Dreev - Anti-Spanish The Cozio Defence (2014).pdf

ell.ss Stars

ap V 111 £.tJi'" (

Technical Editor:

IM Sergei Soloviov

Translation by:

GM Evgeny Ermenkov

Cover design by:

Kalojan Nachev

Copyright

©

Alexey Dreev 2014

Printed in Bulgaria by "Chess Stars" Ltd. - Sofia ISBNI3 : 978 619 7188 01-1

Alexey Dreev

Anti-Spanish. The Cozio Defence

Chess Stars

Contents 1.e4 e5 2.lilfJ lilc6 3 . .ib5 lilge7 1

Minor Lines: 4.c4; 4.hc6; 4.b3; 4.d3 Quick Repertoire Step by Step Complete Games .

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4.c3 g6; 4 . . . a6 Quick Repertoire 37 Step by Step 38 Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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4.d4 exd4 Quick Repertoire Step by Step Complete Games .

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4.c3 d5 Quick Repertoire Step by Step Complete Games .

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86 88 104

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4.�c3 �g6; 4 . . . g6; 4 . . . d6 Quick Repertoire Step by Step Complete Games

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6

Classical Variation. 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 �g7 Quick Repertoire Step by Step Complete Games

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7

Modern Variation. 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 a6 Quick Repertoire Step by Step . Complete Games

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4

58 59 75

109 111 133

145 146 166

176 177 195

PREFACE

In this book, we have analysed one of the oldest variations of the Ruy Lopez - l.e4 e5 2.lt:lf3 lLlc6 3 . .ib5 lLlge7. The move 3 . . . lLlge7 was particularly popular during the second half of the 19th century. It was played at these times by such outstanding masters like Adolph Andersen and Willhelm Steinitz. At the beginning and during the middle of the 20th century, the theory of the Ruy Lopez began to develop very intensely and the popularity of this old variation diminished rapidly. It remained in the shadow of the more complicated Chigorin schemes - l.e4 e5 2 .lLlf3 lLlc6 3 . .ib5 a6 4 . .ia4 lLlf6 5.0-0 .ie7 6J3e1 b5 7 . .ib3 d6 B.c3 0-0 9.h3, the Marshall counter attack - l.e4 e5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3 . .ib5 a6 4 . .ia4 lLlf6 5.0-0 .ie7 6J3e1 b5 7 . .ib3 0-0 B.c3 d5 and the Open variation - l.e4 e5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3.ib5 a6 4.ia4 lLlf6 5.0-0 lOxe4 6.d4 b5 7.ib3 d5 B.dxe5 ie6. In all these positions, Black's pos­ sibilities to seize the initiative proved to be greater... During the BOies and the 90ies of the past century, the popularity of the line 3 . . . lOge7 began to increase. Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov made a great contribution to the development of this system for Black and he tested it very often in his games. My long time friend and coach, the international master from the city of Izhevsk Alexander Filipenko was working as a coach in the Russian School of grandmaster Alexander Panchenko and he gave a course of lectures about this variation. Based on his knowledge and experience, during the BOies and the 90ies of the last century, this system was played quite successfully in the tourna­ ment practice by such famous students of this School like grandmas­ ters Alisa Galliamova, Maxim Sorokin and Ruslan Shcherbakov. Mean­ while, the theory of the variation l.e4 e5 2 . 1Of3 lOc6 3.ib5 lOge7 was developing intensely. Black refrained from including the move a7-a6 at this early stage of the game, so that later, he did not wish to transpose to positions from the Steinitz Defence Deferred l.e4 e5 2 . lOf3 1Oc6 3 . .ib5 lOge7 4.0-0 a6 5.Ba4 d6 6.c3 .id7 7.d4, or 6 . . . g6 7.d4 id7, in which Black ended up in very solid but rather passive positions. He was trying to enter situations which were not so typical for the long manoeuvring structures of the Ruy Lopez, but were more similar to the majority of the Open Games in which the value of every move increased consider­ ably. Under these conditions, each mistake by White in the opening stage of the game may lead to Black seizing the initiative.

5

At the beginning of the 21st century, the development of the vari­ ation l.e4 eS 2,lt:lf3 llJc6 3 . .ibS llJge7 was given a new impulse and its popularity increased considerably. This was connected with the new and interesting idea that Black could give up the centre with l.e4 eS 2.llJf3 llJc6 3 .i.bS llJge7 4.0-0 g6 S.c3 a6 6 . .ia4 .ig7 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4, or 6.i.c4 i.g7 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4, reaching very complicated positions with mutual chances. Nowadays, this variation is played by famous grandmasters like Levon Aronian, Sergey Karjakin, Vadim Zvjaginsev, Ivan Sokolov and many others . . . Finally, I would like t o mention that the entire variation l.e4 eS 2.llJf3 llJc6 3 . .ibS llJge7 has not been so well analysed yet. Dear readers, I would like to believe that after you have read this book, you will make your own contribution with your games and analy­ ses to the development of this system . . .

Alexey Dreev

6

Chapterl

l.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.J.b5 �ge7 Minor Lines

Quick Repertoire

This chapter is mostly devoted to the variation 4.d3. White's last quiet move is only seldom played and is not danger­ ous for Black. White usually plays like this with the idea to avoid theoretical disputes and to steer the game into calm positional lines. Concerning this, we can make the following analogy. In the Berlin variation of the Ruy Lopez, after the moves l.e4 e5 2. It)£3 llJc6 3.i.b5 llJf6, if White wish-

es to avoid the thematic endgame, arising after 4.0-0 llJxe4 5.d4 It)d6 6.hc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 llJf5 8.�xd8 �xd8, he usually chooses 4.d3, avoiding the semi-forced varia­ tions of the above mentioned end­ game and enters a complicated middle game with approximately equal chances. There arises a sim­ ilar situation in the classical Ruy Lapez where after l.e4 e5 Vt:'lf3 llJc6 3.i.b5 a6 4.i.a4 llJf6 5.0-0 i.e7, it is relatively popular for White to play 6.d3 (instead of the usual move 6J'!el). It can be en­ countered even in the repertoire of such famous grandmasters like v. Anand, G. Kamsky and V. To­ palov . . . I n the position we are discuss­ ing, following 4.d3, there arises a complex manoeuvring game with approximately equal chances.

7

Chapterl

l.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 .tb5 �ge7 Minor Lines •

Step by Step

Now, we will analyse in details some rarely played moves for White: A) 4.c4, B) 4.,bc6, C) 4.b3 and D) 4.d3. About 4.h4 - see Kalegin S.Pavlov, Moscow 2011, game 1. The move 4 . .tc4 does not de­ serve serious attention, because it looks like a loss of a tempo and after Black's standard response 4 . . . d5 5.exd5 tlJxd5 6.d3 fJ.e7= there arises one of the variations of the Two Knights Defence with an extra tempo for Black (1.e4 e5 2.tlJf3 tlJc6 3 . .tc4 tlJf6 4.d3 d5 5.exd5 tlJxd5).

A) 4.c4 This move looks too slow and is not dangerous for Black at all. 8

4 . . . g6 ! ? White has weakened the d4square and Black's plan is to ex­ ploit this. Meanwhile, there are some other plans for him which deserve attention as well: 4 ... a6 ! ? 5 ..ia4 tlJg6 6.tlJc3 (The active move 6.d4 does not prom­ ise anything good to White, be­ cause after 6 . . . exd4 7.tlJxd4 .ic5 ! ?� Black obtains an excellent position.) 6 . . .fJ.c5 7.0-0 0-0= or 4 . . . tlJg6 ! ? , for example 5. 0-0 (following 5.d4 exd4 6.tlJxd4 �f6, White must play very accu­ rately in order not to end up in an inferior position, since it is bad for him to opt for 7.tlJxc6? dxc6

4.c4 g6

8 .i.a4 lLlh4 9.0-0 �g6 1O .g3 .tg4 11.f3 i.cS+ 12.mh1 .ih3-+) S . . . i.cS 6.d3 0-0= and in both lines he has no problems at all. It is only White who can have difficulties in similar positions, because Black controls the tremendously impor­ tant strategically d4-square in such types of pawn-structures.

8.i.gS h6 9.i.e3 fS 1O.lLle1? ! f4 1l.i.d2 f3 12.lLlxf3 i.g4 13.hc6 lLlxc6 14.lLle2 hf3 (14 . . . l!xf3 ! - + ) lS.gxf3 l!xf3 16.lLlg3 �f6 1 7. .te3 lLld4 18.mg2 l!f8+ with a very dif­ ficult position for White, Bakazar - Vul, Tatranske Zruby 2010.

5 exd4 6.�xd4 .1g7 7. .1e3 0-0 8.�c3 d6 •..

5.d4 If White refrains from this the­ matic move, then Black has com­ plete control over the d4-square and White loses all his chances of fighting even for a minimal open­ ing advantage. After S.lLlc3 (About 5.0-0 see Ferozkohi - Wohl, North Geelong 2011, game 2) 5 . . . i.g7 6.d3 0-0 7 . 0 - 0 d 6 , it be­ comes much easier for Black to play this position, because his plan is quite obvious.

He needs to advance f7-fS, having in mind to organise an at­ tack on the kingside. See several examples on this theme : 8.h3 h6 9.lLlh2 lLld4 10.i.e3 fS 1l.hd4?! exd4 12 .lLle2 f4 13.f3 gS+ S.Shmidt - Radulov, Bad Mergentheim 1989;

Black has no problems what­ soever. The pawn-structure in this position resembles the Ma­ roczy system of the Dragon varia­ tion of the Sicilian Defence : l.e4 cS 2 . lLlf3 lLlc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lLlxd4 g6 S.c4 .ig7 6 . .ie3, but in an infe­ rior version for White, because his light-squared bishop seems rather awkwardly placed on bS in this scheme.

9 .txc6 •

After 9.0-0, Black has good counterplay following 9 . . . lLleS, for example : 10.f4?! lLlg4t or 10 .�e2 fS ! ?+!

9

•••

bxc6 9

Chapter 1

9 . . . lDxc6 ! ? 1O.�d2 f5f!

Step by Step

of the exchange variation of the Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2 . lDf3 lDc6 3. i.b5 a6 4.hc6 dxc6 5.0-0 lDe7), in essence with an extra tempo, because the move a7-a6 is prac­ tically immaterial in this posi­ tion.

5.0-0

10.0-0 c5 (lO . . J'!bB, Uddin Abdulla, Dhaka 2 004, game 3) 1l.lDde2, Berg - Short, Malmo 2013, game 4.

After 5.d4, Black's simplest re­ action would be 5 . . . exd4 (It is also possible for him to opt for 5 . . . d5 6.lDxe5 dxe4 7.lDxc6 bxc6= ; 6. exd5 �xd5 7.lDc3 i.b4'!'; 6.dxe5 dxe4 7.�xdB+ lDxdB B.lDd4 i.d7'!' with the idea lDc6) 6.lDxd4 i.c5 ! ? with a complicated position in which Black is not worse.

B) 4 .ixc6 .

This move is harmless for Black. White exchanges voluntar­ ily his important light-squared Ruy Lopez bishop without any ne­ cessity. 4 . . . �xc6 It is also good for Black to play here 4 . . . dxc6, since he reaches the position from one of the schemes 10

The position resembles the well-familiar variation of the Scotch Game l.e4 e5 2 .lDf3 lDc6 3.d4 exd4 4.lDxd4 ic5, but in a better version for Black, because of the early exchange of White's light-squared bishop for Black's knight. 7.i.e3 �f6 B.c3 0-0 9.0-0 b6 (9 ... lDe5! ?oo). White misses bad­ ly his light-squared bishop, for ex­ ample : 1O.lDxc6 (1O.lDb5 he3 11. lDxc7? .tf4 12.lDxaB i.a6-+ ; 11. fxe3 �dB'!'; lOJ�el i.b7 11.b3 hd4

4. hc6 tLlxc6

12.i.xd4 §'g6 13.f3 �aeB and in view of the threats d7-dS and fl­ fS, Black's prospects are slightly preferable.) 1O . . . .be3 11.tLlb4 (11. tLld4 i.f4 ! ?+) 11 ... .icS+

he maintains some initiative.

Following S.tLlc3,

S . . d6 This is a reliable and solid move. .

the best response for Black would be S . . . .te7 6.0-0 0-0 7.d4 (It seems too slow for White to play 7.d3, because after 7 . . . d6, Black has a good position in view of the threat fl-fS; 7.llJdS d6=) 7 . . . d6= The more active move 5 . . . icS ! ? i s not worse at all, but then Black will need to consider the variation 6.llJxeS �gS 7.llJg4 d6 B.h3 �g6 with a very complicated position ; 6.0-0 d6= It is not so reliable for Black, in comparison to S ... .te7 and S ... i.cS, to choose S . . . g6. After 6.d4 exd4 7.llJxd4 i.g7 B.i.e3 0-0 9.§'d2, following 9 . . . llJeS 10 .b3 , as well as in the variation 9 . . . d6 10.0-0-0, White's prospects seem slightly preferable. For example: 10 . . . llJeS 1l.igS ! ? f6 ! ? and although the po­ sition remains very complicated,

Black does not need to enter the not so clear positions after 5 ... i.cS 6.llJxeS llJxeS 7.d4 .td6 B.dxeS heSoo or S . . . g6 6.d4 exd4 7 . .ig5oo although even then his prospects are not inferior.

6.d4 6.c3 .te7 (It is also possible for Black to play here 6 . . . g6 7.d4 .ig7oo) 7.d4 0-0 and his position seems to be slightly preferable having in mind his bishop-pair.

6 . . . ie7= He has no difficul­ ties in this position. White has problems to find an active plan. For example after: 7.dS llJbB B.c4 0-0 9.llJc3, Black obtains good counterplay with the standard move for similar positions - 9 ... fS ! ?

11

Chapter 1

Step by Step

C) 4.b3

6 d5 ! ? With this move Black sharp­ ens the game and is trying to seize the initiative at an opportune mo­ ment. .••

4 a6 ! ? With this move Black creates easily active counterplay. •••

It would be sufficient for him to equalise with 4 . . . g6, but then after S.i.b2 i.g7 6.d4 exd4 7.lLlxd4 0-0 B.O-O lLlxd4 (B .. J':%eB 9.lLlxc6 dxc6 1O.�xdB �xdB 11.hg7 f1 'tt> xd7+) 12 ... 'tt>d 8 13.llJxd7 .ib4+ and in both cases he is noticeably better.

9

•.•

.ifS 10.�el 0-0-0+

7.exd5 The line : 7.llJxeS?! llJxeS 8. heS �e7 9.d4 f6 1O .ig3 �xe4+ 11.�e2 �xe2+ 12 .'.!lxe2 ie6+ leads to a very bad endgame for White, in which Black's two bishops pro­ vide him with a slight but stable edge.

7 9xd5 •.•

Black has a bishop-pair and dominates in the centre, so he has a stable positional advantage. White can hardly find any active plan and is forced to adhere to waiting strategy. On the contrary, Black's plan is quite obvious. He must fortify the eS-square with the move f7-f6 and advance his kingside pawns - g7-gS, h7-hS­ h4, gS-g4. 13

Step by Step

Chapter 1

D) 4.d3

White cannot achieve much wit 5.lLlc3 ig7, for example : 6.,ie3 (6.,ig5 h6! - see DI. 6.0-0 0-0 - see D3. It is hardly advisable for White to play the seemingly active move 6.lLld5? ! , since later in the game Arakhamia - Galliamova, Sochi 1989, there followed 6 . . . lLlxd5 7.exd5 lLle7 8.d4? ! e4 9.lLlg5 c6 1O .d6 lLlf5 1l.,ia4 lLlxd6 12.0-0 0-0 13.�el lLlf5 14.d5 e3 ! 15.f4 �b6+)

4 g6 This is a reliable and logical move. Black does not lose time for 4 . . . lLlg6 and tries to fianchetto his dark-squared bishop as quickly as possible. • •.

It is also possible for him to opt for 4 . . . d6 5.c3 (It is not so pre­ cise for White to choose 5.0-0 a6 6 ..b4 b5 7.i.b3 lLla5, or 5.lLlc3 a6 6.i.a4 b5 7.ib3 lLla5 8.0-0 c6 ! ? and i n these positions Black has no problems, because White can­ not avoid the exchange of his im­ portant Ruy Lopez light-squared bishop for Black's knight.) 5 . . . ,id7 6.0-0 lLlg6 7.d4 i.e7, transposing to the pawn-structure, typical for some variations of the Steinitz Defence of the Ruy Lopez in which Black has a solid but somewhat passive position. Now, we will analyse the moves DI) 5 . .ig5, D2) 5.h4 and D3) 5.0-0. About 5.c3 ,ig7 6.0-0 0-0 see variation D3. 14

6 . . . lLld4 ! ? This move is the simplest for Black in order to ob­ tain good counterplay. (It is also good for him to choose here 6 . . . 0-0 7 . 0 - 0 lLld4 8.,ia4 d6+t After 7.�d2 lLld4, only White may have problems, since in the game Hacaperkova - Collette, Znojmo 2 0 04, there followed : 8.,ic4 c6 9. ,ib3 d5 1O .,ih6 as 1l.a4 lLlxb3 12. cxb3 dxe4 13 . .ixg7 I!lxg7 14.lLlxe4 lLld5+ with a considerable posi­ tional advantage for Black.) 7.,ia4 0-0 - see Belaska - Vul, Prague 1996 (game 5).

DI) 5 .ig5 This is a seldom played move which is not dangerous for Black. •

4.d3 g6

5

•••

J.g7 6.�c3

It is not preferable for White to choose 6.'lBd2, because after 6 . . . h6 7.i.e3 f5 ! ? Black's prospects are at least equal. It is also good for him to play here 7 . . . �d4, in the game Gumirov - Ostrovsky, Sochi 1998, there followed later 8.i.c4 (It is not preferable for White to choose 8.i.a4, in view of 8 . . . li)xf3 9.gxf3 c6 with the idea d5't) 8 . . . d5 9.hd4 exd4 1O.exd5 li)xd5 IV�e2 + ? ! (after 11.0-0 o-m: Black has extra space and a bishop-pair) 11 . . . i.e6 1 2 . WI'e4? ! c5 (12 . . . 0-0 ! ? 't with the idea 13. It)xd4 l'!e8 14.0-0 c6=F) 13.J.b5+ r;t.f8+ Gumirov - Ostrovsky, Sochi 1998.

has much better prospects. White's dark-squared bishop on g3 is without any good future in this pawn-structure. It seems anti-positional for White to trade his dark-squared bishop for his opponent's knight after 7.i:xe7 It)xe7 8.0-0 0-0+ Black maintains a stable advan­ tage due to his bishop-pair in this dynamic position. Later, depend­ ing on circumstances, he can try to advance c7-c6 and d7-d5, or fl­ f5, while White has no good plan for action in this position and must only wait. It would be more prudent for him to opt for 7.i.d2, but then fol­ lowing 7 . . . 0-0 8.0-0 d6, Black has no problems and has an easy task in this position . He has a clear-cut plan for actions on the kingside, connected with the ma­ noeuvre fl-f5 and further advance of his kingside pawns: fS-f4, g6g5 etc.

6 h6 ! This is the best move for Black, forcing White to determine the placement of his dark-squared bishop. 7 .te3 •••

.

It is hardly preferable for White to choose here 7.i.h4, be­ cause after 7 . . . g5 8.i.g3 d6, Black

7 �d4 This is the simplest way for •••

15

Chapter 1

Step by Step

Black to organise active counter­ play. 7 . . . 0-0 ! ? =

8 .1a4 •

It is not better for White to choose here 8 . .ic4, because after 8 . . . c6, in view of the threat d7-dS, he must already think about equality, for example: 9.i.xd4 (9. O-O?! dS 1O. �xdS cxdS 11 . .ibS+ wf8 ! ?+ with the idea 1 2 . hd4 exd4 13.llJe2 �aS 14.llJexd4 a6- +) 9 . . . exd4 1O.llJe2 dS 11.exdS cxdS 12 . .ibS+ llJc6 13.0-0 0-0 14. hc6 bxc6 1S.llJexd4 �b6 16.c3 cS 17.llJb3 aS� and Black has more than sufficient compensation for the sacrificed pawn.

8 . . . 0-0 9.0-0 d6 = In the game Bertok - Trifunovic, Bled 1961, there followed later: 10. .ixd4 exd4 11.h7 lO.f4 fSt, while after 11. fxeS? ! �xeS 12 .i.a2 fxe4 13 J'!xf8 �xf8 14.dxe4 i.g4 IS.�e2 ? ! (15. �d21ff6t) IS ... �f6+ White ended up in a very difficult position. Black should not be afraid of the move 6.�c3

6.c3 With this move he plans a long positional fight in a complicated middle game, preserving his important light-squared bishop from a possible exchange for Black's knight. Black should not be afraid of 6.i.e3 0-0, for example: 7.�c3 �d4 8 . .ic4 c6 with the idea dS� ; o r 7.c3 a6 ! ? (It i s also good for Black to play here 7 . . . d6, planning h7-h6 followed by f7-fS.) 8.i.a4 d6 9.�bd2 fS� ; or 7.�bd2 a6 8 . i.a4 b S 9.i.b3 � a S = and later, Black exchanges White's impor­ tant Ruy Lopez bishop. White plays sometimes 6.a3 18

Meanwhile Black can enter a very complicated position with 6 . . . a6 7.i.a4 bS 8.i.b3 �aS, ex­ changing his knight for White's important light-squared Ruy Lo­ pez bishop. Now, his game will involve a certain strategical risk, because even a small imprecision from White may lead to tragic consequences for him. Black will remain with a bishop-pair and

4.d3 g6

seize the initiative as it happened in the game Garberg - Romanov, Helsingor 2 0 1 2 : 9.i.g5 h6 10 . .te3 i.b7 11.'i;!ld2? ! (11 . .td5 ! ?oo) 11 . . . 0xb3 12.axb3 f5 13J3fe1 d6t Since he can counter it with the simple resource 6 . . . 0-0, after which his prospects are not worse, because White has problems to find a good plan for further ac­ tions. Black's plan is quite clear. He wishes to advance d7-d6 and to try either immediately, or after the preliminary move h7-h6 (pre­ venting the enemy knight-sortie lbf3-g5), to push the thematic move f7-f5, in an attempt to seize the initiative and to attack White's kingside. 7 . .tg5 (7 . .tc4 ltJa5 ! ? ; 7. .te3 ltJd4 - see 6 . .te3) 7 . . . h6 B. .ie3?! (B..th4 g5 9..tg3 d6 and Black has a quite acceptable position due to the misplacement of White's dark-squared bishop on g3 .) B . . . lbd4 9 . .tc4 (9.i.a4 c6) 9 . . . c6

.tb3 .te6 14.lbbd2 lbc6+ and Black ends up with a bishop-pair and a space advantage. White's pieces do not have any good prospects, while Black's doubled pawns are not important at all. The move 6 . .tg5 does not cre­ ate any real problems for Black either. 6 . . . h6! 7 . .te3 (following 7. i.h4 g5 B.i.g3 0-0, only White may have certain problems hav­ ing in mind his misplaced dark­ squared bishop on g3) 7 . . . 0-0. It is easier for Black to play this po­ sition, because his plan is quite obvious. He must advance f7-f5 under favourable circumstances and begin active operations on the kingside. In the game Bishop - D.Brown, Caleta 2009, there followed: B.'i;!ld2?! (after B.lbc3 lbd4 9.i.c4 c6t only White may have problems because of Black's threat d7-d5) B ... Wh7 9.lbc3 f5 10.exf5 lbxf5 11 ..tc5 d6 12.i.a3 lbcd4 13.lbxd4 ltJxd4+

6

.•.

and due to the permanent threat d7-d5, Black's prospects are slightly preferable. For exam­ ple: 1O .hd4 exd4 11.lbb1 d5 12. exd5 cxd5 (This move is even stronger than 12 . . . lbxd5+ Cherniaev - Barnes, London 1994.) 13.

0-0

7.gel 19

Chapter 1

Step b y Step

About 7.lLlbd2 d6 8 .l"1el h6 see 7.l"1el. The move 7 .i.gS is not good, because it only helps Black to im­ prove his position with the very useful move 7 ... h6 and here' after 8.i.e3 (following 8 .i.h4, the place­ ment of White's dark squared bishop is even less favourable for him, because after 8 . . . d6, White will need to take care about his opponent's threats g6-gS and fl­ fS+t) 8 . . . d6 (with the idea fl-fS-f4, g6-gSt, organising a pawn-offen­ sive on the kingside) there arises the pawn-structure of the King's Indian Defence in a very good version for Black. It is not preferable for White to choose here 7.i.e3 a6 (It may be interesting for Black to opt here for 7 . . . d 6 ! ? , planning h7-h6 followed by fl-fS.) 8 ..b4 d6 9.lLlbd2 f5+t

knight after i.c8-g4 and besides, the pawn-move may create a tar­ get for Black to enhance his pawn­ offensive on the kingside, for ex­ ample: 8 . . . h6 9.lLlbd2 �h7 1O .V;Ve2 f5+t, planning fS-f4, g6-gS, lLle7g6, h6-hS and gS-g4. It is also possible for Black to react in a standard fashion 8 . . . a6 9.i.a4 (9. i.c4 lLlaS+t) 9 ... bS 10.i.c2 i.b7= and there arise pawn-structures similar to the Chigorin variation in the Ruy Lopez, but in a better version for Black, since his bishop is on g7 and not on the e7-square.

After 7.d4?! exd4 8.cxd4 dS ! Black has a very good game, since there arises a position from the Classic variation 4.0-0 g6 S.c3 i.g7 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 dS, but with an extra tempo for Black, since he has already castled kingside.

7

•••

d6 (diagram)

8 . lLlbd2 It is not in the spirit of the po­ sition for White to play 8 .h3. It is not in favour of Black to exchange his light-squared bishop for White's 20

8 . h6 .

.

It is also good for him to play here 8 . . . a6 9.i.a4 (9.i.c4 lLlaS=)

4.d3 g6

9 . . . b5 1O . .ib3 (1O . .ic2 .tb7=) 10 . . . lLla5 1l . .ic2 cS, reaching compli­ cated structures of the Ruy Lapez in very good versions for him. If we compare these positions with similar structures in the classical schemes of the Ruy Lapez, for ex­ ample with the Chigorin varia­ tion : 1.e4 e5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3 . .ib5 a6 4.ia4 lLlf6 5.0-0 ie7 6J:!e1 b5 7. .td3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 lLla5 10 . .ic2 cS 1l.d4 Yfic7, or with Igor Za­ itsev's variation : 1.e4 e5 2 .lLlf3 lLlc6 3 ..ib5 a6 4 ..ia4 lLlf6 5.0-0 1e7 6J:!e1 b5 7 . .td3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 .ib7, Black's position in our line seems to be more active and dynamic than those in the above mentioned schemes thanks to his perfectly deployed dark-squared bishop on g7 and the placement of his knight on e7 and not on g6.

Black's prospects are not worse. After 9 . . . a6 10 ..b4 b5 11. .ib3 (1l ..ic2 .ib7) 1l ... lLla5 12 . .ic2 cS, he can go for a complicated positional fight in semi-closed po­ sitions with approximately equal chances, or try the riskier move 9 .. .f5 ! ? also with about equal prospects. In the blitz game Ka­ simdzhanov - Dreev, Moscow 2007, there followed later 1O.exf5 lLlxf5 1l . .ta4 g5 12.lLlg3 lLlxg3 13. hxg3 �h8oo

21

Chapterl

l.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.J.b5 �ge7 Minor Lines

CO.mplete Games

1

Kalegin S.Pavlov Moscow 2011 1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.J.b5 �ge7 4.h4

Naturally, this move contra­ dicts the basic principles of devel­ opment in the opening and can­ not be good. On the other hand, it impedes Black's plan to fianchet­ to his dark-squared bishop (It is obvious that after 4 . . . g6, White will follow with the rather un­ pleasant move for Black - 5.h5.), therefore it is essential to under­ stand how to react against it in the best possible way. 4 a6 5.J.a4 d6 This is a very reasonable re­ sponse for Black. The g4-square has been weakened and his light­ squared bishop is headed there. 5 . . . d5 ! ? 6.exd5 Wfxd5 7.lLlc3 .••

22

Wfd600 6.h5 h6 !? Black fixes the potential pawn­ weakness on h5. 6 . . . .ig4 ! ? 7.c4oo

7.c3? ! Now, this plan is not good for White. He had to play 7.c4 ! , pre­ venting the important move for Black in the future b7-b5. 7 . . . .ig4 S.lLlc3oo 7. . . f5?! This opening of the position is not at the right moment. After 7 . . ..ig4 S.d3 (S.d4 exd4 9.cxd4 d5 ! 10.e5 b5 11..ic2 �f5t) S ... lLlgS ! White will have to regret his not well prepared march for­ ward of his h-pawn. 8.exf5 �xf5 S . . . hf5 9.d4t 9.J.c2?!

l.e4 e5 2. lDj3 lDc6 3 . .tbS lD ge7

The obvious move 9.0-0, fol­ lowed by d2-d4, would have pro­ vided White with better chances. It is premature for him to play 9.d4? ! e4 10.�e2 �e7�

9 d5 !+ 10.g4 10.d4 ! ? e4 11.g4 lDg3 ! (It is slightly weaker for Black to opt here for 11 . . . lDd6 12.lDh4+) 12. fxg3 ixg4+ 10 . . . �fe7 1l. �h4 .te6 12.d4 "ld7 Black wins an important tem­ po for development. 13.gg1? ! It is more solid for White to choose 13.f3 0-0-0 14.i.e3 mb8 lS.lDd2 exd4 16.cxd4. Now, prob­ ably Black's best resource would be 16 ... gS ! 17.hxg6 hSt, but he had to make up his mind to sacrifice a pawn . . . 13 0-0-0 14 . .te3

14 g5 ! This is an aggressive move. White fails to complete his devel­ opment. 15.hxg6 .tg7 16.fJ? ! This is a mistake, but White's position remains difficult too af­ ter 16.lDa3 exd4 17.cxd4 �de8 18. �d2 hS=t •••

•.•

•••

16 h5 ! 17.g5 �f5 IS.�xf5 .txf5-+ Black realised quite con­ vincingly his great advantage. 19.�a3 exd4 20.hd4 gdeS+ 21. mf2 �xd4 22.cxd4 �hf8 23. .txf5 �xf5 24.�c2 "lxg6 25. "ld2 �f5 26."lc3 ge6 27.�el gfeS 2S.gcl "lf4 29.mf1 hd4 30.�g2 �g3 0-1 •••

2

Ferozkohi Wohl North Geelong 2011 l.e4 e5 2.�fJ �c6 3 .tb5 �ge7 4.c4 g6 •

23

Chapter 1

5.0-0 We have already mentioned in the part Step by Step that White's last move enables his opponent to occupy the important central d4square. On the other hand, after S.d4, Black's bishop on g7 would be raging. 5 J.g7 6.d3 White has a problem to choose his further course of actions, be­ cause it is not easy to see how he can organise counterplay. With his next moves he is trying to do this, ignoring his harmonious de­ velopment. 6 0-0

Complete Games

•.•

..•

7 . .tg5 This looks like a loss of a tem­ po, since it helps Black to advance his kingside pawns. 7 h6 8.J.e3 d6 It seems a bit premature for Black to play the active move B . . . fS due t o 9.cS ! ?oo 9.ti'c1? ! Having in mind all our previ­ ous notes, it seems much more logical for White to choose here 9.Wfd2, although even then after 9 . . . gSt Black's position would be more promising. •••

24

9 �h7 This move is not so necessary. Black could increase his space ad­ vantage on the kingside with the move 9 . . . gS ! ?t, freeing in the pro­ cess the g6-square for his knight on e7, or could even ignore his op­ ponent's capturing of the h6pawn and reply with the counter­ strike 9 . . . ig4 ! t with the idea 10. ,hh6?! ohf3 1l.gxf3 lLld4 (Now, you can see the drawback of the placement of White's queen on the cl-square - Black is threaten­ ing at some moment lLld4-e2+) 12.'it>h1 lLlec6 (It is weaker for Black to opt here for 12 . . . ,hh6 13. ti'xh6 lLlc2, in view of 14J'�gl ! ? with the idea ggl-g3-h3. 1 4. . . lLlxa1 lS.gg3 f6 16.cS gfl 17.gh3 gg7 1B. J.c4+ dS 19.exdS lLlxdS 20 .,hdS+ ti'xdS 2 1.WfhB+ 'it>fl 22.WfxaB = ; or 16.gxg6+ lLlxg6 17.Wfxg6+ 'it>hB lB. Wfh6+ �gB 19.Wfg6=) 13.J.gS WfcB 14.lLld2 (14.ohc6 lLlxf3 with the idea Wfh3-h2 checkmate ! lS.lLld2 lLlxgS 16.ia4 J.f6 ! - + with the idea 'it>g7 and ghB) 14 . . . lLle2 lS.Wfd1 lLlcd4+ and in this pawn-structure Black's cavalry is no doubt strong­ er than White's bishops. His light­ squared bishop is particularly bad, because it has been isolated ..•

l.e4 e5 2. ttJj3 ttJc6 3. ,ib5 ttJg e7

from the actions by his own pawns. 10.�el In response to f7-f5, White is preparing the counter strike f2-f4, but he should not play so actively because of his lag in development. He must complete it first with the move 10.�c3, in order to transfer his light-squared bishop to a more promising position with 1l.,ia4 with the idea .b4-d1, from where it can help in the defence of his kingside. White can also play more reso­ lutely and exchange his idle bish­ op with 1O .,ixc6. In this case how­ ever, Black's position would be­ come preferable. 10 f5 •••

1l fxe4 12.dxe4 exf4 13. gxf4 White would not have saved the day with 13 . .ixf4 ttJd4 14.ttJc3 a6 15.ia4 ,ie6+ 16.,ib3?! g5 17. ie3 1!xf1+ 18.Wxfl Wfg8 !-+ •••

13 gxf4 Black reacts in the best possi­ ble way. He exchanges his oppo­ nent's active pieces, because the rest of White's forces have not been developed yet . . . 14 .lxf4 �d4 It was also possible for Black to play here 14 . . . ,ie6 ! ?+, empha­ sising the vulnerability of White's c4-pawn and the disharmony in the placement of his pieces, for example: 15.�c3 �e5 16.ixe5 .ixe5 17 . .ta4 .ixc4 18.�f3 .tg7+ or 15.Wh1 a6 16.ixc6 �xc6 17.ttJd2 %yf6 18 . .te3 ttJa5+ 15.�c3 White takes care about his de­ velopment, but a bit too late . . . He could have continued to ig­ nore his problems with a line like : 15.Wfd2 .te6 ! ?+ (it is also good for Black to choose here 15 . . . a6 16 . .ta4 b5+) with the idea 16.ixh6? ixh6 17.%Yxd4 c6 18.,ia4 ,ig7 19.Wff2 Wfb6 ! - + •••

•

1l.f4? ! White's pieces, contrary to their black counterparts, are not so well prepared for the fight. As before, it was more reliable for White to play 1l.,ia4 ttJd4 1 2 . �c3 with the idea ,id1 o r 1l.,ixc6 �xc6 1 2 .exf5 .ixfS 13.ttJc3 and in both cases his position would be a bit cramped but still reliable. Now, he ends up in a difficult situation by force.

25

Chapter 1

Complete Games

15 c6 16 .ia4 .ie6 17.�c2 White's c4-pawn is already doomed . . . 17 .txc4- + IS.�xd4 Even after White's relatively best reaction 18.llJe3 .ie6-+ Black's extra pawn and his better position make his advantage decisive. IS .txd4+ 19.c;t>hl •••

•

•••

•••

19 g5? ! He could have played calmly here : 19 . . . .ig7 ! ? with the idea dS, for example: 2 0 . 'i;l!d2 dS- + 2 0 . .ic2? It was still possible for White to complicate his opponent's task with the move 2 0 . 'i;l!d2, for exam­ ple : 20 . . . .ieS 2 1..ig3 'i;l!aS ! with the idea hc3 and 'i;l!xa4, practically forcing the exchange of the bish­ ops. 2 2 .heS ( 2 2 . .ic2 gf8 23.heS 'i;l!xeS 24.gel cS 2S.llJdl ha2+) 22 . . . 'i;l!xeS 23.llJdl �g7 24.llJe3 .ie6 2S.gdl gd8 26 . .ic2 gd7+ and Black may need to solve some technical difficulties. 20 gxf4 This sacrifice is obviously in­ correct. White's pieces are not ready to attack yet. 21.e5+ c;t>g7 2 2 .'i;l!xf4 dxe5 23.ti'g4+ c;t>hS 24.�e4 ti'gS 25. •••

•••

26

ti'h4 ti'g7 26.gdl �f5 27.Yfh3 �e3 0-1 3

Uddin Abdulla Dhaka 2 004 l.e4 e5 2 . �f3 �c6 3 . .ib5 �ge7 4.c4 g6 5.d4 exd4 6. �xd4 .ig7 7..ie3 0-0 S.�c3 d6 9 . .txc6 bxc6 10.0-0 gbS

Black is trying to free the h8al diagonal... It.b3 White should not have weak­ ened the al-h8 diagonal so early and should have chosen the more useful move Il.Yfd2 ! ? with the fol­ lowing exemplary variation: 11 . . . c S 12 .llJde2 ge8 13.gadl .tb7 and only then 14.b3 = Here after It c5 12.�de2 f5 the weakened al-h8 diagonal becomes a telling factor . .••

1.e4 e5 2. lD.fJ lDc6 3 . .tbS lDge7 13.gel White's desire is understanda­ ble. He wishes to remove as quickly as possible his rook away from the dangerous diagonal and to protect his e4-pawn. Still, it seemed more energetic for him to opt for 13.Wc2 ! ? (with the idea l3adl) 13 . . .fxe4 14.l3adl, but even then White would have to solve some problems after 14 . . . YNe8t (removing the queen away from the pin) followed by We8-fl. 13 fxe4 14.�xe4 �f5 Black gradually improves the placement of his pieces and is ready to begin an offensive on the kingside. 15 .tg5 YNd7 16.Wd2 h6

lDxe3, White will have problems in the endgame after 19.Wxe3 Wlxe3 20.fxe3 �d7 2U':lxf8+ �xf8 2 2 .l3fl l3xf1+ 23.'i!;>xfl c6+, as well as following 19.fxe3 l3xfl+ 20.l3xfl c6 21.lDf4 .tfS 22 .lDhS .th8 23. lDg3 i.e6 24.Wd3 .tt7t and Black's powerful bishop-pair becomes a very important factor. 17 g5 18 .ig3 •••

•

•••

•

18 wn Here, Black overlooked a very promising possibility: 18 ... as ! with the idea as-a4xb3, creat­ ing additional threats on the oth­ er side of the board. This is a well known strategical resource - the principle of creating two weak­ nesses for the opponent. 19.1D2c3 (White does not have time to play 19.WxaS? .tb7 20. f3 lDe3-+ fol­ lowed by lDxg2 ! ) 19 . . . Wt7 20.f3 .td7 2 1..tf2 a4t 19.�2c3 .ib7 Just like before, here it was very strong for Black to play 19 ... aSt 20. �d5 The seemingly more prudent move 20.f3 after 20 . . . l3be8 21..tf2 lDh4 ! (with the idea to counter 2 2 .Wd3 ? ! with 22 . . . lDxg2 ! 23. •••

17 .tf4 White's reluctance to give up his last bishop is understandable if he plays 17.i.e3, but after 17 . .tf4 gS, Black's pressure on the king­ side will become even stronger. This happens very often in in­ ferior positions. One of the sides wishes to avoid making some po­ sitional concessions and makes some other. Still, it is reasonable to choose the least of evils . . . After 17 . .te3 We7 18.lD4c3 •

27

Complete Games

Chapter 1 'i!7xg2 g4 ..... ; 2 1 . . . ttld4 2 2 .§'d3 �h5t with the idea g4) 2 2 .ixh4 gxh4 23Jkel h3 24.gxh3 (24.g3? .td4+ 25.'i!7hl §'h5 26.§'d3 .txc3 27. §'xc3 gxf3 - + ; 2 6.g4 §'g6-+) 24 . . . ge5 ! =+ leads t o a very dangerous position for White. If Blac�'s at­ tack fails, he can rely on having an advantage in the endgame thanks to his two bishops. Still, despite all this, White had to play like that, because it was the least of evils for him . . .

2 0 gbe8 It seems interesting for Black to choose here 2 0 . . . .txd5 ! ? , forc­ ing White to occupy the key­ square for the manoeuvres of his knights - d5, with a pawn. After that, he would hardly find a good square for his knight, left on the board, and the defects of Black's queenside pawn-structure would be absolutely immaterial, moreo­ ver that White is very likely to fail to hold on to his pawn on d5, for example: 21.cxd5 (21.�xd5 �xd5 22.cxd5 .td4 23.'i!7hl ttle7+) 2 1 . . . gb4 ! ?=+ with the idea gd4. 2 1.c�� e c3 White has succeeded to fortify his d5-square just in time, but his

position remains difficult like be­ fore. 21 .id4 He is completely paralysed. It is not good for him to choose now 2 2 . gcel? in view of 22 . . . c6 and his knight will have no square to re­ treat to. . . 23.ttle3 ttlxe3 24.fxe3 he3+ 25.�xe3 §'xfl+ 26.gxfl gxfl+ 27.'i!7xfl gxe3-+ 22 .ttlb5 This is a hopeless move, but the alternatives are even worse, for example: 2 2 .ttle2 hd5 23. cxd5 �xd5 24.ttlxd4 ttlxd4 with the idea ge2- + •.•

•••

28

2 2 c6 Now, analogously to 20 ....td5!?, it was again very good for Black to have chosen 22 . . . hd5 ! , for exam­ ple : 23.cxd5 (23.ttlxd4? ttlxd4 24. cxd5 ttle2 - + ) 23 ... .tg7-+ 24.ttlxa7 'ttld4 25.'i!7hl (25.gcel? �xd5-+ ; 25.ttlc6 ttle2 + 26.'i!7hl ttlxcl 27. gxc1 �g6 28.f3 h5 29.gel gxel+ 30.�xel �d3 31.h3 'i!7h7 ! - + , re­ moving the king away from the checks) 25 . . . ge2 26.�d3 ga8 27. ttlc6 gaxa2 28.gcel gad2+ White will hardly manage to protect his queenside pawn-weaknesses. 23.�xd4 cxd4 24.�b4 ••.

1.e4 e5 2. tLlj3 tLlc6 3 . i. b5 �ge7 White's knight changes its lo­ cation from d5 to d3 and it is more comfortably placed there, because his opponent can hardly remove it from that square. 24 c5 25.�d3 9d7 Black's pieces are concentrat­ ed on the f and e-files, so that was the right time for him to improve his position : 25 . . . Ei:e6 ! (with the idea gf6 or gg6) 26.gcel (26.gfel gg6 ! 2 7.b4? tLlh4- + ; 2 7.�e2 tLlh4 28.f3 h5 29.Ei:c2 hf3- + ) 26 . . . gf6 (26 . . . gg6 ! ? 27.f3 h5-+) 27.ge2 tLle3 ! + • •.

26.gfel Now, White had an interesting possibility to complicate the issue with the move 26.b4 ! ? and al­ though Black would still have the edge, the situation would have be­ come very complex. For example : 26 ... �c6 27.f3 (This is the right way to emphasise the drawbacks of Black's plan begun with the move 25 . . . �d7.) 27 . . . tLle3 28.gf2 and White would still have the possibility to offer resistance . . . Now, his best reaction would be the most practical line: 26. �kel! �c6 27.f3 tLle3 28.gf2 with the idea �d3-b2-d1+

26 9c6 27.f3 �e3 27 . . . Ei:e3 ! ? (with the idea gxf3) 28.gc2 (28.gxe3 dxe3 29.�e2 �e8 30.gel �e6. Black is prepar­ ing h6-h5-h4. 31.b4 �xc4 32 .bxc5 i.a6-+) 28 . . . Ei:f7! ? He brings his rook to exert pressure on the g­ file (The position is not so clear after 28 . . . Ei:xf3 29.gxf3 �xf3 30. �g2 �xd3 31.�e2+, or 28 ... g4 29 . .tf4 gxel+ 30.tLlxel gxf3 31. tLlxf3 Ei:f6t). 29.Ei:fl (White cannot save the day with the deflecting move 29.b4, because of 29 ... g4 ! and Black's attack becomes deci­ sive. 30 . .tf4 gxel+ 31.tLlxel gxf3 32.tLlxf3 �e8 33.�e2 ge7 34.�f2 Ei:e4 35 . .tg3 d3 36.Ei:d2 gxc4 37. gxd3 gc1+ 38.tLlel c4 39.ga3 �e4 40.�d2 gbl 41.ltifl d5- +) 29 . . . g4 30.fxg4 tLlxg3 31.hxg3 Ei:xfl + 32. ltixfl �d7- + 28.h3 • •.

