Squeezing the Sicilian the Alapin Variation

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Introduction

Alexander Khalifman Sergei Soloviov

Squeezing the Sicilian The Alapin Variation

Chess Stars

213 Introduction

Alexander Khalifman Sergei Soloviov

Squeezing the Sicilian The Alapin Variation

Chess Stars

214 Introduction Bibliography

Books

Beating the Anti-Sicilians, by V.Kotronias, Quality Chess 2015 Experts on the Anti-Sicilians by J.Aagaard & J.Shaw, Quality Chess 2011 Alexander Khalifman Sergei Soloviov Fighting the anti-Sicilians by R.Palliser, Everyman Chess 2007 Sveshnikov vs. the Anti-Sicilians by E. Sveshnikov, New in Chess 2014 The Complete c3 Sicilian by M.Chandler, Batsford 1996 The Easiest Sicilian by A.Kolev & T.Nedev, Chess Stars 2008 The Most Flexible Sicilian by A.Delchev and S. Semkov, Chess Stars 2014

Electronic/Periodicals

Chess Informant Squeezing the Sicilian New in chess Yearbook Bestlogic Database The Alapin Variation Chessbase online database ChessOK Correspondence Database Correspondence Database FICGS DataBase GameKnot Database ICCF Database LSS Database Mega Database

Chess Stars

4 215 Introduction Contents

Preface ...... 7

1.e4 c5 2.c3

Part 1.

1 Rare; A) 2...Qc7; B) 2...Qa5; C) 2...Nc6 ...... 14 2 2...b6 3.d4 ...... 28 3 2...g6 3.d4 ...... 50 4 2...a6 3.Nf3 ...... 65 5 2...e5 3.Nf3 ...... 84 6 2...d6 3.d4 ...... 95 7 2...e6 3.d4 ...... 128

Part 2. 2...d5 3.exd5

8 A) 3...Nf6; B) 3...Qxd5 4.d4 Bf5; 4...e5 ...... 175 9 3...Qxd5 4.d4 g6 5.Nf3 ...... 182 10 3...Qxd5 4.d4 cd 5.cd e5; 5...Nc6 6.Nf3 Bg4; 6...e5 ...... 191 11 3...Qxd5 4.d4 cd 5.cd e6 6.Nc3 w/o Nc6; 5...Nc6 6.Nf3 e6 7.Nc3 . . 203 12 3...Qxd5 4.d4 e6 5.Nf3 ...... 234 13 3...Qxd5 4.d4 Nc6 5.Nf3 ...... 242 14 3...Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 ...... 268

Part 3. 2...Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nf3

15 4...g6; 4...b6; 4...a6; 4...d6...... 307 16 4...e6 5.Bc4 Nc6; 5...b6; 5...Nc7; 5...Nb6 ...... 318 17 4...e6 5.Bc4 d6 6.d4 Nc6; 6...Be7; 6...de; 6...cd 7.cd de; 7...Bd7 A) 7...Nb6; B) 7...Be7 (w/o Nc6); C) 7...Nc6 (w/o Be7) ...... 348 18 4...e6 5.Bc4 d6 6.d4 cd 7.cd Nc6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qe2 . . . . 374 19 4...Nc6 5.d4 e6; 5...cd 6.cd g6; 6...d6 7.Bc4 de 8.de...... 403 20 4...Nc6 5.d4 cd 6.cd d6 7.Bc4 Nb6 8.Bb3; 8.Bb5...... 415

Index of Variations ...... 450

216 5 Introduction Contents A rich merchant combats the Sicilian chaos

Preface ...... 7 Judging by the reviews of our previous book about the Four Knights Game, our concept of an “opening for the pragmatist” has turned out 1.e4 c5 2.c3 to be quite viable. Subsequently, having dealt in this way with 1...е7-е5, the authors wondered whether it would be possible to deal in the same Part 1. way with other openings. 1 Rare; A) 2...Qc7; B) 2...Qa5; C) 2...Nc6 ...... 14 It is a well-known fact that the Sicilian Defence has been Black’s 2 2...b6 3.d4 ...... 28 most popular response to 1.е4 for nearly seventy years now. Although 3 2...g6 3.d4 ...... 50 lately the chess elite seems to have turned its attention to 1...е5, from 4 2...a6 3.Nf3 ...... 65 the 2600+ level downwards the main response is still 1...c5 and as a 5 2...e5 3.Nf3 ...... 84 rule it is this move that creates the most problems for White in prepar- 6 2...d6 3.d4 ...... 95 ing for the game. So we wondered whether we could apply the same 7 2...e6 3.d4 ...... 128 method here as in our previous book. The basic principles of our approach are: Part 2. 2...d5 3.exd5 1. We should like to stay away from sharp modern variations in

which the main lines and the evaluations are changing every month. 8 A) 3...Nf6; B) 3...Qxd5 4.d4 Bf5; 4...e5 ...... 175 Among other things, this means that the opponent might not know 9 3...Qxd5 4.d4 g6 5.Nf3 ...... 182 what to do against the lines we have chosen. One of the trends nowa- 10 3...Qxd5 4.d4 cd 5.cd e5; 5...Nc6 6.Nf3 Bg4; 6...e5 ...... 191 days is for players (even at the level of the solid amateur) to analyse the 11 3...Qxd5 4.d4 cd 5.cd e6 6.Nc3 w/o Nc6; 5...Nc6 6.Nf3 e6 7.Nc3 . . 203 main lines in great depth and leave the sidelines for later. It is worth 12 3...Qxd5 4.d4 e6 5.Nf3 ...... 234 noting that this “later” never happens in some cases... 13 3...Qxd5 4.d4 Nc6 5.Nf3 ...... 242 14 3...Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 ...... 268 2. We want to avoid complex lines in which the value of every move is very high. Admittedly you cannot play this game successfully without knowing some concrete variations, but we should like to lessen the Part 3. 2...Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nf3 importance of this factor and to transfer the weight of the struggle to the middlegame. 15 4...g6; 4...b6; 4...a6; 4...d6...... 307 16 4...e6 5.Bc4 Nc6; 5...b6; 5...Nc7; 5...Nb6 ...... 318 3. Following on from the previous point, if something goes wrong 17 4...e6 5.Bc4 d6 6.d4 Nc6; 6...Be7; 6...de; 6...cd 7.cd de; 7...Bd7 and your memory lets you down during the game, this will not lead to A) 7...Nb6; B) 7...Be7 (w/o Nc6); C) 7...Nc6 (w/o Be7) ...... 348 an immediate catastrophe, as often happens in the sharp main lines. 18 4...e6 5.Bc4 d6 6.d4 cd 7.cd Nc6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qe2 . . . . 374 The margin of safety is very high and you should be able to find your 19 4...Nc6 5.d4 e6; 5...cd 6.cd g6; 6...d6 7.Bc4 de 8.de...... 403 way out of the situation just by using general principles. The worst that 20 4...Nc6 5.d4 cd 6.cd d6 7.Bc4 Nb6 8.Bb3; 8.Bb5...... 415 should happen to you is that you might have to give up the fight for an opening advantage. Index of Variations ...... 450 4. Our approach does not imply however that White will not be fighting for an advantage in the opening. Yes, we wish to shift the

5 6 217 Introduction

weight of the struggle to the middlegame, but Black will need to play very precisely in order to enter the middlegame with equal prospects. Naturally Black may equalise (in general Black often equalises in the main lines as well!) but not with indifferent play.

5. We plan to build up our position on a sound positional basis, es- chewing any bizarre modern concepts. The centre, development, piece activity and a sound pawn structure – exactly as we were taught in school.

6. Finally, and in particular, we persistently avoid the standard Si- cilian pawn structure and the type of fight this leads to. We have in mind the positions with the semi-open c- and d- files, in which any experienced Sicilian player feels like a fish in water. We definitely want to avoid this type of position and prefer to draw our opponent out of his comfort zone.

This more or less concluded our initial approach. Next we needed to select our specific system. Now that our choice has been made you might think that it was the other way round, that the basic principles of our choice were tailored to fit the final result. But believe me, dear reader, this was not entirely true. It took us a long time to make our choice and we investigated numerous possibilities. We kept hitting snags. Some lines were simply not ‘universal’ enough, some involved too much theory to study, while in others the play was just too irra- tional. But once we had made our decision we felt sure it was the right one. And our choice was – the Alapin Variation with 2.с2-с3!

Judging from the games that have come down to us from those days, Semyon Alapin was not the first to come up with the idea of coun- tering the Sicilian Defence in this way. Nevertheless there is no doubt that he was the first to start playing the system that now bears his name regularly against the strongest players of his day. In fact, at the end of the 19th and the start of the 20th century Alapin was one of the top ten players in the world, according to authoritative modern estimates. His biography is generally quite interesting but it is especially signifi- cant that, in addition to his chess achievements, he was also a “merchant of the first guild”. In those days and in those conditions, this fact clearly testified to his having outstanding commercial talent (hence, “an opening for the pragmatist”!) Alapin proved to be an outstanding chess theoretician too and there was even a white opening named after him. Still, if Alapin’s Opening (1.e4 e5 2.Ne2) can be classified these

218 7 Introduction weight of the struggle to the middlegame, but Black will need to play days as an eccentric rarity, Alapin’s line against the Sicilian Defence is very precisely in order to enter the middlegame with equal prospects. something quite different. At the beginning of the last century, in the Naturally Black may equalise (in general Black often equalises in the footsteps of its inventor, some first-class masters such as Nimzowitsch main lines as well!) but not with indifferent play. and Tartakower begin to play it and it was possible to write “the system has taken a very worthy place in the theory of the openings”, but this 5. We plan to build up our position on a sound positional basis, es- turned out to be not quite the case. For quite a long time, although chewing any bizarre modern concepts. The centre, development, piece the Alapin system did not completely disappear from practice, it was activity and a sound pawn structure – exactly as we were taught in rarely used in high-level games. It was considered that Black’s task in school. the Alapin was much easier, in comparison with the main lines.

