Torre [D03] [A46−48] Written by GM Eric Prié & GM Aaron Summerscale Last updated Wednesday, Wednesday, September 14, 2005
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T
he Torre Attack was the pet opening of the young Mexican Carlos Torre who first used it to smash his way through the 1925 Moscow International. White has a simple, yet devastating plan pla n of action. He develops the White pieces economically
but aggressively. The dark squared bishop slams down on g5, where it pins the Black knight. Black is forced to consider how he will avoid being crushed underfoot by the space gaining advance e4. The natural defense d5 critically weakens the e5 square, which quickly becomes a launch pad for the White attack. attack. Latest developments On this site I will be scrutinizing all the latest developments and new ideas in the Torre Attack as they arise. Of equal importance to these, are the various attacking and tactical themes running through the variation. These are best examined through the following illustrative games. Hang onto your hats, as we take our first wild rollercoaster ride with the pioneer of this fantastic, imaginative and exciting system.
All the games given in blue blue can be accessed via ChessPub.exe, simply head for their respective ECO code.
All the games given in blue blue can be accessed via ChessPub.exe, simply head for their respective ECO code.
Contents
1 d4 ¤f6 1...d5 2 ¤f3 ¤f6 3 ¥g5 ¤e4 Torre Others [D03]
2 ¤f3 e6 2...g6 3 ¥g5 ¥g7 Torre g6 [A48]
3 ¥g5 XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw nlw qkv qkv l r0 r t0 9z ppz ppz pp+pz pp+pz pp0 pp0 9 + +ps n +0 9+ + + v L 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PP+Pz PPz PPz P0 P0 9t RN+Qm RN+Qm KL+R0 KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
3...c5 3...¥e7 Torre e6 [D03]
4 e3 Torre with ...e6 and ...d5 − 4 e3 [A46] 4 c3 Torre with ...e6 and ...d5 − 4 c3 [A46] Press F5 to toggle the Navigation Pane, then click on the appropriate bookmark to go straight to that section. Ctrl + 2 resizes the page. All rights reserved Chess Publishing Ltd
Torre Others [D03] Last updated: 04/03/05 by Eric Prié
The Torre Attack is not so effective when Black doesn't commit to an early e6 or g6. Here Black can seek ways to fight for the initiative.
1 d4 d5 1...¤f6 2 ¤f3 b6
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Some Black players don't like to hang around before commencing with the queenside fianchetto. 3 ¥g5 Business as usual. 3...¤e4 Black has other moves, but it is this possibility that separates this line from the rest. 4 ¥h4 It makes sense to keep the pin on the e− pawn, but Bf4 is also playable. (4 ¥f4 ¥b7 5 ¤fd2 A familiar theme in the d − pawn specials. To gain any advantage, White must evict or exchange the knight on e4. 5...d5 6 ¤xe4 dxe4 Black may have achieved a space advantage, but you can see that his pawn on e4 is rather vulnerable. 7 e3 g6 8 ¤d2 ¥g7 9 c3 0-0 10 ¥c4² Kveinys,A − Rozentalis,E/Vilnius LTU 2002. ) 4...¥b7 5 ¤bd2 This is the drawback with Black's choice of opening setup, he will either have to accelerate White's development by exchanging on d2 or lose time by retreating his exposed Knight. 5...d5 6 e3 g6 7 ¥b5+! Maximum inconvenience. Black has to block the check with his c − pawn, thus further restricting the mobility of his light squared bishop. 7...c6 8 ¥d3 Asking the Black knight to make up his mind. 8...¤d6 9 c4 Although it is unusual for White (in the Torre attack) to be this adventurous with his c − pawn, here it makes perfect sense. White opens the position, attempting to exploit his lead in development. 9...dxc4 This rather plays into White's hands. Black should content himself with a cramped game, after Bg7. 10 ¤xc4 ¥g7 11 £b3² Schwamberger,M− Kamber,B/Lugano 1988.
2 ¤f3 ¤f6 2...e6 3 ¥g5 When Black has already committed himself to e6, the Torre and London systems are reasonable alternatives to offering the queens gambit. 3...f6 Black is determined not to fall in with White's plan, but this weakening of the kingside cannot be recommended. (3...¥e7
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This is a very reasonable alternative to accepting the main line Torre with 3...Nf6. 4 ¥xe7 £xe7 By exchanging dark squared bishops Black eases some of the cramp in his position. The remaining light squared bishop is not a great piece it is true but Black hopes to liberate it with a timely e5. 5 ¤bd2 ¤f6 6 e3 0-0 7 ¥d3 c5 8 c3 ¤c6 9 0-0 (9 ¤e5 preventing e5 was White's best option. Then 9...¤xe5 10 dxe5 ¤d7 11 f4 f6 gives roughly even chances. ) 9...e5 10 dxe5 ¤xe5 11 ¤xe5 £xe5 Black's extra space gives him a slight edge. 12 ¦e1 ¦d8³ Kordel,M−Sandipan,C/Senden GER 2001.) 4 ¥f4
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4...¥d6 5 ¥g3 A typical manoeuvre, White only acquiesces to the exchange of dark squared bishops if Black will open the h−file for him after 5...Bxg3 6.hxg3. 5...f5 Black instead goes for a stonewall approach. 6 e3 ¤f6 7 c4 0-0 8 ¥d3 Clever play. By leaving the b1 knight at home, White for the moment gives himself the option of play along the c−file. 8...¥e7 9 £c2 ¤e4 10 cxd5 ¤xg3 Forced, due to threat on c7, but now the h−file falls into White's hands. 11 hxg3 exd5 12 ¤c3 ¥e6 13 g4± Kacheishvili,G−Waitzkin,J/New York USA 1999.
3 ¥g5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z ppz p p zpz pp0 9 + + s n +0 9+ +p+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy I believe that Black has only one way of causing trouble against this move, and in practice it has proved to be a highly effective one.
3...¤e4! This is the critical variation. It is widely believed to give Black good equalising chances. However, White has a very interesting new idea. 3...¤bd7
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is likely to transpose into normal Torre lines, where Black commits himself to an early d5. 4 ¤bd2 (4 c4!?
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lw qkv l r t0 9z ppz pnz ppz pp0 9 + + s n +0 9+ +p+ L v 0 9 +Pz P + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz P +Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy A new twist to the standard Torre, bringing the game into the realms of the Queens Gambit. 4...dxc4 Black accepts the challenge, but it was perfectly possible to decline with 4...e6 when we would have a fairly standard QGD. 5 ¤c3 e6 6 e4 ¥e7 7 ¥xc4 Due to his huge pawn center, White has emerged from the opening with a definite edge. 7...0-0 8 0-0² Soln,P−Grosar,K/Bled SLO 1999. ) 4...h6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lw qkv l r t0 9z ppz pnz ppz p 0 9 + + s n p z0 9+ +p+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PPs NPz PPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
5 ¥h4 e6 From a different move order, we now have a standard Torre Attack position. 6 e3 ¥e7 7 ¥d3 c5 (7...b6 8 0-0 ¥b7 9 ¤e5 ¤xe5 This is always a difficult choice for Black to make. On the one hand he removes a dangerous attacking piece, but on the other, his king's knight is forced away from it's best defensive post. 10 dxe5 ¤d7 11 ¥xe7 £xe7 12 f4²) 8 c3 b6 9 0-0 ¥b7 10 ¤e5 ¤xe5 11 dxe5 ¤d7 12 ¥g3 All standard stuff so far, but this bishop move is a bit unusual. Normally White is advised to exchange on e7 and follow with f4. The problem with the text move is that sometimes before Black has castled kingside, he can launch a pawn attack with g5 and h5 to harass the bishop. 12...c4 Fischer believed that you have to give squares to get squares, but I feel that this move takes the concept a bit far. White can still break open the queenside with a timely b3. Meanwhile his knight can aim for the outpost on d4. 13 ¥c2 b5 14 ¤f3 White's control of d4 gave him the better chances, Paavilainen,J− Koskinen,H/FIN 2001 . 3...¥f5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs n q wkv l r t0 9z ppz p p zpz pp0 9 + + s n +0 9+ +p+lv L 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 4 e3 (4 ¥xf6 exf6 5 e3÷) 4...c5 5 c4 Fighting fire with fire! 5...£b6 6 ¤bd2 e6 (6...£xb2 7 cxd5 ¤xd5 8 £c1 £xc1+ 9 ¦xc1 leaves White with the initiative threatening to take on c5 and fork with e4. ) 7 ¥xf6 gxf6 8 cxd5 exd5 9 ¥e2 Swift development is the order of the day. 9...¤c6 10 dxc5 ¥xc5 11 0-0² Curi,G−Turpanov,M/Bled SLO 2002. 3...e6
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4 e3 ¥e7 5 ¤bd2 0-0 6 ¥d3 ¤bd7 (6...b6
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7 0-0 White leaves the c2 pawn at home for the moment, in order to leave the extra option of meeting Ba6 with c4 open. 7...¥b7 8 ¤e5 h6 9 ¥xf6 White wants to set −up a stonewall formation without allowing Black to throw a spanner in the works with Ne4. 9...¥xf6 10 f4 c5 11 c3 ¤d7 12 £h5² Abang Mohd Reduan−Shafruddin,F/Bandar Seri Begawan BRU 2001. ) 7 c3
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7...b6 8 ¤e5 (8 £c2
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Quite an unusual choice of square for the queen. It does provoke Black to weaken his kingside but on the other hand the queen could prove vulnerable here if Black was to successfully open the c −file. 8...h6 9 ¥f4 c5 10 g4 I have to hand it to White's approach to this game. He has just one thing on his mind, getting to the Black King! 10...c4 11 ¥e2 b5 12 ¦g1‚ Galyas,M−Gonda,L/Budapest HUN 2001. ) 8...¥b7
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+ q w r tk+0 9z plz pnv lpz pp0 9 p z +ps n +0 9+ +ps N L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P zLz P + 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy 9 f4 h6 10 ¤xd7 ¤xd7 11 h4÷ Gabrielsen,T−Svendsen,B/Langesund NOR 2001.
