The Complete Kalashnikov - Cornette Libiszewski

The complete Kalashnikov

MATTHIEU CORNETTE AND FABIEN LIBISZEWSKI

THE COMPLETE KALASHNIKOV

Editor Arkadij Naiditsch Author Matthieu Cornette and Fabien Libiszewski Cover designer Milos Sibinovic Typesetting Piotr Pielach The position is unclear. Black will ex­ change pieces by playing /fJq; 15 ... i.gs 16./fJcds � c s (16... tiJb6 is also possible in order to sim-

(15.8xe7+ We don't like this move too much as it eases Black's play. 15 ... VJ8xe7 16. ii.d3 �ac8!?N Black doesn't need to be afraid of the ii.gs pin. (16 ... h6 The move that is played in practice. 17. ii.e3 tiJc6 (17... ds is not enough to equalize because of 1B.exds tiJxds 19- i.. e4! tiJxc3 2o.bxc3"t, And here Black doesn't have a choice but to give the ex­ change.) 18. ii.e2 The most logical move in order to control the ds square. (18.h3 was played by one of the authors. 18 ... �ad8 19.VJ8f3 ds After this move it is clear that Black doesn't have any problem.

THE COMPLETE KALASHNIKOV

2o.exds lfJ xds 21.lfJ xds ..txds 22.!Vfs g6 23.!Y'g4 �g7 24.b4?! fs 25.!Vg3 !Y'f6 26 . ..tcs? e4! 27. ..txf8+ :S.xf8 28. ..txe4

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2o.lfJds ..txds 21.exds lt:Jb7 22.b4 lt:Je4 With a balanced position. Black has the choice between the ideas lt:Jc3 and fs.)

a1) 28.E:ad1 f4-+; a2) 28 . ..te2 A try to maintain

the material advantage fails af­ ter 28.. .f4 29.!Y'h2 lt:Jd4 30. E:ae1 (30. E:.je1; 30 . ..tg4 hs-+; 30. ..td1 lt:J b3! +) 30 ... lfJ xe2+ 31.E:xe2 ..t q 32.E:xe4 ..t xfi 33-�Xfi !Vai+ 34. E:e1 !Vxa3+ Followed by taking the b4 pawn.; -

28... ..t xe4+ And Black ended up winning the game in Korneev -Cornette I Metz 2012.) 18...lt:Jas (1B ... !Vb7 19j4N) 19.b3 In order to avoid lt:Jq. (19j4 allows the strong 19... E:.acB!+ Followed by ,.tq and ds at the right mo­ ment or by i'fJq.) 19...E:fc8N The easiest move in order to equalize.

17. ..tgs (17. ..te3 !Y'b7!?oo With an interest­ ing game on the horizon as Black controls the ds square and avoids ..txd4.(17- .. ..tc4=) ) 17· · ·h6 18 . ..t h4 (1 8 ..txj6 !Vxf6 19.lt:Jds ..txds 2o.exds E:.cs Black doesn't have any problem as the lfJd4 cannot be trapped. 21.e3 lfJjs 22.a4 lt:Je7=) 18...gs! 19. ..tg3 lt:Jd7oo Followed by lt:Jcs with an uncer­ tain position.) .

(19... !Vq 2o.lt:Jds ..t xds 21.exds lt:Jb7 22.c4N (22 . a4 b4 = D. Swiercz-R. Kempinski I Warsaw 2011.) 22 ...bxq 23 . ..t xq lt:Jcs 24.E:c1;l;)

15 ... E:b8 The logical move in order to play !Y'd7 without allowing the b6 fork.

36

CHAPTER 3

(15 ...�xds The thematic simplifica­ tion is not enough to equalize here. 16.�xds .tgs 17. .txgs �xgs 18.c3! .txds (18 ... �c6 19.a4;J; White will now be able to take the initiative on the queenside.) 19.exds �fs 20.a4 � h4 21.g3 b4!? An interesting pawn sacrifice, even if after 22.cxb4 fs 23.Wh1 �g6 24.f3± White is a little bit better.) 16 . .te3 We think this position is crucial for the evaluation of the opening.

16 .. J �e8N A clever prophylactic move. As White wants to take on d4 someday, the rook is well placed on the e-file and it can sometimes take back on e7 after � xe7. a1) 16 ... �d7 This natural look­

ing move is met by 17.� xe7+ �xe7 18. .txd4 exd4 19.�e2 �a7 2o.�d2± With a typical position where White is a little bit better and above all it is much easier to play for him.; a2) 16 ... �c6 The move played in

practice. It seems rather strange to play so many knight moves though. 17. .te2!?N In general the

bishop is better placed on e2 than on d3 as he is not blocking the d­ file. As �d4 is not possible here, White is content with this subtle move and he will continue by �d3. What is more, Black cannot play �xds followed by .tgs any longer. a21) 17.�d2 allows 17... �g4! And

Black will take the dark squared bishop.; a22) 17.f3 is the most played move,

but it is not enough to get an ad­ vantage if Black plays precisely. 17... �d7 18.�d2 .tds A thematic move. 19.a4 (19. 'B.ad1 'B.eB 2o.�j2 .txd5 21.�xd5 �xd5 22.exd5 �q The position is unclear. For in­ stance: 23j4 exj4 24. �xf4 �xd5 25. .txh7+ Wxh7 26. 'B.xd5 'B.xe3! 27-�xe3 .tb6 28. 'B.d4 WgB 29. 'B.e1 �e6 30.c3 �xe3+ 31. 'B.xe3 .txd4 32.cxd4 'B.cB=) 19...bxa4!N A good improvement. Black is ready to give the a6 pawn in order to get activity. (19 ... .txds?! leads to a too pas­ sive position where White is bet­ ter. 2o.exds ( 2 o . � xds ! ? seems even stronger. 2o ...� xds 21.exds �e7 22.axbs axbs (22 ... �xd5 23 . � xh7+ Wxh7 24. �xd5 �xb5 25. �xd6±) 23. 'B.a7±) 2o ... �d4 21.axbs axbs 22.b4± M. Szelag-R. Antoniewski I

THE COMPLETE KALASHNIKOV

Miedzybrodzie-Zywiec P OL 2011.)

