The Cutting Edge, The Open Sicilian 1 - Pavlovic, M - 2010

First English edldon 2010 by QUality Chess UK LLP Copyright © 2010 Milos PavlovIc and Quality Chess

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The Cutting Edge: Series Introduction 7he Cuttlng Edge is a new type of opening book. The purpose of the series is to investigate a selection of the most en tical variations in various opemngs. providing a state-of-the-art, "cutting edge" snapshot of the cunene theoretical picture as well as suggesting numerous improvements and new ideas. 1he Cuning Edge concept The idea of thIs series was in some ways inspired by recent trends amongst OUf competitors. First there was New In Chess. whose successful s.O.S. series continues to cover a variety of unusual opening hnes deSigned to surprise one's opponents. Everyman's Dangerous Weapons series did something slmLlar. except chat each individual volume IS dedicated to one parricuiar opemng. OUf Cutting Edge series Is closer to the laner, In the sense that each volume covers a number of vanations wl(hin one major opening, which we believe [0 be the mOst logical and reader-friendly approach. However, chere are a couple of major differences. Firsdy, 1he Cuttmg Edge focuses on reputable main hnes, most of which have been tested at the very highest levels. Secondly, we are not looking to 'sell' one Side of the posmon over the other. Instead we allow the author to investigate the variations in question with a completely open mind, Ifl an effort co discover the real truch of the poSItion. Cuning Edge preparation When building and maintaining an opening repertoire, one must pay attemion both to inferior andlor unusual responses, and to the more critical main lines. Preparing for sidelines is generally not [00 difficult. Rare moves are normally rare for a reason, and in most cases you can easily check a database andlor a good book [Q find a convincing response. Of course we have all, at one time or another, succumbed after being surprised in the opemng, but we should not worry about it unduly. Preparing for main lines IS a completely different ketde of fish. The theory of rhese lines is constantly evolving, as certam criticaJ positions are tested over and over by top players armed with increasingly powerful analysis engines. Simply put, it can be a d,auntlng prospect even for a seasoned grandmaster. Cuning Edge value The purpose of our Cuttmg Edge series is co give the reader the best pOSSible headstan in prepanng for the most challenging opemng variations, irrespective of the side of the board on which he will be suting. The material is as up-[O..ciate as it can be, and IOdudes a plethora of original analysIs from the amhor. Furthermore, the fact that we cover several different variations within each volume enables the reader [0 adopt a flexible approach, varying his choices while keeping a number of aces up his sleeve. The goal of this series is not [0 spoon-feed the reader a repertOlfe, but rather to prOVide hlghquality information chat Will enable him ro develop and refine his knowledge and understanding of the opening in question. We are excited about this series, and hope the readers will share our enthUSiasm. Andrew Greet Series Editor

Contents Bibliography Key to symbols used

5 6

The Sveshnikov Variation

I 2 3

13.tiJxb5 piece sac 18.h4 pawn sac The positional approach: 11.c4

7 27 41

The Rauzer Variation

4

Doubled f-pawn variation

57

The Dragon Variation

5 6 7

Chinese Dragon 12 .. '!l:e8 variation Topalov variation

75 83

93

The Taimanov Variation

8

English Anack main line English Anack 8".~e7 10 5... a6 6.tiJxc6 bxc6 7.1d3

9

101 115 127

The Kan Variation

II 12

5.tiJc3 V!ic7 6 ..id3 tiJf6 7.0-0 .ic5 5.id31c5

Index

141

155

Bibliography Aagaatd 8< Shaw (editors). Expms VS. ,he Stcilian (second edmon), QUalIty Chess 2006. Dearing. Play the Steilian Dragon, Gambit 2004 De la ViUa. Dtsmantllng ,he Siciltan, New In Chess 2009. DeIchev 8< Semkov' The Safest Sicilian -A Black R'pmoirl! with 1 t4 c5 2 lUf3 e6 (Itcond edmon), Chess Srars 2008 Khalifman' Openmgfor Whit, According '0 Anand 1 .4 (Volum, 9), Chess Srars 2007. Khalifman Opening for White According '0 Anand 1 .4 (Volume IO), Chess Srars 2007 Khalifman. Openmgfor Whit, According to Anand 1 t4 (Volurn, ll), Chess Srars 2009. Khalifman' Openmgfor Whtu According 10 Anand 1 e4 (Volume I2), Chess Srars 2009 Kolev Be Nedev. The F.aswt S,cr!ian. Chess Srars 2008 Rogozenko Th, Sveshntkov Reloaded, QUalIty Chess 2005 Wade, Speelman, Povah 8< BIacbtock: Stctltan rasktr-Peltkan, Botsford 1978 Periodicals Chess Informant New In Chess Yearbooks TWIC MegaBase Corr Databau

Key to symbols used ;

White is shghtly better Black is slightly better

±

White is better

j;

+

Black IS better

+-

White has a decisive advantage

-+

i

Black has a decISive advantage equality with compc::nsadon

f±

with counterplay

unclear a weak move

11

a blunder a good move

!!

an excellent move a move worth considering

lr I! #

a move of doubtful value mate

Sveshnikov abcdefgb

13.QJxb5 piece sac Variation Index l.e4 c5 2.~f3 ~c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.~xd4 ~f6 5.~c3 e5 6.~db5 d6 7.~g5 a6 8.~a3 b5 9 ..hf6 gxf6 10.~d5 f5 11.~d3 ~e6 12.c3 ~g7 13.~xb5!? nb5 14..bb5 A) 14...~d715.exf5 AI) 15...0-0 16.0-0 All) 16... l!!b8 A12) 16... l!!e8 17.a4 e4 18.%Yg4 mh8 A121) 19.1!!ad1 A122) 19.1!!fdl!? A2) 15... ~b8 A21) 16.a4 A2ll) 16....bb5 A212) 16...0-O!? A22) 16.%Yg4 B) 14... l!!c8 AI) nOlewHh 16 c;th8P

abcdef

18 ~xg7t'

9 10 11

13 13 15 18 18 18 20 21 23

AI2I) after 21 ~/l5

A211) after 20 e4

abcdefgh

abcdefgb

22~e2'N

21 b61N

The Sveshnikov Variation The Sveshnikov, also known as the Lasker or Pelikan variation of the Sicilian, is an

immensely popular line. The great Emanuel Lasker played it first, but the Argentinean master Jorge Pelikan and later on the famous Russian grandmasrer Evgeny Sveshnikov both made valuable contributions, popularizing this hIghly complex line. The whole system is based on the mISplaced knighr on a3 In addition to

7

6 4

the bishop pair and strong centre in many

abcdefgh

lines. To begin our invescigarion I will present a position that has been regarded as suspicious

by modern theory bur was briefly popular the 1970s and '80s:

III

l.e4 c5 2.1tlf3 Itlc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ltlxd4 Itlf6 5.ltlc3 e5 6.ltldb5 d6 7.iLg5 a6 8.ltla3 d5!?

