Winning With C4 - Andrew

WINNING WITH 1 c4 A COMPLETE OPENING SYSTEM

ANDREW SOLTIS INTERNATIONAL GRANDMASTER

ISBN: 0-87568-192-1

WINNING WITH 1 c4

•

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ANDREW SOL TIS INTERNATIONAL GRANDMASTER

Chess Digest, Inc.

0 Copyright 1990 Andrew Soltis

All rights reserved under Pan American and Inter­ national Copyright conventions. I S B N : 0-87568 - 192 - 1

This is a revised and expanded edition of White Opening System With 1 P-QB4 by Andrew Soltis (Chess Digest, Inc. 1974). No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means: electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tapes, me­ chanical photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior and current permission from the publisher. Author: Andrew Soltis Editor: Ken Smith & Hugh Myers Computer Typesetting: Elaine Smith Cover: Elaine Smith Proofreader: Hugh Myers Diagram Paste-up: Laurin Curtis Final Preparation & Diagrams: David Sewell & Ken Smith Publisher: Chess Digest, Inc. Dallas, Texas 75234-4402

*

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This book is de dicated to t h e inspiration o f all my w riting, my w i fe Marcy.

Table o f Contents

4

TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION INTROD UCTION

Page 3 5

SECTION I 1 c 4 , e S A 1 c 4 , eS 2 N c3 , N f3 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3! A 1 4...Bb4 A2 4...g6 A3 4... Nd4 A4 4...Bc5 A S 4...d6 A6 4...d5 B 1 c4, eS 2 N c3 C 1 c4, eS 2 N c3 , N c6 3 N f3 , fS D 1 c4, eS 2 N c3, fS

22 24 25 41 43 45 47 48 52 54 55

SECT I O N I I 1 c4, cS A 1 c4, cS 2 N c3, N f6 3 N f3 , N c6

56 59

(1 c4, c5 2 Nc3, Nf6 3 Nf3, Nc6 4 g3!, g6 5 Bg2, Bg7 6 0-0, 0-0 7 d4!) A1 7 ...cd A2 7 ...d6 B 1 c4, cS 2 N c3 , N c6 3 N f3 , g6 C 1 c4, cS 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , dS SECTION I I I 1 c4, N f6 2 N c3 A 2 d5 B 2 ...e6 C 2... c6 D 2 ... g6 .••

SECTION IV Other Ideas A gainst 1 c4 A 1 ... c6 B 1 ... e6 c 1 . rs D 1 ... g6 E 1 ... N c6 F 1 ... b6 G l ...dS ..

62 70 73 75 78 80 85 89 90 96 97 98 99 100 100 101 1 02

Introduction: Winning Wit h 1 c4

s

INTRODUCT ION The English Opening has come a long way in a mere twenty years. Before 1970 it was regarded as the province of the positional stylist, the super-sophisticated master who wouldn't muddy his hands with the tactical turmoil begun by 1 d4 or 1 e4. And non-masters would hardly consider opening a game with 1 c4!?. Today, in the 1990's, all classes and styles of play­ ers enjoy starting a game with the English and the body of theory has multiplied at least 10-fold since the days wh"en it was worthy of only a few pages in an opening manual. What is remarkable is how many questions about the right way of playing it remain unanswered. After 1 c4:

This White opening repertoire (using the English Opening) has the practical aim of acquainting a player with the theoretical equipment he may need to play 1 c4 in serious chess. The accent is placed on learning a simple developing plan to counter each different formation of an opponent's (Black) pieces. The many transpositional possi­ bilities -- especially rich in the English Opening -- are vi­ tal to the serious player.

6

I ntroduction: Win ning With 1 c4

Basically the English Opening involves two areas of attention for White: the center and the Queenside. There are many situations in which White secures a Queenside initiative, seals off the center and then shifts to the King­ side. But the Kingside attack is usually only a secondary theme in the English Opening. First consider this relatively ancient example of how White can play in the center. The game in question is C arls- Antze, B remen 1933: 1 c4, e5 2 N c3, N f6 3 N f3, N c6 4 g3, d5 5 cd, N x dS 6 Bg2, Be6 7 0-0, B e 7 8 d4!, ed 9 N x d4, N x c3 1 0 b x c3, N x d4 1 1 c x d4, c6 12 Rb 1 , Q d7 13 Qa4!

White threatens Rxb7 and dS. He already has a very strong game due to his seizure of the center on move eight. The game continued 13 ... 0 - 0 14 d5!, B x d5 15 B x d5, Q x dS 16 R x b7, DeS 17 R d 1 , Qe6 18 Qc2, Bb6 19 Rd3!, Q fS 20 B f4, gS 21 e4!, Qc8 22 Rdd7!, gx f4 23 Qc4!, fg 24 R x f7 and

Black resigned in face of mate. The tactical conclusion was not inconsistent with the development of a superior central position in the opening. Now with the center closed, White works on the Queenside. Almost always this involves b4-b5 and the max­ imization of strength on the White squares. A particularly poignant example of this strategy's success was Petrosisn - Portlsch, 1974 Quarter Finals Candi· dates Match.

Introduction: Wi nning Wit h 1 c4

7

1 N f3, N f6 2 c4 (transposing back into English pat­ terns after the next few moves) 2 ... g6 3 b3, B g7 4 Bb2, c5 5 g3, d6 6 Bg2, e5 7 0 - 0 , N c6 8 N c3 , 0 - 0 9 d3, N b S 10 N d2!, Bg4 1 1 a3, B h6? 12 b4!, Nd4 13 h3, B e6 14 e3, cb? 15 ab, N c6 1 6 bS, N e7 17 B x b7!, B x h3 18 B x a8, B x f 1 1 9 Kx f l , Qxa8 20 Q f3!

White has a grossly won ending if Queens are ex­ changed. He wins the a-pawn almost automatically. Note White's domination of the white squares. The game con­ cluded with 20 Qb8 2 1 g4, Ng7 22 Q f6! and Black resigned shortly after losing the piece (threat of taking the N on e 7 or playing Qh4). •••

These two examples, one from the 1930s, the other from the 1970s, illustrate the beginning and end of an earlier era of English experimentation. Now let us examine two more recent games in depth to understand more fully the positional themes. The first theme is the traditional English Opening policy of White's struggle for control of the light-colored squares. In this example, from the world champion elimi­ nation cycle, notice how often White exploits -- and Black fails to use -- one of those 32 squares.

8

I ntrodu ction: Winning Wit h 1 c4

A. KA R P OV vs J . H J A R T A R S O N Candidates Match Seattle 1 989 1 c4 2 g3

e5

A recently popular move order. More common is 2 N f6 3 g3, d5 4 cd, N x d5 5 B g2 will trans­ pose into our system. N c3 and then 2

•.•

2 ... 3 B g2

N f6 d5

This was once thought to be Black's easiest road to equality: the exchange on d5 leaves White with more center pawns, but Black has immediate use of the d-file. A Black rook or queen at d8 or d7 will now be able to contest the inevitable White pressure on d5. 4 cd 5 N c3

N x d5

Now is the time for the horse's entrance. Black must take some time to deal with the 6 N x d5 threat. As we'll see later in this book, 5 N x c3 and 5 Be6 are insufficient. The former because it strengthens White's center and the latter because it creates tactical p roblems when White attacks b7 or e6. •••

5... 6 N f3 7 0-0

••.

Nb6 N c6 Be7

Black plays the position as if it were a colors-re­ versed version of the D ragon Variation of the Sicilian. In fact, for many years this opening was also called a Re­ versed Sicilian. However the addition of an extra move to White changes the balance of chances found in the D ragon.

I ntroduction: Winning Wit h 1 c4

9

8 a3!

This begins the queenside initiative that lasts for another thirty moves. White wants to soften up the light­ colored squares by advancing the b-pawn to the fifth rank. Once the Black Knight moves from c6, the b7-pawn will be under the gaze of the White Bishop at gl . 8 ...

Be6

Black could hold up the queenside expansion with 8 .. a5, as we see White often do in the colors reversed situation of the D ragon. But that would weaken b6 and b5, allowing for example, a White Knight to sit on b5 for the .

foreseeable future. 9 b4 10 Rbl

0-0 f6

Black has several ways of getting counterplay, most on the kingside and in the center. He can try to neutralize the light-square strategy with ... Qd7 and .. B h3 x g.2. Or he can play for a pawn advance in the center with f7- f5 and perhaps . e5-e4!?. .

...

..

But here Black prepares another thematic idea, the planting of his queen knight on d4. (To achieve this he must first protect his e-pawn since 1 0... Nd4 allows 1 1 Nxe5.

I ntroduction: Winning Wit h 1 c4

10

White's lOth move has taken away the possibility of an answering ll... Bb3). 11 d3 12 N e4!

Qd7

Both sides have good outpost squares for their knights. White wants to use his half-open c-file by drop­ ping this piece onto c5 at an appropriate moment. 12 ... 13 Qc2

Nd5

13 ...

b6?

0 ften the most difficult moves Black has to make in these kinds of English Opening positions involve deci­ sions about his queenside pawns. Earlier he rejected a7a5 to restrain White's b-pawn. Here he uses his b-pawn to keep the enemy off c5. But he pays a positional price: the square c6 can no longer enjoy the protection of a Black pawn. And the c7-pawn becomes that unfortunate figure of the chess board, the backward pawn on an open file. •..

A more natural plan is 13 N d4, or with the added moves 13 a5, 14 b5, N d4. (Black must advance the knight in these situations, since a retreat such as 1 4.... Nd8? aban­ dons the center and allows White to obtain a serious ad­ vantage with 15 d4!) . .••

...

Introduction: Win n i ng Wit h 1 c4

11

After 13 aS 14 b5, Nd4, White would most likely continue 15 Nxd4, exd4 1 6 Bb2 followed by organizing an attack on the d4-pawn and continuing his pressure on the c-file. ..•

1 4 Bb2 15 Rbcl!

Rac8

This keeps the other rook available for duty at d1 in case Black allows the opening of the other central file (15... Nd8 1 6 d4!) . 15 ...

Nd4

This positionally desirable mov e is based on tactical tricks. See next note. 16 Bxd4!

exd4

Now White cannot take the pawn 17 Nxd4 without allowing 17 ... Nxb4! 18 axb4, Qxd4 or 18 Qb2, N dS.

17 Qc6! This exploits the c6 hole that Black surrendered at move 13. The reason why White gave up his bishop rather than a knight to capture on d4 wil l be explained tactically two moves from now. But note that had White played 16

1l

I ntroduction: Winning Wit h 1 c4

N x d4, e x d 4 1 7 Qc6, Qx c6! 18 R x c6, Black would solve many of his positional problems with 18 ... Bd7 1 9 Rc2, cS. Q x c6

17 . ..

There was no convenient way of dealing with the threat of 1 8 N x d4. Bd7

18 R x c6

Now 1 9 Rc2? allows 19 cS! followed perhaps by f6 - fS and later ... N c3!, turning the c-file from a Black li­ •••

••.

ability into an asset. 19 N x d4!

The point. White sacrifices the Exchange for a pawn. Normally this transaction can be favorable or unfa­ vorable. But here White gets the enemy's light-colored bishop -- and the very valuable d-pawn that had been in­ tended as the anchor of Black's center strategy. Also, the Black a-pawn may prove to be untenable. And White's re­ maining bishop will now have tremendous range, while his knights will enjoy free rein over squares such as c6, c4, dS and rs. 19... 20 N x c6

B x c6 Rce8

Black would have preferred moves such as 20 K f7, bringing his king towards the center now that queens are off the board. But there are various tactical problems on the light-colored squares from now on. Even in the English Opening White needs tactical awareness. •..

2 1 Rct 22 N d2

rs

Also good was 22 N cS!, bx cS 23 B x dS c h , although Black could have complicated in that case with 22 ... N x b4!

I ntroduction: Win n i ng With 1 c:4

22... 23 N x a7

13

N f6 Bd6

Time to take stock: White has added a second pawn as compensation for the Exchange. Moreover he has clari­ fied the situation in the center. White can now advance his e- and d-pawns with the support of his minor pieces. Black's compensation lies in his extra rook. But his rooks have no scope. 24 e3 25 Nc:4 26 N c6

c:S B b8 bS

The queenside pawns can't seem to find any squares on which they will be invulnerable. Now for example, 2 7 Nb6! would insure one kind of White advantage. 27 N (4 ) a5 28 ab 29 d4

cb Nd7

Note how the path is being cleared for the bishop to attack bS by way of 30 B f l. 29

.••

gS!

14

I ntroduction: Winning With 1 c4

Black is desperate for some operating room for his pieces and prepares for 30 f4. White can offset this mini­ initiativ e by bringing his king to the center (30 Kf1, f4 3 1 Ke2). But h e settles on a more active plan. •••

30 N x b 8 31 Rc7 32 N c6

Rxb8 N f6

White owns the c-file (32 ... Rce8?? 33 Ne7ch). He now turns his attention to the center where his pawns are a few moves away from being prepared to inflict damage by advancing. Black doesn't e ven try to avoid the loss of the f-pawn. 32... 33 Ne7ch 3 4 N x fS 35 R c l

Rb6 Kh8 Ra6 R a2

If Black bothers the b-pawn (35...Ra4) , White forges ahead with 36 e4!, Rxb4 37 eS, Ng4 38 B h3 and Black can­ not last much longer without the surrender of significant material, e.g. 38... Nxf2 39 Kxf2, Rxd4 40 Ke3 or 38... Nxe5 39 dx e5, g4 40 Nd6, gxh3 41 e6. 36 h3! 37 e4!

Rb2

I ntroduction: Winning Wit h 1 c4

15

Here come the pawns. 3 7... 3 S g4

Rxb4 h5

Semi-desperate. On 3 S N d7 White w1ns routinely with 39 e5. •.•

3 9 e5 40 e x f6 4 1 B x h3

h x g4 gh

White also wins with 4 1 B e4 , R x f6 42 R eSch , Kh7 43 Ne3eh and N d5. 4 1 ... 42 ReSch 43 Rc7ch

R x f6 Kh7 Kg6

No better was 43 ... KhS because then White's unob­ structed king shepherds the pawns forward, e.g. 44 Kg2, Rc4 45 Rb7, b4 46 Kg3, Rc3ch 47 f3, b3 48 Kg4, etc. 44 Rxg7eh 45 13!