28 . . . �xg2? This move is premature and incorrect, since White has suffi­ cient defensive resources. Following 28 . . . h5-+, Black has great chances of realising his ad­ vantage. 29.9xg2 gxf3 30.gxe8? This move is in favour of Black, 29

Complete Games

Chapter 1 because it helps him to bring his queen into the attack to a much more favourable position. White could have solved all his problems with the move 30. @h2 ! = and here, the hI-square would be reliably protected, for example: 30 . . J"!ef8 31.lLlf4 ! and it becomes evident that Black's king is not so reliably placed either. 31..J"!8xf4 32 .hf4 gxf4 33.�xc6 .b:c6 34.ge6= 30 ti'xeS 31.gel ti'f7 Black is ready to begin a new attacking wave, but now, his at­ tacking potential has been re­ duced considerably. White enters by force an inferior endgame, but it would be very difficult to sug­ gest to him anything more prom­ ising. 32.�f2 ge3 33. �g4 .bg2 34.�xh6+ @g7 35.�xf7 gxg3 36.@h2

3S.h4 White fails to deflect the ene­ my king with the move 38.lLlf7, because of 38 . . . i.f3 ! - + , for exam­ ple: 39.lLlxd6 d3 40J"!gl+ @h7 41.lLlbS gc2 + 42.@g3 i.hS 43.lLla3 gxa2 44.lLlbl d2 4S.lLlxd2 gxd2-+ White cannot save the end­ game after 38.@xg2 @xgS 39.ge6 @f4-+

•••

36 gc3 ! This is the only way for Black to fight for an advantage. 37. �xg5 c;tg6 ! This is again his most precise move ! He can hardly obtain any­ thing more substantial after 37 . . . i.b7 38J"!e6 ! = •••

30

3S i.f3? This is a terrible mistake ! In this endgame, the bishop is stronger than the knight, so the simple and logical move 38 . . . i.b7 would have provided Black with excellent winning prospects, for example: 39.lLle4 he4 40.gxe4 @fS 41.gel @g4 42 .@g2 (42 .ge4+ @f3 ! - + ) 42 ... gc2 + 43.@f1 @f3-+ Now, after several accurate moves, White should manage to draw . . . 39.ge6+ c;th5 It would be interesting, as a practical chance, for Black to try 39 . . . @fS 40.gxd6 i.g4 41.@g2 @f4 42.gf6+ i.fS 43.lLlf7 gc2 + 44.@fl d3 4S.lLld6 gcl+ 46.@f2 d2 47. gxfS+ @g4 48.ggS+ @xh4 49.gdS dl1Ml SO.gxdl gxdl Sl.lLle4 = , but not more than that... •••

l.e4 e5 2.1:i:,f3 I:i:,c6 3.i.b5l:i:,ge7 40.�xf3 gxf3 41.Wg2 ge3 42.gxd6 wxh4 43.gg6 as 44. wf2 ge2 + 44 . . . a4 45J'k6= 4S.wf3 gxa2 46.ge6 gb2 47.gxeS

It is logical for Black to remove his opponent's knight away from the centre, moreover that this will even enhance the effect of the pawn-advance O-f5. 11.c� de2

47 a4? This is difficult to explain! It was maybe due to the time-trou­ ble? ! After the simple move 47 . . . �xb3+ the draw would have been obvious. 48.We4? After the quite natural reply 48.bxa4+- the outcome of the game would have been changed radically. White's extra pawn and Black's isolated king, would have been sufficient to settle the issue in favour of White. 48 . . . gxb3 49.Wxd4 Wg4 SO. gaS a3 Sl.cS wfS S2.e6+ We6. Draw.

H . . . .ib7 It was also possible for him to play immediately 11 . . .f5, for ex­ ample: 12.exfS hf5 13.�d2 �e6 14.b3 1:i:,f5 15 . .ig5 �d7 16.l:i:,g3= Still, I believe that Black's best possibility would be to adhere to the strategy of improving his po­ sition in the centre and on the queenside for the moment and not clarifying the position imme­ diately with the pawn-break 0-f5 - 11 . . . l'!e8 ! ? With this move Black prevents the trade of the dark­ squared bishops with �d2 and �h6 and also increases the pres­ sure against the enemy e4-pawn. There might follow 12 .�d2 a5 13. �h6 �h8t with the idea 14.l:i:,f4 �a6 15.b3 a4t , creating maximum pressure on the enemy queenside. After Black plays 0-f5, the sit­ uation in the centre will be clari­ fied and the position may be sim­ plified considerably due to the opening of the e-file, which would

•••

Berg Short Malm02 013 1.e4 eS 2.�f3 �e6 3 . .ibS �ge7 4.e4 g6 S.d4 exd4 6. �xd4 .ig7 7 .ie3 0-0 8.�c3 d6 9.he6 bxe6 10.0-0 cS

4

•

31

Complete Games

Chapter 1 not have happened if Black had realised the above mentioned plan. It is also essential that White would not have the chances of ob­ taining counterplay. 12 .Vd2 f5 13.f3 This is a correct decision with the idea after 13 . . . fxe4 to fo How with 14.fxe4= In the variation 13.lLlg3 fxe4 14.lLlgxe4 lLlfS lS.�f4 h6+ White would need to fight long and hard for equality. 13 ... �c6

14.�f4? ! White did not have to let the enemy knight to occupy the d4square. He had to play instead 14.exfS ! ? 13xfS lS.13ael 13f7= 14 �d4 15.�fd5 c6 !+ 16. �f4 White's task would have been even more difficult after 16 ..igS Wfd7 17.lLle3 f4+ 16 ... g5?! Black could have improved his position obtaining an edge after 16 . . . WfaSt 17. �fe2 �xe2+ 18.�xe2 f4 19 .tf2 1re7 20.gadl gf6? ! This move looks active, but covers the diagonal of Black's

own bishop and makes possible White's next move. It was not possible for Black to play now the seemingly active move 20 . . . .ieS? ! , because of 2l. �cl;j; with the idea lLld3. Still, it was more prudent for him to opt for 20 . . . 13ad8, prevent­ ing the move in the game. Here, it would not work for White to con­ tinue with 2 l.b4 due to 2 1 . . . cxb4 2 2 .Vxb4 ( 2 2 .�d4 ? ! �eS+) 22 . . . cS 23.Wfb3 .ieSt 21.h4! It is obvious that Nigel Short has underestimated the active counter strike. Black is not well prepared for the opening of the game on the queenside. 21 . . . cxh4

.•.

•

32

2 2 . .td4 Black is deprived of his two­ bishop advantage and what is more important his active dark­ squared bishop on g7 disappears off the board. It would be prema­ ture for White to capture 2 2 .Vxb4 cS 23.Wfb3 13g6f±, because he would fail to exchange the impor­ tant enemy bishop on g7. 2 2 gg6 23 . .ix:g7 Vxg7 24. �d4? ! ••.

1.e4 e5 2.c!!Jj3 c!!J c6 3. 1b5 c!!Jge7 This is a very risky decision. After the simple line: 24. 'I19xb4 ! ? cS 2S.'I19d2 ! ?�, there would arise a situation, similar to the one in the game, but with materi­ al equality. 24 cS 2S.tOfS 'eeS •••

tOd3 'ed2 36.tOxf4 gxdS 37. g3+ �gS White has done so much in or­ der to save the game, but his posi­ tion remains hopeless. Black's queen decides the issue . . . 38.cxdS �f6 39.fxg4 �eS 40.tOhS c4 41.gf5+ �d4 42 .d6 c3 43.d7 �c4 44.gdS 'eel 0-1

S

Vul Belaska Prague 1996 1.e4 eS 2.1013 lOc6 3.1b5 tOge7 4.d3 g6 S.tOc3 1g7 6.1e3

White has some compensation for the pawn due to the enemy weakness on d6. Still, Black's po­ sition remains quite solid and White will still need to prove how meaningful his compensation re­ ally is. 26. tOxd6? This is an obvious blunder. White would have preserved ex­ cellent chances of a draw after 26.h4 h6 27J!f2 E:eB 2B.'I19c2 ic6 29.E:fd2 E:ee6 30.'I19b2't 26 gd8-+ 27.tOxb7 It is likely that after 26 c!!Jd 6? White had overlooked the fact that following 27.c!!Jf7 E:xd2 2 B . c!!JxeS, Black would have the re­ source 2B . . J!gd6 ! - + 27 gxd2 28.gxd2 g4-+ 29.gd8+ �g7 30.gd7+ �h6 Black would have won simpler with 30 . . . �hB 31.E:dB+ E:gB. 31. tOd8 'eb2 32.tOf7+ �hS 33.gdS+ �h4 34.tOeS ggS 3S. ••.

•.•

6 tOd4! Black prevents the pawn-ad­ vance d3-d4 and wishes to fortify his knight on d4 with the move tOe7-c6. White would lose a piece now with 7.tOxd4 and giving up his dark-squared bishop (7.,bd4) would be a considerable position­ al concession. 7 .1a4 White's reluctance to exchange his important light-squared bish­ op for the enemy knight is under­ standable. The bishops are stronger than the knights in nu­ merous open games and it may happen often that the absence of ..•

•

33

Complete Games

Chapter 1 bishops may prove to be a very negative factor in the future if the position is opened. 7 0-0 8 .ti'c1? ! White wishes to trade the dark-squared bishops with the move �e3-h6 and then to organ­ ise an attack against Black's cas­ tled king with h4-hS. Instead of this, White had to complete his development with 8.0-0 d600 reaching a complicat­ ed position in which Black's pros­ pects would not be worse at all. As it is well known, when you attack on the side you need to im­ prove your position in the centre and Arkady Vul demonstrates now all these familiar principles of the central strategy. 8 . . . d5 It was possible that it was stronger for Black to play the pre­ paratory move 8 . . . c6 ! ? with the idea dS, so that after the exchange on dS, he could capture - c6xdS. 9 .Ah6? ! It was the least of evils for White now, to simplify the posi­ tion with 9.i.xd4 exd4 1O . .!t:lxdS .!t:lxdS 1l.exdS, but after 1l . . . 'l;Ye7+ he would be doomed to a passive defence, because Black would have a powerful bishop-pair in an open position. 9 . . . c6 10 .ixg7 �xf3+ It was also possible for Black to choose here 1O . . . @xg7 ! ? and it would not work for White to play 1l . .!t:lxd4?? in view of 1l . . . exd4 1VlJe2 ti'aS-+ 1l.gxf3 �xg7 12.Ab3 •••

•

34

12 . . . f5 This move is a bit premature. White's task would have been much more difficult after 12 . . . aS ! with the idea a4 and d4 and Black would force his opponent to weaken his queenside with the moves a4 or a3, after which White's king would be seriously endangered. Even following 13. a4, Black should not be in a hurry to play the move fS, but should prepare it with 14 . . . �e6 or 14 . . . 'l;Yd6. 13.ti'g5 White could have simplified considerably the position with the line: 13.exdS .!t:lxdS (The situation would have become very compli­ cated after 13 . . . cxdS ! ? 14.'l;Ye3 Wfd6 1S.d4 e4oo) 14 . .!t:lxdS cxdS+, ending up in a passive but rather solid position. 13 . . . h6 It was good for Black to con­ tinue here with 13 . . . aS ! ? with ide­ as mentioned by us in our notes to Black's move 1 2 . 14.ti'g2 a5+ His advantage is obvious now. 15.a4 (diagram) 15 . . . d4

1.e4 e5 2. lLlp lLlc6 3.i.b5 lLlge7 with the idea i.b5 and a4. 22.chd1 ga8 23.chd2 .id7 24.�e2 gtb8+ Black is well prepared for the opening of the game on the queenside and all his pieces are ready for that. 25.Vld1 Black has a tremendously great choice here of attractive possibilities. It seemed also good for him to opt for 15 . . . .ie6t or 15 . . . §'d6, im­ proving the placement of his piec­ es and not clarifying yet the situa­ tion in the centre. White must decide where to put his king and his plan for further actions, for example: 16.exd5 lLlxd5 17.lLlxd5 cxd5 1B.O-O-O .ie6 19J::!hgl �f6t 16.�e2 f4 The situation in the centre is clear now. White's position is pas­ sive and without any good pros­ pects and he is doomed to a labo­ rious defence. 17.h4 White is playing with fire .. .!t is evident that he cannot even dream about organising an attack on the kingside. 17 . . . §'b6 18.�c1 Wb4+ 19. che2 b5 Now, contrary to White's un­ timely attacking attempt, Black"s queenside attack is completely justified and is enhanced by his reliable set-up in the centre. 20 .Vlg1 Vlc5 21.chd2 gb8 It is also good for Black to opt here for 2 1 . . .bxa4 2 2 . �xa4 i.a6 ! ?t

25 . . . Yfb6 It also seems very good for him to try 25 . . . §'b4+ and now, White must, either open files on the queenside after 26.c3 dxc3+ 27.bxc3 §'d6+, which will make his situation even worse, or leave his king on the queen side after 26.'i!;>cl bxa4 27J3xa4 �b6 2BJ3a2 a4 29 ..ic4 lLlcB-+ (with the idea lLld6), where it will come under a crushing attack. 26.gb1 ga7 27.gg1 gab7 28.axb5 cxb5 29.e1 This move saves the king, but not the game. White's queenside is doomed. 29 ... a4 30 . .ia2 b4 White's only hope is to try to build a fortress on the queen side, after which he will have some chances for a draw. He succeeds in doing this indeed, but naturally not without his opponent's help . . . 35

Complete Games

Chapter 1 It seemed simple and strong for Black to play here 30 .. J''k7 , ex­ erting pressure on the demi-open file. 31.�d2 . Now, after he pre­ vents the appearance of the ene­ my queen on the b4-square with the move 3 1 . . .�d6-+ (followed by ltJe7-c6-b4), Black would obtain a decisive advantage. 31 .tc4 gc7 Here, he needed to prevent White's move 3 2 .b3, by playing 3 1 . . .b3+ himself. 3 2.b3 •

It would be worse for White to try the other, more principled capture - 42.dxc4? with the idea ltJcl-d3, in view of 42 . . . d3 ! 43. �xd3 ltJc6+ 42 gb8 43.gabl gcb7 44. ltJcl ltJc6 Now, Black transfers purpose­ fully his knight to cS, but this does not change the character of the position . . . 45. �b3 �e7 46.gg4 ti'd6 47.ti'el ga7 48.gal ltJd8 49.gg1 �e6 50.'it>d2 �c5 51.ga2 �a4 This knight is roaming without any particular effect. 52 .ti'cl �c3 53.gal gc8 54. ti'fl a2 55.ti'cl ga3 56.ti'fl �e6 57.gg4? This could have been the deci­ sive mistake, but it was over­ looked by both opponents. 57 gca8? Black was winning immedi­ ately with 57 . . . ltJxe4 ! 58.dxe4 gxc4 (with the idea 59 . . . gxc2 ! ) 59.gel gxb3 60.cxb3 gc3-+ 58.gg1 gxb3? ! This rook would have been very useful on the queenside; therefore, he did not need to give it for the harmless enemy knight. Black had some hopes, con­ nected with opening of the game on the kingside. Now, his resourc­ es are exhausted and the game ends up logically in a draw. 59.cxb3 ga3 60. 'it>c2 �c6 61.ti'g2 ti'e6 62.�g4 ti'xg4 63. fxg4 ga5. Draw. •••

•••

32 a3? Black loses his advantage, closing the queenside and allow­ ing White to build up a fortress there. It was necessary for Black to keep an open file there with the line: 32 . . . axb3 33.cxb3 ga7+ 33.ltJcl �c6 34.�a2 � a7 35.gal ti'c5 36.ti'd2 ti'e7 37. gbl ti'c5 38.gg1 .tb5 39.�c1 gd8 40.'it>e2 gdc8 41.�a2 bc4 Black has waited for the right moment to capture the bishop, af­ ter his opponent's knight has abandoned the cl-square. 42.bxc4 •••

36

Chapter 2

1.e4 e5 2.tlf3 tlc6 3.1b5 tlge7 4.c3

Quick Repertoire

0-0 iJ.g7 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4, he could transpose to the Classical variation (Chapter 6), or 4 a6 !?, trying to transpose to the Modern variation (Chapter 7) after 5.ia4 (5.ic4 d5 ! ? = ) 5 ... g6 6.0-0 (6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 ig7) 6 ... iJ.g7 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4. Therefore, in this chapter we will analyse the posi­ tions after 4.c3 g6 5.d4 (5.ixc6) and 4 a6 !? 5 .ia4 (5.iJ.c6 ; 5. ic4) 5 g6 6.d4, which do not arise after the usual move-orders in the Classical and the Modern variations. All Black's three possibilities (4 d5, 4 g6, 4 a6) are about equally strong and depending on the tournament situation and the style of the player can be tested will probably equal success. There arise more stable, manoeuvring positions following 4 ... g6 and 4 ... a6. The variation with 4 ... d5 Ieads to complications full of tactical tricks and would suit the taste of the players who enjoy similar kinds of positions and can be more applicable when Black is trying to play for a win. •••

•••

It was for a long time that the move 4.c3 did not create any opening problems for Black. He solved them with the help of the active response 4 . . . d5 (see Chap­ ter 3), suggested by the first World Champion Willhelm Stein­ itz back in the year 1867. Still, af­ ter World Champion number 11 Robert Fischer found an improve­ ment for White in the year 1971, the move 4.c3 was considered quite justifiably a serious weapon for White. Black had to try to find new ways of a fight for equalis­ ing . . . So, his most popular reply against 4.c3 became the move 4 g6, trying to prove that after 5. •••

•

•.•

•••

•••

•••

37

Chapter 2

1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.J.b5 �ge7 4.c3

Step by Step

We will deal now with : A) 4 g6 and B) 4 a6.

•••

••.

A) 4 g6 5.d4 With this move, Black refrains from entering the Classical varia­ tion (S.O-O) and is trying to fight for a slight opening edge. •••

About S.d3 fi.g7 6.0-0 0-0= see Chapter 1, variation D3. Following S.h4, it seems good for Black to play S . . . dS ! ? , because now, after 6.d3 dxe4 7.dxe4 %Yxd1+ 8.�xd1 f6= , as well as fol­ lowing 6 . .!t:lxeS dxe4 = , his pros­ pects are not worse at all. Black has no problems after 38

S . .b:c6 .!t:lxc6 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 (7 . .!t:lxd4?! fi.g7+) 7 . . . dS= , for ex­ ample : 8.exdS %YxdS 9.0-0 (9 . .!t:lc3 ? ! \1!1lc4+; 9 .%Ye2 + %Ye6 1O.ie3 i.g7 11 . .!t:lc3 0-0 12.0-0 %Yd6=) 9 ... i.g4 ! ? 1O . .!t:lc3 \1!1lfS ! ? (It is weaker for him to opt for 10 . . . %YhS 11. %Ye1+ i.e7 12 . .!t:lgS and he has no problems after 12 . . . h6 13 . .!t:lge4 0-0-0 14.dS;!;, as well as follow­ ing 12 . . . 0-0 13.f3;!;) 1l.%Ye1+ (11. E:e1+ i.e7 12.E:e3 0-0-0=) 11 . . . i.e7 12 . .!t:leS .!t:lxeS 13.dxeS %Yd3 14. i.h6 0-0-0= and Black should not be worse in this open position with a pair of bishops.

5

•••

exd4 6.cxd4

Or 6.i.gS i.g7 7.cxd4 (7.0-0?! h6! Osuna Vega - Vul, Gibraltar 2008, game 6) 7 . . . h6 ! ? = Salazar - Caruana, Guaymallen 2001, with the idea 8 .i.e3 dS=

6

•..

d5 (diagram)

This is the only move which leads to original positions, but it would not trouble Black at all. White should better transpose to

4.c3 g6

the Classical variation here with 7.exdS ttJxdS 8.0-0 ig7.

sition: AI) 8.ttJxe4.

7.eS - see Gipslis - Smyslov, Tbilisi 1979, game 7.

AI) 8. �e5 i.g7 9.i.g5 Vd6 This position is complicated but Black's prospects are not worse. 10.i.f4

Black should not be afraid of the move 7.i.gS, because after 7 . . . dxe4 ! ? 8.ttJeS (It i s bad for White to play here 8.if6 ? ! in view of 8 . . . exf3+ with a n excellent game for Black, for example : 9.hc6+ bxc6 10 .hh8 fxg2 1U!gl ttJdS ! ? 12. 1!xg2 f6- + ; 12 .�e2+ ie7 13.ttJc3 @f8+ - his great advantage is doubtless; after 9.hh8 fxg2 10. 1!gl �d6 ! ? White saves the day neither with 11.ieS �b4+ 12.ttJc3 ie6 13.hc7 ttJdS+, nor following 11.1!xg2 ifS 12.ttJc3 0-0-0+) 8 . . . �d6! (The careless move 8 ...i.d7? ! , after 9.hc6 hc6 1O.i.f6 1!g8 11. ttJxc6 bxc6 12.ttJc3± led to a great advantage for White in the game Rooze - Kulago, Condino 2009.) 9.ttJc3 ig7 - see variation Al.

7" .dxe4 (diagram) We will analyse in details two moves for White in the arising po-

8.�e5

and A2)

10.0-0 0-0 11.ttJxe4 �b4 12.ttJxc6 ttJxc6 13 .hc6 bxc6= 10.he7 @xe7 11.hc6 bxc6 12.ttJxe4 �dS= 13 .�c2 1!e8 ! ? (13 . . . i fS 14.�cS+ �xcS lS.ttJxcS heS 16.dxe5 1!hd8=) 14.0-0 (14.�c5+?! �xcS lS.ttJxcS @d6 16.ttJe4+ @dS 17.ttJc3+ @xd4 18.0-0-0+ @cS+ with the idea 19.ttJxf7 ifS 20.1!he1 1!ab8+) 14 . . . @f8 lS.1!ad1 ifS 16.f3 f6 ! ? 17.ttJxc6 1!xe4 18.fxe4 ixe4 19.ttJb4 hc2 20.ttJxdS ixd1 21. 1!xd1 c6 22 .ttJb4 1!c8 23.1!c1 fS 24.1!c4 @e7 2S.@f1 @d6= (diagram) 10" .Ve6 This is a simple and reliable move. Black does not need to enter the complications following 10 . . . �b4 l1.dS 0 - 0 12.dxc6 bxc6 13. 39

Step by Step

Chapter 2

.ia4 ! (13 . .ie2 ? ! ltJdS ! =F with the idea 14 . .id2 ? ! Wxb2-+) 13 . . . WcS ! 14.0-0 i.xeS IS.ltJxe4 Wd4 16. Wxd4 ! ? (16.heS WxeS 17J'!el Wxb2 IBJ��b l Wg7 19.Wc2 .ifS 2 0 . WcS ltJdS 2 1 .bc6 he4 2 2 .haB l'!xaB 23.l'!xe4 ltJc3 24.l'!eb4 ltJxbl 2S.l'!xbl l'!eB = ) 16 . . . hd4 17.hc7= with approximately equal chanc­ es, but Black must play very ac­ curately. For example, after 17 . . . bb2 (17 . . . �e6 ! ?oo) IB.l'!abl� White has the initiative for the pawn and more than sufficient compensation. Here, it is not good for Black to play the seem­ ingly natural response IB . . . �g7 (IB . . . .thB ! ? 19 . .td6�) 19.�d6 �fS (19 ...l'!eB? 20.be7 l'!xe7 21bc6+-) 2 0 .be7 he4 2 1.hfB hfB 2 2 . l'!b7± and his compensation for the exchange is insufficient.

ll.dS 11.0-0 0-0 12.l'!el ltJxeS 13. l'!xe4 �b6 14.beS beS ! ? (14 . . . .te6 IS.bg7 �xg7=) IS.dxeS (15. l'!xeS ltJfS ! ? = ) IS ... c6 16 . .tc4 .tfS=

ll 40

ftf5 12.dxc6 0-0?

•••

There has arisen a sharp and complicated position in which Black has sufficient counterplay, for example: 13.ltJd7 (13.Wg4 WxeS 14.heS hg4 IS.hg7 �xg7 16. cxb7 l'!abB 17 ..ia6 ltJc6 IB.O-O ltJb4 19 . .ic4 l'!xb7=) 13 . . . �xf4 14. ltJxfB (14.g3? WfS-+) 14 . . . e3 ! ? 15. fxe3 (It is weaker for White to choose here IS. 0-0?! in view of IS ... exf2 + 16.l'!xf2 .td4=F; 16.�hl bxc6 17.�e2 .td4=F and now, it would be bad for White to con­ tinue with 18.Wxe7? ! .ieS I9.WxeS WxeS 2 0 .hc6 l'!bB 2 1 .ltJd7 hd7 2 2 .hd7 l'!xb2 23.l'!ac1 cS=F with a very difficult position for him; 15. We2 hc3+ 16.bxc3 exf2 + 17. �xf2 WeS+ 18 .�e2 Wxc3+ 19.�f2 Wd4+ 2 0.We3 Wf6+ 2 1.Wf3 Wd4+ 2 2 . �e3 �f6+ 23.Wf3 �d4= White can­ not avoid the repetition of moves.) IS ... �xe3+ 16.�e2 hc3+ 17.bxc3 �xc3+ 18.�f2 Wd4+ 19.We3 Wf6+ 2 0 .Wf3 Wd4+ 2 1.�e3 �f6=

A2) 8. �xe4 .tg7 9 .tgS (diagram) Now, Black has two possibili­ ties: A2a) 9 ftdS, leading to a •

•••

4.c3 g6 This move practically forces Black to trade his important dark­ squared bishop. 1l hc3+ •••

But not 11.. .a6 12.0-0 ! ?;j; and it would not work for Black to continue with 12 . . . axb5? 13. lLlxbS+-

12 .bxc3 liJxd5 complicated and unclear position and the simple A2b) 9 0-0 ! ? •••

A2a) 9

••.

12 . . . ti'xdS 13.hc6+ bxc6 14. 0-0 lLlfS 15.1!e1+ .ie6 16.ti'a4 0-0 17 . .if6 1!feB 1B.lLleSt

ti'd5 10.�c3 ! ? 13.c4!?�

10.lLlf6? ! i.xf6 1l . .txf6 ti'e6+ 12 .i.eS f6 13.dS lLlxdS 14.0-0 fxeS 15.i.c4 lLlce7 16J'!e1 ti'd6 17 . .txdS lLlxdS 1BJ'!xeS+ i.e6 19.ti'a4+ bS ! 20.ti'e4 (20 .ti'xbS+ c6 2 1 .ti'e2 lLlf4-+ ) 2 0 . . .'it>d7+ 1O.ti'e2 0-0 1l.i.c4 (1l.lLlf6? ! i.xf6 1 2 .hf6 i.g4 13.0-0 lLlfS+) ll . . . ti'aS+ 12 .i.d2 ti'fS ! ? Black's prospects after 13.0-0 i.e6 = , as well as following 13.lLlg3 ti'c2 ! ? 14.d5 (14J'!c1 ti'xb2 1S.dS lLle5 16. liJxeS ti'xeS+) 14 . . :�xb2 15.0-0 liJd4 16.lLlxd4 ti'xd4 17J'!ac1 .ig4 ! ? 1B.ti'xe7 ti'xd2+ are at least equal. Now, it is bad for White to play 19.ti'xc7? ! in view of 19 . . . bS ! 2 0 . i.b3 (20.hbS? 1!acB-+) 2 0 . . . 1!acB 21.1!c2 ti'd3 2 2 .ti'f4 1!xc2 23.hc2 �xc2 24.ti'xg4 ti'xa2 2S.d6 as 26. d7 't;Ye6 27.�xe6 fxe6+, with the idea 2B.1!c1 f7 29 .1!cB ? ! e7-+

10

ti'd6 11.d5

•••

White has sufficient compen­ sation for the pawn thanks to his bishop-pair and the initiative. 13 . . . lLlde7 ! ? (13 . . . lLldb4 14.ti'e2+ ti'e6 15 . .ie3 ! ? ti'e4 ! ? 16.0-0 i.g4 17.ti'b2 ! 0-0-0 1B.lLlgS� - His initiative more than compensates the sacrificed pawn ; 1S . . . 0-0?! 16.a3 lLla6 17.0-0t) 14.0-0 ti'xd1 15.�axdl 0-0 16.�fel .te6oo - No doubt, White has compensation, but he can hardly rely on having the advantage. 41

Step by Step

Chapter 2 A2b) 9

•••

0-0 ! ?

This i s the simplest road to equality for Black. 10.0-0 10.i.xc6 bxc6 11.0-0 (l1.lLlf6+?! mh8't; 11 . . . ixf6 12 . .bf6 �d6 13. i.e5 �b4+ 14.�d2 �b5 15.�e2 �b6t; 15.a4 �a6+)

11 .. .f6. It is essential for Black to preserve a complicated posi­ tion with his two bishops in order to compensate his inferior pawn­ structure (The simplification of the position 11 . . . h6 12 .i.f6 ixf6 13.lLlxf6+ mg7 14.lLle4 .ig4 15.lLled2;!; is in is favour of White thanks to his superior pawn-structure.) 1 2 . i.e3 (12 .i.d2 i.g4 and the position remains very complicated and 42

rather unclear, for example : 13.h3 .ixf3 14.�xf3 �xd4 15.i.c3 �d7 16. gadl lLld5oo) 12 . . . .te6 (12 . . . gb8 ! ? 13.b3 f5 ! ? 14.lLlc5 f4 1 5 . .tcl .tg4=) 13.lLlc5 i.d5= . There has arisen a very complex position in which Black's chances are not worse at all. His inferior pawn-structure is compensated by his bishop-pair (his light-squared bishop on d5 is particularly active) and the better dynamics in the situation for him, because he has the possibility to advance in the future his f and g­ pawns in order to organise an at­ tack on the kingside. In the game Nykopp - Balshan, Gausdal 1982, there followed 14.lLlel lLlf5 15. lLled3 ge8 16.gel gb8 17.b3 g5 (17 . . . lLlh4! ?+) 18.�g4? ! lLlh4=t and Black seized the initiative.

Now, Black can simplify the game with the move A2b1) 10 �d5 or continue calmly with the line: A2b2) 10 h6.

•••

•••

A2b1) 10

�d5 11.�c3

•••

Following 1l.hc6 lLlxc6 12. lLlf6+ .bf6 13 . .bf6 .tg4, there

4.c3 g6 arises a very complicated position in which Black is not worse. 14.h3 (14.�d2 �d6 15.�g5? ! hf3 16. gxf3 lDxd4+; 15.�e5 �e7 16.�f4 ixf3 17.�xf3 lDxe5 18.dxe5 �xe5 19.�xb7 1!fb8 2 0.�c6 �xb2 = ; 17. �f6 �d6 18.�xf3 lDxd4 19.ixd4 �xd4 2 0.�xb7 1!ab8 2 1.�xc7 1!fc8 22 .�g3 1!xb2 23.1!ad1 �c5=) 14 . . . .bf3 15.�xf3 �xf3 16.gxf3 lDb8 ! ? 17.1!fc1 lDd7 18.�h4 c6 19.d5 cxd5 20 .1!c7 lDe5 2 1.�f6 1!fe8 2 2.'.tg2 (22.1!ac1 b6 23.mg2 lDd3 24.1!lc6 lDf4+ 25.mg3 lDh5=) 22 . . . 1!e6 23. he5 1!xe5 24.1!xb7 1!g5=

11

•••

squares on Black's kingside, his prospects are not worse, because the position is rather concrete and semi-forced. 16.he7! ? (16. lDxe5? ! lDxd5 17.a4 �b6 18.�g5 1e6+; 16.he5 lDxd5 17.a4 �d7+) 16 . . . 1!e8 17.a4 �b6 18.lDxe5 1!xe7 19.1Dc4 �b4=

14

.be5

•••

�d6

15.d6 lDf5 16.d7 ixd7 17.ixd7 �xe4 18.1!e1 �d4 19 .ixfS gxfS 20 .�f3 1!fe8 2 1.�xfS �xb2C1O

15

•.•

mg7 16.lOe8+ gxe8

12.d5 White would not obtain any advantage after his alternatives: 12.lDe4 �b4C1O; or 12 .1!e1 �g4 = ; or 12.lDe4 �d5 13.lDc3 �d6 14.lDe4 �d5=

12 �xe5

•••

lOe5 13.lOe4 ti'b4 14.

Following 14.lDf6+ ix:f6 15. hi6 �xb5, despite the weak

Black's alternatives are worse: 16 . . . mh8? 17.�el ! + -, or 16 ... mg8 17.d6 �g4 18.�e1 �xb5 19.1Dxc7 hh2 + 20.mxh2 �xg5 21.�xe7;!;

17 .be8 (6 18 .ict .if5 19. .ia4 gd8;i Black's active pieces are quite sufficient to compensate the exchange. •

•

A2b2) 10 h6 This simple and reliable move •••

43

Step by Step

Chapter 2 provides Black with equality.

worse at all - lS . . . i.xf3 16.gxf3 (16.Wfxf3 ? ! tLId4 17.Wfc3 WfxdS IS. 1!ad1 1!adS=F) 16 ... tLIeS 17.f4 (17. Wfd4 ? ! Wff6 ! ! =F) 17 ... tLId7= and 15 . . . tLIeS 16.Wfd4 i.xf3 17.WfxeS+ f6 IS. Wfd4 he4 19.Wfxe4 1!eS = with equality, but in more complicated positions in comparison to lS.1!eS.

13

q;xf6 14.Wfe1 q;g7

•••

1l .tf6 •

11. tLIf6 + ?? �hS-+ S. Lupu Radulov, Val Trorens 1995.

1l

.txf6 12.�xf6+ q;g7 13.

•••

d5 13.tLIe4 i.g4 lS.dS

14.,hc6

tLIxc6

lS ... 1!eS. This is the simplest. 16.dxc6 Wfxd1 17.1!fxd1 1!xe4 IS. cxb7 1!bS 19.tLId2 (19.b3 i.xf3 2 0 . gxf3 1!e2 = ) 19 . . . 1!d4 20.f3 .ifS 21. 1!ac1 1!xb7 2 2 .b3 cS 23.tLIc4 1!xd1+ 24.1!xd1 i.e6= with an equal endgame. Black's alternatives are not

44

15.dxc6 lS.Wfc3+ tLIeS ! 16.WfxeS+ (After 16.tLIxeS ? ! tLIxdS 17.Wfd4 f6 lS.tLIf3 c6 19.i.c4 i.e6=F White has no compensation whatsoever.) 16 . . . f6 17.Wfe4 tLIxdS leads t o a com­ plex position in which White has more than sufficient compensa­ tion, but not more than that. Now, his best possibility would be IS. tLIh4 fS 19.Wfd4+ Wff6 20.WfxdS c6 21.,hc6 bxc6 2 2 .Wfc4 as 23.1!fc1 1!bS 2 4 . Wfxc6 Wfxc6 2S.1!xc6 gS 26.tLIf3 1!xb2= with an equal endgame.

15 . . . �xc6 16.hc6 bxc6 17. 1!c1 Yff6 18.�e5 ge8 19.f4 a5=

4.c3 a6 B) 4 . . . a6 ! ?

5 . .ia4 It is not in the spirit of the po­ sition for White to play 5.hc6 tDxc6, because the exchange of the " Ruy Lopez" bishop for Black's knight without any particular ne­ cessity is not in White's favour. Following 6.d4 d6=, or 6 . . . exd4 7.cxd4 d5= , Black has no prob­ lems in the opening at all. After 5 . .ic4, it seems very good for Black to continue with the counter strike in the centre 5 . . . d5 ! , which i s his most energetic and principled response. (5 . . . tDg6 6.d4;!;) 6.exd5 (Black should not be afraid of 6 . .ib3 dxe4 ! ? 7.tDg5 due to 7 . . . tDd5.) 6 . . . tDxd5

7.0-0 ! ? .ie6 ! ? B.l'!e1 tDxc3?! 9.tDxc3 ixc4 10.d4±; B . . . .ie7 9 . .ib3 .if6 10.tDa3 0-0 1l.tDc4 l'!eB 12.tDcxe5 tDxe5 13.tDxe5 tDxc3 = ; 7 . . . .ie7 B. l'! e 1 Y;!id6?! 9.d4;!;; B ... tDb6 9 . .ib3 ig4 1O.h3 .ih5 1l.g4 ig6. This position is with mutual chances. Now, after 12.tDxe5 tDxe5 13.l'!xe5 0-0 14.d4 'i!ihB !� with the idea id3 and V-f5, Black's initiative compensates fully the sacrificed pawn. After 12.d4, his simplest reply would be 12 . . . exd4 13.tDxd4 tDxd4 14.Y;!ixd4 Y;!ixd4 15. cxd4 l'!dB 16.tDc3 l'!d7=) 7.d4

About 7 . . . b5 - see Bjarnason Thorfinnsson, Hafnarborg 2003, game 8. 7... exd4! ? 8.0-0 (B.tDxd4 tDxd4 9.Y;!ixd4 Y;!ie7+) B . . ..ig4 (B ... .ie7 9.tDxd4 tDe5 1O . .ib3 0-0 = ; in the game Cuasnicu - Panno, Buenos Aires 1975, Black tried 9.cxd4, but after 9 . . . 0-0 1O.tDc3 .ie6 1l . .id3 Y;!id7 12.l'!e1 l'!adB, his position seemed to be even slightly prefer­ able. In similar pawn-structures, with an isolated pawn, the side with it usually has more actively placed pieces and this is the case here.) 9.cxd4 .ie7= 45

Step by Step

Chapter 2 5

•••

g6

Following S . . . d6 6.d4 id7, there arises after transposition of moves, one of the positions of the Modern Steinitz Defence in which Black has a solid but somewhat passive position. The analysis of similar positions is outside the scope of this book.

6.d4 ! ? This i s a n interesting possibil­ ity for White to fight for the initia­ tive. About 6.0-0 !;"g7 - see Chap­ ter 7, variation B .

6

•••

exd4

Following 6 . . . ig7 7.dS ! ? (7. 0-0 exd4 - see Chapter 7) 7. J i J a7 (7 . . . lLlb8? 8 .d6 ! cxd6 9.V;Yxd6±) 8 . !;"c2 ! ? (Here, the move 8 .d6 is not so strong as after 7 . . . lLlb8 ? ! Fol­ lowing 8 . . . cxd6oo, the position is just as complicated and unclear as in the game. 9.V;Yxd6 lLlbS 10.�d3 0-0 1l.,bbS ? ! axbS 1 2 . 0 - 0 dS 13. gd1 fSf Black has seized the initi46

ative, Kudrin - Alonso, Salaman­ ca 1989.) 8 . . . 0-0 9.0-0 d6 10.c4;!; (or 1O.a4;!;)

White's chances are preferable due to Black's terribly misplaced knight on a7. The pawn-structure in this position is similar to the King's Indian and the Indian set­ ups in which Black's queen knight belongs to d7 and not to the a7square. White's plan is quite obvi­ ous - this is active operations on the queenside by advancing the pawns there and accomplishing the pawn-break c4-cS, as it often happens in similar King's Indian pawn-structures. Still, we have to mention that White must play very precisely in similar situa­ tions; otherwise, Black will organ­ ise an attack on the kingside and his plan would be quite obvious too. He will play h7-h6, in order to prevent after t7-fS the enemy knight-sortie lLlf3-gS with the idea lLlgS-e6, and then to follow with t7-fS with the idea fS-f4 and then, the advance of the g and h-pawns.

7.cxd4 (diagram) Now, we will analyse two pos-

4.c3 a6 5. i.a4 96 6.d4 ed 7.cd

sibilities for Black: B1) 7 and B2) 7 J..g7.

bS

•••

10

cS

•••

•••

B1) 7 bS This move is beginning to be­ come very popular lately, but it seems to me that it is less precise than 7 . . . !J.g7, in view of: 8 .J..c 2 ! .•.

Now, Black has a choice be­ tween B1a) 8 J..g7 and BIb) 8 . . . dS.

Black should not expect any­ thing promising after 1O . . . !J.xb2?! 11.haS hal 12.lLlc3. Now, fol­ lowing 12 . . . ,bc3?! (It is better for Black to opt here for 12 . . . i.b2 13. d6 lLlc6 14.lLldS 0-0 IS.dxc7 VNe8 16.i.d2;!;; 14 ... lLlxaS? IS.dxc7+-) 13. hc3 0-0 14.VNd4 f6 IS.eS± and White has very dangerous initia­ tive.

•••

B1a) 8

1O . . . lLlc4 11.!J.c3

J..g7 9.dS

•••

About 9.0-0 d6 - see Chapter 7, variation B1.

9

•••

�aS

It is not preferable for Black to choose here 9 . . . lLlb4 1O.i.b3 as 11. a3 lLla6 12.lLlc3 lLlcS 13.i.c2;!; with the idea i.e3, followed by i.d4, with a slight but very stable posi­ tional advantage for White, Co­ lovic - Netzer, Belfort 2012.

10.J..d 2 !

After 11 . . . 0-0 12 .,bg7 �xg7 13.VNd4+ f6 14.!J.d3 lLlb6 1S.lLlbd2± Black's position is obviously worse. Following l L..lLlxb2, White can either enter a very complicated position with 12 .VNc1 !J.xc3+ 13. 47

Step by Step

Chapter 2 tDxc3 tDc4 14.i.d3iii , in which he has more than sufficient compen­ sation for the pawn, or play sim­ pler - sacrificing his queen for two minor pieces and a rook: 1 2 . i.xg7 tDxd1 13.i.xhB tDxf2 14. @xf2;!;, with better chances, si'nce he has a space advantage, a great number of pieces and a powerful dark-squared bishop. It would be much easier for him to play this position. 11 . . . ,bc3+ 1 2 .tDxc3 d6 (After 12 . . . tDxb2, it would be simplest for White to continue with 13.�d4 0-0 14.tDd2 d6 lS.0-0iii with more than sufficient compensa­ tion for him for the pawn and po­ sitional pressure, for example: lS . . . cS 16.�f6 ga7 17.gab1 tDc4 lB. tDxc4 bxc4 19.tDd1 tDc6 20.'n 30.ge7. Draw. •••

53

Chapter 2 7

Gipslis Smyslov Tbilisi 1979 1.e4 e5 2 . �f3 �c6 3 . .ib5 g6 4.c3 �ge7 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 d5 7.e5 .ig7 8 ..ig5 The move 8.0-0 leads to the Classical variation. White saves a tempo for castling and tries to seize the initiative.

8 " .0-0 This is the correct reaction. It is weaker for Black to play now 8 . . . h6? ! 9 . .ixe7! �xe7 10.�c3 .ie6 11 .%Va4:t 9.hc6 White continues with his plan, because half-measures would not be appropriate here : 9.0-0 h6 1O . .ie3 a600 9" .bxc6 10.0-0 If White succeeds in fixing the enemy pawn-weakness on c6, then he will obtain a long lasting advantage. Naturally, the World Champion, playing with Black, understood this perfectly. . . Therefore, h e followed with : 10".h6! 1l . .ih4?! White loses his concentration. It was more principled for him to opt for 1l ..ixe7 %Vxe7 1 2 . �bd2 (12. %Vc2 cS ! 13.dxcS .ifS 14.�c1 f6 ! +) 54

Complete Games 12 . . . cS 13.lLlb3 c4 (13 . . . cxd4 ! ? 14. %Vxd4 gb800) 14.lLlcS gS ! oo 1l" .g5 ! 12 . .ig3 �f5i 13.h3 It is not preferable for White to choose 13.lLlc3 hS 14.h3 g4 lS.hxg4 hxg4 16.lLlh2 %VgS+

13".gb8 It was possible for Black to try here 13 ... hS ! ?t, not losing time for queenside operations, but trying to develop faster his initiative on the kingside. 14.b3 White would still have some problems following 14.%Vd2 cS 15. dxcS d4 16.lLla3 .tb7t 14" .h5 15.�c3 g4 16.hxg4 hxg4 17.�e1 White would have offered much tougher resistance after 17.lLlh2 %VgS 18.%Vd3 f6+ 17" .�g5 18.�e2 �xg3 19. fxg3 He would not have solved his problems after 19.1Llxg3 f6+ (diagram) 19".c5 ! Black's play i s very impressive during this stage of the game. If we try to describe it in short - he played energetically, powerfully and all his reactions were timely

4.c3 25.lOf6+ hf6 26.gxf6 We3+ 27.Wxe3 dxe3 28.gel Ae4 29.1Oc5 After the move 29 . . . Ag6, there arises approximate equality on the board, so the opponents de­ cided not to take chances any more . . . Draw - so his play was just exemplary! 20.lOd3 ! ? 20.lLlf4 cxd4 21.lLled3 .ifS=t 20 tre3 + Objectively, this move was the best, bit still, it deserved attention for him to choose the more practi­ cal move 20 . . . cxd4 21.lLlef4 .if5=t 2U:�f2 cxd4 22.lOef4 Wxg3 23.lOxd5 •••

23 ge8?! Black would have preserved a great advantage with the line: 23 ... !e6 24.lLlf6+ (24.lLle7+ 'it>h7 25.lLlf5 !xfS 26J�xf5 �b6 !+; 25. 1'c2 !h6=t) 24 ... !xf6 25.exf6 \1;lIh4 26.�f4 �b5 !=t 24.trd2 Ab7 Now, White equalises. Black had to sacrifice the exchange and get rid of his opponent's dangerous knight: 24 ... �6! ! 25.lLlxb6 (25.lLlf6+ hi"6 26.exf6 \1;lIe3-+ ) 25 . . . axb6't •••

8 Bjarnason - Thorfinnsson Hafnarborg 2003 1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.Ab5 IOge7 4.c3 a6 5.Ac4 White has tried seldom this move in practice. He usually plays 5 . .ia4.

5 ... d5 ! This is Black's most energetic and principled response. 6.exd5 lOxd5 7.d4 b5 8.Ab3 8 ..id3 !? exd4 9.0-0 !e7 1O.a4oo 8 . . . exd4 9.�xd4? ! 9.0-0 .ie6 1O.lLlxd4 lLlxd4 11. \1;lIxd4 c5 12.\1;lIe4 c4 13 ..ic2 g6 ! ?oo 9 ... �xd4 10.trxd4 1O.cxd4 .ib4+ 11 . .id2 \1;lIe7+ (diagram) lO Ae6? ! Black overlooks an excellent chance of seizing the initiative: 1O . . . \1;lIe7+ ! 11 . .ie3 (11.'it>f1 .ie6 ! .•.

