First published in 2016 by Gloucester Publishers Limited, Northburgh House, 10 Northburgh Street, London EC1V 0AT Copyright © 2016 David Cummings The right of David Cummings to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN Kindle: 978-1-78194-375-5 ISBN epub: 978-1-78194-376-2 Distributed in North America by National Book Network, 15200 NBN Way, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214. Ph: 717.794.3800. Distributed in Europe by Central Books Ltd., Central Books Ltd, 50 Freshwater Road, Chadwell Heath, London, RM8 1RX. All other sales enquiries should be directed to Everyman Chess, Northburgh House, 10 Northburgh Street, London EC1V 0AT email:
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About the Author David Cummings is an experienced International Master, who has represented Canada at the Chess Olympiad. He is a regular contributor to the opening theory website ChessPublishing.com, writing a monthly column covering the English and Flank Openings. Also by the Author: Symmetrical English
Contents About the Author Bibliography Introduction 1 1 c4 e5: Introduction and 5 ... 0-0 2 1 c4 e5: 5 ... Bxc3 and Other Fifth Moves 3 1 c4 e5: 4 ... Be7 and Other Fourth Moves 4 1 c4 e5: 2 ... Bb4 and Other Second/Third Moves 5 Symmetrical: Introduction and Move Order Guide 6 Symmetrical: Four Knights with ... e7-e6 7 Symmetrical: Maroczy Bind versus ... g7-g6 8 Symmetrical: Black Plays ... b7-b6 9 Symmetrical: Black Plays 3 ... d5 10 Black Avoids 1 ... e5 and 1 ... c5: Introduction and Move Orders 11 Anti-Queen’s Gambit System 12 Anti-Slav System 13 Anti-Nimzo System 14 Anti-Grünfeld Lines 15 King’s Indian and Modern Defences 16 The Dutch, English Defence and Minor First Moves Index of Complete Games
Bibliography Books & Periodicals A Practical White Repertoire with 1 d4 and 2 c4, Volumes 2 and 3, Alexei Kornev (Chess Stars 2013-2014) Attacking The English/Réti, Alexander Delchev and Semko Semkov (Chess Stars 2016) Attacking with 1 e4, John Emms (Everyman Chess 2001) Beating Unusual Openings, Richard Palliser (Everyman Chess 2006) Chess Structures, A Grandmaster Guide, Mauricio Flores Rios (Quality Chess 2015) Dangerous Weapons: Flank Openings, Richard Palliser, Tony Kosten and James Vigus (Everyman Chess 2008) Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, Volume A, 4th Edition (Chess Informant 2001) English 1 ... e5, Alexander Raetsky and Maxim Chetverik (Everyman Chess 2003) Grandmaster Repertoire: Beating Minor Openings, Victor Mikhalevski (Quality Chess 2016) Grandmaster Repertoire: The English Opening, Vol 1-3, Mihail Marin (Quality Chess 20092010) Grandmaster Repertoire: The Semi-Slav, Lars Schandorff (Quality Chess 2015) Kotronias on the King’s Indian 4: Classical Systems, Vassilios Kotronias (Quality Chess 2016) Mastering the Chess Openings, Volume 3, John Watson (Gambit Publications 2008) My Great Predecessors, Volume 2, Garry Kasparov (Everyman Chess 2003) New in Chess Magazine and Yearbooks Play the English: An active opening repertoire for White, Craig Pritchett (Everyman Chess 2007) Symmetrical English, David Cummings (Everyman Chess 2001) The Complete Hedgehog Volume 2, Sergey Shipov (Mongoose Press 2011) The Dynamic English, Tony Kosten (Gambit 1999) The English: Move by Move, Steve Giddins (Everyman 2012) The Main Line King’s Indian, John Nunn and Graham Burgess (Batsford 1996) The Modern Réti, An Anti-Slav Repertoire, Alexander Delchev (Chess Stars 2012) The Sicilian Accelerated Dragon, Peter Heine Nielsen and Carsten Hansen (Batsford 1998) Understanding the QGA, Alexander Delchev and Semko Semkov (Chess Stars 2015) Winning Chess Middlegames, Ivan Sokolov (New in Chess 2008) Digital resources Chess24.com, openings videos and ebooks ChessPublishing.com Correspondence Database 2015 English c4 e5 for Black, Victor Bologan (Chessbase 2012) Mega Database 2016 and updates The Week in Chess
Introduction Why Play the English? The English Opening is characterized by the move 1 c4:
By controlling the d5-square, White fights for the centre, but without allowing the immediate ‘head to head’ clash that occurs after 1 d4 d5 or 1 e4 e5. In contrast, other ‘Flank Openings’ give Black an immediate opportunity to occupy the centre, for example after 1 Nf3 d5 or 1 b3 e5. The English has always attracted players that like thematic or system-based play, with key pawn structures and thematic ideas recurring time and again. It allows White to play for a win while avoiding the sheer volume of ‘move-by-move’ theory that comes with openings such as the Grünfeld or Sicilian Najdorf. Playing the English also has a major practical advantage for club and tournament players. Their opponents typically spend most of their time and energy working on their Black repertoire against 1 e4 and 1 d4, often paying much more superficial attention to 1 c4. Finally, as a knowledgeable player of the English, you can use the early move order to steer the game into positions that you like, and ideally positions where your opponent is not comfortable. My Repertoire Approach When choosing the key lines for the repertoire, I followed several guiding principles. I looked for lines that allowed White to fight for the centre, and grab space when allowed. I also wanted to be flexible, allowing for transpositions to 1 d4 openings where this made the most sense in a particular line. I tried to present options with a manageable amount of theory, but without compromising on quality. Finally, I searched for lines with well-defined structures and themes where possible, for example, the Maroczy Bind setup in the Symmetrical English with an early ... g7-g6 or ... b7-b6, or systems playing with, or against, the Isolated Queen’s Pawn (IQP) in some of the Queen’s Gambit style variations. To give you a feel for some of the typical setups that are covered in the book, here is an informal thematic index.
1) White plays against Black’s doubled f-pawns – Games 1-3. 2) White exploits the advantage of the two bishops – Games 6-9, 12, 33-34. 3) White has the IQP, goes for active play – Games 26-27, 29. 4) White fights against the IQP or hanging pawns – Games 15, 25, 28, 31. 5) White employs the Maroczy Bind structure – Games 14, 17-22. 6) White plays for a typical kingside attack with the queen on the c2-square, involving ideas such as Nf3-g5, h2-h4-h5 or g2-g4 etc. – Games 4, 5, 25, 30, 43. 7) White employs the h2-h4-h5(-h6) thrust against the ... g7-g6 kingside fianchetto – Games 23, 35, 36, 42. 8) White combats the King’s Indian structure – Games 38-41. As the above list indicates, certain common ideas and techniques recur, not only within a specific variation or chapter, but across multiple lines. So understanding how to play these typical positions will reap benefits in many practical situations. Most of the existing English Opening repertoire books offer White systems involving an early g2-g3. Most notably, the seminal works by Tony Kosten and Mihail Marin are based on playing 1 c4 and 2 g3 against any of Black’s replies. One key decision I made early on was not to follow in their footsteps. First of all, those books are excellent and I felt I could offer more value by presenting an alternative set of choices. Secondly, the theory after 1 c4 e5 2 g3, which Marin covered in close to 500 pages in 2009, is the very domain that has exploded most dramatically. In the 2016 Moscow Candidates tournament, for example, a full 20% of all the games started 1 c4 e5 with White playing an early g2-g3! Those of us below 2700 level need a different approach! Overview of the Repertoire So let’s run through an overview of the repertoire and the structure of this book. Chapters 1-4 cover 1 c4 e5, where my core recommendation is the line 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3:
This is a line that has been played by strong grandmasters for decades, but one where much remains to be explored. Recent games and new ideas support a fresh repertoire in this setup.
Chapters 5-9 cover the Symmetrical English, which ‘officially’ starts with 1 c4 c5, but which can be reached from other first moves such as 1 ... Nf6, 1 ... g6 or 1 ... e6. Chapter Five is a dedicated move order guide to help you navigate through the options. After 1 c4 c5, the repertoire continues with 2 Nf3. Should Black play a flank move such as 2 ... b6 or 2 ... g6, White goes for the Maroczy Bind structure with an early d2-d4 and e2e4 (see Chapters Seven and Eight). In the case of 2 ... Nc6, the follow up is 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nd4, with the main line arising after 4 ... Nf6 5 Nc3 e6 and now my recommendation is 6 a3, reaching the diagram position below.
This is one of the modern main lines of the Symmetrical English, where White aims for a Maroczy Bind setup without allowing ... Bf8-b4. See Chapter Six for details. Another key position is reached after 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nc3 d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5 and now 5 e3:
Here Black can choose between the ‘Grünfeld-style’ 5 ... g6 (see Chapter Nine) or play a
move such as 5 ... e6, against which I recommend 6 Bc4!?. This normally transposes into the line of the Semi-Tarrasch covered in Chapter Eleven. This is an example of where the repertoire moves into a 1 d4 opening, where this is the most consistent and principled choice. I believe this is a better approach than coming up with an artificial way of staying within pure ‘English’ territory at all times. I have also done my best to provide a consistent level of detail for all lines, within the constraints of a single-volume repertoire. Chapters 10-16 cover all of Black’s first moves other than 1 ... e5 and 1 ... c5, taking into account transposition back and forth between these lines and the Symmetrical. The following two diagrams show our typical configuration cropping up against the Queen’s Gambit Declined structure and the Slav setup.
In both systems, if permitted, White will develop with Qd1-c2, b2-b3, Bc1-b2, with an eye to a potential attack against Black’s castled king supported by a kingside pawn storm. Good
examples of this are Game 25 in Chapter Eleven and Game 30 in Chapter Twelve. Against the King’s Indian setup, I again decided to offer a full repertoire based on transposing to a 1 d4 main line, namely the Petrosian System. See Chapter Fifteen for coverage. I believe this is consistent with the style and approach of the rest of the repertoire. A couple of notes on the structure of the book. I have primarily used the ‘complete games’ format, supplemented by theoretical articles in the chapter introductions and occasionally in the body of the chapter. In many cases, for ease of use, I have altered the initial move order to fit the repertoire structure, but have noted the actual game move order early in the game notes. I hope this repertoire brings you many wins and enjoyable games, and expands your chess knowledge! David Cummings, Toronto, November 2016
Chapter One 1 c4 e5: Introduction and 5 ... 0-0 1 c4 e5 In many ways, this is the most principled reply to 1 c4 – Black stakes his own claim in the centre and plays the Sicilian with reversed colours. Play now proceeds along ‘pure’ English lines as transpositions into 1 d4 openings are unlikely. 2 Nc3
2 ... Nf6 The most common reply. Instead 2 ... Bb4 was a trendy line for some time in the 1990s and 2000s. Now 3 g3 and 3 Nd5 are the most common responses, but 3 Qc2 is my repertoire recommendation. This often transposes back into our main line, for example after 3 ... Nf6 4 Nf3 Nc6 5 e3, while 4 ... Qe7 is an independent line which is covered in Chapter Four. Other second move options such as 2 ... d6 and 2 ... Nc6 3 e3 are also covered in Chapter Four. 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3
The distinctive move of our repertoire against 1 ... e5. In contrast to the fianchetto lines with an early g2-g3, here White immediately fights for the centre, and contests the d4-square which Black controlled with 1 ... e5 and 3 ... Nc6. White is ready to play an early d2-d4 should the right circumstances arise. 4 ... Bb4 This has always been Black’s main reply, and is played about three times as often as the next most popular move 4 ... Be7, which we cover in Chapter Three. Black’s setup, which can be viewed as a reversed Rossolimo Sicilian, also borrows ideas from the Nimzo-Indian, putting White’s centre under indirect pressure and discouraging d2-d4. Entering a reversed Open Sicilian with 4 ... d5 is less common than the reversed Dragon line which arise after 4 g3 d5, since with our move order, after 5 cxd5 Nxd5 6 Bb5 White puts Black’s centre under immediate pressure. See Gajewski-Tomczak (Game 10) in Chapter Three for more details. Neutral moves such as 4 ... d6 or 4 ... g6 can be answered logically by 5 d4 occupying the centre. These are also covered in Chapter Three. 5 Qc2 Defending the c3-knight and targeting the light squares along the b1-h7 diagonal, which is an important part of White’s strategy. Since White now plans the knight jump 6 Nd5 Black has to make a major decision, whether to trade on c3 or not. The immediate 5 Nd5 is less effective – since White does not control the e4-square, Black can simply reply 5 ... e4.
5 ... 0-0 5 ... Bxc3 is regarded by many as Black’s most reliable equalizing attempt, but conceding the two bishops without any prompting feels like a concession on Black’s part. In Chapter Two, we look at both recaptures, the standard move 6 Qxc3 and the interesting alternative 6 bxc3. 6 Nd5 Threatening to embarrass Black’s b4-bishop with a2-a3 and b2-b4, and also hinting at tactics aimed against Black’s kingside involving an early Nf3-g5 or Bf1-d3. 6 ... Re8 Black vacates the f8-square as a retreat square for the b4-bishop. 6 ... Be7 and other replies are covered in Zhigalko-Pashikian (Game 5) later in this chapter. 7 Qf5!? An unusual move which was first explored by players from England in the late 1970s and then adopted by other GMs including Korchnoi and Timman. White aims to inflict permanent damage to Black’s pawn structure in the shape of doubled f-pawns, and then try and exploit this factor, either with or without queens on the board. White has several playable alternatives to 7 Qf5, notably 7 Ng5, 7 Bd3 and 7 a3, which tend to lead to positions with less immediate concrete play. These are explored in GrigoryanAndriasian (Game 4).
7 ... d6 Black has also tried: a) 7 ... Nxd5 8 cxd5 and now: a1) 8 ... d6? 9 Qh5 Ne7 10 Ng5 Ng6 11 Qxh7+ Kf8 12 h4 is winning for White, H.TitzZ.Majeric, Zadar 2007. a2) 8 ... Ne7 9 Qxe5 c6 10 dxc6 dxc6 11 Qd4 when White has an extra pawn although Black has some compensation due to his lead in development, M.Sierra Soria-R.Pacheco Rubi, Padron 2008. b) 7 ... Be7 8 Nxe5 and here: b1) 8 ... Nxd5? is refuted by 9 Qxf7+. b2) 8 ... Nxe5 9 Qxe5 Nxd5 10 Qxd5 c6 11 Qf3 Bf6 12 Be2 d5 13 cxd5 cxd5 14 d4 and White consolidated with his extra pawn, I.Zaragatski-M.Jurcik, Teplice 2013. b3) 8 ... Nb4 9 Nxb4 Bxb4 10 a3 d5 11 Qc2 Rxe5 12 axb4 Bf5 13 d3 Qe7 14 Bd2 d4 15 Be2 dxe3 16 fxe3 Bg4 17 Bf3 and Black doesn’t have enough for the pawn, G.KasparovO.Romanishin, USSR Championship, Tbilisi 1978. 8 Nxf6+ Black is at a major crossroads here – to trade queens or leave them on the board? The Sharp 8 ... gxf6
After 8 ... gxf6, White has two options. 9 Qh5 has been played in the vast majority of games and remains a good practical weapon which is explored in Gunnarsson-Johannessen (Game 2). On the other hand, 9 Qc2 is less explored and also maintains more flexibility, as shown in Giri-Sunilduth (Game 3). If I had to pick one to recommend it would be 9 Qc2, although you can choose whichever one suits a particular opponent. Here are extracts from two games which shows the potential dangers lurking for Black in these positions.
This position is taken from D.Goodman-J.Nunn, Oxford 1978 (an early game in the 7 Qf5 line) which continued 17 Nxe4!. This is White’s best chance, although objectively the position should be balanced. Here Black went wrong with 17 ... Qxc2? (17 ... Nd5! and Black is OK, since 18 Ng5? is met by 18 ... Nf6) 18 Nf6+ when White breaks into the weakened Black kingside. After 18 ... Kg7 19 e4! Qxc1+ 20 Rxc1 Kxf6 Black momentarily has three pieces for the queen but White’s attack continues. The finish was 21 Qxh7 Ng6 22 e5+ Kg5 23 h4+
Kf4 24 Kf2 1-0.
Here in I.Nikolaidis-K.Stoumbos, Kavala 2006, Black has played several inferior moves in the opening. White continued 16 Qh4 Nb3 17 Bxe4 Nxa1 18 Bxh7+ Kf8 19 f4 when Black’s king is hopelessly exposed. The game concluded 19 ... Qc6 20 0-0 Rf5 21 Bxa1 1-0. The Queenless Middlegame after 8 ... Qxf6 8 ... Qxf6 Recapturing with the queen has been more popular in over the board play than the 8 ... gxf6. Now after: 9 Qxf6 gxf6 We have reached the starting point for the queenless middlegame line.
White aims to play against the long-term weakness of the doubled f-pawns but also plans
to gain space at the expense of Black’s dark-squared bishop. 10 a3 Bc5 11 b4 Bb6 12 Bb2 a5 A logical move, fighting for the dark squares. 13 b5 Ne7
This is a good moment to summarize the plans for both sides. White has several key ideas: 1) To attack Black’s pawn chain and the restricted b6-bishop, with d2-d4 and ideally a timely c4-c5! thrust which we will see below. 2) Should Black exchange White’s knight with ... Bc8-g4xf3, to attack along the open gfile after g2xf3 and Rh1-g1(+). 3) To improve the knight’s position with Nf3-d2-e4, attacking the weak f6-pawn. Black for his part has ideas of: 1) Increasing the scope of his dark-squared bishop, primarily with ... a5-a4. 2) Bolstering his pawn centre, in particular keeping the e5-pawn well defended. 3) Freeing his position and opening the queenside (especially if White castles long) with ... c7-c6 and ... d6-d5. We now follow the continuation of the game A.Miles-A.Rodriguez Cespedes, Yopal 1997. 14 d4 Bg4?! Black misses or underestimates White’s positional threat. Instead he needs to play either 14 ... a4 creating an escape square on a5 for the b6-bishop, or 14 ... Ng6 defending the epawn. See Game 1 later in this chapter for analysis of these moves. 15 c5! Ba7 Instead 15 ... dxc5 16 dxe5 fxe5 17 Nxe5 leaves White clearly better. 16 b6!
A beautiful thematic idea. Now Black’s centre collapses. 16 ... Bxf3 After 16 ... Bb8 White captures each of Black’s pawns in turn with 17 bxc7 Bxc7 18 cxd6 Bxd6 19 dxe5 fxe5 20 Nxe5 when White has an extra pawn and better position. 17 gxf3 Bb8 18 Rg1+ All White’s pieces soon enter the attack. 18 ... Kf8 19 Rd1 c6 Or 19 ... cxb6 20 dxe5 fxe5 (20 ... dxe5 21 cxb6 is also hopeless for Black) 21 cxd6 and White wins. 20 dxe5 fxe5 21 cxd6 Nd5 22 e4 Nxb6 23 f4 f6 24 fxe5 Nd7 25 Bc4 1-0
Black can’t avoid mate without suffering major material losses. An astonishingly quick crush, which also shows how sharp these positions can become, even without queens on the board.
Game 1 A.Grischuk-A.Giri FIDE Grand Prix, Paris 2013 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3 Bb4 5 Qc2 0-0 6 Nd5 Re8 7 Qf5 d6 8 Nxf6+ Qxf6 The alternative 8 ... gxf6 is covered in the next two games. 9 Qxf6 gxf6 This queenless middlegame has been played numerous times in practice. 10 a3 Bc5
11 b4 The more restrained 11 b3 is also possible. After 11 ... a5 12 Bb2 Black has played: a) 12 ... Bf5 13 d3 a4 14 b4 Nxb4!? sacrificing a piece to create an advanced passed apawn and queenside initiative. Here 15 axb4 Bxb4+ 16 Kd1 a3 17 Bc1 c5 was played in E.Vladimirov-P.Harikrishna, Calcutta 2001, and now 18 Nd2! would leave Black with questionable compensation. b) 12 ... Bb6 13 Be2 Ne7 14 d4 Nc6 15 0-0-0 exd4 16 Nxd4 (the pin on the e-file prevents 16 exd4) 16 ... Nxd4 17 Bxd4 Bxd4 18 Rxd4 Rb8 19 Rhd1 Kg7 20 Rh4 Re5 when despite the exchange of two pairs of minor pieces, White’s better structure still give him the more pleasant endgame, J.Timman-R.Wojtaszek, Wijk aan Zee 2014. 11 ... Bb6 12 Bb2
12 ... a5 Black’s usual move, fighting for space on the queenside. Alternatives are: a) 12 ... Ne7 13 d4 c6 was seen in K.Stokke-I.Komic, Pula 2007, and now White should play 14 Nd2 exd4 15 Ne4! with advantage. This manoeuvre of the knight via Nf3-d2-e4 is one of White’s key resources in this line. b) 12 ... f5?! allows the thematic 13 c5! dxc5 14 b5 Nd4? (14 ... Na5 15 Nxe5 leaves White somewhat better with his more active pieces and better structure) 15 exd4 e4 16 Ne5 cxd4 17 Nc4 and Black didn’t have enough for the piece, A.Goganov-G.Nasuta, European Championship, Legnica 2013. c) 12 ... e4 13 Nh4 f5 14 f4 (14 Rc1 looks even better) 14 ... Ne7 15 Be2 Be6 was G.Pap-R.Rapport, Hungarian League 2008, and now 16 Rg1 followed by 17 g4 gives White the initiative. 13 b5
13 ... Ne7 Black’s main move, but other knight retreats have also been played: a) 13 ... Nd8 is a key alternative. After 14 d4 Black has tried: a1) 14 ... a4 15 0-0-0 Bg4 16 h3 (16 c5 immediately also works) 16 ... Bxf3 (Opening the g-file is always doubled edged, as we saw in Miles-Rodriguez Cespides; instead Black should wait with 16 ... Bh5) 17 gxf3 Ne6 18 Rg1+ Kf8 19 c5! and, again, this is the star move. Now after 19 ... Ba5, M.Narciso Dublan-M.Illescas Cordoba, Spanish Championship, Burgos 2003, 20 Bc4 is the most efficient - White is better. a2) 14 ... Bg4 and now with 15 c5! Karpov repeats the theme we saw in Miles-Rodriguez Cespides! The position is the same as in that game except that Black’s knight is on d8 instead of e7. After 15 ... dxc5 16 dxe5 a4 17 Bc4 (17 0-0-0 removing the king from the check from a5 and taking control of the d-file, is even stronger) 17 ... Ba5+ 18 Kf1 Bxf3 19 gxf3 fxe5 20 Rg1+ Kf8 21 Rd1 White is much better because of his huge lead in activity, A.KarpovE.Bacrot, 6th matchgame, Cannes (blitz) 2000. b) 13 ... Nb8 14 d4 when we see still another player falling into the familiar positional trap with 14 ... Bg4?! (14 ... a4 was necessary) 15 c5! dxc5 16 dxe5 a4 17 0-0-0 and White is on top, D.Flores-L.Liascovich, Argentinean Championship, Villa Martelli 2013. 14 d4 Ng6 Strengthening the e5-pawn and so drawing the sting from White’s c4-c5 idea, avoiding the 14 ... Bg4 15 c5! of Miles-Rodriguez Cespedes that we saw in the chapter introduction above. In fact, 14 ... a4 is Black’s most common reply. After 15 0-0-0 we reach the following position:
Here Black’s options are: a) 15 ... Ba5 has not been tried in practice, but does make some sense. After 16 Nd2 (16 Be2 is also playable) 16 ... Bg4?! 17 f3 Bf5 18 g4 Bg6 and now White has either 19 h4 or Fier’s 19 Ne4 when White is better. b) 15 ... Be6 16 Be2 Ba5 and now White executes the typical knight regrouping with 17 Nd2 Nc8 18 Ne4, when 18 ... Kg7 19 g4 Nb6 20 d5 Bc8 was J.Oms Pallisse-S.Vega Gutierrez, Zaragoza 2009. Here aggressive play with 21 h4 Nd7 22 g5 would press home White’s advantage. c) 15 ... Ng6 and now:
c1) 16 Be2 Kg7 17 Rhg1 Be6 18 g4 h6 19 h4 e4 20 Nd2 d5 was seen in SchwierskottA.Istratescu, Basel 2014, and here White should play 21 h5 Ne7 22 Bc3 with advantage. c2) 16 Nd2?! allows 16 ... exd4 17 Bxd4 Bxd4 18 exd4 c6, E.Agrest-V.Akopian, New York 1998, when Black has traded his problem bishop and his f-pawns are hard to attack. The game is rough balanced. Now let’s return to the position in the main game after 14 ... Ng6:
15 a4!? Grischuk now continues to restrict the b6-bishop, preventing Black’s freeing ... a5-a4 move once and for all. This does, however, consume a useful tempo. White has also played: a) 15 0-0-0 c6 (15 ... a4 is better, and now 16 Be2 transposes to 14 ... a4) 16 bxc6 bxc6 and yet again we see the idea 17 c5!. After 17 ... dxc5 18 dxe5 fxe5 19 h4 h5 20 Ng5 Kg7 21 Be2 f6 22 Ne4 Be6 23 Bxh5 White restored material equality but kept a big positional advantage in P.Lizak-R.Janssen, Schwarzach 2015. b) 15 h3?! is too slow. Black demonstrates how to equalize here after 15 ... c6 16 bxc6 bxc6 17 0-0-0 Bc7 18 Nd2 d5 19 cxd5 cxd5 20 Bb5 Re6 21 a4 Ba6 with a balanced game, H.Gretarsson-H.Stefansson, Icelandic Championship, Reykjavik 2004. 15 ... Bg4 16 0-0-0 exd4 Alternatively Black can try for a more fluid structure with 16 ... c6 when White should continue 17 h3 Be6 18 Nd2 again aiming for the e4-square. After 18 ... f5 19 c5 dxc5 20 dxe5, White has a slight edge according to Fier. 17 Bxd4 Bxd4 18 Rxd4
18 ... Bxf3?! After this exchange Black is weak on the light-squares and his knight is inferior to White’s bishop. Instead after 18 ... Be6 19 Be2 Ne5 20 Nd2 White has the better pawn structure but Black has better chances than in the game. 19 gxf3 b6 Creating further light-square weaknesses. 19 ... Ne5 was more tenacious. 20 f4 Ne7 21 Bg2 Rab8
22 Bd5!? Offering the wonderful bishop up for exchange is not the obvious choice but Grischuk reasons that the trade would give him other advantages. After 22 Rg1 Kh8 23 Rdd1 Rg8 White still has to find a way to break through. 22 ... Rf8 Black defends the f7-pawn in order to free his king from its defence. Capturing on d5 is
probably better and would shift the game to the traditionally more drawish (double) rook endgame. After 22 ... Nxd5 23 cxd5 (23 Rxd5 is well met by 23 ... Re4) 23 ... f5 24 Rg1+ Kf8 25 Rc4 Rbc8 26 Kd2 Re4 27 Rxe4 fxe4 28 Kc3 White retains winning chances. 23 Rg1+ Kh8 24 Rdd1 Nxd5 Now the minor piece exchange happens under better circumstances for White, as he can capture with the rook which is very actively placed on the 5th rank. 25 Rxd5 Rg8 26 Rg3 Blocking the g-file. White’s main idea now is to stifle Black’s counterplay, buying time for his king to advance and penetrate the queenside via the juicy d5- and c6-squares. 26 ... Rg6 27 Rh5 Stopping ... Rg6-h6 ideas. 27 ... Kg7 28 Kd2 Rh8 29 Kd3 Black can’t stop White’s king from entering on the light squares. 29 ... Rxg3 30 hxg3 f5 A desperate bid for counterplay. 31 Rxf5 h5 32 Ke4 h4 33 gxh4 Rxh4 34 Kd5 Rh1 1-0
After 35 Kc6 Rc1 36 Kxc7 Rxc4+ 37 Kxb6 Rxa4 38 Ka7 White queens the b-pawn, winning easily. Game 2 A.Gunnarsson-L.Johannessen Icelandic League 2000 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3 Bb4 5 Qc2 0-0 6 Nd5 Re8 7 Qf5 d6 8 Nxf6+ gxf6 9 Qh5
Historically the main move, but as I show in Game 3, 9 Qc2 has its advantages. The provocative posting of the queen on the h5-square leads to concrete lines and rather unconventional positions. Computer analysis, backed up by some correspondence games, appears to show that Black has sufficient resources. Nevertheless, 9 Qh5 is a good practical weapon if you are more familiar with the nuances than your opponent. It is notable that most strong players avoid this line as Black over the board, in favour of 8 ... Qxf6 or an earlier deviation, especially 5 ... Bxc3. 9 ... d5 The most common reply and the one most often quoted as the main line, though my research indicates that the alternative 9 ... e4 has likely been underestimated by theory. Now: a) 10 a3 is the normal move, leading to the following position:
Now Black has played: a1) 10 ... Bc5 11 b4 and here:
a11) 11 ... exf3 12 bxc5 Re5 13 Qxf3 Nd4 14 Qd1 Bf5, D.Johansen-Z.Bogut, Dresden Olympiad 2008 and now 15 f4 is good for White, for example 15 ... Re7 16 Kf2 Ne6 17 Bb2 Nxc5 18 d3 Re8 19 e4 with the two bishops and a better structure. a12) 11 ... Bb6 12 Nh4 a5 13 b5 Ne5 14 f4 Ng6 15 Bb2 with a big advantage for White due to his dominance on the a1-h8 diagonal, S.Logothetis-S.Skembris, Athens 1998. a2) 10 ... exf3 with a choice for White: a21) 11 axb4 is less good, as after 11 ... Nxb4 12 Ra4 Re5 13 Qxf3 Nc2+ 14 Kd1 Bd7 15 Ra2 Nb4 16 Ra3 c5 17 d4 Rg5 18 h3, K.Lerner-O.Romanishin, Kiev 1978, and now 18 ... d5 opens the centre up in Black’s favour. a22) 11 gxf3 and now 11 ... Re5! (11 ... Bc5?! 12 Rg1+ Kh8 13 Qh6 gave White attacking chances in K.Spraggett-I.Ivanov, Montreal 1981) 12 Rg1+ Rg5 13 Rxg5+ fxg5 14 Bd3 and here 14 ... Qf6! is a key move found by the computer, and played in a number of correspondence games which were all drawn. Black creates a safe haven for his king on e7, and tempts White to grab the h7-pawn, which may only serve to open the h-file for Black’s rook or queen via h8. One game continued 15 axb4 Nxb4 16 Qxh7+ Kf8 17 Be4 Ke7 18 Ra5 Be6 19 h4 b6 20 Rb5 Qh8 with equality, H.Voetter-B.Johnson, correspondence 2014. b) 10 Rg1!? is an interesting novelty to mix things up.
Now: b1) 10 ... exf3?! 11 gxf3+ Kh8 12 a3 Bc5 13 Qh6 Rg8 14 Rxg8+ transposes to K.Spraggett-I.Ivanov, Montreal 1981, and now after 14 ... Kxg8 (14 ... Qxg8 15 b4 Bb6? 16 Bb2 justifies White’s idea) White should continue 15 Bd3 f5 16 b4 and White regains the piece with advantage. b2) 10 ... d5 11 a3 Bf8 12 d4 Be6 (12 ... exf3 13 gxf3+ Kh8 14 Bd3 f5 15 Qxf7 gives White plenty of compensation for the piece) 13 cxd5 Bxd5 14 Nh4 Na5 15 Bd2 with a rather irrational position where any result is possible. A sample line: 15 ... c5 16 g4 Nb3 17 g5 f5 18 Rd1 Qc7 19 Nxf5 cxd4 20 Nxd4 Nxd4 21 exd4 Rad8 22 Rg3 and the outcome is unclear. Returning to the position after 9 ... d5:
10 Bd3 This is White’s best chance. Instead, after: a) 10 a3 Bf8 when White has tried: a1) 11 d4 is the old move but this has fallen out of favour. After 11 ... Be6 12 Bd3: a11) 12 ... e4 13 Bc2 Ne7 14 Nd2 f5 15 cxd5 Qxd5 16 f3 and here 16 ... Bg7 looks best (16 ... Qc6 was the Goodman-Nunn game quoted in the chapter introduction), for example 17 fxe4 fxe4 18 Qxd5 Nxd5 with a slight edge for Black. a12) 12 ... h6 13 cxd5 Qxd5 14 e4 Qb3 15 Bb1, J.Fedorowicz-J.Tarjan, Hastings 1977, and now 15 ... Qb5 keeps White’s king in the centre. a2) 11 cxd5 Qxd5 12 d3 Be6 13 Be2 Na5 14 e4 Qd7 15 Be3 Nb3 16 Rd1 c5 was level in J.Benjamin-H.Olafsson, Internet 2000. b) 10 cxd5 is natural enough, but this kind of reversed Open Sicilian setup hasn’t worked so well for White despite Black’s doubled f-pawns. 10 ... Qxd5 11 Be2 Be6 and now: b1) 12 0-0 e4 (12 ... Kh8 would be similar to Timman-Portisch below) 13 Qxd5 Bxd5 14 Nh4 Rad8 15 f3 Be6 16 fxe4 Bxd2 17 Bb5 Kg7 18 Bxd2 Rxd2 19 Rf2 with an equal position in V.Korchnoi-A.Karpov, Amsterdam 1987. b2) 12 a3 Be7 13 d3 Kh8 14 0-0 Rg8 15 Ne1 Na5 and Black had the more active position, using the open g-file to his advantage, J.Timman-L.Portisch, Montreal 1979. 10 ... e4 11 cxd5
11 ... Bf8 A rather paradoxical move, leaving Black’s c6-knight en prise, and deferring the capture of a White minor piece. After the more natural 11 ... exd3 White has a path to a small edge after 12 dxc6 bxc6 13 b3! (13 a3 Bf8 transposes to the main game) as here White is close to completing development and Black’s inferior pawn structure will be a problem for him, for example: a) 13 ... Re4 14 h3 (14 Bb2 is also good) 14 ... a5 15 Bb2 a4 16 Qh6 Bf8 17 Qxf6 Qxf6 18 Bxf6 axb3 19 axb3 Rxa1+ 20 Bxa1 Rb4 21 0-0 Rxb3 22 Bc3 with a better endgame for White, P.Stempin-R.Bernard, Poznan 1983. b) 13 ... Bf8 14 Bb2 Re4 15 h3 Rb8 16 Nd4 Qd5 17 Qxd5 cxd5 was played in K.VlahosM.Adams, London 1987, and here White again has a better endgame after the space gaining 18 g4 c5 19 Nf5 etc. c) 13 ... Qd5 14 Qxd5 cxd5 15 Bb2 Be7 16 Rc1 c5 17 Ba3 Bg4 18 0-0 Rac8 19 Rc3 Bxf3 20 gxf3 c4 21 Bxe7 Rxe7 22 Rfc1 Rec7 23 e4! winning a pawn, and eventually the game in Cu.Hansen-F.Hellers, Lemvig 1991.
12 a3 Preventing the c6-knight from invading via b4. Other moves: a) 12 Bxe4 Rxe4 13 dxc6 and now: a1) 13 ... Qd3 14 h3 bxc6 15 Ng1 Bd6 16 Qe2 Qd5 was played in B.Zhak-A.Barreras Garcia, correspondence 2008, and now after 17 Qf3 Ba6 18 Ne2 Qd3 19 Nc3 White can unravel and has chances to exploit his extra pawn. a2) 13 ... bxc6! 14 0-0 Bg4 15 Qa5 (15 Qh4 Bf5 16 Qh5 Bg4 is a draw by repetition) 15 ... Bxf3 16 gxf3 Qd7 17 Kh1 Qh3 18 Rg1+ Kh8 19 Rg3 Qf1+ and Black forces a draw. b) 12 Bb1 Nb4 13 a3 (13 Nd4!? is worth considering) 13 ... Qxd5 14 Qxd5 Nxd5 15 Nh4 f5 with equal chances, K.Vlahos-D.Tsekmes, Greek League 2016. 12 ... exd3 13 dxc6 bxc6 14 b4 a5 15 Bb2
15 ... axb4 Trading the rooks on a1, before White has castled, is best. Instead, after 15 ... Re4 White
needs to be aware of: a) 16 bxa5?? which loses on the spot as after 16 ... Rb8 (J.Watson-K.Shirazi, Lone Pine 1979) if 17 Bc3 then 17 ... Rb5 traps the White queen! b) 16 Nd4! axb4 17 Nxc6 Qd6 18 Nxb4 when White keeps his extra pawn, since after 18 ... c5? 19 Qd5 White wins more material.
16 axb4 I’m taking this as our main line, although White has also tried 16 Qh4 Bf5 17 axb4 Rxa1+ 18 Bxa1 Re4 19 Qxf6 Qxf6 20 Bxf6 and now: a) 20 ... Bxb4 was played in G.Horvath-M.Sadler, European Club Championship, Clichy 1993 and here 21 Ne5! Bd6 22 f4 Ra4 23 Kf2 is a good version of the ending for White, for example 23 ... Be4 (or 23 ... Ra2 24 Rb1 Rxd2+ 25 Kf3 when Black can’t defend his back rank) 24 Rb1 Ra8 25 g4 with an edge for White. b) 20 ... Rxb4 puts Black’s rook in a more active position, with options of moving to the b2-square if the dark-squared bishops gets traded, for example 21 0-0 Bg7 22 Be5 Bxe5 23 Nxe5 Kg7 24 Nxc6 Rb2 25 Rd1 Kf6 26 Nd4 c5 with an equal endgame. 16 ... Rxa1+ 17 Bxa1 Re4 Black attacks the b4-pawn and threatens ... Bc8-g4 or ... Re4-g4-g5 hassling White’s queen. Instead 17 ... Bxb4 gives the h5-queen more squares and allows White to complete development, for example 18 0-0 Re4 19 Rb1 Bf8 (or 19 ... Bg4?! 20 Qh6) 20 h3 Qd5 21 Qxd5 cxd5 22 Bxf6 Rb4 23 Ra1 with an edge for White.
18 Nd4 Alternatives here are: a) In view of Black’s 19th move, 18 0-0 is the best chance for White to play for a win. Although the engine gives approximate equality, I think there is scope for White to squeeze his opponent in some of the resulting endgames. Some sample lines: a1) 18 ... Bg4 19 Qh4 Bxf3 20 Qg3+ Bg4 21 f3 Rxb4 22 fxg4 gives White an edge. a2) 18 ... Qd5 19 Qxd5 cxd5 20 b5 Rb4 21 Nd4 and White holds on to the b-pawn. a3) 18 ... Bxb4 19 h3 Qd5 20 Qh6 and here White has attacking chances. a4) 18 ... Rxb4! 19 Bc3 Ra4 20 Rb1 Qd5 21 Qxd5 cxd5 22 Bxf6 and White can still pose some practical problems in this balanced position. b) 18 h3 Qd5 19 Qxd5 cxd5 20 Bxf6 Bxb4 21 0-0 Re6 22 Bd4 Ba6 23 Rc1 c5 and Black was active and held in D.Karapchanski-M.Anderton, Hastings 2006. 18 ... Rg4 19 g3 Instead 19 0-0 Rg5 and the queen can’t escape the perpetual attack, for example 20 Qh4 (20 Qf3 Bg4 21 Qf4 Bh3 is good for Black) 20 ... Rg4 21 Qh5 Rg5 with a draw.
19 ... Rg6?! Perhaps Black had thoughts of ... Rg6-h6 and a kingside attack, but this is too optimistic. Instead he should play 19 ... Rg5 and now White should probably acquiesce to the draw with 20 Qh4 Rg4 21 Qh5 Rg5 etc., since after 20 Qf3 Bh3 21 Nxc6 Qd6 22 Bc3 Qe6 23 Rg1 Rg4 White has difficulties due to his king caught in the centre. 20 Bc3 Defending the b4-pawn wastes valuable time. 20 0-0! is White’s best here. Compared to the lines with the same structure in earlier notes, White is much better off here because Black’s g6-rook is out of play. 20 ... Qd7?! Black would still be OK after 20 ... c5. 21 Qf3 c5 22 bxc5 Bxc5 23 0-0 Bd6?! 24 e4! White has a serious advantage now. His knight has a great outpost on f5 due to the doubled f-pawns, and Black’s back rank is a serious weakness. 24 ... Be5 25 Nf5 Bxc3 26 dxc3 Ba6 27 Ra1 Qe6? The final mistake, although Black is lost in the long run anyway, for example: a) 27 ... Bb7 28 Rb1 Bc8 29 Nh4 Rh6 30 Rd1 Ba6 31 Qf4 Rh5 32 Qxf6 with a decisive material advantage. b) 27 ... d2 28 Rd1 and White will round up the d-pawn.
28 Qxd3! 1-0 White wins a piece or gives checkmate on the back rank. Game 3 A.Giri-N.Sunilduth Lyna Qatar 2015 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 e5 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3 Bb4 5 Qc2 0-0 6 Nd5 Re8 7 Qf5 d6 8 Nxf6+ gxf6 9 Qc2
9 Qh5 (analyzed in the previous game) has been played more often in practice, but Giri’s choice is in my view just as good, and much less explored. 9 ... e4 Black needs to take action in the centre, and this has been his usual reply. Otherwise, after
for example 9 ... f5 10 a3 Bc5 11 b4 Bb6 12 Bb2, Black has no compensation for his inferior pawn structure, J.Sigeman-A.Ferreira, Reykjavik 2014. The other central thrust, 9 ... d5 has not been played (at the time of writing), but by analogy with the 9 Qh5 variation, needs to be studied.
This is really a whole new line waiting to happen, but here are some sample lines: a) 10 cxd5 Qxd5 11 Bc4 Bf5 12 Qxf5 Qxc4 and now: a1) 13 b3! wins a key tempo on the queen. Now Black can keep White’s king in the centre with 13 ... Qa6 (after 13 ... Qb5 14 Bb2 Rad8 White has 15 Rc1 planning Rc1-c4) 14 Bb2 Rad8 but Black’s king is also exposed. Now White can activate his h1-rook with 15 h4 Re6 16 a3 Bf8 17 h5 Qb5 18 Rh4 with chances for both sides. The position is very tense, for example 18 ... Qxb3?? fails to 19 Rg4+ Kh8 20 Ng5 fxg5 21 Qxg5 winning material. a2) 13 Qxf6 most likely leads to a draw, after for example 13 ... Rad8 14 Qg5+ Kf8 15 Qh6+ etc. b) 10 a3 Bf8 (10 ... e4 11 Ng1 Bf8 12 cxd5 Qxd5 transposes to the main game) 11 cxd5 Qxd5 12 Bc4 Bf5 13 d3 Qd7 14 e4 Be6 and here: b1) 15 0-0 Bxc4 16 dxc4 Nd4 17 Nxd4 exd4 18 Qd3 gives balanced chances. White can still try to generate kingside play with plans such as Bc1-d2, f2-f4-f5 and Rf1-f4-g4 etc, but is also constrained by Black’s passed d-pawn. b2) 15 Be3 Bxc4 16 Qxc4 Rad8 17 Rd1 and now Black can fully equalize by piling up on the backward d3-pawn with 17 ... Re6 18 0-0 Rd6, when White should bail out with something like 19 Qb3 Na5 20 Qc3 Nc6 21 Qb3 repeating moves.
10 Ng1 This move was recommended by Timman in his notes to R.Keene-J.Timman, Bad Lauterberg 1977, which continued 10 Nh4?! f5 11 g3 d5 12 cxd5 Ne5 13 Qb3 Be7 14 d4 exd3 15 Bxd3 Bxh4 16 gxh4 Nf3+ 17 Kd1 and White’s king was exposed in the centre. Instead 10 a3!? is an interesting try suggested by Alexander Fier. Now Black has: a) 10 ... exf3 11 axb4 and now: a1) 11 ... d5!? 12 cxd5 Qxd5 13 Rg1 Nd4 (13 ... Nxb4? 14 Qa4 with a powerful double attack) 14 Qc3 Bf5 15 gxf3+ Kf8 16 Ra5 Qd6 with a weird and wonderful position! a2) 11 ... Nxb4 12 Qc3 fxg2 13 Bxg2 a5 14 Rg1 Kh8 15 b3 Bf5 16 Bb2 Nd3+ 17 Ke2 with good play for the pawn. b) 10 ... Bc5 11 Ng1 d5 12 b4 when White has gained a tempo over the main game, and after 12 ... Bf8 13 cxd5 Qxd5 14 Ne2 has good chances for an edge according to Fier. 10 ... d5 11 a3 Bf8 12 cxd5 Qxd5 13 Ne2 An improvement over 13 Bc4?! Qg5 14 Ne2 Ne5 15 Ng3 f5 16 d4?! exd3 17 Bxd3 Nxd3+ 18 Qxd3 f4 and Black has the initiative, M.Arabidze-A.Kosteniuk, Kutansi (rapid) 2015.
13 ... Bf5 Black also has: a) 13 ... f5 and now: a1) 14 Nf4 Qd6 15 Be2 Nd4 16 exd4 Qxf4 17 0-0 with chances for both sides, P.LanzaniF.Besozzi, correspondence 2009. a2) 14 Nc3 Qd8 and here 15 d4 opening up the centre seems to be asking for trouble. After 15 ... exd3 16 Qxd3 Be6 17 Qxd8 Rexd8 18 Bb5 Na5 Black was way ahead in development in A.Kharlov-A.Korotylev, Russian Championship 2002. a3) 14 b4 and this new move is my recommendation. Let’s look at Black’s choices: a31) 14 ... Ne5 15 Nf4 Qd6 16 Bb2 looks nice for White. He will play Bf1-e2, castle and enjoy the better structure. a32) 14 ... Bg7 15 Bb2 Bxb2 16 Qxb2 Qe5 17 Qxe5 Nxe5 18 Nd4 with a good queenless middlegame for White. a33) 14 ... Bxb4 is critical. After 15 Nf4 Qc5 16 Qb2 White has sacrificed a pawn to throw Black’s pieces offside. Now 16 ... Ba5 17 Nh5 Re5 18 Be2 and White should emerge with an edge, for example 18 ... Qb6 19 0-0 Be6 20 d4 exd3 21 Bxd3 and here 21 ... Rd8 22 Qe2 Qb3 23 Nf4 and White is better, he threatens 24 Rb1 and Black’s kingside is wide open. b) 13 ... Ne5 is untried. After 14 Nc3 (14 Nf4 is also possible) 14 ... Nd3+ 15 Qxd3 Qxd3 16 Bxd3 exd3 17 Nd5 Re5 18 Nxf6+ Kh8 19 f4 White has won a pawn although there is a tough fight ahead. c) 13 ... Qd6 is also untested. 14 Ng3 f5 15 Be2 looks like a logical way for White to continue development.
14 b4!? Giri delays his kingside development even further, in order to maximize the positional concessions he can extract from Black. 14 ... a5?! Pushing White where he wants to go anyway. Straightforward centralization with 14 ... Rad8 or the immediate 14 ... Ne5 was better. 15 Nc3 Qe6 16 b5
16 ... Ne5 Black gives up the e4-pawn, although the other possible squares for the knight would leave it awkwardly placed, for example 16 ... Ne7 17 Bb2 and White is starting to get coordinated. 17 Nxe4 Taking the bull by the horns!
17 ... Nd7 18 d3 Instead 18 f3!, maintaining a central pawn mass, leaves White better after, for example: a) 18 ... Nc5 19 Nxc5 Qe5 20 Bb2 Bxc2 21 Bxe5 fxe5 22 Bd3 Bxd3 23 Nxd3 Rad8 24 Nf2 and White keeps the extra pawn. b) 18 ... Bxe4 19 Qxe4 Qxe4 20 fxe4 Rxe4 21 Bd3 gives White a very nice position with the two bishops and pressure on f-file. 18 ... Bxe4 19 dxe4 Nc5 20 Bb2 Rad8 Capturing the e4-pawn allows White to complete development, while keeping his positional trumps with 20 ... Qxe4 21 Qxe4 Nxe4 22 Bd3 or 20 ... Nxe4 21 Bc4 Qe7 22 0-0 etc.
21 Rc1?! This is perhaps a little too much. Instead 21 f3! would leave Black with questionable compensation for the pawn. 21 ... Nxe4 22 Bd3 Nxf2! 23 Bxh7+ 23 Qxf2? Rxd3 24 0-0 Qxe3 is good for Black. 23 ... Kg7 24 0-0 An aesthetically pleasing move, which is indeed legal! 24 ... Nd3? A blunder. Instead 24 ... Ng4 would leave Black fully in the game. The chances are roughly balanced in a messy position. 25 Rf3 Nxe3 and now: a) 26 Rxf6 Nxc2 27 Rxe6+ Kxh7 28 Rxe8 Rxe8 29 Rxc2 Bd6 with an equal endgame. b) 26 Bxf6+ Qxf6 27 Rg3+ Kh6 28 Rh3+ Kg7 29 Rg3+ when both sides have to accept the repetition.
25 Bxd3 Qxe3+ 26 Kh1 Rxd3 Instead after 26 ... Qxd3 27 Bxf6+ White wins the exchange, while after 27 ... Kg6 28 Bxd8 Qxc2 29 Rxc2 Rxd8 30 Rxc7 White has a winning endgame. 27 Rxf6 White finally capitalizes on the f6-weakness created in the opening. 27 ... Kg8 28 Rcf1! A calm move which seals Black’s fate. White threatens 29 R6f3 as well as 29 Rxf7. 28 ... Qe2 29 Qc4 Rd7 30 Rg6+! 1-0 Black had seen enough and resigned. The beautiful finish would be 30 ... Kh7 31 Qh4+ Kxg6 32 Rf6+ Kg7 33 Qh8+ Kxh8 34 Rh6+ Kg8 35 Rh8 mate.
Game 4 K.Grigoryan-Z.Andriasian
Armenian Championship, Yerevan 2015 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 e3 Nf6 4 Nf3 Bb4 5 Qc2 0-0 6 Nd5 Re8
In this game we look at alternatives to 7 Qf5, which aim for a closed game with a more measured buildup. In some lines White initiates kingside action involving the flank-pawn thrust h2-h4, but play is generally slower than in Games 2 and 3. You may prefer this approach based on your style, or could just choose to vary your approach for individual games. 7 Ng5 White has two other approaches: a) 7 Bd3 is less aggressive than lines involving Nf3-g5 and h2-h4, but on the other hand White doesn’t commit himself to kingside pawn moves, so that his king will be perfectly safe after castling short. Although Black should be able to equalize, this is a good choice if White is happy simply to reach a complex game with all the pieces on the board. Black now has a choice of moving the h-pawn or the g-pawn: a1) 7 ... h6 slightly weakens the light squares. After 8 a3 Bf8 9 Nxf6+ Qxf6 10 Be4 d6 11 0-0 Ne7 12 d4 Qe6?! (12 ... Bf5 is an improvement) 13 Bd3 Ng6 14 d5 Qf6 15 Nd2 a5 16 Ne4 Qd8 17 Ng3 White had out-manoeuvred his opponent and stands better with control of key kingside squares, V.Epishin-M.Malloni, Porto San Giorgio 2009. a2) 7 ... g6 8 a3 Bf8 9 Nxf6+ Qxf6 10 Be4 d6 11 b4 has been played a number of times.
Here Black has tried: a21) 11 ... Ne7 12 Bb2 Bf5 exchanging the light-squares bishops is a logical plan, but White can still hope for a little something here after 13 0-0 Qe6 14 Bxf5 Qxf5 15 e4 Qd7 16 d4. This shouldn’t be too scary for Black, but White could have extracted an edge after 16 ... exd4 17 Nxd4 Bg7 18 Rad1 Nc6 19 f3 Nxd4 20 Bxd4 f5?! 21 Bxg7 Kxg7, which was played in L.Ftacnik-J.Hammer, German League 2011, and now 22 c5 would leave Black saddled with a weak d6-pawn and the more exposed king. a22) 11 ... Nd8 is a decent plan which aims to deprive the e4-bishop of squares. After 12 Bb2 Qe7 13 0-0 Bg7 14 Rfc1 c6 15 Ne1 f5 16 Bd3 Nf7 the game was balanced in M.Chandler-G.Hertneck, Germany League 1995. b) 7 a3 Bf8 8 Ng5 (8 Bd3 transposes to the lines above), when the inclusion of both sides’ 7th move makes this line slightly different to the main game. Now 8 ... g6 9 Nxf6+ Qxf6 10 Ne4 leads to the diagram position below.
Now Black has a choice of queen retreats: b1) 10 ... Qd8 and here White can play quietly or try to stir things up: b11) 11 Be2 d6 12 0-0 Bg7 13 b4 f5 14 Nc3 and here Black in turn has: b111) 14 ... Be6 15 Bb2 gave a typical closed position, where White eventually outplayed his opponent, Y.Kuzubov-D.Debashis, Al Ain 2015. b112) 14 ... Nd4! is the kind of move that is always in the air with White’s king on the e1square. After 15 exd4 exd4 16 Bf3 dxc3 17 dxc3, chances are equal. b12) 11 h4!? f5 12 Nc3 d6 13 h5 Bg7 14 hxg6 hxg6 15 d3 followed by eventual queenside castling, gives White reasonable chances for an edge. b2) 10 ... Qe7 11 Nc3 Bg7 12 d3 d6 13 Nd5?! (it was better to play a developing move) 13 ... Qd8 14 Be2 Ne7 15 0-0 c6, when White has used up so many tempi with his knight that Black fully equalizes now. 16 Nxe7+ Qxe7 17 b4 Be6 18 Bb2 d5 was level in B.HeberlaZ.Hracek, Polish League 2015. Now let’s return to the main game with 7 Ng5:
7 ... g6 8 h4 Instead after 8 Nxf6+ Qxf6 White has: a) 9 Ne4, when White pushes the queen back before playing h2-h4. 9 ... Qd8 10 h4 and: a1) 10 ... Bf8 11 h5 Bg7 12 hxg6 hxg6, D.Bronstein-A.Suetin, Tallinn 1980 and now White can play 13 a3 d6 14 Be2 Ne7 15 g4 with a complex game ahead. a2) 10 ... Be7, hitting the h4-pawn would take advantage of this move order, since 11 h5 Nb4 12 Qb1 d5 is OK for Black. b) 9 h4 Bf8 10 Be2 d6 11 g4 which transposes to the main game. 8 ... Bf8 9 Be2 White can save a tempo for now by delaying a2-a3. 9 ... d6 9 ... Bg7 enables Black to recapture with the bishop following an exchange on the f6square. Play may continue 10 d3 d6 11 Bd2 h6 12 Nxf6+ (12 Ne4 is the solid option) 12 ... Bxf6 13 Ne4 Bxh4 14 g3 Bg5 15 0-0-0 with compensation for the pawn. 10 Nxf6+ Qxf6
11 g4!? A creative move, preventing Black from playing ... Bc8-f5 and also preparing to open the kingside against Black’s king in the future. Of course this is double edged, as White has yet to develop his queenside pieces and his king remains in the centre for now. 11 ... Qe7 Another game continued 11 ... Bg7 12 d3 b6 13 Bd2 Bb7 14 Ne4 Qd8 15 h5 d5 16 cxd5 Ne7 17 hxg6 hxg6 and now: a) 18 0-0-0 puts White’s king in relative safety and gives her gives her good attacking chances with the open h-file. b) Instead the move 18 d6?! was played in J.Vojinovic-N.Dzagnidze, European Team Championship, Reykjavik 2015, and Black was fine after 18 ... cxd6 19 Bb4 Nd5 etc. 12 d3 Bg7 13 Bd2 a5 Black aims to pre-empt White from castling long. 14 a3 14 0-0-0 Nb4 15 Qb1 c6 is uncomfortable for White. 14 ... Rb8 15 Ne4 Be6 16 g5 16 h5 is also possible. If Black lashes out with 16 ... f5?! then White is better after 17 gxf5 gxf5 18 h6! blasting open Black’s defences. 16 ... d5 17 cxd5 Bxd5
18 Rc1 White is still doing quite well after this, but this move rules out queenside castling. Instead White’s best approach is to play more urgently with 18 Bf3 Rbd8 19 h5!, for example: a) If Black continues as in the game, then after 19 ... f5?! 20 gxf6 Bxf6 Black’s king is a lot more exposed, for example 21 hxg6 hxg6 22 0-0-0 with a great attacking platform for White. b) 19 ... Bxe4 20 Bxe4 Qg5, grabbing a pawn, gives White good compensation after 21 hxg6 hxg6 22 Qb3 Rb8 and now either 23 0-0-0 or 23 Rc1 gives White attacking chances. 18 ... Rbd8 19 Rg1 White gets ready to apply pressure down the g-file, since ... f7-f5 is Black’s primary active plan. However it is clear that White is not as well placed as in the previous note. 19 ... f5 20 gxf6 Bxf6 21 Nxf6+?! With this move, White lets the remainder of his advantage slip. Instead 21 h5! Bxe4 22 dxe4 Bh4 and now: a) 23 hxg6 allows Black to open White’s king with 23 ... Bxf2+ 24 Kxf2 Qh4+ 25 Kg2 Rd6 which likely leads to a forced draw since Black can force a perpetual. b) 23 Rg2 defends the f2-square and leaves White slightly better. 21 ... Qxf6 22 e4 Rf8 22 ... Nd4 was best. After 23 Qxc7 Qxh4 leads to a wild position where Black is at least fine; if 24 exd5? then Black gets a strong attack with 24 ... e4! 23 Be3 Be6 24 h5 Nd4 25 Qd1 Rd7
Chances are roughly balanced here, since neither king is entirely safe. 26 Bg4 Risky. Instead 26 Rg2 Bb3 27 Qd2 Nf3+ 28 Bxf3 Qxf3 29 Rg5 Qh1+ 30 Ke2 Qf3+ would lead to a draw by repetition. 26 ... Bxg4 27 Rxg4 Nf3+ 28 Ke2 Nd4+ Apparently offering a repetition which White avoids. But at this point, Black should be playing for a win. 28 ... g5! leaves Black for choice. 29 Kf1 c6 30 Rg3 Ne6 31 Qb3 Kg7 32 hxg6 hxg6 33 Ke2 Nd4+ 34 Bxd4 Rxd4 35 f3 Rf7 Black starts to slip, instead 35 ... Qf7 is equal. 36 Rcg1 White has emerged with slightly more active chances due to his mobile queen. 36 ... Kf8 37 Qb6 a4 38 Qa7 b5 39 Qc5+ Ke8 39 ... Kg7?? 40 Rxg6+ Qxg6 41 Qxe5+ wins for White.
40 Rh1 40 f4 was White’s best chance, for example 40 ... Qxf4 41 Qxc6+ Kd8 42 Qxg6 Qf2+ 43 Kd1 Kc7 44 Kc1 and White is a pawn up and pressing. 40 ... Qd6 41 Rh8+ Rf8 42 Rxf8+ Kxf8 43 Qxd6+ Rxd6 44 Rg5 Re6 45 Ke3 White has the more active rook, but Black has enough resources to hold this endgame. 45 ... Kf7 46 f4 exf4+ 47 Kxf4 Rf6+ 48 Ke3 Rd6 49 Rc5 Ke7 50 e5 Re6 51 Kf4 Kd7 52 Kg5 Re8 53 d4 Rf8 54 Rc2 Rf1 55 Kxg6 Rf4 56 Kg5 Rxd4 57 Kf5 Rd1 58 Rh2 Rf1+ 59 Ke4 Rc1 60 Rh7+ Ke6 61 Rh6+ ½-½ Game 5 S. Zhigalko-A.Pashikian Tashkent 2014 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3 Bb4 5 Qc2 0-0 6 Nd5
In this game we look at 6th moves for Black other than 6 ... Re8. 6 ... Be7 Other moves: a) 6 ... d6 gives White thematic play against the dark-squared bishop after 7 a3 Bc5 8 Bd3 h6 9 b4 Bb6 10 Nxf6+ Qxf6 11 Bb2 Qe7 12 Be4 a6 13 0-0 Be6 14 d4 with a clear edge for White M.Petursson-A.Gunnarsson, Icelandic League 1995. b) 6 ... Nxd5 7 cxd5 Ne7 8 Nxe5 Nxd5 9 a3 Qe7 10 Nf3 Bd6 was played in C.CobbA.Wirig, European Club Championship, Plovdiv 2010, and here 11 Bd3 h6 12 0-0 should deliver White a slight advantage, for example 12 ... b6 13 Nd4 g6 14 f4 Bb7 15 b3 followed by play down the a1-h8 diagonal. c) 6 ... Bc5 7 a3 a5 and here White has a choice of decent plans: c1) 8 Bd3 h6 9 b3 d6 10 Bb2 Nxd5 11 cxd5 Ne7 12 Nxe5! Nxd5 13 Nf3 Bg4 14 h3 Bd7 15 0-0 and White’s position was preferable due to the central pawn majority and great scope for the White bishops, S.Cvetkovic-D.Dakic, Belgrade 2003. c2) 8 Ng5!? g6 9 h4 d6 10 b3 Nxd5 11 cxd5 Ne7 A.Raetsky-Y.Coent, Sautron 2007 and now 12 h5! gives White the initiative since 12 ... Nxd5 can be answered by 13 Nxh7! Kxh7 14 hxg6+ Kg7 15 d4 exd4 16 Rh7+ Kf6 17 Qe4 with a big attack on the Black king in the
middle of the board. Black’s best is to return the piece with 17 ... Bf5 18 Qxd5. c3) 8 b3 d6 9 Bb2 Bg4 (9 ... Nxd5 10 cxd5 Ne7 11 Nxe5 is similar to the line above) 10 Be2 Nxd5 11 cxd5 Ne7 12 Bd3 Bb6 13 Bxh7+ Kh8 14 Ng5 f6 15 h4 Qd7 16 f3 Bf5 17 Bxf5 Qxf5 18 Qxf5 Nxf5 19 Ne4 with a clear extra pawn for White, L.Alburt-A.Kapengut, Ashkhabad 1978. d) 6 ... h6
and now: d1) 7 Qf5!? was played in A.Zubarev-S.Fedorchuk, Ukrainian Championship 2015, and now 7 ... Be7! is a good move. Black need not fear the capture of the e5-pawn, for example 8 Nxe5 Nxd5 (note that in the equivalent position in the 6 ... Re8 line, Black can’t play this move because the f7-pawn would hang!) 9 cxd5 d6 10 Nxc6 bxc6 11 Qf3 cxd5 12 Qxd5 Rb8 and Black has a big lead in development and therefore good compensation for the pawn. d2) 7 a3! is straightforward and best: d21) 7 ... Be7 8 Be2 a5 9 0-0 d6 10 d4 exd4 11 exd4 Bg4 12 Be3 Re8 13 h3 Bh5 14 Nf4 Bxf3 15 Bxf3 and White has a clear advantage with two bishops and more space, M.Moeschinger-S. Bohnenblust, Zurich 1995. d22) 7 ... Bd6 8 b4 Nxd5 9 cxd5 Ne7 10 Bb2 Nxd5 was D.King-E.Bareev, Hastings 1990, and now 11 Nxe5 leaves White with an edge as Black will need further time to unravel.
7 a3 d6 8 Ng5 A typical move in this setup, threatening mate in two with 9 Nxf6+ and 10 Qxh7 mate. Similar ideas are often seen (with reversed colours) in the Taimanov Sicilian. 8 Bd3 and 8 Be2 are also sensible alternatives. 8 ... g6 Black is forced to compromise his kingside pawn structure. 9 Nxe7+ White gains the two bishops, and reckons that Black’s kingside dark squares provide a long term target for his dark squared-bishop. 9 ... Qxe7 10 d3 White wants to develop his c1-bishop on the long a1-h8 diagonal, but this modest move is needed first. 10 b3 h6 is awkward for White to meet, for example 11 Ne4 (or 11 Nf3 e4) 11 ... Nxe4 12 Qxe4 Bf5 and Black gains a lot of time. 10 ... Bf5 Black could also kick the g5-knight away with 10 ... h6 11 Ne4 Nxe4 12 dxe4 when White again has the asset of the two bishops, but Black has a solid position. In the game, White’s g5-knight remains in its post, and by the time it is captured White has a raging kingside attack. 11 b3
11 ... e4 Black goes for concrete action in the centre, but opens up the long diagonal for White’s unopposed bishop. 12 Bb2 Rae8 If now 12 ... h6 White gets a pleasant position after 13 dxe4 Nxe4 14 Nxe4 Qxe4 15 Qc3 f6 16 f3 Qc2 when although Black can force the queens off, White retains an advantage thanks to his two bishops. 13 Qc3 Ne5 14 dxe4 Bxe4 15 f4! Intensifying the fight. White weakens his e3-pawn but is going for the attack. Instead 15 00-0 h6 16 Nxe4 Nxe4 17 Qc2 Ng4 gives chances for both sides. 15 ... Ned7 16 0-0-0 Bc6 16 ... h6 can now be answered by 17 h4 – a theme which occurs on the next move. 17 Re1 h6
18 h4! d5 Black is trying to generate counterplay but this creates more targets. Alternatively: a) The g5-knight is taboo, as after 18 ... hxg5 19 hxg5 White will regain the piece and has gained the open h-file for free. b) 18 ... a5 and now: b1) 19 h5?! is less effective here, as Black can venture 19 ... hxg5 20 fxg5 Qe5 opposing queens on the long diagonal. b2) 19 e4 and Black can only wait for White to build up the attack further. 19 cxd5 19 h5! is strong now that Black has weakened his control of the blockading e5-square. After 19 ... hxg5 20 fxg5 Qe5 21 gxf6 Qxc3+ 22 Bxc3 White’s strong attack persists even in the absence of queens. 19 ... Bxd5 20 e4 Qd6
Pashikian desperately tries to exploit the slightly exposed White king, but Zhigalko accurately calculates his way to a winning position. 21 exd5 Qxf4+ 22 Kb1 Rxe1+ 23 Qxe1 hxg5 Black finally removes the g5-knight which has been a thorn in his side, but it is too late. Instead 23 ... Re8 is simply answered by 24 Qd1. 24 hxg5 Qxg5 25 Qe7 25 Bb5! is a nice move, overloading the Black knights. 25 ... Qxd5 26 Ka2 Qd2 27 g4 White has too many threats. White’s two bishops completely dominate the two knights. 27 ... Qd5 28 Rh3 Qe6 29 Qb4 Ne5 30 g5 Nfg4 31 Be2 f5 32 Bc4 1-0
White wins the queen, as after 32 Bc4 Nxc4 it is mate in two with 33 Rh8+ Kf7 34 Qxf8 mate. Summary This is one of the longest chapters in the book, and details some of White’s options in this 4 e3 main line. 1) 7 Qf5 (Games 1-3) leads to unique positions that can get sharp and concrete, while 7 Ng5 (Game 4) is a decent alternative if you prefer more of a ‘slow burn’. Either way, you can give your opponents many practical problems if you are familiar with these lines. 2) After 7 Qf5 d6 8 Nxf6+ gxf6 you can pick between 9 Qh5 and 9 Qc2. 9 Qh5 (Game 2) is well explored but remains a good practical weapon. If Black knows the theory of 9 Qh5 really well he can navigate to safety, but if he is unprepared, life will be difficult. 9 Qc2 (Game 3) has only been played in a handful of high-level games, and offers rich possibilities for new ideas. 3) The queenless middlegame after 8 ... Qxf6 (Game 1) in my view offers White good chances for an advantage, with little risk involved. Remember the key idea of the c4-c5! thrust, victimizing Black’s cramped b6-bishop.