6. Finally, and in particular, we persistently avoid the standard Si- The rebirth of the system happened at the beginning of the 1970s cilian pawn structure and the type of fight this leads to. We have in and it was connected with the name of a young and talented master mind the positions with the semi-open c- and d- files, in which any who later became an outstanding and creative grandmaster – Evgeny experienced Sicilian player feels like a fish in water. We definitely want Sveshnikov. Over time he acquired some followers, but still his contri- to avoid this type of position and prefer to draw our opponent out of bution to the development of the system has been unique. Sveshnikov his comfort zone. has played more than 400 games using the Alapin Variation and for anyone who wishes to counter the Sicilian Defence with the move с2- This more or less concluded our initial approach. Next we needed с3, studying them is invaluable. The order of moves has been refined, to select our specific system. Now that our choice has been made you some sidelines have been refuted and consigned to oblivion, but the might think that it was the other way round, that the basic principles general strategical concept and the evaluation of the arising positions of our choice were tailored to fit the final result. But believe me, dear have remained quite valid even today and all of this can be found in reader, this was not entirely true. It took us a long time to make our Sveshnikov’s games. Nowadays the Alapin Variation has quite a re- choice and we investigated numerous possibilities. We kept hitting spectable reputation, but is still not very popular at the highest levels snags. Some lines were simply not ‘universal’ enough, some involved of the chess hierarchy. However, this can only be good for us. too much theory to study, while in others the play was just too irra- tional. But once we had made our decision we felt sure it was the right White’s strategic idea is extremely simple. He prepares to advance one. And our choice was – the Alapin Variation with 2.с2-с3! with d2-d4, to build a solid pawn centre and then dictate the play. He will have to pay for this with the fact that his queen’s knight has been Judging from the games that have come down to us from those deprived of the best square for its development, but it may have other days, Semyon Alapin was not the first to come up with the idea of coun- suitable squares (let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves, but suffice to tering the Sicilian Defence in this way. Nevertheless there is no doubt say that in many variations this will be, not the d2-square, but a3.). Sec- that he was the first to start playing the system that now bears his name ondly, it very often happens that after d4 cxd4 cxd4, White’s queen’s regularly against the strongest players of his day. In fact, at the end knight gets access anyway to its best square on c3. Naturally, Black will of the 19th and the start of the 20th century Alapin was one of the top not stay passive and usually tries to organise immediate counterplay in ten players in the world, according to authoritative modern estimates. the centre, but White can always find sufficient resources. The modern His biography is generally quite interesting but it is especially signifi- evaluation of this system is that Black has comfortable enough lines cant that, in addition to his chess achievements, he was also a “mer- in which he can obtain an acceptable game. We are not claiming to chant of the first guild”. In those days and in those conditions, this fact overturn this assessment, or to try to refute this evaluation (Black can clearly testified to his having outstanding commercial talent (hence, equalise, we accept that), but we shall try to prove that not all of his “an opening for the pragmatist”!) Alapin proved to be an outstanding lines are equally good. Whether we have succeeded, let the reader be chess theoretician too and there was even a white opening named after our judge. him. Still, if Alapin’s Opening (1.e4 e5 2.Ne2) can be classified these

7 8 219 Introduction

Finally, in conclusion, we should like to apologise for plagiarising a paragraph from our previous book, since it is also extremely relevant here, practically without any changes:

Alexander Khalifman St Petersburg

220 9 Introduction

Finally, in conclusion, we should like to apologise for plagiarising a Part 1 paragraph from our previous book, since it is also extremely relevant 1.e4 c5 2.c3 here, practically without any changes:

We should also like to mention some other positive aspects of our method and these concern the field of psychology. The first point is if you happen to play against an opponent who is stronger than you (or if he considers himself to be stronger, even without any objective rea- sons – this happens quite often, by the way). The Four Knights Game has acquired a reputation over the years of “White is just playing for a draw...”. We have in mind something different, but if the opponent is In Part 1 of our book we have build a powerful pawn-centre convinced of our intention to play for a draw, this might turn out to be analysed all of Black’s responses with d4+e4. Of course, this in it- very helpful for us. All this has been tested in practice numerous times. to 1.e4 c5 2.c3 apart from 2...d5 self cannot provide him with a de- What usually happens is that your opponent thinks: “Draw?” Well, OK and 2...Nf6. Although in contem- cisive or even a large advantage. “draw”, and he will usually start to make indifferent moves, assuming porary grandmaster practice these Nevertheless, White’s play becomes that the result of the game has been already settled. However, we then possibilities are all played only very clear and comfortable, while have the possibility of punishing him for his careless attitude. The sec- very rarely, you should not regard Black must come up with some- ond possibility is that your opponent may decide that White should be them as merely exotic and you thing urgently, to avoid landing in punished for this drawish strategy and he might embark on incorrect should not ignore them in your a permanently worse position, complications. This may be very helpful to us as well. Of course, these game preparation. From the his- without any counterplay. possibilities cannot be guaranteed, but they happen very often, even at torical point of view it is worth the top level. mentioning that in the first game In Chapter 1 we start to cover which has come down to us, in Black’s second move options. It is Alexander Khalifman which the Alapin Variation was worth paying special attention to St Petersburg played, Black (no less a player the move 2...Qa5. This brainchild than Staunton himself) replied of Doctor Tarrasch has found with 2...е6. The player who in- some outstanding followers now- vented the rather original answer adays, such as grandmaster Ro- 2...Qa5 was Doctor Tarrasch. manishin (it is worth noting Nowadays, if we disregard play at though that, during the period of grandmaster level, the variations his best results, Romanishin ab- 2...d5, 2...Nf6 and all the rest are stained from playing this line encountered with approximately against Sveshnikov) and grand- equal frequency. There is there- master Movsesian (lately though fore a fairly clear logic to the way it seems that he has become rath- we have organised the material. er disenchanted with this move). The main drawback of all the However, with all due respect to continuations covered in Part 1 these great players, the general (we shall touch upon a couple of principles of play in the opening exceptions) is that they allow are still valid and the eccentric White to carry out unopposed his queen move does not have any basic strategic idea, namely to particular merits. Admittedly

9 10 221 Introduction

Black has prevented his oppo- In Chapter 3 we analyse useful and we have failed to find Here too the roots stretch back nent’s plan, but this is only tem- Black’s attempt to fianchetto his any convincing advantage for to the 19th century, but it was in- porary. White can first develop other bishop immediately with – White. So we have decided that in troduced into modern tourna- his kingside and then advance d2- 2...g6. Here, after 3.d4, if Black this situation White should not ment practice only at the end of d4 quite comfortably. We should wishes to avoid entering a perma- hurry to advance d2-d4 immedi- the last millennium by grandmas- also mention the move 2...Nc6. nently inferior and passive posi- ately but should instead play the ter Mikhail Krasenkow. However, This is not at all bad, but only if, tion he needs to play 3...сxd4 useful move 3.Nf3. it is worth noting that in the new after 3.d4, Black continues with (there is also another possibility XIIIIIIIIY millennium Mikhail has admitted 3...d5, when after 4.exd5 Qxd5 here, 3...d5 immediately, but then 9rsnlwqkvlntr0 that the moves 2...d5 and 2...Nf6 there is a transposition to varia- after 4.exd5 Qxd5 we have a are much more reliable. After 2... tions which we analyse in Part 2 transposition to lines which are 9+p+pzppzpp0 е5, it is hardly surprising that the of the book. In all other lines the analysed in Part 2 of the book) 4. 9p+-+-+-+0 play usually resembles some type knight sortie on move two turns сxd4 d5; then after 5.е5 9+-zp-+-+-0 of open game. If White develops out to be untimely. XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+P+-+0 his pieces patiently, with the idea 9rsnlwqkvlntr0 9+-zP-+N+-0 of exploiting the weakened d5- In Chapter 2 we analyse the 9PzP-zP-zPPzP0 square later in the middle game, variation 2...b6. Now, after 3.d4 9zpp+-zpp+p0 then the type of position that may Bb7 4.Bd3, 9-+-+-+p+0 9tRNvLQmKL+R0 arise is very similar to schemes in XIIIIIIIIY 9+-+pzP-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy the Closed Ruy Lopez. This might 9rsn-wqkvlntr0 9-+-zP-+-+0 After this, Black will have to cause some discomfort for players 9zpl+pzppzpp0 9+-+-+-+-0 decide what scheme to adopt for with Black who play nothing but 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 his further development and the Sicilian Defence but in fair- 9-zp-+-+-+0 White will occupy the centre un- ness White’s chances of gaining 9+-zp-+-+-0 9tRNvLQmKLsNR0 der more favourable circumstanc- an advantage this way are slim. 9-+-zPP+-+0 xiiiiiiiiy es. We have therefore recommended 9+-zPL+-+-0 it turns out that the fact that a line which is quite forcing and 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 White has not developed his In Chapter 5 we shall deal with requires Black to respond very king’s knight yet is definitely in another attempt by Black to pre- precisely. Black’s chances of 9tRNvLQmK-sNR0 his favour. Black does not have vent his opponent from building a equalising are greater than in the xiiiiiiiiy the resource Bg4 available and powerful pawn-centre: the move positions in the previous chapter, there is usually a transposition White is able to hold on to his 2...e5. but he will still have problems. to lines of Owen’s Defence (1.e4 powerful centre and maintain a XIIIIIIIIY b6). This may sound mysterious comfortable advantage from the 9rsnlwqkvlntr0 In Chapter 6 we analyse the and even romantic (I suspect that opening. variations after 2...d6. For many some of our readers are not even 9zpp+p+pzpp0 decades this move has ranked as aware that such an opening ex- In Chapter 4 we deal with a 9-+-+-+-+0 the third most popular response ists), but in practice, if White rather mysterious, generally use- 9+-zp-zp-+-0 for Black, after the main continu- plays with even minimal accura- ful, but rarely played move: 2...а6. 9-+-+P+-+0 ations 2...Nf6 and 2...d5. This is cy, in order for Black to avoid the We believe that it deserves quite 9+-zP-+-+-0 easily understandable. Right from worst he will have to transpose to serious attention. The point is 9PzP-zP-zPPzP0 the start of the game Black wishes some rather dubious lines of the that after 3.d4 cxd4 4.cxd4 d5, the to enter positions where all three French Defence. move а7-а6 turns out to be quite 9tRNvLQmKLsNR0 results are possible, avoiding the xiiiiiiiiy

222 11 12 Introduction

11 12 223 Introduction

main lines, which are much sim- is not just similar to the French pler from the strategical point of Defence but is in fact one of the view. But Black has to pay a price key positions of this opening. This for this, because although the po- is quite a promising option, but sitions arising are really complex, we shall abstain from analysing it White enjoys more space and a in this book, on account of the powerful centre and this provides sheer bulk of the material this him with the better prospects. would involve and its strategic richness. And why embark on Finally, in Chapter 7, the last such a big main line when instead in this part of the book, we have we can play 4.exd5 exd5 (4...Qxd5 analysed the system with 2...е6. 5.Nf3 is covered in the second This is a very sound move from part of our book) 5.Nf3, the point of view of strategy; Black XIIIIIIIIY plans to advance d7-d5 and fight 9rsnlwqkvlntr0 for the centre. In our opinion, of all the continuations presented in 9zpp+-+pzpp0 this part of the book, it is precisely 9-+-+-+-+0 these two moves with Black’s 9+-zpp+-+-0 king’s pawn that offer the best 9-+-zP-+-+0 chances of equalising. But there is 9+-zP-+N+-0 a difference. If, after 2...e5, as we 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 have already mentioned, the positions arising are typical of the 9tRNvLQmKL+R0 open games, in this chapter the xiiiiiiiiy positions reached have a distinc- reaching a position which is tive French flavour. For many de- also similar in character to the voted Sicilian players, such struc- French Defence, but one where the tural transformations are not only game usually comes down to stand- unpleasant but sometimes even ard positions with an isolated unacceptable. For example, after pawn for Black and where White 2...e6 3.d4 d5, White can continue has a small but stable long-term with 4.e5 and the position arising advantage and simple, clear play.