Kh5

Black Resigns. The main idea is 46 Bg4 mate. And g4, you will note, is another light-colored square.

16

I ntroduction: Win ning Wit h 1 c4

Quite a different face is shown by the middlegames in which it is White, not Black, who has been the first to break in the center. Typically this comes about when White plays dl · d4, after Black has placed a pawn on eS or cS. In the pages that follow you will see how quickly White can obtain an advantage after 1 c4, e5 2 Nc3, Nf6 3 Nf3, Nc6 4 g3, g6 5 d4! A similar story is told in our main 1 c4, cS line: af­ ter l N c3 , N c6 3 g3 , g6 4 Bgl, Bg7 S N f3, N f6 6 0·0, 0·0 we recommend 7 d4! and then 7 ... c x d 4 8 N x d4.

This time it is White who has the benefit of the half-open d-file, and Black who holds access to the c-file. But the slight initiati ve that is inevitably provided to White by the game's first move enables him to set the tone for this middlegame, just as he did in the prev ious Illus­ trative Game. To see how White's advantage can grow, we'll examine the following game: Z. P O L G A R vs S. G RO S S Stary Smokovec 1 987 8 ...

N x d4

This game actually came about from a different or­ der of moves (White opened with 1 d4, in fact). But the position of the diagram was soon reached and Black found no better defense to the pressure on c6 (8 . d6 9 Nxc6 is a ..

17

I ntroduction: Winning Wit h 1 c4

questionable pawn sacrifice) than this exchange. It eases Black's defensive task by eliminating pieces and also cre­ ates tactical chances based on the vulnerability of the White queen on d4. 9 Q x d4

d6

10 Q d 3 White eliminates those tactics soon enough. He plans to dev elop his rooks at d1 and either c 1 or e1, depending on whether his goal is c4-c5 or an attempt to open the e­ file (with e4-e5 or perhaps Nd5, and if Nxd5, then exd5). His QB may be de veloped on bl, f4 or gS. 10 ...

N d7?!

This knight will gain back some time with l l N cS, but it seriously ignores the power of a White knight on dS. For superior alternativ es, see Section HAl. ...

11 b3 12 Qdl

N cS

13 Bbl

a6

Rb8

14 N dS!

Step One in a grand, but rather straightforward, strategy. White exchanges off the dark-squared bishops and

18

I ntroduction: Winning Wit h 1 c4

plants his knight on d5. If Black ousts the knight with . e7-e6, the d6-pawn will be left without pawn protection and wil l not be able to advance to d5. .

.

14 ... 15 Q x b2

B x b2 b5

Black absolutely must have some counterplay and this, at least, opens the a-file and c-file. (There is no bene­ fit to opening the b-file partially with 16 cxb5, R x b5, since the White pawn at b3 is well defended.) 16 cxb5 1 7 Rfd1 18 h4!

axb5 Bb7

Introducing another English Opening theme, the two-front war. While the rooks and bishop appear concen­ trated on the queenside and center points such as c6 and d5, White also harbors thoughts against the king (h4-h5 and then h5xg6 or h5-h6 depending on the situation). 18 ...

B x d5?!

This exchange was neither ine vitable nor timely. White's edge remains small but clear after l8 ... h5 1 9 R a cl . 19 R x d5!

Nd7

Hurrying back to the kingside that the knight de­ serted nine moves before. The vulnerability of his king is shown by 19 ... h 5 20 B f3 and 2 1 g4!, a policy that is more effective now that Black has surrendered his remaining bishop. 20 h5 2 1 h 6!

N f6

Introduction: Winning Wit h 1 c4

19

The possibility of Qg7 mate now becomes a recur­ ring nightmare for Black in tactical lines such as 2 1 . .. Qa5? 22 R x d6!, ex d6? 23 Q x f6 and 2 4 Qg7 mate, or 2 1 . .. Qb6 22 Rad1, R fd8 (else 23 Rxd6!) 23 R 1 d3 with the idea of R f3 and R x f6!. This last idea keeps cropping up in a slightly altered form in the game. 2 1. 22 Rad 1 23 Rc 1 2 4 R x c6 2 5 R f5! •.

Rb6 Qc7 Rc6 Q x c6

See last note. Black's queen must move (26 Bxc6!) and yet also watch the b-pawn as well as the threat of 26 R x f6!. 2 5 ...

Qe8

Now 26 Rx f6, e x f6 2 7 Q x f6 is halted by 27 ... Qe5. 26 R f4!

Black is almost out of moves. White uses this luxury to switch back to a queenside plan: the creation of a passed pawn. 26 ...

Qd8

20

I ntro duction: Winning Wit h 1 c4

27 a4!

eS

A semi-desperate reaction to the threat of slow an­ nihilation by way of 2 7 ... b x a4 28 b x a4 and 29 Rb4.

28 Rb4

QaS

Black's last is a trap. On 29 Rxb S Black comes back from the dead with 29 ... Q e 1 c h 30 B fl (30 Kh2, Ng4ch) Ne4! and if 31 e3, then 3 1 ...Nd2. 2 9 Q d2 3 0 b x a4

b x a4 dS

Some more cute tricks: On 3 0 Rd8 White has a sur­ prise in the form of 3 1 Rb8!, Q x d2 32 R x d8 c h and mates. A similar, but even prettier, version is 30 Rc8 3 1 Rc4!, .••

•..

Qd8 32 Qx d6!!. 3 1 QgS 32 Qe7 33 Rb8

Ne8 e4 Q x a4

3 4 Qe5!

More accurate than 34 Rxe8?, R x e8 35 Q f6, K f8! 34

•..

f6

The only defense to the threat of 35 Rxe8.

I ntroduction: Winning Wit h 1 c4

3 5 Qe6ch 36 Qe7

21

Kh8

Black Resigns Mate cannot be avoided after 3 6 Rg8 3 7 R x e8!, •..

Q x e8 38 Q x f6ch.

Now let us turn to the specific variations of the English that we recommend. Our chapters are divided into: I Black plays eS on the first move or later. I I Black plays c S on the first move or later III Black plays 1 N f6 (in variation "D" Black ...

...

...

plays the King's Indian Defense) IV Other plans for Black.

22

Section 1: Wi nning Wit h 1 c4

SECT ION I 1 c4

e5

Section 1: Wlooiog Wit h 1 c4

23

SECTION I 1 c4

eS

After many years of estrangement from tournament players, the Re versed Sicilian has re-emerged in the past twenty years as the most popular anti-English weapon. The old rule-of-thumb was that if Black had to play . dS, he was fighting for equality because of the natural advan­ tages of keeping the center closed. With the de velopment of Black's KB on b4 or g7, this set of variations is back in favor. ..

The new research on the ...eS English lines indicates that White's most exact order of moves is probably 2 N c3 and 3 N f3. Our main line will be one in which Black also de velops his knights on the second and third moves. It doesn't really matter which knight Black brings out first in this case. It should be pointed out that during the 1980s an entirely new idea has been tried by Black. Instead o f de­ veloping his bishop on b4 on the fourth mov e -- as in our main line -- Black has tried it as early as the second move (2 Nc3, Bb4) thereby leaving himself the option of N f6 or Ne7. ...

...

Wi nning With 1 c 4

24

There are many sophisticated methods of treating this accelerated attack on the center, but the simplest is the obvious 3 N d5!. If the bishop retreats to aS or c5, then 4 b4 makes sense. (And where else is the bishop going?) A recent example of forthright play by White, I. N e w Yor k 19 9 0 , went 2 N c3, B b 4 3 N d5, (forced, else 4...Bb6? 5 c5 wins a piece) S N f6 7 e4, Q x a5 8 B d3!, d6 9 Ne2, 0 - 0 10 0-0 and d2 -d4 coming up White has the begin­ ning of a fine middlegame (this one went 1 0... Nh5 1 1 Bc2, f5 12 d4, f4 13 dxe5, dxe5 14 Nd4, Nf6 15 Nb3, Qa4 16 Bb2 with commanding presence in the center). Ivanov-Rohde, B aS 4 b4, c6 b x aS, cd 6 cd, and with B c2

We now classify the following analysis: A Our main line: 2 N c3, N f6 3 N f3, N c6 4 g3! B

C D

2 Nc3, d6 2 Nc3, N c6 3 N f3, fS 2 N c3, rs

A ( 1 c4, eS 2 N c3, N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3!)

There is still a lot of chance for advantage in 4 d4 or even 4 e3 and 4 a3. But the latter two moves only work well when Black plays 4 ... d5. If he doesn't, White hasn't much of a constructive and forceful middlegame plan.

Section 1: Winning Witb 1 c4

25

After 4 g3 Black can choose among the following lines: A1 A2 A3 A4 AS A6

4...Bb4 4... g6 4...Nd4 4...Bc5 4... d6 4... d5

AI ( 1 c4, e5 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3!) 4 ...

Bb4

An important current line which you will find tn the following analysis.

A comparison with the popular variations beginning 3 g3, Bb4 will show that White has gained from the change. He can play N d5 which in many lines will have

greater effect than in the comparative position because N x d5 and c x d5 will threaten Black's N on c6. The only concession White has made in choosing the 3 N f3 and 4 g3 line over the 3 g3 one is that he has committed himself to this development of the KN. •.•

5 B g2

Wi nning Wit h 1 c 4

26

This is more exact than S NdS because if now S e4, White attacks the e-pawn further with 6 N g S. This is not possible after S N dS, e4 6 N gS?, N x dS. ...

Black should castle here because it leaves his plans more flexible. In some cases he will retreat his K B to f8 and in some he will exchange on c3. He may play e4 or he may try ... d6. No reason to choose now, e.g. 5... d6 6 Nd5! favors White since 6 ... N x d5 7 c xd S loses a piece to Qa4cb after the ON moves. s ... 6 0-0

0-0

On 6 N dS Black has good play with 6 .. .N x d5 7 c x dS, Nd4!. White should wait a bit longer before changing the nature of the center.

Now there are three subvariations: A l l 6... e4 All 6 .. Bxc3 A13 6 Re8 .

...

Section 1: Winning Wit h 1 c4

27

All (1 c4, eS 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3!, Bb4

5 Bg2, 0-0 6 0-0) 6

e4

•••

Now the e-pawn becomes exposed and subject to the line-opening motifs of d3 and f3 . But where does White's N go? Since Black has not played Bx c3 yet, White can't play N d4. And 7 N e l is ef­ fective only after Black's B:xc3 has given White's pawn control of d4 because then N - e l -c2-e3 or b4 is thematic. That leaves one logical plan. •.•

...

7 N gS!

Bx c3

The White N-move to gS is playable here (as op­ posed to positions in which White has played Nd5). And Black can only preserve his e-pawn with the capture on c3. 8 b:xc3

Here is one of those cases in which d:xc3 is also rea­ sonable. When Black has not moved his e-pawn, the d-pawn recapture is usually unwise because then White has no method of opening up the center and his pawn structure is more attackable by Black's minor pieces. But in this posi-

2S

Winning Wit h 1 c4

tion S d x c3, ReS 9 f3, d6! (9... e3 eventually loses the e­ pawn and 9... ef 1 0 ef is fine for White) 1 0 b3, B d7 1 1 N h3!, ef 12 e f, Ne7 13 BgS, N fS 14 Qd3 (S myslov- Portlsch, Petropolls 1973) is quite good. 8

ReS

•••

White has two methods of challenging the center for advantage here: A l l a 9 f3! A l l b 9 d3!?

Alla ( 1 c4, eS 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3!, Bb4 5 B g2 , 0 - 0 6 0-0, e4 7 N gS!, B x c3 S b x c3 , ReS) 9 f3!

Section 1: Winning Wit b 1 c4

9

•••

29

er

Little attention bad been paid to 9 e 3 - - until Ana­ toly Karpov sprang it on Garrl K asparov in the 1 987 World C h ampionship Match. If White grabs the pawn he severely .••

weakens the c-pawns. Can he afford to surround the e­ pawn with 10 d3, knowing that in an endgame it is almost certain to fall? That may be the best policy, as the game Soffer­ Kindermann, B e rn Zonal 1990, shows: 9 e3 10 d3, d5 1 1 Qb3, N a5 12 Qa3! and now l l ... c6 1 3 cd, c d 1 4 f4, Bg4 1 5 R e t , N c6 1 6 R b l , Qd7 1 7 N f3 , b6 18 B b 2 put all o f White's •..

pieces in order. Black has liberated his game, but the fu­ ture belongs to the bishops. And after l8 ... R ac8 19 c4!, B x f3 20 B x f3, d x c4 2 1 d x c4 , N a5 22 B x f6, g x f6 23 Qd3, Qe7 24 B d5! White's superiority was obvious. 10 N x f3

d5?!

In another of their 1987 match games Karpov tried 1 0 Qe7? here, relying incorrectly on piece activity against .••

the impending march of White's center pawns. That game illustrated once again bow powerful a center can be: 1 1 e3, Ne5 12 N d4! (not fearing 1 2... Nxc4 because 13 Nf5, Qe5 1 4 d4! is too strong), Nd3 13 Qe2, N x c l 1 4 R a x c l , d6 15 R f4, c6 1 6 Rcfl and the combination of doubled rooks and restrictive pawns proved too powerful for Black's defenses. 1 1 cd

N x d5

As good as 1 1 cd is, Kasparov found a strong alter­ native in 1 1 d4 in his game with Vassily I vancbuk in the 1988 Soviet Championship. Then 1 1 ... d x c4 is met by 12 B g5!, h 6 13 B x f6 and 14 e4 with command of the center.

Winning Wit h 1 c4

30

Black preferred the central outpost of l l Ne4, but then 12 Qc2, de 13 R b 1 , f5?! 14 g4! destroyed the outpost and led to a typically devastating Kasparov initiative (14... Qe 7 15 gxf5, Nd6 16 Ng5!, Qxe2 1 7 Bd5ciJ, KIJB 18 Qxe2, Rxe2 1 9 Bf4 and 20 Rbe 1 ) . ...