4 ¥f4 As far as I am concerned, this must be the best move for White. 4 ¥h4
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This attempt to inconvenience Black by retaining the pin on the e − pawn proves to be ineffective, as the Black queen soon swings out to the queenside. 4...c5 (4...¤d7?! 5 e3 h6 6 ¥d3 g5 7 ¥g3 ¤df6? This doesn't make sense. Having gone to all the trouble of bagging White's dark squared bishop, Black suddenly lets it escape. 8 ¥e5 ¥g4 9 c4 c6 10 cxd5 cxd5 11 £b3² Stefanova,A −Celikkol,M/Kocaeli TUR 2002. ) 5 e3 £b6 6 £c1 (6 ¤bd2
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z pp+ p zpz pp0 9 q w + + +0 9+ p zp+ + 0 9 + P zn+ L v0 9+ + P zN+ 0 9Pz PPs N P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy This pawn sacrifice is simply unsound and so cannot be recommended. One particularly gruesome example went: 6...¤xd2 7 £xd2 £xb2 8 ¦d1 e6 Black prepares to hit White where he will feel it most, on the queenside dark squares. 9 ¥e2 c4 10 c3 Otherwise Black plays Bb4. 10...£xd2+ 11 ¤xd2 ¤d7 Now White is simply a pawn down in an ending, with very little to show for it. 12 e4 ¤b6 ∓ Donk,M−Wells,P/Lost Boys Open, Antwerp BEL (3) 1997. ) 6...¥g4 Black can also take on d4 first to discourage White's next move, but it is purely a matter of taste, as Black is absolutely fine in both case. (6...cxd4
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z pp+ p zpz pp0 9 q w + + +0 9+ +p+ + 0 9 + p zn+ L v0 9+ + P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RNw Q K mL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
7 exd4 ¥g4 8 ¥e2 Encouraging Black to go for complications. (8 ¤e5 ¥f5) 8...¤c6 (8...¥xf3 9 gxf3 (9 ¥xf3 £xd4) 9...¤d6 10 c3 If you're a bit of a sadist, and fancy a debate with your opponent, in an unclear position on whether the bishop pair fully compensate for the structural weaknesses, then this line is for you.) 9 c3 ¦c8 10 0-0? Much better was (10 ¤bd2 when the game is about even, although personally I would prefer to be Black. ) 10...¥xf3! Black is quick to take advantage. 11 ¥xf3 ¤xd4-+ Timman,J− Van Wely,L/ Dordrecht NED 2000.) 7 dxc5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs n +kv l r t0 9z pp+ p zpz pp0 9 q w + + +0 9+ P zp+ + 0 9 + +n+lv L0 9+ + P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RNw Q K mL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy Giving up the center like this is never to be recommended in the Torre attack, unless you have an exceptionally, unbelievably, mind −numbingly good reason. 7...¤xc5 8 ¤bd2 ¤c6 9 ¥g3 ¦c8 Black is using his time well to pressurise White along his most vulnerable point, the c −file. 10 a3 g6 11 b3 ¥g7 12 ¦b1 ¤e4³ Sorensen,H− Moen,A/Gausdal NOR 2001.
4...c5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z pp+ p zpz pp0 9 + + + +0 9+ p zp+ + 0 9 + P znv L +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy It is Black 's ability to play this counter strike against the White centre, in conjunction with being able to aggressively develop his White squared bishop, that is believed to give him an easy game.
5 e3 £b6 Posing White the question of how to defend the b2 pawn.
6 ¤c3!?
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z pp+ p zpz pp0 9 q w + + +0 9+ p zp+ + 0 9 + P znv L +0 9+ N s P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy In my view 6.Nc3 is the only move to give Black problems and fight for the advantage. If 6 £c1 then Black has no problems equalising, Because of his queenside space advantage he can also start to think about taking over the initiative. 6...¤c6 7 c3 ¥f5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+ +kv l r t0 9z pp+ p zpz pp0 9 q wn+ + +0 9+ p zp+l+ 0 9 + P znv L +0 9+ P z P zN+ 0 9Pz P + P zPz P0 9t RNw Q K mL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
8 ¤bd2 (8 ¤h4 ¥d7 9 f3 An aggressive continuation, that doesn't effect my evaluation of this system. 9...¤f6 10 g4 g6 11 ¥g3 ¥g7÷ Curien,N−Videki,S/Lenk SUI 2001. ) 8...e6 Black's development is truly effortless. 9 ¤xe4 ¥xe4 10 ¥e2 ¥e7= Houska,M− Bryson,D/Carlton Park, Rotherham ENG 1997.
6...e6 Black's plan to grab a pawn has been thwarted. 6...¤xc3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z pp+ p zpz pp0 9 q w + + +0 9+ p zp+ + 0 9 + P z L v +0 9+ n s P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy Black tries to inflict some structural damage. 7 bxc3 £a5 If the queen does not move here immediately, she will be chased here by Rb1. 8 ¢d2!?
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This looks like sheer lunacy! The White king voluntarily moves into the centre of the board. However, there is method to White's madness. This is the brain−child of Alan Norris of the London Chess & Bridge Centre. To understand it we must look at the natural looking alternative Qd2. (8 £d2 cxd4 9 exd4 ¤c6 Black will complete his development and lay siege to the weak c3 pawn. While this is not the end of the world for White, he suffers from not being able to use his queen for attacking purposes. ) 8...cxd4 (8...¤d7 9 ¦b1 c4 Black tries to shut White's light squared bishop out of the game, but this also serves to make the White king feel safer. 10 ¤e5 ¤f6 11 f3 ¤h5 Black tries to bag the bishop pair, probably unsure of what to do and afraid of White's likely coming kingside pawn storm, (g4, h4 etc). 12 ¥g5 f6 13 g4ƒ Brousek,J − Peetoom,F/IECC 2001. ) 9 exd4 You may ask, what is the difference from the previous variation? The key point is, in many lines, the White queen is able to swing over to the kingside, with tremendous effect. Whilst the White king proves surprisingly difficult to get at. 9...¤c6 10 ¦b1 e6 11 ¤e5 (11 ¥b5 With the intention of Ne5, also deserves consideration. ) 11...¤xd4 This is the Norris main line, but Black is mistaken if he thinks he is simply winning a pawn. 12 £h5 g6 13 ¤xg6 fxg6 14 £e5÷ 6...£a5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z pp+ p zpz pp0 9 + + + +0 9w q z pp+ + 0 9 + P znv L +0 9+ N s P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy Leads to an interesting position and may represent one of Black's better tries. Then the most forthright is: 7 ¥xb8 ¤xc3 (7...¦xb8?! 8 ¥b5+) 8 £d2 ¦xb8 9 bxc3 ¥f5 10 ¥d3 ¥xd3 11 cxd3 when chances are roughly balanced. White's better central control compensates for Black having the better minor piece.
7 ¥xb8
XIIIIIIIIY 9rv Ll+kv l r t0 9z pp+ +pz pp0 9 q w +p+ +0 9+ p zp+ + 0 9 + P zn+ +0 9+ N s P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy A very interesting attempt take advantage of Black's lack of kingside development. 7 ¤b5 and 7 ¤xe4 dxe4 8 ¤g5 are also worth exploring by the adventurous.
7...¦xb8 I feel this is a little co −operative. 7...¤xc3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rv Ll+kv l r t0 9z pp+ +pz pp0 9 q w +p+ +0 9+ p zp+ + 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ n s P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy must be critical: 8 bxc3 ¦xb8 9 ¦b1 £c7 in order to meet 10.Bb5+ with 10...Bd7, retaining castling options. 10 ¤e5 ¥d6 A clever move, calling to White, trying to tempt him to over −reach. 11 f4 (11 ¥b5+ Looks falsely reasonable, as after 11...¢f8 there is no time for: 12 f4 as 12...c4 traps the bishop. Watch out for this one! ) 11...0-0= Guthrie,M−Haan de Rover,J/Amsterdam 2001.
8 ¥b5+
XIIIIIIIIY 9 r tl+kv l r t0 9z pp+ +pz pp0 9 q w +p+ +0 9+Lz pp+ + 0 9 + P zn+ +0 9+ N s P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy 8...¢e7 9 dxc5 With the Black king stranded, it is natural for White to open up the center.
9...£a5 9...£xc5 looks better, when White should choose from the liquidising Qd4 and the more ambitious Qd3.
10 a4 a6
10...¤xc3 can be met by: 11 £d2
11 £d4 A brave piece sacrifice to keep the White queenside intact.
11...axb5 12 b4 £d8 13 ¤xe4 dxe4 14 £xe4± Krasnov,V−Kharitonov,S/Petrov mem, St Petersburg RUS 1998. 1998 .
Torre g6 [A48] Last updated: updated: 27/01/03 by Aaron Summerscale Summerscale
The Torre attack proves to be a dangerous weapon against those hell bent on a Kingside fianchetto. White's solid position often becomes a brick wall the over −ambitious Black player bangs his head against!
