One of the hardest tasks faced by competitive chess players is the development of an opening repertoire suited to their own style of play. As in their companion volume An Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Player (also translated by Ken Neat), the authors provide a refined and thoroughly up-to-date opening program, this time selecting variations of a more positional nature.
e Practical repertoire based on 1 e4 as White and the Classical Sicilian and King's Indian Defences as Black
e Concentrates on solid and reliable lines of play
e Provides an easy-to-learn explanation of the typical plans and ideas
Eduard Gufeld is one of the most popular and widely travelled grandmasters, and is known throughout the world as a coach, opening theoretician, journalist and author.
Nikolai Kalinichenko, author of more than 30 chess books, holds the International Master title in correspondence chess and enjoys a growing reputation as a specialist in opening theory. CADOGAN CHESS BOOKS
An Opening Repertoire for the Positional Player English Translation Copyright © 1997 Ken Neat
First published 1997 by Cadogan Books plc, 27-29 BerwickStreet, London W1V 3RF
Distributed in North America by The Globe Pequot Press, 6 Business Park Rd, P.O. Box 833, Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-0833
Allrights reserved No part of this publication may bere produced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any fo rm or by any means: electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing.from thepublishers.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A CIP catalogue record fo r this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 1 85744 152 4
Cover designby Brian Robins
Typeset by Ken Neat,· Durham
Printed in Great Britain by BPC Wheatons Ltd, Exeter An Opening Repertoire for the Positional Player
by
Eduard Gufeld and Nikolai ·Kalinichenko
Translated and Edited by Ken Neat
CADOGAN chess LONDON, NF.W YORK CADOGAN CHESS BOOKS
Chief Advisor: Garry Kasparov Editor: Murray Chandler RussianSeries Editor: Ken Neat
Other chess titles from Cadogan include:
The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal The Genius of Paul Morphy Mikhail Tal Chris Ward
Improve Your Chess Now Ivan Sokolov's Best Games Jonathan Tisdall Ivan Sokolov
Winning in the Opening The Final Countdown John Walker Hajenius & Van Riemsdijk
The Art of Chess Analysis Vasily Smyslov: Endgame Virtuoso Jan Timman Vasily Smyslov
Basic Chess Openings Practical Opening Tips Gabor Kallai Edmar Mednis
More Basic Chess Openings Play the Evans Gambit Gabor Kallai Harding & Cafferty
Lessons in Chess Queen's Indian Defence Garry Kasparov Bogdan Lalic
Fire on Board: Shirov's Best An Opening Repertoire for the Games Attacking Player Alexei Shirov Gufeld & Kalinichenko
For a complete catalogue ofCADOGAN CHESS books (which includes the Pergamon Chess and Maxwell Macmillan Chess lists) please write to:
Cadogan Books plc, 27-29 Berwick St, London WI V 3RF Tcl: (0171) 287 6555 Fax: (0171) 734 1733 Contents
Introduction 6
PART 1: WHITE REPERTOIRE
1 Sicilian Defence 9 2 Scotch Game 27 3 French Defence 41 4 Caro-Kann Defence 59 5 Pirc-U fimtsev Defence 66 6 Alekhine Defence 73
PART II: BLACK REPERTOIRE
7 Sicilian Defence 84 King's Indian Defence: 8 Four Pawns Attack 105 9 Samisch Variation 114 1 0 Variations with .i.g2 129 11 Classical Variation 139 12 Deviations by White from the Classical Variation 154 13 A verbakh Variation 162 14 Torre Attack 169 15 Trompowsky Attack 174 16 English Opening 179 17 Bird Opening 185
Index of Variations 189 List of Illustrative Games 192 Introduction
Opening strategy is the most difficult aspect in the study of chess. The present book (one of the few in the continual stream of chess literature) is aimed at helping readers to solve the problem of studying opening theory. We offer a universal program, suitable both for novices, and fo r players of high class. A most important problem for a player aiming fo r competitive success is the development of an opening repertoire. This is a rather complicated and laborious process, through which we will proceed together with the readers. An opening repertoire depends on many fa ctors, notable among which are the style of a player (tactical or positional), his character, his liking for this or that type of position, and finally- his tournament position, and so on. This book gives an opening repertoire fo r players with a positional style, and, compared with our companion volume An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Attacking Player, represents a kind of second stage in the mastery of opening theory (although many variations are closely linked to the other volume, which is very useful from the organisational point of view). More refined here is the battle fo r the centre, and the systems of defence chosen for Black have a high degree of stability. After 1 e4 eS we recommend the highly insidious Four Knights Variation of the Scotch Game, which gives White a slight but enduring advantage, without allowing the opponent any serious counter-chances. Against the Sicilian Defence the Alapin Variatfon 2 c3 has in recent times become a fo rmidable weapon fo r White. Against the French Defence we recommend the Tarrasch Variation 3 �d2, which for many years was successfully employed by Anatoly Karpov. In the Caro-Kann Defence, Black is set problems by a set-up that has been used at the very highest level (for example, the 1995 Candidates Match Gelfand-Karpov): 3 eS and 4 liJf3. Quieter, but no less dangerous variations for Black, are recommended against the Pirc-Ufimtsev Defence (3 fJ!) and the Alekhine Defence (the c lassical 4 liJf3). Against l e4 as Black we recommend the line leading to the Rauzer Attack or the Sozin Attack, in which Black has counter-play, but does not hurn all his boats behind him, and where it is not easy for White to gain an advantage. And finally, against 1 d4 we suggest the King's Indian Defence - the lavomill' Wl'apon of World Champion Garry Kasparov, as well as one of the Introduction 7 authors of this book, which has served him faithfully for many a decade. Not without reason is Black's powerful piece at g7 called the 'Gufeld bishop'. It should be mentioned that this book includes the most up-to-date chess material (including important games from the first half of 1997), which often clarifies or refutes existing evaluations. Therefore this work will be useful not only to a wide range of chess enthusiasts taking their first steps in studying theory, but also to experienced players, who after studying the book will be able to look anew at many well-known positions. The authors are convinced that the given work will help you to solve the complicated task of developing an opening repertoire, including the most important thing - the problem of the black pieces! After all, a competent repertoire will enable you to raise significantly your standard of play and to improve your tournament results. We are sure that this book will be exceptionally useful to all wishing to improve their mastery of chess.
Eduard Gufeld Nikolai Kalinichenko October 1997 8 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player
Publisher's Note
The companion volume by the same authors An Op ening Repertoire fo r the A/lacking Player gives sound methods fo r White of opposing unusual openings such as the Centre Counter Game, and the Nimzowitsch, Owen and St.George Defences. Also covered there are ways fo r Black to proceed when faced by early deviations against the Sicilian Defence. Rather than repeat this material here (which would have added nearly· 40 pages to this book) we refer the reader to the companion volume.
Conventional signs used in this book
! good move ! ! excellent move !? move deserving consideration ?! dubious move ? incorrectmo ve ?? blunder = equal position ;!; White has a slight advantage + Black has a slight advantage ± White has a clear advantage + Black has a clear advantage +- White has a decisive advantage -+ Black has a decisive advantage oo unclear position 00 with compensation fo r the material ll with the idea of GM grandmaster IM international master corr. correspondence game PART 1: WHITE REPERTOIRE
1 Sicilian Defence
1 e4 cS centre and controls more space, 2 c3 giving him a stable advantage. The game continued 9 ... .te7 10 lDfl 1lfc 7 11 lL:!g3 0--0--0 12 lL:!g5 i.xg5 13 .txg5 f6 14 exf6 gxf6 15 .te3;!;;; (b) 5 ...cxd4 6 cxd4 lL:!c6 7 liJe2 e5 (little is promised by 7 . ..lL:!b4 8 i.b1 i.a6 9 lL:!t3, when White com pletes a regrouping typical of this type of position, and is ready to drive back the black pieces: 9 ...1i'c7 10 lL:!c3 e6 11 a3 lL:!c6 12 .tg5 lL:!h5 13 d5 lL:!a5 14 e5 with a great advan tage, Schmittdiei-Grooten, Wijk aan Zee 1993) 8 d5 lL:!b4 9 .tb1 i.c5 10 A variation developed by the 19th lL:!c3 0-0 11 a3 lL:!a6 12 0-0 lL:!c7 13 century Russian player Alapin, and .td3 lDfe8 14 liJf3 1i'e7 15 b4 i.d6 one that is very popular today. From 16 i.g5± (Smagin-Milov, Greece the very start White aims to set up a 1993). strong pawn centre, which demands accurate play on Black's part. The main replies are 2 ••• eS (1.1), 2 ... d6 (1.2), 2 ... e6 (1.3), 2 ... dS (1.4) and 2. . .lt�f6(l.S). Other moves do nothing to hinder White's plan: 2... b6 3 d4 �b7 4 �d3 (or 4 d5!?, restricting the i.b7) 4 ...lL:!f6 5 lL:!d2, and now: (a) 5 ...e6 6 lL:!gf3 d5 7 e5 lDfd7 8 0-0 lL:!c6 9 %leI (Tiviakov-Reinhard, Singapore 1990). White has a solid 1 0 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player
White has a considerable advantage in the centre and his hands are free fo r action on either wing. l ...'ifaS (an attempt to prevent d2-d4, which, however, is easily suppressed) 3 lbf3 lbc6 4 d4 cxd4 5 b4 "fkc7 6 b5 lbe5 7 lbxe5 "fkxe5 8 'ifxd4, maintaining pressure both in the middlegame, and in the endgame (Makropoulus-Ljubojevic, Athens 1981). 2 •.•g6 (more justified than the fianchetto of the queen' s bishop) 3 An idea of the Russian IM Fili d4 cxd4 (after 3 ..."fka5 4 dxc5 "fkxc5 penko. Black tries by direct means 5 .i.e3 White has a lead in develop to prevent White from creating a ment) 4 cxd4 d5 (if 4 ....i.g7 5 lbc3 pawn pair in the centre. However, d6 6 .i.e3 lbf6 7 f3 0--0 8'ifd2lDc6 the weakening of the light square 9 0--0-0 .i.d7 10 �b1 'ifa5 11 lbge2 complex (in particular d5 and fS) b5 12 lbc1 b4 13 lD3e2 l:tfc8 14 g4 allows the opponent to develop with a powerful attacking position comfortably. fo r White: his line of pawns on the 3 c!l)f3 lbc6 kingside has gone into action, 4 .i.c4 whereas on the queenside Black's The bishop takes up a good post play has come to nothing, Rausis from where it 'eyes' the il pawn. A.Sokolov, Moscow 1992) 5 e5 4 1fc7 .i.g7 (Black fa ils to solve his After 4 •• .J.e7 White is able to set problems by 5 ...lbc6 6 lbc3 lbh6 7 up strong pressure: 5 d4 cxd4 6 cxd4 lbt3 J.g4 8 J.b5 "ikd7 9 h3 J.xf3 10 d6 7 dxe5 dxe5 8 1rb3. "fkxf3 lbfS 11 lbe2 a6 12 J.xc6 bxc6 4 .•.lbf6 has been played, but this 13 g4, when the knight at fS is de too is insufficient: 5 lbg5d5 6 exd5 prived of its post) 6 �c3 lDh6 7 lbxd5 7 "ikh5 g6 8 "fkf3 J.e6 9 lbxe6 "fkb3 !? lbc6 8 .i.e3 lbfS (Rausis fx.e6 10 d3 (Okhotnik-Kapetanovic, Dybowski, Lublin 1993), and here 9 Romania 1988). White has the two 'ifxdS!? was possible, retaining the bishops and play against Black's advantage. pawn weaknesses, which gives him the advantage. lbf6 1.1 (I e4 cS 2 c3)--=------' 5 0-0 Note should be made of Smagin 2 eS Brendel (Dortmund 1993), where Sicilian Defence 11
5 . . . .i.e7was refuted: 6 �gS ! (a typi- ! 1.2 (1 e4 cS 2 c3) cal stroke in such positions) 6 ... .i.xgS 7 'ii'hS dS 8 exdS .i.f4 9 dxc6 2 d6 �f6 10 'it'e2 0-0 11 cxb7 .i.xb7 12 3 d4 �f6 d3 e4 13 .i.xf4 'it'xf4 14 dxe4 �xe4 15 'ii'e3, when White retained his extra pawn with a sound position. 6 llel .i.e7
A relatively recent idea. Black attacks the e4 pawn and simul taneously prevents e4-e5. 3 ...cxd4 4 cxd4 �f6 is less accu 7 d4! rate, since White acquires c3 for his This active move sets Black knight. After 5 �c3 g6 (if 5 ...a6 6 definite problems. .i.d3 e6 7 �f3 .i.e7 8 0-0 0-0 9eS! After 7 ...cxd4 8 cxd4 �xd4 9 dxeS 10 dxe5 �fd7 11 'ii'e2 :es 12 �xd4 exd4 10 eS! 'ii'xc4 11 exf6 lld1 'ii'c7 13 .i.f4, Handoko-Rojpra gxf6 12 b3 'ii'c6 13 .i.a3 (S.Arkell payont, Manila 1992, or 5 ...e6 6 Porsson, Reykjavik 1990) Black has �f3 .i.e7 7 .i.d3 �c6e2 8'ii' 0-0 9 a very difficult position. His king eS, Van der Werf-B.German, Gron does not have a secure shelter, and ingen 1990, White stands better - all the open lines are controlled by the pawn at e5 is very unpleasant for the opponent. the opponent) 6 �f3 a6 7 h3 .i.g7 8 7 . .. d6!? (Kalinichenko-Vysotsky, .i.d3 0-0 90-0 bS 10 e5 �e8 11 corr. 1995/6) is more accurate, i.e4 lla7 12 .i.e3 .i.b7 13 d5 lla8 agreeing after 8 dS to territorial 14 e6 (Torre-Barcenilla, Bacolod concessions, but retaining a solid 1991) White has the better chances. position, although without any The pawn at e6 cleaves Black's active counterplay. For example: position in two, seriously hindering 8 ... �d8 9 .i.bS+�d7 10 a4 0-0 11 the coordination of his fo rces. aS a6 12 .i.d3 �f6 13 �bd2;!;. 4 i.d3 12 An Opening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player
7 tLlbc3 0-0 8 0-0 ttJc 6 9 f3 eS 10 dS tLle7
The most popular move, enabling White to develop harmoniously. The main replies are 4 •••cx d4 (1.21), 4 ...tLlc6 (1 .22) and 4 • ..g6 (1.23). White's chances on the queenside 1.21 (1 e4 cS 2 c3 d6 3 d4 tLlf6 4 outweigh Black's counterplay on the i.d3) kingside, e.g. 11 i.e3 tLle8 12 'i'b3 f5 13 tLlbS b6 14 a4 tLlf6 15 'iib4 4 cxd4 (Rozentalis-Smirin, Vilnius 1988). 5 cxd4 g6 This variation is similarin charac 1.22 (1 e4 cS 2 c3 d6 3 d4 ttJf64 ter to the positions examined in the i.d3) note to Black's 3rd move. The attempt to put direct pressure 4 tLlc6 on White's centre is unsuccessful: 5 .•• tLlc 6 6 tLlfl i.g4 7 d5 tLleS 8 tLlxeS! dxe5 (8 ...i.xd 1 9 i.b5+) 9 'i'b3± (Schmittdiel-Y rj ola, Gausdal 1987), while s .. . eS 6 d5 transposes into lines examined below. 6 tLle2 The knight is better placed here than at fl,where it will be attacked by the bishop from g4, but 6 f3 or 6 tLlc3 is possible, also assuring White of an opening advantage. 6 i.g7 SicilianDe fence 13 5 tDf3 Here too 5 tDe2 is possible, transposing into set-ups examined above. 5 Jlg4 Continuing the policy of pressure on the centre, which, however, does not produce the desired result. But no better is 5 •..g6 (5 ...e5 6 d5! ?) 6 0-0 i.g7 7 d5 tDb8 (Schmittdiel-J.Amason, St. Martin 1993 ), when 8 c4 would have consolidated White's territorial gains. After 13 l:te1 fi:lce8 14 Jtfl b6 15 6 d5 tDb8 Wc2 Jlb7 16 l:tad 1 it is not apparent 6 •.. tDe5 is met by the simple 7 how Black can 'get up offhis knees' lLlxe5 !±, while 6 ..•Jlx f3 7 Wxf3 (Sveshnikov-Loncar, Bled 1994). tLleS is also inadequate: 8 Jlb5+ tLled79 0-0 g6 10 tLld2Jlg7 11 a4! 1.23 (1 e4 c52 c3 d6 3 d4 fi:lf64 (initiating a queenside bind) Jld3) I 1.. . 0-0 12 aS tLle8 13 1i'h3 tLldf6 14 a6 b6 15 l:tel fi:lc7 16 Jlc6 l:tb8 4 g6 17 fi:lf3± (Smagin-Borik, Germany 1993). Black is completely deprived of counterplay, whereas White is threatening a typical attack on the kingside (.i.h6, !i:lg5), and (after preparation) the central break through e4-e5. 7 fi:lbd2 g6 8 b3 Jlc8 8 •.• Jlxf3 simplifies the position somewhat, but also fa ils to solve Black's problems. 9 a4 Jlg7 10 fi:lc 4 0-0 An attempt to develop the bishop 11 .i.f4 tDa6 at g7 without removing the pawn 12 0-0 fi:lc7 tension in the centre. However, White deploys his pieces in the White now has additional resources optimal way fo r play in the centre. in the struggle for an advantage. 14 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player
After 4. . -'ii'c7 the position of the queen has its drawbacks: 5 �0 g6 6 () -0 �g7 7 �f4 0-0 8 �bd2 �bd7 9 :e 1 e5 10 dxe5 dxe5 1I i.g3 �h5 12 a4 b6 13 aS!;!; (Karpov-J.Polgar, Dos Hermanas 1994). 5 dxc5!? dxc5 6 e5 lLld5 6 ...lL!g 4 is dubious in view of 7 .i.bS+ i.d7 8 e6! 7 i.e4 The point of White's play. Black is fo rced to exchange queens and go into a slightly inferior ending. Black sets up a pawn barricade 7 lL!b6 along the lines of the French 8 •xd8+ 16 h3 (Barlov-Gallagher, Biel We are fo llowing the game 1990). Black has no active counter Machulsky-Panchapagesan (Dublin play, and the weakness of the d5 1991). After 12 .. . �g5 13 l:.d3 �c6 pawn may tell later, therefore 14 �0 �xe3+ 15 fx.e3 White has White's chances are to be preferred. the better chances. It is not easy fo r 6 'ife2+ �e7 Black to regain his pawn, and 6 •••'ife7 is the alternative. After 7 White's pressure on the d-file �e3 cxd4 8 �xd7+ �xd7 9 �xd4 should not be underestimated. �gf6 tO �d2 'ife6 ll ilt'xe6+ fx.e6 12 �gO �d6 13 0--0 0--0 14 ltfe l 11.4 (1 e4 c5 2 c3) l:.fe8 15 �e5 White's chances are to be preferred (Machulsky-Wessman, 2 d5 New York 1990). He is blockading the black pawn couple (d5 +e6), on which he will be able to exert unpleasant pressure. 7 dxc5 �f6 8 �e3 It is useful to take control of the key square d4, at the same time covering the queen and defending the c5 pawn. 8 0-0 9 �d2 l:.e8 10 �b3 �g4 11 �xd7 'ifxd7 One of Black's main replies. He 12 � tries to gain counterplay by activity in the centre, immediately bringing into play his 'heavy artillery' - the queen. 3 exd5 'ifxd5 3 •.• �f6 is risky, as the d5 pawn remains alive: 4 �b5+ �bd7 (or 4 ...�d7 5 �xd7+ ilt'xd7 6 c4 e6 7 ilt'e2 �d6 8 �0 0--0 9 dxe6±) 5 c4 a6 6 �xd7+!? �xd7 7 �0 e6 8 'ife2 i.e7 9 dxe6 i.xe6 10 0--0 �fS (if 10. .. 0--0, then 11 l:.dl fo llowed by d2-d4 is good) 11 l:.e 1! �d3 12 ilt'e5 (Smagin-Sveshnikov, Amantea 16 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 1995). Black still has to try and at e6 (Sermek-Moatlhodi, Parana regain the c4 pawn, and the time 1993). spent on this will allow White to 4 .••cxd4 5 cxd4 eS (positions widt take the initiative. ...�c6 are considered later) 6 dxeS ! 4 d4 .tb4+ 7 �d2 with a lead in develop White plans to gain a pawn ment. majority in the centre, not fe aring the isolation of his d-pawn. On the 1.41 (1 e4 cS 2 c3 dS 3 exd5 basis of an 'isolani' the active side 'ii'xd5 4d4) can often gain lively piece play with chances of an attack. 4 Black's main replies are 4••• tlJc6 Black intensifies the pressure on (1.41) and 4 •.•�f6 (1.42). the d4 pawn. Other tries: 5 �f3 4 ..•g6 5 dxc5 (a typical way of gaining time - White exploits the early development of the opponent's queen) 5 ...'Wxc 5 6 .te3 'ii'c7 7 �a3 lllc6 8 �b5 •b8 9 �0 .tg7 1 o •d2 �f6 11 .tf4 e5 12 �d6+ �e7 13 �xe5 �xe5 14 .txe5 �e4 1 5 'ii'f4 .ixe5 16 'it'xf7+! �d8 17 �xe4 with a big advantage (Guido Hulak, Balatonbereny 1993 ). 4.. . e5 5 dxe5! (again White exploits the opponent's 'developed' queen to gain time) 5 ...'ii' xe5+ (after5 ... 'it'xd l+ 6 �xd l �c6 White Now Black faces a choice: maintains the advantage with whether to intensifythe pressure on accurate play - 7 .tf4 �ge7 8 �0 the critical d4 pawn - s... .t g4 .ig4 9 .te2 �g6 10 .tg3 0--0--{)+ 11 (1.411), relieve the tension in the �bd2 .ie7 12 1.411 (1 e4 eS l e3 dS 3 exdS 1i'c5 13 a4 0--0--0 I4 Wb3 tlJh6 IS 'iVxdS 4 d4 tlJe6 S liJtJ) lZ.b1 with mounting pressure for White (Chmelik-J.Ruiz, Rimavska s J.g4 Sobota I992). 6 J.el exd4 8 h3 After 6 ... e6 Black has to reckon It is useful to push back the with the idea of c3-c4: 7 h3 J.h5 8 bishop to h5, since it is unfavourable c4 (White also maintains good fo r Black to take on f3. chances after 8 J.e3) 8 ...1i'd6 (even 8 .thS worse is 8 ...1i'd7 9 g4! J.g6 10 d5 9 tlJeJ 'iVaS exd5 1I cxd5 tlJb4 I2 tlJeS 'ii'xd5 13 White can answer 9 ...J.b 4 with i.b5+ �d8 I4 0-0 with a strong IO 0-0 'ii'a5 11 J.d2 (or 1I a3!?) attack for White, Adamski-Schnei 1l...tiJf6 12 a3, forcing Black to der, Wroclaw 198I) 9 d5 J.xf3 10 retreat, and retaining the initiative. J.xf3 tiJd4 II tlJc3 tiJf6 I2 J.e3 e5 After 9 ...1i'd8 IO 0-0 tiJf6 II 13 0-0 1..e7 I4 J.xd4! (securing b5 J.e3 J.e7 I2 Wb3 l:[b8 I3 lZ.fdi 0-0 for the knight, which in combination I4 g4 J.g6 IS tlJeS liJb4 I6 tlJxg6 with d5-d6 may cause Black serious hxg6 I7 J.f3 (G.Braun-Lehmann, problems) 14 ...exd4 IS liJbS 'ii'd7 Germany 1992) White has the better 16 d6 J.xd6 I7 J.xb7 lZ.b8 (Vlasov chances - he has the two bishops Obodchuk, Moscow I995) and now, and pressure in the centre. according to Chandler, I8 lZ.eI+ 10 1i'b3 .te7 I9 'ii'f3! 0-0 20 J.c6 gives Putting the b7 pawn under fire. White the advantage. After 20 ... 10. 'ifb4 'ii'd8 21 'ifa3 aS 22 J.f3 (with the 11 J.e3 liJf6 unpleasant threat of tlJa7-c6) the 12 g4 J.g6 difference in the activity of the 13 llleS pieces is obvious. We must also mention that 6 ... 0-0-0 should be answered by 7 J.e3, when 7 ... e5 gives Black nothing afterthe simple reply 8 dxcS;!;;. 7 exd4 e6 7 ... eS is insufficient here; after the natural 8 tlJc3 J.b4 9 0--0 Black is fo rced to exchange on c3 - 9 ... J.xc3 I 0 bxc3 exd4 (or 1 O ...e4 II liJd2 .ifS I2 f3 exf3 13 J.xf3 1i'd7 14 i.a3 , and the white bishops are dangerous) 11 tlJxd4 i.d7 12 i.f3 18 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player We are fo llowing the game i..e7 12 :cl a6 13 :Z.e l lbb4 14 Rozentalis-Helgason (Malme 1993), i..bl b5 15 lbe5 White's pieces are which continued 13... i.. d6 14 ...xb4 better and more harmoniously deve lbxb4 15 0--0 0--0 16 h4! h6 17 loped (S.Arkeii-L.Evans, London lbxg6 fxg6 18 i..f3 with a clear 1988); advantage to White in the ending - (b) 7 ...... d8, when GM Kharlov he has the two bishops (the has demonstrated a good set-up - 8 exchange on e3 merely strengthens i..e2 lbf6 9 0--0 i..e7 I 0 i..e3 the white pawns and is clearly (supportingd4, to make possible the inadvisable) and play against the e6 typical manoeuvre lbe5 and i..f3) pawn. 1 o ...0--0 11 lbes lbb4 12 .i.f3 lbbd5 13 �3 •as 14 i..g5 with 1.412 (1 e4 cS 2 cl d5 3 exd5 powerful pressure (Kharlov-Bos ... xd5 4 d4�c6 5 �f3) S��iecik, Holland 1993); · (c) 7 ...... d6 (this retreat is there 5 cxd4 fore practically forced) 8 i..e3 lbf6 9 6 cxd4 e5 a3 i..e7 10 ...c2 a6 11 :Z.c1 0--0 12 . i..d3 h6 13 0--0 :Z.d8 14 :Z.fd1 (Markovic-Lazarevic, Yugoslavia 1993). White stands better - he controls more space, and has possibilities of play on both wings. With a large number of pieces on the board the weakness of the d4 pawn is not fe lt, and things may not get as far as an endgame. 7 �cl i..b4 8 i..d2 i..xcl 9 i..xcl e4 White has intensified the pressure After stabilising the situation in on the critical e5 square and Black is the centre, Black is aiming to clear fo rced to make concessions. completely this partof the board. Exchanging in the centre - 9 ... 6 ... i..g4 7 i..e2 leads to position exd4 10 lbxd4 lbge7 (or IO.. . lbxd4 examined below (section 1.42). 11 •xd4 •xd4 12 i..xd4 with The other possibility is 6 •••e6, advantage in the endgame) 11 �xc6 which, however, does not promise •xc6 12 i..e2 0--0 (12...... xg2 is equality after7 �c3: dangerous in view of 13 i..b5+ lbc6 (a) 7 ...i.. b4 8 i..d3 lbf6 9 0--0, and 14 •e2+ .*.e6 15 0--0--0 :Z.d8 16 after 9 ...... d8 10 i..g5 h6 11 i..h4 :Z.de1 with strong pressure) 13 0--0 SicilianDe fence I9 �e6 14 1i'd4 does not promise has strong pressure after I8... l'Dg6 Black an easy life (Kavalek I9 :ad i h6 20 'ife3 fo llowed by Hermann, Bochum 198I ). 'ifg3) 19 :adi, and White's chances 10 l'De5 l'Dxe5 are clearly better (Van der Brink 11 dxe5 l'De7 Bezemer, Dutch Ch 1993). 12 �e2 � The exchange of queens favours 1.413 (1 e4 c5 2 c3 d5 3 exd5 White: 12 ••.1i'xd l+ 13 lhdi �e6 'ifxd54 d4l'Dc6 5l'Df3) (13 . ..0-0 14 �b4±) 14 �bS+ l'Dc6 IS 0-0!? �xa2 I6 :re i �b3 17 5 :d6± - he has two bishops and Black continues his development, pressure on the central open files. but in so doing he has to reckon with the fa ct that the cS pawn is protected only by his queen. The critical position of the varia tion, which can be considered to fa vour White. He has two bishops, the 6 �e3!? possibility of quickly occupying the An insidious plan - Black is d-file, and the unpleasant eS pawn, invited to attack the bishop with making it difficult fo r Black to ...l'Dg4 or to relieve the tension in defend his kingside. There can the centre (6 ...cxd4), which favours fo llow 13 0-0 �d7 (or 13 ...'ife6 14 White. 1i'd4 'ifg6 IS l:tfei l'Dc6 I6 1i'e3 6 l'Dg4 �fS 17 :ad 1 :ad8 18 h4;!:;, Smagin After 6 .•. e5 7 dxeS 'ii'xd I+ 8 Yagupov, Moscow I99S) I4 'ifcl! �xd I l'Dg4 9 l'Da3ltlxe3 + I 0 fxe3 (vacating the d-file and preparing to �g4 II ltlc4 7 li)bd2 li)xe3 This strengthens White's centre, but exchanging first by 7 •.. cxd4 8 cxd4 li)xe3 9 fxe3 e6 I 0 i.d3 .te7 II 0--0 0--0 12 .te4 1i'd8 13 'i'c2 g6 14 lbc4 also leaves Black with problems. 8 fxe3 e6 9 .tc4 'i'd8 S ll)f3 e6 The alternative S .•. .tg4 leads to a slight weakening of the queenside, which may be exploited by White: 6 .te2 e6 7 h3 .th5,and now: (a) 8 .te3 cxd4 9 cxd4 li)c6 10 lbc3 'ifd6 I1 g4! .tg6 12 lbe5 .te7 13 0--0 0--0 14 .tf4 'i'd8 15 .tf3 with appreciable pressure (Adams This is a position from the game Topalov, Las Palmas 1994); Finkel-Sermek (Groningen 1993). (b) 8 0--0 lbc6 9 i.e3 cxd4 10 By continuing 10 lbe4! cxd4 11 cxd4 .tb4!? 11 a3 .ta5 12 lbc3 exd4 .te7 12 0--0 0--0 13 ec2 b6 14 'ifd6 (12... f'd7 can be met by 13 g4 l:Z.adI White would have gained an .i.g6 14 lbe5!) 13 lbb5 'i'e7?! appreciable advantage: the d4-d5 (more accurate is 13 ...'ii' b8, after breakthrough is very much a reality, which White's advantage is min and in addition the opponent's king imal) 14 lbe5 .txe2 15 'ifxe2 0--0 is insufficiently well defended. 16 l:Z.ac l l:Z.ac8 I7 .tg5! and Black encountered problems (Deep Blue Kasparov, New York 1996) - cf. 1.42 (1 e4 cS 2 c3 dS 3 exdS Illustrative Game No. 1. exdS 4d4) 6 .i.e2 ll)c6 If Black plays 6 ... .te7, delaying 4 the development of his queen's The most popular reply. Black knight, White does best to reply keeps open the possibilityof varying with the typical 7 lba3 0--0 8 lbb5 his plans. li)a6 9 0--0 cxd4 10 cxd4 .td7 11 SicilianDe fence 21 lDc3 'ii'a5 12 lDe5 .z:tfd8 13 .to, This is a position from the game achieving the desired set-up, with Kharlov-lstratescu (Metz 1993), in positional pressure (Hort-Bokac, which White demonstrated a clear Germany 1992). way to consolidate his advantage: 15 7 0-0 cxd4 lDb5l:a d8 16 .tc7! :xd l+ 17 l:xd 1 Black transposes into a set-up l:c8 18 .td6 �f8 19 .txe7+ �xe7 where White has an 'isolani'. 20 lDd6 l:b8 21 b5. Black is If 7 ..•.te 7 8 c4 White can reach a condemned to a difficult defence typical ending with a queenside without any real counterplay; majority, in which it is not easy fo r (c) 8 ...'ii' d7 9 lDe5! 'ifxd4 10 Black to obtain adequate play: lDxc6 'ifxd1 11 :Z.xd1 bxc6 12 .to (a) 8 ...Wf5 9 lDc3 cxd4 10 lDxd4 .tb7 13 lDc3 0--0 14 .te3 l:fd8 15 lDxd4 11 'ii'xd4 e5 12 'ii'd3 0--0 13 b3 e5 16 lDa4;!;; (Afek-Redon, Paris Wxf5 .txfS 14 .te3 .z:tfc8 15 .z:tfd I 1993). lDg4 16 lDd5;!;; (Sveshnikov-Sunye, 8 cxd4 .te7 Moscow 1989); 9 lDc3 'ifd6 (b) 8 ...Wd8 9 dxc5 Wxd 1 10 The most popular continuation. :Z.xdl .txc5 (the situation is not Let us consider Black's other changed by I O ...lDe4 11 .te3 lDb4 possibilities: 12 lDbd2 lDxc5 13 lDd4 e5 14 9 ...'ii' a5 10 .tb5! (securing e5 fo r lD4b3, when White's chances on the the knight) 10. ..0--0 11 lDe5 lDb4 queenside are better than Black's on 12 'ii'e2 a6 13 .tc4 Wd8 (it is the kingside and in the centre, difficult for· Black to complete his lvanchuk-Petursson, Lucerne 1993) queenside development - 13 ... b5 14 11 lDc3 0--0 12 a3 b6 (or 12... a5 13 .tb3 .tb7? 15 lDxf7!) 14 a3 lDbd5 .tg5 a4 14 .z:td2 b6 15 l:ad l ;!;;) 13 b4 15 l:.d1, and White has the better il.e7 14 .tf4 il.b7. chances: his pieces are harmon iously placed, and Black still has development problems (Tartakower Giigoric, Amsterdam 1950). 9 ...'ifd8 10 .te3 (a fam iliar procedure - White supports his base on d4 in order to fo llow up with lDe5), and now: (a) lO... lDd5 11 lDxd5 'ii'xd5 (the pawn structure ll... exd 5 12 lDe5 0-0 13 'ii'b3 favours White) 12 lDe5! lDxe5 13 dxe5 'ifa5 (13... 'ii' xe5 is dangerous in view of 14 .td4 'ii'g5 15 f4 with a powerful attack) 14 22 An Opening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 'ii'd4 � 15 l:.fd 1 l:.d8 16 'ife4 l:.d5 slavia 1982, or 13... ll:lb6 14 .i.c7 17 .td4 and White retains the 'ifd7 15 .txb6 axb6 16 'ii'e2 'ii'd8 17 advantage (Vaulin-Groszpeter, l:.fd1, Sveshnikov-Dokhoian, Mos Kecskemet 1993); cow 1983, with a clear advantage to (b) 10 ...0-0 11 ll:le5 ll:lb4 (the White in both cases) 14 .i.xd5 axb5 attempt to eliminate White's outpost (after 14... exd5 the invasion of the at e5 leads to difficulties - 11... c!Dxe5 white knight is unpleasant - 15ll:lc7 12 dxe5 ll:ld7 13 f4 .tc5 14 .txc5 l:.a7 16 'ii'b3 .td6 17 .i.xd6 'ii'xd6 ll:lxc5 15 b4! 'ifb6 16 'W'd4) 12 ..tf3 18 'W'b6, and it is not easy for Black ll:lbd5 (things are essentially to complete his queenside develop unchanged by 12... ll:lf d5 13 'W'b3 ment, J.Polgar-Lautier, Linares ll:lxc3 14 bxc3 ll:ld5 15 c4;;\;) 13 'ifb3 1?94) 15 .te4 b4 (or 15... l:.a6 16 a5 (after 13... c!Dxe3 14 fxe3ll:ld7 15 1We2 f5 , Sveshnikov-Korchnoi, Biel ll:lc4 White retains some advantage 1993, and here 17 .txc6 bxc6 18 - he has a strong pawn pair in the .tf4 would have given White the centre and pressure on the advantage - Sveshnikov) 16 llel queenside, Sveshnikov-Andersson, l:a5 17 'W'c2, and Black's problems Rio de Janeiro 1986) 14 l:.ac 1 ll:lxc3 are obvious (Sveshnikov-Bukic, 15 bxc3 a4 16 'W'c2ll:ld 5 17 c4 ll:lb4 Bled 1994). 18 'ifb1 a3 19 l:fd1 'W'c7 20 .tf4 13 ll:lc3 0--G with a very strong bind fo r White 14 l:.cl (Sveshnikov-J.Polgar, Biel 1993). This is more accurate than 14 10 ll:lb5 'W'd8 'ifb3 (which used to be considered The post at b8 is insecure the strongest) when 14... ll:lf 6! puts 10 ••• 'ifb8 11 g3 ll:ld5 12 .i.c4 a6 13 pressure on the d4 pawn (no longer .i.xd5 axb5 14 ..tf4!±. defended by the queen) and prevents 11 .tf4 White from carrying out the Taking control of the h2-b8 thematic regrouping ll:le5 and .tf3. diagonal. After 15 l:.ad1 (Kalinichenko-Oud, 11 ll:ld5 corr. 1995/6) Black made the stra Or 11... 0--G 12 .i.c7! 'W'd7 13ll:le5 tegic mistake 15... ll:lb 4?! (15... ll:lxe5 14 dxe5 ll:ld5 15 .td6, and b5 ! oo), and stood worse after 16 White's outpost at d6 secures him a ll:le5. slight but enduring advantage 14 ll:lxc3 (Yagupov-S.Kisilev, Orel 1994). 14... ll:lf6 can be met by 15 a3 b6 12 .i.g3 a6 16ll:lb5 !? axb5 (if 16... ..tb7 White The natural 12 ... 0--G is strongly has the unpleasant 17 c!Dc7! l:r.a7 18 met by 13 .tc4! a6 (if 13.. . 'W'b6 14 .i.xa6 .i.xa6 19 ll:lxa6 ll:lxd4 20 'ii'e2 a6 15 .txd5 axb5 16 .tb3 .tf6 'ii'xd4 jfxd4 21 c!Dxd4 l:.xa6 22 17 l:.fd1, Barlov-Marjanovic, Yugo- ll:lc6, when he has a strong bishop Sicilian Defence 23 and a queenside pawn majority) 17 11.5 (1 e4 c5 l c3) l:.xc6, when White's chances are preferable - Black's queenside l ltlf6 pawns are weak, and after 17. ..b4 18 axb4 ltld5 19 b5 J.b7 20 l:.c4 he is unable to rid himself of his weak b5 pawn without losing material. 15 bxc3 .tf6 15••• b5 can be met by the typical 16 c4 (16 a4 !? is also possible) 16.. . bxc4 17 .txc4 .tb7 18 d5 exd5 19 J.xdS;t. As in the Alekhine Defence, Black provokes an advance of the white pawns, in order then to launch a counterattack on them. However, the situation here is more favourable fo r him than in the Alekhine Defence - he has made the useful move ...c7- c5, whereas the same cannot be said about White's c2-c3, The critical position of this varia since the pawn takes two steps to tion. White's chances are better - he reach c4. has a solid position in the centre and It must again be mentioned that in good possibilities for active play on other lines it is hard fo r Black to the queenside, and in some cases on equalise, and that 2 ...ltlf 6 is his the kingside, whereas Black has no most flexible and promising active counterchances. continuation. The game Chekhov-Korpeev 3 e5 ltld5 (Moscow 1996) continued 16 .td3 4 ltltJ ( 16 :b I is also good, putting the The most logical positional set rook on an active square) 16... b5 17 up, involving the rapid development a4! bxa4 (17... b4? 18 ..te4!±) 18 of the kingside, and the one 'ifxa4 ..td7 19 'ifa3 with pressure for preferred by two of the leading White. 19 'ifc2! h6 20 'ife2 a5 21 practitioners of the A lapin Variation 'ife4±was even stronger. with White: Sveshnikov and Adams. 24 An Op ening Repertoire for the Positional Player 4 �c6 Black•s pawns) fo llowed by l£lxg5 an l f 4 .•. e6 White gains the with unclear position. advantage by 5 i.c4 �b6 6 i.b3 d5 7 exd6 'ik:xd6 7 d4 �c6 8 i.g5 i.e7 9 h4! h6 10 After 7 •.•e:x d6 8 d4 i.g4 i.xe7 'ikxe7 11 dxc5 (Sveshnikov). (lvanchuk-Kasparov, Dortmund Black is unable to arrange swiftpla y 1992) White could have gained an against the outpost e5 pawn, and he advantage by 9 dxc5 dxc5 10 0-0 ends up in a cramped position. i.e7 11 l£la3 0-0 12 i.f4! 5 i.c4 �b6 (lvanchuk). The invasion at c7 in 6 i.b3 combination with ltlb5 may be The fashionable reply. If Black unpleasant for Black. wishes to restrict the activity of this 8 0--0 i.e6 bishop, he has to advance his c The alternative is 8 . .. c4 9 i.c2 g6 pawn, which is a slight positional 10 b3 i.g7 11 ltla3 cxb3 !? (after plus for White - the undermining ll...i.e6 12 'ike2 cxb3 13 axb3 ().....() move b2-b3 becomes possible. 14 d4 ltld5 15 i.d2 White retains 6 d5 the advantage, Rozentalis-Watson, Black begins counterplay in the Germany 1995) 12 axb3 0-0 13 d4 centre, at the same time preparing to i.g4! 14 h3 i.xf3 15 'i'xfl e5 with bring out his queen's bishop (a chances fo r both sides (Lutz second way of neutralising the Khalifman, Wijk aan Zee 1995). bishop at b3). 9 l£la3 c4 The alternative is 6 •••c4 7 i.c2: 9 •••a6 is strongly met by I 0 (a) 7 ... g6 8 ltla3 d6 9 'ti'e2 d5 10 l£lg5!; t h3 i.g7 1 1 0-0 (Adams-Gelfand, 10 i.cl g6 Wijk aan Zee 1994). White has retained an advantage in the centre and controls more space, and his chances are to be preferred; (b) 7 ... d6 (more interesting) 8 cxd6 'ikxd6 9 0-0 i.g4 10 l:.e 1 li1c5!? 11 l:.xe5! i.xf3 12 Wel i.d5 ( 12 ... ..ic6 is well met by 13 ltla3 and lilbS) 13 b3 e6 14 i.a3 'ii'c6 15 i.x fR �x f8 16 :.gs f6 with chances fur both sides (Adams-Miladinovic, Belgrade 1994 ); (c) 7 ... "iic7 8 "iie2 g5 !? (Torre lvalll:hu�. Ycrcvan 1996), and now We are fo llowing the game lunman '"��csts 9 e6 (doubling Benjamin-Gavrikov (Horgen 1994), Sicilian Defence 25 where the continuation was 11 d4 b6 it can put pressure on the d4 cxd3 12 li:)b5 'i'd7 13 'ii'xd3 'irxd3 pawn. 14 .i.xd3 ().....()-() 15 .i.e2 a6 16 li:)bd4 Experience has shown that after li:)xd4 17 cxd4 f6 with approximate 10... .te7 11 li:)c3 'ifd6 12 a3 0-0 13 equality. 'ii'b3 White's chances are better. 11 b3!? came into consideration, 11 a3 .ta5 as in the variations considered above 12 li:)c3 'i'd6 (compare the Rozentalis-Watson 13 li:)b5 'i'e7?! game). This leads to a difficult position fo r Black. However, as mentioned in the analysis, it is also not easy to Game I (p.20) equalise after 13... 'Wb8 (14 b4 .tb6 Deep Qlue-Kas parov 15 li:)e5 !? i..xe2 16 'i'xe2 li:)xe5 17 New York, 1996 .tf4). 14 li:)e5 1 e4 c5 A typical manoeuvre - White rids 2 c3 himself of the pressure of Black's Even against such a giant of the light-square bishop and (after the Sicilian Defence as Kasparov, the exchange on e2), occupies the best Alapin Variation proves very square for his queen ( e2), in order to dangerous. post a rook at dl. 2 d5 14 .txe2 As is mentioned in the analysis, 15 ·'i'xe2 0--{) 2 ...li:)f6 gives Black better chances 16 l:tacl l:tac8 of equalising, but the move chosen 17 .tg5! by Kasparov leads to more com This pin is rather unpleasant - plicated play in the strategic sense, now Black inevitably incurs some and demonstrates his readiness fo r a pawn weaknesses. struggle. 17 .tb6 3 exd5 'ifxd5 18 i..xf6 gxf6 4 d4 ll)f6 19 li:)c4 :tfd8 5 ll)fJ .tg4 The d4 pawn is immune in view 6 .te2 e6 of the queen check at g4 . 7 h3 i..b5 20 li:)xb6 axb6 8 0--{) li:)c6 21 :tfd1 f5 9 i..e3 cxd4 22 'i'e3 'i'f6 10 cxd4 .ib4 Black has created the maximum An interesting idea of Kasparov. pressure on the 'isolani', but now The bishop is as though firing into White carries out a typical break thin air, but in fact after switching to through. 26 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 27 ..,c5 d4 28 lDd6 f4 All Black's pawns are hopelessly weak and he has only fa int hopes of a counterattack. 29 lDxb7 lDe5 30 ..d5 t3 31 g3 lDd3 32 l:c7! A precise move. 32 l:c6 (with gain of tempo) suggests itself, but them 32 ...l:tgS ! leads to unclear consequences. The text move takes 23 d5! l:txd5 aim at the f7 pawn. 24 :xd5 exd5 32 :es 25 b3! 33 lDd6 l:tel+ White calmly removes this pawn 34 �b2 lDxtl from the line of fire and prepares to Black has set up a mating con assail Black's queenside. struction, but it is White to move. 25 �h8?! 35 lDxt7+! �g7 This natural move (the king If 35 ...'ii' xf7 White wins by 36 moves away from a possible check •d8+ rt;g7 (36 ...l:te8 37 'ii'xd4+) 37 at g5, and g8 is freed fo r the rook) is l:txf7+ �xf7 38 ..dS+ �g6 39 ..xf3 evidently the decisive mistake. d3 40 •xf2 l:te2 41 rt;g2. Smyslov suggested here the fo l 36 lDg5+ �h6 lowing regrouping: 25 ... l:td8! 26 37"' l:txh7+ •xb6 l:td7 27 'ii'e3 �g7, and with Black resigns his passed d-pawn Black can hold After 3 7 ...rt;g6 there fo llows 3 8 on. ..,g8+�fS 39 lDxf3 . 26 'ii'xb6 l:tg8 2 Scotch Game 1 e4 e5 3 ... �b4 (Spanish motifs by the 2 lDc3 second player) 4 liJd5 �aS (if 4 ... This move order via the Vienna J..e7 the simplest is 5 d4 d6 6 J..b5 Game is the most advisable, as it exd4 7 liJxd4 �d7 8 0--0 lDf6 9 l:eI rules out Philidor's Defence 2 ...d6, 0--0 10 �xc6 bxc6 11 lDxe7+ ti'xe7 the sharp Latvian Gambit 2 ...f5 and 12 J..g5 with a stable advantage for also 2 ...d5, thereby significantly re White, Znosko-Borovsky-Aiekhine, ducing Black's options. We consider Pistyan 1922, or 4 ...liJf 6 5 lDxb4 2 ... lDc6 (2.1) and 2 •••lDf6 (2 .2). lDxb4 6 lDxe5 ti'e7 7 d4 d6 8 a3! White has retained the two bishops, I 2.1 (1 e4 e5 2 lDc3) which promise him an advantage in this open position) 5 c3 d6 (or 2 lDc6 5 ...liJf6 6 d4 exd4 7 b4 fo llowed by 3 liJf3! J..g5!) 6 b4 J..b6 7 a4 a6 8 lDxb6 This transposes into the main line cxb6 9 J..c4. after 3 ...lDf6, or draws Black into the Three Knights Game, which does not promise him an easy life. 3 g6 The most topical move, although Black has several other tries: 3. .. f5, in the spirit of the Latvian Gambit, is risky. After 4 d4 fxe4 5 lDxe5 lDf6 6 �c4 d5 (or 6 ...ti'e7 7 �g5!±) 7 lDxd5! lDxd5 8 ti'h5+ g6 9 lDxg6 hxg6 (9 ...lDf 6!? 