlxdS I8 . .ie3 Black can counter 1O.tLlf3 with tLlxc3 19.V;\'eldS 20 . .if3 d4+ Akes­ 1O ..J:!e8+ 11. .ie3 (The evacuation son - Jobava, Antalya 2004. Now, of White's king ended tragically: Black can open the b-file. 11.�fl h6 12.M4 tLleS 13.tLlxeS

12 •••b5 13.axb5 dxeS I4 . .ie3b6 1S.a4 as 16.V;\'d2hS 13.0-0 bxa4 14.V;\'d2!!e8 1SJ:!el 18 . .le2 tLld7 19.wdl tLleS 20.�c2 V;\'b6 16.tLlxa4Axa4 17.!!xa4 tLld7= .if5 21.�b3 V;\'d7 22.J.h6 .ih8

13 •••ti'b6 14.0-0 J.xb5 15. 23.!!afl h4 24J:!el !!ad8 2S.V;\'f4 gel tLld7 16 • .lf4, Prusikin - Lo­ bS! and Black won the game with effler, Warszawa 2005, 16 ••• a6 a direct attack, Suba - Chepari­ 17.V;\'d2gf e8= nov, Dos Hermanas 2002.) 11 ... tLlhS!? 12.0-0 tLleS 13.tLlxeS AxeS 14.V;\'d2 a6 IS.!!fel old7 16.!!e2 fS C2b) 9.exd5 17.olgS V;\'aS 18J:!ael bS and Black had excellent counterplay in the game Ignatescu - Nevednichy, Romania 2002.

10 ••••a5 11• • d2 11. �f2h6 12 . .ih4a6 13.a4 tLlhS 14.tLlge2 fS IS.V;\'c2 gS l6.fxgS�d8 17.�gl hxgS 18 ..tf2 tLleS=F Suba - YIjola, Manila 1992.

1l••• a6 12.tLlge2 b5 13.cxb5 axb5 14. J.xb5, Suba - Sznapik,

Dortmund 1981, 14 •••h6 15 • .txf6 (In order to ensure the safety of The symmetrical pawn-struc­ his dS-pawn, White will have to ture enables White to continue part withhis dark-squared bishop playing without any risk, but he anyway: IS . .ih4tLlb6 16 . .hf6 .hf6 can hardly rely on achieving any­ 17.0-0 olfS 18.g4 .td7=) 15 ••• thing much. tLlxf616.0-0 tLle4 17.tLlxe4(Af­

9 •••tLlbd7 ter 17.�d3?! .if5, Black seizes the

9 ...a6 10.a4 tLlbd7 11.tLlf3 !!e8 initiative.) 17••• V;\'xb5 18.tLlxd6 12.�fl h6 13 . .ie3 b6 14.V;\'d2 hS (Black's position is quite accept­ IS.g3 as 16.�g2 tLleS 17.tLlxeS able after 18.tLl2c3 �6 19.!!fel dxeS, Potapov - Nataf, Dresden .id4 20.�h2 !!b8=) 18 ••••xb2

2007, 18.f3! 19 ••xb2 J.xb2 20.tLlxc8 gfxc8 10.f4 21.gad1 gxa2=

88 Chapter S 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 j,g7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.�f3

A) 7.dxe5 B) 7.d5

In amateur games, people of­ ten play here 7.i.e3, which I be­ lieve does not fit the plan h2-h3. Black should better exchange im­ mediately on d4 and begin attack­ ing the e4-pawn: 7 ...exd4 S.tilxd4 (8.hd4 tilc6 9.i.e3 1'!e8 1O.i.d3 tilb4 11.0-0, Caminero - Radom­ You can play chess in numer­ skyj, Parsippany 2001, 11 ...b6! ous ways and this natural devel­ 12.1'!el .tb'7+) S ...1'!eS 9.Wlc2 Wle7 oping move with the knight to its 1O.i.d3 (10.f3!?, Szilagyi - Sza­ lawful place the f3-square cannot bo, Budapest 1950, 1O ... tilc6 11. be bad at all. The point is that it 0-0-0 tilxd4 12.hd4 i.e6=) 10 ... does not combine too well with tila6 l1.a3 ttJc5 12.f3c6. Black has h3, because as we have already increased maximally the pressure seen, White often postpones the against the e4-pawn and he has deployment of his knight on gl, provoked the move f3, weakening so that he can develop it to e2 and his opponent's set-up along the g3, or maybe even to f3 . On the e-file, (the position of the bishop other hand, it is useful to restrict on e3 has become unstable) and the bishop on c8 and the knight here he is preparing the standard on f6, establishing control over counter strike d7-d5. White must the g4-square. start defending now. 13.tilb3tilxd3 In general, Black must play 14.Wlxd3 d5 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.tilxd5 energetically in the centre in or­ tilxd5 17.Wlxd5 i.e6 18.Wlb5, Don­ der to emphasize the drawbacks ner - Ligterink, Nijmegen 1977 of White'stentative plan. and now the greedy approach IS ... 6 ...e5 hb2 19.1'!bl Wlxa3=F would have

89 Chapter B provided Black with an obvious 20. .tc2 fxe4 21.ltJh4 .ie6+ Von advantage. Hartingsvelt - Euwe, Amsterdam In response to 7 . .igS?! Black 1923. must eye the e-pawn as well: 7 ... The Bulgarian 1M Bogomil exd4 (After 7 ...ltJa6, there arises Andonov came out with an inter­ a position, which we analyze in esting idea to play immediately Chapter 7, variation A2.)8. ltJxd4 8 . .te3!? White presents his oppo­ �e8. Now, in case of 9 . .id3?Black nent with a choice whether to have has an attractive typicalcombina­ queens on the board, or not (in tion: 9 ...ltJxe4 ! 1O.ltJxe4 �xgS 11. case of the exchange on d1, since 0-0 �d8 and he ends up with a White's rookwill enter theactions solid extra pawn, Maiko - Lah­ immediately) and he wishes to no, Kramatorsk 2001. Naturally, advance quickly c4-c5, occupying White is not obliged to overlook additional space on the queenside this tactical strike, but even af­ and obtaining a stable advantage. ter 9.�c2 h6 10 . .ie3 �e7 11.f3 c6 White's d4-square is potentially 12.0-0-0 dS 13.cxdS ltJxdS 14. weak however and Black can ltJxdS cxdS lS . .ibS .id7 16.hd7 reach an acceptable position: 8 ... ltJxd7, Fuentes - Giustolisi, Ma­ ltJbd7 9.c5 (9.�c2 c6 1O. .ie2 VAle7 drid 19S1, Black has an excellent 11.0-0 b6 12.a3 �d8 13J3fd1 .ib7 game. 14.b4 ltJe8 lSJ3d2 ltJf8 16.gad1 7.dxe5 �d2 17.�d2 ltJe6 18.�d1 gd8 White forces a transition into 19J3xd8, draw, Ermenkov - Tra­ an endgame in the hope of ex­ tar, Zadar 2006) 9 ...c6 1O.a3 (10. ploiting the vulnerability of the .te2b6 11.cxb6 axb6 12.0-0 �e7 eS-pa-wn, the wonderful dS-out­ 13.�c2 ltJhS 14.�fd1 ltJf4 lS . .ifl post for his knight and his lead in ltJe6 16.�d2 bS 17.a3 .if6 18.ltJa2 development. In addition, Black's ltJdc5 19.�c2 .ib7 20.ltJb4 gfc8, pieces are not harmoniously Kukov - Ermenkov, Sunny Beach placed. 2007) 10 ...�e7 11.b4 gd8 12.VAlb3

7 ••.dxe5 8.t1xd8 ltJf8 13 . .tc4 .te6 14.0-0 .hc4 IS. In case of 8 . .igS, Max Euwe �xc4 ltJe8 16.gfd1 ltJe6 17.�d8 demonstrated a sensible plan for �d8 18.gd1 �dl 19.ltJxd1 ltJ8c7, Black when he was young: 8 ... draw, Andonov - Damljanovic, ltJbd7 9.�c2 h6 10 . .ixf6 (White Struga 200S. had better preserve this bishop 8 ...�d8 admitting the senselessness of the move .tgS.) 10 ...�xf6 11.ltJdS VAld8 (diagram) 12.0-0-0 c6 13.ltJe3 �aS 14.�b1 ltJcS lS.g4 ltJe6 16.VAlc3 �xc3 17. A1) 9.�d5 bxc3 ltJcS 18 . .id3 fS ! 19.9xf5 gxfS A2)9 • .ig5

90 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.CiJc3i.g7 4.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6.CiJj3e5

in the main line), then Black has the resource 12 .. .f6, without being afraidof the discovered check, for example: 13.i.b3 (Black is even better after 13.dxc6 bxc4 14.c7 �d3 15.cxb8=� �xb8 16.i.c1i.b 7.) 13 ...cxd5 14.i.e3(but not 14.hd5? �d5 15.exd5 e4) 14 ...i.e6 15.exd5 i.t7 16.0-0 CiJd7and Black's pros­ pects are at least equal. 12 ...J.b7 13.�gS It is bad for White to play There begins a sharp fight for 9.CiJxe5?, because of 9 ...CiJxe4 the central outpost. 10.CiJxe4 (White loses after lO. In case of the indifferentline : CiJxt7?hc3 + ) lO ...he5 and Black 13.dxc6 hc6 14.i.e3 h6 15.CiJd2 is evidently better thanks to his a5+ only White might have prob­ lead in development in this open lems - he will soon need to begin position, for example: 1l.i.g5, defending, Pedersen - Lanka, Rodriguez Codes - Romero Can­ Linz 1995. tos, Spain 1998 (1l.i.e2, De Biasi 13 ...gd7 14.gcl as - Carno, France 2008, 1l ...i.f5 12.CiJg3 i.c2+) 1l... hb2 12.hd8 (12J!bl �e8) 12 ...hal 13.hc7 i.f5 14.CiJd6i.c3 + 15.�e2 CiJa6+

Al)9.CiJd S CiJxdS Black exchanges the knights and then he begins undermining his opponent's d5-pawn, which hampers the natural development of his queenside: 10.cxdS c6 1l.i.c4 Whitewishes to place his bish­ It is not advisable for Black to op in the centre, instead of his exchange on d5, because of the pawn, but Black is not ready to vulnerabilityof his last rank. Still, comply with this. he must develop somehow his 1l... bS I2.�b3 queenside. He leaves therefore If White begins with 12.i.g5, his knight on b8 at its place and Polajzer - NickI,St. Ingbert 1988, he tries to bring his rook on a8 in order to force his opponent's into the actions. rook to retreat to e8 (it goes to d7 IS. 0-0

91 Chapter B

lS.We2 a4 16.dxc6 lLlxc6 17. A2al) 10.�d5 .!dS lLlaS 18.hb7 :B:xb7 19.:B:hd1 A2a2) 10.0-0-0 f6 20 . .ie3 lLlc421 .:B:c2.!f8 22.:B:dS :B:c8 23.lLld2 WO, draw, King - A2al) 10.�d5 Kindermann, Germany 1996. White simplifies the position

15 •••a4 16.dxc6 lLlxc6 17• .id5 prematurely and this facilitates

�b4 18.hb7 Ei:xb7 19 • .id2. It is Black's defence. understandable that Black cannot 10 ...�xd5 11.cxd5 c6 capture on a2, because he will lose He succeeds in exchanging his knight. Formally, White has a White's pride �dS for his miser­ "good" bishop against a "bad" able lLlc7 and he equalizes com­ knight, but Black maintains the pletely. dynamic balance thanks to his ac­ 12 • .tc4 cxd5 tively deployed pieces and pawns Black's rook is on e8 and not on the queenside. 19 •••�d3 20. on d7, so it is not good for him to gc2 .if'S 21.gdl f6 22.�el �c5 play aggressively on the queen­ 23.f3gd7= Huebner - S.Kinder­ side with 12 ...bS 13 . .!b3 '!b7 14. mann, Nussloch 1996. :B:c1:B:c8 (Black defends in advance against the possible penetration

A2) 9 • .!g5 of the enemy rook to the 7th rank.) lS . .!e3 h6 16.We2 lLld7 17.dxc6 hc6 18.:B:hd1 lLlb6 19.hb6 axb6 20. .!dS i.xdS 21.:B:xc8 :§:xc8 22. :B:xdS. White is clearly better in this endgame. His knight is supe­ rior to Black's bishop, his king is much more active than its coun­ terpart is and Black has weak . If White manages to exchange rooks, then Black will be in a great trouble. 22 ... :B:c2 23. :B:d2:B:c4 24.:B:d8 wh7 2S. wd3 :B:a4

A2a) 9 •••ge8 26.:B:dS fS 27.lLld2 b4 28.:B:bS;!;

A2b) 9 •••�a 6 Roeder - Gelashvili, Balaguer

A2c) 9 •••c6 2007. 13.hd5 �d7 14.�d2

A2a) 9 •••ge8 It is obvious that White's This used to be considered as knight is headed for the e4-square the best move for Black for a long and if possible even to d6. Black time. Now I am no so sure about must either prevent this idea, or that ... look for counterplay immediately.

92 1.d4 CfJf6 2.c4 g6 3.CfJc3 !g74.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6.CfJj3e5

14 •••CfJc5 The defensive play would not be a remedy for Black: 14 ...CfJb6 IS.!b3 !e6 16.i>e2! (It is also good for White to play 16.!e3! with an exemplaryvariation illus­ trating his opponent's problems: 16 ...!fB 17.i>e2 .td7 IB.a4 l:!acB 19.aS !bS 20.i>f3 CfJc4 21.CfJxc4 hc4 22.!a4 l:!e6 23.l:!hc1±) 16 ... ,txb3 17.axb3 a6 IB.!e3 CfJd7, Kei­ tlinghaus - Panzer, Brilon 19B6, i.xb2 19.1:!c7, would only lead to 19.CfJc4. Black has too many weak­ an additional simplification: 19 ... nesses on the queenside and in !e6 20.!xe6 l:!xe6 21.l:!xb7 !c3 the centre and his dark-squared 22.l:!dl l:!a623.l:! b3 !f6= bishop has no good prospects at Black can counter the mys­ all. 19 ...!fB 20.l:!hdl CfJcS 21.hcS terious rook-move IB.l:!abl sim­ !xeS 22.l:!d7 b6 23.b4±. White's ply with IB ...!e6 19.!xb7 �abB knight will occupy soon the dS­ 20.!c6 �e7 21.b3 l:!cB (He pen­ outpost and Black's position will etrates on the 2nd rank and he ob­ become pathetic. tains an excellent compensation

15 • .ie3 for the pawn, because of his active IS.CfJc4 !fB. Black must pro­ pieces.) 22 . .tbS �c2 23.a4 �ec7gg; tect the d6-square. 16.0-0 !e6 and for the players who enjoy tac­ 17.,txe6CfJxe6 IB.!f6 (IB.!e3 CfJcS tical complications, we can sug­ 19.f3 l:!acB=) IB ...CfJc S I9.f3,Cvet­ gest the following idea 23 ...f3!? kovic - Zontakh, Arandjelovac 24.gxf3!h6 2S.l:!hdl �ec7 26.!d3 1993, 19 ... l:!e6 20.!gS bS 21.CfJe3 l:!a2gg h6 22.!h4 CfJd3 23.CfJdS l:!cB and IS •••.ie6 19.i>f3 .bd5 20. he is even slightly better thanks to exd5 gedS= Andreikin - Fedo­ his active pieces. rov, Minsk 2006.

15 •••CfJd3 16.i>e2CfJf 4 Naturally, Black ignores the A2a2) 10.0-0-0 CfJa6 11. b2-pawn and he forces the ex­ .te3 change of his knight for one of 1l.!d3 c6 12.!c2 h6 13.!e3 White's bishops with good pros­ It'lhS 14.g4 CfJf4 IS.i>bl .te6 16.b3 pects for the future. CfJb4 17. .tcS It'lxc2 IB.i>xc2 f5 and

17• .bf4 exf4 Black has seized the initiative for (diagram) long, Wewers - Lichman, Germa­ IS.CfJc4 ny 2006.

White's activeattempt IB.l:!ac1 11••• c6 12.c5

93 Chapter 8

'The same applies to the line: lS ...ltld7 16.ltla4 f5 17.f3 i!abB 1B.ltlaS. 16.�a5 geeS 17.a3 �d7 1 S. b4 .i.e7 19.f4t - White has squeezed his opponent on one of the flanksand he begins active ac­ tions on theother side.

A2b) 9 •••�a 6

White has now attractive tar­ gets to attack, while Black has weak pawns and problems acti­ vating his bishops.

12 •••J.f8 12 ...ltlc 7 13.ltld2, White's knight is headed for a familiar route - to d6 via c4.

13 • .ha6bxa6 14.�d2 White should not try to find something better than a plan, which works quite well, sending This move looks modest, but it his knight in the wrong direc­ is possibly themost reliable. tion: 14.ltle1as lS.b3 .!a6 16.ltld3 10.�d5 gd6 11• .hf6 (now, what ...?) 16... ltld7 17.ltla4 fS 1l.ltld2 c6 12.�xf6 .bf6 13. 1B.exfS gxfS 19.f4 exf4 20. .bf4, .bf6 i!xf6+Bruch - Pokrupa, Ger­ Aloma - Gurbanzade, Calvia many 2001.

2007, 20... i!e2+ 1l.•. .hf6 14.b3 i!bB lS.ltle1as = White'sknight on dS seems to

14 •••.i.e6 15. �b3 be perfectly placed, but this is all lS.b3 i!abB 16.�b2 i!b4 17.i!c1 that he can brag about, because as 1B.i!hd1 h6 19.f3i!ebB 20.�a1 his other pieces cannot support it. ltlhS 21.ltldb1 ltlf4, with an ap­ His light-squared bishop has no proximate equality, Kosic - Mar­ good prospects and his knight on janovic, Yugoslavia 2000. f3 is going nowhere. He can only

15 •••i!abS try to exploit his minimal lead in It is premature for Black to development by fighting for the play lS ...,bb3 16.axb3 i!ebB 17. d-file. �c2 i!b7 1B.i!a1 ltld719.i! aS i!abB 12.0-0-0 20.i!dU 12.i!c1 c6 (12 ....!dB 13.cS i!e6

94 l.d4 l:iJf6 2.c4 g6 3.l:iJc3 i.g74.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6.l:iJ/JeS

14.a3 c6 15 . .ixa6 cxd5 16.i.d3 �e7 derstandable, however. Black 17.0-0, Kapnisis - Kotronias, wishes to repel the enemy knight Athens 2004, 17 ...i.d7 18.�fdl with the move c7-c6, White will �c8=) 13.l:iJxf6 �xf6 14.c5 b6 15. counter this with l:iJxf6 and then it cxb6 axb6 16.l:iJxe5 l:iJc5 17.i.c4 will become clear whether Black i.e6 18.0-0 l:iJxe4 19.,be6 �xe6= will manage to hold the d-file, or Goritsas - V.Kotronias, Salonika not. 2006 14.g4 c6 15.l:iJxf6 mxf6. As 12.b4 c6 13.l:iJxf6 �xf6 14.a3 c5 a consequence of the move �d2, 15.b5 l:iJc7 16 . .te2 �e6+ Larsen - Black has failed to trade the rook Bellers, Esbjerg 1988. Black will with a check, but thanks to the gradually make use of the superi­ move �d7, his rook is protected ority of his bishop over its coun­ now and he can calmly centralize terpart and his potential control his king. 16.g5 1t>e6 17.h4 gxd2 over the d4-square. 18.lt>xd2 md6= Lj ubojevic -

12 •••mg7 13.gd2 Ree, Amsterdam 1981. 13.b4 c6 14.l:iJxf6 �xdI 15.mxdl

@xf6 16.a3 c5 17.b5 l:iJc7+ Feo­ A2c) 9 ••.c6 fanov - Levin, Peterhof 2007. 13.i.e2 i.e6 14.l:iJxf6 �xdl 15. �xdl lt>xf6 16.l:iJd2l:iJc 5 17.lt>c2 a5 18.f3 lt>e7 19.l:iJblc6= Santos Luis - Garrido, Evora 2006.

This move is reliable. It is rea­ sonable for Black to cover the d5- square, which is like a magnet for White's knight. 10.l:iJxe5

13 •••�d7 After1O.� dl �xdl 11.'it>xdl l:iJa6 This dancing of the rooks 12.l:iJxe5, Bayram - Inarkiev, Is­ on the open file is just amusing. tanbul 2003 (12.i.e3 l:iJh5 13.lt>cl White's rook has made a step l:iJf4 14.b3 b6 15.g3 l:iJe6 16.!g2 forward and Black's rook a step i.b7 17.�dl �d8 18.�xd8 l:iJxd8 19. backward. The idea is quite un- lLla4 lLle6= Boenig - Schlecht,

95 Chapter 8

Germany 1994) 12 ...tLlxe4 13. tLla6 16 . .tgS .te6= Stoisavljevic - tLlxe4 AxeS 14 . .if6 .hf6 1S.tLlxf6 Todorovic, Yugoslavia 1994. 'itlg7 16.tLlg4 (16.tLle8!? 'itlf8 17.tLlf6 11 ..hf6 .hf6 12.tLlg4 .txg4 13. hS) 16 ...tLlc 5 17.tLle3 .te6 - Black hxg4 tLla6! 14.f4 .txc3 1S.bxc3 ends up with a slight edge in the tLlc5� - Black's compensation for endgame and this is because of the pawn is sufficient, Cvetkovic his well deployed light pieces and - K ozul,Novi Becej 1986. He has the possibility of quick activation an excellent blocking knight and of his king. it, together with the pawns on He would not have any seri­ b7 and c6, restricts considerably ous problems after 1O . .ie2 tLla6 White's light-squared bishop. 11.tLld2 (11.0-0 l3e8 12 . .te3 M8 1l... �a 6 13.tLld2 tLlcS 14.l3fd1 tLle6 1S.tLlb3 as 16.a4 .tb4 17.f3 tLld7 18J!ac1 tLldc5 19.tLlxc5 tLlxc5 20.l3a1 .te6=i= Borsuk - Kaminski, Warsaw 1992) 11 ...tLlc S 12.0-0-0 tLle6 13 . .ie3 tLld4 14.l3he1 .te6 1S.b3 .if8 16.'itlb2.ib4 17. .ifl 'itlg7 18.a3 .ie7 19.93 tLld7+t Schiraldi - Vocaturo, Verona 200S.

10 •••h6 Black should strive to regain his sacrificed pawn as quickly as possible. For example, White 12 . .te2 can counter 1O ...l3e8 with a per­ Whitecan protect his e4-pawn fect response 11.0-0-0, protect­ with 12.f3,but Black can use this ing indirectly his knight on eS in tempo in order to create unpleas­ the process: 11 ...tLla6 (l1... EtxeS ant threats 12 ...tLlb4 13.l3c1 tLlhS 12J!d8 l3e8 13 ..ixf6±) 12.tLlf3tLlc S 14 . .th2 .tf6 1S.f4 (1S.a3 .igS) 1S ... 13.eS (13.tLld2 h6 14 . .ixf6 .hf6 gS! (1S ....th4 16.'itle2 gS 17.fS tLlg3 1S.f3.ieS�) 13 ...tLlfd7 .14 .ie3 tLle6 18 . .txg3 .txg3 19.tLlg4±) 16.g3, 1S.tLle4 tLlxeS16.tLld 6 l3e7 17.tLlxeS Gagarin - Shchekachev, Moscow heS 18.g3 cS 19 . .ig2tLld 4 20.tLle4 1991 (After 16.fxgS hgS 17.l3d1 l3c721.l3 heU .ie6, Black has the initiative.)

1l• .tf4 16 ....ie6 17.tLlg4 tLld3 18.hd3 This is the best square for l3xd3 19.tLlxh6 'itlg7 20.tLlg4 hg4 White's bishop, supporting the 21.hxg4 tLlxg3 22 . .txg3l3xg3 23.eS knight. .te7=

11 . .te3 tLlxe4 12.tLlxe4heS 13. 12 •••�c5 13.'fJ l3d1 l3xd1 14.'itlxd1 hb2 1S . .ixh6 In case 13 . .tf3, Keitlinghaus -

96 l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.CiJc3 .tg74.e4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.CiJfJ e5

Skembris, Dortmund 1990, Black maintain an advantage in this po­ has a powerfulargument 13 ...CiJhS sition: 14.hhS gxhS IS.0-0 geB 16.CiJf3 1) 1l.g4 c6 12 . .te2 .td7 13.'.!?f1 CiJd317 ..tcl .te 6, with a good com­ a4 14.b4 axb3 IS.axb3 �b6 16. pensation for the pawn. '.!?g2 �b4 17.�c2 cxdS IB.cxd5

13 •••g5 gxal 19.gxal E:cB 20.gel b5 21.f3 This is a new idea, because in hS 22.gS CiJh723.� b2± Conquest the game Lopez Colon - Shchek­ - Hennigan, England 2007. achev, Las Palmas 1993, Black 2) 1l.J.e2 CiJeB (ll ...@hB 12.g4 tested 13 ...CiJhS . c6 13.h4 cxdS 14.cxd5 bS IS.g5 14.J.e3 (14 . .th2 .te6�, fol­ CiJh5 16.,txc5 dxcS 17.J.xhS gxh5 lowed by CiJf6-hS-f4, or CiJd7) 14 ••• IB.CiJxbS .tg4 19.f3 J.d7 20.CiJc3± �e6 15.CiJd3 (IS.CiJg4 CiJf4 16. Romanov - A.Spielmann, Paris hf4 gxf4�) 15 ••• �h5 16. 0-0- 0 200B; 1l ...c6 12.a3 a4 13.,txc5 �d4 17.E:he1 .te6! (Black is now dxc5 14.CiJxa4 CiJd7 15.0-0 �e7 attacking the weak c4-pawn.) 18. 16.gbl hS 17.b4 .th6 IB.CiJf3 f5 �c5 �xe2 19.�xe2 E:xd1 20. 19.d6 �g7 20.exf5 gxfS 21.CiJxc5 '.!?xdl hc4 21.b3 E:d8 22.'.!?c2 CiJxc5 22.bxc5 e4 23.CiJh2 �xa3 he2 23.E:xe2 b6= 24.�b3 �xb3 2S.�xb3± Akesson ­ Pedersen, Pardubice 200B) 12.g4 B) 7.d5 (12.h4 hS 13.CiJb3 b6 14.�d2 a4 IS.CiJxcS dxcS 16.f3 CiJd6 17.�c2 fS IB . .td3 J.f6 19 . .tf2 J.d7f± To­ dorovic - M.Nikolic, Belgrade 200B) 12 .. .fS 13.exfS gxf5 14.�glt - White has won thefight for the e4-outpost, meanwhile the safety of Black's king is rather question­ able.

B1) 8 • .tg5

B2) 8 • .te3

7 •.•a5 B.g4 CiJa69 . .tgS- see variation. 7 ... CiJbd7 - This move presents B1; 9.J.e3 - see variation B2. Whitewith a great choice of alter­ It is not so reasonable for White natives. B . .tgS h6 (About B. ..aS to continue with B . .td3, since his 9.g4 CiJcS 1O.CiJd2c6 - see B.J.gS.) bishop will soon come under at­ 9.J.e3 CiJcS 10.CiJd2as . The recent tack on this square, for example: tournament practice shows that B ... CiJa6 9.J.e3 h6 1O.�d2 @h7 White has at least two plans to 1l.g4 CiJgB 12.0-0-0 b6 13.gS?

97 Chapter B

(Whiteshould not tryto block the .ixf6 �xf6 22.1'!dgl 1'!g8= Gulko - kingside, It will be better for him Becerra, Stillwater 2007. to play 13J�dgl with the idea h3- The move 9 . .ie2 1eads to posi­ h4 and then after 13 ...ttJc 5 14 . .ic2 tions, which have been analyzed .ia6 15.'1We2 ttJe716 .h4 1'!h8, there in Chapter 22, variation B . would arise a complicated posi­ tion with mutual chances.) 13 ... h5 14.ttJe2 ttJc5 15.ttJg3 ttJxd3 16. �xd3 ttJe7 17.�e2 �e8 18. cj;>bl .ia6 19.1'!cl, Tarrasch - Euwe, Amster­ dam 1923 and here Black should start an offensive with 19 ...c5 ! (threatening b6-b5) 20.dxc6 d5! After 8 . .ie2 ttJa6, White will have to make up his mind where to develop his queen's bishop - to g5 (BI), or to e3 (B2).

Bla) 9 •••c6

BI) 8 • .ig5 �a6 BIb) 9 •• :i'e8 This development of theknight is much more flexible than on the Bla) 9 •••c6 10 . .ie2! d7-square. At first, from a6 it has This is the right way for White two squares to go to - c5 and b4, to complete his development and and secondly the d7-square re­ he has adequate responses against mains freefor the other knight, or all Black's possibilities. for his bishop. lO.g4 .id7 11 . .ie2 - see lO. 9.�d2 .ie2. Despite the fact that the pawn­ lO.a3 .id7 11.1'!bl �b8 12.g4, chain on c4-d5-e4 is on light van Wely - Lanka, Germany 1998 squares, the bishop on f1 is a very (with the idea �f3)12 ...h6 13 . .ie3 important piece, therefore the 1'!c8. Black has tried to postpone move 9 . .id3, will be connected the exchange on d5 as long as pos­ with a loss of a tempo, as we have sible, so that his opponent cannot already mentioned, (It is not ad­ occupy the b5-square, impeding vantageous for White to allow its his counterplay on the queenside. exchange for Black's knight after Now however, he is quite well �a6-c5.) for example: 9 ...�e8 prepared to fulfil his plans.

10.g4 ttJd711.1'! gl cj;>h812 .a3 lLldc5 IO •••.td7 11.0-0 13 . .ic2.id7 14.'1We2f5 15.gxf5 gxf5 In case White plays something 16.lLld2 f4 17.�f3 a4 18.1'!g2 h6 else, Black solves all his prob­ 19 . .ih4 �f7 20.0-0-0 .if6 21. lems.

98 1.d4 tiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.ciJc3 �g7 4.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6.tiJj3 e5

1l.h4 tiJc5 12.h5 a4. Black in­ exactly a sacrifice, but just an ex­ tends to build up the classic set-up change of pieces of different value. in this variation - �a5, l:!c8 and 16.hd8 tiJxc3 17.'WieltiJx bI 18.�e7 then capture cd, advance later b5 tiJxd2 19.�xd2 tiJxe420 .'Wib4 l:!fe8 and then if necessary f5, having 21.�xe4 l:!xe722.� xb7 l:!a2=; played before tiJe8. (Black tried 1l.a3 'Wib8. Black would like to relatively recently another idea: enlarge the field of actions on the 12 ...cxd5 13.tiJxd5 tiJe6 14.tiJxf6 queenside by pushing b7-b5-b4. �6 15.�6 �xf6 16.�g4 b5 17. (He would hardly equalize with 0-0 bxc4 18.tiJxc4 �b5� Berry - 11...'Wib6 12.l:!bl l:!fc8 13.0-0;t, or Hebden, England 2008. It worked 11...tiJc5 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 tiJa6 quite well indeed, however the 14.�b3 c5 15.bxc5 tiJxc5 16.'Wib2;t) entire plan seems a bit risky.) 12.l:!bl (Thisis the correct reaction 13.h6 (It is harmless for Black, if for White preparing b2-b4.) 12 ... White plays 13.hxg6?! fxg6 14.b4 h6 (12... cxd5 13.cxd5 b5 14.b4;t; axb3 15.tiJxb3 tiJa4 16.tiJxa4 l:!xa4 12 ...l:!c8 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 cxd5 17.dxc6 hc6 18.f3 'Wic7+ Dobosh 15.exd5 b5 16.0-0;t) 13.�e3 tiJc5 - Lanka, Germany 1996.) 13 ... 14.g4 (Black has not played b5 yet �h8 14.b4 axb3 15.tiJxb3 �b6 and it would be too dangerous for (White has already compromised White to play I4.b4, inview of I4 ... his pawn-structure on the queen­ axb4 15.axb4 cxd5 16.cxd5 tiJa4, side; therefore, Black has numer­ while in case of 17.tiJxa4, Black ous promising alternatives. For has the resource 17... ha4, this example, it looks very good for is why it was essential that the b­ him to opt for 15 ...tiJa 4 16.tiJxa4 pawn had remained on its place. l:!xa4 17.0-0, Siebrecht - Lanka, 18.'Wic1 l:!c8 with a double-edged Hamburg 2006, 17... cxd5 18.exd5 position. Therefore, White makes 'Wic7+) 16.tiJxc5 �xc5 17.�e3 'Wia3= a useful prophylactic move on the Krasenkow - Lanka, Germany other side of the board.) 14 ...l:!c8 1999; (In case of 14 ...cxd5 15.cxd5 b5, ll.l:!bl a4!? (1l ... h6 12.�e3 tiJh7 White has the powerful argument 13.0-0 h5 14.tiJa4 c5 15.'Wib3 b6 16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 tiJa4 18.tiJxa4 16.a3 'Wie7 17.�dl l:!ab8 18.b3 tiJg5 bxa4 19.b5;t- Black has prepared 19.tiJb2 l:!bd820 .tiJd3 f5 = Morchi­ this maneuver and he places his ashvili - Inarkiev, Izmir 2004) rook on the c-file in advance, so 12.0-0 tiJc5 13.b4 (13.'Wic2 'Wic7 that White's knight on c3 might 14.b4 axb3 15.axb3 cxd5 16.�6 be hanging in some variations.) �6 17.tiJxd5 'Wid8=) 13 ...axb3 15.a4, Potapov - Inarkiev, Par­ 14.axb3 cxd5 15.cxd5 tiJxd5!? Black dubice 2003 (After 15.h4 cxd5 has obtained a rook, a bishop and 16.cxd5 b5 17.g5 hxg5 18.hxg5 a pawn for his queen, so it was not tiJe8 19.tiJb3 tiJxb3 20.�xb3 tiJc7

99 Chapter B

21..ifl, White maintains only a 17.gxf6 ltJxf6 IS.!xd7 §'xd7 19. symbolic edge.) IS ...V;Yc7 16.h4 (In ,ixc5dxcS 20.ltJde4 1tJxe421. ltJxe4 case of 16. 'it>f1,Black has an excel­ !!f4� Schlosser - Arbakov, Pas­ lent response: 16 ...§'b6 17.'it>g2 sau 1996; V;Yb4 1S.§'c2cxdSoo) 16 ...ltJeS I7.hS 12.h4 V;Yb6 13.!!gl (13.!!h3 hS+ gS IS.ltJb3 ltJa6oo; Kacheishvili - Bologan, Rethym­ It is too slow for White to opt non 2003) 13 ...§'xb2 14.!!g3 §'b6 for 1l.g4 ltJcS. IS.hS h6 16 . .ie3 cxdS 17.cxdS a4+

1l••• h6 1l ...'it>hS 12.!!c1 (As a rule, it is not advantageous for White to capture on c6 - 12.dxc6 bxc6, with an unclear position. It looks how­ ever, quite reasonable for White to continue with a plan of prepa­ ration of a pawn-offensive on the queenside. 12.a3 §'bS 13.!!bl ltJgS 14.b4 axb4 IS.axb4 c5 16.bxcS He has tried in practice numer­ ltJxc5 17 . .ie3 !!cS IS.ltJb3 ltJa4 ous other moves here, but he has 19.1tJxa4 ha4 20.§'d3;;!;: Meissner never achieved anything much: - Lanka, Austria 2002.) 12 ...§'c7 12 . .ie3 a4 13.b4 axb3 14.axb3 13.a3 ltJgS (13 ...!!aeS ?! 14.cS!) ltJa6 IS.'it>f1 ltJeS 16.'it>g2 ltJec7 17. 14. .ie3 c5 IS.ltJbS §'b6 16.f4 .ih6, 1tJf1 cxdS IS.cxdS 1tJc5 19.!!xaS Gelashvili - Inarkiev, Athens V;YxaS� Varga - Bologan, France 2005 and here Whiteshould have 2004; played 17.§'b3;;!;: with a clear edge 12.V;Yc2 a4 13.!!dl §'as 14.0-0 because he would have an ample h6 IS . .ih4 !!fcS 16.f3 cxdS 17.exdS space advantage on both flanks.

!!eS� Kunin - Gaule, Austria 12 • .ie3 �e5 2004; Black would not equalize with 12.ltJb3 ltJxb3 13.§'xb3 §'c7 14. 12 ...ltJeS 13.§' b3 ltJcS 14.,ixcS dxcS 0-0-0 a4 IS.§'a3 c5 16.!!dglV;YaS IS.ltJa4;;!;: 17.f3 !!fcS IS.h4 §'b4= Larsen - 13.a3 cxd5 14.cxd5 a4 15. Gligoric, San Antonio 1972; ,Axc5dxe5, Zakhartsov- Y.Vovk,

12.0-0 'it>hS 13.!!bl §'cS 14. Lviv 2006, 16 • •c2 �e8 17.gadl i.e3 §'dS IS.f3 ltJgS 16.'it>g2 fS �d6 18.ltJc4 �e8 19.d6;;!;: 17.ltJb3 ltJxb3 IS.V;Yxb3 cS 19.§'dl .ih6 20 . .if2 .if4+ Arbakov - Inar­ kiev, Alushta 2002; BIb) 9 ••••e8 12.'it>f1 V;YeS 13. .ie3 cxdS 14. This is much better than the exdS §'cS IS.gS ltJeS 16 ..ig4 fS traditional plan with c6, which

100 1.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.CiJc3 j,g7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.CiJj3 e5

Zigurds Lanka had taught me tions there. 12J:!gl i>h8 13.j,d3 back in the year 1991. f5 14.,te3 CiJxdS IS.exdS f4 (15 ... e4 16.CiJdxe4 fxe4 17.CiJxe4 hb2 18J:!a2 j,g7 19.1:!e2 ,td7, Haimov­ ich - Fedorov, Kerner 2007, 20.i>fU) 16.CiJde4 fxe3 17.fxe3 �e7=) 12 .. .fS! It is essential for Black to play this before hS. (It is weaker for him to opt for 12 ...CiJc S 13.hS CiJba4 14.CiJbS �d7 IS.b3 CiJb6 16.�f3 c6=; 14.CiJxa4 %lIxa4 IS.b3 �d7. Black must impede the transfer of his opponent's queen to the h-file. 16.J.e2 h6 17.j,e3 lO.j,e2 and we have to admit that White's The move 1O.g4, leads usu­ chances are superior. Black would ally to positions, which he have have to play eventually gS, but analyzed after 10.,te2, with the then there will be only one ques­ exception of 1l.a3. 1O ... CiJd7 1l.a3 tion leftto answer, whether he will (1l.,te2 - see 10.ie2; llJ!gl CiJdcS manage to sustain White's pres­ 12.,te2 - see 1O.j,e2) 11...CiJb6 sure on the queenside.) 13.gxfS (Black should not be in a hurryto gxfS 14.l:!gli>h8 1S.hS CiJcS 16.,te3 play the thematic ll .. .fS?!, since CiJba4 17.CiJbS%lIe7?

White manages to continue with lO •••CiJd7 his plan quite effectively: 12.gxfS 10.. .'t!?h8 1l.h4 h6 (1l ...CiJg8 gxfS l3J�gl i>h8 14.exfS e4 1S.j,e3 12.g4 f6 13.J.e3 fS 14.gxf5 gxfS CiJeS 16.CiJdxe4 !xis 17.j,e2± P. IS.exfS J.xf5 16.CiJde4 CiJf6 17.CiJg3 Nielsen - Mortensen, Denmark %lId7 18.hS l:!f7 19.h6 j,f8, Polak 2003) 12.h4. This is a very un­ - S.Novikov, Pardubice 2007, pleasant plan for Black and its 20.CiJxfS %lIxfS 21.�d2 CiJcS 22. idea is evident. White wishes to O-O-O;t) 12.J.e3 hS 13.f3 CiJg8 checkmate his opponent along 14.g4! fS (14 ...!h6 IS.CiJf1!?; 14 ... the b-file, therefore Black must hxg4 IS.fxg4 f5 16.gS±) lS.gxfS play very energetically. (In case gxfS 16.�c2;t of 12.,td3CiJc 5 13.,tc2j,d7 14.b4 - 1l.g4 14.�f3!? - 14 ...axb4 IS.axb4 i'!xal Black continues with his 16.�xal CiJca4 17.CiJe2;t White standard counterplay after 1l.h4 obtains a stable advantage, but CiJdcS 12.hS fS . Black can play better - 13 ...a4 !?, It would be insufficient for blocking the queenside and plan­ White to try 1l.CiJb3f6 12.,te3 b6 ning to continue with his opera- 13.g4 CiJac5 14.CiJxcS CiJxc5 IS.f3fS

101 Chapter 8

16.YMd2 !d7 17.0-0-0 a4 1B.J.xcS l"MS 20.YMd2 ixe3 21.YMxe3 @hB bxcS+ Mchedlishvili - Movszi­ 22.0-0-0 l3gB= szian, La Laguna 2007. If Black succeeds in exchang­ He obtains no advantage after ing queens, he will be simply bet­ 1l.a3 f6 (1l ...ttJb6 !? 12.0-0 a4 13. ter in the endgame.) 17.h4 ttJb4 b4 axb3 14.ttJxb3 id7 lS.c5 ttJa4 1B.hS ttJc2! (but not 1B ...ttJcd 3?!, 16.ttJxa4 ixa4 17.cxd6 cxd6 lB. because of 19.@d2 ttJxf2 20.ixf2 YMb1Wd7= Poluljahov - Ki.Geor­ l"M2 21.hxg6 YMxg6 22.ttJce4± giev, Tivat 1995) 12.ie3 (12.ih4 Miroshnichenko - N.Mamedov, ttJb6 13.b3 ih6 14J'!b1 ttJc5 lS.b4 Cappelle la Grande 2007) 19. axb4 16.axb4 ttJca4 17.ttJbS YMdB @d2 l:M2!20 .hxg6 ttJxe321. @xe3 1B.YMb3 @g7 19J'!d1 c6 20.ttJa3 cS WfB+

21.bS ttJd7 22.ttJab1 YMaS 23.l3c1 12 •••@h8 YMb4 24.l3c2 YMxb3 2S.ttJxb3 igS= Legky- Shirov, France 1995) 12 ... fS 13.f3 f4 (13 ...ttJf6 14.g4 id7 lS.Wc2 c6 16.id3 cxdS 17.cxdS bS 1B.exfS gxfS 19.9xfS e4 20.ttJdxe4 b4, Vulfson - Iskusnyh, Moscow 1994, 21.ttJxf6 ixf6 22.ttJe4±) 14. M2 ttJf6 lS.b4 ttJhS 16.c5 ttJg3 17.,txg3 fxg3 1B.cxd6 axb4 19. axb4 cxd6?

1l ••.ttJd c5 12.�gl It would be too slow for White to play 12.ttJf1 - Black will at first 13.a3 repel the bishop fromgS and then Black can counter 13.ttJf1 in a he will organize a counter offen­ standard fashion -13 ...f S! 14.gxfS sive on the kingside: 12 .. .f6 13.!e3 gxfS lS.ttJg3 fxe4! (1S ...YMg6 16.h4 fS 14.gxfS gxfS lS.exfSixfS 16.ttJg3 fxe4 17.!hS ttJd3 lB. d2 ttJxb2 ig6! Thebishop will supportfrom 19.We2 l"M2 20.YMxf2 e3 21.YMxe3 this square the knights on cS and ttJxc4 22.@c1 ttJxe3 23.hg6± Kli­ b4 and it will create dangerous mov - Sandstrom, Stockholm threats. Meanwhile, thefollowing 1999.) 16.ttJhS (16.ttJcxe4 ixh3!? analysis shows that Black is not 17.YMd2 ttJxe4 1B.ttJxe4 if5 19.f3 supposed to hold on to his bishop ixe4 20.fxe4 ttJc5+) 16 ...YMg6 17. by all means: 16 ...YMg6 !? 17.h4!? ttJxg7 (17J'!g3 J.g4! 1B.ie7 WxhS (17.ttJxfS WxfS 1B.ig4 YMg6 19.13gl 19.ixg4 ¥Mh6 20.J.xfB l"MB+; it is @hB 20.¥Mb1e4+ Galkin- Ibragi­ even worse for White to play lB. mov, Sochi 1997) 17... ih6 (17 ... ttJxg7 ttJd3-+) 17 ...YMxg7 1B.YMd2 ttJb4 1B.hS;!;) 1B.hS YMg7 19.ttJxfS (lBJ�g3 YMfl 19.ie3 l3gB+) lB ...

102 l.d4 0,f6 2.c4 g6 3.0,c3 �g7 4.e4 d6 S.h3 0-0 6.0,./3 e5

0,b4 (18... h6 !? 19.0-0-0 hxg5 �d7 18.�c2 l3c8 19.0-0-0 cxd5 20J'!xg5 VNf6 - with the idea �f5 20.cxd5 fxe4 21.fxe4 l'!f4!? Ria­ - 21.l3h5 @g8 22.l3g1 @fl 23.l3h7 zantsev - Inarkiev, Novokuznetsk @e8-+) 19.0-0-0 0,xa2! 20.@b1 2008. If White accepts the ex­ 0,xc3 21.bxc3 �f5-+ Jovanic - change-sacrifice, then the King's Kozul, Lj ubljana 2004. Indian bishop on g7 would not be

13 •••�d7 14.h4 weaker than a rook at all. Natu­ 14.VNc2 f5 15.exf5 gxf5 16.�h4 rally, White can refrainfrom cap­ 0,a4? turing, but in that case, Black's

14 •••f5 IS.gxf5 gxf5 16.hS rook on f4 will be acting on his

�f6 17 • .bf6 gD6 18.�c2 ti'fS nerves and squeeze his forces on 19.0-0-0 fxe420. �cxe4 the kingside. After 20.0,dxe4, Black will fol­ 9 ...�d 7! low with a same response - 20... I have collected numerous l3f4. points in tournaments with this

20 ••• l3f4 21.f3 otf5 22.l3g2 move, particularlyin rapid chess. �h6 23.@bl ti'xhS My opponents felt rather uncom­ White will not have sufficient fortable in every case and quite forces to organize an effective deservedly at that! The object of kingside attack, so Black can gob­ the attack - my knight on f6 was ble up a pawn. soon becoming the hunter and 24.l3dgl J.g6+ M.lvanov - where White was planning to at­ Cvitan, Cappelle la Grande 1995. tack, he was soon facing a power­ ful counter strike fl-f5. B2) 8.�e3 I have already mentioned above that the move 9 ...c6 is grad­ ually coming out offashion. 10.g4 (1O.�e2 �d7 11.0-0 ti'b8 12.b3 @h8 13.a3 0,g8 14.l3b1 f5 15.exf5 gxf5 16.ti'c2 0,f6oo; 1l.a3 0,e8 12. g4 0,c5 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 0,a6 15J'!b1c5 16.bxcS li)xc5 17.li)b3,all this happened in the game Breuti­ gam - Lanka, Germany 1997 and here the guru of the variation had better simply fortify his knight of c5, by playing 17 ...b6=, with the 8 ...�a6 9.�d2 idea to continue on the next move 9.g4 0,d7 1O.a3 0,ac5 1l.0,d2 with f5 .) 1O ...li)c 5 11.�e2 �d7 12. �f6 12.0,f3 a4 13.g5 �g7 14.0,d2 b3. We are still following the an­ f5 15.h4 c6 16.f3 0,b6 17.�e2 cient game Kalantarian - Niki-

103 Chapter8 tin, Lugansk 1989. (The position would be double-edged after12 .g5 lLle8 13.h4 cxd5 14.cxd5 f5 15.f3 a4+t) 12 ...�b8 13.a3 cxd5 14.cxd5 gc8 (14 ...b5 15.b4! axb4 16.axb4 �al 17.�xal lLla4 18.0-0 lLlxc3 19.�xc3 gc8 20.�b2;!;) 15.a4 �c7! (15 ...lLld3? . .ixd316 gxc3 17.lLlbl! gc8 18.lLla3± Todorovic - Murey, London 1987) 16.gcl �d8 17 . .tc4! lLle8 18.�f3;!; The piece sacrifice is inter­ lLlxc5 15.�d2 �h4 16.gg1

10 •••lLldcS 24.cxd5 �aI 25.�dl �xdI 26.

.ih6!; 1l.lLlb3 b6 12.gg1 f4 13 . .td2 1l... ctJxb3 12.Vxb3 Vh413 • .if6+ Rahman - Hossain, Dha­ ggl .tb6 14.gS J.g7 lS.0-0-0 ka 2006) 1l ...gxf5 12.exf5 lLldc5 f5 16.gxf6 .tb6!+ San Segundo - 13.lLlde4 .ixf5 14 . .ig2 (14.lLlxc5 Shirov, Madrid 1997.

104 Chapter 9 1.d4 tlf6 2.c4 g6 3.tlc3 !.g7 4.e4 d6 5.tlge2

this case after 6.f3 Whitewill en­ ter advantageously the Saemisch Attack, for example: 6.f3!? c5 7 . .te3 0-0 8.�d2 a6 9J�d1 �a5 10.t2Jc1 cxd4 n . .txd4 t2Je5 12.t2Jb3 �c7 13J!c1 e6 14 . .te2;!;. Thisis not a bed of roses for Black when his knight is already on d7. He can try something else - 6 ...a6 (instead of 6 ...c5) 7 . .te3 c5 8.�d2 �a5, but he cannot equalize, for ex­ Whitewishes to develop quick­ ample: 9.t2Jc1 cxd4 10 . .txd4 t2Jc5 ly his knight to g3 and then to act n.a3 t2Je612 . .te3 0-0 13.i.e2i.d7 depending on Black's reaction. I 14.0-0 �c7 15.t2Jb3;j; do not like this plan so much for 6.�g3 White, because the knight on g3 In answer to 6.i.g5, Black can is restricted by the pawn on g6. It attack his opponent's bishop im­ has its venom, though... For ex­ mediately with 6 ...h6. White has ample, if Black goes for c5, then tested different retreats, but Black White enters a favourable version obtains an excellent position in all of the Saemisch Attack without the lines. For example: 7.i.f4 (In the superfluousmove f3. The Rus­ the ancient game Larsen - Gli­ sian GM Tregubov plays like this goric, Leningrad 1973, White pre­ regularly and quite successfully. ferred 7 . .ie3, which the Yugosla­

5 . . . 0-0 vian countered with Black must castle at some mo­ his favourite maneuver -7... lt:lg4, ment and his king will feel safer then he attacked the enemy centre on g8, while his pieces can go any­ and after 8.i.c1 c5 9.d5 e6 1O.h3 where. t2Je5 n.lt:lf4 exd5 12.exd5 l:!e8, he He can also wait a bit and seized the initiative. In case of choose instead 5 ...t2Jbd7, but in 7.i.h4 g5 8.i.g3, White's dark-

105 Chapter 9 squared bishop is isolated from should better adhere to the King's the main field of actions - the Indian line: 6 ...e5 7.i.g2 (White queenside: 8 ...cS 9.d5 b5 10.cxb5 achieves nothing much with 7. �a5 11.f3a6 12.bxa6 .ixa6 13.�c2 dxe5 dxe5 8.�xd8 �xd8 9.tDd5 tDbd7 14.tDcl .ixfl 15.@xf1 tDh5 tDxd5 1O.cxd5 c6 11.tDc3 h6 12.h4 16 . .te1 tDe5 and Black has a pow­ cxd5 13.tDxd5 tDc6= Schuckar - erful pressure in the centre, Re­ Gropp, Szolnok 1997. In case of icher - Schulz, Hamburg 1980.) 7.d5 c6 8.i.g2 cxd5 9.cxd5 tDbd7 7 ... tDc6 8.�d2 - White prepares 10.0-0 as 11.h3 tDc5 12 . .te3 b6 castling long with this ambitious 13.a3, Gibbs - Kottnauer, Whit­ move with the idea to begin quick by 1962, 13 ...a4 !? 14 . .ixc5 bxc5 kingside actions. (It is more reli­ 15.tDxa4 .ia6- the PC programme able for him to play 8.d5, Kohl­ "Rybka" prefers the move 15 ... weyer - Scalcione, Lido Estensi .td7!? - 16.tDac3 �b6 and Black 2003, but even then after 8 ... has a good compensation for the tDe5 9.tDd4 c6 10.�d2 m6, Black sacrificedpawn .) 7 ...exd4 8.tDxd4 has good counter chances.) 8 ... tDc6 9.tDxc6 (Botvinnik failed to e5! 9 . .ixh6 .ixh6 1O.�xh6 tDxd4 obtain an edge after 9.tDc2 i.e6 11.�d2 cS 12.tDg3 a6 13 . .td3 b5 1O.b3 �d7 11.0-0 i.h3 12.f3 .ixg2 14.h4 .ie6=i=and Black's position is 13.@xg2 tDh5 14.i.b2 f5 15.exf5 preferable, Jussupow - Shaked, �xf5 16.tDe3 �f7 17.�d5 �ae8 Linares 1997. 18.�ae1 tDf6 19.�d2 a6, Botvin­ The move 6.g3 was used by nik - Yudovich, Leningrad 1939 Saemisch, Euwe and Botvin­ and the opponents agreed soon nik and during the 50ies and to a draw.) 9 ...bxc6 10.0-0 tDd7 the 60ies of the past century the 11.�c2 a5 12.i.d2 i.a6 13.tDd1tDb6 Spanish GM Arturo Salamanka 14.tDe3 .td4 15.�fd1 a4 16.e5 a3 Pomar was playing it regularly. 17.exd6 axb2 18.�ab1, Pomar - This set-up is flexible enough, Unzicker, Lugano 1959 and here, (The knight on e2 will not cover after the simple capturing 18 ... the diagonal for the fianchettoed cxd6, Black's chances are about bishop on g2 and the e4-pawn can equal. be additionally protected if neces­ The position after 6.h3 has sary with f2-f3 etc.) but it is not been analyzed in Chapter 5 and so aggressive. The knight is more after 6.f3 in Chapter 13 of the active on f3 in the fight for the third part of the book, devoted to centre. Black can answer with two the Saemisch Attack. possible counter strikes 6 ...cS and (diagram) 6 ...e5. Indeed after 6 ...cS 7 .ig2. Black must choose here be­ cxd4 8.tDxd4,we would go too far tween 7-8 alternatives, but we will into the Sicilian Defence, so we analyze two of them - the most

106 l.d4 tDf6 2.c4 g6 3.tDc3 !i.g74.e4 d6 5. tDge2 0-0 6.ciJg3

tDg4 9.hg4 hg4 lO.f3 i.e6 ll.dS .tcB 12.�d2 geB 13 . .th6 .thB 14.a4 tDd7 1S.b3�aS 16.gc1 �b4 17.�c2 bS 1B.cxbS axbS 19.axbS ga3f!

popular and reliable 6 •••e5 (B2) and the sharper 6 •••a6 (Bt).

BI) 6 •••a6 If you need to play for a win with Black, then we can recom­ 8 •••b5 mend to you this modestly look­ Zigurds Lanka used to explain ing move on the flankwith which that the Benko Gambit ideas Black wishes to obtain positions did not work well when White's in the spirit of the Benko Gambit. knight was on f3. In almost all 7.Ae2 other cases, Black's prospects are The move 7.a4, prevents excellent. Black's counterplay connected White is better after B ...e6 with b7-bS, but it weakens the 9.a4 exdS 10.cxdS tDbd7 11.0-0 b4-square. There might follow: gbB (ll ... geB 12 . .te3 gbB 13.%Yd2 7 ... tDc6 B.dS tDb4 9.aS hS lO . .te2 hS 14.!i.gS tDfB lS.f3 tDBh7 16 . .th6 h4 ll.tDfle6 12.tDe3 exdS 13.exdS h4 17.tDh1 !i.d7 1B.hg7 �xg7 19. c5 14.0-0 geB lS . .td2 tDd7 16.ga3 as %Ye7 20.tDf2 �eS 21..tc4 tDhS tDeS and Black had a good posi­ 22.tDe2 f5f! Zubov - Boroday, tion in the game Serper - Fine­ Poltava 200B) 12 . .tgSh6 (12 ...%Yc7 gold, San Diego 2006. 13.�d2 geB 14.�h1 c4 lS.f3 hS

7 ..•c5 8.dS 16.gfc1 tDh7 17. .th6 .thB 1B.aS bS It is not logical for White to 19.axb6 tDxb6 20.!i.e3 h4 21.tDfl play B.!i.e3, because in the posi­ h3 22.gxh3 tDf6 23.tDg3± Hillarp tions of the Sicilian type, arising Persson - De Firmian, Copen­ afterB ...cxd4 9.hd4 tDc6,White's hagen 2002) 13 . .te3 tDeB 14.�d2 knight is misplaced on g3. In the �h7 lS.f4 tDc7 16.eS dxeS 17.fS± game Serper - Krush, Internet Bosch - Janssen, Leeuwarden 200B, Black followed another 2002. path and he equalized as well: B ... 9.cxb5 axb5

lO7 Chapter 9

some obstacles on the queenside against Black's offensive along the a and b-files: 11.0-0 hb5 12.llJxb5 llJeS!? (Black wishes to open the lines and diagonals for his long-range pieces.) 13.1l;Vc2 llJa6 14.llJe2 llJec7 15.llJbc3 'lWd7 16.b3 llJb4 17.�b1, Serper - Smi­ rin, Philadelphia 1996, 17... llJb5 18.�b2 llJa3 19.'lWdl (Black can counter 19.1l;Vc1 with 19 ...llJd3.)

10 • .bb5 19 .. .f5 with a good compensation 1O.liJxb5 h5 (10 ...!a6 11.0-0 for the pawn. llJbd7 12.a4!? llJeS 13J3b1 llJc7 1l •••�xa6 12.0-0 1l;Vb6 13. 14.i.d2;!;) 11.llJc3 �b6 12.llJf1 i.a6 gb1, Mertanen - Goossens, Chal­ 13.llJe3 llJbd7. Lanka used to say kidiki 2002. that the real dangers for Black 13 ... �c7 14.�ge2 were when White wasattacking in the centre and on the kingside in the Benko Gambit type games, so the exchange of queens was in fa­ vour of Black. Here however, in the endgame, White's develop­ ment is simpler. (It deserves at­ tention for Black to try13 ...he2 !? 14.�xe2 �a6 15.1l;Vxa6 gxa6 16. llJc4 llJbd7 17/�e2 llJb6.) 14.0-0 (14.llJc4? hc4 15.hc4 �b4+ threatening llJe4) 14 ... gfbS (14... he2!? 15.�xe2 'lWa6 16.'lWc2! llJe5 14 •••�b5 17.gd1 c4!?) 15.ge1 (15.llJc4 'lWb4 There is something strange - 15 ...�c 7!? with the idea to play about the Benko Gambit - Black llJb6, gb4 - 16.a3 'lWb3 17.'lWxb3 is a pawn down and he wishes to gxb3 lS.llJa5? gxc3!-+) 15 ...ga7 trade pieces! In this case, however 16.h3 he2 17.gxe2 'lWa6�, plan­ the point of argument is the knight ning llJe5 attacking the d3-square, on c3, which restricts the scope of Dreev - Inarkiev, Tomsk 2006. action of the bishop on g7. Black

1 0 ••• �a6 1l• .ba6 wishes to have on the board only Whiteshould not be so much in his long-range pieces left. a hurry to exchange here, because 15.�xb5 'lWxb516.�c 3 'lWc4� it is advisable for him to create - he has organized a powerful lOS l.d4 liJf6 2.c4 g6 3.liJc3 j.g74.e4 d6 5.liJge2 0-0 6.liJg3 pressure on the queenside, having White has a space advantage wonderful prospects. however and if he succeeds in completing his development his prospects will be preferable.

B2) 6 •••eS 7.dS 8 • .!e2 The exchange on e5, in this The hasty attack with the h­ particular case, with an idle pawn will not bring White any white knight on g3, is harmless advantages 8.h4 liJa6 9.hS liJc5 for Black: 7.dxe5 dxe5 8.�xd8 1O.j.g5c6 11.h6 .th8 12.�f3?!j.g4 �xd8 9.liJd5 (9 . .!g5 �e8 1O.liJd5 13.�xg4 liJxg4 14.hd8 �fxd8 liJxd5 1l.cxd5 c6 12.dxc6 liJxc6 13. 15.j.e2 liJf6= Tregubov - Voloki­ j.b5 j.e6 14.hc6 bxc6 15 . .!e3 f5 tin, Germany 2007. 16 . .!c5 �eb8+t Koelewijn - Pru­ 8 ...liJa 6 ij ssers, Hilversum 2008.) 9 ... In principle, this is a very solid liJxd5 1O.cxd5 c6 1l . .!c4 cxd5 12. line for Black. Still, he must be hd5 liJc6 13 . .!g5 �d7 14.0-0-0 prepared to defend patiently a liJb415 .j.b3 liJd3 16.'it>bl, Ftacnik somewhat cramped position. - Vokac, Prague 1986, 16 ...b6= 9.h4 This move is justified now witha knight on g3. White leaves his king in the centre and he is threatening to open the h-file. He has tried some other plans, but they do not create any serious problems for Black, for example: 9.j.e3 liJc5 1O.�bl j.d7 1l.b3 h5 12 . .!g5 �e8 13.h4 liJh7 14.j.e3 �e7 15.liJfl f5 16.exf5 hfS 17.�c1 j.f6 and Black seized the initiative in the game Bern - Bologan, Sta­ Black has numerous possibili­ vanger 1992; ties in this position and we will 9.j.g5 h6 1O.j.e3 liJh7 1l.�d2 analyse only two of them - the h5 12.0-0-0 j.d7 13.'it>bl liJc5 most popular and reliable: 14.liJf1 liJa4 15.liJb5f5 16.�c2 liJc5 17.liJd2 b6 18.f3j.f6, with a dou­

B2a) 7 •••aS ble-edged position, Ponomariov ­

B2b) 7 •••c6 Kasimdzhanov, Tomsk 2006; 9.0-0 liJc5 1O . .!e3 h5 1l.j.g5

B2a) 7 •••aS �d7 12.�d2 liJh7 13 . .th6 h4 14. It is reasonable for him to en­ hg7 'it>xg7 15.liJhl �e7 16.f4 exf4 sure the c5-square for the knight. 17.�xf4 f5 18.exfS hfS , with an

109 Chapter 9 approximate equality, Ghaem - 1l.h5 Kozul, Dresden 200S. In case of 11.'iffd2, Black should

9 •••c6 exchange immediately on dS - 9 ...hS 10. .igS 'iffeS 11.'iffd2 11 ...cxdS (It is worse for him to tDh7 12 . .ih6 'iffe7 13.0-0-0 .ixh6 play 11 ...a4 12.hS 'iffaS, in view of 14.'iffxh6 'ifff6 lS.f3 .id7 16.tDfU 13.0-0 "YPlc7 14.�ad1 tDeS, Chris­ Ader - Bolbochan, Mar del Plata tiansen - Lanka, Eupen 2000, lS . 19S2. .ie3±) and as the analysis shows,

10 • .lg5 Black has a comfortable game, no 10.hS cxdS 11.cxdS (It de­ matter how he recaptures. For ex­ serves attention for White to try ample: the rarely played move 11.exdS!? 12.cxdS .id7 13.f3,Dive - Abou "Rybka" recommends 11... tDd 7, in el Zein, Thessaloniki 19S5, 13 ...a4 order for Black to form a mobile 14.0-0 bS; pawn-tandem in the centre.) 11 ... 1ViJxdS tDe613 .tDxf6 .ixf6 14. tDcS 12 . .ie3 (12 . .igS - see 10. .igS; .ixf6 'iffxf6 lS.'iffxd6 gdS 16.'iffa3 the position remains sharp with tDf4+ Ruf - Schmaltz, Gstaad mutual chances after 12.h6!? .ihS 1993; 13 . .igS 'iffb6 14.'iffd2 .id7 lS.0-0 12.exdS hS 13.0-0-0 (13 . .ixhS �fcS 16.�ac1 a4, Kaposztas - Bo­ gxhS 14.tDxhS .ihS) 13 ....id7 14. hati, Hungary 200S.) 12 ... 'iffb6 'iffe3 (14 . .ixhS gxhS lS.tDxhS tiS 13.�b1.id7 14.tDf1a4 1S.tDd2'iff aS=i= 16.�xg7 �xg7 17. .ih6 �h7 lS. Lutz - Gelfand, Horgen 1994. It is .ixf8'iffxf8 19.'iffgS 'iffh6 20.f3tDeS) evident that Black has obtained 14... 'iff c7 (14 ..•'iff eS lS . .ixf6 .ixf6 a very comfortable position, in 16.tDge4 tDxe4 17.�xe4 'iffe7 lS.g4 which theattack withthe h-pawn hxg4 19.hS .tiS 20.hxg6 fxg6 21. has created problems only for his �dg1) lS . .ixf6 (1S.�b1 tDh7 16. opponent. .ih6 fS) lS... .ixf6 16.tDge4 tDxe4

10 •••�c5 17.tDxe4 .ig7.

U •••cxd5 12.exd5! White should not open the f­ file, because Black's rook joins in the actions then: 12.hxg6 fxg6 13.exdS 'iffb6, Rekkedal - Gabri­ elsen, Bergen 2002, 14.�b1 (14. "YPlc2 tDg4) 14... tDg4 lS . .ixg4 tDd3!+ The position remains double­ edged after 12.h6 .ihS 13.exdS (13.�xdS tDe6 14. .ih4gS) 13 ...'iff b6 14.�b1 .id7 1S.0-0 gfeS (lS ...gfcS

110 l.d4 lZ:Jj6 2.c4 g6 3Ji}.c3 i.g74.e4 d6 S. lZ:Jge2 0-0 6.lZ:Jg3

16.i.e3�dS 17.i.xcS l"!xcS 1S.lZ:Jge4 �dS 17.h4 lZ:Jdf6= Comas - Xie lZ:Jxe4 19.1Z:Jxe4 l"!c7 20.lZ:Jxd6 �fS Jun, Pamplona 1999. 21.lZ:Je4i.fS 22.f3�xh6) 16.b3 e4 9.a4 as 10.h4 hS 11.i.gS �b6 17.�d2 lZ:Jg41S.,b g4 i.xg4 19.i.e3 12.l"!a3 lZ:Jbd7 13.�c2 lZ:Jc5 14.i.e3 fS 20.lZ:JbS l"!acS 21.i.d4 i.eS 22. i.d7 1S.lZ:Jf1 l"!acS 16.lZ:Jd2 �b4= l"!be1 �dS. Ionov - Bologan, Moscow 1991.

l2 •• :llYb6 l3.gbl i.d7 14. 9 ... cxd5 lO.cxd5 tt)bd7 11. �d2t i.e3 11.a4 hS 12.i.gS �eS 13.�d2 It'lh7 14.i.e3 h4 1S.lZ:Jh1, Johans­

B2b) 7 •••c6 S.J.e2 a6 son - Gaponenko, Varna 2002, 1S... h3 16.g3 lZ:JcS? 11.i.gS h6 12.i.e3 hS 13.i.gS �eS 14.�d2 lZ:Jh7 1S.i.h6 h4 16. lZ:Jh1 �e7 17.i.xg7 �xg7 1SJ:!ac1 lZ:JgS 19.�e3 �dS 20.b4 fS? She­ meakin - Stefanishin, Alushta 1999.

11••. h5

Black creates the possibility to inflict a counter strike with b7- bS if White goes too far with his active actions on the kingside. It only seldom comes to this how­ ever, since he usually evacuates prudently his king away from the centre. 9. 0-0 l2.i.g5 9.h4 hS 1O.i.gS cxdS 11.exdS 12.l"!c1 h4 (The following game lZ:Jbd7 12.�d2 �c7 13.0-0 lZ:Jh7 proves that Black must play very 14.i.h6 fS 1S.i.xg7 �xg7 16.f4 energetically, since if he slows lZ:Jhf6 17.lZ:Jh1 exf4 1SJ:�xf4 lZ:JeS? down this might end up badly for Frohberg - Bekker-Jensen, Ger­ him: 12 ...lZ:Jh7 13.�d2 h4 14.lZ:Jh1 many 1995. fS 1S.exfS gxfS 16.f4 exf4 17.i.xf4 9.i.gS h6 1O.i.e3 cxdS 11.cxdS lZ:JeS 1S.lZ:Jf2 i.d7 19.�h1 l"!cS 20. hS 12.i.gS �eS 13.�d2 lZ:Jbd7 lZ:Jh3 bS 21.a3 �f6 22.i.e3 lZ:Jg6 14.a4 lZ:Jh7 1S.i.h6 i.xh6 16.�xh6 23.i.hS lZ:JeS 24.i.e2 lZ:Jg6 2S.lZ:Jf4

111 Chapter 9

Il)xf4 26 ..bf4 YHg6 27.J.d3;!;Pono­ mariov - Bologan, Tomsk 2006) 13.ll)h1bS I? 14.f3(14.J. gS h3 1S.g3 YHaS 16.f3 Il)cS 17.a3 b4 18.ll)a2 VHb6 19.J.e3as 20.YHd2j.d7 21.ll)f2 �tb8oo) 14 ...ll)hS 1S.a4 (1S.YHd2 fS 16.a4 f4 1? 17.J.f2 bxa4 18.ll)xa4 h3oo) 1S ...b4 16.ll)a2 as 17.J.bS f5 18.J.c6 �a6 19.YHd2 f4 20.J.f2 h3 and Black has a powerful attack, since he has managed to open the shelter of White'sking. play 1S ...f5, because of 16.exf5

12 •••YHe8 13.YHd2 �h7 14.J.e3 gxfS 17.f41;!;and allhis pieces must The alternativefor White is to look for a new fieldof action, since trade the dark-squared bishops his plan proved not to be working with 14 . .ih6h4 1S . .hg7'it>xg7, but well, Berta - Brglez, corr. 1975. then his knight must remain in 16.h3 the corner for a while - 16.ll)h1 16.f3 Il)hS 17.�f2 J.d7 18.�fc1 and Black obtains effortlessly an V!Je7 19.�cd1 gfc8 with an ap­ excellent position: 16 ...f5 17.exfS proximateequality . gxf5 18.f4 YHg6 19.1l)f2 'it>h8 20. 16 •••J.d7 17.Mcl Y!le7 18.gc2 'kth1 Il)hf6 21.�g1 bS 22.g4 J.b7, gfc8 19.9acl b5 20.b4 Y!le8. Shemeakin - Gaponenko, Alushta White must play 21.f3, in order 1998. to bring his knight on h1 into the

14 •••h4 15.�hl actions and this presents Black's (diagram) knight with the possibility Il)hS­

15 ...�df 6!? f4. 21••• �h5 22.�f2 Y!ld8 23. It is premature for Black to �g4 �f4;t

112 Chapter 10 1.d4 li)f6 2.c4 g6 3.li)c3 AgJ 4.e4 d6 5.Ad3

0-0 (6 ...llJa 6 7.llJge2 llJc5 8.�c2 as 9.f3 c6 1O.i.e3 cxdS 11.cxdS i.d7 12.0-0 b5 13.a3 b4 14.llJa4 llJxa4 IS.i.xa4 0-0 16.�el 'ifib8� Prohaszka - nincic, Budapest 2008) 7.llJge2 llJa6 (7 ...cS 8.h3 llJe8 9.g4 llJa610 .i.e3i.d7 11.llJg3 i.f6 12.'�d2 i.h4 13J!gl f6 14. 0-0-0 �b8 15.f4 exf4 16.i.xf4 llJac7 17.llJf5gxf5 18.gxfS �h8 19. �g4 i.gS 20.�dgl, with a powerful According to Chebanenko, it is attack for White, which brought a not advisable for White to devel­ full point to him in the game op his bishops to d3 and e3, since Gonzalez Zamora - Zapata, Me­ they might turn into objects for an rida 2008.) 8.i.c2 llJhS 9.0-0 cS attack by Black's knights. In this 1O.i.e3 i.d7 11.a3 'ifie7 12.'l;Yd2 b6 case, White's bishop is safe be­ 13.llJg3 llJxg314.fx g3 �fb8 IS.�abl hind the pawn-shelter c4, d4, e4, �b7 16.�f2 f6 17.i.d3 �ab8 18.b4 so Black must find a way to reach �c8 19.h3 h5 20.i.e2 �h7 21.bS it. One of the obvious drawbacks llJc7 22.�bf1t Fodor - nincic, Bu­ of White'slast move is that his d4- dapest 2008. pawn has been weakened. 6.llJge2

5 . . . 0-0 The indifferent development A plan with the immediate 6.i.e3can be countered effectively move e7-eS came into fashion in by Black with 6 ...eS 7.dS llJg4 and the year 2008. I believe that it is White must either lose a tempo not so logical, because White for the retreat of his bishop (af­ should not worry any more about ter which Black pushes V-fS with his d4-pawn. Thefollowing games an excellent game), or he should show that he has good chances of comply with its exchange: 8.'l;Yd2 obtaining a small edge: S ...eS 6.dS llJxe3 9.'ifixe3 llJa6 10.llJge2 f5 11.

113 Chapter 10 f3 llJc5, Aleksic - Cetkovic, Bel­ cxd4 1S . .if2 .if5+t Romanov - grade 2009 and Black's prospects Ponkratov, St. Petersburg 200S. are not worse at all. Finally, after 6.llJf3, it againis White's bishop is not so well sensible for Black to attack the placed on g5 after6 . .ig5 h6 7 . .ih4 d4-pawn 6 ... llJc6 7.0-0 (7.d5 llJb4 llJc6 S.d5 llJe5 9 . .ie2 g5 10 . .ig3 S . .ib1 c6 9.�a4 llJa6 10.dxc6 llJc5 llJg6 11.llJf3 llJh5 12.llJd4 llJhf4 11.�c2 bxc6 12.0-0 .ta6 13.l3d1 13.0-0 e6 14.l3e1 h5 15.f3 .ie5 .ixc4+ Stamatovic - Vujacic, Pod­ and Black had the initiative in the gorica 200S) 7 ....tg4 S . .ie3 e5 game Vistaneckis - Gufeld, Viln­ 9.d5 llJe7 1O.h3 .td7 11.V;Vd2 llJeS ius 1960. 12.llJh2 f5 13.f4 llJf6 14.l3ae1 llJh5 In case of the overly aggres­ 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.g4 fxg4 17.l3xfS sive move 6.f4, Black obtains a hiS 1S.hxg4 llJf6, with a good good game by attacking the d4- position for Black, Nikolov - Dra­ square, since it is not protected giev, Sofia2009. by the queen on d1 after he has developed his bishop to d3: 6 ... llJc67.llJf3 (Black is quite OK after 7.llJge2 e5 S.d5 llJb4 9.fxe5 llJg4 1O.llJf4 dxe5 11.llJh3 V;Vh4 12.i>f1 f5, Lj ubisavljevic - Atalik, Kasto­ ria 1996, or 7.d5 llJb4S.llJf3 llJxd3 9.V;Vxd3 c5 1O.h3 .id7 11.g4 13bS 12.13f1 llJeS 13.f5 llJc7 14.a4 llJa6 15.g5 llJb4 16.V;Vb1 l3eS, Khanna - Femic, Herceg Novi 2005) 7 ....ig4 S . .te3 e5 9.d5 exf4 10.hi4 llJd4 11.h3 .ixf3 12.gxf3 llJh5 13 . .ie3c5+ In this situation, Black has A.Arafat - Petrosian, Nice 1974. two possibilities to attack White's Black can counter the tentative d4-pawn. We will analyze them move 6.h3, with another equally both, leaving the alternatives (6 ... mysterious reply 6 ... a6, for exam­ a6, 6 ...c6) aside, because I believe ple: 7.llJge2 (7.llJf3 c5 S.d5 b5 they are obviously insufficient for 9.0-0 b4 1O.llJe2 e5 11.llJh2 llJh5 equality. 12.g4 llJf4 13.llJxf4 exf4 14.hi4

.txb2 15.l3b1 .ig7 16 . .ig3, draw, A) 6 •••c5

Tyomkin - Mikhalevski, Beer­ B) 6 •••llJc6 Sheva 1997) 7 ...c5 S.dxc5 dxc5 9. e5 llJeS 1O.f4 f6 11.exf6 llJxf6 12. A) 6 •••c5 7.d5 .ie3 llJc613 .0-0 V;Vd614 .llJa4 13dS In case of 7.0-0, Black can 15 . .ic2 V;Vc7 16.V;Vc1 llJd4 17.llJxd4 play 7 ...llJc6, after which White

114 1.d4 !iJf6 2.c4 g6 3.!iJc3i.g7 4.e4 d6 S.i.d30-0 6.!iJge2 will have to block the centre any­ 19.9ae1 V;Yh4 20.V;Yxh4 !iJf321.c;t> g2 way, but under less favourable !iJxh4 22.c;t>g3 gS= Y.Vovk - Go­ circumstances, for example: B.dS lubev, Mukachevo 2009. !iJeS 9.!iJg3!iJxd3 10.V;Yxd3 a6 11.f3 bS 12.i.e3 bxc4 13.V;Yxc4 as 14. �f2 i.a6lS.V;Y a4 !iJd7 16.V;Yc2 !iJeS+ Chang - Dembo, Calvia 2004.

7 ... e6 8.0-0 Black has no problems after B.dxe6 he6, for example: 9.f4 !iJc6 10.0-0 i.g4 11.h3 he2 12. %Vxe2 �eB 13.g4 a6 14.i.d2 �bB lS.�ae1 h6 16.b3 bS 17.cxbS !iJd4 1B.V;Yf2 axbSt Radev - Ki.Geor­ giev, Sofia19B1.

On the contrary, the plan 8 ••• �g4 with B.i.gS is very unpleasant for After B ...exdS 9.cxdS, there him and it has been used by the arises a position from the Benoni Ukrainian GMs Pavel Eljanov defence with a bishop on d3 and and , for ex­ a knight on e2: 9 ...a6 1O.a4 !iJbd7 ample: B ...h6 9.i.f4 (9.i.h4 exdS 11.h3 �eB 12.!iJg3 V;Yc7 13.f4 �bB, 1O.cxdS a6 11.a4 !iJbd7 12.0-0 followed by c4, !iJcS.If you wish to !iJeS 13.f4 !iJeg4?!! 14.V;Yc1 c4 15. be better acquainted with it, look hc4 V;Yb6 16.c;t>h1 !iJe3 17.i.f2 at some opening books devoted to !iJfg4 1B.i.g1 %Vb4 19.he3 V;Yxc4 the Benoni. 20.h3 !iJxe3 21.V;Yxe3 V;Yb4 22.fS± It would be interesting to dis­ Moiseenko - Gajewski, Polanica cuss the pawn-structure, arising Zdroj 200B; it deserved atten­ after 9.exdS. For example: 9 ...!iJg4 tion for Black to continue simply 1O.f4 (1O.i.c2 �eB 11.h3 !iJeS 12. with 13 ...!iJxd3 14.V;Yxd3 �eB with b3, Dreev - Ivanchuk, Stepa­ mutual chances.) 9 ...!iJg 4 1O.V;Yd2 nakert 2005 and here Black !iJa6 11.a3 !iJc7 12.f3 !iJeS 13.0-0 played 12 ...bS, overlooking the exdS 14.cxdS !iJxd3 lS.V;Yxd3 b6 spectacular combination 12 ...!iJf3 16.%Vd2 c;t>h7 17.!iJg3 i.a6 1B.�fe1 13.gxf3 :Bxe214.V;Y xe2 hc3 lS.�b1 �eB? Eljanov - Radjabov, Wijk hh3 16.�d1 !iJd7 with a good aan Zee 200B. compensation for the exchange.) Black equalized effortlessly af­ 10 ... �eB 11.h3 !iJe3 12.he3 :Bxe3 ter B.h3 exdS 9.exdS !iJfd7 1O.0-0 13.V;Yd2 geB 14.�ae1 (14.c;t>h2 !iJa6 !iJeS11. b3 !iJxd3 12.V;Yxd3 !iJd7 13. lS.gae1 !iJc7 16.!iJg1 �xe1 17.:Bxe1 %Vg3 !iJf6 14.i.gS h6 lS.i.d2 Ms i.d7 1B.!iJf3 a6 19.!iJe4 !iJeB 20.b4 16.%Vf3 !iJd7 17.g4 !iJeS 1B.%Vg3 i.d3 b6 21.gb1 V;Yc7 22.g3 !iJf6 23.!iJf2

115 Chapter 10 b5+ Seirawan - Wojtkiewcz, Til­ .txf4 IS.tDxf4 bxc3 16.�el .ta6 burg 1992; Black should not worry 17• .td3 hd3 18.tDxd3 tDd719. about 14.f5 tDd7 15.tDe4 tDf6,since �xc3 �gS= Grigore - Marin, Bu­ he preserves his control over the charest 1994. f6-square.) 14 ...tDd7 15.tDg3 gxe1

16.�xe1 a6= B) 6 ••• tDc67. 0-0

9 • .tc2 7.£3 tDd7 S . .te3 e5 9.d5 tDb4 9.h3 tDe5 1O.f4 tDxd3 11.�xd3 1O.ib1 as 11.a3 tDa6 12.tDa4 .!h6 exd5 12.tDxd5 f5 13.tDg3, Vido­ 13.�d2 .txe3 14.�xe3 tDdc5 15. niak - Ionita, Romania 1992, fxe4 tDxc5 tDxc5 16.ic2 f5 17.exfS �h4 14.tDxe4tDc6= lS.g3 �h5 19.0-0-0 gxf5 20.h4 9.tDf4!? tDe510 . .te2�e7 11.g3, a4� Akhmedov - Fedorov, Baku Knaak - Dinstuhl, Germany 1994, 200S. 11 ... tDa6 12.tDg2 exd5 13.tDxd5 7.d5 tDe5 S.O-O c6 9.b3 cxd5 �dS= 1O.cxd5 tDxd3 11.�xd3 id7 12 . .te3 9.f4 exd5 1O.tDxd5 tDc6 11.h3 �a5 13.h3 gacS 14.a3 a6 15.gfc1 tDf6 12.tDdc3 (12.f5 tDxd5 13.cxd5 gfeS 16.b4 �dS 17.tDd4 e6 1S.dxe6 tDe5 14.g4 b5 15.Wg2 b4 16.gb1 fxe6�Likavsky - Yurtaev, Bratis­ aSf Dumitrache - Nevednichy, La lava 1991. Fere 2002) 12 ... geS 13.ie3 tDb4 14.M2 b6 15 ..th4 .tb7� Shomoev - Iskusnyh, Novokuznetsk200S.

9 •••tDeS 9 ...tDa6 10.a3 tDc7 11.gb1 b6 12.b3 exd5 13.tDxd5 tDxd5 14. �xd5 gbS 15 . .tf4 .te5 16.�d2 J.xi4 17.�xf4 �e7 1S.gbdl± Dreev - Ivanchuk, Merida 2005. 10.b3 exd5 11.cxdS This capturing is in principle better than 11.exd5. For exam­ ple: 11 ...geS 12 ..tf4 tDa6 13.a3 f5 7 •••tDh S!? 14.�d2 .td7 15.gae1 tDt7 16.�c1 The Greek GM Vasilios Kotro­ tDc7 17.a4 tDa6+ I.Sokolov - To­ nias defends successfullythe vari­ palov, Wijk aan Zee 2005. ation with 7 ... e5, for example: S.

11 •••bS I2.f4 d5 tDd4 9.tDxd4 (9.ig5 h6 1O . .!h4 12.gb1 b4 13.tDa4 ia6 14.h3 c5 11.gb1 .td7 12.£3g5 13.M2 tDh5 tDed7 15.a3 bxa3 16.ha3 tDb6 14.b4 b6 15.bxc5 dxc5 16.a4 as 17. 17.tDb2 geS lS.ge1 tDSd7� Bru­ hd4 exd4 lS.tDb5 tDf4 19 . .tc2 zon - Nataf, Calvia 2004. tDg6+ Graf - V.Kotronias, Mos­

12 •••b4 13.fxeS heS 14 • .tf4 cow 2004) 9 ...exd4 and here:

116 1.d4 !i:Jf6 2.c4 g6 3.!i:Jc3Ag7 4.e4 d6 S.i.d3 0-0 6.!i:Jge2

10.!i:Je2 !i:Jd7 (1O ..J3e8 11.f3 c5 in case of 11.b3 !i:Jg4 12.!c1 'i!!f6 12 . .igS 'i!!c7 13.'i!!d2 !i:Jd7 14.f4 bS 13.!i:Jde2 'i!!eS 14.g3 f5 lS.h3 !i:Jgf6 lS.b3 bxc4 16.bxc4 13b8 17.!i:Jg3 16.exfS J.xfS 17.g4 !i:Jxg4 18.hxg4 13b4 18.eS dxeS 19.f5'i!! b6 20.!i:Je4 .txg4 19.J.d2 J.f3) 11 ...c5 12.!i:JfS f6 21.J.h6 13b2 22.Y1!lc1 13e7oo Cha­ gxfS 13.'i!!xhS fxe4 14.!i:Jxe4 .ig4 talbashev - Timoshenko, Vi­ lS.'i!!gS f5+ Tupy - Gladischev, enna 2008) 11.b3 !i:JcS 12.Ab2 Ceske Budejovice 1997. 13e8 13.f3 'i!!gS 14.f4 'i!!e7 lS.hd4 !i:Jxe4 16.hg7 rllxg7 17.he4 Y1!lxe4 18.Y1!ld4'i!! xd4 19.!i:Jxd4 a6= Skem­ bris - V.Kotronias, Greece 1995; 1O.!i:JbS 13e8 11.13e1 .ig4 (11... Ad7 12.h3 a6 13.!i:Ja3 .ic8 14. .igS h6 lS . .ih4 gS 16 . .ig3 !i:Jd7 17.!i:Jc2 'i!!f6 18.b4 as 19.c5 axb4 20.c6 bxc6 21.dxc6 !i:Jc5=t Brenninkmei­ jer - V.Kotronias, Wijk aan Zee 1995; 12.AgS h6 13 . .ih4 gS 14.J.g3 !i:Jg4 lS.h3 !i:JeS 16.J.f1 d3

17. .beS heS 18.!i:Jc3 Y1!lf6� Ar­ 9 •••!i:Jd 4 duman - V.Kotronias, Zouberi Black is ready to sacrifice a 1993) 12.f3 (12.'i!!c2 a6 13.!i:Jxd4 pawn in order to open files for !i:Jxe4 14.!i:Jb3 !i:JcS= Olafsson - his pieces. In principle, this line V.Kotronias, Reykjavik 1992) is sufficientfor equality, but there 12 ... Ad7 13.J.f1 hbS 14.cxbS !i:Jd7 is an attractive alternative for lS . .id2 hS 16.13c1 !i:JeS 17.M4 h4 the players who prefer compli­ 18.h3 gS 19 . .ih2 !i:Jg6=Chekhov - cated positions: 9 ...!i:Je7 1O.'i!!d2 fS V.Kotronias, Gausdal 1991. 11.exfS and now: 11 ...!i:JxfS !? 12 . .igS Af6 13.J.xf6

Bl) 8.Ae3 Y1!lxf6 14.!i:Je4 Y1!lg7 (14 .•.Y1!le 7!?=)

B2) 8 • .lc2 lS.cS !i:Jf6 16.13ac1 (16.cxd6 !i:Jxe4 17.he4 cxd6=) 16 ...'i!! e7 17.cxd6 Black is quite happy after8.d S cxd6 18.13c3 !i:Jxe4 19 . .txe4 b6 !i:JeS 9.f4 !i:Jxd3 1O.Y1!lxd3 fS 11.!i:Jd4 20.13fc1 Ad7= Piket - Ju.Polgar, cS 12.dxc6 bxc6 13 . .ie3 J.d7 Amsterdam 1995; 14.exfS gxfS lS.cS eSf± van Der 11 ... gxfS 12.f4 (12.AgS f4 13.f3 Werf - Gallagher, Cannes 1997. Y1!ld714 .he7 Y1!lxe7= Christiansen - Gallagher, Bern 1996; 12.f3rll h8

B1) 8 • .le3e5 9.d5 13.cS f4 14.!f2 !i:JfS 1S.cxd6 cxd6 9 . .ic2 exd4 10.!i:Jxd4 !i:JeS 11. 16.!i:Je4 13g8 17.'i!!b4 J.f6 18.rllh1 !b3 (Black has a good position 13g6, witha good counterplay for

117 Chapter 10

Black, Videki - Shaked, Budapest l3aS) 13 ....td7 (13 ...b6 !?) 14.exfS 1997) 12 ...c!lJg6 13.g3 (13.fxeS?! gxfS 1S . .txf4 (1S.�b3 b6 16.�c2 dxeS 14 . .tgS �d6 1S.c!lJbS �d7 c!lJg6) 1S ...exf4 16.�d2 �h4+ Kise­ 16.c!lJg3 c!lJxg3 17.hxg3 a6 1S.c!lJc3 lev - I.Zaitsev, Moscow 1992; �d6+) 13 ...@hS 14.@h1 .td7 1S.l3f2 1O.hd4 exd4 11.c!lJbS c5 12. c!lJf6 16.fxeS c!lJxeS 17.l3ffl �eS dxc6 bxc6 13.c!lJbxd4, Mendelson 1S . .td4 �hS 19.c!lJf4 �h6oo Tunik - Collins, Bunratty 200S, 13 ... - Shulman, Minsk 1995. �b6 14. .tc2 h6�

10 • .tc2 10 •••c!lJxc2 We must have a look at the 1O ...c!lJxe2 11.�xe2 c!lJf4 (l1 ...fS other possibilities for White: 12.exfS .txfs 13 . .txfS l3xfS 14.c!lJe4 1O.�d2 cS 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.b4 c!lJf4 1S.�d2 �e7 16.f3;!; Ionescu .te6 13.bS fS 14 . .tgS �d7 1S.bxc6 - Navrotescu, Romania 2000) c!lJxc6 16.c!lJdSf4 17.f3@hS 1S.@h1 12.�d2 fS 13.exfS .txfS 14 . .txfS h6 19 ..th4 gS 20.M2 g4� Seira­ l3riS 1S.c!lJe4 �4 16.f3 l3hS wan - Kasimdzhanov, Bled 2002; 17.g3± lOJk1 cS (1O ... a6 11.b4 �eS 1l.�xc2 f5 12.exfS gxf5 12 . .tb1 c!lJxe2 13.c!lJxe2 fS 14.exfS 13.f4 .td7 gxfS 1S.f3 f4 16.M2 .tfS 17.hf5 13 ...b6 14.l3ae1 as 1S.a3 .td7 l3xfS 1S.c!lJc3 �g6 19.c!lJe4 @hS 16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 �e7 18.�d2 20 . .th4 l3gS 21.l3c2 .th6 22.cS l3a3� l3fl 23.cxd6 cxd6 24.@h1 c!lJg7 14.gael 2S.l3g1 c!lJfS� Tunik - Fedorov, Black has nothing to complain Minsk 1995) 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.c5 about after 14.c5 exf4 1S . .td4 .te6 (12... dS 13.exdS cxdS 14.hd4 hd4 16.c!lJxd4 dxc5. exd4 1S.c!lJbS)13.b3 (13.cxd6 �xd6 14 •••exf4 14.�d2 cS) 13 ...dS (13 ...M6 14.�d2 It is not good for him to opt �d7 1S.cxd6 �xd6 16.c!lJa4 l3fdS for 14 ...�e S?! in view of 1S.c5 �g6 17.hd4 exd4 1S.c!lJc5;!;) 14.exdS 16.�b3 exf4 17 . .txf4 and White c!lJxe2 1S.he2 cxdS 16.hhS gxhS exerts a powerful pressure, but 17.c!lJbSd4 1S . .td2h4 19.h3 aS�; it deserves attention for Black to 1O.c!lJbS c!lJxe2 (White is better continue with 14 ...b6. after 1O ...c!lJxbS 11.cxbS fS 12.f3.) 15.c!lJxf4 c!lJxf4 16 • .txf4 �f6 11.he2 c!lJf4 12 . .tf3(Black's coun­ 17.@hl gae8= Christiansen - terplay is quite sufficient after Nunn, San Francisco 1995. 12.c!lJxa7 l"bca7 13.ha7 b6 14 . .tf3

.td7 1S.g3 c!lJh3 16.@g2 c!lJgS 17. .tg4 B2) 8 •.tc2 e5 9.d5! c!lJxe4 or 14.a4 cS 1S.dxc6 �c7 About the move 9 . .te3,look at 16 . .tf3 �xa7) 12.fS .. 13.c!lJc3 (13. the previous comments; 9.dxeS c!lJxa7 fxe4 14.he4 l3xa7 1S.ha7 dxeS= (9 ...c!lJxe S?! 10.b3 �h4 b6 16.a4 �gS 17.@h1 .tfS 1S.�f3 1l . .td2;!;). l1S l.d4 l:iJf6 2.c4 g6 3.l:iJc3i.g7 4.e4 d6 S.i.d3 0-0 6.l:iJge2

9 ... �e7 13 ...gS 14.h4 gxh4 lSJINhS l:iJg6 16.hh6 Vlffe7= 1Q.i.e3 fS 11.exfS gxfS 12.f4 l:iJg6 13JINd2 l:iJhxf4 14.l:iJxf4 exf4 lS.i.xf4 l:iJxf4 16.Vlffxf4 i.eS and Black is not worse at all.

10 .••f5!? He should not lose a tempo for the move 1Q ...aS , since it would provide his opponent with anoth­ er resource - l:iJbS. The immediate move l1.l:iJbS is premature for White, because 10.a4 this knight can be attacked later White is ready to bring his with tempo after c6, for example: rook into the actions along the 1l .. .fS 12.exfS i.xfS, threatening third rank. He is not afraid to i.c2 and c6. (If 12 ...l:iJxfS , then weaken (after Black's response 13J�a3! - Black is quite OK after a7 -as) chronically the dark cS and 13.g4 l:iJh4 14.gxhS l:iJf3 lS.�g2 b4-squares, because the kingside ygh4- 13 ...l:iJh4 14.i.e4 i.g4lS.f 3; will focus the future battle. 14... h6 lS.Vlffc2 l:iJf4 16.ge1 i.g4 Black has nothing to be afraid 17.i.xf4 exf4 lS.l:iJed4 f3 19.93 of after lQ.gbl WhS 1l.i.d2 a6 i.eS 20.gee3 ygf6 21.l:iJxf3 i.xf3 12.YGc1 fS 13.exfS gxfS 14.f4 l:iJg6 22.i.xf3 l:iJfS 23.ge2t LSokolov lS.wh1 exf4 16.l:iJxf4 lLlgxf4 17. - Smirin, Bled 2002) 13 . .txf"5 i.xf4 lLlxf4 lS.Vlffxf4 i.eS 19.Vlffh6 gxfS 14.l:iJg3 l:iJxg3 lS.hxg3 lLlcS gf6 20.Vlffh3 VlfffS+t Borne - Shche­ 16.VlffhS (16.g4!? f4) 16 ...c6 17.i.gS kachev, France 2000. YGd7 1S.l:iJc3 l:iJb6 19.yge2cxdS 20. In case of 1Q.�h1 fS 11.exfS l:iJxdS l:iJxdS 21.cxdS f4 22.gxf4 h6 gxfS 12.lLlg3 l:iJf4, Black obtains 23.i.h4 gxf4= again a very good position, for It would be considerably example: 13.l:iJhS l:iJxhS 14.YGxhS stronger for White to continue i.d7 1S.f4 VlffeS 16.Vlffh3 l:iJg6 17.i.d2 with 11.ga3 �hS (orll ...fS 12.exfS exf4 lS.gae1 lLleS, Gonda - Hen­ l:iJxfS 13.l:iJe4 l:iJf6 14.i.gS VlffeS IS. driks, Austria 200S. l:iJ2c3 l:iJxe4 16.he4 i.f6 17.i.c1 It would be premature for yge7 1S.l:iJbSga6 19.ge1 YGf7 20.g3 White to choose 1Q.f4 l:iJxf4 �hS 21.gf3 YGg7 22.gd3t Bareev 1l.lLlxf4 exf4 12.i.xf4 h6 13.i.e3, - Dolmatov, Elista 1997) and Eggleston - Arakhamia-Grant, only now 12.l:iJbS! (12.�h1 lLlgS Swansea 2006, since here Black 13.l:iJbS yge7 14.i.e3 l:iJh6 lS.f3 had better play immediately f5 16.exfS gxfS 17.f4 l:iJg4 lS.i.g1

119 Chapter 10 lLlxf4 19.1Llxf4 exf4 20.l'M"4 .ieS lLlf4 lLlxf4 16.l3xf4 V!fe7oo)14 ... lLlxf4 2U3af3 .txf4 22.l'M"4 l3f7 23.h3, IS.l3xf4 lLlg6= Drozdovskij - Efi­ draw, Moiseenko - van Wely, menko, 2006. Cala Mayor 2008) 12 ...lLlg8 13.f4 12 . .igS V!fd7 (12.. .f4 13.lLlg3 exf4 (but not 13 ...f5 14.exfS .txfs lLlf6 14.lLlhSi Gormally - Gour­ IS. .hfS gxfS 16.l3h3±) 14.lLlxf4 lay, England 2006) 13.lLlg3 lLlf4 lLlxf4 . IS .txf4 b6 (IS ....b:b2 16. 14 ..txf4 (14.lLlhS!? lLlxhS IS.V!fxhS l3b3) 16.l3e3 V!fe717. l3feU lLlg6 16.gael V!ff7 17. .icl .id7 and It is also insufficientfor Black White has an enjoyable position to opt for 1O ...c;f;>h 8?! 1l.aS lLlg8 indeed, but Black has nothing to (1l ... f5 12.exfS gxfS 13.lLlg3 lLlf4 worry about.) 14 ...exf4 IS.lLlhS 14.lLlhS lLlxhS IS.%'IxhS a6 16 . .igSi .ieS 16.g3 lLlg6 17.V!fd2 f3 18.c;f;>hl Piket - Fedorov, Wijk aan Zee f4 t Bruzon - M. Martinez, Spain 2001) 12.b4 f5 13.exfS gxfS14.f3;!; 2006.

1l.ext'S 12 ••• �f4 13.gga3 1l.lLlg3 lLlf4 12.ga3 fxe4 13. 13.ltJhS!? lLlxhS 14.V!fxhS, Ko­ lLlcxe4 as 14.lLlc3 c;f;>h8 IS.lLlbS rchnoi - Radjabov, Buenos Aires lLlg8 16.lLle4 lLlf6 17.lLlxf6 hf6 2001, 14 ...a6 IS . .igS V!fe8 16.V!fe2 18 . .ie3 b6= Malakhov - Dyach­ f4 17.,ixe7%'Ixe7 18.V!fhS.if6 = and kov, Dagomys 2006. %'If7 next.

1l••• gxt'5 13 ... �eg6 14.�ce2 ll ...lLlxfS 12.lLle4 lLlf6 13 . .igS The following game showed V!fe8 14.lLl2c3 lLlxe4 1S.,ixe4 lLld4i that White could not afford to ignore his opponent's power­ ful knight on f4 : 14.c;f;>hl V!fh4 IS.ggl e4! 16.f3(According to GM M.Golubev, in case of 16.lLlfl, he was planning 16 ...ltJd 3 17 . .b:d3 exd3 18.ltJbS ltJeS!, or 18.f4 V!fg4!) 16... .id7 17.ltJf1 ltJd318.i. xd3 exd3 19.V!fxd3? (White had better take the eS-square under control with 19.f4.) 19 ... lLleS 20.'!Wdl ltJxc4with an advantage for Black, I.Sokolov - Golubev, Germany 2003.

12.lLlg3 14••• V!fg5 15.�xf4 �xf4 16. White has tested some other gf3 .td7 17.c;f;>hl J.e8 18.gggl plans as well: c;f;>h8 19.J.xf4 exf4 20.V!fd2 12.f4 lLlg6 13.fxeS lLlxeS (13... J.e5oo Borne - Relange, France dxeSoo) 14.lLlf4 (14.aS!? V!fh4 IS. 2007.

120 Part 2

TheAverb akhVariation 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 J.g7 4.e4 d6 S.J.e2 0-0 6.J.gS

diately the prophylactic move g2- g4, not losing time for h2-h3 and then to play h2-h4 in one move (Averbakh used the same plan in his games.). I was taught to develop my knights first and only then my bishops in my adolescent years. Yuri Lvovich Averbakh consid­ ered that White could postpone the development of the knight My computer base asserts that on g1 in this situation. White the move 6.J.gS has been played has a wide choice of possibilities for the first time back in theyear and therefore we will see that the 1930 in a game between two ama­ Averbakh Variation provides him teurs. It began to be considered with opportunities of transposing seriously only after the famous advantageously to other systems, Soviet GM and theoretician Yuri like the Saemisch Attack, the Four Averbakh started analyzing it at Pawns Attack and the Petrosian the beginning of the past century. system. Naturally, the system was named In the Averbakh Variation, after him. White takes cares mostly of pre­ White's idea is inherent to the venting his opponent's coun­ other variations with a bishop on terplay and not so much of his gS and it is aimed at preventing own creative endeavours. Black's Black's standard plan including main task is to wait patiently for e7-eS and f7-fS (aftera move with his chances in the middle game the knight on f6, usually to hS) without doing anything too com­ The absence of the knight on f3 mitting, despite having to comply (usually after closing of the cen­ usually with a somewhat passive tre) enables White to play imme- position.

121 Chapter 11 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 J.g7 4.e4 d6

5.J.e2 0 - 0 6 • .ig5 �a6

A) 7.fYc2 B) 7.f4 C) 7.lLlf3 D) 7.fYd2 E) 7.h4

About 7.f3 c6 8.Wfd2 e5 9.d5 - see 7.Wfd2.