Chapter Two 1 c4 e5: 5 ... Bxc3 and Other Fifth Moves 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3 Bb4 5 Qc2
5 ... Bxc3 This move grew in popularity in the 1990s and 2000s, and at top level has arguably taken over as the main line from the older move 5 ... 0-0. Other 5th moves are: a) 5 ... d6 6 Nd5 Bc5 7 a3 a5 8 b3 Be6. By challenging the d5-knight before castling, Black avoids some of the tactics associated with attacks on the h7-pawn (with Nf3-g5 or Bf1d3) that we saw in the last chapter. Here White has: a1) 9 Nc3 Qd7 and now: a11) 10 Bb2 looks promising, for example 10 ... 0-0 11 Be2 Rfe8 12 0-0 h6 13 d3 when White can play against the c5-bishop with Ra1-d1 and an eventual d3-d4 thrust. a12) 10 Bd3 was played in P.Eljanov-D.Naroditsky, Reykjavik 2015, but feels slightly out of place in this specific position, and indeed the bishop dropped back to e2 a few moves later. a2) 9 Nxf6+ Qxf6 10 Bb2 Bf5 and here I prefer 11 Bd3 (11 d3 didn’t set Black any problems in S.Pavlov-F.Caruana, Plovdiv 2010) 11 ... Bxd3 12 Qxd3 0-0 13 0-0 Rfe8 14 Qc3 planning d2-d4. b) 5 ... a5 6 Nd5 Bc5 7 a3 d6 transposes to the 5 ... d6 line above.
With 5 ... Bxc3, Black voluntarily gives up the two bishops, reasoning that his quick development will enable him to gain space and constrain White’s options before White can complete development. White now has a choice of captures, both of which can be used in the repertoire. From White’s viewpoint, the key themes in the 5 ... Bxc3 line are about how to take advantage of the two bishops whether in the endgame (see the Ivanchuk-Karjakin example below), or in the middlegame (see Gajewski-Volokitin below). The Dynamic 6 bxc3 – White’s Attacking Ideas Let’s first get a feel for the recapture with the b-pawn. 6 bxc3
Originally played by Suba, 6 bxc3 has been explored recently by strong GMs including Eljanov, Gajewski and others. It creates an interesting pawn structure, where White can hope
to outplay his opponent in a complex position. This variation is covered in detail in Eljanov Bruzon Batista (Game 8) and Lie-Hauge (Game 9). Here we look at some of White’s attacking ideas. 6 ... 0-0 7 e4 d6 8 g3 I believe this gives White better chances than the alternative 8 Be2.
8 ... Nh5 8 ... h6 is analyzed in Game 9, while 8 ... Ne7 and other 8th moves are covered in Game 8. 9 Nh4! Ne7 10 Be2 We are now following G.Gajewski-A.Volokitin, French League 2014, which is a great illustration of the dynamic nature of this line and White’s attacking chances. 10 ... Nf6 11 d3 Ng6 12 Ng2 The knight aims for the e3-square where it controls both d5 and f5. Instead 12 Nf5 is possible, but White prefers to keep the tension while he completes development. 12 ... Bh3 13 Ne3 Qd7 14 Rg1 White’s attacking intentions begin to take shape. He can get away with this plan since the centre is still closed. 14 ... h5 15 Qd1 Ng4 16 Nf5 A knight on the f5-square is always a dangerous attacking piece. 16 ... Nf6
17 g4! Prising open the kingside. 17 ... hxg4 18 Bxg4 Bxg4 19 Rxg4 d5 If Black accepts the exchange sac with 19 ... Nxg4 20 Qxg4 Rfd8 21 h4 then White’s attack can’t be stopped. 20 cxd5 Nxd5 21 Bg5!? 21 Rg3 was also very strong. 21 ... Nxc3 22 Qf3 Nb5 23 Nxg7! Nd4 24 Qh3 f5 25 Nxf5 Nxf5 26 exf5 Qxf5 27 0-0-0 Rae8
28 Be3?! Instead 28 Bd2! clearing the g-file but leaving the d-pawn protected, gives White a winning position. Black has no defence to White’s threat of doubling or tripling heavy pieces on the g-file.
28 ... Re6 29 Qg3 29 Rdg1 is now answered by 29 ... Qxd3 when White has to look for a way to bail out with 30 Rxg6+ Rxg6 31 Qe6+ etc. 29 ... Ra6 30 h4 Rff6 31 Rd2 Kf7 ½-½ The position is still unclear, but a draw was agreed here. An exciting game! 6 Qxc3 – Squeezing with the Two Bishops The game V.Ivanchuk-S.Karjakin, Wijk aan Zee 2006 started with 6 Qxc3 Qe7 7 a3 d5 8 d4, the theory of which is covered in the next section. The players reached the following position after 18 f3:
When the queens get exchanged in this variation, this is an example of the kind of setup that favours White. White has been able to complete development and keep his bishops active. White also uses his pawns to restrict the opponent’s two minor pieces following Steinitz’ principles. The pawn chain e4+f3+g2 is well worth remembering, as this is often the ideal structure that White should aim for. Ivanchuk went on to win a model game with the two bishops vs. bishop and knight. This game has been analyzed in depth in several publications, so I will just give minimal notes. Play through the game, or just follow the diagrams, to get a feel for the course of the endgame. 18 ... Be6 19 Rc1 b6 20 Ba6 Pushing Black’s rook away in order to wrest control of the c-file. 20 ... Rd8 21 b4 cxb4 22 axb4 Bc8 23 Be2 Be6 24 Kf2 Rac8 25 Ra1 Nc6 26 Ba6 Rb8
27 Bb5 Ivanchuk allows his last queenside pawn to be captured, confident that he will win both Black’s a- and b-pawns. 27 ... Nxb4 28 Rxa7+ Kg8 29 Re7 Bf7 30 Ra1 Ra8 Black has to prevent both of White’s rooks reaching the 7th rank, so abandons defence of the b6-pawn. 31 Rd7 Rdc8 32 Rxa8 Rxa8 33 Bxb6
33 ... h6 34 Kg3 Rc8 35 Rd6 Be8 36 Be2 Rc6 37 Rxc6 Nxc6 38 Kf4 Ivanchuk proves that such positions are winnable even with all the pawns on the same side of the board. 38 ... Ne5 38 ... Bd7 is more tenacious according to Ivanchuk. 39 Bc7 Bd7 40 Ke3
40 Bxe5? allows Black off the hook because of 40 ... g5+ 41 Ke3 fxe5 with a likely draw. 40 ... Kf8 41 Kd4 Nf7 42 Ba5 Ne5 43 Bb4+ Ke8 44 Kc5 Ng6 45 Bd2 Ne5 46 Kd6 Ba4 47 f4 Nf7+ 48 Kc7 Bd7 49 Bb4 Ba4 50 Bc4 Black is almost in zugzwang! 50 ... Nh8 51 g3 Nf7 52 h4 Nh8 53 Bd6 Ng6 54 Be2 Nh8 55 Bc4 Ng6
56 e5 The decisive breakthrough. 56 ... fxe5 57 fxe5 Ne7 58 e6 g6 59 Bc5 Nf5 60 Bd3 Ne7 61 Kd6 h5 62 Ke5 Nf5 63 Kf6 Bc6 64 e7 1-0 The Theory of 6 Qxc3 Now let’s step through the 6 Qxc3 line move by move. 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3 Bb4 5 Qc2 Bxc3 6 Qxc3 White secures the two bishops at the cost of a slight lag in development. 6 ... Qe7
7 d4!? This has been less popular than 7 a3 but I think it is worth deeper investigation. White doesn’t use a tempo on a2-a3 and immediately fights for the centre. If White can complete development without making concessions, he should be well placed with the long term asset of the two bishops. Here is a brief survey of the alternatives: a) 7 a3 is White’s most popular 7th move. 7 ... d5 and here White can choose: a1) 8 cxd5 Nxd5 9 Qb3 Nb6 10 d3 just entering a reversed Sicilian is possible, and has been played many times by strong players. Experience has shown, however, that Black’s lead in development and space advantage balances out the two bishops. So objectively White cannot hope for more than a playable but equal game in such positions. a2) 8 d4 exd4 9 Nxd4 Nxd4 10 Qxd4 when White is a tempo down on the equivalent position in our main line. It is important to understand how Black uses this extra time to equalize: a21) 10 ... c5 11 Qh4
Practice has seen: a211) 11 ... dxc4 12 Bxc4 Be6 13 Bb5+ Nd7 14 Qxe7+ Kxe7 15 Bd2 Rac8 16 Rc1 Rhd8 17 Ba5 b6 18 Bc3 f6 19 0-0 Bb3 ½-½ was N.Vitiugov-E.Tomashevsky, Russian League 2011. a212) 11 ... Be6 12 cxd5 Nxd5 13 Qxe7+ Nxe7 14 Bb5+ Bd7 15 Be2 f6 16 e4 Kf7 17 Be3 Rhc8 18 f3 is Ivanchuk-Karjakin from the previous section. Comparing this game to the previous note, we see that Tomashevsky used active, concrete moves to force small concessions before White was able to complete development and setup his preferred f3+e4 pawn structure with active bishops. a22) 10 ... 0-0 11 c5 b6 12 b4 bxc5 13 bxc5 Qe6 14 Bd3 Ba6 with equality, A.OnischukA.Shirov, FIDE World Championship, New Delhi/Teheran 2000. b) 7 Be2 is a decent line which I’d suggest as an alternative if you want to vary from 7 d4. Now 7 ... d5 8 d4 and here Black can choose: b1) 8 ... Ne4 9 Qb3 dxc4 10 Qxc4 exd4 11 Nxd4 Nxd4 12 Qxd4 0-0 was J.KjolbergJ.Salomon, Oslo 2014, and now White should play 13 f3 Nd6 14 0-0 with a typical two bishops edge. b2) 8 ... exd4 9 Nxd4 Nxd4 10 Qxd4 and: b21) 10 ... c5
11 Qf4 and now: b211) 11 ... dxc4 12 Bxc4 0-0 13 b3 Be6 14 Bb2 Bxc4 15 Bxf6 Qxf6 and a draw was agreed here in C.Cobb-S.Brynell, Izmir 2004, although White can claim a slight edge in the endgame after exchanging queens. b212) 11 ... Be6 12 b3 dxc4 13 bxc4 Rd8 14 Bb2 0-0 15 Bc3 Ne8 with approximately level chances. b22) 10 ... 0-0 11 c5!? b6 (11 ... Ne4 is well met by 12 b4) 12 b4 bxc5 13 bxc5 White is a tempo up on the similar line with 7 a3. Returning to the position after 7 d4:
7 ... exd4 7 ... Ne4 is another key line, which we cover in Oms Pallise-Pozo Vera (Game 7) later in this chapter. 8 Nxd4 Nxd4 9 Qxd4
Semko/Delchev say that in this line “White defines the centre too early”. I don’t follow this logic, since to my eyes White is a tempo ahead over the equivalent lines with 7 a3 followed by 8 d4. 9 ... c5 This is recommended for Black by Bologan on his ChessBase DVD and also by Delchev and Semko in their book.
10 Qf4! This move is an improvement over the alternative queen moves, which each have their issues: a) 10 Qd3 0-0 and now: a1) 11 b3?!. White would like to develop his bishop on b2, but this move is not so good here because of 11 ... d5 and now 12 cxd5 (here 12 Bb2 is equal, but no more) 12 ... Qe5 which is the line Bologan gives as slightly better for Black. a2) 11 Be2 d5 12 0-0 is covered in the game Strikovic -Viterbo Ferreria later in this chapter, where Black missed a chance to equalize. b) 10 Qh4. The queen would be well placed on this square, if it weren’t for the fact that Black can now force a queen trade under relatively favourable circumstances with 10 ... d5 11 cxd5 Nxd5 12 Qxe7+ Kxe7 and this version of the ending is fine for Black, A.Mastrovasilis-Z.Hracek, Istanbul 2003. 10 ... d5
11 b3! Now we can see that 10 Qf4 overcomes the drawbacks of both 10 Qh4 and 10 Qd3. White is able to post his bishop on the ideal b2-square, while Black cannot force a trade of queens. 11 ... Be6 This appears to be Black’s best. Other tries for Black here: a) 11 ... g5!? trying to take immediate advantage of White’s lack of development doesn’t work due to 12 Qxg5 Rg8 13 Qf4 Rg4 14 Qf3 Qe5 15 Rb1 Ne4 16 Bb2 Qc7 and now White has to find 17 b4! stopping 17 ... Qa5+, and is better after, for example 17 ... cxb4 18 Bd3 b3 19 0-0 when White has completed development and can turn to attack. b) 11 ... dxc4 12 Bxc4 only helps White’s development. c) 11 ... d4 can be answered by the calm 12 Bd3. 12 Bb2 Rd8 Some other sample lines are: a) 12 ... 0-0 13 Bxf6 Qxf6 14 Qxf6 gxf6 15 cxd5 Bxd5 16 Bd3 with a slightly better endgame for White due to his superior pawn structure. b) 12 ... 0-0-0 13 Be2 dxc4 and now White can recapture with 14 Bxc4 or try and exploit Black’s king position with 14 Rc1!?. c) 12 ... dxc4 13 Bxc4 Bxc4 14 bxc4 with good chances for White due to the powerful b2bishop. 13 0-0-0 13 Rd1 is also playable, for example 13 ... dxc4 14 Rxd8+ Qxd8 15 Bxc4 Qa5+ 16 Ke2 Qxa2 17 Qb8+ Ke7 18 Qe5 with chances for both sides.
I would prefer to play White here. Play may continue: 13 ... 0-0 14 Qe5 dxc4 15 Bxc4 Rc8 15 ... Rfe8 can be answered by 16 Bb5 and 15 ... a6 by 16 g4 starting kingside action. 16 f3 White stands slightly better. Game 6 A.Strikovic-J.Viterbo Ferreira Portuguese League 2010 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3 Bb4 5 Qc2 Bxc3 6 Qxc3 Qe7 7 d4
The alternatives are covered in the chapter introduction. White doesn’t use a tempo on a2-a3 and immediately fights for the centre. If White can complete development without
conceding the centre, he should be well placed with the long term asset of the two bishops. 7 ... exd4 Black has also played: a) 7 ... Ne4 which is covered in the next game. b) 7 ... e4 8 Nd2 d5 9 b3 0-0, V.Usmanov-A.Zenzera, St Petersburg 2015, and here 10 Be2 followed by flexible development is best. After 10 ... Re8 11 h3 a5 12 a3 White can expand on the queenside with good prospects. c) 7 ... d6 8 d5 Nb8 9 Nd2 Bf5 10 b3 Ne4 11 Nxe4 Bxe4 12 f3 Bg6 13 h4 h5 14 e4 Nd7 15 g3 f5 16 Bg5 and White is for choice, I.Nikolaidis-K.Georgiev, Durres 2014. 8 Nxd4 Nxd4 9 Qxd4 c5 10 Qd3 Instead 10 Qf4! is my repertoire recommendation. See the analysis in the previous section for details. 10 ... 0-0 10 ... b6 is an interesting alternative, keeping Black’s king placement options open. 11 Be2 (instead 11 f3 and 11 b3 are possible improvements) 11 ... Bb7 12 Bf3?! (12 0-0 0-0 13 f3 d5 reaches a typical position with approximate equality) 12 ... Bxf3 13 gxf3 0-0-0 14 Bd2 d5 and Black took over the initiative in P.Stoma-D.Navara, Wroclaw (rapid) 2014. 11 Be2 11 b3?! d5 12 cxd5 Qe5 when Black is fine, is the line given by Bologan. 11 ... d5 12 0-0 Rd8 13 Qc2 Qe5
14 cxd5 Rxd5 A slight inaccuracy. Black’s bishop is best placed on the long diagonal, and after 14 ... b6 15 Rd1 Bb7 Black can recapture the d5-pawn without loss of time, with a roughly equal position. White isn’t easily able to get his ideal f3+e4 pawn structure as Black would very active after 16 f3 Nxd5 17 e4 Nb4 etc. 15 f3! As we saw in Ivanchuk-Karjakin, placing White’s pawns on the f3- and e4-squares restricts Black’s light-squared bishop and also takes away key squares from his knight. 15 ... Be6 16 Re1 White can also simply play 16 e4 immediately. 16 ... Rdd8 17 Bf1 Rac8 18 Bd2 Nd5 19 a3 f6 20 Rad1 Bf7 21 e4
21 ... Ne7 Black would like to keep his knight active, but after 21 ... Nf4 22 Bc3 Qg5 23 g3 he will gradually get pushed back. 22 Bc3 White has achieved his target setup and now takes over the initiative. In contrast to Ivanchuk-Karjakin, the queens are still on the board, and Strikovic gives an instructive demonstration of how to handle White’s position. 22 ... Qe6 23 Qf2 Qb6 24 Rxd8+ Despite ceding control of the d-file to Black, White trades one pair of rooks, which seems to accentuate the greater activity of his minor pieces. 24 ... Rxd8
25 e5 Opening up the position for the bishops.
25 ... fxe5 26 Bxe5 Nc6 27 Bc3 c4 Black offers a queen trade to ease the pressure, but in doing so creates further pawn weaknesses on the queenside. White’s attack does look scary however after 27 ... Nd4 28 Re7 Nc6 29 Qg3 g6 30 Re1 and the kingside dark squares are wide open. 28 Qxb6 axb6 29 Kf2 b5 30 g4 White gains space on the kingside in order to create a second front. He will be better able to access Black’s queenside pawns after diverting the defenders to the kingside. 30 ... Rd7 31 g5 Kf8 32 f4 Bg6 33 Bh3 Rf7 34 Kg3 Bf5
As every text book will tell you, one of the advantages of the two bishops is the flexibility to choose when to exchange one bishop, in return for other advantages. Here White enters a clearly favourable rook and bishop vs. rook and knight scenario, where White’s pieces are much more active than their counterparts. 35 Bxf5 Rxf5 36 Rd1 g6 37 Bf6 Ke8 38 h4 b4 39 axb4 Rb5 40 h5 gxh5 41 Rh1 Kf7 42 Rxh5 Kg8 43 Rh2 Nxb4 44 Re2 Nd5 45 Bd4 Kf7 46 Kg4 Ne7 47 Rh2 Kg8 48 Be5
White is manoeuvring around a bit, but his advantage is not in doubt. 48 ... Rd5 49 Re2 Rd1 50 Bf6 Rg1+ 51 Kf3 Nd5 52 Be5 Kf7 53 Rh2 Kg6? Black slips up, as so often happens when a player is defending such an unpleasant position. 53 ... Kg8 is more tenacious. 54 Ke4 Ne7 55 Rh6+ Now White wins a pawn and the rest is easy. 55 ... Kf7 56 Rxh7+ Ke6 57 Rh6+ Kf7 58 Rb6 Re1+ 59 Kf3 1-0 Game 7 J.Oms Pallisse-S.Pozo Vera Barcelona 2011 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 e5 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3 Bb4 5 Qc2 Bxc3 6 Qxc3 Qe7 7 d4 Ne4
7 ... Ne4 is the critical test of 7 d4, trying to take advantage of White’s omission of 7 a3 by inserting ... Qe7-b4+ to disrupt White’s development. This leads to some rather unusual positions. If White can complete development and consolidate he will likely have the edge with two bishops and a better pawn structure. Black, on the other hand, aims to create active play to prevent that from happening. 8 Qd3 Or 8 Qa3 Qxa3 9 bxa3 d6 10 Bb2 exd4 11 exd4 0-0 with equal chances, L.VosgerauG.Horvath, St Ingbert 1992. 8 ... exd4 Instead 8 ... Qb4+ 9 Nd2 Nxd2 10 Bxd2 Qxb2 11 Bc3 Qa3 12 d5 is better for White. 9 Nxd4
9 ... 0-0 Alternatives for Black at this point are: a) 9 ... Qb4+ and now White has: a1) The provocative 10 Ke2!? Nc5 11 Qc2 0-0 was played in J.Oms Pallisse-F.Lopez Gracia, Zaragoza 2010 and now 11 ... Ne5! 12 b3 Qb6 13 Ba3 is unclear. a2) 10 Bd2 is safer but rather dry. After 10 ... Nxd2 11 Qxd2 and now: a21) 11 ... Qxd2+ 12 Kxd2 d6 13 Nb5 Kd8, D.Flores-S.Fedorchuk, Lorca 2007 and here 14 Be2 gives White perhaps a little something to play with. a22) 11 ... Nxd4 12 exd4 Qxd2+ 13 Kxd2 d6 14 Re1+ Kd8 15 Bd3 Bd7 16 h4 gave White a better endgame in B.Damljanovic-M.Perunovic, Serbian Championship 2013. b) 9 ... Nxd4 10 Qxd4 Qb4+ 11 Ke2 Nf6 12 Bd2 Qe7 13 Bc3 0-0 14 f3 Re8 A.StrikovicChoukri, Marrakesh 2010 and now 15 Kf2 should suffice for a small edge. 10 Be2 Qb4+ 11 Kf1
11 ... Qe7 Black has invested two tempi with his queen sortie in order to prevent White from castling. Black has also tried: a) 11 ... Nxd4 12 Qxd4 Qe7 13 f3 Nc5 14 b3 a5 15 h4 d6 16 h5 h6 17 Bb2 f6 18 Re1 Bf5 19 Bd1 Kh8 20 e4 Bh7 21 Bc2 Bg8 22 a4 with a comfortable position for White, though Black’s position is solid, I.Nikolaidis-A.Karpatchev, Vrachati 2013. b) 11 ... Re8 12 f3 Nf6? (12 ... Nc5 was called for) 13 Nb5 Qc5
Now White has the surprising tactical resource 14 Qa3! when Black is in trouble: b1) 14 ... Qe5 15 Qc3! Qxc3 16 bxc3 and Black cannot defend the c7-pawn. b2) 14 ... Qxa3 15 bxa3 Rb8 16 Nxc7 Rd8 17 Bb2 also wins material. b3) 14 ... Nb4 15 Bd2 and now White won quickly after 15 ... a5 16 Bxb4 axb4 17 Qxa8 Qxe3 18 Re1 Qf4 19 Bd3 Rf8 20 Qa7 c6 21 Qd4 1-0, A.Indjic-D.Raznikov, Dallas 2015. 12 f3 Nc5
12 ... f5!? has also been played. After 13 g3 d6 14 Nxc6 bxc6 15 Kg2 Nc5 16 Qc3 f4!? was essayed in D.Strauss-L.Ogaard, Gausdal 1981, and now 17 b4 Ne6 18 c5 opening lines for the bishops, is promising. Instead 17 gxf4?! was played in the game but now 17 ... Rxf4! is unclear.
13 Nxc6 White should probably keep the tension with 13 Qd2 Re8 14 b3 d6 15 Nxc6 bxc6 16 Qc3 a5 17 Bb2 f5 18 Kf2 leading to a complex game with chances for both sides. 13 ... bxc6 This recapture gives White time to develop his pieces and safeguard his king. Instead 13 ... dxc6 cedes White another long term asset in the shape of a kingside pawn majority, but opens lines in the centre which make it more difficult for White to complete development. After 14 Qc3 Bf5 15 e4 Bd7 16 Be3 f5 17 Rd1 Rf7 White has: a) 18 e5!? which is an interesting attempt to unbalance the position. After 18 ... f4 19 Bf2 Re8 and now 20 g4!? creates luft for the White king. Here are a couple of sample lines: a1) 20 ... b6 21 b4 Na4 22 Qc2 and now Black has to sacrifice a piece with 22 ... Qxb4 23 Be1 Qb2 24 Qxa4 Bxg4 25 h4 Qxe5 26 Rh2 Bh3+ with compensation. a2) 20 ... Na6 21 Kg2 Qxe5 22 Qxe5 Rxe5 23 Rhe1 Rfe7 24 Bf1 Rxe1 25 Bxe1 where Black’s extra doubled c-pawn is less significant than White’s two bishops. White could certainly try and press here. b) 18 Bxc5 releasing the tension and giving up the two bishops leads to equality, as played in a correspondence game which continued 18 ... Qxc5 19 exf5 Bxf5 20 Qd4 Qe7 21 c5 Re8 and Black is fine, G.Sapundjiev-S.Larsen, correspondence 2011. 14 Qc3
14 ... a5 15 b3 d6 16 Kf2 f5 17 Re1 Ne6 18 Kg1 White completes “castling by hand” and must be slightly better in this position. 18 ... c5 19 Bd2 Eyeing the a5-pawn. 19 Bb2 also looks logical, keeping Black’s pieces tied down to the defence of the g7-square. 19 ... Bb7 20 Bd3 Qh4 21 Qc2 Qh5 22 Bc3 Rae8 Black abandon’s the defence of the a5-pawn, it must have been hard to wait passively for White to take action. 23 f4 23 Bxa5 is premature as Black gets a kingside initiative going after 23 ... Ng5. 23 ... Re7 24 Qf2 h6 24 ... a4 comes into consideration, at least spoiling White’s structure somewhat after 25 bxa4. 25 Bxa5 g5 26 Bc3 Qg6 27 Bf1 Kh7
28 a3?! Simply pushing the passed pawn with 28 a4 should give White a big advantage. If Black continues along the lines of the game then after, for example 28 ... Rg8 29 a5 h5 30 a6 Be4 31 Ra2 Qh6 32 g3 gxf4 33 exf4 Qxf4 34 Qxf4 Nxf4 35 a7 and the threat of promoting the apawn makes a decisive difference. 28 ... Ree8 29 b4?! This is rather slow, again it was not too late for 29 a4. 29 ... Rg8 30 Ra2 h5 31 b5 Be4 32 Rd2 White has allowed his opponent’s counterplay to gather strength. 32 ... Qh6
33 b6?! White is still slightly better after 33 Bd3. 33 ... gxf4 34 exf4?
34 Kh1 was needed. 34 ... Nxf4 35 Re3 Bxg2 36 Bxg2 Rxg2+ 37 Qxg2 Rxe3 38 bxc7 Nxg2 39 c8Q Re1+ 40 Kxg2 Qg5+ 0-1 Black checkmates after 41 Kf2 Qe3+ 42 Kg2 Rg1 mate. Despite White’s collapse towards the end of this game, his build up in the early middlegame gave him the advantage. Game 8 P.Eljanov-L.Bruzon Batista Havana 2015 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 e5 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3 Bb4 5 Qc2 Bxc3 6 bxc3!?
In this game and the next, we examine this interesting line in detail. 6 ... 0-0 Instead: a) 6 ... d6 7 e4 and now 7 ... Nh5 wastes some time since it provokes White into playing the moves he want to make anyway (such as g2-g3 , Bf1-e2 and Nf3-h4) 8 g3 0-0 9 Nh4 Ne7 10 Be2 is Gajewski-Volokitin, analyzed in the chapter introduction. b) 6 ... e4 is an important alternative. After 7 Ng5
Black has played: b1) 7 ... d5 with a further split: b11) 8 Rb1!? and now with 8 ... h6? Black falls into a little trap (8 ... Ne7 is necessary, when Black should be fine) 9 cxd5 hxg5 (9 ... Qxd5 10 Rb5! was White’s idea, and Black’s e4-pawn falls) 10 dxc6 bxc6 11 Ba3 when Black’s structure is ruined and his king caught in the centre, D.Zagorskis-T.Sammalvuo, Copenhagen 1998. b12) 8 f3 exf3 9 Nxf3 Bg4 10 Be2 dxc4 11 Bxc4 Qd7 12 0-0 0-0-0 was played in M.Suba-V.Liberzon, Beersheba 1984, and here 13 Bb5 favours White. b2) 7 ... Qe7 8 f3 exf3 9 Nxf3 d6 10 Be2 0-0 11 0-0 Bg4 12 d3 d5, I.Nikolaidis-A.Brkic, Leros 2010, and now 13 d4! moving the d-pawn for a second time, is rather counter-intuitive but strong. For example 13 ... dxc4 14 Bxc4 Bh5 15 Bd3 Bg6 16 Ng5! and White will get his central pawns rolling. 7 e4 d6 8 g3 The most popular move here, although the position remains relatively fresh and unexplored.
White has developed flexibly, with ideas of expanding later on the kingside with f2-f4 or in the centre with d3-d4, depending on circumstances. Black’s main idea is to free his position with ... .f7-f5. 8 ... Ne7 Black has a very wide choice of alternatives here: a) 8 ... h6 is covered in the next game, Lie-Hauge. b) 8 ... Nh5 9 Nh4 transposes to Gajewski-Volokitin from the chapter introduction. c) 8 ... Ne8 9 Nh4 Ne7, M.Suba-D.Komarov, 1998 and now 10 Bg2 f5 11 d4 would be pleasant for White. d) 8 ... Bg4 9 Bg2 Qd7 10 h3 Be6 11 d3 h6 12 Rb1 Rab8 13 Nh4 Nh7 14 f4 f6?! (14 ... exf4 was called for) and now White gets his ideal kingside pawn storm with 15 f5 Bf7 16 Nf3 Ne7 17 h4 and Black had a very passive position in E.Blomqvist-A.Hagen, Koge 2015. e) 8 ... Nd7 was Svidler’s choice when faced with this line.
Black introduces the idea of ... .Nd7-c5 and ... a7-a6 preparing ... .b7-b5. Now White has a choice: e1) 9 Bg2 Nc5 10 Nh4 a6 11 0-0 b5 is an interesting plan, targeting the light squares. Now with 12 d4!? White answers with a pawn sacrifice, trying to blow the position open for his two bishops. Following 12 ... exd4 13 cxd4 Nxd4 14 Qd2 Nc6!? (14 ... Nde6 is critical, although White has some compensation) 15 e5 Bb7 16 exd6 Qxd6 17 Qxd6 cxd6 18 Nf5 Ne5 19 Bxb7 Nxb7 20 cxb5 axb5 21 Rb1 and the position soon liquidated to a drawn endgame in I.Khairullin-P.Svidler, Russian Championship 2015. e2) 9 d3 keeping White’s development plans flexible, is a possible improvement. After 9 ... Nc5 10 Nh4 Black can choose: e21) 10 ... a6 is now answered by 11 Be3 and if Black continues with 11 ... b5?! then White can expand with 12 d4 exd4 13 cxd4 and White has control of the centre. e22) 10 ... Ne7 11 d4 Ne6 12 Be3 b6 13 f4 Ng6 14 Ng2 exd4 15 cxd4 c5 16 d5 Nd4 17 Bxd4 cxd4 18 Bd3 and White is better due to his imposing centre, B.Zhak-H.Baufays, correspondence 2009. e23) 10 ... g5 11 Nf5 Bxf5 12 exf5 Qf6 13 g4 leads to a messy position that nevertheless appears playable, for example 13 ... Rfe8 14 Qd2 e4 15 d4 e3 16 fxe3 Ne4 17 Qd3 Qh6 18 h4!? with good chances for White. f) 8 ... Kh8 was played in one of the games given by Delchev/Semkov to support their recommendation of this line for Black.
Play continues 9 d3 Ng8 and now: f1) 10 Bg2 simply developing, is a good choice, when after 10 ... Nge7 11 0-0 f5 12 exf5 Nxf5 White is two tempi up on the Suba-Delchev game from the note below! White stands slightly better. f2) 10 Nh4 was played by Suba. Since the knight returns to the f3-square a few moves later, this isn’t the critical test. After 10 ... Nge7 11 Bg2 f5 12 exf5 Nxf5 13 Nf3 Bd7 14 0-0 h6 15 Nd2?! (wasting more time, something like 15 Ba3 b6 16 Rae1 seems more logical) 15 ... Nfe7 16 h3 Qc8 17 Kh2 Nd8?! which was played in M.Suba-A.Delchev, Albacete 2004 and now 18 d4 would give White an edge (Delchev). While Black’s position is certainly quite solid, I don’t find this a particularly convincing riposte to White’s setup, given some of the potential improvements earlier on.
9 Bg2 Ng6 Black prevents the thematic Nf3-h4 manoeuvre, though his knight is not very active on g6. 10 0-0 Re8 11 Rb1 h6 12 d3 c6 13 Re1 b6
14 a4 As White’s typical kingside attacking plans have been put on hold, he aims to press on the queenside and in the centre. 14 ... Bd7 White is ready for 14 ... d5?! which he can answer with 15 cxd5 cxd5 16 exd5 Nxd5 17 c4 when the two bishops will have plenty of scope on the open board. 15 Nd2 Be6 16 d4 White can also delay this break with either of: a) 16 Nf1 followed by Nf1-e3 b) 16 a5!? bxa5 17 Qa4
In either case White gains an edge. 16 ... Rc8 17 a5 bxa5 18 Ba3 c5 19 dxc5 dxc5 A rather unusual pawn structure has arisen. Eljanov makes instructive use of the doubled c-pawns. The c3-pawn controls the d4-square, while White has unfettered access to d5, supported by his c4– and e4-pawns. 20 Red1 Qc7 21 Nf1
White needs to get the knight to the e3-square, and perhaps should have done this earlier as suggested in the note to White’s 16th move. 21 ... Nd7?! Black should grab the c4-pawn while he can, after 21 ... Bxc4 22 Ne3 Ba6 23 Nd5 Qc6 24 Bh3 Rb8 Black is fully in the game. 22 Ne3 Now White is back on track. 22 ... Nb6 23 Nd5 Qc6 24 Bf1 Qa4 25 Qxa4 Nxa4 26 Rb7 White is on top now, since he is much more active. 26 ... a6 27 Rdb1 Kh7 28 f3 Red8 29 Bc1 Rd6 29 ... Bxd5 30 exd5 Nxc3 31 R1b6 is also excellent for White. 30 Ra1 Bxd5 31 exd5 Nb6 32 Rxf7
Black’s pawns start dropping off, so he is hopelessly lost now. 32 ... a4 33 Be3 Kg8 34 Ra7 1-0 Game 9 K.Lie-L.Hauge Norwegian Championship, Tromso 2016 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3 Bb4 5 Qc2 Bxc3 6 bxc3 0-0 7 e4 d6 8 g3 h6
Other moves were covered in the previous game. 9 d3 Be6 10 Rb1 This is often a useful move, softening up Black’s queenside. Earlier games saw 10 Bg2 and now: a) 10 ... Qd7 11 0-0 when Black has played:
a1) 11 ... Ne7 12 Rd1 (White shouldn’t be concerned about exchanging light-squared bishops, so instead 12 Nh4 is quite promising for White) 12 ... Bh3 13 Bh1 Ng6 14 d4 Qg4 15 Ne1 Rfe8 16 f3 Qe6 17 d5 Qe7 18 Nd3 Bd7 19 Be3 b6 with balanced chances, S.ShyamE.Hansen, Dubai (rapid) 2014. a2) 11 ... Rad8 12 Nh4 Ne7 13 f4 Bh3 14 f5 Bxg2 15 Qxg2 Kh7? and here Black does nothing to oppose White’s kingside ambitions. After 16 g4 this is a dream position for White in this setup:
16 ... Rh8 17 g5 hxg5 18 Bxg5 and White won in E.Arancibia Guzman-B.Gonzalez, correspondence 2011. b) 10 ... a6 11 a4 Rb8 12 a5 Nd7 13 0-0 Ne7 14 Nh4 b5 was seen in E.GasanovD.Sengupta, Al Ain 2015, and now 15 axb6! Rxb6 16 Be3 c5 17 Rfb1 leaves White slightly better since he can target the weak a6-pawn and play for an f2-f4 pawn break when the time is right. 10 ... Nd7
11 Bg2 11 Rxb7? Nb6 traps the rook. 11 ... f5 12 exf5 Bxf5 Black has achieved his ... f5 break, but White also has his trumps with the two bishops and pressure down the b-file. The pawn structure is similar to the Suba-Delchev game referenced in note f) to Black’s 8th move in the previous game. 13 Nh4 Bh7 14 Be3 Preventing the threat of 14 ... Nc5. 14 ... Nb6 15 0-0 Qe7 The c4-pawn is taboo because of 15 ... Nxc4?? 16 Bd5+ while after 15 ... g5 16 Nf3 Nxc4 17 Nxg5! Nxe3 18 Qb3+ Kh8 19 Nxh7 Nxf1 20 Qe6! White is much better.
16 Qe2?! Removing the queen from the h7-bishop’s cross-hairs, however this move also loosens
White’s control of the e4-square. Instead 16 Rfe1! lining up an x-ray against Black’s queen, looks promising, since: a) 16 ... g5 17 Nf3 and now: a1) 17 ... e4 fails to the surprising 18 Nd2 exd3 19 Qb3 and Black can’t cope with the twin threats of 20 Bxb6 and 20 c5+. a2) 17 ... Nxc4 18 Rxb7 gives White an edge. b) 16 ... Kh8 17 Qe2 e4? now doesn’t work because of 18 Bxe4 Bxe4 19 dxe4 Qxe4 20 Bxb6 Qxe2 21 Rxe2 axb6 22 Ng6+ winning material. 16 ... Rae8 16 ... e4! leads to an unclear position, where Black is fully in the game. 17 Rfe1 Instead 17 Be4 Bxe4 18 dxe4 Qe6 19 c5 leads to a roughly equal position.
17 ... Kh8?! This is a waste of a move, since the king is no better placed on the h8-square. Instead 17 ... g5 was better, for example 18 Bxb6 (18 Nf3?! is answered by 18 ... e4) 18 ... axb6 19 Bd5+ Kh8 20 Ng2 e4 with approximate equality. 18 Be4 Fighting for the light squares, but 18 a4 kept some initiative for White. 18 ... Qe6?! 18 ... Bxe4 19 dxe4 Qe6 20 c5 dxc5 21 Bxc5 Rf7 is still OK for Black. 19 Bxh7 Kxh7 20 c5 dxc5 21 Bxc5 Now White has pressure on the isolated e-pawn and play on the light squares. 21 ... Rf6 22 d4 e4 23 Bxb6 axb6 24 Rb5 24 Qc2 followed by doubling rooks on the e-file, is strong for White. 24 ... Qf7 25 Ng2 Rf3 26 Ne3 Kh8 27 Qc2 Qd7 28 Rh5 b5 29 Rh4
White attacks the e4-pawn by a very roundabout route, but he is clearly better now. 29 ... Ref8 30 Ng4?! 30 Re2 is simpler, the e4-pawn will fall. 30 ... b4? 30 ... Qf5 gives Black decent counterplay. 31 Qxe4 Qf5 32 d5 Now Black’s setup collapses. 32 ... Ne7 32 ... Nd8 33 Ne5 is decisive. 33 Qxe7 Rxf2 34 Qxf8+ White picks up too much material for the queen. Black is helpless now, but continued until the time control. 34 ... Qxf8 35 Nxf2 bxc3 36 Rc4 Qa3 37 Rxc7 Qa5 38 d6 c2 39 Re8+ Kh7 40 Rxc2 Qe1+ 41 Rxe1 1-0 Summary If there was such a thing as an ‘official’ theoretical answer to the 4 e3 English, then 5 ... Bxc3 would be it. Recent games and ideas have, however, given White ammunition to deal with this variation. 1) Both 6 Qxc3 and 6 bxc3 are strong and respectable lines for White. Choose between them based on your own style and preferences, or vary from game to game based on your opponent. 2) 6 Qxc3 should suit players that like playing with the two bishops, even if it means gradually squeezing the opponent. After 6 Qxc3 Qe7, Black has found ways to get a balanced game against 7 a3 and 7 Be2, but these remain valid options, particularly if you think your opponent will be uncomfortable in the resulting endgames. My suggestion of 7 d4 mixes things up. Black’s best option is to go for 7 ... Ne4, but stereotyped play after 7 ... exd4 can lead to a White edge after the novelty 10 Qf4!. 3) 6 bxc3 leads to less-explored, complex positions, where White nevertheless has some key themes and typical plans to work with. This line should suit ambitious and attack-minded
players, and I expect theory to develop further here.
Chapter Three 1 c4 e5: 4 ... Be7 and Other Fourth Moves 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3 In this chapter we review Black’s 4th move alternatives to 4 ... Bb4.
4 ... Be7 This is Black’s second most popular choice after 4 ... .Bb4. Black can also play: a) 4 ... d5 which enters an Open Sicilian with colours reversed after 5 cxd5 Nxd5 6 Bb5 Nxc3 7 bxc3. This is covered in detail in the game Gajewski-Tomczak (Game 10). Other moves should generally be answered by 5 d4 gaining space, for example: b) 4 ... g6 5 d4 d6 6 Be2 Bg7 and now White can enter a queenless middlegame with 7 dxe5 Nxe5 8 Nxe5 dxe5 9 Qxd8+ Kxd8 10 b3 with reasonable chances for White, for example 10 ... c6 11 Ba3 Bf5 12 0-0-0+ Kc8 13 h3 h5 14 g4 hxg4 15 hxg4 Bxg4 16 Rxh8+ Bxh8 17 Be7 Bd7 18 Rh1 Bg7 19 Bxf6 Bxf6 20 Ne4 and White eventually won in Y.Seirawan-G.Sosonko, Bad Kissingen 1981. c) 4 ... d6 5 d4
Now Black has played: c1) 5 ... exd4 6 exd4 with: c11) 6 ... g6 7 d5 Ne7 8 Bd3 Bg7 9 0-0 0-0 10 h3 Bf5 11 Re1 was more pleasant for White in S.Agdestein-A.Karpov, 4th matchgame, Gjovik 1991. c12) 6 ... Be7 7 d5 Ne5 8 Nxe5 dxe5 9 Bd3 0-0 10 0-0 Bd6 11 Bg5 and White is better, M.Franco Mansilla-J.Quemada Sisniega, Valladolid 1997. c2) 5 ... Bg4 6 Be2 Be7 7 d5 Nb8 8 e4 Nbd7 9 Be3 b6 10 Nd2 Bxe2 11 Qxe2, J.Gonzalez Garcia-F.Sarkozi, Budapest 1995, when White has a good version of a King’s Indian or Old Indian where the exchange of light-squared bishops is definitively in his favour. Returning to the position after 4 ... Be7:
5 Qb3!? This is an interesting line which we analyze in the Game Stripunsky-Lapshun. This unusual and fresh move is my repertoire recommendation. To understand why I chose this,
let’s look at White’s main 5th move alternatives: a) 5 d4 is a natural move of course. After 5 ... exd4 White has two possible recaptures: a1) 6 Nxd4 was played in a famous Timman-Karpov game which dampened some of the early enthusiasm for 4 e3. Although it is hard to imagine that a modest move like 4 ... Be7 could refute White’s play, this game does show that routine development by White is not good enough. 6 ... 0-0 7 Nxc6 (on 7 Be2 then 7 ... d5! was Tal’s recommendation) 7 ... bxc6 8 Be2 d5 9 0-0 Bd6 10 b3 Qe7 11 Bb2 dxc4 (Zaitsev’s find) 12 bxc4 Rb8 13 Qc1 Ng4 14 g3 Re8 15 Nd1
15 ... Nxh2! 16 c5 Nxf1 17 cxd6 Nxg3 18 fxg3 Qxd6 19 Kf2 Qh6 20 Bd4 Qh2+ 21 Ke1 Qxg3+ 22 Kd2 Qg2 23 Nb2 Ba6 24 Nd3 Bxd3 25 Kxd3 Rbd8 26 Bf1 Qe4+ 27 Kc3 c5 28 Bxc5 Qc6 29 Kb3 Rb8+ 30 Ka3 Re5 31 Bb4 Qb6 0-1, J.Timman-A.Karpov, Montreal 1979, a classic attacking game from Karpov. a2) 6 exd4 is perhaps the most principled approach, occupying the centre. After 6 ... d5 play transposes to a line of the Exchange French (the same position can also be reached from the Petroff Defence!) where Black has chosen a rather unusual setup with ... Nc6. I decided not to make this the main repertoire recommendation as stylistically it is somewhat different from the other parts of the repertoire, but interested readers could definitely investigate this path against 4 ... Be7 if they like it. Just one sample game: 7 cxd5 Nxd5 8 Bd3 0-0 9 0-0 Bf6 10 Be4 Be6 11 Re1 Qd7 12 Ng5 Bxg5 13 Bxg5 h6 14 Qh5 Nxc3 15 bxc3 Bg4 16 Qh4 Bf5 17 Bxh6 Bxe4 18 Rxe4 f5 19 Re3 gxh6 20 d5 when White was better in V.Potkin-Y.Shulman, FIDE World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk 2011. b) 5 a3 aims for a reversed Sicilian and is of course fully playable, although not my main recommendation.
Now after 5 ... 0-0 6 Qc2 d5 Black enters an Open Sicilian setup with colours reversed, having delayed ... d5 for two moves compared to Gajewski-Tomczak. Now following the sequence 7 cxd5 Nxd5 8 Nxd5 Qxd5 9 Bd3 Kh8 10 Be4 Qe6 11 b4 Bd7 12 Bb2 f5 13 Bxc6 Bxc6 14 Nxe5 Bxg2 15 Rg1 Be4 we reach this position:
Here White unleashed 16 Nd7!, which is a spectacular move, leaving White’s queen hanging, but it only leads to a forced draw! Following 16 ... Qxd7 (16 ... Bxc2?? 17 Bxg7+ Kg8 18 Bxf8+ Kf7 19 Rg7+ Ke8 20 Rxe7+ is good for White) 17 Bxg7+ Kg8 18 Bxf8+ Kxf8 19 Qb2 Rd8 20 Rc1 c6 21 Qh8+ Kf7 22 Qxh7+ Ke6 23 Rg6+ Bf6 24 Rxf6+ Kxf6 25 Qh6+ Kf7 26 Qh7+ and perpetual check resulted in I.Khairullin-I.Nepomniachtchi, Dagomys 2010. In fact this drawing line, starting with 14 Ne5, has also been repeated in a couple of correspondence games. This illustrates one of the challenges with the reversed Open Sicilian approach. Since Black (theoretically speaking) is happy with equality, he doesn’t need to play for an advantage as if he was White in a real Sicilian. The early ... d5 frees Black’s pieces
and the concrete nature of these lines often seems to push White down a path where it is hard to generate an edge. This is one of the reasons I chose 5 Qb3 to slow the game down and enable White to complete development before opening the position. Game 10 G.Gajewski –J.Tomczak Polish Championship, Warsaw 2014 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 e5 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3 d5 Black enters a reversed Open Sicilian. 4 ... d5 is the 3rd most popular move after 4 ... Bb4 and 4 ... Be7 so clearly something we need to be prepared to face from time to time. 5 cxd5 Nxd5
6 Bb5 White plays in the style of the Taimanov Sicilian with colours reversed. This active move is played at a much earlier stage than would happen in the reversed colours scenario. 6 ... Nxc3 The early pressure on Black’s e5-pawn means that he has to make this slight positional concession, strengthening White’s pawn centre. This was not the case with the delayed ... d7d5 lines that we looked at in the chapter introduction above. Defending the e-pawn with 6 ... Qd6 can be answered by 7 0-0 Be7 8 d4 and Black will probably have to play 8 ... Nxc3 now in any case. 7 bxc3
7 ... Bd6 Black also has: a) 7 ... e4 8 Ne5 (8 Nd4 has also been played) and now: a1) 8 ... Bd7 9 Nxd7 Qxd7 10 f3 a6 11 Ba4 Qe6 12 0-0 Bd6 13 Bc2 Qh6 14 h3 exf3 15 Rxf3 0-0 16 d4 Rad8 17 e4 when White is clearly better due to the central pawns and two bishops, S.Agdestein-B.Al Qudaimi, Tromso Olympiad 2014. a2) The untried 8 ... a6!? is actually the engine’s recommendation, although after 9 Nxc6 Qd5 10 Qa4 Qxb5 11 Qxe4+ Be6 12 Nd4 Qd5 13 Qxd5 Bxd5 14 f3 White has an extra pawn. b) 7 ... Bd7 8 d4 Bd6 9 0-0 0-0 and now: b1) 10 Bxc6 Bxc6 11 dxe5 Bxf3 12 Qxf3 Bxe5 13 Ba3 c5 14 Bxc5 Bxh2+ 15 Kxh2 Qc7+ 16 Kg1 Qxc5 17 Qxb7 Rfb8 18 Qe4 Qxc3 led to an equal heavy piece endgame in A.Shariyazdanov-D.Khismatullin, Khanty-Mansiysk 2013. b2) 10 Be2 Re8 11 d5 with a further split: b21) 11 ... Na5 12 e4 b5 (12 ... c6 13 c4 b6 is a better equalizing attempt) 13 Bg5 Qc8 14 h3 Bf8 15 Nd2 h6 16 Be3 c6 17 c4 and White emerged with an edge in M.Narciso Dublan-J.Fernandez Garcia, Spanish Championship 2003. b22) 11 ... Ne7 12 e4 h6 13 c4 b6 14 Ne1 f5 15 Bf3 Rf8 16 Nd3 Ng6 17 g3 Qf6 18 Bb2 Rae8 19 Re1 and White is slightly better, A.Bachmann-J.Cubas, Asuncion 2008. b3) 10 Bd3 is untested but reasonable, for example 10 ... Qe7 11 Nd2 f5 12 Nc4 maintaining pressure on Black’s centre.
8 d4 e4 Alternatively: a) 8 ... exd4 9 cxd4 (9 exd4 is also playable but I prefer to keep more central pawns) 9 ... 0-0 10 0-0 Bf5 11 Bd3 Qf6 12 Rb1 Nb4 and now: a1) 13 Bxf5 Qxf5 14 Bd2 a5 15 a3 Nc2 with a roughly balanced game, R.Svane-L.Van Foreest, Groningen 2014. a2) 13 e4 is better. After 13 ... Nxd3 14 Qxd3 Bg6 15 Rxb7 White is slightly better due to his strong pawn centre. b) 8 ... Bd7 9 0-0 0-0 transposes to the line with 7 ... Bd7 in the previous note. 9 Nd2 Qg5 10 Bf1
At first sight, Black is ahead in development and has control of plenty of space, while White has lost two precious tempi with Bf1-b5-f1. In fact, however, Black’s e4-pawn is a weakness, and Black’s queen has to lose time, and go to a sub-optimal post on the g6-square
to defend it. Once White develops, with g2-g3, Bf1-g2 and castling short, he can start to activate the rest of his forces and mobilize his central pawn majority. In other words, White has traded his early initiative (which started with 6 Bb5) for a longer term structural advantage. 10 ... Qg6 Black can also try 10 ... f5 and now: a) 11 g3 0-0 12 Ba3, when White uses a small tactic that is used in the Sicilian positions with reversed colours, but there Black is trying to equalize, while here White should be looking for more 12 ... Be6 (12 ... Bxa3 13 Qb3+ Kh8 14 Qxa3 is the point) 13 Bxd6 cxd6 14 c4 Na5 15 Be2 Rac8 16 Rc1 b6 17 0-0 Qe7 ½-½, A.Galkin-M.Kobalia, Turkish League 2012. b) 11 Qb3 is better, since White should take the opportunity to stop Black from castling if he can. Now 11 ... Rb8 12 Ba3 (12 Rb1 is also good, making a useful move while asking Black how he intends to develop) 12 ... Qe7 13 Bxd6 Qxd6 14 Rb1 Bd7 15 Nc4 (15 g4!? is an aggressive try which looks promising, as Black’s king will be more exposed in the centre) 15 ... Qe7 16 Be2 0-0 17 Ne5+ Kh8 18 Nxd7 Qxd7 19 g3 Qd6 20 c4 with a typical edge for White due to his better central pawns, P.Kanellopoulos-Pantazopoulos, Greek League 2012. 11 g3 Another game continued 11 h4 h5, note that the h-pawns can be “locked” like this at either White’s or Black’s behest. After 12 Qc2 Bf5 13 Rb1 Rb8 14 g3 0-0 15 Bg2 Rfe8 16 Rb5 a6 17 Rxf5! was a thematic exchange sacrifice which we will see later in the main game. Following 17 ... Qxf5 18 Bxe4 Qd7 19 0-0 Bf8 20 Bf5 Qd8 21 Bh7+ Kh8 22 Qf5 Qf6 23 Qxh5, White was much better in S.Shyam-Z.Andriasian, Dubai 2014.
11 ... 0-0 Instead after 11 ... h5 and now: a) 12 Bg2 f5 13 Qb3 h4 14 Nc4 hxg3 15 Nxd6+ cxd6 16 hxg3 (16 fxg3 is preferable) 16 ... Rxh1+ 17 Bxh1 Qf7 18 c4 b6 with chances for both sides, R.Hess-Z.Izoria, Internet 2013. b) Instead, White should likely answer with 12 h4 with play similar to the note to White’s 11th move. 12 Bg2 Re8 13 0-0 Here 13 Qb3 has also been played. After 13 ... h5 14 Ba3 (14 h4 can now be answered
by 14 ... Bxg3!) 14 ... Bxa3 15 Qxa3 h4 16 0-0 hxg3? (a fatal opening of the f-file; Black is no worse after 16 ... Bf5) 17 fxg3 b6 18 Rf4 Bb7 19 Raf1 Re7? 20 d5 was a quick win for White in E.Tomashevsky-A.Kosteniuk, Sochi (blitz) 2014. 13 ... Bg4?! This chases the White queen to a better square. Instead after 13 ... Bf5 14 f3 exf3 15 Qxf3 Bg4 16 Qf2 f6 17 Rb1 Rab8 18 e4, White has a strong pawn centre but Black’s pieces are actively placed. 14 Qc2 14 Qb3! with simultaneous threats of 15 Qxb7 and 15 Nxe4, is better. After: a) 14 ... Rab8 15 Nxe4 Rxe4 16 f3 Be6 17 Qb1 White wins material, while b) 14 ... Bd7 15 Qxb7 Rab8 16 Qa6 and c) 14 ... Na5 15 Qa4 b6 16 Nxe4 are also better for White. 14 ... Bf5 15 Rb1 Rab8 16 Rb5 a6? Black misses the threat. Instead 16 ... Bd7 17 Rb3 (here 17 Bxe4 Rxe4 18 Qxe4 Nxd4 19 Qxg6 hxg6 20 Rb1 Ne2+ gives Black decent counterplay) 17 ... Bf5 18 Nc4 there is everything to play for – the position is around equal.
17 Rxf5! A classic exchange sacrifice in the style of Gajewski’s ‘boss’ – Vishy Anand. 17 ... Qxf5 18 Bxe4 Qh5 19 Bg2 Na5 20 e4 In return for the exchange, White has a pawn and a powerful central pawn roller, which is more than enough – White is definitely better. 20 ... c5 21 e5 Bf8 22 Bf3 Qg6 23 Be4 Qh5 24 Nf3 24 f4 is also strong. 24 ... cxd4 25 cxd4 Nc6 26 Kg2 f6 27 h3
27 ... f5? The decisive mistake. Instead 27 ... Kh8 was more tenacious, for example 28 Rd1 Red8 29 exf6 gxf6 30 Bf4 and White is clearly better thanks to his mighty bishops. 28 Bd5+ Kh8 29 Ng5 Nxd4 Black can’t defend against all the threats, for example 29 ... Re7 30 Qxf5 Nxd4 31 Nf7+ wins the queen. 30 Qc4 Nc6 31 Nf7+ Kg8 32 Bxc6 1-0 Black will either lose his queen after 32 ... Qxf7 33 Bd5 or be checkmated after 32 ... bxc6 33 Nh6+ Kh8 34 Qg8 mate. Game 11 A.Stripunsky-Y.Lapshun World Open, Philadelphia 2007 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 e3 Be7 5 Qb3!? White plays a prophylactic move which prevents ... d7-d5, giving White time to develop his forces. It also puts pressure on the b7-pawn, slowing down Black’s queenside development. For example, in order to develop his c8-bishop, Black will need to spend at least another tempo defending his b7-pawn. Why is it so important to hold back ... d7-d5, though, as there are some drawbacks to White’s queen being on the b3-square (for example blocking the b-pawn which often goes to b4 or b3 in these setups)? I believe that Black’s setup is geared for ... d7-d5. His pieces spring into life once he opens the position with this break. On the other hand, as we will see in this game, Black is not ideally placed if the position remains closed. In a closed position, he would rather have his dark-squared bishop on g7 and his f-pawn already on the f5-square for example. Alternatively, he would go for ... c7-c6 supporting a ... d7-d5 break if it weren’t for the knight already posted on the c6-square. 5 Qb3 has only been played in a handful of games, and so there is plenty of scope for originality here.
5 ... 0-0 6 a3 I’m using Stripunsky’s continuation as the main game as the overall game is a good thematic example, however my repertoire recommendation is 6 Be2 which I believe is a little more accurate, saving a tempo in many situations.
After 6 Be2, Black has a wide range of options: a) 6 ... h6 prevents Nf3-g5 in response to Black playing ... e5-e4. Now White has: a1) 7 d3 d6 8 0-0 b6 9 Nd5 which doesn’t achieve much, White needs to be careful not to release the tension too early. Instead he should continue the gradual build up (for example with 9 a3 followed by Qb3-c2, b2-b4 etc). After 9 ... Re8 10 Bd2 e4 11 Ne1 exd3 12 Bf3 Nxd5 13 Bxd5 Bd7 as seen in M.Cornette-G.Battaglini, French League 2015, White should play 14 Nxd3, when the position is close to equal, perhaps slightly more pleasant for White. a2) 7 0-0 is my preference, since White need not be worried about 7 ... e4, which he can answer, with 8 Ne1 for example 8 ... b6 9 f3 Na5 10 Qc2 exf3 11 Nxf3 and this structure with
a central pawn majority gives White good chances to fight for an edge. b) 6 ... Bc5?! can be answered by the tactical 7 Nxe5 (White missed this in P.StomaT.Lipski, Lublin 2014) 7 ... Nxe5 8 d4 Bd6 9 c5 Bxc5 10 dxe5 Ne8 11 0-0 when White is better. c) 6 ... Re8 7 0-0
In this position Black has tried: c1) 7 ... Bb4, using another tempo with his bishop, which is already a minor achievement for White. After 8 Nd5 Bc5 9 d3 d6 10 Bd2 Nxd5 11 cxd5 Ne7, G.Gajewski-P.Wang, Tromso Olympiad 2014, White now should push the c5-bishop back with 12 d4 exd4 13 exd4 Bb6 14 Rfe1 Bg4 15 Bb5 c6 16 dxc6 bxc6 17 Ng5 with the initiative. c2) 7 ... Bc5 8 d3 d6 and now White should continue the build up with 9 a3. Instead 9 Ng5 a6 10 Bf3 Ne7 was equal in M.Berkovich-R.Aloma Vidal, Andorra 2016. c3) 7 ... e4 can be met with 8 Ng5 Bf8 and now either 9 f3 or 9 c5!?. d) 6 ... a6
Black’s last was played by Magnus Carlsen in two Grischuk-Carlsen bullet (1 minute!) games. Now White tried: d1) 7 a3 Rb8 8 Qa2?! which was uninspiring in A.Grischuk-M.Carlsen, Internet 2016. d2) After 7 0-0 Rb8 White should play in the centre with 8 d4! (instead 8 Nd5 b5 was OK for Black in A.Grischuk-M.Carlsen, Internet 2016) for example 8 ... exd4 9 exd4 b5 10 cxb5 axb5 and now White could even grab the offered pawn with 11 Nxb5 Na7 12 Qa4 with good chances for an edge. e) 6 ... b6
The queenside fianchetto is an interesting try for Black. 7 0-0 Bb7 and now: a) 8 a3 is a little slow, since after 8 ... Re8 9 d4 exd4 10 exd4 d5 11 cxd5 Na5 12 Qc2 Nxd5 13 b4 and here Black avoided trouble by concrete means following 13 ... Nxc3 14 Qxc3 Bf6! 15 Be3 Nc6 16 Rac1 Nxd4 17 Bxd4 Rxe2 18 Bxf6 Qxf6 19 Qxf6 gxf6 20 Rxc7 Bxf3 ½-½, G.Gajewski-S.Shankland, Fagernes 2014.
b) Instead White should seize the opportunity to play 8 d4! exd4 9 exd4 for example 9 ... d5 10 cxd5 Na5 11 Qc2 Nxd5 12 Bd2 gives White good play largely due to Black’s awkwardly placed a5-knight. Now let’s return to the main game after 6 a3:
6 ... Re8 7 d3 d6 8 Be2 Bf8 Black has also played: a) 8 ... a5 indirectly defending the b7-pawn in the event of the c8-bishop moving away from c8. Now White can play: a1) 9 0-0 Bf5 and: a11) 10 Qxb7 Rb8 11 Qxc6 Bd7 12 Qa6 Ra8 13 Qb7 Rb8 forces a draw by repetition. a12) 10 Qc2 h6 11 b3 Bg6 12 Bb2 with a tough battle ahead. a2) 9 h3 Nd7 10 Qc2 f5 11 b3 Bf6 12 0-0 e4 13 Ne1 Bxc3 14 Qxc3 Nf6 15 Bb2 Qe7 16 Rc1 Bd7 B.Zhak-A.Nekhaev, correspondence 2013, and now after 17 Qd2 White’s two bishops are a long term asset here. b) 8 ... a6 9 0-0 Bd7 10 Qc2 Rb8 11 b4 Bf8 12 Bb2 b5, when once again, Black has made a string of sensible looking moves, but hasn’t challenged White. White now took over the initiative with 13 d4 exd4 14 exd4 Bg4 15 cxb5 axb5 16 Nxb5 Qd7 17 Rac1 d5 18 Rfe1 Bxf3 19 gxf3 with a clear extra pawn for White, W.Wahls-R.Christ, German Championship, 2001. 9 0-0 a6 10 Bd2 h6 11 Rfd1 Rb8 Black is still not ready for 11 ... Be6 preparing ... d7-d5, as White’s queen can take the pawn and escape, after for example 12 Qxb7 Rb8 13 Qxa6 Ra8 14 Qb5 and the queen is safe. 12 Rac1 Be6 13 Qc2
13 ... Qd7?! This was the last chance to play 13 ... d5 14 cxd5 Nxd5 15 b4 which is certainly playable for Black, though White has a good version of the Sicilian in reverse. His king is in no danger and his queenside play is already underway. 14 b4 Black has played a lot of normal-looking developing moves but in the absence of the ... d5 break his position is rather cramped and White has a number of ideas to gain further space and make progress. 14 ... Ne7 14 ... d5 now loses the e5-pawn after 15 b5. 15 e4 Now White starts expanding in the centre. 15 ... Bg4 16 Be3 Ng6 17 Nd5 Nxd5 18 cxd5 White’s control of the c-file already gives him a slight advantage. 18 ... Rbc8?! It was better to try for counterplay with 18 ... Nf4 19 Bxf4 exf4 20 h3 (20 Qc7 Rbc8 gives Black some compensation) 20 ... Bxf3 21 Bxf3 Re7 when Black is worse but is better off than in the game. 19 h3 Bxf3 20 Bxf3
Now White has the two bishops and control of the light squares, in addition to play down the c-file. 20 ... Ne7 21 d4 f5 22 dxe5 dxe5 23 Bc5 White is positionally winning. 23 ... g6 24 Qb3 Kh8 25 d6 Nc6 26 dxc7 Qxc7 27 Bxf8 Rxf8 28 exf5 gxf5 29 Bxc6 bxc6 30 Qe6! Black’s weak pawns start dropping off. 30 ... Qg7 31 Rd6 a5 32 b5 c5 33 Qxh6+ Qxh6 34 Rxh6+ Kg7 35 Rc6 Rce8 36 R6xc5 e4 37 b6 Re6 38 Rb1 1-0 Summary 1) 4 ... d5 leads to a reversed open Sicilian where White can put immediate pressure on Black’s centre following 6 Bb5. 2) Against the solid 4 ... Be7, the fresh idea 5 Qb3 prevents an early ... d7-d5 and enables White to complete development before building on his space advantage.
Chapter Four 1 c4 e5: 2 ... Bb4 and Other Second/Third Moves In this chapter we will look at early divergences from our main line on move 2 or 3. Alternatives to 2 ... Nf6 and 2 ... Nc6 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3
2 ... Bb4 A line credited to Chebanenko, that was all the rage in the early 1990s, led by Shirov and Bologan and is still popular today. a) 2 ... d6 is a flexible move order, against which my recommendation is 3 d4, after which: a1) 3 ... exd4 is covered in l’Ami-Mamedyarov (Game 13) later in this chapter. a2) 3 ... Nd7 is one of the ways our repertoire can transpose to the Old Indian Defence. This is covered in a bonus section at the end of this chapter. b) 2 ... f5 is best answered by 3 d4 and then 3 ... exd4 4 Qxd4 Nc6 5 Qe3+:
Black has now tried: b1) 5 ... Kf7!? 6 Nf3 Nf6 7 Nd5 Nb4 8 Qb3 Nbxd5 9 cxd5 Bd6 10 g3 with a promising position for White, for example 10 ... Qe7 11 Bg2 b6 12 0-0 Bb7 13 Nd4 g6 14 Be3 Ne4 15 Rac1 Kg7 16 Nb5 Rhc8 17 Rfd1 Be5 18 Bxe4 fxe4 19 Rc4 when White had a decisive advantage after winning the e4-pawn in S.Arkhipov-S.Grebennikov, Kecskemet 1991. b2) 5 ... Qe7 6 Nd5 Qxe3 7 Bxe3 Bd6 8 Nf3 Nge7 9 0-0-0 a6? 10 Nb6 Rb8? 11 Rxd6 10 was a quick win for White in A.Chernin-A.Kveinys, Klaipeda 1983. After 11 ... cxd6 12 Bf4 White wins material. b3) 5 ... Be7 is also met by 6 Nd5 when 6 ... Nf6 7 Nxf6+ gxf6 spoils Black’s structure. Returning to 2 ... Bb4:
3 Qc2 This is the third most popular move for White here, so players of the Black side may be less familiar with it, but it is a move that fits perfectly with the rest of our 1 c4 e5 repertoire.
Once again, following our repertoire cuts out a lot of theoretical lines. Instead after 3 Nd5 both 3 ... Bc5 and 3 ... Be7 lead to positions with their own unique character, while 3 g3 Bxc3 has scored quite well for Black in practice. 3 ... Nf6 4 Nf3 Qe7 Instead: a) 4 ... Nc6 5 e3 is one of the ways this variation can, and often does, transpose to the main line from Chapters One and Two. b) 4 ... Bxc3 was recommended in a recent repertoire book by Mikhalevski, and is covered in the notes to Gajewski-Herberla (Game 12). 5 e4 This line is analyzed in Game 12. Lines with 2 ... Nc6 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 e3 I’m recommending this move order, as it is compatible with our main line system, and often transposes into it after 3 ... Nf6 4 Nf3. The alternative 3 Nf3 f5 4 d4 e4 is a tricky line which we can avoid with our move order.
Now we look at Black’s major 3rd move responses in turn. 3 ... g6 Black wants to play a kind of Closed Sicilian with colours reversed. Other choices are: a) 3 ... Bb4 will typically transpose to our main line (Chapters 1–3) after 4 Qc2 Nf6 5 Nf3. b) 3 ... Nf6 4 Nf3 also transposes to our main line. c) 3 ... Bc5 is also a possibility. This placement of the dark-squared bishop is one of Black’s main plans in lines where White plays an early g2-g3 fianchetto, but here it invites an early d2-d4 kicking the bishop away. After 4 Nf3 d6 5 d4:
Black can now play: c1) 5 ... exd4 6 exd4 Bb6 when White can try and take advantage of the b6-bishop by 7 b4!? and now: c11) 7 ... a5 8 b5 Nce7 9 Na4 Ba7, S.Jovic-V.Kostic, Nis 2008 and here White has 10 Bd3 Bg4 11 b6 Bxb6 12 Nxb6 cxb6 13 0-0 with an advantage for White. c12) 7 ... a6 8 c5 Ba7 9 b5 axb5 10 Bxb5 Bd7 11 0-0 Nge7 12 d5 Ne5 13 Nxe5 dxe5 14 Be3 is also better for White as the a7-bishop is out of play. c2) 5 ... Bb4, and now after 6 Bd2 Nf6 7 d5 Bxc3 8 Bxc3 Ne7 9 Nd2 b5!? 10 e4 bxc4 11 Bxc4 0-0 12 0-0 c6 13 dxc6 Nxc6 14 Qa4 Bb7 15 Rfd1, White was better with the two bishops in a fairly open position in G.Milos-Y.Hernandez Estevez, Linares 2014. d) 3 ... f5 has less venom than after 3 Nf3, since White can fix the central pawn structure before deciding where to place his g1-knight, thus saving time compared to lines such as 3 Nf3 f5 4 d4 e4 5 Ng5 when the knight is often re-routed to f4 via h3. In our line White could save two tempi with the knight if it goes via the direct route Ng1-h3-f4 for example.