1 d4 ¤f6 2 ¤f3 g6 3 ¥g5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw nlw qkv qkv l r0 r t0 9z ppz ppz ppz ppz pp+p0 pp+p0 9 + + s np+0 np+0 9+ + + v L 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PP+Pz PPz PPz P0 P0 9t RN+Qm RN+Qm KL+R0 KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy The Torre attack can be equally effective against the Kings Indian or Grünfeld complex. Play tends to be a little different than against the Nimzo complex, as Black has a sounder defensive position. However, if White takes aggressive action in the centre, then he can hope for an opening advantage. advantage. It was the discovery that the Torre attack could be just as deadly against the Kings Indian or Grünfeld complex that has led to it being incorporated in the repertoires of so many strong grandmasters. 3 c3 ¥g7 4 ¥g5 a) 4...0-0
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw nlw q rk+0 r tk+0 9z ppz ppz ppz ppz ppv ppv lp0 lp0 9 + + s np+0 np+0 9+ + + v L 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P +Pz PPz PPz P0 P0 9t RN+Qm RN+Qm KL+R0 KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 5 e3 ¤c6 A provocative move enticing White to lunge forward in the centre. 6 ¥d3 White is not to be tempted and sticks to the solid foundations of the Torre Attack. 6...d5 7 ¤bd2 (7 h3!? to deny Black the use of the g4 square. ) ) 7...¥d7?! (7...¦e8 seems more to the point when Black can play his freeing e5 break. ) 8 0-0 £c8 This looks a rather convoluted way to try and exchange light squared bishops with a timely Bf5. 9 ¦e1 ¦e8 (9...¥f5 would be the logical follow up to Black's previous moves, then 10 e4 dxe4 11 ¤xe4 ¤xe4 12 ¥xe4 ¥xe4 13 ¦xe4 ¦x e4 e6 gives White a minimal advantage. ) ) 10 e4 e6?! (10...dxe4 had to be tried. ) ) 11 e5 Now White's extra space and Black's cramped pieces give White a clear edge. 11...¤g4 12 h3± Raad,B−Valiente,E/Cartagena de Indias COL 2001. 2001. b) 4...b6 Unusual at such an early stage but quite interesting. Black directly counters White's natural plan to set up a pawn center with an eventual e2 −e4. 5 ¤bd2
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5...¥b7 6 e3 0-0 b1) 7 ¥d3 Would be the more more aggressive choice probably probably transposing to a main line after: b1a) Alternatively 7...c5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs n q w r tk+0 9z pl+pz ppv lp0 9 p z + n sp+0 9+ p z + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P zLz PN+ 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy 8 0-0 ¤c6 Here Black tempts White to mix things up, the equivalent of holding a red rag to a bull. (8...d5 would be a more solid approach. ) 9 ¥xf6 Forcing Black to weaken his pawn structure, but at the expense of the bishop pair. 9...exf6 (9...¥xf6 10 ¤e4) 10 £a4 a6 Otherwise 11.Ba6. 11 dxc5 bxc5 12 ¦ad1² Speelman,J−Wohl,A/Millfield ENG 2000. b1b) 7...d5 b2) 7 ¥e2 7...c5
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8 0-0 d6 9 £a4 The start of an interesting plan. 9...£c7 (9...h6 is the most accurate here, to prevent the White queen having use of the h4 square. ) 10 dxc5 An extremely creative idea from White. Very often when White relinquishes the centre like this, it is a major concession, but here it is the start of a successful kingside attack. 10...bxc5 11 £h4 ¦d8 Played in order to preserve his defensively useful dark squared bishop. 12 ¥h6‚ Utkin,A−Sivokho,S/St Petersburg RUS 2001.
3...¥g7 3...¤e4
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z ppz ppz pp+p0 9 + + +p+0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P zn+ +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 4 ¥h4 This bishop retreat makes more sense than Bf4, as White keeps up the pressure on e7. (4 ¥f4 ¥g7 5 e3 d5 6 ¤bd2 And now we come to the problem in this line for Black. He either has to lose time with his advanced knight or permit its exchange. 6...0-0 7 ¤xe4 dxe4 8 ¤d2 The pawn on e4 becomes a target, forcing Black to weaken his kingside. 8...f5 9 ¥c4+ ¢h8 10 f3 White naturally wants to break down his opponent's central pawn barrier, which will give his pieces some more breathing space. 10...c5 11 c3 exf3 12 ¤xf3² Houska,M−Khamrakulov,I/Lisbon POR 2001. ) 4...d5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z ppz p p zp+p0 9 + + +p+0 9+ +p+ + 0 9 + P zn+ L v0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
5 ¤bd2 ¥g7 6 e3 c5 7 c3 cxd4 This early release of tension is not mentioned in Burgess's recent book on the Torre, who gives decent coverage of the alternatives. As far as I can see, Black gets no advantage from this clarification of the central position. 8 exd4 0-0 9 ¥d3 (9 ¤xe4 dxe4 10 ¤d2 is an interesting alternative. ) 9...¥f5 10 £e2 ¤d6 11 0-0 White has a slight pull here, due to his straightforward plan of pressurising Black down the e −file. 11...¤c6 12 ¦fe1² Eperjesi,L−Pham Minh Hoang/Budapest HUN 1999.
4 ¤bd2 White hints at e4. Those players who wish to discourage c5 should play c3 here. 4 e3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qk+ r t0 9z ppz ppz ppv lp0 9 + + s np+0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy White's most solid but least ambitious approach to the opening. 4...0-0 (4...d6 5 ¥d3 0-0 6 0-0 ¤bd7 7 c4 Making it more of a King's Indian. This move shows the flexibility of the Torre. 7...e5 8 ¤c3 ¦e8 9 £c2 Of course it is essential to prevent e4. 9...c6 10 b4² see Dzagnidze,N −Ortiz,N/Heraklio GRE 2002. ) 5 ¥e2 d6 6 c3 (6 c4 An unusual approach in the Torre. White takes the game into the more normal channel of the King's Indian. 6...h6 7 ¥h4 c5 8 ¤c3 ¤c6 9 d5 Killing two birds with one stone − gaining both space and time. 9...¤e5 10 ¤xe5 dxe5 The problem with Black's position is not so much that his doubled e− pawns are weak, but rather that the dark squares on the queenside are weak, (in particular c5) and White can seek to exploit this. 11 0-0 ¤e8 12 e4² Kovacevic,V−Alfred,N/Pula CRO 2002. ) 6...¤bd7 7 h3 e5 Black's typical counterthrust, achieved with ease. 8 dxe5 This attempt to simplify the position presents no problems for the second player. 8...dxe5 9 0-0 h6 10 ¥h4 £e7 11 ¤a3 ¤c5= Benz,R −Gallagher,J/Zurich SUI 2000.
4...0-0 4...c5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qk+ r t0 9z pp+pz ppv lp0 9 + + s np+0 9+ p z + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PPs NPz PPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
Should be met by 5 ¥xf6 ¥xf6 6 ¤e4 when the double attack on f6 and c5 forces Black to part with his important dark squared bishop. 4...d5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qk+ r t0 9z ppz p p zpv lp0 9 + + s np+0 9+ +p+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PPs NPz PPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 5 e3 0-0 (5...c6?! A passive move which Black should avoid. 6 ¤e5 ¤bd7 7 f4 This stonewall formation is the most natural way of exploiting Black's limp opening play. 7...0-0 8 ¥d3 £b6 9 ¦b1 c5 More or less admitting that his fifth move was wrong. 10 c3² Kathage,H−Einarsen,K/Kiel GER 2002. ) a) 6 ¥e2
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw q r tk+0 9z ppz p p zpv lp0 9 + + s np+0 9+ +p+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + P zN+ 0 9Pz PPs NLz PPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy
6...c5 (6...¤bd7 with the idea of preparing a quick e5. This is believed to give Black good equalising chances. However, I have a new idea to combat this plan. 7 h3 ¦e8 8 ¥f4 This is the point. Black now finds it hard to achieve his goal. 8...¤h5 9 ¥h2 we now see the purpose of White's 7th move. Now: 9...e5 is well met by: 10 g4 so it is advisable for Black to seek other forms of counterplay. ) 7 c3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw q r tk+0 9z pp+ p zpv lp0 9 + + s np+0 9+ p zp+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P z P zN+ 0 9Pz P N sLz PPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy As usual, White fortifies his central bastion with a pyramid formation. Black now has a choice between outright aggression and a more restrained approach. a1) 7...b6
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw q r tk+0 9z p + p zpv lp0 9 p z + n sp+0 9+ p zp+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P z P zN+ 0 9Pz P N sLz PPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy
a1a) 8 b4 Black is immediately given something to think about. His light squared bishop would now likely feel very uncomfortable on b7, due to the probable opening of the b−file. 8...¤e4 (8...¥a6 9 b5 Kovacevic has also had success with the plan of Bxa6 and Qa4. 9...¥b7 10 0-0÷ Kovacevic,V−Ivanovic,Z/Pula CRO 2002. ) 9 ¤xe4 dxe4 10 ¤d2 Of course! The new weakness on e4 will force Black to fall in with White's plans. 10...¥b7 11 bxc5 bxc5 12 £b3 ¥c6 13 £a3² Karlik,V−Felcir,J/Tatranske Zruby SVK 2000. a1b) 8 0-0 8...¥b7 9 b4 This is a key part of White's plan. Black now has an awkward choice between allowing the opening of the b −file, when the Bb7 will become a target or releasing the central pressure. 9...c4 Black chooses the later option. 10 a4 ¤bd7 11 £c2 White has two plans here. He can either play for a direct kingside attack, with moves such as Ne5, f4 and after some preparation g4 and h4. He can get away with this because the position is fairly closed. The other option is to take action in the centre with e4. White must remain vigilant that Black's counterplay, based on e5, doesn't become too dangerous. 11...h6 12 ¥h4 £c7 13 ¥g3² Markus,J− Ludden,G/cr K NL 1994. a2) 7...£b6
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+ r tk+0 9z pp+ p zpv lp0 9 q w + n sp+0 9+ p zp+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P z P zN+ 0 9Pz P N sLz PPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy Black is entitled to go after the b pawn. He feels that it is his reward for good development and king safety. 8 £b3 White must answer the problem of his b2 pawn and this is undoubtedly the best way. He doesn't fear the exchange of queens, as his rock solid centre and play down the resulting semi −open a−file would give him the edge. 8...¤c6 (8...c4 is well met by 9 £a3 when White will break back with b3. ) 9 0-0 ¦e8 Black encourages complications. He is willing to sacrifice a pawn in order to gain the bishop pair and create weaknesses on the White queenside. 10 ¥xf6 White takes up the challenge. 10...¥xf6 11 £xd5 £xb2 12 £xc5² Sashikiran,K −De la Villa Garcia,J/Ubeda ESP 1999. a3) 7...cxd4 It is somewhat unusual and perhaps premature to release the central tension so early. 8 exd4
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw q r tk+0 9z pp+ p zpv lp0 9 + + s np+0 9+ +p+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P N sLz PPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy
8...¤c6 9 0-0 h6 10 ¥h4 g5 I'm not entirely sure what to call this move. Ambitious, foolhardy, interesting. I can say that Black seriously weakens his kingside in order to bag the bishop pair. 11 ¥g3 ¤h5 12 ¤b3 ¤xg3 13 hxg3 ¥f5 14 ¦e1 £d6 15 ¥d3² Bogdanovski,V−Atakisi,U/Ano Liosia GRE 2001. b) 6 c3 6...b6 (6...¤bd7
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lw q r tk+0 9z ppz pnz ppv lp0 9 + + s np+0 9+ +p+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P z P zN+ 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 7 b4 An important idea in the Grünfeld Torre, which makes life difficult for Black in achieving his desirable c5 break. 7...b6 8 b5 Now c7−c5 begins to look an unrealizable dream for Black. 8...a6 9 a4 axb5 10 axb5 ¥b7 11 ¥e2² Karlik,V− Tokmachev,V/Olomouc CZE 2000. ) 7 ¥d3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw q r tk+0 9z p p z p zpv lp0 9 p z + n sp+0 9+ +p+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P zLz PN+ 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy
7...¥b7 8 0-0 ¤bd7 9 £b1 I have had some success with this strange looking queen move myself. The idea is to tussle with Black for control of the queenside while keeping an eye on the important e4 square. 9...c5 10 b4 cxb4 11 cxb4 ¦c8 12 a4 a6 White's extra queenside space gives him a small advantage. 13 ¦a3² Bellin,R − Mellem,N/Gausdal NOR 2000. 4...d6 5 c3 h6 6 ¥h4 g5 An early bid for the initiative. 7 ¥g3 ¤h5 8 e4 e6 9 ¥c4 ¤c6÷ Dreev,A−Georgiev,K/Moscow RUS 2002.