55

Chapter 2

Complete Games with the line: 16.\1Nxf4 llJxf4 17. E:el. 16 Yfxg3 17.hxg3 0-0-0= 18.a4 �b7 19.axb5 axb5 20. lOe4 It would be more careful for White to have tried here 20 .!e4 �b6 21.!f3= 20 .ie7 21.b3 •••

•••

12 .i.xdS O-O-O! 13.c4 bxc4 14. llJc3 hdS lS.llJxdS �e6+) 11 . . . llJxe3 12 .fxe3 !b7 13.0-0 f6+ 11.0-0 c5 12.Yfe5 12:�e4 ! ? 12 c4 13 .ic2 Yff6 Black could equalise simpler with 13 . . . �d6 14.\1Nd4 \1NcS. •••

•

He begins active operations on the queenside, hoping to attack the enemy king, but weakens con­ siderably his pawn-structure in the process. 21 lOb6 22 .ia3 ha3 23. gxa3 �c6 ! Black takes under control the cS-square. In fact, the king is not a helpless piece in the endgame and does not need protection at the moment. 24.bxc4 24.b4 ! ? ga8 2S.gea1 gxa3 26. gxa3 !fS 27.f3 llJdS+ 24 .ixc4 (diagram) 25.g4 This is no doubt a useful move, but may be White had better pre­ fer here the more modest move 2S.f3. 25 ghe8 •••

14.Yfg3 The position is close to equali­ ty even after White's best move 14.\1Ne4 !e7 lS.llJd2 \1Ng6 16.llJf3 �xe4 17.he4 E:d8 18.llJd4 !f6 19.1lJxe6 fxe6. 14 h6 14 ... !e7 lS.llJd2 0-0 16.llJe4 �g6 = 15.1od2 Yff4? ! It is better for Black to play here lS . . . ie7= 16.gel White could have created some problems for his opponent •••

S6

•••

•••

•

4.c3

This is a mistake. After the im­ mediate exchange of the rooks, the vulnerability of the pawn on c3 would have become a much more important factor: 25 . . . 13a8 ! 26.13eal 13xa3 27.13xa3 13a8 28. 13xa8 ltJxa8. 26.13eal ga8 27.£3 g6 28.�f2 It was simpler for White to play here 2 8 . 13xa8 13xa8 29.13xa8 �xa8 30.�f2 = 28 gad8 29.gcl? ! 29.�gl= 29 f5 ! 30.lLIg3 gd2 + 31. �gl lLld5 Black overlooks a line, which was not so easy to find, though . . . 3 1 . . J!g8 ! 3 2 .ltJfl (32 .mh2 h 5 33. gxf5 gxf5 34.,ixf5 h4t) 3 2 ... ,ixfl 33. mxfl fxg4+ 32.gxf5 lLIe3 33 .ie4+ �d6 33 . . . �b6 34.mh2 gxf5 35.�xf5 �xg2 36.13cal �c5 37.�hl lLIf4 38.13a8= 34.�hl (diagram) 34 gxg2? 34 ... me5 ! 35.fxg6 mf4 36. �h5+ mg5= •••

•••

•

•••

35.ga6+ �e5 36.gxg6? 36.f4+ mxf4 37.,ixg2 mxg3 38.13xg6+ mf4 39.f6± 36 gd2 = 37 .ic6 ged8 38.lLIe4 It was more reliable for White to have played 38.13xh6 mf4 39. 13g1 �xf5= 38 gdl+ 39.gxdl gxdl+ 40.�h2 lLIxf5 4l.ggl gd3 41...13xg1 42.mxgl �e7 43 ..ie8= 42.gel �f4 43.lLIf2 gd2 It was better for Black to play 43 . . . 13e3 . 44.ge4+ �g5 45.�gl gc2 46.gg4+ 46.13e5 13c1+ 47.mh2 mf4 48. 13e4+ �g5 49.13e5= 46 �f6 47.lLIe4+ �e6 48. f4? ! 48 .13g8 �e7 49.13e8= 48 �f7? ! 48 . . . lLIe7 49 . .ib7 .Ad5+ 49.gg2 gc1+ 50.�h2 lLIe3 5l.gb2 The resources have already been exhausted. 5l lLIdl 52.gb4 gc2 + 53. �g3 lLIxc3 54. lLIxc3 gxc3+ 55. �f2 gb3. Draw. •••

•

•••

.••

•••

•••

57

Chapter 3

1.e4 e5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3.J.b5 lLlge7 4.c3 d5

Quick Repertoire

Still, the move 4 . . . d5 has not disappeared from the tournament practice, but simply now, its theo­ ry is in a period of further devel­ opment. Relatively recently, in the game Caruana - I. Sokolov, Reykjavik 2012, following 5.lLlxe5 dxe4 6.'lWe2,

This counter strike was used for the first time and quite suc­ cessfully back by the first World champion Willhelm Steinitz in his game against Frazer (Dundee 1867) . The play in this position, just like in many open games, is very concrete and semi-forced. For a period of more than a hundred years White has failed to create any serious opening problems for Black until the eleventh World champion Robert Fischer in 1971 played 5. �xe5 dxe4 6.'Be2 ! , which caused certain worries for Black.

58

instead of the popular move 6 . . . 'lWd5, Black tried 6 . . . .ie6 !? and after 7.d4 exd3 8.lLlxd3 lLlg6 9.0-0 .id6 1O.lLld2 0-0 1l.lLle4 1'!e8 12 . .ig5 f6 13 . .ie3 a6 14. hc6 bxc6 15.lLlxd6 cxd6 16.b3 a5= he solved easily all his opening prob­ lems.

Chapter 3

1.e4 e5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3.J.b5 lLlge7 4.c3 d5

Step by Step

We will analyse in details the following possibilities for White : A) 5.d4, B) 5.ti'e2 and C) 5.�e5!? His alternatives are obviously worse. Black does not have any prob­ lems to worry about after 5.d3 dxe4 6.dxe4 ti'xdl= It is not good for him to opt for 5.exd5? ! , because after 5 .. .'�xd5 6.Yge2 ig4 ! ? (6 . . . e4 7.lLld4 .id7 8. tLlxc6 hc6 9.hc6+ Y9xc6 10.0-0 0-0-0'+) 7.ic4 hf3 8.hd5 he2 9.hc6+ lLlxc6 10.�xe2 e4 11.f3 f5 12 .fxe4 fxe4t Black's positional advantage becomes quite evident, due to White's lag in development. Only he can have problems af­ ter 5.Y9a4?! a6. This is a modern move, although it is quite good for Black to play the ancient move 5 . . .

f6'+ like i n the game Blackburne Steinitz, London 1870. There fol­ lowed later: 6.d3 id7 7.0-0 a6 8. hc6 hc6 9.Y9c2 tLlg6 10.i.e3 i.e7 Il.lLlbd2 0-0'+ and Black's posi­ tion was better thanks to his bish­ op-pair and he had the initiative; 6 ...ie6! ?'+) 6 ..ixc6+ (6.lLlxe5? axb5 7.Y9xa8 tLlxe5-+ ; 6.exd5? axb5 7. Y9xa8 lLlxd5-+ with the idea lLlb6) 6 . . . lLlxc6 7.d3 (7.d4 b5 8.Y9c2 f5'+; 7.0-0 b5 8.Y9c2 ig4'+; 7.lLlxe5? Y9g5 8.lLlxc6 Y9xg2 -+ ) 7 .. .f6 8.0-0 ie6'+ and White has no good pros­ pects at all, since he misses badly his light-squared bishop and Black has seized completely the initiative, Rohit - Howell, Yere­ van 2007.

A) 5.d4 exd4!?

59

Step by Step

Chapter 3

White should 6.exdS ? ! �xdS+

better

avoid

He does not achieve anything with 6.\1;1le2 dxe4 7.tLlxd4 i.d7= Black should not be afraid of 6.�xd4, because after 6 .. ..td7 7.�e3 dxe4 8 .�xe4 a6 9.i.a4 i.fS= his counterplay is quite sufficient and his position is not worse at all. It is not preferable for White to continue with 6.cxd4 dxe4 7. tLlgS (7.tLleS a6 8 .tLlxc6 tLlxc6 9. i.xc6 + bxc6+) 7 . . . h6 8.tLlxe4 i.fS+ Black is better in this position, for example: 9.tLlbc3 (9.tLlcS a6 10. tLlxb7 \1;1ldS- + with the idea \1;1lg2) 9 . . . i.xe4 1O.tLlxe4 \1;1ldS 1l.�e2 0-0-0+

i.g4 12J:!d4 fS 13 . .txc7 icS 14J'k4 ie7 IS.ieS cSt and his prospects are preferable thanks to his two bishops.) 8 . . . bS ! ?oo Now, howev­ er, he will have to prove whether his compensation is sufficient. 9. i.b3 ! ? (9.i.c2 tLlxd4 1O.cxd4 ib7 1l.tLlc3 fS+; 1l.\1;1lhS �d6 ! ?+) 9 . . . ib7 (9 . . . tLlaS 1O .ic2 fS 1l.b4 tLlac6 12.tLlxc6 tLlxc6 13.a4 E:b8 14.axbS axbS IS.f3 i.d6 16.fxe4 �h4 17.g3 i.xg3 18.hxg3 �xg3 =) 1O.E:el tLlaS (10 . . . tLlg6 ! ? 1l.E:xe4+ i.e7? ; 10 . . . tLlxd4 ! ? Il.cxd4 fSoo) 1l.tLld2 (11. ic2 cS 12 .tLle2 \1;1lxdl 13.E:xdl g6+, or 13 . . .fS+) 1l . . . tLlxb3 12.tLl 2xb3 tLlg6 13.tLlaS idS 14.f3 E:c8 ! ??, freeing the a8-square for the bishop, with the idea IS.fxe4 ia8, followed by eSt

6

•••

dxe4 7.We2

After 6.0-0, it is good for Black to choose 6 . . . dxe4 7.tLlxd4 a6 ! ? (About 7 . . . id7 see Najer Arkhipov, Moscow 1996, game 9)

7 .td7 8. �xc6 hc6 9. hc6+ �xc6 10.Wxe4+ �e7 11. �d2 0-0-0 12.0-0 Wxe4 13. �xe4 .te7 14 .tf4 ghe8 IS.gfel h6= This equal position arose in one of my games in the World Blitz Championship (Anand Dreev, Moscow 2 0 07) . •••

•

8 .i.a4. White exploits his slight lead in development and sacrifices a pawn. (8.i.xc6+ tLlxc6 9.tLlxc6 �xdl lO.E:xdl bxc6 1l.if4 60

4.c3 d5 B) SJfe2 .ig4 ! ?

6.d3 He should not be afraid of 6. h3, because after 6 . . . hf3 7.�xf3 (7.gxf3 ? ! d4+) 7. . . dxe4 B.�xe4, Kononenko - Rudak, Alushta 2006, B . . . �d6 9.0-0 (9.d4? ! exd4 10.0-0 0-0-0 1U'1d1 �g6+) 9 . . . 0-0-0 = his chances are not worse at all. Black has no problems after 6.d4 a6

0-0 1B.gfe1 the position is com­ plicated, but Black's chances are at least equal) 9.0-0 ie7+ and his position seems to be preferable in view of his powerful bishop-pair. White could have preserved his light-squared bishop - 7.�a4 (instead of 7.ixc6+), but then Black can counter that with 7 ... exd4 (7. . .fS ! ? B.exdS �xdS 9.dxeS O-O-O� with more than suffi­ cient compensation for the pawn) B.hc6+ bxc6. This is the simplest and most reliable move (it is also quite possible for Black to opt for B . . . lLlxc6 9.exdS+ lLle7 1O .c4 c6co with an approximately equal, but very complicated position) 9.cxd4 g6 (It is also interesting for Black to choose here 9 . . . dxe4! ? 10.�xe4 �d7= with the idea 11.0-0 �fS; 1l.lLleS �fS 12 .lLlxd7 he4 13.lLlxfB hg2 14 J�gl id5 15.l"1.xg7 Iii xf8 16. '!'!.gl lOf5=) 1 0 . 0 - 0 �g7= N ow , i n the variation l1.exd5 O-O! Black's position is even considerably bet­ ter. It would not work for White to play 12 .dxc6 ? ! (12 .igS ! ? l"1.eB+) 12 . . . lLlxc6't and Black has very dangerous initiative for the pawn.

6 . . . �d6 7.h3

7.hc6+ lLlxc6 B.lLlbd2 (B.O-O?! f5!? 9.exdS �xdS+) B . . .f6 ! ? (fol­ lowing B . . .fS 9.exfS e4 1O.lLlxe4 dxe4 11.�xe4+ �e7 12.lLleS �hS 13 ..lgS �xgS 14.lLlxc6+ .le7 15. 0-0 �f6 16.lLlxe7 �xe7 17.�xb7

Following 7.0-0 0-0-0 8 . lLlbd2 a 6 9.ia4 dxe4 1O.dxe4 lLlg6= or 7.lLlbd2 a6 B.ia4 0-0-0= Black's position is not inferior to say the least. (diagram) 7 .ihS ! This is a simple and strong move. ..•

61

Step by Step

Chapter 3

Vysochin - Ravot, Cappelle la Grande 2 005, there followed: 11. ltJe4 (11.ltJxe5 ltJxe5 12 .'lWxe5 i,g6 13.0-0 ltJc6=) 11 . . . ltJd5 12.0-0 f5 13.ltJg3 i.xf3 14.'lWxf3 g6=

9 .ta4 •

Following 7 . . . .te6 8.ltJg5oo, it would be senseless for Black to enter this complicated and rather unclear position. 7 . . . .td7? ! 8.exd5 ltJxd5 (8... �xd5 9 . .tc4 'lWd6 1O.ltJbd2 f5 11 . .tb3±) 9.ixc6 'lWxc6 10.ltJxe5 �e6 11.ltJxd7 �xe 2 + 1 2 . '.!lxe2 @xd7 13J�dl±

8

a6 ! ?

•••

It is also quite possible for Black to continue with 8 . . . 0-0-0 9.exd5 'lWxd5 10 . .tc4 �d7, with a complicated and approximately equal position. Later, in the game 62

It would be anti-positional for White to choose 9.ixc6 + ? ! and after 9 . . . ltJxc6t his position is considerably worse without his important light-squared bishop.

9

•..

0-0-0 10.0-0 '.!lb8 !?

10 . . .f6 =

Black's position is not worse at all and even seems a bit prefera­ ble. Now, the active move 1l.b4? ! , following 1l . . . ltJg6 1 2 .g3 �d7 ! ?+ presents Black with active coun­ terplay. After the natural reaction 13.@h2 (13.@g2 ltJd4 ! 14. cxd4 'lWxa4=F) it is possible for Black to continue with 13 . . . ltJd4!? (his position is preferable even after the more modest move 13 ... f6 ! ?+, for example: 14.b5 axb5 15. ixb5 ltJd4 16.cxd4 �xb5 17.gb1

4.c3 d5 S. lilxeS de Wla6+) 14. cxd4 (14.ixd7 lilxe2 15.i.f5 lile7+) 14 . . . Wlxa4+

C) 5.lilxe5 ! ? I t i s only after this move that White has chances of fighting for the opening advantage. 5 dxe4 •••

This position is something like the mini-tabia of this variation and White has four main alterna­ tives, which are encountered most often in the tournament practice: Cl) 6.lilxc6, C2) 6.d4, C3) 6."a4 and C4) 6.1!Ie 2 ! Now, before w e begin the anal­ ysis of all these possibilities, I would like to say a few words about some seldom played and not so modern moves. White would not obtain much with 6.f4? ! , because Black's best reaction against this would be 6 . . . a6!? (It i s also possible for him to try the more modest move 6 . . . i.d7 7.tLlxd7 Wlxd7. Now, after the at­ tractive move 8 .d4, Black can re-

act with 8 . . . exd3 9.Wlxd3 Wlxd3 1O.ixd3 0-0-0 11.'i!le2 lild5+ and his lead in development promises him better prospects. White's bishop-pair has no good pros­ pects and the placement of his pawn on f4 restricts the scope of his bishops.) 7.lilxc6 (7.Wla4? axb5 8.Wlxa8 lilxe5 9.fxe5 lilc6-+; 7. i.a4 f6 8.lilxc6 lilxc6+) 7 ... lilxc6 8.,ixc6+ bxc6+ - with an obvious positional advantage for Black. It hardly deserves serious at­ tention for White to try 6.0-0, be­ cause then, after 6 . . . Wld5, he will be forced to trade his light­ squared bishop for his opponent's knight, so Black will have no problems at all. 7.lilxc6 (It is even worse for White to choose the an­ ti-positional move 7.i.xc6+?! lilxc6 8.lilxc6 Wlxc6t with a considera­ ble advantage for Black. Here, af­ ter the seemingly attractive move 9.d4, Black has the possibility 9 .. exd3 1O.Wlxd3 .id6 1 U�e1+ i.e6i with an obviously better position for him, since he will be threaten­ ing to castle either on the queen­ side or on the kingside and his bishop-pair will be tremendously powerful in this open position.) 7 ... �xb5 8.lild4 Wld5= This is Black's simplest reaction (The po­ sition becomes much more com­ plicated after 8 . . . Wld3 and in the game Cazetta Ruiz - Ypma, Gron­ ingen 2012, there followed later: 9J�e1 cS 10.l''! e3 Wla6 11.lilb3 Wlc6oo) 9.d3 i.d7 10.dxe4 Wlxe4 1 U�e1 (11. lild2 Wld5=) 1l ... Wlg6 (11.. .Wld5 12. .

63

Chapter 3 i.f4 0-0-0 13.geS V;Vd6oo) 12.�f4 0-0-0= Black's prospects are not worse in the arising position. In the long run, his chances may be­ come even better, particularly in an eventual endgame thanks to his pair of bishops.

Cl) 6.lOxc6 This move is not dangerous for Black. 6 lOxc6 This is his simplest response. •••

It is also possible for him to opt for 6 . . . bxc6 ! ? 7.�c4 ttJdS = , with a complicated and approxi­ mately equal position.

7.ti'e2 Following 7.V;Va4?! V;VdS't Black has an excellent game.

White should better avoid 8. hc6+ '?9xc6 9.V;Vxc6+ bxc6't with a considerably better endgame for Black. His compromised queen­ side pawn-structure is not an im­ portant factor, while his bishop­ pair and White's lag in develop­ ment are essential. 10.0-0 i.a6 64

Step by Step 11.gel �d3+ Fraser - Steinitz, Dundee 1867. Black is much better too after 8 . . . bxc6 9.0-0 i.d6't White would not achieve much after 10.c4? ! in view of 10 . . . V;VeS ! and now, he los­ es following 11.V;Vxc6+ ? �d7 12. V;Vxa8+ r,!{e7- + , while in the varia­ tion 11.g3 0-0+ Black maintains a considerable positional advan­ tage. 8.c4 V;Ve6 9.hc6+ bxc6 10. 0-0 '?9g6 11.'?9b3 �d6't L. Paulsen - Blackburn, Baden-Baden 1870. 8.0-0 �d7 ! ? This is the sim­ plest move for Black with which he consolidates his great position­ al advantage. (He is better too af­ ter 8 . . . �d6 ! ? Now, White's at­ tempt to win a pawn with the move 9.gel ? ! would lead to a very dangerous position for him fol­ lowing 9 . . . 0 - 0 ! 1O.gxe4 i.d7+ his queenside is not developed and Black is threatening with the moves V;VhS and gae8 to begin a victorious attack. It would be even worse for White to try to win a pawn by giving up his light­ squared bishop with 10.hc6?! bxc6 11.'?9xe4 V;VhS+ and due to his colossal lag in development his position would be hardly defensi­ ble.) 9.d3 (It would not be prefer­ able for White to choose 9.gel, because after 9 . . . 0-0-0t Black would seize completely the initia­ tive. Now, it is bad for White to continue with 10.gxe4? a6! 11. �f1 ttJb4-+ ; 11.ha6 ttJaS-+ ; 10. hc6? hc6-+ with the idea 11. V;Vxa7? i.cS) 9 ... exd3 10.gel+ �e7+

4 . c3 d5 S . l:fIxe5 de

White tries only seldom 7.0-0 and Black can react against that with 7 . . . 1d6 8 J'!e1 0-0 9J!xe4 �gS ! ?� with quite sufficient com­ pensation for the pawn.

The pawn-structure resembles the Marshall counter attack in the Ruy Lopez. White lags considera­ bly in development and must play very carefully not to end up in an inferior position. Black has the initiative with good attacking prospects and his play is consid­ erably easier in this position. 10. 1f1 (10 ..te2 .th3 1l.g3 �dS 12 .d3 f5 13.c4 fff7 14J'!h4 .tg4t with ini­ tiative for Black and more than sufficient compensation for the pawn) 10 . . ..tfS 1U'!e1 .tg4 12 . .te2 �S 13.hg4? �xh2+ 14.'it>fl ffh1+ lS.'it>e2 l!ae8- + ; 13.h3 he2 14. �xe2 l!ae8 lS.fffl l!xe1 16.ffxe1 �eS ! ? 17.ffxeS lLlxeS 18.d4 lLld3�; lS.�xe8 l!xe8 16.l!xe8 + .tf8 17.f3 �cS (with the idea lLlb4-d3) 18. ge3 g6't - White's lag in develop­ ment is considerable. (diagram) 7 •e7! •••

It is worse for Black to choose here 7 . . . ffdS due to 8.d4 ! ;!;

8.0-0 .id7 9.gel 0-0-0 10. �xe4 .g5� - The chances of both sides are equal in this situa­ tion, but Black's game is much easier, since he has the initiative.

C2) 6.d4 exd3

7.�f3 ! ? This i s the best move for White and it equalises. After his alternatives he might end up in a worse position. 7.1f4? �dS 8.�xd3 �xg2 9.l!f1 .tfS+ Zapata - De Greif, Medellin 1997. 7.�xd3 ffxd3 8.lLlxd3 a6 9 ..ta4 6S

Chapter 3 .ifS 1O.lLlf4 g6 (1O . . . 0-0- 0 ! ? 11. 0-0 lLleS 1 2.gel lLl 7c6+) 11.0-0 .ig7 12.liJd2 O-Q:j= Dvoirys - Fili­ penko, Berdichev 1990. 7.0-0 ti'dS B .i.xc6+ (B.lLlxc6 �xbS ! ? 9.lLld4 ti'a6 ! + with the idea .id7 and 0-0-0 and Black's bish­ op-pair, in a position with an open centre, guarantees his ad­ vantage) B . . . lLlxc6 9.lLlxd3 .if5+ It is inconceivable how White can equalise here, because he has no good prospects with his light­ squared bishop absent from the board, Samsonkin - Short, Otta­ wa 2 0 13 .

Step by Step .id6 13.lLlc3 .ieS 14 . .id2 �d7 15. ti'xd7 + i.xd7 16.gfel ghdB+ - with a considerably better endgame for Black, Gerigk - Arkhipov, Muen­ ster 1991. After B.lLlxd3 a6 ! ? 9.hc6+ (9 . .ia4 1dS+) 9 . . . lLlxc6+ Black's chances are preferable thanks to his bishop-pair in a position with an open centre. B .llJxc6 llJxc6

7 . . . .ie6

8.0-0! White must play very precisely in order to maintain the balance. B .c4? ! f6 (B . . . ti'd6 ! ? 9.lLlxc6 lLlxc6 1O ..if4 �d7 11.0-0 0-0-0+; 9 . .if4 gS 1O ..ig3 d2+ 11.'it>dl �cS+ or 11.lLlxd2 0-0-0 12 .lLle4 ti'b4+ 13.ti'c3 .ig7 14.i.xc6 lLlxc6 15. �xb4 llJxb4+) 9.lLlxc6 lLlxc6 10. i.xc6+ bxc6 11.ti'xc6+ tit>f7 1 2 . 0-0 66

9.i.xc6+ bxc6 10.ti'xc6+ 1d7+ 11.ti'e4+ (11.�f3 ? ! .td6 12.0-0 0-0 13.ti'xd3 gbB 14.�f3 geB=t Black maintains powerful posi­ tional pressure, Petrushin Arkhipov, Azov 1993 ; 11.�d5 1d6 12 . .igS ti'cB+) 11 . . . �e7 12 .�xe7+ he7 13.1e3 0-0 14.llJd2 .te6+ with the idea gfbB and as, would seem preferable, Siebert - Kalep­ ky, Germany 200B. 9.0-0 �d7 ! ? (9 . . . �dS 1O.�xdS hdS ll.gel+ .ie6 12 .hd3 0-0-0 13.1c2 = Vachier Lagrave - Aro­ nian, Paris 2 009) 10.ti'xd3 1d6+ Black's pieces are much more har­ moniously deployed.

8 . . . ti'd5 9.ti'xd5

4.c3 dS S. l?Jxe5 de 6. Wla4 WldS 7.f4 It would be worse for White to choose here 9.l?Jxc6?! due to 9... Wlxb5 1O.l?Jd4 Wld5 1l.l?Jxe6 fxe6 12.Wlxd5 I?Jxd5 13J'!d1 0-0-0 14. 1!xd3 i.c5+ and in view of his lag in development he will have serious problems following 15.l?Jd2 I?Jf4 16.1!xdB + 1!xdB 17.f1 i.b6, Black would maintain powerful posi­ tional pressure.

for Black however. On the con­ trary, White must play very pre­ cisely after it.

9 . . . hd5

6 Wd5 7.f4 This is the best. The alterna­ tives are considerably weaker. •••

7.d4? exd3 B.l?Jxd3 (B.hc6+ I?Jxc6 9.l?Jxc6 Wlxg2 10.l?Je5+ c6 1U'!f1 ih3-+ ) B . . . a6 9 . .ic4 Wlf5-+

10. l?Jxd3 This is White's most reliable move. The simplifications after 10. �xc6 hc6 1l.hd3 0-0-0+ lead to a slight edge for Black, Ostojic - Deze, Novi Travnik 1969.

7.l?Jc4? ! a6 B.hc6+ Wlxc6 9. Wlxc6+ I?Jxc6+ After 7.l?Jxc6 I?Jxc6+ Black is clearly better, because he has a considerable lead in development.

10 a6 1l . .ia4 .ic4 12.gdl 0-0-0 13.l?Jf4= Trois - Rubine­ tti, Porto Alegre 1976. •••

C3) 6.Wa4 With this straightforward queen-sortie White increases his pressure against the c6-square. It does not create opening problems

B.c4 We6 9.0-0 .ic5 (9 ... Wlg6 ! ?+) 10.l?Jc3 0-0+ Now, it is bad for White to choose 1l.l?Jd5? 67

Step by Step

Chapter 3 MacLeond - Showalter, New York 1889, due to 1l . . . ttJd4! with the idea 12.ttJxc7 ttJf3+ 13.gxf3 §'h3 14.fxe4 �g4+ lS.�h1 §'f3+ 16. �gl .i.h3- + After the anti-positional varia­ tion 8 . .b:c6 bxc6 9.0-0 j.d6+ or 8 . . . �xc6 9.§'xc6+ bxc6+ Black's prospects are considerably better, because the trade of White's bish­ op for Black's knight is bad for White in this pawn-structure. 8.0-0 .i.d6 9.d3 (It is too risky for White to try to grab a pawn: 9.l'!e1 ? ! 0-0 1O .hc6 ? ! bxc6 11. §'xe4 §'hSt - with powerful initi­ ative for Black, Zukertort - Munk, Berlin 1870) 9 . . . exd3 1O.c4 §'hS 1l . .b:c6+ , Batsiashvili - Scatch­ kov, Yerevan 2 004 (1l.l'!e1+? �d8 ! 12 .g3 ttJd4- + ; 12 .h3 hh3 ! 13.hc6 j.d7 ! - + ) . Now, Black's simplest reaction would be 11 . . . �f8 (11 . . . bxc6 ! ? 12 .�xc6? ! �d8 13.h3 l'!b8=F; 12 .l'!e1 �f8+) 12 .g3 (12 .h3? hh3 ! - + ) 12 . . . bxc6+ The light squares on White's king­ side are very weak, with his light­ squared bishop absent from the board and Black has a considera­ ble positional advantage.

Now, we will analyse a varia­ tion which leads to a complicated game: C3a) 7 .id7!? as well as a simple reply which provides Black with at least an equal position C3b) 7 ext'3. •••

...

C3a) 7 .id7!? 8.�xd7 �xd7! This move leads to a very com­ plex and unclear situation in which both sides must play very accurately. .••

9 . .ic4!? 9.d4? ! exd3 10.0-0 ttJfS+ It is weaker for White to opt here for 9.0-0, because after 9 ... ttJfSt Black has the initiative and his prospects are at least equal. 1O.d4 (It is bad for White to con­ tinue with 10 .b4? because of 10 ... as !=F and if 11.�h1, then 1l . . . axb4 12 .hc6+ bxc6 13.�xa8 j.cS 14. �xh8 ttJg3 + lS.hxg3 �hS#). 10 ... exd3 11.l'!d1 j.cS+ 12.�f1 ttJd6+ After 9.ttJa3, in the game Proe­ hl - Almasi, Dusburg 199 2 , there

68

4.c3 d5 5. tLlxe5 de 6. 'lWa4 'lWdS 7.f4 followed 9 . . . a6 1O . .te2 (l0.!c4 'lWfS= 11.�b3 ? ! bS+ with the idea 12.ixf7? tLlaS 13.� tLlec6-+) 10 ... 1'!d8 (lO . . . tLlfS ! ?= ) 11.0-0 tLlfSoo with a complicated and approxi­ mately equal position.

C3b) 7

•..

exf3

9 . . . �f5

This is a simple and reliable reply providing Black with at least an equal position. 8.�xf3 a6 This is his modern and most popular response.

10.d4 ! ? 1O.'lWb3 tLlaS 11.'lWbS+ (11.�a4+ tLlac6 12.�b3 tLlaS=) 11.. .'lWxbS 12 . .bbS+ c6 13.i.e2 b6= After 10.0-0 a6, Black is not worse. 1l.tLla3 (1l.!e2 1'!d8 12 .d4 exd3 13.!xd3 'lWcS+ 14.'itih1 'itic8oo) 11 . . . bS 12 .!XbS axbS 13.'lWxa8 tLlg6 14.'lWa6 !cS+ lS.'itih1 tLlh4 16.'lWxbS 'lWg4 17.g3 tLlfS 18.'lWxcS tLlxg3 + 19.hxg3 (19.'itig2 tLlxfl + 20.'itixfl 'lWd1+ 2 1 . 'itig2 �f3= ) 19 . . . 'lWh3+ 20.'itig1 �xg3+ 2 1.'itih1 'lWh3=

10 exd3 11.0-0 gd8+t 12. hd3 ! ? (12 .b4? ! tLldS 13.�b3 'itic8 14.a4 as! ?+ Olsson - Hector, Umea 2003; 12 . . . 'itic8 ! ? 13.bS tLlaS ! 14. 'lWxaS 'lWcS+ lS.'itih1 �xc4 16.�xa7 'lWxbS=t) 12 1Yc5+ 13. 'itihl 'itic8oo •••

•••

9 . .te2 This is White's best move. 9.c4? 'lWe6+ 10.'itif2 axbS 11. 'lWxa8 tLlb4 12 .tLlc3 (12.1'!f1 tLlfS 13. 'itig1 i.cS+ 14.'itih1 0-0- + ; 13.d4 tLlxd4 14.tLlxd4 i.cS lS.'itig1 hd4+ 16.'itih1 tLlc2-+) 12 . . . tLlfS 13.1'!d1 (13.tLlxbS i.cS+ 14.d4 tLld3+ lS. M1 0-0 16.dxc5 1'!e8-+) 13 ... tLld3+ 14.'itif1 i.d6 1S.tLlxbS hh2-+ 69

Step by Step

Chapter 3 White should better avoid 9. ltJa3 ? ! axbS ! ? 1O.�xaB Wd3;s since Black has more than sufficient compensation for the exchange due to his powerful, initiative. 1l. I!>d1 (11J3f1 l!>d7 ! ? 12.c;t>f2 ltJdS 13. b4 �d6-+ with the idea ltJb6) 11 ... c;t>dB 12J3e1 ltJdS 13J3eB+ c;t>xeB 14.WxcB+ ltJdB 1S.ltJc2 (1S.�d7+ I!>xd7 16.ltJeS+ I!>cB 17.ltJxd3 ha3 1B.bxa3 13eB+) 1S . . . ltJf4 16.ltJce1 We2 + 17.c;t>c2 ltJxg2 1B.ltJxg2 �xg2 19.1tJd4 .id6+ with the idea 20. ltJxbS? We4+ 2l.c;t>b3 WdS+ 2 2 . l!>a4 �c6 23.�fS hh2+ After 9 . .ic4, it is very good for Black to continue with 9 . . . We4+ 10.l!>f2 (The other retreats of White's king are worse: 10.c;t>f1? ! �e6+; 1O.c;t>d1?! Wg6+) 10 . . . �fS ! t and i n view o f the threat b7-bS and the superior development Black's prospects are much bet­ ter. In the game Dunn - Grazinys, Email 1999 there followed later: 1l .�e2 ltJdS 12 .d4 �d6 13.ltJa3 O-Ot with a better position for him.

His plan connected with cas­ tling queenside leads to less clear and not so stable positions. After 9 . . . .id7 1O .d4 0-0-0 11.0-0 there arises a very complex situation with mutual chances. Still, in a position with opposite sides cas­ tling, Black's king is more vulner­ able than in the plan connected with castling kingside. In the game Szilagyi - Monostori, Hun­ gary 19BO, there followed: 11 . . . ltJfS 12 .Wd1 f6 13.b4 g S 14.ltJa3oo with a double-edged position in which the final outcome depend­ ed of the success of the flank at­ tacks of both sides.

10.0-0 9 �g6 This move is only seldom played, but no doubt, it deserves very serious attention. Its idea is to play later �d6, to castle king­ side, to transfer the queen to hS and to try to organise an attack against White's kingside. Mean­ while, after castling kingside, Black's king will be completely safe. •••

70

10 .d4

4.c3 dS S. llJxeS de 6. We2 After the rather simple variation - 1O . . . i.d7 1U;Yb3 (11.0-0? llJxd4) I1...Wxb3 12.axb3= Black can enter an approximately equal endgame. If White avoids this, he would not achieve much, for example: 11. Wdl i.d6 12.0-0 0-0= and Black's prospects would be at least equal. He can also try a more resolute approach - 1O . . . i.d6 ! ? , having in mind a variation connected with a piece-sacrifice. Il.c4 (11.0-0 0-0+) 11 . . . WhS 12 .dS (12.0-0?! 0-0 13. cS llJxd4 ! - + ; 12 .llJc3 ? ! o-m: with the idea 13.llJe4? ! llJxd4 ! 14.llJxd4 Wh4+ IS.llJf2 Wxd4-+) 12 . . . i.d7 13.dxc6 .txc6 14.Wlc2 (14.Wldl?! 0-0-0-+) 14 ... 0-0! ? (14 ... 0-0-0 IS.llJc3 ghe8oo) IS.llJc3 gfe� Black has powerful positional pressure for the sacrificed piece and more than sufficient compensation for it. 16.llJdS (White has problems after 16.i>f1 llJh4 ! ? 17.llJdS llJfS�, but it would be even worse for him to try 16.i.d2? ! hf3 17.gxf3 193+ 18.i>dl llJf4-+) 16 . . .bS ! ? 17.b3 bxc4 (17 . . . gxe2 + ! ? 18.i>xe2 tLlh4�) 18.bxc4 llJh4�

Black's chances in this posi­ tion seem to be slightly prefera­ ble, so White must already think about equalising. For example, after the seem­ ingly attractive move 11.d4 0-0+ (with the idea WhS and llJf4) only White might have problems. Following 11.Wb3 and 11 . . . i.e6 ! ? (It was still not too late for Black to fall into the trap after 11 ... WhS? 12 .Wxf7! It>xf7 13.llJgS+ It>e7 14.hhS±) 12 .WxdS hdS 13.d4 0-0, Black can either enter an endgame, or go to a much more complicated position in the varia­ tion 11 . . .WfS 12 .g3 (12 .d4 �f4+) 12 . . . 0-0 and in both cases his po­ sition is not worse at all.

C4) 6.W1e2 !

We will analyse now the popu­ lar move C4a) 6 W1d5 as well as the relatively new idea C4b) 6 .ie6 !? •••

••.

C4a) 6

Wld5 7.llJxc6 !

•••

It would not be so energetic for 71

Step by Step

Chapter 3 White to play 7.f4 exf3 (It is inter­ esting for Black to try a move, which has not been tested in prac­ tice 7 . . . i.e6 ! ? , with the idea B .i.c4 'lWd6 9.'lWxe4 fS 1O.'lWe2 i.xc4 11. lilxc4 'lWxf4=; 10.'lWe3 lildS 11.�g3?! gS+; 11.i.xdS 'lWxdS 12.0-0? .tcS 13.d4 lilxd4-+ ; 12.lilf3 O-O-O�) B.lilxf3

7 . . . bxc6?! B.i.c4± Baklan - Ba­ ratosi, Eforie Nord 2009.

8.d4 ! ? Black should b e afraid neither of B.O-O .te6 = Jansa - Polak, Pardubice 2011, nor of B.f3 .tfS 9.0-0 (9.i.xc6+ bxc6+) 9 . . . 0-0-0 1O.fxe4 'lWxe4 11.'lWxe4 (11.d4 'lWxe2 12.i.xe2 i.g6=) 11 . . . i.xe4 12 .d4 (12 J'!xf7? lileS 13J'!f4 .td3-+ ; 12. i.xc6? ! .td3 ! 13J'!d1 i.cS+ 14.�h1 bxc6=i=) 12 . . . .tg6= and in both var­ iations the game is equal.

8 , . .i.f5

It would not be so reasonable for Black after B . . . i.g4 9.0-0 0-0-0 1O.d4, to enter a very com­ plicated position (with opposite sides castling and queens present on the board), because White's pawn-centre provides him with much greater freedom of action and his prospects seem slightly preferable. For example, after 10 ... lilfS, White has the resource 11. 'lWd3 ! and Black has nothing bet­ ter than 11 .. J'!eB, but after 12 .i.xc6 bxc6 13.lilbd2:t White's prospects are clearly preferable. B . . . 'lWe6. This is the simplest move for Black. 9.d4 'lWxe2 + 10. �xe2 .td7 11. �f2 f6= with an equal endgame, Arbakov - Vull, Russia 1993.

7

•••

72

lilxc6

B . . . .td7? ! 9.i.c4 'lWfS 10.i.d3±; 1O.f3± B . . . i.e7? ! 9 . .tc4 'lWfS 1O.lild2±

9.i.f4! 0-0-0 10.�d2t White's pieces are more actively placed and the dynamics in the position is in his favour thanks to his powerful pawn-centre, Gdan­ ski - Ye Rongguang, Manilla 1992 (game 10) .

4.c3 d5 5. lLlxe5 de 6.�e2 C4b) 6

.ie6 ! ?

•••

This i s a relatively new move and it was played for the first time in the game So - Gupta, Dubai 2008. 7.�xc6 ! ? This i s the only way for White to try to fight for a slight edge in the opening.

7 bxc6 •••

It might be also interesting for Black to try here 7. . . lLlxc6 ! ?N and White would be practically forced, if he would wish to try to obtain an advantage in the opening, to continue with the variation 8. �xe4 .id6 9 ..ixc6+ bxc6 10.�xc6+ .td7 11.�e4+ .ie6 12.0-0 (12. �c6+ .id7=) 12 ... 0-000, in which Black would have compensation for the two sacrificed pawns. It is much easier for him to play this position in a practical game, be­ cause he leads considerably in de­ velopment and has the initiative. Still, only tournament practice will show whether his compensa­ tion for the pawn is sufficient.

8 . .ia6 ! About 7.d4 - see Caruana I.Sokolov, Reykjavik 2 0 1 2 (game 11) . He should not be afraid of 7.�xe4, because in the game Ed­ ouard - Wohl, Hastings 2010, there followed later 7 . . . id5 8 .�e2 (8.�g4 h5 ! ? 9.�h3 ie6 1O .�f3 .id5 11.�e2 hg2 12J�gl id5 13. d4 �d600 with the idea 14.c4? ! O-O- O ! ?+ 15.ie3 tLlf5t; 15.hc6 lLlxc6+ with the idea 16.cxd5?! lLlxd4 17.�e4 �xe5 18.�xe5 lLlf3+ 19.h7 44.�f5+ 'it>h8 45. g4 ! ± with the idea g4-g5-g6) 4l. �a8+ (4l.�e1 �f3 42.lM'fl �c8 43. �d1 �a8 44.�xd4 �xa5 45.�xd6;!;; 43J'!a1 lM'c3 44.a6 d3 45.a7 �a8 46.�d1 d2 47.�a2 lM'c1 48.�xd2 lM'xd1+ 49.�xd1 �xa7;!;) 41.. .lM'g8 (4l. ..'it>h7? 42 .�e4+ 'it>g8 43.a6+-) 42 .�e4 �a2;!;, but all these prob­ lems are just of a practical aspect. Now, Black should manage to draw after a precise defence. 38 . . . gc1 39.gxc1 'ffxcl + 40. 'it>g2 hc5 41.dxc5 �xc5 42. lM'c8 + 'it>h7 43.'ffxa6 'ffd 5+ 44. 'it>gl

ing the protection of the pawn on a6. 45.'ffa7 c5= It was also possible for Black to continue with 45 ... e3 46.lM'xe3 (46.fxe3 lM'd1=) 46 ... lM'xa5= 46.a6 'ffd l+ 47.'it>h2 'ffe 2 48.'ffxc5 'ffxa6 49.'fffS + 'ffg6 50.'fff4. Draw.

1 0 Gdanski - Ye Rongguang Manila 1992 l.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 . .lb5 �ge7 4.c3 d5 5.�xe5 dxe4 6. 'ff e 2 lM'd5 6 . . . .le6 ! 7.�xc6 �xc6 8.d4 .lfS 9 .tf4 0-0-0 10. �d2 .lg6 10 . . . .ld6?! 1l . .tc4 'l!9a5 1Vtlb3 �b6 13 . .le3± 11.0-0 .ld6 12.hd6 gxd6 13.gael .lh5 14.'ffc4 fS 15. 'l!9xd5 gxd5 16.hc6 Or 16 . .lc4 ! ? �d6 17.£3 exf3 18. ttJxf3 i.xf3 19.�xf3 g6 20.�fe3iand White maintains a stable posi­ tional advantage. 16 bxc6 17.�c4± •

••.

44 e4! Black covers the b1-h7 diago­ nal and prepares the pawn-ad­ vance e4-e3 at an opportune mo­ ment, opening the enemy king. This also places White's queen in a zugzwang position, since it does not have any useful retreat, keep•••

He has an obvious edge in this endgame. Black's position has no good prospects and he will have to 81

Complete Games

Chapter 3 fight long and hard for a draw. 17 gb5 His queenside pawns are weak, so his position is clearly worse. White must take the as and cS-squares under coptrol and then Black's situation will become just terrible. Therefore, he had to prevent that immediately with the move l7 . . . aS, although even then after l8.f3 exf3 19.9xf3 f4 2 0 . ge7, White would have a clear advan­ tage. 18.b4 Now, Black's c-pawns are fixed forever. Still it was even stronger for White to follow here with l8.a4 gb3 19.f3 exf3 2 0 . ge7! fxg2 21. gxfS .ig6 2 2 . gf2 and due to the horribly misplaced black rook on b2 , his position would remain very difficult. 18 .lf7 19.�d2? This is a mistake. White need­ ed to play here 19 . .!lJb2 as 2 0 .a3, followed by a transfer of his knight to the cS-square via a4. •••

•••

22.gdl gc2+) 21.. .gd8 22 .ge2 gd3 23.gcl as 24.bS c6 2S.c4 .ihS 26.f3 e3 with an excellent posi­ tion. 20.a3 ge8 21.ge3 White is preparing the under­ mining move f2-f3. 21 .ig6 Black could have advanced his pawn here - 2 1 . . .gS, but after 22. f3 axb4 23.axb4 exf3 24.gxe8+ he8 2S . .!lJxf3 f4 26.h4 h6 27.hxgS hxgS 28.gel I!id8 29.l!if2 , he would hardly manage to defend this endgame. It was obviously better for Black to continue in an active fashion with the help of a pawn­ sacrifice : 2 1 . . . axb4 2 2 . axb4 cS !? 23.dxc5 gd8 24.ge2 (24 . .!lJbl gbB 2S.f3 i.dS+±) 24 . . . gb8 2S.gcl gd3;!; 2 2.g3 gb8 23.f3 axb4 24. axb4 ga8? This is a principled mistake. Black had to capture on f3 : 24 ... exf3 2S.gxe8 + .ixeB 26.gal .ihS 27. l!if2 I!ib7 2B . .!lJxf3 .ixf3 29. I!ixf3 geB 30 .gaS g6;!;. Now, his pawn on e4 has become very weak and will be soon lost. 25.fxe4 ga2 26.gf2 fxe4 27.�c4 White's knight is headed for the eS-square. 27 gal+ 28.l!ig2 I!ib7 29. g4 h5 (diagram) This is an attempt by Black to open the position with the help of a pawn-sacrifice. He would not obtain compensation for it, though . . . •••

••.

19 a5 Now, Black had a very power­ ful move - 19 . . . cS ! , for example: 2 0 . a4 gb8 21.dxcS (21.bxc5 gb2 •••

82

4.c3 d5 Here, the exchange of the rooks only helps Black's activa­ tion. It was stronger for White to follow with 42 .l!h8.

30.�e5 ge6 31.gxh5 hlt5 32 .gxe4+ The fight enters a technical stage. 32 .ie8 33.gg4 ge7 34. gh4! White is planning to occupy the last rank with his rooks. 34 ga3 35.gh8 cS 36.bxc5 gxc3 •••

••.

42 ga4? ! Black avoids the exchange, but in vain. Following 42 ... l!xf3 43. lDxf3 .lc6 44.lDeS .ldS, his bishop would become active and this would provide him with some counterplay. 43.Wc3 gh6 44.gg3 g6 45. c6+ White's position i s winning. 45 gh7 46.d5 ge7 47.gb7+ h8+

We will analyse two possibili­ ties now. The most popular Cl) 9 ltJxd5 and the relatively new move C2) 9 ltJb4!