In this position White should play 4 d4 and here: d1) 4 ... Bb4 5 Nge2 Nf6 6 a3 Bxc3+ 7 Nxc3 d6 8 Be2 0-0 9 0-0 a5 10 Rb1 Bd7 11 b4 axb4 12 axb4 with a pleasant space advantage for White, S.Knott-C.Hanley, British League 2000. d2) 4 ... exd4 5 exd4 Bb4 6 Nf3 Nf6 7 d5 Ne7 8 Bd3 0-0 9 0-0 d6 10 Qc2 is positionally horrible for Black, A.Aguilar-I.Cano Sevila, Barcelona 2015. d3) 4 ... e4 5 Nh3 Nf6 6 Nf4 Be7 7 Be2 0-0 8 0-0 Qe8 9 a3 a5 10 b3 d6 11 Bb2 Bd8 12 Qc2 g5 13 Nfd5 Ne7 14 Nxf6+ Rxf6 15 f3 exf3 16 Bxf3 Rh6 17 g3 and White was clearly better as he is ahead in development, while Black’s kingside demonstration is not dangerous, B.Herlemann-K.Richter, German League 1999. d4) 4 ... d6 5 b4!? Nf6 (of course 5 ... Nxb4?? loses a piece to 6 Qa4+ Nc6 7 d5) B.Abramovic-D.Dinev, Skopje 2015 and now 6 b5 is most forceful, for example 6 ... Na5 7 Bb2 Be7 8 dxe5 dxe5 9 Qa4 c6 10 Rd1 with some initiative for White. 4 d4 4 g3 is also a fine system, but takes us out of our repertoire pattern. 4 ... d6 5 Nf3 Bg7 6 Be2
This is a very sound approach for White. 6 ... f5 Instead 6 ... Nf6 7 dxe5 Nxe5 8 Nxe5 dxe5 9 Qxd8+ Kxd8 10 b3 transposes to a line covered in the introduction to Chapter Three. 7 0-0 e4 Or 7 ... Nf6 and White can choose: a) 8 b4 e4 9 Nd2 transposes to the main line below. b) 8 d5, when White’s f3-knight has the d4-square available if Black kicks it with ... e5e4. After 8 ... Ne7 9 b4 (9 Ng5!?) 9 ... 0-0 10 Bb2 Ne8 11 Qc2 e4 and now: b1) 12 Nd2 c5 13 dxc6 bxc6 14 Nb3 Be6 15 Rfd1 with an edge for White, V.ChuchelovC.Engelbert, Dresden 1993. b2) 12 Nd4 is even better, since Black will be reluctant to give up his precious g7-bishop. 8 Nd2 Nf6 9 b4! Normally this move would have to prepared by Ra1-b1, but here the b4-pawn is taboo because Black has not yet castled. This is a common tactic which we’ve already seen a couple of times in the earlier notes. 9 ... 0-0 Of course 9 ... Nxb4? 10 Qa4+ Nc6 11 d5 and White wins a piece. As a result, White is effectively two tempi up on the equivalent Closed Sicilian line with colours reversed, and so has good chances for an advantage. 10 b5 Ne7 11 a4 g5
and here White has two good approaches: a) 12 f3 immediately fighting for the centre, for example 12 ... exf3 13 Nxf3 h6 14 Bd3 Be6 15 Ba3 Ng6 16 Qc2 Qc8 17 Rae1 g4 18 Nd2 and Black’s kingside pawn storm has only weakened his own defences, S.Agdestein-I.Sokolov, Oslo 1996. b) 12 Ba3 continuing the queenside buildup, 12 ... Qe8 13 a5 f4?! 14 Ndxe4 Nxe4 15 Nxe4 Nf5 and now: b1) 16 Bd3 fxe3 17 Bb2 works out better for White. b2) 16 Qd3 Nxe3?! 17 fxe3 Bf5 18 Bf3 Qg6 19 exf4 g4 20 Rae1 Rae8 21 Kh1 and White should remain at least one pawn up after Black regains the piece, J.Stocek-G.Gajewski, European Championship, Legnica 2013. Lines with 2 ... Nf6 and the Bellon Gambit 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 Here Black has a couple of alternatives to the standard 3 ... Nc6 (Chapters 1–3): 3 ... e4 Instead 3 ... d6 4 d4 e4 (4 ... Be7 leads to an Old Indian after 5 e4) 5 Nd2 Qe7 6 Nb3 and: a) 6 ... Bf5 7 Bg5 Nbd7 8 e3 h6 9 Bh4 g5 10 Bg3 a6 11 Na5 and White was already better, F.Caruana-L.McShane, Moscow 2012. b) 6 ... h6 7 g3 g6 8 Bg2 Bg7 9 h3 0-0 10 Be3 c6 11 Qd2 Kh7 and here: b1) 12 g4 is a bit too ambitious, since after 12 ... d5 13 g5 hxg5 14 Bxg5 Qd6 Black was OK in E.Tomashevsky-L.McShane, Moscow 2012. b2) 12 d5 prevents Black from constructing a solid pawn chain with ... d6-d5. White is slightly better here. 4 Ng5 b5!? The Bellon Gambit, which has popped up from time to time since the 1970s.
5 d3! After this was developed as the antidote to Black’s system, the Bellon Gambit’s popularity waned, but it is still important for White to know how to counter this unusual line. 5 ... exd3 Or 5 ... bxc4 6 dxe4 h6?! and now White gets the advantage with the sacrifice 7 Nxf7! Kxf7 8 e5 c6 9 exf6 Qxf6 10 e4 d5 11 exd5 Bc5 12 Be3 Re8 and now: a) 13 Be2 Bxe3 14 fxe3 Kg8 15 Qd2 with advantage for White, L.Psakhis-D.Sermek, Groningen 1995. b) 13 dxc6! is given by the engine, and after 13 ... Bxe3 14 fxe3 Kg8 15 Qf3 Qxf3 16 gxf3 Nxc6 17 Bxc4+ White has a winning two pawn advantage. 6 cxb5 h6 7 Nf3 dxe2 8 Bxe2 Bc5 9 0-0 Bb7 10 Nd4
In this position, Black has played: a) 10 ... 0-0 11 Be3 (11 Nf5! looks even better) 11 ... Bxd4 12 Bxd4 d6 13 Bf3 Bxf3 14
Qxf3 Nbd7 15 Qc6 Ne5 16 Bxe5 dxe5 17 Rad1 Qe7 18 Nd5 Nxd5 19 Rxd5 with an edge for White, D.Zagorskis-D.Garcia Ilundain, Yerevan Olympiad 1996. b) 10 ... Bxd4 11 Qxd4 0-0 12 b4 d6, J.Plaskett-P.Hempson, British Championship 1988, and here 13 a4 is even stronger than Plaskett’s 13 Bb2 when White was better. Game 12 G.Gajewski-B.Heberla Polish Championship, Warsaw 2014 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Bb4 As mentioned in the introduction, this is an important system that has stood the test of time. 3 Qc2 My repertoire recommendation.
3 ... Nf6 Alternatives at this point are: a) 3 ... Nc6 4 Nf3 Nf6 5 e3 transposes to Chapters 1–2. b) 3 ... c6 and now White can continue 4 a3, not worrying about the lost a2-a3 tempo since 3 ... c6 comprises Black’s structure somewhat. After 4 ... Bxc3 5 Qxc3 Qe7 6 d4 d6 7 c5 Nd7 (7 ... exd4? is met by 8 Qxd4 with a double attack on g7 and d6) 8 cxd6 Qxd6 9 dxe5 (9 Qg3!? is a promising alternative, keeping the queens on the board) 9 ... Qxe5 10 Qxe5+ Nxe5 11 Nf3 Nxf3+ 12 gxf3 Be6 13 e4 Nf6 14 Rg1 g6 15 Be3 Nd7 16 f4 a6 17 b4, White had a good two bishops vs. knight and bishop scenario in J.Bonin-A.Stripunsky, New York (rapid) 2005. c) 3 ... Bxc3 and now: c1) 4 bxc3!? could be tried, in the style of the main game (and 6 bxc3 from Chapter Two) 4 ... Nf6 5 e4 etc. c2) 4 Qxc3 Even though we are only four moves into the game, this is already a relatively fresh position.
Black’s main options here are: c21) 4 ... Nc6 5 Nf3 d6 6 d4 exd4 7 Nxd4 Qf6, P.Cooksey-T.Kett, Penarth 2013 and now 8 Nb5 Qxc3+ 9 Nxc3 give White a comfortable queenless middlegame with the two bishops. c22) 4 ... Qe7 5 b4 (5 f4!? trying to take advantage of the undefended g7-pawn, a theme that returns in a couple of the lines below. After 5 ... d6 6 Nf3 Nc6 7 b4 is quite promising for White) 5 ... Nf6 6 Bb2 d6 7 g3 0-0 8 Bg2 Nc6 9 Nf3 Bg4 10 b5 Nd8 11 0-0 Ne6 12 h3 Bh5 13 Qe3 Rfe8 14 Nh4 with a slight edge for White, A.Miles-J.Timman, Reggio Emilia 1984. c23) 4 ... d6 is quite a solid try for Black.
In this line, I believe that the kingside fianchetto with 5 g3 is the best recipe for White. After 5 ... f5 (5 ... Nf6 is solid but less challenging) 6 f4!? is an interesting idea, for example 6 ... Qe7 7 fxe5 dxe5 8 b3 (8 b4!? pre-empts Black’s queenside development and may be best here) 8 ... Nf6 9 Bb2 e4, A.El Arousy-S.Yousry, Mahalla 2014, and now 10 Nh3 gives
White decent chances with his two bishops. d) 3 ... Ne7 4 Nf3 d6 5 e3 0-0 6 Be2 Nbc6 7 0-0 Bg4 8 d3 Qd7 9 Bd2 f5 10 h3 Bxf3 11 Bxf3 Rad8 12 Rad1 a6 13 a3 Bxc3 14 Bxc3 and with two bishops vs. two knights in a semiopen position, White is better, K.Bischoff-W.Zoch, Bad Zwesten 1998. 4 Nf3
4 ... Qe7 Instead: a) 4 ... Nc6 5 e3 transposes to Chapters 1–2. b) 4 ... Bxc3 is another option, and is recommended by Mikhalevski in his 2016 repertoire book for Black. Now after 5 Qxc3 e4 6 Qe5+ Qe7 7 Qxe7+ Kxe7 8 Nd4 d5 we reach the following position:
b1) 9 b3 is Mikhalevski’s main line. After 9 ... c5 10 Ba3 b6 11 e3 a5 12 Nb5 Na6 13 Bb2 Nb4 14 Nc7, D.Chuprov-V.Zvjaginsev, Serpukhov 2007 and now Black is fine after 14
... Rb8 (Mikhalevski). b2) 9 b4!? is an untried improvement. This move make it harder for Black to dislodge White’s centralized d4-knight, and seems to be quite promising for White, for example 9 ... a5 (9 ... dxc4 is answered by 10 e3 followed by Bf1xc4) 10 b5 c5 11 bxc6 Nxc6 12 Ba3+ Kd7 13 Nxc6 bxc6 and now White has a slight advantage after 14 e3 as his bishops have plenty of scope. 5 e4 Grabbing space in the centre is White’s best in my view. Instead: a) 5 d3 was played in M.Tal-J.Yrola, Tallinn 1985, the game quoted by Bologan as his main line. After 5 ... 0-0 6 Bd2 c6 7 a3 Ba5 8 e4 d5 9 cxd5 cxd5 10 Nxd5 Bxd2+ 11 Nxd2 Nxd5 12 exd5 b6 Black equalized and the game was drawn in 21 moves. b) 5 e3 0-0 6 a3 Bxc3 7 Qxc3 is similar to some of the positions we reached in Chapter Two.
5 ... 0-0 Alternatives for Black here are: a) 5 ... Na6 and now: a1) 6 Nd5 Nxd5 7 cxd5 0-0 8 Bxa6 bxa6 9 0-0 gives White an edge. a2) 6 d3 c6 7 a3 Ba5 8 b4 Bb6 was played in N.Short-I.Sokolov, Ottawa 2013, and here 9 c5 Bc7 10 d4 is White’s most aggressive response, for example 10 ... exd4 11 Nxd4 Be5 12 Nf5 Bxc3+ 13 Qxc3 Qxe4+ 14 Ne3 0-0 15 Bd3 Qe7 16 0-0 with better development and excellent play for the pawn. b) 5 ... Bxc3 6 bxc3 is similar to the main game. After 6 ... d6 7 Rb1 0-0 8 d3 Nbd7 9 g3 Nc5 10 Bg2 Ne8 11 Nh4 g6 12 0-0 Ng7 13 Be3 b6 14 d4 Nce6, A.Bachmann-S.Volkov, Dubai 2009, and here 15 c5 giving White a slight advantage. c) 5 ... Nc6 is well met by 6 Nd5! for example: c1) 6 ... Qd8 7 Nxb4 Nxb4 8 Qc3 Qe7 9 d3 Nc6 10 h3 a5 11 Be3 when White is for choice due to the two bishops. c2) 6 ... Nxd5 7 cxd5 Nd4 8 Nxd4 exd4 9 Bd3 when Black has difficulties defending his c7– and d4-pawns while continuing development. 6 Be2
6 ... Bxc3 7 bxc3 We now have a similar pawn structure to the 6 bxc3 line in Chapter Two, except that White has saved a tempo by playing e2-e4 in one go. 7 ... d6 8 0-0 c5 Black tries to clamp down on the d4-square to discourage d2-d4. Instead 8 ... Nbd7 9 d3 (9 d4 is also possible) 9 ... Nc5 transposes to C.McNabS.Williams, Uxbridge 2010, and here the most forceful is 10 d4 for example 10 ... exd4 11 cxd4 Qxe4 12 Qd1 Na6 13 Bd3 Qc6 14 d5 Qd7 15 Bb2 with good compensation for the sacrificed pawn. 9 d3 Nc6 10 g3 This gives Black a tempo for developing his bishop. I prefer playing 10 Re1 first, for example 10 ... Nh5 11 g3 and now: a) 11 ... h6 12 Nd2 followed by Nd2-f1-e3. b) 11 ... f5 12 Nh4 is slightly better for White. c) 11 ... Bh3? is answered by 12 Ng5 with a double attack on bishop and knight. 10 ... Bh3 11 Re1 h6 12 Nh4 Nh7 13 Qd1 Be6 14 Nf5 Qd7
15 g4! Gajewski gets his trademark kingside play moving, compare this with the game GajewskiVolokitin in the introduction to Chapter Two. 15 ... Rab8 16 Be3 Kh8 17 Kh1 b5? Black was perhaps anxious to get some counterplay going, but this gifts White easy play in the centre. Instead, after 17 ... Ne7 White is slightly better, but the game is still up for grabs. 18 cxb5 Rxb5
19 d4 Simple but very strong. White wins at least a pawn. 19 ... Rb2 20 dxc5 d5 21 exd5 Bxd5+ 22 Bf3 White’s king is a little exposed, but his pieces are so well co-ordinated that this isn’t felt. 22 ... Nf6 23 c4! Bxf3+
23 ... Bxc4? loses a piece to 24 Qxd7 Nxd7 25 Bxc6. 24 Qxf3
24 ... h5? The final error. Black can still fight on after 24 ... Ne7 25 Nxe7 Qxe7 26 Bd4 Rc2 etc. 25 gxh5 Ne7 26 Nxe7 Qxe7 27 Bd4 Qb7 28 c6 1-0 White wins material and keeps his passed c-pawn. Game 13 E.l’Ami-S.Mamedyarov Reykjavik 2015 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 d6 1 d4 d6 2 c4 e5 3 Nc3 was the actual move order used in the game.
2 ... d6 is a flexible move. Black keeps open the option of ... f7-f5 and also defers the decision on his b8-knight’s placement. 3 d4 This is my repertoire recommendation. White claims space in the centre and often follows up by fianchettoing both his bishops. 3 ... exd4 3 ... Nd7 4 Nf3 Ngf6 5 e4 Be7 leads to the Old Indian Defence. This is covered in the addendum following this game. 4 Qxd4 Nc6 5 Qd2
This is the best spot for the queen. From here, the queen coordinates well with the rest of White’s forces, and avoids further tempo-gaining attacks from Black’s pieces. It does not interfere with the c1-bishop since that piece will be posted on the b2-square. 5 ... g6 An alternative for Black here is 5 ... Nf6 6 b3 Be6 7 e4 a5 8 Bd3 and now: a) 8 ... a4!? 9 Nxa4 (entering complications since 9 Rb1 axb3 10 axb3 g6 is OK for Black) 9 ... d5 10 exd5 Rxa4 11 Kf1 Nxd5 12 bxa4 Nb6 13 Nf3 Bb4 14 Qc2 Qxd3+ 15 Qxd3 Bxc4 16 Qxc4 Nxc4 17 Bf4 and White consolidated her extra exchange, in A.ZatonskihW.Homuth, German League 2009. b) 8 ... Nb4 9 Bb2 g6 10 Rd1 Ng4 11 Nf3 Bh6 12 Qe2 0-0 13 0-0 Re8 14 Bb1 when White has contained Black’s temporary activity, and now starts pushing him back. After 14 ... Nf6 15 Nd4 Bd7 16 f3 Bg7 17 Qf2 c6 18 Nde2 Qe7 19 Rfe1 Nh5 20 g4 Nf6 21 Ng3 h6 22 Qd2, White had a nice bind in A.Dreev-T.Gareev, Las Vegas 2015. 6 b3 Bg7 7 Bb2 Nf6 8 g3 0-0 9 Bg2
White’s bishops are both ideally posted on the long diagonals, and White will be better if he can avoid simplification. To achieve this, White needs to maintain control of the key e4– and d5-squares. Meanwhile Black has a small lead in development, and will use this to fight for the centre. 9 ... Re8 Instead 9 ... Bf5 is answered by 10 Nh3! (10 Nf3 can be met by the simplifying 10 ... Ne4) 10 ... Re8 11 Nf4 giving White a firm grip on the centre, for example 11 ... Ne4 12 Nxe4 Bxe4 13 f3 Bf5 14 Bxg7 Kxg7 15 Qc3+ f6 16 e4 Be6 17 0-0 Ne5 18 Rad1 with a decent edge for White, J.Levitt-A.Amato, Erice 2014. 10 Nf3 10 Nh3 is the move White would like to play, planning Nh3-f4 to control the d5-square (as in the previous note), but here Black has the disruptive move 10 ... d5! for example 11 cxd5 Bxh3 12 Bxh3 Nxd5 which completely frees Black’s game (l’Ami). 10 ... Bf5
11 Nh4! Timman’s move, which avoid the equalizing continuation 11 0-0 Ne4, when after 12 Nxe4 Bxe4 13 Rfd1 Qe7 14 Bh3 Bxf3 15 exf3 Bxb2 16 Qxb2 Qe5 and White has nothing, SubaW.Watson, Walsall 1992. 11 ... Bd7 Black has also tried: a) 11 ... Ne4 12 Bxe4 Bxe4 13 f3! when the bishop is pushed back and White spoils Black’s pawn structure. After 13 ... Bf5 14 Nxf5 gxf5 15 0-0 Qf6 16 e3 Rad8 17 Rab1 Qh6 18 Nd5 White was on top in V.Kunin-M.Haubro, Helsingor 2013. b) 11 ... Qd7 12 Nxf5 Qxf5 13 0-0 Re7 14 Rad1 Rae8 15 h3 Qh5 16 e3 and White had a clear advantage in the stem game for 11 Nh4, J.Timman-F.Cuijpers, Dutch Championship 1983. c) 11 ... Be6 12 0-0 a5 13 Rac1! (avoiding 13 Nd5 a4! with counterplay) 13 ... Nd7 14 Nd5 (14 f4! looks even better) 14 ... Nc5 15 Bxg7 Kxg7 16 Qb2+ f6 17 Rfd1 Bf7 18 a3 a4 19 b4 Nb3 20 Rc3 and White was for choice in Y.Kuzubov-V.Onischuk, Voronezh 2013. 12 0-0 Qc8 13 Rfe1
White wants to keep the light-squared bishops on the board. 13 ... Bh3 14 Bh1 Qg4?! An aggressive move, but against best play Black will just lose time with his queen. 15 Ng2 15 Rad1! was also strong, since Black’s queen will no longer have access to the d4square and will have to retreat soon. 15 ... Qd4 16 Rad1 l’Ami gives 16 Qc1! as best, backed up by the line 16 ... Ne4 17 Nd1! Qd2 (17 ... Qc5 can be answered by 18 Nf4 kicking the h3-bishop out of White’s camp) 18 Qxd2 Nxd2 19 Nf4! Bf5 20 Bxg7 Kxg7 21 Nc3 and White has a big advantage here, even more than it appears at first sight. 16 ... Ne4? 16 ... Qxd2 17 Rxd2 would keep White’s edge to a minimum. 17 Qxd4 Bxd4
18 Rxd4! An excellent exchange sacrifice. In the absence of his dark-squared bishop, Black is terribly weak on the a1-h8 diagonal. 18 ... Nxd4 19 Nf4 19 Nd5! is even better: 19 ... Ne6 20 Ngf4 and after the line 20 ... Nxf4 21 Nxf4 Bf5 22 Nd5 Rac8 23 Bxe4 Rxe4 24 Nf6+ Kf8 25 Nxh7+ Ke7 26 f3 White wins material. 19 ... Ng5? The final mistake. Instead 19 ... Nxc3 20 Bxc3 g5! and the game continues. 20 Nxh3 Nxh3+ 21 Kf1 1-0
Rather surprisingly, Black resigned here, but his cause is in fact hopeless after 21 ... c6 22 Ne4 Rxe4 23 Bxe4 Ng5 24 Bg2 Nf5 25 Rd1 and the d6-pawn will fall soon. Addendum: The Old Indian Defence
1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 d6 3 d4 Nd7 3 ... exd4 4 Qxd4 was Game 13 above. 4 Nf3 Ngf6 5 e4 Be7
This is the starting point of the Old Indian Defence. While this is a solid setup for Black, it is not especially challenging and White has very good chances to secure an advantage out of the opening. Note that the Old Indian can be reached by several move orders within our repertoire, whenever Black plays the combination of ... d7-d6, ... Nb8-d7 and ... e7-e5 in one order or another. 6 Be2 0-0 Black can also delay castling, in search of counterplay on the kingside, for example 6 ... c6 7 0-0 and now: a) 7 ... a6 8 Nh4 g6 9 Bh6 exd4 10 Qxd4 Nc5 was seen in M.Agopov-V.Malaniuk, Legnica 2013 and now 11 Qe3 is best, since if Black replies 11 ... Ne6 then White has the tactic 12 Nf5! gxf5 13 exf5 Nc7 14 Bg7 with advantage. b) 7 ... Qc7 8 Qc2 Nf8 9 Rd1 Ng6 10 h3 Nh5 and here Demuth gives the forcing solution 11 Nxe5!? dxe5 12 Bxh5 exd4 13 Bxg6 hxg6 14 Rxd4 Bxh3!? 15 gxh3 Rxh3 16 e5! Qxe5 17 Qe4 Qh2+ 18 Kf1 Rh4 19 Qxe7+ Kxe7 20 Bg5+ f6 21 Rxh4 Qc7 22 Re1+ Kf7 23 Be3 and White is playing for two results, with rook and two minor pieces for the queen and two pawns. 7 0-0 c6 8 Qc2 8 Re1 is another good setup but I think 8 Qc2 and 9 Rd1 puts Black under more pressure.
8 ... a6 Black goes for queenside play. His other main move is 8 ... Re8 9 Rd1 and now: a) 9 ... Qc7 10 Rb1 with some examples: a1) 10 ... Nf8 11 h3 Ng6 12 Be3 exd4 was played in A.Kovalyov-S.Iuldachev, Dresden Olympiad 2008 and now simplest is 13 Nxd4 Bf8 14 b4 Bd7 15 a4 a5 16 b5 with a typical advantage for White in this Maroczy Bind structure. a2) 10 ... a6 11 b4 b5 12 a4 Bb7 13 axb5 cxb5?! 14 dxe5 dxe5 15 c5 Qc6 16 Nd5 and White is clearly better, S.Collas-U.Abdullaeva, World U-18 Girls Ch., Duisburg 1992. a3) 10 ... a5 11 b3 Nf8 12 h3 Ng6 13 Be3 Bf8 14 dxe5 dxe5 15 c5 Nh5 16 Na4 and the knight will land on b6, which is painful for Black, K.Berg-H.Simonsen, Klaksvik 2003. b) 9 ... Bf8 10 Rb1 exd4 11 Nxd4 Nc5 12 f3 a5 13 Be3 Qc7, N.Djokic-M.Tosic, Belgrade 2010 and now one good plan for White is to kick away the c5-knight, for example 14 b3 g6 15 a3 Bg7 16 b4 axb4 17 axb4 Ne6 18 Na4 with an edge for White. 9 Rd1 Qc7
10 Rb1 White goes for an immediate queenside pawnstorm. Another decent approach is 10 h3 b5 11 a3 Bb7 12 Be3 Rac8 13 Rac1 Qb8 14 b4 exd4 15 Nxd4 g6 16 Nb3 bxc4 17 Bxc4 d5 and now: a) 18 Be2 c5 19 Nxd5 Bxd5 20 exd5 cxb4 gave Black counterplay in S.Zilka-R.Ekstroem, Mitropa Cup, Meissen 2013. b) 18 Bf1! maintains White’s grip, since 18 ... c5 19 Nxc5 Nxc5 20 bxc5 Bxc5 21 Nxd5 Bxd5 22 Bxc5 Bb3 23 Qb2 and the tactics work out in White’s favour. 10 ... b5 11 b4 Bb7 12 a4 bxc4 13 dxe5 White needs to be careful not to allow counterplay after 13 Bxc4?! d5! which leads to a messy position. 13 ... Nxe5 14 Nxe5 dxe5 15 Bxc4 a5 16 bxa5 Rxa5
17 Nb5!
White was slightly better after both 17 Bd2 in M.Ivanov-P.Cech, Czech League 2010 and 17 Be3 in J.Dovzik-P.Cech, Slovakian League 2012, but the text move is the most incisive. Play may continue: 17 ... Qb8 The knight is immune, since 17 ... cxb5?? loses the queen to 18 Bxf7+. 18 Bd2 Ra8 Instead 18 ... cxb5?! 19 Bxa5 bxc4 20 Qb2 and White emerges ahead in material. 19 Nc3 Bc5 20 Bg5 Qc7 Not 20 ... Ng4? because of 21 Rd7! and Black is tied up. 21 Bxf6 gxf6 22 Rd3 White is clearly better due to Black’s weakened kingside. Summary 1) 2 ... Bb4 can be met by 3 Qc2, offering a transposition to the main line (Chapters 1-3) after 3 ... Nf6 4 Nf3 Nc6 2) If Black plays 2 ... Bb4 3 Qc2 Qe7, then White has 4 e4 (Game 12), often leading to an improved version of the 6 bxc3 line of Chapter Two. 3) Most of Black’s slower plans can be met by an early d2-d4, gaining space in the centre.
Chapter Five Symmetrical: Introduction and Move Order Guide 1 c4 c5 The Symmetrical is of course one of Black’s major answers to the English Opening. Black stays flexible and keeps his options open. The early move orders contain many nuances, and it is vital to have a clear idea of how to proceed, in order to steer the game towards your preferred setups. Note also that Black can play other first moves such as 1 ... Nf6, 1 ... e6 or 1 ... g6 and often transpose back into Symmetrical English lines. Some examples of this are 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 c5 3 Nf3, 1 c4 g6 2 e4 c5 3 Nf3 or 1 c4 e6 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 c5, and of course there are many more. The final section of this book (starting with Chapter Ten) covers all of Black’s 1st moves other than 1 ... e5 and 1 ... c5, and we will deal with transpositions back to the Symmetrical English in those chapters. Now let’s start stepping through the repertoire move order. 2 Nf3 My repertoire recommendations are based on fighting for the centre and claiming space when Black allows us. For example, if Black plays an early ... b7-b6 or ... g7-g6, we will go for an early d2-d4 and set up the Maroczy Bind structure with Nb1-c3 and e2-e4. If Black instead plays more ‘central’ moves, such as ... Nb8-c6, ... Ng8-f6 and ... e7-e6, White needs to have a clear idea of which systems he is aiming for. As well as knowing which systems you like, it is almost as important to know which setups you want to avoid, and the move orders that achieve this.
As a rule of thumb to help deal with different move orders, always remember to: 1) Answer ... .c7-c5 with Ng1-f3 2) Answer ... Ng8-f6 with Nb1-c3 and
3) Then answer ... Nb8-c6 with d2-d4! As we will see below, this enables White to play a consistent set of active setups and also avoids a number of Black’s options such as the Hedgehog, Double Fianchetto and many of the early ... d5 lines. Each of these has a large body of theory, and avoiding them allows us to spend more time on our chosen setups. Let’s step back to White’s second move though. Why choose 2 Nf3 instead of 2 Nc3 or 2 g3, especially given that the latter move has been recommended in a number of repertoire books and videos? Well, 2 Nc3 allows Black several options which have done well in practice: a) 2 ... Nc6 3 Nf3 e5 is a very solid line played many times by Grischuk and other top players, while 3 ... Nd4 is another interesting line. b) 2 ... g6 also constrains White’s options, for example: b1) 3 Nf3 Bg7 and now: b11) 4 e3 Nf6 5 d4 cxd4 6 exd4 d5 is a popular line where Black has done well. b12) 4 d4 cxd4 5 Nxd4 Nc6 prevents us from achieving the Maroczy Bind since the d4knight must move. b2) I have also decided to avoid the “pure” symmetrical lines such as 3 g3 Bg7 4 Bg2 Nc6 5 Nf3 as I believe Black can equalize in a number of ways, for example the very reliable Fischer system with 5 ... e6 6 d3 Nge7. Now 7 Bg5 was Marin’s recipe in his excellent repertoire series, but antidotes have been found. For example 7 ... h6 8 Bd2 b6! (8 ... 0-0 was analyzed by Marin) 9 Qc1 Bb7 10 0-0 d5 and Black is fine, A.Salem-Wei Yi, Wijk aan Zee 2015. Note that the same line is also reached when White plays 2 g3. Back to our repertoire! Now let’s consider in turn, 2 ... Nf6 and 2 ... Nc6 (and other second moves). Black plays 2 ... Nf6 2 ... Nf6 3 Nc3 This is my repertoire recommendation. Instead after 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 White has to deal with several sharp variations which require a lot of unique knowledge, such as: a) 4 ... e5 5 Nb5 d5 6 cxd5 Bc5 which is a tricky gambit line. b) 4 ... g6 5 Nc3 d5 which is a modern line favoured by Grünfeld players. c) 4 ... e6 5 Nc3 Bb4 which is a Nimzo Indian.
After our move 3 Nc3, Black now has quite a wide choice: 3 ... d5 Black decides to immediately fight for the centre. Instead, Black’s major alternatives are: a) 3 ... Nc6 4 d4 cxd4 5 Nxd4 e6 transposes to the Four Knights line covered under 2 ... Nc6 below. b) 3 ... b6 4 d4 cxd4 5 Nxd4
Now after the typical 5 ... Bb7 6 f3, White follows up with e2-e4 and sets up the Maroczy Bind structure. These positions are covered in depth in Chapter Eight. c) 3 ... g6 and now 4 e4! is an important nuance (again avoiding 4 d4 cxd4 5 Nxd4 d5) 4 ... d6 5 d4 cxd4 6 Nxd4 entering the Maroczy Bind against the ... g7-g6 setup, see Chapter Seven for details. d) 3 ... e6 is a flexible move that keep’s Black intentions guarded. Does he want to play
an early ... d7-d5 or an early ... b7-b6 instead? d1) Here I recommend 4 e3:
Now: d11) 4 ... d5 enters our anti-QGD system, which is covered in Chapter Eleven. d12) 4 ... b6 5 d4 is covered in Chapter Eight in Yusupov-Rozentalis (Game 22). Let’s look briefly at the alternatives for White: d2) 4 g3 gives Black the options of the Hedgehog system with 4 ... b6 and a main line QGD Tarrasch or Catalan after 4 ... d5, all of which I prefer to avoid in a practical repertoire. d3) 4 d4 also gives Black more options involving an early ... Bf8-b4 such as 4 ... cxd4 5 Nxd4 Bb4 entering a line of the Nimzo-Indian. 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e3
5 ... Nxc3 Instead 5 ... e6 6 Bc4 followed by d2-d4, is a line of the Semi-Tarrasch which is part of
our Anti-QGD system, covered in Chapter Eleven. 6 bxc3 g6 7 h4
This system, including some of the earlier divergences, is covered in Chapter Nine. Black plays 2 ... Nc6 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6
Other second moves generally allow White to play an early d2-d4 and occupy the centre, for example: a) 2 ... g6 and now: a1) 3 e4! (remember this intermediate move!) 3 ... Bg7 4 d4, leading to the Maroczy bind setups dealt with in Chapter Seven. a2) 3 d4 allows the line 3 ... cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 d5, and so takes us out of
repertoire. b) 2 ... b6 can be answered by 3 d4 which will lead to the lines dealt with in Chapter Eight. 3 d4 Once again following our recipe of answering ... Nb8-c6 with d2-d4! Instead 3 Nc3 would allow Black to contest the centre with 3 ... e5 or 3 ... Nd4.
3 ... cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 Instead: a) 4 ... e5 is less common but a line you need to be aware of. This is covered in the introductory section of Chapter Six. b) 4 ... Qb6 is also covered in the introduction to Chapter Six. c) 4 ... e6 5 Nc3 Nf6 transposes back to the main line below. d) A major alternative is 4 ... g6 5 e4:
This enters the Maroczy Bind vs. ... g6 system, see Chapter Seven. 5 Nc3 e6 We are now in the Symmetrical Four Knights with ... e6, which is covered in Chapter Six.
6 a3 This is my recommended system. White aims for the Maroczy Bind setup with e2-e4 but first prevents Black’s ... Bf8-b4. Let’s look briefly as some alternatives: a) A key point is that White is not ready for the Maroczy Bind structure with the immediate 6 e4 since 6 ... Bb4 gives Black good play against White’s centre. b) 6 g3 has been the most common move over the years. After 6 ... Qb6, White has: b1) 7 Nb3 Ne5 and now: b11) 8 e4 Bb4 9 Qe2 d6 is the traditional main line. Not only has this variation been heavily analyzed, but Black has scored well in practice. b12) 8 Bg2!? is a pawn sacrifice which can prove a useful surprise weapon, especially in rapid and blitz. After 8 ... Nxc4 9 0-0 Black has tried: b121) 9 ... Bb4 10 Bg5 d5 11 Bxf6 gxf6 12 Bxd5 Bxc3 13 Bxc4 Be5 14 Nd2 f5 15 e4 fxe4 16 Nxe4 h5 17 Qf3 White got a huge attack and won in D.Dubov-P.Leko Berlin (rapid) 2015. Dubov also beat Grischuk with this gambit at the same event. b122) 9 ... Be7 10 e4 d6 11 Qe2 Qa6! 12 Rd1 Bd7 13 Bf1 Rc8 14 Rd4 Ne5 and Black equalized in B.Lalith-Y.Lou, Isle of Man 2016. b2) 7 Ndb5 is currently the most popular line at top level. Theory goes very deep here, and in general Black is holding his own. c) 6 Bg5 is a calm system which could be a useful back-up option.
The diagram position is the starting point of our main line of the Symmetrical Four Knights that is covered in the next chapter. Summary After 1 c4, navigate the Symmetrical jungle by remembering to: 1) Answer ... .c7-c5 with Ng1-f3 2) Answer ... Ng8-f6 with Nb1-c3 and 3) Then answer ... Nb8-c6 with d2-d4!
Chapter Six Symmetrical: Four Knights with ... e7-e6 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 There are several possible move orders to arrive at the main line examined in this chapter, for example 2 ... Nf6 3 Nc3 Nc6 4 d4 cxd4 5 Nxd4 e6 etc. 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4
4 ... Nf6 Instead: a) 4 ... Qb6 is covered in the next section. b) 4 ... e5 is also analyzed below. c) 4 ... e6 5 Nc3 Nf6 is another move order that arrives at the Four Knights main line. 5 Nc3 e6 The immediate 5 ... Qb6 can be answered by 6 Nb3 e6 7 a3 transposing to the 4 ... Qb6 line. 6 a3 We have reached the starting point of our main line in the Four Knights Symmetrical English. Now Black’s major responses are covered as follows: a) 6 ... Be7 and other 6th moves are analyzed in Anton Guijarro-Grischuk (Game 14). b) 6 ... d5 is dealt with in Bachmann-Milliet (Game 15). c) 6 ... Bc5 is the subject of Laznicka-Sutovsky (Game 16). Black plays 4 ... Qb6 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Qb6 With this move, Black forces White to make an early decision with his d4-knight. Black’s queen typically drops back to the c7-square within a few moves in order to allow further
development with ... b7-b6. After that, play usually gravitates to Hedgehog-style positions of the type we will explore further in this chapter. 5 Nb3 Nf6 6 Nc3 e6 7 a3
7 ... Be7 Instead, Black can go for an IQP situation with 7 ... d5, for example 8 Be3 Qd8 9 cxd5 exd5 10 g3 when White has a good version of a Tarrasch setup. Now 10 ... Be7 11 Bg2 Be6 12 0-0 0-0 13 Rc1 Rc8 14 Nb5 b6 15 N3d4 Nxd4 16 Bxd4 Qd7 17 Qa4 Rxc1 18 Rxc1 and White is better, Z.Ribli-E.Schmittdiel, Austrian League 1998. 8 e4 0-0 9 Be2 Qc7 10 Be3 b6 11 f4 Bb7 Black has also tried developing the bishop to the a6-square with 11 ... Ba6 12 0-0 and: a) 12 ... Rfd8 provokes White into an early e4-e5: a1) 13 Rc1 Rac8 14 e5 Ne8 15 Nd5 Qb8 16 Nxe7+ Nxe7 17 c5 Nd5 was fine for Black in T.Sammalvuo-B.Lalic, Cappelle-la-Grande 2002. a2) The immediate 13 e5 is better, not giving Black time to arrange his rooks, for example 13 ... Ne8 14 Nb5 Qb8 15 Bf3 and White has an edge. b) 12 ... d6 13 Rc1 Rac8 14 Nd2 Qb8 15 b4 Bb7. Black finds nothing better than retreating the bishop which amounts to a loss of a tempo compared to other lines. White now demonstrated an instructive way of generating a kingside attack with 16 Bd3 Rfd8 17 Qf3 Nd7 18 Qh3 Nf8 19 b5 Na5 20 f5 Bf6 21 fxe6 fxe6, which was played in R.WojtaszekA.Areshchenko, Lublin 2014.
White now played 22 Rxf6! gxf6 and should now follow up with 23 Bd4! (instead 23 Bh6 Qc7 was unclear and White later went wrong and lost) 23 ... e5 24 Be3 which gives White great compensation for the exchange, due to Black’s critically weak light squares. 12 0-0 d6 13 Rc1 Rad8 Instead 13 ... Rac8 is a more typical post for the a8-rook. Now: a) 14 Nd2 Qd8 15 b4 allowed Black the freeing move 15 ... d5 in N.Tolstikh-B.Lalic, Pardubice 2001. b) 14 Qd3 Rfd8 15 Nd2 Qb8 16 b4 is a better configuration for White, restraining the ... d6-d5 break. c) 14 Bf3 Qb8 15 Nd2 e5!? (this is not forced of course) 16 g3 Rfe8 17 b4 exf4 18 gxf4 was played in I.Fancsy-A.Szeberenyi, Hungarian League 2012. White’s space advantage should give him the better chances, but the open kingside makes it a sharp struggle. 14 Bf3 Qb8 15 Nd2 Rfe8
16 b4 Instead the players repeated moves for a quick draw with 16 Bf2 Bf8 17 Bh4 Be7 18 Bf2 Bf8 19 Bh4 Be7 20 Bf2 ½-½, in A.Giri-P.Svidler, Stavanger 2014. 16 ... Nd7 17 Nb3 Bf6 18 Qd3 White is slightly for choice, with a full-blooded battle in prospect. Black plays 4 ... e5 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 e5 5 Nb5
This variation is somewhat reminiscent of Sicilians with an early ... .e7-e5. Here Black can continue in either ‘Sveshnikov’ or ‘Kalashnikov’ style: 5 ... d6 The alternative is 5 ... a6 6 Nd6+ Bxd6 7 Qxd6 Qf6 8 Qd2 Nge7 9 Nc3 0-0 10 b3 and now 10 ... b5 is Black’s main idea in this line. After 11 e3 b4 12 Nd5 Nxd5 13 cxd5 Ne7, which was seen in Z.Varga-W.Wittmann, Budapest 2009, now 14 Bc4 (instead of 14 Qxb4 as played) 14 ... a5 15 a3 is simple and better for White. 6 N1c3 a6 7 Na3 Be6 8 g3 f5 9 Bg2 Nf6 10 0-0 Be7
11 Nd5 Instead 11 e4!? is more double-edged as it loosens White’s kingside. After 11 ... fxe4 12 Nxe4 0-0 13 b3 Kh8 14 Nc2 Bg4 15 Qd2 Qd7 16 Bb2 Nxe4 17 Bxe4 Bf3 18 Qd5 was G.Giri-B.Jobava, FIDE Grand Prix, Tashkent 2014, and now 18 ... Bxe4 19 Qxe4 Bd8 followed by ... Bd8-b6 gives Black some counterplay on the g1-a7 diagonal. 11 ... 0-0 12 Nc2 White will follow up with b2-b3. By maintaining a grip on the d5-square, White should emerge with a slight edge. Game 14 D.Anton Guijarro-A.Grischuk Tromso Olympiad 2014 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 e6 5 Nc3 Nf6 6 a3
6 ... Be7 Other 6th moves are: a) 6 ... d5 is covered in Game 15. b) 6 ... Bc5 is covered in Game 16. c) 6 ... Qb6 7 Nb3 transposes to the 4 ... Qb6 line (covered in an earlier section of this chapter), although White has another good option here with 7 Nbd5. d) 6 ... Nxd4 7 Qxd4 b6 is another route to a Hedgehog-style setup. The exchange of a pair of knights gives White a bit more freedom of movement. One example is 8 Qf4 Bb7 9 e4 d6 10 Bd3 Be7 11 Qg3 0-0 and here 12 Bh6 is a typical device to push Black’s knight to a passive square. Following 12 ... Ne8 13 Be3, when Black returns with the knight to the f6square, White will have gained a tempo. P.Svidler-E.Alekseev, Moscow (rapid) 2008 continued 13 ... Rc8 14 0-0 Nf6 15 Rfd1 Qc7 16 Bh6 Ne8 17 Bf4, again repositioning the bishop with tempo, 17 ... Qc5 18 Nb5 a6 19 b4 Qh5 20 Nxd6 Bh4 21 Qh3 when White has an extra pawn and won the game. e) 6 ... a6 and now 7 e4 actually leads to a line of the Kan Sicilian. However I feel this has a consistent feel with the rest of the English 6 a3 line, so we shouldn’t be worried about creeping into 1 e4 territory in this case. After 7 ... Qc7 8 Be3 Be7 9 Be2 0-0 10 0-0 d6 11 Rc1 Bd7 we reach the following position.
Here White has a pleasant choice: e1) 12 Nd5!? is a thematic sacrifice that is always in the air in Maroczy Bind scenarios where White’s c1-rook is vis-a-vis Black’s c7-queen. 12 ... exd5 13 cxd5 Rfc8 14 dxc6 bxc6 was played in M.Nekrasov-J.Wegerle, German League 2015 and now 15 Nf5 is a little better for White. e2) 12 b4 Rac8 13 f4 Qb8 14 Nb3 Rfd8, Y.Rantanen-N.Miezis, Finnish League 2010 and here 15 b5 axb5 16 cxb5 Na7 17 Qd4 wins material.
7 e4 0-0 8 Nf3 Number one on the to-do list of the Maroczy Bind player is to watch out for Black’s freeing move ... d7-d5. Either prevent it, or ensure you have a good answer to it! In this case, White needs to spend a tempo with the knight to discourage the idea. If instead 8 Be2 then 8 ... d5 gives Black a clear path to equality. Now a very short game to illustrate this point concluded 9 exd5 exd5 10 0-0 Nxd4 11 Qxd4 dxc4 12 Qxc4 Be6 ½-½,
A.Neiksans-S.Shankland, Fagernes 2016. 8 ... Qc7 Black is aiming for a Hedgehog structure. His last move prevents White from playing Bc1-f4. Instead Black has also played: a) 8 ... b6 9 Be2 Bb7 10 0-0 Qc7 11 Bg5 which transposes to the main game. b) 8 ... d6 allows White’s c1-bishop to come to its preferred h2-b8 diagonal without contention. Now 9 Be2 b6 10 0-0 Bb7 11 Bf4 Rc8 12 Re1 a6 13 Bf1 Qc7 14 b4 Rfd8 15 Rc1 Ne5 16 Nd2 Qb8 17 h3 with a typical Hedgehog battle ahead, V.Korchnoi-R.Ponomariov, 2nd match game, Donetsk 2001. c) 8 ... Qa5 is another important move. Black’s plan is to push through an early ... d7-d5.
Now White has two ways of developing, while dealing with the threat of 9 ... Nxe4, namely: c1) 9 Bd2 Qh5 and now: c11) 10 Be2 d5 11 cxd5 exd5 12 exd5 Nxd5 13 0-0 leads to a further split: c111) 13 ... Rd8 14 Nd4 Qg6 15 Nxd5 Rxd5 16 Nxc6 bxc6 17 Bf3 Rd8 (17 ... Bg4! is Black’s best try) 18 Qe2 Be6 19 Bc3 with an edge for White due to his better structure and active bishops, R.Wojtaszek-J.Borisek, Berlin (blitz) 2015. c112) 13 ... Nxc3 14 Bxc3 Qg6 15 Bd3 Bf5 16 Bxf5 Qxf5 17 Qb3 Bf6 18 Qxb7 Bxc3 19 bxc3 Qc5, Bu Xiangzhi-A.Timofeev, Ningbo (rapid) 2010, and now White should be able to eke out a small edge after 20 Rfd1. c12) 10 Bd3 d5 11 0-0 Rd8 12 Qc2 dxc4 (12 ... Bd6 13 h3 Ne5 is unclear) 13 Bxc4 Ne5 14 Be2 Nxf3+ 15 Bxf3 Qe5 16 g3 Qc7 was Ding Liren-I.Cheparinov, Turkish League 2014, and now after 17 Rac1 White is slightly better due to his lead in development. c2) 9 Bd3 d5 10 exd5 exd5 11 cxd5 Nxd5 12 Bxh7+ Kxh7 13 Qxd5 Qa6 gives Black some compensation for the pawn, but this is one of those situations where White is playing for two results. Now: c21) 14 Qb5 Qxb5 15 Nxb5 Bg4 16 0-0 Bxf3 17 gxf3 Bf6 18 Nd6 Nd4 19 Kg2 Be5 20 Nc4 Nb3 21 Rb1 Bd4?! 22 Rd1 Rac8 23 Na5 Nxc1 24 Rxd4 and White is better due to Black’s c1-knight being hard to extract, V.Malakhov-K.Landa, Kaliningrad 2015.
c22) 14 Bg5!? loosens Black’s structure a little. 14 ... f6 15 Be3 Rd8 16 Qb5 Qxb5 17 Nxb5 with a slightly improved version of line c21).
9 Be2 Instead 9 Bg5 allows Black to get in a quick ... d7-d5 after 9 ... Rd8, with two examples: a) 10 Be2 d5 11 exd5 exd5 12 cxd5, A.Kovalyov-T.Roussel Roozmon, Montreal 2007 and now Black should play 12 ... Be6 13 Bc4 Nxd5 and the tactics works out well for Black. b) 10 Bd3 d5 11 cxd5 exd5 12 Bxf6?! dxe4 13 Nxe4 Bxf6 14 Nxf6+ gxf6 15 Qc2 Qa5+ 16 Kf1 Bg4 was a little better for Black in Zhao Xue-M.Vachier Lagrave, Shenzhen 2005. 9 ... b6 In this situation, 9 ... Rd8 10 0-0 d5?! is now ineffective since after 11 exd5 exd5 12 cxd5 Be6 13 Bc4 White keeps a grip on the d5-pawn. 10 0-0 Another valid move is 10 h3, for example 10 ... Bb7 11 Be3 Rad8 12 0-0 d5?! (12 ... Ne5 is better) 13 cxd5 exd5 14 exd5 Ne5 15 Rc1 Qb8 16 Qd4 Ng6 17 Bc4 which is a further example of White getting to keep the extra d-pawn, Q.Le-L.Fressinet, Wijk aan Zee 2011. 10 ... Bb7 11 Bg5 White puts indirect pressure on Black’s centre, and plans to drop the bishop back via Bg5-h4-g3, targeting the d6-pawn and Black’s queen hidden behind it. 11 ... h6 Black can also play 11 ... Rad8 12 Rc1 Qb8 and now: a) 13 Bh4 still looks best, even though the bishop is not forced to move. Now after 13 ... d6 14 Re1 Nd7, we see an example of piece exchanges favouring White. 15 Bxe7 Nxe7 16 Bf1 a6 17 Qd2 Ne5 18 Qe3 Nxf3+ 19 Qxf3 Bc6 20 Qd3 Rc8 21 Rcd1 Rfd8 22 Rd2 Qc7 23 Red1 Be8 24 Qg3 reaching the diagram position below.
The backward d6-pawn is best targeted by heavy pieces, which is easier for White to apply when some minor pieces have been traded. After 24 ... e5 25 Qe3 f6 26 c5 dxc5 27 Bxa6 White had firm control of the light squares, Wang Hao-V.Malakhov, Chinese League 2013. b) 13 Re1 is also worth looking at, not least to understand some of Black’s ideas involving chasing White’s dark-squared bishop. Now Black has played: b1) 13 ... h6 14 Bh4 d6 and now: b11) 15 Bf1 Rfe8 16 Nd4 Nxd4 17 Qxd4 g5! 18 Bg3 Nh5 19 Be2 Bf6 20 Qd3 Nxg3 21 hxg3 Bc6 and Black was fine in F.Vallejo Pons-V.Anand, Monte Carlo (rapid) 2005. b12) 15 h3 is a wise move, giving the h4-bishop a bolt-hole on h2 if needed. Now after 15 ... Rfe8 16 Bg3 Nd7 17 Bf1 a6 18 Nd2 Nce5 19 b4 Qa8 20 f3 Rc8 21 f4 Ng6 22 Nf3 Nf6?!, Black allows one of White’s thematic strikes: 23 f5! Nf8 24 fxe6 fxe6 25 e5! dxe5 26 Nxe5 Red8 27 Qc2 Nh5 28 Bf2 and White is in control, B.Deac-L.Gonda, Zalakaros 2015. b2) 13 ... Ne5 asks come concrete questions. Now: b21) 14 Bh4 Ng6 15 Bg3 Qa8 16 Bd3 Nh5 17 Bb1 Nxg3 18 hxg3 was equal in Bu Xiangzhi-R.Robson, World Team Championship, Antalya 2013. b22) 14 Nxe5 Qxe5 15 Bh4!? is an interesting try, sacrificing the e4-pawn. A sample line is 15 ... Bxe4 16 Bf1 d5 17 cxd5 exd5 18 Bg3 Qg5 19 b4 Bd6 20 Bxd6 Rxd6 21 Nb5 Re6 with chances for both sides. 12 Bh4
12 ... d6 Or 12 ... Rad8 and White has tried: a) 13 Re1 d6 14 Bf1 Nh5 15 Nd5!? is an interesting version of the Nc3-d5 sac. Now 15 ... exd5 16 exd5 Bf6 17 dxc6 Bxc6 18 Bxf6 Nxf6 19 Rc1 was played V.Malakhov-Lou Yiping, Chinese League 2014 and here Black should play 19 ... Rfe8 which is roughly level. b) 13 Rc1 Qb8 14 Bg3 d6 15 h3 Qa8 16 Qc2 Ne5 17 Nd2 Ned7 and now: b1) 18 Rfe1 Rc8 19 Rcd1 a6 20 Bf1 Rfd8 21 Qb1 (White’s last two moves are a little passive) 21 ... Ne5 with balanced chances, M.Matlakov-P.Ponkratov, St Petersburg (rapid) 2015. b2) 18 b4 is more purposeful, 18 ... Ne5 19 Rfe1 with a tough game ahead. 13 Bg3 Less effective is 13 Rc1 because 13 ... Ne5 puts uncomfortable pressure on White’s e4pawn. Now: a) 14 Nd2 is answered by 14 ... Nxe4 which works because of the loose h4-bishop. b) 14 Nb5 Qc6 15 Nxe5 dxe5 16 f3 a6 17 Nc3 Bc5+ 18 Bf2 Rad8 was equal in T.Petrosyan-N.Petrov, Riga 2016. 13 ... Rfd8 Instead: a) 13 ... Nh5 doesn’t work now since 14 Nb5 would win the d6-pawn. b) 13 ... Ne5 is best answered by 14 Nd2 with play similar to the game.
14 Rc1 14 h3 would keep White’s options open and is a slight improvement. After 14 ... Nh5, White has 15 Bh2 available. 14 ... Rac8 Black could chase the g3-bishop with 14 ... Nh5 and now White should utilize 15 Nd5 to avoid ceding the two bishops. After 15 ... Qd7 (but not 15 ... exd5? when 16 cxd5 is excellent for White) 16 Nxe7+ Qxe7 17 Qc2 Nxg3 18 hxg3 Rac8 both sides have their chances. 15 Nd2 Usually this knight needs to move to the d2-square to bolster the e4-pawn, at least until White organizes the rest of his pieces. White doesn’t need to play this right away, however, and could consider 15 b4 Qb8 16 h3 Ne5 17 Nd2 as another approach. 15 ... Qb8 Black continues to play the typical Hedgehog ‘unravelling’ moves. If 15 ... Nd4 16 Bd3 Nd7, then after 17 f4 Nc5 18 Bb1 White will follow up with b2-b4 ousting the c5-knight. 16 Re1 a6 17 Bf1
As both sides have now completed development, let’s take stock. We have a fairly typical Hedgehog position, but with some differences compared to games from Chapter Eight, White’s dark-squared bishop is on the g3– rather than the e3-square, and the knight on d2 is a little more modestly placed than it would be on the d4-square. Due to this piece configuration, White is more likely to play on the kingside, with ideas of pushing through f2f4-f5. From the g3-square, the bishop has less direct influence on the queenside. Queenside expansion with b2-b4 and c4-c5 is still on the cards in some situations, however, exploiting the x-ray on the b8-queen. Black meanwhile is always looking for favourable ... d6-d5 and ... b6-b5 breaks, and keeping pressure on the c4– and e4-pawns. 17 ... Ne5 Here 17 ... Nd7 18 f4 Bf6 19 Nf3 is another complex position where everything is up for grabs. 18 h3 A sensible precaution, giving the g3-bishop an option, as we have seen in earlier notes. 18 ... Bc6 Teasing ... b6-b5, which White prevents with his next move. 19 Qe2 Nfd7 20 b4 Rc7 Around here Grischuk is outplayed by his young opponent. This rook manoeuvre, and the follow-up, seems questionable. Otherwise, however, Black would have to sit tight and await developments, which is sometimes the fate of the Hedgehog player. 21 Qe3
21 ... Rdc8 It was better to drop back with 21 ... Rcc8, when 22 f4 Ng6 23 Nf3 Bf6 24 Red1 is a possible continuation. White would likely start feeling more confident here, but a war of attrition still lies ahead. 22 f4 Ng6 23 Nf3 Ba8 24 Kh1 A useful semi-waiting move, taking the king out of possible danger along the g1-a7 diagonal. Instead 24 Red1 can be met by 24 ... b5!? 25 cxb5 Bf6 26 Be1 axb5 with a tense position. 24 ... Qb7 If now 24 ... b5, then after 25 cxb5 axb5 (here 25 ... Bf6 can be met by 26 e5) 26 Nd4 Black’s b5-pawn is dropping. 25 Nd4 Qb8 26 Rcd1 White can also offer an exchange with the accelerated 26 f5 Bg5 27 Qf2, for example 27 ... exf5 28 Nxf5 Bxc1 29 Rxc1 and White is doing well, since the d6-pawn will fall, and Black is rather uncoordinated.
Maximum tension has now been reached and as often happens in Hedgehog setups, the position suddenly catches fire with pawn breaks, usually when both players are approaching the time trouble phase! 26 ... b5 Black gets in one of the primary pawn breaks in the Hedgehog. The c4-pawn is pinned against the c3-knight. 27 f5 White answers blow for blow! 27 ... Ngf8 28 fxe6 fxe6 29 Nf3 White loses momentum, which is not a good thing in a sharp position. Instead 29 c5!, opening up the h2-b8 diagonal, keeps White’s initiative going: a) 29 ... dxc5?! 30 Nxe6! Nxe6 31 Rxd7, exploiting the pinned c7-rook, is much better for White. b) 29 ... Bg5 30 Qf2 dxc5 31 Ndxb5 axb5 32 Nxb5 cxb4 33 Nxc7 Rxc7 34 Bxc7 Qxc7 35 axb4 with an unusual material balance that should favour White. 29 ... Nb6 30 c5?! Now this is mistimed. Instead 30 e5 would be roughly balanced. A sample forcing line is 30 ... Nxc4 31 Bxc4 Rxc4 32 exd6 Rxc3 33 dxe7 Qxg3 34 Rd8 Rxd8 35 exd8Q Bxf3 36 gxf3 Qxh3+ 37 Kg1 Qg3+ 38 Kf1 Rxe3 39 Rxe3 Qh3+ 40 Ke1 Qg3+ with a likely draw. 30 ... dxc5 31 Na2 c4 Black gets a strong protected passed c-pawn in return for the exchange. Instead 31 ... Na4 32 Bxc7 Qxc7 is a bit better since if White exchanges with 33 bxc5 then 33 ... Bxc5 34 Qb3 Bf2 35 Re2 Bb6 gives Black excellent play on the dark squares. 32 Nc3 Qb7 33 Bxc7 Qxc7
34 Ne2 The knight was best placed where it was, blockading the c4-pawn. Instead 34 Be2 is about equal. 34 ... Bc6 35 Ned4 Be8 36 Be2 Ra8 37 Rf1 a5 38 Nc2 axb4 39 axb4 Ra2 Here 39 ... e5, controlling the important d4-square, would be slightly better for Black. 40 Nfd4 Qe5 41 Ra1 Rxa1 42 Rxa1 Na4 43 Rd1 White starts to drift. 43 Bg4 would maintain the balance after 43 ... h5 44 Bd1 etc. 43 ... Bf6 44 Bg4 h5 45 Be2 Bg6 46 Bf3 Nb2 47 Ra1 Na4 48 Rd1 Be8 49 Be2 Nh7 50 Bf3 Ng5 51 Ne2 Kh7 52 Ncd4 Nb2 53 Ra1 Nd3 Black is gradually taking over the initiative. 54 Ra8 Bg6 55 Ra5 Nxe4 56 Bxe4 Bxe4 57 Nf3 Bxf3? Releasing the tension and allowing White to exchange queens. After 57 ... Qd5 Black is the one pushing for a win. 58 Qxe5 Bxe5 59 gxf3 Nxb4 60 Rxb5 Now a draw is likely as Black’s c-pawn compensates for the exchange deficit. 60 ... Nd5 61 Rc5 c3 62 Rc6 Kg6 63 Rxe6+ Kf5 64 Rc6 g5 65 Kg1 h4 66 Kf2 Nb4 67 Rc4 Nd5 68 Rc6 Nb4 69 Rc4 Nd5 70 Rc6 ½-½ Game 15 A.Bachmann-S.Milliet French League 2016 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 e6 6 a3 d5 Black adopts a QGD Tarrasch-like approach, hoping to profit from the tempo White spent on 6 a3.
7 cxd5 exd5 Going for the IQP setup. Black has also played 7 ... Nxd5, but this gives Black an inferior pawn structure right out of the gate. In practice, Black hasn’t been able to demonstrate sufficient activity to counterbalance this, for example 8 Nxc6 bxc6 9 Bd2 (9 Qc2 has also scored well) 9 ... Be7 10 e4 and now: a) 10 ... Nb6 11 Be3 0-0 12 Qc2 Qc7 13 Be2 c5 14 0-0 Bb7 15 Rac1 Rfc8 16 Rfd1 a6 17 Rd2 Bc6 18 Rcd1 Qb7 19 Bf1 Bf8 20 Bf4 c4 21 Bd6 with a firm grip on the d-file, A.Grischuk-D.Lima, FIDE World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk 2007. b) 10 ... Nxc3 11 Bxc3 0-0 12 Bc4 Qxd1+ 13 Kxd1 Rd8+ 14 Kc2 Bb7 15 f3 c5 16 Rhd1 and White definitely has the more pleasant endgame, P.Schlosser-E.Karavade, Pardubice 2010.
8 Bf4 A slightly uncommon move here, but I think this is White’s best.
Other tries are: a) 8 Bg5 when 8 ... Bc5! fighting for the d4-square is best. Now 9 e3 Bxd4 10 exd4 h6 11 Be3 0-0 12 Be2 Ne4 13 Rc1 Nd6 14 Nxd5 Nf5 15 Bf3 Be6 16 Nf4 Ncxd4 17 Bxd4 Nxd4 with full equality, was S.Karjakin-R.Kasimdzhanov, FIDE Grand Prix, Baku 2014. b) 8 g3 entering a main line QGD Tarrasch style setup (but with a tempo spent on 6 a3). 8 ... Bc5 9 Be3 Bb6 10 Bg2 0-0 11 0-0 Re8 and now: b1) 12 Nxc6 12 ... bxc6 13 Bd4 Ba6 14 Rc1 Bxd4 15 Qxd4 Qb6 with level chances, R.Kasimdzhanov-G.Gopal, FIDE World Cup Khanty-Mansiysk 2007. b2) 12 Rc1!? is possible, since 12 ... Ng4?! 13 Nxd5 Nxe3 14 fxe3 and White has an extra (albeit ugly) e-pawn and well centralized knights. 8 ... Bc5
9 Nxc6 Playing against the hanging pawns. White has also tried: a) 9 e3 0-0 10 Be2 Bxd4 11 exd4 and now: a1) 11 ... Qb6. This gives White some queenside targets by allowing him to gain time on the queen. Now 12 Be3 (12 Nb5! is more principled) 12 ... Bf5 13 Na4 Qc7 14 Rc1 Rfe8 15 0-0 Ne4 was A.Shimanov-F.Urkedal, Stockholm 2012, and here 16 b4 would give White a discernible edge. a2) Instead 11 ... Bf5 is close to equal, although White has the two bishops and can hope to press. b) 9 Ndb5 is tempting, but the tactics don’t work in White’s favour with her king in the centre, for example 9 ... 0-0 10 Nc7 was played in N.Maisuradze-M.Muzychuk, Cap d’Agde (rapid) 2013, and now 10 ... Rb8 11 N7xd5 Nxd5 12 Nxd5 Be6 13 Bxb8 Bxd5 14 Bf4 Qb6 is at least equal for Black. 9 ... bxc6 10 e3 0-0 11 Be2 Black’s c5-bishop is awkwardly placed, so she will have to lose time dropping it back to the d6-square later on. 11 ... a5 12 Rc1
White’s focus is on piling up pressure along the c-file, with ideas of both attacking the backward c6-pawn, and of controlling and occupying the c5-square. 12 ... Bd6 13 Bg3 White has to prevent Black from gaining any longer term initiative on the kingside. Dropping the bishop back to the g3-square puts a barrier in the way of any attack from Black. White’s kingside will be strengthened if the bishops are traded on the g3-square and White recaptures with h2xg3. 13 ... Bf5 The position is deceptively difficult to play for Black, who needs to find some active play. Instead 13 ... Rb8 14 Qc2 Bg4 15 0-0 Re8 is a better setup. Engines give this position as roughly equal, but I think most players would prefer to play White. 14 Na4
14 ... Bxg3
Giving up the grip on the critical c5-square. Instead: a) 14 ... Re8 15 0-0 (15 Rxc6 Bxg3 16 hxg3 d4 is less clear) 15 ... Re6 and now: a1) 16 Qd4 Ne4 would give Black kingside counterplay as the e6-took can swing across to the h6-square for example. a2) 16 Bxd6 is a better try, when 16 ... Qxd6 17 Nc5 Ree8 18 Qd4 is more pleasant for White. b) If 14 ... Ne4 then White can take the pawn with 15 Rxc6, for example 15 ... Bxg3 16 hxg3 Bd7 17 Rc1 Bxa4 18 Qxa4 Qf6 19 0-0 Qxb2 20 Bf3 with play against the isolated d5pawn. 15 hxg3 Qd6 16 Qd4 Cementing White’s grip on the dark squares.
16 ... Be4?! A rather aimless move. Instead 16 ... Rfe8 17 0-0 Re4 would limit White to a slight advantage after 18 Qc5 etc. 17 0-0 Nd7 18 Rc3 Now Black is condemned to passive defence. White simply builds up the pressure on the c-file. This passage of play is a model of how White should exploit the backward c6-pawn in such structures. 18 ... Rfc8 19 Rfc1 Rc7 20 f3 Kicking the bishop away but White already had a tactical solution available with 20 Bb5!, for example: a) 20 ... Rac8 21 Nb6 Nxb6 22 Qxb6 and White will win at least a pawn. b) 20 ... cxb5 21 Rxc7 bxa4 22 Rc8+ Rxc8 23 Rxc8+ Nf8 24 Qxa4 and Black’s minor pieces are no match for the active rook. After 24 ... Bf5 25 Ra8 f6 26 Rxa5 White wins another pawn and is clearly better, the queenside passers will eventually be unstoppable. 20 ... Bg6 21 e4?! Instead 21 Nb6 Nxb6 22 Qxb6 was the way to continue, with play similar to note a) on the previous move, although White has somewhat weakened his own structure with 20 f3. 21 ... Qf6? Offering a trade of queens does little to put up resistance. 21 ... Re8! with counterplay on the kingside, puts Black back in the game.
