Victor Bologan - The Rossolimo Sicilian %28New In Chess 2011%29 1- editable.pdf

The Rossolimo Sicilian

Victor Bologan

The Rossolimo Sicilian A Powerful Anti-Sicilian that Avoids Tons of Theory

New In Chess 2011

© 2 0 1 1 New In Chess

Published by New In Chess, Alkmaar, The Netherlands www.newinchess.com All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher. All photos: New In Chess Archives. Cover design: Steven Boland Supervisor: Peter Boel Translation: Steve Giddins Proofreading: Rene OIthof Production: Anton Schermer, Jan van de Mortel ISBN- 1 3 : 9 7 8 - 9 0 - 5 69 1 -345-8

Contents Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7

Chapter 1 - Secondary Moves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

l.e2-e4 c7-cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�fI-bS 31

Chapter 2 - Black Plays 3... tLJf6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

l.e2-e4 c7-cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�fI-bS ttJg8-f6 Chapter 3 - White Exchanges after 3...d6 . ................. 41

l.e2-e4 c7-cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�fI-bS d7-d6 4.�bSxc6 Chapter 4 - White Castles after 3...d6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

65

l.e2-e4 c7 -cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�fI-bS d7-d6 4.0-0 Chapter 5 - Spanish-Type Play: 7...b5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

83

l.e2-e4 c7-cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�fI-bS d7-d6 4.0-0 �c8-d7 SJHI-el ttJg8-f6 6.c2-c3 a7-a6 7.�bS-a4 b7-bS Chapter 6 - White Castles after 3...e6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

99

l.e2-e4 c7-cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�fI-bS e7-e6 4.0-0 Chapter 7 - Black Develops First: 7 �b 7 •••

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111

l.e2-e4 c7-cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�fI-bS e7-e6 4.0-0 ttJg8-e7 S.c2-c3 a7-a6 6.�bS-a4 b7-bS 7.�a4-c2 �c8-b7 Chapter 8 - The Direct Exchange 4.�xc6

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12 7

l.e2-e4 c7-cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�fI -bS e7-e6 4.�bSxc6 Chapter 9 - Posing Problems: 6.'iVe2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

135

l.e2-e4 c7-cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�fI-bS e7 -e6 4.�bSxc6 b7xc6 S.d2-d3 ttJg8-e7 6.'iVdl-e2 Chapter 10 - Other Sixth Moves for White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

l.e2-e4 c7-cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�fI-bS e7-e6 4.�bSxc6 b7xc6 S.d2-d3 ttJg8-e7 Chapter 11 - The Fianchetto with 4...bxc6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 159

l.e2-e4 c7-cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�fI-bS g7-g6 4.�bSxc6 b7xc6

5

The Rossolimo Sicilian Chapter 12 - The Fianchetto with 4 ...dxc6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 73

l.e2-e4 c7-cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJbS-c6 3.�fI-bS g7-g6 4.�bSxc6 d7xc6 Chapter 13 - Black Plays 4 ...dxc6 and 6

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ltJf6

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183

l.e2-e4 c7-cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJbS-c6 3...tfI-bS g7-g6 4.ii.bSxc6 d7xc6 S.h2-h3 �f8-g7 6.d2-d3 ttJgS-f6 Chapter 14 - The Immediate 7.0 -0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

l.e2-e4 c7-cS 2.ttJgl-f3 ttJbS-c6 3.�fI-bS g7-g6 4. ..tbSxc6 d7xc6 S.h2-h3 �f8-g7 6.d2-d3 ttJgS-f6 7.0-0 Chapter 15 - What Would You Play? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209

Index of Players. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

223

New In Chess Code System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Index of Variations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

231

Introduction Get away from theory! Find that unexplored region, which leads to an advantage, whether it is an advantage on the clock or just a psychological advantage, or, best of all, a real advantage on the board! Many happy moments and many disappointments lie down this road for the chess explorer who is in search of something new. It is precisely thanks to these people that chess develops, not only deeper (as, for example, in the main variations of the Sicilian) , but also in a wider range of directions. It may seem that all the reasonable moves have been tried. But quite recently, I managed (at the board! ) t o invent a quite reasonable novelty a s early a s move three: l .e4 d6 2 . ttJc3 ttJf6 3 .ttJge2 b5 ! The variation examined below - l .e4 c5 2 .ttJf3 ttJc6 3 .�b5 - is one of those few so-called 'second rate' lines, which, thanks to its deep positional foundation, has not only demonstrated its right to exist, but has replaced the principled 3 .d4 in the reper­ toires of many elite grandmasters. The system l .e4 c5 2 .ttJf3 ttJc6 3 .�b5 , followed by the exchange on c6, was taught to me and my comrades by 'the trainer of all the Moldavians' , Viacheslav Andreevich Chebanenko. Allow me to quote a fragment from Garry Kasparov's book The Opening Revolution ofthe 19705 (the chapter 'The Chebanenko line') : 'This long-range positional plan is based on exploiting the weaknesses in Black's pawn structure. I have to admit that, at first, I gave it a hostile reception, whilst Sveshnikov still does so to this day, saying "only a madman answers 3 . . . g6 with 4.�xc6 . It is crazy - to bring the bishop out to b5 , and then voluntarily give it away on c6. The only correct moves are 4.c3 or 4.0-0 �g7 5 .c3". However, many grandmasters have a different opinion. Viorel Bologan recalls: "Chebanenko had a very well worked out anti-open Sicilian" (Sergey Rublevsky is an outstanding follower in this regard) . Thirty years have gone by, but his treatment of the systems l .e4 c5 2 .ttJf3 d6 3 .�b5 + and 2 . . . ttJc6 3 .�b5 remains current. It is surprising, but none of the theoretical lines have changed to this day! Say, after 2 . . . ttJc6 3 .�b5 g6, the unprovoked exchange 4.j(xc6 - it is all down to him. I recall when, in 1 9 8 6 , Mischa Oratovsky came back from a session o f the Botvinnik-Kasparov school and told us how the 1 3th world champion had sharply criticized him for the move 4.j(xc6 : why on earth give up the bishop? ! But within ten years, Kasparov himself was happily playing this variation! " This was indeed so. When I saw the move 4.j(xc6 at a session o f our school, I was severely critical of it: "How can one play chess like that?!" I had always had respect for bishops, ever since my childhood, and here White loses a whole tempo as well! I con­ tinued to be negative towards this exchange for a long time afterwards, sharing Sveshnikov's opinion. However, at the start of the 90 's, whilst working with Makarychev, I reassessed my attitude to 4.�xc6, began to analyze the system seriously and even to play it myself' . 7

The Rossolimo Sicilian

In Soviet chess literature the variation l .e4 c5 2 .ttJf3 ttJc6 3 .�b5 remains nameless and was not even treated as part of mainstream theory, but as something alongside of it. It was considered that to avoid the sharp duels in main-line Sicilians with 3 .d4 was some­ how not a solid approach, a sign of weakness in the opening. Even so, it was sometimes played not only by amateurs, but also masters and grandmasters, including some at the very top - Tal, Spassky, the young Karpov, even Botvinnik and Fischer. I personally never even dreamt that in the West, the variation had a generally-accepted name, the 'Rossolimo System' . In our country, this name of an old player was forgotten. But this is a pity - his biography deserves a separate section. Nicholas Rossolimo was born on 28 Feb­ ruary 1 9 l O in Kiev, capital of the Ukraine, which was then part of the Russian Empire. His father was an artist, Spiridon Rossolimo, a Greek by nationality, and his mother Ksenia Nikolaevna (maiden name Skugarevskaya) a Ukrainian. Nicholas's un­ cle, Grigory Rossolimo, was a well-known neurologist and psychiatrist who, with his own money, founded and ran the first Rus­ sian clinic for nervous disorders in chil­ dren, and after the Revolution he presented it to Moscow University as part of the latter. A street is named in his honour in the Khamovniki region of Moscow, where many hospitals and clinics are based. Nicholas Rossolimo In 1 920 Spiridon Rossolimo emigrated to America, and the young Nicholas and his mother moved to Moscow. Here he spent his youth. He became schoolboy champion of the capital and started composing studies. His chess development seems to have been rel­ atively slow (certainly by comparison with Botvinnik, who was one year younger, but was already well-known around the age of 1 6 to 1 8) , and Rossolimo did not achieve any notable successes in his Soviet period. In 1 9 29, thanks to his father's nationality, Nicholas left the Soviet Union, turned up in Paris and soon became one of the strongest French masters. In the mid- 1 9 3 Os, he was a regular Champion of Paris, and in total he won the championship ten times. In 1 93 8 , in a tournament in the French capital, he finished sec­ ond, with only Capablanca ahead of him. But his best results were achieved in the years just after the Second World War: in 1 948, he became champion of France and drew two matches with Savielly Tartakower: 6-6 in 1 948 (+ 1 - 1 = 1 0) and 5-5 in 1 949 (no draws!) . The terrible war in Europe was obviously very bad for chess, but even so, Rossolimo stuck to the tough life of a chess professional. He never became part of the world elite, 8

Introduction

and his successes were mixed with poor results, but even so, he often took prizes in in­ ternational tournaments and won many beauty awards, which he valued especially highly. In 1 9 5 0 , FIDE awarded him the title of International Master and in 1 9 5 3 , that of Grandmaster. In 1 9 5 2 , with his wife and son, Rossolimo emigrated to the USA. Tournaments in America were much rarer than in Europe, and Rossolimo had to resort to a number of other professions in order to support his family; he worked washing cars, as a hospital porter, a taxi-driver (for 1 5 years! ) and sang and played the accordion. In 1 9 5 5 , at the US Open, Rossolimo shared 1 -2nd place with Reshevsky and was declared winner on tie-break. He twice represented France in Olympiads, and three times the USA. In Manhattan, Rossolimo founded a Chess Studio, a dedicated chess cafe, where it was not only possible to eat and drink, but also to buy chess literature and play games against other guests and even, for a small fee, with the boss himself Despite the fact that he was forced to play most of his chess against amateurs, Rossolimo retained great practical strength right to the end of his life. Thus, in 1 9 7 5 , just a few months before his death, he took third place in a strong open event in New York. Nicholas Rossolimo was a man of many talents: he was fluent in five languages, was a brown belt at judo, made a record of his singing (the cover was illustrated by the famous artist and chess master Marcel Duchamp) , and wrote two books. He also developed several opening variations, including 3 .�b5 in the Sicilian, to which this book is devoted. If you look in a large database, you will see that the move 3 .�b5 was played back in 'prehistoric' times, in tournaments in 1 8 5 1 in Amsterdam and London. But these games are of no theoretical value at all; the players played in a totally random way. The first person to handle the system in a modern way was Simon Winawer, in a game against Mikhail Chigorin (London 1 8 8 3 ) - in reply to 3 . . . e6 , White immediately cap­ tured on c6 and tried to get a kind of blockaded position, but he soon made a simple oversight shedding his central pawn, and he lost without a fight. In subsequent years, the variation 3 .�b5 is met episodically in games involving such players as Alapin, Schiffers, Nimzowitsch, Samisch and Tartakower. As we have already noted, Rossolimo played two matches against the latter, with whom he also met a num­ ber of times in tournaments in Paris. It is likely that the creative relations between these two grandmasters helped the development of the system, to which they both were par­ tial. In Soviet tournaments, the system with 3 .�b5 also had its adherents - Bukhuty Gurgenidze, Rashid Nezhmetdinov, Evgeny Vasiukov and Anatoly Lutikov. I think it is mainly thanks to the latter that the system became well-known in Moldavia, and its fur­ ther development was done by 'the trainer of all the Moldavians' , Viacheslav Chebanenko (and me) . Viacheslav Andreevich recommended answering 3 . . . g6, 3 . . . d6 and 3 . . . e6 by taking on c6 at once, giving the opponent doubled pawns. He regarded the latter as a signifi­ cant drawback of the black position, mainly because the doubled pawns lack mobility. 9

The Rossolimo Sicilian

Of course, they have their plus side, too - the pawns effectively cover the central squares d5 and d4, but it is hard to advance them, and so they can easily become an ob­ ject of attack. If Black takes on c6 with the b-pawn, then White tries to knock out the enemy d-pawn (for example, by answering . . . d7-d6 with e4-e5 , offering the exchange on e5) . On the other hand, after . . . dxc6, Black has already lost his pawn preponderance in the centre. Nowadays, this variation features in the repertoires of all those elite GMs who play l .e4 as White, but I especially like the filigree handling of 3 .�b5 by Michael Adams and Sergey Rublevsky. Nor should one overlook the triumphant return of the eleventh world champion, Bobby Fischer, in 1 99 2 , when he not only beat Boris Spassky in their match, but also showed a new positional approach to the 3 .�b5 system. This book is addressed in the first instance to all those who wish to use the Rossolimo System as White. However, it should also be of help to Black players, since here we ex­ amine all the most dangerous systems for White, and individual variations can quickly be located and studied separately. Please send us your comments and requests. On my site www. bologan.md I run a pro­ cess of 'two-way communication' and try if possible to answer all questions. Victor Bologan Kishinev, November 2010

10

C hapter 1

-

Secondary Moves

1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.l2Jg1-f3l2Jb8-c6 3.�f1-b5

The starting position of the Rossolimo System. White does not hurry to clarify the po­ sition in the centre and continues to develop his kingside pieces, preparing kingside castling. The main continuations here are considered to be 3 . . . g 6 , 3 . . . e6, 3 .. d6 and 3 . .tbf6 . We will examine all o f these continuations in detail later. But we will begin our study of the Rossolimo System by looking at the secondary moves. .

A)

3 . ...

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tbc6-a5

A) 3 ...tba5 B) 3 ...tbd4 C) 3 .. iV c7 D) 3 .. iV b6 :

:

Rarely one sees 3 ...a6. Even Alekhine played this, placing a dubious mark against the move 3 . .ib5 . Of course, over the years, chess has moved on from such dogma that a bishop is always better than a knight, 'whatever the weather' . The game might continue: 4.�xc6 bxc6 5.0-0 d5 6.d3 �g4 7.tbbd2 e6 S.c3 �d6 9:iVa4 'iYd7 1 0.e5 �xfl l 1 .tbxfl �c7 1 2.�e3 �b6 1 3.b4± Wozney-Mengelis,

Chicago 1 9 7 3 .

A rare move, the idea of which is to move the knight away from the threatened ex­ change on c6, and then, by attacking the bishop on b5 , regain the lost tempi. I re­ member that Chebanenko recommended playing 4.�e2 here, but I recommend a more natural developing move: 11

The Rossolimo Sicilian

4.c2-c3!

a7-a6

If 4 .tbf6 S .eS ttJdS 6.d4 cxd4 7.0-0 White obtains a very favourable version of the Alapin Sicilian 2 .c3 . Then, possible is: 7 ... e6 In the variation 7 . . . CiJc7 8 .�d3 dxc3 9.CiJxc3 g6 1 0 .b4 CiJc6 l 1 .bS White has more than suffi­ cient compensation for the sacrificed pawn, since it is difficult for his opponent to complete his development. 8.cxd4 a6 •.

4. ttJf3xd4 5. 0-0 6. d2-d3

c5xd4 e7-e6

6 . ...

�f8-c5

9.�dl bS 1 0.ttJgS �e7 1 1 .'ifhS �xgS 1 2.�xgS 'ifb6 1 1.�el d6 1 4.ttJcl ttJxcl I S .bxc l ±

Nevednichy-Quinn,

Bled

2002. 5 . �b5-a4 6. �a4-c2!

b7-b5

Later White will advance d2-d4 and ob­ tain very good central play. Similar positions arise in the Spanish and other systems of the Rossolimo, which we will examine later. This version is very favourable for White.

The pawn chase 6 ... a6 7 .�a4 bS only helps the white bishop to improve its po­ sition, since from b3 it will be rather more active than on bS : 8.�bl �b7 9.f4 Without encountering the slightest resis­ tance, White quietly prepares an assault on the kingside. 9 ... dS Black tries to stabi­ lize the position in the centre. Too risky is 9 . . . CiJf6 1 0 .CiJd2 �cS , since White can exploit his freedom of action and immediate start favourable complica­ tions, for example: l 1 .eS CiJdS 1 2 .CiJe4 CiJe3 1 3 . �xe3 �xe4 1 4 . ..tf2 �b 7 I S:ti'g4 0-0 1 6 .�h4 �e7 1 7 .�xe7 'iYxe7 1 8 .fS ± as in Voropaev-Bender, Mehlingen 20 0 1 . 1 0.£'5 The more open lines there are, the more it favours the side which is ahead in development. 1 0 ... eS I I .ttJd2 ttJf6 1 2.exdS ttJxdS 1 1.ttJe4 'ifd7 1 4.a4 b4

B)

3 . ...

ttJc6-d4

This move has a lot in common with the Bird's Defence in the Spanish, but in my opinion the knight jump is definitely weaker here. 12

I S.f6 g6 1 6.'iff3! Basagic-Miladinovic,

Ohrid 200 1 . It is not easy for Black to complete his development and ensure the safety of his king. 7. 'ifd1 -g4

Chapter 1

-

Secondary Moves

Obviously, taking with the pawn is no better; the black king ends up on the open file and the doubled d-pawns will be hopelessly weak. But now White gets a valuable tempo to develop his initiative on the kingside. 1 1 . g2-g4 1 2. f4-f5

White attacks g7 at once, trying to force it to move to g 6 , and later exploit the weak­ ness of the dark squares on the kingside. After for example 7 . . . g 6 , White simply moves the queen away to g 3 , and reply to . . . ttJf6 or . . . ttJe7 with �h6 and prevent his opponent from castling kingside. Therefore Black chooses another method of defending the knight's pawn. 7. 8. f2-f4

"f5-f7

White obtained a strong attack and later won, Bologan-Gillani, Manila 1 99 2 . The game was played in my first Chess Olympiad. C)

3. ...

"d8-c7

"d8-f6

White has an advantage in development and so, naturally, he strives to open lines. 8. 9. "g4-f3

"f6-g6

White avoids the exchange of queens and prepares the advance f4-f5 . Black prevents this in the most mechanical way. 9. 1 0. e4xf5

f7-f5 "g6xf5

A normal move, the idea of which is to prevent the doubling of the pawns on c6. Even so, from the point of view of devel­ opment, the move is not so useful, as Black effectively transfers the move to his opponent. White continues with his usual opening strategy. 4. 0-0 C 1 ) 4...e6 C2) 4 tLJf6 C3) 4...a6 •..

C1)

4. ...

e7-e6

13

The Rossolimo Sicilian

Now the game transposes to 3 . . . e6 , only there, in reply to 4.0-0 Black usually plays not 4 . . . 'iYc7 , but 4 . . . ttJge 7 , which is markedly more useful. 5. c2-c3

Evidently stronger than S Jle l ttJge7 6.c3 a6 7 .�fl dS 8 .exdS ttJxdS 9 .d4 cxd4 1 0 .ttJxd4 ile7 , and Black obtains a fa­ vourable version of the Exchange Varia­ tion of the French.

After 9 . ttJeS 'iYd6 1 0 .exdS 'ti'xdS I I .ile3 ;;!; Black is somewhat behind in development, whilst his queen in the centre of the board is not very reliably placed; even so, his position is quite solid. 7. e4-e5!

Beginning play to restrict the black pieces, and especially the bishop on c8 . 7. ...

c5-c4

Sensible - Black at least rids himself of his doubled pawn and opens a path for his dark-squared bishop to cs . S. d2-d3 9. 'ifd1 xd3 1 0. tbb1 -d2

c4xd3 �cS-d7 0-0-0

C1 1 ) 5 ...a6 C1 2) 5 ...tbf6

C I I ) 5. ...

a7-a6

In the Rossolimo System, we will often come across this move, and we will see that it will not lose a tempo only in those cases where Black's king's knight is al­ ready on e 7 . I n that case, Black meets .ixc6 with . . . ttJxc6 and obtains a fully acceptable po­ sition. In this situation, however, the move S . . . a6 ? ! is a mistake. 6. �b5xc6

d7xc6?!

More solid is 6 . . . 'iYxc6 7 J:Le I ttJf6 8 .d4 dS , restricting the freedom of movement of the white central pawns, J.Littlewood­ Katalymov, Gladenbach 1 99 9 . 14

At first glance, it may seem that Black has a solid position, but this is not so: White's next move shows how important a role in such positions is played by an advantage in space . 1 1 . tbd2-e4! 1 2. �c1 -g5±

c6-c5

It is difficult for Black to complete his de­ velopment, whilst he must constantly reckon with the entry of the knight to d6. C 1 2) 5. 6. l:[f1 -e1

tbgS-f6 d7-d5

Chapter

1

-

Secondary Moves

Black must push in the centre. The indif­ ferent 6 . . . �e7 7 .d4 0-0 S .dS is insuffi­ cient. By simple play, White seizes the centre and achieves a serious advantage. 7. e4-e5 8. d2-d4t

ttJf6-d7

Heikki Westerinen

We have reached a very favourable ver­ sion of the French Defence for White: he has seized space, successfully positioned his pieces and solidly defended the key pawn on d4. Note that in such a structure, the black queen would be better placed on b6, from where it exerts pressure on the d4 pawn; on c 7 , it does not have any particular prospects. This is how the old game Westerinen-Larsen, Copenhagen 1 9 7 9 , continued: 8. 9. .ib5-f1

a7-a6

In this situation, taking on c6 would be a serious inaccuracy; Black has a cramped position and any exchange eases his defence. 9. 1 0. �c1 -f4

b7-b5 h7-h6

Larsen wants to create activity on the kingside by means of ... g7 -gS and, at the right moment, . . . gS -g4, but of course Westerinen does not allow this.

1 1 . h2-h4

ttJd7-b6

By directing his knight to a4, Black tries to muddy the waters, but White contin­ ues in strict positional style and gradually presses on his opponent's position. 1 2. d4xc5!?

A device typical of the French Defence; White wishes to create a powerful out­ post on the blockading square d4. Note that he exchanges on cS only after Black has removed his knight from d7 , since otherwise, Larsen could obtain counterplay by . . . l2Jd7xcS and, at the first convenient opportunity, .. . l2Jc5 -e4. 15

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 2. 1 3. 1 4. 1 5. 1 6.

ttJb1 -d2 'iWd1 -c2 ttJd2-b3 h4-h5

�f8xc5 ttJb6-a4 �c8-d7 �c5-e7

The pressure mounts. 1 6 . ...

5 . ...

e7-e6

The manoeuvre in the spirit of the Bird's Defence, 5 ttJd4 6.ttJxd4 cxd4, is ineffec­ tive here: Black does not have the block­ ading pawn on eS , and White can imme­ diately begin an attack in the centre : 7.e5 ttJd5 S.c3 dxc3 There is no sensible alter­ native to this exchange (unlike in the Bird Defence itself, where Black can simply sacrifice the d4 pawn) , as a result of which Black ends up dearly behind in de­ velopment: 9.ttJxc3 ttJxc3 1 0.dxc3 e6 1 1 .'iWg4 b6 1 2.�f4 h5 1 3.'iWg5 ± It is hard for Black to activate his bishops, whilst his pawns on d7 and g 7 will become ob­ jects of attack. After 5 e6 White has a pleasant choice. •••

'iWc7-b7?1

An inaccuracy, allowing White to further strengthen his position in the centre. 1 7. ttJf3-d4 1 8. c3xd4

White does not hurry to complete his de­ velopment but prepares active operations in the centre.

ttJc6xd4

•••

This is the point - with the queen on c7 , capturing on d4 with the pawn would not be possible. Now, however, the black king will feel extremely uncomfortable both in the centre, and on both flanks. 1 8. 1 9. l:[e1 -e3±

0-0

Westerinen-Larsen, Copenhagen 1 9 7 9 . White has strong pressure o n the kingside. Later, Larsen managed to con­ fuse his less skilled opponent but instead of heading for an equal ending, he was tempted by the win of the queen, and lost a long endgame. C2)

4. 5. l:[f1 -e1

16

ttJg8-f6

C21 ) 6.e5 C22) 6.ttJc3

C2 1 ) 6. e4-e51? A rather direct, but quite poisonous move. Now it is not so simple for Black to regroup his forces. 6 . ...

ttJf6-d5

Chapter 1

On 6 . . . ttJg4 there is 7 . d4! cxd4 8 .�xc6 dxc6 9.h3 � , and Black has to retreat his knight to the edge of the board, allowing the damaging of his pawn structure after 1 0 .�xh6. In addition, White will have an advantage in development and space. 7. c2-c4

Immediately driving the enemy knight out of the centre. 7. ...

ttJd5-b6

9. 1 0. 11. 1 2. 1 3. 1 4. 1 5. 1 6.

d2-d3 b2-b3 ttJb1 -c3 ..ic1 -f4 'iYd 1 -c1 ttJc3-e2 a2-a4 'iYc1 -e3;t

-

Secondary Moves

d7-d5 ..if8-e7 0-0 :f8-d8 :td8-d7 a7-a5 'iYc7-b8

Okhotnik-Loidl, Salzburg 2 0 0 I . e22) 6. ttJb1 -c3

The outwardly more active knight jump 7 . . . ttJdb4 is in no way better, since sooner or later, Black will still have to sound the retreat: 8 .d3 ttJd4 9 .ttJxd4 cxd4 1 0.a3 ttJc6 1 1 .�f4 ttJe7 1 2.ttJd2� Stellwag en­ Ljubojevic, Amsterdam 2009. White has a freer game and good chances to go after the pawn on d4. 8. ..ib5xc6

A solid developing move, which contains several ideas. For example, White can play d2-d4 and go into the realms of an open Sicilian, whilst his light-squared bishop can be brought back to b3 or fl . Another idea is a tactical one: utilising the opposi­ tion of the rook on e l and king on e 8 , White can plonk his knight o n d5 , trying to create panic in Black's ranks. 6 . ... 8. ... b7xc6

d7-d6

6 ...a6? is too slow. After 7 ..ixc6 'ifxc6 •

By voluntarily doubling his pawns, Black hopes at the very least to bring his queenside pieces quickly into play. After 8 . . . 'iVxc6 9 .b3 dS 1 0.exd6 �xd6 I I .d4 White achieves a noticeable positional ad­ vantage, thanks to his better develop­ ment: 1 1 . . . 0-0 1 2 .dxc5 �xc5 1 3 .�a3 f6 1 4.ttJd4 �xd4 1 5 .'iVxd4 eS 1 6.'it'e3�.

8.d4 White opens the game and thanks to

his serious advantage in development, he seizes the initiative. For example, 8 ...cxd4 9.ttJxd4 'ifc4 1 0.eS Not giving his opponent a moment's breathing-space. 1 0 ... ttJdS 1 1 .ttJe4± He threatens b2-b3 and c2-c4 with subse­ quent pressure on Black's position. 17

The Rossolimo Sicilian

If now Black tries to break the Gordian Knot, then he can quickly land in a hope­ less position: 1 1 . .. fS ? 1 2 .b3 .b4 1 3 .a3 'iYaS 1 4.ttJxfS ! exfS I S .ttJd6+ �xd6 1 6.exd6+ �f7 1 7 .l::te S +- Rozentalis­ Kristensen, Copenhagen 1 9 8 8 . 7. d2-d4 S. ttJc3-dS! ?

cSxd4

1 0 ... liJxdS l 1 .liJxc6 bxc6 1 2.'iYxdS �b7 1 3.�gS ! As usual, Black is only one

tempo short of complete happiness - he just needs to have castled. 1 3 ... f6 1 4.�f4 cxbS

As well as this, White has a quieter alter­ native in 8 .ttJxd4 iLe 7 9 .�f4 0-0 1 0 .ttJxc6 bxc6 1 1 .eS (the point of White's idea: he breaks up the opponent's central pawn structure and obtains a small advantage as a consequence) 1 1 . . . dxeS 1 2 .�xeS .b6 1 3 .�d3 �a6 1 4.�xa6 .xa6 I S .'iYf3 i Khalifman­ Akopian, Vilnius 1 9 8 8 . S. ...

On the basis of this old game, it was for some time considered that the knight jump to dS was not dangerous for Black, but then this view changed.

'iYc7-dS

I S .'iYxd6 'iYxd6 1 6.�xd6 0-0-0

1 7 .�xe7 J:[d2 1 8.J:[ac 1 J:[e8 1 9.J:[e3 a6 20.�b4! A precise move, allowing White to prevent his opponent becoming active. 20 ... J:[xe3 2 1 .�xd2 J:[e2 2 2.J:[d l J:[eS

Gazic-Plassmann, Paderborn 2006. Maybe accurate defence will allow Black to save half a point, but he will have to suffer. 2 3 .�e3 ±

9. ttJf3xd4 1 0. �c1 -gS

..tcS-d7

Taking the knight leads more or less by force to an endgame with opposite-col­ oured bishops and an extra pawn for White, in which he can play 'for two re­ sults ' : 8 ... exdS 9.exdS + �e7

The hackneyed phrase 'White's pressure grows inexorably' describes the situation on the board better than any other. 1 0. ... Analysis diagram 1 0.liJxd4! A serious improvement. To nothing leads 1 0.dxc6 bxc6 1 1 .�a4 �g4 1 2.i.gS 0-0 1 3 .�xc6 .xc6 1 4.l::txe7 , Glek-G.Kuzmin, Moscow 1 99 2 , 1 4. . .�xf3 I S .•xf3 ttJdS 1 6.l::te 2 l::tab8�.

18

e6xdS

It is difficult to advise Black of anything better: 1 0 . . . �e7 I l .ttJxe 7 .xe7 1 2 .ttJfS ! ± ; 1 0 . . . l::tc 8 I I .ttJfS ! with ex­ tremely unpleasant threats, Ulibin­ Akopian, Santiago 1 990. 1 1 . �bSxc6!

Chapter 1

An important intermediate exchange. After l 1 .exd5 + tbe5 1 2 .�xd 7 + 'iVxd7 1 3 .f4 0-0-0 1 4.fxe5 dxe5 1 5 J:txe5 .tc5°o the situation is sharpened up to the maximum, and White's extra pawn is not felt at all. 11. 1 2. 1 3. 1 4.

... e4xd5+ �g5xf6 d5xe6

b7xe6 �f8-e7 g7xf6

-

Secondary Moves

The king isn't any better placed on g8 than on e8 : 1 7 ... 0-0 1 8 .tbf5 �xf5 1 9.'iVxf5 'iVc8 2 0 .'iVh5 'iVxc6 2 1 . 1:[g 3 + �h8 2 2 .'iVg4+- . 1 8. l:.e3xe6 1 9. 'ii'f3-h5+

f7xe6

with a mating attack, Rozentalis-Shlekis, USSR 1 9 8 8 . C3) 4. 5. �b5xe6

a7-a6

Black's position is in ruins. 1 4. ...

�d7-e8

1 4 . . . �e6 1 5 J:txe6 loses by force. 1 5. 'ii'd 1 -f3

Attacking the pawn on f6 and at the same time creating the threat of c6-c 7 . 1 5 . ... 1 6. l:te1 -e3

:La8-b8

1 6.'iVxf6 J:tg8 1 7 .J:[e3 �f8 1 8 .'iVh6 + 1:g7 1 9. c 7 ! 'iVxc7 2 0 .':g3 i s also suffident to win. 1 6 . ...

l:tb8xb2

Nor does he save himself by 1 6 . . . 0-0 1 7 .l:tae 1 lte8 1 8 . tbf5 �xf5 1 9 . 'iVxf5 fol­ lowed by 1:[h3 . 1 7. l:.a1 -e1

�c8-e6

We have already come across similar situ­ ations, and will do so plenty more times. In the Rossolimo, in about 8 0% of cases, White answers . . . a7 -a6 by giving up the bishop on c6, obtaining a strong initiative in return. C31 ) 5 ...'ii'xe6 C32) 5 ...dxe6

5 . . . bxc6 is too slow. White quietly pre­ pares a pawn offensive in the centre and obtains comfortable play: 6.1:[e 1 e5 7 .c3 d6 8 .d4 cxd4 9 .cxd4 �g4 1 0.dxe5 dxe5 l 1 .h3 �xf3 1 2 .'iVxf3 tbf6 1 3 .�e3 . As a result of all the exchanges in the centre, Black has a permanent weakness on c6. 1 3 ... �e7 1 4.tbd2 0-0 1 5 .1:[ec l ;;!; was Komliakov-Unni, Internet blitz 2000. 19

The Rossolimo Sicilian

C3 1 ) If 5 ... :iVc7xc6 White sacrifices a pawn with the move 6. d2-d4!

c5xd4

Taking the pawn is too dangerous; after 6 . . . 'iVxe4 7 .ne l �c6 8 . t2Je5 �c7 9 .�f4 d6 1 0.t2Jc4 White has an extremely strong initiative; because of the threat to capture on d6, Black is virtually forced to strand his king in the centre by means of 1 0 . . . �d8 . 7. ttJf3xd4

'iYc6-c7

Black again turns down the Trojan horse, but this does not save him either. Obvi­ ously, the pawn is poisoned, since White obtains too many tempi for his develop­ ment after 7..:�·xe4 8.ttJc3 'iVeS 9J:te l 'iYaS 1 0.b4! Pawns do not matter, it is more important for White to dislodge the enemy queen and occupy the central squares with his knights. 1 0 ... 'iVd8 In the event of 1 0 . . . 'iVxb4 1 1 . t2Jd5 'iYc5 1 2 . t2Jb3 White breaks through to the weakened squares b6 and c 7 , for exam­ ple: 1 2 ... 'iYc6 1 3 . t2Ja5 'iYc5 1 4.�e3+- .

II.ttJdS d 6 1 2.i1i.gS Preventing the enemy

knight coming out to f6 - 1 2 . . . t2Jf6?? 1 3 .�xf6 gxf6 1 4. t2Jxf6#. 1 2 ... f6 1 3.i1i.e3 eS Of course, Black's pawn centre looks very nice, but not one of his pieces has left the eighth rank ( apart from his queen, which has been wandering about the board for some time and has now re­ turned home) . It is hardly surprising that White soon finds a way into the enemy camp: 1 4.ttJe2 �f7 I S.�b6 'iVd7 1 6.t2Jc7 nb8 1 7.'iVdS+ �g6 1 8.t2Jf4+! with a de­ cisive attack. 8. ttJb1 -c3

e7-e6

C31 1 ) 9.e5 C31 2) 9.ne1

C3 1 1 ) Purely for aesthetic reasons, I like 9. e4-e5!

as played by Grandmaster Anatoly Lutikov. 9.

Anatoly Lutikov

20

d7-d6!

The correct reaction. Black should com­ plete his development as quickly as possi­ ble. In the game I referred to, Black was caught in a nice trick. The move 9 ... t2Je7 , momentarily weakening control of square d6, was immediately exploited:

Chapter I

-

Secondary Moves

Analysis diagram

10.tLJdbS! A 'checkers' combination White gives one 'checker' to win several. 10 ...nbS l1.tLJxbS 'ifas 12.tLJd6+ '1t>d8 13.tLJxf7 + '1t>e8 14.ttJd6+ '1t>d8 lS.�d2 �c7 16.tLJf7+ '1t>e8 17.ttJxh8 'ifxeS 18.�c3 'iff'S 19.1:tel±, and White won, Lutikov-Romanishin, USSR 1 96 8 . It is probably unnecessary to say that the capture 9 . . . 'ifxeS is tantamount to sui­ cide; after the simple 1 0 J1e I White has more than sufficient compensation for the pawn, and it is unclear whether Black will be able to complete his development. 1 0. e5xd6

�f8xd6

I think Black has reasonable play here, and therefore in the fight for an advantage, I would turn to the move 9 J1e I . C3 1 2) 9. l:tf1 -e1 White wants either to 'fire up' the positi­ on with 1 0 . ttJdS ! ?, or simply complete development along the lines of �gS , 'iid2 , l:lad l , with strong central pressure. 9. ...

d7-d6

After 9 . . . bS , 1 0 .�gS f6 1 1.. �h4 .id6 (Kalegin-Kovalenko, Alushta 2 0 0 7 ) is worthy of attention, and now 1 2 .'ifg4 ! ? g 6 1 3 . .tg3 �xg3 1 4.'iYxg3 - Black has weakened his queenside and so in this endgame, White's chances are superior.

C31 21 ) 1 0.�g5 C31 22) 1 0.�f4

C3 1 2 1 ) Most often in the diagram posi­ tion, White has played 1 0.�c1 -g5 and has achieved a series of striking victories. However, the fearless computer shows that Black has one narrow path, by which he can not only avoid all the danger, but also achieve a pleasant endgame. 1 0. ...

.Rf8-e7

After I 0 . . . ttJf6 1 1 . �xf6 gxf6 Black's pawn barricades in the centre are no stronger than a house of cards: 1 2 .'iYf3 �g 7 1 3 .tt:Jde2 'ifcs 1 4.ttJf4 'if g S l S .ttJhS .td7 1 6 .l:lad l ± Kritz-Ramas­ wamy, Gibraltar 2 0 0 8 . 1 1 . 'ifd1 -d2

It is hardly possible to count on anything serious after the simplifying continuation 11.�xe7 ttJxe7 12.'ifd2 0-0 13.l:tadl b5 White is better after 1 3 . . . l:ld8 1 4. ttJf3 bS 1 S .eS dS 1 6.ttJe2 d4? ! - a rather nervous move, but in any case, after directing his knight to d4, White would stand some­ what better - 1 7 .ttJexd4 .ib7 1 8 .'iff4 l:ld7 1 9 .c3� Leitao-D'Arruda, Buenos Ai­ res 2 0 0 5 . 14.a4 bxa4 lS.tLJxa4 �b7, Latas-Flis, N aleczow 1 9 8 9 . 21

The Rossolimo Sicilian

Black has fully adequate play: his bishop is very good on the long diagonal and his only weakness on d6 is easy to defend. There could follow: 1 6.:e3 eS 1 7 .l2Jb3 :adS I S .'iYaS 'iYbS 1 9 .12Jb6 fs � . 11. 1 2. ttJd4-f5

ttJgS-fS

1 5 . ...