37

17... �d7 18.�d3 1Ld8 19. :B.fd1;J; We think that this regrouping gives White a small advantage.;

(17. .ixd4 This idea is less effective here. 17... exd4 18.1f:lxe7+

2o.lf:l xf6+ (2o.lf:l xa4 1Lxds 21.exds lf:l xds 22 . .i xh7+ �xh7 23.�xds fsoo With a complicated position where Black has his chances.; 2o. :B.xa4 :S.xb2 21. :S.xa6 1Lxds 22.exds (22./fJxds lf:lxds 23.exds lf:l b4 24.�C3 lf:lxd3 25.�Xd3 1Le7=) 22 ... 1f:lb4 23.1f:la4 lf:l xd3 24.�Xd3 :S.b4=); 20 ... 1Lxf6 21.1f:lxa4 �q! 22.1Lxa6 (22. :S.je1 as 23. b3 lf:l b4 24.1f:lc3 :S.fdB =) 22 ... 1f:lb4 23.1Ld3 :B. fc8 24.1f:lc3 (24. :S.jc1 ds! gives enough compensation for the pawn.) 24... lf:lxd3 25.cxd3 :S.b3 26. :B.fCI �b7ii5 Black's activity compensates for the fact that he is a pawn down.;

(18.1f:lxf6+ 1Lxf6 19.1f:lds (19.1f:le2?! ds!) 19... 1Lxds 2o.exds :B.es 21.�f3 Defending the ds pawn. 21...�e8= Black takes control over the e-file and prevents a4. His position is OK.) 18 ... :B.xe7 By taking back with the rook, Black wins some time in comparison to the 16 ... �d7 line. 19.1f:le2 �b6 Black has a playable position here as he will be able to liberate himself by playing ds for example. 2o.�d2 1Ld7 An impor­ tant move as now White can't play es after ds anymore. 2Lf3 ds=)

(17... �d7 18.1f:lxe7+ White needs to take on e7 before Black can play 1Ld8. (1B.j3 iLdB 19. :S.ad1 1Lxds 2o.lf:lxds lf:lxds 21. exds 1L b6=) 18... �xe7 (18. . . :S.xe7?! 19. 1Lgs;l;) 19.1Lxd4 (19. :S.je1 1f:lc6 2o. .ij1 �b7 21. 1Lgs lf:ld7 22.j3 lf:lb6 2J. hy.o Al­ though Black's position is rather solid, we think that White has the better chances here.) 19...exd4 2o.lf:le2 �b7 21.6 �b6 22. �h1 Black has trouble getting in the lib­ erating ds move, for instance: 22 ...

38

kd7 23J H e1 ds (23 .. J �e5 24 .li.Jf4 'B.be8 25. kjl"t,) 24.exds g6 (24 ... 12lxd5 25.12lxd4±) 25.�g5t,) 18.12lxds (18.exd5 kd7 19]4 j5oo Fol­ lowed by k f6.) 18 ... �d7 Black is threatening to immediately equal­ ize by playing k xds followed by 12lfs. (18... kxd5 19.exd5 kf6 2o.a4t) 19.12lxe7+ As usual, it is logical to take this bishop before he is going to d8. 19... �xe7 2o. kxd4 (2oj3 d5! �21. kxd4 dxe4!=) 20 ... exd4oo

CHAPTER 3

has put his C3 knight to ds, he can launch some actions with his queen­ side pawns and get a very promising position. 12.12lcds (12.a4 is less pre­ cise as it allows 12 ...12l b4!?)

(13 ... bxa4 14. 'B. xa4 12lcs 15. 'B.C4!?N (15. 'B.a3 kg5 16. b4 12lxd3 17- 'B.xd3 'B.b8 18.c3 12le7 19. �a4t) 15 ... kgs 16.b4 12lxd3 17.�Xd3 12le7 18.12lxe7+ k xe7 19.12lds k xds 2o.�xdst) We think that this position is slight­ ly better for White, but that Black should survive without too many problems. Exchanging a pair of knights eases Black's task. We have made computers play each other in this position and the result was al­ ways a draw. Black will play �f6 fol­ lowed by 'B.ed8 and ds. White will usually manage to win the d4 pawn (for instance after [J, 'B.fd1 and kf1), but Black will then have enough counterplay against the c2 pawn.; b) n ... ke6?! This is the most played move, but we think it is an inaccu­ racy. In fact White can play 12lcds without Black having the thematic 12lxcs followed by kgs. Once White

14. kd2 as White has a pleasant choice here: 15. kbs!? (15 .c3 bxc3 16. k xc3 12lcs (16. . . kg5!?N 17· k b5 12l e7 18. �c2t) 17. kbs i2ld4 18. kxd4 exd4 19.12lfs k xfs 2o.exfs k f6 21.�g4 'B.b8 22. 'B.ad1± N. Fercec-M. Srebrnic I Nova Gorica 2008) 15 ... 'B.c8 (15 ... 12l d4 16. kxd7 kxd7 J7.CJ bXCJ 18. bxc3 12Jc6 19. 'B.b1 'B.b8 2o. �e2±) 16.c3 12lcs (16. . . bxc3 17. kxc3±; 16... 12lj6 17. kxc6 'B.xc6 18.cxb4 axb4 19-�!3 ±) 17. kxc6 bxc3 18. k xc3 'B.xc6 19. k xas �d7 20.b4 12lxe4 21.b5± D. Ghyssens-L. Bori­ sovs I LSS email 2009;