Nb6

12 e4!

If 12 R xe4, then 13 N g5, Re7 14 Q h5 or if 12 N f6 13 e5!, N x e5 14 N x e5, R x e 5 1 5 d4, ReS 1 6 B g5! is great for •••

•••

White. Bg4 Bb5 N d5

13 d4 14 b3 15 e5

So far as in the game U b lmann - S myslov, H astings 1972-73, which continued 16 B d2, Qd7 17 g4, B g6 1S Ng5 and White soon had a tremendous position.

Allb ( 1 c4, e5 2 N c3, N f6 3 N f3, N c6 4 g3!, B b4 5 Bg2, 0-0 6 0-0, e4 7 N g5!, B x c3 S b x c3, ReS) 9 d3!?

9... 10 e d

ed d6

Section 1: Winning Wit h 1 c4

Better is 12

•••

1 1 Rb 1 12 N e4 Ne5. 13 B xe4 14 f4!? 1s rs 16 Bg2

31

b6 Nxe4 NeS Nxc4 dS

We are following the game Mecking-Tan, Petropolis 1973. In view of White's kingside attack once he pushes the f-pawn, Black played 16 ... Ne3. But after 1 7 B xe3, Rxe3 1 8 f6, g6, Black's position soon fell apart after the further moves 19 Qd2, Re6 20 Qx h 6 , Rxf6 2 1 Rx f6, Q xf6 22 BxdS. More accurate however is 10 ... h6 with the idea of 1 1 N h3, dS or 1 1 Ne4, b6 and 12 ... Bb7. In general, we have more confidence in White's position after 9 f3! as shown in the previous variation A1la.

A12 ( 1 c4, eS 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3!, Bb4 S B g2 , 0 · 0 6 0 ·0 ) 6 ... 7 bxc3

B xc3

This is almost always the best recapture. 7 ... 8 d3

d6

Winning Wit h 1 c4

32

Now Black has three main choices. All a 8. B d 7 Allb 8 .. h 6 Allc 8 e4 ..

.

...

A12a ( 1 c4, eS 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3!, Bb4 5 B g2, 0 · 0 6 0·0, B xc3 7 bxc3, d6 9 d3) 8 ...

Bd7

9 e4!

Stopping e5-e4 in a pos1t10n in which Black has granted White pawn control of White's d4. There are no weak squares in White's center now. 9

•••

K h 8!

This is Black's best resource. In the game Smej kal· H e c ht, Siegen 1970, Black tried 9 a6. But after 10 a4, N aS 1 1 N h 4, Ne8 1l f4, eC 13 B xf4, N c6 1 4 N f3, Qc8 1 5 d4, .•.

White had a great game. 10 N h 4

Also good i s N e l-c2-e3!.

Section 1: Winning Wit h 1 c4

1 0... 1 1 Be3 12 Qd2 13 f4 1 4 B xf4!

33

Ng8 Be6 Nge7 ef

On 14 gf Black has 14 ... fS!. 1 4 ... 15 Be3

f6

As in U h lmann-Korchnoi, Leningrad 1973. Black's position is defensible enough, but White is freer. Another policy for White (instead of 12 Qd2) is 12 R b l , b6 13 Rb2, Nge7 1 4 f4 as recommended by John Watson.

Al2b ( 1 c4, eS 2 N c3, N f6 3 N f3, N c 6 4 g3!, Bb4 S Bg2, 0 - 0 6 0-0, Bxc3 7 bxc3, d6 8 d3) 8 ...

h6?

9 Net

Or 9 e 4 , e.g. 9 . Ne7 10 N h 4 , g S 1 1 N f3, N g6? 1 2 ..

NxgS!

Winning Wit h 1 c 4

34

Be6

9 ... 1 0 e 4!

White is clearly better. Not advisable, however, is 10 f4 as in B alashov-Ma kari chev, U S S R 1973, as Black has 1 0 e4! •••

The move 8 h6, once popular in master chess in the early 1970s, is almost never played today. Still, you need to be ready for it. ..•

A12c ( 1 c4, e5 2 N c3, N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3!, Bb4 5 Bg2, 0 - 0 6 0 - 0, B xc3 7 bxc3, d6 8 d3) 8 ...

e 4!?

9 Ne l 9 Nd4 is also good since Black may not obtain chances from 9 Ne5 because of 1 0 dxe4, N xc4 1 1 R b 1 with advantage. ••.

9... 10 R b 1

ReS b6!?

1 0 ed 1 1 ed, Bg4 12 N f3 , Rb8 13 h3 also favors .•.

White.

Section 1: Winning Wit h 1 c4

11 Bg5 12 N x d3 13 Nb4

35

ed Bb7

A s in the game Rogo ff· B isguier, Norristown 1973, which continued 13 ... Nxb4 14 Bx b7, Rb8 15 B f3 and here White's bishops must outweigh Black's more secure pawn structure.

All ( 1 c4, e5 2 N c3, N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3!, Bb4 5 Bg2, 0 · 0 6 0·0) 6

•••

ReS

This maintains the status quo in the center -- at least temporarily. Black can also do this with 6 d6, but that unnecessarily reduces Black's options (his bishop can­ not retreat to f8 or e 7 any more, while it will have cost him two moves to push his d-pawn to d5). White will again respond 7 Nd5 and now passive play such as 7 ... a5?! can get Black squashed: 8 e3!, N x d5 9 cxd5, Ne7 1 0 d4, ed 1 1 ed after which Black's bishop is in trouble on b4, and in H . O la fsson- Be nj amin, Reykj avik 1990 Black had to shed a pawn with 11 a4 12 a3, BaS 13 Qxa4 to save it. .•.

.••

7 Nd5

36

Winning Wit h 1 c 4

The knight going to dS is finally appropriate. Black has several choices here. A13a 7. Bf8 A13b 7 Nxd5 A13c 7 e4 A13d 7 . Bf5 ..

...

...

.

.

All a ( 1 c4, eS 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3!, Bb4 S Bg2, 0 - 0 6 0 - 0, ReS 7 N dS) 7

B f8

.•.

The original idea of Black's opening. The Bishop controls several good squares from its home base, but it lacks somewhat in punch. 8 d3

h6

To stop 9 BgS. On 8 Nxd5 9 cxdS, N b 4 1 0 e 4 , c 6 1 1 a3, N a6 U d 4 White has an excellent game in the center as in G heorghiu-J a kobsen, H elsinki 1972. ...

9 Bd2

Or 9 Nxf6 c h , Qxf6 1 0 N d2 , d6 11 Ne4, Qd8 12 N c3 ! retaining the iron control of dS that gave White an edge in Petroslan - G h eorg h lu 1967.

Section 1: Winning Wit h 1 c4

37

d6

9 ...

In the game Polugaevsky· Po dgaets, U S S R 1973 Black tried 9 aS, but after 1 0 B c3 , d6 1 1 N d2 , N xdS 1 2 cxdS, Ne7 1 3 d 4! White stood better. •..

1 0 B c3 1 1 cxdS 12 e4

N xdS Ne7 c6

Now the game Steln - B arcza, Z agreb 1 9 72 continued, 13 de, Nxc6 1 4 d4 with a powerful position for White.

Al3b ( 1 c4, eS 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3, N c 6 4 g3!, Bb4 S Bg2 , 0 · 0 6 0·0, Re8 7 N dS) 7 8 cxdS

N xdS

8

N d4

••.

•..

After 8 Nb8 White plays 9 e4 and 1 0 d4. •••

9 N xd4! 10 b3

exd4

38

Winning Wit h 1 c4

Now Black will have problems defending his ad­ vanced d-pawn. An alternative policy is 1 0 e4 to maintain the pawn at d5 and gain time for harassing the enemy bishop. For example, 1 0 e4, c6 1 1 d3, cd 12 Qb3! occurred in the game Kolfman- Tetush kln, U S S R 1 976 with favorable complica­ tions for White following 12 Qa5 13 a3, B d 6 14 eS!?, BxeS ••.

15 BxdS. 10... 11 B b2 12 e3 13 R e 1

b6 DeS B a6 Q f6

So far as in U hlmann- Portlsch , S kopje 1972. Now 14 Q c l is the right move because 1 4 ... de is discouraged and 15 b4 is threatened.

A13c ( 1 c4, eS 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3!, Bb4 5 Bg2, 0 · 0 6 0 -0, Re8 7 N dS) 7...

e4

8 Ne1 9 d3!

d6 Bxe 1

Section 1: Winning With 1 c4

39

Practically forced as both 9. . .ed 1 0 N xd3 and 9 ... B f5 1 0 Bg5 favor White greatly. 1 0 Rxe 1 1 1 Bg5!

ed

The point of White's pawn sacrifice. 1 1 ... 12 Rxel 13 Qxel 14 Nxf6ch 15 B h 4

de Rxel Be6 gd6 Ne5

As in Smyslov-Mestel, H astings 1972 - 7 3 , which con­ tinued 1 6 Bxb7!, B xc4 1 7 Q h 5 , Rb8 18 Be4 and White had more than enough positional compensation. This is an in­ structive example of how e5-e4 gets Black into hot water. .••

Al3d ( 1 c4, e5 l N c3 , N f6 3 N f3, N c 6 4 g3!, Bb4 5 Bgl, 0 - 0 6 0 - 0, ReS 7 N d5) 7

•••

8 d3

Bc5

Nxd5

8 .. h6 to stop the Bg5 pin is met by 9 N x f6 c h , Qxf6 1 0 N dl as in the Petrosian-Gheorghiu game in IA13a. .

Winning Wit h 1 c4

40

9 cxd5

Nd4

9 Nb4 is well met by 10 e4 and 11 a3. ••.

10 N dl! Avoiding exchanges and preparing to kick back with Ne4 or e3 as in the game G h eorg h iu - B enko, Las Pal ­

m as 1972.

This lengthy analysis of the main line indicates that White stands very well against the recently popular Bb4 ideas. The following alternatives also seem to grant Black little chance for easy equality. •••

Section 1: Winning Wit h 1 c4

41

A2 ( 1 c4, e5 2 N c3, N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3!) 4

g6

•••

5 d4!

This resemblance to the line beginning 1 c4, e5 2 N c3, Nc6 3 N f3, g6 4 d4! seems to favor White clearly. 5... 6 N xd4 7 Bg2 8 0-0

ed Bg7 0-0 Re S

On 8 Nxd4 9 Qxd4, d6 we have a posttwn similar to a hotly debated line in the King's Indian given in Sec­ tion II except that Black's pawn is on e7 instead of c7 as here. The position favors White after 1 0 Q h4! followed by 1 1 Bg5 and R a d 1 or N d5. •••

bxc6

9 N xc6

Black has no compensation for his crippled Queen­ side majority of pawns after 9 dxc6 10 B f4. ...

1 0 Qa4!

Winning Wit h 1 c4

42

And Black has great difficulty breaking his QB out and connecting his Rooks. In U hlman n - R aj kovic, H astings 1972-73, White soon had a commanding position after 10

•.•

a5 1 1 R d 1, Bb7 12 Rd3, Ng4 13 Ne4, f5 14 Bg5, fxe4!?

(14... Nf6 15 Nc5) 15 Bxd8, exd3 16 ed!, R axd8 17 c5!. To illustrate how strong White's position is, Wolf­ gang Uhlmann used another lOth move when the occasion arose fifteen years later. That was in U h l m an n - Z apata, T hessaloniki 1988 when the German showed that 1 0 B f4, with the idea of Qd2 and R a d 1 , is also strong. After 1 0 B f4, Rb8 1 1 Qd2 , B a 6 12 b3, d5 13 R a d 1 , Qe7 1 4 Qc2!, Rbd8 15 R fe 1 Black was stumped for counterplay (15... d4 16 Na4! leaves both c5 and the c6 weak). The game saw 15 N h 5 16 B el! and 1 7 Bb2 give White an obvious advan­ ...

tage in terms of the scope of his rooks and bishops.

Section 1: Wi nning Wit h 1 c4

43

A3 ( 1 c4, eS 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3!) 4

•••

N d4

This is a clever idea often employed by Korchnoi. The tactical point is 5 N xeS?, Qe7 6 f4, d6 7 N d3, B fS with great play. The strategic point is that once Black's ON is traded off, he can defend the Queenside more easily with c7 - c6. Note that 5 Nxd4, exd4 6 N dS, c6 is fine for Black. 5 Bg2 6 B xf3

Nxf3 c h Bb4

If Black makes no gestures towards aggression he will surrender a strong initiative to White: 6 Be7 7 d4!, d6 8 B g2 , 0·0 9 0·0, c6 10 b3, B fS 11 e4 as in G heorg h iu - Por· ••.

tisch, S kopje 1 972. 7 0·0

An alternative policy here is putting the question to the bishop with 7 Qb3. If Black temporizes with 7 a5, White can proceed with 8 0-0, 0 · 0 9 d4! since Bxc3 will not double his c-pawns as they would in the main line be­ low, and he wil l be able to regain his pawn, following 9 exd4 with the favorable 10 NbS. ...

...

..•

44

Winning Wit h 1 c4

And what if Black tries to stop the d-pawn's ad­ vance by retreating to cS? 7 Qb3. Then 7 B c5 8 N a4! will force him further back, e.g. 8 Be7 9 Qe3, d6 1 0 d4, N d7 11 N c3, c6 1 2 b3 with a queenside fianchetto that favors White comfortably. ..•

•••

7

•••

0-0

Now 8 d4 is a positional error because of 8 .. Bxc3! 9 bx c3, e4 10 B g2, b6 with a fine game for Black. The best example of play for White here is 8 Qb3, B cS 9 d3, d6 (Hartston recommends 9... c6 so Black's bishop can retreat along its original diagonal) 1 0 N a4, N d7 1 1 Bg2, aS U N x cS, N x cS 13 Qc3 U blmann- Korch nol, Amsterdam 1972. .

White's minor exchange must confer a slight edge. You have the choice. 7 Qb3 as suggested 1n the above note, or the main line 7 0-0.