In the early 1970s these ideas were revolutionary and did not catch on right away. When other strong grandmasters such as John Nunn and Andras Adorjan began to take an interest in Black's system it became more widely accepted. Nowadays it has become one of the moSt challenging obStacles against White's aspiratIons for an opening advantage.

3

The names of Kasparov, Kramnik, Radjabov, Topalov and Leko are just a few of those I could mention amongst top players who have used it with success. In thIS chapter I will focus on one of the most direct attemp" to refute Black's play, by sacrificing the knight on 03. One way of doing

2

it, from the above diagram posidon. is with:

4

1 I.ltlxb5!? axb5 12.iLxb5 abcdefgh This pawn sacrifice never achieved great

popularity, but at least it gave a hint about Black's active pOSSibilities. Pelikan published

7

6

analysis on this so his contributIOn to the

system

IS

by no means sma11.

On the other hand Sveshnikov realized the strength of a bishop pair and potentially strong pawn centre despite W1tite's strong outpost on the dS-square. The Russian pioneered the

following system: l.e4 c5 2.ltlf3 Itlc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ltlxd4 Itlf6 5.ltlc3 e5 6.ltldb5 d6 7.iLg5 a6 8.ltla3 b5 9.iLxf6 gxf6 JO.ltld5 f5

4

3 2 abcdefgh

The sacrifice on b5, by either the bishop or knight, is nowadays considered to be one of the most direct challenges to the entire variation. The diagram posidon first occurred to my

Chapter I - 13.111xb5 piece sac knowledge in a game of Murey. but became better known and more WIdely accepted after David Bronstein won a nice game against Vukic at a tournament In Vrsac in 1979. The line was subsequently adopted by many other players. but antidotes have been found. Until the early 2000. the line disappeared. until White players unearthed a more accurate move order

9

he gets the chance. Black on the other hand is a piece up. but passive at the moment, so activating pieces is his mam peioCiry. All In aU,

a fascinating and complex struggle lies ahead of us. In the present posinon Black has two ideas,

of which the first is cri,icai: A) 14...Ad7 and B) 14 ••• E!c8.

to sidestep certain problems that occurred m

the original sacrifice. The present chapter will focus on the modern incarnation of the knight sacrifice:

l.e4 I'd3 The position is rich with possibilities for

both Sides, but at this stage White's chances are slightly preferable and he eventually went on to Win In Morozevich - Lc:ko, San Luis 200S. 15.•.i.e6 This is the moS[ popular move, although there is a serious alternative:

15 ... l!IhB!? This is quite possibly the best way for Black to justify his twelfth move, a1rhough I doubt that even this is enough to equalize. 16.0-{)fS The pOint is that afrer the exchange on fS, the rook will not be hanging on aB. 17.exfS ixfS 18.lLlde3 ixe3 19.1Llxe3lLld4 8

8

7

7

6

6

4

4

3

3

2

abcdefg

17... aS I believe Black may be able to improve with 17 .. J:lb7!?, which only appears to have been

abcdefgh

Black has obtained a playable position. Nevertheless afrer 20.f4!

44

The Sveshnikov Variation

Whore IS shghdy berter ,hanks co his sounder

Al) l2 .•. a5

pawn structure. At the same rime the well placed knigh, on d4 keeps some chances alive for Black. Gallego Alcaraz - Ruiz Blais. Medellin 2009. l6.~

a

b

d

e

g

h

This is the main line. Black defends the b4 pawn securely and sets up the important p

pOSSIbility of ... a5-a4 later m ,he game. If White has already played b2-b3. then the

abc

d

e

g

h

l6 ....bd5 The knigh' on d5 is a powerful piece. and

advance of the a-pawn can be used to prise

open the queenside. If the pawn remains on b2. then Black might be tempted to play for ... b4-b3. driving the knigh, away

should be eliminated at some point. Note that

from c2 in order to selze conrrol over

... llle7 is not an opnon due co ,he hanging b4-pawn, Black could of course prepare or by playing .. a5. bucchiswould be a dear admIssion mat his twelfth move was an inaccuracy.

d4-square.

I will bnetly mention ,har 16... '!I'd7 17.'!I'd3 (I7.f4alsolooksgood) 17... l!1h818.lllde3g6 19.£4 exf4 20.gxf4 ~f6 21.l:!adl was dearly hence for White in Mogranzlnl - Roncherl, Frascan 2006. l7.'!I'ul5 ~e7 l8.'!I'd3 '!I'b6 19.1!adl l:!fd8 20 I!1hl We have been followmg ,he game P,cado - Uesugi. Dresden (01) 2008. White stands slighdy bereer, and intends co increase his minative WIth 12-f4 in the near future. Black IS not without chances, hut overall I would nor consider thIS scenano to he a fully satisfactory outcome from the opening.

me

At this pom, White has several ideas. They have all been tested quite recendy and there is no clear consensus as to which set-up IS best.

In general ,he whole line is ripe for further lnvesnganon and home analysis. The three

mam options are: All) 13..te2. Al2) 13.g3 and Al3) 13.'1'13. All) 13..te2 White develops fast and also prepares ~g4 to exchange ,he light-squared bishops, or simply to control the h3-c8 diagonal. which can often prove to be important. The following sequence usually occurs:

13....tgS l4.~ ~ l5.'I'd3 Sometlmes White plays 15.~g4 immediately. bur the position after 15 ....106 should be

Chapter 3 - The positional approach: II.c4 comfonableenough fot Black. Therefore White usually prefers rhe more Rexible development of rhe queen. and keeps the option of a subsequent .tg4 a( a more favourable mOIDen( later In the game.

lS ....te6 There is an interesting alternative: IS ... ib7!? Only recently rhis move caught on. The idea is not to eliminate rhe knight on dS. but 10 play around it.