224 13 Introduction main lines, which are much sim- is not just similar to the French Chapter 1 1.e4 c5 2.c3 pler from the strategical point of Defence but is in fact one of the view. But Black has to pay a price key positions of this opening. This for this, because although the po- is quite a promising option, but sitions arising are really complex, we shall abstain from analysing it White enjoys more space and a in this book, on account of the powerful centre and this provides sheer bulk of the material this him with the better prospects. would involve and its strategic richness. And why embark on Finally, in Chapter 7, the last such a big main line when instead in this part of the book, we have we can play 4.exd5 exd5 (4...Qxd5 XIIIIIIIIY analysed the system with 2...е6. 5.Nf3 is covered in the second 9rsnlwqkvlntr0 About 3...g6 4.Nf3 d6 5.h3 Bg7 This is a very sound move from part of our book) 5.Nf3, 9zpp+pzppzpp0 6.Bd3 Nf6 7.0–0, or 4...Bg7 5. the point of view of strategy; Black XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 Bd3 d6 6.h3 Nf6 7.0–0 – see 2... plans to advance d7-d5 and fight 9rsnlwqkvlntr0 d6. for the centre. In our opinion, of 9+-zp-+-+-0 all the continuations presented in 9zpp+-+pzpp0 9-+-+P+-+0 3...cxd4. As a rule, this ex- this part of the book, it is precisely 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-zP-+-+-0 change in the Alapin system facil- these two moves with Black’s 9+-zpp+-+-0 9PzP-zP-zPPzP0 itates considerably White’s task to king’s pawn that offer the best 9-+-zP-+-+0 9tRNvLQmKLsNR0 maintain an edge, because now, chances of equalising. But there is 9+-zP-+N+-0 xiiiiiiiiy his knight on b1 can be developed a difference. If, after 2...e5, as we 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 on the c3-square, where it would have already mentioned, the posi- In this chapter we will analyse be considerably more active than tions arising are typical of the 9tRNvLQmKL+R0 some rarely played moves for on d2, or on a3. 4.cxd4 Nf6 (4...e6 open games, in this chapter the xiiiiiiiiy Black: A) 2...Qc7, B) 2...Qa5 5.Nc3 a6 6.Nf3 – see 2...a6) 5. positions reached have a distinc- reaching a position which is and C) 2...Nc6. Nc3 e6 6.Bd3 Bb4 7.Bd2 a6 (7... tive French flavour. For many de- also similar in character to the After all these moves he does Bxc3 8.bxc3±) 8.e5 voted Sicilian players, such struc- French Defence, but one where the not influence sufficiently his op- XIIIIIIIIY tural transformations are not only game usually comes down to stand- ponent’s centre and White ob- 9rsnl+k+-tr0 unpleasant but sometimes even ard positions with an isolated tains effortlessly an advantage in 9+pwqp+pzpp0 unacceptable. For example, after pawn for Black and where White the opening. 9p+-+psn-+0 2...e6 3.d4 d5, White can continue has a small but stable long-term 9+-+-zP-+-0 with 4.e5 and the position arising advantage and simple, clear play. A) 2...Qc7 9-vl-zP-+-+0 Following this move there 9+-sNL+-+-0 usually arise positions from Chap- 9PzP-vL-zPPzP0 ter 4 (2...a6), or Chapter 6 (2... 9tR-+QmK-sNR0 d6). Here, we will deal only with xiiiiiiiiy variations which would lead to 8...Bxc3? Bassani – Barbosa, original positions. Brasilia 2012. Black exchanges an 3.d4 e6 important defender of his dark squares and thus worsens his po- About 3...d6 4.h3 – see 2...d6. sition even more. 9.bxc3 Nd5 10.

13 14 225 Introduction 1.e4 c5 2.c3

Qg4 0–0 (10...g6 11.c4 Ne7 12. 4...Nf6?! 5.e5 Nd5 6.c4! White Nf3+–) 11.c4 f5 (11...Ne7 12.Nf3 continues to chase the enemy Nf5 13.Qh3 h6 14.g4 Nxd4 15. knight. 6...Nb6 7.d5 d6 8.Nc3 a6. Nxd4 Qxe5+ 16.Qe3+–) 12.Qh4 Here, Black must waste a tempo Nb6 13.Rc1+– in order to defend against the 8...Nd5 9.Qg4 0–0 10.Bh6! threat Nb5. 9.Bf4 exd5 10.cxd5 Bg4 White is not afraid of the move 11.Qe2! White not only prepares 10...Bxc3+, because he can coun- castling queenside, but also cre- ter it with the powerful interme- ates threats against the enemy diate move 11.Kf1!, for example: king. 11...dxe5, Pekar – Hlavac, 11...g6 12.bxc3 Qxc3 13.Rd1 Nc6 Slo vakia 2007, 12.Bxe5 Qe7 13. 14.Nf3 Ncb4 15.Bb1 f5 16.exf6 0–0–0± Rxf6 (16...Nxf6 17.Qg5+–) 17. h4+– 4...cxd4 5.cxd4 Nf6 (5...a6 6.Nc3 or 5...d6 6.Nc3 a6 7.Bd3 – 4.Nf3 see 2...a6) 6.Bd3. White is not in a XIIIIIIIIY hurry to play Nc3, since he is re- 9rsnl+kvlntr0 luctant to allow the pin of his knight. 6...Nc6 (6...Bb4+ 7.Bd2 9zppwqp+pzpp0 Bxd2+ 8.Nbxd2± Bernhard – 9-+-+p+-+0 Berger, Austria 2017. White is al- 9+-zp-+-+-0 ready perfectly prepared for the 9-+-zPP+-+0 pawn-advance e4-e5 and Ne4- 9+-zP-+N+-0 d6.) 7.Nc3 a6 8.0–0 Be7, Skok – 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 Zahirovic, Ljubljana 2007, 9.d5! White makes use of his oppo- 9tRNvLQmKL+R0 nent’s rather slow play and opens xiiiiiiiiy the game in the centre. 9...Ne5 4...b6 10.Nxe5 Qxe5 11.Be3 0–0. Black has managed to evacuate his king About 4...a6 5.Bd3 – see 2... away from the centre, but it would a6. come soon under an attack on the kingside. 12.f4 Qc7 13.e5 Nxd5 14. 4...d6 5.Bd3 Nf6 6.0–0, or 5... Nxd5 exd5 15.Qh5 g6 16.Qh6 f5 Nd7 6.0–0 Ngf6 7.Re1 – see 2... 17.exf6 Bxf6 18.f5+– d6. 5.Bd3 Bb7 6.0–0 Nf6 4...Nc6 5.d5 Ne5 6.dxe6 fxe6, Rapaire – Voarino, France 2007, About 6...d6 7.Re1 – see 2...b6. 7.Bf4 Nxf3+ (7...Bd6?? 8.Nxe5 Bxe5 9.Qh5+–) 8.Qxf3 d6 9. 6...Ne7, Magem Badals – Nd2± Ju.Polgar, Madrid 1994, 7.d5!?±

226 15 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Chapter 1 Introduction