5 c3 5 e3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw q r tk+0 9z ppz ppz ppv lp0 9 + + s np+0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + P zN+ 0 9Pz PPs N P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy Normally White is well advised to play for e4 in this type of position but this quiet move can lull even the strongest of players into a false sense of security. 5...d6 6 ¥c4 c5 7 c3 b6?? Black completely overlooks a not very obvious tactic. (7...¤c6!?) 8 ¥xf6 ¥xf6 9 ¥d5+− Ye Rongguang−Van Wely,L/Antwerp 1997. 5 e4
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw q r tk+0 9z ppz ppz ppv lp0 9 + + s np+0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P zP+ +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PPs N P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
White doesn't waste time with his central advance, but this does leave him open to the sharp 5...d5, employed with success by among others, Mark Hebden. This is why most White players prefer an early c3. a) 5...d5 A useful move to add to a Black players armoury. 6 exd5 ¤xd5 7 c4 This new idea does nothing to wrest the initiative and simply leaves Black a target on d4. (7 c3 is normal but hardly likely to frighten Black. ) 7...¤b6 8 ¤b3 a5! Preparing to chase away one of d4's defenders. 9 £d2 (9 a4 is very ugly. ) 9...a4 10 ¤c5 a3³ Argiroudis,S−Tsekouras,T/Halkidiki GRE 2002. b) 5...d6 6 ¥c4 h6 (6...c6 7 0-0 ¤bd7 8 e5 This thematic thrust turns the position into a strange Alekhine. 8...dxe5 9 dxe5 ¤d5 10 ¦e1 ¤c5 11 h3 Preventing Bg4, as Black's light squared bishop is a problem piece. 11...£c7 12 ¤b3² Dzagnidze,N−Huang Qian/Heraklio GRE 2002. 6...¤xe4 7 ¤xe4 d5 may prove to be the critical test. ) 7 ¥xf6 White has attacking plans on the kingside and in the center and so trades off one of Black's best defensive pieces. 7...¥xf6 (7...exf6 was an interesting alternative, with the freeing f5 to follow. ) 8 £e2 ¥g7 9 h4‚ Harikrishna,P−Prasad,D/New Delhi IND 2001.
5...d6
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw q r tk+0 9z ppz p p zpv lp0 9 + p z n sp+0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P N sPz PPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 6 e4 c5 This is considered as Black's best equalising attempt. He strikes back at the White centre and gains space on the queenside. 6...h6
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw q r tk+0 9z ppz p p zpv l 0 9 + p z n spz p0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P zP+ +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
7 ¥h4 ¤c6 8 ¥b5 In the Torre, this is one of the best ways to deal with an early Nc6 by Black. It ensures that White will be able to put extra pressure on the centre after Black's eventual e5. 8...¥d7 9 0-0 £e8 10 a4 (10 a4 Georgiev,K − Degraeve,J/Mulhouse FRA 2001. 10...e5²) 10...a6! This may well be Black's most accurate response in this Torre main line, as White is force to withdraw his bishop before the ideal f1 square becomes available. White's problem is that he simply doesn't know on which square the bishop belongs yet and so would rather have it safely tucked out of harms' way. 11 ¥c4 Sadly, this is exactly where White's knight would love to be. 11...e5 12 dxe5 dxe5= West,G−Johansen,D/Melbourne AUS 2002. 6...¤c6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lw q r tk+0 9z ppz p p zpv lp0 9 +nz p n sp+0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P zP+ +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 7 ¥e2 e5 8 dxe5 dxe5 9 0-0 h6 10 ¥h4 White is happy to give up the bishop pair if Black is willing to weaken his kingside structure. Black unsurprisingly passes White's "kind" offer. 10...£e8 The ambitious (10...g5 11 ¥g3 ¤h5 does indeed bag the bishops, but leaves glaring weaknesses on f5 and h5 for White to exploit. ) 11 £c2 ¤h5 Black continues in typical King's Indian style. However, he has a problem − it's not a King's Indian! 12 ¦fe1 White gives the light squared bishop a retreat square if needed and the x−ray on the e−file against the Black queen discourages f5. 12...¥e6 13 ¤c4 The knight goes on it's usual tour in this variation to access the e3 square. White intends to follow this with either a pawn storm on the queenside or by utilising the open d −file. Note how difficult it is for Black to contest this without compromising his position, due to the Bh4. 13...f5? It is alien to most Kings Indian players to simply manoeuvre passively, responding cautiously to developments. However, with the d−file open, White is fully entitled to capture on f5 and in this case Black also finds himself with a tactical problem. 14 exf5 gxf5 (14...¥xf5 15 £b3 Isn't any better for Black. ) 15 ¤cxe5!± Houska,M −Rechel,B/It IM, Hampstead ENG 1998. 6...¤bd7
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lw q r tk+0 9z ppz pnz ppv lp0 9 + p z n sp+0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P zP+ +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
This is a less aggressive approach. Black puts insufficient pressure on the White centre, which allows White to ignore the e5 pawn push when it comes. 7 ¥d3 c5 Black could, of course, also play the immediate e5, but if he ever wants to force a central
resolution he will have to play this move as well. 8 0-0 a6 9 £e2 If Black delays e5 any longer, White will play e5 himself. 9...h6 10 ¥h4 e5 11 dxe5 dxe5 12 a4 Summerscale,A−Brown,P/London 1990.
7 dxc5 Otherwise d4 becomes an easy target for the Black pieces.
7...dxc5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw q r tk+0 9z pp+ p zpv lp0 9 + + s np+0 9+ p z + L v 0 9 + +P+ +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 8 ¥c4 The bishop eyes the one discernable weakness in the Black kingside the f7 square.
8...¤c6 9 £e2 White has his sights set on a future e5 −e6. 9 0-0 ¤a5 10 ¥e2 ¥e6= Sasikiran,K −Hossain,E/Vung Tau City VIE 1999.
9...£c7 Black can go about harassing the White bishops immediately with 9...h6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lw q r tk+0 9z pp+ p zpv l 0 9 +n+ n spz p0 9+ p z + L v 0 9 +L+P+ +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P N sQz PPz P0 9t R + K m +R0 xiiiiiiiiy 10 ¥h4 ¤a5 11 ¥d3 ¤h5 but should this temporary initiative be repulsed, then the knights can end up looking dim on the rim of the board. 12 £e3 £c7÷
10 0-0 10 0-0-0 A very unusual idea in this system. Black is quite well placed to carry out a queenside attack so this entails some considerable risk. 10...¤a5 (10...a6 is another idea when 11 e5 ¤g4 12 e6 f6 13 ¥h4 leads to unclear play. 10...h6!? 11 ¥h4 ¤h5÷) 11 e5 ¤xc4 12 ¤xc4 (12 exf6 exf6) 12...¤h5 Black has managed to put the breaks on the e6 break and has gained the bishop pair. However, his offside Nh5 is a cause for concern. 13 ¤e3 ¥e6 14 g4 This forces Black to open the kingside. 14...f6÷ Ipek,A− Duman,A/Batumi GEO 2002.
10...h6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+ r tk+0 9z ppw q p zpv l 0 9 +n+ n spz p0 9+ p z + L v 0 9 +L+P+ +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P N sQz PPz P0 9t R + +Rm K 0 xiiiiiiiiy 11 ¥h4 White has also been successful with 11 ¥xf6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+ r tk+0 9z ppw q p zpv l 0 9 +n+ L vpz p0 9+ p z + + 0 9 +L+P+ +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P N sQz PPz P0 9t R + +Rm K 0 xiiiiiiiiy 11...exf6 (11...¥xf6 12 £e3±) 12 ¤h4 White highlights the light squared weakness left by Black's 10th move. 12...¤e7 Black defends against the threat of Nxg6. 13 f4² Sashikiran,K −Banikas,H/Calicut IND 1998 .
11...¤h5 This plan is incredibly popular.
12 £e3 Targeting c5.
12...b6 13 ¦fe1 White prepares the central push e4 −e5.
13...g5 14 ¥xg5 The attempt by Black to bag the bishop pair is met in the most ruthless way.
14...hxg5 15 £xg5ƒ
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+ r tk+0 9z p q w p zpv l 0 9 p zn+ + +0 9+ p z + Q wn0 9 +L+P+ +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R + R t K m 0 xiiiiiiiiy White has a dangerous initiative for the sacrificed piece. Speelman,J−Howell,J/Calcutta, 1996.