9.exd5

.••

•••

9.ltJxd5 ltJxd5 10.exd5 %Yxd5 (10 . . . ltJxd4 11 . .ixd4 %Yxd5 12 .hg7 %Yxd1 13.gaxd1 'it>xg7= Karimov ­ Kornev, Kemerovo 2 007) 11.ltJxc6 %Yxb5 12.ltJe7+ 'it>h8 13.ltJxc8 gaxc8= 9.hc6 bxc6 1O.exd5 �xd5 (It would be too White to try to win 11.�xc6 ltJxe3 12.Wfxd8

ltJxd5 11. risky for a pawn : gxd8 13.

Cl) 9 ltJxd5 This move used to be popular before but it does not solve Black's opening problems. 1O.�xc6 Following 1O.ltJxd5 %Yxd5= Black will have no difficulties in the opening. 11.c4 %Ye4 12 .hc6 bxc6 13.%Yb1? ! %Yh4 ! 14.gd1 c5 15. ltJf3 %Yxc4 16.gc1 %Ya6 17.gxc5 •.•

101

Step by Step

Chapter 4 �bBt Moutousis - Dreev, Tunja 19B9. It hardly deserves serious at­ tention for White to opt for 10. .bc6 ttJxe3 1l.fxe3 bxcQ+ with the idea 12.ttJxc6? ! �eB 13.ttJdS I!lhB 14.ttJde7 fS+

10

•••

bxc6

1 ...��xd5 ! 1l . .txc6 ttJxe3 12.fxe3 �bB 13. �xdB �xdB I4 ..idS (14.�abl .ie6+; 14.�adl �xdl lS.ttJxdl .bb2+)

�1+ 20.1!lf2 iel+ 2l.l!le2 1!lxf7 22. �xc7+ l!le6 23.�xa7 hS+, as well as following 17.ttJxdl �xc2 IB . .tb3 �d2 19.�fl �d7+ Black has a con­ siderable advantage in this end­ game thanks to his bishop-pair.) IS . . J:!fB 16.ixf7+ �xf7 (16 . . . l!lhB?! 17.ib3 �xfl+ IB.l!lxfl .ia6+ 19. ttJe2±) 17.�dB+ �fB IB.�fxf8+ i.xf8 19.�xcB �xc2 20.ttJdS �xa2 2l. �xc7= Now, after 21.. . .tg7, in view of Black's dangerous passed pawn on the a-file, White should better follow with 2 2 Jl:cB+ I!lfl 23.�c7+ I!lgB 24J'kB+ I!lfl 2S.�c7+ and force a draw by repetition of moves. 14 . . . .tfS. This is the simplest decision for Black. IS.�adl (IS. e4? ! ie6 16 ..tb3 cS+; 16 . .txe6 fxe6+) IS . . . �fB 16 . .tb3 hc2 17. .bc2 �xb2 IB . .tb3 .txc3 19.�d7 .ieS 2 0 .�fxf7 �xf7 2l..bfl+ I!lfB=

1l

..•

cxb5

After 1l ... cxdS 12 . .tcS �bB 13. �e2 ! ? (with the idea .ie7) 13 . . . Wff6 14.�abU or 1l . . . WfxdS 12.�xd5 cxdS 13 . .icS �bB 14.a4 a6 IS.hfB 1!lxf8 16 ..ie2 l3xb2 17.�abU Black's compensation for the exchange is insufficient.

The position is equal after 14 . . . �xb2 IS.�adl (But not I S . .txf7+? ! I!lhB 16.�adl �xdl and White will have certain problems after 17. �xdl ixc3 IB.�dB+ I!lg7 19.�xcB 102

12 .ic5 ge8 13.�e7+ I!lh8 14.Wff3 ie6 15.gadl Wfb8 16. �c6 It is also good for White to play here 16.�fe l ! ? t with powerful po­ sitional pressure. 16 Wfb7 17.id4;t •••

4.d4 ed S.!Dxd4 g66.lLlc3 1ig77.ie3 0-0 8.0-0 d5 9.ed

After the move 9...lLldS, the diagrammed position arises prac­ tically by force. Black will have to

Black

equalises

completely

with this excellent move.

10.ig5

fight long and hard for the draw.

17 ic4 •••

This is Black's relatively best

He would not have any prob­ lems after 1O.�d2 lLlbxdS ll.lLlxdS �xdS= or 10.1ic4 lLlbxdS l1.lLlxdS

move. He should better avoid 17...

lLlxdS+ and White would have to

b4?! lBJ'Uel!± and his situation

give up one of his bishops for the

would become very precarious.

enemy knight, which is not fa­

Now, he loses immediately after

vourable for him in this position

the careless move lB...1ic4? Dvoi­

with an open centre.

rys - Filipenko, Katowice 1992 (It is also bad for Black to opt for lB... 1xd4?! 19.1:!xd4 ifS 20.l:!xeB+ l:!xeB

10

h6 1l.he7 lYxe7cii In

•.•

the arising position, Black has a

21.g4+-, as well as for lB...aS?

bishop-pair and particularly his

19J3xe6! l3xe6 20. V!!xf7 hd4 21.

dark-squared bishop on g7 is very

�xe6+-) in view of the exquisite

powerful. This provides him with

problem-like move 19.1LldB!!+-

good compensation for the sacri­

18.hg7+ mxg719.ti'c3+

ficed pawn. 12.a3 (12.l3el �cS l3.ttJb3 �d6 l4.ic4 ifS lS.lLle4

19.13d7?! b4=

he4 l6.l3xe4 bS l7.hbS hb2 lB.l3bl ig7=) 12

19 mg8 20.�a5 ti'a6 21. tlxc4 bxc4 22.h4t White has •••

hd4 13.axb4 ig714.d6 (14.l3a4 a6 lS.l3el �d6 ••.

l6.ifl ifS� l7.bS hc3 lB.bxc3

seized completely the initiative

axbS 19.ixbS �cS 20.g4 .txc2

and Black's position is without

21.�xc2 V!!xbS=) 14

any good prospects, so his de­ fence will be very difficult.

lYxd6 15. lYxd6 cxd6= and Black's pros­ •••

pects are not worse at all with his two powerful bishops. T.Kosintse­

C2) 9

•••

�b4!

va - Zhu Chen, Nalchik 2010. 103

Chapter 4

1.e4 e5 2 .ll� f3 lLlc6 3 . .ib5 lLlge7 4.d4 cxd4

Complete Games

12 A.Sokolov - Savchenko Helsinki 1992 1.e4 e5 2 . �f3 �c6 3 . .1b5 �ge7 4.d4 exd4 5.�xd4 g6 6. �xc6 �xc6 7.J.xc6 bxc6 8.%!Id4 f6 9.h4 'lfe7 10. �c3 .1g7 11 .1f4 f5 •

12 .'lfe3? White needed here to enter the complications after 12.e5 l"!b8 ! (12 ... d6 13.�c4 i.d7 14.0-0-0 dxe5? 15.fud7! �xd7 16.l"!d1+-; 15 ... 'i!;>xd7 16.l"!d1+ 'i!;>c8 17.�xc6 l"!b8 18 .i.g5 �f7 19.1Lla4 + - ; 18 . . . �b4 19.�d7+ 'i!;>b7 20.lLlb5 + - ; 18 . . . �e8 19. l"!d8± ; 14 ... he5 15.he5 dxe5 16. lLla4± ; 14 ... d5 15.�d3;!;; 15.�d4 0-0 16.lLla4;!;) 13.a3 ! ? White does not let the enemy queen to occupy the b4-square (13.0-0-0 �b400, it is essential for Black to trade the queens entering a very com104

plicated endgame) 13 ... d6 (13 ... fub2 14.lLld5!;!;) 14.0-0-000 12 fxe4 13.h5? ! It was better for White to opt here for 13.i.h6. 13 d5 14.0-0-0 gb8 14 . . . i.g4+ 15.a3 .1f5? ! I t i s considerably stronger for Black to play 15 ... 0-0 16.i.h6 J.g4+ 16.J.h6+ •••

•••

He has obtained a more prom­ ising position thanks to his pow­ erful pawn-centre, supported by his bishop-pair, although the fight is just beginning. 16 . . . .1f6 17.'lfxa7 rtlf7 18. bxg6+ J.xg6 ! Black wishes to preserve both rooks for the forthcoming attack. Following 18 . . . hxg6 19.i.f4, White could have facilitated his

4.d4 ed 5. lLlxd4 g6 defence by exchanging a pair of rooks. 19 .ie3 ti'd7 Black is reluctant to exchange on c3, since his dark-squared bishop is particularly valuable in this position. His last move is aimed at preventing its exchange. 19 . . . �a8 2 0 .%Yc5 %Yd7 2 1.lLle2 ! = 20.%Ya6 2 0.1d4? �a8 21.�c5? i.e7- + •

22 .id4 ,lg5+ 23.Ae3 Ae7 He must avoid the trade of the bishops, since this is the only way for Black to play for a win. 24.t3 White will have to play this un­ dermining move sooner or later. •

24 exf3?! It was stronger for Black to play 24 ... %Yd6 25.fxe4 (25.lLlxe4 %Ye6 26. lLlg3 %Ye5 27.�d4 ha3 ! 28.bxa3 E:xa3 29.md2 c5 30.�f4+ mg8 31. �c1 �e8+; 27 ... %Yxg3?? 28 . .if4 .ig5 29.%Yd2 ! hf4 30.E:xf4+ mg8 31. �h3+-) 25 ... l:!xb2 26.%Yf2 + mg8 27. .ic5 %Yxc5 28.%Yxc5 ixc5 29.mxb2 ha3+ 30. mb3 .id6+, although his advantage in this endgame might prove insufficient to win the game. 25.ti'xf3+ mg8 26 .ih6? This is a mistake. After 26. �d4 ! �f8 27.ti'g4, Black's advan­ tage would be just minimal. •••

20 ga8 Black does not capture on c3 here, because in the endgame af­ ter 20 . . . hc3 2 1.bxc3 �a8 2 2 .%Ye2 lha3 23.f4 exf3 24.%Yxf3+ %Yf5 25. �xf5+ hf5 26.�df1+ his extra pawn might prove insufficient to win the game. He prefers to con­ centrate his forces on the queen­ side in order to organise a deci­ sive attack there. 21.ti'e2 It deserved attention for White to choose 2 1.�c4 �e6 2 2 .%Ya2 ! ?+ 21 ghb8? It was much stronger for Black to play here 2 1 . . .%Ye7 and White would be helpless against the at­ tack of the enemy rook against the a3-square. It was also possible for Black to choose 2 1 . . .�d6. •••

•

•••

105

Complete Games

Chapter 4 26 ti'd6 ! Now, he is threatening to cap­ ture on b2. 27.�e2 .tf6?! Black had to play here 27 . . . ga4 ! 28.ghf1 �eS 29.ltJc3 gxa3 30.bxa3 .lxa3 + 31.'kt>d2 �d4+ 32. 'kt>e1 �h4+ 33.g3 �xh6- + and his attack would be decisive. 28.b4! This is White's only defence against the immediate crush. 28. ltJd4 cS 29.ltJb3 c4 30.ltJd4 cS- + 28 ti'e5 29. �d4 cS ! 30. bxcS 30.1f4 i,gS-+ 30 ga4 •••

Larsen Kolbak Grenaa 1973 1.e4 e5 2 . �f3 �c6 3 .tb5 �ge7 4.d4 exd4 5.�xd4 g6 6. 0-0 .tg7 7 .te3 0-0 8.�c3 d6 13

•

•

•.•

•••

9 .te2 Naturally, White should not lose a tempo in the opening and play again with an already devel­ oped piece. He had to prefer the developing move 9.§,d2. 9 f5 10.�xc6 It would lead to transposition of moves after 10.exfS ltJxfS (10 ... .lxd4? 1l . .lxd4 ltJxfS?? 12 .i.c4+-) 1l.ltJxfS hfS 12 .�d2 �d7. 10 . . . �xc6 •

•••

31.ghe1? This is the decisive mistake. Following 31.ghfl gxd4 32.gxd4 (32 .�xf6 gxd1+ 33.'kt>xd1 §'hS+ 34.�f3 §'xh6- + ) 32 . . . i.gS+ 33 . .lxgS §'xd4 34.gf2 ge8+ White can still offer tough resistance. 31 .te4-+ Now, it is all over. 32 .ti'g4+ 'kt>h8 33 .tf4 We7 34.�c6 34.ltJb3 gc4 3S.gd3 i.g7 36. 'kt>d1 �f6-+ 34 ti'xcS 35.gxe4 ti'xa3 + 36.d2 ti'c3 0-1 •••

•

•••

106

1l.exfS It was preferable for White to opt here for 1l.§'d2 fxe4 12 .1c4+ 'kt>h8 13.ltJxe4 and if 13 . . ..lxb2 14. gab1 1g7, then lS.1dS ! with pow-

4.d4 ed SJ Dxd4 g6 erful initiative for the sacrificed pawn. 1l .ixf5 12.1M2 1rd7= Black has solved successfully all his opening problems. 13.�d5 gae8 14.c4 •••

14 . . . ge4 ! ? This move i s obviously provoc­ ative. Larsen understands per­ fectly that after a logical play there will only arise further sim­ plifications. So, he finds a way to liven up the game and offers his opponent to begin a chase after his provocatively deployed rook. 15.�c3 ge5 16.gadl b6

and solid position. 17 gee8 18 . .tf3 mh8 19.h3 �b4! Black is attacking the weak points in the enemy position. 20.�d5 �c2 21 . .tf2 c5! He is occupying the powerful d4-outpost. Meanwhile, the posi­ tion is still approximately equal. 22. �c3 �d4 23 ..td5 a6 24.gfel b5 •••

Black continues with his offen­ sive on the queenside with the support of his powerful knight. White is trying to simplify the po­ sition by exchanging pieces, since he has no other reasonable plan in sight. 25.gxe8 gxe8 26.gel h5 ! Black stops the advance of the enemy pawns on the kingside and guarantees the placement of his bishop on the f5-square.

17.f4? ! Black's manoeuvre has suc­ ceeded and his opponent makes an unnecessary weakening. White should have played calmly, for ex­ ample: 17 . .if3, preserving a good 107

Complete (James

Chapter 4 27.lOe4! Now, White's knight is trying to find squares for penetration, eventually to f7 via the gS-square. 27 bxc4 28.lOg5 lhe1+ 29.Ybe1 .lf6 Following 29 . . . i.d3 30.1Of7+ mh7 31.lOgS+ White would have forced a draw by a perpetual check. 30 .lxc4 ti'c6 •••

33 d3+ 34.g4 Following 34.§'b4 and the qui­ et response 34 . . . mg7! Black would have obtained a decisive advan­ tage, for example: 3S.ti'b8 id4+ 36.mh2 ti'b6 37.ti'xb6 hb6 38. 1Of3 ie3 39.g4 ie4 40 .mg3 d2-+ •••

•

34 .le4? This is a mistake. Black need­ ed too clarify immediately the placement of the enemy king: 34 ... id4+ 3S.mfl (3S.mh2 ti'c2-+) 3S ... i.e4 36.lOxe4 (36.ic4 dxc4 37.ti'xe4 ti'xe4 38.lt:lxe4 c3-+) 36 ... dxe4 37.ic4 e3- + 35.lOxe4 dxe4 36 .lc4 ti'c5+ Now, after 36 . . . id4+, White would have the resource 37. mh2 ! = 37.mg2? It was correct for White to fol­ low here with 37.mfl ! ti'd4 38. ti'b4 mh7 (38 ... ti'al+ 39 .ti'e1+) 39. ti'b7+ ig7 40 .ti'f7+, with serious counterplay. 37 §'d4-+ Now, White's king perishes due to the deadly check from the b2-square. 38 .§'b4 §'b2 + 39.mh1 ti'b1+ 40.mg2 ti'c2 + 0-1 •••

31 .lxd4? ! Here, White can capture brave­ ly a pawn with 31.,ha6 ! hgS (31 . . . ti'xa6?? 32 .ti'e8+-) 32.fxgS ti'xa6 33.,hd4+ cxd4 34.ti'e8 with a draw by a perpetual check. In­ stead of this, he gives up an im­ portant bishop and creates a very dangerous passed pawn for his opponent. 31 cxd4 32.b3? White would have still kept the balance after 32 .g4 ! §'xc4 33.gxfS d3 34.ti'e8+ §'g8 3S.§'d7 ,hgS 36. fxgS gxfS 37.h4= and the activity of his queen would be sufficient to eliminate the eventual difficul­ ties. 32 d5 33 .ixa6? White had to play here 33.ifl and after 33 . . . d3 34.ti'e3 ! = •

•••

•••

108

•

•

•••

1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 ..tb5 �ge7 4.�c3

Chapter 5

Quick Repertoire

In this chapter, we will analyse the old variation 4.�c3, which is still quite applicable nowadays in White's fight for the initiative in the opening in comparison to the more popular and modern move

4.0-0.

The idea of the move 4.lLlc3 can be seen in the variation 4 �g6 5.d4 exd4 6.lLlxd4 and White enters positions, which are simi­ lar in their pawn-structure to the Scotch Game, but in a slightly bet­ ter version for him, because Black's knight on g6 is a bit pas­ sive. Following 4 g6, White usu•••

•••

ally fights for the initiative with the help of a temporary pawn-sac­ rifice: 5.d4 exd4 6.lLld5 ! , avoiding the variation 6.lLlxd4 ig7 (see Chapter 4), in which Black does not have serious problems. The positions arising after 4 ... lLlg6 and 4 . . .g6, are rather con­ crete and semi-forced, as it is the situation in numerous Open Games. Lately, Black has found new ideas, which help him to fight for equality in the opening. Recently, a more modest and not so risky move has become fashionable - 4 d6, with the idea to transpose to the Old Stein­ itz Defence in which White has played too early lLlbl-c3 (He usu­ ally plays in this opening l.e4 e5 2 .lLlf3 lLlc6 3.ib5 d6 4.d4 and is not in a hurry to develop his knight - lLlbl-c3.). Black exploits this and solves his problems in the opening successfully. Here, there arise semi-closed positions in which the play is complicated and manoeuvring. •.•

109

Chapter 5

1.e4 e5 2.lll f3 lll c 6 3.J.b5 lll ge7 4.lll c3

Step by Step

Black has three main respons­ es in this position: A) 4 �g6, B) 4 g6 and C) 4 d6. •.•

..•

...

It is not promising for him to opt for 4 ... a6, because White is not forced after S.i.a4 d6, to transpose to one of the versions of the Modern Steinitz Defence. In­ stead, he can play S . .tc4 ! ?;!;, ob­ taining a position in which he maintains stable initiative.

Following S ... bS 6.i.b3t White, in view of the threat �gS and his more harmoniously deployed piec­ es, preserves a stable positional advantage. 6 . . . lLlg6 (6 . . . .tb7? ! 7. �gS ! dS 8.V9f3 ! f6 9.lLle6±; 6 . . . h6. This move is too slow and is not in the spirit of the position, which is rather open. 7.d4 exd4 8.lLlxd4;!; White has a lead in development.) 7.h4 h6 8 .d4 exd4 9. lLlxd4 lLlxd4 10.�xd4 .tb7 1l.hS± Praneeeth Saptarshi, Kolkata 2012. S . . . lLlg6 6.d4 exd4 7.lLlxd4t. This position resembles the Scotch Game but in a worse ver­ sion for Black. His main problem is that his knight on g6 is very passive. 7 . . . .tb4 (7 . . . .tcS 8 . .te3;!;; 8.lLlfS 0-0 9.�hS .tb4 10.0-0 hc3 1l.bxc3 V9f6 12 J''!b 1t) 8.0-0 0-0 9.lLldS .tcS lO.lLlfS d6 11.�hS;!; hfS ? ! 12 .exfS �h4 13.�xh4 lLlxh4 14 . .td3± Kotronias - B.Georgiev, Athens 1989.

A) 4 �g6 After this move, Black can hardly create active counterplay. The position resembles the Four Knights Defence (1.e4 eS 2 .lLlf3 •••

110

4. lLlc3 lLlg6 5.d4 lLlc6 3.lLlc3 lLlf6 4.i.b5) in a slight­ ly worsened version for Black, since in our case, his knight on g6 is passive. Still, despite this, his position is solid enough and quite acceptable and the last evaluation by the theory has not been made yet . . .

5.d4 This is a logical and most ac­ tive move and it emphasizes Black's slight lag in development. It is not so active for White to choose 5.0-0, because of 5 . . . i.c5= and Black has no problems in the opening at all. 6.lLla4 (6.lLld5 a6 7.ic4 d6 8.c3 h6 9.d4 ia7=) 6 . . . ie7 7.ixc6 bxc6 ( 7. . . dxc6=) 8.d4 f6 9.Wd3 0-0= Berelovich Arkhipov, Azov 1993. After 5.d3, Black Ravenna equalises without any problems following 5 . . . i.c5 = , as well as in the variation 5 . . . a6 6.i.a4 (after 6.ic4 lLla5 ! = with the idea lLlxc4, Black will trade later his knight for White"s important Ruy Lopez bishop, after which his prospects

will not be worse at all.) 6 ...b5 7. ib3 lLla5= It may be interesting for White to try here the move 5.h4, intro­ duced into the tournament prac­ tice by grandmaster Viorel Bolo­ gan.

About 5 . . . id6 - see Istratescu - Mladenov, Plancoet 2012, game 14. 5 . . . i.c5?! 6.h5 lLlf8?! (Black's best line here was : 6 . . . lLlf4 7.lLlxeS lLlxe5 8.d4 lLlfd3+ 9.hd3 hd4 10.lLld5t) 7.lLlxe5. White develops powerful initiative. 7 ... lLlxe5 8.d4 id6 9.dxe5 he5 1O.f4 hc3+ 11. bxc3 We7 12 .h6 gg8 ( Black will not save the day with 12 ... g6 13. Wd4 gg8 14.Wg7! gxg7? 15.hxg7 Wxe4+ 16.'�f2 Wxc2+ 17.ie2 +-; 14 . . . Wc5 15.Wxg8 Wxc3? 16.@e2 Wxal 17.ia3+-; 15 . . .Wxb5 16. ie3±) 13.Wf3 a6 14.id3 d6 15.ia3 Wf6 16.0-0-0t Bologan - Arkhi­ pov, Moscow 1995. It may be interesting for Black to try the active move 5 . . . lLlf4!?, for example: 6.g3 (6.d4 exd4=; 6.0-0 lLld4 7.g3 lLlxf3+ 8.Wxf3 lLle6 = , threatening lLle6-d4 ; there may arise a very precarious posi111

Step by Step

Chapter S tion for Black following 7 . . . lLlxb5 8.lLlxb5 lLlh3+ 9.@g2 d6 1OJ::l:h 1 �d7 11.lLlc3 f6 12 .d4 c6oo) 6 ... lLle6 7 . .ixc6 dxc6 8.lLlxe5 lLld4 9.d3 Vlfe700 and White's extra pawn is practically immaterial. I believe, it is more reliable for Black to choose 5 . . . i.e7, for exam­ ple: 6.lLld5 (6.hc6 dxc6 7.h5 lLlh4 8.lLlxh4 hh4 9.h6 g6= ; 6.h5 lLlh4 7.lLlxh4 ixh4= Nepomnichtchi Krstic, Ljubjana 2 0 04) 6 . . . lLlxh4 7.lLlxh4 ixh4 and here, after 8 .c3 i.f6oo, as well as following 8 J::l:xh4 Vlfxh4 9.lLlxc7+ @d8 10.lLlxa8 lLld4 11.�e2 Vlfxe4�, the positions re­ main very complicated, but Black has no serious problems.

lLlc3-d5, Black is practically forced to exchange his important dark­ squared bishop for White's knight. It would be bad for Black to play here 6 . . . 0-0? ! , because of 7.lLld5 i.a5 8.dxe5 lLlgxe5 9.lLlxe5 lLlxe5 1O.f4 lLlc6 11.f5± and White would develop dangerous initia­ tive. After 6 . . . exd4 7.lLlxd4;!; ixc3 8.bxc3 0-0 9.f4;!; (with the idea f4-f5-f6), White obtains a notice­ able positional advantage thanks to his bishop-pair and his king­ side initiative, Berg - Urichsen, Oslo 1987.

7.bxc3

5

We will deal now with: Al) �b4 and A2) 5 exd4.

.••

...

AI) 5 j.b4 This seemingly active move would not solve the opening diffi­ culties for Black. The arising posi­ tions are very passive for him, but remain quite solid. 6.0-0 hc3 Now, in view of the threat ...

112

7. . . �e7 This is Black's main reply. After 7 . . . 0-0, White maintains a stable positional advantage with the move 8.d5;!; with the idea d6. The pawn-advance 7 . . . d6 ! ? is practically not well analysed yet

4. lLlc3 lLlg6 5.d4 and its idea is to prevent the rather unpleasant possibility for White - dS-d6. His best line now would be: 8.dxeS (8 . .tgS f6 9 . .te3 0-0 10.�d3 'it>h8 11.a4 lLlaS 12. %!ld2 .te6 13J3fbl b6= Lanka S.Arkhipov, Nettetal 1992.) 8 . . . dxeS 9.%!lxd8 + 'it>xd8 lOJ3bU The position has been simplified considerably, but White preserves slightly better prospects in the endgame thanks to his pair of bishops and the precarious situa­ tion of Black's monarch in the centre. 8.dS

the queenside, so this guarantees for him a slight but stable posi­ tional edge.) 10 .d6 %!lxd6 11.%!lxd6 cxd6 12.a4� White has more than sufficient compensation for the pawn. His future plan includes exerting pressure with his rooks on the open b and d-files. 8 . . . lLlaS. This move cannot solve the problems for Black. 9.d6 %!lxd6 10.%!lxd6 cxd6 11.,ta3 a6 12. ,td3 O-O?! (It would be preferable for him to opt for 12 ... 'it>e7, but even then after 13.13fdl bS 14.c4!? bxc4 IS . .tfl lLlb7 16.lLld2±: 14 ... lLlxc4 IS ..txc4 bxc4 16.13xd6 'it>e8 17.13blt, White's initiative more than compensates the missing pawn.) 13 . .txd6 13e8 14.c4 13e6 IS.cS+- Zakic - D'Amore, Raven­ na 1983.

9.a4

8 . . . �d8 8 ... a6 9 . .te2 ! ? White keeps the possibility for his queen to sup­ port the pawn-advance dS-d6 (af­ ter 9 . .td3 lLlaS lO . .tgS f6 11.,te3 d6 12.lLld2 0-0 13.%!lhS b600 Black ends up in a slightly passive, but rather solid position without ob­ vious weaknesses). 9 . . . lLlaS (9 . . . �d8 1O.d6 �xd6 11.%!lxd6 cxd6 12. a4� f6 13.13dl lLlf7 14.aS 'it>e7? ! 15. ic4±; 14 ... dS IS.exdS� White has a bishop-pair and extra space on

White can also obtain a slight positional advantage in a simpler way with 9.d6 %!lxd6 1O.%!lxd6 cxd6 11.lLld2�

9

•••

a6 113

Step by Step

Chapter S A2) 5

9 . . . 0-0?! 10.d6 \Wxd6 11.�xd6 cxd6 12 ..b3t

•••

exd4 6 .!ilxd4 •

9 . . . \Wc5? 10 ..ia3 \Wxc3 11.\Wbl! (with the idea .ib4+-) 11 . . . \Wa5 12 .\Wb2 f6 (12 . . . a6 13 . .!ilxe5 axb5 14 . .!ilxg6+-) 13 . .ib4 \Wb6 14. \Wc3+-

10.d6 1O . .ia3 \wf6 11 . .ie2 d6 12 .g3 0-0 13.c4 b6 14.a5;t

10 ti'xd6 12 .le2 •••

1l.ti'xd6

cxd6

•

6

We will analyse now: A2a) .iCS and A2b) 6 �xd4 ! ? 6 . . . a6 7.Bc4;t - see 4 . . . a6.

•••

•••

A2a) 6 .ic5 This is Black's most popular move. 7. .le3 •••

White maintains a slight posi­ tional edge following 7 . .!ilb3 .ib6 8 . .!ild5;t with the idea after 8 . . . 0-0 (8 . . . .!ilce7 9 . .!ilxb6 axb6 1O.h4;t) to reply with 9.a4 a6 10 . .!ilxb6 cxb6 11 . .ic4;t

12 .. .f6 13.:1!dl .!ilf7 14.a5 d5 (14 . . .'.t>e7? ! 15 . .ic4±) 15.exd5;t

13.�d2 13.g3 ! ?;t 13 �gf4 14..ifJ �g5 15.J.d.tt White has more than sufficient compensation for the pawn. He is threatening to oust his opponent's knights with the moves h4 and g3 and then to increase his pressure with the moves .!ilc4 and .ia3. .•.

114

7 . . . .ixd4 This is Black's main response.

4.liJc3 liJg6 5.d4 It is not so popular for him to play 7 . . . i.b6 and White's best reply against that is 8.Y;Yd2, preparing castling queenside (It would not be so energetic for him to opt for 8.0-0 0-0 9.f4 d6=). 8 . . . 0-0 9 . 0 - 0 - 0;1; White has a better development. 9 . . . liJxd4 10.hd4 d6 (It would be rather dubious for Black to try to capture a pawn here with 1O . . . hd4 11. Y;Yxd4;1; Y;YgS ? ! 12 .@b1 Y;Yxg2? 13. h4�) 11.h4 hd4 (1l . . . liJxh4? 12. !xg7 @xg7 13.g3+-) 12.Y;Yxd4;1; with the idea h4-hS-h6 and White increases his positional advantage. It would be too dangerous for Black to capture a pawn: 12 . . . liJxh4, R.Mainka - S.Arkhipov, Lippstadt 1993, 13.eS liJg6 (13 ... lilfS 14.�g4;!;) 14.exd6;!;

maintains better prospects thanks to his lead in development after 8 . . .i.h4 9.Y;Yd2 0-0 10.0-0-0;1;, or · 8 . . . i.b6 9.Y;Yd2 0-0 10.0-0-0;1;) 9 . .bd4 liJxd4 (9 ... 0-0 10.1e3;1;) 10.�xd4 0-0 (It would not work for Black to play here 1O ... Y;YgS?, because of 11.f4! Y;Yxf4 12.Y;Yxg7 liJg6 13.l'!fl Y;Ye3+ 14.1e2+-) 11. 0-0-0 d6 12 .ie2 liJg6 13.g31 The main drawback of Black's posi­ tion is its passivity. White is threatening to play h4 or f4 and to develop his initiative on the king­ side. Black has no active counter­ play in sight and must adhere to a passive defence.

8 . .ixd4 0-0 9 .le3 !? •

Black tries only very seldom to set a trap with the move 7 . . . liJh4.

White must counter this with 8.l'!gl! (It is not so energetic for him to continue with 8 .ifl .txd4 9.!xd4 Y;Yg5= Mainka - Arkhipov, Muenster 1993. The effect of the trap can be seen in the variation 8.0-0? hd4 9.hd4 liJxd4 10. �xd4 Y;Yg5-+) 8 . . . hd4 (White

With this move, White pre­ serves his bishop and keeps the possibility to play later 0-0-0, followed by an advance of his h­ pawn, emphasizing the unstable position of the enemy knight on g6. In this pawn-structure, it would be advantageous for White to castle queenside. 9 d6 10.�d2 a6 1l .le2 f5 12 .exfS •••

•

115

Step by Step

Chapter S This is a simple and reliable move. It may be also promising for him to opt for the more aggressive move 12 .f4, as it was played in the game Ghaem Maghami - Short, Tehran 2013, which followed later with 12 . . . fxe4 13.0-0-0 ltJh4 14. g4 wh8 lS.fS ltJg2 16 . .tgS e3 17. he3 ltJxe3 18.�xe3t

12 hf5 13.0-0;t and White has a pair of bishops, Popovic I.Sokolov, Pula 1991. .••

achieve much for him. 8 . . . �b6 9. ie3 (following 9.�xb6 axb6=, Black's prospects are not worse in this endgame, for example : 10 . .te3 .tcS ! ? 11.hcS bxc5= , or 10 .. . bS 11 . .tb3 .te7 12.0-0-0 d6=) 9 .. . �xd4 (9 . . . �xb2 ! ? 10J'!b1 �a3oo) 1O.hd4 bS 11.!e2 ltJf4 12 .!f3 ltJe6 13.!e3 b400 - There has aris­ en a complicated and approxi­ mately equal endgame, Arnason - Wedberg, Oslo 1984.

8 The position has been simpli­ fied considerably. His bishop-pair guarantees for White a slight but stable positional advantage, but Black can rely on a successful de­ fence.

After 9 . .ie3 �xb2 10J'!b1 �a3 11.0-0 �d6oo, White obtains some compensation for the pawn, but not more than that, De la Villa Garcia - Allan, Szirak 1987.

9 A2b) 6

ltJxd4 ! ? (diagram) This is a seldom played and not so well analysed move, but I believe that it may be the best for Black in his fight for equality. 7.1bd4 c6 8 . .ie2 White's seemingly more active attempt - 8.ic4 would not 116

�b6 9.1M3

•••

••.

.ie7 (diagram)

•••

10.h4 ! ? 1 0 . 0 - 0 0-0 Black's position is quite acceptable. He intends to play d7-d6, planning later V-fS.

10 hh4 1l.g3, Howell Erwich, Leiden 2 0 1 2 , 1l .if6 ! ? oo •••

•••

4. ltJc3 g6 played and not so well analysed possibility Bl) 5.h4, in which Black will still need to solve some serious opening problems. About S.d3 ig7 - see Chapter 1, variation D.

with the idea 12.f4 dS 13.exdS 0-000

B) 4 g6 This is Black's most popular move. The positions, arising after it, are complicated and rather un­ stable. In some variations Black must react with tremendous accu­ racy in order to maintain the bal­ ance, •••

It would be too passive for White to choose here 5.0-0, since this is not in the spirit of the variation for him, connected with the pawn-advance d2-d4. Follow­ ing S . . . ig7, Black has no prob­ lems at all, because it becomes very difficult for White to push the thematic move d2-d4, while after 6.d3 0-0=, there arise posi­ tions, similar in their structure, to those analysed in Chapter 1, after 4.d3.

Bl) 5.h4

Now, I believe that the only way for White to fight for an ad­ vantage in the opening is to play B2) 5.d4. Besides that, it may be inter­ esting for him to try the seldom

This seldom played move is not without venom. 5 ltJd4!?N I believe, this is the best move for Black and it enables him to fight for equality. •••

117

Chapter S

Step by Step

There arise very complicated positions after s . . . i.g7 6.hs ds.

7.exds ttJxds B .h6 i.f6 9.ttJe4 i.g4= 7.d3 d4 B .hc6+ bxc600 7.hxg6 bxg6 B J'!xhB + hhB 9.hc6+ bxc600 Gabrielian - Var­ avin, Alushta 2006. 7.d4 exd4 B .h6 i.f6 9.i.gs hgs 1O.%!fxd4 f6 ll.exds a6 12 .hc6+ ttJxc6 13.dxc6 �xd4 14.ttJxd4 ..t>f7oo The standard move for similar positions, and most often played too - s . . . h6 would not solve Black's problems either. White usually enters the practically forced variation : 6.hs (6.d4 exd4 7.ttJxd4 i.g7 B .i.e3 0-0 9.%!fd2 hs 10.0-0-0;1;; B . . . a6 9.ttJxc6 bxc6? ! - 9 . . . ttJxc6 1O .i.e2;1; - 10 .i.a4 0-0 1l.%!fd2 ..t>h7 12. 0-0-0;l; Istratescu - Chabanon, Dieppe 2012) 6 . . . gs 7.d4 exd4 B .ttJxd4 i.g7 9 .i.e3 0-0 10.%!fd2 ds 11.0-0-0 ! ? (ll.exds ttJb4oo) 1l . . . dxe4 1 2 .ttJxe4 ttJxd4 13.hd4 hd4 14.�xd4 �xd4 15. gxd4;1; (diagram) In the arising endgame, Black does not have clear equality, so he 11B

must still fight for it. For example, in the game Kholmov - Dreev, Baleares 19B9, after 1s . . . ..t>g7 16. l'!hd1 ttJf5 17.l'!dB i.e6 1B.l'!xaB l'!xaB 19.94 ttJd6 20.ttJxd6 cxd6 21.i.e2 gdB = , Black equalised indeed, but instead of 17.l'!dB, White could have played 17.l'!4d3 ! ?;I;, preserv­ ing a slight positional advantage thanks to his control over the d­ file and the slight lag of develop­ ment of his opponent's queenside .

Black should not be afraid of the complicated positions arising af­ ter 6.hs c6 7.hxg6 (7.i.c4 ds B.exd5 cxds=t; 7.i.e2 i.g7=) 7 . . . fxg6 (He should not play 7...cxbs? in view of the variation B.gxf7+ ..t>xf7 9. ttJxe5+ ..t>e6 10.%!fhs+-) B.i.a4 i.g7oo

4. 11Jc3 g6 6

J.g7 7.�f3

•••

White would not achieve much with the seemingly active line: 7.f4 llJxb5 B.llJxb5 d6 9.11Jf3 �g4 1O.d3 �d7 11.c4 (11.11Jc3 O-O-O�) 11 . . . 11Jc6�

7 . . �xb5 8.�xb5 d5 9.d3 .

Black should not worry about the possibility: 9.exd5 �g4 10. 0-0 O-O�

9 . . . c6 10. �c3 J.g4 11.0-0 O-O�

Black plays only seldom the move 5 . . . .tg7, since White's sim­ plest response against it would be 6.dxe5 ! ? (6.�g5 exd4 7.11Jd5 - see 5 . . . exd4) 6 . . . 11Jxe5 7.11Jxe5 Axe5 8. '?Nf3 0-0 (B .. .i.g7 9�5 h6 1O.i.f6't) 9 . .th6 �g7 (9 . . J'�e8 10. 0-0-0�) 10 .hg7 'i!lxg7 11. 0-0-0�

6.�d5! 6.11Jxd4 .tg7 - see Chapter 4.

In the arising position, Black has excellent compensation for the sacrificed pawn, with his bish­ op-pair and the possibility to pin rather unpleasantly the enemy knight with the move �g4. He has the initiative and it would be much easier for him to play this position in a practical game.

B2) 5.d4 (diagram) 5 . . . exd4

6

J.g7

•••

Black cannot solve his prob­ lems with 6 . . . 11Jxd5?! 7.exd5 '?Ne7. This move is practically forced. B.'i!lf1 ! (It is not so precise for White to opt here for 8 . .te2 �e5 119

Step by Step

Chapter S 9.0-0 .ig7 1O.lilxd4 0-0=)

B . . . lileS 9.W1xd4 .ig7 (It would be a disaster for Black to choose 9 . . . lilxf3? 1O.gxf3 f6 11 . .if4 cJif7 12. d6! �dB 13 . .ic4+ cJig7 14.W1dS + - ; i t i s not preferable for h i m t o con­ tinue with 11 . . . cJidB 12 .�c3 c6 13. l'!e1 �f7 14 . .tc4+-) 1O.i.f4 f6 11. l'!e1 0-0 12.lilxeS fxeS 13 . .ixeS heS 14.l'!xeS W1d6 (Black should better avoid 14 ... W1f6 1S.d6 cxd6 16 . .ic4+ cJihB 17.l'!dS+-) lS.h4+- and White's initiative is decisive, Joh­ ner - Tartakower, Karlsbad 1911. It seems a bit better for Black to opt for the move B �cS, but he cannot solve his serious problems with it either. 9.�e2 + lile7 1O ..igS i.g7 11.l'!e1 f6 12 .b4 (It is also good for White to play here 1 2 .i.f4 0-0 13.W1c4 �xc4+ 14.hc4 bS lS . .ib3 lilf5 16.d6+ cJihB 17.dxc7 .ib7 lB. h4±) 1 2 ... �xb4 13.i.d2 �cS 14. lilxd4± Gaponenko - Mamedjaro­ va, EICC 2010, with the idea 14 . . . 0-0 lS.lilb3 �xc2 16.�xe7 W1xa2 17.W1b4± (diagram) 7 .ig5 ! •.•

.

White would not achieve much with 7 . .if4, because of 7 . . . lilxdS ! , 120

avoiding the insidious trap (White would counter the attractive move 7 . . . d6? with B . .igS ! +-) B.exdS.

B . . . W1e7! ? 9.cJif1 (9 . .ie2 lilb4+ with the idea 10 .d6? ! �e4t ; 9.W1e2 d3 1O.hd3 .ixb2 11.l'!b1 .ic3+ 12. .id2 hd2 + 13.lilxd2 �xe2+ 14. he2 lil aS+) 9 . . . a6 1O .i.a4 (1O . .id3 lilb4=) 10 ...bS 11 ..ib3 lilaS= 12 ..igS (12 .d6? ! cxd6 13 .W1d3 0-0 14J''!e1, Somkin - Kozionov, Izhevsk 2010, 14 . . . W1dB ! lS.hd6 l'!eB 16.l'!xeB+ W1xeB 17 . .icS lilxb3 1B.axb3 .ib7+) 12 . . . f6 13.�d3 cJifB, I.Zaitsev Vul, Moscow 19B6, 14 ..tf4 �c5= B . . . lile7 9.d6 cxd6= Black's prospects are not worse in this position, despite his tripled pawns on the d-file. See several exam­ ples, deserving most attention, il­ lustrating this:

4. llJc3 g6

10.0-0 0-0 11.,bd6 ge8 12. ic5 ? ! �aS 13.a4 a6 14.b4 �c7 lS.id3 llJc6 16.aS d6 17.ib6 Wfe7 18.ge1 ie6+ I.Zaitsev - Dreev, Moscow 1989. 10.�d2 �b6 11.j,c4 dS (11 .. . �cS+) 12 . .tb3 as 13.a4 d6 (13 . . . d3+) 14.0-0-0 0-0+ Ulibin - Fil­ ipenko, Kursk 1987. 10.0-0 0-0 11 . .ixd6 ge8 12. ge1 llJf5 13.gxe8+ �xe8 14.if4 b6 lS.Wfd3 j,b7 16.ge1 �d8= Somkin - Bronnikov, Izhevsk 2010.

7

,bg7+ xg7 1O.0-0t Black will have very serious problems in the opening. 10 ... d6 (10 ... llJxdS?! 11. exdS llJe7 12.�xd4±; 1l ...llJb8 12. �xd4+ �f6 13.�xf6+ 'it>xf6 14.d6 cxd6 lS.gfel±; 10 ... ge8 1l.ge1 d6 12 .�d2;!;) 11.,bc6 llJxc6 12 .llJxd4 ge8 (12 . . . j,e6 13.llJbS !!c8? ! 14. llJxa7 llJxa7 lS.�d4+ f6 16.�xa7±; 13 . . . ,bdS 14.exdS llJe7 lS.�d4+ h7 16.gfeU) 13.llJbS ! !!xe4 14. llJbxc7;!; gb8 lS.�d3 ifS 16.�c3+ llJeS 17.b3 !!e2 18.f4 !!xc2? 19. �d4+- Svidler - Aronian, Nice 2010.

h6 8.j,f6

•••

This is the tabia of the varia­ tion 4.llJc3. The arising positions are very complicated and Black must play very accurately.

8 . . . .ixf6 ! This is the most accurate move for Black! Following 8 . . . f8, he can hardly fight for equality. After 9.

We will analyse now the moves: B2a) 10.0-0, B2b) 10. �xd4 and B2c) 10.1fd2.

B2a) 10.0-0 a6! This is the only way for Black to rely on equalising. 121

Step by Step

Chapter S The more natural move 10 . . . 'i!lg7 i s weaker. 11.ttJdS d 6 12. ttJxd4 (It is also good for White to play here 12 .hc6 ttJxc6 13.ttJxd4 - see 8 . . . 'i!lf8.) 12 . . . ttJxdS 13.ttJxc6 (13.exdS ttJxd4 14.'1Wxd4+ �f6 IS. �xf6+ 'i!lxf6 = ) 13 ... bxc6 14.hc6 ttJb6 (14 .. J�b8 IS . .hd5 l':!xb2 16. f4t with the idea 16 ... �f6 17.eS dxeS l8.fxeS �b6+ 19.'i!lhl l':!f8 2 0 . e6! he6? 21.he6 fxe6 2 2 . �d7+ 'i!lg8 23J'!xf8+ 'i!lxf8 24.l':!f1 + - ; 20 . . . fxe6? 21.l':!xf8 'i!lxf8 22 .i.b3 'i!le7 23.�d2 + - ; 20 .. .f6 21.e7 l':!e8 2 2 .i.b3 l':!xe7? 23 .�d8+ - ; 2 2 . . . i.b7 23.�d8 .ic6 24.l':!ael±) IS. has ttJxa8 16.�d4 + , Loiret Feryn, La Fere 2011, 16 . . . �f6 17. �xa7;!; - His rook and two pawns look stronger than Black's two minor pieces. In this position, he must try to avoid the exchange of queens, because in the end­ game, White's passed pawn will provide him with an even more meaningful advantage. After 1O . . . ttJfS? ! , it is good for White to opt for 11.ttJdS ttJg7 12 .c3 dxc3 13.�b3� with the idea 13 . . . cxb2 14.�xb2 d6 1S.l':!ac1t, a s well as for 11.ttJxd7+ hd7 1 2 .exfS hfS 13 .hc6 bxc6 14.ttJxd4;t Or 1O . . . d6? ! 11.ttJxd4 'i!lg7 12. ttJxc6 ! ttJxc6 13.ttJdS;t with the idea 13 . . . l':!e8 (13 . . . .ie6 14.f4t; 13 . . . a6 14 ..ia4 i.e6 IS.f4t) 14.�d2 l':!xe4 IS.hc6 bxc6 16.�c3+ f6 17.ttJxf6 �xf6 18.�xc6 i.b7 19.�xb7 l':!ae8 20.�xc7+ l':!8e7 21.�b8±

122

1l.J.a4 Black has no real problems following 11 ..ixc6 dxc6 12.�xd4 �xd4 13.ttJxd4 'i!lg7 14.e5 cS 15. ttJb3 b6 16.f4 l':!d8 = S.Salov - Ne­ zad, Khanty-Mansiysk 2010. White's pawn-majority on the kingside is practically immaterial, since it would not be real for him to man­ age to advance his pawn-mass there in a position like this. In fact, Black's light-squared bishop seems stronger in this situation than any of White's knights. 11 .i.c4 'i!lg7 12.ttJxd4 ttJeS 13. ttJf3 (13.i.b3 'i!lxf6 14.f4 ttJSc6 15. fS ttJeS 16.fxg6+ 'i!lg7 17.gxf7 d6+) 13 . . . ttJ7c6 (13 . . . ttJxc4 14.�d4 ttJf5 IS.ttJhS+ 'i!lh7 16.exfS gxhS 17. �xc4 dS 18.�f4t) 14.ttJxeS �xf6 IS.f4 l':!f8 16.ttJxc6 dxc6 17.c3 �d6= Now, White would obtain much neither with 18.�e2, Ior­ dachescu - Nezad, Gibraltar 2011, 18 . . . i.e6 19.he6 �xe6 20.fS �e5 2 1.l':!adl l':!ad8= , nor following 18.�xd6 cxd6 19.1':!adl l':!e8 20. l':!d4 i.e6 2 1..ixe6 l':!xe6=

4. lilc3 g6 1l Wg7 12.�dS bS 13 .lb3 �xdS 14 .lxdS •••

•

•

It is not preferable for White to choose 14.exd5 tDa5 15.V!fxd4+ Wlf6 16.V!fd2 tDxb3 17.axb3 (17 . . . Wlxb2? 18.tDd4+-) 17 . . . c5=

B2b1) 10 Wg7 11.'Bd2 ! This brilliant move (threaten­ ing Wlc3) was played for the first time in the game Murey - Dreev, Moscow 1989. •••

It is obviously weaker for Black to continue with 14 . . . .ib7 15. lilxd4;t - see Sebag - Zhu Chen, Ulaanbaatar 2010, game 15.

lS.�xd4 �e7= The chances of both sides are approximately equal in this position. 16.f4 �xdS 17.exdS ge8 18.f5 WlgS=

B2b) 10.�xd4 After this move, White keeps the possibility to castle on either side of the board. (diagram) Now, we will analyse two moves for Black. His more natu­ ral B2b1) 10 Wg7 as well as the counter strike B2b2) 10 �f5! •••

•••

1l

•••

�g8 !