A short analysis shows that after other moves, Black either loses by force or at best obtains a very unpleasant position: • 1 5 'i!ic7 1 6 ..ixf6 .ixfS He loses beau­ tifully after 1 6 ... gxf6 ? 1 7 .l2Jd5 'iYcs 1 S. b4 'iYc4 1 9. :e4! - the powerful knight on dS permits White to engage in such conjuring tricks - 1 9 . . . 'iYxa2 2 0 .'iYc3 ! ! +- . 1 7.ttJd5 'i!ixc2 1 8.ttJe7+ �h8 1 9.'i!ih6 The attack on the dark squares develops of its own accord. 1 9 ... 1:[g8 20.ttJxg8 gxf6 2 0 . .. :xgS 2 1 .'i!Vxg 7 + :xg7 2 2 . :eSX. 2 1 .ttJe7 Now material is virtually equalized, but the attack goes on: 2 1 . ..�g6 2 2.h4 'i!ixb2 2 3.ttJxg6+ fxg6 24.l:te7 +- ; • 1 5 ... 'i!id7 1 6.�xf6 'i!ixfS Playing to hang onto the material could have extremely serious consequences: 1 6 . . . gxf6 ? 1 7 .l2JdS Wg7 l S .:e3 ! WhS ( 1 S . . . :eS 1 9.:g3 + WhS 20 .h3 ! - in the middle of a raging battle, White's does not forget about his back rank! - 20 . . . 'iYxf5 2 1 .'ifh6+-) 1 9 .l2Je 7 ! dS (getting to the kingside via the roundabout route does not work: 1 9 . . . 'iYa4 2 0 .b4! ) 2 0 .'i!Vb4+- , and Black has no defence against 2 1 .l2Jg6+ or the simple 'iYh4 and :h3 . 1 7.ttJd5 This knight will be worth more than any rook! •••

White's hopes have long been associated with this knight jump. Certainly, if Black is allowed to complete his development in peace, then he will obtain a favourable type of Scheveningen, with the two bishops and good counterplay on the queens ide. White has to hurry, before his opponent evacuates his king; all of these abstract considerations are sensible, but the con­ crete variations do not quite work out . . . 1 2. 1 3. e4xf5

eSxf5 0-0

The only move, but also the most natural one. 14. l:te1 xe7

This is the idea, but a whole rook is rather a lot of material. 14. 1 5. :a1 -e1

22

'i!ic7xe7

'i!ie7-dSI

Chapter 1

Black must return the exchange and de­ fend an unpleasant position. 1 7 �h8 •••

1 8.�e7 �e6 1 9.tbe3 'ireS 20.�xf8 :xf8 2 1 .b 3;t Ronchetti -Braschi, Bratto 2 0 0 5 . Thanks to the weakness o f the pawn on d6, White will have a lasting advantage in both the middlegame and the endgame; • I S . . . �e6 1 6.t2JdS 'ifdS 1 7 .�xf6 gxf6 (Ardeleanu-Bondoc , Romania 1 9 94) I S .'ifh6 �xdS 1 9 J:te3+-.

-

Secondary Moves

have had problems: I S . . . �xfS 1 9 .t2Je7 l:tgS 2 0 .t2JxfS l:tg6 (Paci-Ramaswamy, Nancy 2 0 0 S) 2 1 .t2Jxd6 'iYd7 2 2 . h4 l:tdS 2 3 .l:td l 'iYc6 24.g3;t.

1 6. tbc3-d5

1 9. l:te1 -e7

There is nothing else obvious - all of White's pieces are very threateningly posted, but he is still a rook down.

1 6 . ...

�g8-h8!

Greetings from Rybka! Black is not in a good way after other moves: • 16 ...�xfS 1 7.�xf6 gxf6 1 7 . . . 'it'd?? I S .�xg 7 ! �xg 7 1 9 .'iYg S + �g6 20.'iYf6 + �h6 2 1 .l:te4 ! +- . 1 8.tbe 7 + Wh8 I S ... �g7 ? 1 9 .t2JxfS + �hS 20.'iYh6 l:tgS 2 1 .l:teS ! ! +- . 1 9.'ird4 :g8 20.tbxfS 1:[g6 2 1 .tbe7 :h6 22.b4! ± , and White will simply push his kingside pawns : h2-h4, g2-g4-gS ; . 1 6 . . . l:teS ? 1 7 .l:txeS+ 'iYxeS I S .�xf6 i.xfS 1 9 .t2Je7 + �hS 20 .'iYh6+- . 1 7. �g5xf6 1 8. 'ird2-d4

g7xf6 :f8-g8!

In one recent game, Black found the cor­ rect king move into the corner, but then slipped from the right path and could

1 9. 20. 21 . 22.

... 'ird4xf6+ l:le7xf7 tbd5xf6

'tid8-f8 'tif8-g7 'tig7xf6

Thanks to the mate threat on h 7 , White regains some material. 22 . 23. 24. 25.

... tbf6xg8 f2-f3 l:tf7xb7

iL.c8xf5 l:ta8-e8 �f5-g6 �h8xg8

Since the pawns on a6 and d6 are very weak, White has good chances to make a draw, but this can hardly be what White was dreaming of. C3 1 2 2) 1 0. iL.c1 -f4!? Apparently the strongest continuation. White's idea is to use his advantage in de­ velopment to attack the pawn on d6 and force the hedgehog structure d6-e6 to commit itself prematurely. 23

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 0. ...

1 7.'iYxd6+

�c8-d7

Note that White has not overlooked the fork: 1 0 ... eS 1 1 .ttJdS 'iVd8 1 2.�el ttJe7 The weakness of the dark squares on the queenside prevents Black taking the piece unpunished: 1 2 . . . exd4 1 3 .�xd4 �e6 1 4.�b6 'ifc8 I S .ttJc7 + rJ;;e 7 1 6.eS ! dxeS (Vallet-loly, Besanxd7 1 3 .c4! ± . .

D4 1 2 1 )

Very sharp variations arise after

S. 9.

d6-d5 d4xe5

But on the whole, play in this line turns out in White's favour, for example : 9.

...

�fS-e7

Or 9 . . . 'iYe7 1 0.'iYa4 �b7 1 1 .c4±. 1 0. 'iYd1 -a4

An important resource - the battle now rages over the whole board. However, also good is the more 'modest' 1 0.c4! ? .ixg5 1 1 .'iih 5 + g6 1 2 .'iYxg5 'iVxg5 1 3 . ..txg5 h6 1 4.�h4 g5 1 5 .�g3 CiJe7 1 6.tDc3 ;!;.

1 1 . c3-c4!

Less convincing is this line, recently seen in tournament practice: 1 1 .l:[d 1 'It>f8 1 2 .c4 h6 1 3 .cxdS �xgS 1 4.CiJc3 ..tf5 °o Pavasovic-Cebalo, Nova Gorica 2 0 1 0 . 11.

.

..

1 1 . . . h6 1 2 .cxdS �xgS 1 4.'it'xe4± . 1 2. 'iYa4-b3 1 3. 'iYb3xb 7 1 4. tLlb1 -c3!

1 0. ...

'iYb6-a6

1 3 .CiJc3 'iYa6 'iYa6-b7 �cSxb7

'iYdS-b6

• Black is ready to meet the enemy queen head on to offer transposition into an end­ game, but even without queens problems remain. However, other continuations ap­ pear even more cheerless: 1 0 ... 'iYc7 1 1 .c4 h6 1 1 . . .�xg5 1 2 .�xg5 d4 1 3 .CiJd2±. 12.cxdS .ixgS 1 2 ... hxgS 1 3 .d6 �xd6 14.exd6 'iixd6 1 5 .g3 CiJf6 1 6.�xgS 0-0 1 7 .tDc3 ±. 1 1.tLlcl White has very power-

The endgame is unpleasant for Black - his central pawns are permanently in need of defence, and the white knight is ex­ tremely active. 55

The Rossolimo Sicilian

D4 1 22) S. ... 9. ttJg5xe4

e5xd4

1 0. l::tf1 -e1

Less convincing is 1 0.cxd4 cxd4 (1 0 . . . ttJf6 1 1 .ttJxf6+ �6 1 2.l:re 1 + �f7 1 3 .dxc5 dxc5 1 4.'iYc2 l:re8 1 5.�e3 �g8 1 6.ttJc3!; 1 0 ... �f5 1 1 .ttJbc3 ttJf6 1 2.ttJxf6+ M6 1 3 .l:re l + �f7 1 4.dxc5 d5 (Guerrero Rodriguez-Gonzalez Zamora, Monterey 2 0 1 0) 1 5 .�f4 l:re8 1 6. l:rxe8 'iYxe8 1 7.'iYd2 'iYd7 1 8 .�g5 �e5 1 9 .ttJe2 l:re8 2 0 .ttJd4!) 1 1 .'iYxd4 on account of 1 1 . ttJf6 1 2.ttJxf6+ �6 1 3.l::te l + �f8 1 4.'iYd3 l::tb8 ( 1 4 . . . d5 1 5 .ttJc3 �f7 1 6.�f4 h6 1 7 .�e5) 1 S .�f4 l::txb2 1 6.hd6+ �f7 .•

By sacrificing a pawn, White achieves an advantage in development, whilst the en­ emy king is weakened. Black must play very accurately, in order to complete his development at the mini­ mum possible cost. 9.

1 7 .ttJa3 l::te8 1 8.ttJc4 l::tb S � .

1 0. 1 1 . �c1 -g5

�cS-f5

�fS-e7

...

Black cannot ignore the threats along the open e-file, nor can he assume that his king will feel completely safe on f7 . • No quiet life is promised by 9 . . . �f5 1 0 .'iYf3 g6 1 1 .cxd4 cxd4 1 2 .l:re 1 with a slight advantage for White; • In the variation 9 ttJf6 1 0J:lel ttJxe4 White has a lasting advantage after 1 0 . . . �f7 1 1 .cxd4 cxd4 1 2 .'iYxd4 d5 1 3 .ttJbc3 ttJxe4 1 4.ttJxe4 �e7 1 5 .ttJc5 �f6 1 6 . 'iYf4 l:re8 1 7 .�e3 'iVe7 1 8 .l:rac 1 ! Komliakov-Gasanov, Serpuk­ hov 2004. 1 1 .l:rxe4+ The white rook tra­ verses the fourth rank elegantly, all the while creating unpleasant threats and not allowing Black to stabilize the position, for instance : 1 1 . �f7 1 2.cxd4 dS •..

.•

1 3.l::tf4+ �g8 1 4.dxcS �xcS I S .ttJc3 gS

1 5 . . . h6 1 6 .�e3 �d6 1 7 . l:ra4! ; 1 5 . . . �e6 1 6 .ttJe 2 �d6 1 7 . l:ra4! . 1 6.l::t a4 �g7 1 7.�e3 �xe3 1 8.fxe 3 ! .

56

Black lacks a tempo to solve his opening problems. 1 1 . ...

�e7xg5

1 1 . . . �xe4 1 2 . l:rxe4 d5 1 3 .l:re 1 dxc3 1 4.ttJxc3 'iYd6 1 5 .�xe7 ttJxe7 1 6 .ttJe4 'iYg6 1 7 . ttJxc5 0-0 1 8 . l:rxe 7 'iVd6 1 9.'iYe 1 'iYxc5 2 0 . l:rc 1 ± . 1 2. ttJe4xd6+ 1 3. ttJd6xf5

1 3 . . . g6 1 4.ttJg3 1 6 .ttJbd2 ! .

l:rb8

�eS-fS 'iYdS-d5

1 5 .ttJe4 �e 7

Chapter 3

14. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1S.

'tWd1 -g4 c3xd4 tLlf5-e3 tLlb1 -c3 tLle3xg4±

�g5-f6 g7-g6 'tWd5xd4 'tWd4xg4

Komliakov-Grischuk, Nizhni Novgorod 1 998. D42) 7. e4xf5!

0421 ) 7...tLlf6 0422) 7...�xf5

D42 1 ) 7. ... S. d2-d4

tLlgS-f61?

c5xd4

Insufficient is 8 . . . e4 9 . :te 1 �xf5 1 0.dxc5 ! (utilising the fact that the e4 pawn is pinned, White succeeds in break­ ing up he enemy pawn structure) 10 . . .dxc5 1 1 .'iVxd8 + :txd8 1 2 .tLle5 :td6 (Nyysti-Grischuk, Reykj avik 2 0 0 0 ) 1 3 .tLld2 �e7 1 4.tLldc4 :te6 1 5 .�e3 ± . 9 . c3xd4

1 0. tLlf3-g5

White Exchanges after 3 . d6 .

.

Less promising is I 0.tLlh4 �e7gg. 1 0. .. .

d6-d5

Weaker is I 0 . . . �xf5 l 1 .f3 . White wants to open the position and create an attack on the enemy king, stuck in the centre. It seems that Black's best chance is to give up a pawn with I I . . . e3 , but then after 1 2 .�xe3 �e7 1 3 .tLlc3 0-0 1 4.t2J ge4 White simply has an extra pawn and the more promising position.

1 1 . f2-f3

White needs to open the centre and strive for an attack on the enemy king at e 8 , which has not yet managed to escape to the kingside. S. ...

-

e5-e4

Once again, White tries to open the posi­ tion and clear the e-file. In the event of ' l 1 .tLle6 �xe6 1 2.fxe6 'tWd6 play takes on a more semi-closed character, which plays into Black's hands: 1 3.f3 I 3 .�g 5 �e7 ! . 1 3 ... �e7 1 4.tLlc3 'tWxe6 1 5 .fxe4 dxe4 1 6.'tWe2 0-0 1 7.�g5 h6 1 8.�h4 l:tad8 1 9.1:tad l l:tfe8 20.l:tfe l 2 0 .�g3 c5 � . 2 0 ... c5 2 1 .�xf6 �xf6 2 2 .dxc5 l::txd l 2 3.l:txd l �xc3 24.bxc3 e3gg.

0421 1 ) 11 ...�e7 0421 2) 1 1 ...�xf5 0421 3) 1 1 ... h6

D42 1 1 ) 11 . ... 1 2. f3xe4 1 3. tLlb1 -c3

�fS-e7 d5xe4 0-0

57

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 5. 'ifa4-c4

all the same, creating the unpleasant threat of 1 6. tLJf7 + . Less is promised by 1 5 .�h l 'iVb6 1 6.tDe6 1ixe6 1 7 .fxe6 nad8gg or 1 5 .'iVxc6 'iVxd4+ 1 6.�h l �d7 1 7 .'iVa6 e 3 t . 1 5. 1 6. 'ifc4xc6 1 7. b2xc3 1 8. 'ifc6-d51

14. 'ifd1 -a41

The strongest continuation. White does not hurry to win the pawn on e4 and postpones the check on the a2-g8 diago­ nal. Now he attacks the c6 pawn, keeping he check in reserve. 14.

\t>g8-h8

tLlf6-d5 tLld5xc3 �c8-d7

An important move - now if Black takes the knight on g 5 , then White exchanges bishops and wins back the bishop on d7 . Though Black has compensation for the two sacrificed pawns, it is not sufficient. D42 1 2) 11 . ...

�c8xf5

In reply to 14 .. J:tb8 White does give check: I S.'ifc4+! 1 5 .tDe6 �xe6 1 6 . fxe6 'iVc8 1 7 .'iVxa7 'iVxe6 1 8 .'iVa6 nb4gg. IS ...tLldS 1 6.tLlgxe4 nxB 1 7 .nxB �xB 1 8.tLlg3 �g6 1 9.'ifxc6

1 2. f3xe4

White has won two pawns and should be able gradually to extinguish his oppo­ nent's initiative. For example, 1 9 . . . tDb4 2 0 .'iVc4+ �h8 2 1 . .1td2 1if6 2 2 .d5 tDd3 2 3 .tDce4 tDxb2 24.'iVc6 �d4+ 2 5 .�h l �f7 2 6.d6±. With the text, Black tries to avoid the unpleasant check on the diago­ nal, but White plays 58

The bishop on f5 comes under attack not only from the pawn, but also from the rook, and therefore Black must take on e4 with the bishop. 1 2. 1 3. tLlb1 -c3

�f5xe4

What to say about this position? With equal material, White has outstripped his opponent in development and has already begun posing concrete threats.

Chapter 3

1 3 . ...

�e4-g6

On 1 3 . . . �d6 a very unpleasant reply is 1 4.4Jcxe4 dxe4 1 5 .'ii'c 2 with a double at­ tack on the pawns on c6 and e4. 14. l:U1 -e1 + 1 5. tLlg5-e6

�fS-e7

-

White Exchanges after 3 . . . d6

14. f3xe4

White has absolutely no reason to muddy things and invite retribution on his own head: 1 4.4Jc3 0-0 1 5 .f4?! 'ii'c 7 1 6 .h3 g6 1 7 .f5 ? 4Jh5 1 8 .jj'g4 �h2 + 1 9 .�h l 4Jg3 + 2 0 . �xh2 4Jxfl + 2 1 .�g l 'ti'h2 + 2 2 . �xfl llxf5 + 2 3 .�e2 �h7+ Vallejo Pons-Predojevic, Moscow 2 0 0 7 . 1 4. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 S.

tLlb1 -c3 'iVd1 -e2 tLlc3xe4 llf1 xfS+ 1 9. 'iYe2xe4 20. �c1 -d2 21 . 'iYe4-d3;!;

The situation is extremely dangerous for Black: he is losing a pawn and his king is not finding a safe spot. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1S.

... tLle6xg7+ tLlg7-e6 �c1 -f4±

D42 1 3) 1 1 . ... 1 2. tLlg5-e6 1 3. f5xe6

'iYdS-d7 �eS-f7 llhS-eS

d5xe4 0-0 'iYdS-e7 tLlf6xe4 llaSxfS llfS-f6 llf6xe6

White has an extra pawn, and his oppo­ nent's compensation is clearly not suffi­ cient for equality. D42 2) 7. ... S. d2-d4

i.cSxf5

h7-h6 �cSxe6 �fS-d6

04221 ) S...e4 04222) S...cxd4

D42 2 1 ) S. ... 9. tLlf3-d2

e5-e4

59

The Rossolimo Sicilian

Transferring the knight to the blockade square e3 is too slow: 9.ttJe l d5 1 0.ttJc2 •

ttJf6

I I .ttJe3

�g6

1 2.b3

�d6 �

Kasparova-Kosten, Metz 2 0 0 7 ; • But 9.l:re l d 5 (Khruschiov-Timo­ shenko, Cappelle la Grande 2 0 0 S ) 1 O.ttJe5 ! deserves attention; • Also very promising is the piece sacri­ fice suggested by Rublevsky: 9.dxc5 exf3 1 0.'ifxf3 iiLe6 1 0 . . . 'iVd7 I I Jie l + dS 1 2 .g4 dS (Chavez-Abu Sufian, Dresden 2 0 0 S ) 1 3 . b4 lDh6 1 4. gxfS 'iYxfS 1 S .'iYg3 ±. 1 1 .l:re l

9.

...

d6-d5

As usual, White tries to open the centre. After 9 . . . l2Jf6 1 0.f3 exf3 1 1 .'ifxf3 ! �d7 1 2.l2Je4 White has a strong attack, e.g. 1 2 . . . .\te7 ( 1 2 . . . dS 1 3 .l2Jxf6+ 'ti'xf6 1 4.'ti'hS+ 'ti'g6 I S .'ti'eS + .\te7 1 6.dxcS±) 1 3 .l2Jxf6+ �6, Chen Fan-Wei Chenpeng, Suzhou 2006, 1 4Jie 1 + f7 I S .dxcS l::te S 1 6 . .\te3 dS 1 7 .l2Jd2±. 1 0. f2-f3

A typical break in the Rossolimo System, which is seen especially often in the vari­ ation with . . . eS and . . . fs . 1 0. ... 1 1 . l:tf1 -e1

e4-e3 �fS-d6

1 2. ttJd2-f1 !

ttJgS-e7

Analysis diagram

White has excellent compensation for the bishop with two pawns, and mainly. with all of his pieces quickly come into play and gathering around the black king, which has nowhere to hide. 1 1 ... �d7 If 1 1 .. . 'ifd7 1 2.'iYfS ! the pin on the e-file is very un­ pleasant. While Black tries to untangle, White will bring all of his pieces into play, e.g. : 1 2 ... e7 1 3 .lDd2 l:reS 1 4.cxd6+ dS ( 1 4 . . . xd6 I S .'iYeS + e7 1 6.lDe4+- ; 1 4 . . . 'ifxd6 I S .l2Jf3 d7 1 6 .'ti'aS±) I S .'tWaS+ cs 1 6.l2Jc4 bd6 1 7 .'iYa6+ bS I S .l2Jxd6 �xd6 1 9 .�e3 'iYd7 2 0Jhd l 'iYb7 2 1 ..\tf4+ cs 2 2.�c4! �f7 2 3 .l:rxeS+ LeS 24.'iYe6+ �d7 2 S .'iff7+- . 1 2.cxd6 1 2.�f4 ! ? 1 2 ...'iff6 1 3.�f4 'ifB 1 4.ttJd2 ttJf6 (Rublevsky­ Sveshnikov, Herceg Novi 1 999) 1 5.c4±. 60

Wippermann -Miroshnichenko, Germany Bundesliga 2 0 0 S /06. 1 3. jLc1 xe3 14. c3xd4 1 5. ttJb1 -c3!

c5xd4 0-0

Black does not appear to have much com­ pensation for the pawn. D42 2 2 ) S. ... Theory's main direction.

c5xd4

Chapter 3 9.

c3xd4

-

White Exchanges after 3 . . . d6

e5-e4

Analysis diagram I S .'iYe2 ! ;!; A very subtle queen manoeu­

1 0. 'iYd1 -c2!

An extremely strong move! The queen not only attacks the pawn on c6 , but also pins the e4 pawn, which will be attacked again once White brings his knight to c3 . 1 0. ...

tla8-c8

The alternative is: 1 0 ... ttJf6 1 1 ..igS dS 1 1 ...nc8 1 2 .tLJc3 dS 1 3 .tLJh4 .ie6 1 4.f3 �e7 I S .fxe4 dxe4 1 6 .nad l ±. 1 2.'iYxc6+ .id7

1 3 . .ixf6

lS.�c7 '1t>d7

.ixc6

1 4 . .ixd8

1 6 ..i.eS fxg2

exfl

1 7.'1t>xg2;!;

White has a clear extra pawn. Maybe te­ nacious defence can save half a point for Black, but he is certainly going to have to suffer a good deal. 1 1 . ttJf3-g5

vre. Now if Black takes the knight, then White captures the bishop, whilst other­ wise, the knight will obtain a square at e6 or f3 . On 15 ....ixb l there is the interme­ diate move 1 6.ttJe6 ; • 1 l ... d5 1 2.0 ttJh6 For 1 2 . . . tLJf6 , see 1 1 . . . tLJf6. 1 3.fxe4 dxe4 (Soylu-Halkias, Antalya 2004) 1 4.I:t.xfS ! Thanks to this exchange sacrifice, White develops ex­ tremely strong pressure on the enemy king, trapped in the centre. 1 4 ... ttJxfS I S.'iYxe4+ ttJe7 1 6.ttJe3 ± White has fan­ tastic compensation for the small material investment, as Black can hardly manage to complete his development; • 1 l 'iYd7 1 2.'iYb3 d5 1 2 . . . h6 1 3 .tLJxe4, and then White will regain the piece, with an advantage. 1 3.0 We have already encountered this idea several times. Now after 1 3 ...h6 there follows a nice trick: ••.

White threatens to take the e4 pawn with the knight and answer 1 2 . . . dS with 1 3 .tLJd6 + . ttJ g8-f6

1 1 . ...

e l l . . . 'iff6 1 2 .tLJxe4 'ifg6 1 3 .l:te l �d7 1 4.'ife2 :e8 I S .tLJbc3 tLJf6 1 6 .tLJxf6+ gxf6 1 7 . .ie3 ± Yandemirov-Biriukov, Voronezh 2 0 0 8 ; • 1 l ... ttJ e 7

14.'iYxO h6

1 2 . 'iYb3

dS

1 3 .fl

exfl

Analysis diagram

61

The Rossolimo Sicilian 1 4.fxe4 dxe4 1 5 .'it'f7+ ! 'it'xf7 1 6.tbxf7 �xf7

1 7.l:lxf5 +

tbf6

1 8.tbc3

�e6

1 9J:ta5 ;!; Black has weak paws on a7 , c6

and e4, which are very difficult to de­ fend. 1 2. tbb1 -c3

The immediate 1 2 .f3 ! ? also looks inter­ esting, for instance: 1 2 . . . 'ifb6 (after 1 2 . . . d5 1 3 .ttJc3 we reach a position con­ sidered below) 1 3 .'ifd2 exf3 1 4J :txf3 t. 1 2 . ...

d6-d5

12 ...'it'd7 1 3.'it'e2 1 3 .f3 exf3 1 4.'iYb3 d5 1 5 .ttJxf3 �d6� and Black has managed to secure his king, which means that he has an acceptable position. 1 3 ... �e7 1 3 . . . d5 1 4.f3;t. 1 4.tbcxe4 tbxe4 1 5 .tbxe4 O-O;!; .

Sergey Tiviakov

cape from the centre. 1 5 ...g6 1 5 . . . 'iYxd4+ 1 6 .�h l +- ; 1 5 . . . �g6 1 6 J 1e l �e7 1 7. ttJcxe4 ttJxe4 1 8 J :txe4 h6 1 9 J:te 1 hxg 5 2 0 . �xg5 'iYxd4+ 2 1 .'iVe3 ± . 1 6.:te 1 And the e 4 pawn goes anyway. Possible then is 1 6 . . . 'iYe7 1 7 . g4 h60 1 8 . gxf5 hxg5 1 9 .fxg6±.

1 3. f2-f3

14. f3xe4

h7-h6

1 4 . . . dxe4 1 5 .�e3 ± . 1 5. tbg5-e6 1 6. tbe6-f4 1 3 . ...

�f5-g6

If Black tries to hold the e4-point, then unpleasantness arrives from the other side: 1 3 'it'd7 1 4.fxe4 Also good is 1 4.'iYe2 i.e7 1 5 .fxe4 dxe4 1 6.'iYc4 ttJd5 1 7 . ttJgxe4 0 - 0 1 8 .�g5 ± . 14 ... dxe4 1 4 . . . �xe4 1 5 . ttJgxe4 dxe4 1 6.�e3 �e7 1 7 .ttJxe4 O-O±. 1 5 .'it'b3 ! Establishing control over a highly important diagonal and not allowing the enemy king to es..•

62

'it'd8-d7

Chapter 3

An important move. which White had to foresee earlier. However. also good is 1 6 .tbxf8 ':xf8 1 7 .�f4±. 16 . ...

�g6-h7

In the event of 1 6 . . . �xe4 1 7 . tbxe4 dxe4 1 8.'ifc4± the weakness of the light squares on the black kingside has its say. 17. 'iVc2-e2

Also not bad is 1 7 . 'ti'd I . for instance: 1 7 . . . dxe4 1 8 .ltJh5 'ti'e6 ( 1 8 . . . tbd5 1 9 .'ife2±) 1 9 .�e3 ltJxh5 2 0 .'ti'xh5 + �g6 2 1 .'ifa5;!;. 17. ...

-

White Exchanges after 3 . . . d6

21 . 'iVe2-a6

Sergey Tiviakov pointed out another good possibility for White - 2 1 .':ad 1 ±. 21 .

�h7-f5

Hopeless is 2 1 . . . .:c7 2 2 .�f4 'ifc5 + 2 3 . Wh l ':e7 24.':ad l +- . 22. ':f1 -f2 23. ':a1 -f1 24. 'ifa6xa7±

�f8-e7 �f5-e6

Tiviakov-Murariu. Dresden 2 0 0 7 .

d5xe4

1 7 . . . tbxe4 1 8 .tbxe4 dxe4 1 9.'iYh5 + +- . 1 8. tbf4-h5!

White has managed t o 'fasten onto' the bishop on e 7 and does not allow Black to complete his development normally.

Conclusion:

After his strong move. it becomes evident that Black is in a bad way. He needs two tempi in order to castle. but White has al­ ready created dangerous threats. for ex­ ample 1 9 .':xf6 ! . 1 8. 1 9. iLc1 -e3 20. tbh5xf6+

'iVd7xd4+ 'iVd4-e5 g7xf6

Now Black has an extra pawn. but it brings him little joy.

As people are accustomed to say nowa­ days. 'thanks to modern technology' © the capture on c6 has been fully rehabili­ tated for White. If Black tries to reply 5 . . . e5 followed by . . .f5 . then by precise play. White can trap the enemy king in the centre. The quietest way for Black is 5 . . . �g4. where he is able to complete his development. but White obtains in com­ pensation a small advantage. and. most important of all. a risk-free position.

63

Chapter 4

-

White Castles after 3

. . .

d6

1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2. t2Jg1-f3 t2Jb8-c6 3. �f1-b5 d 7-d6 4 . 0-0

used to play this twenty years ago and then stopped, but recently I have returned to the move. Nowadays, new ideas have been found for White, which have brought him good practical results. I

A) 4...�g4 B) 4...�d7

We will not discuss the move 4 . . . a 6 ? ! , since after 5 .�xc6+ bxc6 we reach a po­ sition from the preceding chapter, with an extra tempo for White; there he cap­ tured the knight voluntarily, whereas here Black has spent a move provoking this with 4 . . . a6. A) Re-moving the bishop from the queenside is quite risky: 4. ... 5. h2-h3 6. c2-c3

�cS-g4?1 i.g4-h5 a7-a6

We should also examine 6 . . . 'ifb6 7 .ttJa3 flc7 (7 . . . ttJf6 8 .d4 t) 8 .d4. Without doubt, White has a positional advantage.

Bad, for example, is 8 . . . a6 9.�a4 b5 be­ cause of 1 0 .ttJxb5 ! axb5 1 1..� xbS with very strong threats. If 6 . . . ttJf6 , then 7 .d4 dS ? ! 8 .'ifa4 ! ± with a very strong attack - the lack of the light-squared bishop on the queenside is clearly felt. 7. �b5xc6+ S. d2-d4 9. c3xd4

b7xc6 c5xd4 e7-e6

On 9 . . . ttJf6 unpleasant is 1 0 .�g 5 ! . 1 0. lbb1 -c3 1 1 . 'ifd1 -a4

lbgS-f6

Once again I would draw the reader's at­ tention to the fact that this move has be­ come possible because the bishop from c8 is on h5 and cannot help in the de­ fence of the queenside. 1 1 . ...

'ifdS-d7

65

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 3. 1 4. 1 S. 1 6. 1 7.

d4xcS ttJc3xa4 f2-f3 ttJd2-c4 fic1 -e3;t

'iWd7xa4 d6xcS l::[a8-d8 �f8-e7

The bishop on h5 is wholly excluded from play, which helps White to work on the enemy weaknesses on the queenside. B) 1 2. ttJf3-d2!

A typical manoeuvre, underlining the pOintlessness of the enemy bishop's posi­ tion on h5. White threatens to play f2 -f4, tt:Jc4 and develop strong pressure over the whole board. 1 2.

�c8-d7

I usually begin with this move, although 5 .c3 tt:Jf6 6 . lle 1 is also possible, with a transposition to the main line.

c6-cS

By forCing the exchange of queens, Black somewhat eases the pressure on his posi­ tion, but in doing so, he agrees to spoil his pawn structure. Nor does this move contribute anything to solving the prob­ lems of the light-squared bishop. • In the event of 1 2 ... dS 1 1.eS ttJg8 White succeeds in blockading the enemy queenside: 1 4.ttJb1 �g6 I S .'ii'aS fie7 1 6.ttJa4t Gubnitsky-Geller, corr. 1 9 84; • If 1 2 . . .�g6 , then by the move 1 1.f41 White starts to hunt down the bishop. Now after practically any move, there fol­ lows f4-f5 . For example, 1 1 ...h6 1 4.fS exfS I S .exfS �h7 InCidentally, the pawn cannot be taken: 1 5 . . . �xf5 1 6 . llxf5 'iYxf5 1 7 .'iYxc6 + +- . 1 6.ttJc4± M.D. Tseitlin-Lukin, Leningrad 1 9 7 5 ; • 1 2 ... �e7 1 1 .g4 �g6 1 4.f4 h6 I S.fS t

The unfortunate bishop will stand as a spectator for a long time, not being in any way stronger than its neighbour-pawns. 66

4. S. l::[f1 -e1

S . ...

ttJg8-f6

If S ... a6 the bishop cannot retreat to a4 because of 6 . . . b5 and 7 . . . c4, therefore 6.�xc6 �xc6 , and here thanks to the fact that the e4 pawn is defended, White can play: 7.d4 cxd4 8.ttJxd4 ttJf6 In the varia­ tion 8 . . . llc8 9 .c4 tt:Jf6 1 0 .tt:Jc3 e6 1 1 .b3 �e7 1 2 .tt:Jxc6 llxc6 1 3 .�b2� White also has a small advantage - he controls more space and can exert pressure against the pawn on d6. 9.ttJxc6 bxc6 1 0.'ii'f3 After this developing move, Black must reckon with the threat of e4-e5 . 1 0 ... 'ii'c 7 l 1 .b1 eS Black prevents the break e4-e5 by me­ chanical means, but now the pawn on d6

Chapter 4 - White Castles after 3 . . . d6

can be a target for the white pieces at a convenient moment. 1 2 .tbd2 �e 7 1 3.tbc4 An excellent square for the knight - from here it not only attacks he pawn on d6, but also controls the squares as and b6. It is important to note that Black cannot chase the knight away with the move . . . d6-dS because of the loss of the eS pawn. 1 3 ... 0-0 1 4.�g5 tbe8 (Vasiesiu-Radovanovic, Bucharest 2002) 1 5.�xe7 'ifxe7 1 6.l:tad l j; Black faces un­ pleasant problems: he has to defend the pawn on d6, but the knight on e8 is no adornment to his position. It is itself badly-placed and also hampers the coor­ dination of the rooks. In playing the Rossolimo System, White should not always be a 'creature of habit' - it is useful to vary one's set-up from time to time, in order to hinder the oppo­ nent's home preparation. 81 ) 6.h3 82) 6.c3

Here, a mass of moves has been tried, and I will do my best to consider most of them. 81 1 ) 81 2) 81 3) 814) 8 1 5)

6 ... e6 6 ...tb e5 6 ...96 6 ...l:tc8 6 ...a6

If 6 . . . eS , then 7 .c3 �e7 8 .d4 0-0 9.dS ttJb8 1 0.�f1 ;t . White wants to take on eS and after dS-d6 obtain the pair of bish­ ops. Another idea consists of c3 -c4 and ttJc3 , strengthening his space advantage. B 1 1 ) 6. ...

e7-e6

Modest and very solid. Black will put his bishop on e7 and in the event of c2-c3 and d2-d4 will exchange pawns and play . . . d6-dS , obtaining a French-style pawn structure in the centre. The drawback of the move is that it is comparatively slow. 7. c2-c3

Bl)

6. h2-h3

7. ... �f8-e7

The idea of this move is to retain his light-squared bishop (in reply to . . . a7 -a6 White plans the retreat to f1 ) and in good time to prevent the pin from g4.

The simplifying manoeuvre 7 ... tbe5 is worth consideration: 8.�xd7+ 'ifxd7 9.d4 tbxf3 + 1 0.'ifxf3 cxd4 If 1 0 . . . �e 7 1 1 .dxcS dxcS 1 2 .eS White seizes space 67

The Rossolimo Sicilian

and the pawn remaining on cS further re­ stricts the dark-squared bishop. There could follow: 1 2 . . . ttJdS 1 3 .'iVg3 (not al­ lowing the adversary to castle queenside, since in this case White would win the exchange with 1 4.�h6) 1 3 . . . l::t g S 1 4.'iVf3 (but now queenside castling is also impossible because of the loss of the f7 pawn) 1 4 . . .• c6 1 S .ttJa3 :fS (Bologan-Tiviakov, Mamaia 1 99 1 ) 1 6 .%:ld l ! ? 0-0-0 1 7 .c4 ttJb6 ( 1 7 . . . ttJb4 I S .l:txdS+ il.xdS 1 9 .'iVe2!) I S JtxdS + . I t i s useful t o include this exchange whilst queens are on the board, so Black cannot recapture with the rook on dS. White will then exchange on c6 and spoil his opponent's pawn formation. 1 1 .cxd4 d5 1 2.e5 ttJe4 1 3.ttJd2 ttJxd2 1 4.�xd2!

Analysis diagram

It is not so simple for Black to complete his development. For example, in reply to 1 4 . . . il.e7 White has an unpleasant re­ sponse with 1 S . 'iV g 3 , and queenside cas­ tling is impossible because of 1 6.il.h6 winning the exchange. 8. d2-d4 9. c3xd4 1 0. e4xd5

c5xd4 d6-d5

After 1 0 .eS ttJe4 the bishop on bS is not best placed. On a bad day, White can even 6S

drop a pawn: l 1 .ttJbd2 ? ttJxd2 1 2 .1txd2 ttJxeS L 1 0. 1 1 . ttJb1 -c3

ttJf6xd5 ttJd5xc3

1 1 . . . 0-0 1 2. ttJxdS exdS 1 3 .1tf4 il.f6 1 4.'iVd2 'iVb6 1 S .�xc6 �xc6 1 6.jLeS ! ! . 1 2. b2xc3 1 3. �b5-d3t

0-0

Mamedov-Valeanu, Budva 2 0 0 3 . In the battle against the enemy pawn-pair, Black's minor pieces (especially his light-squared bishop) are not well­ placed. However, his position remains quite solid. B 1 2) 6 . ...

ttJc6-e5

With the aid of this small trick, Black wishes to force the exchange of one, and then several pairs of minor pieces. 7. a2-a4

White invites his opponent to exchange on b S , in order to obtain the semi-open a-file. Also worthy of attention is 7 . ttJxeS il.xbS S .ttJc3 dxeS 9 . ttJxbS 'iVd7 1 0 .ttJa3 ! e6 1 1 .ttJc4 il.d6 1 2 .a4! Predojevic­ Paschall, Budapest 2 004. 7. ...

a7-a6

Chapter 4

8. .ib5xd7+ 9. ttJf3xe5 1 0. d2-d3 1 1 . ttJb1 -c3 1 2. f2-f4 1 3. f4-f5!

ttJf6xd7 ttJd7xe5 g7-g6 �f8-g7 ttJe5-c6

-

9. d4xc51? 1 0. a2-a4

White Castles after 3 . . d6 .

d6xc5

Adams-Banikas, Halkidiki 2 0 0 2 . We have a typical situation in which White has a small initiative on the kingside. B 1 3) 6. ... 7. c2-c3

g7-g6

White controls the centre better and can develop an initiative on the queenside. Thanks to this, he has a small but stable advantage. 1 0. ...

a7-a6

After 1 0 . . . �e6 ! ? 1 1 . ...e2 White does not need to fear 1 1 . . . tDa5 , since he has the counter-raid 1 2 .tDg5 tDb3 1 3 .tDxe6 fxe6 1 4. 11a3 tDxc l 1 5 .11xc l 'ifc7 1 6. tDd2! . 7. ...