THE COMPLETE KALASHNIKOV c) u . ..l�Jd4 This move doesn't con­

tribute to the fight for the ds square and White thus ends up being bet­ ter after 12.�cds � xds (12 ... �b7 13.a4!?N b4 14.a5t; 12 ... �e6 13.a4 �b7 14.axb5 axb5 15. �xa8 �xa8 was played in the game M. Andersen­ G. Meins I Dortmund 2012. White is better after 16. �xb5 �xe4 1J.�f5 �f6 18. �c4t) 13.exds! Threatening to win the knight after c3. 13 ... b4 14.a3 bxa3 1s. �xa3t V. Moliboga­ E. Matorin I Kiev 2006. This kind of position is always more pleasant for White, who has a clear plan on the queenside.;

a) 12.�cds This regularly played

move is not very threatening. 12 ... � xds 13.exds (13.�xd5 �g5 gives Black a solide position. 14.a4 �xc1 15.VMixC1 �e6 16. axb5 axb5 17.�e3 VM/b6 18. �d1 �d4= J. Netzer­ D. Breder I Pardubice 2010) 13...�as 14.a4 b4 1s.�fs (15. �d2?!j5i A. Shi­ rov-V. lvanchuk I Wijk a an Zee 2003) 1s ... �xfs 16. �xfs �b7! The knight heads to cs, where he will be well placed. 17.VM/g4 �cs 18. �h6 � f6 19. �ad1 �e8= J. Csjernyik­ J. Peres I ICCF email 2oo4;

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compensation.) 1s ... ds! This liber­ ating move is working here. A very good find by the computer.

16.exds (16. axb4 d4+) 16 ... �bxds 17.�cxds � xds 18. � xes � xe3 19.fxe3 VM/b6 20. �d4 VMIg6 21. � f3 �Xf3 22.VM/xf3 �XC2=; 12 ... �b4!N Here is our novelty. The bs pawn is not really hang­ ing because of the e4 pawn. Black will manage to play ds now that the knight is on b4. The following lines are very concrete but they all seem to work out for Black: a) 12 ...bxa4N 13. �xa4 as 14.�cdst We think White is slightly better in this kind of positions as Black can­ not fight for the ds square.; b) 12 ... b4 The natural move that

everyone played. 13.�cds � xds 14.�xds �gs Is.as!N In order to dis­ sociate the black pawns.

b) 12.b3 was recently played in the

game J. Mullon-R. Edouard I Pau 2012 12 ... �b4!N 13. �e2 (13.a4 �xd3 14.VM/xd3 b4 15.� cd5 � b7=) 13 ... �b7 14.a3 (14. �!3 �c6=) 14... �c8! IS. �b2 (15.axb4 �xc3 16. �b2 �xe3!? 17jxe3 �xe4oo Black has excellent

(IS. �e3 �xe3 16.�xe3 �d4!N (16. . �q 17.VM/d2 a5 18.�C4t K. Hazne­ daroglu-G. Vescovi I Bursa 2010.) 17. �C4 as 18.VM/d3 �e6 19.C3 bxc3 20.bXC3 �XC4 21.�XC4 �b3=) .

CHAPTER 3

40

15 ... �xc1 16.W6xc1 �has (16... �e6 17.W6d2-;J; White is a little bit bet­ ter thanks to the weak a6 pawn.) 17.W6d2 i'.Llc6 18.�xa6 �e6 19. �C4-;t And the a-file allows White to put some pressure.;

a) 16./.Llxbs?! I.Ll xe4!; b) 16. �d2 WNq 17.b3 (17./.Llxbs W9c6 18.1.Llc3 E!xb2=) 17...b4=;

13.axbs c) 16. E!d1 b4 17·/.Llcds i.Llxds 18./.Llxds

� xds 19.W6xds (19. exds fsoo ) 19 ... E!c8=; (15 . E!e1 ds! 16 .exds I.Ll fxds 17./.Llexds i'.Ll xds 18./.Ll xbs (18. I.Llxds �xds=) 18... �cs! Followed by W6h4. Black has enough com­ pensation for the pawn.)

16.../.Ll xds 17./.Ll xds �xds 18.W6xds W6q 19.c3 E!fc8= Followed by �C4.; 10./.Lleds This move is quite rare and doesn't give White any advantage.

15 ...ds!? (1s ... I.Llc6!?= Followed by i'.Lld4 also seems completely play­ able.) 16.exds I.Ll fxds 17./.Llexds � xds ! 18./.Ll xds (18./.Ll xbs W9b6 19.c4 �e4�) 18.../.Ll xd5 19. �b2 � f6 2o. E!e1 e4 21.�xf6 i'.Llxf6 22.W6xd8 E!fxd8= The position is equal.) 13 ... axb5 14. W6e2 (14. �xbs I.Llxe4!=) 14 ...1.Llxd3 (14 ... �b7 15. �xbs I.Llxe4 16. E!d1-;J;) 15.W6xd3 �e6 This is the critical position. We couldn't find any tangible advantage for White and we are curious to see what will be played here. Here are some vari­ ations:

10 ... 0-o Even if 10 .../.Ll xds was al­ ready played, this move is more logi­ cal. We are at a big junction point right now: 11. �d3 a) 11.i'.Ll xe7+?! This move eases

Black's task as he will be able to

THE COMPLETE KALASHNIKOV

prepare d5. 11...i:the7 12. ii.g5 (12. �d3 b4 13.�e2 il.b7 14.�g3 ds+) 12 ...b4!N (12 ... il.b7 13. ii.xf6 gxf6 14. ii.d3oo P. Atoofi-A. Moiseenko I Minneapolis 2005.)

