Benko Gambit Move by Move
September 16, 2022 | Author: Anonymous | Category: N/A
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About this Publication This series provides provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. openings. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move Mo ve format greatly encourages the llearning earning and practisin practising g of vital skills just as much as the tra tradi ditio tional nal ass assimi imilat latio ion n of op openi ening ng kn know owled ledge ge.. Car Carefu efully lly sel select ected ed questi question onss an and d answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study any chess opening and at the same time improve improve your general chess skills and know knowledge ledge.. — The Benko Gamb Gambit it is a popular choice for those who like to seize the initiative as Black. For the price of a pawn, Black gets tremendous queenside pressure and puts White on the defensive early in the game. Players are attracted by the fact that Black’s plans are so clear cut, while White is often reduced to simply dealing with Black Black’’s threats threats.. In this book, Benko expert Junior Tay invites you to join him in studying his favourite opening. He examines the main plans for both sides, provides a repertoire for Black and answers all the key questions questions.. 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 . Ju Junior nior T Tay ay is a FIDE Cand Candidat idate e Mas Master ter and an ICCF Sen Senior ior Inter Internati national onal Maste Masterr. He’s a former Singapore Rapidplay Chess Champion and has represented Singapore in numerous international events, including the Asian Team Championship.
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Foreword Jo John hn Em Emms ms
Move by Move is a series of opening books which uses a question-and-answer format. One of our main aims of the series is to replicate - as much as possible - lessons between chess teachers and students. — All the way through, readers will be challenged to ans answer wer sea searc rchin hing g que questi stions ons,, to tes testt the their ir ski skills lls in che chess ss op openi enings ngs and indee indeed d in oth other er key aspects of the game. It’s our firm belief that practising your skills like this is an excellent way to study chess openings, and to study chess in general. — Many thanks go to all those who have been kind enough to offer inspiration, advice and assistance in the creation of Move by Move. We’re really excited by this series and hope that readers will share our enthusiasm. . John Emms, Everyman Chess
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Introduction
What is the Benko Gambit? — This book is about the Benko Gambit which has served me well for the past 14 years in correspon correspondence dence chess and overover-the-board the-board play play.. The Benk Be nko o Ga Gamb mbit it (or (or if yo you u pref prefer er th the e Ea East ster ern n Eu Euro rope pean an ve vers rsio ion, n, the Volga olga Ga Gamb mbit it)) ar aris ises es after the moves 2.c4 .c4 c5 3 3.d5 .d5 b5 b5 . . It is named after the America American n Grand Grandmaste masterr and former 1.d4 f6 2 World W orld Championshi Championship p Candidate Pal Benko who popularized the opening by playing it almost without exception whenever the opportunity presented itself, and against all kinds of opposition. Benko published his games and commentary in Chess Life and Review frequently and according to his book, The Benko Gambit (RHM 1973), he had "as much as announced publicly that anyone can play against me with an extra pawn within a few moves of the opening."
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Why play the Benko Gambit? 1) For th the e pr pric ice e of a pa pawn wn (som (somet etim imes es ev even en tw two) o),, Blac Black k ob obta tain inss tr trem emen endo dous us quee qu eens nsid ide e pres pressu surre an and d pu puts ts Wh Whit ite e on th the e de defe fens nsiv ive e ea earl rly y in the the ga game me.. Th This is may give Black an early psychological edge. In the final round of both the 2003 and the 2009 Cairnhill Open (Singapore), I won two games relatively quickl qui ckly y aga again inst st a for former mer Na Natio tiona nall Cha Champi mpion on and Na Natio tiona nall Ma Maste sterr. Th The e fir first st was a Benko Gambit Declined and the second time round, my opponent 2.c4 c5 , played the insipid 3.e3 to avoid the gave a huge sigh after 1.d4 f6 2.c4 Benko Gambit and allowed me to equalize very quickly quickly.. 2) Black’s motifs in the Benko are quite clear cut: pile as much pressure as possible on the queenside, try to find ideal squares for the knights in the vicinity of White (usually b4, c4 and d3), and at the right time, undermine White’’s centre. Many a time at amateur level, White White White’’s pieces are reduced to the first three ranks trying to t o cope with Black’ Black’ss threats. At club level it is far easier to attack than to defend and thus easier for White to make mistakes early on in the Benko Gambit. 3) When I started playing corresp correspondence ondence chess in the late 90s, I wanted to look for a black opening which computer engines did not assess well. The Benko Gambit was the perfect weapon for me as the engines frequently asse sess ssed ed tha thatt Wh Whit ite e wa wass wi winn nnin ing g or clea clearl rly y be bette tterr in Be Benk nko o mi midd ddle lega game mess an and d endgames endg ames whic which h are tenable or even good for Black Black.. These day days, s, the engines view positional factors such as space and initiative more favourably than in the past and are better at assessing compen compensation sation for material. GM Larry Kaufman, the co-developer of the powerful Komodo chess engine, concur con curre red, d, sta statin ting: g: "I wou would ld even even say ’muc much h be bette tter’ r’ ra rathe therr tha than n jus justt ’be ’bette tter’ r’.. This was not gradual, it pretty much happened with Rybka 2.3 and Rybka 3, and all later programs are similar in this respect." — My Benko passed muster in correspondence corresp ondence play play. . One of myChamp first high-level games against agai nst the Russ Russian ian Cor Corres respon pondenc dence e Chess Champion ion Ser Sergey geyCC Rom Romano anov vwas and I fought him to a draw. In 12 Benko Gambit games I was unbeaten and the only on ly on one e ti time me I play played ed ag agai ains nstt it wi with th wh whit ite e at co corr rres espo pond nden ence ce,, I go gott be beat aten en like a drum. The point I want to make is that it is still playable even at master level correspondence chess, even if opponents have months to analyse with so many resources at hand. 4) The Benko has been played by many of the world’s leading players such as Garry Kasparov, Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, Veselin Topalov, Vassily V assily Ivanchuk and Fabiano Caruana to name just a few few.. Two particular incidents stand out for me with respect to the Benko Gambit: i. In the final round of the 1986 Dubai Olympiad, the Soviets needed to blank Poland 4
4-0 to ov overc ercome ome Hun Hungary’ gary’ss lead and so claim the gold medals medals.. It was at this juncture that Garry Kasparov resorted to the Benko Gambit and won a tense game against Wlodzimierz Schmidt to help secure the top spot for USSR. — ii. Viswanathan Anand shockingly lost the first game of the 2001 FIDE Knockout World Cup to an internet qualifier, the French IM Olivier Touzanne ouzanne.. In a must-win second game, he essayed the Benko Gambit to win in 23 move movess and even the score (eventually winning the match on tiebrea tiebreak). k). 5) See for yourself the fundamental concepts of the Benko Gambit as applied convincingly by the man himself, Grandmaster Pal Benko, Benko, during his heyday.. — Firstly heyday Firstly,, a forceful demonstration of queenside pressure (see the following followin g game).
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Segal, A. Segal, • Benko, P . Sao Sa o Pa Paulo ulo 1973 ◦
* ( Junior Tay)
A typical set-up for Black, placing the king’ king’ss rook on b8 to exert pressur pressure e down the b-file. 17. c1 fd7 fd7 Getting Getting ready to unleash the dark-squared bishop’s power over White’s Pressi sing ng th the e b2 soft soft sp spot ot.. So Some meti time mess Blac Black k also also ha hass ...N ...Na3 a3 tr tric icks ks queenside. 18.h3 queenside. 18.h3 c4 Pres after going ...Nc4. 19. h2 b6 b6 Exerting Exerting even more pressure on the b-file. 20. e4 b4 b4 Preparing Preparing ...Qa4 to weaken White on the a-file as well. 21. ed2 a4 22. xc4 xc4 23. g5 xb3! A combination to win back the gambited pawn as well as exf6 After winning change a couple of pieces. 24.axb3 xb3 25. d2 xd1 26. xd1 f6 After th the e pa pawn wn ba back ck,, Blac Black k us usua ually lly retai etains ns hi hiss po posi siti tion onal al ad adva vant ntag age e an and d thi thiss is a go good od exam exam-ple. 27. ple. 27. f4? b8 Hitting the weakness weakness.. 28. b1 h5 29. g5 xg5 xg5 30 30.. xg5 f6 31 31.. e3 b7 The e7-pawn is usually easier to defend than White’s isolani on b2. 32. b2. 32. c1 White c1 White give givess up th the e b2 b2-p -paw awn n wh whic ich h wo woul uld d ha have ve fa falle llen n soon sooner er or late laterr, si sinc nce e Blac Black k ha hass ...c ...c55-c4 c4-c3 looming. Indeed, after 32. after 32. c3 a2 33. c1 b8 Black b8 Black can start rolling the c-pawn down the board. g7 White has zero counterplay and resigned in 14 32... b3 33. c3 xb2 34. a3 g7 White more moves.
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Gross,, R. Gross • Benko, P . Aspen Open 1968 ◦
0-1 ( Junior Tay)
14...e6! Black decided to undermine the white centre with the idea of eradicating it thanks to pressure from the h1-a8 diagonal. 15.dxe6 fxe6 16. e3 c6! Exerting more pressure on the centre, with the aim of advancing the d-pawn to stress it yet d2? In In Benko’s own ’The Benko Gambit’, he wrote that "White underestifurther. 17. further. 17. d2? mated the danger from Black’s advancing mobile centre." 17...d5! centre." 17...d5! Black Black already has a huge advantage here, here, whether White gives up or tries to hold the centre centre.. 18. 18.exd5 exd5 exd5 fd5 Now Now the 19. f4 d4! Opening up the long diagonal for Black’s queen. 20. a4 fd5 king’s rook comes into play as well and the centralized knights do their part to wreck White’’s kingside structure, since the bishop cannot move away. White away. 21. hf1 e6 22. f2 d3 23. g1 23. xd3 is met by y 23... 23... xf4! xf4! when when th the e ro rook ok cann cannot ot be ca capt ptur ured ed be beca caus use e of the potential queen fork. exf4+ 24.g 24.gxf4 xf4 xf4+ xf4+ 25 25.. h1 d4 26. ff1 e2 e2 White White resigned due to the insur23... exf4+ mountable threats. — On this note, we start the book proper. I do hope you will enjoy th the e ex exam ampl ples es an and d co comm mmen enta tary ry fr from om th this is,, my very very first first ch ches esss book book,, as I ha have ve at atte temp mpte ted d to include, to the best of my knowledge, examples which are currently theoretically relevant, as well as some of my own games, in particular my correspondence games which always require months months of analysis. Acknowledgements: I would especially like to thank the followin Acknowledgements: following g for their help in making this work possible: IMs Goh Wei Ming, Lim Yee Weng and Miodrag Perunovic for their help in assessing positions and providing key advice. — IM Erik Kislik for generously sharing his superb Benko Gambit theory and taking the time to analyse some key positions. — CM Olimpiu 7
Urcan for his persistent reminders that I needed to graduate from writing arti articl cles es to au auth thor orin ing g a bo book ok,, as we well ll as fo forr id idea eass on wr writ itin ing g this this bo book ok.. — GM John Emms, a very patient chief editor who has to deal with my constant editss and updat edit updates. es. — Assi Assistan stantt Edit Editor or,, IM Richar Richard d Pallis Palliser er for his meticulous proofreading and editing (even working at the book on Christmas Day!). — Most of all, I want to thank my wife, WFM Yip Fong Ling, for her constant encouragement, full support and valuable ’time-off’ to write my first chess book, a cherished ambition of mine. Junior Tay, February 2014, Balestier, Singapore 0-1 1: The The King King Tak akes es a Str trol olll 2.c4 c5 3.d 3.d5 5 b5 4.c 4.cxb5 xb5 a6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 xf1 . . In the the 1.d4 f6 2.c4 chapter, we’ll examine the most topical line in the Benko Gambit Accepted where White accepts the gambit pawn and castles artificially artificially.. This is the most natural line where White the gambit pawn plays toofshore up hisGambit queenside consolidating hisdigests extra pawn. In 2012, the and reputation the Benko tookwhile a beating when Benko Gambit expert Viorel Bologan sustained losses against both the world no.1 Magnus Carlsen and the American no.1 Hikaru Nakamura in this variation at Biel. In both cases, White kept his pawn advantage and nursed it all the way into the endgame. Hence, this line is extremely important from a theoretica theoreticall viewpoint. The Th e Fir irst st Few Move vess 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 b5 This This constitute constitutess the Ben Benko ko Gambi Gambit. t. Blac Black k opens up the b1.d4 f6 2.c4 file for his rook and tries to prise the c4-pawn away from its defence of the d5-pawn. 4.cxb5 White 4.cxb5 White accepts the gambit pawn. 4...a6 Black 4...a6 Black offers to exchange White’s extra pawn to open up the a-file as well and to develop his queen bishop swiftly. 5.bxa6 In for a penny, penny, in for a pound. White accepts the challenge and goes one cl clean ean pawn up. 5...g6 QUESTION: QUESTI ON: Why not recapture the pawn immediately with 5... xa6 ? xa6 , , White has ANSWER: This requir requires es a brief explanation explanation.. Against Against 5... 5... xa6 done do ne wel welll tra tradit dition ionall ally y wit with h 6. 6.g3 g3 d6 7. g2 g6 8.b3 8.b3!! g79. b2 b2 when when Black Black’’s dark-squared dark-squa red bishop is well contested by the bishop on b2 (in my database in invol volvin ving g pla player yerss ra rated ted 220 2200 0 an and d ab abov ove, e, Whi White te has sco score red d a ver very y re respe specta ctable ble 64% in this line), and the white queenside pawn structure has been bolstered ster ed to boot. In Chapt Chapter er 2: Flumm Flummoxi oxing ng the Fianche Fianchetto tto Va Variati riation, on, you will see the great lengths White takes there to establish his bishop on b2 in order to shore up the queenside. 8
QUESTION: QUESTI ON: So why does 5...g6 make a differen difference? ce? ANSWER: After 5...g6 , if Wh Whit ite e play playss 6.b3 , Bla Black ck can imp impro rovis vise e with with 6... xa6! when the knight can stir up trouble with an eventual ...Nb4 hitting a2 and d5. 6. c3 White c3 White develops the knight on its natural square and shores up b2 as well. White xa6 Black Black also lends support to the d5-pawn as well as the e2-e4 central push. 6... xa6 takes over the a6-f1 diagonal immediately and also helps clear the back rank to allow th the e ki king ng’’s ro rook ok to mo move ve to th the e b-fil b-file e fa fast ster er.. Re Reme memb mber er,, Blac Black k ha hass ga gamb mbit ited ed a pa pawn wn an and d therefore has to play for swift development before White can consolidate his queenside and realize his extra pawn. 7.e4 pawn. 7.e4 QUESTION: QUESTION: Is this good? Doesn’t White lose the right to castle and have to waste one more move getting the king to the g-file? — ANSWER: White indeed has to ’lose’ a move by having the king move again to g1 or g2 (after g2-g3). Ho However wever,, there are several factors that are favourab favourable le for him: 1) If Black exchanges the bishop on a6 for the one on f1, his light-squared bishop has been exchanged for a piece which didn’t have to make a move. — 2) White has put his central pawns on light squares, which, in a sense, gives his light-squared bishop less scope. Hence,, the exchange makes sense. — 3) In some variations, White might even leave Hence xf1 Denying Denying White the rook on h1 to play for a kingside attack with h2-h4-h5. 7... xf1 castling rights while giving the black knight and perhaps later the queen or a rook the xf1 d6 Putting a stop to e4-e5, which would give White a6-square to operate from. 8. from. 8. xf1 a very strong central presence. — We’ve arrived at our first divide and must consider a number of ideas for both sides. A) 12 Qe2 and a2-a4 After the standard moves moves 1.d4 f6 f6 2.c4 2.c4 c5 3.d5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.bx .bxa6 g6 6. c3 xa6 Note that inlines Jayakumar-Leon Hoyes,brevity I’ve also included brief8...Qa5, coverage of early ...Qa5 - a Magnus Carlsen with 6... g7aand 7.e4 xf1 as well as some analysis to GM Aveshkulov’s novel 7... a5 concept (which contain ideas similar to the 11...Na6 line advocated in Huynh Lam Binh Nguyen-Tin Nguyen-T in Jingyao), which he designed to stymie the Qe2/a2-a4 plan. 8. xf1 d6 9.g3 g7 10. g2 O–O 11. f3 bd7 bd7 , , currently the vogue continuation in the Benko Gambit is 12.a4
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e2 followed followed by 13 a4 with the omission of both the once standard or 12. or 12. e2 h2-h3 (to deny Black’s knight’s access to g4) and Rfe1 (this rook will instead head for the queenside queenside). ). This can be attrib attributed uted to its success successful ful use by the new world champion Magnus Carlsen and the mercurial American GM Hikaru Nakamura. In Haugen-Gonzalez, we examine how Black can try to neutralize the a4/Ra3/Nb5 bind. — As previously mentioned, White used to play h2-h3 to snuff out ...Ng4-e5. Nowadays, White often forgoes this as ...Ng4-e5 tends to lose a move once White sidesteps with Nf3-d2 and plays to kick the knight from e5. Black must be careful as Jovanovic-Stojanovski will demonstra demonstrate te how the tempo loss can pro prove ve fatal for Black if he reacts even a little inaccurately. inaccurately. — With Black suffering in ’draw ’draw or lose lose’’ mode, in recent months we have seen him attempt to take the bull by the horns and hit White quickly with an early ...e7-e6 in the spirit of the Blumenfeld Gambit, blowing blowing up the centre before White can consolidate his queenside completely.. Jayakum completely Jayakumar-Leon ar-Leon Ho Hoyos yos and Zilka-Guidare Zilka-Guidarelli lli are ttwo wo such examples, but White is still in the driver’s seat from a theoretical perspective, provided he does not let Black’s central pawn mass run riot.
Haugen, Hauge n, A. • Gon Gonzal zalez, ez, B. Correspondence 2010 1/2-1/2 A59 ( Junior Tay) c5 5 3.d5 b5 4 4.cxb .cxb5 5 a6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 d6 9 9.g3 .g3 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c Prep Pr epar arin ing g to mo move ve th the e ki king ng to the safe saferr g-fil g-file. e. 9... g7 10 10.. g2 O– O–O O Th The e bl blac ack k ki king ng also also f3 The natural square makes its exit from the centre and the f8-rook is activated. 11. f3 The fo forr th the e kn knig ight ht,, wh whic ich h can can ai aid d th the e e4 e4-e -e5 5 pu push sh or so some meti time mess ma make ke it itss wa way y to th the e juic juicy y c4c4preventing ting the e4square via d2. 11... d2. 11... bd7 Clearing the back rank for the rooks while preven e5 advance. This knight sometimes can make its way to b6 to put pressure on d5 and c4 or ai aid d in th the e ex exch chan ange ge of a pa pair ir of kn knig ight htss af afte terr a futu futurre ...N ...Ng4 g4-e -e5. 5. 12.a4! 12.a4! QUESTION: QUESTION: Is Isn n’t th this is fo fool olha hard rdy? y? Blac Black k is sett settin ing g up hi hiss fo forrce cess to ai aim m at the the wh whit ite e qu quee eens nsid ide, e, so wh why y is White pushing a pawn in a sector where he’s supposed to be weaker? — ANSWER: In the past, White used to concentrate on defending the queenside, with moves such as Re1-e2-c2, Re1-e2-c2, and trying to effec effectt an e4-e5 brea break. k. Ho Howeve weverr, in the past two to thr three ee years, Chinese Grandma Grandmasters sters have discov discovered ered that by setting up with a4, Ra3, b2-b3 and Nb5 as quickly as possible, White can put a stop to Black’s queenside intentions. He can can th then en co conc ncen entr trat ate e on hi hiss sp spac ace e ad adva vant ntag age e in the the ce cent ntre re or on cr crea eati ting ng an ou outs tsid ide e passe pa ssed d a-p a-pawn awn (af (after ter adv advan ancin cing g b2b2-b4 b4 and exc exchan hangin ging g the paw pawn n for Black Black’’s c5c5-pa pawn) wn).. b6 Clearing Clearing the back rank for the rooks and putting pressure on the b-file. The 12... b6 queen usually finds its way to b7 to put pressure on the h1-a8 diagonal coupled with .. ...e .e77-e6 e6 or some someti time mess .. ...f .f77-f5 f5.. O Oth ther er ti time mes, s, it mo move vess to a6 to ta take ke over ver or at leas leastt co cont ntes estt the f1-a6 diagonal. ◦
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a6 with with the idea of ...Qa8 and ...Rfb8, putting QUESTION: QUESTI ON: What abo about ut 12... a6 massive mass ive pres pressur sure e on the white queen queenside side?? — ANSW ANSWER: ER: I’m not incline inclined d to recommend this variation as White gets to consolidate the queenside very swiftly: for example, 13. c2 a8 14 14.. a3 b7 ( after 14...e6?! 15.dxe6 19.exd5 exd5 ex exd5 d5 20. d6 d6 Black Black is in fxe6 16. e1 g4 17. b5 b7 18. f4 d5 19. serious trouble, R.Leitao-M.Leon Hoyos, Hoyos, Istanbul Olympiad 2012, 2012, ) ) ( while ( while b8 runs runs into 15. into 15. b5 b5 when when Black must cover c7: 15... e8 16. d2 14... b8 b6 17. ha1 ha1 and and White retains a slight pull ) pull ) 15. b5 fa8 16. d2 d2 and White has a nice queenside bind. e2 This This move: 1) Releases the need for the knight on c3 to hold the e-pawn and 13. e2 so sets up Nc3-b5. — 2) Overprotects the b2-pawn and so frees up the dark-squared bishop. — 3) Prepares a future e4-e5 break. In my online blitz games against master level players, I noticed a recent c2 . A good counter is 13... is 13... b4! 14. d2 fb8 15. hb1 trend towards 13. towards 13. c2 . ( or or 15. 15. ab1 b3 16. hc1 xc2 17. xc2 b4 18. e1 e8 19.e5?! xe5 21.f4 f4 f622. e4 bxa4 bxa4 23. xf6+ xf6 24 24.. xe7 xd5 xd5 25. d7 20. xe5 xe5 21. 4a6 4a6 with with winning chances for Black, P.Issakson-Bj.Thorfinnsson, Revk javik 2013 ) 2013 ) 15... b3 16. xb3 xb3 17.a5 e8 18. e1 ab8 19. a4 c7 and Black was holding up well in J.Sarkar-M.Turov, New Delhi 2010. 13... fb8 fb8 Intensifying Intensifying the pressure on the b-file. Black has more or less achieved his b5 This This knight foray shields the b2-pawn from the queen ideal opening set-up. 14. b5 and rook battery. Later Hikaru Nakamura came up with a nice way to connect his rooks with a pseudo pawn return in the shape of of 14. d2! . QU QUESTIO ESTION: N: Can Blac Black k take the pawn on b2 or is it poisoned? ( ANSW ANSWER: ER: The pawn is to toxic. xic. Afe1 the the black queen goes back into the ter 14... xb2?? 15. hb1 c2 16. e1 box. ) ( After box. After 14... 14... e8 15. hb1 c7 16. d1 a6 17. xa6 xa6 18.a5 f5! with 19...gx 19.exf5 xd xd5?! 5?! ( Black does better with 19. ..gxf5! f5! 20. h4 f8 21. e3 f4 22.gxf4 f6 23. ef5 fxd5 when fxd5 when he has good chances to hold ) 20.fxg6 hxg6 21. a4 Nakamura managed to realize his extra pawn in a protracted a4 Nakamura endgame, H.Nakamura-V.Bologan, Biel 2012. ) 2012. ) e8 Black Black frees up the long diagonal for the dark-squared bishop and also pre14... e8 pares to contest the strong knight on b5 by exchanging it via ...Nc7. 15. g5 Taking g5 Taking advantage of the loose e7-pawn to gain a move. move. 15... 15... b7! QUESTION: Hey! Isn’t that a free pawn? What’s wrong with defending the f8 or or the queen? queen? — ANSWER: Bla Black ck intends intends to sacrie-pawn with 15... with 15... f8 fice the e-pawn to intensify the pressur pressure e on the queenside. Moreover Moreover,, after capturing on e7 the bishop will find itself having difficulty escaping once Bl Blac ack k pl play ayss .. ...h .h77-h6 h6,, cu cutti tting ng of offf th the e g5 g5-s -squ quar are e an and d Bh Bh4 4 wi will ll ru run n into into ...g ...g66-g5 g5,, trapping trappin g the bishop again. 11
QUESTION: If that’s the case, why can’t Black play 15...h6 play 15...h6 first first and after xe7 continue continue with 16... with 16... b7 b7 ? ? — ANSWER: Yes, it’s a possible transpo16. xe7 sition. d8 was was what the Moldo Moldovan van Grandma Grandmaster ster Viorel Bologan played against 15... d8 Magnus Magn us Carlsen Carlsen.. Ho Howeve weverr, mov moving ing the quee queen n back to the defe defence nce of the pawn allowed the Norwegian Norwegian genius to consolidate his queenside. Mor Moreeover,, the queenside is the area of focus for Black and to remove an attacker over from there there dimi diminish nishes es the pr pressu essure re on the white queensi queenside de pawns pawns.. Fo Foll17.b .b3 3 d7 18 18.. a2 a2 White White had just the sort of slight but lowing 16. lowing 16. a3 b6 17 durable edge which is deadly in the hands of the world no.1, M.Carlsen V.Bologan, V .Bologan, Biel 2012. White White’’s queenside pawns are secure and he can now concentrate concentra te on action in the centre or kingside. Later Later,, Bologan took excessive risks and lost. UEST STIO ION: N: Si Sinc nce e th the e bish bishop op is like likely ly to ge gett tr trap appe ped d afte afterr 16 Bx Bxe7 e7,, can can’t Wh Whit ite e 16. xe7 QUE just ignore the pawn and carry on with his Ra3 and b2-b3 plan? ANSWER: he could. fact this occurred in 3another correspondence ondence game: 16. game: 16. Yes, a3h617. c718. xc7 19.b 19.b3 d2 b421. e3 In xc7 xc7 f620. corresp d3 g4 22. c4 xe3+ 23. xe3 d4 24. d3 b7 25.a5 a6 26. b1 b5! , A.Lobanov-K.Gierth, A.Lobano v-K.Gierth, corresp correspondence ondence 2011. White White’’s pieces are tied to defending his a- and b-pawns which have been firmly blockaded and it is difficult for him to start active operations in the centre or on the queenside. 16...h6 As previous 16...h6 As previously ly mentioned mentioned,, cutting off the escape route for the e7-bishop e7-bishop.. 17. a3 Aside from getting the rook out of the way of the g7-bishop g7-bishop,, White also prepar prepares es for the possible sacrifice of the dark-squared bishop if it gets trapped on h4. The rook on a3 can aid in a potential kingside attack. In a recent game, White attempted to sacrifice the bishop a different way, but the activity of Black’ Black’ss pieces in tthe he centre more than called the sacrifice ( the superior 18. superior 18. he1! b6 ( also into question: question: 17. d2 a6 18. c4?! ( the b8 19. h4 gg55 20 22. xg5 20.. xg5 h hxg5 xg5 2 21. 1. f3 d7 possible here is 18... is 18... 20.b3 b3 with a murky position where I’m I’m going with ’unclear’ ) 19. xd6 xa4 20. xa1 21. xa1 xb5 22. xb5 xb5 23. xa4 xa4 24. bxa4 a5 25. e7 xa4 26. xc5 f6 f6 results results in equality ) ) 18... b6 19. xd6 xc4 20. xc4 xd6 21. xc5 xe4 xe4 22 22.. b4 f6 23. 23. hd1 d7 24 24.. c3 ad8 ad8 25 25.. ac1 a8! and an d Wh Whit ite e’s th thrree pa pawn wnss (soo (soon n to be tw two) o) we werre no ma matc tch h for for Blac Black k’s acti activi vity ty in A.Diermair-D.Milanovic, Bad Gleichenberg 2013. The critical continuation is 17.g4! is 17.g4! . Here Here the Ameri American can IM Erik Kisli Kislik k has analysed 17. analysed total al may mayhem hem wil willl occ occur ur aft after er 18. h4 f719. a3 17...f6 ..f6 18. a3! ( tot xe7 20. xg6+ f7 21. h4 e5 22. f5 f8 23.h4! c7 24. xc7 xc7 12
25.g5! e8 26. g3! ab8 27.gxh6 h7 28. b1 d8 and d8 and White has the better chances in this complex position ) position ) 18... b8 19. h4 f7 20.e5! fxe5 xe7 22. xg6 d823. f5 f8 24 24.. h4 xa4( after 24... a525. fxd6 21. d3 xe7 xd6 26. xd6 xd6 xd6 27. xd6+ d728. xh6 xh6 White White’’s passed pawns are stronger than Black Black’’s sorry-loo sorry-looking king knight, V.Lifano .Lifanov-V v-V.T .Tunyik, unyik, corresp correspondence ondence 2011 xb5 26 26.. ha1 xb2 27. 27.h5! h5! with with a strong attack for White. ) 25. xa4 xb5
17... e5!? A e5!? A brave idea to exchange off the knight on f3 so White no longer can sacrifice it on g5 after the bishop retreats to h4. QUES UESTI TION: ON: Why no nott 17... b8 , trap trappi ping ng the the bi bish shop op?? — AN ANSW SWER ER:: It is po posssi sibl ble, e, bu butt Wh Whit ite e do does es ob obta tain in go good od co comp mpen ensa sati tion on for for the the pi piec ece e afte afterr 18. h4 White e ha hass fo four ur pa pawn wnss for for the the pi piec ece e an and d ch chan ance cess g5 19 19.. xg5 xg5 hx hxg5 g5 20 20.. xg5 . Whit for a kin kingsi gside de paw pawn n sto storm rm att attack ack.. Ho Howev wever er,, Bla Black ck do does es hav have e a sup super erb b bis bishop hop on g7 and his knight can return return to aid the defence via d7 and f6. Chanc Chances es seem about equal in this variation. pressure e on the pride of White White’’s 18. xe5 xe5 19. h4 c7! Immediately putting pressur queenside blockade, blockade, the knight on b5. QUESTION: QUESTI ON: Why not 19...g5 , trapping the bishop? ANSWER: 19...g5? is countered by the powerful 20.f4! f6 21.fxg5 hxg5 ANSWER: 22. xg5! xg5 23. g4 g4 . . White rregain egainss the piece with three extr extra a pawns and the black king is extremely exposed. ha1 Lending Lending support to the 20.f4 Preventing ...g6-g5 once and for all. 20... g7 21. ha1 20.f4 Preventing a3-rook. It is often a good idea to double the rooks behind a passed pawn. 21... e8! Bl Blac ack k is tw two o pa pawn wnss do down wn,, bu butt ha hass fa fant ntas asti tic c co comp mpen ensa sati tion on.. Th This is is in es esse senc nce e a Mod oder ern n Benoni where where Black has very well-placed pieces. The h4-bishop doesn’ doesn’t have much scope and it is difficult for White to guard so much territory with Black keeping the tens tensio ion n in th the e cent centre re an and d on the qu quee eens nsid ide. e. Blac Black k also also se sets ts up the the po poss ssib ibil ilit ity y of ...N ...Nxd xd5, 5, with the e-pawn pinned from recapturin recapturing. g. 22. b3! b3! Temp Tempting ting Black to capture on d5 as wel welll as pr prepa eparin ring g Nd4 (w (with ith a dis disco cover vered ed att attack ack on the bla black ck que queen en), ), hea headin ding g to the ving ng th the e qu quee een n aw away ay from from the the ro rook ok an and d inst instea ead d of ta taki king ng juicy c6-square c6-square.. 22... a6! a6! Movi advantage of d5 being pinned, Black prevents the knight from movin moving. g. After 22... xd5 23. d3! d4 24. e1 b4 25. d2 After 22... d2 Black Black has to exchange off his beloved dark-squared dark-squared bishop or his d6-pawn will be too exposed. 23. c4 Avoiding c4 Avoiding any ...Nxd5 tricks. Now, though, Black utilizes the pin on the queen to regain one of his sacrificed pawns pawns.. aa3 Black Black can sacrifice the exchange with 23... with 23... xd5! xd5! 24 24.. d3 After 23. aa3 After xb5! 25.axb5 xb5 26. d2 c4 27. c2 b6 b6 , , obtaining very good compensation. 13
xb5 24 24.. xb5 eb8 The b2-pawn comes under severe pressure. 23... xb5 Not 24... xb2? 25. a2 g7 g7 26 26.. xc5! when xc5! when White is winning, xb5 was was possible, and if 25. xb5 xb5 26.axb5 xe4 27. a6 but 24... but 24... xb5
b4 28. xd6 xb5 xb5 with with good drawing chances for Black. 25. a3 QUESTION: Can’t White simply defend the b2-pawn with 25. a2 and play b2-b3 to finally remove the pawn from the g7-bishop’s glare? ANSWER: 25. a2 ANSWER: 25. a2 is is met by 25... 25... a8! when the pins on a4 and b5 force xb2 27 27.. ab3 d4 . White to return the pawn after 26. a3 xb2 25... xb2 xb2 26 26.. ab3 e8 Black has enough pressure to reach Now after 26. after 26. a2! g7 27. e2 e8 Black an equal position: 28. xb7 ( after ( after 28. c2 xb5 29. xb5 xb5 30.axb5
xe4 b4 32. . d8c433. c7c334. ff3 3an f5 it is like likely ly th that at th the b6 b6-p -paw n will be31.b6 traded for32 the one on c3, leading to eventual draw ) e28... ) xb7 awn 29. b5 xb5 30.axb5 xe4 31. a6 b4 32. xd6 xb5 33. c6 c4 34.d6 d5 35. e7 d2+ 36. f3 f5 37. xc4 d4 38.g4 f7 39.gxf5 39.gxf5 gxf5 40. h4 e6 41. 41.h5 h5 b642. f8 d3+43. e2 h344. c6 d4 45. 45.d7+ d7+ xd7 xd7 46. xh6 e8 47 47.. d6 f7 48 48.. h7+ g8 g8 49 49.. b7 xh5 and a draw beckons. 26... d4 d4 White White cannot do much with his extra pawn due to the impasse on the queenside. 27.g4 side. 27.g4 Freeing the bishop. After the tricky 27.e5 27.e5 dxe5 28. f6 xb5 29. xe5 xe5 Black Black gets out of trouble with 29... a5! 30. xb5 d2+ 31. h3 e8! 32. xc5! xc5 33. xc5 d1 34. c6! and here he should settle for a perpetual check with 34... h5+ after 36. 36. h3?? xe5! xe5!!! 37. 37.fxe5 fxe5 f1+ 38. h4 f5 35. g2 e2+ 36. g1 ( after White cannot stop mate ) 36 36.. .... e1+ .
e8! Now Now Black switches target and asks White’s doubled rooks what they are do27... e8! in ing g on th the e b-fil b-file e. 28. c2 c7! ith h th the e idea idea of pu push shin ing g his his own pa pass ssed ed pa pawn wn.. 29. b1 c7! Wit After 29 29.a .a5 5 c4 30 30.. 3b4 3b4 c3 Black is not worse despite the pawn deficit. Introducing the possibility of ...Ra7 and ...f7-f5. ...f7-f5. 30 29... a8! a8! Introducing 30.f5 .f5 gx gxf5 f5 31. 31.gxf gxf5 5 a7 White has no good way of taking advantage of the exposed black king: for 33.f6 f6 h7! 34.e5+ h8 35.ex 35.exd6 d6 xd5+ example exam ple,, after 31... a732. h1 xa4 33. 36. g2 xg2+ xg2+ 37. xg2 h7 38 38.. b7 g6 39. 39.d7 d7 d8 Blac Black k is at leas leastt eq equa ual. l. 1/2-1/2 14
Jo Jovano vanovic, vic, B. • Sto Stojano janovski vski,, S. Skopje ◦
2013 1-0 A59 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.bxa6 xa6 6. c3 d6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 g6 9. f3 bd7 10. 10.g3 g3 g7 11 11.. g2 O– O–O O 12 12.a .a4 4 b6 13 13.. a3!? This a3!? This rook lift is becoming one popular idea these days. In my Internet blitz games this year with IMs and GMs on playchess.com, I mostly ran into 13 Ra3 (or 13. (or 13. c2 and c2 and 14 Ra3) after either 12...Qb6 or 12...Ra6. 13... fb8 QUESTION: Can Black play to try planting a knight on d3 with 13...c4 with 13...c4 ? ? — ANSWER: It is extremely double-edged in this position because White obtains a very swift central breakthrough. Another problem is that although Black has seized the d3-square, he loses control over d4 and a white knight might find its way to the c6 outp outpost. ost. GM Suat Atali Atalik k analyse analysed d the follow follow-ing powerful exchange sacrifice for White: 14. e2 fc8 15. d1 c5 ( or with a nice add4 with 15... g4 16. b5 ge5 17. xe5 xe5 18. e3 b7 19. d4 vantage ) 16 16.e .e5 5 e817. xc4 xc4 dx dxe5 e5 18 18.. e2 d6 19 19.. xe5 xe5 xe5 20 20.. xe5 c4 21. xe7 xa3 22.bxa3 b3 23. e3! xc3 24. d4 b3 25. e5 f6 26. xf6 xd5+ 27.f3 e628. h8+ f729. xh7+ e830. xg6+ d731. h7+ e8 f6 with a crushing game for White. 32. f6 with 14. c2 g4? g4? QUESTION: QUESTION: Isn’t it good to take advantage of the omission of h2-h3 to plonk plon k one knight on e5 with an eye on d3 and c4? — ANSWER: Not Not when White can push back the knight on e5 with tempi. Instead, after 14... after 14... e8 15.h4! (there is also a trend towards this h-pawn push in recent years, the point being to weaken the black kingside before commi com mitti tting ng the whi white te kin king’ g’ss rook rook to the cen centr tre e or que queens enside ide)) 15.. 15...h5 .h5 16. b5 c7 17 17.. xc7 xc7 xc7 18. 18.b3! b3! White White has almost totally consolidated and Black must play extremely actively to prevent a total bind; ( 18. e3 c4 was c4 was his idea ) idea ) 18...c4! now 18...c4! now or never; ( never; ( in in S.Atalik-S.Kasparov, Serbian Team Championship 2012, White managed to slowly but surely gain the advantage afaa7 21 21.. a5 c7 22. a4 c8 23. c4 ter 18... ter 18... b7 19. d2 b8 20. b1 aa7 b8 24.b4! , with a great game for White, although Sergey Kasparov put up so much resistance that the game was eventually drawn ) 19. xc4 ( 19. e3 e3!? !? c3 20 20.. d4 c5 21. b5 b4 22. aa1 c5 23. xc5 dxc5! was pointed out by Atalik, ) Atalik, ) ( while after 19.bxc4?! after 19.bxc4?! b4! Black takes over the initiative ) 19 19.. .... xc4 20.b 20.bxc4 xc4 b6 21 21.. g5 xc4 xc4 22. a2 b2 23 23.. xb2 xb2 15
24. x xe7 e7 f6 25 25.. b1 xa4 xa4 26 26.. xd6 xd6 xd6 27 27.. xb2 xe4 xe4 28 28.. g1 g5! 29.h 29.hxg5 xg5 xd5 33 33.. f4 d2 d2 White White cannot make fxg5 fxg 5 30. h3g431. f4 d432. xh5 xd5 headway. 15. b5 ge5 16. d2! Renderi Rendering ng the ...Ng4 ...Ng4-e5 -e5 idea super superfluou fluous. s. The black knigh knights ts are stepping on each other’s toes and this gives White the chance to build a strong b7 Hoping Hoping to chip away later at the centre and secure his queenside firmly. 16... b7 white centre. 17.f4 g4 18.h3 gf6 19. c4 b6 20.b3 20.b3 White White has achieved his ideal queenside structure. structure. Black has no real counterplay and soon succumbed. succumbed. 20... fd7 21. d2 xc4? Very bad. This allo allows ws the a3-r a3-rook ook to be acti activated vated alo along ng the ran rank k and also further strengthens the white centre. I suspect that by now Black was too demor The rest is alized to put up any fight. 22.bxc4 b6 23. b1 a6 24.a5 d7 25. ab3 ab3 The just a mopping up exercise for White. 25... c8 26. a3 ba8 27. b7 6a7 28. b3 h5 29 29.. b5 h7 30 30.. c2 f6 31 31.. e1 e1 h4 32 32.g .g4 4 g7 33 33.. f3 f6 34. g5+ 1-0 Jayakumar,, A. Jayakumar • Le Leon on Hoy oyos os,, M. Las Vegas 2013 0-1 f6 2.c4 2.c4 c5 3.d5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.bx .bxa6 g6 6. c3 xa6 1.d4 f6 ◦
A59 ( Junior Tay)
The Worl orld d Cha Champi mpion on Ma Magnu gnuss Ca Carls rlsen en mix mixed ed aroun around d the mo move ve order order again against st Boris Bo ris Gel Gelfan fand d wit with h 6... g77.e4O–O8. f3 a59. d3 d3?! ?! ( 9. d2 is more more ci cirrxc3+ 11.bx 11.bxc3? c3? xc3+ and xc3+ and won easily in 23 cumspect ) cumspect ) 9.. 9... xd5! 10.exd5 xc3+ moves,, B.Gelfan moves B.Gelfand-M.Carlsen d-M.Carlsen,, Zurich (rapid) 2014. 7.e4 xf1 GM Aveshkulov, in his 2013 Kindle edition of ’Attack with Black’, analysed inste stead ad as a via viable ble alt altern ernati ative ve to av avoid oid tthe he 12 a4 sy syste stem. m. This var varia ia-7... a5 in ti tion on is st stil illl in its its infa infanc ncy y bu butt a co coup uple le of line liness caug caught ht my eye: eye: ( ( White White can try
xa6 xa6( Aveshkulov 9.e5 e4 10.anal e2 after 8. 14. O–O xc3exchange 12. xc3 sacrifice xe5 13. after 8. e1 d6 for g7an11.ultra-sharp xe5!? 15.. xe5 xe5 dx dxe5 e5 16 16.. f3 and con conclu clude ded d Black Black has "ad "adequ equate ate ysed 14. h6 c7 15 defensive resources" ) resources" ) 14...dxe5 15. h6 h6 with with strong attacking chances for the exchange. I prefer White here though Houdini’s take was that ’White is very slightly better’ better’ afte afterr cran cranking king in deep analys analysis is mode for a few hours. ) ( White can try to reach a standard a2-a4 line with 8. d2 xf1 9. xf1 d6 analogous ogous conce concept pt to Tin Tin Jin Jingyao gyao’’s 11.. g2O–O12. f3 a6! a6! (an anal 10.g3 g7 11 plan which we’ll see later in the chapter) 13.a4 chapter) 13.a4 b6 14. e2 c7 c7 (covering (covering ab1! with a slight edge for White. White plans b2-b3 while Black b5) 15. ab1! with can play for a ...Qa6 trade or an ...e7-e6 break. ) break. )
16
8. xf xf1 d6 9. f3 bd7 bd7 10. 10.g3 g3 g7 g7 11 11.. g2 O– O–O O 12 12.a .a4 4 b6 13 13.. e2 e6 e6?! ?! Erik Erik Kislik, who watched this game live at the venue, remar remarked ked that "this was a one-off gamble by Leon Hoyos". Usually, in the cut-throat American Opens, the pros have to score heavily in the early rounds to be in contention for the big money prizes, which explains the risk that the Mexican GM is taking. The advantage for him is that his opponent is now out of his theoretical preparation and has to make committal decisions at an early stage of the game game.. The ...e7-e ...e7-e6 6 br break eak aims to whitt whittle le away at White White’’s centre and if White exchanges the pawns, Black obtains an f-file to play down. Instead, 13... b7 transpos transposes es to Zilkas-G Zilkas-Guidare uidarelli lli - see the next game. 14.dxe6 White chooses to give up part of his central space to play against the black 14.dxe6 White centre. Safest Safe st is fo forr Wh Whit ite e to just just ke keep ep th the e po posi siti tion on clos closed ed and and sl slo owl wly y nu nurs rse e his his extr extra a exd5 d5 1 15.exd5 5.exd5 fe8 16. c4! c4! and and White is simply pawn advantage: advantage: 14. d1 ex going to play Rb1, b2-b3 and Nb5 to solidify the queenside. 16.exd .exd5 5 exd5 exd5 Black Black has obtained a centre pawn structure more 14...fxe6 15. d1 d5 16 commonly associated with the Blumenfeld Gambit. 17. f4?! Hoyos’s dare works as White blinks first. The Mexican Mexican’’s mobile centre coupled with threats on the long diagonal now begins to take shape. The way to refut refute e Bla Black ck’’s ov overl erly y amb ambiti itious ous set set-up -up is 17.a5! c6 18 18.. b5 b8 with good winning chances ) chances ) ( and and 18... ( if 18... 18... e6 19.a6 19.a6 with 18... xb5 19. xb5 would make it even harder for Black to block White’ White’ss a-pawn from promo or 20... 20... bd7 21. f4 ) 21. b6 d7 22. f4 tion ) tion ) 19. b3! c4 20. b4 a6 (( or and White is calling the shots. 17...d4 Black increases his central spatial advantage and gradually takes over the long light-square diagonal. 18. diagonal. 18. b5?! Better is 18. is 18. c4+!? h8 19. b5 h5 20. d6 xf3 21. d5! ( or ( or 21. 21. xf3 22. e2 e8+ 23. d2 f3 24. c2 b6 25. d3 xf2+ 26. d2 f6 c6+counterplay ) 21 xf8 xf823. xd7 f624. c7 e625. xd4 with counterplay ) 21.. .... af822. with chances for both sides. cxd4 cxd4 26 26.. xd4 d5 27 27.. c5 f5 f5 with 18... d5 d5 Centralizing Centralizing the knight as well as applying more pressure down the f-file. rying ng to pr prev event ent the bla black ck queen queen fro from m re reach ach- White’’s bishop is hence evicted. 19. g5 Tryi White ing f6 to prevent the accumulation of black heavy pieces on the f-file. Jayakumar had to fight hard to stay in the game: After 19. d6 f6 20. e1 c6 ( or or 20... 20... xd6 21. xd6 xd6 22. e6+ xe6 23. xe6 xe6 and and Black has the better endgame ) endgame ) 21.a5 f8 22. c4 h8! 23. g1 5b6! 24.axb6 xf3 25. f4 xa1 xa1 26. xa1g527. xg5 xf2+ xf2+ 28. h1 xb6 29 29.. f1 xb2 Black’s winning chances are are minimal due to the exposed natur nature e of his king. 17
19. c4 is too too late late as 19... e6! e6! thr threa eate tens ns to wi win n the the qu quee een n with with a di disc sco over vered check after ...Nf4 or ...Ne3. Black switches his attention totally to the kingside where weaknesses abound and White is already defenceless against the mounting pressure. 19... ae8 Gaining a tempo on the queen and adding another piece to the eventual ae8 Gaining kingside assault. 20. d3 c6 Seizing the long diagonal as well as threatening ...Ne3+. assault. 20. Even stronger was 20...h6! 20...h6! clearing clearing f6 for the queen. After this move, White is simply lost as his king cannot hope to survive the force of the heavy pieces: 21. pieces: 21. d2 f6 22 22.. f1 c4 c4!! 23 23.. a3 e2 e2 with with a winning attack for Black. 21. g1 g1 h6 22. d2 Alternatively, 22. ffxd Alternatively, xd4 4 cxd4 cxd4 23. xd4 a8 24 24.. b5 h825. c1 ( if 25. if 25. xd5 e1+! ) 25... f5 and Black is winning. 22... f6 Final Finally ly,, the que queen en reach reaches es the de desir sired ed squ squar are e an and d Whi White te is def defenc encele eless ss aga agains instt the accumulation of force. 23. g2 c4! 24. a3 a3 EXERCISE: EXERCISE: How can Black terminate off the white queen from the defence of the the contest quickly? 24... quickly? 24... e3+!! Cutting .e3+!! xf3+ 26 26. g1 Cutting f2+ f2+ 27 27.. h1 e5 0-1 kingside. 25.fxe3 xf3+ kingside. 25.fxe3 Zilka Zilka,, S. • Guid Guidarel arelli, li, L. Meissen 2013 0-1 A59 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.bxa6 xa6 6. c3 d6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 g6 9. f3 g7 10 10.g .g3 3 O– O–O O 11 11.. g2 bd7 bd7 12. 12.a4 a4 b8!? ◦
QUESTION: What is the main difference between this move and the more commonly played 12... b6 ? line ne,, Blac Black k ha hass the the op opti tion on of sh shif ifti ting ng the the qu quee een n to ANSWER: In the 12... b6 li a5-square a6 and also protects the a5-square.. 13. e2 b7 b7 Black’s Black’s plan is use the queen’s placement to crack open the long lightsquare diagonal. 14. diagonal. 14. d2 e6 e6?! ?! EXERCISE: What is White’s best move after 14... fb8 fb8 15 15.. b5 e8 ? — ANc3! . . This is one SWER: White should trade Black’ Black’ss strong bishop with with 16. 16. c3! of th the e sali salien entt str strat ateg egic ic ai aims ms of th the e a4 a4,, Qe Qe2 2 an and d Nb Nb5 5 setset-up up (the (the othe others rs be bein ing g to solidify the centre with Ra2 or Ra3, b2-b3 and possibly Nd2-c4) . 15.dxe6
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After 15. b5 fb8 fb8 16 16.d .dxe xe6 6 fxe6 fxe6 17 17.. hd1 a6 18 18.. xa6 xa6 xa6 19 19.. a2 e8 Black has decent pressure pressure for his pawn minus. he1?! White de decid cides es on a pol policy icy of re restr strain aint. t. Ho Howe wever ver,, mo more re dr dras astic tic meamea15...fxe6 15...fxe 6 16. he1?! White sures are required in order to stop Black’s central pawn mass from expanding like an umbrella. Erik Kislik suggested playing actively to prevent Black from allowing the centre pawns to march unimpeded and after his 16. g5! Black seems to be worse. worse. This is a good illus illustrat tration ion of how accura accurately tely White must play play,, especially when Black has obtained a Blumenfeld-type of position, which allows him to play on the kingside (the half-open f-file), in the centre (the pawn mass) mass) and on the quee queensid nside e (the a- and b-files) b-files).. He Here re Black might after 17. 17. he1 h6 18. f3 d5 19.h3 d4 20. b5 c6 try: ( try: ( 16... fe8 17. b5 (( after 21.b 21 .b3 3 e5 Black has good play on the f-file ) 17 17.. .... c c6 6 18.f3! 18.f3! f8 19. hd1 hd1 h6 e4 and and the position is struc20. xd6! xd6 21.e5 c6 22.exf6 xf6 23. e4 turall tur ally y hop hopele eless ss for Black Black.. ) ( 16 16.. .... ae8 ae8 17. 7.a5 a5 d5 ( not 17... xb2?? 18. hb1 c2 19. a2 a2 and and the queen is trapped, ) ( while after 17... after 17... c6 18 18.a6 .a6 h6 19. f3 b8 20. f4 b6 21.a7 d5 22. c7! b4 23. b8! a8 24. d6 c8 19.a7 7 c4 20. e3 e5 21. a5! and 25.e5 White 25.e5 White is for choice ) 18.a6 c6 19.a Black’s initiative has fizzled out. ) out. ) 16...d 16. ..d5 5 17. g1?! after 19... 19... b8 20. xb7 Better is 17.exd5 is 17.exd5 exd5 18.a5 a6 19. b5 a8! (( after xb7 21. a2 a2 White White should have an edge ) edge ) 20. e7 d4 d4 and and all three results dxc3 c3 22. xc3 f723. ae1 a724. xf7 are poss possible ible:: for examp example, le, 21. d3! dx xf7 25. e2 g8 26 26.. e6+ h8 h8 with with dynamic equality. equality. White is not worse because of his strong a-pawn and very well-placed pieces. 17...c4! Gi Givi ving ng Black lack’’s kn knig ight ht acce access ss to c5 wh wher ere e it hits hits th thrree vi vita tall sq squa uarres in b3 b3,, d3 an and d especially e4. f4 allows White to conInstead, 17...d4 18. b5 xe4 19. a3 ! df6 20. f4 allows Instead, 17...d4 solidate. 18. f4 Trying f4 Trying to stop ...Nc5 as 19 Bd6 forks both knight and rook, but that’s not the end of the story. Instead, after 18.exd5 after 18.exd5 exd5 19. e6+ h8 20. e3 a6 21. h3 h5! Black st stil illl has has a st stro rong ng init initia iati tive ve wi with th idea ideass of .. ...N .Ng4 g4 an and d ...N ...Ne5 e5,, ( bu butt no nott 21... xb2? 22. d4! d4! . . ) ) 18... c5!! An awesome exchange sacrifice, played in order to mobilize the central pawn mass and to remove a defender of the kingside. 19. d6 fxe4 20. xe4 xe4 21. xf8 xf8 xf8 Black is the exchange down, but just look at the sheer difference in 19
the quality of the pieces, not forgetting too Black’s very strong pawn centre. centre. 22. eb1 White rationali rationalizes zes that he should use this rook to protect b2 as the a1-rook can help with the a-pawn a-pawn’’s advance advance.. Ho However wever,, there is now tthe he matter of the weak f2-square which Black can immediately take advantage of. 22...g5! Aiming to boot the knight from f3. 23.h3 f3. 23.h3 Amazingly, Houdini finds a way for White to escape from the onslaught by Amazingly, letting Black do exactly what he wants to: 23.a5! to: 23.a5! g4 24. h4 xf2 25. xg4 c6 ( alternatively, ( alternatively, 25... 25... f7 26.a6 a7 27. h1 f6 28. h5+ g7 29. g4+ f7 30. h5+ h5+ with a draw, ) ( while trying to set up a discovered check with 25... a7 fa fail ilss to to 26. xe6+ f7+ f7+ 27 27.. h1 f2+ f2+ 28 28.. g2d429. f5 when f5 when 27.a6 a6 b6+ 28 28.. h1 f2+29. xf2 xf230. xe6+ White will win )26. f1 xb2 27. h8 31 31.. e8+ f8 32. e5+ g7 g7 33 33.. e8+ and it’s perpetual check. 23...h5 Adding support to the ...g5-g4 breakthrough. 24. f1 Either b2 or f2 cannot be 23...h5 Adding defended. After 24 24.a .a5 5 g4 25.h 25.hxg xg4 4 hx hxg4 g4 26 26.. h4 xf2 xf2 27 27.. xg4 a7 28 28.. h1(28. xe6+ doesn’t work because of of 28... f7+ 29. h1 xg3+ ) 28... f6 29. f1 f2+ 30. xf2 xf2 31. 31.a6 a6 xb2 32 32.. e1 c3 33 33.a .a7 7 a2 the there re goe goess Whi White te’’s hop hope e and joy (the a-pawn). 24... xb2 25. xb2 xb2 26. a2 xf3 27. xb2 a3 EXERCISE: a3 EXERCISE: White has one last chance of saving the game. There’s only one weak piece in the black camp and White can try to exploit the fact. What’s White’s best move here? 28. here? 28. fb1? ANSWER: The black king is a weak piece as it can be confined to the back rank by White’s rooks, so 28. so 28. b7 !! was was correct: ( correct: ( 28...c3 29. c1 d4 30. d7 d2 ( or ( or 30... 30... xa4 31. b1 a8 32. bb7 bb7 with with perpetual check on the seve1 and and Black has to enth rank ) ) 31. g2 e5 32. e1 c4 33. b1 b2 34. e1 keep using his knight to prevent the rook from getting into the attack on b2 Black has to accept the truce. ) hiss ki hi king ng.. Afte Afterr 34... d3 35. b1 b2
( 28... xa4 30 30.g 4! h4 31. . e7 32.38. xe6 f7 33. d6 d4 34. d3 29. 35. c1 e1 xa a7436. ee6 37. g2 d2 .g4! b331 h6 f8 g7 dg6+ f7 39. c6 e8 40. xc4 d2 41 41.. c8+ d7 42. g8 c7 43. g7+ c8 44. g8+ d7 ( winning ) 45. g7+ c8 c8 with with equality. equality. ) 44... b7? 45. d6 and White is winning 28... f7 Now f7 Now that the king is totally safe, Black’s humongous central pawn mass will 31.hxg4 xg4 hxg hxg4 4 32. b8 a1+ 33. g2 a2 call the shots. 29. b7+ f6 30. 1b4 g4 31.h 34. b2 xb2! Black xb2! Black finds the fastest way to end the game, not even pausing to digest xb2 b2 c3 36 36.. e2 c5 37 37.. f1d438. c2 xa4 xa4 39 39.. e2 e5 40 40.. a2 b2 the a-pa a-pawn. wn. 35. 35. x 41.f4+ e4 42. a1 d3+ 43. f2 c2 44. c1 d2 45. xc2 d1= 46. e2+ d5 47. e5+ d4 48. xe6 d3+ 49. g2 f3+ 50. h2 f2+ 51. h1 f1+ 52. h2 h3+ 53. g1 xg3+ 54. f1 f2# 0-1
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B) 11.. 11...N .Na6!? a6!? 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.bxa6 xa6 6. c3 d6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 g6 9. f3 g7 10 10..g3 O–O 11 11.. g2 a6!? As a6!? As the variations in Line A showed, White currently has the upper hand theoretically speaking. Hence Hence,, I would like to introduce an interesti interesting ng sideline which is designed to cross the Kaufman-endorsed a2-a4 and Qe2 plan. Black avoids the standard development of the queen’s knight so that he can play it instead to a6 and sink it on b4 if White plays 12.a4 plays 12.a4 . . Singapore Singapore’s top junior player and 2013 National Rapid Champion, FM Tin Jingyao, displayed virtuoso understanding of the nuances of this line in our next game. Huy uynh nh La Lam m Binh Binh Ng Nguy uyen en • Tin Jin Jingyao gyao Thailand 2013 1/2-1/2 A59 ( Junior Tay) 2.c4 4 c5 3. 3.d5 d5 b5 4. 4.cxb5 cxb5 a a6 6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 xa6 6. c3 d6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 g6 9.g3 1.d4 f6 2.c g7 10. g2 O–O 11. f3 a6!? With this, if White plays 12 a4, the b4-square will be
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owned by by a black knight. knight. 12. 12. e2 After 12.a4 b4 13 13.. e2 d7!? 14. b5 fb8 Black has an easier time compared to the 11...Nbd7 12 a4 lines. — QUESTION: Why is that so? — ANSWER: Firstly, in the 11...Nbd7 12 a4 line, usually when White has consolidated the queenside after a2-a4 and Nb5, he can concentrate on playing b2-b4 to trade off his backward b-pawn for Black’s strong c5-pawn, leaving him with an outside passed queenside queenside pawn. Ho However wever,, the pesky knight on b4 makes it much harder harder for him to carry out such a plan plan.. Seco Secondly ndly,, White will find it more difficult to play for the e4-e5 break as the b4-knight is putting pressure on d5. also o pla playab yable le is 12... d7 White did manage to get in e4-e5 after after 12. b1 c7 ( als he1c4! c4! 16. e3 ac5 ac5 17. d4 xd4 xd4 18. xd4 13. f4 b614. d2 fb815. he1 Black’ k’ss activ activity ity comp compensa ensates tes for his pawn defic deficit, it, R.F R.Fran ranke-C. ke-C.Blo Blocker cker,, d3 and Blac Detro De troit it 198 1983 3 ) 13. e1 d7 14 14.e .e5 5 , but Bla Black ck has suf suffici ficient ent cou counte nterp rplay lay wit with h 14... g4 15. f4 fd8 16.exd6 exd6 17.h3 f6 18. d3 db8 19. e2 h5 20. d2 xc3 xc3 21 21.. xc3 b5 b5 when when White has to trade queens or lose the d5pawn.. White wa pawn wass a shade bet better ter afte afterr 22. d1 xd3 23. xd3 b5 24.b3 xc3 25. xc3 f6 f6 , , but Black drew with relative ease in Z.SzczepanskiP.Schust .Schuster, er, correspondence 2010. Instead, the sens Instead, sensible ible 12. e1 d7 13 13.. f4 b6 14 14.. d2 d2 was was met by the committal 14...c4!? mittal 14...c4!? , , reaching a position similar to Franke-Blocker above. Here ac5 16. h6 ( if 16. if 16. b1 White decided to sacrifice the exchange with 15. e2 ac5 d3 d3 with with good play for Black Black )16... )16... b3 17. 17.axb axb3 3 xa118. xg7 xg7 19.bx 19.bxc4 c4 21
with appro approximate ximate equality though Black Black’’s position is the easier to play play,, D.LivecchiZ.Ljubisavljevic, Z.Ljubisav ljevic, Agrigento 2009. a5 Active Active play with the queen. Although it may be subjected to Bd2 or Nc4 hits, 12... a5 it will soon find its way to a6 where it usually belongs anyway anyway.. As an alternative, alternative, 12... 12... b6 13. g5 b7! b7!?? 1 14. 4. ab1 c7 should c7 should be further explored. d2 White White prepares to stick the knight on c4, but Black has no problems dealing 13. d2 with it there. The one prob oble lem m I ha have ve in th thiis lin line is th that at Black lack is un unab able le to avo voiid th the e dr dra aw if White wants to force it after 13.e5 dxe5 14. xe5 b4 15. d1 c7 16.a3 bx bxd5 d5 17. xd5 xd5 xd5 18. xd5e619. d7 xe5 xe5 20. xe5 xe5 xe5 21. b7 fb8 xb8 with with an equal position. 22. xb8+ xb8 Instead, 13. g5 c7 c7 with with ...Rfb8 to follow gives Black a satisfactory game. 13... c7 This c7 This discourag discourages es White from playin playing g e4-e e4-e5 5 as d5 will hang. Also Black pr pree to d1 White White prepares to play e4-e5, but pares shift the queen to a6. 14. c4 a6 15. d1 Black has no problems parrying it. After 15.a4 Bla Black ck car carrie riess on wit with h sta stand ndar ard d dev develo elopme pment nt via 15... fb816. a3 d7 17. e1 b6 18. xb6 xb6 19. g5 xe2 20. xe2 f8 when f8 when he has equal chances already. Here 21. d1 b4 22.a5 b5 23. a2 d4 24. e1 c2 25. e2 d4 26. e1 c2 27. e2 d4 d4 was was agreed drawn in S.TerzicG.Trkulja, Neum 2008. 15... d7 Bl Blac ack k alr alrea eady dy ha hass an ea easy sy ga game me.. 16. e3 e3 White White decides to allow a queen trade and hopes to hold the fort with his extra pawn. d2 , , completing development QUESTION: What is Black’s plan after 16. d2 for White? — ANSWER: Black should attempt to trade off the knight on c3 b5! and and if White does not agree to the exchange, Black can sim with 16... b5! ply plant the knight on the juicy d4-square. Usually in the Benko the white knights are the linchpins that fend off Black’s attempts to put excruciating pressure pressur e on the queenside pawns pawns.. After 17. xb5 xb5 the position is easier to play for Black and natural moves like ...Rfb8 and ...Nb6 will follow. follow. 16... xe2 17. xe2 fb8 18. d2 b4! b4! Black Black starts to exert pressure along the fourth b6 My My impression is that this knight left rank while deterring Nc4 and a2-a4. 19.f3 b6 d7 a bit bit to too o ea earl rly y, bu butt th this is mo move ve is en enti tirrely ely play playab able le.. — EX EXER ERCI CISE SE:: Ca Can n yo you u fin find d a mo morre aggressive aggressiv e idea for Black to turn the screws on White?