�f8-g7

A radically different structure arises after 7 ... lLleS 8 . .ixd7+ ttJfxd7 9.ttJxeS dxeS

9 . . . lLlxe5 1 0.d4! . 1 0.d3 ! .ig7 1 1 ..ie3 0-0 1 2.lLld2 "'c7 1 3.'ifb3 IUd8 1 4.l:adl a6 l S.a4 l:ab8 1 6 ....a3 bS 1 7.axbS axbS 1 8.c4!! Predojevic-Jankovic, Pula 2 0 0 5 . Black i s solid, but without prospect.

8. d2-d4

1 1 . .ib5-f1 1 2. e4-e5 1 3. ttJb1 -a3

lLlc6-a5 ttJf6-e8 ttJe8-c7

Casper-Kupreichik, Bundesliga 1 99 7 /9 8 . 14. �c1 -e3 1 5. ttJa3-c4 1 6. .if1 xc4!

B 1 4) 6 . ...

ttJc7-e6 ttJa5xc4

:la8-cSl?

0-0

The alternative is 8 ...cxd4 9.cxd4 dS (Brynell-Atakisi, Istanbul 2003) , but after 10.eS it will not be easy to bring the bishop on g 7 to life, e.g. : 1 0 ... ttJe4 1 1 .�d3 0-0 1 2.ttJbd2 lLlxd2 1 2 . . .f5 1 3 .exf6 tDxf6 1 4.tDb3!t; although Black has not played ... e7 -e6, it is still difficult to develop the bishop from d7. 1 3.hd2 'ifb6 1 4.�c3! 69

The Rossolimo Sicilian

7. c2-c3

e7-e6

The sharp clarification 7 . . . ttJeS 8.�xd7 + "'xd7 9 .d4 cxd4 1 0 .cxd4 :xc 1 ! ? (this exchange is one of the ideas of the move 6 . . Jk8) 1 1 ....xc 1 ttJd3 does not solve all Black's problems : 1 2 .'ife3 ttJxe 1 1 3 ....xe 1 e6 1 4.ttJc3 �e7 l s .11d 1 � Rowson-Yermolinsky, Philadelphia 2 0 0 2 . S. d2-d4 9. c3xd4 1 0. e4-e5 1 1 . tLJb1 -d2 1 2. �c1 xd2

c5xd4 d6-d5 tLJf6-e4 tLJe4xd2

1 2 . ...

1fdS-b6

70

�e7-b4I?

Or 1 4 . . . 0-0 1 S .�c2�. 1 5. �a4-c2t? 1 6. b2xc3 1 7. l:e1 -e3t

�b4xc3 tLJc6-e7

White intends ttJgS , "'hS , developing an initiative on the kingside (Predojevic) . a7-a6

8 1 51 ) 7...e5 81 52) 7...g5 81 53) 7... e6

White is better after 7 . . . g6 8 .c3 �g7 9 .d4 cxd4 1 0.cxd4 0-0 1 1 .ttJc3 � .

�fS-e7

Black cannot take the central pawn be­ cause of 1 3 . . . ttJxd4? 1 4.�xd 7 + �xd7 1 S .�e3 ttJxf3 + 1 6.'ifxf3 - White regains the f7 pawn and creates unpleasant threats against the enemy king. 14. �d2-c3

14. ...

B 1 S ) 6. ... 7. �b5-f1

Predojevic-Jaracz, Playchess 2004. Win­ ning a pawn here is dangerous : 1 2 . . . ttJxeS ? 1 3 .ttJxeS i.xbS 1 4.'iVhS with a strong initiative for White. In reserve are such moves as llac 1 , �gS , and the blow l:txe6. 1 3. �b5-a41

White solidly defends the pawn on d4 and soon wishes to establish a queen and bishop battery along the b 1 -h7 diagonal.

B 1 5 1 ) 7. ...

e7-e5

Now the pawn structure reminds one of the Spanish, and White begins to play in Spanish style. S. c2-c3

�fS-e7

Chapter 4 - White Castles after 3 . . . d6 9.

Fixing the enemy pawns.

d2-d4

1 1 . .. 1 2. ttJb1 -a3 .

0-0

Another plan also deserves attention: 1 2 .aS ! ? tLJe8 1 3 .tLJbd2 fS 1 4.�d3 fxe4 I S .tLJxe4 tLJf7 1 6.c4 tLJf6 1 7 .•c2 tLJxe4 1 8 .�xe4 h6 1 9 .• e2 .c8 2 0 . :b l � Tkachiev-Dvoirys, Bie1 2003 . 1 2 . ...

9.

'iVd8-c7

...

Black strengthens control over the square d6 and avoids the small exchanging oper­ ation, which becomes possible after: 9 0-0 I O.dS 0,a7 Nothing is changed by 1 0 . . . ttJb8 1 1 . ttJxe 5 ! . I l .ttJxeS ! A typical idea, thanks to which White obtains the bishop pair. I I dxeS 1 2.d6 �e6 1 3.dxe7 'iWxe7 14 ....e2 ttJbS The knight heads for d6, to attack the e4 pawn. l S.ttJd2 0,d6 1 6.b3 Opening the bishop's path to a3 , in order to attack the queen on e7 and rook on f8 . 1 6 ...0,fe8 1 7.�a3 b6 1 8.b4! 0,e7 1 9.bxeS ttJdbS 20.�e l bxeS Bad is 20 . . 'i!HxcS ? because of 2 1 .tLJc4!± with two threats - �e3 and a2-a4 followed by �a3 . 2 l .ttJb3 ttJe6 2 2.ttJaS �d7 2 3 .0,e4! McShane-Hracek, Selfoss 2 0 0 2 .

b7-b6

If 1 2 . . . tLJe8 1 3 . tLJc4 fS White can exploit the weakening of the diagonal a2-g8 by means of 1 4.'ti'b3 ! fxe4 I S .tLJb6 l:[b8 1 6.tLJxeS ! � . 1 3. b2-b4

..•

•••

.

1 0.

d4-d5

0,c6-d8

On 1 0 . . . tLJaS (Sorokin-Cheparinov, Linares 2 0 0 S ) the line-opening by l 1 .b4! ? is unpleasant: 1 1 . . . cxb4 1 2 .cxb4 4Jc4 1 3 . ttJbd2 tLJxd2 1 4.�xd2 0 - 0 1 S .�d3 ! followed by ..te3 , tLJ d2 , estab­ lishing unpleasant pressure on the queenside. 1 1 . a2-a4

1 3 . ...

ttJ d8-b7

It is very dangerous for Black to exchange on b4, because then White will set up strong pressure along the open c-file. He will have available, for example, the stan­ dard plan of an exchange sacrifice on c6 after the preparatory b4-bS and �e3 . 14. �c1 -d2 1 5. b4-b5

g7-g6

White fixes the weakness on b6, and will then tie the enemy pieces to its defence, and begin to prepare an attack on the kingside. 71

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 5 . ... 1 6. tba3-c4 1 7. tbf3-h2!

a6-a5 tbf6-h5

Ye Jiangchuan-Radjabov, Bled 2 0 0 2 . 1 7. 1 S. 1 9. 20. 21 .

... tbh2-g4 tbg4-h6 e4xf5 �f1 -d3±

B 1 5 2) 7. ...

tbh5-g7 �gS-hS f7-f5 g6xf5

1 2. tbb1 -c3 1 3. �c1 -f4

Pikula­

�fS-e7 1:[hS-gS

1 3 . . . b5 1 4.l:rad l na7 1 5 .'ife3 l:rd7 1 6.e5 dxe5 1 7 .�xe 5 ± Baklan-Timoshenko, Enakievo 1 9 9 7 . 14. 1:[a1 -d1 1 5. a2-a3

1:[gS-g6 'ifdS-c7

g7-g5

An ingenious move: by sacrificing a pawn, Black wishes to create complica­ tions on the kingside. The most sensible decision here is to decline the sacrifice. S. d2-d41 9. d4-d5

'ir e 7 1 7 .a3 0-0-0 1 8 .b4t Vuckovic, Vrnjacka Banja 2 0 0 5 .

Adams-Hamdouchi, Tripoli 2 004. Here, White should play 1 6 . g 3 followed by b2-b4, obtaining the advantage. B l 5 3 ) 7. ...

e7-e6

g5-g4 g4xf3

9 . . . ltJe5 1 0 .ltJxe5 dxe5 I l .hxg4 �xg4 1 2 .f3 �d7 1 3 .�e3 'ii' c 7 1 4."d 2 ! Vasiukov-Gutman, Tbilisi 1 9 7 9 . 1 0. d5xc6 1 1 . 'ifd1 xf3

�d7xc6

Practice shows that White has a promis­ ing position, for example: 1 1 . ..

.

e7-e6

If 1 1 . .. ltJd7 , then 1 2 .ltJc3 e6 1 3 ."g3 ! ? h 5 1 4.�f4 h4 1 5 .'ire3 ltJe5 1 6.l:[ad l 72

A normal developing move, after which White does best to quietly seize the cen­ tre with his pawns. S. c2-c3

�fS-e7

Chapter 4 8 . .1::t c 8 9 .d4 cxd4 1 0.cxd4 dS I I .eS ttJe4 .

12 .ttJbd2 ttJxd2 1 3 .�xd2!. 9. d2-d4 1 0. c3xd4

c5xd4 d6-d5

Otherwise White himself will play d4-dS , and it will be harder for the knight on c6 to find itself a location, than for its col­ league on f6. 1 1 . e4-e5

White Castles after 3 . d6 . .

After 1 3 . . . 0-0 1 4.�d3 .b6 I S .�c3 fs 1 6.exf6 �xf6 1 7 .�c2! White has several promising plans, e.g. �a4 followed by the exchange on c6 and exploiting the weak e S -square, or .d3 with the idea, after . . g 7 -g6, of advancing h4-hS ; • If 1 3 . . . ttJaS , then possible is 1 4.�d3 ttJc4 1 5 .�c3 l::t c 8 (Pikula -Vuckovic , Vogosca 2 0 0 7 ) 1 6 .:c l .b6 1 7 .b3!. •

·

1 4. �f1 -d3!?

Interesting play arises from 1 1 .exdS ttJxdS 1 2 .ttJc3 0 - 0 1 3 . ttJxdS exdS (Bereziuk-Ftacnik, Presov 1 9 99) 1 4.�f4. White comes up with a rather unex­ pected plan - he wants to transfer the rook from e 1 , via e3 , to the queenside, and force the weakening move . . . b7 -bS . But Black has an answer: 1 4 . . .•b6 1 S.1::t e3 ! �f6 1 6 .1::t b3 .a7 . Black has ade­ quate play - he has defended the b7 pawn solidly and created pressure against the pawn on d4. 1 1 . ...

-

ttJf6-e4

Less is promised by 1 4.l::te 3 0-000 , or 1 4 .•b3 bS I S .l::t ac 1 0-0 1 6 .•e3 .b6 1 7 .�d3 fS 1 8 .exf6 �xf6= Pierrot­ Topalov, Moscow 2 00 1 . In the resulting French-style position, White's chances are somewhat better. 1 4. ...

0-0

In Natapov-Prizant, Dubna 2 0 0 0 , in reply to 1 4 ... \i'b6 White firstly strengthened the pawns on b2 and d4 with 1 5 .i.c3 , and then gradually began to harass the enemy pieces on the queenside: 1 5 ... a5 I S . . . �b4 1 6.ttJg S ! ; I S . . . ttJb4 1 6.�b l !. 1 6.a3 0-0 1 7.i.c2 f5 Otherwise the black king could come under attack. 1 8.exf6 i.xf6 1 9.'ii'd 3 g6 20.i.a4 ! ! , and White wins the battle for the key squares eS . 1 5. �d2-c3

1 2. tbb1 -d2!?

The Simplest decision, guaranteeing White a small advantage. 1 2 . ... 1 3. i.c1 xd2

ttJe4xd2 %:ta8-c8

Strengthening and useful in any event. 73

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 5 . ...

f7-f5

24.hS 'ti'c7 2 S .�b2 'ti'f4 2 6 .l::ta 7 CiJfS 2 7 .hxg6 hxg6 2 8 .l::txd7 l::txd7 2 9 .l::txe6t.

Or I S . . . bS 1 6 .a3 'ti'b6 1 7 .�c2 as 1 8 .'ti'd3 g6 1 9 .�d2;t. Black has weak­ ened both flanks and at some moment, this should tell. 1 6. e5xf6 1 7. �d3-c2

.lie7xf6

22. a3xb4 23. 'iVd3-e3 24. J:[e2-d2!

�c6xb4 .lid7-b5

White has defended his queenside and is ready to proceed with his attack on the kingside.

1 7 .l::te 3 'ti'b6 1 8 .�c2 g6 1 9 .'iVd2 �g7 � . 1 7. ... 1 8. 'iVd1 -d3

97-96 b7-b5

B2)

6. c2-c3

On 1 8 . . . 'ti'b6 unpleasant is 1 9 .�a4 ! ;t fol­ lowed by the exchange on c6 and the oc­ cupation of e S . Black's king i s weak, and the pawn on e 6 i s i n permanent need o f defence; all this allows us to say that White has a small, but lasting advantage. 1 9. a2-a3

'iVd8-b6

After this move, we often reach a Span­ ish-type position. White prepares to seize the centre with d2-d4, and in the event of the move . . . a7 -a6 , his bishop will retreat via bS-a4-c2 . The difference with the Spanish consists in the fact that the black c-pawn is already on cS , but it is not so simple to know whether this is a plus or a minus for Black. 6 . ... 7. �b5-a4

20. h3-h41?

It is essential to harry the opponent on the kingside. 20. ... 21 . l::te 1 -e2

l::tf8-f7 b5-b4

On 2 l . .. aS there follows 2 2 .b4, not al­ lowing Black's counterplay to develop. For example, 2 2 . . . axb4 2 3 .axb4 CiJe7 74

a7-a6

The most natural move. Black has good play after 7 .�f1 i.g4 8 .h3 �hS (also good is 8 . . . �xf3 9 .'iVxf3 g6 1 0 .'iVdl i.h6) 9 . d4 cxd4 l O .cxd4 dS l l .eS CiJe4 1 2 .CiJc3 CiJxc3 1 3 .bxc3 e6 with a very solid position. 7. ...

c5-c4

Chapter 4 - White Castles after 3 . . . d6

The idea of this move is easy to under­ stand - Black wants to prevent his oppo­ nent playing d2-d4, since in this case, Black will take en passant and not allow his opponent to establish a pair of pawns in the centre. At the same time, though, the move is very committal. White will retreat the bishop to c2 and then chal­ lenge the c4 pawn with b2-b3 . If Black exchanges on b3 , then White obtains a big pawn centre. If he does not take, but tries to defend the c4 pawn with the move . . . b7-bS , then White himself ex­ changes on c4 and strengthens the pres­ sure against the pawn with the moves ttJa3 and 'ife 2. In this case, there is a great probability that Black will lose the pawn.

on b2 and c3 fundamentally restrict the activity of the g 7 bishop. There can fol­ low: 9.�c2 �g7 1 0.b3 b5 Of course, he does not want to give up the centre with­ out a fight : 1 0 . . . cxb3 I I .axb3 0-0 1 2 .d4�. l 1 .bxc4 Also good is 1 1 .'ti'e2 cxb3 1 2 .axb3 0-0 1 3 .d4 or 1 1 . .. lLlhS 1 2 .bxc4 lLlb4 1 3 .lLla3 � . 1 1 . .. bxc4 1 2.ttJa3 ttJa5 1 3.e5 Or 1 3 .'iYe2 0-0 1 4.lLlxc4 �bS 1 S .d3 ..txc4 1 6 .dxc4 lLld7 1 7 J:td 1 ncS I S . nb 1 � . 1 3 ... dxe5 1 4.ttJxe5 l:[c8 1 5 .d4 I S . nb l 0-0 1 6.lLlxd7 lLlxd7 1 7 .d4 cxd3 I S .1txd3 lLlcs �. 1 5 cxd3 1 6.�xd3 The other capture 1 6.'ifxd3 leads to the win of a pawn, but the queen is too far away from the centre of events, and Black obtains fully adequate play: 1 6 . . . 0-0 1 7 .'ifxa6 �e6 I S .�b2 lLldS 1 9 .nad l naS 20 .'iYd3 'ifb6� Loncar-Pavlovic, Ljubljana 2003 . •••

16

..•

0-0

1 7 .�xa6 l:[xc3

1 8.�b2 l:[c5

1 9.ttJxd7 ttJxd7 20.�xg7 �xg7 2 1 .l:[ct ttJc6 2 2.�b5 ! ; • 8 b5 9.i.c2 e 5 (Klip-Ovseevich, Pardubice 1 999) 1 0.d3 In the first place, White gets rid of the pawn on c4, which cramps his development, and then he begins operations on the queenside: 1 0...cxd3 1 1 .'iVxd3 �e7 1 2.a4 1 2 .�gS �e6 1 3 .lLlbd2 0-0 1 4.a4 b4 1 S .�b3 bxc3 1 6.bxc3 lLlaS 1 7 .�xf6 �xf6 I S .�dSoo. •••

821 ) 8.h3 822) 8.�c2

1 2. . .b 4 1 3.ttJbd2 0 - 0 1 4.ttJc4 'iVc7 1 5.�e3

B2 1 ) 8. h2-h3

�e6 1 6.ttJb6 l:[ab8 1 7.'iVxa6t

This interesting move is only just becom­ ing popular, but has already scored well. 8. ...

e7-e5

One of the most natural plans involves kingside fianchetto after 8 ... g6 . How­ ever, as we have already seen more than once, and will see again, the white pawns •

a

9. d2-d4

Direct, but not bad. The other plan in­ volves the break against the c4 pawn from the side. 9 .�c2 �e7 1 0.d4 cxd3 1 1 .hd3 h6 1 2.c4 lLlh7 1 3 .b3 . White has seized space, and established control over the square dS . The follOwing game shows that his game is easier to play: 1 3 . . . lLlgS 1 4.lLlc3 75

The Rossolimo Sicilian

l2Jxf3 + 1 s .'it'xf3 �gS 1 6.�b2 �d2 1 7.%:ted l l2Jd4 1 8.'it'g3 �gS 1 9.12JdS l2Je6 20.�a3 �4 2 1 .'it'e3 �c6 22.i.b l �gS 23.'it'e l l2Jd4

1 3 . ... 'if'6-g6

The character of the battle is not changed much after 1 3 . . . bS 1 4.�b3 0-0 l S .l2Jfl . 14. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 S. 1 9. 20. 21 . 22.

Analysis diagram

24.%:txd4 ! ? Of course, this exchange sac­ rifice is far from forced, and on the fol­ lOwing moves, both sides have various di­ gressions. I did not quote this game ear­ lier precisely in order to emphasize this typical device, the exchange sacrifice on d4. 24 . . . exd4 2 S .eS i.xdS 26.cxdS 0-0 2 7 .i.xd6 %:te8 2 8 .i.d3 'it'xd6 2 9 .exd6 l:xe 1 + 3 0 .l:xe l ;t Kotsur-T. L. Petrosian, Moscow 2 0 0 9 . 9. 1 0. 11. 1 2. 1 3.

.. �c1 -g5 �g5xf6 'ifd1 xd3 tLJb1 -d2 .

tLJd2-c4 tLJf3-h4 'ifd3xh3 tLJc4-b6 tLJb6-d5 �a4-b3 l:e1 -e3 'ifh3xg4 �b3-d1 ;t

�d7xh3 �e7xh4 �h4-e7 l:taS-dS :dS-d7 h6-h5 "'g6-g4 h5xg4

Baklan-Oleksienko, Poltava 2 0 0 8 . B2 2) S . �a4-c21

c4xd3 h7-h6 'ifdSxf6 �fS-e7 8221 ) 8222) 8223) 8224)

S... :ca S...e5 S...�g4 S...tLJg4

In reply to the very sharp move 8 . . . g5 White ignores the sacrifice and tries to obtain an advantage in the centre: 9.b3 g4 1 0.l2Jd4 l2Jxd4 1 1 .cxd4 cxb3 1 2 .axb3t. On 8 ... g 6 there also follows 9.b3. In gen­ eral, this is a typical reaction by White in cases where the black c-pawn has reached 76

Chapter 4

the fourth rank. 9 . . . cxb3 (if he defends the pawn with 9 . . . b S , then he can soon find himself losing material) 1 0.axb3 .1g7 1 1 .d4;t Pacl-Madl, Budapest 1 99 1 . B2 2 1 ) S. ...

l:IaS-cS

Black starts strengthening the c4 pawn in advance. 9. b2-b3 1 0. a2-a4

b7-b5

An important move : White fastens onto the bS pawn and can later open the a-file for his rooks. In addition, White can bring his knight to a3 and immediately attack two pawns, on c4 and b S . This is also a typical idea, which it is useful to remember. 1 0. ... 1 1 . b3-b4

-

White Castles after 3 . . . d6

queen. attacking the pawn on b S . and at the same time intending i.gS and e4-eS with mating threats. If Black does not take en passant (as happens in the game) . then White obtains the better chances thanks to his advantage in space and preponder­ ance in the centre. 1 3. 14. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7.

... �c1 -g5 'ifd1 -d2 d4-d5 ttJf3-d4;t

'ifdS-b6 l:IfS-dS �d7-eS tbc6-e5

].Polgar-Bu Xiangzhi, Bilbao 2 0 0 7 . B2 22) S. ... 9. b2-b3

e7-e5

e7-e6

An interesting moment. White decides to concentrate his attention on the bS pawn. If 1 1 . ttJa3 Black equalizes the chances by means of 1 1 . . . cxb3 1 2 .�xb3 b4. 1 1 . ... 1 2. tbb1 -a3

�fS-e7 0-0 9 . ...

b7-b5

9 . . . cxb3 1 0 .axb3 i.e7 1 1 .d4 exd4 1 2 .tt:Jxd4 0-0 1 3 .�a3 l:re8 1 4.ttJd2;t Cs. Balogh-Bobras. Bundesliga 2009/ 1 0 . 1 0. ttJb1 -a3 1 1 . d2-d4 1 2. �c2xd3

tbc6-a5 c4xd3 �fS-e7

1 2 . . . �e6 1 3 .b4 ttJc6 1 4.ttJc2 �e7 1 S .a4t. 1 3. d2-d4

A cunning move - if now Black takes en passant. then White takes on d3 with the

1 3. c3-c4

White attacks the queenside before his opponent can complete his development. 77

The RossoJimo Sicilian

1 3 . ...

b5-b4

An attempt to give play a semi -closed character. Let us look at other possibilities for Black: • 1 3 ...bxc4 1 4.tLJxc4 tLJxc4 I S.�xc4 0-0

1 6.�gS White prepares to exchange his dark-squared bishop, so as to strengthen his control over the square dS . 1 6 ... �c6 1 7.'it'd3 h6 In reply to I 7 . . . tLJhS , so as to preserve the knight from exchange, White has a nice tactical operation: I s Jhd I ! �xg S I 9 .�xd6 'ifxd6 20 J:[xd6 �bS 2 1 .ttJxgS �xc4 2 2 . bxc4 nfcS 2 3 .nc l ttJf6 24.f3 ± Movsesian­ Papaioannou, Dresden 2 0 0 S . 1 8.�xf6

e3-square for his knight. 1 4...b4 I S .tLJc2 0-0 1 6.�d2 tLJc6 1 7.tLJe3!

In this position, White has many promis­ ing ideas. As well as putting his knight on dS or fS , these also include the break a2-a3 or the pawn sacrifice c4-cS (after the preparatory move nfl -c 1 ) followed by ttJe3 -c4, developing pressure in the centre and on the queenside. 14. tLJa3-c2 1 5. a2-a3

tLJa5-c6

�xf6 1 9.1:tac 1 'it'd7 20.l:tc2 l:tfc8 2 1 .l:tec 1 �b7 22.b4t

White's initiative develops of its own ac­ cord. b4xa3

1 5.

Analysis diagram

White's plan is roughly as follows: tie his opponent's forces down to the defence of the backward pawn on d6, and then grad­ ually create a passed pawn on the b-file. If he also manages to establish his knight on dS , exchanging light-squared bishops along the way and ridding Black of his bishop pair, then White's advantage will become enormous. • 1 3 ... 'it'b6 1 4.'it'e2 ! ? Less is promised by the direct I 4.�e3 'ifb7 I S .'ifd2 b4 I 6.ttJc2 ttJc6�; White should keep the 7S

Forced, otherwise he pawn on b4 can become a chronic weakness: I S . . . aS I 6.axb4 axb4 1 7 .�d2 nbS I S .ttJe3 �e6 I 9 . na6± Fressinet-Nakamura, Calvi a 2006. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8. 1 9. 20. 21 . 22 . 23.

b3-b4 h2-h3 �c1 xa3 'it'd1 -d2 b4-b5 b5-b6 tLJf3xe5 tLJe5-f3!

Palac-Solak, Neum 2 0 0 S .

0-0 �d7-e6 'it'd8-c7 a6-a5 tLJc6-d8 'it'c7xb6 'it'b6-c7

Chapter 4

B2 23) 8. ...

�d7-g4

The most popular continuation in this position.

-

White Castles after 3 . . . d6

fight for the advantage. 1 2.�gS iie7 1 3.�xf6 In giving up his dark-squared bishop, White is fighting the whole time to strengthen his control over the light squares. 1 3 �xf6 1 4.exdS 'iWxdS 1 5 .�e4 'iWd6 1 6.tiJbd2 0-0 If 1 6 . . . ilhS , then 1 7 .ttJc4±. Here White has many tempt­ ing continuations, and I chose the most natural: 1 7.'iWc2 hS , Bologan-Wang Hao, Poikovsky 2 0 0 8 . Maybe the Simplest here was 1 8.h3 �xf3 1 9.tiJxf3 ! with a small, but lasting advantage. •••

9 . ...

�g4-h5

9. h2-h3

It is clear that all White's plans are con­ nected in some way with a break against the c4 pawn. In my view, it is useful first to drive the bishop to hS . However, the immediate 9.b3 also promises a small ad­ vantage, for instance: 9 ... cxb3 Black must exchange on b3 , because after 9 . . . bS 1 0 .bxc4 bxc4 1 1 .�a4 he can face great problems. 1 0.axb3 e6 If 1 0 . . . ttJeS , then 1 1 .d4 ttJxf3 + 1 2 .gxf3 �hS 1 3 .ttJd2 e6 14.ttJf1 �e7 ( 1 4 . . . 'ifc7 1 S .c4) 1 S .ttJg3!. White has a powerful centre (five central pawns against three) and this circum­ stance more than compensates for the small defect in his structure, the doubled f-pawns. l 1 .d4 dS During the game, I also looked at 1 1 . . . ile7 , in reply to which I had intended 1 2 .ttJbd2 0-0 1 3 .�b2 (also good are I 3 .h3 ! , and 1 3 .ttJf1 !) 13 ... bS 1 4.c4 bxc4 I S .bxc4 ttJd7 1 6.h3 �hS 1 7 .ila4 (an important move White frees a square for his queen with tempo) 1 7 . . . 'ifc7 1 8 .'iYc2 !. White gets out of the unpleasant pin and thanks to his superiority in the centre, continues to

1 0. b2-b3

White carries out his main idea. A position already examined is reached by transposi­ tion of moves after 1 0.ttJa3 bS . By ex­ changing light-squared bishops with I 0 . . . �xf3 , Black settles for a passive and fairly prospectless pOSition after 1 1 .'iYxf3 ttJeS I 2 .'ife2 'iYc7 1 3 .b3 bS I 4.bxc4 bxc4 I S .f4±. l 1 .b3 cxb3 White's advantage is not in doubt in the variation I I . . . ttJeS 1 2 .g4 cxb3 1 3 .axb3 .ig6 1 4.d4 ttJxf3 + I s .'iVxf3 1:1c8 1 6.c4 e6 1 7 .�d3 bxc4 1 8 .bxc4 �e7 1 9.ttJc2 0-0 20.1:1xa6 'iYc7 2 1..it a 3 ± . 1 2.axb3 eS 1 3.d4 see 8 .ttJa3 . -

1 0. 1 1 . a2xb3

c4xb3 e7-e5

79

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 2. 1 3. d2-d4 14. d4-d5 1 5. tbf3-h4 t

�h5-g6 �f8-e7 tbc6-b8

1 2. g2-g4

White immediately begins the fight for the centre. The unhurried development 1 2 .d3 �e7 1 3 .tbbd2 0-0 allows Black to regroup his forces conveniently and pre­ pare for the forthcoming positional struggle. Then possible is 1 4.g4 �g6 I S .tbc4 l::t e S 1 6 .�e3 hS ! ? 1 7 . tbh4 dS , and Black has sufficient play. For example, I S .tbxg6 fxg6 1 9 .exdS tbxdS 20.gxhS �g S 2 1 . 'ti'g4 �xe3 2 2 . tbxe3 gxhS 2 3 .'ti'e4 (Rodshtein-Vuckovic, Plovdiv 200S) 2 3 . . . tbf4�.

White has achieved a space advantage and has seized the initiative on the kingside. 1 5. 1 6. tbh4-g2 1 7. tbb1 -d2 1 8. h3xg4

tbf6-g8 h7-h5 h5xg4 tbg8-f6

He cannot exchange dark-squared bish­ ops with I S . . . �gS as White replies 1 9 .�a3 and creates pressure against the pawn on d6. After 1 9 . . . bS (otherwise he has to reckon with the move tbc4) 20 .c4 tbf6 2 1 .f4 White's initiative becomes quite unpleasant. 1 9. 20. 21 . 22.

tbg2-e3 c3-c4 �g1 -g2 f2-f3t

'ifd8-c7 tbb8-d7 tbd7-c5

Movsesian-Brkic , Kallithea 2 0 0 S . B224) 8 . ...

tbf6-g4!?

At the present time, this move is consid­ ered strongest. Sergey Movsesian

so

9. b2-b3

Chapter 4

of course, White wants to exchange the pawn on c4 for that on a2 , after which he creates a powerful pawn wall in the cen­ tre and obtains the advantage. Black's de­ ' sire to keep the pawn on c4 is equally un­ derstandable. 9.

...

b7-b5

1 0. tLJb1 -a3

The variation 1 o. bxc4 bxc4 1 1 . ttJa3 ttJceS 1 2 .ttJxeS ttJxeS transposes into the main position, which we will examine further on.

tLJc6-e5

l O . . . tLJgeS is bad because of I l .bxc4 bxc4 1 2 .'ife2 ttJxf3 + 1 3 . gxf3 , and White wins a pawn: 1 3 . . . ttJeS 1 4. ttJxc4 ttJxc4 l S .'ifxc4 e6 1 6.d4 il..e 7 1 7 .'it'd3 0-0 1 8.�f4 ncS 1 9 .c4± Svidler-Ivanchuk, Nanjing 2 0 0 S .

White Castles after 3 . d6 .

2 2 .�xcS

llxcs

2 l .llab 1

..\te6

24.11bS+ l:tcs 2sJ1b 7 t White has notice­

ably outstripped his opponent in devel­ opment, and his initiative is very unpleas­ ant for Black.

1 1 . •d1 -e2

Increasing the pressure against c4 . 1 1 . ..

.

•d8-c7

If 1 1 ..Jlc8 White can begin a decisive at­ tack against the pawn on c4, without fearing a weakening of his king's posi­ tion: 1 2.tLJxeS ! tLJxeS 1 1 .bxc4 bxc4 1 4.f4 'i'b6+ I S .�h l tLJg4 Of course, with the

.

queen on e2 , there is no threat of smoth­ ered mate, but he does need to defend against perpetual check. 1 6.hl tLJf2+ If 1 6 . . . hS ? White, of course, does not take the Trojan Horse but settles for the c4 pawn - 1 7 .ttJxc4 ttJf2+ 1 8 .�h2 nxc4 (Black's queen is attacked, so after 1 8 . . . ttJg4+ the simple 1 9.'iVxg4+- ends the game) 1 9 .'ifxc4 ttJg4+ 2 0 .�h l ttJf2 + 2 1 . �g 1 (the king boldly faces the discovered check, because the knight can­ not do any serious damage) 2 1 . . . ttJxh3 + 2 2 .�h2 ttJf2 (or 2 2 . . . ttJxf4 2 3 .nb l +-) 2 3 .nb l ttJg4+ 24.�h l +- , and White goes over to a decisive attack. 1 7.Wh2 .cS I S.tLJxc4! A very important move; White gets nothing from 1 8 .'iYxc4 'iYxc4 1 9.ttJxc4 nxc4 20.�g3 ttJxh3 2 1 .gxh3 eSoo. l S ...tLJxhl 1 9.dl Black reaches an ending with good drawing chances after 1 9 .9xh3 'iYxc4 20.'iYxc4 nxc4 2 1 .nb l eS 2 2 .nbS+ ncS 2 3 .nxcS + i.xc8 24.d4 �e7 . 1 9 ... tLJf2 2 0.�el tLJg4+ 2 1 . .xg4 �xg4

1 0. ...

-

1 2. b3xc4 1 3. tLJf3xe5 14. f2-f4

b5xc4 tLJg4xe5 .c7-c5+

SI

The Rossolimo Sicilian

The difference from the variation with 1 1 . .. l:tc8 is that here, the black queen de­ fends the pawn on c4 and does not come under attack from the knight. 1 5. 'i¥e2-e3

'i¥c5xe3+

I S . . . ttJd3 deserves consideration, al­ though after 1 6 .'ffx cS dxc5 1 7 .l:tfl �b5 1 8 . l:tb l White's chances are superior. 1 6. l::te 1 xe3

ttJe5-g4

In reply to 1 6 . . . ttJd3 White simply takes a pawn with I 7 . ttJxc4. 1 7. l::te 3-e1

l::ta8-c8

Black has defended the pawn, but it is clear that he will not be able to hold it for long.

On 1 8 ...g6 unpleasant i s 1 9.e5 ! dxe5 h5 2 0 . . . �e6 2 1 .h3 ttJh6 2 2 . l:tb l ;!;. 2 1 .h3 ttJh6 22.lib l ! ; • Black also has definite problems after 1 8 . . . fs 1 9 .exfS �xf5 2 0.ttJc2;!; . •

2 0.fxe5

1 9. l::ta 1 -b1

Black has convenient play in the variation 1 9 .eS ttJd5 20 .exd6 e6. 1 9 . ... 20. �d1 -f3 21 . e4-e5

e7-e6 �f8-e7

Also good is 2 1 .ttJc2 e5 2 2 . .ia3 with a small, but stable initiative. 21 . 22. f4xe5 23. l:[e1 -e4!

d6xe5 tLlf6-d5

1 8. ..tc2-d1 !

Conclusion:

The bishop heads to e2, to attack the c4 pawn, freeing the c2-square for the knight. Black cannot defend the pawn with the bishop from e6, since there follows f4-fS . White has an obvious advantage. 1 8. ...

82

ttJg4-f6

The attempt by Black to cut off the white d-pawn from the mass of its central pawns by means of . . . c5 -c4, unlike in the variation with . . . e6, does not work here at all, since White is able either to take the pawn, or force its exchange on b3 , ob­ taining an advantage in the centre.

Chapter 5

-

Spanish-Type Play: 7 . . . b5

1 . e2-e4 c7-c5 2. ttJg1-f3 ttJb8-c6 3. ii!.f1-b5 d7-d6 4 . 0-0 ii!.c8-d7 5JU1-e1 ttJg8-f6 6.c2-c3 a 7-a6 7. ii!.b5-a4 b7-b5

After 7 . . . eS 8 .d4 bS 9 .�c2 play transposes to the variation 8 . . . eS 9 .d4 considered below. 8. �a4-c2

As distinct from the Spanish, the bishop retreats to c2 at once, and in that way, White obtains compensation for the fact that Black has already played . . . c7 -cS .

A) 8...g6 B) 8...e5 C) 8...�g4

A) On 8...g7-g6 the simplest thing is not to get mixed up with the play after 9.d4, but first to safeguard oneself against . . . .ig4. 9. h2-h3

�f8-g7

White is better after 9 . . . c4 1 0. b3 cxb3 I I .axb3 ..tg7 1 2 .d4;t. 1 0. d2-d4 1 1 . c3xd4 1 2. lLlb1 -c3

c5xd4 0-0 J:ta8-c8

1 3. e4-e5

The attempt to force 1 3 . . . h6 by means of 1 3 .�gS does not lead to anything good, as it runs into the effect counterplay 1 3 . . . h6 1 4 . ..tf4 eS ! I S .dxeS ttJhS 1 6.�e3 83

The Rossolimo Sicilian

tLJxeS 1 7 .tLJxeS �xeS 1 8 . �xh6 (or 1 8 .'ifd2 'ifh4) 1 8 . . .•h4 1 9 .�xf8 .f4 2 0 .�h6 'ifh2 + 2 1 .�fl jLf4 ! -+ , Bartel­ Markos, Prievidza 2009. 1 3. 14. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8. 1 9. 20. 21 . 22.

... �c1 -f4 d4xe5 l:e1 -e2 �f4-g3 a2-a3 l:e2-d2 ttJc3-d5 b2-b4 �c2-e4

ttJf6-e8 d6xe5 ttJe8-c7 ttJc7-e6 ttJe6-c5 �d7-e6 'iVd8-c7 'iVc7-b7 ttJc5-d7

Here we have a classical central fight White plays h2-h3 , d2-d4, whilst Black opposes this simple plan by trying to cre­ ate counterplay on the queenside. For those who have the classical Spanish in their arsenal, subsequent play of both sides is perfectly understandable: those who do not play the Spanish can enlarge their stock of strategic ideas in the opening. 9. h2-h3

This is also a Spanish move - White pre­ pares d2-d4 and prevents the pin �g4, with the aid of which Black can increase the pressure against the d4-square. After 9.d4 cxd4 1 0.cxd4 �g4 1 1 .�e3 1 1 .dS tLJd4 1 2 .tLJbd2 tLJxc2 1 3 .'ifxc2 �e7 with mutual chances. 1 1 . .. �e 7 1 1 . . . l:[c8 ! ? 1 2 .tLJc3 �e7 1 3 .dS tLJaS 1 4.h3 �d7 l S .tLJd2 0-0 1 6 .�d3 � . 1 2.ttJc3 exd4 1 3.�xd4 0-0 1 4.�b3 we can reach a po­ sition from the Spanish with 9 .�e 3 .