45

18 ... 1tl.6!? 19.Wlxa5 Wlxa5 20.!lxaS ItlcS 21.!lxa8' This appears critical. Alier 21.!la3 Itlxe4 22.i.f3 Itld2! Black managed to equalize in Fedorov - Parligras. Romania 2009. 2l...!lxa8 22.b4 Itlxe4 23.if3

7 6 4

3

4

abcdefgh 16.!lfd1 Itlb8!? Black intends to put the knight on cS; an excellent square. and especially logical given the position of the white queen. 17.o3! This has been cried in a few recent games. It is a principled attempt. which more or less forces Black [0 sacrifice a pawn. An alternative is 17.ltlde3 ltla6 18.1tlf5 and now instead of 18 ... ltlcS. which was played in a game Kostemuk - Harika. Dresden (ol) 2008. it looks interesting for Black to try 18 ...Wlf6!?N. with the possible continuation 19.1tlce3 g6 20.ltlg4 Wle6 with a balanced

abede gh 23 ... ltld2? 23 ... f5!N was essential. Alier 24.ixe4 lXe4 Black's two bishops and control over the a-file give him some compensalion. White is still bener, but it is not easy for him ro make progress. 24.ltle7t \!lIB Alier 24 ... ixe7 25.ixb7 !lb8 26.idS Itlb3 27.cS White should win. 2s.ixb7 !la2 26.1tlf5 !lxc2

4 3

posl[ion.

17... bxa318.Wlxa3 At first glance it looks as though somethIng IS seriously wrong with the black position. However, he has a surprising resource:

27.!la1! W'hite is winning. as

hiS

coordinate perfectly arrack.

produce a lethal

to

three pieces

46

The Sveshnikov Variation

27 ... ~dS After 27 .. .f6 2sM th6 29J1aSt Wf7 30.td5t Wg6 3l.g4 Black can resign. 2S.g3! Black is powerless against the threat of !:1aS, winning a piece.

2S ... g6 29.~e3 l'lb2 30.!!aS l'lxb4 31.!!xdSt We7 32.~d5t W.dS 33.~xb4 ~xc4 34.td5 1-0 Erenburg - Sarkar, Pawtucket 200S.

weakness of the d6-pawn should tell eventually. The immediate plan IS f2-f4. In Perunovic - BogosavlJevlc, Serbia 2007, Black preferred 16 ... '1\'bS 17.'1\'g3 ~dS, but this was also insufficient to equalize after IS.tg4 txd5 19.cxd5 ~e7 20.~e3 ~b6 21.~c4 tc5 22.Whl. White has the better

prospects here, thanks to the namral plan

of f2-f4 with pressure on the kingside. Note that the opposite-coloured bishops are ..ther helpful to White in this regard. This game showed. another important theme. namely the possibIlity for White of meeting an exchange on d5 With adS in order to create an outpost

on c4 for the other kmght.

We have reached an important crossroads, at which White must choose which rook (0 PUt

on dl. (The same dilemma also occurred in Chapter I on page 13.) We will analyse Alll) 16.l'ladl and Al12) 16.l'lfdl.

a

b

d

e

f

g

h

Alll) 16Ji:adl By choosing this rook White reveals his

17.ti'xd.5

intention to play on (he kmgslde wlCh f4.

the previous note. The kmght will be superbly placed if it can get to c4, while a timely tg4 can help him to fight for the c-file. On the other hand, me bishop on g5 is already Ideally placed to prevem a white rook from controlling the open file, while " might also be used to ellmina[e a kmgh[ on e3 before i[ can gee [0 its dream home on c4. Asnan - Ni Hua, Taiyuan 2006 continued: 17... ~bS IS.tg4 ~a6 19.93 Iilc5 20.'1\'f3 ~a4 21.'1\'b3 ~c5 22.'1\'f3 '1\'b6 23.h4 ~6 24.~e3 .txe3 1With [his important move Black prevents

16... ,bd5 This

LS

the best and most popular move,

although a few alternatives have also been tried:

16 ...!!a7 17.h3 g6 Is.Ag4 '1\'bS 19.~de3 Ae7 20.b3 h5 21.,txe6 fxe6 22.g3 was Kamsky - Jun Zhao, World Cup 2005. White has obtamed a pleasane advaneage. His knights are better than the black minor pieces, and the

Whlte can also consider 17.cxd5. just as in

47

Chapter 3 - The positional approach: II.c4 me knight from ever taking up residence on ,~. Black is absolutely fine here. with the better minor piece. If anything. It is White who has to be more careful 10 hold the balance. In [he game he managed chis with no problems. and a draw was agreed twelve moves later.

Al12) 16.!!:fdl

17.••eb6

abc This

IS

d e

g

h

much less popular that the previous

rook move, bur in my opinion It is [he more challenging option. At [he same dme it seems

that Black can still hold the balance without [00

abc

d e

f' g

much trouble. With the text move White

abandons any hopes of achieving f2-f4. On the plus SIde. the other rook can come 10 c1 In

h

Both sides have developed narurally. and the chances are approximately equal; it IS difficult for either player to Improve their posicion Slgmficantly.

some cases.

16...hd5 Again this is [he safest Idea. as practice has shown. Alternatives can only create problems

for Black. for instance:

18.g3 The

following

attempting

[0

example

shows

that

open lines achieves nothing

for White: 18.'/~i"b5 VfJc7 19.c5 dxc5 20.VfJxc5 ~acB 21.~g4 lLle7! Black was dOing fine due 10 Ius play on the c-file in LI Shilong- Wang Vue. China (ch) 2006.

16 ...VfJbB 17.b3 VfJa7 1B.VfJg3! .th6 19 ..tg4

7

6

18.. .l:!fd8 19.b3 ec5 20.e"c5 cbc5 Black has equalized withour problems.

4 3

lU!d5 .te7 22..tg4 I'l-'h This was Nepomniachtchi - Wang Vue. Russia-China match 2009. The position is almost dead equal. so [he players saw no reason [0

continue.

2 abcdefgh

Again [hIS set-up proves 10 be effective for White. 19 .. .1:ladB 20.VfJh3 VfJd7 21..tf5!

48

The Sveshnikov Variation

and Black was under some pressure in

8

Balogh - Zinchenko. Cappelle la Grande 2009.