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nity to play b4, forcing White to play � xf6 and �c3-d5, which has the advantage of allowing il.gs. u.� xf6+ il.xf6 13.�d5 ii.g5 14. �C4 (14.il.xg5 �xg5 15.�d2 (1s.�b6?! �b8 16.�xc8 �fxcs+

13. ii.xf6 bxc3 14. ii.xe7 �Xe7 15.bxc3 �q 16.�d3 il.b7 Black is slightly better thanks to a better structure. The c3 pawn is an easy target after �ac8 and the d6 is easily defendable by �fd8.; b) 11.�xf6+ ii.xf6 12.�d5 ii.e6 White cannot be better with such a delay in development. 13.c3 (13. �xf6+ �xf6 would give Black good play as White cannot take the d6 pawn: 14. �xd6? �d4 1S. �d3 �fd8 16.�a3 �g6-+; 13.h4 ii.xds 14.exds �as Followed by e4 and Black will open the position favorably.) 13 ... iLg5 14.il.e2 il.xo 15. �xo �e7 16.� xe7+ �xe7 17.0-o �fd8 18.q �b7= Molano I. Lafuente-V. Ikon­ nikov I Barcelona 2009. Black doesn't have any problems here. A mass simplification will probably take place soon.; c) n.a4 b4 Black obviously doesn't

take on a4 so not to weaken his queenside. He seizes the opportu-

This is the typical dream posi­ tion for Black, with a good knight against a bad bishop. What is more, in this precise position White also has development problems.) 15 ... �xd2+ 16.Wxd2 il.e6=) 14... .1Lxe1 15.�XC1 (1s. �xe1 as 16.o­ o JLe6 IJ.�e3 �C8 18.C3 bXC3 19. bXC3 �b8!= From here the knight will be able to get to c5 via d7.) 15 ... ii.e6 16.o-o �d4 Black's position is com­ pletely fine: A. Haast-V. Ikonnikov I Utrecht 2009; d) n.il.e2 �xd5N The most natural

move. (n... il.b7 is not in the spirit of the position. 12. il.e3 � xd5 13.� xd5 �d4 14. ii.xd4 (14. ii.d3 �fs!?) 14...il.xd5 15.exd5 exd4 16.o-o il.f6 17.il.d3± A. Arustamian-E. Svesh­ nikov I Moscow RUS 2011. This kind of position always favors

CHAPTER 3

42

White as he can both put pressure on the queenside by playing a4 and activate his pieces on the kingside.)

12.CZJxds (12.exd5?! CZ:Jd4+) 12 ... �gs 13. � xg5 V!!Vxgs 14.0-o �e6oo The position is balanced. Compared to the main line, White doesn't have the f2-f4 plan any longer.; n

... �e6

(The classical u ... CZJ xds 12.CZJ xds �g5 also seems to be playable here. For instance: 13.V!!V hs �xc1 14. :S.xc1 �e6 15.0-o fsoo Misiano, F-P. Piscopo I Spoleto 2011.(15... g6!?N 16. V!!Vh6 :S.cs 17. :S.jd1 �xd5 18.exd5 CZJqoo Black can try to play against the bad bishop.) ) 12.0-o CZJd7!? (12 ... b4 is another pos­ sibility. 1J.CZJxf6+ �xf6 14.CZJd5 �g5 Followed by as.) 13.f4 (13. �e3 �g5 14. V!!¥d2 �xe3 15. V!!¥xe3 CZJe7= Black equalized in the game: Kovacevic, A-L. Lenic I Nova Gorica 2006. 16.CZJxe7+; 13.ClJXe7+ CZJxq Followed by CZ:Jcs.) 13 ... exf4 14. � xf4 CZJcesoo With an interesting position where White will have trouble launching a kingside attack. The es square is too well controlled. S. Gurcan-

A. Shariyazdanov 2005.

I

Saint V incent

10...0-0

It is the latest fashion. 10 ... h5 This aggressive move is not really play any longer. We still rec­ ommend it as an alternative to those who don't want to play the main line.

(u.h4 This move stops the h-pawn but it also weakens the g4 square. n ... :S.bs a) u ... �e6 12. �g2 :S.c8 13.CZJcds;;l;

L. Aroshidze-S. Roy Chowdhury Figueres ESP 2012.;

I

THE COMPLETE KALASHNIKOV b) 11. .. ClJd4!?N was our recom­

mendation in the French version of the book. 12. �g2 b4 13.ClJcds C2J xds 14.C2J xds (14. exd5 V/9q 15.0-0 g5oo ) 14 ... lt.g4 15.f3 �e6 16.ClJxb4 as (16 ... ds 17.C2Jxds � xds 18.c3! (18. exd5 C2Jj5�) 18 ... �e6 19.cxd4;!;) 17.ClJd3 V/9b6 18.c3 ClJc6 19.V!Be2 a4 20. �e3 V!Bbs 21.o-o;!; Although Black has some compensation, we think White is a little bit bet­ ter here.; c) n ...b4 12.ClJcds :8b8 13. �g2 C2Jxds 14.ClJxds �g4 15. �f)!N (15. V!Bd3 ClJd4 16j3 �e6oo G. Soulei­ dis-A. Naiditsch I Stockholm 2010.) 15 ... ClJd4 16. � xg4 hxg4 17· �e3 ClJ f3+ 18. 'iif fl ;t;

12. �g2 ClJd4 13.0-oN We think it's more logical for White to delay the ClJcds move. (13.C2Jcds C2Jxds 14.exds (14.ClJxd5 �g4 15]3 �e6=) 14 ...g6oo D. Dau­ lyte-A. Schulz I Germany 2012.) 13 ...b4 14.C2Jcds C2Jxds 1s.C2Jxds �g4 16.f3 �e6 17. �e3 �xds 18.exds C2Jbs 19.V!Bd3 o-o= With a bal­ anced position.) n ... h4 12.0-o Black has tried differ­

ent moves here. 12 ...h3!? Here is the line we recommend to Black. Al­ though it looks strange to close the h-file, the idea is to play the same

43

way as in the main line. The differ­ ence is that White will almost never have the f4 move as with a queen on gs and a bishop on h1 the g3 pawn is pinned! What is more, it is often difficult to reactivate the �h1. a) 12 ...ClJd4 The most played move.