A) 7.fYc2 This seemingly unpretentious Black's knight is already eying move requires pinpoint precision the c5-square, although some­ fromBlack. times it needs to occupy the mod­ 7 ...h6 est c7-square. I will have to quote White'sposition is slightly bet­ here GM Mikhail Golubev, who is ter after7 ...cS 8.d5 h6 9.,if4. the author of the interesting book 8 . .te3 Understanding the King's Indian. Or 8.,if4 c5 9.d5 e5 1O.dxe6 "For a long time 6 ...cS was consid­ ixe6 1U'!d1 lLlb4 12.fYbl(12 .fYd2!? ered to be Black's most principled 13e8 13 . .txh6 hh6 14.fYxh6 lLlc2 answer, until in 1988 Glek intro­ 15.';t>f1 lLld�; 12.�b3 lLle8 13.lLlf3 duced an absolutely new idea: f5+t)12 ... 13e8 13.ixd6?! �a5 14.a3 the flexible (in comparison with lLlc6 15.lLlf3 lLlxe4 16.Wfxe4 �3 lLlbd7) 6 ...lLla 6!?, which quickly 17.fYd3 i.xg2 18.13g1 .ixf3 19.�xf3 proved to be fully playable. It was lLld4 and Black seized the initia­ really too much for White, whose tive in the game Boensch - Gal­ successes after 6 ...cS were also lagher, Germany 2003. rather mixed. Thus, many play­ 8 ... e5 9.dxe5 ers started to look for other sys­ 9.d5 lLlg4 1O.,id2 f5 1l.ixg4 tems." fxg4=

122 3.ttJc3 i.g74.e 4 d6 5.i.e2 0-0 6.i.g5 ttJa6

9 •••dxe5 10.gdl WeS ll.ttJd5 S ...ttJd7 9.ttJf3 cS (9 ...f6 10.exf6 ttJg4 exf6 11.i.h4;t) 10.0-0 cxd4 11.ttJdS Black's alternative is the posi­ f6 (ll ...e6 12.ttJe7 @hS 13.�xd4 tional approach 11... ttJd 7!? 12.�d2 dxeS 14.fxeS f6 IS.exf6 ttJxf6 16. c6 13.ttJc3 @h7 14.g4 �e7 IS.h4 ttJxcS l'!xcS 17.ttJeS±) 12.exf6 ttJxf6 ttJdcS 16.hS gS 17.ttJf3 ttJe6+ Uhl­ 13.i.xf6 i.xf6 14.ttJxf6 l'!xf6 IS. mann - Popovic, Austria 1995. ttJxd4 ttJc5 16.i.f3± Yakovich -

12 • .bg4 .bg4 13.13i.e6 14. Trygstad, Bergen 2000.

.bh6 hdS 15 • .bg7 he4 16. S.ttJf3 'f«xe4 @xg7 17.t!txb7 �a4 IS. White's direct attack does not f«b5 Wxa2 19.ttJe2 gabS 20. deserve attention, because in an­ 'f«xe5 @gS= Black regains his swer to 8.eS, Black has a powerful material and equalizes. resource, which has not been test­ ed in practice yet - S ...ttJhS ! (I do B) 7.f4 not like so much the line: S ...ttJeS This is White's most aggres­ 9.ttJf3 ttJac7 1O.i.h4 ttJe6 11.g3 f6 sive line. 12.exf6 tLlxf6 13.0-0 �b6 14.�d2; 1O ...bS 11.0-0 bxc4 12.hc4 ttJe6, Del Rio - Cuenca, Evora 2007, 13.�d2 i.h6 14.g3;t) 9.i.xhS gxhS lO.ttJf3 f6 and Black seizes gradu­ ally the initiative. S. �d2 ttJc7! (It is interesting for him, but probably insufficient to sacrifice a pawn with S ...bS !? 9.cxbS cxbS lO.hbS �b6 11.i.e2 i.b7; 1l.ttJge2 i.b7 12.hf6 i.xf6�; 9.eS b4 1O.exf6 bxc3 11. bxc3 exf6 12.i.h4 �aS 13.ttJf3 i.fS 14.0-0

7 •••c6 l'!feS+ Moskalenko - Nadyrhanov, Black takes the dS-square un­ Alushta 1994.) 9.eS ttJg4 lO.h3 der control, freeingthe c7 -square ttJh6 1l.g4 f6 12.exf6 exf6 13.i.h4 for maneuvers in the process. It is ttJf7 14.0-0-0 dS IS.ttJf3ttJd600 worse for him to opt for 7 ...�eS S •••ttJc 7 S.eS (S.i.h4 eS 9.fxeS dxeS lO.dS, Black can hardly equalize with Korchnoi - Ju.Polgar, Zurich S ...dS , for example: 9.i.xf6 exf6 2006, 10 ...ttJc 5!? 11.�c2 as 12.h3 10.exdS cxdS 11.ttJxdS ttJc7 12.ttJc3 - otherwise Black would play ttJg4 i.g4 13.�d2 hf3 14.hf3 l'!eS IS. - 12 ...tLlfxe4 ! 13.ttJxe4 i.fS 14.i.f3 ttJe2 fS 16.0-0 ttJe6 17.l'!adU Ko­ he4 IS.he4 fS 16.i.f3 e4 17.i.dl rotylev - Chuprov, Krasnoyarsk ttJd3 IS.@f1 ttJxb2 19J'!bl �eS�) 2007, but it would be interesting

123 Chapter 11 for him to try 8 .../t)hS 9.fS!? gxfS in which Black must attack ener­ 10.exfS h:f5 1l./t)h4 i.g6 12 . .bhS getically the d4-square: 12 ...i.fS ! VNaS 13.dS hc3 14.bxc3 VNxc3 IS. 13.0-0 i.e4 14.b4 /t)e6 lS.l3ad1fS i.d2 VNxc4 16./t)xg6 fxg6 17.VNg4 and Black equalized completely, VNxdS18 .hg6= Meins - Smirin, Groningen 1996.

9 •••b5 10.e5 /t)g4 11.VNc1 It is worse for White to play 1l.VNd2 dxeS 12./t)xeS (12.dxeS /t)e6�) 12 .../t)xeS 13.fxeS (13.dxeS VNxd2 14.

This is a prophylactic move 11••• bxc4 12.h3 against thethreat 9 .../t)e6. About 12.hc4 i.e6 13.he6 White can achieve much nei­ /t)xe6 14.h3 /t)h6- see below. ther with 9.0-0 /t)e6=, nor with 12 ••• /t)h6 9.dS /t)a6! 1O.VNc2 (10.0-0 cxdS 1l.cxdS VNb6 12.

1l... cxdS 12.cS. There arises a 14 •••�xe6 15.0-0 /t)f5 16• .ti'2 typical position for this variation, h500with an unclear position.

124 3.1tJc3iog7 4.e 4 d6 5.j,e2 0-0 6.iog5 1tJa6

C) 7.�f3 h6 13.ltJd2 1tJf4= Black should test the inten­ 13.�d1 �e7 14.ltJe1 ltJf6 lS.f3 tionsof White'sbishop. ltJcS 16.ltJc2 ltJe6 17.�d2 �dB lB. �e1 1tJd4 19.1tJxd4 exd4 20. �xd4 �d4 21 . .txd4 ltJg4!= Uhlmann - Schaefer, Bad Neuenahr 1991.

13 ..•�e7 14.�d2 �f4 15. ha6 bxa6

C1) 8 • .if4

C2) 8 • .ih4

Black is quite OK after B.j,e3 eS 9.dxeS (9.0-0 ltJg4 10.ic1 c6 1l.h3 exd4 12.ltJxd4 ltJf6= and in I have never really liked this comparison to the usual position, pawn-structure, but it should be Black has won a tempo and in ad­ admitted that Black can make use dition to all this, it is quite unclear of some dynamic elements. whether it is useful for White to 16.�c4 �e6 17 . .lxf4 exf4 have the moves h3 and h6 in­ 18.�d6, Uhlmann - Nunn, Dort­ cluded.) 9 ...dxeS IOJ';VxdB �xdB mund 1991, 18 ...f3!? +t 1l.ltJxeS ltJxe4=Jarszyk - Weber, Germany 1996. C2) 8 . .ih4 c6!? Black has numerous alterna­ Cl) 8 . .if4 e5 9.dxe5 �h5 tives here and they are all based 10.i.e3 on the attacking scope of his bish­ 10.g3 ltJxf4 1l.gxf4, Milov - op:

Geenen, Brussels 1995, 1l ...ig4 B •.•eS 9.0-0 (9.dxeS dxeS 10. 12.exd6 cxd6 13.ltJd4 ixe2 14. �xdB �dB 1l.ltJxeS �eB 12.f4 gS ltJdxe2�cB ! lS.�d2 �xc4+ 13.fxgS hxgS 14.,tg3 ltJc5+) 9 ...gS 10 ...dxe5 1l.�c1 10.dxeS ltJhS ll.j,g3 1tJxg3 12.hxg3 1l.g3 �e7 12.ltJdS �d6 13.ltJd2 dxeS 13.�b1 c6 14.�d1 �e7 15.ltJh2 c6 14.cS �dB lS.ltJc3 ltJf6+t Ivkov fS 16.exfS i.xfS 17.iod3 j,e6ooAle­ - Ju.Polgar, Aruba 1992. ksandrov - Khalifman, Moscow

1l.•• g;,h7 12.0-0 c6 13.c5 2007;

12S Chapter 11

8 ...gS 9 . .ig3 lLlhS 1O.h4 lLlxg3 11.fxg3 g4 12.lLlh2 hS 13.0-0 c6 14. �d2 VNb6IS. gadl eS+ Ghorbani - Al-Modiahki, Singapore 1995. 9.ti'd2 9.0-0 gS 1O . .ig3 lLlhS 11.VNd2 lLlxg3 12.hxg3 .id7= Niebergall - Kummerow, St Ingbert 1998.

9 •••e5 10.0-0-0 10.0-0 exd4 11.�xd4 ge8; 11.lLlxd4 lLlxe4.

IO •••exd4 11. �xd4 7,..e5 11.lLlxd4 lLlxe4! 12.hd8 lLlxd2. This is again the most often

11••• g5 12.J.g3 played move for Black and possi­ bly the strongest as well. He has an alternative though, but it is not so effective: 7 ...cS 8.dS e6 9.lLlf3 exdS 1O.exdS ge8 (It is worse for him to opt for 10 ...lLlc 7, since it will be difficult to push b7-bS, while his knight on c7 is practi­ cally idle. It is doing nothing there and it precludes the access of his queen to the queenside, for exam­ ple: 11.0-0 .if5 12.h3 �c8 13.�f4 lLlce8 14.gfel a6 1S . .tfl .id7 16.a4;t 12,..lLlxe4! (Black combines Gelfand - Ju.Polgar, Alma-Ata two typicalideas of the King's In­ 2008.) 11.0-0 VNb6 12.gael i.d7 dian Defence. He starts a chase 13.h3 lLle4.The essence of Black's afterWhite's pieces and it will be plan is to complete his develop­ also possible for him to continue ment and to provoke simplifica­ with 12 ...lLld S!? 13.eS lLlxc3 14. tions, after which White's mini­ �xc3 g4 IS.lLld2 dxeS16.lLle 4 VNe7 mal space advantage (in a sym­ 17.f3 .if5+) 13.ti'xe4 f5 14.ti'd3 metrical pawn- structure) will be f4 IS. ti'xd6 ti'xd6 16.�d6 irrelevant. 14.lLlxe4 l3xe4 IS . .id3 fxg3 17 .hxg3lLlc 5� Aleksandrov l3xeI 16.l3xel �xb2 17.�xb2 hb2 - Bologan, Kstovo 1998. 18.ge7 lLlb8 19 . .if4 .ig7 20.ge3 lLla6 21.hd6;t and the endgame D) 7.�d2 is somewhat preferable for White, This is the most popular move Moor - Golod, Fuegen 2006. for White. S.d5

126 3.liJc3i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.i.e20-0 6.i.g5 liJa6

White achieves nothing much a version of the Saemisch Attack if he tries to capture a pawn: B. and his pieces would be very har­ dxeS dxeS 9.�xdB gxdB 1O.liJdS moniously placed in that case. gd6 1l.liJxf6 i.xf6 12.i.xf6 gxf6= 9.13 Paehtz - Bode, Germany 1993. It is not so reasonable for In case of B.liJf3,Black's queen White to try here 9.i.d3 cxdS finds a comfortable square - B ... 1O.cxdS liJeS 1l.i.c2 as 12.liJge2 �eB and it not only unpins the i.d7 13.0-0 (13.a4 �b6!?) 13 ...bS knight on f6, but it creates a threat 14.f3 b4 1S.liJd1i.bS+ Szeberenyi against the pawn on e4. Whitewill - Toth, Hungary 1996, or 9.h4 have to make up his mind. 9.dS cxdS 1O.cxdS �aS!? 1l.f3 liJhS 12. (The direct approach for him fails g4 liJg3 13.gh3 liJxe2 14.liJgxe2 again 9.dxeS dxeS 10.0-0 liJcS bS= Serper - Jiangchuan, Ja­ 11.i.xf6 i.xf6 12.liJdS i.dB 13.�e3 karta 1994. liJd7; Black has defended reliably 9 . . . cxd5 IO.cxd5 J.d7 all his critical squares and he is ready to seize the initiative: 14.cS as 1S.liJd2 c6 16.liJc3 bS!� Uhl­ mann - Podzielny, Germany 1992.) 9 ...liJc S 1O.�c2 h6 1l.i.e3 liJg4 12 ..txcS dxeS 13.h3 liJf6 14. 0-0-0 �e7 1S.g4 liJeB 16.gdg1 liJd6=Boensch - Poldauf, Munich 1993.

1l.J.dl! This is essence of White's idea. He completes his development and his space advantage guaran­ tees a slight opening edge. The attempts to organize a kingside attack would be fruitless. 1l.g4 h6! (ll ...�aS 12.liJh3 gfc8 13.liJf2 h6 14 . .!e3 hS 1S.h3 liJcS

Dl) 8 .••c6 16.gb1 �d8 17.0-0 liJh7 1B.b4 D2) 8 ...�e8 liJa619. 9fc1 liJc720.a 4t De Souza - Milos, Santos 200B) 12 . .!e3 hS DI) 8 ...c6 13.h3 (13.gS liJe8 14 . .!xa6 bxa6 Now, White can transpose to 1S.liJge2 liJc7 16.0-0-0 liJbS 17.

127 Chapter 11 i>b1 'm>8 18.i>a1 gc8f± Krush - gfc8 14.tDge2 ti'xd2 lS.J.xd2 bS Kacheishvili, Berkeley 2008) 13 ... 16.b4;t; tDcS 14.0-0-0 'm>8! lS.i>b1 bS, 13.tDge2 f5 14.J.e3 ti'd8, withan initiative for Black. Sapi - Gonzalez Garcia, Buda­ 1l.h4 ti'e8 (ll ...ti'aS 12.g4 gfc8 pest 1995, 15.exfS gxt'5 16.0-0 - 12 ...hS !? - 13.tDh3 tDcS 14.gb1 .ie8!? (16 ...f4 17.M2 j,f5 18.�c2 tDa4 lS.tDbS ti'xd2 16.xd2 tDe8 hc2 19.ti'xc2 .if6 20.tDe4 i>h8 17.tDf2 f5!t) 12.g4 hS! Naturally, 21.g4!±) 17.f4 Ag6 18.gctl Black should not go berserk and open the g-file for his opponent's D2) 8 •••ti'e8 heavy pieces. He is ready to sacri­ This waiting move enables ficea pawn in order to gain access Black to vary his reaction to his to the f-file. 13 . .txf6 .hf6 14.gxhS opponent's next move. i>g7 lS.hxg6 fxg6 16.0-0-0 gh8 17.hS, Gaprindashvili - Makro­ poulou, Kuala Lumpur 1990 (17. J.xa6 bxa6 18.tDge2 gxh4 19.i>b1 ti'e7 20.gm4 ixh4) 17 ... gJllS! 18.gxhS gxhS 19.ha6 bxa6=i=

1l••• ti'b6 In case of 1l ...ti'aS 12.a3 bS 13.tDge2 gtb8 14 . .ie3 b4 lS.tDa2 'm>S 16.axb4 tDxb4 17.ti'xb4 ti'xb4 18.tDxb4�b4 19.b3, White main­ tains a slight edge.

9 • .idl Black's task would be much easier against White's other pos­ sibilities. 9.f3 tDhS 10 . .id1! fS 11.tDge2 �d7 12 . .ic2 tDb4 13 ..ib1 as 14.a3 tDa6 1S.�c2 f4 16.�4 gS! (Thanks to the weakness of the g2-pawn, Black succeeds in advancing gS­ g4, dominating on the kingside.) 17.M2 g4f± Farago - Tratar, Ma­ ribor 1994. 12.a3! 9.h4 tDcS 1O.�f3 (1O.ti'c2 as 12.tDge2 tDcS13 . .ie3�x b2! 1l.hS tDxhSf±; 10.f3 tDhS 1l.g4

12 •••tDh5 tDf4! 12.hS h6 13 . .txf4 exf4 14. 12 ...tDc S 13.b4; 12 ...ti'd4 13 . .ic2 hxg6 fxg6 lS.tDh3�eS+ Guichard

128 3.ltJc3 !J.g7 4.e4 d6 5 . .te2 0-0 6 . .tg5 ltJa6

- Apicella, France 200S) 10 ... Fedorov, Kstovo 1994. as 11.ltJge2 (l1.hS ltJxhS) 11 ...hS 9 •••c6 10.tOge2 12.0-0 .td7 13.b3 b6 and Black It is not advisable for White ends up in a good version on the to play 1O.dxc6, since it presents Petrosian variation. his opponent with several tempi: 9.0-0-0 ltJcS 1O.f3 ltJhS! 11. 1O ... Y;\'xc6 11.Y;\'e2tOc s 12.!J.c2 Y;\'b6 b4 (l1.ltJbS Y;\'d712 .b4 a6 13.bxc5 13.0-0-0 !J.e6 14.'i!?b1 Y;\'b4t axbS 14.cxbS dxc5 lS . .tc4 Y;\'d6+ 1O.f3 cxdS 11.cxdS, Valdes - Aleksandrov - Fedorov, Minsk Cabrera, Isla Guitart 1994, 11 ... 1993) 11 ...ltJa 6 12.a3 ltJf4 13.W f6 tOhS 12.!J.a4 (12.tOge2 fS 13.exfS 14.!J.h4!J.h6 1S. c.t>b2fS 16.Y;\'c2fxe4 gxfS 14.0-0 !J.d7 1S.a3 ltJc7 16.l3cl 17.ltJxe4 !J.fS lS ..tf2 ltJbS 19.!J.e3 l3cS 17.!J.c2b6=) 12 ...!J.d7 13.!J.xd7 as 20.bS (20.g3? axb4! 21.axb4 Y;\'xd7 14.ltJge2 f5 15.0-0 f4 16. ltJxdS! 22.!J.xh6 l3a2 23.'i!?xa2 !J.h4 !J.f6 17.!J.f2 !J.dS!� - after ltJxb4, Golubev) 20 ...!J.g7 21.g3 the unavoidable exchange on b6, ltJhS 22 .td3. ltJd7= Black will solve the problem with 9.!J.d3 ltJhS (It deserves atten­ his "bad" bishop. tion for Black to transfer his sec­ ond knight to the queenside: 9 ... ltJd7 1O.ltJge2 ltJdcS 11.!J.c2 ltJb4 12.ltJbS ltJxc2 13.%Yxc2 Y;\'d7 14.!J.e3 fS lS.f3 fxe4 16.fxe4 a6 17.ltJbc3 %Yg4 1S.ltJg3, Santa Torres - Mata­ moros, Turin 2006 and here Black could have played simply b6 fol­ lowed by as, consolidating a slight edge.) 10.ltJge2 fS 11.f3 !J.d7 (11 ... f4 12 . .ih4 .if6 13.!J.f2 Y;\'e7 14.h4 cS lS.dxc6 bxc6 16.ltJa4 ltJc7 17.

0-0-0 !J.e6 1S. 'i!?b1!J.f7 19.l3c1 .ig7 10 •••cxd5 1l.cxd5 ltJc5, Ba­ 20.l3hd1 gfdS 21.Y;\'aS ltJf6 22.l3c2 ragar - Langner, Manitoba 1996, ltJe6 23.%Ya6 dS� Bekker-Jensen 12.f3 a5 13.a4 !J.d7 14. 0-0

- Fedorov, Aars 1999) 12.0-0-0 l3cS 15 • .te3 Y;\'dS 16.ltJcl ltJh5 ltJcS 13.!J.c2 as 14.h3 f4 lS.!J.h4 17.ltJb3 b6 IS.ltJxc5 bxc5 19. a4 16.!J.f2 b6 17.'i!?b1 !J.f6 lS.ltJc1 !J.e2 f5 - White's position is %Ye719.1tJd 3 ltJxd3 20.!J.xd3 !J.h4+ slightly preferable, but Black has - Black has obtained his perfect his chances as well. position and after the trade of the dark-squared bishops he can E) 7.h4 calmly prepare a pawn-offensive This attack on theflank is one in front of his king. Korotylev - of White's resources, which is an

129 Chapter 11 integral part of the Averbakh Var­ draw, Lugovoi - van Wely, Ant­ iation. It is an illustration of an­ werpen 1995) 15 ...cxd5 16.cxd5 other plus of the move ie2 in the �a5. There arose objectively an absence of the knight on f3 . He equal position. (16 ...ixg4 17.fxg4 can open the h-filein order to cre­ ttJfxe4 1S.ttJxe4 ttJxe4 19.�b4±) ate direct threats just in case. It is 17.ttJb1 �xd2 (17 ...ttJfxe4 1S.fxe4 a dangerous plan and it requires ttJxe4 19.�xa5 l"Ixa5 20.ttJc3! ttJg3 from Black precise and energetic 21.l"Igl± Bareev - Kasparov, Li­ actions. There is something how­ nares 1992) 1S.ttJxd2 b5 19.ttJf2 ever, which is not exactly in the l"IfcS 20.a3 (20.ttJd3?! ttJxd3 21. spirit of the system, because it is ixd3 a3 22.b4 ttJxg4! 23.fxg4 aimed at prevention and building l"Ic3 24.'it>e2 ixg4 25.ttJf3 l"Ixd3 a positional bind and not so much 26.'it>xd3 i.xf3't)20 ... ifS = at attacking directly. S.d5 tlJc7 9.'\Wd2 Black can counter 9.h5 with a counter attack in the centre: 9 ... e6 1O.a4 (1O.�d2 - see 9.�d2) 1O ...exd5 1l.cxd5 a6 12.�d2 id7 13.�f4 �e7 14.h6 ihS 15.ttJf3 b5 (Black succeeds in attacking White's centre prior to his cas­ tling.) 16.e5 ttJfxd5 17.ixe7 ttJxf4 1S.i.xfS l"IxfS 19.exd6 b4! 20.ttJd1 ttJeS 21.ixa6 ttJxd6GG with a good compensation for the exchange.

9 •••e6 10.e5

7 •••c5 1O.h5 exd5 1l.exd5 (11.cxd5 b5 Black can rise up to the chal- 12.f3 id7 13.�f4 �e7 14.hxg6fxg6 lenge and push pawns in front 15.�h2, Hager - Karner, Austria of his king: 7 ...h6 S.ie3 e5 9.d5 1999, 15 ...l"IO =) 1l ...a6 (1l ...b5 ?! ttJc5 10.�c2 c6 1l.h5 (Now, Black 12.cxb5 ib7 13.if3 �d7 14.ttJge2 has no more counterplay on the ttJxb5 15.ttJxb5 �xb5 16.ttJc3 �d7 kingside.) 1l ...g5 12.f3 as 13.g4 17.�f4, Onischuk - Wegener, Ber­ (13.l"Id1cxd5 14.cxd5 id7 15.ixc5 lin 1993, 17... l"Ia eS! 1S.'it>f1 l"1e5 19. dxc5 16.a4 c4 17.ixc4 l"IcS1S.i b5 i.xf6 l"If5GG; 13.0-0-0 �d7 14. ixb5 19.axb5 ttJeS, followed by ih6. Black is a pawn down and ttJd6 withsome compensation for White also has an attack, Alter­ Black.) 13 ...id7 14.ttJh3 a4 15.�d2 man - Kindermann, Bad Hom­ (15.ttJf2 �a5 16.�d2 l"IfcS 17.l"Ic1 burg 1997.) 12.�f4 (12.0-0-0 b5 a3 1S.b3 cxd5 19.ttJxd5 ttJxd5 13.�f4 bxc4 14.g4, Kachiani-Ger- 20.�xa5 l"Ixa5 21.exd5 ttJxb3, shinska - Kiethaber, Germany

130 3.ttJc3i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.i.e2 0-0 6.i.g5 ttJa6

2003, 14 ..J'�b8?) 12 ...ttJce8 13. �xd6+ - Black has managed to i.d3 bS l4.cxbS axbS 1S.hbS �aS parry his opponent's assault, 16.hxg6 fxg6? Kekki - Yrjola, while White has even failed to re­ Finland 1994. gain his pawn.

10 •..dxe5 1l.d 6 �ee8 12 ...�d 7!? 13.�:rJ 13.�e3 b6 14.ttJf3 ttJhSIS . .te7 f6 16.M8 M8� Bareev - Nunn, Hastings 1993. 13.hS bS 14.cxbS i.b7 IS.i.h6 (IS.hxg6 fxg6) IS ...hg2 16.gh2 i.dS 17.hg7 �xg7 18.ttJf3 �xd6 19.hxg6 fxg6 20.�gS, Zakhare­ vich - Dolmatov, Kazan 1995, 20... e4+

13 ..•e4 14.�e5 �xd6! This is the tactical motive this variation is based on. 12.�dl 15.Vxd6 �xd6 16.lhd6 In response to 12.0-0-0, Black �e8 has additional possibilities of or­ ganizing a queenside offensive: 12 ...�d7 (12 ...h6? 13.hh6 �xd6 14.�e3-+) 13.hS (13.ttJf3 ttJg4! 14. ttJe4�c 6!; 13.�e3 b6 14.hS i.b7 - 14 ...ttJxd6? IS.hf6 hf6 16.ttJe4 - IS.hxg6 fxg6 16.�3 hSoo) 13 ... bS! 14.cxbS j.b7 IS.hxg6 (IS.�6 �xd6 16.�gS hh6 17.�xh6 �e7 18.�gS ttJg7 19.i.f3 e4 20.ttJxe4 he4 21.he4 h6 22.�e3 ttJxe4 23.�xe4 gS 24.ttJe2 a6 2S.bxa6 gxa6+ Bareev - Ju.Polgar, Hast­ 17.�xf7 ings 1993; IS.ttJf3 ttJdS 16.�6 17.gd2 he5 18.�xe4 b6 19. ttJxc3 17.bxc3 e4 18.hxg6 exf3 19. i.e7 i.b7 20. .tf3 fS 21.ttJgS hf3 gxh7 �h8 20.gxf3 f6 21.ghgl gO 22.gxf3 i.f4 23.ge2 hgS 24.hf8 22.gg4 gd8oo) IS ...fxg6 16.�e3 (24.hxgS gO 2S.gxe6 �c7 26J:1e3 (16.ttJf3 ttJdS; 16.f3,Antreasyan - �e8 27.i.d6 f4+) 24 ...i.f4 2S.i.e7 Andersen, Copenhagen 1994, 16 ... h6+ .tdS 17.�e3 �xd6 18.ttJe4 �c7+) 17... �xf7 18.�d2 he3 19 . 16 ...hg2 17.gh2 i.dS 18.�h3 bxc3 �f6=

131 Chapter 12 1.d4 tlf6 2.c4 g6 3.tlc3 J.g7 4.e4 d6

S • .te2 0 -0 6 • .tgS h6

�d4 1O.ixd4 exd4 11.�xd4 !!eB 12.�d3 �d'lF - Black has not only regained his pawn, but he seizes the imitative, Brinck-Claussen - B.Andersen, Aarhus 1966. After 7.ih4, White's bishop cannot come back anymore to protect the queenside and natu­ rally this is very favourable for Black: 7 ...c5 B.d5 (B.dxc5 Yfa5 9.f3 Yfxc5 10 . .tf2 Yfa5 11.�a4 YfdB In the variation with 6 .. .lZla6, 12.!!d1 id7 13.�3, Stanek - Ti- Black presents his opponent with kovsky, Brno 200B, 13 ...�c 6!? a free choice in developing pieces with initiative for him) B ...�a5 9. and choosing a plan, while now he �d2 a6 1O.f3 �bd7 11.�h3, Bout­ is trying toforce theissue. teville - Benoit, Dieppe 1967, 11 ...

7 • .te3 �b6 12.�f2 g5 13. .tg3 �h5t

In reply to 7 ..tf4, White's bish­ 7 •••c5 op might come under attack after This is the most principled e7-e5, for example: 7 ...�c6 B.d5 move for Black (B.�d2 �xd4 9.�xd4 e5 1O.ixe5 White has three main lines dxe5 11.�xe5 !!eB 12.�f4, Dual­ here: ibe - Hadas, Warsaw 1991, 12 ... c6 13.!!d1�e7 and Black has more A) 8.dS than sufficient compensation for B) 8.dxc5 the pawn. 8.�f3 e5 9.dxe5 �h5 C) 8.eS 1O . .te3dxe5 11.�xdB �xdB 12.lZld5 �e6 13.�e7 c;t>h7 14.0-0-0 �ef4 A) 8.d5 e6 15 . .tfl .tg4=Krush - Reinderman, Black can also try now the Wijk aan Zee 200B) B ...e5 ! 9 . .te3 gambit idea B ...b5 9.cxb5 a6 10.a4 (9.dxe6 he6 1O.�f3 !!eB=) 9 ... Yfa5, but White completes his de-

132 3.ttJc3j,g7 4.e4 d6 5.j,e2 0-0 6.j,g5h6 7.j,e3 c5 velopment comfortably 11.'!d2 !d3 bS 12.cxbS ttJbd7 13.ttJge2 axbS 12.hbS .!a6 13.ttJge2,Taba­ ttJb6 14.Vd2 ttJfxdS 1S.ttJxd5ttJxdS tadze - E.Ragozin, Riga 1988, 16.J.xh6 J.xh6 17.Vxh6 Vf6� Ka­ 13 ...ttJbd7 14 .0-0 and he can rely menets - Efimenko, Alushta on obtaining an edge. 2000; 11.Vd2 'it>h7 12.'!d3 bS 9.Vd2 13.ttJxbS ttJe4 14.he4 gxe4 1S.l3c1 White will not achieve much a6 16.ttJa3 f5 17.ttJe2gS 18.f3ge8 by a deliberate exchange of his key 19.'it>f2 l3a� Frog - Bagaturov, dS-pawn, which restricts Black's Moscow 1991) 11 ....!f5 12.g4 (12. possibilities considerably: 9.dxe6 0-0 ttJe4 13.ttJxe4 he4 14.'!d3 he6 10.Vd2 'it>h7 11.h3 (It looks hf3 1S.Vxf3 ttJd7 16.l3ab1ttJe S 17. too riskyfor White to castle long: %!fd1%!fh4 18.b3 ttJxd3 19.%!fxd3 ge4 11.0-0-0 VaS 12.'it>b1 ttJc6 13.f3 20.l3be1 l3ae8 21.'!d2 fS , draw, gab8 14.ttJh3bS 1S.cxbS a6 16.ttJf4 Beliavsky - Tal, Sochi 1986) 12 ... axbS 17.ttJxe6 fxe6 18.%!fxd6 gfc8 !e4 13.%!fd2 (13.0-0 hf3 14.ixf3 19.eS b4-+ Bukhman - Lukin, ttJbd7 1S . .!f4 ttJb6 16.Vd3 ttJfd7 USSR 1973.) 11 ... ttJc6 12.ttJf3 Ve7 17.l3ae1 ttJeS 18.heS heS 19.b3 (12 ...VaS 13.0-0 gad8 14.gfd1 a6 %!ff6= Averbakh - Geller, USSR 1S.Vc2 ttJe8 16.ttJdS ttJb4 17.ttJxb4 1974) 13 ...ttJbd7 14.0-0-0, Sna­ %!fxb4 18.eS VaS 19.Vd2 %!fc7, Por­ jdr - Nitsche, COIT. 1987, 14 ...ttJb6 tisch - Sax, Budapest 1984, 20. 1S.b3 hf3 16.ixf3ttJfd7+t .!f4 dxeS 21.Vxd8 exf4 22.gab1±; Black has an excellent posi­ 20 ...dS 21.cxdS hdS 22.Ve3;t) tion after9.ttJf3 ttJg 4 1O . .!d2exdS, 13.0-0 l3ad8 14.l3ad1gfe8 1S.l3fe1 Dybowski - Hawelko, Naleczow Vf8 16.Vc2 ttJd7 17.ttJdS ttJdeS= 1985, 11.cxdS (l1.ttJxdS ttJc6, with Black takes under control the the idea ttJgeS; 11.exd5 f5 !?) 11. .. important d4-square, Crouch - fS 12.exfS J.xfS 13.h3 ttJf6 14.ttJh4 Lane, Brighton 1984. .!e4 15.0-0 gSoo

It is usually reasonable for 9 •••exd5 White, in pawn-structures of the Benoni type, to have the g4- square covered, restricting in the process his opponent's bishop on c8 and knight on f6. Still, play­ ing 9.h3 in this situation is a bit too slow and Black manages to organize a powerful counterplay, although he needs some time to begin it effectively with a typical pawn-sacrifice: 9 ...exdS 10.exdS (lO.cxdS ge8) 10 ... l3e8 11.ttJf3(11.

133 Chapter 12

order to prevent the appearance 10.exd5 of the enemy bishop on fS . The in­ White has chosen a symmetri­ different move 12.lDf3,would en­ cal pawn-structure and he hopes able Black to equalize equally: to restrict in the future his oppo­ 12 ....tfS 13.0-0 (13 . .td3 lDe4 14. nent's light-squared bishop with lDxe4ixe4 IS.ixe4 !txe4 16.V!!d3 h2-h3, or even h2-h3 and g2-g4, V!!aS 17.lDd2 13e7 18.0-0 lDd7 19. obtaining a slight but stable edge, lDe4 �a6 20. .tf4 lDeS+ L.Bron­ thanks to his space advantage. stein - Quinteros, Argentina The ambitions move 10.cxdS 1985) 13 ....lDe 4 14.lDxe4 ixe4= presents Black with more chances Belkadi - Kavalek, Skopje 1972. of creating counterplay and this was proved in an old game played by Garry Kasparov 10 .. J'!e8 11.f3 hS 12.a4 (12 . .tdl lDbd7 13.lDge2 a6 14.a4 �aS IS.!ta2 !tb8 16.0-0 V!!c7 17.aS bS 18.axb6 lDxb6 19.b3 lDbd7 20 . .tc2 lDeS 21.!tdl h4 22.h3, draw, Gheorghiu - Gavri­ kov, Suhr 1991; 12 . .igS a6 13.a4 �aS 14.!ta3 lDh7 1S.M4 V!!c7 - IS ... V!!d8!? - 16.aS, Fedorowicz - van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 1990, 16 ...bS

17.axb6 V!!xb6 18.lDbS axbS 19. 12 •••b5! !txa8 h6 20.lDh3 V!!b7 21.!txb8 White lags considerably in de­ V!!xb8 22.0-0 V!!b6=) 12 ...a6 13.aS velopment, so this is the right mo­ lDh7 14 . .tdl lDd7 IS.lDge2 lDeS 16. ment for Black to inflict a power­ b3 V!!h4 17. .tf2 V!!f6 18.V!!e3 h4 19. ful strike against the enemy cen­ h3 gS 20.0-0 .td7 21.<.t>hl lDf8 tre. 22 . .tgl lDfg6 23 . .th2 c4 24.!tbl 13.cxb5 !tac8oo Seirawan - Kasparov, In case of 13.lDxbS, White's Skelleftea 1989. control over the vital e4-square

10 ••• c;t>h7 11.h3 is diminished and Black can ex­ White must waste a tempo ploit this immediately: 13 ...lDe 4 on prophylactic, because in case 14.ixe4 !txe4 IS.!tc1 a6 16.lDa3 of 11.lDf3 lDg4 12 . .tf4 fS, Dalin - (White must send his knight into Gustavsson, corr. 1991, 13.lDbSa6 oblivion in order not to lose his 14.lDxd6gS IS . .ig3f4f± Black will c4-pawn.) 16 ...V!! h8!� Meins - not have any problems at all. Schebler, Duisburg 2003.

1l••• ge8 12.J.d3 13 •••lDbd7 14.tOge2 White loses another tempo in After 14.lDf3 lDb6, Black cap-

134 3.ltJc3 i.g74.e4 d6 5.i.e2 0-0 6.i.g5h6 7. i.e3 c5 tures the dS-pawn with an excel­ 16.ltJxe2i.g4+) 14 ...ltJd 4, since his lent game, for example: lS.0-0 centralized knights control prac­ i.b7 16J::!ad1 lMld7 17.a4 ltJbxdS tically the entire board, for ex­ IS. ltJxdS i.xdS 19.i.e2 gadS� ample: lS.ltJf3(lS.hS gS) lS ...lMlb4 Hradeczky - AdOljan, Budapest 16.hS gS 17.ltJxgS tLlf6 lS.ltJxt7 1972. (lS.ltJf3 ltJxe2 19.'iMgS i>h7 20.a3

14 •••tLle 5 15.gdl 'iMxb2 21.ltJxe2i.g4 22.h6 ggS; IS. lS.ltJg3? ltJxd3!? 16.'iMxd3 a6 i.d3 i.fS) lS ... i>xt7 19.'iMg6 i>e6 17.0-0 axbS 1S.ltJxbS i.b7-FGarcia 20.0-0 ggS 21.'iMd3 i>t7 22.gfe 1 Gonzales - Schmidt, Camaguey i.fS 23.'iMe3 e6+ Avrukh- Kamin­ 1974. ski, Warsaw 1991.

15••• a6 16.a4 ltJxd3 17.lMlxd3 9 ••.YlYxc5 10.tLlf3 axb5 lS.axb5 .tfS 19.'iMd2 .td7 1O.h3 ltJc6 11.ltJf3, C.Horvath 20.0-0 gbS 21.'iMd3'iMa5 = Tis­ - Kotronias, Peer Gynt 1994, 11 ... dall - Hellers, Sweden 1992. ltJeS! 12.ltJxeS 'iMxeS�, with the idea to follow with 13.lMlc2 i.e6 and later gfcS. B) S.dxc5 'iMa5 1O.i.e3 'iMaS11 .lMld2 ltJc6 12.h3 i>h7 13.ltJf3 i.e6 14.0-0 ltJd7 IS. gfd1 gacS 16.gael ltJdeS 17.b3 ltJxf3 lS.i.xf3 f5 19.exfS i.xfS= Dokhoian - Balashov, Sverdlovsk 19S7.

10 •••.tg4 1l• .te3 11.0-0 .txf3 12.i.xf3 ltJc6 13. i.e2 lMleS (13 ...lMlaS 14.i>h1 gacS ls.gb1 'iMdS 16.b3 ltJd7 17.gc1 ltJcS lS.f3 i>h7 19.i.e3 b6 20.lMld2t Petursson - Markzon, Lina­ res 1994) 14.f3 gS lS.i.e3 tLlhS

9 • .td2 16.'iMd2 ltJf4 17.i.d1 ltJe6 lS.gel 9.cxd6 ltJxe4 1O.dxe7 geS, Ide i>hS 19.i>h1 'iMaS= Yakovich - - Tilch, corr. 19S4, 11.i.d4 ltJxc3 Inarkiev, Novokuznetsk 200S. 12.bxc3 ltJc6+ White maintains some symbolic 9.'iMd2 dxcS 1O.i.xh6 gdS advantage, but Black's game is (This is an important intermedi­ quite comfortable. ate move.) 11.lMle3 i.xh6 12.'iMxh6 1l •••'iMa5 ltJxe4 13.gel ltJc6 and Black 11 ...'iMcS 12.gc1 ltJc6 13.b3 hS should not be afraid of the di­ 14.h3 i.xf3 lS . .txf3 ltJd7 16.0-0 rect attack against his king after ltJcS 17.ltJdS 'iMdS lS.b4 ltJe6, 14.h4 (14.ltJf3 ltJd4 lS.0-0 ltJxe2 Quinn - Kovalev, Istanbul 2000,

13S Chapter 12

1l • .lxc5 �xe5 19 . .te2;t; 12.�d2 12.0-0 lDc6 13.h3 (13.lDd2 he2 14.�xe2 - see 12.lDd2) 13 ... .bf3 14 . .bf3 Y«b4 15.�b3 a5 16.ioe2 a4 17.�c2 l3fc8 18.a3 Y«b3 19.�xb3 axb3 20.f4 lDd7 and in the oncoming endgame Black's knights are at least comparable to White's bishops. Kalashian - Nal­ bandian, Yerevan 2006.

12 •••he 2 13.�xe2 �c6 14. 0-0 �fc8 This is a forced line and com­ 14 ...�5 15.f3 lDd7 16.l3fcl mon sense is nearly irrelevant l3ac8= here. The variation must be thor­ 15.�ac1 lDd7 16.�fd1, Gulko oughly analyzed and it requires

- Ivanchuk, Bie1 1993, 16 •••Wh7 an excellent memory. 17.a3 �a6 followed by lDce5 with 12.�d5 equality for Black. 12.,txe7 l3e8 13.lDd5 Ae6 14. i.a3(1 4.ltJc7 l3xe715. lDxa8 ltJec6+ C) 8.e5 - White'sknight is stranded now on the a8-square and he has also problems castling.) 14 ...hd5 15.cxd5 ltJc4, Ryskin - Mochalov, Minsk 1993, 16.Wfl lDxa3 17.bxa3 ltJd7� 12.ltJf3 ltJbc6 13.0-0 iof5 14. ltJh4 ioe6 15.ltJd5 l3ac8 16.he7 l3fe8 17.ltJf6 .txf6 18 . .txf6 ltJxc4= Borisenko - Yurtaev, Tashkent 1988.

12••• �bc6 13.f4 13.he7 ltJxe7 14.ltJxe7 c,f,Jh7

8 •••dxe5 9.dxe5 �xd1 10. 15.ltJxc8 l3axc8 16.b3 l3fe8 17.c,f,Jfl �d1 �g4 l3cd8 18.l3xd8 l3xd8 19.f4 ltJc6 The Kirgizian GM Leonid 20.ltJf3 ltJb4= Roeder - Arizmen­ Yurtaev is the inventor of this di, Ubeda2000. variation and he has played some 13.b3 i.f5 14.ltJf3 (14.he7 l3fe8 memorable games in it. His pupil 15.iof6 ioe4 16.c,f,Jfl hd5 17.hg7 Ernesto Inarkiev has contributed c,f,Jxg7 18.cxd5 ltJb4 19.a3 ltJc2 to his endeavours later. 20.a4 l3ad8) 14 ... l3fd8 15.ltJxe5

136 3.ltJc3!g7 4.e4 d6 5.!e2 0-0 6.!g5 h6 7.!e3 c5

!xeS 16.0-0 (16.f4 !g7 17.ltJxe7 16.h3 ltJf6 17.ltJc7 �bS IS.!xc6 ltJxe7 IS.he7 13eS 19.!b4 as 20. bxc6; 16.!xe7 13eS 17.!c5) 16.h3 !d6 !J.g4 21.13d2 !c3) 16 ...�fS ltJf6 17.13d2 ltJd7 1S.ixe7 ltJxe7 19. 17.if3, Seifert - Feige, Germany �b2 ltJfS 20.�f2 ltJcS 21.13dU 2002, 17... !d 6= lS.�e2

13 .•. �g4 14 . .tf3 IS.b4 13fdS 16.bS ltJaS 17.ltJxe7 Whiteprovoked amusing com­ �h7 1S.ltJxfS gxf5 19.�dS (19.13c1 plications in a recent game, played �acS 20.ixa7 �c4 21.ltJe2 �xc1 in the super-final of the Russian 22.ltJxc1 ic3 23.�fl ltJc4 24.h3 Championships: 14.h3 tDf6 IS.if3 ltJf6 2S.g4 b6oo) 19 ...�dS 20.ltJe2 ifS 16.g4!? (16.ltJe2 - see 14.!f3 b6 21.ie7 13d722 .ib4 ltJxc4= ifS IS.ltJe2 �fdS 16.h3) 16 ...!c2 lS ...lUd8 16.b3 17.13d2 ltJe4 IS.ixe7 ltJxd2 19. 16.0-0, Kalygin - Svirjov, �xd2 !bl 20. .ixfS �xfS 21.ltJc3 Alushta 2003, 16 ...e6 != 13dS 22.!dS, Maslak - 1narkiev, 16.ltJg3 ixb2 (I have already Moscow 200S and here Black told you that a brilliant memory is could have exploited the defence­ required in this line, but my own lessness of his opponent's king­ memory left me when I needed side by playing 22 ...ixc3 23.�xc3 it most. I lost all my time dur­ ltJe7 24.hb7 �d3 2S.�b4 ixa2 ing a game, I failed to remem­ 26.�c5 13d7!? 27.!a6 13dl� ber the correct move and I lost: 16 ...e6 17.h3 ltJf6 IS.ltJe7 ltJxe7 19.he7 �dl 20.�xdl !bl 21.b3 13eS 22.ixf6 ixf6 23.�cl ixa2 24.�c2 bS 2S.ltJe4± Bareev - Bo­ logan, Poikovsky 2006.) 17.ltJxfS gxfS IS.13bl id4 19.ixd4 ltJxd4 20.�xb7 e6! 21.ixg4 exdS 22.ihS dxc4 23.�d2 ltJbS 24.�c2 ltJd6 2S.�c7 13dcS26.13 d7 13dS= Alexan­ drov - 1narkiev, Sochi 2006. 16 ... �f6 17.�g3 17.g4 !c2 IS.�cl id3f±

14 •••ifS 17.0-0 !c2 IS.13d2 tDe4 19. It would be insufficient for ixe4ixe4 20.�fd l ixdS (20 ... !fS Black to continue with the attrac­ 21.ltJec3 ixdS 22.ltJxdS �g7 23. tive line: 14 ...ixb2 IS.ltJe2(ISJ� bl ltJb4�xd2 24.�d2 �cS, Norri - ig7 16.h3 ltJf6 17.ltJc7 !fS lS.13xb7 V.Kotronias, Moscow 1994, 2S. ltJaS 19.13bS 13acS 20.13xaS 13xc7+ ltJxc6�c6 26.!d4 �gS 27.b3 �d6 Tsemekhman - P.H.Nielsen, Bue­ 2S.�f 2;!;;White is better after20 ... nos Aires 1993) IS ...�h7 (IS ...ig7 b6 21.tDxe7 �h7 22.tDxc6) 21.cxdS

137 Chapter 12

�a5 22.b3 l'M723 . .tb4b6= play 21 ...b6 22 . .if2 hd2 23.l3xb1. 22.gxbl In case of 22.dxc6 ha2 23. cxb7 l3ab8 24.ha7 hf4 25.hb8 l3xb8 26.�e4 l3xb7 27.�f6 exf6 28.hb7 hb3= Black is not worse at all.

22 •••.tb4 23.dxe6 Axe5 24.

e7 gfS25 • .txb7

17••• .te2 ! Black's bishop sets up on a critical long journey, which it might never come back from. 18.gd2 18Jk1 .td3 19.�b4 �xb4 20. hb4 h5 21..tc3 .ih6+ Zakharevi­ ch - Yurtaev, Samara 2002.

18.�xe7 �xe7 19J3xd8 fud8 25 •.•.id6 26• .txa8 l3xa8 20.he7 l3d7 21..ic5 b6 22.M2 27.gel �h7, draw, Alexandrova - Kova­ Following 27.@f3 hc7 28.b4 lev, Alushta 2003. l3d8 29.l3b3 l3d1, it is only Black

18 •••.tbI 19.b3 who can be better, since a rook After 19.�xe7 �xe7 20.he7 and a bishop coordinate much l3xd2 21.@xd2 ha2, White fails better in similar positions with to capture the enemy bishop. asymmetrical pawn-structure, 19 ...�xd5 20.cxd5 .ic3 21. than a rook and a knight. @e2 Therefore, the exchange of the 21.0-0 �b4+; 21.dxc6 l3xd2 rooks should be the right deci­ 22.0-0 b6+ Yurtaev. sion.

21••• .txd2 27••• :Ele8 28.@f3 �e7 29. It is less advisable for Black to �e7 he7 and this endgame is approximately equal, Bareev - Yurtaev, Moscow 1990.

138 Part3

The Saemisch Attack 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 J.g74.e 4 d6 5.0

protects reliably his e4-pawn and he plans his development ac­ cording to the scheme .ie3, �d2, 0-0-0 and follows this later with an offensive on the kingside with pieces and pawns. It is because of this dangerous attacking system that some King's Indian players choose their favourite opening only after White has already de­ veloped his knight to f3. Still, the The Saemisch Attack is one of vampire is not so bloodthirstyand White'smost aggressive reactions Black has reliable ways of obtain­ to the King's Indian Defence. He ing a comfortable position.

139 Chapter 13 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 J.g7 4.e4 d6 5.£3 0-0

might follow: 7.lilge2 (Black ob­ tains a good counterplay after 7.d5 lile58. lilge2lilfd7 9.b3 lilxd3 1O.�xd3 c6 11 . .ig5h6 12 . .te3cxd5 13.cxd5 b5!? This pawn-sacrifice is not forced, but it is interest­ ing - 14.�xb5 �b8 15.�d3 �a5 16. �f2.ta6� Umstead - Fishbein, New York 1997. Black has an ex­ cellent position after 7 . .te3 e5 8.lilge2?! lilg4 9 . .ig1exd4 10.lild5 6.�ge2 lile3 11.lilxe3 dxe3 12.he3 .txb2 This seemingly unpretentious 13.�b1 .tg7=i= Gerczuk - Schmaltz, move is fullof venom. Asa recom­ Baden-Baden 1990; 8.d5 lild4 mendation, we will tell you that 9.hd4 exd4 1O.lilb5 a6 11.lila3 it is an integral part of the open­ c5 12.lile2 .id7 Janvari - Slugin, ing repertoire of an outstanding Kobanya 1996) 7 ...e5 8.d5 lild4 GM and theoretician like Alexey 9 ..te3 (White lags in develop­ Dreev. ment, so he must avoid compli­ White can hardly achieve any­ cations: 9.lilxd4 exd4 1O.lilb5 thing much if he pushes too many a6 11.lilxd4 lilxd5 12.lile2 lilb4 pawns: 6.g4?! lilc67.lilge2 e5 8.d5 13.0-0 b5, with an initiative for lild4 9.lilxd4 exd4 10.lile2 lild7 Black, Shevelev - Ippolito, Paris 11.h4 �f6 12 . .ig2 lile5 13.�b3 d3 1994.) 9 ...lilh5 1O.�d2 c5 11.dxc6 14.lilg1 �e7 15 . .ig5 f6 16 . .id2 a6:j: (11.0-0-0 a6 12 . .th6.td7 13.hg7 Mostovic - Shultz, Yerevan 1968. �xg7 14.�df1 b5 15.g4 lilf6 16.h4 In case of 6 . .td3, Black's re­ h5 17.�g5 bxc4 18.hc4 .ib5, Sei­ action is standard - 6 ...lilc6, at­ gerschmidt - Reichmann, Guben tacking the d4-pawn, which is 2002) 11 ...bxc6 12.0-0 (12.b4 not protected by the queen on d1 .te6 13.�d2 f5 14.�h1 f4 15 . .if2 g5 after his previous move. There 16.lila4 g4 17.lilxd4 exd4 18.fxg4

140 3.ttJc3J.g7 4.e4 d6 5.fJ 0-0 6.ttJge2 c5 7.d5e6 bg4� Kolbus - Kasimdzhanov, 2002) 1O ...e6 1l.a4 exdS 12.cxdS Groningen 1999) 12 ...aS 13.b3 cS ttJhS 13.J.e2f5 14.exfS gxfS15 .0-0 14J�ab1 ie6 1S.ttJdShdS 16.cxdS id7 16.ttJ1a2 �f6 17.�ac1 bS 1B.b4 �b6� Lokvenc - Boleslavsky, De­ c4, with mutual chances, Ferreira brecen 1961. - Matamoros, Evora 2006;

6 •••c5 7.dS No doubt, White'smost princi­ In case of 7 . .te3, Black increas­ pled move here is B.dS and Black es his pressure against his oppo­ should reply to this in the major­ nent's central pawn with the move ity of cases with centralizing his 7 ...ttJc6. There might follow: knight B ...ttJeS. The drawback of B.dxc5 dxc5 9.�xdB (9.hc5 this move is that it has been criti­ YffaS 10.J.e3 �dB 11.�c1 ttJhS 12. cized by theory and quite deserv­ ttJg3 ttJxg3 13.hxg3 ie6 14.c.t>f2 edly at that. We recommend an­ gacB 1S.ttJdS bdS 16.exdS ttJeS other retreat of the knight to the 17.gh4 bS� Polugaevsky- Dzind­ edge of the board - B ...ttJa S!? It zichashvili, USSR 1974) 9 ...l:!xdB has been tested in practice just a 10.bcS ttJd7 1l.ie3 ttJdeS 12.ttJc1 few times, but it is not bad at all. ttJb4 13.c.t>f2 ttJc2 14.gb1 ttJxe3 Therebegins some rather original 15. c.t>xe3.th6 16.f4 ttJc6GG Privman play right now and we will show - Nakamura, New York 2003; you some games to illustrate B.�d2 a6 9.dS (Black should the fine points: 9.ttJg3 (9.ttJc1 a6 not be afraid of the line: 9.dxcS 1O.�d2 bS 1l.cxbS axbS 12.bbS dxc5 10.�d1 ttJd7 .1l .th6 .bh6 id7 13.ie2 �b6 14.0-0 �fbB 15. 12.Yffxh6 e6 13.h4 �e7 14.hS gS gb1 �c7GG Deegens - Wemmers, 1S.f4 f6 16.�h3 ttJdeS 17.fxeSttJxeS Netherlands 1993) 9 ...a6 1O.�d2 1B.ttJf4 gxf4 19.�xf4 .td7 Morei­ (10 . .te2 ttJd7 11.�c2 ttJeS 12.b3 ra - Stellwagen, Morelia 2007. YffeB 13.0-0 fS 14.f4 ttJg4 1S.i.xg4 It looks too optimistic for White fxg4 16.gac1 bS 17.Yffd3 �bB� to try 9.0-0-0 �aS 1O.c.t>b1 eS! Skacelik - Mrva, Pardubice 199B) 1l.dxcSdxc5 12.ttJdS�xd2 13.hd2 1O ... bS 1l ..th6 e6 12.0-0-0 b4 ttJxdS 14.cxdS ttJd4+; 13.ttJxf6= 13.ttJb1 exdS 14.hg7 c.t>xg7 1S.exdS Glek; 13.l:!xd2 ttJxdS 14.cxdS ttJd4 geB 16.h4 hS 17.�f4 ga7 1B.ttJd2 1S.ttJxd4 - 1S.ttJc3 bS+; 1S.b4 b6! gae7 19.ttJge4 ttJxe4 20.fxe4 .tg4 Glek - 1S... exd4 !? 16. .tgS 16 ...bS ! 21.ge1, draw, Zueger - Wojtkie­ and Black seized the initiative in wicz, Bern 1992. thegame Hoi - Glek, Copenhagen 7 •••e6 1995.) 9 ... ttJeS 1O.ttJc1 (1O.ttJg3 hS 1l . .te2 h4 12.ttJf1 h3 13.g4 bS A) S.J.e3 14.cxbS axbS 1S.ttJxbS .ta6 16. c.t>f2? B) S.ttJg3 ttJexg4! 17.c.t>g1ttJxe3 1B.ttJxe3ttJhS Al-Khaja - A.Kuzmin, Oberwart Black can counter B ..tgS with

141 Chapter 13

S ...h6 9.i.e3 (9.i.f4 exd5 1O.exd5 other pieces. ltJh5 1l.i.e3 ltJd7 12.Wfd2 ltJe5 13. It deserves attention forWhite ltJf4 1tJxf4 14.i.xf4 Wfh4 15.i.g3Wfe7 to try ltJf4 immediately, or a bit 16.0-0-0 a6 17.f4 ltJg4 ISJ3el later: WfdS 19.h3 ltJf6 20.i.h4 b5? 1O.ltJf4 ltJbd7 1l.i.e2 a6 12.a4 Shamkovich - Gligoric, ltJe5 13.0-0 i.d7 14.Wfd213bS I5.a5 1963) 9 ...exd5 1O.cxd5 h5, trans­ ltJeS 16.ltJa4 i.xa4 17.13xa4 1tJc7 1S. posing to variationA. ltJd3 1tJd7 19.13c4b5 20.axb6 1tJxb6 21.13cc1 ltJb5?I.So kolov - Smirin, A) 8.J.e3 Burgas 1993; lOJWd2 ltJh7 (Black prepares the same pawn-break, as in the main line.) 1l.ltJf4 1tJd7 12.i.e2(12. ltJh3 ltJe5 13.ltJf2 i.d7 14.13c1 b5 15.i.e213bS 16.b3 geS17. 0-0 a6= Costa - Gheorghiu, Lugano 19S9) 12 ...ltJe 5 13.0-0 i.d714. 13abl 13cS 15.13fcl a6 16.a4 Wfa5 17.b3 13feS 18.�hl f5 19.1tJe6 i.xe6 20.dxe6 fxe4 21.f4 ltJg4 22.ltJxe4 Wfxd2 23. i.xd2 d5 24.i.xg4 dxe4 25.i.h3 ltJf6? Sadler - Fedorowicz, Lon­

8 •••exd5 9.cxd5 h5 don 19S5.

Black prevents the appearance lO •••�h7 lt • .ie2 of the enemy knight on g3. If he slows down, then Whitewill com­ plete the development of his king­ side and he will obtain a stable edge: 9 ... ltJbd7 1O.ltJg3 h5 1l.i.e2 h4 12.1tJf1! lO.ltJcl It is senseless for this knight to go to g3: 1O.ltJg3 ltJbd7 and if he continues with his development with 1l.i.d3, then 1l ...h4 12.ltJge2 h3 13.g3 ltJe5and Black seizes the initiative. Therefore, he maneu­ It... f5 vers his knight to the other side This thematic pawn-advance of the board, but it does not have provides Black with a good coun­ a good square there either and terplay, but he can postpone it a it impedes the movement of the bit 1l ... ltJd7 12.0-0 Wfe7 13.ltJd3

142 3.tiJc3 197 4.e4 d6 5.f3 0-0 6Ji:o.ge2 c57.d5 e6

lLle5 14.lLlf2 f5 15.�d2 a6 16.a4 g5 16 •••a6 17.a4 lLle5 18.lLla5 17.exfS i.xf5oo Dolmatov - Khalif­ g5 19.1f1 �g6= Black's active man, Kiev 1986. piece-play compensates White's 12.exfS minimal space advantage, Ako­ After 12.lLld3 fxe4 (12 ...g5 !?) pov - Glek, corr. 1988. 13.lLlxe4, White has two central­ ized knights, but this is not much B) 8.lLlg3 of an achievement 13 ...lLlf 614.0-0. After an exchange on f6, White has nothing special to brag about. By castling, he wishes to make use of the fact that the d5-pawn seems "poisoned", but Black can put this assumption to the test with: 14 ... lLlxd5 15.�b3 .te6 16.lLlg5 �e7 17.lLlxe6�xe6 18.lLlf2 lLld7. White fails to exploit the vulnerability of the a2-g8 diagonal, while Black is a pawn up afterall.

12 •••.ixfS 13. 0-0 �e7 14. At first, White must take care 1f2 lLld7 15.ge1 �f6 of the deployment of his king's bishop, since this may tum into a real problem for him. The devel­ opment of the other bishop on c1 can be delayed for a while.

8 •••exd5 9.cxd5

B1) 9 ••• lLlh5

B2) 9 •••a6

B3) 9 •••h5

B1) 9 ••• lLlh5 There were times when I even 16.lLlb3 liked this move. Black pushes The knight is even better quickly f5 , removing the superflu­ placed here than on d3. Naturally, ous piece in the process. The ap­ the e4-square will be the best for pearance of doubled pawns is the it. Black can develop easily his only thing he must worry about. pieces, he has the e5-outpost and 10.lLlxh5 gxh5 1l • .id3 he exerts powerful pressure on White remains flexible con­ the long dark-squared diagonal. cerning the problems of develop-

143 Chapter 13 ment. It is essential for him now, In case White tries to prevent to bring his king to safety after the appearance on of the enemy which the pawn-weaknesses of knight on eS, by playing 13.f4, his opponent will be a permanent then Black can go for the e4 and factor for the future. g4-squares: 13 ...tlJf6, Agrest - Ka­ He can tryto prepare castling zhgaleyev, Nice 2000, 14.eS (14. long, but this is a long and unsafe exfS tlJg4) 14 ...tlJg 4 lS.h3 (lS.e6 process: 1l.J.e3 f5 12.119d2 'lWf6 13. i.d4 16.�h1 'lWh4 17.h3 'lWg3-+) J.gS 'lWg6 14.J.d3 tlJa6 lS.0-0-0 lS ... dxeS 16.d6 e4 17.J.c4�hS+t J.d716.g 4 bxg4 17.fxg4fxg4=F Ha­ It is interesting for White to rakis - Buckley, London 2000. trythe prophylactic move 13.i.c2, 1l.M4 fS 12.'lWd2 a6 13.a4 Wff6 but Black will have to play any­ 14.J.gS 'lWeS lS.M4 'lWf6 16.J.gS way 13 ... tlJeS 14.tlJe2 tlJg6 (14 ... 'lWeS 17.J.f4, draw, Dearing - 'lWh4 lS.f4 tlJc4 16.tlJg3 tlJxb2 17. Jones, England 200S. 'lWe2 Wfg4 lS.gf3 h4 19.eS dxeS

11••• f51 2.0-0 20.h3 Wfg6 21.fxeS tlJc4 22.'lWxc4 12.exfS .hfS 13.0-0 tlJa6 14. !xeS 23.gb1 hg3 24.M4;!; Dreev ha6 bxa6 lS.J.e3 gbS 16.'lWd2 - Peng, Beijing 2000) lS.exfS 'lWf6 17.gac1 'lWg6 lS.b3 h4+tWard (lS.tlJg3 fxe4 16.he4 h4 17.tlJe2 - Mortensen, Copenhagen 1999. Wff6+t) lS ... .hfS 16 . .hfS gxf5 17.

12 •••tlJd 7 tlJg3 gf7 lS.tlJxhS J.d4 19.�h1 This is an attempt by Black to 'lWh4 20.f4 (The move 20.g4 com­ ensure having the eS-outpost for promises White's position con­ a permanent use during the game. siderably and this creates for him In case of 12 ...f 4!? White will at­ additional problems with his de­ tack immediately this pawn: 13. velopment: 20 ...'lWh3 21.'lWe2 ge7 tlJe2 J.eS 14.g3 and Black would 22.'lWg2 Wfxg2 23.�xg2 ge2+, or be happy to have a pawn on gS. 21.J.gS gafS 22.J.h6 tlJh4 23.'lWe2 ge7 24.'lWc2 lW3; 22.f4 tlJeS 23. Wfb3 J.e3!=F) 20... gafS ! (threaten­ ing tlJeS) 21.J.d2, Iljin - Sj ugirov, St. Petersburg 200S and here Black will have to play 21...tlJeS 22.tlJg3 tlJg4 23.h3 tlJf2 24.gxf2 J.xi2 2S.tlJe4 J.d4 26.tlJxd6ge7+ Following 13.tlJe2!? Black can sacrificea pawn foriniti ative: 13 ... c4 14.hc4 (14.J.c2, draw, Dreev ­ Bologan, Beijing 2000, 14 ...'lWb6 lS.�h1 fxe4 16.he4 tlJcS 17.Wfc2 13.exfS tlJxe4 1S.'lWxe4J.d7 19.tlJc3 gacS+t)

144 3.liJc3 �g7 4.e4 d6 5.fJ 0-0 6.ltJge2 c5 7.d5e6

14 ..J�'b6 15.'it> h1 fxe416 .fxe4 fufl. 0-0 ltJe5 16.�e3 f5 17.f4 ltJg4 lB. 17.Y;Vxf1 ltJf6.Indeed, even if White hg4 hxg4 19.e5± Campos - plays the best moves, the maxi­ Saldano, Sevilla 2004; 12 ...Y;Ve7 mum that he can rely on is equal­ 13.Y;Vd2 ltJd7 14.,tg5 f6 15.�4 ltJe5 ity: 1B.ltJc3(lB .Y;Vf3 ltJg4) 1B ...ltJg4 16.�e2 ltJg6 17.M2 f5+± Grischuk 19.1tJd1 �d7 20.h3 (20.,tf4 �fB - Bologan, Internet 2004) 12 ...f5 21.h3 ltJe5+) 20... �fB 21.Y;Ve2 ltJf2 13.0-0 (13.,td2 ltJd7 14.Y;Ve2 ltJe5 (21...ltJe5 22.,te3) 22.ltJxf2 �xf2 15.�c2 f4 16.a5 ,td7 17.0-0 h4 lB. 23.Y;Vel �c2 24.,td3Y;Vf2 = 'it>h1 'it>hB 19.,ta4 ,tcB 20.ltJd1h3

13 •••ltJe5 14.f 6 YlYxf6 21.�gl, Hoeksema - Glek, Neth­ 14 ....txf6 15.,te4± erlands, 199B 21...hxg2 22.fug2 15.�e4 ltJg6 and Black has the e5-outpost 15.ltJe4 Y;Vg6 16.,tc2�f5 17.'it>h1 under control and this provides b5 18.�b1 h4 19.h3, I.Novikov - him with an advantage.) 13 ...ltJd 7 Langer, Lindsborg 2002, 19 ... (13 .. .f4 14.ltJe2i.e5 15.g3 fxg3 16. �aeB= hxg3 ,th3 17.�f2 c4 1B.hc4 h4

15 •••h4 followed by ,tf5 and 19.f4 ,tg720 .�a3!± - the possibil­ Black's positionis quite acceptable. ity of this rook-maneuver is the positive side of the inclusion of

B2) 9 •••a6 the moves a6 and a4, Iljin - Er­ dogdu, Moscow 2005.) 14.ltJe2c4 (14 ...ltJe5 15.,tc2 fxe4 16.he4;!;) 15.hc4 ltJe5 16 . .td3 Y;Vb6 17.'it>h1 ltJxd3 1B.Y;Vxd3 fxe4 19.Y;Vxe4 ,tf5 20.Y;Vh4�aeB 21.ltJg3 Y;Vd4� 11.�e2 We will now analyze in short the position arising after 1l.i.e3 h5 12.i.e2 h4 (It is also possible for Black to play 12 ...ltJh7 - see variation B3a) 13.ltJf1 ltJh7

lO.a4 ltJbd7 It is also good for him to play here 10 ...ltJh5, since the inclusion of the moves a6 and a4 would not change the character of the fight, because White does not have the possibility to play ltJb5. 1l.ltJxh5 gxh5 12.,td3 (12.,tf4 Y;Vf6 13.Y;Vd2 ltJd7 14.,te2 Y;Vg6 15.

145 Chapter 13

14.�f2fS 1S.exfS gxfS 16.f4 geB 21.h3� Svetushkin - Dochev, 17.lt'le3.td4 1B.lt'lxfS .ixf2 19.1!?xf2 Kavala 2002. gfB 20.g4! (20.%!fd3 c4 21.%!fe4 16 .••Wfa5 17.tLlhl,Dreev - Ko­

EMS 22.WfxfS Wfb6 23.1!?f1 Wfxb2+; tronias, Las Vegas 1999, 17 •••tLle 5 20.lt'lxd6 gxf4 21.l!?el WfgS22 .gg1 18.h3 %!fb4+± Wfe7 23.lt'lxcB gxcB 24.gfl gcfB 2S.gxf4 gxf4 26.Wfd3 %!fgS 27.Wfh3 It'lhf6 2B.gdU) 20 ...hxg3 21.hxg3 B3) 9 ...h5 gxfS 22.lMl7 I!?xh7 23 . .td3 It'lf6 24.g4 c4 2S . .ixfS i.xf5 26.gxfS Wfb6 27.1!?f3 Wfxb2 2B.Wfel, Dreev - Gallagher, Catalan Bay 2004, 2B... Wfh2 29.Wfhl Wfxhl 30.gxhl I!?g7=; 14.g4 fS IS.gxfS gxfS 16.exfS gxfS 17.gg1 I!?hB IB.Wfc2WffB 19.f4 It'ldf6 20 . .td3 It'lhS+± I.Sokolov - Ki.Georgiev, Burgas 1993; 14.lt'ld2 fS IS.f4 (IS.exfS gxfS 16.f4 lt'ldf6 17.h3 Wfe7 1B.l!?f2 geB+± Korchnoi - , Roquebrune This is the contemporary 199B) IS ...h3 16.g3 geB 17.0-0 approach to the problem. Black It'lhf6 IB.g4 It'lxe4 19.1t'ldxe4 fxe4 does not wish to wait until his 20.gS Wfb6+± Jussupow - van opponent completes his develop­ Wely, Wolvega 200B. ment and begins a kingside at­

1l••• h5 tack and instead, he starts active Black wishes to repel the operations on the same side of knight away fromc g3 and he pre­ the board. The move hS is pro­ pares fS in the process with Kh7 phylactic, because Black wishes to follow. to impede his opponent to deploy 12.�g5 calmly his forces before the 12.0-0 It'lh7 13 . .te3 - see vari­ beginning of the decisive as­ ation B3a. sault.

12 •••Wfc7 13.Wfd2ge814. 0-0 tLlh715.� h6 B3a) 10 • .te2

IS . .te3 WfaS 16.gael Wfb4 17.f4 B3h) 10 • .tg5 It'lhf6 IB.eS dxeS 19.fS h4+ Hoch­ strasser - Suetin, Bie1 199S. B3a) 10 • .te2!? 15... �8 16.gac1 White ignores his opponent's 16 . .te3 fS 17.gadl h4 IB.lt'lhl threats. He considers that after hc3 19.bxc3 fxe4 20.f4 It'ldf6 hS-h4, Black's rook-pawn would

146 3.ltJc3 i.g74.e4 d6 5..fJ 0-0 6.ltJge2 c57.d5 e6 turn into a tasty target for at­ tack, while his knight on g3 will be comfortably redeployed to the wonderful e3-square.

10 •••lOb7 It deserves attention for Black to repel the enemy knight imme­ diately: 1O ...h4 1l.ltJf1 lOh7 (pre­ paring the thematic fS) 12.i.e3 (12.h3!? a6! 13.ltJe3 bS+±) 12 .. .fS 13.exfS i.xfS 14.i.f2 (14.h3 ltJa6 lS.i.f2 '?9gS! with a powerful initi­ 12 •••lOd 7 ative for Black; 14.g4 .td7 lS.�c2 It would be too hazardous for �e8+±) 14 ...bS ! This pawn is ad­ Black to opt for 12 ...h4 13.iDf1 fS vanced to a square attacked twice. 14.exfS gxfS lS.i.f4 ! This is an Black is perfectly prepared for ac­ excellent multi-purpose move. tions all over the board. lS.h:bS The bishop blocks the fS -pawn (In case of lS.a3, he can simply (restricting the bishop on c8 in consolidate his achievements on the process), it attacks the d6- the queenside with lS ... a6, or he pawn (impeding the development can seek an immediate confron­ of the knight on b8) and it frees tation with - lS ...'?9a S!?) 16.ltJe3 the e3-square for the knight. It is ltJd7 17.g4 hxg3 18.hxg3, Dreev hardly possible to require more - Tkachiev, Shanghai 2001, 18 ... than that from a single move! ltJgS 19.iDxfS gxfS 20.f4 '?9aS 21. lS ...iDd7. Black sacrifices a pawn, 0-0 iDh3 22.st>g2 iDxf2 23.gxf2 but he is practically forced to do h:c3 24.bxc3 '?9xc3 2S.i.g4 iDf6�) that. He obtains some initiative lS ...�aS 16.i.e2 hc3 (16 ...h3 17. for that however. White can parry g4) 17.bxc3 '?9xc3 18.iDd2. Now, that relatively easily, remaining Black must play precisely: 18 ... with extra material. 16.h:d6 ge8 h3 19.94 i.d3 20.0-0 iDd721.g c1 17.�d2 iDeS 18.h:cS h3 19.st>f2 �a3 22.iDb1 h:b1 23.gxb1 iDeS. hxg2 20.st>xg2 f4 21.'?9xf4 iDg6 White cannot exploit here his 22.�g3± Dreev - Topalov, New two-bishop advantage, because Delhi 2000. Black creates new threats all the 13. 0-0 b4 14.lObl f5 15. time. 24.�c2 gxf3 2S.h:f3 �xf3 '?9d2�f6 16.exfS 26.i.g3 '?9xg4 27.st>h1 gf8 28.gxf8 16.f4 fxe4 17.iDf2 '?ge7 18.iDcxe4 iDxf8 29.h:eS �f3 30.st>gl '?ge3 (18.iDfxe4 iDdf6 19.iDxf6 iDxf6 31.�f2 '?9xeS= 20.h3 i.fS= Murali - Deepan, 1l.i.e3 a6 12.a4 Kolkata 2007) 18 ...iDdf6 19.iDxf6

147 Chapter 13

V!fxf6, Dreev - Karpov, Reykjavik 1/!fdB 16 ..ih6 f5 17.hg7 <;!?xg7 lB. 2004, 20.lLle4!? V!fe7 21.lLlc3 lLlf6 f4 lLlf7 19.1Lle3 fxe4 20.g4 hxg3 22.�f3= 21.hxg3V!fe7+ Glotov - Gladyszev,

16 •••gxf5 17.�f2 (17.f4 V!fg6 Dagomys 2009) 12 ...lLld 7 13.f4 18.�f2 lLldf6 19.<;!?h1, Tugui - (13.�e2 geB 14.0-0 J.f6 15.�6 Sofronie, Targoviste 2001, 19 ... lLlhxf6 16J'�f2 a6 17J'�e1V!fb4 1B. a3 lLlg4 20.gae1 lLlxe3 21.V!fxe3 geB 1/!fd4 19.V!ff4 V!fe5 20.1/!fc1h4 21.lLlf1 22.V!fh3 V!fh6with an equal game) b5+t Ward - Efimenko, Gibral­

17••• f4 18.lLlg4V!fg5 19.J.f2 �e5 tar 2007) 13 ... geB 14.�c4 (After (19 ...h3 !?) 20.�e4 V!fe721. �xe5 14.�e2, Black exchanges again .Axe5 22.l3ael .lf5 23.J.d3 b5 the dark-squared bishops. - 14 ... 24.l3e2 h3t Dreev - Radjabov, M6 15.�6 lLldxf6 16.i.b5 �d7 Warsaw 2005. 17.hd7 lLlxd7 1B.0-0 lLlhf6 19. l::!ae1 c4 20.<;!?h1 h4 and he wins his opponent's central pawn.) 14 ... B3b) 10.J.g5 �f6 15.�6, Dreev - McShane, Hastings 2000, 15 ... lLldxf6! 16.e5 dxe5 17.0-0 h4 1B.lLlge2J.f5=t

1l..• V!fc7 Naturally, it is not advanta­ geous for Black to trade queens, because he would have serious problems protecting his d6-pawn in this endgame. Still, the maneu­ ver V!fb6-c7 cannot be termed as a loss of time, because the enemy queen is not placed so well on b3 and Black plans to exploit this This is a logical move - White later. develops his bishop and he pre­ 12.i.e2a6 13. 0-0 vents the advance of his enemy's 13.a4 lLlh7 14.J.e3 V!fe7 15.0-0 h-pawn. lLld716.f 4 J.d4 17.�f2 h4 1B.lLlh1

10 •••'i'b6 g5 19.V!fd1 V!ff6 20.fxg5, draw, Black unpins his knight on Dreev - Topalov, Elista 199B. f6 with tempo and he is ready to 13 •••lLlh7 14.J. e3 play lLlh7 (again with tempo) and (diagram) to follow this withthe thematic h4 14 •••h4 !? and f5 . 14 ...V!fe7 15.f4 h4 16.lLlh1b5 17. 1l.'i'b3 lLlf2 lLld7 1B.l::!fe 1!? (lB.i.f3 g5 19. 1l.V!fd2 lLlh7 12.�4 (12.�e3 lLle2 f5 20.h3 gxf4 21.lLlxf4 lLle5+ lLld713.g b1 lLle514.�e2 h4 15.lLlf1 Dreev - Tkachiev, Cap D'Agde

14B 3.ttJc3i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.j30-0 6.ttJge2 cS7.cl5 e6

16.f4!? In case of the careless ex­ change 16.exf5?! Black's initiative might become very dangerous: 16 ...i.xf5 17.i.f2 (It is more pru­ dent for White to play here 17.ttJf2 ttJd7 1B.ttJce4 E:aeB 19.E:fe1 ttJdf6 20.i.d3 b5 21.ttJxf6 ttJxf6 22.i.xf5 gxf5f! T.Vasilevich - Arakhamia­ Grant, Chisinau 2005.) 17... g5 1B.f4 gxf4 19.hh4 i.d4 20.ttJf2 (It 2000) 1B .. .f5 (lB ...b4 19.ttJb1 g5 is no doubt rather unpleasant for 20.ttJd2gxf4 21.i.xf4 ttJe5 22.ttJc4 White to deploy his knight under ttJxc4 23.i.xc4t; 1B ...ttJhf6 19.i.f3 a pin, but otherwise it might re­ E:bB 20.a4t) 19.i.f3t main stranded on the hI-square 15.ttJbl for long and this could be even Naturally, the knight will be worse. 20.i.f2 V!Jg7, Black forti­ removed soon from this pathetic fies his powerful bishop, while in square; however, it will take plen­ case of 20 ...ttJd 7 21.E:ad1, White ty of time for this knight to join will repel the bishop from the d4- the actions. square obtaining an edge: 21...i.e5

15 •••f5 22.i.h4 ttJdf6 23.ttJf2t - 21.i.xd4 This is played according to cxd4 22.ttJd1ttJg5 23.h4; 22 ...i.e4 the classic examples. White is too 23.i.f3 hf3 24.VNxf3 ttJd7t and busy to develop his pieces harmo­ the difference in the activity of the niously and Black attacks energet­ pieces (particularly the knights) is ically his opponent's monumental quite obvious even to the naked pawn-centre on both sides of the eye and White is faced with a dif­ board. ficult defence.) 20... ttJd7 21.�h1 ttJe5f! Dreev - Bologan, Shanghai 2001.

16 •••fxe4 It is also promising for Black to choose 16 ...i.d4 17.i.f2 b5 lB. i.f3 g5 19.E:ae1 h3 20.ttJg3 gxf4 21.ttJxf5 i.e5oo 17.ttJf2 l1!e8 18.ti:Jcxe4 i.f5 19.i.f3 ttJd7 20.l1!ael b5= There has arisen a position of a dynamic balance.

149 Chapter 14 1.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 g6 3.tLlc3 J.g7 4.e4 d6 5.£3 0 - 0 6.J.g5

nent with too many promIsmg alternatives. See one of them: 7 ... ttJbd7 8.ttJh3 eS 9.dS as 1O.ttJf2 ttJc5 1l . .ie2 h6 12 . .ie3 ttJhS 13. 0-0 fSf± Varga - Almasi, Hun­ gary 1992. In case of 7.ttJge2, Black real­ izes his plan obtaining an excel­ lent position: 7 ...cS B.dS bS 9.cxbS WlaS 1O.ttJg3 axbS 1l . .ixbS .ia6. There arises a very nice version The move .igS has its merits for Black of the Benko Gambit just like every other move in the with White'sbishop on gS and his opening. This bishop is actively knight on e3. 12 . .ixa6 ttJxa6 13. placed there, it pins the enemy 0-0 gtb8 14.gb1 gb7, draw, Dreev knight, but the move has some - Azmaiparashvili, Reggio Emilia drawbacks as well. The bishop 1996, 1S.Wld2 ttJc7 16.f4 ttJg4 17. can be attacked with tempo by Wle2 ttJe3 1B.gfc1 .id4 19.�h1 f6 Black with h6 and the d4-square 20 . .ih6, Sammour-Hasbun - Gu­ remains relatively weak. seinov, Internet 2007, 20 ....ixc3 21.bxc3 �xc3!+

A) 6 •••a6 7 •••ttJbd7

B) 6 •••c5 Zigurds Lanka likes to play this in answer to numerous pos­

A) 6 •••a6 sible versions of the Saemisch At­ Black is preparing c7 -cS and tack and the AverbakhVariatio n. he wishes to advance immediately 8.ttJge2 b7-bS in answer to d4-dS. B.ttJh3. This move is a bit mel­ 7.Wld2 ancholic. There will arise soon Whitecan play a waiting move a pawn-structure of the Benko - 7.a4, but this leaves his oppo- Gambit and the a and b-files will

150 3.tLlc3 i.g74.e4 d6 5/3 0-0 6.i.g5 be opened, while White removes Linares 1995) 16 ...tLla 4 17.tLlxa4 away from the queenside his VNxd2 18 . .ixd2 1!xa4 19.b3 .ixa1 knight. 8 ...cS 9.dS bS 10.lt'lf2 (10. 20.bxa4 i.d4 21.i.bS .ixbS 22.1!b1 cxbS axbS ll. .ixbS i.a6 12 . .ixa6 1!a823.a xbS 1!xa224.b6 tLlf62S .b7 1!xa6 13.0-0 �a8 14.i.h6 .ixh6 tLld7 26.b8=VNtLlxb8 27. 1!xb8 rJlg7 lS.�xh6 1!b8 16.1!ab1 1!ab6 17. 28 . .ie1 .ixf2 29 . .ixf2 1!a1 30.i.e1 �d2 c4 18.tLlf2 tLlcS� Ballon - 1!xe1 31.rJlf2 1!dHI. Novikov - Be­ Milov, Schaan 1996; 12.0-0 �aS liavsky, Graz 1996. 13.a4 1!ib8 14.1!a3 tLlb6 lS.�e2 8.0-0-0 bS!? (White is well tLlfd7 16.i.d2 .ixbS 17.tLlxbS �a6 prepared to counter the move 18.b3 tLlc8 19.i.c1 tLla7f± Lutz - 8 ... cS, because he will not close Kasparov, Horgen 1994) 10 ... the position, but on the contrary �aS ll.cxbS (ll.i.e2 tLlb6 12.0-0 he will try to exploit maximally tLlxc4 13 . .ixc4 bxc4 14.i.h6 .ixh6 his lead in development with: lS.�xh6 1!b8 16.1!ab1eS 17.f4 exf4 9.dxcS tLlxc5 10.eS! tLle8 ll.tLldS 18.�xf4 VNd8 19.eS dxeS 20.VNxeS f6 12.exd6 exd6 13.i.e3;!;) 9.h4 (It i.fS 21.1!bd1 1!xb2+ Ionescu - is possibly stronger for White to Atalik, Romania 1996) 1l ...tLlb6 continue with 9.eS!? b4?! 1O.tLla4 12.i.e2 (12.tLlfdl axbS 13.tLlxbS tLle8 ll.h4 and his direct attack i.d7 14.tLlbc3 e6 lS.dxe6 .ixe6 may tum out to be very danger­ 16.i.e2 16 ...dS 17.exdS tLlfxdS 18. ous. We can recommend to Black tLlxdS tLlxdS 19.0-0 1!tb8+B. Socko to try 9 ...tLle8, preserving the - Spisak, Poland 1997; White tension on the queenside.) 9 ... should better try to enter an cS 1O.dxcS tLlxcS ll.eS b4. In this endgame with the move 16.tLlbS, situation, when Black's knight but Black has a good position is on cS, the move bS-b4 is per­ even without queens: 16 ...�xd2 fectly justified. White's knight on 17 . .ixd2 dS 18.tLlc7 1!a7 19.tLlxe6 c3 does not have a comfortable fxe6 20.tLlc3 dxe4 21.fxe4tLla 4 22. square to retreat to and in case i.c4 tLlxc3 23 . .ixc3 tLlxe4=) 12 ... of its exchange the b-file will be axbS 13.tLlxbS i.d7 14.tLlc3 (H. opened. Black will attack the en­ �xaS 1!xaS lS.tLlc3 tLla4 16.tLlxa4 emy king along it. 12.exf6 bxc3 1!xa4 17.0-0 1!fa8 18.a3 h6 19.i.d2 13.�xc3 exf6 14.i.e3 VNe7 lS.tLle2 tLle8 20.1!tb1 1!b8 21.tLldl 1!a7� 1!b816.VN d2 tLla4 17.i.d4, Riazan­ GeIer - Vujacic, Podgorica 2008) tsev - A.Zhigalko, Hengelo 2005 14 ... 1!tb8 15.0-0 tLle8 16.1!fc1 (16. and here Black had to continue 1!tb1 tLla4 17.tLlxa4 �xd2 18 . .ixd2 opening files against the enemy .ixa4 19.i.c3 i.c2 20.1!f1 .ixc3 king sacrificing material if neces­ 21.bxc3 1!b2 22.i.c4 1!a4 23.i.b3 sary: 17 ...dS 18.tLlc3 tLlxc3 19 . .ixc3 1!a3 24 . .ixc2 1!xc2 2S.tLldl 1!axa2 dxc4 20. .ixc4 .if5 21.hS 1!fc8f± 26.1!xa2 1!xa2+ Dreev - Beliavsky, S ...c5 9.d5

151 Chapter 14

The trade of the dark squared bishop on a6 getting rid of the bishops with 9.!h6 would not pull piece-obstacles along the a and the sting out of the King's Indian b-files. 12.�cl axb5 13.ixb5 i.a6, Defence, because White cannot Lorscheid - Howell, Germany checkmate the enemy king in this 1995, 14.�la2 .b:b5 15.axb5 �h5 fashion. He can try to open the 16.0-0 .td4 17.c;t>hlixc3 18.�xc3 h-file and bring some reserves, 'i;l'xb5= but Black will succeed in creat­ 10 ...�a5 ing counterplay and parrying the We have already mentioned threats during this time: 9 ...hh6 that it is essential for Black to 1O.�xh6 b5 1l.h4 b4 12,liJd5 e6 develop at first his queen on the 13.�xf6 (13.�e3 �a5 14.b3 cxd4 queenside and only then to bring 15.�xd4 i.b'n Gupta - Flores, in the cavalry with �b6. Andorra la Vella 2006) 13 ...�xf6 1l.cxb5 axb5 14.h5 g5 15.�xf6 �xf6 16.0-0-0 After 1l ... �b6 12.a3 axb5 13. e5 17.dxe5 dxe5 IS.g4 i.e619.�g 3 �xb5 .td7 14.�xa5 !!xa5 15.�c3 !!fdS= I.Novikov - Spassov, Yere­ !!bS, Black enters a comfortable van 1996. version on the Benko Gambit, TIjushin - Inarkiev, Krasnodar 2002. 12.�xb5 �b6 13.�xa5 �a5 14.J.d2 ga8 15.gb1 It would be enough for White to make just a single mistake and Black's pieces will be on a rampage: 15.�e2?! �c4 16.�ec3 �xb2 17.a4 c4 IS.!!a2 �d3+ Dreev - Topalov, Linares 1997.

15 ...�e8 16.b3 f5 17• .td3 fxe4 18.fxe4, Starostits - Lan­

9 •••b5 10.�c1 ka, Germany 2001 and here Black 1O.cxb5 �a5 1l.a4 (11.�c1 - had to transfer his knight to the see 1O.�c1) 1l ...�b6 ! This is the e5-square with 18 ••• �d7 obtain­ typical scheme of actions in the ing his standard compensation. Benko Gambit pawn-structure. Black's queen goes to a5 (eventu­ ally to b4), while his knight goes B) 6 •••c5 to b6, eyeing the c4-square. Later, (diagram) he exchanges on b5, forcing his 7.d5 opponent to capture with a bish­ It would be a mistake for op and then he develops his own White to play 7.dxc5 'i;l'a5 8.�d2

152 3.lLlc3ig7 4.e4 d6 SJ3 0-0 6.igS

White's nerves. 8 ...lLlbd7! 9.lLlge2 lLle5 10.0-0 h6 1l.ih4 (1l.ie3, Hubert - Lorscheid, Pardubice 2000, 1l ...a6 12.a4 exd5 13.cxd5 lLlxd3 14.�xd3 lLld7, followed by f5 , E!b8 and b5, with a good coun­ terplay.) 1l... g5 12.if2 b6 13.b3 exd5 14.cxd5 lLlh5 15.E!c1 lLlf4 16.lLlxf4 gxf4 17.c;t>h1 lLlg6 Roa - Lanka, Spain 1995. Black plans to follow with the set-up: ie5, id7, dxc5:j:, because Black will occupy c;t>h8, E!g8, �f6, E!g7, E!ag8, lLlh4, to d4-outpost sooner or later. He with a powerful kingside attack. should counter 7.lLlge2 with 7 ... After 8.lLlge2, Black should better �a5, threatening lLlc6-d4, while transpose to Chapter 13 (variation after 8.d5, he can act analogously B): 8 ...h6 9.ie3 exd5 10.cxd5 a6 to the variation, which we have 1l.a4 lLlbd7 12.lLlg3 h5. analyzed above 6 ...a6 : 8 ...b5

9.cxb5 a6 etc. B1) 8 •••exd5

7 .•.e6 B2) 8 ...�a5

BI) 8 •••exd5 9.cxd5 h6 This move is based on a famil­ iar tactical motive. IO.J.e3 If 1O.ixh6, then 10 ...lLlxe4 . This is a typical tactical resource! Whenever Whitehas played f2-f3 (this is the move, which defines the Saemisch Attack), he opens the diagonal e1-h4, so he must consider the possible check on 8.%Yd2 h4 in all the variations. 1l.lLlxe4 In case of 8.id3, Black should %Yh4 12.g3 �xh6 13.%Yxh6 ixh6 better delay the trade on d5 and 14.lLlxd6 lLld7. White has won a continue with his development. pawn indeed, but Black has more This approach would be very un­ than a sufficient compensation pleasant for his opponent, because with his-bishop pair in an open po­ it is not favourable for Whiteto ex­ sition.15.f4 (15.ih3 lLlb6 16.lLlxc8 change in e6, while the trade exd5 lLlxc8 17.f4 E!e8 18.c;t>f2 ig7 19.lLlf3 is still on the agenda, acting on lLld6� Rotstein - Vidarte, alot

153 Chapter 14

1994; White's extra pawn is ir­ 11 . .td3 ttJbd7 12.ttJge2 ttJeS 13. relevant, while Black's positional 0-0 a6 14.a4 ge8 IS.b3 ttJxd3 compensation is excellent.) 15 ... 16.Wxd3 gb8 17.gabl ttJd7f! Al­ ttJb6 (but not IS... ttJf6 16.0-0-0 terman - Dolmatov, Beer-Sheva gd8 17.ttJxc8 gaxc8 18 . .th3 gc7 1991. 19.d6 gc6 20.d7±) 16.0-0-0 gd8 11.a4 a6 12.ttJge2ttJbd7 13.ttJdl 17.ttJxc8gaxc8 18 . .ih3f5 (18 ...gb8 ttJeS 14.ttJec3 ttJh7 IS ..ie2 'iNh4 19.d6 .ig7 20.d7 fS 21.g4) 19.ttJf3 16.ttJf2 fS 17.exfS .ixfS 18.0-0 (19.ttJe2 .ig7; 19.d6 ttJc4 20.ttJf3 gae8f! Urban - Kempinski, So­ ttJxd6 21.ghel ttJe4 22 . .tfl gS=) pot 1997. 19 ... ttJxdS 20.ghel .ig7 21..ifl, K.Berg - Onoprienko, Groningen 1994 and here Black had to play actively: 21...c4 22.ttJeS c3 23.b3 J.xeS 24 . .tc4 (24.gxeS ttJb4) 24 ... �f8 2S.gxdS M6 = with equality in a position with bishops of op­ posite colours.

10 •••h5 11.ttJge2 We have to analyze in short White's alternatives. In some of the games, which we will quote later, White's bishop on e3 and 1l•.• lt)h7 Black's pawn on hS have gone Black maims the enemy knight there in one move. (Le. without to the disadvantageous f4-square. the inclusion of the maneuver .igS He tests in practice much h6), but we have changed the more often 11 ... ttJbd7 12.ttJc1 ttJeS numbering on the moves to make 13 . .ie2 ttJh7 14.0-0 fS IS.f4 ttJf7 our readers comfortable and it 16.eS dxeS 17.J.xc5 ge8 18.ttJd3 e4 has been unified everywhere. 11 . 19.ttJel b6 20 . .td4 ttJf6, with ap­ .ih6 a6 12.J.xg7 �xg7 13.a4 'iNaS proximate equality, Ernst - Tal, 14.ga3 ge8 IS.ttJge2 ttJbd7 16.ttJdl Subotica 1987. White can develop 'iNb4 17.ttJec3 ttJeS 18.ttJe3 h4 19. his knight to f4 , of course, but in .ie2 Wd420 .'iNc1c4 21.ttJc2 'iNc5f! fact it is doing nothing there and Graf - I.Belov, Cappelle la Grande it even impedes the pawn-advance 1995. f3-f4: 12.ttJf4 ttJeS 13 . .ie2 .id7 14. 11 . .ie2 a6 12.a4 ttJh7 13 . .tdl 0-0 a6 IS.a4 gb8 16.aS ttJe8 17. ttJd7 14.ttJge2 gb8 IS.aS bS 16. ttJa4 J.xa4 (It is sometimes fa­ axb6 �b6 17.0-0 ttJeS 18.b3 fSf! vourable for Black to part with his Jussupow - Dolmatov, Wijk aan light-squared bishop, enlarging Zee 1991. the scope of action of his knight in

154 3.0,c3.tg7 4.e4 d6 5.fJ 0-0 6 . .tg5 the process.) 18.E1xa4 0,c7 19.0,d3 pensation for the pawn, F . Romero (19.b4 c4 20.E1c1 0,bS 21 .b:c4. - Martinez Sanchez, Barcelona 0,xc4 22.E1xc4 E1c8 23.'lWd3 E1xc4 2002) 1O ...a6 1l.aS axbS 12.axb6 24.'lWxc4 'lWc8 2S.'lWxc8 E1xc8�) E1xa1 13.�f2, Tolush - Boleslavsky, 19 ... 0,d7 20.E1c4 bS 2I.axb6 0,xb6 Moscow 19S2, 13 ...bxc4 ! 14 . .b:c4 22.E1cc1 0,bS=I.So kolov - Smirin, exdS IS.exdS 0,bd7 16.�f4?! E1e8! Burgas 1993. 17.'lWxd6? 0,g4 18.fxg4.td4 19.�f3 12.tiJf4 0,eS-+(Tolush ). Otherwise, Black intended to 9 . .td3. This move has the ha­ continue with fS . bitual drawback that the bishop

12 •..0,d 7 13 • .te2 0,e5 14. can be attacked with tempo af­ 0-0 .td7 15.13ab1 l:k8 16.13fc1 ter 0,eS. 9 ...exdS (9 ... a6 1O.0,ge2 a6 17.a4 �a5 18.b3 13fe8= Sa­ 0,bd7 1l.dxe6 fxe6 12.0-0 0,eS dler - Fedorowicz, London 1988. 13.f4 0,c6 14.fS 0,eS, Magalash­ Black is preparing either fS , or bS, vili - Dzhakaev, Batumi 2002, depending on the situation. IS.fxg6 hxg6 16.0,f4 'lWc7 17. .th4 .td7 18.E1ad1 0,h7 19 . .tg3 E1ad8

B2) 8 •..'lWa5 20 . .te2 .tc8oo) 1O.cxdS 0,bd7 II. 0,ge2 0,eS 12.0-0 .td7 13.a3 bS 14.b4!? This is a typical resource for White. 14 ...cxb4 (14 ...'lWb6 IS . .te3) IS.axb4 'lWxb4 16.E1fbl 'lWcS 17 . .te3 and now I had to include at first 17 ....th6 (17... 0,c 4 18 . .b:c4 'lWxc4 19.E1c1 b4 20.0,a2 �bS 2I. 0,d4 �b7 22.0,xb4± Lutsko - Bo­ logan, Nikolaev 1993) 18.f4 and only then to play 18 ...0,c 4 19 . .b:cS 0,xd2 20. .b:d6 0,xb1 2I.E1xbl E1fc8 with equality.

He could have tried to be trick­ 9 .••exd5 10.cxd5 ier and delayed the exchange on 1O . .b:f6? .b:f6 1l.0,xdS 'lWd8 dS for a while. 12.0,xf6 'lWxf6 13.0-0-0 E1d8 14. 9.0,ge2 h4 0,c6 lS.hS .te6= After 9.a4, the b4-square (diagram) would be weakened and Black can 10 ..•.td7 exploit this by playing 9 ...0,a6. It is also interesting for Black 9.0,bS 'lWb6 1O.a4 (1O.dxe6 to try 1O ...bS lI.0,g3 (U.0,c1 b4 .b:e6 11.'lWxd6 0,c6 12 . .te30,d7 13. 12.0,bS 'lWb6 13 . .tf4 0,e8 14.a3 'lWd2E1fd8 14.'lWc2 a6 lS.0,c3 0,d4, .ta6 1S.a4 0,d7 16.aS 'lWb7 17.0,xd6 with a more than sufficient com- 0,xd6 18 . .b:d6 E1fe8�) 1l ...c4 12.

ISS Chapter 14

11 ....!DxdS 12.exdS f6 13 ..ih4 gS 14.hgS fxgS lS.Wixd6 bS with a powerful initiative for him.) 12. Wixd6 �e8 13.ie7 �xe7! 14.Wixe7 f6 1S.g4 if8 16. YNxf8 wxf8 17.gxhS gS 18.h4 .!Da6ooKludacz - Dwora­ kowska, Sopot 1998.

1l •• J�c8 12 • .te2c4

ie2 .!Dfd7. He needs to bring his bishop into the actions in order to support the planned advance of his c-pawn (White can coun­ ter 12 ....!Dbd7 with 13.b4! This is a typical resource, thanks to which he can neutralize his opponent's counterplay on the queenside, for example: 13 ...cxb3 14 . .!DxbS Wib6 lS.ie3 .!DeS 16.axb3 .!Dfxe417.fxe4 13.a4 hal 18.b4 .!Db3 19.Wid3 .!Del 20. White should never allow his hel ia6 21.Wia3± Dreev - Shi­ opponent to advance bS: 13.0-0 rov, Wijk aan Zee 1996.) 13.0-0 bS 14.�fel .!Da6 lS.wh1 .!De8 (13.ie7 b4 14 . .!Ddlc3 1S.bxc3 bxc3 16 . .!Dd1Wixd2 17.,ixd2 .!DcS18 .ic3 16.YNc2 .!Da6 17.hd6 �d8 18.a3 as+ Zhukova - Kiseleva, Warsaw .!DeS 19.ie7 �e8 20.id6 �d8 and 2001.

Black has at least a draw.) 13 ...b4 13••• .!Da6 14.0-0 .!DeS 15.