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ANSWER: Perhap Perhapss stronger is 19... b5! b5! wh when en Whi White te is alr alread eady y har hard d pr press essed ed Black ck to fin find d a pr prope operr con contin tinuat uation ion:: for exa examp mple, le, 20 20.a .a3 3 ( or 20. f2 e5 and Bla is enjoying himself ) ) 20... b3 21. c4 a4 ( 21.. 21.... d4! d4!?? 22. xd4 cxd4!? , freeing up c5 for the black knight, might be even stronger ) stronger ) 22. c2 e5 xe5 with with a typical Benko queenside squeeze. squeeze. 23. xe5 xe5 b5 After this the game peters out to equality, as Black, although having a 20. c3 b5 After comfortable position, could not persuade White to weaken his pawn structure. 22.a4 what what would you recomQUESTION: After 20... After 20... c4 21. xc4 xc4 22.a4 mend for Black? — ANSW ANSWER: ER: Unde Undermin rmining ing White White’’s cent centre re with with 22...f5! 22...f5! comes into serious consideration, and after ( 22... xc3 23.bxc3 f5 leads f5 leads xe4 White White must play to the same line ) 23.a5 fxe4 24.fxe4 xc3 25.bxc3 xe4 carefully to hold. 21. xb5 xb5 22. c2! c2! White’s White’s defensive chances lie in his ability to keep his queenside compact. 22...e6!? compact. 22...e6!? An An attempt to play for the win by undermining the white centre. However, this break weakens the d6-pawn. Black can weaken the queenside pawns with 22... ba5 , but after 23.a3 after 23.a3 ba5 , b5 24. a2 a4 d4 26. d2 cxb4 a4 White White can simply parry with 25.b4! 28.. xe3 c4 29 29.. d4 bxb4 bxb4 30. xa4 xa4 lea leadi ding ng to equ equalal27.axb4 xe3 28 ity. EXERCISE: How can White exploit the downside to Black’s 22...e6 ? 23.dxe6?! This 23.dxe6?! This allows Black to mobilize his centre centre.. ANSWER: White can deflect the b6-knight away with 23.a4! xa xa4 4 ( or 23... ba5 ba5 24 24.. c4 xc4 xc4 25 25.. xc4 an and d Wh Whit ite e ke keep epss his his extr extra a pa pawn wn,, altho althoug ugh h winning this position will not be at all easy easy )) 24. xa4 xa4 , so that he can attack d6 with 25. c4 f8 26.dxe6 fxe6 27. d2 d2 when when he has taken over the initiative initiative.. 23...fxe6 23...fxe 6 24.f4 24.f4Pr Prep epari aring ng to cla clamp mp do down wn on the bis bishop hop if Black Black int intend endss ...d6...d6-d5. d5. 24... 24... a4! The point is not just to hit e4, but also to control the c4-square. c4-square. 25. f3 d5 26.e5 c4!? An ambitious try, try, planning to mobilize both the c- and d-pawns. d5 with Also deserving consider consideration ation was was 2 26... 6...d4!? d4!? 27. d1 f8 28. f2 d5 with strong compensation for Black. White wants to play his knight to f2 to stem tthe he advance of the d-pawn. 27. g4 g4 White Houdini demonstrated that White can emerge with a playable position afmove) 28...dxe3 29. c3 ter 27. ter 27. d1 d4 28. e3! (definitely not a ’human’ move) 28...dxe3 ba5 30. xa4 xa4 31. xe3 g5! 32.fxg 32.fxg5 5 xe5 33. e2 d5+ 34. f3 d4 23
35. xe6 xb2 36. d1 a3+ 37. f2 c3 38. xd5 c2 39. d8+ f7 40. ed6 with a draw by perpetual check if Black promotes the c-pawn. If Black in White can still draw after 41. 8d7+ stead ste ad hol holds ds the sev sevent enth h ra rank nk wit with h 40... a7 a7 White xd7 42. xd7+ e643. c7c1= 44. xc1 xc1 xc1 45.h 45.h4 4 f5 46. 46.a4 a4 d2 47 47.. f3 e1 since Black has no way of improving improving his position. 27...d4 28. f2d329. d2 f8 It is ob 27...d4 obvio vious us tha thatt Black Black is do doing ing wel welll her here. e. Ho Howev wever er,, sol solid id 31.. c3! c3! Black Black defence by White stopped him from gaining the full point. 30. point. 30. e4 d5 31 is fo forrced ced to si simp mpli lify fy an and d af afte terr th that at,, wi with th the c4c4- an and d d3 d3-p -paw awns ns fix fixed ed,, it is ha harrd to tr try y for for xc3 32.bx 32.bxc3 c3 f7 33. g2 a3 more. 31... more. 31... xc3 While I was watching the live telecast of this game, I consider considered ed 33... b3!? , b3!? , althou hough gh hoping hopi ng for 34.axb3?! ( how however ever,, ther there e is the no-n no-nonse onsense nse 34. e4 , alt after 34... xc3 35. b2 c2 36. xc2 d dxc2 xc2 3 37. 7. d4 a3 38. xa3 xa3 41.fxg fxg5 5 g6 42. b3 a7 43.h 43.h4 4 f5 44. xc2 39. xc4 xa2 40. c1 g5! 41. xe5 xe5 Black Black should still draw with ease ) 34... xa1 35. b2 f1+ 36. f2 d1 37 37.b .b4 4 e7 e7 when when Black can try for more. 34. xa3 xa3 xa3 35 35.. c1 e7 36 36.. e4 d7 37 37.g .g4 4 d5 38 38.. b2 a7?! B a7?! Bla lack ck is on th the e ve verg rge e of overpressing overpressing in his determination to try for more. cb1! draws after 39... after 39... xc3 40. b6+ c7 41. xe6 d7 Even 38... Even 38... c6 39. cb1! draws 42. a6 d2 43.e6 3.e6 d1 d1= = 44. a7+ c6 45 45.. a6+ a6+ with with perpetual check. Risky play as the d-p d-pawn awn loses its support from the c-pawn. 39. f1 e7 40.h4 d2?! Risky b2 Strangely, Strangely, White offered a draw here just when he 41. d1 ad7 42. b4 c7 43. b2 had chances of trying tr ying for more. 1/2-1/2 C) Th The e Old Mai ain n Li Line ne:: 12 h3 1.d4 f6 2.c 2.c4 4 c5 3. 3.d5 d5 b5 4. 4.cxb5 cxb5 a a6 6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 xa6 6. c3 d6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 g6 9.g3 g7 10. g2 O–O 11. f3 bd7 12.h3 12.h3 In In the old line with White playing h2-h3, Liu Y Yang-Ju ang-Junior nioron Taythe sees Black the for standar standard d ...Rfb8 to seerewar if he ded. can play in ver, the, centre centr e and king kingside side delaying with ...f7-f5 which he is richly rewarded. Mo Moreo reover life is tough in the once standard ...Ra6 and ...Qa8 line these days, with top Benko exponent Sergey Kasparov suffering a debacle in Gandrud-Kasparov after 12... after 12... a6 a6 . . The manner in which Gandrud made use of the d4-square as a pivot for operations is very instructive instructive.. Liu Yang • Tay ay,, J. Singapor Sing apore e (rapi (rapid) d) 2013 0-1 f6 2.c4 2.c4 c5 3.d5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.bx .bxa6 g6 6. c3 xa6 xa6 7. ff3 3 d6 1.d4 f6 ◦
24
A59 ( Junior Tay)
White can also do away with the king stroll with a knight tour via d2 to f1 to e3, but Blac Black k equaliz equalizes es easily by gettin getting g his queen to a6 swiftly: for example, 7... example, 7... g7 8. d2 O–O 9.e4 xf1 10. xf1 a5 11. d2 d6 12. e3 a6! a6! a and nd Bla Black ck has eas easy y pla play y, B.So .Socko cko-M. -M.Leo Leon n Hoy oyos os,, Bei Beijin jing g (blitz (blitz)) 200 2008. 8. ( ( bd7 13. 13.O–O O–O a6! a6! is is similar: 14. similar: 14. c2 e5 15 15.b .b3 3 fd7 16 16.f .f4 4 d3 Here 12... bd7 with a strong initiative for Black in E.Bareev-G.Kaspar E.Bareev-G.Kasparov ov,, Linares 1994. 1994. ) ) d2 , , with this move order 8... order 8... a5 a5 is is also good, preventing After 7... After 7... g7 8. d2 White from recapturing on f1 with his knight after 9.e4 . ( Instead, Instead, 9. 9.g3 g3 d6 ab8 saw saw smooth devel10. g2 O–O 11.O–O bd7 12. c2 fc8 13. d1 ab8 opment for Black in B.Socko-D.Andreikin, Moscow 2012. ) xf1 9. xf1 g7 g7 10 10.g .g3 3 O– O–O O 11 11.. g2 bd7 bd7 12. 12.h3 h3 This move is considered redun8.e4 xf1 dant in top-flight tournament praxis today. Thanks to Kau Thanks Kaufman fman’’s rec recomme ommenda ndation tion in ’The Kauf Kaufman man Rep Repertoi ertoire re’’, as well as the efforts of various Chinese Grandmasters, the vogue continuations nowadays are 12. e2 followed by the a2-a4, Nb5 clamp. and 12.a4 , as we have already seen. 12... b6 This is also Topalov’s and Bologan’s choice in the Benko. I find this line more economical and efficient than the set-up with ...Ra6 and ...Qa8. GM Aveskulov endorsed the line with 12... a5 a5 in in ’Attacking with Black’. When I was playing for corresp correspondence ondence IM norms in ICCF events, I would avoid positions in which White can clarify the centre easily with e4-e5 as White often gets to play for two results (win or draw), while Black usu14.e5 5 dxe5 ally has to play well just just to equaliz equalize. e. He Here re after after 13. e1 fb8 14.e 15. xe5 xe5 xe5 16. xe5 b7 17. 17. f3 e8 18 18.. e2 d6 19 19.. e4 f5 my data database base shows a 70% percent success rate for White with 8 wins, 12 draws and zero losses in over-the-board over-the-board play play.. Indeed Indeed,, ( ( Black Black can also try 19... 19... xe4 xe4 , , but after 20. after 20. xe4 xe4 with with 21 Bc3 to follow, at best he can only hope for a draw ) draw ) 20. d2 gives White a slight but definite edge. e1 Preparing Preparing the big e4-e5 push. In some lines, White plays Re2 to guard the b213. e1 pawn or even Re2-c2 to guard against tricks on c3. 13... c3. 13... b7!? This b7!? This move restra restrains ins e4e5 an and d pu puts ts th the e qu quee een n on th the e same same diag diagon onal al as the the wh whit ite e ki king ng.. Ho Howe weve verr, I ha have ve an anot othe herr reason for delaying the ...Rfb8 sally which will be revealed by Black’ Black’ss 18th move move.. QUESTION: Shouldn’t Black just get on with the queenside pressure via 13... fb8 ? ANSWER: Mor More e commonly played is, indeed, 13... fb8 fb8 which which has been played pla yed by the Be Benko nko exp expert ert Vik Viktor tor Bo Bolog logan. an. H How owev ever er,, Whi White te get getss the slightl slightly y xe5 16. xe5 b7 17 17.. f3h618. e2 bette be tterr gam game e aft after er 14. 14.e5 e5 dx dxe5 e5 15. xe5 xe5 d8 19. e3 e3 , , as in A.Gabrielian-V.Bologan, European Championship, Aixles-Bains 2011, when it’s it’s too hard to play for a win with Black. 25
14. c2 White c2 White protects the b2- and e4-pawns simultaneously. simultaneously. h6 6 16 16.. xf6 xf6 17. c1 a6 18. d2 g7 Others: 14. e2 b6 15. g5 h Others: 19.b3 fa8 20. c2 c2 and chances are even, E.Bareev-A.Chernin, Moscow 1995. If White insists on the central push 14.e5 , 14.e5 , Black hits back with 14...dxe5 xe5 e6 1 16. 6. xd7 xd7 17. g1 c4! 18. 18.dx dxe6 e6 e5 19.e 19.e7 7 fe8 20. e3 15. xe5 xe7 and the black knight gets to wreak havoc from the d3-square. b6 Discouraging Discouraging e4-e5 while setting up ...e7-e6 which will result in an indirect 14... b6 hit on f3 after dxe6 fxe6. Instead, after 14... after 14... fb8 15.b3 b6 16. b2? b2?!! ( 16. 16.a4 a4 gives gives White the advantage ) 16 vantage 16.. .... c4! 17. c1 a3 18 18.. xa3 xa3 Black had good pressure in V.Gunina-T V .Gunina-T.Berlin, .Berlin, Beijing 2008. e8!? The knight is heading to c7 where it eyes d5 and b5. 15. g5 e8!? The I chose not to put the question to the bishop because of the simple 15...h6 16. xf6 xf6 17.a4 17.a4 when when Black must play very accurately to stop White comp leting from from complet ing the Ra3 Ra3,, b3 and Nb5 bin bind. d. Aft After er 17...c4 18. b5 xa4 xb5 20 20.. xc4 xc4 White White should draw with ease. Howev However er,, a draw was 19. xa4 xb5 practically useless as we both needed a win to make the prize list. 16. d2 h6 17. f4?! I f4?! Itt look lookss logi logica call to play play fo forr a futu future re e4 e4-e -e5. 5. H Ho owe weve verr, this this gi give vess Blac Black k a te temp mpo o to ga gain in lo lots ts of sp spac ace e on the the ki king ngsi side de.. 17...g5! 17...g5! Q QUEST UESTION: ION: Does Doesn n’t this weak weaken en the black king? — ANSWER: Yes, it does. However, currently White’s pieces are mostly on the queenside and not particularly well placed to take advantage of the weakened black kingside kingside.. 18. e3 e3 EXERCISE: EXERCISE: Can you find a way to for Black to make use of the queen on b7 to exploit White’s king position? — ANSWER: 18...f5! Undermining 18...f5! Undermining the white pawn centre centre.. 19.f3?! 19.f3?! In In rapid chess, this will result in Black obtaining free play on the queenside without any harassmen harassmentt by White on the kingside and in the centre centre.. 20.g4?! Trying Trying to settle the problem of the potential threats on the kingside 19... f6 20.g4?! and Yang probably wanted to avoid complications. Better is probably to go into a dogfight after 20.a4 20.a4 f4! 21. 21.gx gxf4 f4 gx gxf4 f4 22. xf4 fxd5 fxd5 23 23.. g3 b4 24 24.. b3+ h8 25 25.a .a5 5 d7 26 26.. c4 f6 27 27.. e3 h5 h5 with with chances for both sides. 20...f4! Ens 20...f4! E nsuri uring ng tha thatt Whi White te’’s cen centr tral al or kings kingside ide pla play y wil willl be pe perma rmanen nently tly ne neutr utrali alize zed. d. Now all the attention will be switched to the queenside where Black has more space than White. QUESTION: Why not use the f-file with 20...fxe4 21.fxe4 21.fxe4 ? — ANSW ANSWER ER:: Yes, Yes, it’ it’ss possible possible,, but White also has access to the f-file and the possibility of rerouting his knight to f5. Chances are about equal here. 26
21. f2 fd7 fd7 22 22.. b3?! b3?! Whit White e ho hope pess to red educ uce e the qu quee eens nsid ide e pr pres essu sure re wi with th thi thiss as no now w ...c5-c4 ...c5c4 will be met by Nd4. Ho Howeve weverr, it’ it’ss no now w diffi difficult cult to stop Black Black’’s knig knights hts from running riot. That said, even after 22.a4 e5 23. 23. b3 fc8 fc8 24 24.. ab1 f7! f7! Black Black can set up a secondary threat with ...h6-h5. ac1 EXERCISE: EXERCISE: What would you play now to accentuate the power of 22... e5 23. ac1 the centralized knight on e5? — ANSWER: 23... a6! a6! The The queen comes to its favourite a4! Now Now the queenside diagonal in the Benko, eyeing the juicy d3-square. 24. ed1 a4! si simp mply ly fall fallss ap apar art. t. Th This is ex exch chan ange ge of th the e kn knig ight ht on a4 for for th the e on one e on c3 is qu quit ite e co comm mmon on in Benko middlegames middlegames.. 25. xa4 xa4 26. a1 b5 b5 With With the idea of doubling on the a-file with control over the fourth rank after ...Ra4 and ...Rfa8. 26... fb8 is, of course, also natural and strong. 27. e1 fb8 28 28.. b1 c4 going ...Na3 will decide the game. After 27. c1 fb8 a4 Tired Tired of being cooped up on the queenside, White makes a careless move. 27... a4 28. c3?? c4 Unable c4 Unable to meet the threat of 29...Ne3 and with little time left on the clock, White decided to call it a day day.. 0-1 Gandrud, V. • Kasparo Kasparov v, S. Fagernes 2012 1-0 A59 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c c5 5 3.d5 b5 4 4.cxb .cxb5 5 a6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 d6 9 9.g3 .g3 g7 10. g2 O–O 11. f3 bd7 12. e1 a6 a6 The The queen’s rook moves up two ranks to prepare ...Qa8 with the idea of hitting a2 as well as the long light-square diagonal via ◦
a future rook ...e7-protects ...e7-e6, e6, whilethe also freein freeing g from up b8 forwhite the king king’ ’s rook. Mor Moreo eover ver,, 13.h3 on a6, This the queen’s d6-pawn the queen after ...e6; dxe6. 13.h3 This stops the black knight from going to g4 after e4-e5. 13... a8 14. e2 e2 Shoring Shoring up the second rank. 14... rank. 14... b8 15 15.. c2 b6 Free Freeing ing up d7 for the king’ king’ss knight now that ...Ng4 fd7 17. 17.b3 b3 is not possible possible.. 16. b1 fd7 Note that after 17. g5 Black can play the pawn sacrifice 17...h6!? 18. xe7 c8 19 19.. h4 ( if if 19. 19. d8 b7 b7 with with the idea of catching the bishop with ...Na7 xg5 hx hxg5 g5 21. 21. xg5 xg5 with with an unclear position. ) 19 19.. ...g .g5 5 20 20.. xg5 17...c4!? This was recommended by the player of the black pieces, one of the world’s 17...c4!? This leading Benko Gambit exponents, exponents, in ’The Dynamic Benko Gambit’ Gambit’.. — QUESTION: What is the danger associated with such a move? Surely it’ it’ss a good thing to open lines 27
on th the e qu quee eens nsid ide e an and d free free up a po pote tent ntia iall ou outp tpos ostt on c5? c5? — AN ANSW SWER ER:: Th The e bi big g prob proble lem m is that ...c5-c4 gives up a huge square on d4 for White’s bishop and knight to sit on. In fact, this is what cost Sergey Kasparov the game as his continuation allowed White to transfer his knight d4 to c6. In a world-clas world-class mat match-up ch-up between thefor twothe Pavels (P (P.Eljanov-P .Eljanov-P.T .Tregubov regubov, 18. b2, German Leagues 2010), Tregubov opted less risky 17... c8 17... e5 19 19.. xe5 xe5 xe5 20 20.h .h4 4 h5 21 21.. f1 g7 22. 22.f4 f4 an and d on only ly afte afterr Wh Whit ite e ha had d exextended himself on the kingside and in the centre did T Tregubo regubov v play play 22...c4 22...c4 24.. xa4 xa4 xa4 25 25.. xg7 xg7 xg7 26 26.. f3 f6 27. b2 a6 . Following 23.b4 Following 23.b4 a4 24 c2 Tregubov could have opted for 28... for 28... c3 as c3 as 29. 29. fxc3 xc3 30. xc3 28. c2 Tregubov xa2 would lead to a draw because White White’’s king is too exposed for his extra xa2 would b-pawn to matter. In ’The Dynamic Benko Gambit’, Sergey Kasparov mentions how he escaped thanks to his opponent who "believed [his] Elo" after 17... xc3?! 18. xc3 xa2 19. xa2 xa2 20. b2 ff6 62 21. 1. a1 a1 . He Here re Sergey Sergey uncor uncorked ked xd5 d5 22 22.. xa2 xc3 xc3 23 23.. xc3 xb3 and eventually made the resource 21... x it very tough for White to win in M.Pinc-S.Kasparov, Tatranske Zruby 2001. 18. e3! xc3 19. xc3 xa2 xa2 20. xa2 xa2 xa2 21. b2 Another white try would be 18.b4 xc3 f6 ( perhaps perhaps 21...f6 21...f6 22. a1 b3 23. d4 xc3 24. xc3 f7 ) 22. a1 b3 23 23.. d2 xc3 xc3 24 24.. xc3 e8 ( 24 24.. .... bxd5!? 25.exd5 xd5 xd5 26 26.. b1 xc3 migh ghtt just just ho hold ld,, bu butt Blac Black k de defin finit itel ely y ha hass to su suff ffer er he herre )25. a7 27. xc3 xb4 mi and Black has to defend carefully to hold this. e3 is is already rather critical for Black. EXERCISE: The position after after 18. e3 How can he bail out here? 18...cxb3? Now Black is unable to contest the c6-square when White’s knight reaches 18...cxb3? Now d4. ANSWER: 18... xc3! would have given him chances to hold: 19. xc3 ANSWER: 18... xa2 20. xa2 xa2 21. b2 (( or or 21. 21. d2 cxb3 22. xb3 c8 23. b4 c2 24. xb6 xb6 xb6 25 25.. xb6 xd2 xd2 26 26.. f3 a8 27 27.. c7 e828. b7 c229. a3 c8 30. a7 f8 f8 and and Black is too solid to lose this ) 21... a6 22. d4 e5 and the position is defensible because the timing of ...Nd7-e5 neutralizes the d4-knight’s d4-knight’s movement. Her Here e 23. h6 f6 24.bxc4 xc4 25. xc4 exc4 26. a2 a8 holds the balance. 19.axb3 c8 Q c8 QUES UESTI TION: ON: Whi Which ch is bette better? r? Pu Putti tting ng the bish bishop op or knig knight ht on d4? — d4! This This is cleaner as now Black cannot complicate matters at all. ANSWER: 20. d4! 28
After 20. d4 e6 ( or After 20. or 20... 20... b7 21. c6 b8 22.b4! a3 23. a4! a4! and and White 22.b .b4 4 sooner or later Black must sacrifice the calls the shots ) 21. c6 h8 22 exchange on c6 to have any survival chances. 20... a1? a1? A A bad day at the office for the Benko Gambit expert. Black cannot allow the trade of the minor pieces, but even after 20... after 20... f6 21. d3 bd7 bd7 22. 22.b4 b4 life is tough for him. Removing ving the only obstacle to Nd4-c6. 21... xb1 21. xg7 Remo Even after 21... x xg7 g7 22. 22. b2 xb1 xb1 23 23.. xb1+ g8 24 24.. d4 Black is in a fix. d4 The The knight makes its 22. xb1 xg7 23. a2 b7 24. a1 g8 25. a7 b8 26. d4 way to the c6 outpost and Black can no longer salvage the game. 26... c7 27. c6 xa7 28. xa7 xa7 29. xa7 f5 30.f3 f7 31. c6 f6 32. f2 fx fxe4 e4 33.fx 33.fxe4 e4 e6 34. e3 37.exd5 xd5 g5 3 38. 8. e4 h4 39.g 39.gxh4 xh4 gx gxh4 h4 40. d4 g5 h5 35.b4 exd5 36. xd5+ xd5+ 37.e 41. f3+ h5 h5 42 42.. f5 b6 11-0 0 D) 12 Re1 1.d4 f6 2.c 2.c4 4 c5 3. 3.d5 d5 b5 4. 4.cxb5 cxb5 a a6 6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 xa6 6. c3 d6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 g6 9.g3 g7 10. g2 O–O 11. f3 bd7 12. e1 e1 In In my correspondence games, I have usually, on purpose, chosen systems which do not allow White to draw easily by removing a few choice bits with an early e4-e5 pawn break. Sabaev-Tay illustrates the problems I face with 12... a5 , 12... a6 , and 12... b6 in playing for the win after 12 Re1. c7 as Hence, my recommendation is to play the petite queen move 12... c7 as demonstrated demonstr ated in Ulibin-M Ulibin-Milanovi ilanovic c and Heiny Heiny-Sergeev -Sergeev.. Keep in mind the following follo wing theme themes: s: Nd1 and Bd2Bd2-c3 c3 to neut neutrali ralize ze Blac Black k’s dar dark-sq k-squar uared ed bishop bishop,, the need to be careful with ...Bxc3 followed by ...Nxa2, and Black’s offer of trading off knights via ...Na4. Sabaev,, S. Sabaev • Tay ay,, J. Correspondence 1999 1/2-1/2 A59 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2. 2.c4 c4 c5 3.d5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 xa6 xa6 6. c3g67.e4 xf1 xf1 8. xf1d69.g3 g7 10. g2 O– O–O O 11 11.. f3 bd7 bd7 12 12.. e1 Take no note te tha thatt I’m I’m no nott re recom commen mendi ding ng the fol follo lowin wing g a5 Essentially, Essentially, if White wants a variation if you are aiming for a win at all costs. 12... a5 draw in this line, there’s nothing much Black can do about it. ◦
29
Another vacuum variation, which is also why I prefer not to play the move goes es 13 13.e .e5 5 dx dxe5 e5 ( 13 13.. .... g414. e2 a8 15. 15.ex exd6 d6 exd exd6 6 16. f4 doesn’t 12... a6 , go seem very fun for Black ) ) 14. xe5 xe5 15. xe5 d6 16. f3 e6 17.dx 17.dxe6 e6 fxe6 18. g5 b6 19. xf6 xf6 20. e2 xf2+ 21. xf2 xe5 22. f1 c6+ 24.. f7+ h825. e7h526. f8+ xf8 27 27.. xf8+ h728. f7+ 23. h3 g7 24 with an easy draw for White. I also encountered problems trying to win after 12... b6 b6 : : for exa exampl mple, e, 13.h3 fb814. e2 a615. b1 e816. d2 c7 17. 17.b3 b3 b518. xb5 xb5 a8 -, -, R.Druon-J.T R.Druon-J.Tay ay,, corresp correspondence ondence 19. e1 b720. c2 a321. c3 a8 2000. White just has to exchange on g7 and line up all the major pieces on the second rank to hold firm. 13. f4 The main ’vacuum variation’ runs thus: 13.e5 g4 14.exd6 exd6 15. f4 fb8 16. e2 a6 17. c1 ge5 18. xe5 xe5 19. xe5 xe5 20.b3 20.b3 . . General erally ly,, ma mast ster erss an and d gran grandm dmas aste ters rs ag agrree th that at Blac Black k is a litt little le wo wors rse e he herre, ha havving to play well to "hold theof balance withanything accuratemore" play" (Alterman). (Jacobs and Kinsman), and with "little hope achieving 13... g4 QUESTION: Why can’t Black continue with the standard plan of 13... of 13... e8 and an d ... ...Nc7 Nc7?? — ANS ANSWER WER:: Whi White te’’s rook, rook, king king’’s knight knight an and d bi bisho shop p are are pla placed ced in this fashion for one clear reason. After 14.e5! After 14.e5! dxe5 15. xe5 xe5 16. xe5 a7 17 17.. xg7 xg7 xg7 18 18.. e4! e4! the the idea of Ra4 gives White a big advantage. 14.h3 There is not much point playing 14. playing 14. d2 as it is difficult to evict one minor piece from e5 without making excessive concessions: 14... ge5 15. xe5 xe5 16. e2 fb8 fb8 17 17.. ab1 a6! 18. xa6 xa6 an and d the e5e5-kn knigh ightt re reach aches es the great d3-square. 14... ge5 ge5 15 15.. xe5 xe5 xe5 16 16.. e2 After 16. c1 , After 16. c1 , despite pressing White for a bit, the maverick Dutch Grandmaster Van Wely had to settle for a draw in the following game. However, it is instructive to see how ’6-time Loek’ (coined for his streak of six consecu17.. e2 b4 18. 18.a3 a3 b3 tive tiv e Dut Dutch ch tit titles les)) ap appli plied ed the squ squeez eeze e her here: e: 16... 16... c4 17 19. d1 a4 20. c2 b8 21. xb3 xb3 22. e2 h6 23.h 23.h4 4 h7 24. cc2 f6 25. c1 d4 26. c3 a5 27. d1 a4 a4 -, -, P.Van der Sterren-L.Van Wely W ely,, Breda 1997.
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16... fb8 17. ac1 c4 c4 Rather Rather commi committal. ttal. Ho Howev wever er,, White has no good way to take advantage of the ’loose’ pawn since his queenside is under heavy pressure. 18. xe5 We have a position roughly similar to the ’vacuum variation’ and there’s no way xe5 xe5 We I could play for a win. 19. win. 19. d1! c8 A c8 A last-ditch attempt to try, but to no avail.
xa2 20. xc4 b3 21. c2 ab8 22. e2 g7 23.h4 Otherwise, after 19...has h5 24 24.. c7 after 19... f6 Black full equality. e3 c3 21 21.b .bxc xc3 3 20. e3 EXERCISE: Assess Black’s options after the inferior 21. c4 . ANSWER: There are three candidate move movess after after 21. c4 : ( 21 21.. .... xc4 xc4 22. xc4 xa2 with with a likely draw, although White must cxb2 23. b1 xa2 24. xa2 xa2 be careful to watch how Black uses the ...f7-f5 break to weaken his central xa5 bx bxc1= c1= 23. xc1 xc1 xc1 24 24.. c6 f6 and Black pawns. ) pawns. ) ( 21 21.. ...c .cxb xb2 2 22 22.. xa5 has the advantage since he can use both rooks on the a-file to tie White xe5 cx cxb2 b2 23 23.. b1 dx dxe5 e5 24 24.. xb2 a6 a6 with with a likely down. ) down. ) ( 21 21.. .... xa2?! 22. xe5 draw. ( draw. ( ) ) 21... xa2 xa2 22 22.. c2 b3 23 23.c .c4 4 d4 24 24.. g4 After 24. ec1 b7 it is difficult to make progress. 24...h 24. ..h5 5 25. d1 The game was agreed drawn here. A possible continuation could be be 25. d1 h hxg4 xg4 2 26. 6. xd4 g gxh3+ xh3+ 27. xh3 a1 28 28.. cd2 c129. g2 b130. d1 8xc4 8xc4 31. xc4 xc4 xc4 32. xb1 xd4 . It It’’s a my myst stery ery to me wh why y my Ru Russ ssia ian n op oppo pone nent nt (w (who ho late laterr be beca came me an IC ICCF CF Grandmaster) would waste his white so, although this game highlights the difficulty for Black of generating decent winnin winning g chances in this line. 1/2-1/2 Ulibin, Ulibi n, M. • Mila Milanov novic, ic, D. Winterthur 2012 1-0 A59 ( Junior Tay) 5.bxa6 6 g6 6 6.. c3 xa6 7. f3 d6 8.e4 xf1 9. xf1 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa bd7 10. like this this litt little le qu quee een n shif shift. t. It ove verp rpro rote tect ctss 10.g3 g3 g7 11 11.. g2 O–O O–O 12. e1 c7!? c7!? I like the e5-square against the e4-e5 break, connects the rooks and gives the queen the option of ...Qb7 or ...Qa7. The queen can also support ...c5-c4 or protect the d6-pawn after a future ...e7-e6 break. ◦
One ke key y po poin intt is it pr prev even ents ts Wh Whit ite e from from ac achi hiev evin ing g e4 e4-e -e5 5 ea easi sily ly as he do does es in the 12... a6 or ...Qa5 lines. 31
QUESTION: Shouldn’t Black take advantage of the omission of h3 to play ANSWER WER:: Thi Thiss is one of the mai main n lin lines es.. H How oweve everr, Bla Black ck is cur cur-12... g4 ? — ANS rently experiencing some problems in the variation: for example, 13. d2 ge5 14. e2 b6 15. 15.a4! a4! c4 16. 16.a5 a5 c8 17. a3! d3 18. d1 f5 19.a 19.axb6 xb6 xa3 20.bxa3 xc3 21. xc4 fxe4 22. xd3 xd3!! exd3 23. xd3 e1 24.f3 c5 25. e3 was winning for White in M.Miljkovic-M.Pap, Jahorina 2012, al e3 was though Black managed to later escape with a draw. draw. 13.h3 White denies Black the g4-square for the knight. 13... fb8 13.h3 fb8 The good, old c2 A A multipurpose move covering b2, e4 and the knight on queenside pressure. pressure. 14. c2 c3. Alternatively, White can cover the second rank with 14. e2 b4 15 Alternatively, 15.a .a3 3 b6 a2 when when 17...e6 17...e6 18.b4 exd5 19.exd5 ba6 20.bxc5 dxc5 16. e3! b7 17. a2 21. ab2 b6 22 22.. xb6 xb6 xb6 23. 23.a4 a4 b4 24 24.. d3 b6 25 25.d .d6 6 c4 26 26.. d1 d8 xb6 28 28.. b5 c6 eventually landed up as a draw in M.Gurevi M.Gurevichch27. xb6 xb6 D.De Vreugt, Wijk aan Zee 2001. 14... b4 b4 With With the idea of putting the queen on b7 to pressure b2 and the long lightsquare diagonal. Safer Sa fer is 14... b7 15 15.. b1c416. e3 c5 17 17.. xc5 xc5 xc5 18 18.. d2 d7 19 19.. e2 ab ab8 8 20 20.. d2 e5 e5 ( 20 20.. .... a7! a7! woul would d ha have ve be been en ev even en be bett tter er )21. )21. xe5 xe5 g7 when when Black is exerting sufficient pressure to hold the balance, 22.f4 g7 K.Holm-H.Baldursso K.Holm-H .Baldursson, n, Kecskeme Kecskemett 2011. 14...c4!? ceding the d4- and c6-squares in return for d3, should also be considered. QUESTION: Doesn’t the text move, 14... move, 14... b4 b4 , , allow White to gain a tempo with a2-a3, booting the rook out of b4? — ANSWER: The rook will have to leave b4, but White has been provoked to weaken his queenside, particularly the b3-square. Black hopes to make that count in the coming moves with continual heavy piece bombar bombardment: dment: for example, example, 15.a3 15.a3 b7 16.a4 d8 . d2 Connecting Connecting the rooks and preparing to surround the black rook with a2-a4 15. d2 and Nb5. 15... Nb5. 15... b7 Putting the aforementioned pressure pressure on b2 and tthe he long diagonal. — QUESTION: QUESTION: What is the best way for White to defen defend d the b2-p b2-pawn? awn? — ANSWER: d1! White White does not weaken his pawns with b2-b3 and so can keep the rook on a1 16. d1! for future operations. This knight may also find a chance to reach c4 via e3. 16... e3. 16... ba4 Gaining a tempo by hitting a2. 17.a3 a2. 17.a3 b6 Planning to infiltrate on c4. However, White does not give Black time to do that. 18. that. 18. c3?! d2 White White can prepare to After the superior superior 18. 18. c3! a6 19. c1 b8 20. d2 play for f4. 32
18... 4a6 4a6 19. 19.a4 a4 fd7 EXERCISE: What was wrong with 19... c4 ? ANSWER: 19... c4 can ANSWER: 19... c4 can be met by 20.b3 20.b3 xd2 21. xd2 xd2 when when White will soon soon es esta tabl blis ish h hi hiss idea ideall Nb Nb5 5 an and d Nc Nc4 4 bloc blocka kadi ding ng se sett-up up,, afte afterr wh whic ich h he can can concentrate concentra te on central or kingside action. 20.b3 White is trying to establish a defensive fortress on the queenside 20.b3 White queenside,, but this allows Black a ’hook’ to play against. 20...c4! 21.b4! Quite 21.b4! Quite frequently in the Benko Benko,, White offers fers th the e ret etur urn n of th the e pa pawn wn by .. ...B .Bxc xc3 3 an and d .. ...R .Rxa xa2 2 or ...R ...Rxa xa4. 4. T The he cr crux ux is wh whet ethe herr Wh Whit ite e’s dark da rk-s -squ quar ared ed bish bishop op ca can n th then en be blun blunte ted d fr from om usin using g the the long long da dark rk-s -squ quar are e di diag agon onal al to produce dastardly kingside threats. 21... xc3 22. xc3 xa4? The wrong decision, but Black probably overestimated overestimated the strength of his active knight. xa4!? : for inst instance ance,, 23. e3 Bl Black ack sho should uld regai regain n his inv invest estmen mentt wit with h 22... xa4!? : a6 24. xa4 xa4 25. c2 b5 26. d4! ( or ( or 26. 26. b1 c3! 27. d4 c4 28. c6 f5 f5!! 29 29.. d4 b8 30. xe7+ f7 31.ex 31.exf5 f5 xe7 32. e4+ d7 33.fx 33.fxg6 g6 hxg6 and hxg6 and there is no kill ) kill ) 26... xb4 27. b1 a5 28. xc4 ac5 29. a1 d830. xa8 xa8 an and d eve even n wit with h the po power werful ful dar darkk-squ squar ared ed bishop bishop,, Whi White te cannot make headway. The e on only ly mo move ve to ho hold ld on to his his extr extra a ma mate teri rial al.. 24... d325. eb1! 23. xc4 b224. f1 Th Prob Pr obab ably ly at th this is po poin int, t, Blac Black k real realiz ized ed th that at th the e ta tact ctic icss we were re no nott in his his favo favour ur.. Now he ha hass to defend a pawn down and what a big b-pawn White has. has. 25... 25... 7e5 xa1 26. xa1 xa1 xa1 27. xa1 xb428. a5! ( or 28. b1 Also hopeless is 25... xa1 c5 when c5 when 29. xb4?! xb4?! ( but after 29. after 29. xb4! a6 30. d4 xb4 31. xb4 xb4 32. c6! c6! Wh Whit ite e wi will ll na nab b th the e e-pa e-pawn wn ) 29 29.. .... xb4 xb4 30. xb4 xe4 xe4 31. d4 f6 32 32.. f3 xd5 xd5 33 33.. d2 f8 giv gives es Bla Black ck som some e dr draw awing ing cha chance ncess ) 28 28.. .... d3 30.. h6 and it’s checkmate. , and the game is over: 29. over: 29. d8+ f8 30 26. xa6 xa6 It’s It’s time to cash in by trading a few lumps of wood. 26... xa6 27. xe5 xe5 28. c3! Reminding Black that besides having to guard against the extra b-pawn, he also has to worry about back-rank mate threats. 28... threats. 28... d7 29. c4 b6 30.b5 30.b5 The The oft quoted expression expression of Aron Nimzowitsch comes to mind: "The passed pawn has a lust to expand". 30... expand". 30... e5 31 31.. e2 dxe5 any any good, since White gets to create doubled QUESTION: Is 31. Is 31. xe5 dxe5 e-pawns for Black? — ANSWER: It actually makes White’ White’ss win tougher as both bo th the re reduc duced ed mat materi erial al and the firm firmly ly blo blocka ckaded ded bb-paw pawn n giv give e Black Black cha chance ncess to hold. 31... a8 32. d4 b7 33.b6 a4 34. d2 f5 35. b4 a5 a5 EXERCISE: EXERCISE: How does White re reali alize ze his ad advan vantag tage e as soo soon n as po possi ssible ble?? — ANS ANSWER WER:: 36. xe5! dxe5 37.d6 37.d6!! F Forc orcing ing a clean win. 37... win. 37... c5 38.d7 xd7 39. xd7 xb4 40. d5+ g7 41. xe5+ f7 42. d5+ e6 43. d7+ f6 44 44.b .b7 7 11-0 0 33
Heiny,, J. Heiny • Sergeev Sergeev,, V. Oberwart 2010 0-1 A59 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa 5.bxa6 6 g6 6 6.. c3 xa6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 d6 9. f3 bd7 10. 10.g3 g3 g7 11 11.. g2 O–O O–O 12 12.. e1 c7 13 13.. e2 e2 White White carries out the standard standard Re2c2 manoeuvre. 13... fb8 14. c2 b6 15. e2 e2 Black Black now plays another standard idea in the Benko to weaken a key defender of White’s central and queenside pawns. 15... a4! In practical play, White will have a hard time warding off the queenside pressure without his knight on c3, which is typically used to blot out the pressure via Nb5, by supporting a2-a4 or to sell itself for the bishop on g7 (usually after ...Bxc3, bxc3/Qxc3 and ...Rxa2) . 16. . 16. d2 ◦
Probably White should keep the knight as a defensive piece with 16. with 16. d1! d7! 17. d2 d2 e6 18 18.d .dxe xe6 6 xe6 , with only a slight pull for Black. 16... x xc3 c3 17 17.. xc3 17.bxc3 is met by and another Benkorank. utility idea in 17... a4! on both the a-file the fourth a4! , , placing the rook 17... d718. c2 a4 a4 Aside Aside from giving Black the option to double rooks on the a- or bfil file e, th this is mo move ve al also so en enco cour urag ages es Wh Whit ite e to we weak aken en his his qu quee eens nsid ide e wi with th ei eith ther er a2 a2-a -a3 3 or b2 b2-b3. Again, this is a standard Benko idea as the white pawns are more difficult to attack on their original squares. 19.a3 b7 20. a2 White intends to blot out the pressure a2 White with b2-b3, a3-a4 and Bb2. — QUESTIO QUESTION: N: Black seems to have achieved as much as he can on the queenside. What next? — ANSWER: Black carries out an outflanking move which is often most effective when he has first maximized his queenside pressur pressure. e. 20...f5! 20.. .f5! 21.b3 aa8 22.f3 fxe4! Of course, Black can keep the tension in the centre because of his central pressure. pressure. Ho However wever,, he wants to clarify matters because of his a6! Having Having fixed the central structure, Black welcomes a queen next move. 23.fxe4 move. 23.fxe4 a6! trade trad e or at least will kick the white quee queen n off the priz prized ed a6-f1 diago diagonal. nal. No Now w the d3squa square re is se seve verrel ely y we weak aken ened ed an and d ripe ripe fo forr a kn knig ight ht inva invasi sion on.. Also Also,, it he help lpss tha thatt his his qu quee een n is White’s best placed piece at the point. 24. point. 24. xa6 xa6 xa6 25. 25.a4 a4 e5 26 26.. b2? A better move move,, to preven preventt the followin following g knight foray foray,, is is 26. 26. a3 a3 and and after g4 chances chances are 26... g4 27. c1 h6 28. c3 e3+ 29. f3 f8+ 30. e2 g4 about equal. 26... d3 d3 White White is unable to prevent the knight fork on e1. 27. xg7 e1+ 28. f2 xc2 29. xc2 xg7 30. e3 ab6 31. a2 f7 32. d3 d3 EXERCISE: EXERCISE: In order to win the game, Black needs to invade down the f-file while watching out for White White’’s dangerous a-pawn. a-pa wn. Ho How w does he keep th that at pawn in che check? ck? — ANSWER ANSWER:: Bring the bl black ack kin king g across to do the goalkeeper’s job. 32... e8 33. c3? QUESTION: How instead might White make Black’s Black’s task as difficult as possible? 34
ANSWER: By preven preventing ting Black from using the f-file with 33. a1 d7 34 34.. f1 . 33... d7 34 34.a .a5 5 b4 35 35.. a3 c7 36.a6 a6 c7 37 37.. a5 a5 with with winning chances for Black. Also possible is 35... d4 36. 37.a .a6 6 f3+ f3+ 38 38.. b2 b8 39 39.. a5?? 36. c4 f8 37 White’s last chance to complicate was to play White’ play 39.e5 dxe5 40. xe5 f2+ a8 42 42.. a5 e4 43 43.. c4 f3+ f3+ 44 44.. b2 a7 a7 45 45.. xc5 xa6 xa6 46 46.. a3 , 41. c3 a8 with some drawing chances. chances. 39... xe4 40. c6+ a8 41. a5 a5 Black Black just has to make sure that White does not get in Rb5-b8 and mate. 41... mate. 41... e2+ 42. a3 f1! 43. a4 b1 44.b4 a1+ 45. b5 xa5+ 47.h3 3 g5 48. 48.g4 g4 h6 49 49.. d8 c4 46.bxa5 Once 46.bxa5 Once the rook goes, the game is up. 46... e4 47.h 50. b4 a751. f7c3+52. xc3 e3+ 53 53.. d4 xh3 xh3 54. e4 xa6 xa6 55. d8 xa556. c6+ b5 57 57.. xe7 c5 58 58.. f5 h4 0-1
E) 10 h3 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.bxa6 xa6 6. c3 d6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 g6 9. f3 g7 10 10.h .h3 3 Sometimes White chooses to tuck his king away on h2 instead of g2. The extra move taken for it to reach there allows Black a swifter queenside initiative than in the 10.g3 line. After 10.h3 in After 10.h3 in Sergeeva-Tay, White’s traditional Re1-e2-c2 rook huddle is examined and Black employs the same e7-pawn sacrifice as in HaugenGonzales to speed up his attack. — As earlier discussed, White usually offe fers rs Bl Blac ack k th the e ch chan ance ce to wi win n ba back ck his his pa pawn wn by exch exchan angi ging ng the the da dark rk-s -squ quar ared ed bishop for the c3-knight. This is a double-edged decision, requiring good calculation and strong nerves as demonstrated by Black in MastrovasilisGeorgiev. Sergeeva, M. Sergeeva, • Tay ay,, J. Correspondence 2002 1/2-1/2 A59 ( Junior Tay) 5.bxa6 6 g6 6 6.. c3 xa6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 d6 9. f3 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa bd7 10. 10.h3 h3 White White wants to castle by hand and get the king tucked away on h2 instead of g2. — QUESTION: What are the pros of the king residing on h2? — ANSWER: Multipurpose: 1) With the king on h2, the chances of getting hit by a tactic on the long diagonal (usually with the black queen on a8 or b7) via ...Nxd5, ...e7-e6 or ...f7-f5 are ◦
35
minimized. — 2) It is slightly safer to launch a central breakthrough (e4-e5) with the h2 QUESTION: QUESTION: What are the disadvantages king on h2. 10... g7 11. g1 O–O 12. h2 of having the king here instead instead of on g2? — ANSWER: Multipu Multipurpos rpose e once again: 1) It takes an extra extra move for the kin king g to get to h2. — 2) Whit White e might get hit by a dar darkksquared tactic on the h2-b8 diagonal, as in the current game. — 3) To take matters to the extreme, White’s king is arguably less well placed in any endgame as it is further away from the centre centre.. 12... b6 It is a matter of taste whether to play play 12... a5 or 12... or 12... b6 b6 . . I personally prefer the knight move as it normally goes to b6 anyway and there might be other options with the queen. 13. e1 fd7 Over Overpro protecti tecting ng the e5-sq e5-squar uare e as well as open opening ing the dar dark-sq k-squar uared ed bishop bishop’’s accesss to the long diagon acces diagonal. al. Blac Black k plans a futur future e ...Nc4 or ...N ...Na4 a4 with possib possible le darke2 White White begins the standar standard d Re2-c2 manoeuvr manoeuvre. e. 14... c4 square squa re tacti tactics cs lurk lurking. ing. 14. e2 a5 The The most active active squar square e for the queen. It can head to b4 to tickl tickle e White 15. c2 a5 furtherr or to a6 to cont furthe contest est the light squar squares. es. Mo Moreo reover ver,, on a5 it helps create tactica tacticall d2! QUESTION: QUESTION: Why is White in a hurry to trade chances based on ...Nxb2 tricks. 16. tricks. 16. d2! off the knight on c4? Can Can’’t White simply develop the dark-squar dark-squared ed bishop? ANSWER: After After 16. 16. g5? xb2 17. xb2 xc3 18. b7 f6 19. xe7 fe8 xe4 the second player player has a great positi position: on: for 20. xe8+ xe8 21. b1 xe4 the instance, 22. e2 a4! a4! and and Black is on top. 16... xd2!? QUESTION: Doesn’t it make sense for Black to keep a knight on c4 with 16... db6 db6 ? ? — ANSWER ANSWER:: Y Yes, es, this is also a good conti continuat nuation. ion. The game b1 with with Black having full might continue 17. e2 a6 18. f3 fb8 19. b1 compensation compensatio n for the pawn minus. a6 The The queen gets to its desired diagonal. 18. g5!? fb8!? Once again, 17. xd2 a6 offering the e7-pawn to accelerate the queenside attack. attack. 19. 19. d2!
xe7 I I had planned to proceed with the standard knight infiltra After 19. xe7 After 19. xc3 21. b3 e5+ 22 22.. g1 e823. g5 tion: 19.. 19...c4!? .c4!? ( 19.. 19.... xb220. xb2 xc3 f6 24 24.. h6 h6 c4 25. b4 xa1 xa1 26 26.. xa1 xe4 xe4 27 27.. b1 e8 is a wild and woolly continuation ) continuation ) 20. g5 c5 21. e3 d3 22. b1 b7 23. g1 ab8 24.b3 and an d am amaz azin ingl gly y th this is wi will ll mo most st like likely ly resu result lt in a dr draw aw by rep epet etit itio ion n afte afterr 24... b4 25. cc1 d3 . 19... e5 e5 Both Both sides start fighting for control control of d3. White White’’s job is to play aroun around d the eventual knight on d3 and chip away at its support, while Black’s is to use the knight as a springboar springboard d to create tactical threats. threats. 20. 20. d1 36
White does not fall for for 20. xe7 f6 , f6 , temporarily entombing the bishop: 21.f4 f7 22.e5 fxe5 23. e4 b4 24. e1 b7 25. xd6 d4 26. e2 xe4 with the better game for Black as the two minor 27. xe4 xd6 xd6 28 28.. e2 ex exf4 f4 with pieces are stronger than the rook and pawn in this position. 20...c4!? A tactical solution. 20...c4!? A Black can also play for the better minor piece ending, although White’s pawn plus means that she retains good drawing drawing chances. That said, over the board it is usually very tough to play White in positions like that which arises after 20... c4 !? 21. 21. e2 xc3! xc3!?? 22.bx 22.bxc3 c3 f6 (a standard exchange followed by the blunting of the bishop; here the bishop doesn’t have many chances to aid any kingside assault) 23. assault) 23. c1 b1 24. h6 xd1 25. xd1 e5 26. b2 f7 27. d2 a4 . Now Now White mus mustt be carefu carefull no nott to trad trade e a4 . queens or she would end up worse, even in an ending one pawn up. Thus b1 the the worst is over for White, ( but not 28. not 28. xa4 xa4 29. e2 after 28. after 28. b1 g5 30 30.f .f4 4 gx gxf4 f4 31 31.. xf4 d3 d3 32 32.g .g3 3 e5 33 33.d .dxe xe6+ 6+ xe6 xe6 34 34.. g1 a3 a3 35 35.. c c2 2 h5 when she has to suffer a bit. bit. ) ) 22.b .b3 3 21.f4 d3 22
After 22. xe7 Black must be careful not to play too flashily with 22... xf4? because White can nonchalantly sacrifice her queen with 23. with 23. xf4!! e5 d6 and and only White has winning chances, despite having 24. xe5 dxe5 25. d6 just two minor pieces and a pawn for the queen. White can leisurely double rooks on the d- or f-files, while Black’s heavy pieces are tied down to defending against the march of the d-pawn. Thus after after 22. xe7 xe7 the the correct choice is 22... e8 e8 and and only now 23. h4 xf4!? 24. f1 d3 25. f6 xf6 26. xf6 b7 27. e3 e7 28. d4 eb8 with the easier game for Black. 22...h6 Black 22...h6 Black theneither chanceoftothe play for a small tactic f4. Eleven years ago when this game wasseizes played, players saw that theon whole combination is unforcxb3?? 3?? tunately flawed. 23. xe7 cxb Black must first control the e-file with 23... e8! e8! and and then: ( then: ( 24.bxc4 xf4 xe5 dx dxe5 e5 27 27.d .d6 6 when White has a large 25. xf4 xe7! ( not 25... e5? 26. xe5 advantage ) 26. f1 c8 27. b5 xe4 28. h1 e5 with e5 with a strong initia can Black play the pseudo-sacrifice: tive for Black. ) ( Only after 24. after 24. h4 h4 can 24... xf4 25. g3 cxb3 26.axb3 h5 27. f2 ab8 28. d4 xb3 29. xg7 xg7 30. d4+ g8 31 31.. a2 b6 32 32.. xb6 xb6 xb6 with with a likely draw. draw. ) 24.axb3 xf4 xf4 25 25.. a2?
37
Once aga Once again, in, Whi White te can simpl simply y sac sacrifi rifice ce the que queen en wit with h 25. xf4!! e526. xe5 dxe5 27.d6 . 27.d6 . White has two mi minor nor pi pieces eces and a paw pawn n for the queen, but all the winning chances because Black’s pieces are tied down to defending against the d-pawn’s march to d8: for example, 27... d8 28. dd2 ( or df1 and and White is 28. f2 a7 29. f3 dc8 30. d5 g7 31. f6+ f8 32. df1 8 29. 29.b4 b4 h8 30 .b5 5 b6 31 xb5 32 32.. f6+ just too dominant ) 28 28.. .... ab8 ab 30.b 31.. d5 xb5 and White is poised to win this. 25... b6 26. xa8 xa8 xa8 27 27.. a4 xb3 xb3 28 28.. xd6 xa4 One poss possible ible cont continua inuation tion is 28... xa429. xf4 xe4 xe4 30. g3 d431. xd4 xd4 32. xd4 xd4 when when there is no chance for Black to play for a win due to the need to blockade White’s strong passed d-pawn. 1/2-1/2 Mastrovasilis, A. Mastrovasilis, • Georgi Georgiev ev,, K. Skopje 2012 0-1 A59 ( Junior Tay) 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.bxa6 xa6 6. c3 d6 7. f3 g6 8.e4 xf1 9. xf1 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cx g7 10 10.h .h3 3 O– O–O O 11 11.. g1 bd7 bd7 12 12.. h2 a5 13 13.. e1 fb8 ◦
A decent alternative is 13... is 13... b6 b6!? !? 14 14.. e2 fd7 15. c2 c4 16. e2 a6 18.b3 b3 ce ce5 5 19 19.. xa6 xf3+ xf3+ 20.g 20.gxf3 xf3 xa6 xa6 with with good compen17. b1 fb8 18. sation. 14. e2 Commencing the standard rook manoeuvre. 14... e8 15. c2 c7 15... b4!? is b4!? is a good alternative. 16. d2 16. g5 g5 can can be met by the stock pawn sacrifice 16... a6!? . For example, ( after 17. 17. c1 b5 18. xb5 xb5 White xb5 White erroneously hit on the 17. xe7 ( after idea of exchanging e-pawns with 19. d2 f6 20 20.. c3 xe4 xe4 21 21.. xg7 xg7 xe7?? only to get his queen trapped after 23... e8 24. 24. c7 22. e3 f6 23. xe7?? only xd5 25. d7 f626. c7 b7 and 0-1 in D.Sta .Stamenk menkov ovic-N. ic-N.Rist Ristic, ic, Vrnja rnjacka cka 18.. e2 ( or or 18. xb5 xb5 19. e2 b7 20. e1 Banja 2009 ) 2009 ) 17... b5! 18 f6 and f6 and White will have problems extricating that bishop on e7 ) e7 ) 18... xc3 20.. xa6 xa6 ( if if 20. 20. g5 a4 a4 with with good compensation ) 20 20.. .... xa6 19.bxc3 e8 20 21. g5 xe4 xe4 and and Black has a typical Benko endgame where White has to guard the a2, c3 and d5 weaknesses.
38
16... a6 a6 Of Of course, the regular watering spot for the queen. 17. g1 g1 White White readies himself hims elf for the endg endgame ame by puttin putting g the kin king g closer to the centr centre. e. To be hone honest, st, it is quite difficult for him to find an active plan. 17... b4! Encouraging White to kick the rook with a2-a3. This is an inte interes resting ting psych psychologi ological cal ploy as it give givess White the opportunity to offer to return the pawn. pawn. 18.a3?! 18.a3?! Accepting Accepting the challenge. EXERCISE EXERC ISE:: Ca Can n yo you u fin find d a str stron onger ger alt altern ernati ative ve for Whi White te to eff effect ect the ...Bxc ...Bxc3; 3; bxc3 Rxe4 exchange? Note that 18. e1 runs into 18... d3 . c1! as as afte afterr 18... xc3?? ( although ANSWER: White White’’s strongest move is 18. c1! White can still hold on after the far superior superior 18... 18... e5 19. xe5 xe5 20.f3 d321. h1 , un unde derr tour tourna name ment nt co cond ndit itio ions ns,, it is high highly ly li like kely ly tha thatt he wo would uld not be able to defend optimally against the sustained pressure ) pressure ) 19. xc3 xe4 20. h6 h6 f6 21. g5 it’s all over. Georgiev’ss assessment is spot-on. Black has precisely calcu18... xc3! 19. xc3 xe4 Georgiev’ lated that White doesn’t have enough time to launch a kingside attack with the help of the unopposed bishop. Black must calculate extremely accurately when trading his beloved dark-squared bishop for the c3-knight, as this leaves his kingside exposed on the dark squares. squares. Thus, either he must have sufficient defensive cover cover or his queenside initiative has to be strong enough to prevent White from taking advantage of the bishop’s absence. 20. absence. 20. d2 Hoping to rush to h6. Instead, after 20. after 20. g5 f4! (a nice way to surround the d5-pawn) 21. d2 f5 22 22.. e1 e8 23 23.. e4 xd5 xd5 24 24.. h6 h6 f6 White White’’s initiative has fizzled out. 20... b5! b5! The dan danger gerous ous bis bishop hop mus mustt be evi evicte cted d from from the bo boar ard. d. 21. 21. h6 xc3 xc3 22. g5! f8! QUES UESTI TION: ON: Why no nott the mor more e act activ ive e 22... f6 ? — ANS ANSWER WER:: Geo Georgi rgiev ev pr prob ob-ably did not want White to obtain some counterplay after after 23. xc3 e5 24. f3 b7 25 25.. x xf6 f6 ex exf6 f6 26 26.. xh7+ f8 27 27.. h6+ e8 28 28.. h7 e7 29 29.. h4 xd5 31 31.. xf6+ . g5 30 30.. h6 xd5 23.bxc3 23. xc3 is met by 23... by 23... e5 24. f3 f3 f6 25. xh7 h5! 26. x xf6 f6+ + ex exf6 f6 27 27.. d2 f7 with f7 with a clear advantage for Black. e2! Benko Benko Gambit players love exchanging pieces as this accentuates the weak23... e2! f3 Giving the queen a route back as nesses of the white pawns. 24. xe2 xe2 25. f3 Giving Black was threatening to go pawn picking. 25... picking. 25... b2 26. e1 a7 a7 Black Black is in no hurry. 27. e3? White attempts to defend laterally and perhaps hoped to use the rook for a last-ditch kingside assault. 27.c4 xa3 xa3 was was the lesser evil. 39
27... a2! Once d5 drops, the rest is easy for Black as his central pawns start rolling. e6 The The end of the attack. Now the black central pawns take the 28. g5 xd5 29. f3 e6 limelight. 30. limelight. 30. h4 h4 f5 31. e3 e3 e5 32. f3 xa3 xa3 33 33.. e7 a1+ a1+ 34 34.. h2 e4 00-1 1 F) The Hoc ock key Puc uck k Pun untt 9 g4 4.cxb5 cxb5 a6 5 5.bxa6 .bxa6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 d6 9.g4!? 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4. Lastly, we examine the ’hockey puck punt’ with g2-g4, which is an attempt by White to gain space on the kingside or to start a brazen kingside hack. Recent grandmaster games show that Black is holding his own here as we’ll now see.
Mamedyarov,, S. Mamedyarov • Abdulov Abdulov,, O. Baku 2011 1/2-1/2 1.c4 f6 2.d .d4 4 c5 3.d5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.bx .bxa6 xa6 ◦
A59 ( Junior Tay)
7.f4 f4 White can also play in ’Four Pawn Pawnss Attack style style’’ with 5.. 5...g6 .g6 6. c3 xa6 7. : for example, 7... example, 7... g7 8. f3 a5 9. d2 O–O 10.e4 xf1 11. xf1 d6 12.e5 e8 13 13.. e2 a6 14 14.. e4 c7 15 15.. f2 d716. g1 . We’ We’ve ve followed J.Mur J.MureyeyM.Hebden, M.Hebd en, London 1988, where Black could have seized the initiative with b7 Black is calling the shots ) shots ) 17... xf6 16... 16. .. f5! 17. 17.exf exf6 6 (( after after 17. 17. e3 b7 Black 18. xe7 fe8 19. xc7 ac8 20. b5 xb5 21. a5 xa5 22. xa5 xd5 with an excellent game. QUESTION: What’s this? Did White accidentally 9.g4!? QUESTION: 6. c3 d6 7.e4 xf1 8. xf1 g6 9.g4!? nudge his g-pawn a square too far? — ANSWER: Aside from proving the g2-square for the king to tuck itself into, 9 g4, if not stopped by Black, will lead to the space-gaining g4-g5 push and perhaps more aggress aggression ion with h4-h5. h4-h5. 9... 9... g7
: for exa exam Another option to put question the g-pawn ple, 10.g5 h6 12.h4 14. 9... f4 (c8 after 14. after 14. g3 h5is11. g2 the d7to13. ge2 e5with m xg3 15.fxg3 the e5e5-kn knigh ightt sit sitss snu snugly gly on its una unassa ssaila ilable ble out outpos postt ) 14.. 14...hxg .hxg5! 5! already ady enjo enjoyed yed a 15. xh5 xh5 16. xg5 g7 17. h3 c4! when Black alre great space and developmental advantage in J.Clavijo-E.Real de Azua, Havana 2009. 10. g2 a6!? Black develops the knight on a6 to give the f6-knight access to d7 if White goes for g4-g5. Also possible is 10...O–O is 10...O–O 11.g5 h5 h5 when when after after 12. ge2 e5 1 13.h 3.h4 4 f6 14. d3 a7 15. h3 af7 af7 Black Black had a powerful attack looming on the kingside in M.Vlasenko-E.S M.Vlasenko-E.Solozhenkin olozhenkin,, St Peters Petersburg burg 2005. 40
11.g5 d7 12. f3 b6 Black b6 Black aims to play on the queenside with a future ...Na4 or c7 Giving the b6-knight even easier access to a4. 14.h4 Amaz14.h4 Amaz...Nc4 foray. foray. 13. f4 c7 Giving ingly White is playing for mate. 14...O–O!? Very brave, castling into the attack. Black 14...O–O!? Very trusts that White does not have enough firepower to breakthrough on the kingside. 15.h5 d7! d7! A dual-purpose move, contesting the g4- and a4-square a4-squaress simultaneously simultaneously.. enting ...Qg4+. ...Qg4+. 16... 16... a4! orcin cing g mat matter terss on the que queens enside ide.. 17.e5!? 17.e5!? White White 16. h4 Prev for Preventing a4! For goes broke before he is positionally throttled 17... xb2 xb2 18 18.. d2 a4 a4 19 19.. e2 b6?! fb8! , prepa preparing ring an invasion on b2, White is in serious trouble. After 19... fb8! , 20. c3 White c3 White is allowed to restructure his set-up. 20... a4 21. e4! e4! With With this strong pawn sacrifice, White is able to lop Black’s dangerous pieces off the board and pose xd5 23 23.. xg7 xd2 xd2 24 24.. fxd2 xg7 some some th thrrea eats ts to th the e blac black k ki king ng.. 21.. 21...dx .dxe5 e5 22. xe5 xd5 ere e a tr truc uce e wa wass 25. ah1 ah1 gx gxh5 h5 26 26.. xh5 h8 27 27.. g3 d5 28 28.. h6 ac3 ac3 29 29.. f5+ g8 Her declared. Black is poised to win the a-pawn as well, but a draw against an opponent nearly 400 Elo points higher is not to be sneered at. 1/2-1/2
2: Flummo Flummoxing xing the Fia Fianche nchetto tto 2.c4 c5 3.d5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.bx 5.bxa a6 g6 6. c3 xa6 xa6 7. 7.g g3 d6 In the chapter, we’ll 1.d4 f6 2.c4 examine White’s second most popular line, the Fianchetto Variation. In this variation, White goes into a defensive huddle on the queenside and usually hopes to establish a solid barrier, often with b3 and Bb2 (or Bd2), and Rab1 (or Rac1). The central expansion e2-e4 is usually delayed so as not to give Black any targets on the f1-a6 diagonal, especially the d3-square, and White might be able to trade the light-squared bishops at a favourab favourable le moment. g7 9. f3 bd7 bd7 10 10.. b1 ( or 10.O–O The to The topi pica call mo move ve in this this line line is 8. g2 g7 O–O11. O–O 11. b1 , tha thank nkss mai mainly nly to the eff effort ortss of the Ru Russi ssian an Gr Gran andma dmaste sterr Vla Vladim dimir ir Epishin Epi shin.. His conc concept ept of getti getting ng the rook out of the firin firing g line of Black Black’’s dark-squared followed by b2-b3 and, in a2-a4 and Nb5,Flear has made life reallybishop difficult for Benko Gambiteers. Gambiteers. ) ) time, ( Though GM Glenn has pointed out on chesspublishing.com that " 10. " 10. b1 b1 is is now not considered quite as dangerous for Black as it was a few years back", it is still scoring heavily. In my database of Jan 2013-Jan 2014 games, White has scored 63% and my overall database showed showed 64% for White (10 0-0 0-0 11 Rb1 also scores 64%). Of course, without specific variations, this is just plain statistics, but I’m not about to risk readers’ chances by fighting the trend, especially when there’s a viable and attractive alternative. ) alternative. ) My preferred line is is 8. g2 g7 9. f3 fd7!? , an idea introduced into mainstream mainstr eam practice by the Belorussian GM Sergey Kasparo Kasparov v. This move 41
discourages White from setting up the Epishin structure of Rb1, b2-b3 and Bb2 without sufficient preparation as the knight on c3 would be left en prise. pris e. Blac Black k also has quite a few tricks to pull on a careles carelesss white player in lines where he plays b2-b3, based on ...Nxd5 or ...Bxe2. Indeed, I’ve lost count of the number of times I took these two pawns in online blitz play. — Also, one might argue that 9...Nfd7 is not denying the queen knight its natural square on d7, but merely exchanging places with it: the knight on d7 goes to b6 and the one on b8 then goes to d7. On the flip side, side, Black is denied the possibility of the manoeuvre ...Ng4-e5, but I don don’’t tthink hink that’ that’ss a big big de deal al as some someti time mess th this is ca can n be a te temp mpo o lose loserr if Wh Whit ite e can can avoi avoid d exch exchan anggin ing g th the e kn knig ight, ht, us usua ually lly wi with th Nf Nfd2 d2,, an and d th then en pu push sh aw away ay the kn knig ight ht wi with th f2-f f2-f4. 4. — My apologies for using statistics again, but in the 9...Nfd7 line, according to my database, White has been scoring a much more normal 54% in comparison (or 52% on my Jan 2013-J 2013-Jan an 2014 database).