10 �f7+! and wins) 10 ti'xg6+! �d7 11 �xd5 ...e8 12 J..f7 ...e7 13 �g5 White has a great advantage (Breyer-Balla, We are fo llowing a recommen Pisty an 1912). dation by Keres. White's slight but 3 •.. llJge7is passive: 4 �c4 lDg65 persistent advantage is undisputed - d4 exd4 6 liJxd4 �b4 7 0--0 �xc3 8 he has the two bishops and the better bxc3 0--0 9 f4 lDa5 10 �d3, and it is pawn fo rmation. not easy for Black to oppose the 3 .••�c5 4 llJxe5! (a typical com threatened attack on the kingside bination, leading to an advantage for (Goldenov-Bakulin, Tbilisi 1965). White) 4 ...llJxe5 (the seemingly 28 An Op ening Repertoire for the Positional Player active 4 ....txf2+ 5 �xf2. l£lxe5 6 d4 3 ••. d6 4 d4 .td7 5 .tc4 exd4 6 ...f6+ 7 �g 1 l£lg4 is in fact weaker l£Jxd4 l£lf6 7 � i.e7 8 l:le1 l£le5 9 in view of 8 Wd2!, defending d4 and i.fl (the best square fo r the bishop f2., after which the black pieces will in such positions) 9 . . . � 10 f4 . be driven back, while White retains a strong centre and two active bish ops, e.g. 8 ...h5 9 h3 l£14h6 10 l£Jd5 •d8 11 Wg5 !±) 5 d4 .td6 (themost tenacious; after 5 ....txd4 6 Wxd4 d6 7 f4 c5 8 .tb5+ �f8 9 'iVd1 White has a clear advantage - Keres) 6 dxe5 .txe5 7 .td3 Wh4 (7 ...d6 allows White easily to consolidate his advantage: 8 � Wh4 9 f4 .td4+ 10 �h 1 .tb6 11 .tb5+c6 12 .te2 l£lf6 13 f5 l£lxe4 14 l£lxe4 'ii'xe4 15 Wxd6, Verlinsky-Kubbel, USSR 1922) 8 .te3 l£lf6 9 g3 'iVg4 White, who controls more space, 1 0 'ii'xg4 .txc3+ 11 bxc3 l£lxg4 12 has the better chances. However, to .td4 0-0 13 f3 l£lf6 14 e5 l£ld5 15 transform this slight advantage into Or 6 .•.liJ ge7 7 'ii'd2 0--0 (danger 12 h5! c5 13 J.e3liJxh5 14 ..tb5, ous is 7 ...d5 8 liJxc6 bxc6 9 0-0---0 with strong pressure fo r the J.e6 I 0 J.d4 0--0 11 J.xg7 r:i;xg7 12 temporarily sacrificedpawn. 'ifd4+ f6 13 'ifc5 'ifd7 14 J.c4±, Now after 10liJxc6 bxc6 11 ..th6 Nunn-Belyavsky, Belgrade 1991) 8 J.h8 12 exd5liJxd5 13 J.c4 J.e6 14 0-0---0 d6 9 �b1 a6 10 h4 h5 11 liJxd5 cxd5 15 J.xd5 J.xd5 16 liJxc6 lDxc6 12 J.g5 'ii'e8 13 J.h6 1i'xd5 'ifh4 17 J.g5 1i'b4 18 'ifb3 J.e6 14 J.xg7 �xg7 15 liJd5, and Black has no compensation for the White firmly holds the initiative pawn (Svid1er-Geller, Moscow 1992). (Leko-Alterman,Munich 1991). 7 'ifdl 0-0 8 0--0-0 l:te8 After 8 ...liJg4 9 liJxc6 bxc6 I 0 J.d4 J.xd4 11 'ifxd4 'ii'f6 12 h3 1i'xd4 13 l:.xd4 Black faces a difficult ending (Am.Rodriguez Lima, Matanzas 1992). 8 ...liJxd4 is more critical and demands accuracy by White: 9 J.xd4 d6 10 f3 J.e6 11 g4 c5 12 J.e3 'ii'a5 13 J.h6! J.xh6 (danger ous is 13... J.xa2? 14 J.xg7 �xg7 15liJxa2 'ifxa2 16 'ii'c3!±, Makary chev, while if 13 ... l:.fd8 14 .ixg7 jl.l (1 e4 eS lliJc3) �xg7 15 h4 h5 16 gxh5 liJxh5 17 l:.g1 b5 18 'ifg5 with a strong attack, l liJf6 Yurtaev-Gulko, Frunze 1985) 14 3 liJf3 1i'xh6 b5 (or 14... .ixa2 15 h4! J.e6 16 h5 'ifal+ 17 �d2 'ifxb2 18 l:.b1 'ii' a3 19 hxg6 fxg6 20 g5 liJh5 21 l:.xh5! with a crushing attack) 15 J.xb5 l:.ab8 16 1i'f4 liJe8 17 J.xe8 l:.fxe8 (Tseshkovsky-Vorotnikov, Aktyubinsk 1985), when, as shown by Tseshkovsky, 18 'iff6 'ifb4 19 liJe2! ..txa2 20 liJf4 would have given White a clear advantage. 9 f3 dS Against 9 . ..d6 White can respond simply:.1 0 h4 liJxd4 11 J.xd4 .ie6 30 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player Black faces a choice: whether to 3 tDc6 go in fo r the main set-up with 4 d4 3 ...tlJc6, or to deviate with 3 . . . .i.b4. After3 ....i.b4 4 tDxe50--0 5 .i.e2 :es 6 tlJd3 jixc3 7 dxc3 tDxe4 8 0-0 d6 (or 8 .. . d5 9 .i.e3 tlJd6 10 :e t tlJd7 tt tlJf4 c6 t2 tlJh5 tlJf8 t3 jid3 �4 t4 g3 'ii'g4 t5 .i.e2 'ii'g6 t6 tlJf4, lstratescu-Mijailovic, Bel grade t994; White's chances are better - he has the two bishops and more harmoniously placed minor · pieces, whereas Black has to find a�-· good post fo r his queen, which is not so easy) 9 :e t tlJc6 tO .i.fl jif5 11 f3 tDf6 t2 .i.g5 the game Lau The basic position of the Four Raetsky (Switzerland t994) reached Knights Variation of the Scotch the fo llowing position. Game. White initiates active piece play in the centre, hoping to gain a slight advantage after the opening of the position thanks to his natural right of the first move. Black can defend with 4... jib4 (2.21) or 4 •.•exd4 (2.22). 2.21-..(1 e4 e5 2 tlJc3 tlJf63 tlJfJ tlJc6 4 d4) 4 .i.b4 A sharp continuation that demands accuracy on the part of The pin on the f6 knight is rather White. However, given correct play unpleasant, as was shown by the Black will be fo rced to make serious fu rthercourse ofthe game: t2... tlJe5 positional concessions (White's two t3 'i'd2 (13 b3;!;; is also good) 13 ... bishops in an open position will h6 14 .i.h4g5 15 .i.f2 tlJd5 t6 tlJxe5 become a powerful fo rce). dxe5 t7 :ad t. The slight activity of 5 tDxe5 Black's minor pieces is not suf The most accurate response. ficient compensation for his pawn White clears the way fo r his queen weaknesses, and he stands worse. to go to the kingside. Scotch Game 31 5 0--0 gives him an extra pawn in the endgame. 5 •.. i.xc3+ (a comparatively new idea) 6 bxc3 'ile7 7 �xc6 Wxe4+ 8 i.e2 dxc6 9 0-0 0-0 I 0 l:tbI lZ.e8 11 i.d3 Wh4 12 'ii'fl i.g4 13 'ii'f4 �dS 14 1Wd2 bS 15 a4 a6 16 c4 bxc4 17 i.xc4 i.fS ! 18 l:tb7 i.e4 and, al though a pawn down in this ending with opposite-colour bishops, Black was able to hold the position (Rublevsky-Svidler, St Petersburg 1994). However, during the course of this game too Black had to solve Black's other triesare: some difficult problems, and 5... �xe4 6 Wg4! (the target is the besides, White's possibilities are not g7 pawn) 6 ...�xc3 7 Wxg7 llf8 8 exhausted by the example given. a3, and now: Also possible is 8 1We2!? dxc6 9 (a) 8 ...�xd4 9 axb4 �xc2+ 10 i.f4!, when Black still has to solve �d2 �xa 1 11 �xc3 aS 12 i.c4 the problem of neutralising the We7 (or 12... axb4+ 13 �d2 dS 14 white bishops. i.bS+ c6 15 lZ.el +-, Polovodin 5 . ..'We7 6 Wd3 ! (a multi-purpose Gutman, Pavlovsk 1987) 13 :el! move; typical of this type of 'ifxb4+ 14 'itd3 dS 15 �xf7+! Wxe 1 position; the queen supports the e4 16 �d6+ cxd6 17 i.bS+ �d8 18 pawn, clears the way fo r queenside i.gS++- (Diaz-Rodriguez, Cuba castling, and will also be very useful 1981) - this variation is highly on the third rank - from g3 it can tactical, but absolutely unacceptable exert strong pressure on Black's for Black; castled position) 6 ...�xe5 7 dxeS (b) 8 ...i.a5 9 �xc6 dxc6 10 1Wxe5 8 i.d2 0-0 9 0-0-0 d6 1 0 f4 WeS+ We7 11 Wxe7+ �xe7 12 i.d2 1We7 (10... 1We6 can be met by 11 (this pin is the idea behind the move J:te1 i.xc3 12 i.xc3 1i'xa2 13 i.xf6 8 a3) 12... i.f5 13 bxc3 ! i.xc2 14 c4 gxf6 14 1Wg3+ �h8 15 1Wc3 1We6 16 i.xd2+ 15 �xd2 i.g6 16 h4 h6 17 i.c4 1i'e7 17 eS! with a very strong l:th3 (Nadyrhanov-Safin, Bishkek attack - Rublevsky) 11 lZ.e l lZ.e8 12 1993). White has a clear advantage 1Wg3 with powerful pressure - he has a pawn majority on the (Rublevsky-Onischuk, Moscow kingside (in this respect Black is 1994) - cf. Illustrative Game No.2. disadvantaged by his doubled pawns 5 ...�xe 5 6 dxeS �xe4 7 1i'g4 on the queenside), which effectively �xc3 8 1i'xb4 �dS 9 1i'g4±. 32 An Op ening Repertoire for the Positional Player Black's difficulties are obvious. 9 l:txeS 6 1i'd3 10 0--0-8 dS Here too this fam iliar idea is 10 ••. d6 is well met by II f3,with considered best. a clear advantage. 6 :es 7 �dl lDxd4 An interesting tactical possibility, based on the fact that the knight at eS is insufficiently well defended. After 7 ..• dS 8 lDxc6 bxc6 (if 8 ...dxe4 9 'i'c4!) 9 eS cS IO 0--0-0 lDg4 II i.ei 'ii'gS+ I2 �bi l:tb8?! 13 f4 (Yurtaev-Kochiev, USSR I979) White gained a solid advan tage. But I2... �f S, recommended by theory, also fa ils to give real counterplay: 13 1i'e2 cxd4 I4 f4 ! 'ii'g6 IS lDxdSt. The critical position of the 7 •..lDxe5 has also been played. variation. The game Estevez Kristensen-Plachetka (Denmark Espinosa (Havana 1992) continued I993) went 8 dxeS l:txeS 9 0-0--0 d6 11 exd5 i.g4 I2 'i'g3 l%xdS 13 I 0 f3 i.d7 II a3 .tcS I2 .tf4 l:te8 lDxdS 'i'xdS I4 'i'b3 'i'xb3 IS axb3 13 g4 (White is the first to begin i.xdI 16 �xd I l%d8 17 .td3 lDg4 active play against the enemy king) with approximate equality. 13 ...bS (a desperate counter An attempted improvement fo r attacking attempt) I4 lDxbS l:tb8 IS White was made in the game Borgo ' lDd4· as I6 tbb3, and Black had no Arlandi (Filettino 1994 ): 11 tbxd5 compensation fo r the sacrificed tbxdS I2 i.xb4 cxb4 13 f4 !? l:te7 I4 pawn . 'i'xdS ltd7 IS 'i'hS, and White 8 'ii'xd4 c5 retained his extra pawn. 9 'ii'd3 The main continuation. However, 2.22 (1 e4 e5 2 lDc3 lDf6 3 li)f3 our analysis of this position lDc6 4 d4) suggested an interesting alternative: 9 'ild6!? i.xc3 I 0 i.xc3 lDxe4 11 4 exd4 'ifd3 lDxc3 I2 'ilxc3 f6 13 0--0-0 S lDxd4 i.b4 llxeS I4 f4 ! with excellent play for Black's main idea in the Scotch the pawn - the black rook, fo rced to Game is to eliminate the central try and guard the cS pawn, is very white pawn by exchanging it fo r his awkwardly placed. d-pawn after ...d7- dS. For this S ... Scotch Game 33 .i.b4is the most logical, intensifying 5 •••�xe4 (a clever attempt to the pressure on the e4 pawn and the solve Black's problems by tactical d5 square. means) 6 �e4 'ile7 7 n d5 8 ..tb5 .i.d7 (the forcing play revolves around White's pinned knight) 9 .i.xc6 bxc6 10 0--0 dxe4 11 fxe4 g6 12 �b3 .i.g7 13 .i.e3 .i.e6 (13 ...1i'xe4? 14 'ilxd7+!) 14 c3 (also possible is 14 .i.d4 ..txd4+ 1 5 1i'xd4 0--0 1 6 'ilc5t, Todorov-Delchev, Bulgaria 1995) 14... ..tc4 1 5 ltf2± (Pukshansky-V .lvanov, Leningrad 1974). The black king is stuck in the centre, and this gives White the advantage . 6 �xc6 bxc6 Let us consider Black's other 6 .•. .1Lxc3+ is not altogether in the possibilities: spirit of the variation - White gains 5 .•.d6 6 .i.e2 (6..tb5 is also good, the two bishops and a slight initia transposing into a favourable tive, which outweigh his queenside variation of the Steinitz Defence to pawn weaknesses: 7 bxc3 dxc6 8 the Ruy Lopez) 6 .....te7 7 0--{) 0--{) 8 'ilxd8+ �xd8 9 .ILg5 h6 1 0 � f4 ..td7 9 .tot (Honfi-Lokvenc, �e7 11 ..th4 g5 12 ..tg3 ..te6 13 nt Varna 1962). Black is somewhat (Rigo-Mira, Vienna 1986). cramped, which gives White a slight 7 ..td3 d5 advantage. -5••• ..tc5 6 �xc6 bxc6 7 ..td3 d6 (Black chooses restrainedstrategy in the centre, relying on a flank diver sion; 7 ...d5 8 exd5 cxd5 9 0--{) 0--{) 10 .tg5 ..te7 is considered on p.36) 8 0--{) �g4 (8 . ..0--{) 9 �a4!) 9 .tf4 g5 10 .td2 'ii'f6 11 'ii'e2 'ii'e5 (Black tries to attack without sufficient justification; not surprisingly, this attempt is easily parried by White) 12 g3 'ii'e6 13 �a4 .1Ld4 14 c3 'ii'h6 1 5 h4 .tf6 16 e5! (Miles-Sorin, Cuba 1995). It is time fo r Black to The most logical continuation. resign - material loss is inevitable. After other moves White's chances 34 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player of gaining an advantage are increased: 7 •••d6 8 0-0 'ile7 (Black adopts tactics of passive restraint; after 8 ...�g4 9 h3! �eS 10 �a4 �xd3 11 'ilxd3 �b7 12 c4 0--0 13 �f4;!; it is hard for him to equalise, as attempted pawn advances on the queenside lead merely to the creation of weaknesses, while 8 ... 0-0 can be met by a plan that is quite typical for such set-ups - 9 llla4 .U7 10 c4i) 9 h3 0--0 10 Wf3 �d7 11 Wg3 l:te8 12 �d2 �S 13 llae 1 After 8 •. •�xd5 9 0--0 �xc3 l 0 aS 14 �c4;!; (V.Georgiev-Dobrev, bxc3 ..te7 (forced, since the risky Bulgaria 199S). White's pieces are 10... ..txc3 11 ..ta3 ! ..txal 12 'ilxal harmoniouslypl aced, and he has the Wf6 13 'ile l+ ..te6 14 'ile4 allows initiative. White a dangerous attack) 11 'ilf3 7 •.•0--0 8 0--0 l:le8 9 ..tgS h6 10 0--0 12 ..tf4 White has strong �h4 gS (Black chooses a risky plan pressure (Fish-Zvyagintsev, USSR to eliminate the pin on his knight; 1990). safer is 10... �e7 11 l:lel or 10... d6 11 f4 �b7 12 �e2!, with a position l.lll (1 e4 e5 l �c3 �f6 3 �tJ along the lines of the Steinitz �c6 4 d4 exd4 5 �xd4 ..tb4 6 Defence to the Ruy Lopez, where �xc6 bxc6 7 �d3 d5 8 exd5) White has a slight but enduring advantage)' 11 �g3 d6 12 eS dxeS 8 'ile7+ 13 �xeS �g4 14 ..tg3 fS IS h3 �f6 At one time it was thought that (Pomar-Ljubojevic, Las Palmas this continuation enabled Black to 1974), when the strong and logical solve his opening problems, but 16 f4 ! would have given White the subsequent experience has not advantage - the opening of the confirmedth is opinion. position in the vicinity of his king is 9 'ile2 cxd5 dangerous for Black. Having ensured the exchange of 8 exd5 queens, Black repairs his queenside Black is at thecross-roads: he can pawns. play 8 ..•'ile7+ (l.lll), aiming fo r Othertries : simplification, or 8 ... cxd5 (2.222), 9 ...�xd5 10 Wxe7+ �e7 11 a3 which leads to a more complicated ..txc3+ (the pin cannot be game. maintained - ll...�aS 12 b4 �xc3 Scotch Game 35 13 bxa5 liJdS 14 0-0±, or 12... .tb6 10 ...xe7+ I3 liJe2 liJf6 14 ..tb2 :ds 15 0-0 aS White prevents Black from 16 bxa5 :xa5 17 a4 .ta6 18 .tc3, castling and prepares to castle and White effectively has an extra queenside, thereby emphasising that passed a-pawn, Pugachev-Notkin, the position still has middlegame Russia 1993) 12 bxc3 .te6 13 0-0 fe atures. f6 (Lautier-Karpov, Biel 1992) and 10 ci>xe7 here, as shown by Karpov, White 11 .tdl c6 could have retained the advantage 12 0--e--0 l:[d8 by 14 ..td2 �fl 15 l:[fb1 :ab8 16 :b3 . 9 ...11fxe2+ 10 �xe2, and now: (a) 10... cxd5 (this allows White to 'activate his knight) 11 liJbS .ta5 (in the old game Spielmann-Lasker, Moscow 1935, Black preferred ll...ci>d8, but this did not get him out of his difficulties: 12 l:[d1 c6 13 c3 :es+ 14 fl .tf8 15 liJd4±) 12 .tf4 c5!? 13 .tc7 .txc7 14 llJxc7+ �d8 15 llJxa8 c4 with an unclear game - the knight at a8 is trapped, and the bishop at d3 has no retreat. In the game Radulov-Pinter White does better to play 13 liJd6+ (Pemik 1978) White chose 13 llJa4, ri;e7 14 llJxc8+ l:taxc8 15 c3;t, and after 13 ....td6 he seized control satisfying himself with the of c5 by 14 .te3 and gained the advantage of the two bishops; advantage. However, Black could (b) IO... llJxd5 11 llJxd5 cxd5 12 have played more strongly - .tb5+ .td7 13 .txd7+ �xd7 14 13... .txd 2+! 14 :xd2 �d6, when ..te3 ri;e6 (or 14... .ta5 15 :ac1 nothing real fo r White is apparent - :ab8 16 b3 .tc3 17 l:[hdl c6 18 the c5 square is under Black's l:.d3, with c2-c4 to fo llow, control. Rublevsky-Alexandrov, Oakham White played more accurately in 1992) 15 :ac I l:[hd8 16 l:[hd1 .ta5 the game Kalinichenko-Schebenyuk 17 c4 dxc4 18 :xd8 .:Z.xd8 19 :xc4;!; (corr. 1993/4): 13 .:thel+! �f8 14 (Yandemirov-Arkhipov, Elista llJe4 with advantage. Indeed, after 1994). White has maintained a 14... .txd2+ 15 llJxd2 c5 16 liJb3 minimal advantage in the endgame the black pawns are in danger, while Black's isolated a- and c-pawns are 14... .te 7 15 llJxf6 .txf6 16 .ta5! weak. :e8 17 .tb4+ ..te7 18 :xe7 :xe7 36 An Op ening Repertoire for the Positional Player 19 :et .i.e6 20 .i.xh7! leads to a This old continuation, securely difficultpositi on. defending the d5 pawn, is the most reliable. 2.222 (1 e4 eS 2 l£ic3 l£if63 l£if3 The exchange on c3 looks l£ic6 4 d4 exd4 S l£ixd4 .i.b4 6 dangerous - 10 ... .i.xc3 11 bxc3 h6 l£lxc6 bxc6 7 .i.d3dS 8 exdS) (or ll.. .•d6 12 i.xf6 •xf6 13 'ifh5±, Maroczy-Rubinstein, 1929) 8 cxdS 12 .i.h4 .d6 13 .f3 .i.g4 14 .g3 'ifxg3 15 .i.xg3 (going into the endgame has not brought the desired relief - the white bishops are dan gerous) 15... l£le4 (a clever attempt; after 15... c6 16 f3 .i.e6 1 7 i.a6 i.c8 18 .i.xc8 :fxc8 19 :ab 1 t£id7 20 :re 1 the main squares are in White's possession, and he has an obvious advantage, Kimelfeld Marszalek, Prague 1966) 16 .i.xc7 l£lxc3 17 f3 .i.d7 18 �t2 i.b5 19 .i.e5 :ac8 and Black gained equal chances (Svidler-Smyslov, Moscow The main line of the opening. 1992), but 17 :re 1! would have set Black has thematically developed him more difficult problems: his his pieces and exchanged White's knight at c3 is out of play (even if central pawn, but it is too early to only temporarily) and White hastwo talk of complete equality - White active bishops (17... d4 18 .i.e5 still holds the initiative. He has the :fd8 19 .i.a6;t). possibility both of active play on the 10 •.•.i. e7 allows the fo rcing line kingside (the manoeuvre of his 11 .i.xf6 .i.xf6 12 1i'h5 g6 13 1i'xd5 knight to f5 via e2 and d4 will 1i'xd5 (or 13 ...i.e6 14 1i'c6!?!) 14 strengthen his attacking potential), l£ixd5 .i.xb2 15 :ab 1 i.e5 16 :re 1 and of attacking Black's central .i.d6 17 l£if6+ 'l;g7 18 l£ie8±. pawns by c2-c4, creating favourable 10••. .i.e6 is often played, when conditions for play on the the best reply is Bastrikov's move queenside. 11 l£ib5 ! (the knight aims fo r d4 9 0--0 0--0 from where it will control the The security of the kings is an maximum number of squares) 11... important strategic principle in open c5 (after ll ... .i.e7 White advantage positions. ously exchanges the knight at e6 - 10 .i.gS c6 12 .i.f4 c5 13 l£lc7 :c8 14 l£lxe6 Scotch Game 37 fxe6 IS 'ife2 l:.c6 16 c3;!;, Vatnikov ll ...'ifd6 I2h3 l:.e8 13 l:.fei i.d7 Solntsev, USSR 1962) 12 a3 (White I4 i.f4 l:.xe l+ IS l:.xe l 'iff8 16 combines play against the bishop at i.eS and White has a serious b4 with pressure on the kingside) initiative (West-Handoko,. Sydney 12... i.aS 13 b4 cxb4 (13. ..a6 is 1991). strongly met by 14 ltJd4!±, and ll... i.e7 12 h3 ! (a typical way of 13.. . i.b6 is also insufficient - 14 c3 restricting the mobility of Black's :c8 l S bxcS i.xcS 16 ltJd4 i.e7 17 light-square bishop) 12 ...c!Lld7 13 l:.el :xc3 18 l:.xe6 fxe6 19 c!Llxe6 it.xe7 'ifxe7 14 l:.fel 'ifgS (after 'ifb6 20 c!Llxf8 i.xf8 21 i.c2;!;, 14... 'iff6 1 S 'ifxf6 c!Llxf6 16 c!Lla4 Svidler-Purgin, St Petersburg 1993; White succeeds in blockading the White's chances on the kingside c6-dS pawn pair, which gives him cannot be underestimated) 14 'ife 1 !? the advantage) 1 S c!Lla4 ! 'ifh4 16 c4 (White's queen joins the play on the dxc4 I 7 i.e4:b8 18 i.xc6c!tJf 6 19 kingside) 14 ...bxa3 (after 14... 'ifb8 l:.e7 i.e6 20 l:.xa7 'ifd4 21 l:.aS 1 S it.xf6 gxf6 16 axb4 it.b6 17 l:.fd8, and Black has some compen 'ifd2;!; the two bishops cannot sation fo r the pawn (Chandler compensate fo r Black's pawn R.Mainka, London 1994). More weaknesses) IS it.xf6 (the tactical accurate is 16 b3 c!Llf6 17 l:.e3;!; point of White's play) lS... gxf6 16 (Gutman). 'ife3 i.b6 17 'ifh6 (17 ltJd4!? is also ll... i.d6 12 l:.fel l:.b8 (12... h6 13 good) 17. ..f5 I8 l:.xa3 . i.f4 leads to the main line) 13 c!Lla4 h6 (after 13 ...l:.b4 14 b3 l:.g4 IS it.xf6 'ifxf6 I6 'ifxf6 gxf6 17 l:.ad l �h8 18 c4± Bl�ck has no compen sation for his pawn weaknesses, Nunn-G.Gildardu, London 1994) 14 i.xf6 'ifxf6 IS 'ifxf6 gxf6. We are fo llowing the game Nunn-Sulskis (Moscow 1994). Now 16 b3 i.e6 17 c3 ! fo llowed by 18 l:.ac1 and c3-c4 would have led to some advantage for White (Gutman). 12 i.f4!? The modem way of handling this White has excellent compensation variation. White exchanges the dark fo r the pawn (Yakovich-Emst, square bishops, leaving Black with a Gausdal 1991). passive light-square bishop. 11 'iff3 b6!? Experience has shown that Black's other tries: nothing is achieved by the exchange 38 An Op ening Repertoire for the Positional Player on f6 : 12 ..t:d6 1i'xf6 13 Wxf6 gxf6 14 l£le2 (14 l£la4!? comes into consideration) 14... c5 15 llJf4 ..te6 16 ..te2 c4 17 ..tf3 :adS 18 c3 ..td6!= (Tisdaii-Morris, Gausdal 1992). Black's pawns are securely defended and his pieces are harmoniouslyplaced. We think, nevertheless, that the choice of the Scotch Game as a main opening weapon is a good one - Black has to overcome many tests, and the limit of his ambitions is a draw. Game 2 (p.3 1) 12 ..td6 Rublevsky-Onisebuk 13 :re1 :bs Moscow Olympiad 1994 14 l£la4 e5 The best way fo r Black to arrange 1 e4 e5 his central isolated pawn pair - by 2 l£lf3 l£le6 placing diem side by side, he is 3 l£le3 l£lf6 ready to meet c2-c4 with ...d5-d 4. 4 d4 ..tb4 15 b3 ..te6 5 l£lxe5 "ile7 The critical position of the As is shown in the analysis, other variation (see diagram next column). tries also do not promise equality. Black has deployed his pieces well 6 Wd3 l£lxe5 and White has only a microscopic 7 dxe5 1i'xe5 advantage. The game Sutovskij 8 ..td2 0-0 Davies (Rishon le Zion 1995) 9 � d6 continued 16 h3 :b4 17 ..txd6 White's chances are definitely 'i'xd6 18 :ad I :cs 19 c3 :bb8 20 better. He has available the typical i.f5, and White still had a slight plan of an attack with his e- and f initiative, but it was hard to pawn pair, which in combination transform it into anything real. with his superiority in the centre and Scotch Game 39 the harmoniousplacing of his pieces tougher defence, but we should is very dangerous for Black. mention that 18 lbe2 (also 10 f4 'ile7 recommended by him) leaves White 10... 'ile6 is considered in the with a considerable advantage (the analysis. threat of playing the knight via f4 to 11 l:el l:te8 g6 is rather unpleasant). 12 'ifg3 c6 17 f6! Black covers the d5 square and A typical way of breaking up the prepares the possible transference of castled position. his bishop to c7. The main problem 17 gxf6 in this type of position is the 17.. . lL!xf6 is strongly met by 18 complete absence of counterplay, e5! (18 i.g5!? is an alternative)) which makes defending a difficult 18... dxe5 19 'ifh4 e4 (19. ..h6 is and thankless task. refuted by the obvious 20 ..t.xh6!) 20 13 ..t.d3 lL!d7 lL!xe4 lL!xe4 21 l:txe4i.e6 22 i.g5!, 14 a3 ..t.as and wins. 15 l:bfl 17... • f8 demands imagination White methodically strengthens and accuracy - 18 eS! lL!xeS his position, preparing for the (18... dxe5 19 'ifh4 g6 20 i.h6 'ifc5 storming of Black's kingside. 21 l2Je4+-) 19 •h4 lL!xd3+ 20 cxd3 15 ..t.c7 l:xel+ (20 ...i.e6 21 lL!e4+-) 21 15... lL!c5 is unpleasantly met by l:xeI i.f5 (Black appears to have 16 ..t.e2 ..t.c7 17 ..t.h5! prevented the ·· white knight from 16 f5 �b8?! going to the kingside) 22 lL!dS !! (simply brilliant: the knight cannot be taken in view of 22 ...cxd S 23 fxg7+ 'ifxg7 24 i.c3) 22 ...i.d8 23 fxg7+ �xg7 24 'ifh6+ �g8 25 'ifxf8+ �xf8 26 .th6+ and mate next move (analysis by Rublevsky). 18 e5! The i.d3 acquires the desired freedom. 18 fleS Other tries also fa il: 18 ...dxe 5 19 .txh7! �xh7 20 l:e4; This allows White to carry out a 18... lL!xe5 19 'ifh4 f5 (19... brilliant attack. Rublevsky suggests lLlxd3+ 20 cxd3 'ifd8 21 l:xe8+ that 16... f6 17 ..t.c4+ �h8 was a 'ifxe8 22 'ifxf6+ �g8 23 i.h6) 20 40 An Op ening Repertoire for the Positional Player i.g5 Wf8 21 i.f6+ �g8 22 l:lxe5! 20 ...lilf8 is met by 21 .tg5! (eliminating the defender), and mate 21 Wb4+ �g8 is inevitable. 22 :a 19 i.xb7 dS The heavy artillery moves into The bishop cannot be taken - position. 19... �xh7 20 l:le4 .td8 21 l:lh4+! 22 e4 (diversion) 21 . ..Wxh4 22 l:lxf7+. 23 lilxe4 20 .trs f6 Black resigns 3 French Defence 1 e4 e6 White's control over the central 2 d4 d5 squares d5 and e5, which makes 3 lDd2 possible the reply ...c7-c5 . Black has three main systems of defence: 3 ••• ltJc6(3 .1), 3 ••• ltJf6 (3.2) and 3 •••c5 (3.3). Other possibilities: 3 •••15 (3 ...e5 is bad in view of 4 dxe5 dxe4 5 'ife2) 4 exfS exf5 5 i.d3 i.d6 6 tLldf3 (a typical manoeuvre in such positions - after playing his bishop to d3, White places his king's knight at e2 and his queen's knight at f3, harmoniously developing his minor pieces) 6 ... ltJf6 7 lLle2 0--0 8 0--0 c6 9 i.f4 lLle4 In recent times this flexible move (also inadequate is 9 ...�h8 10 c4 of Siegbert Tarrasch has become tLla6 11 i.xd6 'ifxd6 12 c5, init one of the main methods of fighting iating a bind ·on Black's queenside) for an opening initiative, and is a 10 i.xd6'ifxd6 11 tLle5;!;(Byrne ). worthy rival to the classical 3 lLlc3. 3 •••g6 (the fianchetto is not very This is due in no small measure to appropriate here - White's solid the fact that it was taken up by position in the centre allows him to Karpov. The Tarrasch Variation begin a pawn advance on the wing) features in the repertoires of many 4 ltJgf3 i.g7 (or 4 ...ltJe7 5 h4 h6 6 leading players: Adams, Gelfand, h5±) 5 i.d3 ltJe7 6 c3 ltJd7 7 e5 c5 Khalifman, Timman, Tivyakov, 8 h4 tLlc69 'ife2 'ilb6 10 h5 cxd4 11 Topalov, and others. cxd4 lLlxd4 12 tLlxd4 'ifxd4 13 tLlf3 The rise in the popularity of this with very strong pressure (Nemet variation is due mainly to its Planinc, Yugoslavia 1972). reliability. At an early stage White 3 ...tLle7 4 ltJgf3 ltJd7 (it is not aims to restrict Black's counterplay, easy for Black to develop his pieces by adopting a flexible set-up in the harmoniously; 4 ...tLlg6 can be met centre (the move of the black bishop by 5 h4, while 4 ...g6 is insufficient to b4 loses its point). Its drawbacks in view of 5 i.d3 i.g7 6 h4 h6 7 c3 include a slight weakening of 0-0 8 h5, Zlotnik-Kaidanov, 42 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player Moscow 1980, and the immediate .i.e7 (the simplifying 6 ...lbxe4 is freeing attempt 4 ...c5 also does not inadequate: 7 .i.xe4 lbf6 8 .i.gS promise an easy life - 5 dxcS !? 'ifaS .i.e79 .i.xf6 gxf6 10 'ife2c6 11 � 6 c3 'ifxcS 7 .i.d3 'ilc7 8 � lbd7 9 'ifb6 12 c4 .i.d7 13 cS±, Anand :e 1 lbcS 10 .i.c2;t, Poehlmann Vaganian, Riga 1995) 7 lbxf6+ Kraft, corr, 1992) 5 .i.e2 (5 .i.d3 is .i.xf6 8 'ile2 'ife7 9 g4!? h6 10 .i.d2 also good) s ...lbg6 6 � .i.e7 7 cS 11 0-0-0 cxd4 12 h4 with the :et 0-0 8 .i.fl c6 9 c4 lbf6 10 'ilc2 initiative fo r White (Adams b6 11 b3, and Black is condemned Hodgson, London 1990); to a gruelling defence without any (b) 4 ... .i.d7 (the fashionable active counterplay (Kagan-Garcia, continuation; the bishop is switched Rio de Janeiro 1979). to c6 onto the long diagonal, 3 ..•b6 (3 ... a6 4 c4!? looks good enabling Black to solve the problem for White) 4 c3 .i.b7 (4 ...dxe4 can of the 'French bishop'. White, be met by 5 lbxe4 .i.b7 6 .i.bS+ exploiting the fact that Black's lbd7 7 'ile2;!;, Yudasin-Gulko, actions are rather slow, strengthens USSR 1981) 5 .i.d3 cS 6 eS lbc6 7 his influence in the centre) 5 lbf3 lbe2 'ild7 8 � 0-0-0 9 f4 fS 10 .i.c66 .i.d3 lbd77 � lbgf6 8 lbg3 lbf3 c4 11 .i.c2 lbh6 12 b3 with the .i.e7 9 b3 � 10 .i.b2 aS (also initiative fo r White (Aseev-Gulko, inadequate is 1 o ... .i.xf3 11 'ifxf3 c6 Moscow 1982). 12 c4 :e8 13 :rei .i.f8, Shirov 3 .•..i.e7 (not determining fo r the Chemin, Groningen 1993, and here moment the situation in the centre) 4 14 :e2 fo llowed by l:tae1 promises eS (seizing space and depriving the White an advantage) 11 c4 a4 12 black knight of the f6 square) 4 ...c5 lbeS. 5 c3 lbc6 6 lbdf3 ( 6 lbgf3! ?) 6 ...'ilb6 7 .i.d3cxd4 8 cxd4 .i.b4+ 9 �fl .i.d7 10 a3 .i.e7 lllbe2 hS. We are fo llowing the game Matulovic Despotovic (Smederevo 1981), and here Black would have been set definite problems by 12 h3!?, with the idea of playing the king_ to h2 (or after g2-g3 to g2), connecting the rooks, fo llowed by b2-b4. 3 ...dx e4 (transposing into the Rubinstein Variation, where Black obtains a slightly passive, but sound position) 4 lbxe4, and now: One of the important positions of (a) 4 ...lbd7 5 lbf3 lbgf6 6 .i.d3 the Rubinstein Variation. After French Defence 43 12... axb3 13 /l)xc6 bxc6 14 •xb3 4 •..eS?! 5 .i.b5 exd4 6 0-0 .i.d7 7 c5 15 d5! Black failed to equalise exd5 ltlb4 8 •e2+ .i.e7 9 d6±. (Bologan-Kramnik, Greece 1992). 4 .../l)ge7 5 c3 ltlg6 6 g3 .i.e77 h4 However, after the exchange of dxe4 8 ltlxe4 b6 9 h5 ltlf8 I 0 h6 g6 knights 12 .../l)xe 5 13 dxe5 /l)d7 14 11 .i.b5 .i.d7 12 d5, and White has 'ifc2 fo llowed by :ad 1 White also an undisputed advantage (Spiel retains the advantage (Bologan). mann-Nimzowitsch, Berlin 1928). 4 •.•f5 5 exf5 exf5 6 .i.b5 .i.d6 7 I 3.1 (1 e4 e6 2 d4 dS 3 /l)d2) ltle5;!;. 4.•• /l)b6 (an idea of Bronstein) 5 3 /l)c6 c3 f5 6 exd5 exdS 7 .i.d3 (7 c4!? is also good) 7 ....i.d6 8 0-0 90-0 :e 1 'iff6 I 0 'ifb3 ltle7 11 /l)e5± (Mikh. Tseitlin-Muratov, USSR 1977). 4 •••dxe4 5 /l)xe4 ltlf6 6 ltlx£6+ gxf6 7 .i.b5 a6 8 .i.xc6+ bxc6 9 'ife2, and Black has insufficient compensation for the spoiling of his pawns (Rachels-Penkelsky, USA 1991). 4 .•.g6 5 c3 .i.g7 6 .i.d3 ltlh6 70-0 (7 h4!?) 7 ... 0-0 8 :et f6 (it is clear that Black �annot get by without attempting to create counterplay in This continuation appeared in the the centre, but in the given situation mid- 1 940s. Black aims for piece the white pieces are clearly better pressure on the centre, and in the placed) 9 b4 a6 10 a4 ltlf7 11 .i.a3 event of e4-e5 he is ready to attack :e8 12 'ifb3 ltle7 13 b5. White has the critical e5 square by ...f7-f 6. begun wide-scale operations on the White tries to hinder as far as queenside, whereas Black has no possible the opponent's intentions, possibility of counterplay on the and aims to complete his develop kingside, and he stands worse ment quickly and establish piece (Keres-Troianescu, Moscow 1956). control in the centre. 5 e5 /l)d7 4 /l)gtJ /l)f6 5 . ../l)e 4?! cannot be recom Black tries to stabilise the mended in view of the simple 6 .i.d3 situation in the centre, in order to ltlxd2 7 .i.xd2 ltlb4 8 .i.xb4 .i.xb4+ begin attacking it. Other possibilities 9 c3 .i.e7 10 'ifd2 0-0 11 h4 c5 12 allow White freedom of action in ltlg5 h6 13 .i.h7+�h8 14 .i.c2, and the centre: it is hard fo r Black to find a 44 An Op ening Repertoire for the Positiona/ Player satisfactory plan of counterplay freeing advance ...e6-eS . His (Timoshchenko-Panbukchjan, Varna chances are better (V .Spasov 1977). Johansen, Manila 1992). 6 .i.d3 7 exf6 •xf6 8 0-0 �xd4 One of the most dangerous set ups fo r Black: White is ready to White has given up his central meet ...f7-f 6 in the appropriate way. pawn, relying on the opening of the 6 f6 position and his lead in Black's other counterattacking development. The attempt by Black attempt is associated with ...c7-cS , to complete his kingside develop but it involves a loss of precious ment is also inadequate: 8 ..•.i. d6 9 time: 6 ...�b4 7 .i.e2 cS 8 c3 �c6 9 c4! 0--0 (here too it is dangerous to 0--0 cxd4 (9 ...'irb6 is inadequate in take on d4 - 9 ...�xd4 10 �d4 view of 10 �b3 aS 11 dxcS 'flc7 12 'irxd4 11 �:0'irf6 12 .i.gS 'irf7 13 .i.f4 �xcS 13 �bd4±, Geller cxdS 0--0 14 dxe6 'irxe6 1S l:.e1± , Vaganian, USSR 197S) 10 cxd4 f6 Dimitrov) 10 �b3 l2)b4 11 cS �xd3 (here too Black fails to equalise 12 'irxd3 eS 13 l2)gS e4 14 'irh3, and after 10... 'irb6 11 �b3 aS 12 a4) 11 it is hard to offer Black any good exf6 �xf6 (l l...'irxf6 does not advice (Dimitrov-Carpintero, Lin change the character of the play - 12 ares 1994). tiJb3 .i.d6 13 .i.gS 'irf7 14 ..lh4�f6 9 �xd4 'irxd4 IS .i.g3;!;,Gavrikov- Muratov, Beltsy 10 IZ.el 1977) 12 �b3 .i.d6 13 .i.gS 'irc7 14 The critical position of the 6 .i.d3 .i.h4 0--0 IS .i.g3 �hS 16 .i.xd6 variation. What should Black do? If •xd6 17 .i.bS. White has provoked lO... �cS (10... eS 11 'irhS+±) there the important exchange of dark fo llows 11 'irhS+ g6 12 i.xg6+ square bishops and hindered Black's hxg6 13 'irxg6+Wd8 14 �fl±. French Defence 45 Black immediately attacks the e4 pawn, provoking a closing of the centre on which he then launches a counterattack. However, the closing of the centre occurs here in fa irly fa vourable circumstances fo r White - he gains the opportunity to deploy his fo rces harmoniously fo r the defence of his centre and to hinder Black's queenside counterplay. A complex battle ensues, in which the prolonged tension demands great accuracy of White. The game Ghinda-Urzica 4 eS lLlfd7 (Romania 1984) went 10 ••.lbf6 11 Other replies are less popular: lbf3 'ii'b4 12 lLlgS i.c5, when the 4 ...lb g8 5 i.d3 c5 (or 5 ... b6 6 c3 time had come fo r tactics: 13 lbxe6 'i'd7 7 'i'e2 aS 8 lbh3 ! i.a6 9 i.xa6 i.xe6 14 :.xe6+q;f] 15 :.xf6+! It is lbxa6 1 0 0-0 h5 11 lLlf4 with the doubtful whether Black can better chances fo r White, Suetin overcome his difficulties. Gorenstein, Moscow 1968) 6 c3 lbc6 7 lbe2 i.d7 8 0-0'ii' c7 9 lbf3, I 3.2 (1 e4 e6 2 d4 dS 3 lbd2) and White's strong centre gives him the advantage (Stein-Bagirov, Leningrad 1963). 4 ..•lb e4 5 lbxe4 dxe4 (at the cost of a worsening of his pawn structure, Black hopes to gain counterplay against d4 and to hinder the normal development of White's kingside) 6 i.c4 (the knight is allottedthe e2 square), and now: (a) 6 ...c5 7 d5 lbd7 8 dxe6 fxe6 9 lLlh3 lLlxeS 10 'i'h5+ lbf7 1 1 lbg5 g6 12 'i'g4 lbe5 13 i.b5+ and Black is in difficulties (Kindermann Dobosz, Bern 1995); (b) other counterattacking An old continuation, which today attempts against the white centre is still one of Black's most popular also fa il to equalise: 6 ...lbd7 7 lbe2 replies to the Tarrasch Variation. cS 8 c3 cxd4 9 cxd4 i.b4+ 10 i.d2 46 An Op ening Repertoire for the Positional Player 'ii'aS 11 �c3 �b6 12 .i.b3 .i.xc3 13 13 ...'ii' d7 14 b3 0-0-0 15 c4 .i.b7 16 bxc3! (Oienin-Moskalenko, Yalta aS, and White initiated action 1995); against the enemy king (Rayner (c) 6 ... .i.d77 �e2 b5 8 .i.b3c5 9 Minero, Novi Sad 1990). c3 �c6 1 0 0-0 cxd4 11 cxd4 �b4 5 .i.d3 c5 12 �f4 .i.c6 13 .i.e3 ;!; (Smagin 5 ...b6 leads after 6 �e2 cS (or Zach, Biel 1995); 6 ....i.a 6 7 .i.xa6 tlJxa6 8 0-0cS 9 f4 (d) 6 ...a6 7 a4 (essential prophyl- g6 10 �f3 i.e7 11 i.e3!, Radulov axis) 7 ...b6 8 �e2 .i.b79 �f4 �c6 Atanasov, Bulgaria 1977) 7 c3 to (9 ...cS is met by the planned 1 0 dS) positions considered in the main line 10 .i.e3 �e7 11 0-0 . under 6 ...b6. 6 c3 �c6 The most logical reply, leaving Black a wide choice of continu ations. We will also examine the idea of exchanging the light-square bishops - 6 ... b6. The critical position of the 4 ...�e4 variation. White has a lead in development and his pieces are more harmoniously placed, whereas it is not easy fo r Black to find a good post fo r his king (on the queenside it will fe el insecure). Exploiting his spatial advantage There can fo llow: and solid position in the centre, (d 1) 11...g6 12 'it'g4 h5 13 'it'e2 White begins active play on the .i.h6 14 l:lad 1 �fS IS'dS! (a typical kingside: 7 tiJe2 .i.a6 8 .i.xa6 �xa6 breakthrough) 15... .i.xf 4 16 .i.xf4 9 0-0 bS (Black aims fo r counter cxdS 17 .i.xdS .i.xdS 18 c4 c6 19 play on the queenside, but his cxdS cxdS 20 f3± (Pedzich actions are too late; however, 9 . . . Przewoznik, Warsaw 1990); �c7 also does not promise an easy (d2) II... tiJdS 12 i.xdS .i.xdS 13 life: 10 tiJf4 i.e7 11 'it'g4 g6 12 l:el li�h5 (the alternative is 13 b3 !?) c4 13 �f3 bS 14 h4 hS 15 'it'g3 b4 French Defence 47 I6 tCih3 with strong pressure - �g4 t4 �bS+ �d7 IS �xd7+ analysis by Zlotnik) I 0 f4 g6 I1 g4 'ifxd7 16 :dt 0-0--0 17 tC!xdS hS I2 fS 'ifh4 I3 fxe6 fxe6 (or 13... tC!xdS 18 c4±) t 0 tC!f3 cxd4 'ifxg4+ 14 �ht 'ifxe6 IS tC!f3�e7 (tO... �d6 11 tCihS±) 11 0--0! tC!deS t6 lCif4 'ifc6 t7 e6, and Black's ( tl...dxc3 is strongly met by t2 position begins to crack) I4 lCif4 tC!xe6!) t2 tC!xeS tC!xeS 13 �bS+ hxg4 1S 1fe2 g3 t6 h3 1fh7 t7 tC!c6 (13... �d7 loses quickly to 14 W g4. White has a clear advantage �xd7+ �xd7 IS :et dxc3 16 tC!xdS (Campora-Bator, Belgrade I988). exdS t7 •xdS+ �d6 18 •xb7+ 7 tC!e2 �e6 19 f4 !) 14 :e t with the initiative fo r White(Uh lmann). 7••• a5 transposes into the main line after 8 0--0 cxd4 9 cxd4, while 7 •••tC!b6 is well met by 8 tC!f3 cxd4 9 tC!exd4. 8 cxd4 White hannoniously deploys his cavalry - his queen's knight will be comfortablystationed at f3. 7 cxd4 Other moves restrict Black's options, without giving him any particular advantages (in some cases Black has a choice: 8 •.•a5 (3.21), White has dxcS), although they do 8 •••W b6 (3.22) or 8 ••. f6 (3.23). occur in practice: 7 •••Wb6 8 tC!f3 f6 9 exf6 tC!xf6 t 0 3.21 (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 tC!d2tC!f6 0--0 �d6 (if tO... cxd4, here 11 4 e5 tCifd7 5 �d3 c5 6 c3 tC!c67 tC!exd4 is good) tt dxcS �xcS t2 tC!e2cxd4 8 cxd4) tC!ed4 and White has strong pressure (Bo1bochan-Vade, Teplice t949). 8 aS 7 ••• f6 8 tCif4 We7 9 exf6 Wxf6 Black avoids ...f7-f 6, intending (weaker is 9 ...tC!xf 6 10 tC!f3 eS 11 to concentrate his fo rces fo r dxeS tC!xeS t2 0--0 tCixf3+ 13 Wxf3 counterplay on the queenside. IIH An Op ening Repertoire for the Positional Player 8 ...lf)b6, with the same idea, is IM.xb4 IM.xb4 16 h4 Black faces a ulso possible: 9 a3 a5 10 b3 (useful passive defence (Sax-Bohm, prophylaxis) 10... �d7 11 0-0 a4 Amsterdam 1984). (also insufficient is 11... ltc8 12 �b2 �c7 13 f4 0-0 14 ltc1 a4 15 b4, 3.22 (1 e4 e6 2 d4 dS 3 l0d2l0f6 Estrin-Arapovic, Lublin 1978) 12 b4 4 eS lLlfd7 5 IM.d3 cS 6 c3 tLlc67 �c7 13 f4 f5 14 exf6 �xf6 15 lbf3 tLle2cxd4 8 cxd4) 0-0 16 •c2, and 16... g6 allows 17 �xg6 hxg6 18 'ii'xg6+ �g7 19 lOgS 8 'ii'b6 with a very strong attack (lvkovic Black intensifies the pressure on llccht, Vrsac 1983). the centre and sets his sights on the 9 0-0 a4 b2 pawn. 10 lL!f3 lL!b6 ;_ 9 lbf3 f6 11 l0f4 IM.e7 Othertries are clearly inadequate: ll... g6 is also insufficient. After 9 ... /£e7 10 0-0 0-0 11 l0f4, with 12 lbh3 h6 13 liJf4 IM.e7 14 g3 lL!b4 excellent prospects on the kingside. 15 IM.bl lbc4 16 a3 lbc6 17 IM.c2 9 ... !M.b4+ 10 �fl ! IM.e7(or 10... f6 White's chances are preferable - his 11 l0f4 fxe5 12 lbxe6 liJf6 13 play on the kingside outweighs the lbxg7+ �f8 14 IM.h6 �g8 15 'ii'c1 opponent's actions on the queenside e4 16 •gs �fl 17 lbh5±, Rotaru (Marjanovic-Lalic, Yugoslavia 1983). Diaconescu, corr. 1961) 11 a3 lbf8 12 !M.d2 IM.d7 12 b4 IM.d7 13 IM.e3 lbd8 14 lbc3 a5 13 ltct g6 15 lba4, with powerful pressure on 14 lbe2 lbb4 the opponent's position (Aiekhine Capablanca,A VRO 1938). 10 exf6 lbxf6 11 04) IM.d6 The opponents are operating on opposite wings, but White has made o;light ly more progress. After 15 French Defence 49 The critical position of the 9 e:d6 liJ:d6 variation. We can recommend the The alternative 9 •••1i':d6 leads plan involving the exchange of the after 10 liJfl J.b4+(or IO... J.d6 11 dark-square bishops: 12 J.f4!? (the 0--0 0--0 12 liJg3 e5 13 1i'b3 ! ±, alternative is 12 liJc3) 12. . . J.xf4 Miiller-Donner, Helsinki 1952) 11 (weaker is 12... 1i'c7 13 J.g3 0--0 14 J.d2 J.xd2+ 12 1i'xd2 0--0 13 0-0 :c 1, when White retains strong e5 14 dxe5 liJdxeS 15 lDxe5 1i'xe5 pressure) 13 liJxf4 1i'xb2 (if 13. ..0--0 (15... lLJxe5 16 liJd4±) 16 J.b5 to a the simplest is 14 :Z.e1, transposing slight but enduring advantage fo r into the main line) 14 :Z.e1 0--0 15 White - Black has insufficient play :Z.e3 ! (an interesting attempt to with his 'isolani' (Matulovic ' arrest' the black queen from b3) Korchnoi, Yugoslavia 1972). 15 ...1i'b4 (15... lLJg4? 16 l:te2 'it'b6 10 0--0 J.d6 17 lLJxe6 i.xe6 18 :Z.xe6 :Z.ae8 is bad 11 liJO 'it'c7 in view of 19 i.xh7+!, or 15... i.d7 16 i.f5! exf5 17 :Z.b3±) 16 lLJxe6 J.xe6 17 :Z.xe6 :Z.ae8 18 :Z.xe8 :Z.xe8 19 :Z.b1 with pressure for White (Glatt-Weijerstrass, corr. 1992/4). 3.23 (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 liJd2liJf6 4 e5 liJfd75 i.d3c5 6 c3 liJc67 lDe2cxd4 8 cxd4) 8 f6 The most popular continuation, preventing the thematic exchange of dark-square bishop by i.f4. However, the plan with 11 ... 