22 Qxf6 White wins a pawn and maintains the initiative. 22 ... Nxf6 23 exd5 Re7? After this further mistake, Black’s position is definitely lost. Instead 23 ... Nxd5 24 Rxc6 Rxc6 25 Rxc6 gives White a clean extra pawn, but Black can still try to hold. 24 dxc6 Now the c-pawn simply cannot be stopped. 24 ... Rxe2 25 c7 Bf5 26 Rc5 Be6 27 Kf1 Rd2 28 c8Q+ Bxc8 29 Rxc8+ Rd8 30 Rxd8+ Rxd8
31 Rc5 Winning a second pawn which wraps up the win. 31 ... g6 Or 31 ... Ra8 32 Nb6 Rb8 33 Rxa5 wins another pawn because of Black’s weak back-
rank. 32 Rxa5 The rest is easy for White. 32 ... Rd2 33 g4 h5 34 g5 Nh7 35 Rb5 Nf8 36 Nc3 Kg7 37 a4 Ne6 38 a5 Rc2 39 Ne4 Nf4 40 Rb8 Nxg2 41 a6 Ne3+ 42 Kg1 1-0 Game 16 V.Laznicka-E.Sutovsky European Championship, Jerusalem 2015 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 e6 6 a3 Bc5 Black’s most combative option, challenging White in the centre right away.
7 Nb3 Bb6 Here 7 ... Be7 has actually been played more often, and after 8 e4 0-0 9 Be2 b6 10 0-0 Bb7 we get a Maroczy Bind vs Hedgehog setup which is similar to Game 14 except that White has a knight on the b3-square instead of the f3-square. White can now choose: a) 11 f4 is an aggressive choice. Now 11 ... d6 12 Be3 and Black has: a1) 12 ... Qc7 13 Rc1 transposes to the 4 ... Qb6 line from the chapter introduction. a2) 12 ... a6 13 Qd3 Qc7 14 Rac1 Nb8 15 Nd4 Nbd7 16 b4 Rfd8, E.Inarkiev-Hou Yifan, Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky (blitz) 2016, and this is a good time for the thematic sac 17 Nd5! exd5 18 cxd5 Qb8 19 Nc6 Bxc6 20 dxc6 and White regains the material (at least) with a better position. b) 11 Bf4 d6 12 Rc1 Rc8 13 Re1 Ne5 14 Nd2 and now: b1) 14 ... Ng6 15 Bg3 d5?!. This is always a critical move to evaluate, but on this occasion is found wanting. After 16 cxd5 exd5 17 e5!, White has sufficient control of the e5square for this to be a good solution. Now B.Grachev-N.Nikcevic, Sibenik 2016 continued 17 ... Ne4 18 Ndxe4 dxe4 19 Bg4 Rc5 20 b4 and White was well on top as the c5-rook has no good home. b2) 14 ... Nfd7 15 Be3 Qc7 16 b4 Qb8 17 f4 Ng6 18 g3 Rfe8 19 Bf3 Qa8 20 Bf2 Ngf8 21 Qe2 Qb8 22 Red1 g6?! and here the instructive move 23 e5! gave White the advantage in M.Carlsen-J.Polgar, London 2012. As Stohl puts it, the e5-pawn is a thorn in Black’s flesh.
8 c5 This move, shutting Black’s dark-squared bishop out of the game temporarily, is my recommendation. The theory of this line is still being developed, however, and at the time of writing there isn’t a consensus on White’s best move here. Other important tries are: a) 8 e4 can (and should) be answered by 8 ... d5!? 9 exd5 exd5 and now: a1) 10 c5 Bc7 11 Be2 0-0 12 Be3 Be5 13 Nd4 Ne4 was fine for Black in A.KovalyovF.Caruana, FIDE World Cup, Baku 2015. a2) 10 Nxd5 Nxd5 11 cxd5 0-0 12 Be2 Qf6 13 0-0 Rd8 and Black has equalized since White can’t retain the d-pawn, R.Pogorelov-E.Fernandez Romero, Seville 2016. b) 8 Bf4 and now with his next move, Black can go for a dark-square or light-square strategy: b1) 8 ... e5 9 Bg3 d6 10 e3 Be6 11 Bh4 h6 12 Bxf6 Qxf6 was played in V.ArtemievD.Khismatullin, Russian Championship 2015, and now White missed the chance to play 13 Ne4!, for example 13 ... Qe7 14 Nxd6+ Kf8 15 c5 Bc7 16 Bc4 Rd8 17 Qc2 with a White initiative and displaced black king. b2) 8 ... d5 9 c5!? leads to the following position:
b21) 9 ... e5 10 Bg5 d4 11 Ne4 Bc7 12 Nbd2 h6 13 Nxf6+ gxf6 14 Bh4 Rg8 15 Qc2 Rg4 16 g3 Rxh4 17 gxh4 f5 18 0-0-0 with chances for both sides, G.Magat-J.Geus, correspondence 2013. b22) 9 ... Bc7 10 Bxc7 Qxc7 and now 11 Nb5 enables White to prevent Black from castling, although the outcome is still unclear. Black has now played: b221) 11 ... Qb8 12 Nd6+ Ke7 13 e3 13 Nd2 (13 e3 is around equal) 13 ... b6 14 b4 a5 15 b5 Na7 16 cxb6 Qxd6 17 bxa7 Rxa7 18 a4 d4 and Black is slightly better, R.RapportD.Navara, 3rd matchgame, Prague 2016. b222) 11 ... Qe5 12 Nd6+ Ke7 13 Qc1 d4 (13 ... Ne4 is unclear). Now Black’s queen gets kicked around starting with 14 f4! Qe3 15 Qxe3 dxe3 16 g3 a5 17 Bg2 a4, D.NavaraR.Kasimdzhanov, Baku Olympiad 2016. Now White should prefer 18 Bxc6 for example 18 ... axb3 19 Bf3 Ra5 20 Nc4 Rxc5 21 Nxe3 with more active minor pieces for White. 8 ... Bc7
9 Bg5 This sets Black some unusual problems, which neither Sutovsky or Gelfand (see the note to Black’s 13th move below) were able to fully solve. 9 g3 is a key alternative, for example 9 ... 0-0 10 Bg2 b6 11 0-0 Be5 and now White has: a) 12 a4!? bxc5 13 Nxc5 d5 14 e4 Bd4 (14 ... d4! should lead to a balanced game) 15 exd5 exd5 16 Nb3 Bxc3 17 bxc3 Bg4 18 f3 Be6 19 Nd4 Nxd4 20 Qxd4 led to a slight advantage for White thanks to his two bishops and Black’s rather passive minor pieces, in the clash S.Karjakin-F.Caruana, Baku Olympiad 2016. b) 12 Bf4 Bxf4 13 gxf4 Rb8 14 Rb1 Ba6 gave Black sufficient counterplay in P.CramlingJu Wenjun, FIDE Women’s Grand Prix, Teheran 2016. c) 12 Qd3 looks like a decent alternative, for example 12 ... Rb8 13 Rd1 bxc5 14 Nxc5 d5 15 e4 with pressure against Black’s centre. 9 ... b6 An alternative is to kick the g5-bishop with 9 ... h6 10 Bh4 0-0 11 e3 b6 and now: a) 12 Be2 Be5 13 cxb6 axb6 14 Rc1 Ne7 gives Black good counterplay. Now 15 Bg3 Bxg3 16 hxg3 d5 was level in A.Zubov-A.Boruchovsky, Israeli League 2015. b) 12 Rc1! pre-empts Black’s freeing moves, for example: b1) 12 ... bxc5 13 Nxc5 d5 14 Be2 maintains the pin on the f6-knight. b2) 12 ... Be5 13 f4 favours White after 13 ... Bxc3+ 14 Rxc3. b3) 12 ... Bb7 13 Nb5 and White is pressing. 10 e3 bxc5 11 Nxc5 Be5 12 Rc1
12 ... Qa5 Black plays as actively as possible, to try and exploit White’s king being in the centre. Instead 12 ... 0-0 13 f4 Bxc3+ 14 Rxc3 h6 15 Bxf6 Qxf6 16 Bd3 favours White. He can castle momentarily and Black will struggle to develop the c8-bishop. 13 Bxf6 White must play this to avoid stumbling over tactics, but now Black has to decide how to recapture. 13 ... Bxf6 Instead 13 ... gxf6 14 Nb3 (14 N5a4 followed by b2-b4, is even better) 14 ... Qb6 15 Na4 Qd8 16 f4 Bc7 17 Qg4 h5 18 Qf3 Rb8 19 Nbc5 gave White an edge out of the opening in
M.Karttunen-B.Gelfand, European Club Cup, Skopje 2015. 14 N5e4 Rb8 Black allows his f-pawns to be doubled, but in any case 14 ... Be7 15 Nd6+ Bxd6 16 Qxd6 grabbing the dark-squares, is promising for White. 15 Nxf6+ gxf6 16 Qd2 Rg8
17 f4 White needs to protect his g-pawn before moving the f1-bishop. Instead 17 g3!? may be a decent try for an advantage, for example 17 ... Ne5 18 Be2 and if now 18 ... Bb7?! 19 b4 Qb6 20 e4, when White will follow up by castling to safety, but leaving Black’s king stuck in the middle. 17 ... Bb7 18 Bd3 Ne7 19 Rg1 Both sides have now relinquished the right to castle. 19 ... Qh5 The threat to the h2-pawn is easily parried and the queen gets a bit cut off. Instead 19 ... f5 gives a rather unclear position. 20 g3 Rc8 21 Rf1 Nd5 22 Be4 Ba6 23 Bf3 Qh3 24 Rf2 Nxc3 25 Rxc3 Ke7
26 Be2?! Instead White should play the centralizing 26 Qd4! which exploits the absence of Black’s queen and gives White good attacking chances. White’s queen dominates the centre and queenside. 26 ... Bxe2 27 Rxe2 Qh5 28 Qc2 Qa5 Black’s queen re-enters the fray. Chances are now balanced. 29 b4 Qa6 30 Rd2 Qb7 31 Kf2 Rxc3 32 Qxc3 Qh1 The queen again goes offside. Instead 32 ... Rc8 would maintain equality. 33 Qc5+ Kd8 34 Qh5 Combining attack (of the h7-pawn) and defence (of the h2-pawn). 34 ... Ke7 35 Rd1 Qc6 36 Qxh7
White has bagged an extra pawn and is the one pushing, although his king remains exposed.
36 ... Rc8 37 Qd3 d5 38 g4 Qa4 39 Kg3 Rc2 40 g5?! A hasty-looking move, opening his king’s position up. Instead 40 Rf1 maintains White’s slight advantage 40 ... fxg5 41 fxg5 Qc6 42 Qd4 Qd6+ The game now gravitates to a draw, since both kings are too exposed for either side to make progress. 43 Qf4 e5 44 Qf3 e4+ 45 Qf4 Re2 46 Kh3 Qg6 47 Kg3 Qd6 48 Kh3 Qg6 49 Kg3 ½-½ Summary 1) The Symmetrical Four Knights system with an early ... e7-e6 is met by 6 a3, aiming for a Maroczy Bind structure. Black often develops using a Hedgehog-style setup. There are both similarities and differences with the Hedgehog lines we will see in Chapter Eight. Study both chapters to get a good overall understanding. 2) When Black plays 6 ... d5, he normally accepts an IQP. There are common ideas between Game 15 in this chapter, and some of the games in Chapter Nine where Black adopts a Tarrasch-style setup. Bachmann’s 8 Bf4 keeps the tension and avoids early simplification. 3) At the time of writing, the line 6 ... Bc5 7 Nb3 Bc5 is rather trendy at Grandmaster level. Keep up to date with developments in this line!
Chapter Seven Symmetrical: Maroczy Bind versus ... g7-g6 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 Other ways of reaching the Maroczy vs. ... .g6 are: a) 2 ... Nf6 3 Nc3 g6 4 e4! (4 d4 cxd4 5 Nxd4 d5 is avoided) 4 ... d6 5 d4 cxd4 6 Nxd4 transposing to the main line below. b) 2 ... g6 3 e4! (3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 d5 is again something we want to avoid) 3 ... Bg7 4 d4 etc. 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6 5 e4 Clearly the best and most principled move in this position, this actually transposes into the Sicilian Accelerated Dragon – 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6 and now 5 c4 has always been one of White’s main replies. I feel this is stylistically consistent with the rest of the repertoire.
Black has several main plans. While I don’t believe deep memorization of theory is needed, it IS very important to know the right plans and move orders early in the game against each of the main systems. If you play a few stereotyped moves in this opening, White can easily end up with nothing. Black’s main options are: 1) Exchanging knights on the d4-square while White is forced to recaptured with the queen (the Gurgenidze System). 2) The ... Nf6-g4 System. 3) The Classical System - Black develops normally and plays a delayed knight exchange on the d4-square. 4) The Double fianchetto and other less common systems. 5 ... Bg7 Instead 5 ... Nf6 6 Nc3 d6 7 f3 Nxd4 8 Qxd4 Bg7
9 Be3 0-0 10 Qd2 is the starting position of the Gurgenidze System which we cover in Caruana-Carlsen (Game 18). 6 Be3 Nf6 Or 6 ... Nh6 7 h3 f5 8 exf5 Nxf5 9 Nxf5 Qa5+ 10 Nc3 Qxf5 11 Qd2 d6 12 Be2 0-0 13 00 Be6 14 Rac1 Qa5 15 b3 Rac8 16 Rfe1 Rfd8 17 Bf3 and White has a clear advantage due to Black’s weakened pawn structure, M.Roiz-N.Shukh, Minsk (rapid) 2015. 7 Nc3
7 ... d6 Alternatively: a) 7 ... Ng4 8 Qxg4 Nxd4 9 Qd1 is the ... .Nf6-g4 system studied in Smeets-Finegold (Game 19). b) 7 ... 0-0 8 Be2 b6 the Double Fianchetto, which is covered in the notes to Game 19. 8 Be2 0-0 9 0-0
Another valid move order is 9 f3 and now: a) 9 ... Nxd4 10 Bxd4 Bd7 11 0-0 Bc6 12 Qd2 transposes to the main line. b) 9 ... Nh5 10 g3 Nxd4 11 Bxd4 Be6 12 f4 Nf6 13 0-0 Rc8 14 b3 Qa5 15 f5 Bd7 16 a3 e6 17 b4 Qd8 18 fxg6 fxg6 19 e5 which gave White a positional advantage because of the backward e6-pawn, W.So-R.Mamedov, Shamkir 2015. 9 ... Nxd4 Alternatives such as 9 ... Bd7 and 9 ... Re8 are covered in the notes to Bareev-Pavlovic (Game 17). 10 Bxd4 Bd7 11 Qd2 Bc6 12 f3 Nd7 13 Be3 a5 14 b3 Nc5 15 Rab1 Qb6 16 Rfc1 This is the main line of the Classical System, see the game Bareev-Pavlovic below. Game 17 E.Bareev-M.Pavlovic European Championship, Plovdiv 2003 1 c4 The game move order was 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 Be2 0-0 6 Nf3 c5 etc. 1 ... c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6 5 e4 Bg7 6 Be3 Nf6 7 Nc3 d6 8 Be2 0-0 9 0-0
9 ... Nxd4 This knight exchange, (either now or after 9 ... Bd7 10 Qd2 transposing) is the big main line. Other approaches are: a) 9 ... Re8 is a semi-waiting move played by Larsen back in the day. 10 Rc1 Nxd4 11 Bxd4 Bh6 12 Rc2 and here: a1) 12 ... b6 13 Qd3 Nd7 14 Rd1 Bb7 15 Qg3 Qc7 was played in E.Fernandez RomeroB.Lindberg, World U-18 Championship, Oropesa del Mar 2001, and now 16 b4 is slightly better for White. a2) 12 ... e5?! 13 Be3 Bxe3 14 fxe3 is good for White, since Black’s d6-pawn is very weak, and 14 ... Re6?! doesn’t help because of 15 c5 Qe7 16 Bc4 winning material, J.Gomez Esteban-B.Lindberg, European Club Cup, Fuegen 2006. b) 9 ... Bd7 10 Qd2 and now: b1) 10 ... Rc8 11 f3 a6 shows what can happen if Black doesn’t trade on d4 as in the main
line. Now 12 Nxc6 Bxc6 13 b4 Qc7 14 a4 b6 15 a5 and White has strong pressure against Black’s queenside, A.Delchev-N.Tisma, Zadar 2001. b2) 10 ... Ng4 11 Bxg4 Bxg4 12 Rac1 (12 h3 Bd7 13 Rad1 is also good) 12 ... Bd7 13 b3 f5 14 exf5 gxf5, B.Kovacevic-M.Bobanac, Mali Losinj 2016, and now simplest is 15 Nxc6 Bxc6 16 Nd5 with a slight edge. b3) 10 ... Nxd4 11 Bxd4 Bc6 transposes to the main line. 10 Bxd4 Bd7 11 Qd2 Bc6 12 f3 a5
White’s next few moves have been played hundreds of times, but it is important to understand the ideas behind them, as this will guide us in similar situations, and indicate the subsequent plans we should pursue. 13 b3 As a rule of thumb, this should be White’s response to ... a7-a5, stopping ... a5-a4 followed by ... Qd8-a5 which would give Black counterplay on the queenside. Now White will eventually chase the c5-knight away with a2-a3 and b2-b4, but only after the right amount of preparation. Patience is key in this opening. 13 ... Nd7 14 Be3 It is important that White avoids the exchange of bishops, since this accentuates his space advantage. Also the exchange would favour Black positionally, since White’s remaining bishop is blocked by his own pawns, and Black can generate play on the dark squares. Exchanging the dark squared bishops often makes sense for White when he is ready to launch a quick and direct attack on Black’s king, but this is not the case here. 14 ... Nc5
Now the key question for White is where to put the rooks. 15 Rab1! Some time ago the recipe of Ra1-b1 and Rf1-c1 was discovered. With this plan, the rooks are ideally placed to support white’s long-term plan of a2-a3 and b3-b4, and meanwhile help to stifle Black’s potential counterplay in the queenside, such as plans with ... Qd8-b6-b4 and ... a5-a4. Without this rook arrangement it is hard for White to gain an edge. 15 ... Qb6 The main move, although Black has an important alternative in 15 ... e6. This is a more aggressive approach for Black, with ideas such as ... Bg7-e5, ... .f7-f5 and ... Qd8-h4 in the air.
Here I recommend 16 Bd1!? vacating the e2-square for the knight, while the d1-bishop will go to the c2-square where it bolsters White’s e4-pawn. Now Black has: a) 16 ... f5 17 exf5 gxf5 and now White has two good moves:
a1) 18 Bc2 Qf6 19 Ne2 e5 20 Nc3 Kh8 21 Nd5 is better for White because of his superior structure and minor pieces, V.Jakovljevic-S.Milanovic, Montenegrin League 2014. a2) 18 Ne2 e5 was seen in P.Jaracz-P.Weichhold, Polish League 2015, and now White should cement his grip on the d5-square with 19 Nc3 f4 20 Bf2 with an edge. b) 16 ... Qe7 17 Bc2 Rfd8 18 a3 Nd7, was played in M.Matlak-R.Pert, Cappelle-laGrande 2002, and now 19 Rfd1 leads to a typical Maroczy setup where White is a bit better. Black’s follow up to 15 ... e6 was a little passive in this case. c) 16 ... Be5 17 Bc2 and now: c1) 17 ... Qe7 18 a3 Rfd8 19 Rfd1 Qh4 20 h3 Qe7 21 Bg5 f6 22 Be3 g5 23 b4 axb4 24 axb4 Na4 25 Nxa4 Bxa4 26 Bxa4 Rxa4 27 f4 gxf4 28 Bxf4 Bxf4 29 Qxf4 and Black suffers from his more exposed king and weak pawns, A.Bachmann-R.Felgaer, Asuncion Zonal 2015. c2) 17 ... f5 18 exf5 gxf5 19 Ne2 Qh4 20 f4 Bg7 21 Qxd6 Ne4 22 Bxe4 Bxe4 23 Rbd1 Rf6 24 Rf2 Rh6 25 g3 Qg4 26 Qe7 and White has stymied Black’s kingside threats and is clearly better with an extra pawn and control of the seventh rank, D.Housieaux-M.Cornette, French League 2009. 16 Rfc1 White brings his f1-rook to its best post.
16 ... Rfc8 Instead, 16 ... Qb4 typically transposes to the next note after 17 Rc2 Rfc8 etc. 17 Rc2 Qd8 After the alternative 17 ... Qb4, White has 18 Qc1 threatening to win material with 19 a3, which forces Black’s queen to retreat. Then 18 ... Qb6 19 Bf1 Qd8 20 Qd2 h5 transposes to the main game with both sides having played two extra moves. 18 Bf1 Planning Qd2-f2 followed by a2-a3 and b2-b4. It is important not to rush here with the immediate the pawn push 18 a3, for example 18 ... h5 19 b4 axb4 20 axb4 Na4 21 Nd5 e6 22 Nf4 Nb6 and with control of the a-file, Black has enough counterplay to hold the balance, Y.Kryvoruchko-D.Reinderman, Beijing (rapid) 2008. 18 ... h5 The modern approach. Instead after 18 ... Be5 19 Rd1 (19 a3 and 19 Nd1 have also been played) 19 ... Qb6 20 Nd5 Qd8 21 Bg5 Bxd5 22 exd5 Qb6 23 Kh1 Bf6 24 Be3 Qb4, which
was played in G.Horvath-H.Wirthensohn, European Club Cup, Thessaloniki 1996, now best is 25 Qf2 with the long term plan of expanding on the kingside. 19 a3 Kh7
20 Ne2 White has also played: a) 20 b4 axb4 21 axb4 Na4 22 Ne2 Qf8 (22 ... Nb6 is better) 23 Nd4 Qh8 was played in Bu Xiangshi-R.Kalod, Deizisau 2007, and now 24 Ra1 followed by doubling on the a-file, favours White. b) 20 Kh1 Be5 21 b4 axb4 22 axb4 Ne6?! (22 ... Na4 is an improvement) 23 Nd5 Ra3 24 f4 Bg7 25 f5 with the initiative, M.Carlsen-K.Lie, Gjovik (rapid) 2009. 20 ... Qh8 21 Nf4 b6?! Black weakens his queenside and starts to be pushed back into a passive position. Instead 21 ... a4 22 b4 Nb3 23 Qf2 (23 Qd3! keeps the queen more centralized) 23 ... e5 24 Ne2 Bd7, S.Kuipers-K.Lie, Wijk aan Zee 2010 and now after 25 Nc3 Be6 26 Nb5 White’s pressure persists. 22 Kh1 Kg8?! Now Black’s queen gets cut off from the battle. Instead 22 ... Qd8 was called for. 23 b4 Here 23 Nd5! would have been a well timed knight jump. After 23 ... Bxd5 24 cxd5 and now: a) 24 ... a4 is answered by 25 b4 avoiding the exchange of pawns on the b4-square. Then 25 ... Nb3 26 Qd1 and White is better. b) If Black waits with 24 ... Kh7 then White occupies the light squares with 25 Bb5, then plays b3-b4 under more favourable circumstances. 23 ... axb4 24 axb4 Nd7 Too passive. Here 24 ... Na4 is a better try, when Black is only slightly worse.
25 Nd5 Bxd5 26 cxd5 The correct recapture, opening the c-file and the f1-a6 diagonal for the f1-bishop. 26 ... Rxc2 27 Qxc2 Bd4 28 Qc6 Ra7 29 Qc8+ Exploiting Black’s unfortunate back-rank configuration. 29 ... Nf8 30 Bg5 h4 31 Qb8 Qh5 Black gives up the exchange, hoping for counterplay on the dark squares. The alternative 31 ... b5 32 Qxb5 h3 33 g3 Qh5 34 Qd3 leaves White a clear pawn up. 32 Qxa7 At this point, 32 Be3 is suggested by the computer, to slightly worsen Black’s coordination after 32 ... Bxe3 33 Qxa7 Qg5 34 Qa1 which is even better than the game. 32 ... Qxg5 33 Qa3 Nh7?! Here 33 ... Qd2 was more tenacious. 34 Rd1 Be5 35 Qc1 Bf4 36 Qc7 Be3 37 Rd3 Nf6
38 Qc8+ It wasn’t too late to allow a swindle, for example 38 Qxe7?? Ng4! 39 Qxg5 Nf2+ 40 Kg1 Nh3+ with a draw by perpetual check. 38 ... Kg7 39 Qc3 Bf4 40 Qd4 Be5 41 Qe3! White continues to make careful progress. 41 Qxb6 allows counterplay starting with 41 ... Qc1. 41 ... Bf4 42 Qxb6 Nh5 43 b5 Be5 44 Qe3 Bf4 45 Qf2 Be5 46 f4 White returns a little material to end Black’s dreams. 46 ... Bxf4 47 b6 Ng3+ 48 Kg1! Nxe4 49 Qd4+ Nf6 50 b7 Be5 51 Qa4 Ng4 52 b8Q Bxh2+ 53 Kh1 Be5 54 Qba7 Ne3 55 Qxe3 1-0 Black finally threw in the towel. Game 18 F.Caruana-M.Carlsen Sinquefield Cup, Saint Louis 2014 1 c4 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6 5 c4 Nf6 6 Nc3 d6 7 f3 was the move order used in the game. 1 ... c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6 5 e4 Nf6 6 Nc3 d6 7 f3 The alternative 7 Be2 is more common, but Caruana’s move keeps the f1-bishop’s options open for now. 7 ... Nxd4 The characteristic move of the Gurgenidze variation. Black gains time on White’s queen and goes for early queenside play. 8 Qxd4 Bg7 9 Be3 0-0 10 Qd2
10 ... a5!? Black more often puts the queen, rather than the pawn on a5. 10 ... Qa5 11 Rc1 Be6 and now: a) 12 Nd5 allows 12 ... Qxa2!? and although White may be able to prove some advantage here, I don’t recommend learning this complex line that would only crop up very rarely in
your games. b) 12 Be2 Rfc8 13 b3 a6 14 Na4 Qxd2+ 15 Kxd2 Nd7 16 g4 f5 17 exf5 gxf5 18 h3 reaches a tabiya for this line:
White is slightly better, primarily due to his fewer pawn weaknesses. White has scored around 65% from here, though strong grandmasters continue to defend the position. The following games should give you a good overview of the plans here. Play can continue 18 ... Rf8 19 f4 Rad8 20 g5 and now: a) 20 ... Nc5 21 Nc3 Ne4+ 22 Nxe4 fxe4 23 Bg4 (23 Bb6! is recommended by Tsesarsky) 23 ... Bf5 24 Bb6 Rde8 25 Rhf1 with a slight edge for White, F.NijboerS.Tiviakov, Dutch Championship 2003. b) 20 ... d5 21 cxd5 Bxd5 22 Rhd1 e5 23 Ke1 Bc6 24 Nc5 Nxc5 25 Bxc5 Rxd1+ 26 Rxd1 Re8 27 Bc4+ Kh8 28 Bf7 Rc8 was K.Piorun-A.Brkic, European Team Championship,Warsaw 2013 and now 29 Kf2 exf4 30 Be6 Re8 31 Bxf5 keeps White slightly better. c) 20 ... Bf7 21 Rhd1 e5 22 Ke1 exf4 23 Bxf4 Be5 24 Bxe5 Nxe5 25 Nc3 (25 Kf2!? is suggested by Kr.Szabo) 25 ... Be6 26 Kf2 Kg7 27 Rd4 f4 28 Bf1 Nf7?! 29 Re1! Nxg5 30 h4 Nh3+ 31 Bxh3 Bxh3 32 Ne4 and White took over the initiative Bu Xiangshi-G.Guseinov, Doha 2014.
11 b3 a4?! A risky move, since if Black doesn’t get traction with his counterplay, he has handed White control of some key squares, and the a-pawn could be potentially weak in the long term. Instead 11 ... Be6 12 Rb1 Nd7 13 Be2 Nc5 14 0-0 Qb6 15 Rfc1 Rfc8 was played in L.Van Wely-E.Iturrizaga Bonelli, Istanbul Olympiad 2012. The position is the same as in Bareev-Pavlovic (Game 17), except that Black’s light-squared bishop is on e6 instead of c6! Now 16 Nd5!? is suggested by Roiz while 16 Rc2 (by analogy with Bareev-Pavlovic) is also worth considering. 12 b4 Be6 13 Rc1 Nd7 14 Be2 Here 14 Nd5 is also worth considering. 14 ... Nb6 15 Nb5 Avoiding any simplification. The more conventional 15 Nd5 is also a decent move, for example 15 ... Nxd5 16 exd5 Bd7 (R.Felgaer-J.Cuenca Jimenez, Andorra 2013) and now 17 c5! gives White good chances. 15 ... a3!? 15 ... Rc8 16 Na3 defends the c-pawn, and White must be for choice here. 16 Nd4 Bd7
17 h4! In many games in the Maroczy Bind, White must build up patiently, and often squeeze his opponent in the endgame or queenless middlegame. This game is a great example of White switching to aggressive attacking mode when the circumstances are right. Here Black’s queenside play has slowed down and his pieces are awkwardly placed to deal with a kingside assault. Having said that, 17 0-0 Na4 18 f4 Qc7 19 f5 is also slightly better for White. 17 ... h5 Probably the best answer, forcing White to mix things up. Instead 17 ... e5 18 Nb3 Be6 19 Na5 doesn’t help Black’s case. 18 g4! hxg4 19 fxg4 Instead 19 h5?! e5 would be far from clear. 19 ... e5 20 Nb3 Bc6 21 Bf3 White keeps control of the centre. 21 ... f5 22 gxf5 gxf5 23 Na5
23 ... f4 This gives White’s king a safe haven in the centre, although it is hard to find anything significantly better, for example: a) 23 ... Rxa5!? 24 bxa5 Na4 25 Bg5 is better for White, but at least gives Black some practical chances, according to Roiz. b) 23 ... Bxe4 24 Bxe4 fxe4 25 Nxb7 Qf6 26 Rg1 Qxh4+ 27 Bf2 and White is on top despite the open position. 24 Bf2 Na4 25 Nxc6 bxc6 26 0-0?! The king looks safer in the centre, for example on the e2-square, as Black has no lightsquared bishop to harass it. A sample line is 26 h5 Kh8 27 Rg1 Bf6 28 Rg6 Rg8 29 Ke2 and White is much better, in fact he is close to winning. 26 ... c5 Black fixes the c4-pawn. Also possible was 26 ... Bf6 27 Kh2 Rf7 28 Rg1+ Kh8 and Black is in the game as both kings are exposed. 27 b5 Bf6 28 Kh1 Nb6?
Now the d6-pawn is in trouble. Instead after 28 ... Ra7 anything can still happen. 29 Rcd1? Taking his eye off the c4-pawn throws away most of his advantage. After 29 Rfd1! Be7 30 Bxc5 and now: a) 30 ... dxc5 31 Qg2+ picks up the queen. b) 30 ... Kh8 31 Bf2 when White has won a pawn and has good winning chances again. 29 ... Kh8 30 Qxd6 Qxd6 31 Rxd6 Nxc4 32 Rd5 Ne3 Forcing an opposite coloured bishop situation. 33 Bxe3 fxe3 34 Be2 Bxh4 35 Rf5 Or 35 Rxf8+ Rxf8 36 Rd3 c4 37 Rxe3 Rc8 38 Rc3 Be1 39 Rxc4 Rxc4 40 Bxc4 Ba5 with a drawn opposite coloured bishop endgame. 35 ... Rxf5 36 exf5 Rd8 37 Rxd8+ Bxd8 38 Kg2 Kg7 39 Kf3 Kf6 40 Ke4 c4 41 Bxc4 Bb6 42 Bd3 ½-½ Game 19 J.Smeets-B.Finegold World Cities Championship, Al Ain 2012 1 c4 The game started as a Sicilian with 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6 5 c4 1 ... c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6 5 e4 Bg7 6 Be3 Nf6 7 Nc3
7 ... Ng4 This ... Nf6-g4 System has a flavour all of its own. Another line seen from time to time is the Double Fianchetto setup with 7 ... 0-0 8 Be2 b6 9 0-0 Bb7:
Here White has a choice of quite promising lines: a) 10 f3 and now: a1) 10 ... Nh5 11 Qd2 with a further split: a11) 11 ... Nf4 12 Rfd1 Nxd4 13 Bxd4 Bxd4+ 14 Qxd4 Nxe2+ 15 Nxe2 d6 was played in E.Pigusov-L.Oll, USSR Championship, Tallinn 1986, and now 16 e5 gives White a small edge. a12) 11 ... Qb8 12 Ndb5 Rd8 13 Rad1 e6 14 Nd6 Nd4 15 Bxd4 Qxd6 16 Bxg7 Qxd2 17 Rxd2 Nxg7 18 Rfd1 with big pressure on the d7-pawn, E.Sutovsky-B.Jobava, Amsterdam 2012.
a2) 10 ... e6 11 Qd2 d5 12 Nxc6 Bxc6 13 cxd5 exd5 14 e5 Ne8 15 f4 f6 16 Rad1 fxe5 17 Nxd5 Nf6 18 Nb4 Qxd2 19 Bxd2 Bb7 20 fxe5 and White kept his initiative going, M.RaggerA.Greenfeld, 2011. b) 10 Nxc6, which avoids the more complex line above. Now 10 ... Bxc6 11 f3 e6 12 Qd6 Ne8 13 Qd2 f5 14 exf5 gxf5 15 Rad1 (15 a4!?) 15 ... Qf6 16 f4 Rc8 17 Bf3 Rf7 18 Qd3 Qe7 19 Bxc6 Rxc6 20 Nb5 and White is a little better due to Black’s rigid pawn structure and rather disconnected forces, I.Salgado Lopez-O.De la Riva Aguado, Barcelona 2011. 8 Qxg4 Nxd4 9 Qd1
9 ... Ne6 9 ... e5 is the other main move here. White’s main options are: a) 10 Nb5 0-0 11 Qd2 and now: a1) 11 ... Qe7 12 Nc7 Rb8 13 Nd5 Qh4, J.Nielsen-A.Hortillosa, Leopoldsburg 2000 and now 14 Bd3 should favour White. a2) 11 ... Qh4 12 Bd3 d5 13 cxd5 Nxb5 14 Bxb5 Qxe4 15 0-0 Rd8 16 Rfd1 Qf5 17 Rac1 Bd7 18 Be2 e4 was played in both E.Gufeld-L.Espig, Sukhumi 1972, and J.Quist-L.Espig, Berlin 1993, but now 19 h3 (improving over 19 Rc7?! which was played in both games), 19 ... Be6 20 d6 Bxa2 21 Bg4 Qb5 22 d7 is very strong, since Black is struggling to deal with the passed d-pawn. b) 10 Bd3 d6 11 0-0 0-0 12 Qd2 Be6 13 Rac1 a6 14 b3 Qa5 15 Nd5 Qxd2 16 Bxd2 Bxd5 17 cxd5 Rfc8 18 Bb4 when White is for choice, V.Saravanan-M.Turner, British Championship 1999. 10 Rc1 In this line, 10 Qd2 is less flexible. As the game shows, the queen has other possible destinations in this setup. 10 ... Qa5 11 Be2
11 ... b6 This is easily the most popular move here, but Black has also tried: a) 11 ... d6 12 0-0 Bd7 13 Nd5! Bxb2 14 Rb1 Bg7 15 Rxb7 and Black is in trouble, L.Shamkovich-D.Waterman, Lone Pine 1975. b) 11 ... g5 12 0-0 d6 13 Nd5 Bxb2 14 Rc2 Bg7 was played in W.Aumann-K.Arkell, Hastings 1998, and now after 15 Qc1 h6 16 c5 White breaks open the position. The d5-knight is a thorn in Black’s side. 12 Qd5 Instead 12 0-0 Bb7 13 f3 g5 has been played many times, but I think 12 Qd5 is a good solution, giving White a structural advantage. 12 ... Rb8 Black hopes that the open lines will compensate for the doubled a-pawns. Instead, trading queens with 12 ... Qxd5 13 cxd5 Nd4 14 Bd3 0-0 15 0-0 e6 16 Rfd1 exd5 17 Bf1 Nc6 18 exd5 Ne5 19 Nb5 Ba6? 20 Nc7 Bxf1 21 Nxa8 and White has a clear material advantage, S.Panzalovic-P.David, German League 1996. 13 Qxa5 bxa5 14 b3 Bd4
15 Bxd4! An improvement over an earlier high-level game which continued 15 Bd2 d6 16 0-0 Bc5 17 Na4 Ba3, when Black’s active bishop disrupts White’s coordination. Then 18 Rb1 Bb7 19 f3 Bc6 20 Bxa5 Bxa4 21 bxa4 Kd7 and White’s extra pawn didn’t count for much in B.Gelfand-B.Jobava, Dortmund 2006, although Gelfand eventually won in 113 moves! 15 ... Nxd4 16 Nb5 Nc6 Or 16 ... Nxb5 17 cxb5 0-0 18 Kd2 and White is the first to occupy the c-file. 17 f3 White wants to put the king on f2, keeping it closer to the centre, which is better than the 17 0-0 of D.Kucherov-D.Hamilton, correspondence 2007. 17 ... a6 18 Nc3 e6?! Creating some dark-squared weaknesses. Instead 18 ... Nd4 19 Kf2 Bb7 20 Rhd1 is a little better for White. 19 Kf2 Ke7 20 Rhd1 g5 21 Rd2 h5
22 h4 Playing on both sides of the board. Black’s forces are split, as he has to defend both of the weak d7– and a6-pawns with the bishop. 22 ... f6 23 c5 Rb4 24 Rcd1 Ne5 25 Na4 Putting Black’s shattered queenside under pressure. 25 ... Bb7 26 Nb6 Bc6 Black doesn’t have much choice but to give up one of the a-pawns. 27 Bxa6 Rg8 28 Be2 Even more convincing was 28 Nc8+ Kf7 29 Nd6+ Ke7 30 hxg5 fxg5 31 Nc4 dislodging Black’s knight, with a clear advantage for White. 28 ... gxh4 29 Rd4 Rxd4 30 Rxd4 Ng6?! Black has to combat White’s bind with 30 ... Nf7 31 a3 d6. 31 a3 Nf4 32 Bf1 e5 Here 32 ... Rb8 33 b4 axb4 34 axb4 d6 was again the right plan, although Black is still worse.
33 Rd6 33 Rd1 was best, followed by simply advancing the queenside pawns. 33 ... Rb8 34 Rd1 Ne6 Once again 34 ... d6 was the best chance, for example 35 cxd6+ Kd8 36 Nc4 Rxb3 with some counterplay for Black. 35 b4 axb4 36 axb4 Nd4 37 Bc4 d6 38 Rh1dxc5 39 bxc5 Ne6 40 Bxe6 Kxe6 41 Rxh4 Rd8 42 Rxh5 A second pawn falls and Black can no longer hold this position. 42 ... Rd2+ 43 Kg3 Rc2 44 Rh7 Rxc5 45 Nc8
Black’s king is caught in a mating net, so he must give up the bishop. 45 ... Bxe4 46 Re7+ Kd5 47 fxe4+ Kxe4 48 Nd6+ White wins easily, as long as he keeps his final pawn! 48 ... Kd5 49 Nf5 Ke4 50 Kg4 Rc2 51 g3 Rc6 52 Rd7 Ra6 53 Rd6 Rxd6 54 Nxd6+ Kd5
55 Ne8 Ke6 56 Ng7+ Kd5 57 Kf5 e4 58 Ne6 e3 59 Nf4+ 1-0 Summary 1) It is important to know and think about the right piece configurations for White against each of Black’s major systems in the Maroczy. Don’t play on autopilot! 2) In the classical main line with 9 ... Nxd4 10 Bxd4 (Game 17), remember to: a) Keep the dark-squared bishops on the board, answering ... Nf6-d7 with Bd4-e3. b) Answer ... a7-a5 with b2-b3 to inhibit Black’s counterplay. c) Put the rooks on the b1- and c1-squares to support an eventual a2-a3 and b3-b4 expansion. 3) In the Gurgenidze (Game 18) with 7 ... Nxd4 8 Qxd4: a) After 10 ... Qa5, play Ra1-c1 and go for the queenless middlegame with 14 Na4 and 16 g4. b) In his game against Carlsen, Caruana showed how White can launch an aggressive kingside attack if he has enough control of the centre and queenside. 4) In the 7 ... Ng4 line (Game 19): a) The a1-rook usually goes to the c1-square. a) Be ready to trade queens with 12 Qd5 and take advantage of White’s better structure.
Chapter Eight Symmetrical: Black Plays ... b7-b6 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nf6 Black can also play the immediate 2 ... b6, after which 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Bb7 5 Nc3 Nf6 6 f3 transposes to our main line. 3 Nc3 b6 Another popular move order is 3 ... e6 with the intention of entering a main line Hedgehog after 4 g3 b6. Instead I recommend 4 e3, when 4 ... b6 5 d4 cxd4 6 exd4 is covered in YusupovRozentalis (Game 22).
4 d4 As an alternative, 4 e3 is also viable here. Now: a) 4 ... e6 would transpose to Game 22. b) Black could also try 4 ... g6 5 d4 Bg7 with a kind of Benoni. After 6 d5 0-0 7 Bd3 e6 8 0-0 exd5 9 cxd5 d6 10 h3 Ba6 11 e4 Re8 12 Re1 Bxd3 13 Qxd3 a6 14 a4 Nbd7 15 Bf4 Qc7 16 Nd2 with chances for both sides, M.Roiz-D.Flores, Baku Olympiad 2016. If you wish, you could use 4 e3 as a universal weapon against ... .b7-b6 systems, which avoids learning the Maroczy Bind, although I would highly recommend the extra effort in getting to know these universal setups. 4 ... cxd4 5 Nxd4 Bb7 6 f3 e6 7 e4
7 ... d6 This is by far the most common move here, envisaging the Hedgehog setup with ... Nb8d7 and ... a6. Black can however, also play more directly for the centre with 7 ... Nc6 8 Be3 Bc5 9 Qd2 0-0 and now: a) 10 Be2 d5 11 Nxc6 Bxc6 12 Bxc5 bxc5 13 exd5 exd5 14 cxd5 Nxd5 is close to equal, R.Wojtaszek-I.Salgado Lopez, French League 2014. b) Instead I recommend the bold 10 0-0-0!?, for example 10 ... Qe7 11 Nxc6 Bxc6 12 e5 Ne8 13 Bg5 f6 14 exf6 Nxf6 15 Bd3 Qf7 16 Kb1 Rad8 17 Qc2 Kh8 18 h4 d5 19 cxd5 Bxd5 20 Nxd5 exd5 21 Qd2 and White won with a direct attack after 21 ... Be7?! 22 Bc2 h6 23 Qd3 Kg8? 24 Bc1 Rfe8 25 g4 1-0, M.Stojanovic-I.Marinkovic, Serbian League 2009. 8 Be3 Be7 9 Be2 0-0 10 0-0 a6 The natural developing move 10 ... Nbd7 is actually an inaccuracy here because of 11 a4!. This thrust works particularly when Black’s knight has been developed early to the d7square, but can also be used in other situations. We cover this important theme in ShortCvitan (Game 20).
Now let’s summarize the typical plans for both sides. Plans for White 1) Play prophylactic moves to gradually improve White’s position while preventing Black’s ... d7-d5 break. 2) In the opening, with the rook still on the a1-square, play an early a2-a4-a5 strike to gain control of the queenside. 3) Establish a stable pawn front with b2-b4, then prepare a queenside pawn break. This is usually done with the c4-c5 break, but sometimes the b4-b5 or a2-a4-a5 breaks are also powerful. 4) Target Black’s d6-pawn, looking for opportunities to add further pressure with Be3-f4, in particular if Black has regrouped his bishop with the ... Bd8-e7-d8 plan. Plans for Black 1) Achieve the freeing ... d7-d5 break, which can be very effective if White is not well coordinated. Note that ... b7-b5 is a rare option in this version of the Hedgehog, it is more common when White’s light-squared bishop is on g2, loosening white’s grip on the b5-square. 2) Reroute the bishop via ... .Be7-d8-c7 to defend the b6-pawn and target White’s kingside after a later ... d7-d5. 3) The Fischer plan of building up a kingside attack starting with ... Kh8, ... Rg8 and ... g7g5. 11 Qd2 Qc7 12 Rac1 Nbd7 13 Rfd1
We have reached a tabiya which we cover in Game 21, Stohl-Banas. How to Play Against Fischer’s plan The third of Black’s plans mentioned above is attributed to Bobby Fischer, based on a famous game he won against Ulf Andersson in 1970, where he introduced this new concept. This plan has been well covered in chess literature, but usually from Black’s viewpoint. So let’s look at a good model of how to fight it from White’s side.
The diagram position above is taken from the game P.Charbonneau-V.Anand, Turin Olympiad 2006. This arose from a Taimanov Sicilian, where White has to spend extra time re-routing his knight from the a3-square back to the centre. This position is similar to lines we look at in Stohl-Banas (Game 21), although in Charbonneau-Anand Black is actually further ahead with his kingside play than is typical in our main line. 19 ... Rg8
Black had already slid his king to the h8-square, which is a good sign that he considering ‘the plan’. Anand now executes the next step which is to move his rook to the g8-square. 20 Qe3 Ned7 21 Nab1 g5 22 Nd2 As mentioned above, White has to spend time getting this knight back into play. In StohlBanas, the knight starts out right in the thick of the action on the d4-square. 22 ... Bd8 23 b4 Bc7 White combines his queenside build up with bolstering his kingside defences, but without making weakening pawn moves in front of his king. 24 Qe1 Rg6 25 Bd3 Ne5 26 Be2 Rcg8 27 Be3 Rh6 28 Nf1 Rgg6 29 Qd2 Qg8
Now that Black has diverted the bulk of his forces to the kingside, the time is right for White to attack on the queenside. In fact, White has a choice of good moves here, a thematic sacrificial continuation as well as the calmer approach that Charbonneau took in the game. 30 a4 Shipov points out that 30 Nd5!! exd5 31 cxd5 is excellent for White. Now we see how weak Black’s queenside and his back rank are. Black’s options are: a) 31 ... Qb8 and now: a1) 32 Bxa6 and Black is stymied. White already has two pawns for the piece and is about to pick up the g-pawn as well. a2) 32 Ng3 Bd8 33 Nf5 Rh5 34 g4 Rh3 35 Kg2 Rgh6 36 Nxh6 Rxh6 37 h4 with a decisive attack, is the line given by Shipov. b) 31 ... Bb8 is refuted by 32 Bxa6 followed by 33 Rc8. c) 31 ... Bd8 32 Rc8 Bb7 33 Rb8 also wins. 30 ... Bb7 31 c5 White opens the queenside, which makes perfect sense as Black’s rooks and queen have abandoned that sector of the board. However the alternative breakthrough 31 a5 bxa5 32 b5! would have been stronger, and leads to a clear advantage for White. 31 ... dxc5 32 bxc5 bxc5 33 Rb1 Bc6 34 Bxc5 A natural follow-up, but taking the bishop away from the centre gives Black more tactical chances. 34 ... g4! 35 f4 g3? 35 ... Nf3! would get Black right back in the game.
36 fxe5 Not fearing ghosts! Now White can confidently repel the attack. 36 ... Nxe4 37 Nxe4 Bxe4 38 Bd3 Bxg2+ 39 Qxg2 gxh2 40 Bxg6 Rxg6 41 Ng3 Rxg3 42 Qe4 Rg4 43 Be7 1-0 Game 20 N.Short-O.Cvitan European Team Championship, Leon 2001 1 c4 This game actually started as a Sicilian Defence with 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 f3 e6 6 c4 Be7 7 Nc3 0-0 8 Be2 b6 9 0-0 Bb7 10 Be3 a6 etc. 1 ... c5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nc3 b6 4 d4 cxd4 5 Nxd4 Bb7 6 f3 e6 7 e4 d6 8 Be3 Be7 9 Be2 00 10 0-0
10 ... a6 In this game we look at White’s plan of an early a2-a4 thrust. This works best when Black’s b8-knight has already been committed to the d7-square. So 10 ... Nbd7 11 a4! is, according to Shipov, “the most precise formulation of the idea”. Now: a) 11 ... Ne5 can be answered by 12 a5 bxa5 13 Nb3 Nc6 14 Nb5! a6 15 N5d4 Rb8 16 Nxc6 Bxc6 17 Nxa5 Ba8 18 Qc2 with a typical position for this line – White is slightly better. b) 11 ... a6 transposes to the main game. 11 a4!? As we will see below, this is not the most accurate move order. Instead, 11 Qd2 is the most popular move here. Let’s look at this move with a focus on plans with an early a2-a4 for White. Now Black can choose: a) 11 ... Qc7 continuing the ‘waiting’ policy, still not moving the b8-knight, and here: a1) 12 Rac1 Nbd7 13 Rfd1 is covered in the next game. a2) 12 a4 Nc6 13 Nxc6 Bxc6 14 Rfc1 Qb7 (14 ... Qd8!?) 15 b4! (improving on the move
15 Bf1 considered by Shipov) and now: a21) 15 ... a5 16 Rcb1 with pressure on the b6-pawn. a22) 15 ... Rfb8 16 Rab1 Be8 and now White executes the thematic breakthrough 17 c5 bxc5 18 bxc5 Qc7 19 cxd6 Qxd6 20 Qxd6 Bxd6 21 Rxb8 Bxb8 22 f4 with some initiative for White, S.Mazur-A.Bokros, Slovakian League 2016. b) 11 ... Nbd7 (the more common move) 12 a4!? Rc8 13 a5 Ne5 reaching this position:
White can now try: b1) 14 axb6 Nxc4 15 Bxc4 Rxc4 16 Nb3 Rb4 17 Na5 Ba8 was OK for Black in both M.Adams-L.Van Wely, Tilburg 1997 and N.Short-N.Gritsenko Minsk (rapid) 2015. However: b2) 14 Ra4!? Nfd7 15 f4 Nc6 16 axb6 Nxb6 17 Raa1 and ... b3) 14 Na4!? Nfd7 15 axb6 Nxc4 16 Bxc4 Rxc4 17 b3 Rc8 18 Rfc1 both look quite good for White. So perhaps the a2-a4 idea is more of a universal weapon than is commonly thought!
11 ... Nbd7?! In this specific position, Black should play 11 ... Nc6! 12 Nxc6 Bxc6 and now: a) 13 b4 a5! 14 bxa5 Rxa5 15 Nb5 Qb8 16 Bd2 Ra8 17 Bb4 Rd8 18 Qd2 Nd7! is fine for Black, N.Zhukova-M.Lammers, Doha 2014. b) 13 Qc2 is of course playable, but in general White would rather have her a-pawn on a2 if she cannot execute the a4-a5 plan. After Black misses this chance, we are back into the main line of the ‘a2-a4 vs. ... Nb8d7’ setup. 12 a5 bxa5 13 Nb3 This is White’s point, the knight is installed on the a5-square which severely cramps Black’s position. 13 ... Rb8 14 Nxa5 Ba8 15 Qd2
15 ... Re8
This is a slight improvement over the older move 15 ... Qc7, but doesn’t change the evaluation substantially, this is a nice position for White. In the position after 15 ... Qc7 16 Rfc1, White has scored over 80%. Some examples: a) 16 ... Rfe8 17 Bf1. Here White plays a few typical preparatory moves, although in general he doesn’t need to hesitate (so 17 Na4 looks good, while 17 Na2 is also possible). After 17 ... Bf8 18 Kh1 h5 19 Bf2 g6 20 b4 Kh7 21 b5 Bh6 22 Be3 Bxe3 23 Qxe3 Nc5 24 bxa6 Nxa6 25 Nb5 and White is on top, B.Adhiban-V.Hamitevici Tromso Olympiad 2014. b) 16 ... Nc5?! 17 b4 Ncd7 18 Nd5! exd5 19 cxd5 Qd8 20 Nc6 Qe8 21 Rxa6 with a dominating position, K.Niemi-S.Ivanov, Vantaa 2007. c) 16 ... Rfc8 17 Na4 Nc5 18 b4 Nxa4 19 Rxa4 Qd7 20 Rca1 Rd8 21 Bf1 Qc7 22 Nb3 was the stem game B.Gelfand-I.Smirin, Vilnius 1988. Black is passive and faces an unpleasant defence. As long as White doesn’t allow ... d6-d5, he can probe and time his breakthrough. The game continued 22 ... Bb7 23 Qf2 Nd7 and now 24 b5! is strong. Instead, Gelfand continued manoeuvring and eventually won in 40 moves. d) 16 ... Ne5 17 Na4 Bc6 18 b4 Bxa4 19 Rxa4 Nfd7 was V.Ivanchuk-M.Adams, Dortmund 1992, and now best was 20 f4 Nc6 21 Nxc6 Qxc6 22 b5 with a big advantage.
16 Ba7!? Gaining a tempo to reposition the bishop. 16 ... Rc8 17 Bf2 A more flexible placement of the bishop, since it can later drop back to the e1-square if needed. 17 ... Rb8 18 Kh1 Often a useful move in these setups, avoiding tactics on the g1-a7 diagonal. Instead 18 Rfd1 h6 19 Bf1 Bf8 20 Kh1 Kh8? and here White spotted an opportunity with 21 Bg3 Ne5 22 c5! which is a typical breakthrough that we will see later in the main game. Now after 22 ... Nh5 23 Bxe5 dxe5 24 Qxd8 Rexd8 25 c6, Black collapsed in D.Mastrovasilis-J.Votava, German League 2013. 18 ... Nc5 19 Rfb1 Rb4 Provocative, but it is hard to suggest a constructive plan for Black.
20 Nd1 20 b3 is another way to start pushing Black back on the queenside, for example 20 ... Qd7 21 Be3 Reb8 22 Nb5! winning material. 20 ... Qb8 21 Be1 Ra4 22 Rxa4 Nxa4 23 b4 White reaches his target structure with pawns on the b4- and c4-squares. Now he will aim for either the b4-b5 or c4-c5 break depending on circumstances. 23 ... Nb6 24 Nc3 Nbd7 25 Qa2?! White loosens his grip on the centre. Instead 25 Bg3! with an x-ray on Black’s queen and threatening 26 c5, is an idea worth remembering. Black loses time after 25 ... Nh5 26 Bf2 Nhf6 and now the time is right for 27 b5! with advantage. 25 ... Qa7 26 Na4 Rb8 27 Bd2 h6 28 Rc1 White’s manoeuvring has perhaps been a bit too elaborate. 28 ... Nb6? Missing an opportunity with either: a) 28 ... d5!? which was a good chance to mix things up. b) 28 ... Qf2 29 Be1 Qe3 30 Rd1 Ne5 and Black is back in the game. 29 Nb2 Nbd7 30 Nd3 Now White is back on track. 30 ... Qb6
31 c5! A thematic breakthrough that we have already seen a number of times in the notes. 31 ... dxc5 32 Be3 Pinning and winning the c5-pawn, and so creating a dangerous passer. 32 ... Qd8 33 bxc5 Rb5?! 33 ... Rc8 was a bit more resilient. 34 Nb3 Qb8 35 Nd4 Now Black can’t avoid material losses. 35 ... Bxc5 36 Bf4 Bxd4 Or 36 ... e5 37 Nxb5 exf4 38 Nxc5 Nxc5 39 Rxc5 axb5 40 Qa6 winning. 37 Bxb8 Rxb8 38 Qxa6 Bb7 39 Qd6 Bc8 40 h4 Ra8 41 Nb4 1-0 Game 21 I.Stohl-J.Banas Hungarian League 2003 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 b6 5 Nc3 Bb7 6 f3 d6 7 e4 e6 8 Be3 Be7 9 Be2 0-0 10 0-0 a6 11 Qd2 Nbd7 12 Rfd1 Instead 12 a4 and other a2-a4 plans were examined in the previous game. In this game we look at the ideas for both sides in a more typical Hedgehog battle. 12 ... Qc7 13 Rac1
13 ... Rac8 Black’s move order has many permutations around here. Usually he plays ... Ra8-c8, ... Rf8-e8 and ... Qc7-b8 in one order or another. Instead 13 ... Rfc8 is slightly unusual. After 14 b4 Rab8 and now: a) 15 a3 Ne5 16 Na4 h6 17 Bf1 Qd8 18 Kh1 Nfd7 was roughly equal in S.Karjakin-Yu Yangyi, Heixiazi 2015. b) 15 Nb3 looks best, for example: b1) 15 ... Ne5 16 Na4 when Black is a bit tied up. b2) 15 ... d5 is often a typical reply to Nd4-b3 but doesn’t work here because of 16 Bf4. 14 Bf1 In this game Stohl plays the typical preparatory moves 14 Bf1 and 16 Kh1, but there is an argument for just getting on with the queenside expansion plan. After 14 b4 Qb8 and now: a) It is worth noting that 15 Nb3 can be answered by the novelty 15 ... d5!? 16 cxd5 Bxb4 17 dxe6 fxe6 with an unclear position. b) Instead the prophylactic move 15 a3 looks good, taking away any ... d7-d5 and ... Be7xb4 tactics involving the unprotected b4-pawn. Here Black can play: b1) 15 ... Rfe8 reaches the position in the next diagram.
Now White can play: b11) 16 Nb3 reaches White’s desired queenside setup. Black’s immediate counterplay is stymied, and now White can build up with Be2-f1, Qd2-f2, Kg1-h1 etc. After 16 ... h6 17 Bf1 Ba8 18 Qf2 Kh8, M.Muzychuk-Hou Yifan, Hancheng (blitz) 2016, White can continue probing with 19 Na4, for example 19 ... Bd8 20 Bd4 Bc7 21 Kh1. Now if Black ‘does nothing’, White can try for Na4-c3 and a3-a4-a5, or a kingside pawn storm given sufficient preparation with h2-h3, f2-f4 etc. b12) 16 Kh1 is similar, for example 16 ... Ne5 17 Na4 Ba8 18 Bf1 Nfd7 19 Rc2 Bd8 20 Bg1 Bc7 21 Rb1 Bb7?! 22 c5! with the typical breakthrough, R.Pruijssers-G.Izsak, German League 2012. This example is given by Flores Rios, who emphasizes the useful idea of placing the rooks on the b- and c-files. Note that this rook configuration is only possible once Black’s early potential counterplay has been suppressed. b2) 15 ... Ne5 is another typical move doesn’t work so well here because of 16 Na4 Nfd7?! 17 f4 taking advantage of the e2-bishop which prevents a knight coming to the g4square. After 17 ... Ng6 18 f5 White gets a strong attack. b3) 15 ... Bd8 16 Nb3 Bc7 17 Bf4 Ne5 18 Bxe5 dxe5 19 c5 b5 20 a4 bxa4 21 Nxa4 Bc6 22 Nb2 with almost the same position as in the main game after 22 moves, was V.ChuchelovV.Milov, Frankfurt (rapid) 2000.
14 ... Qb8 What happens if Black tries the Fischer plan here? After 14 ... Kh8 15 Qf2 Rg8 16 b4 g5 17 h3 Rg6 and we should now evaluate the two ideas that we saw in the notes to Charbonneau-Anand in the chapter introduction, namely a Nc3-d5 sacrifice and a queenside pawn break with c4-c5: a) 18 Nd5?! is a common theme in these setups, as we saw in Charbonneau-Anand, but this is not an optimal version here. After 18 ... exd5 19 cxd5 Qd8 20 Rxc8 Qxc8 21 Rc1 was played in R.Wojtaszek-V.Calvo Alfonso, Burguillos 2008, and now 21 ... Qa8 is unclear. b) 18 Na4 h5 19 c5! is good. White needs to act quickly and is ideally prepared for this breakthrough, for example 19 ... bxc5 20 bxc5 dxc5 21 Nb3 g4 22 Nbxc5 Nxc5 23 Nxc5 gxf3 24 e5! and White’s attack is stronger. 15 b4 Rfe8 16 Kh1 Alternatively 16 a3 is also possible, but 16 Na4 loosens White’s control of the d5-square which always makes 16 ... d5 a consideration.
16 ... Bd8?! This move, named the Sämisch manoeuvre by Shipov, aims to bring the bishop to the c7square, where it defends the b6-pawn and eyes White’s kingside. This has been played many times in this and similar positions, but White is ready with the ‘antidote’. a) It is better to go 16 ... Ne5 17 Na4 Nfd7 and now: a1) 18 Nb3 Nxc4 19 Bxc4 b5 20 Bxe6 fxe6 21 Nb2 Ne5 was level in Z.Ribli-A.Adorjan, Hungarian League 1999. a2) I recommend 18 h3, for example 18 ... h6 19 a3 with a typical Hedgehog battle ahead. b) 16 ... d5 doesn’t work here with the knight on d4. After 17 cxd5 and now 17 ... exd5 (or 17 ... Bxb4 18 dxe6 fxe6 19 Qb2 etc) 18 b5! axb5 19 Bf4 is good for White. 17 Nb3 The first link in the chain of White’s mechanism, attacking the d6-pawn. Now that Black’s dark-squared bishop is no longer eyeing the b4-square, White doesn’t need to worry about ... d7-d5. 17 ... Bc7 17 ... Ne5!? is untried but could be answered by 18 Qxd6 (or 18 c5!?) 18 ... Qxd6 19 Rxd6 Nxc4 20 Bxc4 Rxc4 21 b5 Bc7 22 Rd3 with play against the weak b6-pawn. 18 Bf4 The second step. After the forced reply: 18 ... Ne5
White now secures a queenside majority with: 19 Bxe5! dxe5 20 c5 Objectively, White may be only slightly better, but this position has proven hard for Black to defend in practice. 20 ... b5 21 a4 bxa4 22 Nxa4 Bc6 In an earlier Stohl game, Black sought counterplay with a bishop sacrifice on the e4square after 22 ... Rcd8 23 Qe3 Rxd1 24 Rxd1 Rd8 25 Rc1 Bxe4!?, but following 26 fxe4 Qxb4 27 Rc4 Qb5 28 Qf3 Rb8 29 Nc1 Qb1 30 Bd3 Qa1 31 h3, White consolidated and won in I.Stohl-C.Ward, Isle of Man 1994. 23 Nb2 Red8 24 Qc3 Bb5 25 Nc4
25 ... h5 Black tries for some kingside play. After 25 ... Rxd1 26 Rxd1 Rd8 27 Ra1 h5 28 h4 (28 Kg1 transposes to the main game) 28 ... Nh7 29 Na3 Bxf1 30 Rxf1 Nf8 31 Qc4 Ng6 32 Nc2
Qb7 33 Ra1 Ra8 34 g3, White keeps an edge, V.Artemiev-I.Rozum, Russian League 2014. 26 Kg1 Rxd1 27 Rxd1 Rd8 28 Ra1 Nd7?! An improvement is 28 ... h4 although after 29 Nb2 Nh5 30 Bxb5 axb5 31 Qe1 g5 32 Nd1 Nf4 33 Nf2 is still better for White, as he can kick the f4-knight away with g2-g3. 29 Nca5 Kf8 30 Bc4 Ke7 31 Qc1 Rc8 32 Qf1 Bd8 33 Bxb5 axb5 Or 33 ... Qxb5 34 Qxb5 axb5 35 Nb7 Bc7 36 Ra7 and White should win this endgame. 34 Rd1 Ke8 35 Rd6 Bc7 36 Ra6 Nf6 37 h3 Kf8 38 Kh2 Tucking the king away out of danger before starting the final conquest of the queenside. 38 ... Ng8
39 c6 Black is almost suffocated and the c-pawn marches towards the promotion square. 39 ... Bb6 40 Nc5 Bxc5 41 bxc5 b4 42 Rb6 Qc7 43 Qd3 Rd8 44 Qb5 Qe7 45 Rb8 Qg5 46 c7 1-0 The checks soon run out after 46 ... Qf4+ 47 Kg1 Qe3+ 48 Kf1 Qc1+ 49 Kf2 Qd2+ 50 Qe2 and it’s over. Game 22 A.Yusupov-E.Rozentalis Elista Olympiad 1998 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nc3 e6 4 e3 b6
Black develops along Queen’s Indian/Hedgehog lines. This is less effective against 4 e3 than against 4 g3, since now White immediately occupies the centre with d2-d4. 5 d4 cxd4 Instead 5 ... Bb7 6 d5 exd5 7 cxd5 is a good version of the Benoni structure for White. The b7-bishop is simply misplaced in that setup. 6 exd4 Bb7 Black has also played: a) 6 ... d5 is premature, since Black is not developed well enough. After 7 Ne5! Black has tried: a1) 7 ... a6 8 cxd5 Nxd5 9 Qa4+ Bd7 10 Nxd7 Nxd7 11 Nxd5 exd5, A.KharitonovE.Ballo, Stockholm 1998, and now after 12 Qb3 White is well placed with the two bishops and pressure on Black’s pawns. a2) 7 ... Be7?! 8 cxd5 exd5 9 Bb5+ Kf8 10 0-0 Be6 11 Re1 a6 12 Ba4 b5 13 Bb3 b4 14 Ne2 Nbd7 15 Nf4 was overwhelmingly good for White, J.Timman-S.Giardelli, Buenos Aires Olympiad 1978. b) 6 ... Bb4 7 Bd3 Bb7 8 0-0 0-0 transposes to a side-line of the Nimzo-Indian that is regarded as slightly better for White:
The fact that Black was committed to an early ... c5xd4 reduces his options – in a regular Nimzo he would have a choice of better lines. White plays 9 Bg5 and now: b1) 9 ... Be7 10 Re1 and here: b11) 10 ... d6 can be answered by 11 d5 since 11 ... exd5 is met by 12 Qe2! when Black is in trouble. b12) 10 ... d5 11 Bxf6! Bxf6 12 cxd5 exd5 13 Ne5, when this favourable (for White) ‘IQP vs. IQP’ structure is reminiscent of the game Botvinnik-Alekhine in Chapter Eleven. Now 13 ... Nc6 14 Qa4! Bxe5 15 dxe5 d4 16 Nb5 Rb8 17 Nd6 Ba8 18 f4 and White is much better thanks to his ‘octopus’ d6-knight, I.Ibragimov-N.Kalesis, Athens 1999. b2) 9 ... Bxc3 10 bxc3 d6 11 Nd2 Nbd7 12 a4 Qc7 and now: b21) 13 a5 Qc6 14 f3 b5 15 cxb5 Qxc3 16 Nc4 Bd5, R.Slobodjan-I.Zaragatski, German League 2010, and here 17 Qd2! Qxd4+ 18 Be3 Qh4 19 Nxd6 is excellent for White. b22) 13 Re1 Qc6 14 f3 Rac8 15 Qb3 h6 16 Bh4 d5 17 Rac1 and White is slightly better due to the long-term potential of the two bishops in this flexible pawn structure, L.PortischU.Andersson, Moscow 1981. 7 Bd3 Be7 7 ... Bb4 transposes to the note to Black’s 6th move above. 8 0-0
8 ... d6 A move that may appeal to Hedgehog players. Against routine development, Black will follow his favourite development scheme with ... .Nb8-d7, ... 0-0, ... a7-a6, ... Ra8-c8 etc. Alternatives are: a) 8 ... 0-0 9 d5 when, according to Kramnik, “White has a stable plus, as has already been demonstrated in practice”. Then following 9 ... Na6, 10 Bf4 is the most common move, when after 10 ... d6 White can try: a1) 11 dxe6 fxe6 12 Bg3 Nc5 13 Bc2 Rc8 (13 ... e5 14 b4 Ne6 may be Black’s best option here) 14 Re1 Bxf3 15 gxf3 e5 16 f4 and White broke open the position for his powerful bishops, V.Malaniuk-H.Teske, Hamburg 1995. a2) Another approach is 11 Re1 e5 12 Be3 Nd7 and now White can play on the queenside with 13 Qb1!? g6 14 Bh6 Re8 15 b4, noting that here Black can’t play 15 ... f5? because of 16 Bxf5 gxf5 17 Qxf5 with a big attack. b) 8 ... d5 9 cxd5 Nxd5 10 Ne5 0-0 11 Qg4 is a key line.