A) 10 Bd2 Nb6 11 b3 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c c5 5 3.d5 b5 4 4.cxb .cxb5 5 a6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7.g3 g7 8. g2 d6 9. f3 fd fd7 7 10 10.. d2
b1 , , as in White has also tried to play the Epishin system directly with with 10. 10. b1 Wageih-Shoker W ageih-Shoker,, albeit without success. 11.b3 In In Sergey Kasparov’s ’The Dynamic Benko’, he explains how he first 10... b6 11.b3 learnt about the line from GM Mikhail Ivanov who lost a game with 9...Nfd7 back in 2002. I was intri intrigued gued when the first publ published ished game in my data database base was none other than Epishin-Ivanov, where ’Mr. Rb1’ still managed to obtain his favourite set-up, although I believe Black can improve in the fight for light squares with 15...Qc8!.
Epishin, V. • Ivano Ivanov v, M. Arco 2002 1-0 A58 ( Junior Tay) c5 5 3.d5 b5 4 4.cxb .cxb5 5 a6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7.g3 g7 8. g2 d6 9. f3 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c fd7 10. d2 d2 Epishin’s Epishin’s plan is to secure the queenside pawn structure first and only then concern himself with kingside developmen development. t. — QUESTION: Hey! Isn Isn’’t this similar lar to th the e Ep Epis ishi hin n Var aria iati tion on ag agai ains nstt 9. 9... ..Nb Nbd7 d7?? — AN ANSW SWER ER:: In Inde deed ed,, it is is.. 10... b6 11 11.b .b3 3 b7 By By hitting d5, Black forces White to decide if he Cutting out ...Nc4 tricks. 11... b7 wants to protect it with his e-pawn. e-pawn. 12.e4 12.e4 ◦
13.O–O O–O g5! g5!?? 14. f3 xd5 15. xd5 Another possibility is 12. is 12. h4!? c8 13. xd5 16. xg5?! ( or ( or 16. 16. c3! xf3 17. xf3 xc3 18. xa8 xa1 19. xa1 42
f6 when f6 when the bishop is a little stronger than in Adgestein-Djurhuus, which we’ll we ’ll see in the notes to Nikolo Nikolov-Cuenca v-Cuenca Jimenez Jimenez ) ) 16... b7 17.e4 xb3?! and d by no now w Wh Whit ite e ha had d a clea clearr ad adva vant ntag age e in Pop opil ilsk skii18. b1! xd1 xd1 19. xb7 an Haast, Cappelle la Grande 2013. After 12. h4 , very very inte intere rest stin ing g is 12... a6!? . a6!? . The id idea ea is to pr pres essu surre d5 wi with th ...Nb4 or ...Nc7: for example, 13.O–O ( or ( or 13.a3 13.a3 c7 14.e4 a6 ) 13... b4 a6 with with strong counterplay. counterplay. 14.e4 a6 12... a6 Taki aking ng ad advan vantag tage e of the dia diagon gonal al whi which ch was fur furthe therr we weake akene ned d by e2e2-e4. e4. 13. 13. c1! Moving the rook out of the range of Black’s dark-squared bishop as well as protecting the knight on c3. I wonder how Epishin cooks up these ideas; he even has a variation in the Modern Benoni named after him (1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 e6 4 Nc3 exd5 5 cxd5 d6 6 Nf3 g6 7 e4 a6 8 Qe2!?). f1 and and then: ( then: ( 13...O–O 14. xa6 xa6 15.O–O c4 Praxis has also seen 13. seen 13. f1 extremely committal as Black is taking extreme risks in giving away the d4square; ( square; ( instead, instead, Sergey Kasparov recommended the ultra-sharp 15...f5!? ultra-sharp 15...f5!? 18.axb3 xb3 a3 19. b5 xb3 20. fd4 xb1 ) 16. b1! c5 17. e2 cxb3 18.a Even though White has obtain obtained ed the c6 outp outpost, ost, 21. xb1 d7 22. c6 . c6 . Even the fact that both sides have a similar pawn structure means that winning chances are limited, although the grandmaster handling the black pieces eventually even tually mana managed ged to outp outplay lay his opp opponen onentt in D.Housi .Housieauxeaux-Y Y. Solo Solodo dovnic vnichenk henko o, Condom 2005. ) ( 1 13. 3... .. c8 14. xa6 ( or ( or 14.h4 xf1 15. xf1 h5 16. g2 8d7 17.a4 f6 18. c1 bd7 19. e1 g4 g4 and and Black is well placed, as the h-pawn pushes have benefited him the most by giving his knight a fine square squa re on g4, P.Ba .Bazant zant-S.K -S.Kaspa asparo rov v, Sta Stare re Me Mesto sto 2005 2005 ) ) 14 14.. .... xa6 15 15.a .a4 4 O– O–O O hc1 - - was the course of 16. e2 c8 17.a5 xe2+ 18. xe2 6d7 19. hc1 D.Nedic-R.Skytte, Bargteheide 2010. ) 2010. ) 13... 8d7 14. 14.a4 a4 White White annexes the b5-squar b5-square e and will attempt to gain full control of it by exchanging the light-square light-squared d bishops. It’ It’ss not just one square at stake, but Black’s Black’s entire queenside plan might be nipped in the bud if White succeeds in blockading b5 and, say, c4 with his knights. 14...O–O 15. f1 xf1?! Losing control of the light squares squa res.. The other issue is that White actually gains a move after captur capturing ing on f1 as the king now moves to g2 on the next move move.. 15... c8! c8! was was corr correct. ect. ( ( EXER EXERCISE: CISE: After 16. xa6 xa6 xa6 17. b5 fc8 fc8 18.O 18.O–O –O evaluate eval uate whethe whetherr ...c5-c4 is possib possible. le. — ANSWER: It is playable playable:: 18...c4 cxb3! 3! 20. c6 c6 b2 21. xe7+ f8 22 22.. xc8+ xc8 xc8 23 23.. c7 xf1+ xf1+ 24 24.. 19. fd4 cxb xf1 xa4 25. xg6+ hxg6 26. xa4 b1= + 27. g2 f6 and f6 and Black can try f5!! ) ( or 16. b5 f5! f5! b borro orrows ws Sergey Kaspar Kasparov’ ov’ss fo forr a wi win. n. ) ) ( Instead, 16. b5 f5 idea. The key is that while White’s kingside development is stunted, Black take ta kess th the e op oppo port rtun unit ity y to op open en up th the e ff-fil file e wh whil ile e ch chip ippi ping ng aw away ay at the the wh whit ite e 43
centre.. The danger her centre here e is that the light-sq light-squar uared ed bishop bishopss rem remain ain which gives White lots of light-squared play on the kingside kingside.. Ho However wever,, the tactics (whi (w hich ch th the e clev clever er Hou oudi dini ni en engi gine ne ke keep epss on ge gene nera rati ting ng)) se seem em to allo allow w Blac Black k to keep the chances chances about level: for examp example, le, 17. g5 ( or 17.exf5 or 17.exf5 xf5 xf3 19 19.. xf3 e5 20 20.. g2 d3+ d3+ 21 21.. f1 e8 22 22.. e4 xb5 xb5 23.a 23.axb5 xb5 18. h3 xf3 xc1 xb5+ 5+ 25 25.. g2 xb 3 ) 17 17.. ...f .fx xe4 18 18.. h3 xb5 5 19 19.. e6+ h8 xc1 24. b7 xb xb3 .xb 20.axb5 21. e2 d4 22. 22.O– O–O O a2 a2 with with counterplay. counterplay ) f6? Even Even though Black’s moves look sensible, he’s already positionally lost. 16. xf1 f6? The problem for him is that after White’s b2-b3 and a2-a4 set-up, his knights are already stepping on each other’s toes. Bl Blac ack k ha had d to ta take ke hi hiss ch chan ance cess in wi winn nnin ing g ba back ck his his pa pawn wn an and d fig fight htin ing g ag agai ains nstt a superior minor piece with 16...c4 with 16...c4 17.b4 xc3 18. xc3 xa4 19. d4 d4 , even if White has the better game with the strong bishop dominating from d4. g2 Completing Completing developmen development. t. 17... 17... d7 d7 Connecting Connecting the rooks and also preparing 17. g2 e1 White White secures the e4-pawn while planning to anchor his knight on ...c5-c4. 18. e1 b5 to shield the b-pawn from any pressure down the file. 18... fb8 19. b5 White is b5 White a shoe-in for a win after this. As the late Tay Cheong Ann (a former Singapore Zonal Discouraging White repres rep resenta entative tive)) would say: "Anc "Anchor hor for Anch Anchor or beer beer!" !" 19... b7 Discouraging 19... b7 from playing e4-e5. QUESTION: What does White play if Black tries to undermine the queenside with 19...c4 , with the idea of 20.bxc4 of 20.bxc4 xa4 ? and d on once ce the kn knig ight ht rea each ches es c6, c6, th the e ga game me pr prac acti ti- ANSWER: 19. 19...c ..c4 4 20. fd4 an cally plays itself as Black is so suffocated. 20. b1 e8 e8 Now Now comes a series of moves which contest the c4-square. 21. c2 c8 22. a3! a6 a6 23 23.. e3 To clear d2 for the knight which will head for the nice outpost on 24.h .h3 3 fd7 fd7 25 25.. ec1 ab8 ab8 26 26.. d2 e5 27 27.. dc4 exc4 exc4 28 28.. xc4 xc4 xc4 29 29.. c4. 23... c4. 23... f6 24 xc4 a5?! After 29... xc4 30. xc4 a8 White After 29... a8 White has to work pretty hard to realize his advantage. 30. c2 a8 a8 at at least allows the option of ...f7-f5, although White should have 30... a8 everything under control. 31. d3 cb8 32. c4 a6 33. c2 h5 EXERCISE: h5 EXERCISE: Now that White has arranged his pieces optimally, it’s time to make a committal move, but what? — ANSWER: 34.b4! The rest is a piece of cake. 34...cxb4 cake. 34...cxb4 44
The alternative move 34... xa4 xa4 is is futile - after 35. xa4 xa xa4 4 36 36.. bx bxc5 c5 White is winning. 35. bxb4 xb4 xb4 36 36.. xb4 c8 QUE UEST STIO ION: N: Wh What at is the be best st wa way y for for Wh Whit ite e to re real aliz ize e his his b6! ANSWER: ANSWER: Always look for ways to liquidate to a winning ending. advantage? 37. b6! This move forces Black to either accept an ending one pawn down, which is virtually winning for White, or give up even more ground. ground. 37... a8 Black cannot afford to play into the simplified ending: 37... ending: 37... xc2 38. xa6 c4 39 39.a .a5 5 d4 40 40.. c6 a4 41 41.. xd4 xd4 xd4 42. 42.a6 a6 a4 . In In this this rook rook en endi ding ng with the extra a-pawn, White is just winning. Three factors stand out: 1) White’’s rook is actively placed, as opposed to being stuck on the a-file on White a7 or a8 in front of the pawn. — 2) His king is well placed to roam up the board to help the a-pawn or to go after the weakened kingside pawns if Black’’s king moves towards the queenside. — 3) Black Black Black’’s king is restricted thanks than ks to the natur nature e of the pawn chain chain.. — QUESTION: QUESTION: But how do those factors translate into a win? — ANSWER: White has two ways to win: a) To play f2-f4, f2-f4, e4-e5 and force Blac Black k to weak weaken en more of his pawns pawns.. — b) The king strolls to the queenside to help the a-pawn promote: 43 promote: 43.f .f4 4 ( or 43. f3 e3 e8 45. d3 d7 46. b6 c8 47.h4! 47.h4! - to prevent Black from playing f8 44. ...h5-h4 and any ...Ra3+ tricks - 47 - 47... ... f6 48. 48. c2 a3 49. b2 a4 50.f4 a5 51. b7 xa6 52. xe7 ) 43...f6 ( 43... a2+ 44. f3 a3+ 45. e2 g7 46.e5! 46.e5! dxe5 47.fx 47.fxe5 e5 a4 48. d3 d3 is is all over too ) too ) 44.e5 fxe5 45.fxe5 h6 with with a won game. dxe5 dx e5 46 46.. xg6+ f7 47. h6 b6 Red Reducin ucing g Blac Black’ k’ss heavy piec pieces es to the back rank. The next part 38. c6 b8 39. b6 of the plan is to march the a-pawn all the way to a7. 39... f6 40.a5 g7 41. c4 g5 42.a 42 .a6 6 h4 43 43.g .g4 4 e5 44 44.. e3 h6 45 45.a .a7 7 e8 Finally the queen takes over the c6-square to effect a trade. 46. trade. 46. c7 c7 e6 47. c6 c6 ex exd5 d5 48 48.. xa8 xa8 49. 49.exd exd5 5 1 1-0 -0 Wageih, K. Wageih, • Shok Shoker er,, S. Alexandria 2012 0-1 A58 ( Junior Tay) c5 5 3.d5 b5 4 4.cxb .cxb5 5 a6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7.g3 d6 8. g2 g7 9. f3 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c fd7!? It would be appropriate to call this the Kasparov Variation since Sergey Kasparo pa rov v ha hass co cont ntri ribu bute ted d so im imme mens nsel ely y to it itss th theo eory ry,, bu butt ther there e ar are e tw two o ch ches esss en enti titi ties es wi with th this surname so perhaps the ’Sergey K’ variation sounds more more appropriate? The curse of a famous surname. ◦
b1! constitutes the Epishin V Variation. ariation. As mentioned earlier, earlier, 9... bd7 10. b1! Grandmasters Epishin, Malakhatko and Gustafsson have practically made a living from the white side of this position and at the very top level, Kramnik seems to win at will against 2700 types with it. 45
10. b1 b1 White White tries to play for the Epishin set-up, but b2-b3 is not so easy to achieve with the g7-bishop making its presence felt. 10... felt. 10... b6 Toying around with move orders, perhaps possible too is 10... a5!? . ( 11. c2 b612.a3(12.O–O 8d7 give givess typic typical al coun counter terchan chances ces ) ) 12.. 12.... xc3+!
xc3 xc3+ 8d7 13... 8d7 8d7 with withquite equality. ) ( 13.bxc3 ( or 13. ( or 11.O–O O–O is O–O is a typical type 14.bxc3 of position. ) )( 13.. 11 11.. . d2! d2! looks looks critical: or 12... 12... 8d7 13.b3 f6 when f6 when after for example, 11... b6 12. c1! c4 ( or 14. d4 ( but but 14.O–O! 14.O–O! bd7 15.a 15.a4 4O O–O –O 16. e1 fb8 17. f1 g4 18. b5 b6 19 19.e .e3 3 results in a slight edge for White ) 14 14.. ...c .cxd xd4 4 15 15.b .b4 4 dx dxc3 c3 16 16.b .bxa xa5 5 Black ck has suf suffici ficient ent com compen pensat sation ion to cau cause se cxd2+ cxd 2+ 17. xd2 c418. b4O–O Bla trouble ) trouble 13...O–O 14.h4 xc3+ 15.bxc3 e8 16. 16.h5 h5 ) ) 13. h6 xc3+ ( if 13...O–O 14.bxc3 f6 ( or ( or here 14... here 14... a3 15. b2 ( 15. a1 f6 16. d2 d7 17. b3 a4 18.f4!? is 18.f4!? is po possi ssible ble too ) 15 15.. .... c416. c2 a317. d2 d718.O–Of619. h3 b6 20. e6 c8 with c8 with a highly unclear state of affairs. ) ) 11.O–O After 11. c2 8d7 12.a4 f6 13. d2 O– After O–O O 14. 14.b3 b3 b7 15.e4 a6 16. f1 xf1 e6 e6!! Black is fighting back well. xf1 17. xf1 11... 8d7 12. c2 To c2 To support the knight on c3 before White can play b2-b3 and Bb2. However, Black gets to act first. 12... first. 12... c4! c4! It’s It’s too late for White! Black gets in the first hit hit an and d Wh Whit ite e is fo forc rced ed to im impr pro ovi vise se.. Th The e ch chee eeky ky bi bish shop op hits hits d5 an and d a2 si simu multa ltane neou ousl sly y and the whole dynamics change. How oweve everr, ste stere reoty otype ped d pla play y wou would ld jus justt giv give e Whi White te the adv advan antag tage: e: 12...O–O?! 12...O–O?! 13...c4 14.b4 ) ( or ( or 13... 13... xc3 14. xc3 xe2 15. e1 xf3 13.b3! c7 ( if 13...c4 16. xf3 xf3 and and White is simply better as Black has no time to capture on a2, fc1 with with so White will soon play a2-a4 and consolidate ) consolidate ) 14. b2 fb8 15. fc1 a stable advantage for White as he has arranged his queenside structure nicely without making any concessions. 13. d2
If White chooses to defend his a-pawn instead, play could develop thus: 13.a3 xd5! 14. d2 xc3 15.bxc3 xe2 16. e1 a6 17. xa8 xa8 18.c4 after 20. 20. xa8+ xa8 21. f1 f7 22. e2 c6 the c6 the f5 19. a4 b7 20. b3 (( after position is much easier to play for Black ) ) 20... c6 21. b2 e5 e5 when when Black has excellent compensation for the exchange due to his strong centre and outstanding light-squared bishop. 13... xa2 14. xa2 xa2 xa2 The The position is about equal. Although White has the bishop pair, Black’s knights can find good squares easily and his pawn structure is very compact and contains no weaknesses. weaknesses. 15. e4 O–O 46
Of course, most definitely not 15... not 15... xd5? 16. xd6+ exd6 17. xd5 xd5 with with a huge plus for White. 16. d2 16. c3 a6 is equal. 16... a8! a8! Black Black is already calling the shots with his seamless development and White doesn’t even have an extra pawn to compensate for the pressure. xd5? 5? 17 17.. b3 a8 18. c3 Don’t be suicidal, though, and think of of 16... xd xc3 19. xd5 xd5 when when Black is busted. e5 The Egyptian International Master, who won a zonal to qualify for the 17. c3 e5 The 2013 World Cup, tempts White to weaken his position in order to trade bishops. This is a double-edged strategy, though, as White might use the space on offer to start a central advance. — QUESTION: How can Black further improve his piece placement as an alternative to Shoker’s rope-a-dope idea? ANSWER: By offering a queen trade with 17... a4 a4!! 18 18.. c1 ( or or 18. 18. xa4
xg7 xg7 20.b4and cxb4 21. rooks ) xb4 )ab6 ab6 when when Black a pull duea b5 , , with to xa4 his 19. better minor pieces active rooks 18... b3 19. d2has b5 comfortable game for Black. 18.f4 EXERCISE: There are three decent squares for the knight, but what’s the best 18.f4 EXERCISE: choice? choic e? — ANS ANSWER: WER: 18... 18... ec4! All three are okay, but Shoker’s choice gets a slight nod because his knight is more active on c4 than d7 or f6. After 18... ed7 ed7 19 19.. xg7 xg7 xg7 20 20.. c3 a5 Black has a slight pull, g4 19 19.. xg7 xg7 xg7 20 20.. f3 f6 21 21.. c3 a5 . and the same is true after 18... g4 19. xg7 xg7 xg7 White, White, seeing that the black king is void of defenders defenders,, decides to go for broke. 20. broke. 20. c3+ g8 20...f6 gives White attacking chances after 21. g5 g5 when when the knight gets to plonk itself on e6. 21.f5?! Instead, 21. c1 a7 should hold for White. EXERCISE: Explain the pros and cons of of 21.f5 . 21...f6! ANSWER: It helps White to potentially open the f-file for his rooks and also threaten thre atenss f5-f6 with chance chancess of a strong kingsi kingside de invasion. invasion. The bad news is that the move gives up the e5-square to the black knights and Black’s kingside is shored up. Eyeing g h6. 22. c1 Eyein 47
EXERCISE: Evaluate 22. Evaluate 22. xc5 xc5 . . Is the knight sacrifice sound and what’s the best way to counter it? ANSWER: 22. xc5 ANSWER: 22. xc5 works works and White can get a reasonable game after 22... after 22... dxc5 23.d6 a7 24.dxe7 xe7 25. d5+ g7 26. xc4 xc4 27. xc4 fa8 with mutual chances. 22... g g7 7 23 23.. h1 The king sidesteps to prepare for an all-out pawn storm. storm. 23... 23... e5 Most definitely not 23... xd5?? 24. c3 , forking the queen and rook. 24.h4 QUESTIO QUESTION: N: What is the best way to meet White’ White’ss kingside assault? — ANSWER: 25.. c3 Shoker threatens to raid the White camp with a queen invasion. 24... a6! 25 a5 26 26.. f4 Played to counter Black’s ...Qc4 threat. 26... a4! a4! A A standard Benko motif to increase increase the queenside pr pressure essure.. The lynchpin knight is kn knocked ocked off c3. Just look at the relative strengths of the knight on e5 and the g2-bishop and it is obvious that White cannot afford to exchange knights. knights. 27. 27. e4 e4 A A despera desperate te but well motivated pawn sacrifice. xa428.as d2 Black k en enjo joys ys a su supe perb rb kn knig ight ht an and d the the mo morre After 27. major powerful pow erful xa4 pieces well. b8 Blac xe2 e2 28 28.f .fxg xg6 6 hx hxg6 g6 29. 29. be1 27... x The knight can be brought to the e6-square via 29. g5!? b8 30. e6+ h7 31 31.. fe1 h5 , but Black should still win this with a bit of care. 29... h5 h5 Black Black is on top of things. 30. g5 b8 31. e6+ g8 g8 White’s White’s attack has been stopped cold. Now it’s just a one-way street for Black. 32. Black. 32. e4 After 32.b3 b6 Black will still invade dow down n the a-file. Sac’ like 32... xb2 xb2 33 33.. d2 bc4 bc4 34 34.. c2 b2 35 35.. c1 aa2 aa2 36 36.. f4 g4 37 37.. e2 xe2! xe2! Sac’ xg2 39 39.. ff4 h2+ h2+ 40 40.. g1 ag2+ ag2+ 41 41.. f1 d2+ an Egyptian! 38. Egyptian! 38. xg4 xg2 Bl Black ack is den denied ied a bea beauti utiful ful fini finish sh wit with h sym symmet metric rical al pa patte tterns rns:: 41... d2+ 42 42.. e1 d3+ . 0-1 B) 10 Qc2 Nb6 c5 5 3.d5 b5 4 4.cxb .cxb5 5 a6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7.g3 g7 8. g2 d6 9. f3 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c fd7 10. c2 b6 When b6 When Black shifts his knight away from kingside, it makes good sense for White to try to exploit its absence with an aggressive h2-h4 charge, with the idea of h4-h5 to weak weaken en the blac black k kingsid kingside. e. After Bla Black ck got bruta brutally lly hacked in early 48
games after weakening his structure by stopping the kingside advance in its tracks with ...h7-h5, he has warmed to the idea of meeting h2-h4 with ...h7-h6, with the idea of meeting meeting h4-h5 with ...g6-g5. — This gives Black a bit more space space on the king kingside side at the expense of light-square weaknesses, especially the g4-square which the white king’ss knight usually find its way to after Nh2-g4, as in Maioro king’ Maiorov-V v-Volodin. olodin. We examine the manner in which Black can develop his queenside initiative sans castling, due to the possibility of dangerous sacrifices on g5 as well as White’ White’ss f2-f4 break. 8d7 12 12.. d1 O–O 13 13.. b1 In Schandorf-Skytte, Schandorf-Skytte, White introduced 11.O–O 8d7 c4 ( perhaps ( perhaps Black does best to play play 13... xc3 14. xc3 xe2 xe2 with with equal disru srupt pt Bla Black ck’’s nat natur ural al ...Nb6 ...Nb6-c4 -c4,, ...Qa ...Qa5 5 and ...Rb8 ...Rb8 que queenenchances )14. h3 to di side set-up by keeping an eye on the d7-knight. Khenkin-Delfino demonstrates that Black still has to exercise caution after ’tricking’ White into returning the gambit pawn after 11.b3!? after 11.b3!? . Instead, Antonsen-Skytte AntonsenSkytte had White playing carefully with Nd2, Qc2 and Re1, intending b2-b3 and Bb2. Black Black’’s response to the White manoeuvres was the highly committal ...c5-c4 and White tried to take advantage with an enterprising piece sacrifice. Finally, in Nikolov-Cuenca Jimenez, White tried a refined version of the 11.h4!? idea 11.h4!? idea with Bd2/Bf4 and Qc1 to prevent Black from castling. In any case, it’s early days for the 9...Nfd7 line with new ideas introduced constantly.
Maiorov, N. Maiorov • V Volodin, olodin, A. Tallin allinn n (rapi (rapid) d) 2013 0-1 A58 ( Junior Tay) c5 5 3.d5 b5 4 4.cxb .cxb5 5 a6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7.g3 d6 8. g2 g7 9. f3 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c fd7 fd7 10 10.. c2 When c2 When White plays his queen to the standard standard c2-square c2-square,, it is not just concerned with touching base with b2 and c3, but the queen also keeps an eye on g6 because he intends to soften it up in a short while. ◦
White has also tried the accelerated h-pawn rush without Qc2 recently recently,, i.e. 10.h4 : 10.h4 : ( 10.. 10...h5? .h5?!! 11. d2 b6 12.b3 8d7 13.O– 13.O–O O O– O–O O 14 14.a4 .a4 f6 bd7? 7?!! ( Black should fight for d3 with 15. g5 b7 16.e4 a6 17. e1 bd 17... g4 g4!! 18 18.. c1 e5 19. f1 xf1 20. xf1 c4 and c4 and he has no problems here ) here ) 18. f1! (White swiftly gains the upper hand with a series of solid, precise piece placements aimed at wresting control of the light squares) 18... g4 19. xa6 xa6 20. e2! c8 21. ac1 c4? 22. b5! c5 23. xc4 b724. c3f625. e6 xe626.dxe6f527. xg7 1-0 was V.Never .Neverov-I.T ov-I.Timmermans, immermans, Amsterdam Amsterda m 2013. 2013. ) ) ( 10...h6 11.h5 ( 11. d2 b6 12.b3 8d7 13.O–O f6 49
14. h2 h2 was was K.Piorun-J.Westerberg, Pardubice 2013, when Black could try xh2! 17. xh2 g4+ 14...g5!? with the idea of 15.hxg5 15.hxg5 hxg5 16. xg5?! xh2! or 14... 18. g1 xc3 ) 11...g5 12. d2 b6 13.b3 8d7 14. c2 f6 (( or 14... xd5 hxg5 g5 17 17.. xa8 c2+ 18 18.. d1 xa819. xa8 xa1 xa1 20. c6 15. xg5 b416. e4 hx with mutual chances ) 15. d1 c8 16 16.a .a4 4 bxd5?! 17. xd5 xd5 xd5 18 18.. xg5 her here e Whi White te ov overp erpre resse ssed d wit with h 19. xf7?? ( after 19. f3! b820. h4 b7 and s kingside light-squar e weak White probably has a slight edge due to Black’ probably Black’s light-square xf7 20 20.. g6+ f8 and Blac Black k is winn winning, ing, ’Qui ’Quicker cker’-J.T ’-J.Tay ay,, Int Interernesses ) 19 19.. .... xf7 net (blitz) 2013. ) 2013. ) 10... b6 11.h4!? 11.h4!? This This brazen pawn lunge is actually well motivated from a positional perspective: 1) Black king’s knight has left its base on f6 to foray on the queenside, so a kingside attack makes good sense. sense. — 2) Black has to make positional concessions concessions with ...h7-h6 or ...h7-h5, or White will ram the pawn down to h6 and turn it into a real nuisance for the black king. The 11-time champion of Belarus, GM Dydyshko, once outwitted Sergey Kasparov by setting up the queenside fianchetto in advance with the subd2 . . Once Once more, an innov innovativ ative e set-up to dela delay y castling in favour tle 11. tle 11. d2 of setting up the ideal queenside fianchetto structure. ( Sergey Kasparov 8d7 , , but did not try to stop him from establishing that and played 11... played 11... 8d7 b2 White White had a comfortable game in V.Dydyshkoafter 12 after 12.b3 .b3!! O– O–O O 13. b2 S.Kaspar S.Ka sparov ov,, Min Minsk sk 2006. — QU QUESTI ESTION: ON: Can Blac Black k take adva advantage ntage of Whit White e’s piece placement with Qc2 and Nfd2? ) ( ANSWER: This set-up allows Black to try for ...Na6-b4 instead of ...Nd7-f6. Since ...Nb6-c4 is not possible once White has attained b2-b3, it can help to press for ...c5-c4 instead. The knight on a6 might go to c7, c5 or b4 depending on the circumstances. In short, White will not find it easy to attain his ideal set-up and is in for a positional positional skir skirmish mish.. After 11...O–O! 12.O–O ( 12.b3 is 12.b3 is well met by 12... 12... b7 b7 , , and if 13.e4 13.e4 ( ( or or 13. b2 a6 14.a 14.a3 3 c7 ) 13 13.. ...e .e6! 6! ) 12 12.. .... c8! we have: ( have: ( 13. b1 a6 14.a3 c7 15. d1 a7 16. c4 xc4 17. xc4 b8 18. c3 c7 with c7 with good compensation. ) ( 13. d1 a6 14 14.a .a3 3 is fairly well met or 17...f5!? . ) ) ( 13.a3 by 14... f5 15.e4 g4 16.f3 d7 17. f1 c7 ( or 17...f5!? by a6 14 14.. b1 c7!? 15. d1 ( on one e pe perti rtine nent nt id idea ea be behi hind nd ...Q ...Qc7 c7 is is 15.e4 15.e4 b4! 16.a 16 .axb xb4 4 cxb4 cxb4 ) 15 15.. .... a7 16 16.. e1 c7 c7 with with fluid play for Black. Practical tests are needed though. ) though. ) ) 11...h6 The safest way to meet White’s aggressive idea. Black intends to bypass h4-h5 11...h6 The with ...g6-g5. Let’s see the alter Let’ alternati natives: ves: Blac Black k play played ed creativ creatively ely in a rec recent ent game with 11... b7!? 12.e4 a613. f1O–O14.h5 b415. d1e616.dxe6fxe617. g5 xc3+ 18.bx 18.bxc3 c3 xe4 19. 19.cxb cxb4 4 xf3 xf3 20 20.. b3 d5 21. 21.gx gxh7+ h7+ f7 ( or 17.hxg6 xc3+ 22. d1 xh123. h6 e424. h5+ g6 25 25.. f3+ f626. b7+ e727. f3+ 50
with perpetual check ) ) 17... d7 18.hx 18.hxg6 g6 hxg6 19. f4 a4! when Black’s bishops were raking the board and White’s development was abysmal in R.Gerber-S.Kuem R.Gerber -S.Kuemin, in, Swiss League 2012. Success came to the Indian GM Kidambi Sundararajan soon after he studied Boris Avrukh’s h4 lines in his ’GM Repertoire’ work,( as he in ’New In Chess Yearbook 101’: 11...h5 12. g5 8d7?? 12.. 12... . reported f6 13. ce4 15.f .f4 4 d3+ 16. 16.ex exd3 d3 c8 17 17.O .O–O –O with with winning ) 13. e6! fxe6 14.dxe6 e5 15 chances, K.Sundararajan-N.Situru, Mumbai 2010. In one online blitz game, a Croatian GM nearly took my head off after my pre-moved 11... 8d7? ran 8d7? ran into 12.h5 f6? 13.h6 f8 14 14.. g5 ! c4 15 15.. f4 xd5 16 16.. xd5 bxd5 ( he could have dismantled my position after after 15.b3! 15.b3! xd5 17. xd5 xd5 xd5 18. c4e619. b2 b2 when when the end is nigh ) 15 15.. .... bxd5 bxd5 16. xd5 xd5 17.e4 xa2? xa2?!! ( 17.. 17.... c6)18.O–Oe519. e3 e620. xa8 xa821. xe6 fx fxe6 e6 22. c4 f7 23. 23.f4 f4 xh6 xh6 24. xc5 xc5 ex exf4 f4 25 25.. xd6 a7+ a7+ 26. c5 c8 27. 27.b4 b4 33.b5 5 a3 28.gxf4 g3 29.e5 g4 30. f3 h2+ 31. f1 a8 32. d4 f8 33.b S.Matino tinovic-J vic-J.T .Tay ay,, Inte Internet rnet (blit (blitz) z) 2013. xc5 34. d7+ f8 35 35.. d3 a1+ 0-1, S.Ma 12.h5 Black has to concede light-square weaknesses to keep the h-file closed. 12...g5 12.h5 Black 13. h2 h2 White White starts to exploit the kingside light squares by discouraging castling. 13... 8d7 14. g4 g4 I like Sergey Kasparo Kasparov’ v’ss comment about this knight. He mused that the knight "looks great, but what next?" Indeed, if Black doesn’t ask for trouble by castling too early, the knight doesn’t seem to perform any major function if Black contin con tinues ues wit with h que queen ensid side e op oper erati ation ons. s. — It It’’s a mat matter ter of pe persp rspect ectiv ive, e, whe whethe therr it it’’s mo more re impo im port rtan antt to st stop op th the e h8 h8-r -roo ook k fr from om gett gettin ing g into into ac acti tion on or to use use the the kn knig ight ht to tr trad ade e on one e of Bl Blac ack k’s pe pesk sky y kn knig ight hts. s. No Note te th that at Wh Whit ite e’s ro rook ok is also also st stil illl on the h-fil h-file. e. In some some va vari riaations where he castles, he has to watch out for Black threatening to nab the h5-pawn. 14... c4 After 14... f6 15. e3 c8 16. f5 xf5 17. xf5 d7 18. c2 O–O White After 14... O–O White has a sli slight ght plu pluss due to his lig lightht-squ squar are e con contr trol, ol, R.E R.Eame ames-T s-T.Ch .Chapm apman, an, Bri Britis tish h League 2012, and 14...O–O?? is for lemmings as 15.f4! and as 15.f4! denudes the black king’s cover swiftly. 15.O–O Black got an easy game when White opened the g-file prematurely: 15.f4 gxf4 16.gxf4 a5 17. h3 b8 18. f1 d4 19.b3 a3 20. d2 d2 and and here Bl Black ack sho should uld gai gain n spa space ce an and d com comple plete te de devel velop opmen mentt wit with h 20.. 20...f5! .f5! ( 20.. 20.... d8 allowed White to hold on in V.Zakhartsov-J.Westerberg, Pardubice 2013 ) f7 when when he is dominating the play. play. 21. f2 f7 51
15... b8 Now Volod olodin in ch chos ose e no nott to fo follo llow w th the e stan standa dard rd ’g ’gar arde den n pa path th’’ id idea ea.. Th This is ma make kess perfect sense by doing the usual job of pressu pressuring ring b2. a3 and and then: then: ( After After 16... 16... db6 17. d1 Practice has also seen 15... seen 15... a5 16. a3 White played a strong exchange sacrifice with with 17... 17... a4 18. 18.b3! b3!?? d7 19.bxc4 19.bxc4 xa1 an and d in thi thiss unc unclea learr pos positi ition on,, a dr draw aw wa wass agr agreed eed in L.S L.Scha chand ndorf orff-R f-R.S .Skyt kytte te,, Borup Bo rup 201 2010. 0. Wi With th hin hinds dsigh ight, t, the tru truce ce wa wass a cor corre rect ct dec decisi ision on as aft after er 20. b2 xb2 21. xb2 f6 22. xf6+ exf6 23. xb6 xc4 24. e3 a6 25. b1 O–O 26. h3 e8 ( Black can, of course, cop out with 26... xh3 27. g6+ h8 29.. g6+ g6+ with with perpetual check check )27. )27. e6+ h8 28 28.. c2 White c2 White 28. xh6+ g8 29 has full compensatio compensation n due to his strong knight and light-square control. control. ) ) ( de5 17 17.. xe5 xe5 xe5 18 18.. a a2 2 O–O O–O 19 19.. d1 b6 20. 20.f4 f4 gx gxf4 f4 21. 21.gx gxf4 f4 d4+ 16... de5 22. h1 h8 23.e3 f6 24. g1 fb8 25. f5 c8 26. e4 b3 27. a1 (( in inxc3 28. bxc3 xa2 xa2?? ?? 29. xe7 xe7 is is crushing for White ) stead, 27. c3! xc3 28.. f3 a4! a4! wit with h a win winnin ning g att attack ack,, R.D R.Diaz iaz-J. -J.Cu Cuenc enca a Jimen Jimenez, ez, Ha Ha-27... d7 28 vana 2013. ) 2013. ) QUESTION: What is wrong with 15... with 15... O–O ? O–O ? — ANSWER: It’s a sure way to get into hot soup after 16. after 16. f5! f6 17. xf6+ exf6 18. e4 e4 and and Black is left with the world’s world’s worst bishop bishop.. 16.a4!? A 16.a4!? A tricky move. — QUESTION: What is the point of this move? 16... move? 16... a5 ANSWER: The purpose of White White’’s last move is to meet meet 16... 16... b6 b6 with with 17. b5 xb5 18.a 18.axb5 xb5 xb519. a7 a7 when when he has nice play on the light squares squares.. And if Black is careless enough to put his king away away,, then 19...O–O?? 20. f5 f6 21 21.. xh6+!! xh6 xh6 22 22.. xe7 g7 23 23.h .h6 6 and it’s all too easy for White. 17. b1?! QUESTION: b1?! QUESTION: How can Black intensify the pressur pressure e on the queenside further? e4! with with the idea of Bd3. A novel way of contesting the a6-bishop is 17. e4! b1 , , White offers the return of a pawn, aiming to exploit Instead, with 17. with 17. b1 Black’s lag in development. 17... b4! b4! ANSWER: ANSWER: This strong queen sally is very useful: 1) It introduces the threat to take on c3 and win a piece. piece. — 2) It lays claim to the b3-squar b3-square. e. — 3) It prepa prepares res ...Na5-b3 or ...Na3. White was probably hoping for for 17... 17... xc3 18.bxc3 xb1 19. xb1 xc3 xh6 22. xg5 xh523. xe7+ g724. f3 h825. g4 20. e4 f821. xh6 xh6 ce5 ce5 26 26.. c1 b227. xd7 xd7 xd7 28. xd7 h5 29 29.. e7 xe2 xe2 30 30.. f6+ xf6 xe2 with with a draw in the bag. 31. xe2 b5 This This return of the pawn is probably White’s best move to lessen the pressure 18. b5 19.ax axb5 b5 xb5 xb5 20. 20.b3 b3 de5 de5 21 21.. xe5 xe5 xe5 22 22.. b2 f6 on the b-file. 18... b-file. 18... xb5 19. 52
Also possible is 22...O–O is 22...O–O , , and if 23. f5 d7! when White must either trade queens or risk Black playing ...Qg4xh5 ( ...Qg4xh5 ( after after 23... 23... xe2 24. e4 fd8 White’’s light-square control helps him to hold the balance. ) balance. ) 25. g2 g2 White 23. c3 Protectin Protecting g the b-pawn. not 23... xb3?? 24. xe5 ) 24. f5 g4 not 23... with Otherwise, 23. h3!? g8 (( and Otherwise, 23. or, if White and is worth considering, g4 with the idea of ...Rg5 plays Bc1, ...Bg5 developmentt after ...Kg7. while after 23. a1 f8 Black will complete his developmen EXERCISE EXERC ISE:: Taki aking ng int into o con consid sider erati ation on the re relat lative ive str streng ength th of the min minor or pie pieces ces on the board, what is a good continuation for Black to consider 23. c3 ? 23... d7!? The d7!? The text is an attempt to exploit the omission of Bh3 to threaten ...Qg4xh5 and this provoked White to lash out. ANSWER: Black should try to trade off the dark-squar dark-squared ed bishops as his knight 24.b4 b4 xc3 25.b 25.bxc5 xc5 xc5 xc5 26. xb8+ is str strong onger er tha than n the g2g2-bi bisho shop: p: 23... d7 24. xb8 27. c1 c1 O–O 28 28.. xc3 xc3 xc3 29 29.. xc3 a6 , although White should be able to draw this with careful play. 24.b4?! White attemp attempts ts to liqui liquidate date one of his two weak weakness nesses es (the other bein being g the lone ranger on h5). Instead, he might play on the light squares with 24. e4! h3 25. xe5 xe5 26.b4! c4 27. xc4 xc4 O– O–O O with mutual chances. 26.. b3 24...cxb 24.. .cxb4 4 25. xb4 c8 26 26. d1! d1! is is better. 26... g4 27 27.. fc1 fc1 O– O–O O It is very very diffi difficu cult lt to co cont ntai ain n Blac Black k’s ac acti tivi vity ty,, es espe peci cial ally ly in a rapi rapid d xc8 29 29.. f3 xf3+ xf3+ 30 30.. xf3?? game. 28. game. 28. xc8 xc8 Better was 30.exf3 xh5 , although White is still suffering here. 30... xf3 31. 31.exf exf3 3 b8 b8 White White has no good way of extricating himself from the pin and so resigned. 0-1 Schandorf,, L. Schandorf • Sk Skytt ytte, e, R. Danish Dan ish Leagu League e 2011 1-0 A58 ( Junior Tay) c5 5 3.d5 b5 4 4.cxb .cxb5 5 a6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7.g3 d6 8. g2 g7 9. f3 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c fd7 10.O–O b6 11. c2 8d7 12. d1 O O–O –O 13. b1 b1 Getting Getting the rook off the long diagonal before making making plans to secure the queenside pawns with a2-a4 and b2-b3. ◦
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13. d2 to di disco scour urage age a fut futur ure e ... ...Qa Qa5 5 loo looks ks pr prett etty y art artific ificia ial: l: 13... 13... c4 14 14.. e1 b6 15. 15.b3 b3 a316. c1 b5 17 17.. e3 fb8 and Blac Black k has easy play play,, V.Mal .Malisaus isauskaskasS.Kasparov, Wroclaw 2012, 14.. d2 a5! 15. xc4 xc4 xc4 16 16.. d2 ( if 16. if 16. g5 ffe e8 ) and after 13.e4 c4 14
16... e5 Black is again doing well. 13... c4 Pavin Paving g the way for ...Qa5. QUESTION: Why not win a pawn with 13... with 13... xc3 14. xc3 xe2 ? xe2 ? — A AN NSWER: Perhaps this is actually the best way to play and after 15. after 15. h6 f6 16. d2 ( it is interesting that Topalov declined the win of the exchange bxd5 17. d2 b5 18 18.. xf8 xf8 19. 19.a3 a3 when when Black has some with 16. e1 bxd5 compensation for the pawn; I quite like both White’s material and Black’s activity and central pawn mass, so it’s a toss up ) 16... xf3 17. xf3 e8 with equal play, play, V.T V.Topalov opalov-M.Leon -M.Leon Ho Hoyos, yos, Mexico City (rapid (rapid)) 2010. 14. h3! QU QUESTIO ESTION: N: What is the point of wasti wasting ng a move with the bish bishop? op? — ANSWER: The beauty of this subtle move is that Black Black’’s automatic and anno annoying ying ...Qa5 is immediately prevented. Hence White plans to push away the knight on c4 with b2-b3 without allowing it the chance to go to t o a3, blockading the a-pawn. d2 Black Black has two ways of Instead, after after 14. d2 a5 15. xc4 xc4 16. d2 winning his pawn back: back: 16... xa2 ( or or 16... 16... xc3 17. xc3 xa2 18. d2 b6 b6 which which is okay for Black as the c3-bishop is only optically strong and he can defen defend d with ...f7...f7-f6 f6 witho without ut pro problem, blem, V.Ne .Nevero verov-N.P v-N.Peder edersen, sen, Dier Dieren en b5 was was fine for Black in F.Peralta-M.Leon 2010 ) 2010 ) 17. a1 xc3 18. xc3 b5 Hoyos, Istanbul Olympiad 2012. Note too 14.b3 a515. a4(15.bxc4 xc3 Note xc3 16. xc3 xc3 xc3 17. g5 f618. xf6 xf6 19. d2 c820. b2 a4 give givess Blac Black k suffi sufficien cientt comp compensa ensation tion ) ) 15.. 15.... b5 18.a4 a4 xe2 xe2 19. e1 a620. c4 xc4 21.b 21.bxc4 xc4 16. d2 cb6! 17. xb6 xb6 18.
xc4 22. xc4 xc4 xHermida,Mondariz c4 23. xe7 xa4 xa4 with with the upper hand for Black in A.Gallard A.Gallardo o Garcia-D.Ortega 2007. 14... c8 To give the knight access to a3. The alternatives fail to equalize: 14... equalize: 14... c7 15.b3 ce5 16. b2 b2 with with a slight pull for White. 14... ce5 15. e1! leaves the black knights fighting for the same squares and, as Dvoretsky would say, say, the knight on e1 rende renders rs the e5-knight superfluous.
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14... de5 15. xe5 xe5 16.b3 a5 17. b2! ( 17. d2 d3! 18.exd3 f3+ e2 with with equal play ) ) 17... c8 18. xc8 19. g2 xd2 20. xd2 xc3 21. e2 not 21... to place fxc8 19. a1 c4 20.b4 a3 21.b5 cb8 ( not 21... ab8? 22. a4! a4! to dc1 and and White’s passed the bishop on d4 before playing Nc3 again ) again ) 22. dc1 b-pawn gives him a slight edge. 15.b3 a3?! This a3?! This merely gives White an extra tempo to solidify the queenside pawns, 18.a4 but even after 15... after 15... ce5 16. xe5 xe5 17. xc8 xc8 18. g2! ( if 18.a4 h3 19.f3 fb8 20. b5 f6 21. d2 h5 with h5 with some attacking chances ) 19.a .a4 4 White has the better game after an eventual Nb5. 18... b7 19 16. xa3 xa3 17. b5 a8 18.a4! a6 a6 QUESTION: QUESTION: How does White make his pawn advantage count here? — ANSWER: 19.b4! 19.b4! Schandorff Schandorff does not waste time in making his extra pawn count. Aside from eradicating the backward pawn, White also tries to contest the d4-square for a knight. knight. 19... 19... b6 After 19.. 19...cxb .cxb4 4 20. fd4 fd4 White White is poised to plant a knight on c6. 20.bxc5 20.bx c5 dxc5 Not 20... xb5 xb5 21 21.a .axb xb5 5 dx dxc5 c5 22 22.. xc5 xc5 with with winning chances for White. 21.e4 c8 There’s nothing else to do really, as shown by 21... xb5 22. xb5 xa4 23.e5 . 23.e5 . Desp Despite ite the mater material ial pari parity ty,, Blac Black k is almost lost lost.. Whit White e just have to arr arran ange ge th the e do doub ubli ling ng of hi hiss roo ooks ks on th the e a-fil a-file e an and d the the c5-p c5-paw awn n wi will ll dr drop op 24.. b3 a5 25 25.. a1 fa8 fa8 26 26.. ba3 of off. f. For ex exam ampl ple, e, Blac Black k can can try try 23... 23... a7 24 b5 b5 and and White just plays Bf1-e2-d1 when the black knight must abandon a4 and the defence of c5. xc8 23 23.. a7 a6 22. xc8 xc8 7 24 24.. xb6 xb6 which which resembles an Exchange Grnfeld gone Better is 23... xa7 xabut wrong for Black, at least there’s there’s still a lot of chess to be played. 24. c6 c6 e6 If 24... 24... fe8 25.a5 c4 26. b3 xa5 27. a3 c4 28. b1 xc6 29. xa8 xa8 30.dxc6 and the passed c-pawn will win the game for White. 25. b5 More clinical is 25.dxe6!? is 25.dxe6!? fxe6 26. g5 c4 27. xe6 xc6 28. xc4 xa4 29. d5 d5 and and after the forced queen trade, the passed d-pawn will be unstoppable. 55
25...exd5 25...exd 5 26.ex 26.exd5 d5 xa4 xa4 27 27.. xc5 g4 g4 A A desperate desperate attempt to complicate. complicate. 28. 28. b3 d7 h5?? Whoops, the queen is now caught. 29. c4 h5?? Whoops, The on The only ly mo move ve wa wass 29... a3 a3 when when 30. xa3 xc4 xc4 31 31.. g2 g2 just just gives White a big advantage. 31.. e7+ h8 h8 32 32.. e3 1-0 30. h4 c5 31
Khenkin, Khenki n, I. • Del Delfino fino,, L. Gallipoli 2012 1-0 A58 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c c5 5 3.d5 b5 4 4.cxb .cxb5 5 a6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7. f3 d6 8.g3 g7 9. g2 fd7 10.O–O b6 11. c2 8d7 12. d1 d1 Playing Playing Qc2 and Rd1 is a standard plan for White in the Classical and Fianchetto Benko lines. White does not allow Black to make use of the t he d3-square by delaying/or omitting e2-e4, and plans to secure his queenside first via b2-b3, Rbc1 and Bb2 or Bd2. At the correct juncture, he might play a2-a4 and try to establish a piece on c4 or b5. ◦
EXERCISE: After 12.b3 do you EXERCISE: you:: a) Ha Hack ck off the e2e2-paw pawn, n, bec becaus ause e Whi White te can can’’t snag the bishop due to ...Bxa1? — b) Clip the d5-pawn instead because it’s more in-your-face and maybe White might just decide to go the whole hog and sacrifice the exchange with 13 Nxd5? admit it though to ta taking king the d d55 ANSWER: Corre Correct ct is 12.b3 is 12.b3 xe2! . I must adm pawn three times, twice in Internet blitz and once in a local blitz event. All three times I suffered massively having to defend for the rest of the game.. At the Balest game Balestier ier blitz eve event, nt, I rec recall all CM Quek Suan Shia Shiau, u, the for for-mer Welsh Welsh Champion, looking aghast as l lopped off the d5-pawn and then st star arte ted d look lookin ing g mo morre an and d mo morre co confi nfide dent nt as the the ga game me prog progrres esse sed d with with on onee way traffic. Perhap Perhapss the only reason he didn didn’’t finish me off eventually was because I was the organizer of the event. ( It’s no wonder Benko Gambit guru Sergey Kasparov plucked the e2-pawn against GM Rodshtein instead and ended up with a slight plus: 12... xe2 13. e1 a6 14. g5 f6 15. ad1 O–O 16. h4 a7 17. c1 e8 18. h6 h8 and Black has a slight advantage as he can continue pressuring White’s queenside. ) ( Instead, or 14...e6 14...e6 15. xa1 exd5 after 12... after 12... xd5?! 13. xd5 xa1 14. h6! b7 ( or 16.e4! 16. e4! d4 17. 17.e5! e5! dx dxe5 e5 18. g7 g8 19. xe5 xe5 20. xe5 c8 21 21.. b4 b4!! g5 5 23 23.. d2 f8 24.bx 24.bxc5 c5 , , again with fantastic compensation compensation ) f6 22. f4 g 15. g5 e6 16. xa1 xd5 17. xd5 exd5 18. d1 b6 19. d3 d4 20. xf7! xf7 21. f3+ e822. e4+ e723. c6+ d724. xb6 xb6 White White has very good compensation compensatio n for the exchange. exchange. ) )
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12...O–O 13.b3 Ann 13.b3 Annotato otators rs of this mov move e tend to give it a ques question tion mark mark.. Ho Howeve weverr, the resulting positions are the sort of equality where Black must be very careful as White has opportuniti opportunities es to keep improving his position, especially by mobilizing his b2 Both Both Sergey Kasparov and Igor queenside pawns pawns.. 13... xe2 14. xe2 xc3 15. b2 Stohl (who annotated in ’ChessBase Magazine’) Magazine’) felt that the resulting positio positions ns in this line are unclear. Likewise, 15. Likewise, 15. b1 g7 16.h4 f6 17. g5 c7 18. e3 fb8 19. bc1 d8 20. c2 a7 21. c1 ba8 22. h3 h3 is is deemed murky, M.Ezat-S.Kasparov, Abu Dhabi 2003. xb2 16 16.. xb2 f6 It wo would uld seem seem th that at Blac Black k ha hass the the be bette tterr po posi siti tion on wi with th on one e soli solid d 15... xb2 pawn island, good pressure against d5 and the opportunity to exert heavy pressure down the a- and b-files. However, a strong knight manoeuvre puts White back in the mix. Acco Accordi rding ng to the Houd Houdini ini engin engine, e, this posi position tion is equal, but duri during ng my onli online ne blitz games games with it, I felt unco uncomfort mfortable able with Black Black,, though though I had mixed res results: ults: one win and one loss. — Actually, it’ it’ss a matter of taste as to whether one prefers White or Black. I asked the current champions of Singapo Singapore re and Malaysia Malaysia,, IM Goh W Wei ei Ming Kevin and IM Lim Yee Weng respectively, which side they prefer in this position. Wei Ming unequivocally said he’ll take Black anytime and Yee Weng preferred the white side.. I suppose it’ side it’ss a matte matterr of wheth whether er you prefe preferr space ((Whit White) e) or laten latentt chances (Black). IM Miodrag Perunovic also preferred Black, highlighting that the g2-bishop’s job is just to hold d5 and that Black can pile up on the a-file at will. will. 17. The kni knight ght 17. e1! e1! The is heading to e3 where it guards the d5-pawn, keeps an eye on c4 and, in good time, can help with the f2-f4-f5 advance. Otherwise, 17. g5?! d7! with the idea of ...Qf5 adds further pressure on the d-pawn, and after ( after ( in in an online blitz game, I got slowly and surely g7?!! 19. 19. xf6 exf6 20.a4 d7 21.b4 cxb4 outplayed after 17...h6 after 17...h6 18. e4 g7? 22. xb4 c5 23.a5 23.a5 and and White’s passed pawn gives him good chances to or 18.h4 a7 19. d2 win, D.Gicic-J.T .Gicic-J.Tay ay,, Internet (blitz) 2013 2013 ) ) 18. d2 ( or 18.h4 fa8 20.a4 c4! and White is in trouble as his queenside pawns are about fb8 19 19.. c3 to be dismantled, A.Goganov-S.Kasparov, Peterhof 2008 ) 18 18.. .... fb8 f5 20.h4 fxd5 21. xd5 xd5 22. c4 e6 23. ad1 b4 24. c1 h6 Black h6 Black won in B.Morchiashvi B.Morchiashvili-S.Kaspar li-S.Kasparov ov,, Internet (blitz) 2007. 17... d7 Miod odra rag g Pe Perun runov ovic ic ind indica icated ted tha thatt if Bla Black ck After 17... a718. c2 a819. e3 Mi b8 with with a pleasant wants he can simply take a draw after 19... a3 ( or 19... b8 game ) 20. c2 a7 a7 21 21.. e3 a3 . This was played with the intention of pushing ...c5-c4 under favourable fc8 This 18. c2 fc8 situations.
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Even Sergey Kasparov himself relaxed too soon and a crucial pawn was swiped off after 18... after 18... fb8 19. e3 a7 20. d2 a3 21. c2 bd7 22. e1 a7?? 23. c4 a6 24. xe7 xe7 , , with winning chances as Black’s pieces were too badly placed to fend off White’s central breakthrough in M.RodshteinS.Kasparov, Internet (blitz) 2006. With hindsight, I think Black can try try 18... b7! to tie the white bishop and b7! to knight down to defending the d5-pawn while still putting pressure on the fb8 20 20.. d2 a7 a7 with with the idea of ...Rba8. a- and b-files, and if 19. if 19. e3 fb8 19. e3 a7 a7 Aiming Aiming to put the queen on a3 to blockade the a-pawn. The funny thing is that if Black ’blunders’ a pawn with 19...c4 with 19...c4 20. d4 b7 23.. d2 c5 the then n his po posit sition ion is sud sudden denly ly eas easier ier 21.bxc4 a422. ab1 a7 23 to play. play. The diffe differen rence ce is that he can put pr pressu essure re on the a-pawn mor more e easily and White will end up with the inferior position if the pawn drops. 20. f1 a3 21. d2! d2! White White must keep the queens to retain winning winning chances. In order to do that, he must: 1) Evic Evictt the queen fro from m a3. — 2) Push the a-paw a-pawn n to a4 under favoura favo urable ble condit condition ions. s. — 3) Sti Stick ck the bish bishop op on b5 when the quee queensid nside e should be secure. 21... c722. b5 secure. 21... b5 A A clever little move move,, eyeing the c6 outpost and tempting Black. b4 Delfino Delfino aims to switch pieces on a3 and perhaps double rooks on a3 and 22... b4 a7, but this allows Khenkin to improve his position and, suddenly, White’s winning chances have improved significantly. 22... ac8 ac8 with with the idea of ...Rca7 gives Black equal chances, since 23. c6 will be met by ( or ( or 23. 23. c2 b2 b2 with with the idea of ...Qe5, attempting to pluck the d5-pawn ) 23. 23...e ..e6 6 and now Black really has something to play for for.. 23.a4! QUESTION: What’s the difference between having the pawn on a2 and a4? — 23.a4! QUESTION: ANSWER: On a4, it has become a strong protected passed pawn supported by the bishop bish op and b3-pa b3-pawn. wn. Also Also,, Blac Black k has far less space to play with on the queens queenside ide.. Lastly, the b3-pawn is poisoned. 23... e4?? Black misjudges the queenless ending and it’s all over. xd3 one one of the knights After 23... xb3? 24. db1! e4 25. d3 xd3 26. xd3 After 23... must go, but he should have chosen 23... chosen 23... xd2 24. xd2 b8 25.f3 25.f3 , , although even here Black must manoeuvre carefully on the back three ranks while White first tries to gain space on the kingside. xb4!! cxb cxb4 4 25. c6 Sur c6 Surroun rounding ding the b-p b-pawn. awn. Blac Black k was alrea already dy having trouble 24. xb4 dealing with the passed a-pawn and now it’s nigh on impossible to deal with two passed queenside pawns. 25... pawns. 25... a5 58
It would make no difference to play 25... play 25... c3 26 26.. xa8 xd1 xd1 27 27.. xd1 xa8 c2 and once the b-pawn falls, it’s two connected pawns 28. d4 b7 29. c2 and too many. 26. d4 c3 27 27.. xb4 cxd5 cxd5 28 28.. xd5 xd5 Black gets a pawn back, but the writing is already on the wall. 29. wall. 29. b8+ Even simpler is is 29. xd5 xd5 30.a5 a7 31.a 31.a6 6 g7 32. b8 b8 and and the bpawn marches to glory. 30.b .b4 4 xe3 31. 31.bxa bxa5 5 29... g7 30 Not 31.fxe3? d5 d5 with with drawing chances. chances. 31... c4 32 32.a .a6 6 a7 a7 33 33.. b7 xa6 xa6 34 34.. xe7 f6 35 35.. e e4 4 d5 36. f4+ e6 37 37.. e1+ e5 39. 9. h4 d6 40. xh7 xa4 41. h8 e4 42. d1 d7 43.h 43.h4 4 f6 44. h6 38. g2 f5 3 That Th at wa wass pret pretty ty scar scary y. Blac Black k on only ly ma made de on one e po posi siti tion onal al er erro rorr an and d Kh Khen enki kin n ad adro roit itly ly took took him to the cleaners. 1-0 Nikolov, M. Nikolov • Cu Cuenc enca a Ji Jimen menez, ez, J. Roqu Ro quet etas as de Mar 2013 1/2-1/2 A58 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c c5 5 3.d5 b5 4 4.cxb .cxb5 5 a6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7. f3 d6 8.g3 g7 9. g2 fd7 10. d2 d2 This This move, in conjunction with Black’s next, intends to meet ...0-0 with the standard Bh6, h2-h4-h5 attack more commonly associated with the King’s Indian Smisch, the Closed Sicilian and the Sicilian Drago Dragon. n. ◦
Instead, after the 10. the 10. f4 b6 11. c1 h6 12.O–O ( or or 12.h4!? 12.h4!? 8d7 13.a4 c4 and c4 and thanks to the weakening h2-h4, Black can happily put one knight on e5 ) e5 ) 12... 8d7 13. d1 c4 14.b3 14.b3 of of Y.Yakovich-S.Kasparov, Sochi 2004, the black player pointed out that the ultra-sharp 14...g5! ultra-sharp 14...g5! gives gives Black good play in his ’The Dynamic Benko Gambit’. 10... b6 11. c1 h6 h6!! Preventing the d2-bishop’s access to h6. This also means that the black king must remain in the centre for quite a while, but it sure beats getting swiftly plucked on the kingside: kingside: 11...O–O? 12. h6 8d7 8d7 13. 13.h4 h4 f6 14. 14.h5! h5! and and White is having a jolly good time. 12.b3 White prevents ...Nc4. 12... b7 12.b3 White b7 Now Now that White has weakened the long darksquare diagonal, Black reroutes his bishop temporarily to hit d5 as the c3-knight has been pinned down by by the bishop on g7. g7. 13.e4 13.e4 White White decides to hold on to his pawn.