White has an indisputable advantage. B)

8. ...

e7-e5

Analysis diagram

So we reach a typical Spanish position. It seems to me that this is the main argu­ ment against those players who regard the Rossolimo as 'offbeat ' . 84

Then practice has seen 1 4 . . . l:[c8 1 S . l:[e3 tLJd7 1 6.tLJdS �gS 1 7 .l:[c3 b4 1 8 .l:[c4 �xf3 1 9 .9xf3 tLJxd4 2 0 . l:[xd4 as 2 1 .f4 �h6 2 2 .'ifg4 :cS 2 3 .tLJe 3 � with an obvious advantage for White, Shirov­ Kamsky, Khanty-Mansiysk 2 0 0 7 . After 9 .h3 Black faces a choice - should he develop his dark-squared bishop to e7 or fianchetto it?

Chapter 5

Of course, on g 7 the bishop will be more active, but does Black have enough time for it, since White is ready to start play in the centre by means of d2-d4? 81) 9...g6 82) 9 ... �e7 BI)

9. ...

g7-g6

This move is fairly new; theory is not fully developed here and the position re­ quires additional study. 1 0. d2-d4

8 1 1 ) 1 0...�g7 81 2) 1 0...cxd4 B I I ) 1 0. ... 1 1 . d4xc5 1 2. a2-a4!

-

Black has already created one weakness on c5 and White wants to create another on b 5 . In addition, after the exchange of rooks on a8 , the black queen will be di­ verted into the corner, and the entry of the white queen on d6 will be more un­ pleasant. 81 1 1 ) 1 2... 0-0 81 1 2) 1 2 ...l::t b8

B I l l ) 1 2 .... 1 3. a4xb5 14. %1a1 xa8 1 5. 'it'd1 -d6

1 5 . ... �f8-g7 d6xc5

Spanish-Type Play : 7 . . . b5

0-0 a6xb5 'it'd8xa8

%U8-c81?

An interesting attempt to create compli­ cations on the queenside. Straightfor­ ward play offers Black fewer chances of saving himself: I 5 . . . c4 1 6 .�g5 �e6 1 7 .ttJxe5 ttJxe5 1 8 .'ti'xe5 ttJd7 1 9 .'ti'd6 1i'a2 2 0 .1i'b4 ne8 2 1 . �f4 j(f8 2 2 . 'ti'xb5 na8 2 3 .�c l with a clear ad­ vantage for White, Vachier-Lagrave­ Markos, Dresden 2 0 0 8 . White already has two extra pawns and Black's initia­ tive should gradually die out. 1 6. t2Jf3xe5 1 7. 'ti'd6xe5

t2Jc6xe5 b5-b4

85

The Rossolimo Sicilian

Black tries to exploit the fact that the op­ ponent's minor pieces on the queenside are still on their original squares, and the pressure down the long black diagonal could become unpleasant. 1 8. i.c1 -g5

A strong move; by developing his bishop, White at the same time drives the enemy knight to the edge of the board. 1 8. 1 9. 'ife5-d5 20. 'ifd5-b3

tDf6-e8 i.d7-c6

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

Even so, plenty of pieces remain on the board, so Black faces a difficult defence. B I I 2) 1 2 ....

J:a8-b8

White keeps an extra pawn, for which the opponent has no particular compensa­ tion. 20. 21 . c3xb4

'ifa8-a1

Even stronger is 2 1 .e5 ! �d7 2 2 .e6 fxe6 2 3 .l:d I 'tWa7 24.�e3 ± . 21 . 22. 'ifb3xb4 23. 'ifb4xb2 24. i.c2-b3!

c5xb4 'ifa1 xb2 i.g7xb2

Tiviakov-Kuzubov, Neustadt 2 0 0 9 . Of course, it is not easy for White to realize his extra pawn, since all the pawns on the queenside have been exchanged. 86

Black immediately strengthens the pawn on b5 , but concedes the a-file to his op­ ponent. At the same time, the pawn on c5 remains vulnerable. 1 3. i.c1 -e3

This move is apparently more accurate than the immediate exchange on b5 , be­ cause for the moment Black still has a weak pawn on a6.

Chapter 5 - Spanish-Type Play : 7 . . . b5

Even so, after 1 3 . axb5 axb5 1 4.�e3 'ife7 I S .ttJbd2 0-0 1 6 .ttJb3 c4 1 7 .�c5 'iVd8 1 8 .ttJbd2 lle8 1 9.b3 ;;t White's chances are superior, Savic-Fercec, Vogosca 2 0 0 7 . 1 3. 14. ttJb1 -d2

'ifd8-e7

It becomes clear that it is very difficult for Black to defend the pawn on c5 . 14. ...

0-0

On 1 4 . . . c4, in order not to allow the knight to come via b3 to c5 , the reply 1 5 . b4! is extremely unpleasant for Black. 1 5. ttJd2-b3 1 6. ttJb3-c5

c5-c4

front of us) the white light-squared bishop is very strong on the a2-g8 diago­ nal. That is where it is now aiming. 1 8. 1 9. 'ifd1 -e2

l:tf8-d8

By strengthening the pressure against the c4 pawn, White forces the exchange on b3. 1 9. 20. �c2xb3

c4xb3 h7-h6

He must defend against ttJg5 . 21 . 'ife2-a2 22. ttJc5xd7 23. �b3-d5±

ttJf6-d7 �c8xd7

Caruana -Tiviakov, Sochi 2009. The black pieces are tied to the defence of the f7 pawn, the fianchettoed bishop on g7 is passive, and the pawn on b5 will be­ come a convenient target for the oppo­ nent. At the same time, practically all of White's pieces are active, and the bishop on d5 is especially strong, controlling half the board. B 1 2) 1 0. ...

c5xd4

Now we see why White left the enemy pawn on a6 - the knight arrives on c5 with tempo. If 1 6 .�c5 'iVd8 (not 16 . . . cxb3? 1 7 .�xe7 bxc2 1 8 .'tVd6+-) 1 7 .ttJbd2 lle8 1 8 .axb5 axb5 1 9 .b3 we reach a position from the game Savic­ Fercec. 1 6 . ... 17. a4xb5 1 8. b2-b3

�d7-c8 a6xb5

Opening new lines for his pieces. It was known a long time ago that in the Spanish (and we have a typical Spanish position in

This exchange is necessary, if Black is to avoid being left with a weak pawn on c5 . The disadvantage of the move is also clear: White obtains the c3-square for his knight. 87

The Rossolimo Sicilian

However, I believe that this move can very well be recommended to Black. As well as everything else, he opens the long diago­ nal for his bishop and in a number of variations, Black can sacrifice a pawn, ob­ taining pressure against the b2 pawn and the whole white queenside, in compensa­ tion. 11.

c3xd4

1 3 ttJd4 In reply to 1 3 . . . ttJaS the simple restriction of the knight by 1 4. b3 ttJhS 1 S . .itd2;!; is unpleasant. 1 4.tLlxd4 exd4 I S.ttJe2 Bad is I S .'ii'x d4? ttJxe4 1 6.'ifxe4 l:te8 + . I S :IeS I S . . . 'ifb6 1 6 .ttJxd4 ttJxdS 1 7 .ttJf3 ;!; . 1 6.tLlxd4 tLlxdS .••

.•.

�f8-g7

After 1 1 . .. exd4 there is the unpleasant 1 2 .�f4 ttJhS 1 3 . .ith2 'ii'b 6 1 4.ttJbd2, and Black has to bother with two weak pawns, on d6 and d4. White will soon win one of these back and obtain a small advantage.

Analysis diagram 1 7.tLlf3 If White takes on dS , Black ex­

changes rooks and regains the piece, ob­ taining a good position. White is also promised little by 1 7 .ttJxbS axbS 1 8 . 'ifxdS on account of 1 8 . . . 'ifc7 1 9 . .itb3 �e6 2 0 .'ifd3 �xb3 2 1 .'ifxb3 'ifc4 ! � with good compensation for the sacrificed pawn, since it is hard for White to complete the development of his queenside. 1 7 tLlb6 I SJ:tb l ! ? Subse­ quently White will transfer his bishop to e3 and d4, obtaining a small advantage. On the other hand, in the event of 1 8 .'ifxd6 ttJc4 1 9 .'ifb4 as 20 .'ifb3 a4 2 I . 'ifb4 a3 Black takes over the initiative. .•.

1 2.

tLlb1 -c3

White quietly continues his development. There is no sense in forcing events, for example: 1 2 .dS ttJb4 1 3 .�b3 as 1 4.a4 0 - 0 I S .ttJc3 bxa4 1 6 . .itxa4 �xa4 1 7 .ttJxa4 'ii'c 7 1 8 .�gS ':fc8�. 1 2.

...

e5xd4

After 1 2 0-0 White should reply 1 3.dS ( 1 3 .dxeS dxeS , Karashuta-Kirillova, Kazan 2 0 0 3 , 1 4 . .ite3 ':c8 I S .'ii'e 2 b4 1 6.ttJa4 ttJd4 1 7 .�xd4 exd4 1 8 .eS ttJhS 1 9 .'ii' d 2 �aS 2 0 .b3 ':fd 8 =i= ; both 1 3 .�gS and 1 3 . .ite3 deserve attention) .•.

88

Chapter 5

1 3. lbc3-d5!?

An idea of the Hungarian grandmaster Berkes. An unclear position results from 1 3 .ttJxd4 0-0 1 4 . .igS ( 1 4.ttJxc6 i.xc6 I S .a3 aS �) 1 4 . . . h6 ( 1 4 . . . l:!e8 I S .ttJdS h6 1 6 . �xf6 �xf6 1 7 .ttJxc6 �xc6 1 8 J:tb l �eS 1 9 .�b3 aS �) l S .ttJxc6 �xc6 1 6 .i.f4 b4°o . 1 3 . ... 14. �c1 -g5

0-0

The pin on the knight is rather unpleasant for Black. Play could continue: 14. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8.

... l:a1 -c1 'iVd1 -d2 i.c2-b3 i.g5-h4

i.d7-e6 l:a8-c8 l:f8-e8 �g8-h8 �h8-g8

It is hard to suggest a sensible plan for Black, and he can do little but mark time.

9. ... 1 0. d2-d4

1 1 . ... 1 2. d4-d5

822) 1 0...'iVc7 823) 1 0...cxd4

0-0

'iVd8-c7

It is also quite good to maintain the ten­ sion in the centre: 1 2 .ttJbd2 cxd4 1 3 .cxd4 ttJb4 1 4. �b l l:!ac8 l S .ttJb3 ttJc2 1 6.�xc2 'iVxc2 1 7 .dxeS dxeS 1 8 .ttJxeS ;!; Kobalia-Gasanov, Sochi 2 0 1 0 . 1 2 . ... 1 3. b2-b3!

lbc6-d8

White has a small advantage, but there is a lot of play ahead. White will seek his chances on the kingside (ttJb l -d2 -fl , g2-g4, ttJfl -g3 -fS etc.) , whilst Black tries to create counterplay on the opposite side of the board. .

'iVd8-c7

�f8-e7

1 1 . d4-d5 1 2. b2-b3 1 3. lbb1 -d2 821 ) 1 0... 0-0

Spanish-Type Play: 7 ... bS

I I .dS ttJaS 1 2 .ttJbd2 'iVc7 1 3 .ttJfI c4 1 4. �h2 ttJb7 I S .g4 ttJcS � .

B22) 1 0. ..

1 9. a2-a3!

B2)

B2 1 ) 1 0. ... 1 1 . i.c1 -e3

-

lbc6-a5 0-0 g7-g6

1 3 . . JUb8 1 4.ttJfI c4 I S .b4 ttJb7 1 6.ttJ3h2 as 1 7 .'iYf3 �f8 1 8.ttJg3 ttJd8 1 9 .ttJfS �xfS 2 0 .exfS 'iYb7 2 1 .l:!d l iLe7 2 2 .g4 h6 2 3 .h4 ttJh7 24.'iYh3 f6 2 S .ttJf3 ;!; Malakhov-Yang Kaiqi, Shenzhan 20 1 0 . 89

The Rossolimo Sicilian

14. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 S. 1 9.

ttJd2-f1 �c1 -e3 ttJf1 -g3 a2-a4 b3-b4 c3xb4!

ttJa5-b7 l:tfS-cS a6-a5 c5-c4 a5xb4

Efimenko-Timofeev, Sochi 20 1 O. White has a classical advantage, thanks to his ex­ tra space, the bad knight on b7 and the outside passed b-pawn. B2 3) 1 0. ... 1 1 . c3xd4

c5xd4 0-0

Here there followed an exchanging combination typical for such positions: 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 S. 1 9. 20. 21 . 22.

In the variation 1 1 . . . exd4 1 2 .tDxd4 tDxd4 1 3 .'iVxd4 0-0 1 4.tDc3 l:tc8 l S .�b3 ;t White has a stable advantage. He controls the square dS and can attack the d6 pawn by �f4, l:tad l etc.

ttJf3xe5! d5-d6 d6xe7 'ii'd 1 -e2 a2-a3 b2-b4 a3xb4 'ii'e 2-b2!

d6xe5 �d7-c6 'ii'dSxe7 l:tcS-bS ttJb4-a6 a5xb4 ttJa6-c7

Karjakin-Timofeev, Khanty-Mansiysk 2009. C)

S. ...

�d7-g4

1 2. ttJb1 -c3

Interesting is 1 2 .�e3 ! ?;t , p reparing d4-dS and not yet declaring the position of his queen's knight (for example, White can later play a2-a4 and in reply to . . . bS -b4 can bring the knight from b 1 via d2, to c4) . 1 2 . ... 1 3. d4-d5 14. �c2-b1

90

:taS-cS ttJc6-b4 a6-a5

C1 ) 9.a4 C2) 9.d3

C 1 ) For a while 9.a2-a411 was popular, but it seems to me there is no need to play into Black's hands unless it leads to con­ crete results, either positional or material.

Chapter S - Spanish-Type Play : 7 . . . bS

9. ...

g7-g61

followed by . . . 'ifb4, Hracek-Spoelman, Germany Bundesliga 2 0 0 8 / 09 . C2)

This is the point, the most accurate reac­ tion - Black simply ignores his oppo­ nent's queenside demonstration. 1 0.

h2-h3

9. ...

cxd4 1 6.eS dxeS 1 7.l:[xeS 0-0 1 8.l:[xbS 'i'a8 1 9.�d2 l:[c8°o Black has superbly placed pieces, and also controls the cen­ tre.

�h6 Black's idea; after 1 0 . . . �g 7 1 1 .h3

i.xf3 1 2. ttJxf3 White has a comfortable advantage, for example: 1 2 . . . 0-0 1 3 .d4 cxd4 1 4.cxd4 dS I S .eS ttJe4 1 6 .ttJh4;!; Chebotarev-Dobrov, Sochi 2006. l 1 .hl �xf3 1 2.ttJxf3 �xc 1 1 1.:xc 1 (Spangen­ berg-Adla, Buenos Aires 1 992) 1 1,..eS 1 4.d4 0-0 I S .'ifd2;!; We have reached a typical position, with a small advantage to White. He can choose the best moment to exchange on cS , or to play d4-dS , or l::r cd 1 and only then determine the posi­ tion in the centre. In addition, White has the more aggressive plan 'ifh6 ! ?, trying to create direct threats against the enemy king.

..

�g4xf3

11.

'ifd 1 xf3

1 2.

a4xb5

1 3. 'iff3-d1

l:[a8-b8 a6xb5 'ifd8-b6

14.

�f8-g 7

1 1 . h2-h3

1 5. �c1 -e3

0-0

1 2.

1 6.

c5xd4

.

.

d2-d3 d3-d4

17. c3xd4 18. d4-d5 1 9. ttJb1 -c3

e7-e6

Here 9,..g6 is not so effective : 1 0.ttJbd2

The alternative is 1 0.axbS axbS 1 1 .l:[xa8 'i'xa8 1 2.tual 'ifb7 1 1.hl Sharp, but in­ sufficient for equality is 1 3 .eS ? ! ttJxeS 14.ltJxbS ( 1 4.d4 cxd4 I S .cxd4 ttJxf3 + 1 6 .gxf3 i.xf3 =F) 1 4 . . . ..ixf3 ! ( 1 4 . . . ltJxf3 + ? l S .gxf3 �e6 1 6 .�a4 �d8 1 7 .d4t or I S . . . i.xf3 ? 1 6 .ttJxd6+ �d7 1 7 .ltJxb7+-) I S .l::txeS dxeS 1 6 .gxf3 �h6+. 1 1,..�xf3 1 4. 'ifxf3 �g7 1 S.d4

10

9 . d2-d3

ltJf6-d7

ltJc6-d4 'if b 6- c5t

1 0.

ttJb1 -d2

�f8-e7 �g4-h5

ttJd2-f1

A typical manoeuvre, which is also often met in the Spanish. White wishes to ex­ change the bishop on hS for one of his knights. 91

The Rossolimo Sicilian

White manages to exchange the bishop for his knight anyway, and obtains a more promising position. 14. ... 1 5. tbh4xg6

d6-d5 h7xg6

C21 ) 1 2 ... 0-0 C22) 1 2 ... d5 C23) 1 2 ...ttJd7

The black bishop ends up in an 'awk­ ward' position after 1 2 . . . ttJeS 1 3 .g4 ttJxf3 + 1 4.�xf3 �g6 I S .�g2 0-0 1 6.f4 h6 1 7 .fS i.h7 1 8 .�f4 t. C2 I ) 1 2. ... 1 3. ttJf1 -g3

0-0 i.h5-g6

No equality results from 1 3 . . . �xf3 1 4.�xf3 b4 (Black tries to create counterplay on the queenside, but with his bishop on e 7 rather than g 7 , this at­ tempt is less effective) I S . �d I (the queen returns to her starting position, in order to support the assault in the centre. Less is promised by I S .�d2 'iVa 5 1 6.cxb4 cxb4 1 7 .ttJe2 dS 1 8 .exdS ttJxdS I 9 .�b3 l:rfd8 with a decent position for Black) I S . . . ttJd7 1 6.d4 bxc3 1 7 .bxc3 cxd4 1 8 .cxd4 l:rc8 1 9 .i.e3 , and White obtains a clear advantage. This is how the game Movsesian-Dreev, Sibenik 2 0 0 9 , continued: 1 9 . . . g6 2 0.i.a4 .igS 2 1 .dS ttJceS 2 2 . �xd7 ttJxd7 2 3 .dxe6 ttJeS 24.�xg S �xg S 2 S .'it'xd6 fxe 6 2 6 .�xe6+ , and White won.

1 6. e4-e5

White closes the centre and seizes space, which allows him to quietly prepare an attack on the king. Sharper play, but also with the better chances for White, results from 1 6 .f4 ! ? d4 1 7 .a3 �c7 1 8 .eS ttJdS 1 9 .c4 bxc4 20.dxc4 ttJb6 2 1..�. d3 �h4 2 2 .�h2 as 2 3 .�g4 �xg 3 + 24.�xg3� Pikula-Agopov, Novi Sad 2 0 0 9 .

14. ttJf3-h4 Karen Asrian

92

Chapter 5 - Spanish-Type Play : 7 . . . b5

1 S. 17. 1 8. 1 9.

... d3-d4 tbg3-e2 a2-a31

tbfS-d7 b5-b4 'ifd8-c7

An important move - the opponent must be forced to exchange on c3 . 1 9 . ... 20. b2xc3

b4xc3

26.fxe3 (there is a threat of a blow either on e6 or g6) 26 . . . l::tc 6 2 7 .l::t fl ttJfB 2 B .h4 with a dangerous initiative for White on the kingside. 24. l:la1 -c1

If 24 . . . �b6 2 S .'iYa4 �aS 26.l::t fl ttJb6 2 7 .'ti'b3 ! ? l::t abB 2 B .'ti'a2 ttJe7 2 9 .l::txcB + l::txcB 3 0 .l::tc l � the weakness o f the a6 pawn could become a significant factor over time. 25. 2S. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31 . 32. 33.

White has two bishops, a space advantage and every chance o f a n attack on the queenside. Play could continue:

tbe2-f4 'ifd1 -g4 l:le1 xc1 l:[c1 xc8 �d3xgS 'ifg4xeS+ tbf4xgS+ 'ifeSxc8 'ifc8xaS±

l:lf8-c8

tbcS-e7 l:[c8xc1 l:la8-c8 tbbSxc8 f7xgS �g8-f8 tbe7xgS 'ifa7-c7

Akopian-Tregubov, Kerner 2 0 0 7 .

e22) 1 2. . . .

20. ...

tbd7-bS

dS-d5

Practice has also seen 20 . . . l::ta cB 2 1 .�d3 'l'a7 2 2 .�e3 cxd4 2 3 . cxd4 �dB (23 ... ttJb6 24.ttJf4 ttJaS 2 S .'ifg4, creating the unpleasant threat of ttJxg6 followed by a blow on e6 or g6) 24.l::tc 1 �b6 25 .'iWa4 ttJcxeS 26.l::tx cB l::txcB 2 7 .'ti'xa6 �a8 2 B . 'iVxa7 l::t x a7 2 9 .dxeS �xe3 30.fxe3 ttJxeS 3 1 .�bS l::tx a3 3 2 . ttJd4± Asrian-Tiviakov, France 2 0 0 7 . 21 . �c2-d3 22. c3xd4 23. �c1 -e3

c5xd4 'ifc7-a7 �e7-d8!

A typical bishop transfer to b6 . After 23 ... ttJa5 White can pursue a frontal at­ tack by 24.ttJf4 ttJc4 2 5 .'ifg4 ttJxe3

Black immediately attacks the enemy cen­ tre and wants if possible to exchange queen after dxe4 dxe4. 1 3. tbf1 -g3 14. ttJf3-h4

�h5-gS d5xe4

93

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 4 . . . 'iYc7 1 5 .exd5 tDxd5 1 6 .tDxg6 hxg6 1 7 .tDe4 .J::[ d 8 1 8 .�d2 0-0 1 9 .'iYf3 .J::[d 7 2 0 .h4 .J::[ fd8 2 1 .h5 gxh5 2 2 .'iYxh5 tDf4+% Svetushkin -Dreev, Moscow 2 0 1 O . 1 5. d3xe4

tLlf6-d7

1 8. 1 9. 20. 21 . 22.

h4-h5 �c1 -f4 �f4-e3 a2-a4;t

h7-h6 �g6-h7 e6-e5 'ifd8-c7

Erenburg-Bykhovsky, Ashdod 2 0 0 6 . C23) 1 2. ...

tLlf6-d7

The idea of this move is, after 1 3 .tDg3 �g6 to prevent White exchanging the bishop with tDh4. 1 3. tLlf1 -g3 1 3 ...�xfl

1 6. tLlh4-f5!

Thanks to this beautiful knight jump, White continues to fight for the advan­ tage. Significantly weaker is 1 6. tDxg6 ? hxg6 1 7 .�e3 g 5 ! =F Predojevic-Sjugirov, Budva 2 0 0 9 . With his last move, Black has as­ sured one of his knights an excellent post on e5 . 1 6 . ...

1 4.'ifxfl

�h5-g6 0-0

I S .�e3

.J::[ c8

1 5 . . . �g5 1 6 . .J::[ ad l or the immediate 1 6.d4; White controls the centre and thanks to this, he retains a small advantage. 1 6.a3 dS?! 1 7.exdS tLldeS 1 8. 'iWhS ! 'ifxdS 1 9.d4

g6

2 0.'ifh6

cxd4

2 1 .�e4±

Ronchetti-Dreev, Reggio Emilia 2 008/09.

0-0

Bad is 1 6 . . . exf5 ? 1 7 .exf5 - White regains the piece and opens the position, after which his bishops stand out in all their glory. 1 7. tLlf5xe 7+

tLlc6xe7

1 7 . . . 'iYxe7 1 8 .f4i. 1 8. h3-h4

White has exchanged his opponent's good bishop and continues to harry its colleague, which is already hemmed in on all sides by its own and the enemy pawns. 94

14. d3-d4

Yes, White is unable to exchange of the g 6 bishop, because his opponent controls the square h4, but seizing the centre is also an important accomplishment. 14. 1 5. tLlf3xd4

c5xd4

Chapter S - Spanish-Type Play: 7 . . bS .

In analogous positions, I usually recap­ ture on d4 with the pawn, but here, the white player, Vladimir Akopian, has an­ other idea in mind. 15 . ... 1 6. c3xd4

ttJc6xd4

1 6. . .

0-0

.

Black could play 1 6 ... 1:I.c8 , in order to pre­ vent the jump ttJfS , but then there is the very strong retort 1 7.f41 ( 1 7 .a4 0-0 1 8 .axbS axbS 1 9 .�d3 �b6 with mutual chances) . There is a threat of f4-fS , so Black practically has to play 1 7 ... �h4 White is better after 1 7 . . . �c7 I S .�d3 .ih4 1 9 . � g4;t . 1 8.1:I.e3 Renewing the threat of f4-fs ; Black is not in danger after 1 8 .�h2 �c7 1 9 .�d3 ttJf6 2 0.�d2 O-O� or 20.fs dS � .

1 8 ..:iYc7 Ingenious, but insufficient for

equality, is I S . . . �xg3 1 9 .1:I.xg3 �hS 20.�xhS �xc2 , and here White returns the queen to the defence, whilst the rook throws itself into the breach: 2 1 .�d l �c7 2 2 . �xg 7 �fS 2 3 .�g3 �gS 24.�xg S + �xgS 2 S .fS ttJf6 2 6 .fxe6±. 1 9.1:I.c3 1 9 .�d3 0-0 2 0 .fs is bad because of 20 . . . �xg3 2 1 .�xg3 dS - the rook on g3 comes under attack - 2 2 .eS exfS 2 3 .�f4 �b6�, and White does not have full compensation for the sacrificed pawn. 1 9 .. :ifb7 2o:ii'd 3 1:I.xc3 If 20 . . . b4 2 1 . �xcS + 'iYxcs White activates his light-squared bishop : 2 2 .�a4 �xg3 2 3 .�xg3 0-0 24.fs exfS 2 S .�xd6 ttJf6 2 6 .exfS �xfs 2 7 .�xb4 ttJdS 2 S .�cS .xcS 2 9 . dxcS �cS 3 0 . �d2 �xcS 3 1 . �f2;t ; thanks to his two bishops and queenside pawn majority, White can play for a win without any risk. 2 1 .bxc3 �xg3 2 2:ii'xg3 �xe4 23:iYxg7 1:1.£8 24.�b3 'ii'c 6 2 5 .�d2 followed by 26.�e 1 and

White has the initiative.

1 7. ttJg3-fS

Analysis diagram

This move has become possible thanks to the fact that White exchanged the f3 knight and now his queen controls the square hS . • Here 1 7 . f4 �h4 I s Jle3 is not danger­ ous, because of the simple reply I S . . . h6, 9S

The Rossolimo Sicilian

and after 1 9 .fs �h7 White must all the time reckon with the break . . . d6-dS , after which his pawn centre collapses; • On 1 7.a4 ! ? Black should reply 1 7 ...bxa4! 1 7 . . . llc8 1 8.axbS axbS 1 9 .�d3 'ifb6 20.�e3 dS (20 . . . �f6 2 I .dS li'd8 2 2.dxe6 fxe6 23 .�xbS �xb2 24.11a7;t) 2 1 .exdS exdS 2 2 .tDfS llfe8 23 .'ifb3 tDf6 24.'ifxb S ! (24.�gS �f8 2 S .':xe8 llxe8 26.�xf6 �xfS 2 7 .�xfS 'ifxf6 2 8.'ifxbS lld8 29.'ifd3 (Fressinet-Babula, Gothen­ burg 2005) 29 . . . hS ! - Black prevents the transfer of the bishop to g4 and f3 , and has every chance of defending his position) 24 . . . 'ifxbS 2 S .tDxe7+ ':xe7 26 .�xbS llb8 2 7 .':aS lleb7 2 8 .11c 1 h6 2 9.11cs±. Also we present, for 'history's sake', a short draw : 1 7 . . . lle8 1 8 .�d3 1/2 - 1/2 , Popovic-Moiseenko, Zlatibor 2006. In the final position, White's chances are some­ what better, and play may develop along the lines of the variation with 1 7 . . . 11c8 . 1 8.ba4 1 8.11xa4? ! tDb6 1 9 .1:ta l d S with mutual chances. 1 8 Jib8 1 9.�e2 'ifb6 1 9 . . . 'ifc7 20.11xa6 llfc8 2 I .i.d3 tDf6 22.':a3 dS 2 3 .11c3 'ifb7�. 20.'iWd3 lUe8 •.

2 1 Jixa6 'iWe7�.

1 7. ..

':a8-c8

.

Full equality is not offered by 1 7 ...ttJb6 1 8.ttJxe 7 + 'iWxe 7 , Ronchetti -Edouard, Sibenik 2 0 0 7 , and here the Simplest for White is to play: 1 9.b3 dS 20.eS he2 2 1 .'iWxe2 The knight on b6 has no pros­ pects, and sooner or later, White will bring his knight to the diagonal a3-f8 . 2 1 ..JUe8 2 2.'iWd3 ':e6 22 . . . 'ifc7 2 3 .�a3;t. 2 3.�d2 ltae8

24.':ae 1

26.he 1

'iWe7

l:1xe 1 27.�a3

2 S .':xe 1 ttJd7

l:[xc 1 +

28.'iWd2;!;

Thanks to his control of the dark squares and his space advantage, White retains the better chances in this ending. 96

1 8. �c2-d3

1 8.

...

ttJd7-b6!

It is a mistake to play 1 8 . . . exfS 1 9.exfS �gS 2 0 .fxg6 hxg6 2 1 ..ixgS 'ifxg S . At first glance, the position looks roughly equal, but after 2 2 .a4 ! it turns out that Black faces great problems, for example: 2 2 . . . tDf6 2 3 . axbS axbS 24.'ifb3± Akopian-Moiseenko, Tripoli 2 004. The idea of Black's last move is that after 1 9. ttJf5xe7+

1 9 .�d2 �f6t. 1 9 . ...

'iWd8xe7

He wants to advance . . . d6-dS and ex­ change as many pieces as pOSSible. The dark squares are the only remaining problem. 20. b2-b3

Chapter 5

All this happened in the game Fressinet-Abergel, France 2 0 0 6 , in which Black went in for the strongest reply: 20. ... 21 . e4-e5

d6-d51?

It may seem that in this closed position, the knight should at the very least be the bishop's equal, but thanks to his space ad­ vantage and the weakness of the enemy dark squares, White has the advantage. 21 . ...

-

Spanish-Type Play: 7 . . . bS

Occupying this important square with the bishop. 26 . 27. 28. 29. 30. 31 . 32. 33. 34.

... 'ifd1 -g4 :e1 -e3 %:te3-f31 'ifg4-f4 e8-d8

If the king runs to the other side, then it will be difficult for Black to complete the development of his kingside: 1 8 . .. �f8 1 9 .ttJxd2 l:[cs 2 0.�c4 ttJxc4 2 0 . . . fs 2 1 . ttJx b 7 l:txc4 2 2 . ttJxc4 tLlxc4 2 3 .l:[ac 1 ± ; 20 . . . bS 2 1..� b 3 fS 2 2 .g3 l:tc3 2 3 .f4 ttJd3 24.l:te3 ! ttJdxf4 (24 . . . tLle7 2 S . l:tae 1 ! ±) 2 S . l:tae 1 l:txe3 2 6 .l:txe3 ttJh3 + 2 7 .�g2 tLlgS 2 8 .ttJb7 f4 29.gxf4 ttJxf4+ 3 0 .�g3 ± . Despite his extra pawn, Black's position is practically de­ fenceless, as he is too far behind in devel­ opment. 2 1 .ttJ2xc4 ':xdS 22.ttJxb � i 1 9. 20. 21 . 22.

ttJf3xd2 ttJd2-e4 ttJe4-g5 �e2-d1

':c8-c2 b7-b6 'it>d8-c7 ':c2xf2

2 2 . . . l:tb2 2 3 .ttJdxfl ttJxfl 24.ttJxfl l:tf8 2 S .d6+ �b8 2 6.tLleS ttJxeS 2 7 .l:txeS l:tbxf2 2 8 .�f3 i . 1 5. c3-c4I?

White needs as many open lines as possi­ ble. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8.

1 02

... c4xd5 �c1 -d2 ttJb5-d6+1

�f8-b4 ttJc6-e5 �b4xd2

23. �g1 xf2 24. �d1 -b3i

'it>c7xd6

Rublevsky-Sveshnikov, Vrnjacka Banja 1 99 9 . I think we can correctly draw the conclusion that the interesting central blow 5 . . . dS turns out to be somewhat premature. Black should first determine the position of the bishop on b S .

Chapter 6 - White Castles after 3 . . e6 .

S . ...

B)

a7-a6

0-0 1 2.:e 1 ttJd6 1 3.ttJxd6 �xd6 1 4.d4 b6

8 1 ) 6.�e2 82) 6.�a4 B1)

Prusikin-Oral, Germany Bundesliga B 200 1 / 0 2 . 9.ttJc4 'iYd8 1 0.a4 �e7 1 1 .d3 1 5 .�d3 (Naiditsch-Rogozenco, Bad Wiessee 1 99 7 ) 1 5 ...cxd4 1 6.ttJxd4 ttJxd4 1 7.�e4 l:ib8 1 8.'iYxd4 'iYc7 � ;

6. �bS-e2

After 7 ... exd5 we reach a position reminiscent of the Tarrasch Variation of the French Defence. •

Here the bishop is quite passively placed, and also blocks the e-file, which makes it easier for Black to clarify the position in the centre. 6. 7. e4xdS

d7-dS

Analysis diagram

7.

ttJe7xdS

The most natural and strongest continua­ tion. Black quickly completes his devel­ opment and obtains fully adequate play. • Probably 7 ... 'iYxd5 is also sufficient for equality, but Black must demonstrate a certain accuracy after this move, since White directs his queen's knight via its standard route c3 -c4, closer to the weak­ ened square b6. A possible continuation is: 8 .ttJa3 ttJf5 8 . . . 'iYd8 9.tLJc4 tLJd5 is in­ consequential at the very least, since Black could have taken with the knight two moves ago and reached the same posi­ tion, but with the white knight on b 1 in­ stead of c4. 1 0 .d4 cxd4 l 1 .tLJxd4 �e7 1 2 .ttJxc6 bxc6 1 3 .�f3 0-0 1 4.'ti'e2 'ti'c7 1 S.�eS lla7 1 6 .�d2 c5 1 7 . llad 1 ;t

One might say that Black's infantry have become cut off from his tanks - his pawns are posted quite aggressively, whilst his piece development is rather lacking. By ex­ ploiting this dissonance, White breaks up the enemy pawn formation and obtains the advantage: 8.d4 c4 9.b3 cxb3 He must capture, since nothing good comes from 9 . . . bS 1 0 .lle 1 g6 l 1 .a4 llb8 1 2 .axbS axbS 1 3 .�f4± . 1 0.axb3 g6 1 1 .b4! A typi­ cal device: White threatens b4-bS , opens a path for his queen to come to a4, whilst the knight on b 1 can now come via d2 and b3 , to the square cS . 1 1 ...�f5 1 2.'iYa4 l:ia7 1 3.�f4;!; Delgado. 8. d2-d4 9. ttJf3xd4

cSxd4 �f8-d6

If Black does not wish to allow his pawn structure to be spoilt, he can very well play 9 . . . �d7 1 0 .c4 tLJf6 l L�e3 'ti'c7 with a good game. 1 03

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 0.

ttJd4xcS

b7xcS

White's hopes can only rest on his oppo­ nent's queenside pawn weaknesses, but thanks to a correct piece set-up, Black

1 S.

b2-b3

i.dS-e5

1 7.

i.c1 -b2

i.e5xb2

1 8.

'ifc2xb2

cS-c5+t

Black controls the d-file and has created

a

good outpost on d4 , whilst the weakness

equalizes. 11.

ttJb1 -d2

1 2.

92-93

I Ht h l

0-0

I S .tLlgS

h6

of the pawn on cS is not felt at all.

'ifd8-c7

B2)

1 3 .tLle4 �e 7 1 6 . tLlh3

Domont-

1 3.

�e2-f3

B21 ) S ...d5 B22) S ...c4 B23) S ... b5

0-0

...

i.b5-a4

1 4.f4 ? ! fs

�f6+

Kogan , France 2 0 0 6 . 1 2.

S.

B2 1 ) With the inclusion of the moves S . . . a6 6 .�a4 the central blow S ... d7-d5?1 is quite bad for Black, as now in the varia­ tion 7 . exdS 'ilfxdS White can simply play 8 .d4, and after 8 . . . cxd4 his light-squared bishop is not hanging, as it has already gone from bS to a4. Even so, we will take all of Black's possibilities in their turn.

1 3.

...

7.

e4xd5

7.

...

.l:[f8-d81

Ivanchuk's move, which probably de­ serves the exclamation mark. However, other good moves are 1 3 . . . as or 1 3 . . . eS 1 4.c4 tLlf6 1 7 . �b2

I S . 'ifc2

�d4

.l:i.b8

1 8 . �xd4

1 6 .b3 exd4

�cS 1 9 .cS

.J:[d8 � Svidler-Radjabov, Morelia 2 0 0 6 . 1 4.

c3-c4

1 4.'ife2 as 1 S . tLle4 �eS

1 6 . .J:[e 1 �a6

1 7 .c4 �d4 1 8 . tLlgS 'ifa7

1 9 . �g2 h6

2 0 . 'ii' c 2

hxg S

2 1 . cxdS

g4

2 2 .�xg4

cxd S + Bruzon-Ivanchuk, Havana 2 0 0 7 . 1 4.

...

ttJd5-fS

1 5.