11.. .tDf5? 12 .tDh5+ gxh5 13. tDxf5+ wg6 14. 0-0-0+Black cannot capture the knight 1l . . . Wxf6? , because of 12. Wlc3 tDe5 (It would be hardly rea­ sonable for him to try to capture the enemy knight: 12 ... lilxd4 13. Wlxd4+ We6 14 . .lc4+ d5 15.exd5+ wd7 16.0-0-0+-) 13.£4 d5 (13 . . . d 6 ? 14.fxe5+ dxe5 15. 0-0-0+-) 123

Step by Step

Chapter S 14.fxe5+ It>g7 15.e6 f6 16.0-0 :SfS 17.exd5 ltJxd5 18.�g3 ltJe7 19. :Sad 1 +It is not good for Black to opt for 11.. .d6? ! , since after 12.�c3 ! White develops powerful initiative 12 . . . ltJxd4 (It is even worse for Black to try here 12 . . . ltJe5, due to 13.f4 c6 14.fxe5 dxe5 15.0-0-0+-; or 13 . . . lt>xf6 14.fxe5+ dxe5 15.00-0+- and in both cases White's attack is victorious.) 13.'lWxd4 ltJf5 14.ltJh5+ It>h7 15.exf5 gxh5 (15 . . . �e7? 16.lt>d2 gxh5 17.f6 'lWe5 IS. i.d3+ It>gS 19.:Sae1+-) 16.f6 ifS 17. 0-0-0±

17.ltJe6+ It>h7 lS.'lWxd5 cxd5 19. ltJxc7± White has a superior de­ velopment and better coordination of his pieces. Black's position has some defects indeed, but the fight remains very complicated and is just beginning.

B2b2) 10

•••

ltJf5!

12.c!Oxg8 The character of the position remains more or less the same af­ ter 12.ltJd5 ltJf6 13.ltJc3;t Murey Dreev, Moscow 19S9.

13.f4t (13.0-0-0;t Macieja Kuczynski, Czestochowa 1992) with the idea 13 ... �e7 14.0-0-0 �xe4? ! 15.hc6 dxc6 16.:She1 'lWd5 124

This excellent move provides Black with some counter chances. 1l.c!Oh7! ? This i s the best move for White in his fight for a slight opening advantage. The tournament prac­ tice has shown however, that he does not achieve anything sub­ stantial. 1l.exf5 �xf6 12 .hc6 dxc6!+ 13.fxg6 It>g7! 14.ltJe2 (14.gxt7?! :SdS 15.fS'IW+ :SxfS ! 16.ltJf3 :Se8+ 17.lt>f1, Stevanovic - Ho, Yerevan 1996, 17 . . . 'lWxb2+; 14.�f3 :SeS 15. 1t>f1 �xf3 16.ltJxf3 fxg6+ Ponkra­ tov - Gerasimov, Saratov 2013) 14 . . . fxg6 15.0-0 i.g4 (15 . . . �xb2 16.c3oo) 16.f3 :SadS 17.�c1 ifS lS.c3 :SheSf

4.tt:lc3 g6 Black should not be afraid of 1l . .txc6 %Yxf6 1VL'lxfS, Mahia Barrionuevo, Villa Martelli 2013 (12.exfS dxc6 - see 1l.exfS) 12 . . . §'xb2oo, o r h e can t ry the not so resolute line: 12 . . . bxc6 13.%Yd4 §'xd4 14.tDxd4 �b8= H . . . gxh7 12.exfS §'f6 13. .ixc6

After 13.fxg6, Black's simplest reaction would be 13 . . . fxg6 (13 . . . tDxd4? ! 14.gxh7 tDxbS lS.%Yf3 %YeS+ 16.§'e3 §'f6 17.%YcS+ tDd6 18. O-O-O±) 14.tDe2 (14.§'f3 �e7+ lS.�d2 �g7=) 14 ... d6 1S.0-0 �e7=

gd6 18.tDeS �g7 (18 ...ifS - see Bruzon Batista - Baron Rodri­ guez, Havana 1998, game 16) 19.tDc4 �d4 20.tDe3 ie6 2UUd1 �ad8 22.�xd4 �xd4 23.IM1 \tlf6 24.�e2 cS 2S.a3 as 26.�d1 bS 27.c3 �d6= and White has failed to achieve anything real, Ozolin Bronnikov, Izhevsk 2010 .

17.%Yxf6+ �xf6 18.gad1 gd6 = The defects of Black's queenside pawn-structure are ful­ ly compensated by the presence of his more active bishop, Chernov - Vul, Moscow 1992. B2c) 10.%Yd2

13 dxc6 15.0-0 •••

14.fxg6

fxg6

15 gd7 This is a good and reliable move. •••

The position is not so clear af­ ter lS . . . cS 16.tDbS b6 17J'!e1 .ib7oo

This move is played with the idea to counter the attractive move 10 . . . �g7 with 1l.tDxd4!t, transposing to the variation 10. tDxd4 �g7 11.%Yd2. Now, we will analyse Black"s most popular answer B2c1) 10 d6, as well as the recently invent­ ed counter strike B2c2) 10 d5 ! ? I t would not work for Black to try here the counter strike 10 . . .

•••

•••

16. Bf3 �g7 It is also good for Black to choose here 16 . . . %Yxf3 17.tDxf3

125

Step by Step

Chapter S tLlfS? ! , because after 1l.tLldS± his efforts would turn out to be futile.

B2c1) 10 d6 After this move, there arise passive positions for Black in­ deed, but they are tremendously complicated. 11.0-0-0 This is White's most princi­ pled answer. •••

It is not so energetic for him to play 1l.tLlxd4, because of Black's possible counter strike 1l . . . tLlfS ! (It would b e too risky for him to try 1l . . . 'it>g7 1 2 J�'c3 ! ) . Now, fol­ lowing 12 .tLlxc6 (12.exfS �xf6 13. tLlxc6 bxc6 14.hc6 i.b7! lS.hb7 l'!e8+ 16.'it>f1 �xb2 17.l'!d1 �xb7= ; 12 .,bc6 �xf6 13.exfS bxc6 14.0-0 cS lS.tLlbS l'!b8 = ) 12 . . . �xf6, Black equalises. 13.0-0 (13.exfS bxc6 14.,bc6 i.b7 1S.,bb7 l'!e8+ 16.'it>f1 �xb2 17.l'!d1 �xb7=) 13 . . . tLlh4 ! ? He i s trying t o solve his problems in a tactical fashion. 14.tLld4 i.h3 lS.�c3 ,bg2 16.tLle6+ �xe6 17. �xh8+ 'it>e7 18.�xa8 tLlf3 (18 . . . �g4 19.�e8+ 'it>f6 2 0 .�h8 + 'it>gS? 2l.f4+ 'it>hS 2 2 .�c3 + - ; 20 . . . 'it>e7 21.�e8= ) 19.'it>xg2 �g4+ 2 0 .'it>h1 �f4 (20 ... �h3 2 1.�e8+ 'it>f6 2 2 . �h8+ 'it>gS 23.l'!gl + - ; 2 2 . . . 'it>e7 23.�e8 =) 2 1.�e8+ 'it>f6 2 2 .�h8+ 'it>e7 (Black cannot avoid the per­ petual check.) 23.�e8 =

11

•••

a6

Or 1l . . . 'it>g7 12 .tLlxd4 ! t with the idea 12 . . . 'it>xf6 ? ! 13.�c3 tLlxd4 14. 126

l'!xd4 ! (14.�xd4+ 'it>e6 lS.�c4+ 'it>f6 16.�d4+ 'it>e6=) 14 . . . 'it>e6 lS. eS dS 16.l'!f4 tLlfS (16 . . . tLlg8 17.l'!e1 c6 18.,bc6 bxc6 19.�xc6+ 'it>e7 2 0.�xa8+-) 17.g4 �gS 18.gxf5+ gxfS 19.�f3±

12 .bc6 tLlxc6 13.tLld5 .ie6 •

13 . . . i.g4 14.h3 hf3 lS.gxf3 'it>g7 16.f4;1;

14.tLlxd4 .bd5 15.exd5 tLlxd4 16.�xd4 'it>g8 17.h4t White has the initiative, but the position remains very complicat­ ed, Recuero Guerra - Castillo Gallego, Burguillos 2007. B2c2) 10

•••

d5 ! ?

4 . lil c3 d6 This active move deserves most serious attention for Black in his fight for equality. 1l .bc6 �xc6 12.�xd5 .ifS ! 13.ti'f4 •

He should hardly be afraid of 13.�xc7 WJxc7 14.exfS �e8+ 1S. 'i!ff1, Agopov - Dokutchaev, Fin­ land 2011, 1S . . .gxf5oo

13 .be4 14.'fbe4 'ffd6 15. �xc7 'ffxc7 16.0-0 gd8 17. gad1 'i!fg7 18.�xd4 ghe8= Haz­ nedaroglu - Chan Wei Xuan, Ma­ nila 2010. Black has sufficient compensation for the pawn, for example: 19.'ffh4 (19.lilbS gxe4 2 0 .lilxc7 !!ed4 21.�xd4 lilxd4+) 19 . . . lilxd4 20.!!xd4 gS 21.!!xd8 gxh4 2 2 . �xe8 WJxc2 23J:!e7 'ffxb2 24.h3 'i!fg6= •••

C) 4

d6

•••

This move has become very fashionable lately. It has been tested by such outstanding grand­ masters like Z. Efimenko, H. Na­ kamura and I. Sokolov.

The position resembles in its structure the Old Steinitz De­ fence, but with an early sortie of White's knight to c3. In this varia­ tion, Black wishes to obtain a sol­ id and stable position and would not avoid simplifications. Now, White has a choice be­ tween Cl) 5.0-0 and C2) 5.d4. S.lildS a6 6.J.a4 lilxdS 7.exdS bS 8.J.b3 lilaS= It would be anti-positional for White to part voluntarily with his important light-squared bishop for Black's knight with S.,bc6 lilxc6 6.d4 J.g4= Following S.d3 a6 6 ..tc4 bS 7. .tb3 lilaS=, White is deprived of his important "Ruy Lopez" bish­ op. 8 . . . 0-0 lilxb3 9.axb3 c6= Marzolf - Karpatchev, Saint Af­ frique 2011 (9 . . . .tb7= with the idea lilg6, J.e7) and then lilg6, fie7, with the same ideas as after S.h3. S.h3 a6 6.fia4 bS 7 . .tb3 lilaS= 8 . 0-0 lilxb3 9.axb3, Feher - Moz­ es, Veszprem 1996. Black can choose between different plans here, See one of them 9 . . . c6 (White was threatening lilxbS.). Black is not in a hurry to deter­ mine the placement of his light­ squared bishop. 10 .d4 lilg6 11 . .te3 ie7 12.dxeS dxeS 13.'ffxd8 'i!fxd8= with an approximately equal end­ game. 127

Step by Step

Chapter S Cl) 5.0-0 White can hardly obtain an ad­ vantage in the opening with this move.

7 . . . lLlec6 8.lLldS .ie7= 6 . .ic4 lLlaS 7 . .ie2 (7.i.b3 lLlxb3 8.axb3 lLlc6=) 7 . . . cS ! ? = , Black does not allow his opponent's the­ matic pawn-advance d2-d4. His plans include pushing g6 as quickly as possible and following this with i.g7. This position is closed, so White's slight edge is practically immaterial.

6 .td7!? This is a reliable move and with it Black transposes to the Modern Steinitz Defence in a good version for him. White has played a bit too early lLlb1-c3 and has failed to advance the thematic move for similar positions d2-d4. Obtaining an advantage in the opening without this move is practically impossible for him. •••

5 . . . a6 ! ? This i s the simplest reply for Black. Now, White is forced to clarify his intentions, concerning the future of his light-squared bishop. 6 . .*.a4 The line : 6.hc6+ lLlxc6= is not in the spirit of the position for White. His attacking potential is considerably reduced without the light-squared bishop and Black has no problems whatsoever. White cannot even advance the thematic move for similar posi­ tions - 7.d4, because of 7 . . . .ig4+ with the idea lLld4. There arises a thematic pin of White's knight by his opponent's bishop and getting rid of it by White without posi­ tional concessions may become a great problem for him. 6 ..te2 lLld4 ! ? = 7.d3 (7.lLlxd4 exd4 8.lLldS lLlxdS 9.exdS .te7=) 128

It would be weaker for Black to chase the enemy light-squared bishop in the standard fashion 6 ... bS 7 . .ib3 lLlaS, because of 8.d4 exd4 9.lLlxd4t and White's lead in development would become a telling factor. Now, Black has no time to capture the enemy bishop 9 . . . cS? ! 1O.lLlfS hfS 1l.exfS c4 12. gel cxb3 13.axb3 lLlac6 14.i.f4±, because White's dangerous initia­ tive more than compensates the sacrificed piece, for example: 14 ... lLleS 1S.heS dxeS 16.ti'f3 + (diagram) 7.d4 White would not achieve much if he postpones this move. See

4. lLl c3 d6

several examples which I believe deserve attention: 7.a3 g6 B .d4 1g7 9.dxes lLlxes 1O.lLlxes hes 11.1b3 (11.hd7+ �xd7 12 . .ih6 0-0-0(0) 11 . . . .ie6 12.lLlds lLlxds 13 .hds .ixdS 14. exds 0-0= Smeets - Grischuk, Wijk aan Zee 2011. 7.d3 lLlg6 ! ? Black prepares the development of his dark-squared bishop to the e7-square. (It would not be good for him to develop now his bishop to g7 - 7 . . . g6 B. 19s 1i.g7, since following 9.lLlds h6 10.lLlf6+ �fB 11.lLlxd7+ �xd7 12.1d2;!; White would exchange his knight for Black's more im­ portant dark-squared bishop and he would need to lose some more time to improve the placement of his king.) B .1e3 1e7 9.lLlds 0-0 1O.c3 �hB 11.d4 fs 12.lLlxe7 (12. dxes fxe4 13.exd6 .ixd6=) 12 ... YfJxe7= with the idea 13.ds lLldB 14.exfs .ixfs= Meribanov - Ao­ mazini, Kocaeli 2 0 13.

7 bS 8.J.b3 lLlxd4 9.lLlxd4 exd400 •••

This position is very compli­ cated but is quite acceptable for Black. lO.ti'f3 ! ?N Or 1O.lLlds? ! cS ! 11.lLlxe7 he7 12 . .idS �cB+ and White's com­ pensation for the pawn is insuffi­ cient, Wallace - Bartel, London 2013. Following 10 .�hs lLlg6, he has hardly anything better than after l1.�ds 1e6 12 .�c6+ 1i.d7 13.�ds 1e6 14.�c6= , to force a draw by repetition of moves. It would be worse for him to play 11.lLle2, Yanofsky - Shulman, Canada 1963, 11.. .lLles ! + threatening .ig4 and g6, for example: 12.£4? .ig4 13.hf7 �d7- + ; as well as 11.lLlds c6+ 12 ..igs (12.lLlf4 �f6+) 12 . . . �cB 13.�fe1, Fierro Baquero - Raineri, Porto San Giorgio 2010 (13.lLlb6 .ig4+ and White will need to prove whether his compensation for the pawn is adequate.) 13 . . . h6 ! ? 14.es (14.lLlb6 1i.g4+) 14 . . .cxds ls.exd6 1e6 16.1d2 .ixd6 17.hds 0-0 lB. �g6 (lB.he6 �xc2+) 1B ... hh2 ! 19.�xh2 hds=t 129

Chapter S 10 . . . J.e6 11.�e2 c5 12 . .ixe6 fxe6 13.�f4 ti'd7 14.e5 d5 (14. ti'h3 e3 f5 (29 . . . r,!,>g7 30 .d4±) 30.exf5 exf5 3l.f4± 28 .ic6 29.r,!,>e3 •••

23 .ic6 His knight on g6 is practically idle, so Black had to play 23 . . . lLle7 sending the knight to support the centre and the queenside, where the actions will be focused in the nearest future. 24.axb5 axb5 25 .ic5 It was stronger for White to play here 25.b4 with the idea to create an outpost on the a5square for the penetration of his rooks on the a-file 25 . . . lLle7 26. gaSt 25 gxal 26.gxal ga8 27. m8 .b.:a8 Black has eliminated the ene•••

•

•••

29 �f8? This is the decisive mistake. Black would have preserved good chances for a draw after 29 . . . exd4+ 30.cxd4 (30.r,!,>xd4 lLle5=) 30 ... e5;!;. Now, he has the prospect to rely later on the presence of bishops of opposite colours on the •••

135

Complete Games

Chapter S board, giving up a knight and a pawn for the enemy light-squared bishop. 30 . .bf8 Naturally, this exchange is in favour of White, becaus e he gains access to Blacks pawn-weakness­ es. 30 ... 'it>xf8 31.dxe5 fxe5 32. exd5 exd5 33.f4± exf4+ 34. gxf4 'it>f7 35 . .1dl 'it>g6 36. 'it>d4 .1eS 37 . .1c2 + 'it>f6 3S. 'it>xd5 The rest is quite obvious and there still followed: 3S .1f7+ 39.'it>c5 .1eS 40. .1e4 'it>e6 41 .1c6 .1g6 42 .lxb5 'it>f5 43 . .lxc4 'it>g4 44.b4 'it>xh4 45 .1d5 1-0 •.•

•

•

•

15

Sebag Zhu Chen Ulaanbaatar 2010 l.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 . .1b5 �ge7 4.�c3 g6 5.d4 exd4 6. �d5 .1g7 7 . .1g5 h6 S .1f6 .ixf6 9. �xf6 + 'it>f8 10.0-0 a6 11 .1a4 'it>g7 12.�d5 b5 13 .1b3 �xd5 14 ..lxd5 .1b7 15. �xd4;t •

ally are connected with the possi­ bility to trade the active enemy pieces. 15 . . . Bf6 16.c3 gabS He is ready now to exchange on d4, but White had better pre­ vent that by retreating his knight to the b3-square. 17.f4 17.�b3;t 17 . . . �xd4 1S . .lxb7 �c6 ! ? This is a n interesting idea. Black prefers to double his pawns, but not to improve his opponent's pawn-centre . 18 . . . 1L1e6? 19.e5 �e7 (19 ... �f5?? 2 0 .g4+-) 2 0 .�d5± 18 . . J�xb7 19.cxd4;t 19 . .lxc6 dxc6 20.Bf3 It was slightly preferable for White to choose here 2 0.�d7, for example : 2 0 . . J�bd8 21.�xc7 gd2 2 2 . gad1 ghd8� with good com­ pensation for the pawn . 20 gbdS .•.

•

•

White dominates obviously in the centre, so he has obtained an advantage in the opening. Black's hopes to equalise gradu136

21.gf2 White's plan is to advance f4f5 after the doubling of his rooks. Still, after Black doubles in re­ sponse his rooks on the d-file, he will organise quite sufficient counterplay.

21.e5 �e6 22J'!ad1 l3xd1 23. gxd113e8 24.b3 l3e7=

21...ghe8 22.gao. gd7= 23. eh3 ged8 24.eS With this move, White weak­ ens the f5-square and this will be­ come a telling factor in the forth­ coming endgame. The position would have re­ mained equal after 24.'�e3 l3d3

White has failed to try any un­

25.Wfa713d2 26.Wfxc713xf2 27J'!xf2

dermining pawn-moves on the

l3d1+ 28.13£1 l3d2 29.l3f2 l3d1=,

queenside and this has led to an

with repetition of moves.

obvious

24

space-advantage

for

Black. Now, White is forced to

fte6 2S.ftxe6 fxe6

•••

wait passively...

33.go. gf7 34.g1f2 hS! 3S. gxhS?! He did not need to let the ene­ my king to come all the way to the fS-square. It was better for White to play 35.l3e2+

3S

••.

gxhS 36.gxd3 cxd3 37.

�f3 �h6?! 37... c4+ 26.g4?! White had to try to create some counterplay by opening files on the

queenside:

26.a4!

C;!;>f7

27.axb5 axb5 28.l3a1 l3d1+ 29. l3xd113xd1+ 30.l3£1 l3d5 31.g3= Later, he overlooked this possibility as well.

26

•••

gdS 27.h4 gm 28.�g2

28.a4!?

28

•••

cS 29.�g3 c4 30.gf3

30.a4!?

30

•••

cS 31.g1f2

It was preferable for White to play here 31.b3.

31 gd3 32.a3?! 32.b3! 32 aS+ •••

•••

38.gg2? White could have exploited here the wonderful possibility to break with 38.b3! c4 39.bxc4 bxc4 40.c;!;>e3 l3g7 41.�d4 l3d7+ 42. c;!;>e3+ and it would be unclear how Black could break through.

38...gg7 39.ggS c4 40.�e3 137

Chapter S a4 4t.ci�;>d2 gxg5 ! 42 .fxg5+ mg6 43.me3 mf5 0-1 Now, Black transfers by force to a winning queen and pawn ending with 44.md2 '.t>xe5 45.'.t>e3 '.t>f5 46.'.t>d2 e5 47.'.t>e3 e4 48.'.t>d2 '.t>f4 49.g6 e3+ 50.'.t>e1 '.t>f3 5log7 d2 + 52.'.t>d1 '.t>f2 53.g8� e2+ 54. '.t>xd2 e1�+ 55.'.t>c2 �e4+ 56.'.t>d2 �xh4 57.�f7+ '.t>g3 58.�g7+ �g4-+ and his h-pawn becomes unstop­ pable. Therefore, White resigned immediately, although he could have tested the execution of this plan by his opponent . . . 1 6 Bruzon Batista Baron Rodriguez Havana 1998 1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 .J.b5 �ge7 4.�c3 g6 5.d4 exd4 6. �d5 .lg7 7 . .lg5 h6 S.J.f6 hi6 9.�xf6+ mfS 10.�xd4 �f5 11. �h7 + gxh7 12.exf5 1ff6 13. hc6 dxc6 14.fxg6 fxg6 15. 0-0 gd7 16.1ff3 1fxf3 17. �xf3 gd6 lS. �e5 .lf5

There has arisen approximate equality on the board. Black has doubled pawns in this endgame indeed, but this is fully compen­ sated by his active pieces. 138

Complete Games 19.�c4 gd4 20.�e3 gd2?! It was preferable for Black to play 2 0 . . . gad8, avoiding the trade of a couple of rooks. 21.gfd1 gadS 22.gxd2 gxd2 23.mf1! J.e6 23 . . . ,bc2?? 24.'.t>e1+24.me1 gd4 25.gd1 c5! 26.me2 26.c3? 1'!xd1+ 27.'.t>xd1 ,ba2+ 26 . . . me7 27.gd3 b6 2S.md2 mf6 29.b3 me5

Black's pieces have occupied dominating positions, but White is still not worse thanks to his su­ perior pawn-structure. 30.c3 gh4 31.h3 gf4? ! This is not accurate. It was better for Black to play immedi­ ately 31 . . . c4 32 .bxc4 ,bc4 33.gd7 i.e6 ! 34.1'!xc7 1'!a4 with some ini­ tiative. 32.f3 c4 33.bxc4 hc4 (diagram) 34.gd7 It is stronger for White to opt here for 34.g3 ! , although follow­ ing 34 . . . ,bd3 35.gxf4+ '.t>xf4 36. '.t>xd3 '.t>xf3 37.ltJg4 h5 38.ltJe5+ '.t>g3 39.ltJxg6 mxh3, Black's coun­ terplay would be sufficient for a draw.

4.lOc3 43.fS gxf5 44.Itlxf5+ c,!,>xh3?! 44 ... c,!,>h2 !+ 45.�xh6 The position is almost equal now. 45 c,!,>b4 46.�fS? Following 46.gd7 .ie4 47.ge7 i.f3 48.c,!,>b1+, Black's advantage is evidently insufficient to win the game. 46 c,!,>xg4 47.�e3+ c,!,>g5 4S.�d5 •••

34 .te6 35.gxc7 ga4 36. c,!,>c1? This retreat of White's king to the first rank is not justified at all. Naturally, it was better for him to play 36.c,!,>d3 gxa2 37.h4= 36 c,!,>f4 37.�c2 gxa2 3S. gg7? 38.�b1 ga5 39.ltJd4 i.f5+ 40.ltJxf5 gxf5+ 3S .tfS 39.�d4 .td3+ Now, Black maintains an obvi­ ous advantage. 40.g4 a5 41.gf7+ c,!,>g3 42.f4 ••.

•••

•••

•••

42 a4? ! His edge would have become decisive after 42 . . . �xh3, for ex­ ample : 43.f5 �xg4 44.fxg6 hg6 45.gf6 �g5 46.gxb6 h5 47.ltJf3+ �f4 48.gxg6 �xf3 49.gh6 �g4 50.c4 ga4 51.gg6+ �f4 52 .gc6 h4-+ •••

4S .tc4? It was necessary for him to continue with 48 . . . gc2 + 49.c,!,>d1 gh2 50.ga7 b5+ and his winning chances would have remained considerable. Now, White forces a draw. 49.gg7+ c,!,>b6 50.�xb6! .tb3 After 50 . . . \!.?xg7 51.lOxc4 \!'?f6 52.�b1 gh2 53.ltJb2 a3 54.ltJc4 a2+ 55.\!.?a1 \!.?f5 56.ltJb2, there would have arisen a theoretically drawish endgame. 51.ga7 The draw is inevitable now. 51 a3 52.c,!,>bl gb2+ 53. c,!,>al ga2 + 54.c,!,>bl gb2+ 55. c,!,>al .tgS 56.ga6 c,!,>g7 57.ga7+ c,!,>b6 5S.ga6 c,!,>g7. Draw. •••

•••

139

Complete Games

Chapter S Wohl Dragicevic North Geelong 2012 l.e4 eS 2 . �f3 �c6 3 .tbS �ge7 4.�c3 d6 S.d4 a6 6 .tc4 exd4 7.�xd4 �xd4 8.ti'xd4 �c6 9.ti'e3 .te7 10.'Bg3 This is the beginning of a wrong plan. 10 0-0 17

•

•

With this move, Black over­ looks an excellent resource of his opponent. He had to capture a pawn with : IS .. :�xe4 16.i.d3 We6 17. l3del Wg4 IB . .te7 tDxe7 19.13xe7 WhS 20.l3hel WaS !'+'

•••

1l .th6 White had to consider here the possibility 11.h4 ! ? .te6 12 . .be6 fxe6 13 . .td2 bS 14.0-0-000 with actions on both sides of the board. 11.0-0 i.h4= 1l .if6 12.0-0-0? ! It was more prudent for him to choose 12.0-0 l3eB 13.l3ael .ie6 = and Black would have a comfort­ able game, but still within equali­ ty. 12 .txc3 ! 13.bxc3 ti'f6 14. .tgS ti'g6 Now, White will become a vic­ tim of his activity. He will need to find attacking chances, because after an indifferent play, his pawn-weaknesses would lead in­ evitably to his demise. IS.f4 IS.h4? ti'xe4 16.i.dS Wg4+ IS h6? ! •

•••

•••

•••

140

16.h4! ti'hS? Black needed to enter the com­ plications after 16 . . . Wxe4 17 ..bh6 (17.i.f6 Wh7 IB.i.d3 WhB 19.13del i.d7'+') 17 . . . Wh7 IB.i.gS WhSoo, but not IB . . ..ifS 19.hS ! --+ 17.f5! c,!,lh7 17 . . . tDeS IB . .tf6 'i9g4 (IB . . . tDg4 19 . .te2 + -) 19 . .ixeS+ 18.ti'e3 f6 This was the only move for Black, since White was threaten­ ing 19.i.e2. 19.94 'Be8 20 .tf4 �e5 21 . .te2 •

White has played excellently during this part of the game and is now ready to attack the enemy monarch. 21 9a4 Black would not save the day with 21...id7 22.g5 i.b5 23.l'!dgl +2 2 .g5 .ld7 23.gxh6 White's simplest and most ef­ fective winning line was : 23 . .txe5 ! 23 . . . dxe5 (23 . . . fxe5 24.gxh6 gxh6 25.l'!dgl+-) 24.gxh6 gxh6 25.�c5 (25.l'!hgl ieB 26.�g3 �a3+ 27. Iflb! �e7 2B.l'!g2 +-) 25 ... l'!aeB 26 . .lh5+ 23 .ic6 24 .lxe5 .lxe4 24 . . . dxe5 25.�g3 + Now, after a series o f mistakes, the game ends in a draw in a most amazing way! •••

•••

l'!dgl±) 28.�d5 gafB 29.hxg7 gxg7 30.l'!xg7+ Iflxg7 31.gg1+ c,t;hB 32. l'!g6 Iflh7± 27.hxg7 gf6 28.gdg1 White's rook on hI is useless behind his own pawn on h4, so he had to place his other rook on gl 2B.l'!hgl �f4+ 29.lflbl �xf5 30. �c4±

•

2S gg8? This is a terrible blunder! Af­ ter the correct line : 2B . . . �f4+ 29. Iflb2 �xf5 30.�c4 �e6 31.�e4+ �f5 32 .�xb7 �f3 ! ?± Black would have all the chances of saving the game. 29.gg5 ! gxg7 30.gh5? 30.l'!hgl +30 lflgS 31.9d5+ gm 32. 9xb7 9f4+ 33. lflb2 gxf5 34. gxf5 ti'xf5 35.9xa6 e4? Black would have preserved chances for a draw with 35 . . . �f2 !? 36.a4 �b6+ 37.�xb6 cxb6 3B.gdl l'!g4 39.lflb3 1flt7 40.gxd6 e4± 36.gfl ge6 37."BaS + Iflh7 3S.gm d5 39.h5? 39.a4+39 9b6+ 40.lfla3 9c5+ 41. Iflb2 9b6+ 42. lfla3 . Draw. .•.

•••

25 .id3? White overlooks the win. He would have scored a full point following 25.lflb2 ! �xc2+ (25 . . . dxe5 26.l'!hgl +-) 26.lfla3 hhI 27.l'!xhl fxe5 2B.l'!c1+25 .lxd3 26.9xd3 fxe5 Black could have still hold the position with 26 . . . dxe5 ! ? 27.l'!hgl gt7 (27 . . . lflxh6 2B.l'!g6+ Iflh7 29. •

•••

••.

141

Complete Games

Chapter S Winants Migot Wirtzfeld 2014 1.e4 e5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3 . .lb5 lLlge7 4.lLlc3 d6 5.d4 a6 6 . .lc4 lLlxd4 7.lLlxd4 exd4 8.Yfxd4 lLlc6 9.Bd1 .le6! ? 10.lLld5 .le7 11.0-0 0-0 12 .f4 18

This active move by White seems logical and appropriate. 12 ge8 Following 12 . . . lilb4 ! ? , White would not achieve much with 13. f5 (13.lilxe7 ! ? Wlxe7 14.i.e2 lilc6 15.i.f3;!;; it would be too risky for Black to opt for 14 . . J�ad8 15.f5 i.c8 16.f6 gxf6 17J'!f3--+; 14 .. .f6 ! ?) 13 . . . i.xd5 14.exd5 c6 15.dxc6 lilxc6 16.id5 if6. 13.c3 13.i.d2 ! ? ..•

13 AfS Black's position is cramped, so •••

142

he had to consider the move 13 ... ih4 ! ? , provoking his opponent to continue with 14.g3 i.f6 15.i.e3 Wld7 ! ? 16.if2 (Black should not be afraid of the doubling of his pawns after 16.lilxf6+ gxf6 17.id3 i.g4 18.Wld2 f5.) 16 . . . id8 17.l!el lile7 in an attempt to exchange pieces. 14.b4 White's plan, connected with an advance of his queenside pawns is naturally possible, but does not seem timely at the mo­ ment. He has not completed his development yet. He would not obtain anything substantial with 14.f5 hd5 15. hd5 l!b8. It was more reasonable for him to choose the prophylactic move 14.ib3;!; 14 .ld7 14 . . . lile7 ! ? •..

15.Bc2? ! This i s not the most active square for White's queen. He had to protect his e4-pawn in a tacti­ cal way: 15.lile3 ! with the idea 15 ... l!xe4? 16.i.xf7! 'it>h8 (16 . . . 'it>xf7? 17.Wld5+ l!e6 18.f5) 17.Wlf3 l!e7 18.i.b3± 15 lLle7! = 16.a4 •••

It was more careful for White to choose here 16.llJe3 .ibS ! ? = , or 16 . . . bS 17 ..id3 as= 16 . . . �xd5 17.exd5 Black would have a comforta­ ble position after 17.,hdS c6 18. i.c4 V!!c 7 19.i.d2 as, with the idea d6-dS.

V!!xc4 2S.l!xe8+ !3xe8 26.V!!d7= 21 !3xe8 22.llel gxel + 23.hel c5 24.t:Ye4 It was more accurate for White to play here 24.i.d3 g6 2S.V!!b3. 24 g6 It was reasonable for Black to exchange on b4 - 24 ... cxb4 25. cxb4 g6. 25 .id2 White had to play 2S.i.f1 with the idea after 2S . . . cxb4 to capture on b4 not with the pawn, but with his queen - 26.V!!xb4=, with ap­ proximate equality. 25 .ifS 26.t:Ye2 h5 27.td3 cxb4 28.cxb4 td4+ 29.f1 Wd7 •••

•••

•

•••

17 .ie7 He is happy to develop now his dark-squared bishop. Following 17 . . . V!!h4 ! + however, he could have activated his queen and only later, after g7 -g6, he should have placed his dark-squared bishop on the long diagonal. 18 .id2 .if6 19.9ael = c6 20.a5 Wc7 •••

•

Black has a slight edge, but cannot increase it without the help of his opponent ... 30.tel .if6 31.t:Yc2 hd3 + 32.V!!xd3 t:Yg4 33.g3 h4 34.g2 h3+ 35.c!>f2 t:Yc8 36 .id2 We8 37.fJ It was more precise for White to follow here with 37.g4 ih4+ 38. �f3 V!!a4 39.e2 V!!e 8+ 40.�f3= 37 Wa4 38.g4? ! This move finally provides Black with some counter chances. After 38.�e2 V!!a 1 39.i.e1, not •

21.�e8+ White could have reduced the tension with 21.dxc6 ! ? hc6 2 2 . �f5 .id7 23.V!!d 3 .ifS 24.V!!xfS

•••

143

Complete Games

Chapter S letting Black's queen to occupy the hl-square, the situation would have remained the same. 38 ti'dl + ! 39. c.tlxh3 .ib2 40.ti'e3 This is White's only move ! •••

45 .id4? ! Black makes a mistake as well. It was correct for him to continue with 45 ... d4! with the idea 46. �eS @g7 47.g5 �d3 4S.@g4 ixg5!+ 46.f¥fJ = .ig7 47.g5?! It was better for White to play 47.f5 i.e5+ 4S . .if4= 47 ti'd4 ! 48 .Wle3 The move 48.�e2 !+ would have been more resilient, with the idea 4S . . . �gl+ 49.�g2 �dl 50. �xd5 i.c3 51.�dS+ @h7 52.11�'d 7 �xd2 53.�xf7+ i.g7 54.�xb7= 48 ti'b2 4S . . . �xe3 ! ? 49.i.xe3 i.c3 50. i.c5 f6+ 49.ti'd3 d4? ! 49 . . . �a2+ 50.h5 50.f5 gxf5 51.@f4. 50 gxh5 51.t'5? 51.@h4= 51 .ie5 + 52.c.tlh4 Wla2 Or 52 . . . �al ! ? 53.@xh5 �hl+ 54.@g4 �g2 + 55.@h4 @fS 56.f6 @gS 57. �h3 and there is no win­ ning line for Black in sight, for ex­ ample : 57 . . . �e4+ 5S.�g4 �h7+ 59.�h5 �d3 (59 . . . i.g3 + 60.i>g4 �xh5+ 61.@xh5 @h7 62.c.tlg4 if2 63.@f3 .igl 64.@g2 i.e3 65.ixe3 dxe3 66.@f3 @g6 67.@xe3 i>xg5 6S.@d4 @xf6 69.@c5=) 60.�g4. 53.c.tlxh5 f¥d5 54.c.tlg4? (This is a terrible blunder at the end of the game. It was correct for White to defend with 54.�e2 ! d3 55. �e3= ) 54 f¥g2 + 55.c.tlh5? (He could have still hold the position with the move 55.@h4.) 55 .ig3 ! 0-1 •••

•••

•.•

40 f¥h5+ Black overlooks a line, which was not easy to find at all : 40 . . . �fl+ ! 41.c.tlg4 c.tlh7! 42.i.c3 �dl+ 43. @h3 �h5+ 44.@g2 �xd5+ 45. @f2 �hl 46 . .ixb2 �xh 2 + 47.@f1 �xb2 4S.�e7 �cl+ 49.@f2 �d2 + 50.@gl �d5+ 41.c.tlg2 f¥xd5 + 42.c.tlh3 Wlc4 43.g4 White frees the g3-square for his king. 43 .if6 44.c.tlg3 d5 ••.

•..

•••

.••

.••

45.h4? ! 45.g5 ! ? i.b2 46.h4 d4 47.�eS+ @h7 4S.h5 ! = 144

•.•

Chapter 6

1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.ib5 �ge7 4.0-0 Classical Variation

Quick Repertoire

In this chapter, we will analyse one of the most fashionable varia­ tions of the entire system l.e4 e5 VlJf3 llJc6 3 . .tb5 llJge7 and that is 4.0-0 g6 S.c3 ,tg7 6.d4 exd4 7. cxd4 dS. It can be considered quite justifiably Classical, because it was the main weapon for Black

for a long time against the plan with 4.0-0. Recently however, the variation 4.0-0 g6 S.c3 a6 !? has become very modern and we will analyse it in the next chapter. The play in the Classical varia­ tion after 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 !i.g7 6. d4 exd4 7.cxd4 d5 is forced, or semi­ forced in the majority of the cases. This is typical for the open games, in which the value of every move for both sides is very high. The Classical variation is very well analysed. The theory of some positions goes deeply into twenty or more moves. The arising posi­ tions in the main lines are usually very complicated and double­ edged.

145

Chapter 6

1.e4 e5 2.�fJ �c6 3 ..tb5 �ge7 4.0-0 Classical Variation

Step by Step

5.tDc3 ig7 - see Chapter 5.

4 g6 This is no doubt the most ac­ tive move for Black. •••

The variations of the type 4 . . . d 6 5.c3 i.d7 6.d4, or 4 . . . a 6 5.i.a4 (5.i.c4) 5 . . . d6 6.c3 id7 7.d4 tDg6 (7 . . . g6) 8.tDbd2 i.e7 are related to the Old Steinitz Defence and to the Modern Steinitz Defence. All these lines are passive, but very solid for Black and they remain outside the scope of this book . . .

5.c3 5.d3 i.g7 - see Chapter 1, vari­ ation D3.

5.l3el. This move is a bit too slow. 5 . . . ig7 6.c3 (There do not arise original positions after the moves 6.tDc3 and 6.d3, because they lead to the positions, which have been analysed in the chapter with the early move l3e1, which is obviously in favour of Black.) 6 . . . 0-0 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4 d5= see 5.c3, 6.l3el. The move 5.b3 is too slow and is not in the spirit of the position. 5 . . . ig7 6.i.b2 0-0 7.d4, Sorcnik - Brinovec, Sentjur 2 0 13 (other­ wise, the plan with b3 and i.b2 becomes completely senseless) 7... d5 ! ? = Black has no problems at all. 8.hc6 (8.exd5 tDxd4 9.ll:lxd4 exd4 1O.hd4 tDxd5 1l.hg7 'it;>xg7 12.1Mld4+ �f6 = ; 8.tDxe5 dxe4't) 8... tDxc6 9.exd5 tDxd4 1O.tDxd4 exd4 1l.hd4 1l;l/xd5 12 .hg7 1l;l/xd1 13. l3xd1 �xg7=

5 . . ..ig7 5 . . . a6 - see Chapter 7.

5.d4 exd4 6.tDxd4 .ig7 - see Chapter 4. 146

6.d4

4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 .ig7 6.d4 ed 6 .d3 0-0 - see Chapter 1, vari­ ation D3. It would be absolutely sense­ less for White to try 6.lDa3. In this position, his task, in the fight for the opening advantage, is to ad­ vance as quickly as possible the thematic move d2-d4. 6 . . . i.g7= It would not be easy to find a sensi­ ble plan for White after 6.lDa3, while Black's idea is to develop faster. It would be too slow for White to play 6.l'!e1 0-0 7.d4 exd4 B. cxd4 d5= and there arises a pawn­ structure similar to the one we analyse in the main variation, ex­ cept that Black has already cas­ tled, which is obviously advanta­ geous for him. He obtains a very good position following 9.e5 .ig4 = , as well as after 9.exd5 lDxd5=

6

..•

exd4 !

In the variation 6 . . . a6 7 . .b:c6 ltJxc6 B .d5�, White obtains a con­ siderable space advantage on the

queenside and here, after B . . . ltJbB, B . . . ltJe7, or B . . . ltJa7, it is possible for him to continue with 9.d6;l;, while following B . . . ltJa5 - 9.b4 ltJc4 10 .�e2 ltJd6 1l.c4;l; he would increase his advantage. After 6 . . . 0-0 7.d5;l;, White maintains powerful positional pressure, for example: 7 . . . a6 (7 . . . ltJbB ? ! B.d6±) B.ie2 ( H e still pre­ serves a slight positional edge af­ ter B.i.a4 ltJa7 - B . . . ltJbB 9.d6± 9.c4 b5 1O.i.c2;l;; the thematic pawn-advance 9.d6 is not so clear now in view of the variation 9 . . . cxd6 1O.�xd6 ltJb5 ! 1 l . .b:b5 axb5 12.l'!d1 l'!a6 13.�b4 d5�) B . . . ltJa7 (B . . . ltJbB ? ! 9.d6).

It would not work for White to play now 9.d6 cxd6 10.�xd6, due to 10 . . . ltJb5 ! 1l . .ixb5 axb500 and the presence of the bishop-pair with Black, in connection with the possibility for him to open the centre by advancing d7-d5, oust­ ing at first the enemy queen from the d6-square with the move l'!a6, provides Black with excellent prospects to organise active coun­ terplay. This will compensate the defects of his pawn-structure, for 147

Step by Step

Chapter 6 example: 12.ll'la3 l'%a6 ! 13:�d3 dS+ Woda - Zolmerowicz, Warsaw 1990; or 12 . .tgS f6 13 . .te3 l'%a6 14:�b4 dS 1S.l'%d1 .te6 16:�xbS �a8�; or 12.l'%d1 l'%a6 with the idea 13.�d3?! dS 14.�xbS l'%d6�; 13. �b4 dS 14 . .tgS f6 1S ..te3 .te6 16.i.cS ll'lc6 17:�b3 l'%f7 18.exdS l'%d7oo 9.c4 ! ? White consolidates his space advantage on the queen­ side. 9 . . . d6 1O.ll'lc3;l; The pawn­ structure in this position resem­ bles the King's Indian Defence in which Black's knight on a7 occu­ pies, mildly speaking, not the best possible position and this pro­ vides White with a considerable positional advantage. In the game Gruenfeld - Sanz Alonso, Buenos Aires 1978, Black tried some hasty activity - 1O .. .fS ? ! and ended up in a very difficult situation follow­ ing 11.b4 f4 12.ll'ld2 c;t>h8 13.cS i.d7 14.a4 gS 1S.ll'lc4± White has seized completely the initiative on the queenside, while Black has no real counterplay on the kingside.