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In an earlier game, he returned the pawn to trade a couple of minor pieces: 13.O–O xd5 14. xd5 xd5 15. c3 O–O 16. xg7 xg7 17. c3+ h7 Here Glen Glenn n Flea Flearr rem remark arked ed that Blac Black k’s centr centre e 18. g5+ hx hxg5 g5 19 19.. xd5 a7 . Here pawn phalanx counterbalan counterbalanced ced White’ White’ss better minor piece in S.AgdesteinR.Djurhuus, Sandefjord 2012. a6 Mis Mission sion accom accomplis plished. hed. Blac Black’ k’ss bish bishop op return returnss to a6 to take contr control ol of the 13... a6 light squares once again. 14. f1 f1 Opposing Opposing the aforementioned control of the light c8 A A tricky little queen shift which threatens to allow the lady access to squares. 14... squares. 14... c8 h3 if allowed allowed.. , exacting strong pressure on the long darkInstead, 14... Instead, f6 , 14...e6!? e6!? 15.a 15.a4 4 f6 square diagonal, is an interesting suggestion of Glenn Flear’s on chesspublishing.com. 15.h3 To deny the black queen access to h3 after ...Bxf1. 15... 15.h3 To ...Bxf1. 15... 8d7?! A trifle careless as now White gets in his ideal queenside advance. Taking a leaf from Sergey Kasparov’s analysis of his game against Yakovich, Black should consider the sharp 15...g5 16.a4 f5! when he has a nice aggressive game. 16.a4! Cre 16.a4! C reat atin ing g an ou outp tpos ostt on b5 fo forr Wh Whit ite. e. Th This is b2 b2-b -b3 3 an and d a2 a2-a -a4 4 se sett-up up toge togeth ther er wi with th a knight on b5 is usually the bane of Benko Gambiteers, who in certain variations go to extreme lengths to prevent it from happening. 16... f6 The f6 The b6-knight must have somewhere to go to after a4-a5. a4-a5. 17. xa6?! White xa6?! White returns the favour in his attempt to set up the standard queenside blockade plan with Nb5. This allows Black to regain his gambitted pawn with a reasonable game. c4 with with little chance for Black to White should continue continue 17.a5! 17.a5! bd7 18. c4 do anything active. Black ck has equaliz equalized. ed. Thou Though gh 17... xa6 18. b5?! O–O 19.O 19.O–O –O xe4 20. xh6 xd5 xd5 Bla White has attainedpawn the desired queenside blockade blockade, , Black nice xg7 and24. a com b7a23. pact V-formation structure. 21. e1 ef6 22. g5 has centre xg7 h4 EXER EX ERCI CISE SE:: Ca Can n Blac Black k play play 24.. 24...R .Rh8 h8 he herre, inte intend ndin ing g to play play ...R ...Rh5 h5 an and d do doub uble le the the ro rook okss on the h-file? 24... h-file? 24... h7 ANSWER: Black would be stunned by by 24... 24... h8? 25. f5+ f826. xe7! xe7 27. xf6 h7 28 28.. fxd6 when fxd6 when White has a very strong attack and still retains the material balance. df6 Now Now some jostling in the centre occurs by both sides; White tries to re25. d2 df6 strain Black’s central advance and Black, in attempting to set up a kingside attack, makes use of the light squares around the white king. 26. e3 fe8 27. ac1 d7 28. g2 d5 29 29.. d2 hf6 hf6 30 30.. f3 h8 h8 31 31.h .h4 4 e5 e5!! Black Black thr threat eaten enss ...e5...e5-e4, e4, kic kickin king g awa away y 60
the natural defender of the white king and gaining even more space in the centre. Rooks oks oper operate ate not only on files, but also on ranks ranks.. This is a fine defensive defensive 32. c4! Ro idea by the Bulgarian Grandmaster. Grandmaster. In respons response, e, the Spanish IM, who has already obtained his three GM norms, decided to up the ante. ante. 32... 32... f4+!? QUESTION: How does White respond against 32...e4 ? 32...e4 ? — ANSWE ANSWER: R: H He e must mu st no nott he hesi sita tate te to sacr sacrifi ifice ce th the e exch exchan ange ge an and d tr trus ustt his his extr extra a pa pawn wnss to ho hold ld the balance: 33. cxe4 cxe4!! ( after after 33. 33. g5 g5 Black Black can prise open the kingside xh4! 4! ) 33 33.. .... xe4 34. xd5 f6 35. xd6 xd6 36. xd6 ad8 with 33... xh 37. b7 d5 38. e5 xe5 39. xe5 e4 40.a5 a8 41. c4 a7 42. f3 f5 45.. e3 a7 46 46.. d8 and White should be able to 43. d8 a6 44. b7 f6 45 hold. 33. xf4?! g4+ 34 34.. f1 xf3 is bad for White, Also 33.gxf4 g4+ but he can coolly play 33. g1! h3 34. xf4 ex exf4 f4 35. e7 e7 and now the threat of Rxf7 or Ng5 is so great that Black is forced to go on the defen( after 35... 35... hf8 36. g5 g4 37. c3 fxg3 38.fx 38.fxg3 g3 g8 sive: 35... af8 ( after h4+ White White cannot 39. xf6 xg3+ 40. h1 xh4+ 41. g2 g4+ 42. f2 h4+ avoid the checks, ) ( or or 35... 35... h5 36. xd6 f8 37. xf4 d5 38.a5 d1+ d5 , , perpetually checking 39. e1 d4 40. e5 d5 41. f4 d4 42. e5 d5 the queen ) queen ) 36. g5 g4 37. xf4! xf4 38. e6+ g8 39. xf4 d5 40. c7 with the advantage to White. Of course, Houdini spit out these variations which are probab probably ly beyond human calculation, especially with a punishing time control. 33...exf4 34. xf4 ae8 33...exf4 ae8 35 35.. d1d5 Blac Black k ha hass th the e ad adva vant ntag age e than thanks ks to his his st stro rong ng ce cent ntrre and his rooks can be mobilized easily on the e-file. White is, however, very solid with his well-placed knights and those fixed deposits (the a- and b-pawns) on the queenside.. At this point, both side side sidess started swapp swapping ing blunders, blunders, with the 90 minutes plus 30 seconds incremen incrementt time contr control ol most like likely ly a cont contribu ributing ting factor factor.. He Hence nce,, the final drawn result after 41 moves was a fair result of this interesting fight. 36.b4 cxb4 g4 38 38.. d4 e4 39. c3 f5 40. xe4 xe4 dx dxe4 e4 41 41.. xe4 b8 1 1/2-1 /2-1/2 /2 37. xb4 g4 C) Fia Fianchet nchetto to Side Sidelines lines 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 c5 3.d5 b5 4 4.cxb5 .cxb5 a a6 6 5.bxa 5.bxa6 6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7.g3 g7 g7 White White can deviate from the standard fianchetto set-up with g3, Nf3 and Bg2 by placing the knight or bishop bis hop on h3 or even even inter interpo polat late e an ear early ly h2h2-h4. h4. Indee Indeed, d, in Ko Kord rdtsts-T Tay, ay, Whi White te emp emplo loys ys the set-up h2-h4 and Nh3-f4, with the idea of a kingside attack with f2-f3 and g3-g4. In this system, Black should counter h2-h4 with ...h7-h5 and plant a knight on e5 to help watch over the kingside. — Alternatively, White can play for Nh3-f4 positionally 61
without the h4 lunge, as in Bukal-Brkic, but Black nevertheless develops smoothly on the queenside. White can also play 9 Bh3 to give the bishop a more active role compared to the sleeping g2 slot, as in Nenciulescu-Evans, but the pressure on d5 exerted by Black Black makes the bishop supe superfluo rfluous us there there.. — Last but not least least,, I would like to introduce you to FIDE and ICCF GM Vasily Borisovich Borisovich Malinin, a hyper-aggr hyper-aggressive essive attacking according to my database, has scoredthe seven wins games and noare losses with 8. player, f3 f3 d6 9.h4 9.who, h4 . From a theoretical viewpoint, perhaps Malinin not critical as Black can transpose back into the 9...Nfd7 lines with 9...h6 9...h6 before before playing ...Nfd7. So just sit back and enjoy his attempts at hacking Benko Gambiteers.
Kordts, W. Kordts, • Tay ay,, J. Correspondence 2000 1/2-1/2 A58 ( Junior Tay) 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5. 5.bxa6 bxa6 xa6 6. c3 d6 7.g3 g6 8. h3 g7 9. f4 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cx bd7 10.h4 After 10.h4 After the game, my opponent told me that this plan has scored 70+% in his databases. The idea is to attack Black on the kingside while keeping the queenside ◦
as compact as possible. GM Aleksandrov has been successful with this idea. idea. 10...h5! This is in This indi dica cate ted d as Blac Black k has has vi virt rtua ually lly no ch chan ance ce of play playin ing g the the ...e ...e77-e6 e6 br brea eak k an and d thus thus has to operate entirely on the queenside. Moreover, allowing the pawn to advance to h5 would be a positio positional nal disas disaster ter.. Why would anyo anyone ne want to chan chance ce openin opening g the h-file when Black is virtually operating only on the queenside? In an earlier game, Black had unsuspectingly castled into a full-blooded attack by Aleksandrov and was promptly dispatched: dispatched: 10...O–O? 10...O–O? 11.h5 e5 12.hx 12. hxg6 g6 hx hxg6 g6 13. c2 a5 14 14.. g2 c8 15 15.. h3 xh3 xh3 16 16.. xh3 fb8 fb8 17 17.. f1 b4 18. g2 b7 19.f 19.f3 3 a6 20. 20.g4 g4 c4 2 21. 1. d1 a8 22. e1 ed7 23. e3 xb2 24. d4g525. d1 gx gxf4 f4 26 26.. g5 g4 27 27.. xg7 xg7 xg7 28. h4 g8 29 29.. xg4 e5 30 30.. xf4 a8 31 31.. dh1 g6 32 32.. d4+ 1-0, A.Aleksandr A.Aleksandrov-G.K ov-G.Kochetkov ochetkov,, Minsk 1996. 11. c2 Keeping c2 Keeping an eye on b2, c3 and especially g6 where a potential knight sacrifice looms. 11... looms. 11... e5 QUESTION: Why 11...Ne5 instead of 11... of 11... b6 b6 ? — ANS ANSWE WER: R: O On n b6 the knight attacks d5, but in this line that point is firmly secured thanks to the f4-knight. f4-kn ight. On the other han hand, d, e5 is a great outp outpost ost as the knight can cannot not be dislodged from that square easily as a future f2-f4 will allow an outpost even closer to the white king on g4. Also, it’s good to have a knight to cover the g6-square in the event of any sacrifice by White on e6 or g6. h3 Aside Aside from taking control of the h3-c8 diagonal, this move also supports g3-g4 12. h3 and sets up potential Be6 and Ne6 sacrificial ideas. ideas. 12.. 12...O–O .O–O 13.O 13.O–O –O 62
My op oppo ponen nentt was con contem templa platin ting g too 13.f3 b6 14 14.g .g4 4 hx hxg4 g4 15 15.f .fxg xg4 4 fxg4 fxg4 ( migh ghtt be a be bett tter er mo move ve )16.h5g517. g2 g2 with with a complex position 15... b4 mi as both kings are exposed. 13... b6 QUESTION: Is 13...Qb6 a better choice than 13... a5 ? — ANSWER: In this QUESTION: instance, the dark-squared bishop’s diagonal is blocked by both knights and tactics tactics based on ...Q ...Qa5 a5 are less likely to succeed succeed.. Ha Having ving said that that,, ...Qa5 is still a good move and there’s nothing really wrong with it. 14.f3?! Whit 14.f3?! Wh ite e ai aims ms fo forr g2 g2-g -g4 4 wi with th gxh gxh5, 5, Nx Nxh5 h5,, N Nxg xg6 6 an and d Ne6 thr threa eats ts,, b but ut du due e to Blac Black k’s fb8 15 15.. h2 h2 White White needs the rook on pr pres essu surre on th the e cent centre re it ne neve verr gets gets star starte ted. d. 14... 14... fb8 g1 before he can play g3-g4. The aggr aggressi essive ve 15.g4 do does es no nott wo work rk th thou ough gh Blac Black k ha hass to be ca care refu ful: l: 15...hxg4 16.fxg4 fxg4! best; ( after after 16...c4+ 16...c4+ 17. g2 exg4 18.h 18.h5 5 gx gxh5 h5 19. xh5 d4 20. xg7 xg7 21. f4 e3+ 22. xe3 xe3 23. f3 White f3 White has activated vated all his pie pieces ces,, ) ( 16 16.... b4 17. 17.g5 g5 fg418. e6! fx fxe6 e6 19. f4 c420. xg4
xg4 21. e5 22 22.. 18. xe6+ h8 23. h519. gives giv him att attack ackin g with cha chance nces, s, ) ( or 17.h5 gxh5 xh5 20. f4 with f4 counter16... exg4 xg6 xh5 23.h5 esxg4 f6 ing chances ) chances ) 17.h5 gxh5 18. xh5 c4+ 19. g2 e3+ 20. xe3 xe3 21. xg7 xg7 22. h1 h1 . . Both of us reached this positio position n in our analy analysis sis and concluded that Black stands better. 15... c4 Adding c4 Adding pressure to d5. 16. g1 a6! QUESTION: What’s the big deal about this move? What does it achieve? 17. achieve? 17. g2 xe2! 2! 18. xe2 ( ANSWER: Black Black’’s last preve prevent nt the g3-g4 break: 17.g4?! xe after 18. after 18. cxe2 xf3+ 19. g3 xg1 20. xg1 xg1 Black Black has the dominant position ) 18... xe2+ 19. fxe2 xf3+ 20. g3 xg1 21. xg1 xg4 22. xg4 e5 e5+ + 23 23.. f3 hx hxg4 g4+ + 24 24.. xg4 b4+ b4+ 25 25.. h3 c4 26 26.. ge ge2 ( if 26. if 26. d2? b8! g7 with with the idea of ...Rh8 when Black Black’’s pieces are swarming all over ) 26... g7 the board. b7 QUESTION: QUESTION: What is Black doing, seemingly wasting moves with the queen? 17... b7 — AN ANSW SWER ER:: Th The e idea idea is to exer exertt pr pres essu surre on d5 to for force the the wh whit ite e qu quee een n aw away ay from from th the e b3 Winnin Winning g a tempo and forcing c2-square to the less dangerous d1-square. 18. d1-square. 18. d1 b3 White to block his dark-squared bishop in. The a2-pawn is also pinned so the bishop is immune. 19. d2 b4 b4 QUESTION: QUESTION: Not again! How about this queen move - what does it do? b4 is is aimed primarily at 20.g4 at 20.g4 hxg4 21. fxg4 e4 22. xe4 ANSWER: 19... b4 ANSWER: 19... xe4 xe4 when when the queen obtains a great central square to direct operations from.
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20. e3 Now there is a way for Black to stop White’s kingside threats in one fell swoop. Thanks ks to the posi position tion of the white queen queen,, this blo blow w is pos possible sible.. Blac Black k 20... fg4+! Than wins back his pawn with the better position. 21. xg4 hxg4 22.h5 Hoping to create 22.h5 Hoping some som e wea weakne knesse ssess aroun around d the bl black ack kin king. g. 22...gxf3?! 22...gxf3?! EXER EXERCIS CISE: E: Fi Find nd a better better mo move ve for Black please! ANSWER: 22... d4! 23. ANSWER: 22... 23.hx hxg6 g6 ( or or 23. f2 gxf3 2 24.ex 4.exf3 f3 g5 25. e3 b4 ) 23... xe3 24.gxf7+ xf7 25. xe3 c4! with chances for Black to win due to his superb queenside pressure supported by the bishop pair. Black k me merrely ely ha hass the be bette tterr ga game me.. 25. f2 h6 Taking 23.exf3 23.exf 3 gxh gxh5 5 24. xh5 d4 Now Blac adva ad vant ntag age e of th the e un unfo fort rtun unat ate e po posi siti tion on of th the e ro rook ok on f2 to an angl gle e for for a favo favour urab able le qu quee een n trade. Instead, after 25... xe3 Instead, xe3 26 26.. xe3 d3 27 27.. d2 ( if 27. if 27. xg7 xf2 xf2 28 28.. f5 d3 29. xe7+ f8 30. c6 b6 31.a3 xd5 32. xd5 xc6 ) 27... e5 28. g2 c4 29. e2 xc3 xc3 30.b 30.bxc3 xc3 xe3+ xe3+ 31 31.. xe3 f8 Black has an edge, while 25... h8 26 26.. g5+ g627. e3 e5 se sees es him him forc forcin ing g a tr trad ade e of qu quee eens ns with the advantage. 26. f4 A forced move and one which avoids 26. xd4? xd4?!! cxd4 cxd427. 27. xh6 dx dxc3 c3 28. 28.bx bxc3 c3 xd5 29. f4 xf3+ xf3+ 30 30.. h3 b5 31 31.g .g4 4 a3 a3 with with the advantage for Black. 26... c4 Sooner c4 Sooner or later the bishop needs to retreat to this square and now a ...Bxf4 and ...Nd3 mechanism is looking dangerous. 27. e1! Threatening to trap the black 28.gx gxf4 f4 queen with Be3. 27... xf4 28. Of course, not 28. xf4?? d3 . 28... g6! QUESTION: Why not 28... not 28... d3 d3 , putting putting more pr pressu essure re on b2 and f4? — ANSWER: White gets counterplay after 29. g2+ f8 30 30.. h4 e8 . 29. g2 f8! Rem emo ovi ving ng th the e on only ly sour source ce of co coun unte terp rpla lay y from from Wh Whit ite e by br brin ingi ging ng the the ki king ng to safety in the centre. centre. 30. 30. f2 e8 Possible too were 30... were 30... xf4!? 31. xd4 cxd4 32. xf4 dxc3 33.bxc3 xd5 34. g3 c8 with c8 with a clear advantage for Black, as pointed out by Kordts, Kordts, 32.. e3 d7 d7 when when Black has access for his rooks and 30... f6!? 31. g1 e8 32 to the kingside while the pressure on the queenside and in the centre continues. 64
31. xd4 xd4 cx cxd4 d4 32 32.. e2 xe2 xe2 33 33.. xe2 EX EXER ERCI CISE SE:: Wh What at is Blac Black k’s plan plan to wi win n from from he here re?? 33...d3? A 33...d3? A terrible move. I only worked out the win of a pawn and didn’t look further. From here onwards, onwards, my opponent practically forced a draw by forcing me to liquidate into a rook ending. ANSWER: Black can play for a win with 33... d7! d7! , , using the might of the two rooks against the exposed white king: for example, 34.a4 example, 34.a4 ( or ( or 34. 34. g1 g8 35 35.. d2 ( if if 35. 35. e4 h4+ h4+ 36 36.. f1 f5 37 37.. e1 d3 38 38.. d1 g3 39. xd3 h8 h8 with with a winning attack for Black Black )) 35 35.. .... ac8 ac8 36 36.. f1 h8 37. 37.f5 f5 e5 38. 38.f4 f4 g4 39 39.. e2 h1 an and d Wh Whit ite e is do doom omed ed ) 34 34.. .... h8+ 35 35.. g1 h4 36 36.. f2 f5 37. e e1 1 d3 38. f2 d4 and the superb knight dominates the whole board. xf4 35 35.. g3! e2+ e2+ 36 36.. f2 c8 37 37.. d1 xc1 xc1 38 38.. dxc1 xc1 xc1 39 39.. xc1 xa2 34. d2! xf4 40. e3 xb2 41 41.. xd xd3 3 e6 42 42.d .dxe xe6 6 fxe6 fxe6 43 43.f .f4 4 e744. c8 b3+ 45 45.. e2d546. a8 b4 47. f3 e4 48. a6 c4 49. a8 d6 50. a6+ c6 51. a5 c7 52. a8 b6 53. e8 c5 54 54.. e3 d6 55 55.. d8+ e7 1 1/2-1 /2-1/2 /2 Bukal, V. Bukal, • Br Brkic kic,, A. ◦
Croa Croatian Champions pionship hip 2012tian Team Cham 0-1 A58 ( Junior Tay) 3.g3 c5 4.d5 b b5 5 5.cx 5.cxb5 b5 a6 6. 6.bxa6 bxa6 d d6 6 7. c3 g7 8. g2 O–O 9. h3 1.d4 g6 2.c4 f6 3.g3 White doesn doesn’’t want his knight impeding the fianchettoed bishop bishop’’s access to d5 and pl plan anss to pl plac ace e th the e knig knight ht on f4 to fu furt rthe herr su supp ppor ortt that that pa pawn wn.. Howe weve verr, this this ma mano noeu euvr vre e 10.O–O O–O is too slow and the knight will soon merely perform a defensive duty duty.. 9... xa6 10. bd bd7 7 11 11.. f4 The knight supports the d-pawn, but has too little influence on defending against Black’s queenside play. In ’Play the Benko Gambit’, Nicolai Pedersen indicated that Black has good with equal chances, compensation compensatio n after 11. c2 a7!? 12.b3 a813. b1 b8 b8 with while top GM Alexander Grischuk demonstrated a model way of handling the Rb1, b2-b3, a2-a4 and Nb5 plan: 11. d2 b6 12. c2 fb8 13. ab1 e5 14. 14.b3 b3 c8 15 15.. g5 ( or 15.a4 f5 16. 16.e4 e4 d7)15... f5 16. 16.e4 e4 d7! d7! (White’s (White’s pl plan an ha hass be been en scut scuttle tled; d; Gr Gris isch chuk uk no now w play playss to un unde derm rmin ine e the the wh whit ite e ce cent ntre re)) f5! . . Objectively the position is equal, but White had 17. f3 fg4 18. e1 f5! been diverted from his typical play in E.Alekseev-A.Grischuk, Elista 2008. a5 5 12 12.. c2 11... a 12.h4 is met by 12...h5 by 12...h5 , securing the g4-square g4-square.. 12... b6 13. b1 fd7 fd7 It’s It’s smooth sailing for Black, especially when White can’t even use us e th the e ki king ng’’s kn knig ight ht to co cont ntes estt th the e c4-s c4-squ quar are e un unli like ke in the the Nf Nf3 3 vari variat atio ions ns wh wher ere e Wh Whit ite e has Nfd2. 14. Nfd2. 14. d2 c4 15. e1 fb8 fb8 Y Yes, es, Black is risking a discover discovered ed attack, but there c8! Great Great anticipation. — QUESTION: What is the point of isn’t a good one. one. 16. c1 c8! this retreat? Why retr retreat eat the bishop unnecessari unnecessarily? ly? 65
ANSWER: Black Black’’s plan with with 16... 16... c8 is c8 is to answer 17.b3 answer 17.b3 with with 17... 17... a3 a3 and and a4 , , uncovering an attack on the queen, Black can play 18... 18... b5 after 18. after 18. a4 with the better game and pawn structure. 19. xa3 xa4! 20.bxa4 xb1 xb1 with 17. e4 e4 Perhaps Perhaps to play Bc2 to support a future a2-a4 and b2-b3 set-up. 17... b6 b6 The The d3 Adding Adding another defender to pressure on b2 is just too excruciating for White. 18. d3 b2, but Black can put even more pressure on that spot. 18... de5! Exchanging one of the pawn pawn’’s defenders. White is forced to trade to prevent Black from playing ...Bh3. xe5 EXERCISE: EXERCISE: Work out how can Black press ahead after 20 b3. 20. g2 19. xe5 xe5 Preventing Prev enting ...Bh3. This might be the reason why White played Be4 earlier earlier.. ANSWER: Black meets 20.b3 20.b3 with with 20... a321. a1 c4! 22.bx 22.bxc4 c4 h3 23 23.. g2 xg2 24. xg2 c5 when c5 when White is in serious trouble. QUESTION: After QUESTION: After 20. 20. g2 g2 is is 20... 20... xb2 xb2 walking walking into a self-pin playable? — ANSWER: Yes, Yes, but it’s it’s pretty risky as Black will need a few moves to get the queen out of the pin. this. 21.h4? Now Now the 20... xb2 Black must have worked out that he can get away with this. 21.h4? initiative goes back to Black and this time there’ there’ss no coming back. Instead, 21.f4! g7 22.f5 d7 23. f4 Instead, 21.f4! f4 gives gives White some chances on the kingside. b4! Preventing Preventing the knight on c3 from moving such as to d1. White must now do 21... b4! something about the potentially loose bishop on e4. 22. c2 c4 Getting c4 Getting out of the pin at last. 23.f3?? last. 23.f3?? This This attempt to protect the bishop doesn’t work. White had to accept a worse position after 23.f4 xc3 24. xc3 f5 25. f3 a4 26 26.. xb8 xb8 xb8 27 27.. c1 c1 when when he has the inferior pawn structure structure.. 23...f5 The rest is like that proverb proverbial ial piece of cake. 24. xb2 EXERCISE: Work Work out the ramifications of of 24. d3 . ANSWER: 24. d3 xd3 xd3 25.ex 25.exd3 d3 xa2!! is xa2!! is a beautiful shot. xb2 25 25.. xb2 xb2 fxe4 fxe4 26 26.. b3 xb3 27 27.a .axb xb3 3 e3 Jam ammi ming ng in the the wh whit ite e ki king ng,, ro rook ok an and d 24... xb2 bishop which is sufficient to win in a while. 28.f4 while. 28.f4 d4 29 29.. ff3 3 h5 30. b5 g4+ 0-1 Nenciulescu, Nenciules cu, S. • Ev Evans ans,, G. Correspondence 2007 0-1 A58 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa 5.bxa6 6 g6 6. c3 xa6 7. f3 d6 8.g3 g7 9. h3!? ◦
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QUESTION: QUESTIO N: What is the bishop doing here? Isn Isn’’t it just hitting air and should shouldn n’t it be on g2 instead? — ANSWER: Well, firstly, it prevents the ...Ng4-e5 manoeuvre and, secondly,, it is arguably more active than on g2. Ho secondly However wever,, the placement of the bishop means that there is less protection of the e4-square (for the e2-e4 push), and the d5pawn. 9... pawn. 9... bd7 There is no rush to castle here. 10.O–O here. 10.O–O b6! QUESTION: What if anything is the difference between ...Nb6 here and 10...O–O followe followed d by 11...Nb6? ANSWER: After After 10...O–O 10...O–O , , the d5-pawn d5-pawn is hit only on once. ce. Thus Whi White te can d1 when when he can play for switch pieces to defend it with 11. with 11. c2! b6 12. d1 a solidifying e2-e4, a2-a4, Rb1 and b2-b3 set-up. The early ...Nb6 idea also works well in lines where White plays 9 Bg2 Bg7 10 0-0, as we have seen. 11. e1 Removing the rook from the bishop’s gaze and preparing e2-e4. Instead, 11. f4 O– O–O O 12 12.. e1 c4 13 13.. b3 ( or or 13. c1 a5 14. b1 fb8 15.gxf4 was with a comfortable game for Black Black ) 13... h5 14. c1 xf4 15.gxf4 P.Kiriako .Kiriakov-Y v-Y.Solodo .Solodovnichenko vnichenko,, Internet (blitz) 2006, when Black can continue 15... a5 16.. c2 a3 with an easy game. a5 16 a3 with 11...O–O EXERCISE: Find a plan for Black if White plays 12 Rb1 with the idea of b2-b3 and Bb2. 12.e4 Bb2. 12.e4 ANSWER: After 12. b1?! , b1?! , Blac Black k can can repl reply y 12... 12... c4! 13. 13.e4 e4 ( if 13.b3 if 13.b3 bxd5 bxd5 ) xa2 14 14.. xa2 xa2 xa2 with with equal chances. Black has the better structure 13... xa2 and White has the bishop pair to compensate for it. 12... fd7! Restraining fd7! Restraining the e4-e5 advance. I just don’t see the need to give White what he wants. c4!?? 13. 13.e5 e5 dx dxe5 e5 14. xe5 xd5!? 15. xd5 xd5 xd5 16. xd5 That sai That said, d, aft after er 12... c4! xe5 17. xe7+ h8 18. g2 a7 19. c6 d3 20. xa7 xe1 Black xe1 Black is at least equal with his hyperactive minor pieces. 13. c2! c2! Preparing Preparing b2-b3 by protecting the knight and also still keeping in touch with the d3-square. Alternatively: 13.a4 c4 14. a2 a7 ! 15 Alternatively: 15.. f1 a5 and a5 and Black developed smoothly in J.Murey-B.Avrukh, Israeli League 2009. 13. f4 c4 14. c2 h6! has the idea of ...g6-g5 to boot the bishop off f4 where it seeks exchanges. exchanges. It’ It’ss also a subtle finesse as with the bishop on h3, White cannot play h2-h4 to prevent ...g7-g5. ( ...g7-g5. ( Moreover, Igor Stohl demonde5 15 15.. xe5 strated that Black even has sufficient counterplay after 14... de5 xe5 16. xe5 xe5 xe5 17 17.. ac1 a5 18 18.b .b3 3 fb8 fb8 19 19.. d7 a7 a7 20 20.. a 4c4! . 4c4! . ) ) 67
13... c4 14. xd7 xd7 Since Since the bishop has no scope, White decides to trade it and hopes after his eventual b2-b3 and Bb2 to exchange the strong bishop on g7. The late The late,, grea greatt GM Ton ony y Mi Mile less de demo mons nstr trat ated ed ho how w to me meet et 14. f1 : 14... a5 xc4 16. d2 a6! a6! and and Whi White te wa wass alr alrea eady dy str strugg ugglin ling g in M.G M.Geru erusel sel-15. xc4 xc4 A.Miles, Bad Lauterberg Lauterberg 1977. 14... xd7 15.b3 e5 16. xe5 xe5 17. b2 b2 EXERCISE: EXERCISE: What would you recommend for Bla Black ck her here? e? — ANS ANSWER WER:: 17...f5! 17...f5! Black Black sho should uld exp exploi loitt the wea weak k lig light ht squ squar ares es aroun around d the white king by opening up the f-file. If you had decided on the standard 17... standard 17... fb8 fb8 , , let GM Beliavsky demonstrate how to snuff out any counterplay for Black: 18. Black: 18. d1! xb2 19. xb2 b7 20. e3! b5 21. d1 d7 22. c3! (to overprotect the c4-square so there won’t be any ...c5-c4 breaks in the near future; the rook also helps to protect b3 when White eventually evicts the a3-rook after Ne3-c2, which e3 with with a solid edge for White in is the deep point of Re3) 22... a3 23. e3 A.Beliavsky-S.Palatn A.Beliavsky -S.Palatnik, ik, Kiev 1978. White has a pleasant advantage here as Bl Blac ack k ca cann nnot ot im impr pro ove his his po posi siti tion on an anym ymor ore e to ma make ke up for for his his pa pawn wn de defic ficit it,, whereas White can still continue to make pawn advances on both flanks and in his own time. xb2 EXERCISE: EXERCISE: Does Black: a) Open the f-file with 19...fxe4? — b) 18. d1 xb2 19. xb2 Go for the king with ...f5-f4 and maybe ...fxg3 or ...f3? — ANSWER: 19...f4 Give up the Benko, as well as the Dutch Defence, if you chose 19...fxe4? 20. xe4 f7 21 21.f .f4 4 . This This look lookss li like ke a very very sad sad Le Leni ning ngra rad d Du Dutc tch h wh wher ere e Wh Whit ite e has successfully carried out the e2-e4 break and Black is just hemmed in. 20. c4 h3 correct is 21.e5! is 21.e5! h3 22.exd6 exd6 23. e4 Also good is 20... is 20... f7 21. e2 (( correct and an d aft after er 23. 23...f ..f3 3 ( while 23... f5 24 24.. g2 xg2+ xg2+ 25 25.. x xg2 g2 fxg fxg3 3 26. 26.hx hxg3 g3 af8
xc4 xc434. 29. g5 bxc4 c4 a8 31. xa2+ 27.f4 32. f3 xd5 c2 28. 33. ad1 g4 xc4 35. 30. c6 xd1 d5+ 36. f5+ 37. bx d4 xd1 f6 xd6 e6 39.g .gxh xh4 4 xf4 xf4 40 40.h .h5 5 gx gxh5 h5 41 41.. xc5 results in a draw draw ) 24. e3 h5 38 38.. c7 h4 39 th ther ere e is no ma mati ting ng at atta tack ck on g2 g2 ) 21 21.. .... af8 af8 22 22.. ac1 h3 23 23.. c2 c8 when c8 when Black had an irresis irresistible tible attack in A.Alekseev-G.Sagalchik A.Alekseev-G.Sagalchik,, Minsk 1986. f1 14 years ago, I had this posi21. d3! To give the queen access to f1. 21...f3 22. f1 14 tion and simply couldn couldn’’t find a way for Black to win. To my surprise surprise,, this more recent correspondence corresp ondence game saw Dr Gordon Evans winning with a direct attack. 22... h5?! A tremendo tremendous us gamble by Evans Evans.. When one takes such a chance in corresp correspondence ondence chess, if it backfires the suffering goes on for weeks or months, not mere minutes as during a normal game.
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I preferred to simplify to a drawn ending with 22... xf1+ 23. xf1 xc4+ 24.bxc4 a4 25. e3 fa8 26. c1 a3 27. b3 g7 28. e1 f6 29. cc3 xa2 30. xf3+ e5 31 31.. f7 c2 32 32.. d3 a1+ a1+ 33 33.. d1 a7 34 34.. xh7 xc4 35.f3 c2 36 36.. h6 aa2 aa2 -, -, W.Utesch-J W.Utesch-J.T .Tay ay,, correspond correspondence ence 1999. g5 EXERCISE: Complete this sentence: A flank attack is usually best met by 23. e3 g5 EXERCISE: counterattack in the...? 24.h3? This seemingly useful defensive move weakens the white kingside and allows Black to add another piece into the attack. ANSWER: Centre! After After 24.e5! 24.e5! I thin think k Blac Black k is wor worse se.. Whi White te has a nic nice e space advantage and Black’s pieces are pretty stuck on the flank: 24... f5 ( or or 24... 24... c8 25.exd6 h3 26. c1 ) 25. 25.exd6 exd6 e exd6 xd6 2 26. 6. e7! xd5 27. d1! xd1 28. xd1 xd1 with with a huge position for White. This was why I did not play 22...Qh5 back then. Mor Moreover eover,, when I rechecked my notes, Houdini 3 verified my assessments assessments.. 24... c8! Imm Immedia ediately tely Black zones in on the king kingside side.. 25. h2 f6! f6! 26 26.e .e5 5 Now Now the central break is too late. 26... h6 27.e6 g4! The queen is making its way to f5 where it still has an eye on h3 and targets d5. 28.a3 a6 Multipurpose, a6 Multipurpose, pinning the knight and giving the other rook access to the kingside. 29. c1 f8 30. ce1 ff6! Preparing ...Rhh5 and ...Rfh6. White is in virtual zugzwang and has to cough up the d32.. 1e3 xd5 xd5 33 33.. g4 f5 34 34.. g1 xc4 35. 35.bx bxc4 c4 xe6 pawn for starters. 31. starters. 31. e4 f5 32 36. d1 xe3 xe3 37.fx 37.fxe3 e3 h8 38. 38.e4 e4 e5 39 39.h .h4 4 b2 40 40.. f1 d4+ d4+ 41 41.. h2 e3 42 42.a .a4 4 gx gxh4 h4 44.g .g4 4 f6 0-1 43. xh4 g6 44 Malinin, V. • V Vozovi ozovic, c, O. Sudak 2002 1-0 A58 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c 2.c4 4 c5 3. 3.d5 d5 b5 4. 4.cxb5 cxb5 a a6 6 5.bx 5.bxa6 a6 xa6 6. c3 d6 7. f3 g6 8.g3 g7 9.h4!? QUESTION: QUESTIO N: What’ What’ss this? A space-gainin space-gaining g move or a an n attacking lunge? — ANSWER: To Vasily Malinin, it is the start of a hackfest. The Russian GM is so successful in this line,, I think we should refer to it as the Malinin Ma line Massacr ssacre e line. My datab databases ases sho show w him winning seven of his encounters and with no draws or losses. Just imagine four of these wins are from correspondence events. With months to analyse against such blatant aggression, as well as access to resources, Malinin’s opponents nevertheless succumbed. Hence, I think we should look at this variation carefully to avoid getting blown off the board like those seven hardly shabby opponen opponents. ts. 9... 9... bd7 ◦
A recent online blitz game showed how dangerous White’ White’ss attack can be if xh5 11 11.. xh5!? gxh5 Black ignores h2-h4 and simply plays 9...O–O 9...O–O 10.h 10.h5 5 xh5 12. c2 d7 13. g5 xc3+?! 14.bxc3 f6 15.c4 b8 16. d2 e8 17. c1 h6 18. e6! b6 19. f5 fxe6? fxe6? 20. g6+ h8 21. xh6+ g8 22. h3! c8 24.. c c3 3 d5 25. g6+ h8 26. 26.cx cxd5 d5 b7 b7 27 27.. f5 xd5 xd5 28 28.. h7# 23.dxe6 d8 24 , O.Urcan-K.Jarriah, Internet (blitz) 2013. 69
Safest is 9...h6 9...h6 which which usually transposes to positions positions previously seen in the 9...Nfd7 lines, such as after 10. g2 fd7 . 10. h3 h3 Developing Developing this bishop to the more active h3-square gives White more kingside attacking options. options. It also preve prevents nts Black from playing ...Ng4 so there is method b6 Continuing Continuing with the standard ...Nb6, ...c4 and ...Qa5 to Malinin’s ’madness’. 10... ’madness’. 10... b6 provoke voke plan if left uninterrupted. 11. uninterrupted. 11. g5 Not just a developing move. White aims to pro Black into kicking the bishop with ...h7-h6 to induce a weakness in the kingside pawn chain. 11...h6 chain. 11...h6 Putti Putting ng the quest question ion to White: keep the bishop pai pairr or opt for speedy development? A Ukrainian Ukrainian IM was on the receivin receiving g end of yet another 9 h4 Benko disaster against Malinin even with the stronger move 11... move 11... c4! . Pl Play ay co conn15.b3 . . EXER EXERCISE: CISE: It It’’s tinued 12. 12.e4 e4 h5! 13. c2 O–O 14.O–O–O?! xa2 15.b3 Black to play and blast open the white queenside queenside.. ( ANSWER: Black should ( ANSWER: prise open the queenside with a temporary piece sacrifice with 15...c4! . After 16. After 16. xa2 cxb3 17. xb3 xe4 18. d4 c7+ 19. c6 e6 e6 the the c6-knight has to be returned and Black’s attack on the a-, b- and c-files aided by the superb supe rb bisho bishop p on g7 shoul should d preva prevail. il. What make makess it so hard for Black to find this line is that the piece can only be claimed back six moves later as well as the precise calculation requir required. ed. ) ( Instead, after 15... after 15... xb3?? 16. xb3 c7 17. d2?? fb8 ( 17.. 17.... a3! with the idea of 18. xa3?? c4+ ) 18. e2 e2 , , confused by the irrational position, Black blundered horribly and there was no coming back in V.Malinin with 18... with bxd5?? ?? 19. xd5 xd5 and 18... bxd5 O.Gladischev, St Petersburg 1998. ) 1998. ) 12. xf6 xf6 13. c2 The c2 The natural square for the white queen as it eyes g6 in connection with h4-h5 and Be6 ideas. 13... c4! Giving the queen access to a5, clearing the d2 Trying Trying to bait Black b-file for a rook and setting up ...Nxb2 and ...Na3 ideas. 14. d2 into castling first so that he can weaken the black kingside with h4-h5. Indeed, White might be angling for a position like 14. d2 O– O–O O 15.h 15.h5 5 g5
17.O– O–O O a5 a5 18 18.. e4 a6 19 19.. xf6+ xf6+ exf exf6 6. 16. xc4 xc4 17. There e is no hurry to castl castle e yet. Mo Moreo reover ver,, the black queen belo belongs ngs on a5, 14... a5! Ther especially with the c4-knight and f6-bishop exerting pressure on c3 and b2. 15. c1 b8 b8 Natural Natural development by the Ukrainian WGM and kickboxer/karate champion. The veteran Russian Grandmaster has been outplayed in the first third of the game, butt no bu now w he de demo mons nstr trat ates es tha thatt ch ches esss is also also ab abou outt ps psyc ycho holo logy gy as he gi give vess Voz ozo ovi vic c a te test st in decision making. 16.O–O!? making. 16.O–O!? Leaving Leaving b2 en prise. Malinin Malin in ob obvio viousl usly y di did d no nott wan wantt to gro grove vell wit with h 16. b3 b417. f1 h5! 18. g2 O–O when O–O when Black is having a dandy time on the queenside queenside.. EXERCISE: How How should Black capture on b2 after 16.O–O ? 70
16... xb2?! Unfortunately xb2?! Unfortunately for Vozovic, this natural capture, which seemingly gains a tempo, temp o, actually allo allows ws the wily Russi Russian an to slip away away.. No Now w comes a serie seriess of for forced ced exchanges. ANSWER: Correc Correctt was was 16... 16... xb xb2! 2! 17. 17. b3 xc3 18. xc3 xc3 19. xc3 c4! c4! when when Black still has her wonderful Benko pawn structure intact and without the pawn deficit deficit ( ( both both 19... 19... xe2 20. e1 ) ( and and 19... 19... a4 20. e3 give White chances to complicate. ) 17. xc4 xc2 18. xa5 xc3 19. xc3 xc3 20. c6 c6 Although Although Black has the bishop pair,, White pair White’’s lead in deve developm lopment ent cannot be unde underes restimat timated. ed. — QU QUESTIO ESTION: N: Ho How w does Black complete development while protecting e7 at the same time? allows Black Black to put her ki king ng on f7, ther thereb eby y ANSWER: After 20. c6 , 20...f5!? 20...f5!? allows guarding guardin g e7 while freeing the rook. 20... f8!? A f8!? A strange decision decision.. Black might as well play 20...O–O to 20...O–O to get on with business after 21. after 21. xe7+ g7 . The greed greedy y 20... 20... xe2 isn isn’t too too ba bad, d, bu butt Wh Whit ite e be begi gins ns play play wi with th 21. b1 O– O–O O 22.a4! f6 ( if if 22... 22... a8 23.a5! 23.a5! ) 23.a 23.a5 5 . Althou Although gh Houd oudin inii indi indicat cates es tha thatt the position is a sterile equality, in practical play the chances belong to White. 21. b1 g7 xe2 22. 22.a4 a4 g7 23 23.a .a5 5 a8 24 24.. f1 f3 25 25.. c4 at first looks dangerous 21... xe2 for Bl Black ack.. — EXE EXERC RCISE ISE:: In reali reality ty Bla Black ck has a way to ne neutr utrali alize ze Whi White te’’s pr presessure. What is it? — ANSWER: Black can sacrifice a piece by allowing a self pin: 25... pin: 25... xa5! 26. a1 e6 e6!! 27 27.. xa5 xa5 xa5 28 28.. xa5 xa5 ex exd5 d5 29 29.. d3 d3 c4 30. c2 f6 31. f1 c3 32. c6 e4 33. d4 e5 34. c6+ f6 35. d4 d4 with with a likely draw. xe7? Something of a bluff. 22. xe7? Something Instead, 22. f1!? and 22.e4 both give equal chances. 22... e8 Black takes over the initiative and gets to activate her rook with tempo. With the white rook on b1, there wasn’t any open file for Black to play on. Thus ...Ke8-f8-g7 was a clever little ploy indeed. indeed. 23. 23. b6 From this move and Malinin’s 16th, we can see the GM’s style. When he is in trouble, instead of passively defending, he randomizes the position by forcing his opponent to make concrete calculational decisions.
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After 23. c1 xe7 24. xc3 xe2 White After xe2 White must suffer as in typical Benko endings where the a2- and d5-pawns require pieces to defend them. 23... xe2?! Too xe2?! Too hasty a move. The uber-cool 23... uber-cool 23... c4! leads to a won position after 24. after 24. c8 ( or or 24. 24. b7 xe2 when when both White’s a- and d-pawns will drop ) 24... xe2 25. f8 25. c6 xe2 xd6 xd5 xd5 26 26.. g2 e6! 27.a4 d4 d4 with with winning chances for Black. 24. b7!? Malinin is not playing for a draw, but rather keeping his attacking chances alive. 24... alive. 24... c4 Black must be winning here, but this doesn’t stop the Russian GM from lobbing the rest of his grenades into the enemy camp. 25. f1 This, f1 This, in essence, gains xa2 26 26.. b5 a8 a tempo as Black needs to capture the a-pawn to try for a win. 25... xa2 Softening up the black king. The key point for White is that he has nothing to 27.h5 Softening 27.h5 lose by going for an all-out attack as Black’s bishop pair and extra material mean that he must burn all his bridges. 27...gxh5 28. c6 f6 29. d7 b8 30. b7 b7 EXERCISE: EXERCISE: What is the best way for Black to nurse her advantage home? 30... home? 30... e8? ANSWER: The age old adage that "passed pawns must be pushed" is relevant here: 30...c4! here: 30...c4! 31. c6 e8 32. xd6+ g7 g7 and and White can do nothing about the pawn’s march to glory, short of sacrificing a piece for it. c8 Now things become really dodgy as Malinin’s threats start to look quite con31. c8 Now crete. 31... crete. 31... b1?! Black could still play 31. play 31... ..c4 c4 32. xd6 e7! e7! with with winning chances chances.. 32. xd6 e1+ 33. g2 g6 34.f4! 34.f4! Cutt Cutting ing off the kin king’ g’ss access to e5. Whit White e is still keeping Black on her toes. 34...h4 Very 34...h4 Very risky play by Black. 35.g4 Now 35.g4 Now it begins to look a bit scary for Vozovic, with her king denied access to the fourth rank. 35... e3! A strong and precis precise e move, aiming to nurse the front h-pawn down the file while also f5!? Again cutting off the white king’ king’ss forwards access. access. 36. 36. c8 h3+ 37. h2 e1! 38. f5!? Again Malinin finds the sharpest option for Black to work out, even if he risks losing. 38.f5 g3+ 39. xh3 xd6+ 40. g2 e5 41.fx 41.fxg6 g6 fxg6 42. g7 g g5 5 43 43.. g6 xd5 44. xh6 xh6 is objectively White’s best chance to survive, but Malinin isn’t thinking of wimping out so. 38... xf5 xf5 39. 39.gxf gxf5 5 c4? c4? Unfo nfortu rtuna natel tely y, thi thiss is pr prob obabl ably y the onl only y see seemin mingly gly sen sensib sible le mo move ve that allows White to draw. Sometimes, chess is really not fair. Just when it looks safe to push the passed pawn, the tables are turned and, more often than not, such an upheaval of events happens just before time control. g6 White White will be in Instead, following, say, 39... say, 39... c3 40. d6+ g7 41.f6+ g6 dire straits after ...Bd2xf4.
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40. d6+ e7 41 41.. c6 g3+ g3+ 42 42.. xh3 xf4+ xf4+ 43. g4 e5 44. 44.d6+ d6+ xd6 45. 45.f6+ f6+ I ha hav ve no clue how White won from here as the score ends here, albeit in a ’1-0’. The position is just equal. What we cannot deny deny,, howeve howeverr, is the extreme resource resourcefulness fulness of Malinin in worse positions. 45.f6+ xf6 xf6 46 46.. xd6+ e5 47. xh xh6 c3 48. c6 is drawish, 46.. f5 c7 47 47.. xc4 should be easily drawn. and 45.f6+ d8 46 1-0 3: Benko Benko Schm Schmenko enko 1.d4 f6 2. 2.c4 c4 Note too that it is important for the reader to know that if one plays 5...e6 ex excl clus usiv ivel ely y, th then en th the e op open enin ing g mo move ve or orde derr that that on one e sh shou ould ld ad adop optt afte afterr 2. f3 should sho uld be 2...c5 . ( If Blac Black k play playss 2...g6 , Wh Whit ite e ca can n co cont ntin inue ue 3.c4 3.c4 c5 4. d d5 5 b5 5.cxb5 a6 6.b6! when 6.b6! when 6... 6... e6 looks e6 looks pretty lame. I actually got caught in this se sequ quen ence ce by th the e Fi Fili lipi pino no IM En Enri riqu que e Pacie acienc ncia ia at the the 20 2012 12 Ca Cair irnh nhil illl Op Open en.. ( As he had been preoccup preoccupied ied with training the Nation National al Junio Juniorr Squad for the previous few years, I took a gamble that he had not been following opening developments by pulling off the inferior inferior 6...a5?! (see the next game, Petrukhina-Bukhteeva Petrukhin a-Bukhteeva,, to learn why the ...a6-a5 idea is bad), and it paid off when he later fluffed a pawn. ) pawn. ) ) 2...c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6 White 5.b6 White in essence tells Black that he’s not remotely interested ter ested in the Ben Benko ko Gambit pawn and retu returns rns it imme immediat diately ely.. His aim is to beat Black at his own game by trying to cramp him on the queenside with a4-a5 and Nd2c4. One notes that Garry Kasparov has made frequent use of 5 b6 in his simultaneous exhibitio exhib itions, ns, beating the likes likes of future GMs Stua Stuart rt Con Conquest quest and Miguel Illesca Illescas. s. — My proposed proposed rep repertoi ertoire re optio option n is to reply with the Blum Blumenfe enfeld-li ld-like ke 5...e6!? 5...e6!?.. — I like the counterattacking and tense central fight in this line as compared to the 5...d6 and 5...Qxb6 lines where both sides spend a lot of time manoeuvring knights and lightsquared squa red bish bishops ops to obtain ideal queen queenside side squa squares res for their piece pieces. s. — With 5...e6, Black would like to undermine White’s centre having already deflected away the cpawn. However, because White has control of d5 and can continue to dominate that square, Black’s counterplay is often concentrated more with the b- and e-files. There is often tension on the a2-g8 and a1-h8 diagonals with bishops opposing each other. White usually exerts pressur pressure e on the d-file, aiming to force through e4-e5, and a knight typi typica call lly y fin finds ds it itss wa way y to c4 to ai aid d th that at pu push sh.. — Ou Ourr re repe pert rtoi oirre, as di disc scus usse sed, d, cont contin inue ues: s: c3 White White defends the pawn. pawn. 6... 6... xd5 5...e6 Tryi rying ng to un under dermin mine e the whi white te cen centr tre. e. 6. c3 xd5 This This exchange leaves White’s queen on d5, seemingly a dubious 7. xd5 exd5 8. xd5 decision as Black’s backward d-pawn is suppressed and White obtains a nice space 73
advantage. However, it transpires that Black can in time boot away the queen, either with ...Nb4 or ...Be6 after preparation preparation,, and the queen usually moves to safer pastures, such as h5 or d2. 8... d2. 8... c6 Developing c6 Developing a piece and, of course, defending the loose rook on a8. A) White plays for a draw with 9 Bg5 1.d4 f62.c4c53.d5b54.cxb5a65.b6e66. c3 xd5 xd5 7. xd5 xd5 ex exd5 d5 8. xd5 c6 White c6 White used to be able to attain a quick draw after 9. g5 xb6 10. e4+ e7 11. xe7 xe7 c3+ with with perpetual check. However, our next game demon12. xa8 xb2 13. d1 c3+ strates that Black can instead simply sacrifice the exchange for a nice centre and a swift counterattack counterattack.. Petrukhina, Petrukhi na, I. • Bukhteeva Bukhteeva,, V. Dagomys 2009 0-1 A57 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c .c4 4 c5 3.d5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.b6 5.b6 e6 Bla Black ck underm undermin ines es Whi White te’’s cen centr tre e at the firs firstt opportunity. ◦
It is im impo port rtan antt to kn kno ow th that at th the e at atte temp mptt to pl plac ace e th the e bi bish shop op on a6 is fla flawe wed. d. The most comprehensive way of refuting refuting 5...a5?! is is 6. 6. c3 a6 7. f3 g6 or 10... 10... d7 11. d2 g7 12.f3 O–O 8.e4 xf1 9. xf1 d6 10. a4+! fd7 ( or 13. c4 with c4 with a huge position for White ) 11.e5 dxe5 12.b7! a7 13. xe5 xb7 14. c6! b6 15. f4! g7 16. xb8 xb2 17. b1 xb1+ 18. xb1 xb1+ 19. e2 xh1 20. e5 xe5 21. xe5 f6 22. g3 a1 23. c6! and the d7-knight is a goner goner.. This was mostly forced play in C.Blanco GramajoM.Wang, correspondence 2000, so the whole line is unplayable. — What’s ironic from my experience is that I have played 5...a5?! in quite a few blitz games against grandmasters and IMs, but none of them have replied with the 10 Qa4+ idea and I tend to obtain an easy game. 6. c3 relinqui nquishes shes contr control ol of the centr centre. e. In the Blumenf Blumenfeld eld Gam6.dxe6?! just reli bit (1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 c5 4 d5 b5 5 dxe6 fxe6 6 cxb5), Black gets the same type of structure, structure, but with one pawn less less.. After After 6...fxe6 6...fxe6 7. f3 xb6 10.O–O O–O bd7 bd7 11 11.. c3 e7 12 12.b .b3 3 O– O–O O Black has a space 8.g3 .g3 d5 9. g2 b7 10. advantage and an f-file to play with, J.Hebert-J.Degr J.Hebert-J.Degraeve, aeve, Montr Montreal eal 2002. 6... xd5
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QUESTION: How about putting pressure on d5 with 6... b7 ? — ANSWER: I tried for many hours to make this work, but just could not find anything to overcome the Russian GM Alexey Dreev’s concept: 7.e4 exd5 8.exd5 d6 (this looks visually attractive as Black can summon many pieces to hit d5, but there doesn’t seem to have enough time for him to carry out his aim)
bd7 bd 7d11 11. . c5 ge2 9.a4! (to (to play a4-a5 Black further) 9.. .a5 10. 12.O .O–O –O O–O O– O 13 13.to . restrict e1 xb6 xb6 14 14.. further) f4 c8 (to (t 9...a5 o su supp ppor ortt ...c ..b5+ .c55-c4 c4 an and ...R ...Rc5 in 9.a4! e7 12 hitting d5) 15. f3! fd7 fd7 16 16.. d2 e5 17 17.. e4! e4! (an (an excellent plan, rerouting th the e qu quee een n to c2, c2, sett settin ing g up Ra Rad1 d1 an and d Bc Bc1 1 to ho hold ld d5 an and, d, fin final ally ly,, cent centra rali lizi zing ng 18. ad1 ad1 g6 19 19.. c2 e7 20 20.. e4 a8 21 21.. c3! th the e kn knig ight ht wi with th Ne4 e4)) 17... g5 18. and Blac Black k is rea really lly suffe suffering ring from conge congestion stion,, A.D A.Dree reev-B v-B.K .Kutuzo utuzovic, vic, Sib Sibenik enik 2006. 7. x xd5 d5 ex exd5 d5 8. xd5 c6 c6 9. g5?! An g5?! An attempt to draw quickly. 9... quickly. 9... xb6 9...f6 is not bad either 9...f6 is either, but the text move is more inci incisive sive.. After After 10. d2 xb6 11. c3 ( or 11.O–O–O b8 12 12.. c3 b4 13 13.. e4+ e7 14 14.. xb4 cx cxb4 b4 O–O!! when Black has fantastic play for the pawn ) 11 11.. .... b7 15.e3 b716. g4 O–O 12. h5+ g6 13. h4 e7 14.e3 b4! 15. xb4 c cxb4 xb4 16. 16.b3 b3 f5 17. d4 xd4 18.exd4 f6 Bla ck alr alread eady y had a de decis cisive ive ad advan vantag tage e in E.G E.Gavi avin n Ro Roche che-W -Won ong g Black Zi Jing, Amsterdam 2005. xa8 QUESTION: QUESTION: Isn’t Black just an exchange down? 10. e4+ e7 11. xe7 xe7 12. xa8 She only has a slight lead in development for it, right? — ANSWER: Wrong! Black can now play for more than just a draw because her initiative will soon increase exponentially as the white rooks and minors can hardly get into the thick of action when the game unfo unfolds lds.. 12...d5!! 12...d5!! An incr incred edibl ibly y no nonch nchala alant nt re resp spons onse e to the los losss of the ex excha change nge.. This variation, which is also advocated by Aves Aveskulov kulov,, allows White the option of ’winning’ two rooks for the queen or to stay a pawn up with her whole kingside asleep. Both options give Black a very strong attack. If Black so wishes, she can accept the truce here and both sides can take an xb2 b2 13 13.. d1 c3+ c3+ 14 14.. d2 a1+ . early shower after 12... x 13. f3 If White prefers to keep queens on the board, she can play 13.O–O–O 13.O–O–O O–O 14. xd5 e6 ( or or 14... 14... f5 15. xf8+ xf8 16. d1 c6 c6 with with huge develxd6 16 16.. f3 xa2 , which opmental problems for White to solve ) 15. d6 xd6 was K.Gorbatenko K.Gorbatenko-V -V.Golubenko .Golubenko,, Kharko Kharkov v 2006. Black has already created threats against the white king and White is yet to even mobilize her kingside. d2 with with a strong Alternatively, 13. d1O–O14. xd5 e615. xf8+ xf816. d2 Alternatively, attack for Black. 75
13...O–O 14.e3 b7 15. xf8+ xf8 16.O–O–O c6 c6 QUESTION: QUESTION: White has won two rooks for the queen. Isn’t that good? — ANSWER: Nominally White has a material advantage, but in this case Black has a very strong and mobile centre. Mor Moreover eover,, Black’ Black’ss pieces can be activated very quickly to create threats on the queenside, giving her a e2 Prudent Prudent development by White, but Black’s initiative is still large advantage. 17. e2 too strong. Also insufficient is 17. d3 d3 c4 18. b1 c5 19. d4 e5 20 20.. d2 d2 a5 21 21.f .f4 4 c3 and Black is close to winning already. Black ck com commit mitss the kni knight ght to the ’tra trapp pped ed’’ a2-squ a2-squar are, e, but her con concep ceptt is ba backe cked d 17... b4 Bla by the fact that she can create such insurmountable queenside weaknesses that the a2+! Sending the knight into a dead knight will become a strong piece there. 18.a3 there. 18.a3 a2+! Sending zone, but it is surprisingly difficult to nab. 19. c2 c6 Threatening the dangerous c6 Threatening ...Ba4+ and thereby forcing White to further weaken her king’s king’s pawn shield. shield. 20.b3 20.b3 d2 c4 with the idea of ...c4-c3 is devastating. 20. d2 20... a a5 5 21 21.. b2 c3 22 22.. de1 de1 f6 Bl Blac ack k ca can n ev even en pa paus use e to de deny ny Wh Whit ite e th the e e5 e5-s -squ quar are e for for the the kn knig ight ht an and d 22... b5 is also very strong. b5 24 24.. xb5 This is forced, but now White can no longer defend the hapless 23. hf1 b5 king. 24... king. 24... xb5 24...axb5?! woul 24...axb5?! would d allo allow w Wh Whit ite e ba back ck into into the ga game me afte afterr 25. c1 e426. fd1 . 25. b1 White resigned before before 25. b1 c3 arrived. 0-1 B) Ge Geor orgi giev ev’’s Line Line:: 9 Nf3 Nf3 Rb Rb8 8 10 Bd2 Be7 11 Bc3 0-0 12 e4 1.d4 f6 2. 2.c4 c4 c5 3. 3.d5 d5 b5 4. 4.cx cxb5 b5 a6 5. 5.b6 b6 e6 6. c3 xd5 xd5 7. xd5 xd5 ex exd5 d5 8. xd5 c69. f3 b8 10. d2 e7 11. c3 O O–O –O 1 12.e4 2.e4 This This is Kiril Georgiev’s proposed move order in his ’Squeezing the Gambits’ book as it cuts out various secondary variation variationss for Black. Galojan-Pogonina illustrates how Black can take advantage of the fact that White has xb6 13 13.. c4 b4 , gaining a tempo on the queen and planning yet to castle with 12... xb6 to put the light-squared bishop on b7.