Qg4 0–0 (10...g6 11.c4 Ne7 12. 4...Nf6?! 5.e5 Nd5 6.c4! White 7.Re1 Be7 8.e5 this rather early queen sortie can- Nf3+–) 11.c4 f5 (11...Ne7 12.Nf3 continues to chase the enemy XIIIIIIIIY not be approved. Nf5 13.Qh3 h6 14.g4 Nxd4 15. knight. 6...Nb6 7.d5 d6 8.Nc3 a6. 9rsn-+k+-tr0 3.g3!? Nxd4 Qxe5+ 16.Qe3+–) 12.Qh4 Here, Black must waste a tempo This move is not so popular as Nb6 13.Rc1+– in order to defend against the 9zplwqpvlpzpp0 3.Nf3, but it creates serious prob- 8...Nd5 9.Qg4 0–0 10.Bh6! threat Nb5. 9.Bf4 exd5 10.cxd5 Bg4 9-zp-+psn-+0 lems for Black. White’s further White is not afraid of the move 11.Qe2! White not only prepares 9+-zp-zP-+-0 plan is quite simple. He wishes at 10...Bxc3+, because he can coun- castling queenside, but also cre- 9-+-zP-+-+0 first to complete the development ter it with the powerful interme- ates threats against the enemy 9+-zPL+N+-0 of his pieces on the kingside and diate move 11.Kf1!, for example: king. 11...dxe5, Pekar – Hlavac, 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 to castle (Bg2, Ne2, 0–0) and 11...g6 12.bxc3 Qxc3 13.Rd1 Nc6 Slovakia 2007, 12.Bxe5 Qe7 13. then to place another pawn in the 14.Nf3 Ncb4 15.Bb1 f5 16.exf6 0–0–0± 9tRNvLQtR-mK-0 centre (d2-d4). Rxf6 (16...Nxf6 17.Qg5+–) 17. xiiiiiiiiy 3...Nc6 h4+– 4...cxd4 5.cxd4 Nf6 (5...a6 8...Nd5, Korneev – Khamraku- 6.Nc3 or 5...d6 6.Nc3 a6 7.Bd3 – lov, Seville 2006, 9.dxc5 bxc5 3...d6. Now, Black will be able 4.Nf3 see 2...a6) 6.Bd3. White is not in a (9...Bxc5 10.a3 a5 11.c4 Ne7 12. to develop his knight on f6 with- XIIIIIIIIY hurry to play Nc3, since he is re- Nc3±) 10.Na3! White’s knight is out being afraid of e4-e5. 4.Bg2 9rsnl+kvlntr0 luctant to allow the pin of his headed for the d6-outpost. 10...0– g6 (about 4...Nc6 5.Ne2 – see 3... knight. 6...Nc6 (6...Bb4+ 7.Bd2 0 11.Nb5 Qd8 12.c4 Nb4 13. Nc6) 5.Ne2 Bg7 6.0–0 Nf6 (6... 9zppwqp+pzpp0 Bxd2+ 8.Nbxd2± Bernhard – Bb1 a6 14.Nd6 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 Nc6 7.d4 – see 3...Nc6) 7.d4 0–0 9-+-+p+-+0 Berger, Austria 2017. White is al- N4c6 16.Bh6! This move is en- 8.h3 Rd8 9+-zp-+-+-0 ready perfectly prepared for the ergetic and strong. 16...f5 (16... XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-zPP+-+0 pawn-advance e4-e5 and Ne4- gxh6?? 17.Qe4+–) 17.Qg3. Now, 9rsnltr-+k+0 9+-zP-+N+-0 d6.) 7.Nc3 a6 8.0–0 Be7, Skok – the material losses are unavoida- 9zpp+-zppvlp0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 Zahirovic, Ljubljana 2007, 9.d5! ble for Black. 17...g6 18.Bxf8 9-+-zp-snp+0 White makes use of his oppo- Qxf8 19.Bc2 Nd4 20.Ba4± 9wq-zp-+-+-0 9tRNvLQmKL+R0 nent’s rather slow play and opens 9-+-zPP+-+0 xiiiiiiiiy the game in the centre. 9...Ne5 B) 2...Qa5 9+-zP-+-zPP0 4...b6 10.Nxe5 Qxe5 11.Be3 0–0. Black XIIIIIIIIY 9PzP-+NzPL+0 has managed to evacuate his king 9rsnl+kvlntr0 9tRNvLQ+RmK-0 About 4...a6 5.Bd3 – see 2... away from the centre, but it would xiiiiiiiiy a6. come soon under an attack on the 9zpp+pzppzpp0 9.Be3. White follows the prin- kingside. 12.f4 Qc7 13.e5 Nxd5 14. 9-+-+-+-+0 ciples of A.Nimzowitsch and pro- 4...d6 5.Bd3 Nf6 6.0–0, or 5... Nxd5 exd5 15.Qh5 g6 16.Qh6 f5 9wq-zp-+-+-0 vides additional defence of the Nd7 6.0–0 Ngf6 7.Re1 – see 2... 17.exf6 Bxf6 18.f5+– 9-+-+P+-+0 strategically important d4-square. d6. 9+-zP-+-+-0 (9.a4!? White is trying to acquire 5.Bd3 Bb7 6.0–0 Nf6 9PzP-zP-zPPzP0 additional space on the queenside 4...Nc6 5.d5 Ne5 6.dxe6 fxe6, prior to the completion of the de- Rapaire – Voarino, France 2007, About 6...d6 7.Re1 – see 2...b6. 9tRNvLQmKLsNR0 velopment of his pieces. 9...Nc6. 7.Bf4 Nxf3+ (7...Bd6?? 8.Nxe5 xiiiiiiiiy Black only facilitates the realisa- Bxe5 9.Qh5+–) 8.Qxf3 d6 9. 6...Ne7, Magem Badals – Black is trying to impede the tion of his opponent’s plans with Nd2± Ju.Polgar, Madrid 1994, 7.d5!?± enemy pawn-advance d2-d4, but this move. 10.d5 Ne5 11.f4 Ned7

15 16 227 Introduction 1.e4 c5 2.c3

12.c4±) 9...Nc6, Ibragimov – Shche- there. 14...Bxd6 15.Be3 Ke7 16. kachev, St Petersburg 1994, 10.d5 g4!± This is useful prophylactic Ne5 11.b3! Here, before advanc- against Black’s pawn-advance f7- ing f2-f4, it would be useful for f5. Later, White will transfer his White to prevent the appearance knight to the centre of the board of the enemy knight on the c4- (Ng3–e4) and will begin to ad- square. 11...b5 12.Nd2 Qc7 13.f4 vance his passed pawns: a2-a3, Ned7 14.g4± White’s kingside c3-c4-c5. Black will be faced with pawns are ready to advance and a rather difficult defence.) 7.Nxd4 to crush the opposition there. Bxe4. He wins White’s central pawn, but lags horribly in devel- 3...b5. Black continues with opment. 8.Bxe4 Nxe4 9.Qe2 d5 his flank strategy, which is detri- 10.Bf4!? White is not in a hurry to mental to the development of his restore the material balance. 10... kingside pieces. 4.Bg2 Bb7 5.Ne2 Nd7 11.f3 Nef6 12.Nxb5 e5 13. (5.d3!? e6 6.Nf3²) 5...Nf6. Black Bxe5 Nxe5 14.Qxe5+ Kd8 15. exerts pressure against the enemy Nd4± Black’s king has been pawn on e4 and wishes to force stranded in the centre for long. the move d2-d3 (5...f5?! Kopp – It is also possible for White to Nazarenus, Germany 2012, 6.d3 play calmly here 6.d3 and his plan Nf6 7.0–0 fxe4 8.Nf4 e5 9.Nh5±). would be to begin active actions XIIIIIIIIY on the queenside after the pawn- 9rsn-+kvl-tr0 advance b2-b4 and thus to utilise 9zpl+pzppzpp0 his lead in development. 6...d6 9-+-+-sn-+0 7.0–0 Nbd7, Erenburg – Roiz, Tel 9wqpzp-+-+-0 Aviv 2002, 8.b4!? cxb4 9.cxb4 9-+-+P+-+0 Qxb4 10.Nbc3 Qa5 11.Rb1 a6 9+-zP-+-zP-0 12.a4 b4 13.Na2. Black will be in- 9PzP-zPNzPLzP0 capable of holding on to his extra 9tRNvLQmK-+R0 pawn 13...e5 14.Rxb4 Qc7 15.Ba3± xiiiiiiiiy 6.d4!? This is an interesting 3...g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Ne2 e5. pawn-sacrifice for the initiative. Black wishes to impede his oppo- 6...cxd4 (6...Bxe4 7.Bxe4 Nxe4 8. nent’s pawn-advance d2-d4, even dxc5 Nc6 9.b4 Qa4 10.Qxa4 bxa4. at the price of the weakening of White preserves better prospects the d5-square. (About 5...Nc6 thanks to his pawn-majority on 6.0–0 – see 3...Nc6; after 5...h5, the queenside. 11.Nd2 Nxd2 12. Jiganchine – Berry, Vancouver Bxd2 d5 13.cxd6 e5 14.0–0–0! 2001, the simplest for White The queenside is the best place for would be to play 6.h3², so that he White’s king. It will support the could counter h5-h4 with g3-g4.) advance of his passed pawns from 6.0–0 Nc6

228 17 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Chapter 1 Introduction XIIIIIIIIY 12.c4±) 9...Nc6, Ibragimov – Shche- there. 14...Bxd6 15.Be3 Ke7 16. 9r+l+k+ntr0 His queen must avoid all the time kachev, St Petersburg 1994, 10.d5 g4!± This is useful prophylactic 9zpp+p+pvlp0 the attacks of White’s pieces. 18... Ne5 11.b3! Here, before advanc- against Black’s pawn-advance f7- 9-+n+-+p+0 Qxb2 19.Rdb1 Qc3 20.Bxb7 Rd8 ing f2-f4, it would be useful for f5. Later, White will transfer his 9wq-zp-zp-+-0 21.Bg2 Kg7 22.h3+– White to prevent the appearance knight to the centre of the board 9-+-+P+-+0 of the enemy knight on the c4- (Ng3–e4) and will begin to ad- 9+-zP-+-zP-0 4.Bg2 square. 11...b5 12.Nd2 Qc7 13.f4 vance his passed pawns: a2-a3, 9PzP-zPNzPLzP0 XIIIIIIIIY Ned7 14.g4± White’s kingside c3-c4-c5. Black will be faced with 9tRNvLQ+RmK-0 9r+l+kvlntr0 pawns are ready to advance and a rather difficult defence.) 7.Nxd4 xiiiiiiiiy to crush the opposition there. Bxe4. He wins White’s central 7.Na3 (7.d4!? This is an inter- 9zpp+pzppzpp0 pawn, but lags horribly in devel- esting pawn-sacrifice. White’s 9-+n+-+-+0 3...b5. Black continues with opment. 8.Bxe4 Nxe4 9.Qe2 d5 idea is to eliminate the enemy e5- 9wq-zp-+-+-0 his flank strategy, which is detri- 10.Bf4!? White is not in a hurry to pawn and to deploy his bishop on 9-+-+P+-+0 mental to the development of his restore the material balance. 10... the d6-outpost. 7...exd4 8.Bf4 9+-zP-+-zP-0 kingside pieces. 4.Bg2 Bb7 5.Ne2 Nd7 11.f3 Nef6 12.Nxb5 e5 13. Nge7 9.Bd6 0–0 10.Nd2 dxc3 11. 9PzP-zP-zPLzP0 (5.d3!? e6 6.Nf3²) 5...Nf6. Black Bxe5 Nxe5 14.Qxe5+ Kd8 15. Nxc3± Black will have great prob- exerts pressure against the enemy Nd4± Black’s king has been lems to complete the develop- 9tRNvLQmK-sNR0 pawn on e4 and wishes to force stranded in the centre for long. ment of his queenside pieces, xiiiiiiiiy the move d2-d3 (5...f5?! Kopp – It is also possible for White to since White’s bishop on d6 ham- We will analyse now: B1) 4... Nazarenus, Germany 2012, 6.d3 play calmly here 6.d3 and his plan pers the movements of Black’s g6 and B2) 4...Nf6. Nf6 7.0–0 fxe4 8.Nf4 e5 9.Nh5±). would be to begin active actions pawn on d7.) 7...d6, Can – Chah- XIIIIIIIIY on the queenside after the pawn- rani, Khanty-Mansiysk 2010, 8. 4...d6 5.Ne2 h5 (After 5...Bg4 9rsn-+kvl-tr0 advance b2-b4 and thus to utilise d4 (8.b4!? cxb4 9.cxb4 Nxb4 10. 6.h3 Bh5?! Paaske – Rossen, 9zpl+pzppzpp0 his lead in development. 6...d6 Rb1 Be6 11.d4 Bxa2 12.Ra1 Rc8 Odense 2011, Black’s misplaced 9-+-+-sn-+0 7.0–0 Nbd7, Erenburg – Roiz, Tel 13.Bb2±) 8...exd4 9.cxd4 cxd4 10. bishop would only enhance White’s 9wqpzp-+-+-0 Aviv 2002, 8.b4!? cxb4 9.cxb4 Nc4 Qc7 (10...Qc5. Black’s queen pawn-offensive on the kingside. 9-+-+P+-+0 Qxb4 10.Nbc3 Qa5 11.Rb1 a6 will soon come under an attack on 7.g4 Bg6 8.f4±) 6.h3. He wishes 9+-zP-+-zP-0 12.a4 b4 13.Na2. Black will be in- this square after the move Ba3. to be able to counter h5-h4 with 9PzP-zPNzPLzP0 capable of holding on to his extra 11.b3 b5 12.Ba3 b4. He covers the g3-g4. 6...Nh6 7.0–0 h4 8.g4 9tRNvLQmK-+R0 pawn 13...e5 14.Rxb4 Qc7 15.Ba3± diagonal of White’s bishop on a3, (White loses a part of his advan- xiiiiiiiiy but now Black will have great tage with the move 8.d4 after 8... 6.d4!? This is an interesting 3...g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Ne2 e5. problems to oust the enemy cxd4 9.cxd4 hxg3 10.fxg3, Sele- pawn-sacrifice for the initiative. Black wishes to impede his oppo- knight from the c4-square. 13. bran – Dubessay, Chalons en 6...cxd4 (6...Bxe4 7.Bxe4 Nxe4 8. nent’s pawn-advance d2-d4, even Bb2±; 13.Nf4!?) 11.Bf4 Ne5 12. Champagne 2015. The shelter of dxc5 Nc6 9.b4 Qa4 10.Qxa4 bxa4. at the price of the weakening of Qxd4!? White obtains more than his king would be weakened. 10... White preserves better prospects the d5-square. (About 5...Nc6 sufficient material compensation Qh5 11.Nf4 Qxd1 12.Rxd1 Bd7²) thanks to his pawn-majority on 6.0–0 – see 3...Nc6; after 5...h5, for the queen. 12...Nf3+ 13.Bxf3 8...Nxg4. This knight-sacrifice the queenside. 11.Nd2 Nxd2 12. Jiganchine – Berry, Vancouver Bxd4 14.Nxd6+ Kf8 15.Nxd4 Qb6 does not seem to be well prepared, Bxd2 d5 13.cxd6 e5 14.0–0–0! 2001, the simplest for White 16.Rfd1 h5. Here, before develop- but Black has no other way of or- The queenside is the best place for would be to play 6.h3², so that he ing his knight on g8, Black must ganising counterplay anyway. 9. White’s king. It will support the could counter h5-h4 with g3-g4.) take measures against the enemy hxg4 Bxg4 10.f3 Bd7 11.f4 h3 12. advance of his passed pawns from 6.0–0 Nc6 threat Bh6+. 17.e5 Bg4 18.Be3. Bf3 g5 13.fxg5 c4 14.Na3 Ne5 15.