13.C2Jcds C2J xds 14.C2J xds (14. exd5 ClJj5!oo leads to an uncertain po­ sition.) 14 ... �e6 15.c3 (15.ClJe3 Al­ though this move was played by Anand against Radjabov, we don't think it leads to any advantage.) 15... � xds 16. exds ClJ f5 17.V/9d3! More accurate than 17.a4. 17...g6 (1J... ClJh6 18.a4 White has a good advantage here.) 18.g4!N A good novelty! The black knight will be totally out of play. (18.a4 is the usual move. 18 ... hxg3!? 19.hxg3 (19jxg3!?N Vf9b6+ 20. 'i!th1 :8bs 21. �e4 ClJ h6 22. �e3 V!Bb7 23.b4;!;) 19 ... :8b8 2o.axbs axbs 21.b4 V!Bd7 22. �d2 �d8 23. :8a6 'i!l'f8 gave Black a slightly inferior but playable position in: V. Potkin­ P. Eljanov I Moscow 2004.)

CHAPTER 3

44 at) 18 ... h3 19. � xh3 e4 2o.�xe4 :8xh3 21.gxfs±; a2) 18 ... ll:Jh6 19.h3 fs (19 ... �gs

20. �xgs �xgs 21j4! exf4 22. :8ae1+ Wf8 23 .�d4±) 20.a4±;

19.a4 :8bs 2o.axbs axbs 21.f4! By move inversion we now find our­ selves in an already played position.

21. .. exf4 22. �xf4 o-o Both moves that were played here give White a good advantage, but I prefer 23. :8a6. 23. :8a6 (23. �e3 � f6 24.�d2 (24 . :8 xj6?! �xf6 25.�d2oo I. Cheparinov­ K. Spraggett I Metz 2005.) 24 ... �es 25. :8a7;;l;) 23 ... �c8 24. :8a7 :8b7 25. :8 xb7 �xb7 26.�d4 :8c8 27.h3;;l; The black posi­ tion is very hard to play as was seen in the game A. Istratescu-V. Ikon­ nikov I France 2007.; b) 12... hxg3?! A surprising decision.

13.fxg3! White is making use of Black's last move in order to open the f-fi.le. (13.hxg3 is less logical.) 13 ... �e6 Both moves seem promising for White here. 14.a4

(14.ll:Jcds :8c8 (14 ... :8bs 15.c3 WfB 16.�/3 �d7 11-ll:Jfs �xfs 18.exjs;t T. Kosintseva-V. Johansson I Fue­ gen 2006.) 15.c3 ll:Jas 16.a4 ClJc4 17.axbs axbs 18.�d3;;l; Van E. Leeu­ wen-S. Kuznetsov I ICCF email 2006.) 14...ll:Jd4 (14... b4 1s.ll:Jcds :8c8 16.as!;;l;) 1s. ll:Jcds bxa4 I6. :8xa4 ClJxds 17.exds �d7 18.c3! A nice move which gives White a good initiative.

18 ... ll:Je2+ (18. . . ll:J bs 19.ll:Jjs �xfs 20. :8 xfs White is much bet­ ter.) 19.�xe2 � xa4 2o.�g4 �d7 21.�xg7 :8f8 22.ClJg4 (22.h4N would have given White a big advantage.) 22 ... � Xg4 23.�Xg4 �d7 24.�h5;;l; C. Bauer-A. Moiseenko I Bilbao 2004; c) 12 .. . g6 The idea is to put the king

on g7, but White can get an advan­ tage through simple and natural play: 13.a4 b4 14.ll:Jcds �e6 15.c3 bxc3 16.bxc3 Wf8 17. � a3;;l; With a good advantage, such as in: Van den E. Doel-A. Moiseenko I Plov­ div 2003;

THE COMPLETE KALASHNIKOV

45

13. �h1 o-o We are at a junction. This rarely played line has recently become more popular (4 games in 2012). Until here, White has always played 14.CLJcds, but we have also analysed other moves which we consider to be interesting: 14.CLJcds We don't think that this move which was played in every single game is the best one.

15 ... �d7! We came to the conclu­ sion that this is the best way to play. Although it looks strange to put the queen in front of the bishop, the idea is to transfer the �e7 to b6 via d8.

a) 14.a3!? In order to avoid b4. We think this can become the main move in the future. 14 ... l:!b8 15.b3 We think that this is the critical po­ sition. One has to find a good plan for Black now.

(17.CLJ xe7+ ll:J xe7 18.�d3 l:!fd8 19. �b2 (19. l:!d1 ds=) 19 ... ll:Jg4!? 2o. l:!ad1 l:!bc8 21. �6 f6oo Black's position is solid.)