Now Black finds himself defending a tricky IQP position, and in this position has tried: b1) 11 ... Nd7 allows White to execute the threat 12 Bh6 Bf6 13 Qe4 g6 14 Bxf8 Kxf8 15 Nxd5 Bxd5 16 Qf4 with a clear extra exchange, P.Almagro Llamas-S.Almagro Mazariegos, Linares (rapid) 2016. b2) 11 ... Nf6 enters a long forcing line. You should definitely study this before playing it, but Black is the one teetering on a knife-edge. After 12 Qh4 Ne4 13 Qh3 Qxd4 14 Bf4 White has a strong initiative for the pawn. Then after 14 ... Nf6 15 Ne2 Qa4 16 Rfc1! White combines threats to Black’s queen with play on the kingside. Now: b21) 16 ... Ba6 17 Bc2 Qb4 18 a3 Qxb2 (S.Borrelli-K.Gellert, correspondence 2011) and now 19 Rab1 Qxa3 20 Rb3 Qc5 21 Bxh7+ Nxh7 22 Rxc5 bxc5 23 Nc3 and Black doesn’t have enough for the queen. b22) 16 ... Na6 17 Rc4 is critical.
While the position is still not completely clear, White has won all three games from this position: b221) 17 ... Qe8 18 Ng4 (the engine’s favourite, although Hebden won a later game with 18 Bg5) 18 ... g6 19 Nh6+ Kg7 20 Be5 Nc5 21 Rh4 Rh8, M.Hebden-G.Morrison, British League 2012, and now most effective is 22 Rf4! Ncd7 23 Bb5 with a pair of deadly pins. b222) 17 ... Qa5 18 Nd7!? (Instead White can go for the queen with 18 Nc3 b5 19 Nc6 Bxc6 20 Rxc6 Nc5 21 a3 Nxd3 22 Bc7 Nb4! 23 Bxa5 Nxc6 24 Bc7, although Black has reasonable chances, with rook, knight and pawn for the queen) 18 ... Rfd8 19 Nxf6+ Bxf6 20 Qxh7+ Kf8 21 Ng3 Qd5?! (21 ... Bxb2 22 Rb1 Bf6 is unclear) 22 Bf1 Ke7 23 Re1 Rh8 24 Qc2 and with material equality but Black’s king exposed in the middle of the board, White is better, I.Kovalenko-A.Horvath, Bastia 2014. b3) 11 ... f5 blocks White’s kingside threats in radical fashion, but weakens Black’s own structure. As Kramnik put it “it is no longer possible to call the d4-pawn an isolani, since it is no weaker than the e6-pawn”. Following 12 Qe2 Bf6 13 Bc4 Re8 14 Rd1 we reach the following position.
Now Black has played: b31) 14 ... Nc6 15 Nxd5 exd5 16 f4 Rc8 (16 ... dxc4?? 17 Qxc4+ wins immediately) 17 Bb5 Re7 18 Qd3 g6 19 Bd2 with a pleasant bind for White, D.Forcen Esteban-D.Adla, Aragon 2014. b32) 14 ... Nd7 15 Bb5! forcing Black’s next, 15 ... Bxe5 16 dxe5 Qe7 17 Nxd5 Bxd5 18 Qh5 g6 19 Qh6 Rec8 20 Bg5 with an edge for White because of Black’s vulnerable dark squares, V.Kramnik-V.Topalov, European Club Cup, Skopje 2015. Now we return to the main game after 8 ... d6. 9 d5!
Gaining a structural advantage by cramping the b7-bishop. 9 ... e5 The alternatives are not attractive, for example: a) 9 ... exd5 10 cxd5 0-0 (10 ... Nxd5?? loses to 11 Bb5+) 11 Nd4 Nbd7 12 Nc6 Bxc6 13 dxc6 Nb8 14 Qa4 d5?! 15 Bf4 Bd6 16 Bg5 h6 17 Bxf6 Qxf6 18 Rae1 and Black is probably already lost, Y.Yakovich-K.Arkell, Hastings 1993. b) 9 ... 0-0 10 dxe6 fxe6 11 Nd4 Qc8 12 Qe2 e5 13 Bf5 Nbd7 14 Be6+ (here 14 Ne6! is more accurate) 14 ... Kh8 15 Nf5 and White is slightly better, M.Vidmar-R.Spielmann, New York 1927. 10 Ng5 White has also played 10 Nh4 and 10 Re1 with good overall results. 10 ... Nbd7 I haven’t been able to find a clear path for Black to equalize from this position. After 10 ... h6 11 Nge4 Nxe4 12 Nxe4 0-0 13 Qh5! and now: a) 13 ... Nd7 14 Bxh6 gxh6 15 Qxh6 f5 16 Qg6+ Kh8 was played in K.Berg-C.Ward, London 1989 and now after 17 Rae1 Black has no defence to the threat of the rook lift Re1e3-h3 etc. b) 13 ... f5 14 Ng3 e4 15 Bc2 Bc8 can also be answered by 16 Bxh6! winning at least a pawn since 16 ... gxh6 17 Qg6+ Kh8 18 Qxh6+ Kg8 19 Qg6+ Kh8 20 Nxe4 wins for White. 11 f4
11 ... Rc8 Black has also played: a) 11 ... 0-0 and now: a1) 12 Kh1 h6 13 Nf3 as in A.Yusupov-A.Chernuschevich, Swiss League 2009, could be met by 13 ... b5 with counterplay. a2) 12 fxe5 dxe5 13 Be3 h6 14 Nge4 Nxe4 15 Bxe4 and White is better, keeping a tight grip on the light squares. b) 11 ... a6 12 Qe2 Qc7 13 Kh1 h5?! 14 Bd2 h4 15 Rae1 g6 16 f5 was crushing for White in V.Eingorn-L.Psakhis, USSR Championship, Riga 1980. c) 11 ... h6 and here: c1) 12 Ne6?! fxe6 13 dxe6 0-0 14 exd7 Qxd7 and White’s initiative fizzles out, B.Morchiashvili-W.Arencibia Rodriguez, Al Ain 2015. c2) 12 fxe5 Nxe5 13 Nf3 Nfd7 14 Nd4 with an edge for White. The c6– and f5-squares beckon. 12 b3 a6 13 a4 0-0
14 Ra2! A strong idea - quickly swinging the rook across to join the kingside attack. 14 ... h6 14 ... g6!? is met by 15 f5 Nxd5 16 Nxf7 Rxf7 17 Nxd5 with strong attacking chances. 15 Raf2!? Ignoring the “kick” to the g5-knight, although 15 Nh3 is also better for White. 15 ... exf4 15 ... hxg5? fatally weakens Black’s kingside, as after 16 fxg5 b5 (16 ... Ne8 17 Qh5 wins) 17 gxf6 Nxf6 18 axb5 Qb6 19 Qf3 White has too much fire-power aimed towards Black’s king. 16 Nh3 Ne5 If Black tries to hold on to the f4-pawn in “King’s Gambit” style with 16 ... g5, then White can sacrifice with 17 Nxf4 gxf4 18 Bxf4 and Black doesn’t have enough defenders, for example 18 ... Ne5 19 Bf5 Kg7 20 Qd2 Rh8 21 Bxe5 dxe5 22 Bxc8 Bxc8 23 Kh1 and the attack continues. 17 Bb1 Keeping the light-squared bishop for its attacking potential.
17 ... f3?! Blocking the f-file, but instead White gets an open g-file to work with. Instead Black should try for counterplay with: a) 17 ... b5 for example 18 axb5 Rb8 19 Bxf4 (19 Nxf4 keeps a slight edge) 19 ... axb5 20 Nxb5 Bxd5 and although White is still for choice, Black has much better chances than by staying passive. b) 17 ... Nfg4, hassling the rook, is also worth considering, for example 18 Rxf4 Nf6 19 Be3 Rb8 and Black is still in the game. c) 17 ... g5?! is again met by 18 Nxf4! gxf4 19 Bxf4 e.g. 19 ... Nfg4 20 Re2 Bg5 21 h3 Bxf4 22 Rxf4 Nf6 23 Qd2 Nh7 24 Rf5 and White is much better despite his piece deficit. 18 gxf3 Re8 19 Rg2 Kh8 20 f4 Ned7 The desperate 20 ... Nxc4 21 bxc4 Rxc4 can be met by 22 Rg3 Qc8 23 Bb2 and Black doesn’t have enough for the piece.
21 Ng5! Kg8 Taking the knight would be suicidal. After 21 ... hxg5 22 fxg5 leaves Black’s king hopelessly exposed, and he would even need to give the piece back straight away. 22 Kh1 22 Nge4 also gives White a fearsome attack. 22 ... Bf8 It is already hard to give Black good advice. a) If 22 ... Nc5 then 23 Qc2 threatens the devastating 24 Nxf7. b) 22 ... b5 is perhaps relatively best. After 23 axb5 axb5 24 Nxf7! Kxf7 25 Rfg1 Bf8 26 Nxb5 White is well on top, but at least Black has some material in hand. In the game, White gains a winning attack without having to sacrifice anything! 23 Bb2 Re7?! Giving White a free hand to continue the build up. In any case, 23 ... Nc5 24 b4 Ncd7 25 Nce4 is still great for White. 24 Nge4 Re8 25 Rfg1 Rc7 26 Qd4 Kh8
White has all his pieces optimally placed, so it is time for the decisive breakthrough. 27 Nxd6! 1-0 After 27 ... Bxd6 28 Rxg7 White threatens mate on the move with 29 Rh7 mate, and Black has no answer but to start giving away piles of material. Summary 1) The early a2-a4-a5 plan against the Hedgehog is not that well known, and can be a dangerous weapon in a range of situations (Game 20). 2) Familiarize yourself with ways of combating the ... Be7-d8-c7 plan (Game 21) as well as the Fischer plan (chapter introduction). 3) Against the move order 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nc3 e6, the repertoire move is 4 e3, answering the Hedgehog-minded 4 ... b6 with 5 d4 (Game 22).
Chapter Nine Symmetrical: Black Plays 3 ... d5 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nc3 As mentioned in Chapter Five, this move side-steps several double-edged lines such as 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 e5 and 4 ... g6 5 Nc3 d5. 3 ... d5 Black stakes his own claim in the centre. Other moves are covered in the preceding chapters. 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e3 5 e3 is a flexible system, which integrates well with the rest of the repertoire. Play from here typically depends on whether Black wants a Grünfeld style or a Queen’s Gambit style set-up. As will become clear in the notes below, when Black plays an early ... e7-e6, play will, more often than not, transpose into the anti-Queen’s Gambit lines which are covered in Chapter Eleven. This chapter focuses on lines where Black exchanges knights with 5 ... Nxc3 and/or implements a kingside fianchetto with ... g7-g6, plus a few miscellaneous lines.
5 ... Nxc3 The main alternatives here are: a) 5 ... g6 6 Qb3! which is covered in the notes to Lerner-Sideif Sade (Game 23). b) 5 ... e6 6 Bc4, when play normally continues 6 ... Be7 7 0-0 0-0 8 d4 cxd4 9 exd4 transposing to a Semi-Tarrasch line which we cover in Chapter Eleven on Anti-Queen’s Gambit lines. c) 5 ... Nc6 and now: c1) 6 Bc4 and now: c11) 6 ... e6 7 0-0 Be7 8 d4 again transposes to Chapter Eleven. c12) 6 ... Nb6 7 Bb5 Bd7 8 d4 cxd4 9 exd4 a6 10 Be2 e6 11 0-0 Be7 12 Re1 0-0 13 a3 Nd5 14 Bd3 with a typical IQP position, M.Brodsky-O.Pavlenko, Bydgoszcz 1999.
c2) 6 Bb5 is tempting but doesn’t appear to give an advantage, for example 6 ... e6 7 Ne5 Bd7 8 Bxc6 Bxc6 9 Nxc6 bxc6 10 Qa4 Qd7 11 b3 Nb4 12 0-0 Be7 13 Ba3 Rb8 and Black has adequate play despite his doubled c-pawns, L.Polugaevsky-U.Andersson, Biel 1990. 6 bxc3 g6 This Grünfeld-type line is covered in the next game, Lerner-Sideif Sade. Instead, 6 ... Qc7 and other 6th moves are analyzed in Game 24, Navara-Nepomniachtchi. Game 23 K.Lerner-F.Sideif Sade USSR Championship, Frunze 1979 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 c5 3 Nf3 d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e3 In this game we look at lines where Black plays in Grünfeld-style with ... .g7-g6, either with or without exchanging knights on c3. 5 ... Nxc3 Instead, 5 ... g6 is much less common but a natural enough attempt to fianchetto the f8bishop. Here I recommend 6 Qb3!, which is a rare move, but was noted by Peter Svidler as being a very promising continuation for White. It has also scored almost 90% for White in my database!
Black can now try: a) 6 ... Nxc3 7 Qxc3, attacking the h8-rook, illustrates White’s idea. Now Black has to compromise his kingside structure with 7 ... f6 8 Bc4 Nc6 9 0-0 e5 10 d4 and White is already clearly better. Here 10 ... e4 was played in Y.Balashov-R.Poniaev, Izhevsk 2014, and now 11 Ng5! is crushing since 11 ... fxg5 12 dxc5 wins the h8-rook. b) 6 ... Nf6 7 Ne5 forces the ungainly 7 ... e6 and now after 8 Bb5+ (or just 8 d4!?) 8 ... Bd7 9 d4 White was pressing in S.Vanderwaeren-S.Foisor, Charleroi 2002. c) 6 ... Nb6 7 Ne4 Bg7 was seen in L.Szabo-K.Honfi, Hungarian Championship 1955, and here White can simply capture the pawn with 8 Nxc5. d) 6 ... e6 7 Bb5+ Nc6, G.Todorovic-Z.Simonyi, Yugoslavian League 1994, and now 8 00 Bg7 9 Ne4 targets the weak c5-pawn. 6 bxc3 g6
Other 6th move choices for Black are dealt with in the next game. 7 h4 A challenging line that has been played by the likes of Svidler, Matlakov, Grandelius and other leading GMs. 7 Bb5+ and 7 d4 are other common moves here.
7 ... Bg7 Instead 7 ... h6 and now: a) 8 Ba3!? has been tried in two games of the young Norwegian GM Tari. After 8 ... Qc7 9 Qb3, Black has played: a1) 9 ... Bg7 10 d4 cxd4 11 cxd4 Nc6 12 Rc1 Be6 13 Bc4 Qa5+ 14 Ke2 Bxc4+ 15 Rxc4 0-0 16 Ra4 is promising for White, N.Grandelius-A.Tari, Fagernes 2016. a2) 9 ... Be6 10 Bc4 Bxc4 11 Qxc4 Nd7 12 0-0 Rc8 13 Rab1 Bg7 14 d4, M.YilmazA.Tari, Baku Olympiad 2016 and here 14 ... b6 would have maintained the balance. b) 8 h5 loosening Black’s structure with 8 ... g5 before playing 9 d4 looks interesting. A sample line is 9 ... Qc7 10 Rb1 Bg7 11 Bd3 0-0 12 0-0 Bg4 13 Be4 Nc6 14 Ba3 and now 14 ... cxd4?! 15 cxd4 Bxh5 16 d5 is better for White. 8 h5 Nc6
9 Bc4 This rare move sets Black some problems. Other good tries for White here: a) 9 Rb1 Qc7 10 d4 and now: a1) 10 ... Bd7 11 Bd3 Rd8 12 Qc2 (instead White should play 12 Ng5! with very strong threats) 12 ... Bg4 13 Ng5 cxd4 14 Qb3 e6 15 exd4 Rd7 16 Ne4 0-0 17 hxg6 hxg6 18 Bg5 f6 19 Be3 with mutual chances, P.Svidler-I.Nepomniachtchi, Russian Championship 2013. a2) 10 ... cxd4 11 cxd4 0-0 12 hxg6 hxg6 13 Qc2 Be6, as played in V.Popov-E.Vorobiov, Tomsk 2006, is unclear according to Svidler. b) 9 Qb3 is also getting attention.
Now Black can play: b1) 9 ... Qb6 10 Ng5 Qxb3 11 axb3 Bf5 and here: b11) 12 f3 h6 13 Ne4 b6 14 Bb5 Kd7 15 d4 Kc7 16 Bc4 gives White a slight advantage. b12) 12 e4 Bg4 13 f3 Bd7 14 f4 h6 15 Nf3 e5 16 hxg6 fxg6 17 fxe5 Nxe5 18 Bb2 0-0
was equal in M.Matlakov-R.Khusnutdinov, Moscow 2014. b2) 9 ... Qc7 and now: b21) 10 Ba3 b6 11 Ng5 e6 12 d4 Bb7 13 h6 Bf8 14 dxc5 Bxc5 15 Bxc5 bxc5 16 Rb1 Rb8 and now 17 Nxe6!? was exciting but not necessarily best. (Instead 17 Qa3 leads to a complex, unclear position). After 17 ... fxe6 18 Qxe6+ Qe7 19 Qxc6+ Bxc6 20 Rxb8+ Kd7 21 Rxh8 Qe5 22 Rxh7+ Kd6 23 Ke2 Qxc3 24 f3 in A.Indjic-T.Baron, Baku Olympiad 2016, Black should take the draw by perpetual with 24 ... Bb5+ 25 Kf2 Qb2+ etc. b22) 10 Ng5!? e6 11 Ne4 b6 12 h6 Bf8 13 Bb2 is an unusual but quite promising idea.
9 ... a6 The most common reply in practice. If Black castles here, play could continue 9 ... 0-0 10 hxg6 hxg6 11 Ba3 Na5 12 Be2 b6 13 Qa4 with chances for both sides. 10 d4 e5? This is far too risky with Black’s king still in the centre. Instead: a) 10 ... b5 11 Bb3 when “Black’s position feels a bit insecure” according to Svidler. After 11 ... 0-0 12 Ng5 e6 13 Ne4 White has good dynamic chances. b) 10 ... cxd4 11 cxd4 Na5 12 Bd3 Be6 13 Ng5 Bc4 14 h6 Bf6 15 Ne4 0-0 was seen in A.Obodchuk-O.Vastrukhin, Belorechensk 2012, and now 16 Ba3 Re8 17 0-0 is a bit better for White since the h6-pawn is a constant annoyance for Black. c) 10 ... e6 was played in J.Roessig-P.Vogelmann, Porz 1989, and now 11 h6 Bf6 12 0-0 is slightly better for White, for example 12 ... b5 13 Bd3 Bb7 14 Rb1 with pressure. 11 hxg6 hxg6 12 Rxh8+ Bxh8
13 Qb3 White’s plays a series of forcing moves to put Black in trouble. 13 ... Qe7 14 Ba3 White brings his queenside pieces into the attack, and Black’s position is close to collapse. 14 ... exd4 15 cxd4 Nxd4 16 Nxd4 Bxd4 17 Rd1 Threatening 18 Rxd4 due to the pin on the a3-f8 diagonal. 17 ... Bf6 17 ... b5 doesn’t help, simply 18 Bd5 Bb7 19 Rxd4 wins for White. 18 Qb6 Another simple but strong move, attacking the c5-pawn and preventing ... b7-b5. 18 ... Qe5? This move loses quickly, although after 18 ... Be6 19 Bxe6 Qxe6 20 Qxb7 Rd8 21 Rxd8+ Bxd8 22 Bxc5 White has a clear extra pawn and play against the exposed black king.
19 Bb2! Now it’s all over. 19 ... Qxb2 20 Rd8+ Bxd8 It is mate after 20 ... Ke7 21 Qd6 mate. 21 Qxb2 b5 22 Qe5+ 1-0 White wins too much material after 22 ... Be6 23 Bxe6 fxe6 24 Qxe6+ followed by mopping up more pawns. Game 24 D.Navara-I.Nepomniachtchi European Championship, Jerusalem 2015 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 Nc3 d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e3
5 ... Nxc3 6 bxc3 Qc7 Here Nepomniachtchi plays a useful semi-waiting move, likely aiming for a Grünfeldstyle setup (after for example 7 d4 g6). Other tries for Black: a) 6 ... g6 7 h4 was covered in the previous game. b) 6 ... e6 and now White has a choice: b1) 7 d4 transposes to a Semi-Tarrasch where the early ... Nd5xc3 is generally not recommended. b2) 7 Bc4 would transpose to our repertoire line against 5 ... e6. b3) 7 Rb1 is another good option, for example 7 ... Nc6 8 Bb5 Bd7 9 0-0 Be7 10 d4 0-0 11 e4 cxd4 12 cxd4 a6 13 Be2 b5 14 Bb2 Bf6 15 Qd2 with slightly better chances for White, A.Vaulin-S.Dvoirys, Novgorod 1999.
7 Bb2!? Navara plays a novelty on move 7! This is a cunning prophylactic move aiming to answer 7 ... g6 with 8 c4. Instead the conventional 7 d4 g6 was seen in Q.Le-I.Nepomniachtchi, Khanty-Mansiysk (rapid) 2013 and other games.
7 ... Nd7 Black has several logical options in this brand new position. Some sample lines: a) 7 ... Bf5 8 Be2 Nc6 9 0-0 Rd8 10 d4 e6 11 Nh4 going for the two bishops. b) 7 ... g6 8 c4 forces Black to compromise his pawn structure with 8 ... f6. c) 7 ... e5 can be answered by 8 d4 fighting for the initiative, for example 8 ... cxd4 9 exd4 exd4 10 Bb5+ Bd7 11 Qe2+ Be7 12 0-0 with a useful lead in development. d) 7 ... b6?? looks like a plausible move, but the surprising move 8 Ne5! lands Black in big trouble, for example: d1) 8 ... Qxe5 9 Qf3 wins the rook in the corner. d2) 8 ... Bb7 9 Bb5+ Bc6 10 Nxc6 Nxc6 11 Qa4 Rc8 12 d4 e6 13 c4 and there is no defence to the threat of d4-d5. 8 Qb3 Another original move which restricts his opponent’s options. Alternatively, White can try 8 c4 or 8 Qc2 which also look decent. 8 ... e6 One of the main points of 8 Qb3 is that 8 ... e5?? loses to 9 Ng5 Nf6 10 Bb5+ and the f7pawn falls. 9 c4 b6 10 a4 Navara launches a thematic minority attack, which makes the queenside less attractive as a destination for Black’s king, but hold that thought for later! 10 ... Bb7
11 a5 f6 Necessary to be able to develop the f8-bishop. 12 Bd3 Bd6?! Black needed to play 12 ... Be7, for example 13 Qc2 f5 14 Bxg7 Rg8 15 Bc3 Rxg2 16 Be2 with chances for both sides. 13 Qc2 f5 13 ... Nf8 14 Be4 gives White a pleasant edge. 14 Ng5! This wouldn’t be possible if Black’s dark-squared bishop was on the e7-square. 14 ... Nf8 15 f4 Clamping down on Black’s backward e6-pawn, but White had an even better option with 15 Be2!, threatening a powerful check on the h5-square. If now: a) 15 ... 0-0-0?! 16 axb6 axb6 17 Bf3 and Black’s king is terribly exposed. b) 15 ... Rg8 is the lesser evil, but still good for White after 16 Bh5+ g6 17 Bf3 etc. 15 ... h6 16 Nf3 Ng6 17 h4 0-0-0?! “Castling into it” as the old saying goes. Instead 17 ... 0-0 is an improvement, and after 18 Rh3 Rf7 19 Rg3 Nf8 Black is on the defensive, but the game continues. 18 axb6 axb6
19 Bxf5! 19 0-0 is also excellent for White, but Navara sees a concrete path to increase his advantage. 19 ... Nxf4 19 ... exf5 20 Qxf5+ followed by 21 Qxg6 would net White two extra pawns. 20 Be4 Bxe4 Instead 20 ... Nxg2+? 21 Ke2 leaves the g2-knight trapped in enemy territory, while 20 ... Nh5? 21 Ra7 wins for White. 21 Qxe4 Nd3+ 22 Ke2 Nxb2 23 Rhb1
The end of Navara’s combination. The b2-knight is trapped, and White’s pieces are ideally placed to generate a strong attack on Black’s king. 23 ... Rhe8 24 Rxb2 Qb7 25 Qb1 Bc7 26 Rba2 Bb8 27 Ra8 Rd6?! Here 27 ... Re7 covering the 7th rank, was more resilient.
28 R1a7 Even better was 28 Qg6! Red8 and now 29 R1a7 Qxa7 30 Rxa7 Bxa7, and unlike in the game, White immediately wins a key pawn with 31 Qxg7. 28 ... Qxa7 29 Rxa7 Bxa7 30 Ne5 The queen and knight are clearly better than the two rooks and bishop in this position. Black’s has several weak pawns, and his bishop is bad. 30 ... Red8 Or 30 ... Bb8 31 Qg6 Re7 32 d3 and Black is almost in zugzwang. 31 d3 Rf8 32 g4 Bb8 33 Qh1 Black is hopelessly passive here. 33 ... h5 A desperate bid for activity. 34 gxh5 Rf5 35 Ng6 Rf7 36 Qe4 Rf6 37 Ne7+ Kc7 38 Qh7 Rf7 39 Ng6 e5 Black drops another pawn to deal with White’s threats. 40 Nxe5 Re7 41 Ng6 Red7
42 Nf4? Oops! An unfortunate slip in a winning position. Instead 42 e4! Rxd3 43 Ne5 Rd2+ 44 Ke3 wins for White as the g7-pawn falls next. 42 ... Kb7? Missing his chance, as 42 ... g5! wins the knight. Then after 43 Nd5+ Rxd5 44 Qe4 Rxd3 45 hxg5, anything could happen. Perhaps a draw is the most likely result with both kings so exposed. 43 Qf5 Bc7 44 e4 b5 45 Nd5 bxc4 46 dxc4 Rd8 47 e5 Re8 48 Nxc7! White spots an opportunity to liquidate into a winning king and pawn endgame. 48 ... Kxc7 49 Qf7+ Kd8 50 Qxe8+ Kxe8 51 exd6 Kd7 52 Kf3 Kxd6 53 Kf4 1-0 Black resigned in light of 53 ... Kf4 Ke6 54 Ke4 gaining the opposition. Then after 54 ... Kf6 55 Kd5 White’s h4-pawn prevents Black’s king from approaching the pawns quickly, so White wins the race easily after 55 ... Kf5 56 Kxc5 Kg4 57 Kd6 Kxh5 58 c5 Kxh4 59 c6 g5 60 c7 etc. Summary
1) After 3 ... d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e3, play often transposes into the anti-Queen’s Gambit setup if Black plays an early ... e7-e6. So study this chapter in conjunction with Chapter Eleven. 2) After 5 ... g6, the alert 6 Qb3! puts Black in some difficulties. 3) If Black chooses the Grünfeld-like 5 ... Nxc3 6 bxc3 g6, go for the aggressive 7 h4 and then select either 9 Bc4 or 9 Qb3 (Game 23 and notes). 4) Navara’s 7 Bb2 (Game 24) shows how much scope there is for originality in many of these relatively unexplored lines.
Chapter Ten Black Avoids 1 ... e5 and 1 ... c5:Introduction and Move Orders In this chapter I give an introduction to our repertoire against any first move other than 1 ... .e5 and 1 ... c5. The remaining six chapters then provide the detailed theory and illustrative games in each of the major systems. Just as with the Symmetrical English, knowledge of the early move order nuances is critical to steer the game into your preferred territory and make life difficult for your opponent. This overview is divided into two parts, the first covering 1 ... Nf6 and the second part looking at all other 1st moves. Black Plays 1 ... Nf6 1 c4 Nf6 In some ways, this is the most flexible first move of all. Black keeps the option open of transposing into practically any system (other than the Dutch Defence of course!). 2 Nc3 This is my repertoire recommendation. I prefer to lead with the b1-knight, as it cuts out options such as 2 Nf3 b6 leading to a Queen’s Indian or Hedgehog setup where White is deprived of his sharpest options. First of all it is important to note that: a) 2 ... e5 leads back to our repertoire against 1 ... e5 (see Chapters 1-4). b) 2 ... c5 3 Nf3 transposes to 1 ... c5 lines (see Chapters 5-9). Now let’s look at Black’s other main second move choices in turn. c) 2 ... g6 3 e4
Now after 3 ... d6 4 d4 leads to the King’s Indian, covered in Chapter Fifteen. d) 2 ... e6 Black is ready for a Nimzo-Indian or Queen’s Gambit Declined, should White play 3 d4. 3 Nf3 Now Black has to pick a direction: d1) 3 ... Bb4 4 Qc2
This is a reliable anti-Nimzo setup, which is analyzed in Chapter Thirteen. d2) 3 ... d5 4 e3
This is the anti-Queen’s Gambit setup I’m recommending in Chapter Eleven. e) 2 ... d5 This is the best option for Grünfeld players. If Black delays ... d7-d5 with say 2 ... g6, then White will close the door with 3 e4 as in line c) above. 3 cxd5 Nxd5 4 Nf3 g6 Instead after 4 ... c5 5 e3 Black has a further choice: e1) 5 ... e6 leads to Chapter Eleven. e2) 5 ... Nxc3 (or other 5th moves) leads into the Symmetrical English line covered in Chapter Nine.
Now 5 h4 which is an interesting Anti-Grünfeld line that we cover in Chapter Fourteen. Other first moves for Black
Now let’s look at Black’s other sensible first moves one by one. a) 1 ... g6 This move order is often favoured by Grünfeld or King’s Indian players. 2 e4
This is an important move, both to avoid the Grünfeld proper (2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 d5) and to steer clear of a line of the Symmetrical that would take us out of repertoire (2 Nc3 c5!). Now Black can choose: a1) 2 ... e5 and now 3 d4 is a key anti-Grünfeld line. See Potkin-Wei Yi (Game 37) in Chapter Fourteen. a2) 2 ... Bg7 3 d4 d6 4 Nc3 and here Black can choose between the King’s Indian Defence with 4 ... Nf6 or the Modern Defence with other 4th moves. Both options are dealt with in Chapter Fifteen. b) 1 ... c6 Clearly the sign of a player happy to enter the Slav, in one form or another. 2 Nf3 d5 3 e3 Nf6 4 Nc3
This gives us our anti-Slav system - see Chapter Twelve. c) 1 ... f5 This move declares, of course, that Black wants to play the Dutch defence, without any shadowboxing with say 1 ... e6 or 1 ... d6 first. Now 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 d4
This is the anti-Dutch repertoire discussed in Chapter Sixteen. d) 1 ... b6 Against the English Defence, the main line that I’m recommending goes 2 Nc3 Bb7 3 e4 e6 4 Nf3 Bb4 5 Bd3.
This variation is covered in Chapter Sixteen, in Hjartarson-Lau (Game 44). e) 1 ... e6 This is a tricky move, since Black keeps options open of going into any one of the QGD, Nimzo, Semi-Slav or Dutch Stonewall structures. 2 Nc3
This move enables us to reach all of our target repertoire systems: e1) 2 ... Bb4 3 Nf3 and now 3 ... Nf6 is the Anti-Nimzo, see Chapter Thirteen and 3 ... b6 4 e4 is the English Defence (see line d) above). e2) 2 ... f5 3 d4 leads to our Dutch repertoire (line d)). e3) 2 ... d5 3 e3 Nf6 4 Nf3 is the anti-Queen’s Gambit setup in Chapter Eleven. f) 1 ... d6
A bit like 1 ... e6, this is another transpositional move. 2 d4 2 Nc3 is equally valid. Now Black’s main choices are: f1) 2 ... e5 transposes to Chapter Four, Game 13. f2) 2 ... g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 is the King’s Indian/Modern complex, see Chapter Fifteen. f3) 2 ... f5 is a Dutch, see Chapter Sixteen. g) Other moves Other moves, including outliers such as 1 ... g5, are covered in the introduction to Chapter Sixteen. Summary 1) Answer 1 ... e6 or 1 ... Nf6 with 2 Nc3 but meet 1 ... c6 with 2 Nf3 to stay within the repertoire. 2) Be aware, very aware of transpositions back and forth between systems involving some combination of ... e7-e6, ... Ng8-f6 and ... c7-c5. 3) 1 ... g6 should be answered by 2 e4 to avoid the Grünfeld and sidestep lines of the Symmetrical that give Black an easy ride. 4) Against the King’s Indian, bite the bullet and go into the main line.
Chapter Eleven Anti-Queen’s Gambit System In this chapter we look at a repertoire against the Queen’s Gambit Declined (QGD) setup, when Black develops solidly with ... e7-e6, ... d7-d5, with options for ... c7-c5 and ... b7-b6. This is one of the most highly transpositional approaches, and the lines covered in this chapter can be reached from a wide range of move orders, including 1 ... e6, 1 ... Nf6 and various lines after 1 ... c5. Note that lines involving an early ... c7-c6 are covered under the Anti-Slav System in Chapter Twelve. I’m proposing an anti-Queen’s Gambit system involving an early e2-e3, with further development depending on Black’s next few moves. If Black plays an early ... c7-c5, I believe that White’s best path is to enter lines of the Semi-Tarrasch QGD. This often leads to strategically rich positions involving an isolated queen’s pawn (IQP). As you will see, we need to be ready to play both for and against the IQP! A good understanding of these structures is highly beneficial for one’s chess, and knowing typical plans on both sides of the debate will also help you anticipate your opponent’s ideas. Should Black delay ... c7-c5 and develop more quietly, with ... Bf8-e7, ... b7-b6 and so on, I’m recommending the dynamic system seen in Game 25. White delays castling and holds back his d-pawn, with kingside attacking ideas in mind. 1 c4 e6 1 ... Nf6 2 Nc3 e6 (2 ... c5 3 Nf3 transposes to 1 ... c5 lines) 3 Nf3 d5 4 e3 is another typical move order to reach our repertoire lines. 2 Nc3 2 Nf3 is a very common move order to reach our repertoire lines after 2 ... d5 3 e3, however 2 ... f5 would take us out of our anti-Dutch repertoire, so I decided to go with 2 Nc3. 2 ... d5 3 e3 The characteristic move of our anti-Queen’s Gambit repertoire.
Depending on Black’s reaction, White will either build up his formation with Ng1-f3, b2b3, Bc1-b2, or in the event of an early ... c7-c5, fight in the centre with c4xd5 and d2-d4. 3 ... Nf6 The only way for Black to try and exploit the slightly unusual knight on the c3-square (as opposed to f3) is to play the immediate 3 ... c5 4 cxd5 exd5 5 Nf3 and now 5 ... d4!? (5 ... Nc6 6 d4 transposes back to main lines) puts us in almost uncharted waters! After analyzing this position however, I don’t think it is a good idea from Black’s viewpoint. For example 6 exd4 (6 Bb5+ Nc6 7 Ne4 is also interesting) 6 ... cxd4 7 Bb5+ Nc6 leads to this position:
Now White has: a) 8 Qe2+ Be6 9 Ne4 Be7 10 0-0 and now: a1) 10 ... Nh6?! 11 d3 Nf5 was played in E.Jaeger-M.Kahn, German League 1996, and here best is 12 g4 with a clear advantage, since Black cannot play 12 ... Nh4? due to 13 Nxh4 Bxh4 14 g5 h6 15 Qh5 trapping the h4-bishop.
a2) 10 ... Nf6 is better. After 11 Nfg5 Bd5 12 Nxf6+ gxf6 13 Ne4 0-0 14 b3 Kh8 the position is unclear. b) 8 Ne4! could be White’s best. Now: b1) 8 ... Nf6 9 Qe2 Nxe4 10 Qxe4+ Qe7 11 Qxe7+ Bxe7 12 Nxd4 and White wins a pawn. b2) 8 ... Be7 9 0-0 Nf6 10 Ne5! By playing energetically, White extracts concessions due to Black’s lag in development. After 10 ... Qb6 11 Nxc6 bxc6 12 Nxf6+ Bxf6 13 Re1+ Be6 14 Bc4 0-0 15 Bxe6 fxe6 16 d3, White has a positional advantage because of Black’s weak e6– and c6-pawns. 4 Nf3
4 ... c5 Black also has: a) 4 ... Be7 gives White the time to fianchetto the c1-bishop with 5 b3 0-0 6 Bb2 which we delve into in Karjakin-Anand (Game 25). b) 4 ... dxc4 is in the style of the Queen’s Gambit Accepted or Vienna variation (1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 dxc4). The continuation 5 Bxc4 a6 6 a4 c5 is covered in Polugaevsky-Hort (Game 29). c) 4 ... a6 5 b3 c5 6 cxd5 exd5 7 d4 Nc6 8 Bb2 is another typical scenario where White is fighting against the IQP. For example: c1) 8 ... cxd4 9 Nxd4 Bd6 10 Be2 0-0 11 0-0 Re8 12 Rc1 and now: c11) 12 ... Nxd4 13 Qxd4 Be5 14 Qd2 Ne4 15 Nxe4 Bxb2 16 Rcd1! Ba3 17 Nc3 Be6 18 Bf3 Qa5 19 Nxd5 with a clear extra pawn, E.Iturrizaga Bonelli-N.Berry, Andorra 2013. c12) 12 ... Bc7 13 Re1 Qd6 14 g3 Bh3 15 Nxc6 bxc6 16 Qd4 c5 17 Qh4 Bf5 18 Red1 and White has strong pressure on the hanging pawns, B.Gelfand-I.Khenkin, Riga 1987. c2) 8 ... Bg4 9 dxc5 Bxc5 10 Be2 0-0 11 0-0 Re8 12 Rc1 Ba7 13 h3 Bxf3 14 Bxf3 d4 15 exd4 Bxd4 16 Rc2 Re6 17 Rd2 and White is pressing, A.Aleksandrov-E.Levin, St Petersburg 2011. 5 cxd5 There is no time for 5 b3?! because of 5 ... d4 gaining time on the c3-knight, with a good reversed Benoni for Black. Now Black has to make a decision on how to recapture on the d5-square, and this choice
will have a big influence on the course of the game. 5 ... Nxd5 After 5 ... exd5 6 d4, Black now has: a) 6 ... Nc6 7 Bb5 leads to Tarrasch QGD positions where Black defends the IQP, see the game Carlsen-Radjabov. b) 6 ... a6 (ruling out 7 Bb5) is another important possibility that you should be aware of.
Now: b1) 7 b3 Nc6 8 Bb2 transposes to note c) to Black’s 4th move above. b2) The slightly unusual 7 g3!? is another interesting option. After 7 ... Nc6 8 Bg2, Black can play: b21) 8 ... c4 9 Ne5 Bb4 10 0-0 0-0 11 Bd2 Qd6 12 Nxc6 bxc6 was played in M.HebdenC.Daly, Irish Championship 2008, and now 13 Qc2 Re8 14 b3 is a bit better for White due to play down the c-file. b22) 8 ... Bd6 9 dxc5 Bxc5 10 0-0 0-0 11 a3!? Bg4 12 b4 Ba7 13 Ne2 Ne4 14 Bb2 Qd7, E.Jiretorn-S.Berntsen, Stockholm 2003, and now 15 Nf4 Rad8 16 h3 Bxf3 17 Bxf3 gives White the two bishops and a slight edge. 6 Bc4
White is heading for a semi-Tarrasch with an IQP, but delays d2-d4. This is a move order favoured by several leading GMs, and has the benefit of cutting down Black’s options, in particular ruling out early ... Bb4 lines such as 6 d4 cxd4 7 exd4 Bb4. 6 ... Be7 7 0-0 0-0 8 d4 cxd4 9 exd4
Now Black can choose one of two main paths: a) 9 ... Nxc3 10 bxc3 Qc7 11 Qe2 Nd7 12 Bd3 is analyzed in Tomashevsky-Salem (Game 26). b) The alternative 9 ... Nc6 10 Re1 is a tabiya we cover in the game Botvinnik-Alekhine (Game 27) and the theoretical summary that follows. Game 25 S.Karjakin-V.Anand Candidates Tournament, Moscow 2016
1 c4 1 Nf3 d5 2 e3 Nf6 3 c4 e6 4 b3 Be7 5 Bb2 0-0 6 Nc3 c5 was the actual game move order 1 ... e6 2 Nf3 d5 3 e3 Nf6 4 Nc3 Be7 5 b3 0-0 6 Bb2
Now Black needs to decide on his setup. 6 ... c5 Black continues with classical development. He can also play: a) 6 ... dxc4 has also been tried, for example 7 Bxc4 c5 and now 8 Qc2 in the style of Karjakin’s setup makes sense. b) 6 ... b6 is an interesting move order, waiting to see how White commits himself before playing ... c7-c5. Here I recommend heading into a 1 d4 opening, but on our terms! b1) 7 Qc2 doesn’t work so well when Black can answer with 7 ... c5 threatening a quick ... d5-d4, for example 8 Be2 (8 cxd5 exd5 9 d4 Nc6 and the queen is misplaced on c2) 8 ... Nc6 9 0-0 d4 and Black is better. b2) 7 cxd5 exd5 8 d4 is my repertoire choice, entering the Zukertort system (often reached via a Queen’s Indian with 4 e3) but one where Black has committed his bishop to the e7-square rather than the generally preferable d6-square.
White’s typical plan here is to plant a knight on the e5-square, supported by a pawn on f4, and play for central control and/or a kingside attack. Here are some of the key lines after 8 ... Bb7 9 Bd3 Nbd7 10 0-0 and now: b21) 10 ... a6 11 Ne5 Bd6 12 f4 Ne4 13 Rc1 Qe7 14 Qh5!? Ndf6 15 Qh4 Rac8 16 g4!? Nxc3 17 Rxc3 c5? (17 ... Ne4 was required) 18 Bf5 cxd4 19 g5 and White won, F.FaridI.Sukandar, Jakarta 2015. b22) 10 ... c5 11 Ne5 cxd4 12 exd4 Ne4 13 Qe2 Ndf6 14 f3 Nxc3 15 Bxc3 Rc8 16 Bd2 Ne4 17 Bf4 Nd6 18 Rac1 and White is better due to his more active pieces, V.BelikovD.Baramidze, 4th matchgame, Dortmund 2003. b23) 10 ... Ne4 11 Qc2 f5 12 Ne2 Bd6 13 Ne5 Qe7, G.Danner-G.Schnider, Graz 2006, and now White has the unusual 14 Nc6! Qe8 15 Rac1 keeping Black under pressure. b24) 10 ... Re8 11 Ne5 (better than the more frequently seen 11 Rc1) 11 ... Bd6 12 f4 c5 13 Qf3 is a typical attacking setup, for example 13 ... Nf8 14 Rad1 cxd4 15 exd4 Ne6 16 Ne2 a5 17 Ng3 with a promising position for White, I.Kovalenko-V.Skliarov, Lutsk (rapid) 2015. 7 cxd5 Nxd5 Instead 7 ... exd5 8 d4 Nc6 9 Be2 transposes into a QGD Tarrasch structure similar to Carlsen-Radjabov (Game 28).
Black can now play: a) 9 ... Bg4 10 dxc5 Bxc5 11 0-0 Rc8 12 h3 Be6 13 Bd3 Qe7 14 Ne2 Ba3 15 Qb1 Bxb2 16 Qxb2 Nb4 17 Rad1 Nxd3 18 Rxd3 Bf5 19 Rc3 with a typical edge for White, D.HowellJ.Houska, British Championship 2016. b) 9 ... Ne4 is recommended by Mikhalevski in his repertoire for Black. Following 10 dxc5 Bf6 White now has: b1) 11 Rc1!? which is untested. Play may continue 11 ... Nxc5 12 0-0 Ne4 13 a3 Be6 14 Ba1 Rc8 15 b4 with a tense position. b2) 11 Nd4 Nxc5 12 Nxc6 bxc6 13 0-0 Bf5 14 Rc1 Re8 and now 15 Ba3 is White’s best try, with a further split: b21) 15 ... Nd7 16 Na4 Re6 17 Bd3 Bxd3 18 Qxd3 Qa5 19 Rc2 Rd8 20 Qd2 Qc7 C.Melde-Schild, correspondence 2006 and now 21 Rfc1 gives White chances to play against Black’s static c6-pawn. b22) 15 ... Qa5 16 Bxc5 Bxc3 17 Bd3 Bxd3 18 Qxd3 and White is slightly better after either 18 ... Be5 19 Rc2 or 18 ... Qxc5 19 Qxc3 Qxc3 20 Rxc3 according to Ribli. b23) 15 ... d4 can be answered by 16 Nb5!?. Now we return to the main game after 7 ... Nxd5.
8 Qc2 Nc6 9 h4!? A new move at the time of this game. White menaces a kingside attack with Nf3-g5, and there are tactics in the air. In fact, 9 a3 may be a slightly more accurate move order, used by Adhiban in the game quoted below. Now: a) 9 ... b6 10 h4 transposes to the main game. b) 9 ... Nxc3 10 Bxc3 Bd7 11 Be2 Rc8 12 0-0 b6 13 Qb2 Bf6 14 b4 Bxc3 15 Qxc3 Ne7 16 Qb2 Bc6 17 bxc5 Bxf3 18 Bxf3 Rxc5 19 d4 Ra5 20 g3 with a good bishop vs. knight scenario for White, I.Lysyj-W.Zhou, Chinese League 2015. 9 ... b6 Other moves: a) If Black drops his d5-knight back with 9 ... Nf6 then 10 a3 and now 10 ... e5 can be answered by 11 Ne4 Nxe4 12 Qxe4 Bf6 13 Rc1 with an edge for White. b) 9 ... Ncb4!? is one possibility that is ruled out by the 9 a3 move order. After 10 Qb1 b6 11 a3 Nxc3 12 Bxc3 Nd5 Black looks OK. 10 a3 White needs to play this at some point to prevent Black’s ... Nc6-b4 resource, but it is also useful for White to see how Black will develop. Instead 10 Ng5 is premature as it can be answered simply by 10 ... f5.
10 ... f5!? Black is provoked into playing this to rule out ideas involving Nf3-g5, but this creates weaknesses in Black’s camp. This is a critical position for this new line, and Black has a number of alternatives: a) 10 ... Bb7?! looks like a logical developing move, but now the e6-pawn is longer defended by the bishop, so that after 11 Ng5 Black can’t answer with 11 ... f5. Instead: a1) 11 ... Nf6? 12 Nce4 Nxe4 13 Qxe4 g6 14 Nxe6! and White wins material. a2) So Black has to weaken his kingside with 11 ... g6 when after 12 Nce4 White has good attacking chances. b) 10 ... h6 11 g4! Nxc3 and now some fascinating analysis by Maxime Vachier Lagrave shows the potential of White’s setup. White starts with 12 g5!! Nd5 13 gxh6 and now: b1) 13 ... Bf6? 14 hxg7 Bxg7 15 Rg1 f6 16 h5 Kh8 17 Rxg7 Kxg7 18 Ng5 with mate to follow. b2) 13 ... f5! 14 Bxg7 Bf6 15 Rg1 Bxg7 16 Rxg7+ Kh8 17 Ng5 Qf6 18 Rh7+ and here White has a draw in hand but can continue attacking, for example 18 ... Kg8 19 d4 with a wild position. c) 10 ... Nf6 11 g4!? also looks dangerous. d) 10 ... Nxc3 tries to relieve the pressure with exchanges. After 11 Bxc3 Bf6 12 Ng5 g6 White could continue with 13 Bd3 aiming all his forces at Black’s kingside. e) 10 ... Bf6 11 Bb5 Bb7 and now 12 Ng5 is a typical move in these lines, forcing Black to compromise his kingside structure. Following 12 ... g6 13 Nce4 Bxb2 14 Qxb2 h6 we reach this critical position:
15 h5!! is a brilliant piece sacrifice opening up Black’s king. After 15 ... hxg5 16 hxg6 f6 is the only move, closing the long diagonal. Following 17 Nxg5! Qd6? (17 ... Nc7 was a better defensive move) Black is on the edge of the precipice. White gets a huge attack with 18 g7 and after 18 ... Rfb8 Black’s cluster of pieces, huddled on the queenside while his king is being attacked by half of White’s army, gives a strange impression, B.Adhiban-S.Gagare, Dubai 2016. Now White could win with 19 Rh8+! Kxg7 20 Rh7+ Kf8 21 Qc2 f5 22 Qd1 and White’s queen penetrates via the h5-square, with a decisive attack. We now return to the main game after Anand’s 10 ... f5:
11 Bb5 Having provoked ... f7-f5, and with no immediate kingside attack now in view, White switches to positional play. After the game Karjakin’s view was that 11 Nxd5! was more accurate, for example: a) 11 ... Qxd5 12 Bc4 Qd6 13 h5 h6 14 Rd1 and White is slightly better.
b) 11 ... exd5 12 d4 Be6 13 h5 h6 14 Bb5 when White has a slight advantage as in the game, without the counterplay that Black potentially had on move 13 below. 11 ... Bb7 12 Nxd5 exd5 12 ... Qxd5 was playable, as White has to lose a tempo with the bishop compared to the note to White’s 11th move above. Now after 13 Bc4 Qd7 14 Ng5 Nd8 Black is solid. 13 d4 As often happens in our repertoire, White occupies the centre, but only after securing concessions from his opponent in the earlier moves. 13 ... Rc8 Black misses a dynamic chance with 13 ... c4!, for example 14 bxc4 a6 15 Ba4 b5! 16 cxb5 axb5 17 Bb3 Na5 18 0-0 Rc8 with an unclear position. 14 dxc5 bxc5 15 0-0
The fact that White can castle safely after playing the ambitious 9 h4!? shows that he didn’t burn his bridges with this early wing-pawn thrust. 15 ... Bf6 Grabbing the h4-pawn doesn’t make sense, since after 15 ... Bxh4 16 Nxh4 Qxh4 17 Qxc5 White is clearly better. 16 Rfd1 White’s position is a little more pleasant, as Black’s f5-pawn doesn’t mix well with the hanging pawns. Note that 16 Bxf6 Qxf6 17 Qxc5 gives Black too much counterplay after 17 ... Ne5 18 Qd4 Nxf3+ 19 gxf3 Qg6+ 20 Kh2 f4 according to Karjakin. 16 ... Ne7 16 ... Qb6 was more active, getting the queen out of the firing line and supporting potential ... d4 pushes. 17 Bxf6 Instead after 17 Rac1!, White is getting a discernible edge, as 17 ... d4?! can be calmly answered by 18 Qe2. 17 ... Rxf6 18 g3 Quite a committal move, structurally. Again I don’t see anything wrong with 18 Rac1 continuing to build the pressure. 18 ... Ba6?!
After this Black is clearly getting squeezed in an inferior hanging pawns scenario. With the bishop on b7, White always has to reckon with the possibility of a ... d4 break giving Black counterplay. Instead 18 ... Qb6 19 Qe2 a6 20 Ba4 Qc7 21 Rac1 Ng6 and Black is fully in the game. 19 Bxa6 Rxa6 20 Qc3 Rb6 21 Rac1
21 ... Qd6?! Another inaccuracy allowing White to improve the position of his knight with tempo. After 21 ... h6 22 Ne5 Kh7 23 Nd3 d4 24 Qd2 White maintains a slight advantage. 22 Ne5! With ideas of both 23 Nc4 and 23 Nd3. 22 ... Rb7 23 Nd3 c4 24 bxc4 Rxc4 25 Qe5 Transforming his advantage into an endgame where Black has a weak IQP, together with other weak pawns. 25 ... Qxe5 26 Nxe5 Rxc1 27 Rxc1 g6 28 Rc5 Kg7 29 Ra5 Targeting the a7-pawn as a second weakness. 29 ... Kf6 30 Nd3 Rc7 Black ends up with a static defensive position. Perhaps offering the d-pawn with 30 ... d4 in search of active piece play was worth a try. 31 Ra6+ Kg7 32 Nf4 Rd7 33 Kf1 Ng8 34 Ne6+ Kf7 35 Nd4 Ne7 36 Nb5 Nc8 37 a4 Rb7 38 Rc6 Ne7 39 Ra6 Nc8 40 Rc6 Ne7 41 Rd6
41 ... Rb6? Black is stretched to the limit, but this is probably the decisive mistake. 41 ... Nc8 was more tenacious, for example 42 Rxd5 Nb6 43 Rc5 Ke7 44 Nc3 with a clear extra pawn, but the game remains to be won. Instead, Black now loses material under much less favourable circumstances. 42 Rd7 a6 43 Nc3 1-0 Black resigned in view of 43 ... Ke6? 44 Rxe7+ Kxe7 45 Nxd5+ wining a piece or 43 ... Rc6 44 Nxd5 Ke6 45 Rxe7+ Kxd5 46 Rxh7 Rc4 47 Rh6 with an easily winning rook and pawn ending. Game 26 E.Tomashevsky-A.Salem Qatar Masters, Doha 2015 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nc3 d5 Here we see Tomashevsky reach our anti-QGD system via the Symmetrical English move order. Note that White actually played 1 Nf3 c5 2 c4 in the game. 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e3 e6 6 Bc4 A sneaky move order which avoids a major system where Black develops the bishop to the b4-square, namely 6 d4 cxd4 7 exd4 Bb4 which is a very respectable line for Black.
6 ... Be7 7 0-0 0-0 8 d4 cxd4 9 exd4 Arriving at an IQP position which can be reached from a number of openings. It is formally classified as the Semi-Tarrasch variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined, but can also be reached from the Caro-Kann. In fact this specific line was recommended by John Emms in his book ‘Attacking with 1 e4’. It works equally well when attacking with 1 c4! While commentating on this game during the live broadcast of the Qatar Masters, Peter Svidler said this is probably the best version of the isolani for White. If you ever going to play an opening with the IQP, this is the one!
Black has to make a major decision here: whether to play against the pure IQP or to transform the pawn structure to hanging pawns. As a side-note on terminology, the hanging cand d-pawns are sometimes known as the isolated pawn couple when the c-pawn is on the c3square, but I decided to use the term ‘hanging pawns’ throughout. 9 ... Nxc3
In this game we consider the hanging pawns, while in the next game we look at pure IQP scenarios. After 9 ... Nc6 10 Re1 we reach a very important position that is covered in the next game. 10 bxc3
10 ... Qc7 Other tries: a) 10 ... Nd7 11 Bd3 b6 (11 ... Qc7 transposes to the main game after 12 Qe2) 12 Be4 Ba6 13 Re1 Rc8 14 Qa4 Bc4 15 Bf4 b5 16 Qxa7 f5? (16 ... Nf6 17 Bb7 Nd5 18 Bxc8 Nxf4 19 a4! is slightly better for White) 17 Bb7 and White won decisive material in C.BauerR.Fontaine, French Championship 2003. b) 10 ... Nc6 11 Re1 b6 12 Bd3 Bb7 13 h4! is an aggressive line invented by Razuvaev which has scored well for White.
Black’s main options are:
b1) 13 ... Bxh4 14 Nxh4 Qxh4 15 Re3 gives White good attacking chance in return for the pawn. Giving back the pawn with 15 ... f5 16 Rxe6 Ne7 17 Ba3 Ng6 18 Bf1 (18 Bc4! is even stronger) 18 ... Rfd8 19 Re3 Rac8 20 Qb3+ Bd5 21 c4 Be4 22 d5 Ne5 23 Rh3 left White in control in V.Ivanchuk-E.Sutovsky, World Team Championship, Tsaghkadzor 2015. b2) 13 ... Na5 14 Ng5 and now: b21) 14 ... Bxg5 15 Bxg5 Qd5 16 Qg4 f5 17 Qg3 Rac8 18 Re5 Qd7 19 Bb5 and White has the initiative, A.Poluljahov-Y.Balashov, Russian Championship 1998. b22) 14 ... h6 15 Nh7! Re8 16 Qg4 Qd5 was played in J.Gonzalez Garcia-R.Prasca Sosa, Badalona 2012, and now 17 Be4 forces Black to give up his queen to stave off the attack. b3) 13 ... Qc7 14 Ng5 g6 15 h5 with a big attack, O.Cvitan-D.De Vreugt, Saint Vincent 2002. b4) 13 ... Qd5 14 Rb1 Rac8 15 Rb5 Qd6 was played in V.Anand-J.Timman, Moscow 1992, and now 16 Ng5! is Anand’s recommendation. After 16 ... Bxg5 17 Rxg5 f5 18 Qa4 Rf6 19 Ba3 Qd7 20 d5 White is better (Anand). b5) 13 ... Bf6 14 Ng5 g6 15 Qg4 h5 16 Qg3 Ne7 17 Ba3 and now 17 ... Rc8? 18 Nxe6! is a tactic that has won White a number of games, including F.Peralta-F.Libiszewski, Marrakesh 2010, where Black resigned immediately.
11 Qe2 Nd7 11 ... b6 is well met by 12 d5!. 12 Bd3!? Defending the c3-pawn allows Black to complete his queenside development on schedule, for example 12 Bd2 b6 13 Bd3 Bb7 14 Rac1 Bd6 with balanced chances, so White gambits the pawn in return for attacking chances. 12 ... Qxc3 Bravely accepting the challenge. Instead: a) 12 ... b6? 13 Qe4 is one of White’s ideas. Because of this, Black can’t execute the queenside fianchetto so easily. Now after 13 ... g6 14 Qxa8 (14 Bf4 is also good) 14 ... Bb7 15 Bf4! e5 16 Qxa7 Ra8 17 Qxa8+ Bxa8 18 Nxe5 White is better. b) 12 ... Re8 declining the gambit, was Michael Adams’ choice when faced with this line against Anand in a high-stakes game, which continued 13 c4 g6 and now: b1) 14 c5 with a further split:
b11) 14 ... Nf6 15 Ne5 Bd7 16 Bf4 Qc8 17 Rab1 and White was on top, V.AnandM.Adams, FIDE World Championship 1997. b12) 14 ... e5! 15 Re1 exd4 is unclear, despite the pin on the e-file. b2) 14 Qe4!? e5 15 Re1 is slightly better for White.
13 Rb1 An improvement over an earlier Tomashevsky game which went 13 d5?! Nc5 14 Bc2, E.Tomashevsky-P.Leko, Sochi (blitz) 2014 when Black should have played 14 ... b6! 15 Bb2 Ba6 leading to an advantage for Black. 13 ... Nf6 14 Rb3 A thematic rook lift. The rook is ready to swing over to the kingside. 14 ... Qc7 15 Ne5 Usually the best square for the knight in these structures. 15 ... Rd8
16 g4!? Very aggressive but also committal. White can also enjoy good compensation after calmer moves such as 16 Be3 Qd6 17 Rc1 or 16 Bb2 Bd6 17 Rc1 Qe7 18 Qf3 Rb8 19 Bc3 and Black is struggling to develop his queenside. 16 ... g6 Instead 16 ... Rxd4?! 17 g5 Nd7 allows a Greek gift with 18 Bxh7+, leading to a strong attack for White after 18 ... Kf8 19 Bb2. 17 g5 Nd5 18 Bd2 Bd6 19 Ng4 e5!? Returning the extra pawn to try and free his game. 20 Nh6+ Continuing the attack. If White plays 20 Nxe5 Be6 21 Rc1 Qe7, then material is level, but White has lost a bit of momentum. 20 ... Kg7 White’s king is exposed but Black’s is even more precariously placed – a single check on the a1-h8 diagonal could spell disaster. 21 Be4 Nf4 22 Qf3 Qe7?! Black should prefer 22 ... Rb8 23 h4 Be6 24 Rc1 Qe7 25 dxe5 Nh3+ 26 Kg2 Bxe5 27 Be3 and the game goes on. 23 h4 Ne6
24 Bxb7 White regains the pawn and keeps some initiative. However, the simple 24 dxe5! opening up the a1-h8 diagonal, is strong. After 24 ... Bxe5 25 Bb4 Qc7 26 Rc3!, Black’s queen is short of squares. Following 26 ... Nd4 27 Qe3 Qb6 28 Bg2 Black is on the brink, for example 28 ... f6 29 Be7 Rd7 30 Bxf6+ Bxf6 31 Re1!! and the attack continues. There are lots of tactics arising from the weakness of Black’s king on the a1-h8 diagonal. 24 ... Rb8 24 ... Nxd4? fails to 25 Qf6+ Qxf6 26 gxf6+ Kxf6 27 Bg5+ Kg7 28 Bxd8 Bxb7 29 Rxb7 Kxh6 30 Rd7 and White keeps an extra exchange. 25 Bxc8 Rdxc8 25 ... Rbxc8 was more resilient, keeping the central files covered. 26 dxe5 Bxe5 27 Rxb8 Rxb8 28 Re1 Bd4 29 Re4?!
An artificial looking move, which sets up a self-pin against his own queen. Instead the simple 29 Bc3 Rd8 30 Kf1! (avoiding checks in lines such as 30 Re4 f6 31 Qd3? Bxf2+) 30 ... Rd7 31 Re4 with a big plus, for example if 31 ... f6 32 Qd3 and Black’s position collapses. 29 ... Rd8 30 Kg2 Qb7 31 Bc3 Kf8 32 Bb4+ Bc5? 32 ... Kg7 would repeat moves. 33 Nxf7 Rd3!? A tricky move which works in Tomashevsky’s time trouble. After 33 ... Qxf7 34 Bxc5+ Kg8 35 Qxf7+ Kxf7 36 Bxa7 Ra8 37 Ra4 White has good winning chances in this endgame.
34 Qg4?? Blundering the game. Instead 34 Nd6+! wins. After 34 ... Rxf3 35 Nxb7 Rxf2+ 36 Kg3 Black cannot avoid decisive material loss, for example 36 ... Rc2 37 Nxc5 Nxc5 38 Re5 winning the knight. 34 ... Rd4 Black pins and wins. 35 Qxe6 Qxe4+ 36 Qxe4 Rxe4 37 Bxc5+ Kxf7 38 h5 a6 39 Kf3 Re5 0-1 Game 27 M.Botvinnik-A.Alekhine AVRO Tournament, Netherlands 1938 This is one of only a few games in this book that isn’t from the 21st century, but I decided to use this classic encounter as the basis for coverage of the Semi-Tarrasch with the IQP for White. Not only is the idea behind Botvinnik’s 11th move very instructive, but this line is still seen today. 1 c4 The game opened with a Queen’s Gambit move order 1 Nf3 d5 2 d4 Nf6 3 c4 e6 4 Nc3 c5 5 cxd5 Nxd5 6 e3 Nc6 7 Bc4 cxd4 8 exd4 Be7 9 0-0 0-0 etc. 1 ... e6 2 Nf3 d5 3 e3 Nf6 4 Nc3 c5 5 cxd5 Nxd5 6 Bc4 Nc6 7 0-0 Be7 8 d4 cxd4 9 exd4 0-0 10 Re1 A major tabiya for opening theory. We will look in some detail at Black’s major options in
the theoretical section following this game. 10 ... b6?! This move appears over 50 times in my database, and has even been played by GMs in the last 10-15 years. It pays to know the classics!
11 Nxd5! An instructive moment. 10 ... b6 weakened the light squares on Black’s queenside and this justifies White’s decision to go into an ‘IQP vs. IQP’ structure. 11 ... exd5 12 Bb5 Bd7 Black has also played 12 ... Bb7. It is important that White chooses the right move here. I found annotations of the alternatives on the 12th and 13th moves have tended to underestimate Black’s chances, so this passage of play is worth remembering. a) 13 Qa4?! following Botvinnik’s recipe, is less effective here because after 13 ... Rc8 14 Bf4 a6! the a-pawn is taboo. Now White has tried: a1) 15 Bd3 Bd6 16 Bxd6 Qxd6 17 Ne5 g6 18 g3 Qb4, but White got nothing in A.Onischuk-P.Charbonneau, Montreal 2003. a2) 15 Bxc6 Rxc6 16 Ne5 Re6 17 Qd7 Qa8 18 Rac1 Rd8 was equal in H.Tan-L.Zinn, World U-26 Team Championship, Leningrad 1960. b) 13 Bf4! and now White is better after either: b1) 13 ... Rc8 14 Rc1 a6 15 Bd3 Qd7 16 a3 Rfe8 17 b4 Bf6 18 Rxe8+ Qxe8 19 Bf5 Ra8, I.Glek-E.Heinemann, Oldenburg 2000 and now best is 20 Qd2 g6 21 Re1 Qd8 22 Bc2 with an edge for White. b2) 13 ... Bd6 14 Bg3 Ne7 15 Bd3 Bc8 16 Rc1 Ng6 17 Ne5 Bxe5 18 dxe5 Qg5 19 Qa4 with a big positional advantage, B.Damljanovic-R.Simic, Belgrade 2015. 13 Qa4
13 ... Nb8?! After this further inaccuracy, sending Black’s queenside development backwards, White gets a tangible advantage. 13 ... Rc8 is more resilient. After 14 Bf4: a) 14 ... a6? 15 Bxc6 Bxc6 White can just take the pawn with 16 Qxa6. b) 14 ... Bf6 15 Rac1 Re8! avoids an immediate collapse. Now White needs to choose carefully: b1) 16 Bxc6? Rxe1+ 17 Nxe1 Rxc6 18 Rxc6 Qa8 would get Black fully out of trouble. b2) 16 Rxe8+ Qxe8 was S.Hansen-D.Palo, Danish Championship 2003, and now 17 h3, giving White’s king an escape square, threatens to win the a7-pawn. If Black now plays 17 ... a5, his pawn structure is weakened and White maintains an edge after 18 Rc3. 14 Bf4 Bxb5 15 Qxb5 a6 16 Qa4 White threatens 17 Bxb8 winning the a6-pawn. 16 ... Bd6 17 Bxd6 Qxd6 18 Rac1 White has full control of the only two open files, and he manages to steer the game into an ending where his pieces are much more active. 18 ... Ra7 19 Qc2! Maintaining control of the all-important c-file. 19 ... Re7 20 Rxe7 Qxe7 21 Qc7! Another instructive move. White’s advantage in piece activity is maximized with the queens off the board. 21 ... Qxc7 22 Rxc7
White has a far superior endgame, but the way in which he exploited it makes this a classic example. Although less spectacular than Botvinnik’s win against Capablanca in the same tournament, this win against the then world champion was very significant in historical terms. 22 ... f6 23 Kf1 Rf7 Black kicks White’s rook out of the 7th rank for now. 24 Rc8+ Rf8 25 Rc3 The most flexible post for the rook, patrolling the 3rd rank as well as the c-file. 25 ... g5 26 Ne1 Starting to re-route the knight to attack the d5-pawn, for example via the route Ne1-c2-e3. 26 ... h5
27 h4!! Fixing the weakness of the h5-pawn.
27 ... Nd7?! Instead 27 ... Kf7, trying for some activity, was an improvement, although White is still clearly better after 28 hxg5 fxg5 29 Nf3 g4 30 Ne5+ (Kasparov). 28 Rc7 Rf7 29 Nf3! g4 30 Ne1 The knight manoeuvre has gained control of key squares – Black’s pawns can’t move backwards! 30 ... f5 31 Nd3 f4 32 f3 gxf3 33 gxf3 a5 34 a4 Kf8 35 Rc6 Ke7 36 Kf2 Rf5 37 b3 Kd8 38 Ke2 Nb8 39 Rg6 The greedy 39 Rxb6? would suddenly give Black counterplay with 39 ... Kc7 40 Rg6 Nc6. 39 ... Kc7 40 Ne5 Na6 41 Rg7+ Kc8 42 Nc6 Rf6 43 Ne7+ Finally White cashes in. 43 ... Kb8 44 Nxd5 Rd6 45 Rg5 Nb4 46 Nxb4 axb4 47 Rxh5 Black has finally managed to trade his horrible knight, but gets no relief in this hopeless rook endgame. 47 ... Rc6 After 47 ... Rxd4, Kasparov gives 48 Rf5 Kb7 49 Rf6 Kc7 50 h5 winning. 48 Rb5 Kc7 49 Rxb4 Rh6 50 Rb5 Rxh4 51 Kd3 1-0 The Theory of the IQP with 10 Re1
The key ideas for both sides in IQP positions have been well documented in many text books. As a brief summary, here are some of the key themes to look out for in the material in this chapter. White’s key ideas 1) The d4-d5 break, under the right circumstances, is often very effective. White’s forces are activated and he frequently has better development and a strong initiative in the newly opened position. See line d1) below for a great example of this. 2) The Rook-lift along the 3rd rank, for example Rc1-c3, followed by swinging the rook to the g3- or h3-square to attack Black’s king.