17 18 229 Introduction 1.e4 c5 2.c3

Nxc4!? This is White’s most prac- but it remains his only active tical decision. He gives back the piece in the fight. 10.axb5 Qxb5 extra piece, but is happy to have a 11.Na3. After the fall of the pawn powerful pawn-centre and good on b5, White begins again to try to attacking prospects against the gobble the enemy pawn on c4 as enemy king. 15...Nxc4 16.d4 well. 11...Qa5 12.b3! White does 0–0–0 17.Qd3 Qc7 18.b3 Nb6 not have sufficient forces to in- 19.a4± crease his pressure against the pawn on c4, so he decides the ex- B1) 4...g6 5.Ne2 Bg7 6.0–0 change it in order to undermine XIIIIIIIIY the base under the enemy knight 9r+l+k+ntr0 on d3. 12...Ba6 13.Nc2 Qb6 14. bxc4 Nxc1 (14...Bxc4 15.Ba3±) 15. 9zpp+pzppvlp0 Rxc1 Bxc4 16.d3 Bb3 17.Rb1. 9-+n+-+p+0 Black’s active pieces have been 9wq-zp-+-+-0 exchanged and his other pieces 9-+-+P+-+0 have not been developed yet. In 9+-zP-+-zP-0 addition, he must lose a tempo to 9PzP-zPNzPLzP0 defend against the threat Ned4. 17...e5 18.Qc1 a5 19.Qa3 a4 20. 9tRNvLQ+RmK-0 Nc1 Rb8 21.Na1!± Black is incapa- xiiiiiiiiy ble of avoiding the loss of a pawn. 6...d6 7...Ne5 8.Nd4 Nh6 9.Qe2 b5. He sacrifices a pawn in order to 6...c4?! Black prevents d2-d4, deploy his bishop on the f1-a6 di- but creates a target for his oppo- agonal as quickly as possible. nent’s attack. 7.Na3 (9...0–0 10.f4±) 10.Naxb5 Ba6 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+k+ntr0 9r+-+k+-tr0 9zpp+pzppvlp0 9zp-+pzppvlp0 9-+n+-+p+0 9l+-+-+psn0 9wq-+-+-+-0 9wqN+-sn-+-0 9-+p+P+-+0 9-+psNP+-+0 9sN-zP-+-zP-0 9+-zP-+-zP-0 9PzP-zPNzPLzP0 9PzP-zPQzPLzP0 9tR-vLQ+RmK-0 9tR-vL-+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy 7...b5 8.Nc2 Ne5 9.a4. White 11.b4! With this move White changes the target of his attack sacrifices the exchange, seizes from the c4-pawn to the enemy completely the initiative and is b5-pawn. 9...Nd3. This black about to settle the issue. 11...cxb3 knight is beautifully placed here, 12.axb3 Qxa1 13.Nc7+ Kd8 14.

230 19 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Chapter 1 Introduction

Nxc4!? This is White’s most prac- but it remains his only active Nxa6+– Black’s king is stranded 15...f6 16.Bxh6 Bxh6 17.Qb3! tical decision. He gives back the piece in the fight. 10.axb5 Qxb5 in the centre for long and would Black fails to castle. 17...Qe7 extra piece, but is happy to have a 11.Na3. After the fall of the pawn be an easy prey for White’s raging (17...Kf8 18.Rxb7 Bxb7 19. powerful pawn-centre and good on b5, White begins again to try to pieces. Qxb7 Qc8 20.Qxc6+–) 18.Nd5 attacking prospects against the gobble the enemy pawn on c4 as Qxe2 19.Nc7+ Kd8 20.Nxa8 enemy king. 15...Nxc4 16.d4 well. 11...Qa5 12.b3! White does 7.d4 cxd4 8.cxd4 Qb6 Nxd4 21.Qc3! After this move 0–0–0 17.Qd3 Qc7 18.b3 Nb6 not have sufficient forces to in- Black increases his pressure Black’s resistance comes to an 19.a4± crease his pressure against the against the d4-square, but now, end. 21...Nxb5 22.Qxf6+ Qe7 pawn on c4, so he decides the ex- White can sacrifice his pawn on b2 23.Qxh8+ Bf8 24.a4+– B1) 4...g6 5.Ne2 Bg7 6.0–0 change it in order to undermine obtaining an excellent position. XIIIIIIIIY the base under the enemy knight XIIIIIIIIY B2) 4...Nf6 5.Ne2 9r+l+k+ntr0 on d3. 12...Ba6 13.Nc2 Qb6 14. 9r+l+k+ntr0 XIIIIIIIIY bxc4 Nxc1 (14...Bxc4 15.Ba3±) 15. 9r+l+kvl-tr0 9zpp+pzppvlp0 Rxc1 Bxc4 16.d3 Bb3 17.Rb1. 9zpp+-zppvlp0 9-+n+-+p+0 Black’s active pieces have been 9-wqnzp-+p+0 9zpp+pzppzpp0 9wq-zp-+-+-0 exchanged and his other pieces 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+n+-sn-+0 9-+-+P+-+0 have not been developed yet. In 9-+-zPP+-+0 9wq-zp-+-+-0 9+-zP-+-zP-0 addition, he must lose a tempo to 9+-+-+-zP-0 9-+-+P+-+0 9PzP-zPNzPLzP0 defend against the threat Ned4. 9PzP-+NzPLzP0 9+-zP-+-zP-0 17...e5 18.Qc1 a5 19.Qa3 a4 20. 9PzP-zPNzPLzP0 9tRNvLQ+RmK-0 Nc1 Rb8 21.Na1!± Black is incapa- 9tRNvLQ+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy ble of avoiding the loss of a pawn. xiiiiiiiiy 9tRNvLQmK-+R0 6...d6 7...Ne5 8.Nd4 Nh6 9.Qe2 b5. 9.Be3! Qxb2 10.Nbc3 Qb4 xiiiiiiiiy He sacrifices a pawn in order to 11.Rb1 Qa5 12.e5! 5...h5 6...c4?! Black prevents d2-d4, deploy his bishop on the f1-a6 di- White opens the position in but creates a target for his oppo- agonal as quickly as possible. the centre in an attempt to exploit 5...d6 6.0–0² c4? Van Baar – nent’s attack. 7.Na3 (9...0–0 10.f4±) 10.Naxb5 Ba6 his lead in development. He must Romanishin, Vlissingen 2019. XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY play energetically, since Black Black is trying to impede the ene- 9r+l+k+ntr0 9r+-+k+-tr0 would need only two moves to my pawn-advance d2-d4, but this 9zpp+pzppvlp0 9zp-+pzppvlp0 evacuate his king away from the only worsens his position even 9-+n+-+p+0 9l+-+-+psn0 centre. more. 7.Na3 Ne5 8.f4 Qc5+ 9.d4! 9wq-+-+-+-0 9wqN+-sn-+-0 12...Nh6 White sacrifices temporarily a 9-+p+P+-+0 9-+psNP+-+0 pawn and re-establishes his con- 9sN-zP-+-zP-0 9+-zP-+-zP-0 12...dxe5 13.dxe5± and Black trol over the d3-square. 9...cxd3+ 9PzP-zPNzPLzP0 9PzP-zPQzPLzP0 cannot play 13...Nxe5?, because 10.Nd4 Ned7. Black’s knight has 9tR-vLQ+RmK-0 9tR-vL-+RmK-0 of 14.Rb5+–; 13...Qxe5? 14.Bxc6+ been ousted away from the cen- xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy bxc6 15.Bd4+– tre. It has become quite evident 7...b5 8.Nc2 Ne5 9.a4. White 11.b4! With this move White now that his opening strategy has changes the target of his attack sacrifices the exchange, seizes 13.exd6 exd6 14.Rb5 Qd8 failed completely. 11.Qxd3 a6 from the c4-pawn to the enemy completely the initiative and is 15.Bg5! It would be useful for (Following 11...g6, Black cannot b5-pawn. 9...Nd3. This black about to settle the issue. 11...cxb3 White to provoke a move which play Bg7 and castle. 12.b4! Qc7 knight is beautifully placed here, 12.axb3 Qxa1 13.Nc7+ Kd8 14. would weaken the a2-g8 diagonal. 13.e5! dxe5 14.Ndb5 Qb8 15.