14 . .!Dd1 c3. His passed c3-pawn, hc4 Wib4 16 • .ta2 ha4 17. supported by the bishop on g7 tLlge2tLlfd7 18 • .te3tLle 5+ Black's provides him with an advantage. pieces are all over White's posi­

1l • .!Dg3 tion and he will maintain an ad­ 11.Wif4 .!DhS (It might be more vantage even after a transfer into precise for Black to opt here for an endgame.

lS6 Chapter 15 1.d4 !i)f6 2.c4 g6 3.!i)c3 J.g7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 0 - 0 6.J.e3

games, but that case Black's pos­ sibilities to create powerful coun­ terplay were even greater. S.ixc5 ttJc6 and now: 9:�xdS fudS - see S:�xdS �xdS 9.ixcS ttJc6; 9.Yfa4 ttJd7 10 . .!f2 ttJb61l .'�a3 ixc3! 12.bxc3 (Black is better af­ ter 12.'�xc3ttJa 4 13.'�'c2YfaS .) 12 ... .!e6 13.�d1 VlJc7 14.cS ttJc4 1S.hc4 ixc4GG White must still solve the This is the most natural and problem with his castling and his popular plan for White- his bish­ extra pawn is much rather a bur­ op is developed to e3, the queen den than something to brag about, to d2, then he castles long and Hartmann - Rakovic, corr. 2000; makes up his mind where to de­ 9 . .te3 ttJd7 1O.�c1 (10.ttJge2 velop his kingside pieces. YfaS1l.ttJd 4, Ibragimov - Kamin­

6 •••eS ski, Warsaw 1990, 1l ...Yfb6 12.ttJa4 I believe this is the most pre­ YfaS 13 . .!d2 Yfc7 14.ttJbS VlJbSGG) cise and aggressive reply by Black. lO ...VlJaS 1l.ttJh3 �dS 12.ttJf2 ttJc5 He is ready to sacrifice a pawn in 13 . .!d2 hc3! (This rather un­ order to obtain a slight lead in typical capturing again provides development and an active piece­ Black with the initiative.) 14.bxc3 play. .!e6 lS.Yfc2 ttJeS 16 . .!f4 ttJxc4+ 7.dxeS Dlugy - Gelfand, Palma de Mal­ We will analyze in the next lorca 19S9; chapter the other popular alterna­ 9.ttJge2VlJaS 10. .!e3 �dS ll.Yfc1 tives forWhite - 7.dS and 7.ttJge2. ttJhS 12.ttJg3(12. lt>f2fS ! This is one

7 •••dxeS 8.Yfxd8 of the top-ten resources for Black White tried to play with queens in the King's Indian Defence. present on the board in some 13.exfS ttJb4 14.ttJg3 .txf5 lS.ttJxfS

lS7 Chapter 15

gxf5 16.g3 �h8 17.a3 tLlc6 18 . .ie2 S •••!hdS 9 • .bc5 f4 19.9xf4 tLld4� Graf - Zulfugar­ 9.e5 tLlfd7 1O.f4 b6, Bilgin - Ii, Dubai 2003; 13 ...hf 5!? 14.g4 Topel, Turkey 2002, 11 . .ie2 .ib7 tLle5 15.�g2 tLld3 16.�M2 tLldf4 17. 12 . .if3 hf3 13.tLlxf3 tLlc6 14. hf4 l:'Dcd2 18 . .hd2 gd8 19 . .ic1 0-0-0 f6 15.exf6 tLlxf6=

.id7 20.gxh5 �xh5oo) 12 ...tLlxg3 9 •••tLlc6 13.hxg3 .ie6 14.�f2, Polugaevsky - Dzindzichashvili, USSR 1974 and here it would have been more precise for Black to have played 14 ...�b4 15.a3 �b3 16.tLld5 .hb2 17.�b1 .hd5 18.ga2 .ie6 19.9xb2 �xa3 20.gxb7 tLla5 2H9b2 �xb2 22.gxb2 tLlxc4 23 . .hc4 .hc4 24. gb4 .ie6 25.ga1= 8.e5 (This is an interesting attempt to restrict the enemy pieces.) 8 ...tLlfd7 9.f4 f6 (Black must get rid of the pawn-wedge A) 10 . .ia3 on e5 as soon as possible.) 1O.exf6 B) 10.tLld5 (1O.e6 tLlb6 11.�xd8 l:'Dcd8 12 . .hc5 C) 10.tLlge2 .he6 13.b3 f5 14.gc1 tLla6 15 . .ia3 .id4 16.tLld1 .ic5 17 . .hc5 tLlxc5 18. White cannot create great tLlf3a5 = Bronstein - Smirin, Oslo problems for his opponent if he 1994) 1O ...tLlxf6 ! (It deserves at­ retreats with his bishop to e3, for tention for Black to opt for the example: 1O . .ie3 b6 1U'k1 tLld7 unusual transfer of his rook along 12.tLlh3 tLlc5 13.tLlf2 .ie6 14 . .ie2 the sixth rank after 1O ...gxf6 11. tLlb4� Levitt - Fedorowicz, New �d5 �h8 12.tLlf3 gd6 13.�f7 gf6 York 1994. 14.tLlg5 �b6 15.tLld5 gxf7 16.tLlxb6 The move 1O.gd1 would not axb6 17.tLlxf7 �g8oo; 11 . .ie2 gd6 contribute to White's develop­ 12.�c1 tLlc6=) 11.�xd8 gxd8 12. ment, therefore Black can feel .hc5 .if5 13.tLlf3 (13.tLlge2 tLlc6 safe, for example: 1O ...gxd1 11. 14.tLlg3 .ie6 15. .ie2 tLld7 16 . .ie3 tLlxd1(11. �xd1 tLld7 12 ..ia3 .hc3 !? tLlb6 17. .hb6 axb6 18.tLlge4 tLld4+ 13.bxc3 tLlde5= Dlugy - van der Rustemov - Shulman, Minsk Wiel, Hoogovens 1990) 11...tLld7 1994) 13 ...tLle 4 14.tLlxe4 .he4 15. 12 . .ia3 a5 13.tLle2 tLlb4= Moe­ .ia3 tLlc6 16 . .ie2 tLld4 17.tLlxd4 schinger - Salzgeber, Arosa 1996 . .hd4 18 . .if3 hf3 19.9xf3 gac8=

Campos Moreno - Mortensen, A) 10 • .ia3 a5 Barcelona-Arhus 1991. This advance of the pawn

158 5.j3 0-0 6 . .ie3c5 7.dc dc B. f1xdB 'fl.xdB 9.hc5 lLlc6 is particularly effective when 'fl.xa2 19.@f2 lLld7 20.'fl.bl.ic3 21. White's bishop is on a3. Black is @e3 @g7=) 18.,ixb5 'fl.el 19.@f2, preparing a reliable square for his Milovanovic- Dujkovic, Nis 1995, knight and he increases the scope 19 ...lLlx d5 20.exd5 .id4= of action of his rook on a8. 15 ...lLlc2 ll.'fl.dl 15 ... lLle8 16.,ixe8 'fl.xe8 17. 1l.lLld5 lLlxd5 12.cxd5 lLlb4 13. lLle2;t 0-0-0 e6 (In principle, Black 16.@f2 could have captured a pawn here with 13 ...lLlx a2.) 14 . .ic4 exd5 15. ,ixb4 axb4 16.'fl.xd5 (16.,ixd5 .ie6 17.@bl 'fl.a5 18.lLle2,ixd5 19. exd5 'fl.axd5 20.'fl.xd5 'fl.xd5=) 16 ....ie6 17.'fl.xd8 'fl.xd8 18.id5 . .ih6!+ Bel­ iavsky- Nunn, Amsterdam 1990. Black has an excellent coun­ terplay after 1l . .ic5 lLld7 12 . .ie3 a4 13.0-0-0 a3 14.lLlge2 axb2 15.@xb2 b6 16.@bl .ia6 Knaak - Wojtkiewicz, Stara Zagora 1990.

1l ....te6 16 •••lLlxd5 ! ! This is a surprising sacrifice, Al) 12.'fl.xd8 thanks to which Blacks succeeds A2) 12.lLld5 in exploiting White'slag in devel­ opment.

It would be harmless for Black 17.exd5 gxd5 18 • .tc4 gd4 if White plays 12.lLlh3 lLlb4 13. 19 • .ie2 lLlf4, draw, Jobava - R.Mamedov, It would be more prudent for Kusadasi 2006, 13 ...lLlc2 14.@f2 White to comply here with the lLlxe4 15.fxe4 lLlxa3 16.lLlxe6 fxe6 repetition of moves after19 . .ib5=

17 . .id3 hc3= 19 ••• lLlxa3 20.bxa3 gd2 21.@e3 gxa2+ Black has three Al) 12.'fl.xd8 gxd8 13.lLld5 pawns for the piece and two of h.:d5 14.cxd5 lLlb4 15.J.b5 them are dangerous connected Whitefails to cover all the files passed pawns supported by his for penetration of the enemy rooks and the bishop on g7. rooks anyway: 15.,ixb4 axb4 16. .ic4 'fl.c8 17.b3 b5 (Black is not A2) 12.lLld5 forced to sacrificea pawn, because Whitewould not mind occupy­ he can enter the enemy camp in ing such a juicy outpost, but Black another fashion: 17... 'fl.a8 18.lLle2 has serous counter arguments in

159 Chapter 15 view of his opponent's lag in de­ chkov - Kaminski, Halle 1995) velopment. 17 ... l%a6 1B.lLle2 (The attempt to penetrate with the rook into the enemy camp 1BJk3 can be easily parried by Black in twoways: lB ... l%aB 19.1%c5 lLleB20 .e5 b6 21.l%b5 lLlc7 22.dxc7 l%xe7 23.lLle2 l%xc7 24.lLlc3 a4+ Zhou Jianchao - Vo­ lokitin, Moscow 2007, or 1B ... l%c6 19.1Lle2lLleB 20.l% xc6 bxc6 21.lLlc3 lLlxd6 22.hd6 l%xd6 23.'it>e2 hc3 24.bxc3 c5 25.l%b1 c4= - Dyachkov, Moscow 2007) lB ... lLleB19.0-0 i.e5 20.l%fd1 f6= Pel­

12 ..•�b4 ! letier - Glek, Bie1 1995. Black sacrifices a second 13.@f2, Quinteros - Garcia pawn. Raimundo, Florida Valle 1993, 13.�xe7 13 ...hd5 14.cxd5 (14.exd5 e6 13.hb4? axb4 14.lLlxb4 lLld7, 15.d6 l%a6 16.c5 l%c6) 14 ... e6 De Oliveira - Stephan, Email (Black builds up his counterplay 2001, 15.l%d2 lLlc5+ according to the already famil­ 13 ..!d3 hd5 14.cxd5 lLlxd3. iar scheme, meanwhile with a This is the most precise reac­ knight on a b4 White cannot play tion by Black. He isolates his i.e7 and then d6.) 15.d6 (15.hb4 opponent's d5-pawn and then axb4 16.i.c4 exd5 17.exd5 b5!? he attacks it from all the sides. 1B.i.b3 lLld7 19.1Lle2 lLlc5t). Now, (It would be somewhat slow for Black has a pleasant choice to him to opt for 14 ...lLld 7!? 15.lLle2 make - to attack immediately the lLlc5 16 ..ib1 e6 17.lLlc3;t; 15 ... lLle5 annoying pawn, or to activate at 16 . .!b5 e6 17.d6 lLlc2 18.'it>f2 lLlxa3 first his queen's rook: 15 ...l%acB !? 19.bxa3 l%acB 20.a4 l%c2+± James (15 ...lLleB 16.d7 lLlf6 17.i.b5 'it>fB - Hebden, Great Britain 1993; 1B.lLle2 - 18.e5 lLlfd5 - 1B ...'it>e7 17.dxe6!? fxe6 1B.0-0; 17 ... lLled3 19.1Llc1 lLlxd720 .lLld3) 16.i.b5 (16. 1B.hd3 lLlxd3 19.1%xd3 l%xd3 20. lLlh3 l%c2 17.i.e2 lLlxa2 1B.'it>e3 lLlb4 lLlf4 l%d4 21.e7 - Black must play 19.f4 h5 20.lLlf2 ; 17... lLleB 1B.d7 very precisely in order to neu­ lLlf6) 16 ...l%c5 17 ..b4 b5 1B.hb4 tralize White's dangerous passed axb4 19.i.b3 lLleB. Black regains pawn.) 15.l%xd3 e6 16 . .!e7 (16.d6 his pawn and he balances the po­ b5 17 . .!c5 lLld7 1B. .id4 lLle5+) 16 ... sition. l%d7 17.d6 (17.hf6 hf6= Dya- 13 •.•'it>h8

160 5.f3 0-0 6 . .te3 c57.de de B. V!!xdB 'i!.xdB. 9.txc5 tDe6

where it supports the c-pawn and takes care of the safetyof the last rank. 21...'i!.bB 22.tDf4 'i!.b2 23.�e3 .th6 24.g3 c2 25.'i!.dB �g7 26 . .td3. White's pieces are coming closer to the dangerous passed pawn on c2. It is not destined to promote into a queen... 26 ...'i!.xa2 27.'i!.c1 .tb32B.'i!. cB 'i!.xa329.'i!. c3± It looks like Golubev's intuition was cor­ rect and he chose the right move A2a) 14.tDd5 in his game - 14 ...b5. A2b) 14.'i!.xd8 15.hb4 axb4 16.tDxb4, Rogozenko - Golubev, Nikolaev A2a) 14.tDd5 b5 1993.

This spectacular move is not 16 •••bxc4 so well analyzed yet. This move was recommended According to GM M. Golubev, by M. Golubev. Black has no problems to worry 17.'i!.xd8 about after 14 ... tDc2 15.�f2 tDxa3 17.tt'le2'i!.dbB 1B.a3 .tfB19.tDd 4 16.bxa3 b5, but this is not exact­ hb4 20.axb4 'i!.xb4� ly true. We have to continue the 17••• 'i!.xd8 18.tDe2 J.h6 19. analysis of this position: 17.tDh3 tDc3 'i!.d2 'i!.acB 1B . .te2 (It would be dubi­ 19 ....tc1 !? ous for White to continue with 20.tDdl 'i!.d4 21.tDc2 'i!.d2 1B.cxb5, Rogozenko - Anton­ 22.tDa3 c3 23.bxc3 'i!.xa2 24. sen, Vejle 1993, 1B •••'i!.c2 19 . .te2 tDc4 tDd7 25.tDce3 tDe5 - Black tDxd5 20.exd5 hh3 21.gxh3 'i!.eB is too pawns down indeed, but 22.'i!.he1 .tc3, since Black ends his compensation is sufficient to up in a better endgame.) lB ... draw the game. bxc4, Bigler - Har-Zvi, Bie1 1993, 19.tDb6. It becomes clear now, A2b) 14.'i!.xd8 'i!.xd8 15.tDd5 that the rook on cB is overbur­ It seems amazing, since White dened. It must protect its neigh­ has two extra pawns and a beauti­ bour and control the movement of ful knight on the d5-outpost, but the passed c4-pawn. 19 ... c3. This Black's resistance has not crum­ exchange-sacrifice looks smart, bled yet! but it is insufficient. 20.tDxcB In case of 15.,txb4 axb4 16.tDd5 'i!.xcB 21..ta6! This is the same 'i!.aB 17.tDxb4 tDd7 1B . .td3 tDeS motive to repel the enemy rook 19.�d2 'i!.a4 20.a3 hb2+ Black from its optimal cB-square, from seizes the imitative, Taleb - Wa-

161 Chapter 15 tanabe, Yerevan 1996. 21 ... .td4 22.Wf3 .b:b6 23.

15••• ltlc2 16.Wf2 .b:e6 gc3 24.Wg4 fxe6 25.gb1 16.Wd2 lLlxa3 17.bxa3 b5 IS. J.c7with equality. lLlh3 bxc4 19.,hc4 lLlxd5 20.exd5 .hd5 21.,hd5 �xd5= Gual - Timoscenko, London 1993.

16 ••• ltlxa3 17.bxa3 b5! White's centre is in ruins after this move. 18.ltlh3bxc4 19 . .b:c4 gc8

10 ...ltld 7 Black should not stop in the middle of the road. The activity of his pieces takes precedence over everything else! 20.ltlb6 1l.ltlxe7 In case of 20 . .tb3, Black sacri­ 1l.,he7 According to statistics, fices even a third pawn with 20 ... this is the most popular move. a4!, with the idea later, just like in Still, it is logical that White can the game of checkers, to regain hardly strive for anything real everything with tempo: 21..ha4 if he parts deliberately with his lLlxd5 22.exd5 ,hd5 23 . .tb3 ,hb3 dark-squared bishop. 11...lLlxe7 24.axb3 �c2 25.'t!.>g3 (25.'t!.>e3�c3 , 12.lLlxe7 't!.>fS 13.lLld5 (13.lLlxcS Martinovic - Saric, Bjelolasica hb2 14J'1bl i.c3+) 13 ...,hb2 14. 2007, 26.'t!.>e4 �xb3 27.�d1 f5 2S. �bl i.g7 15.lLlh3 (15.h4 lLlc5 16.h5, 't!.>f4 .th6 29.'t!.>g3 fua3=) 25 ....te5 - Moradiabadi, Cebu 26.f4 �c3 27.'t!.>f2 .td4 2S.'t!.>e2, 2007 and White has nothing to Lahlum - Gullaksen, Hamburg do on the h-file: 16 .. .f5! 17.lLlh3 2002, 2S ...�e3 29.'t!.>d2 fub3=; fxe4 1S.hxg6 hxg6 19.fxe4 lLlxe4+) 20.lLlxf6 ,hc4 21.e5 ,ha2 22.'t!.>g3 15 ...lLlc 5 16.lLlf2 i.e6 17.i.e2 (17. .tfSggwith a probable draw. lLld3 �acS lS.lLlxc5 �xc5 19.�xb7 20 ...ltlxe4 ! 21.fxe4 �a5� Andresen - Sonntag, Ger­ 21.'t!.>e3 �c6 22.,he6 �xe6 23. many 1993.) 17 ...�acS IS.0-0 b6 fxe4 �xb6= 19.�fc 1, Christiansen - Renet,

162 5.j3 0-0 6.�e3 c57.de de 8. V!ixd8 'Sxd8 9.hc5 lile6

Cannes 1992, 19 ...f S!� at first and only then he recap­ 11.�a3. This is an attempt by tures the rook. 14.'it>d1(The evalu­ White to stabilize the position, ation of the position remains the preserving his extra pawn. We same afterthe more prudent line: know however, that his bishop is 14.'it>f2 hal lS.c!Lle2 c!LleS 16.tt'lf4 misplaced on a3 and its exchange .id4 17.'it>g3 �e6 18.tt'lxe6 fxe6 for a knight is not favourable at 19.�c7 'Sc8 20.heS heS 2l.f4 all. Black has more than enough i.c3 22.�d3 'Sd8 23.'Sd1 eS� Csi­ resources to maintain the balance. bor - Timar, corr. 1992) 14 ...ha1 1l ...e6 12.1i1c7 (12.1i1e3 b6 13.'Sd1 lS.tt'lh3 tt'lcS 16 . .ie7 tt'le6 17. .id3 �b7 14.1i1e2 lilc5� Black has won b6 18.'it>d2 �eS 19.93 tt'ld4 20.tt'lgl the battle for the dark squares in �b� Gerasimov - Klimov, St. Pe­ the centre, Avery - Valvo, Chica­ tersburg 2005. go 1992) 12 ...'Sb8 13.0-0-0 (13. 13 •••J.c3 14.'it>f2J.d4 lilbS a6 14.1i1d6 bS lS.cxbS axbS 16.1i1xbS �a6 17.1i1c3 hfI 18.'it>xf1 lildeS�; 17.'Sc1 lildeS+ Benidze - Grigoryan, Yerevan 2007) 13 ...b6 14.1i1e2 �b7 lS.1i1bS (lS.�d6 lilcS 16.tt'lbS 'Sbc8 17.1i1ec3 a6 18.1i1a3 fS 19.exfS gxfS 20.'it>b1 lild4 21. �e7 'Sd7 22.�h4 eS and Black has seized the imitative, Peturs­ son - Sax, Biel 1985) lS ...1i1c S 16.1i1d6,Stol jarov - Teemae, COIT. 1986, 16 ...�a8 17.b4 1i1b7 18.1i1xb7 hb7+ - White's kingside has not 15.'it>g3 been developed yet and Black has After15. 'it>e1i.c3, White should enough time to organize an attack better comply with the repetition against the pawns on c4 and b4. of moves, since his king will be

1l••• c!Llxe7 12.he7 hb2 13. rather unsafe in the middle of the gb1 board, for example: 16. 'it>d1 'Se8 In case of 13.'Sd1 'Se8 14.�d6 17.tt'le2 (17.�a3 tt'leS 18.'it>c2 i.aS tt'leS, Black's piece-activity com­ 19.'SbS b6 20 . .ib2 tt'lc6 21.a3 a6 pensates the sacrificed pawn, 22.'SdS �e6 23.tt'lh3 hdS 24.cxdS for example: lS.c5 �e6 16.f4 �c3 tt'leS2S.f 4 'Sac826. 'it>b1tt'lc 4+ Man­ 17.'it>f2 lilg4 18.'it>f3 c!Llf6 19.h3 keyev - Klimov, St. Petersburg ha2= Behling - Hazai, Hamburg 2004; 17.'it>c2 .ig7 18.�d6 tt'leS 1984. 19.heS 'SxeS 20.tt'le2 'SaS 21.tt'lc1 Following 13.hd8 �c3, Black b6 22.'SbS �d7 23.'SxaS bxaS 24. wishes to displace the enemy king �e2 'Sb8 2S.tt'ld3 �e6 26.'Sb1 'Sxb1

163 Chapter 15

27.<;iJxb1 hc4 28..!tIf4, draw, Ze­ something very abstract and it linskis - Rogozenko, COIT. 1988) might disappear without a trace 17 ....teS 18 . .tb4, Gunawan - Kha­ in case Black slows down: 1O ...b6 lifman, Minsk1986, 18 ...b6 19.<;iJe1 1l . .ta3 as (1l ...e6 12 . .!tIbS .!tIe8 13. .ia6 20. .!tIc3 gac8 21..!tIbSfS? gd1 .ta6 14 . .!tIec3 �d1 lS . .!tIxd1

15 .•.ge8 16 . .tg5 gd8, Schmidt - E.Guseinov, Dres­ In case of 16.id6 .!tIf6, Gar­ den 2007, 16.c5 bxcS 17.hc5;!;) mendez Gonzalez - Arribas, Ma­ 12.gd1 (12 . .!tIdS.!tIxdS 13.cxdS .!tIb4 tanzas 1993, White's king might 14.0-0-0 .!tIxa2 1S.<;iJb1 .!t1b4=Ku­ come under a dangerous attack. tsankov - Dydyshko, Byelorussia For instance, he loses by force af­ 2007) 12 ....ia6 13 . .!tIf4 .!tIb4 14.<;iJf2 ter 17 . .!tIh3?.!tIh S. e6 1S . .ie2;!;

16 ... �f6 17. .bf6 1l • .ta3 The following game illustrates 1l . .te3 .!tideS 12 . .!tIf4 .!tIb4 13. how dangerous it will be for White gel (After 13.gd1, Black follows to leave the enemy knight of the with a simple, but attractive board. 17. .!tIh3 .!tIhS 18.<;iJh4 <;iJg7 combination - 13 ....!tIxf3 ! 14.gxf3 19.94 h6 20.i.xh6 <;iJxh6 21.gxhS hc3 1S.bxc3 .!tIc2 16.<;iJe2�dl 17. fS 22.<;iJg3 fxe4 23 . .tg2 gxhS 24.f4 <;iJxd1 .!tIxe3 18.<;iJd2 .!tIxf1 19.gxf1 gg8 2S . .!tIgS h4, and White re­ b6 and he ends up with an advan­ signed in view ofthe unavoidable tage in the endgame, Kruglyakov checkmate 26.<;iJxh4 .tf2 # Gil - - Pavlov, Kiev 2008. In response Howell, Gausdal 1986. to 13. <;iJf2, young Boris Gelfand

17 •.• .bf6 = Graf - Inarkiev, found a very interesting counter Lugo 2007. argument: 13 ....te6 !? 14 . .!tIcdS hdS lS . .!tIxdS .!tIc2 16.gc1 .!tIxe3 C) 10.�ge2 17.<;iJxe3 e6 18 . .!tIc3 .ih6 19.f4 gS 20.g3 .!tIg6 21.gc2 gxf4 22.gxf4 .ixf4=t Gunawan - Gelfand, Minsk 1986) 13 ....ie6 14.b3 (14.a3 .!tIbd3 lS . .!tIxd3 .!tIxd3 16.hd3 �d3= Bezviner - Bonin, Nassau 1992) 14... gS lS. .!tIxe6, Christiansen - Charbonneau, ICC 2008, lS ...fxe6 16 . .ixgS <;iJf7 with approximate equality It deserves attention for White to retreat his bishop - 1l . .if2, so that he can continue later with

10 •••�d 7 .ig3. 1l ....!tId eS 12 . .!tIf4 b6. Black The lead in development is must bring other pieces, be-

164 5f3 0-0 6.ie3 c5 7.dc dc B. WixdB 'i%,xdB 9.ixc5 ttJc6 fore starting active actions. (It is cannot cover the d4-square. therefore bad for him to play 12 ... After 12 ...�d4, the develop­ g5 13.ttJfd5 e6 14.ttJc7 !'i:b8 15.!'i:d1 ments are forced: 13.0-0-0 ih6 !'i:xd1 16.@xd1 id7 17.ttJ7b5a6 18. 14.he7 (14.g3 �ec6 15.@b1 e5 16. ttJa3 ttJb4 19.ie3 h6 20.h4 ttJed3 �fd5 �xf3 17.ie7 ttJd2 18.!'i:xd2 21.hd3 ttJxd3 22.@c2± Rowson hd2 19.hd8 ttJxd8= Budraitis ­ - A.Hunt, England 2008.) 13.ie2 Trygstad, Bergen 2000; 14.ttJcd5 (The position would remain equal e6 15.g3 exd5 16.!'i:xd4 ttJxf3 17. after 13.ttJfd5 e6 14.ttJc7 !'i:b8 15. !'i:d1, Granda Zuniga - Glavi­ !'i:d1 !'i:xd1 16.@xd1, Elsness - na, San Fernando 1991, 17 ...d4 Gallagher, Goteborg 2005, 16 ... 18.@b1 ttJg5 19.ig2 ig4 20.ie7 ttJb4=) 13... ia6 14.ttJb5 ttJb4 15. hd1 21.hd8 ttJe6 22.ttJxe6 fxe6 0-0 hb5 16.cxb5, Unzicker - 23.!'i:xd1 !'i:xd8=) 14 ...ixf4 15.@b1 Duschek, Germany 2004, 16 ...!'i:d2 !'i:d7 16.ttJd5 ttJec6 17.ttJf6 @g7 (16 ...ttJe d3 17.ttJxd3ttJxd3 18.hd3 18.ttJxd7hd7 (18 ...ttJxe7 19.!'i:xd4) !'i:xd3 19.!'i:ad1 !'i:ad8 20.!'i:xd3 !'i:xd3 19.ic5 ie3, O.Andersen - Bekker 21.b3 !'i:d2 22.a4;l;) 17.!'i:ab1 ih6 Jensen, Helsingor 1997, 20.!'i:d3 18.ig3! White keeps his material if2 21.b4 b6 22.id6 a6= and thanks to this resource 18 ...ixf4 White has nothing better than re­ 19.ixf4 !'i:xe2 20.he5 f6 21.id4 peating moves. ttJxa2 22.!'i:f2 !'i:xf2 23.@xf2 !'i:d8 13.!1&dl �dl 14.�xdl 24.@e3 e5= Black forces a transi­ 14.@xd1 ttJa5 15.b3 (15.c5 ttJac4 tion into a drawish rook and pawn 16.hc4 ttJxc4=) 15 ...ttJxf3 16. gxf3 endgame. hc3 17.@c2 ig7 18.ig2 id7 19.

11 ..•�d e5 12.�f4 !'i:d1? (19.ttJe2=) 19 ... ttJxc4! 20. !'i:xd7 (White loses after 20. bxc4 ia4 21.@c1 ih6 22.id6 hd1 23.@xd1 !'i:d8.) 20... ttJxa3 21.@d1 b5=F Simon- Timoscenko, Avoine 1993. 14... a5 Black should seriously con­ sider 14 ...b6 15.ie2 (15.@f2 ih6 16.g3 ia6 17.b3 !'i:d8 18.ie2, Ufodike - Barnes, West Brom­ wich 2005, 18 ...!'i:d2 19.ib2 if8 20.@e1 !'i:c2+- Whitehas failed to 12 ...e6 complete his development, while This is a familiar situation for five enemy pieces are gathering the King's Indian Defence. Black around his king.) 15 ...ttJd 4 16.id6 controls the d5-square and White ia6 17.he5 he5�

165 Chapter 15

15.J.d6 15 . .tc5, Cossin - Franklin, Cappelle la Grande 2008, 15 ... lbd7 16. .td6 (16 . .te3 lbb4) 16... b6 17. .te2.ta6 Black will increase the pressure against the c4-pawn, oc­ cupying with his knights the won­ derfulsquares c5, e5 and d4.

15 •••b6 16.c5 White should try to get rid quicklyof this object of attack. 16.b3 lbb4 17 . .tc7 lbxa2 18.lbd3 is just amusing. lbxd3 19.hd3 .td4 20.e5 .tb7 21. 20• .tf2 �d2 a4 22.bxa4 �a4= Murey In case of 20 . .te3, the bishop - Degraeve, Cappelle la Grande might be attacked by Black with 1993. tempo after lbc4. For example: 16.J.c7 .ta6 17.b3 lbb418.h b6 20 ....ta6 21.ha6 �xa6 22.lbd3 lbxa2 19.1bd3 �b8 20.ha5 lbxd3 lbb3 23.�e2 lbc4 24.f4 �c6 25.e5 21.hd3 �b3 22 . .te2�bI 23.�d2 f6 26.exf6 .i.xf6 27.�el a4 and his l::kl 24.f4 hc4= Alvares Vilar - compensation is sufficient for a Ludsenberger, COIT. 1998. draw.

16 •••bxc5 17• .hc5 c!Ob4 20••• .td7 21.c!Oc3 gb8 22. Black's knightis creating hav­ �cl c!Ob3 23.�c2 c!Oc6 oc in his opponent's position even Black's knights continue danc­ when acting alone. ing ... 18.a3 c!Oc2 19.�d2 24.c!Ofe2 The king must protect the White should possibly com­ queenside; otherwise, he would plete his development at first have to face problems there: 19. by developing the bishop to c4: �f2 �b8 20 . .te2 .td7 21.h4 �b3 24 . .tc4 lbcd4 25.�dl �c8, with 22 . .td6 (22.h5 g5) 22 ...lbd 4 23. compensation, or to d3: 24 . .td3 he5 he5. The position is about lbcd425.� b1 lbc5 26 . .tc4 lba4 27. equal, because Black has a power­ lbxa4ha4 28.hd4 hd4 29.lbd3 ful couple of bishops and he ex­ �g7�. Black should not be afraid erts pressure against the enemy of losing the game with his two pawn. bishops in an open position.

(diagram) 24 ••• f5! 25.h4 fxe426 .fxe4

19 •••c!Oal ! �e5 27.c!Of4 c!Og4 28.h7 c!Od4 The paradoxical escapade of 29.,ixd4 hd4+ Roques - Lut­ this knight into the enemy camp zenberger, COIT. 2000.

166 Chapter 16 l.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 g6 3.ltlc3 ,tg7 4.e4 d6 5.£3 0 - 0 6.i.e3 c5

game transfers into the Benko Gambit. For example: 8.�d2 bS 9.cxbS �aS (You should remem­ ber a simple rule: at first you de­ velop the queen to as and then the knight to b6.) 1O . .ih6. It is good to exchange the bishops, of course, but all this takes time. White can hardly checkmate the king on g8, while his queen goes away from the weakened queenside. (It de­ A) 7.dS serves attention for White to try B) 7A:Jge2 1O . .td3 lLlbd7 1l.lLlge2 lLleS� Ko­ priva - Chytilek, Moravia 1994.) If White is reluctant to ex­ 10 ...ixh6 1l.�xh6 lLlbd7 12.�d2. change on cS (see chapter IS), It is time for Whiteto retreat. (The then he will have to close the cen­ attempt to begin an attack can tre with the move d4-dS at some only backfire: 12.lLlh3, Vasvari - moment. Still, is it better for him Farkas, Hungary 2000, 12 ...lLleS to wait for the appearance on 13.lLlgS axbS 14.ixbS !ib8 1S.a4 Black's knight on c6, by playing !ixbS-+) 12 ...axbS 13.ixbS !ib8 7.lLlge2 (variation B). 14.a4 .ia6 IS.!ia3 lLleS 16.lLlge2 lLlc4 17.ixc4 ixc4�

A) 7.dS a6!? 8 ••• e6 9.�ge2 White plays straightforwardly, 9.�d2 exdS 9.cxdS �aS 1l.!ia3 so Black should try something (11..id3 lLlbd7 12.lt:lge2 bS 13.0-0 smarter. b4 14.lLld1 lLleS 1S.lLlf2 c4 16 . .tc2 8.a4 .td7 17 . .td4 !ifc8f± S.Schneider - In similar pawn-structures, it Cabrera, Tenerife 2009) 1l ...!ie8 is essential to evaluate after every 12.lLlge2 �bd7 13.lLlcl lLleS 14 . .te2 move what would happen if the hS IS.0-0 lLlh716.lLl b3 �d8 17.aS

167 Chapter 16

fSoc Goldstem - Rogers, Biel 14 •••J.d7 IS.Vd2 gb8 16. 1991. gabl After 16.h3, with the idea to trap the knight, Black plays 16 ... b5 17.axb5 axb5 18.f4 itJc4 19.hc4 bxc4 20.e5! Whitecannot hold on to his e4-pawn anyway. 20 ...dxe5 21.fxe5 �xe5 22.J.f4 itJe8 (This is a standard exchange-sacrifice, meanwhile the knight will be an excellent blocker of the d6-pawn.) 23.�a2 itJd624. �fa1 J.f5oc

16 •••bS 17.axbS hbS! 18. ctlxbS

9 •••ge8 ! 18.b3!? h4 19.itJh1 he2 20. We have already encountered �xe2 h3 21.g4 �a5 22.J.d2 �b4 this idea - Black is trying to be 23.itJf2 �d4 with the idea to fol­ tricky, delaying the immediate low with c4t exchange on d5. 18 •.•axbS I9.b3 h4 20.ctlhl 10 .ctlg3 hS 1l.J.d3 exd5 Small wonder there areplenty Now, this trade is justified. of tactical motives for Black with a White's bishop is on d3 (It could knight like this ... have gone to the c4-square in one move.) and it will soon come un­ der attack with tempo after ctle5. 12.cxdS ctlbd713. 0-0 ctleS 14.J.e2 White should better prevent the exchange of the bishop, at least because now Black has a su­ perfluous piece, since both of his knights are headed for the same square - e5. In response to 14.itJh1, Black can exchange immediately one 20 •••ctle g4!t 21• .igS of his knights, then he transfers The knight is "poisoned": to the e5-square his other knight 21.fxg4 itJxe4 22.'�d3 itJc323.g f3 and starts a counter offensive on itJxb1 24.�xb1 fue3 25.�xe3 J.d4 the queenside: 14 ...itJxd3 15.'�xd3 26.�e4 �g5 27.Wf2 �a8-+; 21. itJd7 16.'�'c2itJe 5 17.itJf2 J.d7 18.b3 J.f4 itJxe4 22.fxe4 i.d4 23.itJf2 b5� itJxf2 24.M2 hf2 25.wxf2 �xe4

168 3.tDc3 �g7 4.e4 d6 5..fJ 0-0 6.�e3 c5

26.�f3 :gd4 27.'lMfe3 'lMff6 2B.g3 B1a) 8 •••e6 9.0-0-0 :gaB+ He demonstrated an attrac­

21••• 'lMfb6 22.tlJf2 tive tactical idea in the follow­ White should avoid unneces­ ing game: 9.dS tlJeS 1O.tDg3 exdS sary complications and exchange l1.cxdS a6 12.a4 hS 13.�gS (in his bad knight.It is riskier for him order to contain the h-pawn) 13 ... to opt for 22.�4 c4 23.�f2 tDxf2 h4! (despite everything) 14.hh4 24.tlJxf2 c3 2S.'lMfd3b4� tlJxe4 lS.hdB tlJxd2 16.�c7 tDxf1

22 •.•tlJxf2 23.:gxf2 tlJd7 24. 17.:gxf1 :geBt Lapiccirella - Voca­ .te3 b4= with a comfortable turo, Bratto 2006. game for Black, Markus - Bolo­ Black obtains his standard gan, Neum 200B. I had the feeling compensation for the pawn af­ during the game that I was better ter 9.dxcS dxcS 1O.hcS 'lMfxd2 11. all the time, while in fact the posi­ 'it>xd2 :gdB 12.'it>c2 b6 13.�a3 �b7 tion had been objectively equal. 14.:gd1:gxd1 1S.ttJxd1:gdB 16.ttJdc3 ttJd7 17.b3 ttJdeS 1B.�c1 ttJd3� B) 7.tlJge2 tlJc6 J.Gonzales - Glavina, Ibi 1996. In case of 9.:gd1, Black can maintain the tension in the centre with: 9 ...b6 1O.dS (lO.�gS �a6� Atalik - Miles, Heraklio 1993; 1O.g3 �a6 11.b3 :geB,Gheorghiu - Shirov, Moscow 19B9, 12.�g2 dS+) 1O ...exdS 11.cxdS ttJeS 12.ttJg3 hS 13.�e2 h4 14.ttJf1 ttJh7 lS.f4 ttJg4 16.h3 ttJxe3 17.ttJxe3,Christiansen - Benjamin, Jacksonville 1990, 17 ... :geB 1B.0-0 �d4 19.�d3 ttJf6 20.:gfe1 �d7+

B1) 8.�d2 9 •.•b6!? B2) 8.d5 9 ...'lMfaS 1O.'it>b1 a6 11.dS ttJeS About B.dxcS dxcS 9.hcS 'lMfaS, 12.ttJc1 bS 13.dxe6 he6, Av. By­ or 9.'lMfxdBE1xdB lO.hcS tDfd7,see khovsky - Smirin, RishonIe Zion Chapter lS. 199B, 14.ttJb3 �c7 lS.'lMfxd6 'lMfxd6 16.:gxd6± B1) 8.'lMfd2 10.�b1 Black must make a choice now 1O.h4 �a6 11.b3, Medina Car­ between two possibilities. rasco - Martinez Martin, Dos Hermanas 2002, 11 ...dS+

B1a) 8 .•.e6 1O.dS ttJeS 11.ttJg3 exdS 12.

B1b) 8 .•.'lMfa5 cxdS a6 13.h3 bS 14.f4 ttJed7 lS.eS

169 Chapter 16 dxe5 16.fxe5 lDxe5 17.hc5 �e8 Following 9.�c1, Black can 18.'i!?b1 i.b7 19.a3 �c8 20.i.e3 play immediately e5, but he can V;Ya5f± - Ponomariov, also try something trickier: 9 ...e6 Lausanne 2001. 1O.b3 a6 11.d5 lDe5 12.lDg3 h5 13.

IO •••J.a6 lDge2exd5 14.cxd5 b5 15.lDf4 i.d7 It is not veryeasy for White to 16.lDd3 b4 17.lDb1 lDxd3 18. hd3 protect his c4-pawn, because his �ae8 19.0-0 lDxd5+ Mensch - knight on e2 is bound to remain Gallagher, France 2005. immobile. 9 ...�eS 11.<�:JbS ,hbS 12.cxbS �xd4 Here, White usually goes with 13.�xd4 cxd4 14.,hd4 dS+ his knight to c1, or he deploys it to Nguyen Anh Dung - Nadyrhanov, the g3-square. Moscow 1994. IO.lDc1 After 1O.lDg3, Black can attack

Bib) 8 •.•V;Ya S!? immediately the c4-pawn: 10 ... V;Yb4!? 11.lDb5 (11.a3 V;Yb3 12.V;Ydl V;Yxdl 13.�xdl e6 14.i.e2 exd5 15. cxd5 a6 16.f4, draw, Maiwald - Kempinski, Dresden 2008; if 11. b3, Black has the powerful re­ sponse 11 ...lDfg4 ! and it would be bad for Whiteto play 12.fxg4?, in view of 12 ...lDf3 13.gxf3 hc3.) 11 ... V;Yxd2 (11...i.d7 12.V;Yxb4 cxb4 13.lDxa7 h5 14.h4 e6 15.i.e2) 12. hd2 a6 13.lDc3 h5 14.i.e2 h4 15.lDfl b5! Black has entered ad­ 9.dS vantageously a wonderful endgame 9.�d1 �b8 1O.a3 a6 11.dxc5 of the Benko Gambit type. 16.cxb5 dxc5 12.lDd5 �xd2 13.�d2 b6 axb5 17.lDxb5 i.d7 18.lDc3 �fb8� 14.b4 lDxd5 15.cxd5 lDe5 16.bxc5 The plan with b5 is on the bxc5 17.hc5 �b1 18.'i!?f2 ih6 agenda again: 1O ...a6 (instead of 19.f4 �e8 20.h3 .id7� Mitkov - 1O ...�b4) 11.i.e2 (11.h3 b5 12.cxb5 Smirnov, Ohrid 2001. axb5 13.lDxb5 V;Yxd2 14.'i!?xd2 i.a6 After 9.0-0-0, Black has 15.f4 lDed7 16.'i!?c2 �fb8 17.lDc3 the resource 9 ...e5 1O.dxc5 dxc5 lDb6 18.ha6 �xa6 19.�hd1 lDc4 and there arises a symmetrical 20.i.c1 lDd7� Eltsov - Dyachkov, pawn-structure in the line: 11.'i!?b1 Ufa 2004; 11.f4 lDed7 12.h3, Ko­ lDd4 12.lDxd4 exd4 13.lDd5 V;Yxd2 rchnoi - Zueger, Bern 1992, 12 ... 14.hd2 lDxd5 15.exd5 .if5= Hoi ­ b5! 13.cxb5 h5 14.bxa6 h4 15.lDge2 Sylvan, Denmark 2006. ha6t) 11... e6 12.0-0 exd5 13.

170 3.lDc3 i.g74.e4 d6 5.f30-0 6.J.e3 c5 cxdS (13.exdS, Topel - Arakha­ 19.�xd4 cxd4 20.lDd1 f4 21.!!b3 mia, Kerner 2007, 13 ...bS 14.cxbS lDfS 22.lDd3 bS, with a double­ axbS 1S.lDxbS�xd2 16.,bd2 lDxdS edged position.) 1B ...lDc4 19.,bc4 17.lDxd6 i.a6�) 13 ...bS 14.i.h6 c4 �xc4 20.aS i.d7=F Spassky - lS.,bg7, Reilly - Lukey, Auckland Ju.Polgar, Budapest 1993. 2007 and now it is essential for n ...Ad7 Black to give a check, prior to es­ Black can try to advance . bS tablishing control over the squares in another fashion ll ...!!bB 12.a4 e3 and d4: 1S ...�b6 16J'!f2 I!7xg7 �b4 13.lD1a2 �b3 14.lDc1 �4= 17.h3 !!eB 1B.f4 lDed7 19.fS b4+± 12.a4

10 •••a6 White is not well prepared yet for active actions in the centre: 12.f4 lDeg4 13.i.g1 bS 14 . .tf3 lDhS lS.lD1e2 i.h6 16.,bg4,bg4+ Leh­ tivaara - Gallagher, Neuchatel 2004.

12 •••ti'b4 13.b3 After 13 lD1a2, Black has a spectacular queen-sacrifice at his disposal: 13 ...lDxc4 14.�d3 lDxe3!? lS.lDxb4 lDxg2 16.l!7f2 lDf4 17.�c4 bS 1B.axbS axbS 19.1DxbS lDh3 20.l!7g2 lDf4 and he has at n.i.e2 least a draw.

1l.a3 bS 12.cxbS axbS 13.,bbS 13 ••.e6 14.lDla2 i.a6=i=Badev - Chatalbashev, Sun­ 14.0-0 exdS lS.cxdS bS!? ny Beach 2006. Cu. Hansen White's attempt to attack the 14 ...�a5 15.dxe6 J.xe6 16. enemy knight backfires: 1l.f4 �xd6, Kramnik - Gelfand, Li­ lDeg4 12.i.g1 lDhS, Fonrobert - nares 1993. Everard, Sao Bernardo 196B, 13. h3 lDg3 14.hxg4 lDxhH and the knight on h1 cannot be trapped. It is principled for White to play 1l.a4, but Black has already seized the initiative.: 11...e6 12. !!a3 (12.i.e2 exdS 13.cxdS bS) 12 ...exdS 13.cxdS lDhS 14.i.e2 fS 1S.exfS gxfS 16.i.h6 �b4 17.,bg7 lDxg7 1B.f4 (In case of 1B.0-0, Black can continue with 1B .. .'I�'d4

171 Chapter 16

Here, Boris overlooked un­ tLlbxc4 23.J.d4 tLlxd2 24:�xd2 fortunately a typical tactical re­ tLlc4 2S.J.xc4 bxc4= Arbakov - source: 16 •••�xe4 ! 17.fxe4 1Ud8 Gallagher, Bad Ragaz 1994.) 13 ... 18.VxeS (In case of1B.Ve7, Black bS. This is a typical resource. plays 1B ...tLld 3 anyway.) 18 •••�d 3 Black opens both a and b-files for 19.,bd3 hc3 20.c.!?f2 VxeS his heavy artillery and he obtains 21.,bc5 ,banand he could have more than sufficient compensa­ won the exchange for a pawn. tion for the pawn. 14.axbS axbS lS.l:!xaB �xa8, Palm - Lindfeldt, B2) 8.d5 Denmark 2009, 16.J.xbS .b:bS 17. tLlxbS �a6 1B.tLla3 (lB.tLlc3 l:!b8 19.1:!f2 tLleB 20.l:!c2 tLlc7�) lB ... l:!b8 19.1:!f2 tLleB 20.l:!c2 f5 21.exfS gxf5 22:�e2 Vb7. Both White's knights are misplaced and Black has an excellent position.

B2a) 9 •••h5 B2b) 9 ...e6

B2a) 9 •••h5 This is not the main line for 8 ...�e5 9.�g3 Black, but it deserves attention, The other moves with the since he attacks immediately the knight are less popular. enemy knight and this forces 9.tLlf4 a6 1O.a4 e6 11.,te2 exdS Whiteto look for another set-up. 12.tLlfxdS tLlxdS 13.tLlxdS tLlc6 14. 10.J.e2h4 l:!b1 .ie6 15.0-0 tLld4 16.b4 b6? 1O ...tLlh7 1l.�d2 h4 12.tLlf1 fS Lj ubojevic - Kamsky, Monaco 13.f4 tLlfJ 14.exfS .ixfS lS.g4 hxg3 1994. Following 9.tLlc1, Black man­ 16.tLlxg3± Narciso Dublan - SUITe, ages to organize a swift queen­ Barcelona 2005. side offensive: 9 ...e6 1O.,te2 exdS 11.�f1 e6 1l.cxdS a6 12.a4 .id7 13.0-0 (In Black would not achieve much response to 13.aS, his plan works with 1l ...h3? !, Lalic - Berg, Ger­ effortlessly, for example: 13 ...bS many 2003, because Whitehas an 14.axb6 Vxb6 lS.l:!b1 VaS 16.0-0 adequate counter argument -12. l:!fbB 17.h3 .ibS= and he contin­ g3 a6 13.tLld2;!; ues the fightfor queenside space, Having in mind White'slag of or lS .. :�c7 16.0-0 l:!fbB 17.<.i>h1 development, Black can try his .ibS 1B.tLlxbS axbS 19.tLlb3 tLlfd7 standard plan with bS: 1l ...a6 !? 20.tLld2 tLlb6 21.b3 c4 22.bxc4 12.tLld2 (12.a4 e6 13.tLld2 exdS

172 3.ltJc3.tg7 4.e4 d6 5..fJ 0-0 6 . .te3 c5

14.cxdS ltJh7 lS.f4 ltJd7 16.0-0 kov 2004) 13 ...�aS 14.ltJd2 exdS �eB 17. .td3 ltJhf600 Ozolin - Bel­ lS.cxdS c4! 16.hc4 ltJxe4 17.fxe4 ous, Moscow 200B; 12.f4 ltJeg4 ltJxc4 1B.ltJxc4.ixc3 19.bxc3 �xc3 13 . .td2bS 14.h3 ltJh6 1S.cxbS axbS 20.ltJd2 �eS 21..te3 .!xg4 22.�b1 16 . .txbS e6 17.ltJe3 exdS 1B.exdS fSt ltJfS 19.0-0 ltJd4 20. .td3 �eB 21.fS 12.h3 exdS 13.cxdS bS 14.f4 c4 22.ltJxc4 ltJxfS, having some ltJc4 lS . .!xc4 bxc4 16.ltJd2 �eB compensation for the pawn.) 12 ... 17.�f3 �bB 1B.0-0 �b2 19.�ac1 �bB (12 ...e6 13.a4 �bB 14.0-0 .ta6+ Oms - Damljanovic, An­ h3, Manolache - Jianu, Bucha­ dorra 2006. rest 2006, lS.g4 exdS 16.cxdS 12 •••exd5 13.cxd5 bS 17.axbS axbS 1B.ltJxbS ltJxf3 19.�xf3 ltJxg4 20 . .tf4 id7 21.ltJxd6 .!xb2 22.�a6±) 13.h3 (13.f4 ltJeg4 14 . .tg1 h3 lS.gxh3 ltJh6) 13 ...ltJhS 14.0-0 ltJg3lS. �f2 bS+ 12.�d2 Black can counter 12.f4, with a little, but rather typical combi­ nation: 12 ...ltJe g4! 13.ixg4 (13 . .tg1 exdS 14.cxdS bS! - lS.h3 b4 16.ltJa4 ltJh6 and White's cen­ tre is defenceless: 17.eS dxeS

1B.fxeS ltJxdS=t Gunina - Girya, 13 .••a6 St. Petersburg 200B.) 13 ... ltJxg4 Black's other plan is connected 14.�xg4 exdS lS.fS! d4 (but not with kingside actions - 13 ...ltJh7, lS ...dxe4 16 . .tgS! .!xc3 17.bxc3 f6 but I will not recommended it to 1B.id2±) 16.ltJdS dxe3 17.0-0-0 you. 14.0-0 (14.f4 ltJd7 lS.0-0 e2 18.�xe2 �eB 19.fxg6 fxg6 20. �eB 16.h3 fS 17. .tf2 fxe4 lB. �d3 bS 21.ltJfe3 �bB 22.cxbS .td7 ltJdxe4± Razuvaev - Khalifman, 23.a4 a6 24.�hf1, Hovmoller - Germany 1992) 14 ...gS lS.f4 gxf4 G.Szabo, Hallsberg 2003 and here 16.ixf4 ltJg6 17 . .te3fS 1B.ihS ltJeS Black had better continue with 19.h3 ltJgS20 .1MIe2.td7 21.� f2 1M1e7 24 ... axbS+ with a clear advantage. 22.�af1. Naturally, Black has 12.igS!? h3 13.g4 (13.gxh3 achieved something more or less. exdS 14.ltJxdS .ixh3 lS.ltJfe3 He has the eS-square for his ltJxdS! 16 . .!xdB ltJxe3 17.�b3 ltJg2 knight, a free piece - movement, 18.�f2 �axdB 19.M1 ltJf4 Black's but his king is so unsafe that the three light pieces are obviously pluses of his position are negated. superior to the enemy queen. Whiteis better. Poluektov - Grigorchuk, Khar- 14.a4

173 Chapter 16

Black counters 14.i.g5 in the habitual fashion - 14 ...h3 . 14 ....td7 14 ...�h7 15.f4 �dn 15. 0-0!? 15.i.g5 h3 16.g3 (16.f4 hxg2 17. �gl �eg4 IB . .ixg4 .ixg4 19 . .ixf6 �d7!) 16 ...�b6 17.�b3 �b4 IB.f4 �eg4+ After Ha 15.h3!? Black must sacrifice advantageously a piece: 15 ...�h5 16.f4 �g3 17.�gl �eB!? 16.axb5 (It not advisable for him to play White can always refrain from immediately 17 ...f5 IB.fxe5 .ixe5 capturing on b5 - 16.h3!? c4 19.�c4 .ixc3 20.bxc3 �xe4 21. (Black's knight needs a square.) �c1 �f6 22.�b6 �adB 23.M3 17.�el (17.f4 �d3 IB . .ixd3 cxd3 �xc3 24. 'i!?d2 �e4 25 . .ixe4 fxe4 19.axb5 axb5 20.�b3, Lou Yiping 26.�c3± and White gradually es­ - Belous, Moscow 2007, 20 ...�h5 tablishes a complete control over 21.fuaB �xaB 22.�dl �g3 23.�el the situation; 17 ...J.h6 !?) IB.i.f2 f5 !+) 17 ... b4 18.�dl �h5 19.�xc4 (IB.fxe5 .ixe5 19.�c2 f5 20.i.f2 (19.f4 �d3 20 . .ixd3 cxd3; 19.i.f2 b5!?, or 20... i.d4; 20.�c4 .ixc3 �f4 20.�xc4 �g5) 19 ... �g3 (19 ... 21.�xc3 �xe4 22.�a3 �g3?) �xc4 20.hc4 a5 21.M2) 20.�f2 (20.�xd6 �c7) 20... �xc4 21.i.xc4 a5 22.�c1 f5 !gg- Black's compen­ sation for the pawn is absolutely spectacular. 16 ...axb5 17.gxa8 �xa8 18.h3 IB . .ixb5 .ixb5 19.�xb5 �a6 20.�c3 gbB 21.�c2, Psakhis - M. Piket, Amsterdam1990, 21...�fd7 22.b3 h3 23.g3 �d3 24.�dl �7esgg IB ...�c 4!! 19.�xc4 (19.hc4 18 ...c4 19.�el b4 .ixc3 20.bxc3 �xe4 21.'i!?f1 �f6 Black's pawns can be very dan­ 22.�xe4 fue4 23.i.d3 fuf4-+) gerous with the direct support of 19 ....ixc3 20.bxc3 �xe4 21.�cl b5 the queen and the indirect sup­ (Black is opening a second front.) port of his bishop on g7. 20.�dl 22.axb5 .ixb5 - White can hardly �a2 21.�xh4 �a4 22.f4 �d3 come out of the woods. 23.hd3 cxd3 24 . .td4 hdl 15 ...b5 25.�dl �h5 26.hg7 'i!?xg7

174 3.lLlc3 i.g74.e4 d6 5.j3 0-0 6.i.e3 c5

27.'i'f2 'i'xb2+ Vyzmanavin - i.g1, Sammalvuo - Pihlajasalo, Ju.Polgar, Groningen 1993. Finland 1997, 13 ... geB 14.h3 lLlh6 15.i.f2 b5+

B2b) 9 ••.e6 He should not let his opponent advance b7-b5, just like this, since he would obtain an excellent posi­ tion: 12.0-0 b5 13.�d2 (13.a3 1!bB 14.b4 lLlfd7 15.�b3 lLlb6 16.i.f2, Kramnik - Har-Zvi, Oakham 1992, 16 ...lLle d7oo) 13 ...1!eB 14.b3 (14.a3 h5 15.b4 lLlfd7 16.f4 h4, Zhang Ziyang - D.Petrosian, Mos­ cow 2006, 17.lLlh5 lLlc4 1B.hc4 gxh5 19.i.d3 c4 20.i.c2 h3 21.a4 hxg2 22.gf2 ; 14 ...lLlfd7 15.f4 lLlc4

10 • .te2 16.hc4 bxc4 17.1!ae1 gbB 1B.1!e2 1O.'i'd2 - see variation Bla: 1!b3 19.h3 �a5+ Liu Pei - Ju Wen­ 8.�d2 e6 9.d5 lLle51O.lLl g3. jun, 2005) 14 ...i.d7 (14 ...h5

10 ••.exd5 15.a4 b4 16.lLldl h4 17.lLlhl h3 1O ...b5? 1l.lLlxb5 exd5 12.cxd5 1B.g3 lLlxf3 19.i.xf3 lLlxe4 20.he4 1!bB 13.�d2;!; hal 21.i.g5 f6+) 15.a4 (15.gael 1l.cxd5 a6 �a5 16.1!c2 b4 17.lLldl i.b5 lB. The following possibilities i.h6 i.hB 19.1Lle3 he2 20.�xe2 will be always on the agenda for �b5= Sakaev - Skoberne, Dres­ Black. 1l... lLlh 5!? 12.lLlxh5(12 .0-0 den 2007) 15 ...bxa4 16.bxa4 �a5 lLlxg3 13.hxg3 h5; 12.f4 lLlxg3 13. 17. h3 l:'!abB 1B.f4 lLlh5 19.1Llxh5 hxg3 lLld7 14.g4 lLlf6 15.g5 lLlxe4 lLlf3 20.l:'!:xf3 hc3 21.�c1 gxh5 16.lLlxe4 1!eB+) 12 ...gxh5 13.0-0 22.l:'!g3 �hBoo f5 14.f4 (14.�d2 fxe4 15.lLlxe4i.f5 ) 12.�d2 b5 13.i.h6 i.xh6 14. 14 ...lLlg 4 15.hg4 hxg4 16.e5 dxe5 �xh6 i.d7 15.0-0 (The placement (16... b6 17.e6 hc3 1B.bxc3 i.a6 of White's queenmight entice him 19.1!e1�e7 20.�b3;!;) 17.hc5 1!eB to check the possibility of a di­ 1B.fxe5 he5 19.i.d4 i.d7 20.g3 rect attack: 15.h4 b4 16.lLldl i.b5 �f6 21.he5 �xe5 22.�g2 b5;!; - 17.h5 he2 1B.�xe2 c4 19.1Llf2 c3 White'sposition is slightly prefer­ 20.bxc3 l:'!cB+±Black's knight on f6 able, but Black has nothing to be is covering reliably his king, while afraid of. Whiteshould worry about his own 12.a4 king. The move 15.a3 can only It would be premature for help Black: 15 ...b4 16.axb4 cxb4 White to play 12.f4?! lLleg4 13. 17.lLldl �b6 1B.lLlf2 l:'!fcB 19.0-0

175 Chapter 16 as+) lS ...b4 16 . .!Dd1,van Der Ster­ 17 . .!Df2 b6 1B.aS fxe4 19.axb6 ren - Kindermann, Prague 1992, .!Dh6 20 . .!Dfxe4 .!DfS 21 ..!f2 'i9xb6 16 ....ibS ! (This is a typical square 22.'i9d2'i9dB 23.�fe1, draw, Turov for the activation on the light­ - Wittmann, Budapest 200S. squared bishop.) 17. .!De3 he2! 14 •••h4 1B . .!Dxe2 c4 19.�h1 �cB? - Black After the rather slow move is not better yet, but everything is 14 ....!d7, White can already afford developing in his favour. Should to continue with lS.f4 .!Dg4 16. White aim at restricting the en­ hg4 hg4, Browne - Shulman, emy knight with 12.h3, Black can Las Vegas 2001 and here White counter this with the thematic had better play immediately 17.eS 12 ...bS, creating a new field of ac­ b6 1B.aS;t tion for his pieces. For example: 15 • .!Db1f5 16 • .!Df2 13.f4 .!Ded7 (13 ....!Dc 4!? 14 . .ixc4 The f4 -square is under control bxc4 lS.0-0 �eB 16.'i9f3 �e7oo) and White can complete his de­ 14.0-0 �eB lS.eS (lS . .!f3 b4 16. velopment. .!Da4 hS 17.h4 .!Dg4!+) lS ... dxeS 16.fS e4 17.fxg6hxg6 1B . .!gS 'i9b6 19.d6 c4+ Kornev - V.Kotronias, Moscow 200S.

16 ••• ge8 Black has here two approxi­ mately equally strong possibili­ ties, but neither of them equal­

B2bl) 12 •••b5 izes. We will analyzeboth of them

B2b2) 12 •••.td7 in short. 1) 16 ...'i9f 6!? One of the mer­

B2b1) 12 •••b5 its of this move is that it is ad­ Black wishes to continue with vantageous for Black to fix the his kingside operations by playing pawn-structure, because White .!Dh7, h4, fS etc. was threatening f4. Its drawback 13.0-0 .!Dh7 14.'i9d2 is that the queen is misplaced on 14.h3 h4 lS . .!Dh1 fS 16.f4 .!Dfl f6. 17.f4 (17 . .!Dh3 .!d7 1B . .!Df4 'i9fl

176 3.iLlc3i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.fJ 0-0 6.i.e3c5

19.exfSi.xfS 20.iLle4 l3adB21.l3 ad1 f4 (20.iLlf4 iLlxf4 21..txf4 E:feB 22. v;!{d722 .iLle6.ixe6 23.d xe6 V;!{xe6oo l'Ue1v;!{d4 23 ..tfl i.eS 24 .i.e3V;!{xd2 Dreev - Amonatov, Dagomys 2S . .ixd2 iLlf8 26.f4 i.d4, with a 200B) 17 ...iLlf7 1B.eS dxeS 19.hc5 somewhat better endgame for exf4 (19 ...l3eB 20.d6 i.e6 21.iLldS Black. Akhmadeev - Amonatov, hdS 22.V;!{xdS exf4 23.i.c4 iLlhgS Kazan 2007) 20 ...E:feB 21.l3felt 24.d7 l3edB 2S.l3ael±; 19 ...l3dB The last variation is a perfect il­ 20.fxeSV;!{xeS, F.Graf - Huschen­ lustration of how White should beth, Neuhausen 2007, 21.iLld3 parry Black initiative, reducing V;!{c7 22.V;!{e3±) 20.i.xfB iLlxfB 21. his available squares one afterthe v;!{xf4± other. 2) 16 ...i.d7 and now: 17.�hl 17.exfS gxfS (It is illogical for 17.E:ad1?! i.d7 1B.exfS gxfS Black to play 17 ...i.xfS , since the 19.iLlh3 iLlg6 20. .th6, Polaczek bishop would go to fS, in two - Roeder, Gent 1993, 20 ...i.d4 moves.) 1B.iLlh3 (lB.!h6 v;!{f6 19 . 21.l!lh1 v;!{f6 22.E:fe1 E:e7 23.i.fl .ixg7 V;!{xg7 20.f4 iLlg4 21.iLlxg4 l3aeB= fxg4 22.iLle4 V;!{g6, A.Kuzmin - 17•.• !ThS Sandipan, Catalan Bay 2004 After 17... i.d7, White succeeds and here White had to continue in continuing with 1B.exfS (lB.l3g1 23.i.d3 and Black would have to l3bB 19.94 f4 20.i.xf4 gS 21.i.e3 provoke a series of exchanges: l3fB 22.l!lg2 v;!{f6 23:�d1 bS 24. 23 ...i.f5 24.l3ae1 l3aeB 2S.V;!{c2 axbS axbS 2S.iLlh3 b4 26.iLlb1 c4 V;!{g7! 26.iLlf6 iLlxf6 27.i.xfS l3xe1 27.i.d4, Lautier - Bijaoui, France

28.E:xe1 g3, with a position with 2007, 27 .. :�'g6 2B.E:a7E:aB - 2B ..• mutual chances.) 1B ...iLlg6 19.f4 .ixg4!? - 29.l3xaB l3xaB�) lB... E:eB 20.i.f2 iLlf6 21.iLlgS, Lautier gxf5 19.iLlh3, establishing control - Kazhgaleyev, France 2004, af­ over the f4-square on the process: ter which it would be interesting 19 ... iLlg6 20J3fe1 v;!{f6 21.f4 (21. for Black to transfer his queen iLlf4 l3xe3!) 21 ...E:e7 22 .aS (22.!hS to the queenside without being i.h6 23.i.f2 E:g7 24.l3e2 E:eB 2S. afraid of iLle6: 21...V;!{aS 22.i.d3 l3xeB .ixeB 26.E:e1i.d7 27.aS v;!{dB C22.iLle6 .ixe6 23.dxe6 dS 24.V;!{c2 2B.hg6 l3xg6 29. V;!{e2 V;!{xaS 30. d4 2S.i.e1 v;!{b6f±) 22 ...iLle 7 (22 ... V;!{e7 iLlfB31.i. xh4 v;!{b4oo;23 ... l3aeB iLlg4 23.iLle6) 23.V;!{c2 iLlg4 24.iLle6 24 . .ixg6?! V;!{xg62S.i. xh4 l3xe1 26. .ixe6 2S.dxe6 iLlxf2 26.l3xf2 i.d4 l3xe1 bS 27.axbS axbS� Vyz­ 27.l!lh1c4f± ; manavin - Ki.Georgiev, Elenite 17.l!lh1 v;!{f6 1B.exfS gxfS 19. 1993) 22 ... E:aeB 23.i.f2;!; iLlh3!? (19.g4 hxg3 20.hxg3 V;!{g6 lS.E:gl 21.l!lg2 iLlf6 22.iLlh3 iLlhS 23.iLlgS 1B.aS bS 19.axb6 l3xb6 20.iLla4 l3aeB 24.E:ae1 i.f6.... ) 19 ...iLlg6 20. l3b4=

177 Chapter 16

18 •••Wh8 19.94 19 ...fxe4 20.lLlcxe4 b5 21.axb5 19.93 b5 20.axb5 axb5 21.gxh4 axb5 22 . .th6 .txh6 23.'i«xh6± 'i«xh4 22J�g3 b4 23.lLlcd1, Vyz­ Lautier - V.Kotronias, Moscow manavin - Ki.Georgiev, Gronin­ 2004. gen 1993, 23 ...'i«e7+ Blackhas ad­ 20.gxg3 fxe421.lLlc xe4 .ifS vanced both f5 and b5, while it 22.gagl remains unclear what White has 22 . .!h6 .ixh6 23.'i«xh6 'i«e7 really done in the meantime. Or 24.'lWd2 lLlf6= 23.lLlb5 f4 24 ..ixf4 �f8 25.lLlg4 22.f4 lLlt723 . .!d3 'lWd724. �ag1 lLlxg4 26.fxg4 'i«e7 27. .b:d6 'i«xe4 lLlh625 .b4 b6=

28.�g2 �f2 29 . .!f3 �xf3 30 . .b:b8 22 •••'lWe7 - White is slightly �d3, with an unclear position. better, but it is not clear how he plans to improve his position.

B2b2) 12 •••.id7

19 •••hxg3 The PC program "Rybka" pre­ fers this move. Some players for Black might like to sacrifice a pawn with - This natural move is not as 19 .. .f4, but the true King's Indian popular, as the already analyzed experts should be able to avoid above 12 ...h5, although I consider giving up material just like this: it more promising for Black. 20 . .ixf4 g5 21.'!e3 'lWf6 22.f4 (22. 13. 0-0 'lWd1,draw, Banikas - V.Kotronias, White plays sometimes here Salonika 2006) 22 ...gxf4 23 . .ixf4 13.h3, but after 13 ...b5 14.f4 lLlc4 �f8 24.lLlh3t. Naturally, Black's 15 . .b:c4 bxc4 16.0-0 �b8, the knight is very beautiful on e5, game transposes to the main line but White still preserves an extra which we analyze below. pawn and well deployed pieces. It is a bit different after the It is not advisable for Black to let more principled line: 13.f4 lLleg4 an enemy piece to the e4-outpost: 14.'!d2 lLlh6!? (14 ...h5 15.h3 h4!?

178 3.tLlc3J.g7 4.e4 d6 5.j3 0-0 6.J.e3c5

16.hxg4 hxg3, Portisch - Ju.Pol­ gar, Bie1 1993, 17.gS tLleS 1S.�c2;!;; 14 ...bS lS.h3 tLlh6 16.axbS axbS 17J�xaS �xaS lS.tLlxbS hbS 19. hbS �b7 20.�d3 �eS 21.0-0 �xb2;!; Black's knight is stranded on h6 indeed, but it is not clear how White can exploit this.) lS.h3 (Black should not be afraid of 15. fS gxfS 16.0-0 tLlxe4 17.tLlgxe4 fxe4 lS.tLlxe4 �e7; 15.0-0 tLlfg4) lS ...tLleS 16.0-0 fS 17.eS dxeS IS. fxeS heS 19.hh6 �h4! 20.tLlhS gxhS 21.ixfB �g3. He has at least We can call this the tabia of a draw in this line. this variation. White can force

13 .••bS ! now the issue with f4 , or he can This can hardly be defined as include at first axbS, or he can a sacrifice. simply improve his position with 14.h3 �d2, �f2. In case White accepts the gift, lS.f4 Black obtains an excellent posi­ White is trying to clarify the tion: 14.axbS axbS lS.�xaB (15. situation. We must have a look at hbS hbS 16.tLlxbS �6 17.�e2 his alternatives. �abB 1B.tLla3 �xb2 19.�a6 �aB lS.axbS!? hbS (lS ... axbS!?) 20.�xd6 �fcB+ Pascual - Hu­ 16.tLlxbS axbS 17.b3 tLled7 (17 ... men, corr. 2002; about 16.�xaB �eB 1BJ!a6 ge7 19.�d2 tLleB 20. �xaB - see1S.�xaS �xaB 16.hbS �gS f6 21.�e3;!; - Inar­ hbS) lS ...�xaS 16.hbS hbS kiev, Poikovsky 200B; 17... tLle B!? 17.tLlxbS �a6 (Black should not 1B.f4 tLld719. �a6;!;) 18.�a6, draw, be in a hurry to occupy the b-file Lalic - Timoscenko, Piestany and he should better leave it for 1996. He could have refrained his rook.) 1B.tLlc3 �bB 19.�c2 �d3 from offering a draw indeed, but 20.�f2 tLlc4+ Nikolaev - I.Belov, Black's position was quite accept­ Podolsk 1991. able anyway, for example: lB ... After the indifferent move �e7 19.�d2 �fcB 20.gel tLleSoo 14.�d2, Black cam calmly White can opt for lS.�d2!?, capture on a4: 14 ...bxa4 !? lS.tLlxa4 in order to trade the bishops and �bS! 16.gfc1 geS 17.h3 gbS lB. to reduce his opponent's poten­ �gS �d7 19.�c2 he2 20.�xe2 tial queenside pressure: lS ...�eB , �bS+ Mahjoob - AI Modiahki, Atalik - Wang Pin, Beijing 1996, Cebu 2007. 16.�h6 (16.f4 tLlc4 17.hc4 bxc4

179 Chapter 16

- see lS.f4 �c4 16.hc4 bxc4 complications after 17.eS Eie818. 17.¥;yd2 Eie8) 16 ....ih8 17.axbS ¥;Yf3 (18.¥;Yd2!?, Kanelakis - Tzer­ hbS 18.�xbS axbS= miadianos, Kavala 1999, 18 ...dxeS White counters sometimes 19.fxeS !!xeS 20 . .if4 �e8 21 . .!xeS bS with the move lS.b3, depriv­ .!xeS 22.�ge4 .id4 23.�h1 fS ing the enemy knight of the c4- 24.�gS �g7co) 18 ...!!xb2 (18 ... square, but thishas its drawbacks dxeS? 19.fxeS EixeS 20. .if4 ¥;Ye8 as well, because he weakens the 21.heS %!IxeS 22J'3ae1 ¥;Yd4 23. long diagonal. lS ...�e8 16.Eic1 �h1 !!xb2 24.�ce4± Meessen - ¥;yh4 17.�h1 bxa4 18.bxa4 (18. Laurent, Westerlo 2004) 19.exf6 f4 axb3co) 18 ... Eib4 19.ha6 �c7 (19.�ge4? �xe4 20.�xe4 dxeS 21. 20. .te2 Eia8= Gallagher - Nunn, fxeS EixeS 22.¥;Yxt7 �h8-+) and London 1990. now: It would be interesting for 19 ....ixf6 ?! 20.�ce4 (20.�ge4 White to play here the prophy­ .ig7 21 ..if2 Eib3 22.Eiac1 Eixe4 lactic move lSJ3f2!?, covering 23.%!Ixe4 Eixc3 24.Eixc3 .ixc3=) the second rank and avoiding 20 .. J'3b3 21.�xf6 (2U!ae1 .Ad4 the eventual checks against his 22.fS ¥;Ye7 23.�h1;!; Bu Xiangzhi king. lS ... �e8 16.¥;Yd2 (16.b3 hS - Jenni, Lausanne 2000) 21... 17.f4 �c4 18.bxc4 b4 19 . .tf3 bxc3 %!Ixf6 22.Eiae1 ¥;Ye723 .M2 (23.�f2 20.eS dxeS; 16.axbS axbS 17.b3 b4 .!xa4�) 23 ...Eixf3 24.Eixe7 !!xe7 18.�a4 .ibS 19.hbS EixbS20 .�b2 2S.gxf3 fS . It is hard to predict EiaS. The fightfor the c4-square is whether Whitewill win this posi­ still going on and ifWhite plays f4 , tion, but it is evident that Black's then he will have to worry about maximumis a draw; the protection of his e4-pawn.) 19 ...¥;Yxf6 ! 20.Eiac1 (20.�ge4 16 ...�c 4 17.hc4 bxc4 18 . .igS (18. ¥;Ye7) ...20 ¥;Yd8 21.Eife1 fS 22 . .if2 �h2 f5 19.exfS .ixfS 20.�xf5 Eixf5 (22.�h1 %!laS 23. .td2 ha4 (23 ... 21.g4 Eit7 22.Eic1, Vyzmanavin - Eieb8!? 24.¥;Ye2) 24.Eia1 ¥;Yd8! Hebden, Cappelle la Grande 1992, 2S.13xa4 !!xd2 26.13xe8 %!Ixe8=l=) 22 ..J3 b3 23.�g2 �c7=l=; 18. .th6 22... 13b3 (22 ....id4 !?) 23.13xe8 ¥;yh4 19 . .!xg7 �xg7 20.�fl)18 .. .f6 %!Ixe8. All Black's pieces left are 19 . .th6 .ixh6 20.¥;yxh6¥;Ye7 21.Eie1 long range and every one of them Eib4 22.a5 �c7 23.f4 �bS 24.fS is active, so we can consider that ¥;Yg7 2S.¥;Yc1 �d4 26.fxg6 hxg6 he has a sufficient compensation 27.Eiefl, Andersen - Ratzmann, for the piece. In addition, White corr. 2003, 27 ...Eib7co can hardly provoke advantageous 15 ...�c 4 16.hc4 bxc4 simplifications. 17.%!Id2 Eib3! 17.gf2 Black may decide to double, even 17.Eib1?! �e8 18.f5 Eib3+t treble his heavy pieces along the There may arise interesting b-fileand he also creates pressure

180 3.tLlc3 i.g74.e4 d6 5..fJ 0-0 6.i.e3c5 against the c3-square, as well as along the entire third rank. 18.f5 (18.eS tLle8 19.�ae1 VNb820.� e2 fS 21.e6 i.c8+, followed by an attack against the dS-pawn with: tLlc7 and i.b7. 18 ...�b6 ! (18 ...�e 7!? 19.�f3 �fb8 20.�af1 �xb2 21.VNc1 tLle8 22.fxg6. The experienced GM with White offered here a draw and it was accepted, Psa­ khis - Mittelman, Ashdod 2004, but Black could have prolonged it controls the vital third rank and the fight 22 ...hxg6 23.13xf7 �xf7 in addition Black prepares the 24.�xf7 �xf7 2S.tLlge2 �8b3+) eventual doubling of his rooks 19 . .th6 �xb2 20.VNgS i.xh6 21. along the b-file. 18.�f3 �8 19. �xh6 VNd8 22.�f3 VNe7 23J!afl eS (19J!a2 �e8 20.�h1 hS 21.f5 VNeS 24.fxg6 fxg6 2S.�h4 �g7+ �xc3 22.bxc3 �b1 23.�h2 h4+ Roghani - Khader, Beirut 2004. Chernin - Hebden, London 1994) Whitehas also tried in practice 19 ...dxeS 20.fxeS�xeS 21.i.f4�e7 the move 17.�e2!?, in order to be 22.i.gS�e S!= with a repetition of able to capture on c4 if neces­ moves. sary: 17... �e8 18.�ae1, Bentley - 18.e5 Hebden, England 2006. White's 18.VNd2 hS 19.eS h4 20.tLlge4 queen is misplaced on the e-file tLlxe4 21.tLlxe4 dxeS 22.tLlxc5 in this case and you can witness i.c8+ this in the variation 18 ...hS !? 18 •••gb3 19.eS (19.�xc4 h4 20.tLlge2 �b4 Black exploits the defenceless­ 21.�d3 tLlxe4+) 19 ...dxeS 20.�xc4 ness of the enemy bishop and he exf4 21.�xf4 �xb2 22.tLlce4 tLlxe4 improves maximally the place­ 23.tLlxe4 i.fS 24.tLld6 �b4+ ment of his pieces. (diagram) 19.VNfl dxe5 20.tbc4 exf4 In this situation, Black can This positional exchange-sacri­ bring some more wood into the ficefor Black can be oftenencoun­ raging fire. tered in this variation. 21.VNxb3 17... ge 8!? �xe3 22.tLlfl tLle4 23.tLlxe3 tLlxf2 17.. J�b3!? This is not the worst 24.�xf2 fxe3 2S.�e2 i.d4 26.�fl possible square for the rook. It ex­ �gS--+ Mohota - Moradiabadi, erts pressure againstthe b2-pawn, Abudhabi 2004.

181 Part4

The Four PawnsAttack 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 J.g74.e 4 d6 S.f4

he tries to restrict Black's coun­ terplay. In this system, he simply occupies space and he goes after his opponent, trying to crush him. Still, is it possible to make four out of the five first moves with pawns and this to be an impecca­ ble plan?

The Four Pawns Attack is very seldom played nowadays, but the The Four PawnsAttack is quite King's Indian players should be different in its thematic essence well acquainted with its ideas and than all the other systems against they must refresh their memory the King's Indian Defence. White about the forced lines; otherwise, usually tries to build up his game against a well prepared opponent on a sound positional basis, he Black may succumb right in the fortifies his centre carefully and opening.

182 Chapter 17 1.d4 lLlf6 2.c4 g6 3.lLlc3 J.g7 4.e4 d6 5.f4 0-0

iDb6 .15 .ib3 c4 16. .ic2 iDbxd5+ Psarakis - Hatzidakis, Chania 199B.) 7 ...c5 B.d5 (After B . .ie3 cxd4 9.hd4 dxe5 1O.he5 iDxe5 11.iDxe5 iDd7 12.iDxd7 hd7 13 . .ie2 .ic6 14.�xdB l3fxdB+ - White's centre has disappeared and Black's two bishops will be omni­ present in this endgame, Glicen­ stein - Amsellem, France 1997; B.exd6 exd6 9.d5 l3eB lO . .ie2hc3 It is premature for White to 11.bxc3 �e7 12.a4 iDf6 13.l3a2 iDe4 play 6.e5?! - his pawn-centre is 14.�b3 �f6 15 . .id2 iDxd2 16.l3xd2 still very weak and it comes under �xf4+ Zibell - Riebert, Germany an immediate massive counter at­ 2002.) B ...dxe5 9 . .id3, Fonoage - tack: 6 ...iDfd7 7.iDf 3 (Whitewould Marcu, Deva 1999, 9 ...f5 1O.fxe5 not change much with 7 . .ie3 c5 iDxe5 11.iDxe5 he5 12.�e2 iDd7 B.exd6 exd6 9.�d2 iDc6 1O.iDf3 13 . .ig5� - White has some com­ l3eB 11.0-0-0 �a5 12.a3, Balko pensation for the pawn, but not - Polacik, Slovakia 2000, 12 ... more than that. cxd4 13.hd4 iDxd4 14.iDxd4 iDc5 The move 6 . .ie3?!, aimed at 15.i>bl .ig4+; B.dxc5 dxe5 9.fxe5 preventing c7-c5, brought suc­ iDxe5 10.'!1*ixdB l3xdB l1.iDd5 iDbc6 cess to Whitein the ancient game 12.l3dl .if5 13 . .ig5, Bartha - Sid­ Spassky - Rukavina, Sochi 1973, houm, Creteil l9B3, 13 ...h6+ and since Black responded with the it would not work for him to tentative move 6 ...c6. What was opt for 14.iDxe7?, in view of 14 ... White going to do after 6 ...iDg 4 iDxe7 15.he7 l3eB 16 . .id6 iDd3 - ? He would be reluctant to part 17.i>d2 iDf2; 7.exd6 exd6 B.iDf3 with his bishop, for example: iDf6 9 . .id3 l3eB 1O.iDe2 c5 11.d5 b5 7.�d2 iDxe3 B.�xe3 iDa6 9.a3 c5 12.cxb5 .ib7 13 . .ic4 iDbd7 14.0-0 1O.d5 �a5 n.iDge2 .id7 12.l3bl

IB3 Chapter 17 bSt Vicainne - Renard, Bethune c5 7.dS (7.tLlf3 - see variation A) 2007. If it goes back to its initial 7 ...bS B.cxbS (White's attempt to position 7 . .ic1, then Black can advance his pawn-centre back­ repeat moves with 7 ...tLlf6, but fires after B.eS dxeS 9.fxeS tLlfd7 he can also tryto seize the initia­ 1O.e6 fxe6 11.dxe6 tLleS 12.�xdB tive with: 7 ...cS B.dS .id4 9.tLlh3, fudB 13.cxbS .txe6 14.tLlf3 tLld3 J.Balogh - Szittar, Zalakaros lS . .ixd3 �xd3? Olivares - Dalin­ 1993, 9 ...eS ! 10.dxe6 ixe6, with a ger, Acasusso 1991.) B ...a6 9.eS veryactive position. (9.a4 axbS 1O . .ixbS .ia6 11 . .id2 In case of 6 . .id3 c5 7.dS e6 .ixbS 12.axbS tLlbd7 13.tLlge2 e6 B.tLlf3, or B.dxe6 fxe6 9.tLlf3, 14.dxe6 fxe6 lS.0-0 �b6? Wre­ there arise positions analyzed in denberg - Johnson, Sweden 199B; chapter lB. Whiteconnects some­ 9.b6 �xb6 10.tLlf3e6 11.dxe6 .ixe6 times the early development of 12.tLlgS tLlc6 13. tLlxe6fxe6 14.0-0 the bishop on d3 with the idea to tLld4 1S . .if3 �adB 16.r,!;>h1 dS 17.eS deploy his knight to e2 - B.tLlge2. tLld7? Isbulatov - Shishkin, The rather modest e2-square is Minsk 1996; 9.bxa6 �aS 1O . .id2 not the best for his knight in an .ixa6 11.tLlf3 .ixe2 12.�xe2 �a6 aggressive scheme like the Four 13.�xa6 tLlxa6 14.0-0 �tbB lS. Pawns Attack. The knight on e2 �ab1 tLld7 16.b3 tLlc7 17.a4 �b7 1B. does not support the eventual tLla2fS 19.exfS tLlxdS20 .fxg6hxg6 pawn-break e4-eS and it cannot 21.tLlgS �abB? Behm - Bischoff, go to c4 after the exchange exdS Bad Wiessee) 9 ...dxeS 1O.fxeS cxdS. It can only go to g3, frome2, tLlfd7 11.tLlf3 (11.e6 tLleS 12.tLlf3 but with a black pawn on g6, it has tLlxf3 13 . .ixf3 axbS 14.d6 �a6; practically nothing to do there. It 14.exf7 �xf7 lS.0-0=) 11 ... tLlxeS is not surprising that Black ob­ 12.tLlxeS.ixeS 13.0-0 .ib7 14.bxa6 tains easily an excellent position .ixa6 lS . .ixa6 tLlxa6? Karpeta - after: B ...exdS 9.exdS (9.cxdS a6 Stanach, Krakow 200S.

10.a4 tLlbd7 11.0-0 �eB 12.tLlg3 6 •••c5 'ffic7 13.h3 c4 14 . .ic2 �bB lS.r,!;>h1 This is Black's most principled bS 16.axbS axbS 17.eS dxeS 1B.fS response. White's infantry is al­ b4 19.tLlce4 .ib7+ F.Benko - Naj­ ready away from his panzer regi­ dorf, Buenos Aires 1960) 9 ... tLlhS ments and Black should better at­ 10.0-0 fS 11 . .id2 �eB 12.�c2 tLld7 tack it immediately, before it has 13.h3 tLlfB 14.�ae1 .id7 1S.r,!;>h2 a6 the adequate piece-support. 16.a3 tLlf6 17.tLlg1 �c7 1B.tLlf3 bS In this chapter we will have 19.fueB fueB 20.�e1 �bB? Keres a look at some relatively seldom - Panno, Los Angeles 1963. played variations and in the next The game develops in the spir­ chapter we will deal with the main it of the Benko Gambit after6 . .ie2 line -7.dS.

1B4 3.tilc3i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.f4 0-0 6.tilf.3c5

c!tJc6 17.l:!b1 '!Wb6 18.�g2 i.eSoo - the position remains sharp, but Black's game is evidently easier, at least because his king is safer. On the other hand, White must do something on the king­ side; otherwise, Black will have his hands free for queenside ac­ tions: 1l.i.e3a6 12.Vffe1 c!tJaS 13.b3 bS 14.cS c!tJb7lS.b4, Yewdokimov - Grechkin, COIT. 1962, lS ...dxcS+ A) 7.i.e2 or 1l.l:!b1 a6 12.b3 bS 13.cxbS B) 7.dxeS axbS 14.i.f3,Jezek - Boleslavsky, Vienna 19S7, 14 ...Vff aS lS.i.d2 b4 A) 7.J.e2 cxd4 8.tilxd4 tilc6 16.c!tJa4 c!tJd7+ Boleslavsky.

It turns out now that White 9 •••i.g4 has played f4 in a popular posi­ Black can try another version tion fromthe Maroczy system. As of the same idea: 9 ...c!tJg 4!? 10. a result, he lags in development .bg4 .bd4 1l. .bd4 .bg4 12.V;\'d2 and his e4-pawn is not supported c!tJxd413. Vffxd4 eS! (preparing the by its neighbour. Black has excel­ check on the h4-square) 14.fxeS lent chances of seizing the initia­ Vffh4 lS.Vfff2 Vffxf2 16.Wxf2 dxeS tive. 17.l:!ac1 l:!adS lS.c!tJdS i.e619.1:! hd1 9.J.e3 fS 20.exfS gxfS= Uhlmann - After 9.c!tJc2 i.e6 10.0-0 �cS, Fischer, Leipzig 1960. White's c4-pawn has become an 10.tilxc6 attractive target for Black's attack. 1O . .bg4 c!tJxg4 1l.Vffxg4 c!tJxd4 White cannot protect it with b2- 12.V;\'d1 c!tJc6=Benko - Reshevsky, b3, because his knight on c3 will Los Angeles 1963. be hanging along the long diago­ 10 •••i.xe2 11.c!tJxd8hd1 12. nal (Black has the tactical strike lhdl I1Jxe4 up his sleeve.), as well as But not 12.c!tJxb7, Winter - along the c-file, after a6 and bS. Uhlmann, Hastings 1960, 12 ... Now, White's hasty kingside i.c2+ attack can only cause additional 12 •••lUxd8 13.We2 gdc8 14. problems for him: ll.fS i.d7 12.g4 b3 h6 13.h4 c!tJeS 14.gS hxgS lS.hxgS 14.cS c!tJg4 lS.cxd6 c!tJxe3 16. c!tJh7 16.c!tJa3 (In the Chelyabinsk Wxe3 exd6 17.c!tJdS WfS lS.l:!d2 variation Whitehas the dS-square �c6 19.1:!f1 l:!eS 20.Wd3 fS 21.exfS as a compensation for the fact �c5, draw, Malich - Stein, Berlin that his knight is on a3 ...) 16 ... 1962.

lSS Chapter 17

14 •••b5 15.e5!? worse, but a very complicated po­

White can win a pawn, but sition with 7 •••WaS (Bl). his pieces will be isolated on the flank and Black will obtain an Bl) 7 •••Wa5 8 • .td3 excellent compensation by ad­ The developments are in fa­ vancing his pawns in the centre: vour of Black after 8.cxd6 �xe4 lS.�xbS �xe4 16.@f3 fS 17.�xa7 9.dxe7 ge8 1O . .id2 �xc3+ !kb8 18J'!dS, Schroeder - Moe­ It looks dubious for White to hring, Aschersleben 1963, 18 ... try to acquire even more space �c3 19J'!aS eS 20J:!e1 e4 21.@f2 on the queenside with: 8 . .id2?! dS 22.cxdS gd8f± WxcS 9.b4 (9.Wc1 �c6 1O . .ie2.ig4

15 •••dxe5 16.fxe5 �g4 17. 1l . .ie3 WaS 12.0-0 eS 13.fS gxfS �xb5 a6 18.tOc3 he5 19.tOd5 14.exfS hiS lS.�h4 .ig6 16.�fS tOxe3 20.@xe3 ga700 - Black hiS 17J�xfS �e7 18.gf2 �e8 has sufficient counter arguments 19 . .ih6 fS 20.WgS Wd8 21.gafl against his opponent's passed gf6 22.hg7 gg6 23.Wd2 �xg7+ pawns. Rotstein - Westerinen, Dresden 2006; 1O ...�g4 ! - This is strong­ B) 7.dxc5 er for Black. 1l.gf1 �d4 12.�xd4 This move is absolutely not in hd4+ - White's king is stranded the spirit of the Four Pawns At­ in the centre and he can hardly tack. After this exchange, there complete his development.) 9 ... remains no venom in White's set­ Wb6 (This possibility can attract up, including the move f2-f4. only players who would not mind a quick draw in the opening: 9 ...Wxb4 10.�a4 Wa3 1l . .ic1=) 1O . .id3 �c6 1l.�a4 Wc7 12.gc1 .ig4 13.h3 hf3 14.Wxf3, Chtcher­ bine - Zuriel, Buenos Aires 1999 and here, Black had to play 14 ... eS 15.0-0 exf4 16.Wxf4 �hS 17.%!ff2 .id4 18. .ie3 �xb4, with an advan­ tage.

8 .••%!fxc5 It is worse for Black to play 8 ...�fd7? ! 9.cxd6! (In one of my Black is faced with a choice games, my opponent was afraid here. He can enter an approxi­ to sacrifice his rook and he soon mately equal endgame with 7 ••• lost the battle for the dark squares dxc5!? (B2), or he can preserve in the centre: 9 . .id2 �xcS 1O . .ic2 the queens and go to a slightly �c6 1l.a3 %!fa6 12.�bS .ig4 13.gb1

186 3.lLlc3.!g7 4.e4 d6 5/4 0-0 6.lLlfJ c5 lLld4 14.lLlbxd4 i.xd4 15.'1We2�ac8 lLlc5= Vokac - Marholev, Prague 16.h3 i.xf3 17.gxf3 lLla4+ Gorbatow 2007; 12.�ac1 lLld7 13.V;Vf2 �c5 - Bologan, Novgorod 1995.) 9 ... 14.'!b1 �ac8 15.lLld2 lLlb4 16.h3, i.xc3 1O.bxc3 �xc3 11.�d2 V;Vxa1 draw, Neuman - Havlik, Klatovy 12.dxe7 �e8 13.e5. Presently, 2007; 12.h3 i.xf3 13.�xf3 lLld7 White has only two pawns for 14.�f2 �a5 - White's pieces are the rook (Black can even recap­ misplaced) 12 ...i.xf3 13.gxf3 ! ture one of them when he pleas­ Black would have been quite es.), but Black's queen has been happy in an endgame, but now it trapped on the a1-square, while becomes clear that his queen is his king's position has been com­ misplaced and his opponent can promised and there are almost exert a powerful pressure along no defenders around it. 13 ...lLlc6 the g-file. 13 ...V;Va5 14.�h1 lLld7 15. 14.0-0 lLld4 15.lLlg5! (The idea of �ac1 �fc8 16J3g1, Heberla - Zhe­ sacrificing a rook is well familiar, rebukh, Pardubice 2007, 16 ...�c 5 but in the firstgame played in this 17.'!b1 �b4 (17 ...lLla 4 18.lLlxa4 line, White followed the wrong �xa4 19.f5t) 18.f5;!; - White has path: 15 . .!b2?! lLlxf3 16.gxf3 �xa2, good attacking chances.

Lj ubojevic - van Der Wiel, Wijk 10 • .!e3 �a5 11.gc1 aan Zee 1986, 17.�c3 lLlcS 18.e6 It would be reasonable for V;Vxb2 19.�xb2 lLlxd320 .V;Vd2i.xe6 White to protect his knight on c3 21.V;Vxd3 �xe7+) 15 ...lLle6 16. lLlxe6 in advance, in order to anticipate fxe6 17.i.xg6! hxg6 18 . .!a3 V;Vxf1 Black's counterplay connected 19.�xf1 - The material is equal with moves with his knight on f6. indeed, but White's kingside at­ In case of 11.0-0, Black has the tack will soon become decisive, resource 11 ...lLlg 4!?, for example: Vukadinov - Smirin, Winnipeg 12.'!d2 (12.�fc1 lLlxe3 13.�xe3 1997. .!g4 14.�ab1 e6 15.h3 i.xf3 16.�xf3 9.�e2 �c6 �ac8+; 12 . .!c1 lLld4 13.lLlxd4i.xd4 The move 9 ....!g4, does not 14.�h1 V;Vh5 15.h3 �h4+; 15.g3 have any separate importance in e6 16.lLlb5 .!c5 17.V;Vg2 .!d718 .h3 connection with V;Vh5: 10 . .!e3�h5 .!c6+) 12 ...�b6 13.�h1 V;Vxb2 14. 11.0-0 lLlc6 (11... �bd7 12J!ac1 �ab1 (14.lLlb5!? a6 15.lLlc7 �b8 V;Va5 13.h3 i.xf3 14.l'!xf3 �fc8, 16.h3 lLlf6 17.�tb1 V;Va3 18.�b3 Sieciechowicz - B.Socko, War­ V;VcS+ and White cannot trap saw 2006, 15.a3 V;Vd8 16.V;Vd2 lLlc5 Black's queen) 14 ...V;Va3 15.lLlb5 17.'!c2;!;) 12.V;Vf2 (12.�ad1 lLld7 13. V;Vc5 16.h3 a6. This is an important .!b1 �a5 14.h3 i.xf3 15.�xf3 i.xc3 intermediate move. AfterWhite's 16.bxc3 lLlb6 .17 .!f2 lLla4 18.V;Vc2 knight retreats, Black will not be �ac8 19.�d5 �a6 20.�b5 lLlb6 afraid that his queen might be 21.V;Ve2 lLla5 22.'!d3 lLla4 23.�b4 trapped on the c5-square. (White

187 Chapter 17 is better after 16 ...�h5 17.�e1 tLlf6 �b4 (15 ... tLla4 16.tLlxa4 �xa4 17. 1B.tLlh2 tLleB 19.f5 .th6 20.tLlg4 l3f2 �b4 lB. �xb4 tLlxb4 19.c5 ixd2 21.�xd2;!;Flear - Likavsky, dxc5 20.l3xc5;!; Garcia Palermo - Saint Vincent 2002.) 17.tLlc3 (17. Solana, Ponferrada 1991) 16.b3 as tLlc7 tLld4 1B.tLlxd4�xc7+) 17 ...tLlf6 17.tLld5 �xd2 1B.ixd2 e6 19.tLlc7 1B.tLla4 �h5 19.tLlb6 l3bB 20.f5 tLld4 20.tLlxaBtLlxf3 21.gxf3,Jones gxf5 21.tLlxcB l3fxcB 22.exfS tLld7. - Taimbert, Great Britain 19B9 Black's knights have numerous and here Black should better give good squares in the centre, while an intermediate check on d4 - his opponent's pawn-structure 21.. . .!d4 22.l!lfl l3xaB= has been compromised. His two 13.l!lh1 �c5 14 . .tb1 l3fcB 15.h3 bishops compensate this indeed, .!xf3 16.gxf3 tLla4 17.tLlxa4 �xa4 so the chances are approximate­ 1B.h4 �b4 19.13f2 .td4 20.l3g2 ly equal. 23 . .te4 tLlce5 24.ixb7 �c5+ Giardelli - Crosa, Pinamar l3xc4= 2002.

1l •••J.g4 13.l3fd1 �h5 14.'!b1 l3adB 15. Black must get rid of this bish­ l3d5 .!xf3 16.gxf3 �h3 17.l!lh1tLlf6 op. 1B.l3dd1 tLlh5 19.�f2 .th6 20.tLle2, 12.0-0 �d7 Bjornsson - Unnarsson, Reykja­ vik 2005, 20 ...e5 2l.f5 ixe3 22. �xe3 I!lhB 23J!gl l3gB 24.l3cd1 tLlf625.l3 g3 �h4 26.fxg6l3x g6=

13 •••.bf'3 13 ...l3fcB 14.tLld2tLlc 5 (14 ...tLlb4 15 . .!b1 tLlc5,Capo - Elbaba, Turin 2006, 16.tLlb3 tLlxb3 17.axb3;!;) 15 . .!b1 .td7 (15 ...tLla 4 16.tLlb3 �a6 17.tLlxa4 �xa4 1B.f5) 16.a3 �dB 17.e5;!; Elbaba - Flores, Turin 2006. 14.gxf3 13.�f2 14.�xf3 !? ixc3 (14 ...l3acB 15. White'squeen can avoid the pin a3) 15.l3xc3 �xa2 16.�f2 �a5 with 13.�d2, but Black can coun­ 17.g4, Usachyi - Kostecky, corr. ter this in numerous fashions: 19BB, 17 ...tLlc5 - White has some 13 ...ixf3 (13 ...tLlc 5 14 . .tb1 l3fdB compensation, but not more.

15.b3 l3acB 16.h3 ixf3 17.l3xf3; 14 ••.�c5 15 • .i.bl �a4 14 ... �b4 15.b3 as; 15.l3f2 .txf3 16. The trade of the knights is in gxf3 �xc4 17.tLld5 �a4, Garcia favour of Black. It is somewhat Palermo - Flores, Buenos Aires worse for him to opt for 15 ... 2001, 1B.b4;!;) 14.l3xf3 tLlc5 15 . .!b1 l3acB!? 16.e5 (16.tLld5 e6 17.b4

1BB 3.lDc3.ig7 4.e4 d6 5.J4 0-0 6.lDfJc5 lDxb4 1B.lDe7 @hB 19.1DxcB l:!xcB 23.l:!g5 Wfe7+±, Black is preparing 20.l:!fd1 Wfa3 21 . .id4 lDc6 22..txg7 the pawn-break in the centre - @xg7co Grinev - V.Onischuk, d5, Topalov - Dolmatov, Elenite Kiev 2005) 16 ...b6 17.exd6 exd6 1995; 23 ...lDe7! ? with the idea 1B.lDd5 l:!feB 19.f5 lDe7 20.l:!cdU d5) 1B.@h1 l:!acB 19.h4 lDb4 (19 ... l:!c7 20.h5;!; I.Sokolov - Xie Jun, Breda 1999) 20.b3 Wfa3 21.l:!gl Wfb2 22.Wfxb2 hb2 23.l:!cd1 lDc6 24.h5 .ia3 25.f5 .ic526 . .txc5bxc5 27.hxg6 fxg6= Zimmerman - Morev, Lipetsk 2007. 16 ...b6 16 ...f5, Serov - Solovjov, St. Petersburg 2006, 17.exfS gxf5 1B.@h1 @hB 19.1:!gl e6 20.a3 l:!gB 21.b3 lDb6 22.Wfa2 lDd7 23.b4 WfdB 24.Wfd2;!; 16.lDdl 16 ...l:!acB 17.@h1 l:!feB 1B.l:!gl Tournament practice has con­ lDc5 19.h4 Wfc7 20.Wfd2 lDe6 21. firmed the reasonability of this lDc3 lDed4 22.Wff2 Wfd7 23.l:!g3 move. White wishes to preserve .if6 24.Wfh2e6 25.h5;!;- Black has both knights with the idea to use managed to hold the position, but them for an attack in the centre, White has prepared a dangerous or on the kingside. attack, Gabriel - Hausrath, Ger­ Black's game is much easier many 1997. afterthe exchange on a4: 16.lDxa4 Wfxa4 17.l:!fd1 (17.b3 Wfa3 1B.l:!fd1 b6; 1B.l:!c2 a5 19.e5 a4 20. .ic1Wfc5 21 . .ie3 Wfa3 22.i.c1, draw, Barrett - Wu, Great Britain 2007; 1B.c5 dxc5 19 . .txc5 Wfxc5! 20J�c5 .id4 21.l:!d1 ixf2 22.@xf2 l:!fdB 23.l:!cd5 e6 24.l:!xdB l:!xdB 25.l:!xdB lDxdB 26.@e3 @fB= Topalov - Kasparov, Linares 1994) 17 ...b6 (17 ...Wfb4 1B.b3 as 19.c5 l:!fdB 20.cxd6 l:!xd6 21.�d6 Wfxd6 22.e5;!;; 1B .. J�fdB 19.1:!d5 Wfa3 20.l:!cd1 .ib2 21.e5;!; 17.f5! Flear - Rouchouse, France 2004; Now, Black's queen has no ac­ 17 ... l:!acB 1B.b3 Wfa5 19.1:!d5 Wfc7 cess to the h5-square. 20Jkd1 b6 21.a3 l:!fdB 22.h4 e6 If 17.a3, then 17 ...Wfh5 (It looks

1B9 Chapter 17 like this is the best square for the 9 ...tLlh 5!? - 1O . .tb1 �xd1 11.tLlxd1, queen, because it would only im­ D.Fridman - Szelag, Warsaw pede the maneuvers of his other 200B, 11 ...tLlh5 ! 12.0-0 .i.e6 13. pieces on the queenside.) 1B.b4 b3 f6f±) 9 ... tLlh5! 10 ..i.e3 (10. a5 19.b5 tLlbB!? (19 ...tLldB 20.@h1 �e2 .tg4; 1O.e5 f6 ! 11.exf6 hf6 tLlc5, Kapnisis - Gelashvili, Ka­ 12.tLld5 .tg4 13.tLlxf6 l:!xf6+) 10 ... vala 2007, 21.tLlc3 e6 22.tLle2;!;) .td4 (This move changes abrupt­ 20.@h1 (20.hb6 tLlxb6 2U�fxb6 ly the character of the fight.) .th6 22.�e3 �h4+) 20 ... tLld7 21.f5 11.hd4 cxd4 12.tLle2 .i.g4 13.e5 tLlac5 22.tLlc3 e6 23.tLle2 .th6 24. (Otherwise, Black will occupy the tLlf4 hf4 25.hf4 tLle5 26J;fd1 centre himself.) 13 ...�b6 14.�b3 l:!adBoo- White can hardly protect �xb3 15.axb3 tLlb4 16.l:!ad1 l:!adB his weaknesses. 17.h3 hf3 1B.l:!xf3 tLlg7 . .tb119

17... �ac8 18 • .td2 �c5 19. tLle6 20.f5 tLlc5= White's bishop .i.e3 Va5= - Both sides should on b1 is completely out of action probably comply here with the and Black will soon seize the ini­ repetition of moves. tiative. 8 ...�xd8 9.e5 tLle8 B2) 7 ...dxc5 It is bad for Black to opt for 9 ... tLlh5 1O . .te3 tLlc6 11.g3 (l1. .te2 b6 12.0-0 f6 13.tLld5 .i.g414.h3 ; 11 ... tLlb4 12.@f2 b6 13.l:!hdU) 11... .tg4 12 . .te2 tLlb4 13.@f2 tLlc2 14.l:!ad1 tLlxe3 15.@xe3. Whitehas consoli­ dated his position in the centre, while Black's knight on h5 is safe indeed, but it is totally misplaced.