Section 1: Winning Wit h 1 c4

45

A4 ( 1 c4, e5 2 Nc3, N f6 3 N f3, N c6 4 g3!) 4

B c5

•••

This was thought to be refuted by a Botvinnik­ Keres game in 1966, but it is not that convincing. 5 d3

The Botvinnik game saw White obtain an edge with 5 Nxe5!?, Bxfl c h (5... Nxe5 6 d4) 6 Kxfl , N xe 5 7 e4, but

Black has promising chances due to his control of many dark squares after 7 c5! 8 d3, d6 9 h 3 , 0 - 0 and ... Ne8-c7•..

e6! 5... 6 Bgl

0-0 d6

Black loses the option of B xc3 that we saw in ear­ lier pages, but retains a solid center in this line. By lock­ ing his bishop away from the kingside however, he creates some potential problems in the form of a later Bg5 by White. •••

7 0-0

h6

46

Wi nning Wit h 1 c4

An important move that Black cannot do without for long because of the danger of Bg5 and N d5 by White. 8 N a4!

In the English, like any other opening, you have to take what the position offers you. In this case it is Black's bishop on c5. White can try to eliminate the bishop, and slightly tarnish the enemy pawn structure with Nxc5, or he can begin a general queenside or central expansion with this move. 8 9 e3

Qe7 aS

..•

Otherwise 10 d4 may hurt. 10 b3 1 1 Bb2

ReS

White has played relatively quietly, almost without worrying about Black's moves. This is possibly due to the absence of immediate enemy counterplay. We have been following B en ko-Malich, S kopje 1972, in which White without seeming to do very much at all, obtained quite a nice middlegame with l l B fS 12 a3, B a7 13 N c3, Qd7 1 4 ...

Ret.

Section 1: Winning Wit h 1 c4

47

AS ( 1 c4, e5 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , N c 6 4 g3!) 4

•••

5 d4

d6

B g4

Not good enough is 5 ... g6 6 de, de 7 Qxd8c h , Kxd8 8 Bg5, Be7 9 0-0-0ch. 6 d5! 7 Bg2 8 0-0

Nb8 B e7

White has the usual advantage in space, N imzovitcb­ Tarrascb, B aden- B aden 1925 . He can continue with e4, Be3 and Qc2 with prospects of c4-c5. This is an example of how Black used to play in the Neanderthal Era of the English Opening.

Winning Wit h 1 c4

48

A6 ( 1 d4, eS 2 N c3, N f6 3 N f3, N c6 4 g3!) 4

•••

dS

This enters into the Reversed Dragon which has for years been considered slightly better for White. 5 cxdS 6 Bg2

NxdS Nb6

The only way to punish 6 B g2 (more aggressive than 6 d3) is 6 Nxc3 7 bxc3, e4. But then 8 N d4!, Nxd4 9 cxd4, Qxd4 1 0 Rb1 appears to give White enough for a pawn, e.g., 1 0 ... B c5 1 1 e3, Qc4 (ll Qd3 or ll. . QdS are answered by 1 2 Qa4ch) 12 Bg2, 0·0 13 R e t and 1 4 Qc2. •.•

...

.

There are other ways to play for Black: a) 6 ... Nde7 7 0-0, g6 (7 ... Nf5 8 b4!, a6 9 Bb2, Be6 10 Ne4 or 8 ..Bxb4 9 Nxe5, Nxe5 10 Qa4ch favors White) 8 b4!, a6 9 a4, Bg7 10 Ba3, 0-0 11 b5, N d4 12 Ng5 as in Larsen· Le h m ann, Palma 1967. This line is a Taimanov idea. .

b) 6 ... Be6 7 0-0, Be7? (Better 7 ... Nb6 transposing into the main line) 8 d4!. This is why White delay s d3 on move 6. The punch in the center gives him an edge, e.g. 8 . ed 9 .

.

Section 1: Winning Wit h 1 c4

49

Nxd4, Nxc3 10 bxc3, Nxd4 11 cxd4, c6 12 Qa4 or 8 ... Nxc3 9 bxc3, e4 10 Nd2, f5 11 Rb1, Rb8 12 Qa4. c) 6 Nxc3 7 bxc3, Be7 8 d3, 0-0 9 0-0, Be6 10 Qc2, f5 11 Rb1 and now 11...Bd5!? is best met by 12 Ne1! (12 Rxb7?, Nd4 or 12 c4, Bxf3 13 Bxf3, Nd4) 12... Bxg2 13 Nxg2 with some pressure on the queenside. Black can also develop his KB on other squares on the seventh move, but 7...Bc5 8 d3, 0-0 9 0-0, Be6 10 Qa4 followed by Rb1 or Ba3 puts Black under pressure. the reason 6 ... Nxc3 is frowned upon is that White usually profits handsomely from the b­ file. •.•

Be7 0·0

7 0·0 8 a3

Black can stop b4 with 8. . .aS, but the cure is worse than the disease. On 9 d3, 0·0 10 Be3, fS 1 1 Rei, Kh 8 U NbS! White's knight is very effective on the queenside and can no longer be driven away by the a-pawn. Be6

9 b4

Moves like . a6 and . f6 usually transpose into al­ ternatives at move 10. ..

.

.

Black can also play 9 ... Re8 with the idea of exploit­ ing the e-file after . B f8 and then N d4/Nxd4/ ... exd4!. Here this would involve the complications of 10 bS, Nd4 11 N xeS!?, B f6. But since White is obtaining a good posi­ tion from simple play, he is advised here to just meet .

.

...

9 ... Re8 w i t h 10 Rb1, e .g. 10 ... B f8 1 1 d3, aS U bS, Nd4 13 N d2!, a4 14 Bb2 and Eh lvest- Hj artarson, Rotterdam 1989 went 1 4 ... RaS! 1S N c4, Nxc4 16 dxc4, B fS?! 17 B xb7!, Bxb 1 1 8 Qxb 1 with excellent compensation for the Exchange. 10 d3

Recently 1 0 R b 1 has come into fashion. And indeed we examined 10 Rb 1 , f6 in the Introduction game Karpov-

Winning Wit h t c4

50

Hjartarson. The delay in moving White's d-pawn gains him time for some extra positional options. After White plays d2 - d3, he loses the last pawn control over c3 and thereby encourages Black to play . . N d4 and after the exchange of pieces on d4, the capture ...e x d4 followed by N d 5 - c3. .

••.

The maneuvering after tO R b t , f 6 is very subtle and we can only touch on some of the themes involved. For example 1 1 Ne4 is useful since l l aS can be strongly met by 12 N cS!. •••

Also on 1 1 ... B a2 (to displace the rook) 12 Rbl, BdS White gets a fine game from either t3 N cS, Rb8 t4 d3, B x cS tS b x cS or from t3 ... N c4 t4 Rb t , b6 tS N a4!, Nd4 t6 N c3! as in Adorj an- Huebne r, Linares t985. The critical line here is t3 ... e4! when Black appears to have equal chances after t4 N e t , N c4 tS Rb t , B x cS t 6 bx cS, b6 as in Suba­ Thorste ins, New York t989. tO

•••

rs

It is not a new story to learn that tO ... a6 gives White too free a hand on the queenside, e.g., 1 1 N e4, h6 12 Bbl, fS t3 N cS, B x cS t4 b x cS, N d7 t S Ret and now B otvinnik- Ben kner t956, went l5 ... Qe7 t6 N h4, Q f7 ( 1 6 ... Nxc5 1 7 Bxc6 and 18 Bxe5 or 1 7 Ng6) t7 f4, e f t8 gf, Rad8 t9 Qet, BdS 2 0 B h3! as quoted in Shatskes. And tO ... f6 is not aggressive enough: t t B e3, Qd7 12 Ne4, NdS t3 Re t!, R fd8 t4 B cS, b6 tS B x e7, N d x e 7 t6 Qcl and t7 R fd t. 11 B e 3

B f6

On . f4 Black concedes White an excellent N­ outpost on e4. .

.

12 N e t

Section 1: Winning Wit h 1 c4

51

This stops 1 2 ...N d 4 and discourages 1 2 ... e4 1 3 R c l , B x c3 1 4 R x c3, N d5 15 R e S with an excellent Queenside game. Now on 12 Rb8 13 B x c6, b x c6 14 R c l Black has to •.•

mate White. Otherwise he will lose the queenside mid­ dlegame. This main line with both sides bringing out their two knights appears quite sound for White. You have the choice of the main line with 10 d3 or the more modern 1 0 R b l as suggested in the above note.

Winning Wit h 1 c4

52

B ( 1 c4, eS 2 N c3 ) 2

d6

•••

This is an idea of Smyslov which retains Black's options of g6 or rs as well as giving him chances for Bg4 or .. Be6. As we'll see 2 .. rs has the drawback of al­ lowing 3 d4! immediately, but 2 . . d6 3 d4, e d 4 Q x d4 is not nearly as strong since Black has not weakened his pawn structure with rs. ...

...

...

.

.

.

...

3 N f3

Bg4

The alternatives are not as effective: a) 3 . rs 4 d4! (again effective) 4...ed 5 Nxd4 fol­ lowed by 6 g3 with an edge, or 4...e4 5 Ng5!?, Nf6 6 f3 opening up the game for White's advantage in space. ..

b) 3 . g6 4 d4 and now 4...ed 5 Nxd4 transposes into IA2. If Black maintains the center with 4... Nc6 or 4...Bg7 here, he has a bad ending after 5 de, de 6 Qxd8ch. ..

c) 3 ... c5 4 e3 followed by d4 with a fine game in the center s10ce Black has conceded a hole at his d5 already.

Section 1: Winning Wit h 1 c4

d) 3

53

N f6 4 d4, e4 5 Ng5, Bf5 6 g4! securing a pow­

.••

erful center. 4 d4!

B x f3

There is little point in not making this capture. On 4 ... N c6 5 dS, N ce7 6 e 4 followed by b 3 or g3, Black has misplaced two minor pieces. Better is 4 ... N d7, but Shatskes says White is better with S Be3, Ne7 6 dS, N fS 7 B d2, Be7 8 Q c2, g6 9 Ng1! or S ...g6 6 dS, Bg7 7 N d2 embarrassing the Bishop. S g x f3

ed

And here S ... N d 7 6 Bg2, B e 7 7 0-0, N g f6 8 b3 has to favor White's pieces. The doubled pawns actually improve White's center. 6 Qxd4

Ne7

This follows two games. In O'Kelly - Sm y slov 1 9 6 7 White played 7 N d S , N b c6 8 Q c3 , N eS, but should have tried 9 B h3 , c6 1 0 N x e 7 and 1 1 f4 for advantage. In Suba­ Mitltelu, S kopje 1972 White tried 7 b3, Nbc6 8 Qd2, g6 9 Bb2, Bg7 1 0 h4!, N fS 1 1 hS, Rg8 12 N d S and White had a big edge. Also Black can play 6 ... N c6 immediately, but White appears to be able to transpose favorably into the Skopje game with 7 Qd2 or play for more with 7 Qe4ch and 8 N dS!.

54

Winning With 1 c4

c ( 1 c4, eS 2 N c3, N c6 3 N f3 , fS)

Again 3 ... g6 would leave White with a superior game after 4 d4!, e d S N x d4, Bg7 6 N x c6, b x c6 7 g3 and now 7 N f6 8 B g2 transposes into IA2. Also, 7 N e 7 leads to trouble after 8 Bg2, 0"0 9 0-0, Rb8 10 Qc2, N fS 1 1 e3!, Q f6 12 Rb1, Rd8 13 Rd1 and finally 7 Qe7 8 B g2, Qb4!? 9 0 -0!, B a6 (9... Qxc4 1 0 Bf4 is very dangerous) 1 0 NbS!, B x bS 1 1 cx bS, QxbS 12 B f4 as in Renter- Fiohr 1947. The other alternative is 3 d6 which is not very dif­ ferent from previous lines after 4 d4 e.g., 4 B g4 S dS or 4 ed S N x d4, g6 6 g3, Bg7 7 N x c6 or 4 ... N f6 S de. ••.

••.

..•

•••

•..

•••

4 d4!

e4

Black is in no position to open up the game. 5 NgS

Bb4

Or S .. Be7 6 h4, N f6 (6... h6 7 Nh3, Bxh4 8 e3 fol­ lowed by Qh5ch or Nf4-g6) 7 e3 to be followed by cS with pressure on the a2 - g8 line. This is similar to a note in the following variation - 10, after 1 c4, eS 2 N c3, fS 3 d4, e4. Also good is 6 N h3 . .

6 h4

Also good is 6 c S and 7 Qb 3 , but the text is more active. Now on 6 N f6 7 e3, 0 - 0 8 Qb3 White will have a very fine game. .•.

Section 1: Winning With 1 c4

ss

D (1 c4, eS 2 N c3, fS)

3 d4!

Now with 3 e4 Black is not even attacking a knight. After 4 e3, N f6 S Nge2, Be7 6 N f4, 0 - 0 7 b 4!; White follows with f3 or cS! (and Qb3ch) with great advantage. In Euwe -Kolste 1926 Black went under after 7 ... Ng4 8 Be2, •.•

Nb6 9 N cdS, d6 1 0 N x e7cb, Qxe7 11 Qb3, N d7 12 cScb, K b 8 13 Qe6!. 3 ... 4 Q x d4

ed Nc6

Or 4 ... N f6 S g 3 , N c6 6 Qe3 c b!, B e 7 7 Bg 2, 0-0 8 N b3 also with advantage. The check is a good idea because it slows down Black's desire to play .. Bb4. The line cited is Mi kenas- Polugaevsky 1954 which went 8 ... Re8 9 0-0, Bb4 .

1 0 Qd2, NeS 11 Qc2, c6 12 a3, B f8 13 b3. S Qe3ch!

Now S ... Be 7 would transpose into the line above. And S ... Kf7 6 N f3, N f6 7 N dS! or 6 N b3, N f6 7 Qd2, h6 8 N f4 are great for White.