7.cxd4 It is obviously not good for White to play here 7.ll'lxd4? ! , al­ though hundred of games have been played after it. Following 7 . . . ll'lxd4 ! ? ( 7. . . 0-0= with the idea dS or d6. Black leads in development and White's knight on b1 has no good prospects.) 8.cxd4 c6 9.i.a4 dS 10.eS 0-0 11.ll'lc3 �b6+ with the idea f7-f6, Bronnikova - Faiz­ rakhmanov, Niznii Tagil 2 005. 148

7

•••

d5

Black should not ignore his opponent's possibility d4-dS, since it enables White to increase and consolidate his space advan­ tage. For example, after 7 . . . 0-0?! 8.dS ll'leS 9.ll'lxeS heS 1 O.ll'lc3;l;, in the game Shirov - Casales, An­ dorra 2001, White obtained a de­ cisive advantage after 1O . . . d6 (1O . . . c6 11.d6 cxbS 12 .dxe7 �xe7 13.ll'ldS �d8 14 . .th6 hh2 + 15. c;t>xh2 �h4+ 16.c;t>g1 �xh6 17.ll'lc7 l'%b8 18:�d6 b6 19.1l'le8 l'%a8 20. ll'lf6+ c;t>g7 2 1.�d4 + - ; 20 . . . c;t>h8 21.l'%fe1+- with the idea l'%e1-e3h3; 14 . . . l'%e8 1S.f4 i.h8 16 . .tgS f6 17.i.h6 i.g7 18.hg7 c;t>xg7 19.1'%c1 l'%xe4 20.ll'lc7 l'%b8 21:�d6 + - ; 11 ... hc3 12 .i.gS f6 13.i.h6 i.eS 14. .tc4+ c;t>h8 1S.dxe7 V!fxe7 16.i.xfB �xf8 17.V!fd2;l;) 11.i.h6 i.g7 12. hg7 c;t>xg7 13.l'%c1 c6 14.dxc6 bxc6 1S.i.c4 i.b7 16.�d4+ c;t>g8 17. l'%fd1+Following 7 . . . a6, it would be best for White after 8.i.a4 0-0, to transpose to the Modern varia­ tion (see Chapter 7), since he

4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 1g7 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5 would not obtain much with B .hc6 (B.1e2 dS 9.exdS ltJxdS = ; 9.eS f6 1O.exf6 hf6= with the idea 1l.1h6? ! ltJfSt) B . . . dxc6 9. ltJc3 (9.h3 0-0 1O.ltJc3 �e600) 9 . . . .ig4 1O.�e3 0-0 1l.h3 i.xf3 1 2 . 'fNxf3 fS ! = Chandler - Spassky, Vi­ enna 19B6, with the idea 13 . .igS fxe4 14.'fNxe4 13f7 lS.13fe1 'fNd7= 16.he7? ! 13eB+

8.exd5 ! ? This is t h e only way for White to fight for a slight opening edge. B.hc6. This move is only sel­ dom played, but is of some inter­ est. B . . . bxc6 9.eS 0-0 10 .h3 (10. ltJc3 194 - see B.ltJc3 0-0). Here, it is possible for Black to play 10 . . . f6 1l.13e1 fxeSoo or 1l . . . ltJf500, or he can try to exploit the fact that White's move 10 is a bit too slow and sacrifice a pawn with the idea to open the position, exploiting the power of his two bishops: 10 . . . cS ! ? 1l.dxc5 d 4 12.ltJxd4 ( 1 2 . .igS .ib7 13.ltJbd2 h6�) 12 . . . heS 13. ltJf3 'fNxd1 14J"!:xd1 .ig7 lS.ltJc3 13bB�

Black should not be afraid of the move 8.eS, because after B . . . O-Ooo, there arise complicated positions with mutual chances.

White can hardly create prob­ lems for his opponent with 9 ..igS h6 10.1f6 (10.1h4? ! gS 1l ..ig3 ltJfS+) 1O . . . 1xf6 1l.exf6 ltJfS 12. ltJc3 'fNxf6 13.ltJxdS 'fNd6= He would not achieve much with 9.ltJc3 .ig4 10 . .ie2 (1O ..ie3 ltJfS=) 10 . . . ltJfS= Fernandes Moli­ na - Guadamuro Torrente, For­ miga1 2002. 9.h3 h6 ! ? This is Black's most accurate move, because it pre­ vents .igS, (The more natural re­ sponse 9 .. .f6, after 1O.exf6 ,ixf6 1l . .ih6 13f7 12.ltJgS hgS 13.,ixgS 'fNd6 14.ltJc3;1;; 10 . . . 13xf6 1l.,ixc6 13xc6 12 .ltJc3 13e6 13 . .if4;1;; 11... bxc6 12 . .igS 13e6 13.ltJc3 'fNfB 14. 'fNd2 h6 1S . .ie3 ltJfS 16.13feU would not cope with his difficulties.) 1O.ltJc3 f6 1l.13e1 (1l.�a4 gS ! ?oo) 1l . . . fxeS 12.dxeS gS ! ? (with the idea gS-g4t) 13.hc6 (13 ..ia4 g400) 13 . . . bxc6 14.ltJa4 g400 Jurcik - Vul, Tarty 2013 . After B.ltJc3, Black's simplest reply would be B . . . dxe4 (It is also 149

Chapter 6 acceptable for him to opt for 8 . . . 0-0, but this move leads to more complicated and not so clear positions, for example : 9. exdS ttJxdS 10 .i.gS �d6oo or 9. hc6 bxc6 1O.eS i.g4 11.h3 ixf3 12.�xf3 f6 13.e6 ttJfSoo Nadig Vul, Gibraltar 2008.) 9.ttJxe4 0-0 10 .i.gS h6 (Black can look for counter chances in the more com­ plicated positions following 10 . . . �dS 11.ttJc3 �d6 12 .dS ttJeS 13. ttJe4 �b4 14.ttJxeS i.xeS= with the idea IS.d6 ttJfS l6.d7 i.xd7 17.hd7 �xe4 18J�!el �d4 19.hfS gxfSoo) 11.if6 (l1.ttJf6+? �h8- + Lupu Radulov, Val Thorens 1998) 11 . . . ixf6 12.ttJxf6+ �g7 13.dS �xf6 14.�el �g7 1S.dxc6 (IS.V9c3+ ttJeS 16.�xeS+ f6 17.V9g3 ttJfSoo) 15 . . . ttJxc6 16.hc6 bxc6 17J'kl �f6=

Black will only help his oppo­ nent to develop and to seize the initiative with the move 8 .. . �xdS?! 9.ttJc3t, for example : 9 .. . �d6 10 .i.xc6+ bxc6 (10 . . . �xc6? lU:lel+-) 11.�a4 0-0 12 .b3 cS 13.ia3 id7 14.�c4±

150

Step by Step 9.gel! This is a very fashionable move. Black should not be afraid of 9.�a4 in view of 9 . . . 0-0 ! , after which he obtains a quite accepta­ ble game. 10.i.xc6 bxc6. Now, it would be hardly reasonable for White to try to capture a pawn, since his queenside is not devel­ oped. ll.�xc6 (11.ttJc3 .ig4 12.ttJeS .ie6oo; 11 .. J:!b8 12.�xa7 ifS�; 12. �xc6 ttJb4�) 11 ... l3b8� with the idea ttJb4 and i.b7 and Black seiz­ es the initiative. It compensates fully his minimal material deficit. Later, in the game Kosteniuk - Si­ mon, Geneve 2001, there followed 12.ttJc3 (12 .V9a4 .ib7t with the idea 13.V9xa7? ! ttJb4+) 12 . . . ttJb4 13.�a4 i.fS� The character of the position remains more or less the same af­ ter 9.hc6 bxc6 10 .i.gS (10 .�a4 O - O ! - see 9.�a4) 10 . . . �d6 11. l3el+ (following Il.ttJbd2 0-0, Black does not have any particu­ lar problems after 12.ttJc4 �b4 13.l3c1 l3e8oo, as well as in the vari­ ation 12 .ttJb3 l3e8 13.h3 l3b8oo) 11 . . . i.e6 12.ttJbd2 0-0.

4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 ig7 6.d4 ed 7.cd dS About 13.lLle4 'lWb4 or 13.'lWc1 l"lfe8 14.lLle4 'lWb4 - see 9.l"lel ! 13.l"lcl l"lfe8 14.lLlc4 'lWb4 IS. lLlfeS 'lWbSoo Van Leeuwen - Ye Rongguang, Groningen 1996. 13 .a3 ! ? White does not let the enemy queen to occupy the b4square, where it usually belongs in this scheme. Now, Black must play very precisely. 13 . . . l"lfe8 ! 14. lLle4 'lWf8 IS.'lWa4 ifS 16.lLlg3 id7 17.lLleS lLlb6 18.'lWaS (18 .'lWc2 cS 19.1Llxd7 lLlxd7=) 18 . . . 'lWd6 19.l"ladl 'lWdS 2 0 .'lWc3 l"le6 21.'lWcl l"lae8 2 2 . lLle4 f6 23.lLlc3 'lWb3oo Following 9.igS 'lWd6, it would be the best for White to play 10. l"lel, transposing to the main line. His attempt to try something else with the move 1O.'lWe2 + (After 1O.lLlc3 0-0=, there arises an im­ proved version for Black, because the inclusion of the moves l"lel + ie6 is in favour of White. Now, Black is not forced to place later his bishop on e6 and is threaten­ ing to play ig4, solving all his problems. 1l.h3 ifS= Le Roux Ortega Ruiz, Cappelle la Grande 2012) would not be good for him at all. 1O . . . ie6 1l.lLlbd2 0-0 12. lLle4 'lWb4 13.a3 'lWaS

14.hc6 (Black is not worse af­ ter 14.lLlcS, for example : 14 ... ig4 IS.hc6 bxc6 16.b4 'lWb6oo Sep­ man - Egin, St. Petersburg 2002; IS.'lWc4 lLlb6 16.'lWd3 a6 17.hc6 bxc6 18 .l"lac1 'lWbS 19.'lWxbS cxbSoo; IS.lLlxb7 'lWb6 16.hc6 'lWxc6 17. lLlcS l"lfe8 18.'lWd3 h6 19.id2 lLle7t ; 17.lLlaS 'lWa4 18.b4 l"lfe8 19.'lWd3 cS ! with the idea 20.h3 ifS 21.'lWc4 lLlb6 22 .'lWxcS ie4�) 14 . . . bxc6 IS. lLleS (IS.b4? ! 'lWbS't; IS.l"lfcl 'lWb6oo) IS . . . l"lfe8 ! (1S ... l"lae8, Timman Spassky, Bugojno 1986, 16.lLlcS ! ?oo) 16.'lWf3?! (16.l"lfc1 'lWa4oo; 16.lLlcs ifS ! 17.id2? l"lxeS ! - + ; 17.b4 'lWbS't ; 17.'lWd2 'lWxd2 18.hd2 l"lab8 19.b4 i.xeS 20.dxeS l"lxeS=) 16 .. .f6 17.id2 'lWb5+ 18 .lLld3? ig4 ! 19. 'lWxg4 'lWxd3 20.l"lfel fS 0-1 Boch - Dreev, Arnhem 1989. The seemingly active knight­ sortie 9.lLleS is not dangerous for Black.

He has a very pleasant choice : 9 . . . lLlde7= 1O .'lWf3 (l0 .d5 .be5 1l.dxc6 0-0 12 .cxb7 hb7+ Black's considerable lead in development compensates with an interest the defects of his pawn-structure on the queenside.) 10 . . . 0-0 11 .ixc6 IS1

Step by Step

Chapter 6 ltJxc6 12.ltJxc6 bxc6+ - He has a bishop-pair and a superior devel­ opment and his compromised pawn-structure on the queenside is not so important, because.the vul­ nerability of White's d4-pawn com­ pensates this. 13.ltJc3, Madl - C:rebe, Cobanya 1991, 13 ... 1!b8 14.1!d1 1lml4t or 9 . . . 0-0 10.ltJxc6 (Black ob­ tains a very good position follow­ ing 1O . .ixc6 bxc6 1l.ltJc3 cS+ Bay­ ley - O'Donnell, Canada 1989 ; it is not good for White to opt here for 1l.ltJxc6?! �d6 12.ltJeS cS 13. ltJc3 ltJb4+, or 12 .ltJaS ? ! .ia6 13.1!e1 cS+ with the idea 14.dxcS �xcS 1S.ltJb3 �c6 16.ltJd4 �b6 17.ltJf3 ltJb4+) 1O ... bxc6 1l.hc6 1!b8� Black has very good counterplay for the missing pawn. 12 .ltJc3 ltJe7 ! ? = (It would not be so relia­ ble for him to choose here 12 . . . ltJb4, due t o 1 3 . .ie4 ! hd4, Ko­ steniuk - Popova, Beijing 2008, 14.a3 ltJa6 1S . .ih6 .ig7 16.�cl;!;) 13 ..tf3 (13 . .te4 �xd4= ) 13 . . . �xd4 (13 . . . ltJfS ! ? 14.dS 1!e8 1S.1!e1 1!xe1+ 16.�xe1 ltJd4 17. .td1 i.fS�) 14 . .ie3 �xd1 1S.ltJxd1, A.Horvath - Ste­ vic, Rijeka 2010, 1S . . . .ib7 16.hb7 1!xb7= and there has arisen an ap­ proximately equal endgame.

9

i.e6

•••

(diagram) 10 .ig5 ! ? This i s White's most popular and fashionable move in his fight for a slight opening edge. •

His alternatives are not so dangerous for Black. 1S2

1O.ltJc3 0-0 11.h3 (ll . .tgS �d6 - see 1O . .igS) 1l . . . 1!e8 12 ..igS �d6 13.�d2 .ifSoo 1O.ltJeS O - O !

1l.hc6 bxc6 12.ltJxc6 (12.ltJc3 cS+; 12 .ltJd2 ltJe7 13.ltJdf3 .idS=; 13.�a4 .idS = ; 13.ltJe4 ltJfS ! ? 14. ltJxc6 �d7 1S.ltJeS �d4+; 14 . .te3 .idS= 1S.�e 2 ? ! 1!e8+ Casella Remlinger, Los Angeles 2012) 12 . . . �d6 13.ltJeS cS= 14.ltJc3 (14. dxcS �cS 1S.ltJd2 ltJb4+) 14 . . . cxd4 1S.�xd4 1!fd8t Black's bishop­ pair and his superior develop­ ment more than compensate the sacrificed pawn. 1l.ltJxc6 bxc6 12 . .ixc6 1!b8� 13. ltJc3 (13.ltJd2 ? ! ltJb4+) 13 . . . ltJb4!? Black is trying to parry his oppo­ nent's pressure in the centre and

4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 !g7 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5 on the queenside and to avoid the possible simplifications (it is also interesting for him to continue with 13 . . . �d6 14.hd5 i.xd5� or 14 . .ta4 \!;!Ib4�).

14 . .tf3? ! �xd4+ After 14.!a4, Black regains his pawn 14 . . . �xd4= and only White might have problems, since Black's pieces occupy much more active positions, Wood - Richardson, London 1995. Following 14.d5 j.f5�, Black increases his pressure in the cen­ tre and on the queenside. 15 . .ta4 (15 . .te3? ! It:ld3+; 15.g4? ! It:lxc6 16.gxf5 It:ld4+ Medvegy - Rogulj , Oberwart 1995) 15 . . . lt:ld3 16J''! e 2 tDxb2 17.hb2 �b2 18.�b2 hc3= Lazarus - Vul, Gibraltar 2008. 14.i.e4 i.xd4 (14 . . . \!;!Ixd4 15. �xd4 i.xd4= Ronchetti - Isakov, Heraklio 2 0 04) 15.\!;!Ie2 (15.!h6 ixf2+ 16.@xf2 �h4+ 17.@gl �xh6+; 15.lt:le2 i.g7+; 15.�f3 f5 16.i.bl ge8+ with the idea 17.a3 !b3 ! t) 15 . . . ge8 16.i.e3 cS= Ange­ lov - Radulov, Burgas 1991. 1O.lt:lg5. This straightforward knight-sortie is not dangerous for Black at all.

Now, he can follow with the more natural move 10 . . . \!;!Id6 with this exemplary variation: 1l.lt:lxe6 fxe6 12 .lt:ld2 (12 .\!;!Ig4 O-O-O ! ?oo with the idea 13.gxe6 \!;!Id7 14. hc6 bxc6+ followed by ghe8, Mudongo - Elansary, Tripoli 2 005; 13.,ixc6 \!;!Ixc6 14.i.g5 It:lf6=; it is also good for Black to play here 12 . . . 0-0 13.,ixc6 \!;!Ixc6 14. It:lc3 gf5=) 12 . . . 0-0 13.,ixc6 (13. It:lc4 �b400; 13.lt:le4 \!;!Ib4 14.,ixc6 bxc600; 13.lt:lf3 gxf3 14.\!;!Ixf3?! It:lxd4 15.\!;!Id3 It:lb4+ ; 14.gxf3?! It:lxd4t ; 14.hc6 gf5 15.hb7 gb8 16.,ixd5 gxd5=) 13 . . . \!;!Ixc6 14.lt:lf3 \!;!Ib6 15.a4 a500 Black can also ignore his op­ ponent's attempt with 10 . . . 0-0 1l.,ixc6 bxc6 12.lt:lxe6 (After 12. It:lc3, Black preserves his impor­ tant light-squared bishop 12 . . . i.f5 and White's move 10.lt:lg5 be­ comes senseless. It would be too risky for him to try to capture a pawn in the variation 12.gxe6 fxe6 13.lt:lxe6 \!;!Ie7 14.lt:lxf8 gxf8t and Black's initiative would com­ pensate fully his slight material deficit. White lags in develop­ ment, his queenside is completely idle, while all Black's pieces are very actively placed.) 12 . . . fxe6 13. 153

Chapter 6 tLld2 (after 13.tLlc3, Black's sim­ plest reaction would be 13 . . . �f6 14.�e2, Moradi - Egin, Indonesia 1998, 14 .. .l:'lab8= . White may pay dearly ifhe tries to capture a pawn with 13J'lxe6? ! �h4 ! + Malevinsky - Egin, Tashkent 1977 and due to Black's numerous threats, White will hardly manage to preserve his material advantage. For example, he cannot solve the problem with the protection of his f2-pawn with 14.�e2?, because of 14 . . . ,hd4-+)

After 13 ... tLlf4, Black has no difficulties following 14.tLlb3 as ! ? lSJ:�e4 eSoo, but i n the variation 14.tLlf3 �dS lS.hf4 l"lxf4 16.�e2, he should not play 16 . . . l"le8 ? ! 17. �e3 ! ;!; Vorontsov - Kozionov, Ba­ tumi 2010, but should enter the endgame after 16 . . . ,hd4 ! ? 17. tLlxd4 l"lxd4 18.�xe6+ �xe6 19. l"lxe6 l"ld2;!;, which looks drawish, but Black would still need to de­ fend it precisely. 13 . . . hd4 14.tLlf3 i.g7 lS.l"lxe6 l"lb8oo 16.�a4 (16.�e2 �d7oo ; 16. l"lxc6 tLle7 17.�xd8 l"lfxd8 18.l"le6 l"ld1+ 19.1"le1 l"lxe1+ 2 0 . tLlxe1 c5�) 16 . . . hb2 17.hb2 l"lxb2 18.l"lxc6 (18.�xa7? l"lxf3 19.9xf3 �gS+ 2 0 . mfl tLlf4-+ o r 2 0.mh1 tLlf4-+) 154

Step by Step 18 . . . tLlf4 19.l"ld1 (19.�c4+ �dS 20. �xdS+ tLlxdS=) 19 . . .�e8 2 0.�c4+ �f7 21.a4 as 22.l"lxc7 �xc4 23. l"lxc4 tLlh3+ 24.gxh3 l"lxf3= 1O.,hc6 bxc6 1l.i.gS (ll.tLlgS 0-0 12.tLlxe6 fxe6 13.tLld2 - see 1O.tLlgS) 11.. .�b8 ! ? = , Black at­ tacks the enemy b2-pawn on the open b-file. This resource for him has become possible because of White's early exchange on c6 (11 ... �d6 12.tLlbd2 0-0 13.tLle4 �b4 see 1O.i.gS) .

12 .�d2 h6 (12 . . . 0 - 0 ! ? = ) 13. i.h4 0-0 14.tLleS cS= lS.tLlc3 (15. dxcS ? ! �b4 ! 16.�xb4 tLlxb4 17. tLl a3 l"lfe8+ Black's pieces are very actively deployed and this more than compensates his minimal material deficit.) lS . . . tLlxc3 (15 ... �b7 ! ? 16.dxcS l"lfe8�) 16.bxc3 cxd4 17.cxd4 �b6 (17 . . . l"le8 =) 18. l"lac1 l"lfe8= Wolff - Dreev, New York 1990. Or 12.tLlc3 0-0= 13.tLla4 (13. �d2 l"le8 =) 13 . . .i.g4 14.l"le4?! i.f5 lS.l"le2 �bS 16.l"lc1 l"lfe8 17.l"lxe8+ l"lxe8t Panbukchian - K.Geor­ giev, Bulgaria 1988. 12 .�c1 0-0 13.tLlbd2 (13.tLlc3 l"le8 = ; 13.tLla3 cSoo ; 13 . .th6 hh6

4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 i.g7 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5 14.§'xh6 §'xb2 lS.lilgS ? ! lilf6 16. lilxe6 fxe6 17.§'d2 gab8+; lS.lilbd2 lilf6 16.gab1 Y;Yxa2cc with the idea 17.ga1 §'b2 18.gab1 §'c2 19.gec1 Y;YfS 20.gxc6 gfe8cc) 13 . . . lilb4 14. §'c3 lilxa2 lS.§'xc6 (lS.gxa2? ! .txa2 16 .b3 as 17.ga1 §'b4 18.Y;Yc2 .bb3 19.1ilxb3 a4 20.lilcS a3t Fogarasi - Coopey, Utasellato 1990) lS . . . lilb4=

10

§'d6

•••

White obtains a positional ad­ vantage after 1O . . . Y;Yb8 ? ! 1l.lilc3 0-0 12 .§'d2;!;, for example : 12 . . . lilce7? ! 1 3 . .ic4 ! c 6 1 4 . .be7 lilxe7 lS . .ixe6 fxe6 16.gxe6±; or 12 . . . lilxc3 13.bxc3 .idS 14.Y;Yd3t

11.�bd2 Black should not be afraid of 11.lileS, since in the variation 11 ... 0-0 12 . .bc6 (12.lilxc6? ! bxc6 13 ..ia4 cS+) 12 . . . bxc6 13.lild2 f6 14.lile4 (14.lilec4 §,d7 1S.�4 lilb6 16.lilaS .idS=) 14 ... Y;Yb4 lS.id2 ti'xb2 16.lilxc6 gfe8cc his pros­ pects are not worse at all thanks to his bishop-pair.

1l.lilc3 0-0

12 ..ixc6?! lilxc3 ! 13.bxc3 Y;Yxc6+ 12 .lile4 Y;Yb4 13 . .bc6 bxc6 see 1l.lilbd2. 12.a3 lilxc3 13.bxc3, Hogen­ acker - Schwarzkopf, Germany 1991, 13 . . . gfe8= 12 .h3 gfe8 13.Y;Yd2, Skripchen­ ko - Magomedov, Cappelle la Grande 1994, 13 ... .ifScc 12 .Y;Yd2 gfe8 ! ? This is the sim­ plest way for Black to organise quite sufficient counterplay to equalise (There arise more com­ plicated and less clear positions following 12 . . . lilxc3 13.bxc3 lilaS 14 . .if4 Y;YdS lS.Y;Yb2 gac8cc ; 14 . .ih6 c6 lS . .ixg7 'i!lxg7 16.id3 gfe8 = ; 14.gab1 c6 lS.id3 gfe8cc; 14.c4 lilxc4?! lS.hc4 hc4 16.ie7 §'a6 17.hf8 M8 18.Y;Yf4 gc8 19. a4;!;; 14 ... b6 lS.cS Y;YdScc) 13.ih6 (13.gac1 lilxc3 14.bxc3 a6 lS ..id3 idS=; lS.ia4 Y;Ya3cc; 13.lile4 Y;Yb4cc; 13.h3 ifScc) 13 . . . lilxc3 14.bxc3 a6 lS.id3 (lS.ia4 .idS=) lS . . . .tdS=

11

.•.

0-0

It would be an important loss of a tempo for Black if he tries 11 ... h6? ! , in view of 12.lile4 Y;Yb4 13. 15S

Step by Step

Chapter 6 hc6+ bxc6 14.Wfc1 (14 . .id2 ! ? 'lWxb2 lS.liJcS 0-0 16.liJxe6 fxe6 17.gxe6±) 14 . . . 'lWb6 lS . .id2± and there would arise a position resembling the main variation, except that instead of 0-0, Black has played the move h6, which impedes his castling kingside, since his rook on hB would be forced to protect the pawn on h6. 15 ... 0-0-0 16.liJcS .ifS 17.liJeS heS 1B.dxeS liJb4 19.1iJa4 WfbS 20 . .ixb4 'lWxa4 2 1 .i.e7 gd3 2 2 .i.f6 geB 23 .b3 'lWbS 24.'lWxh6+ - Kovalevskaya - Torbin, Samara 2002.

16.a4 Wfa6 1 7. .id2 liJe7 and after the careless move 1B.liJe3? ! gadB+ Black seized the initiative; there arise complicated but quite ac­ ceptable positions for him follow­ ing 1B.liJaS .idSoo with the idea 19.b4 gadB 20 . .if4 f6 2 1.liJexc6 liJxc6 2 2 .liJxc6 hc6 23.bS hbS 24.axbS WfxbS 2S.gxeB+ gxeB 26. gxc7 Wfa4 ! = or 2S.gxc7 gxd4 ! 26. gxeB+ WfxeB 27.Wfb3+ 'it>hB 2B.g3 Wfe1+ 29.'it>g2 'lWe4=) 14 . . . gfeB 15. i.d2 'lWbSoo 16.a4 Wfa6 17.liJceS (17. liJaS liJe7 1B.liJeS .idS=) 17 . . . liJe7= Fercec - Stevic, Zadar 2005.

12 :llrh4 13.,ixc6 hxc6 ••

14.'lWcl! Black should not b e afraid of 12.liJc4, because after 12 . . . Wfb4 13. .txc6 (about 13.a4 - see Kubik Vul, Tarty 2 013, game 19) 13 . . . bxc6 and in connection with the not so harmonious placement of White's knight on c4, than on the e4-square, Black's position is quite acceptable. 14.'lWc1 (14.gc1 gfeBoo In the game Van Leewen Ye Rongguang, Groningen 1996, there followed later lS.liJfeS WfbS 156

This is the best move for White, since it prepares the ma­ noeuvre i.gS-h6, protects the b2pawn and also creates threats on the c-file against the enemy pawn on c6. 14.a3 ? ! 'lWxb2 lS.gb1 Wfxa3 16. gal Wfb4 17.gb1 WfaS 1B.i.d2 Wla6 19.1iJcS WfcB 20.liJxe6 fxe6 21.Wla4 Wfd7+ Galiana - Mellado Trivino, Calvia 2005.

4. 0 - 0 96 S.c3 i97 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5 14.b3 i.g4=

14 . . . gab8 lS.b3;t;

14.lLleS ti'xb2 lS.lLlxc6 gfe8= 14.ti'd2 gfb8 (14 ... i.fS lS.lLlg3 i.e6=) lS.b3 as= (with the idea as-a4), Firat - Gunnarsson, Ke­ meri 2 007. It is not so good for White to play here 14.ti'c2, because thus he loses the possibility to play .igS­ h6 and the placement of his queen on the c2-square is not so appro­ priate under the permanent ene­ my threat i.e6-fS. Now, after 14 . . . gfe8 ! = Black obtains a quite ac­ ceptable position. lS.h3, De Firm­ ian - D'Amore, New York 1990 (lS.ti'xc6 - see 14.ti'c1; lS.lLlcS .ifS 16.\&d2 f6 17.a3 \&xd2 18.hd2 ig4=) lS . . . gab8 16.b3 .ifS= with the idea 17.g4 he4 18.gxe4 ge4 19.\&xe4 h6 20 . .id2 \&a3=

14

•••

gfe8!

His alternatives are weaker. It would be too risky for Black to try to capture a pawn 14 . . . ixd4? ! In the game Minic Dely, Belgrade 1968, there fol­ lowed later: lS.lLlxd4 \&xd4 16. \&xc6t \&xb2 17.gad1 \&b6 18. \&c1 ! ± and White's initiative be­ came even more dangerous.

After 14 gfe8 has arisen the most modern tabia of the en­ tire variation which we analyse in this chapter. The main defect of Black's position is his compro­ mised queenside pawn-structure. Still, his more actively placed pieces and the presence of the two bishops compensate his compro­ mised pawn-structure. The posi­ tion is open and very complicated and the value of every move is tre­ mendously important. •••

We will analyse in details now: A) 15.a3, B) 15.ih6, C) 15. id2 ! ? and D) 15.h3 ! ? Black obtains a quite accepta­ ble position after lS.\&xc6 \&xb2=

14 . . . .ifS lS.lLlg3 i.g4 (lS . . ..ie6 16.i.h6t) 16.lLleS;t; 14 ... '!Wb6 - see Yansa - Schwar­ zkopf, Badenweiler 1990, game 20. 157

Step by Step

Chapter 6 Following 16.lilcS, the simplest reaction for him would be 16 . . . �b6 17.�a4 lilc3 18.�c2 lilbS 19. .ie3 .idS= It is not preferable for him to choose here 16.:1!abl, in view of 16 . . . §'xa 2 = and White should bet­ ter avoid 17.lilcS, due to 17 . . . lilc3 IB.lilxe6 (IBJ�al? lile2+ 19.@hl �dS- + ; 19.@f1 �c4-+) IB ... lilxbl 19.1ilxg7 1:!xel+ 2 0.lilxel �e2 ! 21. �xaB+ @xg7 2 2 .g3 �xel+ 23.@g2 lilc3+ 16.1:!ebl §'a3 (16 . . . §'e2? 17.lilg3 �d3 IB.1:!b3+-) 17.lilcS (17.1:!bS ? ! �a4 IB.lilc5 �c4+; 17.1:!b3 §'fB IB.lilcS �d6 19.�xd6 cxd6 20. lilxe6 1:!xe6= Sadzikowski - Dra­ gun, Porto Carras 2010) 17 . . . lilb4 18.§'b7 (18.�xc7 1:!acB 19.�b7 1:!bB= ) IB . . . 1:!abB I9.�xc7 1:!bcB 2 0 . �b7 (20.�f4 .idSt; 2 0 .§'d6? ! lilc2 2 1 ..ic1 §'xcS ! 2 2 . dxcS 1:!cdB+; 2 0 . �g3 ? ! .ic4 ! + with the idea 2 1 . .ic1 ? ! §'xf3 ! 2 2 .gxf3 1:! e l + 23.@g2 .ifl+ 24.@hl .ih3+ 2S.�gl 1:!xgl+ 26.@xgl lilc2t) 2 0 ... 1:!bB 2 1.�c7 1:!bcB =

A) 15.a3

This move is not so fashiona­ ble as IS . .id2 and IS.h3 and is only seldom played, because it does not create any difficulties for Black. 15 :frb6 ••

It is also possible for him to opt for IS . . . �bS.

16.�d2 .ig4 ! ? Black solves all his opening problems with this move (16 .. .f6oo Sznapik - Kr. Georgiev, Stara Zagora 1990). Now, following 17.lileS .if5+ it would not work for White to play IB.lilg3 ? ! because of IB . . .f6-+ After 16 . .ih6, Black has the counter strike - 16 . . . .ifS ! + and only White may have problems, for example: 17.i.xg7 (17.lilg3? ! 1:!xel+ IB.lilxel .ixd4 19.1:!a2 .ie6+; 19.1ilxfS? ! i.xb2-+) 17 . . . .ixe4 ! + 16.lilc5 .ifS 17.b4 (17.§'d2 f6 IB . .ih4 .ifB = ) 17 . . . 1:!xel+ IB.§'xel .ig4 19.1ileS 1:!eB 2 0.§'d2 .ifS= Emms - Kr.Georgiev, Capelle la Grande 1992.

16. 1Oc5 About 16.§'d2 - see Gruenfeld - D'Amore, Haifa 19B9, game 21. ISB

4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 .lg7 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5 16 .lfS= Black has obtained a quite ac­ ceptable position. 17.Bd2 •••

17.b4 l%xe1+ 18.Wfxe1 f6 19 . .ld2 '.!lfl 2 0 .h3 l%eB 2 1.\1;Yd1 ifB= - The powerful black knight on d5 and his bishop-pair compensate his inferior queenside pawn-struc­ ture, Groszpeter - C.Balogh, Sze­ ged 2009.

17

f6

•••

This seldom played move is quite logical from the strategical point of view. The trade of the dark-squared bishops is no doubt in favour of White, because in that case, the vulnerability of the dark squares will become a very important factor. Still, Black has another interesting possibility. 15 .lfS Now, he obtains a quite ac­ ceptable position. •••

15 . . . hh6? ! 16.'�xh6t

18 .le3 •

Following 1B.ih4, it is bad for Black to opt for 1B . . . h5? ! 19 .ig3 g5 (19 . . . '.!lh7? ! 20.ltJh4 ! ih6 21. f4±) 2 0 .h4 g4 2 1.ltJh2;!;; but the moves 1B . . . ifB = , or 1B . . . ig4= would solve his problems.

18 .lg4 19. c![}h4 gad800 and in the arising complicated situa­ tion, Black's prospects are not worse, Lukovishnikov - Filipen­ ko, Ryazan 1992. •••

B) 15 .lh6 •

15 . . . ihB 16.a3 Wfb6 17.ltJc5;!;

16.Wfxc6 Black must play precisely in order to counter this move. 16.ltJg3? ! l%xe1+ 17.ltJxe1 hh6 1B.Wfxh6 id7'+ 16.id2 Wfb6 17.ltJc5 l%xel+ 1B .he1 l%eB = Luther - Radulov, Lille 2005. Following 16.hg7 he4 ! = Black equalises easily. 17.a3 Wfb6 (17 . . . Wfb5 ! ?'+) 1B.l%xe4 (lB .ltJe5 159

Step by Step

Chapter 6 �xg7 19.i!xe4 f6 2 0.tlJd7 �b5=) 18 . . . i!xe4 19 . .ie5 f6 2 0 '\�'lc2 fxe5 (It was more reliable for him to continue with 20 . . . i!g4 21.h3 i!xg2+ 2 2 . �xg2 fxe5 23.tlJxe5 tlJf4 = ; 23.dxe5 i!f8 = ) 21.�xe4 �xb2 2 2 .i!e1 \Wxa3oo Velimirovic - Radulov, Baleares 1989.

16

.bh6

•••

16 . . .,ixe4 17.i!xe4 tlJe7 18.�c1 hh6 19.\Wxh6 tlJf5 2 0.\Wd2 \Wxd2 2 1 .tlJxd2 i!xe4 2 2 .tlJxe4 tlJxd4, Bu­ csa - Daryczy, ICCF 2008, 23.i!dU

15

We will deal now with Cl) tfb5 ! ? and C2) 15 tfb6.

.••

•••

Cl) 15 tfb5 ! ? I have played this move for the first time in the game Gelfand Dreev, Moscow 1989. It seemed more active than 15 . . . \Wb6, but also more risky in view of the not so stable position of his queen. Black must be constantly on the alert about the threat a2-a4, fol­ lowed by i!a3-b3. 16.�e5 •••

17.�xd5 ged8

he4

18.i!xe4

About 16.tlJc5 i.f5 17.tlJe5 1'!e7 - see 16.tlJe5.

19."f!Yb3 (19.�c6 \Wxb2oo; 19.�c5 \Wxb2oo) 19 "f!Yxb3 20. axb3 gdb8= •••

16.a4 �b6 17.tlJc5 .if5 18. tlJe5 1'!e7 ! ? - see 16.tlJe5.

16 .if5 17.tlJc5 ! This i s the only way for White to fight for a slight opening edge. •••

C) 15 .td2 ! ? White removes prudently with tempo his bishop from the g5square, so that after his knight oc­ cupies in the future the e5-square, he would not be afraid of the move f7-f6. •

160

17.tlJg3. This move does not create any problems for Black. 17 . . . tlJe7 18 . .ih6 i.xh6 19.\Wxh6 f600 - his chances are not worse at

4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 fig7 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5 all. 2 0 J:�e3 fxeS 2U�xeS cS ! 22. �gS �d7 23.gae1 lLlc6 ! + 24.lLlxfS lLlxeS 2S.lLlh6+ @g7 26.dxeS %Yd8 ! 27.h4 %YxgS 28.hxgS gab8+ and White will have to fight long and hard for a draw, Gelfand - Dreev, Moscow 1989.

17. . . ge7!? I believe this is the best move for Black, which enables him to deploy his pieces in the most har­ monious way. As you will see in the following variations, he pre­ pares with it the doubling of his rooks with the move gae8, or the retreat of his queen with the ma­ noeuvre %YbS-b8-e8. White can counter the attrac­ tive move 17 . . . gad8 with 18.a4 %Yb6.

White would not achieve much with 19.aS %YbS 20.ga3 gxeS ! 21. dxeS (21.l3xeS?! fixeS 22.dxeS lLlb4t with the idea 23.gb3? %Ye2-+) 21.. . .if8 22 .lLle4 he4 23.gxe4 ha3 24.bxa3 �d3 = There arise not so clear posi­ tions after 19.9a3 , in view of 19 ... gxeS ! (19 . . . heS?! 20.gb3 fixd4 21.gxe8+ gxe8 22.gxb6 cxb6 23. lLlb3 .if6 24.�xc6 gd8�; 20.dxeS ! lLlb4, Filipenko - Belousov, Vo­ ronezh 1991, 21 .fie3 ! ?± with the idea 21.. .lLlc2 22.lLld7 gxd7 23. hb6 cxb6 24.g4 lLlxel 2S.gxfS gxeS 26.f6+-; 23 . . . lLlxel 24.ha7 lLld3 2S.gxd3 gxd3 26.h3±) 20. dxeS (20.gb3?! gxe1+ 21.hel hd4 22.gxb6 cxb6 23.lLlb3 fig7 24.%Yxc6 lLlb4+; 20.gxeS heS 21. dxeS lLlf4 ! 2 2 .hf4 �xcS= ; 21.gb3 hd4 22.gxb6 cxb6 23.lLlb3 fig7 24.%Yxc6 hb2�) 20 . . . .if8 21.lLle4 he4 22.gxe4 ha3 23.bxa3 gb8oo 19.h3 ! ?;l; Now, Black has very serious problems. 19 ... hS 20.ga3 gxeS 21.gxeS ! heS 22.dxeS %Yb8 23.gb3 %Yc8 24.gb7 %Ya8 2S.e6 fxe6 26.%Yel±

18.a4 Black has nothing to worry about following 18.h3 gae8 19.a4 %Yb6 20.ga3 �b8 21.gb3 %Ya8 22. lLla6 f6 23.lLlc4 gxe1+ 24.he1 !f8oo with the idea %Yc8. 18 Vb6 (diagram) 19.9a3 •••

19.1Llc4 gxe1 2 0.%Yxe1 (20.hel %Yb8 - see lS . . . �b6, 18.lLlc4) 20 . . . 161

Step by Step

Chapter 6

promised queenside pawn-struc­ ture. Still, the position is rather complicated and Black has his pluses too. He has a powerful bishop-pair and can exert pres­ sure against White's isolated d4pawn. 17 ge7!? With this move, Black wishes to double his rooks on the e-file and to oust the enemy knight from the e5-square. This move was played for the first time by me in the game OIl Dreev, Odessa 1989. •••

'fNb8 with an approximately equal position. There arise very complicated, but quite acceptable positions for Black after 19.94 .b:e5 20.dxe5 .bg4oo

19 'fNb8 20.h3 'fNe8 21.g4 .lc8oo (followed by 1!b8) Black has coordinated his forces and obtains a very good game. •••

C2) 15 17.tLle5

Ub6 16. tLlc5 .lf5

•••

White's prospects in this modern position seem to be slightly preferable thanks to Black's com162

After 17 ... 1!ad8 18.b3 (or 18 . h3�) White maintains a stable positional advantage. 18 . . . tLlb4 (18 .. . h5 19.h3t; 18 . . . lLlf6 19.'fNc4�; 18 .. . f6 19.1Lla4 'fNb5 20.lLlxc6 1!xe1+ 2 1 ..b:e1 1!d6 22.lLla5� with the idea 2 2 . . . 'fNd3? 23.lLlb7 1!d7 24. lLlbc5 + - ; 18 ... lLle7 19.'fNc4 1!d5 20. 1!ac1t with the idea 2 0 . . . 1!ed8 21. .ie3±; 18 ... 1!e7 19.i.a5 ! �xa5 20. lLlb7 �xe1+ 2 1.�xe1 1!de8 2 2 .�a5 lLlf4 23.lLlxc6 lLle2+ 24.mh1 1!e4 25.f3 1!e3 26.�xc7 lLlxd4 27.1!gl lLlxc6 28.�xcM) 19 . .b:b4 �xb4 (19 . . . .b:e5 2 0.i.c3 i.g7 2 1.�f4�) 2 0 . lLlxc6 1!xe1+ 2 1.�xe1 �xel+ 2 2 .1!xe1 1!d6 23.lLle7+ mf8 24. lLlxf5 gxf5 25.mfl .bd4 26.1!c1 1!d5 27.lLld3 i.b6 28.me2�

He would hardly obtain much with the line : l8.lLlc4 1!xe1+ 19. .bel �b5 20.a4 'fNb8 2 1.lLle5 (21. .lc3 �d8= Ellis - Kask, IECG

4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 �g7 6.d4 ed 7.cd dS 2 001) 21.. .�e8= Atabayev - Javakhadze, Kayseri 2010.

IS

�e6?! 23.ttJb2 ! t on - Dreev, Odessa 1989.

21.j,c3

,beS ! ?

•••

I t i s weaker for Black t o choose here 18 .. J'!ae8, due to 19 .iaS �b8 2 0 .�xc6 heS 21.dxeS l!xeS 2 2 . l!xeS l!xeS 23.l!d1 ie6 24.h4t The vulnerability of the dark squares on Black's kingside and his inferior queenside pawn-struc­ ture provide White with a slight but stable positional advantage.

19.dxeS He can hardly achieve any­ thing with 19.1!xeS l!xeS 20.dxeS l!e8°o Borisovs - Verde, ICCF 2006.

21.b3? ! l!xeS+ 21.ttJxc6 l!e6 23.l!xeS l!xeS+

22.ttJaS

l!xeS

21.�xc6 l!xeS 22 .�xe8+ l!xe8 23.l!xe8+ d6 40.d2 .ibS 41.e3 .if! 4 2 . g 3 h6 43.d4 .ih3± and h e would hardly succeed in breaking Black's fortress, because White's knight on as would be misplaced. 36.b6 cxb6 37.cxb6 c!>d8

38.b7 c!>c7 39.�a6! 1-0 Following 39 ... xb7 40 .lt:lcS, Black loses his bishop.

21

Gruenfeld - D'Amore Haifa 19B9 l.e4 eS 2.�f3 �c6 3 . .tbS �ge7 4.0-0 g6 S.c3 .tg7 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 dS 8.exdS �xdS 9.gel + .te6 10 . .1gS ed6 11. �bd2 0-0 12.�e4 eb4 13. hc6 bxc6 14.ec1 gfe8 IS.a3 eb6 16.ed2 =

•••

The position is approximately equal. The weaknesses of the op­ ponents are balanced. 16 f6 ! This is the right move. It is essential for Black to take the important eS-square under control, since after the hasty move 16 . . . ig4, White can follow with 17.lt:leS .ifS 1B.l"!ac1 (lB.lt:lg3;!;) lB . . . he4 19.1"!xe4 f6 20.lt:lc4 �bS 21. l"!xeB+ l"!xeB 2 2 . .ie3;!; with a slight edge for him. 17.�cS? ! This is an imprecise move. White needed to play here 17 . .ih6 .ixh6 (It was also good for Black to try 17 ... .if5= with the •••

173

Complete Games

Chapter 6 idea 1B . .ixg7? ! .ixe4+) 18.�xh6 §'xb2 19J3ab1 §'a2 (19 . . . �xa3 ! ? 20.lLleg5 fxg5 2 1 .lLlxg5 lLlf6 2 2 . lLlxe6 ge7 23.§'h4 lLl d 5 24.ge5 gaeB 25.lLlg5 as 2 6.h3 h5 27.§'e4 �d6 2 B.ge1 a4 29.lLle6 mf7 30. lLlg5+ mg7 = ) 2 0 . g a 1 with . repe­ tition of moves, or 1B . . . �f5 19.lLlg3 �g4 2 0 .lLlh4! §'xd4 21.lLlxg6= 17 .ig4 lS .ih4 .ifS •••

•

21 g5? This move loses the advantage for Black. After 21...gxe1+ 2 2 . §'xe1 m f7 23.lLlxfB gxfB=t, his po­ sition would have been clearly better. 2 2 .ig3 gadS Now, the variation 22 . . . gxe1+ ? ! 23.�xe1 mf7? 24.§'e4± would have emphasized clearly the defects of the move g6-g5. Black had to prefer 2 2 . . . �d6, preventing the activation of White's bishop. 23./(}xf8 mxf8 24.h4 Following 24.ge4 ! (and later h2-h4) White would have seized the initiative. 24 gxel + 25.gxel Wxa3 26.We2 •••

•

Now, Black's position seems more promising, since White fails to fortify his knight on the c5square, while Black's knight on d5 is unassailable and is very power­ ful. 19.b4 .txrJ 20./(}d7? ! This is another imprecision. It was preferable for White to choose 2 0 .gxf3 .ixc5 21.dxc5 �a6 2 2 . ge4 f5 23.gxeB + gxeB 24.ge1 gxe1+ 25.§'xe1 mf7 26.§'c1+ with a slightly worse but still defensi­ ble endgame. 20 §'a6 20 . . . gxe1+ 21.gxe1 ( 2 1.�xe1?? §'xd4-+) 2 1 . . .�a6 2 2 .gxf3 §'xa3 23.lLlxf6+ lLlxf6 24.i.xf6 §'xf3 25. �e5 gbB 2 6.§'a2+ §'f7 27.§'xa7 gxb4=t 21.gxf3

•••

•.•

174

26 gxh4?? This is a terrible blunder and it •••

4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 .ig7 6.d4 ed 7.cd dS loses the game. Black had to play here 26 .. JWxb4 and after 27.hxg5 �e7! 28.�e4 as, White would have nothing better than repeti­ tion of moves : 29.�b1 (29.gxf6 �xe4 30.fxe4 lLlxf6 31.f3 �aB 32. i.xc7 lLleB 33 . .ib6 a4 34 . .icS+ c;t>f7 35.�a1 lLlc7 36.c;t>f2 lLle6 37J"�a3 c;t>f6+) 29 . . . 'lWb4 30.'lWe4 �e7= 27.hc7! �c8 Black would not have changed anything with 27 . . . �aB 2B . .id6+ c;t>g7 29.c;t>h2 c;t>hB 30.�g1 as 31. �e6 'lWxf3 32 .�f7 and White would be victorious. 28 .td6+ mg7 29.mh2 ! gd8 •

30.'Be4? ! White was winning by force with 30 .�g1+ c;t>f7 3l.f4 �xd6 32. �h5+ c;t>fB (32 . . . c;t>e6 33.f5+ c;t>d7 34.�g7+ lLle7 35.'lWf7+ -) 33.'lWxh7 lLle7 34.'lWg7+ c;t>eB 35.�e1 �d7 36.�gB # !