10 • .i.e3 1O.tLld5 tLlc6 11 . .te3 e6 12.tLlc3 b6 13.l:!d1 .tb7 14 . .te2 f6 15.exf6 hf6f± Coves - Almenar, Manises 8.'I'xd8 2003. Black does not have too many 10 ...b6 11 . .i.e2 problems after B . .te3 b6 9 . .td3 Black should not be afraid of tLlg4 1O.�e2, Ube - Garcia Millan, 11.tLld5tLlc6 12.0-0-0 .tb7 13 . .td3 Formigal 2002, 1O ...tLlxe3 11.�xe3 (13 . .te2 e6 14.tLlc3 l:!xd1 15.l:!xd1 .td4 12.�e2 tLlc6. l:!dB 16.l:!xdB tLlxdB 17.a3 tLlc6 lB. Naturally, White can preserve g3 @fB 19.tLlg5 h6 20.tLlge4 @e7 the queens - B . .td3, but Black 21.tLlb5 f6 22.exf6 tLlxf6 23.tLlxf6 has a good game then too: B ...tLlc6 hf6 24 . .tf3 a6 25.tLla7 @d7= 9.0-0 (9 . .te3 tLlg4!; 9.e5 tLlb4 - Maksimenko - Cherednichenko,

190 3.lLlc3!g7 4.e4 d6 514 0-0 6.lLlfJ c5

Legnica 2005) 13 ...e6 and White's lLld6 20.lLlxd8 gxd8 21.!d3 gf8 knight must retreat: 14.lLlc3 lLld4! 22.gac1 !h6+ Jianu - Petrenko, lS.hd4 i.xf3 16.gxf3�d4 17.lLle2 Bucharest 2000. �d7 18.!e4 �ad8 19.�xd7 �xd7 12.�f2 f6 13.exf6 lLlxf6 14.h3 20.!c6 gd8 21.he8 �xe8 22.gd1 !fS lS.gad1 gac8 16.ghg1 !c2 f6 !f± - Black will have no prob­ 17.gxd8 gxd8 18.gel !fS 19.9d1, lems afterhe activates his bishop, HH'lbH, Phillips - McDonald­ Kazhgaleyev - Kovalev, Istanbul Ross, Oxford 1967.

2000. 12 •••f6 13.gad1

1l••• lLlc6 13 ••..te6 Black plans to push f6, but he Black undermines the pawn­ can simply develop his pieces as wedge on eS, he controls the eS­ well: 11 ...!b7 12.�f2 lLlc6 13.ghdl square and the pawn-structure is lLlc7 14.g4 (14.gd2 lLle6 lS.�ad1 symmetrical. It is not surprising gxd2 16.gxd2 gd8 17.�xd8 lLlexd8 that White's initiative evaporates 18.lLldS lLle6 19.94 f6 20.exf6 exf6 gradually. 21.!d3 �f7= Capo - Alvarez, 14.lLld5 fxe5 15.fxe5 .bd5 Cali 2007) 14 ...gxd1 lS.gxd1 gd8 16.cxd5 lLlxe5 17.!g5 !f6 18. 16.gxd8 lLlxd8 17.a3 f6 18.b4 cxb4 lLlxe5 .bg5, Velvart - Nagy, 19.axb4 fxeS 20.lLlxeS lLlf7= Capo Hungary 1990, 19.1Llf7 - This - Waldo, Morelia 2007. is White's last tactical trick, but 12.0-0 it is sufficient only for a draw.

12.a3 f6 13.lLldS !e6 14.0-0 19 •••.te3 20.�h1 gdc8 21.l:�d3 fxeS lS.lLlgS hdS 16.cxdS lLld4 !d4 22.lLlh6 �g7 23.gf7 �xh6 17.hd4 exd4 18.fS gxfS 19.1Lle6 24.gh3=

191 Chapter 18 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 j,g7 4.e4 d6 S.f4 0-0 6.�f3 c5 7.dS

1l.yge2, Holt - Thomas, Mel­ bourne 1992, 1l ...exdS 12.cxdS �xeS 13.�xeS ge8 14 . .tf4 �d7+) 1l ...exdS 12.cxdS and here, in­ stead of the move (played in fact mostly between amateurs ...) 12 ... �xeS, we will analyze 12 ...c4 !?, with the idea to open the a7-g1 di­ agonal, where soon White's king will appear. There might follow: 13.0-0 h6 14 . .tf4, Zabala - Garcia Ruido, Los Barrios 1995, (14 . .te7 This is no doubt White's most ge8 1S.d6 .te6 and Black seized principled move. He has placed the initiative in the game Povah - his four pawns in the centre, in Kruppa, Oerebro 1995.) 14 ...ygb6 order to keep there his beautiful 1S.YGd4 (1S.l!Jh1!? �d7oo) 15 ... pawn-chain. ygxd4 16.�xd4 �xeS 17.heS heS 7 ...e6 18.�f3 .tg7 19.hc4 �d7, with an approximately equal endgame. A) 8.dxe6 In case of 8 ..td3 exdS 9.cxdS, B) 8.�e2 Black begins an immediate queenside action - 9 ...bS !?, with There arise interesting com­ a good counterplay, for exam­ plications after8.e S!? dxeS 9.fxeS ple: W.eS (10.0-0 c4 1l . .tc2 b4 �g4 10.�gS (W . .tf4?! exdS ll.cxdS 12.�a4 ge8 13.ge1 �a6 14.h3 ygaS �d7 12 . .te2 �dxeS 13.ygd2 c4 14. 1S . .td2 .td7 16.a3 ha4 17.ha4 �xeS �xeS 15.0-0 .tfS=F Yepez �e4 Oud - Stellwagen, Vlissin­ - Eliskases, Tel Aviv 1964) 10 ... gen 2004; W.hbS �xe4 1l.�xe4 ygaS 1l . .te2 (White must give up ygaS 12.l!Jf2 ygxbS 13.�xd6 ygb6 a pawn here smiling; otherwise, 14.�c4 yga6 1S.yge2 .td7 16 . .te3 it would be much worse for him: .tbS 17.ghc1 ge8, draw, A.Zaitsev

192 3.i'i1c3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.f4 0-0 6.&tJIJ c57.d5 e6

- Bogdanovic, Sochi 1967) 10 ... tralized knight and not the other dxeS l1.fxeS &tJg4 12.hbS &tJxeS one, which has no good perspec­ 13.0-0 i.g4 14 . .te2 i.xf3 lS.gxf3 tives at all. 16 ...&tJxe2 17J�:e2 &tJd7 (lS . .bf3 &tJxf3 16.'lWxf3 &tJd7) 15 ... lS.i.e3;t West - Solomon, Mel­ fS 16.i.e3 &tJbd7 17.f4 &tJf7lS.i. b5 bourne 1995. If Black manages to !!eS 19.i.f2 &tJd6 .20 .b:d7 'lWxd7 transfer his knight to d4, thenhe 21..b:cS !!abS� Platonov - Geller, will have a very good position. He Kiev1955. needs however three tempi to do it and in a sharp situation like this each tempo is vital.) 1O.f5 (10.0-0 A) 8.dxe6 &tJaS 11.'lWe2!!eS 12.!!e1 &tJc6 13.'lWfl. i.g4 14.h3 i.xf3 lS.'lWxf3 &tJd4 16. 'lWf2 a6 17.i.e3 &tJd7+± Bernasek - R.Mamedov, Pardubice 2007) 1O ....td7 11.0-0, Bukhman - Ka­ rasev, Leningrad 1967, 11 ...'lWb6 12.i.f4 'lWxb2 13.&tJa4 'lWa3 14 . .tc1 'iNb4 1S.i.d2= 9.i.d3 9.eS dxe5 1O.'lWxdS !!xdS 11. fxeS (11.&tJxeS &tJfd7 12.&tJxd7hc3 13.bxc3 Bxd7 14.i.e3 b6 lS.!!d1 Bxdl 16.mxd1 &tJc6 17.i.d3 i.a6=i= S ...fxe6 Karasev - Nicevski, Polanica Black's alternative here is - Zdroj 1974) 11 ...&tJg4 12.i.g5 Bd7 S ...he6 9.i.d3 &tJc6.He must pre­ 13.&tJe4 &tJxeS 14.&tJxc5 &tJxf3,draw, serve his light-squared bishop, G.Kuzmin - Bilek, Reggio Emilia since he needs it to control the 1977. dS-square. (Naturally, after the 9.i.e2 &tJc6 10.0-0 b6 11.&tJgS exchange on f3, Black will deploy (11.mh1 i.b7 12.i.e3 'iNe7 13.'lWd2 his knight on the d4-outpost, but gadS l4.Bael mhS lS.f5 exfS 16. this is not sufficient for equality, exfS gxfS 17.i.g5 'lWd7lS .i.d3, Pi­ because his second knight does ket - Nunn, Wijk aan Zee 1992, not have a good square and the lS ...&tJb4 19.i.b1 BdeS+±) 11 ...&tJd4 knight on d4 closes the diagonal 12.i.d3 'iNe7 13.'lWel i.d7 14.i.d2 of the dark-squared bishop. For BadS lS.mhl &tJhS 16.'lWdl i.f6+± example: 9 ...i.g4 10.0-0 &tJc6 Fridman - Conquest, Liverpool 11.h3 i.xf3 12.'iNxf3 &tJd4 13.'iNf2 200S. a6 14.i.d2 b5 lS.Bael b4 16.&tJe2. 9 ••• &tJc6 This move is played with the idea It is interesting for Black to to trade Black's wonderful cen- play 9 ...eS, but this move looks a

193 Chapter 18

bit unnatural, because he closes 10 •••tDd 4 deliberately his dark-squared It is also interesting for Black bishop and he weakens the dS­ to try here 1O ...a6 1l.i.d2 (White's square. 10.0-0 - This is White's attempt to play hazardously, sac­ inost flexible move. He evacuates rificing materialbackfires : 1l.Wh1 his king from the centre, before gb8 12.tDgS'lWe7 13.fS exfS 14.exfS making the decision about the hiS 1S.hiS gxfS 16.ltldS ltlxdS pawn-structure. (We must have 17.'lWxdS wh8 18.i.f4 i.eS+ Inkiov a look at White's alternatives: - Antic, Nis 1994) 1l ...gb8 (ll ... 1O.fxeS dxeS 11.0-0 ltlc6 12.i.gS ltld4 12.�e1 tDxf3 13.gxf3 i.d7 14. h6 13.i.h4 �d6 14.ltldS gS 1S.i.e1 gd1 i.c6 1S.gfl ltlhS 16.Wh1 bS 17. i.g4 16.i.c3 ltld4= Dokhoian - cxbS axbS 18.ltlxbS hb2 19.i.c4 Smirin, Sverdlovsk 1987; lO.fS hbS 20.hbS i.d4 21.fS; 12 ...ltld 7 gxfS 1l.exfS dS. This move has be­ 13.gd1 ltlxf3 14.grl3 b6 1S.i.e3 come possible, since White'sking i.b7; 13 ...ltlb8 14.ltlgS ltlbc6 1S.eS has been stranded in the centre. h6 16.ltlf3dx eS, Turov - Nijboer, The line 12.ltlxdS ltlxdSis in favour Kusadasi 2006, 17.'lWg3;!;) 12.'lWe1 of White: 13.cxdS e4 14.he4 ge8 ltlhS 13.fS ltleS 14.i.e2, Polajzer - 15.0-0 gxe4, Krause - Mattern, Rakic, Lj ubljana 1981, 14 ...ltlx f3 St. Ingbert 1991, 16.ltlgS; correct 1S.i.xf3 exfS 16.exfS i.d4 17.wh1 is 12 ...e4 13.ltlxf6 hi6 14.he4 gxfS+ ge8 1S.�e2 hiS 16.i.dS Wh8 17. 1l.tDg5 i.e3 �aS 18.wf2 ltlc6�) 10 ...ltlc6 11. Wh1 i.d7 12.i.d2i.c6 13. ltlgS (1O ...exf4 1l.hf4 ltlc6 12.i.e2;!;) h6 14.ltlf3 ltlhS 1S.ltlxd4 cxd4 1l.f5 ltld4 12.fxg6 (12.ltlgS - see 16.ltlbS 'lWh4 17.i.e1 'lWf6= Yuneev 9 ... ltlc6) 12 ...hxg6 13.ltlh4 ltlg4 - Fedorov, St. Petersburg 1994 14.gxf8 hi8 1S.'IWe1 Wh7 16.ltldS 1l.i.d2 i.d7 12.'lWe1 ltlhS 13. i.e7, Turov - B.Socko, Kusadasi ltlxd4 cxd4 14.ltle2 eS 1S.b4 exf4 2006, 17.ltlxe7 �xe7 18.�g3 'lWg7;!; 16.ltlxf4 ltlxf4 17.hi4 i.eS 18.�g3 10.0-0 �e7= Estevez - Ostojic, Kec­ skemet 1977. 1l.ltlxd4 cxd4 12.ltlbS ltle8 13. i.d2, Turova - Nebolsina, Sochi 2007, 13 ...a6 14.ltla3 ltlf6 1S.ltlc2 �b6 16.b4 eS= 1l.'lWe1 S ltlh 12.ltlxd4 (12. ltlh4 i.d7 13.fS i.c6 14.fxg6 gxf1 15. wxf1hxg6+ and the pawn is un­ touchable) 12 ...cxd4 13.ltle2 i.d7 14.g4 ltlf6 1S.gS ltlg4 16.'lWg3 ltle3 17.he3 dxe3 18.gab1 �aS, with a

194 3.ltJc3i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.f4 0-0 6.ltJj3 c57.d5 e6 double-edged position, Spyrou - In case of 9.e5, Black can use Mecklenburg, Germany 1997. the e4-square as a base for his

1l •••e5 12.f5 h6 13.ltJh3 pieces: 9 ...ltJe 4!? (The more pru­ 13.fxg6 hxg5 14.hg5 i.g4 15. dent move 9 ...ltJfd7 also leads to hf6 lMfd7 16.hg7 hd1 17.hfB an advantage for Black: 1O.cxd5 gxfB 1B.gaxd1 lMfg4 19.1tJd5 @g7 dxe5 11.fxe5 ltJxe5; 11.0-0 exf4 20.h3 gxf1 21.gxfl, Toporov - - 11 ...a6 12.a4 b6 13.i.c4 i.b7 14. Chehlov, St. Petersburg 199B, 1tb3� - 12.hf4 ltJf6 13.�d2 i.f5 21...lMfxg6oo 14.d6 ltJc6 15.i.c4 �b6 16J!ae1

13 •••gxf5 14.exfS e4!? �b4+; 13.�b3 a6 14.a4 ltJbd7 15.a5 14... b5 15.i.e3 (15.ltJxb5!?) bS 16.axb6 ltJxb6 17.ltJeS, Kirillov 15 ...bxc4 16.hc4 @hB 17. .ixd4 - Zhidkoy, Riga 196B, 17... ltJbxdS cxd4 1B.ltJd5 i.a6=F Christiansen - 1B.gad1 1tb6+) 1O.ltJxdS (10.cxdS Kasparov, Moscow 19B2. ltJxc3 11.bxc3 ltJd7 and White has 15.ltJxe4 .bf5 16.ltJxf6 lMfxf6 no more resources to preserve 17 . .bf5 ltJxfS 18.ltJf4, Pajeken his centre: 12.0-0 dxeS 13.fxeS - Shevelevich, Hamburg 2002, ltJxeS=F Li Zunian - Gheorghiu, (18.�d5 gt719. i.f4 lMfd4 20.lMfxd4 Dubai 19B6) 10 ... ltJc6 11.0-0 (11. hd4 21.@h1 hb2 22.gad1 i.d4+ lMfc2f5 12.0-0 dxeS 13.fxeS ltJxeS Lampen - Zivkovic, Kallithea 14.i.f4 ltJc6 lS.gad1 gS 16.ltJc7?

200B) 18 ••• l:'!ae8 19.1td5 1tffl ltJd4 17.ltJxgS 1txc7 and White re­

- The d5-square is not so impor­ signed, Wesseln - Vogt, Germany tant here. Black controls the long 1992; 16.i.e3g4 17.ltJd2ltJd 4+; 11. diagonal and the d4-outpost and i.d3 f5 12.exf6 ltJxf6 13.0-0 ltJxdS he has the edge. 14.cxdS ltJd4 lS.ltJgS lMff6 and now, White's hasty attack would not work 16.ltJxh7? - he should B) 8.i.e2exd5 better opt for 16.ltJe4 with mu­ tual chances - 16 ...@xh7 17.�hS i.h6 1B.g4, because of 1B ...i.fS ! 19.hfS ltJxf5 20.�h3 'Wd4-+ San Segundo - Howell, Gausdal 19B6) 11 ... dxeS 12.fxeS ltJxeS 13.i.f4 ltJc6, Friesen - Zozulia, Vlissin­ gen 200S. White could have won the exchange here - 14.ltJc7 gbB lS.ltJdS hb2 16.gb1 i.g7 17.hbB ltJxbB+, but Black would be better with his two pawns and a beauti­ ful dark-squared bishop.

9.cxd5 9 •••i.g4

19S Chapter 18

Black's light-squared bishop is not so useful sometimes in the King's Indian pawn-structures. This is particularly true in the Benoni defence. After the ex­ change on f3, Black has two pos­ sible plans. The first is to deploy his knights on c7 and d7 and he thus prevents eS and prepares bS. His second plan is connected with the set-up �e8, tilbd7, c4, tileS. BI) 11.l1�el In the next chapter, we will B2) 1l.h3 analyze another verypopular line for him - 9 ...�e8. 11.@h1 �e8 12.tild2 ixe2 13. 10.0-0 %Yxe2 a6 14.a4 YNc7 lS.aS �ab8 White's pawn-break in the 16.�a3 h6 17.tilc4 bS 18.axb6 centre cannot be effective, at least tilxb6? Rogers - Hulak, Nis because his king has not castled 1985. yet: 1O.eS dxeS 11.fxeS .hf3 12. After11.a 4, Black is not forced ixf3 tilfd7 13.e6 tileS 14.0-0!? to play a6, but he can go imme­ (14.exf7 fuf7 lS.0-0 tilbd7 16.d6 diately with his knightto b3 and tilxf3 17.�xf3 � 18.%Yxf3 %Yb6+; d3, after c4 and tilcS: 11 ...�e8 16.tile4 tilxf3 17.� �xf3 18. 12.h3 .hf3 13 . .hf3 c4 14.Ae3 YNaS %Yxf3 tileS+ Knezevic - Gligoric, lS.Ad4 tilcS 16.eS tilfd7 17.e6 fxe6 Yugoslavia 1970) 14 ...fxe6 lS.Ae3 18.dxe6 (18.ixg7 @xg7, Kahn - tilxf3 16.� � 17.%Yxf3 exdS Kayar, Budapest 2006, 19.YNd4 18. tilxdStilc6 19.ixcS @h8= Borg eSoo) 18 ...tilxe6 19.ixg7 @xg7 20. - Kovacevic, Panormo 1998. @h1, Hausner - Vogt, Czecho­ The plan with 1O.tild2, looks slovakia 1978, 20 ...�ad8 21.tilbS a bit artificial: 1O ...ixe2 11.%Yxe2 tilf6= �e8 12.0-0 tila6 13.'1Wd3 (13.eS The exchange of the light­ dxeS 14.fS e4!+; 13.YNf3 tilb4 14.fS squared bishops after 11.tild2 is tilc2 lS.�b1 tild4 16.YNd3 YNe7+) obviously in favour of Black: 11 ... 13 ...tilb4 14.%Yb1 tilg4 lS.a3 Ad4 ixe2 12.YNxe2 �e8 13.YNf3 �c8 16.@h1 tilxh2!!-+ Zaric - Ciric, 14.tilc4 tilb6! (Black exchanges Yugoslavia 1968. pieces favourably and he gradual­ 1O.h3 ixf3 11.ixf3 tilbd7 12. ly obtains an advantage.) lS.tilxb6 0-0 - see variation B2 (10.0-0 (lS.tilxd6 %Yxd6 16.eS YNd7 17.exf6 tilbd7 11.h3 .hf3 12 . .hf3). Axf6+ Moreto - Timoshenko,

10 ••• tilbd7 Lorca 2007) IS ...%Yxb6 16.fS YNb4

196 3.ltJc31l.g7 4.e4 d6 5.f4 0-0 6.ltJj3c5 7.d5 e6

17.fxg6 (17.a3 VNc4 1B.1l.g5 ltJxe4 19.fxg6fxg6 20.VNt7 <;!;>hB 21.ltJxe4 �xe4 22.1l.f6 .bf6 23.�xf6 <;!;>gB=) 17 ... fxg6 1B . .ig5 l:UB+ Khaghani - Babaev, Lahijan 2005.

B1) 1l.gel!? ge8 1l ...ltJeB 12.h3 .ixf313 . .bf3 a6 14.a4 ltJc7 15.1l.e3 13bB16.a 5 b5 17. axb6 l3xb6 1B.�d2 (18.e5, Khmel­ niker - Stellwagen, Vlissingen 2005, 1B... l3xb2 19.1tJa4 13b4 20. 1B.l3xe3 1l.d4 19.VNf3 13bB!= No­ exd6 ltJb5+) 1B ...�bB 19.13a2 ltJb5 gueiras - Kasparov, Barcelona 20.ltJa4 13b721. e5 dxe5 22.d6 ltJd4 19B9) 14 ...a6 15.a4 VNc7 (15 ...c4 23.hb7 VNxb7 24.ltJc3 VNc6= Ger­ 16.1l.e3 ltJc5 17.hc5 l3xc5 1B.e5 ard - Woodward, Budapest 2005. dxe5 19.fxe5 ltJd7 20.e6 ltJe5 21. 12.h3 ext7 <;!;>xt7 22 . .ie2;l;) 16.13e2 VNbB 12.1l.f1 a6 (12 ...13cB 13.h3 .ixf3 17.a5 (White maintains a slight 14.VNxf3 a6 15.a4 c4 16 . .ie3 ltJc5 edge after 17.g4 h6 1B.a5 b5 17.1l.f2, Jobava - Nebolsina, Be­ 19.axb6 VNxb620 .VNa4)17 ... 13e7 1B. nidorm 2007, 17... VNb6+ - After .ie3 13ceB 19 . .if2 1l.h6 20.VNc1 b5 the retreat of White's bishopto f2, 21.axb6 VNxb6 22.1l.h4 13bB23.g 4;l; Black's queen is totally dominant Banikas - Arakhamia-Grant, Ika­ on the queenside.) 13.a4 ltJh5 14.h3 ria 1995. (14.g3 f5 15.1l.e2hc3 16.bxc3 13xe4 14.1l.e3 17.ltJg5 l3xe2 1B.13xe2, Khmelni- 14.a4 c4 15.1l.e3 ltJc5 16.hc5 ker - David, Dresden 2007, 1B .. . VNxc5 17.<;!;>h1 ltJd7 1B.13c1 VNb4 19. h6 19.1tJe6VNa5 20.c4 �c3+) 14 .. . 13e213acB 20 . .ig413c dB+tForestier .ixf3 15.VNxf3 VNh4 16.13d1 (16.1l.e3 - Billon, Pau 200B . .id4) 16 ...�g3 17 . .ie2 .id4 1B.<;!;>h1 White can also try to squeeze �xf3 19 . .ixf3 hc3 20.bxc3 ltJg3 his opponent on the kingside 21.<;!;>h2 ltJxe4+Khmelniker - Cvi­ with 14.g4 and Black should bet­ tan, Dresden 2007. ter counter this with 14 ...h6 15.h4

12 •••.bt'31 3 • .bt'3 c4 16.g5 (or 16.VNe2 ltJc5 17.VNxc4 (diagram) ltJfxe4 1B.b4 �dB+) 16 ...hxg5 17.

13 •••VNa5 hxg5 ltJh7 1B.1l.e3 (lB ..ig4 ltJc5 Garry Kasparov played here 19.e5 ltJd3!+ Barrett - Povah, Bir­ 13 ...13cB and he equalized, but mingham 2001) 1B ...ltJc 5 19.hc5 later White's play was improved: VNxc5 20.<;!;>g2 b5 21.13c1 as 22.VNe2 14.<;!;>h1 (14.1l.e3 b5! 15.ltJxb5 a400 Vaisser - David, France ltJxe4 16.he4 13xe4 17.ltJxd6 l3xe3 1997.

197 Chapter 18

14 ...b5 24.e5 he5!? This is a very at­ It deserves attention for Black tractive piece-sacrifice for Black. to play here 14 ...c4 !?, for example: He annihilates his opponent's 15.�hl ll'lc5 16.hc5 'i;¥xc5 17. e5 potentially dangerous pawns and dxe5 18.fxe5 ll'ld7 19.e6 ll'le5 20. he seizes the initiative. (It might exf7 ll'lxf7 21.ll'le4 �b4 22.d6 be even stronger for Black to l:!ad8ooCebalo - Timoscenko, Ita­ play here 24 ... ll'lb6 25.'1Wd3 i.c1.) ly 2003. 25.fxe5 ll'lxe5 26.�b3 l:!a327.'i;¥ bl 15.a3 lLlb6 ll'lxf3 28.gxf3 l:!b8oo - His con­ 15 .. J!ac8 16.�hl ll'lb6 17.i.f2 nected passed pawns are very ll'lfd7 18.'1Wc2 a6 19.i.g4 h5 20. powerful and White'sking is bare. hd7 ll'lxd7 21.e5!? dxe5 22.f5 On the other hand, he should not 'i;¥b6 23.l:!adl, Cebalo - Smi­ underestimate the might of the rin, Solin 1999, 23 ...�f6 24.ll'le4 queen in this open position, since 'i;¥xf5+. It is better for White to it can be perfectly helped by the continue with 16.i.f2, not allow­ dark-squared bishop. The pros­ ing his opponen's knight to go to pects are balanced in this sharp b6, but Black can ensure another position. square for his knight with: 16 ...h6 (16 ...a6 17.i.g3 ll'lb6 18.e5±; 16 ... c4 17.a4) 17.i.g3 ll'lh7- Whitehas a slight edge, but Black's position is solid enough. 16.e5 16.i.f2 ll'lc4 17.'i;¥c2(17.e5 ll'ld7) 17 ...ll'ld 7 18.a4 (l8.e5 dxe5 19.d6 l:!ac8 20.i.b7 l:!cd8 21.i.c6 'i;¥b6 22.hb5 ll'lxd6 23.hd7 �d7 24. b4 'i;¥a6 - Black is not worse at all; 18.i.e2 l:!ab8 19.a4 b4 20.ll'ldl ll'la3!; 20.ll'lb5 ll'lxb2 21.ll'lxd6 b3 16 ...lLlf d7! 22.'i;¥bl ll'lxa423. l:!a3 l:!ed8= Ceba- Black should not be in a hurry 10 - Mohr, Rabac 2003; 20.hc4 to open the game. bxc3 21.b3 a6 22.l:!ecl ll'lb6=F Ko­ 17.e6 lLlc4! 18.exd7 zul - Nunn, Wijk aan Zee 1991.) 18.i.d2 ll'ldb6 19.b4 cxb4 20. 18 ... b4 19.1l'lb5 a6 20.'i;¥xc4 axb5 exf7 �xf7 21.ll'le4 �e4 22.hb4 21.axb5 (21.'i;¥xb5 'i;¥xb5 22.axb5 �el 23.�xel l:!e8 24.'i;¥xe8 �xe8 hb2 23.l:!a6 l:!xa6 24.bxa6 l:!a8 25.l:!el �f8 26.ha5 ll'lxa5 27.l:!c1 25.i.e2f6 26.l:!bl i.c3=F)21.. .�xal ll'lac4-+ Colson - Parmentier, 22.�al �aI 23.�h2 hb2, Slad­ Paris 2006. kov - S.Makarov, Dagomys 2004, 18.�b3 ll'lxe3 19.exd7 l:!e7,Bro-

198 3.0,c3 ig7 4.e4 d6 5/4 0-0 6.0,}3 7.d5c5 e6 mann Manthey - Wichmann, with "Rybka" I came to the conclu­ Germany 2001, 20J'!e2 gxd7 21. sion that Black should better avoid gae1 id4+ it: 13.ie3 'iNa5 14.�e2 (14.id4 18 ...gxe3 19.9xe3 0,xe3 0,c5 15.e5 0,fd7 16.e6 fxe6 17.ixg7 20.ti'e2 @xg7 18.dxe6 �xe6 19.'iNxd6 'iNc5 20.ti'd3 b4 21.0,b5, van Unen 20.'iNxc5 0,dxc5=) 14 ...gac8 15.g4 - Krebs, Email 2002, 21 ...bxa3 �c5 and here in case of 16.g5 22.0,xa7 ti'xa723.g xa3 ti'b8+ �fd7 17.'iNxc4, he would have

20••• gd8 2V.i)h2 the powerful tactical strike 17 ... 21.0,xb5 gxd7 22.ti'xe3 �xb5 �xe4!! 18.'iNxe4 gfe8 19.'iNa4 (19. 23.'iNe8if8� 'iNd3 ixc3 20.ig4 ixb2 21.ixd7

21 •••id4 22.�xb5 gxd7 gc3 22.'iNd2 gexe3 23.'iNxb2 gg3 Black has not only neutralized 24.@h1 (24.@h2 'iNc7+) 24 ...�xd5 his opponent's passed d-pawn, 25.@h2 f5 ! 26.gxf6 �h5-+) 19 ... but he has remained with a very �xa4 20.0,xa4 gxe3 21.ig4 gd8 advantageous material ratio. (21...id4 22.@h1 gc7 23.gac1 gxc1 23.b4 ti'd8 24.�xd4 cxd4 24.gxc1 f5 25.gxf6 0,xf6 26.gc8 25.gc1 ti'f6+ Ludden - De Vilder, @g7 27.gc7 @h6+) 22.gae1 gxe1 Wijk aan Zee 1999. 23.gxe1= Potterat - Al-Modiahki, Biel 2007. But after 16.e5! Black B2) 1l.h3 is in trouble: 16 ...0,fd7 (16 ...dxe5 17.fxe5 0,fd7 18.e6 fxe6 19.dxe6 0,xe620. ixb7 �c7 21.�g2;!;)17.e6 0,b6 18.f5 ixc3 19.bxc3 �xc3 20. ih6 gfe8 21.ig2t and the final position is so pathetic for Black, that he should not see it even in his worst nightmares. 13.�c2 In case White is in a hurry to begin active actions on the king­ side with 13.g4, Black's defensive resources are sufficient: 13 ...h6 White postpones the develop­ 14.h4 h5! (He exploits his oppo­ ment of his rook on e1 with the nent's lag in development and his idea that after e5, it may be better vulnerable king and he opens the placed on d1. position.) 15.g5 (15.gxh5 0,xh5

1l •••.bf'3 12 • .bf'3 ge8 16.ixh5 �xh4!+ Otano - Otero, I considered before that the Cuba 1997) 15 ...0,g 4 16.ixg4 hxg4 immediate move 12 ...c4 !?was very 17.ge1 (17.'iNxg4 ixc3 18.bxc3 strong, but after some analysis gxe4 19.id2 �e7 20.gae1 �b6oo

199 Chapter 18

Bach - Trisic, Hamburg 1996) c5:15 ... �ac8 16.l'�ael,Oud - Van­ 17 ... c4 18 ..ie3 hc3 19.bxc3 �e4 cini, Martigny 1988, 16 ...tDc5f±

20.¥;Yxg4¥;Ye7 21 ..tf2 tDc5= Kouat­ lS •••�c 5 ly - Kindermann, Trnava 1987. Black has saved a tempo for 13.'it>hl b5 14.¥;Yc2 b4 15.tDdl the move b5, assuming quite cor­ �c8 (15 ... tDh5 16.hh5 gxh5) 16. rectly that he must first improve tDe3 c4 17.tDg4, Krcmar - Felix, the placement of his pieces. Karvina 1989, 17 ...c3=F 16.eS

13 •••e4 14 • .te3 White plays this move almost Black must decide now how to always in the Four Pawn Attack. organize his queenside actions. 16 •••dxeS 17.fxeS gxeS 18. .td4gee8 19.d6

14 •••¥;YaS

His alternative is a pawn-as­ 19 •••tDd 3! sault: 14 ...a6 !? 15.�ael b5 (15 ... Black severs the connection �c8 16.¥;Yf2 h6 17. .!d4¥;Yc7 18.'it>hl between his opponent's forces. b5 19.a3 \!;!lb8 20.�e2 a5 21.a4 20.�a4 bxa4 22.�fel tDh7 23 . .hg7 'it>xg7, 20 ..ixf6 .ixf6 21.tDd5 ¥;Yc5 22. Buckley - Timoscenko, Metz 'it>hl¥;Yxd6=

1996, 24.tDxa4;t) 16.a3 ¥;Yc7 17.¥;Yf2 20••• gad8 21. \!;!lxe4 tDeS 22.

�ab8 18.�e2 a5 19 . .!a7 �b7 20.e5 V!lli3 �d623.h b7 gd7 24• .te3 (20.a4!?) 20 ...b4 21.exf6 tDxf6 22. ¥;Ye7 2S.gxd7 �fxd7=. White's �e8 tDxe8 23.�el tDf6 24 . .id4 two-bishop advantage is immate­ bxc3 25.bxc3 �b8= rial in thisposition, because Black lS.gad1 has a wonderfulbishop on g7 and In case of 15.\!;!lf2 , Black should his knights have complete free­ transfer his knight immediately to dom of movement.

200 Chapter 19 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 j.g7 4.e4 d6

5.f4 0-0 6.�f3 c5 7.d5 e6 S • .te2 exd5 9.cxd5 geS

(although White has a queen on c2 and not a king) and Whitecan­ not get rid of it at all. If he pro­ tects his knight on e4 with his bishop, then the king on e1 comes under the x-ray by the rook on e8. 12.lLlfd2 (12.�d3 lLla6 13.�d2 ,ixe4 14.,ixe4 f5 15.lLlg5 fxe4 16. lLle6 'iNh4 17.g3 'iNh5+) 12 ...'iNe7 13.�f3 .be4 14.lLlxe4 f5 15.0-0 fxe4 16.�g4 'iNf6+' Black begins an immediate at­ Black should know how to tack against the e4-pawn, deploy­ react to the straightforward re­ ing his rook on the semi-open file sponse 10.0-0. There may follow: on which White's king remains at 1O ...lLlxe4 1l.�xe4 gxe4 12.�d3 present. White has a choice. He Ele8 13.f5 lLld7 14.lLlg5.It looks like can push the attacked pawn; he White's attackis running smooth­ can protect it, or just sacrifice it. ly, but Black has sufficient defen­ sive resources. 14 ...lLle5 15.lLlxf7 A) 10.�d2 lLlxf7 16.fxg6 lLle5 17.'iNh5 (17.gxh7 B) 10.e5 �h8+) 17 ...h6 (If Black wants more than a draw, he should cal­ In case of 1O.'iNc2, Black can culate the following variation 17... even capture on e4: 1O ...lLlxe4 (It hxg6 18.,ixg6 lLlxg6 19.'iNxg6 Ele5 is also possible for him to play 20.�d2 'iNe8 21.'iNxd6 �e6!!+ and 10 ...lLla6 11.,ixa6 bxa6 12.0-0 gb8 he has extra material and the 13.f5 gxf5 14.�g5 'iNb6+', or 10 ... initiative.) 18.,ixh6 18.gf7, Ot­ a6 11.a4 �g4 12.0-0 lLlbd7 13.h3 ten - Muhren, Rotterdam 2000, i.xf3 14 . .ixf3 c4 15.ge1 lLlc5f±Des 18 ...lLlg 4!-+ White's attack has Bouillons - Sorin, France 1999.) suddenly reached its dead end. 1l.lLlxe4 �f5. This is a deadly pin 18 ...�g4 19.gf7!! White must play

201 Chapter 19 imaginatively in order not to end ing a trap for White's queen.) up in a lost position with mate­ 12.0-0 l3b8 and the pawn-ad­ rial deficit. 19 .. J�e7 (19 ....ixh5 vance b7-b5 is unstoppable. 20J�xg7 with a perpetual.) 20.�h4 11.a4!? (As usual, with the in­ l3xt7 21.gxi7 lDxt7 22.�xg4 lDxh6 clusion of the moves a4 and a6, 23.�g6 \wh4 24.\Wh7 �f8 25.l3f1 Black obtains the wonderful b4- �f6 26.\Wh8 �t7 27.�h7= White square for his knight.) 11 ...lDa6 has nothing more than a draw by 12.0-0 lDb4 13.�f3 h5 14.lDc4 a perpetual. (14.h3 lDg4!t) 14 ... lDg4 15.h3 �d4 16.�h1 lDf2 17.l3xf2 �2 18. A) 10.�d2 lDxd6 .ixh3!, Aliev - Askerov, This is a very logical move. Baku 2004, 19.�f1 i.d4 20.lDxe8 White's knight protects the pawn i.g4!+; for the time being and later it 11.0-0 b5! (White's knight will occupy the comfortable c4- on c3 is busy protecting the e4- square. Still, it is far from clear pawn.) 12.i.xb5 (12.�c2 b4 13.lDd1 whether it will be better placed lDxd5 14.\Wd3 lDc7 15.f5 i.b5-+ there, in comparison to f3. In fact, Ilic - Petrovic, Yugoslavia 1981) White's main threat in the Four 12 ... i.xb5 13.lDxb5 lDxe4 14.lDxe4 Pawns Attack is to push his cen­ (14.f5 lDxd2 15.i.xd2 a6 16.lDc3 tral pawns, for example with e4- lDd7=) 14 ...l3xe4 15.f5 l3b4 16.\We2 e5. He postpones this operation a6 17.lDc3 lDd7 18.a3 i.d4 19.�h1 by playing lDd2. l3b3+. Black has achieved almost everything. He controls the long diagonal; he has the b-filefor his rook and the e5-square for his knight. 1l.a4 �bd7

10 •••a6 It is interesting for Black to prepare b5 with pieces, leaving his a-pawn on its place at the mo­ ment 1O ...i.d 7!? and then: 11.\Wb3 lDa6! (Black is prepar- 12.0-0

202 3.liJc3 j,g7 4.e4 d6 5/4 0-0 6.liJj3 c57.d5 e6 8.j,e2ed 9.cd '8eB

Following 12.aS, Black opens and he covers his a6-pawn, ob­ the b-file 12 ...bS 13.axb6 liJxb6 taining the cS-square for his and he obtains excellent coun­ king's knight. 16.'Sa3 Wlc7 17.b4?! ter chances (see the notes to the cxb3 18.fub3 liJfd7 19.1iJa4 liJxa4 move 13.aS, after 12.0-0 'Sb8 in 20.'8xb8 liJc3 21.'Sxc8 Wlxc8 22. the main line). �e1 liJxe4 23.liJxe4 fue4=FNavara

12 •••'8b8 13.'i!1hl - Gashimov, Reggio Emilia 2007. In case of 13.Wlc2 Wle7 14.'Sa3 liJb6 1S.Wlb3, Black's pieces do not have enough good squares, but they will find space later on the queenside: lS ...Wld8 16.�d1 j,d7 17.j,f3 liJc8 18.aS j,bS 19.'Se1 liJd7 20.j,e2j,d4 21.'i!1 h1 liJa7? Ramon - Levitina, Salonika 1988. If 13.'Se1, Black can try active queenside actions with: 13 ...c4 !? 14.eS dxeS lS.liJxc4 bS 16.axbS axbS 17.liJxeS b4 18.liJa4 liJxeS

19.fxeS liJxdS 20.j,f3 '8bS? van 13 •••h5 der Sterren - Chandler, Amster­ Black's light pieces do not have dam 1983. enough reliable squares, so he is If White plays 13.aS, with the tryingto ensure a base on g4. idea to stop the b7-pawn, Black 14.a5 should ignore this and continue 14.Wlc2 liJg4. Black eyes the with 13 ...bS 14.axb6 liJxb6. He e3-square. If White ignores this, must capture here with his knight, Black will play j,d4 creating very in order to establish control over dangerous threats on the dark the c4-square. His a6-pawn looks squares. lS.liJf3.White coves both weak indeed, but White cannot critical weaknesses e3 and d4. He capture it, because of the pin 'Sa8. weakens the e4-pawn in the proc­ Black has now a wonderful ob­ ess. lS ...liJd f6 16.h3 liJh6 17.j,d2 ject for his counterplay - White's (It deservedattention for White to b2-pawn, attacked by the rook play 17.liJgS, or 17.'Se1, impeding on b8 and the bishop on g7. The the possible pawn-advance b7- c4-square is an excellent base for bS.) 17... bS ! 18.axbS axbS 19.hbS White's pieces, but Black has a liJxe4 20.he8 liJg3 21.c;t>gl liJxf1 good b4-outpost for his pieces, if 22 . .txf7 liJxf7 23.'8xf1 j,fSgg Vegh they can reach it! lS.'i!1h1 c4. This - Borocz, Hungary 1998. Black is a typical resource. Black's c4- has sacrificed a pawn, but he has pawn cannot be easily attacked excellent counterplay and all his

203 Chapter 19 pieces are veryactive. It is also verygood for Black to

14 •••b5 15.ax:b6 �b6 16. opt here for 13 ...ifS , for example: �c4 �xe4 17.�xe4 �e4 18. 14.�d2 �bd7 1SJ'!ad1 c4 16. �xb6 �xb6 19.,ha6 gd4� cj{h1 �d3+ Sydor - Hever, Hun­ Kozul - Pantsulaia, Rethymnon gary1976; 2003. 14. cj{h1 �bd71S.d6 YlYb6 16.YlYd2 l3ad8 17.l3ad1�xf3 18 . .txf3 �eS+ B) 10.e5 dxe5 11.fxe5 �g4 EI Gindy - Murey, Clichy 1998; 14.�xeS .txeS lS ..txeS (lS. YlYd2 �d7 16.d6�f6 17.l3ad1 .id4 18.cj{h1 a6 19.M3 �e4 20.�xe4 .txe4 21..txe4l3xe4,+ De Lagontrie - Sarakauskas, Port Erin 2006; 16.l3ad1 id4 17.cj{h1 �f6 18.if3 �e4 19.�xe4 .txe4 20. .txe4 l3xe4 21.d6 �d7+ Tsivelekidis - Soulei­ dis, AghiaPelagia 2004) lS ...l3xeS, De Lagontrie - Chevrier, Cham­ bery 1994, 16.YlYd2 �d7 17.l3ad1 (17.g4 J.e4 18.l3ae1 YlYe7 19.ibS This is in fact the main line l3d8 20.YlYf2 fS 21.YlYg3 cj{h8 22.d6 of the Four Pawns Attack in the �e6 23.�h4 YlYf6'+ - White's of­ King's Indian Defence. White fensive has ended and Black is opens the centre by advancing his safe with an extra pawn.) 17 ...a6, pawns and the position becomes without being afraidof 18.g4 .txg4 very sharp. Black should not be 19.J.xg4l3gS 20. h3 fS 21.l3de1 fxg4 afraid of the pawn-break and he 22.�e4 l3fS 23.hxg4 �1 24.l3xf1 must finda way to create counter YlYe7+ - Black has covered all the threats. dangerous squares and he has preserved his extra pawn. Bl) 12.0-0 14.d6

B2) 12 • .ig5 In case of14.ibS!? Black would B3) 12.e6 not mind numerous exchanges - 14 ...a6 lS.�xeS J.xeS 16.J.xeS 12.if4 �xeS 13.�xeS (13.0-0 l3xeS 17. .txd7 .txd7, since White's �bd7 - see 12.0-0) 13... J.xeS knight would not have any access 14 . .txeS �eS lS.0-0 ifS!? - see to the vulnerable dark squares. 12.0-0 �xeS 13.if4 .ifS 14.�xeS. 14 ...Yfb6 Black obtained a comfortable Bl) 12.0-0 �xe5 13 . .if4 position in the following game af­ �bd7 ter 14 ...a6, but this move was not

204 3.ltJc3 i.g74.e4 d6 5.f4 0-0 6.ltJj3 c57.d5 e6 8.i.e2ed 9.cd 'i!.e8 tested sufficientlyin practice, so it terial is equal,but Black's bishops would be too early to evaluate it are much stronger than his oppo­ properly: lS.ltJdS 'i!.fB 16.'1!;Vd2ltJxf3 nent's cavalry and in addition 17.M3 ltJeS 1B.i.gS f6 19.1tJe7 White'spawn on d6 is much rath­ mhB 20.i.h6ltJc 4 21.�f4 �xd6 22. er a weakness than a threat. ltJxcB �xf4 23.M4 'i!.axcB 24. 15 •••ltJxe5 ! 16.he5 hb7 ltJxb2 2S.hcB 'i!.xcB 26.'i!.f3 16.ltJdS �xd6 - see lS.ltJdS. fS 27.'i!.c1 c4't' Gerard - Shirazi, 16 ... 'i!.xe5 17.d7 hd7 18. Sautron 200S. �xd7 �xb2't' - Black has not only regained his material, but he has seized the initiative, S.Ivanov - Shulman, Minsk 1995.

B2) 12 • .tg5

15.ltJxe5 ls.ltJdS!? �xd6 16.ltJxeS (It might become even more com­ plicated after 16.i.bS 'i!.dB 17.i.gS ltJxf3 1B.�xf3 ltJeS 19.1tJf6 mhB;

17.ltJgS ltJf6 1B.i.c4. This is all 12 •••�b6 13.0-0 temporary. Black should bet­ White's attempt to seek com­ ter sacrifice his queen: 1B ...ltJxdS plications in a position with op­ 19.1tJxf7 ltJxf4 20.ltJxd6 ltJxc4 21. posite sides castling backfires: 'i!.xf4 ltJxd6=F and his three light 13.�d2 ltJxeS 14.0-0-0 ltJxf3 (It pieces are superior to White's is advantageous for Black to have queen.) 16 ...ltJxeS 17.i.gS mhB lB. a knight on eS and not a bishop. ltJf6 'i!.e6 19.�xd6 'i!.xd6 20.ltJeB For example, after14 ...i.fS , White 'i!.b621. ltJxg7mxgi+ can play lS.ltJxeS heS 16.'l'!.he1oo, lS.i.bS c4 16.mh1 ltJd3 17.hc4 threatening g4.) lS.M3 ltJd7 16. ltJxf4 1B.ltJgS ltJeS 19.'i!.xf4 ltJxc4 'l'!.he1 (16.d6 ltJeS 17.i.e2 i.e6 lB. 20.'i!.xc4 h6 21.ltJge4, Vaisser - 'l'!.hf1 ltJd7 19.i.e7 'lMfaS=F De Lag­ Nataf, France 1997 (21.ltJdS �xd6 ontrie - Vigneron, France 1995) 22.ltJc7 �xd1 23.'i!.xd1 i.g4! 24. 16 ...ltJeS 17.i.e2 i.d7 1B.d6 �aS 'i!.xg4 'i!.adB=F) 21...i.fS=F - The ma- 19.mb1 i.e6't' - Black controls reli-

20S Chapter 19 ably the d7-square and four of his 23. .txfS ltJxfS 24.gel .te6 2S.gxc3 pieces are eyeing White'sking. B:dS=F) 21 ...B:fS 22 .ge1 bS=FGoczan

13 •••�xe5 - G.Horvath, Eger 19S7.

It deserves attention for Black 14••• gxe5 to continue with the forced line: There arise interesting com­ 13 ...c4 14.h1 ttJd7lS.e6 fxe6 16. plications after 14 ...,beS !? and dxe6 (16.,bc4!? �xb2 17.�a4! then: bS lS.,bbS ttJf2 19.gloo), but lS.�d2 �b4!? (lS ...ltJd 7 16. here not ttJdf6, like everybody has B:ad1 a6 17.h1 .td4 18.�f4 fS played up to now, but 16 ...ttJc S!? 19.d6!± Vaisser) 16.gae1 .tfS 17. 17.,bc4 (17.e7 .te6 18.ltJd4 �d6 .tbS �d4 lS.h1 �xd2 19.,bd2 19.,bg4 �xd4 20 . .tf3 h6=) 17 ... .td7 20 . .tc4 f6 21. .th6 ttJa6 22.d6 ,be6 lS.ltJdS ,bdS 19.hdS hS hS23 ..tt7 gedS24 . .tf4 .td4oo; 20J'k1 ltJe4 21.,be4 fue4 22.�c2 lS.!bS !d7 16.�f3 fS (16 ... gaeS 23. �xe4 fue4 24.gcS .tfS 25. f6-+) 17. .tc4 �xb2 lS.d6 hS19. gxfS g7 26.ltJd2 gel! 27.gSt7= gael .tc6 20.�h3 ltJd7-+ Nei - with a draw by a perpetual. Ciocaltea, Zinnowitz 1966; 14.ltJxe5 lS . .tc4 �4!? 16.�f3 (16.�b3 14.�d2 .tg4, Ochkoos - Mi­ .tfS 17.d6 �xb3 lS.axb3 ,bd6 haljevic, 1992, lS.gae1 19.1tJdS ltJd7 20.gxfS gxf5 21..tbS ixf316.gxf3 ltJbd'7+ .teS 22.,bd7 gedS 23.,bdS gxdS In case of 14.d6, Black should 24.ltJe7 fS 2S . .txfS xe7 26. play 14 ...c4, not being afraid of gxa7 f6 27. .txh7 bS= Janose­ forced lines like: 15. h1 �xb2 vic - Forintos, Vrnjacka Banja (lS ...ltJd 3 16.,bd3 cxd3 17.�xd3 1973) 16 ....tfS (16 ...f6 17. .txf6 ttJd7 MS l8.�d2 ltJd7 19.gadl;!;Gorelov lS . .tg7xg7 19.�t7h6 20.� xeS - Shashin, Krasnodar 19S0) and �xc4 21.B:ae1-+)17 . .tbS, Vaisser ­ here: Degraeve, Cannes 1990, (White 16.ltJa4 �b4 17.gb1 �aS IS. loses after 17.g4?, in view of 17... ltJxeS gxeS 19 ..td2 �dS 20.gel �xb2 lS.ltJe2 .td4 19.1tJxd4 �xd4 fue2 21.�xe2 �xd6 22 ..tc3 hc3 20.gf2 �xa1, Mueller - Sjugirov, 23.ltJxc3 ltJc624.� xc4 .te6=; Kirishi 2004; or lS.gfe1 ttJd7 19. 16.�el �xel 17.gaxel ltJbc6IS. gxfS �xh2 20.fl .td4 21.�g2 ltJbS gbS 19.1tJc7 ttJxf3 20.ixf3 �xg2 22.xg2 ,bc3) 17... .td4 IS. geS 21 ..tf4 gaS 22.�c4 .tfS=F; h1 B:fS 19 . .th6 �xb2 20 . .txfS 16.ltJdS ttJxf3 17. .txf3 (17.ttJe7 �xc3 21.�xc3 ,bc3 22.B:ac1 .tb2 hS lS.gb1 �eS 19.,bf3 �xgS 23.hcS ,bel 24.�el a6 2S . .tfl 20.ltJxcS gxcS 21.,bb7 ltJd7-F)17 ... ltJd7 26 . .td4bS= �xa1 18.�xa1 hal 19.9xa1 ttJd7 15.�d2 20 . .te7 (20.ltJc7 geS) 20... gbS In case of lS . .tf4, Blackshould 21.ltJc7 (21.ge1 c3! 22.ltJc7 B:fS simply sacrifice the exchange:

206 3.lDc3i.g7 4.e4 d6 514 0-0 6.lDj3 7.d5c5 e6 8.i.e2ed 9.cd 'Be8

15 ...�xb2 16.he5 he5 17.lDb5a6 hd5 22.hd5 'Bf5+- White'sfirst 1B.'Bbl �xa2 19.1Dc7, Delalande - attacking wave has been parried Delalande, Trignac 2001, 19 ...'Ba7 and Black's life is easier now.

20.d6 b5+ 16••• i.d7

15 •••i.f5 16... i.e4 !? 17.i.f4 geS lS.�h1 lDa6 19. gael gadS+ - This position re­ sembles very muchthe Gruenfeld Defence, except that White has some problems with his kingside pawns. One of them is missing and the other one is placed rather awkwardly on g4.

B3) 12.e6 fxe6

16.g4 16.i.f4 'BeB 17.d6 lDc6+ 16.i.c4 lDd7 17.i.f4 (After 17. d6, Black should control the d5- square: 17... i.e6+) 17... 'BeeB lB. 'Bad1'BadB+ 16.d6 lDd7 17.lDd5 'Bxd5 lB. �xd5 i.e6 19.�d2 �xb2 20.�xb2 hb2 21.'Bab1 i.d4 22.�h1 'BbB+ Jones - Sandler, Gold Coast 2001. B3a) 13.d6

16.'Bae1 lDd717.d6 c4 1B.�h1, B3h) 13 • .tg5 Banikas - Grigore, Genoa 2000 and here Black had to contin­ It would not be consistent ue with 1B ...i.d3 ! 19.i.f4 he2 for White to play 13.0-0 exd5 20.'Bxe2 'Bxe2 21.�xe2 �c6 22.i.g3 14.lDxd5 i.e6 15.i.c4(15.lDf 4 �xd1 b5+ - His knight is an excellent 16J''!xd1 i.f7 17.lDg5 lDe5 1B.lDxf7 blocking piece and it neutralizes lDxf7 19.i.c4 Ad4 20.�h1 lDc6+ White'sonly dangerous idea. Czuchnicki - Karbowiak, Poznan 16.'Bad1 lDd7 17.d6, Cebalo - 2006) 15 ...lDe5 16.i.g5 (16.lDxe5 Isonzo, Montecatini Terme 2002, he5 17.�b3 lDc6 1B.lDf6 i.xf6 17... 'BaeB 1B.i.e7 (lB.i.f4 'Bxe2 19.he6 �hB+) 16 ...lDxf3 17.�xf3 19.1Dxe2�x b2+; 1B.Ac4 i.e6) lB ... �xg5 1BJ''!ael l'!fB! 19.'Bxe6 Ad4 c4 19.'Bf2 'BcB 20.i.f3 i.e6 21.lDd5 20.�h1 'Bxf3 21.'BeB �g7 22.'8xf3

207 Chapter 19

'lWc1 23.i.fl liJc6 24J'�xaB liJe5-+ 14 •••.ic6 15.�g5 �e5 16. Niemela - Tal,Riga 1959. .ie3 16.liJge4 liJbd7 17.i.g5 'lWb6 lB. B3a) 13.d6 'lWc2 c4 19.�h1 h6 20.liJf6 i.xf6 The positions with a white 21.i.xf6, Kantorik - Sikora, Tat­ pawn on d6 deserve a very thor­ ranske Zruby 2006, 21 ...liJxf6 ough attention. It is one thing 22.l3xf6 �g7 23.l3afl'lWd4 !=t when there are only a few pieces After 16.if4 liJbd7 17.l3e1 h6 lefton the board and the blocking 1B.liJge4 'lWb6, Black has complet­ knight is safe and it is quite differ­ ed successfully his development, ent when the board is full of piec­ while White still must prove the es and Black's every imprecision correctness of his pawn-sacrifice. may have terrible consequences for him. It is essential for him to know how to deploy his pieces.

13 •••.id7! Black wishes to place his bish­ op on c6 and his knight on d7, which is more flexible than the straightforward approach 13 ... liJc614 .0-0 (14.liJg5 liJh615 .0-0 liJf5 16.liJge4 h6 17.liJb5 l3fB lB. liJc7 l3bB 19.i.c4, Vasilchenko - Kovalev, Katowice 1990, 19 ...�h7!

20.l3e1 i.d4 21.�h1 liJxd6=t) 14 .. . 16 •••�bd7 17.'lWd2'lWa5 18.h3 l3fB!? (White is better after 14 .. . gad800 - Black has mobilized his liJd4 15.liJe4 liJf6 16.i.g5 liJxe4 forces, preventing his opponent 17.hdB fudB, Arencibia - Pere­ from starting an offensive after dun, Toronto 2003, lB. �h1 liJxd6 d6. In this position, he can go for 19.1iJxd4 hd4 20.'lWb3;!;; 15 ...l3fB c4, or he can transfer his knight to 16.i.g5 'lWd7 17.liJxd4 hd4 lB. �h1 d5 via b6. l3xf1 19.i.xf1 h5 20.�c2;!;) 15.i.g5 i.d4 16.liJxd4 (16.�h1 'lWxd6 17.g3 B3b) 13 • .ig5 liJce5 1B.i.f4 'lWc6 19.i.b5 \Wb6 20. I encountered over the board liJxe5 liJxe5=t Gloria - Sutter, Ge­ this seldom played move and nat­ neva 1993) 16 ...l3xf1 17.'lWxfl 'lWxg5 urally' I considered

1B.liJxc6 �e3 19.�h1 liJf2 20.�gl 13 •••\Wb6! liJh3, with a . However, I was either not res­ 14.0-0 olute enough or I was not in the 14.liJg5 liJe5 15.0-0 i.c6 - see right mood, but I failed to findthe 14.0-0. correct decision.

20B 3.ltJc3 j,g7 4.e4 d6 5.J4 0-0 6.ltJj37.d5 c5 e6 B . .ie2ed 9.cd 'SeB

I preferred 13 ...ltJf6 14.d6 his bishop - 14 ...hc3 , but he h6 (Black has an interesting al­ had to calculate this variation to ternative here, but it requires a the end: 15.bxc3 exd5 16.0-0 c4 thorough analysis - 14 ...\Wb 6!?) 17.ltJd4 ltJc6 1B.h3 ltJxd4 19.cxd4 15 . .te3! (This would have been and here Black would have an stronger for White than what my important intermediate move opponent chose 15.M6 'lWxf6 16. 19 ...h6! 20.'Sab1 (20.hg4 hg4 ltJb5 ltJc6 17.ltJc7; 16 ... ltJa6 17.d7 21.hh6 .te2+) 20 ...'i!.x e2! 21.'lWf4 .bd7 1B.'lWxd7 \Wxb2 19.'Sd1 'lWxa2 'i!.f2 ! After this, there arises by 20.ltJd6 'SfB 21.ltJxb7±; 16 ....td7 force a material ratio of a rook 17.ltJc7 'lWxb2 1B.'Sb1 'lWc3 19.�f2 and a bishop against a queen ltJc620 .ltJxaB 'i!.xaB 21.'i!.xb7 'SdB±; and neither side has any serious 17 ...ltJc6 1B.ltJxaB 'i!.xaB 19.0-0, chances of winning the game: Jobava - Bologan, Turin 2006 22.'i!.xf2 'lWxb1 23.'Sf1 \wxf124. \wxf1 and now, Black should have com­ hxg5 25.hxg4 .bg4= pleted his development: 19 ...'SdB ! 1S.0-0-0 20.'Sb1 ltJd4 21.b4 cxb4 22.'i!.xb4 White's attempt to hold on to ltJf5 with a complicated posi­ his passed d-pawn 15.d6, would tion.) 15 ...ltJbd7 16.0-0 (16.ltJb5 lead to the loss of his castling ltJd5). I know now that White rights: 15 ...'lWf2 16.�d1 'lWc5 17.�c1 has compensation for sure, but I ltJd7 1B.h3 ltJgf6 19.\Wd4 ltJd5+ do not know what to recommend 1S •••exdS 16.'i!.he1 to Black. For example: 16 ...ltJg4 In case of 16.ltJxd5, Black 17 . .td2 c4 1B.'lWc2 ltJde5 19.1tJxe5 exploits the overburdening of ltJxe5 20 . .!f4t White'squeen : 16 ....bb 2! 17.'lWxb2 14.\Wd2 \Wxb2 1B.�xb2 'i!.xe2 19.�c3 ltJc6 20.'She1 'i!.xe1 21.'i!.xe1 h6! = It is essential for Black to repel the en­ emy bishop from g5, because he obtains additional squares for his king. 16 ...ltJc6 16 ....te6 17.ltJxdS.bdS 1B..txc4!;l; 17.hc4 .if5 18.hdS �h8 19.1tJh4, I.Popov - Inarkiev, 80- chi 200B and here Black could

have retreated his bishop: 19 •••

.td7 20 .lhe8 lhe8 21• .tf7 �U8

14 •••c4 22.\Wxd7 hc3 23.bxc3 ltJceS= Inarkiev could have given up with an equal position.

209 Part S

The Classical System 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 .lg74.e4 d6 5.�f3 0-0 6 . .le2

which is White's most popular response to the King's Indian De­ fence. This name is due to the fact that White develops his pieces ac­ cording to the classical principles. He occupies the centre with pawns and then he develops his knights and later the bishops. Black's counterplay is usually connected with the pawn-advance e7-e5, after which there appears in the White's last two moves lead centre the thematic juxtaposition to the so-called Classical system, of the pawns on e4 and e5.

210 Chapter 20 1.d4 lDf6 2.c4 g6 3.lDc3 J.g7 4.e4 d6 5.lDf3 0-0

Averbakh system and the Classi­ cal system. According to theory, Black's main reply against it should be: 6 ...h6 7 . .th4 gS 8 . .tg3 llJhS9 . .te2 e6 (9 ...llJd7 1O.0-0 e6 11.llJelllJxg3 12.hxg3 fS 13.exfS exfS 14.llJc2 c6 IS.�d2 llJf6 16.dS c5 17.l'!ael llJe8 18 . .td3.td7 19J'! e2 g4, draw, Ma­ lich - Boleslavsky, Minsk 1968) 1O.dS fS 11.llJd4 llJxg3 12.hxg3

6 • .te2 fxe4 13.llJxe6 .txe6 14.dxe6 .txc3 At first, at the dawn of the IS.bxc3 �f6� Uhlmann - Fischer, appearance of the Classical sys­ Habana 1966, but it also interest­ tem, White used to play the move ing for Black to opt for 6 ....tg4 6 . .tgS, which was introduced by 7 . .te2llJfd7 8.dS llJb69.llJd 2 .txe2 in his game 1O.�xe2 as (1O ...llJ8 d7 11.0-0 against Reti in the year 1922 and c6 12.f4 l'k8 13.l3f3 �e8 14.l3el later in the 60ies of the past cen­ e6 IS.�f1 f6� Uhlmann - Stein, tury Lajosh Portisch and Wolf­ Mar del Plata 1966) 11.0-0 llJa6 gang Uhlmann started playing it 12.l3acl �d7 13.f4 e6 14.f5 exfS too. For a period of about more IS.exfS l3ae8 16.�f3 �xfS 17.�xfS than ten years this line was very gxfS 18.l3xfS llJc5= Malich - Tai­ popular, but it came gradually out manov, Harrachov 1966. of fashion, since it became clear 6 ...e5 that Black had several comforta­ Black has completed building ble ways of countering it. The line up his "King's Indian household" might still become modern some and he has brought his king to day, because it seems reasonable safety, so that it is high time that fromthe positional point of view. he started fighting for the centre. It is in fact a hybrid between the His counter strike e7-eS, which

211 Chapter 20 is an integral part of the tactical the idea of winning a tempo in resources of the position, is his case ofthe exchange ofthe queens most principled possibility. The on d1, then Black can continue knight on b8 and the bishop on c8 playing with queens present on should be better left aside for the the board: 8 ...lDbd7 9.0-0 c6. moment, since it is not clear yet Like usual, in similar pawn- struc­ where they would be most use­ tures, Black has covered the dS­ ful.The move 6 ...cS, would much square reliably, while White rather transpose to the Benoni should take care allthe time of the system. d4-square. In the oncoming mid­ In this chapter we will have a dle game, Black's chances would look at the endgame arising after be at least equal, for example: the exchange dxe5 (either imme­ lO.ffc2 ffe7 1U!ad1 lDc5 12.h3 diately, or with the inclusion of lDe613 ..ie3 lDhS 14JUe1 lDhf4 15. the moves 7 ... 0-0 lDc6). .if1 �f6? Schammo - Kupreichik, Vilnius 1995. A) 7.dxe5 8.0-0 lDc6- see variation B.

B) 7. 0-0 lDc6 8.dxe5 8 •••�d8 9 • .ig5 The move 9.lDxeS is played by A) 7.dxe5 White only if he wants an easy bloodless draw. There might fol­ low: 9 ... lDxe4 lO.lDxe4 heS 11 . .tgS (White must play precise­ ly, because after 11.0-0?! lDc6! 12J!e1 wg7 13.a3 .ifS 14.lDg3 .ie6 lS . .tf1 as 16J!b1 a4, Black has even a slight edge, Sanchez - Gel­ ler, Saltsjobaden 19S2.) 11 .. J!e8 (Asit is well known "There is an agreement reached only if there is no fromeither side ... " and GM M.Golubev demonstrat­ According to the principles of ed here an interesting way of con­ the fightfor the centre, capturing tinuing the fight: 11 .. J!f8!? 12 . .tf6 dxeS is a concession by White. He hf6 13.lDxf6 wg7 14.lDdS lDa6 usually plays like this only if he lS.0-0-0 �e8 16 . .if3 c6 17.lDe3 wants to win material, or enter .ie6 18.�d4 �ad8 19.�hd1 �xd4 safely an endgame. 20.�xd4 hS and the endgame is a

7 •••dxe5 8.ffxd8 bit better for Black, Mankeyev - In case, White tries to be Golubev, Alushta 2006.) 12.lDf6 smarter and he plays 8 . .igS, with hf6 13.hf6 .ifS 14.�d1 lDd7

212 5. 0,f3 0-0 6.:ie2e5 7.de de B.WlxdB 'gxdB 9.:ig5

1S.:igS 0,eS 16.0-0 f6 17.:ie30,g 4 Al) 9 •••lU8

18.:ixg4 :ixg4=Prokhorov - Kuri­ A2) 9••• Ete8 lin, Tula 2002.

The move 9.0,dS, as a rule, Al) 9 •••EtfS leads to numerous exchanges and Thanks to Lanka and his pu­ quick equality: 9 ...0,xdS 10.cxdS pils, this ancient move has be­ c6 1l.:ic4 (ll.:igS f6 12.dxc6 0,xc6 come an important part of the 13.:ic4 hS 14.:ie3 :ig4 15.0-0 theory of the exchange variation. 'gacS 16.'gac1 :ifS= Doncea - In fact, we used to play 'gfS,think­ Jianu, Bucharest 2004) ll ...bS ing not only about a draw, but of 12.:ib3 (12.:igS f6 13.:ib3 cxdS playing for win as well. That is 14.0-0-0 :ie6 1S.exdS :if7 16.:ie3 what Lanka taught us to do ... 0,a6't Brumen - Cvitan, Medu­ lO.0,d5 lin 2002) 12 ...:ib7 13.:igS 'gcS This is exactly where one of 14.'gd1 (14.dxc6 0,xc6 1S.:idS 0,aS the fine points of the variation 16.'gd1 :ixdS 17.'gxdS a6 1S.e2 with 'gfSis emphasized. 'gc2 19.'gd2 'gc4't Svirin - Lanka, White obtains no advantage Podolsk 1990) 14 ...0,d7 (14 ...cxdS with the routine attempt to win 1S.:ixdS :ixdS 16.'gxdSf6 17 .:ie3a6 a pawn: 1O.:ixf6 :ixf6 1l.0,dS 1S.0-0 0,c6 19.'gd7 'gdS 20.'gfd1 :idS 12.0,xeS 'geS 13.'gd1, Korell 'gxd7 21.'gxd7 'gdS, draw, Kotov - Koenig, Berlin 2002, 13 ...c6 - Smyslov, Hastings 1963) 1S.d6 14.0,c3:iaS 1S.0,f3 'gxe4't cS 16.:idS:ixdS 17.'gxdSf6 1S.:ie3 It would be harmless for Black 'gc6 19.e2 f720.'g c1 'gacS+±Re­ if Whitetries 10.0-0-0 0,c6 11.h3 zan - Cvitan, Split 200S. :ie6 12.:ie3 'gadS 13.a3 h6 14.b4 as 1S.bS (I declined a draw offer at the beginning of this game and the moment had come to justify my decision.) 1S ...0,d 4! 16.0,xd4 exd4 17.:ixd4 'gxd4 1S.'gxd4 0,g4 19.:ixg4 :ixd4 20.:ixe6 fxe6 21. 0,d1:icS 22.a4 'gdS= Wang Yue - Bologan, Moscow 2006. Unfortunately, after 1O.0,xeS, Whiteis better: 1O ...0,xe4 11.0,xe4 :ixeS 12.0-0-0 0,c6 13.f4 (13.'ghe1 g7 14.f4 f6 1S.fxeS fxgS16.0,x gS In this position, we will ana­ 0,xeS=) 13 ...:id4 14.0,f6 rJlg7 15. lyze Black's two main lines, but at 0,dS f6 16.:ih4 :if5, Ravisekar - the end we will recommend to you Bologan, Calcutta 1992. White to opt for the second one. should have completed his cen-

213 Chapter 20 tralization with 17.l3heU, ending pawns on the queenside on dark up with a slight edge. squares with this move and that 10 ...�xd5 1l.cxd5 c6 12. would provide him with chances .i.c4b5 13.J.b3 J.b7 14.gc1 of playing for a win even in the 14.0-0 cxd5 15.hd5 hd5 endgame. It is worse for him to 16.exd5 e4 17.lLld2 f6, followed opt for 15 ...cxd5 16.l3c7 dxe4, Ka­ by f5 with an advantage for Black char - Inarkiev, Moscow 2006, (according to an old analysis by 17.J.e7! exf3 1B.MB fxg2 19.13g1 Lanka). J.xfB 20.l3xb7±; 17... l3cB 1B.l3xcB Or 14.0-0-0 c5, planning c4, hcB 19.1Llg5 h6 20.lLlxt7 wh7 lLld7-c5, l3fcB, as, b4 with equality 21.J.d6lLlc6 22 .J.d5J.b7 23.W d2;!;, (Lanka). because White ends up with a 14.dxc6 lLlxc6 (14 ...hc6 15. slight edge. l3c1! as 16.J.e7 l3eB 17.J.d6 a4 16.'!a2gc8 17• .i.e3 1B . .ixf7 Wxt7 19.hbB l3a620 .J.a7 17.dxc6 lLlxc6 1B . .i.d5 lLla5 19. J.f6 21.lLld2J.b7 22.J.e3;!;) 15.J.d5 hb7 lLlxb7 20.We2 lLlc5 21.lLld2 l3fbB 16.0-0-0 lLlb4 17.hb7 l3xb7 lLle6 22 . .ie3 lLlf4 23.Wf3 f5+ Kar­ 1B.wb1 f6 19 . .id2 .ifB= kanaqe - Bologan, Xanthi 1991.

14 •••a5 15.a3 17.J.e7 J.h6 1B.lLlg5 (18.l3d1 In case Black's rook had been l3eB19 .J.d6lLld7 20.d xc6 hc6 21. on eB, then White would have .i.d5?! hd5 22.l3xd5 lLlf6 23. l3xb5 played 15.a4 bxa4 16.ha4 with lLlxe424 . .i.b4.i.c1+ Chemiak- Bo­ a slight edge. With a rook on fB logan, Moscow 1995) 1B... c5 19. however, Black can already cap­ l3c3!? (19.h4 lLld7 20.l3c3 .i.fB 21. ture 16 ...cxd5 and he would seize J.xfB l3xfB 22. .i.b1 h6 23. lLlf3 f5? the initiative. L'Arni - Gladyszev, Bethune 2006) 19 ...lLld7 20 .l3h3 Wg7 21.lLlxh7 l3hB 22.l3xh6 Wxh6 23.lLlf6 lLlxf6 24. J.xf6 l3heB 25.f3l3a6 26 . .ih4oo

17••• b4! 18.axb4

15 •••a4 Lanka used to teach us that Black should fix his opponent's

214 s.tiJfJ 0-0 6 . .ie2 e57.de de B. fixdB 'i'!xdB 9 . .igS

18 •••a3! h6 11 . .!h4 (11 ..ie3 c6 IViJel .ie6 This is another of Lanka's 13.f3 .if8 14.b3 tLla6 15.tLlc2 i>g7 ideas. Black sacrifices material 16.'i'!d2 tLld7 17.'i'!hdl tLlb6 18.i>b2 temporarily and he opens files in tLlc5 19.93 as? Nei - Tal, Tallinn order to develop his initiative to a 1973) 11 ...tLla6 12.tLlel c6 13.tLlc2 maximal degree, because White's (13.f3 tLlh5 14.M2 tLlf4 15 ..if 1 .if8 King has not castled yet. 16.a3 .ic5 17. .ixc5 tLlxc5 18.b4

19.bxa3 !ha3 20• .ic4 (M­ tLlb3 19.i>b2 tLld4 20.tLld3 tLlxd3 ter 20. .ibl cxd5 21.'i'!xc8 .hc8 21..hd3 .ie6= Petersen - Yur­ 22.exd5 .ia6 23.i>d2 tLld7 24.'i'!el taev, Lyngby 1990) 13 ... tLlcS 14.f3 .if8, Staniszewski - B.Socko, as= there arises a comfortable Warsaw 2001, in principle, endgame for Black, De Castro - White should be able to draw af­ Kavalek, Manila 1973. ter a precise play, but the initia­ It is not advisable for White tive, including the psychological to opt for 1O . .hf6?! .hf6 l1.tLld5 one, is on Black's side; 20.dxc6 .id8, because the weakness on tLlxc6 21..id5 tLlxb4 22 . .hb7 'i'!xe3 d4 will be a veryimportant factor 23.i>d2 'i'!d3 24.i>e2, Brunner - for the future. For example: 12. Gladyszev, Chambery 2007, 24 ... 0-0-0 c6 13.tLle3 tLld714.a 3 tLlc5

'i'!cd8=) 20 •••cxd5 21.exd5 e4t 15.tLld2 tLle6 16 . .ig4 h5 17. .he6 Hertneck - Bologan, Germany .he6 18.tLlf3.ic7+ Computer "No­ 1994. vag Scorpio" - Bronstein, Hague 1992.

A2)9 •••'i'!e8 lO.h3 tLla611 . .ie3 .if8 12.0-0 c6 13.a3 tLlcS 14.tLld2tLle6 15.tLlb3 tLlf4 16.'i'!fel tLlxe2 17.'i'!xe2 b6+ P.Perez - Zapata, Mexico200 7. 10.0-0 tLla6 11.tLld2 tLld7 12. a3 tLldc5 13 . .ie3 tLle6 14.'i'!fdl tLld4 15.'i'!ael f5 16.f3 tLlc5 17.b4 f4 18 . .if2 tLlxe2 19.tLlxe2 tLld3 20. 'i'!bl tLlxf2 21.i>xf2 .ie6+ Nikas - Kr.Georgiev, Ano Liosia 1993. This is a very unusual double­ edged position, which arose in a game played more than forty 10.tOd5 years ago: 1O.'i'!dltLla 6 11.0-0 tLlc5 In case White wishes to do 12.tLld5tLlx d5 13.exd5 tLla4 14.'i'!d2 something real, he must act swift- .id7 15 . .idltLlc 5 16 . .ic2b6 17. .ie3 1y. tLlb7 18.b3 f5 19.'i'!ddl tLld600 For example, after 10.0-0-0 Shamkovich - Stein, Kiev 1969.

215 Chapter 20

1 0 ...�xd5 1l.cxd5 14.�xdS hbS lSJ!xbS b6 16.@e2 ltJa6!?�) 13 ... e4 14.ltJd2hb2 lS. 0-0 h3 16.ltJc4 Ac5 17.d6 .te6 lS.ltJeSltJd 'n= Nazarov - Vitaljski, Dagomys 2004. 12.dxc6 ltJxc6 13 . .tbS .te6 14. hc6 bxc6 lS.0-0 f5 16.ltJd2 h6 17. .te3 �edS lS.�fd1 �d3 19.1tJb3 fxe4 20.ltJcS �xd1 21.l!xd1 AdS� Mirza - Irzhanov, Abudhabi 1999. 12 ...cxd5 Black's alternative plan in­ 1l... c6 cludes the advance of his queen­ "The scythe has faced flint!" side pawns. He presents his oppo­ 12. .tc4 nent with the right to exchange on The move 12.d6?! dooms this c6 (He is not afraid of the pawn­ battle unit, for example: 12 .. .f6 advance d6, but he should better 13 . .te3 .te6 14J!d1 �dS lS.b3 .tfS consider it.) and he gains space Di Pasquale - Goldwaser, Argen­ on the queenside, exploiting the tina 2006. saved tempi: 12 ...bS 13 . .tb3 as The Norwegian player Joran (The developments are in favour Jansson invented an interest­ of White after 13... .tb7 14.l!c1 as ing gambit here: 12.0-0!? cxdS lS.a4 �cS 16.d6 bxa4 17.ha4 - (Black's alternative is 12 ...h6 13. see lS ...bxa4 16.ha4 �cS 17.d6; .te3 cxdS 14.exdS fS lS.�fd1 ltJd7 lS ...bxa4 16.ha4 �cS 17.d6 ltJd7 16.�ac1 f4 17 . .tcS, Jansson - Tryg­ lS ..te3 l!abS 19.0-0 Aa6 20.�fd1 stad, Fuegen 2006, 17... e4 1S.ltJd4 .tbS 21.�al;!;; 17 ...f6 lS . .tb3 <;!.>fS ltJxcS 19.�xcS <;!.>fS, with an inter­ 19 . .te3 ltJd7 20.h4!? - 20.ltJd2;!; esting and approximately equal - 20 ... cS 21. .te6 �dS22 .ltJd2�a6 position.) 13.exdS e4 14.ltJd2hb2 23.hd7 �d7, Vallejo Pons - (White is slightly better after 14... Morozevich, Monte Carlo 2007, �eS lS. .te3 �xdS 16.ltJxe4 ltJc6 24.ltJb3±) 14.a4 (14.dxc6 ltJxc6 17. .tc4 �dS lS.�ad1 .tfS 19.1tJd6 lS.�c1 .td7 with an equal game. Jansson - Thomassen, Norway 14.a3 a4 lS . .ta2 cS 16.Ae3 ltJd7 200S.) lS.�ab1 .tg7 16.�fc1 ltJd7 17.Ab1 AfS lS.ltJd2 c4. Black's 17.d6 ltJb6and it looks like White's position is slightly preferable, be­ piece-activity compensates fully cause of his space advantage on the sacrificedpawn. the queenside, Barbero - Dolma­ 12.�d1 cxdS 13.exdS (It is bet­ tov, Buenos Aires 1991.) 14 ....td7 ter for him to play 13.AbS Ad7 lS.dxc6 ltJxc6 16.axbS ltJb4 17.0-0

216 5.1:iJj3 0-0 6.i.e2 e57.de de B. 'i!!xdB 'SxdB 9.i.g5 ixbS 1B.'Sfc1 a4, A.Shneider - 14.0-0-0 h6 lS.i.h4 tDb6 16. Smirin, Leningrad 1990. The op­ i.b3 i.g4 17.'Sd3 'SacB 1B.�b1 as ponents agreed to a draw here, be­ 19.a3 a4 20.i.a2 .td7 21.'Sd6 i.c6 cause afterthe forced line: 19 . .tc4 22.'Se1 �f8= Ki.Georgiev - Uhl­ ixc4 20.'Sxc4 tDd3 21.'Scxa4 'Sxa4 mann, Hungary19B5.

22.'Sxa4 tDxb2= most ofthe mate­ 14 •••lOc S 1S. 0-0-0 rial disappears fromthe board. lS.i.e3 tDd3 16.�e2 tDf4 17. 13.,hdS IOd7 .ixf4 exf4 18.�f3 i.e6 19.tDc4 This knight is headed along hdS 20.exdS 'SedB 21.'Shd1 'SacB the route cS-e6 and then Black 22J!ac1 'Sc523 .d6 bS 24.tDd2'Sxcl will make a decision where to go 2S.'Sxc1 hb2 26.'Sbl i.d427.'S xbS with it - to d4, or to f4. His other 'Sxd6+ Ostojic - Makarov, Bel­ possibility after tDf6 is the simul­ grade 1993. taneous attackagainst dS and e4. lS.tDc4 i.fB 16.0-0 .te6 17. ixe6 'Sxe6 IB.f3 bS 19.tDe3 h6 20. .th4 tDd3 21.tDdS'ScB+± Acebal - Gallagher, Candas 1992. lS.�e2 tDe6 16 ..!e3 tDf4 17. .ixf4 exf4 1B.'Sac1 ixb2 19.'Sc7 i.e6 20.ixe6 'Sxe6 21.'Sb1 i.eS 22. 'Scxb7 'Sa6+ Bonin - Liu, New York 200B.

lS •••i.e6 Black solves his last problem with this move - he takes the dS­ square under control. 14.tDd2 It is also interesting for him It would be unsuccessful for to try here lS ...tDe 6!? 16.i.e3 tDf4 White to try to do something 17 ..ixf4 exf4 1B.f3i.e 6= Khetsuri­ along the c-file: 14.'Sc1h6 lS.i.e3 ani - W.Schmidt, Katowice 1990. tDf6 16 . .!b3 tDxe4 17.'Sc7 i.e6 lB. 16.,he6 IOxe6 he6 'Sxe6 19.'Sxb7 'Sa6 20.a3 White would have been better tDd6 21.'Sb4 'Sc6+ and he should offwith a knight on dS, while now already think about equalizing, Black forces simplifications. Teschner - Fischer, Stockholm 17.i.e3 IOf4 18.g3 1962. After IB . .ixf4 exf4 19.f3, Kri­ 14.0-0 h6 IS . .th4 gS 16.i.g3 vonosov - Maes, Poland 1007, tDf6 17.'Sfd1 tDxdS 1B.'SxdS f6 19. 19 ...'SacB 20.� b1 fS !? the position b3 i.e6 20J!d2 i.fB 21.tDel i.cS+ remains equal, because White's Zuehlke - Kindermann, Fuerth knight cannot easily abandon the 2000. passive d2-square

217 Chapter 20

8 ...dxe5 In principle, it would be fa­ vourable for Black to exchange the knights as well, by playing 8 ... ltJxe5, in order to control the d5- square with c6. Naturally, White should not capture on e5: 9.Jif4!? (After 9.Jig5 h6 10.Jih4, White's bishop is isolated and Black can easily exchange it. 10 ...ltJc6 11. 'IW c2 g5 12.Jig3 ltJh5=; 1l.ltJd4 ltJxd4 12.'lWxd4 g5 13.Jig3 ltJh5 14.'lWd2 ltJxg315.h xg3 Jie6=; Whitewould 20.�bl not achieve much with 9.Jie3 ltJfg4 White fails to trap the en­ 1O.Jid2 ltJxf3 ll.bf3'lWh4 12.bg4 emy knight, while after 20.Jid2? bg4 13.'lWc1, Urban - B.Socko, Movsziszian - Strikovic, Beni­ Poznan 2005, 13 ...Jie6 14.b3 f5't) dorm 2007, Black can play 20 ... 9 ...ltJx f3 10.Jixf3 Jie6 1l.b3 (11. gf6 and White suffers material Jie2h6 12.'lWd2wh7 13.gadl ltJd7, losses. draw, Gleizerov - Fedorov, Eforie It is only equality after20J:! gl!? Nord 2008) ltJxe3 21.ltJxe3 gf6 22.ggfl Jih6= Ki.Georgiev - Sutovsky, Gibraltar 2006.

20 ••• gf6 21.gd2 gf322 .ge2 ll:lxe3 23.ll:lxe3 gdS 24.gc1 .th6= Black exchanges the last light piece and he equalizes completely.

B) 7. 0-0 ll:lc6S.d xe5

Black can begin a piece-play on the kingside with 1l... ltJh 5!? (He must adhere to some con­ crete plan; otherwise, White will gradually squeeze his opponent exploiting his space advantage and the excellent d5-outpost. 1l... ltJd7 12.'lWd2 ge8 13.gacl a6 14.gfel gb8 15.Jie2 ltJe5 16.Jig5 f6 17.Jie3 f5 18.exf5 Jixf5 19.1tJd5

218 5. f1Jj3 0-0 6.!i.e2 eS 7.de de B. fixdB 'l'!.xdB 9.i.gS

�d7 20.i.d4 i.e4 21.f4 hdS 22. cxdS f1Jf7 23.hg7 @xg7, Ernst - Stellwagen, Amsterdam 2006, 24.h3±) 12.i.d2, Saric - Pesotsky, Plovdiv 200B. Later, Black should make use of some tactical motives by playing 12 ...f1Jf4! (The diagonal a1-hB has been opened and Black often exploits the motive of de­ flection.) 13.�c2 (13.hi4 hc3=) 13 ... fih4 14.@h1 i.g4 lS.hi4 (IS. hg4 �xg4 16.hi4 �xf4 17.f1JdS 10.'l'!.fxdl fih4 1B.f1Jxc7 hal 19.'l'!.xa1 'l'!.acB Capturing with the other rook 20.f1JdS f5+t) lS ...hf3 16.i.g3 - 1O.'l'!.axdl is not so logical, so �hS 17.'l'!.ae1 (The bishop on f3 is White should better leavehis rook taboo.) 17 ...fS+t on aI, since his only chances of an 9.i.g5 active play are on the queenside: Black does not have any prob­ 1O ...i.g4 11.'l'!.d2 (11.'l'!.fe1 h6 12.!i.e3 lems if White transfers into an 'l'!.fdB 13.f1JdS f1Jxe4 14.h3 i.d7 IS. endgame when the pawn on eS b4 f1Jf6 16.f1Jxc7 'l'!.acB 17.f1JbS e4 is protected and the dS- square is 1B.f1Jfd4 f1Jxb4+ Bu Xiangzhi - covered. 9.fixdB 'l'!.xdB I0.i.gS 'l'!.fB Dyachkov, Moscow 2006) 11 ... 11.i.e3 (11.'l'!.fd1 - see 9.i.gS �xd1 hf3 12.hf3 f1Jd4 13.llJbS cS 14. 1O.'l'!.fxd1; 11.'l'!.ad1 - see 9.i.gS f1Jxd4 cxd4 lS.hi6 hi6 = Bacrot �xd1 1O.'l'!.axd1) 11 ...i.g4 12.'l'!.fd1 - Radjabov, Rishon Ie Zion 2006. 'l'!.fdB 13.'l'!.xdB �dB 14.'l'!.d1 'l'!.eB lO ...h6 lS.h3 hi3 16.hf3 a6 17.f1JdS It is useful for Black to repel f1JxdS 1B.cxdS, draw, Melnichuk - the enemy bishop to a less ac­ G.Timoshenko, Alushta 2007. tive position, but he could have 9.i.e3 i.g4 1O.h3 hf3 11.hf3 played immediately 1O ...i.g4 , for f1Jd4 12.f1JdS f1Jd7 13.'l'!.c1 c6 14.f1Jb4 example: 11.h3 (11.'l'!.d3 a6 12.h3 f1JcS lS.hd4 �xd4 16.�c2 f1Je6= hf3 13.hi3 f1Jd4 14.f1JdS f1JxdS Schuster - Taimanov, Ober­ lS.cxdS, Chekhov - Iordaches­ hausen 1961. cu, Dresden 1996, lS .. .fS+t) 11 ... 9.h3 �e7 1O.i.e3 'l'!.dB 11.�c2 hi3 12.hi3 f1Jd4 13.f1JdS f1JxdS f1Jd4 12.hd4 exd4 13.f1JdS f1JxdS 14.cxdS fS (14 ...c6 lS.dxc6 bxc6 14.exdS c6 lS.dxc6 bxc6 16.'l'!.ad1 16.'l'!.ac1 'l'!.fbB 17.b3 as 1B.'l'!.c4 a4 'l'!.bB 17.b3 i.fS 1B.i.d3 hd3 19. 19.bxa4 'l'!.b2 20.'l'!.d2 'l'!.b1 21.@h2 �xd3 cS= Papa - Hoffmann, Lip­ i.fB 22.i.dU Ernst - Nijboer, Di­ pstadt 1999. eren 2006) lS.i.e3 f1Jxf3 16.gxf3

9 ...�xdl 'l'!.f7 17.'l'!.ac1i.fB 1B.i.cS i.h6 19.'l'!.c3

219 Chapter20 gd7= Shneider - Beliavsky, Bern .txf3 .!t)g5 15.hg5 bxg5 16 . .!t)xc7 1995. gac8 17 . .!t)b5a6 18 . .!t)d6gc7+ Vnu­ kov - Kotsur, Krasnoyarsk 1998.

11• .1e3

It is risky forWhite to present 12 •••.!t)xe4 ! his opponent with the two bish­ Naturally, this sacrifice is not op advantage, particularly when forced, but Black does not have so the bishop on e2 does not have often thepossi bility of equalizing any good prospects whatsoever: so easily in the King's Indian De­ 1l.hf6 hf6 12 . .!t)d5 �d8 13.h3 fence. ge8 14.cS .!t)d4 15 . .!t)xd4 exd4 13.lOxe4f5 14.lOc5 16.�d4 c6 17. .!t)c3, Alexandrova 14 . .!t)c3 e4 15.gd2 exf3 16.gxf3 - Motoc, Istanbul 2003, 17 ...�e7 f4 17.ic5 ixc3 18.bxc3 gf5= Pe­ 18.gad1 (Black's position is again run - S.Pavlov, Kiev 2004. preferable in case of 18 . .!t)a4 if6 14 •••e4 19.9b4 - 19.9c4 �e6 - 19 ...a5 It would have been more pre­ 20.gb3 �e4+) 18 ...ixc5=i= cise for Black to have started with

11 •••.1g4 the other pawn - 14 ...f 4!? 15.h3 Of course, Black should fight (15.�d2 e4 16 . .!t)xe4 gae8 17 . .!t)c3 for the d4-outpost, moreover that ixc3 18.ixc3 gxe2=) 15 ...if5 his knight is already on c6. 16.ic1 e4 17.gb3 b6 18 . .!t)a6 exf3 12.gd3 19.hf3.!t)d 4 with an approximate 12.h3 .txf3 13.hf3gf d8= Ale­ equality. xandrova - Golubev, Alushta 15.gb3 exf3 16.gxf3 f4 17. 1999. fxg4 fxe3 18.fxe3 IOd4!= Itkis 12 . .!t)d5 .!t)xe4 13.h3 hf3 14. - Golubev, Romania 2000.

220 Chapter 21 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 J.g7 4.e4 d6 5.�f3 0-0 6.J.e2 e5

squares on the kingside are weak­ ened and Black can exploit this ef­ fectively. For example: 9 ...lLlh5 10.0-0 lLlg3 11.�el �h4 12.ifl lLlxf1 13.�1 ixh3! 14.lLlde2 (It would be hopeless for White to try 14.gxh3 �g3 15.@hl �xh3 16.@gl .hd4 17.�xd4 �g3 18.@hl �e5.) 14 ...ie6 and Black won a pawn in the game Vark - Stein, Piarnu 1971. In the more recent games

7 . .te3 White failed to achieve anything This system is named afterthe much, for example 9. �d3 (instead famous Yugoslavian GM Svetozar of 9.f3)9 ...lLlbd7 10.ilJb3 a5 1l.a4 Gligoric. White completes the de­ lLle5 12.Y;Vc2ie6 13.lLld2 lLlc6+Dzha­ velopment of his light pieces and garov - Morozov, Voronezh 2007, he waits for the response of his or 9.ig5 h6 1O ..hf6 Y;Vxf6 1l.lLlf3 opponent to make up his mind lLla6 12.0-0 �d8 13.id3 lLlc5 14. about the situation in the cen­ �el .hc3 15.bxc3 �f6? B.Hansen tre. The e5-pawn continues to be - Borge, Copenhagen 1997. hanging; the exchange exd4 lLlxd4 In case of 7 . .tg5, Black should is not advantageous for Black attack immediately the enemy at all and the move lLlc6 will be bishop with 7 ...h6, and now: countered by White by playing It would be harmless for Black d4-d5 with tempo. if White plays 8.ie3, in view of It is hardly advisable for White, 8 ...lLlg4 and contrary to the main to follow with 7.h3?!, because af­ line White's bishop would not ter 7 ...exd4 8.lLlxd4 �e8, Black have the g5-square anymore. In will attack the e4-pawn and White the game Sablic - Cetkovic, Bel­ will have problems protecting it. grade 2006 after9. icl lLld7 1O.h3 For example, after 9.f3,the dark lLlgf6 1l.ie3 exd4 12.lLlxd4 �e8

221 Chapter 21

13.f3 liJhS 14.�d2 liJg3 1SJ!g1 because he provokes an immedi­ liJxe2 16.liJcxe2 a6 17.liJc3 liJeS ate crisis, making use of his lead 18.b3 cS 19.1iJde2bS, Black seized in development.) 1O.liJh4 exd4 11. the initiative. �xd4 ge8 12.�d3 liJbd7 13.f3 The simple exchange here is (Black is better after13.liJf S?! liJcS full of venom 8 . .ixf6 .ixf6 9.a4!? 14.�c2, Uusi - Lanka, Daugavpils (In the endgame after 9.dxeS 1979, 14 ...liJfxe4 1S.liJxg7 �xg7 .beS 1O.liJxeS dxeS 11.�xd8 16.liJxe4 liJxe4 17.0-0 i.fS.) 13 ... �d8, Black holds the position liJcS 14.�c2 (14.�d2 liJhS 15. successfully, forexample: 12.liJdS 0-0-0 liJxg3 16.hxg3 aSooMarcus liJa6 13.0-0-0 i.e6 14.liJc3 c6= - Sosonko, Leeuwarden 1973) Stefanac - Juric, Zadar 1996.) 9 ... 14... liJhS 15.0-0-0 (1S . .if2, Web­ liJc6 1O.dS liJe711.0-0 i.g7 12.b4. ster - Hebden, England 1999, 15 ... White'squeenside offensiveis de­ liJf4 16.0-0-0 �gS 17.�b1 .bc3 veloping seemingly fast, but Black 18.bxc3 i.d7t) 1S ...liJxg3 16.hxg3 manages to create counterplay: c6 17.�b1 a6 18.�d2 i.e6 19.1iJfS 12 .. .fS 13 . .id3 hS 14.h4 i.h6 1S.cS .ixfS 20.exfS �f6 21.fxg4 liJe4 22. as 16.cxd6 cxd6 17.bxaS gxaS liJxe4 �e4 23.gc1 bS, with ap­ 18.liJbS gf6 19.1iJgS i.d7 20.�b3 proximately equal chances, Schus­ .bbS 21.axbS .bgS 22.hxgS gt7, ter - Peralta, Buenos Aires 1998. with mutual chances. Eingorn - 7 •••liJg 4 Ivanchuk, Odessa 2006. This is the most principled and White tries more oftento pre­ best move for Black. He frees the servethe pin with the move 8.i.h4, way forward of his f-pawn with but Black can be more persistent tempo and he opens the diagonal and get rid of it with 8 ...gS . There of his dark-squared bishop. His might follow 9.i.g3 (There arise knight is not stable on the g4- interesting complications after square indeed and he will need to 9.dxeS gxh4 10.exf6 �xf6 and retreat it to h6 in the future. they lead to a double-edged posi­ 8.i.g5 f6 tion. 11.liJdS �d8 12.�d2 liJa6 13.liJd4 liJcS 14.f3 as 15.0-0 c6 16.liJe3 �gS? Loeffler - Lanka, Hamburg 2002, or 11.�d2 i.e6 12.gd1 liJd7 13.�e3 liJb6. It is es­ sential for Black to cover the dS­ square. 14.cS dxcS 1S.�xcS gfe8 16.0-0 c6 17.liJd4 �gS 18.�xgS hxgS 19.f4 .ba2, draw, Smejkal ­ Sax, Vrsac 1981.) 9 ...g4 (This is the most precise move for Black,

222 5. 11Jf.3 0-0 6.�e2 e5 7. �e3 I1Jg48. �g5f6

A) 9 . .tc1 1l.h3

B) 9 • .th4 Whitefalls into a beautifultrap after Il.exf5 - 11 ...l1Jxf 2!! 12.'it>xf2 Black does not have too many �h4 13.g3 (13. 'it>e3 I1Jc6-+) 13 ... problems to solve after the "ab­ �xd4 14.�xd4 hd4 15.'it>g2 stract" move 9.�d2, for exam­ M5+ Iskusnyh - Sudakova, St. ple: 9 ...l1Jc6 10.d5 l1Je7 11.h3 I1Jh6 Petersburg 2002. 12.g4 11Jf713.� c2 c5 14.0-0-0 a6 11.hg4 fxg4 12.�e3 c6 13.�d2 15.�dgl �d7 16.l1Jdlb5, with mu­ �eS 14.l1Jde2 I1Jd7 15.�dl l1Je5 tual chances, Tarasov - Biriukov, 16.b3 �a5 17.l1Jd4 a6 IS.0-0 St. Petersburg 1995. b5+ Marcelin - Bologan, France 2003. A) 9.�c1 In case of11.0-0, Black contin­ This retreat of the bishop only ues with exchanges in the centre: looks like a loss of time, but in fact 11 ...fxe4 12.hg4 hg4 13.�xg4 Black can hardly make any use of hd4 14.�h6, Harikrishna - Her­ tempi like I1Jh6 and f6. On the nandez Guerrero, Merida 2007 contrary, he would need to decide (14.�xe4 I1Jc6 15.�e3 �g7 16.�adl now what to do later. �eS 17.�xeS �axeS IS.l1Jd5 �f7=

Al) 9 •••exd4 D'Costa - Degraeve, Le Touquet

A2) 9 •••f5 2007; 14.l1Jd5 �d7 15.�xd7 I1Jxd7 16.�6 �f7 17.l1Jxc7 �cS IS.l1Jb5,

Al) 9 •.•exd4 Kruppa - S.Pavlov, Kiev 2005, This is the simplest solution 18. ..�e5 19.�adl �f6 20.�g5 �e6 for Black. He clarifies the situa­ 21.b3;!;; 14 ...l1Jc6, V.Popov - Dju­ tion in the centre and after kic, Saint Vincent 2005, 15.�6 10.l1Jxd4 f5 �eS 16.�ael �cS) 14 ...�eS 15. He regains his bishop and I1Jxe4 I1Jc6 16.�ael �cS! (Black White'sadvantage becomes high­ activates his queen, because its ly questionable, if at all ... eventual trade is favourable for him.) 17.�f3 �f5=

1l •••l1Jh6 Black should consider very seriously the possibility 11 ... l1Je5!? 12.exf5 gxf5 13.l1Jd5 I1Jbc6 (13 ...l1Jg6 14.h4 I1Jc6 15.�g5 �d7 16.l1Jb5 h6 17.�d2± Volkov - Nevednichii, Silivri 2003) 14.l1Jb5 �f7, L'Arni - Di Berardino, Hoog­ eveen 200S, 15.�e3 (15.�h5 I1Jg6 16.0-0 I1Jce5CXl) 15 ...l1Jg6 (15 ...

223 Chapter 21 a6 16.�bxc7) 16J�'d2 f4 17.�xf4 16 . .h:e4 �t7 - Black's pieces are �xf4 18 . .hf4 ti'f6. harmoniously deployed and his pawns control all the important squares in the centre. The posi­ tion is about equal. In case of 12.h4, Black should react energetically with 12 ...fxe4 13.�xe4 �f5 14.�xf5 J.xf5 15.ti'dS It>h8 16.ti'xb7 �d7 17.hS ti'e7 18. �g3 �c5f±

12 ••• .txh6 13.exfS gxf5 14. 0-0 �c6 15.Af3 lS.c5, Aliavdin - Evdokimov, Sochi 2007, 15 ...J.g7 16.�xc6 bxc6

12 • .hh6 17.ti'a4J.d7 with mutual chances. Naturally, White should be re­ 15.�xc6 bxc6 16.J.f3 l:!b8 17.l:!b1, luctant to present his opponent Williams - van Der Weide, Oslo with the two-bishop advantage, 2004, 17 ...c5 18.l:!e1 J.d7 19.ti'd3 but as the analysis below will J.g7= Black's two bishops com­ show, the alternatives for White pensate the defects of his pawn­ provide him with even less chanc­ structure. es of obtaining the advantage. 15 ... �xd4 16.ti'xd4 Ag7 17. 12.exfS �xfS 13.�xfS hiS ! ti'd5 It>h8 18.gadl Ae5 19.9fel (Black is ready to part with his b7- c6 20.ti'd3 ti'f6 21.g3 Ad7= pawn, but he completes quickly Black has completed his develop­ his development and exerts pow­ ment, having equalized success­ erful pressure against his oppo­ fully. nent's queenside.) 14.ti'dS (14. J.e3 �c6 IS.ti'd2 as 16.0-0 It>h8

17J3adl ti'f6 18.�dS ti'f719 .b3 b6 A2)9 •••f5!? 20.a3 l:!ae8f±Aronian - Grischuk, Linares 2009; 14.0-0 �c6 lS.J.e3 ti'f6 16.l:!c1 �d4 17.b3 l:!ae8 18.lLldS �xe2 19.ti'xe2 ti'f7= Gustafsson ­ Shomoev, Dresden 2007) 14 ...l:!t7 IS.ti'xb7 �d7 16.0-0 �cS 17.ti'dS l:!b8� , with an excellent compen­ sation for Black. 12.0-0 �c6 13.�xc6 bxc6 14. J.f3, Ornstein - Westerinen, Hel­ sinki 1975, 14 ...J.d7 15.cS fxe4

224 5.lDfJ 0-0 6.Ae2 e57. Ae3 lDg4 8.ig5f6

A2a) 10 .ext'S lS. c;t>c3exd4 16.lDxd4 ig7-+ Elet­ A2b) lO.Ag5 skikh - Pancevski, Herceg Novi 200S.) 13 ...'�xe4 14.id3 (14.dxeS Black has nothing to worry dxeS=t;14.dS .tiS=tIvanchuk - Bo­ about after 1O.dxeS lDxeS 11.exfS logan, Edmonton 200S; 14 ... (l1.lDxeSheS 12.1J.h6geB 13.'lWd2 'lWfS!?+) 14... 'lWc6=t A pawn is a lDc6 14.igS 'lWd7 lS.0-0 fxe4 16. pawn, even in Africa! lDxe4 'lWf7 17.gae1 ifS 1B.lDg3 lDd4 19.b3 liJxe2 20.gxe2 id7� A2a) 10 .ext'S Winants - David, France 2007) This move might lead to inter­ 11 ...hfS (It is also possible for esting complications. him to choose another captur­ 10 •••exd4 ing 11 ...�S 12.0-0 lDbc6 13.lDdS This is the thematic move for lDxf3 14.1J.xf3gfB lS.ie4 lDd4 16. Black, although even after 10 ... ie3 cS 17.'lWd2 ie6 1B.ih6 'lWh4 JixfS, he preserves good chances of 19.hg7 c;t>xg720.g ae1 gf7�Krup­ holding the position, for example: pa - Baklan,Pivne 200S.) 12.lDd4 11.h3 lDf6 12.dxeS dxeS 13.'lWxdB lDd3 13.hd3 hd4 14.JixfS hc3 gxdB 14.lDxeS lDe4 1S.lDxe4 he4 lS.bxc3 gxfS 16.c5 dS 17.0-0 lDc6 16.if3 1J.xf3 17.lDxf3 lDc6. White 1B.ie3 bS 19.'lWe2a6 with approx­ evidently lags in development imately equal chances, KnIppa - and in addition his queenside has Moliboga, Kiev 200B. come under attack. 18.0-0 lDd4 After the indifferent move 19.1Dxd4gxd4 20.b3 gxc4 21.bxc4 10.0-0, Zivanic - G. Timoshen­ hal 22.ie3 if6 23.gd1 b6= Oni­ ko, Kavala 200B, Black reduces schuk - Smirin, Turin 2006. the tension in the centre, reaching 1l.lDd5 an acceptable position. 10 ...fxe4 White's attempt to compli­ 11.lDxe4 exd4 12.h3 lDf6 13.'lWxd4 cate matters with 11.igS 'lWeB 12. lDc6. lDdS(12. lDxd4, Hoang Thi Bao - He can counter 1O.h3, with the Dembo, Beijing 200B, 12 ...'lWeS beautifultactical strike 10 ...lDxf 2!, 13.lDf3 'lWxfS 14.llJdS llJc6,and the which surprisingly enough (!) c7-pawn is poisoned. lS.lDxc7? worked even against Ivanchuk in can be countered by Black with a game with a classical time-con­ the surprising lS ...'lWaS + and trol. 11.c;t>xf2 fxe4 12.lDxe4 'lWh4 if lS.0-0, then lS ...'lWf7 and later 13.c;t>gl (White's king succumbed Black develops his bishop on cB, in a beautiful fashion in the mid­ completing the mobilization of dle of the board after 13. c;t>e3ih6 his queenside.) 12 ... d3! (This is 14.c;t>d3'lWxe4 1S.c;t>xe4ifS 16.c;t>dS the elegant trick, which Black's c6 17.c;t>xd6gf6 1B.mc7 gf7 19.c;t>d6 defence is based on.) 13.'lWxd3 (13. ig7, with a checkmate in three llJxc7 'lWf7) 13 ... 1J.xfS 14.'lWd2 (14.