7

6

17.a:d5 This is the best try. In Vuckovic - Halkias. Serbian Team Ch. 2009. White preferred 17.'I!!Ixd5. hopmg to obtain pressure along the d-lile. However. he achieved very little after: 17... 'I!!Ib6 18.!!d3 !!fd8 19.!!adl 'I!!Ic7 20.!!f3

5 4 3

2 b

abcdefgh In this position a draw was agreed. Perhaps White has a tiny edge. but it is hard for hIm 10 make much progress. He could make some small improvements to his poSItion with g3 and h4. perhaps followed by h5 if Black ever plays ... g6; but even then 1I is hard 10 see anything special for him. Meanwhile Black has ideas like ... a4. trymg to open a queenSJde file. while a knight transfer to c5 might also prove useful.

c

d

e

g

19...!!:cS! It is important to be precise. The tempting 19... lilc5 allows White to achieve preCISely the result he wants with 20.!!xc5! This " a powerful posillonal sacrifice. 20 .. ..txe3 (20 ... dxc5 21.Iilc4 would lead to tremendous pOSitional compensallon for White.) 21.'I!!Ixe3 dxc5 22.d6 'I!!Ib6 23.~c4 White had mce compensation for the exchange in Filippov Khamrakulov. Tashkent 2009.

2o.lhc8 'l!!lIeS 21..tg4 ~c5! Without this tactical idea Black's position would be problematic. but now he is fine.

22.Wb5 Wbs 23.l!I'xbS lhbS 24.~c4 ~".4 25.J.f5 ~f6 26.~xd6 g6 27.J.c2 !!dS Black held the endgame without ddnculties in

Haslmger

-

Reinderman.

Hilversum

2009.

17... ~bS IS.~e3 ~d719.!!acl

A22) B.g3

This is a key difference from the prevIous line. White plays on the queenside and tries to explOIt the fact that Black has not yet coordinated his pieces.

The bishop will be quite well placed on g2 where 1I helps 10 discourage ... f5 ideas. White can also considet the idea of h4 and ih3. just

We have reached an important posinon.

as we saw In the earlier Morozevich - Leko game. Just as in the previous line, the queen

Black's early tries were unsuccessful. but

1I

seems that the route to equality has now been

found.

This

IS

another imponanc plan for white.

WIll usually come to d3 followed by either rook to d I. Note that the pawn on g3 might also be useful in supporting f2-£4.

Chapter 3 - The positional approach: 1 Lc4

49

Black should be fine here, as demonmated by a few games. 21.c5 21.gfl looks risky: 2l...gafll 22.0-0-0 gb3 23.'1:I'c2 d5! And Black had among atrack in Nisipeanu - Shirov, Foros 2008. 2l...'1:I'xc5 22.gcl '1:I'b5 23.'1:I'e2 '1:I'xe2t 24.lIIe2 gafS 25.ghfl d5 26.ltlc6 Ad6 Black has sufficient counterplay in ,he endgame, Amonatov - Zinchenko, Moscow 2009.

8 7 6 5

4 3

2

abc

d e

g

14...AgS 15.0-0 ~e7

h

13... 0-0 14~2 White can also consider:

14.h4 The idea, as mentioned previously, is

[0

put

!fIb6 Here I found a natural improvement for

White.

The aforementioned game continued 20.liJd2 .4 2l.liJc4 >!fIcS 22.l'ld2 l'ld7 23.l'lhdl ~d8?!, and now 24.>!fIh6!N intending liJe3 would have given White the bener position. However, I think Black could h.ve improved with 23 ... dS!?N when the position is r.ther unclear. 20•..•4 2I.~cI >!fIc522.b3 White will continue to improve hiS pieces with l'lhel-e2-d2. He keeps an edge due to the weakness on f7 and Black's limited prospects for coumerplay. Conclusion

We began by checking the second-mostpopular line, A) ll.liJxc6 ixc6 12.>!fIe3 >!fIe7 13.id3 >!fI.7, when White has two mam tries. AI) 14.>!fIh31ooks like quite a dangerous move for Black to face, and I was .ble to find • number of promising new ideas, most notably

the spect.cular 23.liJxJlJ!!N in Ime AB. The other line, A2) 14.>!fIel, is a bLt less aggressive,

74

The Rauzer Variation

but also gIves reasonable chances for an advantage. Black's position remains playable, although if you are interested In playIng the black side I would advise you to study these lines closely

10

order to avoid the numerous

pitfalls. We then moved on to the main line of B) l1.l!lbl 'l>i'b612.li:lxc6hc613.'I>i'e1.Although this has been the most popular continuation, it seems to me that it has certain drawbacks

compared with lIne A. Firstly, the queen does not have the option of moving to h3. Secondly, even if the queen intends to come ro el anyway, one can make the argument that the

black queen is slightly worse placed on a7, as occurs in line A2, compared with b6, as occurs in line B. A small example of this can be found In line A22, in which my new idea of 15.a3!?N looks quite interesting, but only works because of [he queen's placemen[ on a7. Despne [hese slight disadvan[ages from of view, my general impression IS tha[ Black faces some problems In line B as well. Most of the sub·variatlons ended wi[h an evaluation in favour of Whi£e. Out of all [he lines examined, perhaps B1) 13 ... 0-{)-O!' represents Black's best chance for a dynamically balanced game. Nevenheless, my overall conclusion has [0 be tha[ Black is under some pressure In [he doubled f.pawn va[iatlon of [he Rauzer. If you like these positions then you should not be afraId [0 play mem, but just be aware [hat [he handling of [he black position will probably require a greater depth of skill and undemanding in order to avoid falling into difficulties. Whife's point

Dragon abcdergh

Chinese Dragon Variation Index l.e4 c5 2.lO0 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lOxd4lOf6 5.lOc3 g6 6.~e3 ~g7 7.0 0-0 8.§'d2 lOc6 9.ic4 ~d7 10.0-0-0 l1!b8 ll.ib3lOa5 76 78

A) 12.g4 B) 12.M A) after 18 .• 5

B) nore (0 15 Iilxh5

B) after 16 .lilf6

abcdefgb

191ild2'N

16h6"N

171ilf5'N

76

The Dragon Variation

1.e4 c5 2.ftll3 d6 3.d4 ctd4 4.ftlxd4 ftlf6 5.ftlc3 g6 6 ..i.e3 .i.g77.13 0-0 8.1rd2 ftlc6 9 ..i.c4.i.d7 10.0-0-0 !b8

Now White has two prinCipal continuations: A) 12.g4 and 0) 12.M.