56

Section I I: Winning Wit h 1 c4

SECT ION I I 1 c4

c5

Section II: Winning Wi th 1 c4

57

SECTION I I 1 c4

c5

This is a difficult variation to obtain superiority against because Black can follow symmetrical play for some time without incurring the usual penalty of imita­ tion. Indeed, many tournament players learn how to play l. .. c5 against the English when they are content to split the point and want a drawing line. 2 N c3

N f6

Another idea is 2 N c6 3 N f3 , e5 4 e3, N f6 5 d4, e4. But now instead of 6 N d2, cd 7 ed, B b4!, White should be willing to go into 6 d5!, e x f3 7 d x c6, fg 8 cd ch , B x d7 9 B x g2 followed by a Queenside fianchetto. ••.

If Black plays 2 ... N c6, then 3 N f3, N f6 transposes into the symmetrical Four Knights' variation (A) . However, after 2 ... N c6 3 N f3 Black can try 3 .. g6, which we cover under (B). Finally, after 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 Black can play to open the center with 3 ... d5. This is under (C) .

A 8 C

1 c4, c5 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 1 c4, cS 2 N c3 , N c6 3 N f3 , g6 1 c4, c5 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , d5

58

Section I I: Winning Wi t h 1 c4

A rare but playable sideline after 1 c4, cS 2 N c3, Nc 6 3 N f3, is 3 N d4. The simplest procedure here is 4 e3, forcing 4... N x f3 c h S Qx f3 . Then Black can prevent white from advancing his d-pawn two squares by way of S ... g6 and 6 ... Bg7. B ut White should stand quite well with 6 b3!, Bg7 7 Bb2, d6 8 g3, Rb8 9 Bg2 and now 9 N h 6 1 0 Q d l , N fS 1 1 Qc2, 0-0 1 2 0 - 0 , a 6 13 a4 followed by NdS and Bxg7 as in Ribli- Be nj amin, Wij k aan Zee 1989. •..

...

Section I I: Win n ing Wi t h 1 c4

59

A (1 c4, cS 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , N c6)

This is our main line, the symmetrical Four Knight's game. Black has some other possible moves: a) 3 ... e6 4 g3, dS 5 cd and now: a t ) 5... Nxd5 leads to a Semi-Tarrasch-like position in which it is White, not Black, who has the preponderance of p awns adv anced in the center. Typical play in this line, sometimes named after P aul Keres and Bruno Parma, would go 6 Bg2, Be7 7 0-0, 0-0 8 d4, N c6 9 e4! White should not be reluctant to push those p awns, as they are his chief source of strength. If Black captures on c3, White's center is strengthened (9 ... Nxc3 10 bxc3, cd 11 cd, b6 12 Bb2, Bf6 13 Rb1, Bb7 14 d5! as in the impressive game C bristi ansen- Portisch, Linares 1 9 8 1 in which the young American grandmaster upset his established riv al after 14...ed 15 ed, N a5 16 N e5, Bxe5 17 Bxe5, Rc8 18 R c1, Qd7 19 Bc3 preparing for Qd4! Note also that 9 ... Ndb4 is suspect because of 10 dxc5! and 11 e5. That leaves 9... Nb6. A good illustration of how White uses his center is Port isc h - D iugy, Wij k aan Zee 1 990: 9 ... Nb6 10 d5, ed 11 ed, Nb4 12 Ne1, Bf6 13 Be3 after which the liquidation of the center by way of 13...Bxc3 14 bxc3, N4xd5 15 Bxc5 fa vored White (15... Re8 16 Bd4, Bf5

Section I I: Winning Wi t h 1 c4

60

17 Rc1, Rc8 18 Nf3, Be4 19 Re1, Nf6 20 Bh3, Rc7 21 Ng5 and so on). a2) 5...ed 6 d4 is the Tarrasch Defense to the Queen's Gambit Declined for which the reader should consult Winning With 1 d4 by your author and published by Chess Digest, Inc. b) 3 ... e6 4 g3, b6 {The Queen's Indian Defense ap­ proach). The correct plan for White in this case is 5 Bg2, Bb7 6 0-0, Be7 7 d4, cd (else d4-d5) 8 Qxd4! and now: b 1 ) 8 ... 0-0 9 Rd1, Qc8 10 e4 setting up a good Maroczy Bind after 10... Nc6 11 Qd2 followed by b3, Bb2 and Rac l. b2) 8 ... Nc6 9 Qf4, 0-0 10 Rd1 and here 10... Qb8 has been considered safe for Black for many years. But re­ cently 11 e4, Qxf4 12 Bxf4, Rfd8 13 e5!, Ne8 14 Nd4, Na5 15 b3, Bxg2 16 Kxg2 has proven to give White a slight edge because of his potential Queenside majority and edge in space. c) 3 ... g6. This should transpose into the text after 4 g3, Bg7 5 Bg2, N c6 6 0-0, 0-0. 4 g3

g6

Again here 4 ... d5 5 cd, N x d5 6 B g2 transposes into IIC, while 4 c6 5 Bg2, d5 is also covered under IIC. ..•

5 B g2 6 0-0

Bg7 0-0

Black could have stopped White's next move with 6 ... e5 so it must be examined. This is sometimes credited to

Botvinnik, but the former World Champion preferred to play e5 when he has developed his KN on another square such as e7. The N f6 interferes somewhat with the harmo­ nious development of Black's kingside and center. •••

White has any one of several strategies here after 6 ... e5. For example, 7 a3. On 7 ... a5 Black has weakened his

Section I I : Winning With 1 c4

61

queenside and bas not permanently stopped b2 - b4, e.g., 8 N e 1 , d6 9 N c2, 0 - 0 10 Rb 1 followed by b2-b4. It often ap­ pears that Black is advised to play aS because then he obtains an open a-file if White persists in playing b2-b4. The trouble with this line of reasoning is that Black usually has to return control of the file later to White who is better developed on the queenside. •..

Note also that 7 0 - 0 allows 8 b4 immediately (B.. cb 9 ab, Nx b4 10 Nxe5) and so does 7 . d6 (8 b4, cb 9 ab, N x b4 10 B a3, N c6 1 1 NbS, B f8 12 d4. •.•

.

.

.

An altogether different strategy is 7 N e 1, 0-0 8 N c2. This handy N-maneuver is useful in (a) opening up White's long diagonal, (b) supporting b4 and (c) providing greater control of dS after Ne3. 7 d4!

Now we come to a parting of the ways. 7 cd is our main English line, while 7 . d6 transposes into the Yugoslav Variation of the King's Indian Defense. ...

.

A1 A2

7 . cd 7... d6 .

.

.

62

Section II: Winning Wit h 1 c4

Al ( 1 c4, c5 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3, g6 5 Bg2, Bg7 6 0-0, 0-0 7 d4) 7 ... 8 N x d4

cd

8

N x d4

•..

The point of this exchange is that White cannot maintain the central square for his queen and may, in fact, run into tactical trouble on d4. Moreover, it is diffi­ cult for Black to complete development without this ex­ change. For example, 8 d6 is a pawn sacrifice which is not sound: 9 N x c6, b x c6 10 B x c6, Rb8 1 1 Bg2, Qa5 and now 12 Qc2 seems most exact, e .g., 12 ... Be6 13 b3, R fc8 14 B d2, Q h 5 15 e4!, Ng4 16 h3, Ne5 17 Q d 1! as in Espig-Markland, Polanica Z droj 1973. If Bla ck has any real play in this gambit line, it must be in 13 ... d5!?, although 14 cxd5, N x d5 15 N x d5, B x d5 16 B d2! or 14 8 f5 15 Qd2 seems more than sufficient for Black. .•.

.•.

Also 8 ... Qa5 is suspect because of 9 Nb3! and 10 c5 restraining Black's center pawns. Examine 9 ... Qa6 10 c5, b6 11 e4!, be 12 e5, Ne8 13 N x c5, Qa5 1 4 N x d 7, B x d 7 15

Section I I : Wi nning Wit h 1 c4

63

Qx d7, N x e5 16 Qd5! (Tal- Ree, Sukhumi 1 973). Or 9 ... Q h 5 1 0 c5, b 6 1 1 cb, a b 12 e4!, Q x d 1 1 3 R x d l , R b 8 1 4 f4, N a 5 15 e 5 Krogius-J ansa, Soc h i 1965.

There is an attractive gambit in 8 Ng4 9 e3, d6 but White should avoid 1 0 N x c6?! and instead play 1 0 b3 followed by Bb2 next. His position has no holes and is ready to use the advantage in space by placing rooks on d l and c l and a N on d5. .•.

-­

The same goes for 8 ... Qb6 9 N c2, d6 1 0 b3 e.g., 10 ... B e6 1 1 N dS!, B x dS 12 cxdS, NeS 13 Be3 or 10 ... Ne5 1 1 h3, Be6 12 Be3, Qc7 13 N d4, and 1 4 N d5. 9 Q x d4 10 Qd3

d6

The queen voluntarily vacates d4 and prepares to develop a bind in the center with e4, b3, B b2 and the use of rooks on c1 and d l . There is no rush to play e4 because it blocks the KB's line. And there are tactical problems about b3. But otherwise, recent theory regards this varia­ tion highly. White's completion o f development proceeds smoothly. Now Black has several choices: A l l J O.. Bf5 A l l J O.. Ng4 A 13 J O... a6 .

.

Section I I: Winning Wi th 1 c4

64

A14

J O Be6 ...

All (1 c4, cS l N c3, N f6 3 N f3, N c6 4 g3, g6 5 Bgl, B g7 6 0-0, 0-0 7 d4, cd 8 N x d4, N x d4 9 Qx d4, d6 1 0 Qd3) 10

B fS

••.

Aimed at forcing e4. Be6

11 e4

Now Black is not offering the b-pawn. a6

ll B dl 13 b3

White's recommended policy 1s to follow up with Racl and Rfd1. Rb8

13 ...

After 13 ... Qd7 14 R a c l , Rab8 15 a4 (Sometimes this is a bad weakening because of . Nd 7-c5, but here that ma­ neuver cannot be achieved immediately) B h3 16 R fd 1 , B x gl 17 Kxgl and White has not been interrupted from his ..

Section I I: Winning With 1 c4

65

quest for central superiority. The exchange of bishops has actually helped White. Also on 13 N d 7 14 Rac1, N c5 ( ... Ne5 should trans­ pose into our main variation - 13 ... R b8) 15 Q c2! as sug­ gested by Keene, prevents . b5 and leaves Black with de­ velopment problems. ..•

. .

14 Racl 15 Qe2 16 Rfd1

Nd7 Ne5

So far as in the game Krogius-Tringov, Varna 1969. White has excellent placement for his pieces; he has stopped b5 and may continue with B e3 - d4. The game continued 16 ... Bg4 17 f3, B d 7 1 8 Be3, B c6 1 9 c5!, Qa5 20 N d5, B x d5 21 R xd 5 with a considerable advantage. ...

A12 ( 1 c4, c5 2 N c3, N f6 3 N f3, N c6 4 g3, g6 5 Bg2, Bg7 6 0·0, 0·0 7 d4, cd 8 N x d4, N x d4 9 Qx d4, d6 10 Qd3) 10 . . .

Ng4?!

An ambitious but poor plan. Similar is 10 ... Nd7 1 1 b3, Nc5 12 Qd2, aS 13 Bb2, B d 7 1 4 N d 5 and White has a simple superiority which increases with the exchange of black-squared bishops, after which White can work on the

66

Section I I: Win n i ng Wi t h 1 c4

kingside with h 4 - h 5 or in the center with prospects of e4· eS. See also the Polga r- Gross game from the Introduction. On 10 ... Rb8 1 1 Be3, a6 (probably l l ... Qa5 is safe and sound), 12 Bd4 or 12 Rfd 1 with prospect o f cS, look better for White. In each of these lines White may have to move his queen again from d3, but that is a minor concern. If White played 10 Qd2, howe ver, Black could play 10 ... 8e6 1 1 b3, dS with immediate equality. The Queen protects the c­ pawn when it retreats to d3. 1 1 b3 1 2 B d2!

QaS

This is better than the pin created by 12 B b2 . White can continue N dS and B c3 easily now. 12 ... 13 h 4 14 Qe3

QhS NeS

With QgS and an endgame in view. 14 ...

Qg4

As in Resh evsky - Z uckerman, U.S. C h ampionship 1967. A fter 15 Rad1, Qd 7?! 16 N dS, Qd8 17 Bc3, White ob­ tained a winning positional advantage.

Section I I: Winning With 1 c4

67

All (1 c4, c5 2 Nc3, N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3, g6 5 Bg2, Bg7 6 0-0, 0-0 7 d4, cd 8 N x d4, N x d4 9 Qxd4, d6 1 0 Qd3) 10

.•.

a6

Black prepares b7-b5. White must be careful in trying to get too much too soon from the position. For example, 1 1 BgS and if 1 1 ... Rb8, then 12 c5 looks attractive since 12 ... dx c5 allows 13 Q x d8, Rxd8 14 B f4, Ra8 15 Na4 with strong queenside pressure. But 12 ... Qa5! can make an effective gambit, e.g., 13 B x f6 (not 13 cxd6 ??, Qxg5), B x f6 1 4 cx d6, e x d6 15 Qx d6, Be6 1 6 Qd2, R fd8 1 7 Q c2, R d c8 and in Dzhindzhich ashvili-Eh lvest, N e w York 1990, Black had more than enough compensation. 1 1 Be3

B rs

More effe ctive than 1 1 ... Rb8 12 B d4 (or 1 2 Ba 7, Ra8 13 Bd4) Be6 (12. . Qa 5 13 Bxf6, Bxf6 1 4 Nd5) 13 Racl and now 13 ... b5 only looks dangerous for White. He retains an edge with 14 cb, ab 15 NxbS, B x a2 16 N a7!. .

Several years ago it was thought that 1 l . Ng4 only drives the White bishop where it wants to go, d4. A num­ ber of games in the 1970s tested that thesis and the conclu..