0--0 also has its supporters. After 12 J.f4 J.xf4 13 liJxf4 Black has various possibilities: (a) 13 ... 'it'b6 14 :et, transposing into variation 3 .22; (b) 13 ... liJg4 14 lDe2!? e5 I 5 lLJxe5 llJcxe5 16 dxe5 lLJxe5 I 7 The fashionable response. Black llJd4;!;; (Kruczynski-Laptev, Krakow immediately attacks White's centre. 1991); 50 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player (c) 13... 'i'd6 14 g3 'i'b4 15 l:.b l White provokes a weakening of .i.d7 16 l:.e1 l:.ae8 17 a3 'i'b6 18 the opponent's kingside and acti .i.c2, and White's pieces are more vates his knight with gain of tempo. harmoniously placed (Tivyakov 12 a6 Ulybin, Chelyabinsk 1990); 13 ..tg5 0--0 (d) 13 ....!De4 14 g3 gS (Black is With his development incom aiming for activity on the kingside, plete, it is dangerous for Black to but White's forces are solidly placed launch into tactical complications: and able to repel the black attack to 13... lL:lg4 14 .!Dh4! ..txh2+ lS �hl his advantage; after 14... .!Dg5 15 .i.g 1 I6 g3 .!Dxf2+ 17 J:.xf2 .i.xf2 18 .!DeS .!DxeS 16 dxeS :.xf4 17 gxf4 •hs+ g6 19 .i.xg6+ �d7 20 .!Dh3 + 18 �h 1 .!Dxf4 19 l:.g1 .i.d7 .!DxdS !± (Psakhis-Doroshkevich, 20 J:.g4! Black's offensive again USSR I978). peters out, Shchekachev-Kuzovkin, 14 ..th4 lL:lh5 Moscow 1989) 15 .!DhS .i.d7 (1S. .. The most common reaction, eS requires an accurate response: 16 depriving the white bishop of g3. .!DxeS! .!Dxd4 - or 16... �xeS 17 Other tries: dxeS .i.h3 18 .i.xe4± - 17 •a4 1i'b6 14 ••..i.f 4 IS l:.e l �h8 16 .i.g3 18 l:.ad 1 .!Dxf2 19 l:.x£2 .!De2+ 20 .!DhS 17 .!De2! .!Dxg3 18 .!Dxf4 .!De4 �hI •xf2 21 1i'c2!±, Styazhkin 19 g3, and Black, who has been Basin, Russia 1992) I6 .!DeS .i.e8 17 unable to prevent the exchange of 'iVg4h8 18 l:.adl. the dark-square bishops, has no way of opposing the opponent's mounting pressure on the e-file (Karpov-Chen, Hannover 1983). 14•.. .i.d7 I S J:.e1 J:.ae8 (or 1 S ...h8 16 .i.g3 .i.xg3 17 hxg3 1i'b6 18 lba4t, Balashov-Vaganian, USSR 1976) 16 l:.c 1 �8 17 .i.b1 �h8 18 a3 .i.f4 19 J:.c2 .!Dg4 20 h3 .!Dh6 21 .i.gS, and again White's positional superiority is evident (Karpov-Ostos, Malta 1980). 14•.• g6 tranposes into the main line after 1 S J:.c1 .!DhS. White's superiority in the centre 15 J:.cl g6 gives him the advantage The critical position of the ( Shchckachev-Andrienko, Jurmala variation, where White's most I 99 1 ) . logical plan is that involving piece 12 lL:lcJ pressureon the queenside: French Defence 51 3 ... c5! is the only correct reply to 3 �d2, almost enabling him to equalise. However, even here all is not so simple ... 16 �a4!? bS (or 16... .td7 17 �cS;t) 17 �cS �xd4!? (the point of Black's previous move) 18 �xd4 .txc5 19 1i'c2 �f4!? (19... 'it'f4? is poor in view of 20 �f3 .tb6 21 4 �gf3 'ifc6 1i'b8 22 .te7!±, Matulovic A dangerous plan, of which S.Marinkovic, Yugoslavia 1994) 20 Alekhine was a supporter. Without .:fd1! �xd3 21 l:txd3 'ii'f4 22 .tg3 removing the pawn tension in the 1i'e423 'ifd2! Black's position is not centre, White aims to complete the easy. His bishop is hanging, and its development of his kingside pieces exchange by 23 ....txd4 24 l:txd4 as quickJy·as possible. 'iffS 25 l:tf4 'ifhs 26 l:txf8+! allows Black's main replies are 4 ...a6 a terribly strong attack - he has not (3.31), 4 ..•�f6 (3.32), 4 ...�c6 yet completed his queenside devel (3.33) and 4 ••• cxd4 (3.34). opment, and he has a 'yawning' After 4 ..•dxe4 5 �xe4 cxd4 6 weakness on the dark squares 1i'xd4 1i'xd4 7 �xd4 Black fa ces (Kalin ichenko-W akolbinger, corr. difficulties, despite the simplifica 1996). tion (Griinfeld-Tartakower, Debrecen 1925). In the event of 4 ...c4 5 g3 (5 I 3.3 (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 �d2) 'ife2!? is an interesting alternative) 5 ...�f6 6 e5 �fd7 7 a4 �6 8 .tg2 3 c5 .te7 9 0-0 �b6 10 l:te 1 aS 11 b3 Exploiting the fa ct that at d2 the cxb3 12 c3 0-0 13 1i'xb3 .td7 14 knight does not control d5, Black l:tb1 �c8 15 .ta3 White has the takes immediate action in the centre. better chances (Adams-Korchnoi, In the opinion of GM Sveshnikov, Biel 1993). 52 An Op ening Repertoire for the Positional Player 3.31 (1 e4 e6 2 d4 dS 3 lbd2 cS 4 7 llJge7 llJgf3) 8 0--0 0--0 9 b4 i.d6 4 a6 The character of the position is In this way Black prevents the not changed by 9 ...Jla7 10 Jlb2 white bishop from going to b5, and tLlg6 11 tLlb3;!; (Matanovic-Kupper, in some cases provides a retreat fo r Opatia 1953). his own bishop at a7. 10 Jlb2 llJg6 S dxcS JlxcS 6 Jld3 llJc6 After 6 •.• llJf6we can recommend 70-0: (a) 7 ...dxe4 8 llJxe4 Jle7 (the ending after 8 ...llJxe4 9 Jlxe4 'ifxd l 10 l:.xd l is cheerless fo r Black - White controls the d-file and exerts pressure on the opponent's queen side) 9 'ife2 liJbd7 10 c4 0-0 11 Jlg5 h6 12 llJxf6+ llJxf6 13 Jlh4 Jld7 14 l:ladl± (Gelfand-Dolmatov, Moscow 1989); (b) 7 .. .'ilc7 8 a3 liJbd7 9 b4Jle7 This position was reached in the 10 Jlb2 dxe4 11 llJxe4 0-0 12 :l.el game Gufeld-Lutikov (Jurmala a5 13 llJxf6+ Jlxf6 14 i.xf6 llJxf6 1978). After 11 l:.e1 "ilc7 12 exd5 15 c4 l:.d8 16 'ile2 b6 17 llJe5, and exd5 13 c4! dxc4 14 lLlxc4 i.f4 15 the dominating position of the g3 i.h6 16 lLlfe5! the position was knight at e5 secures White a solid opened up to White's clear advantage (Frolov-Dreev, Helsinki advantage - cf. ll/ustrative Game 1992); No. 3. (c) 7 ...llJc6 8 e5 llJd7 9 "ile2 0-0 (9 ...llJd4 10 llJxd4 i.xd4 11 llJf3±) 3.32 (1 e4 e6 2 d4 dS 3 liJd2cS 4 I 0 liJb3 i.e7 11 c3 f6 12. exf6 :l.xf6 llJgf3) 13 tLlbd4 with strong piece pressure in the centre (Hutchensori-Rahman, 4 Manila 1992). Black tries to provoke e4-e5, in 7 a3 order to transpose into a favourable The idea of the extended version of the 3 ...lLlf6 variation (the lianchctto, together with c2-c4, is placing of White's knights at d2 and lJllitc unpleasant fo r Black. The f3 is less harmonious). In nltcrnnlivc is the simple 7 0-0 . accordance with his chosen strategy, French Defence 53 it is better for White to exchange in the centre. As usually happens in positions where Black has an isolated d-pawn, 5 exd5 lDxd5 simplification has favoured White. The alternative is to go into a 6 lDb3 lDd7 position with an isolated d-pawn by 6 ...cxd4 7 lDbxd4 transposes into 5 ... exd5 6 J.b5+: a favourable position fo r White that (a) 6 ...lDc6 7 0-0 J.e7 8 dxc5! we examine on p.56. 0-0 (8 ...J.xc5 9 lDb3 J.e7 10 lDe5 7 J.g5 J.e7 J.d7 11 lDxd7 1i'xd7 12 1i'f3± is 8 J.xe7 'ilxe7 unpleasant for Black - White has 9 J.b5! two bishops and pressure on the d Practically forcing Black to make file) 9 lDb3 lDe4 10 J.e3 J.g4 11 concessions in the centre. J.xc6 bxc6 12 c3 l:.e8 13 1i'd4± 9 cxd4 (Pachman-Opocensky, Bmo 1944 ); 10 1i'xd4 0--0 (b) 6 ....td7 7 J.xd7+ lDbxd7 8 0-0 J.e7 9 dxc5 lDxc5 10 lDb3 lDce4 (10.. . 0-0 11 lDxc5 J.xc5 12 J.g5 favours White) 11 lDfd4 0-0 (or 11...1i'd7 12 'ii'f3 - the idea of White's previous move was to vacate f3 - 12... 0-0 13 lDf5 with the initiative, Keres-Ivkov, Bamberg 1968) 12 lDf5 l:.e8 13 lDxe7+ 'ilxe7 14 J.e3 (see diagram next column). White has an enduring positional advantage (Parma-Puc, Lublin 1969). 54 An Op ening Repertoire for the Positional Player White has the freer game and is �b3 �d6 I1 �e3, controlling the better mobilised. P.Popovic-P.Niko important c5 square. Iic (Yugoslavia 1991) continued 11 0---().-..{) a6 12 �c4 �5f6 13 :he 1 b5 3.331 (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 �d2 c5 14 �d5! with strong pressure. 4 �gfJ �6 5 �b5) 3.33 (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 �2 c5 4 5 dxe4 � fJ) 6 �xe4 i.d7 g 7 �e3 4 �c6 This move is aimed at defending the d4 pawn, and at e3 the bishop is more securely placed than at g5. 7 'ii'aS+ 8 �cl l:.d8 The exchange 8 ...cxd4 favours White: 9 �xd4 �b4 I 0 0-0 �xc3 1I bxc3 �ge7 12 ll.b1 0-0 13 �d3! (Stein-Uhlmann, Moscow 1971). 9 d5! exd5 10 �d2 By tactical means White has rid himself of the unpleasant opposition of his queen and the enemy rook, 5 �b5 and he now aims to exploit the Alekhine's recommendation. position of the enemy queen. White intensifies the piece pressure 10 �d6 in the centre and concludes his 1'1 'ii'e2+ �ce7 kingside development. Black must declare his intentions in the centre with 5 •.•dxe4 (3.331) or 5 ... cxd4 (3.332). Other tries: . 5 .. ."ii'b6 6 'ii'e2 dxe4 7 �xe4. cxd4 8 0-0 �d7 9 �f4±. 8 5 ... �d6 6 e5 �b8 7 dxc5 �ge7 0 ·0 0-0 9 ll.e1 �g6 I 0 �xc6 bxc6 11 h4 f6 12 �b2±. 5 ...a6 6 exd5 axb5 7 dxc6 bxc6 (7... c4 8 cxb7 �xb7 9 0-0 �f6 10 ll.c lt) 8 dxc5 �xcS 9 0-0 �f6 10 French Defence 55 White regains his pawn while After7 •.• bxc6 8 i.d3 ...c7 9 ... e2 maintaining the advantages of his i.d6 (or ...9 lbe7 10 lbf3 lbg6 11 0- position: 12 i.xd7+ ltxd7 13 lbxd5 0 i.e7 12 c4! dxe4 13 i.xe4 f5 14 'ifa4 (the black queen is temporarily i.c2±, Shamkovich-Vaganian, Dub out of play) 14 i.c3 f6 15 l:.d1 ... c6 na 1973) 10 lbf3 dxe4 11 ...xe4 lbf6 16 lbe3 lbh6 (Black is unable to 12 1Wh4 Black runs into difficulties complete his development, being (Yudasin-Gulko, Biel 1993 ). obliged to keep an eye on the frisky 8 i.xc6+ bxc6 white knight) 17 lbc4 0--0 18 0--0 l:.fd8 19 l:.xd6, and Black suffered loss of material (Kengis-K.Petrosian, Belgorod 1989). 3.332 (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 t'Dd2c5 4 lbgf3lbc6 5 i.b5) 5 cxd4 The critical position of the variation. In the event of 9 c4 i.c5! (weaker is 9 ...lbf6 10 'ii'a4 ...d7 11 e5 lbg8 12 0--0 lbe7 13 lbf3;t, 011-Rozen talis, Antwerp 1993, or 9 ...dxe4 10 lbxe4 'ii'xd 1+ 11 �d 1 l%d8+ 12 �e2 l%d4 13 lbg5 l:.xc4 14 i.e3 i.c5 15 l:.hc1 with verystrong pres 6 lbxd4 i.d7 sure, Yemelin-Frolov, St. Petersburg 7 lbxc6 1994) 10 cxd5 cxd5 11 exd5 ...xd5 The most popular continuation. 12 ...a4+ ...d7 Black maintains the White reinforces the opponent's balance (Glek-Yusupov, Germany centre, in order then either to attack 1991). it by c2-c4, or else, after stabilising White played more interestingly the position in the centre, to transfer in the game MarkTseitl in-Korchnoi his active aspirations to the (Beer Sheva 1992): 9 0-e i.d6 10 kingside. ...e2 lbe7 11 e5 i.c7 12 b3 lbg6 13 7 i.xc6 lbf3 0--0 14 Jlb2 lbh4 15 l%adl, 56 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player when Black found himself in 0-0-0 White gains an appreciable difficulties - White's chances on the advantage (Adams-Levitt, Ireland kingside are more real than Black's 1993). counterplay on the queenside. 7 �lf3 .te7 The exchange of bishops also 3.34 (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 �dl c5 4 fa ils to solve Black's problems: �gf3) 7.•. .tb 4+ 8 i.d2.txd2+ 9 ...xd2 0-0 10 .tc4 b6 11 0-0-0 .tb7 12 l:thel, 4 cxd4 and White's centrally placed fo rces exert strong pressure (Kengis-Giek, Godesburg 1993). 8 i.d3 �d7 9 0-0 0-0 After 9 •••.tf6 10 :e t �b4 11 i.e4 it is difficult fo r Black to complete his development without making positional concessions (King-Dolmatov, Reykjavik 1990). 10 c4 A popular continuation. 5 �xd4 �f6 The alternative 5 ...�c6 trans poses after 6 .tbS into variation 3.332. 6 exd5 �xd5 The most approved course. In the event of 6 ... 'ifxd5?! (6 ...ex dS leads to set-ups similar to those after 4 ...�f6 5 exdS exdS, examined ear lier in section 3.32) 7 �bS 'ild8 (or White, with his slight territorial 7 ...ll'la6 8 .te2 'ilxg2 9 .if3 •gs 10 superiority and prospects of a a4 'ileS+ 11 �fl �dS 12 �c4 'ifb8 queenside pawn offensive, has the 13 Ji.gS h6 14 i.h4 'iff4 15 better chances. For example: li\cd6+!±, Yemelin-S.Ivanov, St. 10••• �5f6 11 .tf4 �h5 12 .te3 g6 Pctcrshurg 1994) 8 �c4 �d5 9 �e3 13 l:tel a6 14 :e t l:te8 15 .tfl .tf8 lik7 10 ii.d2 �xbS 11 ii.xb5+ i.d7 16 a3 b6 17 b4 .tb7 18 �b3 12 Jlxd7t ...xd7 13 'ilg4 �c6 14 (V.Spasov-Dreev, Moscow 1994). French Defence 57 Game3 (p.52) 13 c4 Gufeld-Lutikov Whiteopens the c-file. Jurmala 1978 13 dxc4 14 tLlxc4 .i.f4 1 e4 e6 Black does not want to allow the 2 d4 d5 unpleasant opposition of his queen 3 tLldl c5 with a white rook on the c-file, but 4 tLlgfJ a6 after the next move his bishop 5 dxc5 proves to be out of play. However, The alternative is 5 exd5, trans his position is already rather posing into an 'isolani' structure. unpleasant and it is hard to suggest a 5 .i.xc5 reasonable plan of counterplay. 6 .i.d3 tLlc6 15 g3 .i.h6 6 ...tLlf 6 is more usual, as 15... b5 !? is somewhat more examined in the analysis. tenacious, although even here after 7 a3 tLlge7 16 tLle3 .i.xe3 17 l:.xe3 White's 7 ...tLlf6 transposes into the chances are better. 6 ...tLlf6 variation, examined in the 16 tLlfe5! .i.e6 analysis. The variation 16... tLlgxe5 17 The prophylactic 7 ....i.a7 looks to tLlxe5 tLlxe5 18 .i.xe5 clearly be well met by 8 0---Q tLlge7 9 exd5 favours White - his bishops exd5 10 c4!? (the opening of the dominate the board. position favours White - it is not easy fo r Black to find a comfortable post fo r his queen) 10... dxc4 11 tLlxc4 0---Q 12 'ii'c2;!;. 8 0-0 0-0 9 b4 ..td6 In Kalinichenko-Rabin (Moscow 1997) Black played 9 .....ta7, and after 10 ..tb2 tLlg6 11 tLlb3 he tried to block the position by 11.. .d4. However, 12 e5! (not allowing Black to support his d4 pawn) 12... tLlcxeS 13 tLlxe5 tLlxeS 14 ..txh7+ �xh7 15 W'h5+ �g8 16 17 tLlxc6! 'ii'xe5 gave White the advantage. A subtle positional decision. With 10 .i.bl tLlg6 all his fo rces White attacks Black's 11 :let 'ifc7 weakness - his b7 pawn. 12 exd5 exd5 17 'Wxc6 'iM An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 18 lL!aS 'ii'b6 22 ltJxb7 1fc4 18... 'ii' c7 is no better in view of 23 ltJcS .ih3 19 �c l! �xc1 20 l:txcl. 24 l:d4 1fa2 19 'ii't3 l:ad8 25 1fc3 f6 20 lZ.ad1 26 lL!b3 Black no longer appears to have The door slams shut. any good moves. 20 . . . l:d7 is 26 ltJeS strongly met by 21 �fS!, while after 27 l:al ltJtJ+ 20 . .. �d5 21 �e4 �xe4 22 l:xe4 the 28 �hl 1fxa1+ b 7 pawn is in danger. 29 .ixal ltJxd4 20 l:xd3 30 �xd4 lZ.c8 Desperation, but Black wants to 31 'ifb3+ create at least some counterplay. Black resigns 21 lZ.xd3 'ii'bS 4 Caro-Kann Defence 1 e4 c6 1996). Black has two bishops and an 2 d4 d5 active queen, while White has 3 e5 retained his pawn in a quiet position. Against the Caro-Kann Defence He faces a painstaking task to we recommend Short's Variation. neutralise the opponent's initiative, For a long time it was considered but a pawn is a pawn, and his completely harmless, but by the chances are slightly better. efforts of the strongest English 4 c!LlfJ e6 player it has been transformed into a 5 �e2 fo rmidable weapon fo r White. 3 �f5 In recent times new tries fo r Black have appeared in the variation 3 ••• c5. After4 dxc5 c!Llc6 5 �b5 e6 6 �e3 (this move has come to the fo re; it is not easy fo r Black to regain his pawn) 6 ...c!Llge7 7 c3 �d7 8 .ixc6, and now: (a) 8 ...�xc6 (this is insufficient fo r equality) 9 c!Llf3 c!Llf5 10 �d4 c!Llxd4 11 1Wxd4 (11 cxd4 b6!? trans poses into variation 'b') 1l...a5 12 a4 1We7 13 b4 axb4 14 cxb4 b6 15 In contrast to the 4 c!Llc3 variation, cxb6! 1Wxb4+ 16 c!Llbd2 l:.a6 17 %:tb1 White does not chase after the with a clear advantage to White opponent's light-square bishop, but (Galdunts-K.Arkell, Gelsenkirchen prefers the solid development of his 1994); pieces (in particular his kingside) in (b) 8 ...c!Llxc6 9 c!Llf3 (9 f4 can be order to prepare an offensive, based met by 9 ...g5 !? 10 c!Llf3 gxf4 11 on his solid pawn outpost at e5 and �d4, Peng Xiaomin-K.Arkell, Hong territorial superiority. Kong 1997, and now 11. ..%:tg8 ! Sometimes (when Black is would have given Black a good wanting to counterattack in the game) 9 ...1Wc7 ! (attacking the e5 and centre) White opens the position c5 pawns) 10 .id4 c!Llxd4 11 cxd4 (with c2-c4), which, with his good b6!? 12 cxb6 1Wxb6 13 1Wb3 1Wa6 development, gives him excellent (Kaminsky-Timoshchenko, Yerevan chances. 60 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player Short's plan is not easily count 6 ...i.g4 7 �bd2 c5 8 c4 cxd4 9 ered, as was shown by the Gelfand �xd4 i.xe2 10 •xe2 �e7 11 cxd5 Karpov Candidates Match (1995), ...xd 5 12 �c4 �ec6 13 �xc6 ...xc6 where Karpov, a major expert on the 14 i.e3, when the position is opened Caro-Kann, was unable fully to to White's advantage - the c- and d solve Black's problems. files are in his possession, and will Now Black has a choice: 5 •..c5 quickly be occupied by his heavy (4.1) or 5 ... �e7 (4.2). pieces) 7 �bd2 (7 c4! ?) 7 ...i.g6 8 5 ... �d7 can lead after 6 0-0 �e7 a3 �h6 9 c4 i.e7 10 �b3 0-0 with to positions from variation 4.2. approximate equality. However, the However, deviations are also move 5 ...a6 has not found favour, possible: and Karpov himself has not played 5 •.. h6 6 0-0 �7 7 �bd2 c5 8 }tag ain. . c4! �e7 9 �b3 cxd4 10 �bxd4 · 5 ...... b6 also does not secure dxc4 11 i.xc4 llc8 12 i.b3 i.g4 13 Black a satisfactory game (the l:te1 �c6 14 �xc6 llxc6 15 i.a4 centre remains under White's l:lc5 16 1i'b3 with strong pressure control) - 6 0-0 �d7 7 �3 h6 8 a3 (Radu-Schulze, Berlin 1994). �e7 9 i.e3 �g6 10 �1 �e7 11 g4 5 ...� d7 6 i.e3 c5 7 �c3 h6 8 0-0 i.h7 12 i.d3 i.xd3 13 �xd3 h5 14 l:tc8 9 dxc5 i.xc5 10 i.xc5 �xc5 h3 g6 15 �g2 i.h6 16 f4 (Tolnai 11 �b5, invading at d6 (Mounji Eperjesi, Hungary 1992). Lutzka, Belgium 1994). After 5•.• � d7 6 0-0 it is 4.1 (1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 i.f5 4 dangerous fo r Black to begin play in �f3e6 5 i.e2) the centre with 6 ...c5. White is better prepared for the opening of 5 c5 the position: 7 c4! dxc4 8 d5 exd5 9 ... xd5 ...c7 10 i.xc4 i.e6 11 ...e4 i.xc4 12 •xc4 �b6 13 ...e4 �e7 14 e6± (Tkachiev-Natanbaatar, Moscow 1994 ). Black gained a solid. but passive position in Nevednichy-Savon (Tiraspol 1994): 5 ... �a6 6 0-0 �c7 7 h3 h5 8 c3 �h6 9 i.g5 i.e7 10 •d2 i.g6 11 ,..f4 . White's spatial superiority gives him a minimal advantage. In Anand-Karpov (Tilburg 1991) Black tried 5 ...a6 6 0-0 �d7 (or 6 .i.e3 Caro-Kann Defence 61 The alternative is 6 0-0 l2Jc6 7 c3. when Black's compensation fo r the The text move is aimed at possible queen (well placed pieces, including clashes in the centre and intensifies the excellent square d5 for his the pressure on c5. knight, and pressure on the 6 l2Jd7 queenside) is not fullyequivalen t, as The attempt to attack White's White has prospects of a pawn queenside by 6••• 1!fb6 is not the best storm on the kingside, and his way of countering the opponent's chances are better (Nijboer-Magem, plan - after 7 ltJc3 ! Black is Linares 1995). seriously behind in development: Removing the tension in the (a) 7 ...cxd4 8 .i.xd4±; centre allows White enduring (b) 7 ...11fxb2 8 l2Jb5 ltJa6 9 dxc5 pressure: 6 •••cxd4 7 l2Jxd4 l2Je7 8 .i.xc2 I 0 1i'd4 1i'xd4 11 l2Jfxd4 .i.g6 c4! (a typical way of opening the 12 l2Jd6+ J..xd6 13 .i.b5+! �ill 14 centre) ...8 l2Jbc6 9 a4 1i' dxc4 10 cxd6 with powerful pressure for the ltJa3 1i'a5+ 11 11fxa5 l2Jxa5 12 l2Jab5 pawn (Kalinichenko-Goldberg, l2Jd5 13 l2Jxf5 exfS 14 .i.d2, and Moscow 1995); Black was unable to hold this (c) 7 ...l2Jc6 (Black avoids going ending (Gelfand-Karpov, Sanghi pawn-grabbing) 8 0--0 c4 9 b3 (also Nagar 1995). good is 9 l2Jh4!? .i.g6 10 l:tb1 .i.e7 6 ...l2Je 7!? is an interesting set-up 11 l2Jxg6 hxg6 12 Wd2 wt'a5 13 a3 (the king's knight aims for c6 and a6 14 f4 b5 15 .i.O l:td8 16 g4;!;, the queen's knight is developed at Short-Burrnakin, Moscow 1995) d7, putting strong pressure on the e5 9 ...'ifa5 (dubious is 9 ... cxb3?! 10 pawn): 7 dxc5 ltJd7 8 l2Ja3 !? axb3 l2Jge7 11 l£lb5 l2Jg6 12 c4 .i.e7 (Khalifrnan-Epishin, Elista 1995, 13 c5, when White has a clear was agreed drawn after 8 c4 dxc4 9 advantage, Iordachescu-S.Guliev, 0--0, but 9 l2Ja3 !? would have been Nikolaev 1995) 10 .i.d2 .i.b4 11 interesting, with sharp play) 11fe1 b5 12 a3 .i.xc3 13 .i.xc3 1i'b6 8 ...l2Jc6 9 l2Jb5 l2Jxc5 1 0 l2Jfd4 .i.e4 (13 .. .'ifd8 frees White's hands on 11 0--0 a6 (capturing on e5 is the queenside - 14 a4 ! a6 15 l:ta2 dangerous in view of the swift l2Jge7 16 .i.b4 0--0 17 .i.c5±, advance of the white f- pawn, lbragimov-Ivacic, Bled 1995) 14 breaking up Black's centre) 12 11fd2 l2Jge7 15 l:tab 1 (15 .i.b4 l2Jxb4 l2Jd6+ .i.xd6 13 exd6 11fxd6 14 16 axb4 0--0 gives no advantage, but l2Jxc6 bxc6 15 f3 .i.g6 16 1i'd4 l2Jd7 interesting is 1 5 l:tfb1 0--0 16 bxc4 17 1i'xg7 1i'e5 18 1i'xe5 l2Jxe5 19 dxc4 17 a4, when Black still faces a .i.d4, and White, with his two battle fo r equality, Granda-Magem, bishops, looks to have the better Parnplona 1995/6) 15. ..0--0 16 bxc4 chances (Ehlvest-Khalifrnan, Pamu dxc4 17 .i.xc4 bxc4 18 :Xb6 axb6, 1996). 62 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 7 c4 Familiar motifs - White aims to open up the position. Less clear is 7 0-0 a6!? 8 c4 dxc4 9 d5 liJe7 I 0 liJc3 b5 11 l:.eI exd5 with a complicated game (Short-Adianto, Moscow 1994). 7 cxd4 7 ... dxc4 8 liJc3 a6 9 .i.xc4 liJe7 1 0 d5! leads to a sharp game with attacking chances fo r White (Spraggett-Magem, Manresa 1995). 8 ti:)xd4 .i.xb1 8 ...liJxe5 is dangerous in view of 13 f4!? is a furtherim provement: 9 liJxf5 exf5 10 cxd5, when White (a) 13... .i.b6 14 �f2 ti:)c5 15 �fJ has a clear advantage. dxc4 (Black is fo rced to make con 9 lbb1 .t.b4+ cessions - b2-b4 was threatened) 16 Now White is obliged to give up .i.xc4. White has the better chances the right to castle, since 10 .i.d2 -the pawn storm g2-g4 and f4 -f3 is .i.xd2+ and 11... liJe7 relieves Black now a reality, further extending the of any problems. Why did Black not influence of his bishops (Vasyukov take on e5? In this case the absence Vyzhmanavin, Elista 1995); of his light-square bishop tells: (b) 13 ...dxc4 14 .i.xc4 0-0, 9 ... ltJxe5 10 cxd5 fo llowed by 1 1 although slightly more accurate, 'i'a4+, and Black is in difficulties. does not completely solve Black's 10 �n ltJe7 problems: 15 b4 (alas, 15 liJxe6 11 'i'a4 liJxe5J 16 fxe5 fxe6+ leads only to White defends his e5 pawn and equality - the e5 pawn is doomed) tries to exploit the insecure position 15... .i.b6 16 �e2 .:lac8 17 .t.b3!i of the enemy bishop at b4 . Thus the the white bishops area dangerous natural retreat ll ... .i.c5 allows 12 (Kalinichenko-Vefling, corr. 1996) liJxe6! - cf. Illustrative Game No. 4. 11 1Wa5 12 1Wxa5 .i.xa5 4.2 (1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 .i.fS4 The game has gone into a compli liJf3 e6 5 .t.e2) cated ending with a slight initiative fo r White (see diagram next 5 ltJe7 column). Ehlvest-Gulko (Riga 1995) Black aims to keep the position continued 13 b4 .t.c7 (13 ... .i.b6? 14 closed, by delaying somewhat the c5±) 14 f4 dxc4 15 .t.xc4i. attackon the centre by ...c6- c5. Caro-Kann Defence 63 7 ... c5 8 i.g5 f6 (8 ...'ifb6? ! is dangerous in view of 9 i..xe7 i..xe7 I 0 lilxf5 exf5 II l£lc3, when the threat of l£Jxd5 is highly unpleasant) 9 exf6 gxf6 I 0 l£Jxf5l£lxf5 11 i..h5+ �e 7 12 i..c I ! , and the insecure pos ition of the black king gives White the advantage (Vozka-Buchnichek, corr. 1992/3 ). 7 .••i.. g6 8 ltld2 c5 9 c3 ltlc6 (after 9 ...cxd4 10 cxd4 ltlf5 tt ltlxg6 hxg6 t2 lilfl Black runs into difficulties, Anand-Karpov, Brussels t991) tO 6 0--0 ltld7 l£lxg6 hxg6 1t lilfl 'ifb6 (or t1... 6 ••.c5 is premature, in view of the i.e7 t2 ..te3 a6, Khalifman-Lobron, fam iliar 7 c4! ltlbc6 (or 7 ...dxc4 8 Munich t992, and here t3 'ifd2, 'ifa4+ 'ifd7 9 'ifxc4 cxd4 10 ltlxd4 preventing ...g6-g5 and ensuring i.g6 11 ltlc3, and the position is ltlg5, would have enabled White to opened to White's advantage) 8 hope fo r an advantage) 12 :bt i..e7 dxc5 dxc4 (8 ... d4 does not solve t3 ..te3 :c8 14 g3 cxd4 t 5 cxd4 Black's problems, Bologan-Haba, 'ii'a5 16 a3 a6 I7 h4 b5 t8 :at Germany 1992/3; after 9 i.d3 i.g4 (Lutz-Rogers, Germany t995). 10 i.f4i White retains control over White, who controls more space and e5) 9 'ifa4 ltlg6 10 'ii'xc4 i.e7 11 has good prospects on the queenside 'ii'c3 ().-{) 12 ltla3 !, and White is (a3-a4), has the better chances. more actively placed (Bologan). 8 ltldl l£115 In Kamsky-Karpov (Groningen This manoeuvre is the point of t995) Black chose the solid 6 ..•i.g6, vacating the fS square. leaving himself the option of 9 ltlbf3 developing his knight at c6: 7 ltlbd2 White, who controls more space, (7 c3!? is also good) 7 ...c5 8 c4! quite naturally avoids exchanges. cxd4 9 ltlxd4 ltlec6 10 ltl2f3 dxc4 9 c5 11 i.xc4 i.e7 12 i.e3 ().-{) 13 :et Black has no other play. a6 (13... ltla5 14 'ii'a4 ! fo llowed by 10 c3 :fd1 is good for White) t4 a3, and This position (see diagram next White retained his opening initiative page) was reached in Shirov-Adams thanks to his spatial advantage and (Wijk aan Zee t996), where after harmoniouspla cing of his forces. 10 .....te7 the typical manoeuvre 11 7 ltlb4 i.e4 g4! ..txfl 12 l£Jxf3 l£lh4 13 �xh4 Otherposs ibilities: ..txh4 14 f4 enabled White to 64 An Opening Repertoire for the Positional Player exchange two pairs of minor pieces 7 c4 and to gain space for an attack with Another possibility is 7 0-0 ltJe7 pawns and pieces on the kingside. 8 c4 dxc4 9 i.xc4 (9 d5 is unclear- see the analysis) 9 ...a6 1 0 liJc3 b5 11 i.e2 b4 12 lLla4 liJd5 13 i.gS;!:; (Kamsky-Adianto, Amsterdam 1996). But Black can play more accurately: 10... liJc6 !? (intensifying the pressure on e5) 11 d5 ltJcxeS 12 ltJxe5 ltJxeS 13 Wa4+ liJd7 14 dxe6 fxe6 15 'ii'b3 Wb6!, when White has to demonstrate that he has compen sation for the pawn. 7 cxd4 8 liJxd4 i.xb1 9 lbb1 i.b4+ However, even after Shirov's 10 �n ltJe7 recommendation of 10..• 11i'b6, Bl ack ll 'ifa4 WaS does not solve completely his 12 Wxa5 i.xaS opening problems: 11 g4! cxd4 12 13 f4 dxc4 ltJxe4 dxe4 13 liJxd4 liJxd4 14 14 i.xc4 0--0 'ifxd4 Wxd4 15 cxd4 leaves him 15 b4 i.b6 with a difficult ending. 16 favourable for White: 17 . . . l:tc3 18 chances. He aims to give White a l:thd1 ! l:txe3+ 19 �xe3 li)fS+ 20 weakness at e5 and to activate his cli>e4li)xd4 21 l:txd4 .txd4 22 �xd4 li)f8. l:tc8 (or 22 ...l:td8 23 cli>e4) 23 l:tdl - 24 g3! White has an active king, a strong A precise reaction. After 24 �6 bishops, and prospects of seizing g5!? (or 24 ...fxe5 25 fxe5 li)g6) control of the d-file. Black would have gained counter 18 l:tbd1 ll)f8 play. Black tries to consolidate his grip 24 fxeS on d5. 25 fxeS li)g6 19 li)bS .txe3 In certain variations the strength 20 �xe3 �S+?! of the prophylactic g2-g3 is seen: An inaccuracy, which probably 25 ...li)e6 26 li)xa7 d4+ 27 �d3 and loses the game. A tougher defence there is no check at f4 . was offered by 20 ...li)fS+ 21 �e4 a6 26 cli>d4 li)e7 22 li)d6 li)xd6+ 23 :Xd6 l:txd6 24 27 li)d6 :d7 exd6 li)d7 25 l:td1, when although Going totally onto the defensive Black's chances are not brilliant (the fails to save the game, but also after strong passed pawn at d6 combined 27 ...li)c6+ 28 �xd5 li)xb4+ 29 �e6 with the activity of his other pieces li)xa2 30 l:.a1 White dominates the gives White a clear advantage), board, and the e5 pawn is practically resistance is still possible. unstoppable. 21 .txdS 28 bS b6 It is a pity, of course, to part with 29 g4 gS such a bishop, but on the other hand There is practically nothing that White transforms his dynamic ad Black can move. Little would have vantage into a stable one (the pawn been changed by 29 ...g6 30 li)e8 at d5 will be a chronic weakness). l:ld8 31 li)f6+ cli>g7 32 .:r.c7+-. 21 exdS 30 li)e8! :b7 An attempt to retain as many After 30 ....:r.d8 the same man pieces as possible. After 21 ...:txd5 oeuvre as indicated after 29 ...g6 is 22 l:.xd5 exd5 23 l:.b2! (covering the possible. invasion square c2) Black's position 31 l:lc7 l:lxc7 is again cheerless. 32 li)xc7 �f7 22 l:[bd! 33 e6+! Exchanging a pair of rooks and A littlefin esse. After 33 ...�f 6 34 seizing control of the c-file. lbxd5+ 1 e4 d6 pawn centre: 3 . . . e5 (5.1) and 3 .••d5 In the event of the Modern (5.2). Defence l... g6 we recommend 2 d4 3 ••• c5 can be met by either 4 d5 J.g7 3 lZ)c3 d6 4 0!?, transposing fo llowed by c2-c4 and �3, seizing into the Pirc-Ufimtsev Defence, space, or 4 dxc5 !? dxc5 (if 4 ... since Black has nothing better than 'i'a5+ 5 �3 'i'xc5 6 ...e2 !? lZ)c6 7 4 ...lZ)f6, which after 5 J.e3 c6 6 J.e3 lZ)d4 8 J.xd4 'i'xd4 9 'i'h5+ 'i'd2 � 7 h4! leads to a favourable lZ)d7 10 lZ)d5;;t;) 5 ...xd8+ �xd8 6 position for White from the Comas :i.e3, retaining a slight advantage in San Segunda game considered the endgame: White can quickly below. occupy the d-file, which in com 2 d4 lZ)f6 bination with lZ)c3-b5 will cause 3 f3 Black definite problems. Against 3 •••g6 we can recommend the set-up 4 J.e3, and now: (a) 4 ...c6 (this attempt to begin immediate play on the queenside does not give the desired effect - White is solidly placed in the centre, and his king can take shelter on either wing) 5 ...d2 lZ)bd7 6 lZ)c3 b5 7 a3 J.b7 � lZ)h3 J.g7 9 J.e2 � 10 � e5 If :ad I :e8 12 �hi a6 13 lZ)f2 d5 14 dxe5 lZ)xe5 15 J.g5 ...c7 16 f4 with strong pressure (D.Olafs son-Torsson, Reykjavik 1994); A fa shionable variation, in which (b) 4 ....tg7 5 'i'd2(the play takes White does not aim to extend his a rather different direction after 5 presence in the centre, but concerns lZ)c3 c6 6d2 ... � 7 h4! h5 8 �3 himself primarily with supporting b5 9 lZ)g5 lZ)bd7 I 0 a4 b4 11 lZ)d1 e5 his d4+e4 pawn pair, completing his 12 lZ)f2 exd4 13 .txd4 d5 14 :d I development, and retaining control 'i'e7 15 J.e2, when Black's activity of the centre. on the queenside and in the centre Black, in turn, has two ways of has led to the creation of numerous trying to hinder White's harmonious pawn weaknesses, which in com tll·vclopment and of attacking his bination with the better placing of Pirc-Ufi mtsev Defence 67 the white pieces gives White an en 1i'c7 Il ltlge2 1i'b7 12 Wd2 .i.d7 I .1 during advantage, Comas-San Seg O-Ot, or 5 ...ltlh5 6 .i.e3 g6 7 �c3 f5 unda, Zaragoza 1992) 5 ...e5 (fearing 8 exf5 gxf5 9 .i.d3t, Psakhis) 6 an attack on the kingside, Black ltlc3, and now: goes into an endgame) 6 dxe5 dxe5 (a) 6 ....i.e7 7 ltlge2 (or 7 We2!? 7 Wxd8+ �xd8 8 .i.c4 .i.e6 9 .i.xe6 fo llowed by .i.e3 and Wd2) 7 . . . 0-0 8 fxe6 I 0 ltld2 ltlc6 11 c3 b6 12 �e2 ltlg3 cxd5 9 ltla4! 1i'c7 10 cxd5 �e7 13 a4. Black faces a difficult .id7 11 .i.e3 .:.c8 12 ltlc3 with the battle for a draw (Kasparov better chances fo r White - he can Bartosik, Katowice 1993). increase the pressure on the queen side, whereas Black's counterplay I 5.1 (1 e4 d6 2 d4ltlf63 f3) on the kingside is problematic (Kasparov-Wahls, Baden Baden 3 eS 1992); (b) 6 ....i.d7 (B lack wants to attack a4, for where the white knight is aiming) 7 ltla4 (here too 7 1i'e2!? is possible) 7 ...Wd8 8 .i.e3 cxd5 9 cxd5 ltlxd5 (a clever attempt to gain counterplay, which is nevertheless insufficient to equalise; after 9 ....i.e7 10 Wb3 White keeps his opening advantage, since IO... Wa5 + 11 .i.d2 .i.xa4 fa ils to 12 1i'xb7 1i'b6 13 Wxa8 0-0 14 .:.e t ltlc6 15 .:.xc6!) 10 Wxd5 (10 exdS? Wh4+!) IO.. . .i.xa4 11 1i'xb7.i.c6 12 Wb3 . 4 dxeS White does not try fo r too much. Going into an endgame gives him a slight but persistent advantage, thanks primarily to the better placing of his king. Since such early simplification may not be to everyone's taste, we can also suggest the space-gaining 4 dS c6 5 c4 1i'b6 (hindering the development of the bishop at c I; alternatives are 5 ....te7 6 ltlc3 0-0 7 .i.e3 a6 8 .td3 cxd5 9cxd5 b5 I 0 b4 68 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player We are fo llowing the game The critical position of the Psakhis-Sturua (Biel 1995). White variation, which can be assessed as has the better chances - he has hin slightly better for White. His pieces dered the freeing advance ...d6-d5 are more actively and harmoniously (if 12. ..d5 13 exd5 .i.xdS 14 'i'bS+! placed. He is already occupying the or 13 ... 'ifxd5 14 �c4 'ifaS+ 15 .i.d2 d-file, where the doubling of rooks 'i'c7 16 ltle2, and White's lead in is possible, his king stands well at development and harmoniously e3, and Black also has to keep an placed pieces give him the eye on the light-square bishop. advantage), which puts Black in the However, readers who do not like position of the defending side. an early exchange of queens and 4 dxe5 prefer more active play can be 5 'ifxd8+ �xd8 .. referred to the Psakhis-Sturua game 6 �c4 �e8 examined above. 6 ... .i.e6 also leaves White with the better chances: 7 �xe6 fxe6 8 l 5.2 (1 e4 d6 l d4 ltlf63 fJ) �e3 (8 ltlh3 fo llowed by ltlt2 is also good) 8 ....i.d6 9 ltld2 �e7 10 3 d5 ltlh3 ltlbd7 11 ltlf2 l:thg8 12 � gS 13 g4! ltaf8 14 h4 with strong pressure on the kingside (Arkhipov Panchenko, Russia 1993). 7 �e3 ltlbd7 8 ltlel �c5 9 �fl rt;e7 10 l:td1 �xe3+ 11 �xe3 An interesting idea, leading to more complicated play than 3 ...eS . Black is ready to go in fo r positions similar to the Steinitz Variation of the French Defence (1 e4 e6 2 d4 dS 3 ltlc3 ltlf6 4 eS ltlfd7), compen sating for the loss of a tempo ( ...d6- d5) by the fact that the white f- pawn also takes two moves to go to f4 . Pirc-UfimtsevDe fence 69 4 e5 lbfd7 17 lbfg5 'ii'e8 18 •d3 with a very With the original, Nimzowitsch strong attack. It is worth noting style 4 ••. lbg8 Black aims fo r a White's pretty, although typical blocked position and intends to play actions, enabling him to transform a his knight to f5 via h6 or e7. Even slight initiative into a powerfu l so, White's powerful central pawn offensive. wedge and spatial advantage enable 5 c5 him to play actively on the wings: 5 If 5 .•.e6 it is best to transpose into c3 (5 .i.e3 is a good alternative) the Kasparov-Hansen game by 6 c4. 5 ... c5 6 f4 cxd4 7 cxd4 lbc6 8 lbc3 6 lbf3 lbc6 lbh6 9 .i.e2 lbfS I 0 lbf3 e6 11 a3 7 .i.e3! j.d7 12 b4 l:.c8 13 'ii'd2 .i.e7 14 An accurate response. After the .i.b2 � (14... h5 !? is more natural 7 c3 cxd4 8 cxd4 lbb6 9 accurate, but 15 � � 16 lbdI lbc3 .i.f5 Black frees his light fo llowed by lbe3 still leaves White square bishop and obtains a satis with a slight advantage - Black's factory game (Hoeksema-Hodgson, kingside pawns are weakened) 15 Leeuwarden 1993). 0-0 a5 16 g4 (Gofstein-Beim, Tel 7 cxd4 Aviv 1992). Black is in difficulties - If Black does not wish to his knight has to retreat to the edge transpose into the French Defence of the board (h6), since after by 7 ...•b6 8 lbc3 e6, then the text 16... lbh4 17 lbxh4 .i.xh4 18 g5 ! move is practically forced. White for a time can shut the bishop However, in the French too things out of the game. The position is very are not easy fo r him after 9 lba4 close in structure to the 3 e5 'ii'a5+ 10c3: variation of the French Defence, (a) 10... cxd4 (this variation with a which should undoubtedly fa cilitate piece sacrifice, which used to be the readers' understanding of it. fashionable, is not often seen now - 5 f4 White gains a stable advantage) 11 This position was interpreted in b4 lbxb4 12 cxb4 .i.xb4+ 13 .i.d2 interesting fashion by Kasparov in .i.xd2+ 14 lbxd2 b6 15 'ji'b3 g5 16 his game with Curt Hansen (Den 'ji'b5 gxf4 17 •xa5 bxa5 18 lbf3 mark 1990): 5 c4!? dxc4 6 .i.xc4 e6 :b8 19 :cl± (Yudasin-Palatnik, 7 f4 c5 8 dxc5! (not allowing the USSR 1987); opponent to initiate counterplay (b) 10 ...c4 11 b4 'ii'c7 12 .i.e2 against d4) 8 ...j.xc5 9 lbf3 a6 10 .i.e7 13 a3 !? f5 14 :g1 (an lbc3 b5 11 .i.d3 .i.b7 12 a3 lbc6 13 interesting plan, but it proves lbe4 � 14 h4! (the black king will effective only due to Black's not find peace on the kingside) inaccurate play; after 14 lbb2!? 14... .i.e7 15 .i.e3 f6 16 .i.c2 fxe5 White would have retained an 70 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player opening advantage) 14. . . llJf8 15 g4 Game 5 (p. 70) (15 h3 !?) 15... fxg4 16 l:xg4 g6 17 Gelfand-Adams i.f2 b6 (after 17... lbd8 !? 18 lbb2 Wijk aan Zee 1994 aS Black would have succeeded in gaining counterplay) 18 lbb2 i.d7 1 d4 d6 19 a4 a6 20 'ifb 1, and White has a 2 e4 liJf6 solid initiative (Short-Psakhis, 3 f3 Moscow 1994 ). From an Indian set-up the game 8 lbxd4 lbxd4 has transposed into a Pirc-Ufimtsev 9 i.xd4 lbb8 Defence, which is a typical fe ature 10 lbc3 lbc6 of modem chess - the players aim fo r as long as possible to camouflagetheir opening intentions. 3 dS 4 eS liJfd7 5 f4 cS 6 ll)f3 lbc6 7 i.e3 cxd4 8 lbxd4 lbxd4 9 i.xd4 lbb8 10 lbc3 lbc6 11 i.bS White consistently carries out the plan of maintaining his strong The resulting 'French-style' bishop at d4. 11 i.f2 e6 12 i.d3;;!; position can be assessed as favour � also quite good. able to White: he is slightly ahead in 11 e6 development and the e5-f4 pawn 12 a3 pair puts pressure on Black's As shown by Gelfand, after 12 position. After 11 i.bS(1 1 i.f2!? is 'ifd2 'ifaS 13 a3 i.d7 14 i.xc6 bxc6 also good) ll...e6 12 a3 i.d7 13 lS 0-0 cS 16 b4 'ifc7! or 12 0-0 i.xc6 i.xc6?! 14 W'd2 Black's posi i.d7 13 fS W'h4!? Black would have tion became unpleasant - his slight gained counterplay. square bishop resembles a pawn 12 i.d7 (Gelfand-Adams, Wijk aan Zee 13 i.xc6 i.xc6?! 1994) - cf. Illustrative Game No. 5. A serious inaccuracy, after which Slightly better was 13 ... bxc6 14 this bishop has no future. l.i\a4 'ifaS+ 15 c3 c5 16 lbxc5 i.xcS Essential was 13... bx c6! 14 li)a4 I 7 h4, hut here too Black faces a W' aS+ 15 c3 cS 16 llJxcS i.xcS 17 diflicullde fence. b4, and now 17... i.xd4 ! (the best Pire- Ufi mtsev Defence 71 practical chance) 18 bxa5 �xc3+ 19 White has carried out a great deal �f2 0-0! 20 :e t �xa5, when the of preparatory work the two bishops and the pawn give opponent's pieces have moved Black some compensation for the across to the queenside and now was queen (analysis by Gelfand). the right time to land a tactical blow: 14 0-0 g6 23 f5 ! �g5 (23 ...gxf5 24 lLlxf5 ! 15 ...d2 ... e7 exf5 25 e6±) 24 fxg6 fxg6 25 ... d3 16 :.a b6 with an obvious advantage. But he 17 lL!dl! misses this opportunity. The knight is transferred to e3 23 a5 �b5!? from where it will have an active 24 axb6 a6! influence on both wings. This move is the point of Black's 17 h5 defence. He is able to consolidate Black is condemned to passive his defensive lines on this partof the defence. After 17... �c5 18 l:lc3 board, almost nullifying White's J.xd4+ 19 ...xd4 the white knight is attacking efforts. an order of magnitude stronger than 25 :e3 �d7? the �d7. Black loses the thread. Correct 18 a4! was 25 ...:xc3 26 'ifxc3 �d7 A subtle move, beginning an (26 ...0-0 is bad in view of 27 g4 attack on the b6 pawn. with an attack fo r White) 27 �c5 18 �c5 :c8 28 ...d4 and now 28 ...l:txc 5 !! 19 l:lc3 �e7 (a difficult move to find) 29 bxc5 20 b4! ... b7 'ifc6 JO c4 J.xc431 b7 �c7 32 'ifb2 Or 20 ...�xb4 21 :xc6!±. �b5 would enable him to set up a 21 l:lb3 �d7 practically impregnableposition . 22 lL!e3 lieS 26 l:lc5! :.Xc5 27 bxe5 27 �xc5 with the idea of c2-c4 was stronger. 27 l:lc8 28 c4 dxc4 Or 28 ...�x c4 29 lL!xc4 dxc4 30 �f2+�e8 31 ...b4± . 29 :et �e8 30 lL!xc4 d5... 31 lL!a5 i.c6 White would have had to act precisely after 3l...llxc5 (3 1... �xc5? 