Torre e6 [A46] Last updated: 26/06/05 by Eric Prié
1 d4 ¤f6 2 ¥g5 e6 3 ¤f3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z ppz pp+pz pp0 9 + +ps n +0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 3 e4 is one of the main lines of the Trompowsky but can transpose to the Torre after: 3...h6 4 ¥xf6 £xf6 5 ¤f3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z ppz pp+pz p 0 9 + +pw q p z0 9+ + + + 0 9 + P zP+ +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
This move has been all but superseded by the trendier continuations 5 c3 and 5 Nc3, but it remains a solid, if less ambitious continuation. 5...d6 a) 5...c5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z pp+p+pz p 0 9 + +pw q p z0 9+ p z + + 0 9 + P zP+ +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy This is Black's sharpest choice, but it entails considerable risk, because it encourages White to immediately expand further in the centre. 6 e5 £d8 7 d5 d6
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z pp+ +pz p 0 9 + p zp+ p z0 9+ p zPz P + 0 9 + + + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
8 ¤c3 A new idea. Previously: (8 ¥b5+ Has been tried here, with White retaining a small advantage according to Burgess in "The Gambit Guide to the Torre Attack". For example: 8...¥d7 9 ¥xd7+ £xd7 10 0-0) 8...a6 Preventing the annoying Bb5+, but wasting valuable time. 9 ¥c4 exd5 (9...b5 Looks tempting, but White has a very strong riposte in: 10 dxe6 bxc4 11 exf7+ With Qd5 and 0-0-0 to follow, with a raging attack! ) 10 £xd5 £c7 11 0-0-0 ¥e6 12 ¦he1!± Soppe,G−Leskovar,M/Mar del Plata ARG 2001. b) 5...d5! 6 ¤bd2 g6!? Like in the semi−Slav Moscow variation, the idea of this move is to reserve the e7 square for the queen, (6...£d8 7 c3! c5?! 8 exd5 £xd5 9 ¥c4 £d8 10 ¤e5 a6? and White could now win by force, Bellon Lopez,J−Obers,F/Richmond CAN 2004 ) 7 c3 ¥g7 8 ¥d3 0-0 9 0-0 ¤d7 10 e5 £e7 11 h4 to weaken Black on the light squares, Macieja,B−Anand,V/Calvia ESP 2004. 6 c3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z ppz p +pz p 0 9 + p zpw q p z0 9+ + + + 0 9 + P zP+ +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P + P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy (6 ¤c3 is the main line, see 3.Nf3 h6 4.Bxf6. ) 6...b6 7 ¥b5+ An interesting attempt to
interfere with the smooth development of the Black pieces. 7...c6 8 ¥a4 A double edged move, as Black can now (and does) prevent 0-0. 8...¥a6 9 ¤bd2 ¥e7 10 e5 £f4 This is probably too ambitious. Black can equalise here with: (10...£g6 11 ¥c2 ¥d3 12 ¥xd3 £xd3 13 exd6 ¥xd6 14 £e2 £xe2+ 15 ¢xe2 ¤d7=) 11 ¥c2 f5 12 exd6 ¥xd6 13 ¥b3² Rensch−Smith, Foxwoods Open, 2000.
3...¥e7
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qk+ r t0 9z ppz ppv lpz pp0 9 + +ps n +0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 3...h6 Black invites a transposition to the Trompowsky, where White has committed himself to an early Nf3. 4 ¥xf6 White takes up the challenge, however, it is perfectly possible to retreat with Bh4. (4 ¥h4
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z ppz pp+pz p 0 9 + +ps n p z0 9+ + + + 0 9 + P z + L v0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 4...d5 a) 4...d6 5 ¤c3 (5 ¤bd2 g5 6 ¥g3 ¤h5 7 e3 ¥g7 Black quickly develops his kingside pieces but is in no hurry to castle. 8 ¥d3 ¤d7 9 h4 g4 Naturally there is no mileage in allowing White to open the h−file. 10 ¤h2 f5 11 c3 0-0 12 ¤hf1 e5³ Karadeniz,E− Izoria,Z/Batumi GEO 2002. , 5 h3 Giving the dark squared bishop an escape route if needed, 5...¤bd7 6 ¤bd2 ¥e7 7 e3 0-0 8 c3 ¦b8 Black finds an interesting plan. Rather than expanding in the centre, he plans to attack on the flanks. 9 £c2 b5 10 ¥e2 c5 11 00= Bellin,R −Epishin,V/Catalan Bay ENG 2003. ) 5...g5 6 ¥g3 ¤h5 One of the most aggressive ways of playing against the Torre attack. Black turns his attentions to the bishop pair from the off, in an attempt to unbalance the game. 7 e3 ¥g7 8 ¤d2 ¤xg3 9 hxg3 ¤d7 10 £f3÷ Petersen,T−Rowson,J/Torshavn FAI 2000. b) 4...¥e7
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qk+ r t0 9z ppz ppv lpz p 0 9 + +ps n p z0 9+ + + + 0 9 + P z + L v0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
5 e3 b6 6 ¤bd2 ¥b7 7 c3 d6 8 ¥d3 g5 It is always risky for Black to weaken his kingside like this. However, for the strong player, such risks are part and parcel of tournament play, in pursuit of the full point as Black. 9 ¥g3 ¦g8 10 h3 h5ƒ Zinal,A− Gokhale,C/Dubai UAE 2001. c) 4...b6 5 e3 ¥b7 6 ¥d3 ¥e7 7 ¤bd2 d6 8 e4 With Black failing to exert any pressure on the centre, it is only natural for White to expand there. 8...¤bd7 9 0-0 00 10 c3 e5 11 ¦e1 White has a slight edge due to his extra space advantage, but Black is quite solid and has no obvious targets to attack. Hence a slow build −up is
necessary. 11...g6 12 ¥g3² Dzagnidze,N−Zivkovic,V/Antalya TUR 2002. Logically forcing Black to resolve matters in the centre. d) 4...g5 A very direct approach, which bags the important bishop pair early. 5 ¥g3 ¤e4 6 ¤bd2 ¤xg3 7 hxg3 ¥g7 8 e3 d6 9 c3 ¤c6 10 £c2 Chances are finely balanced as White has a very solid structure and possible play on the h−file in return for the bishop pair. 10...¥d7 11 ¥d3÷ Karaulov,D−Mihalichenko,B/Kharkov UKR 2003. 5 e3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z ppz p +pz p 0 9 + +ps n p z0 9+ +p+ + 0 9 + P z + L v0 9+ + P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
5...¥d6 Unusual and very ambitious. Black aims to take the initiative from the very start. 6 ¤e5?! We'll see how badly this turns out for White, so instead I would be tempted by: (6 c4 trying to lure Black into a queens gambit, where his d6 bishop is misplaced. ) 6...¤bd7 7 f4 The obvious way to try and take advantage of Black's fifth move but Black has a masterful response ready. 7...g5! Very strong. As if White loses control of the dark squares, he will lose control of the position. 8 ¥f2 (8 fxg5 hxg5 9 ¥xg5 ¤xe5 10 dxe5 ¥xe5 is extremely good for Black. ) 8...¤e4 9 ¤d2 ¤xf2 10 ¢xf2 c5³ Von Herman,U−Sadler,M/Neukoelln GER 2001.) 4...£xf6
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z ppz pp+pz p 0 9 + +pw q p z0 9+ + + + 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
5 ¤c3 (5 ¤bd2 g6 6 e4 ¥g7 7 ¥d3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+k+ r t0 9z ppz pp+pv l 0 9 + +pw qpz p0 9+ + + + 0 9 + P zP+ +0 9+ +L+N+ 0 9Pz PPs N P zPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy 7...d6 8 £e2 0-0 9 e5 £e7 10 h4 A surprisingly rare move in this variation. But what could be
more natural than attempting to tear into Black's already tender kingside position. Hit him where it hurts! 10...¤d7 11 h5‚ Eliseev,A−Smirnov,A/St Petersburg RUS 2001. ) 5...d6
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z ppz p +pz p 0 9 + p zpw q p z0 9+ + + + 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ N s +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
6 e4 The battle lines have been drawn. White enjoys a space advantage and controls the centre, whilst black hopes to gain an advantage from his bishop pair, if the game opens up. 6...¤d7 Black adopts a solid "wait and see" strategy. However, it is also possible to play more aggressively, with the move popularised by Karpov 6...g5!? 7 £d2 White prepares to castle long. 7...c6 (7...a6! 8 0-0-0 £e7 9 h4 g6 10 ¢b1 ¥g7 White lacks effective breakthrough possibilities, Muse,D−Bischoff,K/playchess INT 2005 ) 8 0-0-0 White is rapidly completing development, before introducing complications. Now the threat is to gain space and harass the black queen with e5. 8...e5 Hence, Black puts a stop to the aforementioned idea. 9 dxe5 dxe5 10 ¤b5!
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+kv l r t0 9z pp+n+pz p 0 9 +p+ q w p z0 9+N+ p z + 0 9 + +P+ +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PPw Q P zPz P0 9+ K mR+L+R0 xiiiiiiiiy It was the discovery of this move that rendered this line unplayable for Black. 10...¦b8 Alternatively: (10...cxb5 but the continuation 11 ¥xb5 £e6 12 ¤xe5 Leaves Black defenseless against the threat on d7. , 10...¢d8 11 £a5+! It is important to weaken the white squares on Black's queenside, forcing: 11...b6 12 £c3 With mounting and lasting pressure. ) 11 ¤xa7± Klinger,J−King,D/it Lucerne Switzerland 1989. 3...b6 4 e3 ¥b7 5 ¤bd2 d5 6 ¤e5 There is nothing wrong with occupying e5 nice and early. 6...¥e7 7 ¥d3 0-0 8 0-0 ¤e4 9 ¥f4 f6 Kicking out the White knight, at the rather high cost of weakening the kingside. 10 ¤ef3 g5 Very ambitious. Black bags the bishop pair, but leaves his king very short of cover. 11 ¥g3 h5 12 h3² Murshed,N− Ahmed,S/Dhaka BAN 2003.
4 ¤bd2 4 e3 b6 5 ¥d3 ¥b7 6 ¤bd2 d6
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs n q wk+ r t0 9z plz p l vpz pp0 9 p z p zps n +0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ +Lz PN+ 0 9Pz PPs N P zPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy
Black has no intention of preventing White's central expansion. He is instead banking on his opponent over −extending himself. 7 0-0 ¤bd7 8 e4 0-0 9 e5 It seems natural to try and punish Black for his passive play, but a calmer approach with 9 c3, would have kept a slight edge without the risk. 9...¤d5 10 ¥xe7 £xe7 11 ¦e1 ¤f4= Lineykin,D−Tugaj,S/Kharkov UKR 2000.