22S Chapter 21

ClJe7 Wfxe7 1S.!xe7 !xd3 16 . .ixfB .te3 ClJxdS 16.cxdS f4 17.dxc6 fxe3 !xb2=; 14.�b3 ClJa6 1S.Wfxb7 - 1B.cxb7 exf2 19.'i!?f1 E:bB 20 . .tf3 1S.ClJe7 'i!?hB - 1S ...ClJc 5 16.�xc7 �h4; 1S . .tf4 ClJe4 16.0-0 ClJd4 17. ClJd3 17.'i!?f1 ClJdxf2 1BJ3g1 ClJe4=F) .td3 c6 1B.ClJc3 ClJe6) 1S ...ClJx dS 14 ...Wfd7 (14 ..JU 7!?) 15.0-0 (15. 16.WfxdS 'i!?hB . .te317 f4 1B . .td2 h3 ClJeS 16.ClJxeS !xeS 17.ClJe7 !xb2 19.E:ab1 Wff6 and he is not 'i!?hB 1B.ClJxfS WfxfS 19.0-0 ClJc6 worse at all... 20 . .te3 .tf4 21.Wfc3 �f6 22.Wfxf6 13.hxg4 dxe2 14.'mJ3.ixg4 E:xf6 23. .ixf4 E:xf4= A.Rychagov 14 ....te6 1S.ClJgS !xdS 16.cxdS - Amonatov, Moscow 2007) Wff6, Damljanovic - Miljanic, Ti­ 1S ...ClJc6 16.E:ad1 E:aeB 17.b3 .te4 vat 2002, 17 . .te3;!; 1B.ClJe1 .tfS 19.h3 ClJd4 20.ClJc3 15.c5 'i!?h8! 16.ClJf4 ClJxe2 21.ClJxe2 ClJf6+ Gavrilov - Black's e2-pawn is like a bone Amonatov, Moscow 2007. up White's throat. He will try to

1l •••ht'5 12.h3 annihilate it and castle, but Black is so much ahead in development that he manages to seize the ini­ tiative for long.

16 •••.tf5 17.ClJh4 Wff6 18. �xb7 �d7+

A2b) 10 • .tg5�e8

12 •••d3 We are already familiar with this resource. Meanwhile, the soundness of Black's defence can be empha­ sized by the fact that he has a quite reasonable alternative - 12 ...ClJf6 13.ClJxd4ClJc6 14.ClJxfS gxfS. Black's This is another important vari­ pawn-structure has its defects ation for Black. indeed, but his pieces are full of 1l.dxe5 enormous potential energy. White 1l.h3?! Pfeiffer - Mischke, has numerous moves to choose Merzig 1996, 1l... ClJxf2 12.'i!?xf2 from,but Black can counter all of exd4 13.ClJxd4 WfeS=F them quite effectively. 15.0-0 (15. 1l.ClJdS fxe4 12.ClJxc7 �f7 13.

226 5. tiJj3 0-0 6 . .ie2 e5 .7 .ie3 tiJg4 8.il.g5f6

tiJxa8 exf3 14.gxf3, Kolesnikov - 14 •••&iJc6 15.ge1, Marzolo -

Abdulov, Urgup 2004, 14 ...exd4+± Perpinya, Tarragona 2007, 15 •••

11.exfSh6 (11...gxfS!?) 12.f6(12. .te6 16• .ie3 tLld4 17• .td3 gae8 tiJdS hxgS 13.tiJxc7 Wie7 14.tiJxa8 18.Wla4 a6 19.f4 Wic5 20• .if2 e4 lS.tiJd2 tiJxf2 - lS ...gxfS� - b5+ Black has seized the initia­ 16.i>xf2 e3 17.i>e1 exd2 18.i>xd2 tive. ,ixd4 19.Wib3 .ixfS=t; 12 . .ih4 e4

13.tiJd2 tiJxf2 . .ixf214 e3 lS.,ixe3 B) 9 • .th4 Wixe3 16.tiJdS Wixd4 17.tiJe7 i>h7 18.fxg6 i>h8oo) 12 ...tiJxf6 13 . .ixf6 .ixf6 14.dxeS dxeS 15.0-0 tiJc6 16.tiJdS e4!+±

1l ••.tLlxe5 It is obviously disadvanta­ geous for Black to close the e­ file and particularly the long dark-squared diagonal: H ...dxeS 12.exfS ,ixfS 13.tiJdS l3t7 14.h3 tiJf6 lS.tiJxf6 .ixf6 16.hf6 l3xf6 17.WldS i>f8 18.WlxeS tiJd7 19.Wic3 i>g8 20.l3dl± Gustafsson - End­ 9 •••g5 ers, Germany 2007. It looks like this is not a logi­ 12.&iJxe5Wlxe5 13.exfS .bf5 cal move for Black "to pack" his Black queen on eS is deployed King's Indian bishop in such quite well; therefore it should re­ fashion. Aftera ll, it was eulogised main there, while he must worry by chess giants like Geller, Bron­ about the development of his stein, and particularly Gufeld. queenside: 13 ...WlxfS ?! 14 . .ie3 On the other hand, there arises a tiJc6 lS.Wld2 .ie6 16.0-0 l3ae8 17. question - what is White's bishop b3 .ic8 18.l3ad1 Wlt7 19.tiJdS b6 going to do on g3?

20.f4 tiJd8 21..if3tiJe6 22 ..ig4 tiJcS 10 • .ig3 tLlh6 23.,ixc8 l3xc824.f S;tReshevsky ­ White retreats prudently with Byrne, Chicago 1973. his knight, creating the threat g4 14. 0-0 inthe p rocess and thismight be very Black's game is quite accept­ useful in the fightfor the centre. able in the variation 14 . .ie3 tiJa6 10 ...tiJc 6?! H.dS tiJe7 12.tiJxgS 15.0-0 l3ae8 16.l3c1 tiJcS 17.b3 tiJxf2 13.,ixf2 fxg5 14 . .ig4 tiJg6 15. tiJe4 18.tiJbS, Nguyen Huynh Minh g3 h6 16.0-0 i>h7 17.Wie2 c5 18. - Lo Kin Mun, Singapore 2006, dxc6 bxc6 19.l'�ad1 ,ixg4 20. Wixg4 18 ... tiJxf2 19. .ixf2 Wixe2 20.WidS Wie7 21.cS± Malaniuk - Szczepin­ i>h8 21.tiJxc7l3eS. ski, Barlinek 2006.

227 Chapter 21

B1) 1l.dxe5 IS.llJbS (IS.llJfS llJxfS 16.exfS J.xf5 B2) 1l.h3 17.,ixg4 llJd4+ Ksieski - B.Socko, B3) 1l.d5 Glogow 2001; IS.llJdS.te6 16.0-0 llJd4 17.llJe3 l'!cB IB.b3 VNd7 19. White should better avoid the J.c4 ,ixc4 20.llJxc4 J.f6 2l.f4 line: 11.h4?! g4 12.llJh2fS+ VNe7 22.fxeS dxeS 23.llJfS llJhxfS Black's position is perfectlyac­ 24.exfS hS+ Poluljahov - An­ ceptable after I1.VNd2 g4 12.llJh4 toniewski, Koszalin 1999) IS ...a6 llJc6 13.dS llJd4 14.f4 gxf3 IS.llJxf3 16.llJxd6 VNaS 17.1t>f1 l'!dB IB.VNb3 fS, Halldorsson - Popovic, Pula It>hB 19.1lJhfS .txis 20.llJxb7 llJd4 2006. 21.llJxaS llJxb3 22.llJxb3 he4gg After11.0-0, there appeared a Slugin - I.Belov, Dagomys 2009. game as if it had been played by Robert James Fischer on the In­ Bl) 1l.dxe5 ternet: 11.0-0 exd4 12.llJxd4 llJc6 Vasily Ivanchuk liked to cap­ 13.llJxc6bxc6 14.h3 gbB lS.VNd2 fS ture regularly on eS. In fact, 16.exfS llJxfS 17.J.h2 llJd4 IB.J.d3? Black's queenside weaknesses (Naturally, Whitewas not obliged enable White to hope for an ad­ to blunder a pawn here ...) IB ... vantage, but tournament practice .ixh3! 19.VNe3 J.fS 20J'l:ael hd3 shows that Black should hold.

21.y,yxd3 gxb2 and Whiteresigned, 1l •••dxe5 Raynolds - Fischer, 2002. We will hardly ever know now who had been Black, but this player acted quite purposefully and around move seventeen his posi­ tion was at least equal. 11.cS - White is tryingto play all over the entire board. Black has more than sufficient counter chances and his development is superior, so he will hardly have any problems at all. 11 ...g4 (begin­ ning the fight for the d4-square) 12.c5 12.llJh4 (12.llJd2 llJc6 13.dxeS dxeS It deserves attentionfor White 14.llJb3 J.e6 15.0-0 It>hB 16 . .ibS to try to attack his enemy's weak­ VNe7 17.llJdS VNf7, Matveeva - Xie nesses directly with 12.h4!? In Jun, New Delhi 2000, IB.f3 gxf3 that case however, Black succeeds 19.VNxf3 fS =) 12 ... llJc6 13.dxeS in occupying the d4-square: 12 ... (13.cxd6 cxd6 14.dxeS fxeS - see g4 13.llJh2(13.VN xdB l'!xdB 14.llJd2 13.dxeS) 13 ...fxeS 14.cxd6 cxd6 llJc6 IS.llJb3 llJd4 16.llJxd4 l'!xd4

22B 5.tfJ/J 0-0 6.�e2 e5 .7 .ie3 tfJg4 8 . .ig5f6

17.tfJbS l3d7 1B.f3 c6= V.Shishkin (17... c6? ! 1B.tfJaS 1!xd1 19.13xd1 - Kanarek, Mielno 2006) 13 ... l3bB 20.a3 .ifB 21.�c2 tfJfl 22.f3 tfJc6! 14.ti'xdB l3xdB lS.tfJdS tfJd4 gxf3 23.gxf3tfJdB 24.f 4 b6 2S.tfJb3 16.l3c1 fSt Gulkov - Dyachkov, tfJfl26 .fS± Onischuk - Shomoev, Voronezh 1999. Sochi 2007) 1B.tfJaS tfJd600 White can exchange queens In case of 12.0-0, Black's sim­ with 12.YNxdB l3xdB 13.tfJdS (13. plest reaction is too take an imme­ tfJd2 �e6 14.0-0-0 tfJa6 lS.h4 diate control over the dS-square: g4 16.a3 c6 17.b4 tfJc7 1B.tfJb3 b6 12 ...c6 13.YNxdB l3xdB 14.1!fd1 l3xd1 19.�b2 f5; lS.f3 c6 16.tfJb3 tfJfl (14 ...l3eB !?) lS.l3xd1 �e6 16.l3dB 17.�f2 �fB 1B.l3xdB tfJxdB 19.13d1 �fl 17.heS! fxeS 1B.tfJxgS �e7 b6 20.tfJa1 tfJb7 21.tfJc2 l3dB 22. 19.tfJxe6�xe6 20 . .ihS, Giorgadze l3xdB tfJxdB, draw, Ivanchuk - - A.Kuzmin, Benasque 1997, 20 ... Bologan, Foros 2006.) and then .if6 21.1!eB �d7 22.cS b600 Black will have to part with his 12.ti'b3 c6 13.c5 �hB 14.tfJd2 light-squared bishop: 13 ...tfJa6 YNe7(14 ...tfJd7 1S.ti'c4 YNe7 16.tfJa4 14.tfJe7 (14.0-0-0 .ie6 lS.h4 g4 l3dB 17.ti'c3 fS 1B.f3t Giorgadze 16.tfJh2 c6 17.tfJe3 tfJc5 1B.f3 gxf3 - Z.Polgar, San Sebastian 1991) 19.9xf3 fS 20.l3hg1 �fB= Kaka­ lS.h4 g4 16.0-0-0 ti'xcS,with ap­ geldyev - AI Modiahki, Dubai proximately equal chances.

1996) 14 ...�fB lS.tfJxcB 1!axcB 12 •••tfJc6 13.ti'xd8 16.a3. He should not be afraid Black will need to face com­ of this however, because he will plex problems after this simple succeed in occupying the weak exchange. d4-outpost after a while: 16 ...tfJc S 13 . .ic4 �hB 14.ti'xdB tfJxdB 17.tfJd2, Timoscenko - Pinter, lS.0-0-0 (lS.tfJbS �e6 16.�b3 Hlohovec 199B, 17 ...l3d7 1B.h4 g4 .ixb317.a xb3 tfJe6=V. Shulman - 19.0-0-0 l3cdB 20.�c2 as= Umanskaya, St. Petersburg 1994) White has tried in practice to lS ...tfJe6 16.b4 as 17.a3 axb4 lB. give a check at first 12.ti'dS �hB axb4 c6 19.�b2 tfJf4 20.hf4 exf4 and exchange queens only then: 21.�b3, draw, San Segundo - 13.ti'xdB (13.0-0-0 YNe7 14.ti'aS Romero Holmes, Vendrell 1996. c6 lS.tfJd2b6 16.YNa4.id7 17.f3cS 13.0-0 g4 14.tfJh4.ie6 lS.ti' a4 1B.ti'a3 tfJc6 19.tfJdS YNfl 20. .id3 YNd4 16.ti'bS YNb4 17.f4 gxf3 (17 ... .ie6 21.h3 fSoo Motylev - Radja­ l3adB!?) 1B.tfJxf3, Ivanchuk - boy, Wijk aan Zee 2007) 13 ...l3xdB Radjabov, Odessa 2007, 1B ...a6 14.h4!? (14.tfJd2 cS! lS.f3 tfJc6 16. 19.YNxb4 tfJxb4 20.a3 tfJc2 21.l3ac1 0-0-0 tfJd4 17 . .id3 .ie6 1B.tfJb3 tfJe322.l3 fe1 tfJfl= l3acB 19.�b1 fS = Ivanchuk - Rad­ 13 ...�d8 !? jabov, Sochi 2007) 14 ...g4 lS.tfJd2 This is an attempt by Black to tfJa6 16.0-0-0 �e6 17.tfJb3 tfJfl counter attack.

229 Chapter 21

The defence of this position is a hard and laborious task. 13 ... ttJxdS 14.ttJbS �!f7 15.0-0-0 .ie6 (After lS ... ttJe6 16 . .ic4 Black has great problems unpinning his pieces.) 16.h4 g4 17.ttJgS! (White emphasises the awkward place­ ment of Black's knight on a6 with this move.) 17 ...fxgS lS.hxgS ttJc6 19.9xh6 .ifS 20J3hS, with an edge for White, Grabliauskas - Krogh, Ringsted 1992. - 16 . .ih2;!;) 13.h4 (13.0-0 fS 14.ttJd5 14.ttJxfS ttJxfS lS.exfS ttJd4 16 . .ig4 Black can counter 14.ttJbS in .ixfS 17.�e1 �hS lS.�c1 'i;Vd7 the same fashion, by playing 14 ... 19.�e4, Timoscenko - Abbasov, g4 lS.ttJd2 ttJd4 and after captur­ Ohrid 2001, 19 ....ixg4 20.hxg4 ing on c7, there arises a transpo­ �e6; 13.ttJxc6 bxc6 14.0-0 fS 15. sition to the main line, while af­ exfS ttJxfS 16 ..ih2 �bS 17.'i;Vd2 cS ter 16.ttJxd4 �xd4 the position is lS ..if3 ttJd4 19 ..ie4 .ie6 with an equal. equal game. Engqvist - Hermans­

14 •••g4 15.ttJd2 ttJd4 16.ttJxc7 son, Hasselbacken 2001. In case (or 16.�c1 ttJxe2 17.l!7xe2 ttJfS! IS. of 13.cS, Black succeeds in push­ ttJxc7 ttJd4 19.1!7e1 �bS, with a ing 13 .. .fS.) 13 .. .fS 14.hxgS .ixd4 good compensation for the pawn.) (14 ...WfxgS lS.�dbS f4 16 . .ih4

16••• ttJc2 (but not 16 ...�b S? 'i;Vxg2 17 . .if3 .ixc3 lS.bxc3 Wfg7 17. .ic4 ttJf7 lS.0-0-0) 17.�dl 19.WfdS �hS 20.0-0-0, Volkov

�xal 18 •.lc4 (l8.ttJxaS .ie6=) - B.Socko, Neum 2000, 20...

18 ••• �f7 19.�xa8 .ih6 20 • .ld5 �eS 21.�dg1 .ig4 22 . .ixg4 �hxg4 J.d7 21.�c7 gc8 22.�e6 .lxe6 23.�d4 'i;Vf7oo) lS.gxh6 fxe4 16. 23.,be6 �c5 with mutual 'i;Vd2 (16.�xe4, Hilarp Persson chances. - Blehm, Ohrid 2001, 16 ....ixb2 17.'i;VdS I!7hS lS.�d1 .if5 19.0-0 B2) 1l.h3 .ixe4 20.Wfxe4 'i;Vf6 21.cS �aeSf±) (diagram) 16 ...e3 !? 17.fxe3 .ieS lS ..ih4 .if6

1l •••�d 7 19 . .ixf6 'i;Vxf6 20.0-0-0± It would be premature for Black 12.d5 to opt for 1l ...exd 4?! IVDxd4 ttJc6 12.0-0 fS 13.exfS (13.dxeS!? (12 .. .fS 13.exfS .ixfS 14.0-0 ttJc6 f4, Belmonte - Bass, Salta 1993, lS.ttJxfS ttJxfS, Shulman - Fine­ 14.WfdS I!7hS lS . .ih2 �xeS 16.cS gold, Bolingbrook 2005, White �xf3 . .ixf317 �f7 lS.�ad1 'i;Vf6oo) had better preserve his bishop 13 ...�xfS 14.dxeS, S.Ivanov -

230 5. 0.fJ 0-0 6 . .1e2e5 7. .1e3 0.g4 8 . .1g5f6

Inarkiev, Moscow 2005, 14 ... a promising pawn-sacrifice at g4! 15.hxg4 0.xg3 16.fxg3 0.xe5 his disposal: 14 ...0.x f5 15.0.xg5 17.�d5 mh8 18.0.xe5 .ixe5 and .ih6 16.h4 0.xg3 17.fxg3 as 18.g4 Black's position is at least equal. �e7 19.0-0-0 .1d7 20.Eihf1 Eixf1 12.�d2 f5 13.�xg5 exd4 14. 21.Eixfl Eif8 22.Eixf8 �xf8= Akes­ �xd8 Eixd8 15.0.b5 d3 16.0.xc7 son - Nataf, Stockholm 2002. fxe4 17.0.xa8 dxe2 18.0.g5 0.c5� 14 •...hf51 S.0-0 V.Belov - Inarkiev, Moscow 15.f3 e4! 16.fxe4 .ixc3 17.bxc3 2007. .ixe4+

12 ...f5 lS •..e4 16.0.b3 0.xb3 White has already blocked the 16 ...b6 17.0.d4 ygf6 18.0.c6 as centre, so Black can continue with 19.f4 .1d7 20.0.b5 .ixc6 21.dxc6 this thematic pawn-break. �xb2 22.Eib1 ygxa2� Sasikiran - 13.exfS Topalov, Sofia 2007. 13.h4 g4 14.0.g5 0.f6 15.exfS 17.ygxb3 .i.g618. gae1 ge8!?

0.xf5 16.0.ce4 0.xe4 17.0.xe4 0.xg3 19.ygxb7 0.f5 20• .i.g4gb8� Oni­ 18.fxg3 .1f5� Tarek - Mahia, schuk - Smirin, Toljatti 2003. Mendoza 1985. 13.�c2 0.c5 14.0.d2, Berkes - H3) H.dS van Delft, Hamburg 2003, 14 ... fxe4 15.0.dxe4 0.xe4 16.0.xe4 0.f5= 13.0.d2 0.f6 14.ygc2 (14.exf5 .ixf5 15.0-0, Timoscenko - Kur­ nosov, Satka 2008, 15 ....1g6 16.0.f3 0.h5�) 14 ...c6 15.a4 cxd5 16.cxd5 fxe4 17.0.dxe4 0.xe4 18. �xe4 �b6 19.0-0 0.f5 20 . .1d3 .1d7 21.b4 Eiac8� Gustafsson - Solleveld, Enschelde 2003.

13••• 0.cS!

This is an important finepoint H •••0.d 7 - White's f5 -pawn is running no­ Black should better not be in a where, so it is essential for Black hurry to play 1l .. .f5 12.exf5. There to take the e4-square under con­ begins a fightfor the light squares trol. in the centre and Black will be not Following 13 ...0.xf5 14.0.e4, so well prepared for it, because White can rely on obtaining some of his knight stranded on the b8- edge. square. 12 ...g4 (12 ...0.xf5 13.0.d2 14.0.d2 ttld4 14.0-0 0.xe2 15.ygxe2 �e8 In case of 14.�d2, Black has 16.0.de4 ygg6 17.f3 .if5 18.h3

231 Chapter 21 hS 19.c5 dxc5 20.tt)xcS tt)d7= afterthe pawn-advance 12.h4!? g4 Ki.Georgiev - Bologan, Gibral­ 13.tt)d2!? (13.tt)h2f5 14.exfS tt)xf5 tar 2006; 14.tt)de4 g4 IS.f3 gxf3 IS.tt)xg4 tt)xg3 16.fxg3tt)c 5 17.tt)f2 16 . .txf3 tt)xf3 17.gxf3 @h8 18.�e2 e4�. Black's compensation for the .tfS= Prusikin - B.Socko, Ger­ pawn is more than evident and he many 2003; 14.i.d3! .tfS IS.i.xf5 has even seized the initiative.) 13 ... l3xfS 16.tt)de4;!;. Both knights, fS 14.exfS tt)f6 (14 ...tt)xf5 IS.i.xg4 white and black, occupy beauti­ tt)xg3 16.fxg3 tt)c5 17.i.xc8 �xc8 ful squares in the centre, the only 18.tt)de4± D.Gurevich - Zenyuk, difference being that White can Stillwater 2007) IS.tt)de4 tt)xfS exchange the enemy knight on d4 16.tt)xf6 �xf6 17.tt)e4 �g6 18.hS with his bishop on g3 after some �h6 19.i.xg4 tt)xg3 20.fxg3 �e3 time, reaching a classical position 21.�e2 �xe2 22.i.xe2.th6� with his good knight dominating The move 12.0-0 has focused over Black's bad bishop.) 13.tt)d2 the attention recently and its i.xfS 14.tt)f1 (This is trickier than merit is its high reliability. Black 14.tt)de4 tt)d7 IS.i.d3 @h8 16.0-0 must play very precisely in order as 17.�el?! - 17.�e2 - 17... i.g6 to equalize. 12 .. .fS 13.exfS tt)xf5 18.�e2 �e7 19.a3 a4 20.l3adl (The developments would be tt)b6+Gofshtein - Kasimdzhanov, much more interesting after 13 ... Hoogeveen 1999; 15.0-0 �e7 tt)c5!?) 14.tt)d2 tt)d4 IS.tt)de4 h6 16.l3el as 17.a3 tt)f6 18 . .th4 �e8 (It is also good for Black to opt for 19.i.xf6 i.xf6 20.cS i.e7 21.�b3;!; IS ...tt)xe2 16.�xe2 h6 17.b4 tt)f6 - Xiu Deshun, Jinan 18.h3 i.fS 19.13fel �d7 20.a3 �f7 2005.) 14 ...tt)d7 IS.tt)e3 e4 (Black David - Bologan, Moscow 2005.) cannot avoid the trade of his light­ 16 . .tg4b6 17.f3 tt)cS I8.i.xc8 �xc8 squared bishop; otherwise,he will 19.i.f2 �d7 20.tt)g3 as 21.tt)ce2 simply lose his g4-pawn without tt)fS 22.tt)xfS �xfS 23.tt)g3 �g6 any compensation whatsoever. 24.i.xcS bxc5 2S.�b1 (It would IS ...tt)c S I6.0-0 �d7 17.tt)xfS �xfS be better for White, to continue 18.b4 tt)d7 19.tt)bS;!;) 16.0-0 tt)cS with 2S.tt)e4, but even then after 17.l3cl as 18.tt)xg4 tt)xg4 19.i.xg4 2S ...g4, Black obtains an excellent �gS 20.i.xfS l3xfS 21.�c2 e3 22. position.) 2S ...�xbl 26.l3axbl e4! l3cel exf2 23.i.xf2± Roiz - Rad­ (Black activates his King's Indian jabov, Saint Vincent 2005. White bishop thanks to this thematic has a solid extra pawn. pawn-sacrifice.) 27.tt)xe4i.d4 28. 12.tt)d2 @hl a4 and Black has seized the The move 12.h3 leads to vari­ initiative, Wang Yue - Radjabov, ations, which we analyze after Wijk aan Zee 2009.

1l.h3. 12••• f5 There arise original positions Black has no time for prophy-

232 5. � 0-0 6 . .te2 e5 7. .te3 liJg4 8 . .tg5j6 lactic like 12 ...aS I3.h4 g4 14.i.xg4 E:hbl l:UbS 22.a4 as 23.bxa5 bxa5 liJxg4 IS.�xg4 liJc5 16.Wle2 fS 17. 24.liJb5 �dS= Bacrot - Radjabov, f3 .ih6 IS . .tf2 b6 19.exfS i.xf5 Cap d'Agde 2006. White's only 20 . .bcS bxc5 21.liJde4± Gheor­ reasonable plan can be connected ghiu - Southam, Bie1 1990. withan attack against the e5-pawn with .tc3, liJb3, �d2, but in the meantime Black can advance g4. 15.liJdxe4 In answer to 15.fxe4, Black should try to acquire some space for his knights: 15 ...g4 16 . .th4 WleS, Zhao Xue - Ju, Wuxi 2006, 17.c5 Wlg6 18.�b3 liJh519.0-0-0 liJf4 20. .tflb6 !? and the position is rather unclear.

15 •••liJxe4 Black can also begin his op­ B3a) 13.f3 erations with 15 ...liJfS 16 . .tf2 liJh4 B3h) 13.exfS (16 ...liJxe4 !? 17.fxe4 liJd4 IS . .tg4 .ixg4 19.hxg4 c5=) 17.E:gl liJxe4 B3a) 13.f3 IS.liJxe4 .tfS 19 . .te3 h6 20.�d2 White restricts the enemy .th7 21.0-0-0 a6 22.'>tbl liJf5 knight on h6 and he deprives 23 . .td3 c5!f± Prusikin - Stellwa­ Black of the possibility to sharpen gen, Pulvermuehle 2004. the game with the pawn- sacrifice 16.liJxe4 eS-e4. He loses however, the ex­ 16.fxe4 g4 17.hxg4 (17.h4 c5 cellent e4-square, as well as the IS . .tf2 .td7 19 . .te3 a6 20.Wld2 bl-h7 diagonal, which can be used liJf7=)17 ...liJxg4 1S.�d2 .tf6 19 . .tf3 later by his bishop on e2 and his Wle7 20.�e2 Wlg7= The knight on queen. g4 cements Black's compromised

13 •••liJf6 14.h3 fxe4 kingside.

It would be also quite reliable 16 •••liJf5 17• .tf2c5 for Black to continue here with This is a typical preparatory 14 ...cS IS ..tf2 f4 16.a3 (16J'�bl b6 move by Black for his queenside 17.b4 cxb4 1S.E:xb4 liJd7 19.a4 liJc5 offensive. Meanwhile, the pawn 20.a5 .td7 21.axb6 axb6 22.liJb3 on cS emphasizes the presence liJf723.Wl bl E:a6 24.'>td2 �c7 and of Black's almighty knight in the the game remains approximately centre on d4. equal, Gelfand - Radjabov, Turin 18.�d2?! 2006.) 16 ...b6 17.b4 liJf7 IS.�b3 It looks like this developing hS 19.'>tdl .td7 20.'>tc2 �c7 21. move cannot be criticized at all. It

233 Chapter 21 all depends however on the pawn­ structure. Whiteforf eited his right to capture en passant - lS.dxc6! bxc6 19.�d2 dS 20.cxdS cxdS and now he could have equalized with 21.tDcS (21.tDxgS h6; 21.0-0-0 tDd4) 21...tDd4 22.hd4 exd400

18 •••h6 It becomes clear suddenly that Black has excellent prospect on both sides of the board, while White has nothing else to do but for draw. only admire his beautiful knight 14.0-0 !xis lS.f3 tDhS 16. on e4. tDde4 ig6 17.if2 tDf4 lS.l"ie1 19.0-0-0 tDxe2 19.�xe2 tDfS 20.l"iac1 cS!= 19.0-0 tDd4+ with equality, Markus - Miljanic,

19 •••b5 !? Budva 2003. The merit of this sacrifice, in 14.tDde4 tDxe4 lS.tDxe4 !xis comparison to the game, is that (lS ...tDxfS 16.0-0) 16.i.d3 g4 Black is acting faster. It is worse (Now, if Whitewishes to bring his for him to opt for 19 ...a6 20.g4 dark-squared bishop into the ac­ (20.r,!?b1 tDd421 .h4 tDxe222 .V9xe2 tions he must have an idea what g4 23.fxg4 l"if4 24.ig3 hg4 25. to do with the enemy g4-pawn.) �d3 l"ifS)20 ... tDh4 21 .!xh4gxh4f± 17.0-0 (The position would be Huzman - Bologan, Moscow 2006. double-edged as a result of 17.�e2 20.cxb5 a6 (but not 20 ...tDd4 r,!?hS lS.0-0-0 VgeS 19.r,!?b1 �g6 21.h4 g4 22.hd4 exd4 23.fxg4) 20.h3 gxh3 21.gxh3 tDgS! followed 21.bxa6 (or 21.b6 l"ibS 22.r,!?b1 by tDf6 and equality, Dorfman -

V9xb6 23.h4 gxh4) 21••• ha6 Nataf, Mondariz 2000; lS.0-0

22 • .txa6 l:i:xa6 23.r,!?bl �a8 24. �e7 19.f3 gxf3 20.l"ixf3 ig4 21. tDc3 l:i:b8and White's position is l"ixfS l"ixfS 22.�c2 tDfS 23.!f2 obviously beyond salvation. tDd4 24.�d2 a6= Prusikin - B. Socko, Dresden 2007.) 17... he4. B3b) 13.exf5 Black will have to part with this (diagram) bishop sooner or later; otherwise,

13 •••tDf6 14 • .1d3 it is inconceivable how to develop The fight is now focused on the knight. (17 ...�eS lS.cS V9g6 the e4-square. Black has enough 19.1"ie1 tDfl 20.!h4 l"iaeS 21.l"ic1 tactical counter chances in order dxcS 22J':ixcS tDd6 23.�a4 he4 to avoid entering a dull position, 24.he4 �h6 2S.ig3;!; Aronian - in which he might be only fighting Radjabov, Morelia 2006) lS.he4

234 5JiJj3 0-0 6.i.e2e5 7. i.e3 liJg4 8.i.g5f6

VNgS 19.VNd3 (19.�c1 VNhS 20.c5 16••• �h4! �f7 21.cxd6 cxd6 22.VNc2 i.f6 Black's knight prefers to oc­ 23.�ad1 �afB 24.VNa4 liJfS 2S.VNxa7 cupy the juicy d4-outpost, instead liJd4gg Vanheste - Piket, Amster­ of going on a long journey all the dam 19BB) 19 ...liJfS 20.�ac1 way to the h4 square. This is all �f7 21.i.xfS, Arsovic - Mozetic, done, because of a tempo. It is es­ Podgorica 1996 and here Black sential for him to push g4. I real­ had better capture with his queen ized all this over the board. Black - 21...VNxfS 22.VNxfS �xfS, ending is not afraid of his pawns being up in an equal endgame .. doubled, because of his ample

14 .••�xf5 15.liJde4 liJxe4 space advantage on the kingside. Radjabov tried to use an­ 17.0-0 other plan against Kramnik: 15 ... After 17.i.xh4 gxh4 1B.VNhS i.h6!? 16.0-0 mhB 17.cS g4 (The i.fS, Black's light-squared bishop pawn is not hanging with check protects reliably his king. now.) 1B.liJxf6 �xf6 19.1iJbS �e7 17••• g4 18.�d2 20.VNe2, Kramnik - Radjabov, I was planning to counter 1B.c5 Wijk aan Zee 2007. Here, Volodya with 1B ... liJg6 (Black is threaten­ could have continued simply with ing �f4 and he is also preparing 20 ...a6 21.i.xfS �S 22.liJc3 �fB hS-h4.) 19.�c1 liJf4 20.�e1 �xd3 23.liJe4 mgB 24.VNc4i.fS = with an 21.VNxd3 i.fS= approximate equality. 18 •••�g5 19.�e4 16.liJxe4 19.cS liJfS 20.cxd6 cxd6 21.liJc4 16.he4 �eB 17.f3 VNhS 1B.i.f2 hS 22.f4 gxf3 23.i3xf3bS 24.liJaS liJh4 19.0-0 g4 20.fxg4 hg4 i.d7 2S.liJc6 h4 26.i.f2 liJd4 21.VNc2liJg6 22 .hg6 hxg6 23.i.e3 27.hd4 exd4= e4 24.VNxe4 i.eS 2S.i.f4 i.g7 19 ...�e7 20.�d2 26.i.e3, draw, Avrukh - Smirin, This was a silent draw-offer, Haifa 200B. but I decided to play on and I lost...

20 •••h5 21.t'3 �f5 22 • .tf2 i.h6 23.�e2 �g7 24.hf5hf5 25.i.e3, Wang Yue - Bologan, Wuxi 200B. I understood here that my position had been slightly better, except that I had to find the correct decision concerning

the pawn-structure. 25 •••.tf 4!?+ Black thus provokes his opponent to capture on f4 .

235 Chapter 22 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 J.g7 4.e4 d6 5.�f3 0-0 6.J.e2 e5 7.d5

pIe: B ...ttJhS 9. ttJgl ttJf4 10 ..if3 fS 11.g3 fxe4 12.ttJxe4 ttJhS 13 . .tg2 ttJf6 14.igS if5 IS . .bf6 .bf6 16. ttJe2 ttJd7 17.ttJ2c3 ig7f± Zvja­ ginsev - Morozevich, Pamplona 1995. The French GM Bachar Kouat­ ly liked to play the move B.h4, with the idea to begin a swift kingside assault, at the end of the BOies of the last century, until he This is the most straightfor­ was crushed by Garry Kasparov: ward decision by White, because B ... ttJa6 9.ttJd2ttJc5 10.g4 a4 11.hS he fixesthe pawn-structure in the gxhS 12.gS ttJg4 13.ttJfl fS 14.f3 centre outright. ttJf2!? IS.@xf2 fxe4 16.@g2 a3

7 •••a5 17J�hS exf3 IB.ixf3 e4 19.,ie2 That is some usefulprophylac­ ifSgg Kouatly - Kasparov, Evry tic, since there will not be a better 19B9. square for his queen's knight than cS. The move restricts the mobil­ A) 8.J.e3 ity ofWhite's queenside pawns as The game develops now simi­ well. larly to the Gligoric system, in a very good version for Black.

A) 8 • .ie3 8 ...�g4 9 • .tg5 f6 10.J.h4 B) 8.h3 1O.,id2 f5 11.exfS gxfS 12.ttJgS C) 8.�d2 �eB 13.cS dxc5 14.m3 @hB D) 8.0-0 15.0-0 ttJf6 16 ..tc4 a4 17.'i;Vc2 c6

E) 8 • .ig5 IB.ie3 bSf± Zlotnik - Moroze­ vich, Moscow 1991. Black has too many attractive 10 ... �a6 1l.�d2 possibilities after B.a3, for exam- 11.0-0 �eB 12.ttJelfS 13.ttJd3

236 s. ltlj3 0-0 6 . .le2e5 7.d5 as h5 14.exf5i.xf5 15.Wld2e4 16.hg4 cramped and the exchanges are bxg4 17.ltlc1 Wld7 1S.ltl1e2 �aeS advantageous for him. In ad­ 19.ig5 ltlc5 20.ltlg3 ltld3� Gran­ dition, he occupies the a-file.) da Zuniga - Sasikiran, Andorra 17.\!;!fc2 ltlxc3 1S.Wlxc3 g5 19.ig3 1995. h4 20 . .ih2 f5 21.c5 g4 22.c6 .lcS

1l.•. h5 12.a3 23.cxb7 hb'nBareev - Kasparov, 12.h3 ltlh6 13.a3 .ld7 14.�b1 Tilburg 1991. ltlc5 15.b4 axb4 16.axb4 ltla4 17. 14••• g5 15 • .lg3 f5 16.h3 tOf6 ltlxa4 ha4 18.\!;!fc1\!;!feS 19.f3 .ld7 17.13 20.c5 f5� Kumaran - Shirov, Oa­ 17.hh5 fxe4 1S.0-0 if500 kham 1992. 17••• • eS IS.Wlc2 fxe4 19. fxe4 White's rook on b1 may come under attack by the bishop on f5, so he will need to capture with the pawn on e4 anyway: 19.1tldxe4 ltlcxe4 20.ltlxe4 ltlxe4 21.fxe4 \!;!fg6+

19 •••\!;!fg6 20.b4 axb4 21. axb4 tOa6 22.tOfl,Loginov - Fe­ dorov, St. Petersburg 1997,

22 •••g4 ! 23.h4 J.h6+. Nearly all of Black's pieces are active and

12••• J.d7 even his knight on a6 cannot be Black protects his rook on as defined as bad, because White's with this modestly looking move rook must restrict its movements. and he prevents b2-b4 in the process. B) S.h3 13.gbl 13.0-0 WleS 14.h3 ltlh6 15.b3 fS 16.f3 mhS 17J:!b1 ggS 1S.g4 ltlt7, draw, Petrosian - Geller, So­ chi 1977.

13 •••ltlc5 Now, in case of b2-b4, the knight will go the f4 -square and again the move id7 turns out to be veryuseful . 14.b3 14.h3 ltlh6 15.b4 axb4 16.axb4 ltla4 (Black's position is a bit

237 Chapter 22

This is the most logical move In case of 11.�d2, Black is for Black, since he continues ready to sacrifice a pawn: 11 ... lLlf4 calmly with his development. He 12 . .ixf4 (In case White declines has an interesting and more dy­ the gift with 12. .ifl, Black succeeds namic alternative, though: B ... in advancing 12 .. .f5 13.g3 fxe4 lLlh5 9.lLld2 lLlf4 1O . .ifl lLla6 11.g3 14.lLlxe4 .if5 15.�c2 c6 16.gxf4 lLlh5 12.lLlb3 c6 13 . .ie3 .id7+± lLlb4 17.�b1 exf4-+; 15.lLlc3 lLlb4 Zvjaginsev - Beliavsky, Tivat 16.gxf4 lLlc2 17.�dl lLlxal lB.fxe5 1995. dxe5 19.1Llel c6, with a double­ 9.Ag5 edged position.) 12 ...exf4 13.�xf4 White achieves nothing much lLlc5 14.0-0 geB l5.gfel g5 16.�d2 after 9 . .ie3 .id7 10.0-0 lLleB 11. lLlxe4 17.lLlxe4 fue4 - Black has lLlel f5 12.exf5 .ixf5 13.g4 .id7 equalized, Cramling - Romero 14.�d2 lLlc5 15.f3 lLlf6 16.lLld3 lLla4 Holmes, Ceuta 1993. 17.lLlxa4.ixa4 1B.lLlf2 .id7 19J:1adl 11.g3 f5 12.exf5 gxf5 13.lLlxe5, b6, draw, A.Ivanov - Dolmatov, Popovic - Narayanan, Reykjavik Toljatti 2003. 200B (13.gg1 f4 14.gxf4 lLlxf4=) White fails to build up a posi­ 13.. .f4! (Black seizes the initia­ tional bind with 9.g4 lLlc5 10.�c2 tive, thanks to this intermediate c6 11 . .ie3 a4 12.0-0-0 (12.g5 move.) 14.gxf4 lLlxf4 15.lLld3 lLlg2 lLlh5; 12.lLld2 �a5 13.g5 lLlh5 16.�d2 lLlxe3 17.fxe3 .if5 IB.ggl 14 . .ixh5 gxh5 15.0-0-0 a3 16.b3 �hB 19.1Llf4 lLlc5� f5 17 . .ixc5 �xc5 IB.exf5 .ixf5 11 .••�f4 12.M1f5 19.1Llde4 �b4 20J�d3 b5) 12 ... The idea of sacrificing a piece cxd5 13.cxd5 �a5 14.lLld2 .id7+± would not work: 12 ...lLlb4 13.lLldbl Yurtaev - Shulman, Vladivostok f5 14.a3 lLlbd3 15 . .ixd3 lLlxg2 16. 1995. �e2 f4 17 ..icl f3 IB.�d2 �h4 19.

9 •••h6 10.Ae3 lLlh5 �gl .ixh3 20.lLldl g5 21.�c2 g4 22.lLlbc3± Zvjaginsev - Loginov, Loosdorf 1993. 13.g3, G.Schebler - van den Dikkenberg, Zwolle 1996 (13. exf5 .ixf5 14.lLlde4 c6 15.g3 cxd5 16.cxd5 �e7 17.a3 b5! with mu­ tual chances)

13 •••�d 3! 14.hd3f415.�e2 fxe3 16.�xe3 Ad7 17.h4 a4 18.0-0 g5 19.hxg5 �xg5 20.

�xg5 hxg5 21• .ie2 g4!� Black's compensation should be sufficient for a draw in this endgame.

23B S. l2Jj3 0-0 6 . .ie2eS 7.d5as

C) 8.tbd2 axb3 15.liJxb3 liJa4 White's knight on b3 is mis­ placed, so Black must avoid its exchange. 16.liJb5 16.l2Jxa4 Elxa4 17.1Mfc2 .id7 lB. hxg6 hxg6 19.f3 f5?

16 .••liJc 7 17.liJxc7 1Mfxc7 18 . .ie3 liJc3 19.1Mfc2 liJxd5+ Kart­ tunen - Iuldachev, Istanbul 2000.

D) 8.0-0 This move is usually connect­ ed with advancing h4-h5, but its obvious drawback is that White's dark-squared bishop is temporar­ ily isolated fromthe actions. 8 ...liJa6 9.h4 9.l2Jb3 a4 1O.l2Jd2 l2Jc5 1Ulbl c6 12.0-0 liJeB 13.b4 axb3 14.l2Jxb3 l2Jxb3 15.axb3 f5 ? Palacios - Za­ noletty, Logrono 2002.

9 ..•liJc 5 10.h5 1O.g4 c6 ll.g5 and now Black can sacrificea pawnwith 11...l2Jh5! This move cannot change 12 . .ixh5 l2Jd3 13.lt>f1gxh5 14.1Mfxh5 Black's plans. f5 15.1Mfd1, Minaya - Avrukh, Be­ 8 ..•liJa 6 9.liJd2 nidorm 200B, 15 ...1Mfb6+ 9.1Mfc2 .id71O.l2Je1 l2Jc 5 ll. .ig5 10 ...c6 11.g4 h6 12 . .ih4 g5 13 . .ig3 l2Jfxe4 14. ll.h6 .ihB 12.f3 l2Jh5 13.l2Jf1 tLlxe4 tLlxe4 15.1Mfxe4 f5 16.1Mfc2 f4 l2Jf4 14.g3 l2Jxe215.1Mf xe2 f5 16 . .ie3 17 . .id3 g4 1B . .ie4 fxg3 19.hxg3 fxe4 17.fxe4 .if6 1BJ�d1 .id7? b6= Danner - Inarkiev, Saint Av.Bykhovsky - Caspi, Herzelia Vincent 2005. 2006. 9.l2Je1 l2Jc5 1O.f3 l2Jh5 ll.g3

1l••• cxd5 12.cxd5 .ih3 12.Elf2 f5 13.l2Jd3 l2Jxd3 14. 12.exd5 e4 13.g5 l2Jxh5 14.hh5 1Mfxd3 f4 !? 15.g4 l2Jg3!? 16 . .id1 gxh5 15.l2Jcxe4 EleB 16.1Mfxh5 .if5 1Mfh4 17 . .id2 h5 1B . .ie1 Elf7 19.Elg2 17.f3 .ig6 1B.1Mfh4 ElcBgg Shchukin hg2 20.lt>xg2 hxg4 21.fxg4 .if6 - Inarkiev, St. Petersburg 2001. 22.hxg3 1Mfh6oo Faraj - Mirosh­

12 ••.a4 13.g5 liJe8 14.b4 nichenko, Amman 200B.

239 Chapter 22

After 9 . .!gS h6 .10 .th4 Wie8 lLlxc5 .th6 13.lLld3 lLld7+ Spirido­ l1.lLld2 (l1.lLlel lLlh7 12.lLld3 fS nov - Tal, Tbilisi 1969. 13.f3 lLlf6 14.a3 gS IS . .tel Wig6 1O.a3 a4 11.f3.th6 12.b4 axb3 16.exfS ixfS 17.g4 .td7 18.lLlf2 lLlcS 13.lLlxb3 .!xcI 14.lLlxel b6 IS.lLld3 19.b4 axb4 20.axb4 fucal 21.Wixal lLlxd3 16.!xd3 . lLld7= AI Qauasmi lLlb3 22.Widl lLld4? Lugovoi - - A.Kuzmin, Doha 2002. Diu, Ekaterinburg 2002) 11 ...lLlh7 1O.f3 lLlhS 11.lLlb3 b6 12.lLlxc5 12.a3 (12.b3 hS 13.f3 .!h6 14.a3 bxcS 13.a4 fS 14.Wiel lLlf4 IS.g3 .!e3 IS.<.t>hl .td7 16J!a2 fS 17.exfS lLlh3 16. <.t>g2 lLlg5 17.h4 lLlf7 18J'!hl gxfS 18.f4 exf4 19 . .txhS WieS 20. .!h6 19 . .txh6 lLlxh6 20.Wid2 <.t>g7 lLlbS Wih8 21. .!e2 lLlf6? Eliet - 21.l3afl .!d7? Kaminski - Kova­ Relange, France 2008; 12.<.t>hl lev, Katowice 1990. hS 13.f3 .!h6 14.a3 .!d7 1SJ'!bl a4 1O.b3 lLlfd7 11.a3 (11.l3bl - see 16.b4 axb3 17.lLlxb3 .te3 18.lLlbS 1O.l3bl) 11 .. .fS 12.f3 lLlf6 13.Wic2 .!xbS 19.cxbS lLlc5 20.lLlxc5 .!xcS lLlhS? Moriarty - Thorvaldsson, 21.a4 l3a722 .'!d3<.t>g7 23 . .!elb6? Skopje 1972.

Cherniaev - Avrukh, Biel 2001; 10 •••ttlfd7 1l.b3 f5 12.a3 12.f3 .td7 13.a3 hS 14.l3bl a4 IS. ttlf6 lLlbS .th6 16.b4 axb3 17.lLlxb3 <.t>h8 18.a4 l3g8 19.<.t>hl fS 20.cS gS 21.'!el Wig6? Gligoric - Gel­ ler, Sochi 1968) 12 ....td7 13.b3, the game transposes to 8 . .!gS (see variation E2). In case of 9 . .!e3, Black can at­ tack the enemy bishop with 9 ... lLlg4 1O . .!d2 (White tries to gain some time with 1O . .tgS f6 11..!d2, but Black pushes fS anyway, while in case of 11 . .!h4, there arise po­ sitions analogous to variation A) Black has managed to outrun 1O ...lLlc S l1.lLlel fS (Black com­ his opponent just by a tempo. plies with the doubling of his 13.b4 pawns, but he succeeds in occupy­ 13.f3 .!d7 14.b4 (14.Wie2 .!h6 ing space on both flanks.) 12 . .!xg4 IS.<.t>hl lLlhS 16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 fxg4 13 . .!e3 b6 14.Wid2 .!a6 15.b3 lLla4 18.lLlxa4 .!xa4 19.1Llb3 .!xci Wih4 16.f3 l3f7,wi th an equal posi­ 20.l3fxelWih4 21.<.t>gl WigStInkiov tion, Speelman - Gelfand, Mos­ - Komljenovie, Torey 1991) 14 ... cow 1990. axb4 IS.axb4 lLla4 16.lLlxa4 (16.

9 •••lLlc 5 10.gbl Wie2.!h6 17. .!d3.!e3 18.<.t>hl lLlxc3 1O.Wic2 .!h6 11.lLlb3 .!xc1 12. 19.Wixe3 .!d4 20.Wic2 lLlhSt Gre-

240 5. lLlj3 0-0 6.J.e2e5 7.d5as goir - A.Adamski, Belgium 2003) Balcerak, Senden 1999.

16 ...ixa4 17.�el fxe4 18.fxe4 9 ••• lLla6 10.lLld2 J.d7 11. .ih6+ Erwanto - Peng Xiaomin, 0-0 Beijing 1993. 11.b3 �e8 12.0-0 - see varia­

13 ••• axb4 14.axb4 lLlcxe4 tion E2. 15.lLldxe4 lLlxe4 16.lLlxe4 fxe4 11.gbl 'lNe8 12.b3 tDh7 13.f3 17.J.e3 h5 14.a3 tDc5 15.'lNc2 J.h6 16.tDb5 17.cS 'lNh4 18J�b3 ga2 19.9c3 tDa6 17.b4 axb4 18.axb4 f5 19.J.f2 �h6 20.hh6 'lNxh621.c xd6 cxd6+ 'lNe7 20.0-0 h4f± Panno - Kava­ Karayannis - Bologan, Xanthi lek, Wijk aan Zee 1978. 1991. After11 .a3, Black can continue

17 ••• 'lNh4 18.'lNd2 J.g4 19. with 11... 'lNe8, transposing to the J.xg4 'lNxg4+ Black's extra pawn main lines, but he can also try a cannot be easily converted into a tactical operation: 11 ...h5 12.gbl full point, but he has his chances, (12.J.g5�e8 13.b3 tDh7 14.J.e3 h4 Bacrot - Kritz, Mainz 2004. 15.gbl f5 16.f3,Kiss - Vlcek, Slo­ vakia 1999, 16 .. .f4 17.J.f2 h3 18.g3 E) 8.J.g5 fxg3 19.hxg3 .ih6, with a slight edge for him.) 12 ....ih6 13.f3 (13. tDf3 a4 14.J.xf6 'lNxf6 15.tDxa4 ixa4 16.'lNxa4 tDc5 17.'lNc2 'lNf4 18.g3 - 18.J.d3 f5 - 18 ...�xe4 19.'lNxe4 tDxe4+ Titz - Brunner, Munich 1992) 13 ...ixd2 14.'lNxd2 tDxe4! 15.tDxe4 �xh4 16.g3 'lNe7 17.�h6 J.f5 18.J.d3, Krijgelmans ­ Hausrath, Belgium 1997, 18 .. .f6+

8 •••h6 9.J.h4 White retreats usually his bishop to this square. If 9.J.e3, then Black continues with the chase: 9 ...tDg 4 1O.J.clf5 (1O ...tDa6 l1.h3 lLlf6 12.J.e3 - see 8.h3) 11. exf5 gxf5 12.g3 tDa6 13.tDh4 tDc5 14.0-0 e4 15.tDxf5 tDxf2 16.tDxh6 .txb6 17.gxf2 gxf2 18.hh6 gU, but despite his extra exchange, the E1) 1l •••lLlc5 prospects are balanced, Volzhin - E2) 11••• 'lNe8

241 Chapter 22

El) 1l •••tLlc S 12.ti'c2 14••• h4 IS.Aft ltJhS 16.g3 Mer 12J�e1 �eB, it is not hxg3 17.hxg3 clear what White's rook is doing on el. Black can counter 12.b3 with an interesting queen-sacrifice: 12 ...ltJfx e4 13 . .hdB ltJxc3 14.�e1 �fxdB 15.ltJb1(15.f3 l:'i:eB 16.@h1 e4 17.fxe4f5 ! 18.�f2 ltJ3xe4 19.1tJxe4 ltJxe4 20.ti'f4 .hal 21.�a1 @g7=; 16 ...f5 17.ltJe4 ltJ3xe4 1B.fxe4 ltJxe4 19.94 ltJg5 20.gxf5 i.xf5 21. h4 ltJh3 22.ti'g3 ltJf400 and the game remains very complicated, L.B.Hansen - van Der Wiel, Wijk It would be worth mentioning aan Zee 1995.) 15 ...ltJxe2 16.�xe2 that Black does not have enough e4 17.ltJd2 �eB (17 .. .f5 1BJ�ad1 squares for kingside maneuver­ g5 19.f4 a4 20.fxg5 hxg5 21.g4 ing. axb3 22.ltJxb3 f4 23.ltJxc5 dxc5 17 •••ti'f6 18.@g2 24.ti'xe4 and White is close to If 1B.f4, then 1B ...ltJxg3 . winning, Gulko - van Wely, Gro­ 18 •••�g6 19.�hl f5 ningen 1994) 1B.ti'e3 (lB.f4 .td4 19 ...g4 20.fxg4 .hg4 21..hg4 19.@h1 e3 20.ltJf3 .hal 2U'!xa1 ti'xg4 22.�h4 �g6 23.�ah1 ltJf4 .tfS 22.ltJe1�e4 23.g3 �aeB+) lB ... 24.@f3 ltJfd3 25 . .hc5± f5 19.�ad1 (19.f3 f4 20.�xf4 e3 20.,ixcS dxcS 21.exfS .txf5

21.ltJe4 e2 22.�fe1 ltJxe4 23.fxe4 22.ltJde4;!; - White has blocked .td4 24.@h1 .hal 25J'!xa1 �fB-+; reliably the bishop on g7 and he 19.f4 ltJd3 20J'!ab1 c5 21.dxc6 can calmly trade the superfluous bxc6 22.ltJf3 c5 23.@h1 a4t) 19 ... pieces along the light squares, a4+± continuing the game with practi­ 12.f3!?g5 (12 ...ti'eB 13 . .tf2 ltJh5 cally an extra piece. 14.g3) 13.M2 ltJh5 14.g3 (14.a3 ltJf4 Rybansky - Beres, Slovakia E2) 1l •.•ti'e8 12.b3 1999) 14 ...ltJf6 15.ltJb3b6 16.ltJxc5 After the prophylactic move bxc5 - Whiteis a bit better. 12.@h1, Black realizes simply his

12 •••gS 13 • .i.g3 hS 14.f3 plan with: 12 ...ltJh7 13.a3 (13.f3 h5 14.h4 ltJg4 15.hxg5 �xg5 16. 14.ltJb3 b6 15.ltJc1 .th6 16.ltJd3 ltJf3�h6 17.ltJh4 .tf6 1B.ltJf5 i.xf5 .te3 17J'!e1 ltJc5 1B . .tfl, draw, Pet­ 19.exf5 h4 20.i.xg4 hxg3 21.fxg3 rosian - Hort, Lugano 196B) 13 ... e4+ Shulman - Fedorov, Ohrid h5 14.f3 .tf6 15.i.xf6 (15 . .tf2 .tg5 2001. 16.b3 c5! 17.dxc6 bxc6, Iskusnyh

242 S. ttJj3 0-0 6.i.e2eS 7.d5as

- Dolmatov, Kemerovo 1995 and h4. Its other idea is less obvious here White could have tried 18.c5 and that is to transfer the passive ttJxc5 19.txc5 . dxc5 20.ttJc4, but bishop on g7 to the queenside. after 20... i.e6 2U�'d6 i.e7!, it 14.f3i.h6 15.l'!bl looks like Black will hold the bal­ 15.l'!a2 i.e3 16.rllhl rllg7 17. ance.) 15 ...ttJxf6 16.b3 V!!e7 17.V!!el V!!bl f5 18.exf5 gxf5 19.b4 V!!g6+± rllg7 18.V!!f2 h4 19.f4 (19.V!!xh4 D.Gurevich - Yermolinsky, Du­ ttJxd5!) 19 ...exf4 20.V!!xf4 h3 21. rango 1992. gxh3 (21.g3!?) 21.. . .txh3 22.l'!f3 15.i.f2 V!!e7 16.l'!a2 rllg7 17.l'!b2 l'!h8 23.l'!e3 l'!ae8 24.l'!gl V!!e5+ l'!h8 18.l'!el h4 19.i.f1 i.f4 20.ttJe2 with an obvious advantage for i.g5 21.ttJc1 tflf6 22.b4 axb4 Black, Gulko - Kasparov, Novgo­ 23.axb4 ttJh5+± G.Gutman - Chu­ rod 1995. prov, Pardubice 2008.

After 12.a3, (without previ­ 15 •••.te3 ously played move b2-b3) Black White maintains an edge af­ has a standard response - 12 ...a4 ter 15 ...f5 16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 i.e3 13.ttJb5 (13.b4!? axb3 14.ttJxb3 b6 18.i.f2 i.xf2 19.M2 f4 20.c5 g5, 15.a4 ttJxe4 16.ttJxe4 f5 17.ttJed2 g5 Lyrberg - Sanden, Sweden 1993, 18.i.g3f4 19.i.h5V!! c8 20.ttJe4 i.f5 21.cxd6 cxd6 22.ttJc4. 21.f3 fxg3 22.hxg3 V!!d7+± Illescas 16.rllhl - Krakops, Bled 2002) 13 ....txb5 16 . .tf2 i.xf2 17.M2 V!!e7 18.b4 14.cxb5 ttJc5 15.f3 ttJfd7 16.b4 axb4 19.axb4 c5 20.dxc6 bxc6 axb3 17.ttJxb3 f5 = Duhr - Klundt, 21.ttJf1, Stiller - Roos, Dresden Germany 1982. 1998, 21...l'!fb822. b5 ttJc5 23.ttJe3

12••• tflh7 13.a3 ttJg5.Both Black's knights are well placed, so he is not worse at all.

E2a) 16 •••.tc5

E2b) 16 •••f5

E2a) 16 •••.tc5 17.V!!c1 c6 17... rll h8 18.ttJa2 (18.i.f2 V!!e7 19 . .txc5 ttJxc5 20.b4 axb4 21.axb4 ttJa4 22.l'!al ttJxc3 23.V!!xc3 b6 24.ttJb3 f5 25.i.d3 ttJf6 26.ttJd2 h4 27.l'!xa8 l'!xa8 28.V!!c2 ttJh5+ Mohammad - Belkhodja, Dubai

13 •••h5 2005) 18 .. .f5 {18 ...g5 19.i.el f5 This is a multi-purpose move. 20.b4 axb4 21.axb4 i.e3 22.exf5 Its idea is evident. Black wishes to i.xf5 23.l'!b3 i.d4 24.ttJc3 ttJf6 25. trap the enemybishop with g5 and ttJb5 i.b6 26.i.f2, draw, Naum-

243 Chapter 22 kin - T.Paehtz, Budapest 1991) This bishop maneuvers like a 19.b4 axb4 20.axb4 .ie3 21.lDc3 shuttle and it is destroying White's gS 22 . .ie1 g4 23.exfS .ixf5 24J3b3, seemingly solid position. Naumkin - Maxion, Ostend 1991, It would be worse for Black to 24 ...gxf3 2S.lM3 .if4 26.ffiJ2 play 18 ...f6 19 ..if2 .bf2 20.13xf2 �g6oo cS 21.lDbS! �e7 22.f4 exf4 23.13xf4 18.'ml2 13ad824. 13bf1 .ie8:t 18.lDa2 cxdS 19.b4 axb4 20. 19.b4 axb4 20.axb4 c5 21. axb4 .ie3 21.exdS, Naumkin - Ye bxc5 lDxc5 22.�c2, Enders - Jiangchuan, Belgrade 1988 (21. Rossmann, Leipzig 1989, 22 .. .fS+t cxdS? 13c8=F) 21.. .fS 22.lDc3 �f7 23.id3 �g7 24.if2 .bf2 2S.13xf2

13fc8 26.13e2lDgS. E2b) 16 •••f5 17.exfS gxf5 18.,if2 .ixf2 19.13xf2 c5 20.lDa2 It is also possible for Black �d8 21.13f1fS 22.exfS .ixfS 23.lDe4 to capture on fS with the bish­ he4 24.fxe4 13xf1 2S . .ixf1 @g7 op: 17... .ixfS 18.lDde4 lDcS 19.b4 26.�e1 lDf6+tVaillant - Degraeve, axb4 20.axb4 lDxe4 21.fxe4 .id7 Metz 2000. 22.13xf8 �xf8= Demin - Lavrov, 18.lDa4 .id4 19. .if2 .ixf2 20. Dagomys 200S. 13xf2 \1;!fd8 21.dxc6?! hc6 22.lDc3 18.f4 lDcS 23.b4 axb4 24.axb4 lDe6=l= 18.b4 axb4 19.axb4 @h8 20. Jussupow - Damljanovic, Saint .id3 �g6 21.\1;!fe2 \1;!fh6+t Topalov John 1988. - Mamedyarov, Wijk aan Zee 18.dxc6 bxc6 19.lDa4.id420 .cS 2008. lDxcS 21.lDb6, Franco Ocampos - 18••• exf4 19 • .hh5 \1;!fe5 20. Sion Castro, Pamplona 1991, 21... lDe2 13a722. lDdc4 �e6+t 20.�c2 \1;!fg7 21. .if3 lDf6 22. .if2 13ae8 23.13be1 lDcs 24.b4 axb4 2S.axb4 .ixf2 26.13xe8 13xe8 27.13xf2 lDfe4 28.,ixe4 lDxe4 29. lDdxe4 13xe4!=FZielinska - Blimke, Czestochowa 1998.

20 ••• lDc5 Black's pawns on fS and f4 only look weak. In fact, they provide his pieces with excellent outposts in the centre. 21.lDf3 \1;!fg7 22.g3 fxg3 23. lDxg3 f4=F Naumkin - A.Kuzmin,

18 •••,id4 ! Moscow 1987.

244 Chapter 23 1.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 g6 3.tLlc3 j,g7 4.e4 d6

5.tLlf3 0-0 6 • .te2 e5 7. 0-0 tLlc6

1O.�4 h5!? (Black protects his knight and he is threatening to trap the enemy bishop on h4 in some variations.) 11.h3 (White has tried in practice numerous moves here, but has not achieved anything real, for example: 11.d5 tlJe7 12.tlJd2 �e8 13.b4 g5 14.�g3 f5 15.exfS .hi5 16.tlJde4 ¥«g6 17. �e1 a5, draw, Fahnenschmidt - Nunn, Germany 1988; 11.dxe5 S.dS dxe5 12.¥«xd8 tlJxd8 13.h3 tlJh6 Black has nothing to worry 14.tlJd5 tlJe6 15.tlJe7 cj;>t7 16.tlJxc8 about after 8.�g5 h6 9 . .hi6 (9. �axc8 17.�fd1 �fd8= Krylov - �c1? exd4 10.tlJxd4 tlJxe4 11.tlJxc6 Klimov, St. Petersburg 1995) tlJxc3 12.tlJxd8 tlJxd1 13J"�xd1�xd8 11...tlJh6 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.c5 �e6 T. Johanssen - Ernst, Bad Ems 14.�a4 �e8 15 . .tc4g5 16 . .tg3cj;>h7 2004) 9 ....hi6 1O.dxe5 tlJxe5 11. 17.he6 �xe6 18.tlJd5 �t7 19.�ad1 tlJd4 tlJc6 12.tlJxc6 bxc6 13.�d2 �g8f± Vera - Ki.Georgiev, Thes­ �g7 14.�ac1 �e6 15.b3 f5 16.exf5 saloniki 1988. .hi5 17.�f3¥«d7f± Mas - Delgado, White usually plays 10.�c1, Paretana 2000. in order not to isolate his bishop The move 8.�e3!? has been from the actions. Black obtains very popular at the beginning of some lead in development and the 90ies and it is still played by he wishes to exploit it immedi­ GMs and IMs until now. Black ately: 1O .. .f5 (1O ...cj;>h8 11.d5 tlJe7 should react in the same fashion 12.tlJg5 tlJh613.tlJe6 he6 14.dxe6 as against the Gligoric system - tlJc6 15.hh6 hh6 16.tlJd5 tlJe7 8 ...tlJg4 9.�g5 f6 and White must 17.�d3;!;draw, L.B.Hansen - Bolo­ choose where to retreat his bishop gan, Stavanger 1992.) 11 . .tg5. This to: is the thematic line for White- his

245 Chapter 23 bishop is activated with tempo. Csoli - Pirisi, Hungary2001 ) 14 ... (We should mention some other h6 lS.�h4 gS 16.hg4 (16.�g3!? possibilities for him too: 1l.dxeS ltlf6 17.f3 ltld4 18.�f2=) 16... fxg4 ltlgxeS 12.exfS ixfS 13.ltlxeS dxeS 17.�g3 ltld4 18.f3 gxf3 19.1tlxf3 14.�f3�e8 lS.�dS \!th8 16.�gS h6 �g4? Burmakin - Bologan, Sochi 17.�h4 ltld4? Cebalo - Nunn, De­ 2004. brecen 1992; 1l.exfS exd4 12.ltlbS 8 ••• ltle7 l:!xfS 13.h3 ltlgeS 14.ltlfxd4 l:!f7 lS.�e3 a6 16.ltlxc6 bxc6 17.ltld4 cS 18.ltlc2 �b7? Bu Xiangzhi - T.Petrosian, Tiayuan 2005; H.dS ltle7 12.ltlgS ltlf6 13.exfS ltlxfS 14.ltlge4 cS lS.dxc6 bxc6 16.�gS �e6 17.ixf6 ixf6 18.ltlxf6 �xf6 19.�d2 ltld4? Djurhuus - van Wely, Gausdal 1992; 14.�d3 ltld4 lS.ltle2 ltlfS 16.ltlg3 c6 17.ltl3e4 cxdS 18.ltlxf6 �xf6 19.cxdS h6 20.ltle4 Ylff7?Farago - Ju.Polgar, Budapest 1991) 1l ...�e8 (I have We need to know a lot of the­ played many times this modestly ory and to memorize numerous looking retreat and I am quite variations nowadays, so there is happy with my results.) 12.dxeS not enough time for second rate (12.exfS gxfS 13.dxeS dxeS 14.h3 lines. I will try to recommend to ltlf6 1S.ltldS Ylff7 16.�e3 h6 17.ltlh4 you short, but effective receipts �e6 18.f4 e4+ Kantsler - Bolo­ how to play against White's side­ gan, Moscow 1991; 12.ltldS Ylff7 lines on move nine. 13.�e7 ltlxe714.ltlg S �e8 lS.ltlxc7

�d8 16.ltlce6 he6 17.ltlxe6 �d7 A) 9 • .i.d2

18.exfS gxfS 19.1tlxf8 l:!xf8 20.h3 B) 9 • .i.e3 ltlh6 21.dxeS heS 22.�f3 b6? C) 9.a4

Lputian - Bologan, Azov 1991; D) 9 • .ig5 12.dS ltlb8 13.ltle1 ltlf6 14.exfS ixfS 1S.ltlc2as 16.ltle3�d7 17.ltlg4 9.l:!b1 as 1O.a3 a4 1l.ltld2 �d7 ltla6 18.ltlxf6 ixf6 19.�e3 e4 12.b4 axb3 13.ltlxb3 b6 14.l:!a1 ltle8 20.�d4 ltlc5 21.ixf6 l:!xf6 22.Ylfd4 lS.a4 fS 16.aS bxaS 17.l:!xaS l:!xaS l:!fS? Murugan - Bologan, Gaus­ 18.ltlxaSYlfa8 19.1tlb3 ltlf6? Brun­ dal 1991) 12 ...dxeS 13.ltldS �f7 ner - Nunn, Nuremberg 1990. 14.ltld2(14 .�d2 ltlxf2 lS.l:!xf2 fxe4 9.h3 ltle71O .e4 ltld711 .�e3 fS 16.�e3 exf3 17.l:!xf3 Ylfd7 18.l:!xf8 12.exfS gxfS 13.ltlgS ltlf6 14.f4 .ih6 \!txf8 19.�f1 \!tg8 20.l:!d1 ltld4? lS.�d2 exf4 16.hf4 ltlg6 17.g3

246 5. CiJj3 0-0 6.i.e2e5 7. 0-0 CiJc6 B.d5 CiJe7

CiJxf4 1B.gxf4 CiJe4 19.CiJcxe4 fxe4 lO.tiJel 20.�e3 �f6? Grachev - Guba­ White transposes to the sys­ jdullin, Samara 2003. tem with CiJe1,with a black knight 9.wh1 CiJd7 1O.g4 whB l1.l'!gl on eB. The inclusion of the not so as 12.i.e3 CiJc5 13.l'!c1 i.d7 14.b3 usefulmove i.d2enables Black to CiJgB 15.CiJd2 f6 16.h4 f5 17.g5 equalize easily. CiJxe4 1B.CiJdxe4 fxe4 19.CiJxe4 CiJe7 The move 10.l'!c1 brought 20.i.g4 CiJf5?Carlsen - Radjabov, disaster to White in the famous Bie1 2006. match Fischer - Taimanov and 9.l'!e1 CiJh5 1O.1O.b4 - see understandably was almost ig­ Chapter 24, variation C. nored by theory. I believe, the move is much better than its rep­ A) 9 . .td2 utation and Black must play very This is another version of the precisely in order to obtain a good system with CiJe1, except that game: 1O .. .f5 11.CiJg5 (11.exf5?! White begins with a move with gxf5 12.CiJg5 h6 13.CiJe6 he6 the bishop and awaits Black's re­ 14.dxe6 \WcB 15.\Wb3 c6!? 16.i.h5 - action. 16.CiJd5? cxd5 17.cxd5 �bB-+ Tal 9".tiJe8 - 16 ...\Wxe6 17.�xb7 CiJf6+ Taima­ 9 ... CiJh5?! 1O.g3 (1O.l'!c1 f5 11. nov - Fischer, Vancouver 1971, exf5 tiJxf5 12.CiJg5 CiJf4 13 . .hi4 exf4 mj1; 11.�b3 WhB!? 12.exf5 gxf5 14.CiJe6 he6 15.dxe6 c6 16.i.g4 13.CiJg5oo Tal; 11 ...b6 12.exf5 gxf5 �e7 17.l'!e1 l'!adB 1B.b4, Wunnink 13.CiJg5 h6 14.CiJe6 he6 15.dxe6 - Klinova, Amsterdam 2002, lB ... �cB 16.CiJd5 \Wxe6 17.CiJxe7 �xe7 i.e5+; after 12.g4, Black plays 1B.c5� Taimanov - Ma.Tseitlin, 12 ...CiJd 4 13.gxh5 CiJxe2 14.�xe2 USSR 1973; 13 ...CiJf6 14.f4 h6 i.g4, regaining his piece) 10 .. .f5 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.c5 CiJfxd5 17.CiJxd5 11.CiJg5 (11.exf5 .his 12.tiJg5 CiJf6 CiJxd5 1B.cxb6 axb6 19.1'!c6 whBoo 13.g4 i.d7 14.f4 exf4 15 . .hi4 \WcB Taimanov - Fischer, Vancouver 16.h3 h6 17.tiJge4 g5 1B . .tg3 tiJxe4 1971, mj3) 11 ...h6 12.CiJe6 he6 19.CiJxe4 CiJg620 .\Wd2\WeB 21. l'!xfB 13.dxe6 �cB (13 ...c6 !? 14.exf5 �xfB 22.l'!f1 �e7 23.i.d3 CiJe5+ CiJxf5 15.f4 e4 16.CiJxe4 hal 17. Ligterink - Landtman, Nether­ �xa1 CiJf6? Pein - McShane, lands 1995) 11 ...CiJf6 12.f3 (There Isle of Lewis 1995) 14.\Wb3 (14. arises a position from the Bayo­ c5 \Wxe6 15.cxd6 cxd600 Geller - net attack, except that White has Minie, Skopje 197B) 14 ...c6 15.f4 played i.d2, instead of b4.) 12 ...c6 exf4 16 . .hi4 g5 17.i.g3 f400 Ftac­ 13.i.e3 h6 14.CiJe6 he6 15.dxe6 nik - Kr.Georgiev, Groningen �c7 16.\Wb3 \WcB 17.l'!ad1 �xe6, 1975; 17 ...i.d4 !?oo Knezevic - Milosevic, Sibenik There is another interesting 2007, 1B.l'!xd6!± move for White, which remains

247 Chapter 23 in the shadow - 1O.b4. There may Sosonko - Nijboer, Netherlands follow 1O ...fS 1U�'b3 .!Df6 12.exf5 1993. gxf5 13.c5 @hS 14.cxd6 cxd6

15J:!ac1 (15 . .!Dg5 h6 16 . .!De6 he6 B) 9 • .ie3 17.dxe6 d5!oo) 15 ....!d7 (15 ...h6 !? 16 . .!Dh4 .id7= Kozma - Uhlmann, Leipzig 1975) 16.a4, Korchnoi - Geller, Moscow 1971, 16 ...a6 != Boleslavsky.

10 •••f5 11.tld3 11.f3@hS 12 . .!Dd3 .!DgS 13.exf5 gxf5 14.f4 e4 15 . .!Df2 c5 16.dxc6, draw, Lechtynsky- Babula, Czech Republic 1995.

1l ••• :fxe4 12.tlxe4 c6 13. ti'b3 13.dxc6 bxc6 14 . .ic3, Akopian Naturally, the bishop on e3 is - Dimitrov, Linares 1996, 14 ...d5 perfectly placed; therefore Black 15.cxd5 cxd5 16 . .!Dxe5 'ffc7 17.f4 should not let his opponent to dxe4 lS.'ffb3 @hS 19 . .!Df7 @gS play calmly .!Dd2,fo llowed by f3.

20 . .!Dh6 @hS 21..!Df7with a per­ 9 •••tlg4 10 • .id2 petual check. 1O . .!g5 h6 11.'!d2 (11 . .!h4 g5

13 •••@h8 12 . .!g3 f5 13.exf5 .!Df6 14.c5 M5 Black takes his king away from 15.'ffb3 .!Dg6 16.'ffxb7 l==1bS 17.'ffxa7 the juxtaposition with White's l==1xb2 lS . .!c4 .!DeS 19.'ffa3 l==1bS 20. queen on b3 and he prepares the .!Db5 h5� Wehmeier - LBelov, powerful counter strike b7-b5. Germany 1991) 11 ...fS 12 . .!Dh4 (12. 14.f4 .!Del.!Df6 13.f3 f4 14. .!Dd3 g515.c 5 14J==1ae1 .!DfS (14... b5? ! 15 . .!Db4 .!Dg6 16.l==1c1 l==1f7 17. .!el h5 lS.cxd6 bxc4 16.hc4 l==1bS 17.'ffa3 'ffb6 cxd6 19 . .!f2 g4f± Oberbichler - lS.b3 cxd5 19 . .!Dxd5 .!Dxd520 .hd5 Arztmann, Feffernnitz 2007) 12 ... 'ffa6, C.Hansen - Bologan, Skan­ .!Df6 13.exf5, Shengelia - Komora, derborg 2003, 21..ib4;!;) 15.i.c3 Cappele Ie Grande 2005 and here .!Df6 16.!Dxf6 . M6 17.dxc6 bxc6 Black had better continue with lS.c5 .!Dd4 19.'ffa4.!f5 oo 13 ...g5 14 . .!Dg6 .!Dxg6 15.fxg6 .!f5=

14 •••b5 15.c5 with equality.

15.cxb5 cxd5 16 . .!Dc3 d4 17 . .!De4 10 •••f5 11.tlg5 d5 lS . .!Dec5 e4+ 11 . .!De1 .!Df6 12.f3 f4 13.b4 g5

15 •••dxc5 16.tlexc5 exf4 14.c5 .!Dg6 15 . .!Dd3 l==1f7 16.cxd6 17.tlxf4 tlxd5 18.tlxd5 gxf1 cxd6 17 . .!e1 .!d7 lS . .!f2 l==1cSf± 19.9xf1xd5 'ff 20.'ffxd5 cxd5= Piket - Long, USA 1990.

24S S,CiJ/J 0-0 6.i.e2e5 7. 0-0 .!tJc6 B.dS.!tJe 7

1l.exfS .!tJxfS 12.!tJe . 4 .!tJf6 13. After 1O.b3 tOhS 1l. .b3 b6 .!gS, Lomineishvili - Topel, Ku­ 12.b4 axb4 13.hb4 .!tJf4 14.aS sadasi 2006, 13 ...h6= bxaS IS.haS %Yd7 16.�el .!tJxe2

1l ••• .!tJf6 12.exfS .!tJxf5 17.�e2 .!a6= White's attack on 12 ... gxfS 13.f4 e4 14 ..!e3 h6 the queenside is harmless in the IS . .!tJh3cS 16 . .!tJf2 .!d717J�bl %YeB absence of his light-squared IB.h3 �hB 19.�h2 �gB 20.�gl bishop, Iturrizaga - Bachmann, hS 21.g3 Wlg6 22.Wld2 .!h6 23.b4 Linares 200B. b600Le jbovich - Katalymov, Dau­ IO ...tOd 7 gavpils 197B. 1O ...b6 !? 1l . .!tJd3 i.a6 12.b3 13.i.d3c5 .!tJd7 13.f3 fS 14 . .!tJf2 �hB IS . .!d2 13 ...c6 !?; 13 ....!tJ d4oo .!tJgB16. exfS gxfS, with an approx­ 14.�hl, Lj ubojevic - Vukic, imately equal game, Evdokimov - Zagreb 1977, 14 ...tOd 4 15.f4 Inarkiev, Dagomys 200B. exf4 16.gxf4 tOd7 17.gxfS .lxf8 1l.tOd3

18 • .!tJe2tOe 5 19.tOxd4 cxd4= 1l . .!e3 f5 12.f3 .!tJc5 13 . .!tJd3 b6 14.b4 .!tJxd3 IS.Wlxd3 axb4 16 . .!tJbS C) 9.a4 �hB 17.Wlb3 .!tJgB 18.Wlxb4 .!tJf6? Korchnoi - Kasparov, Barcelona 19B9. 1l ...f51 2.f3 12.exfS .!tJxfS I3.�a3 tDb6 14.b3 c6 IS.dxc6 bxc6 16.c5, Ftacnik - Nijboer, Hamburg 2005, 16 ....!tJdS 17 . .!tJe4 %Yh4 IB.'!f3 .!tJd4, with a powerfulinitiative for Black. 12 ...�h8 It would be premature for him to close the position with 12 ... f4 13.b3 gS 14. .!a3 b6 IS.b4 axb4 This move looks like a posi­ 16.hb4 .!tJcS 17.aS .!d7 IB . .!tJbS tional mistake at first sight, be­ %YbB 19.axb6 �xal 20.Wlxal cxb6 cause after 21.%Ya3 .!tJcB 22.�al hbS 23.cxbS 9 ...a5 �t7 24.%YaB �b7 2S . .!tJb2 (25. Black has seemingly stopped .!tJxc5 dxc5 26. .!c3 .!tJd6) 25... his opponent's pawn-offensive .!fB 26.%YxbB �xbB 27.�a3 �t7 on the queenside. White succeeds 2B.g3 �b7 29 . .!f1 �c7 30 . .!tJc4 .!e7 however, in advancing in the long 31.tDd2 �f6 32.�aB;!; V.Popov - run b4 and cS withthe support of Amonatov, Sochi 2007. his pieces. 13 •.Ae3 b6 14.Wlbl,Pankov - IO.tOel N.Mamedov, Plovdiv 200B (14.b4

249 Chapter 23 axb4 IS.c!tJxb4 c!tJf6 16.c!tJd3 c!tJeg8 presence of White'slight-squared 17.c!tJf2 c!tJh5 18J�el .th6 19.hh6 bishop. Now, Black's task is much c!tJxh6 20 . .tfl f4 21.c!tJbS gS? easier. 17.l:!c2 c!tJf4 18.YNd2 c!tJxd3 S.Khmelevskyi - Beckhuis, Vien­ 19.YNxd3 g4 20.fxg4f4 21.i.f2 i.xg4 na 2006). Here, Black had to in­ 22.cxd6 cxd6 23.l:!acl a6+ Pelle­ clude at first 14 •••.ta6 15.b3 and tier - Fedorov, Plovdiv 2003. only then continue with 15 ••• c!tJg8 10 • .bf6 with equality. He should consider 1O.i.d2 c!tJd7 ll.YNc1 @h7 12. IS .. .f4 as well. c!tJel fS 13.g3 fxe4 14.c!tJxe4 c!tJfS IS.c!tJc2 c6 16.dxc6 bxc6 17.i.b4

D) 9 • .tg5 c!tJf6 18.i.f3a5 19.i.a3YNc7 20 .YNd2 l:!d8? Golombek - Bronstein, London 19S4. 10 ....bf6 11.b4 c6! This is a pre-emptive move aimed at neutralizing White's pawn-assault on the queenside. 12.gc1 12.a4, I.Belov - Tuzan, Mos- cow 1990, 12 ...aS 13.bxaS cS+ 12 ...a5 13.a3 .tg7 14.YNb3 14.c5 axb4 1S.axb4 .tg4= 14 ...cxd5 15.exd5 b6 16. This move was tested in sev­ l:!fdl axb4 17.axb4 i.d7 eral games by Yannik Pelletier 18.b5!?, Pelletier - Bologan, (Vjacheslav Eingorn played it even Cap D'Agde 2002. (The straight­ earlier.), but I do not like this idea forward approach for Whitewould for White, because he only helps not work after 18.cS?! bxcS 19. the offensive of his opponent on bxcS dxcS 20.d6 (20.i.bS c!tJfS) the kingside. 20... c!tJc 6 and besides the extra 9 ...h6 pawn, Black obtains an access to Black can also try to capture the wonderful d4-square: 21.c!tJe4 his opponent's other bishop: 9 ... c!tJd4 22.YNe3 .ta4 23.l:!fl .tc6 c!tJhS 1O.c!tJel c!tJf4 ll.c!tJd3 c!tJxe2 24J�xc5 i.xe4 2S.YNxe4 YNxd6=t; 12.'lNxe2 h6 13.i.e3 fS 14.f3 gS IS. 18.l:!al l:!xal 19.1:!xal e4 20.c!tJel cS c!tJg6 16.l:!fc1 l:!t7.In general, in c!tJf5+). I had to opt here for 18 ... positions of this type when the g5 19.c!tJa2 g4 20.c!tJel�g6 21. board is fullof pieces, it is not easy �b4 YNg5 22.�c6 e4, ignoring for Black to decide where to place completely White's knight on c6. his second knight and the attack 23.YNb4 i.e5 24 .g3 h5 and Black with f4 and g4 is impeded by the would have a powerfulattack.

2S0 Chapter 24 1.d4 lLlf6 2.c4 g6 3.lLlc3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.lLlf3 0-0 6.i.e2e5 7. 0-0 lLlc6 S.d5 lLle7 9.b4

2002, 12 ...fxe4 13.ttJdxe4 ttJfS?) 11 .. .fS 12.i.c4 fxe4 13.ttJxe4 h6 14.g3 ttJhS lS.ttJfd2 �h8 16.l'!a3 a6 17.cxd6 cxd6 18.bS i.fS 19.bxa6 bxa6 20.Wfe2 Wfd7? Bareev - Amonatov, Sochi 2008. 1O.Wfc2 ttJf4 11.i.xf4 exf4, with the idea to follow with h6, gS and ttJg6,with equality. 1O.ttJd2 ttJf4 (Black should re­ act in the same fashion against This is the so-called Bayonet ttJe1 as well.) 11.i.f3 fS 12.a4 �h8 attack. White starts an immediate 13.ttJb3gS 14.exfS ttJxfS 1S.g3 ttJh3 queenside pawn-offensive and he 16.�g2 ttJh6 17.i.e4 ttJg4 18.l'!a2 hopes to survive his opponent's �e8 19.f3ttJf6 20.i.b1WfhS 21.� hl attack against his king. i.d7ooSosonko - Nibojer, Amster­ 9 ...lt)h5 dam 1996.

A) IO.eS A) IO.e5 B) IO.g3 Now, Black has a pleasant C) IO.�el choice between 1O .. .fS and 10 ... ttJf4. 1O.�b3 �h8 11.cS h6 12.a4 fS IO ...lt)f 4 - see 1O.cS. 10 .. .fS 11.�b3 (11.ttJd2 ttJf4 12. 10.a4 ttJf4 11.cS (11.aS h6 12. cxd6 cxd6 13.ttJc4 �h8 14.i.f3 i.d2 ttJxe2 13.Wfxe2 fS 14J'01acl Wfc7 lS.Wfb3 i.d7 16.i.d2 l'!ac8 17. gS lS.exfS i.xfS 16.ttJe4 i.g4 17. ttJe3 fxe4 18.i.xe4 ttJfS 19.1'!fe1 l'!c3 ttJg6 18.h3 i.fS 19.1'!d1 ttJf4 ttJd4 20.Wfb1 �d8? Chibukhchi­ 20.i.xf4 exf4? Lobron - Golu­ an - Amonatov, Yerevan 1996; bev, Internet 2004; 11.i.a3 fS 12. 11.ttJgS ttJf4 12.i.xf4 exf4 13. ttJd2,Weiss - V.Rajlich, Budapest eS i.xeS 14.l'!c1 �h8 lS.�d2 as

251 Chapter 24

16.cxd6 Wlxd6 17.bxaS c6f! Bunz­ fxg3 19.hxg3�g6 20.@g2 f5f!Lau­ mann - Degraeve, Bethune 2002; ritzen - Delchev, Benasque 1996.

12.J.c4 h6 13.tDe6 he6 14.dxe6 13 .••g5 14.�c4 a6 15 • .th5 fxe4,Samarin - Jarasz, Mikolajki 1S.a4 tDg6 16.exd6 exd6 17. 1991, 1S.tDdS tDfxdS 16.,ixd5 c6 as l3e8 18.h3 l3b8 19 ..!hS tDeS 17.cxd6 tDxdS+) 1l ...h6 12.a4 @h8 20.tDxeS l3xeS 21.J.f3 b6 22.tDe2 13J:�d1, I.Sokolov - Piket, Gron­ bxaS 23.tDd4, draw, Keene - Gli­ ingen 1992, 13 ...fxe4 14.tDxe4 J.fS gorie, Bad Lauterberg 1977. 1S.Wlc4 tDf4,with equality. 1l.hf4 1l.J.c4 @h8 12J�e1 J.g4 13.h3 J.hS14.W f5 1S . .ixf4 exf4 16J3c1 as 17.a3 axb4 18.axb4 J.xf3 19.gxf3 fxe420J3 xe4 tDfSf!Av .Bykhovsky - Avrukh, Beer-Sheva 1996. 1l.tDd2 fS 12.f3 tDxe2 13.Wlxe2 f4 14.tDc4 gS 1S . .ta3 l3f6 16.bS tDg6f! Commons - Gligoric, Lone Pine 1975.

1l••• exf4 12.lilcl

12.Wld2 J.g4 13J3ac1 J.xf3 14. 15 •••b5 16.�a5 .ie5 17.�e2 .txf3 gS 1S ..tg4 tDg6 16.l3fd1 Wle7 dxc5 18.bxc5 c6 19.�xc6 �xc6 17.cxd6 cxd6 18J3e1 a6 19.a4 l3ae8 20.dxc6 'i'f6 21.h3 .ie622. Wlc2 20.@f1 tDeS 21..tfS f3 22.g3 g4f! lilac8 23.�c3 .b:c3 24.Wlxc3 Larsen - Gligorie, Lugano 1970. Wlxc3 25.lilxc3 lilxc6+ Legky - 12.�b3 h6 13.l3ad1 gS 14.eS Bologan, Sevastopol 1997. dxeS 1S.d6 exd6 16.l3xd6 Wle8 17. h3 tDfS 18.l3dd1 e4 19 . .tbS Wle7 B) 10.g3 20.tDxe4�xe4 21.l3fe1 tDe322 .J.d3 Wle6 23.fxe3 Wlxb3 24.axb3 J.c3f! Najer - Kotsur, Elista 2000.

12••• h6 13.tDd2 13.h3 gS 14.a4 tDg6 1S.aS l3e8 16.tDd2 fS 17.exd6 cxd6 18.exfS J.xf5 19.tDbS J.b2 20.l3e4 tDeS 21. l3e2 he2 22.Wlxe2 a6 23.Wlxb2 axbS 24.hbS �f6 2SJ3b1 l3e7f! Sosonko - van Wely, Amsterdam 1995. 13.tDd4 @h8 14.l3e1tDg8 1S.a4 a6 16.Wld2 �f6 17.tDf3 gS 18.g3 The plusses and minuses of

252 5. rtJ,tJ 0-0 6.j,e2 e57. 0-0 rtJc6 B.dSrtJe 7 9.b4 rtJh5

this move are evident. Whitecov­ Bl) 12 •••f4 ers the f4-square, but he weakens B2) 12 •••c6 his king.

10 •••f5 11.c�:Jg5 B1) 12 •••f4 This is a standard plan for This move was considered the White in the Classical system: best for Black for a long time, but his knight is headed for the e6- after 's improve­ square, forcing Black to exchange ment Black had to study the line his light-squared bishop. He will with 12 ...c6 much more seriously. have great problems attacking 13.b5 without it, but he can try to encir­ 13.rtJe6 he6 14.dxe6 fxg3 cle and capture White's pawn on 15.hxg3, Cole - Jensen, Aarhus e6. It all comes to the eternal di­ 1993, 15 ...�c8 16.rtJd5 �xe6 17. lemma - what is more important rtJxc7�h3 = with a perpetual. in chess - spirit or matter, the In case of 13.c5, Black should pawn or the initiative? react with the forced line: 13 ...fxg3 1l.rtJd2 rtJf6 12.c5 f4 13.rtJc4 14.hxg3 h6 15.rtJe6 he6 16.dxe6 .ih3 14J!el rtJc8 15.a4 h5 16.�d3 d5 17.exd5 rtJfxd5 18.rtJxd5 rtJxd5 rtJg4 17.rtJdl rtJh6 18J!a3 j,g4 19. 19.j,c4 c6 20.e7 �xe7 21..ixd5 .ifl rtJe7 20.h3 j,c8 2U3b3 g5+t cxd5 22.�xd5 %!It7, with equality, Sosonko - Kavalek, Waddinxveen Barucker - Wagner, COIT. 1989. 1979. 13.�g2 c6 14.�d3 (14.b5 c5

1l •••rtJf6 12.t3 15.�d3 rtJe8 16.rtJe6he6 17.dxe6 12.j,f3 f4 13.c5 @h8 14.cxd6 �c8 18.rtJd5 �xe6 19.1'!dl h5+ Mi­ cxd6 15.b5 rtJe8 16.rtJe6 he6 17. chelakis; 14.Wfb3 h6 15.rtJe6he6 dxe6 �c8 18.�b3 CiJc7 19.j,a3 16.dxe6 �c8 17.l'!dl l'!d8 - 17... �xe6 20.%!Ixe6 rtJxe6 21.hd6 l'!t7 �xe6 18.l'!xd6 - 18.rtJd5? cxd5 22.j,e2 rtJc8 23.j,b4 rtJd4+t Hern­ 19.cxd5 %!Ic7!, followed by l'!ac8-+ andez Holden - Lopez Martinez, Fedorov; 18.b5!? %!Ixe6 19.bxc6 Barcelona 2008. rtJxc6=) 14 ... rtJe8 15.c5 (15.rtJh3, Michelakis - Egger, Buenos Aires 1992, 15 ...cxd5 16.cxd5 j,d7 17. rtJf2 g5 18.g4 h5+t) 15 ...rtJxd5 16. exd5 �xg5 17.dxc6 (17.rtJe4 %!Ie7 18.dxc6 dxc5 19.�c4 @h8+t) 17 ... bxc6 18.rtJe4 �h6 19.cxd6 .ih3 20.�hl .txfl21..txfl l'!d8+t

13 •••h6 14.rtJe6 .lxe6 15. dxe6 fxg3 16.hxg3 1:Yc8 17. rtJd5 There begins a more or less

253 Chapter 24 forced play: Black's threats seem �f6 30.ge1 �g4 31.%Yd3 (31. to be very dangerous, but pres­ �xc5 Wixe4=) 31,..b6 32.rJlcU - ently, with the help of the com­ White'sadvantage is doubtless. puter, all kinds of attacks may be neutralized. B2) 12,..c6!?

17 •• .'lbe6 18.�xc7 �h3 19. gf2 �xe4

13.J.e3 13.b5 c5 14J'lbl lZle8 15.rJlg2 f4, 20.:fxe4 with an unclear position. This is the improvement we 13.rJlg2 lZle8!? 14.Wib3 lZlc7 15. mentioned. In general, Van Wely c5 (15.dxc6 bxc6 16J'idlrJlh8 17.c5 is a very principled player and d5 18.exd5 cxd5 19.b5 h6 20.lZlh3 he never gives up studying and Wie8f±) 15 ...cxd5 16.lZlxd5 lZlexd5 playing variations if he believes 17.!c4 !f6 18.cxd6 Wixd6= Muru­ in their positional correctness. At gan - Wood, London 1993. first, he tested here 20J�h2, but 13,..J.h6 14.rJlh1 14:�d2 lZlh5 that ended up badly for him after: 15.f4 exf4 16.gxf4 fxe4, draw, 20 .. :�d7 21.�xa8 lZlxg3 22.ixh6 Nikolov - Kr.Georgiev, Bulgaria hh6 23J:(xh6 rJlg7 24J':ih2 lZlef5 1988. 14,..�:fxd5! 15.cxd5 f4 25.rJlf2 l'!xa8 26.!d3 Wic7 27.!xf5 16. gxf4 exf4 17.dxc6 hg5 18. lZlxf5 28:�'d3 l'!c8 29.f4 Wic5 30. cxb7 hb7 19.!d4 M6 = Black's rJlf3 e4-+ van Wely - Degraeve, position is quite acceptable, Miles Mondariz 2000. - Kr.Georgiev, Komotini 1992. 20,..gxf2 21.rJlxf2 gfS 22. rJle3�xg3 23.rJld2 gf224.�e8 h5 25.�xg7 rJlxg7 26.�b3 C) 10.ge1 �g2 27.�e3 �g8 28.c5 dxc5 White prepares the retreat of 29.!b2, van Wely - Radjabov, his bishop to f1and he thus reduc­ Dresden 2008, while here, even es the effect of the occupation of in case Black plays the best 29,.. the f4-square by Black's knight.

254 5. 0./J 0-0 6 . .te2 e5 7.0-0 0.c6 B.dS0. e7 9.b4 0.h5

l2 •••c6 He takes the d5-square under control in anticipation of the pen­ etration of the enemy knight to e6. It is also interesting for Black to try 12 ...fxe 4!? 13.0.gxe4 (13. 0.cxe4 0.f5 14.0.xf6 hf6 15.0.e4 0.d4 16 . .te3 0.xf3 17.�xf3 .th4 1B.�e2 .tf5 19.0.c3 .tg5 20.a3 he3 21.�xe3 �t7 22.c5, draw,

Cl) 10 •..f5 Topalov - Gelfand, Novgorod

C2) 10 ..•a5 1996; 14 . .tb2 0.xe4 15.0.xe4 a5 16.b5 b6 17.g3 .td7= Sherbakov

Cl) 10 •••f5 - Balabaev, Karaganda 1999; This is a popular move, but 14.0.e6he6 15.dxe6 0.d4 16 . .te3 both opponents need to know the 0.xf3 17.�xf3 b6 1B.0.c3 �e7 19. theoretical lines very well. The �h3 c6 20.b5 �feB 21.bxc6 �acB=) evaluation of this variation may 13 ... 0.f5 14 . .tg5 a5 15.bxa5 �xa5 change with every game. Look at 16.a4 b6 17.0.b5,El janov - Gapo­ the encounter between Van Wely nenko, Polanica Zdroj 2000, 17 ... and Radjabov. �d7 1B . .td2 0.xe4 19.he4 �aB 1l.0.g5 20.a5 .ta6! 2UWb1 hb5 22.�xb5 H.c5 fxe412.ltJx e4 0.f413.h f4 �xb5 23.cxb5 bxa5 24.ha5 �fcB �xf4 14.0.fd2 dxc5 15 . .tc4 0.xd5 25.�ebl 0.d4 Black should man­ 16.0.b3 c6 17.0.bxc5 �hBooKram­ age to hold this position. nik - Gelfand, Novgorod 1996. 11.0.d2 0.f6 12.a4 a5 13.bxa5 c5 14.0.b3 f4 15 . .ta3 g5 16.h3 0.g6 17.0.xc5 dxc5 1B.hc5 �xa5 19.0.b5 .td7 20.hfB .ixfB 21.d6 �b6oo Brodsky - Degraeve, Cap­ pelle la Grande 2009.

1l •••tLlf6

Cia) l2 . .tfJ Clb) l2.fJ

Cia) l2 • .tfJ Clal) l3 • .tb2

Black should not be in a hurry Cla2) l3 • .te3 to play h6 in this position. Cla3) l3.�3

255 Chapter 24

13J'!:b1 h6 14.l2'le6 .b:e6 1S.dxe6 Black's other plan is connect­ fxe4 16.l2'lxe4 l2'lxe4 17. .b:e4 dS ed with the chase after White's 1B . .tc2 �d6 19.�g4, Bareev - e6-pawn: lS ...�c 7!? 16.�b3 E1adB Radjabov, Sarajevo 2003, 19 ... 17.E1ad1 fxe4 1B.l2'lxe4 l2'lxe4 19. e4 20.E1d1 �eS 21..tb2 �bB! with .b:e4 �cB 20.�h3 E1f6 21.cS!? equality. (21..tc2 E1xe6 22.f4 E1fB 23.cS dS 13.bS cxbS 14.cxbS h6 lS.l2'le6 24.fxeS, Paschall - Karatoros­ .b:e6 16.dxe6 fxe417.l2'lx e4 l2'lxe4 sian, Budapest 2004, 24 ...hS 1B . .b:e4 dS 19 . .ta3 dxe4 20.�xdB 2S.E1f1 E1xf1 26.E1xf1 .b:eS 27 . .b:eS E1fxdB 21..b:e7 E1eB 22 . .tcS E1xe6 E1xeS 2B.�xcB l2'lxcB 29 . .b:g6 23 . .te3(23.E1 xe4 a6 24.bxa6 E1exa6 l2'le7=; 2S.E1d3 l2'lfS 26.E1f3 E1e7 2S.a3 .tfB 26.MB, draw, Pelletier 27.E1ef1 E1et7 2B.a4 �e6 Black - Radjabov, Kerner 2007) 23 ... has equalized completely.) 21... a6! 24.b6 .tf6 2S.g3 .tgS! and af­ �xe6 22.cxd6 E1xd6 23.E1xd6 ter the trade of the bishop, there �xd6 24.�b3 @h7. The following arises an equal rook and pawn exemplary variation illustrates endgame, Lautier - Ivanchuk, that he has sufficient resources Calvia 2004. to maintain the equality: 2S.E1d1 13 . .ta3!? h6 14.l2'le6 .b:e6 IS. �c7 26.�c2 E1d6 27.h4 @hB 2B. dxe6 fxe416 . .b:e4 l2'lx e4 17.l2'lxe4 �e2 �d7 29.E1xd6 �xd6 30.hS dS 1B.l2'lcS �d6 19.12'lxb7�xe6 20. gxhS 31.�xhS �xb4 32 . .b:eS �e1 bS, Kramnik - Grischuk, Moscow 33.@h2 �xe4 34.�xh6 �h7= (blitz) 200B, 20 ...E1aeB 21.bxc6 16.l2'lxe4 �xc6 22.l2'ld6 E1dB 23.cxdS �a6 It is worse for White to play 24.l2'lbS �xbS 2S . .b:e7 E1xdS= 16 . .b:e4, since Black succeeds in advancing 16 ...dS 17.cxdS (17 . C1a1) 13 . .th2!? h6 14.l2'le6 .td3 e4 1B . .tfl �b6 19.E1b1 l2'lhS .b:e615.d xe6 20.cS �c7 21.bS, Bareev - Radja­ boy, France 2003, 21...l2'lf4=t) 17... cxdS 1B . .tc2 e4! (lB ...�d6 19 . .tb3 �xe6 20.l2'la4, Tukmakov - Hu­ lak,Tucepi 1996, 20 ...l2'ld7 21 .�d2 e4 22 ..b:g7 @xg7 23.E1ad1 l2'lf6 24.l2'lcS �b6 2S.f3GG Tukmakov) 19.12'la4 (19 . .tb3 �b6 20.E1c1 @h7 21.bS �xe6 22 . .ta3 E1adBoo) 19 ... b6 20.f3 exf3 21.�xf3 �d6+, fol­ lowed by l2'le4 and Black obtained a slight edge in the game Mista - Antoniewski, Trzebinia 199B.