32 llxc5 ! :xc5 33 b7 and 72 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player wins) 32 .:td l! (32 b7?! .:txc l+ 33 39 'ii'al 'it'xcl 'it'xd4+ 34 �hi 'it'b6! 35 40 'it'e4 'it'c8+ .i.d8 36 b8=11t' 'it'xa5�) 41 'ifal 32 . ...i.a4 33 b7 .:tb5 34 .:tcl .i.b435 42 e6! 'iff2 .i.xa5 36 l:tc8+ d7 37 b8=11t' After repeating moves to gain l:txb8 38 l:txb8, when he retains an time, White carries out the correct advantage. winning plan - by diverting the 32 .i.e3 black queen he breaks through with 33 ltlxe6 his rook on the a-file. 34 b3 42 'it'e6 35 'ii'el 43 .:txa5 .:tb8 36 1 e4 lt.)f6 g4 i..g6 9 e6!±, when the threat of 2 e5 li)dS li)gS is very dangerous) 6 exd6 ( 6 3 d4 d6 i..bS+, with the idea of denying the 4 lt.)f3 black knight the c6 square, is also good) 6 ...cxd6 7 dS li)a6 8 i..e3 i..d7 9li)gS li)b4 10 li)c3 g6 11 Wfl f6 12 �e6 i..xe6 13 dxe6 i..g7 14 i..bS+ (Kovalev-Leko, Tilburg 1992). Black stands worse - the e6 pawn splits his position in two, and the white bishops are very dangerous). 4 ... c6 (vacating c7 for the retreat of the knight) S c4 li)c7 (the less logical S ...li)b6 6 i..e2 i..g4 7 li)bd2 dxeS 8 �xeS i..fS 9 �dfl e6 1 0 �gS! gave White the advantage in This system of development is Kovalev-Dreev, USSR 1986) 6 h3 considered one of the strongest fo r (preventing ...i.. g4) 6 ...dxeS 7 White. He does not hurry with c2- �xeS �d7 8 li)fl g6 9 �3 i..g7 1 0 c4, but first completes the mobilis i..e2 ()...{) 11 i..f4 li)e6 12 i..e3 Wc7 ation of his kingside and supports 13 W c 1 cS 14 dxcS li)dxcS 1S ()...{) his eS pawn. This method of play is (Anand-Suba, Palma de Mallorca very popular, which is explained by 1989). By simple, natural moves the fa ct that White does not take too White has gained a marked much of a risk - he wants to gain a advantage: a lead in development, slight, but enduring advantage. strong-points fo r his queen's knight, Black's main responses are and the possibility of a pawn 4 ...li)c6 (6.1), 4 ...d xe5 (6.2), 4 ... g6 offensive on the queenside. In (6.3) and 4 ...i..g4 (6.4) . addition, it is not easy fo r Black to Other tries: develop his queen's bishop. 4 ...li)b 6 S a4 (before Black has managed to deploy his fo rces 6.1 (1 e4 li)f6 2 e5 li)d5 3 d4 d6 4 comfortably, it is good to harass the li)f3) knight) S ...aS (S ...i..g4 is risky on account of 6 aS �6d7 7 h3 i..hS 8 4 lbc6 74 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player This move, attacking the central After 10••. lt:1c 4?! 11 J.xc4 dxc4 squares, allows a standard pawn 12 •a4 •d7 13 0-0--0 White has a sacrifice which significantly hinders clear advantage (Nunn-Vaganian, the opponent's development and London 1986). Nunn suggests secures White an enduring initiative. 10 .•• lt:1d7, but then 11 h5 e5 12 h6 5 c4 lt:1b6 ..tf6 13 lt:1xd5 exd4 14 lt:1xf6+ exf6 6 e6! fxe6 15 lt:1xd4 leaves White with the two White's attacking possibilities are bishops and the better placed king. based on the insecure position of the black king. The main blow must be ��\1 e4 lt:1f62 e5 lt:1d5d4 3 d6 4 prepared along the b l-h7 and h5-e8 1 diagonals, and it is this that explains I his subsequent moves. 4 dxe5 7 lt:1c3 g6 5 lt:1xe5 The freeing attempt 7 .•• e5 is also insufficient for equality: 8 d5 lt:1d4 9 lt:1xd4 exd4 10 1ixd4 e5 11 dxe6 .i.xe6 12 J.e2! (Vogt-Bohm, Polanica Zdroj 1980) 8 h4 ..tg7 9 ..te3 d5 After 9 ... lt:1d7 10 h5 lt:1f8 11 •d2 f(,IJowed by queenside castling, White reta10ins strongc5 pressure. Black has to decide where to IIIOVl" his knight. Ale/chineDe fence 75 After relieving somewhat the situation in the centre, Black will try to arrange play against the knight at e5 with 5 ... l2Jd7 (6.21) or 5 ... g6 (6.22). After5 ...e6 6 •n •f6 7 • g3 h6 8 l2Jc3 l2Jb4 (the exchange on c3 merely strengthens White's centre) 9 .i.b5+ c6 I 0 .i.a4 l2Jd7 11 l2Je4 •f5 12 f3 l2Jxe5 13 dxe5 .i.d7 14 a3 l2Jd5 15 c4 l2Jb6 16 .i.c2 White stands better, according to analysis by Tal - Black is behind in development, and his queen, under The game Lautier-Shirov (Biel cross-fire, is badly placed in frontof 1992) continued ll...h6 12 .i.h4 g5 his other pieces. 13 .i.g3 .i.xg3 14 hxg3 b6 15 d5, and White's advantage became 6.21 (1 e4 l2Jf6 2 e5 l2Jd53 d4 d6 clear. 4l2Jf3dxe5 5 l2Jxe5) 6.22 (1 e4 l2Jf6 2 e5 l2Jd53 d4 d6 5 l2Jd7 4 l2Jf3dxe5 5 l2Jxe5) Black provokes his opponent into making the typical sacrifice 6 l2Jxf7. 5 g6 According to current analysis this gives White the advantage, but we consider it impractical to study long and complicated variations when there is little probability of them being encountered in practice. We therefore recommend another way of fightingfo r an advantage. 6 l2Jf3!? e6 7 c4 liJ5f6 8 .i.e2 c5 9 0-0 .i.d6 10 l2Jc3 0-0 11 i.g5 Black tries to solve the problem It is not easy fo r Black to find a of developing his kingside without successful arrangement of his playing ...e7-e6 . pieces. 6 c4 76 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player The most practical 'central' with his two active bishops and arrangement of the fo rces. control of the d-file, has the better 6 tiJb6 chances. 6 ... tiJf6 also does not promise equality: 7 i.e2 i.g7 8 tiJc3 0-0 9 6.3 (1 e4 tiJf6 2 e5 tiJd53 d4 d6 4 i.f4 c6 10 0-0 tDa611 'i'd2 i.f5 12 tiJf3) l:.adI;!; (Dolmatov-Kengis, USSR 1980). 4 g6 7 tDc3 i.g7 8 i.e3 c5 Black's lack of space tells in the 0 variation 8 ...i.e6 9 f4 c6 I b3 tiJSd7 11 i.e2;!; (Vitolinsh-Kengis, Riga 1988). 9 dxc5 White goes into a slightly better ending. 9 'i'xdl+ 10 l:.xd1 i.xe5 11 cxb6 i.xc3+ ll ... axb6 12 l:.d2 is no better. 12 bxc3 axb6 Black intensifies the pressure on 13 l:td2 tiJd7 the opponent's centre and prepares 14 i.e2 tDc5 to castle quickly. 15 � 5 i.c4 The most popular continuation, recomme�ded by Keres. 5 tiJb6 The attempt to support the centralised knight also does not promise equality: 5 ...c6 6 0-0 i.g7 7 exd6 (Black is unable to recapture with the pawn, and now White's pressure on the e-file will have definite significance; the less common 7 h3 0-0 8 exd6 exd6 is examined in Illustrative Game No. 6, Kasparov-Ivanchuk, Las Palmas We arc fo llowing the game Emst 1996) 7 ...'i'xd6 8 i.g5 (8 h3 is also lla�irov (Helsinki 1992). White, good, not allowing ...i.g 4) 8 . ..i.g 4 Ale/chineDe fence 77 9 tLlbd2 tLld7 10 l:.e l e6 11 h3 i.xf3 8 0-0 0-0 12 tLlxf3 � 13 i.h4 l:.ac8 14 i.g3 9 h3 tLlc6 with the initiative fo r White, who 10 'i'e2 d5 12 has the two bishops (V.Spasov After 10 ...dxe5 11 dxeS tLld4 Kengis, Manila 1992). tLlxd4 'i'xd4 13 l:.eI e6 14 tLld2 6 i.b3 i.g7 White stands better. 7 a4 11 tLlc3 i.e6 Before completing the deploy 12 i.f4 'i'd7 ment of his fo rces, White aims to 13 l:.ad1 provoke ...a7-aS , since Black should not allow the cramping advance of the white a-pawn. 7 aS In the event of 7 ... d5 8 aS tLlc4 9 tLlbd2 tLlxd2 ...(or 9 bS 10 axb6 tLlxb6 11 � � 12 l:.e 1 i.a6 13 c3 i.bS 14 e6!±, Short-Alburt, Foxboro 198S) 10 i.xd2 � 11 � i.g4 12 h3 i.xf3 13 'i'xfl e6 14 i.b4 l:.e8 1S i.a4 c6 16 c3 White's two powerful bishops give him the advantage (Zapata-Aiburt, New York 1988). White controls more space, and Black also fails to solve his his opponent has practically no problems with 7 ••.dxe 5 8 aS tLldS counterplay. Keres-Kupka (Kapfen (8 ...tLl6d7 runs into a combination - berg 1970), the game where this 9 i.xt7+! �xt7 10 tLlgS+ �g8 11 position first occurred, continued tLle6 'i'e8 12 tLlxc7 'i'd8 13 tLlxa8 13... l:.a6 14 'i'd2 tLld8 IS i.h6 c6 16 exd4 14 c3 tLlcS 1S cxd4 i.xd4 16 'i'f4 l:.a8 17 l:.fe 1 f6 18 i.xg7�xg7 �±, Christiansen-Alburt, USA 19 l:.e2 with advantage to White. 1990) 9 tLlxeS � 10 � cS 11 tLlxt7! (such blows are fa irly ��� e4 tLlf6 2 e5 tLldS d43 d6 4 common in positions of this type) 1 11. . . 'it>xt7 ( 1 1...l:.xt7 is strongly met I by 12 dxcS ! e6 13 c4±, exploiting 4 i.g4 the undefended black queen) 12 The Modem Variation. Almost 'i'f3+ �g8 13 'i'xdS+ 'i'xdS 14 every other game played with the i.xdS+ e6 1S i.e4 cxd4 16 i.gS, Alekhine Defence reaches this when White has a clear advantage position - hence the name of the (Nunn-St ohl, Ankenbrot 1991). variation. 7K An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 5 .1e2 preferable for White. He exchanges on c6, spoils Black's pawns and gains a slight but enduring advantage (analysis by Bagirov). 6.41 (1 e4 lbf6 2 e5 lbd53 d4 d6 4 lbf3.1g 4 5 ..te2) 5 c6 6 0-0 .1xf3 An idea of Grandmaster Flohr. Initially he played 6 ... dxe5 against Botvinnnik (Moscow 1936), but after 7 lbxe5 i.xe2 8 'ii'xe2 lbd7 9 The most logical and accurate f4 e6 10 c4 lb5f6 11 i.e3 .1e7 12 move, after which Black has a lbc3 White gained the advantage. choice: 5 . ..c6 (6.41) or 5 ..•e6 (6.42). 7 i.xf3 dxe5 The exchange on e5 is premature: 8 dxe5 e6 5 ... dxe5 6 lbxe5 .1xe2 7 •xe2 c6 8 9 lbd2 lbd7 'it'£3! lbf6 9 'it'b3 !, and Black can The idea of Black exchanging on resign (Golovei-Lemachko, Kalinin f3 is to attack the e5 pawn. White grad 1970). has fo und a successful antidote to 5 ...lbc6 is best met by 6 0--0: this plan. (a) 6 ...dxe5 7 lbxe5 .1xe2 8 10 l1e1 'ii'c7 'it'xe2 lbxd4, when Black wins a 11 lbc4 pawn but condemns himself to a difficult defence - 9 'it'c4 c5 I 0 .1e3! a6 11 lbc3 e6 12 .1xd4 lbb6 13 'it'b3 cxd4 14 lba4! lbxa4 15 'it'xb7 with a very strong attack (Gofstein-Hansen, Reykjavik 1985); (b) 6 ...g6 7 e6! fxe6 8 lbg5, and if 8 . . . .txe2 9 'it'xe2 0xd4 10 'ifd3!, when the position of the knight at d4, fo rced to cover e6, is too msecure; (c) 6 ...lbb6 7 h3! .tx£3 (7 ... ..th5 K c6!) 8 .txf3dxe5 9 dxe5 'it'xd1 10 l:hdI c6 I I b3 (or 11 i.xc6+!?) This position was reached in the ll... il.c7 12 .tb2. This position is game Gufeld-Goh (Penang 1991 ), Alekhine Defence 79 1975) where ll ... b5 encountered the Knezevic, Vmjacka Banja 8 excellent reply 12 �xd5 cxd5 13 exd6 cxd6 9 d5! exd5 10 cxdS �xf3 lbd6+! �xd6 14 'ii'xd5 !, winning 11 gxf3 ! (although risky-looking, material. the doubling of the pawns seriously ll... �e7 was better, although hinders Black's normal develop here too 12 lbd6+ �xd6 13 exd6 ment) 11...ltJe5 12 �b5+ ltJed7 13 guarantees White a solid advantage. •d4 •f6 14 :et+ �e7 (according to analysis by Boleslavsky, Black 6.42 (1 e4 ltJf6 2 e5 lLld53 d4 d6 ends up in a difficult position after 4lLlf3 �g4 5�e2) 14... �d8 15 •d 1! •fs 16 ltJc3 ltJe5 17 f4 'ii'g4+ 18 •xg4 ltJxg4 19 5 e6 ltJa4!) 15 •xf6 gxf6 16 lbc3 a6 17 6 0--0 �e2 ltJeS 18 f4 , and the advantage of the two bishops is very per ceptible (Vogt-Heidenfeld, Skopje 1972). If 6 ...a6 the most accurate is 7 c4 lbb6 8 exd6 cxd6 9 lbc3;!;;, while 6 .•. ltJb6 (6 ...dxe5 7 lbxe5 �xe2 8 'ii'xe2 ltJd7 9 :dl!±) 7 c4 dxe5 8 lbxe5 .ixe2 9 'ii'xe2 'ii'xd4 Is risky in view of 10 l:r.dl •cs 11 b4 ! 'ii'e7 (ll...'ii'xb4 12 'ii'f3) 12 lbc3 g6 13 c5 (Arnbroz-Neckar, Czechoslo vakia 1978). White's attack is very dangerous - it is difficult fo r Black The most popular line of the to disentangle his pieces. Alekhine Defence. White gains a 7 c4 lLlb6 strong centre and good prospects of 8 h3 play on the queenside. Black is This modest move is the most cramped and must try to resist the unpleasant for Black. opponent's growing initiative. 8 ..th5 6 �e7 After 8 ...�xf3 9 ..txf3 lbc6 1 0 The most topical continuation. �xc6+ bxc6 11 lbc3 � 12 b3 aS After 6 •••lLlc6 Wh ite advances his c 13 �e3 ltJd7 14 •hs White gains and d-pawns and gains the the advantage (Vasyukov-Torre, advantage: 7 c4 lbb6 (or 7 ...ltJde7 8 Manila 1974). exd6! 'ii'xd6 9 lbc3 �xf3 10 �xf3 9 lLlc3 ltJxd4 11 �xb7 l:tb8 12 �e4 with White does not exchange on d6, advantage to White, Ciocaltea- but calmly continues his develop- 80 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player ment, which sets Black obvious Tivyakov-Yermolinsky, New York problems. 1994; if 12... �6d7 the most accurate is 13 1i'd2;t) 12 g4!? .l\.g6 13 h4! h5 (bad, of course, is 13... .llxh4? 14 gS or 13 ...dx e5? 14 h5 .llb4 15 hxg6 .l\.xc3 16 gxfi+ :xn 17 �xeS .llxa 1 18 �xfi �xti 19 1Wxal, Dorfman-Bagirov, Moscow 1989) 14 gS .llf5 15 exd6 cxd6 16 d5 e5 17 �d2 g6 18 �de4 with a positional advantage (analysis by Dorfman). 11 c5 .llxf3 11..• �6d7 is passive: 12 :et b6 13 c6!±. 9 0--0 12 gxf3!? 9 ...�c6 is strongly met by 10 exd6 cxd6 11 dS! exdS 12 �xdS, and 9 •••dx e5 I 0 �xeS .llxe2 11 'ii'xe2 'ii'xd4 12 :d l± is no better. 10 .lle3 d5 The recurring theme of Black's play is the dS square. It should be mentioned that IO••• �c6 is very strongly met by 11 exd6 cxd6 12 dS exdS 13 �xdS �xdS 14 'ii'xdS ! In view of his badly placed bishop at hS, Black stands worse. 10... dxe5 is also unpromising: White's main continuation in this after 11 �xeS i.xe2 12 ¥xe2 �8d7 variation. The basic idea is that 13 :ad l c6 14 �e4 �c8 1S �cS Black cannot play ll ... �c ? on . 4 White has a clear positional advan account of 13 i.xc4 dxc4 14 1Wa4, tage (Geller-Vaganian, Leningrad winning a pawn, which means that 1971 ) . he is obliged to retreat virtually his IO... a5 is often played, although only developed piece, leaving him here too White retains the initiative cramped. with accurate play: 11 b3 �a6 (or 12 �c8 ll... dS 12 cS �c8 13 �e l .llxe2 14 ll ... �6d7 can be met by 13 �h 1 'iVxe2 h6 15 cxb6 �xb6 16 �d3;t, b6 14 b4 aS 1S a3 c6 16 1i'd2 fS 17 Alekhine Defence 81 .:tab1 .:tf7 18 f4 (Ciocaltea-Pribyl, i.h6 20 cxb6 axb6 21 'iid3±) 19 Bucharest 1975), when White exf6;l; (Sax-Ivanchuk, Tilburg retains the advantage thanks to his 1989). spatial advantage and possibility of play on either flank. 13 f4 lL!c6 13 ...g 6?! is an indifferent move, since on the whole it does not prevent f4 -f5 . The game Levitina Alexandria (Moscow 1975) con tinued 14 �h2 �h8 15 f5 ! gxf5 (15... exf5 16 •b3 !) 16 J:g1 J:g8 17 .:txg8+ ..xg8, and now, according to Bagirov, 18 'iib3 ! b6 19 J:gl 'itf8 20 lL!xd5! exd5 21 'iixd5 c6 22 'iig2±. After 13 •.• �h4 14 i.d3 g6 15 15 ••.i.g5 16 lL!xd5 f4 17 lLlxf4 'iig4 �h8 16 b4 lL!c6 17 a3 f5 18 (17 i.c1 'iid7 18 b4!;!;is also good, 1i'd1 �g7 19 �h2 Black is seriously Copie-Pena Gomez, corr. 1989) cramped (Solozhenkin-Bagirov, 17... i.xf 4 18 i.xf4 'iixd4 19 i.g3 USSR 1986). lLI8e7 20 'iic2;l; (Tseshkovsky The play is similar after 13••• 15 14 Alburt, USSR 1978). b4 b6 15 a3 c6 16 �h2 :n 17 lLla4 i.f8 18 .:tcl :Z.b7 19 �d2 g6 20 Game 6 (p.76) �d3;!; (R.Byrne-Vukic, Bugoj no Kasparov-lvanchuk 1978). Las Palmas 1996 13.. . %le8 is well met by the typical l4 f5 ! exf5 15 'iib3± (Noble 1 e4 lLlf6 Briao, corr. 1990/4). The Alekhine Defence rarely 14 f5 exf5 occurs at such a high level. 15 �f3 2 eS lL!d5 The critical position of the 3 d4 d6 variation (see diagram next column). 4 lL!f3 g6 White breaks though on d5, which 5 i.c4 c6 gives him the initiative: 6 0-0 i.g7 15... i.h4?! 16 i.xd5 lLI8e7 17 7 h3 �xc6 bxc6 18 �5± (Lukin The immediate 7 exd6 is more Yuneev, Daugavpils 1979). usual - see the analysis. The point is 15 ...f4 16 i.xf4 i.g5 17 i.g3 that if 7 ...exd6 the check 8 .:teI+ is lLI8e7 18 i.g4 f5 (or 18... b6 19 f4 unpleasant. H2 An Opening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 7 0--0 The alternativewas 13 �c3 d5 14 8 exd6 exd6 .i.d3 �d6 15 .i.f4 with some 8 ...'ilixd6 would have transposed initiative fo r White. into fam iliar set-ups. Now, however, 13 d5 the play takes an unexplored course, 14 c4 which was evidently part of A typical way of attacking the lvanchuk's plans. centre, but here it involves a 9 :et sacrifice of material. Of course, the exchange on d5 is 14 dxc4 unjustified -after 9 .i.xd5 cxd5 the The alternative was 14... .te 6!? 15 d5 pawn cannot be approached, and cxd5 cxd5 16 �c3 �c6 with a the two black infantrymen passive position. On the other hand, successfully control the central the .tb3wou ld not have been freed. squares. 15 .i.xc4 �d6 9 �c7 16 .i.b3 �f5 10 .i.g5 17 'ilid2! �d7 Black's position looks solid, but After lengthy consideration Black White skilfully increases the decides against winning the d4 pressure. pawn: 17... �xd4 18 �d4 1i'xd4 19 10 .i.f6 1i'e1 •e5 20 �c3 .i.f5 21 •xe5 11 .i.h6 l%e8 .i.xe5 22 g4 .i.e6 23 l:.d1 �a6 24 12 :Xe8+ �xe8 .i.xe6 fxe6 25 �e4, or 17... .i.xd4 18 .i.g5 •d6 19 �c3 .i.g7 20 •xd6 �xd6 21 l%d1 .i.f8 22 .i.f4 - in both cases with a dangerous initiative fo r Whi!e (analysis by Dokhoian). 18 �c3 �xh6 19 •xh6 �f8 20 l:.dl .i.e6 21 d5! Again very strong - White opens up the position, disregarding the possible loss of his b2 pawn. 21 cxd5 22 �xd5 l%c8 13 .i.b3!? Capturing on b2 is risky - A critical moment. Kasparov 22 ....i.xb2 23 •f4 �8 (after finds a plan fo r activating his pieces 23 ...• a5 24 �e5 or 23 ....txd5 24 in almost all variations, involving a l%xd5 ! White's initiative is very subtle pawn sacrifice. dangerous) 24 �c7 .i.xb3 25 axb3 Alekhine Defence 83 lDe626 ltJxe6 fxe6 27 'i'e4 'i'e828 'i'xf6 31 %:.fl, and disaster strikes on 'i'xb7 %:.d8 29 :e 1, and White has f7. strong pressure. 29 'i'e2 tiJh7? But after the text move the In terrible time-trouble Black situation is still rather difficult fo r commits a decisive mistake. Black - White has no real weak Esssential was 29 ....:c8 ! (covering nesses, and he retains unpleasant the back rank) 30 'i'a6 �xb2 31 pressure on the central files. 'i'xa7 :c l (3 l...tiJd7 can be met by 23 'ile3! 32 tiJf4!?) 32 %:.xcl .txcl 33 liJf4!? A multi-purpose move - the �e3+ 34 �h l 11t'd7 35 tiJhS+ lith8 advance of the b-pawn is provoked, 36 'jib8 when White has the and the queen supports the advance advantage, but it is still possible to of the knight into the centre. hold on. 23 b6 30 tiJxf6 'i'xf6 24 ltJe5 l:tc5 31 %:.d7 %:.e5 25 ltJg4 �xg4 32 l:txf7+ 'ii'xf7 26 hxg4 �g7 33 'i'xe5+ 1if6 27 f4! 34 'ii'c7+ �h8 Tightening the ring. 35 �hl! 27 h6 Preventing the black queen from 27 ...�xb2 is dangerous in view of actively joining the play on the long 28 'ilf2 (28 gS!?) 28 ....tf 6 (28 ...�a3 diagonal. 29 'ild4+)29 gS. 35 a5 28 f5 g5 36 .te6 The b2 pawn is still poisoned: Black resigns 28 ...�xb2 29 f6+! �xf6 30 lDxf6 PA RT 11: BLACK REPERTOIRE 7 Sicilian Defence 1 e4 cS development, but Black, in turn, has 2 tljf3 the superior pawn formation. All deviations by White on moves White must aim to sharpen the 2 and 3 are examined in detail in our situation with active piece play, companion volume An Op ening while Black should develop while Repertoire fo r the Attacking Player. simultaneously trying to suppress By fo llowing the course indicated the opponent's activity. there you will obtain a normal game. White's aims are best met by 6 2 d6 �gS (7.1), the Rauzer Attack, and 6 This move order avoids the rather .i.c4(7 .2), the Sozin Attack. fashionable 2 ... tLlc6 3 �b5, where If 6 �e2 or 6 f4 Black's simplest Black encounters certainpr oblems. is 6 ...g6, transposing into the 3 d4 cxd4 Classical Dragon (cf. our companion 4 tLlxd4 tLlf6 volume), which gives him a safe S tLlc3 tLlc6 game 'on his own territory'. 6 .i.e3 is occasionally played, when Black's most critical reply is 6 . . . tlJg4!?, e.g. 7 �g5 'ii'b6 8 .i.b5 .i.d7 9 0--0 h6!? (9 ...'ii' xd4 10 .i.xc6 'ii'xd 1 11 .i.xd7+ �xd7 12 l:axd l allows White a minimal advantage) 10 .i.e3 tLlxe3 11 fxe3 g6!? 12 tLldS (or 12 'ii'tJ tLleSoo) 12... 'ifd8 13 .i.xc6 bxc6 14 'ii'f3 f6 with a complicated game in which he has sufficient chances (Lugo D.Gurevich, Chicago 1996). The introductory moves are 7.1 (1 e4 cS 2 tLlf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 wmplctc and the two sides are at the 4 tLlxd4tLlf 6 S tLlc3tLlc6) l:rossroads. White has some spatial advantage and a slight lead in 6 .i.gS Sicilian Defence 85 White intends to complete his White's possibilities are: 7 i..xf6 development with the minimum (7.11), 7 i..el (7.12) and 7 'tifd2 expenditure of time and then begin (7.13), the most popular. play in the centreor on the kingside. Other tries: 6 .i.d7 7 i..c4 (after 7 'ifd3 l:.c8 8 lDxc6 bxc6!? both sides have chances) 7 ...'ii' a5 8 .i.xf6 gxf6 9 0--0 (9 i..b3 l:.g8!oo;9 tiJb3 'ii'gS 10 g3 hS !? 11 f4 'ii'g4 12 .i.e2 'ii'g6 13 'ii'd2 f5! 14 i..d3 fx.e4 15 .i.xe4 i..fS 16 i..xfS 'ifxfS 17 0-0--0 0-0--0 , M.Brodsky Nevednichy, Bucharest 1994; Black has easily solved his opening problems and can face the future with confidence) 9 ...'ifc5 10 lDxc6 'ii'xc4!? 11 lDaS 'ii'c7 12 tiJb3 e6. Chances are roughly equal. Black has a powerful pawn centre and the We recommend that our readers two bishops, while White has the adopt this simple and logical better pawn structure and more continuation, without worrying that space. it occurs much less frequently than 7 f4 'ii'b6 (the alternative 7 ...l:.c8 the popular 6 •..e6 . is more risky - cf Illustrative Game The move 6 ....i.d7 is positionally No. 7, Damjanovic-Stein, Havana well-founded - Black immediately 1968) 8 tiJb3 ltJg4 9 'ii'e2 (after 9 sets about using his trumps (the c 'ii'd2 'ii'e3+ 10 'ii'xe3 tDxe3=i= Black file plays an important role) and seizes the initiative) 9 ...ltJd4 10 'ii'd2 begins play on the queenside. He ( 10 tiJdS? lDxe2 11 lDxb6 axb6 12 thereby excludes an enormous �xe2 h6 13 i..h4 gS!+, Matulovic number of fa shionable variations of Masic, Sombor 1968) 10... ltJxb3 11 the Rauzer, where memory and axb3 'ii'e3+ 12 'ii'xe3 ltJxe3 13 �d2 knowledge often play a decisive li:Jxfl + 14 l:.hxfl e6+ (Polu part, and the opponent will not gayevsky-Stein, Riga 1968). This always be prepared for such a side typical Sicilian endgame is favour line, giving Black an additional able for Black - the c-file, his psychological advantage. But all superior pawn structure and the these arguments would be worthless, long-range bishops make White's were it not for the fact that the defence difficult. variation is in itself viable, giving 7 lDb3 l:.c8 8 i..e2 (this allows Black quite adequate chances. Black to begin sharp play on the 86 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player kingside, but also after 8 f4 lbg4 9 8 ltjf5 .i.d3 h6 I 0 .i.h4 g5 11 fxg5 hxg5 12 After other moves Black quickly .i.xg5 J:txh2 13 l:lxh2 'ii'b6! 14 �d2 carries out thefree ing advance . ..f7- 'iif2+ 15 'ii'e2 'ii'xe2+ 16 .txe2 f5 and gets rid of his doubled lDxh2 he seizes the initiative, pawns: Mosionzhik-Stein, Riga 1968) 8 ... 8 .te2 'iib6 (8 ....:lg8 !?) 9 lbb3 f5 h6!? 9 .th4 g5 10 i..g3 h5 11 h4 g4 I 0 exf5 .txf5 11 ltJd5 'ii'd8 12 0--0 12 .tf4 lbe5 13 'i'd4 lbg6 14 .tg5 e6, when his chances are not worse .tg7 15 0-0-0 a5 16 'iitb1 0--0 (Wade-Averbakh, Moscow 1962). (Damjanovic-Stein, Tallinn 1969). 8 lbb3 f5 9 exf5 .txf5 10 .td3 Both sides have chances - it is not (White plays accurately, trying easy fo r White to approach the black immediately to exchange one of the king, and the c-file and the i..g7 opponent's bishops; also possible is may cause him serious problems. 1 0 lDd5 .tg7 11 c3 0-0 12 lbe3 .tg6 13 h4 h6 14 .td3 e6 15 .txg6 7.11 (1 e4 c5 2lbf3d6 3 d4 cxd4 fxg6 16 'i'e2 a5 17 a4 'iib6 18 l:.a3 4 lbxd4lDf 6 5 lDc3 lbc6 6 .tg5 d5 with a complicated game, Lob .td7) ron-Cifuentes, Amsterdam 1987) 10... 'ii d7 11 lbd5 0--0-0 12 .txf5 7 i..xf6 gxf6 'i'xf5 13 lbe3 'iig6 14 'i'e2�b8 15 0-0 l:lg8, and Black's chances are not worse (Bagirov-Furman, Tbilisi 1973). 8 'ii'dl lbxd4 9 'i'xd4 .tg7 1 0 .te2 0--0 11 'i'd3 f5 ! and Black opens the position to his advantage (Schreiber-Lanka, Cannes 1993). 8 'iia5 9 .tb5 White blocks the fifth rank, trying, if only temporarily, to main tain his knight in its active position. The attempt to exchange queens A situation fa irly typical of the surrenders the initiative: 9 'i'd5?! Sicilian: White has spoiled the 'iixd5 10 lbxd5 0-0-0 11 lDfe3 e6! opponent's kingside pawns, but in 12 lDf4 (12 lDxf6 .tg7 13 lbxd7 return has given Black the .txb2 14 l:tb1 .tc3+ is dangerous advantage of the two bishops and fo r White) 12... .th6 13 g3 lbe5 14 the open g-file, fa ctors which .te2 .tc6 15 f3 f5 + (Fabritsius roughly balance. Borisenko, corr. 1963), and Black Sicilian Defence 87 builds up strong pressure on the bishops, solid pawn centre and open opponent's position. g-file compensate fo r White's After9 il.d3e6 1 0 tbe3� 1 1 spatial advantage (Ribli-Ogaard, a3 'ii'g5 both sides have chances Athens 1971 ). (Huergo-Vera, Cuba 1989). 9 a6 7.12 (1 e4 cS 2 tbf3d6 3 d4 cxd4 In the given situation it is 4 tbxd4 tbf6 S tbc3 tbc6 6 il.gS appropriate to force the white bishop il.d7) to declare its intentions immediately. 7 ..te2 10 ..txc6 ..txc6 The alternative 10 ... bxc6, leading to a more complicated game, is also adequate. 11 'ii'hS 11 H also achieves little. After 11... 0--Q.-0 Black is ready to drive back the white knight from f5 , which in combination with the g-file and the advance ...f6 -f5 gives him interesting play. 11 tieS 12 0--0-0 e6 13 l:the1 0--0-0 This move, associated with free development, also does not cause Black any great problems. 7 ifas The black queen comes into play with gain of time. 8 ..txf6 gxf6 The resulting positions are similar to the preceding variation - Black aims fo r ...f6 -f5 . 9 lbb3 Other tries by White: 9 f4 f5!?(the most thematic) 10 tbb3 ifd8 11 ifd3 lbb4 12 ifd2 The opening can be regarded as ..tg7 and Black easily solves his completed, and its outcome is opening problems (Thipsay-Gufeld, satisfactory for Black: his two New Delhi 1984). 88 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 9 ().....0 tt:Jxd4 (useful simplifi ll... fS has also been played, but cation) 10 'ii'xd4 .:.c8 (not 10... the text move is more accurate. 'ii'c5?! 11 'ii'xc5 dxc5 12 llJb5!±, 12 g3 fS Short-Anand, Amsterdam 1992, but 13 f4 'ii'g7 I O ... .:.g8!? comes into consider 14 exfS i.xfS ation) 11 �h1 (if 11 tt:Jd5, then 11... 'ii'c5 is now good, and Black has no problems, Timman-Salov, Amster dam 1991; in Kotronias-Delchev, Peristeri 1996, White employed the new idea 12 'ifd3, and after 12 . . . 'ii'xc2 13 "ife3 'ii'c5?! 14 "ifb3 ! Black was in difficulties,but 13 ...f5 ! would have given him sufficient counterplay) 1l... 'ii' c5 12 'ii'd2 (after the exchange on c5 Black has an excellent endgame - he has the two bishops, a solid centre and good prospects on the queenside) 12 ... We are fo llowing Short-Salov i.g7 13 .i.d3 f5 with a normal game (Amsterdam 1991), which continued fo r Black (Chandler-Zaichik, Palma 15 .i.f3 .i.g4 16 c4 (Black is not set de Mallorca 1989). any problems by 16 i.xg4+ 'ii'xg4 9 'it'g5 17 'ii'd2 h5, when he begins action 10 tt:Jd5 on the kingside) 16... h5 17 .i.xg4+ 10 g3 also promises no 'ifxg4 18 llJe3 'ii'xd I 19 .:.axd1 .i.g7 advantage. After IO. . . f5 11 f4 'it'g6 with an eqpal ending. (the alternative is ll...'ii'h6) 12 .i.h5 'tWe6 13 0-0 .i.g7 14 e5 0-0-0 15 7.13 (l e4 c5 2 tt:Jf3d6 3 d4 cxd4 exd6 .i.eS Black's chances are not 4 llJxd4 llJf6 5 llJc3 llJc6 6 i.g5 worse (Balashov-Robatsch, Munich .i.d7) 1979). 10 � 7 'ifd2 ll ().....0 The most popular continuation. After ll g3 f5 12 exf5 .i.xf5 13 White plans the rapid evacuation of 0�0 e6 White's active pieces are his king to the queenside. However, driven back and with simple, natural in so doing he has to reckon with the moves Black begins fighting for the possible loss of a tempo after initiative (McDonald-Wang Zili, ...tt:Jx d4, 'ifxd4. I ,ondon I 997). Black's plan is simple and logical 11 .:.gs! enough - rapid counterplay on the SicilianDe fence 89 c-file, the exchange sacrifice on c3 being fairly typical. The introductory stage is complete - White has sheltered his 7 ltc8 king on the queenside, and Black is 8 0-0-0 ready fo r play on the c-file. An Other possibilities: interesting battle with chances for 8 lDb3 a6 9 0-0-0e6 (or 9 ...b5 !?) both sides is in prospect. I 0 f4 i..e7 II 'it>bI b5 I2 .i.xf6 gxf6 10 f4 I3 .i.d3 lDa5, and it is not easy to The most consistent continuation, breach Black's position in the centre aiming for pawn activity in the and on the kingside, while his centre. initiative on the queenside should The alternative is 10 .i.d2, rein not be underestimated - both sides fo rcing c3. After I 0 ...e5 II 'ii'd3 have chances. lhc3 !? (nevertheless; the quiet 8 f4 lDxd4 9 ._,xd4 'ii'a5 I 0 e5 II... a6 is also possible) I2 i..xc3 (this is the point of 8 f4 ; I 0 0-0-0 'ii'xa2 I3 f3 g6 14 'it>d2 'ii'e6 I5 'it>eI transposes into the main line) .i.c6 I6 ..tb4 d5 17 ..1xf8 'it>xf8 18 I O ...dxe5 Il fxe5 e6! (the queen exd5 tbxd5 Black gains compen comes into play along the fifth rank) sation fo r the exchange, sufficient to I2 0-0-0 .i.c6 I3 lbb5 .i.xb5 14 maintain the balance (Hjartarson exf6 .i.c6 (or I4... .i.a 4! ?) I5 h4 g6 Thorhallsson, Iceland I994 ). I6 .i.c4 .i.c5 I7 'ii'g4 h5 IS 'ii'g3 0- 10 h6 0 I9 .i.xe6 ..te4! 20 ..td2 .i.d6 and it Determining the position of the is White who has to fight fo r white bishop. 10 ...e6 is also quite equality (Groszpeter-Gyorkos, Hun possible, transposing after 11 e5 gary I994). dxe5 I2 fx e5 .i.c6 into positions 8 tbxd4 examined in the note to White's 8th 9 llt'xd4 llt'a5 move. 90 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 11 .txf6 roughly equal: to counter White's The alternative is 11 .i.h4. After spatial advantage and more secure 12 1 I I ...g5 12 e5 (or .li.e gxf4 13 king position, Black has the c- and lbd5 'ii'xa2 14 lbxf6+ exf6 15 .i.c3 g-files, which in combination with %:.g8 with chances fo r both sides, ...'ifc5 and the advance of the h Dely-Pietrusiak, Poland 1965) 12... pawn makes his position quite gxh4 13 exf6 e6 14 .li.e2 .li.c6 15 defensible, fo r example: l:.he1 :lg8 (Black must take control 12 .li.c4'i'c5 13 .i.b3 'i'xd4 14 of the g-file; after 15... .tx g2? 16 :xd4 l:.g8 15 g3 h5+ and Black .li.g4! there is the impending threat successfully employs his trumps of .i.xe6) 16 .li.f3 .li.xf3 17 gxf3 (Lahende-Wittmann, Moscow 1994). %:.g2! 18 %:.e5 (after 18 'ii'd3 'ii'a6 ! 19 12 f5h5 13 �b1 'ii'cs 14 'ii'd3 h4 'ii'e3 :c5 20 l:.d4 'ii'c6 Black takes 15 .li.e2 .li.h6 16 liJds .tgs 17 l:.hfl the initiative, Riemersma-Cifuentes, aS! with chances for both sides Amsterdam 1987) 18... 'ii' c7 19 l:.e4 (Dolmatov-Dorfinan, Tashkent 1980). 'ii'c5 (Camp-Estevez, Kardenas 12 �b1 'ii'cs 13 'ii'd2 (if 13 'ii'xcS 1988). And here, against the most accurate is 13 ...dxcS !, M.Gurevich's recommendation of retaining the option of ...e7-e6 20 f5 ;!;, possible is 20 ...'i'xf 5!? 21 against f4 -f5, while 13 'iVd3 is met 'ii'xa7 ltxh2 22 'ii'xb7 'i'c5 23 l:.a4 by the usual 13... f5 ) 13 ...e6 ( 13... f5 %:.c7 24 :as+ �d7 when Black, is good enough to equalise; the text aftershe ltering his king in the centre move aims fo r more complicated behind the pawn barricade, retains play) 14 .li.e2 h5 15 l:.he1 .li.e7 16 sufficient counter-chances. .li.f3 l:.c7 17 fS .li.f8 18 'i'e2 h4 19 11 gxf6 .li.hS'l;e7 20 liJd5+? (this attempt to break through to the black king does not succeed; however, against passive play Black would have gradually taken the initiative - his minority attack with the a- and b pawns could have become unpleasant) 20 ...exd 5 21 exd5+ �d8 22 .li.xt7 .li.b5, and White has nothing to show fo r his efforts (Torres-Ubilava, Linares 1994). 7.2 (1 e4 cS 2 tbf3d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 tbxd4tbf6 5 tbc3tbc6) The critical position of the opening, which can be considered 6 .li.c4 Sicilian Defence 91 does not have compensation fo r his material deficit (Vel im irovic-Volvo, Krakow 1964). In Dubinsky-Vasyukov (Moscow 1997) White triedto improve with 9 ..,e2 •as ! 10 ...id2 ..,d8 11 lbd5 lbxd5 12 exd5 lbe5 13 ...ib3 a6 14 f4 !? It is possible that here he has some compensation for the pawn, but after, say, 14... lbg 4!? 15 lba3 lbf6 it is clear that he has to fightfo r equality, which indicates that 7 ...ie3 is inadequate. The strategic basis of this continuation, developed by the 7.21 (1 e4 c5 2lbf3d6 3 d4 cxd4 Soviet master Sozin, is the battle fo r 4 lbxd4 lbf6 5 lbc3 lbc6 6 ...ic4 the light squares. The drawbacks of 'i'b6) the move are that the position of this important bishop is determined 7 lbxc6 bxc6 early, and that it is rather insecurely placed at c4. 6 .. b6 This move, immediately attacking the white knight, is becoming increasingly popular. In this way Black avoids the main lines of the Sozin Attack, in which, thanks in particular to the efforts of Nigel Short, a great expert on this variation, a difficultlif e awaits him. Now White has to decide whether to exchange on c6 - 7 lbxc6 (7.21), or to move his knight: 7 lbde2 After strengthening Black's (7.22), 7 lbdb5(7.23) or 7 lbb3 centre, White wants to restrict its (7.24). mobility in order to begin play on It is not possible to maintain the the kingside. Black in turn must aim knight in the centre: 7 ...ie3?! ..xb2 to advance his centre and not allow 8 lbdb5 �4 9 ...id3 'ii'a5 10 ...id2 it to be fixed. ..,d8 11 lbd5 lbxd5 12 exd5 lbe5 13 8 � e6 ...ie2 a6 14 lbd4 'ilc7 and White 9 b3 92 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player Other tries: 9 'tiel leads to the main variation after9 ...lbd7 10 b3 .i.e7. 9 .i.f4 'tic7 I 0 'tWe2 e5 promises White little. 9 .i.g5is met by 9 ...'tWc5 !, when Black seizes the initiative (Stanciu Mititelu, Romania 1966). 9 .i.e7 10 .i.b2 � 11 'tWe2 lbd7 Black has two other alternatives: The blockading ll ...e5 12 After driving the white knight 10 il..g5 from the centre, Black restricts the If 10 lLlg3 Black has the good opponent's light-square bishop and reply 10... h5 ! 11 h3 h4 12 lLlgc2 prepares the development of his 'ikc7 13 f4 (13 a4 is more accurate, kingside pieces. with chances fo r both sides) 13... b5 8 0-0 i.e7 14 a3 lLla5, taking the initiative 9 il..b3 (Hector-Lemer, Genova 1989). Other possibilities: 10 'ikc7 9 il..e3 'ikc7 10 l2Jg3 a6 11 f4 b5 Freeing the b-pawn. 12 il..b3 lLla5 13 f5 lLlxb3 and Black 11 l2Jg3 b5 stands slightly better - he has deprived the opponent of his main attacking weapon, the il..b3, and White has not managed to achieve anything serious on the kingside (lvanovic-Fedorowicz, Lone Pine 198 1). 9 il..g5 'ikc5 (a fam iliar idea, forcing White to exchange his bishop) 10 i.xf6 il..xf6 11 i.b3 0--0 12 �xf6 �xf6 13 tbh5 �e5 14 f4 12 f4 �d7 13 f5 tbxd4 14 �xd4 �d4+ 15 'i2fh1 g6 gives him a exf5 ! ? 15 exf5 �c6 16 'ii' d3 l:tae8 reasonable game. 17 l:tad l �d8!= (Kindermann Gulko, Munich 1990). Black has 7.23 (1 e4 c5 2 tbf3d6 3 d4 cxd4 successfully relieved the situation 4 tbxd4tbf 6 5 tbc3 tbc6 6 �c4 and after the necessary regrouping 'i'b6) can fa ce the future with confidence. 9 . .. tbxd4 is also interesting. In 7 tbdb5 Onischuk-Yermolinsky (Wijk aan Zee 1997) White chose the sharp 1 0 �xd4!? (if 10 'ifxd4 e6 11 �b3 �e7 12 0-0 0-0 13 f4 tbg4 14 i.d2 'ii'c7 with a complicated game, De Firmian-Damljanovic, Yerevan 1996), and after 10... e5 11 �e3 �e6 12 'ii'd3! he seized the initiative. Black should have tried O1 . . . tbxe4!? 11 0-0 tbxc3 12 �xc3 'ii'f5!,when White still has to demonstrate that he has compensation fo r the pawn. 10 i.d3 White has also played 10 tbb3 White aims to exploit the position "ikc7 11 i.d3 e6 12 f4 tbc4 13 i.cl of the 'i'b6to gain time (with �e3). b5 14 'ii'e2 i.b7 15 a4;!; (Christ 7 a6 iansen-J .Amason, Reykjavik 1986), 8 �e3 'i'a5 when it is hard for Black to maintain 8 ...'i'd8 is also possible, but the his position on the queenside. text move is more active. 10... 'ifd8 !? 11 i.d3 g6 would seem 9 tbd4 tbe5 to be more accurate, with a reason Driving the bishop fr om its active able game (after the exchange on d3 position with gain oftime. the black queen does not come 9 . ..tbxe4? fa ils to 10 'i'fl tbe5 under attack on the c-file). (or I 0 ... f5 11 tbxc6 bxc6 12 0-0-0 10 tbeg4 d5 13 tbxe4! fxe4 14 -'i'h5+ g6 15 The active knight manoeuvres 'ii'e5 l:tg8 16 l:txd5! cxd5 17 �xd5 continue. Also possible is 10 .•• e6 11 with crushing threats, Kindermann f4 tbxd3+ 12 cxd3 i.e7 13 0-0 0-0 Zucger, Mendoza 1985) 11 i.xf7+! with a complicated game (Kinder li\xf7 12 'i'xe4±. mann-Fedorowicz, Dortmund 1986), llowever, 9 ...e6 is a reasonable and 10 .•. g6!? too comes into alternative: I 0 0-0 �e7 11 i.b3 0-0 consideration. Sicilian Defence 95 11 .tct g6 from the centre, Black prepares to 12 ttlb3 'it'b6 develop his kingside fo rces. An 13 'ife2 .i.g7 important factor is that the opponent's light-square bishop is deprived of its convenient post at b3, and White's attacking potential is therefore markedly reduced. White has three main continuations: 8 .i.e3(7. 241), 8 0-0 (7.242) and 8 .tf4 (7.243). Other possibilities: 8 f4 (after this Black can manage fo r the moment without ...a7-a6) 8 . ...te7 9 'iffl0-0 10 .te3 'fic7 11 .td3 ttlb4 12 g4 ttld7 13 0-0--0 .tf6 14 ttlbS 'fic6 (S.Gross-Michenka, We are fo llowing Illustrative Czechia 1994). Black has achieved a Game No. 8, Topalov-Kramnik flexible position of dynamic (Belgrade 1995) where 14 f4 ttlh5!? balance. led to double-edged play. 8 g4, when Y ermolinsky has made the interesting recommenda 7.24 (1 e4 c5 2 lbf3 d63 d4 cxd4 tion of 8 . ...i.e7 9 g5 ttlxe4 I 0 ttlxe4 4 lDxd4lDf 6 5 ttlc3ttlc6 6 .i.c4 d5 11 .i.xdS exdS 12 'it'xd5 0-0, and 'ifb6) Black's lead in development compensates for the pawn. 7 ttlb3 e6 8 'ife2 (the fam iliar idea of preparing queenside castling) 8 ... .i.e7 9 f4 'fic7 10 .i.e3 a6 11 0-0-0 bS 12 .i.d3 .tb7 (12... ttlb4 is also satisfactory) 13 �b1 0-0 14 g4 ttld7 15 gS b4 16 ttla4ttla7 17 ttld4 'fia5, and Black begins active play on the queenside - he has the typical manoeuvre ...ttlc5 as well as ...ttlbS (Ilincic-Kozul, Kladovo 1990). 8 .i.g5 does not promise White anything in view of 8 . ..ttle 5 9 .i.b5+ .i.d7 10 .i.xf6?! (better I 0 After driving the white knight .i.xd7+with equality) 1 O ....i.xbS ! 11 96 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player i.xe5 dxe5 12 lbxb5 ...xb5 13 ...e2 Black already has the initiative 'ii'a4 ! (Lukin-011, St Petersburg (Brooks-Fedorowicz, USA 1989). 1993). Black's position is prefer There is also the plan of a able. He has a long-range bishop, kingside pawn storm combined with good prospects on the queenside, queenside castling: and pawn control of the important 12 0--0-0 i.e7 13 �bl l:c8 14 g4 central squares (in view of which 0-0 15 g5 llJd7 16 l:thg1 llJb4 17 f5 the white knight has little scope). exf5 18 'ii'xf5 llJe5 19 'ii'f2 lUeS 20 llJd4'ii' a5 with approximate equality 7.241 (1 e4 c5 2 lbf3 d6 3 d4 (Cebalo-Zivkovic, Pula 1985). cxd4 4 lbxd4 lbf6 5 lbc3 lbc6 6 12 g4 h6!? 13 0-0-0 i.e7 14 h4 ..1c4 'ii'b6 7lbb3 e6) h5!? 15 gxh5 l1xh5 16 'it>bl 0-0-0 (in this set-up the black king often 8 i.e3 'ii'c7 slips away to the queenside) 17 9 i.d3 l:dgl g6 18 'iff2 l1dh8 19 a4 b4 20 Black opposes the manoeuvre of llJa2 'it>b8 with double-edged play the white bishop to f3 by developing (S.Polgar-Kotronias, Corfu 1990). his own bishop at b7: 9 i.e2 a6 10 f4 b5 11 .i.f3 .i.b7 12 e5 dxe5 13 fxe5 lbd7 14 i.xc6 'ifxc6 15 'ifg4 g6 16 0-0-0 lbxe5 with play for both sides (Tate-Yermolinsky, Chicago 1994 ). The attempt to temporarily main tain the bishop at c4 also promises little: 9 lbd2 .i.e7 10 0-0 0-0 11 :e t a6 12 a4 b6 13 .i.fl llJe5 14 h3 i.b7 15 f4 llJg6 and Black solves his opening problems (A.Sokolov Khalifman, New York 1990). 