'ifd 1 -c2

�c8-b7

1 04

• 7

..•

'ifd8xd5

ttJxd5 is hardly good, in view of the

capture 8.i.xc6 + (also quite good is 8 .c4 tLlf6 9 . d4 �e 7 bxc6

1 2 .tLlc3

1 0 . dxcS 0 - 0 �xcS

1 1 .�xc6

1 3 .�f4� , whilst

8 . tLleS 'ilfc7 9 . tLlxc6 bxc6 1 0 .tLla3 �d6 I l .h3 tLlb6 1 2 .�c2 0 - 0 l 3 .d3 fS ex> leads

Chapter 6 - White Castles after 3 . . . e6

to a fairly sharp position with mutual chances) 8 bxc6 9.d3 , and Black has a very bad pawn structure; • 7 ...exd5 8.d4 c4 9.rle l h6 9 . . . �g4 1 0.h3 �hS l 1 .g4 �g6 1 2 . ttJeS and Black has a bad position; he is tied hand and foot with his king stuck in the centre. •••

10 . .ixc6+ bxc6 1 1 .b3 cxb3 1 2.axb3 �e6 1 1.tLle5 �6 1 4.ttJd2 g6 1 5.�a3 �g7 16.'ife2 'iWb 7 1 7.ttJxf7 1 - 0 , Adams­ Hennigan, England 200 1 / 0 2 .

8 . d2-d4

c5xd4

8 . . . ttJg6 9 .�e3 'ii'h S I O.dxcS �d7 1 1 .b4± Adams-Sarthou, Moscow 200 I ; • 8,..ttJB ? 9 .l:e l �e7 (Vujacic-Nyback, Belgrade 2002) l O.c4! 'iWxc4 1 0 . . . 'ii' d 6 1 1 .dS bS 1 2 .cxbS axbS I 3 .�xbS exdS 14 . .if4+- . 1 1 .ttJe5 'iWdS 1 1 . . . 'ii' xd4 1 3 J:txd l �d7 'ii' x d l 1 2 .tDxc6 14.l::tx d7 ± . 1 2.ttJc3 'iWd6 1 3.dS ! b5 13 . . . exdS 1 4. ttJxc6 bxc6 l s . �f4+- . •

White has a large advantage in develop­ ment and is ready at the first opportune moment to open the game by means of d4-dS . Play might continue: 11. 1 2. 1 3. 14. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8. 1 9. 20. 21 .

... rlf1 -e1 ttJf3-e5 �c1 -f4 'iWd1 xb3 ttJe5-c41 ttJc4-d6+ ttJc3-e4 ttJe4-c5+ �f4-g5+ 'iWb3-g3+

�c8-b7 ttJc6-a5 'iWd7-c7 ttJa5xb3 'iWc7-b6 'iWb6-c6 �e8-d7 ttJe7-d5 �d7-e7 �e7xd6

1 -0 , Glek-Mikhaletz, Budapest 1 9 9 8 . B 2 2 ) 6 . ...

c5-c4

14.tLlxc6 bxa4 1 S .'iWxa4± ;

8 . . . bS? 9 . c4! 'ii' d 6 1 0 .cxbS ttJxd4 1 1 .ttJc3 �d7 1 2 .b6 �xa4 1 3 .'ii'x a4+ 'i'c6 1 4.ttJxd4 'ii' xa4 I S .ttJxa4 cxd4 1 6.�f4 ttJc6 1 7 .b 7 l::td 8 1 8 .11ac 1 eS 1 9.1::txc6 exf4 20.11c8 �d6 2 1 .11e l + 1 -0 , Pavasovic-Ljubicic, Zadar 2006. •

9. c3xd4 1 0. ttJb1 :'c3 1 1 . �a4-b3

b7-b5 'iWd5-d7

This idea is already known to us - Black wants to prevent his opponent seizing the centre with d2-d4. 7. �a4-c2

Also the standard reaction: White is ready to attack the c4 pawn by means of b2-b3 , ttJa3 , 'ii' e 2 etc. , but first he must retreat his bishop into safety. However, one recent game showed that White can also proceed more direcdy, playing simply and straight­ forwardly to exploit his lead in develop1 05

The Rossolimo Sicilian

ment, which also promises him the better chances: 7 .d4 cxd3 8 .�f4! ? tLlg6 9 .�g3 bS 1 0 . .1tb3 tLlaS 1 1 .•xd3 tLlxb3 1 2.axb3 �b7 1 3 .c4! (fIxing the backward d-pawn) 1 3 . . . �e7 1 4.tLlc3 b4 1 S .tLla4 0-0 1 6. llfd 1 �c6 1 7 .tLld4 �xa4 1 8 .llxa4! Bartel­ Krasenkow, Warsaw 20 1 O . 7. 8. b2-b3

ttJe7-g6 b7-b5

Black defends the c4 pawn and wants to await the advance d2-d4, so as to take en passant. In the event of 8 . . . cxb3 9.axb3 dS 1 0.d4 dxe4 1 1 . �xe4 White has the superiority in the centre, which ensures him good play, for instance: 1 1 . . . .1td6 1 2 .c4 0 - 0 1 3 . tLlc3 �d7 1 4 . .1tb2 ! Dzhumaev-Sammalvuo, Bratislava 1 9 9 3 . 9. 'iVd1 -e2

In addition, the c4 pawn remains a conve­ nient target for the white pieces. 1 2 ... 'iVa5 1 3 .�xeS 'iV xeS 1 4. 'iVe 3 White takes play into an ending, in which Black will fInd it diffIcult to defend the c4 pawn. 1 4 ... 'iVxe3 1 S.dxe3 ttJg6 1 6.ttJa3 as Black wants to exchange the pawn for a pin. But the pin is only temporary, whereas the pawn, although doubled, and not very strong, remains. However, the pawn can hardly be saved, as White is better after both 1 6 . . . dS 1 7 .exdS exdS 1 8 .e4 �e6 1 9 .�a4± , and 1 6 . . . tLlaS 1 7 .tLld2 dS 1 8 .exdS exdS 1 9 .e4± . 1 7.ttJxe4 �a6 1 8.ttJb6 :b8 1 9JUb l r:Ji;e7 20.ttJd4 ttJge5 2 1 .f4

ttJe4

2 2.ttJxe4 �xe4

2 3.�f2±

Rublevsky-Elianov, Sochi 2 0 0 5 . 1 0. b3xc4 1 1 . 'iVe2-e3

ttJg6-f4 b5xc4

By tactical means, Black manages to save the weak pawn. However, Kasparov prob­ ably underestimated the difficulties of his position, after the opponent's simple re­ ply. 1 2. �c1 -a3 1 3. i.a3xe7 14. ttJb1 -a3

9. ...

�f8-e7 ttJc6xe7

'iVd8-c7

9 . . . cxb3 1 0 .axb3 .i.e7 1 1 . d4! Saldano Dayer-Lazarev, Albacete 200 1 ; • Weaker is 9 ... �eS ? ! 1 0.bxe4 ttJf4 Black's 'point' , but this nice little trick does not change the assessment of the position. 1 1 .'iVe l ! bxe4 1 2.�a3 A typical, and highly unpleasant for Black, ex­ change of bishops, which later will allow White to exploit the dark-square weak­ nesses in his opponent's camp. •

1 06

The weakness of the dark squares should sooner or later have its say, and in addition, the pawn on c4 ties up the black pieces.

Chapter 6 - White Castles after 3 . . . e6

14. 1 5. l:[a1 -b1 1

0-0

White has not only tied his opponent down to the defence of c4, but has also seized control of the b-file. Weaker is 1 5 JHe l because of 1 5 . . . f5 , and Black ob­ tains counterplay on the queenside.

20. �c2xgSI

The correct decision: White wishes to keep a good knight against a bad bishop, and in addition, now he frees the c2 square for his knight, with tempo. 20. 21 . ttJa3-c2 22. ttJc2-e3 15 . ... 1 S. 'iWe3-bS

f7-f5

A very important move - the queen on c7 was the only real defender of the c4 pawn, and after its exchange, Black is forced to make further positional conces­ sions, in order to maintain material equality. 1S . 17. 18. 19.

... l:rb1 xbS i.c2xe4 �e4-c2

'iWc7xbS f5xe4 d7-d5

So, Black has saved the pawn, but at a high cost. He has been forced to place his cen­ tral pawns on light squares. With a bishop still on c8 , and dark-squared bishops ex­ changed off, such a structure is not going to allow Black any activity. At the very least, White will have convenient out­ posts on the squares e5 and d4. 1 9. ...

ttJe7-gS

ttJf4xgS eS-e5 �c8-f5

If 2 2 . . . nd8 2 3 . nfb 1 na7 24.nc6 one can only feel pity for Black. 23. ttJe3xf5

The greedy 2 3 . ttJxd5 fails to 2 3 . . . �e4 24.ttJe3 Jtxf3 2 5 .gxf3 nf4! , and the worst is behind Black. 23. 24. 25. 2S. 27. 28. 29. 30.

l:[f1 -b1 l:[bSxaS ttJf3-d4 ttJd4-e6 ttJeSxf8 ttJf8xgS �g1 -f2;!;

:f8xf5 :a8-f8 e5-e4 l:[f5xf2 l:rf2-fS l:[fSxaS h7xgS

Rublevsky-Kasparov, Izmir 2 004. Sergey Rublevsky convincingly demonstrated the pluses of the white position, and eventu­ ally won the game. B2 3 ) S. 7. �a4-c2

b7-b5

1 07

The Rossolimo Sicilian

l 1 .d3 �b7 1 2 .ttJc3 ttJec6 1 3 .�f4 �e7 1 4.ttJxd4 ttJxd4 I S .'ii'g 4 g6;::t Degraeve­ Vaisser, Marseilles 200 1 ) l 1 .d3 ttJxf3 + 1 2 .'ti'xf3 ttJg6 1 3 .'ii' g 3 'ti'd4 1 4.ttJc3 'ii'x eS I S .�xg6 'ti'xg3 1 6 .�xf7 + l:txfl 1 7 .hxg3 l:r.d7 1 8 .l:r.d l itb7 � Rublevsky­ Shirov, Moscow blitz 2 0 0 7 . 9 ... �b7 , and we transpose to a position which is ex­ amined below in the variation 7 . . . �b7 . A popular opening tabiya. Black most of­ ten plays 7 . . . �b7 here, and this continua­ tion is examined in the next, seventh chapter. But the move 7. ...

d7-d5

is also seen frequently, and seems per­ fectly logical - Black immediately starts a battle for the centre. By contrast, 7 ... tDg6?! is rather toothless, because this move White to occupy the centre free of charge: 8.d4 cxd4 8 . . . d6 9 .a4 �b7 1 0 .'ti'e2 'ti'b6 1 1..�> e3 �e7 1 2 .b4� Eggenberger-Krnic, Arosa 1 9 7 2 . 9 .cxd4 d 5 1 0.exd5 exd5 (Ashton­ Peurton, Dieppe 2009) I I .a4 b4 1 2.l1e l + iLe7 I l.�el 0-0 1 4.tDbd2! . It is not easy for Black to meet the pressure down the c-file, in conjunction with the attack along the fl -a6 diagonal. 8. a2-a411

Putting pressure on the bS pawn. Also possible is 8.eS d4 9.'iVe2 9.�e4 l:r.b8 (9 . . . d3 ? ! 1 0 .b3 l:r.a7 l 1 .l:r.e l lld7 1 2 .c4 b4 1 3 J1e3 g6 1 4.'ti'fl �g 7 1 S .�b2± H. Olafsson-Jonasson, Gardabaer 1 99 6) 1 0 .d3 h6 1 1 .ttJbd2 .tb7 1 2 .ttJb3 ttJg6 1 3 . cxd4 cxd4 1 4. �xc6+ �xc6 1 S . ttJbxd4 �b7 1 6 .ite3 �e 7 � Malakhov-Karasev, St. Petersburg 1 994; 9.cxd4 ttJxd4 1 0 . �e4 l:r.a7 ( 1 0 ... l:r.b8 1 08

8. ...

b5-b4

Practically forced. Black ends up with a highly unpleasant position after 8 . . . l:tb8 9.axbS axbS 1 0 .d4 cxd4 l 1 .cxd4 ttJb4 1 2 .�f4 l:tb7 1 3 .ttJc3 ± Czebe-B�gonyai, Zalakaros 2 0 0 3 . 9 . d2-d4

A line still untried is 9J:te l !? d4 9 . . . �b7 1 0.d4 bxc3 ( 1 0 . . . cxd4 1 1 .cxd4 dxe4 1 2.he4 ttJdS 1 3 .�gSt) l 1 .bxc3 cxd4 1 2.�3�. An interesting idea - by sacrific­ ing a pawn, White prevents his opponent completing his development normally. 1 0.cxd4 cxd4 I I .dl As a result of the pawn clash in the centre, White has obtained an excellent square on c4 for his knight. 1 1 . .ttJg6 1 2.ttJbd2 �e7 I l.tDc4 0-0 1 4.aS .

�b7 1 5.�d2 White has a small advantage,

because the pawns on b4 and d4 are poten­ tial weaknesses in Black's camp.

Chapter 6 - White Castles after 3 . . . e6

9. ...

c5xd4

. 9 . . . b3 1 0 .ii.xb3 dxe4 l 1 .tDgS cxd4 1 2 .ttJd2 Not counting pawns, White plays for a lead in development. 1 2 . . . dxc3 1 3 .ttJdxe4 'iVxd l 1 4.llxd l tDfS I S .aS ! ;!; ; • 9 . . . bxc3 1 0.tDxc3 tDxd4 l 1 .exdS tDxc2 1 2.'ir'xc2 tDxdSoo deserves attention. 1 0. c3xd4

d5xe4

The alternative is 1 0 . . . b3 1 1 ..id3 tDb4 1 2 .�xb3 tDxd3 1 3 .'iVxd3 dxe4 1 4.'iVxe4 1!fdS I S . tDc3 'iVxe4 1 6 . tDxe4 tDfS 1 7 . .id2 .ib7 1 8 .llfe l ;!;. A pawn is a pawn, and although Black has some com­ pensation, it is not enough for equality, Antal-Kuljasevic, Lubbock 20 1 0. 1 1 . �c2xe4 1 2. ttJb1 -d2 1 3. ttJd2-b3

ttJe7-d5 �f8-e7 �c8-b7

Weaker 1 3 . . . 'iVd6 ? ! 1 4.'iVc2 h6 I S . .if4!± Wohl-Xie, Brisbane 2 0 0 5 . 14. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8.

ttJb3-c5 d4xc5 �e4-c2 lU1 xd1 �c1 -f4!

The two bishops and passed pawn on cS guarantee White a lasting advantage in the ending. Admittedly, it will not be so easy to break down the opponent's defences, since the black knights have good, safe outposts on c6 and dS.

�e7xc5 ttJd5-f6 'ii'd8xd1 0-0

Conclusion:

The black plan involving the develop­ ment of the knight to e7 and the subse­ quent attack on the light-squared bishop by means of . . . a7 -a6 , is in full accordance with the requirements of the position, although it is a trifle slow. In reply, White can choose a set-up sim­ ilar to a Spanish: to play c2 -c3 , retreat the bishop to c2 , and take the centre by d2 -d4. After this, Black will have some problems with the awkward knight on e7 - on g 6 , it will be passively placed, whilst the advance . . . d7 -dS requires further preparation. As a rule, Black cannot manage without the move . . .i.c8-b7 , and this principal theoretical continuation is the subj ect of the next chapter.

1 09

Chapter 7

-

Black Develops Fi rst: 7 . . . ilb7

1 .e2 -e4 c7-c5 2 . ttJg 1 -f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�f 1 -b5 e7-e6 4 . 0 - 0 ttJg8-e7 S.c2-c3 a7- a6 6 .�b5 - a4 b7-b5 7.� a4 -c2 �c8-b7

Black makes a useful developing move, for the moment not clarifying the position in the centre. Most likely, he will play . . . d7 -dS , but he can also begin with . . . cS -c4, in or­ der to prevent his opponent setting up the central pawn duo d4-e4. White also has a wide choice of possibilities. Black is fine after I I . tDa3 tDceS I 2 . tDxeS tDxeS , Szczepkowska-Heberla, Polanica Zdroj 2008.

A) 8J:te1 B) 8.a4 C) 8.'iYe2

1 1 . ...

�f8-e7

A) 8. l::tf 1 -e1 is not very effective, as it allows: 8. ... 9. b2-b3

c5-c4

A position with mutual chances results from 9.d4 cxd3 I 0.�xd3 ( I 0 . 'iYxd3 tDg6 I I .tDbd2 �e7 1 2 .tDb3 O-O�) I O ... tDg6 1 1 .�e3 tDceS 1 2 .tDxeS tDxeS 1 3 .�f1 ( I 3 .�d4 �d6 ! ?) 1 3 . . . �e7 1 4.a4 o-o�. 9 . ... 1 0. b3xc4 1 1 . �c1 -a3

tLJe7-g6 b5xc4

1 2. �a3xe7

1 2 . 'iYe2 :c8 ( I 2 . . . dS ? 1 3 .exdS 'iVxdS 1 4 . .txe 7 �xe7 I S . 'iYe3 ±) 1 3 .'iYxc4 III

The Rossolimo Sicilian

tbce5 1 4.'ife2 tbxf3 + 1 5 .'ifxf3 f5 with good counterplay for Black. 1 2. 1 3. 14. 1 5.

... e4-e5 �c2xg6+ d2-d4

'ifd8xe7 f7-f6 h7xg6

Keitlinghaus-Bologan. Germany 1 997/98. 15 . 1 6. 1 7. 1 8.

... 'ifd1 xd3 tLJf3xe5 'ifd3xg6+

c4xd3 tLJc6xe5 f6xe5 'i¥e7-f7=

White will win a pawn. but Black will have excellent compensation for it. since his bishops are very strong and the c3 pawn weak. B) Interesting is 8.a2-a4!1. preparing the knight move to a3 .

8. ...

tLJe7-g6

8 . . . d5 9 . exd5 tbxd5 1 0 .d4 !#..e 7 l 1 .axb5 axb5 1 2 .:xa8 �xa8 1 3 .dxc5 �xc5 1 4.tbbd2 0-0 1 5 .tbe4;!; Kiewra­ Martirosov. United States 2 0 0 9 ; • 8 ...b 4 9.l:e l Premature i s 9 .d4 bxc3 1 0. tbxc3 cxd4 I I .tbxd4 tbxd4 1 2 .'ifxd4 tbc6 1 3 .'ife3 tbb4 1 4.�b l 'ifc7 1 5 .�d2 !#..c 5 and Black is fine. Radovanovic­ Cherniaev. Uxbridge 2009 : •

1 12

Analysis diagram

A) 9 . . . g6 1 0 .d4 bxc3 I l .dxc5 ! ttJc8 1 2 . tbxc3 �xc5 1 3 .e5± White's last move underlines the weakness of the dark squares in all the enemy defensive lines; B) After 9 . . . c4 Black has neither the strength nor the time to maintain his queenside pawn set-up: 1 0 .'ife2 b3 1 1..�. d l tba5 1 2 .d3 cxd3 1 3 .'ifxd3 ttJg6 1 4.tbbd2 'ifb6 1 5 .tbc4 tbxc4 1 6 .'ii'xc4 !#..c 5 1 7 .�e3 ! . An instructive example of exchanges - by removing two active black pieces on the queenside. White en­ sures the fall of the pawn on b3 1 7 . . . .txe3 1 8 . :xe3 and White is clearly better; C) 9 ... tLJ g6 1 0.d4 cxd4 1 0 . . . bxc3 1 1 .dS ( l l .bxc3 cxd4 1 2 .cxd4 tbb4 1 3 .�b3 dS 1 4.e5 a5 1 5 .tbc3 i.. e 7 1 6 . g 3 .ta6 1 7 .tbb5 0-0 1 8 .h4;!; Yudasin-Majorovas. Saratov 1 9 8 1 ) 1 1 . . . cxb2 1 2 .�xb2 tbb4 1 3 .�b3 �e 7 1 4.�xg7 :g8 1 5 .�h6 .if6 1 6. :a3 tbe5 . and Black is at least equal . Kashtanov-Zinchenko. St. Petersburg 2 0 0 9 . l 1 .cxd4 �e7 1 2.tLJbd2 0-0 1 3.b3 l:c8 1 4. .i.b2 tLJ aS I S.g3! followed by h4. exploiting the unfortunate position of the knight on g6 . 9. tLJb1 -a3 • •

9.axb5 axb5 1 0.llxa8 i.xa 8 ; 9.:e l :c8 - 8 . :e l ;

Chapter 7

9.d4 cxd4 1 0 .tDxd4 b4 I I .tDxc6 �xc6 1 2..�e3 !JLe7 1 3 .cxb4 0-0 1 4.tDc3 �xb4 l S .f4 with the initiative.

•

White retains the better chances after 9 . iYb6 1 0 .d4 cxd4 1 1 . cxd4 tDb4 1 2 .�b l �d6 1 3 .axbS axbS 1 4.h4 ! ?

Black Develops First: 7 . . . ..tb7

Now that Black has had to put his knight on the edge of the board, this simple de­ veloping move is fully appropriate. 1 0. ... 1 1 . �c2xd3 1 2. b3-b4

b5-b4

9. ...

-

c4xd3 ttJe7-g6

. .

1 O. ttJa3-c4

White fixes the pawn on bS . and will then begin to attack it. 1 2 . ... 1 3. a2-a4

ttJa5-c6 ttJc6-e5

1 3 . . . bxa4 1 4. l::l x a4 as I S .bS tDceS 1 6. tDxeS tDxeS 1 7 .�f4 tDg6 1 8 .�g 3 � Uorens-Arancibia, Santiago 2 0 0 S .

10. 11. 12. 1 3. 14.

... e4xd5 ttJc4-e3 ttJe3-f5 ttJf5xe7+

14 . . . lLJgxe 7 1 7 .i.f4�.

I S J:le 1

1 5. d2-d4 16. l:lf1 -e1

14. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8. 1 9. 20. 21 .

d7-d5 e6xd5 i.f8-e7 0-0 'i!t'd8xe7

l::l e 8

1 6 . d4 c4

c5-c4 'i!t'e7-d7

C2)

ttJf3xe5 i.d3-c2 ttJb1 -a3 a4xb5 �c1 -e3 i.e3-a7 i.a7-d4 f2-f3±

8 . ... 9. d2-d4 1 0. c3xd4

ttJg6xe5 �b7-c6 'ifd8-h4 a6xb5 l:a8-b8 J:lb8-b7 'i!t'h4-f4

ttJe7-g6 c5xd4 :a8-c8

with a solid position for Black. C)

8. 'i!t'd1 -e2! C1 ) 8...c4 C2) 8...ttJg6 C3) 8...d5

C 1 ) In reply to 8...c4 White reacts in the standard way: 9.b3 ttJa5 1 0.d4

Black tries to provoke his opponent into sharp moves such as 1 1 .dS , or 1 1 .eS . 1 13

The Rossolimo Sicilian

White confidently beats off the attack on his centre after 1 0 . . . ttJh4 ! ? I I .ttJbd2 !lc8 1 2 .�b l 'iWf6 1 3 .ttJxh4 �xh4 1 4.ttJf3 'iWhS I S . �f4 gS ( 1 S . . . �e 7 1 6 .dS t) 1 6 .�e3 �g 7 1 7 .11d l ! with the advan­ tage. 1 1 . ttJ b 1 -c3

A logical move. White simply contin­ ues to develop his pieces. If I I .a3 �e 7 •

1 2.ttJc3 0-0 1 3 .11d l

ttJaS

1 4.g3 ttJc4

1 6 .�b3 ttJc4 1 7 .�xc4 llxc4 1 8 .hS ttJh8 1 9 .dS d6�.

I S .h4

ttJxa3

16 ... 11xc 3

1 6 .bxa3

1 7.hS

'iYc7

1 8.�d3

ttJh8

1 9.�b2 �b3 (Carlsen-Radjabov, Linares

2009) 20.h6 gxh6 2 1 .11dc 1 'iYd6 White does not have full compensation for the two sacrificed pawns; • An equal position results from 1 1 . 11d 1 �e 7 1 2 .a4 ttJb4 1 3 .�b3 bxa4 1 4. �xa4 0-0 I S .ttJc3 dS 1 6.eS �b6 1 7 .�gS �xgS 1 8 .ttJxg S h6 1 9 .ttJf3 llc 7 = Potkin-Sveshnikov, Elista 200 1 . 1 1 . ...

�f8-e7

Teimour Radjabov

I have already drawn your attention to the fact that with the knight on g6, White also wants to play h4-hS . Unfortunately, the immediate h2-h4 is impossible be­ cause of the loss of a pawn, but White can prepare this move. The line 1 2 . 11d l 'iYc7 1 3 .a3 0-0 1 4.h4 �xh4 I S .ttJxh4 ttJxh4 1 6. �hS 4Jg6 1 7 .i.e3 ttJaS 1 8 .eS d6� Wang Hao­ Kryvoruchko, Yerevan 2 0 0 6 , looks rather slow. Black can beat off his opponent's threats and retain his extra pawn. 1 2 . ...

1 2. 92-93!

A difficult kind of move to 'persuade' one's hand to make. I can promise you that White will not be mated along the long diagonal. Without any loss of time, he begins an attack on the kingside. 1 14

0-0

If 1 2 ... 'iYc7 White should first of all bring his queen's rook to c 1 , so that his bishop will not be hanging on c2 , and then it will be possible to continue the attack on the kingside : 1 3.�e3 0-0 1 4.l:tac l llfe8 I S.h4 The move g2-g3 turns out to be very useful: White not only prepares the advance h2-h4, but also deprives the en­ emy knight of the square f4. I S . ..h6 1 6.l:tfd 1 ttJaS 1 7.hS ttJrs 1 8.�d3 ttJc4 1 9.�f4;!;

Chapter 7

-

Black Develops First: 7 . . . �b7

1 8. ... 1 9. ttJf3-g5;!;

e6xf5

1 3. h2-h4 In my view, Sergey Rublevsky wrongly re­ frained from White's main idea, by choos­ ing 1 3.l:td1 ttJaS 1 4.�d3 B l S.dS 'ife8 1 6.exB 1 6 .dxe6 dxe6 1 7 .exfS exfS 1 8.ttJd4 f4 1 9.'iVe6+ :f7� . 1 6 exB .•.

1 7.ttJd4 �cS 1 8.ttJxB 'ifxe2 1 9.ttJxe2 ttJeS ,

Rublevsky-Nijboer, Turin 2006. Black has excellent compensation for the sacrificed pawn and his position is preferable. 1 3 . ...

h7-h5

After 1 3 . . . eS 1 4 . .te3 t White supports the centre, and at the same time, he ob­ tains the excellent square dS for his knight; in case of 1 3 . . . b4 1 4.ttJa4 'iVaS 1 S.�e3 d6 1 6.dSt, the entry of the knight or bishop on b6 could prove very unpleasant for Black.

White threatens to take on hS and start a direct attack on the kingside. C3)

8. ... 9. e4-e5

d7-d5

Now White wishes to play d2-d4 and ob­ tain a French structure. In this case, his light-squared bishop will be very well placed. The alternative is 9.a4 b4 1 0.d4 cxd4 1 1 .cxd4 b3 Here the move b3 gains in strength, since his bishop is already on the long diagonal. 1 2.it.xb3 1 2 . .td3 ttJb4 1 3 .eS ttJec6 1 4.�d2 'iVb6 l S .�xb4 'iVxb4� . 1 2 ... dxe4 1 3 .'ifxe4 ttJaS 1 4.'ifd3 ttJdS l S .�d2 ttJxb3 1 6.'ifxb3 l:[b8 1 7 .ttJeS �d6 1 8:.h3 0-0= Senff­

14. a2-a3

Loxine, Germany Bundesliga 2 0 0 8 /09.

A useful prophylactic move. 14. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8.

... �c1 -e3 a3xb4 �c2-b1 e4xf5

'ifd8-c7 b5-b4 ttJc6xb4 f7-f5

White is not afraid to open the long diag­ onal, since he has sufficient resources to oppose the queen and bishop battery. I IS

The Rossolimo Sicilian

C31 ) 9 .'iVb6 C32) 9 . .d4 ..

.

C3 1 ) It is not so important for Black to put a pawn on d4 himself to prevent his opponent from doing so. For example, af­ ter 9 . ... 1 0. llf1 -d1

'iVd8-b6

ideal position. If 1 4 . . . ttJd5 , then 1 5 .d3;t followed by ttJd2-f3 , and the pawn on d4 turns out to be in danger. l S.'iVxd4 If we have to suffer, it may as well be for a pawn. l S ... ttJrs 1 6.'iVc3 ..tcS 1 7.b4 1 7 .d4 l:td8 1 8 .�e3 'iVd5 � . 1 7 ...ttJh4 l S .... g3 ..td4 1 9.ttJc3 ttJrs 20.'iVf4 o-ot followed by . . . f6, opening the f-file with an attack for Black.

Black must in any case play 1 0. ...

d5-d4

1 1 . ...

:la8-d8

1 1 ... ttJg6 1 2.d3 �e7 1 3.cxd4 and now:

1 1 . �c2-e4

On this central square, the bishop is ide­ ally placed. White's plan is to play d2-d3 , �g5 and ttJb I -d2-b3 , putting pressure on the pawn on d4. From White's point of view the move 1 1 .cxd4 looks like a concession, allowing Black to relieve the strain on his position : 1 1 ... ttJxd4 1 1 . . . cxd4 1 2 .�e4 ttJg6 1 3 .d 3 �e 7 1 4.ttJbd2 - see 1 1.. �e4. 1 2.ttJxd4 cxd4 1 3 . ..te4 �xe4 1 3 . . . d3 1 4 . .liLxd3 'ifc6 1 5 .f3 'ifc5 + 1 6.h8 I S .�gS llb7 1 6.tLlc3 'tie8 1 7 .l:tf2± Breder-Nataf, Germany 200 1 /02) 1 2.�e3 eS 1 3 .fxeS fxeS 1 4.'ifd2 �g4 I S .tLJc3 i.xf3 1 6.l:txf3 l:txf3 1 7 .gxf3 h8 1 8.11fI tLlg8 1 9.tLle2 tLlf6 20.b3 'ifd7 2 1 .ct>g2 l:tf8= Vokarev-Shariyazdanov, Moscow 2002. 1 1 . .. tLlf5 1 2.c3 fxeS 1 3.fxeS c4 1 4.dxc4 cS

I S.tLlbd2 �b7

1 6.tLle4t

Pridorozhni-Sherbakov, Russia 2002.

Chapter 9

1 1 . e4-e5 1 2. e5xd6 1 3. ttJb1 -a3

ttJe7-f5 'ifd8xd6 ttJf5-d41

The exchange of knights promises Black reasonable play. 14. 'ife2-f2 1 5. ttJf3-d2

e6-e5 �c8-f5°o

C2 1 ) 11 . ...

-

Posing Problems: 6. iWe2

:ta8-b8

1 2. �c1 -e3

Little is promised by 1 2 .ttJf3 eS or 1 2 .�h l 'iYaS . An unclear position arises after 1 2 .b3 fS 1 3 .�b2 ..td4+ 1 4.�h l eS I S .fxeS dxeS 1 6 .ttJf3 'iYd6 1 7 .ttJa4 f4 1 8 .'iYd2 �g4 1 9 .'iVaS �xf3 2 0 .gxf300.

Lipka-Kovalev, Czech Republic 2 0 0 2 / 0 3 . C2) 1 0. c2-c41? This move is almost always useful, even if Black has not yet played ... d7 -dS . It is es­ sential to anticipate any possible black counterplay on the queenside. 1 0. ... 1 1 . ttJb1 -c3

d7-d6 1 2.

...

"'d8-a5

1 2 . . . i.d7 1 3 .l:[f2 l:[b7 1 4.l:[afl ;t ; 1 2 . . . fS 1 3 .ttJf3 'tWaS 1 4.eS d S I S . ..tf2 h6 1 6 .h4 i.d7 1 7 .'iYc2 ;t Alexeev­ Komarov, Kirishi rapid 2 0 0 7 ; • 1 2 . . . h6 1 3 .eS dxeS 1 4. fxeS fs l S . ..txcS gS 1 6 . ttJf3 ttJg6 1 7 .d4± Karjakin-Carlsen, Nice blind 2009. •

•

1 3. 'ife2-d2 1 4. l:ta1 -b1 C21 ) 11 ... l:tb8 C22) 1 1 ... h6 C23) 11 ...e5

After 1 1 . . . fS there is the very strong re­ ply 1 2 .eS ! dxeS 1 3 .ttJf3 ! ! exf4 1 4 . ..txf4 h6 I S .�eS �xeS 1 6 .'iYxeS 'iYxd3 1 7 .'ifxcS 'iYd8 1 8 . l:[f2 ± and despite the deficit of a pawn, White has the better position.

"'a5-b4 l:tb8-b7

For the moment, both sides restrict them­ selves to waiting tactics. White does not play the move e4-eS be­ cause of the second capture on eS by the bishop, whilst Black does not play ... e6-eS because off4-fs . 1 5.

ttJh4-f3

I S .'iYe l fS 1 6.eS dxeS 1 7 .ttJf3 exf4 1 8 .i.xf4 ttJdS 1 9 .i.eS ttJxc3 2 0 .bxc3 'ti'xb l 2 1 .'iVxb l l:[xb l 2 2 Jlxb l �h6°o. 1 43

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 5 . ... 1 6 . f4xe5 1 7. �e3-h6;!;

The control of the dark squares, com­ bined with play down the f-file, ensures White the advantage. C22) 1 1 . ...

After the move 1 2 . . . eS , the reply 1 3 .fS ± is unpleasant; • In the event of 1 2 . . . fS ! ? I was going to reply 1 3 . '1fi>h I ! ?;!;, hoping later to exploit the g-file to create an attack on the enemy king. •

e6-e5 f6xe5

h7-h6

1 3. 14. 1 5. 1 6.

tbh4-g2 f4-f5 g4xf5 �c1 -e3

tbe7-g6 e6xf5 tbg6-e5

White has a very comfortable position. He can unhurriedly prepare an attack on the kingside, whilst both black bishops are completely inactive.

A curious position - Black has arranged almost all of his pawns along the sixth rank. 1 2.

g2-g4

..•

1 6.�xf4 l:tb4 1 7 .�e5 �xe5 1 8.tbxe5 'ifd6 1 9.1:[ae l l:td8 20JU'2;!;

1 44

... �e3-f2 �f2-g3 tbg2-e3 h2-h3 tbe3-g4;!;

g6-g5

�c8-d7 �d7-e8 �e8-f7 'ii'd8-e8 na8-b8

Bologan-Nataf, Cap d' Agde 2 0 0 2 . C2 3) 1 1 . ...

White also creates a pawn phalanx on the kingside. More solid play also promises a small ad­ vantage: 1 2.g3 l:[b8 1 3.�e3 f5 1 4.e5 1 4.l:tf2 'tWaS I S .'tWc2 iiLd7 1 6 .l:tc l iiLd4 1 7 .l:te2 '1fi>h7 1 8 . tbf3 �g7 1 9 .iiLf2 fxe4 2 0 . dxe400 Hernandez Guerrero-Martinez Duany, Merida 2 0 0 8 . 14 ... dxe5 1 5.tbfl I s .kxcs gS 1 6.fxgS hxg S , Mariano­ Zhang Pengxiang, Manila 2 0 0 6 , 1 7 .tbf3 tbg6 1 8 .iiLxf8 iiLxf8 1 9 .h3 iiLg7 2 0 . l:tae 1 'tWe7 2 1 . tba4 �f6 2 2 .b3 ± . 1 5 exf4

1 2 . ...

1 6. 1 7. 1 8. 1 9. 20. 21 .

e6-e5

1 2 . f4-f5

The standard reaction: White shuts in the enemy bishops, especially the unopposed bishop on c8 . 1 2.

...

g6xf5

Chapter 9

-

Posing Problems: 6. \\\f'e2

Indeed, this is very much what White is striving for, when he voluntarily ex­ changes his light-squared bishop for the knight on c6, and doubles the black pawns. 15. 16. ttJc3-a4 1 7. l::t a 1-b1 !

'iWdS-d6 l::tfS-f7

The weakness on c5 will be hard to de­ fend, since in theory, all the white pieces are ready to attack it. D)

6 . ...

d7-d5

Luke McShane

12 ...l::Ib8 1 3 .b3 �d7 1 4.�e3 �a5 1 5 .�d2 'iVc7 1 6.ll£'2 1l£7 1 7.llaf l nbfS 1 8.'iYg4 �d8 1 9.fVg3 gxf5 20.exf5 d5 2 1 .'iYg4 h8 (McShane-Djukic, Internet blitz 2003) 2V1:Ja4 'iYd6 23 .�e3 d4 24.�c l +-. 13. ttJh4xf5 14. e4xf5 15. 'iWe2-f2

ttJe7xf5 d6-d5

An aggressive black set-up, as Radjabov played successfully against me. Until Motylev's game, this set-up was consid­ ered critical for White. 0 1 ) 7.0-0 02) 7.c4 03) 7.b3

Dl) Again and again I would draw your atten­ tion to this moment: both black bishops are now completely shut out of play. Sim­ ilar situations arise quite often in the Rossolimo System.

7. 0-0

ttJe7-g6

When the analogous pawn structure arises, Black often sacrifices a pawn by means of 7 ... c4. The idea is to rid himself of the weakness in his own camp and damage the enemy pawn structure. There could follow: 8.dxc4 �a6 9.b3 ttJg6 1 45

The Rossolimo Sicilian

9 . . . dxc4 1 0.ttJa3 ± , and White will take the c4 pawn with the knight. 1 0J:tdl It is also not bad to interpolate the exchange 1 O .exdS cxdS and only now play 1 1 J:td 1 . 1 0.. :iYf6 l 1 .eS White's advantage is unarguable. He has an extra pawn and he significantly outstrips his opponent in development. 1 1 ... 'iYfS 1 2 .tbc3 �b4

9.

b2-b3

9.ttJbd2 'tic7 1 0.b3 fxeS 1 1 .�b2 i.d6 1 2 .l::tfe l tbf4 1 3 .'tifl ttJg6=. 9. ... 1 0. �c1 -b2 1 1 . d3xe4 1 2. e4-e5

1 3.�d2 �xc3 1 4.�xc3 cS I S.tbe I !

f6xe5 e5-e4 1if8-d6

Black has good play after 1 2 .exdS cxdS 1 3 .ttJeS ttJxeS 1 4.�xeS 0-0.

S. e4-e5 8.tbc3 1ie7 8 . . . c4! ? 9.b3 White's last two

1 2 . ... 1 3. tbb1 -c3 14. lDc3-a4 1 5. 'iYe2-e3 1 6. l:tf1 -e1

moves are directed towards creating an attack on the pawn on c S . 9 0-0 1 0.lDa4 'iYaS 1 0 . . . c4 l 1 .dxc4 �a6 1 2 .l::t d l !. ••.

l 1 .c4 eS 1 2.h3 �h8 1 3.1ia3 tbf4 1 4.'iYc2 dxe4 I S.dxe4 f6 1 6.%:tadl ! Bertaccini­

Nedilsky, Buenos Aires 1 999.