12.ih6 has been the most popular move. but it should transpose to line A below. 12...i.x/t6 13.1rxh6 b5 14.h41! This is an independent try. It appears to be the most natural attacking move. but unfortunately for White. it simply does not work. (l4.g4! reaches line A.) 14 ... e5! 15.lilde2 b4 16.lild5 Iilxb3t 17.axb3 Iilxd5 IS.!!xd5 Now Black has a choice between Is ...ie6 19.h5 !!b7. and IS ...!!b6. intending 19.h5 g5!. with better chances in both cases. A) 12.g4 b5 13 ..i.b6 bh6

Black has a few alternatives here.

abc

d e

g h

The present line has become Increasingly

[Opical

In

recene years. Certain Chinese

Grandmasters such as Bu XJangzhi helped to popularize it, and several other strong players have used it with success. including the world number one at the rime of writing, Magnus

Carlsen. In the space of around a decade the Chinese Dragon has gone from bemg an obscure sideline

(0

one of the most prominem

main lines of the Dragon. The main idea behind Black's last move is to prepare ... b5 and ... ftlc4. after whIch an exchange on c4 will lead to an opening of the b-file. when the rook on bS WIll be Ideally placed. The drawback IS that. for the time being at least. the [Ook is less active on bs chan cS. The great majority of games cominue the natural moves:

With

1l.J.b3 ftla5 ThIS IS the best square lOr the knight the Chinese Dragon. The

pOint IS

13 ... b4 14.lild5 Iilxb3t 15.lilxb3 Iilxd5 16.1xg7 ~xg7 17.exd5 a5 IS.h4 a4 19.h5! !!hS (l9 ... axb3? 20.hxg6 gives White a winning attack) 20.lild4 f6 2Ulde1 Black was under pressure in Cheparinov - Banikas. Plovd,v 2003, and was unable to hold the position. 13 ... lilc4 White should now prevent the opening of the b-file with: 14.Wlg5! Wlb6 15.h4 White's chances seem preferable. for instance: 15 ...!!fcS 16.ixg7! Avoiding any ... lilxe4 tricks. 16...~xg7 17.lild51ilxd5 IS.exd5 f6 IS ... a5 19.Wlxe7 is strong. 19:e!1f4 a5 20.g5 a4 21.h5 White has a promising attack.

10

chac, aside

from the possibihry of ... ftlc4. he also keeps the option of exchanging on b3 as well as a timely ... e5. neither of whIch would have been possible had the knight gone to e5 Instead.

14.1rxh6 b4 14... e51 is more or less refuted by 15.1ilf5! By the way. the main purpose of White's 12th move was to prepare thIS knight leap in response to the thematic ...e5. In the game Gopal - Li Chao. Martunl 2007. Black Wal SWIftly annihilated after 15 ... gxf5 16.g5

Chapter 5 - Chinese Dragon

77

Iilxb3t 17.axb31ile8 18.lild5 f6 19.1:!hgl!!f7 20.gxf6t I!ih8 21.Iile7 1-0.

18.h4

However, 14 ... lilxb3t IS a perfectly valid move order, after which 15.liJxb3 b4 16.liJd5 transposes to the mam line below.

Recently in the game Domiguez - Carlsen. Linares 2009. White tried IB.!!he\ but without success: IB ... e5 19.dxe6 fxe6 20.!!e3!!f7 Black had active play and eventually won.

White should continue playmg aggressively.

18...e5

abc

d

e

g

h

This is a standard position for the 12.g4 line. 17...!!b61 This move fully deserves the exclamation mark, as it is a key concept that has helped [0 revIve Black's set-up. A$ far as I am aware, the credit for finding it goes [0 the french d2 is well met by 22 ... "!!Jb6!.

The pom[ is that Black has po[entially saved a tempo over the 16 ... b4 hne. as the rook on the e-file will need to expend a second tempo [0 capture on e7. 2I.!!ixe7 is StU! playable. but after 21..."!!Jalt 22.l!;>d2 "!!Jxb2 Black has plenty of counterplay. And If White refrains from capturing on e7. Black will obtam a dearly improved version of the 16... b4 line. as the king's rook wU! swing direcdy to bB. inStead of spending a tempo going to e8 fim. b) I also wondered about: 19.a4!? Usually this is a dubious idea in the Topalov variation. due to the reply ... "!!JeB hitting a4. However,

in

[he present posidon White

can prepare a Strike against the e7-pawn.

Chapter 7 - Topalov variation Nevertheless it turns out that Black can play it regardless. 19...'!!Ie8 20.'!!Ie2! 20.gdei?! .txa4 21.!h.e7 '!!Ib5 is good for Black. 2o ... ixa4 21.!h.e7 '!!Ixe7! This queen sacnfice saves the day for Black. Instead 2l...'!!Ib5 22.'!!Ixb5 hb5 23.1:!a7 would leave him struggling to defend an ending a pawn down.

22.'!!Ixe7 hb3 23.1:!rl2 gfcB I do not see any problems for Black in this endmg. 18•.. b4 19.axb4 ""b4 20.~][b4 ~a8! 21.11>d2 gb8

abc

d e

f

g

h

Somewhat reminiscent ofthe Benko Gambit, isn't i,? Karjakin was evidently convinced by Black's compensation, so he steers ,he game towards a draw. 22.gal g,.d5t 23.11>03 ge5t 'h-'h At present, this game is the last word of ,he theore,ical dispute in ,he Topalov variation. be fully playable, Overall I regard ,his line and have not been able find any major Improvements for White, although we will

'0 '0

have to wait for more games before drawing

any firm conclusions.

99

Conclusion Topalov's system cominues [0 be a viable method of handling the Dragon. The old main line of A) 16... b4 gives decent practical compensation, although I believe I have charted qui,e a promising path ,owards an advantage for White. However, after the more refined B) 16... lIIgB, with the idea of postponing ,he ... b4 sacrifice until a more favourable moment presents itself, the ball is firmly in White's court at present.

The theore,ical debate will surely con,inue for some time. Regardless of the final outcome, from a pracdca1 perspecdve it is reasonable to state ,hat ,he positions resulting from ,he ... b4 pawn sacrifice are extremely double.edged and difficul, for both sides. I must emphasize that the Topalov line IS in a general sense a rypical 'computer line'. full of tac,ical motifs and pi,faIls. Perhaps that is one reason why i, has not been the most popular choice in tournament chess - it is very easy for human players to make mistakes, from either SIde of the board. at almost any stage of the game.