(16.exds ll:Jd4 17.g4 (lJ. CJ ll:Jfs 18.CLJc2 asoo) 17.. .f5 18.c3 f4 19.CXd4 fxe3 2o. �xe3 exd4 21. �xd4 � f6 The weakness of the white king compensates for being a pawn down.) 16 ... �g5 would give a perfect ver­ sion of the main line to Black.)

at) 15 ... �e6 We thought this was

a logical move, but we couldn't find how to equalize. 16.CLJcds �d7 17. �b2

17... �d8 18. � 6 The bishop wasn't doing anything on h1. (18.a4 �xds 19.CLJxds llJxds 2o.exds ll:Jq 21.axbs axbs Followed by �b6. The posi­ tion is uncertain.) 18... a5 The logi­ cal move. Black wants to gain some space on the queenside.

an) 19.CLJb4 l:!c8 2o.�xd6

CHAPTER 3

46

an) 20 ... .1l.xd5 21.tLl xd5 (21.exds tLlq Followed by kb6.) 21...�e6 (21... tLlxds

20...tlJd4! 21. ii.d1 (21. 1l.xd4 exd4 22.tLljs $_xfs 23.exjs 1l.q=) 21... $.q 22.�xa6 �xa6 23.tlJ xa6 tLlxe4 Black has enough com­ pensation for the pawn.; au) 19.tlJ xf6+ .1l. xf6 2o. $_g4

(20. �xd6? 'B.fdB 21. V!!fxc6 'B.bc8 The queen is trapped.) 20 ... �d7 21. �f5 'B.bc8 22.�g4 tLle7=;

19... tlJd4 2o.axb5 tLlxfJ+ 21.�xf3 'B.xb5 22. ka3;l; White is a little bit better.) 19.a4! b4 Although Black is not happy to close the position, what else can he do? (19... tlJb4 2o.axbs 1l.xds 21.exds �xbs 22.g4!?t A sur­ prising move, but it is now hard to find a good move for Black.; 19... bxa4 20. 'fl.xa4 tLlb4 21.tLlxj6+ $_xf6 22. E!xas il..gs 23. �a3 �q 24. kxb4 'fl.xb4 2s. !!a2 'fl.d4 26.V!!fe2 Black certainly has some compensation for the pawn, but White is prob­ ably a bit better. 26... 'fl.c8 27- 'Bd1 V!!lcs 2B.tLlds;t) 2o. 'B.e1 We have tried various moves for Black here: 20 ... '8c8

22. ii.g4! �b7 23 . exds tLl e7 24. 1l.Xh3;l;) 22. V!!fd3 $.b6 (22 . . . tLl q 2J.tLlxf6+ �xf6 24. $.g4 $.b6 2s. 'Bj1;l;) 23.tlJ xb6 'Bxb6 24.V!!/e3 'B.b7 25. ii.e2t; au) 20 ... g6 21. 'Bc1 'B.c8 22.c3 (22.

tlJC4 1l.xds 23.exds tLlq 24.c3 bxc3 25. 'Bxc3 tLlfs 26.g4 tLld4 2J.gs;t) 22 ... bXC3 23. 'fl.xc3 V!!fb7 24.tlJq;l;;

21. 'B.CI 'Be8 22.tlJ C4 (22.c3 bxc3 2J. 'fl.XCJ tL'Jd4=) 22... .it.xd5 23.exd5 tLle7 24.c3 bxc3 25. $.xc3 'Bc5 (25... tLlfs 26. ii.g4±) 26. $_b2 'B.c8 27. �a3 kq 28.g4;l;; a2) 15...tLld4 16. kb2 �d7!? 17.a4 (lJ. �dJ 'fl.c8oo) I?.. . b4 18.tLlcd5 tLlxd5 19.tLlxd5 (19.exds tLlfs=) 19 ... tLle6 With a complicated and interesting to play position, but White must be a little bit better after 20. V!!/h5t;

(16. �b2 .1l.d8! A typical maneuver.

THE COMPLETE KALASHNIKOV

47

19 . . . b4! 2o.axb4 (2o.� e4 bxa3 21.�xf6+ �xf6 22. �xa3 �d4oo With an unclear position.; 2o.�ds �xds 21. �xds bxa3 22. 1t.xa3 �d4 Black has the initiative.) 20...�xb4oo Followed by ds.; b) 14.a4 was played by one of the au­

thors. u) q. � fs �q= Followed by

� e7.; u) 17.�cds � xds 18.�xds (18.

exds � qoo ) 18 ... � e7 19.�e3 �b6= Black has a pleasant posi­ tion.;

17... �b6= And the position is equal.) 16 ... �C7 17. �b2 (17- �e3 �xjs 18.exjs lrbc8oo Black will have some play on the c-file.; 1J.�xq+?! �xq Fol­ lowed by lrd8 and �e6. Black is al­ ready a little bit better.) 17... �e6 (lJ. .. �xfs 18.exjs �d4 19.g4t Black's po­ sition is very dangerous.) 18.�d3 (1B. lre1 1f!Jc8 19. �d3 �d7oo Fol­ lowed by � xfs and b4.) 18 ... � xfs (18... �d7 w lrfd1 lrjc8oo also seems to be a good way of playing.) 19.exfs

14 . . . b4 (14 . . . bxa4 15. lr xa4 lr b8 16. b3t) 1s.�cds �xds (1s ... lrb8!? 16.b3 It is hard to find a more useful move. 16 ... � xds 17.�xds (1J.exds �as 18. �b2 fsi We like Black's position here.) 17... 1t.gs This position is very interest­ ing. 18. � xgs (18.f4 exf4 19. � xf4 (19.gxf4 �f6 20.�xf6+ �xf6 21. lrb1 lre8oo The position of the white king seems to give Black good play.) 19 ... �xf4 2o. lrxf4 � es=) 18 ... �xgs 19.f4 exf4 2o. lrxf4 �e6 21.�d3 as Black is doing fine.) I6.�xds �gS 17.C3 bxc3 I8.bXC3 �XCI 19.�XCI lrb8 2o.�a3 �e6 21. lrfdi � as+ E. Barbosa-F. Libiszewski­ Cannes 2012;