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Galojan, Galoj an, L. • Pog Pogonina onina,, N. Istanbul 2003 0-1 A57 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2. 2.c4 c4 c5 3. 3.d5 d5 b5 4. 4.cx cxb5 b5 a6 5. 5.b6 b6 e6 6. c3 ex exd5 d5 7. xd5 xd5 xd5 8. xd5 c69. f3 ◦
b8! An b8! An idea patented by Alterman. QUES UESTI TION: ON: Why not com comple plete te kin kingsi gside de dev develo elopme pment nt fir first st wit with h 9... e7 and then decide if the rook has to go b8, since Black might want to play ...Qxb6 instead? inst ead? — ANSWER: The prob problem lem with this is that Whit White e is better better after 10. e5 O–O 11. xc6 dxc6 12. xd8 ( and not 12. not 12. xc6? b8 13. c7 xb6 when Black Black’’s big developmen developmental tal lead far outweighs the pawn 14. xd8 xd8 xd8 when deficit and he can put even more pressure on the queenside with ...Bf6 also, 13... 13... xb6 14. c4 c4 gives gives White a and ...Be6 ) 12... xd8 13.e3 f6 ( also, slight but enduring pull: 14... e6 15 15.. xe6 xe6 fx fxe6 e6 16 16.. d2 ad8 ad8 17 17.. c3 d3 Black k’s weak weakness nesses es are tellin telling, g, H.N H.Nessess-D D.Wi .Willenb llenberg, erg, 18. e2c419. hc1 and Blac German League 2003 ) 2003 ) 14. d2 b8 15. a5 e6 16. c1! xa2 17. xc5 d5 18 18.. xa6 xg2 xg2 19 19.. g1 d5 20 20.b .b7 7 and by now the extra b7-pawn gives White a decisive advantage, advantage, S.Lputian-O S.Lputian-O.Annageldyev .Annageldyev,, Azov 1991. xb6 commits commits Black to an unsound exchange sacrifice, although the 9... xb6 late mercurial Spanish GM David Garcia Ilundain once defeated Van Wely f4?! (( the the variation is unsound: with it: 10. e5 xe5 11. xa8 c7 12. f4?! 12. e3 d6 13.f4! g4 14. f3 f6 15. c4 b7 16. e2 O– O–O O 17.O–O e8 xa6 and Black doesn’t have enough for his material deficit ) deficit ) 12... d6 18. xa6 and 13.O–O–O d3+ ( 13...O–O 14. d5 d3+ 15. xd3 xf4+ 16.e3 e5 e5 gives gives Black excellent compensation in the form of a superb dark-squared dark-squared bishop ) 14. xd3 xf4+ 15.e3 O–O! 16. d5 e5 17. d2 d6 18. c4 e6 19. e4 d7 20. hd1 c6 21. c2 b8 22.b 22.b3 3 d8 23.f4 f6 24.g 24.g4 4g g6 62 25.g5 5.g5 g7 26.f 26 .f5 5 gx gxf5 f5 27 27.. xf5 a5 28 28.. xf7+ h8 29 29.. c2? e4! 30. f2 a3+ a3+ 31 31.. b2 f8 32. d2 d5 d5!! 33 33.. f1 b8! 34. e2 xb3!! 35. f6 xa2 0-1, L.Van WelyD.Garcia Ilundain, Las Palmas 1993. The last four moves really are visually stunning. 10. d2 d2 Planning Planning to reroute the bishop to c3 where it guards b2 and controls the long dark-square dark-squa re diagonal. Note that there are plenty of other ways to reach the position at move 13, such as 9 Nf3 and 10 Bd2, 9 e4 and 10 Bd2, 9 Bd2 and 10 Bc3, or 9 Nf3 and 10 e4. Geor Georgiev giev pref prefers ers the text move move,, thoug though, h, as accor according ding to him, it limits Black Black’’s options.. Ho options However wever,, it does give Black the option of delaying/doing away with ...d6 in favour of ...Nb4. White also has the option of saddling Black with ugly queenside pawns afe7 , , but Flear showed that Black ter 10. ter 10. e5 f6 11. xc6 dxc6 12. e4+ e7 has full compensation with active play by citing the following: following: 13.g3! 13.g3! xb6 77
14. g2 e615. a4 O– O–O O 16 16.O .O–O –O c4 17 17.. a5 d818. c5 f5 "wi "with th a do doubl ubleeedged position" in N.Templier-A.Vaisser, French League 2005. 10... e7 11. c3 O– O–O O 12 12.e .e4 4 The insi insipid pid 12.e3 mer merely ely giv gives es Bla Black ck the upp upper er han hand d aft after er 12... 12... xb613. e2
c4 b4 14. d5 d5 , ras in Perera-A.Picanol Alamany, ( or or 13. Bar Ba rce celo lona na 19 1996 96, , wh wher ere e d1 Blac Black k alr al ea eady dyE.Romero ha had d an im impo posi sing ng po posi siti tion on wi with th the the ac ac-tive tiv e b6b6-ro rook ok and str stron ong g cen centr tre e )13... b414. d2 d615. c1 d3+ 16 16.. xd3 xd3 xd3 with with the bishop pair and a nice centre for Black, Z.Kamada Z.Kamadadze-B dze-B.Shovun .Shovunov ov,, Batumi 2001. 12... xb6 xb6 13 13.. c4 b4! b4! Black Black immediately starts active play before White can castle. Instead, 13...d6 transpo transposes ses to positions similar to the next game. b7 White White is practically forced to castle long to win back the d7-pawn as the 14. d2 b7 e4-pawn has been compromised. d6!? is an inte interresti esting ng su sugg gges esti tion on of Avesk veskul ulo ov’ v’s, s, bu butt I thin think k Wh Whit ite e can can 14... d6!? obtain the better position after 15. e2 g6 ( after 15... b7 16.O–O 16.O–O White White
18.a3 3 c6 19. ad1 e8 20.h 20.h3 3 a5 is very solid solid ) d6 17. h1 b6 18.a 21. fe1 with with )a16.O–O spatial advantage. fe1 15.O–O–O QUES UESTI TION: ON: Why no nott 15.a3 , bo boot otin ing g the kn knig ight ht aw away ay from from it itss acti active ve squa squarre? — ANSWER: This is met by the counterattacking 15.. 15...d5! .d5! 16.ex 16.exd5 d5 xd5 E.Vladimi dimiro rov-V v-V.Mik .Mikhalev halevski, ski, Ko Kolkata lkata 2001, and her here e Tyomk yomkin in 17. e5 , as in E.Vla pointed out that Black should play 17. play 17...f ..f6 6 18. g3 e6+ e6+ 19 19.. f1 d7 d7 with with a slight advantage advantage.. xe4 e4 16 16.. xd7 g5+ g5+ 17 17.. xg5 xg5+ xg5+ 18 18.. d2 15... x shou ould ld be me mett by the the pros prosai aic c ret etre reat at 18... bb8! Fl Flear ear po point inted ed out tha thatt 18. d2 sh ( the razor-sharp nature of this line can be seen when Black takes a timeout and simply pounds advantage: advantage: 18... 19. toe1guard 20.g3 g3 White 21.a3 a3 bc8 22. 22.f4 f4 home 23.the . d6 ce8 24 24.. 18... xe8 g6?! xe8 bb8f720. h5 21. f3 23 ce8 h1+ 27. d1 xe5 xe5 28. xe5 1-0, A.Rakhman A.Rakhmanov-I.N ov-I.Nepomniachtchi epomniachtchi,, 25.ax 25. axb4 b4 cxb cxb4 4 26. e5 h1+ Moscow 2010 ) 2010 ) 19. e1 e1 and and now Houdini unveils the stunning stunning 19... d3! bd8 21 21.. xh7+ xh7 xh7 22 22.. h3+ g8 g8 23 23.. xb4 xb4 cx cxb4 b4 24 24.. e3 xg2 20. xd3 bd8 with a slight edge for Black. 18... g6 18... h4 h4 with with the idea of ...Bc2 is also playable: playable: 19. 19. e2 g6 20 20.. e5?! f6! and just like that, White is in seri serious ous trouble trouble.. G.T G.Tallak allaksensen-G.Mi G.Michela chelakis, kis, xf2 22 22.. d2 e4 23 23.. xf8+ xf8 Copenha Cop enhagen gen 2003, concl concluded uded 21. xc5?? xf2 24. xb4+ e8 25 25.. he1 c2+ c2+ 26 26.. b1 xc4+ 0-1. 78
19.a3 White 19.a3 White hopes to drive the knight away. away. Pogonina has also faced 19. faced 19. he1 b1 20. xb4 xb4 and and here in E.UbiennykhN.Pogon N.P ogonina ina,, Voro oronezh nezh 2004, Blac Black k could have cons consider idered ed 20.. 20...cxb .cxb4 4 21. xf7+ xf7 22. xb1 g6+ g6+ 23 23.. c2 xg2!? 24. c4+ h8 h8 25 25.. g1 f3 with f3 with a small edge ed ge due to Whi White te’’s isola isolated ted kings kingside ide pa pawns wns,, alt althou hough gh Whi White te has ver very y str stron ong g drawing chances due to the fact that only the heavy pieces are left. Instead, the kingside advance 19.h4 advance 19.h4 can can be parried, as Houdini demonstrated, by by 19... c2! 20. de1 b3! 21. xb4 xc4 22.h5 f5 23.g4 d5 xa2 25 25.. xd5 xd5 xd5 with with a slight pull for Black. 24. c3 xa2 19... c2! Right into the frying pan. 20. d3 d3 Trying Trying to blot out the dangerous lightsquare diagonal, but this won’t save White. If 20. If 20. f4 d4 21 21.. he1 he1 ( or 21. xd4 b1 22 22.. d2 cxd4 cxd4 23 23.. xd4 c6 24 24.b .b3 3 xg2 25. e1 g6 g6 when when Black has the better chances due to White’s split pawns pa wns an and d mor more e exp expose osed d kin king g )) 21 21.. .... c222. d2 b3 23 23.. d3 xg224. xd4 26.. xd4 xd4 with with the better game for Black. cxd4 cxd4 25. 25.f3 f3 h3 26 d4! The The pesky knight keeps on harassing White and now threatens a fork on b3. 20... d4! 21. b1 If White removes the knight, Black still keeps the advantage after 21. after 21. xd4 cxd4 cxd4 22 22.. he1 c6+ c6+ 23 23.. b1 xg2 . xg2 QUESTION: QUESTION: Isn’t it dangerous for Black to take the g-pawn, as White now 21... xg2 might use the open g-file to generate a strong kingside attack? ANSWER: After After 21... 21... xg2 xg2 Black plans to meet meet 22. hg1 hg1 with with the sneaky f3! , , winning an exchange. 22... f3! xe4+ 23 23.. d3 xd3+ QUESTION: Isn’t it better for Black to keep the queens 22. xe4 xe4+ on as she has the more active heavy pieces? ANSWER: That’ That’ss true. Black does have a nice position after 23... b724. xd4 hg1 g6! d6! , but it will still be another double rook ending after 25. 26. c3 e4+ e4+ 27 27.. d3 xd4 xd4 28 28.. xe4 xe4 . f6 Now Black focuses her attention on the weak kingside pawns. 25. f1 24. xd3 f6 Now f4 26. e3 h6 h6 Not Not merely creating luft, but also opening a door for the black king to e6 A A multipurpose move, move, guarding c5 advance in the endgame. 27. endgame. 27. e7 c8 28. d7 e6 and g7. 29. d5 h7 30.h3 30.h3 Black Black is a pawn up and has the more active rooks and better minor piece, but it’s a mystery why the game ended here as White can still put up much resistance. When I asked Natalia Pogonina about this game, she replied that she could only remember that she won the game, but not how how.. 0-1 79
C) 13 Bd Bd2 2 in inte tend ndin ing g Bc Bc3 3 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6 e6 6. c3 xd5 7. xd5 exd5 8. xd5 c6 c6 Af Afxb6 White White can still play 13. 13. d2 d2 , , anter 9.e4 ter 9.e4 e7 10. c4 O–O 11. f3 b8 12.O–O xb6 gling to follow follow up with Bc3. — Often in this line, line, White is cont content ent to trade off both bishops, with the idea of playing against Black’s weak d6-pawn with his heavy pieces. Khur Kh urts tsid idze ze-P -Pog ogon onin ina a sh sho ows th the e im impo port rtan ance ce of play playin ing g ac acti tive vely ly on the the b- an and d ee-fil files es so as not to get tied down to total defence of d6.
Khurtsidze, Khurtsidz e, N. • Pog Pogonina onina,, N. Batumi Batu mi (blit (blitz) z) 2012 0-1 A57 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6 e6 6. c c3 3 exd5 exd5 7. xd5 x xd5 d5 8. xd5 c6 9.e4 9.e4 ◦
10.e .e4 4 e7 11 11.. c4 O–O 12 12.. d2 is another move order. 9. f3 b8 10 9... e7 10 10.. c4 c4 O–O 11 11.. f3 b8 12. 12.O–O O–O xb6 xb6 13 13.. d2 d2 d6 QUES UESTI TION: ON: Why no nott 13... xb2 sinc since e Wh Whit ite e do does es no nott seem seem to ha have ve a for forced ced kingside kill? — ANSWER: Although White does not have anything forcing, she sh e can can bu buil ild d up an atta attack ckin ing g fo form rmat atio ion n as we well ll as ge gene nera rate te cent centra rall pr pres essu surre or 16... when White simafter 14. after 16... d7 d7 when 14. c3 b6 15. ad1 d6 16. h5 f6 ( or ply increases the pressure with 17. d2 d2!! a5 18 18.. fd1 and enjoys very strong pr pres essu surre fo forr he herr pa pawn wn;; the bu buil ildd-up up on th the e c- an and d dd-fil files es is ce cert rtai ainl nly y im impr pres es-19.. e3 e3 with with a marvellous position where White sive ) 17 17.e .e5! 5! g6 18 18.. h6 g7 19 is poised to win back the pawn with a large advantage, Br.ThorfinnssonB.Zueger, Ohrid 2001. Not ote e th that at if Blac Black k play playss 13... b4 in th the e sp spir irit it of Ga Galo loja jann-P Pog ogan anin ina, a, sh she e ru runs ns or 14...d6 14...d6 15. c3 e6 16. xe6 fxe6 17. g4 e5 18. d2 into 14. h5 b7 (( or c8 ( or here 18.. 18...d5 .d5 19.ex 19.exd5 d5 xd5 xd5 20 20.. c4 c4 with with a slight but enduring edge xc8 20. c4 bb821. xb4 xb422. ac1 ac1 when when White for Whi White te )19. xc8 xc8 has a slight but enduring edge, thanks to the better pawn structure and stronger minor piece ) piece ) 15. c3 c3 wi with th a easy gam game e for Whi White te.. If If 15... xe4 xc4 and and White has 16. e5 g6 17. xe4 d5 18. e2 dxc4 19. e5 e6 20. xc4 an ed edge ge du due e to Blac Black k’s we weak ak qu quee eens nsid ide e pa pawn wnss. Th The e plac placin ing g of the kn knig ight ht on b4 instead of d4 doesn doesn’’t help matters at all. 14. c3 f6 15 15.. ad1
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15. d3 d3 is is parried by 15... 15... g4! g4! 16. h3 xf3 17. xf3 e5 18. e2 xc4 h6 6 24. 24.b3 b3 c4 c4!! 19. xc4 xc3 20. xc3 b4 21.f3 b6 22. f2 b8 23. d1 h 25.bxc4 c5 26. d4 b1 27. d2 xd1+ 28. xd1 b1! b1! 29. h2 xd1 30. xd1 xc4 xc4 with with staid equality. equality. 15... xc3 Alternatively, 15... e6 16. d3 b4 17. xb Alternatively, xb4 ( after 17. e2 xa2! 18. xa2 xa2 19. a5 xb2 20 20.. xb2 xb2?! ( but 20... xa5! 21. d2 c3! 22. xd6 b3 23. c1 c4 24. d4 xd4 25. xd4 d8 26. c5 a5 equalizes, a5 equalizes, as shown fd1 White White has by Georgiev Georgiev ) 21. xd8 xd8 22. d2 b8 23. xd6 h6 24. fd1 a slight edge ) edge ) 17... xc4 18. xc4 xb4 19. xa6 xb2 xb2 and and the position is about even, V.Iotov-G.Szamoskozi, Albena 2009. 17.. d3 xc4 xc4 18 18.. xc4 f6 f6 White White has the better pawn structure structure,, but Black 16.bxc3 e6 17 is very very ac acti tive ve espe especi cial ally ly on th the e b-fil b-file e. It is im impe pera rati tive ve that that Blac Black k cont contin inue uess play playin ing g very very actively so that White cannot consolidate and start hitting on the d6 weakie. weakie. 19. 19. d5?! Ditching a tempo as now Black regroups her knight to g6, a good square where it still coverss e5 and can help generate kingside threats with ...Nf4. cover White does better with: 19. d3 e8 ( Black should just mobilize rapidly with 19... fb8! fb8! 20 20.. fd1 b1 21.h 21.h3 3 8b6 8b6 , and if 22. d5 h h6 6 23 23.. xd6 xd1+ 24. xd1 b1! b1! 25 25.. h2 xd1 26. xd1 xc3 when xc3 when the position is equal, but Black has a passed c-pawn to play with ) 20. a4 ( better than 20. fd1 e5 21. xe5 xe5 22.f3 22.f3 and and -, K.Landa-P.Tregubov, French Team Championship 2011 ) 2011 ) 20... f8 21. fd1 e5 e5?! ?! 22 22.. xe5 xe5 xe5 was D.Kuljasevic-T.Andrews, Internet 2007, and was a typical slight plus position where White can play for two results. fb8 20 20.. fd1 a5! 21. e2 ( otherwise, otherwise, 21. 21. a4 xc3 xc3 22 22.. d3 b4 19. d2 fb8 23. xb4cxb424. xd6 xd6 xd6 25. xd6 xd6 b3 26. 26.ax axb3 b3 xb327. xa6 c5 28 28.. a1 xe4 xe4 draws draws ) ) ( or or 21. 21. d3 h6 with h6 with equal chances ) chances ) 21...h6 . 21...h6 . As already emphasised, it is important to keep active by doubling on the b-file and targeting getin g the c3-pa c3-pawn. wn. If, instead instead,, one gets tied do down wn to defendi defending ng d6, it’ it’ll ll become a long and arduous defence for Black with only chances to eke out a draw. e7!! 20 20.. d2 g6 21. fd1 h6 It’s h6 It’s always a good idea to create some luft when 19... e7 the position does not call for an immediate critical decision. 22.h3 Ditto 22.h3 Ditto for White, although the black queen and knight tandem might make her regret this weakening. 22... e8 23. a4 a4 White White is aiming to tie the black rooks down to the queenside. QUESTION: N: Ho How w can Black 23... e7 24. a5 eb7 25. d5? Planning to play e4-e5. QUESTIO exploit this careless move? 25... move? 25... e7
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ANSWER: Black can put White on the defensive after after 25... 25... f4! 26 26.. f5 ( 26.e5 is 26.e5 is not possible because of of 26... g6 ) 26... e2+ 27. h2 e6! when she is poised to invade with ...Rb2. 26.e5! Bl Blac ack k’s sl slig ight ht slip slip ha hass allo allowe wed d Wh Whit ite e to get get ba back ck into into the the ga game me.. 26...d 26...dxe5 xe5 27. d8+? With the choice of two captures and a check, White elects to go for the latter and Black now happily pockets the extra pawn. QUESTION: QUESTI ON: Why not reclaim the pawn with 27. xc5 ? ANSWER: 27. xc5? xc5? allo allows ws Blac Black k to seiz seize e a de deci cisi sive ve ad adva vant ntag age e wi with th 27...e4! 27...e4! 28. d4 b2 . On the other hand, hand, 27. xe5 b1 28. ee1 xd1 29. xd1 b2 30. xc5 xa2 gives equal chances. 27... h7 28 28.. xc5 The white queen now protects f2, but after Black’ Black’ss next move White re remai mains ns on the def defen ensiv sive. e. Mo More reov over er,, in bli blitz tz the ini initia tiativ tive e is ev everyt erythin hing. g. 28 28...e ...e4 4 29. d4 b2 30 30.. b3 xa2 xa2 31 31.. 8d6 31. d2 d2 was was forced.
31... f4! 32. d2 bb2 bb2 33 33.. d7? d7? A A further mistake, Black is winning whether or not White trades the but even after 33.g3 after 33.g3 f5 f5 Black queens. 33... g6 34. d4 e5 35. d8 c6 36. xe4+ xe4 37. xe4 xd8 38. xd8 f5 39. c5 xf2 0-1 D) 13 Qh5 xd5 7. x xd5 d5 ex exd5 d5 8. xd5 c6 9.e4 9.e4 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6 e6 6. c3 xd5 c4 O O–O –O 1 11. 1. f3 b8 12.O–O xb6 13. h5 h5 In In this variation Black has the option e7 10.of playing 15.. xe6 fx fxe6 e6 16 16.. g4 c8 playing with a fixed centr centre e after 13.. 13...d6 .d6 14.b 14.b3 3 e6 15 or a fluid one after 16... f6 or 16... d7 17. b2 b2 e5 . One has to be exceedingly careful playing with the fixed centre (pawns on c5, d6 an and d e5) e5),, as can be see seen n fr from om Sha Shabal balo ov-B v-Bart arthol holome omew w. Vari arious ous gra grand ndmas master terss lik like e to keep the pawns fluid; perhaps this has something to do with their strong positional sense, not wanting to play something too positionally committal unless necessary necessary..
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Shabalov, A. Shabalov • Bart Bartholom holomew ew,, J. Philadelphia 2007 1/2-1/2 A57 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6 e6 6. c3 xd5 xd5 7. x xd5 d5 ex exd5 d5 8. xd5 c6 9.e4 9.e4 e7 10 10.. c4 O–O 11. f3 b8 12. 12.O–O O–O xb6 xb6 13 13.. h5 Th The e mo most st co comm mmon on mo move ve an and d on one e that makes good sense. White threatens to win the bishop pair by Ng5 and clears the d-file for a rook. ◦
Before we continue, note that Stohl maintained that Black can hold the balance after 13.b3 after 13.b3 with with the energetic 13... energetic 13... a5! 14. f4 b7 15. d3 xc4 16.bxc4 e6 17 17.. d2 c6 18 18.f .f3 3 g5 g5 19 19.. d6 e7 , with equality. 13...d6 14.b3 Thi 14.b3 Thiss move is mor more e subtle than it seems seems.. On the surfac surface, e, it give givess protection to the c4-bishop and the b-pawn, as well as setting up a nice diagonal for the dark-squared bishop, but it also restrains the c5-pawn from jamming White’s queenside with a later ...c5-c4. 15.. xe xe6 ( the position can rebound very quickly Instead, after 14. d1 e6 15 on White if he is careless in exchanging: 15. g5?! xg5 16. xg5 d7! 17. xe6 xe6 18. f4? d4! and White cannot avoid the loss of at least a pawn, V.Huang-J.Tay, Singapore 2010 ) 2010 ) 15...fxe6 16. g4 c8 17. d2 e5 xc8 19 19.. c3 d4 20. d2 c4 c4!! the position is equal, 18. xc8 xc8 d4 gave gave Black no problems in while 14. g5 xg5 15. xg5 e8 16. f4 d4 while 14. M.Arnold-M.Molner, Los Angeles 2012. 14... e6 15. xe6 Some other possibilities: 15. d5 c8 16.h3 f6 17. b1 b4 b4 and and Black’s pieces are considerably the more active, D.Rajkovic-A.Vaisser, Arco 2010. 15. g5 xg5 16. xg5 e8 17. d3 b4 18. b1 b1 was was L.Van Wely-A.V Wely-A.Vaisser, aisser, Cap d’Agde 1996, and in this relatively sedate position, Houdini demonstrates stra tes some impr impressi essive ve tacti tactics: cs: 18... 18... xb3! 19. h4! ( or 19.axb3 e520. a4 f6 21.f4 d4+ 22. h1 fx fxg5 g5 23 23.. xg5 xg5 with with the slightly better position for 20.axb xb3 3h h6! 6! ( not not 20... 20... xa xa1? 1??? 21 21.e .e5! 5! ) 21 21.. xh6 xa1 Black ) ) 19... e5 20.a 22.e5 d4 23. h3 h3 gx gxh6 h6 24 24.. xh xh6 f5 25 25.. g6+ h8 h8 26 26.. h6+ and Black cannot avoid a draw by perpetual check. 15...fxe 15.. .fxe6 6 16. g4 g4 White White tries to force Black’s Black’s centre pawns to become fixed. 16... fixed. 16... c8 QUESTION: What is the difference between Black defending the e6-pawn with 16... d7 and 16...Qc8? — ANSWER: 16...Qd7 does not allow Black the option opti on of playing ...e6...e6-e5 e5 with the idea of ...Nd4. On the other hand, it allows the queen easier access to the kingside. 83
Black can also keep the centre fluid with 16... f6 17. e3 g6 18. h3 h3 . This was S.Drazic-B.Vuckovic, Vrnjacka Banja 2010, and here I think Black can maintain his structure and keep plugging onwards on the queenside with 18... with 18...a5! a5! 19. ad1 c7 20. d2 a a4 4 21 21.f4 .f4 h6 22. f3 ( if 22. 22. g3 d5! ) f6 when when the black rooks are applying strong pressure. pressure. 22...axb 22.. .axb3 3 23.a 23.axb3 xb3 f6 17. b2 e5 e5 Black Black has fixed his central pawns in order to play ...Nd4. If White takes on d4 with the bishop, he will give Black a protected passed pawn. After 17... f6 After 17... f6 White White can trade off all the minor pieces with 18.e5 xe5 ( if 18...dxe5?!! 19. d2 b420. c4 an 18...dxe5? and d Whi White te is alr alread eady y be bette tterr )19. xe5 xe5 ac1 is is easier for White to play despite the pawn minus ) ( 19...dxe5 20. ac1 20. xe5 xe5 dx dxe5 e5 21 21.. ac1 d6 22 22.. e2 d5 23. 23.b4 b4 fd8 fd8 24 24.. xc5 xc5 25.b 25.bxc5 xc5 d526. c1 xc5 xc5 27. xc5 xc5 xc5 28. xa6 , with equal equality ity,, A.Sh A.Share arevichvich-N.P N.Pogon ogonina, ina, Vladimir 2005. 18. xc8 xc8 19. d2 d4 20. c4 c4 I I think this position supplies good study material for the Benko Gambit player player.. — EXERCISE: Who is better in this position, position, and why? — ANSWER: We We examine examine:: 1) The pawn structur structure. e. Whit White e has two solid pawn isl islands ands which three, ofhas which the V-formation pawns are are quite prettymobile, hard towhereas advance,Black givenhas that White blockaded on c4 andcentral ...d6d5 will isolate the e5-pawn. Black, however however,, has the option of playing ...a5-a4 to put pressure pressur e on White White’’s queenside duo. White, for his part, can prepar prepare e to mobilize the central pawns with g2-g3 and f2-f4, which can be quite troublesome for Black as the c4-knight c4-kn ight helps any subse subsequen quentt e4-e5 break break.. — 2) The minor pie pieces ces.. Whit White e has the better-placed minors as the c4-knight is a good blockader and the b2-bishop can become useful useful if he can get in f2-f4. Blac Black’ k’ss knight is sitting pre pretty tty on d4 and he is not worried about White exchanging it, as previo previously usly mentioned. Howe However ver,, Black’ Black’ss bishop is quite a sorry piece unless it can be moved to g5, but this will require constant defence of d6. — Hence, it is easier for White to play this position than Black. However, Black’s position is very solid and compact. His king also has easy access to e6. I think we can conclude that White has a slight advantage in this position, so Black has to play exactly exactly, which is what b5! Bartholomew impres impressively sively (the main reason me in An excellent move fromdid Bartholomew. Blackfor supports cluding this, game). 20... game). 20... b5! An ...a6-a5 with the idea of ...a5-a4, softening up the white queenside pawns. In prio priorr ga game mes, s, Blac Black k we went nt on th the e de defe fens nsiv ive e wi with th 20... 20... bc6 21. 21.g3 g3 f6 22 22.. g2 f7 23. 23.f4 f4 an and, d, in bo both th case cases, s, Wh Whit ite e op open ened ed the the f-fil f-file e for for his his ro rook okss an and d sw swit itch ched ed the knight via e3 to d5 when Black had to give up the exchange to remove the strong knight. ae1 a5 22 22.. c3! c3! Preventing Preventing ...a5-a4. 21. ae1 QUESTION: How should Black deal with 22.f4 ? 22.f4 ? — ANSWER: ANSWER: H He e can ignorre it wi no with th 22.. 22...a4! .a4! 23. 23.fxe5 fxe5 ( after 23. xd xd4 4 cxd4 cxd4 24. 24.fx fxe5 e5 dx dxe5 e5 25. 25.bxa bxa4 4 b4 84
26. xe5 xa4 27. e2 g5 g5 Black Black is slightly better ) better ) 23...dxe5 24. e3 axb3 25.axb3 d8 26. xd4 exd4 27. d3 db8 28. ff3 d8 ! , with the idea of ...Bc7. 22... a8 23 23.. b2 Lo Lots ts of ta taii-ch chii is go goin ing g on on.. Bo Both th si side dess are are no nott gi givi ving ng an inch inch.. 23... g5 Putti Pu tting ng the bi bisho shop p on its mos mostt act active ive di diago agonal nal,, whi which ch als also o hel helps ps to re restr strain ain f2f2-f4. f4. 24. 24. h1 It’ It’s good to get the king out of the way befo before re plan plannin ning g f2-f4. — EXERCI EXERCISE: SE: White seems to have stopped Black’ Black’ss queenside offensive cold and will gradually prepar prepare e f2f3, g2-g3 and finally f3-f4. Can Black take immed immediate iate actio action n to dist distrac ractt White her here? e? 24... b7!? Black b7!? Black clears the b5-square for the knight. ANSWER: Ho However wever,, he missed the marvellous move move 24...a4! when 24...a4! when 25. xa4 b7! Bl Black ack thr threat eatens ens to invad invade e wit with h ...Bd2 ...Bd2 ) ) 25...c 25...c4 4 26. 26.bx bxc4 c4 ( after 25.bxa4?! b7! b7 27. b2 xa2 sees Black’s activity compensate for the pawn deficit. 25. d1 b5 Tim imin ing g is ev every eryth thin ing g as th the e kn knig ight ht at atta tack ckss the the bi bish shop op an and d ho hold ldss d6 si simu mullHeadi ading ng for e6. e6. 27.f4!? 27.f4!? Over Over the the pa past st mo move ves, s, Sh Shab abal alo ov ha hass be been en taneously. 26. taneously. 26. e1 f7 He manoeuvring carefully carefully,, not allowing Black to get his foot in the door at all. This is kind of un-Shabalov as he is famed for his tactical prowess. Ho However wever,, now now,, all of a sudden, he gets in a tactical shot. If 27. If 27. c4 e6 28. xa5 d4 Black will win back the pawn after ...Rba7. 27...exf4 27.. .exf4 28. d5 f6 29. c4! Not 29. xf4 g8 g8 when when White White’’s knight is forced to vacate b2 and allow ...a5a4. 29...a4 Tit for tat. Black counterattack 29...a4 counterattackss immediately immediately.. 30.b4 c8 c8 EXERCISE: EXERCISE: What strong move did Black miss in the heat of the battle? ANSWER: After 30... After 30... e8! e8! the the initiative swings back to Black: Black: 31. xf4 g8 and an d Whi White te is suf suffer fering ing,, no than thanks ks to his wea weak k bac back k ra rank nk.. For exam example ple,, c3! . . 32.bxc5 runs into 32... c3! xb5 32. xd6+ Houdinii also demo Houdin demonstr nstrated ated the incr incredib edible le 30... 30...cxb4 cxb4 31. xb5 xb5 e6 33. xb5 e5 when e5 when White’s extra knight is doomed and thus Black equalizes nicely. 31.bxc5 dxc5 32. d2 e6 33. xf4 d8! d8! It It is important to stay active, even at the expense pens e of the c5-paw c5-pawn. n. If Black is prep prepare ared d to don donate ate a pawn on mo move ve 3, why not on move 33 for the sake of the wresting the initiative? 34. xc5 d4 35. a5 Tempting White to play 35.e5 35.e5 e7 36. c6+ d5 37. b6 xb6 38. xb6+ e6 e6 when when Black has the upper hand due to the bad position of the white king. 85
35... b6 36.e5 Similarly, 36.e5 Similarly, White cannot retain his extra pawn without making concc1 Now Now Black decides to trade down to a draw. 37... xf4 cessions. 36... e7 37. cc1 A permanent pin? Of 38. xf4 g5 39 39.g .g3 3 xf4 40. 40.gxf gxf4 4 d4 41 41.. c4 d5 42 42.. xa4 a6 a6 A course, both sides had worked out this position quite a few moves in advance. advance. 43. 43. c4 If th the e op oppo pone nent ntss ha had d co cont ntin inue ued, d, th they ey mi migh ghtt ha have ve ree eele led d off off the the move movess 43. c4 44. b6+ e4 45 45.. xa4 xf4 46 46.. g2 xe5 with a drawish position. — What xa4 an excellent fighting game xf4and a draw xe5 with was a fair result indeed. 1/2-1/2 4: Hust Hustle le and Flo Flow w 4.cxb5 5 a6 5.f3 5.f3 White White accepts the gambit pawn, but immedi1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb ately returns it to build a Smisch-like centre. He aims to use his control of the f1-a6 diag diagon onal al (aft (after er e2 e2-e -e4) 4) to esta establ blis ish h a li ligh ghtt-sq squa uare re gr grip ip,, es espe peci cial ally ly on the the ke key y c4c4- an and d b5 b5-squares. Once he has achieved that, he will gradually concentrate on his ideal central advance with e4-e5. The American GM Max Dlugy has racked up a superb plus score (in my database, 10 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses) with this line and today it often bears his name. My recommendation for countering the Dlugy variation is to wrest control of the dark squares, beginning with 5...e6 with 5...e6 6.e4 c4!? . This requires the sacrifice of two pawns instead of the usual one and the resulting positions are razor-sharp, razor-sharp, with one misstep often fatal to either side. Usually in the Benko Gambit, the game follows positional considerations with a gradual build-up by both sides in terms of piece placement. In this line, however, Black eschews structural and positional niceties to try and blow blo w White tto o bits befo before re he gets to c castle astle.. So if th this is lin line e is not tto o your ttaste aste,, I ha have ve al also so incl includ uded ed some some co cove vera rage ge of th the e mo more re po posi siti tion onal al line line 5... 5...axb5 axb5 6.e4 alternative.. a5+ as an alternative A) White goes the whole hog and grabs two pawns xc4 c4 ax axb5 b5 8. xb5 Th The e fig fight ht for for th the e 1.d4 f62.c4c53.d5b54.cxb5a65.f3e66.e4c47. x d5-square is of the utmost importance. If White wins control over it and sinks a piece permanen perm anently tly on it, Black can kiss his game and sacrific sacrificed ed pawns goodb goodbye. ye. If White loses control of it, though, then usually Black can make use of the long light-square diagonal to create havoc, especially when White still has not found a safe abode for his king. — In Mller-T Mller-Tay ay,, White barely managed to retain control of the d5-squar d5-square e befo be forre be beco comi ming ng to too o co comp mpla lace cent nt an and d allo allowi wing ng Blac Black k to br brea eak k wi with th ...d ...d66-d5 d5 wi with th a ir irrresistible attack. 86
Mller,, Kl Mller • Tay ay,, J. Correspondence 2002 0-1 A57 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 e6 e6 Just Just like in the line recommended against 5 b6, Black tries to undermine White’s centre without delay. 6.e4 c4!? QUESTION: Isn’’t this ridiculous? Black sacrifices a pawn with a move that even helps White to deIsn velop his king’s king’s bishop. — ANSWER: This square-clearan square-clearance ce sacrifice has the following logic: log ic: 1) Whi White te has we weake akene ned d his str struct uctur ure e wit with h f2f2-f3, f3, creat creating ing dar dark-s k-squa quare re wea weakne knesse ssess around aro und his king. — 2) Blac Black k is goin going g to seiz seize e contro controll of the g1-a7 diag diagonal onal with his queen and dark-squared bishop. — 3) The white king is unable to castle kingside and as Black has opened files on the queenside, it would be extremely dangerous for him to put his king there as well. — 4) White’ White’ss king rook will be hemmed in for a long time. — 5) If Black can mobilize all his pieces before White completes development or gets his king to safety, safety, the chance chancess are White will get mated mated.. — How However ever,, the cost is two pawns, so it’s hustle and flow. 7. flow. 7. xc4 ◦
A continuation where White gives up the centre can go 7. 7.dx dxe6 e6 fxe6 fxe6 8. xc4 , d2 but aft after er 8... c59. c3axb510. xb5O–O11. ge2 b612. f4 c613. f2 f2+ + 14 14.. d1 d1 d5 Black has attacking chances. One game in which White played prudently, eschewing the proffered b5pawn at every juncture went 7. went 7. c3 a axb5 xb5 8. e3 b4 9. f2 O O–O –O 10. ge2 12.b .b4 4 cx cxb3 b3 13 13.. xb3 a6 14 14.. d1 b6 15 15.. d4 e5 16. c2 c5 d6 11. 11.a3 a3 a5 12 17. b2 h518. xb5f5 . Howev However er,, as GM Ga Gawai wain n Jones Jones opi opined ned in ’Da ’Dange ngerrous Weapons: The Benoni and Benko’, "Black has a powerful attack which morre th mo than an co comp mpen ensa sate tess fo forr th the e rath rather er me mean anin ingl gles esss extr extra a pa pawn wn on a3 a3", ", wi with th reference to M.Notkin-L.Nisipeanu, Bucharest 1997. 7...ax 7.. .axb5 b5 8. xb5 c5 c5 9. c3 g5? , , 9... b6 b6 wins wins a piece As pointed out too by Jones, after the howler 9. g5? on either b5 or g1. 9... b7 b7 An An idea borrowed from Indian GM Harikrishna who used the move in an exci citi ting ng dr draw aw on only ly 9 da days ys be befo forre I ha had d to ma make ke my 9th 9th mo move ve.. Black lack wa want ntss to de deto tona nate te th the e white centre to get at the king. I had the opportunity to ask about that game and his ...Bb7 idea, and he described it as "very risky risky,, but interestin interesting g and fun". 10. g5 This is also Schandorff’s recommendation in ’Playing 1.d4: The Indian Defences’. By pinning the knight, White is fighting for control of d5. ( necessary Instead, after 10. after 10. h3 exd5 11.e5 h5 12. xd5 O–O 13. g5?? ( necessary was 13.a4 e8 14 14.f .f4 4 f6! 15. xf6+ xf6 xf6 16 16.. e2 h4+ h4+ 17 17.. f1 c6 18 18.. e3 87
xe3 19. xe3
ec8 ec8 with with a difficult defensive task for White ) 13... xd5 the bishop on b5 hangs after ...Qa5+, J.Hawkins-G.Jones, British Championship, Torquay 2009. The min mind-b d-bogg ogglin ling g gam game e whi which ch Ha Harik rikris rishna hna pla played yed wen wentt 10. ge2O–O11. f1 a7!? 13. 13.g3 g3 b6 14. g2 f2+ 15. h3 xf3 16. f4 f2 exd5 12.exd5 a7!? 17. f1 c5 18. e1 d6 19. h5 xh5 20. xh5 d4 21.a4 xc3 22.bxc3 23. a3 e6+ 24. g2 d5+ 25. h3 e6+ 26. g2 d5+ 27. h3 xd5 h3   , R.Wojtaszek-P R.Wojtaszek-P.Harikris .Harikrishna, hna, Goa 2002. 10... b6 11. ge2 O– O–O! O! Schandorff pointed out that that 11. is met by 12. xf6 xf6 13. xd5 11... .. ex exd5 d5 is d6 14 14.. d2 O– O–O O 15 15.b .b4 4 a7 16 16.. f4 f4 with with a huge advantage. The important thing to glean from this is that Black must never stop fighting for control of d5 as once White manages to safely maintain a piece there, he can deal with Black’s Black’s threats easily easily.. 12. b3! b3! Citi Citing ng my no note tess in ’N ’New ew in Ch Ches esss Yea earb rboo ook k 71 71’: ’: "A go good od squa square re for for the the qu quee een, n, from which it oversees the b5-bishop, the d5-square and with a future ...Bc4, can threaten to exchange queens or maybe even castle queenside queenside." ." exd5 d5 13 13.e .e5 5 e8 14. 14.a4 a4 c715. d1 ( or 15.b4 xb4 16 16.. e3 Otherwise, 12. d2 ex a5 17. O O–O –O c6 c6 with with a strong initiative for Black )) 15.. 15.... e8 ( after 15... c6! fe8 Black’s Black’s initiative 16. xd5 xd5 17. xd5 ae8 18. f1 xe5 19. d2 fe8 should prevai prevaill ) 16.b4 xb4 17. e3 a5 18.O–O c6 19. b2 d4 20. xd4 xd4 21. xd4 e6 22 22.. f2 c6 23. 23. b1 c524. xc5 xc5 25. 25.f4 f4 xb5 26.a 26.axb5 xb5 d3 27. c2 b6+ 28. h1 f2+ 29. g1 ac8 ac8 0-1 was V.Seifert-A.Vajda, Austrian League 2004. 12...exd5 Of course, Black must try to open lines for the assault on the white king. 12...exd5 Of 13.e5 Alternatively, 13. xf6 xf6 14.ex Alternatively, 14.exd5 d5 g5! 15. e4 xd5 xd5 16. xg5 xb3 reaches a level ending. However, if White tries to keep his extra pawn with 17.a3?! e3! , , suddenly the position seems dangerous for him. e3! 13...h6!? was Z.Csiszar Z.Csiszar-A.Szieberth, -A.Szieberth, 13... a5 14. 14.exf exf6 6 d4 15. 15.O–O O–O–O –O dx dxc3 c3 16. xc3 d4 d4 was Hungarian League 2007, which Black won in short order, but 17.a4! 17.a4! secur securin ing g the bi bisho shop p and hen hence ce sol solidi idifyi fying ng Whi White te’’s que queen ensid side e defen defence ce wou would ld hav have e given him a big advantage advantage.. and not 14. not 14. xd5?? xd5 15. xd5 Also interesting is 13... is 13... e8!? 14. a4 (( and c7 ) 14 14.. .... f2+ f2+ 15 15.. f1 a7 16 16.. e7 c7 17 17.. xf8 xf8 xf8 18 18.. ac3 g8 , keep keep-in ing g th the e qu quee eens ns on th the e bo boar ard. d. My feel feelin ing g is that that Blac Black k sh shou ould ld ha have ve su suffi ffici cien entt compensation compensatio n for the material deficit. 88
14. a4! a4! Disrupting Disrupting Black’s queen and bishop battery by forcing those pieces to go to more awkward squares. White can also focus on development with 14. d2!? e8 15. c1! a5 16.a4! ( or ( or 16. 16. a4 a6 17. b5 b6 18. xa5 xa5+ 19. ec3 d4 20. xd4 xe5+ 21. de2 c5 c5 with with a strong attack and good compensation for Black ) 16... c7 17. a2 a8 18. xc5 xc5 19. b4 b6 20. xf8 xf8 with the developmental compensation for the exchange, xf8 with dark squares and 15.. d1 c7 16 16.. d3 a7 Bla Black ck mainta maintain inss the pr preses while after 14. h4 e8 15 sure with White struggling to complete development. 14... f2+ 15 15.. f1 a7 16. 16.exf exf6 6 Wr Wrecking ecking Black Black’’s pawn structure. By this juncture juncture,, though, Black Bla ck is pas pastt car caring ing ab about out pos positi ition onal al con consid sider erati ation onss as he rus rushes hes to mob mobili ilize ze his pie pieces ces There e’s no tim time e for a pronto pro nto befo before re the white kin king g gets to safe safety ty.. 16...hx 16...hxg5 g5 17.f 17.fxg7 xg7 e8 Ther Bringing the queen as close as possible to the enemy king. snack on g7. 18. g7. 18. ac3 e3 e3 Bringing Bla lack ck’’s idea idea is to de deny ny Wh Whit ite e th the e po poss ssib ibil ilit ity y of g2 g2-g -g3 3 afte afterr Bh4 as th the e f3-p f3-paw awn n wo woul uld d be en prise. prise. 19. d1 d1 The The only reasonable developing move for White and one which has the added incentives of covering the d4-square and hitting d5. 19... h4 h4 We We can’t get g3 g4 g4 Trying Trying tod1 prise more obvious than in one, we? 20. the king kingside side.. 21. Unc nco overi vering ngmate an at atta tack ck oncan b7 as ma made de poss po ssib ible le by 20 R d1. . 21...open d3threatening c6 Cash shin ing g in on th the e seco second nd pa pawn wn wi with th te temp mpo o. 22... e5 Th This is is the crit critic ical al st stag age e 22. xd5 Ca for for Wh Whit ite: e: to li liqu quid idat ate e into into an en endg dgam ame e wi with th a sl slig ight ht plus plus,, if exce excell llen entt dr draw awin ing g ch chan ance cess e4?! White decides to forgo the endgame, trusting for Black, or to play for more. more. 23. e4?! White that his spatial advantage will give him the advantage. Unfortunately for him, this is a temporal advantage as once Black’ Black’ss remaining two pieces come into the picture picture,, the unsafe white king and the undeveloped roo rook k on h1 will become significant factors. White missed the chance to go into an ending two doubled pawns up with 23.f4! xd5 24.fxe5 xb3 25.axb3 xg3 26.hxg3 c6! (( after after 26... 26... xg7 27. h7+ g8 28. h4 c6 29. xg4+ f8 30. h4 xe5 31. e2 e7 32.b4 White has better winning chances by keeping the passed pawns active active ) 27. e4 xg7 xg7 28 28.. h7 h7+ ( or 28. xc6 xc6 dx dxc6 c6 29 29.. h4 xe5 xe5 30. 30. xg4+ f8 with f8 with good dra drawing wing chanc chances es ) 30.. xd7 xe5 xe5 31 31.. d2 a1+ ) 28 28.. .... g829. h5 a2 30 33.. f5 f8 34. d5 e7 35 35.. e4 b5 36 36.. c2 g7 37 37.. f4 c7 32. f2 a5 33 38. d1 cb7 cb7 , , although it is by now extremely difficult for White to make any headway. 23... a5 Not merely to put pressure on d5, but also to prepare ...Rb5, hitting b2. a4 , , winning the exchange? — ANQUESTION: What is wrong with 23... with 23... a4 SWER: Black would be in for a shock after 24. after 24. e3! xd1 25. h6! when it is he who has to defend against an unstoppable kingside attack, aided h5 and and Black is by three huge minor pieces: 25... xg7 26. xh4 a6 27. h5 toast. 89
24. c3 Pla Playin ying g for tra trades des,, whi which ch mak makes es sen sense se whe when n on one e is def defend endin ing. g. 24...d5! 24...d5! 25. xd5? White has effectively lost an important tempo and now Black can accelerate his attack to insurmountab insurmountable le proportio proportions. ns. White had to settle for a draw here with 25. xd5! xd5 26. xd5 xg3 or 28. 28. h8+ xg7 29. xe8 xd1+ 30. xd1 xe8 27.hxg3 xd5 28. xd5 ( or 31. d4+ h7 32 32.a .a4 4 gx gxf3 f3 33 33.g .gxf xf3 3 c6 with c6 with a likely draw draw )) 28 28.. .... e2+ e2+ 29 29.. g1 + 30 e3 e3+ 30.. h2 h6+ , perpetually checking the white king. 25... b5! 26. d3 Another try is 26.f4 is 26.f4 d6 ( after after 26... 26... xg7 27. c3 xb2 28. xg7+ xg7 29. c3 xg330. xc6 xc6 31.h 31.hxg3 xg3 c232. d5 ee233. h2 xa2 xa2 34. c3 f2+ 35. g1 ac2 36. d5 d5 White White manages to stave off the attack, despite the we weir ird d pla placem cemen entt of his kin king’ g’ss ro rook ok )27. )27. a3 xa3 28.bx 28.bxa3 a3 xe4 xe4 29. xe4 xd5 xd5 when when Black Black’’s minor pieces call the shots and White still has problems developing developin g the h1-rook. 26... xb2 xb2 27. 27.f4 f4 Bo Boot otin ing g th the e qu quee een n of offf th the e stro strong ng e5 e5-s -squ quar are, e, bu butt as long long as it ma main inta tain inss access to the dark squares, the writing is on the wall for White. EXERCISE: Calculate the forced win after 27. g1 . ANSWER: 27. g1 xd5!! 28. xd5( or 28. xd5 d829. xd8+ xd8 xd8 30. xd8+ xg7 31. f5+ h7! h7! when when there’s no good way to make use of the discovWhite te is def defenc encele eless ss aga agains instt ...Qc5 ...Qc5+ + ) 28 28.. .... e1+ ered ere d check check:: 32. g3+f5 and Whi 29. xe1 ( ( if 29. f1 e3+ 30. f2 xf xf2# 2# ) ( or or 29. f1 f2# ) 2 29.. 9.... xe1+ xf1+ 31 31.. xf1 xg3 and White can’t save his rook on h1. 30. f1 xf1+ 27... xg7 xg7 28 28.. c3 Also insufficient is 28. is 28. f5 h8 29. d6 xe4! 30. xe4 f2+ 31. g1 d2 b5! 35. d3 xb1+ 36. xb1 d4+ 32. b1 a6 33. f5 xd5 34. xh4 b5! 38.. c1 c5 when c5 when White has no defence. 37. f1 e4 38 Forcing cing White to trade bishops in order to defend f4 with a knight. knight. 29. 29. xc6 28... h6 For 29. ge2 is met by 29... by 29... xe4! 30. xe4 b5 . e6 Played with the idea of kicking the white queen off d3 with 29... xc6 30. ge2 e6 Played ...Nb4 so that the black queen can go to e3 with mating threats. 31.g3 After 31.a4 b4 32 32.. b5 e3 the end is near. 31... f6 32 32.f .f5 5 Alternatively,, 32. g1 xc3 Alternatively xc3 33 33.. xc3 b4 and it’s over. 90
32... c8 c8 Citing Citing ’Ne ’New w in Chess Y Yearb earbook ook 71’ again: "Bla "Black ck’’s plan is simp simple. le. Knoc Knock k White’’s queen off the f1-a6 diagonal with ...Ne5, seize control of the diagonal and mate White will soon follow." follow." 32... e5 e5 was was winning too, but I preferred to introduce my knight into the final attack. 33. d5 g7 34 34.. ef4 e5 35. e4 f3 36 36.. e7+ xe7! 36... xe7 37. xe7 d4 d4 would would have been a fitting finish for this variation which focuses on dark-square dark-square control at all costs. 0-1 B) Wh Whit ite e kee eeps ps on only ly on one e pa pawn wn:: 7 Bx Bxc4 c4 axb5 8 Bb3 xc4 ax axb5 b5 8. b3 b3 White White can choose 1.d4 f62.c4c53.d5b54.cxb5a65.f3e66.e4c47. xc4 not to pilfer the second pawn and so offer Black many targets (the half-open b-file, the potentially hanging bishop on b5, a tempo for bringing the queen to b6, ...Na6-c7 hitting hitti ng the bishop etc). This isbut a prudent concept cept as Black willon nee need d and/or to play ...b5-b4 to open up on theb5, a6-f1 diagonal, White’s con Na4, hitting a bishop c5 queen on b6, will likely result in trades. — In Rapport-Tate, the Scottish FIDE Master Alan Tate Tate contested d5 with nifty piece play and was rewarded rewarded with a GM scalp when the Hungarian teenage wonder spurned a draw.
Rapport, Rappor t, R. • Tate, A. Gibraltar 2011 0-1 A57 ( Junior Tay) xc4 c4 ax axb5 b5 8. b3 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 e6 6.e4 c4 7. x ◦
QUESTION: What is the basis for playing this move over 8. xb5 xb5 ? ? — A ANNSWER: White would rather not let Black open all three queenside files and keeps a grip on d5 with the bishop. Also, he is satisfied with just one extra pawn.. Psy pawn Psycholo chologica gically lly,, it is ofte often n easier to play one pawn up rath rather er than two. With two extra pawns, it is easier to lose objectivity and think that the win is in the bag, but with one extra pawn, one somehow retains the sense of danger that one’s opponent has some compensation. 8... c5 9. e2 b6 10 10.. bc3 bc3 O– O–O O 11 11.. g5 a6 a6 A A very logical move as the knight can go to c7, pressuring d5 and protecting the c5-bishop, which will come in handy if White plays Qc2 or Rc1.
91
Instead, after 11... b7 12 12.. d2 e8 ?! ( 12 12.. .... a6! ) 13. c1 c1!! f6 14 14.. h4 h8 f2 Black does not even have the dark squares to compensate for the 15. f2 Black pawn deficit, R.Sheldon-A.R R.Sheldon-A.Rodriguez, odriguez, Menorca 1996. 12.g3 White prepares an abode on g2 for the king. 12... f2+! Black played this not 12.g3 White so much to scuttle White’s chances of castling, but more to indirectly contest d5 with Enterprising play by Tate, removing or deflecting some his next move. 13. f1 c5 The c5 Enterprising defenders of d5. 14.e5 d5. 14.e5 The young grandmaster attempts to engage the Scottish FIDE master in a tactical melee as justified by his 200+ point rating difference. The planned planned 14. g2 g2 would have given Black sufficient counterplay after exd5 . . One interesting follow-up is 17. is 17. xf6 14...b4 15. a4 xa4 16. xa4 exd5 dxe4! when dxe4! when White cannot keep the extra piece safely: for example, 18.fxe4 example, 18.fxe4 xf6 19. f1 a6 a6 with with a decent game for Black. 14... xb3! Removing a defender of d5 and gaining the bishop pair in the process. 15.exf6 Inflicting structural damage on Black’s kingside. 15. xb3?! xd5 16. xd5 exd5 exd5 just gifts Black the bishop pair with the slightly better game. 15... xa1 16.fxg7 xg7 17. c1! White goes for the weak dark squares around the blac black k ki king ng,, no nott pa paus usin ing g to pi pick ck of offf th the e erra errant nt kn knig ight ht wh whic ich h is do doom omed ed an anyw yway ay.. 17...f5!? This is virtually a draw offer as White has a forced draw in hand after this. Ho However wever,, the move makes good sense as it: 1) Removes the e4-square from the white knight. — 2) Frees the f7-square for the black king to escape to. migh ghtt be all all righ rightt for for Blac Black k in an anal aly y Alternatively, 17.. Alternatively, 17...e5 .e5 18. e4f519. xf2 mi si sis, s, bu butt un unde derr to tour urna name ment nt co cond ndit itio ions ns,, it is very very risk risky y to allo allow w Wh Whit ite e to ke keep ep the unopposed dark-squared bishop, while 17... b7 18. h6+ h8 19. g7+ xg7 20. g5+ while 17... g5+ draws draws by perpetual check. 19.. xf8 xf8 xf8 20 20.. xa1?! xa1?! With With hin hindsi dsight ght a dub dubio ious us de decis cision ion as no now w Bla Black ck 18. h6+ f7 19 pr proc ocee eeds ds to pl play ay accu accura rate tely ly righ rightt to th the e en end. d. Ra Rapp ppor ortt wa wass bank bankin ing g on the the po poro rous us bl blac ack k kingside to give him chances and thus rejected the outright draw draw.. Indeed, he could have decided to split the point here with 20. h6+ g8 21. g5+ f7 22. h5+ e7 23. g5+ d6 24. f4+ f4+ , , with perpetual check. — From personal experience, I know that grandmasters play on in position ti onss wh whic ich h ar are e dr draw awis ish h or some someti time mess ev even en wo wors rse e for for them them,, bu butt du due e to thei theirr practical strength, it pays off more often than not. 20...b4! Booting away a defender of d5 and also clearing the a6-f1 diagonal for his own bishop. Most importantly, though, it denies White the opportunity to secure the c3-knight with b2-b4. 21. d1 d4!? 92
QUESTION: Why didn’t Black keep the bishop pair with 21... with 21... c5 ? c5 ? — ANANSWER: He did not want to give white counterplay after 22. c1 a6 23. h6+ e8 24 24.. xh7 b525. g8+ e726. g5+ d627. f4+ xd5 xd5 28. d2+ c6 29 29.h .h4 4 , although the resulting position still looks pleasant for Black. 22. g2 Bl Blac ack k al also so do does esn n’t mi mind nd th the e tr trad ade e of the da dark rk-s -squ quar ared ed bi bish shop op as it im impr pro oves ves or 23. his queen’s position: 22. position: 22. xd4 xd4 23. g2 (( or 23. c1 b7 24. g2 xd5 ) 23 23.. .... b7! 24.dxe6?? xf3+! . xf3+! . 22... b7 Now that the white king has left f1, Black goes for the long light-square diagonal. 23. onal. 23. xd4 xd4 xd4 24 24.. f2? EXERCISE: You have just three seconds to calculate what happens after xf3+ 25. xf3 e4+ e4+ 26 26.. f2 xh1 do does es the the job job. 24.dxe6 ? — ANS ANSWER WER:: 24... xf3+ However, White should have hurried to get his major pieces back into action after 24. after 24. c1 xd5 25. e1 xa2 26. e2 e2 . . Bla Black ck is a paw pawn n up up,, but it would be harder to put White away in this line. Mate teri rial al is ev even en he herre, bu butt ev ever ery y blac black k pi piec ece e is subs substa tant ntia ially lly st stro rong nger er than than it itss 24... xd5 Ma d1 Forced. Forced. 25... 25... xa2 26. e2 b3 b3 Pinning Pinning White down. The white counterpart. counterpart. 25. d1 game is virtually over. 27. b1 c6 White c6 White is in zugzwang. Most knight moves moves are met by 28 28.. ...B .Bxf xf3+ 3+ an and d 29 29.. ...Q .Qc2 c2+, +, wi winn nnin ing g the ro rook ok.. Wh Whit ite e is almo almost st red educ uced ed to pa pawn wn mo move vess on the kingside which he will soon run out of. 28. d3 If 28. If 28. d3 b5 . 28... d5 29. h3 xb3 30 30.. d1 xd1 xd1 31 31.. xd1 xb2+ Tra radin ding g que queen enss is als also o fut futile ile:: 29. xb3 xb3 g1 d5 is simply winning for Black. 32. g1 29... xb2 xb2 30 30.. c1 xd3 xd3 31 31.. xd3 b3 32 32.. e5 e7 33 33.f .f4 4 c3 34. a1 c7 0-1 0-1 C) 5 f3 axb5 6 e4 Qa5+ As previo previously usly mentioned, if ’hustle and flow’ is not your style, here here’’s a more sedate and positionall approach against tthe positiona he Dlugy variation. 1.d4 f6 2. 2.c4 c4 c5 3. 3.d5 d5 b5 4. 4.cx cxb5 b5 a6 5. 5.f3 f3 ax axb5 b5 6. 6.e4 e4 a5+ My fir first st cor corre respo spond ndenc ence e che chess ss game with the Benko Gambit survived its baptism of fire against the Russian correspon sp onde denc nce e ch ches esss ch cham ampi pion on Se Serg rgey ey Rom oman ano ov in this this line line.. I wo woul uld d also also like like to ac ackn kno owl wl-edge the contribution of Erik Kislik here, as he demonstrated to me how giving up the ligh lightt-sq squa uarred bish bishop op in th the e 10 a3 line line is fin fine e fo forr Black lack;; a co conc ncep eptt whic which h I fail failed ed to gr gras asp p during my game against Romanov. 93
Romanov, S. Romanov • Tay ay,, J. Correspondence 1999 1/2-1/2 A57 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 c5 3.d5 b5 4 4.cxb .cxb5 5 a6 5.f3 a axb5 xb5 6. 6.e4 e4 a5+ Solving a5+ Solving the problem of the weak b5-pawn. Also, the queen check nullifies the need to defend against e4-e5 for now. 7. d2 ◦
The simplest way to meet the counter-gambit 7.b4!? is is 7... 7... xb4+ 8. d2 a4 a4 when when we have: have: ( 9. xa4 bxa4 10. c3 d6 11. b1 fd7 fd7!! 12. b5 a6! g6 with a comfortable game for Black. ) ( 9. c1 b4 b4!! 10 10.. xc5 13. xa4 g6 with a6 11. xa6 ( ( if 11. d4 e6 e6!! ) 11 11.. .... xa6 ( 11 11.. ...e6 .e6!? !? 12. 12.d6 d6 jamming jamming the black kingside was played in J.Lautier-I.Smirin, Cap d’Agde (rapid) 1996; I don’t fancy Black’s kingside development, although analysis of the resulting positions shows that Black is at least level ) level ) 12. xb4 xb4 13. xb4 g6 prefe eferr Bla Black ck’’s pr press essur ure e 15.. c1d616. e2 O– O–O O 17 17.a .a3 3 d7 and I pr 14. d2 g7 15 to White’s extra pawn. ) pawn. ) 7...b4 EX EXER ERCI CISE SE:: As Asse sess ss th this is po posi siti tion on in te term rmss of pr pros os an and d co cons ns.. — AN ANSW SWER ER:: Th The e go good od news about this line is: 1) Black is not a pawn down, which is a big deal for a Benko Gambi Ga mbitee teerr. — 2) Whi White te’’s pa pawn wn str struct uctur ure e mak makes es his de devel velopm opment ent sli slight ghtly ly cum cumbe berso rsome me (there’’s no natural Nf3 and Nc3 development). — 3) Black for now has more space on (there the queenside. — The bad news is: 1) White has the juicy c4-square for a knight. — 2) He oc occu cupi pies es th the e cent centrre rat athe herr soli solidl dly y. — 3) He can can pl play ay a2 a2-a -a4 4 in go good od ti time me to crea create te an outside passed pawn, or a2-a3 to harass the b4-pawn. 8. b4-pawn. 8. a a3 3 d6 9. c4 d8! The slight advantage of 9...Qd8 over over 9... a7 or 9... c7 is th that at th the e qu quee een n pro provi vide dess mo morre su supp ppor ortt to the ...d ...d66-d5 d5 pu push sh afte afterr ...e7-e6; dxe6 Bxe6. 10. d3
e6 once once again, an immediate fight for Important alternatives are: 10. e2 e6 d5; ( instead, after 10 d5; xa3 13.bx 13.bxa3 a3 g7 g7 14 14.. a4+ 10.. ...g .g6 6 11 11.a .a3 3 bx bxa3 a3 12 12.. xa3 xa3 d715. a7 a7 White White’’s passed a-pawn gives him a slight edge, D.Paulsen .Paulsen-M.T -M.Trauth, rauth, Zurich 2000 ) 11 11.d .dxe xe6 6 fxe6 fxe6!! was J.Ulko-A.Fominyh, Nizhnij Novgorod 1998, where Black has a nice central presence and a potential central pawn adxe6 e6 12 12.. f4 is pleasant for White according to Flear. ) vance, ( but 11... x xa1 12 12.. xa1 xa1 exd5 exd5 13. 13.ex exd5 d5 xd5 xd5 14 14.. a8 10.a3 10.a 3 e6 11 11.d .dxe xe6 6 ( after 11.axb4 xa1 e6 15.bxc5 dxc5 16. a5 c8 the c8 the game is level according to Schandorff Schandorff ) or 12.axb4 12.axb4 xa1 13. xa1 d5! d5! and and after 14.exd5 after 14.exd5 ( while ( while 11... xe6 12. e3 (( or 94
after 14. e5 dxe4 15. b5+ fd7 16. a7 d6 17. c4?? xc4 18. xc4 e3 after 14. e7 Black Black Black won in M.Dlugy-A.Battey M.Dlugy-A.Battey,, Internet 2013 2013 ) ) 14... xd5 15.b5 e7 is at le leas astt eq equa uall ac acco corrding ding to an anal alys ysis is by Kisl Kislik ik ) 12. xd5 14. b5+ 12...d ..d5 5 13. 13.ex exd5 d5 xd5 d715. xd5 xb516. g5 d717. f2f618. f4 f7 19 19.. c7 a520. xb5 xd1 21. xd1 xb5 and Black is fine here accord according ing to Kislik. White can create a passed pawn with with 10.a4 10.a4 , , but Black has a comfortable xe6 12 12.. e3 e7 ga game me as sh sho own by th the e Ita tali lian an GM Be Belo lott tti: i: 10... 10...e6 e6 11.dx 11.dxe6 e6 xe6 13. e2 O O–O –O 14. f4 c6 15. d3 d4 16. c4 d7 17.O–O e5 18. xe6 xe6 19. e3 f6 20. xe5 xe5 21. a2 h4 22.g3 xg3 23.hxg3 xg3+ h3+ -, -, I.Sokolov-B.Be I.Sokolov-B.Belotti, lotti, Mosco Moscow w Olympiad 1994. 24. h1 h3+ 10...e6 10.. .e6 11.dx 11.dxe6 e6 xe6 xe6 12 12.. e2 d5 d5!? !? Following 12... 12... c6 13. f4 ( 13.O 13.O–O –O e7 14. f4 comes f4 comes to the same thing 14.O–O .O–O O–O O–O "Black "Black has finished his development and has no ) 13... e7 14 meanin mea ningfu gfull pa pawn wn we weakn akness esses es.. The po posit sition ion is ro rough ughly ly equ equal" al" in the vie view w of Aveskulo Aveskulov v. Kislik went on to analyse that 15. 15.a4 a4 d5 16. 16.ex exd5 d5 xd5!? 17. xd5 xd5 18. e2 fd8 sees Blac Black’ k’ss spac space e adva advantage ntage nulli nullify fy White White’’s bish bishop op pair pair.. 13.exd5 xd5
Following the analysis session with Erik, I realized that Black could also reFollowing ply with 13... with 13... xd5 or 14.O–O xd5!? !? 14. f4 ( or 14.O–O e7 1 15.a4 5.a4 bxa3 16. xa3 xa3 O–O and Black is not worse ) worse ) 14... b7 15.O–O e7 17.bxa3 c6 18. c3 O–O and 16. c2 O–O 17. fd1 c6 . c6 . Even though White has the c4 blockade, Black has good central control (the d4-square and more space), and easy development for his pieces. 14. f4 best st me mett by y 15...h6 15...h6 as in W.Bro .Browne-J.W wne-J.Waitzkin, aitzkin, I th thin ink k 14.O–O 14.O–O e715. c2 is be San Franci Francisco sco 1995. Ind Indeed, eed, I feel that Black can equa equalize lize even even though White has a nice outpost on c4: for example, 16 16.f .f4 4 ( or 16. f5 xf5 xf5 17 17.. xf5 d7 18. xd7+ xd7 19. fc1 O–O O–O with with equal chances; White’s outpost is balan ba lanced ced by Bla Black ck’’s pr pres essur sure e on the a-fi a-file le ) 16. 16... ..O–O O–O 17. 17.f5 f5 c8 18 18.. e4 b7 d4 with with 19. f4 f6 20. fd1 xf4 21. xb7 e2+ 22. h1 a7 23. e4 d4 active play for Black. 14... xf4 xf4 15 15.. xf4 d7?! O–O –O 17. c2 c6! c6! when when Black can Better was the simple 15... simple 15... e7 16. O–O O just sacrifice the h7-pawn for a space advantage: advantage: 18. xh7+ h8 19. e4 ( b3!! threatening ...Nb4, and if 20. if 20. e2 b4 21 21.. e4 d4+ d4+ 22 22.. e3 or 19. d3 b3 xa2 xa2 when when White is in serious trouble ) trouble ) 19... d4 20. d3 a7 a7 and and Black is already threatening ...f7-f5. 95
16.O–O f6 17. g3! This quiet move was a novelty and now I began to realize why Romanov Romano v was the Russian correspond correspondence ence champion. Unli Unlike ke in the Olafsson-Wang Olafsson-Wang Zili game mentioned below, White frees his queen to hit h7 and mobilizes his rooks swiftly. Instead, Black had no problems after 17. d2 e7 18. e4 xc4! 19. xa8 20. xf1O–O21. e4 b6 22. b3 d8 23 23.. e3 d5 24 24.. xd5 xd5 xd5 25. e1 xf1 22.b3 -ï H.O lafsson-W ang Zili scow f826. e5 e6 27 27.. e2h628. f4 and - £¡ in H.Olafss on-Wang Zili,, Mo Mosco w Olympiad 1994. Black feints a kingside attack to disrupt White’s piece coordina17... e7 18. c2 h5! h5! Black tion. e1 White White is ex After 18...h6 19.a4! bxa3 20. xa3 xa3 21.bxa3 O–O 22. e1 After 18...h6 tremely solidly placed and Black can only wait passively as White slowly advances his a-pawn. h4 QUESTION: Should White be worried about Black’s pawn rush? 20. fe1! 19. f2 h4 QUESTION: ANSWER: Definitely not. White, by ignoring Black’ Black’ss aggressiv aggressive e pawn lunge, can concentrate on central pressure, which once again pays homage to the adage that a flank attack is best countered by action in the centre. 20...h3 21. f5! A neat way to take advantage of the black king being in the centre. 21... centre. 21... xf5 22. xf5 xf5 23. d6+ f8 24. xf5 Now it’s time for Black to take drastic measures to counter White’s lead in development. 24... velopment. 24... f6 25 25.. ad1! There’s ad1! There’s no rest for the wicked. Now Black must remain on the defensive, whereas 25. e2 e2 would would have given me just enough time to complete my development and reach a level g7 27 27.. e4 d4 . position after 25. 25...g ..g6 6 26. g3 g7 25... a7 26. d6 g6 27.a3! 27.a3! A A nice finesse by White. Now he obtains a passed a pawn h5 Defending Defending c5 and also for Black to worry with. 27...bxa3 28.bxa3 hxg2 29. xg2 h5 e4 Black Black has a sombre position playing for exchanges with ...Re5. 30. e8+ g7 31. e4 and does does not even have time to eye the a3-pawn a3-pawn.. — EXERC EXERCISE: ISE: Can you find a way for Black to unravel? — ANSWER: 31... ANSWER: 31... e5! This pawn sacrifice frees Black from his defensive duties. 32. duties. 32. xd7
Better is 32. is 32. xe5 xe5 33. xc5 xc5 34. xc5 xc5 when when White has an extra pawn, pa wn, alt althou hough gh Bla Black ck has exc excelle ellent nt dr drawi awing ng cha chance ncess wit with h his act activ ive e pi piece eces. s. 32... xe4 33. xe4 xd7 34. xc5 d2+ 35. g3 g5! This move secures the draw for Black who can remove enough wood to ensure the draw thanks to his mobile pawns, active rook and the precarious position of the white king. 36. e7 Black can hold too after 36.a4 after 36.a4 g6 37. e3 a2 38. c4 e5+ 39.f4 a3! a2+ 41 41.. ff3 3 gx gxf4 f4 42 42.. xf4 xf4 xf4 43 43.. xf4 xh2 . 40. f2 a2+ 36... x xe7 e7 37 37.. xe7 g6 g6 38 38.. a7 96
Once again, 38.a4 again, 38.a4 is is no problem: 38...f5 39.a5 f4+ 40. h3 f2 41. c7 h5! 42. h7+ g6 and a draw will result. 38...f5 Thanks to Black’s more active king and rook, the draw is in the bag. 39.h4 f4+ 38...f5 Thanks 40. h3 f2 41. 41.hxg hxg5 5 h5 h5 42 42.. a5 1/2-1/2 5: The The Sa Safet fety y Da Dance nce 1.d4 f6 f6 2.c4 2.c4 c5 c5 5 4.d5 4.d5 b b5 5 ), I consider the posiIn the Blumenfeld Gambit ( 2...e6 ( 2...e6 3. f3 c tional continuation 5. g5! g5! the the toughest for Black to meet as White keeps a grip on d5 pretty comfortably. Thus the recommended 5...e6!? reply to the Modern Variation is akin to White playing the insipid e2-e3 instead of Bg5 against the Blumenfeld. 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 This 5.e3 This line is terme termed d the Mo Modern dern V Varia ariation tion.. White accep accepts ts the gambit pawn and plays to hold it without opening too many queenside files for Black. In an ideal state of affairs, he would like to play Nc3, Nf3, a2-a4, Ra3 and gradually e3e4. Hence Hence,, I term this line the ’Safety Dance Dance’’ as White slowly attempts to keep control without compromisi compromising ng his classical pawn structure (knights on c3 and f3, pawns on d5 and e4). My recommendation against this line is once again to take immediate action in the centre with 5...e6!? 5...e6!? . . A) White plays in Blumenfeld Accepted style 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.e3 e6 6.dxe6 fx fxe6 e6 7.bxa6 7.bxa6 White White trusts in his de1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cx fensive skills as this line virtually gifts Black the whole centre and an open f-file to boot. In Samartsev-Po Samartsev-Ponkrato nkratov v, White could not cope with Black’ Black’ss queenside pressu pressure re plus attack against his king. Probably White does better to develop his queenside first before castling so as not to provide Black with an early target, although the resulting positions are still satisfactory for Black. Samartsev, A. Samartsev, • Ponkr Ponkratov, atov, P. Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 0-1 A57 ( Junior Tay) 4.cxb5 5 a6 5.e3 e6 e6 This This move has not been recommended in 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb recent Benko Gambit Gambit tomes. Ho However wever,, during my early correspo correspondence ndence chess days, I could not find anything wrong with the black set-up and 10 years later, after doing the research for this project, I still think that Black is holding his own. 6.dxe6 White 6.dxe6 White decides deci des to acce accept pt Black Black’’s gambit pawn and weather the storm. This brin brings gs us into Blumenfeld Gambit territory. 6...fxe6 7.bxa6 7.bxa6 QUESTION: QUESTION: Which piece should Black use to recapture a6? ◦
97
White might do better to concentrate on development: development: 7. c3 d5 8. f3 c4 12.O– 2.O–O OO O–O –O 13. c2 b6 14. d4 9.bxa6 xa6 10. e2 c5 11. d2 e7 1 d7 15.b3 cxb3 16.axb3 ce4 17. xe4 xe4 18. xa8 xa8 and xa8 and White’s extra pawn is counterbalanced by Black’s space advantage and ability to press on the b-pawn, J.Knudsen-A.De Groot, correspon correspondence dence 1999. d5 5 8. 8.b3 b3 d6 9. b2 O O–O –O 10. bd2 bd7 11. c2 b6 12. d3 axb5 7. f3 d White’’s extra pawn, when I prefer Black Black’’s centre and free play to White H.Gruenber H.GruenberggR.Knaak, Plauen 1980. 7...d5 ANSWER: 7...d5 ANSWE R: None for now now!! — There is no rush to retriev retrieve e the a6-p a6-pawn awn as Black unfurls his strong centre (some would call it an umbrella). 8. b5+ bd7 9. e2?! A rather strange square for the knight. f3 would be more natural. 9. f3 would 10.O–O –O O–O 11. g3 g3 This This is White’s idea, to shield the d6-bishop with the 9... d6 10.O knight. 11... xa6 12. xa6 xa6 13. c3 b8! Black puts pressure on the b-file and also the h2-b8 diagonal simultaneously. simultaneously. 14.a4 b4! b4! By By threatening to shift the queen to h4 h4,, Bl Blac ack k pro provo voke kess a we weak akne ness ss fr from om Wh Whit ite e. 15 15.f4 .f4 c4! c4! It wa wass all all a fein feintt as GM Ponkratov merely wanted to weaken White White’’s structure. No Now w b3 and d3 become juicy squares for Black’s knights to plant themselves on. 16.f5 16.f5 A A desperate attempt to fight back as White tries to undermine the e6-d5-c4 pawn chain. 16... xg3 xg3 Taking Taking the opportunity to weaken White’s kingside pawns and earn a tempo for the queen to find its way 18.. b5! b5! Giving Giving up the g3-pawn in the hope that he can nearer the king. 17.hxg3 d6 18 make use of e6 to create some threats. xe6 19 19.g .g4 4 h6 20 20.. d4 also puts up a fight. 18.fxe6 xe6 Althou ough gh it look lookss logi logica call fo forr Wh Whit ite e to dr driv ive e the the qu quee een n from from g3 g3,, ther there e 18... xg3 19 19.. f3?! f3?! Alth was a better way to do so. xe4 ? ? — ANSWER: It alEXERCISE: After 19.e4! After 19.e4! what is wrong with 19... with 19... xe4 lows White to take over the position after 20. after 20. f4! h4 21.fxe6 21.fxe6 when when Black is in trouble. Instead, 19.e4 b8! b8! allows allows Black to retain the better game as 20. f4 is met b6+ 21 21.. h1 h1 e5 . by 20... by 20... b6+ 19... b8 20.fxe6 xe6 21. d4 e4 e4 White White is still cramped and there simply is no way to stop the marauding black pieces from making a beeline for the white king. 22. king. 22. f4 After 22.a5 e5 23. h3 d3 24.a6 b6 25.b3 g4 After 22.a5 g4 White White will not last long either. over. 24. xf6 gx gxf6 f6 22... e5 23. e6 e8 It’s all over. 24. 98
A possible finish could be 24... gxf6 25. xd5 f3+ f3+ 26 26.. f2 ( or 26.gxf3 g3+ xe3+ 29. xe3 xd5 xd5 ) 26 26.. .... 8xe627.g 8xe6 27.gxf3 xf3 h2+ h2+ with with 27. f1 xf3+28. e1 xe3+ a whitewash. 0-1 B) 6 Nc3 exd5 7 Nxd5 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 e6 6. c3 exd5 7. xd5 xd5 White White temporarily occupi cu pies es d5 in th this is li line ne an and d give givess it up to co comp mple lete te ki king ngsi side de cast castli ling ng.. Howe weve verr, Blac Black k ge gets ts a truckload of space in return for the gambit pawn, as in our next game.