4...d5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qk+ r t0 9z ppz p l vpz pp0 9 + +ps n +0 9+ +p+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PPs NPz PPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 5 e3 ¤bd7 5...¤e4 A premature attempt to equalise. 6 ¥xe7 £xe7 7 ¤xe4 dxe4 8 ¤d2 f5 For the moment, the Black structure seems solid enough, but it is just waiting to be undermined. 9 ¥c4 ¤d7 10 0-0 ¤b6 11 ¥b3 ¥d7 12 f3 The key move. White gets rid of Black's space advantage in one fell swoop. 12...exf3 13 ¤xf3² Sosna,J− Forman,S/Czech Rep CZE 2003.
6 ¥d3 0-0 7 c3 ¦e8 8 £e2 ¤f8 9 h4
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lw qrs nk+0 9z ppz p l vpz pp0 9 + +ps n +0 9+ +p+ L v 0 9 + P z + P z0 9+ P zLz PN+ 0 9Pz P N sQz PP+0 9t R + K m +R0 xiiiiiiiiy This aggressive approach to playing the Torre attack is often seen in the games of Grandmaster Mark Hebden. White's king will frequently be safe on e1 or f1 and so a rook lift is prepared on the kingside.
9...c5 10 ¤e5 ¤6d7 11 £h5 Forcing Black to exchange on e5 or make a concession on his kingside.
11...¤xe5 12 dxe5 ¥d7 13 ¦h3² White has a dangerous initiative Dudas,J−Segovia,J/Budapest HUN 2000.
Torre with ...e6 and ...c5 4 c3 [A46] −
Last updated: 14/09/05 by Eric Prié
1 d4 ¤f6 2 ¤f3 e6 3 ¥g5 c5 4 c3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z pp+p+pz pp0 9 + +ps n +0 9+ p z + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P +Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy The most solid move here.
4...d5 4...cxd4 5 cxd4 The main difference between this variation and those we have seen before, is the early pawn exchange is less effective for Black, as there is no pawn imbalance and the White queens knight can come to the more active c3 square. 5...£b6
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z pp+p+pz pp0 9 q w +ps n +0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz P +Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
Now this attack on b2 is critical. Others:
a) 5...£a5+ is an unnecessary disruption, 6 ¤c3! ¤e4 7 ¥d2 ¤xd2 8 £xd2 if you like simple positions with nicely developed pieces I can advise you to try this position which I find pleasant for White in spite of the pair of opposing bishops. 8...d5 (8...b6?! 9 ¦c1 ¥b7 10 e4 with the centre and a clear advantage, Hebden,M− Vanderstricht,G/Albufeira Algarve 1999 ) 9 e3 (9 ¦c1 ¤c6 10 e3 ¥e7 11 ¥d3 Hebden,M−Hunt,H/Leek 2002 ) 9...¤c6 10 ¥d3 ¥e7 11 0-0 0-0 12 a3 ¥d7! reaching the critical position of the line, Hebden,M−Turner,M/Paignton 2000. b) 5...h6 This lands Black in a bad Trompowsky. So better would be d5, with a fair stake in the centre. Mark Hebden, one of the leading exponents of this line for White, believes White is better after 5...d5 because Black's light squared bishop is a poor piece. 6 ¥xf6 £xf6 7 e4 Quite naturally, White takes up the invitation to build a big centre. 7...¥b4+ 8 ¤c3 ¥xc3+! (8...0-0 9 ¦c1² Hebden,M−Grabuzova,T/open, Cappelle la Grande FRA 1997. ) 9 bxc3 b6 10 ¥d3 ¥b7 11 0-0 0-0 12 £e2 d6! Del Rey,D−Polak,T/Zaragoza 2001. c) 5...¥b4+ 6 ¤bd2 h6 7 ¥xf6!? Fuller,W−La Mar,F/Lansing 1992. 6 £c2 (6 ¥xf6?! this is a gamble. 6...£xb2 naturally this is the critical line, (6...gxf6?! 7 £d2 d5 8 ¤c3 ¤c6 9 e3 with a plus, Hebden,M−Estremera Panos,S/Caleta ENG 2005 ) 7 ¥xg7 ¥xg7 8 ¤bd2 ¤c6 9 e3 (9 ¦b1!?) 9...¤b4! 10 ¦c1 £xa2 winning a pawn for little compensation, Ignatenko,V−Kliun,B/Kyiv UKR 2004.) 6...¤c6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+kv l r t0 9z pp+p+pz pp0 9 q wn+ps n +0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PQ+Pz PPz P0 9t RN+ K mL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
7 ¥xf6 (7 e3? This attempt to keep the bishop fails instructively by force: 7...¤b4 8 £b3 ¤e4! 9 ¥h4 £a5 10 ¤fd2 g5! 11 ¥g3 h5! and Black soon won a piece, Hauchard,A−Van Wely,L/France 2000. ) 7...gxf6 8 e3 d5 9 ¤c3 ¥d7 10 a3! with the better structure, Mamedyarov,S− Nyback,T/Chalkidiki 2003. 4...£b6 is wrong because it is well known that the queen exchange proposed after 5 £b3 with the goal of isolating the doubled b − pawns, always favours the side with the better development. (5 ¤bd2 £xb2 6 ¤c4
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z pp+p+pz pp0 9 + +ps n +0 9+ p z + L v 0 9 +Nz P + +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pw q +Pz PPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 6...£xc3+ (6...£b5 is well met by 7 e4 gaining yet more time on the hapless queen. ) 7 ¥d2 £xc4 8 e4 traps the Black queen! However, this may not be the end of the story. 8...£xf1+ 9 ¢xf1 ¤xe4 leads to an unbalanced position, where Black has two pieces and three pawns for his queen. This type of position may appeal to creative Black players, who want to go all out for the win.) 5...£xb3 (5...¤c6 6 e3 ¥e7 7 ¤bd2 d5 8 £c2 ¥d7 9 ¥d3 ¦c8 10 £b1= Alekseev,V−Borisova,E/St Petersburg RUS 2000. ) 6 axb3 ¤c6 7 e3 b6 8 ¤a3 d6 9 ¥b5! with a nagging advantage to White, see Prie,E− Kotsur,P/Lausanne 2001. 4...¥e7
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qk+ r t0 9z pp+pv lpz pp0 9 + +ps n +0 9+ p z + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P +Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
5 ¤bd2 cxd4?! (5...b6?! 6 e4 By his unusual move order, White has tricked his opponent into an unfavourable version of the usual Torre attack. White is already better. 6...cxd4 7 cxd4 ¥b7 8 ¥d3 0-0 9 £e2 d6 10 h4 Having secured control of the center, White allows himself to play ambitiously on the wing. 10...¦e8 11 0-0-0² Hebden,M−De Sousa,J/French Team Ch FRA 1999. , 5...d5 is best, 6 ¥xf6?! is mistaken, 6...¥xf6 7 dxc5 ¤d7 8 ¤b3 £c7 White has parted with his important dark −squared bishop for nothing since he is not able to hang onto the c5 − pawn ) 6 cxd4 d5 7 e3 ¤c6 8 ¥d3 0-0 9 a3 a5 10 ¦c1 ¥d7 11 0-0 £b8 12 ¥b5! the b5 −square is weak, Prie,E− Dumitrache,D/Montpellier 2003. 4...h6 5 ¥h4 (5 ¥xf6 £xf6 6 e4 This line has given White a nice plus score over the years. 6...¤c6 7 d5 Gaining space and time. 7...exd5 8 exd5 ¤e5 9 ¤xe5 £xe5+ 10 ¥e2
¥e7 is a better choice, although White is still slightly better. (10...¥d6?! The bishop will prove to be a target here. 11 ¤a3 0-0 12 ¤c4² Hebden,M−Grant,A/Port Erin IOM 2002. ) ) 5...cxd4 6 cxd4 £a5+ (6...¥b4+?! is dubious, Utnasunov,A− Poddubnyi,V/Elista 1999 ) 7 ¤fd2! the possibility of playing this better move, without the g5− bishop hanging anymore, is the main drawback of the black move order. (7 ¤c3 ¤e4 8 £b3 ¤c6?! Sangla,P−Ruderfer,M/URS 1967 ) 7...¤c6 8 e3 ¥e7 9 ¤c3 a6? 10 ¤c4! and Black was in big trouble, Ornstein,A−Sjogren,B/Sweden 1998.
5 ¤bd2 ¥e7 6 e3 ¤bd7
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lw qk+ r t0 9z pp+nv lpz pp0 9 + +ps n +0 9+ p zp+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P z P zN+ 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 6...b6 7 ¥d3 0-0 8 ¤e5 As so often in the Torre Attack, it pays White to anchor his Knight on the e5 square at the earliest opportunity. 8...¤fd7 Black takes immediate steps to repel borders. 9 ¥f4 White intends launching a kingside attack and therefore it is logical to avoid exchanging any more attacking pieces than strictly necessary. (9 h4 Is an interesting possibility, with the point that: 9...f6 10 £h5 Is very dangerous for Black. ) 9...f5 (9...¤xe5 10 dxe5 ¥a6 11 ¥c2 ¤c6 12 £g4² Gokhale,C−Mahesh Chandran,P/Nagpur IND 2002. ) 10 h4 ¥f6 11 ¤df3 White bolsters his central outpost and is now ready for his kingside pawn break. 11...a5 12 g4² Hebden,M− Roos,T/Ch−Fra, Mulhouse, 2001.
7 ¥d3 b6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lw qk+ r t0 9z p +nv lpz pp0 9 p z +ps n +0 9+ p zp+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P zLz PN+ 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy 7...0-0 8 ¤e5 Petrosian was a particular fan of occupying e5 at the earliest opportunity. There is a lot to be said for this no nonsense approach. 8...¤xe5 Black takes the opportunity to trade off the aggressively posted knight before it can be reinforced with f4. 9 dxe5 ¤d7 10 ¥f4 White chooses to keep his attacking pieces on the board and not alleviate Black's somewhat cramped position by exchanges. 10...f5 Black sensibly takes steps to blunt the power of the White Bd3 but the pawn on f5 can itself become a target. a) 10...¦e8 11 h4 (11 £h5!) 11...¤f8 12 £h5 Prie,E−Shoucair,H/Narbonne−Plage 2005 b) 10...f6 might be best 11 h4² Petrosian−Lyublinsky/Moscow 1949. ( However, 11 g4!? g5 12 gxf5 gxf4 13 fxe6 looks strong. )
8 0-0 8 ¤e5! ¤xe5 9 dxe5 ¤d7 10 ¥xe7 £xe7 11 f4 0-0 12 ¤f3 f5? 13 ¦g1! planning g4 with a crude, but effective, attack, Radjabov,T− Naiditsch,A/Dortmund GER 2003.