9 a6 12 g6!? 10 f4 b5 Useful prophylaxis. Of course, 11 'ii'f3 i.b7 12 ... ..1e7looks natural and good, but 12 0-0 it leads to lengthy, complicated and Other ideas are possible: rather intensively investigated 12 a4 (attacking Black's queen variations, and so the text move is side pawn chain) 12... b4 13 llJe2 more practical. l/\h8'? (aiming fo r c5) 14 c4 llJbd7 13 l:ad1 I � 0 0 ltlcS 16 llJxc5 dxc5 17 llJg3 Or 13 l:ae1 .i.g7 14 'ifh3 0-0 15 h 'i I 8 l:lfc I 0-0-0 1 9 i.c2 lt:.\g4 and 'ifh4 l1ac8 16 g4 lLlb4 17 i.d4 Sicilian Defence 97 lbxd3 18 cxd3 ..,d8 19 l:te3 lbd7 20 (b) 10 i.d3 0-0 11 ._,e2 i.d7 12 ..xd8 l:tfxd8= (Atek-Stajcic, i.e3 ...c7 13 f4 lbxd3 14 cxd3 b5 Budapest 1991). 15 l:tac1 ..,b8 (Kovalev-Ruban, Rogic-Kozul (Bled 1994) now Budapest 1989), in both cases with continued 13... l:td8 14 'ii'h3 J.e7 15 adequate play for Black; a4 b4 16 lbe2 h5 17 �h1 d5 with (c) 10 i.e2 0-0 11 �h1 (after 11 reasonable counterplay for Black. "iid2 i.d7 12 l:tad1 l:tac8 13 i.e3 ._,c7 14 f4 lbeg4 15 i.xg4 lbxg4 16 7.242 (1 e4 c5 2 lbo d6 3 d4 i.d4 i.c6 17 ._,e2 lbf6 18 e5, cxd4 4 lbxd4 lbf6 5 lbc3 lbc66 Velimirovic-Popovic, Vrsac 1989, J.c4 ..,b6 7 lbb3 e6) Black can equalise by 18... lbe8 !) 1l...i.d7 12 f4 lbg6 13 ..,d3 (White 8 0--0 has opportunities to go wrong: 13 i.h5?! lbxh5 14 i.xe7 lbg3+ 15 hxg3 lbxe7 16 g4 l:tad8 17 ._,d2 f6+, Rublevsky-Lukin, St Petersburg 1994, or 13 e5?! lbe8 14 i.xe7 lbxe7 15 i.d3 i.c6 16 "iih5 g6 17 •g5 lbfS 18 J.xf5 exf5 19 l:tad1 dxe5+ Minasian-Ruban, Moscow 1991) 13... i.c6 14 f5 exf5 15 exf5 lbe5 16 'i'g3 :res 17 l:tad 1 a6. 8 i.e7 Black fo llows his planned program, hoping in some cases to avoid spending a tempo on ...a7-a6 . 9 i.e3 9 l:tel is adequately met by 9 ... 0-0 10 Ji.f1 i.d7, when Black completes his development. 9 Ji.g5 lbe5 (or 9 . ..0-0 , also with fa ir counterplay) is quite popular: Both sides have chances. Black 's (a) 10 Ji.b5+ i.d7 11 i.xd7+ weakness at d6 is compensated by lbexd7 12 i.e3 'i/c7 13 f4 0-0 14 his good piece play and excellently 'ii'e2 l2Jb6 (Golubev-Serper, USSR placed knight at e5 (Paronian 1989), or; Serper, Tashkent 1992). 98 An Opening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player The immediate 9 a4 is also 13 l:.ad1 (towards the centre) is played: 9 ...0-0 10 aS 'ilc7 11 i.d3 also possible, but after 13 ...lbb4 !? (if 11 i.e2 the most accurate is 14 f5 d5 1 5 fxe6 i.xe6 16 tbxd5 11.. J�d8 12 f4 lbb4 13 J.e3 e5 with tbfx.d5 17 exd5 i.xd5 Black an acceptable game, Nunn-I.Ivanov, equalises by simple means. Lugano 1982) 1l...tbb4 12 f4 e5 13 �h1 d5 14 'ile 1 i.e6 with chances 7.243 (1 e4 c5 2 tbf3 d6 3 d4 fo r both sides (Dekic-Vukovic, cxd4 4 tbxd4tbf6 5 tbc3tbc6 6 Becici 1993). i.c4 'ilb6lbb3 7 e6) 9 'ilc7 10 f4 0--0 8 .tf4 Or 10... a6. 11 i.d3 l:td8 An interesting alternative is ll.. . a6 12 g4 d5 13 exd5 lbb4!? 14 dxe6 i.xe6 15 f5 i.xb3 16 axb3 l:tad8 (Minasian-Smirin, Moscow 1989). Black's active play and the slightly exposed position of the enemy king give him compensation fo r the pawn. 12 'iltJ a6 White completes his queenside developm�pt, immediately taking aim at Black's weak d6 pawn. However, Black has adequate resources to cover his central pawn and gain counterplay. 8 tbe5 9 i.e2 The capture on e5 is unfavourable: 9 i.xe5 dxe5 10 i.b5+ J.d7 11 i.xd7+ tbxd7 12 We are fo llowing Hartston 'ii'd3 a6 13 0-0-0 'ilc7 14 tba4 b5 Dorfman (New Delhi 1982), where 15 •c3 :cs 16 'iixc7 l:txc7 17 tbc3 after 13 tba4 tbd7 14 'iif2 b5 15 i.e7 18 l:td3 0-0 19 tbd 1 lbb6 and tbb6 l:tb8 16 tbxc8 :dxc8 17 c3 the endgame favours Black tbb6 Black solved his problems. (lstratescu-Arsovic, Belgrade 1994). SicilianDe fence 99 The exchange of light-square consideration) 16 g5 tbd7 17 .i.g2 bishops also achieves little: 9 .i.b5+ White retained an opening .td7 1 0 a4 (or 10 .i.xd7+ tbfxd7 11 advantage - he controls more space 'ii'e2 a6 12 0-0 'iic7 13 ltae 1 .i.e7 and has chances of a kingside attack. 14 .tc1 g5!? 15 �h1 h5 16 tbd4 0-0-0=i=,Mi los-Yennolinsky, Gronin gen 1996) 10... a6 11 .txd7+ tbfxd7 12 'iie2 .i.e7 I3 0-0 0-0 14 aS 'ikc7 IS .tcI tbc4 16 ltd1 :tac8 I 7 l:td3 ltfe8 and Black's chances are not worse (Bischoff-Lau, Gennany 1993). 9 .i.e7 10 .te3 'ikc7 11 f4 In this way White carries out one of the main ideas of his opening plan - after luring the black knight to e5 he advances his f- pawn with 11 ...tb g6, strengthening the gain of time to begin an attack on kingside, is rather more solid: 12 0-0 the kingside. 0-0 13 g3 .i.d7 14 h4 ltfc8 15 h5 If 11 lbb5 Black gains counter tbf8 16 .i.f3 h6 I7 ltf2 e5 with chances by 11... •bs 12 f4 tbg6 13 counterplay (Zaitsev-M.Makarov, tbc3 0-0 14 0-0 ( I4 g4 is strongly Podolsk 1992). met by 14 ...d5 !) 14 ....i.d7 (Niki tin). If 11 0-0 .i.d7 12 f4 tbc4 13 Game 7 (p.85) .i.xc4 'ii'xc4 14 .i.d4 (little is Damjanovic-Stein promised by 14 e5 tbe4 15 exd6 Havana 1968 tbxd6 16 .i.c5 tbf5=, Velimirovic Damjanovic, Vrsac 1989) 14. . . 0-0 1 e4 c5 15 e5 dxe5 16 fxe5 tbd5 with a good 2 tbf3 tbc6 game fo r Black (Zaitsev-S.Kisilev, 3 d4 cxd4 Podolsk 1991). 4 tbxd4 tbf6 After 11 f4 the critical position of 5 lDc3 d6 the variation is reached (see 6 .tg5 .td7 diagram next column). Where Grandmaster Leonid Stein was should the knight move? one of the greatest experts on this In Kasparov-Anand (Linares variation. 1994) Black chose 11... tbc6 and 7 f4 llc8 after 12 .tf3 a6 13 0-0 0-0 14 a4 b6 Sounder is 7 ...'ii'b 6, as examined 15 g4 l:b8 (15... .tb 7!? came into in the theoretical section. I 00 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 8 lbb3! too faces difficultprob lems. Already A strong reply to Black's plan, here he has to decide: to take or not depriving him of tactical counter to take? chances associated with ...'i'b6, 14 fxg5 since now he has to reckon with A far from unequivocal decision. it.xf6 and lbdS. 14 it.g3! looks more solid, retaining Less good, therefore, is 8 lbf3 an opening advantage. 'i'b6 9 'i'd2 lbg4!, when Black 14 hxg5 provokes favourable complications 15 .llxg5 lbg4! (Aseev-Smirin, Lvov 1990). The black knight returns from its 8 aS dangerous raid completely un 9 it.b5 lbg4 scathed, gaining as a reward the Black begins an audacious, risky strong central square eS. raid on White's position, but in such But the main thing is that White situations Stein was in his element. faces a mass of problems, the chief 10 h3 lDeJ of which is where to hide his king. If 11 'i'e2 lbb4 16 0-0-0 lbeS Black has the 12 it.d3 h6 possibility of ...a5 -a4-a3 combined 13 .llh4 g5! with ....ll g7, putting into effect his opening idea. After 16 a3 lbxd3+ 17 'i'xd3 'i'b6 18 .:tfl lbeS fo llowed by ...it.e6 the white king is obliged to remain for some time in the dangerous central zone. Best was 16 0-0!?, when it is not easy for Black to demonstrate the correctness of his pawn sacrifice. Alas, White immediately made a mistake... 16 it.b5? lbxc2+! 17 'i'xc2 it.xb5 Black has regained his pawn with Any classic would be horrifiedby positional gains. But to win he still such play. Black has neglected all has to display considerable re the principles of opening play: he sourcefulness and skill. has conceded the centre, moved 18 lbd4 it.d7 only his knights and pawns, and 19 'i'd2 it.g7 created weaknesses. And now he 20 lbd5 simply gives up a pawn. For what? Castling on either side has its The answer is simple: now White drawbacks. 20 0-0 can be met by Sicilian Defence 10 1 20 ...lbe5 !, while after 20 0--().....0 Game 8 (p.95) lbe5 21 �b 1 lbc4 fo llowed by Topalov-Kramnik ...a5 -a4 and ...' .. aS White's Belgrade 1995 position is unenviable. Therefore he provokes a crisis by attacking the e7 1 e4 c5 pawn. 2 lbtJ lbc6 20 l:tc4! 3 d4 cxd4 21 !IL.xe7 ...x e7! 4 lbxd4 lbf6 An excellent reply, fu lly in the 5 lbc3 d6 style of Stein. 6 i.c4 22 lbxe7 l:Z.xd4 It is easy to fo recast the Sozin 23 •xd4 Attack when Topalov is playing If White defends with 23 ...g5 , Kramnik. then 23 ...l:.xe4+ 24 �fl i.f6! 25 6 ...b 6 llfxa5 �xe7 and his king comes This variation is Kramnik's patent under a very strong attack. weapon against the Sozin Attack. No better is 23 ,..e2 cj;xe7 24 0-0 7 lbdb5 lbe5 with similarconsequenc es. An interesting theoretical duel Therefore Damjanovic prefers to developed between the samepla yers return his queen, if only to go into in the Novgorod Super-Tournament an endgame. ( 1997): 7 lbxc6 bxc6 8 0-0 g6 (this 23 i.xd4 move used to be considered 24 lbd5 lba insufficient for equality) 9 e5!? dxe5 25 :n lbxe4 10 •e2 'ii'd4 11 i.e3 'i'd6 12 l:tad 1 26 0--6-0 ...c7 (with this subtle queen man The white king is finally safe, but oeuvre Black has hindered as far as Black already has a winning possible White's typical advance f2- advantage. f4 ) 13 .f4!? (nevertheless; White is 26 !IL.e5 prepared to give up the exchange) 27 l:tfe1 f5 13 ...!1L.g4 14 'i'f2 e4! (the most 28 ltd3 rj;(7 sensible decision; after 14 ...!1L.xd 1 29 g4 lba 15 fxe5 ...xe5 16 !IL.d4 White has a 30 J:ltJ lbxh3 strong attack) 15 :de 1 !IL.f5= (White 31 lbb6 !IL.f4+ regains the e4 pawn with complete 32 Here if 11...'ii'b6 White replies 12 intending ltJc7+ favours White) 20 0--0 and then h2-h3 (12.. .' .. xd4? 13 Therefore it is dangerous to play A very important interposition. 30 ...'ii' xb2? 31 .:tbI 'ii'e5 32 ttlb6 34 �b4 �xd7 intending ttlc4oo. 35 ..tb6 Making way for the king. 3 5 ttlc5+'itc6 36 exd5+ 'ii'xd5 37 �e4 ttlxe4 38 'ii'xe4 .1Lf8! does not help. 31 ttlb6 White would have lost spectacu larly after 3I �b6? 'ii'xb2! 32 'ifxg3 �c3+! 33 'it>c4 �d7 34 ttlc7 �d2!, 35 'ii'xb2? but 3I 1:.bI ! ? came into consider In time trouble Black overlooks a ation, with reasonable chances of a pretty win. As shown by K.ramnik, defence. he should have played 35 ...ttlxe4! 31 d5! 36 ..txe4 'ii'xb2! with, fo r example, Complicating the position still the fo llowing fantastic finish: 37 further. .:tb i .:tc8! 38 ..tc5 (38 .:txb2 llc4+) 32 When he made this move, White the advantage, but whether it is reckoned that it was time for Black enough to win is not clear. to resign - exf7+ etc. is threatened. 38 J.c3+! But he overlooked a couple of 39 'ii'xc3 aS+ fantastic checks. 38 J.xb5+ axb5 39 40 �b5 'ii'xc3 exf7+ �xf7 40 'ii'xg3 'ii'c3+! 41 White resigns 'ii'xc3 J.xc3+ 42 �xb5 J.xa1 43 Since if 41 exf7+ �xf7 42 J.c4+ lbxa1 h5! was essential - Black has �e8! 5 King's Indian Defence: Four Pawns Attack 1 d4 ltlf6 This is obvious. But equally obvious 2 c4 g6 are the drawbacks to such strategy. 3 ltlc3 .i.g7 The time spent allows Black to The King's Indian Defence, our develop quickly and, exploiting the recommendation against I d4, is lack of piece support, strikeblo ws at played by World Champion Garry the centre. Kasparov as well many other Experience has shown that leading grandmasters, and fo r three Black's attack on the centre is decades has been the choice of one effective enough, and the Four of the authors of this book, Eduard Pawns Attack is not often seen m Gufeld. modern tournaments. The success of the defence stems from its flexible and universal nature: against practically any move order (apart from 1 e4) Black can achieve his favourite positions, with a broad range of possibilities fo r counterplay over the entire board. The diffe rent ways of countering the King's Indian are given in Chapters 8- 13, and in Chapters 14 and 15 we cover the Torre and Trompowsky Attacks. 4 e4 d6 5 f4 5 0--0 The history of the Four Pawns White faces a choice: 6ltlt3 (8.1) Attack dates from the game or 6 .i.el (8.2). Englisch-Tarrasch, played in 1885 in Hamburg. White's idea is very 8.1 (1 d4 ltlf6 2 c4 g6 3 ltlc3 .i.g7 aggressive and extremely simple: 4 e4 d6 5 f4 0--0) 'the opponent has conceded the centre- let's occupy it'. 6 ltlt3 c5 White's all-powerful pawn centre The most logical continuation. gives him a great spatial advantage. Black strikes a blow at the centre, I 06 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player offering to exchange his c-pawn fo r We are fo llowing Heuer-Zilber the central white d-pawn. At the (USSR 1963) where after 15... same time he aims to extend the jld7!? Black would have retained scope of his fianchettoedJ.g7 . his pawn with a defensible position. 7 d5 The positions arising after 7 jle2 If7 dxc5 Black bases his counter are considered in section 8.2. play on pinning the l£lc3 - 7 ...'ii' a5 It is clear that after 7 e5 l£lfd7 8 J.d3 (8 cxd6? is bad in view of White cannot maintain his centre. 8 ...l£lxe4 when c3 cannot be defen 7 a6 ded; if 8 J.d2 'ii'xcS 9 b4 1i'b6 10 J.d3 J.g4 11 l:lb1 l£lc6 12 h3 J.xf3 13 'ii'xf3 eS 14 J.e3 'ii'd8 1S fS aS 16 bS l£lb4 with adequate counter play, Dorfman-Sznapik, Warsaw 1983) 8 ...'ii' xcS 9 'ii'e2 l£lc6 10 J.e3 •as (the alternative is 10... �S) 11 0--0 l£ld7!? (a typical manoeuvre in this type of position - the knight is played to cS where it attacks the J.d3, at the same time opening the diagonal of the J.g7; also good is ll...J.g4 12 l:lac l l£ld7 13 •n J.xf3 14 gxf3 ltJcS 1S J.b1 l£la4!? An interesting plan, demon and Black's chances are not worse, strating the wealth of counterplay Topalov-Kasparov, Linares 1994) available to Black with the given 12 a3 jlxc3 13 bxc3 l£lc5 14 jlc2 pawn fo rmation. 7••. e6 also gives 'ii'xc3 1S fS . sufficientplay, e.g.: (a) 8 eS dxeS 9 fxeS l£lg4 10 jlgS .b6=i=; (b) 8 jle2 exdS 9 cxdS jlg4 - cf. section 8.21, p.1 08; (c) 8 dxe6 fxe6 9 jld3 l£lc6 1 0 0-0 a6 11 �h 1 t2Jb4 12 jle2 b6 13 a3 l£lc6 14 jle3 l:la7!? with a complicated game in which Black's chances are not worse (Petronic Nedev, Skopje 1995). 8 jldJ The attempt to halt Black's queenside play by 8 a4 is not very King 's Indian Defence: Four Pawns Attack 107 promising fo r White, especially as 10 bxc4 the inclusion ofthe moves a2-a4 and 11 .i.xc4 ltJb6 ... a7-a6 fa vours Black - the position of the pawn at a4 merely weakens White's queenside. After 8 ...e6 9 dxe6 fxe6!? 1 0 .i.d3 ltJh5 I g3 ltJc6 12 0-0 .i.d7 13 ltJg5 .i.h6 Black has good piece play (Ger stenberger-Gheorghiu, Biel 1985). If 8 e5 Black creates strong pres sure on White's break-away central pawns - 8 ...dxe5 9 fx.e5 ltJg4 10 .i.f4 ltJd7 11 'ife2 'ifc7! (Kouatly Gheorghiu, Bagneux 1983). 8 b5 9 e5 Black does not experience the After 9 cxb5 axb5 the capture slightest difficulty - on the contrary, with the bishop leaves White in an it is White who has to make efforts inferior position: 10 .i.xb5 ltJxe4! to equalise. Vaganian-Sznapik, and of his centre only ruins remain. (Mexico 1977) continued 12 b3 1 0 ltJxb5 sets more problems, but .i.g4 13 0-0 ltJ8d7 14 h3 .i.xf3 15 here too after 10... e6 !? (Black aims .:xf3 dxe5 16 f5 e4! 17 'ifxe4 ltJf6+. to open the position and to win the battle for the centre thanks to the 8.2 (1 d4 ltJf6 2 c4 g6 3 ltJc3 .i.g7 remoteness of the white knight) 11 4 e4 d6 5 f4 0--{)) dxe6 .i.xe6 12 ltJxd6!? 'ifxd6 13 e5 'ife7 14 exf6 'ifxf6 Black has 6 .i.e2 excellent play fo r the pawn - it is not easy fo r White to preserve his queenside from destruction. After 9 0--{) bxc4 H> .i.xc4 ltJbd7 11 .i.d2 ltJb6 12 b3 ltJe8 13 'ife2 ltJxc4 14 bxc4 ltJc7 White again does not achieve anything (Andersen-Engels, Nauheim 1935). 9 ltJfd7 10 'ii'e2 White should play 10 e6!? fx e6 11 ltJg5, but after 11... ltJf 6 he can still hardly claim any advantage. 108 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player This move order is directed lbc6!, and it is only White who has against the possibility in certain problems) 10... lbxc3 11 bxc3 lbd7, variations of ...i.g4, but often when the e-pawn is in danger: things reduce to a transposition of (a) 12 0--0 dxe5 13 fxe5 (13 lbg5 moves and the set-up with .te2 and h6 14 lbe4 f5+, Calvo-Diez del lbf3 is reached. Corral, Malaga 1981) 13 ...lbxe 5 14 6 c5 ..te3 lbxf3+ 15 .txf3 'iid6+ (Li Here too this is the usual move, Zunian-Gheorghiu, Dubai 1986); after which White has a choice - he (b) 12 e6 fxe6 13 dxe6 lbb6 14 can block the centre by 7 d5 (8.21) 0-0 .txe6 15 lbg5 .td5! and White or maintain the tension with 7 lbt3 has insufficient compensation for (8.22). the pawn (Badzarani-Verdikhanov, USSR 1989). 8.21 (1 d4 lDf6 2 c4 g6 3 lbcJ 9 cxd5 leads to a reasonable .tg7 4 e4 d6 5 f4 0-0 6 i.e2 c5 ) version for Black of the Modem Benoni: 9 ....tg 4 (a sound reply - 7 d5 e6 sometimes it is useful to exchange An alternative is 7 ..• b5!?, in the on f3) 10 0--0 (the central break is spirit of the Benko Gambit. But in not dangerous fo r Black: 10 e5 dxe5 contrast to variation 8.1, here 11 fxe5 lbfd7 12 .tg5 'ilb6 13 0--0 7 ...a6?! is dubious in view of 8 e5!, .txf3 14 .txf3 lbxe5oo) IO... lbbd7, when Black does not have ...lbg4, and now: which is possible after 6 lbf3. (a) 11 lbd2 .txe2 12 'iixe2 :e8 8 lbt3 13 "ii'f3 'iie7 14 :et lbb6 15 :e2 Little is achieved by removing the (Blokh-Plokhoj, corr. 1987/90) 15... central tension. After 8 dxe6 fxe6 c4! with adequate play for Black; (the simple 8 ...i.xe6 is also (b) 11 h3 i.xf3 12 .txf3 c4!? possible) 9 lbf3 (or 9 g4 lbc6 10 h4 (gaining the c5 square is a typical lbd4 11 h5, Mariotti-Gligoric, Praia idea in this type of position) 13 i.e3 da Rocha 1969, and here ll...b5!? 'i'a5 14 .td4 :res 15 b4?! (Black is would have given Black sufficient not worse after 15 :e 1 lbc5) 15... counterplay) 9 ...lbc6 10 Q..-0 'iie7 11 'i'xb4 16 l:.b1 'i'a5 17 :xb7 a6 18 eS dxe5 12 fxe5 lbg4 t]le e5 pawn lba4 lbxe4! 19 .txg7 lbdc5 20 'i'd4 cannot be defended. This variation lbxb7 21 .th6 f6+ (Kouatly-Nunn, occurred in the old game Zubarev Wijk aan Zee 1991); Verlinsky (Moscow 1925). (c) 11 :e 1 :e8 (both sides act in 8 exd5 accordance with the demands of the 9 exd5 position - White must support his After 9 e5 the play favours Black: central pawns, and Black put 9 ...ltle4 ! 10 cxd5 (or 10 lbxd5 pressure on them) 12 h3 .txf3 13 King 's Indian Defence: Four Pawns Attack 109 .i.xf3 a6 I4 a4 c4 I5 .i.e3 'i'a5 I6 into play, and his problem is to �hi (after I6 'ii'e2 :ac8 I7 'i'f2, advance f4 -f5, which will enable Lautier-Sutovsky, Tilburg I996, him to begin an attack both on the I7... lte7 !? 18 .i.d4:ce8 White does kingside, and on the d6 pawn. not have anything real) I6... .:te7 Black, in turn, must to everything (Black must watch out for the e4-e5 possible to restrict White's dark breakthrough - after I6.. . lLlc5?! I7 square bishop and to exploit the .i.xc5 'i'xc5 I8 e5 he ends up in a open e-file, the occupation of the difficult position; with the text move important e4 square playing a far he prepares to intensify the pressure from minor role. on the e-file) I7 'i'd2 (or I7 .i.d4 lLlc5 I8 e5 lLlfd7 I9 e6 .i.xd4 20 'ii'xd4 lLlb3+) I7... :ae 8! 10 0--0 .i.f5 This same position can arise after 9 •••.i.f5! ? IO ()-..{) :e8. Black, whose forces are harmon 11 .i.d3 iously deployed, can be satisfied Black does not need to fear 11 with the outcome of the opening lLlh4: ll...lLle4 (ll...lLlbd7 is also (Peicheva-J.Polgar, Novi Sad I990). good - he controls e4, and so he has In the game White was unable to at least equality) 12 lLlxf5 gxf5 13 suppress Black on the e-file, and lLlxe4 fxe4 14 .i.e3 .i.xb2 15 :b 1 after I8 'i'f2 lLlxe4 I9 lLlxe4 %he4 'i'f6 16 'i'b3 .i.d4, when his chances 20 �xe4 :xe4 ended up in an are not worse (Antoshin-Boles inferior position. lavsky, Leningrad 1956). 9 :es 11 lLle4 White has a protected pawn This variation is condemned oy outpost at d5 and controls more theory, yet it is the most consistent space. But the advanced f4 pawn way for Black to carry out his plan. prevents him from bringing his .i.cI and his play can be improved. I I 0 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player (Leningrad 1965) continued 14 .•• l:e7 1 5 f5 lbd7 16 fxg6 hxg6 17 'i'g4 with an attack fo r White, but after 14.. .lbc4! I 5 f5 .td4+ 16 �h 1 .tf6+ it is not easy for him to demonstrate that he has compen sation fo r the pawn. 8.22 (1 d4 lDf6 2 c4 g6 3 liJc3 .tg7 4 e4 d6 5 f4 0--t) 6.te2 cS) 7 ltJtJ 12 lDxe4 .txe4 13 .txe4 lbe4 14 liJgS After 14 'ifd3 'ife7!? it is not apparent how the hanging position of the rook can be exploited. 1 5 ltJg5 is unpleasantly met by 15... l:.d4 16 'ifh3 h6 17 'ifc8+ .tf8=i= (Black is threatening to capture the c4 pawn and exchange queens by ...'ifd7), while 15 fS is parried by the calm I 5 . ..liJd7 16 .tg5 f6 ! and 17.. . lle8 (analyis by Y.Geller). Wbite maintains the tension in the centre, hoping to keep his pawn chain intact. 7 cxd4 By opening the a 1-h8 diagonal Black begins play against the opponent's centre. 8 liJxd4 lDa6!? An interesting idea of GM Leonid Stein. In its time the creative duo Stein-Gufeld worked very fru itfully fo r the benefit of the King's Indian. Black intends to put pressure on the e4 pawn and his knights will operate I krc the game A.Geller-Feldman very harmoniously. King's Indian Defence: Four Pawns Attack Ill 9 �e3 of his king) 15 �xf8 1Wh4+ 16 �d2 If9 �there fo llows 9 ...lLlc5 10 i.xf8, and Black's initiative was i.f3 'Wb6 with the threat of verystr ong. ... lLlcxe4, while 9 .to is parried by But also after 14 1Wxd8 l:.xd8 15 9 ...�g 4 10 �e3 1Wc8 11 b3 i.xf3 �xc5 �g7 Black's chances are not 12 1Wxf3 tLlb4 13 0--0 tLlg4, when worse - he has active pieces and a theactivity of the black pieces is not slight lead in development. easy to suppress. 9 lLlc5 Game 9 (p.l ll) 10 .i.f3 .i.h6! Stahlberg-Stein A strong move, enabling Black to Yerevan 1965 'latch on' to the white centre and to exploit his lead in development. 1 c4 lLlf6 11 tLlb3 2 tLlc3 g6 11 'Wd2 e5 12 tLlde2 exf4 13 3 d4 i.g7 lLlxf4 l:te8 leads to equality, as 4 e4 shown by Boleslavsky. In a slightly 'roundabout' way, 11 e5 via the English Opening, the main 12 lLlxc5 exf4 line of the King's Indian has been 13 �a dxc5 reached. 4 �!? A flexible move, provoking White into premature activity in the centre. After 5 e5?! tLleS 6 f4 d6! 7 �e3 c5! 8 dxc5 tLlc6! Black achieves his aim - the white centre collapses (Letelier-Fischer, Leipzig 1960). Therefore the move order chosen by Black usually reduces to the main variations. 5 �e2 d6 6 f4 Thus the basic position of the The critical position of the Four Pawns Attack has been variation. Stahlberg-Stein (Yerevan reached. 1965) Illustrative Game No. 9 6 c5 continued 14 �xc5 tLld7! (a brilliant 7 tLlf3 cxd4 exchange sacrifice, based on the 8 tLlxd4 tLla6 weakness of White's dark-square A variation developed by Stein. periphery and the insecure position 9 �e3 l1Jc5 112 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 10 .tfJ .th6! 19 l:tcl .tg7 A subtle move, typical of Stein's 20 ltld5 Wc5 deep and artistic style of play. He 21 Wg1 now threatens ...e7- e5. 21 b3 b5! 22 'iigl Wa3 favours ll ltlb3 e5 Black. This move must be considered in 21 Wxc4+ connection with Black's brilliant 22 �bl Wd3+ 14th move. 23 l:tc2 12 tDxc5 exf4 After 23 'it'aI ltlc4 the pressure 13 .tfl dxc5 on the b2 pawn is very strong. 14 .txc5 23 .te6 24 .te2? The decisive mistake. After 24 'ii'dl !? White would have retained hopes of saving the game. 24 1Wxe4 25 ltlc3 ...f5 26 'i'cl lDc6 27 �al ltlb4 28 l:td2 14 ltld7! The move of a great master. This idea may have stimulated the brilliant discovery by Kasparov in his 1990 World Championship Match against Karpov (3rd game). 15 .txf8 'i'h4+! An important interpqsition, which deprives the white king of a comfortable shelter. 28 lDxa2! 16 'it>d2 .lixf8 This tactical stroke emphasises 17 'i'e1 "fie7 White's helplessness. Black's attacking chances look 29 ltlxa2 'i'a5 very real in view of the insecure 30 .ltc4 it.xc4 position of the white king. 31 1Wxc4 'i'xd2 18 'it>c2 ltle5 It is all over. King's Indian Defence: Four Pawns Attack 111 32 .:tbl .:td8 3S 'i'c7 .:td3 33 ttlc3 'i'xg2 36 �a2 'ihe4 34 ttle4 b6 White resigns 9 King's Indian Defence: Samisch Variation 1 d4 tt'lf6 defended his e4 pawn and now has 2 c4 g6 plans for a direct attack on the 3 tt'lc3 i..g7 castled position. By h4-h5xg6 he 4 e4 d6 intends to open the h-file for his 5 f3 6-{) heavy pieces, and at the same time to exchange the pieces defending the black king - the i.g7 (by 1!fd2 and i..h6), and the tt'lf6 (by tt'ld5). If Black meets h2-h4 with ...h7-h 5, White's attack loses in swiftness (to open the h-file he now has to play g2-g4 and tt'lg3), but on the other hand he acquires the g5 square, the occupation of which by his dark square bishop together with tt'ld5 may cause Black definite problems. Having said this, players with White are increasingly rejecting the Here we will consider 6 i..e3 idea of a direct attack in favour of (9.1) and 6 i..g5 (9.2). positional methods of play. The 6 tt'lge2, like the other two moves, main drawback of White's set-up is is met by 6 ...tt'lc6, transposing into the delay in developing his kingside. one of the main variations, since The f3 pawn has taken away the after 7 d5 tt'le5 8 tt'ld4 c5!? Black lawful square of the tt'lg1, and to makes this important advance with complete his development he will gain of tempo and solves his often leave his king's bishop on its opening problems. initial square, and play tt'lgl -e2-cl b3, thus keeping the central squares 9.1 (1 d4 tt'lf6 2 c4 g6 3 tt'lc3 i..g7 sufficiently defended. But such an 4 e4 d6 5 f3 (}--{)) unwieldy manoeuvre is bound to allow Black time to arrange 6 i..e3 counterplay on the central squares, The basic position of the Samisch and in the resulting sharp middle Variation. White has securely game the outcome often depends on Kings Indian Defence: Samisch Variation 115 whether or not White can maintain 7 .li.d3?! (this allows Black to control of the key d4 square. occupy d4 in 'classic' style) 7 ...c5 ! 6 �c6! 8 dS (8 �ge2 �hS 9 .li.c2 exd4 1 0 �xd4 'ii'h4+ 11 .li.f2 'ii'gS:f, Hess Fischer, corr. 1967) 8 ...�4 9 �ge2 �hS 10 'ii'd2 cS 11 dxc6 (if 11 0-0-0?! a6 12 �g3 �f4 13 .li.xf4 exf4 14 �ge2 bS - a classic demon stration of the strength of a central outpost; the white pieces are prac tically helpless - 15 �xd4 .li.xd4 16 'ii'xf4 bxc4 17 .li.xc4 %:tb8 18 "it'd2 "it'aS+, Paroulke-Kausek, corr. 1984) ll...bxc6 12 0-0 %:tb8 13 %:tab1 fS:f (Siiwa-Bobotsov, Marianske Lazne 1961). In contrast to White, engaged in 7 'ii'dl (a radical way of carrying building up his powerful pawn out the plan of a direct attack on the wedge, Black develops! He has black castled position. White re available a wide range of weapons, frains from developing his kingside including the typical pawns attacks pieces, and plans 0-0-0, h2-h4- ...b7-b5 (after ...a7-a6 and .. J�b8) h5xg6, .li.h6xg7 and 'ii'h6. Black, as and ...e7-e5 (usually accompanied usual, prepares a counter-offensive by the invasion of his knight at d4 ), on the queenside by ...a7-a6, ...l:b8 and also, in the event of the b-file and ...b7 -b5, and in some cases being opened, ...d6 -d5, which often invades with his knight at d4 - in involves a pawn sacrifice fo r the this case the absence of the knight sake of opening lines. from e2 will be rather keenly fe lt!) 7 ttJgel 7 ...a6 and now: Other tries: (a) 8 dS!? �eS 9 .li.h6 .li.xh6! (a 7 d5?! (a clearly premature stabil standard idea - Black gains time fo r ising of the centre: now Black counterplay in the centre) I 0 'ii'xh6 makes the fr eeing advance ...c7-c5 , cS!=, and the white queen has to fo rcing the exchange on c6, and return empty-handed; gains the better chances) 7 ...�eS 8 (b) 8 g4 (also premature - Black 'i'd2 a6 9 .li.e2 cS ! 1 0 dxc6 bxc6 11 gains counterplay by establishing l::td1 (11 f4 ?! �eg4 12 h3 �xe3 13 his knight at d4) 8 ...e5 ! 9 dS tt'ld4 'i'xe3 l:b8 14 0-0-0 �xe4!-+, I 0 0-0-0 cS 11 dxc6 (practically Faber-Hildama, corr. 1978) 11... fo rced, but now Black opens a file "it'aS :f. against the king, and it is White who 116 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player has to exercise caution) 11... bxc6 (e1) 9 cxb5?! (accepting the sacri 12 g5 tbe8 13 h4 'ili'aS=i=; fice isdangerous) 9 ...axb5 1 0 .ltxb5 (c) 8 l:b1 (White tries to restrict tba5 11 �b I ( 11 .i.h6 c6 12 .i.xg7 the black cavalry, but since he is �xg7 13 .i.d3, Christiansen-Hjartar behind in development this can son, Szirak 1987, 13 ...'ii' b6! 14 e5 hardly be effective) 8 ...l:b8 9 b4 e5 tbd5 15 tbxdS cxd5 16 tbe2 .i.a6+, 1 0 d5 tbd4 11 tbge2 and neverthe Hj artarson) ll.. . .i.a6 12 .i.xa6 %ha6 less 11.. .c5 ! 12 dxc6 bxc6 (a 13 'ili'd3 'ili'a8 14 tbge2 l:b8 15 .i.cl standard pawn sacrifice for the sake e6! 16 h4 d5 17 h5 tbc4+ (Peturs of opening lines; additional factors son-Gufeld, Hastings 1986/7); are the opposition of the rooks and (e2) 9 h4 h5 10 .ih6 e5 11 tbge2 the fact that Black can 'latch on' to bxc4 12 g4 .ltxh6 13 'ifxh6 .i.xg4! the b4 pawn) 13 tbxd4 exd4 14 (a typical sacrifice) 14 fxg4 (weaker .i.xd4 l:e8! 15 .i.e2 c5 16 bxc5 is 14 l:g 1 .i.xf3 15 tbf4?!, Dol tbxe4! 17 fxe4 �4++ (Lputian matov-Thorsteins, Polanica Zdroj Kasparov, USSR 1976); 1987, 15... exf 4 16 .i.xc4 d5! - a (d) 8 .i.d3 (the quietest positional simple refutation: the attack clearly plan, aimed at the harmonious does not compensate fo r the sac completion of White's development; rificed piece - 17 tbxdS .i.xe4-+) however, the d4 square is inevitably 14... tbxg4 15 'ifd2 tbf2 16 l:h2. weakened, which Black immediate ly exploits) 8 ...e5 9 d5 tbd4 10 tbge2 tbd7!? (another typical proce dure in the battle for d4 - the knight uncovers the 'X-ray' of the .ig7; often, with the same idea, the knight is moved to hS) 11 0---0 c5 12 dxc6 bxc6 13 b4!? (13 l:ad1=) 13 ....i.b7 14 l:ad 1 aS! 15 b5 c5 16 f4 (Kamsky-Hjartarson, Biel 1993) 16... f5 !? 17 tbg3 g5! 18 tbxfS tbxf5 19 exf5 exf4 20 .i.f2ao (Kamsky); (e) 8 (k)-0 (the classic continu ation of the attack) 8 ...b5 ! (Gufeld's White seems to have everything brilliant rejoinder: Black offers a in order, but by including his second pawn sacrifice to open lines, knight in the attack Black gains a effectively leading to a position clear advantage: 16... tbb 4+. from the Benko Gambit, where 7 a6 White has castled queenside), when 8 'ii'dl White has: Other possibilities fo r White: Kings Indian Defence: Samisch Variation I I 7 8 :r.ct i..d7 9 Wd2 - see 9 l:.cl. l:.bi Wd8!+), Nikitin-Makaryev, 8 dS lbes 9 lbg3 c6 10 a4 (10 Jurmala I992) 10... bS, and now: i..e2?! bS 11 cxbS axbS 12 dxc6 (a) 11 lbb3 bxc4 12 i.xc4 lbxb4! b4f) lO... cxd S I I cxdS e6! I2 i..e2 13 axb4 Wxb4 14 Wd3 dS! (a trap! exdS 13 exdS l:.e8 14 Wd2 (I4 if IS exdS? i.fS+ or IS i..xa6? i..d4?! 'ii'aS IS Wb3 lbd3+ 16 8 h4!? hS 9 �c l �d7! (extending 8 :b8 the diagonal; 9 ...eS 10 dS �d4 l 1 9 h4 �b3 �xb3 12 1!fxb3 �d7!? 13 0- An aggressive plan, demanding 0-0 fS 14 �e2 b6 IS 'ifc2 �f6= is precise action on the part of Black. also satisfactory, as in the Salov White's other possibilities: Dorfinan game) 10 �b3 aS ! 11 a4 9 d5 �eS 10 �d4 (or 10 �g3 c6 (11 dS!? �ceS 12 �d4 cS 13 �dbS 11 f4 �eg4 12 �a7 l%a8 13 �gl, �b6 Ll ... f7-fSao) ll...�b4 12 'ifd2. Hort-Bukic, Lj ubljana!Portoroz 1977, 13 ...�7 !? with adequate play for Black) lO . . . cS! (a typical method of counterplay) 11 dxc6 bxc6 12 :b 1 (12 f4 ?! is strongly met by 12... cS !=i=) 12... cS 13 �c2 �h5 14 �e2 f5 with active possibilities for Black over the entire front (Hess-Westerinen, Weissbaden 1981). 9 a4 (this attempt to stop Black's queenside play is ineffective) 9 ...e5 10 dS �aS ! 11 �c l cS 12 :bl (or 12 �e2 �d7 13 0-0 fS 14 l:tbl f4 If 12 �e2 b6 13 g4?! hxg4 14 lS �f2 b6 16 b4 cxb4 17 :xb4 �cS fxg4 cS 1S hS cxd4 16 �xd4 �cS and Black's active pieces give him Black has a clear advantage the more pleasant position) 12... b6 (Spassky-Fischer, Belgrade 1992). 13 b4 cxb4 14 l:txb4 �d7 15 �e2 Now after 12... b6 fo llowed by �cS 16 0-0 fS =i= with a complicated ...c7-cS Black gains adequate play. game (Gligbric-Gufeld, Belgrade 1974). 9 :bt b5 10 cxb5 axb5 11 b4 e5! 12 d5 �e7 13 �cl �d7 14 g4 �e8 lS .ie2 fS 16 �b3 �f6 17 :g 1 r.th8 18 �aS cS!= (Poulton-Down, Dublin 1991). 9 l:tcl �d7 10 b3 !? (10 g3 b5 11 cxb5 axbS 12 �g2 eS 13 d5 �aS 14 b3 b4 lS �d l �bS=, Averbakh Gipslis, Baku 1961) 1 0 ...b5 11 cxbS axbS 12 dS �eS 13 �d4 'ife8 14 a3 e6ao (Van der Sterren-Barlov, Dieren 1986). Kings Indian Defence: Siimisch Variation 119 9 lld1 b5 1 0 tLlcl (l0 cxb5 axb5 (a) 11 d5 tLla5 (or 1l...tLld4, and 11 tLlc1 b4 12 tLl3e2 e5 13 d5 tLla5 ! if 12 0-0-0 c5 13 dxc6 bxc6 14 14 tLlg3 tLle8 15 i.e2 c5!=) 10 ...e5 tLlxd4 exd4 15 l:txd4 llxb2!, 11 d5 ( 11 dxe5 b4 12 tLld5 tLlxe5 13 N.Littlewood-Neat, England 1979) i.e2 tLlxd5 14 cxd5 f5 !.:o, Botvinnik 12 tLlg3 c5 13 .:tc l (13 h4 .i.d7! 14 Stein, USSR 1963) 11...tLld4 12 h5 b5!=F, Petumi-Gufeld, Los tLlb3 tLlxb3 13 axb3 i.d7 14 .i.d3 Angeles 1987) 13 ...i.d7 14 b3 b5 15 tLlh5 15 0-0 tLlf4 16 i.b 1 f5 = cxb5 axb5 16 tLld1 tLlb7 17 l:tc2 (Furman-Ilivitsky, USSR 1963). �h8 18 h4 'ii'a5+ 19 '6'd2 'ii'xd2+= 9 g4 b5, and Black initiates (Petursson-Gallagher, Saint John counterp1ay: 1988); (a) 10 tLlg3? e5! 11 d5 tLld4 12 (b) 11 0--0--0 b5 12 h4 (12 d5 i.xd4 exd4 13 tLlce2 d3 ! 14 'ii'xd3 tLla5 13 tLlg3 bxc4+) 12 ... bxc4 13 h5 bxc4 15 'ii'd2 tLlxg4! 16 fxg4 :Xb2-+ (13 d5!? tLla5 14 h5 'ii'e7=F) 13... 'ii' e7 (Agarwal-Gufeld, Calcutta 1992); 14 g4 exd4 15 tLlxd4 tLlxd4 16 .:txd4 (b) 10 cxb5 axb5 11 i.h6 i.xh6 i.e6 17 i.xc4 c5 18 hxg6 cxd4 19 12 'ii'xh6 b4 13 tLld5 i.a6.:o (Ban l2Jd5 i.xd5 20 i.xd5 d3!= (Yaplian Balogh, Hungary19 68); A.Kuzmin, USSR 1982). (c) 10 h4 h5 11 tLlg3 (11 Jth6?! 9 a3 .i.d7(or 9 ...e5 10 d5 tLle7 11 hxg4! 12 h5 gxf3 13 tLlg3 i.xh6 14 tLlg3 tLld7 12 i.d3 f5 13 exf5 tLlxf5 'ii'xh6 f2+ 15 �d1 tLlg4+ Boles 14 tLlxf5 gxf5=, Situru-Gufeld, lavsky; 11 gxh5 tLlxh5 12 0-0-0 Hanolulu 1996) 10 b4 .:.e8 11 .:td1 e5!=) 1l...e5 12 dxe5 tLlxe5 13 i.e2 'ii'c8! 12 tLlc1 (12 d5 tLle5 13 tLld4 hxg4 14 f4 tLlxc4 15 i.xc4 bxc4 16 c5 14 dxc6 bxc6 15 tLlc2 c5.:o) 12 ... h5 gxh5 17 tLlxh5 (Ward-Buckley, e5 13 d5 tLld4 14 tLl1e2 c5! 15 dxc6 Guildford 1991) 17 ...tLlxh 5 18 bxc6 16 tLlxd4exd4 1 7 i.xd4 c5! 18 .l:xhS l:te8! 19 i.d4 f6 20 0--0--0 i.xf6 .i.xf6 19 tLld5 i.e5!? 20 '6'g5 "fle7.:o,and it is not easy fo r White to i.a4 21 llb1 cxb4 22 axb4 a5.:o mount an attack; (Zsinka-Loginov, Budapest 1993). (d) 10 0-0-0 e5 11 d5 (11 h4 h5! 9 � b5 10 g4 - cf.9 g4, or 10 12 i.g5 exd4.:o) 11 ...tLla5 12 tLlg3 i.h6-c f. 9 i.h6. .td7 13 c5 (13 h4? b4 14 tLlb1 i.a4 9 tLlcl e5 - aiming to exploit 15 l:te1 i.b3!+) 13 ...b4 14 c6 bxc3 White's rather slow manoeuvring, 15 "flxc3 tLlxc6 16 dxc6 i.e6 17 g5 Black begins play in the centre: tLlh5 18 tLlxh5 gxh5 19 �b1 'ii'e8= (a) 10 tLlb3 exd4 11 tLlxd4 tLlxd4! (Kraidman-Portisch, Manila 1974 ). 12 i.xd4 i.e6 13 .te2 (13 0--0--0?! 9 i.b6 i.xh6! 10 'ii'xh6 e5 - after c5! 14 i.e3 'ii'a5 15 �b1 b5! 16 the exchange of dark-square tLld5 'ii'xd2 17 l:txd2 i.xd5 18 cxd5 bishops, the opening of the centre tLld7 19 i.e2 fS=F, Sebih-Egger, favours Black: Manila1992) 13... c6, and now: 120 An Op ening Repertoire for the Positional Player (al) 14 a4 d5! 15 cxd5 cxd5 16 e5 19... exf3 20 .txd4 .:.e8+ 21 tt)te2 tt)d7 17 f4 (17 'ii'e3? tt)xe518 J.xe5 (2I �fl ?! tt)e4-+; 21 l&>dI tt)e4! 22 d4 19 'ii'f4 J.xe5 20 'ii'xe5 dxc3 21 .txb6tt)x c3+ 23 �c2 .tf5+ 24 tt)d3 'ii'xc3 .:.c8+) 17 ...f6 18 exf6 tt)xf6 .:.e2+) 2l...tt)xd5 ! 22 .txb6 .txc3 19 .:.dt (Belyavsky-Nunn, Reykja 23 gxf3 :xb6 24 .te4 J.xd2+ 25 vik 1988; if 19 0---0 tt)e4 20 'ii'e3 �xd2 .:.d6� (Brenninkmejer .txd4 21 'ii'xd4 tt)xc3 22 bxc3 .:.c8 Riemersma, Wijk aan Zee 1987) 26 23 :abl 1i'c7 24 .:.b6 .tt7=, .:.hdl f5 ! 27 .txd5+ .:.xd5+ 28 �c3 Belyavsky) 19... b5 ! 20 axb5 axb5 lle3+ 29 �b4 .:.xd1 30 .:.xd1 .:.xe2 21 .txb5 .tg4 22 J.e2 .txe2 23 31 .:.d8+�g7 32 l:txc8 :l.xa2+; 'ii'xe2 .:.e824 J.e5 'ii'b6�; (b12) 13 .:.d1 .te6 14 tt)ds (14 (a2) 14 0-0 b5 15 cxb5 (15 b3 tt)cI b5 15 'ii'xd6 tt)d4 16 'ii'xd8 bxc4 16 bxc4 'ii'aS 17 .:.ac1 .:.fd8 18 llbxd8 1 7 .txd4 exd4 18 tt)dS bxc4 �hl c5 19 .te3 'ii'a3 20 .:.c2 tt)d7 I9 J.xc4 tt)xd5 20 .txd5 .txd5 21 21 f4 tt)b6=, Hjartarson-Nunn, exd5 .:.xd5 22 tt)d3 .th6+, Gheor Rotterdam 1989) 15 ...axb5 16 b3 ghiu-Ziiger, Switzerland 1991) (16 .:.rct 'fie7 17 a3 .:.rd8 18 b4 I4... b5 ! 15 tt)ec3= (15 cxb5?! axb5 l:tbc8oo, Ker-Gufeld, Wellington 16 tt)xf6+ .txf6 17 g3 .txa2 18 1988) 16 ...d5 17 e5 tt)d7 18 f4 f6 19 'ii'xd6 J.b3+, Zsu.Polgar-Gufeld, exf6 tt)xf6= (Karpov, Razuvaev); Wellington 1988); (b) 10 d5 tt)d4,and now: (b13) 13 tt)dS!? b5 14 tt)ec3 (bl) 11 tt)te2 c5 12 dxc6 tt)xc6!? (Reich-Reschke, Bundesliga 1992), - the weakness at d6 is not so and now 14 ...tt)d4 gives Black significant, Black's piece activity reasonable prospects; and pawn thrusts being more (b2) 11 tt)b3 tt)xb3 12 axb3 c5, important: when: , (bl l) 13 tt)ct b5!? 14 cxb5 axb5 (b21).13 b4 cxb4! 14 tt)a4 b5 15 15 .txb5 ( 15 tt)b3 b4 16 tt)dS tt)xd5 cxb5 (15 'fixb4 J.d7 16 cxb5 17 'ii'xd5 J.b7 18 'ii'd2oo) 15... tt)d4 .txb5+) 15 ...ax b5 I6 'ii'xb4 tt)e8 17 16 .td3 (16 a4 d5 I7 exd5 .trs 18 lbb6! (17 tt)c3 .th6 18 .tf2 'ii'g5, 0---0 tt)c2oo)16 ...'ii' b6!? I7 b3 d5! 18 Bobotsov-lvkov, Beverwijk 1966, exd5 (18 tt)xd5 tt)xd5 19 exd5 e4 19 .:.dI .tdTf) 17 ... .th6! (a typical with the initiative; 18 0.....0 tt)xf3+ 19 idea for exchanging the dark-square :xf3 d4 20 .tf2 dxc3 21 'ii'xc3 bishops, which favours Black with 'ii'b7�, in view of White's weakness the given pawn fonnation) 18 .txh6 at e4) 18... e4 ! 19 .tbl (forced: 19 (I8 .tf2? .:.xb6 19 'ii'a5 .:.a6! 20 fx e4?! tt)g4 20 J.gi .th6-+; 19 'ii'xd8 .:.xa1 + 21 �e2 .ta6+) tt)xe4?! tt)xd5 20 .tf2f5 .1. ....:.eS-+; 18... 'ii' h4+ 19 �d I 1i'xh6 20 tt)xc8 19 .txe4?! tt)xe4 20 fxe4 tt)c2+! 21 .:.Xc8 21 'ii'd2 'ii'xd2+ 22 �xd2 f5! 'ii'xc2 'ii'xe3+ 22 tt)Ie2 .ta6-+) (Lukov-Lanka, Geneva 1993) 23 Kings Indian Defence: Samisch Variation 121 exf5 gxf5 24 i.xbS l:.b8 2S i.xe8 14 gxhS d3 15 h6 i.h8 16 h7+ l:lfxe8 26 c;tJc1 l:.bS 27 l:.d1 l:.eb8� lbxh7! 17 i.xd8 l:.xb2 18 'ii'e3 (Lanka) - the weakness of White's l:.xd8 19 lbec3 i.d4 20 'i'f4 .lieS 21 b2 and d5 pawns denies him any 'ii'e3=, Korensky-Marek, corr. advantage; 1992/3) 12 ...lbd4 13 lbxd4 i.xh614 (b22) 13 i.g5 'i'c7 14 g4 lbe8= 'iWxh6 exd4� (Kraidman-Wester (Yanov sky-Stepak, Tel A viv 1966); inen, Ramat-Hashron 1982); (b23) 13 g4 h5 14 h3 lbh7 15 (c) 11 .ltxg7 �g7 12 d5 0-0-0 ( 1S gxhS 'ii'h4+ 16 'iWf2, (Stempn-Sznapik, Polanica Zdroj lvkov-Sofrevski, Yugoslavia 196S, 1982; 12 0-0--{) - cf. 10 0-0--{)) 16 ...'ii' xf2+ 17 �f2 gxh5=, 12 ...lbe 5«l. Karpov, Razuvaev) 1S... h4 16 g5 f6 10 lbdS lbh7 11 i.h6 (1 1 g4 17 gxf6 i.xf6 18 l:.g1 g5 19 lbe2 hxg4 12 h5 e6 13 lbdc3, Petursson Other attempts by White: 10 i.b6 bS and now: (a) 11 lbf4 bxc4 12 i.xc4 e5 13 (a) 11 0-0--{)- cf.10 0-0--{); dxeS lbxeS 14 i.b3 'ii'e8! 1S �b1 (b) 11 g4?! e5! 12 dS (slightly aS, and now: better is 12 i.gS exd4! 13 lbdS bxc4 (a1) 16 i.d4?! lbfd7 17 lbfdS c6 122 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 18 lt:Je3 .ta6! 19 .txe5 ( 19 f4 lt:Jd3 ...'ifxf3 with a complicated game 20 iL.xg7 �xgTt) 19... iL.xe5 20 g4 (Nunn); (20 iL.c4 'ii'c8 21 g4 �b4! 