Pecotic, K. Pecotic, • Do Doss Sa Sant ntos os,, M. Correspondence 2006 1/2-1/2 A57 ( Junior Tay) .c4 c5 3.d5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5.e3 5.e3 e6 6. c3 White c3 White keeps control of the d5-square d5-square.. 1.d4 f6 2.c4 ◦
6.. 6...ex 7. xd5 long b7 diagonal. 8. Removing Remo ving 8. the white knight tempo while placing the bishop xf6 9. with f3 e7 10. 10.bxa bxa6 6 QUESTIO QUESTION: N: After 1 10 0 on.exd5 thed5 excellent diagonal. xf6+ xf6 bxa6 how should Black recapture the pawn? Some other possib Some possibiliti ilities: es: Whit White e can also play to lose a move in order to get his bishop to a more active square via 10. c4 a axb5 xb5 11. xb5 xb5 , , but after 11...O–O 12.O–O d8 13.e4 e6 (( or or 13... 13... xe4 14. g5 xb2 15. xe7 e8 16. xd7 xe7 17. f5 c6 18. d6 f6 19. xf6 gxf6 with gxf6 with equality, J.Rizzar J.Ri zzardi-M di-M.Dos .Dos San Santos, tos, corr correspo esponde ndence nce 2006 )14. d3 xa215. xa2 xa2 17.. c4 b4 18 18.. c3 a8 19 19.. e5 e8 20 20.. h5 f8 21 21.. g5 e8 16. c2 c6 17 22. e1 xg5 xg5 23. xg5h624. h3?! d5! d5! t the he e-pawn e-pawn is toast toast,, A.P A.Pavlo avlov-A. v-A.Fo Fominy minyh, h, Perm 1998. O–O11. 11.bxa bxa6? 6? xf312.gx xf3 12.gxf3 f3 xf313. g1 h414. c2 xa6 xa6 15. e2 10. b3 O–O g4 b4 b4 and and despite having the bishop pair, White is markedly worse f6 16.as Black Black’’s pieces dominate the board, F.Portisch-R .Portisch-R.V .Vaganian, aganian, Kecskemet 1979. 11.O–O 1.O–O d5 12.a4 axb axb5 5 13. xb5 d8 d8 with with a strong centre and 10. e2 O–O 1 easy eas y pie piece ce pla play y for the paw pawn, n, M.L M.Lacr across osse-D e-D.Co .Colla llas, s, Cap Cappe pelle lle la Gr Grand ande e 199 1991. 1. White chose to return the pawn with 10.b6 in N.Zhuko N.Zhukova-V va-V.Golubenko .Golubenko,, KhantyMans Ma nsiys iysk k 201 2010, 0, and aft after er 10.. 10...O–O .O–O11. 11. e2d512.O–O xb6 13. 13.b3 b3 f614. b1 c6 15. b2 d4 16. d2 ad8 17. f3 ddxe3 xe3 18.fxe3 18.fxe3 Black Black had an excellent position, even though at this juncture a draw was agreed.
99
10... xa6! ANSWER: xa6! ANSWER: No tricks this time. — Usually in the Benko Black wants to trade the light-squared bishops. Here it is more logical to capture with the knight, though: 1) Black has sacrificed a pawn for swift development. Thus it makes less sense for him to trade off White’s White’s bishop on f1 in one move move,, allowing White to castle swiftly swiftly.. — 2) The knight on a6 will soon be integral in creating threats on the queenside and in the centre, with the aid of the queen’s rook and the queen. xa6?! 11. xa6 xa6 12. e2 f6 13.a3 13.a3 O–O 14. b1 Instead, after 10... after 10... xa6?! c6 15. xa6 xa6 16. e2 b8 17. d1 xa3 18. xd7 a6 19. d2 e8 20. d5 d4+ d4+ 21 21.. f1 e6 22 22.. e4 e7 23 23.. d2 a4 a4 24 24.f .f3 3 f6 25 25.. c3 incredibly Black even managed to outplay White in the endgame after being a pawn and later the exchange down in D.Gordievsky-V.Zvjaginsev, KhantyMansiysk 2013. 11. e2 xb2 forcing a queen trade; ( Black can play for more with After 11. d2 xb2 forcing After 11. 11...O–O 12. e2 c7 13.O–O g6 with g6 with attacking chances ) chances ) 12. b1 xf3 xd1 14 14.. xd1 c7 there are equal chances, T.Ghitescu-R.Knaak, 13. xb2 xd1 Zinnowitz 1983. Immediately tely threatening a2. Note that Black has five pieces developed com11... b4 Immedia pared to White’s White’s two. Ho However wever,, there is no direct kingside attack and Black is playing more for space and pressure rather than a king hunt, unlike in, say, the Evans or Danish Gambit. 12.a3 Gambit. 12.a3 xa2 ( of cou course rse,, B Blac lack k can sim simply ply Two qui quick ck draw drawss occ occurr urred ed aft after er 12. O–O xa2 ignore the a2-pawn and complete development with 12...O–O with 12...O–O ) 13. xa2 and - in V.Babula-J.Plachetka, Portoroz 1998, and 13... and 13... xa2 14. b3 b4 15 15.. d2 O–O 16 16.. xb4 xb4 cx cxb4 b4 17 17.. d4 c8 18 18.. f3 xf3 xf3 -, -, L.RenazeL.RenazeC.Adrian, French French League 2007. 12...O–O! There’s no need to move the knight as the a-pawn is pinned down. Less accurate are: 12... g6?! 6?! 13 13.. O–O c2 14. d3 e4 15. xe4 xe4 16. b1 e1 17 17.. d2 xf3+ + 18 18.. xf3 xf3 xf3 19 19.g .gxf xf3 3 d5 20 20.. c3 was S.Halkias S.Halkias- Cappelle laxf3 and, c3 was A.Szieberth, Grande 2002, as Tisda Tisdall ll remark remarked ed on chesspublishing.com, "White has a long technical task ahead, but there can be little doubt that this is an extra pawn for not too much." 12... e4 13.O–O c2? ( 13.. 13...O–O .O–O transposes transposes back to the game continua 16... b3 17. d5! ) ( or ( or tion ) tion ) 14. d2! xa1 15. xe4 e6 16. c3 c4 ( if 16... 16...O–O 17. f3 ab8 18. d5 ! ) 17. d5 c8 18. xe7 xe7 19. d2 b3 20. b4 and the bishop pair rules. 13.O–O e4 e4 Homing Homing in on the c2-square. 14. e1 e1 Covering Covering c2 and preparing in good time to advance in the centre with f2-f3 and e3-e4. 100
Note too the neat line 14. xd7 c2 15. b1 e1 16 16.. a1?! if a1?! if White decides to repeat, expecting ...Nc2 and ...Ne1, he’ll be in for a big shock; ( instead, gives es equ equal al cha chance ncess ) 16 16.. .... xf3+ xf3+ 17. xf3 xf3 18.g 18.gxf3 xf3 xf3! 16. xe1 xb1 giv g6+ 21 21.. g3 h5 h5!! 22 22.e .e4 4 h4 23 23.. xg6 xg6 fxg fxg6 6 24. 24.h3 h3 xh3 19. xe7 a6! 20. h4 g6+ 25.f4 25. f4 g5! g5! and and White is crushed. 14...d5 Black mobilizes his strong central pawns. 15. d3 14...d5 Black d3 White White plans to exchange off the pesky b4-knight. — EXERCISE: After 15 Nd3 it’ it’ss time to move the king’s king’s rook to a good file and there are plenty to choose from. What was CC Senior International Master Dos Santos’s preference? 16.. d3 fd8 fd8 17 17.. x xb4 b4 cxb4 cxb4 18 18.. d3 bx bxa3 a3 19 19.. xg6 xg6 hxg hxg6 6 Instead, 15.f3 g6 16 20. a2axb221. xb2 e622. xa8 xe3+ - xe3+ - was R.De Boer-R.H Boer-R.Hendriks, endriks, correspondence corresp ondence 1994. fc8! ANSWER: Black envisages the opening of the c-file and the invasion of the 15... fc8! ANSWER: rook on c2. Also interesting interesting is 15... g5!? . g5!? . Previously, though, Black had played to prepare the ...d5-d4 push, but he could not do better than a level game: 15... fd8 16. xb4 cxb4 17.f3 f5 xd3 19. xd3bxa320. a2 d4 21 21.b .bxa xa3 3 e6 22 22.. c2 c2 -, -, G.Timo G.Timoscenkoscenko18. d3 xd3 V.Arbako V .Arbakov v, Irkutsk 1983. 16. xb4 Generally it’s it’s a good policy for the side with less space to exchange pieces. Black has a good game after 16.a4!? after 16.a4!? g6 17. f4 ( or or 17. e1 d8! with the idea of ...d5-d4 ) 17 17.. .... h6 h6 18 18.. f3 d6 19 19.. xe4 xe4 dx dxe4 e4 20 20.. e2 c4 21. d2 d3 . 16...cxb4 17.a4 White 17.a4 White manages to create a passed pawn and Black now proceeds to stop its advance. 17... c5 18. b3? Finally, White gets round to an active move, but the queen is requir required ed for defensive duties on the kingside and centre centre.. e1 White White has After the correct correct 18.f3! 18.f3! c2 19. d4 xd4 20.exd4 ca5 21. e1 reached parity. 18... d6 Thr Threat eateni ening ng to ind induce uce wea weakne knesse ssess in the kin kingsi gside de pawn pawn str struct uctur ure e wit with h ...Qh6 ...Qh6 or ...Qh4. g6!! 19 19.f .f3 3 ( after after 19.g3 19.g3 c2 20. d1 Even better would have been 18... been 18... g6 c6! 21. g4 a5 22. h3 (( if if 22. 22. d1 xf2 xf2!! ) 2 22.. 2.... a6 23. g2 e2 e2 White White 20. 0. f2 h4 ) 20... h5 21.fxe4 has run out of moves ) 19... c2 20. e1 ( 2 xe2 22. d1 xe1+ 23. xe1 dxe4 dxe4 when when Black’s huge space advantage is more significant than White’s passed a-pawn. 101
19.f3 h4 20.f4 c2 c2 The The point of 15...Rfc8 is realized. White is tied down to total ded1 White White threatens 23 Bxe4 Qxe4 24 Qxd5. 22... ac8! No Now w fence. 21. f3 e7 22. d1 White’’s plan is not possible because of his weak back rank. White rank. 23. d2 e6! Black prepares to invade on the kingside after wrecking White’s structure with a trade on f3 in good time. 24. ac1 QUESTION: What is Black’s best continuation if White ignores the threat 25.gxf3 xf3 g6+ g6+ 26. h1 h527. g2 8c6! with 24.a5 ? — ANS ANSWER WER:: 24... xf3 25.g 29.. e2 d4! 30. 30.ex exd4 d4 e6 31 31.. f2 xb2 and the white pawn still 28. d3 f8 29 cannot advance due to ...Qg6+ and ...Rxa6. 24... 8c4! This 8c4! This ties White down to play on the first three ranks only. 25. xe4 xe4 A A forced move as there was nothing else to play. 25... xe4 26. xc2 xc2 27.h3 h6?! It’s too bad this move move is unneces unnecessary sary.. Us Usually ually cre creatin ating g a luft is a good ide idea, a, but time is of essence in this position and Black must make forcing moves for a winning attempt. ...Rxd2) 28. h2! ( Santos could have considered 27... considered 27... c5! (threatening ...Rxd2) 28. 28. h1 h1 only only wastes a tempo compared to 28 Kh2: 28... Kh2: 28... c4! 29. xc4 dxc4 and Black’s active pieces and advanced queenside pawns acf8 and 30. c1 f8 cord him a strong advantage ) advantage ) 28... c4! 29. xc4 dxc4 30. c1 f8 31. g3 f3 b3 33.a 33.a5 5 c3 3 34. 4. bxc bxc3 3 b2 3 35. 5. xb2 xb2 when Black has some e7 32. chances. xb2 when winning chances. 28.a5! d4 Trying to force open the dark squares around the white king. dxc4 xc4 31. c1 c3 32 32.bx .bxc3 c3 b3 Instead, after 28... after 28... c5 29. h2 c4 30. xc4 d 33. g3 b2 34. xb2 xb2 35. d8+ h7 36. d5 xe3 37. f3 a7 38. d7 c5 39. d5 f8 40. d8 d8 White White draws comfortably. comfortably. 29. h1 Not 29.exd4?? xd2 xd2 30 30.. xd2 e1+ e1+ 31 31.. h2 xf4+ xf4+ 32. 32.g3 g3 xd2+ . Coveri vering ng a7. a7. 31.a7 Black ack creat creates es his own pas passed sed pa pawn. wn. 30.a6 31.a7 xa7 xa7 32. xb4 29...d3 Bl 30.a6 c5 Co xb4?! xb4?! Bla lack ck go goes es a pawn up in th thiis en end ding, bu butt White hite will ill ho hold ld firm to draw it it.. — EXERCISE: Can you find a better way for Black to maintain the pressure on White? ANSWER: 32...f5! 32...f5! is is the last chance for Black to play for a win. He need not worry about 33. xe4 , as as ( if if 33. 33.b3 b3 h5! 34. a4 c5 35 35.. h2 h2 h4 36. h1 h7 with winning chances chances ) 33.. give vess him him a pr prot otec ecte ted d pa pass ssed ed 37. h2 b2 b2 with 33...fxe .fxe4 4 gi pawn and White’s b-pawn cannot travel very far without getting caught by the black rook. xe3 34. xd3 xf4 35. 35.g3 g3 xb2 xb2 36. c3 b1+ 37 37.. g2 b838. e3 b739. f3 33. xb4 xe3 f6 40. 40.g4 g4 f741. d4 b442. c5 f4+ 43 43.. e2 e544. a3 c4 45 45.. f2 g6 46 46.. f3h5 48.. f4 xf4 xf4 49 49.. xf4 xf4 h4 50 50.. e4 e2+ e2+ 51 51.. f3 b2 52. e4 b4+ b4+ 53 53.. e3 47. e3 c2 48 h6 54. f3 g6 55. f2 g5 56. g2 b2+ 57. g1 f5 58.gxf5 gxf5 59. a8 e2 60. f1 c2 61 61.. g1 d2 62 62.. a3 f4 63 63.. a4+ f3 64. a3+ 1/2-1/2 102
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C) 6 Nc3 exd5 7 Nge2 (or 7 Nh3)
Now we’ll see White 2.c4 c5 3. 3.d5 d5 b5 4. 4.cxb5 cxb5 a a6 6 5.e3 e6 6. c3 e exd5 xd5 7. ge2 ge2 Now 1.d4 f6 2.c4 temporarily giving up d5 only to secure it a bit later. In Grabuzova-Sterliagova, Black had to sacrifice the exchange to prevent White from consolidating her grip on d5 and she obtained superb compensation in the form of the opponent’s shattered kingside. Indeed, it was a great pity that Black was unable to cap her wonderful play with a glorious finish. Grabuzova, T. Grabuzova, • Sterliago Sterliagova, va, T. Dagomys 2008 1/2-1/2 A57 ( Junior Tay) 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 e6 6. c c3 3 exd5 exd5 7. ge2!? ge2!? White White plays to stick a knight on d5. ◦
h3 axb xb5 5 8. f4 leads to the same position. 7. h3 7...ax 7.. .axb5 b5 8. f4 Black also has no problems after 8. xb5 a6 9. ec3 b7 10. e2 c7 11.O–O xb5 12. xb5 e7 1 13.b3 3.b3 O–O 14. b2 b6 15. c3 e6 e6 -, -, V.Baiko V .Baikov-A.Po v-A.Poluljahov luljahov,, Sochi 1996. 8...b4 Black once tried to force matters with 8...d4?! , but got nowhere after 10.dxc5 c5 xc5 xc5 11. xb5 xb5 O–O O–O12. 12.O–O O–O b7 13 13.. h5! xh5 xh5 14. xh5 9.exd4 c6 10.dx when White has excellent play, play, I.Khenkin-A.K I.Khenkin-A.Koehler oehler,, Haarlem 1997. 9. cxd5 b7 10. c4 c4 White White has temporarily temporarily won the fight for d5. Ho Howeve weverr, she will find it hard to develop queenside which is cramped by the half-open a-file and Black’s queenside pawnher configuration. White can try to play for a d5-square squeeze with with 10. 10. xf6+ xf6 11. d5 , but 11... e5!? 12. c4 e4 13. c7+ d8 14. d5 xd5 15. xd5 xd5 16. xd5 c6 results in equal chances. 10... d6!? An ultraultra-shar sharp p contin continuatio uation, n, leaving a loose bisho bishop p on d6. Blac Black k is just concentrating on swift development. 11. xf6+! White manages to find a continuation that can take advantage of the loose bishop bishop.. After 11.O–O O–O 12.h3 e8 After 11.O–O e8 it’s it’s only a matter of time before White must take on f6 as there’s really nothing else to do. 103
11... xf6 xf6 12 12.. h5 g6 13 13.. xg7+ e7 14 14.. d5 xd5 xd5 15 15.. xd5 xg7 xg7 16 16.. xa8 xa8 White White has won the exchange, but at cost of woeful developmen developmentt and now it’ it’ss Black Black’’s turn to attack. will lead to the same type of posi17.. xa8 c6 18 18.. a6 xg2 xg2 will 16. e4+ e5 17 tion as the game. e5 White is definitely suffering here as 16... c6 17. a6 xg2 18. f1 f3 19. g1 e5 White Black’s pieces start swarming in. 20. in. 20. g2? g3 , , White is still suffering after 20... after 20... e4 Even with the best defence 20. defence 20. g3 21.f4 d3+ 22. d1 c4 23. f3 e6 24.e4 c5 with c5 with fantastic compensation due to the superb knight on d3. 20...c4! Activating the passed c-pawn and also keeping an iron grip on d3 for the d2 White White desperately desperately tries to complete developmen development. t. — EXERCISE: It’ It’ss knight. 21. d2 Black to play and win after 12 Bd2. After 21. g5+ e6! 22. h4 c8! there is no defence against the coming After 21. ...c4-c3. 21... d3+? What What a great pity. After such marvellous play, Black slips up at the critical d3+? juncture and White is back in the game. g8!! win inss at leas leastt a rook rook as it is no nott po poss ssib ible le to play play 22. xg8 ANSWER: 21... g8!! w because of 22... of 22... d3+ d3+ 23 23.. f1 xf2# . xb2 Banking Banking on the queenside pawns to supply some win22. f1 xg2+ 23. xg2 xb2 ning chances. 24.f3 chances. 24.f3 White White tries to defend along the second rank, utilising the position of the rook on g2. Instead, 24. g4 c3 25. e1 f5 26. h4 h5 27. e2 e6 28.a3 a8 29. xh5 Instead, 24. e5 30 30.f .f4 4 f6 31. h6 e7 32 32.. h7+ e6 33 33.. h6 is an arcane draw. a8 Trying Trying to tie White down to defending a2 as well as preparing to hit the e324... a8 b1 White White chooses to play actively and sets a trap for Black. — pawn after ...Ra3. ...Ra3. 25. b1 QUESTION: QUESTIO N: What is it? ANSWER: 25. b1 xa2?? 26. xb4 and White is winning. d3 With With the intention of pushing the c-pawn. 25... d3 c4 would would still have given Black However the immediate 25...c3 immediate 25...c3 26. c1 c4 good chances. 26. e1 e1 White has managed to set up her second rank defence, but still has to rec2 A good counterattacking ploy. 27...d5 sist against Black’s activity. 26... c5 27. c2 A 28. e2 e6 29. d1 d1 Hoping Hoping to return the exchange with Rxd3 under favourable cir30.. d2 d6 cumstances. 29... cumstances. 29... a3 30 104
The correct 30...f5 30...f5 would would have maintained Black’ Black’s grip on the position. 31.e4! After 31.e4! After this, Black’s winning chances are substantially reduced. 31...dxe4 reduced. 31...dxe4 xd5 33 33.. c1! a8 34 34.. xd3+ xd3+ cxd3 cxd3+ + 35 35.. xd3 and White If 31.. If 31...f5 .f5 32.e 32.exd5+ xd5+ xd5 has saved her skin. 32.fxe4 e5 33. f4 To draw this comfortably, the c4-pawn must be eliminated, and, hence, its must go first. first. 33... 33... h3 defender f4 To White should be able Also after 33. xe5 35 35.. b1 d6 36 36.. d3 d3 White 33...c ..c3 3 34. xe5 xe5 to draw. After further adven34. xe5 xe5 35. xc4 xh2+ 36. f3 c3 37. c6+ e7 38. a6 a6 After tures, a draw resulted: 38... d2 39. g1 c3 40. g8 h6 41. b8 h3+ 42. g4 e3 46.. d7 f1+ 47 47.. e3 g748. a6 e1+ 49 49.. f3 43. f4 e144. b7+ f845. aa7 g8 46 f1 f1+ + 50 50.. e3 1/2-1/2 6: Kn Knig ight ht ou outt on a Li Limb mb 1.d4 f6 2.c4 2.c4 c5 3 3.d5 .d5 b b5 5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5. c3 c3 White White temporarily accepts the pawn, but pl plan anss to give give it ba back ck to send send hi hiss qu quee een n’s kn knig ight ht into into no no-m -man an’’s land land for for an allall-ou outt at atta tack ck.. 5...axb5 Op Openi ening ng the a-fi a-file le.. 6.e4 Unco ncover vering ing an att attack ack on b5. b5. 6...b4 6...b4 Kic Kickin king g the kni knight, ght, a defender of e4, away. 7. b5 Sending the knight to a very dangerous square where it can supp support ort tacti tactics cs agai against nst d6 and c7. c7. 7...d6 7...d6 St Stop oppi ping ng the the ee-pa pawn wn in it itss tr trac acks ks for for no now w. Of course, Black is not going to fall for 7... xe4? when xe4? when 8. 8. e2 e2 wins wins a piece as if the knight retreats, 9 Nd6 is mate. Actually, according to my database, there are 16 victims in this line already. A) The Nescafe Frappe Attack 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5. c3 axb axb5 5 6.e4 b4 7. b5 d6 8. c4 c4 This This initiates the so-called ’Nescafe ’Nescafe Frap Frappe pe Atta Attack ck’’. On the surfa surface, ce, the bish bishop op looks like it’ it’ss just defending d5, but White intends to blast through in the centre with e4-e5 and d5-d6, clearing the bishop’ bishop’s diagonal. — Black does best to over overprotect protect the e5-square with 8... bd7 , as in Burgess-Beaumont, before he has the choice of going into utter chaos mode with Aveskulov’s 9...Nxe4!?, Skytte’s incredible 11...Nxe4 idea, or the safer and solid 11...Bg7. Burgess, Burges s, G. • Bea Beaumo umont, nt, C. Aarhus 1990 0-1 1.d4 f6 2.c4 2.c4 c5 3.d5 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5. c3 ax axb5 b5 6.e4 6.e4 ◦
105
A57 ( Junior Tay)
6. xb5 a6 a6 7. c3 c3 g6 just transpo transposes ses back to 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5 4 cxb5 a6 5 bxa6 g6 6 Nc3 Bxa6. c4 White intends to force the d5-pawn through to d6 and open 6...b4 7. b5 d6 8. c4 White th the e a2 a2-g -g8 8 diag diagon onal al fo forr his his bish bishop op.. Th This is li line ne wa wass ch chri rist sten ened ed the the ’N ’Nes esca cafe fe Frapp rappe e Atta Attack ck’’ by FM Graham Burgess, Burgess, which is kind of whacky whacky.. I mean, we have openings named afterr pl afte play ayer ers, s, cou count ntri ries es an and d a cert certai ain n rive riverr (t (the he Volga olga)) , bu butt a co coff ffee ee prod produc uct? t? 8... 8... bd7! Black restrains restrains e4-e5 so that the b5-knight cannot make use of d5-d6 tricks. White is playing for complications stemming from from 8...g 8...g6 6 9.e 9.e5!? 5!? dx dxe5 e5 10. 10.d6 d6 a5 . . Although practical results favour Black, the position is exd6 11. g5 a5 very tough to defend at club level. In some inst instance ances, s, just to ease the defence, Black simply sacrifices the exchange with ...Rxb5, having two pawns in the bag already. However, play is ultra-theoretical and unless you are a calculating monster, it’s best to stick to lines which are more positionally motivate moti vated. d. White dev develop elopss easily with move movess like Qb3 (hitt (hitting ing f7), 0-0-0 and Rd1 (ganging up on d6), whereas Black has to defend extremely carefully. If th the e ee-pa pawn wn look lookss to too o temp tempti ting ng to be tr true ue,, it prob probab ably ly is as afte afterr 8... xe4?! otherwise, 9... 9... f5 10. f3 h6 11.O–O b6 12. e1 d7 13.a4! 9. e2 f6 ( otherwise, ) ( while after 9...f5 10.f3 f6 11. h3 h6 sees Black still suffering badly, badly, after 9...f5 12. f4 g5 13. e6 xe6 14. xe6 d7 15. e2 e2 White White has impressive compensa pe nsatio tion n for his pa pawn wn ) xd6 12. b5+ d713. xb8 ) 10. 10. f4 a611. xd6+ xd6 White gets to win the exchange. f3 Tempting Black to capture on e4 while preparing e4-e5. 9... b6 b6 This This is a safe 9. f3 Tempting option, which defuses White’s aggressive intentions by removing or forcing the retreat of a strong central piece. df6 12.gxf5 xf5 Instead, Aveskulo veskulov v recommen recommended ded 9... xe4!? 10. e2f511.g4!? df612.g butt wi with th the the mo move vess look lookin ing g so irirg6! 13. h4 h4!! g5 14. 14.f3 f3 d2! 15. xd2 gxh gxh4 4 , bu rat atio iona nal, l, I wo wond nder er ho how w ma many ny of us co coul uld d we wend nd ou ourr wa way y th thrrou ough gh the the va vari riou ouss continuationss at each juncture. continuation 10. d3 d3 g6 11 11.b .b3 3 GM Simon Williams experimented with 11.a4 with 11.a4 and and got the worse of it after g7 12 12.O .O–O –O O–O O–O 13 13.. d2 d2?! ?! e6 ( eve even n str stron onger ger is 13... d7! d7! wi with th the the id idea ea 11... g7 of .. ...Q .Qb8 b8 an and d th the e un unde derm rmin inin ing g .. ...e .e77-e6 e6;; inde indeed ed,, Wh Whit ite e wi will ll be un unab able le to de deal al 15.. a2 e6 e6!! with the multiple threats: for example, 14. c2 ( or 14. b3 b8 15 ) 14... b8 15. a2 c4 16. xc4 xc4 17. xc4 c8 18. b3 b7 19.h3 a6 20. d4 xe4 21. xe4 xd4 22. xb4 d3 23. d2 cb8 24. c4 xc4 25. xc4 xa4 when xa4 when Black is on top ) top ) 14. c4 xc4 15. xc4 e5 1 16. 6. d3 e8 17. a2 f5 18. 18.exf5 exf5 g gxf5 xf5 19. 19.f4 f4 e4 e4 , , with a slight edge for Black, S.WilliamsT.Chapman, British Championship, Sheffield 2011. 106
In Inste stead, ad, the paw pawn n sac sacrifi rifice ce 11.e5 sh shou ould ld be de deal altt wi with th by 11...dxe5! y 11...dxe5! 12. xe5 bxd5 bxd5 when when White has insufficient compensation. compensation. d7 (White (White is There’s also this unfortunate miniature: 11. d2 g7 12.a4 d7 already in big trouble) 13. trouble) 13. e2 O–O 14. a2?? . — EXERC EXERCISE: ISE: It It’’s Black to pl play ay an and d wi win! n! — AN ANSW SWER ER:: Afte Afterr 14...c4! 14...c4! White White res resigne igned d in J.Egg J.Eggerer-J.V J.Votav otava, a, b3!! 16. a3 xb5 17.axb5 xa3 18.bxa3 Duisburg 1992, due to 15. to 15. b1 b3 passed s are going to cost him at least a fd7 fd7 when when Black’ Black’s queenside pawn pawns piece. 11... g7 Nicolai Pedersen pointed out the extremely innovative concept of IM Rasmus Sk Skytt ytte, e, a Be Benko nko exp expert ert,, in ’Pl ’Play ay the Ben Benko ko Ga Gamb mbit it’’, na namel mely y 11... 11... xe4!? 13.. d2 xa1 xa1 14 14.. xa1 g8 15 15.. b2 f5! 16. xf5 xf5 gx gxf5 f5 . After 12. xe4 g7 13 17.O–O d7 18.a4 bxa3 19. xa3 xd5 20. c4 f4 21. a1 xa1+ 22. xa1 c8 it c8 it’’s a right mess mess.. Ho Houdin udinii seems to like White, while I would find it tough to play either position. b2 O– O–O O 13 13.O .O–O –O 12. b2
QUESTION: Why not 13. as c2 ? c2 13... ? — ANSWER: ER:Black Th This is is hugea mist mistake ake wi with th a6! nets at aleast pawn: 14.a4 the knight out onnot a limb, ANSW ( or 14.O–O or 14.O–O xe4 15. xg7 xg7 16. xe4 xb5 ) 14. 14...bx ..bxa3 a3 1 15. 5. xa3 ( ( if xb5 16 16.. xb5 xa3 xa3 17 17.. xa3 a8! a8! with with the idea of ...Qa5+, and if 15. xa3 xb5 a5+ 19 19.. d2 xa4 xa4 20.bx 20.bxa4 a4 a8 a8 ) 15 15.. .... fxd5 fxd5 16. xa6 b4 17 17.. e2 18. a4 a5+ when Black has both the pawn and pressure. pressure. xb2 18. xb2 xa6 xa6 when 13... a6 a6 Not Not only the natural square for this bishop, but an attempt to force White to eventually even tually play with a weak b-paw b-pawn n after the for forcing cing a2-a4 bxa3. 14. e2 d7 d7 Once Once more,, putting the question to the knight and forcing White to play his next move. more Black also obtained a comfortable position after 14... h5 15. xg7 xg7 16.g3 d7 17. d2 fb8 ( 1 17.. 7...f5 .f5!? !? ) 18. 18.a4 a4 bxa bxa3 31 19. 9. xa3 xd3 20. xd3 h3 in H.Van Riemsdijk-A.Ferrara, Vicente Lopez 2000. A nice attempt to exploit the f4-square for the black knight. 15.a 15 .a4 4 bx bxa3 a3 16 16.. xa3 h5! chances h5! A There are tactical here for Black based on removing White’s dark-squared bishop. If it is removed from the board, White’s a3-rook might be left en prise in the event of a combination combination.. Also, Simon Williams could not make headway after after 16... 16... b717. fa1 xa3 18. xa3 a8 19 19.. xa8+ xa8 xa8 20 20.. e1 e1 when when Black has a typical, ideal Benko structure, although without rooks, it is difficult to exploit White’s weak b3pawn.. Sud pawn Suddenl denly y, thoug though, h, a wild forcin forcing g line arose: arose: 20... xd xd5!? 5!? 21. xg7 f4 22. h6 xd3 23. c3 e5 24. xe5 ddxe5 xe5 25 25.f3 .f3 c7 26. xe5 e8? ( missing 26... missing 26... e6 e6 with with equality equality )27. )27. xc5 an and d Bla Black ck was in tro troubl uble, e, S.W S.Will illia iamsmsC.Jenks,, Bournemouth 2012. C.Jenks 107
17. xg7?! White should keep his dark-squa dark-squared red bishop with 17. c1! fb8 18.h 18.h3 3 , thereby retaining equal chances. 17... xg7 18.g3?? Most of us wouldn’t think twice before playing this to deny Black the f4-square, but it’s notout good. EXERCISE: Can you find what is wrong with 18 g3? Hint: the knight remains on — a limb. In Inde deed, ed, Whi White te had to set settle tle for an excha exchange nge sac sacrifi rifice: ce: 18. 18. xa6 xa619. xd6 aa8 20. c4 xc4 xc4 ( if 20... 20... c7 21. xb6 xb6 22. c4 ) 21 21.. xc4 xc4 with with Grnfeld-like Grnfeld-li ke compensation based on his strong central pawns. Mate18... f4!! ANSWER! f4!! ANSWER! 19.gxf4 19.gxf4 g4+ 20. h1 xb5 21. xa8 xd3 22. xd3 xa8 xa8 Material is even even,, b but ut W White hite’’s pawn pawnss are in a b bad ad shap shape e and need pro protecti tection on fro from m his piec pieces. es. There’s also the matter of the active black rook on a8 which threatens to invade down the file. 23.f5 A 23.f5 A clever way of defending the pawn. 23... pawn. 23... d7 Of course, not 23...gxf5?? 24. g1 . 24. e3 f6 25 25.. d2 a2 a2 26 26.. g1 h5 26... h4 h4 is is also very strong, but IM Chris Beaumont is looking for an elegant solution... 27.f3 White’’s pawns look secure for the time being, but this was what Black was waiting 27.f3 White for. 27... xd2! An elegant solution, indeed. 28. xd2 xf3+ 29. g2 xe4!? Black elects to play an endgame with knight and two pawns against a rook. xb3 30 30.f .fxg xg6 6 hx hxg6 g6 31 31.. e2 b4 32 32.. e1 g4 Simpler would have been 29... xb3 e5 when when White is still having a torrid time. 33. g2 e5 30.fxg6 hxg6 31. xe4 xe4 32. e1 ff5 53 33.h4 3.h4!! If Black’s g-pawn gets to advance, the game is as good as over. 33... over. 33... f6 34 34.. g2 e3 only only delays the inevitable: 34...g 34...g5! 5! 35.h 35.hxg5+ xg5+ xg5 36. g2 g4 34. e3 37. e1 f4 38. d1 f6 39. f1+ e5 40. e1+ e4 41. f1 c3 42. e1+ f6 43. e6+ f7 44. f3 xd5 45. h6 f6 46. f4 e6 and e6 and the d-pawn will advance. c3 The d-pawn d-pawn is a gone gonerr and with it, the game. Exqu Exquisit isite e play by Chris Beau34... c3 The mont. 0-1
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B)8Bf4 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5. c3 ax axb5 b5 6. 6.e4 e4 b4 7. b5 d6 8. f4 White f4 White invites 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cx Black to capture on e4, hoping to use the resulting half-open e-file to generate tactics based base d on Nxd6 or Bxd Bxd6. 6. Of cours course, e, Bf4 also sets up e4-e e4-e5 5 instantly instantly.. The main li line ne has Black punting 8...g5 to 8...g5 to exchange exchange the e4-pa e4-pawn wn for the g5 one one.. My take is to then re regro group up the kin kingsi gside de qui quickl ckly y wit with h ... ...Ne Ne4-f 4-f6 6 and cas castle tle swi swiftl ftly y, as in Ho Hovha vhanis nisian ian-Da -Daels els.. Note that a mere slight misplacement of the light-squared bishop allowed White to achieve his aim of blasting through the centre with a piece sacrifice on d6, although it was insufficient to win. Hovhanisian, M. Hovhanisian, • Da Daels els,, M. Belgian Belgi an Cham Champions pionship, hip, Eupen 2008 1/2-1/2 A57 ( Junior Tay) 2.c4 c5 3.d 3.d5 b5 4.cx 4.cxb5 b5 a6 5. c3 axb5 6. 6.e4 e4 b4 7. b5d68. f4 The mo most st di dire rect ct 1.d4 f6 2.c4 of Whi White te’’s op optio tions ns,, thr threat eateni ening ng to bla blast st thr throug ough h the cen centr tre e wit with h e4e4-e5 e5 an and d d5d5-d6. d6. 8...g5 8...g5 It may seem foolhardy to exchange Black’s g-pawn for White’s e-pawn. However, there are a few factors that indicate the soundness of this approach: 1) White’ White’ss e4-e5 and d5-d6 central breakthrough is averted and, hence, unless White has a tactical solution to hit the black paw pawn n structur structure, e, the wayw wayward ard kni knight ght on b5 is simply misp misplaced laced.. — 2) ...Nxe4 comes with a tempo by hitting g5 and thus there’s not much loss of time in invo volv lved ed fo forr Bl Blac ack. k. — 3) The The we weak aken ened ed ki king ngsi side de is no nott ea easy sy for for Wh Whit ite e to ta targ rget et be beca caus use e Black can generate pressure against d5 (which lacks pawn support) very quickly quickly.. ◦
f6?? (( the the position is ac A typical blitz win would be be 8... 8... xe4 9. e2 f6?? tually playable after 9...g5 10. e5 d dxe5 xe5 11. xe4 g7 12.d6 a5 13. d1 e6 with mutual chances, A.DreevO–O 14. f3 d7 15. xg5 f6 16. h4 e6 with E.Bareev, Tilburg 1994 ) 10. xd6+ d7 11 11.. b5+ c7 12 12.. e8# . 9. xg5 Another popular line is 9. is 9. e3!? when Black should develop sensibly with g7 and and then: ( then: ( 10. d3?! at d3?! at this point gets White into massive trouble 9... g7 after 10... after 10... b6! 11. 11.a4 a4 ( 11. xg5? a5 a5 wins wins material ) material ) 11...bxa3 12. xa3 xa3 13.bxa3 g4! 14. d2 (( not not 14. 14. xg5? xg5??? c4! ) 14.. 14.... xe3 15. xe3 d7 16. e2 a5+ 17. f1 O– O–O O 18.g 18.g3 3 c4 19 19.. xc4 c8 c8 when when White is busted as he cannot prevent the loss of material after 20. after 20. g2 c5 c5 . . ) ( 10 10.e .e5 5 g4! after 11.e6? 11.e6? xe3 12.fxe3 a5! 13.ex 13.exf7+ f7+ d8 d8 White White has to de11. xg5 ( after fend against multiple threats on b5 and b2 and watch out for ...b4-b3+, 12.a4 .a4 bx bxa3 a3 13. xa3 J.Jolly-N.Tripoteau, French League 2009 ) 11... xe5 12 xa3 14.bxa3 O–O O–O with with a comfortable game for Black. ) ( 10.f3 h6 11.a4 bxa3 12. xa3 xa3 13. xa3 bd7 14. e2 h5 15. d2 a6 16. c1 xf1
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17. xf1 b8 18. d3 e5 19. xe5 xe5 20.g4 f4 when f4 when Black has good contro con troll of the da dark rk squ squar ares es and po posse ssesse ssess the saf safer er kin king, g, A.P A.Pota otapo pov-J v-J.De .Degra graeve eve,, Cappelle la Grande 2002. ) 2002. ) f6! Putting Putting pressure on d5 and returning the knight to the defence 9... xe4 10. f4 f6! of the kingside. It is a good policy to keep Black’ Black’ss position as compact as possible to guard against tactical threats threats.. 11.. e2 f6 12 12.. xd6+ f8 13 13.. xc8 xc8 Black Black mus mustt Indeed, after 10... g7 11 Indeed, deal with the massive complications that arise after 14 14.d .d6 6 ( or 14. f3 . ) 11. c4 Defending d5 and a2, although the bishop seems better placed on d3 as White is playing more for swift development than to hold his pawns: pawns: 11. 11. d3 g7 12. f3 b7! b7! (Black (Black does not even allow Nxd6 or Bxd6 tricks) 13. c4 O–O 14. 14.O–O O–O bd7 bd7 15 15.. e2 b6 16 16.. ad1 xd5 and Black nabs the d-pawn when White does not have sufficient counterplay counterplay,, I.Molna I.Molnar-A.F r-A.Forgacs, orgacs, Hunxc4 17 17.. xc4 d7 , hitting b5 and d5, garian League 2003, ( and here 16... xc4 is even easier. ) can n be me mett by y 11... 11... a6! a6! when when In Inste stead, ad, Gle Glenn nn Fle Flear ar po point inted ed out tha thatt 11. e2 ca "the d-pawn is hanging", as in R.Dive-A.K R.Dive-A.Ker er,, New Zealand 1991. Since the text move also leaves the white d-pawn in trouble long-term, White might attempt to find other ways of playing the position. The sharpest c1 with the dardstardly threat of Rxc5 and Nc7+, although this is try is 11. c1 with 12. xc5? xc5??? dxc5 13. c7+ f8 14. xa8 a5! refuted by 11... 11... g7! , and if 12. 15. c7 b3 b3+ + 16 16.. e2 bx bxa2 a2 17 17.. a1 a4 18 18.. h3 c2+ c2+ 19 19.. d2 b1 and Bla Black ck wins. f3 Since d5 is more or less compromised, White just has to develop 11... g7 12. f3 pronto while Black tries to surround d5. 14.bxa3 a3 Creati Crea ting ng a pa pass ssed ed pa pawn wn is to too o slo slow as afte afterr 12 12.a .a3 3 bxa bxa3 3 13. xa3 xa3 14.bx O–O15. O–O 15. e2 bd7 bd7 16.O– 16.O–O O b6 17 17.. d3 b718. bc3 a8 a8 White White must choose between losing d5 or a3, M.Michna-W.Ehrenfeucht, Krakow 1998, 14.b3 is is refuted by Aveskulov’s excellent while 12. e2 bd7 13. g3 b6 14.b3 while 12. 14...h5 , after which White doesn doesn’’t even have a kingside target to aim at. square e for the queen with the idea of attackin attacking g the black 12...O–O 13. d2! The best squar ki king ng wi with th Bh6 an and/ d/or or an h-pa h-pawn wn rush rush,, wh whil ile e if Black lack play playss ...B ...Ba6 a6 or ...B ...Bb7 b7,, th then en Nh Nh44-f5 f5 comess into cons come consider ideratio ation. n. 13... h8! h8! Nicel Nicely y don done e wit with h an eye to mee meett Whi White te’’s sta standa ndard rd Bf4-h6 (to remo remove ve a key black defender) with aggressive defence.
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Moreover, Black probably didn’t like White getting frisky on the kingside bd7 14 14.. h6 xh6 xh6 15 15.. xh6 h8 16 16.. g5 e5 17 17.b .b3 3 f5 18. 18.O–O O–O after 13... bd7 d7 19. fe1 . 14.O–O
Black intends meet meet 14. h6 with with 14... g8 g8 , , after the rook joins in the defence ofto the king 14. and h6 starts to 14... put pressure onwhich the white kingside. ae1 Going Going all in. White realizes that there is no point leaving the rook 14... bd7 15. ae1 on a1 to play a2-a4, so he decides to go the whole hog in the centre and, in good time, on the kingside. 15... b6 16.b3 EXERCISE: 16.b3 EXERCISE: A choice of bishop placement: to b7 or k recko reckons ns tha thatt the there re is suf suffici ficien entt tim time e to fo forc rce e Whi White te to sa sacri crifice fice yet d7? 16... d7? d7?! Black 16... d7?! Blac another pawn with a2-a4 in order to meet the threat of ...Ra5. However, White has set up an insidious tactic to confuse the issue. ANSWER: Black’ Black’s pieces are very well placed to counterattack in the centre or 17.a4 and after 16... after 16... b7! White’s centre simply crumbles: 17. h4 ( or 17.a4 d7 with with the strong ideas of ...Qg4 and ...Qf5 ) bxa3 18. c3 a2 19. a1 d7 17... bxd5 bxd5 18 18.. f5 d7 and White has nothing to show for his pawn. should ld be app applaude lauded d for putti putting ng the b5-k b5-knight night to good use. Thus it 17. xd6! White shou turns out that the king kingside side gestu gestures res wer were e merely a fein feint. t. No Now w Black must deal with the psychological impact of a sudden shift in the balance of the initiative and White threatens to win all Black’s queenside pawns. 17...exd6 18. xd6 e8 19. xc5 xc5 QUES QUESTION: In the face of losing yet another pawn to 20 Bxb4 or 20 Qxb4, what would a e4?! This This wa wass exac exactly tly the the rea eact ctio ion n Wh Whit ite e wa want nted ed to good goo d rejo rejoind inder er fo forr Black Black be? 19... e4?! provoke pro voke as now the key kingside defender gets lopped off at once. ANSWER: 19... xc4! 20. xe8+ ( if ANSWER: 19... if 20.bxc4 20.bxc4 e4 ) 20.. 20.... xe8 21.bxc4 e4 xc4 when when Black Black’’s activity and extra piece look stronger 22. xb4 a423. b6 xc4 than White’s ability to use his three pawn advantage. 20. xe4! xe4 21. g5! The point of the exchange sacrifice. sacrifice. Black is back-p back-peddling eddling now as White’s pieces will just keep swarming in. 21... xc4 22.bxc4 xa2 A off the attack. xa2 A very practical choice as Black decides to return material to ward Houdini actually demonstrates that Black could counterattack here with 22... c3! 23. xf7+ g8 24 24.. d3 h4 h4 25 25.. h6+ h8 26 26.g .g3 3 d4 27 27.. e3 f6 xd5 when when he is on top. Of course, for mere mortals 28. f7+ g7 29. e5 xd5 like ourselves, it’s it’s a tall order to work out all those in-between moves moves.. 23. xf7+ g8 24 24.. xa2 xf7 xf7 25 25.. xb4 c8 c8 With With four pawns for the piece, White seems to have more than ample compensation. compensation. 26. 26. c1 QUESTION: Can you suggest a good plan pla n for Bla Black? ck? — ANS ANSWER WER:: 26... b5! b5! All All of a su sudd dden en,, Blac Black k wr wres estl tles es ba back ck the the init initia iati tive ve with this criss-cross pin. 27. pin. 27. b1? 111
27.d6 is parried by yet another criss-cross pin: 27... e6 27.d6 is e6 and and the c4-pawn won’’t run away won away.. xc4 c4 28 28.. xc4 EXERCISE: How How should Black capture on c4? 28... xc4?! 27... x ANSWER: Stronge Strongest st is 28... xc4! 29. f5+ g8 30 30.. e6+ h8 31 31.. e1 xd5
c3 when c3 when exposed black king gives White 32. there but is nothe harm in making him sweat for it. good drawing chances, xh7 By By removing the last black pawn, White has done enough to draw the posi29. xh7 tion. 29... tion. 29... xd5 xd5 30 30.. h5+ f6 31 31.. d2 c2 32 32.. g5+ e6 33. 33.h4 h4 c6 34 34.. g4+ f7 35. 35.h5 h5 e5 36. f4 e4 37. g6+ xg6 38.hxg6+ f6 39. xe5+ xe5 40.g7 d5 41.g 41.g8= 8= Herei He rein n lies the pro problem blem with the Zaitse Zaitsev v variati variation. on. White must at all cost, as Ho Hovvhanisian did, try to generate an attack based on his knight on b5 before Black consolidates and swallows swallows up d5. Hence this line favours out-an out-and-out d-out attackers who think nothing of throwing even the kitchen sink for the initiative. 1/2-1/2 C) 8 Nf3 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5. c3 ax axb5 b5 6. 6.e4 e4 b4 7. b5 d6 8. f3 White f3 White makes an immediate attempt to push through e4-e5 and will later use his bishops to join in th the e fr fray ay wi with th Bc Bc4 4 an and d Bf4. Bf4. In Mi Minz nzer er-S -Szm zmet etan an,, Blac Black k ha had d the the op opti tion on be betw twee een n gr grab abbi bing ng the e4-pawn and Nisipeanu’s safer 10...0-0, aiming to overprotect the e5-square with ...Nbd7. Once again, White must attack very precisely before his d5-pawn drops off.
Minzer,, C. Minzer • Szm Szmeta etan, n, J. Buenoss Air Bueno Aires es 1994 0-1 A57 ( Junior Tay) f3 White chooses 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5. c3 axb5 6.e4 b4 7. b5d68. f3 White ◦
to develop his kingside pieces first. 8. first. 8...g ..g6 6 9. c4 Black ck had no pr prob oblem lemss pla playin ying g sen sensib sible le dev develo elopin ping g mo moves ves with with After 9. f4 Bla 9... h5! h5!?? 10. g5 h6 11. e3 g7 12. c4 O O–O –O 1 13.O–O 3.O–O d7 14. e2 hf6 g4 16 16.. d2 b6 in G.Andre-S.Kasparov, Werther 2002. 15. c2 g4 Instead, 9.e5 usually Instead, 9.e5 usually transposes to the next note, but Black must be very careful with the following sacrificial line: 9...dxe5 9...dxe5 10.d 10.d6?! 6?! exd6 11. g5 e7 12. xf6 xf6 13. xd6+ e7! 14. d5 xd6 15. xa8 xa8 was was M.GeruselO.Borik, Bad Pyrmont 1976, when Black should rely on his strong centre. 16.. e2 c6 17. 17.O–O O–O e618. b7+ f819. fd1 d420. xd4 After 15... d8 16 exd4 exd4 21. 21.b3 b3 d5 Black has a huge initiative for the exchange and pawn. 112
9... g7 10. 10.O–O O–O White can play for a quick central thrust, but as long as Black does not fall 11.d6 is is simply for any cheapos, he should be fine: 10.e5 dxe5 11. xe5 ( 11.d6 met by 11. by 11... .. O– O–O O ) 11. 11...O ..O–O –O 12. 12.O–O O–O a6! a6! (this (this standar standard d Benko move leads to the eventual win of a pawn by deflecting the c4-bishop away from d5; White does obtain compensation for it though, but not more) 13. e1 ( 13.a4 leads 13.a4 leads to the same sort of position after 13... after 13... xb5 14. xb5 xd5 ) 13... xb5 14. xb5 xd5 15. c2? c2?!! b3! 16 16.. e2 xa2 xa2 and and Black slowly but surely converted the win, B.Gulko-E.Vasiukov, Yerevan 1976. xe4 A A risky policy. policy. Black plays to trade e4 for e7, rationalizing that the exchange 10... xe4 favours him, because in order to win e7, White loses a defender of d5 (the queen). Black can play more positionally with 10...O–O 11. e1 bd7 12.a4 bxa3 xa3 , , although after 14. after 14. xa3?! , Nisipeanu turned on the tacti13. xa3 xa3 cal tap with ( if if 14.bxa3 14.bxa3 b6 15 15.. f1 a6 a6 ) 14 14.... g4 15 15.. f1 de5 de5 16 16.. d2?! xf2! xf2! and and blew blew Ba Bacr crot ot aw away ay:: 17. xf2 g4+ g4+ 18 18.. e2 e6 19. b3 ex exd5 d5 20 20.h .h3? 3? dxe4!! 21. xe4? e822. d2 a5+ a5+ 23. c2 xe1 0-1, E.Bacrot-L.N E.Bacrot-L.Nisipeanu, isipeanu, Balatonbereny 1996. 11. e1 f6 12. e2 b7 b7 The The position is already critical for White as there’s only one f4? Daring Daring Black to castle and lose e7, and possibly d6. good way to proceed. proceed. 13. 13. f4? However, White must play the exchange sacrifice starting with 13. with 13. xe7+ xe7 14. xd6+ d8 15 15.. xe7 xe7 xe7 16 16.. xb7 xb7 with with good compensation compensation due to his hyp hyper eract active ive pi piece ecess and str stron ong g dd-paw pawn: n: for exa exampl mple, e, 16... fd717. b1 h6 6 21 21.. xc5 c3 ( or or 17. g5+ f8 18. e1 xb2 19. h6+ g7 20. e3 h 22. xd7+ xd7 23. d1 g7 g7 when White’s strong d-pawn might be just enough to hold the balance ) balance ) 17... a7 18. g5+ f6 19. e1+ f8 20. xf6 xf6 21. xc5 c7 22. 22. e4 xe4 xe4 23. xe4 g7 24. 24.g3 g3 hc8 hc8 with with equal chances. 13...O–O! W 13...O–O! Welcoming elcoming the trades that are to come. 14. xe7?
ad1 e8 e8 White White has compensation for the pawn. His After After 14. 14. pieces look active, but that’ that’s s allinsufficient to it. 14... xe7 15. xe7 xe7 QU QUESTIO ESTION: N: Can the d5-pawn be taken or is there a Nc7 fork fork?? — d5 The The sting sting in the tai tail. l. White ANSWER: 15... ANSWER: 15... xd5! Boom! 16. c7 xc4 17. xa8 d5 cannot keep the exchange and has to return all the material garnered. 18. xd6 xe7 20.. xc5 19. xe7 e8 20 Two years later, White was also unsuccessful with 20. b6 xb2 21. b1 xe7 22. xc4 c3 and c3 and Black was winning in V.Yezersky-E.Kalegin, St Petersburg 1996. 20... d7 21. b6 113
EXERCISE: After After 21. c7 c8 22. d6 xb2 23. d1 d1 can can you find the win c3 and the b-pawn cannot be for Black? — ANSWER: 23... ANSWER: 23... xa2! 24. d2 c3 and stopped. 21... xb6 xb6 22 22.. xb6 xb2 xb2 23 23.. d1 a8 a8 24 24.. c5 c3 25 25.h .h3 3 xa2 0-1 7: Ignor Ignoranc ance e is Bliss Bliss Here we’ll see White decline the gambit pawn and develop 1.d4 f6 2 2.c4 .c4 c5 3.d5 b5 b5 Here sensibly with 4. f3 , 4. c2 , 4. d2 , thes ese e line lines, s, th the e Be Benk nko o Ga Gamb mbit itee eerr freq freque uent ntly ly do does es no nott ob obta tain in and 4. g5 . In th the open queenside files he enjoys in the main variations with automatic piece placements. placements. Thus the ignorance of Black’ Black’ss pawn offer might appeal to white players who are not interested in a theoretical tussle and would rather test their ability to just simply play the positions that unfold. On the surface, it looks like White is just ignoring the gambit pawn and passi pa ssing ng up on the ad advan vantag tage. e. Ho Howe wever ver,, Black Black mus mustt be car carefu efull bec becaus ause e no nonnchalant play will allow White to obtain a strong foothold in the centre: for example, 4. f3 bxc4 5. c3 d6 6. example, 6.e4 e4 g6 ( 6. 6... .. bd7 7. xc4 g6 8. 8.O–O O–O g7 O–O O 10. 10.h3 h3 gives gives White a nice space advantage ) advantage ) 7.e5 dxe5 8. xe5 9. e1 O– g7 9. xc4 and White’s central play has already begun. My pr prop opose osed d reper repertoi toire re is to mee meett 4. f3 f3 with with a queenside fianchetto: fianchetto: 4... 4... b7 intending to strike back with ...e7-e6 if possible. ( Note that the immediate 4...e6 transposes to the Blumenfeld Gambit which I do not advocate as g5! gives gives White too an easy game in my opinion. ) opinion. ) 5. g5! A) 4 Nf3 Bb7 5 a4 1.d4 f62.c4c53.d5b54. f3 b7 5.a4 5.a4 White White’’s fifth move is aimed at forcing Black to clarify the situation in the centre. Black typically gives up the central tension to take (displ splaci acing ng Whi White te’’s que queen en’’s bi bisho shop p to d2, ins instea tead d of the queens que enside ide spa space ce aft after er 5... a5+ (di Here Black Black can cho choose ose to pla play y Ave vesku skulo lov’ v’ss re recom commen mende ded d betterr b2-s bette b2-squar quare) e) 6. d2b4 . Here ...0-0 with ...Nh5 ideas, which I have put in the notes to Tunik-Terentjev, or the newfangled ...h7-h6, ...g7-g5 and ...0-0-0 idea which has been essayed by young Russian mast ma ster erss in th the e pa past st de deca cade de.. IIn n my op opin inio ion, n, th this is ma make kess go good od logi logic c as Blac Black k ha hass an anne nexe xed d queenside space and, with that sector more or less locked up, he can play for a direct ki king ngsi side de at atta tack ck wi witho thout ut hi hiss ki king ng be bein ing g th ther ere e (u (unl nlik ike e in the the ...0 ...0-0 -0 line liness wh wher ere e bo both th ki king ngss are often in peril after Black gets in ...f7-f5).