15 ••. fxe4 16 .•. l2'lxe4 17.E1xe4

2S6 5. liifJ 0-0 6.J.e2 e57. 0-0 lLlc6 8.d5 lLle7 9.b4 lLlhS

White achieves nothing much Austria 2005, 22... gac8 ! 23 • .teS after 17.J.xe4 d5 Peek - David, (23 . .tg7 '\Mfxbl 24.�xbl @xg7 25. Amsterdam 2000. h4 b6oo) 23 ...ti'a3 ! (Black at­

17 •••dS 18.cxdS tacks the c1-square.) 24.ti'd2

18J'!el�d6 19.b5�xe6 20.cxd5 �h7 2S.gxb7 ti'el26 • .td1ti'xd2 cxd5 2U{fb3 �f722.� adl �f5+ 27.gxe7 �g8 28.gg7 with a per­

18 •••cxdS 19.heS!? petual. This positional exchange-sac­ rifice is like an identity card of C1a2) 13 • .te3 this variation.

19 •••heS 20.heS Vb6

21• .tb2 21.�d2 �xe6 22.�el �xf3 23. gxf3 lLlf5+ Kallai - Barbero, Bern 1997.

Black should exchange on d5 immediately in this variation: 13 ...cxdS 14.cxdS and continue only later with 14 ...h6 1S.lLle6 .be6 16. dxe6 fxe4 17.lLlxe4 lLlxe4 18.

21 •••�xb4 ! he4 dS 19 • .ic2 Black's only chance is to play 19.J.c5 dxe4 20.'\Mfxd8 �fxd8 actively. At first, he must prevent 21.J.xe7�e8 22.J.c5 �xe6 23.�e4 White's set-up J.b2+�d4 and sec­ gd8 24.h4 (24.J.xa7 i!a6 25.J.e3 ondly he must create threats him­ i!xa2 26.i!c1 i!c2 27.i!al @f7= self. A.Spielmann - N ataf, France In the first game, in which 2004) 24 ...a6 25.a4 i!d5 26.J.e3 this variations was played, there i!c6= The weak pawn on e5 is ir­ followed 21...@h7 22.�e2 (22. relevant in this position, because '\Mfd2!?) 22 ...d4 23.h4 �f6 24.�el of the reduced material, Gyimesi '\Mfxb4 25.a3 �d6 26.h5!t with a - Baklan, Tusnad 2005. powerfulinitiative for White, Shi­ 19 ...b6 20.�g4 rov - Radjabov, Linares 2004. 20.b5 '\Mfd621 .J.c1i!ad8 22.J.b3 22.gb1, Rudolph - Pantaleev, @h7 23.a4 �xe6 24.J.a3 i!d7-F

257 Chapter 24

Malakhatko - Sivokho, Polanica 2S.Wlh4 .tf6, draw, - Po­ Zdroj 1999. nomariov, Shenyang 2000. 20.i.a4 Wld6 21.i.d7 Wlxb4 22. 23.l:!cl Wld6 24.l:!edl, Gerzhoy l:!bl Wlh4 23.f3 l:!f5 24.i.f2 '!!;Vf6 - Rajlich, Budapest 2002, 24 ... 25.i.g3 h5 26.h3 l:!fS 27.rJ<>hl '!!;Vg5 '!!;Vxb4 25.l:!c7 h5 26.'!!;Ve2 (26.'!!;Vh3 2S.i.h2 e4+ Malakhatko - Jenni, a5 27.g4 hxg4 2S.'!!;Vh4 l:!eS29 . .tg5 Istanbul 2000. e3!?) 26 ...'!!;V d6 27.l:!xe7 Wlxe7 2S.

20 •••e4 2U:!:adl '!!;Vc7 22• l:!xdS l:!xdS 29..txdS l:!cS30.g3 M6=

.tb3 23 •••l:!afS 22.i.a4 l:!f5 23.i.d7 l:!afS 24. 23 ...Wlc6 !? '!!;Ve2 i.e5 25.h3 .ih2 26.rJ<>hl i.f4 24.gedl Wlc6 25.h4 rJ<>h726. 27.i.d4 i.e5 2S . .te3 .tf4 29 . .td4 gc2 '!!;Vxe6= S.Savchenko - Po­ .te5 30 . .te3, draw, Shariyazdanov nomariov, Alushta2000. - Iskusnyh, Tula 1999.

22 •••!U5 Cla3) 13.'!!;Vb3

Theory has gone too far in this 13 •.•h6 14.c!De6 he6 15. line. 22 moves have been played, dxe6 Wlc816.g dl but this is just the introduction. Black should not be afraid of White has tested in practice nu­ 16.b5 Wlxe6 17 . .ta3 c5!? IS.exf5 merous alternatives here. gxf5 19.hb7 l:!abS 20. .tf3 (20 . .td5 23.gd2 c!Dfxd5 21.cxd5 Wlf7+Korobov -Yev­ 23.Wle2 l:!afS 24.l:!fl, draw, seev, Sochi 200S) 20... e4 21..te2 Radjabov - Moreno, Pamplona c!Dc6! 22 . .tb2c!Dd 4 23.Wldlc!Dd 7+ 2002. White's only attempt to hold 23 . .td4 hd4 24.l:!xd4 Wlc3 25. on to his pawn with 16.c5 can be Wldl l:!afS= Iskusnyh - Motylev, countered by Black with 16 ...fxe4 Moscow 1999. 17.cxd6 exf3 IS.dxe7 l:!eS 19 . .tb2 23.l:!e2 h5 24.Wlh4 .tf6 25.Wlg3 (19.gxf3 l:!xe720.l:! xe5 c!Dh521.l:! e3 .te5 26.Wlh4 .tf6 27.'!!;Vg3 .te5 c!Df4 .22 .tb2 fS '!!;V 23.l:!ael '!!;Vf6+

25S 5.&iJf3 0-0 6.ie2 e57. 0-0 ttJc6 B.dS ttJe7 9.b4 ttJh5

White's extra pawn is immate­ 18.ia3. There arise original posi­ rial, moreover that Black can tions after18 ...ttJxc6 19.exf5 Vlfxf5 recapture the e-pawn at some 20.Vlfxb7ttJd 4 21.id5 @h7 22.ie3 moment.) 19 .. J!xe7 20J!xe5 Vlfc7 gab8 23.Vlfxa7 gb2 24.@h1, Bac­ 21J'!ee1 fxg2+Pelletier - Inarkiev, rot - Radjabov, Tripoli 2004, Istanbul 2003. 24... ttJc2 (24... ttJxd5 25.cxd5 gc2 16.ia3 Vlfxe6 17.l'!ad1 l'!fd8 18. 26.Wlb6 l'!c8 27.ttJb5;!;) 25.l'!ab1 b5 @h7 19.1'!d2 (19.bxc6 bxc6 20. ttJxe3 26J'!xb2 ttJxd127. ttJxd1 Wld3 Vlfa4 f4 21.l'!e2 l'!d722 .l'!ed2 l'!ad8, 28.ttJe3ttJxd5 29.cxd5 gc8= this line transposes to 19.1'!d2 gd7 18 •••@h7 19.bxc6 20.l'!ed1 l'!ad8 21.bxc6 bxc6 22. 19.9ab1 gd7!? 20.bxc6 ttJxc6 Vlfa4 f4) 19 ...l'!d7 20.bxc6. White 21.exf5 Vlfxf5 22.ixc6 bxc6 23. must play like this, since Black �d6 gad8 24.c5 e4= and Black was threatening c5. 20 ...bxc6 21. has nothing to worry about. ged1 gad8= Eljanov - Radjabov, 19 •••ttJxc6 !? Moscow 2005, with an approxi­ 19... bxc6 20.Wlb7 gab8 21.Wla6 mately equal position. White has ttJe8! 22.gab1 �b1 23.gxb1 ttJc7 compensation thanks to his more 24.Wla4 fxe4 2S.ttJxe4 d5 26.ttJc5 active pieces, but Black has every­ Wlf500 thing reliably protected. 20.exfS VlfxfS 21.Wlxb7 �d4

16 •••gd8 17.b5 22.hd6 gac8 23.�b5 �xf3 17.c5 fxe4 18.cxd6 exf3 19.dxe7 24.Vlfxf3 Vlfxf3 25.gxf3 a6 The gxd1 20.Wlxd1 Vlfxe6 21.Wld8 @h7 quick draw is the most probable 22.gxf3 Wlg8 23.Wlc7 Vlfc4 24.id2 outcome here. ge8+ Kallio - V.Kotronias, Ba­ tumi 2002. Clb) 12.f3

17 •••Vlfxe6

12 •••c6 13.@hl 18.ia3 13.ie3h6 14.ttJe6ixe6 15.dxe6 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.ia3 @h7 - see Vlfc7 16.gb1 (16.Vlfb3 gfd8 17.b5

259 Chapter 24

�c8= Black wins a pawn, while lDcxd5 22. .ic4 Vlic7 23.hd5 l:!fd8 his opponent still has the ini- 24 . .ic4 l:!xdl 25.Vlixdl �xc5 26. tiative, but he cannot create any .ib3;!; Mraz - Spitz, COIT. 2004. serious threats.) 16 ...l:!fd8 17.b5 �c8 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.�a4 'it>h7 20.l:!edl �xe6 21.l:!b7 l:!d722 .�a6, Komljenovic - A.Kuzmin, Be­ nasque 1999, 22 ...h5 !?, Black begins his kingside counterplay, while White's pressure against the d6-pawn is not effective at all: 23.l:!xd7 Vlixd7 24.�c5 lDc8 25.hd6 lDxd626 .c5 .if8=

13••• h6 14.lDe6he6 15.dxe6

2o.lDxdS! This very sacrifice has forced Black to reconsider the evaluation of the variation with 15 ...lDe8. White achieves less with 20.a4 a6 21.l:!adl (21.lDxd5 lDcxd5 22.l:!adl �c6 23.J.c4 l:!fd8 24. he5 he5 25.l:!xe5 lDf6 26. l:!eel, van Wely - V.Kotronias, War­ saw 2005, 26... 'it>g7+) 21... l:!d8 22.lDxd5(22 .b5 'it>h723 .J.a3 lDxe6

Clbl) lS •. .tl:Je8 24.lDxd5 lDxd5 25J'ixd5 lDd4 26. Clb2) lS... �c7 l:!xd8 �xd8 27.�b1 axb5 28. axb5 lDxe2 29.l:!xe2 Vlia5 30 . .ic1 �c3oo;

Clbl) lS •••lDe8 24.bxa6, Bareev - Topalov, Dort­ 'This is an interesting attempt mund 2002, 24 ...bxa6 25.ha6 by Black to recapture the pawn lDd4 26.�a2 �d7 27.�b5 lDdc6=) with the knight. 22 ...lDcxd5 (22 ... l:!xd5 23 . .ic4 16.�3 lDc7 17.cS! l:!xdI 24.l:!xdl Vlib825. l:!d7.if6 , van 'The position is opened now Wely - Stellwagen, Leeuwarden and White is better prepared for 2005 and here Loek overlooked this. the possibility of the double strike

17••• dS 18.exdS cxdS 19.J.b2 - 26.Vlie3±) 23 . .ic4 �c6 24.he5 �e8 he5 25.l:!xe5 lDf6 26.l:!d7 l:!fe8 19 ...b6 !? 27.b5 axb5 28.axb5 Vlic8 Black 19... a5 20.l:!adl axb4 21.lDxd5 still holds the position.

260 S,CiJj3 0-0 6 . .ie2 eS 7. 0-0 lLlc6 B.d5 lLle7 9.b4 lLlh5

20••• lLlcxd5 21.gad1 c.!lh7 b6 16 . .ib4 .ia6 17.lLlbS'i'd7 1S.a4 22.Ac4 lLlf6 23.he5 b5 24.Afl E!feS 19.E!ec1 lLlxdS 20.exdS e4; a6, van Wely - V.Kotronias, 16 . .ixe7'i'xe7 17.lLlbS E!aS1S .'Wc4, Goteborg 200S. It is more than Pelletier - Bologan, France 2007, obvious that White has excellent 1S ....id7+) 13 ....tg4 14.h3 .txf3 compensation. He has two passed 1S.'Wxf3, Black has the remarka­ pawns for the piece and wonder­ ble resource 1S ...cS ! with the idea fulsquares for penetration on the 16.dxc6 lLlxc6 17.a3 It:le6= d-file. There may follow: 25.c.!lgl 1l ... gxa5 ga7 26.a3± It deserves a very serious at­ tention for Black to try the idea C1b2) 15 ..:�c7 16.b5 gfd8 of Smirin - the immediate move 17.bxc6 bxc6 18.gb1 'i'c8 19. ll .. .fS. For example:

'i'a4 Wlxe6 20.gb7 a5 21• .te3 About White'smost principled �M7 22.gb6 gc7 23.geb1 lt:ld7= response 12.a4 E!xaS - see 11 ... Black has parried all his oppo­ E!xaS; nent's threats. His position is a 12.lLlgS lLlf4 (12 ...lLlf 6!? 13 . .if3 bit passive indeed, but he should E!xaS 14.a4 I:t>hS 1S . .ia3 fxe4 16. manage to draw without any lLlcxe4 ttlxe4 17.lLlxe4, Flumbort problems. - Nevednichy, Hungary 200S, 17 ... lLlfS 1S.cS lLld4 19.cxd6 cxd6 C2) 10 ...a5 20 . .ixd6 E!xf321.gx f3 E!xdS22 . .icS .id7 23.'Wd3 .ic6�) 13 . .ixf4 (13 . .ifl h6 14.lLlf3 fxe4 1S.lLlxe4 .ig4) 13 ...exf4 14.E!c1 E!xaS 1S.'Wd2 h6 16.lLle6.ixe6 17.dxe6fxe4 1S.lLlxe4 'WaS+and Black has an edge; 12.cS E!xaS 13.cxd6 cxd6 14.E!b1 fxe4 (14... E!cS 1S.E!b3± Mrva - Smirin, Czech Republic 2004) 1S.lLlxe4 lLlf4 16 . .ic4.ig 4f±; 12.lLld2 lLlf6 (maintaining the pressure against the e4-square) 13.cS (White can try to win a 1l.bxa5 pawn 13.exfS lLlxfS 14.lLlb3, but Naturally, it would be more after 14 ...lLld 4 1S . .id2 .ifS 16.E!c1 advantageous for White if Black cS 17.f3 b6� Black obtains good captures on b4. He can play with compensation for it.) 13 ...E!xaS this idea 11..ia3, but following 14.cxd6 cxd6 1S.lLlc4 (Black 11...axb4 12 . .ixb4 ttlf4 13 . .ifl (13. can counter 1S.a4 with 1S ....ih6 cS lLlxe2 14.Wlxe2 dxcS 1S . .ixcS 16 . .ia3.ixd2 17.'i'xd2 fxe4 1S . .ibS

261 Chapter 24 i.fS 19.h3 �a8 20.g4 i.c8 2VLlxe4 fS 17.lLld2 - 17.f3 lLlf6 - 17... lLlf6 lLlxe4 22.�e4 i.d7oc Kramnik - 18.i.d3, Golod - Bologan, Inter­ Smirin, Moscow 2002.) lS ...�a6 net 2004, 18 ...fxe4 19.1Llxe4 lLlxe4 16.lLle3 �a8 17.f3, A.Rychagov - 20.,ixe4 lLlfS=) 13 ...lLlf6 14.lLlh4 Bragin, Voronezh 2002 and here (14.i.d2, Kiselev - Bologan, Mos­ he had better exchange: 17... fxe4 cow 1998, 14 ...h6 !? with the idea 18.fxe4 �aS 19.i.d2 i.h6 20.i.f3 lLld7and fSoc;14.i. fl,Gulko - Fe­ i.d7=with a good game. dorov, Las Vegas 1999, 14 ...lLld7 lS.lLlbS �a6 16.i.b2 h6 17.lLld2 fS 18.exfS lLlxfS 19.i.d3 lLlf6=) 14 ... lLld7lS.g3 fS 16.f4, Bacrot - Bolo­ gan, Enghien-Ies-Bains 1999 and I had to capture on f4 - 16 ...exf4 17.i.xf4 lLleS 18.lLlf3 lLlf7! (other­ wise, White establishes control over the eS-square) 19.i.d3 fxe4 20.lLlxe4 h6, followed by gS, or i.g4. 13.�d2 In case of 13.lLlgS, Black usu­ C2a) 12.a4 ally replies with a counterattack C2b) 12.�d2 13 ...lLlf4 14.i.x f4 exf4 lS.�c1 lLlxdS 16.lLlxdSV4'xgS 17.exfS c6+ Kirusha C2a) 12.a4 - Manakov, St. Petersburg 1999. This is a thematic move for 13.�a3 lLlf6 14.i.f1, I.Sokolov White's plan, since his queenside - Smirin, Dresden 1998, 14 ...fxe4 offensive includes it always. He is lS.lLlxe4 lLlxe416.� xe4 c6= preparing i.a3-b4and cS (if Black 13 .••�f6 14.J.a3 prevents this with b6, White push­ 14.f3 cSf± es as) and he ensures the wonder­ 14 •••b6 15.i.d3 ful a3-square for his rook. lS.exfS, Harikrishna - Fedo­

12 ..•f5 roY, Dubai 2004, lS ...lLlxfS 16. I used to play 12 ...cS imme­ lLlbS (16.i.b4 �a8 17.aS bxaS 18. diately in the past and it was not haS lLld4) 16 ...e4 17.i.b4 �a8 18. refuted: 13.�a3 (Zigurds Lanka �b3 i.h6 19.aS e3 20.fxe3 he3 taught me that in case of 13.lLld2 21.@h1 bxaS 22.�xaS �b8oc lLlf6 14.lLlb3 �a6 lS.�c2, with the 15 .••.th6 idea as, lLla4-b6, capturing the Black exerts additional pres­ light-squared bishop, it would sure against the e4-square. be enough for Black to place his 16.13 knight on d7: lS ...lLld7 16.lLlbS 16.i.b4 �a8 17.lLlbS (17.aS cS)

262 5JiJfJ 0-0 6.ie2 e5 7.0-0 lLlc6 8.d5 lLle7 9.b4 lLlhS

17 ...id7 18.f3 fxe4 19.1Llxe4 lLlxe4 AlexeyFedorov's plan includes 20.fxe4!xbS 21.cxbS @g7 22J:�a3 the improvement of the position lLlg8 23.ie2 �h4= Dydyshko - of the knight, so the g8-square is Mihajlovskij, Minsk 2006. freed for it and later Black will ad­

16••. fxe4 17.c!Odxe4 vance fS , depending on the situa­ 17.fxe4 lLlg4tt tion .. 17 ...c!OfS 18.ib4 ga8 19.a5 It also deserves attention for c!Oxe4 2 •0 c!Oxe4 him to play here 14 ...lLlh S!? The 20.fxe4 lLle3 21.�e2 ig4 22. idea to retreat this knight to my �b2 �h4� half of the board came to me once 20 ...J.e3 21.@hl J.d4 22. afterhaving a bath. The knight is ga3 bxa5 23.gxa5 gb8= with vulnerable on f4 and it hampers an equal position. the pawn-advance fS. It seemed to me that such slow maneuvers C2b) 12.c!Od2 c!Of4 13.if1 were possible in a closed position like this, for example: lS.g3 ih6 16.lLlbS l'!a6. In case of lSJ�a3, Black can retreat the knight again: lS ...lLlf6 16.lLlbS lLle8. Still, after 17.ib2 fS 18.f4 exf4 19.eS (19.!xg7 lLlxg7 20.eS dxeS 21.l'!xeS id7) 19 ...dxeS 20.!xeS !xeS 2U�xeS, van Wely - Fedorov, Leon 2001, 21... lLld 6 22.lLlb3 l'!a8 23.lLlxc5 lLlxbS 24.cxbS �d6 2S.�d4;t White maintains an edge. He is better too following lS.lLlb3 l'!a6 C2bl) 13 ...c5 16.aS lLlf6 17.lLla4 lLld7 18.id2 (18. C2b2) 13 ...b6 ie3 fS 19.f3 f4 20.if2 hS) 18 .. .fS 19.f3 and then �c2 and lLlb6;t C2bl) 13 ...c5 15.ga3 This move was considered nec­ lS.lLlb3 l'!a616.a S fS 17.g3 lLlhS essary for Black for a long time. 18.exfS (18.f3 fxe4 19.fxe4 lLlg8 14.a4 20.ie2 lLlhf6 21.g4 h6 22.l'!f1 14.lLlb3 l'!a6 lS.a4 fS 16.g3 lLlhS lLlh7=) 18 ...lLlxfS 19.1Lla4 (19.g4 17.ie2 lLlf6 18.igS h6 19.ixf6 l'!xf6 lLld4) 19 .. .'!Wf620 .l'!a2 lLlh6ooGran­ 20.aS �f8 2U�a2 @h8 22.lLla4 da Zuniga - Nunn, Leon 1997. fxe4 23.ig4 !xg4 24.�xg4 l'!f3 15 ...c!Og8 16 .c!Ob5 2S.l'!b2 lLlfS 26.�xe4 lLld4ttMala­ 16.g3 lLlh3 (16 ...lLlhS 17.lLlbS) khatko - Golubev, Ukraine 1997. 17.@g2 f6 18.lLlb3 l'!a6 19.aS lLlgS 14 ...@h8 20.h4 lLlf721.lLla 4 fS .

263 Chapter 24

16.tLlf3tLlh6 17.,td2ga6 (17 .. .f6 c5, or f5.

1B.�c1 tLlf7 ..bf'4 19 exf4 20.�xf4 15 •••ga8 16.a5 f5 21.�d2 g5) 18.�c1 .ig4 19 . .txf4 After for example: 16 . .id2, he exf4 20.�xf4 f5� is perfectly prepared to continue

16 •••tLlh6 with: 16 ...f5 17.g3 tLlh5, Markus Black plans to arrange his - G.Horvath, Balatonlelle 2001, pieces according to the scheme: 1B.a5 bxa5 19.tLlxa5 tLlf6 20.f3 c6, ga6, f6, tLlf7, or .id7and �cB. solvingall his opening problems.

17.tLlf3f6 16 •••bxa5 17... ga6 1B . .ixf4 exf4 19.e5 tLlf5 20.exd6 tLlxd6 21.tLld2,Eljanov ­ Fedorov, Dubai 2004, 21...tLlxb5 22.cxb5 gd6 23.,tc4 �a5 24.�c1 ,tf5=

18 • .bf4 exf4 19.�d2 tLlf7 20.�xf4 f5 21.�d2 21.�c1 gaB 22.h3 fxe423.g xe4 .if5 24.ge1 .id7 25.�c2 tLle5 (25 ...�a5 26.ge7 �dB 27.gee3) 26.gee3, Dorfman - Bologan, Belfort 2004, 26 ...tLlxf3 27.gxf3 gxf3 2B.gxf3 �e7� 17.gxa5

21 •••g5 22.g3 f4 23.e5 dxe5 This is a simple and reliable 24.tLlc3 g4 25.tLlh4.if6 26.tLle4 decision. White's attempt to act .ixh4 27.gxh4 ga6 28.tLlg5 too quickly - 17.c5!? would not tLlxg5 29.hxg5 ge8+ Sargissian bring him any dividends: 17... a4 - Fedorov, Moscow 2002. 1B.tLld2 dxc5 19.tLlc4 tLlcB .20 .ie3 tLlb6 21.g3 (21.hc5 tLlxc422 .hc4

C2b2) 13 •••b6 �g5 23.g3 gtbB+)21.. .tLlh322. �g2 This is a veryfresh idea in the �f6 23.tLlxb6 cxb6 24 ..ib5 hb5 theory of this variation. Black 25.tLlxb5 tLlf4+ and Black had the wishes to challenge his oppo­ initiative in the game Zhigalko - nent's straightforward play on the Fedorov, Minsk 200B. queenside. 17•.• l!!l xa5 18.tLlxa5 �b8 19.

14.a4 .id7 15.tLlb3 tLlb5f5 20 • .ixf4 In case of 15 . .ia3, Landa - 20.g3 tLlh5 21.exf5 tLlxf5 22. Maiwald, Muelheim 2009, Black tLlc6 �b6 23.�c2 tLlf6 24. .ig2 .ih6 should transfer his queen to the 25 . .ixh6tLlxh6+ queenside: 15 ...�aB 16.,tb4 ga6 20 •••exf4 21.exfS tLlxfS 22. 17.tLlb5 �b7 1B.ge3 gfaB 19.93 tLlc6 �6= L'Arni - Bologan, tLlh5, followed by tLlf6-eB, f5 and Plovdiv 200B.

264 Chapter 25 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 J.g7 4.e4 d6 5.�f3 0-0 6.J.e2 e5 7. 0-0 �c6 S.d5 �e7 9.�el

1O.�h1 fS 11.exfS gxfS 12.f4 ltJg6 13.g3 exf4 14.gxf4 ltJf6 1S.ltJg2 ttJe4 16.ttJxe4 fxe4 17.a4 ttJe7 18. �a3 ttJfS 19 . .tg4 Wfe720 .�h3 �h8 21.b3 cS? Miles - Romero Hol­ mes, Las Palmas 1996.

A) 10.ttJd3 f5

In principle, the d3-square should be the best for White's knightin this position. It supports from there his both strategically important pawn-breaks - f4 and b4.

9 •..ttJd 7

A) 10.ttJd3 B) 10.£3 1l . .id2

C) 10 • .te3 It is premature for White to play 11.exfS, since Black can react About 1O . .id2 fS 11. ltJd3 , or with 11 ...ttJxfS 12.f3 ttJf6 (12 ...cS 1Uk1 �h8 12.ltJd3 - see varia­ 13.ttJf2 ttJf6 14 . .id3 lDd4 1S.lDfe4 a6 tion A. 16 . .ie3 lDhS 17.g3 lDf6 18.�f2 �b8 1O.g4 fS 11.f3 �h8 12.�g2 19.Wffl lDxe4 20.lDxe4 .if5'tVokac ltJg8 13.gS f4 14.h4 h6 lSJ�h1 �t7 - Oral, Olomouc 1995) 13.lDf2!h6 16.ltJd3 .if8? Giuriati - Nataf, (13 ...lDd 4 14.lDfe4 c6 lS.!e3 lDxe4 Porto San Giorgio 1997. 16.lDxe4 cxdS 17.cxdS .ifS 18 . .id3

26S Chapter 25 he4 19.he4 �b6 20J!f2gac8 = Markus - Polzin, Austria 2006; 14. .ie3 tt'lhSlS.ge1 a6 16 . .ifl cS= Dzindzichashvili - Geller, USSR 1975) 14 . .ixh6tt'lxh6 1S . .id3(l S.g4 tt'lt7 16.�d2 h6 17.h4 tt'lh7, Schulz - Webersberger, Germany 2003, 18.�c2 ctJg719.ctJ g2 �xh4 20.gh1 �e7+) lS ...tt'lfS 16 . .ixfS .ixfs, draw, Markus - Smirin, Plovdiv 2008. The position is simplified after 11.f4, for example: 11 ... 1l••• ctJh8 fxe4 12.tt'lxe4 tt'lfS 13.fxeS tt'lxeS It deserves attention for Black 14 . .igS �e8 lS.tt'ldf2 h6 16 . .id2 to simplifythe position a bit with �e7 17.�c1 b6 18 . .ic3 .ia6 19.b3 the idea to gain access to the d4- gae8= Varniene - Gaponenko, square via fS : 11...fxe4!? 12.tt'lxe4 Halle 2000. tt'lfS 13 . .ic3 (13.f3 tt'lf6 14.tt'ldf2 In answer to the move 11.f3, tt'ld4 lS.tt'lxf6 �xf6 16.tt'le4 �e7 fortifying White's centre, Black 17 . .igS �e8 18.gc1 b6 19.b4 as= should better prepare the appear­ Black succeeded in opening the a­ ance of his bishop to h6 with 11 ... file,Krush - Xie Jun, Xiapu 200S; ctJh8 (I believe that he should not 13.ge1 tt'lf6 14. .if3 tt'ld4 lS.tt'lxf6 play here 1l .. .f4, reducing the ten­ �xf6 16 . .ie4 .id7 17.�c1 cS 18.f3 sion in the centre, since White bS 19.cxbS hbS+ Krush - David, has sufficient resources to parry France 2007) 13 ...aS !? (13 ...tt'lf6 his opponent's kingside attack, 14 . .if3 tt'lh4 -14 ...tt'ld 4!? -lS.tt'lxf6 for example: 12.g4 hS 13.gS h4 �xf6 16 . .ie4.ifS 17.f3 �gS 18.�e2 14.ctJh1ctJt7 1S . .id2 gh8 16.b4 ghS .ih6 19.ctJh1 �e3 20.�xe3 he3 17.gg1 tt'lg8 18.cS a6 19.�b3 gxgS 21.gfe1 .ih6 22.cS;!; with a slight 20.c6 gxg1 21.gxg1 tt'lf8 22.cxb7 edge for White, Ftacnik - Ba­ hb7 23 . .ie1gS 24.bS and Black's nas, Trnava 1983) 14.g4!? (14. defence is very difficult, despite cS?! tt'lf6!=; 14.g3 tt'lf6lS . .if3 tt'ld4 his extra pawn, Miladinovic - 16.hd4 tt'lxe4 17 . .ie3 tt'lf6 18 . .ig2 Korneev, Vrsac 2006.) 12 . .id2 .ifS=; 14.ge1 b6 1S . .if3 tt'lf6 16.gc1 tt'lg8 13.gc1 .ih6 14.b4 tt'ldf6 lS.cS tt'lh4 17.tt'lxf6 �xf6 18 . .ie4 .ifS .id7 16.a4 �e7 17.tt'lf2 a6 18.cxd6 19.9c2 �gS 20. .id2 �g4 21.�xg4 cxd6 19.aS gac8 20 . .ixh6 tt'lxh6 hg4 22.f3 .id7 23.b3 tt'lfS= Ne­ 21.�d2 tt'lt7 22.bS axbS 23.tt'lxbS verov - Darban, Abudhabi 2006) tt'lhS 24.gxc8 gxc8 2S.gc1 �d8= 14 ... �h4! lS.tt'le1 tt'ld4 16.tt'lg2(16. Figuero - Narciso Dublan, Calvia hd4 exd4 17.f4 �e7 18.�c2 c6+) 2007. 16 ...�e7 17.f3 bS!+ Neverov -

266 5. !£Jj3 0-0 6.i.e2 e5 7.0-0 !£Jc6 B.dS !£Je79.!£JeJ !£Jd7

Nevednichy, Nikolaev 1993. Black 1B.b4 !£Jf7 19.E1c1 as 20.a3 axb4 has opened a second front with 21.axb4 he1 22:�xe1 !£Jf6 23.!£Jf2 the help of his wonderful knight @g7 24.E1a1 E1xa1 2S.�xa1 E1hB on d4. Meanwhile, White's king 26.�d1 i.d7 27.!£Jd3 E1h7 2B:�a1 seems vulnerable. !£JgS 29.!£Jf2 hxg4 30.hxg4 E1xh1 12.gcl 31.�xh1 �aB+ This is a wonderful White can hardly achieve example how to play with Black much with 12.b4 !£Jf6 13.f3 hS in this pawn-structure, Lassila - 14.exfS (14.cS f4) 14 ...!£JxfS 1S.!£Jf2 Frolov, Jyvaskyla 1994) 1S ...i.h4 c6oo, followed by cxdS, i.d7, �b6 16.cS, Navarro - Almagro Maz­ with mutual chances, Lutz - Shi­ ariegos, Cordoba 1990, 16 ...he1 rov, Santiago 1990. 17.�xe1 gS 1B.E1c1 hS 19.cxd6 cxd6 He has tried in practice 12.f3, 20.gxhS !£Jdf6 21.!£JbSi.h3 22.E1f2 but in general, he should better E1f7? with a double-edged game; play this move only after!£Jf6. 12 ... 13.b4 hS 14.cS gS 1S.E1c1 !£Jf6 f4 16.cxd6 (16.!£JbS !£JeB 17.1&c2 i.d7 1B.!£Jf2 a6 19.!£Ja3 bS 20.cxb6 cxb6 21.!£Jc4 l:!cB22 .�d1 bS 23.!£JaS E1xc1 24.�xc1 �b6+ Hjartarson - Shi­ rov, Reykjavik 1992; 16.!£Jf2 !£JegB 17.cxd6 cxd6 1B.!£JbS !£JeB 19.a4 - transposing to 16.cxd6) 16 ... cxd6 17.!£JbS !£JeB 1B.a4 (1B.1&c2 i.d7) 1B ...!£JgB 19.!£Jf2 !£Jh6 20.h3 i.f6 21.l:!c3 (21.�b3 i.d7 22.E1c3 �bB 23.l:!fc1i.dB 24.aS a6 2S.!£Ja3 and here: bS=F) 21...E1gB 22.�c2 i.d7 23.E1c1 13J�c1 hS 14.b4 (14.cS !£JxcS g4 24.fxg4 i.h4 2S.i.e1 (2S.gxhS 1S.!£Jxc5 dxcS 16.b4 cxb4 17.!£Ja4 a6 26.!£Ja3 bS 27.i.f3 1&b6 2B.i.e1 aS 1B.�c2 c6? Quiroga - Danos, hh3 29.@h1 i.d7 30.�e2 !£Jf6oo) Potrero de los Funes 1995) 14 ...gS 2S ...a6 26.!£Jc7 !£Jxc727. E1xc7hxg4 1S.c5 !£Jf6 16.!£JbS !£JeB 17.�c2 i.d7 2B.!£Jxg4 hg4 29.hg4 !£Jxg4 1B.!£Jf2 a6 19.!£Ja3bS 20.cxb6 cxb6 30.hxg4 i.g3= Silva - Markovic, 21.!£Jc4 E1cB 22:�d1 bS 23.!£JaS Buenos Aires 1993. E1xc1 24:�xc1 1&b6? Hjartarson ­ (diagram) Shirov, Reykjavik 1992; 12 ...c5 13.g4 !£JgB 14.i.e1 (14.@g2 The alternative here is - 12 ... i.f6 1S.b4 hS 16.h3, Gritsch - !£Jf6 and only after 13.f3- 13... cS, Jurisic, Germany 1991, 16 ...i.h4 for example: 14.g4 (14.dxc6 !£Jxc6 17.cS !£Jdf6) 14 ...i.f6 1S.b4 (1S. 1S.!£Jf2 f4+) 14 ...a6 {14 ...h6 1S.h4 @g2 hS 16.h3 !£Jh6 17.E1h1 i.h4 a6 16.E1b1 !£Jh7 17.@g2 !£JgB 1B.E1h1

267 Chapter 25

arose a typical pawn-structure for this variation, in which Black has the d4-outpost, while his oppo­ nent's possible queenside actions are developing only along the b­ file. 13.f3 f4 14.�b1 hS lS.a3 (lS.b4 cxb4 16.tLlbS tLlcS 17.hb4 b6=) lS ...gS 16.b4 b6 (with the idea tLlg8-h6, Lanka) 17.tLlbS�f6 18.h3 �g6 19.tLlf2 tLlg800 .!f6 19.�el± White has prevented maximally Black's kingside ac­ tions and his queenside offen­ sive is running smoothly, Kozul - Fedorov, Pula 1997) lS.tLlf2 (15. �b1 bS) lS ...h6 16.h4 fxg417.fxg4 tLleg8 18.@g2 tLlh7 19.�h1 .!f6 (Whitehas problems maintaining his control over the squares gS and h4.) 20.gS, Gelfand - Kasparov, Linares 1990, 20 ...!e7! 21..!g4 (21.�b3 !d7) 21 ...hxgS 22.hS �e8

23.hxg6 'I!;l(xg624.�e2 tLlgf6.Black 13 •••exf4 ! seems to defend successfully. Black must make here several 13.f4 non-standard decisions, based on 13.a3 fxe4 14.tLlxe4 tLlf6 lS.f3 concrete tactical variations. tLlfS 16.b4 b6°oLanka. It is weaker for him to play 13 ... 13.b4 cxb4 14.tLlxb4 tLlcS 1S.!f3 tLlg8 14.exfS gxfS lS.fxeS (lS.�c2 .id716 . .!e3b6= Khalifman - Shi­ e4 16.tLlf2 .id4 17.tLlcdl bS 18.b3 rov, Lvov 1990. b4= Kozul - Fedorov, Elista 1998) 13.dxc6 tLlxc6 14.f3tLlc S 1S . .ie3 lS ... tLlxeS 16.tLlf4 tLlf6 17.tLle6he6 tLle6 16.'I!;l(d2 b6 17.�fd1 .ib7 18. 18.dxe6 �e8 19.�c2± tLlel tLlcd4 19.tLlc2 'I!;l(h4 20. .!f2 14.tOxf4 'I!;l(hS 21.exfS �xfS 22.tLlxd4 tLlxd4 14.hf4 hc3! lS.bxc3 (lS.�xc3 23.!e3 �af8f± Akopian - Shirov, fxe4 16.tOc1tOfS 17.g4 gS; 16.tLlel Santiago 1990. tLlfS 17.g4 gS! 18 . .id2 tLld400Black 13.�b1 fxe4 14.tLlxe4 tLlf6 15. dominates two important out­ tLlxf6 (lS.f3 as! 16.g4 tLleg8 17. posts in the centre - d4 and eS tLldf2 tLlxe4 18.tLlxe4 !h6't) 15 ... and he has still an extra pawn, .ixf6 16.b4 b6 17.f3 tLlfS= There so this is more than sufficient

268 5. I£JIJ 0-0 6 . .te2 e5 7. 0-0 I£Jc6 B.d5 l£Je7 9.l£JeJ l£Jd7

compensation for the absence of Bl) 11 •••�f6 his dark-squared bishop and his B2) 11••• �h8 weakened king.) 15 ...fxe4 16.l£Jb2

I£Jf5 17.g4 (17.V;l[c2 g5 1B . .td2 e3) B2) 11 •••�f6 17... g5 1B . .td2 I£Jh4 19J�xfB l£JxfB+ Black plans to close the game He has restricted completely his with f4 in this line. opponent's dark-squared bishop 12.�d3 and has an extra pawn, so he is It is a mistake for White to play clearly better. 12.h4, because of12 ...�d 7!, and he

14 •••,id4 15.�hl �f6 16. loses his g4-pawn. There may fol­ J.d3 low: 13.exf5 gxf5 14.g5 I£Jh5 15.f4 16.exf5 I£Jxf5 17.l£Je6 i.xe6 lB. I£Jxf4 16 . .txf4 exf4 17.l£Jg2 I£Jg6+ dxe6 V;l[e7= Dos Santos - Barahona, Maringa

16 •••fxe4 17.�xe4 �xe4 18. 1991. he4 hb2 (lB ... l£Jf5) 19.9bl 12.l£Jg2 c6 (12 ... h6 13.!d2 c6 J.e520 .�e6 gxfl 21.V;l[xfl he6 14.b4 .td7 15Jk1 fxg4 16.fxg4 cxd5 22.dxe6 �f5= Black is holding 17.cxd5 V;l[b6 1B. �h1 V;l[d4= Ivkov ­ this position thanks to his won­ Udovcic, Yugoslavia 1963) 13J:�b1 derfulbishop on e5. (13 . .te3f4 14 . .tf2 g5, Bertok - F. Portisch, Virovitica 1977, 15.h4 B) 10.f3 h5 16.hxg5 I£Jh7 17.gxh5 I£Jxg5 lB. .th4 .tf6 19.�h1 �g7?) 13 ... cxd5 14.cxd5 .td7 15.!e3 (15 . .td2 �cBoo Nikitin - Stein, Kislovodsk 1966) 15 .. .f4 16.!f2 g5 17.V;l[d3 h5 1B.h3 hxg4 19.hxg4 �f7 20.l£Jb5 hb5 21.�xb5 �hB 22.�bc1 V;l[gB 23 . .te1 V;l[h7= Portisch - Stein, Erevan 1965. In case of 12 . .te3, Black can prevent White's plans with 12 ... c5 13.l£Jd3 h6 14.�h1 �f715 .�gl fxg4 16.fxg4 g5 17.h4, Ovod - This move is connected with Amonatov, Moscow 2007, 17... the paradoxical idea to organize gxh4 1B.g5 hxg5 19.i.xg5 a6 20. a counterattack fromthe position !xh4 b500 of his own king. After the more modest devel­

10 •••f5 11.g4 opment of the bishop - 12 . .td2, About 1l.l£Jd3 �hB - see vari­ Black can try to undermine his ation A; 1l . .te3f4 - see variation opponent's centre with 12 ...c6 !? c. 12 •••h6 !?

269 Chapter 25

12 .. .f4 13.b4 (13.h4! hs?! 14.c!Of2a6! 15 • .te3 14.gs± Pinter - Tibensky, Hunga­ Is.Wg2 bs 16.b3 .id7 17 . .ie3 ry 1991; 13.csoo)13 ...hs 14.gs ltJh7 !!c8°o Kozlov - Gufeld, Ordzhoni­ Is.h4 ltJxgs16.h xgs ltJxds17. ltJxdS kidze 1978.

�xgs 18.Whl, draw, Grigorian - 15 •••wh8 16.Wg2 b5! 17. Yurtaev, Frunze 1979. dxc6, Zaitshik - Podgaets, USSR

13.h4 1978, 17 •••f4 18.J.d2 c!Oxc6 19. 13.cs fxg4 14.fxg4 gs= Greefe cxb5 c!Od4 20 .a4 J.e6and Black - Bouazis, Cleveland 1975. has good compensation for the 13 . .id2 fxg4 14.fxg4 gs Is . .ie3 pawn. ltJg6 16.ltJf2 Yfie7 17.b4 as 18.a3 ltJf4 19 . .if3 hs 20Jkl axb4 21. axb4 !!a3+Henley - Biyiasas, New B2) 1l •••�h8 York 1977.

He is preparing the maneuver

13 •••c6 of his knight g8-f6. 13 ...cs 14.!!bl (14 . .id2 a6 12.c!Og2 Is.!!f2 bs 16.cxbs axbs 17.b4 c4 In case of 12.ltJd3, Black man­ 18.ltJb2 Yfib6+ Polovets - Kon­ ages to block the queenside with dratiev, Leningrad 1974; Is.ltJf2 12 ...as (with the idea b6, ltJcs) wh8 16.Wg2 ltJeg8 17.!!hl ltJh700 13.J.e3 b6 14.b3 (14.gs ltJcS Is.h4 Hanazawa - Kopylov, corr. 1980) c6) 14 ...ltJc S Is.gs ltJxd3 16.J.xd3 14 ... wh7 Is.Wg2 .id7 16.b4 cxb4 f4 17.J.d2 .ih3 18.!!f2 ltJg8+ 17.!!xb4b6 18 . .ie3!!c8 19.ltJf2 !!c7 12.h4 c6 13 ..ie3 ltJf614.a 4 J.d7 20.!!gl ltJeg8 21.a4;l; The actions Is.ltJd3 Yfic7,fo llowed by !!ae8°o on the kingside have come to a 12 . .ie3 ltJg8 13.ltJg2 J.h6 14. stand-still, while on the queen­ .if2 as Is.a3 ltJcSf± 16.b4?! axb4 side White can still continue with 17.axb4 !!xaI 18.Yfixal ltJb319.Yfi dl his initiative, Shtyrenkov - Shul­ ltJd2 20.!!elfxg4 21.fxg4 �f6 22. man, Ostrava 1998. J.g3 ltJf3 23.J.xf3 �xf3+ Moura-

270 5.tDj3 0-0 6 . .te2 e57. 0-0 tDc6 8.d5 tDe7 9.tDel tDd7 tidis - Kotronias, Thessaloniki 13.�b5 b6 14.b4 a6 lS.tDc3 h5 2005. 16.<;!?h1 tDf6 17.c5 g4 18.cxb6 cxb6

12 •••a5 13.h4 �c5 14• .te3 19J'k1 g3� Korchnoi - Ye, Novi �g8 15.gbl Sad 1990. 15.exf5 gxf5 16.g5 f4 17.hc5 13.b4 tDf6 14.c5 tDg6 15.cxd6 dxeS 18.tDe4 tDe7 19.tDxcS tDf5 (15.a4 h5 16.c6 bxc6 17.dxc6, 20.tDe4, Zilberstein - Petrushin, Branch - Steinmeyer, corr. 1961, USSR 1979, 20 ...h6, with a dou­ 17... .te6oo) 15 ...cxd6 16J"k1 gt7 ble-edged position. 17.tDb5 (17.a4 .tf8 18.a5 .td7 19.

15 •••.td7 16 .b3 b6 17.a3 a4! tDb5 g4iPiket - Kasparov, Tilburg 18.b4 �b3+ Black has succeeded 1989) 17... h5 18.�xa7 .td7 19.a4 in occupying the b3-square in a g4 20.a5 g3 21..tb6 gxh2 22.<;!?h1 typical fashion with his knight �e8oo Piket - Spasov, Groningen and it is ready to go to d4 from 1989. there, Pinter - Nunn, Thessal­ It will be also interesting to pay oniki 1988. some attention to the paradoxi­ cal line: 13.g4 fxg3 (Black must open the position, because his

C) 10 • .te3f5 ll.fflf4 12 • .tf2 attack will be too slow, if the cen­ g5 tre is closed.) 14.hxg3 h5 (White is better after 14 ... tDg6 15.tDg2h5 16.tDe3 tDf6 17.tDf5.) 15.�d2 tDg6 16.tDg2 .th6 (16 ...h4 17.g4 tDf4 18.<;!?h2 tDxg2 19.<;!?xg2;!; M.Socko - Kachiani-Gersinska, Wupper­ tal 1998; 16 ...a5 17.tDa4 b6 18.a3 h4 19.94 tDf4 20.<;!?h2 tDf6 21.tDe3 .td7 22.tDc3 a4 23.gtb1gaS 24.b4 axb3 25Jxb3 �e7 26.tDbS tDe8 27. .td1 �t728 .ga2 .tf6 29.a4 .td8 30 . .teU S.Savchenko - Fedorov, Nikolaev 1993) 17. .te3 <;!?h7 18.b4 CI) 13.a4 as 19.a3 b6 20.tDa4 h4!f± C2) 13.�d3 C3) 13.gel CI) 13.a4

Before we start analyzing the CIa) 13 •••�g6 main lines, we must deal with Clb) 13 •••a5 some other not so popular vari­ ations, which may create certain CIa) 13 •••�g6 problems for Black. This is too riskyfor Black, be-

271 Chapter 25 cause his attack is not always suc­ 27.lt>f2 Wlh4 28.1'!fe1 c6 29.�c7 cessful and White ends up with �f5 30.lt>gl �d4 31.Wlf2 1'!xg2 free hands for queenside actions. 32.Wlxg2 1'!g8 33.Wlxg8 It>xg8 and 14.a5 Black's attack is verydangerous. As usual in this variation, you 4) 22 . .td3 c6 23.dxc6 bxc6 have to calculate the complica­ 24.�c2 cxb5 25.cxb5 Wlh1 26.lt>f2 tions to the end in many cases: Wlh4 27.he5 he5 28. .!c4 It>g7 14.�b5 �f6 15.�xa7 g4 16.�xc8 29.a5 hb2 30.1'!a2 �f6 31.�b4 (16.fxg4 �xe4 17.�xc8 �xf2 18. �xe4 32.lt>gl �c3+ l'M2 e4?) 16 ...g3 17.hxg3 �h5 18. 5) 22.�d3 �xc4 23.�xf4 gxf4 exf4, Mietus - W. Schmidt, hd4 24.�xd4 �e3 25.Wlc1 Wlxf4 Polanica Zdroj 1992, 19.�a7 �g3 26.1'!e1 Wlh6 27. .!f1 c5 28.dxc6 20.�b5 Wlh4. You may wonder Wlh1 29.lt>f2 �g4 30.lt>xg3 Wlh2 why I quote such long variations 31.lt>xg4 h5 32.lt>g5 1'!a5!! 33 . .!b5 in this book? I believe the fans of It>h7 34.�e6 Wlxg2 35.lt>xh5 Wlh3 this opening need to see them in with a perpetual. order to have trust in the position, 14 •.•gf7 in the sacrifice and in the King's 14 ...h5 15.�b5 �f6 (15 ...a6 Indian Defence in general! 21..!d4 16.�a7 �f6 17.�xc8 Wlxc8 18.c5t) �e5 16.�xa7 (16.c5 a6 17.�a3 g4t) 16 ...�d7 (16 ...g4 17.�xc8 g3 18. hxg3 fxg3 19.hg3 h4 20. .!h2 Wlxc8 21.�d3± Kozul - Sherser, Biel 1993) 17.cS g4 18.c6 g3 19. hxg3 fxg3 20.hg3 1'!xa7 (20 ...h4 21..!f2 bxc6 22.�xc6 hc6 23. dxc6 �h5and now, White opened the scope of action of his light­ squared bishop in a typical fash­ ion: 24.f4! �g3 25 . .tc4+- Ikon­ 1) 22.�c3 1'!f6 23.he5 (23. nikov - Strovsky, Metz 1994) 21. �c2) 23 ... dxe5 24.�d3 1'!g6--+ cxd7 Wlxd7 (21...h4 22 . .!f2 1'!a8 2) 22.�c2 �g4 23.fxg4 hd4 23.�c2 .!h6 24.�e3 .!f4 25.�f5± 24.�cxd4 Wlh1 25.lt>f2 �xe4 26. Korchnoi - Xie Jun, Prague 1995) 1t>f3�g 5= 22.�c2 1'!aa8 23.�e3 h4 24 . .!f2 3) 22.he5 he5 23.�d3 (23. .!h6 25.�f5;!; White has again a �c2 1'!f6 24.'!d31'!h6 25. lt>f2 hb2 stable edge, thanks to the transfer 26.1'!b1 .!c3-+) 23 ...lt>h8 24.�xe5 of his knight to the f5-square, (24.Wle1 1'!g8 25 . .!d1 .!f6=) 24 ... P.H.Nielsen - Dolmatov, Ke­ dxe5 25 . .!d3 1'!g8 26.Wlc2 Wlh1 merovo 1995.

272 5. 0.f3 0-0 6 . .te2 e5 7. 0-0 0.c6 B.dS0.e 7 9.0.el 0.d7

with his attack following already analyzed examples: 20.0.d3 l'3xc8 21.�e1 �g5 22.id1 0.g3 23.0.xf4 0.xf4-+ A.Volodin - Purtov, Gyongyos 1995) 18 ...gxf2 19.1'3xf2 �xd6 20.0.d3 c5 21.b4 0.d7oo 15.c5 0.xc5 (15 ...0.f6 16.cxd6 cxd6 17.0.b5 g4 18.fxg4 0.xe4 19.ixa7 l'3xa7 20.0.xa7 .td7 21. 0.b5±) 16.ixc5 dxc5 17.ic4 @h8 18.a6 bxa6 19.0.d3 if8 20.ixa6 15.b4 (20.0.a4 g4 21.fxg4 �g5 22.0.f2 15.0.d3 0.f6 16.c5 if8 (16 ...h5 id6 23.l'3a3 l'!b8 24.l'3c3 l'!b4oo 17.cxd6 cxd6 18.0.b5 g4 19.0.xa7 Llopis - Volke, Biel 1993) 20 ... id7 20.ib6 �b8=; 19.ixa7 and ixa6 21.l'3xa6 c4 22.0.f2 ic5 23. here the exchange-sacrificewould �e2 g4!? not work for Black 19 ...l'3xa7 15••• 0.f6 16.c5 .tfS 17.c6 20.0.xa7 id7 21.�b3 0.h722 .�b6 17.cxd6 ixd6 18.0.d3 h5 19. 0.c5 �h4 23.@h1 g3 24.�gl+-; 19 ...g3 0.f8 20.0.b5 g4 21.!h4 l'3g7 22. 20.ib6 �e7 21.0.c7 0.xd522. 0.xd5 �b3 @h7 23J'!fdl 0.g624.i g5 0.f8 �h4 23.h3 ixh3 24.gxh3 �xh3 25.!h4 0.g6 26.ig5, draw, Psa­ 25.l'3f2 0.h4 26.�f1 gxf2 27.0.xf2 khis- Kaminski, Groningen 1993.

�g3 28.@h1 0.xf3 29.�g2±; 21... 17 ••.h5 18.@hl 0.h7 22.0.xa8 �h4 23.h3 ixh3 18.0.b5bxc6 !? (18 ... g4 19.cxb7 24.gxh3 �xh3 25J'!f2gxf2 26.0.xf2 ixb7 20.fxg4 hxg4 21.ixg4 0.xg4 0.h4 27.�f1±) 17.cxd6 ixd6 18. 22.�xg4 ic8 23.�xg6 l'3g7 24. 0.c5 0.f8 19.�b3 �e7 20.0.e6 �xg7 ixg7 25.0.xa7;!;White has an (20.0.xb7 g4 21.l'3ac1 l'3g7?) 20... easy plan for actions, connected 0.xe6 21.dxe6 ixe6 22.�xb7 �f8 with the advance of his a-pawn, 23.�a6 g4 24.ic4 ixc4 25.�xc4 Pavlovic - Pancevski, Belgrade @h8= Golubev - Ovsejevitsch, 2008) 19.0.xa7cxd5 20.exd5 0.e7 Alushta 1999. 21.0.xc8 �xc8 22.ic4. White is 15.0.b5 0.f6 16.0.xa7 g4 17. slightly better, but Black has his 0.xc8 (17.fxg4 0.xe4 18.0.xc8 counterplay, based on advancing 0.xf2 19J1:xf2 e4! with a sharp pawns. double-edged position, Ikon­ (diagram) nikov - Brustman, Crailsheim 18 ...gg 7!?N 1996) 17... g3 18.0.xd6 (18.hxg3 Black's rook is better placed 0.h5 19.9xf4 exf4 20.0.a7 0.g3 on the g-file. 21.0.b5 �h4 22.id4 0.e5. White But not 18 ...l'!h7 19.cxb7 ixb7 is in trouble and Black continues 20.a6 .tc8 21.0.b5 g4 22.0.xa7 g3

273 Chapter 25

28.h3 �h4 29.'it>g1 ltJgS 30.i'!a2 i'!g7� followed by the unavoid­ able .ih3; 2S . .ib6 �xb6 26.bxcS dxcS 27 . .ic4 tOe8oo; 26.�a4 �d8 27.i'!a2 ltJh7 28.h3 �h4 29 . .ibS ltJgS 30.a7 .ixh3 31.gxh3 tOxh3 32.'it>g2 ltJf2 33.i'!fxf2 VNh2 34.'it>f1 �h1 3S. 'it>e2 gxf2 36. 'it>xf2 ltJh4

37.'it>e2i'!g1 38.i'!a1 ltJxf3-+) 25 ••• dxc5 26.d6 tOh7 27. .ic4 'it>h8 28.ga2 �h4 29.h3 .ixh3 (29 ... 23.ltJc6 �d7 24 . .ig1, Korchnoi - ltJgS 30.bxcS) 30.gxh3 VNxh3 Xie Jun, Wenzhou 1995, 24 ...gxh2 31.'it>gl tOh4. Black is threaten­ 2S . .if2h4 26.ltJa7± ing g2, while in case of 32.�e2

19.cxb7 .ixb720 .a6 .i.c8 21. he can simply continue with 32 ••• tOb5 g422. tOxa7g3 23 • .i.gl cxb4 33.a7 gxa7 34.gxa7 hd6 23.tOc6 �e8? White has won 35.ga8 'it>g7 36.ga5 �c8!? some material due to his queen­ Black has only a piece for his two side actions, but the speed of his rooks, but he is not worse at all. attack has diminished considera­ bly. On the other hand, Black sac­ rifices another pawn, in order to Clb) 13 ••.a5 ! provoke even sharper complica­ tions.

It is essential for him to defend well, besides attacking effectively.

23 •• J��xa7 The move as slows down White's Black sacrifices the exchange attack and it deprives him of his to advance c7-cS. standard space advantage on the

24 • .ixa7c5 25 • .ixc5(2S.d xc6 queenside. i'!xa7 26. VNd2 ltJh7 27. .ic4 'it>h8 14.tOd3

274 5.ti'Jj3 0-0 6.Ji.e2e5 7. 0-0 0,c6 B.d5 0,e7 9.0,el 0,d7

14.0,b5 b6 15.b4 axb4 16.0,d3 �d7 21.�d2 �xh3 22.Ji.dl 0,eB=F 0,f6 17.0,xb4 Ji.d7IB .�c2 @hB 19. White'sbishop is trapped and his 13a313gB 20. 13falJi.fBoo21.a 5?! 13xa5 king is just in a pathetic situation, 22.13xa5 bxa5 23.13xa5 c5 24.dxc6 Pacher - Mrva, Tatranske Zruby

�xa5 25.cxd7 0,xd7 26. 0,d5 0,xd5 2004.) 19 •••gxf6 and Black's at- 27.exd5 g4t Goloshchapov - Bar- tack is overwhelming. thel, Mainz 1995. Following 14.g4, Black should Clb2) lS.b4 simply capture en passant: 14 ... fxg3 15.hxg3 h5=

l4 •••b6

Clbl) lS.0,bS Clb2) lS.b4

Clb3) lS • .tel

Clbl) lS.0,bS 0,f6 15 ...0,c 5!? 16.Ji.el @hB 17.b4 axb4 IB.Ji.xb4 c6= Suvrajit - Zhou Jianchao, Hyderabad 2005.

l6.b4 g4 l7• .th4 lS •••axb4 l6.0,xb4 17.@hl, Tuominen - Niemela, 16.0,b5 0,c5 17.Ji.el (17.0,xb4 Vantaa 1991, 17 ...axb4 1B.0,xb4g3 g4 IB.a5 - IB.Ji.h4 �d7 - IB ... 19.Ji.gl 0,h5 20.�d2 gxh2 21.Ji.f2 g3 19.hxg3 fxg3 20.Ji.xg3 13xa5 0,g3 22.Ji.xg3 fxg3 with an attack 21.13xa5 bxa5 22.0,d3 0,xd3 23. for Black. �xd3 0,g6oo Zueger - Cvitan, Geneva 19BB) 17... g4 IB.Ji.xb4 g3 19.h3 0,g6, O.Kalinin - Scham­ berger, Bayern 2003, 20.a5 i.xh3 21.gxh3 �d7--+ Black regains the sacrificed material and his attack is running smoothly.

l6 •••0,f6 l7.ga3 17.0,b5g4 !f± In answer to 17.@hl, Black can retreat with his king: 17... @hB ! IB.Ji.el �d7 19.a5 (19.h3 h5) 19 ... 13xa5 20.13xa5 bxa5=

l7 •••g3 l8.h3 (IB.hxg3 0,g6 17.0,c6 0,xc6 IB.dxc6 �eB 19.

19.hf6 hf6) l8 •••0,g6 19 • .hf6 0,d5 (19.a5 bxa5 20.c5 dxc5 21. (After 19.Ji.g5 Ji.xh3 20.gxh3 �a4 g4 22.fxg4 Ji.xg4 23.Ji.xg4

275 Chapter 25 llJxg4 24.ixcS m7 25.11Jd5 tiB (20.�d3 g4 21.a5 bxa5 22.ixa5 26. .hfB V«xfB+ Mandiza - Ezat, hb5 23.cxb5 Wld7=) 20 ...fxg3 Windhoek 2007) 19 ...Wlt7 (He can 21.hxg3 g4 22.�g2 gxf3 23 . .ixf3 also play here 19 ...l3t7 Kiriakov ­ .ih6!? 24.l3hl .ig5 25.11Jd3 llJg6, Lobzhanidze, Groningen 1996, withan equal position, Jussupow but it is essential for him not to - Kasparov, Yerevan 1996. capture on d5.) 20.a5 bxa5 21.Wla4 19.fxg4 �xe4 20.V«c2 (21..iel g4 22.ha5 gxf3 23 . .ixf3 20 . .id3, Vershinin - Bets, Vol­ .ie6 24 .ic3. l3xal 25.Wlxal) 21 ...g4 gograd 1997, 20 ...11Jxf2 21.l3xf2 22.l3fbl .ia6oo V«cB 22.h3 .if6? 17. .iel l3t7 (17... Wld7 IB.llJd3 20 ... �xf2 21.lhf2 and here llJg6 - IB ...g4 !?oo - 19.11Jf2 h5 it would be interesting for Black 20.h3;!; Black's kingside attack to place his bishop on g6: is practically over, while White's 21 ... .te822 . .td3.tg623 • .te4 queenside actions continue un­ V«d7= opposed, Gladyszev - S.Solovjov,

Russia 2005) IB.llJd3 .ifB 19.11Jf2 Clb3) IS • .tel�f6 16.�f2 h5 20.11Jb5, Ikonnikov - Khairal­ 16.b4 axb4 17.11Jxb4 - see lah, Dieren 2007, 20... g4 21.fxg4 Clb2. hxg4 22.11Jxg4 11Jxe4oo 16 ...hS 17.h3 �h8 18.�bS 17.11Jd3 11Jg6IB . .iell3t7 19.11Jf2, IB.b4 llJegB 19.bxa5 bxa5 Gladyszev - Stets, Chambery 20.11Jb5 l3t7 21.c5 .ifB 22.cxd6 2007, .ifB 20.11Jb5 h5 21.a5 bxa5 cxd6 23.l3c1 l3g7 24.l3c6, draw, 22.l3xa5 l3xa5 23 . .ixa5 l3g7 24.c5 Doric - Zivkovic, Sibenik 200B. dxc5 25.V«b3 �h7 26.l3dl .id6 18 ...�e g8 19.b4 �h6 20.cS 27.h3 WleB= followed by g4. bxcS 21.bxcS l3f7

17••• .td7 18.�bS

This position can be reached in

18 •••g4 !? differentfas hions, but it is always IB ...�hB !? 19 . .iel l3gB 20.g4 a result of forced actions.

276 5.liJj3 0-0 6.ie2 e5 7. 0-0 lDc6 8.d5 lDe79.lDel lDd7

22.cxd6 ed the preparation of the pawn­ White can try to deploy his advance g4. knight to c4, with the idea to 24.Yfc2 capture the as-pawn: 22.lDa3 24.gc6, Poniaev - Severiukhi­ ifS 23.lDc4. This line looks tre­ na, Izhevsk 2007, 24 ...g4 2S.fxg4 mendously slow for White, since hxg4 26.hxg4 gg7t Black's attacking pieces are al­ 24.�c4 g4! 2S.fxg4(2S .�c2 gg7 ready in the vicinity of the white 26.hxg4 hxg4 27.lDc7 g3 2S.lDxaS, king on gl. There may follow: 23 ... draw, Brunner - Helstroffer,Nan­ g4 (It looks also very good for Black cy 2006) 2S ...hxg4 26.hxg4 gg7 to opt for 23 ...gg7 24.ga3 @gS 27.gS �xgS 2S.�c2 lDhS 29.if3 2S.lDxaS g4 26.fxg4 hxg4 27.hxg4 lDg3 30.lDc7, Krivoshey - Or­ lDhxg4 2S.lDxg4 lDxg4+ Ghane - tiz, Sort 2006, 30 ...lDxfl 31.@xfl Spasov, Izmir 2003.) 24.fxg4 (24. �g7+ haS gxh3 - 24 ... �aS 2S.lDxaS - 24 •••lDe8 2S.gxh3 gg7 26.@hl gg3 27.gg1 Black must cover the c7- lDxe4 2S.fxe4 'lWh4 29.�3 fxg3 square, since White is ready to 30.ifl gxf2 31.�f3 ig4 32.'lWg2 counter 24 ...g4 with 2S.lDc7 gxh3 ie7+) 24... hxg4 2S.hxg4 �g7 26. 26.lDxaS and Black will be a rook �a3 (26.haS lDhxg4 27.lDxg4 down and he can hardly check­ lDxg4 2S.hg4 !xg4 29.�d3 mate his opponent! �gS-+ with an attack for Black) 25.�b3 26 ...lDhxg4 27.lDx g4 lDxg4 2S.gh3 2S.'lWd3 �g726.�c2 @gS 27.'lWdl @gS 29.�h4, Zakhartsov - Voicu, id7 2S.'lWcl, Bachmann - Fro­ Alushta 2005, 29 ...'lWgS+ loy, Berlin 1994, 2S ...g4 29.hxg4

22 •..cxd6 23.1!klAf8 hxg4 30.lDxg4 lDxg4 31.fxg4 lLlf6 32.ih4 ie7 33.lLlc7 lLlxe434 .he7 gxe7 3S.lLlxaS �xaS+ 2S.ic3 g4 26.hxg4 hxg4 27. fxg4�g7 2S.�d2 �h4oo

It is evident that White wishes to occupy the c6, or the c7-square, while Black has already complet-

277 Chapter 25

25 ...gg7 26.gc6 J.d727.J.d2, Bois - Bologan, Bern 1997) 16 ... P .Nielsen - Golubev, Internet cxd6 17.ttJbS g4 18.1&c2 (1B.ttJxa7 2004. Black is not forced to cap­ g3 19.hxg3 fxg3f±) IB ...g3 19.hxg3 ture on c6 and he should not be fxg3 (19 ...ttJh S?! 20.gxf4 exf4 21. in a hurry to advance g4 either. ttJc7 ttJg3 22.ttJxaB) 20.,txg3

27••• cj{g8 (It is not easy to see (White cannot afford to leave his how White can improve his posi­ opponent's g3-pawn alive ... : 20. tion.) 28.gfc1 g4 29.fxg4 hxg4 i.e3ttJxdS 21.e xdS IMfh4 22.�fel e4

30.�xg4 �xg4 31 • .b:g4 .ixg4 23.ttJxd6 IMfh2 24.cj{f1 1&hl 2S.i.gl 32.hxg4 �g4 33.Yfh3 Yfg5= i.d4 26.i.dl IMfxgl 27. cj{e2 1&xg2 Both sides have a clear-cut plan and he resigned, Toth - Durik, for actions, so the position is ap­ Topolcianky 1997.) 20 ...i.h6 21. proximately equal. �cdl, Jorns - Ermeni, Bern 2000, 21...i.d722 .ttJc3 ttJhS� C2) 13.�d3 IS.cxd6 cxd6 16.ttJbS (16.�c1 �f7 - see ISJkl),White's knight is in front of all his army and Black must repel it immediately: 16... a6 17.ttJc3 hS IB.ttJa4 g4 19.�c1 �f7 20.1&c2 g3 21.hxg3 fxg3 22.,txg3 bS 23.ttJc3 i.h624. �cel h4 2S.i.h2 ttJhS+Lauf - Rigo, Slovakia 199B.

15 ••• cj{h816.a 5 a6 17.cj{hl 17Jkl �gB IB.cxd6 (IB.ttJa4 i.fB) IB ...cxd6 19.ttJa4 g4! (Black exploits the overburdening of White's f3 -pawn.) 20.ttJb6 �bB 21.

13 •••�f6 14.c5 ttJxcBfucB 22.�xcB 1&xcB 23. 1&b3 14.g4 fxg3 IS.hxg3 a6 16.cS g3 24.hxg3 fxg3 2S.,txg3 i.h6� lMfeB 17.cxd6 cxd6 IB.cj{g2 IMfg6 19. 17 •• J�g8 18.cxd6 cxd6 �hl g4 20.�h4 J.h6 21.IMfgl i.gS 22.�h2 bSf± Seickel - Rotermund, Frankfurt 2006. 14.a4 �g6 IS.c5 - see 14.cS. 14.�c1 ttJg6 IS.c5 - see 14.cS.

14 •••�g6 15.a4 IS.�c1 �f7 16.cxd6 (16.ttJbS g4 17.a4 g3 IB.hxg3 fxg3 19.,txg3 ttJhS 20.i.h2 i.h6 21.�c3 a6 22. ttJa3 i.e3 23.ttJf2 i.f4=F with excel­ lent compensation for Black, Du

27B 5. l:iJj3 0-0 6.ie2 e5 7.0-0 l:iJc6 B.d5 l:iJe79.l:iJel l:iJd7

19.b4 13 •••tlJg6 14.c5 19.iel!? id7 20.l:iJa4 (20.l:iJf2 This is a very complicated stra­ bS 21.l:iJa2 hS 22.l:iJb4 ifB?) 20 ... tegical situation, so the positional g4 21.l:iJb6 gbB 22.l:iJxd7Wfxd7 23. pawn-sacrifice is just a possibil­ ga4 gxf3 24.ixf3 gbcB 2S.if2 ih6 ity. In this particular case, White 26.Wfb3 igS, with about equal. obtains compensation, connected In case of the retreat of the with his possible actions along the knight on c3 - 19.1:iJa4, Black fol­ c-file and against Black's entire lows as a rule with 19 ...g4 20.l:iJb6 queenside. gbB 21.b4 (21.gcl g3 22.igl l:iJh4 The preparation of the pawn­ 23.l:iJxcB gxcB 24.gxcB WfxcB2S .h3 break c4-cS takes time and Black hS 26.Wfb3 l:iJh727.gcl �d7 2B.ifl manages to create powerful l:iJgS 29.l:iJel if6) 21...g3 22.hxg3 threats on the kingside, for exam­ (22.igl gxh2 23.if2 l:iJhS) ... 22 ple: 14.b4 l:iJf6 lS.cS gf7 16.a4 ifB l:iJhS and he obtains excellent 17.cxd6 ixd6 IB.tlJd3 gg7 19.mhl counterplay. hS 20.tlJcS g4? Miles - Ree, Am­

19 •••id7 20.ga3 (20.l:iJa4 g4 sterdam 19B2.

21.l:iJb6gbB 22.gc1 ih6 23Jk3 g3 14•.• tlJxc5 15.b4 tlJa6 24.hxg3 l:iJhS 2S.gxf4 l:iJgxf4 26. g4 l:iJxd3 27.ixd3 l:iJf4 Black has long-lasting compensation, so he should not worry about the lost pawn.) 20 ...if8 2V�Jb2 h5 22. tlJc4 g4 23.tlJb6 gb8 24. tlJxd7 Wfxd725 .fxg4 hxg4 26. tlJa4 f3 27.gxf3 ih6 28.fxg4 tlJf4 29. tlJb6§'h7 30.i.f3 tlJxe4 31 • .tel tlJg�Kozul - Lanka, Batumi1999.

C3a) 16.tlJb5 C3b) 16.tlJd3

C3a) 16.tlJb5 White's plan is quite simple. He wishes to capture his oppo­ nent's a-pawn.

16 •••id7 17.tlJxa7 17.a4 hS lB.l:iJd3 b6 19.iel ih6 20.gc4 gf721. l:iJf2gg7 22.mhl tlJfB 23.g4 fxg3 24.hxg3 tlJg6? Nemet

279 Chapter 25

- Jenni, Pontresina 2000. '!We8co) 19 ...g4 20.ha6 bxa6 21. 17.'!Wa4h5 !? (I am going to en­ '!Wxc7 '!Wf8 22.'lWb6 h4 23.fxg4 hg4 rich the knowledge of my readers 24.lLlc6h3co Korcnoi how the King's Indian attacking lS •••bxa6 19.'!Wc2 machine works by quoting the 19.1Llc6, D.Gurevich - Becer­ following game: 17 ...g4 !? 18.fxg4 ra Rivero, Stillwater 2007, 19 ... f3!19.9xf3 lLlf4 20.�d1 h5 2Vit>h1 �e8!? 20.lLla5 .!a4 21.�e2 '!Wd7= hxg4 22.lLlc3 lLlxe2 23.'!Wxe2 gxf3+ 19 •••gf7 20.'!Wxc7 �f8, Kes­ Kozul - Fedorowicz, Wijk aan Zee ten - Jorczik, Bad Woerishofen 1991; 19.1Llxf3!?lLlf4 20.�d1 hg4 2008. Black gives up the fight on 21.a3 '!Wd722 . .!g3 .ih623.l� c2 llJh5 the queenside in the hope of set­ 24. .!f2 lLlf4 25.l�c3 .!h5 26.�c2 tling the issue with a kingside at­ �g4 27. .!g3 .!g6) 18.h3 .!f6 19. tack. '!Wa5 g4 20.fxg4 hxg4 21.hg4 21.�6! g4 22.�xa6 g3! hg4 22.hxg4, Chernuschevich - This cannot be even called a Oral, Bratislava 1993, 22 ...�d 7!= sacrifice!

17 •••h5 23.hxg3 fxg3 24 • .ixg3 .!h6 Black plays this move not only 25.gc7 J.eS26.g xf7J.e3 27.M2 to prepare g4, but he ties up his J.xf2 2S.gxf2 �xf7 29.'!Wxd6 opponent's light-squared bishop '!Wxa7 30.�c5 lLlf4co. It looks withdefending against that. like White has four pawns for the piece, but they are all too far from , while Black has an ex­ cellent knight on f4 .

C3b) 16.lLld3

lS.J.xa6 18.a4 .!h6 19Jk3 @h7 20.lLlb5 gg8 21.@h1 gg7 22.gg1 lLlf8 23.g3 fxg3 24.gxg3 lLlg6 25.lLld3 .!e8 26.'!Wc2 gO 27.gg1 g4t Yermo­ linsky - Kreiman, Philadelphia 16 •••gf7 1997. In this situation, Black will 18.a3 gO 19.'!Wc2 (19.h3!? have to play this move anyway.

280 S.tiJj3 0-0 6 . .te2 e57. 0-0 lLlc6 8.d5 lLle7 9.lLlel lLld7

He protects additionally the c7- 20.c!Db5 square and he wishes to place this White does not achieve much rook on g7 after.tfS . with 20.b5 lLlc5 2l.lLlxc5 dxc5 17.a4 22.lLlc6 �eS!+ Csiszar - Enders, 16.lLlb5 l'U7 17.lLld3 .td7 1S.a4 Balatonlelle 2006. h5 19.�h1 �bS 20.lLla3 �dS 2l. He has an interesting alterna­ lLlb5.tfS 22.lLlxa7 gg7 23.b5 lLlc5 tive - 20.lLlc6.This is a verytypi­ 24.lLlxc5 dxc5 25.lLlc6 �f6 26.�b3 cal motive for similar positions. �h7oo Pavlovic - Fedorov, War­ He gives back the extra piece, saw 2005. in order to ensure

17••• h5 18.c!Db5.td7 on the queenside. He relies on a Black should not mind giving variation like: 20 ...�f6 2l.lLla5 b6 up his a7-pawn, moreover that it 22.b5 lLlc5 23.lLlxc5 dxc5 24.lLlc4, is extra. with an advantage for White. We 19.c!Dxa7 know however, that it is not al­ In case of 19.�h1, he should ways reasonable to accept gifts better protect his a7-pawn: 19 ... for granted. There are some ex­ �bS 20.lLla3 �dS 2l.lLlb5 �bS= ceptions to the rule: 20... bxc6 with a repetition of moves. 2l.dxc6 .te6 22.b5 lLlc5 23.lLlxc5 If Black wishes to play for a dxc5 24.�xdS gxdS 25.,txc5 gd2 win, he could try19 ....tfS 20.lLlxa7 26.gf2 ga2+ gg7 2l.lLlb5 (2l.b5? lLlc5 22.lLlxc5 20 •••gg7 21 • .tel!? dxc5 23.lLlc6 �f6!+ Pavlovic - Fe­ 2U'k4 lLlhS 22.g4, Piket - Ni­ dorov, Warszawa 2005.) 21...lLlhS jboer, Rotterdam 1999. White 22.�c2 (22.g3!? fxg3 23.,txg3 needs to play in this fashion, be­ lLlg6 24.gg1, Yermolinsky - cause of the particular deploy­ Becerra, Chicago 200S, 24 ...c6 ment of his forces. 22 ...fxg3 . This 25.lLlc3 lLlc7oo)22 ...g4 23.g3 fxg3!? should be Black's standard reac­ 24.hxg3 lLlt7oo tion to g4. It is essential for him to

19 •••.tfS open the position of White's king. 23.,txg3 (23.hxg3!? lLlg6 24.�d2 g4. Black is playing intuitively and he prevents his opponent from closing the game. 25.fxg4 h4 26.�el .te7 27 . .te3 lLlhSoo. It would be worse for Black to opt for 24 ...h4, since White closes the position with 25.g4;!; and Black has nothing left,but the f4-square; 24 ....te 7!?) 23 ...lLlg6 24.�h1 c6 25.lLlc3 lLlc7. Black is solidly de-

2S1 Chapter 25

ployed in the centre and on the 24••• �c8 kingside the situation cannot be better for him.

This is Black's last preparatory move fo r the thematic pawn ad­

21••• c!Llh8 vance g4. He is not in a hurry to advance 25 . .td2 g4 c6. At first, he transfers his knight Here he comes! to f7 and from there it will sup­ 26.hxg4 hxg4 27.c!Llxg4 port the attack with g4 and it will c!Llxg4 28.fxg4 Ae7 defend the d6-square. Black can postpone recaptur­ 22.h3 c!Llf723.c!Ll f2 ing on g4, bringing more pieces It would be useless for White into the attack. For example, he is to play 23.�c2, because the c7- threatening Ah4-g3 now. square is protected and Black can 29.�f3 .ixg4 30.�fc3 .th3 calmly continue with the regroup­ 31.J.f3 �d7 ing of his forces, for example with This is another quiet move in 23 ...�h 6!? the raging attack.

23 •••c!Llh6 24.a5 32.c!Llxc7 hg2 33 • .ixg2 24 . .td2.te7 !? 25Jk4 g4 26.fxg4 c!Llxc7 and here White must con­ bxg4 27.�xg4 �xg4 28.bg4 c6!+ tinue with 34. '<&h5. It would be White is in trouble afterhis oppo­ worse for him to play 34.�xc7, nent has opened a second front. because of 34 ...'<&h3 35.'<&£1f3 and

24J�c4 .te7 25.�c2 '<&e8 (with Black wins. 34 ••• c!Llb5oo. It looks the idea .td8) 26.�xc7 �xc7 27. like Black is better, but both kings �xc7 ba4 28.'<&c4 .td8 29.�xg7 are endangered, so the evaluation Wxg'7+, followed by .tb6. of the position is rather unclear.

282 Chapter 26 1.d4 tDf6 2.c4 g6 3.tDc3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.tDf3 0-0 6.i.e2 e5 7. 0-0 tDc6 8.d5 tDe7 9.tDd2

17.i.e3 h4+ Korotylev - Bologan, Sochi 2004.

A) 10.b4 a5! This is a result of the flexibility of the move c6, since now Black enters a favourable version of the line with 9.b4. 1l.bxa5 Vxa5 12.otb2 It is a draw by repetition after 12.ttJb3 Vxc3 13.i.d2 �b2 14.i.c1 This move does not bring etc. White any immediate dividends 12.1Mfc2 cS 13.a4 ttJd7 14.ttJbS on the queenside, but it is much l:!a6 1S.l:!a3fS 16.exfS ttJxfS 17.ttJe4 more reliable than 9.ttJe1. ttJf6 18.i.d2 �d8 19.i.d3 ttJxe4

9 •..c6 20.he4 l:!O 21.l:!b1 Vf8? Pelle­ Zigurds Lanka recommended tier - Arakhamia-Grant, Lucerne that move to me back in the year 1997.

1991. White's pawn-centre seems 12 •.•�d8 13.a4 to be even overprotected; never­ 13.ttJb3 cS= There arises a po­ theless, Black hopes to undermine sition fromthe already mentioned it with b7-bS if possible. variation with 9.b4, except that Black has not wasted any tempi A) 10.b4 for ttJhS-f4-hS-f6 and this is in his B) 10.gbl favour.

C) 10.dxc6 13 •••c5 D) 10.a3 He can try to act trickier and not hurry with c5: 13 ...ttJd 7!? 14. 1O.liJb3hS 1l.i.gS ttJh7 12.i.e3 i.a3 cS 1S.ttJbS l:!a6 16.i.b2 fS 17. cS 13.ttJd2 fS 14.exfS gxfS (14 ... l:!a3ttJf6 18.exfS ttJxf5 19.i.d3 ttJd4 ttJxfSoo) 1S.f4 exf4 16.i.xf4 ttJg6 20.ttJe4 ttJxe4 (20 ... ttJhS 21.hd4

283 Chapter 26 exd4 22.g3 .if623J�e1 !i.e724 .!i.e2 and capture on d5 only later: 11 ... I:i'Jg7 25.!i.g4 I:i'Jf5= M.Gurevich - cxd5 12.exd5, Clausen - Sorensen, Bologan, Saint-Pierre 2000) 21. Copenhagen 1999, 12 ....if5 13.Eial he4 ygh4 22.ygd3 !i.f5 23.hf5 l:i'Jexd5 14.l:i'Jxd5 I:i'Jxd515.l:i'Jc 4 (15. gxf5 24.hd4 cxd4 25.l:i'Jc7 e4 26. !i.f3 I:i'Jb4 16.ha8 ygxa8, with an ygb3 f4t excellent compensation for the 14.l:i'JbS �e8 lS.f4 exf4 16. exchange) 15 ...l:i'Jf4 16.hf4 exf4 hgJ �xg7 17.gxf4 gS 18.gf2 17.!i.f3 Eic8 18.Eic1 (18.l:i'Jxd6 !i.c2

�g6 19 • .tg4 f5 20.exfS �xf5 19.YGd5 Eic7 20.a4 Eid7 21.ygc4 21.�3 �d4 22.gxf8 ygxf8 23. hb2 22.Eiae1 Eixd6 23.ygxc2 �xd4 yggJ 24.�c2 hg4+ van Eid2=) 18 ....ie6 19 . .id5Eie8=

Der Sterren - Lautier,Lyons 1990. 1l ••• b4 12.�dS �xc6 13. �xf6 YGxf6 14.�f3 B) 10.gb1 14.b3 !i.b7 15.Eielyge7 16.l:i'Jf1f5 17.exf5 gxf5 18.l:i'Je3 I:i'Jd4 19 . .ifl e4 20.l:i'Jd5 hd5 21.cxd5 !i.e5f± Vi­ tiugov - Inarkiev, Sochi 2006.

14 •••h6 lS • .te3 yge7 16.YGd2 c,th7 17.gfd1 gd8= All these lines are from the twenty years old notebooks of my life-long coach Zigurds Lanka.

C) 10.dxc6

10 •••bS This is the essence of Black's idea. He attacks the support of the pawn on d5 and his own pawn can attack the enemy knight on c3. 1l.dxc6 In case of 11.b4, Black attacks the d5-pawn 11 ...bxc4 12.l:i'Jxc4 (12.dxc6 I:i'Jxc6 13.hc4 !i.e6 14. !i.d5Eic8 15.hc6 Eixc6 16.!i.b2 d5

17.exd5 I:i'Jxd5 18.l:i'Jxd5 hd5+ Ko­ 10 •••bxc6 11.b4 skinen- Lanka,Cappelle la Grande 1l.l:i'Jb3 !i.e6 12.!i.e3 YGb8 13. 1992) 12 ...cxd5 13.exd5 !i.b7= YGd2 as 14.f3a4 15.l:i'Jc1d5 16.cxd5 If 11.cxb5, then he should bet­ cxd5 17 . .ic5 e4dx ! 18.fxe4 (18. ter complete his development first he7 yga7) 18 ...Eid8 19. 1:i'Jd3 I:i'Jc6+

284 5. tDj3 0-0 6 . .ie2 e57. 0-0 tDc6 B.dStDe 7 9.tDd2c6

Karkanaqe - Kr.Georgiev, Xanthi tDedS 23.�ee1 .ifS? Marin - 1991. Vokac, Bucharest 1985) 14 ...cx dS H ...d5 lS.cxdS tDfxdS 16.tDce4 (16.tDxdS Here, it is not advisable for tDxdS+) 16 ...tDf4+ Black's pawns Black to opt for 1l ...tDhS 12. .ixhS dominate in the centre and all his (12.g3 a6 13J�e1 fS 14 . .if3 tDf6 pieces are more active than their lS . .ib2 ffc7 16.ffe2 �e8 17.�ad1 counterparts, so he has already a .tb7 18.i.g2 �ad8oo Kalinichev slight edge. - Dydyshko, USSR 1986) 12 .. . 12.bS d4 13.tDa4 gxhS 13.�xhS (13.bS .ig4oo) 13 ... fS 14.�d1! dS (14 ...ffc7 lS.bS fxe4 16. .ta3!±; 14 ...tDg6 lS.tDf3±) lS.cxdS cxdS 16.tDxdS tDxdS 17. exdS �b8 18.tDf3 f4 19.tDgS .tfS 20.tDe6± A.Guseinov - Fedorov, Elista 1998. 12.a4 12 . .ta3 a6. Without the sup­ port of the a-pawn, the idea bS is not so effective any more. (Mean­ and here: while, it is also possible for Black Black has an interesting pawn­ to try 12 ...�e8 13.�e1 .ie6 14.M! sacrifice: 13 ...tDh S!? 14.tDb3 (14. dxe4 lS.tDdxe4 tDxe4 16.tDxe4tDfS .hilS gxhS lS . .ta3 h4oo; 14 . .ta3 17.�a4 tDd4 18 . .ib2, Ulibin - An­ tDf4 lS.�b1 �e8 16.�e1 tDxe2 17. toniewski, Koszalin 1999, 18 ...aS !? �xe2 �b8oo) 14 ...tDf4 lS.tDacS 19.bS cxbS 20.cxbS .tdS=; 17. .ib2, tDxe2 16.ffxe2 fS 17.a4 f4 18.f3gS Ulibin - Bologan, Chalkidiki 1992 19.tDd3 (19.g4 fxg3 20.hxg3 tDg6) and now, Black's most precise re­ 19 ...@h8 20. .ia3 �g8 21.ffd2 action would be 17... ffb 6! 18.a3 g4oo; �ed8 19.�a4 as! 20.tDcS axb4 13 ....th6 14.tDc5 (14 . .id3 tDhS 21.�xb4 �c7 22.tDxe6 fxe6= - lS.�e1 @h8 16 ..ta3 tDf4 17.tDb3 White's queen cannot avoid be­ tDxd3 18.ffxd3 cxbS 19.cxbS a6°o ing attacked.) 13.�e1 (13 . .if3 d4 Hoffmann - Watson, Ostend 14.tDa4 hS Black wishes to trans­ 1987) 14 ...a6 lS.a4 tDd7 16.tDxd7 fer his knight to the gS-square hd7 17. .ia3 �e8 18.tDb3 axbS 19. and then advance fS, depending axbS cxbS 20.cxbS �b8 21. .id6 on the situation.) 13 ....ie6 !? (with �bS! 22.hbS hbS 23 . .ixeS+ the idea �a7-d7ooFtacnik) 14.exdS Blees - Bologan, Xanthi 1991; (14 . .ifl �e8 lS . .ib2 �b8 16.a3 �a7 13 ...d3 14. .tf3 cxbS lS.cxbS 17.tDa4 dxe4 18.tDcS i.g4 19.ffa4 .id7 16.tDcS (16.tDc3 ffaS 17.tDb3 as 20.bS cxbS 21.cxbS e3 22.�xe3 �xc3 18.i.a3 �c4 19.he7 �fe8

285 Chapter 26

20J'k1 \!!1fxbS White has problems 16 . .ta3 �d7 17.bS �fc8 18.tLlb4 regaining his pawn; 16J�b1 �b8 .tg4 19.\!!1fgS! f6 20.�h4 tLlg6 21. 17.tLlc3 �aS 18 . .tb2 �fd8 19.tLlb3 \!!1fg3 tLlf4 22.�h1 Black's initia­ \!!1fb4+; 18.�b3 �fc8 19 . .ta3 .te6!+ tive will fade away after a while Nesis - Pankevich, corr. 1983;) and White will preserve his extra 16... .txbS 17.a4 .tc6 18 . .ta3 (18. pawn.) 14.�e1 (14.bS d3 lS . .tf3 �a3 �d6 19.tLlxd3 �fd8 20.\!!1fc2 g4-+) 14 ...g4 (14 ...tLlg6 lS.g3 hS �ac8 21.tLlc4 .ta8 22.�c3 �e6+; 16 . .ta3 g4 17.bS .tb7 18 . .tfl �e8 20 . .tb2 tLld7 21.\!!1fa1 �ab8= Black 19.tLlb4�c8 20.bxc6 .txc621.tLl xc6 has solved all his problems, Vilela �xc6 22.cS;!;Nogueiras - Becerra, - Vogt, Cienfuegos 1983) 18 ...�e8 Habana 1998; 16 . .txhSg4 17. .txg6 19.�c1 tLld7 20.tLlxd3 tLlb6 21.�e2 fxg6 18.tLlb3 - 18 . .ta3 tLlh7 - 18 ... .txa422 .tLlcS .th623. tLlxa4�x d2= .te6 19. .tgS .txc4 20.\!!1fc2 .te6 Farago - Piket, Amsterdam 1985. 21.tLlacU) lS . .td3! �h8 16.bS �g8 17 . .ta3 hS 18.cS .te6 19.tLlc4 tLld7 20.\!!1fc1 �h7 21.tLld6.th6 22. \!!1fc2;!; White'squeenside assault is obvi­ ously quite effective, while Black's achievements on the kingside are nowhere to be seen. 13.tLldxe4 tLlxe4 14.lLlxe4

lLlfS 15. \!!1fxd8 �xd8 16 • .tg5 gd4= Black has a very good posi­ tion.

D) 10.a3

12 •••dxe4! Black reduces the tension in the centre and this is what he needs. It is more ambitious for him, but worse to opt for 12 ...d4. The PC programme "Rybka" asserts that Black is better for a while, but White's knights will gradually occupy dominant squares on the queenside and then he will begin an offensive with the support of his infantry: 13.tLla2 gS!? (13 ...tLlh S!? 10 ...lLle8 11.b4 14. .txhS gxhS lS.\!!1fxhS tLlg6 16.g3 In case of 1l.dxc6, Black can .te6 17. .ta3 �d7 18.�e2; lS ....te6 capture with his knight, because

286 5. CiJj3 0-0 6 . .te2e5 7.0-0 CiJc6 B.d5 CiJe79.CiJd2 c6 the d4-square is weakened and knight like this. it can be attacked by both his 12".f5 13 • .!Dc4 knights: 1l ...CiJx c6 12.CiJb3 CiJc7 13. 13.f3 CiJf6 (13 .f.. 4!?) 14.CiJc4 .te3b6 14.'l'Nd2 .tb7 15.f3 CiJe6 16. fxe4, transposing to the main CiJb5 'l'Nf6 17J!ad1 :i%adB 1B.lDc1, line.

Ostenstad - Bologan, Stavanger 13" • .!Df6 14.f3 1991, 1B ...'l'Ne7oo White can try a more direct ap­

1l ..•cxd5 proach here - 14.f4, but Black has After ..1l .f5, White has the a pleasant choice then: 14 ...CiJxe4 insidious resource 12.c5! (It is 15.CiJxe4 fxe4 16.fxe5 :i%xfl 17.'1Mrxf1 worse for him to play 12.f3, be­ CiJxd5 1B.lDxd6 .te6 19. .tb2 'l'Nb6 cause then Black can begin an 20.�h1 :i%fBi', or 14 ...exf4 15 . .txf4 attack on the kingside: 12 ...cxd5 CiJxe4 16.CiJxe4fxe4+ 13.cxd5 f4 14.CiJc4 g5 15 . .td2 h5 14".fxe4 15.fxe4 16 . .te1 :i%f6 17 . .tf2 :i%g6f:±. White 15.CiJxe4 .!Df5 16. .tg5 b5f:± would not achieve anything much with 12.'l'Nb3 �hB 13 . .tb2 CiJf6 14.:i%ad1 fxe4 15.CiJdxe4 CiJxe4 - 15 ...CiJf 5!? - 16.CiJxe4cxd5 17.cxd5 CiJf5 1B.b5;!;; White maintains some pressure; 15.dxc6 lDxc6 16.CiJcxe4 CiJxe4 17.lDxe4 lDd4 lB. hd4 - 1B.'l'Ne3 .tf5 - 1B ... exd4 19.'l'Ng3, M.Gurevich - Bologan, Saint-Pierre 2000, 19 ....te5 20.f4 .tg7 21.lDg5 .tf5=, it would be in­ teresting for him to try 12.dxc6 CiJxc6 13.CiJf3f4 14.c5 g5 15.h3 g4 15".b5! Black seizes the initi­ 16.hxg4 hg4, M. Gurevich - Shi­ ative, exploiting the overburden­ rov, Moscow 1992, 17.'l'Nd5 �hB ing of his opponent's knight on

1B.:i%d1 .txf3 19 . .txf3 dxc5 20.bxc5 c3. 16 • .!Dxb5 (16.CiJa5 'l'Nb6 17.�h1 CiJc7 21.'l'NxdB :i%axdB�; 17.:i%a2 'l'Nd4lB . .tb2 .td719 .'l'Nc2 (19.'l'Nb3 dxc5 1B.:i%d2 'l'NcB 19.bxc5;!;) 12 .. . CiJxe4) 19 ... :i%acB, with initiative cxd5 13.exd5 e4 14 . .tb2 dxc5 (14 .. . for Black.) 16" • .!Dxe4 17.gxf8 hc3 15.hc3 dxc5 16.CiJb3 'l'Nxd5 .txf8 18. 'l'Nd3 (But not 1B . .te3, 17.lDxc5�) 15.'l'Nb3 lDxd5 16.CiJxd5 because of 1B ...lDf 5.) 18".a6!?

(16 . .tc4 .te6�) 16 ....te6 17 . .tc4 19• .!Dd4 exd4 20.Ybe4 .tf5 hb2 1B.CiJe7�f7 19.lDxf5± 21.'l'Nf3 .tg7 22 • .tb2 'l'Nc7 The po­ 12.cxd5 sitions of both sides have plusses 12.exd5 CiJf5 13.lDde4 lDd4 and minuses, so the prospects are Black can feel confident with a about balanced.

2B7 Chapter 27 1.d4 lLlf6 2.c4 g6 3.lLlc3 J.g7 4.e4 d6 5.lLlf3 0-0 6 . .te2 e5 7. 0-0 lLlc6 S.d5 lLle7 9.lLld2 a5

ready pushed f5 , while White can hardly prepare as any time soon, because his rook is misplaced, M.Dominguez - Prates, Roque Saenz Pena 1997.) 1l ... lt'le8 12.a3 f5 (12 ...c5 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 b6 15.bxc5 bxc5 16.lt'lb3;!;Polugaevsky - Mestel, Reykjavik 1990) 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 (14.!1xb4 b6?) 14 ... It'lf6 15.c5 (Otherwise, for exam­ ple after15.f3, Black will play 15 ... This is Black's most popular c6 16.dxc6 It'lxc6= with equality, reply to 9.lt'ld2.If something wor­ Chuchelov - Nunn, Leeuwarden ries you in the line with 9 ...c6, 1995.) 15 ...i.h6 (It is also good then you can have this quite solid for Black to reduce the tension possibility in reserve. in the centre: 15 ...fxe4 16.lt'ldxe4 White must prepare somehow It'lf5 17.i.g5 h6 18.i.xf6 i.xf619 .b5 to advance his queenside pawns b6 20.c6 i.c8 21.i.d3;!; Kamsky - in this position. Nunn, Monte Carlo 1995; 16 ... 10.a3 It'lxe4!? 17.lt'lxe4 It'lf5 18.b5 It'ld4, If White acts too slowly - freeing the f5 -square for the lO.b3, Black can advance with­ bishop - 19.i.g5 'lMrc8 20.cxd6 out problems f5 : 1O ...lt'le8 (10 ... i.f5 21.i.d3 he4 22.he4 cxd6 It'ld7 1l.i.a3=) 1l.a3 (11.i.a3 b6 and the position looks drawish, 12.b4 axb4 13.hb4 c5= Posylek because of the eventual presence - Shikalov, ICCF 1996) 1l .. .f5 of bishops of opposite colours on 12.i.b2 It'lf6= Spassov - Jasni­ the board.) 16.lt'lc4 hc1 17.'lMrxc1 kowski, Copenhagen 1981. fxe4 18.cxd6, Khalifman- Chepa­ 1OJ''1b1 i.d7 1l.b3 (1l.b4 axb4 rinov, Amsterdam 2007, 18 ... 12.!1xb4 b6 13.a4 It'le8 14.'lMrc2 It'lexd5 19.1t'lxd5 It'lxd5 20.lt'lxe5 f5 15.lt'lb5 It'lf6= Black has al- i.e621.d xc7 'lMrxc7=

288 5. 'D.f3 0-0 6.�e2 e57. 0-0 'Dc6 B.dS'De 79.'Dd2a51 0.a3

A) 10 •••'Dd 7 Vaganian - Kasparov, Manila

B) 10 •••�d7 1992) 14.'Ddxe4 'Df6 lS . .tgS (15. cS 'DfS 16.bS 'Dd4=) lS ... 'Dxe4

A) 10 •••tLld 7 16.'Dxe4 h6 17.�d2 'DfS . .td31B This move is much more pop­ 'Dd4 19 . .te3 i.fS White's position ular than i.d7. Black is planning is slightly better, but his pieces in to attack on the kingside. the centre are not well coordinat­ 1U�b1 ed and there will follow numerous ll.E!a2fS 12.b4 �hB 13.f3'DgB exchanges. 14Jk2 b6 lS.'Db3 'Dgf6 16 . .te3 'DhS 17.'Dc1 axb4 1B.axb4 �a1? Al) 13. 'lWc2 Guerras - Paunovic, La Corona A2)13.f3 1990.

1l••. f51 2.b4 White achieves nothing much 12.f3 �hB 13.b4 - see varia­ with 13.'Db3 axb4 14.axb4 'Df6 tion A2. lS.f3 f4 16.c5 hS Pastukhov - Popovich, Lvov 1996. Black has prepared a pawn-offensive on the kingside in the most economical fashion and he controls the a-file on the queenside, restricting thus the possibilities of his opponent. The position remains double­ edged. 13 . .tb2'Df6 14 . .td3'DhS 1S.exfS 'DxfS 16.'De2 'Dh4 17.'De4 axb4 1B.axb4 'lWd7f±Portisch - Xie Jun, Amsterdam 200l.