22 iL.xa6 ( c2) 12 iL.h6 tt::lxd5 13 exd5 tt::lb4 'ii'xa6+) 20 ...d5 !+ 21 gxh5 (2 1 exd5 14 lt:Jc3 c6 (Petursson-Nunn, Luzem lt:Jc5-+) 21 ...lt:Jc5 (Dydyschko-Gel- 1982) 15 dxc6! (15 i..xc4?! cxd5 16 fand, Minsk 1986) 22 hxg6 tt::lxb3 tt::lxd5 i..xh6 17 'ii'xh6 lt:Jxd5 18 23 axb3 �xb3 24 lt:Jexd5 cxd5+; iL.xd5 i..f5!+, Hurme-Nunn, (a2) 16 'ii'c2 i..d7 17 iL.d4 'it>h7 Helsinki 1983) 15... d5 ! 16 g4 i..xh6 (Vaganian-Nunn, Skelleftea 1989) 17 'ifxh6 'ii'b6 18 l:.h2 'ii'xc6 19 18lt:Jh3co(Nunn); gxh5! i..f5 20 i..h3co(Nunn); (b) 11 i..h6 e5! (here too the (c3) 12 tt::lxf6+ i..xf6 13 g4 lt:Jb4 exchange of bishops favours Black - 14 tt::lc3 c5 15 i..xc4 cxd4 16 i..xd4 the i..g7 is passive) 12 i..xg7 (12 'ilc7 17 i..b3, and now Black has tt::ld5 i..xh6! 13 'ii'xh6 bxc4 14 g4?! two good possibilities: iL.xg4! 15 lt:Jxf6+ 'ii'xf6 16 fxg4 ( c3 1) 17... i.. xd4 18 'ifxd4 i..e6 exd4+, Kragelj-Levacich, Pula 19 gxhS i..xb3 20 axb3 'iia5!? 1963) 12 .. .C�xg7, and now: (20 ...lt:Ja2+ 21 'iii>c2 l:.b4 22 ._,d2 (bl) 13 d5?! lt:Ja5 14 cxb5 axb5 l:.tb8=, W.Schmidt-Sznapik, Prague 15 lt:Jg3 i..d7 16 lt:Jxb5?! i..xb5 17 1985) 21 �b 1 'ifxhSco (Novak 'ifxa5 i..xfl 18 l:.hxfl l:.a8+ Sznapik, Polanica Zdroj 1985); (Razuvaev-Aranovich, Lublin (c32) 17 ...i.. e6!? 18 i..xf6 i..xb3 1976); 19 axb3 exf6 20 gxhS 'ifa5 != (011- (b2) 13 dxe5 dxe5 14 'ife3 'ii'e7 Gelfand, USSR 1984). 15 lt:Jd5 lt:Jxd5 16 cxd5 lt:Ja5 17 lt:Jc3 It is clearthat in every case Black i..d7=, Plachetka-Babula, Prague obtains interesting, dynamic 1992; positions, 'Yhere White has to play (b3) 13 lt:Jd5 !? (Ionescu- accurately ,.to avoid ending up in Schneider, Stara Zagora 1990), and difficulties. now 13 ...bxc4 !? 14 lt:Jxf6 'ifxf6 15 10 eS d5 lt:Jd8 gives Black fair counter 11 dS tt::ld4 chances - his knight goes to c5, and 12 tt::lb3 the b-fileis of some significance; 12 tt::l1e2- cf. 9 tt::lcl. (c) 11 lt:Jd5 bxc4 - it is-useful to 12 tt::lxb3 open the b-file: 13 axb3 c6!? ( c 1) 12 g4 lt:Jxd5 13 exd5 lt:Jb4 14 Here, compared with the similar tt::lc3 c6! 15 i..xc4 cxd5 16 i..b3 position without the advance of the 'ii'b6! 17 l:.hg l (Kuligowski-Nunn, two h-pawns, 13 ... c5 is less reliable Wijk aan Zee 1983) 17... f5 ! 18 - in certain key variations Black tt::lxd5 ( 18 gxh5 f4 !) 18... lt:Jxd5 19 does not have the favourable i..xd5+ e6 20 i..b3 'ii'c6+ intending manoeuvre ...i.. h6! and ...'ii'h 4+. Kings Indian Defence: Siimisch Variation 123 14 i.e2 cxd5 15 cxd5 a5!? 9.2 (1 d4 tLlf6 2 c4 g6 3 tt:Jc3 i.g7 After opening the c-file, Black 4 e4 d6 5 f3 0-0) adopts a defensive posture on the queenside, preventing the restricting 6 i.g5 b3-b4. Weaker is 15... i.d7 16 b4;!; (Christiansen-Durich, San Francisco 1987). 16 i.g5!? 16 i.h6..txh6 17 'iixh6 i.d7=. 16 0-0 b6 17 %:.fc1 (17 ..tgs - cf. 16 ..tgS) 17... tLld7 18 i.gS f6 19 i.e3 tt:Jc5 20 ..tc4=. 16 %:.e8!? After 16•.• b6 17 tLlbS! ( 17 0-0 b5!=) 17... i.a6 18 l:tc 1 :c8 19 :c6 White becomes firmlyesta blished at c6. This move has the aim of 17 ..tb5 :e7 reducing to the minimum Black's 18 ()....() b6 options, and in particular of exclu 19 tt:Ja4 ..td7 ding ...e7-e5 . But in fact the 'long' Black has taken appropriate bishop move allows Black to engage regrouping measures and retains a with great optimism in a battle for reasonable position. It is hard fo r the d4 square. This aim is best an White to transform his spatial swered by playing his knight to c6, advantage into something real. as also recommended against 6 i.e3. 124 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 6 �c6! lLlc2 �e8 12 �e2 f5 13 0-0 lLlf7 14 7 �gel �e3 e5 and White has to take care 7 'ii'dl a6! 8 d5!? (if 8 0-0--0 b5 ! not to come under an attack) 1 O ...c6 9 cxb5 axb5 1 0 ii.xb5 lLla5 11 �b 1 11 ii.e2 b5 12 cxb5 cxd5 13 �xf6 �a6 12 ii.xa6 l:.xa6 13 'ifd3 'if a8 (after 13 exd5 axb5 14 ii.xb5 'ifa5 and Black's attack is very the activity of Black's pieces and dangerous, completely neutralising the insecure position of the enemy White's material advantage) 8 ...lLle5 king give him the better chances) 9 f4 lLled7 10 ltJfJ lLlc5 11 'ifc2 c6 13... ii.xf 6 14 lLlxd5 �g7 15 a4 (15 12 �e2 cxd5 13 cxd5 'iib6!? 14 bxa6? l:.xb2+) 15... axb 5 16 axb5 lLld2 �fxe4! 15 lLldxe4 �f5 16 g4 ii.d7 17 f4 (17 'ii'a5 e6! 18 'ifxd8 lLlxe4 17 gxf5 'ii'f2+! and despite l:.fxd8 19 lLlc3 d5 and the weakness White's extra piece, his position is of the b2 and b5 pawns gives Black in danger (Georgadze-Kupreichik, the better chances) 17... �g4 18 'ifa5 USSR 1980/1). 'ii'e8 19 l:.d 1 h5 20 0-0 �xb5 21 7 a6 �xb5 l:.xb5= (Sadler-Vogt, Alten 8 'ii'dl steig 1992). 8 d5!? lLle5 9 lLlc1 (after 9 lLld4 9 l:tcl!? A new idea of Dreev c5! 10 lLlc2 h6 11 �e3 e6 12 a4 White intends to place his pawns on exd5 13 cxd5 lLlh7 14 ii.e2 f5 15 f4 light squares (b3-c4-d5) and lLlf7 the white centre is insecure, prophy1actically defends his �c3, and e4-e5 leads to the complete concerning himself mainly with elimination of the fo rces; Black denying Black counterplay and retains sufficient counterplay, planning to develop freely with lLld4 Bragin-Kislov, Voronezh 1991) and ii.e2. Nevertheless this is a slow 9 ...c6 10 'ii'd2 cxd5 11 cxd5 b5 12 plan, and by denying White use of lLlb3 �d 7 13 l:.c1 l:.c8 14 ii.e2 b4 the coordination point d4 Black can 15 lLld1 l:.xc1 16 lLlxc1 'ii'b6 1 7 face the future with confidence. �e3 'ii'b7 and White can hardly 9 ...�d7 (or 9 ...h5 !? 10 b3 lLlh7 11 count on any advantage (Gomez �h4 'ife8 12 d5 lLle5 13 ltJd4 c5ao, Garcia Martinez, Bayami 1990). Novikov-D.Fedorov, St Petersburg 8 l:.b8 1996) 10 d5 (10 b3 !? e5! 11 d5 lLle7 9 h4 and White has no convenient Other possibilities fo r White: squares to develop his kingside 9 d5 (after this advance it is fairly pieces, while Black is already easy fo r Black to build up his threatening ...b7-b 5) 1 O .. . lLla5 11 b3 position - the white knight cannot c5!? 12 Jlh6 (12 dxc6 bxc6 13 c5 be maintained at d4, and it merely dxc5 and provided Black does not helps him to stabilise the centre) allow White quietly to complete his 9 ...lLle 5 10 lLlg3 (or 10 lLld4 c5 11 development, his opening problems 124 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 6 �c6! lLlc2 �e8 12 �e2 f5 13 0-0 lLlf7 14 7 �gel �e3 e5 and White has to take care 7 'ii'dl a6! 8 d5!? (if 8 0-0--0 b5 ! not to come under an attack) 1 O ...c6 9 cxb5 axb5 1 0 ii.xb5 lLla5 11 �b 1 11 ii.e2 b5 12 cxb5 cxd5 13 �xf6 �a6 12 ii.xa6 l:.xa6 13 'ifd3 'if a8 (after 13 exd5 axb5 14 ii.xb5 'ifa5 and Black's attack is very the activity of Black's pieces and dangerous, completely neutralising the insecure position of the enemy White's material advantage) 8 ...lLle5 king give him the better chances) 9 f4 lLled7 10 ltJfJ lLlc5 11 'ifc2 c6 13... ii.xf 6 14 lLlxd5 �g7 15 a4 (15 12 �e2 cxd5 13 cxd5 'iib6!? 14 bxa6? l:.xb2+) 15... axb 5 16 axb5 lLld2 �fxe4! 15 lLldxe4 �f5 16 g4 ii.d7 17 f4 (17 'ii'a5 e6! 18 'ifxd8 lLlxe4 17 gxf5 'ii'f2+! and despite l:.fxd8 19 lLlc3 d5 and the weakness White's extra piece, his position is of the b2 and b5 pawns gives Black in danger (Georgadze-Kupreichik, the better chances) 17... �g4 18 'ifa5 USSR 1980/1). 'ii'e8 19 l:.d 1 h5 20 0-0 �xb5 21 7 a6 �xb5 l:.xb5= (Sadler-Vogt, Alten 8 'ii'dl steig 1992). 8 d5!? lLle5 9 lLlc1 (after 9 lLld4 9 l:tcl!? A new idea of Dreev c5! 10 lLlc2 h6 11 �e3 e6 12 a4 White intends to place his pawns on exd5 13 cxd5 lLlh7 14 ii.e2 f5 15 f4 light squares (b3-c4-d5) and lLlf7 the white centre is insecure, prophy1actically defends his �c3, and e4-e5 leads to the complete concerning himself mainly with elimination of the fo rces; Black denying Black counterplay and retains sufficient counterplay, planning to develop freely with lLld4 Bragin-Kislov, Voronezh 1991) and ii.e2. Nevertheless this is a slow 9 ...c6 10 'ii'd2 cxd5 11 cxd5 b5 12 plan, and by denying White use of lLlb3 �d 7 13 l:.c1 l:.c8 14 ii.e2 b4 the coordination point d4 Black can 15 lLld1 l:.xc1 16 lLlxc1 'ii'b6 1 7 face the future with confidence. �e3 'ii'b7 and White can hardly 9 ...�d7 (or 9 ...h5 !? 10 b3 lLlh7 11 count on any advantage (Gomez �h4 'ife8 12 d5 lLle5 13 ltJd4 c5ao, Garcia Martinez, Bayami 1990). Novikov-D.Fedorov, St Petersburg 8 l:.b8 1996) 10 d5 (10 b3 !? e5! 11 d5 lLle7 9 h4 and White has no convenient Other possibilities fo r White: squares to develop his kingside 9 d5 (after this advance it is fairly pieces, while Black is already easy fo r Black to build up his threatening ...b7-b 5) 1 O .. . lLla5 11 b3 position - the white knight cannot c5!? 12 Jlh6 (12 dxc6 bxc6 13 c5 be maintained at d4, and it merely dxc5 and provided Black does not helps him to stabilise the centre) allow White quietly to complete his 9 ...lLle 5 10 lLlg3 (or 10 lLld4 c5 11 development, his opening problems Kings Indian Defence: Siimisch Variation 125 will be solved) 12 ...i.xh6 l3 'i'xh6 12 i.h6 - cf. 6 i.e3. b5! 14.!Llf 4 bxc4 15 bxc4 :Z.b4 16 h4 12 .!Llxd5 .!Llxc4 (Ljubojevic-Nunn, Amber 13 exd5 .!Llb4 Rapid 1994 ), and after 17.!Lld3 :Z.b6 14 .!Llc3 c5! 18 .!Llxc5 dxc5 19 i.xc4 e6! Black With the bishop at e3 this would has no problems. be impossible, and Black would have to restrict himself to the modest 14 ...c6. But here he seizes controlof d4! 15 i.h6 15 dxc6?! •as ! 16 i.xc4.!Llxc6 17 gxh5 :Z.b4 18 i.d5 .!Llxd4+ (Vegh-Vogt, Eger 1984). 15 i.xd4 16 ..i.xc4 hxg4 17 i.xt'8 Or 17 h5?! gxf3 ! 18 i.xf8 'i'xf8 19 hxg6?! fxg6 20 a3 i.e5+. 17 'i'xt'8 9 h5 18 a3 gxf3! 10 0--0--0 b5 19 axb4 :Z.xb4 11 .!Lld5 For 11 i.h6 cf Illustrative Game No. I 0 (Mestel-Gufeld, Hastings 1986/7). 11 bxc4 12 g4 Alternatives: 12 i.xf6 (with his bishop at e3 White could play 12 .!Llxf6+, but here this would involve the loss of a tempo and serious risk after 12... exf6) 12 ...exf 6 l3 ._,c3.!Lle7. This is practically the only variation that is not possible after 6 i.e3, but the Black has sacrificed a whole spoiled pawn structure is merely to rook, but the dominating placing of Black's advantage. Now White has all his pieces, plus his passed pawns nothing better than 14.!Llxe7+ ._,xe7 and the possibility of ...a5-a 4-a3, 15 ._,xc4 when the possible 15... f5 allow the situation to be considered gives Black the betterchanc es. roughlyequ al. 126 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player Game 10 (p. l25) blow in the centre with ... e7-e5 Mestel-Gufeld (White's d4 is vulnerable, especially Hastings 198617 with his bishop at gS). 7 liJge2 a6 1 c4 g6 8 'ji'd2 l:tb8 2 e4 �g7 9 b4 b5! 3 d4 d6 One of those cases where an 4 liJc3 liJf6 exception to the rule operates. Of 5 f3 0--0 course, this move does not 6 i.g5 strengthen the defences of Black's A popular move, hindering ...e7- king, but it enables him to gain e5, which at the same time provokes precious time to set up a counter Black into playing ...h7-h6, when offensive. the bishop retreats to e3 and White 10 0--0--0 b5 then gains a tempo for his attack by 11 �b6 e5! 'ji'd2. In reply Black must launch a counterattack. Where? In the centre, of course, since the white king is still there. 6 liJc6!? After 7 dS liJeS Black will fo llow up with ...c7-c6 !, achieving his main objective: he opens a second front and forces the opponent to divert his forces to the defence of his own king. White is unlikely to fo llow this path, which means that he will With the bishop at gS, here there prepare a shelter for his king on the would have fo llowed d4-d5. But queenside while maintaining the now, after 12 �xg7 �xg7, the move tension in the centre. Black must 13 dS has several positional therefore open a front on this part of drawbacks. In particular, White the board. How does· he do this? remains with a 'bad' bishop (his e4 Very simply: ...liJc6 !, ...a7-a6, and dS pawns are on light squares), ..Jlb 8 and at a convenient moment and in addition after 13 ...liJaS! it ...b7-b5 ! would appear that he is forced to And so the seemingly strange block the path of his g-pawn with 14 move 6 ...liJc6 becomes perfectly liJg3, which sharply reduces his understandable, as it also prepares a attacking potential. Kings Indian Defence: Siimisch Variation 127 12 .ltxg7 �xg7 and the e5 pawn, cut off from base, 13 dxe5 is weak. There is already no other sensible 17 'ii'd2 move. If 13 lt:Jd5 there fo llows 13... Practically fo rced. After 17 'ife3? bxc4 with a counterattack, which is tt:'la5 ! White does not manage to all the more dangerous for the fact coordinate his fo rces and comes that White simply cannot complete under a swiftattack. his development, his .ltfl being not 17 l:ld8! only 'bad', but also 'blind', blocked This pin is the basis of Black's in by the tt:'le2, covering d4. entire strategy. His knight continues 13 dxe5 the battle for the key d4 square. 13... tt:'lx e5? would be a positional 18 g4!? blunder. After 14 cxb5 axb5 15 tt:'lf4 A move which logically fo llows the enemy pieces suddenly come from White's preceding play. He too alive and the picture changes professes the principle that the best sharply in White's favour. fo rm of defence is counterattack, 14 W'g5 'ike7 especially as 18 'ii'e 1 is very risky: 15 tt:'ld5 18... 'ikc5 ! 19 dxc6 'ii'e3+ 20 �b1 There is effectively nothing else. (20 .:td2 bxc4 with the threats of The reckless 15 g4?! hxg4 16 h5 2I ...l:lxb2 and 2l...c3!) 20 ...bxc4 runs into the 'cool' 16... tt:'lh 7! (and 21 'Wtal i.f5 22 lt:Jg3 Ihdl+ 23 if 17 'ifd2'ii' g5). 'ii'xd I .:.d8 24 tt:'lxf5+ gxf5 25 'ii'b I 15 tt:'lxd5 c3 26 i.xa6 (if 26 b3 c2) 26 ...l:.d2 16 exd5?! 27 'ii'gl cxb2+ 28 �bl 'it'c3 and An interesting, but questionable White loses. move. Mestel realised that 16 cxd5 was sounder, but here Black gains the advantage in a quiet situation: 16... 'ikx g5+ 17 hxg5 tt:'la5 18 tt:'lc3 tt:'lb7 fo llowed by ...tt:'ld6 and ...c7-c6 . Therefore White gives up control of the important f5 square, but makes a desperate attempt somehow to activate his light-square bishop, relying on the tactical resources of the position. 16 f6 After 16... 'ifxg5+? 17 hxg5 tt:'le7 18 bxc4! White gains use of the e4 square, 18... hxg4 seems dangerous aHcr 128 An Op ening Repertoire for the Positional Player 19 fxg4 ..txg4 20 l:.g1 f5 21 'ii'e3 ! 'ii'g6+ 1 d4 lLlf6 includes the manoeuvre . ..'i'b6, the 2 c4 g6 advance of his pawn to a4, and play 3 g3 i.g7 against the white king using the 4 i.g2 d6 weakening of the light-square complex afterthe fianchetto. All this promises a complicated, diverse game with chances fo r both sides. 5 tLltJ This continuation, sometimes with a transposition of moves, occurs in the overwhelming majority of games. We will also consider the set-up where White develops his knight at e2, where it does not restrict the scope of the i.g2. This is the initial position of the 5 tLlc3�. when White has: variation with the kingside fian (a) 6 e3 (the point of this move, chetto by White - one of the most developed by Flohr, is that White complicated, diverse and dangerous firmly reinforces his d4 pawn fo r Black. without blocking his long-range With the flankdevel opment of his bishop; its drawbacks are that it bishop White intensifies the allows Black great scope on the pressure on the centre - the e4 and kingside and the knight at e2 is d5 squares, takes aim at Black's inactive) 6 . . . lbbd7 7 lbge2 e5 8 b3 queenside, and securely reinforces %:.e8 9 i.a3 (White prevents the his kingside castled position. He opponent from achieving his usually initiates play in the centre planned set-up of ...c7-c6 and ...c5- and on the queenside. e4) 9 . ..h5 (threatening ...c5 -c4, For a certain time Black should whereas the immediate 9 ... c4 can he maintain parity in the centre, and advantageously answered by I 0 g4 !) then after exchanging ...exd4 create 10 h3 (essential prophylaxis; alkr piece pressure against it. His arsenal 10 �?! h4! 11 .U.cI hxg) 12 hx�·. I I JO An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player ltJg4 13 .li.fJ tiJdf6 14 l::tc2 e4 15 (b3) 9 ttJxc6 bxc6 I 0 0-0 ttJd7! .li.g2 .li.f5 16 tiJf4 .li.h6 Black built (Black prevents b2-b3, supporting up a very strong attack on the king c4) 11 ._,c2 'ii'f6 (ll ...tiJe5 is also in Ivkov-Gligoric, Mar del Plata good) 12 ttJe2 l::te8 13 l:tb1 'ii'e7 14 1955) 1 O . . . a6 (exploiting the fact .li.d2ttJc5 15 l;lbeI aS. that the .li.a3 prevents a2-a4, Black initiates play on the queen side) 11 dxe5 dxe5 (capturing with the pawn takes away important central squares from the ttJe2) 12 'ii'c2 .:tb8 13 l:tdl b5. Black has a good game (Botvinnik-Smyslov, Moscow 1954); (b) 6 e4 e5 7 ttJge2 (if 7 d5 the active 7 . . . ttJh5!? fo llowed by ...f5- f4 is possible) 7 ...exd4 (the thematic move - Black relieves the tension in the centre in order to create piece play, exploiting his good develop ment; the alternative is 7 ... ttJc6, also Black has strong play on the with adequate counterplay) 8 ttJxd4 queenside (Najdorf-Bronstein, tiJc6, and now: Budapest 1950). (b1) 9 ttJc2 .li.e6 10 b3 'ii'd7 11 5 0-0 0-0 .li.h3 12 f3 .li.xg2 13 �xg2 tiJh5 6 0-0 tiJbd7 14 .tb2 f5 with a good game fo r Black (Botvinnik-Yudovich, Lenin grad 1939); (b2) 9 tiJde2!? (this move of Boleslavsky leads to sharp play) 9 ...ttJe5 (now 9 ....li.e6 10 b3 'ii'd7 11 0-0 .li.h3 is less strong, since after 12 f3 .li.xg2 13 �xg2 tiJh5 14 .:tbI ! White's f4 is securely defended, and if 14... f5 15 exf5 Black does not have 15...... xf5 in view of 16 g4) 10 b3 .li.g4 11 0-0 tiJf3+ 12 �h 1 ttJxe4 13 ttJxe4 .li.xa l 14 i.h6 .li.e5!? (14.. . i.g7 is dangerous in view of 15 7 tiJc3 ..txg7 �xg7 16 'ifat+ f6 17 h3 .li.h5 White's other possibilities: I M g4) 15 h3 .li.h5 16 tiJf4 tiJh2 17 7 e3 (in contrast to Flohr's lihh5 lilxfloo (analysis by Geller); variation, examined earlier, the ttJfJ King 's Indian Defence: Variations with JJ.g2 131 prevents White from comfortably advantageously opened) lS... iJ.. e6 16 controlling e4, which Black can :ad 1 'ife7. Black's pieces are very exploit, establishing a pawn outpost harmoniously placed. White has no at e4 with gain of time) 7 ...eS 8 targets to attack, and his centre is ltlc3 l:e8 9 b3 c6, and now: more likely to be a weakness than a (a) if 10 'ifc2, hindering 10... e4? strength. Black's chances are better in view of 11 lLlgS dS 12 cxdS cxdS (Zak-Simagin, USSR 19S2). 13 lt:JbS±, Black can play 10... a6, 7 'ifc2 (White plans to play his covering bS, or 1 O ... exd4 11 ltlxd4 rook to dl) 7 ...eS 8 l:d 1 'ife7 lt:JcS 12 iJ..b2 aS with counterplay; (avoiding the opposition with the (b) 10 .tb2 e4 11 ltld2 dS 12 f3 white rook) 9 lt:Jc3 c6 10 e4 exd4 (after 12 cxdS cxdS 13 f3 exf3 14 (beginning piece play against the 'ifxf3 Black can maintain his centre white centre) 11 ltlxd4 l:.e8 12 b3 by 14 ...ltlb6) 12... exf3 13 'ifxf3 . ltlcS 13 f3 (or 13 iJ..b2 aS 14 :d2 hS 1S ltla4 ltlxa4 16 bxa4 ltld7 17 lt:Jb3 JJ..xb2 18 'ifxb2 ltlb6 with a good game for Black, Salov-Hjartarson, Amsterdam 1991) 13... lt:Jf d7 (13 ... aS!?=) 14 .:.bl ltleS 1S ltlce2 aS 16 a3 hS (by these pawn thrusts, typical of this variation, Black fo rces White to weaken his pawn chain on both flanks) I 7 h4 JJ..d 7 18 JJ..e3 a4 19 b4 ltle6. The critical position of the variation. Both sides have carried out their plans. White is threatening to capture on dS, as well as to play e3-e4 with serious pressure. However, Black has his trumps: 13... dxc4 ! (he cannot maintain his centre - 13... lt:Jb6? ! 14 cS! .tg4 IS 'iff4 lt:Jbd7 16 e4 !±, Cherepkov Boleslavsky, USSR 19Sl) 14 ltlxc4 (if 14 bxc4 Black has the unpleasant The position is one of dynamic reply 14... lt:Jc S !) 14... lt:Jb6 IS lt:JeS balance (Salov-Kasparov, I.inart� s (after 1S lt:Jxb6 axb6 the a-file is 1991). 132 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positiona/ Player 7 e5 (b) 9 d5, when Black gains 8 e4 standard King's Indian counterplay by 9 ...c5 10 tt'lei �e8 II e4 f5 12 exf5 gxfS I3 �d3 'ii'f6 (Karlsson Kochiev, Tallinn I987); (c) 9 ..ie3 e4 10 �d2 d5 (now, with the bishop at e3, f2-f3 promises little, and White is unable to develop sufficient pressure on d5) 11 'ii'b3 tt'lb6 12 cxd5 cxd5 I3 a4 aS (also satisfactory is 13. ....ie6 14 aS �c8 15 'ifxb7 �d6 16 'ii'b3 �f5 with good play fo r the pawn) 14 :.ac i ..ie6 1S �b5 l1c8 16 :.xc8 tt'lxc8 17 l:tc 1 �e8 I8 ..if4 'ii'd7 I9 �h2 �e7, The strongest and most natural and after ...�c6 Black gains move. White seizes space and halts attacking chances on the kingside the black e-pawn. (analysis by Geller); After this Black is forced sooner (d) 9 e4 (best), transposing into or later to concede the centre (by the main line. ...exd4), and must then aim to 8 b3 (White intends to develop create piece pressure on White's his bishop on the long diagonal or at central pawns. His arsenal includes a3; however, this plan has the playing his queen to b6 or aS, the drawback of weakening his control pawn attacks ...f7-f S and ...b7 -b5, of e3) 8 ...lte8, and now: and also the advance of his a-pawn. (a) 9 e3 c6 10 ..ib2 e4 (this White's other possibilities are: advance .gives Black an excellent 8 b3 (preparing a post fo r his game after almost any other move bishop at e3) 8 ...c6 and now: by White, e.g. 10 h3 e4 11 �d2 d5 (a) 9 dxeS (this, with the idea of 12 cxdS cxdS 13 a4 �f8 14 ..ia3 invading at d6, does not promise any �e6 15 �h2 a6:f, Bischoff-Piket, advantage) 9 ...dxe5 IQ ..ie3 'ii'e7! Munich 1989) 11 �d2 dS 12 f3 exf3 (Black takes control of cS, since he 13 'ifxf3, and play transposes to the must watch carefully fo r the possi 7 e3 variation, examined earlier; bility of White penetrating at d6) II (b) 9 'ii'c2 c6 - Black continues to 'ii'd2 (or 1I 'ii'b3 l:te8 12 l:Hdl�c5 prepare ...e5-e4, simultaneously 13 'ii'a3 .ifS! with a good game) defending the d5 and b5 squares I I.. . li'lc5 12 :.rdI �fe4 13 �xe4 against invasion by the white knight: li\xc4 14 'ifa5 f5 15 �d2 �xd2 16 (bi) 10 dxe5 dxe5 11 �g5 �cS l:hd2'ii'f7 with equality (Smejkal); 12 l:.d1 'ii'b6 13 �ge4 �cxe4, and King 's Indian Defence: Variations with .i..g2 133 the attempt by White to occupy d6 in the centre and against the white did not achieve anything (Ala king) 1S b4 ltJce4 16 bS .i..d7 I 7 tortsev-Smyslov, Leningrad 194 7); l:tac 1 h4 18 a4 hxg3 19 hxg3 . (b2) 10 .i..b2 (after this the weakening of White's e3 is fe lt) 10... e4 11 lDgS e3! 12 f4 (if 12 fxe3 i.h6!) 12... ltJf8, and although it is clear that the e3 pawn is doomed, the initiative has passed to Black - 13 ltJd1 dS 14 cS .i..g4 lS lt)f3 .i..xf3 16 l:.xf3 ltJg4 17 h3 ltJh6 18 l:.xe3 ltJfS 19 l:td3 ltJe6 20 'iWd2 hS 21 h4 .i..h6 with more than enough play for the pawn - in some cases the sacrifice at h4 or g3 is threatened (Szapiel-Geller, Szczawno Zdroj 19SO); We are fo llowing lllustrative (b3) 10 l:td 1 e4 11 ltJgS e3 ! 12 Game No. ll (Timman-Kasparov, fxe3 (12 .i..xe3? l:txe3 ! 13 fxe3 Tilburg 1991) where the tactical ltJg4+) 12... ltJf8 13 e4 'ile7 14 e3 blow 19... ltJxf2 ! gave Black a great .i..h6! 1S ltJf3 ltJxe4 16 lDxe4 'ilxe4 advantage. 17 'i'xe4 l:txe4 18 ltJgS l:te8! 19 8 c6 ltJe4 l:td8. Black has successfully re grouped andhas equalised (Geller). 8 'ilc2 (White wants to post his rook at d 1, while managing without b2-b3) 8 ...c6 9 l:td1 'ile7 10 b3 (10 e4 transposes into the Salov Kasparov game examined earlier; by closing the centre, White allows his opponent play on the kingside - 10 dS cS 11 e4 ltJe8 12 lDe 1 fS 13 f3 hS 14 ltJd3 h4, F.Gonzales-Bernal, Spain 1996) 10... exd4 (beginning play on the e-file) 11 ltJxd4 l:te8 12 i.b2 ltJcS 13 e3 aS 14 a3 hS (note The most flexible continuation. Black's handling of the position - Black, firstly, retains the option of with typical pawn thrusts he restricts various plans, and, secondly, the mobility of the white pawn immediately opens the way fo r his chains and begins active piece play queen to active posts at aS or b6. 134 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 9 h3 cxdS li:JcS 11 'ii'c2 aS 12 li:Jd2 b6 13 Taking g4 away from the black li:Jb3 �a6 14 l:.d1 li:Jcd7 1S a4 l:tc8 knight, White prepares to develop with at least equal chances (Bot his bishop at e3. At one time Bot vinnik-Bronstein, Moscow 1945). vinnik thought that this move was a If 9 'ii'cl the simplest is 9 ... l:.e8 waste of a tempo, and he preferred 10 l:td 1 ..,e7, transposing into the the immediate 9 �e3. However, in Salov-Kasparov game. the 14th game of his first match with 9 l:tbl is a dangerous move, Smyslov (1954) Black fo und a aimed against possible actions by convincing reply to this: 9 ...lt:Jg4 10 the black queen on the queenside. �gS 'ii'b6 11 h3 exd4! 12 lt:Ja4 'ii'a6 But here too Black can reckon on 13 hxg4 bS 14 li:Jxd4 (or 14 �e7 counterplay: 9 ...exd4 10 li:Jxd4aS !? :.e8 1S �xd6 bxa4 16 eS cS! 17 b4 ( 1 O ...l:te8 11 h3! allows White to - 1 7 li:Jxd4 lt:JxeS 18 �xeS �xeS 19 transpose into a well-known posi �xa8 �xd4� - 17... cxb4 18 'ii'xd4 tion from the 9 h3 l:te8 variation, �b7 with a complicated game in which gives him a slight advantage) which Black has good chances, 11 f3 li:JcS 12 �e3 l:te8 13 'ii'd2 a4 Yusupov-Kasparov, Linares 1992) 14 l:tfd 1 li:Jfd 7 15 li:Jde2 � f8 14 ...bxa4 15 lt:Jxc6 •xc6 16 eS (despite its apparent weakness, the 'ii'xc4 17 �xa8 lt:JxeS and in a sharp d6 pawn in the King's Indian is a game Smyslov gained the 'tough nut', and it is almost impos advantage. sible to win it by frontal attack) 16 If 9 b3, then 9 ... 'ii'b6 is the most li:Jf4 'ii'e7 17 li:Jd3 li:Jxd3 18 'ii'xd3 accurate, transposing into the main li:JeS 19 1i'e2 .ie6 and Black already line after 10 h3, since 10 �b2 gives has the more active game (Novak Black a comfortable game: 10... l:.e8 Boller, Klatovg 1996). 1 1 l:.e1 exd4 12 li:Jxd4 li:JcS 13 ..,c2 9 ...b6 lt:Jg4 (or 13... a5 !?) 14 l:tad l li:JeS IS li:Jde2 �g4 16 l:txd6 li:Jf3+ 17 �xf3 �xf3 with excellent play fo r the pawn. An important defender of the king, the �g2, has been exchanged, and in view of the position of the rook at d6 it is difficult. to dislodge its opposite number from f3 - 18 li:Jd4? 'ii'c7! (J . Horvath - W . Watson , Budapest 1989). The immediate closing of the centre by 9 d5 favours Black, who occupies the open c-file: 9 . ..cxd S I 0 King 's Indian Defence: Variations with i.g2 11S Black immediately puts pressure idea of i.e3; less accurate is I 5 l:tbI on d4 and threatens the tactical liJhS 16 i.e3 'ii'b4, when all the stroke 10... exd4 llliJxd4 liJxe4! At same he has to play 17 'ife2 - it the same time he sets his sights on transpires that 1S l:.b1 is a loss of the c4 pawn (after ...'ii' b4). time, Botvinnik-Tal, Moscow 1960) 10 l:te1 1S... liJe8 (lS... aS !? is also good) 16 The most popular reply. Let us i.e3'ii' b4!? also consider White's alternatives: 10 dxe5 (relieving the tension in the centre gives little - Black obtains a convenient outpost at d4, and his queen can switch to e7 via cS or b4) lO... dxeS 11 'ife2(or 11 a3 'ii'cS 12 'ii'e2 'ii'e7 13 i.e3 liJcS 14 'ifc2 liJhS 1S b4 liJe6 16 :tfd 1 fS with sufficient counterplay, Donner Tal, Bled 1961) ll...liJe8! (planning to play the knight via c7 and e6 to d4) 12 Ji.e3 'ii'b4 13 cS b6 (im mediately taking measures against the bind on the queenside) 14 a3 Black's chances are not worse - 'ii'b3 1S liJd2 'ii'e6 16 l:.fdl liJc7 17 he controls the c-file and ...f7-f5 is cxb6 i.a6 with a good game fo r on the agenda. Black (Najdorf-Bronstein, Moscow If 10 l:tb1 the simplest is 19S6). 10. . .'i'b4 (1O ...exd4 11 liJxd4 liJxe4 10 d5 (White counts on gaining a leads to complicated play with tempo by attacking the queen with slightly the better chances for i.e3) lO... cxdS 11 cxdS liJcS 12 White) 11 dxeS dxeS (or liJe1 (neither 12 l:.e1 i.d7 13 l:tb1 11...liJx eS! ?) 12 'ii'e2 liJe8 13 a3 aS 14 i.fl :.res 1S i.e3 'ifd8 16 'ii'e7 14 i.gS f6 IS i.e3 liJc7 16 b4 liJd2 liJe8, Gheorghiu-Jansa. Bucha fS with counterplay (analysis by rest 1968, nor 12 'ifc2 i.d7 13 i.e3 Boleslavsky and Lepeshkin). aS promises White any advantage; 10 b3 is unpromising in view of with the text move he intends to 10... exd4 11 liJa4 'i'aS (or exchange the liJcS, but the loss of ll...'i'c7) 12 liJxd4 l:te8 13 :.e1 time involved allows Black liJcS (13... liJb6 is also good enough successfully to develop his forces) to maintain equality) 14 liJxcS dxcS 12... i.d7 13 liJd3 liJxd3 14 'ii'xd3 IS i.d2 'ifc7 16 liJc2 liJd7 with a l:tfc8 1S 'ii'e2 (afterdef ending the b2 comfortable game for Black pawn White intends to carry out his (G.Kuzmin-Geller, Moscow 19H I). 136 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player The attempt to refute the queen 10 exd4 move to b6 by tactical means After surrendering the centre, achieves little: 10 c5 dxc5 11 dxe5 Black beginspi ece play against it. lbe8 12 lba4 'i'a6 (12... 'ii' b5!? is a If 10•• J:r.e8 White can gain a good alternative, with the idea of slight advantage by 11 d5, or else attacking the white e5 pawn after transpose into the main line by 11 . . . c5-c4, as in Yusupov-Dolmatov, :.e2, so that Black has nothing Wijk aan Zee 1991) 13 .i.f4 (also better than 1 0 . ..exd4 . harmless is 13 .i.g5 5 14 lbc3 lbc7 11 lbxd4 :.es 15 .i.e7 :.es 16 .i.d6 lbe6, Hilbner Kasparov, Dortmund 1992) 13 ... liJc7 (the knight manoeuvre to e6 is typical of the given structure) 14 'ifc2 liJe6 15 :.fdl l:te8! (a precise move, combining prophylaxis with pressure on e5) 16 l:td6?! (better 16 liJc3, maintaining approximate equality; the rook move allows Black to seize the initiative) 16... 'it'a5 17 l:tad 1 (17 liJc3 c4+) 17... liJb6 ! 18 lbxb6 (if 18 liJc3 lbc4 fo llowed by ...b7 -b5; the l:.d6 is out of play) 18... axb6 19 a3 'i'a4. The critical position of the variation, where White has to parry the tactical threat of ...liJg4 . His main continuations are: 12 lba4�(the most radical way of preventing the knight move) 12... 'ii' c7 13 ..tf4 liJe5 14 'ifc2 b6 15 .i.e3 .i.b7 16 J:ad1 a6, and White must now concern himself with parrying the threats of ...c6-c5 and ...b6-b5 (Ivkov-Geller, Skopje 1969). 12 l:.e2liJg4 (not 12... lbe5 13 b3 ..txh3 on account of 14 lba4; also Black stands clearly better - the unfavourable is 12... liJxe4 13 liJxe4 c5 pawn is weak and White does not 'ifxd4 - 13... ..txd4 14 ..tf4;!; - 14 have any obvious compensation ..te3 ! 'ii'xd 1 + I 5 l:.xd1, when White ( Y usupov-Kasparov , Linares 1990). regains his pawn with the better King 's Indian Defence: Variations with i..g2 137 position) 13 .:.d2 (or 13 lL!c2 lL!geS Game 11 (p. 133) 14 lL!e3 lL!cS 1S .:ld2 i..e6!? with a Timman-Kasparov double-edged game) 13 ...lL!geS 14 Tilburg 1991 b3 lL!cS, and now: (a) 1S .:le2 lL!e6 16 lL!xe6 i..xe6 1 d4 lLlf6 1 7 i..e3 'ii'aS 18 :le1 lL!xc4+ and 2 c4 g6 White lost quickly (Lymar-Slavina, 3 lL!f3 i..g7 Y alta 1996); 4 g3 0--{t (b) 1S l:lc2 aS ! with a 5 i..g2 d6 complicated position where both 6 0--{t lL!bd7 sides have chances (Smejkal, Stohl); 7 lL!c3 e5 (c) 1S lL!ce2 aS (also interesting is 8 'iic2 1 5 . ...i.xh3 ! ? 16 .i.xh3 lL!xe4 with The main continuation 8 e4 IS fine counterplay) 16 i..b2 a4 17 .:tb1 examined in the analysis. axb3 18 axb3 h5 19 �h2 lL!ed7 20 8 c6 'ii'c2 lL!a6 21 .:la1 lL!dcS 22 i..c3 9 .:ld1 'iie7 lL!b4 23 'ii'b 1 .:xa1 24 .i.xa1 lL!ba6 , 10 b3 and in Lengyei-Geller (Budapest The alternative is 10 e4. After 1969) a draw was agreed, as White's 1 0 ... l:te8 11 .i.e3 exd4 12 lL!xd4 fo rces are tied to the defence of the lL!g4 13 .i.f4 lL!ge5 14 b3 tt:JcS 15 h3 b3 pawn; lL!e6 16 lL!xe6 i..xe6 17 i..e3 fS this (d) 1S lL!de2 .i.xh3!? (Black led to a double-edged game with carries out one of the typical ideas chances fo r both sides in Ma1anyuk of this variation) 16 .i.xh3 lL!f3+ 17 V.Dimitrov (Nis 1996). 1 d4 liJf6 ..tg5 it is not easy fo r Black to find 2 c4 g6 the optimum set-up) 6 ...e5 ! (after 3 lt:lc3 �g7 this reply White has practically no 4 e4 d6 choice and must exchange in the 5 liJf3 � centre, since 7 d5 lt:\g4 allows Black 6 �e2 to begin active play on the kingside) 7 dxe5 dxe5 8 'ii'xd8 l:txd8 9 liJd5 (9 lbxe5 is met by the typical 9 ... lt:lxe4!) 9 ...l:.d7 ! 10 lbxf6+ (after 10 lt:lxe5? lbxd5 11 lbxd7 lbxe3 White loses; Tal-Giigoric, Belgrade 1968, went 1 0 0-0-0 lt:lc6 11 ..td3lt:\g4 12 .i.c5 lt:ld4 with a draw, but in Tal's opinion Black already has the more pleasant position) 1 o .....txf 6 11 c5 lt:lc6 12 ..tb5 l:td8 13 ..txc6 bxc6 14 lbd2 (or 14 l:td1 ..ta6 15 l:txd8+ :txd8 16 liJd2 ..te7 and Black's chances are not worse, Barbero White plays the opening in full Khalifman, Plovdiv 1986) 14... %lb8 accordance with classical principles, 15 0-0--0 .lle6 16 b3 .lle7 17 lbb1 creating a broad pawn centre and f5 (Rivas-Lukin, Leningrad 1984). It then without delay developing his is hard for White to count on kingside pieces, preparing to castle. anything - Black's two bishops and His plans mainly involve activity in harmoniouspiece placing give him a the centre and on the queenside. good game. Black, in turn, aims to hinder his 6 h3 is examined in Chapter 12 - opponent's play on the queenside cf. 5 h3 (the Makogonov Variation). and to gain counterplay on the 6 .llg5 (directed against ...e7- e5) kingside. 6 ...h6 (an alternative is 6 . . . ..tg4!? 7 Other attempts by White to gain .lle2 lt:lfd7 8 d5 lt:lb6! 9 liJd2 i.. xc2 an advantage are: 10 'ti'xe2 liJ8d7 11 0-0 c6 12 1'4 llcH 6 �e3 (Larsen's move; White 13 :tf3 'ii'e8 14 l:te l e6, and Black does not fe ar 6 ...lt:\g4, as after 7 breaks up his opponent's Cl'ntn·. 140 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player Uhlmann-Stein, Mar del Plata 1966) 7 .i.h4 (7 .i.f4 allows Black to gain a tempo after 7 ...l0c6, and if 8 d5 e5 9 ..li.e3 l0d4!, temporarily sacri ficing a pawn with an excellent game, Khasin-Tal, Hastings 1963/4) 7 ...g5 8 ..li.g3 !OhS 9 ..li.e2 e6 (pre paring ...f7- f5 ) 1 0 d5 f5 11 l0d4 l0xg3 12 hxg3 fxe4 13 l0xe6 ..li.xe6 14 dxe6 ..li.xc3+ (14... 'ii' f6= is also good) 15 bxc3 'ii'f6 . Now White fa ces a choice: 7 dS (11.1), 7 .i.e3 (11.2) and finally the most popular 7 � (11.3). Little is promised by 7 i.gS in view of 7 ...h6 8 .i.h4 (if 8 i.x.f6 'ii'xf6 9 l0d5 'ii'd8 I 0 dxe5 dxe5 II 0-0 P.Orlov-Sahovic, Pancevo 1985, when according to Karpov II... c6 12 l0e3 'ii'e7=Ffav ours Black - his bishops may become very active) 8 ...'ii' e8!? (a typical man We are fo llowing the game oeuvre - Black breaks the pin and Uhlmann-Fischer (Havana 1966). plans to play his knight from f6 to The position is double-edged with f4 ) 9 d5_,l0h5 10 0-0 l0f4 li l0d2 roughly equal chances. After I6 e7 aS 12 f3 l0a6 I3 l:.b i .i.d7 I4 b3 f5 l:.e8 (weak is I6...... xf2+ 17 �d2 (Stempin-Kir.Georgiev, Prague l:.e8 18 l:.xh6 when the black king is I985). Black has harmoniously in danger) I 7 l:.cI l0a6 I8 'Wd4 deployed his forces, hindering his 1i'g7 the evaluation has not changed opponent's play on the queenside, - White has the inferior pawn and is ready fo r activity on the structure, but on the other hand his kingside. king is better defended, and both The exchange 7 dxeS dxe5 8 sides have chances. 'i'xd8 l:.xd8 also does not promise 6 eS any advantage: Black's main reply. Relying on (a) 9 l0xe5? l0xe4! (the tactical tactical possibilities, he immediately justification of 6 ...e5) IO l0xe4 strikes a blow in the centre. i.xe5 II 0-0 l0c6 with an excellent King 's Indian Defence: Classical Variation 141 game for Black (Sanchez-Geller, the traditional counterplay on the Stockholm 19S2); kingside with ...fl-f S. (b) 9 ltJdS :d7!? (also good is 9 ...ltJxd S 10 cxdS c6 11 J..c4 cxdS I 2 J..xdS ltJc6=) 1 0 ltJxeS ltJxdS 11 ltJxd7 ltJb4 12 ltJxb8 ltJc2+ 13 main line. We have drawn the The critical position of the reader's attention to this fact, so that variation. Black has a choice he can exploit White's micro-in between the sharp 13 ...f5!? and the accuracy in the event of 10 �d2 hS! quieter 13 ...hS . 11 0-0 After 13 .•.f5 14 exfS (or 14 f3 If White saves a tempo by not �f6 IS exfS gxfS 16 1Wc2 c6 17 castling and aims for immediate l:r.ad l �hS 18 g3 �c7 with queenside activity, Black gains approximate equality, Damljanovic counterplay by seizing space on the Kir.Georgiev, Kacak 1996) Black kingside: 11 a3 .td7 12 b3 �h7 13 again has a good choice: f3 (the dark-square bishop at h4 (a) 14 ....txf S IS g4!? (IS l:r.e l?! often fe els uncomfortable) 13 ...hS gS 16 .tg3 �f6 17 �fl �S 18 14 l:r.b1 .th6 1S .tf2 'it'e7 16 h4 �e3 .tg6 gives Black the initiative, (White prevents the standard plan of Timman-Westerinen, Geneva 1977) ...hS -h4 and ...'it'gS ; he can also IS... e4 16 l:r.cl e3 17 fxe3 (17 gxfS consider an immediate queenside exd2 18 'it'xd2 �S 19 Wd I l:.xfS is offensive - 16 b4 axb4 17 axb4 h4! insufficient fo r giving White an ad 18 Wc2 'tWgS 19 l::gl c6 20 cS �f6 vantage, A v .Bykhovsky-Belov, Pula 21 dxc6 bxc6 with a double-edged 1988) 17... 1Wx e3+ 18 .tf2'tWgS with position, Rossiter-Gallagher, Eng a double-edged game (Khenkin land 1987) 16... �cS 17 'it'c2 fS 18 Shirov, USSR 1988); b4 axb4 19 axb4 �a4, again with (b) 14 ... gxf5 !? (a striking idea lively play over the entire front introduced by Kasparov, involving (Speelman-J.Polgar, Holland 1991 ). an exchange sacrifice) IS .thS Wc8 11 �h7 16 .te7 l:r.e8! (in this way Black 12 a3 i.d7 gains an important tempo in the 13 b3 attack - the .te7 is threatened) 17 .txe8 1i'xe8 18 .th4 e4 19 'it'c2 (later it was fo und that 19 l:r.cI �cS 20 l:r.c2! is more accurate, Naumkin A.Kuzmin, Moscow 1989, but here too after 20 ...�f 6 21 �e2 �hS Black has compensation for the exchange - the powerful .tg7, the d3 square and the activity of his minor pieces) 19 ...'it'hS 20 .tg3 l:r.f8 (Yusupov-Kasparov, Barcelona 1989). Black's fo rces are veryact ive and accuracy is required of White in defence. 144 An Opening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player We will also consider 13 •••h5 (threatening ...g6-g5 ) 14 f.3 (14 h3, to avoid weakening e3, led in Bukic Geller, Budva 1967, to some advan tage for Black after 14... .i.h6 15 :b 1 lDc5 16 b4 axb4 17 axb4 lDa4 18lDxa4 :xa4 19 Wc2 b6 - White's e4 is insufficiently well defended) 14... .i.h6, and now: (a) 15 :bl .i.e3+ 16 .i.f2 .i.xf2+ 17 :Xf2 We7 18 b4 axb4 19 axb4 c5 and after the exchange of dark square bishops Black maintains the balance (Zlotnik-A.Kuzmin, Buda The initial move of a variation pest 1989); proposed by Gligoric. Deferring (b) 15 Jtf2 We7! 16 Wc2 h4! 17 castling fo r the moment, White l:tab l Jtf4 18 :fd 1 Wg5 19 Jlfl reserves for himself the option of an lDf6 and by typical means Black attack on the kingside. However, the achieves the better game (Tukma position of the bishop at e3 is not kov-Magerramov, Moscow 1983); very secure, allowing Black to (c) 15 q.,h1, when Black has: exploit this factor and gain time by (cl) 15... lDc5 16 ltbl f5 17 Wc2 ...l2Jg4 . (not 17 b4?! axb4 18 aJ,(.b4 lDa4!, 7 c6 seizing the initiative) 17... lDf6 18 b4 A useful move, by which Black axb4 19 axb4 lDa4 20 lDb5! and takes control of d5 and in some White retains the slight opening cases prepares the freeing advance advantage resulting from the right of ...d 6--d5 . the first move, but not more 7 ...exd4 is a good alternative - (Naumkin-Trap I, Namestovo 1987); cf. Illustrative Game No. l2 (c2) 15. . . Wb8!? (an interesting (Gelfand-Topalov, Linares 1997). idea of Judith Polgar) 16 Wc2 Jte3 8 d5 17 l:tae1 'tlfa7 18 lbd1 .icS 19 We t The most popular continuation. l:lae8 20 .id3 c6 wjth counterplay White blocks the centre, transferring (Kramnik-Nunn, Germany 1994). the weight of the struggle to the flanks. 