3) A timely exchange of minor pieces on the d5-square, such as we saw in Game 27. Game 29 will feature another example of this. 4) Active pieces. The f3-knight can occupy a powerful post on the e5-square, while White’s c1-bishop will usually aim for either the f4- or g5-squares. Black’s key ideas 1) Exchanges usually favour Black by reducing White’s attacking potential. Black’s dream scenario is an endgame or quiet middlegame where he can pile up on the d4-pawn. 2) Black can switch the structure to hanging pawns with ... Nd5xc3 and then play against the backward c3-pawn. See Game 26 for an example. 3) Black can either focus on blockading the d4-pawn, or switch to directly attacking it, for example with ... Be7-f6 and ... Nd5-e7. See line c) below. 4) Often the key to solving Black’s problems lie in developing the c8-bishop. After an early ... a7-a6, if Black can win a tempo with ... b7-b5 he can often achieve equality in short order. Now let’s move on to the theory itself. In the key position shown in the diagram above, Black’s main options are: a) 10 ... b6?! which was covered in Botvinnik-Alekhine (Game 27). b) 10 ... Nxc3 11 bxc3 transposes to the note to Black’s 10th move in Tomashevsky-Salem (Game 26). c) 10 ... Bf6
The modern main line. Black puts immediate pressure on the d4-pawn, threatening 11 ... Nb6 with a tempo on the bishop and therefore winning the d4-pawn. White has two ways of dealing with this: c1) 11 Ne4 b6 12 Nxf6+ is my main recommendation. Grabbing the two bishops and then pinning the f6-knight gives Black some slightly non-standard problems to think about. 12 ... Nxf6 (12 ... Qxf6 allows White to kick the queen around with gain of time, starting with 13
Bg5) 13 Bg5 Bb7 14 Rc1 Rc8 reaching the diagram below.
Now White can choose: c11) 15 Ne5!? is an untried and interesting practical try, for example 15 ... Nxd4 16 Rc3 with good compensation for the pawn. c12) 15 Bd3 Ne7!? 16 Rxc8 Qxc8 and now: c121) 17 Ne5 with a typical position, both sides have chances. c122) 17 Bxf6?! is an instructive mistake. White should refrain from this exchange unless he has a concrete follow up such as a quick d4-d5 (which is obviously not the case here). After 17 ... gxf6 18 Nd2 f5 19 Qh5 Ng6 Black’s kingside is well covered, and Black is slightly better D.Navara-P.Harikrishna, Huaian (blitz) 2016. c13) 15 Rc3 is a typical rook-lift from Tomashevsky. 15 ... Ne7 16 Bb3 Qd6 17 Ne5 and now: c131) 17 ... Ne4 was played in E.Tomashevsky-K.Sasikiran, Russian League 2012, and now 18 Rxc8! gives White an edge after either recapture: 18 ... Rxc8 (or 18 ... Nxc8 19 Bh4 Ne7 20 Bc2 f5 21 f3 is awkward to meet) 19 Qf3 f6 20 Bf4! with a strong attack, for example 20 ... Nf5 21 Qh5 Ng5 22 Bxg5 fxe5 23 dxe5 Qc6 24 Qf3 with a clear extra pawn. c132) 17 ... Nfd5 leads to a sharp position after 18 Rh3 Nf5 19 Qh5 h6 20 g4 f6 21 gxf5 fxg5 22 fxe6 Qxe6 23 Rf3 when anything could happen. c2) 11 Bb3!? is essentially a gambit line, giving up the d4-pawn, and after 11 ... Nde7 12 Bf4 Bxd4 13 Nxd4 Nxd4 14 Bc4 White has good compensation and went on to win a fine game in V.Kramnik-G.Meier, Dortmund 2012. This is a good alternative to 11 Ne4. d) 10 ... Nf6 11 a3 reaches a well-known position where White has good attacking chances.
Now Black has played: d1) 11 ... a6 12 Ba2 (given a choice, the bishop is better placed on the a2-square than the b3-square) 12 ... b5 13 d5!, a typical and very powerful breakthrough. After 13 ... exd5 14 Nxd5 Nxd5 15 Qxd5! when by relying on the fact that Black can’t trade queens here, White sends his queen to a prime attacking spot on the h5-square. Now: d11) 15 ... Qxd5?? 16 Bxd5 Bd7 17 Bxc6 Bxc6 18 Rxe7 and White wins a piece. d12) 15 ... Bb7 16 Qh5 Qd6 17 Bg5 Rad8 18 Bxe7 Nxe7 19 Ng5 Qg6 20 Qxh7+ Qxh7 21 Nxh7 Kxh7 22 Rxe7 was played in five games in the database, including both J.BenjaminJ.Grant, European Union Championship, Cork 2005 and J.Benjamin-M.Dlugy, USA Championship, Estes Park 1985, in which White scored 4½/5. d2) 11 ... b6 and here White has a choice of good lines: d21) 12 d5 Na5 13 Ba2 Nxd5 14 Nxd5 exd5 15 Qxd5 Be6 16 Qxd8 Raxd8 17 Bxe6 fxe6 18 Bg5 gives White a small edge due to the weak e6-pawn, L.Barredo Duran-A.Ayas Fernandez, Barcelona 2001. d22) 12 Qd3 Bb7 13 Ba2 and now: d221) 13 ... Re8 14 Bf4 Rc8 15 Rad1 a6? (15 ... Bd6 is better, although White keeps the initiative after 16 Bg5) 16 d5! exd5 17 Nxd5 Nxd5 18 Bxd5 reaching the diagram position below.
Black has no defence against White’s threats and so resigned in R.Vaganian-N.Legky, European 50+ Championship, Yerevan 2016. A remarkably short loss by a Grandmaster, and an illustration of the dangers lurking in these positions for Black. One sample line is 18 ... Rf8 19 Qf5 g6 20 Qh3 Qe8 21 Bd6 Rd8 22 Bxe7 Nxe7 23 Bxb7 with a clear extra piece. d222) 13 ... Rc8 14 Bf4 Re8 15 Rad1 Nd5 16 Nxd5! exd5 17 Qf5 Na5 18 Ne5 with a big advantage for White, is another good example of when to trade the blockading knight on d5, M.Narciso Dublan-A.Rosich Valles, Spain 1999. e) 10 ... a6 is a tougher nut to crack. After 11 Bb3, to avoid giving Black the ... b7-b5 tempo on the bishop, and now 11 ... Nf6 we transpose into a line of the Queen’s Gambit Accepted that saw a lot of exposure in the late 90s and early 2000s. White usually plays an early d4-d5, and if Black is careful he can often reach an endgame clear of central pawns and with drawish tendencies. Nevertheless, White still has chances to gain a small advantage in many of these lines. Now 12 a3 is my recommendation. Other moves have also been heavily analyzed.
Now Black has two main moves: e1) 12 ... Na5 13 Bc2 b5 14 d5 and now: e11) 14 ... Nxd5 15 Nxd5 exd5 16 Qd3 g6 17 Bh6 Re8? 18 Qc3 f6 19 Nh4! Kf7 20 Qg3 with a big attack for White, P.Nielsen-E.Bentzen, Danish League 1999. e12) 14 ... Re8 15 Bg5 and now: e121) 15 ... h6 16 Bh4 Nxd5 17 Nxd5 exd5 18 Qd3 g6 19 Qe3 picking up the loose h6pawn 19 ... Be6 20 Qxh6 Bxh4 21 Bxg6 and White was better in V.Kramnik-V.Anand, Dos Hermanas 1999. e122) 15 ... Nxd5 16 Nxd5 exd5 with a complex position that has still not been resolved, for example 17 Bxe7 Rxe7 18 Rxe7 Qxe7 19 a4! g6?! (after 19 ... Bb7 20 axb5 axb5 21 Qd3 White regains the pawn and can keep pressing) 20 axb5 axb5 21 Qxd5 Bb7 22 Qxb5 Bxf3 23 gxf3 and White has an extra pawn, S.Zilka-A.Mista, Czech League 2011. e2) 12 ... b5 13 d5 exd5 14 Nxd5 Nxd5 15 Bxd5 Bb7 16 Bf4 Bf6 17 Re2 and although the engine gives equality here, White has won most of the games from this position. This indicates that White is playing for ‘two results’ while it is easier for Black to go wrong. In practice, Black has tried: e21) 17 ... Na5 18 Rd2 Bxd5 19 Rxd5 Qc8 20 Be5 Bxe5 21 Nxe5 Qe6 22 b4 Nb7 23 Qd4 with an edge for White due to his control of the centre, A.Matros-N.Hjelm, Stockholm 2000. e22) 17 ... Qd7 18 Rd2 and here: e221) 18 ... Qf5 19 Be3 (19 Bc7!? is an improvement) 19 ... Rad8 20 Bb6 Rxd5! 21 Rxd5 Ne5 22 Rxe5 Bxe5 23 Nxe5 Qxe5 was balanced in V.Lazarev-F.Maeser, Swiss League 2003. e222) 18 ... Rad8 19 Rc1 Na5? 20 Bc7 Nc4 21 Rxc4 Bxd5 22 Bxd8 and White wins material, V.Erdos-M.Petermann, Deizisau 2011. Game 28 M.Carlsen-T.Radjabov Norway Chess, Stavanger 2013 1 c4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 3 d4 is our repertoire choice here, but the game soon transposes back to the anti-Queen’s
Gambit setup. 3 ... Nf6 4 e3 e6 5 d4 d5 6 cxd5 exd5 Radjabov recaptures with the pawn, opting to play with the IQP rather than against it. 6 ... Nxd5 would transpose to the previous two games after 7 Bc4 cxd4 8 exd4 Be7 etc.
7 Bb5 In this game we will see a number of differences compared to the previous game where White had the IQP and Black was the one was fighting against it. The first is that White can put pressure on Black’s centre with this move, which we avoided with our move order in the colours-reversed scenario. 7 ... Bd6 8 0-0 0-0 9 dxc5 White delayed this capture until the f8-bishop had moved, in order to gain a tempo, a very common technique of course. 9 ... Bxc5 10 b3 Bg4 11 Bb2 White has completed his development. The bishop is well placed on the b2-square, eyeing the blockading d4-square. In Tomashevsky-Salem (Game 26), Black didn’t have time to complete the queenside fianchetto, which is another big difference with the colours-reversed scenario.
11 ... a6 Black kicks the b5-bishop to resolve the queenside tension. Alternatives: a) 11 ... Bd6 12 h3 Bh5 13 Be2 a6 14 Nh4 Bxe2 15 Nxe2 Re8 16 Rc1 Ne4 17 Nf5 Be5 18 Bxe5 Rxe5 19 Nfd4 Qd7 20 Nf4 with typical pressure against the IQP, V.KramnikJ.Polgar, Baku (rapid) 2010. b) 11 ... Rc8 12 Rc1 and Black has tried: b1) 12 ... Bd6 13 h3 Bh5 and with a grip on d4, White has scored more than 90% here! One example is 14 Be2 Bb8 15 Nh4 Qd6 16 g3 Bxe2 17 Nxe2 Qe6 18 Bxf6 Qxf6, which was played in E.Tomashevsky-O.Romanishin, European Championship, Legnica 2013, the only game in my database that White didn’t win. In this position, however, he should simply capture the pawn with 19 Qxd5! with good chances to convert. b2) 12 ... a6
and now:
b21) 13 Be2 Ba7! The bishop is well placed here, supporting a later ... d5-d4 push. Now 14 h3 Bh5 15 Nh4 Bg6 16 Nxg6 hxg6 17 Bf3 d4 18 exd4 Bxd4 19 Na4 Bxb2 20 Nxb2 was equal in V.Topalov-S.Karjakin, Stavanger (blitz) 2013. b22) 13 Nxd5! is a novelty which secures White an advantage, for example: b221) 13 ... Qxd5 14 Qxd5 Nxd5 15 Rxc5 Ncb4 16 Rxc8 Rxc8 17 Bc4 Bxf3 18 gxf3 Nb6 19 Be2 Rc2 20 Rd1! Nc6 21 Bd4 Rxe2 22 Bxb6 Rxa2 23 Rd7 with a rook+bishop vs. rook+knight endgame which is favourable for White. b222) 13 ... Nxd5 14 Rxc5 Ndb4 15 Be2 wins a pawn for White since 15 ... Qxd1 16 Rxd1 Bxf3 17 Bxf3 Nxa2 18 Rd7 is crushing. Now let’s return to the main game after 11 ... a6:
12 Bxc6! White switches the structure to the hanging pawns. As we will see, he is not too concerned about the pin on the f3-knight. Carlsen’s move is in fact White’s best option here, since after 12 Be2 Qd6 13 Rc1 Rad8, Black keeps his dark-squared bishop on the g1-a7 diagonal, and is ready for a quick ... d5-d4. Now 14 Nd4 Bxd4 15 Bxg4 Be5 16 g3 d4 17 exd4 Bxd4 was better for Black in M.Sher-L.Ftacnik, Cappelle-la-Grande 1997. 12 ... bxc6 13 Rc1
13 ... Ba7 Black has also played 13 ... Bd6 and after 14 Ne2 has tried: a) 14 ... Bxf3 15 gxf3 Rc8 with a choice for White: a1) 16 Kh1 Re8 17 Rg1 g6 18 Qd2 (18 Qd3 hitting the a6-pawn looks a little better) 18 ... Bf8 19 b4 a5 20 a3 axb4 21 axb4 Bg7 22 Rc2 with a slight edge for White, M.Ashley-N.De Firmian, New York 1996. a2) 16 Qd3 Nd7 G.Kasparov-J.Wilson, London (simul) 2003, and now 17 f4 looks best. a3) 16 Ng3 is also worth considering. b) 14 ... Rc8 15 Ne5 Bxe5 16 Bxe5 Qe7 17 Bxf6 Qxf6 18 f3 Bd7 19 Qd4 Qe7 20 Nc3 Rfe8 21 Rfe1 h5 22 Na4 gave White an iron grip on the dark squares in A.Giri-E.l’Ami, Dutch Championship 2015. 14 Ne2 Hitting the c6-pawn. Since White is not worried about the doubled f-pawns, breaking the pin on the f3-knight is not a big deal. 14 ... Qd6 Defending the c6-pawn and covering some key squares. If Black captures first with 14 ... Bxf3, then play can continue 15 gxf3 Qd6 16 Qd3 Rfd8 17 Ng3 (17 Qf5 threatening to spoil Black’s structure, is even stronger) 17 ... c5 18 Rfd1 Ne8 19 Rc2 g6?! (opening the long diagonal is not recommended!) 20 Rcd2 Qe6 21 Ne2 Qe7 22 Qc3 Qg5+ 23 Kh1 and Black is in trouble, K.Rusev-D.Adla, Spanish League 2014.
15 Be5 Carlsen goes in for a small forcing operation. Other tries are: a) 15 Ne5 Rac8 and now: a1) 16 Qd3 a5?! (16 ... Rfe8 is better) 17 Ng3 h5 18 Qa6! and White wins at least a pawn, V.Artemiev-N.Tolstikh, Moscow 2016. a2) 16 Nxg4 Nxg4 17 Ng3 f5 would have given Black serious counterplay according to Carlsen. b) 15 Ng3 continuing to manoeuvre and build up the pressure, maintains a slightly preferable game for White. 15 ... Qe7 16 Ned4 16 Rxc6? Bxf3 17 Bxf6 Qd7 is very good for Black 16 ... Bxf3 After this move White keeps a slight edge with pressure against the hanging pawns. Instead 16 ... c5 was the critical test. After 17 Nc6 Qe6 18 Bxf6 Qxc6 19 Be7 Rfc8 20 Bxc5 Bxc5 21 b4 Qb5 22 bxc5 Rxc5 23 Rxc5 Qxc5 Black still has to defend his d5-pawn in this endgame, but is close to equality. 17 Nxf3 Rfc8 18 Qd3 a5 Black can try to keep more pieces on the board with 18 ... Ne4 but if White enters the complications with 19 Qxa6 Bxe3 20 Rxc6! Re8 21 Qe2 Bc5 22 a4 he emerges with an extra pawn.
19 Bxf6 Qxf6 Carlsen had hopes of creating something here. 20 Rc2 Rd8 If 20 ... a4 21 b4 keeps the Black pawns split. 21 Rfc1 c5 If Black pushes the d-pawn immediately with 21 ... d4 then 22 e4 (22 Rxc6?! dxe3 gives Black counter chances) 22 ... c5 23 e5 gives White long-term chances, particularly due to Black’s passive bishop.
22 e4!? Here White had a chance to go after the queenside pawns with 22 Qb5! and now: a) 22 ... Bb6 defending the a5-pawn can be answered by 23 Ne5! Qxe5 24 Qxb6 and the c-pawn falls. b) 22 ... Qb6 also fails to 23 Rxc5.
c) 22 ... h6 23 Qxa5 Bb6 24 Qd2 Ba5 25 Qd3 Bb4 26 a4 and Black doesn’t have enough for the pawn according to Sumets. 22 ... Qg6! Forcing simplifications. 23 Re1 dxe4 24 Qxe4 Qxe4 25 Rxe4 Rd1+ 26 Re1 Rxe1+ 27 Nxe1 Rd8 28 Kf1
After a forced sequence, we reach a rook and minor piece endgame where White is just a little better as the knight is superior to the bishop, although the limited material gives Black strong drawing chances. 28 ... a4 29 bxa4 Rd4 30 a5 Ra4 31 Rd2?! Threatening a back-rank mate, but this dissipates White’s advantage. Instead 31 Nd3 Rxa5 32 Ne5 and White can continue to try and squeeze. Black’s king is less active than in the game. 31 ... Kf8 32 Nd3 f6 33 Nb2 Rxa5 34 Nc4 Ra4 35 Rc2 Ke7 36 Ke2 Ke6 37 Kd3 Kd5?! It looks natural to centralize the king, but his pieces end up in an awkward configuration. 38 a3 h5 39 h3 h4 40 Rc1 g6 41 Rc2 g5 42 Rc1 Ra6 43 Re1 Bb8 44 Re7 Bf4 45 Kc3 f5? Black falters, as this move destabilizes his kingside. Now White makes progress with his a-pawn. Instead after 45 ... Be5+ 46 Kb3 Kd4 a draw is the most likely result. 46 Kb3 g4 47 a4 gxh3 48 gxh3 Rg6 49 a5 Rg1 50 a6 Rb1+ 51 Kc3?! The rather counter-intuitive 51 Ka2 puts Black in trouble, for example 51 ... Rb4 52 Ne3+ Bxe3 53 Rxe3 Rb8 54 a7 Ra8 55 Ra3 with winning chances. 51 ... Rc1+ 52 Kd3 Rd1+ 53 Ke2 Ra1 54 Nb6+ Kd6 55 Rg7 Kc6 56 Rg6+ Kb5 57 Nd5
57 ... Be5? 57 ... Ra2+ 58 Kf3 Bd2 should hold the draw, for example 59 Rb6+ Kc4 60 Ne7 Ra3+ 61 Ke2 Ra2 etc. 58 Rb6+ It is amazing how Carlsen continuously generates winning chances with such limited material. 58 ... Kc4 59 Ne3+ Kc3 60 f4! Bd4 60 ... Bxf4?? drops the bishop to 61 Nd5+. 61 Nxf5 c4 62 Rc6 Rh1? The final mistake. 62 ... Bg1 63 Ne3 Ra2+ 64 Kf3 Kd4 65 Nxc4 Kd5 was more tenacious, although White has two extra pawns now. 63 Nd6 Rh2+ 64 Kf3 Kd3 65 Rxc4 Rxh3+ 66 Kg4 Rh1 67 Ra4 Now the a-pawn cannot be stopped. 67 ... Bf2 68 Ra3+ 1-0 After 68 ... Ke2 69 Ra2+ Kf1 70 Ra1+ Kg2 71 Rxh1 Kxh1 72 f5 and one of White’s pawns will promote. Game 29 L.Polugaevsky-V.Hort Manila Interzonal 1976 1 c4 1 Nf3 d5 2 d4 Nf6 3 c4 dxc4 4 e3 e6 5 Bxc4 c5 6 0-0 Nc6 7 Qe2 cxd4 8 Rd1 Be7 9 exd4 00 10 Nc3 was the actual game move order. 1 ... Nf6 2 Nc3 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 e3 dxc4 5 Bxc4 a6 5 ... c5 6 Ne5!? is similar to the next note.
6 a4 With the knight already developed on the c3-square, White should prevent ... b7-b5. 6 ... c5 7 0-0 From this point on, White is pretty much committed to entering a Queen’s Gambit Accepted (QGA) as he will need to play d2-d4 at some point. I also wanted to provide an offbeat (but sound!) option which avoids transposition to a 1 d4 opening. Therefore: 7 Ne5!? is a decent resource, especially if you are facing a QGA or Vienna expert and want to take him out of book!
7 Ne5 is a novelty in this position, so I have constructed a few sample lines to show how play may typically progress: a) 7 ... Qc7 8 f4 Bd6 and here White can offer a pawn sacrifice with 9 0-0! and now: a1) 9 ... Bxe5 grabbing the pawn yields White an initiative and good compensation after 10 fxe5 Qxe5 11 d4 Qc7 12 b3 and now immediate castling is dangerous because 12 ... 0-0
13 Rxf6 gxf6 and now 14 Qh5 or 14 Bb2 gives attacking chances. a2) 9 ... b6 transposes to the only game I could find in this setup. After 10 Ng4 Nxg4 11 Qxg4 f5?! gives White concrete targets to aim at, and enhances the power of the c4-bishop. 12 Qh3 Nc6 was played in R.Janssen-E.Postny, German League 2011 and here White should seize the moment with 13 e4!, for example 13 ... Na5 14 Ba2 0-0 15 exf5 c4 16 d3 Rxf5 17 Be3 with dynamic chances for White. The fact that a 2600+ GM played uncertainly in the opening here as Black is an encouraging sign. a3) 9 ... 0-0 10 a5!? This move turns the c4-square into a permanent outpost for White’s bishop. If Black now takes the pawn with 10 ... Bxe5 11 fxe5 Nfd7 12 Qg4 Nxe5 White again gets sufficient compensation after 13 Qg3 Nbc6 14 b3. b) 7 ... Nbd7 obliges White to exchange knights, but this makes the c4-bishop more secure. After 8 Nxd7 Bxd7 9 0-0 Bd6 10 f4 Bc6 11 Qe2 we have an interesting and original position. White plans to expand with d2-d3 and e3-e4. 7 ... Nc6 8 Qe2
Black now has to decide where to post his f8-bishop. 8 ... Be7 Instead after 8 ... Bd6 White can play 9 d4, since the preliminary Rf1-d1 is not needed with the bishop on the d6-square. After 9 ... Qc7 we reach a sub-variation of the 7 a4 QGA. This is a solid (if unambitious) line for Black. Here I suggest 10 dxc5 Bxc5 11 Bd2 0-0 and now after 12 Rac1 we reach the diagram position below.
White has a slight lead in development, and wants to use this small initiative to gain control of the centre, ideally advancing the f- and/or e-pawns in favourable circumstances. I believe the position is a bit easier to play for White. Some examples: a) 12 ... Ne5 is recommended by Delchev in his 2016 QGA repertoire book, but I don’t think this works out for Black. After 13 Nxe5 Qxe5 and now: a1) 14 Kh1?! Bd7 15 f4 Qh5 is rightly given as equal by Delchev, but there was no need to spend a tempo on 14 Kh1. a2) Instead after 14 f4 Qh5 15 Qxh5 Nxh5 16 Ne4 White is slightly better. b) 12 ... Bd7 13 Bd3 Be7 14 Ne4 Rfc8?! 15 b4 Qd8 16 Nc5 Bxc5 17 Rxc5 Na7?! 18 e4 Rxc5 19 bxc5 Bc6 20 Bc2 Qe7 21 Qc4 when White is clearly better – he has the two bishops, while Black’s a7-knight in particular is passively placed, D.Kosic-P.Nikolic, Bosnian League 2015. c) 12 ... Rd8 and now 13 Bd3 Ne5 14 Be4 is a typical manoeuvre, when White is ready to trade knights and push the f-pawn. After 14 ... Qb8 15 Rfd1 Bd6?! 16 Nxe5 Bxe5 17 f4 Bd6 18 Be1 Be7 19 Rxd8+ Bxd8 20 Qd3 Bd7 21 Bxh7+ Nxh7 22 Qxd7 White is up a pawn for little compensation, B.Lalith-F.Slingerland, Leiden 2010. 9 Rd1! This is where our “anti-QGA” move order pays off. White will play d2-d4, but picks the most favourable moment to do so. 9 d4 immediately is not a good way to play for a win because of the possibility 9 ... cxd4 10 Rd1 e5! 11 exd4 exd4 12 Nxd4 Nxd4 13 Qe5 Qd6 14 Qxd6 Bxd6 15 Rxd4 Bc5 16 Rd1 0-0 and Black was equal in P.Eljanov-F.Caruana, Isle of Man 2016, and many other games. Incidentally, I don’t think there is another good plan here, for example 9 b3 doesn’t mix well with the a4-pawn and c4-bishop, Black can play ... Nc6-a5 soon.
9 ... 0-0 10 d4 cxd4 Black wants to clarify the position and fix White with an IQP. A solid alternative is 10 ... Qc7 reaching a well-known position.
Here I suggest keeping the tension with 11 Bd2 Rd8 12 Be1. White connects his rooks and enables the d4-d5 thrust. Now Black can choose: a) 12 ... cxd4 13 exd4 with another IQP setup. Here: a1) 13 ... Bd7 14 Rac1 Be8 15 d5 exd5 16 Nxd5 Nxd5 17 Bxd5 Bf6 18 b4 Qe7 19 Qxe7 Bxe7 20 b5 with an initiative for White in this queenless position, A.Vyzmanavin-V.Chekhov, USSR 1986. a2) 13 ... Nb4 14 Rac1 Qd6 15 Ng5 Bd7 (15 ... Nbd5 is better), J.Tisdall-T.Binham, Helsinki 1986 and now 16 Nce4 gives White the edge, as Black’s queen is kicked around. a3) 13 ... Nd5 14 Rac1 Qd7 15 Bb3 Ncb4 was played in C.Srienz-F.Bindrich, Austrian League 2013, and now 16 Nxd5 Nxd5 17 Ba5 is a good way of activating the e1-bishop, and
17 ... b6 18 Bxd5 Qxd5 19 Bxb6 favours White. b) 12 ... b6 13 d5! exd5 14 Nxd5 Nxd5 15 Bxd5 Bb7 16 Bc3 h6 17 Qc4 Bf8, P.StempinJ.Adamski, Naleczow 1984 and now 18 Rac1 keeps Black tied down. c) 12 ... Bd7 and here, given the chance, White opens the a2-g8 diagonal with 13 d5 and now: c1) 13 ... Na5 14 dxe6 Bxe6 15 Bxe6 fxe6 16 Rab1 gives White the slightly better structure due to the weak e6-pawn. c2) 13 ... exd5 14 Nxd5 Nxd5 15 Bxd5 Bf6 16 Bc3 Bxc3 17 bxc3 Be8 18 e4 Qe7 19 a5 Rab8 20 Qe3 with an edge for White. His minor pieces are more active, and he has constrained Black’s queenside majority, O.Foisor-V.Anand, Moscow 1987. d) 12 ... Bd6 should again be answered by 13 d5! which looks good for White. 11 exd4
11 ... Nd5 11 ... Nb4 is the other major alternative for Black. Now White can choose 12 Bg5 (12 Ne5 is the other main line) and here: a) 12 ... Bd7 and now with 13 d5 White initiates a forcing sequence that leads to a technical endgame with an extra pawn. Following 13 ... exd5 14 Nxd5 Nbxd5 15 Bxd5 Nxd5 16 Rxd5 Bxg5 17 Nxg5 h6 18 Qd2 hxg5 19 Rxd7, White has scored 60% from this position. Although Black held the draw in several GM encounters, I don’t understand the attraction of this line for Black. White is playing for two results, and it is by no means a clear draw, especially if Black’s technique is less than stellar. Play continues 19 ... Qf6 20 Rxb7 with some examples: a1) 20 ... Rad8 21 Qa5 Rd6 and now: a11) 22 Qb4 Rfd8 23 Rf1 Rd4 24 Qb3 Rd3 25 Qc2 Rd2 and Black got sufficient counterplay in M.Botvinnik-T.Petrosian, World Championship (Game 10), Moscow 1963. a12) 22 Rf1 Rfd8 23 Qe1!? is the engine’s suggestion. The queen can dodge the attentions of Black’s rooks and White can gradually make progress. A pawn is a pawn! a2) 20 ... Rfd8 21 Qa5 Rab8 22 Rb4 Rbc8 23 Rb6 Qd4 24 Rf1 Rc2 25 Qxa6 Rxb2 26 Rxb2 Qxb2 27 Qb5 and with an extra outside passed pawn, White won in V.Kunin-K.Klundt, Hanau 2008. b) 12 ... h6 13 Bh4 Bd7 14 Ne5 Bc6 15 Nxc6 bxc6 16 a5 Qc7, L.Eperjesi-R.Tischbierek,
Hungarian Championship 1987, and now 17 Bg3 Qb7 18 Na4 is slightly better for White. The g3-bishop is well placed, controlling the h2-b8 diagonal and so limiting Black’s options. c) 12 ... Nfd5 13 Nxd5 Nxd5 14 Bxe7 Nxe7 15 Ne5 Qd6 16 Qe4 f6 17 Nd3 Nd5 18 a5 b6 19 axb6 Nxb6 20 Nc5 and White is clearly better, L.Nisipeanu-B.Muhren, Dutch League 2006.
12 Qe4 White has several major alternatives here. I have chosen this classical line, activating the queen on the kingside. Polugaevsky’s play in this IQP setup is instructive. Also, I found the proposed antidote to this line in a recent QGA repertoire book to be unconvincing. Some of White’s other tries are: a) 12 Bb3 Re8 13 h4 was Kramnik’s surprise choice in V.Kramnik-G.Kasparov, World Championship (Game 6) London 2000. Recent correspondence games have shown that Black has sufficient resources after 13 ... h6 14 h5 Bd6 when White may start to wonder why he advanced his h-pawn ... b) 12 h4!? is an accelerated version of Kramnik’s idea that was highlighted by Delchev, but here apart from 12 ... h6, Black can even grab the pawn with 12 ... Bxh4 without anything terrible happening. c) 12 Bd2 is another alternative, with a typical, tough IQP battle in prospect. One example is 12 ... Bf6 (12 ... Ncb4 is probably Black’s best) 13 Qe4 Ncb4 14 Ne5 Bd7 15 Nxd5 Nxd5 16 Bxd5 exd5 17 Qxd5 Bxe5 18 dxe5 Bc6 19 Qc4 and White has chances to consolidate the extra pawn despite the presence of opposite coloured bishops L.Aronian-L.Dominguez Perez, Leon (rapid) 2010.
12 ... Nf6 Black starts chasing White’s queen around, and in fact there have been many draws by repetition around here. White doesn’t need to be distracted by this however, and can zigzag his queen to a post on the kingside. Black’s main alternative is 12 ... Ncb4 13 Ne5 and now: a) 13 ... b6 is best answered by the tactical 14 Nc6! Nxc6 15 Nxd5 and now: a1) 15 ... Ra7 16 Bd3! (Ivan Sokolov’s recommendation) 16 ... f5 17 Nxe7+ Nxe7 18 Qe1 and White keeps an edge. a2) 15 ... exd5 16 Bxd5 Bg4 17 f3 Bd7 18 Bxc6 Bxc6 19 Qxc6 Rc8 20 Qe4 Bf6 21 Be3 and White keeps the extra pawn – Sokolov. a3) 15 ... Bb7 16 Nxe7+ Qxe7 17 d5 and now: a31) 17 ... Nb4 18 Qe2 Rad8 19 dxe6 Rxd1+ 20 Qxd1 fxe6 21 Be3 and White is better due to his superior pawn structure, L.Portisch-V.Korchnoi, Frankfurt (rapid) 1998. a32) 17 ... exd5 18 Bxd5 Qxe4 19 Bxe4 with a better endgame for White. b) 13 ... Ra7 14 Bb3 Nf6 15 Qh4 b6 16 Qg3 Bb7 17 Bh6 Ne8 18 Rac1 Kh8 and now 19 d5! is an instructive example of the d4-d5 breakthrough. After 19 ... exd5 20 Be3 Ra8 21 Nc4! Nd6 22 Bxb6 and White was much better in T.Petrosian-B.Spassky, Moscow 1971. 13 Qh4 13 Qe2 Nd5 14 Qe4 is one example of a drawing sequence played a number of times. 13 ... Nd5 14 Qg4
14 ... Nf6 14 ... Re8 (I.Sokolov-J.Sprenger, Alghero 2011) can be answered by 15 Ne5 for example 15 ... Qc7 16 Bxd5 exd5 17 Qf3 Be6 18 Nxd5 Bxd5 19 Qxd5 Nxe5 20 Bf4 Qc4 21 Qxe5 Rad8 22 Be3 with chances for an edge. If 22 ... Bf6 23 Qc5 Qxc5 24 dxc5 Bxb2 25 Rxd8 Rxd8 26 Rb1 with a small endgame pull. 15 Qg3 Nh5 Black continues to hassle the queen. Instead 15 ... Bd6 16 Qh4 Be7 can be met by 17 Ne5 or the aggressive 17 Bg5 h6 18 Bxh6!? gxh6 19 Qxh6 with attacking chances. 16 Qh3 The queen finds a temporary haven on the h3-square. Although White has to watch out for ... .e6-e5, Black often can’t play this because it exposes his own queen down the d-file. 16 ... Nf6 17 Bg5 Nb4 18 Qg3 Introducing ideas of Bg5-h6 attacking the g7-pawn. Polugaevsky isn’t playing for an allout kingside attack, however, he is combining play across the whole board. 18 Ne5 is also playable. 18 ... Re8 19 Ne5 Nfd5 20 Bh6 Bf8
21 Rac1 A natural developing move, but I believe White can improve here with 21 Bb3! giving the e5-knight a better retreat square. After 21 ... f6 22 Nc4 Black has compromised his pawn structure and White now has ideas of using the d6-square, for example 22 ... Kh8 23 Bd2 b6 24 Ne4 Nc6 25 Be1 when White is for choice. 21 ... b6 Black can improve by kicking the e5-knight with 21 ... f6 22 Nd3 when this slightly awkward retreat allows Black to simplify with 22 ... Nxd3 23 Bxd3 Qd6 when 24 Nxd5 Qxg3 25 hxg3 exd5 26 Bf4 Bd7 was equal in E.Nava Baro-C.Koch, correspondence 1998. 22 Nxd5!? White decides to transform the pawn structure before Black can complete development. 22 ... exd5 Black agrees to the symmetrical d-pawns, where the structure is reminiscent of the Botvinnik-Alekhine game. Instead 22 ... Nxd5 was playable, although White has some ideas such as 23 Bf4 Bb7 24 Ng4!? Kh8 25 Bxd5 Bxd5 26 Bc7 Qe7 27 Bxb6 Qb4 28 Bc5 Qxa4 29 Rd3 when White is a little better. 23 Bb3 White’s position is somewhat easier to play, he has more active pieces, and play on the cfile. 23 ... Be6 24 h3 Rc8 25 Rxc8 Here Ivan Sokolov recommends 25 Rc3 planning to double rooks on the c-file. 25 ... Qxc8 26 Bf4 Qb7 27 Ng4 Kh8 Rather than put the king in the corner, Black should probably trade bishop for knight immediately with 27 ... Bxg4. 28 Bd6 Bxg4 29 hxg4 Bxd6?! Now White gets a tangible initiative. Instead 29 ... Kg8 was better. 30 Qxd6 a5 31 Rc1 h6 32 Rc7 Qb8
33 Qd7?? A blunder which spoils a well-played game. After 33 g3! White is better, and will continue to push, Black has an unpleasant defensive task ahead. 33 ... Re1+ 34 Kh2 Rc1 The pin is fatal. 35 g3 Rxc7 36 Qd6 Rb7 0-1 Summary 1) When Black plays a QGD style set-up, White should generally capture with c4xd5 at the moment when Black has played both ... c7-c5 and ... d7-d5. Then Black’s answer of either ... e6xd5 or ... Nf6xd5 will determine the pawn structure. 2) If Black delays the confrontation in the centre, (as in Game 25), White has time for b2-b3 and Bc1-b2. 3) In a number of lines, the best approach is to eventually play d2-d4, transposing into a 1 d4 opening. In our repertoire White benefits from picking and choosing when to do this. It’s all about timing! 4) The most theoretical lines are found in the Semi-Tarrasch (Game 26-27 and the theory section on 10 Re1), but a good understanding of IQP ideas will go a long way.
Chapter Twelve Anti-Slav System 1 c4 c6 2 Nf3 I recommend this move here, in contrast to 1 ... e6 or 1 ... Nf6, where 2 Nc3 is the repertoire choice. If White plays 1 c4 c6 2 Nc3 d5 3 e3 then Black has the option of 3 ... e5 occupying the centre and taking the game in a different direction.
2 ... d5 3 e3 Our anti-Slav system has some similarities to the anti-Queen’s Gambit setup covered in the previous chapter. 3 ... Nf6 4 Nc3
Black’s next move reveals the flavour of Slav system he is looking for. 4 ... e6 This will likely be the choice of semi-Slav players, since it invites an immediate transposition to the Meran/anti-Meran complex with 5 d4. Instead 4 ... Bg4, 4 ... a6 and other 4th moves will often be chosen by players that would play the Classical or Chebanenko Slav against a 1 d4 move order. These are analyzed in Ponomariov-Ivanchuk (Game 32). 5 b3 White typically develops with b2-b3, Bc1-b2 and Qd1-c2 before deciding on the remainder of his development plan. 5 ... Nbd7 6 Qc2 One rule of thumb is to answer ... Nb8-d7 with Qd1-c2, in order to answer 6 ... e5 with 7 cxd5 cxd5 8 Nb5. 6 ... Bd6 7 Bb2 0-0 8 Be2
At this point, White has two potential plans, either to castle short and play an early d2-d4, or to go for an aggressive attack with an early g2-g4. There are many move order nuances around here, which are explained in the notes to Giri-Michiels (Game 30). 8 ... b6 With this move Black momentarily loosens his grip on the centre, which invites the uncompromising 9 Rg1 followed by the “bayonet” attack on the kingside. Instead after 8 ... Re8 I recommend 9 0-0 b6 10 d4 transposing to an anti-Meran position where Black has already committed to an early ... Rf8-e8, which reduces his flexibility. This is covered in Bosiocic-Caruana (Game 31). 9 Rg1 We have reached a position which we cover in the next game. Game 30 A.Giri-B.Michiels French League 2015 1 c4 c6 2 Nf3 d5 3 e3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6
5 b3 There are a number of move order subtleties in this line, which it is important to understand. For example if White plays 5 Qc2 Bd6! 6 b3 0-0 7 Bb2 e5 and now the typical mechanism 8 cxd5 cxd5 9 Nb5 can be met by 9 ... Nc6 posting the b8-knight on its most active square. This is awkward for White when his queen is on the c2-square, since the queen is vulnerable to ... Nc6-b4 jumps. Of course, Black doesn’t have this option once he has committed to ... Nb8-d7. After 10 Nxd6 Qxd6 Black is already equal. For example 11 d4 Nb4 12 Qd1 Qc7!? exposes White’s lack of development, D.Khismatullin-S.Rublevsky, Berlin (rapid) 2015. So it is best to delay Qd1-c2 until Black has played ... .Nb8-d7 or until White is ready to deal effectively with this kind of sequence. 5 ... Nbd7 5 ... Bd6 is a cunning move order, aiming to play a quick ... e6-e5 under favourable circumstances. In fact both sides need to consider the possibility of ... e6-e5 on every move.
After 6 Bb2 Black can try: a) 6 ... Nbd7 7 Qc2 transposes to the main game. b) 6 ... e5 7 cxd5 cxd5 8 Nb5 Nc6 9 Nxd6+ Qxd6 10 Bb5 e4 11 Nd4 0-0 12 Be2 Nxd4 13 Bxd4 Bf5 14 0-0 Nd7 15 Rc1 Ne5 was R.Dautov-K.Mueller, Lippstadt 2000, and here White can improve with 16 f4 exf3 17 Bxf3 and White is slightly better. c) 6 ... 0-0 7 Be2
and now: c1) 7 ... Nbd7 again goes back to the main game after 8 Qc2. c2) 7 ... Re8 8 Qc2 and finally this move makes sense, since White has played the other developing moves 6 Bb2 and 7 Be2 in preparation. If now 8 ... e5 9 cxd5 cxd5 10 Nb5 Nc6 11 Nxd6 Qxd6 12 d4 Nb4 13 Qd2! with a further split: c21) 13 ... Ne4 14 Qd1 exd4 15 Nxd4 Qg6 16 0-0 Bh3 17 Bf3 Rac8 (17 ... Ng5!? is better, with counterplay) 18 Ne2 Be6 19 Nf4 Qg5 20 a3 Nc6 21 Rc1 and a draw was agreed here in S.Sagar-S.Shyam, Varna 2013, although White is for choice: he has the two bishops and play against the IQP. c22) 13 ... e4 14 Ne5 Nd7 15 0-0 f6 (15 ... Nxe5 now doesn’t make sense as after 16 dxe5 Qg6 is not possible due to 17 Qxb4 which is why the queen was better placed on d2 on move 13) 16 a3 Na6 and now 17 f4!? is a creative attempt to wrest an advantage (17 Nxd7 Bxd7 18 Rfc1 is also pleasant for White) 17 ... exf3 (17 ... fxe5 accepting the challenge is not advisable, after 18 dxe5 Qc6 19 b4 gives White a strong initiative) 18 Nxf3 Nf8 19 Bd3, Wei Yi-M.Kobalia, Moscow 2016, with a more pleasant position for White. c3) 7 ... e5 8 cxd5 cxd5 9 Nb5 e4 10 Ne5 Ne8 11 f4 f6 12 Ng4 Bxg4 13 Bxg4 f5 14 Be2 Nc6 15 0-0 Bc5 16 Rc1 Qe7 17 Qc2 Bb6 18 Ba3 Nb4 19 Qc3 a5 was played in N.ShortD.Howell, British League 2014, and here 20 Qe5! would secure White a small advantage. Returning to the position after 5 ... Nbd7:
6 Qc2 Following the rule of thumb – play Qd1-c2 once Black has played ... Nb8-d7. 6 ... Bd6 The queen is needed on the c2-square to control the c-file in the event of 6 ... e5?! 7 cxd5 cxd5? (of course this is wrong in this particular position, but the same principle applies in other situations) 8 Nb5 threatening a deadly invasion on the c7-square. Instead 6 ... Be7 will follow similar contours to the main game (and notes), except that Black has fewer active options due to his more modest bishop placement. For example 7 Bb2 0-0 8 Be2 b6 (8 ... Re8 9 0-0 and Black would rather have put his bishop on the more active d6-square) 9 Rg1 Bb7 10 g4 e5 11 g5 Ne8 12 h4 Nd6 13 0-0-0 b5 14 c5!? b4 15 Na4 Ne4 16 Nxe5 Ndxc5? 17 Nxc5 Nxc5 18 Ng4 and Black has no answer to the massive threat of 19 Nf6+, K.Moutousis-S.Naoum, Vrachati 2013. 7 Bb2 0-0 8 Be2 a) 8 Rg1 is a more aggressive approach. But note that Black can avoid this particular position if he uses the savvy move order with 5 ... Bd6 that we looked at in the note to Black’s 5th move above.
Some sample lines: a1) 8 ... e5 9 cxd5 Nxd5 10 Ne4 Bc7 11 g4 Re8 12 g5 Nf8 13 h4 Bf5 14 h5 Ne6 15 Rc1 Nd4 16 Bxd4 exd4 17 Nf6+ Nxf6 18 Qxf5 Ne4?! (18 ... Nxh5 is unclear) 19 g6 fxg6 20 hxg6 dxe3 21 fxe3 h6? 22 Qf7+ Kh8 23 Rh1 Bg3+ 24 Ke2 1-0 was S.Docx-M.Gagunashvili, European Team Championship, Warsaw 2013. a2) 8 ... b5!? and now: a21) 9 g4?! bxc4 10 bxc4 Rb8 11 Rb1 Nc5 and Black took over the initiative in V.Dobrov-A.Shirov, Jurmala 2015. a22) 9 cxb5 c5 10 g4 Bb7 11 g5 Nh5 12 0-0-0 e5 was played in P.Michalik-S.Matsenko, Prague 2013, and here after the prophylactic 13 Kb1 can focus on his attack. b) 8 h3 has also been tried, with similar ideas. We now return to the position after 8 Be2.
Here we have reached a major crossroads.
8 ... b6 Other tries for Black here are: a) 8 ... Re8 and here I suggest castling short: a1) 9 Rg1?! doesn’t work so well here because after 9 ... e5 10 cxd5 Nxd5 11 Ne4 Black has the e5-pawn protected by the rook so can play 11 ... N7f6! preventing 12 g4, leaving Black slightly better. a2) 9 g4?! also has a following, but I think White’s compensation is questionable after 9 ... Nxg4 10 Rg1 Ngf6 11 Ng5 Nf8 12 0-0-0 e5, V.Zvjaginsev-P.Maletin, Olginka (rapid) 2011. a3) 9 0-0! e5 (9 ... b6 is best answered by 10 d4 entering Anti-Meran lines covered in Game 31) 10 cxd5 and now: a31) 10 ... cxd5?! 11 Nb5 Bb8 12 Rac1 d4 13 Ng5 Nb6 (or 13 ... h6? 14 Nxf7 Kxf7 15 Bc4+ Kf8 16 Ba3+ Re7 17 Be6 wins for White) 14 Bd3 g6 15 Nc7 Bxc7 16 Qxc7 Qxc7 17 Rxc7 is nice for White. a32) 10 ... Nxd5 11 Ne4 Bc7 12 Ng3 leads to pleasant reversed Sicilian for White.
This is an important position-type to be aware of, that arises when Black recaptures on the d5-square with the f6-knight instead of the c6-pawn. Now after 12 ... Nf8 13 a3 a5 14 d4 Ng6 15 Bd3 exd4 16 Nxd4, White had an edge in A.Grischuk-V.Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2011. b) 8 ... dxc4 9 Bxc4 b5 10 Be2 Bb7 11 Ng5 a6 12 h4!? c5 13 Bf3 Bxf3 14 gxf3 Be5 15 f4 Bxc3 16 Bxc3 Re8, M.Suba-I.Cosma, Bucharest 1996, and now 17 Ke2! is better for White according to Delchev. c) 8 ... a6 9 Rg1!? (9 d4 is a safe alternative) 9 ... b5 10 g4 bxc4 11 bxc4 Rb8 12 g5 Ne4 13 Nd4 Qc7 was unclear in L.Fressinet-W.Spoelman, German League 2011. d) 8 ... Qe7 9 0-0 (9 Rg1 is also available) and now: d1) 9 ... b6?! 10 cxd5 d11) 10 ... cxd5 11 Nb5 Ba6 12 Nfd4 Bxb5 13 Nxb5 Rfc8 14 Qd1 a6 15 Nxd6 Qxd6 16 a4 is better for White with two bishops against two knights in a flexible pawn structure, P.Schlosser-V.Khachatryan, European Championship, Yerevan 2014. d12) 10 ... exd5 11 Nd4 Bb7 12 Nf5 Qe6 13 Nxd6 Qxd6 14 d4 is preferable for White due to his two bishops advantage and Black’s passive bishop, A.Grischuk-S.Karjakin, Moscow (blitz) 2010. d2) 9 ... e5 10 cxd5 Nxd5 11 Ne4 Bc7 12 Ng3 g6 13 d4 with a comfortable reversed
Sicilian for White, M.Matlakov-M.Schachinger, European Championship, Plovdiv 2012. Now we go back to the position after 8 ... b6:
With 8 ... b6, Black played a quiet developing move on the queenside, rather than challenging White directly in the centre. This is the signal to switch to aggressive mode with: 9 Rg1!? Bb7 Or 9 ... Ne5 10 Nxe5 Bxe5 11 f4 Bc7 12 0-0-0 (12 g4! looks even better) 12 ... b5?! 13 cxb5 c5 14 g4 d4 15 Ne4 and White is on top, V.Zvjaginsev-A.Dreev, Moscow (blitz) 2001. 10 g4 e5 Black’s most natural, and best response. Instead after 10 ... c5 11 h4 Rc8 12 0-0-0 (12 g5! is more straightforward) 12 ... Ne4 13 Nxe4 dxe4 14 Ng5 Be5 15 Bxe5 Nxe5 16 Nxe4 White is winning a pawn for nothing, A.Stefanova-M.Sebag, FIDE Grand Prix (women), Ulaanbaatar 2010. 11 g5 Ne8
12 h4 Instead 12 0-0-0 is equally valid. Now 12 ... Nc7 13 h4 Ne6 14 Kb1 Qe7 was played in B.Socko-K.Ejsmont, Ustron 2006, but here Delchev recommends 15 d4 e4 16 Ne5 with some edge for White. 12 ... Nc7 Black has also tried 12 ... e4 13 Nd4 Be5 14 d3 exd3 15 Bxd3 g6, V.Papin-S.Ter Sahakyan, Chennai 2013 and now 16 cxd5 cxd5 17 0-0-0 gives White a firm grip on the centre. 13 Bd3!? The natural 13 h5 is also a strong move here. 13 ... g6 13 ... e4?! 14 Nxe4! dxe4 15 Bxe4 with powerful raking bishops. 14 h5 Giri also considered 14 Nh2 e4 15 Ng4 exd3 16 Nxd5 Be5 (Black also has 16 ... Re8 17 Qc3 Be5 18 Nxe5 Nxd5 19 cxd5 Nxe5 20 f4 Qxd5 21 fxe5 Re6 which is roughly equal) 17 Bxe5 Nxe5 18 Ndf6+ Kh8 19 Qc3 Nf3+ 20 Kf1 Nxg1 21 Kxg1 with compensation even for a rook (!), for example 21 ... Ne6 22 f4 c5 23 Kf2 and Black’s king is still feeling the heat. 14 ... Nc5 Instead: a) 14 ... Qe8 is answered by the dangerous 15 Nh2. b) 14 ... Qe7 15 Nh4!? threatens sacrifices on g6. 15 Be2 e4
16 Nxe4! White had to act, otherwise for example 16 Nh4 Be5 and Black has repelled the worst of the attack, and is fine. 16 ... Nxe4 16 ... dxe4 is dealt with by 17 Qc3 f6 18 hxg6! for example 18 ... hxg6 19 gxf6 Qxf6 20 Qxf6 Rxf6 21 Bxf6 exf3 22 Bxf3 Kf7 23 Bc3 with a better endgame for White. 17 d3! White wins the piece back because Black must prevent White’s queen coming to the c3square with a fatal battery down the long diagonal.
17 ... Bb4+ 18 Kf1 Bc8? Instead: a) 18 ... Nd6 19 a3 and the b4-bishop is trapped. b) 18 ... Nxf2! was the best chance. After 19 Kxf2 Re8 Giri gives 20 Rg2! Bc5 21 d4 Bf8 22 Rh1 with good attacking chances. 19 dxe4 Bh3+ 20 Rg2 White has no qualms in giving up an exchange as Black has no long term answer to White’s attack on his king. 20 ... Ne6 If 20 ... d4 21 Bxd4 Ne6 22 Bf6 is great for White. 21 a3
21 ... dxe4 Black has no good square for the b4-bishop, for example: a) 21 ... Be7 22 exd5 cxd5 23 Rd1 winning the d5-pawn. b) 21 ... Bd6 22 exd5 cxd5 23 cxd5 Rc8 24 Qd3 Nxg5 25 hxg6 hxg6 26 Qd4 f6 27 Nxg5 Be5 28 Qe4 Bf5 29 Qxf5! gxf5 30 Ne6+ and White wins. 22 Qxe4 Bxg2+ 23 Kxg2 Nxg5 24 Qf4! Aiming for the dark squares. 24 ... Nxf3 25 axb4 Ng5 Instead 25 ... Nh4+ 26 Kh3 Nf5 27 Qxf5! is a nice finish given by Giri. 26 hxg6! fxg6 27 Qe5 Kf7 28 f4 Ne6 29 Bg4 Qe7 30 Rh1
30 ... Nxf4+ 30 ... h5 can be met with 31 f5 or either capture on h5. 31 exf4 Qxe5 32 Bxe5 h5 33 Bf3 Black’s rook and pawn are no match for the two mighty bishops here. 33 ... Rad8 34 Bxc6 Rd2+ 35 Kf3 Rd3+ 36 Ke4 Rxb3 37 Ra1 Rxb4 38 Rxa7+ Ke6 39 Bd5 mate Game 31 M.Bosiocic-F.Caruana Mitropa Cup, Rogaska Slatina 2009 1 c4 The game move order was 1 Nf3 d5 2 d4 Nf6 3 c4 c6 4 Nc3 e6 5 e3 Nbd7 6 Qc2 Bd6 7 b3 0-0 8 Be2 b6 9 0-0 Bb7 10 Bb2 Re8 1 ... c6 2 Nf3 d5 3 e3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 b3 Bd6 6 Bb2 0-0 7 Be2 Nbd7 8 Qc2 Re8 9 0-0 b6 10 d4
10 ... Bb7 Reaching the anti-Meran system in the Semi-Slav. In this game a 17 year old Caruana (already rated 2649!) loses to a lower rated Croatian Grandmaster Bosciocic who plays an excellent positional game, illustrating how to tackle the hanging pawns that often arise in this line. 11 Rfd1 The twist with our repertoire move order is that Black has committed his rook to e8, which restricts his options. Schandorff (in his book on the Semi-Slav) and Ragger (in his chess24.com ebook) follow a guideline that Black should always “copy” the rook placements of his opponent. This is only possible if he has played ... Qe7 before touching his rooks. This does make life more tricky for Black, especially if he is relying on the standard Semi-Slav recipes or memorized theory. In this game we see White taking advantage of this difference. 11 ... Qe7 12 Rac1 After centralizing his rooks, White’s plan typical is to play g2-g3 followed by Be2-f1-g2 before taking further action of his own in the centre. Black’s thematic pawn breaks are ... c6c5 and ... e6-e5, and White needs to be vigilant and have an answer ready for either of these over the next few moves. 12 ... Rad8 The other main option we need to look at is the other plausible rook move 12 ... Rac8, reaching this position:
Now White should proceed with his regrouping plan. 13 g3 and now: a) 13 ... c5 14 cxd5 exd5 15 Bf1 Ne4 (15 ... Nf8 is a better attempt), S.Martinovic-S.Ter Sahakyan, European Championship, Rijeka 2010 and here 16 dxc5! obliges the awkward recapture 16 ... Rxc5 when White has good play against the IQP with 17 Qd3. b) 13 ... e5 is best met with 14 dxe5 Nxe5 15 cxd5 cxd5 16 Nd4 for example 16 ... g6 17 Bb5 Red8 18 Qe2 Bc5 19 Kg2 with a solid grip on the d4-square. c) 13 ... Bb4!? 14 a3 (or 14 Ne5!?) 14 ... Bd6 15 Bf1 a6 16 a4 c5 17 cxd5 exd5 18 Bg2 with chances for both sides. d) 13 ... a6 14 Bf1 Bb4 and now: d1) 15 Bg2 c5 16 Ne5 (or 16 a3) with pressure on Black’s centre. d2) 15 Qe2 h6 16 Bg2 c5 17 cxd5 exd5 18 dxc5 bxc5 19 Nh4 Qe6 was played in S.Martinovic-A.Brkic, Croatian Championship 2011, and now 20 Qc2 is a very important move, staying in touch with the f5-square. White emerges with a slight edge.
13 g3 If Black now plays ... c7-c5, then White’s rooks are ideally placed on the c1- and d1squares to combat the hanging pawns on the c5- and d5-squares. Meanwhile, in this scenario Black would rather have his rooks on the c8- and d8-squares. If Black does not act in the centre himself, then White eventually wants to break with e3-e4. 13 ... c5 Alternatively: a) 13 ... Ba3 14 Bxa3 Qxa3 15 Ne5 Qe7, Z.Kozul-O.Korneev, European Team Championship. Warsaw 2013 and now 16 f4! establishes a firm grip on the e5-square. b) 13 ... a6 14 Bf1 Rc8 15 Bg2 h6 gives us an example of White should do against slow, non-committal play from Black:
Since Black had not played ... c7-c5 or ... e7-e5, while White has now completed preparations, he can go 16 e4!, and now 16 ... Nxe4 17 Nxe4 dxe4 18 Qxe4 Nf6 19 Qc2 c5 20 d5!? (20 dxc5 Bxc5 21 Ne5 is a more steady approach) 20 ... exd5 21 cxd5 Qd8?! 22 Qf5 Re2 23 Nd2 Ne8 24 Be4 g6 25 Qf3 1-0, was R.Buhmann-M.Baldauf, Austrian League 2010. c) 13 ... dxc4 14 bxc4 e5 15 d5!? (15 Bf1! looks promising for White) 15 ... Ba3 16 dxc6 Bxc6 17 Nd5 Qc5 18 Nxf6+ Nxf6 19 Rxd8 Rxd8 20 Nxe5 and White hung on to his extra pawn in M.Drasko-G.Borgo, Bratto 2005. d) 13 ... e5?! doesn’t work so well here because of 14 dxe5 Nxe5 15 cxd5 cxd5 16 Nb5 and White is better. Note that this option is not possible after 12 ... Rac8 (instead of the game’s 12 ... Rad8) because of the pin down the c-file.
14 cxd5 White needs to fix the d-pawn on the d5-square before moving his e2-bishop. 14 ... exd5 15 Bf1 Rc8 Black doesn’t see anything better than this rook move, losing a tempo. 16 Bg2 Ne4 17 Qe2 17 dxc5! is more accurate. Now because of the weak d5-pawn, Black cannot recapture with the pawn on c5. After 17 ... Bxc5 18 Nd4 we reach a typical IQP position with the d4blockade in place. 17 ... Ndf6 Black missed a chance to mix things up with 17 ... Nxc3 18 Bxc3 c4!? with an unclear position. 18 dxc5 bxc5 Going for the hanging pawns. Instead 18 ... Bxc5 is answered by 19 Nd4 as before. 19 Nxe4 Nxe4 20 Nd2 White tries to exchange knights, which will accentuate the weakness of the hanging pawns setup. 20 ... Nf6? 20 ... Ng5!? aiming to reroute the knight to the e6-square, is a tougher defence.
21 Bxf6! A surprising but very strong trade of bishop for knight. After this the d5-pawn can hardly be defended. The alternative 21 Nc4, exploiting the pins, also gives White an advantage, for example 21 ... dxc4 22 Bxf6 Qxf6 23 Bxb7 Rc7 24 Ba6 cxb3 25 axb3 when White dominates the d-file and the light squares. 21 ... Qxf6 22 Nb1! 22 Nc4 transposes to the previous note after 22 ... dxc4. 22 ... Re5 23 Nc3 Qf5 24 Qd2 Simple and logical, just adding more pressure to the d5-pawn. Perhaps even better was 24 f4 Ree8 25 e4 which pushes Black back more quickly. 24 ... Bf8 Or 24 ... Rd8 25 Nxd5 Bxd5 26 Bxd5 Be7 27 e4 with an extra pawn and a good position. 25 Nxd5 h5
Black is objectively lost, but fights on. White, however, manages to diffuse the counterplay without giving his opponent any real chances. 26 Nf4 26 Rc4! is even more convincing. 26 ... Bxg2 27 Nxg2 Re4 28 Qd3 Rc6 29 h4 g6 30 Nf4 Rd6 31 Qb1 a5 32 Kg2 Kh7 33 Rxd6 Bxd6 34 Kf3! A cute way of forcing simplification. 34 ... Re5 35 Qxf5 Rxf5 36 Rc4 With Black’s weak pawns and passive rook, this endgame is completely winning for White. 36 ... Rf6 37 Ke2 Bf8 38 Nd3 Rb6 39 Ra4 Ra6 40 Ne5 1-0 40 ... Kg8 41 Nc4 and the a5-pawn falls, so Black called it a day here. Game 32 R.Ponomariov-V.Ivanchuk Russian League 2010 1 c4 The game started with a conventional Slav move order 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 Bg4 5 Qb3 Qb6 6 Nc3 Nbd7 7 Ne5 Be6, but the position reached in the game is more often arrived at via the Anti-Slav route, by which White avoids several of Black’s improvements. 1 ... c6 2 Nf3 d5 3 e3 Nf6 4 Nc3
In this game we look at Black’s alternatives to 4 ... e6. These are likely to occur when facing players that play the Slav (and not the Semi-Slav) against 1 d4. 4 ... Bg4 Other moves: a) 4 ... Nbd7 5 Qc2 (5 b3 is answered simply by 5 ... e5) and now 5 ... e5 is an ambitious line, simply occupying the centre. After 6 cxd5 Nxd5 (6 ... cxd5? is poor because of 7 Nb5) 7 d4 (7 a3 playing a reversed Sicilian may not be critical, but certainly very playable if you like these structures for White) 7 ... Bd6 and now: a1) 8 Bd2 is Delchev’s recommendation, which looks best, for example 8 ... 0-0 9 Ne4
Bc7 10 Neg5 g6 11 e4 N5f6 12 Bc4 exd4 with a further split: a11) The ‘caveman’ approach 13 Nxf7!? Rxf7 14 Bxf7+ Kxf7 15 Ng5+ leads to a fascinating position after 15 ... Ke7 16 Bb4+ c5 17 Qc4 Qe8 18 0-0 b6 19 Qe6+ Kf8 20 Qc6 when White has a continuing initiative for the piece, and the position is probably dynamically balanced. a12) 13 0-0 13 ... Qe7 14 Rae1 with the initiative (Delchev). a2) 8 dxe5 Nxe5 9 Nxe5 Bxe5 10 Qe4 Qe7 11 Nxd5 cxd5 12 Bb5+ wins a pawn but Black can hold, as shown in the high level game which continued 12 ... Kf8 13 Qxd5 g6 14 Bd2 Kg7 15 Qxe5+ Qxe5 16 Bc3 Qxc3+ 17 bxc3 Be6 and the position is balanced, V.Topalov-V.Anand, FIDE Candidates, Khanty-Mansiysk 2014. b) 4 ... g6
White now has a choice: b1) 5 d4 entering the Schlechter Slav is a good approach. After 5 ... Bg7 6 Be2 0-0 7 0-0 Black usually plays 7 ... Bg4 or 7 ... a6. This variation is solid but rather passive for Black. However I also want to give an “Anti-Schlechter” option (line b2)) for those who don’t want to enter this main line. b2) 5 b3 Bg7 6 Bb2 0-0 7 Be2 Bg4 8 0-0 Nbd7 9 h3 Bxf3 10 Bxf3 and now: b21) 10 ... Ne4 11 d4 Nxc3 12 Bxc3 e6 13 Rc1 Qh4 14 Bb4 Rfe8 15 Bd6 a5 16 Qd2 Bf8 was V.Artemiev-A.Grigoryan, Pavlodar 2012, and now keeping the two bishops with 17 Bg3 gives White a pleasant edge. b22) 10 ... dxc4 11 bxc4 Ne5 12 Be2 Nd3 13 Ba3 c5, N.Grandelius-K.Rahul, Swedish League 2013, and here 14 Rb1! b6 15 Qc2 Ne5 16 Rfd1 and White will get a mobile centre backed by his two bishops. c) 4 ... Bf5
White’s best here is 5 cxd5 and now both recaptures are possible: c1) 5 ... Nxd5 6 Qb3 Qb6 7 Qxb6 Nxb6 8 e4 Bg6, A.Alekhine-V.Fenoglio, Carrasco 1938 and here 9 h4!? puts the g6-bishop under pressure. c2) 5 ... cxd5 6 Qb3. In this line White really benefits from quicker development through the omission of d2-d4. In the standard line 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 Bf5 White can hardly expect to get this kind of play, while after 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e3 Bf5 5 cxd5 cxd5 6 Qb3 White has to deal with the tricky gambit 6 ... Nc6. Now Black has: c21) 6 ... Qb6? loses a pawn to the typical trick 7 Nxd5!. c22) 6 ... Nc6 this attempt at the gambit mentioned above, doesn’t work out here. For example 7 Qxb7 Bd7 8 Nb5 Rc8 9 Nxa7 Nxa7 10 Qxa7 e6 11 Ne5 Bc5 12 Qa6 0-0 13 Nxd7 Qxd7 14 Be2 Ra8 15 Qb5 Qd6 16 d4 Bb4+ 17 Kf1 and White consolidated his extra material, D.Gordievsky-A.Kukhmazov, Moscow 2016. c23) 6 ... Bc8 returning home with the bishop can be met with 7 d4 reaches a line of the Slav long regarded as good for White, for example 7 ... e6 8 Ne5 Be7 9 Bd3 0-0 10 0-0 Nc6 11 f4 Bd7 12 Bd2 and White has a slight advantage, M.Krasenkow-D.Mastrovasilis, Polish League 2015. d) 4 ... a6 offering a Chebanenko Slav (should White play 5 d4) is another tricky move order we need to be ready for.
Now after 5 Qc2 e6 6 b3 c5 7 Bb2 (7 Bd3!? Nc6 8 a3 is also playable) 7 ... d4 8 Ne4 Nc6 9 Nxf6+ Qxf6 10 exd4 cxd4 11 Bd3 Bd6 12 0-0 h6 13 Be4 e5 and here: d1) 14 Bxc6+ bxc6 15 Qe4 0-0 16 Qxc6 won a pawn but after 16 ... Bg4 Black had good compensation for the pawn in G.Gajewski-P.Eljanov, European Team Championship, Reykjavik 2015. d2) 14 a3! is an improvement, with two possibilities: d21) 14 ... 0-0 15 b4 with a good reversed Benoni for White. d22) 14 ... a5 can be met by 15 b4!, for example 15 ... axb4 16 axb4 Rxa1 17 Rxa1 Bxb4 18 c5 Qe7 19 Re1 and White is better. After that lengthy digression, we return to the main game after 4 ... Bg4. 5 Qb3 Breaking the pin on the f3-knight and immediately questioning the absence of the c8bishop from Black’s queenside.