�d6-e7 0-0 tbg6-f4 1icS-a6 'iYd8-eS+

Yakovenko-Krasenkow, St Vincent 2005 . D2)

7. c2-c4

An attempt to banish the possibility of . . . cS -c4 forever, but now White is tied to a determined fight over the eS -square.

s.

...

f7-f6

8 . . . c4 9.dxc4 .ta6 1 0.b3 �e 7 I I .ttJbd2 0-0 1 2 .�b2!; • 8...�e7 9.b3 9.c4 0-0 1 0.tbc3 f6 I I .exf6 �xf6 1 2 .ttJa4 'iYd6 1 3 . .te3 d4 1 4 . .td2 eS I S .l::tab l .tg4 1 6.'ife4 .txf3 1 7 .'ti'xf3 �gS oo Warakomski-Moiseenko, Polanica Zdroj 2008. 9... 0-0 1 0.1ib2 f6 •

I I .tbbd2 as 1 2.a4 l:tb8 1 3.l:tae 1 l:tb4 1 4.g3 f5 I S.�c3 l:tb8 1 6.�g2 1id7 1 7.h4 tbh8

(Yakovenko-Radjabov, Odessa rapid 2008) 1 8.tbgl tbf7 1 9.tbh3!

1 46

7. ...

tbe7-g6

7 . . . d4 8 .eS ttJfS 9.ttJbd2 hS 1 0.ttJe4 .te7 1 1 .0-0 �d7 1 2 .l::te l f6 1 3 .�h l 'iib 6 1 4.l::tb l 0-0-0 I S .�d2 as 1 6.a3 c;t>b7 1 7 .'tid l l:ta8 1 8 .b3 ! Lin-Tsagarakis, Syd­ ney 2007 .

Chapter 9

8.

-

Posing Problems: 6. i\f e2

�d6-c7

9.

0-0

Other moves promise less: • 8.�d2 dxc4 9.dxc4 eS I 0.ttJc3 �d6 1 l .0-0-0 'iVe7 1 2 .ttJe l ttJf8 1 3 .�e3 ttJe6 14.tDa4 0-0 I S .'iVd3 tL'ld4+ Llorens Sepulveda-Alonso, Endesa 2008 ; • 8.g3 �d6 9.h4 dxc4 1 0.dxc4 eS l l .tDbd2 tL'lf8 1 2 .ttJfl ttJe6 1 3 .ttJe3 tiJd4=i= Alexeev-Radjabov, Sochi 2008 ; • 8.eS f6 9.ttJc3 �e7 oo ; • 8.h4 h 5 9.e5 9.tL'lc3 d4, later Black himself plays . . . as and obtains the more promising position, thanks to his space advantage. He can easily defend the pawn on eS after �d6 and 'iVe 7 , whilst the bishop on c8 obtains a path to the square

Not losing sight of his main aim. White also has the better chances after 9 . . . �e7 1 0. ttJc3 0-0 1 1 .tL'la4 f6 1 2 .exf6 �xf6 1 3 .ttJxcS eS 1 4.h3 'fIIe 7 I S .ttJb3 �fS , Karlovich -U shenina , Kharkov 20 I 0, 1 6 .cxdS cxdS 1 7 .�e3;!;. 1 0.

�c1 -e3

Fixing the central structure. 1 0 . .. 1 1 . �e3-c1 1 2. e5xf6 .

d5-d4 f7-f6

g4. 9. .f6 1 0.tLJc3 �e 7 1 1 .�d2 Wic 7 .

1 2.exf6 gxf6 1 3.0-0-0 l:lb8� Butuc­ Sa. Martinovic, Rijeka 2008 . 8.

...

�f8-d6

8 . . . �e7 9.tL'lc3 0-0 1 0.b3 fs I I .eS d4 1 2 .tDa4 l:l£7 1 3 .�a3 'iYf8 1 4.'iYd2 as 15 .tDgS± Vescovi-Limp, Sao Paulo 2005 . 9.

e4-e5

9 .exdS cxdS I O.cxdS 0-0 I I .dxe6 �xe6 12.tDc3 l:le8 1 3 .ttJgS ( 1 3 .tL'le4 �dS 14.�e3 fs I S .ttJxd6 'iVxd6�) 1 3 . . . �c4 14.'iVhS �xd3 I S .'iVxh7+ �f8 1 6.l:ld l �c2 1 7 .nfl �d3 1 8 . nd l �c2 1/2-1/2, Smeets-Nijboer, Wijk aan Zee B 2005 .

Igor Glek

1 47

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 2 .tLlbd2 tLlxeS 1 3 .tLlxeS �xeS 1 4.tLle4 0-0 I S .f4 �d6 1 6 .tLlxd6 'iVxd6 1 7 .�d2 �d7 1 8 .�e l l:[ae8 1/2 _ 1/2 , Glek-Vorobiov, Paleochora 2009. 1 2 . ... 1 3. ttJf3-g5 14. ttJg5-e4 1 5. g2-g3

'ii'd8xf6 0-0 'ii'f 6-e7

I S . b3 eS and Black obtains good play. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8. 1 9.

D3)

.. ttJb1 -d2 nf1 -e1 b2-b3 �c1 -a3� .

e6-e5 �c8-h3 �c7-a5 1:[f8-f5

7. b2-b31

A very strong novelty, which unfortu­ nately did not bring White the full point, owing to a grievous blunder. 7. 8.

... e4-e51

White practically ignores the jump lLlf4, which is just a blow in the air, as the queen simply retreats to fl . 11.

. ..

0-0

If 1 1 . . . tLlf4, then 1 2 .'iVfl 0-0 1 3 .g3 lLlg6 1 4.'iVe2!. 1 2. 0-0-0 1 3. h2-h41 1 4. ttJf3-g5 1 5. ttJg5xf7 1 6. h4-h5 1 7. f2-f4�

f6-f5 ttJg6-h8 ttJh8-f7 l:lf8xf7 �c8-a6

Motylev-Yakovenko, POikovsky 20 1 0. Black's action has been totally neutralized. White has sufficient resources against c4, yet this break is Black's only source of counterplay. In the meantime, White can quietly pre­ pare an attack on the black king by means ofg4.

f7-f6

White takes it on himself to defend eS at all costs!

Conclusion:

8. 9. 1 0. 11.

1 48

... �c1 -b2 ttJb1 -d2 a2-a4

ttJe7-g6 ..if8-e7 a 7-a5

Thanks to Motylev's excellent novelty, the variation 6 .'iVe2 is once again full of life, since Black's main hope, involving removing the bone in his throat on eS, does not succeed, precisely because of the timely arrival of the bishop on b 2 .

Chapter 10

-

Other Sixth Moves for White

1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.ttJg1-f3 ttJb8-c6 3...tf1-b5 e7-e6 4.�b5xc6 b7xc6 5.d2-d3

5 . ...

ttJg8-e7

The best place for the knight, keeping pawn f7 unobstructed, which can play an important role in the battle for the centre. A) 6.ttJg5 B) 6.�d2

A)

6.

ttJf3-g5

This move was first played by no less cre­ ative a player than David Bronstein, against Alexander Panchenko (Moscow 1 9 7 9 ) . But the truth is that two accurate moves suffice for Black to equalize.

A1 ) 6 ...ttJg6 A2) 6 ...f6 A3) 6 ... h6

White achieves a lasting advantage after 6 . . . eS 7 .0-0 ttJg6 S.'tihS ii..e 7 9 .f4 �xgS 1 0. fxgS d6 1 1 .�h l �e6 1 2 .b3 'tid7 1 3 .h3 0-0-0 1 4. ttJc3 �bS 1 S .�e3 ;t Smith-Stopa, United States 2 0 0 6 . A I ) Not good i s 6 ...ttJe7-g6 , since this move allows White to achieve piece and pawn coordination. 7. f2-f4

Also good is 7 .0-0 �e7 S .'tihS �xgS 9.�xgS f6 1 0 .�e3 d6 l 1 .f4 0-0 1 2 . :f3 :f7 1 3 .fS ttJfS 1 4. ttJd2 :e7 1 S .g4± Wach-G. Horvath, Austria 2 0 0 7 1 0 9 . 7. ... 8. ttJg5-f3

�f8-e7 d 7-d5

1 49

The Rossolimo Sicilian

S . . . Yi'c7 9.g3 d6 1 0:tie2 fS I I .h4 0-0 1 2 .eS 4JhS 1 3 .b3 4Jf7 1 4.�b2 nbS 1 S . exd6 �xd6 1 6.4Jbd2 �a6 1 7 .0-0-0± Komliakov-Milanovic, Pozarevac 1 995 . 9. 1 0. 11. 1 2. 13. 1 4. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8. 1 9.

c2-c4 f4-f5 d3xe4 'ifd1 xd8+ tbf3xe5 �e1 -f2 tbb1 -c3 tbe5-g4 �f2-g3 tbg4-f2 tbf2-h3±

e6-e5 d5xe4 tbg6-f4 �e7xd8 tbf4xg2+ tbg2-h4 �d8-f6 �f6-d4+ h7-h5 �d4-f6

1 1 .0-000. 1 0 ... �xf4 1 1 ..ixf4 0-0 12 . .id2 f'S 1 3.'ifgS 'ifxgS 1 3 . . :tie8 1 4.ttJa4;!;. 1 4.�xgS c4! One of Black's main strategic ideas in this structure. He undoubles his pawns come what may, and gives free­ dom to his light-squared bishop. 1 5.exdS exdS 1 6.�e3 The hand of the master finds a square for the bishop from which it can control the centre and the queenside. 1 6,..cxd3 1 7.cxd3 f4 18.i.cS ne8+ 1 9.�d2 .if'S 1 9 . . . 4Jh4 20J:thg l .ifS 2 1 .f3 ;1; . 20.l:tad l tbh4!oo This knight jump prevents White from obtaining full control over the position, Adams-Vaisser, France 200 1 .

Bologan-Sveshnikov, Tallinn rapid 2000. A2) 6 ...f7-f6 is bad for the same reason, although it looks as though Black has a solid position.

8.

...

tbe7-g6

8 . . . c4 9.dxc4 dxe4 1 O.'ifxdS+ �xd8 1 1 .4Jc3 fS 1 2 .�f4;1; ; • S . . . eS 9.f4 dxe4 1 O . fxeS �xh3 1 1 .Yi'hS + 4Jg6 1 2 .'ifxh3 4JxeS 1 3 .�f4;!; Malyshev-Sergeev, Abaza 2007 . •

7. tbg5-h3

A21 ) 7...d5 A22) 7...g6

A2 1 ) 7. ...

d7-d5

8. 0-0

Less is promised by 8.tbc3 tbg6 9.'ifhS 9.4Jf4 ! ? 9 ... .id6 1 0.tbf4 1 0.f4 0-0 I SO

9. 1 0. 11. 1 2. 1 3. 1 4. 1 5. 1 6.

f2-f4 d3xe4 tbh3-f2 J:[f1 -e1 'ifd1 -g4 c2-c3 e4-e5 'ifg4-f3!

d5xe4 'ifd8-d4+ �c8-a6 .if8-d6 �e8-f7 'ifd4-a4 f6-f5

Solomon-Xie, Adelaide 2003 .

Chapter 1 0

A2 2) 7. ...

g7-g6

1 4. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 S. 1 9. 20. 21 . 22.

-

Other Sixth Moves for White

... d3xc4 tDf2xe4 c4xd5 tDe4-f2 llf1 -e1 tDf3-e5 b2-b3 �c1 -b2±

c5-c4 f5xe4 d6-d5 e6xd5 'ir'dS-b6 tDe7-f5 llbS-b7 llfS-dS

Bologan-Shabalov, Connecticut 2000. S. 0-0

White has another promising plan, involving the fianchetto of the queen's bishop: 8.b3 �g7 9.�b2 e5 1 0.f3 d6 l 1 .ttJf2 0-0 1 2.tDc3 Less accurate is 1 2 .0-0 fS 1 3 .exfS gxfS 1 4.f4 tLJg6 I S .fxeS tLJxeS 1 6.c3 �a6 1 7 .lle I 'ifd7 1 8 .d4 cxd4 1 9. cxd4 tLJg4 2 0 .'iff3 llae8� Tatai-Lalic, EI Sauzal rapid 2 006.

A3)

6. 7.

... tDg5-h3

h7-h6

7.

...

e6-e5!

12 .ie6 1 3.'ir'd2 tDc8 1 4.tDe2 tDb6 1 5 .g4 •.•

f5 1 6.gx6 gxf5 1 7 J:[g 1 h8 1 8.f4 with a

dangerous initiative for White Tiviakov-Piscopo, Bratto 2 007 . S. .. 9. tDb1 -d2 1 0. f2-f4 1 1 . tDh3-f2 .

in

.ifS-g7 0-0 d7-d6 a7-a5

1 1 ... eS 1 2 .tLJf3 exf4 1 3 .hf4 gS 1 4.�g3�. 1 2. a2-a4 1 3. tDd2-f3

f6-f5 llaS-bS

13 . . . c4 1 4.dxc4 fxe4 I S . tLJxe4 dS 1 6. tLJf2 tDfS 1 7 .'ife2�. 14.

l:ta1 -b1

Probably, 1 4.eS ! is even stronger. But after this move too I managed to exploit my opponent's inaccuracies and obtain a very large advantage.

• White has a promising position in the variation 7 . . . tLJg6 8.0-0 �e7 9.f4 0-0 1 0. h I d6 I l .tLJd2 i.f6 1 2 .tLJf2 nb8 1 3 .tLJb3 �a6 1 4. c4 �c8 I S .tLJg4� Bukavshin-Metsenko, Sochi 2007 ; • Nor are all Black's problems solved af­ ter 7 d5 8.f4 8 .eS tLJg6 9.f4 c4 1 0.0-0 cxd3 I l .cxd3 hS 1 2 .�e3 tLJh4 1 3 .�f2 tLJfS 1 4.tLJc3 �e 7 � Stellwag en­ Arakhamia-Grant, Wijk aan Zee C 2 002 . •.•

8 g6 9.0-0 �g7 1 O.tDf2 �a6 l 1 .tDa3 0-0 1 2.l:tbl :b8 1 3 .c4 with a clear ••.

advantage for White in Rogers-Milov, Baden 1 998 ; lSI

The Rossolimo Sicilian

In reply to 7 ... g6 White brings his forces to bear on square e5 : 8.�d2 8 . 0-0 �g 7 9 .c4 d6 1 0.f4 e5 l 1 .f5 gxf5 1 2 .• h5 f4 1 3 .g3 .d7 1 4.'lttg 2 .g4 1 5 .'ifxg4 �xg4+ Barbeau-Jancovic, Quebec 2009. 8 �g7 9.�c3 e5 1 0.f4 d5 l 1 .tDf2 d4 1 1 . . .•b6 1 2 .ttJd2 �e6 1 3 .�xe5 �xe5 1 4.fxe5 'ifxb2 1 5 . 0-0 .xe5 1 6 .ttJf3 .g7 1 7 .•c l � Rowson­ Ansell, Scarborough 2 0 0 1 . 1 2.�d2 exf4 •

9. 1 0.

... "'f3xh3

�c8xh3

1 0. ... 1 1 . �c1 xf4 1 2. �f4-g3

e5xf4 tDe7-g6

.•.

1 3.�xf4 0-0 1 4.g4 h7 1 5.1:1g1 l:g8 1 6.�f1 �e6 1 7.tDd2 "d7 1 8....0 g5 1 9.�g3 l:gfB 20.tDc4! Svetushkin­

Motylev, Bucharest 1 99 8 . S . f2-f4

1 2 .i.d2 dxe4 1 3 .'ife3 'ifd4=. 1 2 . ... 1 3. tDb1 -c3

d5xe4

If 1 3 .dxe4 i.d6 1 4.ttJc3 0-0 1 5 .0-0 i.xg3 1 6.'ifxg3 l:lb8 1 7 .b3 ( 1 7 .l:lad l 'ife7=) 1 7 . . . 'ifd4+ 1 8 .:f2 .e5 1 9 .•f3 c4 20.:afl l:Ibd8 2 1 .'ife3 'ifd4 2 2 'ifxd4 :xd4 and Black is certainly no worse. .

Everything is in order for Black after 8 . 0-0 d6. S.

...

d7-d5

8 . . . exf4 9 .ttJxf4 g6 1 0 .c4 i.g7 1 1 .0-0 0-0 1 2 .ttJc3 l:Ib8 (Solomon-Hernandez, Elista 1 99 8 ) 1 3 .'ife2 with a slight advan­ tage for White. 9. "'d1 -f3

9.f5 dxe4 1 0.dxe4 'ifxd l + 1 1 .'lttxd l g 6 1 2 . fxg6 ttJxg 6 1 3 .ttJf2 �a6 1 4.g3 0 - 0 - 0 + 1 5 .�e l �e7 1 6 .i.e3 ttJf8 1 7 .ttJd2 ttJe6 1 8 .c3 h5� Zhou Weiqi­ Zhang Pengxiang, Yongchuan 2 0 0 3 . 1 52

1 3 . ... 1 4. 0-0-0

e4xd3 c5-c4!

14 ......g5 + 1 5 .'.t>b l is clearly weaker, e.g. 1 5 ... �e7 1 5 . . . c4 1 6.cxd3 �b4 1 7 .l:Ihe 1 + ttJe7 1 8 .�h4±. 1 6.tDe4 1 6.l:txd3 f5� . 1 6 .....d 5 1 7.tDd6+ �xd6 1 8.':xd3 'iWe6 1 9.•xe6+ fxe6 20J1xd6± . 1 5. "'h3-g4

I 5 .�b l �e7 1 6.'it'g4 o-o�. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7.

... 'it'g4xg5 l:h1 -e1 +

'it'dS-g5+ h6xg5 �fS-e7!

Lutz-Nijboer, Istanbul 2000.

Chapter 1 0

B)

6.

-

Other Sixth Moves for White

Another plan is also worthy of attention: 7 .h4 d6 8 .hS eS 9 .CiJc3 �e6 1 0.b3 'iVd7 I 1 .CiJa4 �g4 1 2 .a3 CiJc8 1 3 .b4 CiJb6 1 4.c4 i.e7 1 S .h 6 gS 1 6 .i.e3 with a small advantage for White in Kalegin­ Khismatullin, Minsk 2008 .

�c1 -d2

7. 8. f2-f4

d7-d6

White seizes space. 8.

This interesting move was suggested by my friend grandmaster Vladislav Nevednichy. Nowadays he plays for Ru­ mania, but he began his chess career in Moldava and was also a pupil of Chebanenko. This 'little' bishop move has several purposes. Firstly, the bishop can now come to the long diagonal as necessary, without the need for the weakening move b2-b3 . Secondly, square as is taken under control, and after the ma­ noeuvre of the knight via b3 to c4, there may be a threat of �d2 -aS . At the same time, the bishop remains on the diago­ nal c I -h 6 and may also find action in this direction. 81 ) 6 ...16 82) 6 ... 'iWc7 83) 6 ...ttJg6

Bl)

6. 7. ttJf3-h4

...

Black wants to play . . . CiJg6 and then be able to answer 'iVhS with . . .'iVf7 . 9.

'iWd1 -h5+1?

This move was suggested by grandmaster Ramil Khasangatin from Tatarstan, my teammate for 'Ladya' (Kazan) . Rami! has played this line several times, with great success. 9.

f7-f6

Since Black has now weakened the e8-hS diagonal, White can play this planned move without fear of the reply . . . CiJe7 -g6 (after which, of course, there would fol­ low 'iVhS , winning material) .

'iWd8-c7

g7-g6

9 . . . CiJg6 ?? loses to 1 0.CiJxg6 'iVf7 l 1 .fs . 1 0. 'it'h5-e2 1 1 . ttJh4-f3 1 2. ttJb1 -a3

�f8-g7 0-0

The hasty 1 2 .eS ? ! allows Black to untan­ gle : 1 2 . . . CiJfS 1 3 .exd6 'iVxd6 1 4.CiJa3 CiJd4 1 S .CiJxd4 cxd4 1 6.CiJc4 'iVdS ;t;. 1 53

The Rossolimo Sicilian

Admittedly, after the queen moves away, White cannot win a pawn because of the pin on the long diagonal - 1 6 . . :i'd7 I 7 . ttJcxe5 ? :txf3 ! - and he has to use the vacated d2-square for the attacked knight. Even so, on a5 the bishop prevents Black from undertaking the slightest activity on the queenside, and so we can confidently claim a small but lasting advantage for White. White completes his development and keeps his intentions hidden until the last moment. Which side will he castle? Will he put the knight or the pawn on c4? Everything will be decided at the last mo­ ment, depending on what Black does. 1 2.

...

:ta8-b8

• In reply to 1 2 . . . f5 White again closes the long diagonal: 1 3 .e5 d5 1 4.c4i, and the bishop from c8 remains shut in be­ hind the pawn barrier; • 1 2 . . . e5 1 3 .fxe5 fxe5 1 4.0-0 �e6 I 5 . ttJc4i White is not afraid of the ex­ change on c4, since in this case, he retains a good against a bad bishop, whilst the pawn on d6 will remain in need of de­ fence.

1 3. b2-b3 1 4. f4xe5

B2)

6. 7. 8.

�d2-c3 tbf3-h4

�d8-c7 f7-f6

As soon as Black weakens the e8-h5 diag­ onal, White immediately plays this knight move and tries to seize space on the kingside . 8. . . 9. 0-0 1 0. f2-f4 1 1 . l:tf1 xf4 1 2. �d 1 -h5 1 3. tbh4xg6 1 4. �h5-f3 .

e6-e5 d7-d6 e5xf4 tbe7-g6 �c7-f7 �f7xg6

e6-e5

1 4.0-0?! exf4 1 5 .�xf4 f5 1 6.e5 ttJd5 1 7 .�g3 f4+ . 14. 1 5.

tba3-c4

f6xe5 d6-d5

1 5 . . . �e6 1 6 .0-0i. 1 6. �d2-a5!

We .are following Khasangatin-Akimov, Bor 2000. The gun that was loaded at move six finally fires! 1 54

White has more space and the better pawn structure, while the black bishops are quite passive, as we have seen in several variations. Most importantly of all , it is far from clear how they can be activated.

Chapter 10

14. ... 1 5. ttJb1 -d2

-

Other Sixth Moves for White

i.c8-e6

The knight is heading for fS , in order to strengthen the pressure on the oppo­ nent's centre and kingside. 1 5 . ... 1 6. ttJd2-f1 1 7. ttJf1 -g3;t

�f8-e7 'it'g6-f7 g7-g5 831 ) 8...f6 832) 8...�e7

B 3 1 ) 8. ... 9.

1 8.

:f4-f51

No, White does not begrudge the ex­ change, and had intended this fantastic move all along! Now after the capture on [5 , White obtains a monster knight which will dominate the board. The sud­ den turn of events threw Black out of his equanimity and he lost surprisingly quickly. 1 8. 1 9. 20. 21 . 22.

... e4-e51 e5xf6 �c3-e5 �e5xd6

:th8-g8? d6-d5 �e7-d6 �e8-d7

1 -0, Fressinet-Berthelot, France 2 0 0 6 . B3)

6 . ... 7. h2-h4 8. e4-e5

ttJe7-g6 h 7-h5

f7-f6

�d2-c3

The position has become noticeably sharper and White must play very accu­ rately. In order to fight for the advantage, he must retain control of the 'high ground' , i.e. square e S . Khasangatin's idea involves a sacrifice: 9.'it'e2 ttJxeS 9 . . . 'ifc7 1 0.�c3 d6 I I .exf6 gxf6 1 2.�6 �g7 1 3 .'ife4i. 1 0.ttJxeS fxeS 1 1 .'ii'xeS and now after 1 1 . ..'it'f6 White, if he wishes to fight, should give up the b2 pawn: 1 2.'it'g3 'it'xb2 1 3.'it'g6+ �d8 1 4.0-0 'it'xal 1 4 . . .• eS I S .ttJc3 � ; 1 4 . . . 'iWd4 I S .ttJc3 'ifg4 1 6.i.gS+ �c7 1 7 .%1ab l i.a6 1 8.ttJe4 .fS 1 9 .•xfS exfS 20.i.f4+ �c8 2 1 .ttJgS �e7 2 2JHe i ..txgS 2 3 .hxgS±. I s.hs + �e7 1 6.�c3 'it'n2 1 7.i.xg7 hg7 1 8.'it'xg7+ '1t>d6 1 9.'it'xh8 'it'xc2 20.'it'xhS 'it'b2 2 0 . . . i.a6 2 1 .ttJa3 .b3 22.ttJc4+ bc4 2 3 .dxc4�. 2 1 J:td l 'it'eS 22.'tWf3 Obviously White will avoid

the exchange of queens, and the weakness of the black king guarantees White a happy outcome to the game. 22 ...'it'B 23.'ifg3+ 'ifeS 24.f41 'it'd4+ 2S.�h2 b6 26.ttJd2�

Khasangatin-Zambor, Presov 2000. I SS

The Rossolimo Sicilian

For the moment, the pawn was poisoned ( 1 6 .tDxcS ? 'ifb6 1 7 .b4 as-+) , but White is in no hurry. He qUietly com­ pletes his development, remembering the fact that a threat is frequently stronger than its execution. 1 6. 1 7.

9.

...

d7-d5

The spirited raid 9 . . . tDf4 is refuted with the help of a few accurate moves : 1 O . 'ii'd 2 ! tDdS ( 1 o . . . tDxg 2 + ? 1 1 . �f1 , and Black loses a knight) I I .it.aS 'ii'e 7 1 2 .c4� . The black knight i s driven out of the centre, after which life resumes its normal course. 1 0. e5xd6 1 1 . tLlf3-d21

tLlg6-f4

... O-O�

B3 2) S. ... 9.

�fS-e7 f7-f6

�d2-c3

If 9 . . tDxh4 1 0 .tDxh4 it.xh4 I l .g3± White regains the pawn advantageously. .

1 0.

tLlb1 -d2

1 0 .g3 fxeS I I .tDxeS tDxeS 1 2 .�xeS 0-0 with chances for both sides.

�fSxd6

A very strong move. White already pre­ vents the unpleasant pin which would be possible after . . . e6-eS and . . . i.. g 4, and directs his knight to the central square e4. The other knight can in time come out to c4. 11. 1 2.

... 'ii'd 1 -f3

e6-e5 1 0.

It is always nice to win a tempo on the way. 1 2. 1 3 . tLld2-e4 1 4. 'it'f3-e3

'ii'd S-c7 �c8-g4

Now the cS pawn is hanging. 14 . ... 1 5. f2-f3 1 6. tLlb1 -d2

1 56

0-0 �g4-f5

d7-d5

...

The exchange on eS also fails to solve Black's problems: 1 0 tLlxeS 1 1 .tLlxeS £XeS 1 2.i.xeS d6 1 2 . . . 0-0? 1 3 .1i'xh5±; 1 2 . . . it.f6 1 3 .�d6 ! �xb2 1 4.tDe4 (White sets up colossal pressure on the dark squares, and taking the exchange would be tantamount to suicide for Black) 1 4 . . .... as + 1 S . �f1 c4 (White can ignore this attempt to muddy the waters) 1 6.11b l .teS 1 7 .dxc4± Nevednichy-Glicenstein, Nice 2002. 1 3.i.xg7 l:[h7 1 4.�c3± .••

Chapter 1 0

1 1 . e5xd6 1 2. tUd2-c4 1 3. tUc4-e3 14. g2-g3 1 5. tUf3-d2t

'iHd8xd6 'ifd6-d5 'it'd5-d7 e6-e5

-

21 . 0-0-0 22. f4-f5±

Other Sixth Moves for White

0-0-0

Nevednichy-Damljanovic, Cetinje 1 99 3 . White's advantage is obvious. He can take over both open files (e- and g-) , while Black's position contains a mass of weak­ nesses - the doubled c-pawns, and the pawns on g7 and hS . Black's only serious plus is his excellently-posted knight on d4, but this is insufficient to equalize the chances.

The white knights are on the move and are ready, at the right moment, to occupy the squares c4 and e4. Which knight will go where is at present unclear. 1 5 . ...

tUg6-f8

A good manoeuvre; the knight heads for d4.

1 6. f2-f4

Conclusion:

It is necessary to disturb the powerful body of enemy pawns in the centre. 16. 1 7. 1 8. 1 9.

g3xf4 'iHd 1 -f3 "'f3-f2

e5xf4 tUf8-e6 tUe6-d4

The knight on e3 has taken over the job of defending the c2 pawn, and so White can calmly prepare long castling. 1 9. 20. tUd2-c4

'ii' d 7-e6 �c8-a6

It may be that the move 6 .�d2 is cur­ rently still underestimated by official the­ ory. It introduces some new, not very well-studied ideas, and poses Black origi­ nal problems. For example, he must reckon with such motifs as .ic3 followed by 'it'd2 and �aS . The waiting move 6.�d2 deserves serious attention, and I recommend that you play it from time to time. Those positional ideas, with which we have become familiar in various lines, also work very well here.

157

Chapter 11

-

The Fianchetto with 4

. . .

bxc6

1 .e2-e4 c7-c5 2.ttJg1-f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�f1-b5 g7-g6

A logical continuation. Black fianchettoes his king 's bishop, increasing central pressure. Here White has many different possibili­ ties, but we will begin to study only the move advocated by Chebanenko: 4. �b5xc6

In the Introduction, I have already spoken of the negative impression this unpro­ voked exchange initially made on Garry Kasparov, but how the thirteenth world champion later revised his opinion. I per­ sonally consider that this paradoxical move is the strongest continuation in this position. What is White's idea? He wants to deter­ mine at once the enemy pawn structure, and, depending on which pawn Black re­ captures with on c6 , to plan his subse­ quent strategy. After a long search, Chebanenko came to the conclusion that in the event of . . . b7xc6, White does best to castle kingside, and after . . . dxc6 , to castle queenside. Subsequent practice has con-

firmed the truth of my trainer's conclu­ sions, although it has also shown that af­ ter . . . dxc6, kingside castling is quite unpleasant for Black as well. In any case, it is useful to determine the structure right away, else Black may at some point play . . . 'iVb6 and avoid the doubled pawns altogether. 4. ...

b7xc6

Now White would very much like to de­ tach the d7 pawn from its neighbours. 5. 0-0 6. 1::tf1 -e1

A) B) C) D) E) F)

�f8-g7

6 ...f6 6 ... e5 6 .. :ifb6 6 ...ttJh6 6 ..:ifc7 6 ...ttJf6

1 59

The Rossolimo Sicilian

A)

6 . ...

f7-f6

The plan with an immediate . . . £7 -f6 or . . . tbh6 and then . . . f6 is quite passive, al­ though Black does obtain a very solid po­ sition and retains the hope that White will overestimate his chances, become di­ verted on queenside actions, and allow a quick counterattack on the king (for ex­ ample, after . . . g6-g5 -g4) .

White has prevented both breaks . . . a5 and . . . c5 , and taken more space. He has sim­ ple and promising play. 1 7...�e6 1 8.h3 'iWa6 1 9.ttJa5 Looking at the c6 pawn. Black tries to break his bonds, but only creates new weaknesses, whilst giving White a protected passed pawn in the centre. 1 9... e5 20.bxe5 dxe5 2 1 .dS .id7 22.ttJd2 ttJd6 2 l.a4 Consistently playing for the squeeze, since otherwise the en­ emy knight could come via b5 and jump into d4. 2l ... �h6 24.:al �g7 2S.ttJdc4 ttJxe4 26.'iWdl l:tb8 2 7.'ifxe4 'i'xc4 28.ttJxe4 J:[bl 29.�d2i Morozevich­

Kasimdzhanov, Wijk aan Zee 2 002. De­ spite the outward simplicity, the endgame is very unpleasant for Black, as his bishop is clearly weaker than White's powerful knight. In the end, White realized his ad­ vantage. 7. S. 9. 1 0.

c2-c3 d2-d4 c3xd4 ttJb1 -c3

ttJgS-h6 c5xd4 0-0

1 0 .h3 tb£7 I l .b3 d6 1 2 .�b2 f5 1 3 .'ifc2 fxe4 1 4.'ifxe4 i.d7 1 5 .tbc3 i.f6 1 6.'ife3 'ifa5 1 7 J:tad l l::ta e8 1 8 .d5 cxd5 1 9 .1::tx d5 'ifb6 2 0 .'ifxb6 axb6 2 1 .l::td 2 �c6 = Bologan-Yakovich, Novgorod 1 99 5 ; • Another plan also deserves attention, in which White develops his queen's knight to d2 : 1 0.bl !? ttJfl l 1 .ttJbd2 d6 1 2.�b2 �a6 I l.:e l :e8 1 4.b4 An important move. White not only prevents the ad­ vance . . . c6-c5 and takes square a5 away from the enemy queen, but also seizes space on the queenside and opens up new routes for his pieces: the queen can come to a4, and the knight via b3 to a5 .

d7-d6

1 0.

•

1 4 e5 1 5.ttJbl 'iYb6 1 6.�el �e4 1 7.'iWe2 •••

1 60

11.

h2-h3

• The main theoretical move, although I can well believe that Fischer's move 1 1 .'ifa4 is stronger. Even so, I prefer the modest pawn move; • 1 1 .'iIt'a4!? By immediately attacking the pawn on c6 , White also prepares the transfer of the king's knight to c4 and even, if possible, to a5 . 1 1 . .. 'i'b6

Chapter I I

1 1 .. .�d7 ! ? 1 2 .eS fxeS 1 3 .dxeS tbfS 1 4 . .igS 'ifb6 I S .tbdS cxdS 1 6 .'ifxd7 dxeS 1 7 . 'ifxdS + e6 1 8 .'ifd2 h 6 1 9 . .te3 i Salem-Lopez, Guines 1 9 94. 1 2.ttJd2! Cjjf7 1 2 . . . 'ifa6 ! ? 1 3.Cjje4 'ifa6 14..ie3?! Subsequently the following theoretical recommendation appeared: 1 4.�xa6 �xa6 I S .tbaS ! l:tfc8 1 6.�e3 �ab8 1 7 .b3 fS 1 8 .exfS gxfS 1 9J:tac l i. Probably it is easier to play White here, but it is very difficult to exploit his mini­ mal advantage. Black has the two bishops, sufficient open lines and a compact pawn structure in the centre. 1 4 ... 'ifxa4 I S.ttJxa4 f5 1 6.exf5 ?! 1 6 .f3 ! fxe4 1 7 .fxe4 tiJh6 1 8 . h 3 i or 1 7 . . . dS 1 8 . tbaS ! i .

-

The Fianchetto with 4. . bxc6 .

noeuvre: the queen must be evicted from the kingside so as to ensure that White's king does not come under attack. 18 Jib8 1 9.Cjjg 3 'ifbS 20.eS! ± Bologan­ Todorov, Aubervilliers rapid 2 0 0 3 . White has everything ready for this break, and in various lines, the black bishop on d7 will be hanging. White has firmly seized the initiative. .•

1 2.

b2-b3

1 2.

...

16 �xf5 1 7.l:tac l lUe8 1 8.Cjj a 5 �d7 .••

1 8 . . . cS ! 1 9.b3 l:tab8 20.Cjje 3 �f8 2 1 .a3 tbh6 ! 22.b4 Cjj f5 = Fischer-Spassky, Sveti

Stefan/Belgrade 1 99 2 (m/ 1 3) . 'ifd8-a5

The alternative is 1 2 �d7 1 3.�b2 'ife7 1 4.l:le l 'ifb7 1 5 .l:le2 l:lad8 1 6.l:[d2 By transferring the rook to the d-file, White gets ready to carry out the advance d4-dS or e4-eS . 16 l:[fe8 1 7. 'ifa 1 A manoeuvre in the style of Reti, creating a battery on the long diagonal. 1 7 �e6 Even without this small provocation, White would probably play d4-dS . However, Black was likely already fed up with marking time and wanted to bring about some kind of sharpening of the position. 1 8.dS �d7 •••

•..

.••

11.

Cjj h 6-f7

1 1 . �d7 1 2.b3 'ifaS Here it is not en­ tirely clear where the bishop should go, to d2 or b2 ; both make sense. 1 3.�d2 The bishop went to b2 in the following game: 1 3 .�b2 'ifhS 1 4.tbe2 gS I S .tbg3 'l'f7 1 6.l:tc 1 l:tac8 1 7 .'ifd2 i Borgo­ Zontakh, Cutro 1 99 8 . 1 3 ... 'ifa6 1 4.'ife2 .•

tbf7

I S.l:tad l l:tad8? ! 1 6.�e l 'if a 5 1 7.�b2 'ifhS 1 8.Cjje 2 A well-known ma-

1 9.dxe6 �xe6 20.Cjjd4 �d7 2 1 .Cjj e2 Cjj eS 22.f4 �6 23.CjjdS �e6 24.Cjj ee3 Cjjd 7 2S.l:le2i Glek-Ballo, Senden 1 99 8 . White

has seized space in the centre and now begins to fight for the open c-file. 1 3.

�c1 -b2

161

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 3 .i.d2 'it'h5 1 4Jk l �d7 1 5 .tLle2 tLlg5 1 6.tLlxg5 ( 1 6 . .ixg5 fxg5 1 7 .tLlg3 'it'h6 I B .e5 g4 1 9 .hxg4 �xg4 2 0 .exd6 exd6 2 1 Jlxc6 IhcB 2 2 . l:1xcB l:txcB 2 3 .'iVe2 'it'f4�) 1 6 . . . fxg5 1 7 .i.e3 'it'h4 I B . f3 i.xh3 , Bologan-Motylev, Zvenigorod 2002. 1 3 . ...

�cS-d7

1 3 . . . 'it'h5 1 4.'iYd3 tLlg5 1 5 .tLlxg5 fxg5 1 6 .e5 �. 14. :ta1 -c1 1 5. 'ifd1 -e2 1 6. :te1 -d1 �

:taS-cS e7-e5

It is unfavourable for Black to exchange on d4, because then the pawns on c6 and d6 become convenient objects of attack. Therefore White can quietly strengthen his position, waiting for the optimum moment to exchange on e5. B)

6.

...