CHAPTER 3

48 c) 14.lt:Jfs A try to refute Black's play immediately. 14...b4 The most simple move. (14 ... kxfs 15.exjs 13.c8 16. it.e3 W8d7 17.g4 lt:Jasoo Black's position is playable but it is a bit dangerous in practice.) 15.lt:Jds (1s.lt:Je2 1/,.xfs 16. exjs Wfd7+) 15 ... lt:J xds 16.exds kxfs 17.dxc6 W/b6= Followed by e4. The c6 pawn in not necessarily a strength.; d) 14.b3 It is logical to try and de­

velop the c1 bishop.

dt)

14 . . . lt:Jd4 1s.lt:J cds lt:J xds 16.lt:Jxds ke6 17.c3 lt:Jc6 18.Wfd3;!;; White's position is more flexible. He can activate his h1 bishop via (J. The c1 bishop can go to a3 in order to put pressure on the d6 pawn and f4 might also be possible at some point.; d2) 14 ... �e6 15.lt:Jcds! White can­ not let Black organize himself.

(16.lt:Jcds .1l.d8 As usual. 17.c3 it.xds 18.lt:Jxds lt:J xds 19.Wfxds

(19.exds lt:Jq Followed by .1l.b6 and g6.) 19... 1/,.b6oo)

16 ...b4 17.lt:Jcds it.ds 18.Wfd2 as 19.lt:JC4 1/,. xds 2o.exds lt:Je7 21.f4!? lt:Jg6 22.fxes lt:J xes 23. it.xes dxes 24 . .E!ae1 .E!c8oo) 15 ... .E!c8 16. it.b2;!;; It is hard to find a good move for Black here.; 1s.lt:Jcds lt:Jxds 16.exds!? A rare move in this kind of position, but it is rather dangerous.

(17. 1/,.b2 To keep the black squared bishop. 17... as 18.a3 it.a6 19 . .E!e1 lt:Je7 It is logical to try and elimi­ nate the strong ds knight. 2o.lt:Je3 (2o. axb4 lt:Jxds 21.exds axb4=) 20 ... Wfb6 21. k f3 The bishop will take the h3 pawn after kg4. 21... .E!fd8 22.axb4 axb4 23. it.g4 k xe3 24 . .E! xe3 ds! oo With a double­ edged position.) 17... Wfxgs 18.a3 is by far the most logical move. White wants to open the position on the queenside. 18 ... �g4!? 19.Wfd3 (19]3?! ke6+ The h1 bishop is not playing at all now.; 19. 1/,.f3 1/,.xj3 2o.Wixj3 lt:Jd4 21.Wfd3 13.jc8= With a balanced position.) 19... as=)

TH E COMPLETE KALAS H N I KOV

49

27.lLlC4 Wlcs 28. �d2 asiiS It is White who is in danger here.) 18 ... bxa3! Starting by this move is more precise.

16 . ../�:Jd4 17.a3! White wants to take the initiative by opening the files on the queenside. (1J. iLb2 asoo) 17... fs! Black needs to act quickly. (1J. .. as 18.axb4 iLa6 19.c4 axb4 20. iLb2 Wlb6 21. iLxd4 exd4 22.lLlc2;l;)

(18.. .f4 19. iLe4 fxg3 (19 ... bxa3 20.c3 iLjs 21. iLxfs lLlxfs 22. �xa3 �bs 23. �xa6 jxg3 24.hxg3 WleB 25. T. Gharamian-J. Sanchez I Belfort FRA 2012.) a)

�e7 13 ... �d7 is also playable. 14. �e2 �e7 15.0-o o-o 16.a4;!; 1J

2o ... :S. fc8 21.�b3;!; Black has trouble finding counterplay and White will

.•.

CHAPTER 4

70

15 ... :S.xb6? 16.CLJxb6 �b7 (16... '%!¥ xb6 lJ. :S.xcB++-) 17.'%!fa4+± 16. �e2 o-o 17.0-o '%!¥fs 18.a4;l;

gives White a pleasant position as their initiative on the queenside can cause Black some problems. M. Ak­ sentijevic-D. Dakic I Belgrade 2008. (16.CLJxes dxe5 17.d6 �xd6 18.'%!fxd6 :S.xb2 (lB . . � bs=) 19. �C4 �bs 20. '%!¥xes � xc4 21. '%!¥ xb2 � xfi 22. :S.xfi '%!¥d6= Z. Igriashvili­ A. Shariyazdanov I Tula 2001.) .

14- �37 :S.b7 15- �b6

And that's the idea! Black cannot take the bishop as the �c8 is not pro­ tected.

15 ... '%!¥d7

White has managed to force Black to put his pieces on bad squares and Black will have a hard time develop­ ing his queenside.

A logical novelty that gives White a small advantage. Black still has trouble to go on with his develop­ ment. White will continue to take space on the queenside. Conclusion:

As it was to be expected, White gets a small advantage after the various black 8th moves. After 8 ... �e7 or 8 ... :S.b8 the idea of playing with g3 is rare but seems to be very interesting. Af­ ter 8 ... CLJce7 (which is still frequently played) White is slightly better by playing the rather rare 13. :S.CI, but also in the main line 13. �e2 followed by 17.CLJxd7!.

CHAPTER 5 6.L£J1c3 7.. b5 B...L£Jge7 Introduction I 9.XXX (832] .

1.e4 cs 2.CZJf3 CZJc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CZJxd4 es s . tLlbs d6 6.CZJ1q a6 7.CZJa3 hs s.tLlds tLlge7

This is the most played move and we have tried it ourselves on several occasions. It's a very dynamic system that we think is very interesting to play. We will start by having a look at the different 9th moves by White.