5 ... Qb6 6 Ne5 Giving Black an awkward choice. 6 ... Be6 Other moves: a) 6 ... Qxb3 7 axb3 and now: a1) 7 ... Bf5 can be met by 8 cxd5 Nxd5 9 Nxd5 cxd5 10 Bb5+ Nd7 11 Ra5! and the d5pawn will fall. a2) 7 ... e6 8 Nxg4 Nxg4 9 d4 Nd7 10 c5 a6 11 b4 Rc8 12 h3 Ngf6 13 g4 h6 14 Bg2 with a space advantage and the long term asset of the two bishops, was played in H.GretarssonO.Johannesson, Reykjavik 2014. b) 6 ... Bf5 7 Qxb6 axb6 8 cxd5 Nxd5 9 Nxd5 cxd5 10 Bb5+ Nd7 11 f4 g6 12 d3 f6 13 Nf3 Kf7 14 e4 dxe4 15 dxe4 gave White the initiative in B.Chatalbashev-L.Drabke, European Championship, Antalya 2004. 7 d4 As quite often happens in these Anti-Slav lines, White plays d2-d4, but on his own terms. 7 ... Nbd7 8 Nxd7 Bxd7 9 Na4
9 ... Qxb3 Agreeing to a slightly worse queenless middlegame. Instead 9 ... Qc7 10 Nc5 Bc8 11 cxd5 Nxd5 12 e4 Nf6 13 e5 Nd5 14 Bc4 e6 15 Qg3 Nb4 16 0-0 Nc2 and now 17 Ne4! leads to a long forcing line 17 ... Nxa1 18 Nd6+ Bxd6 19 exd6 Qd8 20 Qxg7 Rf8 21 Bh6 Qxd6 22 Rxa1 Bd7, N.Sulava-L.Drabke, Basel 2007, and now strongest was 23 Bg5 and Black can’t free his king without shedding material. 10 axb3 a6 Instead 10 ... 0-0-0 11 Nc5 a6 12 Nxd7 Rxd7 13 Bd3 e6 14 Bd2 Ne4 was played in R.Cvek-P.Velicka, Rakovnik 2012, and now 15 Ba5 keeping the two bishops gives White a slight pull. 11 Bd3 e6 12 Bd2 Bd6 13 Ba5 Ke7 14 c5 Bb8 15 Kd2 15 0-0 or even 15 g4!? are also interesting approaches.
White has a slight edge – he has established a space advantage on the queenside and has potential to open the centre and kingside to exploit Black’s awkward queenside pieces. 15 ... e5 16 Nb6 16 dxe5 Bxe5 17 f4 Bb8 18 Nb6 Ra7 19 h3 favours White, the position is more open than had Black played 17 ... e4 in the game. 16 ... Ra7 17 f3 h5 17 ... e4 keeping the position as closed as possible, was a better defence. 18 dxe5 Bxe5 19 Bc3 Bxc3+ 20 Kxc3 Be6 21 Rhe1 Nd7 Black finally challenges the b6-knight in order to free his hapless a7-rook, but White has gained time and now opens lines in the centre. 22 Nxd7 Kxd7 23 e4 dxe4 24 Rxe4 Raa8 25 Rd1 Kc7 26 Bc4 Rae8 27 Rde1
White has a slight edge due to the e-file pressure, which soon results in pawn weaknesses for Black.
27 ... Kd7 28 Rd4+ Kc7 29 Bxe6 fxe6 30 Re5 Re7 31 Rde4 Rh6 32 Rg5 Rf7 33 Kd4 Rd7+ 34 Ke3 Kd8 35 Rd4 Rh7 36 Rxd7+ Kxd7 37 Ke4 Ke7 38 Ke5 h4 39 b4 Kd7 40 h3 Ke7
41 f4 1-0 (85 moves) 41 b3! puts Black in zugswang. He must give way, for example 41 ... Kd7 42 Rg6 Rh5+ 43 Kf4 Rf5+ 44 Ke4 Rf7 45 Rg4 picking up a crucial pawn. After the text move, White is still a bit better, and eventually won after further adventures. Summary 1) When Black adopts the semi-Slav pawn structure (Game 30-31), both sides need to pay careful attention to move order nuances: a) White should answer ... Nb8-d7 with Qd1-c2, to be ready to answer ... e6-e5 with c4xd5 and play down the c-file. b) Before Black has committed his b8-knight, don’t play Qd1-c2 too early, or White’s queen will be exposed. Play developing moves such as Bf1-e2 and Bc1-b2 first. c) Aggressive attacking play with Rg1-h1 and g2-g4 is justified if Black has played some quiet moves, such as 8 ... b6 in Giri-Michiels (Game 30). d) If Black’s development is focussed on the centre, for example with 8 ... Re8 in Game 31, White should be ready to castle short and play the structure with d2-d4. 2) The repertoire move order can be effective against players that like the classical Slav, since they often find themselves in inferior lines after 4 ... Bf5 or 4 ... Bg4 (Game 32).
Chapter Thirteen Anti-Nimzo System 1 c4 Nf6 1 ... e6 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 Bb4 transposes to the main line below. 2 Nc3 e6 3 Nf3 Bb4 Black develops his pieces along Nimzo-Indian lines, and offers a direct transposition should White play 4 d4 here. Instead 3 ... d5 4 e3 leads to the anti-Queen’s Gambit system, covered in Chapter Eleven, while 3 ... b6 4 e4 leads to the English Defence, for which see Chapter Sixteen.
4 Qc2 0-0 5 a3 Bxc3 6 Qxc3 White gains the two bishops, but unlike the 4 Qc2 Nimzo, Black doesn’t have immediate counterplay against a white pawn centre or uncastled king. Black’s position is quite solid, since if he develops sensibly he won’t have any glaring weaknesses. I feel, however, that with the two bishops, White has a small but specific long-term strategic asset which gives a theme to our play. At this point in the game, Black has a lot of flexibility in move order. So in this chapter I’ve divided the material according to two major plans: a) Black plays ... b7-b6 and ... c7-c5, covered in Roiz-Ivanov (Game 33). b) Black plays a setup with ... d7-d6 and ... e6-e5, which is analyzed in So-Zhigalko (Game 34). Game 33 M.Roiz-S.Ivanov Rilton Cup, Stockholm 2015 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 e6 3 Nf3 Bb4 4 Qc2 0-0 5 a3 Bxc3 6 Qxc3
6 ... b6 6 ... d6 followed by ... e6-e5 is covered in the next game. 7 b4 Instead White can play: a) 7 g3 is also playable of course, but I recommend the central development plan which is consistent with the rest of our repertoire. b) 7 e3 often transposes to the game, but does allow Black a concrete but rarely played option, namely 7 ... Bb7 8 Be2 and now 8 ... Ne4!?. After 9 Qc2 Ng5 10 h4 Nxf3+ 11 gxf3 Qf6 White needs to defend his f3-pawn with the awkward looking 12 Rh3. Then Roiz recommends 12 ... d6 giving the sample line 13 d4 e5 14 dxe5 dxe5 15 Bd2 Nd7 16 0-0-0 Rad8 and Black gets counterplay. We can avoid this possibility with the game move order. 7 ... Bb7 8 Bb2 Early ... Nf6-e4 jumps are now ruled out due to checkmate on the g7-square! 8 ... d6 9 e3
9 ... Nbd7 Black usually puts his b8-knight here, although developing it to the c6-square has also been tried, for example 9 ... c5 10 Be2 Nc6 11 0-0 Re8 12 d4 and here Black went for simplifications with 12 ... cxd4 13 Nxd4 Nxd4 14 Qxd4 d5 15 cxd5 Qxd5 16 Qxd5 Nxd5 in M.Gurevich-C.Sandipan, Gibraltar 2006. The problem with trading queens and going into this kind of open position is that the power of the two bishops becomes a much bigger factor. After 17 Rac1 Rac8 18 Rfd1 Rxc1 19 Rxc1 Rc8 20 Rxc8+ Bxc8 21 e4 Ne7 22 b5 White fixed Black’s queenside pawns on the dark squares, and went on to score a text-book win in the two bishops vs. bishop and knight endgame. 10 Be2 c5 11 0-0
11 ... Rc8 Black has a couple of other plans here: a) 11 ... Qe7 12 d4 Ne4 13 Qd3 f5, whereby Black goes for kingside expansion. Now 14
Nd2 Rac8 15 f3 is a typical way to dislodge the e4-knight and blunt Black’s b7-bishop. Here 15 ... Nxd2 16 Qxd2 Rfd8 17 Rfd1 Nf6 18 dxc5 bxc5 was played in R.Ruck-M.Kravtsiv, Bastia 2014, and now 19 Bc3 maintains White’s slight edge. b) 11 ... a5 when Black opens the a-file and reduces the length of the pawn chain. Now 12 Rfd1 axb4 13 axb4 Qc7 14 d4 Rxa1 15 Rxa1 Ne4 16 Qb3 cxb4 17 Qxb4 was played in R.Wojtaszek-K.Dragun, Polish Championship 2016. This position illustrates the downside of Black’s plan – the b6-pawn is exposed, and the exchange of heavy pieces once again accentuates the bishops. After 17 ... Ra8 18 Rxa8+ Bxa8 19 Ne1 d5 20 Ba3 White was clearly better. 12 d4
12 ... Qe7 The knight jump is also possible here, for example 12 ... Ne4 13 Qd3 Qf6. Black activates his queen, but White plays the standard response 14 Nd2 Qg6 15 f3 Nxd2 16 Qxd2 d5 and here White profits from the black queen’s absence from the centre with 17 dxc5 bxc5 18 Rac1 Rfd8 19 cxd5 Bxd5 20 e4. The f3+e4 pawn chain is almost always a very good structure to restrict Black’s light-squared bishop. Now after 20 ... Bb7 21 Rfd1, Black was already in big trouble due to the pin on the d-file in V.Kramnik-A.Kogan, French League 2005. 13 Rfd1 Ne4 Instead after 13 ... Rfd8 14 dxc5 dxc5 15 b5 Ne8 16 a4 f6, Black digs in with a defensive shell, but following 17 a5 White is for choice, D.Sadzikowski-R.Kulkarni, Abu Dhabi 2015.
14 Qe1!? An original move, which makes sense now that White has developed his f1-rook to the d1-square. White removes his queen from the front-line for now, not allowing Black any tempo gaining hits on the queen. 14 Qb3 has played more often, while after 14 Qd3 cxd4 15 exd4 f5 Black has kingside counterplay. 14 ... Ndf6 Others: a) 14 ... f5 weakens Black’s structure, which White can target after 15 dxc5 bxc5 16 Nd2 Nb6 17 Nxe4 Bxe4 18 a4 with the initiative. Here White’s e1-queen defends the b4-pawn and after a subsequent f2-f3, is ready to jump out to either flank. b) 14 ... Rfd8 is preferred by Roiz, who gives 15 Nd2 Qg5 16 d5 Nxd2 and now I prefer 17 Qxd2 (17 Rxd2 Nf6 with counterplay – Roiz) 17 ... Nf6 18 Bf3 when White has quelled the counterplay and has a good platform to press with the two bishops. 15 dxc5 bxc5
16 h3 Preventing ... Nf6-g4, but White can also play more directly with 16 Nd2! Nxd2 17 Qxd2 Ne4 18 Qe1 Qg5 19 Bf1, when White has everything defended, and will start to push Black back with f2-f3. Roiz notes that Black can’t grab a pawn with 19 ... cxb4? 20 axb4 Rxc4 because of 21 h4 winning material. 16 ... Rfd8 17 b5 Clarifying the pawn majority on the a- and b-files but also freeing Black’s hand in the centre. 17 Rac1 keeps the tension, and the manoeuvring continues, for example 17 ... Nd7 18 Nd2 Nxd2 19 Rxd2 Nb6 20 Qd1 and White is a shade better. 17 ... d5 18 a4 Roiz prefers 18 Ne5 but I think the game move is also fine. 18 ... dxc4
19 Bxc4?!
Instead: a) White missed a chance here with 19 Rxd8+! Rxd8 20 Ne5 when the specifics work in his favour, for example 20 ... c3 21 Bxc3 Nxc3 22 Qxc3 Ne4 23 Qa5, and the fact that Black’s queen is tied to the defence of his rook limits his options. After 23 ... Bd5 24 Nc6 Bxc6 25 bxc6 White gets a dangerous passed c-pawn. b) 19 Ne5 is less effective because of 19 ... c3 20 Bxc3 Nxc3 21 Qxc3 Ne4 22 Qa5 Bd5 23 Nc6 Qh4! and Black is at least fine. 19 ... Nd5 20 Ne5 Provoking a slight weakening of Black’s structure, but this wasn’t worth a tempo. 20 Bf1 was preferable. 20 ... f6 21 Nf3 Nd6 22 Be2 Nb4 23 Rac1 Be4 The active minor pieces are exactly what Black wants when fighting against the two bishops. The game is roughly balanced. 24 a5?! Weakening his own pawns. 24 Ba3 Nc2 25 Qc3 Nxa3 26 Qxa3 Bd5 27 Ne1 is a better try. 24 ... Bc2 25 Rd2 Bb3?! More logical was hitting the b5-pawn with 25 ... Ba4! and then 26 b6 axb6 27 axb6 Qb7 28 Ba3 Qxb6 29 Rb2 and White will likely regain the pawn with a level position. 26 Ba3 Ne4?! Now Black slips into trouble. 26 ... Bd5 was more resilient. 27 Rxd8+ Qxd8 Giving up a pawn, but 27 ... Rxd8 can be answered by 28 Nd4! cxd4 29 Bxb4 Qd7 30 Bf3 and White is on top. 28 Bxb4 cxb4 29 Rxc8 Qxc8 30 Qxb4 Qc1+ 31 Qe1 Qb2 31 ... Qxe1+ 32 Nxe1 would give White decent winning chances in the minor piece endgame. 32 Nd4 Bd5 33 Bf3 e5
34 Nc6 34 Nf5! and if 34 ... Qxb5 35 Qd1 wins on the spot – Roiz. 34 ... Qxb5 35 Ne7+ Kf7 36 Nxd5 Qxd5 37 Qb4 f5 38 a6
White is winning because of Black’s weak pawns. 38 ... Kf6 39 Qb7 Qc5 40 Bxe4 Cashing in by taking the first pawn. 40 ... fxe4 41 Qxe4 g6 42 g4 h5 43 gxh5 gxh5 44 Qh7 Kg5 45 h4+! Kf6 Or 45 ... Kxh4 46 Qg6 Qc1+ 47 Kg2 and Black can only give up his queen to stop mate on the g3-square. 46 Qxh5 Qc1+ 47 Kg2 Qc4 48 e4 Qd4 49 Qg4 Ke7 50 h5 Qd2 51 Qg6 1-0 There are no checks or counterplay, so Black resigned. Game 34 W.So-S.Zhigalko Turkish League 2015 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 Qc2 0-0 5 a3 Bxc3 6 Qxc3 d6 Plans with 6 ... b6 are covered in the previous game.
7 b4 e5 A popular alternative is a quick ... a7-a5, for example 7 ... a5 8 Bb2 e5 9 e3 b6 10 Be2 axb4 11 axb4 Rxa1+ 12 Bxa1 c5 13 b5 Re8 14 d3 Nbd7 15 0-0 Bb7 16 Bb2 Nf8 17 Ra1 when White controls the a-file and is little better, I.Cheparinov-Z.Almasi, Varadero 2016. 8 e3 Re8 9 Bb2
9 ... h6 Planning ... Bc8-f5, Black creates a retreat square for the bishop. Black has also played: a) 9 ... b6 10 d3 c5 11 Be2 Nc6 12 0-0 a6 13 h3 Ra7 14 Rfd1 Rc7 15 Bf1 Bb7 16 Qb3 a5 and now White correctly opens the b-file with 17 bxc5 bxc5 18 Bc3 Qa8 19 Qa4 Bc8 20 Rab1 h6 21 Rb2 Bd7 22 Qc2 Ne7 23 Rdb1 a4 24 Nd2 with a slight edge, D.JakovenkoV.Iordachescu, French League 2013. Later on White managed to open the a1-h8 diagonal for the dark-squared bishop and won. b) 9 ... Nbd7 10 d3 Nf8 11 Be2 Ng6 12 0-0 Bd7 13 a4 a5 14 b5 c5. We will see this setup for Black in the main game as well. After 15 Nd2 Bf5 16 Bf3 Qd7, V.MeribanovS.Zhigalko, Belarusian Championship 2016, White now needs to play 17 Ne4 with a slight advantage. 10 Be2 Bf5 11 0-0 Nbd7 12 d3 c6 13 a4 a5 14 b5 c5
13 ... a5 and 14 ... c5 is Zhigalko’s patented sequence, closing off the queenside files.
15 e4!? A controversial decision. The less committal 15 Nd2 followed by Be2-f3 aiming for the light squares on the h1-a8 diagonal, gives White the more pleasant game. 15 ... Bg4 16 h3 16 Qd2 will likely save a tempo as Black may capture the f3-knight without prompting. If 16 ... Nf8 17 Ne1 when trading bishops should favour White. 16 ... Bxf3 17 Bxf3 Nf8 18 g3 Ne6 19 Bg2 Nd4 20 Rae1
White’s long term plan here is to expand on the kingside and eventually generate an attack. The engine gives this position as equal, but since it is hard to think of an active plan for Black, White should be for choice in a game between two human players. In fact Zhigalko does come up with a logical plan of marching his king across to the apparently blocked queenside, but this turns out to be flawed ... 20 ... Kf8 21 f4 Given time, White will arrange his pieces and try and get in (in one order or the other) f4f5, g3-g4, h3-h4 and g4-g5 in ‘King’s Indian’ style, so Black continues to evacuate the king. 21 ... Ke7 22 Qd2 b6 23 h4 Kd7? Surprisingly, Black is in big trouble after this. Going back with 23 ... Kf8 was the lesser evil, though White has improved his position after 24 Bh3. 24 Bh3+ Kc7 It turns out that it is too late for second thoughts, since 24 ... Ke7 25 Bxd4 cxd4 26 fxe5 dxe5 27 c5! and suddenly White breaks through on the queenside with a positionally almost won game. 25 Bxd4 Removing Black’s only active piece. Whichever way Black recaptures allows White a powerful pawn lever. 25 ... cxd4 Instead after 25 ... exd4, then 26 e5 is crushing. 26 fxe5 dxe5
27 Rc1 27 c5! immediately was also very strong, for example 27 ... bxc5 28 b6+ Kb7 29 Qc2 Qd6 30 Rb1 and Black’s king will become hopelessly exposed. 27 ... Qd6 27 ... Nd7 was a little more tenacious. 28 c5 bxc5 29 Rxc5+! With so many entry square available, White’s queen is far stronger than the two rooks. 29 ... Qxc5 30 Rc1 Nd7 31 Rxc5+ Nxc5 32 Qa2! Kb6 33 Qd5
Black has to surrender material. 33 ... Rac8 34 Bxc8 Rxc8 35 Qxf7 Nxd3 36 Qe6+ Kb7 37 Qa6+ It is now just a question of mopping up. 37 ... Kb8 38 Qb6+ Ka8 39 Qxa5+ Kb8 40 Qb6+ Ka8 41 Qa6+ Kb8 42 b6 Rc1+ 43 Kg2 Rc2+ 44 Kf1 Rc1+ 45 Ke2 1-0
Summary 1) Whichever pawn structure Black goes for, White’s development plan will generally be the same: 7 b4, 8 e3, 9 Bb2, 10 Be2 and 11 0-0, or some permutation of these moves. 2) In the main line with ... c7-c5 (Game 33), White is playing for the long-term, when his bishops come into their own. Roiz’ 14 Qe1 takes the queen out of the firing line, and is an idea worth remembering. 3) When facing Zhigalko’s plan of putting all of Black’s pawns on dark-squares (Game 34), White should avoid a completely blocked position. Try and keep the h1-a8 diagonal open for the unopposed light-squared bishop.
Chapter Fourteen Anti-Grünfeld Lines 1 c4 Nf6 The Grünfeld is one of the most theoretical and computer-influenced lines in modern theory, and for many 1 d4 players is one of the main reasons to investigate 1 c4. In this chapter we look at two main anti-Grünfeld weapons. After 1 ... g6, my repertoire move is 2 e4:
Now 2 ... e5 (instead 2 ... Bg7 3 d4 leads to a King’s Indian or Modern Defence) 3 d4 is an important anti-Grünfeld line. After 3 ... Nf6 4 Nf3 exd4 5 e5 Ne4 6 Qxd4 Bb4+ the latest wrinkle is 7 Kd1!? which we cover in Potkin-Wei Yi (Game 37). 2 Nc3 d5 Instead: a) 2 ... g6 3 e4 d6 4 d4 is the King’s Indian. b) 2 ... c5 3 Nf3 transposes to 1 ... c5 lines. 3 cxd5 Nxd5 4 Nf3 g6 4 ... c5 5 e3 is back in the Symmetrical English, see Chapter Nine.
5 h4 This is an interesting Anti-Grünfeld line favoured in recent years by top Chinese players. 5 ... Bg7 Alternatively, for: a) 5 ... Nf6 6 e4 see Yu Yangyi-Khmelniker (Game 36). b) 5 ... Nxc3 is covered in the notes to Game 36. 6 e4 Nxc3 7 dxc3 Qxd1+ 8 Kxd1 and this line is analyzed in the next game, Wang YueWei Yi. Game 35 Wang Yue-Wei Yi Danzhou 2015 1 c4 The game started with the common move order 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5. 1 ... Nf6 2 Nc3 d5 3 cxd5 Nxd5 4 Nf3 g6 5 h4 At first sight, this looks like an aggressive attempt to blow Black out of the water, but Wang Yue has a more subtle plan in mind. To understand the course of the game, it is necessary to review the line with an immediate 5 e4 Nxc3 6 dxc3 Qxd1+ 7 Kxd1 which was pioneered by Ulf Andersson in the late 70s and early 80s. In this position 7 ... f6!, with the idea of trading the dark squared bishops is the best response for Black, for example 8 Be3 e5 9 Kc2 Nd7 10 Nd2 Bc5 and Black is fine.
5 ... Bg7 Alternatives are: a) 5 ... h6 6 e4. This line is similar to 5 e4, but with h2-h4 and ... .h7-h6 inserted. This makes a small but significant difference. Now Black has: a1) 6 ... Nb6 gives White a kind of ideal Grünfeld where Black has not challenged White’s pawn centre. An example featuring Bent Larsen continued 7 d4 Bg7 8 Be3 Bg4 9 Qd2 Bxf3 10 gxf3 e6 11 0-0-0 Nc6 12 Bb5 Qf6 13 Qe2 a6 14 Bxc6+ bxc6 15 h5 and White generated a strong attack in B.Larsen-Z.Franco Ocampos, Buenos Aires 1979. a2) 6 ... Nxc3 7 dxc3 Qxd1+ 8 Kxd1
And now: a21) 8 ... f6 is much less effective than in the note to White’s 5th move, since Black’s light squares have been compromised by the combination of 5 ... h6 and 8 ... f6. White can
continue 9 Bc4 e5 10 h5 g5 11 Be3 Nd7 12 Nd2 Bc5 13 Nf1 and White’s light square control gives him a slight advantage. a22) 8 ... Bg4 9 Kc2 and practice has seen: a221) 9 ... Nd7 10 Be3 Bxf3 11 gxf3 e5 12 Bh3 Bd6, P.Eljanov-E.Sutovsky, Netanya (blitz) 2009 and now 13 Rad1 is a little better for White. a222) 9 ... Bxf3 10 gxf3 h5 11 f4 Nd7 12 f5 opening the position for the two bishops gave White a slight edge in A.Naiditsch-Ni Hua, Wijk aan Zee 2010. a23) 8 ... Nd7 9 Bf4 c6 10 Bc4 Bg7 11 Kc2 Nc5 12 Nd2 Be6 13 f3 b6 14 a4 Bxc4 15 Nxc4 0-0-0 16 h5 g5 17 Be5 and White is better due to Black’s pawn weaknesses, E.l’AmiP.Negi, Wijk aan Zee 2010. b) 5 ... Nc6
White can now try 6 e4, for example 6 ... Ndb4 7 d3 Bg4 8 a3 Bxf3 9 gxf3 Na6 10 Be3 Bg7 11 f4 (11 h5 immediately looks best) 11 ... Nd4 12 h5 c6 13 h6 Bf8 14 Qa4, and White has the initiative due to Black’s stalled development, T.Lei-R.Padmini, Al Ain 2015. c) 5 ... h5 and White can again try the plan with 6 e4 Nxc3 7 dxc3 Qxd1+ 8 Kxd1, for example 8 ... Bg4 9 Kc2 Nd7 10 Ng5 f6 11 f3 fxg5 12 fxg4 gxh4 13 Rxh4 with a powerful pin on the h-file, D.Forcen Esteban-R.Perez Garcia, Lorca 2015. d) 5 ... Nxc3 and e) 5 ... Nf6 are covered in the next game. 6 e4 White’s idea is to enter an improved version of the queenless middlegame. Since Black’s bishop is committed to the g7-square, the equalizing plan given in the note to White’s 5th move is not available. 6 h5 is a major alternative that keeps the queens on the board and leads to a dynamic game, for example 6 ... Nc6 7 g3 Bg4 8 h6 Bxc3 9 dxc3 Qd6 10 Bg2 0-00 with chances for both sides, Ding Liren-Wei Yi, FIDE World Cup, Baku 2015. 6 ... Nxc3 The knight retreat 6 ... Nb6 again gives White the centre. After 7 d4 Bg4 8 Be3 0-0 9 Qd2 Bxf3 10 gxf3 e5 11 d5 h5 12 Bg5 Qd6?! (12 ... Bf6 13 0-0-0 is slightly better for White) 13 Nb5 Qd7 14 Rc1 c6 15 Bh3 and White’s bishops leap into action, Zhou Jianchao-Li Chao, Danzhou 2010. 7 dxc3 Qxd1+ 8 Kxd1
Black has a wide choice here. 8 ... b6 Black is likely better off not touching his queenside pawns for now, as in the game his weakened structure becomes a target. Other tries: a) 8 ... Nd7 is probably the most solid. Now White can choose: a1) 9 Bc4 Nf6 10 Re1 Ng4 11 Ke2 Bd7 12 a4, Ni Hua-Wei Yi, Danzhou 2015 and now 12 ... Rf8 is OK for Black according to Mikhalevski. a2) 9 h5 is my recommendation, disrupting Black’s kingside with the h-pawn. Play could continue 9 ... Nc5 (or 9 ... Nf6 10 h6 Bf8 11 Bd3 and White leads in development) 10 h6 Bf8 11 e5 and now: a21) 11 ... Bg4 12 Be3 with a further split: a211) 12 ... Bxf3+ 13 gxf3 e6 14 Kc2 Nd7 15 Rd1 Nxe5 16 Bd4 f6 17 Bh3 Bd6 18 f4 Nd7? 19 Bxe6 and White won in Bai Jinshi-Gao,Rui, Shenzhen (rapid) 2016. a212) 12 ... 0-0-0+ 13 Kc1 Nd3+ 14 Kc2 Bf5 15 Kb3!? Be6+ 16 c4 and White is better in this unusual endgame. a22) 11 ... Bf5 12 Be3 Nd3 13 Bxd3 Bxd3 14 Ke1 b6 15 Rd1 Rd8 and now 16 Rh4 activating the h1-rook, gives White an edge here. b) 8 ... Bg4 9 Kc2
Now Black has tried a number of moves: b1) 9 ... Nd7 10 Be3 with a further branch: b11) 10 ... Nf6 11 Nd2 Be6 12 f3 Nh5 13 Bb5+ c6 14 Bc4 Bxc4 15 Nxc4 f5 16 exf5 Ng3 17 Rhe1 Nxf5 18 Rad1 Bf6 19 Bg5 Bxg5 20 hxg5 Rd8, Q.Le-A.Gupta, Asian Championship, Al Ain 2015, and now 21 Rxd8+ Kxd8 22 Rh1! and White is clearly better because of Black’s weak pawns and passive h8-rook. b12) 10 ... e5 11 Bc4 Bxf3 12 gxf3 h5 13 Rad1 Nb6 14 Bb3 Bh6 15 a4 Nc8?! 16 Rd5 f6 17 Rhd1 Nd6 18 Bc5 0-0-0 19 Bxa7 with a clear extra pawn for White, B.Adhiban-A.Puranik, Doha 2015. b2) 9 ... Bxf3 10 gxf3 Nd7 11 h5 0-0-0 12 Be3 a6 13 a4 Bf6 14 f4 e5?! 15 fxe5 Nxe5 16 f4 Ng4 17 Bc5 Bg7 18 e5 Kb8 19 Be2 and White’s rampant bishops give him a great position, B.Deac-E.Karavade, Zalakaros 2016. b3) 9 ... Nc6 10 Be3 Ne5 11 Nxe5 Bxe5 12 Bb5+ c6 13 Bc4 h5 14 f3 Be6 15 Bxe6 fxe6 16 Rad1 Bd6 17 Rd3 e5 18 c4 c5 19 Rd5 with a big advantage for White, since the d6-bishop is just a big pawn in this position, Bai Jinshi-M.Turov, Graz 2016. 9 Bf4 Bb7 10 Bb5+!
White provokes Black’s next. 10 ... c6 This loosens Black’s queenside structure and also blocks his b7-bishop for now. The alternative was 10 ... Nd7 11 Ne5 Bxe5 12 Bxe5 f6 13 Bxc7 Bxe4 14 f3 when White’s two bishops give him the better game. 11 Be2 11 Bc4 is more active, although Wang Yue repeated 11 Be2 in a later game. 11 ... Nd7 Instead 11 ... Ba6?! 12 a4 (12 h5 also looks good) 12 ... 0-0 13 a5 Rd8+ 14 Nd2 Bxe2+ 15 Kxe2 Nd7 16 Rhd1 Be5 17 Be3 Bc7 18 Nb3 and White retained his slight pull, Wang YueP.Maghsoodloo, Abu Dhabi 2016. 12 Kc2 e5 13 Be3 c5 14 Nd2 f5 15 f3 Nf6 16 Bd3 0-0 17 a4
White initiates a typical pawn lever against Black’s queenside structure. White stands
slightly better. Wang Yue didn’t want to be drawn into lines such as 17 exf5 Nd5 etc. 17 ... Rac8 18 a5 b5?! Further loosening his queenside. Perhaps Black wanted to provoke complications, but White is well placed to meet them. 18 ... Rc7 looks better. 19 a6 Ba8 20 Bxb5 Instead, 20 exf5 c4 21 Be4 Nxe4 22 Nxe4 gxf5 23 Nd6 also gives White a clear advantage. 20 ... fxe4 21 Bc4+ Kh8 22 h5 The h4-pawn finally sees some more action! In any case, 22 Ra5, without sacrificing the h-pawn, was also very strong.
22 ... exf3 23 gxf3 gxh5 24 Rh4?! 24 Ra5 was more clear cut, targeting the c5-pawn. 24 ... Rfe8?! 24 ... Nd5 followed by trading one of the bishops, would have limited White’s advantage. 25 Ne4 Nxe4 26 fxe4 Bf6 27 Rxh5 Bxe4+ 28 Bd3 Bxd3+ 29 Kxd3 Re6 30 Kc4 Rcc6?! The rooks are awkwardly placed here, and allows White to demonstrate a remarkable idea. Instead 30 ... Rc7 31 Bxc5 e4 32 Kd5 Re8 gave better chances for counterplay. 31 Bxc5 Be7 31 ... Rxa6 is answered by 32 Rah1 winning the h7-pawn. 32 b4 Bxc5 33 bxc5 e4 34 Kd5!
An extraordinary ‘King fork’ motif! 34 ... e3 35 Rh3! White chases down the e-pawn, which cannot be saved. If a pair of rooks is traded, White’s advanced c-pawn and active King give him a winning position in the resulting single rook endgames. 35 ... e2 36 Rh2 Rg6 37 Rxe2 Rc8 38 Re5 38 Rae1 followed by exchanging a pair of rooks, also wins. 38 ... Rd8+ 39 Kc4 Rg4+ 40 Kb5 Rb8+ 41 Kc6 Rg6+ 42 Kc7 Rb3 Black has run out of checks, and now White activates his a1-rook with decisive effect. 43 Rd1 1-0 Game 36 Yu Yangyi-I.Khmelniker Skopje 2015 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 h4 Nf6 Black tries to hold up the advance of White’s h-pawn and take play into a more regular Grünfeld setup, should White advance his central pawns. This is double-edged however, as Black has lost time and doesn’t have immediate pressure on the centre. Others: a) 5 ... Bg7 and other 5th moves are covered in the previous game. b) 5 ... Nxc3 is another move to consider. The point of Black’s move order is that capturing with the d-pawn doesn’t make so much sense for White here: b1) 6 dxc3 Qxd1+ 7 Kxd1 and Black can now get in the dark square plan, e.g. 7 ... f6 8 h5 g5 9 e4 e5 10 Be3, I.Labib-P.Kokol, Al Ain 2015, and now 10 ... Nd7 11 Kc2 Bc5 equalizes. b2) 6 bxc3 is White’s best try.
Now Black has: b21) 6 ... Bg7 7 h5 c5 and now after 8 g3 Nc6 9 Bg2, Black can select: b211) 9 ... Be6 10 Qa4 Qa5, A.Shimanov-M.Mchedlishvili, Nakhchivan 2013 and now 11 Qxa5 Nxa5 12 Ng5 Bd7 13 h6 with some light initiative for White. b212) 9 ... Qa5 10 Qb3 Qa6 11 Rb1 0-0 12 hxg6 hxg6 13 Ng5 gave White attacking chances in Ding Liren-N.Aggelis, World U-20 Championship, Athens 2012. b22) 6 ... h6 7 h5!? is worth considering. If White provokes 7 ... g5 then White can switch to play in the centre with 8 d4 Bg7 9 e3 with decent chances for White. Now let’s return to the position after 5 ... Nf6:
6 e4 Bg7 7 d4 c5 Black tries to attack the centre in Grünfeld style. Previously Black had played 7 ... 0-0 and now: a) 8 e5 was tried in B.Cheng-A.Smirnov, Australian Championship 2016, and should be
answered by 8 ... Ng4!, when Black is doing well. b) 8 Bc4 c5 9 d5 b5! gives Black counterplay, J.Hammer-B.Bok, European Championship, Aix les Bains 2011, and several later games. c) 8 Be2 is White’s best. After 8 ... c5 9 d5 Black has tried: c1) 9 ... b5 10 e5 Ng4 was played in Zvjaginsev-Najer, Moscow 2003.
Now 11 d6! is very strong: c11) 11 ... exd6 12 Bg5 Qd7 13 exd6 h6 14 Be7 Re8 15 0-0 a6 16 Nd5 and Black will have to drop material. c12) 11 ... Bb7 12 Bg5 f6 13 exf6 exf6 14 Bf4 with a powerful passed d-pawn. c2) 9 ... e6 10 h5 Nxh5 was played in an early game in this line, J.Piket-P.Svidler, Internet 2000. Now 11 Bg5! Qb6 12 Qd2 Nd7 13 e5 gives White good attacking chances. 8 Bb5+ 8 d5 is also possible, and may transpose to the line given in the previous note after 8 ... 00 9 Be2 etc. 8 ... Bd7 9 e5 A well-timed thrust. 9 ... Nd5
10 Qb3 This works out well for White, but perhaps it’s better to keep the light-squared bishops on. 10 Bc4 was more incisive, for example 10 ... Nxc3 11 bxc3 0-0 12 h5 and White has the initiative. 10 ... Nxc3 Black ‘repairs’ White’s pawn structure. If instead 10 ... Bxb5 11 Qxb5+ Nc6 12 0-0 Rc8 13 dxc5 0-0 14 Qxb7 and White emerges slightly better after 14 ... Nxc3 15 bxc3 Bxe5 16 Nxe5 Nxe5 17 Bf4 Qd7 18 Qe4 etc. 11 bxc3 cxd4 12 h5! An important intermediate move. Black would be comfortable after routine play such as: a) 12 Bxd7+ Qxd7 13 cxd4 Nc6 14 Be3 0-0 15 h5 Rfc8 16 h6 Bf8 and Black is OK. b) 12 cxd4?? loses to 12 ... Qa5+. 12 ... 0-0 If Black grabs the pawn with 12 ... dxc3 13 h6 Bf8, then White could continue aggressively with 14 e6! fxe6 15 Be2 and White has a lead in development and a lot of play against Black’s scattered pawns. 13 h6! Bh8 14 Bxd7 Qxd7 15 cxd4 Nc6 16 Be3 e6 17 0-0
We have reached a fairly normal-looking Grünfeld position, but with the h6-pawn a constant issue for Black on the kingside. This can cause problems in many middlegames or even endgames that would otherwise be fine for Black. 17 ... f6 Black decides to challenge the White centre. He could play more solidly starting with 17 ... Rac8 when White is for choice, but it remains to be seen whether he could convert this into something more tangible. 18 Rfd1 Ne7 19 Rac1 Nd5 20 Rc4 Rad8 21 Rdc1 Qe7 22 Bd2 g5?! This gives White a clear target on the kingside. Black should stay patient with something like 22 ... Rf7 though White is a bit better after 23 a4. 23 exf6 Bxf6 24 Re1 White is definitely better now. 24 ... Qf7 24 ... g4 can be answered by 25 Ne5 and Black’s g4-pawn is very weak. 25 Re4 Kh8 26 Rc1 Rg8 27 Rce1 Rde8 28 Nh2 Black’s attempts at activity with 17 ... f6 and 22 ... g5 have given him big weaknesses to defend. 28 ... Re7 29 Ng4 Rge8 30 Qg3 Rg8 31 a4 A little unnecessary, as the immediate 31 Re5 works. 31 ... b6
32 Re5! The decisive breakthrough. The g5-pawn is dropping. 32 ... Ree8 Of course Black can’t take the e5-rook. After 32 ... Bxe5 33 Qxe5+ the benefit of the h6pawn is obvious! 33 Qf3 Rgf8 34 Nxf6 Nxf6 35 Rxg5 Rg8 36 d5 1-0 Black resigned as White’s bishop will now come to the long diagonal, and so he can’t avoid huge material losses. Game 37 V.Potkin-Wei Yi Aeroflot Open, Moscow 2016 1 c4 g6 2 e4 An anti-Grünfeld line that has had a number of high-level outings in recent years. 2 ... e5 This move takes the game into a line with its own unique flavour. Instead, 2 ... Bg7 will lead to a King’s Indian or Modern Defence after 3 d4 which is usually not to the taste of the Grünfeld player. 3 d4 The critical line. Instead 3 Nf3 leads to a Maroczy Bind/King’s Indian hybrid after 3 ... Bg7 4 d4 exd4 5 Nxd4 Nf6 6 Nc3 0-0 7 Be2 Re8 8 f3 c6 9 Bg5 but here Black can free his game with 9 ... Qb6 10 Qd2 d5! leading to a concrete line which equalized in A.LendermanW.So, USA Championship, Saint Louis 2016. 3 ... Nf6 4 Nf3 Again the best move. After 4 dxe5 Nxe4 5 Bd3: a) 5 ... Nc5! Black is doing well in theory and practice b) 5 ... Bb4+ 6 Kf1! on the other hand, was good for White in W.So-A.Giri, Shamkir 2015.
4 ... exd4 Black already has several alternatives here: a) 4 ... Bg7?! is dubious. 5 dxe5 Nxe4 and now: a1) 6 Qd5?! f5 7 Nc3 c6 and Black has no problems, E.Inarkiev-Xu Xiangyu, Chinese League 2016. a2) 6 Bd3! Nc5 7 Bg5 f6 8 exf6 Bxf6 9 Qe2+ and White will emerge on top. b) 4 ... Nxe4 5 Bd3 and neither main move is fully satisfactory for Black: b1) 5 ... d5 6 0-0 Nd6 was played in L.Portisch-J.Timman, Buenos Aires Olympiad 1978, and here Timman gives the improvement 7 Re1! (7 Bg5! looks good as well) 7 ... e4 8 Nc3 Bg7 9 Nxd5 and White is much better. b2) 5 ... Bb4+ 6 Kf1 d5 7 Qb3 (the sharp 7 cxd5 may be even stronger) 7 ... c5? (7 ... a5 8 a3 Be7 9 cxd5 Nf6 10 Nxe5 is slightly better for White, as Black’s weakened kingside is a permanent feature of the position) 8 cxd5 Nf6 9 dxe5 Nxd5 10 Bg5 Qd7 11 a3 led to a quick win for White after 11 ... b5 12 Be4 c4 13 Qc2 Ba5 14 Nc3 Bxc3 15 Bxd5 1-0 in A.MilesG.Wall, British League 1999. c) 4 ... Bb4+ 5 Bd2
And now: c1) 5 ... Bxd2+ 6 Qxd2 Nxe4 7 Qe3 was played in several games from the early days of this variation: c11) 7 ... d5 8 cxd5 Qxd5 as played in T.Ghitescu-C.Meleghegyi, Zalaegerszeg 1979, but now White should play 9 Nxe5! 0-0 10 Bc4 Qa5+ 11 Nc3 when White has a strong initiative. c12) 7 ... f5 8 dxe5 Qe7, was seen in J.Speelman-W.Hartston, Hastings 1978 and now 9 Bd3! Qb4+ 10 Nbd2 and here: c121) 10 ... Qxb2 11 Rb1 Qc3 12 Bxe4 Qxe3+ 13 fxe3 fxe4 14 Nxe4 and despite his split pawns, White is much better, for example 14 ... 0-0 (or 14 ... b6 15 Nf6+ Kf7 16 Nd5 Na6 17 0-0 Kg7 18 Ng5 c6 19 Nf6 h6 20 Nge4 Rf8 21 Nd6 and Black is tied up) 15 0-0 Nc6 16 Nf6+ Kg7 17 Nd5 picking up the c7-pawn. c122) 10 ... Nxd2 11 Qxd2 Qxd2+ 12 Kxd2 with slightly better chances for White, due to his space and development advantage. c2) 5 ... Qe7 and here White can try the novelty 6 Nxe5!?, for example 6 ... Nxe4 7 Be2 Nxd2 8 Nxd2 0-0 9 0-0 Nc6 10 Nef3 with a better structure for White. The b4-bishop is awkwardly placed and likely has to be traded for the d2-knight.
5 e5 Ne4 This has been played in almost all the modern games in this line, but the older move 5 ... Bb4+ may be more solid, although not the kind of dynamic play the Grünfeld player is looking for. 6 Bd2 and now: a) 6 ... Bxd2+ 7 Qxd2 Qe7 8 Be2 Nh5 9 Qxd4 Nc6 10 Qe3 d6, I.Stohl-D.Navara, Czech League 2002, and now after 11 exd6 Qxe3 12 fxe3 cxd6 13 Nc3, White is better, as the weakness of the d6-pawn is more important than that of the e3-pawn. b) 6 ... Qe7 7 Bxb4 Qxb4+ 8 Qd2 Qxd2+ 9 Nbxd2 Nh5 10 Nxd4 Nc6:
In this queenless middlegame White has: b1) 11 Nxc6 dxc6 enters a position with a similar pawn structure to the Berlin endgame, but with some differences – Black has castling rights but does not have the two bishops. Again, not what Black had in mind when he started out to play the Grünfeld with 1 ... g6. Now 12 0-0-0 Bf5 13 f3 Ng7 14 g4 Be6 (14 ... Bd7 leaves the e6-square available for the g7-
knight) 15 Ne4 h5 L.Polugaevsky-J.Timman, Bugojno 1980, and now 16 h3! makes it harder for Black to equalize according to Timman. b2) 11 N2f3!? is a new move, but seems to ask Black some questions, as 12 Nb5 is threatened. Now: b21) 11 ... 0-0?! 12 Nb5 Nxe5 13 Nxe5 Re8 14 0-0-0 Rxe5 15 Nxc7 Rb8 16 Nd5 is better for White as Black’s d-pawn will be a liability. b22) Black needs to respond with 11 ... a6 12 0-0-0 0-0 13 g3 and now two sample lines are: b221) 13 ... Re8 14 Nxc6 dxc6 15 h3 Ng7 (15 ... Bf5 can be met with the paradoxical 16 Nd2! followed by g3-g4 and Nd2-e4) 16 Bg2 Bf5 17 Rhe1 Rad8 18 Nd4 Bc8 19 Nb3 and White can certainly play this version of the endgame for a win. At the moment, Black’s queenside is frozen by White’s minor pieces. b222) 13 ... f6 14 exf6 Nxf6 15 Bg2 Nxd4 16 Rxd4 with a slightly better structure for White. 6 Qxd4 Bb4+
7 Kd1!? A “caveman” move which had only been played once prior to this game. This move is not for the faint hearted, but as the game shows, even an amazing attacking player like Wei Yi was not able to deal with it from the Black side. It turns out that White’s king is close to safety on the c1– or c2-squares, while Black’s king will always be quite exposed on the kingside. There is clearly much to be explored here. 7 Nbd2 is the other main move, and is certainly a decent backup to 7 Kd1. Now Black has two knight moves: a) 7 ... Nxd2 8 Bxd2 Nc6 9 Qf4 Bxd2+ 10 Qxd2 Qe7 11 0-0-0 b6 12 Bd3 Bb7 13 Be4 00-0 14 Rhe1 f6 15 exf6 Qxf6 16 Qg5 Qg7 17 h4 Rhe8 with balanced chances, P.SvidlerM.Carlsen, Flor & Fjaere (blitz) 2014. b) 7 ... Ng5 has a bit more spice to it. After 8 Be2 Nc6 9 Qe3 Nxf3+ 10 Bxf3 0-0 11 0-0 Re8 White can now try 12 Bd5 which is a new move suggested by Volokitin. After 12 ... d6 13 Ne4 Rxe5 14 Qg3 Nd4 15 Qd3 c6, Svidler gives a long line which starts 16 Bxf7+ Kxf7 17 Qxd4 Bf5 18 Ng3 Qf6 19 Be3 Kg8 20 Bf4 Re6 21 Qxf6 Rxf6 22 a3 Bc5 23 b4 Bd4 24 Rad1 c5 when White is the one pressing, but Black should be able to hold.
7 ... f5 The only move, since 7 ... Nc5 is answered by 8 Bg5 while 7 ... d5 isn’t possible because of 8 cxd5. 8 exf6 Because Black’s last move was forced, White can now open up the position around Black’s king. The dark squares are weak with Black’s bishop absent on the b4-square. 8 ... Nxf6 9 Qh4 The only other game to reach this position continued 9 Bh6 Qe7?! (9 ... Nc6! is better) 10 Bd3 Nc6 11 Qh4 d5 12 a3 Ng4 13 Bg5 Qd6 and now: a) 14 Kc1 Bc5 15 Re1+ was agreed drawn here in T.Nabaty-A.Fier, Skopje 2015, although White can still play for a win after 15 ... Kf7 16 Re2 etc. b) Black would be in big trouble after 14 axb4, for example 14 ... dxc4 15 Re1+ Kf7 16 Kc1 cxd3 17 h3 and White has a winning position. 9 ... d5 Opening up the d-file leading to the White king is a hard move to resist. The alternatives are: a) 9 ... Nc6 10 Bg5 0-0 11 Kc2 d6 12 Bd3 Bc5 13 a3 is slightly better for White according to Timman. b) 9 ... 0-0 10 c5, playing to trap the b4-bishop. After 10 ... Nc6 11 a3 Bxc5 12 Qc4+ d5 13 Qxc5 Ne4 Black has play for the piece. 10 Bg5 Be7 A key alternative is castling. After 10 ... 0-0 11 Kc1 (the provocative 11 cxd5!? is also possible) 11 ... d4 12 Nxd4 c5 13 Nc2 Nc6 14 f3 with chances for both sides. 11 cxd5
11 ... Nxd5?! It is hard to believe this move can be bad, but it turns out that there are no decent discovered checks with Black’s knight! Instead: a) 11 ... Qxd5+ 12 Nbd2 followed by 13 Bc4 favours White. b) 11 ... c6!? 12 Nc3 Bg4 13 Kc2 Bf5+ 14 Bd3 Bxd3+ 15 Kxd3 and now: b1) 15 ... 0-0 16 Kc2 cxd5 17 Rad1 and with his king within reach of safety, White is better. b2) 15 ... Nxd5 16 Bxe7 Nxe7+ 17 Kc2 followed by bringing the rooks to the centre and White has a crushing position, since Black’s king is now much more exposed than its counterpart. 12 Bc4! Potkin was no doubt still in his preparation at this stage. 12 ... Nc6 Amazingly, it turns out that all the discovered checks are fruitless, for example 12 ... Ne3+ 13 Kc1 Nxc4 14 Re1 winning.
13 Bxd5? Potkin falters, This is an odd move, inviting Black’s queen into the centre of the board. 13 Nbd2 Developing a piece, closing the d-file and preparing to bring the rooks to the centre, gives White a clear advantage. One sample line is 13 ... Bxg5 14 Nxg5 h6 15 Bxd5 Qxd5 16 Re1+ Ne7 17 Ngf3 g5 18 Qb4 Qd6 19 Qxd6 cxd6 20 Rc1 with much more active pieces for White. 13 ... Be6? Another hard move to understand, since the simple recapture was good, for example 13 ... Qxd5+ 14 Nbd2 Bxg5 15 Qxg5 Qxg5 16 Nxg5 0-0 and only Black can be better here. 14 Bxe7 Nxe7 15 Re1 Now White is back on track. 15 ... Bxd5? 15 ... Qxd5+ was again better. 16 Kc2 Qd7 16 ... Bxf3 17 gxf3 Kf7 18 Qc4+ Kg7 19 Nc3 is better for White as his king is now safer than Black’s. 17 Nc3
17 ... Qf5+? After 17 ... Bxf3 18 gxf3 Qf5+ 19 Re4 White is better but what Black played is even worse. 18 Kc1 White wins a piece now due to the pin on the e7-knight. Black’s counterplay is quickly extinguished. 18 ... 0-0-0 19 Rxe7 Bxf3 20 gxf3 Qxf3
21 Qg3! The mate threat on c7 stops the counterplay. Black has no compensation for the piece. 21 ... Qc6 22 Kc2 Rd6 23 Rae1 Rhd8 24 R1e2 a5 25 Qe5 1-0 Summary
1) Life is surprisingly tricky for Black in the anti-Grünfeld with 5 h4 (Games 35-36). Keep up to date with the latest games in this line, as I expect further developments. 2) After 5 ... Bg7 I recommend 5 e4 rather than the murky 5 h5. The critical line is currently 8 ... Nd7 9 h5 (see notes to Game 35). 3) In the 1 c4 g6 2 e4 e5 line, Potkin’s 7 Kd1 novelty may revive interest in some of the older lines such as 4 ... Bb4+ or 5 ... Bb4+ which were never refuted. Study the notes to Game 37 for some new ideas.
Chapter Fifteen King’s Indian and Modern Defences 1 c4 Nf6 After 1 ... g6 2 e4 Bg7 (for 2 ... e5 see the Anti-Grünfeld system in Chapter Fourteen) 3 d4 d6 4 Nc3 and now if Black avoids 4 ... Nf6 we get the Modern Defence, covered in Sjugirov-Onischuk (Game 41). 2 Nc3 g6 2 ... d5 is dealt with in Chapter Fourteen. 3 e4 No Grünfeld now!
3 ... Bg7 4 d4 If White wants to keep the game strictly within English Opening lines he can play 4 g3 which leads to the Botvinnik setup in the English. So why do I recommend a main line King’s Indian Defence (KID)? 1) I believe occupying the centre here is more principled. On general grounds it is hard to believe that 4 g3 is an objectively better move than 4 d4 here. The KID setup is one of the few lines in this book where Black doesn’t challenge for control of the centre in the first few moves. 2) Black is comfortable in several lines against the Botvinnik setup, notably when he plays an early ... c7-c5. 3) If you find and learn a line against the KID that you like, it will prove extremely useful, since there are so many move orders that reach the KID if Black just plays the standard initial moves. 4 ... d6 5 Nf3 0-0 6 Be2 e5 This is Black’s most popular move, usually answering 7 0-0 with 7 ... Nc6. Significant alternatives are:
a) 6 ... Nbd7 7 0-0 e5 and here I am recommending a universal line which will be the answer to no fewer than four of Black’s key continuations in this repertoire. Not only do I believe this is a good line for White, it is a better idea to know one line really well (especially if you spend four times as much time studying and playing it!) than to learn four separate lines. Now 8 d5 is an old line, recently revitalized. The main line is 8 ... Nc5 9 Qc2 a5 10 Bg5, which is covered in Kreisl-Onischuk (Game 40). b) 6 ... Na6 is another line which, after 7 0-0 e5 8 d5 Nc5 9 Qc2 a5, transposes to Game 40. 7 d5
We have entered the Petrosian Variation of the King’s Indian. There are several reasons for selecting this line: 1) It represents a sound and stable, long-term repertoire choice, while still giving White good chances to fight for an opening advantage. 2) It has its own unique flavour. In the main line, White takes the KID player away from a stereotyped kingside attack. If Black does pursue the standard patterns of kingside expansion, it will often backfire – see game 38 as an example of this. At a high-level, White’s key ideas are to: 1) Restrain Black’s kingside play with prophylaxis. 2) Pursue queenside expansion, but play across the whole board. 3) Play specifically against Black’s a6-knight (in the main line). 7 ... a5 This is the Petrosian main line. Black also plays: a) 7 ... Na6 when 8 0-0 Nc5 9 Qc2 a5 is another route to Kreisl-Onischuk (Game 40). b) 7 ... Nbd7 8 0-0 Nc5 9 Qc2 a5 and yet again we have reached Game 40. 8 Bg5 The signature move of the Petrosian. 8 ... h6 8 ... Na6?! 9 Nd2 h6 10 Be3! is an ideal White setup – remember this! White’s minor pieces are optimally placed to support the queenside attack that starts with a2-a3 (preceded by b2-b3 if required) and b2-b4, while coping with Black’s eventual kingside pawn storm. 9 Bh4 Na6 10 Nd2 Qe8 11 0-0 Bd7 12 b3 Nh7 13 a3 h5 14 f3
14 ... Bh6 14 ... f5 is Nakamura-Bacrot (Game 38). 15 Rb1 Be3+ 16 Kh1 Bc5 This dark-square strategy was recommended for Black in two recent repertoire series. 17 Qc1 We have reached the main line of the main line Petrosian System, which is covered in Granda Zuniga-Flores (Game 39). Game 38 H.Nakamura-E.Bacrot Biel 2012 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 Nf3 0-0 6 Be2 e5 7 d5
In this game we look at what happens when Black follows the ‘standard’ KID form of kingside expansion that proves effective against the Classical/Mar Del Plata variation (7 Nf3 Nc6 8 d5 Ne7) and many other setups in the KID. 7 ... a5 The main line. Let’s look at Black’s 7th move alternatives: a) 7 ... Na6 and b) 7 ... Nbd7 transposes to Game 40 after 8 0-0 Nc5 9 Qc2 etc. c) After 7 ... h6 Black prevents the ‘Petrosian bishop’ from landing on the g5-square. White plays 8 0-0 and now: c1) 8 ... Nbd7 9 Be3 Ng4 10 Bd2 f5 11 g3! Ngf6 12 Nh4 Nxe4 13 Nxe4 fxe4 14 Nxg6 Rf7 15 Bg4 Nf6 16 Be6 winning the exchange, P.Eljanov-L.McShane, German League 2008. c2) 8 ... Nh5 9 g3 Bh3 10 Re1 and now 10 ... f5?! can be answered by 11 Nh4 Qf6 12 exf5 Bxf5 13 Nxf5 Qxf5 14 Be3 Nf6 15 Bd3 Qh3 16 f3 g5 17 Qc2 with domination of the light squares. c3) 8 ... Ne8 9 Ne1 f5 10 exf5 gxf5 11 f4 is a typical answer to the e5/f5 pawn front (although 11 g3 freeing the g2-square for the e1-knight, also gives White the advantage) 11 ... Nd7 12 Be3 c5 13 dxc6 bxc6 14 c5 and White is breaking down Black’s pawn centre, A.Yusupov-R.Gunawan, Indonesia 1983. d) 7 ... Nh5 is best answered by 8 g3!
White stops the h5-knight from invading on the f4-square. If Black now persists with his natural plan of 8 ... f5 then after 9 exf5: d1) 9 ... gxf5 is positionally desirable, as in “every Russian schoolboy knows to recapture with ... gxf5”, but here White has the resource 10 Nxe5! discovering an attack on the h5knight, which leads to a big advantage for White. d2) 9 ... Bxf5 10 Ng5 Nf6 11 0-0 Na6 12 Bd3 gives White a firm grip on the key e4square, M.Rodshtein-L.Pasku, Istanbul Olympiad 2012. e) 7 ... Ne8 is best answered by 8 h4!
Now Black can try: e1) 8 ... f5 and White has a pleasant choice: e11) 9 exf5 Bxf5 10 h5, opening the h-file, gives White a clear advantage. e12) 9 Bg5 is also good, for example 9 ... Bf6 10 exf5 gxf5 11 Qd2 Nd7 12 0-0-0 with attacking chances on the kingside, T.Petrosian-L.Aronson, USSR Championship, Moscow 1957. e2) 8 ... h6 9 h5 g5 10 Nd2 f5 11 exf5 Bxf5 12 Nde4 Nf6 13 Bd3 when White has a firm grip on the crucial e4-square. After 13 ... Nxe4 14 Bxe4 Qf6 15 Be3 Nd7 16 Qc2 a6 17 Bxf5 (17 0-0-0 keeping the queens on is also good for White) 17 ... Qxf5 18 Qxf5 Rxf5 19 Ne4 with an ongoing edge, P.Cramling-E.Norberg, Vasteras 2015. 8 Bg5 h6 Kicking the bishop is Black’s best choice. Instead after 8 ... Na6 White plays 9 Nd2 and after 9 ... h6 can continue 10 Be3 which is the best post for the bishop, now that it cannot be hassled by ... Nf6-g4. Following 10 ... Nh7 11 0-0 f5 12 exf5 gxf5 13 f4 b6 14 Nf3 Nc5 15 fxe5 dxe5 16 Qd2 f4 17 Bxc5 bxc5 18 Bd3 favoured White in V.Ivanchuk-Ju Wenjun, Cap d’Agde (rapid) 2012. White has command of the light squares and play against Black’s weak c5-pawn. 9 Bh4 Na6 10 Nd2 Qe8 11 0-0
11 ... h5 Moving the h-pawn, either now or after the preparatory moves ... Nf6-h7 and ... Bc8-d7, is the most common plan here. Black starts his kingside expansion, and also opens up the h6square for his dark-squared bishop. Let’s first look at lines where Black refrains from ... h7h5 and simply goes ahead with ... f7-f5 as quickly as possible. After 11 ... Bd7 12 b3 Nh7 13 a3 f5 and now: a) 14 exf5 gxf5!? 15 Bh5 Qc8 16 Be7 Re8 17 Bxe8 Qxe8 18 Bh4 e4 and Black has good compensation for the exchange, as played in A.Yusupov-G.Kasparov, World Cup, Barcelona 1989 and many subsequent games. b) 14 f3 and now: b1) 14 ... h5 transposes to the main game. b2) 14 ... Nf6 15 Bf2 Nh5 16 Re1 with a further split: b21) 16 ... Qe7 17 Bf1 Bf6 18 Rb1 f4 19 b4 axb4 20 axb4 Bh4 21 Bxh4 Qxh4 M.Mozharov-M.Samusenko, Kazan 2014, and here 22 c5 is most forceful. Now 22 ... dxc5 23 Bxa6 cxb4 24 Rxb4 bxa6 25 Nc4 and White gains the advantage, for example 25 ... Qe7 26 d6 cxd6 27 Nd5 Qg5 28 Rb6 etc. b22) 16 ... Nf4 17 Bf1 fxe4 18 Ndxe4 gives White an edge due to his grip on the e4square. b3) 14 ... g5 15 Bf2 f4 reaching the following position:
An instructive moment. White accelerates his queenside play here with 16 b4!, when his attack proceeds even faster than we will see in Nakamura-Bacrot. Black can now choose: b31) 16 ... axb4 17 axb4 Nxb4 is answered by 18 Qb3 Na6 19 Qxb7 with a strong initiative on the queenside. b32) 16 ... h5 17 c5 Qg6 and here 18 c6! is an important thematic tactic that you should know. After 18 ... bxc6 19 dxc6 Be6 20 b5 Nc5 21 Bxc5 dxc5 22 Bc4 Bxc4 23 Nxc4 g4 24 Nd5 Rf7 25 Kh1 and White is dominating, A.Delchev-L.Lorenzo de la Riva, Sort 2008. b4) 14 ... b6 is an attempt to slow down White’s queenside attack. Then 15 Rb1 (15 Qb1!? is another way of enabling b2-b4, but without taking the a1-rook off the a-file) 15 ... f4 16 b4 axb4 17 axb4 g5 18 Bf2 h5 and now 19 c5! is fastest, for example 19 ... bxc5 20 bxc5 Nxc5, J.Kraai-D.Gross, German League 1998 and now after 21 Nb5 Qd8 22 Bxc5 dxc5 23 Nb3, White is better due to his advanced queenside play. 12 a3 Bd7 13 b3 Nh7 14 f3
14 ... f5 As always, a very natural move for the King’s Indian player, however 14 ... Bh6 is the big main line that we will examine in Game 39. 14 ... Bf6 has also been played. After 15 Bf2 Qe7 and now: a) 16 Rb1 Bh4 17 Qe1 Bxf2+ 18 Qxf2 Qg5 was unclear in F.Vallejo Pons-V.Golod, European Club Cup, Rethymnon 2003. b) 16 c5!? Nxc5 17 b4 Na6 18 b5!? Nc5 19 b6 c6 20 Nc4 is a promising temporary pawn sacrifice for White. 15 Rb1 g5 Black continue his ‘route 1’ kingside plan. Alternatively 15 ... Nc5 16 Nb5 Bxb5 17 cxb5 Bh6 18 exf5 gxf5 19 b6! cxb6 20 Nc4 gave White a great position in V.Kramnik-G.Kasparov, Paris (rapid) 1995. 16 Bf2 f4 16 ... Qg6 17 b4 axb4 18 axb4 g4!? is another way for Black to play, but White continues with typical play after 19 c5 etc. 17 b4
Why is this setup more effective for White than the traditional classical King’s Indian? 1) Black has had to make several moves that don’t advance his kingside attack, such as ... a7-a5, ... Nb8-a6, ... Bc8-d7 and ... Qd8-e8. 2) The a6-knight in particular doesn’t participate in the kingside action, while in many Classical lines Black has both knights on the kingside. 3) White’s pieces are well placed for both queenside attack and kingside defence, despite the time used for Bc1-g5-h4-f2. 4) Once White’s queenside expansion does get moving, it can break through very fast, with the a6-knight being a major target of White’s play. 17 ... axb4 18 axb4 Qg6 Black’s best try. Instead after 18 ... Nf6 19 c5 g4 20 c6 (20 Ra1! ganging up on the a6knight and threatening 21 c6, is even better) 20 ... bxc6 21 dxc6 Be6 22 Bc4 Bh6 23 Bxe6+ Qxe6 24 Bh4 Rab8 25 Bxf6 Rxf6 26 Nd5 with complete domination of Black’s forces, J.Moreno Ruiz-D.Taboas Rodriguez, Madrid 2012. 19 c5 g4 20 c6!
As we have seen in earlier notes, this is very typical tactic for the Petrosian variation that accelerates White’s progress on the queenside. Once again the a6-knight is the scapegoat. 20 ... bxc6 White has scored over 80% after this move, but other tries have fared even worse: a) 20 ... Bc8 21 cxb7 Bxb7 22 fxg4 f3? 23 Bxf3 Ng5 24 gxh5 with a winning material advantage, J.Timman-A.Shirov, Wijk aan Zee (blitz) 1998. b) 20 ... g3 21 cxd7 gxf2+ 22 Rxf2 and White profits heavily from the absence of Black’s light-squared bishop, A.Lugovoi-S.Benderac, Bosnian League 2002. 21 dxc6 Be6 21 ... Bxc6?? loses to 22 b5 winning a piece, this is White’s point behind 20 c6, of course. 22 b5 Nb8 The other knight move has also been played. After 22 ... Nc5, M.Michailov-C.Colombo, Uruguayan League 2012, White has 23 b6! which is the simplest path to a large advantage. 23 Nd5 Bxd5 24 exd5 g3 Black finally lands a blow on the kingside, but White is well prepared to deal with it. Black’s b8-knight is frozen in place and can’t participate. 25 Be1 Ng5 The best chance to confuse matters. Instead 25 ... gxh2+ can confidently be answered by 26 Kxh2 (26 Kh1 also wins) and Black is too slow.
26 Rb4 White is still better after this move, but more incisive was any one of the following options: a) 26 hxg3 simply taking the attacking pawn and not fearing ghosts. b) 26 b6 just continuing the queenside attack. c) 26 Ne4 when Vigorito gives the line 26 ... Nxe4 27 Qc2 gxh2+ 28 Kxh2 Ra2 29 Qxa2 Ng3 30 Rb4! Qg5 31 Kg1 Qh4 32 Bxg3 exploiting the pin on the 4th rank. After this Black’s attack runs out of steam and he is hopelessly lost. 26 ... h4 27 Ne4 Another good line was 27 h3 Qf5 28 Qb1! Nxh3+ and here White can (and must!) ignore the knight. After 29 Kh1 Qc8? 30 b6 cxb6 31 Ne4 White wins. 27 ... h3 This looks scary but Nakamura is in control. 28 hxg3 fxg3 29 Qd2?! 29 Nxg5 was more convincing. 29 ... Rf4? Missing his last chance with 29 ... hxg2 30 Kxg2 Nh3 31 Bxg3 Bh6, but White is still well on top after 32 Qc2 Nf4+ 33 Kh1 Qh5+ 34 Bh2 etc.
30 Nxg5 Qxg5 Or 30 ... Rxb4 31 Qxb4 Qxg5 32 Qe4 Ra4 33 Qxa4 Qe3+ 34 Bf2! and Black’s ideas run out. 31 gxh3 Qf5 32 Bxg3 Qxh3 33 Bxf4 exf4 34 Qxf4 1-0 Because of the unfortunate b8-knight, Black is effectively a full rook down, so resigned here. Game 39 J.Granda Zuniga-D.Flores Americas Continental Championship, Mar del Plata (rapid) 2012 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 Nf3 0-0 6 Be2 e5 7 d5 a5 8 Bg5 h6 9 Bh4 Na6 10 Nd2 Bd7 11 0-0 Qe8 12 b3 Nh7 13 a3 h5 14 f3 Bh6 The main line, Black activates his King’s Indian bishop and uses a dark-square strategy to counter White’s queenside plans. Meanwhile 14 ... f5 was covered in Game 38.
This line has its own unique flavour, which is quite different from the classical KID. If you get some practice with this variation, you will likely be more familiar with the plans and nuances than your opponent, who has to study all the other systems White has against the KID. 15 Rb1 White also has: a) 15 Bf2 which prevents 15 ... Be3+ but allows Black to access the kingside darksquares with 15 ... Qe7. Black can then follow up with plans such as ... h4, ... Qg5, ... Nf6-h5 etc. Instead, White should leave the bishop on the h4-square, where it plays an important prophylactic role, restraining Black’s kingside play. b) 15 Kh1 usually transposes to the main line after 15 ... Be3 although Black also has the interesting option of 15 ... Qb8 with the idea of ... Qb8-a7 bringing the queen onto the important g1-a7 diagonal. 15 ... Be3+ This is by far the most popular move, but Black has also played: a) 15 ... Nc5 is also quite natural, trying to activate Black’s problem piece. The c5-knight can now jump to the a4-square if it is kicked by b3-b4. In fact this move was played in the one of the highest level encounters in the Petrosian Variation in recent years. After 16 Qc2 f5 17 b4 axb4 18 axb4 Na4 we reach the following position.