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Tunik, G. • Terentjev, V. Kazan 2012
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0-1
A57 ( Junior Tay)
c4 c c5 5 3. 3.d5 d5 b5 4. f3 b7 Black immediately challenges the White centre 1.d4 f6 2. 2.c4 b7 Black and intends, if allowed, to undermine it with ...e7-e6. QUESTION: Since you recommended 5...e6 against 5 e3 and 5 f3, why not 4...e6 here? ANSWER: 4...e6 transposes ANSWER: 4...e6 transposes to the Blumenfeld Gambit, and I consider 5. g5! g5! a st stro rong ng ripo ripost ste e. For exam exampl ple, e, th the e ga game me can can go 5.. 5...ex .exd5 d5 6.c 6.cxd xd5 5 d6 7.e 7.e4 4 e7 9. f4 O– O–O O 10 10.a .a4 4 , as Ivanc Ivanchuk huk played against Nisipeanu in a6 8. bd2 e7 Khanty-Mansiysk Khanty-M ansiysk back in 2007. 5.a4 For Forcing cing Black to decide immediately what he intends to do with the centre centre.. 6.dxe6 transposing transposing to White can also defend c4 with a knight: 5. bd2 e6 6.dxe6 a type of Blumenfeld Gambi Gambit; t; ( 6. 6.e4 e4 ex exd5 d5 7.cx 7.cxd5 d5 c4 c4!! 8. e2 c5 9.O– 9.O–O O O– O–O O Black resembles our line against the Dlugy variation, but without sacrificing any pawns and here his position has great potential ) 6...fxe6 7.cxb5 e7 8.g3 O–O 9. g2 a5 10.a4 a6 11.bxa6 xa6 12.b3 c6 13.O–O a5 14. a3 ab815. c1 fc8 fc8 16 16.. e1 e1 was was B.A B.Avrukh-B.Z vrukh-B.Zueger ueger,, Elista Olympiad xg2 19. xg2 1998, when Avrukh rec recomme ommended nded 16... 16... d517. c3 b718. h4 xg2 d5 20 20.. e3 e3 with with unclear play. play. 5. fd2e66.e4bxc47.dxe6(7. c3 exd5 exd5 8.e 8.exd xd5 5 xd59. xd5 xd5 xd5 10. xc4 e6! doesn’’t give White suffi sufficien cientt comp compensa ensation tion ) 7...dx e6! doesn 7...dxe6 e6 8. c3 e79. xc4 c6 , as in R.Fyllingen-K.Lie, Oslo 2006, should be more than O–O 10. 10.O–O O–O c6 , okay for Black, given his grip on d4. Indeed, Black has won the lion’s share of games from this position in my databases. a5+ This This move is aimed at: 1) Encouraging White to win a tempo by responding 5... a5+ with 6 Bd2. Given the nature of the pawn structure structure,, White’ White’ss dark-squared bishop ideally would be placed on b2. — 2) Discouraging White from castling queenside for the time being with the black queen lurking in the vicinity vicinity.. QUESTION: Why not chip away at White’s centre with 5...bxc4 5...bxc4 ? — AN ANc3 3 e6 7.e4 7.e4 SWER: Theory considers White to have the better game after 6. c exd5 ( after ( after 7... 7... xe4 8. xe4 exd5 9. c3 d4 10. xc4 dxc3 11. xf7+ xf7 Black k is in trou trouble ble,, F.Ho .Hoelzlelzl-G.S G.Stein teiner er,, Aus Austrian trian Leagu League e 12. b3+c413. xb7 Blac 1994 ) 1994 ) 8.exd5 . 8.exd5 . Follo Following wing eith either er 8... 8... d6 ( or or 8...d6 8...d6 , , White retains a space advantage. ) advantage. )
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6. d2 e6 White’s White’s centre is crum After 6. bd2 bxc4 7.e4 xe4 8. xc4 f6 9.O–O e6 After 6. bling, A.Indjic-D.Milanovic, Vrnjacka Banja 2012, d6 , , and if 10. 10. c3 as it is after 6. after 6. fd2 bxc4 7.e4 xe4 8. xc4 e6 9.O–O d6 e7 11 11.. e2 O– O–O O with an easy game for Black. Helping g to support e2-e4. e2-e4. 7. 7... ..g6 g6 8. 8.e4 e4 d6 9. d3 6...b4 6.. .b4 7. c2 Helpin The same sort of attacking ploy was played three months later when Black got himself a fine knight outpost after after 9. e2 g7 10. 10.O–O O–O bd7 bd7 11. 11.h3 h3 c7 12. f4 h6 13. bd2 g5 14. h2 O–O–O 15. e1 e5 16. d3 xd3 17. xd3 d7 18. ab1 e5 19. c2 b8 20.f4 gxf4 21. xf4 f6 , f6 , with a great game in D.Temirkanov-I.Popov, Tyumen 2012. 10.O–O O–O bd7 11. 11.h3 h3 Ma Makin king g a squ squar are e for the da dark rk-sq -squar uared ed bi bisho shop p in cas case e Bla Black ck 9... g7 10. goes ...Nh5. If 11. If 11. f4 Kir Kiril il Geo Georgi rgiev ev con consid siders ers tha thatt Bla Black ck has equ equal al cha chance ncess aft after er 11...O–O 13.. g5 ae814. ae1e515.g3 c8 , as in K.Georgiev-P.Tregubo .Tregubov v, 12. bd2 h5 13 Ohrid 2001. 11...h6!? This is a recent ide idea. a. Blac Black k does not inten intend d to castl castle e on the king kingside side and pr pref efer erss to ma make ke us use e of Wh Whit ite e’s h2 h2-h -h3 3 leve leverr to play play for for a ki king ngsi side de at atta tack ck.. It ma make kess perf perfec ectt sens se nse e fo forr Bl Blac ack k to cast castle le long long sinc since e hi hiss ki king ng wi will ll be very very safe safe ther there. e. Unlik nlike e in the the 11 11.. ...0 .0-0 -0 lines, Black does not intend to play ...e7-e5, but hopes to use that square for a knight or bishop at some point. Some examples after after 11...O–O 11...O–O : ( 12. f4 h5 13. h2 e5 e5!! 14 14.. bd2 ( ( or ismetby (( while after 15. xd6 ismetby ismetby 15... 15... xf3! 14.dxe6?! fxe6 when fxe6 when 15. g5 ismetby White has no good way of stopping 16. gxf3 e5 17 17.. xe5 xe5 xe5 18 18.. e2 f4 f4 White h6 16 16.. xe6 ffe e8 ) Black from invading the kingside with his queen ) 15 15.. .... h6 14... f4 gives Black an excellent Czech Benoni or King’ King’ss Indian with White ae8 13 13.. bd2 bd2 e5 14 14.. h2 c8 unable una ble to pla play y on the que queen ensid side. e. ) ( 12 12.. g5 ae8 15. ae1 ae1 h6 16 16.. e3 h5 17 17.. e2 f4 f4 with with a fine position for Black V.Milov V.Milov- h5 gives gives Black B.Zueger, Swiss League 2002. ) ( Aveskulov’s idea 12. idea 12. e3 h5 equal chances after 13. bd2 bd2 e5 14 14.. fe1 ae8 ae8 15 15.. f1 c8 . ) Disc scou oura ragi ging ng Blac Black k fr from om .. ...g .g66-g5 g5 as it wo woul uld d pro provi vide de Wh Whit ite e wi with th an ou outp tpos ostt on 12. h4 Di f5. This also prepares f2-f4 later later.. In the gam game e S.V S.Volk olkov ov-V -V.T .Ter eren entje tjev v, Izh Izhevs evsk k 201 2011, 1, Whi White te pla played yed for a qui quick ck e4e5 wi with th 12. e1 O– O–O– O–O O 13 13.e .e5 5 dx dxe5 e5 14 14.. xe5 xe5 xe5 15 15.. xe5 c7 16 16.. e1 and here Black would have obtained a strong game after 16...e6! after 16...e6! 17.dxe6 d6! 18. f1 fxe6 fxe6 . . Despite the weak e- and g-pawns, Black’s game is preferable with the two superb bishops on g7 and b7 raking the whole board. 116
12...O–O–O 13. e3 e3 Making Making way for the queen’s knight to develop. 13... dg8 dg8 Getting Getting f8 Black’s dark-squared bishop ready to lash out with ...g6-g5. 14. d2 g5 15. f5 f8 Black’s defends e7 for now and later will hold d6 when he boots away the knight with ...e7-e6. b3 Connecting Connecting the rooks. 16... c7 17.a 17.a5 5a a6 6 Stopping the a5-pawn in its tracks. 16. b3 Moreover, the pawn might prove a liability later in the game when White might be und2 Making Making way for the knight as White anticipates able to defend it with a piece. 18. piece. 18. d2 e5 A A nice outpost for the knight. knight. Whit White, e, of course, will not ...e7-e6. 18...e6 19. e3 e5 want to play f2-f4 as it would now open the g-file for Black. 20. e2 h5 h5 Black’s Black’s kingside assault is in full swing. 21.f3 Overpro Overprotecting tecting the g4-square g4-square.. 21... h6 Placing the bishop on a strong diagonal in anticipation of ...g5-g4. QUESTION: Why not immediately play 21...g4 as 21...g4 as a pawn sacrifice? — ANSWER: Yes, it looks dangerous indeed. White can to try to win the g-pawn with 22.f4 , 22.f4 , but after ( after ( 22.fxg4 d8 d8 gives gives Black a strong attack attack ) 22... g6 ( if 22... 22... ed7 23. 23.h4 h4 ) 23. 23.f5 f5 exf5 2 24. 4. xf5 e7 25. af1 xe4 26. xf7 e8 Black’s attack looks very menacing. I guess Terentjev’s attack was proceeding so well that he didn didn’’t even want to risk a pawn sacrifice to open lines. f2 Possibly preparing a second rank defence. 22... e7 e7 Preparing Preparing ...g5-g4 as the 22. f2 Possibly
af1 It It turns outexample that the of point of White’s f6-knight need this guarding fxg4. 23. af1 last was towill prepare moveafter to deter ...g5-g4. This is a nice indirect overprotection of a square (g4). 23... (g4). 23... g6 Setting up the threat of ...g5-g4 once again by defending f6. — EXERCISE: Instead of Black’ Black’ss move, can you find a way to force through ...g5-g4 as quickly as possible? ANSWER: Since White is indir indirectly ectly attacking the knight on f6, why not move it away first? There is no need to bother about having enough pieces to aid ...g5-g4 since the h6-bishop can remove the e3-knight (a defender of the g4-square): 23... fd7! fd7! 24 24.. d1 g g4 4 25. 25.fxg4 fxg4 xe3 26. xe3 hxg4 and hxg4 and Black breaks through. 24.g4!? A good defensive idea to pr 24.g4!? A prevent event ...g5-g4 once and for all. Ho However wever,, it is not good enough as Black can change plans and head for the h-file instead. 24... g7 Paving the way for the doubling of rooks on the h-file. 25. h2 gh6 26.f4 26.f4 White White is not going down without a fight and plays to complicate by not allowing Black to open the h-file. QUESTION: What if White defends h2 resolutely after 26. after 26. ff2 g6 27. f1 , att attack acking ing g5 in the proc process ess?? Ho How w does Bla Black ck cont contin inue ue the assa assault ult?? — ANSWER: Black can nonchalantly sacrifice the exchange with with 27... 27... hxg4!! 28. xg5gx xg5 gxf3 f3 29 29.. xh6 xh6 xh6 30. xf3 f431. h1 d732. bd2 de533. g4 g5 34 34.. b3 h6 h6 35 35.. d1 f5 f5!! , with an irresistible attack. 26...gxf 26.. .gxf4 4 27.g 27.g5 5 g6
117
Also strong is 27...fxe3 is 27...fxe3 28.gxh6 xh6 29. e1 e1 when when despite being the exchange up, White’s clustered pieces are no match for Black’s hyperactive ones. 28. g2 xg5 xg5 29 29.. xf4 g6 g6 30 30.. xc5? Desperation xc5? Desperation as Black remains in control. White could hold out longer after 30. h1 fd7 fd7 31 31.. d1 . 30...dxc5 30...dxc 5 31. xe5 xe5 ex exd5 d5 32 32.. xf6 xf6 33.ex 33.exd5 d5 e5 The re rest st do does es not re requi quire re com commen men-xh2 35 35.. xh2 e5+ e5+ 36 36.. h1 hg8 hg8 37 37.. h4 g3 0-1 tary. 34. h1 xh2 B) Ge Geor orgi giev ev’’s 5 Qc Qc2 2 2.c4 c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4. f3 b7 5. c2 The c2 The Bulgarian Grandmaster Kiril Georgiev 1.d4 f6 2. advocates 5 Qc2 in his ’Squeezing the Gambits’, introducing a dangerous pawn sacrifice on d5 after 5...bxc4 after 5...bxc4 6.e4 . 6.e4 . My reco recommendation mmendation is to accep acceptt the pawn, complete development swiftly, castle safely and return the pawn quickly, as in Wagner-Milliet.
Wagner W agner,, C.
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Milli Mi lliet, et, S. e Fr French ench Leagu League 2012 1/2-1/2 A57 ( Junior Tay) c2 White, if unimpeded, unimpeded, will bolster the centre 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4. f3 b75. c2 White, with e2-e4, but this requir requires es a temporary pawn sacrifice on his part. 5...bxc4 Imme5...bxc4 Immediately whittling away at the centre. 6.e4 e6! Black e6! Black needs to attack the centre quickly or the b7-bishop will become a spectator spectator.. Indeed, after 6.. Indeed, 6...d6 .d6 7. xc4 xc4 g6 8. O– O–O O g7 g7 9. c3 c3 White White has seamless development and the bishop is biting on granite. xc4! A temporary pawn sacrifice. White banks on the use of tactics on the e-file to 7. xc4! A win back the pawn. Instead, 7. g5 e7 8. xf6 ( Aveskulov indicated that after 8.d6 Instead, 7. after 8.d6 Black Black can ce: 8... xd6 xd6 9.e 9.e5 5 xf3 xf3 10 10.e .exf xf6 6 gx gxf6 f6 11 11.. c3 e5 12 12.. xe5 fxe5 fxe5 sacrifi sac rifice ce a pie piece: 13. xd8 xd8 14 14.g .gxf xf3 3 d5 - wh what at a pa pawn wn ch chai ain! n! ) ) 8... xf6 9. 9.e5 e5 g5 10. 10.dx dxe6 e6 xd2+ 12 12.. xd2 c6 13 13.. xc4 xc4 O– O–O O gave Black a superb posifxe6 fxe6 11 11.. bd2 xd2+ tion in J.Szabolcsi-I.Salgado Lopez, Vienna 2012, while after 7.dxe6 after 7.dxe6 fxe6 8.e5 d5 9. xc4 e7 10.a3 O–O O–O Black Black has a comfortable game, J.Adler-B.Zueger, Swiss League 2004. proffered ed pawn. 7...exd5 7... exd5 8.ex 8.exd5 d5 xd5 Black accepts the proffer If 8.. If 8...d6 .d6 9. c3 e7 10. 10.O–O O–O bd bd7 7 11 11.. b3 b3 with with a spatial plus for White, 118
but an interesting try is 8... is 8... e7+ 9. d2 d6 10. e1+ e7 11. c3 . c3 . Her ere e 11... ... xd5 12. b5 Black’s best is probably to take a draw with 11... with 11... f4+ ( 11 b6 13 13.. g5 is too dangerous a position to consider ) 12. d3 f5+ f5+ 13 13.. d2 f4+ . 10.O–O O–O e7 11. e1 a6 This knight will defend the other via c7 and, if 9. xd5 xd5 10. necessary,, shield the e-file with ...Ne6. necessary White is slightly better after 11... b4 12 12.. e2! O–O( Georgiev demonstra demonstrated ted xc4 White White has a great position )13. c3 thatt aft tha after er 12... 12... 8c6? 13. c3c414. xc4 f6 14. 14.a3 a3 4c615. f4d516. b5 d417. xd4 xd4 xd4 18. ad1 d719. xd7 xd7 20. xd5 fe8 , as in A.Ub A.Ubero eross Fe Fernan rnandezdez-F F.Des .Destruels truels Mo Moren reno, o, corr correespondence sponden ce 2008. QUESTION: What is wrong with moving the king to safety with 11...O–O with 11...O–O ? ? — ANSWER: The sneaky 12. 12. e4! nabs either the knight on d5 or the e7bishop. 12. c4 Winnin c4 Winning g back the pawn with the threatened fork. 13.. g5 f6 14 15.. f5 h6 16. x e6 dx dxe6 e6 17 17.. b5+ If 12. If 12. f5 ac7 ac7 13 14.. xc5 e6 15 xe6 d7 18. e2 e2 with with equality, equality, H.Alvarez Villar-A.S Villar-A.Satici, atici, correspondence correspondence 2011, xe7 14. c4 c715. xc5 e616. d6 b8 17. 17.b3 b3 and 12. g5O–O13. xe7 xe7 b6 18. d3 d3 d5 was equal too in W.Kund W.Kund-N.Bernal -N.Bernal V Varela, arela, corr corresponden espondence ce 2010. f6 Activ Activating ating the bishop on its best diagonal. Let’ Let’ss 12... ac7 13. xc5 O–O 14. c4 f6 assess asse ss this pos position ition.. Blac Black k has the mor more e activ active e piec pieces es and is ahead in deve developme lopment. nt. However Ho wever,, he has an isolated d-pawn which can later be subjected to attack by White’ White’s pieces. In return too too,, Black has two good open queenside files (the b- and c-files) to c3?! As Black play on. All things considered, the position should be about equal. 15. equal. 15. c3?! As will soon play ...Rb8 to put pressure on b2, White decides to remo remove ve the strong knight by accepting an isolated pawn of his own. He doe doess bet better ter wit with h 15. bd2 bd2 when when 15... b816. b1 b6 17 17.. d3d518. b3 e6 19. bd4 c5 20. e2 e2 is is about level, Black’s activity being counterbalanced by his isolated d-pawn. Imme medi diat atel ely y ho homi ming ng in on the the c3 we weak akie ie.. 17. d2 e6 18 15... xc3 xc3 16.b 16.bxc3 xc3 c8 Im 18.. a4 c7 Putting pressure pressure on c3 as well as defendin defending g a7. The Houdini engine indicated that Black could instead sacrifice a7 with 18...d5! 19. xa7 a8 a8 20 20.. b7 b7 ( 20. e3 a3 a3 ) 20 20.... c5 21 21.. b5 e4 22 22.. d3 a3 , exerting pressure in true Benko Gambit fashion. 119
19. ab1 b8 20.c4! 20.c4! Seizing Seizing the chance to turn the isolani into an asset. White plans e3 After After this, the to exchange c4 for a7 and soon succeeds in doing so. 20... so. 20... fc8 21. e3 game peters out to a draw following mass exchanges. exchanges. 21.. 21...h6 .h6 22. xb8 Of course, not 22. xa7?? a8 . xb8 23 23.. xa7 xa7 xa7 24 24.. xa7 a8 a8 25 25.. e3 xa2 xa2 26. 26.g3 g3 c2 27 27.. d1 xc4 1/21/2-1/2 1/2 22... xb8 C) 4 Qc2 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4. c2 c2 With With the queen shifting ever so slightly to the next file, 1.d4 f6 White supports the e2-e4 push and basically asks Black to clarify what he wants to do do.. My pr pref efer eren ence ce is to ch chip ip aw away ay at th the e wh whit ite e cent centrre wi with th 4.. 4...bx .bxc4 c4 5.e 5.e4 4 e6 . The The tw two o ga game mess I’m giving, Mamedyarov-Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son and Gross-Nun, show that White can generate dangerous play in a relatively calm position due to his space advantage. Hen ence ce,, in th this is li line ne,, ma make ke su sure re th that at yo you u pu putt yo your ur ligh lightt-sq squa uarred bi bish shop op on d7 un unle less ss yo you u are a risk taker and prefer to take your chances with Aveskulo Aveskulov’ v’ss risky ...Rb4 idea. ◦
Mamedyarov Mamedya rov,, S.
•
Nguy Ng uyen en Ng Ngoc oc Tru ruon ong g So Son n Khanty-M Khanty-Mansiysk ansiysk (rapid) 2013 1-0 A57 ( Junior Tay) push. 4...bxc4 Whittling Whittling 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4. c2 The queen supports the e2-e4 push. 4...bxc4 away the support for the d5-pawn. 5.e4 e6 e6 Further Further chipping away at the white cenc3 Playing this before Bxc4 allows White the possibility of playing into the tre. 6. c3 Playing comp co mpli lica cati tion onss seen seen in th the e ne next xt no note te.. In an any y case case,, the the mo move ve he help lpss to su supp ppor ortt e4 an and d d5 d5.. 6. x xc4 c4 ex exd5 d5 7.ex 7.exd5 d5 d6 d6 would would normally lead to the same type of position as our main game. 6... e7!? This avo This avoids ids the gam gambi bitt tha thatt Ma Mamed medyar yarov ov pul pulled led on Ba Bare reev ev in the 201 2011 1 World orld Blitz Championshi Championship: p: 6...exd5 6...exd5 7. e5!? ( 7.exd5 transposes 7.exd5 transposes back to the game continuation ) continuation ) 7... g4 8. xd5 b7 b7?? ( Aveskulov showed that Black could 8... xe5! for a truckload of pawns: 9. e4 d d6 61 10.f4 0.f4 sacrifice a knight with 8... with f5 11. e3 e6 12. c3 bc6 13.fxe5 d5 d5 with with a totally unclear position ) position ) f5! already already with a winn winning ing posi position tion,, S.Ma S.Mamedya medyaro rovv9. xc4 c610. f3 e711. f5! E.Bareev, Moscow (blitz) 2009. 7. xc4 O–O 8. ge2! Recommended by John Watson in ’A Strategic Chess Opening Repertoire Repertoi re for White White’’ and, indeed, it is a strong idea. White plans to shift the knight to g3 wher where e it has acces accesss to e4 or f5. His f-p f-pawn awn is also free to advan advance ce if req requir uired. ed. 8...exd5 9.exd5 d6 10.O–O bd7 11. g3 b6 b6 Putting Putting pressure on d5 and seeking an exchange on c4. Black is playing to trade pieces as he has less space to play with due to the pawn configuration configuration.. 12.b3 e8 120
Please pay clo Please close se att atten entio tion n to the fol follo lowin wing g mo motif tifss re recom commen mende ded d by Aves veskul kulov ov.. If Ngu Nguyen yen Ngo Ngoc c Truo ruong ng So Son n had kn know own n the them, m, he wou wouldn ldn’’t hav have e be been en hac hacked ked as he was: 12... xc4 13.bxc4 b8 14. e1 e8 15. f4 b4!? . This is the key idea idea.. After After 16. 16. b5 ( if 16. 16. ce4 xe4 17. xe4 f5 with f5 with equality )) xb5 17.cx 17.cxb5 b5 xd5 Black lack ha hass fu full ll co comp mpen ensa sati tion on in th the e form form of a pa pawn wn 16... xb5 for the exchange and the ability to use the two mobile central pawns in good time. f8 Black wants to trade off a pair of rooks to ease the congestion in his po13. e1 f8 Black sition. 14. f4 f4 A good square for the bishop, forcing Black to watch the d6-pawn. 16.h3 3 xc4 17.bxc4 d7?! Black is misplacing his light14... xe1+ 15. xe1 b8 16.h squared squa red bish bishop op and queen with this mov move. e. It seems very natura naturall to overprote overprotect ct f5, butt the bu the qu quee een n’s bish bishop op is mo most st co comf mfor orta tabl ble e on d7 in th this is va vari riat atio ion n to co cove verr th the e rook rook on e8 and to keep the back rank connected. After 17... d7 After 17... d7 if if White attempts 18. attempts 18. f5 f5 Black Black can counter with 18... with 18... h5 ( 18... b4 is also good, and if 19. if 19. xd6? b8! ) 19. h2 f6 20 20.. e3 e3 when when he is not worse. Bl Black ack can als also o try the aud audaci acious ous Aves veskul kulov ov-li -like ke man manoeu oeuvr vre e 17... b4!? 18. b5 c3 seems seems a bit too dan xd5!? ( 18... a5 19. d2 a4 20. xa4 xa4 21. c3 20.cxb cxb5 5 b6 21 21.. e3 e6 , although gerous to contemplate ) 19. d2 xb5 20. in this case, the central pawns are less mobile than in Aveskulov’s example. 18. ce4! The awkwar awkward d placemen placementt of the black queen allo allows ws White to cent centrali ralize ze a knight kni ght an and d by no now w the Vie Vietna tnames mese e GM was pr proba obably bly re regr grett etting ing his dec decis ision ion.. 18... xe4 19. xe4 a6?? a6?? Whe When n it ra rain ins, s, it pou pours rs.. — EXE EXERC RCISE ISE:: Wha Whatt di did d Black Black mis misss wit with h 19. 19...B ..Ba6? a6? 20.. a4 a5 21. c3 life is still tough for Black. That said, even after 19... b6 20 xc5! ANSWER: This hammer blow forces the win of a pawn, thanks to the pin on 20. xc5! ANSWER: th the e d6 d6-p -paw awn n an and d to co comp mpou ound nd ma matt tter ers, s, Blac Black k is for forced ced to tr trad ade e a pa pair ir of mi mino norr pi piec eces es,, 21.. xa6 xa6 22. 22.c5! c5! And And wh when en le lead adin ing g to an ea easi sily ly wo won n en endg dgam ame e fo forr Wh Whit ite. e. 20... 20... c8 21 it pou pours rs,, it reall reaally y po pours urs inpassed buc bucket kets. s. Ev Everyt erythin hing giscli clicks cks for Ma Mamed medyar yarov lik like e clo clockw ckwor ork k as he fashions protected pawn. There no coming back forov Nguyen from here. 22... a5 23 23.. d1 b4 24 24.. g3 h5 25.c6 5.c6 h4 26 26.. h2 e8 27 27.. h1 a5 28 28.f .f3 3 e7 29 29.. e4 g6 30 30.. f4 c8 c8 31 31.. xe7 a4 a4 32 32.. b1 xf4 xf4 33 33.. d7 f8 34 34.c .c7 7 1-0 1-0 Gross,, S. Gross • Nun un,, J. Trnava 1980 1-0 A57 ( Junior Tay) 2.c4 c4 c5 3.d 3.d5 5 b5 4 4.. c2 bx bxc4 c4 5.e 5.e4 4 e6 6. c3 e7 7. xc4 ex exd5 d5 8.ex 8.exd5 d5 O–O 1.d4 f6 2. 9. ge2! ◦
121
QUESTION: Why not 9. not 9. f3 f3 instead? instead? Isn’t it a better square for the knight? — ANSWER: Aveskulov demonstrated the following impressive antidote: 9...d6 9... d6 10.O– 10.O–O O bd7 bd7 11 11.. f4 b6 12 12.. d2 b7 13 13.. d3 h5 14 14.. e3f5 when e3f5 when "Black has a pleasant position". 9...d6 10.O–O bd7 11. g3 b6 b6 Putting Putting pressure on d5 and seeking an exchange on
b8 Anticipatin Anticipating g ...Nxc4 when the rook will be useful on the b-file. c4. 12.b3 c4. 12.b3 b8 Alternatively,, Black made use of the g4-square to ease his position by ex Alternatively changi cha nging ng a pie piece ce aft after er 12... xc4 13.bx 13.bxc4 c4 g4 14 14.. f4 ff6 6 15 15.h .h3 3 ( be bette tterr was 15. ab1! e5 16. xe5 xe5 17. d1 e8 18. e3 g6 with g6 with equal play play ) fxe4 by by when he 15... e5 16. xe5 xe5 17. ce4 f5! 18.f4 xc4 19. xc4 fxe4 had an excellent game and the better pawn structure due to the weakness of the d5-pawn, L.Comas Fabr Fabrego-M.Llanes ego-M.Llanes Hurtado Hurtado,, Sabadell 2011. d2!? The f4-square seems a more natural square for the bishop as there it keeps 13. d2!? The an eye on Black’s d-pawn, but White is playing for another piece configuration with a gradual kingside build-up. 13... e8 14. ae1 ae1 White White does not intend to contest the b-file as exchanges would ease Black’s lack of space. 14... xc4 15.bxc4 d7 d7 Like Like in the previous game, Black intends to counterattack with ...Ba6, but this plan backfires spectacularly after some excellent play by White which is even more impressive than Mamedyarov’s. — EXERCISE: By now you should know that there are the two possible ideas for Black, which are? f8 with with equal chances. ANSWER: 15... d7! 16.h3 f8 Or, if you’re a risk taker, 15... taker, 15... b4!? 16. b5 (( after after 16. 16. ce4 xe4 17. xe4 b8 18. fe1 d7 19. c3 f8 f8 Black’s Black’s bishop pair counterbalances White’s spatial advantage ) 16 16.. .... xb5 17. 17.cxb cxb5 5 xd5 xd5 with with compensation. 16. d1 Planning to reroute the knight to e3. 16. ce4 xe4 17. xe4 xe4 is is not so dangerous with the bishop on d2 instead of f4. Blac ack k inte intend ndss to sacr sacrifi ifice ce th the e mi mino norr exch exchan ange ge with with Nx Nxd5 d5;; cxd5 cxd5 Bx Bxf1 f1 at a favo favour urab able le 16... a6 Bl
time. 17.h3 time. 17.h3 Remo Removing ving the possibility of ...Ng4-e5. 17... f8 QUESTION: Is 17... Is 17... xd5 18.cxd5 xf1 xf1 a a good idea? — ANSWER: Unfortu20.. e3! b2 21 21.. d3 xa2 xa2 22 22.. c4 b5 23 23.. nate na tely ly no not, t, as af afte terr 19. xf1 f6 20 c1 Black c1 Black is in trouble since White can simply build up with Nf5 and Bc3. The minor pieces are extremely potent in a wide open position. g5 White tests the waters first. 18... e7 19. d2! Gro Gross ss plans to rer reroute oute this 18. g5 bishop to c3. 19... f8 f8 Hoping Hoping for a trade of rooks. 20. e3! White declines. 20...g6 Played to prevent a menacing knight from appearing on f5. 21. c3 g7 22. c1!! A beautiful concept. Black is crushed after this quiet move as there’s amazingly no way a4 It’s It’s hard to award this a question mark since the to defend the position. 22... a4 position was already lost, but Black now goes down without a fight. 122
Mor oreo eove verr, in the ot othe herr va vari riat atio ions ns,, Wh Whit ite e mu must st fin find d the the Nef5 ef5 sacr sacrifi ifice ce to wi win: n: for example, 22...h5 example, 22...h5 23. ef5!! h8 24. h6+ h7 25. g5 e5 26. xe5 dxe5 dx e5 27 27.. xe5 b6 28 28.d .d6 6 winning, 22... d8 23. ef5!! gxf5 24. xf5 h5 25. xe8+ xe8 26. e1 f8 27. g5 xc4 ( if if 27... 27... h8 28. e3 xc3 29. xc3 d8 30. xh5 xh5 with with a crushing attack ) 28. e3 ,
or 22... or 22... c8 23.f4! (there’s no satisfactory way to meet f4-f5xg6) 23... d8 24.f5 f8 25 25.. a1 a1 when when Black is busted. 23. a1 e5 Hoping e5 Hoping that White will settle for the exchange. 24.f4 But 24.f4 But he doesn’t. xe3 e3 25 25.. xe3 e8 26 26.. xe8+ xe8 xe8 27 27.. xg7 e3+ e3+ 28 28.. h2 1-0 24... x D) 4 Nd2 1.d4 f6 2. 2.c4 c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4 4.. d2 d2 In In this line, White is content to maintain his space advantage in the centre by supporting e2-e4. Propon Proponents ents of this line include top GMs like Kra Kramnik mnik,, Sas Sasikir ikiran, an, Dr Dreev eev and Beli Beliavsk avsky y. I pro propos pose e that we adop adoptt Leko Leko’’s app approac roach h of capturing capturing c4 follow followed ed by a swif swiftt coun counterst terstrike rike,, as in Koc Koch-Be h-Beukem ukema. a. White does have a spatial plus, but by trading pieces Black can avoid being gradually squeezed.
Koch, T. Koch, • Beu Beukem kema, a, S. Europe Eur opean an Clu Club b Cu Cup, p, Eil Eilat at 2012 0-1 A57 ( Junior Tay) 4.. d2 d2 This This looks passive, but it has some high-powered ad1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4 herents, such as Kramnik and Harikrishna. White aims to build a solid centre without being bei ng har harass assed ed by the tra tradit dition ional al Be Benko nko que queen ensid side e counte counterp rplay lay.. 4... 4...bx bxc4 c4 5.e 5.e4 4 c3! c3!?? The pawn is dead anyway, but by selling it on c3 the eventual placement of the bishop on g7 makes that square a target. 6.bxc3 ◦
after 7. e2 e2 be be6. c4 xe4?? would cost Black a piece in Zaitsev fashion after 7. cause 7... f6 f6 8. d6# ends the game. Instead, 6. c4 d6 7. Instead, 7.bxc3 bxc3 g6 g6 transposes transposes back to the Kramnik-Leko game shown below. 6...d6 d3 d6 transposes. 6...g6 6.. .g6 7. d3 7. d3 123
Alternatives: 7. c4 g6 8. d3 g7 9. f3 O–O 10.O–O bd7 11. d2 b6 Alternatives: a5? ( better was was 12. xb6 ax axb6 b6 13.a 13.a4 4 with equal chances ) chances ) 12...c4! 12. a5? 13. c2 ( if 13. xc4 xc4 14. xc4 xe4 ) 13.. 13.... c7! and White is worse already according to Leko in ’Informant 73’, V.Kramnik-P.Leko, Dortmund 1998. White can also play for a queenside fianchetto: 7.c4 g6 8. b2 g7 9. d3 O–O 10. b1 e5 1 11. 1. e2 h5 with h5 with equal chances, A.Beliavsky-T.Fogarasi, Hungarian Hungari an League 199 1999. 9. b1 Alexander Alexander Beliavsky consider considered ed this position to be slightly bet7...g68. 7...g6 8. e2 g79. b1 ter for White. White. Pe Person rsonally ally,, I think it’ it’ss fine for Black. He migh mightt have a bit less spa space, ce, but his pieces develop easily and White does not really have much to work with, compare pa red d to ana analog logous ous lin lines es in the Mo Moder dern n Be Benon nonii or Kin King’ g’ss Indi Indian. an. 9...O 9...O–O –O 10.O 10.O–O –O bd7 11.f4 Not 11.f4 Not so much to start a central pawn storm as to secure e5 first. White must obtain appropriate squares for his knights before he can commence aggressive options. 11... c7 12 12.c .c4 4 Securing the centre centre.. QUESTION: How should Black meet 12. c4 , which makes use of c4 being an outpost? — ANSWER: Black should try to exchange pieces as he has less ab8 is is also fine as the space: 12... b6 ( 12... a6 13. a4 xc4 14. xc4 ab8 bishop pair doesn’t exert much influence in this pawn structure ) structure ) 13. e3 g4 . b8 Contesting Contesting the b-file. Once again, Black should strive to exchange pieces to 12... b8 ease his more congested position. 13. xb8 Black erred by straightening out White’s In an earlier game, after 13. after 13. b3 b3 Black pawn structure with 13... with 13... xb3?! ( 13... b4!? ) 14.a 14.axb3 xb3 and and subsequently found fou nd him himsel selff una unable ble to cou counte nterr Whi White te’’s bui buildld-up up on the kin kingsi gside de:: 14... b8 15.h3 a6 16. f3 d7 17 17.. d2 b4 18 18.. b1 b1 a5 19. c3 a6 20. xg7 xg7 62 23. 3. e1 a8 24.h4 24.h4 and Black had to defend pas21. c3 b6 22. d2 ff6 sively in A.Yuneev-D.Stojanovski, Wijk aan Zee 2000. xb8 14 14.. b3 b3 A A rather strange square for the knight. — QUESTIO QUESTION: N: Can you pro13... xb8 vide a reason for White placing the knight here instead of the more natural f3-square? — ANSWER: He hopes for a possible invasion of the c6 outpost after Na5. 14... a6 Black focuses on the weak c-pawn. 15. d2 d2 White White prevents the black queen from accessing b4 to hit c4 again. e6 6 16 16.. c6 b6 17. c3 e8 e8 , , with White can also proceed with with 15. a5 e equal chances. 15...e6! Finally, Black starts action against the imposing white centre. 16.dxe6 Not 16.dxe6 Not impressed impres sed with Black Black’’s undermining move, White exchanges on e6, rationalizing rationalizing that Black has weakened b6 and g6. 124
After 16. c3 c3 exd5 exd5 17. 17.ex exd5 d5 Blac Black k ca can n play play a te temp mpor orary ary kn knig ight ht sacr sacrifi ifice ce wi with th xd5 d5 18 18.. xg7 xg7 xg7 19.cxd5 19.cxd5 and regain the piece after 19...c4 . 17... x 16...fxe6 No Now w Black can very much feel his own central pawns which besides controlling good squares, also have the potential to be mobilized for a counterattack counterattack.. 17. c2 Lending protection protection to c4 as well as threatening e4-e5 at some point. — QUESTION QUESTION:: How should Black respond to White’s gradual build-up? — ANSWER: Black has placed all his pieces optimally for the key break, so: 17...d5! so: 17...d5! 18.e5 Trying to keep the position closed to contain Black’s initiative. QUESTION: How would you meet 18. cxd5 ? — ANSWER: 18...c4! 19. xc4 QUESTION: c820. a5 xc4 xc4 21. xc4 exd5 exd5 22. 22.ex exd5 d5 b6 an and d Blac Black k pi pick ckss up the the kn knig ight ht.. e5! . . Instead 18. 18.exd exd5 5 exd5 exd5 19. 19.f5 f5 is well met by 19... by 19... e5! 18... g4 19 19.. a5? a5? White White adds another piece to the defence of c4 and threatens to win mate ma teri rial al af afte terr 20 cx cxd5 d5,, bu butt Blac Black k is rea eady dy fo forr th this is.. — EX EXER ERCI CISE SE:: Wh What at ha hass Blac Black k wo work rked ed out to overcome White’ White’s ploy to keep the position quiet? — ANSWER: He blows the centre apart: 19... dxe5! A dxe5! A stunning blow. All of a sudden, the white build-up on the queenside looks sadly misplaced. 20.fxe5 misplaced. 20.fxe5 xf1+ 20... xe5 xe5 21. 21.g3 g3 xf1+ xf1+ 22 22.. xf1 f8+ f8+ 23 23.. ff4 4 g5 transposes. 21. xf1 f8+ 22. f4 xe5 23.g 23.g3 3 g5 g5 Black Black gets back his investment and with a divh8 Frazzled by the turn of events, idend in the form of an extra pawn. 24. xh7+ h8 Frazzled White now blunders. blunders. 25. 25. g8? He cou could ld resis resistt bet better ter wit with h 25. f5! exf5 exf5 26. g6+ xh727. xf8+ g828. e6 xc4+ 29. xc4 dxc4 30. xg5 xh2+ 31. g2 g4 32. xc5 xc5 , , with drawing chances. 25... xg8! Of course, not 25... xg8? 26. g6+ h8 h8 27 27.. h5+ h6 h6 28 28.. xg5 . xg5 Q QUESTI UESTION: ON: Has White save saved d his piec piece? e? — ANSWER: Nop Nope. e. 26. g6+ g7 27. xg5 f7+ 28 28.. e1 27... f7+ f4 cuts cuts across the e3-bishop’s gaze, al White must have missed that that 28. 28. f4 lowing a queen fork with 28... e3+ . 28... xg6 The rest est wa wass a wa walk lk in th the e park ark for for Black lack.. 29. xg6+ xg6 xg6 30 30.. e7 c3+ 0-1
125
E) 4 Bg5 Thiss bis bishop hop sal sally ly,, ak akin in to the Trompo rompowsk wsky y, is uni unique que in 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4. g5 Thi the sense that White cedes a lot of space to Black, hoping that he can gradually push him bac back k an and d exp exploi loitt the wea weak k squ squar ares es (us (usual ually ly lig light ht squ squar ares) es) creat created ed by Bla Black ck’’s sp space ace-gaini gai ning ng ven ventur tures es.. The Gr Greek eek Gr Grand andmas master ter Efs Efstra tratio tioss Gri Griva vass has wri writte tten n som some e exc excell ellen entt articles in ’New In Chess Yearbook 103’ and ’104’ detailing his adventures in this line, so I think it deserves to be called the Grivas variation, although I think the chap might prefer to call it something more esoteric given that his variations in the ...Qb6 Sicilian bear the names of Greek mythological figures. — We examine the most topical line in Kourousis-Tappyrov, where Black has the option of pausing with 7...Rg8, keeping the kingside pawn structure intact, or keeping White busy with the anti-positional 7...f6 (my preference), allowing a ’Swiss cheese’ or V-formation structure. Kourousis, Kourous is, E. • Tappyr appyrov ov,, V. Pardubice 2013 ◦
0-1
A57 ( Junior Tay)
1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5
The po posit sition ion soo soon n reach reached ed resem resemble bless the soso-cal called led Vultu ulture re op openi ening: ng: 3... 3... e4 . After After 4. c2 , (4. f3)( or 4. d2 , Blac Black k play playss 4... a5 to pin th the e pie iece ce on d2, with the idea of a quick ...b5 break. break. ) ) e4 Gaining Gaining a tempo on the g5-bishop, a concept similar to the Trompowsky 4. g5 e4 where White also lures the knight to e4, with the idea of kicking it back later later.. 5. f4 a5 a5+ + 6. d2g5 Ga Gain inin ing g sp spac ace e on th the e ki king ngsi side de,, as we well ll as free freein ing g g7 as a po poss ssib ible le squa square re for the dark-squared bishop. 7. bishop. 7. e5 e5 White White invites ...f7-f6, which has the effect of making the black kingside pawn structure look like a Swiss cheese as White can take over the h5-d8 diagonal after a future queen check on h5. After 7. After 7. c2 gxf4 8. xe4 d6 9 9.. f3 g7 Black g7 Black is already better, although a draw was agreed here in R.Damaso-E.Fernandez Romero, Santo Antonio 2002. 7...f6 Accepting the invitation to the Swiss cheese variation or, if you like this set-up, 7...f6 Accepting the V-formation structure (after Black gets in ...d7-d6). Incidentally, this pawn structure figures quite often in Sicilian Dragon endgames. after 8.b4 8.b4 xb4 9. f3 a5! 10. Aveskulo Aveskulov v makes a case for for 7... 7... g8 8. f3 (( after b1 a6 11. c2 f5 12.e3 d6 13. a1 g4 114. 4. h4 xd2+ 15. xd2 xd2 16. xd2 e5! 17.dxe6 xe6 18. d3 g5 19.cxb5 h5 20.g 20.g3 3a axb5 xb5 21. xb5+ d8 22 22.a .a4 4 d5 Blac Black k is slig slightl htly y be bett tter er ac acco corrdi ding ng to the the Uk Ukra rain inia ian n GM GM,, ) ( as he is after 8. c2 xd2 xd2+ + 9. xd2 xd2 xd2 10 10.. xd2 xd2 d6 11 11.. g3 g3 bx bxc4 c4 12 12.e .e4 4 g7 126
in the view of Grivas ) Grivas ) 8... xd2 9. xd2 xd2+ 10. xd2 d6 1 11. 1. g3 bxc4 13.. xc4 a6 14 14.. b1 xc4 xc4 15 15.. xc4 d7 , wit with h equ equali ality ty acc accor ordd12.e4 g7 13 ing to his analysis analysis.. 8. g3 Aveskulo Aveskulov’ v’ss preference for 7...Rg8 instead of 7...f6 stems from the resulting positions after 8. after 8. c3 xc3 9.bxc3 9.bxc3 . . He noted that in this position, Black’s "pawn structure looks - Black’s f8-bishop is closed in, the e8-h5 miserable diagonal is weakened, while there is a problem with the b5-pawn." Howev ever er,, he did did ad add d a cave caveat at th that at "of "of co cour urse se,, this this po posi siti tion on is play playab able le for for Blac Black" k".. — This This pos positi ition on has occ occurr urred ed fiv five e tim times es in my dat datab abase ase and 9.. 9...bx .bxc4, c4, 9.. 9...Bx .Bxg7 g7 and 9...d6 have all been played. However, I don’t see anything wrong with xc3!? . This continuation has also been suggested by Grivas as a pos9... xc3!? . sible sibl e line to inv investig estigate ate.. It might seem foolh foolhard ardy y to take a pawn in a position where nothing else besides the queen is developed, but there are some plusses to this idea: 1) Black pins the d2-knight which can become a dangerous dangerous piec piece e if, for exam example ple,, it reac reaches hes c4. — 2) The queen has no reall purpos rea purpose e on a5 if not to clear the long dia diagona gonal. l. — 3) The black king will most likely take a walk to d8, and maybe c7 anyway. anyway. Even in the 7...Rg8 li line ne,, tthe he ki king ng is safe saferr on th the e qu quee eens nsid ide. e. — 4) Wh Whit ite e ca can n ha hard rdly ly co cont ntem empl plat ate e Qh5+ idea Qh5+ ideass in the ne near ar fu futu turre as hi hiss d2-k d2-kni nigh ghtt wi will ll ne need ed guar guardi ding ng.. — 5) Wi With th ...d7-d6 coming soon, the position is closed and it is not difficult for Black to develop his queen’ queen’s knight and bishop. As for the f8 chap, he can always activate it via ...f6-f5 and ...Bg7, or ...h7-h5, ...g5-g4 and ...Bh6. — The chess engi en gine ness co coul uld d no nott fin find d a refu refuta tati tion on to th this is id idea ea afte afterr ma many ny ho hour urss of wo work rkin ing g 11.c .cxb xb5 5 d6 d6!! ( keepon this line. Here are some sample lines: ( lines: ( 10. c1 a5 11 ing the position closed instead of opening lines for White after 11... xb5 ) 12.e4 a6 13. b1 d7 14.a4 e5 15. f3 xf3+ 16.gxf3 f5! and the darksquared bishop gets to g7. ) ( 10. b1 f5 f5!! ( or 10. 10...b ..b4 4 11. b3 e5 12 12.. e3 h5 f8 when the black king is 13. gf3 c7 14. b2 g7 15. b1 d6 16. g6+ f8 when safe safe ev even en wi with th th the e wh whit ite e qu quee een n lurk lurkin ing g in the the vi vici cini nity ty )) 11. x if 11.e xb5 b5 ( if 11 .e3 3 d6 h3 h6 ) 11 11.. ...d .d6 6 12 12.e .e3 3 d7 13 13.. h5+ d814. e2 ( after 14. xg5?! c1+ 12. h3 15. e2 f6 and White is in trouble already already ) 14... f6 15. g3 e5 and is fine. f6 and a5 13 . h5+ e5 and d8 13. Black ) ( 10 10.c .cx xb5 d6 11 11.e .e3 3 ( if if 11.e4 11.e4 d7 12. c1 14. f3 a6! ) 11. 11... .. d7 12. c1 ( 12. c4 a5 13. e2 g7 14.a4 14.a4 is is "unclear" according to Grivas, but after 14...O–O after 14...O–O 15.O–O f5 Black f5 Black has a nice typical Benko Be nko po posit sition ion;; tho though ugh his kin kingsi gside de is kind kind of air airy y, Whi White te doe doesn sn’’t see seem m we well ll placed to take advantage of it ) it ) 12... b4 13. h5+ d8 14. e2 f5! 15. f3 f6 16. xg5 g8 17. h4 xh4 18. xh4 xd5 19. f3 e6 20. xf5 b8 play. ) 21.a4 b4 and Black has good play. ) 8...bxc4 This is a suggestion of Grivas, who shared his vast experience of more than 8...bxc4 This 20 years of this variation in ’New in Chess Yearbook’. 9.e3 h5 Still h5 Still following Grivas’s suggestion. Ironically Black has more space than White on both sides of the board. 127
9...d6 is also strong as a check on h5 is just a waste of move because the 9...d6 is queen would have to return to defend the pinned knight on d2, while after 10.f3 xd2+ 11. xd2 xd2 12. xd2 a6 Black a6 Black is better as he can soon play ...f6-f5 and obtain a great diagonal for his dark-squared dark-squared bishop. 10.h4 Otherwise, 10. c7 xd2+ xd2+ 11. xd2 xd2 xd2 12. xd2 a613. a5 b814. c3 c7 15. xc4 b5 gains the bishop pair thus giving Black a slight edge, while Grivas analyzed 10. analyzed 10. f3 a6 11.h3 11.h3 with with compensation for the material. 10...g4!? QU 10...g4!? QUESTIO ESTION: N: What are the pros and cons of this advan advance? ce? — ANSWER: The pros are that Black gains space and denies White’ White’ss knights the f3-square f3-square.. Mor Moreover eover,, the dark-squared dark-squared bishop enjoys a decent diagonal if it is deployed to h6. On the other hand, Black has given up the f4-square for now and a subsequent white knight there will cause inconveni inconvenience, ence, as the h5-pawn is then hit and has been immobilize immobilized d by the h4-pawn. 11. h4-pawn. 11. xc4?! Stronge Str ongerr is 11. e2 b7 ( or 11... a612. c2 xd2+ + 13. xd2 xd2 2 14. xd2 Black has a solid position ) xd2 xd xc4 a6! e5 15. c3 d6 d6 when when position ) 12. f4 g7 13. c1 1 f5 15 15.. d3 d3 d6 , alth althou ough gh he herre Black lack is for for choi choice ce as his his pi piec eces es are are th the e 14. c better placed and he has a handy space advantage. advantage. Instead, the desperado move move 11. c7 is c7 is best met by a queen and knight trade: 11... xd2+ 12. xd2 xd2 13. xd2 a6 14. a5 b8 15. c3 c7 b7 17 17.e .e4 4 e6 18 18.. xf6 h6+ h6+ 19 19.. g5 exd5 exd5 20. 20.exd exd5 5 xg5+ 21. hxg5 16. xc4 b7 xd5 22. xd5 xd5 xd5 23. 23.b3 b3 f7 f7 with with the better ending for Black. 11... a6?! Black missed a chance to fracture White’s pawns: 11... xg3! 12.fxg3 h6
13. f1 f2 d 6e5 is structurally better) 14.a slight e2 f5 15 15.. but f4 White d7 16 16. e4 h7 17. 18 18.. g1 b8 when when Black has edge, White’ ’s .position f2 (Black b8 is very solid and quite hard to breach. 12. c1 c1 d6 xc4 13. xc4 xg3 14.f 14.fxg3 xg3 xa2 xa2 15. e2 h616. f4 giv gives es Whi White te com com-12... xc4 pensation for the pawn as he will have some well-placed pieces pieces.. 13. e2 h6 14. c2?! This move merely allows Black to play what he intended all alon al ong g an and d wi with th an extr extra a te temp mpo o, na name mely ly to tr trad ade e do down wn into into a st stru ruct ctur ural ally ly be bett tter er en endi ding ng.. White should have secured the piece on f4 with 14. f4! f4! . . 128
14... xd2 xd2 15. xd2 xd2+ xd2+ 16. xd2 xc4 xc4 17. xc4 d7 No Now w tha thatt the smo smoke ke has cle clear ared, ed, we can see that Black is better because his pawns are compact and he has a nice target on d5 to ta tak ke aim at. 18. c2 b6 19 UEST STIO ION: N: Now that that the the kn knig ight ht is no long longer er 19.. c3 QUE going to f4, what should Black’s plan be? — ANSWER: To open the long dark-squared diagonal for the bishop bishop.. 19...f5! 20. c1 After After 20. d1 g7 21. f7 White White is suffering and Black can further improve pro ve 20. his position ...Rfb8 and ...Bf6. with e2 f7 20... g7 21 21.. d1 xc3!? xc3!? Black Black is an antic ticip ipati ating ng Whi White te’’s att attemp emptt to pla play y Ne Ne2-f 2-f4, 4, so he lop lopss off the steed. Mor Moreover eover,, the black knight is stronger than White’ White’s bishop in this closed 23.e4? White White loses patience and tries to open up the position position. 22. xc3 f7 23.e4? for his rooks to attack e7. However, this move also allows a black rook to attack d5 via f8-f5. 23...fxe4 24. e3 h6!? EXERCISE: Can you find a more economical way for a black rook to get to f5? ANSWER: 24... e8! 25. xe4 d7 . This This wa way y, the the ro rook okss ar are e co conn nnec ecte ted d and and if White tries to trade an f5-rook, another one will appear there: for example, hf8 27 27.. f4 xf4 xf4 28 28.. xf4 f8 29 29.. e3 c7 30 30.. c2 f5 . 26. d3 hf8 25. f6 26 26..it off. 27. c2 27. ob oble lem m wi with th th this is ide dea a is th that at only one roo ook k ca can n ge gett to f5 f4 p rxf4 so White xe4 trades off. f5 T he Activating the king with 27... g6! g6! was was perhaps stronger. xf4 a5 a5!! Gaining queenside space. 29. space. 29. d3 28. xf4 29.b3 will 29.b3 will also be met by 29...a4 by 29...a4 . 29...a 29. ..a4 4 30. d2 QUE UEST STIO ION: N: How wo woul uld d yo you u de deal al wi with th 30.f3 , inte intend ndin ing g to crea create te an ou outs tsid ide e g8! Black Black has yet another target to passed pawn? — ANSWER: After 30... After 30... g8! aim at.
31.f .f3 3 gx gxf3 f3 32 32.. xf3! Giving xf3! Giving up d5 for active play. 30... e8 31 If 32.gxf3 If 32.gxf3 d7 and White has three weaknesses to defend (d5, f3 and f5). f6 White decides to go into a rook ending with a pawn deficit. 32... xd5 33. f5 f6 xf6 ex exf6 f6 36 36.. xh5 g837. h7+ e638. a7 xg2+ xg2+ 39. c3 g4 40. 40.h5 h5 34. c3 f735. xf6 h4 41 41.h .h6 6 xh6 xh6 42 42.. xa4 h3+ h3+ 43 43.. c2 c2 f5 44. f4? Keeping the rook active with 44. with 44. a8 a8 with with the idea of a2-a4 would provide much more resistance. 45.. f1f4 Now it it’’s all all ove verr as th the e ki king ng nu nurs rses es the the pa pass ssed ed pawn pawn do down wn the the bo boar ard. d. 44... e5 45 46.a 46 .a4 4 f3 47 47.. d3 f4 48 48.a .a5 5 h8 49 49.a .a6 6 a8 50 50.. a1 a1 d5 129
Simpler is 50... g3 51 51.. g1+ f2 . 51.a7 c4+ 52. d4 f2 53. xd5 e3 54. f1 xa7 55. xc4 c7+ 56. b4 b7+ 57. c3 e2 58 58.. xf2+ xf2 59. 59.b4 b4 e360. c4 e461. c5 e5 62. 62.b5 b5 c7+ 63 63.. b6 d6 64 64.. a6 c1 0-1 8: The The Outs Outsiders iders 1.d4 f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 Here we will consider White’s remaining if rare options, 4.f3 4.a4 4.b3 and 4.e4 . A) 4 f3 2.c4 c5 3.d5 .d5 b5 4.f3 4.f3 In th this is vari variat atio ion, n, Wh Whit ite e si simp mply ly ge gets ts on wi with th bo bols lste teri ring ng his his 1.d4 f6 2.c4 cent centrre wi with th e2 e2-e -e4. 4. If Blac Black k un unde derm rmin ines es pa part rt of his his ce cent ntre re wi with th ...b ...bxc xc4, 4, he ca can n ch choo oose se to recapture either with the bishop or knight. Generally the resulting positions hold no danger for Black because essentially White is just slowly building up without having any an y qu quic ick k pl plan anss to play play fo forr a cent centra rall br brea eak k or a ki king ngsi side de at atta tack ck.. Howe weve verr, in Mun unkh khga gallGoh Wei Ming, Black’s attempt to take the bull by the horns nearly backfired and he had to play the endgame very well to clinch the draw.
Munkhgal, Munkhg al, G. • Go Goh h Wei Mi Ming ng ◦
Asian Nationss Cup, Zaozhuang 1/2-1/2 2012 Nation A57 ( Junior Tay) According to Wei Ming, he was relieved to see this move 2.c4 .c4 c c5 5 3.d 3.d5 5 b5 4.f3 4.f3 According 1.d4 f6 2 as he was happy with a non-theoretical game. 4...bxc4 5.e4 d6 In d6 In this case, I am not adverse to suggesting that we move back into standard Benoni/Benko Benoni/Benko waters because White’’s f2-f3 set-up is a tad slow and Black can mobilize easily. White easily. There’s nothing wrong either with 5...e6!? with 5...e6!? as Black should be able to get his pieces out easily: for example, 6. example, 6. c3 b7 7. xc4 xd5!? 8. xd5 ( and not 8.exd5?? h4+ h4+ 9.g 9.g3 3 xc4 xc4 ) 8... 8...ex exd5 d5 9. xd5 xd5 xd5 10 10.. xd5 c6 11 11.. e2 e7 12.O–O O–O 13. e3 b4 14. d2 d5 d5 with with equal chances, J.GilbertM.Hannon, M.Hann on, British League 1999. 130
6. xc4 White reserves the c4-square c4-square for his knight with 6. a3 , but the time taken for him to develop in this fashion gives Black seamless Benko piece placement: 6...g6 7. e2 g7 8. c3 O O–O –O 9. xc4 bd7 10. e2 b8 11 11.. O– O–O O a6 12. b1 g4 13. e1 xc4 14. xc4 ge5 ge5 and and Black has easy mobility mobility,, E.Montenegro-A.Ramirez, San Jose 2012. 6...g6 6.. .g6 7. d2!? White d2!? White intends to post his bishop on c3 to oppose the one on g7. An interesting interesting plan of Gareyev’ Gareyev’ss in the standard Smisch-type structure is to delay castling with 7. c3 g7 g7 8. ge2 bd7 bd7 9.O 9.O–O –O b8 . Indeed, there’s no hurry to castle as White’s structure isn’t geared towards an e4-e5 break or a direct kingside attack. Only after the pieces had reached their desired 12.b3 3 did he move his king to squares with with 10. b1 b6 11. b5+ fd7 12.b safety: 12. safety: 12...O– ..O–O O 13. d2 e5 14 14.. c2 c2 a6 15 15.. d3 e6 e6!! 16 16.d .dxe xe6 6 fxe6 fxe6 17 17.. c1d5 and White’s pieces are bunched aimlessly on the queenside, R.HungaskiT.Gareyev, Wheeling 2011. 7... g7 8. c3 O–O 9. e2 a6 a6 QUESTION: QUESTION: What is the purpose of this knight move? — ANSWER: The knight is heading for c7 where it supports the central ...e7-e6 break. — EXERCISE: Can you find another route for this knight? 12.b3 , ANSWER: Black can consider consider 9... 9... bd7 10.O–O b6 11. d2 b8 12.b3 although White is very solidly placed: 12... placed: 12... xc4 with xc4 13 13.. xc4 a6 14 14.. b1 b1 with absolute equality. Hence Black plays the other plan; with the knight on c7, at least the ...e7-e6 break is supported. 10.O–O c7 11 11.. d2 d7 d7 A A risky move. Black hopes to go to e5 or b6 to hit the bishop on c4. However, this leaves the black king vulnerable without a key defender, the g7bishop. 11... b8 12 12..b3 e6 at least adds some tension to the position. xg7 13.f4!and Things are sgetting dodgy for with Blackf4-f5. as White 12. central his threaten threatens to startslightly a kingside attack f4-f5. 13... b6 14 14.b .b3 3 13... increases xg7 presence f5!? Not ju f5!? just st we weak aken enin ing g Wh Whit ite e’s ho hold ld on d5 d5,, bu butt also also ja jamm mmin ing g his his at atte temp mptt at a ki king ngsi side de attack. a4 4 16.bxa4 xa4 17.f5 Perhaps 14...a5 was Perhaps 14...a5 was possible too and after 15. after 15. c2 a e8! 18. ab1 f6 things are quite unclear. 15. g3 Bolstering e4 and putting pressure on f5. 15...fxe4?! Black 15...fxe4?! Black embarks on a plan to completely wipe out White’s centre by removing both d5 and e4. However, there is a snag.