68

Section I I: Winning Wit h 1 c4

sion today is that White stands well if he does not hurry to play his c-pawn to the fifth rank: 1 l . .. Ng4 12 Bd4, Ne5 13 Qd1, Rb8 1 4 N d5! and now with Nb6 or Bb6 coming up, the likely continuation is 14 b5 15 cb, ab 16 Nb4, Bb7 1 7 e 4 , N c6 1 8 B x g7, K xg7 19 N x c6, B x c6 20 Q d 4 c h and 2 1 R f c l with the usual spatial edge for White ( T h o m as ­ •.•

Math eson, Correspondence 1 9 8 1 - 83). 12 Qd2

The point of 11 Be3 is to allow White to retreat his queen to d2 comfortably. 12

•••

Rb8

Now 12 Qd7 13 Bg5, Rab8 (13 Rac8 14 Bxf6!, Bxf6 1 5 Nd5) 14 R a c l favors White because Black is still not ready for 14 b5 - - 1 5 cb, ab 16 B x f6, B x f6 1 7 Nd5 threatening both N x f6 c h and Rc7. •••

...

•.•

13 Racl

Also good is 13 B d4. 13 ... 14 cb 15 B a7! 16 B d4!

b5 ab Ra8!

Not 1 6 B x a8, Q x a8 followed by 16

..•

..

.b4 or

.••

B h3.

b4

Now Gligorich analyses 1 7 Nd5, N x d5 1 8 B x d5, B x d4 1 9 Q x d4, Rb8 2 0 Rfd1, D eS with a slight edge for White.

Section I I: Winning Wit h 1 c4

69

A14 ( 1 c4, cS 2 Nc3, N f6 3 N f3, N c6 4 g3, g6 S Bg2, Bg7 6 0-0, 0-0 7 d4, cd 8 N x d4 , N x d4 9 Q x d4, d6 1 0 Qd3) 10 ...

Be6

A pawn sacrifice which White must treat accurately to achieve an advantage. Another possibility is 10 QaS 11 B d2 and then 1 1 . .. Q b S intending ... B h3 looks logical. White should play 12 f3 so that he can have a white-square bind if Black ex­ changes Bishops. White maintains an edge after 12 f3, e.g., 12 ... Be6 13 R a c l , Rac8 14 NbS, a6 1S N d4, B d7 16 e4. ..•

1 1 B x b7! 12 B g2 13 b3!

Rb8 QaS

White does best to return the pawn for a positional advantage. 13 ... 14 axb3

R x b3 Qxa1

Now the game Quinteros-Jimenez, Cie n fuegos 1 972 continued 1S B d2, Qa6 16 NbS with excellent prospects for White since Black's a-pawn is very weak.

70

Section I I: Winning Wit h 1 c4

No better in the line above is 13 Ng4 because 14 B d2 , Qh5 15 h3, Ne5 16 g4!, N x d3 17 g x h 5 favors White greatly ( U h lmann- B oasch, East German C h ampionship 1981). •••

A2 (1 c4, c5 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3, g6 5 Bg2, Bg7 6 0·0, 0 - 0 7 d4) 7

d6

..•

Transposing into the Yugoslav Variation of the King's Indian Defense. We shall examine a straight for­ ward method of play for White -- the exchange system with 8 de, de 9 Be3. -

8 de 9 Be3

­

de Qa5

The best move. In the game Petrosian- Bronste i n, Amsterdam 1956, Black played 9 ... Nd7. But after 10 Qc1! (with the simple plan of Bh6 and B x g 7 and Rdl) 1 0 ... Nd4 11 Rd 1, e5 12 B h6, QaS 13 B x g7 followed by 1 4 K h 1! (meeting the threat of 1 4. Qxc3 and 15 . Nx e2cl!) White had ..

..

the better position for several reasons. For one, he can drive off Black 's only really effectiv e piece with e3. Then

Section I I : Win n i ng Wit h 1 c4

71

White has the use of d S for his own knight, but Bla ck can­ not do the same anymore. Also White has the better use of the long white di agonal and of the queen file. The symmetrical defense 9 ... 8e 6 is considered not quite sound because after 10 B x cS, Black has problems af­ ter either 10 ... B x c4 1 1 N d4!, N x d4 12 B x d4, Ba6 (how else to defend the b-pawn?) 13 b4!, or 10 ... Q a5 1 1 B a3, B x c4 12 N d4, N x d4 13 Qx d4, Rac8 14 Qe3 or even 10 ... Qa5 1 1 B a3, R fd8 12 N d2, B x c4? 13 N x c4, Rxd 1 14 N x a5, R xa1 15 R x a 1 , N x a5 1 6 B x e 7. As usual, symmetrical play is danger­

ous for Black. Also take note of 9 Be3, Be6 10 Qa4!? with the idea of 10 ... N d4 1 1 R a d 1, e.g., 1 1 ... B d 7 12 Qa3, N c2 13 Q x c5, b6 14 Qg5, h6 15 Q f4 with ferocious compli cations after 15 ... g5 ( Grigorian- Kasparov, U S S R 1981). 10 Qc1

Pursuing the plan of exchanging off the black­ squared bishops. Another good move is 10 B d2 to take ad­ vantage of the Black queen's square. On 10 ... 8e6 1 1 N a4 for example, the queen must retreat and allow something like 1 1 ... Qc7 12 N x c5, B x c4 13 Rc l, Bd5 14 Qa4, N d 7 15 B f4 as pointed out by Boleslavsky. Better is 10 ... B f5 1 1 Q c 1 ( J J e4? is tactically justified by l l ... Nx e4 1 2 Nx e4 attacking the queen. But it is a mistake since after l l...Bg4 Black has control of White's d4 and therefore a fine game.) Now to avoid White's buildup with R d 1 and N d5 and B h 6, Fischer played 11 ... N d 4 against Pachman at H avana 1965, obtaining a slightly inferior game after 12 N x d4, cxd4 13 Nd5, Qd8 14 B h6, B x h6 15 Qx h6, N x d5 1 6 cx d5, ReS 17 Qd2, Qb6 18 Rac1 be cause of the we akness of Black's d­

pawn. 10 ...

B f5

72

Section I I: Win n i ng Wit h 1 c4

Or 10 ... eS 1 1 B d2, Be6 12 R d 1 , and now Black has problems with 12 ... N d 7 13 NgS or 12 ... B x c4 13 N dS or 12 ... Rad8 13 N dS. 1 1 Nh4

Bd7

On 1 1 ... B e 6 12 N dS favors White. 12 B d2 13 e3

eS

And White follows up with NdS and the better prospects. These lines don't promise White much chance for a quick and decisive middlegame advantage, but they avoid the complexity of the dS lines and contain very little risk of losing. His endgame is usually excellent.

Section I I : Win ning Wit h 1 c4

73

B 1 c4 2 N c3 3 N f3

c5 N c6 g6

This order of moves was considered, until fairly re­ cently, to be a clumsy positional mistake by Black. The reason is that with 4 e3! White prepares a strong pawn cen­ ter. 4 e3

Now Black would like to play 4 ... N f6 5 d4, cd 6 ed, d5 in order to isolate White's remaining center pawn. In similar positions this can be effective. But here 7 Bg5 is good and 7 cd! is even better since 7 ... N x d5 8 Qb3, Nb6 9 d5! or 8 ... N x c3 9 B c4! gives White a tremendous game in the center (9. e6 1 0 bx c3, B g 7 1 1 Bb5, B d 7 1 2 Ba3, Bf8 13 0- 0, Bxa3 1 4 Qxa3, Qe7 1 5 Qb2, 0- 0 1 6 Rfe1, Qf6 1 7 Rab 1 and 1 8 Nd2 as in A ndersso n - H uguet, Las Palmas 1 973). ..

4 ...

Bg7

Note that 4 ... d6 5 d4, Bg4 6 Be2, Bg7 puts pressure on White's center, but the normal reaction to it ( 7 d5) grants White an excellent game. After 7 d5, Ne5? 8 N x e5, B x e2 9 Qa4ch! or 7 .. Nb8 8 b3 White's position is clearly .

74

Section I I: Winning With 1 c4

preferable. And 7 N a5 would be similar to our main line below but with the bishop somewhat misplaced on g4. ••.

5 d4

d6

A chief reason for this line's poor reputation is that often Black played S ... cd? here, giving White a favorable center after 6 ed, e.g., 6 ... N f6 7 dS, NbS 8 d6! or 6 ... d6 7 Be2, N f6 8 dS with prospects of strong pressure along the e-file. 6 Be2

Bd 7

Here 4 ... Bg4 would transpose back into the note to Black's fourth move. 7 0-0 8 d5!

N f6

It's about time to punish Black for his attitude to­ wards the center. 8... 9 e4 10 e S

N aS 0-0

With this push White obtains a small but significant edge in central space. If lO ... dxeS 1 1 N x e5, he will con­ tinue with B f4, Qd2 and the placement of rooks on d l and el.

More testing is 10. . .N e 8 1 1 B f4, Bg4, after which White can no longer maintain his pawn at eS. But 12 e x d6 gives White better pawns and better pieces. A recent exam­ ple, Vaganian- Kamsky, N e w York 1990, went 12 ... N x d6 13 N d2 , B fS 14 Ret, b6 15 b3, e5 (Black needs more space to operate) 16 de, fe 17 B f3 and White kept an advantage.

Section I I: Win n i ng Wit h 1 c4

75

c cS N f6 dS

1 c4 2 Nc3 3 N f3

This method of liberating Black's game was a fa­ vorite of Akiba Rubinstein. He hopes after S cd, N x dS to build a Maroczy Bind with N c6 and . e7-e5. White has to be careful to put pressure on both eS and cS to keep from getting a cramped game. •..

4 cd

.

.

N x dS

s g3

As usual, White will exert force along the g2 -b7 line. s ...

N c6

At some point soon Black will have to deal with tactical threats to his knight on dS (5... Nc6 6 Bg2, e5? 7 Nxe5!, Nxe5 8 Nxd5). He can eliminate that danger imme­ diately with S ... N x c3 6 b x c3 , but that strengthens White's center and creates other dangers, e.g., 6 ... g6 7 Qa4ch!, Bd7 8 Qc4 threatening the c-pawn as well as 9 NgS, or 7 ... Nd7 8 Bg2, Bg7 9 d4, 0- 0 10 0-0, a6 1 1 Qa3, Qc7 12 R d 1 , eS 13

Section II: Winning Wit h 1 c4

76

Be3 threatening the e-pawn ( Krase n kov- Kozlov, Mosco w C h ampionship 1989) . 6 Bg2

N c7

Another piece in the Rubinstein plan and a neces­ sary precaution (6.. e5 7 Nx d5). The knight is not badly placed at c7 since it can go to e6 and d4 quickly. .

7 0-0 8 d3 9 N d2

eS Be7

This is the most direct approach to the middlegame. The knight heads for c4 while opening up the g2 -b7 diag­ onal. In some cases White will play B x c6 in order to dam­ age Black's queenside. For instance 9 ... B e6? 1 0 B x c6ch , B x c6 1 1 Qa4 places the enemy pawns under immediate pressure (J J . Qd 7 12 Nc4, f6 13 Ne4, Bh3 1 4 R d 1, 0- 0 15 Na 5! as in Korchnoi - B o h m, Wij k aan Zee 1980). .

.

9 ... 10 N c4

Bd 7

Here Black must decide whether or not to risk his e-pawn which is now threatened by 1 1 B x c6. On the natu­ ral 10 ... f6, White exploits the new weakness with 1 1 f4!. Play may then continue 1 1 ... bS 12 Ne3, ef 13 g f, 0 - 0 14

Section I I: Winning Wit h 1 c4

77

NedS with a nice positional pull (Sp iridonov- Pi n ter, B aile H erculane 198.2).

The crucial line is 10 ...0 - 0!?, offering the e-pawn. Then 1 1 B x c6, B x c6 12 N x eS, Be8 13 Be3 leads to a di ffi­ cult middlegame in which the onus is on Black to prove that he is more than just a pawn down. After 13 ... Ne6 1 4 R e t , B f6 1 5 N f3, B c6 Black's bishops appear imposing, but White has fine chances with 1 6 Qb3, offering the pawn back e.g., 16 ... 8 x f3 1 7 e x f3, Q x d3 18 N e4!, Q x b3 1 9 N x f6 ch, gx f6 20 axb3 with an endgame edge. Or 1 6. . . Bd4 1 7 B x d4, N x d 4 18 N x d4, cxd4 1 9 N e4, ReS 20 R eS! as in Hj artarson - Vaganian, Rotterdam 1989.

78

Section I l l : Win n i ng Wit h 1 c4

SECT ION I l l 1 c4 2 Nc3

Nf6

Section I I I: Winning Wit h 1 c4

79

S ECT I O N I l l 1 c4

N f6

The knight move is flexible in regard to pawn for­ mation. Black can make up his mind in the next few moves about where he wants the bases of his central pawn structure -- at e5, c5, or d5 -- or whether he wants to ex­ change off a pair of pawns in the center. 2 N c3

Aside from the transpositional 2 ... e5 and 2 c5 (2 d6) there are a few distinct alternatives open to Black. •..

...

A B

C D

2 ... d5 2 . e6 2 ...c6 2...g6 ..

Section I I I: Winning Wit h 1 c4

80

A ( 1 c4, N f6 2 N c3 , d5)

This presses the game into a Gruenfeld Defense-like position with the major difference being that White has not played his d-pawn into a position where it can be as­ saulted. 3 cd 4 g3

N x d5

As with most other variations we've explored, the typical response by White to any center action by Black is g3 and Bg2. Now 4 ... c5 would lead to lines mentioned ear­ lier under 1 c4, c5 2 N c3 , N f6 3 N f3 , d5 4 cd, N x d5 5 g3. And 4 e5 would soon enter variations considered after 1 ...

c4, e5 2 Nc3, N f6 3 N f3 , N c6 4 g3, d5 5 cd, N x d5. 4 ...

g6

Or 4 ... N x c3 leading to something else we've considered. White may even benefit from the absence of Bg2 in this move order, e.g. 4 ... N x c3 5 b x c3 , g6 and here instead of 6 B g2 which transposes into our main line, White can play 6 h4!?

Section I I I : Win ning Wit h 1 c4

81

The idea is to try for a mating attack based on the absence of a Black knight from f6. White can play on both wings: 6 ... Bg7 7 h5, Nd7 8 Bgl, c5 9 Qb3, Rb8 1 0 N f3, b5 1 1 d4. And in Ribli- Gutman, West Germany 1988, White won quickly with l l . . Qa5 12 B f4, cd 13 B x b8, d x c3? 1 4 B f4! (return trip), cl c h 1 5 Bdl, B x a 1 16 0 -0!. .