Now 19 Nd1!, avoiding exchanges, is White’s best. 19 ... g5 20 Bf2 g4 and now: a1) 21 fxg4?! with a critical choice for Black: a11) 21 ... Bxd2? 22 Qxd2 f4 23 gxh5 Ng5 24 Bh4! Nxe4 25 Qc2 Bf5 26 g4!! and White won material, A.Giri-Ding Liren, Wijk aan Zee 2015. a12) 21 ... hxg4! 22 exf5 Bxf5 23 Bd3 Bxd3 24 Qxd3 Qh5 is unclear. a2) 21 Ne3!? is another idea, for example 21 ... Bxe3 22 Bxe3 f4 23 Bf2 Ng5 24 Kh1 gxf3 25 Bxf3 and White retains an advantage as his kingside is quite safe. b) 15 ... f5 16 exf5 gxf5 17 f4 exf4 was seen in J.Barkhagen-M.Holm, Avesta 1993, and now 18 Nb5! is awkward for Black to meet.
16 Kh1 Bc5 Again the main move, although the immediate 16 ... f5 has also been tried. After 17 exf5 gxf5 18 b4 axb4 19 axb4 Kh8 20 Bd3 Qg6 21 Qe2 Qh6 22 Rfd1 Rae8 and here: a) 23 Qe1?! is a strange move, as the queen was fine on e2, defending the g2-pawn 23 ...
Rg8 24 Nf1 Bg5 25 Ne2 Rg7 led to balanced chances in V.Topalov-S.Mamedyarov, Wijk aan Zee 2008. b) 23 Nf1 is a better try, for example 23 ... Bg5 24 Bf2 Qg7 25 Qc2 with a slight edge for White. 17 Qc1
A key position for this line. 17 ... f5 Alternatively: a) Waiting moves such as 17 ... Kh8 can be answered by 18 Nb5!? and now: a1) 18 ... c6 is well met by 19 b4!, blowing open the queenside in White’s favour. a2) 18 ... Qb8 defends the c7- and d6-pawns, but with Black’s queen away from the kingside, now is a good time for White to trade dark-squared bishops. After 19 Bf2 Bxf2 20 Rxf2 f5 21 Nc3, followed by b3-b4, White should emerge with a slight edge due to his coming queenside play and relatively safe king. b) 17 ... c6 is Kotronias’ main recommendation in his 2016 King’s Indian repertoire book that includes coverage of the Petrosian. White has two decent options here: b1) 18 Na2 forcing through the b3-b4 thrust, when Black can try: b11) 18 ... Be3 19 b4 axb4 20 axb4 f5 with counterplay according to Kotronias. The engine, however, prefers White in the highly concrete line 21 c5!? dxc5 22 dxc6 bxc6 23 Bxa6 Be6 24 b5 Bxa2 25 Qa3 Bxb1 26 Qxe3 cxb5 27 Bb7 Ba2 28 Bxa8 Qxa8 29 Ra1 b4 30 exf5 gxf5 31 Qxc5 b3 32 Qxe5 and Black’s king is exposed. b12) 18 ... cxd5 19 b4 axb4 20 axb4 Be3 21 exd5! creating a queenside majority which worked out well after 21 ... Bh6 22 Nc3 f5 23 Qc2 Rc8 24 Rfe1 g5 25 Bf2 g4 26 c5 dxc5 27 bxc5 Nxc5 28 Nc4 and White was much better in I.Naumkin-Ye Jiangchaun, Belgrade 1988. b2) 18 Na4 targeting the dark-squared bishop, when following 18 ... Bd4 we reach the following diagram. White has a further choice to make here:
b21) 19 c5!? is an interesting pawn sacrifice. Black has to navigate several pitfalls to get a playable position here: b211) 19 ... Nxc5 20 Nb6 Nd3! (if 20 ... Rb8 then 21 Ndc4 is crushing for White) 21 Bxd3 Bxb6 22 Nc4 Bc7 (not 22 ... Bc5? 23 b4 and Black’s position collapses) 23 a4 f6, J.Markoja-D.Oliveira, correspondence 2012, and now White should play 24 Qd2! c5 25 Na3 with a firm grip on the light squares. Black’s extra pawn is somewhat irrelevant and his darksquared bishop is out of play on the rather sad c7-square. b212) 19 ... cxd5 20 Nb6 Nxc5 21 Nxd5 with a powerful d5-knight. b22) 19 dxc6 bxc6 20 c5 Nxc5 and now 21 Nxc5!? is another interesting pawn sac (Kotronias looks at 21 Nb6). A possible line is 21 ... Bxc5 22 Nc4 Qe6 23 Nxa5 Rxa5 24 b4 Bxb4 25 axb4 Raa8 26 Rd1 with the two bishops and pressure for the pawn. b23) 19 Bf2 is a safe but fairly equal line 19 ... Bxf2 20 Rxf2 Qd8 21 dxc6 Bxc6 22 Nc3 Nc5 23 b4 axb4 24 axb4 Ne6 25 b5 Bd7 26 Nb3 Qb6 was OK for Black in A.YusupovB.Damljanovic, Saint John 1988.
18 exf5 gxf5 19 f4 Fighting for the central squares, the two armies finally make contact. This is the critical move, as while 19 Na2 and 19 Bf2 have been played more often in the past, Black scored satisfactorily after those moves. The untried 19 Rd1!? is also worth a look, for example 19 ... Nf6 20 Nf1 and if 20 ... f4 21 Bd3 White controls the light squares. 19 ... e4 Instead after 19 ... exf4 20 Rxf4, Black now has: a) 20 ... Be3 21 Rf1 f4 22 b4 axb4 23 axb4 Qg6 24 Qd1 Bg4 25 Nf3 Bf5 26 Rb2 Qg7 27 Be1 Nf6 28 Nd4 is better for White, I.Naumkin-R.Hautala, Livorno 2004. b) 20 ... Qe5 21 Rf3 (21 Rf1 Qg7 is Van Kampen’s recommendation) 21 ... f4 (to prevent 22 Rg3+) 22 Nce4 Bf5 23 Bd3 and White is a little better. 20 Re1
20 ... Nf6
Black has also played 20 ... Be3 21 g3 Bf2 and here White should play 22 Rd1 leaving the f1-square free for the d2-knight, and now Black can reply: a) 22 ... Nf6 23 b4 axb4 24 axb4 Ng4, P.Walczak-T.Habermehl, correspondence 2013, and here White should play 25 Rf1 Ba7 26 h3 Ne3 27 Re1 with a slight advantage. b) 22 ... Be3 23 b4 axb4 24 axb4 Qg6 25 Qc2 Nf6 26 Nf1 Bb6 and now: b1) 27 Re1?! Rae8?! (27 ... Ng4! is unclear) 28 Nd1 e3?! 29 Bf3 and White got the upper hand in M.Parligras-J.Cuenca Jimenez, German League 2015. b2) 27 h3 is slightly better for White, he should keep the knight out of the g4-square if he can. 21 h3 Qg6 22 Nf1 Rf7 23 Ne3 Rg7 24 Bf1 Nh7 25 Nc2 Bb6 26 b4 axb4 27 axb4 Re8 28 Qd2 Qh6
29 Nd4!? An enterprising pawn sac, but simply 29 g3 is good enough to keep White’s advantage, he can continue to improve his position while keeping material parity. 29 ... Bxd4 30 Qxd4 Qxf4 31 Bf2 Ng5?! 31 ... Qg5 keeps Black in the game. 32 Be3 Qh4 33 Bf2 Qf4 34 Ne2 Forcing a queen trade, after which White blockades Black’s e- and f-pawns. 34 ... Qe5 35 Be3 Qxd4 36 Bxd4 h4
37 Nf4 White’s d4-bishop is so powerful he can even spurn the win of an exchange. 37 ... Nh7 38 c5 Bc8 39 c6 Finally the thematic breakthrough that we have seen before. 39 ... Rg3 40 Bf2 Simpler was 40 cxb7 Bxb7 41 b5 Nc5 42 b6 with a decisive queenside breakthrough. 40 ... Rc3 41 Bxh4 Rc2? The rook was already better placed on the 3rd rank. 42 Re3 White is winning, he is better on both sides of the board. 42 ... Kf7 43 Ra3 bxc6 43 ... Nb8 44 b5 and Black’s knight is entombed. 44 Bxa6
White wins the piece. Although the game continues for almost 30 more moves, the result was never really in doubt. 44 ... Bxa6 45 Rxa6 cxd5 46 Nxd5 Nf8 47 Ne3 Rd2 48 Nxf5 e3 49 Nxe3 Rxe3 50 Bg5 Red3 51 Bxd2 Rxd2 52 Rf1+ Ke7 53 Ra3 Nd7 54 Rg3 Rc2 55 Rg7+ Ke6 56 Rff7 Ne5 57 Rxc7 Rb2 58 Rb7 d5 59 Rg5 Nc4 60 Rc7 Ne3 61 Rc6+ Kd7 62 Rf6 Rxb4 63 Rg7+ Ke8 64 Rh6 Kf8 65 Rd7 Rb1+ 66 Kh2 Nf1+ 67 Kg1 Ng3+ 68 Kf2 Ne4+ 69 Ke3 Re1+ 70 Kf4 Kg8 1-0 Game 40 R.Kreisl-V.Onischuk Zalakaros 2015 1 d4 d6 2 Nf3 g6 3 c4 Bg7 4 Nc3 Nf6 5 e4 0-0 6 Be2
6 ... Nbd7 A flexible system that has always been around, although at the top level, 6 ... e5 (and if 7 0-0 Nc6) has usually been preferred. Other 6th moves are: a) 6 ... e5 7 d5 and now two of Black’s main responses to the Petrosian are 7 ... Nbd7 (and 7 ... Na6 8 0-0 Nc5) but after 8 0-0 Nc5 we also reach the same position as after 8 moves in the main game. b) 6 ... Na6 is another system with its own body of theory. As mentioned in the chapter introduction, after 7 0-0 e5 8 d5 Nc5 we transpose into the 6 ... .Nbd7 line. c) 6 ... Bg4 is another line seen from time to time. Here I suggest the slightly unusual 7 Be3 Nfd7 8 h4!? for example 8 ... c5 9 d5 Nf6 10 e5 Nh5 11 e6 f5 12 Ng5 Bxe2 13 Qxe2 Na6, R.Damaso-T.Gareev, Figueira da Foz 2015, and now 14 Nf7 Qa5 15 0-0 puts Black in a bind. d) 6 ... c5 is also possible, of course. Now 7 0-0 Nc6 (7 ... cxd4 8 Nxd4 transposes to the Maroczy Bind - see Chapter Seven) 8 d5 Na5 9 Bg5 h6 10 Bf4 Nh5 11 Bd2 e5 12 Qc1 Kh7 13 Ne1 a6 14 g3 Nf6 15 Rb1 b6 16 Ng2 with a good version of the KID structure for White, not least due to Black’s knight on the rim, R.Kasimdzhanov-H.Gruenberg, German League 2015. 7 0-0 e5
White has several choices here, but my repertoire recommendation is consistent with the Petrosian system. 8 d5
This used to be one of the main lines of the King’s Indian, but went out of fashion as solutions were found for Black. In recent years, however, some fresh ideas have been found for White and I’m happy to recommend this for our repertoire. White’s other choices include 8 Be3, 8 Qc2 and 8 Re1 etc. 8 ... Nc5 9 Qc2 a5 10 Bg5 It is important to provoke ... h7-h6 before dropping the bishop back to the e3-square. This loosens the light squares on the kingside, and in several lines Black would like to use the h6square for one of his pieces. 10 ... h6 11 Be3 11 Bh4 isn’t so good in this position, since White has already castled. After 11 ... g5 12 Bg3 Nh5 13 Nd2 Nf4 Black is doing well.
11 ... Ng4 A natural move, kicking the e3-bishop, but now White initiates a sequence which unbalances the pawn structure. This is actually a major crossroads for Black, let’s look at his alternatives in detail: a) 11 ... b6 is Black’s most popular move, enabling Black to recapture with the b-pawn if the c5-knight is captured. White plays 12 Nd2 and now Black has another major choice: a1) 12 ... Ng4 13 Bxg4 Bxg4 14 a3 Na6 trying to slow down White’s queenside play. Now 15 Rab1 with a further split: a11) 15 ... Bd7 16 b4 axb4 17 axb4 f5 18 f3 f4 19 Bf2 g5 and now White can improve on earlier games with 20 Rb3! g4 21 Qb2 when he is ready to double rooks on the a-file to win the a6-knight, and after 21 ... Nb8 22 c5 White’s queenside play is fast. a12) 15 ... f5 16 f3 Bh5 17 b4 axb4 18 axb4 f4 19 Bf2 g5 20 h3 Bg6 21 Qb3 h5 22 Ra1! and now Black is in huge trouble on the a-file. After 22 ... g4 23 fxg4 hxg4 24 hxg4 Qg5 25 Nf3 White is able to combine attack and defence. 25 ... Qxg4 26 Ra3 Bh5 27 Rfa1 Rf6 28 Nd1 Rg6 29 Nh4 and White won in R.Wukits-K.Rogetzer, Austrian League 2002. a2) 12 ... Bg4 is probably the most critical line.
While trading light-squared bishops is normally a bad policy for Black, here he has some specific ideas in mind. The move 12 ... Bg4 was for some time considered the best antidote to White’s 8 d5 system, but some new ideas have emerged for White. White’s choices here are: a21) 13 f3 Bd7, Black’s main idea was to provoke f2-f3 so that now the h5-square is available for his knight. After 14 b3 Nh5 we get a typical King’s Indian battle after 15 Rfe1 or 15 a3. a22) 13 h3 also creates a target for Black on the kingside. a23) 13 Bxg4 Nxg4 14 Bxc5 bxc5 leads to a quieter position where Black follows up with ... h6-h5 and ... Bg7-h6. We’ll see an improved version of this for White below. a24) 13 Qd1!?
This is the move I prefer, not moving any pawns in front of the king, and asking Black to confirm that he wants to swap the bishops. This was ignored by theory in the early days of the
variation but has sparked some interest in recent years. Black has four main options: a241) 13 ... Bxe2 14 Qxe2 Qd7 15 f3 Nh5 16 g3 Rae8, A.Zubarev-A.Polivanov, Mukachevo 2016, and now 17 Bxc5 bxc5 18 Nb5 f5 19 Na7 gives White an edge, since Black’s a-pawn is weak. a242) 13 ... Bd7 14 b3 Nh7 15 a3 f5 16 f3 f4 17 Bf2 h5, Black plays in old school King’s Indian style, but White has a good piece formation setup to meet this. Now 18 b4 Nb7 19 c5 bxc5 20 bxc5 Nxc5 21 Bxc5 dxc5 22 Na4 c6 23 Nc4 and White is much better, U.ZakV.Golod, Israeli League 2008. a243) 13 ... h5 14 Bg5 Qe8 15 b3 Bd7 16 a3 Nh7 17 Be3 f5 18 f3 f4 19 Bf2 g5 20 b4 Na4 21 Nxa4 Bxa4 22 Qe1 Bd7 23 c5 and White’s queenside attack is much further ahead, A.Zubov-A.Zubarev, Ukrainian Championship 2014. a244) 13 ... Qc8 is a cunning try. The two queens are at a standoff, waiting to see who trades bishops first!
Here I propose 14 Bxg4 Nxg4 15 Bxc5 bxc5 16 Nb5 h5 and now 17 a4 fixing the a5-pawn in place. If Black doesn’t play energetically, White can target this pawn with Nd2-b3 and Qd1-e1. Play may continue 17 ... Bh6 18 Nb3 and now two sample lines are: a2441) 18 ... f5 tends to work out quite well for White in these positions, for example 19 h3 Nf6 20 exf5 gxf5 21 Qe1 when White is better, as Black is a long way from creating threats on the kingside. a2442) 18 ... h4 19 h3 Nf6 20 Qe1 c6 21 dxc6 Qxc6 22 f3 Nh5 23 Nxa5 Qd7 24 Nb3 Bf4 25 Nc1 Qe7 26 Ne2 when White is holding Black at bay on the kingside but has an extra pawn on the queenside. b) 11 ... Nh5 12 g3 Bh3 13 Rfe1 b6 14 a3 a4 (sacrificing the pawn) 15 Bxc5 bxc5 16 Nxa4 f5 17 Nc3 f4 18 Kh1?! (this seems to be a wasted tempo, 18 a4 looks best) 18 ... Nf6 19 a4 g5 (19 ... Ng4 is more testing) 20 Ra3 Qe8 21 Nb5 Qf7? 22 gxf4 Ng4 23 Bd1 Nf6 24 fxg5 Nh5 25 Rg1 and White won in G.Vescovi-A.Utegaliev, Moscow 2010. c) 11 ... Nfd7 12 Nd2 f5
Now White has two approaches: c1) 13 exf5 gxf5 and here 14 f4 is the main line, while 14 f3 Nf6 15 Nb3 is also worth considering. c2) 13 f3, going for the ‘race’, for example 13 ... f4 14 Bf2 g5 15 b3 h5 16 a3 Na6 17 Rfb1 (17 Qd1 is also good, since after 17 ... Nf6 18 b4 can be played without further preparation) 17 ... Rf6 18 Qd1 Rg6 19 b4 Bf8 20 Na4 Nf6 21 c5 g4 22 c6!? Nh7, B.Savchenko-I.Nyzhnyk, Moscow 2013 and now 23 cxb7 Bxb7 24 fxg4 is the simplest solution, giving White a decisive advantage. After that lengthy theoretical digression, we return to the main game after 11 ... Ng4:
White can now initiate a forcing sequence that transforms the pawn structure. 12 Bxc5 dxc5 13 h3 Nf6 14 Nxe5 This is the point. Although Black gets the two bishops, White trades a wing pawn for a central pawn.
14 ... Nxd5 15 cxd5 Bxe5 16 f4 Bd4+
Now White has a difficult decision to make – which square is best for the king? 17 Kh2 Experience has shown that this is the slightly better choice. After 17 Kh1 Qh4 White has to spend a tempo dealing with the threat of 18 ... Bxh3. Following 18 Qd3 c6 19 Qf3 h5 20 f5 Bd7 gives chances for both sides, S.Gligoric-R.Fischer, Siegen Olympiad 1970. 17 ... g5 18 Nb5! Hitting the d4-bishop enables White to keep his pawn front intact for now. Instead 18 e5 gxf4 was unclear in R.Kasimdzhanov-A.Mista, Trzcianka (rapid) 2015. 18 ... Bg7 Black has also played 18 ... Be3 and here White has tried: a) 19 f5 Bd7 20 Na3?! Bd4 21 Rad1 Qf6 gave Black too much dark-square control in A.Korobov-P.Neuman, Pardubice 2009. b) 19 fxg5! and now: b1) 19 ... Bd7 20 Rf3 Bxg5 21 Raf1 Bxb5 22 Bxb5 Qe7 23 Rg3 and White generates a big kingside attack, Cu.Hansen-J.Fischer, German League 2006. b2) 19 ... Qxg5 20 g3! c6 21 h4 Qe5 22 Rf3 is also better for White.
19 Kh1 Instead of losing a tempo with the king, White could proceed with 19 Qxc5! gxf4 and now both captures of the c7-pawn look good for White. 19 ... c6 20 dxc6 bxc6 21 Na3?! White loses his momentum. Instead 21 Rad1 Qb6 22 Nc3 is good for White. Black’s two bishops don’t fully compensate for his weak pawns and loose king’s position. 21 ... Bd4 22 Nc4 Be6 23 Rad1 Qf6?! Black is fully in the game after something like 23 ... Rb8 or 23 ... a4. 24 e5 Qe7
25 f5! White sees that, even if he has to sacrifice the e5-pawn, getting the pawn wedge on the f6square will seriously weaken Black’s kingside. 25 ... Bd5
Or 25 ... Bxc4 26 Bxc4 Qxe5 27 f6 Kh8 28 Rde1 Qd6 29 Qf5 and Black has no answer to the threat of 30 Bd3, catching Black’s king in a mating net. 26 f6 Qc7 27 Nd6 This doesn’t spoil anything, but 27 Bd3! wins. White threatens to penetrate with Qc2-e2h5 and Black has no real escape. 27 ... Rfe8? 27 ... Rad8 was more tenacious, for example 28 Nf5 Qxe5 29 Nxh6+ Kh8 and the game continues. 28 Rxd4! cxd4 29 Qf5 With the deadly threat of 30 Bd3.
29 ... Rxe5 If Black tries 29 ... Be6 then 30 Qf3 followed by 31 Qh5 wins. 30 Qxe5 Rd8 31 Bd3 Qxd6 Now White penetrates Black’s kingside defences. 32 Qf5 Kf8 33 Qh7 Ke8 34 Bf5 Covering the king’s escape square. 34 ... Qxf6 35 Bd7+ White wins the queen and it’s all over. 35 ... Ke7 36 Rxf6 Kxf6 37 Qxh6+ Ke7 38 Bf5 f6 39 Qh7+ Kd6 40 Qg7 1-0 Game 41 S.Sjugirov-V.Onischuk Khanty-Mansiysk 2013 1 c4 g6 2 e4 Bg7 Black transposes to the Modern Defence. 3 d4 d6 4 Nc3
Black’s next move determines the course of the opening. 4 ... Nc6 Instead: a) 4 ... Nf6 is the King’s Indian, covered in earlier games in this chapter. b) 4 ... e5 provokes an immediate clash in the centre. Here I recommend 5 d5, when 5 ... f5 is the logical follow-up, but Black’s play is double-edged as he will lose castling rights. After 6 exf5 gxf5 7 Qh5+ Kf8 8 Bd3 we reach this position:
Here Black has tried: b1) 8 ... Nf6 9 Qd1 Na6 10 Nge2 and now: b11) 10 ... c6 11 Ng3 e4 12 Be2 cxd5 13 cxd5 h5 14 Bg5 Qa5 15 Qd2 h4 was played in I.Sokolov-V.Arapovic, Bosnian League 2002, but here 16 Nxf5! Bxf5 17 Qf4 was decisive as White picks up several pawns and Black’s king is further exposed. b12) 10 ... Qe8 11 Ng3 Qg6 12 h4 h5 13 Bg5 Nc5 14 Bc2 Ng4, K.Sasikiran-T.Hillarp
Persson, Malmo/Copenhagen 2005 and now 15 Nb5! is strong, for example 15 ... Qf7 16 b4 Na6 17 Rb1 and White is clearly better. b2) 8 ... Qe8 9 Qd1 Qg6 10 g3 Na6 11 Be3 (11 Nf3 is simpler) 11 ... Nf6 12 Nf3 Nb4, R.Grossmann-M.Rams, Polish League 2013, and here White missed the chance for 13 Nxe5! dxe5 14 Bc5+ picking up a free pawn. b3) 8 ... Ne7 9 Bg5 Qe8 was seen in A.Riazantsev-A.Bachmann, Berlin (rapid) 2015, and here White needs to keep the queens on and play against Black’s awkwardly placed king, starting with 10 Qe2. Instead 10 Qxe8+ Kxe8 11 f3 as played, was roughly level. c) 4 ... Nd7 5 Nf3 e5 6 Be2 Ne7 (6 ... Ngf6 leads back to the King’s Indian), and here I recommend 7 h4, a move that has scored over 70% for White.
Black has now tried: c1) 7 ... exd4 8 Nxd4 and here: c11) 8 ... Nc6 9 Bg5 Nf6 10 Nxc6 bxc6 11 e5! dxe5 12 Qxd8+ Kxd8 13 0-0-0+ Ke7 14 Bf3 Be6 15 Bxc6 Rad8, K.Rusev-M.Popchev, Plovdiv 2006 and here 16 b3 gives White a big advantage, since Black’s queenside pawns are very weak. c12) 8 ... Nc5 9 h5 Nc6 10 Be3 Ne6 11 Nxe6 Bxe6 12 Qd2 a6 13 Nd5 Bxd5 14 cxd5 Ne5 15 Rc1 c5 16 dxc6 Nxc6 17 Bc4 and with the two bishops and better structure, White is on top, O.Krivonosov-V.Kunin, Hofheim 2014. c2) 7 ... h6 8 Be3 f5 9 dxe5 dxe5 10 g3 and now: c21) 10 ... fxe4 11 Nxe4 Nf5 12 Qc2 0-0 13 0-0-0 Qe8 14 g4 Nxe3 15 fxe3 Nf6 16 Nxf6+ Rxf6 was played in V.Akobian-R.Mamedov, Lubbock 2009, and now 17 g5 Rf8 18 gxh6 Bxh6 19 Ng5 Bf5 20 e4 Bd7 21 c5 gives White the better attacking chances. c22) 10 ... 0-0 11 c5 f4 12 gxf4 exf4 13 Bd4 Nc6 14 Qb3+ Kh8 15 Bxg7+ Kxg7 16 Nd5 Nf6 17 Qc3 Kh7? 18 Ng5+ and White won in G.Flear-P.Dussol, Saint Affrique 2011. 5 Be3 e5 6 d5
6 ... Nce7 Black also plays the knight jump 6 ... Nd4, and after 7 Nge2 Nxe2 8 Bxe2 f5 9 exf5 Black has tried both recaptures: a) 9 ... Bxf5 10 g4 Bd7 11 h4 (The immediate 11 c5!? is untried, but may be White’s best here) 11 ... Qe7 and now: a1) 12 Qb3 b6 13 0-0-0 Nf6 14 Rhg1 h5? 15 gxh5 Nxh5 16 Bd3 0-0-0 17 c5 and White has a winning attack, E.Meduna-M.Konopka, Czech Championship 1999. a2) Kornev recommends 12 c5 dxc5 13 Nb5 Qd8 14 d6 Bxb5 15 Bxb5+ c6 16 Bc4 Nf6 17 g5 Nd5 18 Bxd5 cxd5 19 Qxd5 with a dominant position for White. b) 9 ... gxf5 10 Bh5+ Kf8 11 f4 e4 12 0-0 Nf6 13 c5 Bd7 14 Rc1 b6 15 cxd6 cxd6 16 a4 Rc8 17 Be2, reaching a fairly normal King’s Indian structure which would be OK for Black if his king was castled, but with the king on the f8-square White is better. Now 17 ... h5 was played in Y.Kuzubov-A.Rakhmanov, Dubai 2014, and here White should play 18 h3 (preventing ... Nf6-g4) which maintains White’s advantage. 7 g4
It is important that White fights against the early ... f7-f5. 7 ... f5 8 gxf5 gxf5 9 Qh5+ Kf8 Black’s other move is played with similar frequency: 9 ... Ng6 when a good model game is 10 exf5 Qh4 11 Qf3 N6e7 12 Nb5 Kd8 13 Qg2 Bh6 14 Nf3 Qf6 15 Ng5 Nxf5 16 h4 Nge7 17 Bd3 Bd7 18 0-0-0 Kc8 19 Qf3 Kb8 20 Kb1 Bg7 21 Nc3 h6 22 Nce4 Qf8 23 Ne6 and White is clearly better, A.Acevedo Villalba-P.Bjazevic, correspondence 2007. 10 Bh3 Nf6 11 Qf3
11 ... Ng6 Or Black can keep the f-file closed with 11 ... f4 12 Bd2 and now: a) 12 ... c6 can be answered by 13 0-0-0 (13 dxc6!? bxc6 14 0-0-0 is also worth considering) 13 ... cxd5 14 cxd5 a6 15 Kb1 and White is for choice, because of his control of the light-squares, J.Berman-M.Nuri, World U-16 Championship, Al Ain 2013.
b) 12 ... Kf7 13 0-0-0 Rg8 14 c5 a6 was played in S.Grishchenko-V.Asadli, Marianske Lazne 2015, and now White could have played the dynamic 15 Be6+! Bxe6 16 dxe6+ Kxe6 drawing the king into the centre, especially if followed up with 17 Bxf4! exf4 18 e5 blasting the position open. Black is best advised to return the piece, but is worse with his king so exposed. c) 12 ... a6 13 Bxc8 Qxc8 14 Qd3 Ng6 15 Nf3 Bh6 16 Rg1 Kf7 17 0-0-0 Rg8 18 c5 Qd7 19 Kb1, K.Sasikiran-J.Berry, Internet 2004, with a typical advantage for White. His king is safe on the b1-square, while Black’s king is hanging around in the centre, and his h6-bishop is passively placed. 12 Bg5 White’s usual move in practice. Kornev’s suggestion of 12 0-0-0 is also promising, for example 12 ... fxe4 13 Qe2 a6 14 Bxc8 Qxc8 15 Qc2 b5 16 Nge2 bxc4 17 Nxe4 Rb8 18 Nxf6 Bxf6 19 Qxc4 with an edge for White (Kornev). 12 ... h6
13 Bxf6 This is an improvement over 13 Bxf5 hxg5 14 Bxg6 g4 15 Qd3 Rh6 16 Bf5 Bxf5 17 exf5 e4 (17 ... Ke7!?) 18 Qc2 Qd7 19 Nge2 which was a little better for White in E.Van BeersF.Cuijpers, Belgian League 2001. 13 ... Qxf6 14 exf5 Nh4 15 Qd3?! White can secure an advantage with 15 Qe4! for example: a) 15 ... Nxf5 16 Nb5 with attacking prospects. b) 15 ... Bxf5 16 Bxf5 and now Black must now recapture with the knight, and after 16 ... Nxf5 17 Nge2 White keeps the queens on and can exploit Black’s weak light squares. 15 ... Nxf5?! Black missed a chance to simplify with 15 ... Bxf5 16 Bxf5 Qxf5! when suddenly he can count on equal chances. 16 Ne4 Now Black has to contend with his poor king position and general lag in development. 16 ... Qh4 17 Ne2
17 ... Qh5 18 Rg1 Rg8 19 Bg4 Qf7 20 0-0-0 h5 21 Bh3 Bh6+ 22 Kb1 Bd7 Black finally gets time to try and develop his queenside, but White now starts to press on the c-file. 23 c5 Ke7 24 Qb3 Rab8 25 Ka1 Too cautious. White can play more aggressively with 25 Rxg8 Qxg8 26 Qb4 and Black can’t cope with all the threats. 25 ... Rg6 26 c6 Bc8 27 Rxg6 Qxg6 28 Rg1 White attacks on both sides of the board. 28 ... Qf7 29 a3 a5
30 Qb5 Instead 30 Ng5 was strong, for example: a) 30 ... Qf6 31 Ne6 Bxe6 32 dxe6 b6 33 Nc3 with the deadly threat of 34 Nd5+. b) 30 ... Bxg5 31 Rxg5 b6 32 f4 and Black can’t survive here.
30 ... b6 31 Qd3 b5 32 Ng5 Qf6 33 f4 33 Ne6! was yet another opportunity to put Black to the sword. 33 ... exf4 34 Nxf4?! A temporary piece sacrifice that is unnecessarily sophisticated. Again, 34 Ne6! was called for. 34 ... Bxg5 35 Re1+ Kf7 36 Ne6 Bxe6 37 Rxe6?! Qd4 38 Qxf5+ Bf6 Black defends against White’s onslaught, and now has counterplay along the long diagonal. 39 Qh7+ Bg7? 39 ... Kf8! and White needs to bail out with a draw because of the threats against his king. 40 Qxh5+ Kf8 41 Qf3+ Kg8 42 Re2 Now Black has to suffer again. 42 ... Qh4 43 Re4 Qh6 44 Be6+ Kh8
45 Qh3?! White has much better winning chances with the queens on, for example 45 Re3 Bd4 46 Rb3 a4 47 Rb4 and White will eventually get to the exposed black king. 45 ... Qxh3 46 Bxh3 Bf6 47 Ka2 Kg7 48 Bf5 b4 49 Rg4+ Kf7 50 axb4 Rxb4 51 Be6+ Ke7 52 Rg8 Bd4 53 b3 Bb6 54 h3 1-0 (112 moves) White is still a pawn up, with some winning chances, but the structure can no longer teach us much about the opening. After more adventures, White eventually won on move 112! Summary 1) The Petrosian System (Games 38-40) can be your long-term weapon against the King’s Indian. It is sufficiently testing for Black without being crazily theoretical. 2) The most common ideas and themes frequently recur, as you can see from some of the games in this chapter. Remember the accelerated c4-c5-c6 ideas, exploiting Black’s offside a6-knight. 3) When Black avoids the main line 7 ... a5 Petrosian, the system analyzed in Game 40 gives a universal approach against ... .Nb8-d7 and ... Nb8-a6 setups. The critical line is 11 ... b6 12 Nd2 Bg4, where the new ideas associated with 13 Qd1 give White good chances.
Chapter Sixteen The Dutch, English Defence and Minor First Moves The Dutch 1 c4 f5 The Dutch is (in a similar way to the King’s Indian) a universal setup which Black can employ against almost any move apart from 1 e4. 2 Nc3 2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 comes to the same thing. 2 ... Nf6 2 ... e5 is covered in the 1 c4 e5 section (Chapters One to Four). 3 d4
My repertoire recommendation is to play a full-fledged Dutch, but to use several dangerous but lesser known lines without the g2-g3 fianchetto. Now with his next move, Black needs to declare his hand, his choice will be based on his preferred main line Dutch variation (Leningrad, Stonewall or Classical). 3 ... d6 A favourite of Leningrad Dutch devotees. Instead: a) 3 ... g6 is also a very common reply, but can be met by the immediate 4 h4 d6 5 h5 and now 5 ... Nxh5 6 Rxh5 gxh5 7 e4 is a dangerous weapon which has scored well for White. See the notes to Nakamura-Anton Guijarro (Game 42). b) 3 ... e6, aiming for a Stonewall or Classical Dutch setup, can be answered by 4 Qc2 and now: b1) 4 ... d5 5 Bf4 c6 6 Nf3 Be7 7 e3 0-0 8 Bd3 Ne4 9 g4!? which is analyzed in
Savchenko-Schmittdiel (Game 43). b2) 4 ... Bb4 and other alternatives are covered in the notes to Game 43. 4 Bg5 Nbd7 5 Qc2 g6 6 h4 Bg7 7 0-0-0 c6 8 Nh3 Nf8 9 e3 This our main line which is analyzed in Game 42. The English Defence 1 ... b6 2 Nc3 Bb7 3 e4
3 ... e6 4 Nf3 Bb4 5 Bd3 Ne7 This my repertoire recommendation against the English Defence – see Hjartarson-Lau (Game 44) later in this chapter. Black’s Other 1st Moves Now let’s review (almost) all of Black’s other first moves. a) 1 ... g6 2 e4 will lead to either the Modern or anti-Grünfeld, covered in earlier chapters. b) 1 ... e6 is another way of reaching some of the lines in this chapter. For example 2 Nc3 and now: b1) 2 ... f5 is a line of the Dutch, covered in Game 43. b2) 2 ... d5 is the anti-QGD, see Chapter Thirteen. b3) 2 ... b6 is the English Defence, see Game 44 later in this chapter. c) 1 ... d6 2 d4 and now: c1) 2 ... f5 is another way to get to the Dutch, see Game 42. c2) 2 ... e5 3 Nc3, see Chapter Four, Game 13. d) 1 ... d5 2 cxd5 Nf6 3 Nc3 Nxd5 enters the anti-Grünfeld, see Chapter Fourteen. e) 1 ... Nc6 2 Nc3 and now: e1) 2 ... e5 transposes to 1 c4 e5 lines (Chapters 1-4).
e2) 2 ... g6 can have some independent significance, for example 3 d4 Bg7 4 d5 Ne5 5 e4 d6 6 f4 Nd7 7 Nf3 Nc5 8 e5 Nh6 9 Be3 0-0 10 h3 c6, J.Stocek-A.Hilverda, Wunsiedel 2014 and now White is better after 11 Qd2. f) 1 ... g5 is an offbeat line championed by IM Michael Basman over the years. White can develop sensibly with 2 d4 Bg7 3 Nc3 h6 4 e4, for example 4 ... c5 5 d5 d6 6 Nge2 Nd7 7 Ng3 Bxc3+ 8 bxc3 Ngf6 9 h4 g4 10 h5 (10 Bf4 is even simpler) 10 ... Ne5 11 Bf4 Qa5 12 Qd2 targeting the h6-pawn, and White is better, G.Schwartzman-A.Schwaiger, Chicago 1994. g) 1 ... b5?! 2 cxb5 is a pretty much a free pawn, for example 2 ... a6 3 e4 Bb7 4 Nc3 e5 5 bxa6 Nxa6 6 Bc4 Nc5 7 Nf3 Ne6 8 0-0 Nf6 9 Nxe5 Bd6 10 d4 gave White a winning position in A.Kovalyov-N.Kraiouchkine, Montreal 2012. h) I have not covered 1 ... a6, 1 ... a5, 1 ... h6, 1 ... h5, 1 ... Na6 or 1 ... Nh6. I’ll leave those to your imagination! Game 42 H.Nakamura-D.Anton Guijarro Gibraltar 2016 1 d4 f5 2 c4 Nf6 3 Nc3 d6 This move is often favoured by players who want to enter a Leningrad Dutch setup with ... g7-g6, while 3 ... e6 is covered in the next game. Instead, the immediate 3 ... g6 gives White the aggressive option 4 h4! which has scored well in recent years.
Black’s main tries now are: a) 4 ... Bg7 5 h5. Strike while the iron is hot! At the cost of a pawn, and often an exchange sacrifice, White blasts open the position before Black’s king has castled into safety. a1) 5 ... Nxh5 Black usually takes the pawn. 6 e4 and now: a11) 6 ... fxe4 7 Rxh5 gxh5 8 Qxh5+ Kf8 9 Bh6 with a further split: a111) 9 ... e6?! 10 Nxe4 Qe7 11 Bxg7+ Kxg7 12 0-0-0 (12 Qe5+ is more incisive, for
example 12 ... Kg8 13 Be2 and Black’s king is in big trouble) 12 ... d6? (12 ... Rf8 is more tenacious) 13 Rd3 Rf8 14 Ng5 Kh8 15 Rh3 Rf5 16 N1f3 with a winning attack, M.MuzychukY.Yuan, Women’s World Ch., Sochi 2015. a112) 9 ... d6 10 Nxe4 Qd7 11 Bxg7+ Kxg7 12 Qg5+ Kf7 reaches the diagram position below.
Now White has a repetition draw in hand, but can continue the attack with 13 0-0-0 Qf5 14 Qe3 Ke8 15 Re1. White clearly has compensation for the exchange, but in a correspondence game, White demonstrated that he has good winning chances. Initially ambivalent, the computer likes this position more for White, the longer it thinks about it. 15 ... Qf7 16 c5! d5 (or 16 ... Kd8 17 Ng5 Qg7 18 Bc4 Rf8 19 Ne2 with an unpleasant position for Black) 17 Bb5+ Nc6 18 Nc3 Bg4? 19 Nxd5 e6 20 Qe5 and White wins material, A.Kalinin-V.Pichushkin, correspondence 2013. a12) 6 ... Nf6 Now White gets a pleasant position without giving up an material. 7 exf5 gxf5 8 Bh6 (8 Nge2!?) 8 ... Bxh6 9 Rxh6 0-0 10 Be2 (10 Qd2 is more to the point) 10 ... d6 11 Qd2 Rf7 12 0-0-0 Rg7 13 Nh3 Nbd7 14 Nf4 Nf8 15 d5 Bd7 16 Rdh1 and White has kingside pressure, C.Rios-D.Pardo Simon, Badalona 2015. a2) 5 ... d6 6 h6 Bf8 7 Nf3 c6 8 Qc2 Na6 9 a3 Nc7 10 Bg5 e6 11 e4 and White is clearly better, H.Ganaus-P.Petran, Austria 2007. b) 4 ... d6, with which Black favours queenside development.
Play is similar to the previous line after 5 h5 Nxh5 when: b1) 6 e4 is possible, and after 6 ... Nf6 7 Bd3 Bg7 8 exf5 Bxf5 9 Bxf5 gxf5 10 Nf3 Qd7 11 Qe2 White has decent compensation for the pawn, D.Bunzmann-E.Berg, German League 2001. b2) 6 Rxh5 gxh5 7 e4 and now: b21) 7 ... Be6 8 Be2 Kd7 9 d5 Bf7 10 exf5 Bg7 11 Nf3 with compensation. It is easy for Black to go astray here, for example 11 ... h6 12 Be3 Bxc3+ 13 bxc3 c5? 14 Bxc5 (played in A.Wirig-A.Vaisser, French Championship 2013) just wins a pawn, and further opens the position, since if Black plays 14 ... dxc5? then 15 Ne5+ Ke8 16 Bxh5 Rf8 17 Bxf7+ Rxf7 18 Qh5 wins for White. b22) 7 ... fxe4 8 Qxh5+ Kd7 9 Be2 c6 10 Nxe4 Kc7 11 Nf3 Bg7 12 c5 White is slightly better here but Black collapsed after 12 ... b5? 13 Bf4 with a breakthrough on the d6-square, A.Dreev-M.Bartel, Dubai (blitz) 2014.
4 Bg5 This is my repertoire recommendation. White plans to castle long and put Black under pressure on the kingside and in the centre. Nakamura chose this line for this decisive last round game that took him to victory in the Gibraltar Masters. 4 ... Nbd7 5 Qc2 g6 6 h4 Bg7 Black can also put the question to the bishop with 6 ... h6. Here I recommend 7 Bd2. White’s bishop retreats but he hopes to exploit the weakened light squares in Black’s camp. After 7 ... e5 8 e3 we reach the diagram position below.
Here Black can choose: a) 8 ... Bg7 9 h5 chips away at Black’s structure. Now Black’s options are: a1) 9 ... Nxh5 10 g4 Nhf6 11 gxf5 g5 12 0-0-0 c6 13 dxe5 Nxe5 14 f4 gxf4 15 e4 f3 16 Bf4 and White has a strong initiative, with Black’s king badly exposed, J.Stocek-G.Wall, Bunratty 2014. a2) 9 ... Nf8 10 hxg6 Nxg6 11 0-0-0 c6 12 dxe5 dxe5 13 e4 f4 14 Bxf4 Qe7 15 Bd2 and White consolidated his extra pawn in J.Chabanon-M.Lagarde, French Championship 2016. a3) 9 ... g5!? offering the f5-pawn is interesting. White could now play: a31) 10 Qxf5 0-0 11 0-0-0 exd4 12 exd4 c5 gives Black compensation for the pawn. a32) 10 0-0-0 0-0 11 f3 followed by Bf1-d3 with pressure on Black’s kingside, is a sensible way to proceed. b) 8 ... h5?! stops White’s h-pawn but weakens Black on the dark squares. Now 9 Nh3 Nh7 10 0-0-0 Bg7 11 c5 0-0 12 cxd6 cxd6 13 Nb5 Nb6 14 dxe5 dxe5 15 Bb4 and White is well on top, A.Ipatov-J.Gallagher, European Team Championship, Warsaw 2013. c) 8 ... Qe7 9 0-0-0 c6 can be answered by 10 h5!? Nxh5 11 g4 Ng7 12 Nf3 when White has good compensation for the pawn, as Black will find it difficult to unravel effectively. 7 0-0-0
7 ... c6 Alternatively 7 ... h6 8 Bxf6! Nxf6 9 Nh3 and now: a) 9 ... Kf7 10 e4 fxe4 11 Nxe4 Bf5 12 Bd3 e6 was seen in L.Galojan-M.Muzychuk, European Women’s Ch., Tbilisi 2011, and now 13 Ng3 is good for White. Black’s e6– and g6-pawns are weak and her king is displaced. b) 9 ... e6 10 Nf4 g5 11 hxg5 hxg5 12 Rxh8+ Bxh8 13 Nh3 g4 14 Nf4 Qe7 15 g3 Bd7 16 Bg2 0-0-0 17 Qb3 c6 18 Qa3 with a slight edge for White, A.Salem-P.Nguyen, Warsaw 2016. c) 9 ... Ng4 10 e3 0-0 11 Nf4 Kh7 12 h5 g5 13 Ng6 Rf7 14 c5!? (this doesn’t seem strictly necessary, but doesn’t spoil anything) 14 ... e6 15 Bd3 Bd7 was played in A.IpatovM.Muzychuk, Lvov 2008, and now 16 e4! opens the position in White’s favour. 8 Nh3
8 ... Nf8 Black has also played 8 ... e5 and now White has to make a key decision:
a) 9 e3 does not seek to challenge Black’s pawn centre for now. After 9 ... h6 10 Bxf6 Qxf6 11 Be2, G.Jones-F.Nijboer, Dutch League 2016 and now 11 ... 0-0! looks comfortable for Black. b) 9 dxe5 Nxe5 (9 ... dxe5?! 10 e4 catches Black behind in development) and now: b1) 10 h5 Nf7 11 Bh4 Qa5 12 e3 Nxh5 gave Black good counterplay in T.LaurusasA.Neiksans, Vilnius 2014. b2) 10 e3 is a quieter alternative that gives White the slightly better pawn structure. c) 9 e4!? is sharp and perhaps White’s best try, for example 9 ... h6 10 Be3 f4 11 dxe5 and now: c1) 11 ... fxe3 12 exf6 Qxf6 13 e5 Qxe5 14 Qxg6+ Kd8 15 Rxd6 with the initiative. c2) 11 ... dxe5 12 Bc5 Qa5 13 Bd6 Bf8 14 Be2 and White emerges slightly better because of his d-file control. 9 e3 Qa5 10 Kb1 Ne6 11 Be2 Bd7
12 Bxf6 Nakamura has 13 g4 in mind, but as the course of the game shows, objectively Black should be OK after this. Instead White can wait for Black to spend a tempo kicking or exchanging the g5-bishop, for example 12 a3!. This move can be useful down the road in many positions. After 12 ... h6 13 Bxf6 Bxf6 14 g4 0-0-0 15 gxf5 gxf5, White has 16 Ka2 with the idea of b2-b4 ousting Black’s queen and attacking on the queenside. 12 ... Bxf6 13 g4 0-0-0 13 ... fxg4!? 14 Bxg4 0-0-0 is adequate for Black. 14 gxf5 White could improve here with 14 g5 Bg7 15 h5 which gives White some play against Black’s static kingside. 14 ... gxf5 15 Bd3 Kb8 16 Ne2 Threatening to capture the f5-pawn. Instead 16 Bxf5?? would lose to 16 ... Nxd4.
16 ... Bxh4?! Black starts to go astray, opening the h-file comes back to bite Black later on. Instead, just defending the f5-pawn with 16 ... Nc7 or 16 ... Ng7 would keep the position in balance. 17 Bxf5 Bf6 18 e4 c5?! It looks logical to open the long diagonal for the f6-bishop, but the rest of Black’s forces end up passively placed. Instead 18 ... Rdf8 was an improvement, although White is slightly better due to his space advantage. 19 d5 Nc7 20 Bxd7 Rxd7 21 f4
White is clearly better now. It is hard for Black to prevent an eventual e4-e5 breakthrough, and the h-pawn is also weak. 21 ... Rhd8?! A hard move to understand, as nothing is happening on the d-file. 22 Nf2 b5 23 Ng4
White can ignore Black’s queenside demonstration and just get on with his play. 23 ... Bh8 24 Rxh7 The h-pawn falls. 24 ... Qb4 25 Ne3 a6 26 a3 Qa5 27 Nf5 Re8 28 e5 The decisive breakthrough in the centre. 28 ... bxc4 28 ... dxe5 29 d6 is crushing. 29 Rdh1 Nb5 Desperately trying for counterplay, but it is too little, too late.
30 a4 1-0 Black resigned, as he is losing the h8-bishop. Game 43 S.Savchenko-E.Schmittdiel German League 2004 1 c4 f5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 d4 e6 4 Qc2 A flexible move, asking Black to show his hand before committing to the future of the c1bishop.
4 ... d5 Black sets up the Stonewall structure. Other moves here: a) 4 ... d6 5 Nf3 Be7, where Black develops along the lines of the Classical Dutch, but White can take control of the centre here with 6 e4, for example 6 ... fxe4 7 Nxe4 Nxe4 8 Qxe4 Bf6 9 Bd3 Nc6, R.Simon-I.Naumkin, Muenster 1989 and now simplest is 10 0-0 d5 11 cxd5 Qxd5 when after 12 Rd1 or 12 Qe2, Black’s backward e6-pawn is a serious weakness. b) 4 ... b6 5 Bg5 Bb7 6 e3 h6 7 Bh4 g5 8 Bg3 Bg7 9 f3 Nc6 10 0-0-0 0-0 11 a3 Ne7 was played in J.Arizmendi Martinez-R.Oganisjan, Montpellier 2014, and here staying flexible with 12 Bd3 gives White a pleasant position, with plans of e3-e4 or h1-h4 depending on circumstances. c) 4 ... Bb4 is a kind of Dutch/Nimzo Indian hybrid. Now a compact central setup makes sense for White. After 5 e3 Black has tried: c1) 5 ... 0-0 6 Bd3 d6 (Black plays for the central thrust ... e6-e5) 7 Nge2 Nc6 8 0-0 Bxc3 9 Qxc3 e5 10 b4 Qe7 11 b5 Nd8 12 f4!? e4 13 Bc2 Be6 14 a4 a5 15 d5 Bf7 16 Nd4 Qd7 17 Bb2 with a sustained advantage due to ownership of the long a1-h8 diagonal, V.Barnaure-A.Cimpean, Romanian League 2015. c2) 5 ... b6 6 Bd3 Bb7 7 f3
White has blunted the influence of the b7-bishop, and will develop with Ng1-e2 and will usually secure the two bishops after an exchange on the c3-square. Black now has to decide whether to castle short or long: c21) 7 ... 0-0 8 Nge2 c5 9 a3 and here Black has three different ways of addressing the challenge to his b4-bishop: c211) 9 ... Bxc3+ 10 Qxc3 d6 11 0-0 Qe7 12 b3 (12 b4 is also valid) 12 ... Nbd7 13 Bb2 Nh5 14 Bc2 e5 15 dxe5 dxe5 16 Rad1 Rf7 17 Qd2 e4 18 f4 Ndf6 19 h3 Qe8 20 Qc3 and White’s control of the a1-h8 diagonal cements his advantage, A.Zubarev-A.Nesterets, Mukachevo 2016. c212) 9 ... Ba5 10 0-0 Nc6 11 Bd2 Qe7 12 Rad1 Rac8, J.Neurohr-T.Bohn, German League 2004, and now 13 Be1 followed by rerouting the bishop with Be1-g3, gives White the slightly preferable game. c213) 9 ... cxd4 10 axb4, this transformation of the pawn structure works out well for White. After 10 ... dxc3 11 Qxc3 a5 12 bxa5 Rxa5 13 Rxa5 bxa5 14 0-0 Nc6 15 Nd4 Nb4 16 Bb1 Ba6 17 Bd2 Qc7 18 Rc1 Rc8 19 Qa3, White has pressure on the weak a5-pawn, V.Malakhatko-M.Cavaletto, Zurich 2010. c22) 7 ... Qe7 8 Nge2 Nc6 9 a3 Bxc3+ 10 Qxc3 d5 11 0-0 dxc4 12 Bxc4 0-0-0 13 Nf4 Nd5 14 Nxd5 exd5 15 Bd3 g6 16 b4 Rhe8 17 Bd2 Rd6 18 Rfe1 Re6 19 Rac1 Kb8 20 e4! with a strong initiative, E.Inarkiev-A.Pridorozhni, Kaliningrad 2015. 5 Bf4 An excellent post for this bishop when combating the Stonewall structure.
5 ... c6 6 Nf3 Be7 7 e3 0-0 8 Bd3 Ne4 Instead: a) 8 ... Nbd7 is a natural developing move, but unfortunately for Black, this can be met by the typical 9 cxd5! when Black can’t recapture with the e6-pawn because the f5-pawn would be hanging. After 9 ... cxd5 10 Nb5 Bb4+ 11 Ke2 White is better because of her c-file control, T.Shumiakina-T.Molchanova, Kopejsk 2002. b) 8 ... Bd7 and now White has the option of switching plans with 9 Qb3, when 9 ... b6 was played in U.Osieka-J.Scheidt, German League 1994, and now 10 0-0 Be8 11 Rac1 offers White good play because of Black’s weakened queenside pawns. 9 g4! Taking advantage of Black’s last move, this is a dynamic attacking line which has scored very well for White – almost 80% in my database. Of course there is nothing wrong with 9 00 with a typical Stonewall struggle in prospect.
9 ... Qa5 The main line. Instead: a) 9 ... fxg4? 10 Ne5 is the justification for White 9th move. White gets a big attack. b) 9 ... Na6 10 a3 Nxc3 11 bxc3 dxc4 12 Bxc4 b5 13 Bd3 Nc7 14 Rg1 Nd5 15 Be5 Bf6 16 gxf5 exf5 17 c4 bxc4, C.Lehmann-K.Vogel, German League 1996, and now after 18 Qxc4 Qa5+ 19 Ke2 Bd7 20 Bd6 White is on top. c) 9 ... Kh8 10 Rg1 Qa5 11 Ke2 Nd7 12 gxf5 exf5 13 cxd5 cxd5 14 Nb5 Ndf6 15 Nc7 Rb8 16 Na6 Ra8 17 Qc7! Qxc7 18 Nxc7 Rb8 19 Nxd5 and White is winning material, M.Matlakov-D.Melnikov, St Petersburg 2012. 10 Ke2 Breaking the pin on the c3-knight and renewing the threat of capturing with 11 gxf5 exf5 12 Nxd5 etc. 10 ... Na6 Alternatively: a) 10 ... fxg4?! is now answered by 11 Ne5 Nf6 12 h3! with a kingside attack for White. b) 10 ... Kh8 (J.Aagaard-S.Williams, Hampstead 1998) is well met with 11 gxf5 exf5 12 h4 with the initiative. 11 a3 Nxc3+ 12 bxc3 dxc4 Trying to open the position around White’s king, but this also gives White’s light-squared bishop more scope. Instead 12 ... Nc7 13 c5 Ne8 14 Rhg1 Kh8 was played in D.LimaS.Giardelli, Sao Paulo 1993 and S.Limontaite-T.Mamedjarova, Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad 2010, and here 15 g5 secures a big space advantage for White, who controls key dark squares. After for example 15 ... Bd8 16 Ne5 Bc7 17 c4 White can ratchet up the pressure, and the majority of Black’s pieces have very few squares. 13 Bxc4 b5 Or 13 ... Nc7 when 14 Bxc7! Qxc7 15 gxf5 wins a pawn for no compensation, M.RufenerB.Zanetti, Lenk 2009.
14 Ba2 This is a very good position for White as long as he stays tactically alert. Another good line is 14 Ne5 Nb8 15 Bb3 c5 16 dxc5 Bxc5? 17 gxf5 Qb6 18 Rhg1 and White won easily, D.Ujj-Z.Hevesi, Hungarian League 2016.
14 ... Nc7 Less tenacious is 14 ... fxg4? 15 Ne5 Bxa3 16 Bb1 Rf5 17 Qb3 1-0, R.Vazquez IgarzaM.Tscharotschkin, Gibraltar 2013. 15 Bxc7 Qxc7 16 gxf5 We have seen this tactic in earlier notes, though here Black has some counterplay after his next move. 16 ... c5
17 Qe4! Winning the e6-pawn. 17 ... c4 18 fxe6 Of course 18 Qxa8?! was not White’s intention. After 18 ... Bb7 19 Qxf8+ Kxf8 Black is in good shape. 18 ... Bb7 19 d5 Rad8 20 Rad1 Qc5? A natural enough move, since White cannot defend the d5-pawn, but this allows White a winning attack. Instead 20 ... g6 is more resilient, when after 21 Rhg1 Rf6 22 Bb1 Qd6 Black has better chances to hold on than in the game. 21 Bb1 g6 22 Rhg1 Rf6
23 Ng5?! Missing a brilliant win with 23 Rxg6+!! Optically, Black seemed to have this covered, but in fact Black can’t bring enough pieces across to defend the kingside. For example: a) 23 ... hxg6 24 Rg1 Bf8 25 Rxg6+ with checkmate to follow. b) 23 ... Rxg6 24 Rg1 Bg5 (the only move to continue) 25 Rxg5 Qe7 26 Rxg6+ hxg6 27 Qxg6+ Qg7 28 e7! and White makes decisive material gains. 23 ... Bxd5? Black in turns misses a chance to get back into the game with 23 ... Rxd5 24 Rxd5 Bxd5 25 Qh4 Bf3+, although White is still better after 26 Ke1. 24 Qh4 Bf3+ Or 24 ... h5 25 Ne4 Bxe4 26 Qxe4 and White has too many threats. 25 Nxf3 Rxd1 26 Ng5! An important intermediate move. Instead 26 Rxd1? Rxf3 puts White’s win in doubt. 26 ... h6 27 Qxh6 Rd2+
28 Ke1! 1-0 After this precise move, Black resigned. If instead 28 Kxd2?? Rxf2+ 29 Kd1 Qd5+ Black would win! Meanwhile after 28 Ke1 Rd1+ 29 Kxd1 Qd5+ 30 Ke2 Black’s king can’t escape the mating net. Game 44 J.Hjartarson-R.Lau German League 1991 1 c4 b6 2 Nc3 Bb7 3 e4 e6 4 Nf3 Bb4 5 Bd3 My recommendation against the English Defence. I have modified the move order from the actual game to fit the repertoire presentation.
5 ... Ne7 6 0-0 0-0
Black has also captured immediately on c3. After 6 ... Bxc3 7 dxc3 Ng6 and now: a) 8 Be3 d6 9 b4 Nd7 10 a4 0-0 (10 ... a5! is equal) 11 a5 Rb8 12 Qc2 is a little better for White, E.Tomashevsky-A.Grischuk, Berlin (blitz) 2015. b) 8 Bg5! is an improvement. By comparison with line a) above, it is worth throwing in this move to soften up Black’s pawn structure after 8 ... f6 9 Be3 etc. 7 Bc2 f5 This is Black’s most popular continuation, putting pressure on the White’s centre in a way that is thematic for the English Defence. Black has also captured the c3-knight here, and after 7 ... Bxc3 8 dxc3 and now: a) 8 ... d6 9 e5 Ng6?! 10 Ng5! Qe8 11 exd6 cxd6, H.Vlam-R.Janssen, Hilversum 2006 and simplest here is 12 Qxd6 snatching an extra pawn. b) 8 ... f5 9 Qe2 transposes to the main game, and in fact was the actual move order followed by the players. 8 Qe2 The main line. Instead 8 exf5?! Nxf5 9 d4 Bxf3 10 Qxf3 Nc6 11 Bxf5 Rxf5 12 Qe4 Qf6 was level in G.Jones-L.Shytaj, Gibraltar 2016.
8 ... Bxc3 Alternatives for Black here are: a) 8 ... Ng6 9 d4 f4?! loosens Black’s grip on the centre, and now White should continue 10 Bd2 which even avoids the doubled c-pawns, for example 10 ... Nc6 11 a3 Be7 12 e5 with a big central space advantage, R.Schreck-B.Sandmann, German League 1996. b) 8 ... Qe8 was given in the old ECO, and is best answered by 9 d4 Qh5 10 Ng5 Qxe2 11 Nxe2 h6 12 a3 and White is slightly better. 9 dxc3 By capturing away from the centre, White gets open lines and pressure against Black’s pawn centre. With the other option here 9 bxc3 Bxe4 10 Bxe4 fxe4 11 Qxe4 Nbc6 12 d4 White gains space, although his weak c4-pawn gives Black some counterplay. Initially I was considering this line, but then found equality for Black in line b) below: a) 12 ... Qe8 13 Ba3! Qg6 14 Qxg6 hxg6 15 Rfe1 and White was pressing in G.JonesE.Rozentalis, Icelandic League 2014. b) 12 ... Ng6 13 d5 was played in V.Bukal-L.Spassov, European Seniors Ch., Bad
Homburg 2005, and here Black should play 13 ... Na5! 14 dxe6 Qe8 with balanced chances.
9 ... Qe8 Other tries here: a) 9 ... Bxe4 10 Bxe4 fxe4 11 Qxe4 Nbc6 12 Bf4 Nf5 13 Rad1 Rc8 was played in F.Rayner-J.Plaskett, London 1993. White’s pressure on the Black pawns is much more annoying than it may appear at first sight. Although GM Plaskett won the game, it wasn’t because of the opening which was in White’s favour. After 14 Rd2 (14 Rfe1 is simplest) 14 ... Qe8 15 Re1 h6 16 h3 Black took the decision to relieve the pressure by ditching the e6pawn with 16 ... d6 17 Qxe6+ Qxe6 18 Rxe6 but after 18 ... Rce8 19 Rxe8 Rxe8 20 g4 Nfe7 21 Kg2 Ng6 22 Bg3 Re4 23 b3, White has a large advantage and objectively good winning chances in this endgame. b) 9 ... f4 A.Lewis-C.Ward, British League 1999, and now White should play something like 10 a4 a5 11 b4 Ng6 12 Ba3 d6 13 e5 and White has a plus. c) 9 ... Na6 and now: c1) 10 Bg5 fxe4 11 Bxe4 Nc5 12 Bxb7 Nxb7 13 Rad1 Nd6 14 Ne5 Qe8 15 Rd3 Rf5 16 f4 and White is a bit better, V.Koshy-K.Shantharam, Indian Championship 1994. c2) Even better is 10 exf5 Nxf5 11 Rd1 Qe7 12 b4 with typical pressure on Black’s centre, plus the added benefit that Black’s a6-knight is out of play. 10 Re1 Bxe4 11 Bxe4 fxe4 12 Qxe4 Nbc6 13 Bf4 The same move that we saw in Rayner-Plaskett above. The bishop is well placed on the f4-square, tying a rook down to the defence of the c7-pawn.
13 ... Rc8 14 Rad1 White completes his development and applies unpleasant pressure to the d7-pawn. Now Black’s queen is also rooted to the spot in defence, 14 ... h6 15 h3 15 Bg3! was more accurate. After 15 ... Rf6 (with the idea of ... d7-d6 followed by ... e6e5 freeing Black’s game) 16 Bh4 either pushes the rook back or provokes the weakening 16 ... g5 17 Bg3 d6 18 h4 and White is slightly better. 15 ... Qf7?! 15 ... Rf6 (planning 16 ... d6) was more tenacious, asking White how he plans to improve his position. One option is 16 Nd4 Nxd4 17 cxd4 for example 17 ... d6 18 b3 although Black is closer to equality after 18 ... Qg6. 16 Bh2 Rfd8
Black’s queen and rook have swapped roles, with the rook now defending the d7-pawn,
but this is very passive. Now White initiates kingside play with a rook lift. 17 Rd3 Qf5 18 Qe2 Ng6 19 Qd1 Qf7 20 Rde3 White still prevents 20 ... d6. 20 ... Rf8 21 Re4?! A slip that goes unpunished. White should defend the f2-pawn with, for example 21 Bg3 d6 22 Nd4 Nxd4 23 cxd4 with ongoing pressure on the backward e6-pawn. 21 ... a5?! Black could solve his problems with 21 ... d6! since White cannot move the f3-knight without dropping the f2-pawn, and 22 Rxe6 is answered by 22 ... Nce5 trapping the e6-rook. 22 Qd2 Kh7?
Under
pressure,
Black
makes a critical error. 23 Qd3! Setting up a powerful x-ray along the b1-h7 diagonal. 23 ... Rfe8? Black is completely lost after this move, but he is already in trouble. Trying to remove the king from the line of fire with 23 ... Kh8 is met by 24 Rg4 and moving either knight loses the d7-pawn, for example 24 ... Nge7 25 Qxd7 and Black’s position collapses. 24 Rf4 Qg8 25 Rg4 Now there is no escape from the deadly pin. 25 ... Qf7 26 Nh4 Nce7 27 Re3 A second rook lift - a rare occurrence. The difference in activity between the two armies is striking. 27 ... Nf5 Black had no way of avoiding the loss of a piece. 28 Rxg6 1-0 Summary 1) The repertoire systems against the Dutch (Games 42-43) rely on White playing 1 c4, 2 Nc3 and 3 d4 on the first three moves, leaving the g1-knight at home until later. This is why it is important to answer 1 ... e6 with 2 Nc3 and not play 2 Nf3, as Black can then play 2 ... f5
entering a Dutch setup which we are not ready for. 2) I’ve recommended full-blooded systems to fight the Dutch without entering the main lines of the Leningrad or Stonewall. 3) In the English Defence to the English Opening (Game 44), capturing away from the centre with 9 dxc3 is an important finesse. I believe this has been underestimated by theory and is the most unpleasant for Black to face. 4) If you are faced with really offbeat defences such as 1 ... g5, the main thing is not to lose your objectivity. Play sound positional moves to take advantage of the weaknesses that Black has created.
Index of Complete Games Anton Guijarro.D-Grischuk.A, Tromso Olympiad 2014 Bachmann.A-Milliet.S, French League 2016 Bareev.E-Pavlovic.M, European Championship, Plovdiv 2003 Bosiocic.M-Caruana.F, Mitropa Cup, Rogaska Slatina 2009 Botvinnik.M-Alekhine.A, AVRO Tournament, Netherlands 1938 Carlsen.M-Radjabov.T, Norway Chess, Stavanger 2013 Caruana.F-Carlsen.M, Sinquefield Cup, Saint Louis 2014 Eljanov.P-Bruzon Batista.L, Havana 2015 Gajewski.G-Heberla.B, Polish Championship, Warsaw 2014 Gajewski.G-Tomczak.J, Polish Championship, Warsaw 2014 Giri.A-Michiels.B, French League 2015 Giri.A-Sunilduth Lyna.N, Qatar 2015 Granda Zuniga.J-Flores.D, Americas Continental Ch., Mar del Plata (rapid) 2012 Grigoryan.K-Andriasian.Z, Armenian Championship, Yerevan 2015 Grischuk.A-Giri.A, FIDE Grand Prix, Paris 2013 Gunnarsson.A-Johannessen.L, Icelandic League 2000 Hjartarson.J-Lau.R, German League 1991 Karjakin.S-Anand.V, Candidates Tournament, Moscow 2016 Kreisl.R-Onischuk.V, Zalakaros 2015 l'Ami.E-Mamedyarov.S, Reykjavik 2015 Laznicka.V-Sutovsky.E, European Championship, Jerusalem 2015 Lerner.K-Sideif Sade.F, USSR Championship, Frunze 1979 Lie.K-Hauge.L, Norwegian Championship, Tromso 2016 Nakamura.H-Anton Guijarro.D, Gibraltar 2016 Nakamura.H-Bacrot.E, Biel 2012 Navara.D-Nepomniachtchi.I, European Championship, Jerusalem 2015 Oms Pallisse.J-Pozo Vera.S, Barcelona 2011 Polugaevsky.L-Hort.V, Manila Interzonal 1976 Ponomariov.R-Ivanchuk.V, Russian League 2010 Potkin.V-Wei Yi , Aeroflot Open, Moscow 2016 Roiz.M-Ivanov.S, Rilton Cup, Stockholm 2015 Savchenko.S-Schmittdiel.E, German League 2004 Short.N-Cvitan.O, European Team Championship, Leon 2001 Sjugirov.S-Onischuk.V, Khanty-Mansiysk 2013 Smeets.J-Finegold.B, World Cities Championship, Al Ain 2012 So.W-Zhigalko.S, Turkish League 2015 Stohl.I-Banas.J, Hungarian League 2003 Strikovic.A-Viterbo Ferreira.J, Portuguese League 2010 Stripunsky.A-Lapshun.Y, World Open, Philadelphia 2007 Tomashevsky.E-Salem.A, Qatar Masters, Doha 2015 Wang Yue-Wei Yi, Danzhou 2015 Yu Yangyi-Khmelniker.I, Skopje 2015 Yusupov.A-Rozentalis.E, Elista Olympiad 1998 Zhigalko.S-Pashikian.A, Tashkent 2014