19 20 231 Introduction 1.e4 c5 2.c3 XIIIIIIIIY Qc4+–) 12.Nc4 b5. This move weakens horribly Black’s queen- 9r+l+kvl-tr0 side, but he has no other way of 9zpp+pzppzp-0 defending against his opponent’s 9-+n+-sn-+0 threat b2-b4, followed by e4-e5. 9wq-zp-+-+p0 13.Na5 e5 14.b4 Qb6 15.Be3 exd4 9-+-+P+-+0 16.Bxd4 Qc7 17.e5+– 9+-zP-+-zPP0 5...e6 6.0–0? d5 (6...c4 7.b3 9PzP-zPNzPL+0 cxb3 8.Qxb3. Black has developed 9tRNvLQmK-+R0 rather badly his pieces and would xiiiiiiiiy be incapable of exploiting the rel- 6...c4 ative weakness of his opponent’s pawn on a2. 8...Qa6, Larrea – 6...h4. This move does not Delgado Ramirez, Montevideo look good for Black before White 2011, 9.Nd4 Nxd4 10.cxd4 d6 11. has castled kingside, because Nc3 Qb6 12.Rb1 Qxb3 13.Rxb3 Black is in fact attacking noth- Be7. The trade of the queens has ing... 7.g4 Ne5 8.d3 (Here, it is not facilitated Black’s defence, be- also possible for White to try the cause after 14.Ba3 a6 15.e5, more ambitious line: 8.d4 cxd4 White’s initiative is still very pow- 9.f4. He wishes to oust the enemy erful. 15...dxe5 16.dxe5 Bxa3 17. knights with his pawns as quickly Rxa3 Nd7 18.Nb5 0–0 19.f4± as possible. 9...d3, Kacheishvili – Black cannot cover the dark Movsesian, Pula 1997, 10.Nd4 squares in his camp, since his Nc6 11.Qxd3 Nxd4 12.Qxd4 d5 dark-squared bishop has been ex- 13.e5 Ne4 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.Be3± changed.) 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.d4 Be7 Black will be incapable of preserv- 9.c4 Nf6 10.d5 Ne5, Hresc – Fer- ing his pawn on e4.) 8...Qa6 9. nandez Aguado, Finkenstein 1993 Nf4 (9.c4 Qd6 10.Nf4 e6 11.Nc3 (10...exd5 11.cxd5 Nb4 12.d6 Bd8, a6, Ponomariov – Movsesian, Za- Kuttruf – Wagner, Email 2004, gan 1997, 12.0–0± Black cannot 13.Nd2! White’s knight is headed exploit in any way the vulnerabil- for the c4-square in order to take ity of the enemy pawn on d3 and part in the protection of his the d4-square, while the awkward passed pawn on d6. 13...0–0 14. placement of his queen on d6 and Nc4 Qa6 15.b3±) 11.d6 Bd8 12.b3 the weakness of his pawn on h4 0–0 13.Bb2 Ned7 14.Nbc3± might create soon great problems White’s bishop on g2 and his for him.) 9...g5 10.d4 cxd4 11.cxd4 pawn on d6 impede the develop- gxf4 12.dxe5 Qa5+ 13.Bd2! White ment of Black’s queenside pieces. prepares the transfer of his bishop to the long diagonal. 13...Qxe5 6.h3 14.Bc3 Qe6 15.0–0 Bg7 16.Re1

232 21 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Chapter 1 Introduction XIIIIIIIIY Qc4+–) 12.Nc4 b5. This move 0–0 17.Qd2 Bh6 18.Na3 d6 19. 8...d6 9.f4!? weakens horribly Black’s queen- 9r+l+kvl-tr0 e5± White has more than suffi- Now, White will not be afraid side, but he has no other way of 9zpp+pzppzp-0 cient compensation for his mini- of the enemy knight-sortie to the defending against his opponent’s 9-+n+-sn-+0 mal material deficit. e5-square. threat b2-b4, followed by e4-e5. 9wq-zp-+-+p0 XIIIIIIIIY 13.Na5 e5 14.b4 Qb6 15.Be3 exd4 9-+-+P+-+0 9r+l+kvl-tr0 9.Nd2 Ne5 10.Qc2 g6 (10... 16.Bxd4 Qc7 17.e5+– 9+-zP-+-zPP0 Qa6. Black cannot exploit the vul- 9zpp+pzppzp-0 nerability of the d3-square, be- 5...e6 6.0–0? d5 (6...c4 7.b3 9PzP-zPNzPL+0 9-+n+-sn-+0 cause White can simply play 11.c4 cxb3 8.Qxb3. Black has developed 9tRNvLQmK-+R0 9wq-+-+-+p0 b5 12.0–0²) 11.f4 (It would be rather badly his pieces and would xiiiiiiiiy 9-+p+P+-+0 worse for White to try here 11. be incapable of exploiting the rel- 6...c4 9+-zP-+-zPP0 Nd4, Kamsky – Movsesian, Mos- ative weakness of his opponent’s 9PzP-zPNzPL+0 cow 2008, because after 11...Qa6 pawn on a2. 8...Qa6, Larrea – 6...h4. This move does not 12.c4, the placement of his knight Delgado Ramirez, Montevideo look good for Black before White 9tRNvLQmK-+R0 on d4 would be unstable. 12...Qb6 2011, 9.Nd4 Nxd4 10.cxd4 d6 11. has castled kingside, because xiiiiiiiiy 13.N4f3 Nfd7 14.0–0 Bg7÷) 11... Nc3 Qb6 12.Rb1 Qxb3 13.Rxb3 Black is in fact attacking noth- 7.d4 Nc6 12.Nc4 Qa6 13.Ne3 Bg7 14. Be7. The trade of the queens has ing... 7.g4 Ne5 8.d3 (Here, it is a4± White will follow this move not facilitated Black’s defence, be- also possible for White to try the 7.0–0!? Ne5 8.d4 cxd3 9.Nd4 with b2-b4, in order to continue cause after 14.Ba3 a6 15.e5, more ambitious line: 8.d4 cxd4 h4 10.g4 g5!? Black is playing very to cramp the enemy pieces on the White’s initiative is still very pow- 9.f4. He wishes to oust the enemy inventively indeed, but White still queenside. erful. 15...dxe5 16.dxe5 Bxa3 17. knights with his pawns as quickly obtains a considerable advantage Rxa3 Nd7 18.Nb5 0–0 19.f4± as possible. 9...d3, Kacheishvili – with precise moves. 11.b4. He 9...e5 Black cannot cover the dark Movsesian, Pula 1997, 10.Nd4 ousts the enemy queen away from Black wishes to ensure the e5- squares in his camp, since his Nc6 11.Qxd3 Nxd4 12.Qxd4 d5 the fifth rank. 11...Qb6 12.Bxg5 square for his knight, but weak- dark-squared bishop has been ex- 13.e5 Ne4 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.Be3± Nfxg4!? Black sacrifices a piece ens in the process his pawn on d6 changed.) 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.d4 Be7 Black will be incapable of preserv- and begins a desperate counter and the d5-square. 9.c4 Nf6 10.d5 Ne5, Hresc – Fer- ing his pawn on e4.) 8...Qa6 9. attack. (The move 12...a5 would 10.Na3 Be7 11.0–0 nandez Aguado, Finkenstein 1993 Nf4 (9.c4 Qd6 10.Nf4 e6 11.Nc3 not be any better for him. 13.f4 XIIIIIIIIY (10...exd5 11.cxd5 Nb4 12.d6 Bd8, a6, Ponomariov – Movsesian, Za- Nc6 14.bxa5 Rxa5 15.Nd2 Nxd4 9r+l+k+-tr0 Kuttruf – Wagner, Email 2004, gan 1997, 12.0–0± Black cannot 16.cxd4 Qxd4+ 17.Kh1 Ra6 18. 13.Nd2! White’s knight is headed exploit in any way the vulnerabil- Nf3 Qb2 19.Qxd3+–) 13.hxg4 h3 9zpp+-vlpzp-0 for the c4-square in order to take ity of the enemy pawn on d3 and 14.Bf3 Bh6 15.Bh4 Bf4 16.Bg3 9-+nzp-sn-+0 part in the protection of his the d4-square, while the awkward Bxg3 17.fxg3 d6 18.Nd2± The po- 9wq-+-zp-+p0 passed pawn on d6. 13...0–0 14. placement of his queen on d6 and sition is still a bit sharp, but 9-+-+PzP-+0 Nc4 Qa6 15.b3±) 11.d6 Bd8 12.b3 the weakness of his pawn on h4 Black’s compensation for the sac- 9sN-zPQ+-zPP0 0–0 13.Bb2 Ned7 14.Nbc3± might create soon great problems rificed piece is insufficient. 9PzP-+N+L+0 White’s bishop on g2 and his for him.) 9...g5 10.d4 cxd4 11.cxd4 pawn on d6 impede the develop- gxf4 12.dxe5 Qa5+ 13.Bd2! White 7...cxd3 8.Qxd3 9tR-vL-+RmK-0 ment of Black’s queenside pieces. prepares the transfer of his bish- 8.Nf4 d6, Remis Fernandez – xiiiiiiiiy op to the long diagonal. 13...Qxe5 Povchanic, ICCF 2008, 9.0–0 e5 11...h4 12.g4 exf4 13.Bxf4 6.h3 14.Bc3 Qe6 15.0–0 Bg7 16.Re1 10.Nd5² Ne5 14.Qb5+ Qxb5 15.Nxb5.