Bl)

7.

b2-b4

This gambit idea is not such a rare thing in the Sicilian, and there is even the spe­ cific variation l .e4 c5 2 .b4! ?, the idea of which is to seize the centre with pawns. Sometimes the move b2-b4 is prepared, by playing a2-a3 . In this position, the idea of 7 .b4, intro­ duced into practice by Robert Fischer, is to try to break through to the dark squares in the enemy position, in the first instance d6, which has been weakened by the king's bishop moving to g 7 . 7. ... S. a2-a3

c5xb4

S.

c6-c5

e7-e5

One of the main continuations for Black in this position - he wishes to act as ag­ gressively as possible in the centre.

81 ) 7.b4 82) 7.c3

1 62

...

• B . . . b3 9.cxb3 tLle7 1 0 .�b2 d6 I I .d4 exd4 1 2.i.xd4 f6 1 3 .b4 0-0 1 4.tLlc3 i.e6 1 5 .'it'd2 'it'd7 1 6 .�e3 l:1fdB 1 7 J:Iad l ! Grabarczyk-Weglarz, Lubniewice 1 9 95; • B ... bxa3 looks very risky, although here too Black has many defensive resources: 9.tLlxa3 d6 1 0.d4 exd4 ( 1 0 . . . tLle7 1 1 .dxeS dxe5 1 2 .'it'xd B + �xdB 1 3 .tLlc4 f6 1 4 . .ie3 � Boix Moreno-Fluvia, La Pobla de Lillet 1 996) I l .e5 dxe5 1 2 .tLlxe5 .ie6 1 3 .'it'f3 tLle7 1 4.tLlxf7 ! Lf7 1 5 .�g5 0-0 1 6.i.xe7 'it'd7 1 7 .LfB l:txfB I B .'ti'd3! Klundt-Hubner, Bad Wiessee 1 9 9 7 .

Chapter 1 1

9. a3xb4 1 0. d2-d4 1 1 . �c1 -b2

c5xb4 e5xd4

Black does not have time to defend all his weaknesses and should therefore strive to minimize his losses. 11. 1 2.

ttJf3xd4

d7-d6 'ifd8-d7

It is essential to defend against the

1 5.

-

The Fianchetto with 4. . . bxc6

ttJd4-f51?

Fischer strives to get the maximum out of his position , although the simple I S . t2JbS , promising White a small but lasting advantage, was probably objec­ tively stronger. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7.

ttJc4xd6+ ttJf5xh6

1 7.

...

�g7xb2 �e8-f8

knight's entry into c6. Spassky's sugges­ tion 1 2 . . . 'ii b 6 is an inferior way of doing this, because of 1 3 .t2Jd2 ! (threatening lLJc4) 1 3 . . . �xd4 1 4.t2Jc4 �xf2 + I S .h I 'i'c5 1 6 .t2Jxd6+ e7 1 7 .11fl 'ifxd6 1 8 .'iYf3 ! � , and White's attack is ex­ tremely dangerous. 1 3. 1 3 . . . ttJe7

1 4.

ttJb1 -d2

�c8-b7

1 4.t2Jc4±. ttJd2-c4

ttJg8-h6

1 4 ... ttJe7 1 5 . t2Jb5�.

Previously it was considered that Black could put up a tenacious resistance with 1 7 . . . �xa l 1 8 .'ifxa l 'iYxd6 1 9 .'ii'xh8+ e7 2 0 .'ifxh7 'ife6 , but Rybka shows that after the accurate 2 1 . 'if g 7 (bringing the queen back into play) White has a practically winning position. 1 8. 1 9. 20. 21 .

Robert Fischer

f7-f6

ttJd6-f71 :la1 xd1 tUf7xh8 ttJh6-f5+1I±

'ifd7xd 1 �f8-e7 na8xh8

Fischer-Spassky, Sveti Stefan/Belgrade 1 99 2 (m/ I I ) . The second knight jump to the 'forbid­ den' square fs proves even more effective than the first. White deprives his oppo­ nent of the bishop pair and reaches a technically winning endgame. 1 63

The Rossolimo Sicilian

B2) A

7.

c2-c3

I

solid and reliable continuation. which

White prefers more often than anything

, l!:,

else.

.t 'iF � " ,

I ,

�I

ttJ l!:, l!:, l!:, l!:, l!:, l!:, la ttJ it 'li' la � l!:,

�, ,

8 l!:, l!:, � ttJ it 'li' la 7.

...

S.

d2-d4

c5xd4

9.

c3xd4

e5xd4

1 0.

tLlf3xd4

0-0

11.

tUb1 -c3

d 7-d6

Maybe the most accurate move of all here is

tUgS-e7

1 1 . .I:!.b8 . not allowing the bishop to move .•

7 :fi'b6 8.tUa3 �a6 Not allowing the

from c 1 . White certainly does not want to

knight to c4. 9.d3 d6 9 . . .tiJ e 7 1 0 .�e3

play b2-b3 . seriously weakening the long

•.

(White gets nothing after 1 0 . ltJc4 Vi'c7 ;

diagonal. which leaves 1 2.tUb3 dS . This

Now the threat is b2 -b4. and Black must

sharp move runs into an unpleasant retort.

do

If 1 2 . . . Vi'c7 . then 1 3 .�gS . provoking the

something

about

it)

1 0 . . .'ihb2

( 1 0 . . . 0 - 0 1 1 . b4± ; 1 0 . . . dS 1 1 . exdS cxdS

opponent into playing . . . £7 -f6 and blocking

1 2 . Vi'a4+

ltJxc6

his bishop on g 7 . but he. of course. will

1 4.kxcs kxd3 l S . .I:!.ad 1 jLe4 1 6 . ltJb S ±

prefer to avoid that. Therefore 1 3 . . . .I:!.e8

Vi'c6

1 3 . Vi'xc 6 +

1 9 94)

( 1 3 . . . d6 1 4 . .I:!.c 1 - creating an unpleasant

l 1 ..it xcS Vi'xc3 1 2 . .I:!.c 1 ± . The bishop on

vis-a.-vis of queen and rook along the c-file

Sutovsky-Tomicic .

Szeged

cS is extremely strongly posted. and

-

White has a large positional advantage.

1 7 .ltJcS ! Vi'b6 1 B .ltJ3a4 'iYbS 1 9 .tLld7+­

l O.tUd2 Tempting. but more effective is

Zagrebelny-Dolgener.

1 0 . d4 cxd4

1 4.'ifd2 d6 l s . .if4 �eS 1 6 . ..LeS dxeS

1 1 . cxd4 exd4

( 1 1 . . .ltJe7

1 4 . . . �a6

1 2 . dxeS dxeS 1 3 . Vi'a4 kbS 1 4.'ifc2±)

1 7 .ltJa4 .ite6

1 2 .eS

.l:!.bdB

dxe S

( 1 2 . . . dS

1 3 . ltJxd4

ltJe7

l S .Vi'd2

f6

1 6 .�f4 ttJc8

Budapest

1 B .ltJacS hb3

2 0 .'ifc3

.l:!.d7

1 993) 1 9 .tLlxb3

2 1 . .I:!.ad 1

.l:!.ed8

( 1 3 . . . ltJe7

22 . .I:!.xd7 .l:!.xd7 B .h3;!; Oral-Van de Pol.

1 4. tLlac4 Vi'cs l S . b3 ±) 1 4 . .I:!.xeS + WfB

Hengelo 1 9 9 6 . 1 3.�gS d4 Taking on e4 is

1 4 . �g S ;!;)

1 3 . ltJxe S

�xe S

l S .b4! with a strong initiative for White.

impOSSible because of the loss of a piece.

Iordachescu-Ljubisavlj evic.

The pawn on d4 only looks strong at first

Campobasso

2 0 0 6 . l O ... tUe7 1 0 . . . �xd3 ? 1 1 . tLldc4±.

Sight; in reality. it is a new weakness

1 1 .tUdc4 'it'c7 1 2.f4;!; A typical device -

Black's camp. especially after the accurate

in

White attacks the pawn at eS from the

reply 1 4.tUa4 h6 1 4 . . . .I:!.eB l S .�f4 J:[b4

flank and the d-pawn remains in reserve.

1 6 . tLlacS

Black faces a difficult defence.

1 6.tUacS gS 1 7.�g3 f5 1 8.f3 .

1 64

.l:!.bS

1 7 . .I:!.c 1;!;.

l S .tf4 J:[bS •

Chapter I I

-

The Fianchetto with 4 bxc6

1 7. ... 1 8. 'iYd2-f4

...

f7-f6 ::ta8-d8

1 9. i.d4xa7±

Bologan-Bogdan, Neptun 1 9 9 0 . White has ali extra pawn and an excellent posi­ tion. In the end, I managed to lose the game, but it was a very long time ago! Analysis diagram

important move. White opens a path for his bishop to retreat and at the same time secures the e4 pawn, which seri­ ously limits the action of the knight on

An

e7 . 1 8 ... fxe4 1 9.fxe4 ttJg6 20 ....c2 ttJf4

C)

6.

...

'iWd8-b6

Black attacks the pawn on b2 . But this threat is easily met - White makes natural developing moves, and later even wins a tempo, by exploiting the less than ideal position of the queen on b6.

2 1 .'iYc4+ �h7 22.eS 'ifdS 23 ....xdS cxdS 24.�xf4 gxf4 2S .ttJd3 i.fS 26.::tad l t 1 2. 1 3. 14. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7.

i.c1 -g5 'iYd 1 -d2 l:%a1 -d1 i.g5-e3 ttJd4-b3 i.e3-d4

..tc8-b 7 l:U8-e8 'iid 8-b6 'ifb6-a5 "'a5-h5

7. ttJb1 -a3

i.c8-a6

The pawn cannot be taken because of the pin (from b 1 ) or the fork (from c4) , whichever tactical motif White prefers. 8. d2-d3 9. ttJa3-c4 1 0. e4-e5

The exchange of dark-squared bishops is favourable for White, mainly because it is useful to relieve the opponent of his pair of bishops, and also because after the exchange, the defence of the pawns at d6 and c6 becomes a rather thankless task.

ttJg8-f6 'ii' b 6-c7

White goes over to the attack and with the help of a small tactic, is able to de­ prive his opponent of his castling rights. 1 0. ... 1 1 . ttJc4-d6+ 1 2. ttJd6-e4±

ttJf6-d5 �e8-f8

Bologan-Troyke, Dresden 1 996. 1 65

The Rossolimo Sicilian

D)

In

reply to the immediate 6 ... ttJgS-h6 White at once creates a pawn pair in the centre:

aggressive move - Black wants to seize the initiative on the kingside at once. But his pieces are not sufficiently harmoni­ ously placed to create serious threats. Black can start by making several develop­ ing moves 1 1 . ttJ£7 1 2 .'iYc2 .id7 1 3.�e3 'iYaS 1 4.1:[ad l 1:[ab8 I S.b3 and only now revealing his true plans with 1 S...'iYhS Black wants to play ... gS -g4, or . . . g S , . . . 'ifg6 , . . . hS and only then . . . g4, depending on the situation. Of course, White should prevent this, so as not to fall under an attack. 1 6.ttJe2 This move shows that the black queen can get into trouble on the kingside. Now 1 6 . . . �xh3 is not possible because of the double blow 1 7 .tLlf4. Consequently, Black decides to return the queen to the left half of the board. 1 6 'iYbS 1 7J1d3 White creates a battery along the c-file and ties his oppo­ nent's forces to the defence of the c6 pawn. 1 7 ... 'iYb7 1 8.1:[c3 1:[fc8 1 9.1:[c1 �f8 20.'iYd2 A multi-purpose move - under the right circumstances, White is pre­ pared to start a kingside attack. 2o Jbs 2 1 .1:[3c2 �g7 22.ttJc3� Rausis-Filipovic, Basel 2 0 0 7 . Black has a solid but passive position. White can choose on which part of the board to carry out his assault, after due preparation. An

-

7. c2-c3 S. d2-d4 9. c3xd4

0-0 c5xd4

•••

01 ) 9... d6 02) 9.. d5 .

D 1 ) If 9. .d 7-d6, White plays the subtle prophylactic move 1 0.h2-h3, immedi­ ately restraining two enemy minor pieces, the knight and the bishop on c8. .

1 0. 11.

••

f7-f6 ttJb1 -c3

.•

1 2. ttJf3-h2

Prophylaxis against . . . gS -g4. White also establishes control over the square hS , from which he wishes to exclude the black queen. 1 2. 1 3. 1 4. 11.

1 66

...

g6-g5

�c1 -e3 'iYd 1 -d2

'iYdS-eS 1:[aS-b8

1 4. 'ife 2 is in no way worse, continuing to observe the light squares.

Chapter 1 1

14. 1 5. f2-f3;t

'iWe8-h5

-

The Fianchetto with 4. . . bxc6

1 0 ...�g4?1 does not bring any particular dividends, because of 1 I .ttJbd2! I l .h3 �xf3 1 2 .'it'xf3 ttJfS = . 1 l 'iWb6 1 2.hl �xf3 I l.ttJxf3 and the black minor pieces are offside. Nor does I l ...c5 1 4.dxc5 'iWxc5 1 5.�g5 ;t help. •••

White cuts off his opponent's aggressive kingside intentions at the roots, and in­ tends to become active himself on the other wing, with l:[ac l , ttJa4 (or ttJe2) and so on. D2)

9.

...

d7-d5

A great impression was made on me by Luke McShane's game, in which he com­ pletely smothered Black's pieces. 1 1 . e5-e6

The most determined response. Yes, Black leaves himself a backward pawn on c6, but he wants to attack the enemy pawn centre at once. In addition, White now does not have time for the prophylactic h2-h3 . 1 0.

e4-e5

Of course, the white pawns on eS and d4 are not a great sight for the bishop on g 7 , but Black hopes to be able to remove this barrier. 1 O .ttJe S ? ! is not good, because of 1 0 . . . dxe4 (but not 1 0 . . . .ib7 1 1 .ttJc3 f6 1 2 .ttJd3 e6 1 3 .ttJcS � Zhu Chen-Docena, Doha rapid 2 0 06) 1 1 .ttJc3 ttJfS 1 2 .ttJxc6 (And. Nikitin-Yakovich, Tomsk 1 99 7 ) 1 2 . . . 'it'd6 1 3 .dS �xc3 1 4.bxc3 �b7 + . 1 0 . ...

f7-f6

Putting a bone in Black's throat. It may be that White will eventually be unable to defend this pawn, but in order to win it, Black will have to expend a great deal of effort, and during this time, the white pieces will take up their ideal positions. 11. 1 2. 'iWd 1 -e2 1 3. b2-b3 14. �c1 -a3 1 5. ttJb1 -c3!

'iWd8-d6 a7-a5 ttJh6-f5 'iWd6-f4

White plays for positional domination, without worrying about the pawn. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8. 1 9.

ttJf3xd4 ttJc3-a4 �a3-c5 �c5-d4�

ttJf5xd4 'iWf4xd4 'iWd4-a7 'iWa7-c7

1 67

The Rossolimo Sicilian

White does not hurry with the exchange on fS and for the moment, invites Black to do his worst. 1 2. 1 3. 1 4. 1 5.

McShane-Yakovich, Stockholm 2 0 00 / 0 1 . Just look how beautifully and powerfully White has managed to post his pieces! In the near future, the knight will come to cS , and White, despite the one pawn deficit, has a clear positional advantage. E)

6 . ...

'it'd8-c7

The idea of this fairly rare move is to strengthen control over square eS , and not allow the white pawn to advance there, followed by an attack on the pawn with the move . . . £7-fS .

... f4xe5 ttJd4xf5 ttJb1 -d2

ttJg8-e7 d6xe5 ttJe7xf5

Black has a bunch of pawn weaknesses and does not even have the bishop pair by way of compensation. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8. 1 9.

... 'ifd1 -f3 'it'f3-d3 ttJd2-c4 'ifd3xc4;!;

ttJf5-d6 1:h8-f8 1:f8-f7 ttJd6xc4

Macieja-Kotanjian, Martuni 2 0 0 7 . F)

6 . ...

ttJg8-f6

A cunning move; in this variation, Black has a whole range of interesting ideas.

7.e4-e5 7. 8. 9. 1 0. 11. 1 2.

1 68

h2-h3 c2-c3 e4xf5 d2-d4 ttJf3xd4 f2-f41

d 7-d6 f7-f5 �c8xf5 c5xd4 e7-e5

• 7.ttJc3?! 0-0 S.eS ttJdS 9.ttJxdS 9.ltJe4 d6 1 0.exd6 exd6=. 9 cxdS 1 0.d4 d6=; • 7.c4 d6 S.eS ttJg4, and Black no longer has to worry about his weak pawns on c6 and cS , since White has weakened him­ self on the d-file; •••

Chapter I I •

-

The Fianchetto with 4. . . bxc6

Another principled variation is 7.c3

8.d4 cxd4 9.cxd4 dS 1 0.eS ttJe4 1 1 .ttJbd2 cS 1 1 . . . i.f5 1 2 .ttJb3 f6 1 3 .i.f4

0-0

g5 1 4 . .ie3 a5 1 5 .exf6 exf6 1 6 .nc I 'ti'b6 1 7 . 11e2 i M.Krupa-Zawadzka, Krakow 200 8 . 1 2 .dxcS ttJxcS 1 3 .ttJb3 ttJxb3 13 . . . ttJe4 1 4.ttJbd4 e6 1 5 .i.e3 i.d7 1 6 .'ti'd3 nb8 1 7 .'iVa3 a5 1 8 .11ac I i Tiurin-Savitskiy, Salekhard 2007. 14.'iVxb3 d4 l SJ:td l �e6 1 6.'iVa3 'ifb6 1 7.'ifxe7 �g4 1 8.�f4 �xf3 1 9.9xf3 'i'xb2 20.'ifcS l:tfd8 2 1 .�gS lle8 22.f4!

Alexeev-Novik, Kirishi rapid 2 0 0 7 . 7. 8.

... c2-c4

ttJf6-d5

White is also promised a small advantage after 8 .d4 cxd4 9.'iVxd4 0-0 I 0.'ti'h4 d6 ( I O . . . f6 ! ?) 1 1..�. h 6 . 8. ...

ttJd5-c7

Evgeny Alexeev

F I ) Up to now, in general, everybody has played 9.d2-d4 , but in recent times, this line has encountered problems.

The knight heads to e6, in order later on to fight for the squares d4 and f4. If 8 . . . ttJb6 9 .d4 cxd4 1 0 .'iVxd4 the knight on b6 remains out of play. After 1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 .'ii'h4 White plays �h6 , ttJc3 , nad l , obtaining a marked advantage.

9. 1 0.

... 'ifd1 xd4

1 0. ...

c5xd4

0-0

I 0 . . . .tb7 ! ? I l .ttJc3 ttJe6 1 2 .'iVh4 h6 1 3 .ttJd4! ? c5 1 4.ttJxe6 dxe6 1 5 .'ti'g3 0-0 1 6 .h4! ± ; • I 0 . . . d5 ! ? I l .ttJc3 ttJ e 6 ( 1 1 . . . 0 - 0 1 2 .'iVh4i) 1 2 .'iVh4 h 6 1 3 .ttJd4 ttJxd4 1 4.'iVxd4 �e6 1 5 .cxd5 cxd5 1 6.b3 i ; •

F1 ) 9.d4 F2) 9.b3

1 69

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 0 . . . d6 1 1 .�h6 tL'le6 1 2 .'it'e3 0-0 1 3 .�xg7 tL'lxg7 1 4.tL'lbd2 "'b6 l S ....c3 l:tbS 1 6.exd6 exd6 1 7 .b3;;!; Al Sayed­ Amanov, Doha 2 0 0 6 . •

11.

'ifd4-h4

1 3.tLlc3-e4

11.

...

f7-f6

•

1 3 .�d2 fxeS 1 4.tL'lxeS l:tfS � ;

•

1 3.exf6 exf6 1 3 . . . l:txf6 1 4.tL'lgS tDf8

l S .tL'lge4 l:te6 1 6.�gS d6 1 7 .l:tad 1 'i'c7 l S .l:te3 l:tbS 1 9 .b3 l:tb4 2 0 .i.h6± AI. Kharitonov-Markos, Oropesa del Mar 1 9 9 9 ; 1 3 . . . �xf6 1 4.tL'lg S ± . 1 4 .ie3 1 4.tL'le4 dS ; 1 4.'it'g3 fS l S .'it'd6 �a6�. 14 B ! I think this is White's best chance. Now White should exchange queens, af­ ter which his pressure is undoubtedly re­ duced. Weaker is 1 4 . . . l:tbS l S .l:te2 '6'a5 1 6 .l:td 1 IIb4 ( 1 6 . . . fS 1 7 .�h6 ! ±) 1 7 .a3 l:tbS I S .l:I.ed 2 ± Sutovsky-Tibensky, Kaskady 2 0 0 2 . 1 5 .'iWxd8 l:txd8 By accu­ rate play, Black should achieve equality. 1 6.l:tac l 1 6 . tL'la4 dS 1 7 . cxdS cxd5 I S .tL'lgS d4 1 9 .tL'lxe6 i.xe6 2 0 .�f4 .if/;!; Warakomski-Kryvoruchko, Cappelle la Grande 2 00 7 . 1 6 d5 1 7.cxdS cxdS .

Alternatives do not offer Black much solace: • 1 1 . . . d6 1 2 .�h6 tL'le6 1 3 . tL'lc3 f6 1 4.�xg7 �xg7 l S .exf6+ l:txf6 (with the idea of . . . l:tf4) 1 6.tL'lg S ! tL'lxgS 1 7 .'it'xgS±, Kasparov-Salov, Dortmund 1 99 2 ; • l l . . . dS ?! 1 2 .�h6 f6 1 3 .�xg7 �xg7 1 4.tL'lc3 ± Glek-Cacco, Porto San Giorgio 1 999; • 1 1 . . . tL'le6 1 2 .�h6 l:[ b S ( 1 2 . . . d S 1 3 .tL'lc3 fS 1 4.cxdS cxdS l S .l:tad 1 �b7 1 6J:td2 �xh6 1 7 .'it'xh6 d4 l S .l:txd4 ! ± , Magomedov-Myo Naing, Kuala Lumpur 1 99 3 ) 1 3 .b3 dS 1 4.tL'lc3 f6 1 S . �xg 7 �xg 7 1 6 .cxdS cxdS 1 7 .l:tad 1 ± , Komliakov-Rakhimov, Moscow 1 99 7 . 1 2. tLlb1 -c31?

tLlc7-e6

White can count on a small advantage af­ ter 1 2 . . .fxeS 1 3 .tL'lxeS l:tfS 1 4.tL'lg4 tL'le6 1 S .b7 1 4.b 1 tLJcB I S .tLJg3 tLJd6 1 6 .tLJfS [6 1 7 .tLJxg7 'ifxg7 I B .'i1Ie2 gS 1 9 .c4 hS 2 0 . tLJd2 1/2 - 1/2 , S.B.Hansen-Lund, Den­ mark 2 0 0B / 0 9 . 8. ...

tbg8-e7

•..

•••

•

20.11fd1 'it'c3 2 1 .'it'e3 'it'xe3 22 ..Rxe3t

1 76

9. 1 0.

a2-a4 tbf3-d2

a7-a5

Chapter 12 - The Fianchetto with 4. . . dxc6

1 O. ttJ e2 0-0 with mutual chances. 1 0. ...

�c8-e6

After 1 0 . . . 0-0 I l .ttJc4 �e6 White has a small advantage. 1 1 . ttJc3-e2 1 2. f2-f4

1 2 .�e3

0-0 f7-f51

With the initiative for Black, Bologan­ Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2 004. C2)

exf6 1 1 .�c3 ttJfl 1 2.ttJbd2 ttJd6 1 3.b3 �e6 1 4.1:e l 'it'd7 I S.ttJc4 ttJrs with

counterplay in Shirov-Radjabov, Leon rapid 2 004.

7. 0-0

C21 ) 7...ttJh6 C22) 7...e51?

C2 1 I ) 8. ttJb1 -c3

7 ... ttJf6 S .ttJc3 - see 6 . . . ttJf6 .

C2 1 ) 7. ...

White has an interesting idea, involving the sacrifice of the exchange and a pawn for control of the dark squares: 8.�d2 f6 S . . . �xb2 ! ? 9 .ttJa3 ttJgS 1 0 . ttJc4 �xa l 1 1 .'tWxa l f6 1 2 .eS . I am not sure that White has sufficient compensation for the exchange and a pawn, but this idea could certainly be worth trying in some­ thing like rapid chess. 9.eS 0-0 1 0.exf6

ttJg8-h6

This was played against me by the Belorussian GM Sergey Zhigalko at the European Championship 2 0 0 9 . At the board, I decided to work out the disad­ vantages of Black's last two moves 6 . . . b6 and 7 . . . ttJh6 ? : they do not really accord with general central strategy and, to my mind, they do not go well together either.

0-0

S . . . f6 9 .�e3 eS 1 0.ttJh2 0-0 1 1 .f4 exf4 1 2 .l:lxf4 fs 1 3 .'tWd2 g S 1 4JHfI f4 I S .�f2 ttJf7 1 6 .ttJf3 hS=F Tomilova­ Korbut, Dagomys 2 004. 9. �c1 -e3

f7-f6

1 0. a2-a3 as 1 0 . . . ttJf7 ? ! 1 1 .aS l:[bS 1 2 .axb6 axb6 1 3 . ttJh2 fS I 4.exfS gxfS 1 S .f4 �e6 I 6 .ttJf3 c4 (Sanduleac­ Kotronias, Eforie Nord 200S) I 7 .l:la7 ;;!; . e l 0.a4

C21 1 ) 8.ttJc3 C21 2) 8.a4

l 1 .d4 cxd4 1 2.'it'xd4 'irxd4 1 3.ttJxd4 �d7 1 4.1:fd 1 1:fb8 I S.1:d2 ttJf7 1 6.1:ad 1 1:b7 1 7 .ttJde2 �e8 1 8.f4 eS+t

Chernyshov-Bocharov, Sochi 2 0 0 6 ; 1 77

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 0.'ifd2 ttJfl I I .ttJh2 eS 1 2 .f4 exf4 1 3 .%:txf4 ttJeS 1 4.%:tafl �e6 I S . %:t4£1 %:tfl 1 6 .ttJf3 ttJxf3 + 1 7 .%:txf3 'ifd7 1 8.b3 %:te8 1 9 .�h l .ih8 20 . .ih6 (Kovalevskaya­ Cmilyte, Plovdiv 2008) 2 0 . . . fS+t . •

1 0. 11. 1 2. 1 3. 1 4. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7.

... ttJf3-h2 'ifd 1 -d2 l:[a1 -b1 f2-f4 �e3xf4 �g1 -h1 ttJh2-f3

I realized that White can do without the move ttJc3 and first develop the bishop, only deciding later where to place the knight, depending on the situation on the board.

a7-a5 e7-e5 ttJh6-f7 a5-a4 e5xf4 �c8-e6 f6-f5

Yakovenko-Cherniaev, Krasnodar 2 0 0 2 . 1 7. 1 8. 1 9. 20.

C2 1 2) 8.

... ttJc3xe4 d3-d4 l:[b1 -e1

f5xe4 c5-c4 �e6-d5 l:[f8-e8+t

The idea of this move is to provoke the opponent into creating weaknesses on the queenside, and then attack them. a 7-a5

One of the consequences of White's pre­ vious move: after 9 . . . �xb2 1 0.lt:Ja3 the knight on a3 will now be defended. 1 78

f7-f6

9 �xb2 1 O.ttJa3 �g7 1 0 . . . ttJg8 I 1 .tDc4 �xa l 1 2 . 'ifxa l f6 1 3 . %:tb l - White has rich compensation for the sacrificed ma­ terial; 1 O . . . �xa 1 ? 1 1 . 'ifxa 1 - Black has a rook and knight hanging. 1 1 J:tb 1 �e6 1 2.ttJc4 �xc4 1 3.dxc4 'ifc7 The only move, in order not to lose all his queenside pawns. 1 4.'ifd2 ttJg8 Again the only move. l s .l:[fd l GG White has a large advantage in development and ex­ cellent compensation for the sacrificed pawn. •••

1 0. 11.

a2-a4

8. ... 9. �c1 -e31

9 . ...

ttJb1 -a3 ttJa3-c4

e7-e5

I I .c3 0-0 1 2 .'ifb3 + ttJfl 1 3 .ttJc4 i.e6! ? ( 1 3 . . J la6 1 4. %:tfd l .i e 6 I S .d4;t) 1 4.'ifxb6 ( 1 4.%:tfd l ttJd6=) 1 4 .. :iYxd3 I S .ttJxaS %:t£b8 1 6.'ifxc6 %:ta6 1 7 JHd l %:txc6 1 8 .%:txd3 ll a 6 1 9 . .ixcS %:txaS 20.b4 %:ta6 2 1 .aS �f8=F. 1 1 . ... 1 2. ttJf3-d2

�c8-e6

Chapter 12

White reinforces the knight on c4, which keeps the entire enemy queenside under pressure, and prepares to become active on the kingside, by playing fl.-f4. 1 2 . ...

na8-a6

A useful prophylactic move. In the event of 1 2 . . . Ci'Jf7 the same brilliant idea of Chebanenko's follows:

-

The Fianchetto with 4 . . . dxc6

1 7 . 'iWfl. Ci'JeS ! ( 1 7 . . .f5 1 8 .exfS �xfs 1 9.1::tae l ) 1 8 .Ci'Je3 'iWd4 1 9 .b3 l::taf7 � . 1 7. ...

b6-b5

Step by step, Black prepares counterplay on the queenside. It will not pose White a big problem if he undertakes a few pre­ ventive measures. 1 8. 'ii'f3-f2

lla7-d7

Bologan-S.Zhigalko, Budva 2 0 0 9 . The somewhat slow course o f the game slightly weakened my attentiveness, and I forgot that Black can also create some sort of threat. Here I played 1 9. Ci'Jf3 , overlooking the ex­ cellent reply 1 9 . . . Ci'JgS ! . Instead, I should have played 1 9 . b3 � and White prevents both of his opponent's active plans and re­ tains a small opening advantage. 1 3 .b4! ! axb4 ( 1 3 . . . cxb4 1 4.�xb6 'iWe7 1 5 ..txa5 ±) 1 4.a5 bxa5 1 5 .�xc5 �f8 1 6 . .ib6 'iWb8 1 7 .�xa5 �e7 1 8 .�b6�. It is interesting that at first, Zhigalko wanted to play 1 2 . . . Ci'Jf7 at once, but then he spotted the idea of b2-b4, and stopped and thought for a long time. He chose a more solid continuation, but his time ex­ penditure later took its toll and his subse­ quent time-pressure enabled me to win the game. 1 3. f2-f4 14. �e3xf4 1 5. 'ii'd 1 -f3

�g1 -h 1 ttJc4-e3

e7-e51?

e5xf4 tLJh6-f7 8. a2-a3

Maybe 1 S .tLJe3 � was stronger and safer, in order to prevent Black's only active idea, which is . . . f6-fs . 1 5. 1 6. 1 7.

e2 2) 7. ...

0-0 %1a6-a7

The most popular plan. This set-up has often been used as Black by Grandmaster Kotronias, although in the majority of cases he has stood worse, so one can draw the conclusion that on the whole, this line is better for White. The alternatives are also interesting, but weaker than 8 .a3 : 1 79

The Rossolimo Sicilian S.a4 CiJe7 9.�e3 9 .aS �e6� . 9 aS 1 O.CiJa3 f6 I I .CiJc4 1 1 .c3 �e6�. 1 1 �e6 1 2.b3 gS 1 2 . . . 0-0 1 3 .llb l tDcs 1 4.'iYd2

•

•••

•••

llfl I S .tDh2 llaa7 1 6 .tDg4;t Lakos­ Dudas, Hungary 2 0 0 1 . 1 3.CiJfd2 CiJg6 1 4.b4!? axb4 I S.aS bxaS 1 6.�xcS jLfSD 1 7.jLb6 'ii'd 7 1 8.�xaS nbS I S . . . lla6 ! ? 1 9.i.b6 Yl.e7 20.na7 nb7 2 1 .1:taS+ �f7 22.1:txhS CiJxhS 2 3 .�e3 ttJg6=F

Jackova-Dembo, Gothenburg 2 0 0 5 ; • By analogy with the examples looked at earlier, White can also play S .tDbd2 here, directing the knight to c4, in order then to carry out the advance b2-b4. S . . . tDh6 9.tDc4 f6 1 0 .�e3 �e6 l 1 .a3 tDfl 1 2 .b4 cxb4 1 3 .axb4 fs 1 4.'iie 2 f4 I S . .tc l gS 1 6.�b2 .txc4 1 7 .dxc4 hS I S . tDe 1 ;t Alexeev-Mamedyarov, Elista 200S.

8.

...

'tWc6 2 2 . llc7 'iYd6 2 3 .tDc4 'iYe6 24.l:lxcS 0-0 2 S .�c7 llb7 2 6 .tDaS lla7 2 7 .'t!VxbS �d7 2 S . 'iYb6 'iYxb6 2 9 . �xb6 l:la6 3 0 . tDc4 g4 3 1 .hxg4 �xg4 3 2 .ttJfd2+­ Anand-Radjabov, Monaco 2009. 1 1 .'ti'bl

f7-f6

Now White realizes his main idea. The alternative is S ... aS 9.�e 3 CiJe7 1 0.CiJbd2 �a6 1 0 . . . a4 I l .b4 axb3 1 2 .tDxb3 . White has very simple play here - he advances a4-aS and destroys his opponent's queens ide pawn structure. Here is a comparatively new example: 1 2 . . . fS 1 3 .a4 f4 1 4 . .td2 'iYd6 I S .�c3 llbS 1 6 .'iYb 1 gS 1 7 ."b2 tDg6 I S .tDbd2 bS 1 9 .axbS cxbS 2 0 Jb7 �f6 2 1 .�aS I SO

Vasilios KOb'onias

Analysis diagram

A relatively fresh idea: White wants to create pressure against the pawn on b6 and thus prepares the break b2-b4. In ad­ dition, in some cases, the queen carne come to a2 . 1 1 . ..h6 1 2.CiJc4 f5 1 3.'ti'a2! Once Black has weakened the a2-gS diag­ onal, placing the queen here becomes very unpleasant for him. 1 3 ...�xc4 Not

Chapter 1 2

-

The Fianchetto with 4. . dxc6 .

1 3 . . . f4?? 1 4.ttJcxe S . 1 4.'iVxc4 a4 1 4 . . . f4 I S .i.d2 'it'd6 1 6.b4 cxb4 1 7 .axb4 a4 1 8 . b S ± . 1 5 .b4 'ifd7 1 6.l:tab l ttJc8

l::td 7 (T.Kosintseva-Kotronias, Moscow 2 0 0 7 ) 2 3 .ttJf1 ! ? ttJg7 24.ttJfe3 ttJhS 2 S .1:[f2 f4 2 6.ttJg4? 1 2.b5 c5 1 3.c4 �e6

1 7.bxc5 b5

1 4.ttJc3 'ifd7 1 5.�b2 ttJf7 1 6.ttJd5 .ixd5 1 7.exd5 l:ae8 1 8.ttJd2 ttJd6 1 9.ttJe4 ttJxe4 20.dxe4 l:U7 2 1 .l:a3;;!; Rublevsky-Kotro­

1 8.'ifa2 'iff7

1 9.'iVb2±

A. Zhigalko-Mamedov, Moscow 2 0 0 9 . 9 . b2-b4

White is ready to undouble his oppo­ nent's pawns, because in return he ob­ tains several real positional plusses. Most of all, he now has more pawns in the cen­ tre, and in addition, the rook on a 1 comes into play and exerts pressure on the pawn on a7 . 9 . ... 1 0. a3xb4

c5xb4 ttJg8-h6

nias, Warsaw 2 0 0 5 ; • 1 1 .i.b2 ttJf7 1 2 .ttJc3 0-0 1 3 .ttJe2 l::t e S 1 4. ttJh2 i.fS I S .'it'e 1 �d6 1 6 .�h l 'it'e7 1 7 .�c3 �d7 I S .'it'd2 �c7 +% Tkachiev­ Kotronias, France 2 0 0 7 . 1 1 . ... 1 2. ttJb1 -c3 1 3. �c1 -b2

0-0 ttJh6-f7

Black has good counterplay in the event of l 3 .cS bS or 1 3 .bS cS 1 4.ttJdS fs . 1 3 . ... 1 4. e4xf5

f6-f5

1 4.l::te l ?! l::t e S I S .'it'e2 �d7 1 6 .l::tad l 'it'c7 1 7 .'it'c2 nabS I S .'it'b3 a6 1 9 .exfS gxfS 2 0 .ttJe2 cS+% S.Zhigalko-Kotronias, Dresden 2 0 0 S . 1 4. ...

1 1 . c2-c4!

The latest word in this variation. White takes advantage of the fact that the knight has not yet gone to c3 , in order to seize space on the queenside. Some other possibilities for White: • I I .ttJbd2 ttJf7 1 2 .�b2 0-0 1 3 .d4 exd4 1 4.�xd4 l::te 8 I S .l::t e l i.e6 1 6.l::ta 3 l::te 7 1 7 . 'it'a I ;;!; Zhang Zhong -Kotronias, Port Erin 2 004; • 1 1 .�a3 0-0 1 1 . . . ttJf7 1 2 .c4 0-0 1 3 .bS cS 1 4.ttJc3 l::tb S I S .ttJdS l::tb 7 1 6 .�b2 ttJd6 1 7 .ttJd2 fs I S .f4 exf4 1 9.�xg7 llxg 7 2 0 .l::txf4 �e6 2 1 .eS ttJeS 2 2 .'Vi'b3

g6xf5

Of course, capturing with the bishop is not good, because then White gets an ex­ cellent central square for the knight: 1 4 . . . �xfS ?! I S .ttJe4 'it'd7 1 6 .'iVe2 ;;!; . 1 5. ttJc3-e2

lSI

The Rossolimo Sicilian

I S .l:[e l J:[e8 � is less promising. With the text, White opens the diagonal of the bishop on b 2 and prepares to trans­ fer the knight to hS , closer to the enemy king. Black already faces something of a crisis. e5-e4

1 5.

l S . . . l:[e8 1 6.tLJg3 � . 1 6. 1 7. 1 S. 1 9.