11.2 (1 d4 lbf6 2 c4 g6 3 lbc3 After 8 dxe5 dxe5 9 Wxd8 llxd8 ..tg7 4 e4 d6 5 lbt3 � 6 .ie2 1 0 lbxe5 lbxe4 11 l2Jxe4 Jtxe5 12 e5) .ig5 lld4 13 l2Jd2 Jtg7the ending is not dangerous for Black (Chekhov 7 .ie3 Uhlmann, Polanica Zdroj 1981). King 's Indian Defence: Classical Variation 145 If8 0-0 Black carries out the idea despite the (temporary) loss of n mentioned above of relieving the pawn, Black completely seized the central tension: 8 ...exd4 9 �xd4 (or initiative on the queenside (Lalic 9 .i.xd4 l:te8 10 'ii'c2, Tal Topalov, Yerevan 1996). Dvoretsky, Leningrad 1974, and 8 �a6 now 10... 'ii' e7!? 11 l:tfel c5 would Black aims to hinder as far as have given Black counterplay - Tal) possible White's queenside play. 9 ...l:te8 10 f3 (if 10 'ii'c2 Black 9 �2 �e8 provokes t2-f3 by 10... 'ii' e7) 10... d5 Preparing . . . f7-f5. 11 cxd5 cxdS 12 'ii'b3 dxe4 13 .i.c4 10 0-0 f5 :rs 14 l:tadl 'ii'e7 15 fxe4 �c6 11 f3 f4 (Nei-Stein, USSR 1967). White's 12 .i.fl cS activity has evaporated and he went in for further simplification - 16 �dS �xdS 17 �xc6 bxc6 18 exdS cxd5 19 .i.xdS .i.g4 20 :c 1 l:tac8 21 :xc8 .i.xc8 with a draw. 8 'ii'd2 (along with 8 dS, a very popular idea) 8 ...'ii' e7 9 d5 cxd5 10 cxdS �g4 11 .i.gS f6 12 .i.h4 �h6 (Shirov-Topalov, Vienna 1996, went 12... �a6 13 0-0 �h6 14 �el �fl 15 .txa6 bxa6 16 �c2 l:tb8 17 �e3 aS 18 .:tfc 1 hS with great compli cations; in the present game Black carries out a similar plan) 13 0-0 We are fo llowing San Segundo �fl 14 �e l h5 (we also met similar Topalov (Madrid 1996) where ideas in the Petrosian Variation) 1S Black, combining prophylaxis on f3 .th6 16 'ii'dl �a6 (the knight the queenside with an attack on the aims fo r cS, while in the event of its kingside, gained good play: 13 a3 b6 exchange on a6 Black gains the b 14 b4 hS IS bxc5 �xcS 16 a4 aS 17 file and the two bishops, which l:ta3 .if6 18 �b3 :n 19 �h I l11c7 largely compensate fo r his queen 20 �xcS bxcS 21 l:.gI �a6=i=, when side pawn weaknesses) 17 �hi he already held the initiative . .td7?! (17... little - the c6 pawn successfully controls dS, and the b-file is quite an important factor) 10... bxc6 11 i.gS h6 12 i.h4 g5 !? 13 i.f2 tbd7 (13... i.e6 is also good) 14 llcl (or 14 Wc2 aS 15 ltad 1 'ii'e7 16 :rei tbc5=) 14... a5 15 b3 'ii'e7 16 i.d3 tbc5 17 i.b1 ltJe6 18 Wd2 i.b7 19 �h 1 c5, and by harmoniously deploying his pieces, Black achieved a good game (Chuchelov Glek, Leuven 1995). 10 tbcl lbhS(making way fo r the 7 exd4 f- pawn, and in some cases the queen After relieving the central too can move out to the kingside) 11 tension, Black quickly completes his tbd5 ( 11 g4 is adequately met by development and aims for piece play 11...i.e5!? 12 liJd5 i.xh2+ with around White's centre. We consider equality - Glek) 1l...f5 12 g4!? (12 this strategically clear plan, the main exf5 i.xf5 favours Black) 12... fxg4 ! ideologist of which is the Moscow 13 fxg4 tbf6 14 i.g5 l:lf8 15 c5 (if GM Igor Glek, to be a very 15 1i'e1 there fo llows 15... h6 ! 16 promising way of opposing White's liJxf6+ i.xf6 17 i.xh6 ltf7 18 1i'd2 classical set-up, and we therefore i.e6 19 g5 i.xb2 20 :xf7 i.xf7 21 prefer it to the more usual 7 . ..llJc6 or ltb1 i.e5+, Van der Sterren 7 ...lbb d7. We also draw the readers' Muehlebach, Zurich 1995) 15... i.e6 attention to the fact that the statistics 16 cxd6 cxd6 17 tbce3 h6! (the of this variation favour Black. same typical idea - a pawn sacrifice 8 tbxd4 lte8 with the aim of diverting the white 9 f3 bishop at h6 and activating the black Otherwise the e4 pawn cannot be pieces) 18 tbxf6+ i.xf6 19 i.xh6 defended: 9 Wcl?! tbxe4 10 tbxe4 ltf7 20 i.c4 i.xc4 21 ltJxc4 i.d4+ i.xd4 11 i.g5 f6 12 ltad1 fxg5 13 22 �h 1? (this natural move is the ltxd4 i.f5 14 c5 liJc6 15 i.c4+ �g7 decisive mistake; after 22 i.e3 16 Wc3 tbxd4 17 'ii'xd4+ �h6, ltxfl + 23 1i'xfl Wg5 ! 24 i.xd4 which led to a win fo r Black in tbxd4 25 tbxd6 ltf8 26 Wc4+ �h7 Rossetto-Larsen (Amsterdam 1964). 27 Wc7+ �g8 the chances areequal 9 tbc6 - G1ek) 22 ...ltxf1 + 23 1i'xfl d5! 24 10 i.e3 liJd2 Wh4 25 exd5 tbe5, and it is White's other possibilities: time for White to resign - with 10 tbxc6 (this exchange promises minimal fo rces Black controls the King 's Indian Defence: Classical Variation 147 entire board (Sakaev-Glek, Elista counterplay for Black (Sosonko 1995). Ftacnik, Polanica Zdroj 1995 ). 11 lt:Jxc6bxc6, and now: (a) 12 f4 .txc3 13 bxc3 l:.xe4 14 i.d4 lt:Jxf4 15 .td3 'ii'e8 (Schlusnik Joecks, Budapest 1996) and Black, with the initiative and two pawns fo r the exchange, does not stand worse, e.g. 16 .txe4 'ifxe4 17 'iff3 lt:Je2+ 18 �f2 (18 �h I 'ifxf3 19 %lxf3 c5+) 18.. .'ii' h4+; (b) 12 'ifd2 c5 (12... i.e6, 12... f5 or 12... 'ifh4 !? is also possible) 13 %lae 1 %lb8 14 b3 f5 15 i.d3 f4 16 .tf2 i.e5 17 l:.dl g5 and Black 10 lt:Jh5 begins his play on the kingside This manoeuvre, developed by (Pokorny-Manik, Lazne Bohdanec Glek, is the idea of the variation. 1996). Making way, once again, for the f 11 'ii'dl, when Black has a pawn, the knight aims (in some choice: cases) to advance to f4 . It should be (a) II...lt:Jf4 12 %lfd l lt:Jxe2+ 13 mentioned that, as we have already lt:Jcxe2 lt:Je5 14 b3 c6 (14... a6 !?) 15 seen, in several lines Black must be l:.ac l 'ifc7 with a slightly inferior, prepared to give up a piece fo r the but quite playable position sake of perpetual check. (lvanchuk-Shirov, Yerevan 1996); 11 f4 (b) ll...f5!? (a sharp reply) 12 Other attempts by White: lt:Jxc6 (in Van Wely-Glek, Wijk aan 11 lt:Jcl, when Black should con Zee 1997, White chose 12 %lfd 1 sider ll...f5!? 12 'ifd2 i.e6 13 %lad l fxe4 13 lt:Jxe4 lt:Jf6 14 lt:Jc3 'if e 7 15 (Notkin-Nevostruev, Elista 1996), i.f2 lt:Jxd4 16 .txd4 .te6, and after and now 13... lt:Jf 6!? or 13... fxe4 14 completing his development Black fxe4 lt:Je5!? with sufficient counter obtained satisfactory play; this same play. plan is possible after 12 :ad1) 12... 11 lt:Jd5 lt:Jxd4 (here 11 ... f5 is bxc6 (the same position can arise premature in view of 12 lt:Jb5! fxe4 after 11 lt:Jxc6) 13 exf5 ( 13 i.g5 13 f4 ±, Cebalo-Lane, Cannes 1995) 'ifd7!?) 13... .txf 5 (or 13... gxf 5 1 4 12 .txd4 c6 13 lt:Jc3 i.h6! (the :.re 1 'iih4 15 i.f2 'iff4 16 'it'xf4 bishop must be retained) 14 g3 lt:Jg7 lt:Jxf4 with a sharp, but roughly (or 14... .th3 15 .:le t 'figS 16 i.f2 equal ending - in return fo r his l:.ad8 pieces, Gyimesi-Miljanic, Mataru ska Banja 1996), when Black's fo rces are very aggressively placed: (b1) 14 g4?! (risky) 14.. .'i'h4 ! 15 i.£2 (15 gxfS? l:.xe3+, with com plete coordination and harmony - each piece on the right square) 15... 'it'h3 16 gxh5 (the only way to save the position; if 16 gxf5 i.e5+/-+) 16... i.e5 17 i.g3 i.xg3=: (b2) 14 i.d4 liJf6 15 l:.fel c5 16 i.£2 'i'd7 (or 16... 1Wb8 17 l%ad 1 'ii'b4ac, Khuzman-Svidler, Haifa 1996) 17 l:.ad 1 'i'fl 18 b3 a6! 12 i.f3 12 lbxc6 bxc6 13 i.f3 does not achieve anything in view of 13... liJxe4 !? (the rook on the e-file operates very productively) 14 lbxe4 (or 14 i.xe4 d5! 15 i.xd5 cxd5 16 'i'xd5 i.e6=) 14... i.f5 15 lbxd6 cxd6 16 i.d4 i.e4 17 i.xg7 �xg7 18 'i'd4+ 'it'f6= (Shirov Sherzer, Paris 1995). 12 i.g4 As already mentioned, g4 is an important focal point of Black's play. Such ideas, based on thefa ct ' We are fo llowing Kramnik-Giek that the. liJd4 is insufficiently well (Berlin 1996). With his last move defended, often occur in similar Black has covered b5, fo r where the strategic set-ups, fo r example the white knight was aiming, and by Maroczy Bind formation in the playing his bishop to c6 he achieved Sicilian Dragon. a reasonable game. The seemingly attractive 12 .•• 11 .lbf6 lbg4 encounters a refutation: 13 The e4 pawn has been deprived of i.xg4 i.xg4 14 liJxc6! 'i'd7 15 'i'd3 pawn support, and by returning to f6 i.xc3 16 lbd4! i.xb2 17 l:.ab1 c5 18 the knight attacks it. An important l:xb2, and the opposite-colour fitctor is that Black can subsequently bishops favour White (Lobron-Giek, use the g4 square as a transit point Germany 1995). h>r exchanging operations. 13 lbxc6 i.xf3 King 's In dian Defence: Classical Variation I t19 14 'ii'xt3 bxc6 For 15 .i.dl (or 15 i.t2) - cf. Illustrative Game No. 13 (Van der Sterren-Giek, Germany 1995). Game 12 (p.l44) Gelfand-Topalov Linares 1997 1 d4 lljf6 2 liJB g6 3 c4 �g7 4 llJc3 0-0 5 e4 d6 6 �el e5 The critical position of the Both grandmasters are confirmed variation, which can be assessed as King's Indian players, so their acceptable fo r Black. He has some meetings in this opening are always pressure on the half-open e-file, the of interest, and theoretical inno 'Gufeld bishop' at g7 is alive and vations can be expected. 'breathing', and the b-file also 7 �e3 exd4 cannot be disregarded. Here are a In recent times this plan, aiming few practical examples: for rapid counterplay in the centre, 15 .i.d4 1i'c8 (l5... c5 !?) 16 l:tad l and developed in detail by Kasparov 1i'g4 17 eS dxeS 18 �xe5 1i'e6 19 for his 1990 match with Karpov, has b3 llJg4= (Karpov-Giek, Biel 1996). become fashionable. 15 l:tae1 'ii'c8 (15... 'ii' b8!? !J. 16 The alternative 7 ...c6 (which ts b3 'ii'M 21 'ii't2 'ile7 22 g4 ! J..d4! 23 'i'xd4 l:lxh2+! 24 �xh2 'ifh4+ with a draw (Karpov-Kasparov, New York 1990). A more recent example is 15 lLlcb5 'ifxc5 16 :ac 1 'ifb6 17 'ii't2 .i.d7 18 l:lfd 1 l:e8 19 J..fl ..th6 20 l:.c3 lLlb4! with a sharp game (Gelfand-Kasparov, Linares 1992). 10 d5 11 exd5 cxd5 12 0--0 lLlc6 13 c5 lLlh5 14 g3?! 17 J..d4! White had apparently prepared Threatening to capture on g3. this move, but Topalov finds an 18 'i'ct energetic rejoinder. Trying to neutralise Black's main More solid is the tested 14 'ifd2 attacker. Bad is 18 lLlxe8 lLlxg3! I9 (keeping control of the g5 square) lLlf6+ 'i'xf6! 20 J..xd4 (20 hxg3 14... J.. e5 15 g3 lLlg7 16 l:lfd1 a6 'ifg5! 2I g4 'iff4-+) 20 ...lLlxe2+ 2I (also possible is 16... J.. e6 17 f4 lLlxe2 'ifxf3 and White has no J..xd4! 18 ..txd4 lLlf5 19 ..tt2 d4 20 defence. I8 J..xd4 lLlxg3 I9 �t2 lLlb5 'ii'e7 with double-edged play, lLlxe2-+ is even worse. Gelfand-Van Wely, Wijk aan Zee As was shown by GM Mikhail 1996) 17 ..tfl J.e6 18 lLlxe6 fxe6 19 Gurevich, White's best chance was f4 J..f6 20 l:abI g5 21 lLle2 l:f8, I8 f4 , divertingBla ck from his main when Black gains counterplay. aim -t)le g3 pawn: I8... J.. xf2+ I9 Incidentally, this position was �xf2 lLlxf4! 20 lLlxe8 (20 'ifd2 reached by the same players at the l:le6FF) 20 ...lLlg2 ! 2I .tb5! (if 2I 1997 Dos Hermanas Tournament J..f3 lLlxeI 22 'ifxeI lLle5+, or 2I (slightly later than the game we are J..fl lLlxe 1 22 'ifxe I lLle5 with an examining). attack) 2I...lLlxe i 22 'i'xe1 lLleS 14 .i.h3 (22 ...'i'f 5+!?ao) 23 'ife2J.. g4 with an 15 :et .'ii'g5! unclear game. However, to calculate The most energetic reply to at the board all these complicated White's plan, creating threats and risky variations was almost against the king and depriving the impossible. white queen of the d2 square. 18 J..e3! 16 lLldb5 l:lad8 Highly dynamic play. 17 lLld6 19 J..xe3 l:lxe3 King 's Indian Defence: Classical Va riation ISI 20 �fl 23 ltJeS White has to move his king. 20 Threatening to capture on fJ. ltJxd5 is met by the fam iliar 24 •g5 .l:te8! 20 ...ltJxg3 ! 21 'ittt2 ltJhI+ 22 l:xhI Black's pieces are very active. He ..,h4+ 23 'iitg I l:xe2-+. now threatens ...ltJd3 + . 20 d4 25 l:[d2 21 ltJd1? No better is 25 'ii'xh5 gxh5 26 The decisive mistake. Essential ltJf6+ �f8 27 ltJxd5 ltJd3+ 28 �gl was 21 ltJce4 (dislodging the queen :xe2-+, or 25 •h4 1i'e6 26 b3 1i'f5 from the 'penalty spot') 21...•e7 27 f4 d3! 28 :e l ltJg4+ 29 <;tJf3 22 J.c4 l:lxeI 23 •xe I J.e6, when ltJxh2+ 30 �f2 l:xe4-+ (M.Gure Black stands slightly better, but all vich). the play is still to come. 25 1i'c4?! Black could have won immediately by 25 ...ltJg4+ ! 26 �gl (26 fxg4 •xe4-+) 26 ...• xg5 27 ltJxg5 :e 1 mate. 26 ltJdc3 h6! A decoy sacrifice: 27 1i'xh6dxc3 28 bxc3 1i'xe4! 29 fxe4 ltJg4+. 27 'ii'h4 dxc3 28 l:[d8 cxb2! As the curtain fa lls - a simple but elegantco mbination. 29 :xe8+ �g7 30 l:[d1 1i'c2+ 21 l:be2+! 31 l:[d2 b1=1i' Topalov displays his true worth! 32 1i'xb3 'ti'cd 22 l:txe2 'ii'd5 White resigns For the exchange Black has a powerful initiative. The knight at d I Game 13 (p. l 49) is passive and it prevents the :at Van der Sterren-Glek from coming into play. He now Germany 1995 threatens to play his knightto e5. 23 ltJe4 1 ltjf3 ltJf6 23 •c4 fails to 23 ... :xd6! If 23 2 c4 g6 b3 there fo llows 23 ...ltJe5 24 :xe5 3 ltJc3 J.g7 •xe5 25 ltJxb7 :e8 26 1i'd2 d3 27 4 e4 d6 :c 1 1i'd5 and it is doubtful whether 5 d4 0-0 White can overcome his difficulties. 6 J.e2 e5 1 52 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 7 0--0 tactical operation that gives him at By a slightly roundabout way the least equality. basic position of the Classical Variation has been reached. 7 exd4 8 ltlxd4 l:Z.e8 9 f3 ltlc6 10 i.e3 ltlh5 11 f4 Apart from the moves given in the analysis, we should also mention 11 :c 1, which, however, is insufficient to gain an advantage: 1l...f5 12 cS ltlxd4 13 i.xd4 dxcS 14 i.xcS ltlf4 1 5 .i.c4+i.e6ao. 11 ltlf6 18 ltlxe4 ...d4! 12 i.f3 i.g4 This move is the idea of Black's 13 ltlxc6 .i.xf3 exchanging combination - both of 14 1Wxf3 bxc6 the opponent's minor pieces are en 15 i.d2 prise. The Dutch GM prophylactically 18... i.x a1? (with the idea of 19 supports his lLlc3 . The position after :xa1 1Wd4-+) is a mistake, as 19 cS! Black's 14th move is examined in leads to a win for White. detail in the analysis, but here is 19 ltlxd6 another typical example: 1 5 i.f2 White has problems after 19 1Wc8! 16 :ae1 •g4 17 •d3? (17 :ae 1 d5-! 20 cxdS cxdS 21 ltlgS i.d4 would have led to equality) ...xd2 22 l:[d1 1i'a5 ! 23 l:xdS (23 17... 1Wxf 4 18 i.xa7 'ii'h4 with a 1Wxd5 1fxd5 favours Black) clear advantage to Black 23 ...1fxa2 . (Solozhenkin-Glek, France 1994). 19 cxd6 15 1i'b8!? 20 l:lad1 1fe4 1 5 ...1W c8 is also satisfactory, but 21 :del?! the text move enables Black to A serious inaccuracy. After the transfer his queen to the main part of exchange of queens the activity of the battlefield. the black pieces increases - they can 16 b3 1Wb6+ operate on the e-file. 21 i.c3!= was 17 �hl ltlxe4! essential. 17... 1Wd4? 18 .Z:.ad 1 ltlxe4? is a 21 li1lsc trail: 19 i.e1 !+-. 22 l:bf3 Black carries out a successful 23 i.xel King 's Indian Defence: Classical Va riation I S.l 24 ..td2 l:le2 White is helpless against the 25 l:ld3 decisive advance of the black king White evidently thought that he into the centre. After 29 a4 dS! 30 had everything in order, but an cxdS 'iti>d6 fo llowed by ...�xd S and unpleasant surprise awaits him. ...c5 -c4 he is similarly unable to 25 c5! resist. The powerful ..td4 will cramp 29 d5 White still fu rther. Of course, 26 30 fxg6 . hxg6 l:lxd6? is not possible in view of 31 ..tf4 26 .....td 4. White's downfall is The bishop has finally gained caused by the lack of an escape some air, but at what a price. square for his king. 31 dxc4 26 h3 ..td4 32 l:la3 l:lb2 27 b4 33 l:txa7+ �f6 Somewhat more tenacious is 27 34 h4 a4 �f8 28 ..tc3 ..txc3 29 l:lxc3 l:lf2! If 34 a4 Black plays 34 ...gS, 30 g3 rl;e7, but here too Black's driving the bishop off the c l-h6 advantage is pretty considerable - diagonal. the difference in the activity of the 34 l:lxb5 pieces is evident. 35 ..tg5+ �g7 27 �f8 36 a4 l:lbl+ 28 b5 �e7 37 �h2 c3 29 fS White resigns 11 King's Indian Defence: Deviations by Wh ite from The Classical Variation 1 d4 l2Jf6 2 e4 g6 3 l2Je3 ..tg7 4 e4 Along with this, the most critical and popular move, White can also choose more restrained plans: 4 e3 (by securely defending his d4 pawn, White hinders the opponent's counterplay in the centre; however, this cannot be considered a way to fight for an advantage) 4 ...0-0 5 ..td3 ( 5 lt)f3 or 5 ..te2 leads to the 4 lt)f3 variation, If White does not go in for the considered below) 5 ...d6 6 li)ge2 e5 main line of the Classical Variation 7 0-0 (the exchange on e5 favours (5 e4), he has a choice between Black, as he makes the cramping developing his dark-square bishop at advance ...e5 -e4: 7 dxe5 dxe5 8 f4 or . g5 and playing 5 e3, li)g3 "ile7 9 "ile2 li)a6 I 0 0-0 li)c5 reinforcing his d4 pawn: 11 l:.dl e4 12 ..tc2 ..tg4+, Fontein (a) 5 e3 0-0 6 ..te2 (White com Euwe, Holland 193 8) 7 ...c6 8 f4 l:.e8 pletes his kingside development, but (threatening to set up a powerful at the same time he does not prevent pawn wedge by ...e5-e 4 and ...d6- Black from calmly completing the d5) 9 li)g3 exd4 I 0 exd4 li)g4. mobilisation of his fo rces) 6 ...li)bd7 Black has a good game - he controls 7 0-0 (to 7 b4 the simplest reply is the e-file and White has to think in also 7 ...e5 with play in the centre) terms of defence (Fiorian-Sandor, 7 ...e5 8 b3 (or 8 •c2 l:.e8 9 dxe5 Hungary 1958). dxe5 10 l:.d l c6 11 li)g5 •e7 and 4li)f3 (against Smyslov's move 4 Black easily completes his develop ..tg5 the simplest is 4 . . . 0-0, ment, Milic-Matulovic, Yugoslavia transposing into the main variation) 1957) 8 ...l:.e8 9 ..ta3 exd4 10 li)xd4 4 ...d6. li)c5 ( e4 is a convenient transitpoint King 's Indian Defence: Deviations from the C/assic:al Variation I SS for the black cavalry) 11 'ii'c2 tbfe4 Andric-Bukic, Belgrade 1968) 12 tbxe4 tbxe4 13 i.b2 aS with 6 ....tf5 (bringing his bishop out to roughly equal chances (Barcza an active position, Black exploits Bolbochan, Helsinki 1952); the e4 square for simplification; he (b) 5 .tf4 (a similar set-up, but also has 6 ... c5 and 6 ... tbbd7, leading without c2-c4, is examined in the to more complicated situations, but chapter on the Torre Attack; here the text move is simpler) 7 .te2 (or too Black freely completes his 7 .td3 .i.xd3 8 'i'xd3 lbbd7 9 0-0 development with a comfortable h6 10 .th4 l:.e8 11 e4 gS 12 .i.g3 game) 5 ...0-0 , and now: tbhS 13 l:.ad1 e6 14 tbe1 a6 and it is (b1) 6 e3 c6 (there is no point in hard for White to count on an pursuing the white bishop by advantage, Smyslov-Bilek, Szolnok 6 ...tbh5 since there is a standard 1975) 7 ...tbe4 8 tbxe4 .txe4 9 0-0 way of preserving it from exchange: h6 (it is useful to have in reserve 7 .tgS h6 8 .th4 gS 9 tbd2!; it is ...g6-g5 , neutralising the white therefore better to begin queenside bishop) 10 .th4 cS 11 dxcS (playing play that is effective in such set-ups) the bishop to f3 also does not 7 .te2 a6 8 0-0 bS 9 a3 tbbd7 1 0 achieve anything - 11 tbd2 .tfS 12 cxbS cxbS 11 e4 .tb7 with .to tbc6 13 dS tbes 14 .te2 tbd3, approximate equality; and Black already has the (b2) 6 h3 lbbd7 7 e3 c6 (planning advantage) 11... g5 12 .i.g3 dxcS. the queenside pawn offensive Black's chances are not worse - he indicated earlier) 8 .te2 a6 9 0-0 (if has an active bishop, and no White prevents the extended problems with completing his fianchetto by 9 a4, Black transfers queenside development. his interests towards the centre - 4 d6 9 ...a5 10 0-0 tbe8 11 •d2 tbc7 12 We now consider 5 tbgel (12.1), :.fd1 tba6 13 e4 'ii'e8=, Yap-Knaak, 5 .td3 (12.2) and 5 h3 (12.3). Szirak 1985) 9 ...b5 10 l:.c 1 i.b7 11 White's other possibilities: lbd2 bxc4 12 tbxc4 (Andersson 5 i.g5 (directed against the usual Kamsky, Tilburg 1990), and now pawn counter ...e7 -e5) 5 ...0--0 6 12... dS 13 tbeS cS 14 b3 l:c8, when tbge2 (6 tbf3 transposes into lines Black is completely mobilised and considered a little earlier; 6 1i'd2 is can fa ce the future with optimism also played: Yermolinsky-Nikolai (recommended by Kamsky); dis, Yerevan 1996, went 6 ...c5 7 d5 (c) 5 i.gS 0-0 6 e3 (if 6 'i'd2 e6 8 tbf3 exdS 9 exdS a6 I 0 .ie2 Black obtains a comfortable game .tg4 11 0--0, and here ll... bS !? I] by 6 ...cS 7 dS 'ifaS 8 i.h6 a6 9 cxbS axbS 13 .txbS .txfJ 14 �x n .txg7 �xg7 10 e3 bS!, when it is 'ii'c8!? would have given Blnrk White who has to fight fo r equality, reasonable play fo r the pnwn) 156 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 6 ...lbbd7 (6 ...lb c6!? is also good, in so doing he weakens his control leading to the Siimisch Variation of d4, and Black can exploit this. after 7 fJ) 7 'ii'd2 c5 (beginning 5 0--0 traditional play against the white 6 lbg3 e5 centre) 8 d5 b5 !? (such pawn An energetic counter in the sacrifices, in the spirit of the Benko centre. Also possible is the more Gambit, are very effective; in the restrained 6 •.. c6 7 .te2 lbbd7 8 .tg5 given case White was intending to h6 9 .te3 a6 10 'ii'd2 h5!? 11 .th6 shelter his king on the queenside, h4 12 .txg7 �xg7 13 lC!fl with a and the opening of lines may be complicated game where White has unpleasant fo r him) 9 cxb5 a6 10 a slight initiative (I.Sokolov-V an lbg3 'W'a5. Black's play compen Wely, Akureyri 1994). sates fo r the sacrificed pawn 7 d5 c6 (Nikolaidis-Atalik, Karditca 1996). Undermining the white centre. 8 .tel cxd5 12.1 (1 d4 lbf6 2 c4 g6 3 lbc3 9 cxd5 lbbd7 .tg7 4 e4 d6) 10 .tg5 After 10 .te3 Black develops 5 lC!gel similar counterplay: 10... a6 11 0--0 b5 12 b4 lbb6 13 a4 bxa4 14 lC!xa4 lbxa4 15 l:txa4 h5! Now 1 O . ..h6 11 .te3 a6 12 0--0 b5 13 b4 lbb6 14 a4 lbxa4 15 lC!xa4 bxa4 16 l:txa4 h5! transposes into the same position: After this play can . transpose into the Siimisch Variation or lines with the fianchetto of the .tg2. The move 5 lbge2 has independent signifi cance if White tries to obtain play similar to the Samisch Variation, but without t2-f3, and to support his e4 The position of the white knight pawn he plays his knight to g3 . But at g3 gives Black a tempo, thanks to King 's Indian Defence: Deviations from the Classical Variation I 57 which he has good chances of an weak pawn at d4, but concentrating attack against the opponent's the forces fo r play on the kingsidc) kingside. For example, 17 f3 h4 18 10 ...d2 f5 11 exf5 lLlxf5 12 J.gS lLlh1 lLlh5 19 b5 lLlf4 20 bxa6 .th6! .tf6 (Piket-J.Polgar, Amsterdam 21 lLlt2 lLlh3+ 22 lLlxh3 J.xe3+ 23 1995). The chances are roughly �h 1 (23 lLlf2..,b6+) 23 ....i.xh3 , and equal - Black's development is Black soon won (Szabo-Yanofsky, easily completed, and in the given Winnipeg 1967). set-up the exchange of dark-square bishops is advantageous. 12.2 (1 d4 tLlf6 2 c4 g6 3 lLlc3 7 dS lbhS .tg74 e4 d6) 8 0--0 After 8 J.e3 lLld7 9 ..,d2 a6 10 s J.d3 J.c2 l:tb8 11 b4 lLlf4 12 0--0 lbxe2+ White develops his bishop while 13 1i'xe2 f5 14 f3 f4 15 J.t2 bS retaining e2 for his knight. Black has sufficient counterp1ay However, at d3 the bishop only (Pfeiffer-Pesch, Bad Pyrmont 1961). appears to be more active than at e2. 8 f5 In fact the d4 pawn is weakened, 9 exfS and Black can easily create counterplay. s 0--0 The critical position of the variation, where Black has a choice: 9 .•. gxf5 1 0 f4 e4 11 J.c2 cS 12 The most flexiblecon tinuation. J.e3 lLld7 13 h3 lLlb6 with · 6 lLlge2 eS counterplay (G.Horvath-Kupreichik. A reasonable alternative is Cattolica 1992). 6 ••• lbc6 7 0--0 lLlh5!? 8 J.e3 e5 9 d5 9 ••..txf5 10 J.xf5 gxfS 11 f4 l.i)d7 lbe7 (this is the point of Black's set 12 1i'c2 a6 13 i.d2 'ifh4 with n up, not going in for the creation of a double-edged game - it is nul l� nsy 158 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player fo r White to achieve anything real Now White has a choice between on the queenside, while in the centre 6lbf3 (12.31), 6 �e3 (12.32) and 6 Black is solidly placed and he has �g5 (12.33). play on the kingside (Conquest G.Hemandez, Cienfuegos 1996). 12.31 (1 d4 tt'lf6 2 c4 g6 3 tt'lc3 �g7 4 e4 d6 5 h3 0-0) 12.3 (1 d4 lDf6 2 c4 g6 3 lbc3 �g7 4e4 d6) 6 lbf3 White switches to classical lines. 5 h3 6 e5 7 d5 After 7 dxe5 dxe5 8 'ii'xd8 %:txd8 White cannot win a pawn by 9 lbxe5 :te8 I 0 f4 tt'lbd7 11 lbxd7 lbxe4!, and 9 lbd5 is parried by 9 ...ttla6 10 �g5 :td6 11 �xf6 �xf6 12 b4 c6= (Larsen-Hellers, Esbjerg 1988). 7 lba6 After somewhat restricting White on the queenside, Black prepares play on the kingside. The immediate 7 ...tt'lh 5!? is also possible: 8 lbh2 a5 This move was suggested by Reti, 9 g3 lba6 10 �e2 tt'lc5!? (Black is and then developed by Makogonov. not afraid of the spoiling of his 'White wants to develop his kingside pawns, this being compen bishop at e3, and defends against the sated J!,y his active piece play) 11 possibility of ...tt'l g4. In addition he �xh5 gxh5 12 g4 hxg4 13 hxg4 has in mind g2-g4, and in contrast to (Bagirov-Shaked, Linares 1997), the Samisch Variation the f3 square and here Bagirov considers that is left fr ee fo r his knight' - this is 13 . ..c6 14 •n 'ii'h4 15 �d2 b5 16 how this move was characterised by cxb5 cxb5 17 tt'lxb5 f5 ! would have Spassky. led to a double-edged position. Black, in turn, quickly completes 8 �e3 his development and, by exploiting 8 �g5 is satisfactorily met by the temporary delay in the 8 ...'ii' e8 9 g4 lbd7 10 :tg1 �h8 11 mobilisation of the white fo rces, he ..d2 lbdc5 12 0-0-0 .ltd7 with a aims to initiate counterplay on the complicated game (Kavalek-Byme, flanks(m ore often the queenside). Chicago 1973). 5 0-0 8 lbh5 King 's Indian Defence: Deviations from the Class ical Vuriation I 59 9 lL'lb2 Alternatives: 9 lL'ld2 'ife8 10 lL'lb3 fS 11 c5 f4 12 .i.d2 lL'lxcS 13 lbxcS dxcS 14 �e2 :tf6 (Karkov-Sirota, corr. 1987). 9 a3 fS 10 b4 lL'lb8 11 :tcl lbd7 12 exfS gxfS 13 lL'lgS lL'ldf6 14 .i.e2 'l"e8 15 l£le6 .i.xe6 16 dxe6 f4 1 7 �d2 e4 (Xu Jun-Cvitan, Novi Sad 1990). In both cases Black gained counterplay by exploiting the advanced kingside pawns - a com mon strategy in this type of position. 12.32 (1 d4 lL'lf6 2 c4 g6 3 lL'lc3 9 'ife8 .tg7 4 e4 d6 5 b3 �) 10 .i.e2 15!? 11 exf5 6 .te3 If 11 � lbf6 12 exfS gxf5 13 f4 Black should not allow the fixing of his pawn chain (13 . ..e4? ! 14 g4!±), but should play 13 ...exf 4 14 .i.xf4 lbcS with counterplay. 11 lL'lf4 12 � Or 12 .i.xf4 exf4 13 fx.g6 'ifxg6 14 �fl lbcS (Chernin-J.Polgar, New Delhi 1990). For the pawn Black has excellent play - two powerful bishops plus the displaced white king. 12 .i.xf5 6 e5 13 :tel 'ilfi Here too this continuation 1s We are fo llowing the game sound enough. K.Hansen-Kasparov (Svendborg 7 d5 1990). Black has completely solved Opening the position also does his opening problems - he is well not give White any advantage: 7 developed, and his pieces are dxe5 dxe5 8 liJfl lL'lbd7 9 'ild2 e6 excellently coordinated ( ...lbb4 is 10 l:ld l 'ile7 11 .te2 l£lc5 12 .iJ(S already threatened). h6!? 13 .txh6 lL'lcxe4 14 'ilcl.ix ht, 160 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 1S 11fxh6 llJxc3 16 bxc3. Black's king position is somewhat weak ened, but White has serious pawn weaknesses on the queenside (Heinatz-Hund, Germany 1994). 7 aS Useful prophylaxis - the liJb8 aims fo r cS, and the pawn at aS safeguards this manoeuvre. 8 �d3 llJa6 9 llJge2 llJc5 10 �cl c6 11 a3 cxd5 12 cxd5 �d7 A fashionable continuation, developed by Romanian players. White prevents ...e7-eS . 6 a6!? An interesting idea, analysed in detail by the Moscow GM lgor Glek. Black is ready for immediate counterplay on the queenside ( ...b7- bS), but also does not forget about the centre ( ...c7-c S). This flexible plan is one of the best replies to the Romanian variation. 7 liJf3 Let us consider other tries by We are fo llowing I.Sokolov White ·ror an advantage: Thipsay (Moscow 1994). Mobilis 7 a4 c6 8 liJf3 liJbd7 ...(8 aS is ation is complete, and the outcome also possible, not allowing the white of the opening can be considered pawn onto this square) 9 aS bS!? 10 normal fo r Black. 13 b4 axb4 14 axb6 'ifxb6 11 'ifc2 :b8 and Black axb4 llJa6 15 l;lb1 lL!hS 16 lL!a4 fS !? has counterplay on the b-file (Suba led to a complicated middlegame I.Sokolov, Oviedo 1992). with chances fo r both sides. 7 i..d3 cS 8 dS bS!? (the main idea of 6 ...a6), and now: 12.33 (1 d4 liJf6 2 c4 g6 3 llJc3 (a) 9 cxbS axbS I 0 llJxbS llJxe4! i..g7 4 e4 d6 5 h3 0--0) (this also works after I 0 �xbS) 11 i..xe4 'ifaS+ 12 liJc3 �xc3+ 13 �d2 6 i..g5 (no better is 13 bxc3 'ifxc3+ 14 �d2 King 's Indian Defence: Deviations from the Classical Variation t 6 t 'it'eS+) 13... .txd2+ 14 'it'xd2 'it'xd2+ mobilising his fo rces. The chances t 5 'it>xd2 l:a4 and Black is already are roughly equal. close to a win (Barbero-Giek, 8 ...dl can be met by the typical Barcelona 1992); 8 ...cS 9 dS bS!? withgood play. (b) 9 tDf3 !? (an interesting plan 8 tDe8 the opponent is provoked into 9 'it'dl playing ...b5 -b4, which would lead 9 tDd5 can be met by the simple to the fixingof the black pawn chain 9 ...f6 , while 9 .i.eldxeS I 0 dxeS c6 and an advantage fo r White) fo llowed by ...tDc7-e6 gives Black 9 ...bxc4 10 .txc4 tDbd7 11 0--0, sufficient counterplay (Giek). and here instead of 11... l:b8 12 9 c5 b3 !?;t (Yennolinsky-Piket, Wijk aan 10 tDd5 f6 Zee 1997), Black should have played 11... .i.b 7!? fo llowed by ...tDb6 and in some cases ...e7-e6, attacking the white centre, when his chances would not have been worse. 7 1i'd2 c5 (Black can also consider 7 ...tDbd7 fo llowed by ...c7- c5, not allowing the possible exchange of queens) 8 dS?! (as shown by Glek, more accurate is 8 dxc5 dxcS 9 'ifxd8 l:txd8 I 0 e5 tDfd7co) 8 ... Wa5 ! 9 a4 bS!? 10 cxbS ..,b4 (Black already has the initiative) I 1 .td3 axbS 12 e5 dxeS We are fo llowing the game Van 13 .txbS .i.a6 14 .txa6 tDxa6 with der Sterren-Giek (Holland 1994) strong pressure (Lazarev-Giek, where Black easily solved his Oberwart 1993 ). opening problems: 11 exf6 tDexf6 7 tDbd7 12 tDxf6+ tDxf6 13 .td3 fS!.t 14 8 e5 .txfS (or 14 0--0 tDe4! 1 S .ixe4 Quiet play does not cause Black .ixe4 16 l:fel .i.xf3 17 .i.xe7 'W'd7 any particular problems: 8 .tel h6 18 .ixf8 l:xf8 19 gxf3 .i.xd4 with (or 8 ...c5 !?) 9 .te3 cS 10 0--0 cxd4 an attack for Black) 14 ...gx f5 IS 11 .i.xd4 b6 (Suba-Kr.Georgiev, .i.xf6 .txf6 16 dS �h8 17 g4 ...h6 ! Prague 1985). Black develops his and White had to switch to a bishop on the long diagonal and difficult defence. satisfactorily solves the problem of 13 King's Indian Defence: Averbakh Variation 1 d4 �f6 but this leads to lengthy and 2 c4 g6 intricate variations, and the simple 3 �c3 .i.g7 7 ...dxc 5 is more practical) 8 'ifxd8 4 e4 d6 lZ.xd8 9 e5 �fd7. 5 .i.e2 0--0 6 .i.g5 White faces a choice: (a) 10 �f3 (defending the e This variation dates from the pawn) l0.. . �c6 11 lZ.d1 h6 12 .i.e3 game Averbakh-Panno (Buenos b6 13 e6 fxe6 14 �b5 rj{fl 15 � Aires 1954). It is directed against .i.b7 16 �4 �f8 and Black's Black's counterplay with ...e7-e5 chances are not worse - White still and ...f7-f 5, and essentially aims fo r has to demonstrate that he has pressure over the entire board. compensation fo r the pawn 6 c5 (Bonsch-Frick, Graz 1993); The most critical continuation, (b) 10 e6 (breaking up Black's immediately attacking· the white kingside pawns) 10... �f6 (interest centre. ing is 1 o ....i.xc3 +!? 11 bxc3 fxe6 7 d5 with a complicated game) 11 exf7+ A complicated ending arises after �xf7 12 ..te3 (12 �f3 �c6 13 � 7 dxc5 dxc5 (7 ...'ifa5 is a good ..tf5 allows Black to complete his alternative, fo rc ing White to spend development unhindered) 12 ... �c6! time parrying the threat of ...�xe4, (an interesting possibility, involving King 's Indian Defence: Averbakh Variation 161 play against the c4 pawn and sorties 8 .i.f4 by the lbc6 into the centre) 13 .i.xc5 The most topical continuation, hy b6 14 .i.a3 lbd4 15 .i.d1 .i.a6. which White aims to hinder the important move ...e7-e6 . Other possibilities: 8 .i.h4 (this allows Black to begin active play on the queenside) 8 ...a6 9 4Jf3 b5! 10 'iic2 (10 cxb5 axb5 11 .i.xb5 lbxe4 also favours Black, while after I 0 4Jd2 b4 11 lba4lbh 7 12 0-0 4Jd7 13 'iic2 g5 14 .i.g3 lbe5 White has to think of how to equalise, Ehlvest-Kasparov, Horgen 1995, by transposition) 1 o . .. bxc4 11 4Jd2 e6 12 .i.xc4 g5 13 .i.g3 exd5 14 lbxd5 lbc6 (Bobotsov-Tal, Black has actively deployed his Moscow 1967). Black has a clear fo rces, and has excellent play for the advantage - the b-file, excellent pawn. H.Olafs son-Istratescu (Debre posts at b4 and d4 for his knight, the cen 1992) continued 16 4Jf3 lbxf3+ powerful King's Indian bishop at 17 .i.xf3 l:r.ac8, and now 18 0-0 g7, and a lead in development - (dangerous is 18 lbb5 l:r.xc4 19 what more could he want? lbxa7 lbe4�) 18... .i.xc4 would have 8 .i.d2 (this allows Black to led to complete equality. attack the white centre) 8 ...e6 9 h3 7 h6 (or 9 4Jf3 exd5 10 exd5 .i.f5=) 9 ... b5!? (exploiting the undefended state of the pawn at e4, Black begins play against the opponent's centre) 1 0 cxb5 exd5 11 exd5 .i.b7 12 W'b3 lbbd7 13 4Jf3 lbb6, and White, who is behind in development, has obvious problems (L.Spasov Velimirovic, Yugoslavia 1970). 8 .i.e3 (retaining the possibility of gaining a tempo by attacking the h6 pawn with 'iid2) 8 ...e6, and now: (a) 9 dxe6 .i.xe6 10 W'd2 �h7 11 h3 ( 11 0--0-0 is well met hy This move prevents White from ll...'iia5 12 W'xd6 lba6 U 'ii l·1 taking control of the cl-h6 diagonal. 4Jd7 14 J.d2 tt:'lb4 with the initwi i Vt' 164 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player fo r Black, while 11 l:tdl is harmless Black has a comfortable game. in view of 11...1i'b6 12 b3 lLlc6 13 He has harmoniously deployed his i.f3l:tad 8 14 lLlge2 a6 15 0-0 lLle5, pieces, and the weakened light when the dynamic resources of squares on the kingside may cause Black's position compensate fo r his White problems. In the game after backward d6 pawn, Amason 17 �h I i.xc3 ! 18 bxc3 lLleS 19 O.Jacobsen, Copenhagen I990) i.e2 fid7 20 �h2 •f5 Black ll...lLlc6 I2 lLlf3 fle7 (a sound completely outplayed his opponent continuation; I2... fla5 !? leads to and seized the initiative; more complicated play, as in (c) 9 ...d2 exdS 10 exdS (with the Portisch-Nunn, Brussels I988) 13 idea of restricting the opponent as 0-0 l:tad8 14 l:tadI l:tfe8 15 l:tfe I much as possible; after 10 cxdS l:te8 fits 16 i.f4 lLld4= (Donner Black has adequate play) IO... �h7 Gligoric, Amsterdam 1971 ). 11 h3 lLla6 12 lLlf3 (or 12 i.d3 lLlc7 M.Gurevich's recommendation of 13 a4 a6 14 li)f3 l:tb8 IS aS bS 16 16 flc2!;!;can be met by 16... i.c8 !? axb6 l:txb6 17 0-0 i.d7 with a 17 b3 b6 with a complicated game; double-edged game, Deze-Mazic, (b) 9 h3 (this prophylactic move Sambor 1972) 12... i.f5 13 i.d3 allows Black to develop his forces fid7 14 0-0 l:tfe8 IS .:tfel. harmoniously) 9 ...exd5 10 exd5 l:te8 IllLlf3 i.f5 12 g4 i.e4 13 ...d2 (or 13 0-0 i.xf3 14 i.xf3 lLlbd7 with a roughly equal game, Averbakh-Geller, USSR 1974) 13... lLlbd 7 14 0-0 i.xf3 IS i.xf3 hS 16 gS lLlh7 (Lputian-Gufeld, Moscow 1983). The critical position of the variation, which can be assessed as roughly equal. Uhlmann-Fischer (Siegen 1970) continued 1S... lLlb4 16 i.xfS flxf5 17 a3 lLlc2 18 lLlh4 flits 19 flxc2 fixh4 20 b3 l:teS with dynamic equality. King 's In dian Defence: Averbakh Variation ]65 Also good is the simple 15. . . �e4 the more prom1smg: he has I 6 �xe4 i.xe4 17 .i.xe4 l:lxe4= fo restalled his opponent's play on ( Boleslavsky). the kingside, and is ready fo r action It is evident that 8 i.e3 is not on the queenside, where White is dangerous fo r Black, and therefore it planning to evacuate his king. rarely occurs in practice. 9 e6 8 1Wa5 The white centre has to be attacked. 10 �f3 exd5 11 exd5 A typical move in this type of position. White tries to restrict as much as possible the opponent's pieces. If Black plays passively, White will gradually develop all his pieces, and then launch a typical attack on the queenside - a2-a3 and b2-b4. Here he has a spatial ad vantage, and in many cases the end game is rather difficult for Black. Black wants to avoid the If Black aims for an attack on the problematic pawn sacrifice 8 •.• e6, kingside, White sets up a pawn and with the text move he disrupts barrier - f4 , g4, h3, restricting the the hannony of White's set-up, opponent's pieces, at the same time fo rcing him to react to the pin on the trying to increase his spatial �3. advantage on the queenside. 9 i.dl Sometimes in these variations he If 9 'ii'dl Black gains counterplay also crosses the demarcation line on by 9 ...e5 !? (recommended by GM the kingside, by preparing f4 -f5. I.Zaitsev ): 11 .i.fS!? (a) 10 .i.xh6 .i.xh6 11 'ii'xh6 A fresh solution to the problem. �e4, and it is only White who may Black usually plays 11.. . a6, trying to have problems; oppose White's plans on the (b) 10 dxe6 i.xe6 11 .i.xd6 l:d8 queenside. 12 eS �e8, when Black is better Black's idea is simple - if White developed and the regaining of the does not react to the bishop pawn is merely a question of time; manoeuvre, he will com lt>rtnhly (c) 10 .i.e3 a6 11 f3 �h7 12 h4 advance ...�e4, exchanging a pni1 (there are no other active attempts) of knights and gaining dclimtt· 12... �h5 !, when Black's position is counterplay on the kingside. 166 An OpeningRe pertoire fo r the Positiona/ Player 12 �h4 Game 14 (p. l 66) A quite justified reply, but Black Kaidanov-Gufeld is able to take advantage of the USA 1995 knight's position on the edge of the board. 1 d4 �f6 12 .id7 2 c4 g6 13 1!i'c1 �h7 3 �c3 .ig7 14 0-0 1Wd8 4 e4 0-0 Now White must either retreat his A little finesse- the obvious 5 eS knight fromh4 or defend it. is ineffective: 5 . ..�e8 6 f4 d6 7 15 g3 �fl cS and the centre cannot be 15 �f3 would have allowed held. White rarely fa lls fo r such 15... .ifS with the idea mentioned tricks, but they are useful to know. earlier of ...�e4 . 5 .ie2 d6 But now Black completes his 6 .ig5 development naturally - the .id7 is The Averbakh Variation is one of occupying practically the only the most effective ways of trying to square for the �b8, since to develop 'stifle' Black's initiative in the it via a6 is unpromising. King's Indian Defence. However, in 15 Jlh3 the present game Black successfully 16 l:el �bd7 opposes this set-up. 6 c5 7 d5 h6 8 .if4 'Was 9 .id2 e6 10 �f3 exd5 11 exd5 .if5 An interesting manoeuvre, aiming fo r control of the e4 square. However, the opening stage of the game is examined in detail in the theoretical section. 12 �h4 White's reaction is perfectly We are fo llowing Illustrative justified. But note that the knight is Game No. 14 Kaidanov-Gufeld temporarily out of play on the edge (USA 1995). of the board. Black has solved his main 12 .i.d7 opening problems and can fa ce the 13 'Wcl �h7 future with confidence. 14 0-0 'Wd8 King 's Indian Defence: Averbakh Variation 167 White has to constantly remember 22 cxb5 about his knight at h4 - now he If22 lDxb5 Black has 22. . .ltJxd5. must either retreat or defend it. 22 1i'b7 15 g3 23 �gl Now Black very naturally Forced. Now Black is unable to completes his development ( d7 ts regain the sacrificed pawn 23 ... vacated fo r the lDb8). lDxd5? 