21 22 233 Introduction 1.e4 c5 2.c3

Black has no compensation for Nf3. Now, before advancing d4- the vulnerability of his pawn on d5, White takes the e5-square un- d6 and after 15...0–0 16.Rad1 der control. Rd8 17.Nc7 Rb8 18.Nd4 a6 XIIIIIIIIY 19.Nf5 Bxf5 20.exf5±, White 9r+lwqkvlntr0 gets rid of his weakness on e4 and 9zp-+pzppzpp0 also obtains the two-bishop ad- 9-zpn+-+-+0 vantage in the process. 9+-zp-+-+-0 9-+-zPP+-+0 C) 2...Nc6 9+-zP-+N+-0 One of the defects of this move 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 is that Black’s knight might come 9tRNvLQmKL+R0 under an attack later after d4-d5. xiiiiiiiiy 3.d4 4...cxd4 5.cxd4 Bb7 (5...e6 6. XIIIIIIIIY d5 Bb4+ 7.Nc3±) 6.d5 Nb4 7.Nc3± 9r+lwqkvlntr0 4...d6 5.d5 (5.Bb5 Bd7 6.0–0±) 5...Ne5 (5...Nb8 6.e5±; 6.Bb5+!? 9zpp+pzppzpp0 Bd7 7.Be2±) 6.Nxe5. Black wishes 9-+n+-+-+0 to facilitate his defence by ex- 9+-zp-+-+-0 changing pieces. Still, after 6... 9-+-zPP+-+0 dxe5 7.Qh5!?, it becomes evident 9+-zP-+-+-0 that he can hold on to his central 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 pawn only at the price of the loss of his castling rights. 7...Nf6 (7... 9tRNvLQmKLsNR0 Qc7 8.Bb5±) 8.Qxe5± Okhotnik – xiiiiiiiiy Zigura, Nancy 2003. 3...cxd4 4...e6 5.d5 exd5 (5...Nce7 6.d6 Ng6 7.Na3±) 6.exd5 Qe7+ (6... About 3...d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5. Nce7 7.d6+–; 6...Na5 7.Na3 a6 Nf3 – see 2...d5. 8.Bd3±) 7.Be2 Ne5 8.0–0 d6 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10.Na3+– 3...Nf6?! Black continues with his losing strategy. He develops 3...e6 4.d5. White occupies his knights but ignores the con- space with tempo. 4...exd5 (4...Ne5. trol over the central squares. 4.d5 On this square Black’s knight would Ne5 5.f4 Ng6 6.e5 Ng8 (6...Ne4 come under an attack after 5.f4, 7.f5 Nxe5 8.Qe2+–) 7.h4 h5 8. for example: 5...Ng6 6.d6 e5, Si- Bd3 Qb6 9.Nf3 d6 10.e6+– Geidl mon – Kaluza, Polanica Zdroj 2009. – Pitic, Germany 2007. Without Black’s last move White would have protected his pawn on 3...b6?! This move does not d6 with the move e4-e5. 7.Na3 a6 combine at all with 2...Nc6. 4. 8.Nf3 exf4 9.h4+–) 5.exd5

234 23 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Chapter 1 Introduction XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY Black has no compensation for Nf3. Now, before advancing d4- 9r+lwqkvlntr0 9r+lwqkvlntr0 the vulnerability of his pawn on d5, White takes the e5-square un- 9zpp+p+pzpp0 9zpp+p+pzpp0 d6 and after 15...0–0 16.Rad1 der control. 9-+n+-+-+0 9-+-+-+-+0 Rd8 17.Nc7 Rb8 18.Nd4 a6 XIIIIIIIIY 9+-zpP+-+-0 9+-zpPsn-+-0 19.Nf5 Bxf5 20.exf5±, White 9r+lwqkvlntr0 9-+-+-+-+0 9-+-+-+-+0 gets rid of his weakness on e4 and 9zp-+pzppzpp0 9+-zP-+-+-0 9+-zP-+N+-0 also obtains the two-bishop ad- 9-zpn+-+-+0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 vantage in the process. 9+-zp-+-+-0 9tRNvLQmKLsNR0 9tRNvLQmKL+R0 9-+-zPP+-+0 xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy C) 2...Nc6 9+-zP-+N+-0 5...Nce7? 6.d6+– bishop with thwart the develop- One of the defects of this move 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 5...Qe7+ This check only en- ment of his queenside pieces, so is that Black’s knight might come 9tRNvLQmKL+R0 hances the development of White’s White should better not be in a under an attack later after d4-d5. xiiiiiiiiy pieces. 6.Be2 Ne5 7.f4 Nc4 8.Nh3 hurry to exchange on e5. 7.Na3!? 3.d4 4...cxd4 5.cxd4 Bb7 (5...e6 6. Nf6 9.0–0 Nd6, Rogers – Cohle, Nxf3+ (7...a6? 8.Nxe5 Bxe5 9. XIIIIIIIIY d5 Bb4+ 7.Nc3±) 6.d5 Nb4 7.Nc3± ICCF 2012, 10.c4± Black has lost d6+–) 8.Qxf3 Nf6 9.Nc4± Teixei- 9r+lwqkvlntr0 4...d6 5.d5 (5.Bb5 Bd7 6.0–0±) too much time on manoeuvres ra – Sversut, corr. 2001. 5...Ne5 (5...Nb8 6.e5±; 6.Bb5+!? with his knight and his queen on 6...Qe7 7.Nxe5 Qxe5+ 8.Be2 9zpp+pzppzpp0 Bd7 7.Be2±) 6.Nxe5. Black wishes e7 impedes the development of Nf6 9.c4 Bd6, Colina – McLaugh- 9-+n+-+-+0 to facilitate his defence by ex- his bishop on f8. lin, ICCF 2013, 10.Nd2. White is 9+-zp-+-+-0 changing pieces. Still, after 6... 5...Nb8 6.d6 Qf6, Avtsynov – transferring his knight to the f3- 9-+-zPP+-+0 dxe5 7.Qh5!?, it becomes evident Katkov, Voronezh 2013, 7.Na3. square in order to castle and to 9+-zP-+-+-0 that he can hold on to his central White’s knight is headed for the avoid being checkmated. (10.a4!? 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 pawn only at the price of the loss b5-square. 7...Bxd6. Black wins This is a very original move. White of his castling rights. 7...Nf6 (7... the enemy pawn which cramps wishes to bring his rook into the 9tRNvLQmKLsNR0 Qc7 8.Bb5±) 8.Qxe5± Okhotnik – his position. Still, this is only a actions along the third rank, but xiiiiiiiiy Zigura, Nancy 2003. small consolation for him, be- still, that move is a bit weaker 3...cxd4 4...e6 5.d5 exd5 (5...Nce7 6.d6 cause after 8.Nb5 Be5 9.f4 Bxf4 than the natural Nd2. 10...0–0 Ng6 7.Na3±) 6.exd5 Qe7+ (6... 10.Bxf4 Qxf4 11.Nd6+ Kd8 12. 11.Ra3 b6 12.g3²) 10...0–0 11.Nf3 About 3...d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5. Nce7 7.d6+–; 6...Na5 7.Na3 a6 Ne2 Qf6 13.Ng3+–, he falls con- Qh5 12.Ng5 Re8 13.Kf1 Qg6 14. Nf3 – see 2...d5. 8.Bd3±) 7.Be2 Ne5 8.0–0 d6 9. siderably back in development Bd3 Qh5 15.Qxh5 Nxh5 16.Bxh7± Nxe5 dxe5 10.Na3+– and his king, stranded in the cen- 6...d6 7.Na3!? Nxf3+ (7...a6. 3...Nf6?! Black continues with tre, would be an excellent target Black covers the b5-square his losing strategy. He develops 3...e6 4.d5. White occupies for White’s attacking pieces. against the possible penetration his knights but ignores the con- space with tempo. 4...exd5 (4...Ne5. 5...Ne5 6.Nf3. White wishes to of the enemy minor pieces, but trol over the central squares. 4.d5 On this square Black’s knight would trade his opponent’s only devel- falls back in development even Ne5 5.f4 Ng6 6.e5 Ng8 (6...Ne4 come under an attack after 5.f4, oped piece. more in the process. 8.Nxe5 dxe5 7.f5 Nxe5 8.Qe2+–) 7.h4 h5 8. for example: 5...Ng6 6.d6 e5, Si- (diagram) 9.Nc4 Nf6 10.Bg5 b5 11.Nxe5 Qxd5 Bd3 Qb6 9.Nf3 d6 10.e6+– Geidl mon – Kaluza, Polanica Zdroj 2009. 6...Nxf3+ 7.Qxf3 Qf6 (7...d6 12.Qxd5 Nxd5 13.0–0–0 h6 14. – Pitic, Germany 2007. Without Black’s last move White 8.Bd3±) 8.Bf4 Bd6 9.Qe3+ Ne7 Bh4 g5 15.Bg3 Nf4 16.Re1±) 8. would have protected his pawn on 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.Na3± Gergs – Qxf3 Nf6 9.Bd3 Be7 10.h3 0–0 3...b6?! This move does not d6 with the move e4-e5. 7.Na3 a6 Schlickenrieder, Germany 1994. 11.0–0 a6 12.Bf4 b5 13.Rfe1 Re8 combine at all with 2...Nc6. 4. 8.Nf3 exf4 9.h4+–) 5.exd5 6...Bd6. On this square Black’s 14.c4 b4 15.Nc2² White’s extra

23 24 235 Introduction 1.e4 c5 2.c3

space provides him with a stable 4...d5 5.exd5 Qxd5 6.Nf3 – see positional advantage. 2...d5.

3...e5. With this move Black 4...Nf6?! 5.d5 Ne5 6.f4 Ng6 wishes to avoid the opening of the (6...Neg4 7.Nc3±) 7.e5 Ne4 8.Qd4 position. 4.d5 Nce7 (After 4...Nb8, f5, Lafuente – Borges, Pan Ameri- White can try a very promising can 1998, (8...Qa5+ 9.b4+–) pawn-sacrifice. 5.d6!? Qf6 6.Na3 9.Nd2 Nxd2 10.Bxd2+– Qxd6 7.Qxd6 Bxd6 8.Nb5 Ke7 9. Be3 a6 10.Nxd6 Kxd6 11.f4 exf4 Black early queen sorties are 12.Bxf4+ Ke7 13.0–0–0±) 5.d6!? detrimental to the development If White allows his opponent to of his pieces 4...Qa5+?! 5.Bd2 play d7-d6, Black would have a Qb6 6.d5±, or 4...Qb6?! 5.d5 Ne5 cramped but still solid position. 6.Be3 Qxb2 7.Bd4 Qb4+ 8.Nc3 5...Ng6 (5...Nc6 6.Na3 a6 7.Be3±) d6 9.f4 Nd7 10.Rb1 Qa5 11.Nf3± 6.Na3 a6, Mazza – Mazzetta, Saint and only worsen his position even Vincent 2006, 7.h4!? h5. Black more. prevents the further advance of the enemy h-pawn, but weakens 4...e5?! This move leads to the the g5-square. 8.Nc4 b5 9.Qd5! appearance of an isolated pawn in With the help of this simple inter- Black’s camp. 5.dxe5 Nxe5 6.Nc3 mediate move White wins the Nf6 (6...Bb4 7.Qd4 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 pawn on e5 and Black’s position f6 9.Ba3 Ne7 10.Nf3±) 7.f4! It has crumbles. 9...Rb8 10.Nxe5 Qf6 become clear now that Black has 11.Nxg6 Qxg6 12.Bf4+– failed to take the e5-square under control. 7...Nc6 (7...Ng6 8.e5 Ng8 4.cxd4 9.Nf3 Nh6 10.Qc2± Be7 11.f5! XIIIIIIIIY White continues the chase after 9r+lwqkvlntr0 the enemy cavalry. 11...Nh4 12.f6! Nxf3+ 13.gxf3+– Lagergren – 9zpp+pzppzpp0 Aukstuolis, ICCF 2014) 8.e5 Ng8 9-+n+-+-+0 9.Nf3 Bc5 10.Bc4± White’s attack 9+-+-+-+-0 against the f7-square settles im- 9-+-zPP+-+0 mediately the issue. 10...Nge7 9+-+-+-+-0 11.Ng5 0–0 12.Qh5 h6 13.Nxf7+– 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 Robertson – Laureles, Email 9tRNvLQmKLsNR0 2013. xiiiiiiiiy 4...d6 5.d5!? White wishes to 4...e6 emphasize immediately the de- About 4...g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.d5 – fects of Black’s second move see 2...g6. (about 5.Nf3 – see Chapter 5).