8...¥b7 9 ¤e5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+ q wk+ r t0 9z pl+nv lpz pp0 9 p z +ps n +0 9+ p zps N L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P zLz P + 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R +Q+Rm K 0 xiiiiiiiiy
The main move, but White has a large choice: 9 £a4 This move is the start of an essential trap that any Torre player should know. That said both 10.Qe2 and 10.Re1 are almost certainly stronger. 9...0-0 (9...a6 intending b5 is the easiest way to parry White's plan. ) 10 ¤e5 ¤xe5 11 dxe5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+ q w r tk+0 9z pl+ l vpz pp0 9 p z +ps n +0 9+ p zpz P L v 0 9Q+ + + +0 9+ P zLz P + 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R + +Rm K 0 xiiiiiiiiy
It was probably only now that White's well masked intentions finally dawned on Black. He is in severe danger of losing on the spot. Quite a few players have fallen foul of playing the natural 11...¤d7 only to be rocked by the crushing (11...¤h5 The only move. 12 ¥xe7 £xe7 13 ¥e2± Digiugno,F−Temi,W/Bratto ITA 2001. ) 12 £h4! which wins at least a rook. 9 £e2 is solid but unambitious. White wants to play ¥a6 and engage some action on the queenside, 9...¤e4 (9...£c7 10 ¥f4 ¥d6 11 ¥xd6 £xd6 12 ¦ab1 0-0 13 ¦fe1 ¦fe8 14 ¥b5 ¥c6 15 ¥xc6 £xc6 is also equal, Tyomkin,D−Lerner,K/Givataim ISR 2005 ) 10 ¥f4 The exchange of bishops would free Black's game so for the moment White declines the trade of pieces. However as Black would be left with his "bad" bishop on b7 there is an argument for taking on e7 as well. 10...0-0 11 ¦ad1 f5= Thamtavatvorn,T− Mrad,C/Bled SLO 2002. 9 £c2 White wants to pass his queen's rook to the kingside and then only play £b1, 9...h6 10 ¥h4 0-0 11 ¤e5? a blunder that will be instructively refuted, Wilder,M−Van der Sterren,P/Reykjavik 1986. 9 £b1!? White controls the crucial e4 −square and wants to play b2 − b4, 9...h6 10 ¥f4 ¤h5! 11 ¥e5 Kasparov,G−Monier,R/Cordoba 1992, when 11...0-0 is best. 9 a4 my preference, 9...0-0 10 a5 c4 11 ¥c2 b5 12 £b1 h6 13 ¥f4 ¤h5! 14 ¥e5 f5 the first inaccuracy, see Prie,E−Sillam,O/Laragne 2002.
9...¤xe5 This is the main continuation. Then: 9...¤e4? This attempt at avoiding the main line works out badly for Black. 10 ¥xe7 £xe7 11 ¤xe4 dxe4 (11...¤xe5 is forced here although Black still loses material after: 12 dxe5 dxe4 13 £a4+) 12 ¥b5+− Martinsen,S−Sjol,H/Oslo NOR 2001.
10 dxe5 ¤d7 11 ¥xe7 £xe7 12 f4
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+ +k+ r t0 9z pl+nw qpz pp0 9 p z +p+ +0 9+ p zpz P + 0 9 + + z P +0 9+ P zLz P + 0 9Pz P N s +Pz P0 9t R +Q+Rm K 0 xiiiiiiiiy Recommended by Burgess in "The Gambit guide to the Torre attack". White plans to break with e4 and if:
12...f6 12...0-0-0! 13 ¤f3 Dreev,A−Azarov,S/playchess.com INT 2004, when 13...g5! is the acid test.
13 £h5+ £f7 14 £e2 is interesting.
Torre with ...e6 and ...c5 - 4 e3 [A46] Last updated: 14/04/05 by Eric Prié
The mainline of the Torre attack involves an early e6 and c5 for Black. However, following the theoretical recommendations is no guarantee of an easy life for Black.
1 d4 ¤f6 2 ¤f3 2 ¥g5 e6 3 e3 A less ambitious move than 3.e4, however, transposing to the Torre Attack is by no means a bad option. 3...c5 4 ¤d2 ¤c6 5 c3 d5 6 ¤gf3
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lw qkv l r t0 9z pp+ +pz pp0 9 +n+ps n +0 9+ p zp+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P z P zN+ 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
6...£b6 (6...£c7 7 ¥d3 ¥d6 8 0-0 ¥d7 9 a3 c4 As we have seen so many times on this site this move is undoubtedly a mistake. 10 ¥c2 ¤g4 11 h3 h6 12 ¥f4 ¤f6 (12...¥xf4 just cements White's grip on e5. 13 exf4 ¤f6 14 ¤e5²) 13 ¥xd6 £xd6 14 £e2 0-0 15 e4² Zilberman,N−Pitterson,J/Bled SLO 2002.) 7 ¦b1 White defends what is often his most vulnerable point in the Torre Attack. It may look strange to put the rook on this square, but he is no more misplaced than the awkward −looking Black queen. 7...¥e7 8 ¥d3 £c7 Black loses a move, so that he can keep an eye on the e5 square. 9 0-0 ¥d7 10 £e2
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+ +k+ r t0 9z ppw qlv lpz pp0 9 +n+ps n +0 9+ p zp+ L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P zLz PN+ 0 9Pz P N sQz PPz P0 9+R+ +Rm K 0 xiiiiiiiiy 10...cxd4 A double edged move. Black releases the central tension. This does counter White's most aggressive plan of Rbc1 followed by c4, but on the other hand, it allows White access to the e5 square. 11 exd4 h6 12 ¥h4 ¥d6 13 ¥g3² White had won the battle for control of e5 in Kovacevic,B−Tratar,M/Ljubljana SLO 2001.
2...e6 3 ¥g5 This is the somewhat calm beginning of the Torre attack. Who would think that so serene a start would so quickly transform into one of the most bloodthirsty openings known to man? This is the basic initial set up for White in the Torre attack. As you can see White will be able to achieve this desired formation against all but the most unusual of Black defences.
3...c5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z pp+p+pz pp0 9 + +ps n +0 9+ p z + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PP+Pz PPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy The move 3...c5 poses a major choice for White at this early stage. The aggressive 3.e3 allows Black to attempt to win a pawn, as in this game. It also allows White to meet the dubious 4..b6? with 5.d5 and a positional advantage. On the other hand, Black can immediately unbalance the position with cxd4, which would suit the stronger
player, playing for the win. 4.c3 is a more solid approach, which includes more than a drop of poison for the unwary opponent. 3...h6 4 ¥h4 It is, of course, a perfectly viable option for White to simply retreat the bishop when challenged. The resulting positions transpose to the mainline. 3...¥e7 4 e3 (4 ¥xf6!? ¥xf6 5 e4 looks good for White. ) 4...b6 (4...0-0 5 ¥d3 d5 6 0-0 c5 7 c3 ¤c6 8 ¤bd2 h6?! This allows White to unleash a nice idea. (8...b6 looks better with play along normal lines. ) 9 ¥xf6 ¥xf6 10 dxc5± Grivas,E −Karabalis,H/Athens GRE 2002.) 5 ¤bd2 ¥b7 6 ¥d3 c5 7 0-0 0-0 8 c3 h6 (8...¤c6 9 ¤e5 ¤xe5 Black is naturally eager to remove one of White's most aggressive pieces, but the trade off is a gaping hole on d6. 10 dxe5 ¤d5 11 ¥xe7 £xe7 12 c4 ¤b4 13 ¥e4² Bashkirov,V −Faibisovich,V/St Petersburg RUS 1999. , 8...d6 9 ¦e1 ¤bd7 Despite the fact that White is gearing up for his central pawn push, Black continues his policy of wait and see. 10 e4 cxd4 11 cxd4 e5 12 ¦c1² White has the more pleasant position. Sashikiran,K −Merino Garcia,R/Ubeda ESP 1999. ) 9 ¥h4 d6 a) 9...d5 Falling in with White's plans to infiltrate on e5. This is a little too compliant for my liking, although Black's position remains very solid. 10 ¤e5 ¤fd7 11 ¥xe7 £xe7 12 f4 White's attacking chances on the kingside are helped by the fact that Black has already weakened his light squares with h6. 12...¤c6 13 ¤df3² Kagan,N− Jones,L/Warwick Fiji FIJ 2002. b) 9...¤c6 10 £e2 d6 11 ¦fd1 ¦e8 12 a4 a6 13 ¦ac1 Both sides have built up patiently, but White is now ready to expand in the centre with e4, thus Black is forced to take action. 13...d5 14 c4ƒ Dougherty,M−Shepherd,M/Port Erin IOM 2002. Attempting to take advantage of the slightly exposed nature of the Black queen. (14 ¤e5!?) 10 £e2
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs n q w r tk+0 9z pl+ l vpz p 0 9 p z p zps n p z0 9+ p z + + 0 9 + P z + L v0 9+ P zLz PN+ 0 9Pz P N sQz PPz P0 9t R + +Rm K 0 xiiiiiiiiy
When Black delays the exchange on d4 and doesn't play an early d5, (which allows Ne5), then White lacks a clear attacking plan. In such situations, it is a good idea to prepare the e4 pawn push, which will give White a space advantage in the centre, forcing Black to take action. 10...¤h5 Black has slightly less space and so resorts to this knight manoeuvre, in order to exchange a pair of minor pieces. Also, for the time being, this makes it less attractive for White to push e4, due to Nf4. 11 ¥xe7 £xe7 12 g3 This seems to weaken the kingside White squares, but Black has no
good way to exploit them and White is again ready for e4. 12...¤f6 13 e4² White's extra central space gives him the advantage, Salov,V−Gluckman,D/Biel 1993.
4 e3 4 c3 is the alternative and is dealt with in a separate chapter.