12 •••�h8 13.bxa5 'DcS 14.a4 �xaS 1S.i.a3 12 ...axb4 !? 13.axb4 and here b6 16 . .txcSbxcS 17.�bB c6 1B.'lWb3 Black has not tried in practice i.h6 19.�d1 cxdS 20.cxdS .txd2 yet the immediate reduction of 2l.�xd2 fxe422.Wi b6 'DfS23 .WixdB the tension in the centre: 13 ... �xdB 24.�db2 �gB, draw, Gleize­ fxe4 (13 ...�hB 14.'1Wc2 'Df6 15. roy - Thipsay, New Delhi 2009. f3 gS 16.cS 'Dg6 17.'Dc4 'Df4 lB. cxd6 cxd6 19.i.e3 g4 20.i.b6 Al)13 .Wic2fxe4 14.tLlcxe4 Wie7 2l.exfS 'Dxe2 22.'Dxe2 gxf3 14.'Ddxe4 'DfS lS . .tgS (15. 23.�xf3 'DxdS 24.Wid2 e4 2S.�ff1 Wid3 h6f±) lS ... 'Df6 16.'lWc1 axb4 �xfS 26.�xfS 'Dxb6 27.Wixd6 'lWxd6 17.axb4 'Dd4 1B.i.d3 .tiS 19.�a1 2B.'Dxd6 i.xfS 29.'DxfS and the �xa1 20.Wixa1 h6 21. .te3 'Dxe4 opponents soon agreed to a draw, 22.'Dxe4 'lWh4 23.f3 .txe4 24.fxe4

2B9 Chapter 27 gxf1 25.VNxf1 'iffh7= Kishnev - is hanging and his king is en­ Hazai, Budapest 1991. dangered as well.) 25.cxd6 cxd6

14••• �f5 15. �b3 26.lLla5 lLlh4 27.f3 VNd4 28.'iffh1 15.lLlf3lLlf6 16.i.g5,M. Gurevich VNd3 29.�c4 �xd2 30.VNxh4 - van Delft, Hoogeveen 1999, 16 ... �xd5+ Koch - Howell, Groningen h6 17. .id2 �xe4 18.VNxe4 axb4 1995. 19.axb4 lLld420 .lLlxd4 exd4t 2 0 ... �d4 21.�xd4 exd4 22. �d2, Stohl - M.Marin, Stara Za­ gora 1990, 22 ...ga3 't

A2) 13.fJ

15 •••axb4 This is an interesting idea of GM M.Marin. Black impedes the development of the bishop on c1 and he occupies the d4-outpost in the process: 15 ...a4 !? 16.lLlbd2 13 •••axb4 14.axb4 c6 15. lLld4, followed by lLlf6and .if5 . 'iffhl

16.axb4 �f6 17 • .id3 �xe4 White's direct attack does not

18.he4 VNh4 19 • .id2 .id7 work 15.c5 dxc5 16.d6, since Black It looks like White has won can counter it with a spectacular the fight for the e4-square, but piece-sacrifice for three pawns: his knight will be much more 16 ...cxb4 17.dxe7 VNxe7 18.lLla4 b5 comfortable there. Meanwhile, it 19.1Llb2 lLlc5't is stranded on b3, protecting the White's alternatives are: d4-square ... 15.dxc6 lLlxc6 16.lLlb3 lLlxb4 20.i.c3 17.�xd6 lLla2 18 . .ib2 lLlxc3 19 . In case of the overly optimistic .ixc3 ga2 20.gb2 gxb2 21..ixb2 20.c5 .ib5 21..id3, Black's pieces fxe4 22.fxe4 VNb6 23.�xb6 gxf1 come out on a rampage like an 24.'iffxf1 lLlxb6= Chuchelov - evil spirit out of a bottle: 21... Roeder, Antwerp 1999; ga2 22.VNxa2 .ixd3 23.gbd1 i.xf1 15.gf2 lLlf6 16.lLlf1 cxd5 17.cxd5 24.gxf1 VNe4 (White's d5-pawn f4 18 . .id2 g5 19 . .ie1 gg8 20.ga1

290 SJiJj3 0-0 6 . .te2eS 7. 0-0 ttJc6 B.dS ttJe79.ttJd2 aS 10.a3

E1xa1 2l.�xa1 g4 22.�aS b6 23. lS.llJa5 �a7 .tfS 24 . .td1 ttJg62S.E1 c2 gxf3 1S . .te3 .th6 19.�d2 (19 . .tg1 26.hi3 .tg4f± Beliavsky - Antic, ttJhS 20.ttJaS ttJf4 2l.llJc4 ttJf6 22. Herceg Novi 2001; ttJb6ttJxe2 23.�xe2 E1a624.ttJx cS 1S.ttJb3 fxe4 16.fxe4 �b6 17. �xcS=) 19 ...he3 20.�xe3, Gri­ �h1 (17.cS �xb4 1S.E1xfS hiS gore - Sofronie, Bucharest 2001, 19 . .td2 ttJxcS 20.ttJbS �xe4-+; 20 ... ttJhS 2l.ttJaS �h4 22.E1fe1 1S.dxc6 bxc6 19.cxd6 E1xf1 20. ttJgf6 23.ttJc4 ttJg3 24.�g1 ttJxe2 hi1 ttJgS 2l.�c2 - 2l..te3 .th6! 2S.E1xe2 fxe4 26.ttJxd6 exf3 27. - 21...�xd6+ and White will have gxf3 .tfS 2S.E1d1 ttJd7= problems to hold the draw.) 17 ... After 1S.bS, Black exchanges �xb4 1S.ttJbS E1xf1 19.hi1 cxbS the bishops 1S ....th6 19.hh6 20 . .td2 �a4 2l.E1a1�x b3! Black's ttJxh6 20.�d2 and after this he operation is based in this simple can calmly continue with 20 .. .f4 tactical strike and White's posi­ 2l.E1a1 E1xa1 22.E1xa1, beginning tion is hopeless, Grigore - Moty­ an attack against the enemy king: lev, Romania 200l. 22 ...gS 23.E1aS g4?

15••. ttJf6 16.tijb3 lS ...llJh5 19 • .ie3 In case of 16 . .tb2, Black can 19.ttJc4 ttJgf6 20. .te3 20 ...ttJf4, enlarge the front of the attack or 20.bS ttJf4 2l..ta3 ttJe8 22.b6 with 16 ...gS 17.dxc6 ttJxc6 1S.ttJbS E1f6 23.ttJbS .td7 with mutual �e7 19.�b3 E1dS 20.exfS hiS chances.

2l.E1be1 E1acS22 . .ta3.te 6= Sakaev 19 ....th6 20• .tf2 llJgf6 21. - Delchev, Belgrade 1996. llJc4 llJf4 16 ...cxd5 17.cxd5

22.gb2, Dumitrache - Vasie­ 17.. .tij egS siu, Bucharest 1994. The reduc­ Black has already prepared tion of the tension in the centre is .th6 and he can also attack the f4- very important in the King's Indi­ square after ttJhS. an Defence: 22 ...fxe4 23.llJxe4

291 Chapter 27

IOxe4 24. fxe4 .td725 .b5 1Oxe2 Dos Hermanas 1995, 17... tLlf6 18. 26.ftxe2 fte7 27.lO b6 ga300- All �b6 �xb6 19J�xb6 8:tb8!+ 20. Black's pieces are perfectly placed 8:xd6?! tLlc8 21.8:xd7 tLlxd7-F Shi­ and his potential weaknesses are rov) 12 ...bxc6 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 unapproachable. 8:xa2 lS.tLlxa2 V;\fa8 16.tLlc3 dS 17.exdS cxdS 18.tLlf3 e4 19.tLleS .tfS 20.tLlbS dxc4 21.tLlxc4 8:d8+

B) 10 •••.td7 Kolev - Neverov, Odessa 1989.

B1) 11.gb1 a4 White's perfect pawn-chain is disrupted now and this will im­ pede later his queenside attack. 12.b4 12.b3 axb3 - see 12.b4.

12 •••axb3 13.lOxb3 13.8:xb3 b6 14.a4! tLle8 (It is also interesting for Black to play here 14 ....te 8, with the idea to free the d7-square for his knight: 15. In this variation Black is not 8:a3tLld7 16. tLlb3fS 17.f3, Lputian necessarily obliged to attack on - G.Kuzmin, Helsinki 1992, 17... the kingside. He has sufficient �b8 18.tLlbS tLlf6 19.�c2 c6!f±) resources on the queenside to lSJ�a3 fS 16.f3 tLlf6 17.tLlb3 hS, neutralize his opponent's actions with a good position for Black, there. The last modestly looking Tratar - Cigan, Slovenia 1993. move is played with the idea either 13 •••b6 14.ga1 1Oe8 to advance the pawn to a4, or to 14 ...i.a4 lS.tLlxa4 8:xa4 16. prepare undermining of White's i.d3;t pawn centre with c6 and bS. 15.a4 f5 16.f3 White'sattack is ineffective af­ B1) 11.gb1 ter 16.aS bxaS 17.tLlxaS (17.8:xaS B2) 11.b3 8:xaS 18.tLlxaS V;\fa8 19.tLlb3 tLlf6 20 . .td3 8:b8 21.exfS gxfS 22.i.c2 Black must counter 1l.8:a2 8:b4+ Brunner - Nunn, Nurem­ with a precise reaction: 1l... cS! berg 1990) 17 ...tLlf6 18.cS tLlxe4 12.dxc6 (12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 cxb4 (18 ...fxe4 19.tLlb7 �c8 20.8:xa8 14.8:xa8 �xa8 lS.tLlbS hbS 16. V;\fxa8 21.cxd6 cxd6 22.tLlxd6 cxbS .ih6+; 12.b3 tLle8 13.8:b2 fS tLlexdS 23.i.c4i.c6 24.tLlxdShdS 14.b4 axb4 lS.axb4 b6 16.bxcS 2S ..txdS �xdS 26.V;\fxdS tLlxdS, bxc5 17.�3, Kamsky - Shirov, draw, Gleizerov - Zhelnin, Prague

292 5'ciJfJ 0-0 6.�e2 e5 7.0-0 ttJc6 B.dSttJ e7 9.ttJd2a51 O.a3

1990) 19.ttJxe4fxe4 20.ttJ b7, draw, B2) 1l.b3 illibin - Smirin, Vienna 199B.

16 •••�f6

1l •••c6 I do not like so much the pas­ 17.J.e3 sive line: 1l ...ttJcB 12.J.b2 (12.�b1 17.aS bxaS 1BJ:1xaS l'!xaS 19. ttJb6 13.1l;!{c2 .!h6 14.ttJbS �e7 ttJxaSc5 != lS.b4 axb4 16.axb4 c6 17.dxc6 17.'!d2 ttJhS 1B.aS bxaS (lB ... hc6 1B.ttJc3 �fcB 19.ttJb3 hc1 ttJf4 19.93! ttJxe2 20.1l;!{xe2i) 19. 20.�fxc1ttJa 4 21.f3ttJxc3 22.�xc3 ttJxaS, Pekarek - Voller, Pribram .!a4= - Al-Modiahki, 1996, 19 ...1l;!{bB 20.cS ttJf4 21.J.c4 Beijing 1995; 12.ttJf3ttJhS 13.g 3 fS l'!xaS 22.l'!xaS 1l;!{b4 23.cxd6 cxd6 14.exfS gxfS lS.ttJh4 ttJf4 16.hf4 24.�a4 �cS 2S.�h1 ha4 26.1l;!{xa4 exf4 17.�c1 fxg3 1B.fxg3 f4= 1l;!{d4with equality. Chuchelov - B.Socko, Greece

17 ••• �h5 200S) 12 ... ttJb6 13.1l;!{c2 �e7 14.b4 17... �hB 1B.aS bxaS 19.cS a4 axb4 lS.axb4 .!h6 16.�fd1 ttJhS17. 20.ttJd2dxc5, M.Gurevich - Inar­ g3 ttJf6 18.�aS .!g4 19.ttJb3 he2 kiev, Lugo 2007, 21.hcSi 20.�xe2 1l;!{d7 2U!da1 1l;!{h3, Roiz 18.a5 - Klenburg, Biel 2007, 22.f3± 1B.g3 f4f± It is essential for White has an overwhelming ad­ Black to have a target for his at­ vantage. tack. 18 ...�f 4 19.axb6 gxal 20. B2a) 12.gbl �xal cxb6= -There has arisen B2b) 12.ga2 the usual situation for the mid­ B2c) 13.�b2 dle game in the King's Indian De­ fence. Black protects his queen­ The reduction of the tension in side weaknesses (ttJcB) and he the centre leads to quick equality: plans kingside actions (fxe4 or 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.J.b2 J.e6 14.b4 gS-g4). axb4 lS.axb4 l'!xal 16.ha1 dS=

293 Chapter 27

B2a) 12.gb1 l3b2.!LlfxdS 16 . .!LlxdS .!LlxdS 17. .!Llb1 This move is consistent with (17 . .!Llc4 .!Llc3=F) 17 ....!Llf4 1B . .ixf4 White's strategy, but it is a bit exf4 19.l3d2 .ieS and Black has the slow. advantage.

12 •••b5 !? I believe this dynamic move deserves most attention. In case of 12 ...Wfb B, White suc­ ceeds in playing 13.b4! (13.dxc6 bxc6 14.b4 axb4 1S.axb4 l3cB 16.cS dS 17.Wfc2 .ie6 1B.l3e1 h6 19 . .ifl l3dB 20.h3, draw, Lobron - Hort, Germany 1995) 13 ...cxdS 14.cxdS (14.exdS axb4 lS.axb4 bS!+) 14 ... l3cBlS . .!Llc4! (lS . .ib2 axb4 16.axb4 bS 17 . .id3 Wfb6 1B . .!Llb3 .ih6

19 . .!LlaS l3c7°o Nemet - Gallagher, 13 .••b4! Switzerland 1994) lS ...bS 16.bxaS This is an important interme­ l3xc4 17. .ixc4 Wfc7, Giacomazzi - diate move. Shchekachev, Metz 1995 and here 14.axb4 White had to continue simply 14 . .!LldS .!Llxc6 lS . .!Llxf6 (lS . .ib2 with 1B . .!LlxbS �xc4 19 . .!Llxd6 Wfa6 .ie6 16.l3a1 .!Lld7 17.f4 exf4 1B . .ixg7 20.l3b6 WfxaS 21.Wfb3 .!LlcB 22.l3bB mxg7 19.13xf4 .!LlcS 20 . .!Llfl WfgS=F Wfa723.f uaB WfxaB24 . .!LlxcB�xcB Ftacnik - Gadjily, Moscow 1994. 2S.f3;t with a clear positional ad­ This is an exemplary game for the vantage for him. variation with 12 ...bS.) lS ....ixf6 13.dxc6 16 . .!Llf3 Wfe7 17.a4 .!LldB 1B . .ih6 After 13.cS, Black manages to l3eB, Lukacs - Uhlmann, Austria attack the enemy knight, forcing 1995, 19 . .id3 .!Lle6+ it to abandon its control over the 14.c7 (White plays here an im­ dS-square: 13 ...b4 ! 14.cxd6 bxc3 portant intermediate move too.) lS.dxe7 �xe7 16 . .!Llc4 cxdS 17.exdS 14 ...�xc7 lS . .!LldS .!LlexdS 16.cxdS .ifS 1B.d6 Wfe6+ a4! (opening the game advan­ If 13.b4, then White's dS-pawn tageously) 17.axb4 l3fbB 1B.l3a1 is weakened: 13 ...bxc4 14 . .!Llxc4 �c3 19 . .ia3 axb3 20.l3el �d4=F cxdS lS.exdS, Chuchelov - Jens, All White's pieces are hanging, Netherlands 2000, lS ...axb4 16. Grigore - Nevednichy, Romania l3xb4(16.a xb4, Chuchelov - Lang­ 1995. heinrich, Bad Zwesten 2000, 16 ... 14••. axb4 15.c7 .ifS 17.l3b3 .!Lle4=)16 ....!LlfS= lS.cxd7 bxc3 16 . .!Llf3 .!Llxe4f± 13.cxbS cxdS 14.exdS .ifS lS. lS . .!LldS .!Llxc6 16 . .!Llxf6 .ixf6 17.

294 SJiJj3 0-0 6.!e2 eS 7. 0-0 ttJc6 B.dS ttJe79.ttJd2 a5 1O.a3 ttJf3, Volzhin - Hillarp Persson, Budapest 1996, 17 .. .'�c7 18.'�d3 !e7 19.!e3 !e6=

15••• Ybc7 16.ttJd5 16.ttJb5hb5 17.cxb5 d5 with a position with mutual chances.

16 •••c!lJexd5 17.cxd5 ga2 18. !d3 gb8 18 ...ttJh 5!? 19.1i)C4 ttJf420. hf4 exf4 21.'�f3!b5 22.�xf4 �c5 and Black prospects are at least equal. same fashion as against 12.!b2 19.9b2 gxb2 20.hb2 (line B2c).

12 •••'l'b8 13.gc2 gc8 This position resembles very much the and Black has an excellent version of it. 14.!d3 He can counter 14.ttJdbl with 14 ...b5 15.cxb5 cxb5 16.b4 axb4 (16 ...ttJe8 17.!e3 f5 18.f3 ttJf6 19. �d2 a4 20J�fc1 �c7 21.�d3! �b7 22.ttJd1 f4 23.!f2 g5 24.ttJb2 g4 25.fxg4 ttJxg4 26.hg4 hg4 27. ttJd2 �h8= Beliavsky - Stellwa­

20 •••!e8 ! gen, Amsterdam 2006) 17.axb4 This is another typical re­ �a1 (White's bishop must either source for Black. He frees the go to b2, or he must put up d7-square for the transfer of his with the enemy rook on al.) 18. knight to c5. !d3 ttJh5 19.93 �a7 20.!g5 f6 21.c!lJc4 c!lJd7 22.ioc1 c!lJc5= 21.!e3 �ac7 22.f3 f5 = Sharavdorj Gokhale - Mahmoud, Calcutta - Al-Modiahki, Yangon 1999, with 1996. an approximately equal posi­ tion.

14 •••cxd5 15.cxd5 b5 16.b4 B2b) I have had to encounter axb4 17.axb4 c!lJh5't Black can in my practice the move attack the pawn on e4 either di­ 12.ga2, rectly with f5, or in a trickier fash­ (diagram) ion with ih6, Chuchelov - Bolo­ and Black must continue in the gan, Silivri 2003.

295 Chapter 27

B2e) 12 • .lb2 tt'ld4 17.tt'lc3 tt'lc7=. Black's control over the d4-outpost enables him not only to equalize, but he has good chances of winning afterf5 . 13.l=!b1 l=!c8 14.@h1, Ftacnik - Battsetseg, Philadelphia 2006, 14 ...cxdS lS.cxdS (lS.exdS tt'lfS 16.tt'lde4 tt'lxe4 17.tt'lxe4 �c7) lS ... bS= Black has equalized.

13 •••axb4 White is better after 13 ...cxdS 14.cxdS l=!c8 lS.bS. 14.axb4 l:!xal 15.Yba1, Hen­

12 •• :�b8 richs - Valuet, Differdange 2007. Black is preparing the pawn­ break b7-bS. His alternative is the attempt to organize some piece-play on the queenside, activating his queen immediately: 12 ...�b6 13. dxc6 (13.l'k1cS 14J'!b1 tt'le8lS .b4 axb4 16.axb4 �xb4 17.tt'lbS �aS 18J'!a1�d8 19.l=!xa8 �xa8 20.�b3 fS 21.l=!a1 �b8+ Ruban - Nijboer, Groningen 1993) 13 ...bxc6 14.tt'la4 �c7 1S.cS dS 16.tt'lb6 l=!ad8 17. .lc3,

Malakhov - Zvjaginsev, Poikov­ 15 •••b5 !? Black reduces the sky 2004 and here Black should tension on the queenside with this better give up his as-pawn: 17... pawn-sacrifice in order to avoid .le6 18.haS �a7 19.exdS tt'lfxdS the necessity to defend laborious­ 20.tt'lbc4 l=!d7 21..lb6 �b8 22.�c2 ly a slightly inferior position. tt'lfS� and he has excellent com­ 16.dxe6 tLlxe6 17.tLlxb5 (After pensation. 17.cxbS tt'ld4 18 . .lc4 tt'lxbS 19. �aS 13.b4 tt'ld4 20.bS .lh6 21.tt'lb3 l=!c8, he

Black will counter 13.tt'la4 with has the initiative.) 17 •••tLlxb4 18. 13 ...bS. .le3tLle2 19.�2 tLld4 20.tLlxd4 13.@h1 tt'le8(13 ...cxdS 14.exdS lYxb2 21 . .hb2 exd4 22.hd4 tt'lfS lS.tt'lce4 tt'lxe4 16.tt'lxe4 tt'ld4 l=!e8 23 • .lf3 tLlxe4! 24.tLlxe4 17.f4;1;) 14.tt'la4 �a7 1S.dxc6, Sher­ hd4 25.tLlxd6 l:!e5 - Black is a bakov - V.Georgiev, Ubeda 1996 pawn downindeed, but he should (lS.cS cxdS), 15 ... tt'lxc6 16.tt'lf3 not have problems to make a draw.

296 Part6

The Fianchetto Systems

In the final 6thpart of our book, "The King's Indian Household" we will analyze different set-ups, is a universal response to all pos­ in which White fianchettoes his sible closed opening systems by king'sbish op. This is traditionally Whiteand it can be used by Black considered as veryreliable for him even if White keeps his pawn on and this is not surprising. Both d2, or he fianchettoes both his sides develop their forces sym­ bishops. All these schemes have metrically, but White's advantage their nuances, their theory and of an extra tempo is very impor­ practice and they do not belong to tant in the fight for supremacyin the King's Indian Defence. How the centre. His plan, including the should Black play against them? I fianchetto, is not aggressive in­ understand that an answer of the deed; it is prophylactic and White type "Have a look at some other intends to steer the game into a opening monographs." will hardly long positional battle, restricting satisfy our readers, so I have de­ gradually the possibilities of his cided to include in the last part of opponent and trying to squeeze the book some chapters includ­ him. An exquisite positional play­ ing White's king's fianchetto. He er like the sixth world champion plays in them in the spirit of the Mikhail Botvinnik often played , or the Queen's this system. Pawn.

297 Chapter 28 1.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 g6 3.tLlf3 i.g7 4.g3 0 - 0 5.i.g2 d6 6. 0-0 tLlc6

er variations as early as on move seven.

A) 7.d5 B) 7.tLlc3

7.ttJbd2 - This is an evident concession by White from the point of view of the fight for the centre and Black equalizes eas­ ily after7 ...eS B.dS ttJe79. e4 ttJhS More than one hundred years 1O.ttJe1 cS 1l.ttJd3 fS 12.f3 �d7 have passed, since the appearance 13.a3 �h6= Sandor - Bilek, Buda­ of the Alekhine Defence and you pest 1954. cannot surprise anybody with a In case of 7.b3, Black should move like this. Black completes better play immediately 7 ...eS calmly his development, without B.dxeS (After B.�b2, he can push being afraid of the pawn-advance this pawn even further to e4 - d4-dS. His knight will have to go B ...e4 and he can protect it reli­ to the edge of the board then, but ably there: 9.ttJe1geB 1O.ttJc2�fS White closes the diagonal of his 1l.ttJc3 lMld7= Jovanovic - Cio­ fianchettoed bishop and Black caltea, Mladenovac 1975.) B ...dxeS will organize counterplay on the (B ...ttJg 4 9.�b2 ttJgxeS 1O.ttJc3 queenside. If White leaves the ttJxf3 1l.,txf3 �h3=; 1O.ttJxeS, knight on c6 for a while, Black can Witkowski - Kwasniewski, War­ follow another plan, pushing e7- saw 1964, 1O ...dxeS !? 11.ttJc3 �fS eS and occupying the d4-square 12.lMlxdB gfxdB 13.�dS gabB=, with his knight. planning ttJd4 and c6) 9.�b2 e4 Here, besides the main line 1O.ttJgS (1O.ttJd4 ttJxd4 11.lMlxd4, 7.tLlc3 (B), White can try to sur­ Steinfeld - I.Ivanov, USA 19BB, prise his opponent with some oth- 11...lMlxd4 12.,txd4 gdB 13.e3

29B 3.0,fJ i.g74.g3 0-0 5.i.g2d6 6.0-0 0,c6 c5!=) 1O ...i.f5 ll.0,c3�e8 12.'�xd8 i.d7=, or what is even better for �axd8 13.�fd1 h6 14.0,h3 0,d4+ him, to postpone c5 and attack Black is better thanks to his well­ his enemy's d5-pawn with c6, for deployed pieces and superior example: 8 ... 0,d7 (It is also pos­ control over the centre, Newman sible for Black to play immedi­ - Beach, Plymouth 1957. ately 8 ...c6 !?) 9.Vc2 c6 1O.e4 cxd5 7.i.f4 - This is not the best ll.exd5 0,e5 12.0,a3 i.f5 13.i.e4 square for White's bishop, be­ i.d7 14.�b1 �c8 15.b3 b5, Kossov cause it can be attacked by Black - Bologan, Moscow 1995. with tempo after e5: 7 ... 0,g4 8.h3 e5 9.i.g5 0,f6 1O.0,c3 0,xd4 Al)8. Va4 11.0,xd4 exd4 12.'�xd4 h6 13.i.d2 This attempt by White to at­ i.f5 14.'�f4 c6 15.�ad1 i.c2 16.�c1 tack the knight on as deserves g5 17.'�f3 i.g6 18.�fd1 �e8 19.94 some attention.

0,e4+ Romanishin - Petrosian, 8 •••c5 9.J.d2 Moscow 1976. Or 9.dxc6 0,xc6 1O.0,c3 VaS ll.Vxa5 0,xa5 12.b3 i.d7 13.h3 A) 7.d5 tLla5 �ab8, with mutual chances.

9 •••b6 10.J.c3 This is the point. White is not in a hurry to capture his oppo­ nent's bad knight. 10.ba5 bxa5 ll.0,c3 �b8 12. Vc2 0,d713.e 4 i.a6 14.0,d2 ti'b6 15.�ab1 0,e5 16.0,d1e6f± An.Ro­ driguez - Flores, Villa Martelli 2008.

lO •••e5! White has been distracted by his actions on the queenside, so Al) 8.Va4 Black should counter strike in the A2) 8.tLlbd2 centre. It is weaker for him to play If 8.0,a3, then after 8 ...c5 1O ...i.d7 ll.Vc2 i.f5 12.Vc1 �b8 9.dxc6 0,xc6, there arises a habit­ (Black fails to equalize with the ual position, except that White's temporary pawn-sacrifice - 12 ... knight is misplaced on a3. b5 13.cxb5 �b8, Kacheishvili - After 8.0,fd2?! Black has a Bologan, Vermont 1999, and here very pleasant choice: to trans­ White should have begun a chase pose to the main lines with 8 ... for his opponent's bishop with c5 9.a3 tLld7 1O.�a2 0,e5 ll.Vc2 14.0,h4i.d7 15.0,a3 bb5 16.0,xb5

299 Chapter 28

�xb5 17.b3;t, or 13 ....ie4 14 . .ixf6 dxc5 17.bxa5± Bondarets - Lee, i.xf6 15.lDc3 hc3 16.VNxc3 VNb6 Dresden 2008) 10.cxb5 a6 11.bxa6 17.'1We3 hd5 18.VNxe7;t) 13.lDbd2 ha6 12.ge1 lDd7� He has ob­ e5 14.lDe1VNd7 15.e4 .ih3 16.lDd3 tained the typical compensation: hg2 17.<.tzxg2 �be8 18.VNc2 lDb7 he must either place his knight on 19 .�aeU White has developed his c4 after llJb6, or advance c4, fol­ forces in an exemplary fashion for lowed by lDc5, Hauchard - Bolo­ the Yugoslavian variation and he gan, Belfort 1995. is perfectly prepared to advance It is more or less the same after f4, Gelashvili - Timoshenko, Cap­ 9.a3 - 9 ...b5 1O.cxb5 lDxd5 1l.lDe1 pelle la Grande 2009. e6 12.e4 llJc7 13.t«a4 lDb714.� b3 gb8 15.lDc4 d5 16.lDe3 lDa5 Kuli­ kov - Bologan, Kstovo 1998.

1l.dxe6 1l.lDbd2 lDh5 (Black must push f5 , before White has placed 9 •••gbS his knight on d3, so that he can­ In principle, Black can advance not counter yet f5 with f4 .) 12.e4 9 ...b5 !? even without prepara­ f5= Bagaturov - Ivanchuk, Yere­ tion. There might follow: 1O.cxb5 van 2004. a6 1l.bxa6 (1l.b6 VNxb6 12.lDc2

1l •••he6 12.lDg5 Ad7 13. .ib7+ with the idea e6) 1l ... !!xa6 t«d1gbS 14.VNxd6 c!Llxc4 15.VNf4 , 12.lDc2 .ib7 (planning VNa8 and Garcia Palermo - Avrukh, Turin e6) 13.b4?! (13.lDe3 t«a8 14.llJe4

2006, 15 ••• c!Llxb2!t llJxd5 15.lDxd5 hd5 16.lDf6 .ixf6 17.hd5 �a7+; 13.e4!? gb6!?�, A2) S.lDbd2c5 9.c!Llel with e6, or .ia6 to follow) 13 ... In case of 9.e4, Black should llJxd5 14.bxa5 hal 15.llJxa1 lDc3 react in the spirit of the Benko 16.hb7 llJxd1 17.ha6 VNxa5 18. Gambit: 9 ...b5 (9 ...a6 10J:1b1 b5 .ic4 lDc3-+ Kochyev - Bologan, 1l.b3 gb8 12.�c2 e5 13.lDe1 .id7 St. Petersburg 1995. 14.lDd3 llJh5 15.b4 bxc4 16.lDxc5 10.gb1 b5 1l.cxb5 gxb5

300 3.liJj3 ig7 4.g3 0-0 5.ig2 d6 6.0-0 liJc6

12.�c2 .id7 13.b4 cxb4 14. It is simply bad for White

�xb4 tfb6 15.a3 �g4 16 • .ib2 to play B.a4?!, since Black can �e5 17.h3 gc8 18.e3 �ec4+' counter that with B ...aS 9.b3 .1g4 Black has the initiative, Jurek - 1O . .1b2 liJd711.dS (l1.e3 eS l2.dxeS Hitzgerova, Schwabisch Gmund liJcxeS, followed by liJcS+') 11... 199B. .ixf3!12.e xf3!?(12.i.xf3 liJb4,with the idea liJc5, c6, .b6+') 12 ...�b4 B) 7.�c3 a6 (12 ...liJd 4?! 13.�bl liJcS 14.ic1oo) This is a very useful "pass" for 13.�el liJcS 14.�e3 c6+' and Black Black, resembling the Chebanen­ has a slight advantage thanks to ko system (4 ...a6) in the Slav De­ his complete control over the dark fence. Black keeps his options squares, Skomorokhin - Bologan, about the future of his bishop on Bie1 1993, as well as with B ...liJa S! cB and he waits to see the plan of 9.b3 c5 (White has problems pro­ his opponent. In addition, the tecting his weaknesses on b3 and move withthe rook-pawn enables d4.) 1O .•c2 eb6, with initiative him to create some counterplay for Black. on the queenside after �bB and AfterB.a 3, Black can again play bS. B ...liJa S 9.liJd2 c5 10.dS liJg4=, with the idea liJeSand bS. 8.igS - This move does not have separate importance, be­ cause the difference, in compari­ son to the line with B.id2, is only in the inclusion of h7-h6 and this does not compromise Black's po­ sition. B ...h6 9.id2 (9.ie3 �bB, preparing the standard pawn­ break bS.) 9 ...eS 1O.dS liJd4 (Black can go with his knight to e7 as well: 1O ...liJe7 11.e4 liJd7 12.liJel In this chapter, we will deal fS 13.liJd3 liJf6= Olafsson - Don­ with all sensible moves for White ner, Zurich 19S9.) 11.liJel id7 except the main lines: B.dS, B.h3 12.e3 liJfS 13.liJd3 .e7 14.e4 �d4 and B.b3. IS.liJe2 liJxe2 16 .• xe2 c6!= Lern­ er - Bologan, Nikolaev 1995. It is Bl) 8 . .id2 essential for Black to prevent his B2) 8.gel opponent's play with cS. B3) 8 .•d3 I have had to encounter the B4) 8.e3 move B . .1f4 too and Black's sim­ B5) 8.e4 plest reaction against this would

301 Chapter 28 be to prepare bS: B ...gbB 9.gcl i.d7 Markowski - Szelag, Opole 2006. 1O.dS lLlaS 11.b3 bS 12.cxbS axbS It is illogical for White to continue 13.b4 lLlc4 14.lLld4 lLlhS! (eliminat­ with 9.b3, after he has developed ing White's dark-squared bishop) his bishop to d2: 9 ...eS 10.dS lLld4 IS.gc2 lLlxf4 16.gxf4 eS 17.dxe6 11.e4? - 11.i.e3 lLlfS= - 11... i.g4 fxe6. Black has a powerful bish­ 12.i.e3 cS 13.dxc6 bxc6 14.hd4 op-pair and pawn-majority in the exd4 IS.lLle2 lLlxe4 Almeida - Al­ centre, Itkis - Bologan, Yugosla­ Modiahki, Andorra 1999.) It may via 1994. be paradoxical, but Black can still His best reaction against B. play 9 ...bS ! (It is weaker for him lLldSwould be B ...e6 9.lLlxf6 '!Wxf6 to opt for 9 ...i.d7 1O.dS lLlaS 11. 1O.e3 (10.i.gS'!WfS 11.i.e3eS 12.dS b3 cS 12.dxc6 lLlxc6 13.lLldS! lLle4 lLle7 13.h3 '!Wd7= Nunn) ... 1O i.d7 14.i.e3 e6 IS.i.b6 '!WeB 16.lLlf4t; 11.i.d2 eS 12.dS lLldB 13.e4 '!We7, 13 ...lLlxdS 14.cxdS lLleS IS.lLlxeS with the idea as, b6, lLlb7-cS, fS , heS 16.i.h6 geB 17.'!Wd2 and Korchnoi - Nunn, Bie1 19B6. Black will have problems devel­ In case of B.'!Wc2, Black can oping his queen, for example: 17 ... occupy the h3-cB diagonal with '!Wb6 IB.i.e3 '!WbS 19.9c7t) 1O.cxbS tempo: B ...i.g4 9.gdl '!WcB 1O.dS, axbS 11.dS lLlaS 12.b4 lLlc4 13.i.el Teich - Beeker, Germany 19BB, i.d7 14.lLld4 '!WeB IS.lLlc6,Mukhin 1O ... lLlb4 lUWa4 (11.'!Wb3 as fol­ - Tukmakov, Baku 1972, (IS.'!Wb3 lowed by lLla6) 11 ...aS 12.a3 i.d7 lLlxdS)Is ...hc6 16.dxc6 lLleS I7.e3 13.lLlbS c6 14.dxc6 lLlxc6 (but not lLlxc6 IB.lLldS lLlxdS 19.'!WxdS lLleS 14 ...bxc6 IS.lLlxd6!) IS.i.f4 lLla7t 20.gxc7 gb6 21.'!Wb3 e6=, with the Black doubles his opponent's idea to follow with dS, equalizing. pawns and he gradually seizes the 9.d5 initiative. 9.dxeS!? dxeS 10.i.gS. It looks like White has lost a tempo, be­ Bl) 8.i.d2 cause his bishop has come to gS This move does not involve in two moves. any profound idea. White simply develops his bishop and he will continue depending on Black's reaction.

8 .••e5 B ...gbB 9.gcl. This move is aimed at preventing bS. (It is premature for Whiteto play 9.dS lLlaS l0.b3 cS ll.dxc6 lLlxc6 12.'!Wc1 geB 13.gdl i.d7 14.lLlelbS IS.i.h6 i.xh616.'!W xh6 bxc4 17.bxc4 '!WaS+ There are some plusses in this

302 3.tiJfJ iLg74.g3 0-0 5.iLg2 d6 6.0-0 ll:lc6 as well. His e2-pawn has remained over the dS-square with counter at its place and his bishop on g2 is chances. still very powerful.The position is 9 •..ll:ld 4 symmetrical, but Black must play very precisely in order to hold the balance. 10 ...iLe6 11.�a4. If White wishes to exploit the dS-square, he should better do it with queens present on the board. (His straightforward play after11.ll:ld S, leads to an equal endgame after: 11...hdS 12.cxdS �xdS 13.�xdS ll:lxdS 14.ll:lxeS ll:lxeS 1S.hdS c6 16.iLb3 as 17J�ad1 a4 18.iLc2 lUe8 19.b3 axb3 20.hb3 bS 2U!el 10.ll:lel ll:lc4= Ribli - Tkachiev, Senek The exchange of two couples 1998; 16 ...h6 17.iLd2 as 18.a4 of knights facilitates Black's de­ ll:ld7 19J'!ib1 It'lcS 20.iLc2 l'!fd8 fence considerably: 1O.ll:lxd4 exd4 21.iLe1 ll:le6= Ionescu - Djukic, 11.ll:le4 ll:lxe4 12.he4 iLh3= Bucharest 2004. White would 10 ... l'!e8 1l.l'!c1 not achieve much with 11.�xd8 11.h3 ll:lfS 12.e4 (12.e3 e4) 12 ... l'!axd8 12.ll:ld2 ll:ld4 13.l'!fd1 h6 ll:ld4 13.ll:le2 (13.iLe3 cS 14.dxc6 14.iLxf6 il.xf6 1s.hb7 l'!b8 16.iLdS bxc6 1S.ll:lc2cS) 13 ...cS? l'!xb2 17.e3 c6 18.ll:lde4 iLg7 19. 1l •••iLd7 12.b4 he6 ll:lxe6 20.l'!d6 l'!c8= Gry­ Black's knight seems to be too cel - B.Socko, Lubniewice 2002.) far fromthe rest of his forces, but 1l ...h6 (White is better after 11 ... it cannot be trapped, for exam­ �e8 12.l'!fd1) 12.l'!fd1 �e7 (It looks ple: 12.e3 ll:lfS 13.e4 ll:ld4 14.ll:ld3 smart for Black to try 12 ...�b 8, cS (This is the habitual additional but his queen is misplaced on a7: support for the knight on d4.) 13.il.xf6 hf6 14.ll:ld2iLg7 1S.ll:lde4 1S.dxc6 bxc6 16.cS (otherwise, �a7 16.ll:ldS l'!ac8 17.b4 @h8 18.e3 Black will play cS himself) 16 ... fS 19.1l:lcS iLg8 20.l'!ael e4 21.ll:lf4� iLe6, Drasko - Roos, Arco 2000, Tkachiev - Kasimdzhanov, New 17.cxd6 �xd6 18.iLe3 l'!ed8= with Delhi 2000; 20 ...aS 21.ll:lxb7�xb7 a comfortable game for Black.

22.lt'le7 e4 23.�xc6 �xc6 24.ll:lxc6 12 •••b5 !? axb4 2S.ll:le7;l;) 13.iLe3 (13.il.xf6 12 ...aS !? 13.a3� il.xf6 14.ll:ldS hdS 1S.cxdS ll:ld4 13.e3 tillS14.a 4! e4 16.ll:lxd4 exd4 17.iLf3 �d6=) 13 ... 14 ...bxa4 1S.ll:lxa4 l'!c8 16.ll:ld3 l'!fd8, establishing again control c600

303 Chapter 28

15.cxb5 axb5 16.a5, Bagin­ gen - Mamedyarov, Baku 2002, skaite - Bologan, Vermont 1999, 17.lLlxbS exf3 18.exf3±, or 1l... e6 16 ... h5 17.�c2 h4+± 12.e4 lLle713.lLld2 lLld7 14.lLlb3 c6 1S.i.gS h6 16.i.xe7 lMfxe7 17.lLlaS;!; 1997.) 1O.dS (In case of 10.dxeS, B2) S.gel Black should better capture with his pawn: 1O ...dxeS 11.1Mfxd8 l::1xd8 12.i.gS h6 13.i.xf6 i.xf6 14.lLldS i.g7 1S.l::1bd1 .ie6+ He gradually seizes the initiative. He will re­ ply to the capturing of the pawn 1S.lLlxc7 with 1S ...e4 .) 1O ...lLle7 (Black's compensation is insuf­ ficient after 1O ...lLld 4 1l.lLld2 .if5 12.e4 i.d7; 11.lLlxd4 exd4 12.lMfxd4 i.fS 13.l::1a1 lLle4 14.lMfe3 lLlxc3 15. bxc3 bS 16.cxbS axbS 17.i.a3;!;) 1l.e4 (It would be premature for This move should not be de­ White to opt for 1l.cS lLld7 12.cxd6 finedas bad, because White plays cxd6 13.e4 h6 and there would in the centre after all. arise a habitual position, but S ... geS Black has already prepared fS and The other rook-move for Black he has made only one superflu­ - 8 .. J':(b8 is not bad at all. 9J':'1b1 ous move, while Whitehas played (After 9.e4, there arises a version two, Chochol - Herejk, Czech Re­ of 8.e4 and the inclusion of the public 1997. Whiteachieves noth­ rook-moves is much rather in fa­ ing with 1l.b4 bS!) 11 ...c6 12.b4 vour of Black: 9 ...i.g4 1O.i.e3 lLld7 (12.a4 bS 13.axbS axbS 14.dxc6 11.1Mfd2 eS 12.dS i.xf3 13.i.xf3 lLld4 bxc4 1S.lMfa4 lMfc7 16.lMfxc4 i.e6 17. 14.i.g2c5= Kestler - Klundt, Ger­ lMfd3 lLlxc6 18.i.gS lLlb4 19.1Mfd2 many 1985; 11.lLle2 i.xf3 12.i.xf3 l::1fd 8 20.l::1ec1 lMfb7+± Riazantsev ­ lLlaS 13.l'k1cS 14. i.g2 lLlc6+±; 11 ... Inarkiev, Moscow 2008; 12.dxc6 lLlaS 12J'k1 cS 13.b3 lLlc6 14.dS lLlxc6 13.h3 bS 14.cxbS axbS 15. lLlb4 1S.a3 lLld3 16.lMfxd3 i.xf3= b4 i.e6 16.i.f1 dS!+±) 12 ... cxdS 13. with a comfortable game for him.) cxdS bS= 9 ... eS. This is the most precise (diagram) move for Black. (White is well­ 9.d5 prepared to counter 9 ...bS with White can still refrainfrom ac­ 1O.cxbS axbS 1l.b4! eS 12.dxeS tive actions with: 9.l::1b1 eS 1O.dS dxeS 13.i.e3 i.fS 14Jk1 lMfe8 (lO.dxeS dxeS 11.lMfxd8 l::1xd8 12. 1S.i.cS l::1d8 16.lMfb3 e4, Stellwa- i.gS i.e6+±) 1O ...lLld4 1l.lLld2 ! It is

304 3.tiJj34.g �g7 3 0-0 5.�g2 d6 6.0-0 lLlc6

18 . .!g5 f619.� h6 �b2 20J3b1 �e5 21.f4 Wlb6, V.Schmidt - Kosciel­ ski, Bad Woerisfofen 2001, 22.e3 exd5 (22 ...Wlxe3 23.@h1 f5 24.fxe5 Wlxh6 25.lLlf6±) 23.Wlxd5 �e6 24.Wld3 f5 25.fxe5 fxe4 26.he4 Wlb500

10 •••cS 1U�bl 11.e4 e5 12.dxe6 he6 13.b3 lLlc6 14.�b2 lLld7 15.Wld2 Wla5 16. gad1 gab8 17.lLle2 Wlxd2 18.gxd2 advantageous for White to leave hb2 19.�b2 .!g4f± Ptacnikova - Black's problematic d4-knight on Schoene, Dresden 2007. the board. (Black obtains a com­ fortable game after 11.lLlxd4 exd4 12.Wlxd4 .!f5 13.ga1 lLle4.) 11 ... .!f5 (11... .!d7 12.e3 lLlf5 13.b3;!;) 12.lLlde4 lLlxe4 13.lLlxe4 c6 (13 ... Wld7 14.e3 he4 15.he4 lLlf5 16. Wlc2fi:Je7 17. .!g2 f5 18.e4 fxe4 19. Wlxe4 as 20 . .!d2 b6 21.'!c3 lLlf5 22 . .!h3 gf8 23.Wld3;!; White has a slight positional edge, Maric - Kachiani, Antalya 2002) 14.e3 cxd5 15.cxd5 lLlb5 . .!d216 he4

17.he4 f5 18.�g2 e4 19.Wlb3 W1d7. 1l••• e6 Black's position is quite defensi­ Black wishes to transfer the ble. game into the Benoni system.

9.h3 .!d7 1O.e4 e5 11.dxe5 12 • .tgSh6 13.hf6 hf6 14. (11.d5 fi:Jd4f±) 11 ...fi:Jxe5 12.lLlxe5 dxe6 dxe5 13 . .!e3 .!e6 14.lLld5 lLld7 14.b4 cxb4 15.gxb4 exd5 16. 15.Wlb3 Wfc8 16.Wla3 .!f8 17.Wla5 tt:lxd5 .!g7= c6 18.gael (18.fi:Jc7 b6 19.!xb6 14.a3 exd5 15.lLlxd5 �g7= tt:lxb6 20.Wlxb6 gb8 21.Wla5.!b4+') 14 •••,he6 IS.lLldS .tf5! 18 ...b6 !, Riazantsev - Inarkiev, Black provokes the weakening Moscow 2008, 19.tt:lxb6 fi:Jxb6 of the d4-square and the closing 20.hb6 hh3= of the diagonal of the bishop on 9 ... lLlaS l0.Wld3 g2. 10.tt:ld2 c5 11.a3 lLlg4 12.Wlc2 16.e4 .!g4 17.a3 lLlc6= Kar­ fi:Je5 13.fi:Jce4e6 14.b4cxb4 15.axb4 pov - Tkachiev, Cap d'Agde lLlaxc416.tt:lxc4 lLlxc4 17.Wlxc4hal 2000.

305 Chapter 28

B3) 8J�'d3 on c5 and a pawn on a5: 1O.\Wdl a5 ll.e4 c6 12.a3 ttJa6 13 . .ig5 h6 14 . .ixf6 .ixf6 15.\i;Vd2@h7 16.dxc6 bxc6 17.gfd1 .ie7= Razuvaev - Chiburdanidze, Moscow 1981.

9 •.•dxe5 10.\Wxd8 Black must play very accurate­ ly in this endgame. 1O.\i;Ve3 White has not tried this move in practice yet, but it is quite reasonable. 1O ...ge8 ll.gd1 .id7 12.ttJg5 (12.h3 \We7 13.ttJd5 ttJxd5 14.cxd5 ttJd4 15.ttJxd4 exd4 This move has its venom. 16.\i;Vxe7 gxe7 17.d6 cxd6 18.hb7 White makes a solid move in the ga7 19 . .if3 hh3=; 12.\i;Vd2 .if5 centre and he waits for a mistake 13.\i;Vel \i;Vc8 14.e4 .ig4=) 12 ... by his opponent. ttJd4 13.\i;Vd3 .if5 14.ttJge4 ttJxe4

8 •..e5 15.ttJxe4 ttJe6= Black has nothing I have tried several times (rath­ to worryabout. er unsuccessfully, though ...) the 10 ...gxd8 1l . .tg5 ge8 creative approach 8 ...ttJd 7 9 . .ie3 This is better than ll ....ie6 h6! It is important to deprive 12.ttJd2 gdc8 13 . .ixf6 .ixf6 14. White of the possibility to play ttJde4 .ie7 15.ttJd5 .if8 16.ttJg5 later .ig5. (White is better after hd5 17.cxd5 ttJd4 18.e3 ttJb5 19. 9 ...e5 1O.\i;Vd2 exd4 ll.ttJxd4 ttJce5 gael .ie7 20.h4 h6 21.ttJe4 ttJd6 12.b3 ttJc5 13.h3 c6 14 . .ih6 hh6 22.ttJc5 ge8 23.e4 .id8 24.gc2;:!:; 15.\i;Vxh6;:!:; Borovikov - Zubov, Pa­ Shinkevich - Kokorev, Vladimir vlograd 2000.) 1O.\i;Vd2 @h7 ll.b3 2002. (ll.d5 ttJa5 12.b3 c5 13.dxc6 bxc6 14.gael gb8 15 . .ia7gb7 16 . .id4 c5 17.hg7 @xg7 18.ttJd5, Alekseev - Bologan, Poikovsky 2007, 18 ... ttJc6=)ll ... e5 12.gad1 gb8 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.\i;Vc2 (14.ttJe1ttJd 4 15.ttJc2 c5 16.ttJe4\i;Ve7=) 14 .. .f5 15.ttJd5 e4 16.ttJh4ttJde5 17.f 4;:!:; 9.dxe5 After 9.d5, Black can exploit the extra tempo for the move 9 ... ttJb4 and he manages to trans­ fer to the scheme with a knight

306 3.CiJj3 il.g74.g3 0-0 5.il.g2d6 6.0-0 CiJc6

Otherwise, Black will push h6: This is the main line for Black. 12J'Ud1 h6 13.hf6 il.xf6 14.CiJd2 It also deserves attention for CiJd4 1S.CiJde4 il.dB 16.CiJcS :1'\bB him to try B ...il.d7 (He postpones 17.e3 CiJe6 1B.CiJd7 hd7 19.:1'\xd7 eS for a move.) 9.b3 (9.'lWe2eS 10. CiJcS20 .:1'\d2as 21.:1'\dSil.e7 22 .CiJe4 h3 :1'\bB 1l.:1'\d1 'lWcB 12.Wh2 exd4 CiJxe4 23.he4 b6 24.Wg2, draw, 13.CiJxd4 :1'\eB 14.CiJxc6 bxc6 15. Zugic - Babula, Istanbul 2000, or 'IWc2 :1'\eS� Gasthofer - Lanka, 12.CiJd2 h6 13.hf6 hf6 14.CiJde4 Austria 2006; 1O.dxeS dxeS 1l.h3, il.dB 1S.CiJdSWg7 16.:1'\fd1 CiJd4= Stryjecki - Mista, Brzeg Dolny

12 •••CiJxd5 13. cxd5 , Chaba­ 2001, 11...e4 12.CiJd2 'lWe7 13.wh2 non - Touzane, Montauban .if5 14.g4 .ie6oo; 1O.dS CiJbB 1l.e4

2000. Black had to play here 13 ••• as 12.cS CiJa6 13.cxd6 cxd6=) 9 ... lLlb4 14.e4 c6!, acting in the eS 10.dxeS dxeS 1l . .ia3 :1'\eB 12. same fashion as in the exchange CiJd2 .ig4 13.'lWc2 as!? (13 ...'lWcB variation, where he attacks the 14.CiJdS il.h3 1S.CiJe4 CiJxe4 16. pawn-wedge on dS: 15.a3 (15. 'lWxe4 hg2 17.Wxg2 as 1B.:1'\fdU d6 f6 16.il.d2 CiJd3 17.il.c3 CiJcS=; Svidler - Morozevich, Internet White's pawn is easily blocked 1999) 14.hc6 bxc6 1S.f3 il.fS 16. and it might be even captured e4 .ih3 17.:1'\f2 CiJd7=, followed by later.) 15 •••h6 16.axb4 (16.il.xh6 CiJfB-e6. hh6 17.axb4 cxdS 1B.exdS il.g4 9.'lWe2

19.h3 il.xf3 20.hf3 e4=) 16 ••• Black can counter the some­ bxg5 17.lLlxg5 f6 18.lLlf3 cxd5 what strange move 9.CiJe1!? with 19.exd5 e4 20.lLld2f5 21.lLlc4 9 ....ig4 ! (9 ...CiJa S 10.b3 cS 1l.CiJc2 .id7� Black's compensation .id712.:1'\ b1 'lWc713.a 4 bS 14.axbS should be sufficient fora draw. axbS 1S.CiJxbS hbS 16.cxbS :1'\xbS 17.dxcS dxcS 1B.CiJa3 :1'\bbB 19.'lWc2 B4) 8.e3 :1'\fcB 20 . .id2 'lWb6 21.CiJc4 CiJxc4 22.bxc4;J; Dvoirys - Khairullin, Kazan 2005) 10.f3 il.d7 11.CiJd3 and push only then 11...bS with a complicated game. 9.b3 bS 1O.'lWe2 bxc4 1l.'lWxc4 CiJb4 12.'lWe2 as 13.:1'\d1 .ia6 14. 'lWd2 cS 1S . .ia3 'lWc7 16.:1'\ac1 (16. CiJe1cxd4 17.exd4 .ib7 1B.dS CiJg4 19 . .ib2 .ia6 20.CiJa4 il.h6 21.'lWd4 CiJf6 22.CiJc3 .ig7 23.:1'\ac1 'lWd7 24. 'lWd2 CiJg4� Tkachiev - Paragua, Bastia 2003) 16 ...:1'\fcB 17.dxcS 'lWxcS 1B.CiJd4 'lWhS 19.hb4 axb4

307 Chapter 28

20.tiJa4 tiJg4 21.h3 tiJe5+t Zoler - B.Socko, Bie1 2007.

9 •••b5 10.gdl This is the essence of the con­ cept of the set-up beginning with the move S.e3. White continues with his development behind the solid pawn centre, delaying the active actions for a while.

10 ••• e6 Black is preparing the e7- square for his knight. The other on light squares, having a dark­ idea of the move is that he takes squared bishop on the board. the d5-square under control. 17.e5 lLld7 18.c5 tiJf5 19.tiJf3, He would not equalize after draw, Malaniuk - Fedorov, Sa­ 1O ...b4 11.tiJd5 tiJxd5 (It would mara 1995. be slightly better for Black to opt for 1l ....td7 12.h3 tiJeS 13.e4 e6 B5) 8.e4 14.tiJe3 e5 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.tiJd5 tiJd4 17.tiJxd4 exd4, Romanko - Bodnaruk, Moscow 200S, lS.e5t) 12 .cxd5 tiJa5 13.e4 c6 14.dxc6 tiJxc6 15.i.e3 �a5 16.h3 i.d7 17.i.f1 f5 lS.e5 dxe5 19.�c4 �hS 20.dxe5± Malaniuk - Bonte, Galatzi 2007. 1l.tiJd2 1l.b3 i.b7! 12.cxb5 axb5 13. tiJxb5i.a6 14.a4 tiJa7 15.�c2 tiJxb5 16.axb5 hb5 17.i.d2 l:!aS! Black equalizes exploiting this tactical motive. 8 .••i.g4 9 • .te3

1l••• tiJe7 12.a3 �e8 13.gbl White should not be in a hur­ i.b7 ry to play 9.h3, because after 9 ... His defence becomes much hf3 10.i.xf3,Black takes control easier after the exchange of the over the important d4-square. light-squared bishops. There might follow: 1O ...e5 1l.d5

14 •.bb7 �b7 15.M c6 16.e4 tiJd4 12.i.g2 c5 13.dxc6 bxc6 (diagram) 14.b4 (14 . .te3 tiJd7 15.�d2 l:!bS

16 •••d5 ! 16.b3 tiJc5 17.tiJe2 tiJce6= Bachti­ This is the correct strategy. ar - Sharif, Jakarta 1975; 14.tiJe2 Black must arrange his pawns tiJd7+t) 14... c5 (14... tiJd 7 15.i.e3

30S 3.liJP ig7 4.g3 0-0 5.ig2 d6 6.0-0 liJc6 c5 16.a3 cxb4 17.axb4 a5 18.bxa5 liJd413 .,ig2c5 14.dxc6 bxc6 15.b4 gxa5 19.1iJb5 gxa1 20:�xa1 liJc5= '!We7 16.a4 liJb6 17.'i«d3 'i«e6f±Vuil­ Macieja - Acs, Lubniewice 2003; leumier - Tkachiev, Bastia 2003.

14... a5 15.b5 'i«c8 16.liJe2 liJd7 lO •••.bi'3 17.ie3 cxb5 18.cxb5 liJxb5 19.a4 The fight takes another en­ liJd4 20.liJxd4 exd4 21.hd4=; tirely different course after 10 ... 16.ia3 '!We6 17.'i«d3 gfc8 18.liJe2 liJa5 (with the idea c5) 1l.b3 c5 liJd7= Rustemov - Inarkiev, Sochi and then: 2004) 15.bxc5 '!Wa5 16.liJd5 '!Wxc5, after 12.gab1, Black triumphs with an equal position. in his fight for the d4-outpost:

9 ••• liJd7 12 ...ixf3 13.ixf3 liJc6 14.liJe2 e5 This is the main line. 15.dxc5 dxc5 16.liJc3 liJd4 17. .tg2 10.'i«d2!? b5, with equality, Tunik - Moty­ White allows his opponent to lev, Samara 2000; continue with the straightforward In case of 12.liJe1, Black can plan of occupying the d4-square. afford to opt for 12 ...b5 (It is He has tried to solve radically not bad for him to try also 12 ... this problem with 1O.liJe2 liJa5 cxd4 13.hd4 .txd4 14.'i«xd4 liJc6 (Black must bring his c-pawn in 15.'!Wd2 'i«a5 16.liJc2 liJf6 17.liJe3, the fight for the centre.) 1l.gc1 with only a slight edge for White.) (1l.liJd2 c5 12.f3 cxd4 13.liJxd4 13.f3 (13.cxb5 axb5 14.h3 - but e5 14.liJc2 ie6 15.b3 liJc6, draw, not 14.liJxb5, because of 14 ...liJxb3 Mikhalchishin - Manik, Leipzig - 14 ...liJxb3 15.axb3 gxa1 16.hxg4 2002.) 1l ...c5 12.b3 liJc6 13.d5 ga3 17.b4 cxb4 18.liJd5 e6, draw, liJb4 (Black's knight on b4 is not Motwani - Inarkiev, Catalan Bay lost thanks to a tactical motive.) 2004. This variation can be pro­ 14.a3 (14.'i«d2 liJd3 15.gc2 b5t) longed a bit: 19.1iJxb4 liJb6; 19. 14 ...ixf3 15.ixf3 liJd3! 16.gc2 (16. '!Wxb4 ga4 20.'!Wxb5 ga5 21.liJe7 'i«xd3 liJe5 17.'i«c2 liJxf3 18.Wg2 Wh8 22.'i«b4 ga6. White's knight liJe5 19.1iJc3, Dautov - Bolo­ on e7 is doomed and he can give gan, Mainz 2004, 19 ...liJd 7 20.f4 it up maximallyfor a pawn, so the gb8=) 16 ...b5 17.liJc3 (17. .tg2 position will be about balanced at bxc4 18.bxc4 liJb219 .'!Wd2 liJe520. the end.) 13 ...cxd4 14 . .txd4 .txd4 gfc1 gb8 21.f4 liJg4f±) 17... bxc4 15.'i«xd4 ie6 16.f4 liJf6 17.cxb5 18.bxc4 liJb2 19.gxb2 .txc3 20.gb7 axb5 18.e5 dxe5 19.'!Wxd8 gaxd8 gb8 21.'!Wb3 (In case of 21.ga7, I 20.fxe5 liJg4 21.liJxb5 liJxe5=; was planning a positional pawn­ 12.dxc5 This is the most dan­ sacrifice with 21 ...id4 !) 21...'i«a5 gerous move for Black. 12 ...dxc5 22.ih6 ig7 23.ig5 gfe8= Avrukh (12 ...liJxc5 !?) 13.liJg5 h6. He must - Bologan, Istanbul 2003. repel this knight at first. (White 1O.h3 ixf3 1l.ixf3 e5 12.d5 is better after 13 ... liJe5 14.liJd5 h6

309 Chapter 28 lS.h3 .ihS 16 . .b:cS ltJac6 17 . .ib6 Wfc8 18.g4 .b:g4 19.hxg4 hxgS 20.WfxgS ltJd72Ul ac1 e6 22 . .ie3;!;;) 14.h3 .ihS lS.ltJxf7 (lS.g4 .b:g4 16.hxg4 hxgS 17J''ladl ltJeS18 .Wfe2 ltJd7! 19.Wfc2 .id4!co) lS .. J''lxf7 16. g4 .b:g4 17.hxg4 ltJeS (White will still have the initiative for a while, but afterprecise play Black should manage to neutralize it.) 18.Wfxd8 fixd8 19.fiad1 fixd1 20.ltJxdl b6 21.gS �h7= If he chooses something else,

1l• .bfJ e5 12.d5tild4 13 •.ig2 he will have to defend passively, Whitegave up the d4-square to for example: lS ...flb8 16.fif2 ltJcs his opponent. This is however, all 17.flafl fS 18.exfS gxfS 19.fxeS that Black can brag about, while dxeS 20 . .b:c6 f4 21..idS �h8 22. White has in reserve the plan of gxf4 1Jtfh4 23.fxeS 1Jtfg4 24.�h1 advancing his f-pawn and a space flxf2 2S.flxf2 ltJce6, Mamedyarov advantage. - Kasimdzhanov, Moscow 2007,

13 •..e5 14.dxe6bxe6 15.f4 26.flg2 1Jtfh4 27. .if2+-; or 15 ... lS.b4 (preventing cS) lS ...ltJb6 ltJb6 16.1Jtfd3 1Jtfe7 17.flf2 cS 18.fS - this is not a new idea, but here, f6 19.h4 1Jtff7 20. .ifl fiab8 21.g4 the order of moves is essential. 1Jtfe722 .1Jtfd2�h8 23 . .id3;!;; Safin ­ (Black cannot equalize completely Shashikant, New Delhi 2009. with lS ...fic8 16.fifc1 Wfe7 17J'lab1 16.gae1 Wfe6 18.1Jtfd3 ltJb6 19 . .b:d4 exd4 16.fiad1? ltJb6 17.b3 1Jtfxc3! 18. 20.ltJe2 cS 21.ltJf4 WfeS 22.1Jtfa3 Wfxc3 ltJe2 19.�f2 ltJxc3 20.fld3? cxb4 23.fu:b4 ltJd7 24 . .ih3 flcd8 (20 . .b:b6 ltJxdl 21.flxdl exf4 22. 2S . .b:d7 fixd7 26.fieU Nikolic - gxf4 .ih6 23.�f3 fS'!') 20 ...ltJd 7-+ Ju.Polgar, Wijk an Zee 2000.) Stantic - S.Atalik, Nova Gorica 16.1Jtfd3 1Jtfd7 (Now, White can­ 1999. not advance cS.) 17.ltJe2 and only 16 .•. 1Jtfb4 17.b3 a5 18.�h1 now, after White's knight is not tile5 19.f5gf e8 on c3, Black should push 17... cS It is essential for Black not to 18.a3 fiab8 19.flabl fifc8 20.flfc1 allow his bishop to be stuck on Wfe6,equalizing. the h8-square. It will be activated (diagram) somehow from f8 .

15 •..Wfa5 !? 20.f6 .ifS 21..ih6 �h8 22. Black must attack immediately Eke1 a4 23.g4, Lomineishvili - his opponent's queenside with his Mamedyarov, Batumi 2001, 23 .•• queen. g5?

310 Chapter 29 1.d4 tOf6 2.e4 g6 3.tOf3.ig7 4.g3 0-0

5 • .ig2 d6 6. 0-0 tOe6 7.tOe3 a6 S.h3

9.h2 gb8 1O.e4 eS 11.dxeS tt'lxeS 12.tt'lxeS dxeS 13.i.gS h6 14.i.e3 bS lS.cxbS axbS 16.b4 i.e6 17.'\Wc1 hS 18.gd1 1Wc8 19.tt'ldS i.xdS 20.exdS gd8 21.'�c2 e4= Suba - Bologan, Sovata 1999. 9.ge1 (I saw this move in two recent games, played by girls ...) 9 .. :�c8 (9 ...gb8 1O.e4 eS 11.dS tt'le7 12.cS tt'lhS 13.i.e3 fS , Sach­ The main idea of the move dev - Borosova, Beijing 2008, h3 is to prevent i.g4 after White 14.1Wb3;l;) 10.h2 eS 11.dS tt'ld4 pushes e4. 12.tt'ld2 bS 13.e3 tt'lfS 14.tt'lb3, Ga­ 8 ...i.d7 lojan - Mader, Dresden 2008, It is much more popular for 14... bxc4 lS.tt'ld2 1Wb7 16.tt'lxc4 Black to play here gb8, but we will 1Wb4 17.Wfe2i.b5oo analyze only i.d7. Lanka taught 9.b3 gb8 1O.i.b2 bS 11.cxbS me to play like this and this move axbS 12.gc1 b4 13.tt'la4 tt'laS 14.tt'ld2 served me faithfullyfor more than i.xa4 lS.bxa4 tt'ld7 16.tt'lb3 cS 17. twenty years. Black has protected i.a1c4 18.tt'lxaS 1WxaS 19.�c4 tt'lb6 his knight and he is ready to con­ 20.gc1 tt'lxa4 21.1Wb3 e6� Pavlovic tinue with gb8, bS. - Nevednichy, Nis 1995. If we have in mind that the moves h3 and i.d7 are not fo rced A) 9.i.g5 h6 lO.i.e3 B:b8 at all, White has numerous possi­ 11. tLld5 bilities to choose from. This idea is often encountered in the variation with tt'lc6. White

A) 9 • .tg5 wishes to neutralize Black's idea B) 9.i.e3 b7-bS, removing the futureobject C) 9.e4 of attack.

311 Chapter 29

He has also tried in practice: 12.�d2 bxc4 13.liJxf6 exf6 14. 1U'!c1 bS 12,lLld2 e6 13.b3 liJe7 i.xh6.bh6 1S.�xh6 l'!xb2 16.liJh4 14.g4!? (aimed at preventing liJfS) liJe7 17 . .tdS liJxdS 18.liJxg6 fxg6 14 ...hS lS.f3, Maiwald - Wagner, 19.�xg6 �h8 20.�h6, draw, Tim­ Munich 1992 and only now, after man - Shirov, Amsterdam 1995.

White's pawn-structure has been l2 •••exf6 l3.exb5 l'!xb5 14. compromised, Black should have �d2 g5 l5.d5 played actively in the centre lS ... lS.liJe1 liJe7? Kekki - Norri, dS+, with excellent chances of Helsinki 1994. seizing the initiative. l5 •••liJe7 l6.liJd4 l'!xd5!, Lau­ 11.�c1 �h7 12.liJd2 e6 13.a3 tier - Shirov, Manila 1990 and liJe714.l'!d1 bS lS.cxbS axbS 16.b4 here, if White had started gob­ liJfdS 17.liJxdS liJxdS 18.liJb3, Ma­ bling material - l7 • .b:d5 liJxd5 ric - Safranska,Jakarta 1993, 18 ... l8.g4 (The game continued with fS 19 . .td2 l'!a8 20.e4 fxe4 21..txe4 18.liJfS .txfS 19.�xdS .txh3, with �f6+ Black has the edge, mostly an unclear position.), Black would because of his beautiful knight on still have sufficientcompensat ion: dS. 18 ... ge8 19.1iJf5 �a8 20.gfdl ge5 2l.liJxg7� 22.gac1 h5t

B) 9 • .te3

1l ...b5 In principle, Black would not mind the trade on f6 : 1l ...e6 12.liJxf6�xf6 13.�d2 �h7 14.l'!ac1 In general, it is not recom­ eS lS.dS liJd4 16 . .txd4 exd4 17.b3 mended to deploy the bishop in l'!fe8 18.l'!cd1 .tfS 19.l'!fe 1 d3 20.e3 frontof the pawns, but Whiteplays .txh3 21.liJd4 .tg4 22.l'!c1 .tfS 23. often like that in this variation .

.tfl �gS 24.liJxfS �xfS 2S.�g2 9 •••l'!b8 l0.gel l'!e7= Kastanieda - A.Cherniak, lO.dS liJaS 1l.liJd2 cS 12.dxc6 Moscow 1995. bxc6 13.b3 cS 14.l'!c1 liJc6 lS.�h2 l2.liJxf6 liJe8 16.liJde4 liJc7 17.�d2 �c8

312 3.tiJj3 j,g7 4.g3 0-0 5.j,g2d6 6.0-0 itJc6 7. itJc3 a6 8.h3J.d7

1BJUdl itJd4+! Zarkua - Ponkra­ 12.dS itJe713.b3 (13.dxe6 fxe6 tOY, Moscow 2004. 14.b3 \WeB lS.j,gS b4 16.itJce4 10.a4 b6 11.�a3 itJaS 12.b3 cS itJxe4 17.itJxe4 h6 1B.J.xe7 �xe7 13JWc1 \WcB 14.@h2 j,c6 lS.dS 19.cS dS 20.c6 j,c8 21.lLlc5 gb6 j,b7 16.j,h6 eS 17.e4 itJd7 1B.@gl 22.lLla4 gbS 23.h4 @h8+! Pau­ �dB 19.itJh2f5+! Abdel - Motylev, novic - Lanka, Faro 1997) 13 ... Ubeda2001. exdS 14.lLlxdS lLlfxdS lS.cxdS lLlf5 1O.itJd2 e6 1l.itJb3 bS 12.cxbS 16.j,f4 gS 17.e4 gxf4 18.exfS hf5 axbS 13.�d2 b4 14.itJd1 eS lS.dS 19.�f3 �gS 20.gxf4 �f6 21.gfe1 itJe7 16.j,gS \WcB 17.@h2 e4!?oo �beB+! Korchnoi - McShane, Huebner - Kengis, Moscow 1994. Drammen 2004.

10 •••b5 11.itJd2 12 •••�e7 ll.cS b4 (ll... dxcS 12.dS;:!;) 12.itJb1 e6! (with the idea itJe7- fS ; it also deserves attention for Black to try 12 ...dS !? 13.itJeSitJe 4) 13.j,gS (13.j,gS �e7 and 14 .... eS) 13... h6 14.hf6 \wxf6 lS.cxd6 cxd6 16.e3 �fcB 17.itJbd2 (17.�e2 \WdB1B. �fd1 \WaS+!)17 ...\We7 (17 ... \WdB 1B.itJe4 \We7 19.\We2 itJa7!+) 1B.itJc4 dS= Huebner - Bologan, Germany 1994. 1l.cxbS axbS 12.dS itJaS 13.b3 b4 14.itJa4 cS lS.dxc6 itJxc6 16. Both opponents continue itJd2 dS 17.itJcS j,eB 1B.itJf3 eS maneuvering inside their camps. 19.\Wd2 �bS+! Douven - Nijboer, Black has gradually built up a Rotterdam 1990. very flexible defensive line and he

1l .••e6 has done that scientifically. His It is about equally strong for pawns arein frontand his pieces Black to continue with ll ...eS behind. 12.dxeS itJxeS 13.cxbS axbS 14.b3 13.J.g5 b4 lS.itJce4 llJdS 16.j,d4 j,e6 17. 13.f4?! itJf514.j,f2 lLlhS1S.itJde4 itJc4, Jakovljevic - Borisek, Bled b4 16.g4 lLlxf4 17.gxfS exfS 1B.lLlg3 1999 and here he should just sim­ bxc3 Danilov - Nevednichy, Ro­ plify the situation in the centre mania 1995. with: 17... itJxc4 1B.bxc4 itJf6= 13.itJf3 j,c6 14.j,gS b4 lS.lLlbl 12.b3 itJe4 16.he7 \Wxe7 17.\Wd3 fS lB. 12.cxbS axbS 13.itJce4 itJxe4 lLlfd2 lLlxd2 19.itJxd2 j,d7 20.e3 14.itJxe4 itJe7lS .j,gS f6+! Papin - eSt Huebner - Shirov, Frankfurt Bogner, Neustadt 200B. 1996.

313 Chapter 29

13 •••b4 14.c!Oa4 h6 15 • .hf6 1l.e5 .hf6 16.e3 igJ 17.ti'e2 ha4 l1.liJxeS dxeS 12.ie3 ie6 13. 18.bxa4 e5= Adianto - Kengis, �e2 (13.liJdS c6 14.liJb6ti'xdl lS. Sydney 1991. gfxdl gadB 16.icS gxdl 17.gxdl geB IB.b4 ifB, draw, Kuljasevic - C) 9.e4 Lenic, Nova Gorica 2005) 13 ...c6 This is the most principled line 14.gfdl (14.icS geB IS.gfdl �cB for White. In fact, that was why 16.@h2 bS 17.b3 hS IB.h4 ifB he had played h2-h3 in the first 19.J.xfB @xfB 20.cS as 21.gd6 ti'c7 place, to ensure the comfortable 22.gadl gedB 23.ih3 - 23.�d2 advance of his e-pawn. gxd6 24.cxd6 �b6 2S.@gl gdB+ 9 ...e5! - 23 ...ixh3 24.@xh3 liJeB+ Roiz Black plays strictlyin the centre. - Bologan, Kerner 2007) 14 ...�aS IS.a3 gadB (IS .. JUdB 16.gdc1! geB 17.b4;!; Mamedyarov - Fe­ dorov, Abu Dhabi 2005) 16.gdc1 gfeB 17.b4 �c7 IB.liJdS �bB 19. liJb6 liJd7= After the trade of the knights, White has no chances of obtaining an edge.

1l ••• c!Oxf3 12.ti'xf3 dxe5 12 ...ic6 13.cxd6 �xd6 14.if4 �e7 IS.liJdS ixdS 16.exdS liJhS 17.gfel �dB IB.ie3 ieS 19.ge2 liJg7 20.ic5 geB 21.gael id6 CI) IO.dxe5 22.�eB liJxeB 23.id4;!; Bauer - C2) IO.J.e3 Lenic, Turin 2006. C3) IO.d5

CI) IO.dxe5 White usually exchanges here with the idea to obtain a slight po­ sitional advantage, depriving his opponent of counterplay.

CIa) IO •••c!Oxe5

Clb) IO •••dxe5

CIa) IO •••c!Oxe5 The simplificationsare in prin­ 13.gdl ciple in favour of Black. The game is more or less forced

314 3.&iJj3 �g74. g3 0-0 5.�g2 d6 6.0-0 &iJc6 7. &iJc3 a6 B.h3 J..d7

after 13.e5 �c6 (13 ...&iJe8 14J!dl 21 •••cS 22.ge1 gfe8 23.gxe8

�c8 15.�xb7± Carlsen - Lahno, �e8 24• .ih3gel 25.mg2, Frid­ Lausanne 2004) 14.Wldl &iJd7 15. man - Himeise, Germany 2009 hc6 bxc6 16.f4 �e7 17.&iJe4 f6 and here, Black could have set­ 18.Wlb3 mh8+ tled the issue in this wonderfully

13 •••Wle7 14.e5 Wlxe5 15. played game with the quiet and Wlxb7 �h5 exquisite move 15 ... �ab8 16.�xa6 �h5 17.Wlfl (17.g4 hg4 18.hxg4 &iJxg4 19.&iJe4 �d4?) 17 ...�e6 18.a4:t 16.g4 hg4

25 ...c4 !! White is incapable of captur­ ing on g4 with anything. 26.J..d6 f5 27.J..g3 mf7+ Black sacrifices this piece just to maintain the initiative, because C1b) 10 ...dxe5 he cannot checkmate his oppo­ nent anyway. 17.hxg4 �xg4 18.Wlf3 After 18.�d5 �e5 19.&iJe4, Black can exchange his two rooks for White's queen and after this his attack becomes really dan­ gerous: 19 ...�ad8 20.�xd8 �d8 21.�xd8 mg7 22.�d2 hb2 23.�b1 �d4 24.�b3 &iJf6 25.&iJxf6 Wldl 26.�fl �xd2 27.&iJe8mh6 28.�h3 mg5 29.�g3 mh6=

18 •••�d4 19.9xd4 cxd4 20. 1l.J..e3 �d5 gad8 21.J..f4 After 11.�el, Black manages to 21.�xg4 �d5, with initiative continue with the classical plan in for Black. the fight forthe d4-square: 1l ...h6

315 Chapter 29

(with the idea ttJh7-gS) 12.ttJdS Black's attempt to play aggres­ (12 . .te3 .ie6 13.Y«a4 Y«c8; 12 . .id2 sively fails after 13 ...Y«c8 14.�h2 .te6 13.ttJdS ttJe814Jk1 ttJd6 lS.b3 gS?! lS.ttJe1 Y«d8, Nikolic - Bolo­ �h7 16.J.c3 Y«d7 17.�h2 gae8, gan, Selfoss 2003 and here White draw, Magerramov - Sakaev, Du­ had to respond with 16.Y«b2! Y«d6 bai 2000; 13 ...ttJd 7 14.gc1 ttJcS 15. 17.gd1 (17.ttJdS ttJd4 18.ttJd3 cS .tc3 .td7 16.b4 ttJe6 17.Y«d3 ttJcd4 19.,txd4 cxd4 20.f4 gxf4 21.gxf4 18.,txd4exd4 19.eS as 20.bS c6+t) ttJd7+t) 17 ...ttJd4 18.f4 gxf4 19. 12 ...ttJh7 (12 ...�h7 13 . .id2ttJe8 14. gxf4;!; with an edge for him. c5 .te6 lS.J.c3 Y«d7 16. �h2 gd8 14.gdl Y«c8 15.c;!?h2 17.Y«a4 Y«c8 18.gad1 ttJf6 19.ttJxeS;!; llincic - Kosanovic, Novi Sad 2000) 13 . .te3 ttJgS(Black deflects one of the two enemy pieces pro­ tecting the d4-outpost.) 14.ttJxgS hxgS lS.Y«b3 (1S.Y«d2 g4 16.hxg4 hg4 17.f3.ie6 18 . .tc5 ge8 19.�f2 ttJd4+ Cosma - Popovic, Subotica 2002) lS ...gb8 16.gad1 ttJd4 17. ,txd4 exd4 18.eS c6 19.ttJf6 ixf6 20.exf6 Y«xf6 21.Y«b6 gfe8 22.gf1 .if5 23.fud4 ge2 24.g4 .ie6= Bo­ logan - Radjabov, Pamplona 15 ••. gd8= It is essential for 2001. Black to exchange at least one of

1l •••.ie6 12.b3 the rooks, because after this he 12.Y«a4 Y«c8 13.�h2 ge8 (13 ... should have no problems main­ gd8 14.gfd1 gxd1 lS.gxd1 h6 taining the balance, Tregubov - 16.c5 Y«f8 17.ttJdS ttJe8 18.b4 gd8 B.Socko, ACP Blitz 2004. 19.bS axbS 20.Y«xbS gb8 21.a4 fS 22.exfS gxfS 23.ttJeU; 20 ....ic8 C2) 10.J.e3 21.Y«c4 , Bocharov - Bologan, Mos­ cow 2004, 21 ....te6 =) 14.gfd1 h6 lS.cS gd8 16.b4 gS 17.gxd8 Y«xd8 18.gd1 Y«f8 19.bS axbS 20.Y«xbS gb8= Mamedyarov - Bologan, Dagomys 2006.

12 •••h6 12 ...ge8 13.Y«xd8 gexd8 14. ttJdS, draw, Stefansson - Shirov, Turin 2006. 13.Y«c1 c;!?h7

316 3.liJj3 J.g74.g3 0-0 5.J.g2d6 6.0-0 liJc6 7. liJc3 a6 B.h3 J.d7

Whiteis following the classical Black's plan is simple: ttJe5,c5, principle: if you can hold the cen­ b5. tre, you should better do it. 13.cj;lh2

10 •••exd4 11.c!CJxd4 ge8 13.ttJxc6 bxc6 14.g4 h5 15.f3 Now, Black can combine his hxg4 16.hxg4? Orr - Bologan, attack against the central squares Moscow 1994. Having in mind with a pawn-offensive on the the vulnerability of White's king, queenside. Black had to open the centre: 16 ... 12.gel �b7 17.�c2 J.e61B.ttJe2 d5?

12.�d2?! ttJe5 13.b3? c5 14. 13 •••c!CJeS 14.b3 ttJde2 hh3! 14.�e2 c5 15.ttJc2(15.ttJf3 ttJxf3 12.liJde2 ttJe5 13.b3 b5 14.f4 16.�xf3 J.c6 17.J.f4 �e6 18.�d3 ttJc6 15.�c2 bxc4 16.bxc4 :!!bB ttJh5 19.J.e3 b5? AFominyh - 17.:!!ab1 ttJa5 18.�d3 J.e6?Hueb­ Loskutov, Sochi 2004) 15 ...b5 ner - Efimenko, Germany200 4. 16.cxb5 axb5 17.ttJxb5 hb5 lB. 12.:!!c1 ttJe5!?N (12 ... ttJxd4 13. �xb5 :!!bB? hd4 c5 14.J.e3 J.c6 15.f3b5 16.b3 14••• cS 1S.c!CJde2 bS b4 17.ttJe2;!; van Wely - Fedo­ rov, Wijk aan Zee 2001) 13.b3 c5 14.ttJde2J.c6 15.f4?! ttJed716.�xd6 ttJxe4 17.he4 he4 1B.ttJxe4:!! xe4 19.cj;lf2 �eB 20.�d3 �e6+ 12.ttJxc6bxc6 13.c5 �cB! 14.g4 h5 15.g5 ttJh7 16.cj;lh2 (16.h4 j,h3 17.cxd6 cxd6 1B.f3 hg2 19.cj;lxg2 hc3 20.bxc3 d5 Stohl - Shirov, Batumi 1999) 16 ...d5 17.�d2 :!!bB 1B.:!!ad1 :!!b4 19.a3 :!!c4 20.f4 d4+ Marin - B.Socko, Batumi 1999.

12 •••�c8 Black can afford to leave his central pawn without protection, because his threats are very dan­ gerous. 16.�xd6, Marovic - Bobo­ tsov, Zagreb 1964 (16.cxb5 axb5 17.�xd6 c4�; 16.J.g5 bxc4 17.hf6 hf6 1B.ttJd5 �dB 19.bxc4 ttJxc4 20.:!!c1 ttJb221. ttJxf6 �xf6 22.�d2 :!!abB 23.ttJf4 �d4= AGreenfeld

- Gdanski, Belgrade 1999) 16 ••• bxc4 17.bxc4 ge6 18.�xcS gc6

317 Chapter 29

19.Y1Ya3 tl:)xc4 20.Y1Ycl tl:)xe3 21. 1l••. exd4 12.�xd4 YlYxe3 tl:)g4 22.hxg4 hc3 23. 12.11Je2, S.Smirnov - Duka­ tl:)xc3 gxc3 24. Y1Yf4 hg4= czewski, Brno 1998, 12 ... ge8 13. �d3 �c8 14.<;!?h2 bS IS.b3 bxc4 C3) 10.d5 16.bxc4 cS l7.dxc6 hc6 18.f3 11Jd7 19.11Jxd4 11JeS 20.YlYe2.id7?

White has three possibilities here, but this is the most princi­ 12 •••YlYc8 ! pled. On the other hand, Black's Black has compensation due game is the easiest afterit. to the inclusion of this move.

10 •••tl:)d 4 13.h4 This knight becomes a sacrifi­ After this pawn-advance, cial lamb. Black's knight will have a perma­ 1l.tl:)xd4 nent base on the squares eS-g4, After ll . .ie3 11Jxf3 12.YlYxf3�c8 , because White's f-pawn cannot it is not advisable for White to control both of them. protect his pawn with 13.<;!?h2, be­ We will have a look at the al­ cause of 13 ...11Jg 4!+. It is stronger ternatives for White: for him to play 13 . .igS, but Black 13.eS llJhS 14.<;!?h2 (14.�h4 can counter that with a pawn-sac­ heS=) 14 ...heS IS.�dl, Von rifice 13 ...11JhS 14.g4 (Otherwise, Hartlieb - Wolter, Muenster Black will push V-fS.) 14 ...11Jf4 1992, IS ...bS+ IS . .ixf4exf4 16.YlYxf4 bS, obtaining He can regain his pawn of excellent compensation, thanks course, but he obtains no advan­ to his bishop-pair and the control tage anyway: 13 . .igS llJhS 14.�d2 over the dark-squares. For exam­ hh3 1S . .ih6hh6 16.YlYxh6 YlYg4 17. ple: 17.cS b4 18.11Jdl .ibS 19.gel Eiael Eiae8 18.hh3 YlYxh3 19. Eie2 YlYd820. c6 .ieS21 .�d2 YlYf6 22.gS �g4 20.gfel geS 21.Eie3fS? Mala­ YlYf4 23.�xf4 .ixf4GGVij ayalakshmi khov - Bologan, Selfoss 2003.

- Saravanan, Nagpur 2002. 13 ••• tl:)g4 14.YlYd3

318 3.0.13 j,g7 4.g3 0-0 5.j,g2d6 6.0-0 0.c6 7. 0.c3 a6 8.h3 j,d7

White impedes his opponent pieces and he would not mind to advance b7-bS. sacrificing a second pawn. He has also tried two other re­ 16.cxb5 axb5 17.lDxb5 treats of his queen: 17.j,f4 b4 18.heS heS 19.0.d1 14.�d2 bS lS.cxbS (lS.�e2 �b7 20.0.e3 j,bS 21.0.c4 �a6 0.eS- see 14.'1Wd30.eS lS .�e2 bS) 22.1!ac1 �xa2 23.f4 j,d4 24.@h2 lS ...axbS 16.0.e2 �b7 17.�c2 b4 hc4 2S.1!xc4 �xb226.� xb2 hb2 18.j,f4 fuca2 19.fuca2 b3 20J%a7 27.1!xb4 j,a3 28.1!c4 j,cS= Wojtk­ �xa7 21.�xb3 1!b8 22.�a3 �b6 iewicz - Bologan, Bastia 1999. 23.b4 hS 24.j,f3 �xb4 2S.�xb4 17 ...�a6 18.lDc3 �xe2 19. 1!xb4 26.1!c1 1!b7 27.@g2 0.eS lDxe2 l:Ub8� 28.heS heS+ An.Kharitonov - In my notebook, written under Bologan, Kstovo 1997. the dictation of Zigurds Lanka, 14.�d1 bS 1S.cxbS (lS.�b3 �b8 this position was evaluated as 16.cxbS axbS 17.0.e2 b4; lS.0.e2 "Black has compensation." Tour­ bxc4 16.�c2 0.eS 17.j,d2fS 18.0.f4 nament practice confirmed that fxe4 19.�xe4 j,fS 20.�e3 0.d3tt convincingly. Khismatullin - Loskutov, Ser­ 20.lDf4 !? pukhov 2003) lS ...axbS 16.0.e2 20.0.c3 0.d3 21.a4 0.xb2 22. �a6 (16 ...1!a4 17.f30.eS 18 .b3 1!a6 hb2 1!xb2 23.1!a3 1!c2 24.0.d1 19.j,e3 fS 20.f4 0.g421 .j,d4;!;; Ne­ fuca4 2S.fuca4 ha4 26.0.e3 1!a227. verov - Bologan, Moscow 2004) 1!c1 1!a128.1! xa1 hal 29.f4 hS 30. 17.0.d4 �b6 18.0.c6 b4 19.�e2 @f2 j,d4 31.@f3 @g7 32.j,f1, draw, hc6 20.dxc6 0.eS,with an equal S.Atalik - Fedorov, Ohrid 2001. position. 20 ... lDc4 21.lDd3 .ta4

14 .••0.e 5 15.�e2 21 ...i.bS 22.1!e1 (22.1!d1? j,a4 23.1!f1 0.a3 24.i.f4 i.c2 2S.0.e1 hb2 26.0.xc2 0.xc2 27.1!ab1, Fridman - Bologan, Santo Do­ mingo 2002, 27... 1!xa2 =) 22 ...j,a4 23.f3 (23.eS 0.xeS 24.0.xeS heS 2S.1!e2j,b3 26.a3 i.a4 27.1!b1 j,bS 28.1!d2 1!b7� Pigusov - Bologan, Evry 2004) 23 ...i.c2 24.j,fl hd3 2S.hd3 0.xb2 26.hb2 1!xb2 27. 1!ab1 1!bxa2= 22.£3i.c2 23.lDel i.b3+ All of the five Black's pieces are concen­

15 ••.b5 ! trated against the helpless victims Black continues to open files on a2 and b2. The maximum that and diagonals for his long-range White can dream about is a draw.

319 Chapter 30 1.d4 lL)f6 2.c4 g6 3.lL)f3 J.g7 4.g3 0 - 0 5.J.g2 d6 6. 0-0 lL)c6 7.lL)c3 a6 B.d5 lL)a5

16.�xe4 hb2 17.tt'lbd2 if5) 14 ... ge8 lS.ge1 c4 16.'lWc2 ga7!= fol­ lowed by gae7, Rossetto - Tal, Portoroz 1958.

A) 9.b3 White wishes sometimes to avoid entering the complications in the Yugoslavian variation (9. tt'ld2) and he plays this modestly looking move. Black should re­ Black has only one real prob­ main on the alert however, be­ lem in the Yugoslavian variation cause the move b3 is quite reliable and this is his knight on as. In from the positional point of view. general, his game looks easy - he It is based on the tactical possibil­ advances bS and his dark-squared ity that White can counter the at­ bishop is very active. tractive strike 9 ...tt'lxdS, with 10. tt'lxdS hal (White is better after A) 9.b3 1O ...c6 11.tt'ld4 cxdS 12.cxdS eS 13. B) 9.tLld2 tt'lc2 fS 14.ib2 id7 lS.gc1, Riedi­ ger - Schenk, Regensburg 1996.) 9.'lWd3 cS 1O.e4 e6 (The other 11 ..id2 with a double attack idea for Black is connected with against the knight on as and the advancing bS: 1O ..J'!b8 1l.tt'ld2 bishop on al. Even afterthe most bS 12J'!b1 bxc4 13.tt'lxc4 tt'lxc4 14. resilient response for Black 11 ... 'lWxc4 as and his position is even tt'lxc4 (but not 11 ...c6 12.haS preferable.) 11.h3 (l1.eS dxeS 12. �xaS 13.tt'lxe7 @g7 14.�xa1 f6 15. tt'lxeS exdS 13.cxdS ge8! 14.ge1 tt'lxc8 gaxc8 16.gd1 Ilincic - Pe­ tt'lg4 lS.tt'lf3 gxe1 16.tt'lxe1 ifSt) sotsky, Budapest 2007) 12.bxc4 11... exdS 12.cxdS bS 13.if4 b4 .ig7 13 . .igS ge8 14.'lWb3h6 1S . .id2 14.tt'ld1 (14.tt'lb1 c4 lS.'lWc2 tt'lxe4 e6 16.tt'le3 gb8 17.h4, Whiteseizes

320 3.CUf3 i.g7 4.g3 0-0 5.i.g2 d6 6.0-0 CUc6 7. CUc3a6 B.dScuaS the initiative for long, Barsov - equalize gradually.) 14.hc3 �xc3 Berbatov, Villade Roquetas2008. 15.8:c1�a5 16.�d2 �xd2 17.ttJxd2 ttJd4 18.8:fe1 !1b8 19.c5 dxc5 20. Al)9 ... c5 !1xc5 8:d821 .e3 ttJe622 .8:c2b5 23.

A2) 9.. . �b8 b4 i.b7= Dobosz - Lanka, Austria 2009. Al) 9 ...c51 0 .dxc6 1l.�b2 After 1O.tb2 !1b8 11.�c2 b5 White places his bishop on d2 12.ttJd2, or 11.ttJd2b5 12.�c2, the sometimes - 11.i.d2, with the idea game transposes to the main line to avoid the juxtaposition on the of the Yugoslavian variation. long diagonal. There may follow: 1l... c5 12.8:c1 (The other possible set-up for Whiteis connected with the idea to trade the dark-squared bishops: 12.�c1 8:e8 13.ttJe5 i.b7 14.hb7 ttJxb7 15.ttJd3 ttJa5 16.8:d1 ttJc6 17.i.h6 i.h8 18.f3, Matlak - Toczek, Lubniewice 199B, lB ... ttJd7 19.�g2 �a5 20.i.d2 7=;�c 13.i.h6 i.h8 14.ttJg5, Vaulin - Bratchenko, St. Petersburg 1997, 14 ...8:bB 15.�f4 i.b7 16.ttJd5 (16. i.d5 hd5 17.cxd5 8:b4 18.e4 c4?) lO ...bxc6 16 ...ttJc 6=, followed by ttJd4) 12 ... This move is more ambitious i.b7 13.ttJd5 ttJc6 14.i.c3 ttJxd5 than the simple ttJxc6. Black wish­ 15.cxd5 (15.hg7 �xg7 16.�xd5 es to obtain pawn-majority in the �a5?) 15 ...ttJb4 16.hg7?! (16. centre and to open the b-file for hb4=) 16 ... �xg7 17.�d2 ttJxd5 his rook. White has the spectacu- 1B.ttJg5 e6 Roiz - Bologan, Dres­ 1ar positional pawn-sacrifice c4- den 2007. c5, or (if Black plays c5) he can 1l.i.g5 c5 12.�d2 i.b713.!1 ac1 continue with cudS. 8:e8 14.8:fd1 ttJc6 15.ttJe1 8:b8 16. It is obvious that Black cannot ttJd3 ttJd4 17.hb7 8:xb7 18.ttJe1, equalize with 1O ... tDxc6 1l.i.b2 Olafsson - Avrukh, Istanbul �a5 12.ttJd5 (12.�c1 i.f5 13.!1d1 2003, 1B ...ttJg 4!"I' !1ac8 14.ttJd5 cuxd5 15.hg7 �xg7 1l... E!b8 12.�d2 16.8:xd5 �c7 17.c5 :§:fdB 1B.cxd6 It looks very smart for White 8:xd6= Ilincic - Kislik, Budapest to try here 12.�c1 (with the idea 200B) 12 ...ttJxd5 13.i.xg7 ttJc3! to counter c5 with ttJd5) ...12 c5 (Black avoids cxd5, thanks to this 13.ttJd5 (13.8:d1 i.d714 .ttJd5 ttJxd5 intermediate move and he should 15.hg7 @xg7 16.E!xd5 ttJc6 17.h4

321 Chapter 30 f6= Semerene - Popovic, Turin This move is played in the 2006) 13 ... tDxdS (13 ...e6 14.tDxf6 spirit of the variation with 8.b3. hi6, Fridman - Fleish, Rishon Ie 10 • .td2 Zion 1998, IS ..txf6 1Wxf6 16.1Wd2 10.1Wc2 cS 1l . .tb2 bS 12.tL\d2 - tDb7 17.tDgS±) 14.hg7 'iflxg7 15. see variation B2b. cxdS 1Wb6 16.1We3:il:e8 17.:il:ac1 1Wb4t If Whitetries to prevent b7-bS, White's position maintains some by playing 1O.tDd4, then Black can potential, because he can improve opt for advancing c7-cS: 1O ....td7 the placement of his knight. 1l . .tb2 (1l . .ta3 cS 12.dxc6 tDxc6

12 •••c5 13.tL\g5 13.tDxc6 .txc6) 1l ...cS 12.dxc6 13.:il:adl .tb7 14. .tal tDc6 15. bxc6 13.1Wd2 cS 14.tDf3 .tc6 15. tDdS, Xu Jun - Granda Zuniga, 1Wd3 tDe4and he has solved all his Dubai 1986, IS ...tDe4 16.1We3 .txal problems. 17.:il:xalfS+! 1O . .tb2 bS 1l.cxbS axbS 12.gcl

13 •••h6 (12.tDd4 b4 - see Chapter 31, vari­ White's position is preferable ation C) 12 ...b4 13.tDa4 .tb7 (It after 13 ....tb7 14.tDdS. would be bad for Black to choose 14.tL\h3 here 13 ... e6, because White would 14.tDge4 .tb7 IS.tDxf6 .txf6 exert powerful pressure along the 16.hb7 :il:xb7 17.:il:abl'iflh7 18.tDdS c and d-files: 14.dxe6 fxe6?! - .txb2 19.:il:xb2 tDc6= Black should better play 14 ...he6

14 •••.tb7 15.tL\d5, draw, Kirov IS.tDd4 .td7 16.tL\c6tDxc6 17.hc6

- Suetin, Polanica Zdroj 1974, 15 ••• :il:e8 18.e3 hc6 19.:il:xc6 1Wd7 hd5 16.hd5 tL\xd5 17.hg7 20.1Wc2t- IS.1Wc2 cS 16.:il:fdl tDb7 'iflxg7 18.cxd5 Wfb6 19. Wfc3�h7 17.tDeS tDaS 18.1Wd3 tDe8 19.:il:xcS 20.gacl gfc8= Black is ready to .tb7, Feuerstein - Fischer, New advance c4, while White has no York 1956, 20 . .th3!+-) 14.tDel objects to attack on the kingside. (14.e4 tDxe4 1S.hg7 'iflxg7 16.1Wd4 tDf6 17.Wfxb4 cS=) 14 ... e6, Blago­

A2) 9 •••gb8 jevic - Nevednichy, Herceg Novi 2001, IS.e4 :il:e8 16.1Wd2 cS= with equality.

10 •••c5 1l.dxc6 1l.a4 e6 (ll ...eS 12.dxe6 - see 1l ...e6; 12.tDelb6 13.tDd3 tDhS=) 12.dxe6 he6 (12... fxe6 13. .tf4 tDe814.:il:cl b6 IS.tDgS h6 16.tDge4 eS 17 . .te3.te6 18.:il:bl 'iflh7 19.1Wd2 :il:b7 20.:il:fdl :il:d7, Keene - Liber­ zon, Beer-Sheva 1978, 21.h4±) 13. tDgS .tfS 14.tDh3 :il:e8 IS.tDf4 tDc6

322 3.tiJj3 iLg7 4.g3 0-0 5.iLg2d6 6.0-0 tiJc6 7. tiJc3a6 B.dStiJaS

16Jkl tiJb4 17J:!el Wie7 18.h3 hS 13.tiJh4iLd7 14.h3 Wic8 IS.�h2 19.e4 iLd720 .iLe3iLc6 21. Wid2Wif8 bS 16.tiJdS (16.cxbS axbS 17.e4 22.tiJd3 tiJxd3 23.Wixd3 )::1e6 24. Wia6+) 16 ...bxc4 17.gxc4 tiJxdS )::1cdl )::1ee8 2S.tiJdS )::1bc8 26.iLd2 18.hdS )::1bS. hdS 27.exdS )::1cd8 28.f4 tiJd7= 13 •••Wid7 14.�d3 Ah3 15. Rausis - Tkachiev, France 2005. .bh3 Wixh3 16.�f4 Wid7 17. 11.�el bS 12.tiJdl (12.e4 bxc4 �fd5 �xd5 (17... bS 18.tiJxf6 i.xf6 13.tiJa4 tiJb7 14.bxc4 iLd7 IS.tiJc3 19. cxbS axbS 20.tiJdS) 18.�xd5 tiJaS 16.�e2 tiJhSco) 12 ...b4 13.)::1cl e6 19.�b6, Matamoros - Bolo­ e6 14.dxe6 fxe6 IS.e4 tiJc616.iL f4 gan, Khanty-Mansyisk 2005. I tiJg4 17.�d2 tiJgeS 18.tiJxeS dxeS had to continue here with 19 ••• 19.�xd8 )::1xd8 20.iLgS)::1 d7 21.tiJb2 Wic7 20.Ae3 �e7 21.c5 dxc5 tiJd4 22.)::1cdl iLb7 23.)::1d2 )::1c8 22.hc5 gfd8= with equal pros­ 24.)::1fdl as 2S.�f1, Aseev - Inar­ pects. kiev, Elista 2001, 2S ...h6 26.iLe3 gS 27.tiJd3 g4 28.h3 hS= B) 9.�d2 c5 11 ... �xc6

White's main line now is - 12.gc1 1 0 .�c2 (variation B2), but he has 12.Wicl, Andersson - Ribli, Bu­ a serious alternative in 10 .gb1 gojno 1984, 12 ...iLd 7!? 13.iLh6 bS (variation B1). 14.hg7 �xg7 IS.�dS eS!? 16.)::1dl 1O.e4 )::1b8 1l.a4 e6 12.dxe6 bxc4 17.�xc4 )::1bS 18.tiJxf6 �xf6 he6 13.b3 tiJg4 14.Wic2 tiJc6 15. 19.e4 )::1b6= Black protects easily iLb2tiJd 4 16.�dl tiJeS l7.tiJe2tiJec6 his weaknesses and his knight 18.tiJxd4 tiJxd4 19.)::1a2 bS+ Stahl­ eyes already the d4-outpost. berg - Larsen, Wageningen 1957.

12 •••.u5 13.�e1 In case of 10.a3, Black man­ 13.tiJdS iLe4 14.tiJxf6 i.xf6 15. ages to create pressure against iLc3 hc316. )::1xc3 dS, draw, Mar­ the c4-square 1O ...tiJd7 11.�c2 (or tinovic - Pavlovic, Cetinje 1992. 11.)::1a2 tiJeS 12.b3 )::1b8) 1l ...tiJeS

323 Chapter 30

IVZldl bS:f Cuellar - Yanofsky, 2S.tlJlxc3 l:!xc3 26.tlJxc3 l:!xb4=) Amsterdam 19S4. 14... .th6 (Black's attack on the After 1O.dxc6 tlJxc6, White's kingside backfires after14 ...hS lS. knight on d2 seems to be awk­ f4 exf4 16.gxf4 tlJg4, because wardly placed. White's knight is already on dl and he can simply play 17. .tb2;!;) Bl) 10 .gbl Af5 IS.tlJe3(IS.� d3 bxc4 16.bxc4 �c7 Black maims his opponent's 17.tlJe3tlJg 4 IB.tlJxg4 .txg4=) IS ... pawn to the centre, so that White .txe3 (IS ...tlJg 4 16.tlJxg4 hg4 17. cannot use later this square for .tb2 bxc4 IB.tlJxc4 tlJxc4 19. bxc4 his cavalry. .td7 20.f4 f6 21 . .tc3 V!!c7+±) 16. 1l.e4 Ad7 12.b3 fxe3 b4 17.tlJf3 tlJb7 IB.a4 �e7 His queen is not well placed on 19 . .td2, draw, Aronian - Inarkiev, e2 - 12.�e2, because after12 ...e6 Khanty-Mansyisk 2007. 13.a3 exdS 14.cxdS �c7 IS.b3 bS, Black's bishop can attack it. For example: 16.tlJdl, Hulak - Fedo­ rov, Pula 2001 and here Black had to play immediately 16 ...c4 !, so that after 17.bxc4, he would have the resource 17 ..J� acB:f

12 •••e5 13.Ab2 13.�c2 bS (13 ...hS 14.h3 h4 IS.g4 tlJh7 16.tlJdlbS 17.tlJe3 .th6 IB.tlJf3 l:!bB 19 . .td2 tlJb7 20.tlJel b4 21.tlJd3 as 22.a3 bxa3 23.l:!al

.tgS24. l:!xa3;!;Aronian - Fedorov, Bla) 13 •••h5

Warsaw 200S) 14.tlJdl (14 . .tb2 Bib) 13 •••b5 .tb6- see 13 . .tb2. Black must cal­ culate a very sharp semi-forced Bla) 13 •••h5 !? line after: 14.cxbS axbS lS.b4 cxb4 This provocative move is 16.l:!xb4V!! c7 17.V!!b2 �c5, since he played with the idea to weaken loses a pawn: IB.tlJxbS l:!abB I9.a4 White's kingside, in order to l:!fcB 20.tlJbl - 20.h3 .tb6 - 20... minimize the effectof his planned tlJc4 21.V!!b3, Hulak - Fedorov, pawn-advance f4 . Pula 2001. Alexey had here two 14.�c2 possibilities to equalize: 21... tlJa S But not 14.f4, because of 14 ... 22.�a3 .txbS 23.l:!xbS l:!xbS 24. exf4 1S.gxf4 tlJg4t axbS V!!xbS 2S . .tgS tlJc4 26.V!!f3 14.�e2 h4 IS.tlJdl.th6 16.tlJe3 tlJd7=,as well as 21 ...tlJg 4!? 22.h3 l:!bB 17.f4 h3 IB . .thl exf4 19.1:!xf4 tlJxf2 23.l:!xf2 tlJaS 24.V!!c3 �xc3 .txf4 20.gxf4 tlJhS 21.�f3 V!!h4

324 3.0,.13 i.g74.g3 0-0 5.i.g2 d6 6.0-0 0,c6 7. 0,c3 a6 B.d5 0,aS

22.Elf1 ElbeB 23.i.c3b6 24.fS @h7 0,b7=, it is more orless over.) 18 •••

2S.fxg6fxg6 26.'�xfB WIgS 27.0,g2 hxg3 19.fxe5 .Axe5 20 • .Axe5 ElxfB 2B.ElxfB 0,g7 29.Elt7 hxg2 dxe521. 0,xg3 Wlg5 22.@f2 0,b7 30.Elxg7 I:t>h6-+ Grigoriadis - Er­ 23.0,£3 Wle700 I believe Black's dogdu, Athens 2006. position is preferable at the end of After 14.h3 h4 lS.g4!? i.h6, this variation. White loses his control over the dark squares: 16.0,f30,h7= B1b) 13 •••b5N 14.Wlc2 j,h6! Alexey Fedorov reacted in an interesting fashion to the move 14.a3. He wished to avoid direct confrontation on the queenside and simply to improve the place­ ment of his knight: 14 ...b6 lS.b4 0,b7 16.Wle2 h4 17.0,d1 cxb4 lB. axb4 as (This is a typical way of obtaining a good square for the knight.) 19.i.a3axb4 20 .hb4 0,cS 21.0,c3 i.h6 22.0,bS Wle7 23.0,b3 i.g4 24.Wlc2 h3 2S.i.h1 0,hS, Ara Minasian - Fedorov, Moscow Black increases his pressure 2004, with powerfulinitiative for against the c4-pawn and he forces Black. his opponent to begin active ac­

14 •••h4 15.gbe1, Dizdar - tions.