Taimanov abcdefgh

English Attack main line Variation Index 1.e4 e5 2.~0 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.~xd4 ~c6 5.~c3 fie7 6..ie3 a6

7.fid2 ~f6 8.0 Ab4 A) 9••• ~e5

B) 9 ... 0-0!? Bl) B2) B3)

102 107 109 110

10.g4 b5 II.g5 ~e8 12.~xc6

12.'t>bl 12.a3!?

III 83) nOlelo 13 b4

83) .f(er 15 iixb4

abcde(gh

abedefgb

abcdefgh

15 lli'el'N

141ili5"N

161li'd4"N

82)

no(e (0

14 d6

102

The Taimanov Variation

1.e4 c5 2.~a e6 3.d4 ad4 4.~][d4 ~c6 Bc7 6 ..103 a6 7.fI"d2 ~f6 .1b4 9.0-0-0

8.a

5.~c3

Here is a very brief summary of rhe alternatives: The natural 9 ... d S?! is now known [0 be premamrc:. White obtains advantage with 1O.•3! ~xc3 (I0... ~a5 1 L/Ob3! also eliminates the valuable bishop, whIle other bishop retreats would leave Black saddled wirh an isol.red d-pawn,) 11.v.!'xc3 dxe4. Ar rhis point White has a pleasant choice between 12.fxe4 /Oxe4 13,v.!'d3 /0,5 14,v.!'c4 /Od7 15,/Oxc6 v.!'xc6 16,v.!'g4 wirh good compensation, Krammk - Ljubojevic. Monte Carlo 2003, and 12./Oxc6 v.!'xc6 13.v.!'e5 0-0 14.1/.g5 /Od7, Tseshkovsky - Thorfinnsson, Biel 2004, 15,v.!'xe4!N fl"xe4 16,fxe4 with a pleasant endgame advantage thanks to rhe powerful bishop pair,

me

8 7

6 5 4

3 r~~~="Fe~'=xg7 23.ti'h6t I!;>gS 24.g6 Iilxg6 2S.id4 lile6 when White failed [0 demonstrate adequate compensation, Simacek - Podan. Budva 2009. Is ....bf6 19.9xf61ileS 20.id4Iilxf3 21.ti'h6 ti'dS! This more or less forces a queen exchange. 22.id3 ti'gSt 23.ti'xgS IilxgS Despite the queen exchange White rerains a reasonable level of compensation. 24.!lhgl lile4 24 ...1il8 2S.!lg3 Iilxd4?? 26.ixhlt I!;>xh7 27.!lxd4 is mating. 24 ... h6!? was worth considering though. 2S.ib61ilxf6 26.ixc7 ib7 'White has some initiative here with his (wo bishops. but Black managed to hold on for a draw in Nepomniachtchi - Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Moscow 2010.

14... exfS Ot 14 ... ixa3 IS.bxa3 Iilx8 16.lildS! exd5 17.lilelt I!;>hS IS.ti'b4 d6 19.1ilxdS with a white advantage. IS.lildS ti'd6 16.if4 White intends ti'h2 next. with a dangerous initiative for the sacnficed piece.

13 ... ib714.lilfS!? Again this gives rise

The thematic sacrifice looks even more ro

the poine here than on the previous move.

6 4

some fasdnating

Another interesting possibility is 14.if4!? when play might continue: 14... lileS (14 ...ti'b6 15.lilb3!; 14 ... d6!? looks safest, although IS.lilxc6 followed by hS leads to a complex position where White looks to be

faster in creating threats.) IS.hS b4 16.axb4 ixb4 17.ti'h2 d6 IS.g6 Lc3 8 6

13... b4 This is the most obvious move. although I checked a couple of alternatives as well.

13 ... lileS This was played in Kryvoruchko - Konguvel. Paleohora 2009. 14.lilfS!?N

to

complications.

4

abcdefgh 19.h6! with fantastic complications ahead of us. 14 ... ebl!? Il.h3 has been the most common chOICe.

2

but I am not convinced that White needs this move, at least not Immediately.

8 15.f5!N

7

The game continuarion of 15.lile4 b5 16.b3 '/;!'b4 17.~d2 '/;!'a3t 18.i>bl ~b7 enabled

6

Black to consolidate his position and obtain

5

decent prospecrs.

4

15... ~g3 16.li!bel b5 17.{6 gxf6 18.exf6

3

AM

2

18 .. .i.fS is refuted by 19.1ilxe6! dxeG 20.,/;!,d2 '/;!'c7 21.~d5 and Whire WInS.

abc

d e

g

h

123

Chapter 9 - English Attack 8 ....te7 11... ~eS The other move

(0

have been tested is:

ll...bS Yu - Zherebukh. Moscow 2008. Now it looks promising for White to play: 12.lllxc6!?N'I1Ixc6 13 ..td3

6 4

The posicion continues to resemble a Rauzer variarion. A normal continuation might

3 2

be: 13 ... b4 14.llle2 eS IS.lllg3 h4 Also possible IS IS ... g6 16.h4 11.06 17..tgS

abcdefgh

16.AbSt! id7 17.lllfS! 0-0-0 18.lllxd6t ~b8 19 ..txa6! Illxhl 20.'I1IxeS Illf2 21.!ld2 bxa6 22.!lxf2 White is clearly bener. with three pawns for the exchange and a. benee pawn

a5 18.f4 with some initiative for White. 16.~fS AxfS 17.exfS dS 18.g4

snuccure.

6

13.f4 ~ed7 14•.tc13 b4 Also interesting is 14....tb7 15.!lheI 0-0-0 16.a31!ib8 17.'I1Ih4 with sltghrly better chances for White.

4

3

abcdefgh

Whl!e keeps the better Instance: 18 ... e4 19..te2 !k8 20.!ld2t

chances.

for

12 ..tg5!IN In SUtovsky - Giri. Zurich 2009. White preferred 12.h3 bur did not achieve anything special afrer 12 ... bS 13..td3 b4 14.lllce2 h4 IS.~b3Illfd7 16 f41llxd3 17.cxd3 as 18.!lel 'I1Ib7 with complex play and an eventual draw. After the text move we reach a kind of hybrid benveen the Taimanov. Rauzer and Najdorf variations!

12 ... bS lhecomplications resulting from 12... lllfg4?! turn out in Whites favour after: 13.'I1Id2 ixgS 14.'I1IxgSIllf2 IS.'I1Ixg7!lfS

8

7 6

5 4 3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

White is gearing up for an e4-eS break. 16...gc8 Another possibiliry is 16... 0-0 17.!lhe I !lfd8 (I7 ... 'I1IaS 18.b3 illeS looks fairly sensible. but after 19.1llxcs dxcS 20 ..txf6! .txf6 21.eS White has a promising attack.)