If Black sets out on an adventure to find a new idea -- say with 4 ... N c6 5 Bgl, e6 6 N f3, Be7 -- he finds it difficult to complete his development harmoniously. 5 B g2

Now we analyze two lines: A1 5 Nxc3 Al 5 Nb6 ...

...

Section I I I: Winning Wit h 1 c4

82

Al (1 c4, N f6 2 N c3, d5 3 cd, N x d5 4 g3, g6 5 B g2 ) 5... 6 b x c3

N x c3 B g7

7 Rb1!

The early exploitation of the b-file is the clearest explanation of why White's game is preferable. Note that on 7 0-0 White doesn't play 8 B x b7? (8 B x b 7 9 R x b 7, Qd5), but 8 R x b7!. And the passive 7 c6 is hardly appealing after 8 N f3, 0 - 0 9 0-0, Nd7 10 c4, e5 1 1 d3, Qc7 e .g., 12 B a3, Rd8 13 N g5!, N f8 14 c5, Ne6 15 Ne4 to exploit •.•

...

•••

d6.

The problem with 7 N c6 is that it doesn't solve the problem of the b-pawn since Black must eventually move the QB. After 8 Qa4, 0 · 0 9 N h3 , for example, White can prepare a kingside attack with Qh 4 , B h6 , and N g5 while keeping Black pressured on the Queenside. •.•

7... 8 N f3

N d7

Not 8 B x b7, B x b7 9 Rxb7 because the rook doesn't escape after 10 ... Nb6.

Section I I I: Win ning Wit h 1 c4

s...

S3

0-0 e5

9 0-0

Alternatives are no better. For example, in an ear­ lier Botvinnik-Smyslov match game (our main line 9... e5 is the 16th game Botvinni k - S my slov, World C h ampionship Match 1 95S) Black had played 9 ... RbS 10 c4, b6 1 1 d4, e5 1 2 B a3, ReS and equalized, but he shouldn't have after 13 e3. Black's queenside is still weak. Another idea is 9 Nb6 when 1 0 N d4 has been recommended in the past, offering a pawn (J O ... Bxd4 1 1 cxd4, Qxd4 12 Bb2. An attractive al­ ternative is 10 Ng5, which seems to be a misguided attempt at kingside attack, but is actually a method of bringing the knight to bear on the queenside via e4. For example 1 0 Qd7 1 1 Qb3, Qg4 12 Ne4 or 12 N f3 , as in the game R i ­ b l i - Gutman, West Germany 19 S 7 which continued 12 N f3, .•.

•..

Be6 13 Qc2, Qc4 14 Ng5!, B g 4 1 5 B x b7!.

A2 (1 c4, N f6 2 N c3 , d5 3 cd, N x d5 4 g3, g6 5 Bg2) s ...

Nb6

Once again White can try to exploit the absence of an enemy knight from the kingside by going directly for mate: 6 d3, Bg7 7 Be3, 0 - 0 S Q c l!, ReS (else Bh 6 x g 7) 9 B h6, B h 8 1 0 h4!?, N c6 11 h5, Nd4 12 N f3 , N x f3 c h 1 3 B x f3, c6

84

Section I I I: Winning Wit h 1 c4

14 h x g6 and 15 Kfl! (Seiraw an- 1. Sokolov, Saraj evo 1987). White's uncastled king frequently turns out to be safer than Black's castled one in such positions.

But more in harmony with our overall English strategy is a simpier procedure, as follows: 6 7 8 9

N f3 0-0 d3 Be3

Bg7 0-0 N c6 Nd4

Or 9...e5 1 0 a4, aS 1 1 B x b6!, cxb6 12 N d2, Be6 13 N c4 and 1 4 Qb3. 10 N x d4 1 1 B x d4 12 Q c2

B x d4 Q x d4 c6

As in Stolyar- Kiaman, U S S R C h ampionsh i p 1 957. Black doesn't have the counterplay he usually enjoys against the d-pawn in the normal Gruenfeld.

Section I I I: Winning Wit h 1 c4

85

B ( 1 c4, N f6 2 N c3 ) 2

••.

e6

Black is ready to enter an assortment of d-pawn games after 3 d4 including the Benoni (3... c5), the Queen's Gambit Declined (3 ... d5) or the Nimzo-Indian (3...Bb4). These don't work so smoothly after 3 e4. 3 e4

c5

There is nothing good to say about 3

•••

Bb4 4 eS, Ng8

5 Qg4 .

And against 3 dS White should play 4 e5 with these possibilities: a) 4 ... Ne4 5 Nf3, c5 6 Qc2 (an idea of Soviet Master Bivshev) and now 6 ... Nxc3 7 bxc3, Nc6 8 Rb l, Qc7 9 d4 fa­ vors White. This is clearer than the gambit line 5 Nxe4 and 6 Qg4. •..

b) 4 ... N fd7 5 cd, ed and here Schwarz suggests the interesting 6 f4, c5 7 N f3 possibly followed by a kingside fianchetto or by d4 as in the Steinitz Variation of the French Defense.

Section I I I: Winning Wit h 1 c4

86

However White would do better to liquidate rather than maintain his pawn center. A good policy here (instead of 5 cd) is 5 d4. And if 5...c5, then 6 cd, ed 7 Nf3, Nc6 8 Bb5! as in Smyslov- Farago, H astings 1976-77, which went 8...a6 9 Bxc6, bxc6 10 0-0, Be7 11 de, Nxc5 12 Nd4, Qb6? 13 Be3 and White won very quickly: 13...0-0 14 Rc1, Rd8 15 b4!, Ne4 16 Na4, Qb7 17 Nxc6. Resigns! c) 4 d4 which is considered the most aggressive and best chance for equality; 5 exf6, dxc3 6 bxc3, Qxf6 7 d4 and now either 7 ...c5 8 Nf3, h6 (8...cd 9 Bg5, Qf5 10 cd, Bb4ch 11 Bd2 is much better for White.) 9 Bd3, Nc6 10 0-0, cd 11 cd, Nxd4 12 Nxd4, Qxd4 13 Rb1 with a very strong attack, or 7 ...b6 8 Be2!, Bb7 9 Bf3, Bxf3 10 Nxf3, Bd6 11 Qa4ch and 12 Bg5. White is better in each case. •..

In recent years Black has tried to revive his play with 7 ... eS. Then 8 Qe2?, B e 7 9 QxeS, QxeS 1 0 de, N c6 is questionable for White (Chekhov - Z i c he i k, U S SR 1980), but 8 N f3! makes sense. Then 8 N f3!, ed leads to a position that was tested throughout the 1980s. A fairly recent example was V aiser­ Smagin, Tallinn 1986 when White had a withering attack with 9 BgS, Qe6ch 10 Be2, Be7 ( J O... d3? 1 1 0-0! or 1 0... f6 1 1 Nxd4, Qf7 1 2 Bf4 are also dangerous) 1 1 cd, B x gS 1 2 N x gS, Qe7 13 Qd2, 0-0 14 0 -0, h 6 15 N f3, Rd8 16 B d3 and so on. 4 eS S N f3

Ng8 N c6

Now White is faced with the prospect of Black playing d6 and developing pressure against White's back­ ward d-pawn. The only optimistic line for White involves a pawn sacrifice. ...

6 d4 7 N x d4

cd N x eS

Section I I I: Win ning Wit h 1 c4

87

On 7 a6 White has a considerable edge after either 8 N x c6 or 8 B f4. Black has lost too much time with his KN .••

to expect equality if he does not accept the pawn. 8 N dbS!?

This appears to be the best move and supercedes the previously favored 8 B f4, Ng6 9 Bg3, eS!. After 8 N dbS!? White threatens B f4 or N d 6 c h , in ei­ ther case with good pressure on the black squares. After 8 a6 9 N d 6 c b , B x d6 10 Qxd6, for example, Black could quickly find his queenside under paralysis after 1 0 Ng6 11 Be3, Qe7 1 2 Qb6, Qd8 13 Qb4 followed by Ne4 or B cS. •..

.•.

After 8 d6 White continues with 9 B f4 and Qd2, or •..

Ne4.

Better is 8 ... f6 (after 8 Ndb5) so that on 9 N d6ch, B x d6 1 0 Q x d 6 Black can evict the queen with N f7. The key game in this line is Liebert - Z lnn, East German C h am­ pions h ip 1964 which went 8 f6 9 B f4, a6 (else 9 Bxe5 and Qh5ch) 10 B x eS , axbS 1 1 Bg3, be 12 B x c4, dS 13 B d3, Bb4 1 4 QhScb, K f8 15 0·0, B x c3 16 b x c3, Ne7 1 7 c4 with play for the pawn. White might also improve with 13 BbScb and 14 0 -0 or Qe2. ...

•.•

After our main line move 8 NdbS:

88

Section I l l: Wi nning With 1 c4

But perhaps the more accurate method of meeting 16 is 9 B e3!, to force a weakness at b6. After Black de­ fends his a-pawn with 9 ... a6, White continues 10 N d6cb, B x d6 11 Qx d6, Ne7 12 Bb6, N f5 13 Qc5! with strong com­ 8

••.

pensation on the weakened dark-squares. Some examples: (a) 13 . . Qe7 14 Qa5, h5 15 0-0-0, Kf7 16 c5, Nc8 (or 16 ... d5 17 cd, Nxd6 18 Bc5) 17 Qa3, Qe8 18 Ne4 as in .

Miles-Gruenfeld, World Open 1989. (b) 13 Qe7 14 Qa5, Nc6 15 Qa4, Qd6 16 c5, Qe5ch ...

17 Qe4! (since the endgame is excellent after 17 ... Qxe4 18 Nxe4, Nb4 19 0-0-0!), d5 18 cxd6, Nxd6 19 Qxe5, Nxe5 20 0-0-0 and 21 f4! as in Serper- Lutber, Arnbeim 1990. (c) 13 . . d6 14 Qa5, Qe7 15 0-0-0, 0-0 16 f4, Nc6 17 Qa3, e5 18 g4! and 19 Nd5 as in Kasparov-S okolov, Bel fort .

1988.

As shown here, the 8 N db5 variation has turned out to be one of the most dangerous gambits in modern chess.

89

Section I l l: Win n i ng Wit h 1 c4

c ( 1 c4, N f6 2 N c3 )

3 N f3 4 cd

dS

With this transposition into the Slav Defense's ex­ change variation, White maintains the very sure but rela­ tively small impetus of symmetrical positions. As explained in my book Winning With 1 d4, White enjoys a promising middlegame after say 4 ... cd S d4, N c6 6 B f4, B fS 7 e3, e6 8 N eS! e.g., 8 ... N x eS 9 B x eS, a6 1 0 B x f6, gx f6 ( J O Qxf6 1 1 Qa4ch) 1 1 B d3, or 8 ... N d 7 9 N x c6, b x c6 1 0 B a6, Qb6 1 1 Qe2, cS 1 2 0-0!. Or simply 10 B el, Be7 1 1 0-0, 0-0 12 R c l , cS 13 NbS, a6 1 4 N d6 as in Portisch - B e ly avsky, T llburg 1 9 8 1 . ...

The backwardness of the Black c-pawn can be eliminated by c6-cS, but that usually means White will be the first to have access to an open c-file. This variation beginning with 8 NeS! appears strong and indicates that Black may have to play for equality with the asymmetrical 6 ... e6. White then enjoys the simpler placement of his pieces and greater activity o f his QB. ...

90

Section I I I: Winning With 1 c4

D ( 1 c4, N f6 2 N c3) 2

g6

•••

So what if Black just plays a fense? This trusted not-so-old weapon virtually any other opening sequence. c4? Here is my recommendation for King's Indian Defense: 3 g3

King's Indian De­ works well against Why not against 1 White against the

Bg7

3 ... dS enters the lines beginning 1 c4, N f6 2 N c3, dS 3 cd, N x dS 4 g3, g6. And 3 cS enters the main line of 1 c4, cS. 4 B g2 0·0 S e4! •••

Section I I I: Winning With 1 c4

91

This initiates a system beloved by Botvinnik. It comprises Nge2, d3, 0 - 0 followed by either f4- f5 or a3 and b4. White's choice of plans depends strongly on what Black does in the center. We now analyze these lines: 5... c5 (or 5 . c6) D1 D2 5. e5 ..

..

Dl (1 c4, N f6 2 N c3, g6 3 g3, Bg7 4 Bg2, 0 - 0 5 e4!)

If White's plan is to dominate the light squares, what happens if Black tries to challenge him with c7- c6 and d7 - d5 here? For example, 5 c6 6 N ge2 (6 eS is an er­ ror that leaves the e-pawn over-extended after 6.. Ne8), d5 7 cd, cd 8 N x d5, N x d5 9 e x d5 gives White an extra pawn but offers Black compensation if he is allowed to play B f5 and N a6 - b4. But 9 Na6 10 d4, B f5 1 1 Qb3! should hold the pawn and deprive Black of adequate counterchances, e.g., 1 1. Rc8 12 0-0 (better than 12 Qxb 7, Bd3!) Q d7 13 B e3, B c2 1 4 Qa3 and 15 R f c l as in Ribli- Nunn, R e y kj avik 1 988. .••

••.

..•

.

•••

...

••.

•.

5

•..

c5

92

Section I I I: Winning Wi th 1 c4

Black can also avoid an immediate decision with S ... d6. However it will transpose into this main line or into eS lines at a subsequent point.

•.•

N c6 d6

6 N ge2 7 0-0

Taimanov won his first game with Smyslov after many losses with 7 a6. Their game from the 1961 USSR Championship went 8 R b 1 , Rb8 9 a3, bS 1 0 cb, ab 11 b4, cb 12 ab, eS 13 d3, d6 and White could make little out of his first move advantage. He played 14 h3, B e6 1 S N dS, Ne7 1 6 N x e7ch, Qxe7 1 7 f4, ef and now should have played 1 8 •.•

gf. 8 a3

White's play after cS involves b4 rather than f4. On 8 d3, Ne8 9 h3, N c7 10 f4, for example, White has nothing to speak of after 10 fS 1 1 Be3, N d 4 12 Qd2, Rb8 13 R a e 1 , e6 since Black is quite safe on the kingside and is ready to play bS on the queenside. .•.