24 1i'e4); in order to attack 15 .th3 he has to bring all his pieces into 16 :et lDbd7 play. 17 1i'c2 l:E.e8 23 c4!? 18 .to .txn In some cases Black hopes to use 19 :xn the d3 square for his knight. But the 19 :xe8 fo llowed by 20 �xfl main idea is to open the c-file - after would not have changed the all, his queen's rook is not character of the position. participating in the play. 19 lDe5 24 .te3 l:E.ac8 20 b3 1i'd7 25 :adl cxb3 The black queen indicates its 26 1i'xb3 .:c4! desire to penetrate into the 27 .td4 :ec8 opponent's position along the Black has successfully regrouped slightly weakened light squares. and has deployed his fo rces in the 21 �g2 best way possible. He has excellent To parry the opponent's threats compensation fo r the minimal White has to use his king. material deficit. 28 b6!? White senses that the opponent's initiative is becoming threatening, and with this counter-sacrifice he tries to change the course of the game. 28 axb6 29 lDb5 1i'd7 30 f4 General considerations fa de into the background, and calculating play begins. 30 lLicg4! 21 b5! 30 ...1i'h3 is over-aggressive: 3 1 This traditional counter under fxe5 dxe5 32 :xf6! .txf6 JJ •n t lines Black's aggressive intentions. 31 lDt3 168 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player The main alternative that had to 'it'd6+�g8 44 lbf6+ �g7 45 lbe8+ be considered was 31 h3 (note that with a draw, or 38 'ifb4llc2 39 'ife4 the retreat of the lbg4 is cut oft), but 'it'c7! 40 'ife8+ �h7 41 lbe4 lbg4 in the given case it would have 42 lle2 'ifc4! 43 llde l �h6! with opened lines fo r the attack. The unclear consequences. most effective way for Black to Thus the strongest move 34 i.xf6 sacrifice his knight is by 31...lb e3 !, would have maintained approximate when if 32 'ifxe3 'ifxb5 he has a equality, whereas 34 lbe6 must at slight but clear positional advantage, least be considered an inaccuracy, while after 32 i.xe3 'it'xh3 White but an understandable one, in view encounters serious problems. of the seemingly dangerous placing 31 b5 of the white queen and black king Black decides to secure the fate of on the a2-g8 diagonal. his lbg4, but in so doing he weakens 34 fx e6 the position of his king and the 35 dxe6 W'e7 game enters a phase of compli 36 .txf6 i.xf6 cations. 3l... lbe4 was objectively 37 lbxd6 .:tc3! better, but understandably the 38 'i'b1 attacking side is unwilling to go in If 38 lbxc8 there fo llows fo r exchanges. 38... 11fc 5+. 32 l:fe1 lbb6 38 :cl 33 lbg5+ 'iii>g8 39 'ifxb6 34 lbe6?! Here too 39 lbxc8 W'c5+ leads to White tries to exploit the a win fo r Black. opponent's time trouble to provoke 39 l:8c6 a mistake. 40 W'b8+ �h7 After 34 .txf6! i.xf6 35 lbe4 41 f5 J.g736 lbbxd6 l:c3 ! 37 lbxc3 llxc3 White also fa ils to save the game White has two main moves, 3 8 by 41 lbe4 llxe6 42 lbxf6+ W'xf6 43 'ifxb6 and 38 'ifb4, to which Black l1d7+lbf7, or 41 lbe8 l:xe6. replies in identical fa shion: 38 'i'xb6 41 gxf5 l1c2 39 'ifb8+ i.f8! 40 lieS 'i'h3 41 White resigns l:xf8+ �g7 42 lbe8+ �xf8 43 14 To rre Attack 1 d4 ltlf6 3 i.f4 i.g7, and now: 2 ltlf3 g6 (a) 4 ltlc3 (this leads to an 3 i.g5 acceptable position fo r Black in the Pirc-Ufimtsev Defence) 4 . . . d6 5 e4 c6 6 1i'd2 b5!? (against White's plan of castling long and attacking on the kingside, Black launches swift counterplay on the queenside) 7 i.d3 (or 7 e5 b4 8 exf6 bxc3 9 bxc3 exf6 10 i.e2 0--0 with approximate equality) 7 ...i.g4 8 0--0--0 ltlbd7 9 h3 i.xf3 10 gxf3 e5 11 dxe5 dxe5 12 i.h6 i.xh6 13 1i'xh6 1i'b6 14 1i'e3 ltlh5 15 ltle2 0--0--0, and after evacuating his king Black can face the fu ture with confidence (Van A method of play proposed by the Parreren- W.Watson, Brocco 1991 ); Mexican GM Carlos Torre in the (b) 4 e3 b6 (the fianchetto of the mid- 1 920s. This was how (although second bishop gives Black a com in the Queen's Pawn Game 1 d4 fo rtable game) 5 c3 i..b7 6 lDbd2 c5 lbf6 2 lbt3 e6 3 i.g5) the fam ous 7 h3 0--0 8 i.e2 d6 9 0--0 lbc6 I 0 Torre-Lasker game began, in which i.h2 l:le8 11 1i'b3 1i'c7 12 ltlg5 e5 the great champion not only suffe red and the initiative is already with a defeat, but also fe ll victim to a Black (Smyslov-Geller, Moscow famous 'windmill' combination. 1961 ). Then the method of play with i.g5 3 g3 (with this move White and the erection of the solid central retains the option of transposing into pawn triangle c3/d4/e3 began also to normal lines with g2-g3 ) 3 . ..i.g 7 4 be employed against the King's i.g2 0--0 5 0--0 d6, and now: Indian Defence. (a) 6 b3 (this attempt to fianchcllo Alekhine called this move 'an the second bishop fa vours Blad, , attempt to oppose Indian tricks with since he has already occupied lhl· free piece development'. a1-h8 diagonal) 6 ...e5 7 dxc� dM·'> We will also consider other 8 i.b2 e4 9 1i'xd8 l::.xdH I 0 li'" -'' attempts by White to manage i.f5 11 g4 (Black's posi11o11 is without c2-c4: already slightly more pkasaut. since 170 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player White cannot attack once more the Szeged 1994) S ...cS (here too the e4 pawn by 11 l£lc3 in view of 11... transposition into a Grtinfeld h6!, exploiting the undefended .ltb2) structure is possible: S ...dS !? 6 .i.g2 11.. . .i.xg4 12 l£lxe4 l£lxe4 13 .i.xg7 cS 7 0-0 cxd4 8 l£Jxd4 eS 9 l£Jf3 e4 �xg7 14 .i.xe4 l£lc6 1S l£lc3 l£Jd4+ 10 l£Jd4 l:.e8 11 l£la3 e3, and Black (Filip-Geller, Amsterdam 19S8); actively fights for the initiative, (b) 6 l£lc3 l£Jbd7 7 e4 eS 8 .:e t b6 Secula-Smyslov, Germany 1991) 6 9 a4 aS 10 b3 .i.b7 11 .i.b2 .:e8 12 dxcS 'W'aS+ 7 'W'd2 'W'xcS 8 l£lc3 dS! 'W'd2 exd4 (beginning play against with good chances for Black (Yudo the white centre) 13 l£Jxd4 lDcS 14 vich-Kholmov,Moscow 1966). f3 .:e7 1S .:ad 1 'W'd7 16 'W'c1 .:ae8. 3 Jtg7 4 l£Jbd2 Black handled the position successfully in the game Sorokin Sakaev (St Petersburg 1993) where the rare move 4 c3 was played. After 4 ...cS !? S dxcS l£la6 6 'W'd4 l£lc7 7 l£Jbd2 l£le6 8 'W'c4 b6 9 cxb6 'W'xb6 10 'W'b3 'flc7 11 .lth4 (11 'flc4 'flb6=) ll. . . l:.b8 12 'flc2 he could have gained good play for the pawn by 12... 'W'b7 (Sakaev). 4 c5 Black has comfortably deployed his fo rces and his chances look slightly better - White has to think in terms of defence and watch fo r Black's possible pawn thrusts (G.Mainka-Stohl, Germany 1994). 3 b3 (with this move order, before the black bishop has taken up its post at g6, the doul;)le fianchetto is possible) 3 ....i.g7 4 .i.b2 0-0 S g3 (after S e3 it is advisable fo r Black to transpose into a good version of a Grtinfeld structure - S ...dS 6 c4 c6 7 An energetic way of countering l£lc3 aS 8 a4 l£la6 9 .i.d3 l£lb4 1 0 White's set-up. Black immediately 0-0 .i.g4 11 .i.e2 .i.fS, when he has attacks the d4 pawn, at the same no problems, Strome-A.Grigorian, time opening a convenient route fo r Torre Attack 171 his queen to the queenside. White the centre. In general the position is can choose 5 �xf6 (14.1) or 5 e3 one of dynamicbalan ce. (14.2); in this second section we will 9 c4 also consider 5 c3. If 9 �c3 Black achieves a 5 dxc5 can be met by s ...�a6 6 comfortable game by 9 ...�c6 1 0 �b3 �xcS 7 �xcS 1i'a5+ with 1i'd2 1i'b6! (attacking the b2 and f2 equality. pawns) 11 l:bl (1 1 h4 1i'xb2 12 l:tb l 1i'a3 13 hS leads to unclear play - 14.1 (1 d4 �f6 2 �f3 g6 3 .*.g5 Gulko) 11...1i'd4 12 l:tdl 'ifxd2+ 13 .*.g7 4 �bd2 c5) l:txd2 d6 14 �d5 b5!, creating pressure on the queenside (Miles 5 �xf6 Gulko, USA 1987). This leads to lively play involving 9 0--0--0 �c6 10 1i'd2 dS!? (a the tactical idea of �e4. pawn sacrifice for the sake of S �xf6 activity), and now: 5 •••exf6 6 �4!? looks unpleasant (a) 11 �g3 i.e6 12 e3 l:tc8 13 fo r Black. �b 1 1i'b6 14 �2 (better 14 �d3 6 �e4 �xd4 d4! 15 exd4 .*.xa2+ 16 �xa2 �b4+ 7 �xd4 cxd4 17 �bl 1i'a5 18 c3 'ifa2+ 19 �cl 8 'ifxd4 0--0 'ifal+ 20 �bl �a2+ 21 �c2 �b4+ with a draw by perpetual check) 14... d4 ! 15 �cl �b4 16 �d3 �d5! with advantage to Black (V .Ag zamov-Loginov,Tashkent 1986); (b) 11 1i'xd5 1i'c7 12 1i'c5 (after 12 'ifg5 �f5 13 �c3 �b4 Black has compensation fo r the pawn) 12... b6 13 1i'c3 (13 1i'e3 �b4) 13... 1i'f4+ 14 1i'e3 1i'xe3+ 15 fxe3 �eS (Kova cevic-Stean, Zagreb 1972). Despite being a pawn down, Black's chances are not worse - White is behind in development, and his c3 An important pos1t1on fo r the pawn is also weak. assessment of the variation. White is 9 �c6 slightly ahead in development and 10 1i'd2 d6 has control of the half-open d-file. 11 �c3 �e6 However, Black can regain a tempo 12 e4 'ifb6 thanks to the position of the 'ifd4 The critical position of llw and can obtain a pawn superiority in variation. 172 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player .i.e2 (after 8 .i.d3 d6 9 0--0 .i.d7 1 0 h3 l:tc8 11 a3 a6 12 'iFe2 lbd5 13 e4 lbc7 14 dS lbd4 15 lbxd4 .i.xd4 16 ll:lc4 .i.bS 17 l:tad 1 .i.xc4 18 .i.xc4 .i.g7 Black has a nonnal position, Manor-V.Spasov, Tunja 1989) 8 ... d6 9 0--0 h6 (9... .i.fS is also good) 10 .i.h4 (Balashov-Lanka, Russia 1988), and here the standard 10... eS would have led to a roughly equal game. In the game Spiridonov-Kasparov (Skara 1980) White chose 13 l::td1?!, and after 13 ...lbe5 ! (creating an 'eternal' square for the knight at eS) 14 b3 fS 15 .i.e2 (or 15 exfS :xf5 16 lbe4 l:.af8 17 .i.e2 4 l:.f with a clear advantage - Kasparov) 15... f4 16 lbdS .i.xdS 1 7 'iVxdS+ 9ilg7 Black's chances proved better - the lbeS dominates the play. 13 .i.e2 1i'd4 14 l:td 1 1i'xd2+ 15 l:.xd2 was more accurate, when S exd4 although Black's chances in the The most rational plan. After ending look slightly preferable, relieving·'the tension in the centre, White can hold the position. Black is ready for a counter-attack against the d4 pawn by ...e7-e5 . 14.2 (1 d4 lbf6 2 lbfJ g6 3 .i.gS 6 exd4 0--0 .i.g74 lbbd2tS) 7 i..d3 After 7 i..e2 Black again obtains s e3 counterplay by standard methods: White aims fo r the set-up with the 7 ...ll:lc6 8 c3 d6 9 0--0 h6 1 0 i..h4 familiar pawn triangle in the centre. 1i'c7 (planning ...e7-e5) 11 .i.g3 If he begins with S d (planning e2- ll:lhS 12 lbe1 ll:lxg3 13 hxg3 eS 14 e4), the difference is that the e-fileis dS ll:lb8 15 g4 ll:ld7 16 l::tc 1 lbf6 17 opened instead of the c-file in the c4 aS 18 lbc2 .i.d7 (Barta-Lanka, event of the exchange on d4: Paris 1990), and with . . . f7-f5 he 5 ...cxd4 6 cxd4 0--0 7 e3 lbc6 8 gains attacking chances. Torre Attack 173 After 7 .i.c4 ltlc6 8 c3 d6 9 0--0 b3 ltlfl 20 hxg6 hxg6 21 J:tadI %:tfe8 h6 10 .i.h4 (Malanyuk-Tkachiev, with not at all a bad game fo r Black Cappelle la Grande 1995) Black - he was able later to advance his should have played IO.. . eS!? With 'trump' e- and f- pawns and win. an acceptable game. 7 ltlc6 8 c3 d6 9 0--0 ...c7 Here too 9 ...h6 is possible, but Black is aiming fo r ...e7-e5 . 10 J:tel e5 11 d:x.e5 d:x.e5 12 ltlc4 ltle8 13 ...el f6 14 .i.dl .i.e6 We are fo llowing the game Vyzhmanavin-Lanka (Novosibirsk 1986) which (see diagram next However, after 15 l:ad1 J:td8 16 column) continued 15 b4 ltle7 16 hS .i.c l ltle7 (or 16... ltld6 !?) his J:td8 17 ltle3 ltld6 18 .i.c2 'W'b6 19 position is again sufficientlysou nd. 15 Trompowsky Attack 1 d4 �f6 i..e2 i..e6 10 0-0, Malanyuk-Ravi, 2 i..g5 Calcutta 1993, I 0 ...'Wc7 !?, or 8 i..c4 �c6 9 0-0 �S I 0 i..e2 i..e6 11 lte1 a6 12 W'c2 bS, Malanyuk Marin, Salimanesti 1992 - in both cases with an acceptable game fo r Black) 8 ...�c6 9 0-0 W'c7 10 •c2 l:ld8 11 l:lfe 1 h6 12 i..h4 �hS (Black carries out a regrouping of his minor pieces that is typical of the given set-up: ...i.. e6, ...�f 4, ...�e S, and easily solves his opening problems) 13 �c4 i..e6 14 �3 �f4 1S i..fl �eS= (Yusupov Kasparov, Riga 199S). This original opening, named 2 g3 (this move is not usually of after the Brazilian master Octavio independent significance, but is a Trompowsky, is the favourite way of transposing to known varia weapon of the English GM Julian tions) 2 ...cS !? (exploiting White's Hodgson. rather slow play, Black immediately We will also consider other rare begins activity on the queenside; moves for White after l...�f6 : 2 ... g6 is also possible, transposing 2 c3 g6 (2 ...dS is a good into fam iUar King's Indian lines) 3 alternative, transposing into a sound dS (if 3 lLJf3 there fo llows 3 . ..•as+ Queen's Pawn Opening set-up) 3 4 �3 cxd4 S �xd4 �e4 6 i..d2 i.gS i.g7 4 �d2 0-0 S e4 d6 6 �xd2 7 'ii'xd2 �c6 with equality - �gf3 (after 6 f4 cS 7 dxcS dxcS 8 Adorjan) 3 ...bS 4 i..g2 d6 (or i..c4 �c6 9 �gf3 �aS I 0 i.e2 �g4 4 ...i.b 7!?) S �f3 g6 6 c4 a6 (also 11 �fl 'Wb6 Black begins active interesting is 6 ...i.. g7 7 cxbS a6!?, play, Klaric-Kasparov, Graz 1981) transposing into a Benko Gambit, 6 ...cS (commencing the usual play but that is another story ...) 7 a4 b4 8 against the white centre) 7 dxcS b3 i.g7 9 i..b2 0-0 10 �bd2 lta7!? (little is prom ised by 7 i..e2 h6!? 8 Black has a flexible position (he i.h4 cxd4 9 �xd4 �c6 I 0 0-0 plans ...e7-e6) with sufficient dS !=, Rossetto-Parma, Mar del Plata counterplay (Csom-Adorjan, Hun 1962) 7 ...dxcS 8 i..e2 (8 'Wc2 �c6 9 gary 1989). TrompowskyAtt ack 175 2 tt::lc3 d5! - the most accurate, hindering White's pawn operations in the centre: (a) 3 e4?! (this, the Blackmar Diemer Gambit, is inadequate) 3 . ..dxe4 4 f.3 exD 5 tt::lxD i.g4 (the alternative is 5 ...g6) 6 h3 i.xD 7 'it'xD c6 8 i.e3 e6 9 i.d3 tt::lbd7 10 0--{) i.e7 11 g4 (an attempt to create pressure on the f-file) 11.. .h6. White has the two bishops and slightly more space. Black has held on to the gambit pawn witha sound position, and his chances are better; This, the Veresov Opening, is the (b) 3 tt::ln tt::le4!? (a very interes most popular continuation. White ting idea of i.Zaitsev) 4 tt::lxe4 (there defers the clash in the centre until does not appear to be any other sen later, and continues his develop sible move - Black was threatening ment. 3 ...tt::lbd7 (retaining the to spoil White's queenside pawns) option of recapturing on f6 with the 4 ...dxe4 5 tt::lg5 i.f5 (5 ...tt::l c6 is knight), and now: also possible) 6 f.3 exD 7 exD tt::lc6. (d1) 4 f.3 (this move, intending Black has good piece play; e2-e4, is not very promising) 4 ...e6 ! (c) 3 f.3 (at the cost of a certain (sounder than the more usual 4 ...c5 delay with his development, White - Black reinforces his central aims to set up a strong pawn centre) bulwark, the d5 pawn, in order to 3 ...c5 !? (the most thematic reply, play the thematic ...c7-c5 at the immediately striking at the centre) 4 required moment; White's centre, by e3 (if 4 dxc5 the simplest is 4 ...e6; contrast, is not very secure) 5 e4 h6 also after 4 i.g5 there is no need to 6 i.h4 dxe4 7 fxe4 i.b4 8 'it'D c5 9 go in for complications by 4 ...cxd4, 0--0--0 cxd4 10 :xd4 1i'a5 with an the simple 4 ...e6 being better, when excellent game for Black (Sahovic it is difficult for White to set up a Tseshkovsky, Bled 1979); pawn centre, and without this the (d2) 4 tt::lD h6 (it is usefulto fo rce pawn at f.3 looks rather ridiculous) the white bishop to declare its 4 ...e6 5 i.b5+ tt::lc6 6 tt::lge2 'it'c7 7 intentions - at h4 it may be attacked e4 dxe4 8 fxe4 cxd4 9 1i'xd4 i.d7:f. by ...g7-g5 ; also satisfactory is 4 ... Of White's centre only an 'isolani' e6 5 e3 i.e7 6 i.e2 c5 7 0-0 0 0 M remains, and Black has no problems a4 b6 9 a5 bxa5 !? 10 tt::ld2 cxd4 11 (Schouten-Sziva, Belgium 1997); exd4 i.b7 12 tt::lb3 i.b4, when it is (d) 3 i.g5. not easy fo r White to rc�uin hi'> 176 An Opening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player pawn, Dydyshko-Sadler, Pula 1997) (f3+e4). The drawbacks to this S j_h4 e6 6 e4 (White also gains no strategy are that it deprives the advantage by 6 e3 J..e7 7 �eS �xeS king's knight of its best devel 8 dxeS �d7 9 J..g3 J..b4 1 0 1i'g4 opment square (f3) and that it is i.xc3+ 11 bxc3 •ss, Hort-Smetan, rather slow. Black must play ener Biel 1982) 6 ...gS 7 i.g3 �xe4 8 getically, immediately provoking a �xe4 dxe4 9 �eS (after 9 �d2 i.g7 clash in the centre. 10 h4 j_xd4 11 c3 j_es 12 �xe4 White's other possibilities: j_xg3 13 fxg3 gxh4 14 l:lxh4 •e7 3 j_h4 cS 4 f3 (if 4 dS �6 S Black gains the advantage, Galkin 1i'c 1 there fo llows S ...gS 6 j_gJ Volzhin, Perm 1997) 9 ...j_g7 10 h4 i.g77 c3 �6! and Black seizes the �xeS 11 j_xeS j_xeS 12 dxeS j_d7 initiative, O.Rodriguez-Hort, Las 13 •s4 •e7 14 0-0--0 0--0-0 Palmas 197S) 4 ...gS !? (the basic (Reynolds-Nunn, London 1987). In idea of Black's counterplay, 'latch this complicated position Black's ing on' to the j_h4) S fxe4 gxh4 6 chances are better - his bishop goes e3 (weaker is 6 �c3 cxd4! 7 •xd4 to c6 where it will exert pressure on l:lg8 8 eS �c6 9 •e4 •as 10 �f3 White's position. d6 11 0-0--0 i.e6 when White is 2 �e4 fo rced onto the defensive, Kunc O.Moiseev, corr. 1970) 6 ...j_h6 (taking aim at the e3 pawn) 7 �f2 (after 7 i.c4 e6 8 •hs •sS!? 9 •xgS j_xgS White has problems, Bellon-Schmidt, Biel 1990) 7 ... cxd4 8 exd4 eS (exploiting the idea of 9 dxeS? 1i'b6+, Black strikes a blow in the centre) 9 �f3 �c6 1 0 c3 d6. The most critical reaction to the Trompowsky-Hodgson Attack. The j_gs has to declare its ihtentions. 3 .tf4 A flexible continuation. With f2- f3 White will drive the �e4 from its active position and try to set up a solid pawn chain in the centre Tr ompowskyAtt ack 177 Black's chances are not worse - his two bishops and the exposed position of the opponent's king fully compensate fo r the spoiling of his kingside pawns (Voloshin-Golubev, Alushta 1993). 3 h4 (an eccentric continuation; in the event of the exchange on g5, White counts on creating pressure on the h-file) 3 ...d5 (the alternative is 3 ...c5) 4 �d2 �xg5 (now this exchange is appropriate, since Black can play his bishop to fS) 5 hxg5 .i.fS 6 e3 e6 7 g4 .i.g6 8 f4 c5 The most popular and logical (8 ...�d7 !?) 9 �gf3 (Black's chan continuation Black attacks ces are also preferable after 9 1Vf3 White's central pawn, at the same 'ird7!?) 9 ...�c6 10 c3 1Vb6. time opening a way for his queen to the queenside. The alternative Js 3 •.•d5. 4 f3 Other continuations fo r White: 4 c3 1Vb6 5 f3 �f6 (5 . ..'irxb2 6 fxe4!? is unclear) 6 b3 (after Hort's recommendation of 6 .i.c1 cxd4 7 1rxd4 1rxd4 8 cxd4 d5 Black again has nothingto complain of)6 ...cxd4 7 1rxd4 1Vxd4 8 cxd4 �c6 9 .ic3 d5 and Black's position is already preferable (Bohm-Geller, Moscow 1975). We are fo llowing the game 4 dS 'irb6 (reminding White that Hodgson-Gufeld (Hastings 1986/7, his b2 pawn is unprotected) 5 lild2 which continued 11 �h4?! 'irxb2 12 (after 5 'irc l c4! 6 e3 'iraS+ 7 lild �xg6 (12 f5 exf5 13 gxfS .i.h5+) �xc3 8 'ifd2e6! 9 bxc3 exdS White 12... fxg6 13 l:[b1 1rxc3 14 l:[b31Va5 has problems - Rotshtein; or 5 iLc I 15 .:xb7 c4!, when Black had an 'iraS+!? - fo rcing White to take undisputed advantage. However, away the natural square fi.u the even after 11 'irb3 1Vxb3 White development of his �b I - 6 cl li)f�, faces a gruelling battle for equality. 7 .i.gS 1Vb6, and Black ' s dumn·� 3 c5 are not worse) 5 ...lilxd2 (, .i.xtl.' I 7M An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 'W'xh2 7 c4 e6!? (attacking the white 8 lLlc6! �. entre at just the right time) 8 .i.d3 Black prepares to attack the white (or 8 li)IJ exd5 9 exd5 d6=F) 8 ...exd5 centre. 9 cxd5 'ii'd4!? and it is not easy fo r 9 e4 White to demonstrate that he has Or 9 d5 e5! compensation fo r the pawn. 9 eS! 4 'ii'aS+ A fa miliar idea - the c-pawn is invited to occupy the lawful square of the lLlb1. 5 c3 ll)f6 6 liJdl Sharp play results from 6 dS 'ii'b6!? 7 b3 e6 8 e4 exdS 9 exdS .i.d6 10 lLlh3 0-0 11 'ii'd2 l1e8+ 12 .i.e2 c4! 13 .i.xd6 (after 13 bxc4 .i.c5 the white king risks having to remain in the centre) 13... 'ii' xd6 14 bxc4 bS!? (a typical way of undermining the dS pawn) 15 cxbS Putting into effect the main idea (I.Sokolov-Smirin, Wijk aan Zee of Black's counterplay. After 10 1993 ), and now 1 5 ...liJxd 5 (16 c4 dxe5 .i.b4+ 11 �e2 (if 11 ..td2 'ii'e5!) would have given Black lLlxe5 12 .i.xb4 'ii'xb4+ 13 'ii'd2 sufficient play fo r the pawn. 'ii'xd2+ 14 liJxd2 d5! or 11 liJd2 6 cxd4 lLlhS with an excellent game) 7 lLlb3 'ii'b6 1I...lLlxeS 12 'ii'd4 lLlg6 he achieved 8 cxd4 a promising position - White has to 8 'ii'xd4 lLlc6!? 9 'ii'xb6 axb6 10 solve the problem of his 'developed' .i.e3 bS 11 liJd4 lLlxd4 12 .i.xd4 e6 king (Hodgson-Gelfand, Groningen leads to equality. 1996). 16 English Opening 1 c4 leads to the basic position of the King's Indian) 3 ...d6 4 g3 �f6 5 i..g2 0-0, transposing into the main variation. 2 �fJ The same position arises ifWh ite tries to play the Reti Opening: 1 �f3 �f6 2 c4. With 2 �cl White can retain the option of transposing into the plan with e2-e4 and �ge2: 2 ... g6 3 g3 i..g7 4 i..g2 0-0, and now: (a) 5 �f3 d6 6 0-0 eS 7 d3 (7 d4 �bd7 transposes into the King's This popular opening, developed Indian Defence) 7 ...�6 8 %lb l aS 9 by the 19th century English a3 %1e8 (preparing to counter Champion Howard Staunton, has White's queenside activity with play been adopted by many well-known in the centre) 10 i..gS ( 10 b4 axb4 modem grandmasters, including 11 axb4 is met by 11...e 4!) IO... h6 World Champions Garry Kasparov 11 i..xf6 i..xf6 12 b4 axb4 13 axb4 and Anatoly Karpov and the young i..g7 14 bS �e7 (14... �d4 IS �d2 super-star Vladimir Kramnik. %1a3 is also satisfactory, Krivo The attraction of White's first nogov-Yutaev, Kstovo 1997) I S move is that it gives him a wide W'c2 c6 16 �d2 i..e6 17 bxc6 bxc6 choice of subsequent plans and 18 %1b7 dS and Black has a good allows him, fo r the time being, to game - a powerful centre and play camouflage his intentions. But the with ...eS -e4 (Andersson-Shirov, true King's Indian player will not be Monaco 1997); surprised by such a move. The (b) S e4 d6 6 �ge2 �c6!? 7 dJ c5 attraction of this opening is its 8 0-0 i..e6 9 %1b l aS 10 a3 'ii'd7 11 universality - after practically any b4 axb4 12 axb4 �g4!? and Black's move order he can achieve his chances are not worse - he has har fav ourite set-up. moniously developed pieces, a sol id 1 �f6 pawn chain, and chances of plny A good alternative is 1 ... g6 2 e4 over the entire board (< il'lllll i..g7 3 �c3 (3 d4 d6 4 �c3 �f6 Kalinichenko, Moscow 1991). I HO An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 2 g6 e3 i.xg2 13 ltlxg2 ltle6 14 d3 c6 15 3 b4 a4 dS with a good game for Black, Polugayevsky-Van Wely, Gronin- gen I993) 7 ...ltlbd7 8 d3 'ike7 (also possible is 8 ...ltlh5 !? 9 ltlc3 f5 co, Plachetka-Tal, Kapfenberg I970) 9 ltlbd2 c6 I 0 'ifb3 aS 11 a3 a4 I2 'ikc2 dS 13 e3 bS!? 14 cxbS cxb5 15 l:tacI i.a6 16 'ikbI ltle8 (Stein Tseshkovsky, Sochi 1970). Black has halted White's play on the queenside and covered the invasion squares on the c-file. Given the opportunity, he will begin advancing his kingside pawns. The chances are White carries out the 'extended roughly equal. fianchetto', aiming to expand his 5 d6 territorial gains on the queenside. For the alternative 5 ... b6!? cf. We also consider the normal Illustrative Game No. 15 (Smyslov fianchetto: 3 b3 i.g7 4 i.b2 0--{), Gufeld, Moscow 1967). and now: 6 i.e2 e5 (a) 5 e3 d6 6 i.e2 eS 7 0--{) l:te8 7 d3 l:te8 (or 7 ...ltlb d7) 8 d3 ltlc6 9 ltlc3 dS 10 Black prepares ...e5 -e4. cxdS lLlxdS 11 l:tc 1 a5 12 'ifc2 8 0--0 a5 ltlcb4 13 'ifb1 ltlxc3 14 i.xc3 cS 1 5 9 b5 e4 l:tfd1 b6 with equality (Niklasson Vaganian, Skara 1980); (b) 5 g3 d6 6 i.g2eS (or 6 ... a5 !?) 7 0--{) l:te8 8ltlc3 c6 9 e3 (9 e4 leads to a King's Indian set-up) 9 ...ltlb d7. The chances are roughly equal. Black meets I 0 d4 with 10... e4 I 1 ltld2 dS, seizing space in the centre. 3 i.g7 4 i.b2 0--0 5 e3 In this position too the plan with i.g2 is encountered: 5 g3 d6 6 i.g2 eS 7 0--{) (or 7 ltlc3 ltlc6 8 bS ltld4 9 Black fo rces exchanges in the 0--{) i.g4 10 ltle1 'ifc8 11 f3 i.h3 12 centre and achieves an equal game. English Op ening 181 Korchnoi-Glek (Budapest 1996) 6 d4 continued 1 0 dxe4 l£lxe4 11 l£ld4 An aggressive idea, after which l£Jd7 12 l£lc3 l£lxc3 13 .i.xc3 l£lc5 Black faces a difficultchoic e - he is 14 l:lcl l£le4 (14... .i.d7 !?) 15 .i.a1 threatened with 'suffocation' in the .i.d7 16 .i.f3 b6 17 'ifc2 'fle7 18 centre. l:lfd 1 l:lac8 19 l£lc6 .i.xc6 20 bxc6 6 cS! .i.xal 21 l:lxal f5 !? with a very The correct plan. With the oppo slight initiative for Black, although nent not yet castled, the opening of the position is still close to equal. lines, even where he looks stronger, gives Black counterchances. Game 15 (p.l 80) 7 dxcS bxcS Smyslov-Gufeld 8 bS a6 Mo scow 1967 9 a4 By drawing White into a conflict 1 c4 l£lf6 on the queenside, Black has diverted l ll)fJ g6 his attention from the normal 3 b4 mobilisation of his forces, and in Curiously, this was the exact compensation fo r the seemingly course taken by the classic game dangerouswhite pawn wedgehe can Reti-Capablanca (New York 1924), operate successfully on other parts in which the World Champion of the board. Now 9 ....i.b7 is good, suffered a sensational defeat after with comfortable development, but being undefeated fo r eight whole the sharp continuation chosen is also years! possible - it is based on the 3 .i.g7 unsettled state of the white king. 4 .i.bl 0-0 9 l£le4!? s e3 The game enters a phase of In the Reti-Capablanca game fascinating tactical complications. Black easily equalised after 5 g3 b6 10 .i.xg7 �g7 6 .i.g2 .i.b7 7 0-0 d6, and only lost 11 'ifdS! as a result of a mistake in the White is obliged to accept the middlegame. challenge. Quiet development by 11 s b6 .i.d3 'fla5+ 12 l£Jbd2 l£Jxd2 13 Black chooses the same set-up as 'flxd2 axb5 14 cxb5 d5 allows Black Capablanca. 5 ...d6 is also good - cf. an excellent game. the analysis. 11 'flaS+ In general it has to be said that the 1l �el! system of play chosen by White This too is necessary. After 12 gives him few chances of gaining an l£Jbd2 l£Jxd2 13 l£Jxd2 axb5 ! Black advantage. already has the advantage. 182 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player This reply is clearly forced. 13 �6! A second 'wild' move. The positional basis for the two successive piece sacrifices is the undeveloped state of White's pieces, the exposed position of his king, and also the possibility of pursuing his queen. 14 �fd2 14 bxc6 l:.ab8 15 �fd2 would have transposed into the game, but excessive greed (15 •xd7) would It would appear that Black is have cost White dearly: 15... l:.f d8! intending 12... lDc3 + 13 �xc3 •xc3 and, despite his great material ad 14 ...xa8 'ti'xal, and 15 1i'xb8 is vantage, his position is indefensible. dangerous in view of 15... d6 !, when 14 l:.a7 he can count on at least perpetual 15 bxc6! check. But in reply Smyslov had Much worse is 15 ...xa7 �xa7 16 prepared the subtle move 14 l:.d1 !, �xe4 axb5 17 cxb5 �xbS with and after 14... 1Lt7 151i'xc5 and 16 advantage to Black . ...d4+ White has a clear advantage. 15 :xb7 The impression is that Black has 16 cxb7 miscalculated, but there fo llows the The storm has died down some stunning: what. White has a material advan 12 �b7!! tage, but Black has the initiative. 13 ...xb7 16 ...b4 Black decides to play with a certain degree of risk. After 16... �d6 17 g3 �xb7 18 �g2 �d6 19 l:.c1 l:.b8 attack and defence balance one another, which testifies to the correctness of his entire play. 17 �xe4?! Smyslov decides to give up the exchange, but to retain his b7 pawn. 17 l:.a2 ! was stronger, when Black would have had to reconcile himself to 17... f5 or 17... �f6 with a complicated game (after 17... Wxb7 English Op ening 183 18 �xe4 •xe4 19 �d2 or protected passed c-pawn, White 18... • xb1 19 �c3 'ifc1 20 �d3 ! with active play can count on a White would have consolidated his draw. position and repulsed the attack). But it turns out that there is one 17 1Wb2+ fu rther important fa ctor in the 18 �bd2 'ifxa1 position - the vulnerability of the 19 �xc5 �d7. White still has a material 24 l:tb2 advantage: three minor pieces and a 25 lld1 e6 pawn for the queen. But the whole 26 c6 problem is that he has not improved At the cost of two pawns the the position of his king or his knight could still have escaped from kingside pieces. the trap: 26 �b6 'ii'xc5 27 aS 'ii'xa5 19 l:tb8 28 �bc4, but here Black has the 20 g3 'ii'a3 ! advantage. After the 'natural' 20 ...d6? 21 26 'ifc4+ �d7! l:txb7 22 .i.g2 �2 23 l:tb 1 27 �el 'ii'd3! White would have won. Black The c-pawn will not run away; fo r moves his queen off the back rank the moment Black can pick up the just in time. one at e3. 21 �xd7?! 28 .i.n 'ifxe3+ This often happens, when a player 29 .i.e2 suddenly fe els the ground slipping under his feet. Not long ago it seemed to Smyslov that he stood better, and suddenly after the logical 21 �d3 l:txb7 22 .i.g2 l:tb8 he is also faced with the loss of his a4 pawn. He therefore seeks chances in more lively play. 21 l:txb7 22 .i.h3 'ii'd6 23 c5 'ifd5 24 f3 Everything seems to be in order. The threat of 24 ...'ifh5+ has been Black's problem is to prevent the parried, the kingside has been �d7 from returning to an active mobilised, and the a4 pawn retained. position. This is achieved by the In the event of 24 ...l:txd7 25 .i.xd7 fo llowing move, one that was 'ifxd7 26 l:tcl, with rook, knight and difficultto find... 184 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 29 aS!! This accelerates the end. After 33 The queen remains on guard by lt)f3�f7 ! the king would have been the white king, while the rook is included in the trapping of the sent to deal with the c-pawn. The knight. ring around the li)d7 tightens. 33 30 f4 f6 34 .ixc4 31 c7 llc2 35 �el 32 �0 :Z.xc7 White resigns 33 li)c4 17 Bird Opening 1 f4 d5 can count on an opening initiative. The text move prevents this plan and allows Black smoothly to fianchetto his king's bishop - the best counter to the Dutch set-up. White now has a choice between 3 g3 (17.1) and 3 e3 (17.2). 1 17.1 (1 f4 d5 2l£lf3 g6) 3 g3 White develops as in the Lenin grad Dutch; the extra tempo gives him additional possibilities, of A voiding the sharp play of the course, but these are normally suf From Gambit (l...e5!?), Black is ficient only fo r achieving approxi ready to play against the Dutch mate equality, and not an advantage. Defence by the first player. 3 .tg7 2 l£lf3 4 .tg2 l£Jf6 The attempt to prevent the fian 5 0-0 chetto of Black's king's bishop is If 5 d3 the most thematic is unsuccessful: 2 b3 .tg4! (hindering 5 ...l£lbd7 ...(5 b6 is also satisfactory) the development of White's king 6 l£lc3 0-0 7 e4 dxe4 8 dxe4 e5! side) 3 .tb2 l£lc6 4 g3?! (better is 4 (Savon-Gufeld, Gori 1971 ). After 9 l£lf3 .txf3 5 exf3 with only a mini fxe5 l£lg4 10 .tg5 'ife8 11 l£Jd5 mal advantage fo r Black) 4 ...e5 !? 5 l£Jdxe5 12 h3 (12 l£lxc7 l£lxf3+ and fxe5 f6 ! with an attack fo r Black. 13... 'ife5 ) 12... l£lxf3 + 13 'ffxf3 'ffe5! Kupreichik-Yusupov (Yerevan 14 .te7 :e8! 15 hxg4 :xe7 16 1982) continued 6 .th3 .txh3 7 l£lxe7+ 'ffxe7 17 0--{)..-0 J.e6 18 exf6 l£lxf6 8 l£lxh3 J.c5 9 e3 d4 I 0 �b1 1i'b4 19 'ft'a3 'ifxa3 20 bxa3 e4 0-0 11 d3 .tb4+ 12 l£ld2 l£ld5 13 J.xg4 White ended up in a difficult 'ffh5 l£le3 14 �e2 g6, when it was situation. hard to offerWh ite any good advice. 5 0--0 2 g6 6 d3 b6 The most precise move order. In this set-up too the development After 2 ••• l£lf6 3 e3 g6 4 b4! White of the light-square bishop on the 186 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player long diagonal is the most bishop at e2, while the dark-square acceptable. bishop is developed on the long 7 Wet �b7 diagonal or fo r the time being 8 h3 lDbd7 remains in its initial position. In this The alternative is 8 ...cS !? set-up too it is best for Black to 9 g4 :es fianchetto his king's bishop. 10 lDc3 lDcS 3 �g7 The two sides have completed 4 �el their development and the outcome White can switch to a 'stonewall' of the opening can be considered set-up with 4 d4 lDf6 5 �d3 0---0 6 satisfactory for Black - he has 0---0 c5 7 c3 b6 (also good is 7 ...1i'b6 hindered White's e2-e4 and is ready 8 lDbd2 �f5, exchanging the �d3 in some cases to play ...e7-e5 and strengthening Black's control of himself. Savchenko-Hoeksema the key e4 square, Ragozin (Groningen 1991) continued 11 'ifg3 Makogonov, USSR 1940) 8 lDbd2 Wd6 12 lDb5 1i'd7 13 lDbd4 lDe6 14 �a6 9 �xa6 lDxa6 10 1i'a4 lDc7 lDxe6 'ifxe6 15 f5 1i'd6 16 1i'f2 e5 (Hicki-Kindermann, Munich 1989). 17 fxe6 fxe6 18 Wh4 e5 19 �h6 The two sides' chances are roughly 1i'f8 and Black's chances were not equal, only Black must watch fo r the worse. possibility of White playing b2-b4- b5 and lDe5, seizing control of c6 lt7.2 (1 f4 dS 2lDf3g6) and building up an attack on the queenside. 3 e3 4 c4 has also been played: Here White bases his play on the 4 ...lDf6 5 lDc3 c6 6 .i.e2 0---0 7 0---0 classical ideas of the Dutch Defence lDbd7 8 d4 dxc4!? (aiming, in the - he develops his light-square event of the capture on c4, to gain Bird Op ening 187 time by ...�b6) 9 a4 aS 10 e4 �b6 11 .txg7 �xg7=) 8 ...d4 ! (a good 11 �e5 �e8 (now the d4 pawn is move, hindering White in his battle hanging) 12 .te3 �d6 with a solid for the e5 square and creating position for Black - White still has tension in the centre at the right to regain the c4 pawn (HUbner time) 9 �a3 �d5 10 .tc4 e6 11 Witbnann, Manila 1992). �g5 b6 12 c3 .tb7 13 exd4 �xf4 It should be mentioned that, 14 �e4 e5!? 15 dxe5 �d3 16 .txd3 thanks to the precise move order, 1i'xd3 17 l:f3 1i'd8 18 �f6+ .txf6 White is denied the possibility of 4 19 exf6 l:e8 20 1i'h4 l:e2. Black has b3 - one of the popular set-ups after a strong initiative fo r the pawn 1 f4 d5 2 �f3 �f6. (Sale-Wells, Budapest 1993 ). 4 �f6 6 e5 Entering the main line. Also 7 1i'e1 �e6 possible is 4 •..e5 5 0-0 �h6!?, 8 e3 hindering the development of After 8 1i'h4 b6 9 �bd2 .ta6 10 White's queenside. �e5 �xe5 11 fxe5 �d7 Black has 5 0-0 0-0 nothing to fe ar (Larsen-Benko, 6 d3 Portoroz 1958). 8 b6 9 �a3 .ta6 10 e4 e4!? The point of Black's 9th move becomes clear - he is able to provoke a clash in the centre. 11 dxe4 dxe4 12 �e5 1i'e7 13 �xe6 1i'xe6 Other possibilities: 6 �e5 �bd7 7 .tf3 �xe5 8 fxe5 �e4 9 c4 .txe5 10 cxd5 �g5, and Black's chances are not worse - he exchanges the opponent's light square bishop and remains with the two bishops. 6 b3 c5 7 .tb2 �6 8 1i'e1 (or 8 �5 .td7 9 d3 �e8 10 �xc6 .txc6 188 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player Black has successfullysolved his accurately to avoid ending up in an opening problems: he is well inferior position (Rasidovic mobilised and has a pawn outpost in Mirkovic, Yugoslavia 1991) . the centre. White must play Index of Variations PART 1: WHITE REPERTOIRE 1 Sicilian Defence 1 e4 cS 2 c3 9 1.1 2 ...eS 10 1.2 2 ...d6 3 d4 lLlf6 4 .i.d3 11 1.21 4 ... cxd4 12 1.22 4 ...�6 12 1.23 4 ...g6 13 1.3 2 ...e6 14 1.4 2 ...dS 3 exdS 1i'xdS 4 d4 15 1.41 4 ...lLlc6 S lLlf3 16 1.411 s ....i.g4 17 1.412 s ...cxd4 18 1.413 s . . . lLlf6 19 1.42 4 ...lLlf6 20 1.5 2 ...lLlf6 23 l Scotch Game 1 e4 eS 2�3 27 2.1 2 ...�6 3 lLlf3 27 2.2 2 ...lLlf6 3lLlf3 �6 4 d4 29 2.21 4 . ...i.b4 30 2.22 4 ...exd4 S �d4 i.b46 lLlxc6 bxc6 7 i.d3dS 8 exdS 32 2.221 8 ...1i'e7+ 34 2.222 8 ...cxdS 36 3 French Defence 1 e4 e6 2 d4 dS 3 �2 41 3.1 3 ...lLlc6 43 3.2 3 ...lLlf6 4 eS lLlfd7 5 .i.d3 cS 6 c3 �6 7 �2 cxd4 8 exd4 45 3.21 8 ...a5 47 3.22 8 . ..1i'b6 48 3.23 8 ...f6 49 3.3 3 ...c5 4lLlgf3 51 190 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 3.31 4 ...a6 52 3.32 4 ...�f6 52 3.33 4 ...�c6 5 i.b5 54 3.331 5 ...dxe4 54 3.332 5 ...cxd4 55 3.34 4 ...cxd4 56 4 Caro-Kann Defence 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 .tfS4 �f3 e6 5 .te2 59 4. 1 5 ...c5 60 4.2 5 ...�e7 62 5 Pirc-Ufimtsev Defence 1 e4 d6 2 d4 �f6 3 f3 66 5.1 3 ...e5 67 5.2 3 ...d5 68 6 AlekhineDefence I e4 �f6 2 e5 �d5 3 d4 d6 4 �f3 7 3 6.1 4 ...�c6 73 6.2 4 ...dxe5 5 �xe5 74 6.21 5 ...�d7 75 6.22 5 ...g6 75 6.3 4 ...g6 76 6.4 4 ....tg 4 4 i.e2 77 6.41 5 ...c6 78 6.42 5 ...e6 79 PART 11: BLACK REPERTOIRE 7 Sicilian Defence I e4 c5 2 �f3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 �xd4 �f6 5 ll:\c3 �c6 84 7.1 6 i.g5 .td7 84 7. 11 7 i.xf6 86 7. 12 7 .te2 87 7.13 7 'ii'd2 88 7.2 6 i.c4 'ii'b6 90 7.21 7 �xc6 91 7.22 7 �de2 92 Index of Variations 191 7.23 7 ltJdb5 94 7.24 7ltJb3 e6 95 7.24 I 8 i.e3 96 7.242 8 0-0 97 7.243 8 i.f4 98 King's Indian Defence: 8 Four Pawns Attack I d4 ltJf6 2 c4 g6 3 ltJc3 i.g7 4 e4 d6 5 f4 0-0 105 8.I 6ltJf3 105 8.2 6 i.e2 c5 107 8.2I 7 d5 108 8.22 7ltJf3 110 9 Samisch Variation I d4 liJf6 2 c4 g6 3 ltJc3 i.g74 e4 d6 5 f3 0-0 114 9.1 6 i.e3 ltJc6 114 9.2 6 i.g5 ltJc6 123 10 Variations with i.g2 I d4 liJf6 2 c4 g6 3 g3 i.g74 i.g2d6 5 lOO 0-0 6 0-0 liJbd7 129 11 Classical Variation I d4 liJf6 2 c4 g6 3 ltJc3 i.g74 e4 d6 5 lOO 0-0 6 i.e2e5 139 Il.l 7 d5 141 I 1.2 7 i.e3 144 11.3 7 0-0 145 12 Deviations by White from the Classical Variation I d4 ltJf6 2 c4 g6 3 ltJc3 i.g74 e4 d6 154 12.1 5 ltJge2 156 I2.2 5 i.d3 157 I2.3 5 h3 0-0 158 I2.3 I 6 ltJf3 158 12.32 6 i.e3 159 12.33 6 i.g5 160 13 A verbakh Variation 1 d4 ltJf6 2 c4 g6 3 ltJc3 i.g74 e4 d6 5 i.e2 0-0 6 i.g5 162 192 An Op ening Repertoire fo r the Positional Player 14 Torre Attack 1 d4 ltlf6 2ltlfl g6 3 .tg5 .tg7 4ltlbd2 c5 169 14.1 5 .txf6 171 14.2 5 e3 172 15 Trompowsky Attack 1 d4 ltlf6 2 .tg5 174 16 English Opening 1 c4 ltlf6 2ltlf3 g6 3 b4 179 17 Bird Opening 1 f4 d5 2ltlf3 g6 185 17.1 3 g3 185 17.2 3 e3 186 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES 1 Deep Blue-Kasparov 25 9 Stahlberg-Stein 111 2 Rublevsky-Onischuk 38 10 Mestei-Gufe1d 126 3 Gufeld-Lutikov 57 11 Timman-Kasparov 13 7 4 Kalinichenko-Vefling 64 12 Gelfand-Topalov 149 5 Gelfand-Adams 70 13 Van der Sterren-Giek 151 6 Kasparov-Ivanchuk 81 14 Kaidanov-Gufeld 166 7 Damjanovic-Stein 99 15 Smyslov-Gufeld 181 8 Topalov-Kramnik 101 One of the hardest tasks faced by competitive chess players is the development of an opening repertoire suited to their own style of play. As in their companion volume An Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Player (also translated by Ken Neat), the authors provide a refined and thoroughly up-to-date opening program, this time selecting variations of a more positional nature. e Practical repertoire based on 1 e4 as White and the Classical Sicilian and King's Indian Defences as Black e Concentrates on solid and reliable lines of play e Provides an easy-to-learn explanation of the typical plans and ideas Eduard Gufeld is one of the most popular and widely travelled grandmasters, and is known throughout the world as a coach, opening theoretician, journalist and author. Nikolai Kalinichenko, author of more than 30 chess books, holds the International Master title in correspondence chess and enjoys a growing reputation as a specialist in opening theory.