4...h6 4...¤c6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lw qkv l r t0 9z pp+p+pz pp0 9 +n+ps n +0 9+ p z + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
5 ¤bd2 It is the fact that White develops so quickly and harmoniously that attracts so many strong players to the Torre attack. 5...b6 This fianchetto is one of two basic defensive options for Black against the Torre. The other is to erect a central bastion with d5. 6 c3 ¥b7 7 ¥d3 The development of the white squared bishop targeting h7 is a hint at Whites aggressive intentions. 7...cxd4 8 exd4 ¥e7 9 ¤c4
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+ q wk+ r t0 9z pl+pv lpz pp0 9 p zn+ps n +0 9+ + + L v 0 9 +Nz P + +0 9+ P zL+N+ 0 9Pz P + P zPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy
Cleverly preventing the black idea of Nd5, as Nd6+ shoves the black king from e8 and threatens the bishop on b7. 9...£c7 (9...0-0 10 £e2 £c7 11 h4 With an attack. ) 10 £d2 ¦c8 11 0-0 The battle lines are drawn. White seeks to attack on the kingside and in the centre, whilst black's chances lie on the queenside. 11...h6 12 ¥f4 The bishop retreats to a less aggressive square, but gains time by attacking the black queen.
White eyes remain fixed on the vulnerable h6 square. 12...d6 13 ¦fe1² White's extra space gives him a slight advantage, Torre,C−Samisch,F/Moscow 1925. 4...b6? A well known mistake, but that doesn't stop it from happening in international games, to high rated players! 5 d5
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z p +p+pz pp0 9 p z +ps n +0 9+ p zP+ L v 0 9 + + + +0 9+ + P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
(5 c4?! ¥b7 I don't like this move, which allows White the set −up he desires. (5...¥e7 makes it much harder for White to carry out the d5 pawn thrust. 6 d5? ¤xd5!) 6 d5 h6 7 ¥xf6 £xf6 8 ¤c3 White's space advantage gives him a slight edge. 8...e5 9 ¥d3 d6 10 £a4+ An irritating move, designed to interfere with Black's natural plan of development. 10...¤d7 11 0-0² Collier,D−Coates,K/Birmingham ENG 2002.) 5...exd5 6 ¤c3 ¥e7 7 ¤xd5 ¤xd5 8 £xd5² Chatalbashev,B−Petraki,M/Ano Liosia GRE 2001, and Froehlich,P−Stuart,P/Auckland AUS 2003. White is already better, as it is difficult for Black to free his game. 4...cxd4
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z pp+p+pz pp0 9 + +ps n +0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + p z + +0 9+ + P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
Opening the e −file allows white greater attacking chances, but gives black the counterpunching potential of a minority attack on the queenside. 5 exd4 ¥e7 6 ¤bd2 (6 ¥d3 White as normal goes about his preferred system of development unhampered. 6...b6
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qk+ r t0 9z p +pv lpz pp0 9 p z +ps n +0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ +L+N+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy 7 ¤bd2 ¥b7 8 ¥xf6 It is somewhat unusual to give up the bishop pair without being "asked" by h6, or extracting some structural compensation. This move is designed to prevent one of Black's main equalising tries, namely the simplifying Nd5. 8...¥xf6 9 £e2 White signals that he is going to continue in creative style and castle queenside. Notice how the c− pawn is left at home, to avoid presenting a target for Black. 9...d6 10 ¤e4 Shoo! 10...¥e7 11 h4 A move designed specifically to give Black doubts about castling kingside. A rook lift via h3 is also made possible. 11...¤d7 Black bides his time deferring the decision about his king. 12 ¤eg5 The Knight becomes a thorn in Black's side which he will not be able to tolerate for long. 12...£c7 (12...h6 is not possible yet because of 13 ¤xe6!) 13 0-0-0 White has a dangerous attacking position, Lipka,J−Jurek,J/Team Championships, CZE 1998.) 6...d6 (6...0-0
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw q r tk+0 9z pp+pv lpz pp0 9 + +ps n +0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + +N+ 0 9Pz PPs N P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
7 ¥d3 b6 8 £e2 Graham Burgess in his recent book "The Gambit Guide to the Torre attack" is suspicious of this move, claiming that Black should be able to equalise with a timely Nd5. I recommend his book to any Torre player wanting to improve their theoretical knowledge of the opening. I agree with Burgess's assessment, and would suggest White players stick to the standard plans involving kingside castling. 8...¥b7 9 c3 ¤c6 With this, Black starts to go wrong, instead (9...¤d5 10 ¥xe7 £xe7 looks fine, when I can't see anything better for White than the slightly wimpy: 11 g3) 10 h4² The advance of the h− pawn gives black a headache, Efimov,I − Roser,K/Monaco MCO 1999.) 7 c3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qk+ r t0 9z pp+ l vpz pp0 9 + p zps n +0 9+ + + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ P z +N+ 0 9Pz P N s P zPz P0 9t R +Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy White cements his centre, allowing the speedy deployment of his troops. 7...¤bd7 8 ¥d3 b6 9 ¤c4!? ¥b7 10 £e2 £c7 11 0-0 0-0 is roughly equal, Torre,C−Lasker,E/Moscow 1925. 4...£b6
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z pp+p+pz pp0 9 q w +ps n +0 9+ p z + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ + P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
This active yet greedy approach promises Black more than his fair share of heartache. 5 ¤bd2 This is the macho move boldly sacrificing a pawn in return for a lead in development. I believe it gives White the best chances for an opening advantage. (5 £c1 This is White's least ambitious option at this juncture and is frequently played by those with no pretensions of achieving an opening advantage. 5...¤c6 6 c3 d5 7 ¤bd2 White could, of course, take on f6 at any stage, but Black has thought very carefully about White's cautious 5th move and takes the practical view that his opponent is not trying to unbalance the position. 7...¥d7 8 ¥d3 ¦c8 9 £b1 ¥e7= Mansour,S−Ahmed,E/Doha QAT 2002. ) 5...£xb2 Having said "A" black must say "B" else what was the point of his fourth move? (5...d5 6 ¥xf6 gxf6 7 ¥e2 ¤c6 We will seen the mess that Black can get into if he captures on b2. However, if he intends to decline the gambit, why put the queen on b6? 8 0-0 ¥d7 9 c4 White naturally opens the position for his better developed pieces. 9...dxc4 10 ¤xc4 £c7 11 ¦c1² Arvind,C− Priyadarshini,M/Mumbai IND 2003. ) 6 ¥xf6 White gives up the bishop pair in order to cause a major headache for the Black King. With a semi open b file and now a shattered kingside the Black king will have nowhere to hide. (6 ¥d3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nl+kv l r t0 9z pp+p+pz pp0 9 + +ps n +0 9+ p z + L v 0 9 + P z + +0 9+ +Lz PN+ 0 9Pw qPs N P zPz P0 9t R +Qm K +R0 xiiiiiiiiy White strays from the usual Bxf6. He has bigger and better plans for his dark squared bishop. 6...¥e7 7 0-0 £b6 The queen flees the scene of the crime with her booty intact, although there is a price to be paid in terms of tempi lost. 8 ¦b1 £c7 9 e4 Straightforward enough, immaterial of pawns, White intends to plough through the middle. 9...cxd4 10 e5 gives White good compensation for his material investment, Crut,A−Olivier,J/Bescanon FRA 1999 ) 6...gxf6 7 ¥d3
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Speedy development is part and parcel of any successful gambiters strategy and this case is no exception. 7...d5 Black stakes a claim in the centre. The important idea is to take the central e4 and c4 squares away from the White pieces. 8 ¦b1 Would your majesty care for another pawn? 8...£c3 No thank you. I am quite full enough already! Instead after 8...Qxa2 9.c4, with the center opening up, Black's neglected development would really begin to tell. 9 0-0 c4 Black is really pushing his luck with this move. The queen is a powerful piece, but she cannot cope alone with a fully developed White army. 10 ¥xc4!± With a clear advantage. Ye Rongguang− Van Beers,E/Groningen 1996.
5 ¥h4
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z pp+p+pz p 0 9 + +ps n p z0 9+ p z + + 0 9 + P z + L v0 9+ + P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 5...cxd4 5...¤c6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lw qkv l r t0 9z pp+p+pz p 0 9 +n+ps n p z0 9+ p z + + 0 9 + P z + L v0 9+ + P zN+ 0 9Pz PP+ P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
6 c3 d5 Black opts for greater central control at the expense of hemming in his light square bishop and handing White the e5 square. 7 ¥d3 (7 ¤bd2 is interesting in order to meet Qb6 with Rb1. ) 7...£b6 8 £c1 ¥d7 9 0-0 ¦c8 Black begins to mount unpleasant pressure along the c −file. 10 ¤bd2 cxd4 11 exd4 ¥d6= Andreev,E− Pelitov,D/Pamporovo BUL 2001. 5...b6 6 c3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rs nlw qkv l r t0 9z p +p+pz p 0 9 p z +ps n p z0 9+ p z + + 0 9 + P z + L v0 9+ P z P zN+ 0 9Pz P + P zPz P0 9t RN+Qm KL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 6...¥e7 7 ¤bd2 0-0 8 ¥d3 ¥a6 A standard tactic in the d − pawn specials, Black seeks to exchange White's dangerous light squared bishop. 9 ¥xa6 ¤xa6 10 £e2 Highlights the weakness of Black's opening play. The off −side Black knight is targeted, while White gains time for his central advance. 10...¤c7 11 e4² Arencibia,W−Rivas Pastor,M/Malaga ESP 2000.
6 exd4 ¥e7 Probably best. 6...b6 7 ¥xf6!? £xf6 8 g3 played in order to counter balance the action of Black's light − squared bishop on the long diagonal and to control the chronically sensitive f4 square, Morozevich,A−Anand,V/Wijk aan Zee NED 2005.
7 ¤bd2 7 ¥d3 b6 8 0-0 ¥b7 9 ¦e1 (9 ¤bd2 transposes ) 9...0-0 10 c4 The opening has so far been standard, with both sides playing moves that should come as no surprise to any self respecting Torre attack player. White's last move requires some comment. The standard Torre plan would be c3, Nd2 etc, but with c4 White begins a different strategy of directly attacking the center. The likely result is an IQP position, where the aggressive White player can hone his attacking skills. 10...d5 11 ¤c3² Gonzalez Velez,F−Oms Pallise,J/Barcelona ESP 2000.
7...b6 8 ¥d3 ¥b7