124

The Taimanov Variation

The king is surviving for the moment, although ItS present location is hardly the most comfortable. 6 4 3

abcdefgll 18.g4! hxg4 19.h3 White is coming fast on the kingside.

17.flhel

~c5

18.e5!

White must play enetgetically. otherwise he would be worse.

18..• ~xa4 This is not forced. and 18 ... ~xd3 might also be considered. However, I chose to focus on the text move as it leads to some fascmatlng

abc

d

e

g

24.1fxf6 flhfB 25.1fd4 lfib5 26.g3 The position remai os extremely complicated,

although it seems to me that Black is takmg more risks than Wh1[e.

possibilities.

Conclusion

19.~,,06

The ennre variation with B... ie7 only became popular in recent years. The active

Another mtriguing option is 19.exf6!? gxfO 20.ltg6! (20.lth4 ~c5 defends)

development of the bishop on b4 seems natural and obVIOUS. so it is perhaps not too surprising that It took some time for players to realize

mat the more modest e7-squarc might offer its

own advantages. Aftet the normal 9.£3. Black must decide between two radically different pathways. A) 9 ... 0-0 and B) 9 ... h5!? 4 3

The first leads to positions that are somewhat reminiscent of other Sicilians in which the English attack might be played. with one

2

abcdefgll I will stop here, givmg readers a chance to delve further into this remarkable position.

19...&06 2Oig6t lfid7 21.exf6 .bf6 22..bf6 gd6 23.1f"e6t lfi06

important difference: Black's d-pawn remains

on d7 instead of d6. This helps to reinforce the e6·pawn (which might otherwise be undermined by g5-g6) while also keeping the dark-squared diagonals clear for the queen on c7 and bishop on e7. The mam drawback for Black is that after g4·g5. his knight will

Chaprer 9 - English A{{ack S ... ie? often have to retreat to the passive e8-square,

alrhough we saw in rhe nOre ro Black's II rh move ID line A rhar coming ro h5 is by no means a bad alternative. A further consequence of leaving rhe pawn on d7 is rhar afrer a subsequenr ... lile5, the knighr mighr be caughr in an unpleasant pm.

We saw in line AI) 14.if4!? rbar rhis pinning morif mighr creare some awkward problems for Black. So fur rhis parricular move has only been played ID one game, bur I expecr rhar to change In the nearest future as the move appears quite promising. More common has beenA2) 14.h5. Ir seems ro me rhar rhe first players chances are slightly hIgher here tOO, alrhough once again furrher resting will be required before a firm evaluarion can be made. The orher major line, B) 9 ... h5!?, also leads ro typIcally complex positions for rhe Sicilian. After I O.~f2, rhe first line that we examined ID detail, BI) IO ... lile5 ,looks rarher risky in view ofWhire's plan of a qUick h3 and f4. On the other hand, B2) IO ... d6 looks more reliable, when I doubr tbar Whire has any more than a slighr advanrage. I found some new ideas that I thlDkdeserve to be teSted, especially 12.ig5!?N which can lead to fascinating complicatIons, as shown in the illusuative lines above

125

Taimanov abcdcfgh

5...a6 6.~xc6 bxc6 7.id3 Variation Index l.e4 c5 v!Oa e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.olOxd4 olOw 5.olOc3 a6 6.olOxw bxc6 7 ..id3 7 ••• d5 8.0-0 olOf6 9J'!el A) 9 .•. ~b7 B) 9 •.•~e7 Bl) 10.Y:ra B2) 10.e5 olOd7 B21) 1l.olOa4 B22) 1l.Y:rg4 g6 B221) 12•.ih6 B222) 12.b3

128 130 130 131 131 133

134 136

8221) _fte< 20 ..."1I'h5

B222) note to 16.t:'fh3!

8222) after 17 €lc3"

abcdcfgb

abcdefgb

abcde(gh

21..xg6"

17.."1I'd2"N

17 d4"N

12S

The Taimanov Variation

1..4 c5 2.~f3 .6 3.d4 ad4 4.~Id4 ~c6 5.~c3 a6 6.~xc6 bxc6 7.W

the sltghtly offbeat but Intetesting A) 9 .•..t.b7. followed by the main line of B) 9 .. ~e7.

A) 9 ... ib7 By postponing the development of the darksquared bishop. Black is fighting against his opponent's typical plan of e5 followed by V!lg4. On the other hand neglecting development is not wuhour its drawbacks, and we Will see that there are other ways for the white queen ro become active.

10.trf3!1 H

This is another important battleground. Black has avoided the dangerous EnglISh Attack. whIch would be less attractive with the black queen not having committed herself to the c7-square. In the diagram position. Black has already obtained a useful central pawn majomy. 0 n the other hand White has a useful lead In development, whIle the move ... a7 -a6 looks completely out of place. Thus both sides have made certain achievemems. and the stage

IS set for a rough struggle. It should be mentioned that the present line IS seen regularly at the highest levels. with Mamedyarov and Rublevsky being the tOP proponents of Black's cause. Others. including Anand. have been known ro play both sides of

ThIS has not been played in many games. but is nO( an easy move for Black to face.

10•...t.e7 11.trg3 Another possIbility is: I l..t.f4 0-0 ThIS closely resembles line B I below. and could transpose directly after 12.lila4 g6. Instead we will consider a few games that continued independently. 12.:!!adl geS Also possible is 12 ... g6. when I 3.lila4 again transposes to BI. On the other hand, the game Kolev - Daml)anovic. Bajada de la Virgen 2005. continued: l3ig5 d4 14.lila4 Iild7 15 ..I\xe7 V!lxe7 16.e5 gabS 17.V!le2 c5!

the position. a sure sign of its richness.

7 ..•d5 From time to time Black adopts a more modest stance in the centre, but we

will

focus

on the text move, which is undoubtedly his most principled approach.