131
Moreo More over ver,, Bla Black ck’’s pos positi ition on was no nott so eas easy y to pun punctu cture re:: for exa exampl mple, e, 15... b8 xf5 17 17.. xf5+ xf5 xf5 18. 18.g4 g4 f8 19 19.. e4 d7 20 20.f .f5 5 gx gxf5 f5 21 21.g .gxf xf5 5 h8 16.exf5 xf5 22. g3 e8! 23. d3 f6 and Black is fine. e6 Forcing White to capture, since the d5-pawn is attacked three times. 16. dxe4 e6 Forcing 17.dxe6 d5 This d5 This is Black’s big idea, taking over the centre and seemingly winning a piece. — EXERCISE: As there meet is a snag idea.satisfacWhat is it? — ANSWER: 18.f5! ANSWER: 18.f5! It Itpreviously transpires mentioned, that Black cannot the with threatthis of f5-f6 torily.. Wei Ming had seen this move in his calculations, but did not think much of it torily then. 18... then. 18... xe6! Th xe6! The e on only ly mo move ve an and d on one e th that at give givess Wh Whit ite e a tru truck cklo load ad of op opti tion ons. s. W Whe hen n one is in dire straits, it is often a good idea to keep the position complex and not give your opponent opponent a forced line to find. 20.e .e7 7 White wins easily after 18...dxe4? 18...dxe4??? 19.f6+! h8 20 or 18... xc4?? 19.f6+ . 19. xc5 Bagging a pawn. However, at this juncture, Wei Ming pulled up his socks and fought back brilliantly brilliantly.. Firstly Firstly,, he played for a queenless ending a pawn down down.. White should concentrate on keeping that passed e-pawn alive with 19.fxe6! 21.axb3 b3 d4+ 22 22.. h1 , in inst stea ead d of sn snag aggi ging ng a pa pawn wn:: 19... 19...dxc4 dxc4 20. g4! cxb3 21.ax ae8! 23. h5+! ( if if 23. 23. xa7?! xf1+ xf1+ 24 24.. xf1 d5 and Black is back in the 24.e .e7 7 f5 25 25.. fd1! b2 26. d6 and White wins. One topic mix )) 23 mix 23.. .... h8 24 in GM Boris Alterman’s ICC lectures, namely that a passed pawn on the sixth rank might be worth a piece, certainly applies in this instance. 19...dxc4 20. xd8 axd8 21.fxe6 xf1+ 22. xf1 f8! 23. c1 c1 White White must keep the rook to maintain any winning chances. xf8 24 24.. f2 cxb3 cxb3 25 25.a .axb xb3 3 e7 e7 with with an easy draw. draw. If 23. If 23. xf8 xf8 23...cxb3 23...cxb 3 24.a 24.axb3 xb3 e8 25 25.. e1 c8! c8! The The only way White can try to win this is to find a way to attack a7 with Ne4-d6-c Ne4-d6-c8. 8. Hence We Weii Ming immediately sets out tto o challenge a4 This This is what White had the e4-squar e4-square. e. 26.h4 26.h4 d6 27. ge4 xe4 28. xe4 f6 29. a4 been banking on, that in order to surround the e6-pawn, Black must give up a7. Ho Howwever, Wei Ming had worked out the draw already. 29... already. 29... xe6! 30. d7+ Making another attempt to win. After 30. xe6 xe6 31. xa7 h5 32. a4 b6 33. f4+ e5 34. f3 b4 After 5! Black will soon draw. 35.g3 b5 36. f2 d4 37. e2 g5! Black 30... g7 31. e5 e5 With With the idea of tying the black rook to a8 or e7. 31... c7! Black is prepared to give up the a-pawn to obtain a rook ending one pawn down. 32. xa7 xe5 33. xc7+ f6 34 34.. c4 Of course, 34. xh7 b5 is an even clearer draw. 132
34... e2 35 35.. h2 e5 36 36.b .b4 4 b2 Black obtains the desired draw. draw. Usually in such endings, White’s rook needs to be behind the passed pawn, instead of at the side or in front, fron t, in orde orderr for him to win by force force.. Mo Moreo reover ver,, the black king is extr extremely emely activ active e 38.. c4 d5 39. c5+ e4 40 40.. b5 ff4 4 41. 1.h5 h5 g5 42 42.. b7 b7 h6 43. b6 here. 37. here. 37. g4 b3 38 g4 44. xh6 xb4 45. h8 b1 46.h6 b6 b6 The The intensity in this tussle between the board 2 players of their respecti respective ve countries must have spurre spurred d them on as Munkhgal made his second IM norm and Wei Min Ming g his second GM norm in this event. 1/2-1/2 B)4a 4 In rapid chess, FIDE-rated games and correspondence, 2.c4 c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4. 4.a4 a4 In 1.d4 f6 2. th the e only only ti time me I ha have ve lost lost in the the Be Benk nko o Gam ambi bitt wa wass play playin ing g Wh Whit ite e in th this is line line.. Of co cour urse se,, the reason for my ’success’ can be partly attributed to playing only one or two tournaments a year over the last 20 years and almost never outside Singapore. Anyway, 4 a4 and 4.b3 ar are e at atte temp mpts ts by Wh Whit ite e to ke keep ep the pa pawn wn st stru ructu cture re inta intact ct,, bu butt Blac Black k should have no problems equalizing. Observe how I got taught a lesson in Tay-Bartsch after I played some stereotyped moves in a correspondence encounter. Tay ay,, J. • Ba Barts rtsch, ch, M. Correspondence 2001 0-1 A57 ( Junior Tay) White seeks to force force Black to clarify his intentions. He 1.d4 f6 2 2.c4 .c4 c5 3 3.d5 .d5 b5 4 4.a4 .a4 White can elect to gain space with ...b5-b4 or employ the game continuation. ◦
After 4.b3 Black After 4.b3 Black can immediately undermine White’s centre with with 4 4.. .... e6! e6! which was the choice of former FIDE World Champion Veselin Topalo opalov: v: b7 White White will have to give up the centre by exchanging 5.dxe 5.d xe6 6 ( after 5. f3 b7 d5!? !? , , as in S.Sa S.Sanche nchezz Lope Lopez-V z-V.T .Topa opalov lov,, on e6 soon sooner er or late later r ) 5... 5...fx fxe6 e6 6. f3 d5 Albox (rapid) (rapid) 2005. 4...bxc4!? With this capture, Black intends to steer the game into standard Benko territory and play on the b-file. Those more inclined towards a Modern Benoni set-up can choose to gain sp space ace wit with h 4...b4 an and d yo you u can can’t go wr wron ong g wi with th the the Bo Boss ss,, Ga Garr rry y Ka Kasp spar aro ov, be be-in ing g the hig highes hest-r t-rate ated d exp expon onen entt of thi thiss lin line: e: 5. 5. d2(5.b3e56.g3d67. g2g6 a5 gives gives equal chances, as in J.Markus-So.Polgar, Amster8.e4 g7 9. e2 a5 dam da m 199 1995 5 ) 5. 5... ..g6 g6 6. 6.e4 e4 d6 7. gf3( or 7.f4 g78. gf3O–O9. d3 e6 10 10.O .O–O –O 133
exd5 11.cxd5 e8 e8 with a satisfactory Benoni, C.Ward-J.Degraeve, Ghent 8.g3 .g3 e6 9 9.. h3 exd5 10. xc8 xc8 11.cxd5 O–O 12 12.O–O .O–O c4 2005 ) 2005 ) 7... g7 8 and an d Bl Black ack was alr alread eady y tur turnin ning g the scr screws ews on Whi White te in W.Sc .Schmi hmidtdt-G.K G.Kas aspar paro ov, Dubai Olympiad 1986. 5. c3 d6 6.e4 g6 7. xc4 g7 8.f4 8.f4 This This looks pretty impressive for White, doesn’t it? White establishes a Four Four Pawns Attack forma formation tion and with the bishop lurking on c4, it is dif difficu ficult lt for Bla Black ck to und underm ermine ine tha thatt po power werful ful-lo -look oking ing cen centr tre e wit with h ...e7...e7-e6. e6. — EXE EXERRCISE CISE:: Wh What at’’s a go good od wa way y to cros crosss Wh Whit ite e’s pl plan an of Bc Bc4 4 an and d Qe Qe2 2 wi with th th the e id idea ea of an ev even en-tual f4-f5? — ANSWER: 8... ANSWER: 8... a6! a6! Black Black should eliminate White’s light-squared bishop, which also weakens his hold on d5 (for when he attempts e4-e5), and makes it easier for Black to achieve ...e7-e6 without having to worry about dxe6 fxe6; f4-f5 tricks. I was trying to follow Chris Ward’s game where he crushed world-class opposition in C.Ward-M.Adams, Hastings 1995: 8...O–O 9. f3 a6 10. b5 e8 11. 11.O–O O–O c7 12. 12.f5! f5!?? xb513.a xb5 13.axb5 xb5 d714. e2 b615. g5h616. h3 d7 17. f3 f3 (Black (Black has no time to even contemplate queenside play having to keep on fending off the kingside marauders) 17... e5 18. g3 d7 19. f2 fb8 20 20.. a5 e821. g4 xg422. xg4h523. g5 h7 24.e5 24.e5!! dxe5 e4 with with a humongous attack. 25.d6! 25.d 6! ex exd6 d6 26. e4 9. b5+ xb5 10.axb5 10.axb5 QUESTION: QUESTION: Is the b5-pawn a strength or weakness for White? — ANSWER: It’ It’s too earl early y to tell at this stage stage.. If White can issue suffic sufficient ient thr threats eats against a7 or the kingside so that Black is unable to hit b5, then the pawn is a strength as it ke keep epss Bl Blac ack k he hemm mmed ed in. in. Ho Howe weve verr, if Wh Whit ite e is un unab able le to pu putt Blac Black k un unde derr su such ch pr pres es-sure, then the b5-pawn may become a liability, especially in the late middlegame or endgame where it will need guarding. 10...O–O guarding. 10...O–O 11. f3 bd7! No bd7! No more Ward-Adams stuff. Adams’s plan of ...Ne8-c7 is too slow and allows White a free hand on the kingb6 Black Black plans to undermine White’ White’s centre with ...e7-e6. I underside. 12.O–O b6 estimated this structure and had assumed that I already had the better game due to my strong b5-pawn and pressure down the a-file. 13. a-file. 13. e2?! A e2?! A pointless square for the queen.. Eithe queen Eitherr Qe1-h4 or Re1 was more to the poin point, t, but I was still in Wa Wardrd-Ada Adams ms Connecting g the rooks and prepari preparing ng to counter with ...e7-e6. ...e7-e6. 14. 14. d2 mode. 13... c7 Connectin ad8 15 15.. a6 fe8 Black is ready to play ...e7-e6 After 14. d1 ad8
and I didn and didn’’t like like th the e look look of 14.f5 14.f5 gxf gxf5 5 15. h4 e6 16. 16.dx dxe6 e6 fxe4 fxe4 17. 17.exf exf7+ 7+ xf7 d5 as as if my attack fizzled out, I would have to deal with that scary 18. f5 d5 pawn mass in the centre centre.. fe8! Playing the Benko Gambit does not mean that Black has to home in on the 14... fe8! Playing b-file b-fil e at the first oppo opportuni rtunity ty.. Sin Since ce White White’’s centre is fluid and he might be able to generate kingside chances with f4-f5, Black first takes the time to undermine White’s strong centre before it really becomes a threat. 15. fe1 fe1 Anticipating Anticipating that White will ab8! A good waiting move, encouraging White soon need to overprotect of e4. 15... e4. 15... ab8! A to gang up on a7. 134
That Th at said said,, th the e simp simple le 15.. 15...e6 .e6 16. dx dxe6 e6 xe6 is is,, of co cour urse se,, a go good od alte altern rnat ativ ive. e. e6 Finally undermining the white centre. 17.dxe6 xe6 18. ea1?! I got 16. a6 e6 conned into seeking counterplay on the a-file. Likewise, after 18. after 18. d1 be8 19. a1 6e7 20. a2 b8 b8 White’s White’s posturing on the queenside has come to a standstill. b7 Afte Afterr 18 mo moves ves,, I alread already y found myself in seriou seriouss trouble trouble.. I can no longe longerr 18... b7 improve my position whereas Black has no problems finding useful moves such as ...Nfd7, ...c4 and ...Nc5-d3. 19. g5 g5 Played Played to transfer the queen to f3 and the knight to f2 to defend e4. 19... e4. 19... e7 20. f3 d7! d7! Heading Heading for e8 where the queen contributes to putting pressure on e4 while keeping an eye on the b5-pawn. Observe how well the black rooks defend a7 sideways while actively harassing b5 and e4. 21. e4. 21. e1 Hoping to transfer the bishop to g3 or h4 to issue some threats. White has exhausted his options and a waiting move like 21. h1 h1 just just allows 23.. c1 g4 Black to improve his position further with 21. 21...h ..h6 6 22. h3 c4 23 when ...f7-f5 is lurking.
21...h6 21.. .h6pieces? 22. h3—EX EXER ERCI CISE SE:: H ow do does es Blac Blme ack kwith: expl exploi oit t the the lack ck of23. co coor dina nati on Now am amon ong the the xe4! xe4 e8 e8 Now I ghave white ANSWER: Bartsch hit 22... la ordi tion to return the piece with interest. 24. c3 xe4 25. f2 ee7 ee7 Hit Hit and run. run. No Now w all Black has to do is to carefully mobilize his c- and d-pawns. There is also the matter of the en prise b5-pawn. 26.h3 b5-pawn. 26.h3 Avoiding Avoiding any potential back-rank mate threats. 26...f5! An excellent space grab grab.. No Now w the b5-pawn is pronoun pronounced ced dead upon request unless White tries for more tricks. — QUESTIO QUESTION: N: Why did Black not munch the seemingly free b5-pawn? ANSWER: 26... xb5?! is ANSWER: 26... xb5?! is met by 27. 27. e4! e4! when when 27... 27... d7? ( best ( best is 27... is 27... b3 32.gxf3 xf3 e633. e5 28. xd6 bd729. e4 d530. f6+ xf631. xf6 xf3 32.g with drawing chances for White )28. xg7 req equi uirres Blac Black k to sacr sacrifi ifice ce the the exexif 28... 28... xg7?? 29. c3+)29. xe4 xg7 an and d by no now w change cha nge wit with h 28... xe4( if it is White who is playing for the win. c8! Not Not an iota of counterplay will be granted. Black simply guards a7 and 27. c6 c8! now proceeds proceeds to play against b5. I wa wass ho hopi ping ng fo forr 27... xc6 xc6 28.b 28.bxc6 xc6 bc7 bc7 when when Black has to decide whether to lose a7 or let the c6-pawn survive. 28. 1a5 b6! Now Black starts to prepare for the conversion of his extra pawn by setting up exchanges exchanges.. 29. d5+ After 29. xe8+ xe8 xe8 30 30.. d1d5 White d1d5 White’’s rooks are still jammed on the a-file while Black has started rolling his extra pawn down the board. 135
29... h7 30.g4 30.g4 A A last-ditch attempt to denude the black king. 30...fxg4 31.hxg4 f7 Black conveniently takes aim at yet another target. target. 32. 32. xb6 xb6 If 32...axb6?! If 32...axb6?! 33. a8 and White is back in the mix. Still trying to smoke the black king out, but to no avail. 34...gxf5 34.f5 Still 33. e4 f8 34.f5 35.gxf5 35.g xf5 d5! d5! Fi Fina nall lly y, th the e pa pawn wnss star startt th thei eirr ad adva vanc nce e an and d the the wr writ itin ing g is on the the wa wall. ll. 36. 36. d3 c4 37. c2 xc3! This xc3! This looks dangerous, giving up such a good minor piece, but Black has worked it all out. 38.f6+ h8 39. xc3 g8+ 40. f1 d8! What a useful queen, e6 With With hitting a5, g5 and threatening ...d5-d4. 41. d4 h7 42. e2 e8+ 43. d1 e6 little queen moves, Black keeps improving his position ever so slightly. 44. a3 xf6 e6 In In over-the-board play, Finally cashing in. 45. xf6 xf6 46. xa7+ g6 47. g4 e6 maybe there are still some chances to survive, but not in correspondence chess, so I resigned. 0-1 C )4e4 1.d4 f6 2.c4 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4. 4.e4 e4 Finally Finally we come to the belligerent 4 e4 where White sacrifices important pawn to develop his queen the aggressive f3-square. has to be an careful with tactics based on d5-d6 and to inaccurate play might leaveBlack him unable to develop his kingside, allowing White to obtain strong central pressure after a qui quick ck Re Re1. 1. In Urc rcanan-Ko Koh, h, Black Black was cer certai tainly nly sur surpri prised sed an and d qui quite te for fortun tunate ate to esc escape ape when White overreacted overreacted in a strong position. Urca rcan, n, O. • Koh, oh, J. Teck Gh Ghee ee (ra (rapid pid)) 2013 * A57 ( Junior Tay) 2.c4 c4 c5 3 3.d5 .d5 b b5 5 4.e 4.e4!? 4!? xe4 xe4 I watched at this point with amusement as 1.d4 f6 2. Olimpiu Urcan clutched his queen, hovered it over d3 hesitantly, shook his head and ◦
pl plac aced ed itblitz on f3games wi with th afrom sigh si gh,, this a sh sho ow of dram drama a all alto l for fothis r my sake sake.. We.ha had ac ly pl play ayed ed two two training position prior encounter encounter. 5.d f3tual a5+ actu ally Check out thi Check thiss tra traini ining ng gam game e whe where re I sho should uld hav have e be been en sla slaugh ughter tered ed:: 5... d6 6.cxb5 should should be met by 6...a6 as 6...a6 as in a standard Benko ) Benko ) 6... a5+?! 6. f4 ( 6.cxb5 ( 6... a6! is correct and after 7.a3 after 7.a3 ( while ( while after 7.cxb5 after 7.cxb5 b4 8. d1 b7 10.dxe6 xe6 dx dxe6 e6 11. f3 f6 f6!! 12. g3 f5 13. c1 e4 he e4 he has the 9. c3 e6 10.d better chances ) 7... c7 8. c3 b7 b7 Black Black has good play against the white d6 61 10. 0. c3 (I c3 (I was aghast at how centre ) centre ) 7. d2 xc4 8. xc4 bxc4 9. e2 d far behind in development I was after just 10 moves; hence I got desperate and decided to sacrifice a pawn to develop quickly) 10...g5 ( 10...g6 11.O–O g7 12. fe1 fe1 just just looks bad for Black ) ) 11. xg5 g7 12.O–O d7 136
13. fe1 e5 (I saw saw the fo follo llowi wing ng sacr sacrifi ifice ce co comi ming ng,, bu butt wh what at co coul uld d I do do?) ?) 14. 14. xe5!! xe5 15. xc4 c7 . c7 . EXERCISE: What is the best way to deliver the coup de grce? grce? ( ANSWER: ANSWER: 16. 16. e1!! and e1!! and there are no prizes for guessing where the rook is going. After After 16... 16... b8 17. xe5!! dxe5 18.d6 b7 19. d3 e4 it’s it’s total annihilation. ) ( Instead, f6 20.dxe7 fxg5 21. d8+ f7 22. e4 O.Urcan-J.Tay, Singapore (blitz) 2013, concluded 16. b5 b8 17. xe5 xe5 a sigh of relief as now the worst is over for Black; ( instead after 17. e1!! d7 22. xf8 xb5 18 18.. xe5 xe5 dx dxe5 e5 19. 19. x xe5 e5 O– O–O O 20 20.. xe7 xe7 h6 21 21.. g3+ h7 ( 17 17.. .... xb5 bxd6 Black gets smashed again ) again ) is of no help either ) 18. xe7 xe7 19. bxd6 Black 17...dx 17.. .dxe5 e5 18.d6 xb5 xb5 19. xa8 b7 20. 20. xb7 xb7 21.dx 21.dxe7? e7? ( after 21. xe7 d7 d7 Black Black has good drawing chances ) 21... g8 22. f6?? xg2+ 23. f1 0-1. ) g6 24 24.. xe5 a6+ a6+ 25 25.. e1 g1+ 0-1. ) 6. c3!? Black is well placed after 6. after 6. d2 d6 7.b4!? xb4! ( White does have some compe com pensa nsatio tion n for the paw pawns ns aft after er 7... 7...cxb4 cxb4 8. b3 a4 9.c 9.cxb5 xb5 xb5 xb5 10 10.. h3 ; I will cop out with an unclear evaluation ) 8. b7 9. a3 d4 d4 10 10.. c1 8.cx cxb5 b5 b7 e5 e5+ + 11 11.. e2 e6 e6!! . 6... xc3 xc3 7. d2 d2 d6 d6?! ?!
The simplest way for Black to wend his way through the thicket of messy lines would be to quickly develop the kingside: 7...b4! 8.a3 ( or ( or 8.bxc3 8.bxc3 g6! O–O when Black is doing 9.cxb4 9.cx b4 cxb4 10. d3 g7 11. b1 a6 12. e2 O–O when 9.bxc3 c3 g6! 10.c 10.cxb4 xb4 cxb4 well in terms of material and position position ) ) 8... a6! 9.bx 11. b3 g7 g7 12 12.. a2 c3! c3! and and White does not have enough for his pawn.
8.cxb5 8.c xb5 a6? a6?!! A reflex move for a Benko Gambit player. More circumspect would be to develop quickly with 8... d7 9. xc3 c7 10. e2 b7 . 9. xc3 b6 10.a4 axb5 11. xb5+ d7 12. xd7+ xd7 xd7 At At this juncture, Olimpiu decided to play for a brilliancy. brilliancy. He went for an unsound Nh3-g5-e6 sacrifice but to no avail. During Durin g the pos postt mor mortem tem,, he imm immedi ediate ately ly po poin inted ted out tha thatt the pr pros osaic aic 13. e2! would win easily easily.. Indeed, those present could not refute the continuation and an d even even ba back ck ho home me wi with th th the e help help of th the e en engi gine nes, s, it tr tran ansp spir ired ed th that at Black lack is simply busted as the following variations show: 16.b4! and and once the rook ( Futile is 13... is 13... b3 14.O–O xa4 15. xa4 xa4 16.b4! invades on the a-file, Black is in deep trouble: 16...f6 trouble: 16...f6 17. a1 b5 18. e3 and the attack is bound to work. ) ( 13. 3... .. f6 14.O–O b3 15. f4 g8 16. fe1 g5 1 17. 7. a3 c4 18. xf6 gxf4 gxf4 . . EXERC EXERCISE ISE:: Find a way for Whit White e 137
to make inr inroad oads. s. — ANSW ANSWER: ER: 19. b3!! (o b3!! (once nce the ro rook ok invad invades es,, it’ it’ss all over ver)) 23.b3 with with a forced 19... d8 20. xe7+ xe7 21. b7 e8 22. g4 xa4 23.b3 win. ( win. ( ) ) 9: D Djï j £¡ Vu BG Mot otif ifss in Ot Othe herr Op Open enin ings gs 1.d4 f6 2 2.c4 .c4 c5 3 3.d5 .d5 b5 b5 In In this chapter I will point out that Benko-type positions can occur in non-Benko openings openings.. Her Here e one’ one’ss knowledge of the standard ideas in the Benko Gambit will help greatly in terms of confidence, the time taken to consider the re resul sultin ting g mo moves ves an and, d, of cou cours rse, e, the ini initia tiall sac sacrifi rifice ce of the b-p b-pawn awn.. In pa parti rticula cularr, if one one’’s oppo op pone nent nt is no nott a 1 d4 play player er an and d is fa faci cing ng a Be Benk nkoo-ty type pe co coun unte tera ratt ttac ack, k, ther there e is bo boun und d to be some disorientation. Zhang Zho Zhang Zhong ng • Tin Tin Ji Jinya nyao o Singapor Sing apore e Rapi Rapid d Cham Champions pionship hip 2011 0-1 B22 ( Junior Tay) Singapore’s top player, GM Zhang Zhong, is an out-and-out 1 e4 player. According to ◦
my database, database, he has play played ed 1 d4 less than 10% of the time time.. Mo Moreo reover ver,, ther there e is not a si sing ngle le Be Benk nko o Gam ambi bitt ga game me play played ed by hi him m wi with th Wh Whit ite e or Black lack.. As a form former er me memb mber er of the Chinese national team, there is no doubt that he is familiar with Benko ideas, but in a Na Natio tiona nall Ra Rapid pid Cha Champi mpion onshi ship p gam game, e, alb albeit eit whe when n he had alr alread eady y cli clinch nched ed the title title,, he let his guard down and Black created the biggest upset in Singapore Singapore chess history. 1. 1.e4 e4 c5 2.c3 2.c3 d6 3.d 3.d4 ff6 6 4. d3 c6 c6 5. f3 g4 g4 6. 6.d5 d5 xf3 QUESTION: What is wrong with 6... with 6... e5 e5 ? ? — ANSWER: ANSWER: White can sa sacricrifice his queen temporarily with 7. with 7. xe5! xd1 8. b5+ d7 9. xd7+ xd7 xd7 when when he goes a piece up. 10. xd7 White has emerged with the 7. xf3 e5 8. b5+! fd7 9. e2 a6 10. a4 b5 11. c2 c2 White better position, with the two bishops and the opportunity to probe Black’s Black’s queenside. 11...g 11. ..g6 6 12. d2 White might try 12 try 12.a .a4 4 c4 13 13.f .f4 4 and after 13... d3+ d3+ 14 14.. xd3 xd3 cxd3 cxd3 15 15.. xd3 c5 Black c5 Black will get back his pawn, but the resulting positions are great for White, who is able to establish a clamp on the kingside while retainin retaining g the juicy option of Nf3-d4-c6: Nf3-d4-c6: for exampl example, e, 16. d4 ff6 6 17 17.. d2 xa4 ( or 20.f5 and and Black is struggling ) struggling ) 18. b3! 17...bxa4 18.O–O g7 19. e3 O–O 20.f5 g7 19 19.O .O–O –O O– O–O O 20 20.f .f5 5 with a nice clamp for White. cb6!? QUESTION: 12... b6 13.f4 ed7 14.O–O g7 15. f3 O–O 16. h1 c4 17.a4 cb6!? QUESTION: Is this a dubi dubious ous pawn sacrifi sacrifice? ce? — ANSWER: Havi Having ng played the Benko Gambi Gambitt for aeon ae ons, s, I am wo wont nt to see see th this is as a bo bold ld bid bid to wr wres estt th the e init initia iati tive ve.. Moreo oreove verr, th the e th then en 10 10- year-old year-o ld Jingyao regularly essays the Benko too and, hence, is familiar with its motifs. 138
Jing Jingya yao o ha hass wo work rked ed ou outt tha thatt try tryin ing g to ho hold ld on to the bb-pa pawn wn just just gi give vess Wh Whit ite e 18.. d3 a5 19 19.. e3 is good good for for Wh Whit ite. e. an eas easy y gam game: e: for exa exampl mple, e, 17... b6 18 18.axb5 18.ax b5 ax axb5 b5 19. xa8 xa8 xa8 20 20.. xb5 b8 21. 21.f5? f5? Inexplicable. Inexplicable. Why weaken the position and give up the e5-square? Black has some Benko-like pres After 21. e2 a2 22. d3 c4 23. c2 c5 After 21. c5 Black sure. sur e. Ho Howev wever er,, sin since ce Bla Black ck’’s pi piece ecess are are mos mostly tly mes messin sing g about about on the que queen en-side, it’s time for White to return material to go for the black king with 24.e5! xd xd5 5 25. 25.exd exd6 6 exd exd6 6 26. 26.f5! f5! ( if if 26. 26. d1 f6 27 27.. xd6 e8 28 28.. f1 fe4 a8 28 28.. g5 and with considerable considerable activity for the pawn ) 26 26.. .... f8! 27. d1 a8 White has a strong attack. Note that this e4-e5 pawn sacrifice, usually coupled with f4-f5, is a common feature in the Benoni and King’s Indian Four Pawns Attacks. Usually it’s played to clear the e4-square for a knight as well as to prise open the f-file, freeing the dark-squared bishop in the process. 21... e5 22 22.. e2 bc4 bc4 23 23.. xe5 xe5 xe5 24 24.. f2 a6! a6! Seiz Seizin ing g the key dia diagon gonal. al. Thi Thiss mo move ve comes naturally to a Benko Gambiteer. In the same year, Jingyao crushed a local National Master with the Benko, en route to winning the 2011 Cairnhill Open. 25.h3 Open. 25.h3 c4 With the threat of ...Bg3. ...Bg3. 30. 27.. b1 d3 28 28.. xd3 xd3 xd3 29 29.. e1 e5 e5 With 30. e3? 26. g1 f6 27 And, finally finally,, Zhang Zhong blunders away the b-pawn. b-pawn. 30... 30... xe3+ xe3+ 31. xe3 f432. e1 hard for xc1 33. xc1 xb2 xb2 Any Any Benko text will tell you that the position is extremely White to defend, with loose pawns on c3 and e4. 34. e1 g7 3 35.fx 5.fxg6 g6 h hxg6 xg6 36.e5 37.c .c4 4 d4 38 38.e .exd xd6 6 ex exd6 d6 39 39.. e7 Before the black king gets to e5 itself. 36... d2 37 Pr Prob obab ably ly Zh Zhan ang g Zh Zhon ong g did did no nott wa want nt th the e blac black k ki king ng to be beco come me too too acti active ve afafter 39. c1 f6 40 40.. f2 d2+ d2+ 41 41.. f3 e5 42 42.. e1+ d4 an and d life life is st stil illl toug tough h g5!! 45 45.. f6 xc4 xc4 46 46.. xd6 xd5 . for White after 43. e4+ d3 44. f4 g5 43.d6 3.d6 d4 44. g7 g5 45. f2 xd6 39... xc4 40. d7 f6 41. xd6+ e5 42. d7 f6 4 46. c7 d4 47. e2 c c4 4 48 48.. d2 d5 49. f7 f5 50. d7+ c5 51. c3 f2 52. f7 xg2 53. xf6 g3+ g3+ 54 54.. c2 xh3 xh3 55 55.. f5+ b4 56 56.. xg5 h2+ h2+ 57 57.. b1 b3 58 58.. b5+ c3 59 59.. g5 h1+ h1+ 60 60.. a2 d1 61 61.. g3+ d3 62 62.. g1 d2+ d2+ 63 63.. b1?? Correctt was 63. a3 c2 64 Correc 64.. b4c365. a3 h2 66 66.. g7 g7 when when Black cannot make further progress. a2 65 65.. b1 b1 With With ...c3-c2 looming, Zhang Zhong surrendered. surrendered. 63... b3 64. c1 a2 0-1 Tay ay,, J. • Lea, P . Correspondence 2002 1-0 A36 ( Junior Tay) The next game was played in a correspondence tournament which I won with 5/6, ◦
139
mainly due to the Benk mainly Benko o Gambit and its ideas. ideas. Two games were prop proper er Benko encounters, but in the one we’ll see here, it was my greater Benko understanding which played the key role when I had the white pieces. 5.a3 White White plans to expand on the queenside 1.c4 f6 2.g3 g6 3. g2 g7 4. c3 c5 5.a3 before deciding whether to put his knight on e2 or f3. This is a standard feature in the c6 6. b1 O– O–O O 7. 7.b4 b4 cxb4 cxb4 8.ax 8.axb4 b4 a5 9.bx 9.bxa5 a5 English Opening. 5... Opening. 5... c6 9.b5?! only 9.b5?! only gives Black a passed a-pawn unnecessarily unnecessarily.. 9... xa5 9... xa5 , developing the queen, is more accurate. 10.d3!? e6 In a later correspondence game, Black played a beautiful exchange sacrixd5 when when he fice with with 10. 10... ..d5! d5! 11. xd5 xd5 12.cxd5 xd5 13. xd5 xd5 had full compensation due to White’s weakened light squares and lack of development: 14.e4 a5+ 15. f1 a6 16. g2 d8 17. c2 xd3 18. b2 xb2 19. xb2 g4 20. b6 a3 21. xb7 d1 22. b3 a1 23.h3 xh3+ e5 52 28. 8. xc6 f1+ f1+ 24. xh3 xg1 25. xg1 xg1 26. b1 xf2 27. b5 e , R.Pohjosmaki-F R.Pohjosmaki-F.Smit, corresp correspondence ondence 2008. 11. f3 f3 d5 12. d2! d2! Freeing Freeing up White’s fianchettoed bishop. dxc4 c4 with with 13. xc4 . I was also aiming to meet 12. d2 dx 12...d4?! On the surface, this looks like a useful space-gaining move, but now White 12...d4?! On obta ob tain inss a go good od rev ever erse sed d Be Benk nko o, wi with th th the e same same type type of qu quee eens nsid ide e pr pres essu surre an and d wi with thou outt the pawn deficit. 13. b5 e5 14. a3! a3! There’s There’s no need to hurry to castle as there’s no danger to White’s king thanks to his firm control over e4. 14... e8 15. d6! White is causing mayhem by utilizing the inverse of the d3-square, the d6-square. 15... a2 17.. b3?! Too b3?! Too much finessing. 16. c7 e7 17 18.c5! , annexing the d6-square for good, gives White Simply 17.O–O 17.O–O f5 18.c5! , an ex exce cell llen entt ga game me as Blac Black k ca cann nnot ot play play th the e ce cent ntra rall br brea eak k 18...e4?? , bec becaus ause e 18...e4?? , of ( neither ( neither can Black really capture with 18... xc5 xc5 as as White will obtain a 19.dx .dxe4 e4 xe4 20. xe4 xe4 fantastic grip on the position after 19. after 19. c4! ) 19 21. xe4 xe4 xe4 22 22.. d6 , nabbing the exchange. 17... a6?! Black had to complicate by parting with the exchange: exchange: 17... 17... xd2! 18. xd2 h6 h6+ + 19 19.. d1 d1 e4 , with attacking chances.
140
18. d6 d8 19.O–O 19.O–O Ob Obviou viously sly White is having all the fun her here. e. Blac Black k now tries to reduce the pieces, which is something that Benko exponents more than welcome. Forcing more exchanges by threatening e4 Forcing 19... a7 20. xa7 xa7 21. c5 a8 22. e4 to plonk the knight on d6. 22... xe4 23. xe4 c7 24. b4 b4 Increasing Increasing White’s darka2 Finally Finally obtaining some semblance of counterplay, but this square pressure. 24... a2 will be insufficient as White just keeps building up. 25. b5 e6 After 25... d8 26 26.. b2 xb2 xb2 27 27.. xb2 xb2 White White still calls the shots. Now Now,, however, comes a sequence of moves which leads to an ending where White can squeeze Black until the cows come home. 29.. xb1 e730. b8h631. b5 h7 32 32.. c5 26. d5 a527. b6 xb528. xc7 xb1 29 The rook will invade on c7 and White will pick off either e5 or b7, winning. 1-0 Tay ay,, J. • Ch Chan an,, M. Cairnhil Cai rnhilll Open 2000 ◦
*
A08 ( Junior Tay)
Lastly Las tly,, her here e’s an int inter erest estin ing g tra transp nspos ositi ition on fro from m the Fr Frenc ench h De Defen fence ce to a re rever versed sed Ben Benko ko type type of po posi siti tion on ag agai ains nstt a loca locall FI FIDE DE Ma Mast ster er,, wh who o is hims himsel elff a Be Benk nko o Ga Gamb mbit it expo expone nent nt.. However, Mark Chan didn’t look comfortable during this encounter. d2 c5 4. gf3 c6 5.g3 5.g3 d6 1.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3. d2 Not as common as 5... f6 , but this bishop sally has been played by worldclass play players ers like Kar Karpo pov v, Tiviak Tiviakov ov and P.Ni .Nikoli kolic. c. Blac Black’ k’ss imme immediat diate e aim is to overprotect the e5-square and make it extremely tough for White to effect his typical space-gaining e4-e5 push. 6. g2 ge7 7.O–O f6 8. e1 O–O Here O–O Here I had some problems finding a plan for White. The e5-square is well cover covered ed and opening the e-file doesn doesn’’t seem tto o achieve much. 9 c3 would suffice, but after 9...d4 we get a sort of reversed King’s Indian where White’s rook is asking itself what it is doing on e1 instead of f1. 9.a3!? f1. 9.a3!? A A non-committa non-committall move, but I already had some semblance of what would transpir transpire. e. c4e5 when Black has achieved Moreo More over ver,, I did didn n’t lik like e the loo look k of of 9. 9.c3 c3 d4 10 10.. c4e5 when a very solid reverse reversed d Smisch position with equal chances. 9... c7 10.ex 10.exd5! d5! exd5 give vess Whit White e a plea pleasa sant nt if te temmBl Blac ack k ca can n also also ch choo oose se 10... xd5 , but 11. e4 gi porary outpost on e4 and the opportunity to play for the c2-c4 and b2-b4 breaks.
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11.c4! Making good use of the weakened central light squares to extend the range of 11.c4! Making the bishop on g2. 11...d4?! EXERCISE: If you don’t know what White’s next move is, mayb ma ybe e yo you u sh shou ould ld play play th the e QG QGD D or th the e Slav Slav.. .... — AN ANSW SWER ER:: 12.b4! Of cou course rse.. 12...cxb4 12.b4! Of b3 Threatening Threatening to win a piece with c4-c5 as well as putting immediate pressure 13. b3 14.axb4 White White has a superb Benko-style position. 14... xb4 on the b-file. 13... h8 14.axb4 15. a3?! T a3?! Too oo stereotyped. — QUESTIO QUESTION: N: This looks thematic, but what was better? xd4! Black cannot recapture as 15... as 15... xd4 ?? 16. xb4 ANSWER: After 15. After 15. xd4! Black c2 17. xe7 xe7 wins wins material. ab1 White White has typical Benko-like pressure for the pawn. Unfortunately 15... c3 16. ab1 I couldn’t reconstruct the rest of the game which later ended in a draw. 10: Ben Benko ko Doj Dojo o Time Time 2.c4 c5 3 3.d5 .d5 b5 b5 . We’re no now w appro approachi aching ng the end of this book. He Here re I’ve I’ve 1.d4 f6 2.c4 included 40 exercises, mostly from recent tournament praxis and my own Internet blitz bli tz gam games es.. The These se dem demons onstra trate te sta stand ndar ard d Be Benko nko mot motifs ifs tha thatt frequ frequent ently ly occ occur ur and on once ce you are familiar with them, you will be in good stead when you reach out to sacrifice your b-pawn on move 3 with that glint in your eye. Solutions follow at the end (see the following followin g game). Deniau, P. • Le Go Goff ff,, D. Rennes 2012 ◦
* ( Junior Tay)
Black to play Eve very ry Be Benk nko o Ga Gamb mbit it play player er kn kno ows th this is st stoc ock k sacr sacrifi ifice ce an and d wi will ll pl play ay it in a fla flash sh.. — [See [See the following game for the solution.] 142
Deniau, P. • Le Go Goff ff,, D. solution ◦
17... xb2 xb2!! 18. xb2 xb2 19. xb2 xc3 xc3 with with a highly advantageous position for Black. Bluebaum, M. Bluebaum, • Tay ay,, J. Internet Int ernet (blit (blitz) z) 2013 ◦
* ( Junior Tay)
White to play After the eviction of the knight on b5, Black will obtain tremendous pressur pressure e on the b2-pawn. How can White deal with this? — [See the following game for the solution.] 143
Bluebaum, M. Bluebaum, • Tay ay,, J. solution ◦
The German swiftly his queenside pawns 19. 19.b4! b4! 20. 20.bx bxc5 c5 xc5 21. 21.a5 a5 with withmoving: a large advantage for White due to 18. xc7 xc7 IM a7got xc5 the protected a-pawn.
Troff roff,, K. • Xiong, J. Saint Sa int Lou Louis is 2013
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* ( Junior Tay)
White to play 144
Black is poised to win the d5- or a2-pawn. Can you find a way for White to deal with the threat while improvi improving ng his piec piece e placemen placement? t? — [See the follo following wing game for the solution.] Troff roff,, K. • Xiong, J. solution
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, allowing Black to capture with 15. c1! allowing Black to capture 15... capture 15... xa2 16. xa2 xa2 xa2 because because he has the shot a8 and and then another one: 20.b4! xc6 21.dxc6 17. d4! c8 18. c6 b8 19. c4 a8 with advantage to White. Bekker Je Bekker Jense nsen, n, S. • Joh Johansen ansen,, S. Oslo 2013 ◦
145
Black to play Is .. ...c .c55-c4 c4,, wi with th th the e idea idea of .... ..Nc Nc55-d3 d3,, a go good od mo move ve he herre? — [See [See the the foll follo owi wing ng ga game me for for the solution.]
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Bekker Bek ker Je Jense nsen, n, S.
•
Johansen Joh ansen,, S. solution
In this case 14...c4? is 14...c4? is a lemon because White has 15. b5! c5 and not 15... xb2?? 16. c3 16. c3! g4 g4 17 17.. fd4 ge5 ge5 18 18.. e2 ae8 or 18... d3 19. c6 and White is on top 19. d2 19.b4 is also strong 19... a8 20 20.f .f4 4 with a winning advantage. advantage.
Lys ysyj, yj, I. • Gordievsky Gordievsky,, D. Ekaterinburg 2013 ◦
* ( Junior Tay)
146
Black to play Is ...c5-c4 playable here? — [See the following game for the solution.]
Lys ysyj, yj, I. • Gordievsky Gordievsky,, D. ◦
solution
Yes! The tactics work for Black: Yes! 15...c4! 16. d1 c6 Black can sacrifice the exchange with 17... xc6! if 16. d4 c5 17. c6 Black 18.dxc6 xc6 , with excellent compensation 17.. c3 16... c8 17 or 17. d4 xd5 17... c5 would c5 would give Black an excellent game. 147
Riazantsev,, A. Riazantsev • Pri Prizan zant, t, J. Ekaterinburg 2013
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White to on play The positi position is gettin getting g critical as Blac Black k threate threatens ns ...Qg4, hitting h5. What can White do? — [See the following game for the solution.]
Riazantsev,, A. Riazantsev • Pri Prizan zant, t, J. solution
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31.e5! . In fact Bla Black ck is now the one who must be vigi vigilant lant and cap captur ture e corre correctly: ctly: 31...dxe5 148
and not 31...fxe5?? 32. f7+! xf7 xf7 33 33.. xh7+ f8 34 34.. f3+ , winning 33.. c7 xh5+ xh5+ 34 34.. g1 and White is out of the woods. 32. xc5 g4 33 Mamedyarov,, S. Mamedyarov • Caruana, F. ◦
Moscow Mosco w (blit (blitz) z) 2013
White to play Black will soon complete development with ...N8d7. Can White exploit this factor to gain a huge advantage? — [See the following game for the solution.] Mamedyarov,, S. Mamedyarov • Caruana, F. solution
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17.e5! a7 149
17... x xd5 d5 18 18.. e4 is quite painful with a huge advantage for White White.. 20.. g5 g5 with 18.e6 xd5? 19.exf7+ h8 20
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Collin Col lins, s, S.
•
Tay ay, , J. (blit Int Internet ernet (blitz) z) 2013
Black to play White will soon be establishing a queenside bind with Qc2 and Nc4. What can Black do about it? — [See the following game for the solution.]
Collins, Collin s, S. • Tay ay,, J. solution
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150
I should have spotted the weakness of the a3-rook and played b5! w whe hen n Wh Whit ite e ha hass to sacr sacrifi ifice ce the the exch exchan ange ge with with 19. b1 xa3 17... xc3! 18. xc3 b5! 20. xa3 and Black is quite all right.
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Szebereny Szebe renyi, i, A.
•
Li Bo Budapest 2013
Black to play How Ho w does Black seize the initiative? — [See the following game for the solution.] Szeberenyi, Szebereny i, A. • Li Bo solution
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19...c4! (an 19...c4! (an outstanding temporary sacrifice) 20. b5 151
alternatively, 20. xc4 d4 21. g2 xc4 22.bxc4 xc4 alternatively, 20. xc4 with with good play for Black, 21.. g2 xc4 xc4 22 22.. xc4 xc4 xc4 when when Black is fine, 20.bxc4 d4 21 or 20.b4 or 20.b4 xa4 21. xa4 xa4 22. xa4 f3+ 23. g2 xd2 24. bd1 xf1
xb4 and and Black’s passed pawn maintains the bal25. xf1 xb4 26. xb4 xb4 ance 20... xb5 21.a 21.axb5 xb5 d422. e3 xe4 xe4 23 23.. g2 d3 24. 24.f4? f4?!! xd1 xd1 25 25.. ex exd1 d1 c3! 26. bc1 d7 27 27.. d4 xb5 xb5 28 28.. xc3 c5 29 29.. xg7 xg7 xg7 with with winning chances for Black.
Levin, F. • Collu Collutiis tiis,, D. Ortisei 2013 ◦
* ( Junior Tay)
White to play White has managed to get his queen queen’’s knight and bishop to their ideal squares. Ho How w does he make use of this to further improve his position? — [See the following game for the solution.]
Levin, F. • Collu Collutiis tiis,, D. solution ◦
152
17. xc7! xc7 18. xg7 xg7 19. d4! d4! and and the knight gets to anchor itself on b5 to 21.b3 b3 b422. ac1 b6 23. 23.h4 h4 secur sec ure e the que queens enside ide onc once e aga again in:: 19... b720. b5 a5 21. c4 24. 24.bx bxc4 c4 xa4 xa4 25. 25.h5 h5 xc4 xc4 ?? 26.h6+ 26.h6+ f8 27 27.. b1 a5 28 28.. a3 and White wins.
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Moiseenk Moi seenko, o, A.
•
Dubov,, D. Dubov Khanty-M Khanty-Mansiysk ansiysk (rapid) 2013
Black to play Can ...c5-c4 be played here? — [See the following game for the solution.]
Moiseenko, Moiseenk o, A. • Dubov Dubov,, D. solution ◦
153
A resounding ’Yes!’ ’Yes!’ as White’ White’ss attempt to put a knight on the c6 outpost is rebuffed tactically: xd4 18 18.. xd4 xd5+ xd5+ 19. 19.f3 f3 15...c4! 16. fd4?! xd5! 17.exd5 xd4 or 19. or 19. f3 e5 20. c3 xf3 21. xf3 xd2 xd2 with with good chances for Black to win and an d Bl Blac ack is be bette tterr sinc since e th the e da dark rk-s -squ quar ared ed bi bish shop op can can be ea easi sily ly bl blun unte ted d afte afterr 19...with Bc3 ork...f7-f6. xd4...e7-e5 Tran Tuan Mi Minh nh • Ma Mariano riano,, N. Manila 2013
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Black to play After a standar standard d move like ...Rb7, White intends to exchange the dark-squar dark-squared ed bishops with Bh6 and start a king kingside side attac attack. k. Ho How w does Black diver divertt his atten attention tion to the queenside? — [See the following game for the solution.] 154
Tran Tuan Mi Minh nh • Ma Mariano riano,, N. solution
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18... xc3! a frequent motif in the Benko, although Black must weigh the consequences of this capture carefully; instead, after 18... b7 19 19.. h6! h6! White White has a slight pull 19. xc3 or 19 19.b .bxc xc3 3 f6 20 20.. h6+ g8 g8 with with equal chances 19...f6 20.e5 e5 xd5 xd5 21. 21.ex exd6 d6 e6 loo looks ks ver very y da dange ngero rous us,, but Ho Houdi udini ni cla claims ims 19... xa2 20. that Black is okay 20. h6+ f7 21 21.b .b3 3 b4 an and d Blac Black k is stil stilll in th the e mi mixx as it is di diffi fficu cult lt for for Wh Whit ite e to un unde derrtake anything active. Daskevich, V. Daskevich, • Tay ay,, J. Internet Int ernet (blit (blitz) z) 2013 ◦
155
White to play Black’ Blac k’ss queensi queenside de play is in full swin swing. g. Ho How w can White repe repell the attac attack? k? — [See the following followin g game for the solution.]
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Daskevich,, V. Daskevich
•
Tay ay,, J. solution
White should have played 18.a5! when 18.a5! when Black’s pieces will be repelled: 18... a8 ed7 19 19.. a4 xe2+ xe2+ 20 20.. xe2 a6 21 21.. c4 if if 18... 18... ed7 or 18... or 18... xe2+ 19. xe2 a6 20.f4 ed7 21. c4 c4 with with a dominant position for White ed7 20 20.. c4 and Black is suffering badly. 19.f4 ed7 156
Kropff,, R. Kropff • Itu Iturriza rrizaga, ga, E. Cochabamba 2013 ◦
White to play White is under pressur pressure e on the queenside and in the centre centre.. What is his best plan here? — [See the following game for the solution.]
Kropff,, R. Kropff • Itu Iturriza rrizaga, ga, E. solution ◦
White should attempt 15.dxe6! 157
instead, he played 15. a2?! exd5 16.ex 16.exd5 d5 e8 and Black was better g5 when when he has the better game thanks to Black Black’’s 15...fxe6 15...fxe 6 16.e5 16.e5!! , and if f 16... 16...dxe5 dxe5 17. g5 split pawns. Narciso Narc iso Du Dubla blan, n, M. • Alonso Garcia Garcia,, R. Catalan Cat alan Leagu League e 2013
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Black to play Can 1...c5-c4 1...c5-c4 with the idea of exploit exploiting ing the c-file with 2 b4 c3 be play played? ed? — [See the following followin g game for the solution.] Narciso Narc iso Du Dubla blan, n, M. • Alonso Garcia Garcia,, R. solution 2014
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158
Not this time as it only helps White to roll his passed pawns: a5 22 22.. xd3 xc3 xc3 23 23.. c4 xc4 18...c4? 18.. .c4? 19 19.b4! .b4! c3 20. xc3 d3?? 21.b5! a5 or 23... a4 24 24.. xc3 xc3 with with winning chances for White 24. xc4 xb2 xb2 25 25.. xb2 xa3 xa3 26 26.. a2 1-0 Houska, Housk a, J. • Byklu By klum, m, B. Norwegia No rwegian n Leag League ue 2013 ◦
* ( Junior Tay)
Black to play Black can play to trap the white bishop, but how to best do this? — [See the following game for the solution.] Houska, Housk a, J. • By Byklu klum, m, B. solution ◦
159
After 15...h6! a6 18 18.. xa6 xa6 and instead, Black played 15.. 15...f6? .f6?!! 16. e5! dxe5 17. d2 a6 White kept her advantage 16.g4! (giving the bishop access to h4 and later g3) 16... xc3 17.bxc3 xc3 16.g4! (giving xc3 the the position remains unclear. * Li Ch Chao ao • Castor Castor,, D. Sydney 2013
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White to play How does the first player seize the initiative? — [See the following game for the solution.]
Li Ch Chao ao • Castor Castor,, D. solution
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160
19.b4! xa2 hc1 Black Black is in trouble as if 21... 21... xa2 ?? after 19...cxb4 20. c8 f8 21. hc1 after 19...cxb4 22. d8 d8 when when he cannot prevent the deadly threat of 23 Rcc8 xc5 with with good winning chances. 20.bx 20. bxc5 c5 dx dxc5 c5 21. xc5
Barnaure, V. • Tay ay,, J. Internet Int ernet (blit (blitz) z) 2013 ◦
White to play Can White seize the initiative? — [See the following game for the solution.]
Barnaure, V. • Tay ay,, J. ◦
161
solution
White could sacrifice a pawn to split Black Black’’s centre pawns and jam in the darksquared bishop: 12.e5! xa6 and Black had instead he played played 12.bxa 12.bxa6?! 6?! d5 13. b5 d4 14. e2 xa6 and good counterplay xe5 e5 13 13.. xe5 xe5 dx dxe5 e5 14 14.. e3 c7 15 15.. c4 with c4 with a dominant position. 12... x Baron, T. Baron, • Raznikov Raznikov,, D. Petach Pet ach Tik Tikva va 2010 ◦
Black to play Black is exerting strong pressure against b2, but White seems to have enough to hold it. Or does he? — [See the following game for the solution.] 162
Baron, T. Baron, • Raznikov Raznikov,, D. solution ◦
22... xb2! 23. xb2 c4! c4! Did Did you miss this in-between move? After 23... xb2 24. xb2 xc3 25. eb1 xb2 26. xb2 After 23... xb2 although although Black is better, the win is still far off. xb2 25 25.. xb2 xc3 xc3 26 26.. b7 24. ea1 xb2 if if 26. 26. bb1 xd5 and the a1-rook will still not run away 26... xa1 xa1 27 27.. xd7 f6 and Black calls the shots with his awesome bishops and soonto-be rampant rook.
Wichmann, C. • Tay ay,, J. Internet Int ernet (blit (blitz) z) 2013 ◦
163
White to play How Ho w can White exploit the dark-square weakn weaknesses esses that Black has? — [See the following game for the solution.]
Wichmann, C.
◦ •
Tay ay,, J. solution
10.b4! a4 11 11.. b2 b2 f6 and now 12.b6! now 12.b6! gives gives White a huge advantage.
Baramidze, Baramidz e, D. • Pet Petrosia rosian, n, S. German Germa n Leagu League e 2013
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164
Black to play Bl Blac ack k ha hass sacr sacrifi ifice ced d hi hiss e-pa e-pawn wn an and d th thrrea eate tens ns to tr trap ap the the bi bish shop op on e7 e7.. Wh Whic ich h is be bette tter: r: ...f6 or ...h6? — [See the following game for the solution.]
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Baramidz Bara midze, e, D.
•
Petrosia Pet rosian, n, S. solution
Correct was 17...h6! 20.. e6+ h8 21. 21.h4! h4! in inste stead, ad, Bla Black ck cho chose se 17...f6? 18. f4! e819. g4 c8 20 h5 22.e 22.e5! 5! dx dxe5 e5 23 23.. f7 h7 24. e4 a6 25. ac1 xb2 26. xc5 xc5 27. xc5 d6 28. xa6 and White was winning 19.. xe5 xe5 xe5 20 20.. xh6 xb2 xb2 with with equal chances. 18. f4 e5 19
165
Kasmir,, R. Kasmir • Tay ay,, J. Internet Int ernet (blit (blitz) z) 2013
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Black to play White’’s set-up seems solid enough, but Black can make use of the long diagonal to set White up a hit. How? — [See the following game for the solution.] Kasmir,, R. Kasmir • Tay ay,, J. solution
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13... a4! a4! (tactics (tactics based on b2 are very common in the Benko; that’s not surprising considering the frequent placement of a rook on b8 and the dark-squared bishop on g7 being ever ready to spring out) 14. xf6 I was hoping for 14.bxa4 for 14.bxa4 xb2 15. xb2 xe4 16. xg7+ xg7 17. xe4 when Black should be better 166
14... xf6 xf6 15.bx 15.bxa4?? a4?? 16.. c4 b5 17 17.h .h3 3 d4 only gives Black an edge 15. c1 c3 16 15... xa1 and Black soon won. Radjabov, T. Radjabov, • Andreikin, D. Astana (blitz) 2012 ◦
Black to play White is poised to play Nc4 establishing a queenside bind. How should Black counter? — [See the following game for the solution.] Radjabov, T. Radjabov, • Andreikin, D. solution ◦
167
There are two possible breaks, the first being 16...f5! and the second, 16...c4! second, 16...c4! 17.bxc4 a6 18. b3 c5 19. c2 cxa4 20. xa4 xc3 21. a2 b4 b4 with with fine play for Black 17. b2 b2 fx fxe4 e4 18 18.. dxe4 dxe4 c4 c4 with with good counterplay for Black.
Bosiocic, Bosioc ic, M. • V Van an Wely Wely,, L. Aix-les-Bains Aix-les-Bai ns 2012 ◦
Black to play The Dutch maestro virtually ends the contest here with a typical Benko idea. What is it? — [See the following game for the solution.]
Bosiocic, Bosioc ic, M. • V Van an Wely Wely,, L. ◦
solution
168
Undermining is the name of the game: Undermining 20...f5! 21. d3 if if 21.exf5 21.exf5 xf5 and the d-pawn drops 26.bxc4 c4 xa4 xa4 and and Black is 21... xe4 22. c3 b4 23. e1 f6 24. d1 d7 25.b3 c4! 26.bx on top.
Troff roff,, K. • W Wang, ang, Y. Maribor 2012
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Black to play White is poised to play Nb3, trapping the black queen. Ho How w should Black respond? — [See the following game for the solution.]
169
Troff roff,, K. • W Wang, ang, Y. solution
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21...c4! (a 21...c4! (a stunning riposte) 22. xc4 if if 22. 22. c2 c5 with c5 with strong pressure pressure on the queenside xc5 with with an extra pawn for Black and a 22... c5! 23. g3 xc4 24.b4 xa3 25.bxc5 xc5 passed a-pawn for that matter. Tanci ancik, k, K. • Tay ay,, J. Internet Int ernet (blit (blitz) z) 2013
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Black to play Is it a good idea for Blac Black k to play ...e7...e7-e6, e6, unde undermin rmining ing White White’’s centre centre?? — [See the following followin g game for the solution.] 170
Tanci ancik, k, K. • Tay ay,, J. solution
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After 16...e6? 17.. ha1 b7 18 18.. g1 b8 b8 with with threats against a4 better is 16... b6 17 17.dxe6 17.dx e6 fxe6 fxe6 18. c3 Blac Black k ha hass on only ly wo wors rsen ened ed his his po posi siti tion on,, si sinc nce e Wh Whit ite e ret etai ains ns his his iron iron grip on the queenside and will soon exert pressure in the centre as well.
Kislik,, E. Kislik • Tay ay,, J. Internet Int ernet (blit (blitz) z) 2013 ◦
171
White to play Black’ Blac k’ss last move move,, 14...N 14...Ng4 g4 intendi intending ng ...Nge5, was a lemon. Can you find a continuation atio n that allo allows ws White to gain a huge init initiati iative? ve? — [See the follo followin wing g game for the solution.]
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Kislik Kis T ay ay,lik, , J., E. solution •
I had missed the sidesteppi sidestepping ng 15. d2! instead, the game went 15.h3?! went 15.h3?! ge5 16. d2?! (a trifle too late; White is trying to exploit the awkward position of the knight on e5, but the black 17.f .f4 4 ed7 and knig kn ight htss ar are e he head adin ing g to th the e qu quee eens nsid ide e in an any y ca case se)) 16... b6 17 Black was well placed 15... xc3
Black to admit that he has erred with 15... gf6 16. c4 c4 which which is a dreamhas position for White 16.bxc3 gf6 17 17.c .c4 4 xa4 after 17... b8 18 18.f .f4 4 White White’’s central breakthro breakthrough ugh cannot be prevented with a superb bishop on the long diagonal. Indeed, after 18... xa1 19. xa1 18. b2 b2 with b7 20 20.. c3 and Black is suffering.
172
Zatonskih,, A. Zatonskih • Tate, A. Gibraltar 2013 ◦
White to play White has already fully consolidated her queenside and has built up an imposing centre. How did she press home her advantage? — [See the following game for the solution.]
Zatonskih,, A. Zatonskih • Tate, A. solution ◦
There’s no stopping White’ There’s White’ss as assault: sault: 34.e5! 34. e5! dx dxe5 e5 35 35.. xe7+! xe7 36.d6+ f8 37.dxc7 xc7 38. b5 cb7 39. d6 a5 40.f5 173
or 40. 40.b4! b4! cxb4 41. xb4 with a winning advantage. g8 8 41 41.. f1 f8? 42.fxg6 42.fxg6 with 40... g
Gligoric, Gligor ic, S. • Nyb Nyback, ack, T. Stockholm
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Black to play How Ho w can Black blow up the white pos positio ition? n? — [See the follo following wing game for the solution.]
Gligoric, Gligor ic, S. • Nyb Nyback, ack, T. solution
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174
20...c4! 21.bxc4 bxc4 and bxc4 and in his haste to get out of the pin, White blundered with 22. b3?? allowing Black to end with a flourish: 22... xc3!! 23. xc3 xf3+ 24.gxf3 f1 0-1 Korchmar, V. Korchmar, • Tay ay,, J. ◦
Int Internet ernet (blit (blitz) z) 2013
White to play White is having some problems trying to convert his extra pawn as Black is resistin resisting g stro st rong ngly ly on th the e bb-fil file e. How can can Wh Whit ite e cu cutt th the e Go Gord rdia ian n kn knot ot?? — [See [See the the follo followi wing ng ga game me for the solution.] Korchmar, V. Korchmar, • Tay ay,, J. solution ◦
23.b4!! xc3 24. 24.bx bxc5 c5 b4 25. 25.c6? c6? unfortunately unfortunately for White, he missed his way here; 175
the key move is 25.cxd6! a7 26 26.. xb4! xb4 xb4 27 27.. c8+ g7 28. 28.dx dxe7 e7 xe7 xe4+ 30 30.. g1 xd5 xd5 31 31.. f1 f1 with with a clear extra pawn 29. xa6 xe4+ 25... c7 26 26.. c4 xa5 xa5 27 27.. xa5 xa5 and Black escaped to win later.
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Pacienc Pa ciencia, ia, E.
•
Tay ay,, J. Singapore 2012
Black to play Pac acie ienc ncia ia’’s last last mo move ve,, 18 e3 e3,, mi miss ssed ed my th thrrea eat. t. Wh What at wa wass it it?? — [See [See the the follo followi wing ng ga game me for the solution.] Paciencia, Pacienc ia, E. • Tay ay,, J. solution
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176
18... b4! b4! (heading (heading for the juicy-d3 square; White now has no choice but to shed the a2-pawn) 19. f1 if if 19. 19. a1 d3 20 20.. e2 dxf2 with dxf2 with a crushing attack 19... xf1 xf1 20 20.. xf1 xa2 xa2 21 21.. a1 b4 an and d on one e pa pawn wn to th the e go good od wi with th an aw awes esom ome e ce cenntre to boot, Black had no problems converting to the point.
Larcheveque, F. Larcheveque, • Na Navrot vrotescu, escu, C. Creon 2009
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White to play What is your opinion of Black’ Black’ss last move move,, 9...exd5? — [See the followin following g game for the solution.]
Larcheveque, F. Larcheveque, • Na Navrot vrotescu, escu, C.
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solution
177
It’s a losing move. However, what transpired was 10.exd5? h5 11 11.. xd5 xd5 wins wins simply 10.e5! simply 10.e5! h5 10...O–O 10.. .O–O 11. f1 b6 and Black consolidated to win later.
Popov, S. Popov • Mila Milanov novic, ic, D. Serbian Serbi an Team Cha Champion mpionship ship 2010 ◦
Black to play How does Black deliver a bombshell? — [See the following game for the solution.]
Popov, S. Popov • Mila Milanov novic, ic, D. ◦
178
solution
22... xb2! 22... xb2! 23. xb2 xb2 xb2 works works too and Black is two pawns to xa3 and 23. xb2 xb2 24. xb2 xe4 25. d4 xc3 26. d2 xa3 the * good. Schoder, V. Schoder, • Schei Scheider der,, J. Dortmund Dortm und 2013 ◦
Black to play White is a pawn up, but is way behind in developmen development. t. Find an efficient line for Black. — [See the following game for the solution. ]
179
Schoder, V. Schoder, • Schei Scheider der,, J. solution ◦
20...c4! (a 20...c4! (a hammer blow) 21.b4 when it’s a case of and not 21.bxc4?? not 21.bxc4?? b1+ 22. xb1 xb1+ 23. e2 d8 d8 when hasta la vista baby 21...a5! 22.a 21...a5! 22.a3 3 h6 23.f 23.f3 3 axb4 24.axb4 fb8 25. f2 xb4 xb4 with with a won game thanks to the huge passed c-pawn and that White’ White’ss king is not out of the woods yet. Rychagov, A. Rychagov • Pap ap,, M. Rethymno Reth ymnon n 2013 ◦
Black to play White is poised to jam Black’ Black’ss queenside with Nc6, but Black had already anticipated this move. What was his rejoinder? — [See the following game for the solution.] 180
Rychagov, A. Rychagov • Pap ap,, M. solution ◦
16... xd5! 17. he1 or 17.exd5 or 17.exd5 xd4 18. xd4 xd5+ 19. f3 e5 20. c3 xf3 21. xf3 xd2 with the better position for Black as his rooks are very active knig ight ht is bo boun und d to land land on d3 so Wh Whit ite e is vi virt rtua uall lly y lost lost)) 18. b4 g419. a3 17... 5f6 (a kn de de5 5 20 20.. xe5 xe5 xe5 21 21.. c3 d3 22 22.. e3 c5 23 23..a5 f5 24 24.f .f3 3 e5 0-1 Huang Qia Huang Qian n • Pog Pogonina onina,, N. St Pet Petersbu ersburg rg (rapi (rapid)201 d)2012 2 ◦
181
Black to play White’’s e4-e5 advance seems a tad prematur White premature. e. Can you find a way for Black to aggressively mobilize her queenside pieces? — [See the following game for the solution.]
◦
Huang Hu ang Qia Qian n
•
Pogonina Pog onina,, N. solution
13... b7 b7 (okay, (okay, this one was expected) 14. expected) 14. d2 c7 15. e1 d8!? the d8!? the point of this move is to swing the rook to the kingside; instead, Houdini pointed out 15... d5! 16.exd6 xd6 xd6 17 17.. d5 d4 18. xb7 xb7 19. xd4 xd4 cx cxd4 d4 20 20.. xd4 b4 21. c3 xh2+ xh2+ 22 22.. f1 b8 16. d5 g6 17 17.. e4 xe4 xe4 18 18.. xe4 e6 (completing the reorganization of the queenside pieces to the other sector) 19. sector) 19. e2 c6 (White c6 (White did not read Black’s motives well exchange) 21. xd4 cxd4 here and now fell for a tactic) 20. tactic) 20. c4?! d4! (winning the exchange) 21. and Black later won. Hadolias, Hadolia s, M. • Tetepo etepoulidi ulidis, s, I. Greek Gr eek Team Cha Champi mpions onshi hip p 201 2013 3 ◦
182
White to play White is a pawn up and has a strong bishop pair pair.. Should he now go b3-b4? — [See the following followin g game for the solution.]
Hadolias, Hadolia s, M. • Tetepo etepoulidi ulidis, s, I. solution ◦
29.b4 seemingly allowed Black to obtain counterplay after 29... 29.b4 seemingly after 29... xc3 30. xc3 xd5 and after 31. b3?! xc3 32. cx cxb6 b6 xe1 33.exd5 f2 34.b7 f8 here White missed 31.bxc5! missed 31.bxc5! xc3 35.f5 e7 36. f1! d8 37. h3 g5 38.f6 38.f6 when when Bc8 would win for him, so, yes, 29 b4 is a good move 31... xb4 Black had compensation for the exchange.
183
Rodshtein,, M. Rodshtein • Nep Nepomni omniacht achtchi, chi, I. Kirish Kir ishii 200 2004 4
◦
Black to play How should Black clean up? — [See the following game for the solution.]
Rodshtein,, M. Rodshtein • Nep Nepomni omniacht achtchi, chi, I. solution
◦
24... xb2! 25. xb2 a4 and White has no good answer.
Richter,, M. Richter • Tay ay,, J. ◦
184
In Inter ternet net (bl (blitz itz)) 201 2013 3
White to play Black is attempting to take advantage of the lack of kingside development by White to strike strik e in the centre centre.. What can Whit White e do about it? — [See the follo following wing game for the solution.]
Richter,, M. Richter • Tay ay,, J. solution ◦
11. e2 correct was 11.e5! was 11.e5! (a pawn sacrifice to wreck Black’s once proud centre) 11...dx 11.. .dxe5 e5 12. c4 with c4 with an easy game for White 11...d5 and Black had fighting chances with his strong centre. 185
Godard, Godar d, M. • Sh Short, ort, N. Gibralta Gibr altarr 2013 ◦
Black to play White wants to exchange off the c4-knight to ease the pressure pressure on his queensi queenside. de. How should Black counter this idea? — [See the following game for the solution.] Godard, Godar d, M. • Sh Short, ort, N. solution ◦
15... a3! (by nudging the queen off c2, Black exerts tremendous pressure on the queenside and White now had to keep making concessions to deal with the constant threats) 16. d1 186
after 16.bxa3 xc3 17. xc3 xc3 18. b1 Black’s after 16.bxa3 b1 Black’s passed c-pawn would have had a wonderful career, but White’s troubles on the queenside are not yet over 16... fb8 17. b3 d8 18. d2 b5 19. c2? c2? (this (this time when White moves the queen back, he gets hit by a standard advance) 19...c4! (Black obtains the c5-square for his knight) 20. d2 xc3 21.bxc3 a5 22. b1 c5 23.a4 b5! 24. a3 xa4 xa4 saw saw Black regain his pawn and retain his huge queenside initiative initiative..
187
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