-

9 ...CZJxds w.exds (w.V:!:V xds V:!:V q u.CZJC2 i.b7 (n .. i. e6 12.V:!:V d1 i. qoo is also possi­ ble.) 12.V:!:Vd3 CZJe7 13.CZJe3 :S.ds To play ds. 14.CZJds tLl xds 15.exds i.e7 16. i.e3 o-ooo Followed by fs. Black got a good position in the game: Codina J. Tormo-F. Libiszewski I La Roda 2009) .

10 ... L£Je7 Now Black will continue his development by g6, i.g7, o-o and fs. Another possibility is to bring the knight to h4 (via g6 or fs) and to play i.e7- i.gs. u.CZJC2 With the idea a4. a) 11.q g6!? A typical pawn sacri­

fice of the Kalashnikov. Black will quickly conclude his development.

9.i.gs

This move is very logical when the knight is on f6, but here it turns out to be harmless. 9.c3 doesn't cause Black any prob­ lems: 12.cxbs (12. i.g5 i.g7 13.V:!:Vd2 h6 (1J ... bXC4 14.CZJXC4 :S.bs is also possible, with the following idea: 15.CZJas :S.xb2 16.V:!:V xb2 V:!:V xas+ 17.V:!:V d2 V:!:V xd2+

CHAPTER 5

72

18. .1i.xd2 tiJxds�) 14 . .1i.xe7 VJ!ixe7 15.cxbs o-o 16 . .1i.e2 e4 (16... axbs!? 17.tiJxbs e4 18.o-o .1i.d7 19. a4 'f!.Jb8�) 17.0-o fs� Followed by f4 and a kingside attack. Taylor, P-1. Nataf I Masters Hastings ENG 1995)

11 ... .1i.d7! The easiest move. Black prevents White from playing a4 and then he will complete his develop­ ment by playing g6 and .1i.g7. (n... g6 12.a4 bxa4 13.tiJb4 .1i.g7 14.VJ!ixa4+ .1i.d7 1s.Vi!ias"t, White had a small advantage in the game: D. Barua1. Nataf I Linares 1998.)

12 ... .1i.g7 13.bxa6?! This move is too greedy. White should think about his development, for example: (13 . .1i.e2 o-o 14.0-o e4� Followed by tiJfs, with good compensation.)

13 ... 0-o 14.tiJe2 VJ!ias+ 15.b4 VJ!Ia4 16.bs e4 17. .1i.e2 (17- 'f!.b1 .1i.g4!+ Gar­ cia Martinez, S-E. Sveshnikov I Moscow) 17... tiJ xds! 18.VJ!ixds (18. 'f!. b1 tiJcJ w 'f1 b4 Vi!ixa2 2o.VJ!id2 tiJxe2 21. �xe2 .1i.g4+ 22]3 exj3+ 2J.gxfJ .1i.d7-7) 18 ...Vi!ixe2 19.0-o VJ!ixe2 2o.VJ!ixa8 .1i.e6 21.VJ!ia7 .1i.xa1 22 . .1i.h6 .1i.es 23 . .1i.xf8 �xf8-7 Black is better despite White's advanced queenside pawns. He will play .1i.C4 and then .1i.xbs or .1i.ds with the idea of e3, which would give him a strong attack.; b) 11.g3 is too passive. 11 ... g6 12 . .1i.g2

.1i.g7 13.0-0 o-o 14.tiJC2 .1i.d7 15.h3 VJ!iq 16.�h2 as+ D. Tsomis-V. Kot­ ronias I Match Athens (Greece) 1993;

12 . .1i.e2 g6 13.0-o �g7 14.C4 o-o We think that Black is already a lit­ tle bit better, he has solved all his problems and he will have a dy­ namic play. 15.b4 bxC4 16. .1i.xC4 VJ!ib8 17. .1i.gs 'f!.c8 18 . .1i.b3 f6 19. .1i.d2 .1i.bs+ G. Kuzmin-A. Moroz I Enakievo 1997; 9 . .1i.e3 With the idea .1i.b6. 9 ... tiJ xds w.exds (w.VJ!ixds?! Here both continua­ tions are possible. IO ... VJ!iq (10 ... .1i.b7 11 . .1i.e2 (11.0-o-o .1i.q 12.h4 o-o+ Followed by VJ!iq. White's position is bad. C. Jak­ sa-J. Zorko I Nova Gorica SLO 2012.) 11 ... t£Jas 12.VJ!id3 ds+ Black is already a little bit better. P. Vas­ A. Shimanov I Malmo 2011.)

TH E COMPLETE KALASHN IKOV

73

11.c3 �e6 12. �d2 il.e7 13. iLe2 ds!N (1J ... o-o 14.0-o !!.ab8 1y:Z:Jc2 l!!.fd8 16. il.j3 l£\a5oo Y. Le Montagner­ E. Bacrot I Paris 2009.)

10. iLe3 The easiest. a) 10. �hs+ This move might scare

14.exds !!.ds 15.0-o (15. iLj3 il.xa3 16. bxa3 l£\q+) 15 ... iL xds 16.�C2 o-o+)

Black.

10 ... l£\e7 u.q l£\ fs transposes to 9.c4 l£\xds 10.exds l£\d4 u.il.e3 '£l fs from chapter 7· 10 ... g6 (w... l£\g6? 11. iLe3± Followed by C4 if Black has prevented iLb6.) 11.'£l xf6+ f7 12.�d1! The best move! Black will win some material, but White will get enough compen­ sation.

9 h6 ...

It is by far the most played move. We recommend it to Black. 9 .. .f6 We don't think this rare move is the best one, although the tempt­ ing reply 10. �hs+ doesn't give White any advantage.

(12.�h4? would be a decisive mis­ take. 12 ... h6 13.l£\ds (13.l£\g4 hxg5 14. �xh8 iLxg4+) 13 ... hxgs! (13 ... iLg7? 14. iLxe7 l£\xe7 15.�xq+ �xe7 16.l£\xq