30 "a6?! With the move 30 ... �a2 , Black could have prolonged his resist­ ance: 3U'!g1+ c;t>f7 (31.. .c;t>hB 32. �xh4 �gB 33.�xgB + c;t>xgB 34. �g4+ c;t>f7 35.�d7+ c;t>g6 36.�eB+ c;t>h6 37.�fB+ c;t>h5 38.�f7+ c;t>h4 39.�xh7+ c;t>g5 40.�g7+ c;t>h5 41. �g4+ c;t>h6 42 ..ifB+ c;t>h7 43. �g7#) 32 ..ic7 �hB 33.�g4 �xf2 + 34.�g2 �xg2+ 35.�xg2 lLlxc7 36. f4 lLld5 37.b5+Black could have tried here the following interesting variation 30 . . . c;t>hB 31.�g1 �a6 32 ..ic7 1!gB 33.1!xgB+ c;t>xgB 34.�eB+ c;t>g7 35. .id6 h5 36 . .ifB+ c;t>gB 37 . .ic5+ c;t>g7 38.�fB+ c;t>g6 39.�gB + c;t>f5 40.�h7+ c;t>e6 4l.f4+••.

31 .te7! "c8 32.gg1+ mh8 33.'Bxd5 ! 'Bc7+ 34."e5 ! White finishes off the game very elegant1y! 1-0 •

175

Chapter 7

1.e4 eS 2.ltJf3 ltJc6 3 .tbS ltJge7 4.0-0 g6 S.c3 a6 Modern Variation •

Quick Repertoire

In this variation, this is quite acceptable for Black and enables him to deploy his pieces in the most harmonious way. He man­ ages to develop quickly his dark ­ squared bishop to the g7-square . You can see an analogous idea in one of the variations of the Ruy Lopez, in which after the moves l.e4 eS 2.lLlf3 tLlc6 3.i.bS a6 4..b4 tLlf6 S.O-O i.e7 6J'!e1 bS 7.i.b3 d6 In this chapter, we will analyse

B.c3 0-0 9.h3 i.b7 1O.d4 E1eB 11.

the most fashionable treatment

tLlbd2 i.fB 12. i.c2 g6 13.a4 exd4

nowadays of the variation 4.0-0

14.cxd4 i.g7, Black gives up the

g6 5.c3 and that is 5...a6!?,

centre again and obtains a posi­

which can be named Modern and

tion with a similar pawn-struc­

quite justifiably so. Its idea is af­

ture

ter the moves 6.Aa4 Ag7 (or 6.�c4 �g7) 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4,

game.

to obtain a lively piece play giving

analyse in this chapter, is rather

up the centre.

and

a

quite

comfortable

The play in the variations, we complex from the positional point of view. The Modern variation is a part of the opening repertoire of L. Aronian, S. Karjakin, I. Sokolov and many other famous grand­ masters. The

Modern

variation pro­

vides Black with ample possibili­ ties to seize the initiative, because the positions arising in it are very complex and dynamic. Having this in mind, Black often tries to 176

g6? ! 6.tDgS dS 7.exdS tDd4

icS 8.�fS 0-0(0) 7. . . i.e7 (7 ... icS?! 8.tDgS tLlgeS 9.f4 h6 10.fxeS hxgS 11.i.xfl+-) 8.tLlxd4;!; or 5 h6 6.d4 exd4 7.tLlxd4;!;, there arise pawn-structures which resemble the Scotch Game in im­ proved versions for White in which Black's moves S ... tLlg6 and S . . . h6 are not so useful for him in similar positions. White main­ tains a slight but stable positional edge in these situations. He is better too after 5 d5 6.exdS (6.tLlc3 i.e6 7.tLlgS tLld4 8. tLlxe6 fxe6 9.d3 tLlg6 1O.ti'g4 ib4 11.0-0 c6 12 .i.e3 ti'h4?! 13.ti'xh4 tLlxh4 14.i.xd4 exd4 lS.tLle2;!; Ako­ pian - Dzhumaev, Istanbul 2012; it was preferable for Black to play here 12 . . . tLlxb3 13.axb3 d4 14.igS ie7=) 6 . . . tLlxdS 7.0-0;!; and White preserves an obvious lead in de­ velopment. In the game N.Ko­

8.d6 tDxb3 9 .lLlxt7 �xt7 10 .dxe7

sintseva - Gopal, Gibraltar 2011,

kxe7 11.axb3;!;, or lO .. .\!;ydS 11. exf8ti'+ l3xf8 12.axb3 ti'xg2 13.l3f1 i.h3 14.ti'e2;!; Now, after 5 �g6 6.d4 exd4 7. 0-0! (7.�gS tDgeS 8 .f4 h6 9.tDh3 lLlg6+'; 9.ti'hS ? ! g6 1O .ti'h4 i.g7+; 7.tDxd4

there followed later: 7...i.e7 (There is not a clear equality for Black in sight in the variation 7 . . . i.e6 ! ? 8. d3 i.e7 9.l3e1t; it is a bit weaker for White to choose here 8.l3e1 icS ! ?oo with the idea 9.tLlxeS? ! tLlxeS 10.l3xeS kxf2+') 8.l3el;!;

enter it after the following move­ order 1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 .1b5 a6 4 .1a4 �ge7, with the idea following S.O-O g6 6.c3 ig7 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4 0-0, to transpose to the Modern variation. Still, this situation is not so clear, because White can play the powerful posi­ tional move 5 .1b3 !;!; with the idea tDgS. •

•

•

•••

•••

5

•••

•••

177

Chapter 7

1.e4 e5 2 . tLlf3 tLlc6 3.J.b5 tLlge7 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 a6 Modern Variation Step by Step

White's light-squared bishop, while Black's light-squared bish­ op will support the development of his initiative on the kingside.

A) 6.J.c4 J.g7 7.d4 exd4 8. cxd4

Black can also postpone the clarification of his plans, delaying the transfer to the Modern varia­ tion - 5 . . . i.g7 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 a6 8 .i.a4 or 8 .i.c4, transposing to the main line. We will analyse now: A) 6.J.c4 and B) 6.J.a4. Black should not be afraid of the line : 6.hc6 lLIxc6 7.d4 d6. In the game Naiditsch - Aronian, Moscow 2009, there followed later: 8 .d5 (8.dxe5 lLIxe5 9.lLIxe5 dxe5= ) 8 . . . lLIe7 9.c4 i.g7 1O.lLIc3 0-0 1l.lLIe1 f5= and the position was very similar to some Indian and King's Indian pawn-struc­ tures in a good version for Black. It is advantageous for him to trade in such situations his knight for 178

8 b5 This is the most precise move for Black. •.•

Following 8 ... 0-0?! 9.d5t, White develops powerful initia­ tive. 9 . . . lLIe5 10.lLIxe5 he5 1l.f4 i.g7 12.f5± and Black is almost be­ yond salvation, Saldano - Castil­ io, Seville 2004.

9.J.b3

4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6 6. 1c4 197 7.d4 ed 8.cd bS 9. tb3 0 - 0 He should not b e afraid o f 9.i.d3. In the game Borriss Arkhipov, Kecskemet 1991, there followed: 9 . . . dS (9 . . . ltlxd4 10. ltlxd4 hd4 11.i.xbS i.g7 12 ..b4 0-0 13.ltlc3 l:!bBoo) 10.exdS ltlxdS 11.i.gS �d6 12 .ltlbd2 0-0=

9

•••

0-0

opt for 12 .hf7+ c;!;lxfl 13.ltlgS+ c;!;lgB 14.�xg4 ltlxd4 lS.te3t) 11. axbS axbS 12J%xaB �xaB 13.ltlc3 b4 14.ltlbS �aS lS.�e2 0-0 16.dS ltleS 17.ltlxeS heS 1BJ%d1 ltlcB 19.1tld4t We will deal in details now with the moves A1) 10.a4, A2) 10.h3, A3) 10 .tg5, A4) 10.d5 and AS) 10.ltlc3. •

He has also tried some other moves in practice.

This is a very modern position in this variation and the play is positionally very complex in which the chances of both sides are about balanced. The move 9 . . . d6 usually leads to transposition, for example: 10. h3 0-0 11.ltlc3 i.b7 (11 ... h6 - see Movsesian - Stevic, Rabac 2004, game 22) 12J'i:e1 ltlaS 13.dS - see Friedel - I.Sokolov, Reykjavik 2011, game 23. Still, after this or­ der of moves, White must consid­ er the possibility 1O.a4 ! ? , chang­ ing the standard development of the fight with promising pros­ pects. 1O . . . .ib7 (following 1O . . . b4, White can play 11.aS and Black will not have the manoeuvre ltlc6as, while after 11 . . . .ig4, White can

10.i.f4 dS ! ? This is the most energetic move for Black and it provides him with a very good po­ sition (it is also possible for him to choose 10 . . . d6 11.h3 ltlaS 12 . .ic2 cS=) 11.exdS (l1.eS?! tg4t Tan - Wohl, North Geelong 2011) 11 ... ltlxdS 12.i.xdS �xdS 13.ltlc3 �d7 14.dS ltle7 1S.i.eS f6 (lS . . . .ib7 16.i.xg7 c;!;lxg7 17.�d4+ f6 1BJ:iad1 ltlfSoo) 16.i.xc7 �xc7 17.d6 �d7 1B.�b3+ c;t;>hB 19.dxe7 �xe7 20. l:!fe1 �f7= 10.l:!e1 d6 11.h3 ltlaS 12 . .ic2 cS. This is the simplest road for Black to equality. (There arise more complicated and approxi­ mately equal positions after 12 . . . tb7 13.ltlc3 cS = 14.tgS h 6 lS.i.h4 gS 16.tg3 ltlc4 17.b3 ltla3 1B.td3 cxd4 19.1tle2 ltlc6+; 17.l:!b1 l:!eB lB. i.b3 cxd4 19.1tlxd4 l:!cB+; 14.dxcS dxcS= ; 14.dS ltlc4 lS.i.d3 ltlb6 16.l:!b1 l:!cB 17.ltle2 �d7= Myo Na­ ing - Sriram, Pattaya 2011) 13. ltlc3 (Black has no problems after 179

Step by Step

Chapter 7 13.dxcS dxcS 14.lDc3 j,b7= ; or 13.dS lDc4 14.lDc3 1.WaS lSJ''!b1 id7= ; 14 ... b4 lS.lDa4 id7 16.!'!b1 ibS= ) 13 ... cxd4 14.lDxd4 ib7=. Later, in the game Chirita Shabalov, Dallas 2011 and lS.igS h6 16.if4 Ek8'1', Black succeeded in deploying his pieces in the most active way, while the placement of White's bishop on c2 seemed rather passive.

Wfxf3 Wfxd4= ; 13 . . . lDfS 14.dS lDd4 lS.Wfd1 1.Wh4� 16.j,c4 (16.lDc3? ig4 17.f3 ieS 18.h3 hh3-+ ; 16. ie3? ig4 17.Wfd3 lDf3 ! 18.gxf3 hf3-+) 16 . . . lDxc6 17J%a4 lDd4= ll.hdS lDxdS 12.exdS lDb4 ! ? 13.axbS hbroo There may follow later: 14.Wfb3 lDxdS lS.bxa6 ba6 16J'!e1 ic4 17J%xa8 hb3 18J%xd8 gxd8� and Black's bishop-pair compensates fully White's extra space.

A1) 10.a4 11.lDc3 dxe4 12.lDxe4 ifS 13. gel lDxd4 14.lDxd4 Wfxd4 (14 ... hd4? lS.axbS±) lS.Wfxd4 (it is more or less the same after lS.igS gae8) lS . . . hd4 16.i.gS gae8 17. lDf6 i.xf6 18 .hf6 lDc8=

10 d5 ! ?N This energetic response is con­ nected with a pawn-sacrifice. •••

Black's most popular move here is 1O . . . b4, but following 1l. dS lD aS 12 .lDbd2 ! d6 13.lDc4 lDxb3 14.1.Wxb3 as lS.if4!, White's extra space in the centre and his more actively placed pieces provide him with a slight but very stable posi­ tional advantage.

1l.exd5 H.axbS dxe4 12 .bxc6 exf3 13. 180

H.eS ig4 12.axbS (12 .i.e3 lLlfS 13.axbS hf3 14.gxf3 axbS lS. gxa8 Wfxa8 16.hdS?! gd8 17.ie4 heS=F; 16.lDc3 lLlce7 17.lLlxbS? ! gb8 18.lLlc3 cS !+; 17.Wfd3 c6'1') 12 ... axbS 13.ga8 1.Wxa8 14.lLlc3 bf3 lS.gxf3 1.Wb7 ! ? Black has no prob­ lems, because it would be bad for White to choose 16.lLlxdS?! due to 16 . . . lLlfS 17.ie3 lLlaS'I' or 17 ... gd8 ! ?'I'

1l

•••

lDa5 12.axb5

After 12 .ic2 lDxdS 13.i.g5 Wfd6 ! ?oo, Black has a quite accept­ able position.

12

lDxb3 13.Wfxb3 ib7 (diagram) 14. bxa6 •••

4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6 6. i.c4 i.g7 7.d4 ed B.cd b5 9. i.b3 0 - 0

14.i.gS �xdS lS.�b4 liJfS 16. liJc3 �d7= 14.liJc3 axbS lS.i.gS i.xdS 16. �xbS gxa1 17.gxa1 .bf3 18.gxf3 h6 19.i.h4 gS 2 0 .i.g3 c6 2 1.�b7 .txd4 2 2 .gd1 cS 23.b4 cxb4 24. liJe4 liJf5 2S.�xb4 �b6 =

l 4 .b:a6 l5.gel ti'xd5 16. ti'xd5 �xd5 l7.�c3 i.b7 (17 . . . liJb4�) 18.gxa8 gxa8� Black's pair of bishops and his more ac­ tively deployed pieces compen­ sate his minimal material deficit. •••

A2) lO.h3 �a5 1l.i.c2 d6 l2.�c3 .tb7 About 12 . . . cS - see Dijkhuis Berkovich, Groningen 2012, game 24. (diagram)

13.a3 cS= 13.a4 b4 14.�e2 cS= lS.i.f4 liJc4 16.�c1 cxd4 17.i.h6 gc8+ Bel­ laiche - Ivanisevich, Aix-Ies­ Bains 2011.

13.i.gS h6 14.i.h4 (14.i.f4 fS ! ? lS.eS, Qiu - Tu Hoang Thong, Viet­ nam 2013, lS ... liJc4oo) �d7 1S. gel (lS.eS? liJi5+) lS ... gae8 16.gc1 liJc4 17.b3 liJb6 18.i.b1 gS 19.i.g3 fS= Jarkich - Delchev, Bosnjaci 2013 . 13.i.f4 liJc4 14.b3 (14.�c1 fS 1S. i.h6 fxe4 16.he4 he4 17.liJxe4 �d7= Stern - Mary, ICCF 2007, or 17 . . . liJdS=) 14 ... liJa3 lS.i.d3 cS= Hant - Svetushkin, Livigno 2011. 13.b3 cS 14.i.b2 (14 . .te3, Geske - Ernst, Remagen 2011, 14 ... dS ! ?t) 14 . . . cxd4 lS.liJxd4 �b6= 16.liJce2? ! dS+ Petenyi - Gronda, Budapest 2012. 13.liJe2 cS 14.dS (14.gb1 �ec6+; 14.b3 cxd4 1S.liJexd4 liJac6 16.i.b2 liJeS=) 14 . . . liJc4 lS.gb1, Atabayev - Annageldyev, Buda­ pest 2013, lS . . . �d7= 13.dS c6 14.dxc6 (14.i.gS, Mu­ zychuk - Stefanova, Beijing 2013, 14 . . .cxdS lS.liJxdS i.xdS 16.exdS h6 ! ? 17.i.c1 liJc4 18.gb1 �b7+) 14 . . . i.xc6= Longson - Collins, Hinkley 2012. 181

Step by Step

Chapter 7 13

•••

cS

14 .ig5?! This move looks quite natural but it is imprecise, because Black will play lLlc4 in the nearest future and White will have problems with the protection of his b2-pawn.

13xf3 1B.gxf3 .ixd4+ and Black has more than sufficient compensa­ tion for the exchange) lS . . . cxd4 16.lLlexd4 lLlxd4 17.lLlxd4 lLlc6 lB . .ie3 13cB 19.13c1 lLlxd4 20 . .ixd4 hd4 2 1.%Yxd4 %YgS+ Black exerts rather unpleasant pressure, or 14 . . . cxd4 lS.lLlxd4 13cB (It is also very good for him to opt for 15 ... lLlac6 16 . .ie3 lLlxd4 17.hd4 heS+ followed by lLlc6) 16.ib2 13eB 17. �d2 lLlec6 1B.lLlce2 lLlxd4 19 .hd4 dS ! +

•

14.dxcS. With this move White gives up his position in the centre. He cannot fight for an advan­ tage in this way. 14 ... dxcS 15. �e2? ! (The position would have remained within equality after lS . .igS 13eB ! ? 16.%Yc1 �c7=) 15 . . . lLlec6 ! + I t i s essential for Black to bring into the actions this particu­ lar knight (in the game Jansa Korneev, Andorra 199B, Black continued more modestly 15 . . . lLl ac6 16 . .igS= ). He wishes to transfer his knight to the d4square. After 16 . .igS ? ! Black will play 16 . . . lLld4+ anyway. Following 14.b3, he has an excellent position after 14 . . . lLlac6 lS.lLle2 (lS . .ie3 fS ! 16.%Yd2. White prevents the enemy pawn-advance fS-f4. 16 . . . fxe4 17.lLlxe4 1B2

After 14.dS lLlc4 ! ? , there arises a pawn-structure which is typical for the Benoni Defence in which Black has already advanced b7bS, so his position is quite accept­ able, Agnelli - Pilgaard, Bergamo 2003.

14 h6 15 .ih4 cxd4 �xd4 gcS 17.gbl geS+ •.•

•

16.

The pressure on the hB-a1 diagonal, in connection with the at­ tack on the c-file, followed by lLlc4, provides Black with an ad­ vantage. White's bishop on h4 is misplaced. Later, in the game

4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6 6. ic4 ig7 7.d4 ed B.cd b5 9. ib3 0-0 Dgebuadze - Fressinet, Germany 2 0 1 1 there followed: lS.ib3? ! lLlxb3 19.axb3 Wld7 2 0 .'!Wd2 dS+, but it was even stronger for Black to play 19 . . . b4 ! 20.lLla4 hd4 21. �xd4 lLlc6 2 2 .�b6 (22.Wlf6 �xf6 23.hf6 ge6 24.i.h4 lLld4+) 2 2 . . . Wlxh4 23.�xb7 lLld4+ White's piec­ es are discoordinated, while Black is threatening gcS-c2 , so White's situation is critical. The move 24.�b4 is impossible due to 24 . . . lLlc2 - +

Aa) 10 .ig5 h6 •

Wlxf1+ 21.�xf1 fxg6+ 22 .Wlf3 gxf3+ 23.gxf3 hh3+; 20.idS ghS 2 1.Wld1 lLlge7 22 .eS dxeS 23. dxeS lLlxeS 24.haS hfS 2S.if3 lLld3 26.lLlc3 Wld4+ 27.�h2 hh3 2S.gxh3 WleS+ 29.�gl gxh3 30. Wle2 �d4+ 31.gf2 gg3+ 32 .�f1 lLlfS 33.gg2 lLle3+ 34.Wlxe3 Wlxe3 3S.gxg3+ �fS 36.lLld1 WleS+) 13. ic2 gS 14.1g3 fS= Lobanov - V. Popov, St. Petersburg 2013. 1l.J.f4 d6 (ll ... dS 12 .eS 194+; 12.exdS lLlxdS= with the idea 13. hdS WlxdS 14.lLlc3 WlhS) 12 .h3 (12 .dS lLlaS = ; 12 . . . hb2 13.hh6 ha1 14.hfS WlxfS lS.dxc6 lLlxc6 16.lLlbd2 i.f6+) 12 ... lLlaS 13.ic2 i.b7= 14.lLlc3 lLlc4 1S.b3 lLlb6 (15 ... lLla3 ! ? 16.i.d3 cS=) 16.Wld2 gS 17. i.h2 fS= Atabayev - Berczes, Bu­ dapest 2013.

11 )oa5 This standard manoeuvre pro­ vides Black with a quite accepta­ ble position. .•

11 .ie3 •

It would be anti-positional for White to choose 1l.he7 lLlxe7= and without his important dark-squared bishop, he would have no prospects to fight for the initiative in the opening. 1l.J.h4 ? ! d6 12 .h3 lLlaS (12 . . . gS ! ? 13.J.g3 g 4 14.hxg4 hg4+; 13. ixgS hxgS 14.lLlxgS J.h6 lS.WlhS ixgS 16.�xgS+ �h7 17.f4 lLlg6 lS. WlhS+ �g7 19.fS Wlf6+ 2 0.fxg6?

It was weaker for him to play 1l . . . d6 in view of 12 .dS! lLlaS (It would not work for Black to opt for 12 . . . hb2 ? ! 13.lLlbd2 lLlaS 14. hh6 i.g7 lS.hg7 �xg7 16.Wlc2 t) 13.�d2 lLlxb3 14.axb3 �h7 15. i.d4;!;. White neutralises his oppo­ nent's important dark-squared bishop, which guarantees a com­ fortable game for him. The risky move 1l . . . dS, follow­ ing 12.eS lLlfS 13.lLlc3 i.e6 14.lLle2 lLlaS lS.lLlf4;!;, enables White to solS3

Step by Step

Chapter ? lidify his stable space advantage in the centre.

A4) lO.d5 �a5

1l .lc2 •

l2 .Ac2 It is not in the spirit of the po­ sition for White to give up his im­ portant light-squared Ruy Lopez bishop for the enemy knight after 12.lLl bd2 ltJxb3 13.ltJxb3 . Black ob­ tains a good position after the ac­ tive move 13 . . . fS, trying to open the centre by undermining it, af­ ter which his bishop-pair may become a very important factor. 14.exfS !!xf5 (it seemed more ac­ tive fo r Black to opt here fo r 14 . . . ltJxf5 ! ?) 15.ltJc5? ! d6 16.�b3+ ltJd5 ! 17.g4 ? ! dxc5 18.gxf5 c4 19. �d1 .ixf5+ D.Hart - D.Howell, Halifax 2 0 1 0 .

l2 . . . �c4 l3.Ac1 d6= Black is threatening to play the moves .lg4 or c5 and to improve his position. The power of White's centre is balanced by Black's more actively deployed pieces and the possibili­ ty for him to undermine it with the moves c5 and fS .

184

Black should not be afraid of 1 l . d 6 . In the game Shomoev Zvjagintsev, Moscow 2011, there followed: 1l . . . cxd6 12 .�xd6 ltJb7 (12 . . . .ib7 ! ? 13.ltJc3 !!e8 14.!!e1 ltJc8 15.�d3 ltJb6oo) 13.�f4 ltJc500 14.!!d1 d5 (14 . . . .lb7 ! ? = ) 15.hd5? ! ltJxd5 16.exd5 .if5 17.ltJc3 ltJd3+ 11.ltJc3 d6= 12 .ltJd4 (12 ..le3 .ig4 13.h3 hf3 14.�xf3 f5= ; 12 .h3 b4 13 .ltJa4 ltJxb3 14.axb3 f5'+; 13. ltJe2 ltJxb3 14.�xb3 c5=) 12 ... .ib7= Kolosowski - Sadzikowski, Polanica Zdroj 2010. It would be interesting for White to sacrifice the exchange here with 11 . .ld2 ! ? and accepting it for Black would be very risky. (diagram) 1 1 . . . ixb2? ! 12 ..txa5 ha1 13. ltJc3 .txc3 (13 . . . ib2? 14.�d2 .la3 15.�h6+ - ; 14 . . . hc3 15.hc3 d6 16.�h6 f6 17.ltJg5+-) 14.hc3 d6 15 . .lf6 ig4 16.�d2 hf3 17.gxf3

4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 a6 6. i.c4 1J.g7 7.d4 ed B.cd b5 9. ib3 0-0

�e8 18.'it>g2 (18.'Wh6? ltJfS 19. i.xd8 ltJxh6 2 0 ..b:c7 fSoo) 18 ... �c8 19.�el+ - with the idea �gS and e4-eS. It would be most prudent for Black to opt here for 11 . . . cS or 11 . . . ltJxb3. 11 . . . cS 12 .d6 (12 .1J.c3 d6 13. !xg7 'it>xg7=) 12 ... ltJec6 13.1J.c3 1J.b7 (13 . . . ltJxb3 ! ? 14.�xb3 c4 IS.'Wc2 ib7= , or 14 . . . ltJd4 IS.hd4 cxd4 16.eS ib7 17.ltJbd2, Nagy - Toma­ zini, Iasi 2011, 17 . . . �e8= ) 14. �eloo Bokros - Banusz, Budapest 2012. 11 . . . ltJxb3 12.�xb3 d6 13.1J.c3 (13.1J.aS, Umudova - Imnadze, Tbilisi 2011, 13 . . . ib7 14.�dl �d7 IS.1J.c3 c6 16.ixg7 'it>xg7 17.dxc6 ltJxc6 18.a4 �e7 - the position is close to equality) 13 . . . cS !

centre become important factors, Rogic - Rade, Sibenik 2012. 14.ixg7 'it>xg7 IS.�c3 (15. ltJbd2 f6oo) IS ... 'it>g8 ! (IS . . .f6 16. b4;!;) 16.�f6 (16.b4? fS H). White's position seems very threatening, but after 16 . . .ig4 (it is also good for Black to play here 16 ... ltJc6), Smeets - Efimenko, Bremen 2013, 17.ltJbd2 ltJc8 18.�f4 ixf3 19.ltJxf3 ltJb6, Black is not worse at all. 14.dxc6 ie6 ! IS.�a3 ltJxc6 16. ixg7 'it>xg7 17.�c3+ ltJeS 18.ltJxeS dxeS 19.�xeS+ (19.f4? �b6+ 20. 'it>hl b4 2 1.�xeS? f6-+ ; 21.�el exf4+) 19 . . . �f6 20.�xf6+ 'it>xf6 21. ltJc3 �fd8 22 .�adl b4 23.ltJdS+ i.xdS 24.exdS �ac8 2S.�d2 �cS= 26.�fdl 'it>e7 27.f4 'it>d6 28.'it>f2 , draw, Erenburg - Gofshtein, Ash­ dod 2004.

1l . . . d6

12.1Oc3 This natural move is the best for White. 14.�dl? ! f6 ! + - Now, the pres­ ence of two bishops for Black and his dynamic pawn-mass in the

His alternatives are not so en­ ergetic and enable Black to organ­ ise excellent counterplay. 185

Step by Step

Chapter 7 After 12,ltJbd2 c6! 13.dxc6 ttJexc6+ Black has a considerable lead in development. 1 2 .h3 c6 13.dxc6 ttJexc6 14. ttJc3 i.e6 1S.ttJdS ttJc4= Djukic Khalifman, Aix-Ies-Bains 2011. 12.ttJd4 i.b7 13.ttJc3 b4 14. ttJce2 (14.ttJa4 c6+ 1S.dxc6 ttJexc6 16.ttJf3 ttJc4+; lS.a3 cxdS 16.axb4 ttJac6 17.ttJxc6 ttJxc6 18.ttJc3 ttJxb4 19.ttJxdS ttJxc2 20.'�xc2 hdS 2l. exdS �b6+) 14... c6 1S.dxc6 ttJexc6+ Black leads in development and has more actively deployed piec­ es. 16.i.e3 (16.ttJf3 ttJc4 17J3b1 ge8+; 17 . . . gc8+; 17 . . . ttJ6eS+) 16 . . . gc8 17.ttJxc6 ttJxc6 18.gb1 ttJeS+ (with the idea dS), Meera - Mo­ hota, Chennai 2011.

12

..•

It is also possible for him to play at first 13 . . . b4, in the game T.Kosintseva - I.Sokolov, Bosna 2010, there followed later 14.ttJa4 c6 1S.dxc6 hc6= It may be interesting for Black to try 13 . . . gc8 with the idea to ad­ vance c7-c6, so that after dSxc6, he may capture on c6 with his rook.

J.b7

••.

It is not worse for Black to play here 12 . . . b4. In the game Schoort - Saric, Biel 2013, there followed: 13.ttJe2 c6 14.dxc6 ttJexc6 (Black's position is very good too after 14 . . . ttJ axc6= ) lS.h3 (1S.gb1? ! Ly - Ze­ lesco, Springvale 2 0 14, lS . . .i.g4+) 1S . . . i.b7 16.ttJf4 ttJc4= About 12 . . .fS - see S.Kasparov - Zhao Xue, Brasschaat 2 013, game 25.

13.ge1, Inarkiev - Iordaches­ cu, Konya 2 0 1 2 , 13 . . . gc8 14.gb1 c6 1S.dxc6 gxc6= 186

13 c6 Black undermines his oppo­ nent's centre with this simple and natural move.

14 .lg5 •

14.dxc6 ! ? i.xc6 lS.i.e3 i.b7 16.i.d4 hd4 17.'�xd4 ttJc4 18.!b3 ttJc6 19.�d3 ttJ 6aS=

14 �c4 15.dxc6 hc6 16. �d4 J.b7 17.a4 h6! ..•

In the game Ly - Zelesco, Can­ berra 2 0 13, Black played impre­ cisely 17 . . . b4? ! 18.ttJdS hdS 19. exdSt and White seized the initia­ tive.

4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 a6 6. i.c4 i.g7 7.d4 ed B.cd b5 9. i.b3 0-0 18.he7 (It i s weaker for White to opt here for 1B.i.h4 gS 19.i.g3 Wlb6 20.lDce2 l!feB ! ?+) 18 Wlxe7 19.axbS gfc8� with excellent compensation for the pawn, for example: 20.'Bd3 (20. lDc6 WlfB 2 1.lDdS i>hB+; 20.lDdS hdS 21.exdS lDxe3 !+) 20 axbS 21.lLIdxbS (21.lDcxbS dS ! ? 2 2 . exdS �d7+ with the idea 23.lDc3 i.a6+) 21 i.a6 22 .i.b3 lLIeS ! ? 23.�e2 gab8+ •••

•••

•••

Pavlov, Aix-Ies-Bains 2012) 13. i.e3 'ifih7 14.l!c1t fS (It was more careful for Black to have played here 14 . . . i.b7, but even then he would have problems following lS.dS;!; or lS.�d3;!;) lS.�d3 ! i.b7? 16.lDg5 ! hxgS 17.i.xgS dS 1B.exdS i.f6 19.Wlh3+ i>g7 20.�h6+ 'ifif7 21.d6+ lDd5 22.l!xc7+ �xc7 23..ixf6 Wld7 24.�g7+ i>e6 2S.l!e1+ i>xd6 26.i.eS+ i>c6 27J!c1 1-0 Danilen­ ko - Dounis, Paleohora 20H.

AS) 10.lLIc3

1l.i.gS 11.dS d6 - see 1O.dS. This is White's best chance to fight for at least a minimal open­ ing advantage. 10 lLIaS! This is the best move for Black and it provides him with a very comfortable game. •••

The seemingly natural move 10 . . . d6, can be countered very ef­ fectively by White with the move H.lDdS ! , for example: H . . . h6 (H . . . lLIxdS 12 .i.xdS i.b7 13.i.gS Wld7 14. �d2;!;) 1 2 .lDxe7+ lDxe7 (12 ... Wlxe7 13 . .!dS i.b7 14.l!el;!; Akopian - S.

H.eS lDxb3 12.Wlxb3 i.b7= 1U!e1 d6 12 .i.gS (12 .dS lDxb3 13.Wlxb3 .!g4 = ; 12 .h3 i.b7=) 12 ... h6 13.he7 (13 . .!e3 lDxb3 14.�xb3 i.g4 lS.lDd2 cS 16.dxcS dxcS=) 13 ... Wlxe7 14.lDdS �dB 1S.l!c1 i.b7!= 16.lDxc7 (16.a4 cS 17.dxcS l!cB=) 16 ... l!cB 17.lDdS l!xcl l8.�xc1 lDxb3 19.axb3 gS� 20.b4 (20.h3 fSt) 20 ... g4 21.lDd2 WIgS 22.lDe3 hd4= H.i.e3 d6 12 .Wld2 (12 .h3 i.b7=) 12 . . . lDxb3 13 .axb3 fSoo (13 . . . i.g4=) 1B7

Step by Step

Chapter 7 14.i.gS (14.eS i.b7 lS.1t1gS ? ! dxeS 16.1t1e6 Wfd6 17.1t1xg7? f4- + ; 17. ltlxfB ? ! f4- + ; 17.dS ltlxdS 1B.ltlxfB ltlxe3 19.Wfxe3 hfB+) 14 . . . Wfd7 ' lS.eS dxeS 16.1t1xeS he S 17.dxeS §'xd2 1B .hd2 i.e6= 11.i.c2 d6

17.i.d4 i.bS (It would not be so appropriate for him to play 17 . . . §'d7 1B .b3 i.h6?! 19.i.d3t N . Kosintseva - I.Sokolov, Sarajevo 2010.) 1B.i.d3 hd4 19.1t1xd4 ltlec6 20.1t1xc6 ltlxc6 21.b3 ltleS= and Black has no problems at all .

1l

12 .h3 i.b7 - see 1O .h3 12 .i.f4?! i.g4+ 13.1t1e2 hf3 14. gxf3 cS (14 . . . 1t1ec6? ! lS.b3oo Sebag - Stefanova, Beijing 2 0 13) lSJ:k1 §,b6 16.i.e3 1t1c4+ Black should not be afraid of 12 .i.gS ? ! h6 13.i.f4 i.b7 14.Ek1 l"1cB lS.i.b1 ltlc4 16.§'e2 fS= Gan­ guly - Tkachev, Wijk aan Zee 2 0 1 1 and he could have put in doubt White's play with the re­ source 13 . . . i.g4 ! 14.h3 hf3 15. Wfxf3 ltlec6 16.dS ltld4 17.Wfd1 (17. Wfd3 1t1c4+) 17 . . . Wff6f 12 .dS i.b7 ! ? = Black is planning c7-c6. 13.l"1b1 (13.i.f4 ltlc4= ; 13. l"1e1 l"1eB 14.l"1b1 c6 lS.dxc6 hc6 16.i.f4 l"1cB 17.1t1e2 ltlc4 1B.ltled4. Here, in the game Inarkiev - Ior­ dachescu, Konya 2 0 1 2 , the oppo­ nents agreed to a draw, but Black could have continued the fight by playing 1B . . . i.b7+) 13 . . . b4 ! ? 14. ltla4 c6 lS.dxc6 hc6 16.i.e3 l"1bB 1BB

.••

h6!

Black should not be in a hurry to trade on b3, because after 11 . . . ltlxb3 12 .Wfxb3 h6 13 .he7 Wfxe7 14.1t1dS WfdB lS.l"1ac1 c6 16.1t1f4 Wff6 17.1t1d3 (17.g3 ! ?t) 17 . . . aS lB. eSt, White's superior develop­ ment provides him with stable positional pressure.

12 .he7 The retreat 12 .i.h4 is not pref­ erable, since following 12 . . . 1t1xb3 13.§'xb3 gS 14.i.g3 d6, Black's bishop-pair guarantees an excel­ lent position for him. lS.h4 (lS.l"1ad1 i.e6 16.dS i.g4+ or 16.Wfc2 fSf; lS.h3 'i!;>hB ! ? = with the idea f7-fS ; lS.l"1fe1 'i!;>hB 16.eS ltlfS = Nurkic - Brkic, Jahorina 2012) lS . . . g4 16.1t1h2 'i!;>hB (16 ... hd4 ! ?+) 17.1t1e2 fS 1B.eS dxeS 19.dxeS WfdS = AI Modiahki - M. Bartel, Moscow 2012.

12 . . . Ybe7 13. �d5 �M8 14. l"1c1 14.1t1eS ? ! , Makarenko - Mury­ gin, Izhevsk 2011, 14 . . . d6 ! ? (it is

4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6 6. ia4 ig7 7.d4 also good for Black to play here 14 . . . �b7) 1S.lilxg6 fxg6 16.lilxc7+ 'it>h7 17.lilxaB ib7+

B) 6 .*.a4 •

6 14

ib7!N=

•••

The position is not so clear af­ ter 14 . . J�a7. In the game Guliyev - Erdos, 2012, there followed lat­ er 1SJ:l:e1 (1S.lilf4 ! ?;!;) 1S . . . d6 16.h3 'it>h7oo

lS.eS After 1S.lilxc7? ! l'!cB 16.lildS l'!xc1 17.�xc1 lilxb3 1B.axb3 l'!eB 19.1'!e1 fS:;:, Black's initiative more than compensates his missing pawn.

lS . . . �xb3 16.exb3 d6 17.e6 (17.lilxc7? l'!cB 1B.lildS l'!xc1 19. l'!xc1 dxeS=F) 17 fxe6 18.�xc7 gxf3 ! 19.9xf3 WgS+ 20.'it>hl ehS 2 1.Wxe6+ 'it>h7 22 .dS exf3 + 23.'it>gl gf8 24.ee3 ef5 = 2S.�e6 (2SJ:kd1 l'!cB 26. lile6 ixb2�) 2S exdS 26. �xf8 + 'it>h8 27. �xg6+ 'it>h7 28.�f8+ 'it>h8 29.�g6+ 'it>h7= •••

•••

.lg7

•••

The line : 6 . . . d6 7.d4 id7 B. .ib3t leads to one of the positions of the Modern Steinitz Defence in the Ruy Lopez, in a favourable version for White. 6 . . . bS 7 . .ic2 ! ig7 B.d4 exd4 9.cxd4 dS 10.exdS ! lilxdS (10 ... lilb4 1l . .ib3;!; - see Chapter 2) 1l . .igS;!;

7.d4! This is White's most energetic move in his fight for a slight edge in the opening. The rather slow move 7.d3 en­ ables Black to obtain a very com­ fortable position following 7 ... 0o B . .ie3 (B.lilbd2 dS= ; B . . . d6=) B ... d6 9.lilbd2 h6, with the idea f7-fS with good counterplay. It would not be energetic enough for White to opt for 7.l'!e1, because after 7 ... 0-0 B.d4 exd4

1B9

Chapter 7

Step by Step

9.cxd4 b5 1O .i.c2 (1O .i.b3 d6 see variation A, 10J'�e1 d6) 10 . . . d5= , Black solves all his opening problems, Palit - Stocek, Canber­ ra 2 013.

7

•••

exd4 8.cxd4 .

It is not so active for White to continue with 8.ltJxd4 0-0.

9 . .ie3 ltJe5 10.ltJd2 d5= Mc­ Cormick - Ulvestad, Baltimore 1948. 9.f4 d5 10.ltJxc6 (10 .e5, Halp­ ern - Delmar, New York 1899, 1O .. .f6=) 1O . . . ltJxc6 (1O . . . bxc6 11. ltJd2 gb8oo) 11.�xd5 Wfxd5 12 .exd5 ltJe7 13.i.b3 gd8 14.gd1 i.g4 15. gd2 i.f5� Or 9.i.g5 ltJxd4 1O.cxd4 h6 1l.i.h4 (1l.he7? ! �xe7 12.ltJc3 c6+ and White's pawn-centre does not compensate Black's powerful bishop-pair) 1l . . . d5 12 .e5 g5 13. i.g3 ltJf5 14.ltJc3 c6= Frolyanov Shurakov, Kazan 2 0 1 2 . (diagram) Now, we will analyse two pos­ sibilities for Black: Bl) 8 h5 and B2) 8 . . . 0-0 ! ? He can also t ry 8 . . . d 5 and after 9.exd5 ltJxd5 10.ge1+ i.e6 1l.i.g5 •••

190

Wfd6 12.ltJbd2 0-0 13.ltJe4 Wfb4 14. hc6 bxc6, or 13.ltJc4 Wfb4 14.,bc6 bxc6, there will arise pawn-struc­ tures similar to the Classical vari­ ation. The difference is that in our case Black's pawn is on a6, while in the Classical variation it is on a7, which does not change the es­ sence of the position. We have al­ ready mentioned that in the Clas­ sical variation Black obtains reli­ able positions, but his chances of seizing the initiative are just mini­ mal.

Bl) 8 . . . h5? ! This move used to be consid­ ered as the main line for Black, but White found a very active plan and Black was faced with serious problems. 9.i.c2 ! The placement of this bishop on c2 is better than on the b3square, because in numerous variations it would not come un­ der attack after the manoeuvre ltJa5. About 9 ..ib3 0-0 - see 6 . .ic4.

4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 a6 6. i.a4 i.g7 7.d4 ed B.cd

9 d6 This is Black's relatively best move, which however, would not solve all the opening difficulties for him. It is not preferable for Black to opt for 9 ... 0-0, since White has the powerful counter argument 10.dS ! ttJ aS (10 . . . ttJa7 11.d6 cxd6 12 .�xd6;!;; 1O . . . ttJeS 11.ttJxeS .ixeS 12.f4 i.g7 13.fSt; it is interesting for Black to choose 1O . . . ttJb4 ! ? , as it was played in the game Chith­ ambaram - Naiditsch, Reykjavik 2 014 : 11.,tb3 as 12.a3 ttJa6 13.a4 bxa4 14.i.xa4 ttJcSoo, but after 13. ttJc3 ! ? ttJc5 14.i.e3 ttJxb3, Black still has problems to worry about, for example: IS.'ltIxb3 ia6 16JUdl �bB 17 ..id4;t) 11 . .td2 ! t (11.a4 see Kupreichik - Arkhipov, Muenster 1991, game 26). ...

After 11 ... cS, it is good for White to play 12 . .tc3 ! ? , neutralis­ ing Black's important dark­ squared bishop (about 12.d6;t see Zherbukh - Zvjaginsev, Aix­ les-Bains 2011, game 27) 12 ... d6 13.h3;t Black's misplaced knight on the eS-square provides White with a stable positional advan­ tage. Following 11 ... ttJc4 12 .i.c3 ttJxb2 13.'ltIe2 ! ? (13.'ltIcl ttJc4 14. i.xg7 �xg7 IS.ib3� with the idea IS . . . ttJb6 16.'ltIc3+ f6 17.ttJbd2 ib7 IB.a4 bxa4 19.ha4t) 13 . . . ttJc4 14. hg7 �xg7 IS.a4 .tb7 16.i.d3� White has powerful initiative. 16 .. .fS 17.hc4 bxc4 IB .'ltIb2+ �f6 19.d6 (19.'ltIxb7? �b6-+) 19 ... cxd6 20 .�xbn 11 . . . i.xb2 12 .i.xaS i.xaI 13.ttJc3 i.b2 (Black will be in a great trou­ ble if he parts with his important dark-squared bishop 13 . . . .ixc3?! 14.hc3 f6? IS.d6 cxd6 16.�xd6 ttJc6 17.eS+-; 14 ... d6 IS.if6± His position is hardly defensible any more, for example: IS ... ig4 16.'ltId2 hf3 17.gxf3 �eB 18.�g2 �cB 19.�el+- with the idea �d2gS and e4-eS) 14.d6 ! ttJc6 IS.hc7 'ltIeB 16.ttJdS (16.'ltId2�) 16 . . . �h8 (16 . . . ib7 17.'ltId2 ttJdB IB.ttJe7+ �h8 19.ttJd4 ttJe6 20 ..ib6 hd4 21.hd4+ ttJxd4 22.�xd4+ f6 23. ib3±; 16 ...ig7 17.eS ttJxeS l8. ttJe7+ �h8 19.ttJxeS heS 20.�dS+-; 17 . . . .tb7 18.�el± ttJd8 19.ttJf6+ hf6 20.exf6 ttJe6 21.'ltId2 +-; 20 ... hf3 2 1.�d2 'ltIxel+ 22 .�xel i.b7 23.'ltId2 ttJe6 24.�h6 �h8 2S.h4±) 17.'ltId2� (17.i.b3 .ig7 18.eS ttJxeS 191

Step by Step

Chapter 7 19J''! e 1 f6 2 0.liJxf6 hi6 2l.liJxe5 he5 22 . .tb6 1'!f4 23.g3+-) 17. . . liJe5 ? ! 1B .liJxe5 ! h:e5 ( l B . . . �xe5? ! 19.1'!b 1 ! ± �g7? ! 20.1'!xb2 �xb2 2l. .tb6 + - ; 19 . . . .id4 2 0 .1'!d1 .ic5 2l. .ia5±) 19.f4 .ig7 20.f5±

82) 8

•••

0-0 !?