••.

•••

Ne8

8 ...

8 ... aS 9 Rb1, B d 7 10 d3, Rb8 is a good try at equal­ ity for Black although 1 1 NbS! and N e c3 may gi v e White a pull. The same line could be entered with 8 B d 7 9 R b 1 , a S . Another line is S a S 9 Rb1, Bg4 10 f3, B d 7 1 1 d 3 , N e 8 1 2 B e 3 , N c 7 and here 13 N h 4 seems indi cated. •••

•.•

9 Rb1

aS

Black cannot allow b 4 with impunity: 9 Rb8 1 0 b4, b6 11 d3, B d7 12 Be3, N d4 13 h3, Nc7 14 Kh2, B c6 1S Qd2, ReS is Taimanov - N aj dorf 19S6, after which 16 bS!, B b7 17 a4, e6 18 B h 6 , B h8 19 N x d4, cxd4 2 0 N a2, aS 2 l f4 led to advantage for White. Or 9 N c7 10 b4, Ne6 (JO. . . Rb8 1 1 b5, Nd4 1 2 d3, Nce6 13 f4 also favors White) 1 1 d3, Ned4 12 •••

•••

Section I I I: Wi nning Wit h 1 c4

93

N x d4, N x d4 13 N e2, b6 14 N x d4, B x d4 15 B b2, B x b2 1 6 Rxb2, e5 17 f4 as i n Stolyar- Z ilber, U S S R 1957.

Once White gets b4 in, he has the initiative on the only side of the board that is open enough for major activ­ ity. 1 0 d3 1 1 Be3

N c7

White maintains a slight edge with this move be­ cause of the positional threat of N a4. Now on l l ... N d4 White continues queenside opera­ tions with 12 b4, ab 13 ab. Then if Black safeguards the file with 13 ... b6 as in Evans- Fischer, U .S. C h ampionsh ip 1 967, White retains the superior chances with the simple 1 4 Qd2.

02 (1 c4, N f6 2 N c3, g6 3 g3, Bg7 4 B g2, 0 - 0 5 e4!) 5 ...

e5

Going into a King's Indian set-up, but this i s where White's f4- f5 plan works most effectively. 6 N ge2

d6

Section I I I: Wi n n i ng Wit h 1 c4

94

7 0·0

Nbd7

Other moves also favor White. For example, 7 ... Be6 d3, Qc8 9 f4, B h3 10 fS!, B xg2 11 K x g2 and White has 8 gotten rid of his only questionable piece, the KB. In the game Oj anen- Liflaender, Finnish C h ampionsh ip 1 9SS, Black tried 7 N c6. But now White was able to get in 8 f4 before Black got a chance to play Ne8 and . rs himself. There followed 8 ... Nd4 9 d3, cS 10 fS!, Ne8 (JO . gf 1 1 Bg5!) 11 g4, gS (otherwise Ng3 and g5 and f6) 12 N dS, f6 13 N x d4, exd4 1 4 b4, N c7 I S N x e7, Q x e7 16 be, de 1 7 h 4 with a strong attack. •.•

•.•

..

.

.

White's ability to play on the kingside with f2 - f4, and on the queenside with b2-b4, makes this a particularly flexible system. Suppose for example, White had played a slightly different order of move: S e4, eS 6 d3, d6 7 N ge2, N e6 8 0· 0 leaving a tempo behind in the race for f4- fS. He could also play on the queenside where Black has hopes of a7· a6 and . b7-bS. •••

..

Typical play then would be 8 ... a6 9 Rbl, Rb8 1 0 NdS, Nd7 1 1 f4 and now S a n Segundo-Lputian, N e w Y ork 1 9 9 0 saw White upset a strong Soviet grandmaster after l l . .. Ne7 12 Be3, e6 13 N x e 7eh, Qxe7 14 fS!, bS IS g4, h6 1 6 Qd2 , N f6 17 B f3, gx fS 18 gx fS, K h 7 19 Kh l with a grow­ ing positional superiority. 8 d3

White can also play the immediate 8 f4, although Black obtains counterplay from 8 ... e6 9 h3, bS 10 d3, Qb6eh. The instructive game Seiraw an-Sigurj onsso n, Wij k aan Zee 1980 continued 1 1 K h l , B b 7 12 g4!, e f 13 B x f4, R fe8 14 eb!, eb IS N g3 and White was secure on the queen­ side and threatening on the kingside ( 1 5 ... Nc5 1 6 Be3, b4 1 7 Nce2, Qb5 1 8 Bd4, Nfd 7 1 9 Bxg 7 and 20 Nf4, etc.)

Section I I I: Winning Wit h 1 c4

8 ... 9 f4 10 b3 11 r5 12 g4

95

N c5 c6 Ne6 Nd4

So far as in B otvinnlk-Tscherb a kov, U S S R C h ampi­ ons h ip 1955. After ll .. Ne8 13 Be3, a6 14 Qd2 Black didn't .

last past move 30.

96

Section I V: Winning Wit h 1 c4

SECTION I V Other Ideas Against 1 c4

Section I V: Winning Wit h 1 c4

97

SECT I O N IV Other Ideas Against 1 c4 We analyze: A 8 c D E F G

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

c4, c4, c4 , c4, c4, c4, c4,

c6 e6 rs

g6 N c6 b6 dS

A 1 c4

c6

Although White has his choice here between the Reti Opening (after 2 Nf3, d5 3 g3) or the Caro- Kann D e­ fense (2 e4, dS 3 ed, cd 4 d4) , we prefer a transposition into the exchange variation of the Slav Defense (2 Nc3, dS 3 cd, cd 4 d4). The reader is referred to the Slav chapter of my Winning With 1 d4. Also we covered this Slav ex­ change in the previous section (Section III C).

Section I V: Winning Wi t h 1 c4

98

B 1 c4

e6

This is also long on transpositional ideas. White's best line for the sake of simplicity is 2 N c3 and then: a) 2 d5 3 d4 followed by the Exchange Variation cd as outlined in my Winning With 1 d4. •••

b) 2 N f6 transposes into III B. •••

c) 2

...

f5 enters I V C.

d) 2 cS 3 Nf3 either transposes into III B after 3... N f6 or a Tarrasch Defense to the Queen's Gambit after 3...d5. ••.

e) 2 Bb4 3 Qb3! so that on 3...c5 White can play 4 Nb5 followed by an unpleasant Nd6ch. If 4 ...d6, 5 Qg3!. This 2 ...e6 usually transposes into a variation already con­ sidered in III B. ..•

Section I V : Winning Wit h 1 c4

99

c 1 c4

rs

If the reader is inte rested in a thoroughly English system against the Dutch Defense, we advise: N f6 e6

2 N f3 3 g3

For 3 g6 White can choose one of the systems sug­ gested in Winning With 1 d4. . . .

4 B g2

Be7

s 0-0

0-0

6 d3

And now Black has the usual choice between mov­ ing his d-pawn one box or two: a) 6 dS 7 b3, c5 ( 7 c6 8 Ba3! eliminates Black' s better bishop) 8 cd, ed 9 Bb2, Nc6 10 d4!, b6 11 de, be 12 Nc3 (Pirc-Tolush, 1 9 5 7 ) White's play against the weak center is nearly devastating already. b) 6 d6 7 Nc3, e5 8 Ne1!, c6 9 f4, Be6 10 Nf3, Ng4 11 e3, Nd7 12 h3, Nh6 13 Qe2 as proposed by Schwarz. White can also play b4-b5. ...

...

...

1 00

Section I V: Winning Wit h 1 c4

D 1 c4

g6

2 N c3 3 g3

Bg7

Now 3 ... N f6 will revert to III D and 3 ... c5 may return to II's main line. On 3 ... e5 Black has played into a major variation, but one which we've been able to avoid through the normal channels. Here again White returns to familiar lines with 4 d4!.

E 1 c4

Nc6

101

Section I V: Wl nnln1 Wit h 1 c4

Now 2 N c3, e 5 3 N f3 is l's main line and 2 g 6 3 d4 is an inferior Indian system. ...

F 1 c4

b6

Twenty years ago, the answer l. b6 wasn't consid­ ered respectable enough to deserve any attention whatso­ ever in opening manuals. But in the late 1970s, Black ob­ tained promising positions after the move (and the related move order 1 d4, e6 2 c4, b 6) when White overreached. ..

2 Nc3 3 e4!

Bb7

It is important to blunt Black's bishop's diagonal. 3 ...

e6

Here White has considerable choice. He can play the position like a Queen's Indian Defense with 4 d4 (thereby allowing 4... Bb4!). Or he can keep his options open with 4 N f3 (with the idea of 4...Bb4 5 Qb3, B x c3 ?! 6 Qxc3, B x e4? 7 Qxg 7) .

Section I V: Winning Wit h 1 c4

102

One recent idea is 4 b3, which appeared in Ljubo· B ugojno 1986. Black answered with the provocative 4 ... N f6 and the re followed 5 e5, N e4 6 N xe4, B x e4 7 Bbl with White enjoying the better chances.

je vic-Mlles,

G 1 c4

d5

l cd

And now Black can try a gambit with 2 ... N f6 3 e4, c6 (3. . Nxe4? 4 Qa4ch) but White might just as well play 3 N c3 to enter III A. Anothe r answer is 2 ... Q x d5, but White .

ends up with an improved ve rsion of the Center Counte r game afte r 3 N c3. Schwarz mentions a game C arls - Helling 1933, which went 3 Q h 5 4 d4, e5 5 de, N c6 6 B f4, Bb4 7 e3, Qg6 (7. .Bg4 8 Be2) 8 N f3, Nge7 9 B d3! and White had a tremendous game. .••

.

1 03

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C- 966 WINNING WITH THE COLLE SYS TEM-Smith & Hall

(2nd Edition 1990). Revised by George K oltanowski, Tim Harding and Hugh Myers. The one you have been waiting for. 5 1 5.15. G-8 PILLSBUR Y THE EXTRA ORDINARY-Soltis. American who should have been World Champion. Paperback. $ 1 4.20. G- 1 79 TAL THE MAGNIFICENT-Soltis. The "wizard from Riga". Paperback. $ 1 5 . 15 . L-463B THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 1 9 72 FIS CHER VS. SPASSKY-Evans & Smith. The inside story with every move

explained. A great instructional book as well the best match book ever published. Paperback. $ 7 .95 E- 99 CHESS INS TR UCTIONS: Move By Move-Chess Digest (Ken Smith). The greatest games played in the 1970's with ev­ ery White & Black move explained. Paperback. $ 8.95 J-81 EXER CISES IN THE ENDGAME: D iagrammed Move By Move-Chess Digest (Ken Smith). No board and men needed as there is a diagram after each move. Let 1379 diagrams teach you the best moves for each side. Paperback. $ 7 .95 J-65 MAKING CHESS ENDINGS EA SY TO S TUDY Vol 1Ken Smith. (1) A challenge (2) Enough diagrams so a board and men are not necessary (3) Lets you test yourself if you so desire. Paperback. $ 6.95 J-82 MAKING CHESS ENDINGS EA SY TO S TUDY Vol 2Ken Smith. Same format as Vol 1. Teaches ideas and visual­ ization. The author makes it enjoyable while learning the most important part of the game of chess. Paperback. $ 8.95 J-64 UNUSUAL ENDINGS - Chess Digest ( K en Smith). Cre­ ative imagination is the order of the day. Paperback. $ 4 .95 J-80 CHALLENGES IN THE ENDGAME Brieger. These challenging positions are designed to help teach you some of the tactics of the endgame. The practical value is there for every player--no matter his strength. Paperback. $ 7.95 L-583 THE 1 986 WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP: KA S­ PAROV-KARPOV-Bri tish Chess Magazine. The story, the color and all the games annotated. Paperback. $ 4.50. J-54 QUEEN AND PAWN ENDINGS Averbakh Divided into many parts covering every conceivable aspect of the common -

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Great Books From C h ess D igest

Queen endings. 268 diagramed examples with excellent notes and analysis that are unsurpassed. Clothbound. $ 10.00 A COMPLETE C H E S S C O U R S E: " The following books, if taken together, make a complete course that every player should have studied. I am talking about rating jumps of 100 to 200 points in the pupils I have worked with. They cover ideas, basics, the C to A players, and material for the Expert aiming for Mastership".- Ken Smith (FIDE 2363). B- 1 1 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CHESS-Hartston-Wason. Thought process, winning & losing, talent & motivation. Clothbound. $ 9.95 E-46 THE BA TTLE OF CHESS IDEA S - S a i d y . Evolution of chess thought. Ideas and the best games of the greatest players that ever lived. Clothbound. $ 16.95 E-41 THINK LIKE A GRANDMAS TER - K otov. Includes: Analysis of Variations, Positional Judgement, Planning, The Ending, Player's Knowledge. Paperback. $ 2 1.35 E- 76 PLA Y LIKE A GRANDMA S TER - K otov. A virtual text­ book on the higher principles of play. Includes: Combinational Vision, Calculation and Practical Play. Paperback. $ 2 1.35 E- 145 LESSONS WITH THE MA S TERS-GM Evans & FM Smith (1989). Will make you think, learn and hopefully enjoy chess. Paperback. $ 14.20. E-88 TRAIN LIKE A GRANDMAS TER - Kotov. The 3rd in this series. Paperback. $ 2 0.95. E- 133 PLAN LIKE A GRANDMA S TER -Sueti n . A little studied approach. Paperback. $ 1 5 . 15 . F-5 7 MODERN A R T OF A TTA CK- K e n Smith & John Hall (1988). The era of Tal, Fischer and Kasparov. Paperback, $ 13.25. J- 1 05 ESSENTIAL CHESS ENDINGS EXPLAINED MOVE BY MOVE-J e r e m y Silman (1988). Our newest International Master gives a commentary on every move. Paperback. $ 1 2.30. O R D E R FROM: C H E S S D I GEST, I N C. P.O. B O X 74 1088 DA LLA S, TEXAS 75374- 1 088

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