Smirin, Rabac 2004, 15 ••.b5 15.f4 16.0,e20,g 4! Black forces his op­ lS.0,d1 bxc4 16.0,xc4 0,xc4 ponent to postpone f4 for a move 17.bxc4 ElbB (After the exchange and he is now prepared much bet­ of the bad knight on as, Black has ter for it. (It is weaker for him to nothing to worry about.) 1B.f4 play 16 ...i.h6 17.f4 hxg3 1B.hxg3 exf4 19.9xf4 0,hS+ 0,g4 19.Wlc3b4 20.Wld3 0,b721.0,f3 lS.0,e2bxc4 16.0,xc4 0,xc4 17. Wle7 22.i.h3;!;)17.h3 (17.Wld3 bxc4 bxc4 ElbB 1B.f4 0,g4 19.Wlc3 i.g7 1B.bxc4 ElbB 19.i.c3 h3 20.i.h1 20.h3 Elxb2! (White must be con­ fS 21.f4 Elb4 22.i.f3 exf4 23.0,xf4 stantly on the alert about this tac­ fxe4 24.0,xe4hc3 2S.Wlxc3 Elxc4 tical strike.) 21.Wlxb2 0,e3 22.Elfc1 26.WlaU; 17... hxg3 1B.hxg3 WlgS=. exf4 23.Wlb6Wle7

This transfer of Black's queen is 15 •.•exf4 16.0,e2 bxc4 17. much rather prophylactic against bxc4 £3 18.gxf3 f2-f4, than an attempt to attack 1B.0,xf3 0,xe4 19.'11Mxe4 i.fS 20. on the kingside.) 17 ••. 0,h6 18.f4 Wlh4 Wlxh4 21.0,xh4hb1 22.Elxb1 (After 1B.g4 gS 19.i.c3 b4 20.i.b2 l=l:abB?

32S Chapter 30

18. .ixf3 i.xd2 19.�xd2 lLlxc4? B2a) 12.gbl

18 •••�g4 19.�f4 �e5 2 0 .�U2 B2b) 12 • .tb2 gb8= Black controls reliably the eS-square and White can hardly 12.cxbS axbS 13.Ab2 eS 14.e4 organize any effective pressure lLlg4 1S.h3 lLlh6 16.mh2 fS 17.lLle2 against it. fxe418. lLlxe4lLlfS? Brkic - Rash­ kovsky, Zadar 2000.

B2) 10.'ifc2gb8 B2a) 12.gbl e5!? In principle, Black can also try to simplify the position: 12 ... bxc4 13.bxc4 gxb1 14.lLlcxb1 (14. �xb1 Ad7 1S.'ifc2 �c7 16.Ab2 gb8 17.gb1 lLlg418.lLld1 i.xb2 19.1Llxb2 eS? Rogozenko - Iordachescu, Bucharest 1998) 14 ...Ad7 1S.lLlc3 (1S.Ab2 'ifc7 16.Ac3 gb8 17.lLla3 lLle8 18.gb1 i.xc3 19.'ifxc3 13xb1 20.lLlaxb1 �b6 and if we take into account the presence of just a few pieces on the board and the fact 1l.b3 that Black has no obvious weak­ In answer to 11.a3, the young nesses, the position can be evalu­ Russian GM Sanan Sjugirov dem­ ated as equal, Zijlstra - van der onstrated a very interesting idea Kooij, corr. 1991) 1S ...'ifc7 16.Aa3 connected with a pawn-sacrifice: 13b8 17.h3 Ae8= Lehmann - Cobo 11...bS 12.cxbS c4!? 13.a4 lLld7 14. Arteaga, Havana 1965. lLlf3lLlc 5 1S.Ae3 lLlab3 16.ga3 AfS 13 • .ib2 17.'ifd1 axbS 18.axbS Ad7 19. ga2 13.e4 Ad7 14.lLld1 lLlg4 1S.f3 i.xbS 20.lLlxbS gxbS? Shimanov lLlh6 16.lLlf2 fS?, draw, Smyslov - - Sjugirov, St. Petersburg 2008. Byrne, Monaco 1968. 11.gb1 bS 12.b3 (12.cxbS axbS 13.dxe6 i.xe6 14.lLldS (14.cxbS 13.b4 cxb4 14J!xb4 'ifc7 1S.�d3 axbS 1S.b4 cxb4 16.1'!xb4 'ifc7? Aa6 16.Aa3 gfc8 17.gc1 �a7? Bogdan - Ardeleanu, Bucha­ Zhumabaev - Fedorov, New Delhi rest 1992) 14 ...bxc4 1S.bxc4 13xb1 2006) 12 ...hS 13.Ab2 h4 14.lLlce4 16.lLlxb1 lLlxdS17.c xdS Ad7 18.Ab2 lLlxe4 1S.i.xe4 i.xb2 16J'!xb2 eS i.xb2 19.�xb2 13e8 20.e3 AbS 17.dxe6 i.xe6 18.cxbS axbS 19.b4 21.13c1 lLlc4 22.�c3 lLleS 23.lLld2 lLlc4, draw, Braun - Svidler, Ger­ hS? Seeman - Sepp, Tallinn many 2008. 2003.

1l •.•b5 It is still not too late for White

326 3.li:,j3 J.g7 4.g3 0-0 5.J.g2d6 6.0-0 li:,c6 7. li:,c3 a6 B.d.5 li:,aS to capture on bS - 13.cxbS axbS gxf4 (16.exf4 bxc4 17.bxc4 i.d7 18. and start attacking his opponent's J.f3J.d4 19.@g2, Lengyel - I.Pol­ b-pawn: 14.M cxb4 1SJ:ixb4. gar, Budapest 1986, 19 ...�e 8=, Black can however, cope with followed by li:,f6 with equality) the task: 1S ...J.d7 16.�d3 (16. 16 ...�e8 = �b1 �e8 17.J.a3 �b6 18.e3 �b8 14.f4 bxc4 15.bxc4 exf4 19.�d3 li:,e8 20.�fb1 li:,c7 21.�4b2 16.gxf4 i.g7 fSf! Sokolowski - Dukaczews­ ki, Koszalin 2006; 16.J.a3 li:,e8 17.�fb1 �c8 18.e4 �c7 19.J.b2 �cS 20.J.a1 fS 21.�d1 f4 22.�e2 fxg3 23.hxg3 J.h6 24.li:,fl li:,c4oo Rogozenko - Khalifman, Bad Wiessee 1998) 16 ...li:,b7 (Black cannot protect his pawn anyway, therefore it is better for him to im­ prove the placement of his knight. 16 ... li:,e8 17.li:,xbS li:,c7 18.a4 li:,a6 19.�b1 li:,cS 20.�c2;l; Sorokin - AI Sayed, Calcutta 2002) 17.�b1 li:,cS 17.i.al 18.li:,xbS J.g4 (It is amazing, but White must protect this Black can hold the position with bishop; otherwise, Black might this resource. It would be weaker be ready to give up even a rook for him to opt for 18 ...J.fS 19.e4 for it: 17.h3 li:,hS 18.li:,ce4 �b2! li:,xdS 20.exfS li:,xb4 21.�xb4 li:,d3 19.�xb2, Pereyra - Nemeth, Bra­ 22.�c4 li:,xc1 23.�xc1 �aS 24. tislava 1993, 19 .. .fS 20.li:,c3 J.d4 li:,c3 �fc8 2S.li:,b3 �a3 26.�fl, 21.@h2 �h4. Vukic - Filipovic, Bie1 1989, 26 ... 17.li:,d1 �b2 18.�xb2 li:,g4 19. gxfS 27.li:,bS �xc1 28.li:,xa3 �xf1 h3 J.d4 20.@h1 hb2 21.�xb2 29.@xf1 e4 30.li:,c4;l;) 19.�e1 (19. li:,f6 22.@g1 li:,hS't f3 J.fS 20.e4 li:,xdS 21.�b2 �bS!) 17... gxb I 18.�xbl 19... e4 ! 20.li:,c3 e3! (This is the 18.li:,cxb1 J.fS 19.e4 li:,xe4 20. only way for Black to obtain com­ he4 ha1= pensation - to sacrifice paradoxi­ 18 •••li:,g4 19.li:,dl .td4! cally a second pawn!) 21.fxe3�c7 Black exploits the possibility 22.J.a3 J.fS 23.e4 (Black is again to increase his presence on his op­ better after 23.�c1 �xb4 24.hb4 ponent's side of the board. li:,a62S .J.a3�c8 .) 23 ...�a7 24.exfS 20.i.xd4 cxd4 21. �d3 �6 li:,d3 2S.e3 li:,xel. 22.li:,f3 �e3 23.�xe3 dxe3 24.

13••• J.h6 gel �c5 25.gc3 ge8 26.�d4 13 ... li:,hS 14.e3 fS 1S.f4 exf4 16. �b7=

327 Chapter 30

B2b) 12.J.b2 vel, Raipur 2002. 16.f4! White accepts the challenge. In case of 16.i.c3, Black man- ages to attack the g3-square: 16 ...h4 17.lLle3 tLlhS (17... i.h6 1B.�d3 b4 19.,ib2 lLlhS 20.�e2 f6 21.tLlf3 h3 22.,ih1 'fieB 23.gbe1 lLlb7 24.tLlh4 i.gS 2S.lLlf3 'fifl26. lLlxgS fxgS 27.lLlg4 'fie7 2B.i.f3 'itlh7 29.lLlxeS dxeS 30.J.xhS+­ Mchedlishvili - Zulfugarli, Tbi­ lisi 2001) 1B.i.f3 b4 19.i.b2 hxg3

B2bl) 12 •••h5 20.hxg3 �gS 21.i.xhS 'fixhS 22.f4,

B2b2) 12 •••e5 Marin - Bologan, Sanxenxo 2004 and here, he had to continue with

B2bl) 12 •••h5? ! 22 ...,ih3 23.gf2 exf4 24.gxf4 �h4 This move is interesting, but it 2S.lLlg2 J.xg2 26.'itlxg2 'fig4=, with is insufficientfor equality. a probable draw. 13.gabl J.f5 The move 16.dxe6 should be In case of 13 ...h4, White ex­ considered a concession by White ploits advantageously the e4- in similar positions. There may outpost: 14.lLlce4 J.fS (14 ...h3 IS. follow: 16 ...J.xe6 17.f4 lLlc6 1B.a3 lLlxf6 exf6 16.i.h1 geB 17.gfeU) lLld4 19.'fid3 bxc4 20.bxc4 h4, lS.lLlxf6 J.xf6 16.e4 i.d7 17.cxbS with a double-edged game, Bur­ axbS 18.eS! J.xeS 19.J.xeS dxeS makin - Morozevich, Perm 1998. 20.�xcS;!; Rogozenko - Fedorov, After 16.lLle3, Black can ex­ Kishinev 199B. change comfortably: 16 ...lLlg4 17. 14.e4 .td7 15.tLldl lLlxg4 hxg4= and White's pawn­ lS.lLle2eSf± advance f4 becomes practically

15 •••e5 impossible.

Black should better not ex­ 16 •••bxc4 change on c4 immediately: IS ... 16 ...h4? ! 17.fxeS lLlhS 1B.exd6 bxc4 16.bxc4 eS 17.i.c3 (17.lLle3 J.xb2 19.lLlxb2hxg3 20.hxg3 lLlxg3 lLlg4 1B.lLlxg4 hxg4 19.i.c3 'fic7 21.gf2± 20.gxbB gxbB 21.gb1 gxb1 22. 16 ...exf4 17.gxf4 bxc4 (17... geB �xb1 i.h6 23.,if1 i.gS= Filippov 1B.i.c3 h4 19.1Lle3 b4 20.i.a1 h3 - Bologan, Shanghai 2000) 17 ... 21.i.f3 lLlh7 22.'itlh1J.xa1 23J':ixa1 �b1 1B.'fixb1 'fic7 19.'fib2 lLlb7 lLlb7 24.fS;!;) 1B.bxc4 8:eB 19.i.c3 20.f4 lLleB 21.lLlf2 exf4 22.J.xg7 �b1 20.�xb1 i.g4 21.eS;!; Dizdar lLlxg7 23.gxf4;!; Sorokin - Kongu- - van Der Weide, Sevilla 2007.

328 3.&iJj3i.g7 4.g3 0-0 5.i.g2d6 6.0-0 tlJc6 7. tlJc3 a6 B.dStlJaS

against Arbakov, having dem­ onstrated several ideas for Black from his arsenal: 13 ...i.f5 ! 14.e4 i.d7 15.tlJd1 i.h6! (White cannot play e3 any more ...) 16.tlJe3?! i.xe3 17.fxe3 tlJg4+ Arbakov - Lanka, Moscow 1989; In case of 13.tlJd1, Black must try to push quickly f5 : 13 ...tlJh5 (13 ...Ve7 14.e4 tlJh5 15.Vc3 b4 16.1l;Ye3 tlJb7 17.Ve2 a5 18.f4 exf4 17.fxeS! 19.i.xg7, Relange - Lanka, Cap­ This important intermediate pelle la Grande 1994, 19 ...xg7 move enables White to compro­ 20.gxf4 tlJxf4!; 14.i.c3 b4 15.i.b2 mise his opponent's pawn-struc­ tlJb7 16.e4 tlJh5 17.tlJe3 .ih6 18. ture. 17 •••tlJg4 18.exd6 cxb3 19. E1ae1 f6 19.1l;Yd1 tlJd8 20.f4! with axb3 i.xb2 20.Vxb2 .ibS 21. initiative for White) 14.e3 f5 15.f4 gel f6 22.tlJe3;!; exf4, Lengyel - Klundt, Bad Pyr­ mont 1970, 16.i.xg7 tlJxg7 17.gxf4

B2b2) 12 •••eS 1l;Yf6 18.E1b1 E1e819.E1e1 E1b7= Black wishes to place his rook on e7 and his knight on b7. 13.e4 tlJh5 14.E1ae1 (14.tlJd1 f5 15.f3 i.h6 16.i.c3 gb7 17.Vd3 b4 18.i.b2 gbf7 19.tlJf2 tlJb7 20.E1ae1 a5 21.exf5 gxf5 22.Ve2 .it4 23.tlJd3 i.xg3 24.hxg3 tlJxg3 25.Vd1 f4� Komljenovic- Delchev, Benasque 1997) 14 .. .f5 15.exf5 gxf5 16.i.f3 (16.tlJe2 bxc4 17.bxc4 f4 18.gxf4 i.f5 19.1l;Yc1i.d3 --+) 16 ...tlJf6 17.h1 i.d7 18.tlJd1 1l;Ye8 19.i.c3b4 20.i.b2 13.dxe6 tlJb7, with equality, C. Hansen - After this capturing en pas­ Z.Polgar, New York 1987; sant, the game becomes sharper 13J!ae1 bxc4 14.bxc4 tlJd7 in an open position, in compari­ (Black's knight is transferred to son to the schemes, which we b6 and from there it not only at­ analyze later (13.E1ab1 i.h6 - see tacks the c4-pawn, but helps the variation B2a): maneuver of the queen to a4.) Following 13.E1fb1, my King's 15.e4 (15.tlJce4 tlJb616 .gb1 .it5 17. Indian guru won a brilliant game f4 1l;Ye7=; 15.tlJd1 tlJb6 16.f4 Ve8

329 Chapter 30

17. .talf6 18.e4 �a4 19.�xa4 ltJxa4 - Tseshkovsky, Sochi 1983. 20.ltJe3 .td7 21J'�bl l"1xbl 22.l"1xbl 14.cxb5 .ih6 23.l"1fl l"1b8=Verat - Calistri, 14.ltJce4 bxc4=; 14.l"1adl bxc4 Clichy 2001) IS ...ltJb6 16.ltJdl�e8 IS.bxc4 .tb7 16. bb7 l"1xb7 17. .tal (with the idea �a4, .th6, .tg4) ltJc6 18.ltJf3 �e7 19.1tJe4 l"1ib8 20. 17.ltJe3 �a4 18.�xa4 ltJxa4 19 . .tal ltJxf6 i.xf6 21.i.xf6 �xf6 22.�e4 .td7 20.l"1bl .th6+ Jurek - Lanka, l"1b6 23.l"1bl, draw, Rawicz - Za­ Trnava 1986. wadzka, Wroclaw 2008.

In case of 13.l"1ael, it is inter­ 14 •••axb5 esting for Black to try 13 ...hS . In principle, he must always consid­ er this move, because it creates concrete problems for White. 14. ltJdl (14.e4 bxc4 IS.bxc4 h4tt) 14 ...h4 IS.e4 bxc4 (Black should not be in a hurryto play IS ...hxg3, for example: 16.fxg3 ltJg4 17.ltJf2 ltJh6 18 . .th3fS I9 . .tc3 l"1b720 .�d3 b4 21 . .tb2 l"1bf7 22.�e2 ltJb7 23. exfS gxfS 24.�hS l"1f6, Jussupow - Svidler, Germany 2006, 2S.ltJf3 ltJg4 26. .tcU, or 16.hxg3 ltJg4 17. 15.ltJce4 .tc3 .th6 18.f3 ltJf6 19.f4 ltJg4 - IS.l"1adl dS 16.ltJde4 ltJxe4 17. 19 ...exf4 20.gxf4 ltJg4 21.�d3 l"1e8 ltJxe4 bb2 18.�xb2 �e7 19.�eS 22.�g3;!;- 20.ltJf2.tg7 21..tf3 ltJxf2 l"1b6 20.ltJc3 �g7 21.�xg7 �xg7 22.l"1xf2 ltJb723.l"1 h2 �e7 24. �g2 22.f4 .ta6oo Potts - Byrne, Phila­ .td7 2S.l"1ehl ltJd8 26.ltJfl f6 27. delphia 1988. ltJe3± vanWely - Anand, Monaco If White occupies the e4- 1998) 16.bxc4 .th6 17. .tc3 .td7 outpost with his other knight - 18.ltJe3 ltJhS 19 . .tf3 ltJg7 20. ltJg4 IS.ltJde4, then Black might not .tgS 21..te2 ltJhS (Black must pre­ capture immediately and pre­ vent f4 by all means!) 22.l"1bl l"1xbl pare dS: IS ...�e7 16.l"1ac1, An­ 23.l"1xbl fS 24.ltJxeS dxeS 2S.ltJf3 tunes - Bologan, Moscow 1994, hxg3 26.hxg3 fxe4 27.baS �f6oo 16... dS 17.ltJxf6 i.xf6 18.ltJxdS

13 •••fxe6 exdS 19.bdS .te6 20.�xcS bdS After 13 ...be 6, White can 21.i.xf6 �xcS 22.l"1xcS l"1xf6 23. simplify the position, remaining l"1xdS ltJc6+ with a powerful bishop against 15 •••.!i)xe4 a knight: 14.cxbS axbS IS.ltJce4 IS ....tb7 !? 16.l"1adl ltJxe4 17. .tfS 16.ltJxf6 i.xf6 17.ltJe4 bb2 bg7 (After17.ltJx e4 be4 18.be4 18.�xb2 be4 19.be4;!; Chekhov bb2 19.�xb2, the game trans-

330 3.tD.f3 fig7 4.g3 0-0 5.fig2d6 6.0-0 tDc6 7. tDc3 a6 B.d5 tDa5 poses to the main line, which we 19.he4 ds 20.1"&ac1 (20.fig2 'W'b6 will analyze later, see lS ...tDx e4 21.e3 b4 22.h4 c4= Kagan - Lane, 16.tDxe4 hb2 etc.) 17... tDxg3 Warwick 2002) 20 ...c4 21.fig2 18.fxg3! Pcola - Komora, Slovakia tDc6! 22.e3?! (It would be strong­ 1999 (18.hi8 tDxe2 19.'tt>h1 hg2 er for White to play 22.e4 d4 23. 20.@xg2 'W'xf8) 18 ...1"&xfl 19.1"&xf1 eS tDxeS and after that, there will @xg7 20.tDe4 he4 21.'W'xe4 (21. follow numerous exchanges and a he4 b4) 21... 'W'e7+ White's com­ drawish endgame at the end: pensation for the pawn is insuf­ 24.'W'xd4 - 24.1"&xd4 'W'f6 - 24 ... ficient. 'W'xd4 2S.1"&xd4 tDd3 26.1"&c2 tDb4 16.tiJxe4 27.1"&e2 1"&fd8 28.1"&xd8 1"&xd8 29. Whitecan also sacrificea pawn bxc4 1"&d1 30.fiflbxc4 31.a3 tDdS=) in order to obtain the two-bishop 22 ... tDb4+Ionescu - Iordachescu, advantage: 16.hg7 tDxd2 17.hi8 Bucuresti 1998. tDxf1 18.fih6 tDxh2 19.@xh2 (19. 18 ...he4 19.he4 d5 20. 'W'c3 eS 20.@xh2 fib7 21.'W'd2GG .ig2 tLlc6 Jobava - Motylev, Ubeda 2001; 19... 'W'e7 20.@ xh2 b4 21.'W'e3- 21. 'W'd2 fib7 22.e4 tDc6f± - 21...fib7 22.fih3 fidS 23.1"&d1 1"&e8 24.fif4 tDb72S.@ gl 'W'f7, draw, An.Khari­ tonov - Schmidt, Lodz 1980) 19 ... fib720 .'W'c3'W'c7 21 .fih3eS !? (21... 1"&e822 .b4 'W'f723.f 3 tDc624.b xcS b4, Botvinnik - Averbakb, Lenin­ grad 19S7, 2S.'W'e3;!;) 22.1"&d1 fic8 23.fig2 fib7= Whitehas a choice. He must either trade the bishops, or close the diagonal of his own Black's pawn-structure looks bishop, or comply with the repeti­ very beautiful indeed, but he tion of moves. I believe that the should not be so proud of it. If last decision is the best for him. White manages to disrupt it, he

16 •••hb2 17.'W'xb2 fib7 will obtain an advantage. 21.e4 18J�adl (21.1"&fe1 1"&c8 22.e4 d4 23.eS tDb4 18.b4?! tDc4 19.'W'c3 be4 20. 24.1"&d2 tDdS 2S.bdS 'W'xdS 26. he4 dS 21.fig2 cxb4 22.'W'xb4 b4 1"&fd8 27.1"&ed1 'W'xeS, draw, 'W'd6 23.1"&ab1 'W'xb4 24.1"&xb4tDd6= W.Schmidt - Sax, Budapest 1977) with an equal endgame, Anikaev 21 ...d4 22J�'c2 �b6 23.E:c1 - Kapengut, Leningrad 1969. tLlb4= Black holds the position 18.1"&fd1 he4 (Otherwise, thanks to his last move, Ftacnik - Black cannot protect his pawn.) W.Schmidt, Prague 1984.

331 Chapter 31 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�f3,lg7 4.g3 0-0 5 . .lg2 d6 6. 0-0 �c6 7.�c3 a6 S.b3

e5 14.lDb5 lDb4, Murdzia - Ti­ rard, Hamburg 1996, 15 . .!c3 exd4 16.exd4 lDf6 17J!e1 c6 18.lDa3l'!e8 with equality.

A) 9.�d5 This is probably the most pop­ ular scheme for Whitelately.

Al) 9 •••�h5

A2)9 •••e6 The double fianchetto has al­ ways been one of the most harmo­ Al) 9 •••�h5 nious schemes of development of Black wishes to preserve more pieces. It is particularly effective light pieces on the board. He will when White controls the centre. repel the enemy knight with e6 8 ...gb8 and then he may go back with his knight to f6, if necessary.

A) 9.�d5 lO • .tb2 B) 9.e3 1O . .!e3 b5 1l.cxb5 axb5 12.l'!c1

C) 9 • .tb2 .!d713.VN d2 e6 14.lDc3 b4 15.lDa4 lDf6 16 . .th6 lDe4 17.�e3 hh6 18. 9.d5 lDa5 - see variation A2 in �xh6 f5f! Butnorius - Babula, Chapter 30. Batumi 1999. White's attempt to prevent b5 1O . .ig5 h6 1l . .!e3 e6 12.lDc3 is not convincing at all, because he lDe713. l'!c1b5 14.VNd3 .tb7 15.l'!c2 weakens the entire dark-squared b4 16.lDa4 lDf5 17.c5 a5 18.l'!fc1 lDf6 complex on the queenside: 9.a4 19.c6 lDxe3 20.fxe3 .ic8oo Berkes as 1O . .tb2 (lO.h3 b6 1l.e4 .!b7 - AI Sayed, Budapest 2001. 12J�e1 lDd7 13 . .!e3 e5=) 1O ....tg4 1O.e4 b5 1l.�d3 e6 12.cxb5 1l.h3 .!xf3 12 . .!xf3 lDd7 13.e3 axb5 13.lDe3 lDe7 14.'!b2 f5 15.

332 3.ltJIJ ig74.g3 0-0 5.ig2 d6 6.0-0 ltJc6 7. ltJc3a6 8.b3!!b 8 ltJd2 fxe4 16.ltJxe4 ltJfS 17.�d2 ltJxg2f5 19.1tJ4e3dS 20. .ta3 EieS= ltJf6 lS.!!fe1 ltJxe3 19.13xe3 ltJxe4 Akopian - AKuzmin, Dubai 1999. 20.l3xe4 dS 21.!!e2 b4� Rustemov 1l ...b5 - S.Pedersen, Morso 2002.

10 •••e6 11.ltJc3 Black is better after 1l.ltJf4 ltJxf4 12.gxf4 bS 13.!!c1 ltJe'nTuk­ makov - Istratescu, Bie1 1994. If White retreats his knight 1l.ltJe3, then Black should better postpone his offensive a bit and retreat his knight at first - 11 ... ltJe7 (l1.. .fS 12.�d2 ltJe7 13.Eiac1 b6 14.cS dxcS lS.Eifdl f4 16.ltJg4 cxd4 17.hd4 eS lS.ltJgxeS± Ako­ pian - Bologan, Elista 1995; 12 ... 12.d5 f4 13.ltJc2bS 14.ic3 bxc4 1S.bxc4 White can try to preserve his ltJe7 16.Eiablt N.Maiorov - Kova­ pawn-centre with: 12.Eib1!? ltJf6 lev, Minsk 2006) 12.Eic1 (In case (12 ...bxc4 13.bxc4 ltJaS 14.�d3 of 12.�d2, it is bad for Black to eS?! lS.dxeS dxeS 16.ia3± Bur­ play 12 ...cS, but he can tryinstead makin - Komljenovic, Sevilla 12 ...b6, for example, 13.ltJe1 f5 200S) 13.�c2 bxc4 14.bxc4 .td7 14.f4 h6 lS.ltJd1 ltJf6 16.ltJf2 ib7 lS.e3, with a minimal edge for 17.hb7 l3xb7 18.�d3 bS 19.e4 him. bxc4 20.�xc4 dS 21.exdS, Grachev 12.cxbS axbS 13.Eic1 id7 (13 ... - Krylov, Moscow 2007, 21... b4 14.ltJa4 id7 lS.�c2 �e7 16.e3 �xdS 22.�xdS ltJexdS, with mutu­ EifcS=, followed by ltJaS, Savon - al chances, or 13.Eiac1 ib7 14.Eifdl Lanka, Trnava 19S9) 14.�d2 b4 h6 lS.cS ltJf6. Black controls reli­ lS.ltJa4 ltJaS 16.�c2 ha4 (16 ... ably the light squares c6, dS, e4 ic6!? 17.e4 ltJf6 lS.Eifel �d7 - 16.cxb6 cxb6 17.ia3 bS l8.�b4 Black's position is even slightly ltJeS 19.�e1 as 20 . .tb2 f5= Rausis preferable) 17.bxa4, Bu Xiangzhi - Bologan, Enghien 1999.) 12 ... - Inarkiev, Ningpo 200S, 17 ... id7 13.cS (13.�c2 ih6�; 13.�d2 �d7oo fS 14.ltJc2 ltJf6lS. ltJb4, Chiburda­ 12 ••• ltJe7 13.dxe6 he6 nidze - M.Socko, Dresden 200S, White obtains promising posi- lS ...ltJe4 16.�c2 as 17.ltJd3 a4 tions after 13 ...fxe6 14.cS! dxcS lS.ltJd2 axb3 19.axb3 ltJf6 and lS.�c2 ltJc6 (lS... ib7 16.ltJd1�d6 Black's position is quite defensi­ 17.hg7 ltJxg7 18.Eic1 ltJefS 19. ble.) 13 ....th6 14.cxd6 cxd6 lS.Eic2 �xc5 .ixf3 20. .ixf3 ltJd4 21.ltJe3 ic6 16.ltJg4ig7 17.ltJe1hg2 IS. ltJeS 22.Eifd1 ltJxf3 23.exf3 �xcS

333 Chapter 31

24.gxc5 gxf3 25.gc6± Karpov - Shirov, Monaco 1999) 16.gad1 lLld4 17.lLlxd4 cxd4 18.e3 e5 19. exd4 .tf5(19 ...exd4 20.lLld5 .tg4 21.gd2 d3 22,1Mlxd3 hb2 23.fub2 c6 24. 'lWe4tKi .Georgiev - Antic, Herceg Novi 2001) 20.'lWcl!? exd4 21.lLld5t 14.cxb5 14.lLld4 bxc4 15.lLlxe6fxe6f±

14 .••axb5 15.�d2 15.lLld4 b4 16.lLlxe6 fxe6 17. lLla4 c5°o 1O ...lLle7 1l . .tb2b6 12.gc1 .tb7 13. 15.�c2 .tf5 16.e4 .tg4 17.gfe1 'lWd2 (13.YHd3 .te4 14.'lWd2 lLlf5oo) ge8 18.h3 .txf319 . .txf3b4 20.lLla4 13 ... lLle4 14.�c2 f5 15.lLld1 lLlc6 hb2 21.lLlxb2 lLlg7 22.gad1 gb6 16.d5 lLlb4 17.'lWb1 hb2 18.'lWxb2 23.lLla4 gb5 24 . .te2 ga5 25 . .tc4 exd5 19.a3 lLlc6 20.cxd5 lLle7 21. lLle626. f4 �b8 27.'it>h2 c6°oRuste­ lLld4hd5 22.lLle3 'lWd7 23. lLlxd5 mov - Komljenovic, Sevilla 2002. (23.'lWc2c5 24.lLlxd5 lLlxd5 25.he4

15••• b4 16.�e4 fxe4 26.'lWxe4 lLlc7f±) 23 ...lLlxd5 White deploys his knight in 24.'lWc2, Wojtkiewicz - Bologan, the centre and Black must attack Bastia 1999, 24 ...YHf7 25.h e4 fxe4 it immediately. 26.�xe4 c5 27.lLlf3 lLlf6=

16.lLla4 .td5 17.hg7 lLlxg7 18. 10 •••'lWxf6 1l. .lb2 lLlg5 hg219.'it> xg2 lLle6= Black's queen cannot be

16 •••.b:b2 17.YHxb2 .td5 18. trapped on the f5-square after �ed2 f5 19.gfd1 (19.gfe1 lLlf6,or 1l . .tg5�f5 , although it looks awk­ 19 .. .f4 20.lLlg5 hg2 21.'it>xg2 lLld5, wardly placed there. There might with counterplay for Black) 19 ••• follow: �f6 20 .gael YHd7 21.�c4 �e4 12 . .te3 e5 13.'lWd2 �h5 14.d5 22.�e3 .ta8= Black has man­ lLle7 15.lLlg5 h6 16.lLle4 f5 17. aged to acquire sufficient space .tf3 'lWh3 18 . .tg2, draw, Graf - to obtain a comfortable game, McShane, Istanbul 2003. Ki.Georgiev - Radjabov, Sarajevo In case of 12.'lWd2, Black fol­ 2002. lows with a simplifying combi­ nation: 12 ...lLlxd4 13.lLlxd4 hd4

A2)9 •••e6!? 14.�xd4 �xg5 15.'lWa7 .td7 16. (diagram) hb7 �a5 (16 ... a5 17. .tf3 YHc5 18. 10.�xf6 'lWxc5 dxc5 19.9fd1 gfd8= P. H. In case of 1O.lLle3,Black devel­ Nielsen - Fedorov, Aars 1999; ops his bishop on the long diago­ 17.gad1 gfd8 18.gd3 'it>f8 19.9fd1 nal, having opened it beforehand: 'it>e7 .20 .tc6 gb6, Ruck - Fedo-

334 3.0,fJ :ig7 4.g3 0-0 5.:ig2d6 6.0-0 0,c6 7. 0,c3 a6 B.b3 '8bB roy, Fuegen, 2006 21.hd7 '8xd7 be afraid of 19.f4 :id7 20.'8c1(20. 22.'8f3=; 17.'8fd1 '8fd818 .:ig2,,*c5 ,,*a5b6 21.,,*d2 :if6+!)20 ... b6oo

19.,,*xc5 dxc5 20.'8d3 r;t>f8 21.'8e3 14 •••fS 15.exfS .!xf5 f6 22.f4, Mamedyarov - McShane, It is worse for Black to cap­ Lausanne 2003, 22 ...:ic8 =) 17. ture on f5 with his pawn: 15 ... ,,*xa6 (17.:if3 ,,*b6 18.,,*xb6 '8xb6 gxf5?! 16.f4 e4 17.,,*c2 c5 18.'8ae1 19.'8fd1 :ic6 20.hc6 '8xc6=; 17. h5 19.h3;!;Supatashvili - Fedorov, '8fd1 ,,*b4 18.:ig2 ,,*a5 19.'8d3=) Batumi 2002. 17 ...,,*xa6 18.ha6 '8b6, with a 16.tOe4 tOf7 drawish endgame. 16 ...he4 17.he4 0,t7 18.h4;!;

1l ••.,,*e7 12.e4 Mchedlishvili - Milov, Batumi 12.,,*d2 e5 13.d5 0,d8 14.'8ac1 2002. b6 15.e4 f5 16.exf5 gxf5 17.'8ce1 17.'I'd2 ,,*f6 18.,,*g5 "*xg5 19.0,xg5 f4+! 17.h4 g5 18.hxg5 0,xg5+!

Medic - lonica, Rij eka 2009. 17 •••,txe4 18.he4 tOg5 19. 12.'8c1 e5 13.d5 0,d8, Ruck - 'l'e2 tOxe4 20.'I'xe4 '8fS 21.£3, Efimenko, Ohrid 2001, 14.e4 f5 with a minimal edge for White. 15.exf5 :ixf5 16.0,d2 0,t7 17.0,e4 0,g5= B) 9.e3

12 •••e5 13.d5 tOd8 14.tOd2! White is preparing to counter f5 . It is not so good for him to opt for 14.,,*d2 f5 15.exf5 gxf5. This capturing has become possible, because White does not have the resource f4 . (Black cannot equal­ ize completely with 15 ...:ixf5 16.0,h4 :id7 17.f4 0,t7 18.'8ae1 ,,*d8 19.0,f3 and White takes the e5-square under control. 19 ...exf4 20.hg7 r;t>xg721. gxf4 ,,*f6 22.0,g5 White fortifies his centre, 0,xg5 23.fxg5 ,,*d8 24.,,*c3 r;t>g8 postponing his active actions for 25.'8f6 :if5 26.:ie4!;!;Romanishin a while.

- S.Atalik, Bled 2000) 16.'8ae1 (16. 9 •••b5 10.tOd2 '8fe1 0,t717.'8e2 :id7 18.'8ae1 ,,*d8 In case oflO."*e2, Black should 19.0,h4 f4 20.0,f3 0,g5 21.0,xg5 better open the position: 10 ... "*xg5 22 . .!e4 :if5 23.f3) 16 ...0,t7 bxc4 (1O... b4 11.0,a4 e5 12.dxe5 17.0,d4 ,,*f6 18.0,e2 "*g6 and dxe5=; 1l.0,d5 0,xd5 12.cxd5 0,a7 here, after his queen has come 13.:ib2 :id7 14J%fc1 :ib5 15.'I'd2 to the kingside, Black should not c6 16.,,*xb4 cxd5 17.0,e1 as, Mo-

335 Chapter 31 radiabadi - Muralidharan, Abud­ Toulouse 1990. habi 2005, IS:�c3;j;) IVMlxc4 (11. There arises a position with bxc4 tLJa5 12 ..ta3 c513.d xc5 dxc5 mutual chances after 1l.tLJe2 tLJa5 14J'Udl tLJd7 15J3acl tLJc6 16.tLJel 12.h3 .td7 13.Wlc2 c5°o Slipak - WIc7 17.WId2 �dS IS.tLJd5 Wla719. Milov, Buenos Aires 1996. tLJd3 e6 20.tLJ5f4 .tb7= Stangl - 11••• .Ad7 12.WIe2 Ankerst, Germany 1997) 1l ...tLJa 5 12 . .tb2 e5 13.d5 tLJe7 14.e4 c6 (1l ... tLJb4 12.a3 .te6 13.Wle2 tLJbd5 15.�bl i.h6 16.Wle2 cxd5 17.cxd5 14. tLJxd5hd5 15.b4 a5 16.bxa5 c5 WIb6 IS.whl tLJh5+± Schoene - 17 . .td2 tLJe4 1S.�abl �xbI 19.�xbl A.Kuzmin, Berlin 1991. tLJxd2 20.WIxd2 WIaS 21.tLJelhg2 12 •• .tlJa5 13 • .Ab2 e5 14.dxe5 22.tLJxg2 cxd4 23.exd4 Wle424.�el dxe5 15.cxb5 axb5 16.b4 tLJb7 WIxd4= Stangl - Baklan, Austria 17.tLJde4 ttJxe4 IS.ttJxe4 f5 19. 2007) 12.WIe2 c5 13.dxc5 tLJd7 14. ttJf2 ttJd6= Karpov - Gelfand, .tb2 tLJxc5 15.�acl tLJc6 16.�fdl Tilburg 1996. a5+ Donchenko - Kostin, Moscow

2004. C) 9 • .Ab2 White complies with Black's b5 pawn-advance.

10 •••.tg4! This move is often played by

Black in similar positions. 9 •••b5 10.cxb5 11.f3 The character of the game re­ White restricts his light­ mains the same after 1O.tLJel.id7 squared bishop and if he plays 1l.cxb5 axb5 12.�cl b4 13.tLJa4 later f4 , he will weaken addition­ tLJa5 14.tLJd3 ha4 (14 ...e6 15.Wld2 ally his position. ha4 16.bxa4 WId7 17.tLJxb4 WIxa4 1l . .tf3 .td7 12 . .tb2 e5 13.d5 IS . .tc3 tLJd7 19.WIc2 �xb4 20.hb4 tLJe714.�c1 h5 15.cxb5 axb5 16.b4 Wlxb4 21.Wlxc7 tLJf6 22.�bl WIa4 h4 17.tLJb3 hxg3 IS.hxg3 tLJh7 23.WIxd6 Wlxa2 24.WIa6± Nikolic 19 . .tg2 tLJf500 Danailov- Hebden, - Nijboer, Rotterdam 1999; 14 ...

336 3.l1JfJ 11.g74.g3 0-0 5.i.g2 d6 6.0-0 I1Jc6 7. 11Jc3 a6 8.b3 �b8 l1Je8 15.�d2 ixa4 16.bxa4 �d7 �fd8co Konovalov - Kokarev, St. 17.l1Jxb4 �xa4 18.i.c3;!;) 15.bxa4 Petersburg 2007. �d7 16.�d2 (16.e4 c6 17.�e1 �a7 1l.l1Je15 11Ja 12.l1Jd3 b4 13.l1Je4 18.�d2 b3!+ Nemet - Bologan, I1Jd5 14.e3 i.a6 15.�e1 e6= Topa­ Biel 1993; 18.e5 I1Jd5 19.�g4 b3 loy - Shirov, Belgrade 1995. 20.a3 I1Jb6 21.exd6 exd6 22.ixc6 White can try to place his I1Jxc6 23.�xc6 I1Jxa4f±) 16 ...�fc8 knight on d4 - n.d5 l1Ja5 12.l1Jd4 (16 ...�xa4 17.�c7 e6, Navrotes­ b4 13.l1Ja4 (After 13.l1Jcb5, Black cu - Nevednichy, Romania 1993, has a tactical strike at his disposal: 18.d5 exd5 19.ixf6 ixf6 20.ixd5 13 ...l1Jxd5 ! 14.ixd5 �xb5 15.l1Jxb5 b3 21.axb3 I1Jxb3 22.�f4 �xf4 ixb2 16.�b1 i.g7 17.a3 c6 18.axb4 23.l1Jxf4 I1Jc5 24.e3;!;) 17.l1Jxb4 cxd5 19.bxa5 �xa5 20.l1Jd4 �b6+ �xa4 18.i.c3 c6 19.�b1d5 20.l1Jxd5 Porfiriadis - Spassky, Europa­ I1Jxd5 21.ixa5 ixd4 22.e3 �a8= Pokal 1987; 13.l1Jb1 i.b7 14.e4 About 1O.d5 l1Ja5 1l.cxb5 axb5 c5 15.dxc6 I1Jxc6 16.l1Jxc6 ixc6+ - see variation A2a fromChapter Black has solved all his problems 30 (10.i.b2b5 n.cxb5 axb5) and he has pawn-majority in the

10 •••axb5 centre, while White has not even completed his development yet, R.Sergejev - Bologan, Tallinn 1998.), but then it becomes a tar­ get for attack by Black: 13 ...e5 ! 14.dxe6 (14.l1Jc2i.d7 15.�e1 ha4 16.bxa4 tLlc4 17.�b1 I1Jxb218.� b2 e4 19.�xb4 I1Jxd5 20.�xe4 �b2 21.�d2 I1Jc3 22.�c4 I1Jxa2 23.i.c6 �b8f± Burmakin - Khalifman, Elista 1995; 15.l1Je3 ih6 16 . .tc1, Arkell - Nunn, England 1983, 16 ...�b5 17.�d3 �a8+) 14... fxe6 ll.�cl 15.l1Jc6 I1Jxc6 16.hc6 e5 17.�c2 The other plan for White is i.h3(17 ... .te6 18.�ad1 �c8 19.i.c1 connected with the advance of �a6 20.i.g2 �fc8+ Khamdamov - his e-pawn: 1l.�e1 b4 12.l1Ja4 i.d7 Fedorov, Dresden 2008) 18.i.g2 13.e4 I1Ja5.If he plays 14.e5, Black ixg2 19. �xg2 �f7+ Black has a can always respond with 14 ... slight edge, thanks to his pawn­ I1Jd5co majority in the centre, Najdorf ­ 11.�c2 b4 12.l1Jd1 11Ja5 13.e4 c6 Nunn, England 1983. 14.l1Je3 I1Jg4 15.�fe1 �b6 16.�ad1 1l".b4 12.l1Ja4 I1Jxe3 17.�xe3 i.g4 18.h3 ixf3 White's knight is of course 19.i.xf3 e6 20.�e2 �bc8 21.�d3 not well placed at the edge of

337 Chapter 31

the board, but it is protected and 12 •••ttJa 5 more active there, than on b1: Black's knight is better placed 1Vt�b1 ttJa7 13.ttJe1 (13.�c2 c6 on as, than on a7. 14.ttJe1 �a6 lS.ttJd3 ttJd7 16.ttJd2 In case of 12 ...ttJa 7, it does c5 17.ttJf3 i.xd3 18.�xd3 ttJbS 19. not control the c4-square. There �d2 ttJxd420. ttJxd4cxd4 21.i.xd4 may follow: 13.�c2 (13.ttJd2 �d7 i.xd4 22.�xd4 ttJcS= Richter - 14.ttJc4 i.xa4 lS.bxa4 ll'ld7 16.�c2 Hoffmann, Germany 2008; 13. cS 17.!!fdU; 14 ...�bS lS.!!e1 e6 ttJbd2 c6 14.ttJe1 ttJdS lS.ttJc4 16.e4 ttJc8 17.�d2 ttJxe4 18.i.xe4 ttJbS 16.�d2 ttJdc3+ Black has the dS, Nikolic - McShane, Istanbul initiative, Ribli - Adorjan, Buda­ 2003 and here White should con­ pest 1979) 13 ... ttJd7 14.ttJd3 �a6 tinue with 19.ttJcS dxe4 20.�xb4 lS.�d2 (lS.dS i.xd3 16.i.xg7 i.xe2 ttJd6 21.ttJeS;!;) 13 ...c6 14.e4 �aS! 17.�xe2 �xg7 18.�d2, Kiss - Kis­ (with the idea �hS, �h3, ttJg4) lik, Savaria 2008; Black must not lS.!!fe1 (lS.h3 �a6 16.!!fe1 �bS, hold on here to his extra pawn planning ttJd7, �a4, ttJb6) 15 ... and he should better complete his �hS 16.eS?! (16.ttJd2!?oo) 16 .. . development: 18 ...ttJf6 19.l'k4�d7 ttJdS 17.ttJd2�h3 18.�e4?! (18.�f3 20.l'�xb4!!xb4 21 .�xb4 cS 22.dxc6 �g4 19.i.xg4 �xg4 20.ttJc4oo) 18 ... ttJxc6 23.�d2 !!c8=; lS.�h3 e6 fS !--tS. Guliev - Bologan, Ostrava 16.!!c2 c6 - 16 ...cS !? - 17.�d2 1993. �b6 18.ttJf4 ttJf6 19.!!fc1 !!fe8 20. 13.�c2 �e1 gS 21.ttJd3 i.xd3 22.exd3 �a6 In response to 13.dS, Black 23.�d2 h6 24.�a1 ttJdS+ Lutz - attacks immediately this pawn - Bologan, Germany 1994) 15 ... 13 ...e6 14.�d4 !!bS,forcing his op­ i.xd3 16.�xd3 cS 17.�d2 ttJbS= ponent to capture on e6: lS.dxe6 Arishin - Kabanov, Omsk 2001. i.xe616 .�a7 cS=

13 •••c6 14.ttJel After 14.e4,Black transfers his bishop to bS with tempo: 14 ...�a6 lS.!!fd1 �bS 16.h4 �d7 17.eS ttJdS 18.hS �g4 19.hxg6 fxg6+ Brunello - N.Mamedov, Spain 2008.

14 .••�a6 15.ttJd3 �b5 16.gbl, Beilfuss- Bluebaum, Lemgo 1983,

16 •••ttJd 5 17.e4 ttJc7 18.gfdl �d7 with an approximately equal position.

338 Chapter 32 1.tLlf3 tLlf6 2.g3 g6 3.b3 i.g7 4.i.b2 d6 5.d4 Double Fianchetto fo r White

The King's Indian players en­ d4GG, draw, Badea - Grigore, Efo­ counter sometimes the double fi­ rie Nord 2008. anchetto and they must play very Following 6.dxc5, Black suc­ precisely against it. ceeds in capturing on c5 with his queen 6 ...Vlfa5 ! 7.ttJbd2 (7.Vlfd2 Vlfxc5 8.Vlfc3 Vlfxc3 9 . .ixc3 .if5 10. ttJd4 .ie4 11.f3 ttJd5 12 . .ib2 ttJe3 13.c3 .id5 14.ttJa3 ttJc6f!Lainburg - Taimanov, Naumburg 2002) 7 ... Vlfxc5,obtaining pawn-majority in the centre: 8.e3 (8 . .id4 Vlfa5 9.e3 .ig4 1O.h3 .ixf3 11.1Wxf3 ttJc6 12.a3 O-Of! Chigvintsev - Smikovski, Novosibirsk 2002) 8 ... 0-0 9 . .ig2 ttJc6 10.0-0 Vlfh5= Black's pieces are comfortablyplaced, Istratescu

5 .••c5! - Kotronias, Korinthos 2000. It is essential for Black to begin After 6.d5, Black plays 6 ...b5 the attack against White's centre and he opens easily later the b­ prior to his castling. file: 7 . .ig2 0-0 8.0-0 .ib7 9.c4

6 • .ig2 bxc4 (9 ...e6 !?; 9 ...ttJbd7 10.ttJbd2 6.c3 0-0 7 . .ig2 cxd4 8.cxd4 bxc4 11.bxc4±:) 1O.bxc4 ttJbd7 11. Vlfa5 9.Vlfd2 Vlfxd2 1O.ttJbxd2 ttJc6 ttJbd2, Petkevich - Arizmendi, Biel 11.0-0 .if5 12.E1fc1 E1fc8 13.ttJe1 2003, 11 ...1Wa5 12.1Wc2 E1ab8 13.e4 d5, draw, Andersson - Kochyev, ttJg4 14 . .ixg7 �xg7 15.E1ab1 .ia6= Hastings 1979. In case of 6.c4, Black can ex­ 6.e3 0-0 7 . .ig2d5 8.0-0 ttJc6 ploit the fact that his opponent's 9.dxc5 Vlfa5 1O.ttJd4 Vlfxc5 11. .ia3 king is in the centre: 6 ... ttJe47 . .ig2 Vlfb6 12.ttJxc6 bxc6 13 . .ixe7 E1e8 (7.Vlfc1 Vlfa5 8.ttJbd2 ttJxd2 9.Vlfxd2 14 . .ixf6 .ixf6 15.c3 .if5 16.Vlfd2 1Wxd2 1O.�xd2 ttJc6 11.e3 .ig4 12. a5 17.E1c1 E1ad8 18.Vlfd1 c5 19.ttJd2 .ie2 E1b8 13.�c1 cxd4 14.ttJxd4

339 Chapter 32 hS+± Korchnoi - Kasparov, Paris Black to reply with 1l ... lLlc6=) 1990) 7 .. .'�aS8.lLlf d2 lLlxd29.i. c3! 12.c4 h4 13.lLldc2 (13.cxdS hxg3 (this is an important intermedi­ 14.hxg3 VIlxdS IS.lLldbS VIlhS 16. ate move) 9 .. .'�b6 1O.dxcS lLlxbl i.xf6 i.xf6 17.lLlc7 �g7+±) 13 ...h3 1l.i.xg7 �b4 12.<�fl lLld2 13.'�gl 14.i.hl lLlc600with an unclear po­ l3g8 14.i.d4(14.i. h6 lLlxc4 1S.bxc4 sition, Zaichik - Gufeld, Tbilisi �xcS 16.i.e3VIlc7 17.h4 i.d7 18.hS 1979. i.c600 Dizdarevic - Jacimovic, White can hardly obtain any Struga 1995) 14 ...dxcS IS.i.e3 advantage after9.lLl f3 l.t:\c6 1O.lLla3 lLlxc416 .bxc4 lLlc6,Pavlovic - Mi­ (1O.lLld2l3e8 1l.lLleS, draw, Korch­ lj anic, Budva 2004, 17.i.dS i.fS noi - Shirov, Val Maubuee 1990) 18.�g2 0-0-000 White's com­ 1O ...�aS (with the idea eS and d4) pensation is sufficient only for a 1l.c4 (ll.�el, Smyslov - Lanka, draw. Rome 1990, ll ...�xel) 1l ...dxc4 6 ...cxd4 7.lLlxd4 12.lLlxc4 VIlhS! White must think seriously about equalizing after this remarkable transfer of Black's queen to the kingside, Giardelli - Borghi, Curitiba 1983.

9 •••dxc4 10.bxc4 Frankly speaking, I believed, until I started writing this book, that White had an advantage in this position. He has an active knight on d4, a powerful light­ squared bishop and in perspective - pressure along the b-file. Now, I 7 ...d5 think that Black's position is quite The fight for the centre is one acceptable. of the basicprinciples of develop­ 10 •••V!Jb6 ment at the opening stage of the game. 8.0-0 8.c4 dxc4 9.bxc4 0-0 10.0-0 �6 - see 8.0-0. 8.lLlf3 0-0 9.0-0 lLlc6 - see 8.0-0.

8 ••• 0-0 9.c4 White cannot afford playing slow: 9.lLla3 eS 1O.lLlf3 e4 1l.lLld4 hS (It might be even simpler for

340 1. &;:,.f3 &;:,f6 2.g3 g6 3.b3 i.g74. i.b2 d6 5.d4 c5

1l.Ylrb3 essential for the success of Black's It is not good for Whiteto play defence. passively 11.&;:,b3, because Black 12.gdl seizes the initiative after this: 12.e3 &;:,c6 13.vgxb6 &;:,xb6 14. 11.. J'!d8 12.vgc1 &;:,c6 13.&;:,c3 i.e6 &;:,d2 &;:,xd4 lS.hd4 gd8 16.cS eS 14.&;:,a4 Ylrc7 lS.&;:,acS i.d7 16.&;:'d3 17.i.c3 &;:,dS 18.i.aS b6 19.e4 &;:,f4 gac8 17.Ylrf4 vgxf4 18.&;:'xf4 &;:'hS!+ 20.gxf4 bxaS 21.&;:,c4 i.a6 22.gfc1 Jovic - Arsovic, Zlatibor 2008. exf4 23.gab1 gac8 24.&;:'xaS, Kosic In case of 11.Ylrc2, Black ap­ - Mozetic, Yugoslavia 1994, 24... plies simple central strategy: 11 ... gd2.

&;:,c6 12.&;:,xc6 (12.cS �a6 13.&;:'d2 12 •• .tl�c6 13.e3 gd8 14.&;:,xc6bxc6 lS.&;:'b3 .tfS 16. 13.&;:,xc6hb2 14.&;:,xe7�g7 1S. e4 i.e6=) 12 ... bxc6 13.&;:'d2 i.fS &;:,xc8gaxc8 16.�d7 gfd8 17.�b7 14.vgb3 gfd8 1S.i.c3 &;:,g4 16.i.xg7, vgxb3 18.axb3 gd1 19.i.f1 hal Malakhov - Svidler, Krasnoyarsk 20.&;:,a3, Velickovic - Sebenik, 2003, 16 ...�xg7= It might be pos­ Bled 1999, 20 ...gcl . sible that Black's position could 13 ••• �c5 14.YlYxb6 axb6 15. be slightly preferable, thanks to �c3 �xd4 16.exd4 �a4+ his more active pieces. White would not achieve much with the seemingly aggres­ sive line: 11.&;:'bS gd8 12.�b3 a6 13.&;:,Sc3 vgxb3 14.axb3 &;:,c6 lS. &;:,a4 i.fS 16.&;:'b6 gab8 17.hc6 bxc6 18.gxa6 &;:,d7 19.&;:,xd7 gxd7 20.hg7 �xg7 21.ga3 i.c2= Muse - Brener, Internet 200S. 11.Ylrc1 i.d7 12.&;:'d2 &;:,c6 13.cS Ylrc7 14.&;:'bS vgc8 lS.&;:,e4 &;:,xe4 16.he4 &;:,eS 17.&;:'d4 gb8 18.gb1 vgc7 19.vgc2 gfc8 20.gfc1 YlraS+! Suddenly, it turns out that Dizdarevic - Svidler, Bled 2002. White's pride - his pawns on c4

1l••• &;:'fd7! and d4 only create problems for The pin of the knight on d4 is him.

341 Chapter 33 1.d4 �f6 2.�f3 g6 3.g3 J.g7 4.J.g2 0-0 5. 0-0 d6 Fianchetto without c2-c4 and �c3

of action of his light-squared bishop. In answer to the set-up includ­ ing the rock-solid move 6.c3, Black should better play tLlc6and e5 and this plan was successfully used by Tigran Petrosian: 6.c3 tLlc6 7.tLla3 (7.tLlbd2 e5 B.dxe5 dxe5 9.tLlb3 YfJe7 10.i.e3 gdB 11. YfJc1 i.f5 12.gd1, draw, Stahlberg - Petrosian, Saltsjobaden 1952) In this chapter, we will analyze 7 ... a6 B.i.f4 tLld5 9.i.d2 tLlb6 10. differentplans for White,in which YfJc1 e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.i.h6 YfJe7 he postpones c2-c4. We will omit 13.hg7 �xg7 14.tLlc2 gdB 15.b3 only the move 6.tLlc3, which leads f6 16.tLle3 i.e6 17.YfJc2 tLld5 lB. directly to the Pirc-Ufimzev De­ tLlxd5hd5, draw, Barcza - Petro­ fence, or sometimes to the Sicil­ sian, Bucharest 1953. ian Defence. In fact, there are so The move 6.tLlbd2 is also very many cases of different openings popular and it was used in Inter­ transposing into each other that net blitz-games by Garry Kaspa­ sometimes it is difficultto say to rov himself. White cannot rely on which opening a certain position opening advantage, so he simply belongs. Therefore, I will not be wishes to obtain an original open­ surprised if we enter the theory of ing position. For example: 6 ... the Pirc-UfimzevDefence a bit. tLlbd7 7.e4 e5 B.c3 b6 9.ge1 i.b7 6.a4 1O.a4 a5 11.b3 geB 12.d5 i.h6fZ White occupies some space on Kasparov - Schmaltz, Internet the queenside, preventing Black's 199B. counterplay with b7-b5 and he In case of 6.b3, Black should plans to advance his pawn to a6 in better play like against the varia­ some lines, increasing the scope tion with a double-fianchetto,

342 l.d4 Ci:Jf6 2.Ci:JP g6 3.g3 i.g74.i.g2 0-0 5.0-0 d6 which we have already analyzed. immediately with ...6 cS. (In case After6 ...cS 7.i.b2(Following 7.c4, of 6 ...Ci:Jbd7, White can transpose Black can provoke numerous sim­ to the main line of the Fianchetto plifications in the centre and they system with a black knight on d7: lead at the end to a drawish end­ 7.c4 eS B.Ci:Jc3; isit not so good for game: 7 ...dS B.cxdS Ci:JxdS 9.i.b2 White to play 7.dS Ci:Jb6 B.Ci:Jc3 c6 Ci:Jc6 1O.'�M2 Ci:Jc7 llJ'!d1 cxd4 12. 9.dxc6 bxc6 1O.Ci:Jd4 cS! 1l.Ci:Jc6 Ci:Jxd4 Ci:Jxd4 13.hd4 hd4 14. �d7 12.Ci:JaS gbB 13.a4 i.a6+Kunin 'lWxd4 �xd4 lS.gxd4 Ci:JbS 16.gdS - Bologan, Mainz 2004. If Black Ci:Jd6 17.Ci:Jc3 i.e6 1B.gd2 gacB 19. insists on playing Ci:Jc6 against the Ci:JdS hdS 20.hdS gc3= Stocek main line, then the same move - Gallagher, Plovdiv 2003.) 7 ... is quite applicable here too - 6 ... cxd4 B.Ci:Jxd4 dS, there arises the Ci:Jc6,since he should not be afraid same position,we have dealt with. of 7.dS Ci:JaS B.e4 c6 9.Ci:Jc3 i.d7 White cannot achieve much 1O.ge1 gcB 1l.dxc6 Ci:Jxc6=) 7.dxcS with 6.ge1 Ci:Jbd7 (It is also inter­ (7.Ci:Jc3 cxd4 B.Ci:Jxd4 dS 9.lLlb3 esting for Black to play 6 ... Ci:Jc6 7. lLlc6 10.lLlxdS lLlxdS 11.�xdS 'lWxdS e4 eS B.c3 i.g4 9.dS Ci:Je7 1O.c4 12.hdS i.xh3 13.i.g2 i.g4?; 10. Ci:Jd7 1l.Ci:Jc3 fS 12.h3 hf3 13.i.xf3 i.e3 e6 11.�d2 lLleS 12.i.gS lLlc4 as 14.gf1 f4 1S.b3 Ci:JcS=; 9.h3 i.xf3 13.'lWc1�b6+ Baumgartner - Leh­ 1O.M3 exd4 1l.cxd4 Ci:Jd7 12.i.e3 ner, Ansfelden 2003; 7.c3 lLlc6 �f6 13.eS - 13.dS Ci:Jb4 14.Ci:Jc3 B.dS, Berezjuk - Pisk, Moravia Ci:Jd3,with initiative for him - 13 ... 1996, B ...lLla S 9.lLla3 e6 1O.dxe6 dxeS 14.dxeS Ci:JdxeSMaki-Uuro - fxe6oo) 7 ...dxcS B.'lWxdB gxdB 9. Popovic, Internet 2003; 12.dS Ci:Jc3,Knapp - Polak, Prague 19S5, Ci:Jd4 13.i.g2 cS 14.dxc6 bxc6 IS. 9 ... Ci:Jc6 10.i.e3 lLld4 1l.gad1 Ci:JeB Ci:Jc3 gbBoo Panno - Quinteros, 12.i.gSf6 13.i.c1 eS 14.lLlxd4 cxd4 Manila 1976) 7.e4 eS B.dxeS (B. lS.Ci:Je4i.e6 16.Ci:JcS i.dS=

Ci:Jc3 c6 9.a4 - transposing to 6. 6 .•. �bd7 a4; B.c3 geB 9.Ci:Jbd2 b6 1O.�c2 Black wishes to advance eS, i.b7 1l.dS c6 12.dxc6 hc6 13.c4 after which he will continue with gcB 14.b3 bS lS.i.a3 dS 16.exdS the development of his queenside hdS 17.gad1 �c7= Black has an with c6, �c7, b6, i.b7. excellent game, Mateuta - Zeto­ His other possible plan is con­ cha, Romania 199B) B ...dxeS 9. nected with the move 6 ...aS. In this Ci:Jbd2 b6 1O.b3 i.b7 1l.i.b2 geB case, Black should aim at the set­ 12.�e2 as, draw, Andersson - Bo­ up with lLlcS,after the preliminary logan, Pamplona 2002. exchange exd4. 7.lLlc3 lLlbd7 B.e4 After6. h3, it would be reason­ eS 9.h3 geB 1O.ge1 c6 1l.i.e3 (11. able for Black to exploit White's dxeS dxeS 12.i.e3 'lWc713.lLld 2 b6 slow play and attack his centre 14.�c4 i.a6 1S.i.f1 i.fB 16.'lWf3 lLlhS

343 Chapter 33

17.gadl lLlc5 18.b3 lLlg7 19 . .ih6 17.c!Lldl cS 18.lLlb3 gfe8't Emodi lLlge6 20.M8 gxf8 21.gd2 lLld4 - Nisipeanu, Odorheiu Secuiesc 22.�e3 gad8'tYuferov - L.Guliev, 1993.) 11... exd4 12.lLlxd4.ib7 13.aS Moscow 1996) 11 ...exd4 (11 ...�c7 gad8 14.axb6 axb6 IS ..if4 c!LleS 12.�d2 exd4 13.lLlxd4 lLlc5 14 . .ih6 16.�d2 gfe8 17 ..ih6 .ih818. lLlde2 .ih8 IS. gada) 12.hd4 Wfc7 13. bS 19.1Llf4 b4 20.lLla4 cS= Mega­ lLld2b6 14.lLlc4 gd8 (14 ... ge6 1S.f4 ranto - AI Sayed, Macau 2007 .

.ia6 16.lLle3 gae8 17.lLlg4 lLlxg4 9 ...�c7 10 • .ie3 b6 1l.Wfd2

18.hxg4, Meyer - Issermann, Wi­ .ib7 12 • .th6 esbaden 2007, 18 .. .f6 19.Wfd2g6e7 20.gadl lLlcS Black's position is a bit cramped, but solid enough) IS.f4 .ia6 16.lLle3 ge8 17.g4, Stu­ rua - Jojua, Tbilisi 2008 and now, he should play 17 ...h6 with an unclear position. 7.c!Llc3 White can continue with his idea and advance his rook-pawn a square forward - 7.aS, but Black's correct reaction against this is simple: 7 ...c6 8.lLlc3 Wfc7 9.e4 eS Black preserves this bishop 1O.h3 ge8 11.gel (White must sometimes and even if he allows take care of the e-file. Black is its exchange, what is essential better after 11 . .ie3 exd4 12.lLlxd4 for him is to advance quickly his lLlcS 13.f3 dS! 14 . .if4 �d8't) 11 ... queenside pawns increasing the gb8 12 . .ie3bS 13.axb6 axb6 14.dS pressure against his opponent's .ib7 1S.lLld2bS l6.dxc6 hc6 17.b4 centre in the process. lLlb6 18.�e2 lLla4= There has 12 •••gfeS 13 • .hg7 �xg7 14. arisen, in an amazing fashion, a dxe5 very favourable position for Black 14.lLlh4 h6 IS.gadl gad8 16. from the Najdorf variation of the gfel a6 17.b3 bS 18.dxeS dxeS Sicilian Defence with g3, Belikov 19.�e3 c!Llf8= Landgraf - Neu­ - Chadaev, Miass 2007. schmied, corr. 1996.

7 •••c6 S.e4 e5 9.h3 14 •••dxe5 Black should not change his After this exchange, Black plan in case of 9.gel Wfc7 1O.h3 b6 seizes gradually the initiative. 11.b3 (His pawn-spring uncoils 15.lUdl gadS 16.�e3 c!Llc5 very instructively after: 11 . .ie3 17.a5 c!Lle6 IS • .ifl c5 19.axb6 .ib7 12.Wfd2 a6 13 . .ih6 bS 14.WfgS axb6= Nogueiras - Shirov, Mos­ .ixh6 IS.�xh6 exd4 16.lLlxd4 b4 cow 1994.

344 Chapter 34 1.c4 tLlf6 2.tLlc3 g6 3.g3 J.g7 •4 .tg2 0-0 King's Indian English

In principle, the King's Indian About 5.d4 d6 6.ti:)f3 (6.e4 c5 Defence is a self-sufficient open­ 7.ti:)ge2 ti:)c6 - see variation A2: ing and Black should not neces­ 5.e4 d6 6.ti:)ge2 c5 7.d4 ti:)c6) 6 ... sarily study the main lines of the ti:)c6 7.d5 (7.0-0 - see Chapters English opening. He can build up 28-31) 7 ...ti:)a 5 8.ti:)d2c5 9.0-0 a6 his King's Indian set-up in answer - see variation B, Chapter 30. to White's king's fianchetto and wait for his opponent's decision, A) 5.e4 d6 6.ti:)ge2 concerning his d-pawn.

Afterd4, there arises the King's Al) 6 •••e5

Indian Defence, while in case of A2) 6 •••c5 d3 - a variation fromthe English opening. Al) 6 •••e5 I think this traditional move is not the best decision for Black, because he closes prematurely the long diagonal for his bishop and Whitewill calmly prepare f4 . 7.0-0 7.h3 c6 8.0-0 - see 7.0-0

7 •••c6 S.d3 8.d4 ttJa6 9.h3 (9.d5 cxd5 10. cxd5 h5 1l.�g5 .td7 12J:!el b5 13. Wd2 b4 14.ttJdli.b5 15.f3 '!Be816. b3 ttJh717.i. e3 f5f! Laylo - Sasi­ Black has already furnished kiran, Vung Tau 1999) 9 ...exd4 his King's Indian household and 10.ttJxd4 ge8 1l . .tf4 ti:)c5 12.gel he waits to see his opponent's in­ ti:)e6 13.ti:)xe6he6 14.hd6 hc4 tentions. 15.gel ttJd7 16.b3 .te6 17.f4 '!Ba5 18.'!Bf3 1:!ad8 19.�h2 ttJb6 20.e5, A) 5.e4 draw, Ghaem Maghami - De La B) 5.ti:)f3 Riva, Bled 2002.

345 Chapter 34

8 •••a6 9.h3 16 ...c5 17.1':iad1 1':iab8 18J3d2 �c6 In case White wishes to pre­ 19.1':ifd1 .tf8, with an approxi­ vent his opponent's counter strike mately equal position. b7-b5, then Black's knight obtains 10 •••�bd7 11."tYd2 an excellent outpost on b4: 9.a4 1l.b4 1':ie8 12.a4 bxc4 13.dxc4 as 1O.h3 lLla6 1l.i.e3 lLld7 12.f4 lLlb6 14 . .txb6 "tYxb6 15.'iWxd6 1':ie6 lLldc5 13.f5 �f6 14.h4, O.Foisor - 16.a5 (16.'iWc5 Wxc5 17.bxc5 lLld7 Bologan, Gibraltar 2008, 14 ...lLlb4 18.lLld5!? 1':ia7 19.1Llb6 1':ie8=) 16 ... 15.d4 exd4 16.lLlxd4 i.e5+ Black Wxf2 17.mxf2 1':ixd6 18.c5 1':id8= has occupied three key-squares Chernin - R.Rodriguez, Banga­ - b4, c5 and e5, enjoying a slight lore 1981. edge already. 1l.b3 i.b7 12.'iWd2We7 13.1':iael

9 •••b5 1':ife8 14.1':ifd1 lLlc5 15.b4 lLle616.a 4 as 17.'iWb2 bxc4 18.dxc4 axb4 19. Wxb4 c5 20.'iWbl lLld4 21.Wd3 .tc6 22.1':ia1,Eingorn - van der Weide, Bad Wiessee 2004, 22 ...1':ia6 23. i.d2'iWa7?

11••• �b7 12.f4 12.b3 lLlb6 13.1':iacl1':ie8 14.mh2 1':ib8 15.f4 exf4 16.gxf4 bxc4 17. bxc4 c5 18.1':ib1, draw, AdOljan - Ghinda, Warsaw 1979.

12 •••exf4 13.gxf4 ge8 14.b3 14.lLlg3 lLlb6 15.a4 b4 16.lLlce2

10• .te3 as 17.b3 c5 18.1':iad1 We7 19.�f2 It is rather cowardly for White 1':iab8 20.mh2 lLlbd700 Lein - Va­ to opt for 1O.cxb5 - of course, he siukov, Tbilisi 1966. should maintain the tension! 10 ... axb5 1l.b4 lLla6 12J:!b1 i.e6 13.a4 bxa4 14.lLlxa4 1':ib8 15.i.d2 Wd7 16.@h2 c5! Black has exploited the motive of overburdening of White's queen and he has won a pawn, L.Popov - Kavalek, Wijk aan Zee 1975. 1O.f4 exf4 1l.gxf4 lLlbd7 12 . .te3 .tb7 13.a3 1':ie8 14.i.f2 Wc7 15JWc2 bxc4 16.dxc4, Stryjecki - Krasenkow, Warsaw 2002 and here Krasenkow had better play 14 •••b4 15.�a4 c5 16.gael

346 1.c4 liJf6 2.llJc3g6 3.g3 !.g74.!.g2 0-0 5.e4 d6 6.llJge2

V!!c7 17.gf2, Franco Ocampos -

Colovic, Saint Vincent 2000, 17••• !.c6 18.f5 llJe5 19.gefl llJh5 20. llJb2as with a double-edgedgame.

A2)6 •••c5

In general, we have reached a standard position from the Eng­ lish opening, except that with col­ ours reversed and White has an extra tempo, because of this. 8.d3 8.a3 !.g4 (It is advantageous 7. 0-0 for Black to give up his bishop 7.d3 llJc68.0-0 - see 7.0-0. for the knight in this situation.) 7.d4 llJc68.0-0 (8.d5 llJa59. b3 9.h3 (Otherwise, White will have a6 1O.id2 id7 11.f4 llJe8 12.l:k1 to play 9.f3 and this obviously b5 13.cxb5 axb5 14.0-0 b4 15.llJb1 would not improve the prospects '.Wb6� Guimard - Panno, Bue­ of his bishop: 9 ...id7 10.l:!b1 as nos Aires 1955) 8 ...cxd4 9.llJxd4 11.d3 lLle8 12.ie3 lLlc7 13.V!!d2 llJxd4 1O.'.Wxd4 ie6 11.V!!d3 V!!a5 l:!b8 14.lLlb5 a4 15.llJec3 llJxb5 16. 12J�b1 l:!fc8 13.b3 l:!ab8 14.id2 cxb5 llJd4 17.llJxa4 llJxb5+ Gu­ a6 15.l:!fe1 '.Wd8 16.llJd5b5 17.cxb5 sev - Nikitin, Moscow 1964; it is axb5 18.l:!bc1, draw, Mukhitdinov evident that the exchange of the - Geller, Moscow 1955. a-pawn for the c-pawn is in fa­ 7.a3 llJc68.l:! b1 ig4 9.h3 (9.b4 vour of Black.) 9 ...,txe2 1O.llJxe2 cxb4 10.axb4 as 11.bxa5 llJe5 12. l:!b8 11.f4 llJe8 12.l:!a2 llJc7 13.d3 0-0 llJxc4 13.l:!xb7 llJxa5 14.l:!b1 b5 14.b3 llJe6+ Black has managed l:!b8 15.l:!xb8 '.Wxb8 16.h3 ie6 17. to occupy the d4-square and to d3 !b3 18.'.We1 l:!c8� draw, Sei­ establish control over the b-file, rawan - Nunn, Rotterdam 1989) Urday - Spasov, Yerevan 1996. 9 ...i.xe2 10.llJxe2 as 11.0-0 llJe8 8.l:!b1 llJe8 9.a3 llJc7 10.b4 b6 12.d3 llJc7 13.!e3 llJe6 14.f4 llJed4 11.d3 ig4 12.f3 !d7 13.ie3 llJe6 15.llJxd4 llJxd4= Lund - Hebden, 14.'.Wd2 llJed4 15.b5 llJa5 16.llJc1 England 1997. l:!e8oo Simagin - Petrosian, Mos­

7 •••lLlc6 cow 1956.

347 Chapter 34

8.h3 ttJe89. d3 ttJc7 1O.�b1 !d7 ing 18.fS, but he can counter this 1l.a3 as 12.@h2 ttJe6 13.f4 ttJed4 with 18 ...gxfS ! 19.ttJf4 (He is not 14.ttJxd4 cxd4 lS.ttJe2 a4 16.!d2 afraid of 19.exfS .td7 20.ttJe4 ttJeS ttJaS 17. .te1bSt Redeker - Nijbo­ 21.ttJxf6 !xf6 22.ttJc3, because er, Zwolle 2001. he succeeds in taking control 8 ...a6 over the squares dS and e4: 22 ... Black begins the preparation !c6 23.ttJe4 ixe4 24.ixe4 �bd8, of bS. with an equal position.) 19 ... ttJe7 9.b3 (Black has parried the first at­ White planskingside actions. tacking wave of his opponent and It is an alternative for him his defensive task becomes much to oppose Black's plans on the easier.) 20.ttJxe6 fxe6 21.'!Wb3 dS queenside with: 9.�b1 �b8 1O.a3 22.exdS ttJhS!t White has already (1O.a4 ttJe8 1l.!e3 ttJc7 12.f4 ttJe6 serious problems. 13.M2 ttJed4 14.ttJxd4 ttJxd4 lS.b4 9 . . . �b8 cxb4 16.�xb4 '!WaS 17.ttJdS e6 18. ttJe7 @h8 19.'!Wb1 !d7 20.�xb7 ttJe2 21.@h1 ttJc3 22.�xb8 ttJxb1 23.�fxb1 hS+ Maus - lingnau, Germany 1993; 12.d4 b6 13.�d2 eS 14.dxeS ttJxeS lS.b3 bS 16.axbS axbS 17.cxbS ttJxbS 18.ttJxbS fubS 19.ttJc3, draw, Ribli - G.Kuzmin, Riga 1979; 13.b3 !d7 14.h3 eS lS.dxeSttJ dxeS 16.ttJdS ttJe6 17.b4 cxb4 18.ttJxb4 ttJcd4 19.ttJxa6 �a8 20.ttJb4 ixa4+± lie - Shirov, Drammen 2004) 1O ...bS (The 10.f4 line: 10 ...!g4 11.b4 is in favour of 1O . .te3 .td7 1l.�d2 bS 12.f4 White.) 1l.cxbS axbS 12.b4 cxb4 ttJe8 13.g4 ttJc7 14.�f2 ttJe6 lS.fS 13.axb4 eS. There has arisen an ttJed4 16.fxg6 fxg6 17.�xf8 �xf8 almost symmetrical position and 18.�f1 '!Wd8+± Reshko - Spassky, White has the advantage that he Kislovodsk 1960. can advance f4 in one move. 14.h3 If White prevents bS with !e6 (There begins a forced play, 1O.a4, then Black has an addition­ since Black is already threaten­ al resource 1O ... ttJe8 1l . .te3 ttJc7. ing to push d5.) lS.f4 exf4 (but Now, contrary to the classical not lS ... ttJe7 16 . .te3) 16.gxf4 �b6 English opening, White manages 17.@h1, Gonzales - Hatanbaa­ to push 12.d4 cxd4 13.ttJxd4 ttJe6 tar, Manila 2001 and here Black 14.ttJde2 ttJc5 lS.�b1 ttJb416.ttJd 4 can play 17... �f e8, as if provok- .td7 17.b3 e6=, but Black has al-

348 1.c4 0,f6 2.0,c3 g6 3.g3 i.g74.i.g2 0-0 5. 0,fJ d6 6. 0 - 0 ready occupied the wonderful b4 22.cxdS f6=, forcing Whiteto give and cS-squares, while White does up his beautiful bishop on d4. not have access to the dS-square, 18 ...exd6 19.c!Llec3 c!Lla5 20. Kubicek - Jansa, Trinec 1972. �e2 �e8+ Zahilas - V.Kotronias,

10 •.•i.d7 11.a4 Ano Liosia 1997. It is instructive to see how both sides realize their plans: 1l.i.e3bS 12.1Wd2 0,e8 13J'1ab1 0,d4 14.g4 B) 5.c!Llf3 d6 6.0-0 0,c7, A.Lein - Hoekstra, Saint Now, Black must make up his Paul 2000, 1S.fS e6 16.i.gS f6 mind about what variation of the 17.i.h4 bxc4 18.dxc4 eS 19.b3 as= King's Indian Defence he is going Black has neutralized his oppo­ to play. nent's pawn-offensive at the price 6.d4 0,c67.dS (7.0-0 - see Chap­ of closing his bishop, but he has ters28 -31) 7 ...0,a S 8.ltJd2cS 9.0-0 an equal position, because of his a6 - see variation B, Chapter 30. control over the centre. 1l.. . 0,e8 12.i.e3 c!Llc7 13.d4 Otherwise, Black will play 0,e6 and occupy the d4-outpost. 13 ...cxd4 14.c!Llxd4 c!Lle6 15. c!Llde2 c!Llc5 16.e5 i.e6 17.0,d5 b6

If we take into account that in the main line we recommend the scheme with 0,c6, then here we will analyze only two moves - 6 ... ltJc6 and 6 ...a6, in order to enter the main lines of the King's Indi­ an Defence if White plays d4. 18.exd6 It would be probably better for Bl) 6 ...a6 White to play here 18.0,d4, but B2) 6 ...c!Llc6 Black solves easily his problems even then: 18 ...0,xd4 19.hd4 as Bl) 6 ...a6 !? (ensuring the cS-square for the This is a very clever order of knight) 20J'1e1 dxeS 21.fxeS hdS moves for Black, because he thus

349 Chapter 34 keeps the option to place a pawn on the c6-square. 7.d3 After7.d4 lLlc6,the game trans­ poses to the main line (Chapters 28-31). 7J:'!b1eS 8.d3 - see 7.d3. 7 ...e5 8J�bl Now, contrary to the variation with 6 ...lLlc6, White's exchange of his dark-squared bishop for Black's knight on f6 is not so ef­ 9 .. .ltJh5!? fective, since the other black Black wishes to advance quick­ knight is not on c6 yet: 8.i.gS h6 ly fS . 9.i.xf6 �xf6 10.�b1 �d8 1l.lLld2 White can counter 9 ...i.e6 c6 12.a4 (12.b4 e4 13.�c2 exd3 with a rather unpleasant plan for 14.exd3 i.e6 1S.�fe1 lLld7 16.lLlce4 Black, attacking the b6 and cS­ �c7 17.c5 dS 18.lLld6 lLlf6+) 12 ...aS squares: 1O.a4 (It would be less Schmenkel - Kachiani-Gersinska, precise for him to play 10.lLld2c6 Hessen 1999. 1l.a4, because Black would reply

8 •••h6 !? with 1l ...dS 12.bS axbS 13.axbS It is also possible for Black to lLlbd7 14.bxc6 bxc6 1S.cxdS cxdS play 8 ...lLlbd7, because he should 16.e4 lLlcS 17.lLlxdS lLlxdS 18.exdS not be afraid ofi.g S. In this case, hdS? Simonovic - Bologan, Yu­ he can capture on f6 with the goslavia 1997.) knight and this is advantageous for him: 9.b4 lLlhS 1O.cS! (This move is particularly strong for White when Black cannot respond with dS.) 1O ...h6 1l.cxd6 cxd6 12.lLld2 �b8 13.bS b6 14.bxa6 ha6 1S.i.a3 lLlcS 16.hcS dxcS 17.�a4t Lobron - Lanka, Germany 1995. 9.b4 9.i.d2 i.e6 1O.b4 lLlbd7 11. �c1 �h7 12.lLle1�b8 13.a4 c6 14. 1O ...lLlbd7 (10 ...e4 1l.dxe4 �a3 dS 1S.cS �e8 16.lLlc2 as 17. hc4 12.lLld2 i.e6 13.bSt; 10 ... bS i.f8 ! 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.�xb8 c6 11.aS lLlbd7 12.lLld2dS 13.lLla4 �xb8 20.�b1 �a7 Kolb - Kachi­ �e8 14J!;Vc2 �c8 1S.lLlb3t Hirzel ani -Gersinska, Bad Wiessee - Rasik, Winterthur 1996, White 1999. takes the b6 and c5-squares un-

3S0 l.c4 CiJf6 2.CiJc3 g6 3.g3 i.g74.i.g2 0-0 5.CiJf,3 d6 6. 0-0 der control.) 1l.CiJd2 c6 12.i.a3 'fffc7 (12 ...d5 13.b5 l'%e8 14.bxc6;!;) 13.a5!? (This is more precise for White than the move 13.'fffb3, played in our game. I managed to block the position afterit with 13 ...b5 14.l'%fc1 l'%ac8 15.�d1 �b8 16.CiJb3 l'%fd8 17.axb5 axb5 18.cxb5 cxb5 19.e4 h5 20.CiJa5 i.h6 21.l'%c2, Suba - Bologan, Calarasi 1995, 21...l'%c7 22.CiJd5 CiJxd523.e xd5 i.g4

24.f3 l'%xc2 25.�xc2 i.f5 26.CiJc6 idea i.f8+) 15 •••axb5 16.axb5 �b6 27.@f1 l'%e8+ White's knight ge8= Black has occupied the cen­ on c6 is much rather a victim than tre and his pieces are very well co­ an aggressor. 22.i.c1 hc1 23. ordinated, Benjamin - Bologan, l'%bxc1 l'%dc8 24.'fffd2 @g7=) 13... Moscow 1994. l'%fd8, E.Pedersen - Roos, Gronin- gen 1977, 14.'fffb3 CiJf8 15.gbc1 i.f5 B2) 6 •••CiJc 6 16.e4 i.d7 17.i.b2 CiJe618.CiJd 5!;!; IO.e3!? This is the correct reaction to Black's plan. lO.i.b2 CiJc6 1l.a3 i.e6 12.CiJd2 l'%b8 13.CiJd5 f5 14.e3 CiJe7 15.�e2 CiJc8 16.l'%bc1 c6 17.CiJc3 CiJe718.d 4 e4 19.CiJb3CiJf6 20.l'%fd1 d5= Azari­ ants - Lanka, Cannes 1995. In case of 10.CiJd2, Black can follow with the typical pawn-break 10 ...e4 !? (lO .. .f5 1l.c5) 1l.CiJd5 (11. CiJcxe4? f5) 1l ... exd3 12.exd3 CiJc6 7.d3 13J:ie1 i.e6 14.i.b2 hb2 15.l'%xb2 After 7.d4 a6, the game trans­ l'%e8,with an equal position. poses to the main line (Chapters

10 •••.te6 1l . .tb2 28-31).

1l.a4 CiJd7 12.CiJd2 l'%b8, with a 7 •••e5 8.gbl double-edged game. 8.CiJd5 CiJxd5 9.cxd5 CiJe7 lO.

1l .•. CiJd7 12.�e2 c6 13.a4 d5 �b3 c6 1l.dxc6 CiJxc6 12.i.e3 �e7 14.CiJd2 13.l'%ac1 i.e6 14.'fffa3 h6= Godes - (diagram) V.Kozlov, Riazan 1975.

14 •••CiJhf6 ! 15.b5 (15.e4 dxc4 8.e4 a6 9.h3 l'%b8 lO.i.e3 b5 16.dxc4 as! 17.b5 l'%e8, with the 1l.'fffd2 CiJd712.l'% ac1 bxc4 13.dxc4

351 Chapter 34 llJcS 14.b3 .tb7 1S.wh2 llJe6 16.llJgS tack on the queenside.) 19.1lJdS llJcd4 17.llJxe6 llJxe6 18 . .th6 cS 19. llJxdS 20.ixg7 Wxg7 21.WlxdS .te6 ixg7 Wxg7 20.f4 llJd4f± Sadler - 22.�d4 Wlf6= M.Gurevich - Shi­ Bacrot, Enghien 1999. rov, New Delhi 2000, with com­ 8 . .td2 llJd4 9.llJxd4 exd4 10. plete equality. llJdS c6 1l.llJf4 as 12.Wlc2 �e8 13. In case of 9.e3, it deserves �ae1 .tfS 14.Wh1 Wld7 lS.e4 dxe3 attention for Black to play 9 ... 16.fxe3gS 17.llJe2dS 18.cxdS cxdS .tfS!?, provoking e4 (9... h6 1O.h3 19.1lJd4 .tg6f± Smetankin - Not­ .te6 11.e4! This is an important kin, Minsk 1997. resource for White. He has not 8 . .tgS h6 9.hf6 hf6 10.�b1 started the game with this move, as 1l.a3 .tg7 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 but he can still play it later. 11 ... .te6 14.bS llJe7 1S.Wlc2 Wld7 16.llJd2 llJd7 12 . .te3fS , M.Gurevich - Bac­ .th3 17.ixb7 hfI 18.ixa8 ixe2 rot, Cannes 2001, 13.exfS ! gxfS 19 . .tg2 .tg4f± Porrasmaa - Api­ 14.�e1 �e8 lS.llJbS �c8 16.Wle2 cella, Fuegen 2006. WlhS 17.d4!;!;). 1O.e4 ,!g4 11.h3 S ...a5 hf3 12.ix.f3 llJd713 . .tg2 llJd4 14. .te3 c6 lS.f4 exf4 16.gxf4 fS 17. llJe2 llJxe2 18.Wlxe2 Wle7= If White decides to develop his bishop on b2 - 9.b3, Black should not be afraid of b4 any more and he can play in the centre: 9 ...h6 10 . .tb2 .te6 (10 ...llJh7 1l.llJdS gS 12.llJe1 fS 13.f4 llJd4 14.e3 llJe6, Rotstein - Inarkiev, Izmir 2004, lS.fxeS dxeS 16 ..ta3 �e8 17.�xfS llJf4 18.�xeS ixeS 19.exf4 .td4 20.wh1 c6 21.llJc2 .tg7 22.llJde3;!;) B2a) 9 . .tg5 11.d4 .tfS 12.�c1 exd4 13.llJxd4(13. B2b) 9.a3 llJa4 .te4 14.llJxd4 ixg2 lS.Wxg2 llJd7=, exchanging almost all light 9.h3 llJd4 (After 9 ...h6 1O.e4 pieces) 13 ...llJxd4 14.Wlxd4 llJe4 llJd7 11 . .te3 llJcS 12.d4 exd4 13. lS.�d1 �e8 16 . .ta1 llJxc3 17.ixc3 llJxd4;!; White controls the cen­ ixc3 18.�xc3 Wlf619.� d2 .te4 20. tre.) 1O.llJd2 c6 11.e3 llJe6 12.llJf3 �fc1 WIgS 21.WlxgS, draw, Speel­ �e8 13.e4 .td7 14 . .te3 bS lS.cxbS man - Watson, Brighton 1984. cxbS 16.d4 exd4 17.llJxd4 llJxd4 18.ixd4 b4 (Black managed to B2a) 9.J.g5 counter his opponent's offensive White's plan is connected with in the centre with a counter at- the exchange of the bishop for the

3S2 l.c4 ttJj6 2.ttJc3 g6 3.g3 i.g7 4.i.g2 0-0 S. ttJj3 d6 6. 0 -0 knight and he will follow this with neither of his knights, because of advancing his queenside pawns. 16 .. .fS and Black wins a piece. 9 ...h6 10.i.xf6 i.xf6 1l.a3 14.b5 i.g7 14.\Wc2 ttJe71S.ttJd2(lS .bS -see It is not so good for Black to 14.bS) lS ...c6 16.e4 fS 17.exfS gxfS transfer his knight to e6: 1l ...ttJd 4 1B.cS dS 19.ttJe2f4� R.Hernandez 12.ttJd2 c6 13.e3 ttJe6 14.b4 axb4 - Dominguez, Santa Clara 2000. lS.axb4 i.g7 16.\Wc2 fS 17.bS i.d7 14.ttJd2e4 !? lS.bS (1S.ttJcxe4?! 1B.ttJa4 cxbS 19.cxbS \WaS, Dzin­ fS 16.d4 hd4 17.ttJb3 i.g7+) IS ... dzichashvili - Sutovsky, Phila­ ttJe7 16.\Wc2 exd3 17.exd3 c6 lB. delphia 1993 and here the best :1l:fe1 \Wd7 19.bxc6 bxc6 20.ttJe2dS line for White would be: 20.ttJb2 Adianto - Paragua, Doha 2003. :1l:fcB 21.ttJbc4 \Wc7 22.b6 \WbB 23. 14.ttJe1 :1l:bB lS.ttJc2 ttJe716 .bS :1l:aLt with a slight advantage for \Wd7 17.ttJb4c6 1B.\Wa4 :1l:aB 19.bxc6 him. bxc6 20.hc6 :1l:xa4 21.hd7 i.xd7 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 22.ttJxa4 ha4 23.:1l:a1i.d7 24.:1l:a7 :1l:dB 2S.e4 i.fB� Budnikov - Watson, Cologne 1993.

14••• ltJe7 15.ltJd2 This move is played with the idea to impede the regrouping of Black's forces with \Wd7and :1l:fbB. lS.\Wc2\Wd7 16.ttJd2, Erdelyi - J.Kristiansen, Ballerup 19B5, 16 ... :1l:fbB17.:1l:a1 c6=

13 •..i.e6 13 ...ttJe 7!? 14.bS!? (14.\Wb3 c6 lS.bS dS 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.cxdS cxdS 1B.:1l:fc1 i.e6+Black has com­ pleted his development and he controls the centre having the bishop-pair. De Souza - Martin del Campo, Merida 1993) 14 ...c6 lS.ttJd2e4 != This is a well-known tactical motive enabling Black 15••. e4! to seize the initiative, Istratescu We know already this tactical - Navratescu, Bucuresti 1999. trick. There may follow: White can capture the pawn with 16.\Wb3 exd3 17.exd3 :1l:b8

3S3 Chapter 34

18.gal �d7 19.gfe l lllf5 20.ga7 15.CiJd2 !!abS 16.CiJd5 h5 17.b6 c5, Illd4 21.�a4 b6 22.llld5 hd5 Iordachescu - Vasiesiu, Romania 23.hd5 gfe8= Viljava - Sam­ 1998, 1S.CiJxe7 �xe7 19.CiJe4 h4 malvuo, Finland 1992. 20.CiJc3;!;) 14.i.a3�d7 15.!!a1!!feS 16.!!tb1 CiJh7 17.CiJd2 f5 1S.CiJa4 B2b) 9.a3 CiJcS 19.bxc6 bxc6 20.i.b2 �c7 21.i.c3 !!a7 22.�bS CiJf6 23.�xc7 !!xc724.c 5± Malakhov- Inarkiev, Budva 2009. IO.b4 Black should not be afraid of the line: 10.e3 CiJxf3 11.�xf3 c6 12.h3 i.e6 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 �d7 15.'it>h2 CiJg4! 16.'it>g1 (16.hxg4? i.xg417.� e4 f5) 16 .. .f5 17.hxg4 e4 1S.�d1 i.xc3 19.9xf5 gxf5 20.�c2 i.e5 21.dxe4 �f7 22.exf5 i.xc4 23. !!d1 i.a2+He has failed to trap his 9".llld4! opponent's queen, but he wins the It is important for Black to cre­ exchange, Lindner - Jansa, Neu­ ate tension in the centre, before rnberg 19S7. White has occupied space on the 1O.i.e3 CiJxf3 11.M3 c6 12.b4 queenside. axb4 13.axb4 i.h3 14.!!e1 CiJg4 15. It is less convincing for Black i.d2 f5 16.e4 �d7 17.!!b2 !!a3°o to play the popular move 9 ...h6, Mastrovasilis Miladinovic, because in reply to this White can Chalkidiki 2002. continue with his queenside-of­ White's capturing 1O.CiJxd4 fensive in numerous ways, while is in favour of Black: 1O ...exd4 Black's kingside counterplay is 1l.CiJb5 (11.CiJe4 CiJxe4 12.i.xe4 c6 too slow: 1O.b4 axb4 1l.axb4 i.e6 13.e3 dxe3 14.i.xe3 i.e6 15.�c2 12.b5 CiJe7 13.�b3 (13.i.b2 �d7 !!eS 16.!!fd1 a4= Wagner-Michel 14J�e1 i.h3 15.i.h1 CiJg4 16.d4 �f5 - Bade, Germany 1990; 11.CiJd5 17.e4 �h5 1S.dxe5 dxe5 19.1lld5 CiJd7 12.b4 !!eS 13.�c2 h6 14.e4 CiJxd5 20.exd5 !!feS 21.CiJd2 i.fS g5 15.bxa5 !!xa5 16.�d2 !!c5 17.f4 22.CiJe4;!; Haub - Sadewasser, c6 1S.CiJb4 gxf4 19.�xf4 �e7? Bad Zwesten 1999; 13.CiJd2 �cS Norwood - Akopian, Baguio 14.!!e1 'it>h7 15.�b3 i.h3 16.i.h1 19S7) 11 ...CiJg4 (It is also possi­ CiJd7 17.i.a3 f5 1S.b6 c5 19.CiJb5 ble for Black to opt for 11 ...CiJeS !!f6 20.CiJc7 !!bS, S.Novikov - 12.e3 dxe3 13.i.xe3 c6 14.CiJd4 S.Zhigalko, Budva 2009, 21.!!aU) CiJf6 15.h3 a4 16.CiJe2 !!eS 17.CiJc3 13 ...c6 (13 ...�d7 14.i.a3 CiJh7 d5!, equalizing thanks to his ac-

354 l.c4 0,f6 2.0,c3 96 3.93 i974.i92 0-0 5. 0,.13 d6 6.0-0 tive actions in the centre: 18.cxd5 17.ib2 l3b8 18.cxd5 cxd5 19.0,e2 0,xd5 19.0,xd5 cxd5= AMinasian Wid6+ Gorbatov - Hebden, Cap­ - Jobava, Batumi 2003.) 12.a4 pelle la Grande 1995) 12 ...0,c 5 (12.h3 c6 13.hxg4 ixg4 14.a4 cxb5 Black exploits a tactical motive 15.axb5 l3e8 16.if3 ixf3 17.exf3 in order to occupy the wonderful d5? Huebner - Smyslov, Solingen c5-square. (It is weaker for him to 1976) 12 ...c6 13.0,a3 h5 14.0,c2h4 play 12 ...'lWc7 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 15.h3 0,h6?,draw, Halkias - Su­ d5 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.ib2 l3d8 17. tovsky, Subotica 2008. 0,xe5! d4 18.exd4 0,xd4 19.13eU After1O.i g5 0,e6,Black saves a Snape - Hebden, Hastings 2009.) tempo for the move h6. (In case of 13.b4 (13.e4 ig4 14.h3 ixf3 15. 1O ...h6 1l.ixf6 ixf6, White trans­ ixf3 0,e6 16.ig2 0,d7=) 13 ... poses advantageously to the game axb4 14.axb4 0,xd3! 15.'lWxd3 e4 Dzindzichashvili - Sutovsky, Phi­ (making use of White's misplaced ladelphia 1993, which we have rook on b1) 16.0,xe4 0,xe4 17.ib2 already analyzed.) 1l.ixf6 (11. (17.0,d4 0,f6 18.ib2 'lWe7 19.13a1 id2 l3e8 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 c6 id7? Hickl - Klundt, Bad Wies­ 14.0,g5h6 15.0,xe6ixe6 16.b5 d5 see 1997) 17... ixb2 18.l3xb2 'lWf6 17.bxc6 bxc6 18.0,a4 ig4 19.13e1 19.Wid4 ie6 20.l3c1 l3a4= Leko - e4t C.Foisor - Pavlovic, Crans Sutovsky, Dortmund 2005.

Montana 1999) 11...ixf6 12.b4 10 ••• axb4 1l.axb4 c6 axb4 13.axb4 ig7 14.b5 (14.'�b3 h6 15.b5 @h7 16.e3 f5 17.l3bd1 f4 18.'�c2 0,c5 19.exf4 exf4 20.0,d5 fxg3 21.fxg3 ig4? Bareev - Mi­ loy, Bastia 2007) 14 ...id7 15.l3a1 c6 16.l3xa8 'lWxa8 17.'lWb3 'lWa5 18. l3b1 0,c5 19.'lWc2 f5 20.bxc6 bxc6 2UWd2 l3a8 22.d4 e4 23.0,g5 0,e6 24.0,xe6 ixe6+ Adianto - Pav­ lovic, Bie1 1998. It is sensible to analyze White's possibility to avoid the trade of the knights: 10.0,d2 c6 1l.e3 (1l.b4 12.b5 axb4 12.axb4 - see 10.b4, 12.0,d2) The exchange of the bishop for 11...0,e6 12.0,f3 (12.0,de4 0,xe4 the knight is not so dangerous for 13.dxe4 Wie7 14.0,a4 'lWc7 15.Wic2 Black in this position: 12.ig5 h6 0,c5 16.0,xc5dxc5 17.a4 ig4 18.h3 13.ixf6 ixf6 14.b5 ig7=, he has ie6= Karlsson - C.Hansen, Esb­ managed to build a shelter on the jerg 1984; 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 d5 light squares, Johansen - Skem­ 14.0,b3h5 15.b5 l3e8 16.bxc6 bxc6 bris, Moscow 1994.

355 Chapter 34

After 12.ttJd2, Black succeeds \!;vd7 21.�h2 geaB 22 . .if4 gla3i in pushing 12 ...d5 13.b5!? (13 . .ib2 Augustin - Tal, Moscow 1977. .ie6 14J�e1 - 14.e3 ttJf5 15.b5 d4? 13 . .te3 ttJd7 14.h3 hf3 15.exf3 - 14 ...b5 15.cxb5 cxb5 16.e3 ttJc6 ttJc5 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.ttJe4 ttJce6 17.ttJxb5 \!;vb6 1B.ttJc3 ttJxb4 19.ttJf3 1B.ttJc3 ga3i Skembris - Miladi­ ttJd720 .ttJg5 gtbB= Hickl - Nijbo­ novic,Kavala 1997. er, Venlo 2000) 13 ....te6 14 . .ib2 13.bxc6 bxc6 14 . .te3(14. ttJxd4 \!;Ve7! (14 ...geB 15.ge1!? gcB 16 . .ia1 exd4 15.ttJe4 ttJxe4 16.he4 �d7= h5 17.bxc6 bxc6 1B.ttJa4, draw, Anikaev - Tal, Minsk 1979) 14 ... Andersson - Gligoric, Vrbas 1977; ttJxf315.e xf3.if5 16.gb3 gbB= Re­ 14 ...\!;vd6 15.e3 ttJf5 16.bxc6 bxc6 lange - Nijboer, Pula 1997. 17.cxd5 cxd5 1B.ttJb5 �c5 19.he5 ttJxe3 20.d4+- Gavrjushin - Zhidkov, Moscow 1995) 15.e3 ttJf5 16.\!;Ve2 ttJd6= Black has not only advanced d5, but also he controls reliably all the central squares.

12 •••.tg4 I like the plan including ttJd4, because Black does not hide in the corner and he develops his pieces to active positions.

13 • .ig5

13.e3 ttJxf3 14.M3 hf3 15. 13 •••.txt'3 14 • .txt'3 ttJxf3 15.

�xf3 d5 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.cxd5 exf3 h6 16 • .ixf6 .ixf6 17.bxc6 ttJxd5 1B.ttJe2 f5 19.e4 fxe4 20. bxc6 18.gb7 ga3 19.�c2 J.g7= �xe4 gO? Moradiabadi - Salem, Donaldson - Nijboer, Hertogen­ Abudhabi 2005. bosch 1999. White has no targets 13.ttJxd4 exd4 14.ttJe4 ttJxe4 15. to attack in Black's camp, there­ he4 geB 16.gb2 d5 17.cxd5 cxd5 fore the opponents agreed to a 1B . .ig2 gal 19.h3 .ie6 20.�b3 draw on the next move.

356