236 25 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Chapter 1 Introduction XIIIIIIIIY space provides him with a stable 4...d5 5.exd5 Qxd5 6.Nf3 – see 9r+lwqkvlntr0 centre as quickly as possible in or- positional advantage. 2...d5. 9zpp+-zppzpp0 der to utilise his lead in develop- 9-+nzp-+-+0 ment (9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.0–0±) 9... 3...e5. With this move Black 4...Nf6?! 5.d5 Ne5 6.f4 Ng6 9+-+P+-+-0 dxe5 10.Nxe5 Nbd7, Okhotnik – wishes to avoid the opening of the (6...Neg4 7.Nc3±) 7.e5 Ne4 8.Qd4 9-+-+P+-+0 Debnar, Slovakia 1997, 11.Bf4± position. 4.d5 Nce7 (After 4...Nb8, f5, Lafuente – Borges, Pan Ameri- 9+-+-+-+-0 7...g6 8.Nd4 Bg7 9.Be2 0–0 White can try a very promising can 1998, (8...Qa5+ 9.b4+–) 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 10.0–0 Nbd7 11.Be3 Nc5 12.f3. pawn-sacrifice. 5.d6!? Qf6 6.Na3 9.Nd2 Nxd2 10.Bxd2+– 9tRNvLQmKLsNR0 White protects his pawn on e4 Qxd6 7.Qxd6 Bxd6 8.Nb5 Ke7 9. xiiiiiiiiy and plans to oust the enemy Be3 a6 10.Nxd6 Kxd6 11.f4 exf4 Black early queen sorties are 5...Ne5 6.f4, After this move knight away from the c5-square 12.Bxf4+ Ke7 13.0–0–0±) 5.d6!? detrimental to the development Black is forced to lose another with the move b2-b4. 12...a5. If White allows his opponent to of his pieces 4...Qa5+?! 5.Bd2 tempo for the retreat of his knight. Black parries his opponent’s posi- play d7-d6, Black would have a Qb6 6.d5±, or 4...Qb6?! 5.d5 Ne5 6...Nd7 (or 6...Ng6 7.Nc3 e6 8. tional threat, but weakens the cramped but still solid position. 6.Be3 Qxb2 7.Bd4 Qb4+ 8.Nc3 dxe6 fxe6 9.Qb3±; 6...Ng4 7. Nc3±) b5-square in the process. 13.b3 5...Ng6 (5...Nc6 6.Na3 a6 7.Be3±) d6 9.f4 Nd7 10.Rb1 Qa5 11.Nf3± 7.Nc3 g6 8.Qd4! White prevents Nfd7 (13...Bd7 14.Rc1±) 14.Qd2 6.Na3 a6, Mazza – Mazzetta, Saint and only worsen his position even his opponent from the possibility f5. Black is reluctant to defend Vincent 2006, 7.h4!? h5. Black more. to develop comfortably his bishop only passively, but now, the posi- prevents the further advance of on the g7-square. 8...f6 (8...Ngf6 tion of his king would be quite un- the enemy h-pawn, but weakens 4...e5?! This move leads to the 9.e5±) 9.Nf3 Bg7, Naerland – reliable. 15.exf5 gxf5, Borgo – the g5-square. 8.Nc4 b5 9.Qd5! appearance of an isolated pawn in Hestad, Sandnes 2006, 10.Be3± Isonzo, Mantova 1996, 16.Rae1± With the help of this simple inter- Black’s camp. 5.dxe5 Nxe5 6.Nc3 5...Nb8 6.Nc3 Nf6 (about 6... mediate move White wins the Nf6 (6...Bb4 7.Qd4 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Nd4 Nf6 9.Be2 – 5.d5 pawn on e5 and Black’s position f6 9.Ba3 Ne7 10.Nf3±) 7.f4! It has see 6...Nf6) 7.Nf3 XIIIIIIIIY crumbles. 9...Rb8 10.Nxe5 Qf6 become clear now that Black has XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqkvlntr0 11.Nxg6 Qxg6 12.Bf4+– failed to take the e5-square under 9rsnlwqkvl-tr0 control. 7...Nc6 (7...Ng6 8.e5 Ng8 9zpp+-zppzpp0 9zpp+p+pzpp0 4.cxd4 9.Nf3 Nh6 10.Qc2± Be7 11.f5! 9-+-zp-sn-+0 9-+n+p+-+0 XIIIIIIIIY White continues the chase after 9+-+P+-+-0 9+-+P+-+-0 9r+lwqkvlntr0 the enemy cavalry. 11...Nh4 12.f6! 9-+-+P+-+0 9-+-+P+-+0 9zpp+pzppzpp0 Nxf3+ 13.gxf3+– Lagergren – 9+-sN-+N+-0 9+-+-+-+-0 Aukstuolis, ICCF 2014) 8.e5 Ng8 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9-+n+-+-+0 9.Nf3 Bc5 10.Bc4± White’s attack 9tR-vLQmKL+R0 9+-+-+-+-0 against the f7-square settles im- xiiiiiiiiy 9tRNvLQmKLsNR0 9-+-zPP+-+0 mediately the issue. 10...Nge7 7...Nbd7 8.Nd4± xiiiiiiiiy 9+-+-+-+-0 11.Ng5 0–0 12.Qh5 h6 13.Nxf7+– 7...Bg4. Black has less space, 5...exd5 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 Robertson – Laureles, Email so the exchanges of pieces would 2013. be in his favour. Still, his last About 5...Bb4+ 6.Nc3 exd5 7. 9tRNvLQmKLsNR0 move has a serious defect – his exd5 – see 5...exd5. xiiiiiiiiy 4...d6 5.d5!? White wishes to pawn on b7 would remain unpro- 4...e6 emphasize immediately the de- tected. 8.Qb3! Bc8 (8...Bxf3 9. 5...Ne5 6.f4 Bb4+! The trade About 4...g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.d5 – fects of Black’s second move Qxb7 Nbd7 10.gxf3±) 9.e5! White of the bishops facilitates Black’s see 2...g6. (about 5.Nf3 – see Chapter 5). wishes to open the game in the defence but cannot provide him

25 26 237 Introduction 1.e4 c5 2.c3

with complete equality. (Follow- Qxc3+ 12.Bd2 Qd4 13.Bf3. Black ing 6...Ng6, White can cramp lags horribly in development, considerably the enemy position while White’s bishops are very with the line: 7.d6 Qb6 8.e5 f6 9. powerful. 13...Ne7 (13...Qe5+ 14. Nc3 fxe5 10.Nb5±) 7.Bd2 Bxd2+ Be3 Qc3+ 15.Kf1! Black has de- 8.Qxd2 Ng6 9.d6 Nf6 10.Nc3² prived his opponent of his cas- Black has no weaknesses in his tling rights, but this has not im- position, but still it looks rather proved his position at all. 15...Ne7 cramped. 16.Rc1 Qa5 17.d6 Nf5, Sanner – Grego, LSS 2010, 18.Qd3±) 14.0–0 6.exd5 0–0 15.Qe1 Ng6 (15...Nxd5? 16. XIIIIIIIIY Rd1±) 16.Bb4!? It would be useful 9r+lwqkvlntr0 for White to force the enemy rook to occupy a square which is not 9zpp+p+pzpp0 protected. 16...Rd8 17.Bc3 Qc4 9-+n+-+-+0 18.Rc1 Qf4 19.d6 Rb8 (19...Qxd6? 9+-+P+-+-0 20.Ba5+–) 20.Bb2 Qxd6. Black 9-+-+-+-+0 has already two extra pawns, but 9+-+-+-+-0 after 21.Qc3 Qf8 22.Qc7 Ra8 23. 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 Bd5±, he has practically no useful moves, Buchaillot – Panyushkin, 9tRNvLQmKLsNR0 ICCF 2017. xiiiiiiiiy 6...Bb4+ 8.Be2 Ne5 9.Be3

About 6...Ne5 7.Nc3 Bb4 8. It is also possible for White to Nf3 – see 6...Bb4. play here 9.Nf3!? He would not be afraid of the weakening of his 6...Nce7? 7.d6+– kingside pawn structure 9...Nxf3+ 10.gxf3, because after 10...Bxc3+ 6...Qa5+? 7.Nc3 Nb4 8.Nf3 11.bxc3 d6 12.0–0 Qc7 13.Re1 Ne7 Nf6 9.Qe2+ Kd8 10.Ng5+– 14.Bb5+ Bd7 15.Bd3 f6 16.f4 Kf7 17.c4 g6 18.Bb2ƒ, Black’s king 6...Qe7+ 7.Be3 Ne5 8.Nc3± would be more endangered than its counterpart. 7.Nc3 Qe7+ 9...Nf6 10.Nf3 0–0 11.0–0 After 7...Ne5 8.Nf3 Qe7, White d6 12.h3 Bd7, Evtushenko – can try a brave pawn-sacrifice 9. Sheleg, Novosibirsk 2007, 13. Nxe5! (9.Be2 – see 7...Qe7) 9... Re1² White’s pieces have a much Qxe5+ 10.Be2 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 freer game.

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