8.0-0 ~f6 9.:!!e1 White continues hIS policy of rapid and flexible development. Now we will consider

4

2 abcdefgh

And Black was doing 6ne. It IS Important to note that IS ..txa6 .tc6 19.b3 .txa4 20.bxa4 Iilb6 followed by Iild5-c3 gives

Chapter 10 - 5 ... a6 6.1i:lxc6 bxc6 7.id3 Black excellent chances despite being a pawn down, due to hIS powerful knight. 13.lila4 ~aS 14.b3 dxe4 IS.ixe4 Iilxe4 16. ~xe4 !:ladS

129

We have reached a critical position for the

9 ...Ab7 line. It is not so easy for Black to solve hIS problems. 12••• ,itll Black needs to facilitate casding sooner

or later, as demonstrated by [he following example: 12 ... lild7? After this careless move Black is already lost. 13.ad5

4

3

Under normal circumstances this exchange

would be posi[ionally undesirable, but in the present case it leads to a crushing arrack. l3 ... ad5 l3 ... cxdS 14.!:lxe6! wins immediately, slRce

abcdefgh

Once again Black is okay, Edouard PhilIppe, Clichy 200S. The position is almost identical [0 that reached in line B1, except that Black has played ...!:l18-eS instead of ... g7-g6, which should not affect [he evaluation in any serious way.

taking the rook allows mate in two.

14.!:le2IilcS lS.!:laellile6

6

1l ... g6 11...i>18 has also been played, but it is hard to believe this can be fully satisfactory for Black, and indeed he has lost all three of the games I fOund on the database. abcdefgh

I2iM 16.gxe6!

Not a difficult exchange sacrifice. but a pleasing one nonetheless.

a

b

d

e

g

h

16... &e6 17.lWeS! ggS 17... g18 is refuted by IS.ixfs ixf8 (1S ... i>xfS 19.1WhSt) 19..bg6t! hxg6 20.~xe6t Ae7 (20 ... ~e7 21.~xg6t wins the queen) 2I.gbl ib7 13.g4 d5 Finally the d-pawn moves, but this time It travels cwo squares racher chan one. 14.e5111d7 15.111f3!ic8

The Kan Variation

164

By way ofan improvement for Black I suggest 15 ... lOc5!?N with the possible continuation 16.51Obxd3 17.cxd3 a5! Intending ...~a6. Now 18.g5 is a little premature due to IS ... exf5 19.1Ox5 0-0; nevertheless, I would still rate White's chances as slightly better after IS.h4. 16.f5 IOc5 17.lObd4 ~d7 IS.h4 ~a4 19.a3 IObxd3 20.cxd3 a5 21.g5 ~a6 22.f6 White is gaining a huge amount of space, although his opponent is not without counterplay. We will follow the game to the end, as the finish was spectacular. 22 ....i!l.fS 23.h5 b5 24.g6 hxg6 25.hxg6 l'lxh I 26.l'lxhl b4

7

6 5

4 3

abcdefgh

White had a dangerous attack, Fedorov Gweinov, Presidents Cup 2007.

Another notable game continued I 0 ... ~c7 11.~f3 b6 12.0-O-0.i!l.b7 13.l!ib1 IOd7 14.g4 IOc5 15 ..i!l.c2 b5 16.g5 0-0-0 Avoiding a direct attack. but runnmg

7

Into

other probJems

as we shall see. 17.~f2 lObS IS.5 IObd7 19.1Oxc5 dxc5 20.fxo6 fxe6 21.~f7 White has developed his initiadve with natural

4

moves, and is rewarded with a valuable pawn.

3 2 abcdefgh

27.l'lhS! .i!l.xd3t 2S.~xd3IOxd3 29.fxg7 Despite having an extra queen (temporarily at least), Black is defenceless. 29 ... ~dIt 30.'ilIa2l!id7 31.l'lxfBl'leS 32.gxf7 b3t 33.lOxb3 1-0 Sh"ov - Manik, Ohrid 2009.

IO.c3I? I think it makes sense to prevent ... lOb4, whieh could be a more tempting proposition for Black without the queen being misplaced on c7. 1O...e5 10... 0-0 looks risky, and indeed after: 11.~f3 e5 12.5 b5 13.g4IOd7 14.h4 .i!l.b7 15.g5l'leS 16.0-0-0 a5 17.f6!

2l....i!l.d6 22.~xe6l'lhe8 23.~g4 Black had no compensation and White went on [0 convert his advantage, Karjakin - HeUsten, Turin (ol) 2006.

11.5 d5 8 7

6 5 4 3 2

abc

d e

g

h

In most Sicilians, the ability to play both ... e5 and ... d5 would almost guarantee Black a good

Chapter 12 - 5.id3 ic5

game. The present variation is an exception, as he still h3S some problems [0 solve.

12.'iI't3 Whi[e may also consider 12.'f!I'e2!?N with [he possible continuation: 12 ... 0-0 13.0-0 'f!I'c7 14,1aacI!? Anticipating the possible opening of [he c-file [hat could occur after ... d4. 14 ... !ldS 15.g4 h6 16.h4

165

13.g4 gx/5 There is also nothing wrong with 13... d4 14.cxd4exd415.Af4/Llb4!? (l5 ...Ad6 16.0-0-0 looks better for Whi[e) with highly unclear play, Sanchez - Cs. Horvath, Bratto 2009. Black can also postpone the exchange on /5 with: 13 ... aS!?N This looks provocative, but the anempr at refutation only leads to a draw. 14.gS (l4.a4 is lIkely to transpose [0 the main line after a subsequent exchange on /5, for instance: 14 ... dxe4 IS.Axe4/Llxe4 16./Llxe4 gxfS 17.gx/5) 14 ... dxe4 lS./Llxe4 /Llxe4 16.Axe4

4 3

7

2

6 abcdefgh

We have reached an ultra-sharp position [hat requires further mvestlgation.

4 2

12.•. g6!! This undermining move is Black's most prinCipled choice. It looks risky [0 play [his way when undeveloped, but so far no clear

refutation has been demonstrated. I 2 ... dxe4? is a bad idea, 3S after 13.ixe4/Llxe4 14./Llxe4 [he centralized krught and auackmg possibilities connected with /5-fG are much more relevant [han Black's bishop pair. The following game ended in a massacre after: 14... 'f!I'd3?! This is toO greedy, but Black would have been suffering after other moves as wdl. IS.!ldl 'il'c2 16.0-0 'f!I'xb2 17.f6 gxf6 IS. !lf2 'f!I'a3 19./Llxf6t ixf6 20.'f!I'xfG 'f!I'fS 2l.ic5 1-0 Ardeleanu - Siebrecht. Triesen 200S.

abcdefgh

16 ... ixgS! 17.ixgS 'il'xgS lS.Axc6t bxc6 19.'iI'xc6t