�b2xg7 �g7xfS 'ifd1 xe2 1:U1 -e1

A triple blow - that is how many weak pawns Black has! 20. 21 . 'ife4-eS+

'ifdS-f6 d2xd3 'it>d3-e2 'it>e2-f1 %:td1 -d3

'ii'd 6-d4 'ii'd4xc3 l:ia8-d8 'ii'c 3-b2+ %:td8xd3+ 'ii' b 2-d4+ 'ii'd4xe4+ 'it>g8xh7

1 -0 , Oratovsky-Alvarez, Albacete 2 0 0 2 . I have deliberately given the whole game by another pupil of Chebanenko. He showed great promise, studied in the 1 88

Botvinnik-Kasparov school, and took prizes in the USSR junior championship, even playing on a level with Kramnik, but then somehow he fell short, and in the end, only became a grandmaster.

An aggressive thrust. Thanks to his solid position in the centre, White can afford such play. 1 1 . ...

�c8-e6

The alternative is 1 1 . . . aS 1 2 .�xg7 xg7 1 3 .'ti'e3 a4 1 4.a3 (a useful move with a view to an endgame - Black has a light­ squared bishop, so in almost any end­ game it will be unpleasant to have his pawns fixed on light squares) 1 4 . . . %:te8 I S .tDd2 (as we have already seen many times, the knight heads for c4, at the same time, freeing the f-pawn) I S . . . .ie6 1 6.tDe2i. I think this position is favour­ able for White. He has prevented the counterplay with . . . cS -c4 and is ready to undertake activity on the kingside. 1 2. 'ii'd 2-e3 1 3. tbc3-e2 1 4. a2-a3 1 5. tbf3-d2

a7-a5 a5-a4 b6-b5

Chapter 13

1 S .ttJg3 is a mistake, because it is not so simple for White to create real threats on the kingside, whilst Black will now have a free hand on the other wing. For example, 1 S . . . ttJe8 1 6 . 0 - 0 f6 1 7 .ttJd2 l:td8 1 8 .�xg 7 ttJxg7 1 9 .f4 exf4 2 0 .'it'xf4 'i!lxf4 2 1 J:txf4 c4� Ponomariov-Leko, Linares 2 0 0 3 . 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 S.

... �h6xg7 f2-f4 tiJe2xf4;!;

l:taS-dS fl g4 20.ttJg l ttJd4, Mokshanov-Sannikov, Kazan 2 0 1 0. 14 ...8 1 S.f3 f4 1 6.�fl hS 1 7.bxeS bS 1 8.ttJb2 gS 1 9.d4 exd4 20.ttJd3 ttJxeS 2 1 .ttJxeS 'iVxeS 22.:tfd l �e6=F Ponomariov-Kramnik,

Linares 2 00 3 . 1 1 . ... 1 2. f2-f4

ttJf8-e6

1 3 ... .i.e6 1 4.1:[fl ttJd7 1 S.ttJe2 0-0-0 1 6.tlaf1 f6 1 6 ... fs leads to weaknesses on

the kingside: 1 7 .ttJf4 -ltf7 1 8.exfS gxfS 1 9.ttJe2 l:tde8 20.-ltf4 'ifd8 2 1 .ttJg3 -ltg6 2 2 . ttJf3 with a small plus for White. 1 7.'iVaS 1 7 .ttJf3 b6 1 8 .�f4 hS 1 9 . .lth2 i.h6 20.ttJf4 -ltf7 2 1 .ttJh4 l:tdg8 2 2 .'ifc3t Rublevsky-MeShane, Istanbul 2003 . 1 7 ... b8 1 8.M 8 1 9.bxeS fxe4 20.d4 �e4 2 1 .'iVa4 �xe2 22.l:txe2 'iVe6 23.e4!

Svidler-Grischuk, Wijk aan Zee 2005. 1 4. 1 5.

l:f4-f2 l:ta 1 -f1

ttJe6-d4 �c8-e6

0221 1 ) 1 6.ttJe2 0221 2) 1 6.ttJg4

D2 2 1 1 ) 1 6. ttJc3-e2 ttJd7-f8 e5xf4

A quiet move, the aim of which is to ex­ change off Black's best-placed piece. 1 93

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 9.

1 6 . ...

tbd4xe2+

1 6 . . . 0-0-0 1 7 .tLlf4;!; .id7 ? 1 8 .tLlxg 6 ! fxg 6 1 9 J H 7 ± " e S 2 0 . .if4 "e8 2 1 .J::tx g7 tLle6 22 . .ig3 +- . 1 7.

l:f2xe2

0-0-0

1 7 . . . b6 1 8 .b3 0 - 0 - 0 1 9 ."e l .ieS ( 1 9 . . . �b7 20 . .id2 g5 transposes to the text game) 2 0 .tLlf3 (20 . .if4!=) 2 0 . . . .ib8 2 1 .d4 gS 2 2 . dxcS b5 2 3 . .id4 f6 24."aS ± G. Meier-Eismont, Pardubice 2006. 1 8.

b2-b3

...

�c8-b71?

The correct plan for Black is to advance the g- and h-pawns, whereas advancing . . . f7 -f5 in a favourable form is quite diffi­ cult. • 1 9 . . . �eS 2 0.tLlf3 - c? 1 7 . . . b6 1 8 .b3 0-0-0 1 9 ."e l .ieS 2 0 . tLlf3 ; • 1 9 . . . g5 ! ? 2 0.�d2 h5 2 1 ..ic3 .id4+ ( 2 1 . . . .ixc3 ! ? 2 2 ."xc3 g4 2 3 .�f6) 2 2 .�xd4 cxd4oo ; • 1 9 . . ... d6 2 0 . tLlf3 J::t d e8 2 1 . .id2 gS 2 2 .�c3 �xc3 2 3 ."xc3 g4 (Kobalia­ Batsanin, Sochi 2 0 0 5 ) 24.hxg4 .ixg4 2 5 .J::t ef2;!; . 20. �e3-d2 21 . �d2-c3 22. �c3xd4

g6-g5 �g7-d4+ c5xd4

Rublevsky-Inarkiev, POikovsky 2008.

b7-b6

1 8 . . . g5 1 9.tLlf3 J::thfS , Chandler-Inarkiev, Gibraltar 2 004, 2 0 .b4 .id4 2 1 .bxc5 .ixc5 2 2 ."a5 �xe3+ 2 3 .J::tx e3 �b8 24.J::tb l ;!;. 1 9.

'ifd2-e1 2 3 . tbg41?

Also good is 2 3 . 'it'f2 !? with the idea of tLlg4-f6, for example 2 3 . . . h5 24.tLlf3 cS 2 S .tLleS J::th 7 2 6."f6 and White has a slight advantage. Worse is 2 3 .J::tff2 ? ! h5 24.tLlf1 J::tdg8 , and Black takes over the initiative. 23 . ...

�e6xg4

2 3 . . . J::td g8 24.tLlf6 J::tg 6 2 5 .e5 hS 2 6.c4±. 1 94

Chapter 1 3

24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29.

h3xg4 l:te2-f2 �f2-f61 'iVe1 -g3 'iVg3xg4 'iVg4-f51±

-

Black Plays 4... dxc6 and 6 . . . �f6

White has an extra pawn and the more promising position.

h6-h5 l::td8-f8 h5xg4 l:[h8-h7 �f8-h8

1 8. e4xf5 1 9. ttJc3-a4 20. c2-c3 21 . c3xd4 22. �e3xh6 23. l:lf2-e2�

g6xf5 b7-b5 b5xa4 �g7xh6 l:ld8-g8

D22 1 2) 1 6. ttJh2-g4 D 2 2 2 ) 1 3.�e3xf41

1 6 . ...

f7-f5

1 6 ... 0-0-0 1 7.eS 1 7 .ttJxh6 leads to double-edged play: 1 7 . . .£6 ( 1 7 . . J:rdf8 1 8 .ttJd l b6 1 9 .c3 ttJbS 20.ttJfS gxfS 2 1 .exfS i.xa2 2 2 .£6 i.xf6 2 3 . l:lxf6 �e6 24.�gS 'ifd7 2 S .ttJfl �b7 2 6 .l:le l � Kveinys-Teske. Bad Worishofen 2004) 1 8 .ttJd 1 l:lh7 1 9.c3 ttJbS 2 0.ttJg4 i.xg4 2 1 .hxg4. Turov-Maletin. Moscow 2 00 5 . and here Black should play 2 1 . . .c4. break­ ing up the centre. 1 7 ... �f5 1 8.�xh6 �xeS 1 9.ttJxeS 'iVxeS 20J:te l 'iVc7 2 1 .�f4 'iVd7

(Warakomski-Brzeski.

Warsaw

2 0 0 9)

22.�gS l:lde8 23.ttJe4 �xe4 24.dxe4� 1 7. ttJg4xh6

0-0-0

1 7 . . . 'ifh4?! 1 8 .exfS gxfS 1 9 .ttJxfS ! (this exchange sacrifice is the point of the whole adventure of taking on h6) 1 9 . . . �xfs 2 0 . l:lxfs ttJxfs 2 1 . l:lxfs � Vokarev-Khasin. Koszalin 1 99 9 .

This is the recapture I prefer. 1 3 . ...

ttJf8-e6

• After 1 3 ... �e6? ! White carries out his main idea - the transfer of the knight to the squares d6 and f6 . which becomes possible after eS : 1 4.�g3 gS 1 4 . . . 0-0-0? I S . 'ti'f4. I S.eS! Intending ttJe4-d6 . I S...ttJg6 Or I S . . . ttJd7 1 6 .ttJf3 0-0-0 1 7 . l:lae 1 �b8 1 8 .ttJe4 t . 1 6.ttJf3 0-0-0

1 7.ttJe4 �b8 1 8.'iVe3 ± ;

1 3 . . . �d7 1 4.l:lae l 0-0-0 I S .ttJf3 g S 1 6 .i.h2 ttJ g 6 1 7 .ttJe2 �e6 1 8 .ttJg3 c4 1 9 .d4 ttJh4 2 0 .c3 ttJxf3 + 2 1 .l:lxf3 � Ovetchkin -Artamonov. Ekaterin burg 2008; • 1 3 . . . g S 1 4.�e3 i.e6 I s .'iffl ttJd7 1 6 . a4 0-0 1 7 . g4 b6 1 8 . l:lae 1 ttJeS 1 9 .ttJe2 ttJg6 2 0 .ttJg3 kxb2 2 1 .ttJfS •

1 95

The Rossolimo Sicilian

�xfS 2 2 . gxfS ttJeS 2 3 J:tb l �d4 24 . ..txd4 cxd4 2 S .f6� B.Socko-Michiels, Antwerp 2009. 14. �f4-g3

The bishops retreats to this square be­ cause White wishes to play e4-eS fol­ lowed by ttJc3 -e4.

Tatima Kosintseva

1 4. ...

ttJe6-d4

• 14 ... 0-0 1 5 .e5 ttJd4 1 S . . . �gS ? 1 6.'ife l 'ii'd 8 1 7 .ttJe4 ttJd4 1 8 .'ii'£1 b6 1 9 .11ae l �e6 2 0 .ttJf6+ �h8 2 1 . ..tf4 gS 2 2 .�c l ttJfs 2 3 J:Ie4 �xf6 24.exf6 llg8 2 S .ttJg4 'ii'f8 2 6 . b3 ttJd4 2 7 .ttJeS± Janev­ Annageldiev, Istanbul 2 0 0 6 . 1 6J:tae l transposing into the main variation; • 1 4 :"g5 1 5.'iWe l ttJd4 1 6.'iWfl Creat­ ing a threat against f7 ; note that on the previous move, White could not play I S .'ii'£1 ? because of the obvious reply I S . . . ..td4. 1 6 ... 0-0 1 6 . . . ..te6 ? ! (Zhu Chen-Sukandar, Doha 2 0 0 6) 1 7 .�h4! 'iVhS 1 8 . ttJg4± with the threat of 1 9 . ttJf6 . 1 7.�d6 ! 1 7 . �h l ! ? 'ii' e 7 1 8 . 11ae l ..t e 6 1 9 .eS fS ! ( 1 9 . . . ttJfS 2 0 . ttJe4 ttJxg 3 + 2 1 .'ii' x g 3 llad8 2 2 . ttJf3 � Efimenko-Heinis, Gibraltar 2 0 0 8 ) 2 0 . exf6 �xf6 with mutual chances. 1 7 ... �xh3 1 8 . .ltf4 'iWxg2 +

With three pawns for the knight Black has sufficient material, but White dominates the centre and his pieces cooperate well together, so his position seems preferable . 2 1 l:ad8 22J:td2 ttJd4 2 2 . . . ttJb4 2 3 .11fd l ttJa6 24.ttJf3 �. 23.e5 B 2 3 . . . hS 24.ttJe4t. ••.

24.exf6 l:xf6 25.ttJg4 l:e6 26.�xh6±

Leko-Van Wely, Dortmund 200 5 . 1 5.

l:ta1 -e1 t

Setting up the threat of 1 6 . ttJdS .

.•

1 9.'iWxg2 �xg2 20.�xg2 ttJxc2 2 1 J:tadl

1 96

1 5 . ...

0-0

I S . . . ..te6 1 6.ttJdS cxdS 1 7 .exdS 0-0 1 8 .dxe6�;

•

Chapter 1 3

1 S . . .f6 1 6.ttJdS cxdS 1 7 .exdS ttJe6 I S .dxe6 0-0 1 9 . d4± Dolzhikova­ Stavroyany, Kiev 2 0 0 S . •

1 S.

e4-e5

i.c8-f5

Black gets nothing from 1 6 ... tt:Jrs 1 7.i.f2 h5 1 7 . . . b6 I S .ltJf3 l::t d S 1 9 .ttJe4 �e6 20 .b3 gS 2 1 .g4 (2 1 .'it'c3 ±) 2 1 . . . ltJd4 2 2 .ttJxd4 cxd4 2 3 .�g3 cS 24.ttJf6 + �xf6 2 S .exf6 'it' b 7 2 6 . h4± Papin­ Stamenkov, Plovdiv 2 0 0 S . 1 8.tt:JO b6 1 9.tt:Je4 l:td8 20.g4! i.h6 2 1 ."c3 tDd4 22.i.xd4 cxd4 2 3.tDxd4+- G. Meier­

Nigalidze, Yerevan 2 0 0 7 . 1 7. tDc3-e4 1 8. l:te1 xe4

i.f5xe4 tDd4-f5

• I S . . . hS 1 9 .�h4 ! ? ( 1 9 .�fl ltJfS 2 0 . ttJf3 � Bologan) 1 9 . . . 'it'c7 2 0 .�f6 �h7 2 1 . g4 �h6 2 2 .'it'fl :gS 2 3 .e6 ! +­ Kalegin-S. Sokolov, Kazan 2 0 0 S ; • I S . . . l::t a dS ? 1 9 .�h4 gS 2 0 .ttJg4 ttJe6 (T. Kosintseva-Cmilyte, Turin 2 0 0 6) 2 1 .�g3±.

-

Black Plays 4 dxc6 and 6 ... �f6

1 9. ... 20. tDh2-g4

...

�g8-h7 %:a8-d8

Art. Minasian-Kalugin, Sochi 2 0 0 S , and here White should play 21 ."d2-c3

increasing the pressure on the long diag­ onal and threatening the move 2 2 .ttJf6 + . Play could continue: 21 . 22. 23. 24. 25.

.. 1:1f1 -f2 tDg4-fS+ e5xfS i.f4-e5± .

tDf5-d4 l:U8-e8 �g7xfS "e7-f8

White threatens to win a pawn after the exchange on d4, and Black still has a badly placed queen.

1 9. �g3-f4

Conclusion:

I like White's position: he has taken space in the centre and his pieces are harmoni­ ously placed. The black knight on fs is strong, but it can be driven away and the bishop on g7 is firmly shut out of play.

It seems to me that Black's attempt to avoid the standard attack with oppo­ site-side castling, by means of 7 . . . ttJd7 , is not good, precisely because White can switch to the plan of castling kingside. The classical 7 . . . 0-0 is stronger, using the so-called Leko set-up, with . . . e7-eS , . . . 'it'd6 followed by a pawn advance on the queenside. Here too, it is better for White to delay castling (especially queenside) and play in the centre. 197

Chapter 14

-

The Immediate 7 . 0-0

1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.ttJg1-f3 ttJb8-c6 3.�f1-b5 g7-g6 4.i.b5xc6 d7xc6 S.h2-h3 �f8-g7 6.d2-d3 ttJg8-f6 7.0-0

A popular opening tabiya. 7. ...

0-0

Black can try to win a tempo by playing 7 .tbd7, since square f8 is not yet occu­ pied by the rook, it can be used instead for the transfer of the knight to e6. There could follow: 8.tLlc3 eS 9.tLlh2 White should stick to his main plan of f4. 9... t2Jf8 9 . . . h6?! 1 0.f4 - intending to seize space with the move - 1 0 . . . exf4 1 1 .�xf4 0-0 1 2 .'ifd2 �h7 1 3 .�d6± ; after 9 . . . 0-0 White takes play into the main variation with 1 0 .�e3 t . 1 0.f4 exf4 1 0 . . . tDe6 1 1 .fxe5 h5 ? 1 2 .tDf3 ± . 1 1 .�xf4 tLle6 1 2.�e3 0-0 1 3.tLlg4 Threatening tDh6. 1 3 .. :ir'e7 1 3 . . . f6 1 4.'ifd2! ; 1 3 . . . tDd4 1 4.tLlh6+t. 14 ..illi6 and White has a small advantage. .•

8.

tLlb1 -c3

A) 8...tLle8 B) 8... :e8 C) 8 . tLld7 . .

The immediate 8 . . . e5 ?! does not work be­ cause of 9 . tDxe5 tDxe4 1 0 .tDxe4 �xe5 I l .tDxc5±, and Black does not have full compensation for the sacrificed pawn. 1 99

The Rossolimo Sicilian

For many years, the position after 8 ... tbf6-e8?1 was a stumbling block for Chebanenko and his pupils.

White intends b2 -b4, to strengthen his po­ sition on the queenside and in the centre.

The knight has a long road ahead of him, via c7 and e6 to d4, but when he finally occupies this central outpost, Black ob­ tains an excellent position. Can this be prevented? After all, three tempi is a lot. Finally, it was established that White has a very strong plan, in­ volving the flank break a2-a3 and b2 -b4. As a result, the move S . . . ttJeS was declared dubious, but Black some­ times still plays it.

1 1 . . . aS 1 2 .ttJa4 l:J.bS 1 3 .b4 cxb4 1 4.axb4 bS 1 S .tbcs a4 1 6.�h6± .

A)

9. �c1 -e3 1 0. 'ifd1 -d2

b7-b6

1 0.

e7-e5

1 O . .. tbc7 1 1 .�h6 tbe6 1 2.�xg7 x g7 1 3.tbe2 'ifd6 1 3 . . . f6 1 4.'it'e3 'it'd7 I S .c3

�a6 1 6 .':ad l l:adS 1 7 J:[fe l ttJc7 I S .d4 eS 1 9 . ':d2 exd4 20.cxd4 'it'e7 2 1 .dxcS ':xd2 2 2 .ttJxd2 'it'xcs 23 ....xcS bxcS 24.ttJc3 � Kiilaots-Lund, Borup 200S. 1 4.tbh2 Bad is 1 4.eS ? ! , but 14 ....e3 ;t is worthy of attention. 14 ...tbd4 1 5.tbxd4 'iWxd4 1 6.c3 'ifd6 1 7.f4 �a6 1 8.':0 00

G. Meier-Hirneise, Saarbriicken 2009. 11.

200

a2-83

11.

...

1 2. b2-b4 1 3. a3xb4 1 4. tbc3-e2

tbe8-c7

c5xb4 tbc7-e6

Another typical move; White reinforces his control of squares d4 and f4. 1 4. ...

'ifd8-c7

1 4 . . . ttJd4 1 S .ttJexd4 exd4 1 6 .�h6;t. 1 5. �e3-h6

It is useful to deprive the opponent of the bishop pair and weaken the dark squares around his king. According to the theory of pawn islands, White should have some advantage, because all of his pawns are united, whilst Black has two pawn islands. But still more important are two other fac­ tors: Black has a bad bishop on cS and the pawn on a7 needs permanent defence. 1 5. 1 6. �h6xg7 1 7. b4xc5 1 8. tbf3-h2

c6-c5 g8xg7 tbe6xc5

Chapter 1 4

White's strategy is very simple: he wants to play f2-f4, removing his opponent's last central pawn, and gradually set in motion his powerful central pawn mass. 1 S.

...

f7-f5

An energetic retort, but it is not sufficient for equality. 1 9. e4xf5

�c8xf5

After 1 9 . . . gxfS there is the unpleasant 20 ....c3 ! ttJe6 2 1 . ttJf3 , and Black has great problems defending the eS pawn. 20. tDe2-g3

White has a small, but stable advantage; the opponent's position contains many pawn weaknesses, and his king is not very well defended. 20. 21 . 22. 23. 24.

... tDg3xf5+ tDh2-g4 l:lf1 -e1 tDg4-e3!

tDc5-e6 lUSxf5 tDe6-f4 h7-h5

-

The Immediate 7.0-0

I personally do not see a great deal of sense in preserving the bishop on h8, but Black has the option of doing so, and we should look at it. 9. �c1 -e3 1 0. 'ifd 1 -d2 1 1 . �e3-h6

b7-b6 e7-e5 �g7-hS

1 1 . . . ttJhS 1 2 .ttJe2 "'f6 1 3 .�xg7 �xg 7 1 4.�h2 h6 1 S . ttJfg l 'ifd6 1 6.l:[ad l �d7 1 7 .a3 :ad8 1 8 .... c3 �h7 1 9 .b4 fS (Quezada Perez-Mamedov, Turin 2 0 0 6) and now 2 0 .ttJf3 gives White a slight ad­ vantage. 1 2. tDf3-h2

In the next few moves, the debate will be for and against f2-f4. 1 2. 1 3. tDc3-e2 1 4. b2-b3

tDf6-h5 �cS-e6

Tkachiev-Lautier, Cap d' Agde 2 0 0 2 . B)

S. ...

J:[fS-eS

Before advancing the f-pawn, White should clear the a I -h8 diagonal and pre­ vent his opponent's counterplay on the queenside.

The idea of this is to preserve the dark­ squared bishop from exchange when White plays the move �h6 .

1 4. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7.

... a2-a4 J:[a1 -d1 g2-g4

a7-a5 J:[aS-a7 J:[a7-d7

20 1

The Rossolimo Sicilian

It favours White to keep as many pieces on the board as possible, so he drives the enemy knight away from the f4-square. 1 7. ... 1 8. 'ifd2-e3

tLlh5-f6

�h8-g7

An acknowledgement of the fact that the move �h8 did not make much sense, Valeanu-Czarnota, Budva 2 0 0 3 . Right now, i n this position, White should have made one more prophylac­ tic move . . . 1 9.

C l ) 1 0. ...

'ifd8-e7

1 1 . �e3-h6

While engaged in such deep manoeuvres, it is important not to forget about the e4 pawn. 1 8. ...

C 1 ) 1 0...'ife7 C2) 1 0... 1:[e8

C1 1 ) 11 ...�xh6 C1 2) 1 1 ... l:td8 C1 3) 11 ...tLlf6

C l l ) 1 1 . ... 1 2. 'ifd2xh6 1 3. tLlf3-d2

�g7xh6 f7-f6

l:td 1 -b1 !

. . . in order to cut off at the roots the threat . . . c5 -c4. After this, he could have ex­ changed bishops, finally played £'2-f4 and gradually increased his pressure on the kingside. C)

8. ... 9. �c1 -e3 1 0. 'ifd 1 -d2

tLlf6-d7 e7-e5

For 1 0.tLlh2 'ife? 1 1 .'ifd2 ne8 see 1 0 .'ifd2 ne8 I I .ttJh2 'ife? below.

The knight is heading for c4, from where it can exert pressure on squares e5 and d6. This move also serves as prophylaxis against . . . c5 -c4. For example, after 1 3 .ttJh2 c4!� Black obtains good counterplay. 1 3 . ... 1 4. tLld2-c4 1 5. f2-f4!

1:[f8-f7 tLld7-f8

White has played this key advance Black lacks one tempo to put his knight on e6. -

1 5 . ... 1 6. 'ifh6xf4 1 7. 'iff4-g3

202

e5xf4 tLlf8-e6

Chapter 14

White should not hurry with the ex­ change of queens, because then Black can gradually create counterplay : 1 7 .'ifd6 tDd4 I S .'ifxe7 nxe7 1 9 .nxf6 tDxc2 20.nafl �e6 2 1 .ttJd6 b6�. 17. ...

1 8. e4-e5

The Immediate 7.0-0

White prepares the break fl -f4. We should note that in several variations the white queen can come to c3 . 1 3. 1 4. b2-b3 1 5. ttJf3-h2 1 6. f2-f4

ttJe6-d4

This was the game Cabrilo-Matulovic, Budva 2 0 0 2 . Here it was essential for White to continue with

-

tDd7-f8 f7-f6 ttJf8-e6

Even with the exchange of knights, White will later be able to develop an initiative along the f-file.

exploiting the potential of the knight on c4 to the maximum. For example: 1 8. 1 9. 20. 21 . 22. 23. 24. 25.

... l:ta1 -c1 ttJc4-d6 e5xf6 :f1 xf6 l:tc1 -e1 ttJd6xb7 ttJb7-d6

ttJd4xc2 ttJc2-d4 1:[f7-f8 :If8xf6 'ife7xf6 i.c8-e6 'iff6-e7 1 6 . ...

Less good is 2 S . tDas nfS 2 6 .b3 'ifg7 00 . 25 . ... 26. ttJd6-e4!

C 1 2) 11 . ... 1 2. i.h6xg7 1 3. ttJc3-e2

:a8-d8

.l:[f8-d8 �g8xg7

ttJe6-d4

1 6 exf4 1 7.ttJxf4 'ifd6 1 8.�hl Remov­ •..

ing the king from a possible check on d4. 1 8 ... ttJxf4 1 9 . .l:[xf4 If it had not been for the prophylaxis on the previous move, this rook capture would have been im­ possible. 1 9 ...i.e6 20.l:tafl l:tfS 2 1 .ttJf3 White controls the situation well. Note that his pawns are all on light squares, limiting the opponent's bishop to the maximum extent. 2 1 . .. l:tae8 Zavgorod­ niy-Sumets, Alushta 2003 . Not 2 1 . . . g S ? because o f the simple variation 2 2 .tDxgS fxgs 2 3 .nxfS nxfS 24.'ifxg S + �hS 2 s .nxfS + 'ifxfS 2 6.'ifeS + ? 22.l:te l i.f7 22 . . . gS? 2 3 .nxf6 ! nxf6 24.eS ? 2 3.l:th4 h5 2 3 . . . gS 24.eS nxeS 2 S .nxeS gxh4 2 6 .ne3 �. 24.l:tf4 with a small advantage for White. 203

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1 7. ttJe2xd4 1 8. l:rf1 -f2 1 9. l:ra1 -f1 ;t

C 1 3) 1 1 . ... 1 2. �h6xg7 1 3. a2-a317

c5xd4 �c8-e6

ttJd7-f6 '1tg8xg7

1 S . . . tDhS 1 6.'ifxe7 :xe7 1 7 .tDa4!. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8. 1 9. 20. 21 . 22. 23. 24. 25.

f2-f4 'ifg5-h4 f4xe5 'ifh4-g3 l:rf1 -f2 na1 -f1 ttJd2-f3 nf2xf3 '1tg 1 -h1 d3-d41

h7-h6 �c8-a6 ttJf6-d7 ttJd7xeS l:ra8-d8 cS-c4 ttJeSxf3+ 'ife7-c5+ J:te8-e7 l:rd8xd4

2 S . . . 'ifxd4 2 6 . :d l ± .

In the present situation, the plan with b 2 -b4 is very unpleasant for Black, be­ cause his queen is tied to the defence of the pawn on eS . White is promised less by 1 3 .b3 tDhS 1 4.tDe2 b6 1 S .a3 '1.tg8 1 6 .tDh2 as 1 7 .'ifc3 'ii'd 6 1 8 .f4 tDxf4 1 9 .tDxf4 exf4 2 0 .eS 'ifd4+ 2 1 .'ifxd4 cxd4 2 2 .:xf4 cS 2 3 .a4 J:te8+t Neelot­ pal-Harikrishna, New Delhi 2 0 0 I . 1 3 . ...

26. ttJc3-a4 27. 'ii' g3-f2 28. ttJa4xb6 29. 'ii'f2-d4+ 30. l:U1 -d1 ±

C2) 1 0. ...

'ifcS-gS l:[d4-d7 nd7-c7 '1tg7-h7

l:f8-e8

1 1 . ttJf3-h2

a 7-a5

If 1 3 . . . ..td7 , then 1 4. b4!. Black cannot take the pawn on b4 with the queen be­ cause of the loss of the b4 pawn after :£b l . 1 4. 'ii'd 2-g5 • 1 4.tDd l tDhS l S .tDe3 tDf4 1 6.

weak (insufficient)

<

better is

�

weaker is

�

good move excellent move

!!

bad move blunder

??

interesting move

!?

dubious move

?!

only move

0

with the idea

I::::.

attack

-

initiative

t

lead in development

tt

counterplay

;::t

mate

X

correspondence

corr.

229

Index of Variations

1.e4 c5 2.tDf3 tDc6 3.�b5

1.e4 c5 2.tbf3 tbc6 3.�b5

3...tbaS

.

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.

11

3 .tbd4 . . . . . . .. 12 3...'iVc7 4.0-0 e6 .................. 13 . .

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.

.

.

3...'iVc7 4.0-0 ttJf6 S.lle 1 e6 6.eS .... 16 3...'iVc7 4.0-0 ttJf6 SJlel e6 6.ttJc3 .. 17 3...'iVc7 4.0-0 a6 S.�xc6 'iVxc6 ..... 20 3...'iVc7 4.0-0 a6 S ...ixc6 dxc6 ...... 25

231

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1.e4 c5 2.ttJf3 ttJc6 3.�b5 ttJf6

1.e4 c5 2.ttJf3ttJc6 3.�b5 ttJf6

4.ltJ c3 g6

.

.

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.

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.

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.

.

.

.

31

4.ltJ c3 W c7 ...... ....... ...... .. . 3 2 4.ltJ c3 ltJ d4 ...... .. ....... .. .. .. . 33 4.£txc6 b xc6 ..... ... ...... .. .. ... 33 4.£txc6 dxc6 5. d3 ltJ d7 .. ..... .... . 3 5 4.�xc6 dxc6 5. d3 �g4 6. h3... .. ... 3 5 4.£txc6 dxc6 5. d3 �g4 6.ltJ b d 2.. .. . 37

23 2

Index of Variations

11oe4

1.e4 c5

2.tDf3 tDc6

c5 2.lLlf3 tLlc6 3o�b5 d6

3.�b5

d6

4.�xc6 bxc6 5 .0-0

S ... �g4 6 .c3 ttJf6 7 .d3 ttJd7 . .. . . . .. 42 5 ...�g4 6.c3 ttJf6 7 .d3 e5 . . ... . .. . . 43 5 .. .�g4 6 .h3 �h5 7.e5 e6 . .... . .. . . 44 5 ... �g4 6 .h3 �h5 7.e5 dxe5 . .... . . . 45 5... ttJf6 .. . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . .... .. ... 47 5...g6 .. .. . . . . .. .. .. . ... .. . . . . . . .47 5...eS 6.c3 ttJf6 . . ... .. . .. .. .. .. .. . SO 5 ...eS 6.c3 �g4 . .. . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. . 51 5 ...e5 6.c3 ttJe7 . . . . . . . . . . .. .... .. . 52 5. ..e5 6.c3 f5 7 .d4. .. . . . . . .... ..... 53 5...e5 6.c3 f5 7.exfS . . .. . .. .. . .. ... 57 1.e4c5 2.tDf3tDc6 3.�b5 d6 4.0-0

4... �g4 .. . . .. .. . . .. .... . . . . . . . . . 65 4 ...�d7 5 .:el ttJf6 6 .h3 e6 . . .. .. .. . 67 4...�d7 5.:el ttJf6 6 .h3 ttJe5 ... .... 68 4... �d7 5.:el ttJf6 6.h3 g6 . . . . . . . . . 69 4... �d7 5.:el ttJf6 6.h3 :c8 ... ... . 69 4 ... �d7 5.J:[el ttJf6 6.h3 a6 ... .. .. .. 70 4. ..�d7 5Jlel ttJf6 6.c3.. .. .. ...... 74

233

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1.e4 cS 2.tLlf3 tLlc6 3.�bS d6 4.0-0 �d7 S.l:le1 tLlf6 6 .c3 a6 7.�a4 bS 8.�c2

8...g6 ........................... 83 8...e5 9.h3 g6 10.d4 �g7 .......... 85 8...e5 9.h3 g6 10.d4 cxd4 .......... 85 8...e5 9.h3 �e7 10.d4 0-0 .......... 87 8...e5 9.h3 �e7 10.d4 'it'c7 ......... 89 8...e5 9.h3 �e7 10.d4 cxd4......... 90 8...�g4 9.a4 .......... ........... 90 8...�g4 9.d3 ..................... 91

234

Index of Variations

1.e4 c5 Vilf3 tLlcS 3.�b5 es

l

1.e4 c5 2.tDf3 tDc6 3.�b5 e6 4.0-0 tDge75 .c3

S ...dS 6.exdS 'it'xdS 7 J:tel a6 .... . .. 99 S...dS 6.exdS 'it'xdS 7.l::rel .id7 .... 101 S...a6 6..ie2 . .......... ......... 103 S...a6 6..ia4 dS........... .. ..... 104 S...a6 6.�a4 c4........... ... ... . 105 S...a6 6..ia4 bS........ ........ .. 107

1.e4 c5 2.tDf3 tDc6 3.�b5 e6 4.0-0 tDge75 .c3a6 6 .�a4b5 7.�c2�b7

8.J:tel ..... . ..... .. ............. 111 8.a4 .. .. .. .................... . 112 8.We2 c4 .............. ... .... .. 113 8. 'it'e2 ttJg6 ....... .. ............ 113 8. 'it'e2 dS 9.eS "'b6 ... . ......... . 116 8.'ife2 dS 9.eS d4 1 0..ie4 'ifb6 .... 120 8. 'it'e2 dS 9.eS d4 10.�e4 ttJg6 .. .. 121 8. 'it'e2 dS 9.eS d4 10..ie4 ttJdS . .. . 122

235

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1.e4 cS 2.ttJf3 ttJc6

3.�bS e6

4.Axc6

4 ...dxc6 . ........... ............ 1 27 4 ...b xc6 5.d3 d5 ............. .... 1 28 4 ...b xc6 5.d3 d6 ................. 1 29 4 ...b xc6 5.d3 'ifc7 6.0-0 e5 ........ 1 31 4 ...b xc6 5.d3 'ifc7 6.0-0 d6 ... .... 1 31 4 ... b xc6 5.d3 'ifc7 6.0-0 Ci:Je7...... 1 3 2

1.e4 cS 2.ttJf3 ttJc6

3.�bS e6

4.�xc6 bxc6 S.d3ttJe76 .'it'e2

6 ...•c7 7.Ci:Jg5 ... .. .. ........... 1 36 6 ......c7 7.Ci:Jh4 . ................. 1 36 6 ... Ci:Jg6 .................... .... 1 38 6...f6 ........... ............... 1 4 1 6 ...d5 7.0-0..................... 145 6 ...d5 7.c4 ...................... 1 4 6 6 ...d5 7.b 3...................... 148

1.e4 c5

2.ttJf3 ttJc6

3.AbS e6

4.Axc6 bxc6 S.d3ttJe7

6.Ci:Jg5 Ci:Jg6 ..................... 149 6.Ci:Jg5 f6 7.Ci:Jh3 d5 .............. 1 SO 6.Ci:Jg5 f6 7.Ci:Jh3 g6 ......... ..... 151 6.Ci:Jg5 h6 ....................... 151 6.�d 2 f6 . ...................... 15 3 6.�d 2 'irc7 ..................... 15 4 6.�d 2 Ci:Jg6 ...... ... ........... IS S .

236

Index of Variations

1.e4 c5 2.tLlf3 tLlc6 3.�b5 96

1.e4 c5

2.tDf3 tDc6

3.�b5

g6

4.�xc6 bxc6 5 .0-0 �g76 .J:le1

6...f6 .......................... 160 6...e5 7.b4 ...................... 162 6...e5 7.c3 ...................... 164 6.....b6 ...................... .. 165 6...tLJh6 ........................ 166 6..... c7 ........................ 168 6...tLJf6 7.e5 tLJd5 8.c4 tLJc7 9.d4 ... 169 6...tLJf6 7.e5 tLJd5 8.c4 tLJc7 9.b3 ... 17 1

1.e4 c5

2.tDf3 tDc6

3.�b5

g6

4.�xc6 dxc6 5 .h3�g7 6 .d3

6...e5 .......................... 174 6...h6 ................ . ... . ..... 175 6...b6 7.tLJc3 .................... 175 6...b6 7.0-0 tLJh6 8.tLJc3 .......... 177 6...b6 7.0-0 tLJh6 8.a4 ............ 178 6...b6 7.0-0 e5 .................. 179

237

The Rossolimo Sicilian

1.e4 c5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3..i.b5 g6 4.�xc6 dxc6 5 .h3�g76 .d3lLlf6 7.lLlc3

7...0-0 8.�e3 lLld7 ............... 183 7...0-0 8.�e3 'it'a5 ............... 184 7...0-0 8.�e3 c4 ..... ......... ... 185 7...0-0 8.�e3 b6 9.'it'd2 tbe8 ...... 186 7...0-0 8.j(e3 b6 9.'ti'd2 eS ..... ... 187 7...e5 . ........... .... ... ....... 189 7...c4 ...... . . . ........... ...... 189 7 ...tbd7 8.j(e3 eS 9.'it'd2 'tie7 ..... 191 7...tbd7 8.j(e3 e5 9.'ti'd2 h6 .. .... . 192

1.e4 c5

2.lLlf3 lLlc6

3.�b5

g6

4.�xc6 dxc6 5 .h3 �g7 6 .d3 lLlf6 7.0-0 0-0 8.lLlc3

8...tbe8 . . . . .... .............. .. 200 8 ..J:te8 ................ ... ...... 201 8...tbd7 9.i.e3 e5 10. 'ti'd2 'ife7 .. .. 202 8...tbd7 9.i.e3 e5 10.'ti'd2 :e8 .... 204

238