10.h3 0-0 1l.liJc3 �a5

This position resembles the one analysed in the variation 6 . .ic4 .ig7 7.d4 exd4 B.cxd4 b5 9. .ib3 0-0 1O .h3 liJ a5 1l . .ic2 d6 12. liJc3, but in a better version for White, since in this case his bish­ op on c2 is better placed there than on the b3-square, not com­ ing under the strike liJa5xb3. 12 .if4 .ib7 13.ge1 gc8?! It was relatively best for Black to play here 13 .. :�d7 14.1'!c1 1'!aeB 15.a4;t 14 .td3 ! b4 15.�a4 f1d7 16.a3 16 . .id2 ! ? t 1 6 bxa3 17.gxa3± White has a space advantage in the centre and his pieces are better coordinated, so he main­ tains a clear advantage, A.Zhi­ galko - I.Sokolov, Plovdiv 2 0 1 2 . •

•

This is Black's most reliable reply in the pawn-structures of the Modern variation. The arising positions are complicated and very dynamic and he has good chances of seizing the initiative. 9.d5 This is a very modern move. White's alternatives are only seldom played and are not dan­ gerous for Black. 9 . .if4?! d5+ He has no problems after 9. .ig5 h6 1O . .ie3 b5 1l . .tc2 (1l . .tb3 liJa5= with the idea 12.liJbd2 d5= or 12 . . . .ib7=) 1l . . . d5= Following 9.h3, Black equalis­ es easily after 9 . . . b5 10 . .ic2 (10. .ib3 liJa5 1l ..tc2 d6 12.liJc3 .ib7= - see variation A) 10 . . . d5=

•••

192

Black's simplest way to coun­ ter the move 9.liJc3 is the line: 9 ... b5 10 ..tc2 (1O . .ib3 liJa5 - see vari­ ation A3) 1O . . M 1l.liJe2 d5= Potze - Erwich, Hoogeveen 2011. .

4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6 6. i.a4 i.g7 7.d4 ed B.cd 9 . . . �a5! 9 ... b5 lO.ic2 ! (lO.dxc6 - see Jeran - Pavasovic, Ljubljana 2007, game 28) lO . . . ltJ a5 11.i.d2 ! - see 8 . . . b5.

been considerably reduced with the absence of his dark-squared bishop off the board, Papp N.Pedersen, Aarhus 2012.) 11 ... ltJxb2 12 .Wc2 ltJxa4 13.Wxa4 d6 He has some compensation for the pawn, but not more than that. It is much easier to play this posi­ tion with Black, since White will need to work hard to prove that his compensation for the pawn is sufficient.

10

b5 1l.i.c2

•.•

About 11.i.b3 d6 - see varia­ tion A2.

1l

•••

d6oo

White cannot achieve much with the standard move lO.d6? ! in view of lO . . . cxd6 11.ltJc3 (11. Wxd6? ! ltJc4 12.Wb4 b5t) 11 . . . b5 12 .i.c2 ib7+ After 10.ltJbd2, Black's sim­ plest reply would be lO . . . c5 l1ol''l:b 1 (11.d6 ltJec6 12.ixc6 ltJxc6 13.a4 :!3b8= Szalanczy - Mozez, Hunga­ ry 1997) 11 . . . b5 12 .ic2 c4 13.b4 ltJb7 14.:!3e1, Soltanici - Feryn, Cappelle la Grande 2 0 14 (14.a4 d6oo) 14 . . . d6 15.a4 Wc7! ?oo Black will hardly have any problems following 10 .id2, due to 10 . . . ltJc4, after which there aris­ es a very complicated position in which his prospects are not worse. 11.ic3 (11.ib3 ltJxd2 12 .�xd2 d6= White's attacking potential has

The chances of both sides are approximately equal in this com­ plicated position. Black's plan includes advanc­ ing c6 or c5 at an opportune mo­ ment and after the exchange on c6, White's pawn will not cramp Black's position. He will solve all the problems with his development and will obtain a lively piece play. 12. �d4 193

Step by Step

Chapter 7 This looks like a natural move, but it is not dangerous for Black. 12 .h3 b4 ! ? , Meier - Schunk, Osterburg 1996, 13.lLIe2 c6 14. dxc6 lL1axc6 1SJ!b1 dS= 12J:�b1 i.b7, Alavi - Nezad, Sharjah 2011 (12 . . . b4 ! ? 13.lLIa4 .td7! ? 14.b3 .tbS lSJ�e1 c6oo) 13 . .tf4 ¥Bd7 ! ? =

14 12 J�e1 b400 (12 . . J:!eB ! ?= ) 13. lLIe2 .tg4 (13 . . . c6! ?oo) 14.lLIed4 cS lS.dxc6 lLIexc6= Munguntuul Zhu Chen, Ulanbatar 2010.

•••

c5 !N=

14 . . . lLIa3 ? ! lSJ�c1 '!Wd7 16.'!Wd2;!; Khanin - Najer, Moscow 2014.

15.bxc4 12

.lb7

•••

It is also good for Black to play here 12 . . . cS 13.dxc6 lLIexc6 14. lLIxc6 lLIxc6= Duport - CoIlins, London 2012, or 12 .. J�eB= 13.a4? ! b4 14.lLIce2 cS lS.dxc6 lLIexc6 16 . .te3 .tb7 17.lLIxc6 hc6 1B . .td4 he4 19.he4 �xe4+ Dvoirys Ponkratov, Ugra 2 013.

13 .lf4 �c4 •

13 . . . �eB ! ?=

14.b3

194

lS.dxc6 lLIxc6 16.lLIxc6 hc6 17.bxc4 hc3 1B.�c1 i.b2 ! 19.hd6 (19.�b1 i.eS+) 19 . . . hc1 2 0.hfB '!WxfB 2 1.'!Wxc1 bxc4 2 2 .'!We3 '!WeB 23.¥Bc3 i.a4=

15 hd4 16 .td2 (16.'!Wd2? ¥BaS-+) 16 b4 (16 .. .fS ! ?) 17. �e2. Now, it would be too risky for Black to accept the exchange­ sacrifice, because after 17 . . . .tg7 ! ?oo, h e would have a comfort­ able game. He plans to transfer his knight to the b6-square and to advance his a-pawn. •••

•

•••

Chapter 7

1.e4 e5 2.ll� f3 �c6 3.J.b5 �ge7 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 a6 Modern Variation Complete Games

Stevic Movsesian Rabac 2004 l.e4 e5 2 . �fJ �c6 3.Job5 �ge7 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 a6 6.Joa4 Jog7 7.d4 b5 8.Job3 exd4 9. cxd4 22

9 . . . d6 In the theoretical part of our book, we have analysed 9 . . . 0-0, but the move 9 ... d6 is also possi­ ble and may lead to transposition of moves. 10.h3 0-0 11.�c3 h6 In the theoretical part, we have analysed as the basic move for Black 1l . . . ltJa5, but in this game he decided to wait a bit with this ma­ noeuvre. 12 .J.e3 The prophylactic move 12.a3 ! ? frees the a2-square for the knight and could have put Black's last

move under some doubt. 12 ... �a5 13.d5 It has become obvious that White does not plan now to free his light-squared bishop, so it was sensible for him to think about the inclusion of the moves 13.�d2 @h7 and only now - 14.d5 ! Mean­ while, Black could have countered that with 13 . . . g5 ! ?

13 . . . c5 This move is too straightfor­ ward. It was more flexible for Black to have played 13 . . . ltJxb3 ! ? 14.�xb3 (after 14.axb3, Black is not obliged to advance his c­ pawn, which transposes to the game, but can follow with the more promising line : 14 . . . h4 ! 15. ltJa2 f5oo) 14 . . . c5 15.dxc6 .te6. We have analysed this position in our notes to White's move 15. 195

Complete Games

Chapter ? Meanwhile, the move 13 . . . cS is not a mistake. 14.dxc6 tOxb3 15.axb3 ! ? lS.YNxb3 i.e6 16.'1Wd1 ttJxc() 17. YNd2 'i!;>h7 1B.ttJd4 ttJxd4 19.ixd4 �gS ! 20.f4 hd4+ 2 1.�xd4 �cS 2 2 J'!ad1 gacB= 15 tOxc6 16.tOd5 Black has a good position too after 16.ttJxbS ixh3 17.ttJxd6 i.g4 1B .�dS ttJb4 19.�d2 ttJc2 2 0 .gad1 ttJxe3 21.YNxe3 YNe7= •••

16 . . . .te6? ! This is not the right square for the bishop ! In similar structures it belongs to b7, since it protects the knight and the a6-pawn and does not impede Black's pressure on the e-file against the enemy e4-pawn, so he had to play 16 . . . .ib7! 17.YNd2 'i!;>h7 1B.gfd1 gcB 19. gael geB= 17.ti'd2 It would be useless for White to choose 17.ttJb6, because after 17 . . . gbB, it would be impossible for him to play 1B.gxa6? due to 1B . . . ttJb4- + 17 'i!;>b7 Following 17 . . .ixdS 1B.exdS ttJeS 19.ttJxeS dxeS 2 0.d6± White's passed pawn guarantees a consid•••

196

erable advantage for him. lS.gfc1? ! Now, due to his control over the b4-square, it would be very strong for White to play 1B.ttJb6 ! ga7 (lB . . J'!bB 19.9xa6 ixb3 20. gel ttJe7 2 1.�b4±; 2 0 . . . ttJeS 21. ttJxeS dxeS 2 2 .ttJd7+ -) 19.9fcl± lS . . . .txd5 19.exd5 tOe7 20. .id4

White maintains certain pres­ sure and Black must play very ac­ curately. 20 tOf5? ! He did not need to remove un­ necessarily his knight from its ac­ tive position. From there it exert­ ed pressure against White's dS­ pawn and controlled the possible penetration of his rook to the c6square. 20 . . . ixd4 21.�xd4 YNd7, despite White's pressure, Black has all the chances of a successful defence. 21 .txg7 c,t>xg7 2 2 .b4? ! 2 2 .gc6 ! as 23.�f4± 2 2 ti'f6 23.gc6 gfeS (diagram) 24.gaxa6? ! This hasty capturing o f a pawn enables Black to organise effort­ lessly sufficient counterplay. ••.

•

•••

4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 a6 1l J.b7 About 11 . . . h6 - see Movsesian - Stevic, Rabac 2004, game 22. It is simpler for Black to play here 11 . . . lLlaS 12 .i.c2 cS, but the move in the game is also quite possible. 12 .ge1 12.lLldS ! ? as !oo 12 �a5 13.d5 White had better preserve his bishop 13 . .tc2 , which would have led to a position with mutual chances 13 . . . cS 14.dS lLlc4 IS.gbl lLlc8 ! ? 13 geS Black's desire to make a useful move for the moment and to wait a bit with the definition of his fur­ ther plan is quite understandable. Still, he could have played simpler - 13 . . . b4 ! 14.lLle2 (14.lLla4? ! lLlxb3 IS.axb3=!', or IS.�xb3 as=!' and White's knight on a4 is isolated from the actions.) 14 ... lLlxb3 15. �xb3 cS 16.dxc6 lLlxc6. Black's bishops are very active, so this enables him to think about more than equality . . . •••

White would have created more problems for his opponent with the line: 24.�c3 ! ge4 2S.g4 lLld4 26.lLlxd4 �xd4 ! (26 . . . gxd4 27. gxd6 �xd6 28.�xd4±) 27.gxd6 gae8 with good chances for Black for a draw, for example: 28.gdl �xc3 29.bxc3 gc8 30.gd3 gec4. 24 gxa6 25.gxa6 ge4! Now, after a correct play from both sides, the draw is inevitable. 26.ga3 lLld4 27.�f1 lLlxf3 2S.gxf3 YlYd4 29.'tlrc3 �gS 30. YlYeS + �g7 31. 'tlre3 �gS 32. �eS + . Draw. •••

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I.Sokolov Friedel Reykjavik 2011 1.e4 e5 2 . lLlf3 �e6 3 .tb5 a6 4 .ta4 �ge7 5.0-0 g6 6.e3 b5 7 .tb3 .tg7 S.d4 exd4 9.exd4 d6 10.h3 0-0 1l.�e3 23

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14 .tf4 The move 14.i.gS ! ? provokes Black to advance h7-h6. 14 . . . h6 •

197

Chapter 7 1S . .ie3. Now, White can win a tempo with the move VBd2 , but even after that the p'o sition re­ mains unclear. 14 ge8 Black, probably quite correct­ ly, does not force the issue yet: 14 . . . b4 1S.11Je2 hb2 (1S . . . 11Jxb3 16.VBxb3 fS 17.11Jed4 fxe4 18.11Jc6 hc6 19.dxc6+ �h8 20.11JgS;!;) 16. .ih6� 15.ffd2 ffd7 Black continues with the same strategy. He finds a useful move and intends seriously to advance fl-fS. 16 .ih6 .ih8 17.fff4? ! White had to take some meas­ ures in anticipation of the move fl-fS, for example with : 17.11JgS f6 18.11Je6 llJxb3 19.axb3 fS 2 0 .f3 c6 21.dxc600 or even 17.g4 ! ? 17 �xb3 18.axb3 •••

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18 b4 18 .. .fS ! ? 19.11JgS b4 20.11Ja4 VBbS ! (White can counter the nat­ ural move 20 . . . i.eS with the sur­ prising resource 2 1.11JcS ! .ixf4 2 2 . llJxd7 hgS 23.hgS � fl 24.11Jf6 gh8 2S.eS h6 26.e6+ �g7 27.11JhS+ gxhS 2 8.he7 hdS 29.i.h4 = ; 2 1 . . . V9bS 2 2 .V9h4 VBxcS 23.i.g7 h S 24.

Complete Games heS dxeS? 2S.11Je6 V9d6 26. V9f6 + - ; 24 ... 11Jxd5 25.gac1 V9b6 26 . .ig3 fxe4 27.11Jxe4�) 2 1.g4 (21. gac1 .ie5 2 2 .V9h4 i.f6+) 2 1 . . .i.e5 2 2 .V9f3 llJxd5 23.exd5 hd5 24. VBd1 .if6+ 19.�a4 gb8? ! Black has decided t o refrain from 19 . . . f5, probably because of White's obvious response 20.11Jg5, but either overlooking or under­ estimating the powerful move in return - 20 . . . V9b5 ! 20.gadl �c8?! Black continues manoeu­ vring. . . He has missed the right moment to seize the initiative, be­ cause now, with a white rook on d1 and what is more important the defenceless black c7-pawn, the pawn-advance fl-f5 does not have the desired effect for him, for example : 20 .. .f5? ! 21.11Jg5 V9b5?! 2 2 .11Je6±. Therefore, Black had to think about the prophylac­ tic move 20 .. .f600

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198

21.e5?! This is no doubt an attractive move ! White overlooks however, Black's counter resource. It was stronger for White to choose 21.i.g5 ! with the powerful

4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6 positional idea to trade the dark­ squared bishops, or if Black pre­ vents that with 2 1 . . .f6?, then after 2 2 .hf6 �f8 23.e5 dxe5 24.lLlxe5 �d6, he will be faced with the rather unpleasant surprise: 25. �c4 ! ! hf6 2 6.lLlc6 lLlb6 (26 . . . �a8 ? ! 27.�e6 ! �d7 28.lLlc5+-) 27. lLlxb6 �be8 28.�xe8 �xe8 29. lLla4± and Black has no compen­ sation for the pawn. 21 �a7? He panics . . . Meanwhile, after 2 1 . . .�b5 ! + Black would have found a defect in his opponent's beautiful position. The d5-pawn can hardly be protected comfort­ ably and Black's knight will be suddenly ready to join into the fight, not remaining on the unfor­ tunate a7-square. 2 2 .ge3 White stumbles. This looks like a logical move, but he was winning with the resolute re­ source 2 2 .e6! fxe6 (22 . . . �e7 23. lLlg5 f6 24.lLlf7+-) 23.dxe6 �e7 (23 . . . �xe6 24.�c4 ! d5 25.�xe6 �xe6 2 6.�xc7+-) 24.lLlg5 �f6 (24 . . . �f6 25.lLlc5 ! +-) 25.�c4 �e7 26.lLlf7+2 2 �b5 Black has brought up his knight into the fight and his de­ fence has become a bit easier . . . 2 2 . . . �f5? 23.exd6+ (diagram) 23.h4? Once again, White's hesitation saves Black. After 23.e6! fxe6 (23 . . . �e7 24.lLlg5 fxe6 25.dxe6 �f6 26.�c4, White would pro•••

•..

voke his opponent to play 26 ... d5 27.�c1+- and his knight would join into the actions with a great effect; 26 . . . �e7 27.lLlc5 ! ; it is not so good for White to opt for 26. �xb4 �g7 27.�h4 hh6 28.�xh6 �e7 29.lLlc3±) 24.dxe6 �e7 25. lLlg5 �f6 26.�c4 d5 (26 ... �e7 27. lLlc5) 27.�cl± and Black will hardly manage to save the game. 23 ti'fS The d6-square is protected now and this sortie becomes pos­ sible. The position is about equal again. 24.�xf5 gxf5 25. �d4 White is too optimistic. He had to think about the future of his knight on a4, joining it into the actions with 25.exd6oo 25 . . . he5 26. �xf5 .le8 27. �g7? ! This knight should have head­ ed for the e4-square - 27.lLlg3 ! .id7 28.lLle4 f5 29.�ec5 ! dxc5 30. lLlxc5= 27 .lg4? ! 27 . . . �e7! 28.lLlh5 f6 !+= 28.�xe8? After 28.�de1 �ed8 29.�e4, or 28. .. �e7 29.lLlc5 the fight would be raging again. 28 hdl 29.gxe5 dxe5 30. .••

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199

Complete Games

Chapter 7 �f6+ �h8 31.�cS gd8?! 3 1 . . .aS ! ?+

32 .hS? This is a very strange move. After 32 . .igS ! , Black would still have an edge, but not decisive yet. 32 . . . �d4 33.f3 33 . .igS h6 34 . .b:h6 .b:b3- + 33 . . . .bb3- + 34.�cd7 .bdS 3S . .1fB .1e6 36.h6 �f5 37.g4 .bd7 38 .gS gxf8 0-1

24

Dijkhuis - Berkovich Groningen 2012 l.e4 eS 2.�f3 �c6 3 .1bS g6 4.0-0 .1g7 S.c3 a6 6 . .1a4 bS 7 .1b3 �ge7 8 .d4 exd4 9.cxd4 0-0 10. �c3 d6 1l.h3 � aS 12. .1c2 cS •

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13 . .1f4? ! 200

This attempt to play actively is not correct at the moment. White needed to reduce the tension in the centre, against the d4-pawn, with the move 13.dS, or 13.dxcS dxcS 14 . .igS and in both cases with very complicated positions and mutual chances. 13 . . . �c4 White has not played well in the opening. Black could have tried to exploit this with 13 . . . cxd4 ! 14.llJxd4 .ib7 lS.!'k1 13c8 16.13e1 llJc4 17.b3 llJa3 18.Wld2 13e8+ 14.b3 �a3 This move looks good, but it only leads to a complicated and approximately equal position and not to an advantage. IS . .1d3 .1b7 It would be weaker for Black to opt here for lS . . . cxd4 16.llJe2 llJc6 17.Wlc1 llJb4 18.13d1 llJxd3 19.13xd3 b4 2 0 . .ih6� 16.ti'cl There may arise interesting complications following 16.13c1 ! ? 13c8 17.dS c 4 18.ie2 b 4 19.bxc4 .b:c3 (19 . . . bxc3 2 0 .Wlb3±) 2 0 .Wlb3, but it was not easy for White to make that difficult decision dur­ ing the game. 16 . . . gc8 This move is arguable but still possible. It seemed more natural for Black to play 16 . . . b4 ! ? 17 . .ih6 ! (17. llJa4 ! ? cxd4 18 .ti'd2 llJc6+) 17 ... cxd4 18 . .b:g7 �xg7 19.llJe2= (diagram) 17.Yba3 It looked more consistent for

4. 0 - 0 96 5.c3 a6 White could have tried to play a more active move with his rook 20.gfe1 ! ?

White to simplify the situation in the centre: 17.dxcS ! ? dxcS 18. gd1 c4 ! (18 . . :�aS 19 . .ieS c4 20. hg7 �xg7 2 1 :�b2 ! b4 2 2 .bxc4 bxc3 23:i;![xb7 gfe8 24.gac1t) 19. bxc4 'i;!! aS 2 0 ..ieS lDxc4 2 1.hg7 �xg7oo 17 b4 18.ti'a4 This decision seems risky, but is very good. It was more reliable for White to eliminate Black's passed pawn on c3 : 18.'i;!!b 2 bxc3 19.'I'9xc3 lDc6 (19 ... cxd4? 20.'i;!!b4±) 20.'i;!!d 2 lDxd4 2 1 .lDxd4 hd4 2 2 . gac1= 18 bxc3 19.d5 Here, just like before, it was interesting for White to reduce the pawn-tension in the centre with 19.dxcS ! ? dxc5 (19 . . . gxcS 2 0 .gfe1oo) 2 0 . gad1oo 19 h6 This move is too slow. It was stronger for Black to play imme­ diately 19 .. .fS ! ? , but even then, the position would have remained within equality: 2 0 .lDgS ! (20 ..igS fxe4 2 1 .'i;!!xe4 gf7+) 20 . . . fxe4 21. 'i;!!xe4 (21.lDe6? 'l'ge8+) 2 1 . . .i.xdS 22 . .ic4 hc4 23.bxc4 'i;!!d 7 24.lDe6 gf7 2S.lDxg7 �xg7 26.gfe1 ! ? = 20.gadl This move was not forced. ••.

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2 0 f5 It seems more reliable for Black to play prudently 20 . . . 'i;!!c7 21.gfe1 gcd800 White has some advantage in the centre indeed, but Black's position remains solid enough. 21.gfel? Now, this seemingly logical move seems inappropriate. It would be more consistent for White to follow with 21.eS ! lDxdS 22 . .ic4 dxeS 23 .heS (23.lDxeS c2 24.gd2 gS 2S.i.h2 f4 26.ha6oo) 23 . . . ge8 24.hdS+ hdS 2S.hg7 �xg7 26.'i;!!xa6 c2 27.gd2;!; 21 g5 Black did not need to oust the enemy bishop from the f4-square, because after an eventual opening of the f-file it will come under at­ tack by the rook on f8 . He had to clarify immediately the situation in the centre with 2 1 . . .fxe4 ! 2 2 .'i;!!xe4 hdS 23 . .ic4 hc4 24.bxc4 lDfS'+ and White would still need to prove that his compensation for the pawn would be sufficient for equality. ...

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201

Complete Games

Chapter 7

22.J.xd6? It is difficult to tell why White decided to play this desperate move. His compensation for the piece is obviously insufficient. His central pawns will be soon blocked and need permanent pro­ tection, while now, his defensive resources are being reduced. Naturally, the placement of his bishop will look very ugly after 22 . .ih2 ? ! f4 ! 23.e5 hd5 24 . .ic4 hc4 25.exd6 lLlc6 26.�xc4+ xg6 33.e6 .if6 It was more careful for Black to have played 33 . . . a5 34 . .ib5 .if6 35.e7 he7 36.E:xe7 d3 37.l'k7 d2 38.ie2 d11!!ll = or 33 . . . c.!.>f6 34.,ixa6 'i!le7 35 . .id3 E:a8 36.a4 E:b8 37. .ic2 E:d8 38 . .id3 = 34 .id3 + c.!.>g7 35.i.xa6 c.!.>f8 36 .id3 c.!.>e7 37.c.!.>fl gd6 38.a4 gxe6 39.gxe6+ White could have still tested his opponent with the move 39. E:al ! j; 3 9 c.!.>xe6. Draw. •

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Zhao S.Kasparov Brasschaat 2 013 1.e4 e5 2 .�f3 �c6 3 .ib5 �ge7 4.c3 a6 5 .ia4 g6 6.0-0 .tg7 7.d4 b5 8 .tb3 exd4 9. cxd4 0-0 10.�c3 �a5 1l .tc2 d6 12.d5 (diagram) 12 f5 This move seems quite natu­ ral, but is very risky. It is more re­ liable for Black to follow with the move we recommended in the the­ oretical part of the book - 12 ....tb7. 25

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13.exfS After this move Black's de­ fence becomes easier. White had to try to fight for an advantage with the line : 13.lDd4 ! ? 1!!lle8 ! ? 14. E:e1 fxe4 15.E:xe4t, or with 13. E:e1 ! ? lDc4 14.lDd4t 13 �xfS The trade of the light-squared bishops would have weakened the e6-square: 13 ... ,ixf5 14.,ixf5 lDxf5 15.lDg5J; 14.gel 14.a4 .id7oc 14 . . . �c4 15 .tb3? ! I t i s better for White to play here 15.1!!lld 3 with the idea 15 ... lDh4 16.lDg5 1!!lfl 6 (16 . . . lDxb2? 17. 1!!llg3 !±) 17.1!!llf1 = 15 �h4! Black exploits immediately White's slow play and organises tremendously unpleasant actions for his opponent on the f-file. 16.�g5 This is White's best move. Fol­ lowing 16.lDxh4? 1!!llxh4 17.g3 1!!lld 4-+ , he will fail to hold on to the f2-square without material losses. (diagram) 16 . . . �xb 2 ! 17.ti'c2? ! White will have problems too •••

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203

Complete Games

Chapter 7

even after his best line: 17.'�d2 iLlc4 18 ..bc4 bxc4 19J:!e4 �f6 20. .tb2 (20 J:!xc4 iLlxg2 ! 2 l.xg2 h6 2 2 .iLle6 tvf3+ 23.'i!lgl .ixe6 24. dxe6 l:!fS 2S.h4 dS ! 26.l:!d4 hd4 27.tvxd4 cS ! - + ) 20 . . . iLlxg2 21. �xg2 l:!b8 2 2 .f4 tvfS� 17. . . .ifS? This seemingly beautiful move is not necessary. After the simple 17 . . . iLlc4, Black would have main­ tained a considerable advantage. IS.exb2 b4 19.�e6! bxc3 2 0.ee2 he6 21.dxe6 ee7 22. eg4 gfS 23 .ie2 23 . .te3 ! ? with the idea 23 . . . dS 24.�a4= 23 gh5

exchange of the knight for any of White's bishops would be in obvi­ ous favour of Black. After the correct reaction 24. g3 iLlfS 2S.h4 ! �d4 26 . .tgS l:!xgS 27.hxgS iLlxc2 28.�e4 l:!f8 29. �xc2 .td4 30Jle2 �xgS 31.�d3, the position would have remained unclear. 24 gfB 25.gadl 2S.i.d4?? l:!gS-+ 25 �fS 26 .ixf5 ghxf5=t 27.ee4 a5 It was even stronger for Black to play here 27 . . . l:!e8 28.�c6 l:!aS. 2S.h4 h6 29.g3 geS 29 . . . l:!b8 ! ?+ 30 ..id4 hd4 31.gxd4 •••

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31 ge5? This seemingly natural move turned out to be a serious mistake and Black lost all his advantage with it. He had to opt here for 31... �f6 ! 32 .e7+ �h7 33.�xc3 l:!xf2+ 32.ed3 It was also good for White to choose 32 .�a4 with the idea l:!d4c4. 32 eg7 33.ge4 gxe4 34. exe4 ge7 35.gel ee5 36.gxc3 d5 37.ee5 �e6 = Draw. •••

24 . .ie3?! White's bishop did not need to come under attack after Black's manoeuvre �h4-fS, because the

204

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4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6 26 Kupreichik - Arkhipov Muenster 1991 l.e4 e5 2 . �f3 �c6 3 .tb5 �ge7 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 a6 6 .ta4 ,tg7 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4 0-0 9. d5 b5 10 ..tc2 �a5 11.a4 •

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This is just one of the possible moves for White in this variation. He is trying to either weaken the enemy pawn on bS, or the c4square. As the development of this game shows, this line cannot create serious problems for Black. 11 b4 Now, White's idea will be to trade the enemy knight on as and then to fortify his pieces on the b3 and c4-squares. Black will have to advance c7-c6 sooner or later, so after the exchange on c6, White's bishop will go to b3 and may be­ come a very powerful piece. 12.�bd2 d6 But not immediately 12 . . . c6??, because of 13.d6+13.gel? ! White slows down. He had to play immediately 13.4Jb3 c6 (the variation 13 . . . 4Jxb3 14.hb3 c6? ! lS.dxc6 4Jxc6 16.i.gS ! Wfd7 17. ti'd2± is obviously in his favour and the least for evils for Black •••

would have been the line: 14 . . . .ibn lS.aSt ; following 1 3 . . .c S 14. 4JxaS WfxaS lS.ltJd2 !;!; White occu­ pies the important c4-square) 14. ltJxaS WfxaS lS.dxc6 ltJxc6 16 . .ib3 (after 16.Wfxd6 .ie6 !+ Black main­ tains powerful initiative for the sacrificed pawn) 16 . . . .ib7 17. Wfxd6, but even then after 17 . . . gadS lS.Wff4 ltJd4 19.1tJxd4 gxd4 20 .ge1 gd3, Black has full com­ pensation for the pawn, so White, in order to avoid the worst, should comply with the repetition of the moves. 21.i.c4 (21..ic2?? b3 22. hd3 Wfxe1+ 23.i.f1 he4-+) 21... gd4 22 . .ib3 gd3 = If White tries to prevent the appearance of the enemy bishop on the g4-square with the move 13.h3, then after 13 . . . c6 14.dxc6 ltJexc6 lS.ltJb3 i.e6= , Black will have a very good position. 13 ... c6 Now, White fails to deploy his pieces in the most harmonious way. 14.�b3 14.dxc6 ltJexc6 lS . .id3 .ie6 16. Wfe2 Wfb6+ 14 ... �xb3 It is even stronger for Black to play here 14 . . . cxdS lS.exdS geS 16.gb1 i.b7+ 15 ..txb3 .tg4! (diagram) He has obtained an excellent position now. 16 .tg5 ! ? White could have played here 16.dxc6 ltJxc6 17.h3 hf3 lS .Wfxf3 ltJd4 19.Wfd3 ltJxb3 20.Wfxb3 as= •

205

Complete Games

Chapter 7

20 ltIxfS 21.h3 .lh5 It deserved attention for Black to choose 21 . . .hf3 2 2 .�xf3 lLlxg3 23.�xg3 .td4 24.�d3 �f6 2S . .tc2 �g7+ and he would exert powerful pressure on the dark squares. 2 2.�d3 .lg6?! Black had to prefer here 22 ... hf3 23.�xf3+, transposing to the variation we had already ana­ lysed. .•.

The position would have re­ mained also equal following 16.h3 hf3 17.�xf3 cxd5 1B.exd5 lLlf5 = 1 6 c5 The idea behind White's move 16 was that after capturing 16 . . . ixb2? ! , h e would have the power­ ful positional exchange-sacrifice: 17.dxc6 hf3 1B.�xf3 ha1 19. 1'!xa1 1'!cB 2 0.1'!dl± Black had to prefer here 16 . . . cxd5 17.ixd5 1'!cB 1B.1'!b1 �d7= 17.gb1 h6 18 .lh4 It was better for White to go for the paradoxical line: 1B . .tc1 1'!eB 19.h3 hf3 2 0.�xf3 lLlf5 21. .lc4 lLld4 2 2 .�g3 a5 23 . .tf4 i.e5= 18 g5 19.i.g3 • •.

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23.ge6? This attractive move is a mis­ take. White had to choose be­ tween 23.i.c2 lLlh4 24.�d2 lLlxf3 + 25.gxf3 hc2 26.�xc2 �f6 27.1'!e6 �xf3 2B.hd6 1'!f5 29.�xc5 as and 23.lLld2 �f6 24.1'!e6 lLlxg3 2S. �xg3 �f5, with inferior but de­ fensible positions in both cases. 23 gf6 24.gD6 �xf6+ 25. i.c2 This is his only move. 25 ltIh4 26.Wc4 1t1xf3+ 27. gxf3 .lxc2 28.�xc2 Wxf3 29 . .lxd6 �xh3? This mistake loses all the edge for Black. After 29 1'!cB, followed by capturing on d5 (or .td4), his advantage would have been over­ whelming. 30.ge1= •.•

• •.

19 f5 ! Black seizes the initiative now. 20.exfS 2 0 .h3 hf3 2 1 .�xf3 f4 2 2 . .th2 lLlg6+ •••

206

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4. 0-0 g6 5.c3 a6 Now, White is ready to begin a counter attack, penetrating with his rook to the e7-square. 30 Wg4+ 31 .ig3 �U'8 32. d6 hS •.•

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gf5 'it>g6 41.gxc5 gxd7 42 .gc6+ 'it>f5 43.gxa6 gdl+ 44.'it>g2 gbl 45.a5+ 3S ... h4 36 .ih2 g4 37 .if4 37.gxc5 g3-+ 37 b3 37 ... ixb2 ! 38 .ig5 i.d4 39.d7 b3 40 .gd2 b2 41.gxb2 ixb2 42. ixh4 c4 43.d8� gxd8 44.hd8 c3 45.i.f6 'it>f7 46.i.d4 'it>e6-+ 3S.gxcS hb2 39.d7 .if6-+ Now, White will have to give up his bishop for the enemy b­ pawn. 40 .ieS b2 41.hb2 hb2 42.ggS+ riJr7 43.gxg4 1f6 44. gc4 as 4S. riJg2 riJe6 46.gc7 .idS 47.ga7 gf4 0-1 •

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33.We2? This blunder loses the game. White had to capture bravely the pawn : 33.Wxc5 ! h4 34.�d5+ 'it>h7 35.ge4 §'fS (35 . . . �f3 36.d7! hxg3 37.gh4+ gxh4 38.§'xf3 gxf3 39. d8� i.f6 40.�d7+ 'it>h6 41.fxg3 gxg3+ 42.'it>f2 gb3 43.�d2+ 'it>g7 44.§'d7+ 'it>h6= ) 36.�xf5+ gxf5 37 . .ih2 (It would have been suffi­ cient for a draw to play 37.ixh4 gxh4 38.gxh4+ 'it>g6 39.gxb4=.) 37 ... ixb2? ! (37 ... gd5 38.gxb4 'it>g6=) 38.ge7+ 'it>g6 39.ge6+ 'it>f7 40.d7 gd5 41.i.d6 'it>xe6 42 .d8� gxd6 43.§'xg5 i.c3 44.�xh4 'it>d5 with a probable draw. 33 Wxe2 34.gxe2 .if6 The endgame is also very dif­ ficult for White. 3S.gc2? This move leads to a disaster. White would have preserved some chances for a draw after a transfer into a rook and pawn ending: 35. i.e5 'it>f7 36.ge3 'it>e6 37.ixf6+ 'it>xf6 38.gf3+ 'it>g7 39 .d7 gd8 40.

27 Zherebukh - Zvjaginsev Aix-Ies-Bains 2011 l.e4 eS 2.�f3 �c6 3 .ibS a6 4 .ia4 �ge7 S.c3 g6 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 .ig7 S.O-O 0-0 9.dS bS 10 . .ic2 �aS 1l.1d2 cS •

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12.d6? ! This is an arguable move. On the one hand, it looks like White places a wedge inside the enemy camp. On the other hand howev­ er, he frees Black's miserable 207

Complete Games

Chapter 7 knight on e7. In addition, White's d6-pawn may become an easy prey for Black' s pieces. We have already mentioned in the theoretical part of our book that it seems more practical for White to play here 12 .i.c3, forcing Black to trade his most active piece - his dark-squared bishop on g7. White would have main­ tained a considerable advantage after that. Now, there begin con­ crete actions with mutual chanc­ es. 12 �ec6 13. � c3 Here, it was again possible for White to follow with 13.i.c3 i.b7 14 . .b:g7 �xg7 15.�c3= 13 . . . �c4 ! ? Now, instead o f the quiet move 13 . . . i.b7, Black has preferred a sharper move. 14 .ig5 This is the only way for White to fight for the initiative. •••

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14 �xb2 After 14 . . . i.f6, it seems very good for him to choose 15.h4 ! lLlxb2 16JWc1 lLlc4 17.lLld5 hg5 1B. hxg5 lLlxd6 19.1Llf6+ �hB 2 0.i.b3 (20.Wfb2 ? lLlc4 21.Wfc3 \1;Ya5=t) 20 . . . c 4 21.Wfb2 ! b 4 2 2 .a3 c 3 23.Wfc1

bxa3 24.\1;Yxc3 lLlb5 25.\1;Ye3;!;, with an obviously dominating position of White's pieces, while after 14 . . . Wfa5, h e would have the resource 15.lLld5 lLlxb2 16.\1;Yc1 lLlc4 17.i.f6 lLlxd6 1B .e5 lLleB (1B . . . lLlc4? 19.a4 ! b 4 2 0.hg6±) 19.i.e4 again with powerful initiative for the sacri­ ficed pawn. 15.Wfc1 f6 The line: 15 . . . \1;Ya5 16.lLld5 would lead to transposition. 16.i.e3 �c4 17.hc5 i.b7 18. �d5 �h8 White has occupied plenty of space, but it is still unclear how he can realise that. 19.9b1 Following 19.a4 lLl6e5 20.lLlxe5 hd5 21.lLlxg6+ hxg6 22.exd5 f5 23.axb5 E:cB 24.i.a7 axb5 25J':1b1 Wfa5 26.i.d4 \1;Yd2 27.i.e3 \1;Yxc1 2B.hc1 E:c5, Black's prospects are not worse in this endgame, while after 24.ib4 a5 25.id2 lLlxd2 26.Wfxd2 ha1 27.E:xa1, the position is again approximately equal.

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20B

19 �6e5 ! In this cramped position, Black will need to facilitate his de­ fence by exchanging pieces. •••

4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6 20.�xe5 hd5 ! 2l.�xg6+ hxg6 22.exd5 f5 He has succeeded in getting rid of the positional bind. Black will soon regain White's extra d6pawn. 23.gel It was more energetic for him to choose 23.l';b3 l'k8 24.i.b4 c;t>g8 25.�g3 as 2 6.i.d2 �f6 27.i.c3 �xd6 = , but that would not have provided White with anything substantial. 23 . . .fYf6 24.gb3 gfc8 25. .ib4 �xd6 = The position is equal. Black's pieces are so harmoniously de­ ployed that White's two-bishop ad­ vantage is practically immaterial. 26.'Bdl ge8

Black could have tried to seize the initiative with 29 ... �d4 30. hxg6 �xdl 31..bdl l'!cl 32.l'!d3 l'!al 33.g4 ! ?CXl, with a very sharp fight. 30.ge3 'Bal 3l.YlYxal hal 32 .ge2 .tc3? This is a terrible positional blunder. Black exchanges care­ lessly the main defender of the dark squares around his king and this provides White with the poss ibility to begin a decisive offensive with minimal forces. Af­ ter 32 ... .id4 33.c;t>h2 c;t>g7, Black would have maintained equality, because it would be bad for White to play 34.l'!e7? in view of 34 . . . c;t>f6 35.l'!xd7 (35.l'!e2 l'!h8+) 3S ... ieSl' 33.hc3 + gxc3

27.h4 White's attempt to win a pawn with 27.l'!xe8+ l'!xe8 28.ixd6 �xd6 29 . .txi"5, would have been refuted by Black with the surpris­ ing move 29 . . . .ih6 ! and after 30 .i.c2 �xd5 31.l'!d3 �xa2 32 .g3 �e6 33.l'!xd7 �el+ 34.�xel l'!xel+ 35. c;t>g2 l'!e6, there would arise an equal endgame. 27 gxel+ 28.hel gc8 29.h5 g5

34.g4! In this way, White wishes to open the diagonal of his bishop to attack the g6-square and this, in combination with his pawn on h6 and the rook on the 7th rank, may lead to the creation of decisive threats. 34 ... c;t>g7? This is another mistake in the time-trouble. Following 34 ... fxg4 3S.ig6 b4 36.c;t>g2 as 37.l'!e7 l'!c7

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209

Complete Games

Chapter 7 38. Wg3 a4, Black could have still resisted. Now, his king is forced to the centre of the board and White's passed pawn becomes unstoppable. 3S.ge7+ wf6 It was possible that Black had to prefer to defend the rather dif­ ficult rook and pawn ending after 35 . . . Wg8 36.hf5 lDxf5 37.gxf5 !'!h3 38.!'!xd7 !'!xh5 39.Wg2 !'!h4 40.!'!a7 !'!d4 41.Wg3± 36.gxd7 WeS 36 . . . !'!xc2 37.!'!xd6+ We5 38. !'!xa6 Wxd5 39.gxf5 We5 40.f6+37.ge7+ WxdS 38 .1b3+ Wc6 39.ge3 ! Now, White's passed h-pawn decides the issue . . . 39 . . . gc1+ 40.Wg2 fxg4 41. h6 1-0

prefer here 10 . .ic2 . Still, 10.dxc6 is a quite natural move. After the exchanges White relies on his quick development and hopes to exert pressure in the centre and on the c-file, deploying his rooks on the semi-open files. It is essen­ tial for Black to find his counter arguments and this is at first, nat­ urally, his bishop-pair and "his" semi-open b-file. 10 bxa4 11.ti'xa4 l1.lLlc3 a3= 1l . . . �xc6 .•.

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28

Jeran Pavasovic Ljubljana 2007 l.e4 eS 2.lDf3 �c6 3 .1bS �ge7 4.0-0 g6 S.c3 .1g7 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 a6 8 .1a4 0-0 9. dS bS •

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10.dxc6 This is not the best move for White. As we know, he should 210

12 . .igS It is stronger for White to play now 12.lDc3 ! !'!b8 (Or 12 . . . lLle5 ! ? preventing the move i.g5. 13. lDxe5 he5 14.i.h6 !'!e8 15.f4 hc3 16.bxc3 �f6 17.e5 �b6oo - The dark squares around Black's king are tremendously vulnerable, but it is not easy to see at the moment how White can exploit that . . . ) 13.i.g5 f6 (13 .. :�e8 14.lLld5;!;) 14. i.f4 lLle5 ! ? (White has good com­ pensation for the pawn following 14 . . . !'!xb2 15.�c4+ Wh8 16.lDd5 !'!b7 17.!'!acl and Black will have great problems to complete his development.) 15.lDxe5 fxe5 16. i.cl !'!f7! ?oo

4. 0-0 g6 S.c3 a6 12 f6 It was even better for Black to choose here 12 . . . §'e8 13.lLlc3 lLleS 14.lLlxeS �xeS and his queen would have regained the tempo, won before by White's bishop. IS . .te3 .tb7 16. �xd7 i.xe4= 13 .td2 He transfers his bishop to the c3-square. This seems logical but is too slow. It was more practical for White to follow here with 13 ..tf4 l3b8 14.lLlc3. 13 . . . gbS 14 .tc3 •••

his opponent's possible counter­ play on the kingside. So, it is not surprising that White decided soon to try the pawn-break f2-f4. 16.lLld2 d6 17.ec4+ 'it>hS

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lS.f4? ! This move looks effective, but after this the maximum that White can rely on is only equality, or may be even less . . . H e had to prefer instead 18. l3acloo lS exf4 19.hg7+ 'it>xg7 20.ec3 + 'it>gS It was possibly even better for Black to choose the seemingly risky move 20 . . . h6. 21.ec4+ hS 22 .ec3 + ef6 This forces a transfer into a su­ perior endgame. 23.gxf4 exc3 24.gxf8+ 'it>g7 25.bxc3 'it>xf8 26.'it>f2 White had to consider serious­ ly the possible trade of the rooks 26.l3bl and after 26 . . . l3xbl+ 27. lLlxbl e7 28.f2 .te6 29 .a3 d7, to follow with the exquisite line: 30.e2 ! (30.e3? ! c6 31.d3 bS 32.c2 dS ! - + ; 31.d2 .ta2 ! ; 31.d4 bS 32 .c4+ a4 33.c3 gS 34.cS dxcS 3S.b2 bS 36. c3 c6=t) 30 . . . c6 31.d1! bS •.•

14 lLle5 Black trades the knights and changes the pawn-structure, but that did not seem so necessary. After 14 . . . �e8 IS.lLlbd2 d6, he would have solved the slight prob­ lems with his development and would have obtained a very prom­ ising middle game. 15.lLlxe5 fxe5 This pawn-structure is not en­ countered so often; nevertheless, it is quite typical for this varia­ tion. I do not believe that in a long manoeuvring game and with at­ tempts to exert pressure against the c7-pawn, White will achieve much. He will have to consider •••

211

Complete Games

Chapter 7 3 2 . 'kt>c1+. Meanwhile, even with rooks present on the board, his position is quite defensible. 26 .ie6 27.'kt>e3 'kt>e7 27 .. J"!b2 ! ? 28.a3 gb5 28 .. J:!b2 ! ? 29.c4 .id7 30.'kt>d3 .ia4 31.'kt>c3 gc2 + 32 .'kt>d3 'kt>e6+ 29.g3 g5 30.h4 30.c4 ! ? 30 gxh4 31.gxh4 gh5 32. gh1 ga5 33.ga1 ga4 34.�f3 White had better leave his knight on the d2-square and con­ tinue with waiting strategy 34.'kt>d3. •••

•••

White would have more chanc­ es of saving the game with the correct line: 37.tLlxe4 37 . . . .ixhS 38.tLlc5 l'k4 39.tLlxa6 l'!c6 40 .tLlb4 l'!xc3+ 41.'kt>d4. 37 .ig6 38.gg1 'kt>f6 It was more precise for Black to opt here for 38 . . . l'!xa3 39.tLlxe4 l'!aS=t 39. 'kt>f4 e3 + 40.'kt>xe3 gh4 41.gf1+ 'kt>e7 •••

42.gf4? ! White had t o activate his knight with 42.tLlf3 l'!xh6 43.tLleS. 42 gxh6 43.'kt>d4 gh5 44. �c4 c5+ 45.'kt>e3 gh3 + 46.gf3 gxf3 + 47.'kt>xf3 f4 c4 S4.'kt>e4 'kt>cs SS.'kt>eS hS S6.'kt>f4 'kt>dS- + 49 .ic2 50.c4+